Chapter 12: Familiar

Present

Harry watches as Louis begins to loosen up, seeming more relaxed after having a few drinks. The boy giggles and laughs, his eyes crinkling at the sides and beautiful sounds falling from his lips.

"You like him," Perrie mumbles, a deep smirk on her features. "I can tell," she continues, quickly moving away from Harry when Louis looks over at the two.

"I do not," Harry disagrees, shaking his head. But, his green eyes are still watching, staring. The boy before him, chatting with Zayn, is gorgeous. He can't deny it. His face is soft and eyes vibrant, his skin is smooth and flawless. His body is frail, dainty. He seems quite thin, but Harry wouldn't mention it.

He hears Perrie laughing beside him, but blocks out the loud sound as Louis begin to stumble towards him, a dopey smile on his features and a fruity drink in hand that he sips through a straw.

"Hi, Cu-Harry," Louis stutters, flushing as his heart begins to race, would Harry notice?

"Hi Louis," Harry snorts, tipsy mind not focusing on the almost slipped name. He places his glass on the shiny, black table and takes the hand that Louis holds out to him. "You okay?"

"I get clingy when I'm drunk," Louis tries to whisper, not realising he is basically yelling in Harry's ear. "And I like to dance. Would you like to dance, Harry?"

"I don't dance," Harry mumbles a little, looking down at Louis' dainty fingers that begin to fiddle with his rings.

"Why not?" Louis pouts and places his own drink next to Harry's.

"I don't know how, love," Harry tells him, laughing softly at the boys' antics.

"I'll teach you," Louis giggles and takes Harry's arm in both hands, dragging him towards where people are dancing. "Put your hands here," Louis places them just above his hips and he puts his arms around Harry's neck, slowly dancing to the upbeat song in the background.

Harry admires Louis, for what feels like the hundredth time tonight. And Louis does the same to Harry, blue and green eyes locked together. "You..."

"I what?" Louis hums softly, seeming to be caught in a trance. Never did he ever think he would be in the company of Harry Styles again, let alone so close to him.

"Your eyes..." Harry whispers, looking into the blue orbs intently. Louis glances down and flutters his eyelashes. "They look so familiar."

Louis' throat goes dry and his eyes widen a little. He feels his stomach drop and his hands begin trembling. "They do?"

"Yeah..." Harry mumbles, his eyes scanning over Louis' face, searching for any clue on who he could remind him of. "Well, whoever it was must have had really pretty eyes."

"Are you calling my eyes pretty?" Louis blushes.

"Maybe," Harry purses his lips and looks away, as does Louis.

"Harry... I need to go," Louis suddenly retracts his hands from Harry, yanking himself away from the taller. He bites his lip in worry and watches as Stan escorts some woman to the bar.

"Did I do something wrong?" Harry questions, a little taken back by Louis' sudden urgency. "I'm sorry..."

"What?" Louis looks at Harry's sadden features and his heart drops. Harry should never be sad. "No. You didn't do anything wrong. You never did... I just. I have to go now, but thank you so much for tonight."

"Wait... I'll come with you, we can share a cab and I will make sure you get home safe, okay?" Harry says to the slightly drunk boy in front of him, watching Louis sway a little even by just standing in one place.

"Okay..." Louis smiles softly and glances around warily once again, in search of Stan. His anxiety levels begin to rise when he realises he has lost him in the crowd. He knows Stan could ruin everything for him, in just a few words and Louis feels sick to his stomach just thinking about it.

Harry can not find out. Louis can't bare the thought of Harry looking at him the way he used to. With so much sadness and anger... It would be worse this time, Louis assumes. Harry trusts him this time...

"Lou, are you ready?" Harry questions, placing his hand Louis' arm. The blue-eyed boy flinches harshly and moves his eyes to Harry. "Sorry... I just went to tell Zayn and Perrie that I was taking you home... You kind of seemed out of it."

"I'm fine," Louis lies, releasing a shaky breath. "Let's go... Please."

"Of course."

-*-

"Thank you for tonight," Louis mumbles shyly. "It was good to get out of the house..." The smaller boy sits down on the curb as they wait at front of the bar for a taxi.

"I had a lot of fun!" Harry mumbles, leaning against a light post, eyeing his watch.

Louis begins to strip himself of Harry's sweater. "Here-"

"No, no. You can keep it... You look better in it and hey, if your friend gets too mad about the shirt, give him that."

"Harry, are you sure?"

"I'm positive! You need it more than I do, have it! It suits you!" Harry smiles gently, eyes dancing over the tiny boy.

"You are amazing..."

"As are you," Harry winks and jumps into action at flagging down a cab, while Louis watches with a sad smile.

A/N: When the time comes, how do you think the truth will be revealed? What do you think will happen next? I hope you enjoyed! xo