chapter 15

They throw a party for New Year’s Eve – or technically, Harry does. It’s at his flat, and they’re still not allowed to admit they live together. They’ve redecorated; painted the kitchen wall red because Harry read that makes people more hungry, moved around the furniture, changed the guest suite into lounge with a fold out bed. They have to hide all their couple things, photos together and knick knacks. Those go in a drawer in the back of Louis’ closet. It’s rather ironic, he thinks, and Harry giggles in agreement.

For two days, Harry’s been making all kinds of food; dips and casseroles, cutting up loads of vegetables while Louis sits on the counter and pretends to help. They buy loads of beer and some vodka and a couple party platters, so Harry doesn’t overwhelm himself and have a heart attack.

Everyone’s invited. All the people they know. Louis knows that means they can’t kiss or be close a lot during the party, but it’s okay. It’s worth it. Harry still isn’t used to the fact that everybody wants to be his friend; it’s worth some sexual frustration to see him feeling happy and accepted.

It’s a truly legendary party. Loud music, dim rooms, beautiful people and plenty of drinks. Louis gets pretty trashed, and Harry does too. Him drunk means he’s giggly and happy and loving, which Louis definitely enjoys. Near midnight, Louis is sitting on the stairs, taking a bit of a break. Harry joins him after a bit, tripping before he’s even on the stairs.

Louis laughs as he helps Harry up to him. “Hey there, lovely. Been drinking?”

“Maybe. Would you like a drink?” Harry asks, slurring his words.

“Darling. I’ve already had several. And so have you, from the sound of things. Should I kick everybody out soon?” Louis asks, combing his fingers through Harry’s hair.

Harry shakes his head. “No. I’m having fun. And I’d like to get you a drink.”

“Sure you would, love. Maybe you should’ve asked at the beginning of the night, though.” Louis musses Harry’s hair up. “You having a good time?”

“Yeah.” Harry closes his eyes and nuzzles into Louis’ hand in satisfaction. “Very nice. Love you a lot.”

“Love you too, kiddo.”

“I just want to get you a drink, though. I like getting you drinks. You wouldn’t let me before.” Dramatically, Harry pouts.

“Baby, I’m not going to let you now, though, because we’re already drunk.”

Harry hauls himself up another step and kisses Louis softly, if a little sloppily. “Okay. But you know, it was a year ago when you told me you didn’t like me.”

“I’m sure I never would’ve said that.”

“Well you did though.”

Louis laughs a little. “Okay. Well, I like you a lot and love you now.”

“That doesn’t make up for anything,” Harry says dramatically. “I’m still injured. You should make it up to me.”

“Oh yeah? How?” Louis pets Harry’s side, tickling him a little to make them wiggle.

“You should take me upstairs and have sex with me,” Harry suggests.

“You’re drunk. I don’t think you can consent.”

“I can,” Harry whines. “I am right now. Please? And you’re drunk too. We can both not consent together.”

Louis laughs a little. “But anyone could walk in and see us, baby,” he says softly. “We can’t do that. Even though I know your pervy little ass would get off on that, probably. Am I right?”

Harry suspiciously doesn’t answer. “Please?”

“Well…”

“We could do it in the closet,” Harry says after a moment, giggling a little. “Oh my gosh, please?”

“It’s not that funny,” Louis mumbles, but he takes Harry’s hand and pulls him to his feet. “You’re lucky you’re so cute,” he tells him on their way upstairs.

Harry rides him in the back of the closet, next to Louis’ rack of Toms. He nuzzles into Louis’ sweaty neck and whimpers at each thrust, rocking down to meet them. They hear the party go crazy underneath the floor and Louis pauses to kiss Harry long and hard. “I love you,” he says. “You’re mine.”

“Yours,” Harry agrees, circling his hips a little, begging Louis to start moving again. “Please, Lou, yours. Make me come for you.”

“Oh my God.” Louis holds Harry’s shoulders and fucks up into him hard, pulling Harry down by the hips just as roughly. Harry just moans and takes it, dropping his head heavily onto Louis’ shoulder. He’s really vocal when he’s drunk, Louis notes, and it’s kind of fun, pushing these sounds out of him. And there is a certain amount of pleasure from the fact that anyone could come in and see him making Harry come so undone.

“C’mon pretty boy, come,” Louis murmurs in his ear, and Harry does, making soft sounds in the back of his throat. Louis keeps going for a minute or so, thrusts getting erratic as he loses control. Harry makes a weak effort to keep moving, which Louis loves him for. He bites down on Harry’s shoulder as he comes, and Harry stiffens in pain but doesn’t pull away.

“Sorry,” Louis says when he can think. “God, that’s gonna bruise.”

“Don’t mind,” Harry murmurs into his neck. “I love it.”

“Love you.”

“Love you.”

Louis kisses Harry again. “Our first kiss when I’m not with Aiden,” he says.

“What?”

“Midnight, my contract with Aiden was up. I’m done with him. It’s just you and me now.”

“Does that mean we can start dating for real now? Like, not hiding it from management anymore?” Harry says happily.

“Yeah, love. Whatever you’re allowed to do, I’ll do it.”

Harry snuggles in, showing no interest in getting off of Louis’ softening cock. “Good. ‘Cause I was kind of thinking… Paris.”

“Okay.”

“We need to find you a job, too.”

“Okay.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

Louis smiles a little. “No. Not a bit. We’ll get through it.”

“We will, won’t we.” Harry sounds very content.

“Yes, sweetheart. We will. No matter what. Anything. We will. I love you so much. You’re my little pop star, yeah?”

“And you’re my reporter,” Harry says happily. “I love having sex with you. I love everything with you. I’m so excited. I love you. Let’s have sex again.”

“Give me a couple minutes.”

“M’kay.” Harry seems content to sit there forever. Louis has to say he feels the same way.