Chapter Text
Chapter ONE:
Louis turned off of the dead end street in Los Angeles and into a parking lot dotted with palm trees. He parked his old, but trusty Volkswagen Karmann Ghia in his designated space and climbed out of the car as gracefully as he could, holding a large thermos mug of tea, a stack of magazines, a jade plant and his laptop bag; all while carrying a conversation on his cellphone with his best friend Zayn.
“Zee, I’m telling you, this could really be great. Nick is finally figuring out that Incite could be a real player in the mag trade if we got serious about serious issues. Vice had their highest sales yet this year, and there’s no reason why we can’t start 2016 off with a bang – a whole new look and feel to this magazine. I’m excited that Nick is willing, wanting, to hear my ideas.” Zayn hummed non-committedly but didn’t offer anything further.
Louis struggled a bit with the door to the building that housed several publishing companies including Cowell Publications that put out Incite, the UK based magazine Louis had been an editor at for a little over a year. He stretched his hand out to push the wheelchair accessible button that automatically opened the doors, but found it wasn’t working. He let out a frustrated sigh when he saw the sign that read that the ADA doors swung outwards and realized that he was blocking the doors from opening.
Once Louis was inside he glared at the receptionist who was smirking and trying not to full on laugh at him about the door incident, and hurried to grab the elevator door that was just starting to close.
“Zee, I called you because I want your opinion as someone who used to work in this business.” Louis switched his phone to the other shoulder and held it with his cheek as he pressed the button for the 14th floor.
“Lou, I was an art director, not a reporter. I hardly know ‘what sells’ in this business, much less what’s needed to turn sales around at your mag. But if you’re calling for advice on how to deal with Nick Grimshaw you know I only have one thing to say – watch your damn back. That man only cares about himself.”
Louis tried to cover up the speaker on his phone and whispered his reply just in case one of his fellow elevator passengers was eavesdropping. “I’m not stupid. I know what he’s about. But I also know that he can be pretty open to ideas-”. “Yeah, ideas that he then steals and takes credit for.” Zayn interrupted.
“I know Zee, I know. But I just need to make sure that I get my ideas in with him before…”, Louis looked around surreptitiously before continuing in an even softer whisper, “…a certain someone tries to usurp my position here and steal my job. I need this job, Zayn. Finding a legitimate, well-paying journalism job in this country, especially for a Brit, is about as easy as finding a decent guy in LA.” Louis felt even more nervous as the elevator opened onto his floor and he stepped out into the receptionist’s area.
“I know Louis. But I also know that you could be thriving in at least ten other jobs that have to do with writing. And what about that next book that you were supposedly writing? Incite is nothing but a glorified gossip rag now and it’s belittling to someone of your talent. Don’t sell yourself short.” Zayn could be such a comfort sometimes. “Hey listen, I’m going to let you go and have this meeting with Nick, but call me later to tell me how everything went down. Oh, and for the love of the baby Jeebus, will you please come up here and spend your birthday and Christmas with Niall and I? We’ve got plenty of room here and the snow is already making for great ski runs. You could even stay through New Year’s and go with us to a fancy charity ball. You know the three of us clean up nice and look smashing in tuxedos.”
“And you know how horrible I am at skiing. No thank you.” Louis rolled his eyes as he made his way down the hall towards his desk. “But Niall or I can teach you! I think you’d be great at snowboarding because of your low center of gravity.” Zayn enthused.
“Hey! Is that a short joke? You and Niall are only like an inch taller than me. AT MOST.” Louis was seething. He hated having his short stature made the topic of bad jokes.
“No, it wasn’t a crack on your height. I was actually talking about your giant arse; it would give you added stability and an extra layer of cushion if you fell.” Zayn cackled at that and Louis considered hanging up on him right then. Honestly, is this how your best friend was supposed to treat you?
“Ha ha dickhead. I’d rather have my delightful tush than your bony nothingness.” If Zayn had been standing in front of him he would’ve stuck his tongue out, but as he wasn’t and he had just arrived at his desk so a few of his coworkers could see him, he simply told Zayn to bugger off and that he’d seriously consider his and Niall’s offer to come stay with them over the winter holidays.
Louis ended the call and threw his phone done on top of the pile of papers on his somewhat messy desk, as he placed the jade plant on the top shelf of his cubicle wall. He had just docked his laptop and was logging in when Jade, Nick’s assistant, walked over. “Hey Louis. Nick would like to see you in his office in five.”
“Okay Jade, thanks.”
Louis finished logging in and briefly checked his email before grabbing his tea and his black leather folder filled with his ideas and a few of the VICE articles and covers he’d ripped out for reference and headed to Nick’s office. He knocked and walked in, rolling his eyes when he saw that his nemesis, Dan Wootton, was already seated in one of the leather chairs facing Nick’s desk. Nick was looking through several photographs and laughing. “Louis my dear, come in and take a look at this!”
Louis nodded a greeting at Dan’s smirking face and sat down in the other chair, sinking into the soft leather and regretting how tiny he felt in the engulfing chair. He reached a hand out to take the photos that Nick was handing over. One photo was in color and the other black and white; both featured rising star actor Chris Reynolds standing on a balcony in what seemed to be a romantic hug with another man. “Where did you get these?” Louis asked Nick but turned to Dan with a wary look. “I have a pap friend who owed me a favor.” Dan replied and odiously raised his eyebrow and smirked.
“So what? Incite is going to publish these photos and expose Reynolds for what? Hugging some dude? That seems weak and just click-bait.” Louis handed the two photos back to Nick.
“Of course it’s click-bait Tomlinson! That’s the whole point right? We want people to click. We want people to buy! And anyway catching one of the hottest action stars cheating on his newlywed wife with another man is hardly what I’d call weak.” With that, Nick handed Louis one last photo, and Dan crossed his arms and shared an evil grin with Nick.
This color photo was grainy and was clearly taken with a camera lens from very far away. It showed what appeared to be Chris Reynolds wearing sunglasses and not much more, other than a tiny red pair of underpants, standing on a deck next to another man who was shirtless with a towel wrapped low on his hips. The man could’ve been the man from the hugging photos, but Louis wasn’t totally sure. Louis handed the photo again back to Nick and shrugged, not making any additional comments.
“Well my illusions about the goody goody perfect husband to Melody Geary have certainly been shattered. And exposing Reynolds’ secret gay love affair is the opposite of ‘weak’ I would say, and definitely deserves the lead on the web site and the cover of next week’s issue. Wouldn’t you say, Nick?” No doubt about it, Dan Wootton was the oiliest and grossest person Louis had ever met. Louis shuddered before breaking his glare and pulling his focus back to Nick.
“But come on. We don’t know anything for sure. Do you have any information about who this other guy is? Maybe he’s a relative or a close friend.” Louis felt himself getting heated and he wasn’t sure why he felt the need to defend Chris Reynolds, someone he’d never met.
“A relative?! I certainly have never hugged any of my cousins like that nor stood around my close friends in only my tiny red pants.” Nick laughed derisively. “Cheers Dan. We most certainly will be running this story immediately online with just a page-long teaser that you’ll write and then next week the print issue will come out with *BAM* these three photos and a handful of the others that your pap got us.”
“And so we’re just going to potentially ruin this guy’s life and blow open a closet that may not even exist just to sell magazines?”
“C’mon Tomlinson, you know the rules, they sin and we report. You’ve all of a sudden grown a conscience on me?” Nick again laughed dismissively.
“Well, I feel someone needs to have a conscience in this place, since you’ve obviously misplaced yours and I know Dan here has never had one.” Louis stood and met Nick’s surprised look with a fierce one of his own. “Nick, I respect that you need this magazine to at least triple their current sales, but turning Incite into a low-grade Ok! rip-off isn’t the way to do it. We’re better than that. I have so many ideas on how we can go back to doing more serious stories and still increase sales.” Louis picked up his portfolio and started to hand it to Nick. Nick waved it away.
“Listen Louis, I’m not saying that I don’t want to hear your ideas; I just don’t want to hear them right now. This Reynolds scoop is the hottest news in years and we have the exclusive thanks to Dan. We’re running it.” Dan nodded smugly and mouthed “thank you” to Nick.
“Nick, you used to have a policy about stories like this; especially ones that hadn’t been corroborated. Each of us in this room is a gay man, and we know the struggle and hardship that exists in the entertainment world for LGBTQ+ people. What happened to your rule about never exposing someone unless they wanted to be exposed? You’re not Perez Hilton for fuck’s sake!” Louis had his hands balled into fists and could feel the heat rise in his face. He couldn’t believe he was actually having this conversation.
“Louis that’s enough. Sit down. Dan, go ahead back to your desk and write up that article that we can get online asap.” Nick clapped his hands together and handed the envelope of photos back to Dan as he stood to leave. Dan turned to Louis just before he walked out and sneered at him. “Louis, when are you going to realize that these people don’t need or deserve our protection? These actors, musicians, and athletes knew what they were signing up for when they became famous household names. They can either be totally open about everything, or risk exposure by not being discreet. Their choice.” Dan saluted Louis and gave him his fakest smile before exiting and closing the door behind him. Louis didn’t think he could loathe a person more.
“God, I seriously hate him.” Louis muttered while running a hand over his face and grimacing.
“Yeah he’s a wanker, but he’s good at his job and people love reading his stuff.” Nick smiled in a what-are-you-going-to-do way.
“But half of his articles are just made up of thinly veiled lies and innuendo. It’s frustrating to see him rewarded.” Louis felt a pout forming on his face.
“Well, bring me something true, something deep that will knock Dan and the rest of the world off its feet. Louis, I’m on your side, but I also have a commitment to our publishers and investors first. Of all of the folks that we transferred over from England to this office, you’re my favorite. You’re the best writer I’ve ever met and you’re a good and genuine person. But I have to be honest; moving forward after the first of the year, I’ll only be able to keep one editor. Simon seriously wants to can everyone and start something different but I’ve managed to convince him to give us at least another year. But we need to turn things around asap. So that means you’ve got to knock something out of the park in order to stay over Dan.” Nick tented his fingers and leaned forward across his desk giving Louis a sympathetic look. Louis would be damned if he let that asshole take his job from him. Louis had an idea. “Nick, give me the name of someone that’s on your dream list to interview; someone whose exclusive interview would secure my place here.”
Nick seemed to contemplate and then said, “Harry Styles”.
“Harry Styles the international pop star?” Louis asked incredulously.
“Yes, that Harry Styles. He’s amazingly talented, comes from a rich family with connections to the British monarchy, is charismatic and a fan-favorite because of all of the philanthropic charity work he does, and he’s fucking sex-on-legs gorgeous! And he never ever ever does interviews. Nothing ever more than a brief and surly how do you do on various red carpets. He only is willing to briefly discuss whatever charity thing he’s taken on next, and that’s it. Consequently, he has the reputation of being a diva and a bit of a dick. It’s amazing his album sales are so incredible since he doesn’t do any promo for them. Louis, if you could somehow get an interview with Harry Styles, I would not only keep you over Dan, I’d promote you to editor-in-chief and give you free reign over at least 2 stories an issue.”
Louis couldn’t believe his luck. He beamed at Nick. “Harry Styles, huh? Well I’m going to move heaven and earth to bring this to you.” Louis stood up and gathered his folder up where it had dropped on the floor.
“Just how do you think you’re going to secure an interview with Styles? Louis, I know you’re good, but what about ‘he doesn’t do interviews’ didn’t you understand?”
“Dan may have his sleazy contacts that do all of his dirty work for him, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have a few insiders of my own. If I can bring in an interview with Harry Styles by January 1, do we have a deal?” Louis put out his hand.
Nick stood up and shook it with a firm grip. “You have my word. You get me Styles, I give you carte blanche here.”
Louis went back to his desk and was glad to see that Dan wasn’t at his desk one cube over. He immediately brought up Google on his laptop and typed in “Harry Styles”, while digging his phone out of his blazer pocket and starting a text with his friend Ed, another Brit who had settled in Los Angeles and worked as one of the top session musicians in the business. Louis knew that Ed had worked with Harry Styles on his last album and was hoping that Ed could get him an in with the reclusive musician.
Hey, do you still keep in touch with Harry Styles?
a bit why?
TBH I’m trying to score an interview with him. But I have some ideas about approach that are different and I’m hoping an intro from you will grease the wheels?
Negative mate. Harry does not talk to the press. Especially sit down interviews.
Especially not PRINT interviews. He hates you guys!
I know! And I get it. I looked him up. He got burned pretty bad a few years back in an interview with GQ.
Right. And it really messed him up. He’s really cautious now.
So will you not give me his phone number?
I dunno Lou. Unlike what the press says about him Harry’s a good bloke.
I’d hate to betray his trust.
I’d promise it would never come back on you that I got the # from you.
Ok Tommo, but you owe me. BIG.
Like box footie seats BIG.
You’re on Ed. Thanks mate, I really appreciate it.
Louis looked back up at his computer screen from his phone and felt all of the blood in his body drop to pool in his lower intestine and groin. The Google image that was displayed on his screen was a paparazzi shot of Harry Styles walking down what appeared to be a London street, wearing sinfully tight black jeans that clung to his incredible thighs and accentuated what appears to be a very well-endowed manhood. This denim perfection was paired incongruously with a silk Hawaiian print shirt with only the bottom two buttons fastened exposing a sculpted chest displaying various tattoos, and on top of that Styles was wearing a black suede coat, presumably to ward off the omnipresent London chill.
Louis couldn’t remember ever really looking at a photo of Harry Styles before. Sure, Styles was famous and photos of his gorgeous face were always floating about, but this was the first time that Louis had stopped and had a serious look at him. Harry Styles was absolutely stunning. Louis felt his cock thickening up; over a dumb pap Getty image no less, like he was 14 again and sneaking peeks at his aunt’s Playgirl magazines. He quickly closed out of the web search and called the number Ed had texted him before he lost his nerve.
Not that he was surprised, but the phone wasn’t answered by the deep-voiced purr of Harry Styles but instead by a very chipper yet brusque British voice. “Liam Payne speaking, how may I help you?”
“Uh, hello. My name is Louis Tomlinson and I’m trying to reach Harry Styles?” Louis floundered a bit.
“Is Harry expecting your call? I don’t have you in his appointment list.” This Liam Payne replied curtly.
“Well no, he isn’t expecting my call. I was given his number by a colleague of his, and I wanted to set up a meeting to discuss something I’m working on.” Louis hoped that he sounded authoritative yet vague and nonchalant enough that this man who was clearly one of Harry’s assistants would put him on the phone or at least schedule a meeting.
“Something you’re working on? What is this project and how can Harry help?” Liam asked reasonably. Louis felt a little cornered.
“I’d rather discuss the project with Mr. Styles if you don’t mind, thank you. Does he have any free time this week? My understanding is that he’s in Los Angeles currently, and so am I so it would be very convenient and I wouldn’t need more than an hour of his time.” Louis quickly got everything out ignoring Liam’s attempts to interrupt.
“I’m sorry, you said that you were given this phone number by a colleague of Harry Styles? Which colleague?”
Louis sighed in exasperation. “Listen, I was given this number by a mutual friend of Harry’s and mine, but I won’t share their name with you. I’ll be up front and tell you that I work for Incite magazine…”
“Oh no. No, no, no. Mr. Styles does not and will not meet with the press in any form.” Liam cut Louis off in the middle of his sentence.
“Yes, I’m aware, but I’m not a reporter in the sense that he’s dealt with previously, I’m doing a piece about British ex-pats settling in the US. I’m interviewing lots of people. Heck, I’d even interview you if you’d let me. I’m trying to see if there’s a common thread between all of our stories.” Louis thought this was a good angle to go with.
“Mr. Tomlinson was it? I can certainly pass your idea and your information on to Harry, but I can pretty much promise that the answer will be no.” Liam advised.
“I know we’re going into the holiday season and I’m sure Mr. Styles is very busy, but I would really appreciate, as a fellow countryman, you giving him my phone number and email address. He can contact me at any time of day, whatever’s convenient for him.” Louis felt like he was begging at this point and heard the tinge of desperation in his own voice. Well, so much for acting nonchalant he sighed to himself.
“I’ll pass your information along. Thank you.” And with that Liam disconnected the call and Louis was hearing the disconnecting beeps on his phone. He had just plugged his phone in to charge it and was beginning to look through Tumblr blogs about Harry, when Dan accompanied by Nick swung into his cubicle, startling Louis out of his seat. Louis attempted to close his laptop before Dan could see anything but of course was too late for Dan’s eagle eyes.
“Ooh Harry Styles. Don’t tell me you have a Tumblr blog about him like some young fangirl!”, Dan smarmed.
Louis couldn’t control his eyeroll. He refused to even acknowledge Dan’s dig and looked at Nick to make sure he hadn’t and wouldn’t say anything about the story he was trying to get. Nick’s face remained impassive.
Dan continued on despite neither of the two other men responding. “God, I wish he’d come out of the closet already! He’s so sexy.”
“WHA…?” Louis squawked, just as Nick exclaimed, “I know!”, at the same time. Both Nick and Dan looked at Louis in disbelief.
“You haven’t heard that Harry Styles is a raging homosexual?”, Dan questioned in shock. “What kind of millennial gay are you? Oh Tomlinson, you kill me. How can someone be so cocky and so naïve at the same time?” Dan didn’t wait for an answer before flouncing away down the hall.
Louis turned to Nick who was now sitting on his desk with his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. “There are rumors that Harry Styles is gay?”
“Yes. And I’m pretty sure they’re more than rumors. I have a friend who’s a member at Soho House and she swears she saw him in a romantic lip-lock with another man a couple of years ago. Then there’s the fact that he rarely brings a date to any red carpet event and when he does it’s always some blond European model of the moment, whom he never keeps around for more than a minute.”
“Buh but he dated that girl, that singer Schyler Perry earlier this year didn’t he?” Louis sputtered out.
“Hmm yes, interesting that their relationship hit the media just as Harry’s new album was coming out, and they broke up just in time for Schyler to write a few break up songs about him that will feature on her new album due this month. I love coincidences.” Nick chuckled softly. Louis just continued to look at him in shock.
“I truly thought you knew. Everyone talks about it, especially every gay man in the world; you know how we live for that shit and love nothing more than a good closeted celebrity story. I thought that was the angle that you would be going for with the article that you proposed this morning. If you didn’t know about the gay rumors what was your hook going to be?” Nick asked expectantly.
“I was thinking about the article focusing on how he as a Brit has settled in the States and if he considered the US his true home now since he basically permanently lives in LA and NYC.” Even to Louis’ ears this pitch sounded pretty lame.
Nick frowned. “That’s it? Your big article about Harry Styles was going to talk about whether he gets homesick for his mum’s figgy pudding? Are you serious?” Louis couldn’t even look Nick in the eye.
“Louis, I’d be lying if I told you that I wouldn’t take any exclusive interview with Harry Styles, even if you only talked about what laundry detergent he uses. But c’mon, if you’re not going to go after the big story, or at least even bring up the gay rumors with him than what’s really the point. We want to SELL COPIES not be a damn Buzzfeed list about which fish and chips places in LA are just like home. Do better than that!” Nick stood, extending his tall frame in a stretch and yawning before shooting finger guns at Louis and walking back towards his office.
In a panic, Louis opened his laptop back up and resumed his search for any and all things Harry Styles, this time focusing on his charitable work, hoping to find an in there. Suddenly something caught his eye and he clicked on it immediately. It was an article from the previous day’s LA Times talking about the foundation called Hearts and Smiles that Harry’s mother, Anne Twist, had started several years before to help children in impoverished areas that needed organ transplants. The foundation was holding a fancy gala ball just after Christmas at a fancy resort in Lake Tahoe, CA supposedly near where the family owned a sprawling mountain estate. Harry Styles was scheduled to attend. Louis smiled brightly and snapped his fingers thinking back to something that Zayn had said that morning during their phone call. Louis picked up his mobile and redialed Zayn’s number.
“Twice in one day? To what do I owe the honor?”
“Hey Zayn, earlier this morning when you mentioned a charity ball that you and Niall were going to, is it for Hearts and Smiles?” Louis crossed his fingers and silently sent up prayers.
“Yeah, that’s it. Why? Are you familiar with it? Do you want to go with us after all? Niall, god love him, stupidly spent way too much money and bought a whole table that we’ve been struggling to fill with guests.”
“I changed my mind about spending Christmas and my birthday with you. And I’d love to go with you guys to the charity thing. Count me in.” Louis pumped his fist and twirled around in his chair, happy that Zayn couldn’t see him. He sort of felt bad for using his friends’ generosity like this, but if it allowed him to possibly meet Harry Styles in a setting where he wouldn’t feel threatened, he’d take any advantage he could get.
“Oh Lou, this is so great! I can’t wait to tell Niall when he gets home. We’ve both missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you guys too. And it’s silly that we live so close but don’t see each other more. Okay, thanks for putting me up and inviting me. I’ll talk to you soon and see you in a couple of weeks.”
“Love you, Lou. See you soon and talk to you even sooner!”
Louis ended the call and then clapped his hands with glee. Harry Styles was going to be HIS!