Worth Fighting For

Chapter Twenty

A/N - ok SO. I know this isn't ~amazing~ but it's more of a filler chapter than anything else. I'm trying to move the story along a bit and get to the /real/ plot. And something fulfilling a special request. @a_n_o_n_y_m_o_u_s you asked and I did my best to supply. There'll be a better one later but here's a little one ;)

ALSO this is the last pre-written part I had so updates will likely slow a little but I really wanted to get it out today because Halloween is my favorite holiday and I felt like it so here, enjoy.

Nothing changes for two and a half months. It's another two and a half months of them sneaking around, hiding. To avoid thinking about how utterly cruel it is, they turn it into a game of sorts. How many secret jokes can they make until fans catch on? How many secret touches can go unnoticed? How many secret codes can they get fans to try and decrypt? And then. Two weeks after Harry's birthday, on Valentine's Day for god's sake, they're given an interview together. Their first and, as it would be, last. It feels like a test. If it is, they fail horribly.

But can you really blame them? They had their first solo interview. In Paris. On Valentine's Day. How could they not? They couldn't. Couldn't keep their hands off each other, couldn't keep the adoring looks off their faces, ccouldn't keep the compliments from tumbling out of their mouths. They hardly even tried to.

And sure enough, a week later, back in London, they're called into Simon's office. Both of them. Despite both being scared shitless, they try to hold it together for the other. Or maybe they're holding each other together. Facing him together has to be better than alone, after all.

Simon doesn't say anything as they walk into his office and sit hesitantly in the chairs across the desk from him. Harry's leg bounces uncontrollably until Louis reaches over and squeezes it lightly. Simon's eyes flick to the movement and Harry's heart jumps into his throat.

"You're together." It's not a question, but Louis answers it anyway.

"Yep." He looks at Harry, who's gaping at him in disbelief. They lock eyes and Harry's harden as he gives the slightest nod. Louis takes a deep breath and turns to meet Simon's level glare evenly, taking Harry's hand. "Always have been and always will be."

"You never broke up." Simon's voice is eerily calm, but Harry jumps in despite the fear twisting in his chest.

"Well technically we did," he says innocently. Louis scoffs.

"For about ten minutes. Be real, Simon, did you actually think you could make me leave Harry?" Louis challenges, eyes flashing and chin jutting out with forced confidence. Simon stares him down for a moment, but Louis doesn't waver. Simon sighs, leans back in his chair.

"I had hope. You made it very apparent very fast I couldn't, the both of you."

"Then why did you let us get away with it?" Harry blurts before he can stop himself. Simon's cool gaze slides over to him.

"I was curious to see how far you'd go, how committed you are to this," he admits. He's a fucking sadist, Louis thinks angrily.

"We'll go as far as it takes," he practically growls, leading Harry to squeeze his hand.

"I can see that. And clearly I can't keep you apart, no matter how disgusting this... relationship," Simon spits out the word like acid, "may be." Louis is prepared to jump down his throat before Harry grips his hand almost painfully tight, eyes bright and hopeful. Louis restrains himself, biting his tongue. "So I'm going to stop trying." And there it is. Harry's face breaks out in a disbelieving smile, but Louis knows better. Nothing is ever that simple with Simon.