Young & Beautiful

Harry’s eyes have widened—is that possible?—as they stare at him, his entire body in Louis’
direction, focused on Louis, and he’s like a force of concentrated energy, ready to combust and
change the world. Like the moment before the Big Bang. Harry’s the Big Bang.
Louis stares back though, tucks his hands in the sleeves of his jacket and holds on just to grip
something, tries to breathe evenly even though he’s just spilled his innards and embarrassed
himself yet again, has lain himself out to dry, and he tries to sooth the tight muscles in his face
because everything hurts and—
“Say it.”
Harry’s voice is soft, firm, raspy and catching in his throat.
Louis starts at the words.
“Wha—“ he begins, taken aback, clutching tighter to his sleeves.
“Say it,” Harry repeats, and his eyelids flutter, eyes terrified but determined, set in the steel of his
face, his copper curls framing and cutting into the porcelain of his skin.
“Say what?” Louis asks, breathless.
What is he asking? Surely not…
“Say it,” Harry says again, and takes a step forward. His eyes grow glassy, staring at Louis as if
he were the only fucking thing in the world and fuck. “Please.” The last word is barely above a
whisper.
So Louis loses himself again.
“I’m in love with you,” he says after a moment’s pause, all of the oxygen leaving the room. And
he’s on fire, he’s on fucking fire, but he doesn’t look away from Harry’s eyes. “Duh,” he adds
after a moment, needing to lessen the pressure, needing to lighten the pounding tension, but it
comes out weak and frail and he can’t feel his face so he’s not completely sure he’s even
attempted a smile.
He doesn’t know what he was expecting Harry to do.
But he certainly was not expecting him to break into tears.
In one swift tidal wave, Harry bursts, crying, crying, crying, burrowing his face in his hands, and
fuck, no, Louis has had enough crying for the day.
“Curly,” he says lightly, wants to laugh and feel lighter because he’s sick of being on fire, as he
takes a tentative step forward. “I—“ But he doesn’t know what to say.
Harry just cries.
But then. But then he suddenly tumbles forward and Louis catches him and Harry’s suddenly
clinging to him, clutching him to his chest and burying his face in Louis’ neck and he’s holding
onto Louis for dear life, just crying and grabbing and staying.
And Louis’ shocked—really fucking shocked and confused—but he holds on, unsure if he’s
being rejected or brushed aside or what, so he just holds.
Then Harry finally lifts his head, little hiccups and sobs still escaping, and what is his expression?