Don't freak out. This is a long one. And you still have the epilogue left.

I'll say my goodbyes tomorrow.
Enjoy! ✨

Mag 🦋.

T H I R T Y  F O U R

First thing both Harry and I needed to do was apologize to Liam.
So before the rehearsal started, we ambushed him alone in the dressing room.

"Liam!"

"What do you want, Louis?"

"I wanted to talk to you. Can I?"

"I'm busy." - He said and walked away from me, heading to the showers.

I quickly grabbed his arm and turned him around.

"Please."

"What is it?"

"Look, I thought you were the reason I got expelled. I'm sorry. Harry is sorry too. Right?" - I said, turning to Harry, who was sitting on a bench. - "Say it." - I said to him.

Harry stood up and walked to where I was, placing an arm around my waist.

"I'm so sorry, Liam. We both thought you had given us in. And that's the reason I took the lead from you. The truth is I wanted to kick you out of the company, but Louis stopped me. And I'm glad he did it."

"You told him to not fire me?" - He asked me, astonished, and I nodded.

"You're not a bad dancer, you deserve to be in the company."

"It scares me a bit that you're both being this nice. I feel like you're about to murder me." - He said, clearly worried.

"We are just apologising." - I laughed.

"But you're always mean. You don't do apologies." - He said to me. - "And you are my teacher." - He said pointing at Harry.

"I still am, but I'm also a person." - He answered.

"He just turns soft when he is with me." - I said to Liam. - "Right, Harry bun?" - I said, teasing him and poking his cheek.

"Don't call me like that at work." - He said and I laughed.

Of course I wouldn't do it in public, but nobody was here except for Liam. And it was fun to tease him a bit.

"Sure. Well, Liam, I hope you take our apology because now we know that you didn't tell Ms. Horan, that you kept your word. So thank you, I guess. It's a shame that we don't have that duet anymore now that I actually like you."

"Wow, wait. Can I record that?"

"Not a chance." - I laughed.

"Yeah. Okay. Thanks for apologising. Either way, I didn't deserve the lead, I'm glad to still be in the company even if it is as a ensamble."

"We have been thinking about that too. You might have something better than an ensemble." - Harry said.

"What?" - Liam asked.

"You'll see." - I smirked.

~~~

Harry left so he could go and talk to Claudia. God knows about what. And I stayed with Liam, just chatting.
He was nice after all.
And if Harry keeps him inside the company I'll have to get on well with him eventually, right?

It made me nervous that Harry was with Claudia right now, I haven't talked to her in weeks now, and I didn't want to either.

She left me on the streets, just like my father had done when I was fourteen.

Wow, that was dark.

Liam and I finished changing our clothes, and we were both ready for the rehearsal.
We made it to the classroom, but Harry wasn't there yet.

Guess who was at the front instead?
Yes.

Zayn.

I looked angrily at him, ready to face him and tell him to leave, to get the hell out.
But I couldn't, it wasn't my place or my right to.
Besides, he technically still was Harry's assistant and part of the company.

Seeing that Harry wasn't arriving, he took the lead and started the rehearsal.

First he made us review the third act, which was the one that was worse, still loose and sloppy, since we only had learned it two weeks ago.

I reluctantly complied and danced besides the rest of the group, ignoring Zayn's comments and corrections towards me. I would do everything the way I wanted unless Harry told me otherwise.
Zayn is not my director or my choreographer. Harry is.

Speaking of Rome.
He was walking through the door.

I smiled to myself.

"Why are you directing my rehearsal?" - Was the first thing he said to Zayn.

"I just thought I could start reviewing this part until you arrive, Harry."

"I don't care. You and nobody here had the right to start the rehearsal without my permission."

"But I'm…" - Zayn was paralized.

"What are you doing standing there?" - Harry said roughly.

"Sorry, I'll go to my place."

"No, it won't be necessary."

"What?"

"Zayn, you're fired. Liam, you can take Zayn's role on the play. C'mon people we have only six weeks to pull this up."

"What?" - Zayn asked again.

"What you just heard. You're no longer part of the company. You are dismissed."

Damn.
I'll fuck you right here, Harry.

~~~

Six weeks later we were finishing our last rehearsal before opening night.
I was devastated.
My whole body ached.
I was out of breath and I couldn't stop sweating.

It had been the toughest rehearsal of the month, and knowing that the following night was going to be the big opening was freaking me out a bit.
My first professional ballet. And as a lead.

It was huge.

I just needed to lay down a bit, recover my breath and clear my mind. It was a lot to take in.

I sat on the floor and Emily did the same, collapsing by my side.

"I've been meaning to ask you something." - She let out.

"What?"

"Are you coming to my graduation?"

"Mhm?"

"It's in three weeks, Lou. I know we haven't talked a lot lately, I've been busy with my final exams, but it was worth it! I passed everything, so I'll graduate on term." - She smiled.

"That's amazing, darling. Yes, of course I'll be there."

"I know you wanted to graduate with me, I did too, so it's ok if you don't want to be there. I won't get mad or anything."

"I'm not going to miss my best friend's graduation, are you insane?"

"Really?"

"Of course, bitch." - I said, hitting her in the arm playfully, she laughed.

"Enough with the talking, you two." - Harry said from the front of the class.

"Yes, sir."  - I rolled my eyes at him and he sent me a death look, making me laugh.

"Stand up, we will do everything from the top one last time. C'mon."

And so we did.
One last time to rehearse, one last chance to make sure everything was in place, that everything was working, was synchronized.

And also, this was my last time here. At the academy. For real.
Now that the rehearsals had ended, I didn't have any more excuses to be here.

This was my last chance to say goodbye.

~~~

After the rehearsal, when everyone left, I jumped over Harry, wrapping my legs around his waist and burying my face on the crock of his neck.

"What is this for?"

"Shut up and hug me."

He laughed and wrapped one of his arms around my waist and the other one under my bum.

"Are you nervous for tomorrow?"

"Mhm."

"You don't have to. I know you are going to be excellent, as you always are."

I lifted my head and kissed him softly.

"I'm also sad about leaving this place for good." - I said, sincerely.

"What can I do to take that sadness away?"

"Can we go to the rooftop?" - I smirked and wiggled my eyebrows.

"What? No. I was thinking of cooking for you, or taking you out, Louis. I can't fuck you and have you all tired tomorrow."

"Oh, c'mon. Make me feel good." - I pouted.

"Bunny, you need to rest. You can't be exhausted and sore on the opening night."

"Please, I've danced sored before, I can handle it." - I turned to kiss his neck and whispered. - "I need you."

"Lou, c'mon. Not tonight. Let's do something else."

I started grinding against his front, while kissing harder and biting the skin under his earlobe.

"Louis."

"Are you saying that as my director or my boyfriend?" - I said while chasing his lips for a kiss.

"Director. I need you well rested."

I tug his hair, tilting his head to the side and burying my face on his neck. I moaned and returned to now suck on an old love bite I made last week, one that was about to vanish.
I couldn't let it disappear. Let's make it again.

"And what is that my boyfriend wants then?" - I said while licking on the mark I've just made. - "I'm sure my boyfriend wants me too. Let's not tell the director, this can be our secret, baby." - I whispered into his ear.

I lowered one of my hands to palp his groin. He was hard already.

"Mhm, maybe." - He said and I smiled to myself.

I got down, without stopping kissing him, and I softly started pulling him out of the classroom with me.

We made it to the up floor in between heated kisses and hickey making on each other's skin.
We got off our shirts as we went up the stairs, not wanting to waste another second, leaving us now with only our pants.

"I'll ride you." - I said, out of breath.

"No way. I can't let these pretty legs get tired." - He said, lifting me up and throwing me to the outside bed, my back hitting the mattress, making me moan. - "You need to rest."

"I'm sure that if you wreck me, I'll get the best rest of my life."

He groaned and hovered above me, continuing doing what he did best.

Marking me.

All the way down to my v-line. All I could see were marks.
Harry was insatiable.

He took distance to take out his shoes and pants, while I did the same with my leggings from the rehearsal.

"Frontal split, now." - He said.

Shit.

I positioned myself with my opened 180° legs in front of him, completely at his mercy.

"So gorgeous." - He whispered.

He took the lube that we now always carry around, just in case something like this happens, and started spreading it all over his length and his fingers.

When he finished, he dipped into my neck again to kiss and suck, knowing he would leave bruises behind. And we both loved it.

He returned to my mouth and slipped his tongue once again, joining my tongue and then sucking on it, forcing a moan out of me.

I could feel his hard groin above me and I was losing it. I needed him now.

He placed himself between my legs and he nuzzled my inner thighs with his mouth, kissing sporadically and groaning dangerously close to my cock, making me whine.

He pressed his lubed index finger onto my rim, making circles around it while he kept licking my thighs.

Harry was the definition of hot.

But I needed more.
I took his wrist, forcing him to push the finger inside, no more teasing.

He laughed and complied, pushing inside my rim slowly, making me whimper. He waited a few seconds in there, before pulling it out and inside again.

He leaned over to kiss me as he started moving and curling his one finger inside me, before pushing the second one in.
Yes.

I took the back of his neck in my hands, pressing him closer to me. I tangled my fingers in his curls, not letting him go.

I was moaning into his lips and he started scissoring and bobbing his fingers, I let out a loud moan out of my mouth.
I quickly tilted my head and started nibbling on his chin and jawline.

"I need more." - I breathed out.

"What bunny?"

"God, don't make me beg."

"Mhm… I don't know what you are talking about." - He smirked while keeping the pace of his fingers inside my hole.

"Harry, just fuck me already."

He laughed and pecked my lips, before aligning with my entrance.

"Ok, bunny."

He smiled again before slowly pushing himself inside of me.
He captured my lips once more, allowing me to focus on something else.

I took some seconds to take him all in before I nodded, ready for him to move.

And he did. I moaned softly as he was burying his face in my neck, while sucking my skin, and his hands ran up and down on my opened thighs underneath him, sometimes slipping to my ass cheeks to lift me up and searching another angle.

He really enjoyed this position.

He kept thrusting, a bit harder and faster now that he had found the right angle, when he hit my prostate, making me see the stars.

I tug on his hair, bringing him closer to my lips, desperately kissing him as much as I could.

I felt my muscles tensing, already feeling close to my climax.

"You can come, bunny."

"Kiss me."

He captured my lips roughly. I didn't take long to come hard and untouched all over my stomach and screaming his name.

"So hot. Always so hot and angelic at the same time." - He said into my ear.

He came shortly after, thrusting a few more times inside me, before pulling out.
I was sensitive, yes. But that didn't mean it wasn't paradise.

I laughed.

"My last night here, and I couldn't ask for a better ending."

He shook his head and laughed while he started putting his clothes back on.

"C'mon, let's go back to the apartment."

"No, wait a minute." - I said and made grabby hands towards him. - "Come here and cuddle with me."

"Louis." - He giggled. - "What if someone comes in here?"

"They will have quite a show." - I smirked.

"Not a chance. Nobody will see you like this. Only me."

"Just come here, you grumpy."

He rolled his eyes and threw me my briefs.

"At least put those on in case someone shows up."

"Yes, sir." - I rolled my eyes.

I put the piece of clothing on as he laid down by my side and placed his arm over my waist, smiling at me.

"Did I make you feel good?"

"Are you really questioning?"

"Just tell me, so I can grow my ego."

"Your ego is big enough." - I laughed.

"I love you." - He smiled, looking straight into my eyes.

"Love you more."

~~~

The following day I was a freaking out.
I was nervous as hell.
I was sore from the night before.
And Harry was right.

Not that I'll ever let him know that.

"Okay, you need to calm down." - Emily said when we were already on the theater.

"I can't." - I said still nibbling on my nails.

"You're going to ruin everything if you're this nervous. It's okay to have adrenaline and all, but not if it makes you doubt about yourself."

"I know."

"You're going to do great. Don't let those insecurities take over your talent."

I sat in front of the mirror of my dressing room. Ready to start with my hair and makeup.
I heard a knock on the door and Emily went to open it, letting Harry inside.

"How is the star of the night?" - He said.

"I'm fine, thanks." - Emily said and Harry laughed.

"Wasn't talking about you."

"I know." - She shrugged. - "I'll go to prepare myself."

"Bye, Ems." - I said and she waved at me, leaving the room.

"I brought you this, bunny." - He said, standing behind the back of my chair and pulling a flower bucket from behind him. - "Happy opening night."

I smiled at him through the mirror and took the flowers he was handing me.
I'm so in love with this man.

"Thanks." - I smiled shyly.

"You're very welcome." - He replied and kissed the top of my head, resting his arms on my shoulders. - "Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Ok, I saw Niall at the entrance, he is the first in the queue to get inside." - Harry giggled. - "He wishes you luck."

"Thanks. I'll text him later." - I smiled at him through the mirror again.

"Focus, okay? Do your best as I know you can. I'm sure everyone will be watching you, admiring you, and ready to offer you contracts and tours around the world. Just don't forget about me when they do, yeah? I might get jealous." - He said and kissed my cheek.

"I'll decline every single one of them if that happens. I can't be away from you, not even a day."

"Good." - He smiled. - "I'll let you prepare yourself, I'll go check on the rest of the group."

"Sure."

"Bye Bunny." - He said and left the room.

I stayed on my own, finishing my makeup and getting into my Prince Nutcracker clothing.
Only thirty minutes to go.

Just breathe, Louis.
Everything is going to be fine.

And it did.

I danced like never before. I left everything on that stage, I felt free. I enjoyed every second of it and it was amazing.

Seeing everyone looking at me, watching my every move.
Dancing alone, at the rythm of the music, feeling the beat in my blood. In my heart.

I felt like I was doing something that mattered.
Something that was giving joy to people, and it gave me peace.
It made me feel loved and appreciated. It made me feel worthy.

On the last number of the ballet, I turned to look at the backstage and I saw Harry smiling at me while I was dancing my soul out.

He saw it.

He saw me.

The real me.
Not that arrogant and egocentric person I pretended to be.

He saw I was capable of doing this.

I smiled him back and continued dancing until the end of the play.

Once we all changed our clothes, we got out of the theater and headed to the door where plenty of people were waiting for us.
In the multitude I ended up losing Harry.

Niall ran to hug Emily and me, congratulating us and giving both of us a red rose, making me laugh.
I already had Harry's bouquet in one hand, and now I had Niall's rose on the other.
With all my bags hanging from my shoulders I could barely move.
But I was happy and excited, so it didn't matter.

Liam walked to me and gave me a surprising hug.

"You did better than I would have ever done." - He smiled and returned to greet his family.

Then Jake came and congratulated Ems, hugging me too.
And after a while of talking to different people I didn't actually know, Harry's mother came to hug me as well.

I didn't know she was on the public. Harry didn't mention it.
Well.

"Oh, you found him." - Harry said, coming from behind her.

"I'm here." - I smiled. - "I didn't know you were here, Anne!"

"I couldn't miss this." - She said, still hugging me and crashing my bouquet against my chest.

Fuck.
I don't want my flowers to be ruined.

"We are going to celebrate by going out, you're in?" - Harry asked.

"Of course." - I smiled.

We started walking towards Harry's car, and he helped me carry my stuff until we reached it.

"I knew you were the one for that solo." - He said.

I grabbed his cheeks and pulled him down to kiss him.

"Thanks Harry bun."

~~~

"C'mon Louis! I can't be late! I have to give those damn degrees during the event."

"I'm ready! I'm ready!" - I said, arranging my blazer and grabbing my phone. - "Let's go."

Harry and I got into the car and he drove as fast as he could to the Academy.

We got out and he went straight to the stage, while I stayed on the seats beside Naill and Jake, waiting for my friend to graduate.

When Ms. Horan announced Emily Hart and she stood up to stand on the stage, Niall, Jake and I stood up from our seats and screamed our lungs out while clapping.
She deserved It.

Harry handed her her degree and they took a picture together.

I couldn't stop myself from shouting and congratulating her from the distance, while taking pictures with my phone.

I actually did the same when they called Liam to the stage to receive his degree.
Because yes, he was kind of my friend now.
Weird, I know.

When the ceremony ended and everyone in my ex class had their degrees in hand, they took a final group picture.
And I was happy. I wasn't envying them at all.
I guess that we all have our path, and this wasn't mine.

Emily rushed to hug us after the group picture and we congratulated her again, taking pictures with her, freezing this moment, before everything changes for her.
Because we didn't know what was going to happen in the future, right?

Harry appeared seconds later and hugged me from behind, his hands intertwining on my abdomen.
I placed my own arms above his', enjoying his closeness.

"Lou." - Emily called me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you ok? I mean, for being here and all."

"It's fine Ems. I'm really happy for you and to be here. I don't need a degree. I have everything I need already." - I smiled at her, tightening the grip around Harry's arms.

"I see that." - She laughed.

I shrugged and giggled.
It was the truth.

Harry and I were already planning our future ballet, he was recovering well from his injury, we were making good money out of the Nutcracker shows and we were soon to start the tour around Europe.

I tilted my head around and looked at him over my shoulder, he leaned in and pecked my lips.

Yes, I don't need nothing else.

The end.