Prelude To Forever ->> Larry Stylinson. L.S.

2.

“Oh,” Louis smiled faintly. He decided Mystery Hugger was of no threat to him and figured out this was an intervention of sorts to help Louis away from Bride of Frankenstein. “Yeah, sorry. It was crowded up there so I just got on where there was room. But you’re right. You found me.”

Mystery Hugger smiled brilliantly at him. Louis was so thankful for the solidarity that he grabbed for Mystery Hugger’s hand. He turned back to Bride of Frankenstein and asked, “Now, what were you saying?”

Mystery Hugger’s mouth snarled a bit. “Yeah, what exactly were you saying to my partner?”

Bride of Frankenstein’s mouth went slack watching Louis and Mystery Hugger. “I, uh,” he stuttered. “Nothing. Just...nothing.”

“That’s what I thought,” Mystery Hugger protectively wrapped his free arm around Louis. Louis wanted nothing more than to melt into the embrace, but stopped himself. Just as quickly, he remembered this was all for show and figured if all he got were these few minutes of fake dating Mystery Hugger, he might as well take advantage. Louis quirked his eyebrow in a manner that sent off “fuck you” vibes and leaned back as far as he could into the man.

The Bride of Frankenstein turned away and pushed through the crowd and finally Louis felt like he could breathe again.

Turning out from Mystery Hugger’s arm once more, he smiled up at the man. How could he ever thank his own personal Gay Jesus?

“You all right?” Mystery Hugger/Gay Jesus asked him, voice low and eyes furrowed. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No, not at all. How did-”

“I was sitting on the far side of the car. I saw you get on and him follow but then got lost in my music. Kendrick has a way of doing that to me. Anyway, next time I looked up, he was practically laying on top of you and I had a feeling you might need some help.”

“As much as I’d like to say I had it under control, I... well, clearly I didn’t. Thank you,” Louis paused, waiting for Mystery Hugger/Gay Jesus to fill in the blank and supply him a name.

“Harry,” he supplemented, as if able to read Louis’s mind.

“Harry. Right. Thank you, Harry. I think I was probably ready to go to jail over that fucking creep.”

“I’d have bailed you out.”

“You kind of already did,” Louis said softly as if he didn’t really want to admit it. The two smiled and Louis felt a squeeze to his hand. He had forgotten entirely about still being clasped to Harry’s hand. It felt so right to be holding it that now, having let go, felt strange. He cleared his throat. “You, uh, you headed to Pride?”

“Not at all, actually. This is my everyday wear.”

Louis’s eyes went wide in shock and a wave of embarrassment swept over him before Harry cracked a smile that soon turned into a full on honk of laughter. Now it was Harry’s turn for his eyes to go wide. Louis couldn’t help but laugh in return. It was infectious between them.

“No, no, yeah,” Harry tried to get out through his fit of giggles. “Yeah I’m going to Pride. I work in advertising. There’s no way in hell I could pull this look off everyday.”

“You’re right,” Louis started, looking down at Harry’s feet, clad in a kitten heel strappy sandal. “You probably have much more sensible footwear for work,” Louis could hardly make it through the sentence without bursting into laughter again. They went on this way, quip after quip, banter easy between them.

The train slowed down to the main stop for access to the Pride grounds. Louis wasn’t ready to say goodbye to his personal Gay Jesus quite yet. They got off the train side by side and Louis reached for Harry’s arm to spin him around.

“Any chance you want to walk up together? My mates are somewhere up there but I’m not exactly sure of their whereabouts. I could always use the company for a bit.”

Harry scrunched his nose as if to hide a smile. “You know, that would be brilliant. I’m, uh,” he took a deep breath. “I’m new to this whole Pride thing. Just came out to my family a year ago. I only decided for sure this morning to come down here.”

“So you’re going by yourself?” Louis asked, astounded. Gay Jesus was actually a Baby Gay! A literal walking rainbow, in kitten heels no less, Baby Gay. “No friends wanted to join, even as allies?”

“I don’t have too many friends that actually know this side of me. Most of my friends are colleagues and I’m not quite out at my company yet. So I guess I don’t have too many friends in the community. I’m kind of alone.”

“Not anymore, you’re not. Come on,” Louis once again grabbed Harry by the hand and lead him toward the stairs. “I just decided. You’re hanging with me and my friends today.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Harold, have you learned nothing from my little incident not even ten minutes ago? Us gays have got to stick together,” Louis knew he was laying it on thick. Gay Jesus or not, Harry deserved to have a banger time at his first Pride and if there was one thing Louis and his mates were known for, it was making a party wherever they went.

“I already said I’d walk up there with you. But you don’t need to feel obligated to drag me around all day. I’m not a stray puppy or anything.”

“Contrary to me leading the way up the stairs, I don’t plan on dragging you anywhere. I’d never force you against your will. Consent is sexy, haven’t you heard?” Louis asked, holding up a temporary tattoo on his forearm that displayed that very message. “I just want to give you a proper thanks for saving my ass back there and show you a good time. If nothing else, come meet my tribe and if, at any point, you want to leave, you’re absolutely more than welcome to.”

Louis watched Harry think about it. He could see wheels spinning and wanted nothing more than to reach out and caress his cheek to help quiet Harry’s mind. Instead he just plastered on a huge smile as a last ditch effort.

“Oh all right. You’ve convinced me,” Harry’s eyes sparked almost as much as the glitter surrounding them. “But wait. I...I don’t even know your name. How do I know your damsel in distress act wasn’t just a ploy to to get a guy like me alone so you can have your way with me?” Harry smirked. The audacity of this kid! Louis knew he was teasing, and yet, he also knew there were very real elements of fear in his rationing.

As much as Louis loved being gay, there were a lot of reasons to be on high alert. Louis would be lying if he himself wasn’t a little bit on alert going to Pride, and he’s been coming since he came out at eighteen, five years ago. You just never know what kind of assholes are waiting to do god knows what and to whom.

“Trust me love, if I was working with anyone, it sure as shit wouldn’t have been Bride of Frankenstein back there.”

Harry let out another honk for a laugh

“I suppose that’s true. Doesn’t mean I still don’t know your name. I’ve been holding your hand for like fifty-two years at this point and feel like I should refer to you as something other than Sunshine Personified in my head,” Harry smiled.

“Oh my god. Sunshine Personified? And here I thought I was being ridiculous referring to you Gay Jesus.”

“Gay Jesus? Goodness. I’ve been called a lot of things in my life but Gay Jesus takes the cake!”

Louis just laughed and batted his eyes. It’s always worked to get him out of embarrassment before and he hoped it would work now. “Louis. My name is Louis and I would formally like to thank you for getting that man away from me.”

Harry smiled and nodded. “Nice to meet you, Louis. The pleasure is all mine.”

“I don’t know about that. I’d say the pleasure is more mutual than anything. Anyway, come on, Gay Jesus. Pride awaits us.”

“All right, Sunshine. You’ve talked me into it. Lead the way.”