Magic || larry

32

Louis' birthday and Christmas is broken up into three parts; the night with his friends, the day with his family and his day with only Harry.

Harry looks at the small pile of gifts under his tree. One for Louis' birthday and two for Christmas. They're not big or extravagant - which Harry wishes he could do for the man - but they're something.

The party at Louis' the other night was loud and crowded with people. Charlie was there and his presence helped put Harry to ease. The hardest part about visiting Louis is seeing Ricky's house. Even harder than that is seeing Ricky inside the house. The hardest part? Not seeing him at all.

Harry continues to tap his socked feet, his small television playing a Christmas show he saw as a child. His mind briefly wanders over to his mother and he wonders how she is. Wonders if she misses him and regrets it all. He wonders if she's happy.

Christmas has never been Harry's favourite holiday. He's always felt this pang of anger whenever it came around. The families with money always made sure their children had the best and parents would spend time baking and cooking dinner together. Harry only got family time at Christmas if his mom wasn't dating someone and that wasn't often.

He wonders if Louis is on his way from his shift and his stomach blossoms with excitement. How lovely it is to get excited to see someone even when you see them every day. How refreshing and new it is to feel this happiness that spreads from his head to his toes at the idea of having Louis so close. How did he survive four years with someone who never made him feel like this even at their best?

He jumps when his cell rings and he quickly picks it up from the spot next to him and sees Louis' name pop up. His heart races and a goofy smile comes over his face without him having control over it. This is what he's always wanted. This is what he's been waiting for.

"Hey," Harry smiles into the phone, his body feeling alive as he hears Louis' small chuckle at his eager voice.

"Hi. I'm downstairs if you just want to buzz me up," Louis tells him, his voice soft always when he speaks to Harry. Gentle and sweet, a tone he reserves just for the boy with green eyes.

Harry gets up and moves to his buzzer. He can hear it go on the other line and then Louis hangs up. Harry moves to his door and unlocks it and holds it open. He looks down his hall until finally, he sees the birthday boy.

His black uniform is snug on his petit body and his hair is windswept. His face is pink from the cold and his blue eyes are startling compared to his cold nipped skin. Harry could look at him forever and never get tired.

"Hi," Louis smiles when he gets close and then he gets on his tiptoes and places a quick kiss to Harry's lips. They're cold to the touch but Harry doesn't care. He leans down to kiss him more and Louis giggles and slowly pulls back.

"Let's get inside," he suggests quietly, the words spoken so only they can hear it within the protective bubble they've built around themselves.

Harry moves back and Louis trails in after him. He shuts the door with a small click and turns the lock. Harry watches as he kicks off his shoes and just tosses his jacket onto the floor. It's all so natural now. To watch Louis come home to him and continue his childish routines of undressing.

"So what do you want to do tonight? We have to visit my mum tomorrow," Louis reminds him, his voice becoming shy at the mention of Harry meeting his mum.

"I'm not up for too much. There's Christmas movies and stuff on tv," Harry shrugs, wanting to cuddle with Louis and feel the man's fingers dance lightly across his skin like a practiced dancer.

"Okay. Do you still want to come with me tomorrow? I don't want you to feel like you have to," Louis' unsure voice and face make Harry reach out to him and Louis moves into his arms like a child.

"I still want to go. I know it means a lot to you," Harry promises, kissing the top of Louis' head and catching a whiff of his shampoo.

"Forget about me. Do you want to? Are you comfortable?" Louis asks. Harry again wonders how he managed to get someone so amazing. The exact opposite of what he had before.

"I want to. I haven't been to a family Christmas in years," Harry admits and he feels Louis squeeze his waist.

"You'll love it. My sisters are going to be all over you and my mum will talk your ear off. They probably won't want you to leave," Louis jokes and the image Harry gathers in his mind makes his insides fuzzy.

He can picture a warm home filled with love. A beautiful family all resembling the most beautiful person in the world and all they share is laughter and goodness. He can picture Louis playing with his younger siblings and teasing the older and making sure Harry is included in it all. Harry can see a family life with him being a part of it. He can see the whole world open up to him every time he holds Louis' hand.

"I have something for you before we go there tomorrow," Harry confesses and Louis pulls out of his embrace and looks up at him with narrowed eyes.

"I told you no," Louis warns and Harry rolls his eyes as he backs away from him. He moves into his living room and he can feel Louis trailing after him.

"Sit on the couch. I have to grab everything," Harry grins. Louis keeps watching him, his face blank. Harry just chuckles and grabs the smallest box from under the tree and slowly brings it to the table.

"Don't open it yet. I'll be right back," Harry cheers. He watches as Louis' mouth twitches at his tone and Harry knows he isn't mad for going out and getting him gifts. Harry leans down before leaving and pecks his lips.

He moves into his kitchen and pulls a cake out of the fridge. He made a mini cake at work with the help of Barbara the other day. The cake is a book, with Louis' name written as the title. Harry places a single candle into it and lights it up before walking out and humming the birthday song. Louis' cheeks go pink instantly and his smile is absolutely radiant. Harry almost trips over his own feet he's so distracted by the beautiful sight that is Louis Tomlinson's smile.

"You made me a cake?" Louis giggles and that sound could make even the saddest man find some good in this shitty world. It already has.

"Yeah. Do you like it?" Harry asks, shifting his feet and looking at the cake he placed on his coffee table in front of Louis.

"I think it's probably the second cutest thing in this room," Louis smirks and Harry snorts but his heart skips nonetheless when Louis gives him his special look.

"You can open the gift now too... and then we can just eat the cake," Harry suggests and Louis just chuckles softly and reaches forward to grab the small box in his hands. Harry watches him carefully, taking in how his small fingers purposefully tear away at the paper until it leaves just a small box. Louis looks up at him in confusion and pulls off the lid to reveal a key.

"A key?" He asks, lifting it up and examining the shiny silver.

"Yeah... I thought maybe in the new year you'd like a new roommate," Harry whispers, his voice betraying his nerves. Louis looks up at him, his face shocked and angelic and everything Harry wants to wake up to every morning.

"You want me to move in?" Louis questions and Harry blushes at his surprised tone and looks down at his feet.

"Only if you want to. This was probably stupid. I should've given you the-"

His words are cut off by Louis' soft lips pressing against his. Harry can feet his hand still holding the key attempting to hold his face as well and Harry sighs and leans into him, letting Louis' kisses pull his anxiety away.

"I can't wait to live with you. Thank you," Louis murmurs as he pulls away.

"It's not stupid?" Harry frets, his stomach in knots at the idea of Louis just saying this to make him happy.

"God no. Waking up to you every day is the best gift you could've given me," Louis says, his smile telling Harry he knows what he said was cheesy.

"Okay. Happy Birthday, Louis," Harry whispers, stealing another kiss and loving how Louis smiles against it.

"I love you. Now let's eat that cake," Louis instructs. They don't eat the cake right away though. Harry can only use his mouth for one thing at a time and kissing Louis always comes first.