Magic || larry

02

Harry admires his flowers as the sun beats down on the back of his neck. The colours make him feel better and the soil that is smudged on his pants keeps him grounded and makes him feel safe.

He hears the back door open and turns to see Ricky looking at him. The man is still wearing his work uniform and his smile looks genuine. Harry now admires the way he looks. Everything about him right now is what Harry fell in love with.

"Your garden looks great," Ricky compliments and Harry smiles wide and looks back down to the roses and daisies.

"Thank you. I'm thinking about maybe planting sunflowers," Harry admits and he hears footsteps that end up behind him. Ricky wraps his arms around his waist and kisses his neck.

"That'd be lovely. I can pick you up some tomorrow. Did you spend all day out here?" He hums and Harry relaxes in his arms and shakes his head. He feels safe and protected right now. Even if Ricky is mean to him sometimes the man saved him. Harry owes him the world.

"No. Dinner is in the oven and I made us pie for after," Harry tells him softly. He feels the older man's arms give him a gentle squeeze and a kiss gets placed to his cheek.

"You're amazing. I love you so much," Ricky tells him and Harry can feel his whole body glowing.

This is how he remembers Ricky. He was always so loving and sweet. Harry can remember their first date when the man had taken him to the local carnival and held his hand and kissed him on the rides. Harry had never had that before. Never had the love or the affection. It was everything he had wanted. Everything he still wants.

"I love you too," Harry tells him honestly. Ricky just lets him go and smiles at him while he walks back inside.

"I'm just going to change. How about you set the table," he says and Harry just obediently follows his instructions. He gets everything ready and then changes his own clothes so he's clean and neat. He picks up Ricky's uniform when he's in their room and folds it before sliding out of his own clothes. Harry always has to keep everything neat and tidy in the house.

He exits his room to see his boyfriend sitting at the table. He has juice set out and Harry smiles. His glass is already filled with lemonade and for once Ricky doesn't have a frown on his face.

"I'm sorry about the other day. You know I get worried when you leave. I just don't want you leaving me," Ricky speaks and Harry shakes his head. He moves forward and leans down to place a sweet kiss to his lips.

"I'll never leave you. I love you," Harry tells him and the man smiles as he wraps Harry into his arms and pulls him into his lap.

"Good. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They eat their food with happy smiles and Harry can pretend that this is how it is every day. This is how he wants it every day. He wants to smile and laugh as he sits with his lover and not feel afraid. He wants to feel genuinely happy every day for the rest of his life.

There's a small knock on their door that grabs Harry's attention as he places their plates in the sink. He's not expecting anyone and from the way Ricky gives him a confused look he assumes he's not expecting anyone either. Harry watches as the older man slowly opens their door and is greeted by Sophia's bubbly face.

"Hi! You must be Harry's boyfriend," she greets him cheerfully and Harry just stares at the door with an open mouth.

"I am. You are?" He questions. His voice is gruff and Harry can feel his good night deflate as Sophia stands in the door.

"The new neighbour. I met Harry yesterday. I was just wondering if you two wanted to come to our fire? Maybe have a few drinks?" She's smiling so wide and she looks in and sees Harry looking at her. Her smile grows and she waves at the stunned boy. "Hey, Harry!"

Harry swallows the lump in his throat and raises his hand awkwardly. He feels like he can't breathe and he wants her to leave so he can fix this, but he also wants her to stay so he doesn't have to.

"A fire? That sounds like fun. What do you think, Harry?" Ricky asks him. He turns to look at the boy and he doesn't seem like he's asking to put up a front. He seriously, honestly seems to be asking Harry what he wants.

"I think it could be fun," Harry admits and he's so relieved to see the man smile at him and turn back to the pretty young girl.

"We'll be over in 15," he informs her. She cheers and jumps like you'd see preppy, ditsy cheerleaders do in movies and rushes back to her house. Harry holds his breath as Ricky shuts the door. Maybe this will be bad. Maybe he messed up.

"Go put on a sweater. You don't want to be cold," Ricky tells him. Harry smiles and rushes into their room. He slips one of his boyfriends hoodies on his head and inhales his fresh scent. When he exits the room Ricky is just sitting on the couch texting. Harry sneaks up behind him and wraps his arms around his neck, leaving a kiss on his cheek.

"Thank you for letting us go. This means a lot," Harry whispers and the man turns his head and places a kiss to his lips.

"I told you I'm sorry. I don't want you to be scared of me," he tells him and Harry nods. He says this every time.

"I'm not," Harry lies. That makes the man smile and therefore Harry smiles. They're a happy couple. So happy. Harry loves him. He feels safe. If he keeps repeating those words maybe they'll come true.

The two walk to their neighbour's hand in hand and the first person Harry looks at when they arrive is Louis. The boy is wearing shorts and a hoodie, his hair lying across his forehead and his eye crinkled while he laughs. Harry feels like he might choke again at the sight of him. The boy finally notices the two and he makes eye contact with Harry that makes him blush a red.

"Hi, Harry," Louis' voice carries over and Harry looks up again to see him smiling. He looks at the other man and his smile doesn't falter.

"You must be his boyfriend. My names Louis," the boy greets him. Ricky walks forward and shakes his hand and introduces himself quickly.

Harry learns from the introductions that the blonde is Niall and the brunette is Liam. He feels more relaxed knowing who's who now, but he's still on edge. They all sit around the fire and chat aimlessly. Harry and Ricky sit together on a blanket and Harry holds his hand for support. People are something he doesn't have a lot of experience with.

"How did you two meet?" Niall asks and Harry bites his tongue and looks down at his scuffed shoes.

"Through work," Ricky replies vaguely and the four nod, but still seem curious.

"What do you do?" Niall continues and Harry grips his hand tighter. He doesn't know how he'll get out of this. This can't be brought up. It's too soon.

"I'm a counsellor," Ricky answers without hesitation and Harry let's out a small breath. He's a counsellor. He is. That's not a lie.

"That's cool," the blond smiles and then the subject is dropped, but Harry can't still feel the panic on his face. He thought everything would be out. He thought it would all come back and smash him in the face. He looks away from the fire and his eyes land on Louis again.

And the boy is looking right back at him.