Baby, look what you've done to me || L.S AU

XXII.

Minutes turned into hours as the family sits and converses, Louis' eyes trained on the direction of the front door waiting to see the familiar figure appear. Jade had made her way over after some time and is sitting next to Louis of course. Liam is sat in the corner of the room scuffing as he keeps looking at Perrie who can't seem to stop touching Zayn.

"They're so out of the book romantic" Jade leans over and whispers in Louis' ear. He hums pulling her closer to him. He doesn't know how to react around her, she smells so sweet and he definitely enjoyed her company besides that his mind is jumbled up on the fact that any minute his ex boyfriend would walk through that door and he has to pretend like whatever happened between them never existed. Jade somewhat eased his mind and she was quite the distraction.

"We are way cuter" He smiles at her. She hides her face with her hands feeling the blush creep up to her cheeks. "Do you want a drink?" He stands anyway and makes his way over to the table to pour himself a drink. She shakes her head, Louis facing away from her to attend to his unfilled glass.

"Harry you're here!" His mother is the first to speak. He freezes causing the glass to slip through his fingers making a loud thud on the table almost breaking. He takes a deep breath in and closes his eyes. He could do this, all the acting classes he's been to over the years, drama club, plays, he can put on a happy face, he can pretend this didn't affect him and seeing Harry was not eating him inside. He exhales opening his eyes to finally turn around coming in contact with Harry. He swallows as he takes in the sight in front him. He's wearing his usual black skinny jeans, and faded boots with a loose fitting grey jumper and brown fedora on his head. He looks so adorable with his redden cheeks and nose from the cold outside.

He smiles so big hugging Karen and Luke, hesitates as Zayn gives him a look that falters his smile. Perrie hugs him placing a kiss on his cheek and when he eyes Liam his face falls completely. Of course he still thinks Liam is Louis' new pet and shoots the boy a death glare. Liam only nods as Jade walks over to introduce herself. Shit. Louis is still standing across the room watching as she shakes his hand and he nods appreciating her.

"What are you doing standing way over there love? Come here" Karen calls making his heart skip a beat. Harry's eyes fall on Louis, they stare at each other as he slowly makes his way over to the small crowd. Harry looked so pained like he was trying so hard to hide the smile on his face. Louis was unsure what he should do if he hugged Harry it would look suspicious because before the incident neither could keep their hands to themselves, or lips. He walks up and without thinking slings his hands around Harry's neck. He had to tip toe because Harry stood not sure himself how to react.

"Merry Christmas" Louis says so the crowd hears him inching closer to Harry's face. Harry watches as Louis bites on his lips something he was never able to resist and closes his eyes waiting to feel him on his lips. Instead Louis' soft kiss lands on his cheek but the same spark electrifies through Harry making his pores raise. It's been so long since he's had Louis in his arms, so long since he's been able to kiss him and touch him. The passion was still there even for Louis. You can see how his pupils grew with such small contact. He swallows releasing Harry who opens his eyes and smiles sweetly so his dimples show.

Dinner was awkward. Actually awkward was an understatement. Louis was forced to sit between Harry and Jade. Harry sat next to Liam. Karen and Perrie and Zayn sat together and Luke sat to the head of the table. Liam tried his best to make small talk with Harry who continues to flare his nostrils and grip his thigh to stop himself from saying anything he'd regret to the man. Jade keeps leaning across and whispering  cheeky jokes in Louis' ear which made him laugh anyway. After dinner Perrie, Jade and Karen cleaned up the table while Liam and Zayn went with Luke engrossed in his cigar collection Karen had gifted to him for Christmas. Harry walks back to the living room following Louis slowly wit his hands in his pockets.