True Colours

Hidden Heart

"Harry, wake up."

Quietly whispered words, a hand gently stroking his cheek and an equally gentle kiss on his forehead is what wakes Harry up.

"Good morning Lou," Harry whispers, opening his eyes with a smile when he sees Louis' face so close in front of him, the blue eyes still small and tired looking and yet with a warmth behind them that Harry's heart immediately skips a beat.

“I have to go to university. And you definitely have to twist your sexy body in a yoga class,” Louis smiles.

But Harry doesn't want to get out of this nest of bodies, blankets and pillows. He wants to stay here forever, in their own little bubble where it's okay to be gay and they have each other all to themselves. After yesterday, Harry doesn't want to face the world and deal with the past. His arm snakes under the covers over Louis' waist, pulling him closer and snuggling into the smaller body, even going so far as to throw his leg over his so that he hangs on Louis like a koala.

"Don't go," Harry murmurs, pressing his face into Louis' chest.

Giggling softly and lifting his face with one hand, Louis presses a quick kiss to his lips. "Sorry but it's an important class and I have to go."

You act like a clinchy couple. Don't get lost in there. Just friends, don't forget that.

As if Louis had heard his thoughts, he rolls out of Harry's grasp and out of bed.

“Unfortunately I hardly have any time in the next few days, baby cakes. My other friends already feel neglected,” Louis chuckles quietly. “And the university is also taking up a lot of my free time at the moment.”

Harry pouts - dramatically. And his hand secretly strokes Louis' still warm place under the blanket where he was lying.

"Your other friends huh?" Harry just mumbles.

Louis, who is putting on his pants, looks up. "Yes. You know… Niall, Liam, Zayn and a few others you don’t know.”

“Mhm okay.”

“Ah Harry stop looking like that. You're my best friend of all, even though we've known each other the least long."

"Friends who kiss and fuck," he snorts, unable to help himself.

Louis frowns. “Are you implying something?”

"No, no."

"Are you sure? Do you want to remove the benefits? Is that it?"

"Yes, I’m sure. Unless you don’t want it anymore?”

“No, I’m okay with that. I like you Harry but I also have another life and somehow you're just making me feel like that's a problem?"

“No, it’s not a problem. I understand that. Have fun with them. We can still text or call,” Harry smiles painfully.

Louis, who is fully dressed, looks at him with warm eyes and leans down over the bed, rubs the tips of their noses together and breathes a feather-light kiss on his mouth. “Take care, darling. See you soon. Text or call if something happens or you miss me too much.”

A cheeky wink, a final stroke on his cheek and then Louis has disappeared from his bedroom and shortly afterwards from the apartment.

You heard it yourself. Friends only. And besides, if I may remind you, you don't want a relationship.

In frustration groaning, Harry pushes the little monster away from him and pulls the blanket over his head, punching his pillow in anger and desperation, only to get up again the next moment and run into the bathroom. Just because his heart hurts, he still has a job to do, even if Harry doesn't quite know how he's supposed to lead through his course today with a friendly smile.