Have I forgotten how to love; remind me once again

Chapter Nine

A/N Hi loves, my mental health is for once improving. What a wonderful little day it is!

When Louis opens his eyes unwillingly, Harry's chair is once again empty, yet a smile still spreads across his face because there's no longer any doubt in his mind that he was actually here last night. His smile only broadens when he recalls his boy's sleepy eyes trying to stay open to hear the rest of Louis' story.

For a breath, things had felt normal between them, and with a sudden rush of energy Louis jumps to his feet, suddenly way more awake than he has ever been this early. His phone tells him that it's only seven in the morning - he has on more than one occasion kicked and screamed when Harry tried to pry him out of bed at this horridly ungodly time.

On the way into the kitchen, he picks up a discarded pillow, placing it in Harry's chair and smiling even more when he notices the slight heat still coming from the chair. His boy can't have left too long ago, and Louis' cheeks are starting to hurt from the excessive smiling. He's pretty sure several of his friends would be severely concerned if they saw him this giddy. It's - to put it mildly - a bit out of character for him.

"Morning, Haz", he hums, pleasantly surprised at the sight of Harry seated at the kitchen table with a bowl of cereal. His smile is returned until Harry has to slap a hand in front of his mouth, having miscalculated just how widely it's possible to smile while eating cereal, and Louis giggles.

"Tea?" He asks when Harry has got his breakfast under control, nodding to the empty cup on the table. "Yes, please... Lou". The last hesitant addition makes Louis' heart flutter, and he feels like they're giddy teenagers again, barely aware of how to flirt, but very aware of the butterflies in their tummies going crazy whenever they're in close vicinity.

Louis can't stop from humming happily as he prepares two cups of tea, the house quiet besides the two of them rustling about quietly. "Is that another one of your songs?" Harry inquires when Louis sits down beside him and stops humming.

"No, it isn't. Is one of your favorite songs though. Seal has always been one of your treasured artists. Kiss from a rose", he adds when he realizes Harry might not remember the song's name.

"Hmm", Harry smiles, "I do like it. Well, I like it when you hum it at least". A content giggle sounds between them, and for a breath everything feels absolutely normal and perfect, Louis sipping his tea and Harry eating breakfast and waiting for his to cool a bit, fondness seeping from their every bone.

"Are we going to the hospital today?", Harry asks, more conversationally than curiously. Louis shakes his head in response. "No, we aren't - figured we could change the bandages after breakfast, if you're up for it?"

"Sure", Harry responds, mindlessly touching his side with light fingers. "Does it hurt?" Louis worries out loud, but Harry instantly shakes his head. "Isn't bad at all. Nothing compared to the whole memory-thing". He huffs out a laugh as he says it, keeping the mood light, and Louis' lips rises a bit too. "Maybe we could look at the folder with exercises for your memo-..."

"No!", Harry cuts him off, and Louis is rather taken aback by the harsh answer, a startling contrast from the earlier joking, and he spends a second too long to form a reply. "I just thought th-".

"I don't want to do it, okay!" It isn't said in a way that allows for discussion, and even though Louis really wants to push it, he doesn't, but it's too late and the comfortable mood that enveloped the kitchen merely minutes ago is completely gone.

Just as Louis has found the determination to say something, Harry pushes his chair back, standing abruptly before he leaves the kitchen in a hurry, not looking at his fiancé for even a second. Well, ex-fiancé is probably more accurate.