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Are you not talking to me now?” Brit asks softly, a smile messing with the very corner of his mouth. He peers in, learning in a bit closer. Harry can smell the product in his hair. “Do I not get to hear that lovely accent properly?”
“Everywhere I go I get asked that. To say something in my accent.”
“It’s ‘cause it’s different. These old gits aren’t used to anythin’ outta the ordinary!”
Brit speaks quickly and he drops letters and loops syllables together with a high, relaxed intonation that reminds Harry of a moored yacht lolling about on calm Californian waters. Harry is well aware that he hasn’t answered Brit yet, but he’s found himself in a state he’s never really been in before; he’s shy. He feels star struck.
“Tell y’what! Give me your best English accent then. Switch it up a bit!” Brit continues, eyes sparkling with glee.
Harry blushes and he hasn't even tried yet. Ordinarily he’d refuse; go beetroot with shame and petulantly clamp his lips closed; but a mixture of alcohol and the persuasiveness of his companion, along with Harry’s overwhelming desire to please him, has him opening his mouth to give it a go.
“Bloody ‘ell guv’nor!” He says shakily, laughing as Louis’ eyes widen and he begins to laugh silently. “Where’s my tea and crumpets?”
Brit is reminiscent of a seal as he claps his hands and barks out the weirdest laugh Harry has ever heard, aside from any that have come from his own mouth.
“Oh my God, that was! That was terrible love! Tea and crumpets?!”
“Shut up,” Harry giggles, back in his normal accent. “Is tea and crumpets not actually a thing in England then?”
“Well, they exist sure, but only me Nan would sit you down for tea and crumpets!”
“Your… your grandma?”
“Yeah, grandma. Sorry. Am I difficult to understand then?”
“I am struggling a bit, to be honest.”
The boy giggles, tucking his chin against his chest and wiggling his shoulders. He’s damn adorable. Harry feels a surge of confidence creep upon him then, and he pushes back on the footrest of his stool, getting more comfortable.
“Hey, why don’t you start by telling me your name? I’ve been calling you Brit in my head.”
“Because I’m as fabulous as Queen Spears herself?”
“No, because of your accent! But I do love Britney!”
“I love her too! M’names Louis, by the way.” Brit, or Louis, replies, and Harry deems it a shame that he’s no longer looking for clues that Brit is interested in guys because his enthusiasm for Britney could be one of the biggest ones he’s displayed so far.
“So is that L-E-W-I-E?”
“Nope!” Louis closes his eyes and bites his straw between his teeth.
Harry smiles when he realises that he’s going to have to guess until he gets it. “L-U-I-S?”
“Nope!” The boy replies, huffing good-naturedly. “It’s L-O-U-I-S. It’s French, I’ll have you know.”
“Oh, well bonjour Louis, enchante. Tu as de beaux yeux.”
Louis’ eyes flicker around the space behind Harry, a blush creeping further into the high points of his face. “I’ve got a French name, but unfortunately for you I don't speak French.”
“Oh that’s a shame,” Harry nods, knowing he hasn't imagined the degree closer they’ve shifted. “I’ll have to say it again in English then.”
“You will,” Louis agrees, tilting his head. Harry looks down at the floor momentarily and takes the executive decision to put his drink down on the table top.
“You’ve got beautiful eyes,” He repeats in English, licking his lips deftly as Louis lifts those beautiful eyes heavenwards and makes a small noise of appreciation in the back of his throat. Harry’s got a feeling Louis knew what he’d said the first time, or could at least have made an educated guess.
“Merci beaucoup. Et tu.”
“Ha, so you do know some French!”
“That’s the extent of it, I swear!” Louis insists, waving his hands in a ‘cut off’ motion.
Louis asks the normal questions; why he’s here, how long for, when does he go back and what brings him to the North of England of all places. Harry finds it more and more difficult to remain cool. They migrate closer and closer in the time they’re talking and Harry doesn’t remember how long Louis has had his hand on his thigh but once he realises he becomes hyper aware.
