Half the world away.

Chapter 16

"New York city?" Harry gasped, feeling the cold and uncomfortable soaked material of his clothes clinging to his skin, "Are we going to take this boat all the way over the atlantic?"

"No, we're taking this boat to Capri, then we're flying to New York, everything is booked and ready," Louis laughed and shook his head, "Now go change your clothes."

Harry unbuttoned his shirt and put it in the small bathroom inside the boat. His phone was completely dead when he got it out from his pocket, he sighed and placed it on the counter before pulling his pants off as well. He rummaged through his bag until he found his sweatpants and a cosy hoodie to wear.

He tried off with a towel and pulled on the warm and dry clothes, loving how the soft fabric felt on his cold skin.

He climbed back up to the deck where Zayn and Louis were chatting. He settled on the sofa next to Louis who had also changed into a thick college jumper and a pair of sweats.

He cuddled up to him and buried his face in the soft clothing over Louis' shoulder.

"Hi, baby, everything alright?"

"Mmm," Harry hummed and straddled Louis completely, hugging him tightly, not intending anything else. Louis' hand stroked his back as they rested together, relaxing to the sound of water and the slight bounce of the boat on the waves. He pulled back after a few minutes, looking into Louis' eyes, "What's gonna happen now?"

"Zayn has a property written in his name in New York, we're going to be staying there for as long as needed."

"As long as needed?"

"Well, about a hundred people are on a boat celebrating me, I think they're gonna realise that I'm not on the boat after a while, and then my father will get word and he'll send searches after me, I reckon that's why he put my sister on the boat, she would give him direct word if she noticed anything."

Harry froze and swallowed hard, "You mean Georgia?"

Louis looked up at him with a scared expression, "Harry," he started, shifting so that Harry was sitting further back, looking at him, "What did you say to her?"

"That we were bros when you lived at my place and that I'm not into dudes, then I said I had to use the loo and I left..."

"God, you're amazing, what did she say?"

"She was going on about thinking you were gay and not really engaged with Eleanor."

"Well, she knows the whole thing, played a pretty big part for my father, probably tried to set you up. I'm so fucking proud of you, do you know that?" Louis said and kissed him hard on the lips, his face breaking into a smile as he hugged Harry's body closer, "No more pretending."

Harry melted into the touch and scooted closer. Giggling slightly when a particularly big wave causes him to jump in Louis' lap.

"How long is the ride anyway?"

"About one and a half hours, I suggest you get some sleep, the flight will take about ten hours and that on top of the time difference, will mess with your brain," Louis explained and traced his thumb over Harry's temple. Harry nodded and moved to lay down comfortably, his head resting on Louis' thighs.

He fell asleep as Louis traced soft patterns through his curls, the gentle tugs making his mind drift.

**

"Harry," Louis' voice made it into his mind, "We've arrived in Capri now," a kiss was planted on his forehead. He groaned and stretched, gentle wind blowing in his face.

He opened his eyes, it was sundown, only a string of light over the horizon. He blinked up at Louis who was looking at him fondly. Zayn was tying the boat to a pole in the dock while they carried out their bags.