Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 37

Louis climbed into the empty bath, kicking his legs up over the top as he stared at Harry in the mirror.

"You alright?" Harry asked, letting the toothbrush dangle momentarily as he turned to face Louis.

"Think everyone's asleep if you wanna go for a swim?" Louis suggested.

"It is very warm out..." Harry trailed off, turning the tap on as he spat out his toothpaste.

"So...?" Louis tilted his head.

"You won't stare at them?" Harry asked, looking vulnerable as his eyes widened slightly and he sub-consciously rubbed his wrists together.

"I won't stare. Of course I won't."

"Okay. Let's do it." Harry nodded, he scurried out of the bathroom, rummaging around before returning with a pair of swimming shorts in his hand. He almost stripped off then and there before catching himself as he remembered Louis was still in the room.

Louis watched in amusement, "almost gave me a proper show then, didn't ya?"

"Sorry." Harry blushed, "'m just quite excited."

Louis rolled his eyes fondly, "get changed princess, I'll get changed out there."

Five minutes later the two of them were walking up to the pool. The corridor was wide, yet they were pressed close together, feeding off of each other's warmth despite the humidity of the air.

As they reached the pool, Louis immediately stripped off his t-shirt. Harry didn't quite follow his lead, instead hesitating.

"H?"

Harry shook his head, "just give me a second." He spoke, turning away. He took a couple of deep breaths before taking his jumper off, folding it slowly before placing it down. Louis had seen his cuts before. Harry knew that, he wasn't fucking stupid, but it was still terrifying.

"You okay?" Louis asked gently, "we don't have to do this."

"I'm okay." Harry nodded. "I want to do this."

"Alright babe. Is it just your forearms you don't want me looking at?"

"And thighs." Harry mumbled self-consciously. Since he had first cut his thighs, he hadn't really stopped. It had been more sparse than with his arms, but he liked having more empty space.

Louis nodded as Harry turned to look at him, a small frown making its way onto his face.

"It's okay Lou. I don't want to focus on that anymore right now. Let's just have fun." Harry gave a small smile, turning around fully.

Louis's eyes were immediately drawn to the moth or butterfly or whatever flappy insect that was illustrated on Harry's tummy. Louis snapped his eyes back to Harry's quickly.

"One more question."

Harry quirked an eyebrow in an invite for Louis to continue.

"Can I look at the rest of your body?" Louis asked, smirking as he watched Harry turn red under the pool lights. Harry had been shirtless around Louis before, but that was only when he wasn't feeling good and Louis sat with him whilst he bathed. Louis had never looked at Harry's body then, he hadn't wanted to take advantage of Harry's vulnerability.

"If you please." He coughed, running a hand through his hair. He looked up to Louis with a small embarrassed smile.

"I please." Louis nodded, allowing his eyes to trail over Harry's body guilt-free. "I can't decide if the tattoos are hot or cute or both." Louis stated his thoughts aloud. "And those abs, god damn Styles." Louis whistled and Harry giggled, covering his face with his paw hands.