These Telltale Tickings by lanallite
Explicit ⋆ ⏱︎ ⋆ 2/8 chapters ⋆ ⏱︎ ⋆ 31.6k words ⋆ ⏱︎ ⋆ Incomplete
Louis Tomlinson was never meant to be a viscount. His name, his title, his legacy—none of it is truly his. But the Ton does not know that. Not yet.
For years, he has kept his distance, doing his duties from his family’s estate in the countryside, far from prying eyes and sharper tongues. But with his eldest sister’s debut, his return to London is inevitable. He has a goal in mind: secure a match for Lottie, ensure his family’s future, and leave before anyone can uncover the truth.
Duke Harry Styles has never been one for polite society. A rake with little interest in marriage or mindless gossip, he prefers to keep others at arm’s length. But there is something about Viscount Tomlinson—his guarded words, his careful steps, the undeniable sense that he is hiding something—that Harry cannot ignore.
The longer Louis stays, the closer the truth comes to the surface. And the closer Harry gets, the harder it is to remember why he was meant to leave in the first place.
or; a Bridgerton inspired fic where Louis is a viscount with a secret and Harry is a duke who won’t stop until he knows what it is.
— read chapter two on ao3 !!
Louis bites his lip, frustration rising in his face. “I’m not here to amuse you, Styles. You’ve worn out your welcome. If you think you can break through whatever wall you think I’ve built, you’ll find it’s a waste of your time.”
Harry’s eyes narrow, his grin never faltering. “Walls can be broken, Tomlinson. It just takes the right push.” He takes another step back, eyes still glinting with mischief as his gaze settles on Louis’ crotch and the curve of his arse. “And trust me, I know how to find the cracks.”
Louis’ breath hitches at the innuendo. He already knows that his face is an embarrassing shade of red and it takes every effort in his body not to give the duke’s body the same look-over that he gave his. He sticks his hand in his pocket, letting the constant ticking of his watch ground him.
The duke notices the gesture, his green eyes flitting to Louis’ hands, but says nothing. “I will see you at the Showcase,” Harry says at last.
“I will be avoiding your every move,” Louis counters.
Harry just smiles, his dimples showing fully. “I enjoy this game we have, Tomlinson. Though you fool yourself into thinking I’ll let you off that easily.”
Louis narrows his eyes, his jaw tight. “Fine,” he mutters, turning to leave the room, knowing that Harry is most likely looking at his arse. “But don’t think for a second that you’ve won anything.”
He gives the duke a fake smile, tight lipped and strained, as he closes the door in his face. Harry returns the faux gesture, but his green eyes light up with something playful.
