Just Silly Kids (Larry Stylinson)

30. I love you

Harry stepped on the stage, his hand clasped tightly around the guitar neck. He would have to thank Niall for teaching him how to play guitar later, or else they would have never came to such a satisfying product for the last task of their partner project, creativity.

Harry locked eyes with Louis, who came in from the other side of the stage, smiling nervously. Harry did not understand why Louis had made such a fuss. He looked amazing. His hair was in a messy quiff, his white suspenders contrasted beautifully with his dark blue blazer and his Toms made him look laid back.

Then again, in Harry´s humble and not at all biased opinion, Louis could have been wearing a plastic bag and he would still put everyone else in the room to shame.

The small, nervous smile did not leave Louis´ face as they sat down on the couch. Harry tried to give him a reassuring smile as he arranged the guitar in his lap. He had not once taken his eyes off Louis, completely ignoring the audience. It was the whole school. Mrs Wanke and Mr Busse had decided, together with headmaster Styles, to make some kind of talent show out of the last task. But Louis and Harry ignored all the eyes on them as the latter softly started to twang the strings of the guitar.

Harry could see the nervousness yield and replace with a more genuine smile on Louis´ face as Harry started to sing.

Your hand fits in mine like it's made just for me
But bear this mind it was meant to be
And I'm joining up the dots with the freckles on your cheeks
And it all makes sense to me

Harry could remember writing something similar into the letter he gave Louis for their three month anniversary. This was the whole idea of the song. They had looked through their diaries and letters to create this song. In the end, Harry wrote the Strophes and Louis the Refrain and Bridge, just like it came from the sources. They had also decided to sing it like this. After all, these words were meant for each other.

I know you've never loved the crinkles by your eyes when you smile
You've never loved your stomach or your thighs
The dimples in your back at the bottom of your spine
But I'll love them endlessly

Harry remembered when they had first met. It was on the first day on the PCA. Louis´ smile had been just as blinding as it was now, and his eyes had twinkled just as beautifully at Harry as they did now, as he slowly lifted the microphone to his mouth. And Harry´s breath caught as his lover started to sing.

I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if I do, it's you, oh it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things

Harry had cried when he read this passage of Louis´ diary. Louis had written about how much Harry meant to him, how much he loved him even back then, but he felt like he could never tell Harry. He was just as afraid of losing Harry as Harry was afraid of losing him. Harry had to gather his inhibitions before he could start singing again.

You can't go to bed without a cup of tea
Maybe that's the reason that you talk in your sleep
And all those conversations are the secrets that I keep
Though it makes no sense to me

At this part, neither Louis nor Harry could contain their grins. The amount of times Louis had nagged Harry about not having his evening tea, causing Harry to run out to the kitchen and get him one, was not countable. And Harry ran every time, as opposed to the other boys, who just told Louis to shut up and leave them alone. Harry suspected that part of Louis only did it to get Harry´s attention. And to shower Harry with thank you kisses afterwards.

I know you've never loved the sound of your voice on tape
You never want to know how much you weigh
You still have to squeeze into your jeans
But you're perfect to me

This part never failed to make Louis tear up. And it was a hundred times worse this time because of their audience, the lights, the atmosphere. Louis took a shaky breath and tried to gain his composure again. He closed his eyes for a moment before he looked back at Harry, his face full of adoration.

I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if it's true, it's you, it's you, they add up to
I'm in love with you and all these little things

The second Refrain was so much more heartfelt than the first one. Harry swore had never heard someone sing as beautifully as Louis did right now. Harry could feel Louis pouring his soul out, hoping that Harry would catch it deep inside his heart.

You never love yourself half as much as I love you
You'll never treat yourself right darling but I want you to
If I let you know, I'm here for you
Maybe you'll love yourself like I love you oh

At this point, tears were silently streaming down Harry´s face. He was supposed to back up the last refrain, sing together with his lover, but he was not sure how he was supposed to find his voice. Louis looked like he meant every word. Harry could see the love in Louis´ eyes and feel it in every fibre of his body, and he hoped that Louis felt just how much he returned the feeling. He was just so overwhelmed with the force of these feelings that were buzzing between them. And with a determined rush to make Louis feel it just as much as he did, he opened his mouth and sang.

Louis must have felt it, because he lowered his own microphone and let Harry pour his heart out. And Louis could also no longer stop his tears from falling.

I've just let these little things slip out of my mouth
Because it's you, oh it's you, it's you they add up to
And I'm in love with you (all these little things)

Louis lifted his microphone again, and their voices melted together beautifully in the last part. Because of the overwhelming emotions hitting them, they sounded shaky and they probably sang better at their rehearsals, but they could not bring themselves to care. Because nothing could compare to this.

I won't let these little things slip out of my mouth
But if it's true, it's you, it's you they add up to
I'm in love with you, and all your little things

They did not break eye contact once they finished. The room was completely silent. Nobody dared to move.

Louis and Harry continued to stare at each other, trying to grasp the powerful feeling surrounding them, trying to comprehend what just happened.

Finally, Harry leaned forward, cupping Louis´ face with the hand that was not holding the guitar, and kissed him.

A thunderous applause broke out in the auditorium. Harry swore he could even hear some trampling and shouting. Even some crying.

But none of that mattered. The only thing that mattered was Louis´ lips on his, Louis´ hands on his waist and cheek, Louis´ whisper, “I love you.”