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

Chapter Seventeen

*Louis' POV*

At least he knew her name. There was that.

I stared at my hands, folded in my lap.

Eleanor always tried to make something real happen. She said she wanted it to be more than just an act.

I bit my lip, and took out my phone, my thumb hovering over the call button.

Could I do this? Could I call her and tell her yes to something more?

Even if it was just to get back at Harry?

He'd unintentionally shoved a metaphorical knife in my heart, but I knew he'd never purposely hurt me.

I put my phone away.

I wasn't going to run and hide behind a lie like a scared little boy.

I refused to be that person.

~A few weeks later~

"Lou, wake up, its snowing! " a pair of arms hugged me close

"Hm?" I struggled to open my eyes

"It's snowing!" The happy voice repeated

Liam.

"What time is it, Li?" I asked

"Five fourty-two, why? Louis, come play in the snow!"

I chuckled.

Liam was always so serious, but certain things made him become a little kid.

Like snow, or Toy Story, for example.

"Let me wake up, Liam. I'll take a shower. Can you make coffee?" I opened my eyes

He nodded, and raced downstairs.

I stretched and got up. After my shower, I changed into snow clothes.

Warm socks -oh how I despised socks - boots, snow pants over regular pants, two shirts, a sweatshirt, and some gloves, topped off with one of Harry's beanies I'd somehow stolen.

I looked out the window.

There was at least five inches of snow.

I ran into Harry's room, and he turned, pulling on his black peacoat. He was wearing snow pants, too, and a few layers. His gloves were neon orange.

"Liam woke you, too?" I asked

He grinned and nodded.

"Where'd you find my beanie?" He asked

"In my room."

"Theif." He laughed

"You ready?" I asked

He grabbed a headband off of his dresser and pulled his hair back a bit, before tugging on a beanie over it.

"Let's go." He swung an arm around my shoulders.

We walked downstairs.

A sleepy Zayn was nibbling on some toast, all dressed in his snow gear.

Niall was nodding off into his large plate of food.

And Liam was already done eating, and swinging his legs from where he sat on the counter.

I ate some food and chugged a cup of coffee quickly, as did Harry.

"Let's go! " Liam fidgeted impatiently

Niall and Zayn finished their breakfast.

I handed Niall a heavily redbull-spiked coffee. Zayn got a partially spiked coffee, as he was more awake.

"Drink up, lads."

They did as told and were alert within a few minutes.

We all ran out into the snow.

I grabbed a handful and squished it into a ball.

It hit Harry in the back of his head.

"It's on." He turned

The five of us ran around in the snow until it was all trampled down, and our lips were blue with cold.

We stripped down out of our layers into just jeans and t-shirts, and had hot chocolate inside. We watched a film, all of us piled on top of each other on the couch.

*Harry's POV*

Snow wasn't a good idea.

I realized this only after I got a massive cold.

I was in bed feeling horrid. I'd spent the past week this way.

"Harry, come on, smile for me. Please?" Louis pleaded with me, upset I didn't feel well

"No."

"For me?" He batted his big blue eyes at me and I sighed

I morphed my serious face into a grin for half a second, before going back to being grumpy.

He giggled, and poked at where my dimples would be if I were smiling.

"Har-ry." He sing songed

"Wha-at?" I mimicked his tone

"Smile. " he pouted again

"No." I pouted back

He sighed and crawled over, snuggling next to me.

I tried to push him away.

"Louis, I'm ill."

"I know," he nodded, "I'll take care of you."

"Huh?"

"I'll take care of you. If you need anything, let me know."

"Will do."

I realized he wasn't going anywhere, so I cuddled closer.

I made a cocoon of blankets, with Louis and I in the middle, all warm and cozy.

My throat felt raw and like I'd swallowed knives.

I unconsciously rubbed my neck and Louis got up.

"I'll be back."

He returned ten minutes later, with soup, medicine, and water on a little bed table thing.

He tucked pillows behind me so I could sit up.

"You don't need to pamper me."

"Not pampering. I'm making sure you're okay." He chuckled

"Sure."

"Sure?"

"Sure!"