Modest Delusions - Book 3 (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 1 - The Royal Suite-Hearts

The Royal Suite-Hearts

Dawn had come and gone, the sun now streaked the room like orange paint slashed along the walls. Hot sunshine beat through the cracks in the curtains, trickled between them as they gently swayed with the sea breeze. Louis was sound asleep, enveloped in a dream world and in his opinion, that dream world often proved less fatal then the waking one. His breathing quickened, the rise and fall of his tattooed chest caught strips of the sunshine and he yawned. Louis squeezed his eyes shut ignoring the heat that pelted down on his naked body. He rolled over, groaning and found the enormous king size bed momentarily empty, squeezing his hands tightly they were greeted not with soft flesh but pillows, mountains and mountains of pillows. In a bed of this sheer size he felt as if he were drowning in egyptian cotton, pillows and of course the emptiness that tightened his chest whenever he was away from him.

The elaborate sheer curtains swayed in the breeze and like warm breath the hot tropical air slithered in and tingled Louis skin, almost begging him to wake up and greet the day. He closed his eyes listening to the soft clash of waves against the sand, a melody that was a welcome change to the horns and screech of tires along bustling city streets. Louis, eyes closed felt the beating sun against his skin and his eyes were hooded with the red shadow of his eyelids. With a calming breath he squeezed his eyes shut tighter and smiled to himself, the best thing they could have done was run away. 

Run away from the world and all its fickle problems, from their own problems with relationships and the public and just… disappeared for a while. With a heavy sigh he opened his eyes and smiled, it was a genuine smile that stretched across his face lighting up his eyes and the apples of his cheeks flushed red. Harry, to his delight was smiling back, his skin too was dewy and soft in the morning light. His green eyes stared longingly back with such love and warmth that Louis felt his breath catch in his throat. For the first time in months he was speechless, breathless for the right reasons. Daisy and Blake, Dakota and everything else in between was long forgotten. As he stared into those flecked green eyes, studying the hazel slithers with such intensity the rest of the world fell away. He noted with a keen eye each freckle that doused Harry’s flawless face, Harry looked tanned and relaxed as he smiled back with resolute satisfaction. In that brief moment he and Harry were at last a single entity.

Louis looked away and let his mind wander to thoughts of Harry. Of how happy Louis felt, the best thing he did was buy those plane tickets. Now as he looked around at the interior of the The Palace, Royal Suite at the Royal Mirage in Dubai he still couldn’t believe that he could afford such a luxury. Yes, it was expensive and the expanse of the private villa alone would happily fit over fifteen people it seemed like a fitting way to spend his birthday, with the one he loved. There was a moment where Louis was going to call the other boys and bring them along but then reality set in, it wasn’t the best plan. Knocking back the idea they went alone and perhaps that was for good reason. After all, they needed space after so much criticism, the public eye was on them now more then ever and Louis had to stay strong. He really couldn’t afford to fall apart, there was too much at stake. 

He absently glanced at Harry and smirked while he began to playfully stroke the soft violet throw that draped over his short legs. Harry’s smile never faltered and it consumed Louis with blissful ignorance of the real world. The four poster bed was draped with cream and gold curtains that were tied to each post with a thick golden ribbon and enormous gold tassels that hung to the floor. The tassels alone would be worth thousands, he felt so out of place in such a luxurious villa never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine splurging thousands of dollars on an impromptu getaway with his lover.

 The headboard was black with an ornate golden engraving that swirled in beautiful patterns along the wall. Louis adjusted himself to look out the long glass doors that beckoned him to go outside, it was a beautiful day and well after lunchtime. His head vaguely pounded, reminding him of the excessive consumption of cocktails he had, had. He smiled at the recollection of daring each other to test every drink on the menu, although the resounding ache in his head and the redness of his eyes told a different story. Louis blinked and stretched, the heavy beige duvet hung across his bare legs and he kicked it off. The blanket fell onto the golden two seater that sat at the end of the bed. He propped himself up onto his elbow and despite the promise of a day free of appointments and interviews he couldn’t seem to drag himself away from Harry. With a smile he leaned out and stroked the soft dimples that formed in his cheeks when Harry smiled, Louis felt his heart skip a beat.