Golden // Larry Stylinson

Chapter Fifteen

"Show in three!" The crew member that gave Louis the look yesterday calls out, alerting the boys.

"Is everyone ready? Lou?" Zayn asks once they're in their usual huddle formation.

"Yeah, I'm good. Scared, but good." Louis responds, hopping up and down in place to get his blood pumping, shaking out his arms as if that'd do anything.

"You'll be fine. You'll be amazing. You'll be free, finally." Niall claps Louis' back, getting hyped along with him.

"Management'll kill us." Louis repeats the phrase he's said a million times in the past twenty four hours.

"Let them try. We'll bounce back as long as we're together. We're One Direction!" Liam calls out.

"We're One Direction!" Harry repeats, louder. They all yell it out until they're chanting it, jumping up and down together and they're properly on their way to an adrenaline high.

Everyone races to Liam's backpack that had been carefully placed out of sight behind a curtain side stage.

Each member grabs a prop from the bag, shoving it in pockets or casually up their shirt.

"Let's go!" Zayn shouts, waving the wild boys towards stage.

"Lou-" Harry grabs his wrist, pulling him back behind the curtain.

"What?"

"You're sure? About everything? You're definitely ready?" Harry's fingertips trace up Louis' arms delicately until they're on his face, thumbs swiping his cheeks.

"Yes. I'm ready. I'm coming out." Louis nods determinedly, reaching up and wrapping his fingers around Harry's wrists.

A smile illuminates Harry's face as he looks down to his boyfriend, his heart swelling.

"I'm so proud of you baby. I..." he can't even put into words the immense amount of happiness and pride he feels in Louis.

He's overcome so much in the past week or so. From being outed to unouted, to closeted and oppressed, and still finding the courage to be himself even when the world is beating him down for it.

Harry takes Louis' hands, pulling him close to his chest. He takes a deep breath, steadying himself.

"I love you, Lou."

Louis blinks. Then he blinks again. His mouth drops open, and his hands go limp in Harry's.

Harry's throat dries immediately. A layer of sweat pops up on his forehead.

This is not the time. Not the time to tell him you love him. Why did you say that? He's already stressed enough. Could you be any stupider, Harold? Step away. Go on stage, give him spa-

"I love you too, Harry."

Harry's eyes flash back up to Louis', not believing what he had just heard. Did he say it back?

"Wha..." Harry breathes, his breaths becoming shallow as he works himself up.

Louis loves him? He really loves him back?

"I said I love you, Haz." Louis smiles up at him, a look of relief washing over both of them.  "Now kiss me, you fool."

Their lips connect like magnets, always finding each other. Louis' hand stays on the back of Harry's neck, pulling him impossibly closer while Harry's find Louis' hips.

Louis' tongue glides across Harry's lip before slipping into his mouth. Extracting a small, almost inaudible moan from the boy, Louis' just getting started when suddenly the curtain gets yanked aside.