This Feels A Lot Like Love

18. So I'll Be Bold As Well As Strong

Graduation was today.

Harry could feel the anticipation of nerves thrumming inside everyone's veins as teachers scattered to submit final grades, mothers fluttered in shops trying to find the perfect pair of slacks for their sons and students cherished every moment with friends and classmates before they all went in their own separate paths.

Harry wasn't nervous, in fact, he was excited. He had been working hard for this day since the start of Year 10. He had made the most of his years here and created the best friendships. He also finally got together with the love of his life (he still couldn't believe he was dating Louis Tomlinson!). Being with Louis was always new and exciting, never dull or boring. It was like reading a favorite book over and over again and rereading the same chapters, but Harry never wanted it to end because he never wanted to put the book down.

Harry stopped obsessing over the fact that Louis never told him he loved him. He felt it in other ways that mattered more to him than three simple words. He felt it when Louis told him to drive safely every day after school, when he wished him good luck before a big exam, when he would get out of his insecure shell and talk to new people and Louis would smile winningly at him.

Harry especially felt it when Louis would grip his hips tightly and fuck into him raw and deep, biting his shoulder and wiping come from his stomach. Afterwards, Louis would tuck Harry into bed and cuddle him from behind, kissing the shell of his ear and winding an arm around the curve of his waist. It was like Harry could feel Louis' love in every touch of his fingertips, in every whispered word, in every longing look. Louis didn't need to tell Harry he loved him. Harry just knew.

The only dilemma was that Harry was going to attend the University College London while Louis was going to the University of Manchester. It was a four-hour drive, but Harry knew they were going to make it work. Their relationship was stronger than ever and he wouldn't go if he knew they weren't stable. He had faith. Hope.

Louis had slept in Harry's bed the night before. He was watching Harry dress in front of the mirror with lazy, sleep-lidded eyes. Harry tucked the end of his tie through the loop and pulled, straightening the silk. He tried rearranging the tie perfectly so it could align straight between his collar, but it was to no avail.

Harry smirked at Louis' reflection in the mirror. Louis was hungrily licking his lips and intently watching Harry through rows and rows of dark eyelashes, arousal blown in his dark irises. He still sported red, swollen lips from when he woke Harry up with a morning blowjob, Harry's favorite.

Louis rubbed his hands over his face, leaving his cheeks blotchy. His hair was sticking out in odd, different directions. There was a bit of drool crusted on the corner of his mouth. He was beautiful.

"Why don't you come back to bed, angel?" Louis rasped, his voice uncharacteristically gruff.

"Can't. I gotta get ready for graduation. Which..." Harry bent over and thumbed Louis' blushed cheek, giving him a needy tap on the lips. "You should get ready too. Don't wanna be late, do we?"

"Fine," Louis groaned, rolling his eyes. "I'll get ready, mum."

Harry stared at Louis with wide, unblinking eyes, his hands halting on his silk tie.

"Ew, no. I wouldn't want your mum do to you what my mouth just did."

"Gross." Louis adorably scrunched his nose and shook his head. He pulled the duvet away from his naked body save for his black Topman boxers and hopped down from bed. "You're dirty-minded, Styles."

Harry merely shrugged, continuing to fuss with his tie. Louis came closer and turned Harry around by his hips. Harry slightly shuddered as Louis thumbed his hip bones.