Dangerous | l.s.

XXVI

Louis racked his mind over what the letter meant and who it could possible be from. He had recognized the first line, it was from something he had read once but couldn't remember what. And unfortunately searching the internet to try to figure out what it was from, had proven to be a waste of time.

You see, for all life is an act of faith and an act of gamble.

It was driving him crazy, really. Who ever was playing this sick and twisted game with him needed to quit it.

Unable to think about the mysterious letters any longer, Louis stepped out on to one of the many balconies the mansion had and pulled out a cigarette. He looked out across the dark yard and watched the moonlight reflecting across the surface of the pool. No stars light up the night sky, but the shimmering lights from the Las Vegas Strip made up for it.

It was nights like tonight, Louis standing out in the warm summer air with just his thoughts and a cigarette, that everything around him felt magnified. He listened to the gentle rhythm of the cicadas buzzing in the trees that seemed to always be constant. Yet through the sound Louis heard the sliding of the glass door behind him.

"Mind if I keep you company?" He heard Harry's deep voice now beside him.

"Whatcha doing awake curly?" Louis asked as he turned and faced the sparkling green eyes of the boy next to him.

"I could ask you the same question," he responded with a smirk that showed off his dimple that Louis loved oh so much.

"Fair enough, and to answer your question-I don't mind. Never would turn down your company," he said pulling the boy closer to him and smiling.

A comfortable silence fell between them as both boys starred out across the Vegas night sky. Louis' arms wrapped around Harry's waist and his head resting on Louis' shoulder. Louis doesn't know how long they stood like that before Harry gently turned his head to look at him.

"I've missed you," he said softly. Louis, now facing Harry, gave him a fond but confused look.

"I haven't gone anywhere love, but I do appreciate that," Louis said, his voice laced with a hint of laughter. Harry waited a few minutes before speaking up again.

"I know you haven't, but I've just missed you. This past week all I've seen is serious Louis or sad Louis, I like happy Louis. I like how his happiness is so contagious," Harry said in almost a whisper but loud enough that Louis caught it all.

"Oh yeah? What else do you like about this Louis?" he asked cheekily, snuggling closer to him. He didn't quite expect Harry to respond and was shocked when he started to answer.

"He jokes a lot and they're good jokes, not cheesy like mine. He can make us all laugh really hard. And he gets excited when he sees how happy he's made everyone, his eyes light up and my heart almost explodes. He makes me enjoy every little moment with him, no matter how simple. He's also really caring, he takes care of me. I've never experienced a feeling like this before and felt so protected in my life. He makes me feel all this, that's why I like him more than those other versions," Harry said. His eyes never left Louis, who was clinging on to the every word that left Harry's beautiful mouth.

"Could I kiss you right now?" Louis asked, ever the gentleman.

Harry sheepishly nodded and the two boy's lips connected in a sweet and slow kiss. There was no haste. No rush. Just love.

A love that neither boy had yet to really accept but knew was deep down in their heart.

When they finally broke apart, both had goofy smiles on their faces and snuggled closer. Just admiring each other now.

"Get used to that feeling," Louis said quite suddenly and catching Harry off guard.

"Huh?"

"That feeling of care, of protection. Get used to it Haz, cause I won't be stopping any time soon. And in the few things that can be a guarantee in life, trust me this is one," Louis said as he gently stroked Harry's curls.

"Well don't you just know exactly the right things to say to make me be feeling butterflies in my stomach," Harry said in a joking tone but he was 100% serious. Every time he was around Louis, he felt butterflies.

At this Louis chuckled and just gently shook his head at the boy next to him. Just when he thought he couldn't get more adorable, he did.

"How would you feel 'bout going out tomorrow love?"

"That sounds quite nice," Harry responded, he hoped this was going to be considered a date. "Where will we be going?"

"Mm that's a surprise mister, but dress slightly nicer. Like a nice button up, maybe one of those beautiful Gucci ones Niall picked up for you."

"I told him it was too expensive, but it does look awful good. I think I just might have to wear that," Harry giggled.

Louis smiled fondly at Harry, thinking about their date. Of course it couldn't be a proper date, the lads will still have to tag along for safety reasons. But Louis didn't mind too much as long as he could steal some private time with Harry. He really had missed him.

"I'll admit Haz, I really haven't been myself lately and truthfully I've missed you so much. I'm sorry. I hope I can make it all up to you tomorrow," Louis said after a few minutes of silence between them.

"Consider yourself already forgiven," Harry said with a smile on his face as he turned to look at Louis.

"Yeah?" Louis asked, now smiling too.

"Yeah," Harry said with a happy sigh.

"There's something else I've missed too," Louis said. His voice dropped to a quiet whisper as he pulled Harry into a kiss.

"Yeah, I've missed that too," Harry said quite breathlessly as they broke apart.