If I could fly (BOOK 2)

Secret little rendevue

Harry didn't announce what he was doing.

He just grabbed his jacket, tugged a hat down over his curls, and headed for the door.

He made it exactly three steps into the hallway before Louis fell into stride beside him, perfectly in sync like it was muscle memory.

"Where are we going, Hazza?" Louis asked, casual but sharp.

Harry sighed. "You always do this."

"You always do something," Louis shot back. "And then pretend you're just popping out."

Harry slowed, finally looking at him. "I need your help with something."

Louis stopped walking.

That alone should've been the giveaway.

"...Oh a side mission," Louis said quietly.

Harry rolled his eyes. "Don't do that. This is not a side mission."

"Don't do what? What would you call it?"

" For one, that voice. Two, it's a man mission. Something important."

Louis grinned, softer now, something protective settling in his expression. "You alright, mate?"

Harry nodded, swallowing. "Yeah. Just... this matters."

Louis clapped a hand on his shoulder without making a joke for once. "Then I'm in. Let's go."

Behind them-

"WAIT."

They both stopped and turned.

Niall jogged up the hallway, already halfway dressed, phone in hand. "Why are you two sneaking off?"

"We're not sneaking. Yn and Darcy are taking a nap and we're going shopping." Harry said automatically.

"You're absolutely sneaking," Niall replied. "And if it involves feelings, I'm coming."

Louis snorted. "He's right."

Harry looked between them. "...This is meant to be quiet."

Niall beamed. "I'm famously discreet."

Louis and Harry said together, "You're definitely not."

They walked anyway.

Outside, the air was cool, grounding. Harry shoved his hands into his pockets, shoulders tense in a way Louis hadn't seen in years.

Louis nudged him lightly with his elbow. "Hey."

Harry glanced over.

"You don't have to explain anything you don't want to," Louis said. "But you don't have to do this alone either."

Harry exhaled, slow. "I'm not panicking. I just don't want to mess it up."

Niall hummed thoughtfully. "That's how you know it's real."

Harry shot him a look. "You're supposed to be the distraction."

"I contain multitudes."

They stopped in front of a small jewelry shop.
Harry stared at the window for a second too long.

Louis followed his gaze, then smiled - not teasing, not loud. Just proud.

"She's it," Louis said quietly.

Harry nodded. "She is."

Louis squeezed his shoulder. "Then let's do this right."

Inside, Niall immediately wandered off to look at watches he would never wear.

Harry leaned in closer to Louis. "I want it to feel like her. Not flashy. Not performative."

Louis nodded. "Something she'd wear even on a normal day and around the house."

Harry smiled faintly. "Exactly."

They stood there for a moment, side by side, like they'd done a thousand times before - two boys from home, pretending their lives hadn't turned massive.

Niall reappeared, whispering loudly. "I found one that's very you."

Harry glanced. "That's not even for a finger."

"Details."

Louis laughed, clapping Harry on the back. "Ignore him. You're doing great."

Harry breathed in, steadied. He found it.

For the first time, the idea didn't scare him.

It felt... right.