Chapter Text
After what felt like hours of driving, Harry, his sister Gemma and his parents finally arrived at the beach house they’d be spending their summer holiday in. The car rolled to a stop, the engine ticking softly as if it, too, was relieved.
But just as every year, it wouldn’t just be the four of them. No, they always spent their holiday with their neighbours, who at the same time happened to be his parents’ best friends. As if they didn’t see each other every single day already, they also had to spent their summers together. Harry would’ve actually enjoyed a few weeks without being surrounded by them all the time. It’s not that he didn’t like them though. Actually he really loved them from the bottom of his heart. But when Harry’s parents decided to expand the family twenty-four years ago and had his big sister Gemma, just a few month later, Johannah and Mark announced they were expecting their first baby too.
Honestly, it would be totally great if there were only the two of them. Only Jay and Mark. But there was Louis too. Louis William Tomlinson. And Harry would be lying if he said he liked him. It wouldn’t just be a small lie. A pretty big and bold one.
Both of their parents liked to think of them as something like brothers. But Harry would never describe it that way. Once upon a time, they’d been inseparable. They used to be best friends before they even knew what that word really meant. As far back as Harry could remember, Louis existed in every memory. And if he wasn’t part of the main memory he was at least somewhere in the background. The two of them did everything together for the first time. The first word they spoke. Walking for the first time. First day in kindergarten. First day of school. First stupid idea. And for a long time, it had been good. Really good. They had a great childhood together.
But somewhere along the way, just a few years ago, puberty hit. And somehow, it only hit Louis. It turned him into someone really unbearable. Puberty didn’t just made him any more mature, if anything it did the exact opposite. He slipped into that obnoxious, macho phase boys seemed to think was impressive. Everything had to be loud, cocky, and effortless, even though nothing about Louis actually was. He walked around like he constantly had something to prove, mistaking arrogance for confidence. And at some point, it stopped being simple annoyance. It became exhausting. Being in the same room as him felt like a challenge Harry hadn’t signed up for. That was when the hatred between them really started. Constant provoking and endless bickering. And neither of them ever backed down.
None of them wanted to come on this holiday. But there was no way out. It was tradition. Even Gemma, who already moved out to uni, came back home for the summer, just to come with them. And apparently traditions mattered more than sanity. So that means Harry and Louis were dragged along, expected to smile and pretend nothing had changed. Harry refused to let this holiday to be completely ruined. So he just decided he’d avoid Louis as much as possible. Simply like he does anyway. And maybe, just maybe, that way he’d manage to actually have some fun. It would be kind of a mission, sure, but one he was determined to accomplish.
He jumped out of the car and grabbed his suitcase from the trunk. The warm air hit his skin immediately. He paused in front of the house for a moment, taking in his surroundings. The wooden, yellow house in front of him looked like something straight out of a movie. Weathered wood, soft colours, and a porch overflowing with the most vibrant flowers he’d ever seen in his life. It wasn’t quite small, but not a villa either. And it was incredibly beautiful. A narrowed path led from the backyard straight to the beach, and tall palm trees swayed gently around the house. Something about it made Harry’s chest feel light. He somehow knew this would be a holiday he wouldn’t forget. Whatever the reason might’ve been.
In that moment the front door opened, and Jay and Mark stepped outside, Louis’ sisters after them. Harry hugged all of them tightly. After all, they still were like his second family. It wasn’t their fault their son had turned into that unbearably annoying menace. Inside, they found the Tomlinson’s suitcases already stacked by the wall. At least five of them. Louis and his suitcase weren’t around, so Harry assumed he probably already claimed his room. Harry silently hoped he would stay in there for the rest of the holiday.
“Where’s my room?” Harry asked, excitement creeping into his voice despite himself. He noticed how everyone exchanged quick glances, but ignored it. “Just up the stairs and down the hall,” his mum said a little too quickly. “Last door on the right.” That should’ve been his first warning, but he just walked down the hallway and opened the door to his room. Then he froze.
Louis was standing in the room. And to his absolute horror, there were two beds in there. So no, apparently he hadn’t just walked into the wrong room. Harry immediately spun on his heals and stormed back to their parents. “Are you serious?” he nearly shouted. “You really expect me to share a room with this idiot for the next four weeks?” Harry’s Mum reached for his hand, her grip gentle. “Harry, darling, please. We thought it might be a good idea. If you two are forced to share a room, maybe things will go back to how they used to be.” Her gaze was soft, searching his eyes when she continued, “Please don’t freak out. You two will have a great time together.”
“Don’t tell me not to freak out!” She kept looking at him with soft, pleading eyes, and guilt twisted in his chest. Harry hated that he raised his voice, but he was hurt. Hurt that they’ve had decided what was best for him, or for them, without asking. “C’mon Harry, don’t make a scene right now,” Gemma sighed, rolling her eyes though a grin tugged at the corner of her lips. “Harry?” Phoebe tugged at Harrys shirt. “Daisy and I want you and Lou to be friends again.” She pouted, looking up at him softly. “Yes, we really do. Because arguing is really bad. And you always do that,” Daisy agreed without hesitation. Their words somehow made Harry’s heart melt, but that didn’t change the fact that he was gonna have to share a bedroom with Louis fucking Tomlinson for the entire holiday. Without another word he turned around and marched back in to his room. Their room.
Harry slammed the door behind him and when he saw Louis again he couldn’t help it but roll his eyes at the sight of him. Louis just scoffed, looking up with his arms crossed and annoyance written all over his face. Harry looked away quickly. “This is gonna be a long holiday.”
“Drama queen…”, Louis mumbled under his breath. That made Harry realise that he probably heard everything he just screamed at their parents. But actually, when he really thought about it, he didn’t really care about that. As he noticed Louis was making his way towards the bed under the window, the bed that was clearly meant to be Harry’s, he rushed past him and threw himself and his suitcase onto it. Louis’ jaw tightened as he watched him. “That’s my bed,” he said, voice firm and commanding. “Move your stuff.”
“I don’t even think about that.” Harry smiled innocently. “Looks like it’s mine now.” What was he even thinking? That his bossy behaviour was gonna change Harry’s mind? Because then he was totally wrong there. Anger flashed across Louis’ face as he stepped closer, towering over him. “I was going to sleep on that bed first so it’s fucking mine,” he argued, his voice thickening with frustration. Harry chuckled. “Sorry, can’t read minds. So may I ask… How was I supposed to know that?” He tried his best to look innocent. With a shrug he continued, “Now you’re too late, sorry. So go over to your bed, please,” Harry said as he waved him good bye. Louis exhaled sharply, clearly furious and Harry was convinced he could see his blood boiling.
Louis opened his suitcase and started unpacking his clothes aggressively, tossing them onto Harry’s bed with unnecessary force. Then he paused for a brief moment. “You know what?” he asked quietly. “I’m gonna sleep naked.” His voice was calm because he knew he was gonna get a reaction from Harry that way. Louis started unbuttoning his shirt, watching Harry’s reaction closely. He seemed to be determined to make this holiday miserable for him. Harry’s laugh was instant. “No, you’re not.” Louis hands froze on the third button, a slow smirk spreading across his face. “What?” He stepped closer with that infuriating confidence. “Already flustered?” he teased. “We haven’t even gotten started yet.” His voice dropped lower as he held Harry’s gaze completely unashamed. “This is gonna be fun.”
“Right,” Harry shot back, not breaking the eye contact between them, “I’m gonna have fun. But for you this holiday will be torture”. Louis laughed mirthlessly at his response, throwing his shirt on Harry’s bed. “Bring it on then,” he challenged, unbuckling his belt loudly. He kicked off his jeans and was only wearing his boxers now, his toned body on full display.
Louis climbed onto Harry’s bed, sprawling out like he owned it. Harry couldn’t believe what he was doing. He seriously wanted to continue the fight. Harry simply grabbed his arm and yanked, so he hit the floor with a startled yelp. Louis stumbled but quickly caught himself and grabbed Harry’s wrist in the process. “Nice try.” He pulled him closer, their chests nearly touching. Louis eyes darkened slightly as he looked down at Harry, something unreadable flickering in them. “You really wanna wrestle for it?” His grip on Harry’s wrist tightened. “Yes,” he insisted as he stared back straight into Louis’ eyes. Harry held the stare a few more seconds, then he suddenly shoved Louis back and flopped onto the bed. Louis hit the floor again, staring up at Harry in disbelieve as he took his place on the bed. His eyes widened slightly before narrowing into a competitive glare. He quickly recovered and started climbing onto the bed again, determined to claim it back. “You little—“
“Little what? Huh?” Louis was hovering over Harry now, hands braced on either side of his head, pressing him down into the mattress. “Little brat,” he breathed out, his face only inches away from Harry’s. He could smell Louis’ cologne and feel his warmth, radiating from his bare chest. For a second, something shifted in Louis’ expression. Something that wasn’t anger. It was just a brief moment, but enough for Harry to notice. “This isn’t over,” Louis hissed, narrowing his eyes.
“For me it is,” Harry declared sharply, trying to free himself from Louis’ grip. “Now walk over to your bed.” Louis’ jaw clenched. He clearly wasn’t used to being told what to do. But he pushed off the bed slowly, standing up with exaggerating movements to show his frustration. He grabbed his shirt from the bed und put it back on, buttoning it up aggressively while walking towards the other bed across the room.
“See?” Harry smirked, his voice calmer now. “I always win.” Louis shot him a death glare over his shoulder, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Congratulations, Harry. You won a stupid argument with a guy you’re supposed to be sharing a room with for the next weeks. Real mature.” Harry scoffed. “You’re the one who started the fight, Louis. Now that’s mature.” Louis paused midway to his bed, turning around. “Excuse me? You’re the one who stole my bed!” He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. “I was just trying to sleep comfortably!” His voice rose slightly before he caught himself. “Asshole.”
“You get on my nerves,” Harry said under his breath. “You get on mine too,” Louis muttered, climbing onto his bed. He threw himself down dramatically, his head hitting the pillow with a soft thud. “I hate you.”
“Good, because I hate you too.”