Roadtrip

New York 4

They stayed up late and talked until Louis almost fell asleep on the spot. It had been a long day and the time difference of five hours between London and New York didn't help, even if he had slept some on the flight. He just didn't want this night to end. He really enjoyed Harry's company and it seemed like the feeling was mutual.

They parted to their different bedrooms at last and Harry stopped outside his door to say goodnight before he entered. Louis gave a soft goodnight back before he closed the door behind him and got into bed without even brushing his teeth. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

He woke up the next morning from a soft knock on his door.
"Louis? Are you awake? I made breakfast."

"Yeah, I'll be right out!" Louis answered with a raspy morning voice.

He stretched and yawned before he sat up and shuffled out of bed. He went into the bathroom for a pee and a toothbrush session. He looked at himself in the mirror and smirked at his morning hair. He fixed it quickly and went back to the bedroom to get dressed.

Ten minutes later he emerged to the kitchen and found Harry by the stove making pancakes. That made him smile.
"Good morning, Harry."

Harry turned around with a smile.
"Good morning. I hope you're hungry."

"Starving. Can I help you with something?" Louis replied.

"Set the table?" Harry suggested.

Louis immediately went to the cabinets to find plates. Harry guided him from the stove. It occurred to Louis how natural everything felt, like he and Harry had known each other for a long time.

Harry put the last pancake on a plate and carried it to the table. He got some maple syrup and orange juice from the fridge before he sat down.

"This is great, Harry. Thank you so much! And thank you for letting me stay here and for being my rescuing angel yesterday." Louis said with a sincere smile.

"Angel, huh?" Harry smirked. " No need to thank me. I'm sure others would have done the same thing if they had been the ones to see what happened." Harry waved him off.

"Are you fucking kidding me? No, people aren't that nice in general. You are a really special person, Harry. Thank you. I'll be out of your way soon." Louis promised.

Harry bit his lower lip.
"About that, what do you say about staying here while you're in New York? I really like your company. It's no bother. You can still explore the city as much as you want." He sounded nervous.

Louis stared at him in disbelief.
"Are you sure? You really don't have to offer me housing just to be kind. You have already done so much for me."

"I like your company and I would like to get to know you. Is that so hard to believe? Harry asked.

"You're a celebrity, Harry!" Louis stated.

Harry sighed.
"So? I'm still just a normal person like you. What I like most about you is that you don't treat me like a celebrity. It's refreshing!"

Louis looked at him for a while before he answered.
"I like how down-to-earth you are, Harry. I would love to stay to get to know you better as well if that's really what you want?"

"It is! Good, then it's settled." Harry grinned happily.

"This is crazy. It's like a strange dream." Louis mumbled and ate the lovely pancakes that Harry had made. Harry freaking Styles had made him pancakes.

"Why? Because I'm a decent artist? Stranger things have happened." Harry chuckled.

Louis rolled his eyes.
"You're great, and you know it. Me sisters love you."

"Do they now?" Harry smirked with glittery eyes.

"Yeah, don't let it blow up your ego too much." Louis sassed.

Harry started to laugh at that.
"I'll try but I can't promise anything." He winked.

They ate the rest of the pancakes in a comfortable silence and cleared the table together. Louis was about to go down to the guestroom when Harry grabbed his arm. Louis stopped and turned around to face him. Harry looked really vulnerable.
"Just, please don't sell this story to the press, Louis. I'm trying really hard to have a private life. It's not the easiest thing..."

"Hey, I won't tell anyone. Not me family, not my friends, and sure as hell, not the press. I understand how hard it must be for you to trust me but I don't want to harm you in any way. Okay?" Louis tried to reassure him.

Harry looked him in the eyes for a long time before he finally uttered an "Okay."

"Come here, hug it out." Louis smiled and opened his arms.

Harry rolled his eyes but took a step closer and put his arms around Louis to hug him. He hunched down to level out the height difference which Louis really appreciated. It was not that he was small or anything. Everyone else was fucking giants. The hug felt nice and too short. Harry was a great hugger. Louis wondered what more Harry would be great at. Dirty mind. Louis tried to shake away those thoughts.

Harry smiled at him.
"I can drive you to the bank. I can't go inside with you because I don't want to be recognized but I'll wait for you in the car."

Louis couldn't help but wonder if Harry didn't want to be seen with him in public but he pushed that thought away as soon as it emerged. Even if he wasn't famous and couldn't possibly know how it was to live in the public eye, constantly being photographed and gossiped about, he could still imagine that it must be difficult. He knew how some papers worked. There would be endless speculations about the mystery man with Harry. He didn't feel like being the gossip of the month. God, it must be so hard for Harry.

"That sounds awesome. Thanks, Harry." Louis beamed and Harry looked relieved that he seemed to understand.