Blind Alley

Chapter 12.

HARRY'S POV:

It's the morning after spreading the news. I wake up with my arm wrapped around Louis bare shoulders. We're in a hotel with the other boys, but Louis and i are the only ones that share a room. My phone has been blowing up non stop since last night. It has all happened so fast and i have still not thought about what's to come. My phone continues to vibrate. I put my arm away from Louis' inked skin and reach for the phone. It's a call from Liam. He has been calling all morning, along with many others. For some reason, i decide to answer, since it's Liam. He usually calls when it is urgent.

"Hello?"

I whisper into the phone. My voice is raspy and unstable. I clear my throat before paying attention to Liam on the other line.

"Hi. Have you bothered to look out the window?" He quickly says. I turn to the windows covered by dark curtains.

"Uhm no. Why?" I question.

"Just do it"

He says. I end the call, scratch my eye and climb out of bed. As soon as i'm standing on my feet i carry on and stretch out my arms with a tired groan. I walk over to the window and carefully push the curtains aside. The hotel is mobbed and completely surrounded by people. Paparazzi's, news anchors, fans and pretty much everyone is out there. They're all shouting stuff but it is completely impossible for me to hear with the window closed and the fact that we're on the fifth floor. If i open the window they will see me and start taking pictures. So i carefully just try to crack it slightly opened on the side.

"Mornin'."

I hear Louis mumble from the bed. I quickly turn to him and feel my smile grow. He is lying on the bed covered in the white sheets, and an adorable smile on his face.

"Good mornin'. How did you sleep?"

I ask. He smiles even bigger and stretches his body over the empty area of the bed.

"Amazing. Can you believe last night actually happened? It's unbelievable"

"Speaking of unbelievable... Have you seen this?"

I ask. I wouldn't like to kill the mood of course, but i don't really have a choice. Louis frowns clueless and climbs out of bed. He is wearing nothing but his white boxers. I scan his beautiful toned torso as he walks up to me. I give him a simple kiss before letting him take a look outside.

"Holy shit...! How are we gonna get out of the hotel? They're everywhere!"

That's when a knock on the door interrupts us. I walk over and open it. In comes Niall, Liam and Zayn in a row. They're all dressed and ready to go, while Louis and i are still in our underwear. Well... At least Louis is.

"Aaaah cover yourself up Harry! We don't want to see that"

Niall commands while covering his eyes with his hands repulsed by the sight of my bare body. Liam and Zayn don't really act on it. Guess they're too used to this. I've been showing off my body like this since the X-factor days. Louis glances at their tall torsos.

"Why are you all dressed? You realize we can't get out of here, right?" He says, really articulating every word.

"We still have body guards, so yes we can." Zayn says.

"What about the photographers and stuff? They'll want answers!" I say as i wrap a towel around my waist.

"Then answer them. You already knew this was coming, right? So... embrace it." Liam says.

I turn to Louis. If anyone, he won't allow this. I mean, even if we were to speak out to the public it wouldn't be this soon. We came out just yesterday, it's way too soon. Louis doesn't say anything. He just stares down at the floor with his arms crossed, obviously thinking. Is he actually considering this? After a moment of silence he walks off to his suitcase and starts getting dressed. My chin drops to the floor. Is he serious!? I quickly follow him and start getting dressed as well. I don't usually question his decisions, but i just can't keep my mouth shut for this one.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

I say in hushed tones for his ears only, but the boys of course hear us. Louis stumbles into his jeans with his left leg as he balances on the other.

"Yeah. Liam is right. We are going to face the critics at some point. Might as well get it over with."

He says dead serious. My heart starts to beat faster. A lump grows inside my chest. I've been really good with ignoring critics and the media these past few years but this is personal. This is about the person i am. What if i can't cope with the hate? What if when it comes to this... I'm not strong enough?

After getting dressed me and Louis stand by the window and stare out at the sea of people. The boys are waiting for us down at the lobby. I swallow my anxiousness as i see the many faces of familiar interviewers and paps. But then as i glance over them, i see our fans. Our beautiful, amazing, dedicated fans shouting and supporting us with their creative signs about gay rights. I might not be strong, but with that support it's impossible to be weak.

I can see Louis by the whites of my eyes. As he's about to pass me by, he stops when he notices me staring out in silence. He stares at me for a minute and then i can almost feel his smile grow on his lips. He walks over to me and slowly wraps his arms around me from behind. He rests his chin on my shoulder and looks at the sight.

"Are you nervous?" He whispers.

"Maybe..."

"Don't be." He mouths. "You know i love you, Styles."

"Love you too"