Above the Crimson Sky (Sequel to Beneath the Midnight Sky)

XXIX.II Home

Trigger Warning

Whenever he sees a balloon, he always smiles for his mind takes him back to a night filled with bonfires and friends. The night that Louis gifted him with a promise ring and a key. The night that Louis asked them to move in together.

He recalls Ed organizing the bonfire to say goodbye to old chapters and start anew. He remembers hiding helium balloons in his trunk for his mission. Just as they had watched the sunset together, he woke his friends up and explained his little plan for sunrise. One day molding into the next.

He bit his lip and debated amongst himself if his boy-friend was too precious to be disturbed. Then, he huffed he when realized he could not control nature and was on time restraint.

"Wake up sleepy head." He said lightly nosing Louis' cheek.

"Haz, too early!" Louis giggled.

"Come on, baby. Sunrise!" He said throwing Louis over his shoulder and making his way down to the lakeshore.

As Louis playfully drummed his back, Harry watched as his friends were in their proper place and eager to understand what the hell was going on and why they had to wake up so damn early.

Louis became orientated and realized that each of his friends were holding different color balloons. Niall walked over to the couple and handed them one each, just as Harry had instructed him to do. Louis observed that Liam had an extra balloon, but he didn't comment on it.

"Louis always calls me a sap but that's okay. Maybe you'll agree with him after this but since when have I took into consideration what you think?" Harry teased as everyone giggled in unison. "We all have something that we need to let go; something that keeps us a prisoner and tied down; something that makes life a struggle. I'd like us all to try and release some of that burden today. Camilla?" He encouraged and watched her tuck a piece of hair behind her ears. "Don't be shy. It's okay. I know you're just getting to know us but we are accepting."

"Thanks," she beamed. "I guess today I'm going to let go of my resentment toward my Mom for leaving us for a new man." She released the balloon in the air. "Fuck you, Mom!" She waved.

Liam chuckled at his girl-friends attitude. "Today, I let go of my guilt. I've accepted the fact that I shouldn't feel bad for what happened to Zayn. He made his own choices. All I can do is look forward and choose better decisions myself."

Ed patted Liam on the back. "I second that. Today, I too, let go my guilt. Straight and narrow for me. A record executive really liked my demo. Can you believe that? Zayn, I miss you buddy but this is my life to live now. Can't spend anymore wasting it by beating myself up." He let go of his balloon and hugged Liam, who was still holding onto his extra balloon.

Niall sniffled. "Today, I let go of my low self-esteem. I know I appear together but I'm not. I blame myself for everything. Even when Chelsea left me without an explanation, I still to this day wonder why. Not because I was in love with her or whatever but because I didn't kno what I did wrong. Love me or hate me, all I can be is me," He released his balloon. "It's time to love me now."

Harry wrapped his arm around Niall's waist for a minute, happy that Niall opened up. "Today, I let go of my resentment, my anger, my frustration. No more nights of cutting myself open and covering it with tattoos. No more days filled with the 'what did I do to you to deserve this, dad' 'louis' or insert whoever here because there is always someone....no more being angry at myself and taking drugs or drinking until I black out. It's time for peace and serenity. Time to start my life with you, Lou." He smiled over at Louis whose eyes were watering.