Coming Out Of My Shell (And The Closet)~ Larry Stylinson

Chapter Twelve

*Louis' POV*

I shivered, getting goosebumps where Harry had ran his fingers down my arm. Weird, seeing as it was mid-July.

He chuckled softly and I snapped out of my daze, shutting my eyes tightly so I wouldn't be tempted to look again.

He'd always had a nice physique. But that new tan?

Jesus, this boy would be the death of me. And it's not like I hadn't seen him half naked before. I'd actually seen him in less -he'd been completely.. "natural" in front of me more than a few times. That was before I liked him, of course.

I didn't know how, but there had to have been something that changed. He looked so much better. His abs more defined, his eyes brighter, pupils bigger.

Was he smoking something? That made your eyes get all funky, and it could've made his stomach like that. But he'd never do any of that.

"What's different? " I asked

"Hm? Oh - uh, I got a tan. And Liam and I have been working out together in the mornings sometimes. "

That explained that.

"Huh. You look good .. for a kid. " I teased

"I'm no child! I'm eighteen! " he protested

"Uhh.. huh. Of course you are." I patted his knee

He shoved my hand off and got up.

"I'm gonna throw on some boxers, Kay?" He smirked at me knowingly

"Yeah.. you do that." I managed to say, even though I was suddenly running very low on my oxygen supply

He opened his drawer and got out black boxers, stepping into them and sliding them up his legs. At the last second, his towel dropped, but he already had his boxers all the way on.

They were too tight for me to be normal around, and I was losing every thought I had but one.

He. Looked. Delicious.

I closed my eyes and counted to ten.

And discreetly pulled a pillow over my lap.

Maybe Harry had wanted me earlier. But it was probably just a mistake, right?

~Four Months Later~

"Louis!" My mum yelled, "Come set the table!"

"Coming, mum! " I called back, running down the stairs.

It was Thanksgiving, and Harry was due here any moment. His family had gone on a vacation over the holiday and he had not wanted to be alone, so he was bunking with me.

It was funny. Harry and I were still sometimes weird around each other - random bursts of crying, suddenly a pillow or blanket on our laps, ect. -but, for the most part, it was normal.

I was greatful for that. I didn't know how to act when he was being weird.

I loved him, and I wasn't sure if he felt the same.

But, being best friends was better than nothing at all.

I broke into a grin, though, despite the fact.

I hadn't seen him for almost a month, now. I was excited to see him. He'd gotten his cast off since I'd seen him last.

Fizzy and I set the table together, and she told me a joke she'd recently heard that made me laugh.

"I have one about cats, too, but I'm waiting for Harry to get here." She grinned

"Lottie, could you get the door?" My mom asked