Sleepless Nights

2nd

The second time Louis calls Harry, he isn't as lucky.

Louis once again shoots out of bed and he doesn't know where it comes from, but all he feels is the familiar temptation to contact Harry. Before he knows it, his hand moves to the nightstand on its own accord as if it were second nature.

He quickly dials the number and holds it to his ear, counting the rings until it hits Harry's  voicemail.

"Louis?"

Louis is horrified when Harry actually answers the phone, and he instantly scolds himself for making the same mistake twice.

"Sorry mate, I didn't mean to call you- you can go back to sleep."

"No, no, wait, is everything okay?"

Harry's voice is thick with traces of sleep, though he unfortunately sounds much more aware this time around. Louis pinches at the bridge of his nose and holds back a groan.

"Yeah I'm fine, I must have butt dialed you or somethin."

"In the middle of the night?"

Louis can practically see Harry's eyebrows scrunching together, and he can't help but smile with endearment when he hears the concern laced in his voice.

"Hey it happens, you and I both know I'm not one to have traditional sleeping patterns." He keeps his voice lighthearted, hoping to distract Harry from the underlying issue.

"Louis, it's three in the morning."

Louis head snaps up and he checks the alarm clock in disbelief. Sure enough, the digital numbers read 4:12 AM. He holds back another groan as he accepts his fate.

"Look, I shouldn't have called you, I promise it won't happen again."

There is a beat of silence on the other end of the line, and Louis wonders if Harry had fallen asleep during the conversation. He was about to hang up when Harry speaks again.

"Why did you call me anyway, I didn't have your new number saved in my phone?" The words are spoken in a way that seem accusatory, but the softness in Harry's tone makes Louis believe that he is genuinely curious.

There is no way that Louis would willingly tell Harry about the insomnia he's been having over him. However, he tries to give an honest answer without revealing too much. He knew it would insult the man's intelligence if he were to brush the question aside.

"Sometimes it's nice to hear your voice, that's all."

Louis tries to convey all of his emotions when he says it, hoping that the unspoken admission of love is heard by Harry.

"Oh." Judging by the uncharacteristic lack of words, the message had come across.

He is considering the best way to end the call when he hears movement and shuffling on the other end of the line.

"Well then, what do you want me to talk about?"

Louis blinks twice before processing what Harry was trying to do. Then, he scoffs.

"Go back to sleep Harry, I don't need a bedtime story."

"Nonsense, this is what I do best."

Louis barks out a laugh. "Oh yeah, since when?"

"Fine, maybe I'm lying- but some say I have a pretty majestic voice, should I sing you a song instead?"

"Absolutely not."

"Hey, don't be difficult now. Last offer before I hang up and leave your sorry ass to rot."

Harry says it with a stern sound in his voice, but both of them new that he would never do it.

Later Louis would blame it on the time of night or maybe the lack of sleep he has been getting. Whatever the reason may vex he allows himself to rest against the soft pillow and keeps the phone pressed against his ear.

"Alright then, update me- I wanna hear it all."

And so, Harry does.