Archive of Our Own ^beta

Harry didn’t think much of it, he just wanted to make a statement. Maybe cause a little chaos. Be rebel. Jeff was right next to him so he saw an opportunity and went with it. So that’s why he grabbed Nick Kroll's face and planted a kiss on his lips. Right there in the theater where he knew many cameras would catch it.

Nick laughed and tapped Harry’s back, hugging him. Harry knew Nick wouldn't think much of it; they had been close in the cast and shared kisses to cheeks all the time. He was the most spontaneous chill guy Harry had ever met. So it wasn’t a big deal. He also knew Nick’s wife would also take it as a joke so it was all good. It was the perfect opportunity to annoy Jeff and well possibly Olivia too. Olivia who he had been purposely ignoring the whole day. He counted the whole day as a success.

After that he decides it's time to go. He's not really interested in staying, when he has Louis waiting for him in their cute rental house. So he makes it to his mission to leave. He sees Jeff approaching him, looking a bit maniac so he quickens his steps towards his bodyguards and steps out of the building, to the outdoors where all the cameras definitely are and Jeff can’t cause a scene.

He gets on the boat and waves to his lovely fans as the boat takes off. Slowly the peacefulness fills his mind after hours of screaming fans and flashing cameras. He looks at his surroundings while sitting on the boat, the wind making the Italian heat tolerable. That’s when he realizes that he should call Louis and ask if Louis wants him to pick up some food for them on his way back. He is in fact starving and after all they both are huge fans of Italian restaurant food.

He finds his phone from his suit pocket and sees hundreds of unread messages. Some from Jeff and some from the other members of his team. As anyone with a functioning brain can guess, the texts from Jeff and his team members aren't exactly happy, so of course he ignores all of them. He doesn’t have time for this negativity right now. He scrolls through his texts and sees one from Gemma immediately tapping it open

“That kiss with Nick. HAHA love it Harry. Iconic.” He laughs softly at the message until he sees the one under it, his smile freezing.

“Are you still alive or did Louis already kill you xx” it says and Harry gulps.

Oh. Shit. He didn’t exactly think that. Now that he thinks of it he didn’t think about it all. But now that he does think about it, It’s pretty odd that there aren't any messages from Louis, which could hint that he is definitely mad about the kiss. Shit. Maybe Harry should have thought a little before his actions, or atleast run it with Louis first. Now Louis has been watching it from their house, not expecting to see Harry kiss one of his male co-stars. Oh god. Harry is in deep shit. Louis isn’t exactly the most jealous person on earth and Harry is definitely the "jealous" one in this relationship but still Louis seeing Harry kiss some other guy without explanation? Yeah, Louis is definitely angry. Fuck.

Harry wants to ask them to turn around so he doesn’t have to go back to face Louis but he also wants to explain himself. Maybe just maybe Louis hasn’t seen it yet? And is just busy with other things. Yeah. That could be. Except that Louis said he would watch the whole film festival and cheer for Harry.

Harry scrolls through his contacts finding Louis´ number and presses the call button. He holds his breath as he waits for Louis to pick up. It takes a while and Harry is about to end the call when Louis finally answers. He doesn’t say “hi” or “hello love” or anything that he usually would though. Harry is met with silence. He isn’t sure how he is gonna play this. Cool. He’s gonna be chill, this isn’t a big deal. With that courage he stutters something out.

“Hi,” Harry says nervously, chuckling. Louis doesn’t laugh though.

“To boyfriends everywhere. “ Louis announces. “Fuck.You” Louis says spitting the words out.

And then the line is dead. Fuck. Shit. Harry blinks down at his phone, puzzled for a moment until he dials Louis’ number again. It once again takes a full minute for Louis to answer. But when he does, Harry wastes no time.

“So you were watching then” Harry says immediately, brushing a nervous hand through his hair.

“Yeah” Louis says, his voice clipped. “I was watching from the sofa in the basement. I can tell you it’s not the most comfortable sofa, but I’m sure your back will get used to it” He informs and wait wha-

“Since that’s where you will be sleeping” Louis spits then.

“Oh c'mon Louis I-” Harry tries but the line is dead again.

“Fuck!” Harry shouts angrily, startling the bodyguard sitting near him. He wants to throw the phone into the water or maybe even himself. He can’t decide.

“Sorry” he mumbles to the bodyguard who shrugs clearly unbothered.

He dials Louis' number again but this time there is no answer.

The rest of the journey to their rental house takes eternity. Harry calls Louis endless times but he doesn’t get a single answer. Now that he is here, standing behind their door trying to find the keys from his pockets. He is nervous and he really, really doesn’t want to fight with Louis so he’s gonna try his best to stay calm and explain himself to Louis. He is 100% sure he will understand when he hears Harry’s agenda. Louis is just too stubborn to listen when he is angry and jealous.

Harry finds his keys and opens the door. The lights seem to be off but he knows Louis is somewhere here. He takes off his dress shoes and rips his suit jacket away because it's starting to feel too tight and a bit uncomfortable. He checks the kitchen and the living room, finding them both empty. He climbs the stairs up because Louis is surely in the master bedroom. To his surprise the master bedroom is empty but the door to the balcony is slightly open. He goes towards it quietly, opening the door more and stepping to the huge balcony. Louis is leaning against the balcony fence, smoking. He knows Louis hears him coming but he still doesn’t turn around. Which isn’t a good sign.

“Louis listen-” He starts at Louis' back.

“No” Louis says grumpily and god Harry would hate him if he didn’t love him so fucking much.

“Don’t be a child and listen to-”

“No” Louis says again petulantly, still not turning to look at Harry.

“Can you please stop cutting me off and turn around to look at me?” Harry sighs tiredly but tries to keep annoyance out of his voice.

“I would rather jump down from this balcony than turn to look at your face right now” He says and wow rude and totally out of line.

“Don’t be so fucking dramatic” Harry sighs and now with annoyance. He wanted to be nice and explain this to Louis calmly and reasonably. But Louis' behavior is starting to rget to him and making it hard to stay calm.

“Dramatic?” Louis repeats mockingly, turning around.

“So that's what gets you to turn around” Harry says rolling his eyes. “And yes, dramatic. You are being overly dramatic” he adds.

Louis raises his eyebrows at him and points a finger to his chest “Oh I am being dramatic. Me?”
He laughs a bit manically. “You didn’t talk to me for three fucking days when I accidentally kissed Matt on his birthday.” He says putting emphasis on the word “accidentally” “So talk about dramatic”

Harry huffs “You say it was an accident but I find it really hard to believe. I mean who accidentally kisses someone?”

“For fucksakes Harry I tried to kiss his cheek but he turned his head at the wrong time. I have already told you this thousand fucking times” Louis says bitterly. “And you can’t still be hung up on that” He says, raising his voice. “This is about you now, not me” he says pointing angrily at Harry and then to himself.

“I was trying to make a statement alright! I didn’t think-” Harry shouts but gets cut off by Louis again.

“Yeah you didn’t fucking think Harry! Maybe sleeping in the basement will get you to think!”

“I’m not gonna sleep in the fucking basement Louis!”

“Oh you aren’t? Because I don’t remember sleeping next to you after kissing Matt!

“Kissing matt?” Harry screams “So you admit it wasn't an accident?” He demands furily.

“Is that all you got from that you fucking dickhead?” Louis screams.

“Let me correct myself then” Louis continues calmly “I don’t remember sleeping next to you after ACCIDENTALLY kissing fucking Matt!” Louis howls.

“That’s totally different” Harry insists, grabbing his hair in frustration “Like I was saying I was trying to make a statement! Not just “accidentally” kissing one of my mates that is clearly crushing on me!”

“Harry for fucksakes, Matt doesn’t have a crush on me!” Louis exclaims.

“Why are you fucking shouting at me!” Harry shouts.

That quiets them both for a second. They just look at each other until Louis breaks the silence.

“I’m done with this conversation and with you. I’m so done with you right now” Louis says walking past Harry.

And what? Harry’s whole stomach drops.
Louis is done with him? He whips around in panic.

“Don’t go” He says miserably, grabbing Louis' wrist and clinging to him like a koala.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry” He murmurs to his chest.

“Harry” Louis sighs tiredly and he takes a hold of both Harry’s hands “I’m not leaving you or this place alright?” He says slowly and Harry feels like he can breathe again.

“I just think it’s better if we both calm down” He says and takes a step back. Harry pouts. This isn’t how tonight was supposed to go. He reaches for Louis but Louis takes another step back. Harry thinks he should want space too, but unlike Louis who always wants space after a fight. Harry doesn’t want space, he wants to be close to Louis. He wants Louis to comfort him even if Louis is the one making him angry. It doesn’t make sense but that's how it is for Harry.

He doesn’t know what to do with his hands so he wraps them around himself.

“I’ll go downstairs to cool down and I’ll be back soon. I don't want us to shout at each other” Louis says, his voice now soft.

Harry nods numbly looking at the floor.

He sees Louis turn and leave.

He stands there for a few minutes feeling cold and empty. Then he sits down on the balcony floor and looks at the pretty view trying to calm his thoughts. It doesn’t take many minutes until he hears Louis sitting right next to him. Louis wraps his arms around Harry and pulls him to his chest. Harry isn’t sure why but the tears spill over and he sniffles.

“Don’t cry love. I’m sorry” Louis says, kissing the top of his head.

“No” Harry sniffles. “I’m sorry I was being rude”

“We both were.” Louis says, while carding his fingers through his hair.

“Let’s talk about it now?” Louis suggests “I’m sorry that I was being a jealous shit and didn’t let you explain.” He adds.

So Harry talks. He explains his frustration towards Jeff and how he was tired of all the hate from the media. And how much it hurts to hear people calling him out for queerbaiting when in reality he is queer. He tells Louis how he got the idea that maybe kissing a guy and ignoring his “girlfriend” would make the media change their mind about the accuses.

“And I also really wanted to bother Jeff” Harry admits lastly after 30 minutes of serious discussion.

“Oh you could have just said that love and it would have been totally fine with me” Louis says laughing. Harry shoots an unimpressed look at Louis which makes him stop laughing.

“I know, I know. I wasn’t listening and was lost in my jealous haze.” Louis says, wincing.

“It’s alright I was the same when you accidentally kissed Matt” Harry says.
They both laugh at that.

“No but seriously I'm proud of you baby.” Louis says softly “I will always cheer you when you stand up for yourself” He says, then pauses “Even if it includes you kissing another man” Louis says but makes a face like he feels actual physical pain even thinking about it. Harry laughs softly. “But please avoid that” Louis adds.
“Yeah, yeah,” Harry says, kissing him.

They sit there together, watching the city. They eventually talk about “Matt incident” again which leads them to bickering, so Louis suggests that they go inside and order some food. They end up doing that and Harry insists they watch “Titanic” for the millionth time and they do.