Signs of Light (l.s.)

Chapter iii

Louis climbed out of bed at 7:00 a.m. the next morning and made his way to the shower. He turned on his bluetooth speaker and hit play on the Spotify app on his phone.
Gentle piano music started to fill his steamy bathroom as he stepped into the shower. Louis found himself humming along to Kiss the Rain as he washed his hair with grapefruit scented shampoo. The hot shower water ran over his body and relaxed all his muscles while he slowly started to wake up and feel ready for the day.
Louis stepped out of the shower after Kiss the Rain had played on repeat three times, he decided he should probably listen to other music so he didn't get sick of Harry's favourite song.

He switched the music to Arcade Fire, and let the soft alternative indie music flood his tiny flat. Louis stepped into a pair of brown trousers and pulled on a blue, striped short sleeve tee. He adjusted his fringe in the bathroom mirror and walked to the kitchen to make himself a small breakfast before heading out. His kitchen was small, with grey counter tops, housing a toaster, six boxes of Yorkshire tea bags, and a whole stack of extra mugs that didn't fit in the cupboard. His fridge was covered in magnets that his siblings had given him over the years, and three vases of half dead flowers sat on the window sill behind the kitchen sink. He reminded himself to get fresh flowers from Georgia soon to replace them. He toasted a slice of bread and spread a wild blueberry jam across its surface and devoured it in minutes.
Louis wiped jam off his chin with a paper towel and then threw it in the bin, put the dishes in the sink, and walked through the flat to the front door to put his navy blue TOMS on. Louis grabbed his keys and wallet and walked out the door to head down to Violet Hill for his morning tea, even more exited this morning to see Harry.

Once Violet Hill was insight up the block, Louis picked up his pace and jogged the last few meters to the shop door. He paused, adjusted his fringe again, and went inside. Louis' smile grew when he saw Harry behind the bar animatedly talking to his blond coworker.
His coworker laughed at something Harry had said and then turned back to the register as Harry started making a drink on the espresso machine. The blond boy helped three people in front of Louis, and as Louis got closer to the front of the line, Harry reached over and nudged his coworker's shoulder, asking to switch spots with him. His coworker looked at Louis, then back at Harry and gladly switched spots with him with a small laugh.

"Hey Lou!" Harry said enthusiastically.

"Hey!" Louis responded.

"Tea, yeah?" Harry moved to grab his favourite mug and a teabag.

"You know me so well" Louis laughed.

"I'm glad" Harry blushed at his own comment and turned away to grab the mug. He placed the tea bag in the mug and filled it almost to the top with hot water, leaving a small amount of room for cream.
He handed the mug to Louis over the counter and poured a dash of cream into the black tea. They both watched the cream change the colour of the tea for a few moments before either spoke again.
Louis spoke up saying "Thanks, Haz." and reached for his wallet.
Harry stuck his hand out to stop Louis. "Dont worry about it, Lou. It's on me today."

Louis looked up and his eyes met Harry's. "You dont have to do that Har--"

"I want to." Harry interjected. He smiled and gave Louis a look of 'please just take the tea'.

Louis wrapped his hands around the warm mug and smiled up at Harry.

"Thank you," he whispered.
"Shit, sorry. Thank you" he said louder so Harry could hear him.
Harry let out a small laugh and nodded at Louis "Any time."

Louis took his tea and made his way to his usual spot by the window at the front of the shop. He sat on a stool and watched the cars and people pass by outside for a few minutes before sneaking his first glance back at Harry over his shoulder. Harry was already looking at him, and they smiled as they made eye contact. Louis blushed and turned back to his tea.

A few minutes later, Louis felt a warm hand on his upper back. He turned around, startled, and visibly relaxed when he saw it was Harry.

"Hey H, whats up?"

"Can I sit with you?"

"You're done working?"

"I'm on break, yeah" Harry smiled at Louis and sat down next to him when Louis quickly pulled out the seat next to him for Harry to have.

"So what's u-"

"Are you doing anything after work today?" Harry interrupted.

"Uhm, no I'm not" Louis chuckled nervously, "Why?"

Harry looked down at his hands before speaking again."Well, I was thinking..if you'd want to maybe grab dinner with me? We could go somewhere you like?"

Louis had to bite his lip to keep from smiling so big."I'd love to."

Harry looked almost surprised that Louis had said yes that quickly, but he was also completely relieved.
Harry's eyes lit up as he spoke again, "Great! Okay, I can wait outside again until your shift is over?"

Louis nodded enthusiastically, "If you don't mind."

"Great! It's a date." Harry said and winked at Louis as he slid off the bar stool.
"I have to get back behind the bar now, but I'll meet you outside around 3:00 again?"

"Okay" Louis gave a small wave to Harry as he went back behind the bar to make a latte for another customer.
Louis finished his tea, set the mug on the counter, and walked towards the door.
He turned around to give Harry his usual wave, and found Harry already waving at him.
"See you later Haz" Louis whispered to himself as he walked out the cafe door.

Louis walked next door into Georgia, the bell rang over his head and he let out a joyous laugh and ran to the counter to say good morning to Georgia.
Georgia turned towards Louis after hearing his laugh ring through the shop, he stopped right by her side and gave her a hug. Georgia pulled back and cupped Louis' face with her soft hands.

"What's got you so bright, love?" She smiled widely at Louis' happiness.

"Thank you for the peonies" is all he said back to her. Louis leaned up and kissed her cheek and then hurried himself to the back to grab the watering can.