Undercover (Larry Stylinson)

4. bourbon & butterflies

"And that, my friend is how you dish out detention!" Louis chuckled.

Liam groaned and rolled his eyes. "I hate carpooling with you so much."

"I know you love it," Louis giggled, stretching out in the passenger seat. "Anyways, you'll never guess who I saw at the liquor store this afternoon."

"Why the fuck were you at the liquor store this afternoon? Was this during your lunch break?" Liam asked, shaking his head as he gripped the steering wheel. Louis never ceased to amaze him.

"Well I was just really craving a white wine to go with my dinner. I'm making fish tonight, by the way," Louis said hastily. "Anyways, I saw our neighbor. He was buying a butt ton of stuff. Hard liquor, beer, wine. Enough for a frat party!"

"Okay...." Liam said, his eyes fixed on the road.

"And! He's totally going to sell it to minors. Maybe even our students!" Louis exclaimed dramatically. "Li, we have to do something."

"Louis, you are certifiably insane," Liam snickered. "You have to stop stalking that poor guy. Leave him alone."

"I won't until he goes on a date with me," Louis pouted, crossing his arms.

"If I get him to hang out with you will you shut up about him?" Liam asked as he pulled into the driveway.

Louis' face lit up, his bright blue eyes shooting open wide. "Yes! Oh my god. Will you, Liam?"

"I can try," Liam said with a shrug. "Please, just go inside."

"Okay!" Louis said excitedly. For once, he did what he was told and dashed into the house, nearly shaking with anticipation.

Liam mumbled something under his breath and then walked up Harry's walkway and knocked on the door quietly.

Harry answered right away this time, wearing Grey joggers and a white T-shirt with a beanie. "Hey, Liam," he said nonchalantly.

"Hey. Sorry to come over randomly, but I wanted to ask you something," Liam said with a sincere smile.

"Sure, just make it quick, I have food in the oven," Harry replied, rubbing his chin. Liam examined his face carefully, taking note of the purple circles under his emerald eyes. They certainly weren't there before, neither was the stubble. And were his hands shaking?

"Yeah... I'll be quick," Liam said politely. "So Louis- I know he's a little quirky and all but he has been talking so much about you and is really adamant about having you over for drinks. Would you care to come? When is convenient for you?"

Harry stared at Liam, unblinking and then jerked his head forward, as if in a trance. "Umm... sure, yeah."

"Oh, great," Liam said, his mouth stretching into a wide grin. "When?"

"I don't have work on Tuesday," he replied in a husky voice.

"Today's Tuesday," Liam said, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh right," Harry replied. "Night shift has got me a little loopy...  um. Tonight, okay. I'll see you then. 8pm okay?"

"8 is great," Liam said with a smile. "See you soon."

*****
"He's coming over?! Tonight?" Louis squealed. He threw his hands in the air and round around the house, attempting to straighten it up.

"Relax, Louis," Liam giggled. "We just moved in two weeks ago. There's no mess to clean. Also, where the fuck is my thank you?"

"Oh! Thanks, Li," Louis said. He stopped in his tracks and threw his arms around Liam, who was standing in the doorway awaiting his hug.

"There we go. Wasn't so hard to have manners," Liam laughed as he Pat Louis' back. "I'll get the wine glasses."