He Noticed || Larry au

3.4

freshman year of college

"fuckin hell hazz. you had to choose the most painful spots." louis complains, staring up at the ceiling as the cursive letters were being imbedded on the skin of his chest and collarbones.

"i love you lou." harry chimes from where he was admiring the moth on his stomach and rib cage. or butterfly, he wasn't too sure.

they had been at the tattoo shop since seven am, it was now about four pm and louis was almost done with his tattoo.

"how long have you guys been together?" the artists asks. both men make thoughtful noises.

"hmm about three years? we've known each other for like four." louis answers the guy nods, pausing for a moment.

"well i have a bunch more sick couple tattoos and stuff if you guys ever want more." he tells them, louis nods.

"you're very talented. i'm sure you'll get sick of seeing us in here." harry compliments. louis watches the guy smile through the focus on his face.

"thank you." he responds.

this is what louis loves about harry, he's so kind despite the world having been so cruel to him.

soon they are both on their way out of the tattoo parlor, happy smiles edged on their faces as they walk hand in hand to the car.

in their drive home harry bites his bottom lip.

"lou?" he asks. louis hums.

"do you think i'm being too ambitious by wanting to be a psychologist?" harry asks. louis throws him a look.

"there's no such thing as being too ambitious. if you think you're capable you can." louis tells him. harry doesn't reply.

"do you think i can handle it?"

"i think you can handle a lot more than you think you can." louis tells him as he puts the car in park. harry smiles, leaning over and softly kissing louis. louis smiles against his mouth, rubbing harry's arm.

"gonna have to be conscious of all these tattoos you wanna get though. have to be able to hide them." louis says. harry gives him a dopey smile.

"if i have to wear long sleeves for the rest of my life but i get to have a million matching tattoos with you i don't care." harry mumbles against louis' mouth. they share a small giggle before getting out of the car and making their way into their apartment.

harry has to admit, as he's getting ready for bed he can't help but stare at the moth/butterfly on his stomach for a few minutes in the bathroom mirror. suddenly, a thought crosses his mind that has him gasping.

"louis!" he shouts and runs out of the bathroom and to the bedroom where louis was already lying in bed.

"hmm you alright?" louis asks. harry begins to laugh as he points at the tattoo.

"i've got butterflies in my stomach!"