Careless Whisper

XXI

March 1996

Louis and Harry walk hand in hand into their new flat in North of London. Harry now gives private lessons as a vocal coach and is very successful with it. It was therefore necessary to find an apartment with more space so that he would have his own room for his singing lessons and he could work undisturbed with his customers. It was important for Louis himself to have his own room in which to work. In addition to songwriting, he also composes them and passes them on to musicians. His dream from back then has come true and his songs are sung by famous artists. Just last month, Celine Dion topped the charts with his song 'Think Twice', which he still had the lyrics from when he and Harry broke up. Celine Dion isn't Louis' taste in music herself, but he's so proud that he's achieved it.

With the income from the songs and Harry's new job, both of them can afford their new apartment and Louis has the feeling that everything in his life is finally going well.

He has been clean for four months and hasn't cut himself again, thanks to the constant support of Harry and his therapist.

Louis reviews all of this while watching Harry telling the movers where to put their furniture. It's a wild mess, boxes are everywhere and the workers are handling the pieces through the apartment. Louis wishes they had already done the unpacking and decorating, he never enjoyed moving unlike Harry who helps out with a big grin, already unpacking boxes or making coffee and tea for the workers. In their large living room already stands a long sideboard and Louis, who is carrying the picture of Jay under his arm so that it doesn't break in one of the boxes, puts it down gently and slowly strokes it. His mum would definitely be proud of him and Harry, that they managed to find each other again. He knows it for sure and feels like she is with him at this moment. He looks at the smile on his mother's face, smiles back slightly himself and then goes to Harry, who is just crouching in front of the still empty kitchen cupboards and is about to start putting the dishes in the cupboards. Louis collapses onto the kitchen floor next to him and leans his head against his back.

"Already exhausted?" Harry smiles as he looks around at him.

"I wish it was over and we could christen our new bed," Louis sighs, sliding his hand over Harry's stomach to emphasize his words.

"Mhm...if you help now instead of distracting me and making me horny, you can fuck me tonight," Harry whispers to him so that the workers don't hear about it. Louis doesn't need to be told twice and goes straight to work, making Harry laugh out loud.

ꨄ

June 1995

Both are cuddled together in their bed. They enjoy the morning silence and only the chirping of the birds sounds in from outside through the open window. Harry's head rests on Louis' chest and Louis is stroking Harry's arms when he suddenly looks up at him.

"I want to invite Niall to our place. I miss him..." Harry says and Louis nods.

"That's a good idea. You should speak to him and clear things out. Do you have his number?" Louis asks, stroking a cheeky lock of hair off Harry's forehead.

"Only the old one from back then. I hope I can reach him under that," Harry replies.

"Should I then stay with you at the meeting, if he agrees to come, or should I bother Liam and Zayn a bit in the meantime?" he asks with a wry grin. Harry chuckles softly but then replies seriously,  "Please stay with me. Umm...I think it's good if you act as a buffer...not that I'm sitting here with a bloody nose again."

"I don't think that will happen again darling. In over a year he should have come to his mind..." Louis murmurs, turning on his side to look at Harry. His face is thoughtful and he leans forward to kiss away the worry lines on his forehead. He doesn't like it when Harry looks unhappy and makes sure that with every little kiss, he just plants across Harry's face, his smile widens a little more. He begins to lightly tickle Harry's waist and watches fondly as Harry giggles and squirms to escape his fingertips.