The Boy in the Bookstore | l.s ✔

Twenty Five

Days until Louis' birthday: 8

Harry woke up to the sound of the kettle boiling, meaning that Louis was already awake. They had fallen asleep early last night, wrapped up closely in each other's arms. Today was the day that they were going Christmas shopping and Harry still wasn't sure what to buy everyone. He had thought of getting Louis' little sisters stuffed animals - they were only kids after all. Besides, who doesn't love stuffed animals. He sat up in Louis' small bed and ran a hand through his hair. He got up, pulled on one of Louis' hoodies and walked down the stairs. Louis was already sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea.

'Morning sleepyhead.' Louis said to Harry with a smile.

'How long have you been awake, Lou?'

'Like an hour? I don't know. Anne rang your phone whilst you were still sleeping, saying that she's gonna be here at 10. It's 9:30 now, I'll make you something to eat whilst you get ready.' Harry nodded, turning around and walking out of the kitchen. He pulled some black skinny jeans out of the bag that he had packed the night before. He quickly put them on before getting a graphic t-shirt on pulling that over his head. He walked over to the mirror and ruffled his hair with his hands, trying to get it to lay flat. He sometimes hated his hair, it was just everywhere. He pulled on Louis' baggy hoodie and some bracelets as he wasn't confident enough to go out in public with his scars on show. They had healed nicely, but it was still obvious that there was something there. Harry ran his fingers over the bumpy surface of his wrist, nearly crying. He was doing so, so much better. He didn't want to keep everything to himself, so he went downstairs after pulling a red beanie over his curls. He was very quiet, worrying Louis because a quiet Harry was almost a;ways a sad Harry.

'You okay love?' Louis aked, and when Harry shook his head he walked over to his boyfriend, putting his arm around Harry's shaking shoulders.

'When you said that you loved every part of me, did that include my scars?'

'Of course. Are you worried about them?' Louis looked at Harry who nodded in response to the question, a scared expression on his face. He rolled his sleeve up, revealing the thin white lines that were littered all over his wrists and forearms. Louis traced some of his scars with his thumb, making sure Harry was feeling comfortable.

'It's just... I feel like they're a constant reminder of how worthless I wass... '

'Harry, look at me.' Harry made eye contact with Louis, who had tears in his eyes.

'These scars, well. They show how brave you are, how hard you have fought. They're your battle scars, Harry. Wear them with pride. Please don't ever feel like you need to hide them around me, okay?' Harry nodded, looking down.

'I still think you're beautiful, Harry. And I always will. Keep that curly little head of yours raised, okay? For me.'

'I love you so much Louis. I really do.' Harry stopped crying, his hand swapped around the cup of tea that Louis had made for him.

'Drink up, Hazza. Your mum'll be here soon to take us shopping. I'm putting some toast on, do you want any?' Harry nodded, drinking his tea. He felt calm and safe, grateful that Louis was so accepting of him being the person he was. 

When Anne arrived, Louis and Harry were cuddled together on the sofa, watching old reruns of How I met Your Mother. She knocked on the door, not wanting to disturb the cuddling session going on between the two boys. She had a key to Louis' place so she let herself in, laughing when she made the two boys jump.

'Mum! Couldn't you see that Louis and I were busy?' Harry whined, crawling into Louis' arms.

'So cuddling sleepily whilst watching old TV you've seen hundreds of times is busy now? Why am I not surprised?' she said, laughing.