Magic, holds me close
Chapter 14: Magic, holds me close
Louis noticed, of course he did, how could he not? It was something that had been engraved into his subconscious ever since he realised who he was. The judging stares the supposingly “knowing” looks. He couldn’t blame Harry for finding it all too much, so he did the only thing he knew how to. He pivot.
“Who’s that Harry?” Louis asked, pointing to a delightful old lady that was waving in their direction.
This perked Harry up and when he saw the woman he ran towards her.
“Barbara!” he yelled in excitement
Louis watched the exchange with nothing but endearment in his eyes. How could he be mad at this creature that was so full of love? How could he hold a grudge against Harry being uncomfortable with them when he had never experienced someone not liking him? Well apart from Zayn that is. Louis was snapped out of this thought when the conversation was redirected towards him.
“And who’s this then Harry?” Barbara questioned
“Oh this is Louis! He’s my, um, um-”
“I’m his good mate” Louis interjected
It hurt him to say that of course but if you think about it that’s what they were. Sure they were good mates that kiss occasionally but they were no more than that. It’s not like Harry had asked him to go steady; he wasn't receiving any yule ball proposals anytime soon. Nonetheless it felt like a stab in the heart and by the looks of it it pained Harry as well, the usual stars in his eyes looked like just for a moment a grey cloud covered them, blocking their shine. But Harry was a performer, and entertainer, he was a mirrorball. And to the untrained eye you would never notice it, the brief pause, the sharp breath. But Louis knew, Louis would always know.
“Yeah we go to school together, isn't he a handsome fellah barb!?” Harry teased, quickly regaining his charismatic demeanour
Louis blushed at the compliment, regardless if it was simply teasing or not.
“Yes he’s just darling Harry, oh just darling. Oh! I have some fresh bread right out of the often please have some free of charge” Barbara said excitedly
Harry laughed at the old lady “You spoil me barb please let me pay for it”
“No, no I insist now you stay right there I’ll be back”
And she ran off into the back. When she did Harry rejoined Louis where he was standing and then guided them towards a small table in the back of the cafe.
“So she was nice” Louis prodded
“Yeah, me and Barbara go way back. When I used to skip class and come here she would always take me in and feed me, even hid me when Mcgonagall went looking for me," Harry recounted, laughing as he did so.
Louis smiled watching Harry tell the story. Anywhere he went he had people jumping at the seams to help him, to be near him, to be part of Harry styles's life. Louis wished he could experience that. What that would feel like to feel so important.
“What’s on your mind Lou?” Harry asked
And Louis realised that he had spaced out and was staring into a blank space on the wall for the past minute.
“Oh, nothing Haz just tired is all”
“Oh well barbara makes a banging coffee i can ask her to make you one if you like BARB!” Harry called out
“No, no, no its ok, Harry shush be quite” Louis pleaded
“Ok fine, but once we get the bread lets get out of here I wanna show you more of the town”
And just like clockwork Barbara came back with a basket of freshly baked bread. Louis could smell it, the tantalising aroma wafting into his nostrils. He observed the steam still coming off of the loaf and he could just imagine the satisfying crackle the crust would make if he were to dig into it right now.
“Thank you Barb I’ll see you later yeah” Harry said, kissing Barbara on the cheek as he did so
“Yes thank you so much you really didn’t have to” Louis added
“Ahh it’s nothing, you just have to promise me you’ll visit more Harry i’ve missed you, and bring your friend as well, I’ve got a good feeling about the two of ya”
Before Louis or Harry could respond Harry was distracted once again by someone he saw outside of the cafe’s windows.
“Lou stay right there I just have to say hi to this guy okay?”
But before Louis could respond he was out of the door. Not long after he left Barbara had put a comforting hand on Louis’ shoulder.
“Be patient with him love, everyone thinks he knows everything, even him! But he’s as clueless as they come! He’ll realise what he has before it's too late, I see the spark between the two of you, don’t let anyone dim it, no matter what.”
Louis felt choked up, he feared that even if he opened his mouth no words would come out, the tears were already brimming his eyes, threatening to spill out at any given moment. He had never had a strong mother figure, someone to cry to when life got tough, someone to gossip about his crushes with or even someone to give him advice. So this is what it felt like this was the feeling he had been searching for.
“Thank you” he sniffled.
Just in time for Louis to wipe his tears on his sleeve Harry came back in.
“Okay we best be going barb love you see you soon” Harry waved goodbye as they left.
Before they exited the small bubble of heaven they found himself in Harry took a deep breath in and stuck his hand out for Louis to take. Louis knew he had to be patient with Harry, but he also knew that he wouldn't let himself get hurt in the process. If he didn’t take his hand then Harry wouldn’t be able to drop it right? Right.