A Love In The Small Town

eight

The following day brought with it a golden sunlight that poured into Cloverbrook, casting everything in a warm glow. Harry awoke with a sense of anticipation fluttering in his chest. He and Louis had left so much unsaid the day before, yet the unspoken words felt like a promise hanging in the air between them.

After breakfast, as Harry prepared to head to the woodshop, he had a sudden thought. He remembered how Louis had mentioned a beautiful meadow just outside of town—the kind of place perfect for a picnic. The idea of spending the day with Louis in a beautiful setting filled Harry with excitement and nerves.

As he grabbed a blanket and a couple of snacks from the cottage, Harry couldn't help but smile at the thought of surprising Louis. This would be a good way to lighten the mood, to explore the budding feelings that had surfaced between them without the weight of their previous conversations hanging over them.

When he arrived at the woodshop, Louis was already there, busy organizing some tools. Harry felt a rush of energy as he stepped inside, holding the picnic basket behind his back, trying to suppress his grin.

"Hey," Harry called out, catching Louis' attention.

"Hey, you!" Louis replied, a smile breaking across his face as he looked up. "Ready for another day of hard work?"

"Actually, I had a different idea," Harry said, stepping closer. "I thought maybe we could take a break and go for a picnic. I found a spot in the meadow just outside of town. What do you think?"

Louis raised an eyebrow, his surprise evident. "A picnic? Just like that?"

"Why not?" Harry shrugged, excitement bubbling within him. "We can take a break from all this woodwork and enjoy the weather. Come on, it'll be fun!"

Louis hesitated for a moment, but the infectious enthusiasm radiating from Harry was hard to resist. "Alright, you've convinced me. Let me grab a couple of drinks."

As Louis grabbed some water bottles from the small fridge in the shop, Harry felt a sense of giddy anticipation wash over him. This was the first time they would venture out together in a more casual setting, away from the work and the weight of their recent conversations.

Once they had everything packed, they set off down the gravel path towards the meadow, their laughter filling the air as they walked side by side. The sun bathed the landscape in warmth, and the world felt alive around them—the sound of birds chirping, the rustle of leaves, and the gentle breeze sweeping through the fields.

When they reached the meadow, Harry spread out the blanket on a soft patch of grass, and they both settled down, taking a moment to appreciate the scenery. The meadow was breathtaking, with wildflowers dancing in the breeze and a clear blue sky stretching endlessly above them.

"This place is amazing," Harry said, looking around in awe.

"I told you it would be worth it," Louis replied, grinning as he opened the picnic basket. "Now, let's see what we've got here."

They dug into the snacks Harry had packed—sandwiches, fruit, and a couple of homemade cookies. As they ate, the conversation flowed easily, shifting from light banter to deeper topics, each of them feeling more relaxed as the minutes passed.

"I can't believe you made these cookies," Louis said, holding one up with a playful smirk. "Are you sure you're not a professional baker?"

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, just a guy trying to impress his new friend."

Louis paused for a moment, his expression softening. "Well, it's definitely working."

Harry felt a warmth spread through him at the compliment. They exchanged playful remarks and laughter, but as they shared stories and memories, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more happening beneath the surface of their easy camaraderie. It was as if the air around them was charged with unspoken tension, waiting for a moment to break free.

As the afternoon wore on, Louis stretched out on the blanket, looking up at the clouds drifting lazily overhead. Harry watched him, captivated by the way the sunlight caught in his hair and highlighted the curve of his smile.

"Do you ever think about what you want to do in the future?" Louis asked suddenly, his voice thoughtful.

Harry hesitated, the question stirring something deep inside him. "I don't know," he admitted, his tone serious. "I used to have a plan. A whole list of things I wanted to achieve. But since coming here, I feel like... I've been thinking more about what I want rather than what I should want."

Louis nodded, his gaze still on the sky. "That makes sense. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think we're supposed to do that we forget to consider what actually makes us happy."

Harry turned to look at Louis, really look at him. "What makes you happy?"

Louis rolled onto his side, propping his head on his hand as he considered the question. "Honestly? Moments like this. Just being outside, enjoying life, and spending time with people I care about. It's the simple things."

A soft breeze swept through the meadow, and for a moment, they were both quiet, letting the words settle between them. Harry felt his heart race as he considered the meaning behind Louis' admission.

"What about you?" Louis asked, his eyes locking onto Harry's. "What makes you happy?"

Harry took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment pressing in on him. "I think... I think I'm starting to realize that happiness comes from being true to yourself. From not running away from things anymore, but instead facing them head-on."

Louis smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made Harry's chest tighten. "That's a good realization to have."

There was a pause, the air thick with unspoken feelings. Harry felt a shift between them, a moment that felt charged with possibility. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the space between them, but he hesitated, unsure of how to cross that invisible line.

Suddenly, Louis broke the silence, his voice light. "Well, let's not get too serious out here. How about a little competition?"

"A competition?" Harry echoed, confused.

"Yeah," Louis said, a playful glint in his eyes. "Let's see who can throw a rock the farthest into that stream over there!"

Harry laughed, the tension easing as Louis jumped to his feet, pointing toward a bubbling brook at the edge of the meadow. "You're on!" Harry replied, feeling a rush of exhilaration.

They took turns picking up rocks and throwing them, cheering each other on and laughing at their attempts. Harry felt a sense of freedom in those moments, the weight of the world lifting as he lost himself in the simple joy of being with Louis.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over everything, they collapsed back onto the blanket, breathless from their little contest. The laughter subsided, and for a moment, they simply lay there side by side, watching the colors change in the sky.

"Thank you for today," Harry said softly, breaking the peaceful silence.

Louis turned his head to meet Harry's gaze, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. "No, thank you for bringing me out here. It's nice to escape for a bit."

And in that moment, with the sun dipping below the horizon, Harry felt a spark of something more—something that transcended friendship, a connection that pulled at him with a warmth he couldn't quite name yet.

As darkness began to blanket the meadow, Harry and Louis stayed there, feeling the world shift beneath them, uncertain of what tomorrow would bring but undeniably grateful for the moments they had shared today.