tired tired sea ⚓︎

They barely leave the lighthouse as the temperature drops and drops, a true winter chill taking over the world.

It’s hard to live without the sun for so long sometimes, which is why Louis and Harry spend so much of their days either on the beach or on top of the tower, surrounded by windows.

The end of November arrives almost unnoticed. Or it would, if only for the tiny exception that the sun starts setting at half-three in the afternoon, then at quarter past, then at three, the daylight becoming this almost cryptid presence on the island, barely glimpsed until it vanishes again.

Harry shakes his head, tightening his fingers on Louis’ waist, holding him steady. “No,” he admits. “I couldn’t sleep at all.”

It explains the dark circles under his eyes, the tired way he’s holding himself.

It’s a rush that should feel scary perhaps, but he can’t feel anything beyond the pounding of his heart, beyond this moment now.

Harry, to his credit, does look up at this, but only to give Louis the most convincing puppy eyes he’s ever seen in his life.“I’m tired,” he says with a big dramatic pout.

Louis bites his lower lip as he nods and hums, a mantra of do not laugh do not laugh do not laugh echoing in his brain. “Puffins… aren’t usually on the island in November?” he says, voice a bit high pitched as he refrains from laughing.

picture of a light house in a sunset surrounded by cliffs and the blue sea

harry styles holding a brown leather notebook

He’s also carrying a thick brown leather notebook, tied closed with a thin piece of rope and with what looks like a fancy pen hanging from it. There seem to be doodles on the notebook, scribbles and what not, but Louis doesn’t get a very good look before Harry switches the hand he’s holding it with"

Every morning, Louis goes on a run with Clifford, coming back to the lighthouse just in time to watch Harry disappear god knows where, out on long walks while Louis takes care of various maintenance stuff around the b&b.

October vanishes into November, days blending into each other as Louis and his new guest settle into a quiet routine.

I like the fact that I’m not bothered by people, that I get to live in peace and alone. I like the rain. I like the wind, even though it’s always too strong and I have to fight against it. I like the cliffs and how gorgeous they are.

a manip of harry styles with louis tomlinson posing for a selfie

darlings <3

He cuddles up against Louis, putting his head on his shoulder and pointing at the book with the torch.

Then, Harry looks up to Louis expectedly. “Just read,” he says. “Please. I love your voice.”

“But I’m cold,” Harry whines as he climbs the stairs behind him. “I’m gonna be sick, Lou.”

He looks boyish somehow, in the cold autumn light coming in from the window next to the front door.

a black and white picture of fetus louis tomlinson and harry styles running happily

It doesn’t take very long for Harry to catch up with him, both of them running at the same pace.

“Do you know how many people have tried to teach me this particular skill?” Louis asks through gritted teeth, years of failure fresh in his memory. “It’s a lot. A lot of people Harold."

Not quite a storm, not yet, but the end of October always brings forth more temperamental weather, like nature slowly preparing herself for the difficult winter months to come.

"I had a lot on my mind. Kind of fucked me up a bit, just… Put me in this… really introspective mood. And I just… become a bit of a non-verbal asshole when I’m like that. So yeah, I’m sorry. I know I’m not the easiest guest to have around and you’ve been incredibly welcoming. I do appreciate that."

🫂🫂

a blurry dark picture of fetus harry styles and louis tomlinson hugging each other by the sea

sending a big hug and much love to everyone today, take care<3

He waits, and waits, but the tears don’t come, grief and love both stuck in his throat with no outlet.

Louis doesn’t know why he lies like this, but he can’t help the thrumming beneath his skin, the overwhelming desire to protect Harry’s feelings.

“I’m sorry, I… I just…” Harry swallows hard, eyes blinking fast like maybe he’s going to cry.

This absolute complete dumbass shivering in nothing but a t-shirt outside on the gallery just to watch the sunset properly, to watch the sea.

“You’re empty until the end of March?”

“Hum… Yeah. Usually.”

harry styles in all black, sitting on a chair and looking down with a serious look on his face

louis tomlinson in a beige shirt and blue jeans, is sitting on a couch and smiling while holding his hand near his mouth

There’s something ridiculously attractive about Harry being so bratty about this, actually angry and irritated. It might be the red colouring his cheeks or the sparkles in his eyes, might be the tense line of his shoulders or his haughty attitude. Louis doesn’t know, but he wants to poke it.

He doesn’t like what heartbreak has done to him, to be frank, but it’s not like Louis can help it.