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The next time Louis sees Harry was on Monday the following week. He watched silently as he rushed towards the counter towards him, trying to hide his disappointed face and yet failing miserably.
He went on to make him his coffee quickly before he could say a word, occasionally watching the boy from the corner of his eyes every few minutes. Gently pushing the cup over toward him, Louis took Harry's hand in his, startled when he immediately drew back his hand.
"You didn't come yesterday." Louis mumbled frowning at the sad expression on his face. He didn't know why but it almost felt like Harry was scared of him in a way. It did hurt to know that he wasn't all that comfortable around him even after such a long time of knowing each other.
He thought he knew him well enough...but did he?
"I'm sorry." Harry whispered hands twitching. "It- It was one of those days..." he trailed off an awkward silence now surrounding the two making it obvious that he didn't want to speak about it.
"Are you okay?" Louis asked him with such genuine concern that surprised the lad. He looked up at him confused.
"Why do you care?" Harry hated himself for how rude it sounded as he said it, even more so when he saw Louis frown deeper at his words.
"Because." Louis spoke out loud quite shocked himself. "You're my friend. And I care for my friends."
"But we barely know each other." Harry mumbled softly, looking down at his cup to see the boldly written cursive. "I only ever see you in the morning's at the café, and we've never really talked all that much either."
"And that's why I was making an effort to get to know you by the little date we'd planned for yesterday, remember?" Louis scoffed, folding his hands in mock offense. "Guess who didn't show up?"
"Me." Harry pointed at himself as he let out a small giggle, immediately melting Louis' heart like fondue. He shook his head as he let out a small chuckle himself, getting lost in his deep green eyes that shined bright with amusement.
"Ashton's pretty good at his job." Harry remarked leant on changing the subject to safer waters. He watched the lad in question, handing over drinks with a serious expression on his face. "Its better to have two at the job isn't it? Must make the place less hectic."
"It does." Louis hummed letting out a slight cough. "I should know of course."
"Are you sure your alright?" Louis asked one last time subconsciously leaning closer. Harry only gave him a small smile shrugging his shoulders.
"I'm fine. For now." Louis could practically hear the sadness laced in his voice. "It...It comes in waves."
He wanted to hug the fragile boy to pieces and kiss away the frown creases over his forehead, tell him that it was going to be alright as he was there for him...but that wouldn't be considered platonic. He settled for a quick hug over the counter, maybe burying his head far too much into his shoulder than needed.
Harry pulled back reluctantly, smiling at him with teary eyes. Louis smiled back poking where his dimple should have been and making him laugh at the silly gesture. He grinned wider sighing as he felt all the more in love.
"I have something for you." Louis whispered gently placing his hands over Harry's eyes. "Keep them close for a second love?"
Harry didn't have to wait any longer than a second before feeling Louis' tiny hands in his own, grinning as he felt the familiar thorny stem. Sure enough he opened his eyes to a find a single red rose in his hand, the deep red of its petals standing out.
"Nothing much, wanted to give you one yesterday." Louis chirped grinning widely at the huge smile on his face. Harry could only imagine how much Louis would've wanted him to be there at the café, waiting for him...
"Maybe next time?" Louis asked him softly giving the boy a sweet smile, like he was reading his mind.
Harry looked down at the rose, gently smiling wider to himself as he whispered,
