On The Horizon || L.S.

Day 15: Disembarkation - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

"You know, if you could invent all of these things, you could quit your job, and we could live on a cruise for the rest of our lives. I've heard of old, retired people doing that."

"Now that sounds perfect. We could bring the whole group. Except, maybe, for Niall. I fear that from here on out, whenever I look at him, I'll think of his asshole."

Barking out a laugh, Harry nods vigorously. "His asshole on display, his asshole getting fingered for the first time...."

"His asshole shitting out the massive amounts of food he's eaten on this boat, like what the fuck!"

They laugh hard, curling in on themselves and grasping each other's skin. As the laughter dies out, they grow quiet, their grins dwindling. Harry risks a glance over his shoulder and sees what he knew would be there but wasn't ready to accept until now.

Stillness. Other boats. The same view of where the port connects to the open ocean, as gorgeous and alluring as when he first entered his room. Bittersweet now, though.

"We're here," Harry states dumbly.

"We're here," Louis echoes back before tucking his face into Harry's neck.

Cringing from the sensation, Harry chuckles half-heartedly and pushes at him. "Tickles."

"C'mon, I'm running out of neck time." Louis sucks against his skin languidly, his arm rubbing Harry's stomach as he goes. Harry's hardening right below Louis' hands. If he were to move a tad lower....

"How long?" Louis never did tell him.

"Not long enough," Louis repeats into his skin, but then he groans and pops off, fingering the spot he was working on. "Reckon only a few before they start -"

Ping, ping, ping. "Attention all passengers aboard the Horizon. We have loved having you join us for two incredible weeks as we explored the Caribbean. At this time, please begin making your way to your assigned disembarkation meeting room. We will be releasing passengers by location in about thirty minutes. Thank you again for your time on the Horizon. We hope to see you again soon." Ping, ping, ping.

There's no air. Louis and Harry stare into each others' eyes, silent, unmoving. Impossible. How? How could that be the end already?

After a minute of nothingness, Harry coughs, uncomfortable. "Guess we need to get going."

Louis bites his lip. "Yeah."

Neither of them makes a move to get up, and tears pool in Harry's eyes even while a wide smile overtakes his face. "We're shit at this."

"Gotten practice with many things, but not much with goodbyes."

"Okay, okay, shut up," Harry insists, laughing through his tears. "Let's finish packing and getting ready and see how long we have left."

Louis nods. "I like that plan."

They peel out of bed quickly, rushing to brush their teeth and get dressed, stuffing their final things into their bags. Louis takes a speed shower, and Harry is hot on his tail, grabbing his arse as they pass each other. It seems like they're making great time. Harry is in positive spirits, looking forward to any extra moments they can steal.

When he finishes zipping his bag and has taken one last survey of the drawers, Harry looks at the clock, then back at Louis, dread curling in his gut.

Louis peers at him nervously and zips his own bag. "Oh, fucking hell. Don't look at me like that. How bad is it?"

"We have five minutes," Harry croaks.