Royal || larry

XIII

The music is in full swing and the chatter and laughter of his guests fills Harry's ears. He loves balls - even if the reason for this one is not something he loves - so he smiles at everyone and even laughs along. The women look beautiful and then men equally good looking, but Harry only has eyes on his own boy.

Louis has to serve everyone tonight, but he is fine with that. His mother and sisters get to attend the ball as guests and he can see them dancing in their beautiful gowns. He smiles as he offers people food off his platter and politely engages in small talk. He glances over to Harry occasionally and every time Harry is looking at him. It causes him to blush and he always is the first to look away.

More and more people seem to come in the large ball room and everyone is excitedly waiting for the first glimpse of the queen to be. Harry had given her her ring this morning - she had cried - and now the only part left was for the rest of the kingdom to see. Harry can feel nerves build in his stomach and he does not know if he is ready for this. For marriage.

Gemma spots her brother and quickly moves through the crowd. Her crown bright and shiny atop her beautiful head and her dress dazzling in comparison to the other women there.

"Harry! How are you doing?" she asks when she finally arrives next to him. He turns and smiles at her, dismissing his other conversation. He wraps her in a warm hug and places his lips close to her ears.

"I do not want this," he whispers out. She pulls away and stares intently into his big, green eyes. Her heart breaks for her baby brother and she reassuringly pats his shoulder.

"It will all work out," she promises. Before Harry can reply the music stops and so does the chatter. At the top of the stairs leading to the large room is Vanessa.

She is wearing a white dress, covered in jewels. Her shoulders are bare and the top of the dress shows off her chest nicely. The bottom is long and puffy, it glimmers in the light and it makes her glow. Her hair is wrapped up and her crown sits perfectly on her head. The ring shines on her left hand and Harry will admit she's strikingly beautiful.

The whole room stares at her in awe and Harry moves forward to grab her hand when she reaches the last step. They hold hands for the kingdom to see and Harry leans forward to place a sweet kiss on her cheek. The room erupts in applause for the new couple - both so strikingly beautiful - and Vanessa smiles brightly.

"You look flawless. You are the prettiest girl in the kingdom," Harry tells her. She blushes and hides her face. People all come over to share their congratulations and to look at the ring. Harry loses interest in this quickly and his eyes scan the room for Louis. He finds him in the corner, his seemingly good mood gone.

"Want me to grab you a drink?" Harry whispers into Vanessa's ear. She nods her head and then turns back to the people giving her attention. Harry excuses himself and makes his way over to the drinks, which so happens to be where Louis is.

"You can take the rest of the night off," Harry tells him. Louis looks at him and bows quickly before nodding.

"Yes, sir," he says. He always has to act like this in public, much to Harrys dismay.

"Meet me in the garden at 11. Please," Harry also says. He glances at Louis who nods subtly. Harry smiles to himself and brings his drinks back to his princess. She takes hers thankfully and they continue back on about their wedding.

Eventually the people disperse and Harry has to dance with Vanessa. He gently takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor. She is a very good dancer and keeps up with Harry easily. The spin and twirl, the jewels on her dress dancing in the light. Harry can not help but think about his dance with Louis. How he wishes this was Louis now.

He scans the room and spots Louis dancing with Elizabeth. They are both laughing and smiling and Harry can feel his heart ache. He knows Louis probably is watching him with the same feeling, which makes his ache grow.

Harry counts down the time until it is 11. He dances with his mother and sister and many other women he does not know. It is tiring and he is growing annoyed with all this. He just wants to see Louis. He just wants to escape.

Finally, the clock strikes 11 and Harry excuses himself from the many people. No one questions the prince and he sneaks out into the night. The air is cool compared to the stuffy air inside and he takes a much needed breath. His lungs fill with the clean air and he feels better instantly. He walks into the garden and spots a small figure, standing by a flower bush.

Harry smiles and moves quickly, catching the attention of Louis. Louis smiles at the sight of the prince and places his hands behind his back, rocking on his heels.

"Louis," Harry breathes out when he's close enough to see every feature on his face through the dark. Louis chuckles softly and moves one hand from behind his back so he can gently stroke Harry's cheek.

"Harry," he replies just as quietly. Harry can not help himself as he ducks down so he can place his lips upon Louis'. Louis kisses him back, but pulls away gently. He pulls moves his other hand out from behind his back to reveal another pink rose.

"For you," he grins. Harry happily takes it and looks at Louis. Everything about him is right to Harry. Everything about him is perfect.

Harry wants him and only him. He does not want the balls and the castle and the money. He wants to be able to be with Louis for the rest of his life. He wants to hold him and love him and have him bring him flowers. He wants everything with Louis. Everything.

Harry can feel tears prick his eyes and Louis moves forward worriedly when he sees them. He does not understand why Harry is crying, was it the rose?

"What is wrong, love?" Louis frets. Harry just moves forward so he can hide is face in Louis neck and smell his familiar scent that always soothes him.

"Why do I have to marry her? Can they not see she does not make me happy?" Harry sniffles out. Louis rubs his back and whispers comforting words into his ear.

Harry pulls away and Louis thinks maybe he has calmed down, but he has not. Harry rips the crown off his head and throws it into the garden. Louis watches with wide eyes and listens as it falls somewhere far off.

"I do not want this! I do not need this. I want you. I need you," Harry tells him. He moves forward and gently places his hands on Louis' waist. His touch is so gentle towards Louis, so loving.

"I need you more than anything. Why can they not see that?" Harry mumbles out. He moves closer and gently puts his lips on Louis'. Louis melts and all he can think and feel is Harry. Everything is Harry and he needs him too. He needs him more than anything.

They kiss in the silence of the garden, the hum of the ball plays in the background, but neither boy pays any attention to that. Harry pulls away after a long time and rests his forehead against Louis'.

"Run away with me," Harry breathes out. The words brush against Louis' lips and he can still taste Harry on his tongue. The phrase is so crazy, so impossible, but Louis nods his head.

"Okay," he says. Louis places his lips on Harry's once again after the word leaves his lips and Harry kisses him with excitement and hope.

Their whole world is shattered when the familiar voice of Harry's father breaks the silence of the night.

"What is going on out here?!"