KINGS & QUEENS - LARRY STYLINSON FANFICTION

AT TIMES SQUARE

After about half an hour of walking through crowded, snowy streets, Harry and Louis meet Rob at a street corner. Louis walks past him at first because he doesn't recognize him without his suit. "Excuse me, Mr. Tomlinson, Mr. Styles?" he asks jokingly after they have passed him, hurrying down the street. Louis frowns as he turns around, looking at the tall guy who's wrapped in a thick winter jacket like Louis', a woollen beanie pulled down far into his face. He's holding a fuming paper cup in his hands that are red from the cold. "Oh . . . Rob!" Louis yells, "fuck, I didn't recognize you!" He gives him a high five and Harry shakes his hand.

"I noticed!"

"You just look so different without your typical suits," Louis says, looking up and down Rob's body. "Cosy, cosy," he adds and gives him a smile.

"Well, I don't usually have to work on New Year's Eve in New York."

"Sorry man, I guess you had other plans," Harry says and pats Rob's shoulder.

"I wanted to celebrate with my family but sometimes the job requires to change plans. It's fine. You're good company, though. I'm staying at a friend's house here in New York where I'll return after the job so it's not that dramatic. Should we go?"

After some minutes of walking, Rob, Harry and Louis arrive at Times Square that is packed with people of all ages. It takes some time until they arrive at the spot Sophie wants them to be at. The main stage is visible from there, also big screens that provide an excellent view for everyone, even for the people who have gathered far away. Rob puts one hand onto Louis' shoulder, the other one onto Harry's and pulls them in. "Guys, I don't want to stand in your way all the time so I'll be right there near that shop over there." He points at a small shop that's located some meters away. "I'll keep an eye on you, don't worry. Ben should be here in a few, too."

"Okay, that's fine. Enjoy the show!" Louis tells him and Harry nods.

"Thank you for making us feel safe," Harry tells Rob and gives him a hug. "You're doing such a good job. I've always wanted to tell you that."

Rob smiles widely at Harry. "Thank you, man, thank you. See you later!" And with that, he turns around and disappears.

"This is impressive," Louis says astonished as he looks around. The skyscrapers around him are illuminated and decorated, the famous billboards shine brighter than ever and the music turns this part of the city into a huge open-air concert. "I feel like this is the centre of the world right now. Wow."

"It really is, it's beautiful."

"But I'm fucking freezing," Louis remarks, rubbing his hands together. "We've only been here for a few minutes."

"You'll have to suffer a little bit more, I suppose."

"Don't tell me you're warm."

"I am, I'm not freezing."

Louis huffs. "You have more muscles than I do, maybe that's why."

"Aww . . . come here," Harry smiles and pulls Louis close to his body by putting his arms around his chest, holding him tight. Louis leans back, his hands put into the pockets of his jacket. "You're lucky that I'm a taller than you . . . look how perfectly you fit under my chin," he whispers into Louis' ear, brushing it gently with his lips what makes Louis' shiver.

"Heyyy – watch your mouth," he says jokingly. Harry just chuckles and rests his head onto Louis' shoulder. They stay like this for a while, just enjoying the music, the atmosphere, themselves. Although there are so many people around, it seems like nobody recognizes them and Louis relaxes more and more. It's cold, too cold for him by now but Harry's chest feels kind of warm against his back. After the host has announced Sam Brandon, Louis gets kind of nervous. He can't quite enjoy the music although it's good and everyone around is having a good time. It's just because he knows that the time is ticking now and he has to kiss Harry – not that kissing him is difficult or makes him feel uncomfortable, on the contrary, but the fact that it has to happen feels weird. "You seem so fidgety, is everything okay?" Harry asks Louis as the singer talks to the crowd.

"I'm nervous about the kiss," Louis say into Harry's ear. "It's such a pressure."

"But we have done this before, don't worry too much about it." He gives Louis an encouraging smile. "Do you want me to start again? Would that help?"

"Yeah," Louis yells a little bit louder into Harry's ear because the drummer of the band has just started playing his part. "I just . . . I don't know why."

Harry rubs Louis' arm. "Relax . . . oh, listen . . . what a lovely piano solo." Harry sways slowly to the rhythm, moving his head to the light sound. Louis looks at him, wondering how he manages to always being in control when it comes to business and he secretly admires Harry for that. Louis tries not to think too much of the upcoming kiss but he can't quite enjoy the surroundings as he should. After the first song, the crowd cheers. The wind has gotten stronger and the snowfall has also increased a little bit. Louis' feet are freezing in his Vans and now he regrets that he didn't put on his winter boots. He tries to move his toes but it doesn't help. Louis sighs quietly as he's leaning into Harry. He looks up after a while and meets Harry's emerald green eyes that look too soft to look away. Harry looks at him fondly as he puts his arms around Louis too so that they're face to face. Louis knows it's the moment he was so nervous about but suddenly, the butterflies in his stomach explode when Harry gives him a smile and leans in. Louis closes his eyes as their lips have touched and he gently moves his against Harry's without tongue this time but still, it feels warm and soft and gentle and Louis feels oddly comforted as Harry pulls back. "Again," he whispers and kisses Harry again. Harry smiles against Louis' lips, kissing him one more time. "That wasn't too difficult, was it?" he says into Louis' ear and Louis can't help but smile.

"Do you think it worked out?"

"I'm sure. Sophie made sure someone would take the picture and our time frame is still valid."

"I really want to kiss you again," Harry says and when Louis leans in, he quickly adds: "But not here." His voice sounds so appealing that Louis flushes, not only because of the voice but also, because of his act. Fuck. He sometimes feels like he's so small in comparison with Harry and he doesn't know why. "Or would you want to stay?" Louis gives Harry a smile as he shakes his head no. His anticipation to what will happen feels exciting. No. Louis doesn't want to stay here if there's an option of spending time with Harry alone because that's what he longs for, what he needs right now, only that. "Come on, let's tell Rob and Ben we're leaving," he says, cleaving a way through the crowd.