The Boy in the Bookstore | l.s ✔

Twenty Eight

Days until Louis' birthday: 3

Today was the day of the ice skating date that Louis was taking Harry on. Because neither boy could drive, Gemma was taking them. It was at the new ice rink that had opened in Manchester and it was by Gemma's university. She needed to pick up some books from her Professor, so it was convenient. Louis was already awake when Harry woke up. He reached for his phone, looking for the time. The clock read 10:34, and he knew he had massively overslept. He quickly pulled on some skinny jeans and one of Louis' hoodies. He walked downstairs to get some breakfast. Louis was already sitting down eating toast and there was a mug of tea on the table that had been made in Harry's favourite mug. Louis had made him breakfast, and Harry quickly ate it so they wouldn't be as late/ Harry quickly threw some shoes onto hois large feet and pulled a beanie over his messy curls. He gave Louis a quick kiss on the cheek to say good morning and then got his bags together and got ready to go out.

'Harry, calm down, love! We don't leave until 1:30.' Harry let out a relieved sigh and walked over to Louis, ready to sit down on the older boy's lap. He nuzzled his head down onto Louis' shoulder sleepily and cuddled into Louis. He smelled amazing and felt very warm.

'Morning Lou. Sorry for oversleeping bub. I'm just so tired all the time.' Harry said, fiddling with the sleeves of Louis' hoodie. Louis nodded, playing with the curls that poked out of Harry's red beanie. He softly kissed Harry's cheek before picking him up and carrying him to the sofa.

'You need your beauty sleep, Harold. And if we're gonna spend the morning cuddling then I'd much rather hold you on a comfy seat than on a hard chair.' Harry blushed, cuddling Louis was his favourite thing. 

'Is Princess Harry finally awake now, Louis?' Gemma shouted from upstairs. She walked into the room and saw the two boys cuddled together, and a little 'aw' escaped from her lips.

'Yes, but only just. He came downstairs, ate his breakfast and then almost fell straight back asleep onto my shoulder.' Louis ruffled Harry's curls, taking off his beanie so that he could play with all of Harry's curls, not just the ones at the front.

'Bub, I'm gonna have to re-brush my hair now.' Harry said sleepily. He let out a large yawn, covering his mouth with his hands. Harry let himself flop back onto Louis' shoulder.

'Why are you so tired all the time, love? Are you sleeping okay?' Harry nodded, forcing himself not to yawn again.

'I started taking my medicine again, Lou. One of the side effects is feeling sleepy all the time. It's part of the reason that I stopped taking it.' Harry said, looking down. He hadn't told Louis he was on his medication again as he didn't want to worry his boyfriend, but it had been helping him with his mental health. He knew Louis would be supportive, but he had always felt insecure of the fact that he had to take medicine so he could function normally.

'That's great, love. But why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have judged you.'

'I'm embarrassed about it.' Harry's eyes studied the floor like it was the most immensely interesting thing. Louis pulled Harry closer into his side, squeezing him slightly.

'I've never told anyone this, but when my dad left after I came out to him last June, I fell into a bad depressive episode that lasted until about September. I had managed to pull myself out of it by the time you and I met'. Harry's eyes widened. Louis understood more about how Harry felt more than the younger boy knew. 'I've been taking medicine to manage it since the start of this school year because I didn't want to feel that way anymore. When my dad left... well, I thought it was my fault that my family broke down. Lottie used to avoid me and mum wouldn't leave her room for a week. It was hard, y'know?' Harry did know, too well. He had felt a similar way that Christmas when his own father had walked out.