what about us | l.s.

six

December 23/24, 2008

Stargazing in the winter isn't an event most people would look forward to. How could they? It's bound to be cold and wet, anything but a pleasant experience. So, like most people, Louis wasn't looking forward to stargazing in the winter. He despises being cold, and he would rather not spend his birthday in the snow. Not that he wanted to do anything for his birthday, but reading in his warm bed would be nice.

Harry had insisted that midnight was the perfect time to catch the stars in their full beauty. Louis was horrified by that time and attempted to back out, but Harry had other plans. He stayed with Louis all night until midnight arrived, occasionally shaking him to wake him up. Louis' mum had walked in on them once and marvelled at the scene; her son passed out on a soft-eyed boy. The taller of the two smiling fondly at the boy that had his head in his lap.

Harry wondered what it would be like when Louis fully trusted him. Sure, Louis had opened up to him, but he was still very careful around him. He wanted to be someone Louis could talk to, a proper best friend, someone that he could care about. Maybe even love.

He wasn't aware that Louis detested love, no one had told him. The one person that could didn't trust him enough, and was snoring softly on his lap. It was ironic. Louis didn't trust him but felt comfortable enough to fall asleep in his presence. Harry knew the second he got up he would be chastised for letting him fall asleep, but he was admiring how relaxed Louis looked.

Harry Styles was a hopeless romantic. He believed that there was no truer form of happiness than being loved and being in love. Harry was the type of person to bring his closest friend out to do things they enjoyed even if he didn't fancy it himself. He would buy flowers to celebrate birthdays or awards, not caring if they put him out of money for the next month. He continued to believe and cherish love even after his boyfriend left him for someone else. He continued to believe after his best friend replaced him with someone new. Believing paid off when he transferred schools and met the most beautiful boy he had ever seen.

Harry wouldn't say he loved Louis. It was too soon, they had only known each other for three months, and Louis wasn't easy to befriend. Harry just liked the way Louis smiled when they talked about football or the book they were reading in English. He admired the way he gestured with his hands when he would ramble, he enjoyed listening to Louis ramble, and the way his eyes would light up when he finally understood something.

An alarm shaking him out of his daze, Harry shook Louis awake and held in a smile as the latter shot up and out of Harry's lap. As expected, Harry was reprimanded by Louis, but he tuned it out as he was rambling, so his hands were flailing around his head. Louis seemed to notice that Harry wasn't listening and proceeded to get dressed for the horror that was winter in England. Harry tried to contain a smile again at Louis as the sweater he had put on had swallowed him.

"What are you smiling at, you creep?"

"You."

Louis rolled his eyes and grabbed a beanie before exiting his room. Harry followed suit as Louis aimlessly walked down the stairs, already regretting agreeing to Harry's plans. The two boys waved goodbye to Louis' mum before trekking out into the snow.

"Did you know that snow is transparent?"

Louis shook his head and trudged through a snow pile that Harry soon strolled through with ease. The pair continued to walk in silence, the only sound coming from Louis' chattering teeth. Harry noticed how cold the other boy was and almost regretted bringing him out. Almost.

As Harry was about to take his jacket off and attempt to lend it to the shivering boy, he got pelted by a chunk of snow. He swiftly turned around to see his pink-nosed friend laughing at the snow in Harry's hair. Louis' eyes widened as he settled down because a lanky boy was running at him with snow in his hands. He took off towards the park, hoping to escape a shirt full of snow.

As he reached the frozen park benches, Louis slowed down to catch his breath. He whipped around to make sure Harry wasn't behind him and frowned when he noticed the curly-haired boy was nowhere to be seen. Now concerned for him, Louis retraced his steps, silently cursing himself for losing his only friend.

"Boo!"

Louis yelped as he got knocked onto the snow-covered ground, curly brown hair obscuring his vision. Laughter filled his ears as Harry rolled off of him and into the snow beside him. Louis narrowed his eyes at the boy but let them soften at the giggling coming from his right.

No longer freezing, Louis let himself relax in the snow. He stared up at the sky and gasped at all of the visible stars. Harry had been right when he said midnight was the perfect time. Louis knew that Harry had thought of everything, and he admired his dedication.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Harry sat up next to him. Louis peered at him in confusion, wondering what he could have up his sleeves. Harry smiled at Louis as he handed him his jacket, noticing again that he was starting to shake. Louis shook his head out of concern for the taller boy who was now only in a hoodie. Harry pushed the jacket into Louis' arms and shimmied away until he put it on.

"You're going to freeze!"

"Lou, you're already freezing, and I'll be fine."

Louis shook his head again, now at the nickname as well, and shrugged the black jacket on. Harry smiled at Louis huddled in his jacket, secretly wishing he would wear it more often. He scooted back towards Louis and impulsively hugged the boy. Harry waited for Louis to shove him away and a silent gasp escaped his mouth when he relaxed in his arms.

"Happy birthday, Lou."

It was a happy birthday. The best birthday Louis would ever have and a memory he would cherish until he died.