White Shoes
It was midnight. Harry was in work typing away on his computer. He was typing up notes needed for work. It was his fourth all-nighter that week and it was Thursday. He knew he'd be up all night and so he decided to head out to get coffee. He thought about it and he decided to take his laptop so he could do some work while he had his coffee before he returned to the office.
He went across the road into Jamie's Cafe, it's a fairly new cafe that does hand ground coffee and homemade pastries and cakes. It's open 24/7 as well, hence why Harry liked it there. It got him through some tough all nighters.
He entered the cafe to see the usual dark red leather seats and dark oak tables with magazines dotted about. The cafe had a homely vibe that felt warm and comfortable. He saw the usual empty seats and then he spotted Niall. Niall worked nights in the cafe every Sunday and Thursday. Niall’s friend Liam was behind the counter tonight. Most of the time Liam was there and so Harry had also come to know him very well.
"Hey Niall," Called Harry, giving a light wave to him.
"Hi Harry!" Called out Liam from behind the counter, while Niall just smiled.
"The usual?" Asked Niall.
"Yeah please, can I get it with an extra shot of espresso please?" Replied Harry,
"Yes of course" He smiled starting to pour the coffee.
Once he’d poured it he took the coffee thankfully and paid before he walked over and took a seat in one of the corner booths. He took a sip of his coffee while flipping through one of the nonsense gossip magazines that his sister Gemma loves. Usually he would have talked to Niall longer but tonight he wasn't feeling up to it which he understood, sometimes there are just nights where he doesn't want to socialize so Niall keeps her distance while still being there for him.
He was just taking another sip of coffee when someone put a plate with a piece of cake on it infront of him. Harry just looked up slightly assuming Liam or Niall had misheard the order. He went to say something but a voice took him by surprise.
"Long night?" Asked a deep voice.
"I uh...." Harry looked up to see a striking figure, "Yeah."
"Well you could use something to keep your energy up," Said the man sliding the cake closer to Harry.
"Thank you but I'm not very hungry" Replied Harry tiredly. "Sit?" Asked Harry motioning for the man to take a seat opposite him.
"Thanks" Said the man sitting down, "I'm Louis by the way. Louis Tomlinson".
"Ah I knew I recognised you" Harry replied.
"So what's your name?" Asked the man after about five minutes of silence,
"Harry, Harry Styles." Said Harry jumping slightly. "Sorry," he appolagised.
"No it's okay. You seem distracted, wanna talk about it?" Asked Louis gently.
"Uhh..." Sighed Harry, "It's nothing. Just pulling my fourth all nighter this week".
Louis sighed slightly. "You know not sleeping for long periods of time is bad for you right?" Asked Louis.
"Yeahhh" Said Harry while yawning.
"You don't remember me do you?" Asked Louis.
"Remember you?" Responded Harry confused.
“I work over the road from your office,” Started Louis, “You spilt coffee on me yesterday?” Louis smiled slightly whilst Harry just looked up sleepily.
"Oh sorry... I didn't forget I just. I wasn't thinking straight. I'm extremely sleep deprived" Replied Harry with a look of remembrance flashing across his face, and then it was quickly replaced with a tired expression.
"Harry you should go home and get some sleep." Said Louis, picking a piece off the cake and eating it.
"I can't Louis. I've got too much work to do. Which reminds me...?" Said Harry getting out his laptop.
"What are you workin on?" Asked Louis,
"Just typing up notes..." Responded Harry simply, “In fact, can you read that for me, make sure it makes sense?”
"Sure! Let me see what you have so far?" He shuffled in by Harry and looked at the computer.
Louis started to point out a few corrections and as Harry began to type Louis noticed the younger boy's hands were shaking from either the sleep deprivation or the amount of caffeine he'd taken in.
"Hey let me type?" Suggested Louis,
"You sure?" Responded Harry,
"Of course, it would be easier since I’m the one pointing out corrections." Louis pulled the laptop in front of himself and he started typing.
About halfway through typing he felt Harry leaning on his shoulder. He looked to the side to see Harry fast asleep with his head rested on his shoulder. Louis gently brushed Harry's hair out of his eyes and then he took his jacket which was folded next to him from where he had taken it off earlier and he put it over Harry so he didn't get cold. Louis took a minute to admire how Harry looked under his brown leather jacket.
Harry was woken up a few hours later to the sound of moving cups. He opened his eyes to see Abigale handing Louis a cup of coffee. Louis felt Harry move.
"Hey," He said gently,
"Hey... What happened?" Asked Harry,
"You fell asleep" Replied Louis.
"Oh...." Said Harry tiredly before realising something, "Oh shit!" Harry yelled out. "What time is it?"
"3:56am" Replied Louis,
"Oh my god. I'm almost four hours behind. I need to get back to work." Harry started to get up.
"Hey, Harry, calm down." Louis said reaching out.
"I don't have the time" Responded Harry trying to get out of the booth. He went to grab his bag when he hit the table. The coffee Louis had split down the table and it splashed onto Harry's back because of the position he was in.
"Shit... shit... shit..." Muttered Harry as he felt his flesh burning. Louis jumped up out of the way so Harry could get out of the booth as Niall came over with a towel to clean the mess.
"Harry you're gonna want to get that top off." Said Louis,
"What?" Asked Harry.
"Harry you need to get your top off so I can see the damage done and then we can put cold water on it to take the heat out of it okay?" Asked Louis.
Harry just nodded in response. His back was in so much pain he physically couldn't talk.
Louis removed Harry's top to see his skin was already blistering.
"Harry we need to get you to the hospital." Louis said calmly. After doing so Harry half nodded as the two of them headed to Louis’ car.
They got to the hospital and Harry was seen almost instantly. He kept hissing in pain, he could hardly move because of the burns on his back. Louis tried hard to keep him calm and comfortable but it was hard because he was just in so much pain.
The next day Harry woke up in a hospital bed surrounded by his mum, Gemma and Louis.
"Oh my, Harry you're okay!" Said Anne practically throwing herself on Harry, but he hissed in pain.
"Oh sorry!" She said quickly, stepping away slightly.
Harry asked if he could have a minute alone with Louis.
"I'm sorry Lou." Said Harry,
"Why are you sorry?" Asked Louis,
"Well I mean I fell asleep on you meaning you were stuck in the same spot for almost two hours and then I wasted your time because you had to bring me here" He said, rambling slightly. Louis just laughed lightly and held up the trainers Harry had been wearing that night.
"Looks like these are ruined." Said Louis still laughing. At this point Harry joined in.
"Yeah. They're badly stained. What sort of idiot wears white shoes?" Replied Harry,
"A very good looking one..." After Louis said this Harry stopped laughing and just looked at Louis, directly in the eyes.
At this point Louis advanced forward and sat on the side of the bed. He leaned forward slightly.
"Is this okay?" Asked Louis quickly but he soon got his answer when Harry used his hands to pull Louis down so they're lips touched and they shared a kiss that was like pure energy.
When they broke apart Harry took the shoes off Louis.
"Do you want me to throw them out?" Asked Louis, "I mean they're covered in dark brown coffee stains".
"No. Actually I want to keep them" Said Harry smiling and thinking to himself 'that way every time someone asks me about them I can just smile and think what sort of idiot wears white shoes. And then I can remember this moment forever.'
It's like Louis had read Harry's mind since he laughed and muttered "Good Idea" Before once again connecting his and Harry's lips in a long passionate kiss.