True Colours

A surprising turn of events

Hi,

I hope I have found the right Harry Styles, if not please consider this email as irrelevant. I am your Uncle Andy, I don't know if you remember me but believe me I have never forgotten you. I have often thought over the last few years about how your life and that of your sister went, especially as you are both almost the same age as my own children.

I saw you with your partner (I hope I didn't take it the wrong way but you seemed very much in love) in the cemetery at your father's grave and although I last saw you as a child, I recognised you immediately. You have grown into a handsome man and yet I suspect that like me you were a disappointment to your father. Why else would you have had the same plan as me to say goodbye alone at the grave after the funeral was over? But maybe I'm assuming the wrong thing, please excuse me if that's the case.

I didn't want to interrupt the moment at your father's grave and was standing further away… I have to admit I was a bit overwhelmed by the whole situation. But back at home I couldn't stop thinking about you and I googled your name and came across your yoga studio page. If you are the right Harry Styles ;)

Why am I writing to you... I wanted to offer to meet you if you are interested. Maybe you need someone to talk to, maybe you want to reconnect with part of your family after all these years of me not fitting in with your parents' worldview. I remember exactly how shocked you looked back then when I had my coming out at your house. Even though your father banned me from the family, that doesn't have to apply to you. If you want, I'm always open to talking and meeting up. I would be really happy if you get in touch.

Andy

Harry looks at his mobile phone with wide eyes, reads the new email for the umpteenth time and slowly comes to the realisation of what he is reading and what it is doing to him. Excitement but also a warm feeling of pure happiness floods through him because even if Harry didn't know it, it seems to be exactly what he wants and needs. It's so good to read that there is someone in his family who wants contact with him. Not to mention his uncle, who is gay himself and who surely knows just as well as Harry how deeply words from his own blood can hurt. There is really someone from his family who offers to be there for him. A small tear of joy and gratitude runs down his cheek and he quickly walks into the living room with his phone in his hand, where Louis is lounging on the sofa reading one of his books in preparation for an exam.

"Lou," Harry breathes and he hears his voice tremble.

Louis immediately looks up and his expression becomes worried as Harry crawls straight into his lap and arms and hands him the phone. "Read it yourself."

But Louis pays no attention to his phone and instead brushes a long strand of his hair behind Harry's ear. "Is everything okay baby?"

"Yes... yes, everything's fine but... just read,” Harry nods.

"And because everything's fine you're crying?" Louis asks, puzzled.

Harry chuckles softly and wipes away the other tears that are now running down his cheeks with his sleeve. "Crying in a cool way."

Louis shakes his head in amusement and pulls Harry closer to him, hugging him with one hand around his stomach after he has put the book aside and then finally starts to read the email on his phone. Harry re-reads it too, with his head on Louis' chest and his steady, reassuring heartbeat under his ear.

"Wow," Louis finally whispers when he's finished. "That's so great, baby. I think I would cry in a cool way too. You're happy about it, aren't you?"

"Yes, very... I want that. I want to meet him and have contact," Harry nods, beaming up at Louis as he lifts his head.