almost // l.s

two

their camping trip was set to last two and a half weeks and harry was eagerly awaiting the end already. the five boys had been swimming four times despite only being on the campsite for one night. that meant harry was left to deal with louis' half naked body yet again. it wasn't as if he was creeping, but when something gorgeous like that was in front of his eyes who was harry to turn away? he was just a sixteen year old boy, for goodness sake.

so here he was, sitting at the edge of the lake, with his own top half smartly covered in a rolling stones t-shirt, watching the other four boys play in the water. he almost found himself lost in a trance until niall was shaking his shoulder.

"why don't you come join us?" the blond boy asked, "you're more boring than 'the blair witch project' over here."

harry snorted, "not really in the mood for swimming."

"and you haven't been the last three times we've been either," niall sat beside him, "what's up? you're usually well up for a bit of fun."

"i don't know niall," harry leaned into his friend, grateful for how relaxed he was about affection, "it's just a weird time for me."

niall shot him a funny look, eyebrows furrowing together, "a weird time?" he repeated, irish accent thick and mocking, "what's that supposed to mean?"

harry sighed, just wishing the subject would be dropped, "it means there's something really confusing me and i have no idea how to tell you."

niall draped his arm around the worried boy's shoulders, "you can tell me anyting, h. that's what friends are for."

"you'll make fun of me," but he said it with a smile.

"probably," the blond shrugged, "still..."

"fine," harry took a deep breath and lowered his voice, "i'm gay. and i know-"

"twenty pounds!" niall yelled, "liam owes me twenty pounds."

"what?"

he laughed devilishly, "we made a bet over a member of the group being gay. me for, li against, and, as usual, horan comes out on top."

"ok, ok," harry rolled his eyes, "but you can't tell liam yet."

"why not? do you like him?" niall wiggled his eyebrows.

"what? no!" harry spluttered, "someone else."

"so you don't wanna swim with us because you find it awkward being around four beautiful, shirtless hunks? i see-"

"shut it niall," harry giggled, "it's kinda one person in particular."

"so you do have a crush on louis," he said in confirmation.

"how- wh- is it that obvious?" harry asked, dumbfounded.

"i mean, you're very close aren't ya? bit all over each other" he shrugged, "no big deal, haz, we all have 'em."

"yeah," harry said, agitated, "but not on our best friend. our straight best friend, may i add."

"how do you know?" but before harry could reply, his shirt had been pulled off and he was being dragged towards the lake. niall threw him into the chilly water, probably cold from the temperature the night before, and when harry surfaced he could see the blond boy whispering something in liam's ear. typical.

harry looked over to where louis and zayn were playing. louis was trying to dunk zayn under the water but he kept pulling away because the poor boy couldn't even swim. zayn's screams could've been heard miles away, assisted by louis' high-pitched cackle. harry loved that laugh more than anything. this was going to be a very long fortnight.

-

zayn had the genius idea of all five boys going for a picnic later that day so, naturally, liam and harry were carrying everything while the others ran on ahead. 

"niall told me," liam said after a long silence. harry turned to look at his face and he was smiling, a good sign.

"why're you so pleased if you have to pay him?" harry joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

liam chuckled, "twenty pounds is nothing, besides, i'm just happy that you have people to talk to now."

harry suddenly stopped walking and placed the picnic basket on the ground. he grabbed liam's shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug.

"you right?" liam said into harry's neck.

"yeah," he replied, "dunno why i'm hugging you."

the older boy fully laughed then, "just emotional?"

"think so," harry said pulling back, tears filling his eyes, "why am i crying?"

"doesn't matter," liam grinned, "just let it out, h."

suddenly, harry's brain stopped working and he blurted out, "i like louis."

liam turned around, surprised but not revolted, "that's good."

"how is it good?" harry asked, exasperated, "i have to sleep with him, spend time with him-"

"just calm down harry, you'll be fine."

and if he was wrong last time, he knew he wasn't now. it was going to be an extremely long fortnight.

♡♡♡

was this ok? are you enjoying the story? please tell me in the comments, i really need to know how my story is going with the readers.

thank you. treat people with kindness.

- alyssa xx