Promise

Promise to treasure me

"Leave me the Hell alone, Harry." Louis grumbled; nobody needed a seer to sense his irritation. The boy had just gotten home from a poorly scheduled lecture on campus, to find his best friend's brother also in the elevator.

Unfortunately for him, Harry is miles of persistence stuffed into a six foot three tattooed body that was the face of their university's rugby team. Everyone loved him for his ability to dominate a game as the captain, and the dean thought Harry's four year degree would not be enough. Harry is also the older brother to the only friend Louis had through high school, Gemma, which meant his shared apartment had to be opened up to this ghastly character as well.

"You do not get to insult me publicly and walk off." Harry all but growled when he tried cornering Louis against the refrigerator.

His victim turned around and glared at the towering man obstructing his escape. "I did not insult you."

Harry stopped the boy from hitting him in the chest by grabbing Louis' wrist and holding onto the resistant other. "Muttering prick under your breath in a lift with three other people before running out is disrespectful, kitten."

"I'm not sorry." Louis twisted his arm free and gracelessly shouldered his way free. "Don't call me kitten."

"I don't think so." Harry allowed Louis momentary freedom before he turned around and hauled the boy off the ground to throw over his shoulder. "Go easy on me for once up- Ow fuck."

Louis would be a disgrace to his childhood reputation if he granted Harry that wish. He shouted and squirmed whilst tugging on the lumbering male's hair with a punishing grip. "Stop touching me, you ape."

Harry strode through the short corridor of the flat to Louis' bedroom where he pushed open the door whilst still harbouring the world's most restless boy. "You gonna fuck yourself tonight then?"

The word 'dating' disgusted Louis and he never refrained from lecturing someone who made the mistake of labelling him and Harry as such. Neither of them were pre-pubescent teenagers seeking social validation by means of being attached at the hip while others gawked or nodded approvingly. Oh, you and Styles are dating? Didn't know you were seeing anybody. Harry's seen Louis go at one too many people before he stepped in and carried a drunken Louis away to anywhere without strangers.

They were not dating to anyone who risked their lives by asking, but there was an unspoken commitment nonetheless.

"Yes." Louis tried to knee Harry in the face but he didn't really stand a chance when the man caught his thighs and dumped him onto the bed. He rolled onto his front and kicked off his shoes while Harry sat on the edge of it. "You're taking me to that concert Gems was talking about, by the way."

"It would be my pleasure." Harry mused, shamelessly smacking the curve of Louis' behind as he laid down. "When is it?"

Louis did get a kick in then. "What do you mean? It's tonight."

"Fuck, kitten." Harry pinched the bridge of his nose, letting his eyelids close on their own accord. "I'm exhausted."

"So?" Louis was yawning too. "I told you about the concert two weeks ago."

Harry turned to look Louis in the eye when he displayed his exasperation. "You did not."

"Did to." Louis isn't sure half the time why he's arguing, just that he is. He hears the frontdoor unlock to signal Gemma's return and shouts for her even with Harry's ear two inches from his lips. "Gemma!"

"What?" The third occupant of the apartment was working the afternoon shift at the same bar and grill Louis' employed at.

She stands in the doorway with one hand clutching the doorknob and the other covering her eyes; she won't be taking any chances after the numerous times she's walked in on their scandalous affairs.