SIX
The question.

Later that night, I laid down in bed, looking at the ceiling and processing what had happened all day between Harry and I.

It was strange that I felt so connected to him that fast, I hardly knew the guy for a week, but yet he was making me feel things that I don't think I ever felt before.

It only took days for him to get inside my head like this, constantly.
And it wasn't only that, it was the fact that I was actually smiling because of it. Because of him.

I wasn't used to smiling or laughing or even wanting to spend that amount of time with the same person without getting tired of them.
It was all completely unusual, and even if I had a vague idea of what it really was, I didn't quite want to embrace it.

So that only led me to have a mental breakdown at midnight.

My mind kept repeating the events of the day and it was flooded with images of Harry.
Green eyes, dimples, pink lips, flawless skin, perfect nose, sharp jawline, soft hair, exquisite smile, delicious perfume, cute ears, everything.

Over and over again.
It didn't seem to stop.

So I knew I was losing it.

"Liam, I'm having a crisis."

"Well, that's a new one. What happened?" - He laughed over the phone.

"Harry."

"Who's Harry?"

"It's my neighbor's friend, and he's the most wonderful human being that exists."

"Wow."

"I know. I'm so gone already." - I sighed. - "Liam, what should I do?"

"You like him, huh?"

"A lot, but I can't start dating someone if I'm not planning on staying here!'

"First, don't shout at me. Second, does he know that you're only temporarily living there?"

"I guess so… we never really talked about me leaving. I mean, he knows I'm on vacation."

"Well, then that means he's probably not expecting much more than a fling."

"That's the thing! I don't think he is, and honestly, I don't think I want just a fling either."

"He's that hot, huh?"

"Oh, you have no idea." - I sighed. - "But He also has the best personality too. He's sweet and smart and funny, and seriously I'm so screwed right now."

"I can tell." - Liam laughed.

"What do I do, Li?"

"You can just try and see how it goes. I don't know, mate."

"You're the worst at giving advice."

"Okay, I just don't know. If you and him want to be something, then you should take the risk, you can find a solution for the distance later. I mean, focus on getting to know him first. Yeah?"

"That sounds quite easy."

"It could be easy."

"But… he doesn't know who I am." - I sighed. - "That will complicate things I guess."

"Then tell him, it's not a big deal. If he likes you, he'll keep the secret."

"It is a big deal. I don't want him to freak out because I'm famous or even worse, to only care about my money."

"I think you're the one freaking out."

"Yes! That's the whole reason I called you!"

Liam laughed and I growled.

"If he's that awesome as you described him, then he won't freak out because of this, and if he really likes you back, he won't care if you're rich or poor. Money will just be a huge plus to your incredible self."

"You're busting my ego." - I laughed.

"I thought you needed it right now." - He laughed back. - "But seriously, just start easy, then you'll know if it's safe to tell him or not. You know, test the waters first."

"Okay. That sounds alright. I can do that."

"Yes, you can. Also, you really need to start answering your Mom, she's been calling asking for you."

"I'll deal with her another day."

🦋

When the alarm went off at six in the morning, I quickly got out of bed, more excited than ever before in my life, and the only reason was Harry.

I took a cold shower and prepared my usual smoothie before heading out.
Much to my disappointment, Niall stopped me before I could get out of the building.

"Why did you do that?"

"What?" - I asked, confused.

"Tell him you liked him."

"Because it's true." - I shrugged.

"But you're lying to him about everything else!"

"I'm… look, yes. I know. But I'll tell him eventually. In the meantime, you'll keep your mouth shut."

"I don't want him to be mad at me. You'll ruin my friendship with him."

"Niall. Let me handle this at my pace."

"Your pace is really slow."

"Nobody asked you." - I groaned, passing by him and finally getting through the door.

I waited a few minutes at the door until I spotted Harry with his running shorts and his earbuds at a distance, I ran towards him with a smile and once he saw me, he returned the smile.

"England." - He smiled, stopping in front of me.

"Good morning, you." - I smiled, leaning up and pecking his cheek softly.

"Good morning indeed."

"Ready?"

"Yep. Let's go."

He resumed running and I followed him, quickly getting his rhythm and coordinating our steps.

After many days of running together, we both knew the way we were taking, a couple of blocks to the shore, fifty meters by the sea and then ten more blocks to go back to the greenhouse where we would settle to spend the morning.

On the way Harry bought a coffee for himself and a tea for me accompanied with croissants so he could have breakfast while he worked.

"After you." - He said when he opened the door to the enormous glass building I got to love lately.

"Thank you, darling."

Harry blushed at the pet name and I winked at him, getting inside and him rushing behind me to not let any butterfly escape through the door.

"Lou, I really have to put some things in order before going to the office, but feel free to stay there on your own if you want. Or you could do the rounds with me. Whatever you want."

"I'll do rounds with you." - I smiled. - "I can even hold your coffee and feed you your croissant." - I said and laughed.

"That won't be necessary, but thanks." - He shook his head, walked past some plants and got a special hose to water some flowers and bushes.

Because even if he had a really cool watering system, there were some specific plants that needed more water than others, and some nutrients that I didn't quite understand completely.

But he knew his stuff, so it must be true.

After a while of following him like a lost puppy while he did his job, took care of the flowers, cut some of the dying leaves from plants, and revised for unwanted insects, he finally noticed me again.

He gifted me with one of his wonderful smiles that got his dimples on display, and nudged my side with his elbow.

"Am I boring you?"

I snapped out of my dazzlement that I have been caught onto since I started following him and admiring his work and dedication.

I shook my head rapidly.

"No, no. Never. I was just admiring you."

"Admiring me?" - He side-smiled, confused.

"I found everything you do completely hypnotizing." - I said.

He laughed and shook his head.

"Oh my God, Louis. I'm…" - He ran a hand on his face, biting a smile. - "Do you really mean those stuff?"

And just like that, a butterfly that was flying around us, softly posed on Harry's nose, making him cross his eyes and giggle.

It was a really colorful butterfly, batting its wings softly, and showing its incredible pattern.

"How is that one called?" - I asked.

"This is a peacock butterfly." - Harry smiled, standing still to not make the butterfly go away. - "It's actually an English butterfly."

"Oh, so they are like me."

"Yep, second cousins." - He laughed and then the butterfly was gone.

"It's a pity I didn't get to take a picture of you with it on your nose, it was the cutest thing I've ever seen." - I said and Harry flushed. - "I could have saved it as my phone's background."

Harry bit his lip and shook his head in disbelief.

"You wouldn't do that."

"Of course I would." - I said, taking a step closer to him and softly sliding my hands to grab his hips. - "Is this okay?" - I asked, rubbing circles on his hip bones.

"Yeah." - He smiled, bumping my nose with his'.

"Do my compliments make you uncomfortable?"

"I don't know. I'm not used to them, but I like it."

I brushed my nose against his cheek for a short second and then blew hot air onto his mouth, sensing his lips close but not close enough to kiss him.

"Sweet darling?" - I asked softly, getting some distance from his face, but not letting go of my grip on his hips.

Harry opened his eyes and looked up at me with a beautiful blush on his cheeks.

"What is it, Lou?"

"Would you go on a date with me?"

"Is this hypothetical?" - He whispered, blush still on his cheeks. - "Or are you really asking me out?"

I rolled my eyes and leaned forward again, clutching onto Harry's hips to hover over him.

"Harry, do you want to go out with me?"

"Yes."

I leaned back with a smirk on my face.

"I'll pick you up tonight at seven." - I said, quickly separating myself from him and pretending we didn't just have one of the most intimate moments so far.

"Uhm…" - He looked startled. - "Okay. Seven tonight."

I laughed at his confusion and turned around, ready to leave the place when a hand took my wrist and turned me back around to face him.

Harry grabbed both sides of my face and kissed me properly and quite desperately.

"What was that for?" - I smirked, cradling his cheek.

"You deserved it."

I hummed and nodded, leaning forward again and tasting his precious lips once more.

"I'll leave you to work, butterfly. Be ready by seven."

"Can't wait." - He murmured, kissing my cheek sweetly before I left the building.