The Perfect Match (L.S.)

Ch.22

word count: 1607

„You know Lou," Harry started as he was caressing Louis's arm as he laid on Harry's chest, „I was thinking that maybe I'll ultimately close the café for the weekends." It was Friday evening mid-July now and it was the third weekend in a row that Harry closed up, so he'd be able to spend the time with Louis.

Louis sat up on the bed, guilt written all over his face. „I'm sorry Haz." Harry at up as well, confused he asked why was he apologizing. „I know you've been closing up to spend time with me, I don't want the business to be bad because of me." Louis said in a small voice, looking down his lap, fidgeting with his fingers. Harry chuckled a bit and took Louis's hands in his, making him look at him. „Lou don't worry about that; the café is doing fine even if it's open only during the weekdays. I wouldn't be doing that decision if I wasn't sure about it. I already talked about it with Liam too, he'd be happy to have the weekends to himself as well." He smiled at Louis. „And I wanna spend all the time that I can with you."

They talked about it few a few more minutes before Harry managed to persuade Louis that it'd be okay, that he wants to do it and it wouldn't hurt his business. They laid back down, cuddling up again, falling asleep in each other's arms.

>>>

Next day Niall made Harry cook the lunch, saying that he's a better cook that him or Zayn. Harry didn't complain, he liked cooking, and he was happy everyone enjoyed the meals he prepared. Today was no different, everyone praised his skills as they took the first bite of the lasagna he made. "That's it, close the café, you're my personal chef now." Niall exclaimed, already taking another bite. "Hands off Nialler, he's mine." Louis deadpanned him with a stabbing look and fork pointed on him, making everyone at the table laugh.

During the lunch, Zayn pitched the idea to go somewhere in the evening, all of them agreed, coming up with ideas where to go. "Babe you could invite Liam as well. If everyone is okay with it." Louis prompted, both Niall and Zayn agreeing. "Yeah sure, he'd been wanting to properly meet you." Harry said, taking out his phone to text Liam. "Not like that one time." He added, smirking to himself. "Oh shut up, don't bring that up." Louis cried out embarrassed and covered his face with his hands.

"What was that one time?" Niall asked, Zayn nodding along, both of them had an amused look on his face. Louis slid a bit down on his chair, trying to make himself invisible, hands still in front of his face. "Like a month and a half ago we forgot about time when we were at my place, we were making out in the living room when Liam got home. I only so managed to put my shirt back on before he opened the door." Harry laughed, making Niall and Zayn burst out laughing as well. „That was the first and the last time I saw him! It was so embarrassing!" Louis exclaimed loudly, finally taking his hands off of his face.

>>>

The four of them got to the pub, the one where Louis, Zayn and Niall celebrated their first exam. They picked out a booth to settle in, Harry and Louis on one side, Niall in the head spot and Zayn across Harry and Louis, spot next to him free for Liam, who was supposed to arrive in a few minutes. „What does Liam usually drink? I'm gonna buy us the first round. Zayn asked Harry when he was getting out of the booth. „Just buy him a beer, he'll be fine with that." Harry smiled up at him and added a 'thank you' before Zayn left to go to the bar to order.

Zayn got back to the booth with a tray of all five drinks and laid them on the table. „Liam just texted that he's here, but he can't find us, I'll go find him." Harry said and got out of the booth. The boys haven't touched their drinks, waiting for everyone to be present before they start drinking. „Oh god why did I suggest that he comes as well? I can't look him in the eyes." Louis panicked when Harry left. „Calm down, it's not that bad. It's not like he saw you two fucking." Niall chuckled in an attempt to lighten up the mood a bit, putting his hand on Louis's shoulder.

Harry came back about a minute later with Liam by his side. Niall and Zayn introduced themselves before Harry took his seat next to Louis and Liam next to Zayn. „Nice to see you not so flustered this time." Liam smirked at Louis, making everyone else laugh. „Shut up Liam!" Louis yelped out. „Haz say something to him." He looked up at Harry, who put his arm around him and pulled him close. „Don't be mean to my boy Li." Harry said, kissing Louis's temple. Liam put his hands up in defensive matter, still smirking. They all picked up their drinks and cheered before taking the first sip. The conversation flew easily, Liam got on well with everyone and both Louis and Harry were happy to see that.

When Liam excused himself to the bathroom, everyone looked at Zayn. "What?" He asked, confused as to why is everyone looking at him. "Shut it Zee, what's up with the glances?" Louis was the first one to bring attention to it. "You clearly fancy Liam." Harry added. "Yeah even I noticed that." Niall snickered. "Pfff, no I don't fancy him, I don't know what are y'all on about." Zayn denied, getting a bit red in the cheeks, sipping on his beer. "Don't play dumb Zayn, plus I think he might be interested too, never seen him click so fast with anyone." Harry told him, looking straight into Zayn's eyes to prove his honesty. "He's gay?" Zayn asked, maybe a bit too urgently, making Harry chuckle and say that Liam doesn't label himself.

"Did I hear my name?" Liam asked as he got back to the table, sitting a little closer to Zayn than before, their shoulders touching., The three guys exchanged a look, meanwhile Zayn's cheeks got even redder. "Yea, we were wondering what's taking you so long." Harry answered, saving the situation.

>>>

They were about four rounds of drinks in when they started to feel fairly tipsy. Louis was leaning against Harry, who had his hand around his waist holding him close. Neither of them were paying much attention to the conversation between the rest of the group. They had their eyes closed, enjoying the closeness of each other. Harry brought his free hand to Louis's cheek, lifting his head up for a kiss. "Are you tired baby?" He asked when they parted and opened their eyes. Louis nodded and cuddled up to Harry even closer, turning his body sideways so he could throw his legs on Harry's and lay on his chest, closing his eyes again.

Niall was about to get up to buy another round of drinks, when Liam asked what was the time, scared he might've missed his last bus home. "Don't worry about it, you can stay at ours." Niall assured him and got up. Liam thanked him and made sure that everyone was okay with it. "Bet Zayn will gladly share his bed." Niall yelled out with a laugh before he ran away to order drinks, Louis and Harry chuckling, looking at the scene in front of them. "Niall I swear to-" Zayn cut himself of when he realized that Niall couldn't hear him anymore. He didn't dare to look anywhere near in Liam's direction. "I- I'd be happy with a couch." Liam choked out a few seconds later, flustered just as much as Zayn. Harry couldn't hold it in anymore and burst out laughing, making Louis laugh out loud as well. "Don't worry Liam, of course you can take the couch." Louis assured him in between laughs. Liam nodded and drank the last few drops of his drink he had left.

They left the bar after that last round of drinks Niall brought; Louis was already half asleep. "Fancy a piggy ride?" Harry chuckled when he saw how tired Louis was. Louis laughed but said yes. Harry squatted in front of him so Louis could climb up his back and hold onto him. "You two are so cute my teeth are gonna rot." Niall voiced with a faked disgust, making everyone chuckle. "You're just jealous." Louis said, voice muffled by Harry's shoulder.

They walked to the apartment since it wasn't too far, Harry with Louis on his back a bit behind everyone, Niall in the front leading the way and Liam with Zayn few steps behind him chatting. Louis fell asleep on Harry's back somewhere along the way, so when they got to the apartment Harry just laid him on the bed, and while trying not to wake him up he took of his shoes and the jeans he was wearing so he wouldn't have to sleep in them. He then went to take a quick shower and brush his teeth. When he got back to the room, he saw Louis laying on his side, blindly searching the bed with his hand. "I'm here Lou." He whispered when he climbed up the bed. Louis smiled and cuddled up to him, falling asleep again. Harry couldn't but think about how much he likes him; he didn't think the word 'like' was enough anymore.