Just another Cup of Tea // Larry au

In Vein

Harry's Mansion 30/8/14

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Some moments flit away like they didn't even happen. A passing comment, a dismissed story, small talk, each day can be filled with them. But the thing is, the moment that you want a comment to dissapear - it just doesn't. The unfunny joke, the passing insult, the embarrassing story and the moment that makes you want to crawl into a hole and never come out again. For Harry, it might (but only might) be the latter.

It was like the clock had stopped and the whole of time had frozen still whilst every eye was cast upon the two men in a big, empty mansion. You could stab the apprehension with a fork, its tongs puncturing the frail layer until the only emotion remaining was fear. Fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, and fear of eachother.

"I..." Harry broke the silence, but trailed off, making it worse than before. The glass had shattered and the clock was ticking once more.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, which interupted Harry from his stream of thought, not that it was very coherant anyway. He looked around the room to see if his maid would miraculously appear like she was meant to but to no avail, so went towards the door. It swung open, revealing the least likely person Harry would've expected it to be.

Louis.

Louis didn't take his eyes of the other man tried to stumble his way through a sentence. He wasn't trying to be intimidating but as his unwavering stare bore into the wide, tired eyes of the other, it became clear there was a certain pressure lingering. Not bad pressure, just pressure for the great reveal - The million dollar question Louis internally spoke and then fought a smirk.

"I suppose...I may have...Made a noise...That in todays culture...Would form those words..." Harry continued from their phone 'conversation' tried to play it off 'casually' .

"Okay." Louis said simply.

Harry fought the urge to punch a chicken, what did he mean by 'okay'? Was he achknowledging Harry's question and dimissing it or agreeing to going out together? It was vague/unclear answers like this that Harry had a particular peeve about ever since a business deal went wrong. He once proposed to a company that a smart business move would to host a heavy metal concert to introduce a new market. They had chuckled and responded with a hearty (albeit sarcastic, which Harry did not know at the time) 'sure! In fact, why not get a few heavy metal bands and we'll call it a festival!', which was hastily arranged.

Lets just say that they were not expecting a mosh pit in the spring flower section of the botanical gardens...

Although nobody could deny that 'Shurubbery, Songs and Sexy Bands' was a good time.

"Okay ; you'll go out with me?" Harry asked, memories of the fesitval becoming overrun by nerves instead. What if Louis said no? What if Louis said no and then his toilet broke? Who would he call?

"Yes." Louis smiled and stepped in the door way, shutting the heavy oak slab behind him. He reached out a hand and linked it with Harry's reluctant palm.

It had been a while since Harry had dated, so was more out of practice than Louis may have originally thought. Harry stood still for a moment then started shaking Louis' hand, before retracting his own. Both stared at the empty space between them where their hands had joined before Harry realised what he had done.

"We didn't uh, make a deal" He spoke, considering what else he was meant to do now that he had addressed him like a work associate.

"No, but we can, if that makes it easier. I, Louis from the plumbing industry, make a deal to treat you well." Louis once again stuck out his hand and awaited contact.

Harry's mouth twitched into a smile, before he stuck out his own hand and added to the deal. "And I, Harry from the private limited company industry, make a deal to treat you well too."

The silence was comfortable even though the action was simple. It just seemed like nothing more needed to be said, like saying nothing said more in itself.

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I liked this chapter, it was cute :) but also short so sorrry (i thought it said enough by itself) love you all!