House of Love

9. Honest Words

Louis didn't know what he had been expecting but it surely wasn't this. When Harry had shown up at his door to work on the song they apparently really wanted to write together, he had asked Louis to follow him without telling him where they were going. He had found himself on a small roof terrace Louis didn't know existed. According to Harry, barely anyone knew about this because it was on top of the employee area of the building, more precisely above the kitchen. No one was officially allowed to be here but being the housekeeper's son's best friend had its perks. The terrace was magnificent. The beauty of it had taken Louis' breath away. This place was perfect to write a song in peace without the fear of anyone disturbing them up here.

"Do you have more tricks like these up your sleeve?" Louis raised an eyebrow at Harry with a crooked smile.

"Guess you have to find out" Harry shrugged with a grin.

Louis only rolled his eyes fondly and sat down on a big lounger, taking out his notebook. Harry sat down as well and put his guitar down next to them. Louis was weirdly excited to hear Harry play.

"Did you have a special idea in your mind when you came up with this plan of writing a song together?" Louis asked cheekily.

"Um ... actually ..." Harry suddenly turned bright red and fumbled with the hems of his trousers. "I ... err ... stumbled over an unfinished song of yours and thought we could try that one out? I really liked it but only if you're okay with that".

"Which song are we talking about, Haz?" Louis tried to cover up how surprised and touched he was.

"Something with the word Moments in the title. I think you weren't quite done with the title yet" Harry coughed awkwardly.

"Ah, that one" Louis knew exactly which song he was talking about. "I really don't have a set in stone title yet".

"Then we can come up with one as well" Harry still avoided looking at him and Louis wasn't having any of this.

Louis leaned over to him, took a hold of both of Harry's hands and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Haz, it's really okay. I promise".

With big shocked eyes, Harry was looking directly at him and Louis wasn't sure what he saw but there was definitely something going on in Harry's head at the moment. It looked like he was fighting with himself over something but then his eyes became suddenly so clear that it almost scared Louis because now Harry's eyes only reflected warmth, and maybe hesitation.

"Lou, there is something I really wanna tell you. I feel like I need to tell you but I don't expect you to say anything or react in any way, okay? I don't wanna put pressure on you or corner you or whatever might go through your head after you know. I really only want you to know because we're always honest with each other and I don't want there to be secrets that could lead to miscommunication or misunderstandings" Harry's voice was trembling slightly.

Louis gulped, irrationally feeling scared and fearing Harry could push him out of his life although that thought made no sense with what he had just said. "You can tell me everything, Haz".

"You're really important to me and I don't wanna lose you but I'm scared I might will in a minute. I just ... Don't hate me, please. But ... I really like you, Lou" Harry locked eyes with him bravely.

Louis frowned automatically. "Why should I hate you? I like you too, Haz. We're friends. Wouldn't it be weird if we ...".

"No, Louis" Harry cut him off, making Louis' face fall. "I mean, yes. Of course, we're friends but that's not what I meant. I like you, as in more than a friend. I have a crush on you, Louis".

That was a revelation Louis had to digest first. He had not seen this one coming but maybe he should have. People had told him that Harry might be into him but Louis had completely dismissed that matter because they were friends and liked spending time together and Louis just really needed him in his life.