Seventeen months ago.
"You were so great baby." Louis kisses Harry's forehead. "Like you always are." The boy just finished their last concert of the European tour.
"You were as well, Lou. Can't wait to go to the hotel now and relax. Finally we have some kind of break."
"You know I can't come with you immediately, Hazza." Louis whispers, putting a stray of hair behind his boyfriend's ear. "I have a pap walk with El first."
Harry's good mood immediately disappears and he starts to pout, looking down. He knows that Louis doesn't have any feelings for the model, but it still stings that he can show her off. Harry wants to be shown off, being on Louis' side, not only in private.
"Don't give me that look, baby." Louis puts his finger under Harry's chin. "It's only two hours, yeah? I promise not a second longer. When I'm back we can run a hot bath with those bath bombs that smell like strawberries, you know the ones that you like. That's a date?" Louis connects his blue eyes with Harry's green watery ones.
"I'm just tired of seeing you with someone else. It hurts, Louis." Harry whispers, fighting the tears.
"It hurts me too, my love. But you know that tomorrow everything will be over, right? We'll talk about coming out during the meeting. We have a plan. We'll be free, baby. This is the last time. We'll be alright."
Harry smiles weakly at Louis and the older boy puts his hand on Harry's nape, pulling the boy closer to him so he can connect their lips.
Their kiss is slow, soft, passionate and full of love.
"I love you, baby. I'll see you tonight. Going to stay up for me or should I wake you when I'm back?"
"I'll wait up. Love you too, Louis."
--
Harry has only been in his room for about thirty minutes when he hears a knock on his door. It's too early to be Louis and the other boys are out, celebrating that the European tour is over.
"Good evening, Harry."
Harry has a big gulp in his throat.
"Good evening, Simon. What can I do for you? Louis is not here." The younger boy says.
"I know he isn't. Forgot who sets up the pap walks, Harry? Anyway, I'm not here for Louis, I'm here for you. If I may enter."
Harry takes a step aside and he starts to sweat, getting so nervous. Simon never talks to Harry alone. Or he has private conversations with Louis, or the two of them together, but never only Harry.
Simon takes place on a chair, taking a bunch of papers out of his bag.
"I'm not going to waste your time by stalling. I'm getting straight to the point. One Direction should go on a hiatus." Simon states.
"What? But... Why? Simon this is something that has to be discussed with the other boys as well...."
"No, it's not." The older man says, adjusting the pair of glasses on his nose. "Because you are going to announce it."
"Why me? I don't want to go on a hiatus, Simon. We're doing so well now. We're finally performing the music we want to perform."
"You're going on a hiatus and you are breaking up with your boyfriend for now." Simon says sternly. "And don't try to talk back. I know about your silly plan about wanting to come out. It's not going to happen, or not for both of you. Listen carefully to me, Harry.
One Direction is going on a hiatus. You guys have worked hard and been on tour the whole time. People don't know what they have if they don't miss it. I suggest an 18 months break isn't a bad idea. Your popularity will double when you guys are back."
Harry shakes his head.
"We are popular, Simon. People love us. I don't think we need that."
"That's why you are an artist and I'm a manager, Harry. So, tomorrow in the meeting you are going to say that you want a break, I will agree to that. Then you will leave to go to my friend, Jeff. You will work on your solo career during this time and have a few hits.
Your solo career will attract more people, not only the one direction fandom. Boybands aren't considered 'cool' by everyone, Harry. If you go solo, you'll reach more people and when you'll go back to the band, those new people will come with you, which means extra money."
"And what does this have to do with Louis?"
"You don't have another choice then listen to me, Harry. You know Louis' contract right?"
Harry nods.
"When does your contract stop, Harry?" Simon plays with the pen between his fingers.
"In about 5,5 years." Harry answers after thinking for a while.
"When does Louis' end?"
Harry's eyes go big in realisation.
"18 months..." Harry whispers, thinking back about the time that Simon had punished Louis by making his contract shorter.
"This can end well for both of us, Harry. Just listen to me. This plan involves you coming out."
"With Louis?"
"No."
"Then I don't want it, Simon." Harry says, crossing his arms. There was no way that Harry was coming out with someone else. The only reason he wants to be out is Louis.
"So do you want to be the reason that One Direction will lose another member after the hiatus? Because if you help me or not, Harry, the hiatus will be there. You'll be stuck in the band, without Louis. This is 18 months that you guys will have to be apart, but if you don't listen then you are stuck on tour for another three years without him. Is that what you want, Harry? Getting your little boyfriend kicked out of the band and left alone in Doncaster?"
Tears are appearing in Harry's eyes and he shakes his head.
"No, no I don't want that."
"Then do exactly as I say, Harry. Tomorrow on the meeting you bring up the hiatus, you pack your bags, leave to LA, tell Louis that you are done. If you are there Jeff will be waiting for you, you'll come out as bisexual, not gay. You'll fake date some famous actor that made a homophobic comment, I don't remember his name, and bring out your solo music. Fans will love you because you had the strength to come out, you'll reach new people with your solo music and they will follow you back to One Direction after the 18 months. Harry, when this is over Louis will get a new contract, same amount of time as you have, and you will get to come out together if you followed the rules, understood?" Simon's stare burns into Harry's soul.
"We'll get to come out together?" Harry asks, wanting confirmation.
"If you follow the rules."
"And he'll stay in the band?"
"Yes, he'll stay. I have our arrangement on paper, Harry. Just sign it. I know it's difficult for you, but you don't want to stab Louis in the back, right? Don't want to let him down? He has always protected you. I think it's your turn now, Harry. Don't be selfish. Sign it."
Harry's hand is shaking as he takes the pen from Simon's hand, and hesitantly he puts his signature on the bottom of the papers.
"It's nice doing business with you, Harry. I don't get why I never talked to you privately before." Simon has a wicked smile on his face as he puts his papers back into his black suitcase. "Have a good night, Harry. See you tomorrow."
The second that the businessman is out of the room, Harry bursts out in tears. He is not going to be able to be with Louis for one and a half year.
But Harry is sure that in the end they'll make it. They will conquer this, even though Louis doesn't know what happens.
They are Larry Stylinson.
YOU ARE READING
Ex on the beach {Larry Stylinson}
Fanfiction"I just can't believe you are here, Louis! You knew this was ex on the beach!" Harry snaps, hands in his hair. "The directors didn't know that, you idiot. You think I would be here if I knew you were as well? I don't want you near me, Harry. I'm her...
