Golden

chapter 23

Harry's POV
Something was off. Harry could feel it in his veins the moment he woke up in an empty bed the morning he returned from tour. Usually, when he came home, Louis would open his arms, letting Harry wrap himself in his embrace like a koala and hardly let go. The morning after tour was always peaceful. He would wake up in his own bed, settled, wrapped tightly around his boyfriend, peppering him with tiny kisses until he woke up with a snarky attitude and fond glare resulting in his favourite morning sex.
He's never been gone before.
Looking around he found a note and sighed in relief
H-had to sort some shit out today, I'm sorry it's today. Surprise guest coming to keep you company so look decent k?
Love you, love you, love you
-L xxx
He pouted softly and lifted himself out of bed, dressing himself in one of Louis' oversized sweaters and a pair of cotton purple pants that clashed horribly. Look decent. He grumbled. As if. He sat back down, pulling on his slim diamond ring from his mum and a delicate Gucci band he had bought himself before tour, looking to slip his peace ring next to them when he noticed it was missing.
"Shit." He grumbled, first an empty bed and now he'd lost Louis' promise ring and it could be anywhere from the jet he'd rented to a forsaken corner of the bathroom. "shit, shit, shit."
A frustrated lump bobbed in his throat and he swallowed, breathing deeply and starting to lift up the sheets, searching in the folds of the linen and sifting through his collection again.
"Looking for something Harold?" A familiar voice behind him made him jump and he turned around quickly, a smile spreading over his face
"Nialler!" He yelped, running towards and wrestling him into the doorpost in a massive hug that was tightly reciprocated.
"I missed you bitch." Niall grinned, "and fucking hell Haz, your tour was insane, I'm so proud of ya."
"What are you doing here?" He asked quickly, avoiding the compliment
"Your man called and said he had to deal with some shit and then whined enough until I agreed to keep your lazy arse company so come on. We're going golfing."
Harry smiled happily, grabbing his sunglasses and football gear and turned to head downstairs but Niall stopped him. He shoved him into the bed, rummaging through his closet until he pulled out simple white cotton pants.
"Louis said you have to look decent." He shrugged, "I'm not letting you wear orange and purple." Harry rolled his eyes but Niall was already reserving a breakfast table and didn't see.

Louis' POV
"How soon can it be ready?" He asked the girl, who smiled indulgently, "I can do it within 3 hours." He shrugged, "you're welcome to wait or I can text you when it's ready."
"Text would be great love thank you." He smiled, slipping the small bag across the counter, "you sure you have the details?"
"Yes sir," she assured him, "it's the sand from Hollywood and Bishopsgate and the rock from the apartment here."
"Yes," Louis nodded, "and the engraving-"
"-is written exactly as you want it on the inside of the band." She placed a hand on top of his, "I assure you, I won't fuck this up sir."
He laughed. "I like you Em," he smiled, "please drop the sir."
"You got it mate, I will text when it's ready."
Louis sighed in relief and handed over the last item.
"This is important Emily," he remarked,
"I got it love, we've been speaking about this for months, just go." She smiled, "I hope to be this lucky in love one day." She winked and shooed him out the store before he could say another word and he pulled Harry's hoodie tighter around himself hopping into his car and going to pick up the carnations.

Niall's POV
He was more worried than necessary, Niall observed. Something was bothering Harry besides his extreme clinginess to Louis.
"You gonna share with wise old Niall?" He asked gently as they took an extra lap in the golf cart because Harry was an obnoxious old man who needed to 'appreciate the view.'
"Share what?" Harry asked, observing him out of the corner of his eye, fingers tightening on the stick momentarily
"What's got you grumpy and worried." He shrugged
"Always so direct Ni." Harry sighed. He parked the cart and the two clambofed out, sitting on the grass quietly for a while, "I miss that about you," he added softly after a pause.
"I know you since 16 Harold, you can't actually hide any of your moods from me." He grinned and Harry sighed again, fiddling with his fingers.
"I lost one of my rings, I don't know if I had it when I came home." He explained and Niall bit his lip nervously, unsure how to proceed.
"Which one?" He asked
"Peace ring." He pointed to his left middle finger, "Lou gave it to me years ago, said it was a promise ring."
"I remember." Niall said quietly, "fans went crazy but I thought they were overreacting, turns out they knew you better than me."
"Not a chance." Harry smirked but then went quiet again
"Hey come on," Niall reached forward and gently tugged on Harry's lip, releasing it from his tooth, "no need to worry your lip." He took both of Harry's hands in his own,
"It'll turn up." He said simply, "either you'll find it or a fan will and they'll tweet about it and you'll have it back."
Harry shrugged and pulled his hands back, "can't believe I lost something so important." He admitted and Niall observed him carefully.
"C'mon love, Lou knows how responsible you are."
The sudden flash of a camera saved hIm from having to say anything more as the two of them strofe purposefully back to the cart, driving off at top speed, comfortable laughter settling between them again.