Roadtrip

New York- 2

They stepped inside and took the elevator up to the top floor. Harry helped him three doors down the hallway and unlocked the front door. He motioned for Louis to get inside and Louis dragged his suitcase with him. He looked around curiously. The place was beautiful with an open construction plan. The hallway was small and there were two stairs, one went up to an open kitchen and the other one went down to a living room area. He took his shoes and jacket off and turned around to face Harry who immediately turned his gaze up to meet his eyes. Had he been checking out his ass? Silly thought.

"I'll show you to the office. I'm sorry about the stairs. Do you need help to get down?" Harry asked with a friendly smile.

"I think I'll manage to walk by meself." Louis mumbled and took a firm grip on the rail to support himself.

"Let's start with your leg. Let's have a look at it before anything else." Harry suggested.

"Ehm, yeah." Louis agreed and limped to the couch to sit down.

Harry kneeled in front of him.
"Where did he kick you?"

Louis pointed just underneath his left knee.

"Pull your pants down." Harry said and Louis stood up with blushed cheeks. He tried to remember what kind of underwear he had put on. He unbuttoned his jeans with trembling hands and pushed them down. He was relieved to find out he was wearing nice, black boxers underneath. Phew! He sat down again and looked at his leg. It didn't look that bad. A bruise was forming on the upper calf but other than that it looked fine.

Harry put his hand on his leg to examine it and the touch made his skin tingle.
"It looks okay." Harry stated and let go of Louis' leg. He stood up and dragged a hand through his hair. His eyes swept over Louis' bare legs and thighs before he looked away. Louis stood up and pulled his jeans back on. This was such a strange situation altogether.

"So my office is behind that door. Feel free to use the computer and the phone. I'm gonna take a quick shower. I just came from the gym when I found you so I'm gross." Harry chuckled.

"Thank you, Harry." Louis smiled and limped towards the office.

Harry walked to the door next to it but turned around before he went inside.
"Are you hungry?"

Louis stopped in his tracks and turned to face Harry.
"I really don't want to take advantage of your kindness, Harry. I'll just use your computer and then I'll be out of your way."

"I like the company and he stole your credit card. How will you eat? Please stay for dinner. I'd like to get to know you a little. You seem like a really nice guy, Louis." Harry smiled.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a problem. Maybe you had other plans already?" Louis hesitated.

Harry rolled his eyes.
"I was gonna order Chinese and watch some crap on tv. That was my big plan. No problem, Louis. Please stay for dinner. That's the least I can do when America treated you so badly already."

That made Louis chuckle.
"Okay. I'd love to stay for dinner."

They locked eyes for a moment, both smiling like fools before Harry turned around and headed for the shower. Louis felt like he was dreaming. This was surreal. He was in Harry Styles' apartment in New York about to have dinner with the kind, gorgeous man. The fact that he was in so much shit right now after being robbed didn't really bother him for the moment. Hell, he didn't even know where he would sleep tonight but he couldn't care less. Harry was magical. Too bad he was straight. Louis shook his head in amusement. Don't even go there.

He sat down in front of the computer and logged into his bank account. He was relieved to see that all of his money was still there and he hurried to block his credit card. He googled his bank and found an address in New York. He was on a roll! He found a piece of paper and wrote down the address. He blocked his cellphone number as well and then he borrowed Harry's phone to call his bank in England.

He didn't have to wait in line for too long and when he had explained the situation he was told to contact the bank in New York in four days to get a new, temporary card as long as he had some ID. Luckily he had put his passport and driver's license in his jacket pocket. They promised to inform the bank in New York beforehand but it would still take a couple of days before he could get a new card. Well, he could always withdraw money if he went to the bank tomorrow so he would last until he got a new card.

He hung up the phone and turned around in the chair beaming. He took the note with the address and limped to the kitchen. Harry was there, unpacking food boxes. He looked up when Louis entered.
"I didn't know what you like so I ordered different options."

Louis stared at the amount of food displayed on the table.
"Geez, did you order everything on the menu?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders.
"Kind of."

Louis started to laugh.
"Oh my God! Anything would have been fine. I'm a simple guy."

Harry smiled at that statement and motioned for Louis to sit down.
"How did it go?"

He handed Louis a plate and some chopsticks before he sat down as well.

"Better than expected. Me money was still there. Me bank has a local branch here in New York. I called me bank in England and they will contact them and I will get a new temporary card in four days. Until then I can withdraw some money tomorrow so I can check into a motel and it doesn't mess up my traveling plans. So, all good." Louis smiled and ate a dumpling.

"Glad to hear, but where are you staying tonight then?" Harry asked with a worried frown.

Louis shrugged his shoulders.
"Ehm, I'll just stay awake. There must be a coffee shop I can hang out in or the subway maybe? Don't worry, I'll be fine. It's just for one night."

Harry's eyes grew wide and he stared at Louis in disbelief.
"Absolutely not! No! You can stay here. I have a spare bedroom."

"I can't accept that. You've already done so much for me, Harry." Louis protested.

"I'm not gonna let you roam the streets of New York at night. That's dangerous, Louis! You're staying here! End of discussion." Harry replied firmly and crossed his arms over his chest.

Louis's lips were twitching. He was trying to withhold a smile.
"You are a bit bossy, Mr. Styles. I'll take you up on your offer. I'm not that keen on the thought of roaming the streets of New York at night even if you for all I know could be a serial killer."

Harry burst out laughing.
"What is it with you and serial killers?"

"Hey! This is the US!" Louis whined.

Harry just shook his head in amusement and continued to eat.