The press conference

Chapter 12: We're just two ghosts standing in the place of you and me

"I wrote that for you."

Harry had trouble breathing, Louis had killed him, that was the only logical explanation. His soft vocals, the way he looked at Harry with tears in his eyes and the lyrics that hit a bit too close to home. Louis had killed him.

Harry didn't know how and if he was expected to answer, he just sat there, staring at Louis, unable to breathe, talk or function like a human being.

After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Louis got the hint that Harry probably wouldn't answer him anytime soon so he coughed lowly.

"I wrote that a while ago, 2017 maybe, it helped me to like get over it and stuff", said Louis and Harry's heart went from aching of love to aching of pain.

Louis was over him, great. That was just splendid.

"S' a good song, congrats", said Harry not letting his sadness and hurt surface.

Louis looked at him with irritation is his eyes.

"Thanks, I guess", he said looking down.

The awkwardness was lingering in the air for 30 more minutes before Niall cracked a joke and everyone slowly went back to normal. They had an album to write after all. Harry was surprised that at the end of the day they actually managed to build the frame for 4 songs that legitimately sounded like something he would turn up if he heard it on the radio.

Harry just wanted to leave when he heard tiny footsteps approach him.

"Hey Haz, wait up", said a heavy breathing Louis, "Jesus Christ, you're walking way too fast. Damn your long legs, unbelievable."

Harry let out a chuckle and tried to push down the feeling of hurt that he had felt ever since Louis said that he was over him.

"A blessing and a curse, it's been known. Can I help ya with anything?"

Louis blushed a little and smiled up at him shyly:

"Do ya wanna, ya know, hang out or something?"

Now it was Harry's turn to blush and he nodded with a small smile.

"I would love that, we can go to mine and play Fifa or something, I can cook, I bet you still can't cook for shit", said Harry giggling and nudged Louis.

"Oi, do I have to remind you of my excellent chicken wrapped in ham, you loved that!"

"That I did", said Harry with a happy smile on his lips.

A little while later the two arrived at Harry's apartment, he realized that Louis had never been at his new place and he felt like a teenager inviting their crush over for the first time.

"S' a sick apartment, H, you always had a knack for interior design, looks beautiful", said Louis and Harry basically glowed under his praise.

"Thanks, just brings me joy you know, picking out colour combinations and art and stuff, I really got into everything artsy when I like tried to find meself ya know."

"I can see that, I'm glad you found something that brings you joy", said Louis and it sounded so genuine that Harry immediately relaxed. Sometimes he forgot how easy it was to talk to Louis. When he wasn't heartbroken or horny because of him.

"Sooo, what do you wanna eat? I could make Pasta with that vegan sauce that I've grown quite fond of", said Harry excitedly. He had decided that he could might as well have a nice evening with Louis and actually try to make the best out of it, without any ulterior motives. He missed having a best friend.

"Vegan? Okay sis, why don't we have a kale smoothie afterwards?" Harry had missed the sass and burst into laughter just to pout at Louis immediately afterwards.