➳ claude // l.s.

XXX

" Lou? " Harry grumbled, half-asleep, his eyes getting used to the sudden light. He made the effort to raise his head in the slightest to watch the silhouette that was standing in the door frame. " What is it? "

" I can't sleep. " he whispered, feeling a pressure in the back of his throat.

Harry instantly jumped, making room for Louis in the bed next to him. " Come here. " he croaked out, his voice barely audible.

Louis sniffed as he nodded briefly, before taking hesitant paces towards the bed, the mattress bending under his weight. He quickly curled with his back turned towards Harry, the youngest sighing as he turned to his previous position, his back facing Louis.

The only sound audible in the room were their breaths, Louis' nose a little runny. With Louis' presence next to him, Harry felt himself relax, eyelids slowly dropping until darkness surrounded him.

Just when he was about to fall asleep, movement was heard right next to him before a pair of pale arms, moonlight outlining them, wrapped around his torso, the palms resting on his chest. A chest was pressed to his back, while his head was accompanied by another. He felt Louis' breath on the back of his neck, his wet lips tingling Harry. The boy gulped before inhaling a deep breath.

" Do you regret it? " a whisper echoed through the room, as frail as a butterfly.

Harry instantly knew what he meant before responding. " Of course not. " He sighed, his breath trembling. " I was afraid you will... "

Louis hummed, pleased with the response. " Do you love me? " He tried again, without hesitation and Harry froze. It's not like he hasn't already confessed his feelings but it was rushed when he did.

Harry took in a sharp breath, feeling a heat coiling in his lower stomach. He hesitated before nodding. " Yes. " He belatedly responded.

" How much? " Louis asked without any hesitation. His voice was fragile and light.

" A lot, Louis. I can't even put in words how much. You're everything to me and I'd do anything for you. " Harry choked out as he felt tears brim his eyes, his voice breaking at the end.

The eldest grew quiet, taking in a sharp breath. He didn't expect a response anyways. But it still hurt. Silence filled the room just like sadness filled Harry. The lack of response really hurt him and he didn't imagine that this was the way he was going to confess his feelings towards Louis.

-

The next morning Harry was the first one to get out of bed, in need for fresh air. When Louis asked him where he was going he told him that he's going grocery shopping. Not that it was a lie. Louis only nodded, still half asleep and Harry left the cabin without a word.

Only when he was outside, he realized he doesn't have his license yet and they're in the middle of a forest, because why not? The boy face palmed, sighing before turning on his heels back in the house.

" Lou? " His deep voice ringed in the room, octaves deeper. The only response he received was an incoherent grumble. " Can you take me there? I don't have a license and I don't want to walk on foot... " he asked politely, before adding. " Please. "