Calm after the Storm

Anchor & Rope

Sweetheart, you look a little tired
When did you last eat?
Come in and make yourself right at home
Stay as long as you need
Tell me, is something wrong?
If something's wrong, you can count on me
You know I'll take my heart clean apart
If it helps yours beat
It's okay if you can't find the words
Let me take your coat
And this weight off of your shoulders
Like a force to be reckoned with
A mighty ocean or a gentle kiss
I will love you with every
Single thing I have
Like a tidal wave, we'll make a mess
Or calm waters, if that serves you best
I will love you without any strings attached
(Two - Sleeping At Last)

[Harry]

How does it feel to have the love of your life all to yourself? Although crying but pushed close to you. Harry feels many things, but the greatest is concern for Louis, how it came about that he is here with him when he was so afraid of it. He keeps him close to himself silent in the elevator and looks at both of them in the reflection.

Louis has his face tucked into the crook of his arm, his head resting against his collarbone, looking so fragile and smaller than he actually is compared to his own body. And yet it looks right - that it's Harry who is holding him and he is serving as a refuge. He would love to kiss his hair, take his hand that clutches his shirt on his chest. But he's learned by now that Louis only likes that touch when he's the first, that otherwise he'll pull his hand away if he touches it, or stiffen for a moment before relaxing - as if his brain needs a moment to realize that Harry is the one touching him.

Jake must be horrible with him if that's always Louis' first reaction to actual affection. His greatest wish is to paint over the darkness of Louis with bright colors and he hopes so much that he can start today. That Louis came to him meant something.

"Come on darling," he says quietly so as not to scare Louis and leads him out of the elevator when he has reached the top floor and the doors open. Louis' response is just a soft sniff and he lifts his head but walks close beside him down the hall.

Harry fishes for the apartment key in his pocket with his free hand and opens the door, holding it open with his hip and pushing himself and Louis inside.

"First a tour or talk about what happened?" Harry asks, pulling away from Louis so he can take off his shoes. And then is surprised to find Louis grabbing his hand and holding it while he kicks off his shoes. He doesn't let it go, even as he bends down and places both of their pairs neatly next to each other. Harry can't help but stare at the smaller cold hand in his and has to swallow as his emotions are about to smother him. It's like before. When they both always held hands and for Harry there is a promise in that gesture.

"I think I'd like to tell you why I'm here first," Louis says quietly, looking at him like he's asking too much.

Harry nods quickly and squeezes his hand once, then drags him down the hallway and into the living room.

"Is the couch okay?"

"Yes," Louis says almost shyly, looking around the room but this time Harry can't read Louis like he used to and doesn't know what he's thinking about his apartment.

Everything is definitely still too empty, doesn't feel like Harry and he doesn't really know what to do with the rooms either. At that time Harry had moved from his childhood room into a room that was almost as small with Kelly and stayed there the whole time in America out of pure convenience, even though he ended up earning more and could have afforded something bigger. And now he has his own flat here in London and he didn't know what he liked or what he wanted. That's why he bought only the bare essentials. Among other things, a huge smoky blue sofa - and yes, precisely because it reminded him of Louis' eyes. But otherwise it feels empty, the walls too white, the wooden floor too bare and definitely in need of carpets. Thing is just - it's not that important right now. What was home furnishing as opposed to the welfare of Louis?