Illusion

Chapter 11: Harry Green, Rumbling Growls And Whispered Hope.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

Louis couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was official, he'd officially lost it and  was now imagining Harry saying the words he'd waited so long to hear him say.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

Harry couldn't possibly have said what Louis had been craving to hear. He just couldn't. No sane, rational person falls in love after only ten measly weeks. Only heartbroken, love sick fools do. Fools like Louis. Fools who needed love to function. Needed it like the air in their lungs and the blood in their veins and Harry was certainly no fool.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

Louis stared into Harry's impossibly green eyes. A green that really held no comparison to any other. It was as though they were a colour not yet invented. A colour that couldn't be found on any colour wheel no matter the combination. They were simply 'Harry' green.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

Harry's eyes widened marginally with each passing second that Louis stared at him in shocked silence. They widened and widened and soon his mouth dropped into a frown and his brow creased in that way that made him look like a poor abandoned puppy.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

He needed to say something, do something. He needed to tell Harry that he felt the same way about him. That he was his everything. That after only a few short, yet eventful months there would never be anyone else in this world for him. It would only ever be Harry. It would always be his eyes, his smile, his lips, his touch. It would always be the way he wrinkled his nose when he was  trying to hide things. The way he stumbled over his words and mumbled nonsense when he was put on the spot. The way that he ruffled his hair, coaxing it into artful curls. The way that he wore Louis' clothes to feel closer to him even though they barely fit. The way he scribbled in his brown, leather bound journal, tongue peeking out from between his lips in concentration. The way he undressed Louis with his eyes when they're in public and even when they're alone. And the way he smiled, that oh so secret smile. The one that Louis knew was just for him.

It was in the way that Harry remembered the little things. How he knew exactly how Louis took his tea. The way he knew that placing a hand gently on Louis melted all his worries away. It was  in the way that by just knowing Harry, Louis felt as though he was a better person. And it was in the way that he could see Harry's love for him burning brightly within him, flowing out into everything he did and said. It was the little things. The important things. The things others overlooked that Harry always treasured. And it was in the way that he was simply, unapologetically, Harry.

For Louis, from now until the end of his days, for however long he was destined to grace this Earth, wether they be together or apart, it would now and forever always be Harry.

And because I love you Louis Tomlinson.

Tears continued to run unchecked down Louis' cheeks. His breathing was laboured and he knew he was shaking. But all that consumed him was the frantic beating of Harry's heart beneath his hand, the way his body felt as though it had been ignited where they touched and the look of hurt and panic now shrouding Harry's face.

I love you too Harry Styles, is what he meant to say. What he wanted to stay. What he said instead was, "You - you love me?"

The words came out gravely and forced, his throat raw and aching from crying. It seemed lately all he did was cry. But they weren't sad tears. They were happy tears. Excited tears. Hopeful tears.