~*~ Harry ~*~
Harry insists they sit down with Zayn to talk to him about Harry moving in. As Louis had predicted, Zayn accepts it easily. Niall, on the other hand, says all the right words when Harry informs him that he is moving, but Harry can tell he’s upset even without him expressing it.
With studying for finals and the end of the term for Harry, they haven’t had a chance to move everything, only the essentials and his piano, but he no longer sleeps in his dorm room. He spends every night surrounded by Louis. No matter how late it is when Louis gets off work, he wraps Harry in his arms and holds him close until they wake. Louis never complains about Harry’s early alarm, and Harry never complains about Louis’ late nights. They find a rhythm that works for them, both content as long as they have each other.
Harry completes his finals while the meeting with his dad is drawing closer. Thankfully, Louis’ meetings are coming to an end, as well, with only a few more design and construction meetings for the bar still to come over the summer.
The night before Harry’s meeting with his dad, Louis is working at the bar, and Harry can’t stop overthinking about what he will face the next day. Feeling unsettled, he lights a few candles and runs a bath, filled to overflowing with bubbles, sliding in slowly and relaxing in the oversized tub. Closing his eyes, he lets the tension ease from his body, muscles becoming lax in the hot water enveloping him.
“Hazza?” The sound of Louis’ voice pulls Harry from sleep. “Your water’s cold. How long have you been here?”
“What time is it?” Harry groggily asks.
“Just after midnight,” Louis tells him.
Harry scrunches his nose in thought. “A couple of hours. Why are you home already?”
Louis brushes a few loose curls away from Harry’s face. “Liam is going to shut the bar down tonight. I was worried about you.”
“Why?” Harry frowns.
Leaning over, Louis kisses Harry on top of his head. He pulls back slowly and traces his thumb over Harry’s cheek. “You haven’t been eating, and the little sleep you manage to get is fitful.”
Harry frowns softly. “I know you had to work tonight and how important that is. It’s alright.”
“Your understanding means everything, but right now, I need to be with you.” Louis unplugs the stopper for the drain. “Do you want me to fill it again, or are you ready to get out?”
“I’m cold, so I’ll fill it again. Would you hand me the bubble stuff?” Harry points to the pink bottle on the counter.
“I’ll fill it for you, love. Just sit back, and let me take care of you.” Louis flips the water on, letting it run hot before replacing the drain stopper. He douses in a good bit of bubble soap and sits on the floor beside Harry.
“Will you get in and sit with me?” Harry shyly asks.
Louis’ gaze searches his. “Whatever you want. If you want to be alone, I will wait in our room.”
Harry shakes his head and looks down at his clasped hands in his lap. “I don’t want to be alone. I want you close. I need to be touching you.”
