This Feels A Lot Like Love

10. He's Right Where I Should Be

Troye walked Harry to his house once their date was over. They were quietly walking side by side with leaves crunching underneath their boot-clad feet.

Fresh memories burned at the back of Harry's eyelids. He remembered Louis talking animatedly to Emma, all bright eyes and sharp teeth, and even recalled him taking off his blazer to wrap around her shivering arms. Harry hadn't cared. Nope, not at all. Because Troye had sat right in front of Harry and had been a perfect date (besides his creepy stalkerish factor, no thanks).

They arrived at Harry's front porch, the light flickering on and off. Harry pressed his lips together in a lopsided smile and stood there awkwardly. Troye looked at Harry with a soft expression. He licked his lips, the wind ruffling leaves around his hair. Before Harry met Louis, Troye would have been exactly the type of guy he would want. It was a shame.

"So, I had fun tonight," Troye said, shyness licking his voice.

"Me too. We should do it again sometime," Harry suggested.

As much as it hurt him, Harry needed to move on from Louis. If Louis wouldn't give him what Harry wanted, what he deserved, then he would find somebody else. Harry would find someone to kiss him good night and show him off and smother him in public displays of affection and do everything Louis wasn't willing to try in front of the others.

"Really?" Troye asked, his eyes lighting up with hope.

"Sure." Harry's shoulders bobbed in a careless shrug as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "Why not?"

"I don't know. I just thought you weren't that into me. You were acting kind of weird when I mentioned Louis."

"Yeah, well. It's a long story."

Troye grabbed Harry's hand, his gaze warm and open.

"I have time," Troye replied gently.

And, fuck, that was sweet, wasn't it? Harry deserved sweet, caring boys. But, no, his limbs were tired from exhaustion and his face hurt from fake smiles and he wanted to sleep tonight off. Forget about Louis staring at someone that wasn't him.

"I think I should just go to bed," Harry hesitantly murmured and pulled his hand away from Troye's grip.

"Oh, yeah. Of course," Troye replied quickly, hurt flashing across his eyes briefly.

Harry nodded, turning his head away to look at the door. Now was the time for his mum to barge in outside and break the awkward tension swimming in the air.

Troye shifted before Harry, looking torn. Wordlessly, he grabbed Harry's collar and pulled him close, clashing his lips against Harry's. Harry stiffened. He felt Troye's chapped lips move against his. He pressed his lips tightly together as Troye tried to unsuccessfully slick his tongue inside. Instead, he relented and pressed a pacifying kiss to Troye's dry lips. Troye hummed and pecked Harry's scrunched mouth one last time. He pulled away and licked his lips.

"Wow," Troye breathed breathlessly. He stared at Harry with stars in his eyes. "That was..."

"Mhm," Harry grimaced. He thumbed behind himself, walking backwards and darting his eyes around them nervously. "I should go..."

"Yeah." Troye smiled with sharp, ribbing teeth. "Good night, Harry."

"Good night!" Harry yelled frantically, waving at Troye and turning around swiftly.

Harry jogged up the porch steps and flung the door open, practically stumbling inside. The door shut with a slam. He peered outside the window at Troye's figure illuminated by the porch light. He watched Troye smile to himself and walk away. He breathed out a heavy sigh of relief.