It's Getting Cold These Days [Larry Stylinson AU]

Fourteen

A/N: Hey everyone! For once, the chapter is on time. How cool is that? We'd like to thank you for your patience during the past few weeks. We're doing our best to balance our lives and writing--sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. We hope this chapter will be worth the wait. Thank you so much for reading--you're wonderful and we appreciate it tons--and please leave feedback xx

The bags under Harry's eyes had resumed their profoundly rotten state. He leaned sat at the counter with a mop propped next to him and a cup of steaming coffee. Despite the shot of espresso Niall had spiked it with, his eyes drooped.

A handful of costumers sat scattered in the café, occupying a handful of tables. Nick was nowhere to be found. He should have been on the floor, taking orders and making coffee, but his apron still hung on the hook. He hadn't shown up at all.

Harry was about to question it when Niall smacked down a newspaper in front of him. Zayn Malik and Anna Cadwallader cozied up at Burberry fashion show stood written across the front page. Harry glanced between the pair to where he and Louis sat, hands entwined.

"Know anything about this?" Niall said with a cheeky grin on his face.

Harry flipped the paper over so the picture was out of sight and pushed it away.

Niall sobered up and laid a gentle hand on his arm. Harry withdrew.

"How are things?" Niall asked. "Is everything holding up?"

Harry stared, hoped his eyes weren't too void.

"They're okay."

"You can talk to me, you know," Niall said. "I'm here for you if you need someone. I care."

"Thanks." Harry forced himself to smile. It wasn't very convincing, and he didn't care, knowing that Niall didn't have the guts to corner him.

"Louis really cares about you, you know," Niall said.

Before Harry could muster up a half-assed response, the bell chimed. He wrote it off and ignored it. Nick, probably. As if on cue, Louis strong arms wrapped around him, engulfing him in a hug. Harry squeaked in surprise.

He caught Niall's smile as Louis pulled him in for a kiss. They melted together, Harry's hands grappling at the back of Louis' shirt. Louis was more careful, cupping his face, pecking at his lips. Too intimate.

"Hi, baby," Louis said once they parted. He remained in Harry's space, noses nuzzling.

"Hi." Harry ducked his head from every set of eyes in the room scorching his back.

Louis took a seat at the counter. He reached for Harry's hand, but it remained balled up over the paper. Louis settled for stroking his fingertips along his wrist. Harry tried to ignore the goose bumps popping up on his skin.

"Don't you have to work?" Harry asked.

"Not today. I came here to ask you a very important question," Louis said. "And it cannot wait until tonight. It needs to be asked right away."

Niall chuckled. Harry shot him a look that he hoped said, Fuck off and go make coffee, you're interrupting. Niall didn't budge.

Harry focused on Louis. "Okay..."

"How about a date tonight?" Louis said. "At your place. I'll make dinner and we'll rent a dumb movie."

"Sure. Yeah, that'd be nice. But my flat is a total mess. And my telly doesn't work, remember?"

Louis waved his hand. "I'll help you fix it up. We'll do a complete repair job. Your TV will be able to play all the shitty movies we choose and your stove will even be in useable condition again. No more charred food."