Careless Whisper

XX

January 1995

Louis wakes up on the morning of the new year with a sore head. Before he's even fully awake, the memories from last night come flooding back. After Harry announced that he was done with everything, Louis watched Harry pace back and forth across the apartment in quick strides, angrily recounting the events of the New Year's Gala.

Claudia herself was angry about the imminent end of the stunt, as it had given her a lot of attention and modeling jobs over the past year. She let Harry feel what she thought of his decision all evening. But what pissed Harry off the most was that she bought herself a ring and wore it prominently on her left ring finger. It should seem like Harry had finally asked the questions of all questions. The local paparazzi naturally pounced on it like vultures and showered them with questions about the engagement. Claudia even had the nerve, smiling shyly, to acknowledge the questions with a nod and Harry could do nothing but to rage internally and to play along externally and not to let anything show off his inner turmoil on his face. Then, when they were on the dance floor and Claudia leaned in close and shoved her tongue in his mouth, Harry lost it. He freaked out and pushed her away in front of everyone, wiping his mouth in disgust. Apparently the other guests saw everything and the paparazzi took pictures too. Some of Harry's management was also there and pulled Harry aside and showered him with threats and reproaches.

In the heat of the moment, Harry yelled at them that he would no longer have a fake relationship with Claudia, that he was bi and loves a man and he's no longer willing to pretend. Of course, a few guests overheard it and the news spread like wildfire among the others present. It was a mess. Management talked Harry into finally being quiet and living out his tantrum in a private meeting, but Harry had had enough. He kept screaming at them that he wouldn't work with them anymore, that he shits on his career and that they can fuck off. Then he stormed out of the room and drove straight to Louis.

Louis tried to say something to calm Harry down, but he was upset and just kept talking and poured out his heart. At the end of his story he stood in the middle of the room and started to cry with his head hanging down. And Louis' heart was so broken for the man he loves. The world is unfair, nobody should have to fake a relationship and hide themselves just to be able to continue their career successfully. And despite feeling sorry for Harry, he was and still is so proud of him. Standing up for himself for his courage, even if he now has to live with the consequences. The scared and shy boy from back then has grown into a man who fearlessly defended himself in front of strangers and his management.

As Harry stood there crying, Louis rushed straight to him, took him in his arms and kept telling him mantra-like that everything would be fine and he was proud of him. He gently pulled him into the kitchen and sat him there in a chair at the kitchen table where Harry slumped down. Louis had taken all the alcohol from himself and Liam and put it on the table while Harry watched everything silently with tear-stained eyes. As Louis dropped into a chair next to him and pushed a filled glass of ginger ale and wine mix in front of him, he said to him, "We'll drink to your courage and the new year. And tomorrow we'll look for solutions. But now we forget all that. Cheers, my love." They looked deep into each other's eyes and Louis stroked Harry's cheeks as they bumped their glasses into each other.

By midnight they were already halfway through the drinks and clearly drunk. Sloppy kisses were exchanged on the balcony and while Louis smoked a cigarette, Harry hung around his body, licking and kissing down the back of his neck. Harry used to be a horny drunk and when they went back inside he was blowing Louis sitting on the kitchen table.

When they finally fell into bed together, totally drunk, at four in the morning, Louis pulled Harry close and he fell asleep straight away. It took Louis a little longer, the room was spinning, and concerns about Harry and what became of his career weren't entirely numbed by the alcohol.