pretty please (with sugar on top) - larry stylinson

22

"Need some help with that?"

"Um, sure."

Louis was clearly hesitant to break the touch barrier again, especially after what happened this morning. Ever since their breakfast of pastries and the strawberry banana smoothies Harry made for them to bring out to the beach, he'd been meticulous with his movements, careful not to go near the omega at all.

"Lay down," Harry coaxed. "Get comfy, relax. I'll help you get your shirt off."

He was going to break the touch barrier again even if it killed him. He wouldn't let them go back to their awkward dancing around each other. Harry was not awkward. He simply refused.

Louis obliged with slight hesitation, settling on the lounge chair. Harry fingered the hem of his shirt and pulled it up the broad expanse of his back, enjoying the sight of his lean muscles and smooth, golden skin. He maneuvered the t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the side. The beach breeze whipped around them as he applied a dollop of sunscreen to the center of Louis' back and began rubbing it in.

"I knew you could use a massage. Your muscles are so tense."

He groaned a little as Harry dug his fingers into a knot near his spine, working it out. "Oh, that feels so good."

Harry did the same with another spot, working his hands over Louis' back until he was malleable like puddy, completely relaxed. For the most part, Louis was quiet, stifling his groans by pressing them into his arms, where his face was buried.

Harry was almost finished, just dragging his palms over his shoulder blades to buy time, when Louis' phone rang.

He picked it up from where it had been resting on a stack of towels and checked the caller ID. "Ah, shit. What do you want, why are you calling me on my day off?"

Harry's brows rose at the tone of Louis' voice, and he took a seat on the adjacent chair, fiddling with his sunglasses before reclining fully and enjoying the bright sun on his skin. He listened into the conversation, but couldn't pick up much from it.

"Tonight, really? Tell me you're kidding. What if I already have plans?"

He cast a sideways glance at Louis and found him already staring back, standing up on his knees and running a hand through his hair. As soon as their eyes met, Louis looked away, focusing on the water.

"Why can't we do it next week, or literally any other time? .... Oh, fuck off. I am busy .... Wouldn't you like to know .... Alright, whatever. I'll meet you there? .... Six o'clock. We're closing this deal no matter what .... Oh, you're such an idiot. Goodbye."

"Who was that?" Harry wondered.

"Just someone I work with. He's a bit of a knothead," Louis laughed. "Unfortunately I won't be here for dinner tonight. Some important business partners from LA are in town, and they're leaving for London tomorrow, so, this is our one chance to sort everything out. You'll be alright here on your own?"

"Yeah, no problem." Harry tried to smile reassuringly, even though he was sad at missing an entire night from his very limited time to spend with Louis. He turned over onto his side and propped his head on his hand. "You seem like you'd be good at negotiations."

"How so?"

"You give off the vibe that everything will turn out alright. Which can be very helpful when trying to compromise with someone."

"Hm, makes sense." He paused, closing his eyes and resting back in his chair. "For what it's worth, I think you'd be pretty good too."

"Oh yeah?"