Pretty in Plastic (l.s)

xxxiii

Harry opens the door when he hears Louis' quick, tiny foot steps walking up the apartment stairs followed a pair of heavy, slow ones. The pair aren't even in front of the door yet, don't even know Harry opened door, but Liam doesn't look impressed when he sees Harry glaring at him like a child who loaned his toy for too long. Louis smiles at him, and holds up a white box with his name on it.

"I got you some Alfredo. Liam was right, it's delicious and I saved half for you." Harry can't help, but smile at him. "Please eat it. It's hard restraining myself from good food."

"Okay, butterfly." He hears Liam scoff behind him, but ignores it. Louis squeezes by him to go inside. "You aren't saying goodbye to Liam?"

"I did in the car!" The doll says over his shoulder as he takes his shoes, and coat off. "He just walked me up for safety reasons."

"Really?" Harry raises an eyebrow. "I'll be in a little, okay? Go take a shower."

"Okay!"

Harry closes the door as he steps closer to Liam. He crosses his arms, and Liam stuffs his hands in his coat pockets. Cold puffs of air leave their mouths, and both are tense. "So, how was it?"

"I don't think we're right for each other, honestly." Liam says, and Harry knows he was contemplating on lying just to annoy him. "He really adores you, you know."

"Yeah," Harry nods and starts to relax, "it's sweet."

"Why aren't you dating, then?"

"I just got out of a long term relationship."

"It was shit. It's not like you actually loved her." Harry purses his lips because it's true: he didn't love Kala. "You didn't lose anything when you dumped her, mate. You did, however, lose a lot when Lou left."

Harry takes a deep breath, and uncrosses his arms. "I did." He admits. Liam chuckles, and shakes his head.

"Louis wants us to get along, and I'm down. I miss hanging out, and I want him happy." Liam reaches over, and pats Harry's shoulder. "Can we drop this now?"

"You still like him."

Liam shrugs. "Not everything works out. I'll move on, it's alright. I just hope he doesn't move on from you."

"You said I don't deserve him." Harry points out.

"You both deserve to be happy." Liam mumbles. "As much as I'd hate to say it, I know you two are happy together. So, grow a pair and ask him out. He won't say no, I guarantee it."

Harry coughs awkwardly because Liam's never been this kind to him. "Thanks, mate."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'm going home to drink." They laugh together, and Liam says his goodbye before leaving.

As Liam walks down the stairs, Harry turns back to his door and bites his lip. Liam's right: inside this apartment is his happiness, his sunshine, and he'd be a dumb ass to let the one person he cares about most leave.

—————

Louis steps out of the shower, and wraps a towel around his waist like Harry taught him. He takes another to towel dry his hair, and his feet carry him into the bedroom. He goes to the lower drawer in the night stand, and pulls out his underwear. He looks to make sure the door's closed before dropping the towel, and slipping the underwear on.

He tugs at it a little when it fits over his hips, butt jiggling slightly, and he looks over his shoulder when he hears the click of the knob. The door opens, and Harry peaks in. They lock eyes, but it doesn't last long as Harry's eyes drift down Louis' exposed back and backsides. The man licks his lips, temptation clear on his face, and Louis' face heats up.