On the Run, Your Highness

New Experiences

I turn all around as I gaze in the full length mirror in my bedroom. My trousers are light pink and make my butt look unprincely, if you're picking up what I'm putting down. I'm wearing a white button-up with pink floral designs around it. My curls are sticking out slightly through the bottom of my light brown fedora. I cannot wait until I can stop wearing all these hats! And these glasses! They're uncomfortable!

"Your Highness?" Louis says from my doorway, "You look really nice."

I smile at the ground and head toward him. I reach up and straighten up his shirt collar. I take a step back to admire his outfit. Dark grey jeans and a black button-up.

"You too, Lou." I smile up at him, staring into his nice blue eyes. "We should get going."

He nods, letting me walk past him to get out of the bedroom. As I pass, I notice the light pink blush that had appeared on his cheeks. He whispers to himself, "Lou..."

I smirk as I lead us out of the apartment, satisfied that I got Louis flustered.

"Harry!" Niall exclaims with a beer in his hand as he opens the door. "Hey! Louis!"

I giggle and ask, "Are you already drunk?"

"Nope, just excited."

Niall leads us out to the backyard, revealing a beautiful patio. The setting sun is showing through the trees at the edge of the yard and fairy lights illuminate the tiled patio.

"Harry, Louis! You made it!" Zayn smiles as he comes toward us. He gestures to some people that are already there, "These are our friends," A tall puppy-like man and a blonde woman, "Shawn and Taylor." A tall curly blond man and another puppy-like man. "Luke and Ashton."

I greet them as I know Louis is eyeing all of them suspiciously. "It's nice to meet you."

Louis nods, "Yeah, we were wondering how Niall and Zayn have survived this long. I wish I could say that I'm surprised that it takes four people to take care of them, but I'm not."

A few people chuckle. I wrap my arm around Louis' waist and say, "Be nice, babe."

As we go over to sit on the square of couches, Luke starts talking, "It's really nice to meet another gay couple. Especially at times like these."

I furrow my eyebrows as he sits against Ashton on one couch. "What do you mean?" I ask, sitting almost half a cushion away from Louis.

Ashton answers, "Have you not heard about what happened a couple weeks ago?"

Zayn interrupts, "They're from out of town. They weren't in New York when that happened."

Ashton nods in understanding. But I don't understand.

"What are we talking about?" I question, sitting up.

Taylor scoffs, "A few weeks ago, some group of guys thought it would be funny to hold up a gay bar."

Shawn continues, "Two couples died that night. Ever since then the lgbtq community has been scared, or more scared, to go out in public. The police haven't done much to help. Apparently there isn't enough money in the Safety Fund for queer people. I don't know, I don't get it."

I feel tears pricking at my eyes. A hand lands on my thigh softly, encouraging me to look at the man who owns it.

Louis leans over to me. He mumbles, "Things here aren't like they are in Eroda. Most countries don't appreciate queer people."

"But why? What's wrong with it?"

Louis shrugs, "I don't know."

"Eroda has been proud of the queer community ever since the 1700s! Why are other countries so ignorant and hateful?" Without meaning to, my voice raises as I spoke.