Louis shouldn't have come. He knew it was a bad idea the moment he sat down in one of the first few rows. It was bad. It shouldn't be his desire to see Harry that draws him back to the warehouse. He's spotted almost immediately, and Harry goes over to the referee before jumping out of the ring and making his way to Louis. That was when Louis speeds out of the building. He pushes and shoves his way through the crowd, breathing out in relief when he's out of the building.

"Mint!" Harry runs after him. His shoes and clothing not fit for the snowfall.

Louis likes to believe he's fast but winter was cruel to his sneakers. He's careful as he treads through the ankle high snow. He walks faster, trying to not slip on the patches of ice. With his slow speed, Harry easily catches up to him. He stands before Louis in his tight white shorts and boxing shoes.

Harry reaches up to hold Louis' face but glove smacks him on the nose. Louis gasps. "Ow!"

"Shit, sorry." He tugs off the thick boxing gloves and fixes the band of his shorts. "You didn't tell me you were coming, I would have gotten you a ticket."

"No. I didn't mean to come." Louis steps away. "I'm going home."

Harry looks a little angry. "Mint, I haven't seen you in so long and you aren't going to talk to me?"

"You didn't call me." Louis feels a cold gust of wind seep through his sweater. "You said you would and you didn't. I know I'm not the most normal person, I'm overly friendly. I know I'm too straightforward but you didn't have to lie, Harry."

"Louis,"

"No, it's whatever now. You never liked me when we first met, I should have seen it coming."

"Mint, stop speaking nonsense—"

Louis doesn't stay to hear the rest. He runs all the way home, only slipping three times before he finds comfort in his dark apartment.

"Louis."

It's just the end of February and Louis knew he should have taken the back entrance. The blue-eyed man frowns, ignoring the owner of the voice.

"Louis." They call again.

Louis spams the button for the elevator.

"Louis, Louis, Louis, Louis—"

"Go away."

"Peppermint." Harry pulls Louis to him, the man spins on his heel and nearly drops both the boxes in his hands.

"Be more delicate with me!"

"What is that?" Harry stares at the two boxes balanced in Louis' hands.

"None of your business." Louis turns, hiding away. Harry made him feel alone like it was all some sick trick from the start to get Louis to finally understand that he didn't like him.

"Mint, I lost my phone on the train," Harry confesses. "Fucking dropped it or left it at my seat because when I got home, I couldn't find it." He says with a deep tone.

Louis keeps his gaze locked on the ground.

"I tried to remember your number, but I forgot the last three digits." Harry tries to make Louis face him and keeps his grip on the man's wrist. "The fourth last one is 8, I couldn't figure out the rest."

"No, it's nine."

"Nine?"

"Yes." Louis finally looks up at him. Harry had a small swelling under his eye and a small cut on his brow, evidence from his job. "The last three numbers are 863."

Harry groans. "863. 863." He repeats. "I got a new phone, and you wouldn't answer your door when I knocked. Figured I'd do one of your stakeouts and keep an eye out for you." He breathes deeply. Louis missed him but tries not to lean into Harry's touch.

"You have no clue how many people I've had to kiss." Harry points to the mistletoe above their heads, Louis hadn't noticed it. "I've been waiting all day for you." Harry has actually only kissed Janice, an old woman who smells like baked goods and soap. She lived above him, and had very dry lips, Harry cringed at the memory.

"You waited for me?" Louis' voice goes soft. His heart warmed at the thought of Harry sitting around in boredom in the lobby, waiting for him under the mistletoe.

"I did." Harry steps closer, his height allowing him to press a small kiss to Louis' forehead. "Recognize the mistletoe?"

"I thought you burned it." Louis feels his cheeks heat up when Harry holds his waist. He's pulled closer.

"I'm sorry for not answering the door." Louis says at the same time Harry says, "I'm sorry for losing my phone."

Harry sighs happily. "I'm an idiot, I'm sorry, mint."

Louis feels Harry put his chin on the top of his head. "I'm an idiot too. I fooled myself into believing that the possibility of you liking me was impossible."

"Have you forgotten how many times we've kissed?" Harry laughs from above him. "Oh, mint, most people don't kiss that often before going on a date." He smiles. "You know I like you. I like you a whole lot but I also like seeing you get grumpy. Though, I'd much rather have you soft and happy than angry with me."

"You made my brain sad." Louis frowns at the memory of ignoring Harry's endless knocking on his door. It would last for a while before it stopped, then returned a few hours later that night. Louis had learnt to blast those same Christmas playlists to drown out Harry's knocking.

"Tell your brain that I'm sorry." Harry plants a hard kiss on Louis' nose. He pulls away and presses the elevator button again. "What do you have there?" His hair is up in a tiny bun, Louis likes it.

"Cake. I was going to eat my feelings." Louis gestures to the top box. "And I got a new pet."

"A new pet." Harry echoes. "What did you get this time?" Louis had plenty of fish, two cats, a bunny and a pit bull. He was curious to know what Louis bought.

"See for yourself." The elevator doors open and they both stepped in.

Harry eyed the box suspiciously before opening the lid. His brows furrowed in confusion. "It's empty."

"What?" Louis gasps, snapping his neck to look in the box. He huffed and stomped on Harry's foot. "You're so mean!"

"I'm trying to be funny."

"Joking that I lost my new hedgehog isn't funny." Louis pouts, watching the tiny creature scurry around in the box. It runs from Harry's probing finger. "I don't know what to name him."

"He looks like Do to me."

"Like Donald? Sounds too much like Ronald."

"No." Harry shakes his head as they land on Louis' floor. "Just Do."

"Do." Louis clarifies. "He's going to be named Do."

"Do you not like it?"

"Who knew a man who beats up people for a living had the worst puns."

"I guess my punch line is just too good."

Louis hands over the boxes and unlocks his door. Wham immediately runs into their legs, Louis pats his head. Harry walks in and slips off his shoes with minimal effort. He's wearing gym shorts and a loose t-shirt. "You know that I have liked you for a while, right?" Harry asks, setting down the boxes on the counter. "You're one of the few neighbours who aren't scared of me. I was quite surprised when you made me, of all people, kiss you that first time."

Louis' eyes fall to Harry's tattoos, none of them looked too threatening but he could feel the natural intimidation Harry carried. It was in his hard gaze and tall and buff stature. "You don't scare me." He juts out his chin.

"Good." Harry smiles with his lips closed, "Maybe you're too weird to be scared of me." He says. "You must be hungry, mint. We'll cook together. Any suggestions?"

"I want my cake." Louis makes grabby hands.

"Actual food." Harry takes the box and places it on top of the fridge.

"What? Is cake fake food?" Louis jumps onto the counter, pulling Harry until he's in between his thighs. "I'm craving chocolate."

Harry looms over him with both his hands on Louis' thighs. "And you'll get it. After dinner."

NOTES: i promised no angst and i delivered. maybe. i had to hold back from writing more ;-; thoughts ?

P.s. the finale is the next chapter. Posting on Christmas Day. 12am est.