Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It's not that Harry doesn't like his life; he loves it, he really does, but sometimes it's just too much. Like now, why is it so interesting and pap worthy that he's shopping for food at Tescos? He's only human; of course he's going to be buying food. He does eat, he's not one of those pop stars who thinks it's better to lose weight. He's in shape, he looks good, he knows it, and his fans let him know just how fit they think he is, but really? Why is tomorrow's Sugarscape going to be what applesauce he buys? He doesn't get it; it's been two years since they lost. Yes, lost, and still the hype about him and his band is record breaking, but “it's just applesauce!” his mind screams at him.

He's having a debate between peach-mango or classic cinnamon apple when there are little hands patting against his knee. Looking down, he sees an adorable little boy with blue eyes and light brown hair smiling up at him and watches him run behind, holding on to the back of his knees. Harry rotates his torso, keeping his feet planted to the floor, watching the kid giggle behind him.

"Um, hello, small child." Harry makes conversation with a-- what, Lux is one and this kid seems older so maybe he's two-ish? Harry doesn't know, he tends to get approached but never by anyone this young and giggling into his legs. "Peak!" The kid tries to whisper shout out while not laughing.

"Peak? I don't know what that means. Um, where'd you come from, little guy?" Harry tries to move to face him but the boy tightens his grip on his legs.

"No! Peak! Shh!" It's mumbled into Harry's jeans. He doesn't really know what to do, he looks around for a frantic mother to come claim the kid but so far, nothing.

"Peak? Like hide and go seek?" Harry questions, trying to get more out of him. "Yesh! Shh!" The boy says again.

"Who are you peaking from?" Harry whispers, hoping the kid will help him out.

"Dadee!" He giggles almost in a tone to suggest it was a stupid question to have asked.

"What does Daddy look like?" Harry wants to return the kid and get on with his shopping. He's got meetings to get to.

"Shh! No talk teevee!" The little boy says to him, and Harry would laugh if he wasn't currently standing with a stranger’s kid wrapped ‘round his legs.

Harry's about to ask what 'teevee' means when a voice comes around the aisle, attached to a man who doesn't look much older than him. "Nathan!" Harry gets a look at him before the disheveled man fully sees him: he's in basketball shorts with a loose pinney hanging off his frame, tattoo ink peeking out. His sweatshirt is hanging off one shoulder, which is holding a basket.

Harry meets his eyes and points down to the toddler whose little hands are still holding Harry's knee caps, giving him a soft smile. “Oh, thank God.” The man approaches and Harry can see the relief on his face. “Nate, what did I say about hide and seek at the store?” He squats down so he’s face to face with the little boy. “Dadee said no. Nathan frowns, burying his face into the back of Harry’s knees. “You scared me, I thought the veggies got ahold of you.” That gets a giggle from the toddler, who turns his face from Harry to his father. “Sorry Dadee. No coli.” He leaves Harry and cuddles into his father’s arms, and Harry just watches the two while holding applesauce.

“No broccoli, got it. No peaking, okay?” The father says, kissing the top of his sons head, hearing a mumble of ‘No peaking’. The man stands up, lifting his son into his arms, finally actually taking in the stranger that his kid was hiding behind, and Oh.

“Hi.”

“Hello.” The toddler giggles into his father shoulder, “I’m Louis. Sorry you were a hiding spot.” He laughs, holding his hand out.

“Harry. It’s fine, no harm done. Glad he’s safe. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find his parent.” Harry smiles, gesturing to Nate, after shaking Louis hand.

“Teevee Dadee!” Nate picks his head up, pointing to Harry while throwing a smile in his direction. “Yeah we see him on TV. Can you say thank you to Harry?” Louis bounces him on his hip; he’s getting heavy now a days. “Tank you, Arreh'!” Nate cheers, clapping his hands.

“You’re welcome-- Nathan, is it?” Harry asks, not wanting to over step by calling him a nickname or something. “Nate! Me!” He chants at Harry happily. “Ah, Nate. How old are you, little man?” Harry questions. Their little family has him intrigued.  

“Dis many!” He says, holding up three fingers, causing Louis to laugh. “Not yet buddy, almost three.” He looks at his son, who is still smiling up to Harry. “Is your birthday soon?” Harrys face lights up. Nate looks to Louis in confusion, not understand the concept of birthday. “Whose Spiderman party is coming up?” Louis asks his son, watching the confusion be replaced with glee. “Mine! Mine! Mine!” Nate kicks his legs back and forth in excitement and Louis just holds on.

“A Spiderman party!? Wow, that’s just the coolest!” Harry overdoes his excitement for the sake of Nate, a kid he’s just met but he’s always had a soft spot. “Spidey, me!” Nate taps his hand against his chest. “You’re Spidey? Oh my! The glorious Spiderman in my presence!” Harry dramatically lets out, kneeling to look up to him. Nate just giggles some more, “Arreh' funny. Arreh' Spidey party?” Nate questions him, and Harry’s heart melts, so he stands up.

“Oh Spidey, as much fun as that sounds I don’t think I can make it.” Harry frowns. He figures Louis doesn’t really want a random person there. “Why? Harreh no like me?” Nate’s bottom lip trembles and Harry’s heart is breaking. He doesn’t want to upset the kid, but he’s just met them. “No, little man. It’s not that I don’t like you, I like you a lot, but it isn’t too safe to invite strangers into Spidey’s home,” Harry calmly says, looking to Louis, who’s biting his bottom lip. “No stranger, teevee Arreh'! Dadee pees.” Nate pouts into Louis neck, and if it isn't the cutest thing Harry’s ever seen.

“You don’t seem half bad, you know? You’re in a boy band. What harm can you possibly be? If you want to, the party’s Saturday at three. I can text you the address, I swear I won’t go posting your digits online. Nate seems to really want you there, and I’ve always been a sucker at giving him what he wants.” Louis smiles wide and Harry’s captivated by him. “Um, yeah. I’ll see what I can do. Can we um, meet up again? So it’s not completely weird me just showing up to Spidey’s party?” Harry pushes his hand through his hair, a nervous habit of his. “Arreh's coming! Yay!” Nate tries to jump out of Louis arms into Harry’s, who for once responds on time and collects him into his own arms, settling Nate on his him. “Yes Spidey, I’ll come to your birthday party,” Harry laughs, holding the toddler in his arms.

Harry’s phone starts going off in his pocket and he grabs it with his free hand, answering it. “Ello?” Harry happily answers it, as does Nate, who yells out a ‘Hi’ in giggle form. “Haz? We’re at your place but you’re not here,” Niall’s voice comes across the line. “Shit-I mean, crap.” Harry looks down at Nate, who’s playing with the applesauce shelf, and over to Louis, who’s smirking at him. “I’ll be there soon. I’m at Tesco’s, you need anything?” Harry questions, still balancing Nate. “Nah, we’re raiding your kitchen now. See yah soon.” Niall chimes, hanging up on him.

“Spidey, I gotta get going, yeah? Can you help me pick out applesauce? Which one sounds better, mango peach or cinnamon apple?” Harry questions the boy in his arms, who has held on tight once he said he was leaving. “Mangoooo.” Nate says quietly, burying his face into Harry’s neck. “Good choice, one of my favorites.” Harry tells him as Louis moves, holding his arms out. “No, Dadee.” Nate holds on tighter to Harry. “Hey little man, it’s alright. I’ll see you in a few days for your party, okay? You have to go with your Daddy now. Promise you I’ll see you soon.” Harry gives him a tight hug. “I won’t let you down.” Harry whispers into Nate’s ear and he nods, giving Harry one last squeeze before allowing his father to take him back into his arms. Louis hands over his phone seconds later and Harry types in his number and gives it back with a smile.

Harry grabs for the mango-peach applesauce, dropping it into his basket. “Sorry I gotta run, my bandmates are eating me out of my house as we speak. Uh, text me, yeah?” Harry gives Nate one more high five and throws one of his now-famous dimpled smiles as he walks away, heading to the register.

XXX

The first text Harry gets later on that night is a picture from an unknown number. Upon opening it, he instantly smiles, because it’s a picture of Nate smiling next to a picture of Harry on a magazine. It’s captioned with ‘Someone has a new addiction, might have to change the theme of his party to One Direction’.

Harry: At least he’s got good taste. I feel honored to be in the race with Spiderman, accomplishment of my life.

Louis: A three year old chooses you and that’s the accomplishment of your life? Sorry mate but that’s just pitiful.

Harry: Heyyy.....I do have a Brit you know..

Louis: Oh look at you with your shiny fancy award! Bed time for the bugger night mate! See yah tomorrow yeah?

Harry: Yeah you wanna come around mine? I won’t, you know, like kidnap you. Nate might be more comfortable he can run around here.

Louis: We can do that send me your address and I’ll see you around 12?

Harry: Can we make it 1? I have a meeting that should let out by 12 shouldn’t hit too much traffic.

Louis: 1 works, should I bring anything?

Harry: Yourself and Nate should be lovely :) and whatever Nate wants to bring with him of course.

Louis: Awesome. See you tomorrow :)

Harry smiles, picking his beer up, turning his attention back to his bandmates who are going at it with Fifa. He’s already lost to everyone, so he just happily watches as Liam and Niall go head to head. Zayn’s trying to distract Liam from the screen, yelling random phrases at him. Harry can’t wait for tomorrow, he’s so fascinated by Louis. He wants to know the story, how old Louis is, what he does for a living, basically everything. Harry wants to know everything. He kicks his boys out after another round of beer and Fifa, slipping happily into his bed, letting the smile linger as his dreams of dual blue eyes shine at him.

XXX

Everyone senses he’s a bit bouncy in the meeting. They’re all giving him side looks, but he ignores them all because he’s hours away from being with Louis. He doesn’t know why he’s so pulled to him, or why he simply cares so much after a fifteen minute conversation by the applesauce. He’s spacing out, he knows it, but he can’t really think to care all too much about it. They’ve had this same meeting like twenty times, it’s just going over the upcoming Madison Square Garden performance, making sure they’re getting to rehearsals, and being invited to perform at the Brits in a few months. Really, Harry could do this in his sleep.

“Harry!” Zayn shoves him, bringing him back from his thoughts. He blinks at all of them, who are apparently waiting for some kind of answer that he doesn’t know. “Um, sorry, what was that?” Harry adjusts himself to make it seem like he now knows what they are suddenly talking about.

“We were going over the schedule for the day and you spaced out,” Noah, one of Modest’s employees says.

“What-no. We have today off.” Harry states, looking around for the boys to react like he is.

“Mate, we’ve been spending the last thirty minutes talking about how we have to go to an interview after this, plus a photo shoot.” Liam politely informs his youngest bandmate.  

“Since when? That’s not fair, I made plans.” Harry says, thinking of having to break his date-not date with Louis off.

“Haz, I’m sure whoever you made plans with will understand. We’ll be done in a few hours, latest six o’clock,” Niall chimes in, wondering who could have Harry this upset about an interview.

Harry deflates.

He doesn’t even know if Louis can do later; Louis put Nate to bed around seven last night, there’s no way he’d want to get together for an hour. To say he is bummed would be an understatement.

“You alright?” Zayn knocks his elbow against Harry’s, looking at his face.

“No,” Harry mumbles as he stands, pulling his phone out, “I gotta make a phone call, cancel my plans and all.” Harry frowns, heading out of the conference room, pulling up Louis’ number and dialing it.

“Hi Arreh'!” Nate’s tiny little voice comes over the line, and Harry really doesn’t want to do this. “Hey, little man.” Harry tries to sound happy talking to Nate, but it really is hard. “Dadee says me go to you house!” Nate responds and now Harry’s heart clenches. “Um, can you give Daddy the phone?” Harry softly speaks, hearing Nate pass the phone off.

“Harry, hi!” Louis voice chirps happily and full of life and he’s about to crush that. “Hey Louis, um, I got some bad news. My management booked us for some interviews and photo shoots today, I just found out now.” Harry sadly says, hoping Louis can hear the truth in his voice.

“Oh. I get it.”

“I’m so sorry, I practically threw a Popstar fit in there and made a sadly dramatic exit. I really wanted you to come over today, I feel like a shithead for getting Nate all excited. I should be home by six, but yeah, that’s kinda late for Nate, I get that. I’m sorry.” Harry ignores the reflection of the boys in the open doorway listening in on his conversation.

“You’re not, um. You still want to see me, us?” Louis quietly answers after a few seconds of silence.

“Yes, very much so. It will be lunch, except at night.” Harry rambles together that sentence in hopes of it actually making sense.

“So dinner?” Louis laughs his answer.

“Dinner, yes. That was the word I was looking for. Come for dinner, okay? I’ll text you when I’m on my way home.” Harry grins, leaning on his forearm against the wall.

“Sounds wonderful, I’ll alert blitzball over here. I’ll let you go make all the girls swoon, see you tonight Harry.” Louis’ tone is light and gentle.

“Yeah, tonight. Bye Louis.”

“Bye, Harry.”

And right before he hangs up he can hear the shrill in the background of ‘Bye Arreh’

He’s so screwed.

XXX

Harry makes it through two interviews and a photo shoot before Niall’s smirking at him, backing him into a corner, literally. “Who’s Louis?” The blonde raises an eyebrow and Harry swears it is mocking him.

“A friend.” Harry ignores the vibration that just went off in his pocket, knowing if he opens it his face would give it all away.

“A friend. That you were so upset about not getting to see but is now coming over for dinner?” Niall used to be Harry’s favorite, they had some good times, but he’s gone to the dark side.

“You would be too if you thought you had the day off made plans that you had to cancel.” Harry stands his ground he’s not giving in. The Craic isn’t going to take him down.

“I’ve seen you cancel plans before, this is something else. I’m onto you, Styles.” With that, Niall just walks away to do God knows what.

XXX

It’s fifteen to six when Harry finally walks through the door, flopping down on the couch bonelessly; he’s a jellyfish, essentially. Groaning, he reaches for his phone that fell onto the floor and grabs it, sending Louis a text to let him know the door’s unlocked and he’s just going to jump in the shower.

He showers with colder than normal water, hoping to give himself a wake up kick in the ass. Turning the water off and grabbing for a towel, he gets rid of the excess water, chucking the towel into the hamper. He gets dressed quickly, thinking about what he can throw together for dinner. He wants to impress, he reminds himself, ditching his joggers for a pair of skinnies and a soft sweater. He grabs a pair of socks, stumbling down the hallway trying to slip each one on before tripping his way down four steps.

He smiles, hearing Nate’s voice vibrating off the living room walls. He makes his way in, seeing Louis sitting on his couch while Nate takes in the place. Harry jumps over the couch, landing right next to Louis, who will never admit it, but lets out a squeak of surprise.

“Hey.” Harry starts off, grinning wildly, being met with crystal blue eyes and a brilliant smile to match it.

“You know, you shouldn’t leave your door unlocked like that, you don’t know what kind of monsters could just waltz right in.” Louis lets his eyes find his son and he knows Harry understands what he’s getting at.

“Monsters!?! Not in my house!” Harry drops off the couch, crawling over to where Nate is flying a plane in his hand, and scoops him up, met with unstoppable giggles. He moves Nate to the floor, lying him on his back gently and tickling up his sides, pretending to eat his tummy and legs.

“No monster! No monster! Arreh'! Me Spidey!” Nate giggles, out squirming away from Harry’s hands.

“You’re not a monster? Oh, well then I was just being silly.” Harry bops himself on the head and flops down next to Nate, lying on his back. Nate giggles and rolls into Harry’s side, using his little hands and legs to climb onto Harry’s chest. He’s lying chest to chest with him, his little feet resting at Harry’s hipbones. “No monster,” Nate mumbles into Harry’s sweater, and Harry can’t help the face-breaking smile that settles, letting his arms wrap carefully around Nate. “No monsters, just Harry.” Harry looks back to where Louis is sitting on the couch with a look of awe on his face.

“Nate wanna come help me cook dinner?” Harry asks, figuring he needs to feed this little tummy before he falls asleep on him. “Yes!” Nate’s little head pops up and he uses Harry’s body to get himself to stand.

Once Nate’s down asleep in Harry’s bed, he flicks the kettle on for himself and Louis, gesturing for him to take a seat at the table.

“Adult chat, yeah?” Harry grabs a tin of cookies, sitting across from Louis.

“Eighteen is just barely an adult.” Louis picks a cookie up and takes a bite out of it, smiling at Harry.

“Soon to be nineteen, thank you very much.” Harry flicks a bit of crumb at him.

“Ah yes, the tender age of nineteen, I remember it like it was yesterday.” Louis chuckles lightly.

“How many yesterdays was that?” Harry stands, walking over to grab the mugs and filling them with tea.

“Smooth way to seek out my age? I’m at the tender age of twenty-three.” Louis picks his mug up, drinking it untouched, unlike Harry, who is sprinkling sugar in his.

“Twenty-three looks good on you.” Harry smiles, testing the sugar level.

“Why are you flirting with me? You know my son’s in the other room, his poor innocent ears.” Louis pouts and Harry gives him a little kick under the table.

“But your ears aren’t so innocent, are they? I think they could handle a bit more, actually.” Harry captures Louis’ leg in between his.

“Harry Sebastian Styles! Are you implying I am nothing more than pure majestic virginal saint? How very dare you!” Louis chucks a cookie at him.

“I do know where babies come from, I had the pleasure of that talk with me Mum.” Harry whips the now broken cookie back at him.

“Nathan is a slice of heaven given to me on a silver platter that I hold at a pristine altitude. Nothing less.” Louis gives Harry a testing look, practically daring him to press the issue.

“He’s a good kid, you should be proud.” Harry softly smiles at him.

“I am, one of the best things to happen to me. I know you’re not stupid but, um, he wasn’t exactly planned. It just kinda happened and next thing I know my one night stand turned into me begging her to keep it.” Louis lightly chuckles, thinking back to the night Nate’s mother came banging on his dorm crying her eyes out.

“Does he see her? Like, is she in the picture?” Harry questions to him.

“No, not really. We keep in touch and every once in a while she’ll send a text out of blue asking how we’re doing. Other than that no, he’s never met her as his mother. I don’t make her pay child support or anything. I wanted him, you know? Why should she pay when I’m the one who asked her to go forth with the pregnancy?” Louis shrugs his shoulders like it’s nothing to have a kid with someone he’d met a handful of times, to convince them to keep the child, because what nineteen-year-old wants to become a parent that early with no plans of a relationship with the mother?

“That’s, really, really beautiful. And somewhat admirable. I would have been scared shitless if someone came up to me at, what, you had to be nineteen when you found out? That’s really young, but good for you. You can see how much you love your son.” Harry plays with his empty cup, swirling it around his finger.

“If that’s the only thing I do right, well, I can die happy.” Louis picks at another cookie.

“Stop selling yourself short. You’ve got a kick ass son, who seems super happy and loves you to death. You must have some kind of income, you two have matching Vans. You’re giving him a good life, as well as yourself. You’re twenty-three, you’ve got the rest of it.” Harry snatches the cookie out of Louis hand a chomps at it smiling.

“Thanks, Harry. I work at a daycare and take my courses online if I can, some obviously I can’t. I’m slowly chipping away at my degree. I try to give him the best I can, my Mum’s a huge help. I don’t know where I would be without her.” Louis thinks about all the times he’s had to leave Nate at his Mum’s to go into work or just to study in silence before an exam. He doesn’t know what he would have done without her.

“You seem to have it all together. What are you studying?”

“Early Childhood Education. I want to either work primary, like kindergarten level, or open my own daycare slash preschool. The latter sounds a shit ton more expensive. I’ll just have to see when I get there.” Louis’ phone beeps next to him.

Harry just watches his features change, to him now sporting a frown. Louis quickly responds and places his phone back on the table, sighing.

“Looks like I’m working tomorrow.” He stands up, stretching his arms over his head.

“Were you supposed to have off?” Harry grabs both empty mugs of tea and puts them into the sink.

“Yeah, took off weeks ago. It’s Nate’s actual birthday; I figured we spend the day doing something for the two of us. Apparently my co-worker has pink eye. I should get Nate checked out.” Louis rubs his hands down his face and pockets his phone.

“That blows, sorry. Um, this may be forward, but, um, I can watch him.” Harry quietly says, not wanting to step on toes.

“That’s really sweet of you, really. I work at a daycare remember?” Louis lightly laughs, hoping it’s coming off politely.

“Oh right. Sorry. I forgot. Well I didn’t, but I did in the split second. God, I’m babbling now. Sorry.” Harry really hopes that Louis doesn’t notice him blushing.

“You’re lovely for offering. I appreciate it.” Louis gently takes Harry’s hand away from blocking his face and holds it.

“I don’t know what it is about you, but…” Harry blushes again, or maybe he never stopped.

“But. Yeah I like this, but.” Louis smiles looking at the time as he gets a new message. “I should get going, with work in the morning.” He stands to stretch and yawn, not seeing Harry’s eyes watching the tan skin being revealed and spotting ink writing that’s blocked so he can’t see what it fully says.

“Do you need any help?” Harry gets up as well, watching Louis shrug, moving to head to Harry’s room to collect his son.

“Can you grab his bag from the living room? I’ll grab Nate.” Harry nods and the two split. Harry picks up the last of Nate’s things, but not before smiling at how his place looks with other people’s things in it.

Harry opens the door for Louis and Nate’s out cold body and follows them to Louis’ car, an “old but reliable” 1994 Toyota Corolla. After Louis’ got Nate strapped in with only a little fuss, he takes Nate’s bag from Harry, placing it on the seat next to the car seat. Closing the door softly, he turns back to Harry with a smile.  

“This was a lot of fun, Harry. Thank you for having us.” Louis hasn’t felt more like a thirteen year old girl, he thinks ever.

“Anytime I’m in town, door’s open.” Harry’s smile is going to break his face in two if he doesn’t contain himself.

“I’ll keep that in mind, hotshot. I’ll see you Saturday, yeah?” If Harry picks up the bit of hopefulness in his voice, he doesn’t say anything, maybe because his response of ‘wouldn’t miss it for the world’ has the same tone. They don’t mention it, but they hug.

XXX

And he does see Harry Saturday. Harry arrives early to help with set up and keeping Nate occupied while Louis handles all the grown up things. Unfortunately, he has to leave early due to a flight, so Louis lets Nate open his gift and Harry happily gets knocked over while Nate clutches his new Spiderman plushie that is the size of him. Harry catches Louis’ eye from where is he lying on his back with Nate ‘tanking’ him with kisses and cuddles, and gives him a wide dazzling smile.

XXX

Harry doesn’t get to see much of Louis. He’ll text him when he’s actually in London but that’s only a handful of times for a day or two. They’ve been out promoting and appearing on various talk shows around the globe. With their MSG gig just a month away, Harry’s trying to balance everything, even flying back a few times in between longer visits in certain places to see them.

Louis kisses Harry for the first time on accident, sorta. Once Harry landed, he texted Louis close to one AM in the hopes that he would be up, and thankfully he was. Harry appeared at his door almost at two. When Louis opens the door, Harry hugs him tightly and it happens. Louis just kisses him, like it was their usual routine. They freeze, of course, because they are totally platonic mates who definitely do not have any kind of feelings for another.

Harry closes the door behind him and kisses Louis again, not holding back. Louis breaks it a little awkwardly and separates to give Harry some room, walking further into his place with a dazed Harry behind him.

“You hungry?” Louis questions, opening the fridge looking for things he could throw together.

“I could eat.” Harry says, and really? This is what they’re going to talk about?

“Reheated chicken and rice okay?” Louis asks, pulling a container out of the fridge and showing it to Harry.

“Yeah, that would be great.” Harry takes his jacket off, hanging it on the back of the chair and taking a seat.

Opening a cabinet, Louis takes a plate out, scooping some rice onto the plate and stabbing the chicken to move it. He covers the plate with a paper towel and pops it into the microwave. He takes two beers out from the fridge, using the bottle opener magnet to uncap them. He walks to the table, handing Harry one as he takes a sip of his.

One would say they’re having a staring contest, or maybe both wanting to speak up but won’t, or maybe just Harry wants to say something. The humming of the microwave keeps going while no one speaks, just sipping beer while keeping eye contact.

The beep draws Louis away, as he takes the dish out and slides it in front of Harry, handing him a fork.

“Do you want ketchup or barbecue?” Louis goes to move to the fridge again but Harry speaks up. “No, this is fine.” Harry cuts a piece and eats it.

“You sure? It’s leftovers might be a bit dry, I usually chop it up and throw it into a salad with dressing, now what do you want?” Louis does open the fridge, waving his hands to show off the different options.

“Maybe a little honey mustard?” Harry sounds more like he’s questioning himself rather than Louis.

Louis grabs the bottle and laughs lightly, bringing it to the table, “Nate calls it bee sauce.”

“That’s just plain adorable.” Harry squirts a small circle on his plate and dips his chicken in it.

“Well, he is mine, so.” Louis takes the seat across from Harry, drinking his beer and watching as Harry nods in agreement as he eats.

Harry finishes the bite he’s got in his mouth and looks to Louis. He doesn’t want to sit another minute without clearing what had just happened. “So, um, we kissed, yeah?” Harry pushes the rice around his plate, waiting for Louis to respond.

“We did.” Louis agrees with him, taking a long gulp of his drink.

“I liked it, a lot.” Harry pushes on, ignoring the signs in his mind to not have this conversation because there is a possibility he could say he didn’t or it was an accident.

“Yeah? I did too. I don’t know why I did it, but yeah, I really like kissing you.” Louis uses his free hand, sliding it across the table to intertwine his fingers with Harry’s.

“Good. Feeling’s mutual.” Harry takes a bite of his chicken, smiling as he chews.

When Harry’s done, Louis clears the table as Harry stands up to help and takes the plate out of his hands. “You’re a guest-” Louis doesn’t get to finish his sentence, any other words are shoved back into his mouth by Harry’s lips and well, Louis’ not complaining. They have a proper snog in the middle of the kitchen, plate still in his left hand.

After their lips separate and the two are breathing heavily, Louis takes the plate back and walks it over to rinse off. Harry’s arms wrap around him, as his chin presses against Louis shoulder. Louis laughs as he finally loads the sink into the dishwasher with Harry still attached to him. He starts it and turns his neck to see Harry’s face.

“Stay the night?” Louis bites his lip at the question, trying to read Harry’s face.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” Harry asks back with a blank face.

“No. Don’t want you leaving yet and I have to get to bed, work and all tomorrow.” Louis makes some random hand gesture; he’s not sure what to do with his hands right now.

“I want to. But, would that be moving too fast? I really like you, I don’t want to mess it up just as we’re getting started.” Harry spins Louis in his arms so the two are now facing each other.

“Well, nothing else has to happen. I’m not asking you to come to bed with me for sex, or anything like that. I like your company and I really like you back. I don’t know how long you’ll be home and like I said I’ll be at work till five tomorrow. Won’t really get to see you, I know Nate would be devastated if he knew you came to visit and didn’t say hi. He loves you. I don’t think this will mess anything up. Yeah, we’re figuring this out, we just have a different situation than most people.” Louis moves into Harry’s chest, lying his head against Harry’s shoulders.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“I’ll stay. Let’s get you to bed.” Louis breaks away from the hug and smiles up at him, taking his hand and walking down towards his room. Louis pushes the door open and flicks the light on, watching as Harry enters. Louis walks down the hallway and quietly opens Nate’s door, checking on him to make sure he’s okay.

Entering back into his own room he finds, Harry still standing in the middle of the room with his hands shoved into his pockets. “Do you wanna borrow clothes?” Louis walks over to his dresser and pulls out two pairs of joggers. “Um, I usually just sleep in briefs. Is that okay? That’s weird, isn’t it?” Harry responds, not wanting to make it uncomfortable between them.

“That’s fine, Haz. You’re over-thinking this, relax.” Louis puts both back and grabs a pair of shorts for himself. “Do you wanna shower? I take mine in the morning, you can too, of course. Up to you.” Louis mentally slaps himself.

“Now works. Airports are filthy,” Harry tells him, and Louis waves a hand to follow him to the bathroom. He grabs Harry a towel and leaves him to it.

“Oh, did you want new briefs?” Louis asks, halfway out of the room. “If you don’t mind,” Harry answers as he takes his shirt off. Louis takes in his chest and the tattoos that litter it, and he remembers to nod, quickly leaving the bathroom.

He knocks when he comes back, not sure how naked Harry is at the moment, and when the door swings open Harry’s in just a pair of tight navy blue briefs. “Here you go.” Louis hands the new pair over and makes himself leave. While Harry’s showering he strips himself and slips himself into shorts. Tossing his dirty clothes into the hamper, he’s now just waiting, since he needs to wash up. He’s watching the news when Harry knocks on the door. He jumps up and lets him in, again trying not to stare.

“Do you need a toothbrush?” Louis stumbles out, focusing on Harry’s face and not his basically naked body.

“I have one in my car.” Harry answers and Louis laughs at him.

“C’mon I have extras. You’re not running outside dressed like that. What would the neighbors think?” Louis smirks at him as they head back into the bathroom that’s still fogged up from Harry’s shower. Louis opens one of the cabinets under the sink and hands Harry an unopened toothbrush. He takes his own toothbrush from the holder and grabs the toothpaste from the drawer, squeezing the tube onto his before handing it to Harry. They brush their teeth in sync and alternate spitting into the sink. Louis grabs his face wash, squeezing it into his hand, his arm moving to give it to Harry, who shakes his head.

“I used it in the shower.” Harry smiles at him and dries his mouth as Louis shrugs and begins to wash his face.

Louis finally climbs into bed after turning the light off, with Harry right next to him. “You sure this isn’t weird? I can sleep on the couch.” Harry asks from where he’s sitting up, leaning on his elbows.

“It’s not weird unless you make it weird, no one’s sleeping on the couch.” Louis makes sure his alarm is set and tucks himself into bed, sighing. It’s been a long day. He’s usually already asleep and knowing he has to be up in three hours isn’t fun.

“Alright, alright. Can I kiss you goodnight?” Harry’s moved so now he’s leaning on Louis’ side of the bed.

“Yes you may, thanks for asking, Styles.” Louis moves himself to connect his and Harry’s lips. It’s a great kiss. Not too long, not too short, just enough. They separate and fall back against different pillows as the exact same smile is plastered on their faces.

“Alarms going off at five thirty; just a heads up.” Louis mumbles into his pillow.

“God, that’s so early.” Harry groans, turning to face Louis.

“Sorry popstar, someone’s gotta be up to get Nate ready.” Louis opens the eye not pressed against the pillow and meets Harry’s green eyes staring back.

“What time you gotta be at work?” Harry questions, moving slightly closer to Louis.

“Seven.” Louis presses his lips against Harry’s.

“I’ll make breakfast.” Harry says with his lips still attached to Louis.

“Sounds good to me. Nate will be happy. Now stop distracting me from my slumber.” They kiss for a few moments longer before Louis sighs happily and turns to press back against Harry. Harry gets an arm around Louis and smiles at the back of Louis head because they’re spooning and Harry likes this.

XXX

Five thirty comes way too quickly for the two of them, and Louis is moving away from the warmth of Harry’s body to smack the snooze button. Half-asleep, Harry laughs at him and moves to kiss him awake.

“Up, up,” Harry chants as he presses kisses from Louis cheeks to his nose and finally his mouth.

“Now this is the right way to get me.” Louis takes in the kisses and slowly turns in Harry’s arms to face him as their bodies line up.

“Good. Go wake Nate and I’ll get started on breakfast.” Harry mouth meets Louis’ once more before he’s pushing the comforter away and standing up, cracking his back as he stretches.

“That’s gross.” Louis mumbles from where he’s still lying in bed.

“Your cold feet against my calves was gross. You know, they makes these things called socks, you should try them out.” Harry goes to pull his jeans back on but Louis stops him.

“I hate socks, and you’re not putting those back on; it’s far too early for your legs to look sexy.” Louis gets up and tosses a pair of joggers at him.  

“You think I’m sexy?” Harry starts to shimmy and Louis doesn’t know why he’s crushing on this doofus.

“Please stop. I retract my statement,” Louis huffs, watching Harry laugh as he puts his legs in the pants.

“You think I’m sexxxxyyyyy. You want to kissss me!” Harry sings to him as he closes the distance between them.

“You are an embarrassment, Styles.” That statement doesn’t really matter because as soon as it’s out of his mouth, Harry’s on his mouth so yeah, Harry sees right through him.

“Go wake your kid. I’ll be in the kitchen.” Harry walks away, leaving a pouting Louis.

Louis can’t help watching him walk away. It’s been far too long for Louis since he’s had this -- whatever they are -- with anyone, and it makes his insides go crazy. Shaking his head of any other thoughts he goes to Nate’s room to wake his son.

Crouching down to make himself eye level with Nate, he gently rubs his back to bring him out of his sleep carefully. “Nate, buddy. Time to get up.” Louis rests his head on the bed and watches as his son’s eyes move under his eyelids. After a few minutes of rubbing his back, Nate’s blue eyes make their appearance as he slowly comes to, waking his fuzzy mind.

“Hi dadee.” Nate rubs his eyes and slowly sits up.

“Hi baby, did you sleep well?” Louis questions his son.

“Yes. I dreamed we go to outer space and fight space monkeys.” Louis will never stop being amazed at the things his son says or his imagination.

“Wow, that seems like some adventure. Did we win?” Louis slowly stands up, moving to turn the light on and pull out underwear and clothes for Nate to wear for the day.

“Duhh, that even a question Dadee?” Yup, he’s definitely Louis son.

“How silly of me. No one can beat us, we win every time.” Louis laughs to himself as Nate climbs off his bed and changes out of his jammies. Louis hands him his undies that have Batman on them and his little jeans with an Iron Man shirt.

Nate starts sniffing around the room, smelling his clothes and Louis’ thigh. Louis a bit confused at this. “Daddy, why’s it smell like bakin’? Never leave the kixen when things on! Granna tolds you!” Nate starts to freak out and runs towards the kitchen with Louis chasing after him.

Nate stops in his tracks and eyes go wide as he finds Harry’s figure at the stove. “Arreh!!!” Nate hollers, jumping up and down and running into Harry’s legs. Harry picks him up, laughing with him.  “Hey little man!”

“What you doin’ in my kixen?” Nate asks, burying his face into Harry’s neck.

“I missed you so much I came over to make you breakfast.” Harry tells him as Nate hugs Harry as tightly as he can.

“Missed you! Smells good,” Nate comments, and Louis bites his tongue at the image of the two of them hugging as Harry keeps scrambling the eggs. He’s so screwed.

“You have to go brush those little teeth first.” Harry puts Nate down and nearly picks him back up at the pouting face.

“Dadee let’s go!” Nate grabs on to Louis’ two fingers and tries to pull him down the hallway.

When they get back into the kitchen, Louis is showered and dressed and Nate is in a new shirt. The table is already set and portions are on each plate as Harry’s just placing two mugs on the table. “Green Lantern? Did he fight Iron Man while you were brushing your teeth?” Harry questions as Nate climbs into his chair, with the help of Louis.

“Yes! Iron Man all wet with dafeat.” Nate nods picking his fork up to dig into his eggs.

“Dafeat? Wow, seems like a wicked battle.” Harry bites his toast and smiles at a Nate, who's still nodding so hard that Harry’s worried his head’s going to fall off.

“This is great, thanks Haz,” Louis says in between bites and sips of tea.

“Least I can do.” Harry smiles at him as Nate starts talking about Iron Man’s battle.

They eat with laughter and non-stop conversation; since Harry cooked, they had extra time to just relax before having to go. Louis checks the time and internally groans.

“Alright Nate, we gotta go. Go potty and wash your hands.” Louis watches Nate hug Harry once he’s out of his chair. His little face only comes up to Harry’s belly button, “Tanks for breaky.” Nate kisses his stomach before running down the hall.  

“God, he’s gonna kill me.” Harry grins, already missing the feeling of Nate hugging him.

“He really does love you, I wasn’t lying. He’s never taken to someone as strongly as you. My last boyfriend he threw crayons and legos at.” Louis stands to start cleaning off the table.

“Hey. Leave them, I’ll do it when you go.” Harry puts his hands on Louis waist, pulling him closer.

“Thanks for cooking. This whole not rushing thing in the morning is pretty nice.” Louis says as he links his hands together behind Harry’s neck.

“Not a problem, I enjoyed all of this, even if it’s ass crack in the morning.” Louis doesn’t answer him, sealing their lips together. Then the toilet flushes and the sink starts up. Louis breaks the kiss and steps away.

“Will you be here when I get off?” Louis questions, slipping his shoes on and moving to grab Nate’s jacket.

“Not sure. I’ll text you later to let you know what’s going on. Might head to visit my Mum.” Harry shrugs and starts to collect the plates off the table.

“Will do.” Louis turns to see Nate running down the hallway, his hands still dripping wet. “We do have a hand towel, buddy.” Louis laughs as Nate starts shaking out his hands to dry them. Louis gets Nate’s jacket on and zipped, putting his hat on him next. Louis puts his own jacket on and grabs his wallet and keys as Nate slides his backpack on. Louis always pats himself on the back for packing Nate and his lunch the night before. Louis goes to pick a beanie off the chest by the door but Harry stops him.

“Here. Looks better on you.” Harry slides his beanie onto Louis head, careful not to mess with his styled front. “Thank you.” Louis tilts his head up to look at Harry’s face, glances over to where Nate is playing with his Spiderman plushie, and quickly kisses Harry.

“Ready, Nate?” Louis pulls away and Nate follows as Louis opens the door. “Oh, Harry, there is a key in the drawer next to the silverware, take it and lock up yeah?” Louis sees Nate go out the door and quickly follows him, hearing Harry tell him that he will.

When the door closes, Harry keeps a smile on his face as he clears the table, unloads the dishwasher from last night, and reloads it with the dirty dishes.

He sends a text to his Mum, knowing she’s already up and most likely on her way to work.

Harry: Coming for a visit see you in a few hours xx

Harry finishes tidying up the kitchen and heads to Louis room to make his bed. When he looks for his clothes he can’t seem to find them and checks the hamper to see them mixed in with Louis’ stuff. He doesn’t take them. Two hours later he’s locking the front door and heading to stop home before driving to see his family.

Chapter Text

Harry’s lounging on his Mum’s couch while he waits for her to get home from work. He’s been texting Louis all day, or as much as he could since he was at work and in charge of children. He’s snacking on some pretzels when the door finally opens, revealing his Mum, who looks tired but has a hint of excitement in her eyes.

“Mum!” Harry throws the bag of pretzels on the couch and swiftly bounces up off of it and into his mother’s arms.

“Harry!” Anne replies, holding onto her son happily.

“Missed you. How was work?” Harry asks, pulling away from the hug to help her take her coat off.

“Same old same old. Although I did get the best text this morning from my son that sure cheered up my day.” Anne walks through the little hallway that opens into the kitchen.

“Yeah? Well what do you want for dinner? I’ll cook, or if you want to order in I’ll call. When will Robin be home?” Harry couldn't keep the smile off his face; he was home after having the great night and morning with Louis.

“Calm down, H!” Anne laughs, moving about to clean out the lunch bag she’d packed, putting containers in the sink to be washed.

“Sorry, just really happy.” Harry’s phone bicycle horned. He practically jumps reaching to pull it out of his back pocket.

Louis: Nate’s been walking around the house looking for you. He thinks you’ll just appear like this morning.

Harry: Awwwwwwwwww! There’s a reason he’s my favorite!

Louis: Harold Bernardo Styles! You can’t claim him as your favorite! He’s not in a boy band!

Harry doesn’t even notice his mother staring at him with a wicked grin on her face as he completely is engaged in the conversation.

Harry: Oh so you have to be in a boy band to be a favorite? Am I your favorite than?

Harry cackles, quickly slapping a hand over his mouth as his boisterous laugh echoes through the room at Louis’s response.

Louis: Yes you do and you’re not mine, Niall is. I have a thing for the irish ;)

Before Harry can respond he gets another text from Louis.

Louis: would it be awkward if I ask you for his number?

Harry: No way in hell Tomlinson

“Earth to Harry,” Anne throws the roll of paper towels at him, still grinning.

“Sorry, Mum.” Harry ignores the sounds coming from his phone as he pockets it.

“We’ll talk about this over wine yeah?” Anne goes over to the sink to pick up the raw chicken that was thawing out in the pot of water.

“Yeah. Let me make you dinner. Go relax and unwind.” Harry grabs a bottle of Merlot out of the rack, holding it in one hand while he searches for the wine opener in the drawer. Once he finds it he uses it to uncork the bottle. Taking a glass down from the shelf and pouring his mum a glass, he smiles as he hands it over. “I ban you from the kitchen,” Harry states, trying push her gently and carefully out without spilling the wine.

“But my baby’s home,” Anne pouts. “Can’t I just sit while you work and we can catch up?” Anne grabs a second glass and pours some for Harry, handing him the drink.

“Fine, but no helping!” Harry clinks his glass with hers and they both drink.

Harry places his glass down and opens the fridge, looking for ingredients. He takes the ranch dressing off the shelf, placing it on the counter and heading to the pantry to grab the bread crumbs. He heads back to the fridge to take out two zucchinis and the grated parmesan cheese. Washing his hands first before touching the chicken and coating it with ranch, he listens as his Mum starts with the interrogation.

“You going to tell me what’s got you so giddy?” Anne leans on her elbow, staring at him.

Harry simply smiles, or not so simple, although his face forms a natural and effortless smile, showing off the dimples. “I met someone.”

And Anne knows that tone. She knows it all too well with Harry.

“Am I going to have to squeeze the details out? Name please? Don’t I get anything? I’m your Mum!” Anne presses, wanting to know more about her son’s new interest.

Harry laughs as he starts lathering a second chicken cutlet up in dressing. “Louis. His name’s Louis,” he says, smiling down at the chicken.

“And? Go on. Where’d you meet him?” Anne makes hand gestures at him before drinking more of her wine.

“Tescos, while I was picking out applesauce.”

“How old?”

“Twenty-three.” Harry mutters to the chicken.

“Harry! That’s a five year difference.” Anne is a little surprised by the age gap, not that it’s odd, but seeing Harry’s not even nineteen yet she is concerned. He hangs out with that Nick Grimshaw so much he tends to forget how young he really is.

“It’s not that big of a gap…so he’ll turn twenty-four before I turn nineteen, it’s really not that bad Mum.” Harry starts covering the first chicken in breadcrumbs.

“I don’t know how I feel about this one, bub.” Anne sighs, stirring the red wine around in her glass.

“Mum, he’s wonderful. You’re making him sound like a creepy predator.” Harry throws the two cutlets he’s finished in the pan to cook, moving back to keep breadcrumbing.

“I’m not saying he is, just worries me is all. You’re out there in big ole London in a position people unfortunately will try to take advantage of. I just want what’s best for you. You’re my baby.” She responds like any other Mum would.

“He’s safe, okay? Works a daycare during the day and takes classes at night. I don’t think they’d let a bad man work with children.” Harry throws three more pieces of chicken in the pan, covering all the free space, then washes the zucchinis and chops it smoothly, watching the chips stack up. He’s got tin foil on the baking sheet and coats the zucchini circles with oils and parmesan cheese before setting them into the oven.

“What else do you know about him? Is he close with his family? Has he meet the boys? Does he know who you are?” Truthfully the daycare thing did actually make her feel better, but she still is a Mum.

“He’s very close to his Mum and he’s got four little sisters that he sees as often as he can. Sunday’s family day at hers that’s he’s never missed besides the time when he had the flu and didn’t want to get the rest of them sick. No, he hasn’t met the boys yet, nor do they really know everything, just of him I guess you could say. Yes, he knows what I do. He's not using me, trust me. If anything, I’m the one who stayed over his the other night not at mine.” Harry hopes that’s enough for now, there’s a huge ball to drop and he’d rather not having to clean up wine off the floor.

“You’re already staying over? Harry, isn’t that a little fast? He hasn’t met any of your friends, I really don’t like that. God forbid something happens to you.” He doesn’t like worrying his Mum like this, so maybe he should have introduced the boys to Louis, had them exchange numbers in case of an emergency. He thinks he’ll schedule something when he goes back. But first to clear things up.

“It’s not what you think, we didn’t -- er, we haven't done anything in the realm of what you’re thinking about. I went over last night after I landed and just ended up staying there, nothing happened. He says hi, by the way. I’ll have the boys meet him this week, okay?” Harry opens the oven to pull the zucchinis out and flip the chicken over in the pan.

“You expect me to believe my eighteen year old son, who from what Niall has blurted out hasn’t had any companionship in a while, kept his hands to himself while sleeping over at another boy’s flat?” Harry cheeks flush at that; they don’t talk like this openly about Harry and his relations. He doesn’t really want to, either; he loves his Mum dearly but no, this is not okay.

“Mum….” Harry groans.

“I want to make sure it’s someone you can trust in all aspects, Harry. Intimate or friendship wise, just want to make sure my baby is okay. I’m allowed to, I’m your Mummy.” Anne stands, shuffling along the tile floor to capture her son in her arms.

“I know, I get it. Must be hard looking in regarding everything I do. Lou’s a great guy, he’s not in it for the wrong. He’s in it ‘cause he likes me Mum. And I really like him. It’s insane how much I do and how much I want to see his name come across every text I get, want to see him putting around his flat or mine. He’s just one of those people I want around all the time, no matter what. You’d like him a lot. Actually he’s got Gem’s personality on some levels.” Harry moves the chicken out of the pan and onto a serving plate.

“I would love to meet him, you’ll have to bring him around next time.” Anne’s giving him a genuine smile and her words have the truth there. Harry knows this is when he has to tell her, to let her know there’ll be two boys coming with him to meet her. Taking a deep breath, he reaches to remove Anne’s wine glass and put it aside, moving anything sharp away from her as well.

“Hey! I was drinking that!” Anne goes to lean over to retake her cup, but Harry gentle takes her hand in his.

“I left one thing out.” Harry plays with Anne’s nails, going over the color polish in swift movements.

“You took my wine away -- must be a doozer. Lay it on me.” Anne brings their hands up to her mouth and presses a kiss against them.

“Um, he’s got a son.” Harry watches the words register in her brain as a brief hesitation reflects on her face.

"A son! Harry!" Anne exclaimed, wanting to know what Harry was getting himself into dating someone with a kid.

"Wow, Mum, don't overreact now. So he has a child, that doesn't change anything." Harry shrugs it off like it's no big deal, because to him it isn't -- he likes feeling domesticated with Nate like this morning, it was perfect.

"It does change things when you met his son. The relationship changes, he's a parent! You are taking this too lightly." Anne knows she has to get Harry to understand this is hard enough without a spotlight on you.

"I'm not taking anything too lightly, I've already met Nate. I'm not stupid Mum, I know he's a parent and that Nate comes first no matter what. Okay? You know I have thought about things like this." Harry shoves zucchini chips and chicken on to two plates, grabbing forks and knives from the drawer by his hip.

"Harry, I think you need to take a step back and slow down. I'm not saying never see him again, but this is something you really need to think about from all angles. A child is a lot. How old is, Nate, was it?" Anne gives Harry an appreciative look as she gladly accepts the plate and her wine glass back.

"He's three. To be fair I met them both at Tescos, not just Louis. I knew about him from the beginning. I already have a relationship with Nate, he's really incredible Mum. Lou's a great Dad and they've both accepted me so easily and effortlessly, not because of what I do but because of who I am. I'm just Harry to them, or well, Nate calls me 'Arreh." Harry loves the little voice calling his name and how happy Nate always is to see him.

"I think everything you said is lovely, I really do. Three is a fun age for understanding more things and questioning everything. He's got his own mind and feelings, you have to keep that in mind because if this relationship with Louis doesn't go well you've got a young kid to worry about. You know what it feels like for a parent to leave, and if you're around Nate like you’re a parental figure in his mind, you leaving is going to cause him to blame himself and ask why essentially his Harry -- who's taking a role as his parent -- is leaving him. Very young and impressionable age.  Have you talked about longer term with Louis?" Anne didn't ever think she'd be having this kind of talk with Harry. She had known of Harry's interest in boys way before he came in weary with his first boyfriend. Always accepted him and supported whatever he chose to explore. This really wasn't something she expected to have to talk about, maybe if he was in his mid-twenties, but not at eighteen in a new relationship with this man and a son. Harry falls hard for people; she has no doubt that he already is, and not just for Louis.

"I understand all that, trust me. I've thought about being in Louis’s position and Nate’s. If I didn't think we had something, a chance, I wouldn't already be as involved as I am. We haven't talked in depth yet, I kinda showed up around three am, and once we woke it was a rush of breakfast, showers, packed lunches and they were out the door. The look on Nate’s face when he saw me in kitchen this morning, Mum, he looked at me like I was Santa Claus. Is it wrong or too soon for me to be wanting to see that face, have the morning routine, all of that? Is it bad I want that already?" He finishes before shoving a piece of chicken into his mouth.

"No honey, it's not wrong to want that or picture yourself in a more permanent state. I think it shows me the amount of care and feelings you have towards both of them and the situation. It's wonderful how you've taken to Nate, but make sure you draw lines and have the relationship with Nate but also without Nate.  Spend time together with only Louis to define those feelings and explore each other. Because that's important establishing what you two have outside of Nate. Usually it's the other way around, but hey, you never did anything the normal way." Anne smiles to him over the brim of her wine glass.

"We will, I know we will. Finding time is the hardest part, when I’m actually home and stuff he’s got a job and school. I don’t want to impose, you know? We got to talk a little bit and spoon before falling asleep last night and it was amazing. Just being around him is amazing.” Harry jabs to pick up a few zucchinis on his fork, shoveling it into his mouth.

“Ask him on a date, a real one. And make sure you woo him.”  Harry chokes on the vegetables now jammed in his throat, grabbing his wine to try and wash it down. When he finally can breathe again, his eyes are wide and cheeks are slightly pink, which may be from the choking, that’s what he tells himself.

“Mum! Can we not talk about wooing anyone? Isn’t that a banned topic between mother and son? If not, it is now.” Harry gulps down mouthful of wine.

“You’re the one that turned that sexual, I simply meant sweep him off his feet. Treat him like a gentleman, I didn’t raise any man eaters.” Anne waved her finger at him.

“If I agree to that can we stop talking about it?”

“Only if you promise to bring him over for tea.”

“Deal.”

“That’s my boy.” The two clinked their wine glasses and proceed on with the night.

XXX

By the time Louis walks through the door, he’s exhausted, working seven to seven around screaming kids all day really runs you down. At least Nate’s happy, every day at the daycare is a new adventure to him. Louis wishes he had that amount of creativity. He’s so proud of his boy, he’s always laughing, singing, playing, creating, behaving. Never in trouble and everyone wants to be his mate. Louis really got lucky. He tries to keep all that positive, but it’s hard knowing he’s got to now throw a dinner together and start his paper that’s due, fuck, tomorrow. When did that sneak up on him? He groans as Nate runs past him laughing with his spider man plushie into the living room.

“Nate! What do you want for dinner?” Louis yells from the kitchen looking through the pantry. He’s really craving pizza.

“Dadee, Dadee, Dadee! Pezza peas, peas, peas!” Nate comings back into the kitchen with full speed and yeah, he’s definitely Louis’s kid. Now the easiest thing to do would be to call for delivery, but he knows he’s got a thing of pizza crust in the fridge and his Mum had sent him home with homemade sauce last family day, and Nate loves to help, plus, this is much healthier.

“Wanna go wash those hands and help me?” Louis says, mustering up more energy. He doesn’t ever let himself be down around Nate, because Nate deserves the best.

“Yesh!! Wash! Wash! Wash!” He hears Nate chants as the little pitter patters drift down the hall to the bathroom where there's a stepstool for Nate to use.

He hears Nate singing the ABC’s like he’s supposed to while he takes the pizza crust, mozzarella cheese and Jay’s famous sauce from the fridge, placing the items on the counter. He checks to make sure no pans are in the oven before preheating it to its proper temperature, grabbing the baking sheet from the bottom cabinet and putting it next to the ingredients. Grabbing the spray to prevent the crust from sticking to the sheet, he sprays it evenly, capping it and pushing it off to the side.

Louis already has the crust laid out in the tray with spoons in the sauce and shredded cheese ready for little fingers to sprinkle it. Nate comes bouncing down the hall, laughing, running right at Louis legs and hugging them close to his chest. “Up peas!” Nate kisses Louis’s thigh right above his knee and Louis smiles down at him, moving to pick him up and let him kneel on the counter for this.

“All readay!” Nate settles in front of the dough as Louis stands behind him to secure him in case he gets too excited. Louis brings his hands to the crust to knead it out, watching Nate mimic his action.

“Good job! This crust looks extra yummy!” Louis beams at him, giving him a kiss on the cheek and moving the sauce closer to the dough. Handing a spoon to Nate, Louis takes the second one and they both scoop it out to splatter on the crust. Louis pushes it around, evening it out, while Nate just keeps scooping more and more little piles.

“Woah there! I think we have enough on, help me spread it out.” Louis pushes the container away and watches Nate move sauce to the empty areas.

“Like coloring!” Nate proudly says, inspecting their work for any ‘uncolored’ spots.

“Exactly like coloring. You’re the smartest dude around,” Louis boasts, raising his voice pleasantly and causing Nate to giggle at him.

“Cheese time!” Nate joyfully announces, sticking his little hands into the bag, both fists, and sprinkling it around on top of the sauce.

“Ah watch out! It’s raining cheese!” Louis shrieks as he takes his own fistfuls and makes sure to drop them on Nate’s hands. Nate topples back into Louis chest laughing, a sound Louis hopes will never stop filling up his life.

“Dadee silly.” Nate turns his head, giving Louis a kiss to his lips and clapping his hands as he examines the pizza. Louis goes to speak but Nate holds up a finger to silence him as he keeps looking over the entire circumference of the pie. Nate whips around, his eyebrows looking like squashed caterpillars. Louis can tell he’s trying to be serious.

“Bakin’! Why no bakin!” Nate remarks with as much outrage as a three year old can.

“How dare I forget the bacon! Off with my head!” Louis grabs Nate, tossing him over his shoulder laughing as Louis grabs the bacon from the microwave, as if he would really forget the bacon.

Louis is halfway through his third slice when the doorbell rings. He glances at the clock on the oven wondering who the hell that could be and shit, when did it become eight twenty? Picking up a napkin, he wipes his hands on it before opening the front door. He’s met with a man in a tux holding out a single red rose in his white glove.

“Louis Tomlinson?” The very nicely dressed man questions.

“Uh, yes?” Louis responds awkwardly.

“This rose is for you, have a good night.” The man smiles, handing over the flower, which Louis takes very confusedly, saying goodbye as he shuts the door staring at it. Thank God there’s a card. Opening to read it, he finds:

Louis William Tomlinson,

I see you’ve received my gift and were smart enough to seek this card.

I would like to formally ask your hand for a romantic date with me.

Saturday the 14th of November 2012.

Dress to impress, although you always do.

Yours Truly,

Harry Edward Styles.

Ps. Don’t worry about finding a sitter it’s already covered!

Biting his lip, he closes the invitation and brings the rose to his nose to smell it. No one has ever done anything like this; Harry is one of a kind. Grinning as he strolls back into the kitchen where Nate is looking extremely tired, he leaves the rose on the counter, picking his almost asleep son up from the table and feeling his head fit perfectly into the grove of Louis’s neck. He tucks him in and presses a kiss to his forehead.

“Love you Dadee.” Nate sleepily says before allowing slumber to take over.

“I love you too.” Louis makes sure he kisses Spiderman as well or Nate will somehow know.

Closing the door, he thinks one night of Nate not brushing his teeth won’t kill him as he heads into the kitchen. He stares at the mess, then quickly begins to fill the dishwasher and wipe down the counter, covering the leftover slices in foil and sticking them in the fridge. Glancing at the clock and again sighing -- ten to nine -- he grabs his child psychology book, tossing it on the table, and goes to his room to get his laptop. Plugging it into the outlet, he sets up at the kitchen table, getting through his introductory paragraph before he’s flicking the kettle on. It’s going to be a long night.  

He finishes the paper at three twenty-seven and practically crawls to bed, also agreeing with his earlier self that one night of not brushing won’t kill him. He forgets to call Harry.

XXX

“Please, please, please, just do this for me. I will never ask you for anything ever again! You don’t understand how important this is to me -- c’mon, don’t make me beg!” Harry is already begging, despite the words he’s just said.

“What if he bites me?”

“Niall, he’s not going to bite you. Please, guys! I want you to meet them, I know you stormed off after I initially told you about his son but you’ve come back, so I guess that means you kinda understand?” Harry really wants this to work; he thought if he introduced them all together and didn’t hide anything it would go better. Liam stormed off, Niall ran to grab a beer from the fridge, and Zayn just stood there looking at him before following the other two.

“You would find someone with an offspring.” Zayn raises his eyebrow at him.

“Yes, I saw him at Tescos and thought, ‘hey this little boy probably has a hot Daddy, sign me up!’” Harry rolls his eyes at them.

“Kinky.” Niall wiggles his eyebrows at him.

“Fuck off. Will you please watch Nate for me? I don’t want Lou worrying about him all night and I trust you with my balls on daily basis so you know I figure you can handle someone’s kid. He’s low maintenance, I swear.  I will pay you, or buy you something, or I don’t know! Literally anything.” Harry pleads with them, hoping to persuade at least two of them.

“Fine, we'll watch Nate.” Liam speaks up.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” Harry kisses each of their cheeks.

“I don’t do diapers, Styles.” Niall puffs his chest out.

“He’s potty trained.” Harry happily answers and Niall simply nods.

That settles that.

XXX

After about thirty minutes of Louis getting a feel for Liam, Niall and Zayn, and him going over the norms for Nate, Harry thanks them again and heads out the door, hand placed perfectly on Louis’s waist, walking him over to his Range Rover. Harry had made a reservation with a buddy of his at Rosso, which apparently had Louis freaking out when he met Rio Ferdinand. Noted that Louis is an insane footie fan.

“I’m glad you came with me tonight.” Harry tells him over the piece of chocolate mousse cake they’re sharing. Louis looks up from where he was battling Harry’s fork for a bite. “I’m really glad you asked me to come tonight.” He swiftly nabs the piece Harry was going for and puts it in his mouth, laughing as he slowly slides the fork out. Harry’s fork clanks against the plate. “That’s really not fair. You can’t tease me like that, I forbid it.”

Louis smirks, “You forbid it, huh?” He says around the ends of the fork he wraps his lips on.

“Jesus. Check please!” Harry arm goes flying up as he forkfuls some cake into his mouth, then brings a bite up to Louis’s mouth, which he gladly accepts. “C’mon stud, let’s put those lips to good use. I think your bed misses them.” Louis says as he wipes his mouth on his napkin as Harry hands over his card to the waiter.

They leave through the backdoor, just as they had entered. Expect this time, it’s flooded with paparazzi. Apparently word of his location has gotten out. He drops his hand from Louis’s and pulls him into his chest so his face is blocked. “Keep your head down.” Harry tells him as they shuffle down the stairs and hurry to his car. Harry gets Louis into his seat first, closing the door and pushing past the cameras. He is ignoring them all as he climbs into the driver seat, not looking at the continuous flashes. Louis is bent over with his face in his hands, following Harry’s instructions. “God, if we weren't in this situation right now I’d tell you how sexy you are.” Harry starts the car up and hopes people will let him out; he doesn’t really want a confrontation.

“You can still tell me, you know. I accept all compliments.” Louis’s voice is a bit muffled since he’s getting a good look at Harry’s floor mat.

“You look gorgeous, Lou. Can’t wait to take you back to mine.” Harry really wants to touch him, hold his hand, kiss him.

“Then drive, superstar,” Louis laughs at him.

Once they’re in the clear Harry reaches over to hold Louis’s hand over the middle console. “Sorry about that, I kinda forgot those parts of my life. It’s like my mind only wants to focus on you.” They’re close to his flat now, in a few more minutes his lips will be all over Louis.

“Hey, it’s alright. A little warning would have been nice, but you didn’t know -- or you were so blinded by my beauty you forgot you were stalked by middle age men. Not your fault, love. And good, your mind should be on me. Your lips will be in about two seconds, so you better get us home.” Harry still maintains the speed limit because he’s a good citizen.

Harry gets déjà vu: as soon as the door’s closed, their lips are being brought together like if they waited one more second they would die or explode. Harry’s definitely feeling explodey tonight. Harry grabs onto Louis’s waist, bringing their bodies closer as the kiss gets heated very fast and Louis is pushing Harry down the hall towards his room. Harry spins them, pressing Louis against the wall and running his hands up Louis sides, over his chest, and to his neck, leaving one hand there while the other one travels back down Louis’s body. They are devouring each other’s lips while continuously exploring each other’s clothed bodies. Louis pulls away panting loudly.

“This would be better if we were laying down and were naked, yeah?” Louis moves to nibble at Harry’s neck, earning a delicious moan from Harry’s throat.

“Naked, God please. Need to get you naked.” Harry kisses him again and starts to walk backwards down the hall finally, kicking open his door with his heel, and walking until he feels the edge of the bed by his knees. He smoothly falls onto the mattress with Louis’s lips and body attached to his. Sliding his knees against the mattress, Louis adjusts his body so that his bum is sitting on top of Harry’s dick, which is incredibly hard in his jeans. Harry gasps as Louis starts rotating his hips. Harry grabs for hem of Louis’s shirt, pulling it over his head and throwing it on the floor. Louis follows Harry’s lead, grabbing for his shirt and tossing it to meet the one on the floor. Louis unbuttons Harry’s pants and moves down to kiss the butterfly inked on his stomach, following his happy trail with little pecks as he starts to pull down Harry’s insanely tight jeans.

“These are painted on you,” Louis laughs, having to back up to yank the jeans down Harry’s long legs. He finally gets them off, adding them to the pile of other forgotten clothing items.

Harry pops the button of Louis’s jeans, tugging them down over his ass. He pulls Louis forward by his waist, and Louis shrieks as he falls forward, chest to chest with Harry, but more importantly, barely clothed erection against barely clothed erection. Using his lengthy arms to his advantage, Harry leans to his right, moving the denim down farther past Louis’ left knee, then doing the same to the right, sticking his foot between Louis’s legs and pushing the crotch of the jeans down.

“What a talented lad,” Louis says before grinding down onto Harry’s dick. Harry’s hands follow the curve of Louis’s back down over his cheeks, and with a hand on each side he kneads into it, palming as much as he can.

“You have a fantastic arse.” Harry holds Louis down, grinding hard up against him.

“Fuck.” Louis closes his eyes, trying to press himself down into Harry.

“Yeah, babe. Let’s get these off.” Harry snaps the band of Louis’s briefs. Louis yelps, pushing up off his toes to put all his weight forward so he’s hovering over Harry, as he feels Harry strip him of his briefs. He steps his legs out of each side and surges forward to Harry’s lips. Harry slaps Louis’s bare butt playfully as he wiggles about, flipping their position so Harry’s now smiling down at the naked boy. Harry sits back on the heels of his feet, taking in Louis’s body.

“Tattoos look hot on you.” Harry eyes are still raking down his skin as he takes Louis’s cock in his hand.

“You as well, my dear.” Louis’s breathes hitches towards the end of his sentence as Harry’s hand speeds up. Louis tucks his feet up around Harry’s waist and pinches his toes against the material there, trying to pull it down. Harry chuckles at him, using his free hand to push down his briefs. It’s a bit difficult to do and he ends up falling over, releasing Louis’s dick as he does.

Louis leans on his elbows to watch Harry struggle out of his briefs. They make eye contact and start cracking up. “Come to me, you sexy buffoon.” Louis uses his legs to pull Harry closer to his naked body and finally.

Finally their bare cocks touch and Harry can’t get enough of it. “Yes,” Harry pants out, rutting down and picking up a little friction.

“Can you, fuck, can you reach the drawer from here? Lube’s in the second one,” Harry manages to get out, seeing Louis nod and stretch his arm over to make contact with the knob, pulling it open and blindly searching around for what feels like a bottle. Handing it to Harry, he takes a deep breath. He hasn’t had sex in a long time-- it’s hard when you have a kid -- and he almost forgets the feeling of anything other than his own hand. While he is in the middle of this thought, he hears the cap flick open. Harry covers his fingers evenly, bringing them down to Louis’s entrance. Louis feels the chill of the liquid as Harry gently traces around the rim. He has no control over the way his hips twitch as Harry’s finger adds pressure, getting ready to push in.

His phone goes off.

“Ignore it.” Louis pushes his hips down, trying to get Harry’s finger inside him. Harry listens to him, sliding his finger into Louis, moving it back and forth, stretching him out. He adds a second in, thrusting the two with ease as Louis moans out, “Yes, yes, Harry. More please.” Louis moves his hips against Harry’s fingers.

Harry’s phone goes off this time.

Harry pauses his finger movements to listen to the ring echo from where they discarded their phones on the table. “I think we should check that. If they called you first, then me, it might be about Nate.” Harry pulls out his fingers, wiping them on the bed. He hops off, running to the front of his house and grabbing his cell from the table by the door.

Niallers Celly!!

“Hello?” Harry picks up, walking back down the hall where Louis is still laying naked on the bed calming himself and using as much self-control as he can muster.

“Harry, sorry for calling but…um…Nate’s saying he wants Louis. He woke up screaming, we calmed him down a bit. He keeps asking where his Dad is.” Niall apologizes in his ear.

“Alright, we’ll be there as soon as we can. Does he want to talk to him over the phone?” Harry frowns, hating that Nate is so distraught right now.

“He says yes please.” Niall responds, and Harry can hear the Niall tell him that it’s his Dad. Harry hands the phone over to Louis.

“You alright, baby?” Louis says, and Harry walks around the room to pick up the discarded clothes, throwing Louis’s at him, trying to hook his briefs on his dick. To his surprise, he actually gets it.

“I’ll be right over, okay? I love you.” Louis hangs up the phone, sighing.

“I’m sorry about this.” Louis hands the phone back over, standing to put his clothes back on.

“Hey, it’s fine. We can go pick him up and come back here. I have hot cocoa with the little marshmallows; my Mum used to make it for me when I would get upset or have a nightmare. I keep it around now just in case.” Harry looks up from where he’s buttoning his jeans to see Louis’s mouth open, staring at him.

“You’re not mad we can’t have sex because my son had a nightmare?” Louis questions, not quite believing it.

“What? No! Of course I’m not mad! Why would you think that?” Harry wraps his arms around Louis, holding him close, their bare chests pressed against one another.

“It’s happened before.” Louis practically whispers into Harry’s collarbone.

“Fuck them. Or well, don’t. You know what I mean. I’m not here because I only want sex from you, I’m here because I really, really, really like you. And Nate. Call me selfish, but I want the package deal.” Harry feels Louis tilt his head, back up looking at him with something in his eyes.

“I really, really, really like you too, Harry Sherman Styles.” Louis smiles widely at him.

“You know it’s Edward.”

“No, I don’t.”

“It was on the card!”

“I can’t read!” Louis shouts as he ascends down the hall, slipping his shoes on.

“What am I going to do with you?” Harry grabs his jacket from the hook.

“Kiss me, preferably.” Louis puckers out his lips and Harry gladly listens.

XXX

When they get home Louis gives Nate a relaxing bubble bath with some stuff Harry has, knowing it will calm him from the nightmare. While the tub is draining Louis fluffs Nate dry with a fluffy towel, getting him to laugh the whole time. Louis puts on the jammies that were packed in his bag and carries him into the kitchen where Harry’s setting three mugs of hot cocoa onto the table, grinning as the two enter the room.

Nate falls asleep on Harry’s lap, body completely limp against his chest, as Louis grabs a wipe to clean off the chocolate ring around his mouth. Harry carries him carefully to the guest room and tucks him in, giving him a kiss and watching Louis do that same.

Harry’s rinses the mugs out with the dishwasher open so he can load everything into it while Louis’s got his arms around his waist and a chin on his shoulder. “What was the nightmare about?” Harry asks, leaning to drop a fork into the slot while Louis just holds on.

“Sorry about him kicking you out to tell me,” Louis says, kissing the back of Harry’s neck.

Harry shrugs.“I didn’t mind, he needed his Daddy.” Harry puts the last dish into the dishwasher and starts it, then in Louis arms and leans against the counter.

“We didn’t come back to get him. That was the nightmare. And not just me, you too.” Louis rises on his tip toes to give Harry a soft kiss.

“Really? He was afraid that we’d leave him there? I mean I know Liam can be scary, especially if you mess with his Toy Story shit…actually it’s really funny to mess with,” Harry laughs, remembering the last time they’d rearranged his collectibles into sex positions.

“Maybe ‘cause we both left together? We did leave him in a flat he’s never been to.” Louis adds in.

“Has he had nightmares like that before?” Harry questions, grabbing Louis’s hand and starting to walk to the bathroom.

“Not that I know of. The only places he’s ever really stayed I was either with him or he was at my Mum’s,” Louis answers. Harry flips on the light and grabs his toothbrush from the dish, grinning at Louis as he opens the door under the sink to pick up a new toothbrush.

“Hmm. Hopefully he doesn’t have one again, maybe I should say something? Like kinda make sure he’s cool with, you know, me shacking up with his Dad. Maybe he’s not okay with this.” Harry talks around his toothbrush, spitting little bits out as he talks.

“Isn’t he a little young for that? He’s only three. I don’t think he understands it like that, more than just the fact that you're around,” Louis comments. He didn’t think he’d have to wonder about a relationship and how Nate feels any time soon, but this could be the start of it. Maybe he should ask Nate if he likes having Harry around. Wait, who is he kidding? The kid loves Harry.

“Yeah, but if he sees us kiss and whatnot. Kids are smart, ‘specially Nate. I don’t know, I feel like I need his approval. Not just as ‘Arreh, but as, I don’t know, his Dad’s boyfriend.” Catching what he just said, he chokes on the toothpaste currently in his mouth.

“Shit. I mean… Would you want that?” Louis shyly asks, as he hands him a dixie cup filled with water.

“I would very much want that. C’mere, boyfriend.” Harry kisses his now titled boyfriend, and it’s minty tasting, and really Harry can’t imagine a better way to brush his teeth.

XXX

By the time Harry wakes up wrapped around Louis’s figure he’s smiling. His boyfriend. He and his boyfriend fell asleep together. God, he’s never going to get over this feeling. Louis stirs a little, turning over to snuggle into Harry’s chest. He can hear his phone going off from the kitchen where he left it, but he doesn’t want to get out of bed. He gives in and climbs out, careful not to disturb Louis. The blaring turns off by the time he actually gets to his phone and, fuck. He’s got missed called from management and from the boys. Dialing Liam back first, he stands in his kitchen in just briefs wondering what all the calls are about.

“Haz thank God. I thought I was going to have to use the key and I really didn’t want to startle you guys,” Liam’s voice rushes out.

“Good morning to you too, snookums.” Harry rubs his face with his free hand trying to wake himself up more.

“Why are you not freaking out?” Liam cries, and now Harry’s just confused.

“Why would I be freaking out?” Harry asks, not expecting what comes out of Liam’s mouth.

“Management's furious. Pics of you and Louis are all over the place and now they’re freaking out ‘cause people think you're gay.” Liam tends to talk fast when he’s nervous.

“I am gay.” Harry snorts his answer and God, he needs tea.

“Well, I know that. We have a meeting in thirty -- we’re on our way to get you now.” Liam informs him.

“What? Seriously, my boyfriend’s asleep in my bed and his son’s going to be up any minute expecting some pancakes. I can’t just leave.” Harry grabs a to-go cup from the middle shelf in the cabinet.

“Boyfriend? Aw, you guys made it all official. Niall’s cheering for you by the way. Hate to say it Haz, but you really don’t have a choice. We’ll see you soon, mate.” Liam hangs up the phone and Harry places his down on the counter.

Cracking his back as he stands waiting for the kettle, he feels lips kiss the length of his shoulders and hands resting on his tummy.

“Why’d you get out of bed?” Louis voice is rough as he shakes the sleep away from it.

“Um, don’t freak out, yeah? Pictures of our date got out apparently, and management called a meeting. I’m being picked up in about ten minutes.” Harry grabs a mug down for Louis.

“Poop. I wanted pancakes and cuddles.” Louis presses his face against Harry’s back, not wanting to be standing anymore.

“When I get back I’ll whip some up.” Harry pours tea into the travel cup and some into the mug set out for Louis.

“Nate’s gonna wonder where you are.” It’s mumbled against his skin and he can’t help but react to Louis’s breath on him; his skins quickly covered in goosebumps.

“Don’t use your son to guilt me,” Harry chuckles lightly, sipping from the cup.

“I would never. It’s against my character.”

“Yeah I’m sure it is. I gotta jump in the shower real quick.” Harry faces him to kiss him properly.

“I would join you but you have about six minutes till Liam comes a honking.” Louis takes his mug and leaves Harry standing in the kitchen watching his ass.

XXX

The bliss of his new relationship status is shattered within seconds.

He can’t hear his own thoughts over the throb of his heart or the yells of his amazing bandmates. He might be crying, he’s not too sure. Have you ever heard something so awful and numbing that you just can’t feel? You can’t do anything but sit there mumbling useless things under your breath because you forgot how.

He’s brought back from his state by one of Modest’s men shouting for them to all shut the fuck up.

“Harry has no choice -- if he didn’t want this, he shouldn’t have been so careless in the first place. It’s done, everything’s in place, he signed a contract in the beginning, and this is what’s best for the band,” idiot number one explains to them all.

“How is closeting him best for anybody? He’s not hurting anyone! This rubbish is what’s going to hurt people,” Liam demands calmly, and with Liam that is actually possible.

“You’re in a boy band, and your fan base is crazed teen girls who think they have a shot with each of you. This is our marketing strategy and the PR stunt we’re going to use. You lads have MSG and a new tour coming up, so we need to draw more attention toward you and this is the best way. Your sales are doing brilliant and this is a nice way to put you more in America. It’s final,” idiot number two informs them all.

“If they think they have a shot at me, why the fuck am I getting into a relationship?” Harry uses air quotes around the word.

“Liam and Zayn are seeing people and girls still think they’ll get with them, so statistically it’s acceptable,” jackass number three tells them.

“So because he’s seeing someone with a penis it’s not? This is seriously fucked up. Can’t we sue for discrimination or something?” Niall looks to Liam in outrage.

“You can’t sue, Mr. Horan, Harry signed a contracted with clauses that give us control. You’ve all been informed and you are dismissed. Harry, your first date is this Saturday while we’re in New York. You may go now.” Fucker number four waves his hand at them.

So it’s decided.

Against his will, he is now going to be Taylor Swift’s new conquest.

Chapter Text

Harry holds in all his emotions the best he can; he wants to break down so badly, like really break down, break a plate or too, do that classic “darts with Management's faces on it” thing.

He doesn’t know how or what he’s going to say to Louis about this. Why would Louis still want to be with him after he tells him? Louis’s life is chaotically peaceful, and Harry would only be adding a whirlwind to it. He can’t do that to Louis or Nate; they both deserve more than a publicity stunt. Sitting quietly, lost in his own mind, and ignoring his bandmates’ worrying looks, Harry makes the decision that it’s best if he ends things between Louis and himself.

Blocking out his bandmates’ questions, he gets out of the van and silently heads up to his front door, toying with his key before twisting it in the lock and entering his flat. He hears Nate and Louis answering Dora’s questions.

Closing the door behind him, Harry dumps his keys on the counter and shrugs out of his jacket, hanging it sadly on its hook. Biting his lip, he takes the first step towards a choice he really wishes he didn’t have to make. They haven’t noticed his presence yet – too wrapped up in the show, with Nate sitting on Louis’s and lap munching on apple slices. Harry can hear Louis encouraging Nate to interact and he does, pointing at the TV with his fruit and talking in between bites. Louis notices Harry standing half in the room and half out, not sure whether to turn around and run or get closer and face it. Harry wants to do the first one, but he’s got to do this, he can’t continue because it will only hurt Louis and Nate more.

“Welcome back.” Louis softly smiles at him. Harry really tries to keep his smile from turning into a grimace. He doesn’t know if he’s done a good job, but by the looks of Louis face, he would guess that he hasn’t.

“Arreh!” Nate slides off Louis’s lap, handing his snack to his father and running full speed at him. Harry crouches down to take him in his arms and give him a kiss on the cheek – God, he’s already failing at this separation thing.

“Hey, little man. Did you have a good sleep?” Harry walks over to the couch where Louis’s now standing.

“Comfy big bed!” Nate proclaims, grinning at him. His attention is lost to Dora two seconds later, so Harry places him on the couch as Louis hands back his apples.

“You alright?” Louis questions, sensing something’s up with Harry.

“Yeah. No, not really. Can we talk?” Harry points his head away from Nate. Even though he’s sucked into the show, those little ears could pick up on a lot.

“Yeah.” Louis follows Harry into the kitchen area; they can still see Nate from where they are in case something happens.

“Um, I don't know how to quite say this, so let me finish talking before you jump in, okay?” Harry nervously questions, playing with his fingers.

“I’m a little worried now. Go on.” Louis crosses his arms over his chest, leaning his weight on his left side.

“Okay, well, you know I went to a meeting for those photos and the rumors, so with Madison Square Garden in a few weeks and the new tour, Management has decided to give me a…a…girlfriend.” Harry tries to read Louis’s face, but he hasn’t known him long enough, it seems. Maybe they should have gotten to know each longer than almost three months before getting into a relationship, but Harry couldn’t help it – can’t help it. Louis is a high he never wants to come down from.

“A girlfriend. How does one ‘give’ someone a girlfriend, exactly?” Louis’s poker face game is strong; there aren’t any cracks, no falters in the words he’s just said, no signs to give Harry any indication of what he’s feeling.

“Yeah…like, a beard? You know, a fake relationship? I’m not actually going to be dating her, just the public will think I am,” he informs him, hoping the fake part won’t scare him away. Who is he kidding? The whole thing is shit.

“Er—okay? What does this mean for us?” Louis can physically feel the distance suddenly get so much farther than they’re standing.

“That depends—”

“On?” Louis rushes out in panic. Harry can finally read his face and he hates what he sees.

“If you want to keep seeing me. We can’t be public, more of a secret relationship. I understand if you don’t want that. It’s a lot to ask of you I know, ’specially with Nate. I figured you wouldn't want to get involved with this mess, so I understand, I really do.” Harry weakly tries to smile. He doesn’t want to pressure Louis into anything.

“Who's my competition, then?” Louis asks, trying to bring the humor back into the situation. He hasn’t said yes…but it wasn’t a no, either.

“Taylor Swift,” Harry mumbles, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Jesus Christ. You poor, poor boy.” Louis shatters the awkwardness and goes in to hug Harry, firmly getting his arms around his boyfriend's waist.

“Yeah. I’m not exactly too thrilled about it, don’t really have a choice though.” Harry moves his arms to circle the older boy. He’s not sure if Louis agreeing to this or if this is all false hope.

“I don’t blame you. I promise to change the station when her song about you comes on,” Louis says, laughing into Harry’s chest.

“Oi! Can’t wait to hear the bashing.” Harry rests his cheek on the top of Louis head. “So, are you okay with this? You still want to be with me?” The softness in Harry’s voice breaks his heart, Harry doesn’t deserve this from his management. He’s too much of a sweet kid.

“I’m not really okay with it, nor do I agree with it, but…” Louis tilts his head to looks at Harry in the eyes.

“But...?” Harry says hopefully, staring down at Louis.

“But, I want to be with you.” Louis finally watches a real smile come across Harry’s face and he presses his lips against Harry’s, sighing happily.

“Thank God. I’ll fill you in more about it later. Did you two eat yet?” Harry traces his fingers down Louis’s arm to link their hands and break out of their hug as he opens his fridge to scope out something to eat.

“Just munched on your large selection of fruit and made tea. Nate stole a cup of milk.” Louis leans into Harry’s side, sliding his hand around his waist.

“How dare he! I milked that straight from a cow! Nate! C’mere, I have a present for you!” Harry shouts, hoping the TV hasn’t sucked him in completely. Nate comes speedily into the room, stopping in front of Harry. “Present?” Nate puts his hands out and Harry tries not to laugh as he squats down so he’s almost eye level.

“Did you drink my milk?” Harry says with a straight face.

“Yesh! Muckles!” Nate shows Harry his muscles by flexing and Harry takes his hand to squeeze his arm.

“I think you’re stronger than me.” Nate nods his head up and down, giggling at him.

“Present? Muckles!” Nate eyes go wide as Harry brings both hands behind his back.

“You gotta close your eyes, it’s the rule.” Harry watches Nate snap his eyes closed tight, still holding his hands out.

“No peeks!” Harry watches him giggle and looks to Louis, who's trying hard not to bust out laughing.

“Present tickles!” Harry brings his fingers to Nate’s body, tickling him all over. Nate’s laugh is echoing around the room and Louis’s beaming so brightly at the scene before him.

“Arreh’ No pickles!” Nate squirms his body away, laughing and trying to get away from Harry’s hands. He manages to do so and runs to hide behind his father's legs.

“Where in the world did Nate go?” Harry crawls, looking by the garbage and under the fridge before getting on his feet slowly. “Nate? Nate? I can’t seem to find him! Well, I guess I’ll have to take his Daddy instead!” Harry jolts over to Louis, tickling his sides instead.

“This isn’t fair! I’m the hiding spot, you can’t tickle me!” Louis barks out, trying to push away Harry’s fast fingers with Nate still behind his knees now following Harry’s lead of trying to tickle his Dad.

“It’s called pickling, duh!” Harry throws his way, kissing him while his son is running his fingers over Louis’s legs. This is the best reaction Harry could have imagined.

XXX

Louis and Nate spend the day hanging around. It’s the most perfect lazy Sunday Harry’s had in a long time. When dinner time rolls around, Harry pulls out ingredients to make fajitas. He gives Louis the chicken to cut into strips and the spices to cover them with. He starts chopping green peppers, onions, and garlic and turns the front burner on, drizzling oil olive in the pan and adding the chopped veggies into the dish to brown. Harry adds the chicken into the dish, pouring the gravy on to mix them all up. Louis is heating the tortilla shells in the microwave when he gives Nate the forks to bring to the table, along with the napkins. With the table set and drinks poured, the three sit at the table and eat a wonderful meal.  

Harry doesn’t really want them to leave, but he figures they have to; Louis’s got work in the morning and they have been here since yesterday. Harry stands, collecting the dishes stacking them in the sink. He then walks back over to take the leftover veggie bowl and grab a plastic container to dump them in. Louis brings the leftover chicken and does the same thing, taking both containers to the fridge and finding spots for them.

Nate’s got two hands around a plastic cup Harry gave him, sipping his juice slowly and carefully so as not to spill it. Harry smiles in his direction, zipping up the tortillas to put into his bread drawer. Louis catches his arm on the way back and pulls him in close. “Thanks for a delightful dinner, Styles.” Harry can feel the breath against his lips. “Pleasure is all mine, Tomlinson.” Harry pats his bum, latching his lips on Louis’s.

“Eweyy! Cooties!” Nate giggles from the chair covering his eyes with his hands.

“I’ll have you know I am cootie-free, little man.” Harry gives him a finger wag, moving his hand to block his mouth from Louis. “I’m not sure about Daddy, though.” Louis hits him in the shoulder for that. “Oh, trust me, I’m cootie-free,” Louis scoffs, taking a few steps back to pick his son up and rest him on his hip.

“No kissin’! Bad Dadee! Bad Arreh’!” Nate mimics Harry, wagging a single finger at Louis.

“I can’t kiss you?” Louis gasps and starts to pretend to cry.

“No sad! Kiss me!” Nate brings his lips to Louis to cheer him up.

“Can I kiss you?” Harry leans over with his lips out, waiting for Nate to make his move.

“Yesh! Me kissin’!” Nate leans forward, giving Harry a peck.

“Now can I kiss Daddy?” Harry asks Nate, who looks over at Louis and back to him.

“No cooties?”

“No cooties.”

“Kay, kissin’!” Nate claps his hands and smiles as Louis allows himself to kiss Harry right in front of his son, which is a bit weird.

Louis pulls away with a slight grin. “Nate, is it okay if I kiss Harry?”

Nate looks at him with confusion. He kinda did just say it was okay, but that’s not what Louis is looking for. “Arreh’ good boy.” Nate nods to himself.

“Harry’s a good boy, yes,” Louis agrees with his son, thinking how to put his thoughts into terms Nate would understand. “You know how when Nana and Poppy kiss, it’s different, right?” Louis questions his three year old.

“Yesh. Poppee lobes Nannana. Lobe kisses. Yucky like cooties.” Nate scrunches his face up at the thought of his grandparents kissing. Louis agrees with the face but beams at that little brain working.

“You’re right, Poppy loves Nana and they give love kisses. I don’t want to think about my Mum having cooties, God, she has five kids.” Louis mutters the end of that to Harry, who laughs at him.

“Arreh’ lobes Dadee?” Nate looks up at them with what Louis sees might be hopefulness. He’s never really thought about how Nate perceives their living situation. Nate hasn’t asked for his Mum or anything, it’s just been the two of them. Maybe this is what they both need, maybe Nate needs his Arreh’ as much as Louis does. Maybe neither one of them stood a chance in front of the applesauce.

“Love’s a bit strong. I like your Daddy very, very, very, very much.” Harry puts his arm around Louis waist, taking a step closer to them.

“Wow. Very lots.” Nate’s eyes widen, laying his head on Louis shoulder.

“Very lots would be a good way to describe it,” Harry grins as he leans in to kiss Louis’s temple.

“Dadee very lots Arreh’?” Nate questions, taking his pointer finger to trace Louis bit of beard he’s got.

“That I do, baby. I very lots you, Harry Styles.” Smiling, Louis kisses his boyfriend with his son happily on his shoulder, now grasping the idea of him and Harry. It makes him even happier that he approves of Harry in his own little Nathan way.

Harry helps Louis to his car, smearing Nate’s face with kisses and promises till next time. Carefully closing the door, Louis leans against it, eyes watching Harry as he comes to bracket his hips. “Come here often?” Harry smirks, pressing himself against Louis body. “In fact I do. There’s this really fit lad I have a thing for. He lives next door, can you hook me up?” Harry doesn't answer. Instead, he takes Louis’s lips hostage in his own.  

Louis tries to keep his mind focused on the fact that his son’s in his carseat, so he should neither ravish Harry nor drag him back into his flat. He lets it go for about a minute before breaking it off, biting back his abused lips, right. “I should get this one to bed now,” Louis says as he rearranges Harry’s fringe.

“Call me after? Didn’t get to really talk to you about the contract and what not.” Pulling off Louis body, he takes his hand and walks him to the driver’s side.

“Yeah, I’ll call you.” Louis gives him a quick kiss where he’s standing, holding the car door open. “Drive safe. Very lots you.” Harry grins, closing the door as Louis says it back, watching his boyfriend pull out of his driveway and out the gate.

XXX

Two days before Harry’s set out to fly to New York, Louis finds himself at his Mum’s house watching his sisters run around the backyard with Nate. He had the day off from work and since his Mum postponed family day after he texted her about Harry and his date night getting changed up from Nate’s nightmare, they made this work, so now this Tuesday is family day. Louis’s sitting at the patio set having a cuppa with his Mum as they watch the five of them running amok. It keeps a smile on Louis’s face watching his son and sisters be so close; he loves his family a lot.

“How’s everything going, love?” Jay asks, catching Louis’s attention, who turned his head to start a conversation.

“It’s been really great, actually. Work’s the same, can’t complain. Nate’s getting better with his speech, he’s got a bunch more words down and uses them correctly. Classes are the usual – mundane but necessary. It somehow all gets done, I really don’t know how, but at the end of the day Nate’s happy, fed, and bathed, and that’s what counts.” Louis lifts his mug to his lips, laughing before he’s able to take a sip at Nate and Daisy playing footie, or well, trying to.

“Glad to hear, he’s a mirror image of you at this age. You were a handful – way too energetic for me most of the time.” Jay lightly laughs; it was a mini-Louis out there playing, like time had gone back twenty years.

“And I turned out fabulously, what more could I want for him?” Smiling at his life, Louis thinks that it’s true. He loves his life, his son, everything. That must be where Nate gets his outlook on life from, and he couldn’t be prouder.

“Nothing – like you said, he’s a little life-loving ball of energy. My god, he’s gotten so big. I remember picking you up from work and rushing to the hospital to see your little boy born. What a day that was.” It was a beautiful day and Louis knows it’s one he’ll never forget. The first time he held his baby, his , it was no going back from there. He was in love with him the exact moment he was placed in his arms.

“Best day of my life.” He would never lie, he gets choked up about things involving his son. Three years of having this little boy improve and change his life drastically. Hey, Nate even brought Harry to him.

“I agree. Now how’s your little thing going with a certain boy?” Jay asks, taking the mug of tea to her mouth and waiting to hear about Louis’s boy.

“Great, really great. The way he is with Nate, Mum, I can’t wait for you to see them together. I’ve never seen someone Nate’s taken to this much before. Not in the way he has with Harry, it’s amazing to watch the way they are together. He gets it too, you know? That Harry’s not just some random bloke. He’s now keyed the phrase ‘very lots’ as a term of liking someone.” Louis laughs at this, remembering being in the kitchen and Nate’s reaction.

“Good. It’s hard dating with a child. I did the same thing with Mark. I made sure you were okay with it before anything. Give me some details now about Harry! I’m very happy Nate approves, but I want the good stuff!” Jay turns into him a little more, and he realizes that he’s gossiping with his Mum…he needs more mates his age.

“I’ve only been seeing him a few months, half of which he wasn’t even in this country. There’s not much to say other than he’s a great kisser, and definitely knows what he’s doing.” He bites back the smile on his face from growing anymore.

“Call me intrusive, but have you slept with him?” Jay watches Louis’s cheeks tint a little bit of red. Yes, they’ve always had an open relationship, but she’s never flat out asked him if he’s had sex with someone. Not that Louis has really given her the chance with the last few flings. They were, well, flings, which meant Mum wasn’t informed. But with Harry, he knew it was different.

“I’ve slept next to him in bed, but no, we haven’t…um, had sex yet.” Louis quickly drinks his tea. Is this normal?

“I have to say you’ve got some willpower. Is there a reason you haven’t?” She moves her eyes to look at her kids and grandkid. She doesn’t look at Louis, and it helps him talk about this.

“Not willpower – my son tends to want all his attention. We were, well, the way things were headed, we were about to on Saturday but Niall – Harry’s bandmate – called about Nate having a nightmare so we went and got him. By the time we fell back in bed we just cuddled. I think we both felt weird starting anything back up with Nate in the guest room.” He wants to laugh at his Mum for even suggesting he had any kind of willpower. She’s seen Harry, Louis wishes he could get him naked every time he’s with him. But he’s a father, and that comes before naked Harry…unfortunately.

“Hmm,” Jay thinks out loud. She’s got plan forming in her mind and thinks Louis will go for it, but you never know. “You said Harry was flying to New York soon, correct?” Louis simply nods. “Yeah, I kinda told you about the him-being-in-the-closet thing? He’s getting a fake bird to parade around with for a few months to stop gay rumors,” Louis informs her, and her reaction is about what he expected: shocked.

“He’s going public with someone that’s not you because of his sexuality?” Louis also had support from his family; he knew he was into more than just girls growing up and Jay never judged. From what Harry has said about his Mum, she’s never cared what Harry was and has supported him fully as well.

“Yeah, you’ll drop your tea when I tell you who it is. I have to go meet with his management Thursday morning to sign some contract. I’m going into work late for it,” Louis informs her. He should have swapped today for his Thursday, it would have made more sense money wise.

“Contract for what?” his Mum questions, placing her tea on the table carefully – these are her good mugs.

“That I won’t say anything about my relationship with Harry and if we’re seen out again together to play the mate card,” Louis mocks whatever suit member called him the night before about terms and conditions since Harry is choosing to ignore their advice and continue to be involved with him. Fuckers.

“Read over everything in the contract and make sure this is what you want. Decide if you’re ready for this kind of relationship. You haven’t had a proper relationship in some time – are you sure you want one where he’s going to be gone a lot, and when he’s not gone you’re a secret?” It’s her job to protect her son. She’s never be around him in a real mature relationship before, because he hasn’t really had one. Her worries are allowed by the Mum rule.

“I’ve thought about it, I constantly think about it. His status, who he is, now with the fake bird. ‘Specially with Nate, is he someone he should be around? Is he going to break Nate’s heart if he leaves? I’ve thought about all of it, about him leaving to tour, being pictured kissing someone else. Trust me, I went over all possibilities in my head. It’s worth it. He’s perfect for Nate, for me, our little lifestyle. He’s not ‘Harry Styles of One Direction’ when he’s with us. He’s Harry who crawls on floors to get Nate to laugh, Harry who didn’t give a damn that we couldn’t have sex because we had to go pick up Nate, Harry who has come in and brought even more sunshine into my life. He’s everything I’ve ever pictured in guy that I thought was nonexistent. Most people you have to pick and choose traits you know? He has it all, though. Funny, smart, lovely, has manners, really fit, good with kids, has a passion, a job, he can cook, he’s charming. I want this with him Mum.” Louis finishes his tea and places it on the table, looking at his Mum after revealing all of that.

“When can I meet him?” She smiles at him, placing her own mug next to his.

“He’s gone for two weeks to New York, comes home for a week then heads back again since they’re playing Madison Square Garden. His fake girlfriend thing starts this Friday. He’s going to the zoo with her to be spotted together.” Louis scoffs at that, at how cheesy it is, or maybe because he wanted to go to the zoo with Harry. Definitely not the second one, nope.

“Poor thing, all that back and forth. When he can, bring him here for dinner.” Jay pats his thigh in approval of Harry.

“Dadee! Footie peas! Play wit me!” Nate shouts, jumping up and down across the grass from him. Louis gets to his feet, kissing his Mum on the cheek and starting to jog over to his son.

“Wait! Who is she?” Jay remembers to ask, standing up to collect the two tea cups.

“Taylor Swift!” Louis laughs, still able to see his Mum’s reactions while jogging backwards. He turns himself to pick his son up and toss him in the air. “You ready to lose?” Louis catches him as he laughs, placing him back on the ground to play.

XXX

After every stomach is filled and everyone, including Nate, helps to clear the table, Jay sends everyone into the living room to put on an age-appropriate movie. Jay stops Louis from heading in. “Why don’t you ring Harry and see if he’s free tonight,” she tells him, turning the water on.

“Bring him here?” Louis asks in confusion.

“No, you go there. Nate can spend the night here and you should go have some one-on-one time with Harry. Things are about to get complicated once he goes to New York, so take the time to be with him now. You deserve this, Louis.” Jay rubs his cheeks and Louis thinks about it for all of two seconds before he’s pulling out his phone.

“I’m off tomorrow so Nate can stay here when you go to work. You can pick him up after and tell me how wonderful your night went.” It’s official; he has the world’s greatest Mum in the history of world’s greatest Mums.

“You sure you don’t mind him staying here tonight and tomorrow?” Louis has to ask. It silences the voices saying he’s abandoning his child to basically go off and have sex.

“Yes. Stop thinking bad things about yourself. You do everything with and for your child. You need to go take some time for yourself and go see your boyfriend. That relationship is still new, it's great he’s good with Nate but you have to make sure you’re both able to have a separate relationship that can weave into Nate’s life. Go see Harry. Spend the night together like normal boyfriends, not like one who's a father and one who’s a popstar. Allow yourself to be happy.” Jay kisses his forehead, and Louis takes that moment to wrap his arms around her, burying his face in her neck.

“I love you. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me the last couple of years. I don’t think I thank you enough.” He can hear Nate’s little barefoot feet slapping against the tile and five seconds later there's a thud into the back of his legs, where little arms hold him tightly.

“I love you too. Sometimes those words are silently said, I can count many times they have been but it’s always nice to hear out loud.” Jay breaks the hug, smiling down at her grandson.

“Dadee come, movie time!” Nate takes tiny steps to bring himself in front of Louis, now squeezing between the space Jay has left open. Louis sends a quick text to Harry letting him know he’s going to be coming over. Bending down to pick Nate up and resting him on his hip, he questions, “Daddy’s has to go somewhere. Is it okay if you stay here with Nana for a sleepover?” Louis speaks lightly, not wanting upset Nate if he has one of those rare days where he doesn’t want to leave Louis’s side.

“Where you goin’?” Nate asks back, rubbing both hands on Louis beard. He also has a fascination when Louis doesn’t shave. He probably should if he’s getting together with Harry, and he definitely needs a shower.

“I’m going to go see Harry, and it’s almost your bedtime so I figured since you love Nana’s house you could sleep over and I’ll come get you tomorrow.” Louis has also instilled in himself a decision to never lie to Nate; he doesn’t think there’s a point.

“No Arreh’ see me? Bad Nate?” Nate starts to pout and Louis brings him into his chest tighter.

“No silly, you are a very good boy and Harry always wants to see you, but by the time I drive to Harry’s you’re going to be asleep already, and it wouldn’t be very nice of me to wake you up. Plus, you love movie time with your aunts,” Louis tells him, hoping to convince him to stay and not be upset.

“Tay! Dadee go very lots kissin’ Arreh’!” Nate smiles up at Louis, who laughs at him.

“Yes, Daddy’s going to kiss Harry. Not before I kiss you all over the place!” Louis covers Nate’s face, neck, arms and lifts his shirt to blow raspberries on his stomach. When the laughter finally stops and Nate’s calmed down, Louis pushes some of Nate's hair out of his face, thinking he should take him to get that cut soon.

“Alright, one more of your best kisses you can give me, plant it right here.” Louis taps his mouth and Nate squeals right before kissing him.

“If you want to call me when Nana’s tucking you in you can, okay?” Louis boops Nate’s nose.

“Kay. Lobe you dadee!” Nate brings his arms around as much of Louis as he can in a hug.

“I love you too. Be good for Nana.” Louis walks Nate into the living room, tossing him carefully on the couch in between his sisters.

“Good Nate! Bye Dadee. Kissin me to Arreh’!” Nate waves as he wiggles into Lottie’s side.

“Who's Harry and why is Nate kissing him?” Lottie raises her eyebrow up at him, curling an arm around Nate.

“Arreh’ very lot kissin’ Dadee.” Nate giggles, covering his eyes like he did the other night.

“Harry kisses Daddy? That’s what I got out of giggles over here. C’mon, who’s Harry?” Fizzy butts in, and his sisters have matching expressions, like they’ve just caught him stealing the last cookie.

“Since I’ve been ratted out by spidey, Harry is someone I’ve been seeing for the last couple months.” Louis goes to tickle Nate’s sides as he tries climbing into his aunt's lap for help.

“Wow, a couple months, that’s record for you, right Lou?” Lottie smirks at him as she shields Nate from his attacking father.

“I have some choice words for you that I can’t say in front of my son.” He resorts to flicking Lottie in the arm.

“Do we get to know more about this mysterious Harry fellow? Like how old is he?” Fizzy says from her spot, now moving closer to Lottie and Nate.

“Nineteen in a few months.” Louis decides to focus on the ceiling rather than on the looks he’s getting. Harry might be slightly younger than him, but he doesn’t feel like there's a five year gap. Maybe it’s because Harry lives on his own, supports himself, cooks, and everything else adult-y.

“What'd you do, pick him out of A levels?” Lottie retorts back to him.

“No, met him at Tesco’s. Look, I gotta go – don’t want to hit traffic so I’m going to leave this interrogation now.” Louis leans down, giving Nate one last kiss and ignoring his two sisters on the couch, giving his other two sisters – the good sisters – hugs and kisses.

“Well at least he’s legal, your mug wouldn’t last long in prison.” Fizzy responds as Louis’s walking out of the room, and he flips them off discreetly.

XXX

Harry answers the door in nothing but a towel and Louis uses all the willpower his Mum was chatting about to give him a simple kiss and walk through the door.

“You made really good time.” Harry shuts the door, following Louis into the living room.

“Yeah I thought I’d hit more…happy I didn’t.” Louis shrugs, taking his jacket off. There’s so much sexual tension in the room.

“How was your Mum’s?” Harry sits down on the couch, resting back and giving Louis a full view of his chest.

“I-it was good, she wants to meet you. Uh, not at this moment. Just, you know, when you can. Whenever.” Louis can’t control his eyes from roaming over all the contours of Harry’s very well-defined body. He feels his eyes trailing lower, following the ridges of Harry’s abs down to the edge of the towel that’s barely holding on.

“Yeah, we could do that. Next few weeks will be a little rough, but once that settles, definitely. My Mum wants to meet you as well.” Harry watches Louis face as he is now looking past the towel where his thighs are exposed from sitting.

“Why are we talking about our Mums?” Louis eyes fly back up to Harry’s, his voice holding an almost desperate tone.

“To be polite.” Harry sincerely answers.

“Fuck polite.” Louis gets out, straddling Harry’s waist and attaching his lips onto Harry’s. Louis tilts Harry’s chin up, kissing him deeper and trying to get more inside his mouth.  Harry’s hands trail down Louis’s body, outlining his figure until he stops them on Louis’s bum, gripping what he can through his jeans. Louis lowers himself down, just barely making contact with Harry’s dick that’s only hidden by a towel, causing Harry to gasp and push his hip up against Louis’s.

“Here’s what’s going to happen, so you better listen closely, Styles.” Louis breaks their snog and grinds down on Harry’s lap. “You’re going to take me upstairs where I will strip down to exactly how you are now, and you’re going to fuck me.” Louis keeps his hips moving, feeling the dick underneath him harden. Harry doesn’t speak, pushing himself off the couch. Louis wraps his legs around Harry’s waist as Harry keeps a firm grip on his ass, carrying him up the stairs and into his room before tossing him on the bed. Harry drops his towel and climbs on his bed to unbutton Louis’s jeans, pulling the zipper and tugging his pants off, throwing them to the floor. Harry mouths at Louis’s thigh, moving up to where his penis is trapped by his boxers. He simply breathes over it, skipping what Louis needs to kiss at his stomach and go across to his hip bones. He nibble one, leaving a small purple mark. Taking the hem of Louis’s shirt, Harry pulls it up and over his head, discarding it to the floor. Harry’s kneeling above him as he takes in Louis shirtless. It seems like forever since he was able to touch Louis in the way he wanted. “Gorgeous.” Harry traces the inked words on Louis chest. “You are beyond gorgeous.” Bringing his face to Louis, he reattaches their lips.

XXX

Louis doesn’t remember the last time he had sex as great as that. Maybe he never did. All he knows is that Harry is very good at it and is currently holding him in his arms as they catch their breaths.

“You’re really good at that.” Louis settles into their cuddle, kissing the part of Harry’s bicep he can reach. “Glad to know I have the Tomlinson stamp of approval,” Harry hums into the back of Louis neck. “I’d be pouting if you didn’t.” Louis slips one of his legs between Harry’s, entangling them.

“I’d just have to show you again to get that approval.” Harry gives Louis a little thrust. Louis stretches his neck to see Harry and once he knows he has his attention he pouts. “I guess I’ll have to prove to you that I’m the bestest.” Harry runs his hand back down to Louis dick, jerking it off a few times while rolling his hips.

“Get to it! I’m not getting any younger.” Louis lays on his back, trying to pull Harry up on top of his, but it’s a bit of a mess when only half Harry’s limbs respond. “I’m not sure if that was an insult to my age or yours.” Harry doesn’t give Louis a chance to answer before he’s sliding back into him and setting Louis’s legs over his shoulders.

“Who cares, just don’t stop, please!” Louis moans out, gripping his hands into the sheets. “What would you do if I did?” Harry slams into him and stops his hips, keeping them stilled and pushing against Louis’s prostate. “I’d cry! God, do you want to see me cry right now?” Louis tries to move himself, but Harry’s got him pinned down by the hips. Harry starts up with little shallow thrusts that keep assaulting the same spot that has Louis moaning. “Only if it’s crying because you’re in so much pleasure.” Harry picks up his speed and moves his hands off Louis waist, who starts fucking into Harry at the same time. It’s not long until Louis’s cumming, gripping Harry’s arms so tightly he’s bound to have marks. Harry buries his face in Louis neck, biting down as he releases himself inside Louis.

“I have things leaking out of me now,” Louis says the moment Harry pulls out and he can feel the cum start to leave his hole. “Let’s go shower, I’ll clean you up.” Harry gets off the bed, lifting Louis in his arms to take him to the bathroom. “This treatment is lovely and all, but I do have legs,” Louis says as he wiggles them, bringing one of his knees to his chest to show Harry, who's got him in a bridal carry. “Not too fond of wiping up cum off the floor.” Louis’ put down once they get inside the bathroom. From there, he watches Harry’s very naked form turn the shower on.

XXX

Once they are nice and clean with no more leaking cum, Louis and Harry make their way to the kitchen to find something to snack on. Louis’s always been one to eat post-sex; it happens no matter what. Harry puts a bag of popcorn in the microwave, grabs two waters from the fridge, and takes Louis into the living room.

“So the zoo, yeah?” Louis curls into Harry’s side with his feet up on the couch as he sits in a little ball.

“Yeah, the zoo. It’s not too bad, I talked my stylists Lou and her husband to tag along with their one-year-old.” Harry puts his arm around Louis, holding him in the cuddle they’ve got going on.

“That’s nice of them. Lux, right?” Louis hums in response. He’s happy Harry’s got a system of people who genuinely care for him.

“Yup, Lux, she’s precious. We should set Nate and her up when they’re older.” Harry ponders his thoughts, wondering what Lux will be like when she’s older.

“You’re setting up my three year old to Lou’s one year old. Harry Styles, toddler match maker extraordinaire!” Louis grins, looking up to Harry.

“I could make some serious pounds from that,” Harry tells him seriously, like he was considering it.

“Go get the popcorn, you abominable yeti.” Louis pushes him and watches him fall over before tripping over his own feet on the way to the kitchen.

XXX

“I can’t believe we had sex on the sofa,” Harry pants out, hanging upside down on the couch.

“What’s wrong with sofa sex?” Louis feels like a turtle; he’s still on top of Harry. knees on both sides of his hips and resting on Harry’s chest. He’s a human turtle.

“Nothing was wrong with it, it was fantastic! Seriously, you know how to work those hips! My poor sofa, this is custom vintage.” Harry pouts, stroking his couch that now has a unique stain which Niall will give him shit for.

“Do you hear yourself?” Louis sits up at that, looking affronted. “Custom vintage? You’re a freaking hipster! Custom vintage my arse! How can vintage even be custom?” Louis scoffs out, judging Harry hard.

“I picked it out from this wicked shop with a mate of mine, Grimmy – Nick Grimshaw, you’ve heard, yeah? Anyway, yeah, so I found it at a place called Don Found It and thought it was perfect.” Harry responds back seriously like Louis didn’t make fun two seconds ago.

“My God. You are off your rocker! You don’t know where this couch has been! Someone could have been murdered on it or puked all over it.”

“Niall already did that one.” Harry grimaces, remembering that awful scene…it just kept coming up.

“Harold. You could have gotten something that looks exactly like this and not have the list of possible crimes that could have been committed on it.” Louis slides off Harry, helping him sit back up so not all the blood is rushing to his head.

“Where’s the fun in that? This has character, a story!” Harry takes Louis’s hands, both of them getting up off the couch and walking upstairs to his room.

“What am I dating? Jesus, if you make me eat tofu or wheat grass I’m going to break up with you.” Louis remarks, waddling a bit. His ass is sore. Three rounds after not having sex for months; God, Harry knows how to use his penis.

“Can we eat turkey burgers? Ooh, veggies burgers are really good.” Harry crawls into bed watching Louis join him.

“In case you forgot about the last few hours, I like my meat real.” Louis gives Harry a smug look, tucking himself into Harry’s side and pulling the covers over them.

“So sex toys are off the table then?” Harry uses his arm to bring Louis pressed against him, spooning him.

“Fuck, no. You’re going to be the death of me, Styles.” Louis reaches his hands to plug his phone into the cord.

“The death of your asshole, yes.” Harry kisses him when Louis turns to face him.

"That was bloody awful." Louis laughs anyway.

“Goodnight, love.” Harry mumbles, closing his eyes and burying his face into Louis’ neck.

“Goodnight, baby.” Louis allows himself to drift off happily.

XXX

Harold: I’ll call you when I land. Very lots you sweetheart<3 xxx

Louis smiles at the text, glancing quickly and answering.

Louis: Have a safe flight baby! Very lots you too<3 ooo

Putting away his phone, Louis goes back to work, stopping Hayden from sticking his fingers up Emily’s nose. A day in the life of, right? Louis laughs at the parallel lives of Harry and himself.

XXX

He tries not to look, he really does. Wills himself to keep busy all day with Nate, without TV or Internet and ignoring tabloids as he goes food shopping. He’s doing really well, very proud of himself.

After tucking Nate into bed, he pours himself a glass of whiskey that he doesn’t remember buying – he blames Stan – and sits down, having a stare-off with his laptop. He really should just get his homework over with, that would be the smart thing to do.

Louis doesn’t do the smart thing.

Opening his laptop he types Harry Styles into his search bar and hits enter.

Really, he’s an idiot.

Louis doesn’t even get through the whole article before he’s throwing back his entire glass of whiskey and coughing most of it back up. He hasn’t drank like that this since Uni, pre Nate making.

ONE DIRECTION’S HARRY STYLES AND TAYLOR SWIFT SPOTTED AT THE ZOO TOGETHER:

New romance on the rise? With a love bite like that, we say it’s a go.

“I gave him that, you shits!” Louis curses out, filling his glass back up and drinking half of it while staring at one of the pictures of them. He’s not even touching her or anything, but the presence just lights something in his belly. He likes the ones of Lux though, she really is adorable and would great next to Nate. World’s cutest kids, he thinks.

Louis is reminded of what he has when Harry texts him a picture of the nuts he bought off the street cart.

Harold: I like yours better ;) xxx

And suddenly it’s all okay, he knows it is.

Just to make himself feel better he finds a picture in which a fan had swapped Harry and Taylors faces while looking at seals and sends it to Harry.

Louis: Blonde doesn’t suit you very well this made me laugh!!! :)) ooo

XXX

Harry flies Louis and Nate out to his Madison Square Garden show. He wants them there. He’s standing shirtless going over things with Liam when he hears a little voice screaming his name. “Arreeeeh’!” He turns just in time to scoop Nate off the grab, tossing him in the air before cuddling him close in his arms.

“Little man!” Harry holds him tight, watching Louis enter the room. “Missed you!” Nate tucks his head into Harry’s neck. “I missed you too. I’m glad you're here now bud, the show can go on!” Harry announces, spinning Nate in his arms.

Louis walks toward him looking around the room for anyone who doesn’t know of their relationship. Spotting no one, he kisses Harry when he gets close enough. “Hey, love.” Harry smiles back into another kiss. “Glad you're here too. Plane ride was okay?” Harry questions, only wanting the best.

“Eh, felt like a first class knob but thank you. Nate was super excited and the flight attendant gave him a pair of wings that he won’t take off.” Louis laughs as Nate picks his head up from being buried in Harry’s neck to grin madly, pointing to the wings clipped onto his jacket.

“Wings, wings, Arreh’! Wings!” Nate kicks his feet in excitement.

“I see, they are very nice wings. Did you like flying in the air?” Harry asks the toddler.

“Yesh! Dadee’s ear pops!” Nate informs him, poking Harry’s ears for emphasis.

“Dadee’s ears popped? Did yours?” Harry watches the boy shake his head.

“Nope my ears not try runnin’ way. Bad Dadee’s ears.” Nate shakes his fist at Louis.

“Yeah, Daddy does have silly ears.” Harry’s dimples come out as he smiles at Louis, putting his arm around his waist.

“Is everyone ready!? Oh, hey Louis, Nate.” Liam gives Louis a side hug and a fist bump to Nate.

“Leeyum! Ears?” Nate reaches his for Liam’s earpiece that’s dangling.

“It’s so I can hear the music when we go on stage to sing because it’s so loud.” Liam picks it up off his shoulder and brings himself close to loop it on Nate’s ear.

Nate gets a look of concentration on his face, “No music? Brokin’.” Nate takes it off, handing it back to him. Everyone who just witnessed this laughs and coos at how freaking cute this kid is.

Nate turns his attention to Harry, looking at the ear closest to him and leaning to see his other. Once he sees that Harry doesn’t have any in-ears, his eyes move to find Niall and they light up. “Niyo! Ear peas?” Nate holds his hand out for Niall to give it to him.

“I reckin’ mines broken as well pint size. No music.” Niall frowns, pretending to listen to nothing and taking it off.

“Bad ears. Dadee fix booboo?” Nate turns to his father with a small pout on his lips.

“I’ll get right on that, can’t have a booboo, now can we?” Louis rests his own head on Harry’s shoulder. He's enthralled by how Nate’s got every single one of them wrapped around his finger, but in the most innocent and lovely way.

“No booboos.” Nate looks up at Harry and gives him a grin. “No sad Arreh’, Dadee tells booboos bye bye. Bestest booboo hero.” Nate leans toward his Dad, placing a kiss on his nose.

“I take my job very serious, protect and heal is my motto.” Louis smiles, kissing his son on his nose as well, and fighting back a few tears. Nate just called him a hero. Whatever he’s done in his past lives to get him to this point he wants to shake his own hand for.

Paul comes into the room with a clipboard and a set of bright red headphones, the ones that block out the noise. “Let’s go, lads!” He says, eyes falling on the three of them still in some cuddle huddle and makes his way over.

“Louis, this is Paul, our head security slash tour Daddy.” Harry grins at the title that they deemed him. “Paul, this is my boyfriend Louis and his son Nate.” Louis steps forward to shake his hand. “Nice to meet you Sir.” Louis feels like an ant next to him, the man’s huge.

Nate seems to agree, as his eyes are wide and his little fist is gripping onto Harry’s shirt. “Big man!” Nate gets out, stunned at the size.

Paul laughs and shakes his head in agreement. “That I am. I have something for you, Nate. I don’t want you to hurt your ears so I have these.” Paul shows him the sound blockers and Nate cracks a smile.

“Tank you Arreh’s Dadee!” Nate holds his hands out to take them and the room erupts in laughs again.

“Nate, he’s not my Daddy.” Harry barely gets the sentence out, he’s laughing so hard.

“But Arreh says tor Dadee?” Nate tilts his head up in confusion watching Harry.  

“My Dad’s in his seat, you’ll meet him later. Paul takes care of us while we're on the bus since my Dad doesn’t come with us.” Harry breaks it down in a way Nate hopefully understands.

“Paul good. Me like. Talk funny like Niyo!” Nate whips his head to find the blonde.

“Yeah, Niall and Paul are from Ireland. That means they’re not from where we live.” Louis doesn’t think he gets the concept of countries yet, he’s only three.

“Me pint size? Why?” Nate questions Niall for an explanation.

“It means little. Since we look alike you’re the little one of me. So he calls you pint size like how Harry calls you little man.” Louis responds for them.

“O’tay. Music time?” Nate brings his attention back to the headset.

“Yes, we’re going to go sit and watch Harry sing.” Louis takes hold of the headphones as Harry hands Nate over to him.

“No.” Nate starts to say looking at Louis. “Arreh’, Niyo, Leeyum, Zang sing.” Nate corrects his father.

“You’re right, we’re going to see all of them sing. Let’s go take our seat so they can, yeah? You ready?” Louis slides the headphones on, getting ready for the screams.

“Yesh.” Nate cheers from Louis’s arms, pointing to the door. “Go Dadee! No late!”

“Got it; no lateness.” Louis chuckles and steps back into Harry’s space.

“Sing pretty, superstar.”

“Extra pretty for you, snookums.” Harry leans in, kissing him.

“Harry, we gotta go now,” Zayn lightly grins, waiting for him with the door open. He’s the last one in the dressing room.

“Coming!” Harry says over his shoulder. Zayn nods, letting the door close as he exits.

“Security will come get you before the show ends to take you back here. If you need to leave your seat or anything just go back to them and they’ll help you.” Harry kisses him again, molding their lips together.

“VIP treatment, I see. Go now, you have a crowd of teens to impress.” Louis drags them to the door, holding his hand and knowing the minute that door opens they’ll have to let go.

“You’re the only one I want to impress.” Harry opens the door, already missing the feeling of Louis’s hand.

“Stop looking at my bum,” Louis laughs, turning to Harry, who’s been handed his earpiece and microphone.

“Never,” Harry smirks, giving his ass a slap as he’s being pulled towards the stage and Louis heads towards the audience.

“Wait! Arreh’!” Nate yells from Louis arms, causing both boys to stop and turn to face each other.

Harry jogs over to Nate who leans to kiss his nose and starts pointing to his wings. “Arreh’ wings! Take me!” Nate tries to take his wings off but doesn’t get how they work, so while Harry bites back his face breaking, he takes them off and gives them to Nate for him to choose. Nate sticks his tongue out of the side of his mouth in concentration, poking by Harry’s nipple as he tries to pin on the magnetic wings. Harry takes them from him and slips the magnet under his shirt to attach the two pieces.

“Ready now!” Nate says proudly, giving the wings a kiss, then Harry’s mouth one more.

“You’re right, smarty pants. Now I can go sing. I’ll see you after the show.” Harry presses kisses all over Nate’s and Louis’s faces before running to the stage to be launched.

Louis holds Nate close as they’re escorted to the reserved seating. They make it in time to watch the boys pop up from the stage, Harry’s wings shining from the reflection of the light.

He’s beaming, watching Nate sit on his lap clapping with his adorable red headphones on as he follows Harry pointing at him. Louis lets his eyes go back to Harry as he moves across the stage.

There’s a tap on his left shoulder, and he moves his head around Nate’s to address whomever is seeking his attention. A woman with long brown hair and a round face with familiar green eyes is smiling at him. “You must be Louis! I’m Anne, Harry’s mum!” She introduces herself, taking his hand in hers.

Louis initial reaction is to freeze. He should have figured he’d be meeting her tonight, as it’s her son’s biggest show ever, but it’s still nerve-wracking. He’s never really been the meet-the-parents type of guy; it usually ends it before that happens. So he’s a bit new at this parent thing.

“Hello, Anne, very nice to finally meet you! This is Nate, my son” Louis gets Nate’s attention to focus on Anne. “Nate, this is Harry’s mum Anne, can you say hello?” Louis watches Nate make little connections in his head without looking back at him. “Arreh’ good! Hii Nan!” Nate wiggles around, shifting his weight towards Anne’s face and surprising them all by kissing her nose.

Nate just sits back down in Louis lap and continues on watching the boys move back and forth on stage. Anne squeezes Louis’, hand grinning at him, “He’s lovely, Louis. You’ve done a marvelous job.” Louis bites at his lip. “Thank you, that means a lot.”

Liam lifts Harry’s shirt up at that moment, sending the crowd into a roar of screams. Louis sits back with Nate in his lap and his hand still in Anne’s. He can get used to this.

Chapter Text

It’s never really been Louis style to start panicking when something he can’t solve right away comes up. He thinks he’s borderline panicking as he dials up his Mum, pacing around the living room, Nate’s looking at him like he’s crazy.

“Hello my dear!” Jay’s voice rings through the line, he can tell he’s on her bluetooth from the car.

“Mum, hi. Uh are you free later tonight around five-ish?” Louis rushes out biting at his nails, he thinks he picked this up from Harry, he never was a nail biter before but the younger boy does occasional bite his.

“No sorry sweetpea. Carpool duty for Daisy and Phoebs. Is everything okay?” Jay questions and Louis minds already going to other people he can call.

“It will be. My online exam got moved to campus the systems down and I have no one to watch Nate now.” Louis tells his mother thinking Stan might be off from work tonight.

“Oh boo, I’m so sorry! I could try and scoop by?” He can hear the tone in his mothers voice and he hates it.

“No no. I’ll figure it out, one of those father things I’m being tested on. Thanks Mum, I’ll call you later after my exam.” Louis glances over at Nate whose coloring at the table.

“Alright, I love you. Talk to you later.”

“Love you too Mum. Bye.” Louis hangs up and quickly dials Stan’s number.

“Tommo! S’been a while whats up man?” Stan laughs his way through it, good ole Stan.

“Lucas! Have I told you lately how fit you are?” Louis responds with his own laughter.

“You haven’t, I’m feeling a bit insecure about it. Glad to know I still raise you.” He snickers, Louis knows he’s probably high fiving himself.

“Oi! My kid’s sat right by me, none of that!” Louis’ glad Stan never dropped him once he had gotten word of Louis future child, he doesn’t know what would have happened.

“Alright, alright. Filter got it. Now what can I do for you on this lovely Tuesday afternoon?” Louis can hear the kettle go off in the background.

“Are you working tonight?” Louis questions picking up a purple crayon and shading in the sky of Nate’s spiderman coloring book.

“I can work any night for you sugar.” Stan seductively tells him.

“I really hate you did you know that?” Louis bites down his laughing because that was funny but he's not given into Stan.

“You could never. Yeah I’m working tonight, you coming by for a drink? Need me to close off a section for you and the boyfraan?” Stan uses his stereotypical gay voice at the word boyfriend. Again, Stan never gave two shits who Louis decided to fuck or suck. Louis loves Stan.

“Nah, my final got moved to campus. The online sites down, now I’m trying find someone to watch Nate.” Louis informs him thinking he could as Joy one of his coworkers to watch him, she’s off Tuesdays as well.

“Oh shit. Sorry man, if you really need to bring him here I can set him up in the break room and keep eyes on him. Boss man won’t mind, it’s a fucking Tuesday we’ll be slow as shit  specially since it’s finals week.” Stan says seriously wanting to help his friend out.

“I’ll keep that in mind peaches. I’m gonna see if Harry can if not I’ll ring you and let you know if I’m dropping him off. Thank you Stan.” Louis knows at least he has somewhere to bring Nate.

“Anytime babycakes. Lemme know what’s going on even if he’s with Harry. You should give him my number for backup.” Stan tells him and Louis smiles at that.

“Will do. I gotta go now. Bye lovemuffin.”

“Tootles honeybear!” The lines cut off and Louis can’t help smiling feeling less nervous about what he’s going to do.

“Dadee snak peas?” Nate asks adorably looking up at his father.

“What does that tummy of yours want?” Louis tickles over the boys stomach earning him laughs.

“Apes and sneeze!” Nate cheers as he starts putting his crayons back into the box.

“Apes and sneeze it is!” Louis laughs to himself as he opens the fridge grabbing grapes and a block of cheese to fix Nate his snack.

“Craker too!” Nate informs Louis pointing the blue crayon at him.

“It wouldn’t be apes and sneeze with crackers.” Louis chops the cheese into squares and adds the same about of crackers to cheese ratio, adding some grapes to the plate placing it in front of Nate.

“Tank you!” Nate grins up at him taking a cheese, cracker and grap to bite into.

“Welcome buddy. I gotta make one more phone call them I’m all yours.” Louis picks his phone up clicking on Harry’s name bring it to his ear. It’s ringing for a while, louis doesn’t think Harry’s by his phone.

“Ello?” Harry voice comes over and Louis releases a breath.

“Hey babe.” Louis chirps happily.

“Hey. What's up?” Harry voice seems a little tense and Louis confused to why, he never has answer the phone like this before.

“Are you alright?” Louis stops from where he’s cleaning up from Nate’s snack.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I can’t stay on too long.” Harry shortly says and now Louis a little put off.

“Um-what? You’re clearly not fine. Whats-”

“Harry come on!” Gets picked up over the phone it’s a female voice, one he’s not entirely sure of who it belongs to.

“I have to go.” And just like that the lines dead. Louis stands in his kitchen with his mouth dropped open. What in the fuck. Louis angrily types out a message and send it.

Louis: What the fuck was that?

Louis pissed off and confused, two emotions he thought we wouldn’t be using today. Maybe the confused part for his final but not towards Harry. His phone dings and Louis taps in his passcode, clicking the message icon.

Harold: Stop texting me. I cant right now.

Louis’ appalled, seriously what the hell. They haven’t seen each other since the day after Madison Square show, Louis had to fly back home the next day he still had work on monday and didn’t want to be jetlagged. Harry offered to pay for everything while they stayed for an extra day but Louis told him he couldn’t miss a day of work, he needed to support his kid and four days a week of working gave him just enough to not have to be worrying insanely about money. He didn’t want Harry’s money or for anyone to be thinking that’s why he was with him. So Louis knows it’s been a little over two weeks of long distance only using texts, phone calls and skype since Harry’s been in New York the whole time. Not once in that time has Harry been like this towards him.

Normally Louis would do the opposite of what he’s being told to do so flooding Harry’s phone with texts would have been his way to go about this but he’s got more important things to do. Like study for his final that he thought was online and could have used his notes for.

Louis sends a text to Stan telling him he'd be dropping Nate off around five, his test is at six which will give him plenty of time get to campus.

Putting Harry in the back of his mind Louis spends the day trying to study and entertain Nate at the same time. When he’s loading Nate into the car to drop him off, he hasn’t heard from Harry all day. The drive to Stan’s pub doesn’t take long, Louis pulling into a parking spot twenty minutes later.

Louis unbuckles Nate from his carseat helping him to his feet to stand right by his side while he picks up Nate’s spiderman backpack, helping his arms through the slots. Louis grabs the tote he also packed for Nate in case he gets bored with coloring, there are even snacks ready for him. Louis knows he’ll probably eat a burger or pub food so he didn’t pack him dinner.

Nate slips his hand into Louis as he closes the car door locking it walking into the pub. Stan comes around the bar when he sees the pair enter, he’s smiling at the two.

“Uncle Stan!” Nate lets go of Louis hand to run towards the man backpack bouncing as he goes.

“Nathan! Look at you! Last time I saw you, you were only up to here!” Stan makes a show of bring his hand to his cafe has Nate laughs at him.

“No! Silly Uncle Stan!” Nate giggles into a hug as Stan picks him up.

“Maybe someone should bring you to see me more.” Stan points his finger at Louis.

“Sorry, sorry, you're right. I’ve been a poopie mate.” Louis hands over Nate’s bag.

“Poopie indeed. Not that I cry myself to sleep at night about how you neglect me or anything.” Stan starts to fake cry and Nate pats his face.

“No cry! I fix.” Nate kissed his nose and Stan stopped.

“Much better now we can be happy while Daddy goes and aces his test!” Stan cheers and Nate follows along because its his favorite Uncle.

“Alright baby, can I have a kiss before I leave?” Louis pushes his son’s fringe away from his eyes just as Nate leans up kissing him and giving him a hug.

“Good luck Dadee! Aces!” Nate looks back to Stan seeing if he used to word right, once he gets a nod he glances back to his father smiling.

“Thank you my good luck charm.” Louis presses kisses all over Nates face, whose laughter erupts from his little body.

“No late Dadee! Inmotan’!” Nate wags his finger in Louis direction.

“Right, right you are. Important test. I’m leaving now be good for Uncle Stan.” Louis gives him one more hug. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Call if theres an emergency, I’ll have my phone on vibrate.” Louis gives Stan a half hug since his arm is full and turns to leave heading back into his car.

His drive to campus is filled with him with reciting facts and terms for his final singing them to whatever song is playing. When he finally does find a spot he gets out locking the car and being the trek from the lot to the Psychology building to find the correct room. He hasn’t had to be on campus much since he left when Nate was born. After spending his first year living in the dorms having to move off campus he opted to take most of his classes online which wasn’t all bad except when he didn’t understand something he was more or less on his own. He’s gotten through it though, not too far behind the original four year plan. He would be graduating this May with Stan and their mates but having Nate set him back, he’s proud of himself tho. He’s only a year behind, staying on top of his classes and grades as helped him. Considering being a single parent who works full time, only being one year behind, he’s damn proud and can’t wait to get his diploma with Nate in the crowd. He always wants Nate to be proud of him, see him succeed, show him that matter what you can still better yourself and achieve your dreams.  

He keeps these thoughts as he enters the building jogging up to the second floor finding the classroom he enters taking a seat against the wall, his normal spot when he used to be in lecture. People are pouring in while Louis just keeps flipping through his notebook making sure he’s covered everything on the final.

His thoughts are broken when the girl next to him drops her keys as she takes a seat. He picks them up grinning at the keychain picture of a little girl, “You dropped these.” Louis gets her attention and she smiles back at him.

“Thank you! I’d loose my head if it wasn’t attached, this completely threw me off having to come here tonight.” She responds taking her keys back and putting them away in her purse.

“I hear yah, I’m glad I checked my email this morning. I’m Louis by the way.” Louis stretched his hand out to shake hers.

“Eleanor, nice to meet you classmate.” Eleanor shook his hand grinning.

“Not to be nosey, the little girl on the your keys. Is she yours?” Louis wonders if she’s in the same boat as him.

“She is, that obvious?” She chuckles a bit taking her phone out showing Louis the lockscreen. It’s the same baby from the key except few months older she’s probably at least one. She’s cute, chubby cheeks taking up half the screen.

“She’s adorable. She looks about one yeah?” Louis brings his eyes back up to the girl.

“Just over yeah. Should I be concerned you can tell a small childs age?” Raising her eyebrow she asks.

“Nah.” Louis laughs, “I have a three year old, I know by experience I guess you could say.” He takes his own phone out showing her his lock screen. It’s from Nate’s birthday party, its the two of them in matching spiderman pj’s Louis obviously looking ridiculous as he kneels next to Nate holding their hands out like they were shooting webs. Nate was so excited that morning when Louis let him one his present to them, it was a must to wear them to the party. Louis wasn’t one to tell him no to that request.

“Looking good in the jammies! He seems very much you.” Eleanor hands the phone back still with a grin on her face. “So what’s your story than?” She leans on her elbow with her chin resting on her hand.

“My story?” Louis gives her a funny look.

“Yeah, you know. Obviously you have a kid, taking an online class because you probably work during the day and don’t want to be away from him when you’re home. Your story.” She shrugs her shoulders.

“Ah. Well I do obviously have a son, his names Nate. Recently turned three and likes spiderman a whole lot. I work at a daycare and I’m a year away from graduating. That’s basically it, I think? My sons my life and I wouldn’t change it.” Louis tries to swallow the lump in his throat, he’s got a boyfriend or he thinks he has one not that Harry has said anything all day besides one rude text.

“Nate, I like that. My turn to be nosey, is his Mum in the picture?” She questions him lightly.

“Nope, she didn’t want a kid. I couldn’t let her get rid of it so I said I’d raise it and she didn’t have to do anything. No child support, nothing. It was a one night stand I barely knew her. But she gave me the greatest thing in the world. I love my son.” Louis smiles at her, he didn’t need a second parent.

“Wow, mines not too different I guess. My boyfriend at the time knocked me up and when I told him he just left. I haven’t heard or seen from him since that night. Couldn’t go through with the alternative. She’s brilliant, I can tell from you it just gets better as she gets older.” Eleanor tells him batting her eyes at him.

“Yeah, I mean some of his two’s weren’t so pretty but overall he’s a super happy kid. Got really lucky at how wonderful he is.” Louis smiles back just as a man with a brief case walks in and Louis deems him his professor.

“Hello class! Sorry about having you all come here today. The site has been on and off all day, I didn’t want to risk anyone with getting kicked off or something. I had a few emails from students asking if it was acceptable to keep their phones out due to their children. My answer is yes, I can tell if your trying to cheat or not. I have no problem God forbid something happens. That being said I’ll pass out your finals you have two hours to complete it, you may leave when you're done.” Professor Jackson says as he hands an exam to each person.

“You may begin!” Eleanor gives him one last smiling look and Louis turns his attention back to his final.

Louis doesn’t use up the full two hours given, he finishes with half an hour left after checking over his exam three times. Walking up to hand his exam to his professor, “Great semester thanks.” Louis says happily. “Welcome Louis, you were such a pleasure to have every week.” Louis laughs at him. “I’m glad we got to know each other through technology!” Louis heads back over to his desk slipping his jacket on and picking up his notebook from under the desk.

Eleanor passes him to hand in her on exam as he’s putting his phone into his pocket. “How do you think you did.” She whispers putting her own jacket on. “I think I passed, that’s all that matters.”  Louis tons is hushed as well.

“Tomlinson, Calder. Take it outside please.” Professor Jackson pointing to the door with a finger over his mouth for them to be quiet.

“Sorry!” They both got out heading out of the room closing the door behind them.

“I wish I had lecture with him, he seems ace.” Louis proceeded to say walking down the flight of stairs.

“Would have been easier than teaching myself practically.” Eleanor chimed in matching Louis pace.

“I know what you mean. Like I said I just need to pass I’m not looking for a four point o.” Louis stuck his free hand in his jacket pocket, it was getting colder out he’d have to make sure to remember Nate’s winter gear.

“Not going for an A? Hm well I guess you have your own plate load full.” She joked with him obviously knowing how having a kid and going to classes is a difficult task.

“He’s not too much of a menace. Actually he’s really freaking great, I consider myself extremely lucky. He could be a brat like some at work, thank God he’s not.” Walking across campus the two head towards the parking lot.

“I hope Delaney doesn’t turn into one. I heard girls can be mean.” Eleanor says causing Louis to laugh.

“I’ve got four little sisters, girls can be right catty.” Louis says feeling his phone buzz in his pocket. Taking it out he sees its the pub and quickly answers it, throwing a sorry to Eleanor.

“Is everything okay?” Louis rushes out fearing the worse.

“Dadee!” Nate cheers from the other side and Louis relaxes.

“Hey baby. Are you having fun with Uncle Stan?” Louis glances over at Eleanor whos got a slight grin on her face.

“Yesh! Bugah an chips! Yummy!” He can hear Nate licking his lips like the cartoons do when they eat.

“Wow that sounds really yummy! Did you save me any?” Louis chuckles, he does always miss his kids. He doesn’t get tired of him or try to have an hour away from him. He generally loves being with his kid.

“Nope! I eat all! Yummy tummy!” Nate giggles at his father.

“You ate it all! Didn’t even save me a bite! Your tummy must be very happy.” Louis notices himself and Eleanor have now stopped just standing there as he talks on the phone to his son.

“You come now? Uncle Stan many bugahs!” Nate informs him.

“Yeah I’m on my way now. Tell Uncle Stan I’ll have what you had, okay? I gotta drive now see you soon.” Louis looks forward to not cooking tonight.

“Tay Dadee! I tell, comin’ right up!” Nate mimics Stan and his way of getting people drinks.

“Alright, I love you. Bye baby.”

“Lobe you Dadee!” Nate says sincerely and Louis hangs the phone up.  

“I can’t wait till she gets to that age to be able to call and understand things.” Eleanor says bringing him back from his phone call.

“It comes fast, amazing, but fast. He’s already three. Where does the time go?" Louis states sticking his phone back in his pocket.

“Do you want to grab coffee?” Eleanor boldly asks and Louis can tell she had to convince herself to do it.

“How about rain check?” Louis guilty says not wanting to hurt her feelings, he liked her. Having a young parent around his age would be great to talk to.

“Okay Tomlinson. I’ll hold you to that.” She takes her phone out handing it over for Louis to enter his number.

“We’ll set something up I promise. I just want to get to my son and eat a bugah.” Louis gets her to laugh as he hands the phone back over.

“I understand. Left my daughter at my brothers. I’ll text you, yeah?” Eleanor takes her keys out of her purse unlocking the her car.

“Definatly! Although I’m more of a tea person myself so maybe you can come over bring Delaney? Have a little play date?”  Louis takes his own keys out, his car’s only a row over.

“Tea over coffee? Never. I don’t know if I can trust you now.” Placing her purse and books on the front see she closes the door. Louis can see the base for the car seat in the back.

“Ha! Are you sure you’re even british? Insult to my country with your coffee nonsense!” Louis responds shaking his head at her.

“Full Brit just need the caffeine that tea doesn’t give.” Eleanors phone starts going off and she looks at Louis. “It’s my brother I better go. Nice meeting you Louis.”

“Pleasures all mine. Lemme know when you're free.” Louis waves and heads to his car feeling lighter than he has all day.

Louis in the middle of making mustaches out of chips with Nate as his phone starts going off on the table. Louis glances at it seeing Harry’s name, he’s still pissed off so he doesn’t pick up simply, goes back to hanging out with his son and best mate. Stan serves them root beer in pint glasses and the two of them laugh as Nate does his impersonation of the drunk college kids that have come in.

"He's too good at that!" Louis' cracking up, "Are you sure you didn't give him anything by accident?" Louis watches his son throw his head back to giggle.

"I didn't he's just got your genes for being a performer." Stan knows he didn't give him alcohol but he still sniffs Nate's drink just in case.

As the pub starts to get a bit crowded around eightish Louis packs Nate’s things up, hugging Stan and kissing him a sloppy one on the cheek thanking him. With promises to be more of a mate Louis straps Nate in and heads home.

Louis falls into bed exhausted like most nights but this one just seems different. He should be more relieved, with the final out of the way, and plans with Stan to spend the day with them Saturday. He doesn’t. He’s got three missed calls weighing in the back of his mind from Harry. Louis still is beyond pissed and annoyed at him. He knows their relationship is on the down low to begin with now not even giving him two seconds of his day and telling him not to text him. Louis okay with being a secret but he’s not okay with being treated like he’s dirt. Picking up his phone he stares at Harry’s name on his screen debating on whether or not he wants call him back. His phone beeps in his hand and his eyes focus now on the notification telling him he’s got a text from Harry. He clicks on view and starts reading as more keep coming in.

Harold: I’m sorry about earlier I want to explain but you won’t pick up.

Harold: You have no idea how crappy I feel about it.

Harold: Please please please please answer me.

Harold: Even a text just please?

Harold: I don’t think I’ve gone this long without talking to you.

Harold: I hate it.

Harold: It fucking sucks.

Harold: I need to hear your voice.

Harold: I’ll settle for a text.

Harold: Something?

Harold: Anything really.

Harold: I feel like a huge dick and I deserve to feel this way I know.

Harold: You’re allowed to be pissed off at me and I get why I really do.

Harold: I’m sorry.

Harold: Please talk to me.

Louis sighs hits to call button at the top of the screen watching it dial up.

“Louis! You called! I promise I can explain! I had to go to a meeting lunch with Taylor and there were fans everywhere and I couldn’t. I couldn’t answer you. I’m sorry that’s the way I worded things. I should have sent a nice text, I was under a lot of pressure. I’m so sorry babe. Please forgive me.” Harry rushes out in one breath and Louis wants to hold him.

“Babe slow down. Take a breath, yeah?” Louis tries to soothe his boyfriend over the phone.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ve said that quite a lot. Haven’t I?” Harry paces his breathes out evenly.

“You have. Now I practically missed all of what you just sped through. Care to try again? Except maybe a bit slower in the normal dialect you tend to speak in?” Louis tucks himself in pulling the blanket up and leaning so he doesn’t have to hold onto his phone.

“Had to go to lunch with Taylor and it was out in public so there was people surrounding us like what we were eating actually mattered. So these fans come up to us just as your calling, I didn’t mean to be rude or short with you. I couldn’t answer you they were practically on top of me. The last thing I need was for them to see your name and somehow find who you were. I didn’t want them hurting you or going after you. Again I’m so sorry.” Louis wants him here, he misses Harry, sixteen days is way too long now that he’s back in London.

“You’re forgiven. It wouldn’t have been so bad if, I don’t know, you sent me a heads up or something? You know? Like so I know if I turn on E! and you're plastered all over it with her.” Louis responds happy that they have worked this little thing out. He hated being mad at Harry even if he couldn’t help it.

“How often do you turn E! on exactly?” Harry questions out of everything Louis said.

“I happen to find Jason Kennedy very attractive. I watch the reruns of E! news when I can ,the eleven thirty slot time if I’m still up, I like to make sure they're not talking shit about my man.” Louis says the last bit with a tough mucho tone.

“Aw aren’t you a little cutie. I’ll give you a heads up, okay? I thought it was monday so I figured you were working and wouldn’t call. I’ll be more alert about these things so you know. I miss you.” Harry voice gets quieter.

“I’m freaking adorable. That’s all I ask babe. I miss you too you know. I wish I could take off tomorrow and just be with you.” Louis tones down his voice as well matching Harry’s soft one.

“Mmm I would love that, I love being around you.” He can Harry shift around he thinks he’s in bed as well.

“I love being around you too. You know your face is prettier in person, I’d like to see it again soon.” Louis rolls onto his back sighing at not being able to get comfortable.

“Least you can google me. I have nothing to go by when I’m missing you. Or your face, or your lips, or body, bum. I could really keep going.” Harry glances over at the clock it’s only ten.

“If you keep going I’m going to get hard and I really don’t feel like using my hand tonight. Kinda tired of it already. Don’t know how I went so long without anything but that.”  Louis chuckles lightly, after having sex with Harry, his hand does the bare minimal and it’s not what he needs.

“You know, I’m not just saying this cause I want to do sexual things with you. It’s only ten. I can be in your bed spooning in twenty minutes. I have to see you I’ll go crazy if I don’t.” Harry offers sliding off the couch and heading into his bedroom to pack a bag.

“Yeah, okay. Come cuddle me boyfriend. I’m in need of someone to tell me I’m pretty.” Louis push off his blanket to get to his feet.

“You are the most beautiful, stunning, incredible person on the planet. I will cuddle the fuck out of you. I’ll call when I’m pulling up so you can unlock the door. See you soon baby.” Harry throws in a boxers and a shirt into the duffel.

“That’s a start Styles. Drive carefully. I’ll be waiting.” Louis seductively says before hanging up. He starts picking up the dirty clothes off his floor throwing them in the hamper. Picking up his tea mug and empty popcorn bowl he brings them both into the kitchen and starts washing them with the few things left in the sink.

Louis didn’t bother to put pants on so he’s in the kitchen standing in his boxers when the front door opens and Harry walks in locking the door behind him. Louis got a fresh cup a tea and a smile being throw in Harry’s direction.

“Hello darling.” Louis waits for Harry to cross the tiles to be right in front of him.

“Hey good looking.” Their lips don’t take long to meet, long slow motions, that are making up for the days they were apart.

“Missed you like crazy baby.” Harry mumbles against Louis’ mouth getting right back to kissing him without skipping a beat.

“Missed you too. You want a cuppa before we head up?” Louis picks up his mug in one hand and Harry’s hand in the other pausing before exiting the kitchen.

“Pfft, I’m not a teaholic like you. I do believe I owe you some outstanding cuddling. Lead me to your sleeping quarters your majesty!” Harry holds on as Louis starts heading to the back shutting the door behind them.

“I drink a healthy amount of tea I'll have you know.” Louis climbs into bed making sure not to spill his drink and settles himself against the headboard looking to Harry. His eyes don't move as Harry unzips his fly shoving his jeans off and reaching for the hem to pull his shirt off.

“How many cups a day do you think you go through on average?” Harry slips underneath the covers moving himself to have himself touch Louis’ side as he sits.

“Depends what I’m doing.” Louis tilts his head up trying to count the amount of tea he ingests daily. “Maybe about four or five normally? I say that’s about what everyone should have.” Louis bring his mug up to his mouth to make a point.  

“You’re so weird.” Harry flicks Louis thigh under the blanket leaving it there when he’s done.

“Says the man child that has a butterfly on his stomach.” Louis slips his free hand down to lay on top of Harry’s.

“Don’t lie you find it sexy, I know you do. I can tell you think my ink is hot.” Harry flips his hand to clasp Louis’ in it.

“I find the rest of them hot. Well, most of them. Not the butterfly, it’s intenias follow me I swear.” Louis lets his head fall to lay on Harry’s shoulder.

“I’ll take it as a win. You look hot with them, very sexy.” Harry leans his own head against Louis kissing the part of his head he can reach.

“Flattery will get you everywhere Styles.” Louis flips the channel to E! earning a chuckle that he feels the vibrations from.

“Really?” Harry moves his head down tilting Louis with his unheld hand for a kiss.

“You were with desperate today I wanna hear what they say about it.” Louis goes back to the kiss after speaking.

“Desperate? Is that her new name?” Harry says pulling away from Louis.

“Yes because that’s what she is. She’s fating my boyfriend I can talk as much shit as I want.” Louis turns his chin up slipping his tea purposely sticking his pinky out.

“Fating? I can’t keep up with you. I wonder what you don’t share with me.” Harry wiggles the fingers that are still around Louis hand.

“Fake dating, fating. You don’t know the half of the things I come up with. Trust me, I’m being polite. You’re welcome.” Louis flips their hands trapping Harry’s against his thigh.

“Hmm I’m kind of intrigued of what you're holding back on me.”  Harry’s eyes flick up to the TV where Chelsea Handler’s show is on, he’s always like her humor the times he has watched even when it was his band being laughed at.

“Oh are you? Maybe I’ll let you in sometime, it’s marvelous up there.” Louis already managed to drink more than half his tea.

“I would like that very much.” Harry squeezes his hand turning to press a kiss into Louis’ cheek. “How was your day? Forgot to ask.” Harry looks like he’s mentally slapping himself for not asking sooner.

“It wasn’t bad besides being angry and confused by you. Took my final today which is why I called, they moved it to campus and I needed someone to watch Nate. I hit it off with one of my classmates, figure I’m networking or something.” Louis waves the mug around to put his words into a hand motion, Louis makes a lot of hand motions.

“Still sorry about that, feel awfully honestly. My little smarty pants, you probably got them all right.” Harry coos bringing the hand not in Louis to rub gently at his boyfriends cheek, nails grazing over the stubble that’s been building up the last few days.

“Doubt it. As long as I pass I really don’t care. Stop making that hurt puppy face, I said I’ve forgiven you.” Louis turns his body to seal their lips together in a sweet kiss.

“Still feel bad. You said you made a friend?” Harry questions now staring at Louis, Harry doesn’t know how he got him.

“I did!” Louis face brightens which makes Harry do the same. “Her name is Eleanor and she’s a Mum to a one year old named Delaney. She’s my age and doing the single parent thing as well so it was easy to relate to it.” Louis’ body leans in the opposite direction as he puts his empty mug on the nightstand.

“She sounds great, glad you found someone you can talk to and what now. You know you always have me but I don’t know what it’s like having a kid of my own yet.” Harry tugs Louis closer to him and wiggles down under the covers to give Louis a proper cuddle now that his hands are free.

“Is that something you want? Kids of your own.” Louis wants to shove his words back into his mouth, chew and swallow them. This is way too soon to be having this kind of talk with Harry, he’s regretting it more and more. It feels like it’s been hours when Harry finally answers.

“Yeah, definitely. I’ve always known I was gay you know? So I figured either I’d use a surrogate or adopt. Either way they would be mine. DNA doesn’t make a family, love does.” Harry nuzzles his face into the curve of Louis shoulder where he can feel Harry’s breath on his neck.

“When did you get so smart and philosophical. I think that’s beautiful and one hundred percent correct.” Louis loves the feeling of Harry’s arms around him, it’s a happy place and he fits against him like a puzzle piece.

“Baby I was born this way.”

“No Gaga before bed, we have rules in this house young man.” Louis just pushes back into Harry’s chest sighing peacefully.

“Sorry oh great one. Now how about instead of watching someone speak lies, we get our cuddle snuggle on and tune them out because your bum is a million times better than anything that could come out of their mouths.” Nibbling up Louis neck Harry says.

“Brownie points for that one Styles. Alright alright, I guess I could be a nice and caring boyfriend and suck your cock.” Louis rolls grinds his hips back into Harry.

“My cock does like when you suck it.” Harry hums slipping a hand into Louis boxers.

“One and only one round tonight you hear me Harold? I’ve got work, having to sit for circle time and crafts is a pain in the bum if you make the sore happen.” Louis brings himself to face Harry pushing him onto his back, throwing a leg quickly over him.

“I’ll try to behave but you’re quite pretty and I just can’t help myself.” Harry laughs dies down in Louis mouth.

The morning is a rush of showers, teeth brushing and surprise for Nate when once again Harry’s standing in front of the stove making eggs for breakfast.  Serving each one of them eggs and toast Harry sits down with the two of them and Nate starts the talking.

“Arreh’ go to care?” Nate chomps down on his toast.

“Don’t talk with food in your mouth.” Louis corrects his son biting his own piece.

“Sorry Sorry.” Nate makes sure he doesn’t have anything in his mouth, “Arreh’ go to care?”

“No can do little man, I have to go pack when you leave.” Harry brings his orange juice up to his mouth.

“Packing for what?” Louis is a bit surprised, didn’t Harry just get back?

“I thought I told you? We’re performing on the X-Factor US finale, my flights in a few hours. It’s just for three days.” Harry shrugs his shoulders and continues eating like hopping a plane to America is nothing.

“Oh. You didn’t mention it.” Louis shoves food into his mouth so he doesn't have to talk anymore.

“Guess I was a little preoccupied last night.” Harry gave him a smug look sliding his fork slowly into his mouth.

Nate mouth drops open looking between the two of them, “Arreh no play games me!” Nate let his fork clatter on his plate in outrage.

“You were already sleeping when I got here.” Harry picks up the fork handing it back to Nate with a kiss to the cheek.

“Kisseh me night?” Nate pouts a little at the thought of Harry not.

“Of course I did!” Harry ruffles his hair and goes back into his breakfast.

“We’ll have to watch your performance online, you gotta text me when it’s up.” Louis finishes up wiping his face with a napkin.

"That I can do my dear.” Harry links their hand together while Harry and Nate eat the rest of their meals.

“Alright bud time to go, give Harry kisses.” Louis stands releasing Harry’s hand to grab their already packed lunches from the fridge.

“Bye bye Arreh! Lobe you!” Harry holds Nate just a bit longer than usually, he might just cry when Nate kiss him.

“I love you too.” He chokes out giving Nate one last second of the hug watching the three year old trot down the hallway to get his backpack.

Louis intertwines his hands around Harry’s neck stepping close into him, “It’s an amazing feeling when they say that the first time.” Louis pushes his weight onto his tip toes to rise and meet Harry’s lips.

“God yeah it is. My heart's about to pop out of my chest it feels so good.” Harry drops his head to rest on Louis shoulder.

“Looks like you’ve scored a spot in my son’s heart.” He feels Harry’s hands slide around his waist.

“He’s got on in mine as well.” Harry hears Nate laughing to himself as he comes back down the hallway with his backpack.

“Dadee go go now! Bye Arreh good plane!” Nate comes over to give him another hug and kiss.

Louis slips their jackets on and opens the door for Nate to go through waving to Harry as he shuts it, staying right on Nate’s heels as he fastly makes his way to the car.

If he was paying attention to his surrounds more he would have noticed the paparazzis camped out, but he’s not. As he straps Nate in and takes his own seat behind the wheel he backs out of the driveway laughing at the way Nate’s singing along to Harry’s CD, that has been on repeat for the last three weeks.

“How can you be so damn stupid! He has a son? Why was I not informed of this sooner?” Suit baboon number one shouts at him. Harry figured he go back to his flat, have a nap, maybe a wank, throw out food that was going to spoil while he was away, pack and meet up with his bandmates to go off to LA. He did not want to be sitting in an office being yelled at like he was five.

“Because you don’t actually care.” Harry rolled his eyes wondering where this was headed, he already had a beard what more could they actually do.

“I do care! I’m starting to think you don’t!” Baboon screeches again and Harry wants someone to punch him.

“Oh yea I don’t give a single shit were my exact thoughts while I sat in front of fans having lunch with my totally real girlfriend.” Harry drummed his fingers on the table, he’s over this.

“Harry. People are going to start putting the pieces together that the same guy was at MSG show, the restaurant, now spotted at his home. This is what we were trying to avoid. It’s worse now that he has a son. That could kill your image, dating a man with a kid.” Douchebag number two steps in trying to be stern with him.

“Who cares if he has a son? No one is going to automatically see, what three, different occasions of pictures and assume were fucking. He could be a mate of mine, I’m friends with bunch of people and some are males. I’m doing what you wanted by going out with Taylor, I’m trying very hard to keep my personal life personal. Maybe you should be getting more upset at the fact paps are stalking me to someones house and camping out all night. Golly I hope they didn’t hear the gay sex we had.” Harry snaps, he can only take so much of their crap.

“You need to change your attitude or we will have to take more action about this situation. You can’t be gay is that what you want me to say? It hurts not only your career but three others. Do you want to go tell Niall One Directions over because you turned everyone against them and destroyed his career?” Harvey the one guy Harry actually knows the name of slams his fist on the table, his face is redder than normal. If he wasn’t being a prick Harry would be concerned for him.

“I’m gay and there is nothing wrong with that! No one’s careers would be over if the world knew I sucked cock. Maybe you all should stop living so far in the past and accept the fact this is who I am. This is who you signed. I’m not going to stop seeing my boyfriend because you idiots think it’s going to hurt us.” Harry abruptly stands up and heads to the door ignoring the calls for him to come back.

xxx

Stepping out of the car is like another world, all thoughts of his ignorant management and the last few days have evaporate into the screams. Following Niall out of the very nice escalade the four of them stop right away posing for the flashing cameras. They get greeted by Mario Lopez and Khloe Kardashian, who Niall stares at her arse and gets caught by the camera, it’s insane the  reaction. Making there way down the carpet for a few short interviews is when they start asking questions Harry didn’t feel like answering.

“Now Harry you’ve been out with Taylor Swift on several occasions, is Haylor a real thing?” Some blonde that Liam checks out questions him.

“We get along, she’s a great person.” Harry keeps it simple and short smiling like he’s supposed to.

“Great person to be in a relationship with?” The interview presses further, like always Harry thinks.

“Relationship or not, that doesn’t change the fact she’s lovely.” Harry just keeps smiling along shrugging his shoulders playing it coy.

“It seems your not going to comment any further on that one so how about I ask what’s the deal with the cheating rumors?” She motions the microphone in his direction, he’s so over invasive interviews.

“Which ones? I see new ones every different day, you’ll have to be more specific.” Harry says letting a little bit of snap into it.

“Recently you were spotted at a mystery woman's house after being with Taylor hours before.” The interview pressed on clearly not catching on to Harry’s sarcasm.

“I stayed at a mates house nothing else to it unless you think getting a kiss from a toddler is considering a scandal.” He feels Niall’s arm slip around his shoulders pulling him back down from snapping any further at the interview.

“Lovely chat looks like we have to go now.” Harry turns away before she could respond walking down with Niall to the building entrance.

“You okay? You handled that well, she was a bit rude wouldn't drop shit.” Niall continues with Harry backstage where they meet up with Zayn and Liam.

“Yeah fine. I hate having to deny what Lou and I have, you know?” Harry gets flicked in the nipple by Liam and the tense that’s running through his body drains out slowly being surrounded by his amazing friends.

“Does Louis have a twitter?” Zayn speaks up from his spot on one of the beds in Harry and Niall’s shared hotel room. After killing it for their performance they headed back to the hotel that would be the only state of privacy they’ll have while in New York. None of them have shirts on as they lay about on various pieces of furniture, Harry looks up from where he’s reading on his Ipad.

“I don’t think so? He might, I’ve actually never asked. Why?” Harry pulls up twitter for himself to see typing in Louis name in the search bar.

“Fans are tweeting an handler called The Tommo along with all of ours asking who he is and why you stayed at his flat.” Zayn slides over his laptop to show the most recent tweets pouring in Zayn’s mentions.

Shayloves1D @ShaylenPayne

@zaynmalik @Harry_Styles @Nialloffical @The_Real_Liam_Payne is @TheTommo the same person that Harry stayed at? #heshot

1Dlover94 @MaryAnne

@zaynmalik are you friends with @TheTommo as well? Where did you guys meet him?

Stevastourus @Stevebossman

@zaynmalik @MaryAnne you guys are all dumb @Harry_Styles is totally shacking up with @TheTommo #gaymantogayman #getit

“I still don’t get how people think you’re straight. No offense but I mean really now, the three of us can pass. You, not so much.” Niall gives his input from where he’s battling Liam out in some video game they have hooked up to the TV, Harry’s never been into those kinda things.

“No offense at all, I like the way I am. I wish more people knew, would save me all this fuckery. Oh and I have no idea if that’s him or not, his last names Tomlinson so it could be.” Harry went on his own twitter pulling up the account in question.

“His last tweet was three years ago.” Zayn informs the room even tho Niall and Liam are playing Mario Kart and not paying attention.

“Nate’s three years, maybe he stopped when he found out? Priorities?” Harry added in looking at some of possible Louis old tweets, they were all about uni and random hilarious things.

“You should call him up and ask if it’s him.” Niall chimes in and cursing at Liam two seconds later for using the blue shell.

“It’s like five am in London, I’m not going to wake him up for this shit he’s got work.” Harry keeps reading through possible Louis tweets, they sound awfully like him.

“I wanna know if it’s him so I can follow him!” Niall replies taking first place back.

“He hasn’t used it since his son was born, even if it was him I doubt he’d start back up.” Zayn answers before Harry can, he’s always loved how sensible Zayn was.

“He does have things on here retaining to his sexuailtly. If this is his account, he might want to be told that almost a million people are now following him and know he’s not exactly straight.” Zayn points out again and yeah, he doesn’t think Louis cares, he is the one that put it there but maybe not when it could affect Harry.

“I bet a tener that the fucktards come here to yell at Harry about it!” Niall shouts dropping his controller to the carpeted floor running a small lap around the room for his victory.

“Of course they will, that’s a no brainer. I seriously think that they enjoy trying to find new ways to ruin my relationship.” Harry closed out of twitter placing his Ipad on the table, getting himself off the bed and stretching his arms over his head. “I’m jumping in the shower.” Harry throws over his shoulder already peeling off his shirt.

“Have a good wank!” Liam shouts back causing Niall’s boisterous laugh to ring through the room.

“Fuck off!”

Nap time is Louis favorite time of the day. All he has to do is hold a cutie tiny baby and eat his lunch at the kids table.

That’s it.

He doesn’t mind that, because Trevor is an baby from heaven and falls asleep five minute after his bottle allowing Louis to slip him into his assigned crib to nap while Louis eats his turkey sandwich. It’’s a great fucking sandwich. He’s in the middle of texting Harry back, I’m at work horndog!, who's just waking up to room service that he sent him a picture of himself with the smallest and tightest pair of briefs he has ever seen next two a full plate of food. A new text pops up from his screen from Eleanor.

Eleanor Calder: I know it’s last minute but would you want to grab lunch with me? =]

He frowns clicking back to finishing sending his message to Harry, I wanna see your face! I like the rest too but I'm at work keep it clean! He ends up sending that and makes his way to the other text he has glancing to make sure the kids are asleep or quietly laying on their mats.

Louis Tomlinson: I’m at work sorry!! You free for dinner? I get off at five!

Ethan starts stirring from his crib, as he gets a reply from Eleanor letting him know dinner will work. He abandons his phone and sandwich to grab Ethan before he wakes anyone else up.

Another meeting, another headache.

Do they ever stop talking? Seriously.

Harry’s sat once again being told off for something else he’s apparently done wrong, cause you know he had control over what Louis posted over three years ago. Totally his fault.

“You can’t be so careless. People keep tabs on your whereabouts and now they know where he lives. You can’t go over there and don’t even think about following his twitter.” Harry nods and pretends like he cares.

“I wasn’t going to follow that account, he doesn’t even use it. Theres also this thing called texting, you ever hear of it? Yeah we use that so people can’t see our gay flags appear everytime we come two feet in contact.” Peeling his orange Harry doesn’t even bother looking up at them.

‘We’re doing this to protect you, him and the child you never told us he had! Stop making us the enemy when we're hear to help.” Harry snorts at the continuing to make a pile of peel on the table.

“You’re protecting yourselves not me. You wouldn’t give two shits about Louis or Nate if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m dating someone who has a penis.” He simply says breaking the orange into their slices.

“In turn protecting you! Do you want to keep all this up? Do you like touring? How about making albums? That would all be gone in seconds if we don’t handle your relationship with Mr. Tomlinson properly. I am not saying you’re going to closeted forever, right now it’s what’s best Harry.” Dave the new guy says and that has Harry really listening now leaning forward to give him all his attention.

“You’re saying you’ve already considered me coming out? Louis or no Louis?” Harry crosses his fingers that are being blocked by the table.

“Yes. I know this is the first time you’re meeting me, I’ve been working out a plan for you to eventually come out. It depends on a bunch of different things but we really are doing this right now for your best interest. I’m gay myself, your team isn’t doing this to be cruel or try and make money off of your faux straightness. It’s to protect you, have you established before stepping out. Trust me, if only me. I’ve got you.” Dave doesn’t know what hits him when Harry pushes out of his chair and hugging the man.

“Thank you, just thank you.” Harry turns to his other team members. “I get it, I’m sorry for being prissy. I won’t be so rude to you and do what I’m supposed to without the attitude.” Harry can’t help it he hugs each one of them.

“I’m glad you see now what we’re trying to do and now on the same page. We want you to spend New Years Eve here in New York with Taylor, she’s performing but we want this to draw a lot of attention to you. You did brilliantly during the interview last night and kept it calm, good job.” Harry knows this guys name is Frank and makes a note to learn the others.

“If it’s what I have to do, I’ll be there. Will I get some time to myself after? With the new tour coming up I’m trying to spend as much time with Louis as I can.” Harry goes back to munching on his orange and the whole mood of the room is more positive.

“Without a doubt. You’ll go on holiday with Taylor and three or four days into it she’s going to leave. The relationship will end with some rumor that you both had a row and it will be over and done with by the second week of January.” Dave answers this time flipping through a few pieces of paper that looks like a schedule.

“You have the rest of January to yourself but please try not to seem coupley. After the split it’s okay to be seen with Louis but not like you’re dating. We’re going to slowly have him appear here and there. Maybe make it seem like you’re upset with the breakup and are taking comfort in your mate. Things like that.” Frank takes something from Dave and slides it over to Harry.

“We brought Dave in because the recent reaction of the possibility that you are not completely straight are two times the positivity we expected. It looks like if you want to you could be out before your third album drops.” Franks gives Harry a slight smile as Harry reads over the reactions and numbers associated with him being gay.

Harry goes back to the hotel wearing the biggest smile known to man with his dimples on full display. He’s finally going to be able to show the world who he really is and walk hand in hand with Louis not giving a fuck who sees.

Chapter Text

Louis got Nate on his shoulders wearing their complementary Power Ranger costumes, Nate said he wanted to kick some butt so they two of them have been fighting off invisible enemies while watching the cartoon marathon of the show on TV. It’s been weird with Harry gone, only stopping by for a few hours before he was off to visit his parents. Louis understood it, Anne doesn’t often get time to spend with Harry. He doesn't want to be the reason why a Mum and son aren’t together. His birthday and Christmas pass, Nate thanks Santa for all the cool toys and gifts he got. Louis had to hold back tears when he unwrapped what looked like a three year old would wrap and it was a puzzle piece colored frame with a picture of the two of them. He lives for moments like that in matching Christmas jammies, they have a lot of matching things, Louis finds it adorable. It’s like his own mini me, he adores it and knows when Nate starts to grow up he’ll find his own sense and style, probably ditching Louis. So he will match the fuck out of his son now. Louis handing the sword to Nate when the doorbell rings. In confusion he lifts Nate off his shoulders placing him on the ground heading to the door with a puzzling expression. Who could it be? It’s only two in the afternoon on a Thursday but usually people text him in advance in case Nate’s down for a nap. Unlocking the deadbolt to swing the door open to find Eleanor?

“Oh shit, what’s wrong?” Louis quickly motions for her to come in. She looks well, like a mess. Her hair is thrown up in a messy bun, mascara running down her cheeks from puffy eyes. Louis takes the little girl out of her arms to allow Eleanor to collect herself.

“Dadee who dat?” Nate questions from where he’s staying shyly looking at the baby in his hands and the crying girl off to the side.

“Nate this is El. Can you say hi?” Louis walks them into the living room instead of the crowded foyer.

“Hi.” Nate runs behind his father legs to shelter from the new people.

“Hello Nate.” Eleanor wipes away at her face trying to piece herself together.

“Bud why don’t you go color? You’ve got that new superhero’s book that hasn’t been opened yet.” Louis sees his son peek up at him and gives him a smile kissing his kneecap running off to his bedroom to grab the book he’s been waiting to color in.

“Can I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? Something to eat?” Louis offers as she sets the diaper bag down by the couch.

“Coffee would be lovely.” Louis leads the two of them into the kitchen going for the coffee maker, placing Delaney in the high chair he still has out.  

It’s after he places the mug in front of her he starts to ask question. “You alright love?” Louis takes a seat next to her scooting over so he can console her in case there is more tears.

“Not really. Sorry to drop in without a call.” Eleanor apologies taking the tissue Louis hands her.

“Nonsense, I don’t mind. Don’t like to see you this upset. May I ask what happened? You don’t have to tell me.” Louis sipped his own tea not wanting to step over an invisible lines there might be, they’ve hung out a few times but this seems bit more personal.

“Delaney’s father showed up.” Eleanor flinches at the thought and curls into Louis’ side, he wraps his arm around her immediately to hold onto her.

“Fuck. What did he want?” Louis passes her over another tissue and uses his own to wipe at her eyes catching the make-up from running as she blows her nose.

“I don’t know, to make me feel like crap I guess. He started yelling at me and demanding to see her. He’s been stalking me, he knows all this shit he shouldn’t. I’m terrified.” Louis pulls her in closer rubbing her back to calm her down.

“You were right to come here, I’m glad you did. We can look into a restraining order if you want, he doesn’t have rights. If it makes you feel safer you can stay here till we get that sorta.” Louis offers knowing how scared she must be, he remembers some of his mates who happened to fall into more aggressive and abusive relationships.  

“No, I can’t. Louis that’s not fair to you, it’s not your problem. My brother comes home in a few days once he’s back Trevor won’t show up again.” Eleanor politely declines the offer knowing it’s too much.

“I insist. It’s not safe for you or Delaney. At least till your brother gets back I’d worry and annoy you with texts the whole time. We can throw a crib in Nate’s room for Delaney and you can take my bed, I’ll take the couch.” Louis tone is light but final he’d be worried sick if she went back alone, this guy seems crazy.

“Louis…”

“I’m not taking no for an answer.” Louis wipes the last of the tears he can see and grabs for her coffee to hand it to her.

“Seems like I’ll have to say yes than. Thank you Louis.” Eleanor kiss his cheek and he quickly picks his own mug up to give himself something to do.

“Honestly, not a problem. We can go grab your stuff in a few hours to throw off that prick.” Louis adds in as Nate comes down the hall, climbing right into his lap.

“Hunge! Eat peas!” Nate’s kneeling on Louis’ thighs giving him an all teeth smile the best he can with the few teeth he has.

“What do power rangers eat for lunch?” Louis glances at the clock, lunch got pushes back a bit with the new company.

“Powa pezza!” Nate thrusts his fist into the air trying to kneel in a power ranger stand with his face trying to be serious.

“Power pizza it is lets go get everything ready to make them yeah?”

“Otay Dadee.” Nate climbed off Louis lap running down the hall to the bathroom and Louis hears the water turn on as he moves to preheat the oven.

“Power pizza’s huh?” Eleanor smiles at Louis while he stands taking their mugs to the sink.

“I think he inherited my love for pizza. And of course power pizza clearly that what Power Ranger like ourselves eat, duh. That and the taste of victory!” Louis yells the last bit down the hallway. In response he hears Nate shout back, “Victory yell!” He’s sons the best.

“How did I not know that?” Eleanor laughs hitting herself on the head as Louis opens the fridge pulling the container of sauce, cheese, and pepperoni out and on the counter.

“Really it’s basic common sense, I didn’t know there were people who didn’t know about Power Pizzas.” Louis laughs clearing a spot and grabbing the baking sheet. He’s just sprayed down the sheet when Nate comes barreling into his legs.

“Up peas!” Nate stretches his hands up into the air for his father to get him.

“Can you get the special power pizza crust first?” Louis points over to the bread draw, Nate’s face lights up with the thought of helping and hurries himself to do just that.

Nate carries the bag of english muffins over to Louis who bends to collect both into his arms and settles Nate on his knees.

“El’s never had Power Pizza, do you want to show her how the pro’s do it?” Louis takes a jab at Eleanor smiling while his son agrees to it.

“Watch.” Nate gives her a finger wage moving to hand Louis the muffin bag to unfasten and break it so he has two halves handing them back to Nate. Louis hands over a bowl of tomato sauce which Nate picks up the spoon cover each half with, next he grabs the cheese loading it up because Nate has a cheese addiction, he finishes it up with placing pepperoni slices carefully on it just touching to cover. “Done. You do.” He points to Eleanor as Louis lays out her english muffins. She puts the sauce on then stops to glance at Louis before going to Nate, “I can’t seem to remember what comes next? Can you help me?” She’s got her hands on her hips trying to make it look like she’s confused. “Good help! Me!” Nate nods eagerly picking up the bag of cheese to give her, he walks on his knees closer to her. “Sneeze. Like dis.” Nate shows her how to sprinkle the cheese on and looks at her to do the next one, which she does with Nate’s approval. “Ronis” Nate points to the bag next giving her a nod to put them on. “All done, hows that Nate?” Eleanor asks wanting to get his approval, he’s looking at each one taking his time to analyze. Louis trying to bite back his laugh as his son does this grabbing his own english muffin to throw together.

“Yesh. Very good!” Nate pats her arm and turns to see his Dad spreading cheese on his.

“Ronis?” Eleanor offers Louis smirking at him for she just got the approval from Nate.

“No silly. Dadee no ronis. Yucky!” Nate tells her laughing like it was obvious he doesn’t like them.

“Silly me is right.” Eleanor giggles into her hand looking straight at Louis.

“What does Daddy put on his Power Pizzas?” Louis steps away from the counter to reach over into the microwave.

“Bakin’!” Nate cheers and claps when Louis brings the plate over with pieces of bacon.

Nate picks up on pieces folding it like Louis taught him and lays it on the pizza, following it up with a second. They both mirror each other until the bacon’s on the plate, there is four pieces left when Louis offers it to Eleanor.

“No thank you. I don’t like bacon.” She slides the plate back over to Louis and Nate’s mouth drops open.

“No? Bakin’ yummy. Crazee El!” Nate throws his head back laughing finding it hysterical the she doesn’t like bacon.

“She is crazy! More bacon for us!” Louis takes a piece in his hand and clanks it against Nates in a cheers before biting half of it into his mouth. The oven beeps so Louis takes the tray and slides it onto the rack.

xxx

After a very successful lunch, they load up in Eleanor’s car to head over to grab some things for her. They make it as quick as they can not wanting any confrontation if Trevor is still lingering in the bushes or something. Louis tells her they can always come back so don’t rush and worry if you forget anything. When they get home and everything into the flat, it’s around the time Louis and Nate usually eat dinner but no one’s hungry yet. Louis chops up some apple, bananas and carrots and celery to give to Nate. He’s got him set up at his little table in the living room so he can watch TV since he’s been good all day, Louis scopes him some peanut butter for the fruit and ranch dressing for the vegetables. It’s a healthy snack for not eating dinner, least this way he’s getting some nutrients and protein from the peanut butter.

Delaney’s fast asleep in Nate’s room, Louis took Nate’s old crib down from storage for her to use, it didn’t take long to clean off and set up. Nate’s in his One Direction jammie’s, he came to Louis early pulling him to his room to tell him he missed Harry. Nate had seemed to forgot that Harry bought him the jammies with a few other non One Direction things. Nate’s famous smile came back on his face once Louis went into his jammie draw pulling them out. After a bath and slipping into his jammies Nate’s snuggled up against Louis on the couch willing himself not to fall asleep because they’ve got the Batman movie on. Eleanors sat on the other side of Nate but closer than Louis feels is necessary, maybe she was still shaking from earlier.

Louis hears a tiny little snore escape that’s got him looking down to see his son conked out, he grins to the sight. He figures he’ll wait a bit longer to make sure Nate’s out before moving him to his bed. Eleanor interrupts his thoughts.

“I really don’t think I could thank you again for doing all of this. I’ve had a lot of fun today.” She moves in a bit so she’s not talking to loud to disturb Nate.

“You need to stop thanking me. It’s not a burden having you here and it protects you till you can go fill out a restraining order. You’d do the same if it was reversed.” Sticking his hand into the popcorn bowl to finish Nate’s dessert.

“Yeah, but I can’t help saying it so you’ll just have to deal with hearing you’re truly a great person. Did I mention lifesaver?” She whispers over Nate’s head.

“Hope you know you don’t need to or even think about repaying me. Friends do this and not gonna lie, I don’t have many of those. Most took off when became a Dad, it’s really nice having someone who understands.” Nate starts to shift at his side trying to stretch his legs out so Louis carefully stands up and heads to quietly open Nate’s bedroom door. He tucks Nate in giving him a kiss before heading back out the door, closing it slowly not to wake the two sleeping babies.

Eleanor's washing the bowl and mugs from where they just sat with them. “I could have done them.” Louis comes up yawning next to her leaning himself on the counter watching her soapy sponge graze over the bowl.

“I had some spare time.” Eleanor shrugged rinsing the sponge out to put back into the holder looking over to Louis.

“Well now it’s my turn to thank you.” Louis laughs lightly going to rub his eyes, he slept in a little since they’ve had paid time off for the hols. Nate’s loved having him home for a week, so has Louis it’s going to be hard getting back into that mode.

“You look tired. Calling it a night?” Eleanor suggest drying her hands on the dishtowel.

“Yeah, super hero Dad takes a lot out of me. C’mon I’ll show you where everything is.” Louis leads her down the hall to his room, flicking the light on to point at his bed. “That’s my bed.” He tells her seriously.

“Wow, I’m so glad you told me I never would have found it.” Eleanor says seriously while rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, yeah. Take a piss. Remotes for the TV are on the nightstand, tissues in case you get boogies are right next to them. You already know where the bathroom is, I don’t think you need to know anything else.” Louis glances around his room for anything he can add, it’s a bedroom and everyone has one so he figures she’s just going to sleep.

“Right. Boogies, remotes and bed location. Got it.” Eleanor pushes him and walks over to where Louis put her duffel.

“I should be a tour guide. I’m just gonna grab my charger.” Louis brushes past her letting his hand drag over her waist to go to the side of his bed unplugging the charger.

“Simple tours that is.” Eleanor laughs unzipping the bag to dig for her cosmetic bag.

“Simple yet effective.” Louis points out as he turns to face her. “If you do need anything I don’t mind you waking me. I’ll see you in the morning?” Louis passes by her heading towards the open door.

“Sounds good. Uh, I know you’re going to kill me but thank you for everything.” She closes the distance to give him a hug and again pressing a kiss to his cheek. He nods his head as he leaves the room. He starting to think he’s giving the wrong signals, he’ll clear it up tomorrow.

Flipping on the sports he closes his eyes and wiggles around to get comfortable on the couch.

xxx

Harry tries to be as quiet and swift as he can will unlocking the door and carefully opening it. He does the same with shutting and locking it too. Creeping down the hall not to disturb anyone Harry twist the handle to Louis room and slips in closing the door silently. Kicking off his shoes while shrugging his jacket off, he pulls his shirt off next and slides his jeans to the ground stepping out. Tip toeing over the bed he lifts the covers and slips in automatically searching for Louis body in the bed, he’s farther than he normally is Harry thinks to himself closing in around Louis sleeping form. Draping an arm around and pulling in to press his face into Louis’ neck pressing kisses. He feels the moment Louis wakes up body freezing with the contact and starts to stir. “Love how you know it’s me babe.” Harry kisses his neck again with intentions of heading towards Louis mouth.

Except the body in his arms is screaming, than Harry’s screaming. Harry jumps off the bed at the same time, they can’t see each other soon enough Harry’s crossing over to turn the lights off, which again cause them both to scream as Harry tries to cover himself, he’s in boxers but still he doesn’t know who the fuck she is.

“What the fuck?” The girl as the nerve to ask him, she was the one sleeping in his boyfriends bed.

“I could ask the same thing. Who are you and why are you here?” Harry snaps picking his jeans up from the floor and pulling them up just as he gets the button through the door flies open to reveal a very confused looking Louis.

“I’m Eleanor why the hell were you kissing me?”

“You kissed her?” Louis gasps stepping into the room closing the door so they don’t wake the kids up.

“I thought it was you! Why is she in your bed?” Harry spits out grabbing his shirt up off the floor.

“You’re Harry Styles.” Eleanore flatly states looking between the two of them.

“Yes I am. That doesn’t answer why you have girl in your bed.” Harry frowns looking back at Louis.

“Haz, this is a misunderstanding. It’s not what it looks like” Louis rubs at his face it’s two four in the morning a time he doesn’t enjoy being awake for,

“Misunderstanding? There's a chick in your bed it’s exactly what this looks like.” Harry bends down grabbing at his shoes and jacket turning to throw the door open and leave the room.

“Harry!” Louis follows the younger boy out until he can stop him in the living room.

“What Louis! What could you possibly want? It’s clear what you want. You made your bed Lou, clearly it’s someone else in it. Wasted my time coming back here.” Harry shoves his feet into his boots angrily.

“Would you listen to me please? I’m not sleeping with her, not doing anything with her! I’ve been on the couch. Will you stop that.” Louis push Harry’s boot away from where he’s trying to get it on.

“Having a hard time believing that.” Harry’s still furious and upset he doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Do you not trust me? She’s a friend Harry, one that’s dealing with some stuff right now. Her and her daughter weren’t safe at home, I’m looking after a friend.” Louis takes a step back looking at Harry in disbelief.

“Don’t flip this one me. If you wanted to go off and play house you should have let me know you weren’t serious about this.” Harry gestured between the two of them, maybe he should be actually listening to what Louis saying but he’s jet lagged and all he wanted was Louis.

“Are you kidding me?” Louis scruffs out looking affronted.

“No Louis I’m not. Do you know how much I’m risking for us? You’re throwing all that I’ve been doing for a girl?” Harry snaps stepping into Louis space.

“I’m not throwing anything away! Can you calm down and listen to me for two seconds? I’m crazy about you that’s the first thing you should know. I want to say I love you right now but I think it’s too soon.” Louis kisses Harry’s lips, the lips he’s missed since Harry left the day before his birthday.

“You-I. I love you too.” Harry chases Louis lips pulling them back in to kiss him again.

“Yeah?” Louis feels like his face is going to break from the smile, its a roller coaster right now.

“Yeah, you idiot.” Harry wraps his arms around Louis stuffing his face into the correct neck.

“She’s just a friend. Her ex boyfriend, who is the father of her daughter showed up at her steps screaming at her. She was shaking and crying when she rang my doorbell. Offered her to stay here till her brother got in from out of town and she’s going down to file a restraining order. No foul play love, promise you. I’m in this relationship, we’re in it together full force.” Louis makes a move at Harry’s lips again. He gets a little lost in the kiss quickly and is soon sliding his tongue against Harry’s.

“Oh. Sorry!”

Louis breaks the kiss to see Eleanor shielding her eyes looking away from them. Harry’s eyes go wide, he probably should have remembered there was someone else in the house that didn’t know about his relationship.

“El this is Harry, my boyfriend. Harry this is Eleanor.” Louis gestures to Harry whose waving back at her.

“Sorry about the whole bed thing, thought you were Lou.” Harry apologies stepping forward to shake her hand.

“You’re gay!?” Harry expected that one, he really did.

But, the questions directed to Louis not him.

“Uh sorta? It’s more for the person than gender.” Louis tells her and everything is kind of awkward now.

“So you two are together?” Eleanor questions looking between them.

“Yeah, we are. It would be the best thing ever if you kept this between us. I’m not exactly out so that wouldn’t be too good.” Harry kiss Louis temple drumming his fingers on his hip.

“Yeah, it’s safe don’t worry. Taking it in for a moment. Why don’t you take your room, I don’t mind the couch really. He came all this way to see you, go be boyfriends.” Eleanor smiled pointing to the bedroom.

“No, I don’t want to put you out. We can share the couch, it’s honestly fine. Lou said you had a rough day, go relax and get some sleep.” Harry encouraged her not wanting her to feel like she has to. “Plus I need an excuse to be all up on this.” Harry slides his hands to Louis bum gripping it.

“Harold!” Louis swats at his chest laughing.

“I’ll let you two get reacquainted. Why don’t I take Nate out with me tomorrow for a walk and some errands? Give you and Harry some time alone?” Eleanor stops where she’s about to head down the hallway to say.

“You wouldn’t mind? That would be very lovely of you, seriously.” Louis grins laying his head on Harry’s shoulder.

“If I minded would I have offered? Think of it as my give back for having me here. Now go take your bedroom, I’m leaving with the kids around nine so use your time wisely.” Eleanor sings out smiling heading over to the couch.

“You are the greatest person I’ve ever met. Thank you!” Harry says in excitement grabbing Louis to throw him over his shoulder, laughing as they go down to his room.

xxx

“I can’t believe we had sex with three other people in this house. You couldn’t have waited till morning?” Louis half whispers, half pants out cuddling against Harry’s sweaty chest.

“We were quiet. One of those is too small to know what’s going on, Nate’s a sound sleeper and Eleanor probably expected it. I’m glad I got the Tommo tease treatment.” Harry chuckles before yawing, jet lag is really starting to set in after letting all his stresses go.

“Oh my god. You found my twitter didn’t you? I forgot about that thing.” Louis curls a hand around Harry’s hip wiggling to weave his legs through Harry’s skinny green bean ones.

“Actually my fans did, don’t ask me how. Niall and Zayn got a kick reading through them.” Harry slides his free hand over the thigh Louis’ got covering his upper thigh.

“Fuck, I was a right twat back in uni. I should delete that thing before my son can read all the shit I got up to.” Louis lightly laughs into Harry’s neck pressing a kiss to the vein that’s still showing.

“Who knows if twitter will even be used in ten years grandpa.” That comment gets a slap on the bum form Louis.

“Fuck off and kiss me. Make me feel young again after that one.”  

“I would, totally would but I’m losing the battle to jet lag. Goodnight master of the force.” Harry leans down to tilt Louis head at the same time capturing his lips.

“You might as well call me Yoda.” Louis flips in Harry’s arms pressing his back against Harry’s chest and reaching around to tap lightly at Harry’s sore bum.

“Goodnight Yoda.”

“Goodnight yeti.”

xxx

The next morning they wake up peacefully wrapped in each others arms. It’s not long before Harry thrusting into Louis moaning at the top of his lungs because no one is home, they don’t have to be quiet or keep it down. Harry’s tracing lines on Louis’ stomach when an idea pops into his head.

“Why don’t you come with me?” He asks in such a way like he was dumb in the first place for not thinking of it.

“To New York?” Louis sips his tea. After they fucked Harry went into the kitchen making him tea and grabbing a banana to rehydrate themselves to go another round or three. Maybe four, Eleanor texted Louis saying she would be back around five unless theres a problem.

“Yeah. I mean I’m flying out, not tomorrow but the following day. The thirtieth I believe it is? You should come, the thing with Taylor won’t take very long twenty minutes tops. We can go out to dinner, I was going to go see Coldplay that night. We could have some fun and all eyes won’t be on my till midnight so we can go around without having to be super secretive.” Harry munches into his banana.

“It sounds really lovely, I don’t think I can find a sitter so fast. Specially on New Years. My Mum’s going on vacation and everyone I know already has plans.” Louis frowns at that it would be so wonderful to go and be with Harry, he was really dreading having him leave so quickly after returning.

“No need, he’d come with us. I wouldn’t expect you to drop your child to jet set off to another country. Nate’s insanely important to me, I want him there. He can wear the sound phones again to the concert. We can even get him fitted for a little tux for dinner, I’m in the mood for fancy.” Harry leans over to seal his lips against his boyfriends.

“You don’t mind a three year old crashing it?” Louis bites his lips, he really wants to go and Harry telling him to bring Nate like it’s nothing tugs at his heart.

“It’s not crashing love, he’s your son. I meant what I said last night, I love you and I love him. I want to bring in the new year with the two loves of my life. There is not a single part of the night he'd be a bother for. A romantic dinner with a very swanky dressed Nate is exactly where I want to be, holding him in my arms while watching my musical hero on stage is just an added bonus as well. Plus, than you’re not left by yourself in the room while I go do my end of the business with Taylor. We’ll pop some champagne when I get back and everything to celebrate. Once Nate goes to bed in a separate but conjoining room, I’ll have you all to myself to tell you how beautiful you are. Showering you with kisses and chocolate covered strawberries. How does that sound?” Harry’s face is inches away from Louis, he hasn’t left that spot since he kisses him a min ago.

“Like a perfect night. That all sounds lovely and very well planned out. I’ve never met anyone whose loved Nate like this, who values him as part of our relationship. I always worried about dating you know? Whether or not the person would be a good to Nate as well. With you, it’s just. You care so much and it’s not to just impress me or get him on your side. You genuinely include him without even a second thought, like it’s such an obvious answer. You, you treat him like your own son and it makes me feel like crying in all the best ways. I never imagined I find someone like you. Thank you.” Louis kisses him not letting it break, saying more words through the kiss. It’s everyday routine things Harry does with Nate that seem so minor to anyone else looking but when you’re a single father these things have a lot more weight on them.

“I think of you both as individuals. It’s not LouisandNate rather Louis and Nate. You’re both your own person and I very much love both of you as separates. But I love it even more when we’re all together. I wouldn’t have gotten involved with you if I didn’t think this could work long term. The position I’m in with my career is both a prize and a grief. I used to think some days I wanted my old life back and everything would be easier again. Meeting you tho, meeting you that day in Tesco's is up there on the list of best day of my life. All the shit that happened after from fighting with my management to dealing with Taylor, I would do it all a million times if it meant having you in my life. You make everything worth being in the position I am. Thank you for dating me.” Harry tosses his banana peel into the near by bin.

“I really don’t know how to answer that, besides mating you.” Louis quickly changed their position to be on top and really show Harry what he can’t say in words. He doesn’t think there's enough words in the english language to string together how he feels towards everything Harry’s ever done and will do in the future.

xxx

Harry planned ahead, he figured if he was treating Louis and Nate to New York he might as well go all out. Not worrying about lines and people coming up to them, Harry rent’s a private jet. Nate’s running up and down the aisle having a blast as Louis and Harry settle comfortably in the leather chairs with their hands intertwined.

“Arreh’! No persons?” Nate looks around in confusion, last time he was on a plane was also to New York but they flew first class that had others on board besides them and a few bodyguards.

“Nope, it’s just us. Say thank you to Harry for the plane.” Louis laughs at his son whose jumping about in excitement lunging himself into Harry’s lap trying to climbing up. He accidentally gets a knee at Harry’s balls causing him to wince and throw back his head letting our small puffs of air as he cups himself through his jeans.

“Sorry babe.” Louis tries to stiffer his laugh the amount of times that’s happened to him over the last few years, it’s nice it’s someone else sack.

Harry nods his head in acknowledgement while protecting, or defending he would say, his own testicles from Nate’s ever moving knees. Louis reaches out a hand to Nate’s waist to stop his frequent excited movements, dodging yet another ball crusher.

“I know you’re excited but you have to watch your knees remember?” Louis points to Harry’s lap giving his son a knowing look. Realization must hit him because Nate moves to get out of the way like Harry’s lap is lava.

“Sorry! Sorry! Me kiss boo boo!” Very rushed Nate gets out moving his head down to Harry’s crotch, Louis some how moves faster stopping him from what he’s about to do.

“That’s not the kinda of boo boo’s we kiss.” Louis hope he will drop it, how do you explain this to your son that’s only trying to make everything better. His offspring has such a big heart for someone so tiny who doesn’t really know about live past superhero’s and his father.

“Why no? Me no hurt Arreh’?” Nate frowns in confusion at his father.

“You did my accident love, but. That’s Harry’s private parts and you can’t touch or kiss someone’s private parts.” Louis sternly says, he’s taken far too many psychology classes to know and understand Freud’s five stages pyschosexual development.

“Me pirate parts?” Nate looks at his own lap and back to Louis. Harry’s trying real hard not to laugh, Louis two seconds away from hitting Harry’s nuts again.

“Yes you have your own private parts just like I have my own to.” Louis informs him, he can’t even imagine what the sex talk is going to be like. He’ll probably end up bring this incident up. ‘Member that time you hit Harry’s balls and tried to kiss them? Yeah well that’s called oral sex.’ He’s thinking parent of the century on this one.

“What yous look?” Nate’s hands go to move Louis’ shirt away to use his little fingers in an attempted at looking for Louis privates.

“No baby, you can’t look at other peoples. You keep to yourself, hands and eyes.” Louis picks the little hands up away from his joggers pressing kisses to his fingers.

“Not what you did last night.” Harry teases not loud enough for Nate to hear. Louis smacks his arm for that one.

“Same? Me you?” Nate questions really wanting to apparently know more about his father genitals.

“Similar yes. Since we’re boys we have the same parts down there.” Louis waves his hand in the general area.

“Oo oo oo!” Nate jumps about excitedly, “Molly has no peen!”

Louis face drops at that, he’s son shouldn’t know what’s in Molly’s pants. Harry on the other hand finds this whole thing hysterical and has to start coughing when Nate looks over to him.

“Did you show Molly your willy?” Louis does a good job keeping his voice steady, he wasn’t expecting this.

“Willy no like me. Willy no play with me. No Nate my dinosnore.” Nate starts to get upset thinking of a fellow daycare goer.  

“Oh baby, come here.” Louis helps Nate climb into his lap and gives him a cuddle. “It’s okay to not be everyones friend. I’m not friends with everyone I ever went to school with. You have so many other really, really, really cool mates, it’s his loss at the wicked mate you are.” Louis holds him closer feeling the small puffs of breaths hit his t-shirt.

“Tay Dadee.” Nate moves himself around till he’s comfortable in his father's lap with his face smushed against Louis’ chest. He’s a bit sad that Nate was upset over not having Willy as a friend but he’s some what happy the other conversation had dropped.

xxx

They go through the back entrance of the hotel to keep themselves from being unseen. Harry checks the closet right a way as Louis chases Nate around the room, he eyes the garment bags smiling to himself at how delicious his boyfriend is going to look the following night. Louis caught Nate when Harry closes the closet door and walks over to where Nate’s laughing to put him down, Louis doesn’t listen and Harry joins in tickling the giggling three year old.

Nate’s starting to crash halfway through his room service cheeseburger, Harry puts down his own burger and picks Nate up in his arms walking towards the bathroom.

“How about a nice warm bath before we go beddy bye.” Harry turns the water on with his free hand moving the nozzle closer to the hotter side, he settles Nate’s little feet on the tiles and helps him out of his clothes. The tubs still filling up and Nate cuddles into Harry as the cold air  rushes over him, Harry wraps his arms around the tiny little naked body to give him some warmth while they wait for the tub. “Arreh’ tubby time to?” Nate mumbled sleepily against Harry’s collarbone.

“You want me to come in with you?” Harry asks figuring that’s what Nate’s asking.

“Yesh.” Nate answers rubbing his forehead against Harry’s t-shirt.

“Alright let me just.” Harry breaks away from the cuddle to strip himself of his shirt and jeans, he goes for the socks next not really sure if he’s supposed to take everything off or what. Louis peaks his head into the room holding Harry’s swim trunks and a soft fond smile.

“Thank you.” Harry stretches his long ganguly body over to where Louis is standing at the door to kiss him and take the trunks into his hands.

“You’re bathing my son, I should be the one thanking you.” Louis leans against the door frame he watches Nate’s naked little body make a dash for him, he crouches down to open his arms catching the boy as he thuds into his chest.

“Tubby time!” Nate cheers as Louis watches Harry remove his boxers slipping his trunks on while Nate’s distracted.

“Tubby time is right, I think Harry’s ready to go.” Louis points over to him and Nate turns his head around to see Harry testing the water soon shutting the faucet off. Harry climbs in first settling against the back giving himself a minute to adjust his long legs in a comfortable position. Louis follows Nate over to the tub slipping his hands under his son’s armpits to scoop up and slowly lower him into the tub, Harry’s hands are on Nate’s waist the second his little toes hit the water. Nate settles into the water in between Harry’s legs, barely any water escaped the tub so Louis calls it a win as he sits himself on the lid of the toilet watching his boyfriend not just give his son a bath but got in with him to do it.

Harry amazes Louis everyday with the natural parenting instincts he has. Harry’s word haven’t stopped bouncing around in his head, My sister says I talk too much about Nate, told me I had a proud father look on my face. Next time you both come over I want to take Nate to pick out room colors, it’s no longer a guest bedroom when I’ve got his things set up. And the one that killed him the most, Is it weird that I often forget Nate’s not mine? It’s not the first time Louis through about his future situation with Harry, he’s thought about all of those kind of things with Harry. Things like Marriage, with a capital M. Louis’ not cynical or anything but he didn’t honestly think he’d be one to get married. Maybe way down the road when Nate would be older and not need him but, the whole finding someone he didn’t think would really happen to him. Never now at twenty four, just something he tucked away in the back of his mind. Part of it he likes to blame on his Mum, nothing against her she’s a freaking saint but after two failed marriages and on husband number three, Louis always been a bit skeptical of the sanctity of marriage. So, for Louis to even toss that words around in his head it’s pretty damn serious between them, he likes to think it’s because they're both coming from two situations that require all in or nothing. He’s a single father, Harry’s a closet pop-star, both need to be smart about who they get involved with. But he and Nate are Harry’s lock screen and if that doesn’t say anything about how much Harry cares for the two of them he doesn’t know what love is. Risking your job and everything to have something so small like a picture on your phone seems outrageous, yet that’s what Harry’s done.

The whole world thinks he’s dating Taylor fucking Swift and Louis’ his phone screen. It’s Louis’ bed he’ll be crawling in tonight after leaving to pretend to enter her hotel and sneak out the back five minutes later. It’s him who will be having Harry moan like there’s no tomorrow. It’s not the Louis jealous, hell no he’s not, it’s just how upset Harry get’s having to run off to play pretend. It’s how Harry thinks every time he comes back that Louis will be mad at him for doing this. Louis understands, he’s not mad. Not even when Harry tells him he has to go kiss Taylor at midnight in front of the world to see just how straight Harry Styles is. Louis is starting to live for Harry’s smile, he’s had Nate’s the last three years and now Harry’s. He could live off of those things, if dimples pumped his heart Louis doesn’t think he’d ever stop beating. Harry and Nate have given him everything and anything he could ever dream up.

xxx

Harry’s putting the final touches to his suit, pulling his bow tie perfectly to lay between the fitted jacket he’s got covering his upper body. FIxing his curls in the mirror he gives himself a once over turning to make sure every angle looks good for Louis.It’s New Years Eve and Harry’s got the two best dates of his life waiting on in the other room. Stepping out of the bathroom he sees the door to Nate’s side still closed, grabbing his dress shoes sitting on the edge of the bed to put them on. As soon as he’s done putting the second one on, Nate comes strutting into the room and poses in front of Harry. He looks freaking adorable in his little suit jacket, vest and skinny tie, Caroline did a great job with that one. Nate’s giggling soon enough running to Harry and situating himself between Harry’s legs leaning on one to look for his Dad to come out. And wow. Louis looks stunning, the dress pants tightening in all the right places following Louis figure perfectly up to the jacket that’s left unbutton so the skinny tie much like Nate’s is swinging free down his chest. His hair is styled up in a quiff that has Harry swooning because damn he looks good. Harry never breaks eye contact as he stands walking the distance to kiss Louis hard.

“You look so freaking good, Jesus.” Harry mutters for only him to hear and nibble at Louis bottom lip.

Freeing his lip Louis gives him another peck, “It’s actually Louis. Louis Tomlinson good to meet you handsome.” He grabs Harry’s hand and shakes it.

“Prick.” Harry laughs sound getting muffled into Louis mouth.

“Me kiss!” Nate jumps pulling at their pants for attention. Harry leans down to scoop him up on his hip and kisses his cheek about five hundred times.

“Since we all look extra handsome how about we head out now?” Harry suggests fixing the bit of Nate’s hair that wasn’t staying up in his Mohawk. He’s the most adorable bad ass on the planet.

“Sounds good to me. Do you, are we taking a car or what?” Louis stammers out Harry’s looking mighty fine in his tux with Nate on his hip in his. The three of them really do look good, like a proper family Louis let’s his mind wander to.

“We’re being picked up, gotta go down out the back. It apparently leaked I was staying here so.” Harry frowns a bit not looking at Louis and getting Nate to laugh at a funny face he pulls two seconds later.

“Oh. Is it um. We don’t have to go out tonight. If you rather we stay in, room service last night was delicious.” Louis shuffles in place shifting his hips getting ready to take his tux off, it was a long shot to begin with.

“No, no. It’s not like that, we can go out. I’ve got us a reservation and everything all set up. If you’d feel more comfortable I can drive?” Harry ask trying to gauge Louis reaction to everything it’s a bit hard having to directly deal with Harry’s spotlight. When they’re tucked behind walls it doesn’t matter what’s in his bank account, who Harry is to the public eye, who he’s supposed to be dating. None of that matters in the safety of their own flats. They’re not in their flats tho, they’re in New York and he’s about to go out to dinner with the Harry Styles. He feels bit out of place, not even a bit a lot out of place.

“No it’s okay, just taking this all in.” Louis quietly tells him looking at himself in the mirror, he feels like he’s playing a part dressed up in a tuxedo.

“I know it can be overwhelming and I’m sorry that we have to do it this way. I don’t want to, I wish I could walk right out the front door holding your hand while the cameras go off. I’m sorry you have to hide who you are for me.” Harry apologizes over it like that’s the reason Louis’ apprehensive.

“Harry that’s not it.” Louis sheepishly takes a step away from the mirror so he can’t judge himself anymore.

“Do you not want to go?” Harry takes what Louis giving him in confusion, he’s not sure what’s going on right now.

“I do. I do. Trust me I do. I just, it’s a whole new part of your life I’m seeing and it feels like I’m trespassing on it and I’m not good enough to be in.” Louis and Harry’s eyes go wide at the confession, what a slip and a time to do so.

“Louis.” He puts Nate down to go off and play with some toys he packed off to the side. Approaching Louis Harry watches himself like he’s a complete stranger to the man in front of him.

“Look at me love.” Harry tries to meet his eyes bending at his knees to twist to see the face he’s grown to love. Louis finally brings his head up to meet Harry’s and it’s killing him to look at Louis like this. So unsure of himself and uncomfortable.

“You are beyond good enough for me, I don’t ever want you to think that about us again because it’s wrong. I love you, I love us, and before this time next year I’ll be out. I’ll be out and your hand will be in mine as we stroll down the streets of London raising hell. I don’t ever want you to say anything like that again, you and I both know that it’s not true.” Harry kisses him before he can give a rebuttal.

xxx

They do end up leaving through the back and Louis’ normal than he was before. Dinner goes by swimmingly without any disturbances since they have their own private dinning area, maybe it;s not exactly normal like Louis was freaking out about but they could be together and couples without having eyes on them.

Coldplay live is incredible, they changed out of their suits into more relaxed clothing before heading out and being in the audience watch Chris Martin run the show made Harry feel more normal even slipping his hand around Louis waist for a few seconds.

Unfortunately it’s after the concert ends when Harry has to go head to Times Square to meet up with Taylor.

“I won’t be long love. Happy New Year baby I’ll see you next year.” Harry’s dimples are out as he makes a horrible pun that Louis laughing at anyway because it’s Harry and somehow he finds him endearing.

“See you next year babe. I’ll watch for you on the TV, you’ll be the prettiest one there so no doubt the cameras will love you.” They kiss for another ten minutes, Nate’s already passed out on their bed and Louis doesn’t want Harry to leave.

“Please don’t. I don’t want you to see that.” Harry frowns nodding his head at the thought of Louis watching him kiss someone else.

“Hey. You’re going to come back from doing your job, we’re going to toast ourselves with this expensive fucking champagne we’ve got and I’m going to fuck you and remind you just who you’re dating.” Louis snaps giving him a look, he knows Harry needs this. Reassurance for leaving him on New Years in a hotel across the pond from home.

Harry surges forward again causing another snog fest that he’s seconds away from taking his kit off and fucking now.

He’s late meeting Taylor and almost misses the ball drop, he’s trying to think of really anything else when he feels Taylor’s lips on his. It’s so creepy he wants to think. Unnatural, slimy, too soft, too small. It’s all wrong but he mentally checks himself out counting to five before separating them. He knows people got the shot they wanted, knows people say them kiss, knows it will be all over tomorrow that they were snogging in Times Square.

Three more days and he’s done with her. Three more days and no more beards, no more fake dates, no more womanizing acts. Three days till he’s done with that and in a few months done with all of it.

xxx

Finally snuggled up with Louis out a breath and very much naked Harry knows it’s really all worth it. Part of him wants to tweet a picture of the two of them wrapped up together and instagram it, Get it all out now, be honest with his fans for real. Show the kids struggling that it is okay to not be one way. He’ll get his chance, the most in eleven months. Maybe he’ll snog Louis in the middle of Tesco's right by the applesauce and give everyone a show. Louis would like the humor of that, and well he really likes Louis.

“I love you.” Louis’ words halt his thoughts and he’s giving him a dimpled smile.

“I love you too.” And just like that Harry’s fallen asleep in his lovers arms with an empty bottle on the bedside table.

Chapter Text

Harry’s around a lot more once he gets back from his breakcation, a term Louis been using to describe it, it hit the public hard that Harry Styles is now back on the market and no longer with Taylor Swift. Headlines and twitter have been buzzing about it none stop. Louis doesn’t use his twitter to tweet anything but it’s a great source to watch people cheer that ‘Haylor’ has broken up. No one liked them together, it was bad public stunt and well Harry sucks at acting is what Louis learned from all that. But he’s got Harry now in his bed and he doesn’t plan on letting him leave until his next obligation in February. Maybe a few times in between to see his family since their getting ready for a world tour, he’s not the cruel.

He’s been thinking about making a new twitter one not so obvious of the things he got into at uni, that was a very wild time that ended up with the best thing in his entire life. So he’s got the signup page pulled up on his laptop and is debating typing his name in to create one as Harry starts stirring besides him rolling over to press his face against Louis ribs curls laying every which way. Louis instant moves his hand into the curls he loves petting his hand listening to Harry sigh in contempt.

He starts filling out the information using his actual name and a proper adult email not some dickish sixth form one he used for everything back when he didn’t have a care in the world. In the middle of thinking of a password he’s going to remember he feels Harry’s lips start kissing up his naked side and up his arms till he’s resting his head in the nook of Louis’ elbow.

“Morning love.” Louis smiles down at Harry’s half closed eyes still face all scrunched up where it’s pressed to fit in the space.

“Mornin’.” Harry nudges his head around getting comfortable how he is.

“Sleep well?” Louis soothes reaching over with his right hand to play with Harry’s mattered curls.

“Mhmm. Whadda you doin’?” His voice is still heavily laced with sleep as he tries to break it’s hold.

“Was thinking about making new twitter need a password I won’t forget. I’ve always been shit at making these.” Louis returns his hand to the keyboard to try and think of something.

“Ooo back in the twitter world! You should make it, Harry is the bestest twenty eight eleven twelve.” Harry scoots himself up to slump against Louis shoulders now and half against the pillow.

“You are the biggest sap of them all. Do you use our anniversary as your password for things?” Louis pokes fun at while typing in exactly what Harry said.

“Only somethings, it’s the safest because no one really knows but us and the boys. See best password ever.” Harry leans over blocking the screen to seal his lips against Louis.

“You are a giant cheese ball did you know that?” Louis clicks to make his twitter and Harry grins at the screen, rolling over to the nightstand to grab his phone to go right back into his spot on Louis.

“You secretly love it and my idea because that’s what you made it. Louis underscore Tomlinson.” Harry reads off the screen at his new handler smiling as he sends a text to Niall.

“Who you texting this early?” Louis snoops trying to read the name on the screen.

“Niall, he’s gonna cream himself. I told him you made a new twitter.” Harry laughs knowing he won't get a reply back for another hour or two.

“Why is he so obsessed with being twitter friends?” Louis laughs as he chooses a picture of himself and Nate to make as his profile.

“Who knows what goes on in his mind. He’s in his own little Nialler world half the time.” Harry shrugs and rolls on top of Louis or tries to at least.

“You’re off in your own world half the time as well, it’s called my flat.” Louis finds Stan’s twitter following him and goes to add his sisters and Mum, who apparently has a twitter, weird. He finds Harry’s and stares at the screen for a little wondering if Harry would get in trouble if Louis followed him.

“You can do it, we’re supposed to be mates to the public soon.” Harry smiles and watches the box turn blue.

“Now we just wait for Niall to wake up and add me cause you know he will.” Louis finds the One Direction page clicks the button, he adds about twenty more people including some of Harry’s famous friends like Ed Sheeran and Nick Grimshaw, again Louis forgets how famous Harry actually is.

“Oh look your Mum just followed me!” Louis cheers seeing the notification from Anne. Harry groans and clicks on the DM button to message his Mum.

Louis Tomlinson: Mum! If this is a way to stalk my boyfriend you better unfollow now!

Anne Cox: It’s not love. Am I not allowed to be friends with your boyfriend?

Louis Tomlinson: Excuse Harry he’s being a child. Hello Anne!

“Not being a child.” Harry pouts proving Louis point.

Anne Cox: Hello Louis! Welcome back to twitter! Now I would advise you not to post the same things as your last account. I try not to think about the things my son gets up to in the bedroom.

“I’m going to kill her.” Harry says with red cheeks at the thought of what his Mum is talking about.

Louis Tomlinson: I had no filter back in me uni days no worries now! Promise to keep it clean and family friendly.

Anne Cox: Good to hear take care of my boy love you both xox

Louis smiles down at Harry and leans down to kiss him. “Let’s not be on twitter right now, the kid is still asleep and you look like you could use a blow.” Louis closes his laptop and places it on the nightstand flipping to his knees to shimmy down Harry’s body.

“I wouldn’t object to that.” Harry watches the way Louis moves down his body only having to pull down boxer shorts since Harry likes to sleep freely. Harry’s only half hard when his dick comes out but four pumps from Louis hand get’s him standing tall. Louis mouths on it instantly not easing into it, sucking down his shaft like it was nothing. That’s got Harry gasping biting back his moans as Louis picks up speed twisting his hand at the base that he hasn’t got to yet. In Louis opinion, the only one that really matters, Harry’s got a great dick. It’s long which hey, does it’s job but Louis loves the thickness as well. It’s like the perfect size and Harry’s hung pretty damn great for a eighteen year old. He’s got Harry in a mess not too long after he knows the spots that make Harry tick, like a little nibble on the vein under the head or mouth up the sides instead of licking or he likes the drag of the tongue on the way up to the tip, he’s basically a pro at sucking Harry’s cock. Louis not shocked when he cums tightening his hands into Louis hair pulling on it a bit hips on their own account lifting up.

“Fuck. That was-god. I can’t believe I came that fast.” Harry says in between large gulps of air trying to catch his breath.

“I am a very talent lad and you’re only eighteen babe. Those hormones can’t control themselves yet.” Louis fall over onto his side tracing Harry’s defined abs with his finger.

“Oi! I’ve had plenty of sex before you came along thank you very much. I turn nineteen in less than a month you’re not allowed to make anymore jokes about my age.” Harry pushes Louis onto his back and straddles the older boy immediately grinding down on him.

“Oh watch out world Harry’s turning nineteen might as well hand him a cane and prune juice.” Louis ignores the moving body on him trying to make a point to not seem phased.

“God you never shut up do you? Trying not to get yourself hard. Think that’s really going to prove your point? Maybe you’re too old to get it up. How about that.” Harry holds himself up from where their chests are barely touching as he doubles the pace of his hips.

“Oh I’m not, my dick works brilliantly. Do you not remember how I made you cum four times last night? Are we forgetting that?” Louis finally moves slamming his hips up against Harry’s. Harry has to bite back the moan trying to escape that would just give Louis the answer he thinks he knows, it’s not Harry’s fault his boyfriend’s extremely good looking and puts him in the mood.

“Fuck you. I can’t help getting hard around you, it’s not, it happens all the time because of how sexy you are.” He’s hard again from all this talk and grinding basically proving Louis point but whatever he should be lucky his boyfriend can get it up a lot.

“That my love is what I like to hear. I don’t need you bragging about your past sex life to impress me, you do it for me baby. You feel that?” Louis stops their movements pressing his dick against Harry’s and stilling it there for him to feel. “That’s what you do to me, all the time. Why we can go round after round, after round, after round because you fucking gorgeous and turn me on so fast. Maybe I’m the eighteen year old, but I can’t get enough of you.” Harry launches his head to Louis lips taking them into his to do with what he pleases. He’s trying to shove off Louis shorts when there's a little knock on the door.

“Dadee! Wakey!” Nate’s voice comes through the room and Harry releases Louis lips climbing off from their position.

“We’ll be right out!” Harry announces tucking himself into his boxers and grabbing sweatpants from his draw, he has his own shit at Louis’ it’s wonderful he tells himself as he steps into the legs.

“Arreh’! Open! Peas! Hug!” Nate's newly excited voice floods the room at the new piece of info that Harry’s here. He hasn't really understood everything, he knows Harry says goodnight to him and helps his Dad tuck him in but he doesn’t get yet that Harry sleeps over. Or when he does he thinks its a sleepover for him and not Louis.  

“I’m coming right now.” Harry looks back to make sure Louis situation is tucked away before opening the door to have a little bundle pelts right into him.

“Hi!” Nate’s hair is every which direction and he’s lost one sock in his sleep Harry notes seeing his little toes.

“Hey little man, how did you sleep?” Harry squats down to give him a hug and kissing his sleep hair.

“Good! Good! Me happy Arreh’ here.” Nate strings together and Harry is surprised that is actually is a correct sentence.

“I’m happy you're here as well. That was a good job on the sentence.” Harry praises the three year old, Louis looks fondly at them as he walks over to their love fest.

“Morning booger.” Louis tussles Harry’s curls before doing the same to Nate’s out of control hair.

“Moning Dadee. Kiss!” Nate sticks his lips out and up for Louis to give him good morning kiss, which he does. “Tanks.” Nate snuggles into Harry’s naked collarbone wrapping his little arms around Harry’s neck. Harry picks him up as he stands back up and the three of them make their way to the kitchen, setting Nate down in a chair as Louis starts the kettle.

“What are we feeling today?” Harry asks the two of them opening the cabinet to grab the skillet.

“Panakes!” Nate cheers from his chair and Louis places a cup of milk in front of him.

“How about pancakes and an egg on the side?” Louis bargains wanting him to get some protein in.

“Yummy eggies! Sneeze?” Nate asks his father.

“You can have cheese if you put bananas on your pancakes.” Louis gives him the option grabbing a banana from the fruit bowl that was courtesy of Harry.

“Tay!” Nate picks his cup up with two hands to drink his milk.

Harry grabs everything he needs to make pancakes while Louis starts on the eggs. Harry refuses to use boxed pancakes and insists on only eating home made ones, he even made fun of Louis box until he threw it out because it tastes stale. They two of them work together effortlessly in front of the stove until there is three plates with eggs covered in cheese and pancakes with banana’s a small dollop of peanut butter on top. Louis brings two cups of tea to the table and sits down facing Nate who now has  a milk mustache.

“What do you say to Harry for cooking?” Louis directs picking up his fork and knife to cut of Nate’s little mini pancakes.

“Tanks Arreh’!” Nate patiently waits for his Dad to cut up his breakfast swinging his little legs to pass time. So when his plates slide back in front of him and he picks his fork up to stab at a pancake piece.

“Good pancakes babe.” Louis stuffs a forkful of pancake with banana on top into his mouth humming as he goes at the taste.

“Thank you. The eggs are eggtastic!” Harry says with enthusiasm as Louis shakes his head.

“Awful, you’re an embarrassment Styles.” Louis’ finding it hard to keep the smile off his face.

“I’m not yoking.” Harry deadpans and Louis stills his hand that was being brought up to his mouth to stare at Harry.

“Jesus, the puns have to stop.” Louis shove’s the food into his mouth.

“Why I’m punny as hell.” Harry laughs eating his eggs.

“Bad!” Nate waves his fork in Harry’s direction while the other one covers his own mouth like the word came out of there.

“He did say a bad word didn’t he?” Louis raises his eyebrow at Harry who's been called out by his three year old.

“Yesh! Bad word. No talk.” Nate points to the corner of the kitchen and the face Harry makes is priceless.

“You make him stand in a corner?” Harry barks out voice rising a bit.

“Nope. He’s making you tho. Get to it, you said a bad word.” Louis goes back to eating while Harry mouth hangs open in disbelief. Harry looks back at Nate who's still pointing in the direction of the corner and pushes his chair away from the table to stand walking over to the corner turning to face the duo.

“No wrong. Turn.” Nate gives him a serious face as Harry sighs and faces the wall.

“He put me in timeout!”

“I know dear.”

“Can he do that?”

“He just did.”

Nate gets a few more bits in his mouth always looking over at Harry and finally swallows the bit he has and turns to talk to Louis.

“Dadee, Harry good?” Nate asks glancing back at Harry in the corner.

“Yeah, I think he had time to think about the bad word he said.” Louis takes his mug into his hand a watches his son.

“Tay. Harry back now! No bad words!” Nate wags his finger at Harry’s figure walking towards him.

“No bad words got it. Sorry I said it, won’t happen again.” Harry leans down to kiss Nate’s cheek, swinging by Louis side to capture his lips before sitting down to finish his meal.

xxx

Works harder to get up and ready for, when he’s got Harry’s limbs tangled in his it takes him all the energy he doesn’t have this early to get up and out of bed. It’s been this way since his break ended and has gone back to work. The same thing every morning of waking up to Harry and having no want to leave. But there is money to be made and a tiny mouth to feed so he groans as he places his feet on the ground loosening his joints before using them to stand up and head off to the shower. Harry’s still fast asleep when Louis gets through his morning routine and he’s heading off to Nate’s room to gentle wake him up.

“Hi Dadee.” Nate mumbles not quite up yet as Louis carries him to the kitchen. Starting up the kettle he places a kiss to Nate’s temple and walks back down the hall to the bathroom.

“Good morning bud. Ready to clean those little teeth now?” Placing Nate onto the step stool so he can reach the sink, Louis hands him the spiderman toothbrush and helps get toothpaste put on it. Nate starts to brush his teeth as Louis picks his own up doing the same to his he did to Nate’s. The brush giggling when each has to spit and rinsing their mouths out, Louis grabs his face wash as Nate splashes his own face with water to ‘clean like Dadee’.

“Why don’t you go wake Harry up?” Louis smiles down at his son who's already climbing down the stool heading to the Louis bedroom within seconds. The smile stays on his face as he squirts the face wash into his hands to spread around on his face not missing a spot. He’s boyfriend is a young one, he’s gotta keep his looks up. He hears the moment Nate jumps on top of the bed onto Harry.

“Wakey! Wakey! Arreh’!” Nate plops himself down on Harry’s bare back, air escapes his lungs and soon turns into a groan.

“M’up. C’mere.” Harry reaches behind him trying to get Nate with one hand, he finds his little waist and pushes him off his back as he himself rolls over onto the back now vacant of three year olds. With two hands he scoops Nate towards his chest and gets him in a hug.

“Morning you little booger.” Harry lets him crawl to get comfortable laying himself out on Harry’s chest with his head over Harry’s heartbeat.

“Up yesh?” Nate says after a few seconds of silence.

“Yes, I’m up now. You did a good job waking me up.” Harry’s palms runs up and down his little back closing his eyes and letting a smile creep on his face.

“Dadee go wake Arreh’.” Nate responds while his little hands find Harry’s curls and twists them about.

“He did? Hmm I guess we should go find him yeah?” Harry move after he’s said it, why would he when he’s got a tiny cutie laying all over him.

“Boys!” Louis calls out from the hallway stepping into his room leaning against the door frame as he fastens his watch on.

“Hi Dadee.” Nate waves to him, the only part of him that moved in five minutes.

“Hey baby, time to get you dressed.” Louis walks over to the bed sitting his weight on the edge, enough that he can lean back resting his head on Harry’s still covered thigh. Sticking his finger out he finds the bottom of Nate’s foot and tickles it.

“Pickles Dadee!” Nate laughs trying to move his feet away but Louis quicker going after his other foot as well.

“Alright alright, let’s get up before someone, me, get’s kick or kneed somewhere bad.” Harry could totally see this going wrong and getting a knee to the balls again, he’s only got boxer and a comforter for protection.

“Good idea, tea should be done right about now.” Louis gets up stealing back his son, Harry’s leaning up at the same time to give Louis a quick good morning kiss before he’s up and down the hall to dress Nate. Harry smiles to himself and drops himself back on the mattress.

“Haz can you start breakfast!” Louis yells from Nate’s room, it’s not a question and Harry keeps his smile on as he slips on a pair of joggers heading off to make his boys breakfast.

xxx

Harry's a bit bored, he’s showered, he’s cleaned the house, made all the beds, washed the dishes, did the laundry and even vacuumed. It’s only half one. Still not used to Louis being at work, it’s so quiet and he’s got nothing to do so he calls Niall up.

“Hazza! What can I do for ya?” Niall’s accent chimes over the line not going to the second ring.

“Want’d to see if you wanna hang out or something. Bored mate.” Harry grabs his boots starting to put them on, Niall or no Niall he’s going out to do anything really.

“Lou’s at work?” Niall laughs at him so clearly the reason to why he’s calling.

“Yeah…..So do you wanna?” Harry shoves his left foot in and stands up once it’s on.

“Why not. Was bout to go get some grub you can join, me and Zayn.” Harry grabs his jacket from the hook.

“Zayn and I.”

“Same thing. You can come get us since we’re waiting for ya.” Niall hangs up on that note and Harry shakes his head at his band mates. Placing his phone on the bench by the door he gets his jacket on and grabs his keys to lock the place up walking out to his Range Rover. Deciding to make it into an event he calls Liam to invite him out as well.

“Hello Harry! How are you today?” Liam the ever so polite one answer with.

“Hey Li, I’m good. You good?” Harry offers back, he loves the manner’s Liam has.

“Very good yeah. What’s up mate?” He can hear Liam’s grin through the phone.

“Going to pick up Niall and Zayn. We’re going for lunch want to know if you would like to join?” Harry switches lanes and notices the car behind him do the same.

“Yeah, would love it. Was about to grill chicken, caught me at the right time.” Liam laughs over the line and Harry can hear him putting away the pan.

“Perfect, I’ll grab you first. See you in about fifteen? Work for you?” Harry question while he purposely changes lanes again weding himself safely between two cars. He watches the tan car do the same except now they’re a car apart.

He misses the beginning of what Liam’s saying but catches the end. “-come right up when you get here.”

“Can do. See you in a few.” Harry hangs up after the bye and pays attention to the road and the car that’s following him at the same time.

The car seems to follow him all the way to Liam’s, he’s hesitant about going in but thinks it be weirder to not go in and drive around trying to lose the person. He’ll bring it up to Liam he tells himself pulling into the apartment complex giving Liam’s code to the booth guy and parking the car. He locks it as he walks into the building smiling at the front desk lady whose he’s seen a million times before, he waves as he waits for the elevator to open up. He rides it up till Liam’s floor and walks down it knock on the door a few times. Liam opens the door with only basketball shorts on and his face razor in his hands.

“Give me two seconds to shave the other side of my face.” Liam heads back to his bathroom and Harry shuts the door behind him.

“Take your time, don’t need bleeding now.” Harry takes a seat on the couch taking his phone off. He shoots a text to Niall letting him know he’s just got to Liam’s. While he’s got his phone out he sends off a text to Louis.

Harry: You’ll have to compensate me for all the cleaning I’ve done at your flat.

He sends it with a winky emoji and pockets it as a now fully dressed Liam comes into the room.

“Good to go.” Liam smiles grabbing his own jacket and the two of them head out back down to Harry’s Rover. Climbing in the driver side to put the keys in and starting the car, Harry clicks his seat belt on and waits for Liam to do the same. He debating whether or not to tell him about the tan care and figures he should anyway.

“So, on the way over here there was this tan car following me from Louis’ to yours. Obviously they couldn’t get into your complex but I don’t know if I should be more alert or what.” Harry bit his lip flicking his eyes to Liam then back to the road.

“They followed you? Like the whole way or happened to be going in this direction?” Liam drops his phone in his lap turning his body to give his attention to Harry.

“As soon as I turned off Louis street I noticed. I was actually on the phone with you when I caught it through my side mirror. I changed lanes and so did the car, I changed back a few seconds later and they followed except they were two cars behind me at that point. When I turned into your lot to go to the booth the car went straight but it like slowed down almost looking for something? Maybe taking pictures? Might have been a pap.” Harry takes the next right following it down heading to Niall’s. They all love pretty close, they’ve moved from their originally spaces to new ones but tries staying close by. Harry and Niall are actually neighbors and Zayn lives in the same development only on the next road. Liam;s the only one not in that development, he opted for an apartment building instead of a flat. He’s lucky because Louis’ flat is only fifteen minutes from his which is amazing when he has to work late or simple feels like going over there.

“I would let Paul or management know, in case it’s something more. You said he followed you from Louis’ that might be bad, if they get pictures of you two together and what not. I would be careful the next few days in case that’s what it is, they know where he lives. Maybe someone caught on that there’s more going on than just a bromance.” Liam says looking through his mirror for any times cars that could be behind them.

“I’ll do that, I don’t want him or Nate getting harassed. I don’t care if they’re following me for a picture or something but with Louis, especially Nate that’s crossing a line. They can’t stalk citizens like that.” Harry switches lanes and a car full of fans rides along next to them. Liam rolls down his window smiling and waving at them.

“Liam! Harry! We love you!” The girl shrieked from the car, they were in the process of slowing for the red light.

“We love you girls! How are you today?” Liam talked through the open window and Harry leaned over once the car was stopped to wave and get in a hello.

“Amazing since we met you! Can we take a picture of you both?” The girl questions and Liam looks to Harry smiling. Harry leans foreward and over to be more next to Liam and the girls take the picture. The light turns green and they wave goodbye as the girls yell bye, Liam looks over at Harry again.

“I love when they ask permission, it’s rather nice.” Liam happily says as Harry turns off the strip heading down the road his complex is on.

“I agree, so much better than people who think they can just take it. Like we’re not actual humans, cause we are.” Harry looks at the mirror noting there's no tan car. He doesn’t feel like getting out again so he honks obnoxiously as he pulls into the driveway. The two of them come out a minute or the after the honks finally stop and jump into the backseat.

“Let’s go eat. I’m starving!” Niall complains as Harry pulls away.

xxx

Harry doesn’t spend the night at Louis, instead he’s drunk off his ass at Funky Buddha with his three band mates. It had apparently turned into band mate day and the four didn’t separate all day, quickly moving from lunch to Niall’s which was fully stocked for a pre-game then finally ending up at the nightclub. He texts Louis the whole time telling him how pretty his dick is and how lucky he is to be with him but he hits what everyone likes to call his Harry wall and they end up leaving half after two once Harry hits it and starts getting emotional. He’s always been in touch with his emotions so add the booze and it makes for an sappy side of Harry. Harry ends up crashing at Niall’s even though his place is next door but he doesn’t care. Harry falls asleep in Niall’s bed not wanting to sleep alone, he’s gotten very used to sleeping next to someone. Niall can’t say no to him so Harry’s tucked in to the left of Niall, who turned a bird away to get Harry back. Niall’s the words best mate in the history of all mates on the planet.

xxx

The next time Harry and Louis get together is the night of Zayn’s birthday shindig, he wanted to go out and have everyone have a chill time. Since tours coming up it ends up being a huge family thing, which includes the boys and their own plus ones. It’s no shocker when Liam brings Danielle, Niall bringing his friend or well not just friend Amy and Perrie's wrapped around Zayn’s side, and Louis there with Harry. It’s a private event in a public space but it’s invite only with visible proof, Zayn likes ot keep to himself which made Harry happy since he could bring Louis and not have to worry about anyone spreading the fact he got cozy with his boyfriend.

“Have I told you how glad I am you could come tonight?” Harry question from his spot gesturing the bartender to give them two pints.

“Only a million and two times, love. I’m glad I’m here tonight too, missed you the last few days.” Louis leans into Harry’s side because he can here. Harry loves being able to boast about Louis and show him off in a way, he gets it all out when he can and everyone who knows them just smiles and listen because they all know he can’t do this a lot.

“I know, you know how hard it is sleeping alone. Or not hearing little feet running back and forth, my place is so quiet.” Harry frowns leaning down to kiss the frown off his face onto Louis.

“Trust me I know all about being hard and night. You’ve seem to put me back into the regular sex box and now I don’t know what to do with myself.” Louis hummed, thanking the bartender when a pint was put in front of him to take in his hands and gulp a bit.

“One of the perks of dating me, yeah? What was your sex life before me? Am I allowed to know that?” Harry picked his own drink up taking a mouthful of the beer and swallowing down waiting for Louis response.

“What a time to ask me, while were out in the open with all your mates.” Louis breathes against Harry’s neck kissing it once his sentence is done.

“Eh no one is paying attention to us it’s perfectly fine time to ask.” Harry shrugged off sliding his hand down to Louis waist.

“Hmm about my sex life before you came along?” Louis restates the question getting a nod from Harry.

“Well unfortunately I was rather celibate for sometime before you stumbled upon me. It’s a tad hard getting hard when you’ve got a kid. I kinda gave up after the last guy, figured it was too much trying to balance a separate life like that from my son.” Louis eyes meet Harry’s before he’s turning his attention to the drink in his hand.

“It shouldn’t be separate. Their dicks if they can’t see who amazing you both are.” Harry squeezes Louis waist as someone comes over to Harry greeting him like old friends. Louis just takes another gulp at the awkwardness of not knowing who the person.

“-man I know trust me she was out of her mind. Oh, this is Louis.” Louis wasn’t listening to the conversation, he really wasn’t. Now he is cause his names been brought up, moving his eyes back to the man who came to speak to him.

“Hello.” Louis reaches out shakes the mans hand, this is suddenly seeming very professional for some reason.

“Nick Grimshaw. Harry’s talked my ear off about you, glad to meet the lad that’s taken our boys heart.” He, Nick says stiffly gripping his hand a bit too hard. So this is what actual twat Nick Grimshaw looks like. Louis never listens to his show usually switches when he comes on. He’s not his biggest fan and apparently it seems mutual.

“Pleasure.” Louis takes his hand back slipping it round Harry, securing his position and brings his pint up to his mouth.

“All mine I assure you. Hows that kid of yours?” Nick raises and eyebrow almost trying to use his son as an insult. No one fucks with his son.

“He’s really great. Smartest little guy I’ve ever met, the things he knows and understands. I’m telling you we have a genius boy on our hands, he’s going to go so far.” Harry speaks up before Louis can even and it’s way better than anything he could have said. The pride in Harry’s voice and the usage of we and our. He’s not worried anymore because not only is Harry Louis’, he’s also Nate’s.

“That he is all that before he’s four, what are we gonna do when he turns five?” Louis rubs more into Nick’s face. Louis may not have the money, job, fast life or fame. But he’s got a son he loves and a boyfriend who loves them both.

“Send him off to university. Maybe even in the states like Harvard or Yale. He might end up curing cancer,who knows. Why limit him.” Harry calls for another two for them and refill on whatever twat heads drinking.

“Seems like you’re very invested in his life, forgive me for overstepping but is that such a good thing? Being so young Harry? To get involved with someone who will never put you first?” Nick doesn’t even look at Louis while he talks, he’s staring at Harry, who is completely clueless to the current friction between Nick and Louis.

“Well I don’t believe that’s any of your business. Yeah we’re mates but if I wanted advice I’d ask. It’s hard to understand our relationship when you're looking in. We’re happy, Nate’s happy and he’s not just a kid, he’s my boyfriend’s son. I know you don’t get any of it you've made your voice clear on that one. If we really were mates you’d try to understand instead of criticizing it.” Harry hands Nick a new drink like he didn’t just say all that.

Thank God for Niall because he comes bouncing over with a tray of shots grinning madly at Louis, hes the tension breaker. “Lou! Take a shot with me! Lets get wild!” Niall hands him a glass and Louis stares it trying to remember the last time he took a shot.

“It’s not gonna bite you. Tommo lets go.” Niall rose his up to meet the shot Harry had and clinking all three together before throwing the shot back.

“Ugh. I forgot how bad these things were, can’t even remember the last time I took one.”  Louis grimaced place the empty glass back on the tray. Niall slide another one in his direction and Louis started shaking his head.

“C’mon! When you hang with the Nialler we go big or go home. Nate’s home sleeping, are you gonna pass up this opportunity to get drunk with me?” Niall took a new one for himself and Harry, handing it over in the air already ready to go again.

“You know this is the kind of shit I got into before Nate and I know how it ends.” Louis made a face at the shot like it insulted him yet he still clanked it against theirs and took it like a champ.

“I always wrap my willy, don’t you worry.” Niall sung out and was turning to leave by the time Louis comprehended his statement.

“Hey! I wore one of those to you know, motherfuckers rip on ya.” Louis shouted at the Irishman who stopped to throw his head back laughing.

“Fuckin’ Tommo! I love you mate, you gotta come out more with us!” Niall clapped him on the shoulders before disappearing off into the crowd.

“What a lad, top notch. There needs to be more people like him in the world.” Louis chats away picking up his discarded pint to kill it off.

“Woah. Baby you’re really throwing them back, yeah?” Harry got closer to his face smelling the vodka and beer on Louis breath. Louis guesses Nick left because he’s not by them which makes him happier, a lot happier.

“When in Ireland, drink like the Irish.” Louis calls for a round of something stronger.

xxx

Harry drives them back to his place after trying to get a rather drunk Louis into the car, he didn’t want to leave Niall. Harry helps him strip off his clothes to climb into bed but apparently Louis has other ideas and goes to peel down Harry’s boxers.

“Baby what in the world are you doing? Get back in bed, I’m gonna grab you a water.” Harry turns to leave ignore the whines coming from Louis. When Harry does come back he didn’t, but should have, expected Louis to be completely naked laying on the bed hand on his own rather hard cock.

“You’re going to kill me one day you know that?” Harry place the glass of water and two parliaments on Louis side of his bed.

“Nope just need you to do your service as my boyfriend and fuck me. C’mon, lets go!” Louis pats the space next to him with his free hand as he slows down his hand speed thinking Harry’s going to take over.

“Lou, I’m not having sex with you tonight.” Harry left the room to brush his teeth and wash his face coming back to a still jerking off Louis. Harry’s amazed at the self control he has right now.

“He’s behind it Harry. Fuckin' Nick twatshaw, he’s the reason were not having sex right now. I’ll kill him, I will, I swear. Why? Why’s he gotta be so mean and take away my boy. Why can’t we have sex?” Louis drops his hand clearly affected at the news he won’t be getting laid tonight.

“You’re wasted.” Harry climbs into bed and scoots down under the covers looking at Louis and not his penis that is still out for all of London to see right now.

“So! We’re together it's okay. We’d be having sex if I was sober anyway.” Louis argues rolling into Harry’s space to press himself up against his boyfriend’s body.  

“Can’t do that. I know you want sex and I know you wouldn't be upset if we did but you're not fully there and I’m not about have sex unless I know it’s wanted by both people, soberly.” Harry wraps his arm around Louis to cuddle him in, he doesn’t want Louis to feel rejected but more understand where he’s coming from.

“You’re like a priest you know that? Oh holy harry. You can’t be a priest tho, wanna know why?” Louis sings it out like he’s going to tell Harry the secret of life or something. It shouldn’t be as adorable as it is.

“Why?” Harry stifles his laugh a bit, he’s never been around a drunk Louis before and it’s hysterical.

“Cause I fucked you in the ass that's why. That’s not allowed in priesthood.” Louis stretches his fingers out and rest them on Harry’s stomach.

“No probably not. Didn’t want to be priest anyway.” Harry informs Louis whose nodding along with him, his hair tickling Harry’s throat.

“Yeah fuck that, you don’t need it. Heard you had to not have sex ever ever. Virgin status.” Louis retorts getting Harry to laugh again.  

“So like you before I came around?” Harry expected the little hand swat after that one.

“Wow what a low fucking blow. S’not my fault. Apparently babies are boner kill. Did i ever tell you the time the chick I was banging tried purposely getting pregnant?” Louis questions out and suddenly Harry already upset yet intrigued by whatever is going to come out of Louis mouth next.

“No, you didn't.”

“Well she was a really nice girl which should have tipped me off but hey, I was drinking and had not been laid in over a year. I started chatting her up she bantered right back it all seem so normal and easy. Took her back to my place and she noticed Nates baby stuff, he wasn't even one yet so his things were everywhere I was still getting the hang of the whole father thing. Anyway I get her to my bed and you know what happens, fast forward to I'm about to put it in and she stops me saying she doesn't want to use a condom. And I’m like um no this shits staying on I’m not doing that. She got so upset that I wouldn’t take the condom off saying she’s on the pill and she knows how to handle when I’m gonna finish. Again, I told her no, that if we were going to have sex the condom was staying on. She made this noise like I offended her so she gave me a condom from her bag which was weird since my dick was already in one. I gave her this look like what the fuck am I supposed to so with this. She told me she was allergic to latex or some shit, I was drunk I don’t remember exactly, and gives me the new condom. At that point it was like c’mon I just want to have sex, I peeled off the only condom and put the new one on. Which felt like every other condom I’ve ever worn. You still with me?” Louis glances up at Harry’s face.

“Swapped condom for no reason, got it.” Harry tilts down to kiss Louis before he continues.

“Right, I finally get in her and everything seemed normal you know? I thought whatever that had happened was just a weird thing and I was in the clear. I could tell she was faking the noises which is kinda a boner killer, like I maybe not be the best but I know how to please so that was a bit insulting. I guess from drinking so much and the noise I started to you know, lose my hard on.”

“No!” Harry gasped joining for a bit of fun and to let Louis know he was paying attention.

“Yeah, not my best moment as a man.” Louis shook his head against Harry’s chest.

“I’d still love you if you couldn’t get it up or stay up.” Harry cooed going in for another kiss, he could still feel Louis erection pressed against his hip.

“Aw, that was really cute. Glad to know, might have to switch to a pill to get it to work.” Louis mind tracks off from the story.

“Nah, I don’t think you’ll need it. You’re very spectacular at pleasing me, don’t worry your pretty little head.” Harry adds in making Louis feel a better, no man wants to be the one who can’t get hard.

“Thank you for those kind words Harold. Now back to the story. She started getting all panicky I guess you could call it and started like double timing her speed on my dick, it felt good and well yeah I got back to hard again. I thought it was her being nice you know, although she faked the sounds she orgasms a few times I felt it. I took it as her trying to make sure I came and what not.” Louis takes a breath from talking so fast he didn’t even reseal he sped up till last minute.

“That’s not what she was doing?” Harry questions prodding the story along.

“Nope. When I was about to cum something just felt weird like why was she trying so hard to get me to cum. So right before I knew I was gonna  I pulled out and she started freaking out on me. I came as she was trying to get my dick back in her which fuck, I just came don’t touch that shit. I pushed her away it hurt you know? I thought maybe she was about to cum again so I went to go down on her and I feel something like dripping onto the top of my thigh, again thought maybe she did cum and squirted or some shit. But no, it was my own spunk leaking from the condom that had little holes in it. Thank god I pulled out. I looked at her and just starting cursing at her.” Louis remembers jumping off the bed and taking a tissue to the condom to pull of tossing it into the bin.

“Who does that? What a crazy bird.” Harry hugs him closer, no one should be treated like that.

“I know! I was so furious I threw her shit at her and told her to get the fuck out.” Louis wiggled down to lay his head more comfortably on Harry’s chest.

“Would have done the same.” Harry agrees.

“All she kept saying was she wanted a baby and that my son could have a sibling. Literally pushed her out the door and told her never to contact me again.” Louis yawns smushed up face against Harry.

“The nerve of her. That’s really fucked up, I’m glad nothing ended up happening.” Harry presses a kiss into Louis head and lets out a breath closing his eyes.

“Me too. Damn, I’m no longer hard.” Louis pouts at Harry who gives  alight laugh.

“I’ll fuck you in the morning m’kay? Get some sleep, you’ll need it.” Harry moved to kiss Louis a few times before he turned on his side backing his bum into Harry’s crotch. Harry draped an arm around him and pulled him in close.

“Kay. Night baby, love you.” Louis hummed letting the drunk sleeps wash over.

“Night darling, I love you too.” Harry wiggled a bit to slide down for the perfect pillow position and closed his eyes to drift away.

xxx

Harry was woken up the next morning by his phone going off, when he reached over to grab it he saw it was Modest office so he quickly swiped to answer bring it up to his ear.

“Ello?” Harry tested his voice out, it was still filled with sleep but hey it was apparently almost eight am on a Saturday.

“Hello Harry. You have fun last night?” The man he thinks name is George, says over the line and he’s not sure if it’s sarcastic or sincere.

“Um yes? Sorry I’m not fully awake yet.” Harry rubs at his eyes to wake himself up a bit.

“Apologize for the call so early, we saw pictures from last night. We are glad the ones from inside the club aren’t too coupley between yourself and Mr. Tomlinson. The ones of you leaving are a bit erm, not bad but they do look shady. I can see Mr. Tomlinson was incredibly inebriated which makes it look a tad better since you’d help any of your friends when they need it. Over all were happy with the way you conducted yourself with him being there and yes it was all friends and family but people snuck in and what not. Good job Harry.” George says and Harry can now hear that none of it was sarcastic.

“Thank you Sir. Louis, he doesn’t drink all the often so Niall gave him a few too many shots for his tolerance.” Harry laughs to himself remembering how funny drunk Louis is.

“Not a problem like I said nothing drastic happened you saved your romance for your own home and we appreciate that. I talked to Dave and we want you to start being around Louis more in the open. Nothing romantic but get him into familiar face crows your fans know, bring him to your birthday outing. Start doing the simple basic little things around London with him and what not, follow him back on this new twitter which I like by the way, good move. The people that have picked up on your friendship have all been positive. See Harry you working with us will get you out sooner and everyone happier. We’re on your side kid. I’ll see you later, have a great day.” The line clicked off and Harry smiles down at it, sliding through his phone for the twitter app and finding Louis’ profile to click the follow button.

xxx

“Before you get mad, there’s a reason I didn’t tell you first.” Those were the words that came out of Harry’s mouth. They were at some London nightclub for Harry’s nineteenth birthday and just no Louis was finding out who was throwing it. Nick Grimshaw. There’s not many people Louis doesn’t like, Nick’s one of them. Louis just didn’t like him, anything about him. So finding out Nick was the host of this little shindig got under Louis skin, yes Harry should have told him so he could prepare himself a little better.

“A heads up would have been nice.” Louis muttered following Niall through the door that led them to a private booked room filled with friends of Harry’s and his sisters was there.

“Lou, he’s my friend. Please be nice?” Harry waited for the door to close before slipping his hand around Louis waist.

“I’m not the one starting shit, he was rude to me first.” Louis liked the fact Harry’s arm was around him walking it, he got to watch Nick’s face harden at the sight of it, that’s a win for him.

“I know but please? Be the bigger person and let it go?” Harry asked as he smiled and waved to some of his friends walking over to them with Louis attached.

“Statements a bit ironic isn’t it? He’s taller and older than I am, so shouldn’t he be the one acting like an adult.” Louis spat out a bit and Harry turned to him before they finished walking to his friends.

“I know he said shit about Nate and you, I apologize for that. Can we please have a good night and celebrate, I leave for tour soon.” Louis nodded and leaned up to kiss Harry who happily met his lips hearing awe’s from behind them. Louis pulled away smiling eyes flicking over to the way Nick was glaring at him, he flicked his fringe out of the way and smiled as he met one of Harry’s friends. This night should be interesting.

Chapter Text

The thing is Louis may not be famous but he’s not hideous, he knows that and so do the random people coming up to him while Harry’s off giving everyone attention. So it adds to his smirk when he’s left with Greg James in a discussion about The Fray and piano styles, Louis does know a little about music. It makes him feel better when he can feel Grimshaws eyes burning holes in the back of his head as he laughs letting his arm rest on Greg’s elbow, typical friendly hand placements between two people. Well Louis loves it, loves that he’s so much of a threat to Twatshaw that even when he’s talking to his friend it’s like the world’s ending. At first Louis had assumed the heat from Nick was due to being involved with Harry, normal jealousy. Now tho, now he’s seeing it more clearly that it’s him that Nick has a problem with. Whether he’s talking to Gemma or any other one of Harry’s mates, he gets a glare. So of course Louis going to fuck with it even more, that’s who he is.

“Before you leave or I get more drunk, I’m sincerely grateful that you’re in Harry’s life. That kid was made for the spotlight and the fame but there's these pieces of him I hope he never loses and with you I can see they won’t be lost in all this. He’s young, really young and people tend to forget that. Always have. I’m glad he’s got you to call up at the end of the day to bring the Harry we know back. Pleasure meeting you Louis, stop by the studio anytime.” Greg gives him a hug and walks over to where some chick is waving him over.

Silent win for Louis he thinks, Nicks the only one of Harry’s mates who had not giving him a welcoming hug and really if that doesn’t prove his theory than Louis doesn’t know anything. Needless to say he’s in a brilliant mood when he strolls over to where Harry’s sat talking to his sister and plops himself down on his boyfriends lap with a blinding smile.

“Hey babe.” Harry turns his head to meet Louis lips smiling against them.

“Having a good time Harold?” Louis leans over putting his mouth on Harry’s straw tasting whatever he’s drinking, and really Harry shouldn’t find that as hot.

“Uh yeah. Really wicked time, glad loads of my mates are all here and of course my sister. Didn’t think she was coming nice surprise.” Harry’s arms is already around Louis waist as he presses his face against Louis’.

“I don’t think we’ve actually met before? I’m Louis.” He sticks his hand out wanting to properly greet Harry’s only sister, I mean it’s family. She surprises him by pulling him in for a hug and a back rub, he nearly slips off Harry’s lap.

“We might have not met yet but I literally know everything about you, Harry likes to talk and you’re his favorite topic.” Gemma grins as she lets go and Louis feels Harry’s head resting against his back in attempt to hide.

“Honor to meet the lovely Gemma and I think Harry’s blushing more than I am currently.” Louis gives a light chuckle twisting in his spot to find Harry’s face again, he hasn’t looked at him in a about two minutes.

“The two of you together are a deadly thing which is why you haven’t been introduced sooner. I’m protecting myself and the world from the chaos of this combination. I’m doing everyone a favor really.” Harry kisses Louis once before his straw is in his mouth.

“Or that you’re never actually home anymore. Hmm I wonder where you are? Maybe at your boyfriends not inviting your sister to play with Nate. Can’t wait to met him either, I get sent the pictures,” Gemma spills Harry’s secret smugly.

“You’ll have to come around! If I knew you were trying to see H more I would have said come right over. I don’t live far from him, about twenty minutes. You are always welcome even without the yeti around. Nate would love to meet anyone related to Harry, he’s got a bit of attachment going on. Here put your number in next time you wanna drop by London you can crash at mine if your brother doesn’t answer.” Louis wiggles around in Harry’s lap to get his phone out handing it to Gemma.

“I knew I liked the sound of you, good lad you are. I will take you up on that and Nate I want to met this sunshine.” Gemma gives him his phone back and he sees that she had texted herself already.

“Anytime! Lemme know when you want to so I have an idea if my flat has to be cleaned from the war zone of a three year old.” Louis chats happily loving how awesome Harry’s sister is. Harry was right of course, Gemma and himself hit it off and he feels like a new friendship other than the label of boyfriends sister is being used for them.

“I don’t know what my emotions are at right now. I’m happy you two are already making plans but sad cause I wanna be included.” Harry pouts clearly the amount he’s drunk already coming into plan.

“You’re leaving for tour you knob.” Gemma swats at his shoulder the one that’s not being used by Louis to lean on.

“I still want to be included!” Harry lays his head on Louis shoulder being hit with the wave he’s leaving in a few weeks for tour.

“You are the epitome of a donut.” Louis responds kissing the top of Harry’s head.

“Oh thank you. I’m a knob and donut what loving kind words from the people I care most about on my birthday.” Harry laughs at himself lifting his head to look at his sister.

“And you say I’m dramatic.” Louis flicks the fringe out of his eyes to meet Gemma’s smile.

“You are! Over dramatic or emphasisy and what not. Loads of overness.!” Harry points out finding Louis lips again to kiss him.  

“That’s not a real word, one. Two, you and Nate act the same way, what does that tell?” Louis releases his lips to say.

“That we’re the coolest people on the planet.”

“More like you are the equivalent to my three year old.” Louis laughs sealing their lips together again.

“Well he’s pretty bad ass if you ask me.” Harry responds as he pocket vibrates and Louis jumps a bit since that’s exactly where his ass is sat.

“Ever since he saw Zayn with the blonde strip he want’s one now. He’s fangirling over Zayn so I mean at least I know he’s got good taste.” Louis moves again when there's another vibration against his ass, Harry hasn’t made a move to get it so he hopes there's not more because he’s not ashamed if he gets hard right now.

“Zayn’s influences on the world are highly important to our takeover of the world.” Harry confirms nodding along with the words tumbling out of his mouth.

“If I’m not mistake you’ve already done that haven’t you? I saw those wannabe’s on twitter with the fight Liam and Zayn got into. The Wanted was it? What pricks.” Louis announces taking a sip from his drink remembering how he watched the fight go down and how much they seemed like dicks.

“I’ve only meet them a few times. I don’t like anyone who attacks my brothers but I can’t say I’ve ever had a problem with them. Not enough to voice it over twitter, that’s not my style.” Harry the ever cupcake says not taking a dig at the people who’ve taken digs at him.

“I had to restrain myself from joining in on Liam’s part.” Louis shifts in his spot to turn himself so he can see Harry’s face as well as Gemmas.

“I’ll let him know you’ve got his back although that wouldn't have been the best way for you to make yourself known to my fans.” Harry keeps it light knowing how much his management would have killed him if Louis had jumped into that fight.

“True, I can be rather sassy if I need to be. My teachers weren’t very fond of my character back in school.” People starting to head over to where the three of them are sat. Harry must notice because he’s shoving his hand into the pocket that's under Louis bum, which hello, grabbing for his phone to hand to Gemma without even checking it.

“Take a picture please my lovely sister.” Harry gets his dimples out smiling innocently at her and really how is she supposed to say no.

Posing on Harry’s lap lights something in his stomach, they've taken selfies together but never someone else snapping a photo. This is big and Louis can’t help but letting his most sincerely happy smile let loose as his and Harry picture as a couple is taken. Thanking Gemma Harry looks over the photo happily putting his passcode in and opening instagram.

“You don’t mind if I post it do you?” Harry asks before making any kind of motion to touch the photo from the safety of his photo album.

“Not in the slightest bit, we look cute in it.” Louis motions the screen as Harry brings it up to choose a filter and he watches Harry type a caption.

“You need an instagram.” Harry tells him as he hits the button to post the picture to his account looking back to Louis blinding him with the look on his face.

“I don’t need an instagram you do it enough for the two of us.” Louis stares at the picture on the screen of the two of them. Their first public photo they may not be out but it’s a baby step that has Louis grinning widely like a madman.

“That’s true. I’m loving this, that I can post a picture of my boyfriend without getting my nuts fried.” The group of people,including Nick, finally stop in front of Harry with looks on their faces and Louis feels like he’s not going to like whatever's going to happen next.

“Harry! We’ve got a present for you if you clear your lap and come sit over there.” Nick points to a vacant spot near by holding his hand out for Harry to take. Louis looks at the hand then back to Nick’s face raising his brows at the fact that he wants Louis to leave his spot.

“I’ll be right back give me a sec.” Harry tells them bringing his attention back to Louis. “I’ll be right back love.” Harry kisses Louis on the mouth and breaking it to stand up. Louis gets to his feet, retaking Harry’s spot once he’s up, he only really trust Gemma right now.

He’s not back in a second.

  In facthe’s got a stripper dancing on him and removing her clothes.

Who orders a female stripper for a gay man? Nick Grimshaw that’s who.

Louis pissed, not because there is a near naked female dancing on his boyfriend but because Nick fucking Twatheads enjoying himself at the fact that he did this. The mans almost thirty he needs to grow up and leave nineteen years old alone. Really, he looks like his mouths going to fall off from the smug look he’s giving Louis every time he looks over to him.

Gemma must be feeling even more uncomfortable than Louis is, no one wants to watch their little brother with a stripper, she grabs Louis arm and tugs them off away from the action leaving it behind, neither giving it a second glance slotting themselves out the door onto the street for some air.

“I had no idea.” Gemma rushes out with guilt written all over her face.

“Oh no. You are not trying to blame this on yourself.” Louis cuts her off wanting to ease the guilt that’s taken over her.

“Maybe if I said I was coming they wouldn’t have? Who highers a stripper with the persons sister in the room?” Gemma questions as her and Louis sit on the curb watching other people’s lives go by.

“I have a strong feeling that it’s because I’m here. Twatshaw’s not the biggest fan of me, probably thought pulling this would upset me so incredibly much that I’d split with Harry over it? I don’t know. Not sure what the angle is. If it was really to hurt me or make me jealous wouldn’t he have gotten a male one?” Louis ponders to Gemma, maybe she would be able to help him figure it out.

“That does seem rather odd that she’s female. If this like you said was to piss you off this really doesn’t affect you does it?” Gemma questions leaning her head against his shoulder.

“Nope. I really don’t mind the whole stripper thing, even if It was a bloke. I don’t get jealous like that, I’m pissed because it clearly was done to get me away from H. I don’t want to you know come in and ruin the friendships he’s made but I really don’t get why he’s mate’s with Grimmy.” Louis mocks the nickname pulling a face as he says the name.

“The few times I’ve met him he was nice enough, I’ve never seen him act like he has tonight. It’s a bit creepy yeah? He’s what twenty-eight? Harry just turned nineteen.” Reading straight from Louis mind Gemma says.

“Right? I mean I’m twenty four and that seems like the oldest I can be without it being insanely inappropriate to date a newly nineteen year old.” Louis’ now glad he went over and met Gemma before all this happened, otherwise he’d be on his own right now trying to be the adult Harry asked him to be. Speaking of Harry, Louis wonders if he even noticed his presence wasn’t there.

“I’m with you on this one. Hey, Twatshaw’s got nothing on you, especially not Harry’s heart. He really does think the world of you.” Gemma blocks out the negative thoughts that had started up in his head.

Louis opens his mouth to follow up with really anything because, fuck, she’s a mind reader maybe a mythical creature.

“Lou!” Harry calls out from where he’s walked out of the front door ignoring the paparazzi. It’s not like they were eager to take Gemma’s and his picture but now that Harry Styles is stumbling through the door it’s a field day.

“Hazza go back inside!” Louis jumps up from the curb at the same time Gemma does and the two rush to block Harry from the camera’s to shove him back through the entrance. There will be pictures all over the place of Harry wearing a tiara, that’s really helping his imagine.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know there would be a stripper! When I went to go after you I was being pushed back to the chair. The poor girl was getting paid for this I didn’t want her to get in trouble.” Harry frowns around the thoughts of the young lady not doing her job, that’s the way Harry is. He’s right, the stripper has feelings and bills to pay just like him and he’s never judged anyone for the way they need to survive. Harry so earnest about not wanting to offend or have a doubt the girl wouldn’t get her money.

“Hey it’s okay love. I’m not mad or anything, calm down.” Louis wraps his arm around Harry’s waist as they head back into the party.

“You’re not?” Harry’s looking at him with wide eyes and it’s reminding him how young he actually is.

“No baby. I didn’t think Gemma wanted to see her brother in that situation, we went out to get some air nothing else. You have such a big heart you know that?” Louis circles his other arm to Harry’s waist pulling him closer.

“It’s only this big cause it’s being fueled by you.” Harry leans in to capture Louis lips against his. Louis feels a pat on his bum cracking an eye to see Gemma walking away smiling at him.

“As much as I would like to take credit for your sappiness, darling this one is all you. It’s one of the reasons I love you so much.” Louis watches Harry’s face light up with those words smiling like he’s won a grammy or something musical.

“I love you too! I’m really glad you came tonight, I’m going to miss you so much on tour. I don’t know what I’m going to do without seeing you for that long.” Harry starts frown and Louis quickly kisses it away.

“Hey! None of that right now, okay? We’ve got some time before you go off charming the world with your good looks and fantastic voice. Alright? Let’s get you another drink and have some fun while we’re still in the same place, okay babe?” Louis lets go of his boyfriends waist to hold his hand.

“Sounds good to me.” Harry gave him another kiss because he wanted to, hand in hand they started to head over to the bar. “Gems not to upset is she?” Harry questions as they rest against counter waving the bartender over.

“Nah, she’s alright. We had time to chat and whatnot, better bond the two of us now. She’s the one I’ll be crying to when you leave me.” Louis chuckled as he put in an order for a mango mama, Harry was in love with them.

“I’m not leaving you!” Harry panicked out working himself up, touching Louis face to have them meet each others eyes.

“Not like that Haz, relax. I mean for tour. When you go I told Gemma she could stop by anytime we even have a date set and planned. It involves ice cream and all the crap TV we can watch.” Louis thanks the bartender with a smile handing Harry’s drink over to him.

“I wanna eat ice cream and watch bad TV!” Harry pouts with the straw already in his mouth, god Louis screwed.

“We can do that too love and know that were doing it in your honor while you’re off living your dream.” Louis kisses the pout right off Harry biting at his bottom lip, of course, of course they’re interrupted by someone clearing their throat. He’s expected to turn around and come face to face with Nick cause that’s just how the night’s gone.

“Louis is it? Harry Magee, nice to finally meet you.” Oh shit. He’s meeting Harry’s boss, like the head boss, it’s almost as intimidating as meeting Simon Cowell. Fuck he was sucking face with Harry two seconds ago what an introduction.

“Yes Hi! Sorry were meeting like this, I would have left Harold’s lip alone if I knew I’d be meeting the big guns.” Louis moved his hand off of Harry’s hip to shake Modest’s controllers hand.

“Not a problem, I honestly would be a bit more worried if you didn’t make my client happy. We’ve been working hard to prepare Harry to come out and meeting you was on the list. We’ve always known Harry would eventually want to be out and you sped up the process but I think overall it will be good for him and for his fans to see that it’s okay if you’re gay. I think he’ll be a great role model.” Harry Magee accepts a beer from a women Louis has no clue who she is, maybe his wife? Louis does like how positive and encouraging he seems to be in regards to Harry.

“I agree. He’s got one of the biggest hearts and I just know what an influence he’ll be to the LGBT community. Even without that aspect he’s a role model anyway, my son looks up to him with such love and inspiration. Harry could tell him that he hung the stars from cheese and he’d believe him. It’s hard not to love him, isn’t it?” Louis turns his head to see the way his boyfriend’s looking at him and Louis pretty sure it’s the exact same way he’s looking back.

“He’s a wonderful person and I’m glad he stood up to us when he did. We were out of line and I apologize for what we’ve put you through. I would like to met your son if that’s okay with you and also we’ve started up a protection plan and bill that will ban anyone from approaching or taking your sons photo. We’re doing what we can to ensure his safety for when you go public.” Harry’s face lights up again at the words and Louis blushing because they're going to be public, he doesn’t know when but one day Harry and himself can walk down the streets of London with their hands entwined.

“Yeah, we can set something up. I’m sure he’d love to tear apart your office, he gets excited in new places. Thank you for even considering protecting Nate, I’ve spent the last three years doing anything in my power to keep him safe and it’s nice to know you’ve already thought of that. Just thank you.” Louis sincerely says grinning at what’s in the works.

“I’ll let you two get back to the romance, have a great night boys.” Walking away from them head of Modest leaves. Harry looks in between crying and his face breaking.

“Let’s get you drunk babe.” Louis kisses him once again turning to order some shots, “It is your birthday in case you forgot.”

“I haven’t. That kind of talk is only for you elders, not us youngins.” Harry laughs burying his face against Louis shoulder.  

“Oh hush up you brat.”

xxx

Louis been out with Harry several times now, to the food store, movies, dinners all that kind of stuff. The world’s catching on to the fact that he’s not just a mate but since nothing’s been confirmed and they don’t act like a couple in public to the fans they are only mates. Louis’ wouldn’t say he’s used to the lifestyle of being followed by middle aged men with cameras or teenage girls approaching them but it’s not as weird as it had been the first time. It’s the Tuesday before Valentines day that they decided to go out for lunch publicly for the first time with Nate.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Harry double checks the arrangements making sure Louis is alright with bring Nate out into the spotlight.

“Yes babe. I’m glad you're concerned and everything but it’s gonna be alright. We’re still meeting at that weird hipster place right?” Louis switches the phone to his other ear resting it on his shoulder while he zips up his jeans.

“It’s not a hipster place! It’s organic, that’s healthy not hipster. And yes, that’s our point of gathering.” Harry’s got him on speaker while he pushes his feet into his boots.

“Organic is another way to pronounce hipster. I’ll have you know I’ve gone all twenty-four years of me life without eating organic shit and my health is perfect.” Grabbing his vans to slip on he pauses moving to open his bedroom door heading to Nate’s room.

“You’re going to love it! I’ve been before it’s really great.” Harry chats away at his ear while he finds his son laying on the floor trying to put his own jeans on.

“Hold on sec babe. Nate’s looking like a merman right now gotta put the phone down.” Louis drops the phone to the bed settling down on his knees to help his son get his pants on.

“Tanks Dadee!” Nate laughs while his father tugs his jeans on snapping the button at the top and helping him stand to his feet.

“Welcome bud. What shoes are we rockin’ today?” Louis leans over grabbing the phone to put it on speaker not wanting to put Harry out. Nate gives him a look and runs over to his closet digging through his shoes, Louis has an obsession with buying Nate shoes.

“Avengner!” Nate runs at Louis with a shoe in each towards his father.

“Avengers it is. Do you need my help putting them on or can I go get my Avenger shoes?” Louis watches Nate think about it sticking his little tongue out of the corner of his mouth in concentration as he tries to get his slip on on.

“Gots it Dadee. Go now.” He hears Harry start laughing and pushes himself up off the floor.

“You got it bossman. If you do need help come into my room okay?” Louis stops by the door seeing his son nod his head and walks away laughing as he turns the speaker off and starts back up his conversation with Harry.

“Go now! He doesn’t even need my help anymore! What am I going to do my baby.” Louis pouts over the line as he grabs his own vans from the closet sitting on the edge of his bed to slip the matching shoes on.

“You should be proud he can put his own shoes on that’s really good! He still needs you, he’s always going to need you. Stop your pouting I’m not there to kiss it off.” Harry checks himself in the mirror shuffling his hair about to fix it a bit.

“I am proud but he’s growing up and I’m not okay with that. Wish you were here so I can accept your kisses.” Louis goes back into Nate’s room where he’s got both shoes on and packing his backpack with the toys he simply can’t live without, not even for the afternoon with his favorite Harry.

“He’s three!” Harry laughs at him, “You have plenty of time with him and just because he’s growing up doesn’t mean he’s leaving you.” Harry snabs his jacket off the hook sliding in each arm switching the phone till it’s on.  

“Three going on thirty.” Louis grumbles as he hands Nate’s coat to him to put on. He really does look like a little badass, Harry had gotten him a mini matching leather jacket to the one he has. Between the vans, black jeans and now black leather jacket, Nate’s the most stylish kid he’s ever scene.

“If he was going on thirty you’d be fifty one and I’m pretty sure the things we did this weekend you couldn’t do at that age.” Harry heads into his garage hopping into his Range Rover while the garage door opens.

“I never want you to say those words again, any of them. My youth is very important to my ego right now and if you want to do what we did this weekend again I suggest you never speak of me and that number again.” Louis’ got his coat on now since he put it on during his rant.

“Wouldn’t want to hurt your precious ego now would I?” Harry starts the car up letting it warm up a bit since it’s been a cold winter this year.

“I’d never forgive you if you did. Alright, I’m going to hang up now so I can get the monster into the car. I’ll see you in a bit. Love you.” Louis opens the front door letting Nate walk out to the porch to wait for him as Louis shuts and locks the door.

“See you in a bit. Love you too.” Harry’s end goes dead and Louis pockets his phone. Nate holds his little hand out for Louis to take and they walk down to the car, where Louis helps him into the backseat to his car seat. He’s still too little for a booster seat, not that Louis is complaining one bit. He’d keep him in diapers and onesies if he had it his way.

“We go to Arreh’?” Nate chats while he’s being buckled in.

“Yeah, we’re going to meet him for lunch.” Louis responds clipping in the last buckle and kissing Nate’s face before climbing back out.

“Yay! Go now?” Nate kicks his feet as Louis shuts the door heading to the drivers seat.

“Yup, we’re going to see him right now.” Louis responds backing out of the drive carefully onto the road.

xxx

By the time he finds parking he’s fifteen minutes late from the time he was supposed to meet Harry and he can easily tell Harry’s already arrived due to the small crowd of girls and camera’s littering the sidewalk as he head’s towards the door. Nate’s pointing out things as they make their way hand clasped in his fathers. Louis’ about to reach for the door when Nate tugs on his arm point at something.

“Dadee! Arreh’! Nate Arreh’s face!” He starts jumping up and down at the young girls t-shirt where he’s spotted Harry’s face on and really Louis is proud of him for how observant he is.

“Good job Nate, that’s Harry’s face on a T-Shirt just like you have. Why don’t we go in and tell Harry what you saw?” Louis smiles politely at the girl, looking back down at his son whose beaming.

“Yesh yesh! Arreh’ time!” Nate cheers as he waves to the girl following his dad through the door. He spots Harry and takes of letting his hand leave Louis to throw himself at Harry.

“Hi Arreh’!” Nate’s got his little arms wrapped around the parts of Harry he can get.

“Hey little man, look how cute you look.” Harry helps him climb into his lap holding onto his waist as he gets comfy.

“No cute. Handysome like Dadee.” Nate leans back against Harry’s chest as Louis takes a seat across from Harry in the booth.

“Oo I always love to hear I’m handsome. Thank you.” Louis grins and picks up a menu seeing what kind of crap he was going to be shoving into his gob.

“He’s very handsome, you got that right.” Harry’s smirking as Louis’ face shows his personality reading down the list of food.

“Stroking my ego will get you everywhere babe. Just not right now while I try to pick the thing that won’t taste bland.” Louis has no idea what he’s going to get nor what Nate would actually eat. He’s not a picky eater but he’s never had organic anything before.

“It’s organic, that doesn’t mean it’s going to taste like dirt.” Harry laughs as Louis starts reading the descriptions of food in a mocking tone while Nate happily taps his fingers against Harry’s chin. Their waitress comes over with a smile and a pad looking at the three of them.

“Hi, what can I get you lads today?” She doesn’t seem to be freaked out that Harry Styles is at her table but then again Louis does recall Harry saying that he’s been here before.

“Hello! Um can I please have the slow roasted pork belly with a side of skin on chips, he’ll have chargrilled chicken and spicy chorizo without the coleslaw and a side of mash, and for the little man battered fish fingers. Oh can we also have a round of tea and apple juice?” Harry looks up from the menu looking at the waitress whose jotted the order down.

“Yup got it all. Anything else?” She asks politely.

“No that would be all, thank you.” Harry collects the menu and hands them over smiling to her.

“Be right out with your drinks.” She turns walking away.

“If I die from this food you’re going to be blamed.” Louis threatens but really he’s smiling through his teeth. Harry order for them. Harry has paid that much attention to know what he likes and doesn’t.

“You’re not going to die, it’s chicken. Nate likes fish fingers don’t cha buddy?” Harry tickles his stomach getting a laugh.

“Yesh! Fish fingers yum yum, yummmm!” Nate giggles and squirms in Harry’s lap.

“That’s the spirit. Daddy needs to be exposed to different food and not complain.” And really Louis flip him off or kiss him if they weren’t in public.

“Daddy is being exposed enough even being here and Harry should be happy my bums sat across while he brainwashes my son.” Louis gets out as the drinks are brought to the table. Nate leaves Harry’s lap to sit on his own.

“Harry likes Daddy’s bum.” Harry grins out taking a sip of his water.

“Alright this is turning the wrong way that word should not be associated with the things you're thinking about.” Louis deadpans while Harry throws back his head letting out a loud laugh.

“Don’t worry, I don’t have a kink or anything. But I do like your bum, that’s for sure.” Harry points out leaning forward again.

“You better not or we’d be done love.” Louis grins at the open threat that would never happen.

Their food arrives shortly after, Louis gives Harry a stare down as he takes a bite of his wrap chewing slowly before swallowing. Harry’s hanging onto Louis movements fork still in the air like he had to pause what he was doing to see Louis reaction.

“It’s not horrible.” Louis take’s a bigger bite, chewing less this time.

“Told you!” Harry sings happily digging into his own meal.

Harry doesn’t seem to notice the crowd of people outside growing in numbers nor does he notice the stares he’s getting as he playful steals bites of Nate’s fish fingers. Louis notices. He even notices when some brave soul comes up to their table as Harry’s feeding Nate a bite of his pork.

“Harry.” Louis clears his throat grabbing his attention to look at the girl at the edge of their table.

“Hii! How are you love?” Harry goes into pop star mode smiling widely giving her the attention.

“G-good! Really good! I didn’t mean to bother but um can I get a picture please? You’re my hero!” The girl stammers out and Louis can see her hands are shaking like leaves.

“Course you can, here I’ll take it.” Louis steps up reaching for the girl’s phone as Harry stands up putting an arm around her shoulders and smiling.

“And there we go.” Louis hands back the phone watching the girl look over the photo for approval.

“Thank you so much Harry! I can’t believe I’ve met you!” Louis wonders what’s going through her mind at the moment, meeting your hero seems pretty intense.

“It’s not a problem nor a bother love. Glad I could get the chance to meet you. Oh how rude of me, I didn’t catch your name?” Harry starts up a small conversation with the girl and gives her a hug goodbye, which Louis thinks she probably shat herself over.

“Thank you again Harry. Bye Louis, nice meeting you as well!” The girls off after that going back to her table with what looks like her family.

“How did she know my name?” Louis says in shock and disbelief, Harry hasn’t mentioned him or anything by name at least.

“I hate to tell you love, but you’ve kind of got your own fans now. Niall was showing something to me last night about it. Since they’ve seen us together several times a lot of the fans ship us together.” Harry explains as the checks brought out and he slides his card into the slot to hand back over.

“Ship us? What are we cargo?” Louis doesn’t understand, he still can’t believe she knows her name.

“Like as a couple. They think we look good together and of what they know about you they like us together.” Harry breaks it down as Nate jumps into his lap.

“We do look good together. So they approve you could say?” Louis watches his son curl into Harry's chest, it’s getting to be his naptime.

“Yeah, some of them. We’ve got a name and everything. Larry Stylinson, you can google it if you want.” Harry signs his name on the receipt and stands up with a sleepy Nate still in his arms.  

“Oh jeez. I’m being stalked basically than? How much do they know about me?” Louis questions as he slides on his own jacket before taking Nate from Harry.

“Eh not sure. Whatever you’ve had on twitter or what they can find online basically. It’s nothing bad, they ship Liam and Zayn together as well.” Harry gets his own jacket on slinging Nate’s backpack over one shoulder.

“Hey Nate.” Harry’s voice gets soft as he gets close to the three year old.

“Arreh’ shhhh.” Nate turns his head into Louis throat.

“Alright. There seems to be a bit of mob outside and I don’t want you walking through that. Where are you parked” Harry asks as they slowly approach the exit.

“Down the block and around the corner. Are they going to follow me?” Louis’ suddenly hardens over, his son’s in his arms which turns him into protective Dad mode.

“No, we’ll get someone to pick your car up. I’m right up front it will be safer getting to it. Keep his head down and yours, I’ll try my best to block. The car seats behind the passenger seat so I’ll walk you over to it before getting in myself. You okay?” Harry’s also matching Louis mode right now and Louis loves how protective he’s getting over them.

“Yeah okay. Let’s do this.” Louis gives him a small smile trying to hide all the fear he has about it right now. Harry goes out first as the flashes start up and the questions are being thrown at him. Harry grabs onto Louis waist to steer him to the car blocking Nate from everything.

“Harry! Harry! Look over here!”

“Harry who are you with?”

“Is that your kid? Do you knock someone up?”

“You’re being a dick ignoring your fans like that!”

Louis heart breaks at that, Harry’s so kind to his fans and to get the hate right now is uncalled for.

“Excuse me. He’s protecting a three year old from the likes of you vulchers. Maybe if you didn’t harass him he’d be able to calmly meet his fans without feeling threatened for his safety or theirs. So if you’d mind shutting your trap and backing off that would be lovely thanks.” Louis snaps as he feels Harry take Nate out of his arms and get him into the car seat while Louis turns away from the asshole to block any photo’s being taken.

“C’mon Lou.” Harry pulls him to head towards the front of the car watching as he opens the door and sitting before he opens his own.

“Get home safe Harry!” He hears his fans say and waves them over to give them hugs and take a few pictures after saying goodbye he hops into the drivers seat and turns the car on and merging on the road once it’s clearly.

“I’m sorry. Something just broke in me hearing what they were saying about you.” Louis reaches his hand over to place it on Harry’s thigh.

“You don’t have to apologize, it was nice having someone give them a taste for themselves. Thank you. My main goal was to get Nate in safely, I know you can hold your own.” Harry pulls up at a red light and turns to face Louis bring his hand up to his lips to kiss.

“I know you can too but you don’t deserve that tho. Are they always that rude?” Louis tangles their fingers together and drops them to rest on the center when the light turns green.

“Eh sometimes. I usually ignore them and if there are fans I give them all my attention. It pisses them off, tho I am pretty sure that guy shut his mouth up really fast after you said that. My fans are problem happier too since you got them to back off and give me the ability to meet them. Plus they like anyone who defends me so you’re most likely in after that gets to Tumblr.” Harry flips his signal on and heads to his place.

“Couldn’t stand there and watch them try and make these judgmental things about you like you weren’t a person.” Louis frowns really hating how they treated his boyfriend.

“Comes with the job sadly. It doesn’t get to me, at first it did but not anymore. They want a reaction so that’s what they try to get by saying things I’d react negatively towards.” Harry switches lanes only to be cut off.

“Well I survived it so that’s a plus. Didn’t even curse, should be proud of me for that.” Louis beams as he checks on Nate in the backseat who is sleeping peacefully.

“I’m very proud of you for not sassing the fuck out of them. Thought that was going to come out.” Harry laughed pulling into his gated neighborhood.

“If I didn’t feel as threatened I would have, I was in full force parent mode.” Louis responded as he watched the houses getting bigger and bigger driving through to Harry’s place.

“We handled everything perfectly, now let’s get inside so I can kiss you because I’ve be refraining since you walked through the door early.”

“Sounds like heaven.” Louis gets Nate out from his seat who slumps onto Louis shoulder as he carries him through the house to Nate’s room, tucking him in to continue his nap.

Harry’s leaning on the door frame when Louis turns around to exit. “Kiss me.” He whispers and that’s the end of that.

xxx

When Harry had originally asked Louis said no. It was too much too fast but now, now Louis finds himself in a stylish gray suit jacket and fancy khaki dress pants on his way to the Brit Awards. He can’t believe it. He’s Harry’s plus one for the event and that makes him want to prance around jumping for joy. They both know it’s one of the last steps before Harry comes out. He may not be walking the red carpet with him but this is huge regardless. Dave thinks Harry could be out by the end of the month with the way things have been going. They’ve done everything right and the fact that Louis stepped in offering to take photos for his fans and like Harry had said defending him, he’s popularity among the fans has risen greatly. They’ve been brainstorming how exactly Harry wants to come out. They have so many options and Harry wants to pick the correct one for him and his fans. He wants it to be meaningful but also in control of how it’s done about vetoing out anything in print that he doesn’t control. Maybe an interview? He’s not sure yet but they’ve got time to figure it out. All Louis knows is he’s at the freaking Brit’s meeting the rest of One Direction’s girlfriends and family members.

It’s while Harry’s on stage because One Direction won for Best British Single that Harry finds his boyfriend in the crowd blowing a kiss to him while Liam thanks their fans.

Niall posts a picture to instagram of Louis and Harry from an after party, Louis kissing Harry’s check while Harry wraps an arm around him. He had captioned it Harry’s biggest fan. It’s an adorable picture which Harry screen shots and saves to his phone. The picture gets a lot of attention and soon has everyone asking what is exactly going on between the two.

When they fall into bed giggling from the champagne they’d drunk, Louis can’t help but admire everything about Harry. He’s the most lovely person he’s ever met.

“I can’t believe you took me to the Brits. I feel so fancy laying naked with a Brit winner.” Louis kisses at the bare chest in front of him.

“One of the most important nights of my life, of course I wanted you by my side.” Harry trails his fingers down Louis back.

“Really means a lot. I may joke about but thank you for being the most delicious and lovely boyfriend a bloke could ask for.” Louis playful bites Harry’s peck.

“I should be thanking you, this is all a lot to handle I know. Thank you for sticking by me so far and I know it’s going to be hard with me being away but I want you to know how much I love you and how much you mean to me.” Harry voice is laced with softness and sincerity that has Louis tilting his head up to take hold of Harry’s lips with his own.

“I love you Harry. I love everything about you, including all the cons of your job. You were born to do this, you were made to take the stage every night and give your gift to the world. You know, Nate asked me why you didn’t wear a cape. I was a bit confused to what he meant, you know what he told me?” Louis locks their eyes together moving himself on top of Harry’s body.

“He told me superman has a cape, Harry needs a cape. I was still confused by what he was mumbling about this was when I tucked him in the day we all had lunch publicly for the first time. He said hero’s need capes. Those girls said Harry is their hero, hero's need capes Daddy.” Louis kisses Harry slowly wiping away the tears from his eyes.

“You are such an amazing person Harry. What you do for your fans all over the world, it amazes me how kind you are. I’m not going anywhere because you spread love to the world, I’m not leaving you because you're someones hero nor am I ever going to complain when a  fan comes up to thank you for being who you are. So, thank you for being you. Thank you for loving me and giving me the chance to be this happy.” Harry’s lips are on Louis after the last syllable. He barely separates them the entire time they make love slowly and passionately.

xxx

Harry’s putting leftovers into containers while Louis’ rinsing the dishes to load into the dishwasher. Nate’s in the living room of Harry’s house coloring pictures of dinosaurs. Harry’s first show of the tour kicks off tomorrow and even though Louis’ going to be at both, it’s really there last night together for sometime. Harry’s looking forward to getting Louis alone later it’s going to be the last time in a while he gets laid so he’s going to take advantage for the fact that Nate’s bed time is in an hour.

Harry pushes the last leftover tupperware in the fridge as Louis finishes out with the dishes, handing Harry a glass of red and the two clink them before taking a sip. Louis walks out into the living with Harry trailing to sit comfortably on the couch slotting together as Nate colors on. The put Finding Nemo up on the screen and watch as Nate drops his crayons to come over, climbing up to snuggle in between the two of them.

Nate makes it to the part where Marlin and Dory are trying to escape Bruce, Louis nudges Harry carefully with his foot pointing to an asleep Nate. Harry takes Louis glass of wine as Louis gets up carefully scooping Nate in his arms and walking to where the stairs are. Harry takes a gulp of wine and place Louis glass on the coffee table to moves to aim the remote turning the movie off and he leaves on a rerun of League Of Their Own and sits back down on the couch waiting for his boy to come back down.

Louis appears in the room and positions himself in front of Harry leaning forward to kiss him.

“You taste so sweet.” Louis mumbles against his lips before slipping his tongue into Harry’s mouth. Harry spreads his legs sitting back further on the couch for Louis to kneel between as he brings his hand to cover one of Louis ass cheeks.

“It’s not as sweet as you.” Harry mutters squeezing his ass to get a moan from his boyfriend.

The doorbell ringing cuts them from advancing any further, Harry groans as Louis pulls away from him and moves so he can get up. The bell rings again, and again, and Jesus Christ, Harry practically runs to get it not wanting Nate to wake up. Opening the door reveals an out of breath Niall and Zayn, Harry gives them a strange look and opens the door gesturing them to enter with his wine glass.

“Babe, who's at the door?” Louis calls from the living room not wanting to get up now that he’s sat down and gotten comfy. Niall pants out as he enters the room and flops down next to Louis letting his head rest on his thigh.

“Why hello to you too Niall.” Louis laughs putting his hand in the Irishmen’s hair playing with it.

“Hi! Good to see you.” Niall closes his eyes getting his breathing back to normal as Zayn and Harry come in.

“Hi Louis. Um you lads need to put on E! There running a story about you two.” Zayn leans down to hug Louis and sit down on the other side of Niall. Harry picks up the remote turning to the America channels till he finds E! and leaves it on placing his glass of wine on the table, there is a commercial on.

“You lads want a drink? I’m guessing you didn’t drive here.” Harry stands to leave the room and Niall pops back up making his way with Harry to the bar.

After returning with beers for the two new guest and the rest of the bottle for himself and Louis, he sits back down after refilling their cups and smiles as he takes a seat next to his best mate and his boyfriend. They don’t have to wait long for their store it apparently is a hot topic. No one speaks as Giuliana starts talking on screen.

“Alright alright we’ve waited long enough for this story. I think it’s only fair we be nice and slowly break the hearts of million of girls all around the globe.” Giuliana starts it off.

“Hearts indeed will be breaking rumor has it One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles is off the market.” Jason follows up like it’s a shock or something.

“Noo! I thought I stood a chance!” Giuliana yells out.

“You may be brunette but not that one that’s captured Harry’s heart. After splitting with ex girlfriend Taylor Swift it’s been rumored that Harry has already moved on already not even after two months.” Jason steps in and Louis scuffs at that, he was never with Taylor.

“But, it is someone who the singer has been around since October according to fans who have located the brunette with Styles several months ago and recently has been popping up everyone with the boybander.” Giuliana continues.

“Who is this mystery brunette? After research his name is Louis Tomlinson. It may shock some but according to fans of the band it wasn’t a surprise to them that Harry’s newest relationship is with another man. Harry hasn’t come out publicly but its apparent that he also never said he was straight.” Jason adds in with a smile and Louis laces their fingers together squeezing Harry’s hand. This is it, unspoken anyway.

“I know you’re all asking who is Louis Tomlinson? We’ll he’s not famous but he’s made quite the splash in Harry’s life being photographed with him in several intimate parties with the singer and even the latest at the Brit awards, sources say he was Harry’s date. Tell us more Jason!” Giuliana throws back at her partner.

“Alright of what we found he’s twenty-four and lives in London not far from Harry’s million dollar pad. Currently pursuing a degree in early childhood education at the University of London while working at daycare/preschool. G this is your favorite part isn’t it?” Jason answers back sending it to Giuliana.

“It is when I read this bit I couldn’t stop smiling. Louis is the father to three year old Nathan, who was spotted out with Harry just before Valentines day. He’s got the cutest kid. You’ve seen pictures of him right? He’s gorgeous and I’m not just talking about the child. We can see why Louis got Harry’s eyes all over him the twenty-four year old is insanely hot.” Giuliana gushes about him and that’s got Louis blushing and hiding his face into Harry’s neck.

“Fans of Harry are siding with him in his choice of Louis giving their support to the nineteen year old. Many fans held their breaths hoping that Louis wasn’t in it for the fame or money but throw away those thoughts after a video capture by a fan went viral. In this clip you can see and hear Louis respond to paparazzi telling Harry how rude he’s being ignoring his fans, his rumored boyfriend fired back telling him well you can watch it for yourself. Role clip!” Jason steps back as the video starts playing it’s further back from where Harry and Louis are but you can clearly make out Nate in Louis arms you here the initial comment and see Louis turn to face the man and tell him off. He’s accents so clear with determination behind it as he says Excuse me. He’s protecting a three year old from the likes of you vulchers. Maybe if you didn’t harass him he’d be able to calmly meet his fans without feeling threatened for his safety or theirs . So if you’d mind shutting your trap and backing off that would be lovely thanks. He’s still really proud of himself for keeping his calm and defending his boyfriend.

“I love him already! Not only that but Harry’s already got a car seat in his truck, if that doesn’t seem like a relationship I don’t know what is. Especially for a single parent to entrust someone with their child, that screams relationship. No comment from Harry’s PR team but we’ve seen a lot of Louis with Harry in the last three weeks. In my opinion there's not doubt these two are together and I wish them all the best.” Giuliana sends off to Ken in the newsroom and Harry looks down to Louis.

“You alright with all that?” Harry doesn’t necessary whisper but its low and soft.  

“Yeah. Yeah I am. It was more shocking when that fan knew my name and it’s a bit weird that people like that now know my name or even slightly care who the fuck I am but I’m okay with it. I mean this is the first step to you coming out yeah? How do you feel about that?” Louis gulps down some of his wine and blinks up at his boyfriend.

“I feel really good. I’m happy it’s no longer the hush hush secret and that it’s been so far positive as more people piece it together. I’m really glad you’re the one I’m coming out with. Thank you.” Harry leans down sealing their lips together happily.

“No thanks needed baby.” Louis replies as they hear Niall and Zayn get up off the couch heading  out the door.

“Don’t forget there’s a kid asleep you animals!” Niall shouts before closing the door leaving the two of them laughing into each others mouths.

xxx

Nate comes down with a cold on Sunday and Louis kicking himself for not catching on last night when they went to Harry’s show. Harry stops by for lunch wanting to spend the last few hours before he’s taken off on the tour bus.

“You know you coming over making homemade soup is crushing my Dad cred. He’s going to like you more now.” Louis slurps another spoonful into his mouth as Nate mimics him doing them same.

“Team slurpers is what I’m going to start calling you two. Stuffy over here has an excused since he can’t breath out of his little nose but you, you have no excuse for slurping.” Harry bops his nose putting his spoon in the bowl since he’d finish.

“Nate do you want anymore soup?” Harry stands to collect the empty bowl on the table after getting a no from Nate, heading into the kitchen. When he gets back to the table Nate’s snuggled into his lap with his eyes closed.

“Why don’t you go get in Daddy’s bed and we’ll cuddle for the rest of the day?” Louis questions his sick son who sniffles before answer.

“Otay Dadee. I go now.” Nate pats his cheek and slip of Louis lap.

“Can get a hug and kiss first?” Harry asks as he squats down to be eye level.

“Yesh. Lobe you Arreh’.” Nate kisses his cheek before wrapping himself around Harry’s torso.

“Love you too, Nate. I hope you feel better. I’ll see you in about a month okay? If you miss me tell Daddy and you can give me a call alright?” Harry kisses Nate again.

“I call. No worries.” Nate shakes his head and lets go giving Harry one last kiss before heading down the hall for Louis bed. Harry wraps himself around Louis pulling him close right against his body.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Gonna miss you.”

“Gonna miss you too.”

“You know how to reach me and all the secondary numbers for when we go international. You’ve got all the lads numbers and assistants. We’ll skype, call, text, and everything all the time.” Harry kiss him not wasting a breath.

“I do. I have all that and I’ll see you in a month. Just one month. We can do that yeah? Baby steps.” Louis attaches their mouths again.

“We can do it. I’ll miss you but we can do this.” Harry rest their forehead against each others.

“I’ll walk you out kiss me one more time please.” Harry does just that. Opening the door is a bit surreal cause Louis wants to keep it locked with Harry inside.

“Sorry I can’t come tonight, you know I would if he wasn’t sick. He hates when I leave when he gets a cold. Throws a right tantrum.” Louis walks Harry to his car leaning on the back door while Harry opens the driver side.

“Hey, no don't even. I’d stay home with him if I could and he’s not actually my DNA. He needs you more than I do, that’s good parenting. I love you. Sneak kiss my someone just pulled up.” Louis leans forward in his last kiss with Harry till he’s in Manchester for a show, Louis already made plans to go.

“I love you too. Rock out tonight and tell the lads I give my best to the tour. Text me later bye baby.” Louis shuts the door before either of them start up again. There’s a lady in a pencil skirt and blazer making her way up his walkway to him. Louis waves at Harry to go, he can see the worry on his face through the windshield.

“Louis Tomlinson?” The women addresses him and he turns to give her his attention.

“Yes? Who are you and how can I help you?” Louis’ glad he actually has normal pants on since Harry come over and he changed out of his spider-man bottoms.

“Marie Straford and you’ve been served.” From her bag she hands him over an giant envelope and is already down the walkway by the time he looks up from it. Spinning into his house Louis closes the door looking down the hall to his room where Nate’s already out cold. He’s been served? For what? He’s hasn’t even had a parking citation before. He grabs the bottle of red and pops the cap and proceeds to open it.

Child Custody Services Of London.

Mr. Louis Tomlinson as of recent complaints you are hereby called to court for the discussion of Nathan William Tomlinson. The Plaintiff, Rosemarie Burke is filing for custody of Nathan William Tomlinson due to the child’s risk and health that has been a concern for his Grandmother, as blood relative of the child. You must appear in court on the 5th of March, 2013 as a defendant to the case, it is advised for you to bring a lawyer. If you are not present, the child will be removed from you custody and given to the plaintiff with sole custody.

Louis doesn’t read the rest, he can’t even see from the tears that are flowing out of his body. He someone grabs his phone from his pocket and blindly dials.

“Hello honey! How’s Nate feeling?” Jay’s voice comes sweetly over the line and another sob racks through his body.

“Louis what's wrong?” Jay responds to hearing her son cry and prays for the best.

“Mummy. They-they. I’ve been served Mum. They want to take him away from me. Oh God, Mum. Mum I can’t lose him. I can’t.” Louis sobs through not even caring that he’s now on the floor slumped against the wall.

“Louis. Lou, baby calm down. No ones taking anything from you, alright? Please breath, and tell me what’s going on.” Jay tries to listen for the crying to stop but it hasn’t yet.

“Mum. Nate’s grandmas trying to fight for custody. I just got the papers. I can’t lose him Mum, I can’t. I’ll never forgive myself.” Louis wipes his nose on his sleeve trying to wipe away the tears and snots.

“Honey listen to me, it’s going to be okay. We’ll get you a lawyer and everything will be alright. You’re not going to lose him, she hasn’t been in his life ever and she can’t just come in and take him. I won’t let her, over my dead body is that boy leaving your side. You understand me?” All Jay hears over the line is loud sniffs and sobs still.

“Okay.” Louis manages out.

“I’ll be there soon love, go find your son and hug him till I get there. I love you.” Jay grabs her keys heading to twins bedroom.

“Love you too.” Louis hangs up and drags himself to his room to cuddle himself around his son. The light that’s been in his life the last three years, he lets himself cry to fall asleep of a world without Nate.

Chapter Text

It’s not that Harry had a lot of time on his hands to sit and thinking about the fact Louis hasn’t responded to anything that he’s sent him, it’s that fact that he’s noticed and confused. Maybe he’s done something wrong? Harry didn’t really get a proper goodbye since that lady showed up, maybe that has something to do with it? He doesn’t know, Louis hasn’t answered and he’s ready to lose his mind. Being on the tour bus is awesome, he loves the lads and the feel of knowing tomorrow he’ll be in a new city in front of a new crowd of faces. It’s magically, beautiful, wonderful, one of the best experiences of his life. If Louis would answer, it’d be even better. If hes doesn’t answer by tomorrow Harry’s calling, he’s not actually sure who he’d call since Nate’s not old enough for a phone and he doesn’t have another number to reach Louis at. He’s in a predicament. Harry’s going over everything they’ve done the last few days and the only thing that possible might have put him off is the whole E! news running the story of the two of them. It’s a lot to take, he gets that. But, Louis has never pushed him away to not answer, he’s always answered. If this really is freaking Louis out Harry would deny it all and push the we’re just friends card. He’d do that for Louis, he’d do pretty much anything for his boy. Liam, Niall and Zayn start to get worried when Harry turns them down with the offer to play tournament Fifa, opting to head to his bunk instead.  

By the time they take the stage in Glasgow Harry hasn’t heard from Louis since the afternoon he left. Two days, not a single text or call. Harry’s freaking the fuck out, his timings off, notes are shaky, doesn’t have it in him to sing love songs or about having someone to come back to. He’s a bit of a mess and no one knows what to do about it, Louis’ not even picking up his phone for the other boys numbers, they may come in as unknown but the repeated calls should give him an indication that something’s the fuck up. He wants to know why he’s no longer answering, what this means for their relationship. Do they even have relationship? Fuck. This can’t be the way Louis ends it can it? Did they break up? Not even noticing he’s crying till Liam pulls his curtain back instantly climbing into bed with him, holding and rocking as he lets the tears flow.

“Why hasn’t he called? I scared him away I know it.” Wiping his tears and snots all over Liam’s shoulder keeping his face buried.

“Shh. Try to calm down. You don’t know what happened, yeah? Maybe he lost his phone?” Liam keeps moving his hands along Harry’s back trying his best to sooth him.

“It rings! If it was lost he’d call and tell them the phone would be off!” Harry nearly screams out, taking the frustration and pain out on Liam, it’s not fair but neither is being ignored.

“It’s okay, we’ll get a hold of him. Don’t worry, Niall thinks he’s found Louis’ Mum’s number.” Liam continues to rock him.

“Gemma! Where’s my phone?” Harry shoved Liam off trying to scramble over Liam to get out of his bunk.

“Harry your phone’s right here. Why are you calling Gemma?” Pulling the younger boy into his chest Liam keeps hold of him while Harry’s pulling his sisters number up to call.

“She’s got his number, maybe she knows something.” Convincing himself it’s okay for the moment he wipes away any trace of tear tracts, clearing his throat as he hears her voice come over the line.

“Not that I don’t love hearing from you but it’s almost two am and I have class in the morning. What’s up little brother?” Gemma sleepily answers and guilt hits at Harry a bit.

“Sorry Gem, um by any chance have you heard for Louis?” Harry bites at his thumb nail waiting for her to say something.

“He texted me this morning canceling dinner plans we had other than that no. Why everything okay?” Yawning out she practically mumbles and Harry can tell her eyes have closed again.

“Did he say why?” Smally Harry whispers back he really doesn’t want to hear anything about how he ruined their friendship cause he was an idiot thinking Louis was okay with all this.

“Not really, he said something came up and hopes to do something over the weekend.” Gemma realized some things more is going on than Harry’s told her and forces herself to sit up and pay attention to her brother. “Everything alright H?” After a few seconds of silence Gemma questions.

“No. I don’t know. He hasn’t answered me since I left his house Sunday, thought maybe you have, more than that. I drove him away.” Letting out a sob he pulls the phone away from him so it’s not in Gemma’s ear.

“Oh Harry, hey don’t cry alright? You didn’t drive him away okay? I’ll stop by the daycare tomorrow and see what’s going on.” Gemma steps out of bed turning the desk light on to pull out her notebook that holds her syllabus for that week, glancing at what her lecture will actually be covering. Closing the book to head back to bed after turning the light off making her decision to skip and head to London in the morning.

“I did drive him away! The world found out and now he probably hates me for the shit he gets. I don’t blame him, I’d leave me too.” This time it’s Niall’s arms that wrap around him cuddling him against his chest while he starts to break himself down again.

“Harry! Stop with those thoughts! Anyone would be lucky to be with you, and Louis is one of those people who thinks that. There’s a reason he’s not answering you and that’s not it. He loves you and if this was too much he would have told you. He doesn’t seem like the kind of person to run from his problems. I’m going over there tomorrow to sort everything out okay? Try and get some sleep I’ll call you tomorrow. I love you Harry.” Climbing back into bed Gemma pulls the covers over and turns on her side.

“I love you too. Sorry for calling so late.” Harry’s finally hitting his wall drained from the show and crying for the last few hours.

“That’s what I’m here for. Go to sleep call you tomorrow. Goodnight H.” Gemma listens to his breathing calm down over the line happy he’s no longer in tears.

“Goodnight Gems. Bye.” Hanging up the phone letting Niall play with his hair while his body gives in to sleep.

xxx

Arriving in London around eight Gemma heads for the address of Louis flat to start her look for his daycare. She doesn’t actually know the name of it therefore her course of action is to show up at the ones closest in radius. Apparently there are several daycare in that area but after the fourth visit when she asks for Louis, the girl who answers the door seems to know of him.

“May I ask who you are and why you’re looking for him?” The girl questions eying over her protectively and Gemma would be taken back a bit but she remembers the story ran the other day and people are probably trying to get a scoop from him.

“Oh I’m sorry, Gemma Styles. I’m Louis’ boyfriends sister.” Sticking her hand out to make this more friendly.

“Nice to meet you sorry for being defensive. I’m Mary.” Shaking her hand she says and lets her into the little area standing before a half wall with another door. She can her children on the other side giggling and laughing, some screaming, toys being played with in the background.

“I understand trust me must have been a tough couple days, my brother is probably out sending a fruit basket now.” Politely Gemma adds in looking over at the wall of slots above little hooks with names on them.

“That’s not necessary, it hasn’t been too bad anyone coming in has to be buzzed in. I’ll grab him for you, you can have a seat if you want.” Giving her a playful smile at the small chair set she enters through the half door disappearing. Gemma manages to fit her bum in the tiny chair’s and waits. She hears him before she see’s him that has her looking up giving him an easy light smile as he pads into the front, laughing as one of the kids tries to escape and helps them back in before closing and locking the door.

“Not someone I expected to see, always the pleasure tho.” Taking the purple chair at the little table he takes his seat, rubbing his face and finally looking at her.

“You look like shit.” Gemma lets out and is met with a painful laugh.

“Yeah, I’ve had a rough few days. Looking good wasn’t the top priority.” Giving her a weak smile he starts playing with his fingers not knowing what to say.

“Understandable, I get it. What’s not understandable is having my little brother call me at one forty in the morning sobbing how his boyfriend isn’t talking to him and how everyone ends up leaving him. That’s not cool.” Leaning forward she tones her voice down not wanting everyone to know their business.

“I wouldn’t leave him, I didn’t leave him. That’s not. That’s not why I haven’t call him back.” Louis eye’s widen as he rapidly shakes his head.

“That’s what he thinks. He thinks he drove you away because he didn’t deny the reports of the two of you.” Raising her eyebrow to his reaction and how run down, slightly miserable Louis looks.

“Oh God no. No, he hasn’t drove me away or anything. I can handle the media and the fans. It’s not that. It doesn’t even really have to do with Harry.” Louis’ mouth twists going back to paying attention to his fingers.

“I suggest you tell him that, he thinks this is your way of dumping him. I don’t know if you’ve been following the tour but last night he had to walk off stage a few times when they were singing. He’s been a wreck you need to call him.” Taking his hands in hers Gemma cuts off Louis focus on them.

“I love Harry, I honestly do but right now I have other things I need to focus on. I look like hell for a reason and I’m about to lose.” Louis removed her hands from his sinking all the way back in his chair with his head back and hands covering his face.

“About to lose? Lose what?” Gemma pushes on bring the conversation to the root of the problem.

“Nate. I’m about to lose my son. That’s why I haven’t answer Harry, I’ve been spending as much time as I can with him.” Louis ignores the sting in his eyes and bites on his knuckle to calm himself.

“What! Why?” Getting out of her chair to wrap herself around the parts of Louis she can.

“His other grandparents apparently don’t think I’m good enough for him to be in my care. Their fighting for custody and fuck. What do I have to offer besides a shitty job, student loans and a degree I haven’t even got yet. Nothing, I don’t have anything to stop them from taking him. I’ve spent the last four years working my ass of to support him and they get to swoop right in because they don’t think I’m the parental figure he should be around. Fuck that.” Louis bitterly snaps fighting back the tears from falling, he’s let enough out crying himself to sleep every night that their shouldn’t be any left.

“Shit Louis. They can’t do that, anyone who's seen the two of you know he’s in the best care of his life. You love that boy with everything you have and I’ve only known you for a month and I can see that. You do everything for that kid. When do you go to court? I guess it’s court.” Pulling him off the chair into a bear hug and lets him bury his head against her neck.

“They can do it, they have. Yeah court, I go next week and I’m shitting myself. I don’t know what I’ll do if they take him away from me. I’ll never forgive myself.” Louis mutters against her sweater keeping his arms around her strongly.

“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t talk like that, you have to stay strong right now. You’ll go to court listen to their bullshit of how they think Nate should be raised after not being his life ever. Than when you go to talk about your son the entire room will be able to tell how much that boy means to you and how much care and love you give him. They can’t take him on one simple serve because they're finally deciding to be grandparents, that’s not how this works. You have a lawyer?” Gemma questions rubbing his back as he gets his breathing back on track.

“Yeah, what my Mum and I can afford together. He seems nice enough, met him last night which is why I had to cancel on you. Picked up an extra shift today and applied for a second job since it’s going to wipe out my savings. It’s nothing against Harry and I feel bad that he’s been a mess, I honestly do. This is what I need to do. I can’t think about myself it’s about Nate right now, my full attention needs to be on him. It has to be.” Louis glances over the half wall meeting Mary’s eyes, she knows that he’s going to court. She doesn’t push for him to come back in a work, knows he needs to vent to Gemma. He’s grateful for her.

“I completely agree with you, he’s the most important thing in the world. Your attention should be all on him. I know you're scared and trying to make the most of the time you think you have left with him, if you want me to tell Harry to back off currently I will. I don’t want either one of you hurting, him from not hearing from you and you with all this going on.” Gemma comforts him as he finally lets go of the embrace and straightens himself out. Clearing away the tears with the back of his hand and blowing air out of his mouth putting himself together.

“Thank you but he should hear this from me. He’s Nate’s. He’s like another father to Nate and he deserves to know what’s going on. Not only that but I do need to let him know that he hasn’t done anything nor am I running because of the media. I’m glad you came here today, I know it’s entirely too early but if you wanted to come over after I get off I still owe you dinner. “ Louis offers sincerely to her wanting her to feel welcome after coming all the way to London to speak to him.

“Lucky for you I brought some work to do therefore I accept the invitation for dinner. Maybe you can even sneak off and call H while I get to know the infamous Nate.” Smiling happily Gemma adds in and gives him another hug, a happy hug this time.

“I think you might be an angel sent from above. Here why don’t you, one second.” Louis walks over to the desk behind the plastic chair set and opens a cabinet behind it taking keys out. When he walks back over he hands a single key over to her, “If you don’t feel like roaming London and want peace and quiet you can head over to my flat.”

“What a gentlemen thank you. I’ll probably stop at a cafe that makes me feel like I live in London and head over.” Chatting on now positive note Gemma says.

“Sounds like a plan, I’m off at five so I’ll get home around five thirty. I should really get back to work now, thanks again for coming I’ll see you tonight.” Giving her one last hug he opens the door for her and waves goodbye, heading in to go back to work.

xxx

Louis’ porch lights are on when he pulls into his drive shifting the car to park, once he’s got Nate out of the car the two of them are walking to the door with Nate’s backpack slung over his shoulder as Nate goes on about the block tower he built today. Turning the handle he finds the door locked, he rings his own doorbell which is a first and waits for Gemma to answer.

“Dadee open?” Nate tips his head back to look at him with the middle of his forehead scrunching in confusion, it’s adorable. The door swings up revealing Gemma giving Louis an out to not have to explain why he doesn’t have the key, Louis steps in waiting for Nate to enter who's eying Gemma with curiosity.

“C’mon Nate come inside so you can met Gemma.” Louis waves his arm to direct Nate in and closing the door as the three year old slowly.

“Gehma?” Nate walks into his house wrapping an arm around Louis leg pressing his face against his thigh.

“Hi Nate! I’m Gemma!” Squatting down to be at his level she smiles invitingly not wanting to scare him away, Harry would kill her.

“Gehma. Hiya! Play date with me?” Nate asks pulling away from his spot against Louis’ knee. Louis breaths a little knowing his son is away from his safety place.

“We can play after dinner. How about that?” Gemma proposes standing back up to talk to Louis.

“Yesh! Good to me! Dadee we eat kens now?” Nate trials away heading to the kitchen.

“You want chicken for dinner, we can do that. Why don’t you go put your backpack away and wash your hands?” Louis watches Nate go pick his backpack up by the front door and head down the hallway.

“I must be a psychic, chicken’s already in the oven and I’ve got green beans and rice cooking on the burners.” Gemma pulls out her best Vanna White showing off the oven and stove with her hands.

“You didn’t! I could kiss you right now! Thank you for cooking and promising a play date.” Louis knocks into her with his shoulder and this may be the first time he’s minds not screaming at him that he’s going to lose it all.  

“I don’t mind one bit.” She shrugs at him, “Harry’s not the only one who knows how to cook.” Smirking while she heads back over to the stove.

“Must run in the family, Anne did one hell of a job. I hope Nate turns out as great as you both did.” Leaning against the counter Louis says while watching her stir the rice.

“He will. You’re a wonderful Dad, he’s going to be a brilliant boy.” Gemma tells him a Nate comes running into the kitchen.

“Can I color till dinner?” Nate politely asks after standing on his tippy toes seeing that the tables not set yet.

“Yes you can go color.” Laughing Louis answers watching his son skip to the living room where he knows his creation station is. At that thought Louis frowns a bit since the whole creations station was Harry’s idea and the two of them set it up for Nate.

“Tanks Dadee!” Yells as his figure retreats into the other room.

“Don’t worry he’ll be back soon dinner will be ready in ten.” Gemma saw the sad smile creeping onto Louis face.

“Can’t thank you enough. How’s uni going?” Figures he might as well distract himself with conversation.

“As well as a last semester could go. I am ready to be done with it and graduate.” Pulling the chicken out of the oven putting it on the empty stove top side.

“I envy you. I want nothing more to be done with school.” Louis says as he takes three plates out of the cabinet walking over to set the table.

“You’ll get there soon enough than the really excitement of applying for jobs and the real world step in.” Turning off the burners for the rice and green beans she plates the chicken.

“I can barely contain myself about how I can not wait to start paying off my student loans.” Louis helps out pouring the green beans into a big bowl and taking the plate of chicken from Gemma to the table.

“Me too, which is why I need a decent paying job.” Gemma picks up the pan of rice bring it over to the table to scoop on each of the three plates.

“I feel you on that one, at this rate I’m going to need probably three jobs to pay them off and keep supporting Nate.” Louis says taking forks, knives and spoons out of the draw.

“Don’t kill yourself you really need to make sure you don’t burn out. You’ll be fine as soon as you get a full time well paying job. Don’t worry too much it will all work out. I’ll get drinks if you want to call Nate back in.” Gemma states pulling two regular cups down and a plastic Harry cup for Nate.

“Nate!” Louis waits for no one to answer and walks out more into the hallway, “Nathan! Time for dinner!” He yells hearing something being dropped and sees Nate’s head pop out of his room running towards him he waits and grabs him picking him up to rest on his hip entering back into the kitchen walking him over to place in his booster chair.

“My Arreh’ cup!” Nate cheers out taking it into his hands to kiss it.

“Right that is your Harry cup. What do you think he wants to drink tonight?” Louis walks over opening the fridge wanting for his son to answer.

“Arreh’ drink beer.” Holding his cup out Nate says with a smile.

“That is what he drinks when he comes here but you can’t have beer it’s for adults only. How about some apple juice?” Louis presses down the laugh he has at Nate’s answer and pulls out the juice container showing him.

“O’tay affle juice!” Placing his cup on the table like he is supposed to while Louis grabs two beers for himself and Gemma.

“You like Harry?” Gemma questions starting to cut up Nate’s chicken piece while Louis pours their cans into glasses.

“I love Arreh’! Arreh’ come play me soon.” Nate nods to himself happily.

“You know Harry’s my brother.” Gemma tells the three year old wondering if he knows what that means.

“Brodder? I have none. Why you not home Arreh’s?” Nate questions as his plates slid over chicken.

“I don’t live with Harry. I have my own home that I live in.” Picking up her own fork and knife Gemma starts cutting a piece of chicken before bring in to her mouth.

“Dadee no brodder. Me no brodder. Why no brodder Dadee?” Nate chomps on his chicken asking with his mouth open.

Coughing over chicken Louis waits a few seconds to answer, “You’re my only child, I didn’t have any more so you don’t have a brother or sister.” Louis knew this conversation would come up eventually, he didn’t think it would be now while he’s worried about losing one kid and not multiple.

“Can I has a brodder? Pretty peas! Asks Santa!” Nate excitedly says like he’s solved the worlds problems.

“I’ll think about if you can have a brother or sister, not right now. I’m very happy having just you in my life.” Louis shoves a forkful of rice into his mouth.

Gemma gives him a look and at that he shrugs his shoulders not wanting to further discuss anymore children he may have, genetically or not. When dinner is done Nate helps clear the table with Gemma and she pushes him off to head down the hall telling him to go call Harry.

xxx

When he originally got Gemma’s text telling him to be available in front of a computer around six he didn’t know why. Was this her way of telling him Louis dumped him? Did she plan out how she was going to break his heart? Maybe she was only doing her job as a big sister to make it as easy as possible. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen but he’s sat with his Mac on the desk in his hotel room waiting for something to happen. Watching the clock roll over to six oh three he starts to loose hope. Until, until Louis name appears on his screen next to the Skype box waiting for him to accept or reject. Bloody hell he’s never hit a button so fast.

Louis’ face pops up in front of him, this is it he thinks. He’s either getting dumped or fixing whatever is going on between the two of them.

“Hi love.” Louis starts softly as he takes in Harry’s form through the pixel.

“Hey babe. I’ve missed you.” He simply puts not really knowing how much to say or if he should start asking questions now.

“I’ve missed you too. I really have and I know it may not seem like it. I’m sorry I haven’t answer you the last few days. There’s some stuff going on right now that took my focus and I know it seems like I’ve abandoned you but I haven’t.” Knowing he’ll have to say those words out loud next to Harry is killing him. He told Gemma and broke down how is Harry going to be any different.

“You scared me Lou, I thought. I thought you had enough and with everyone finding out, I thought you didn’t want to be with me anymore.” Louis listens and watches as the Harry on his screen already wipes his eyes.

“No, no. Harry that is not it at all I’m not breaking up with you or finding it too hard to date you. I want to be with you.” Louis leans closer to the screen wishing he was with his boyfriend at the moment, he could really use a Harry hug right now.

“I’m happy to hear that but something is still going on with you and that doesn’t make me feel any better. What’s going on?” Harry himself moves closer as well.

“I um. Nate’s grandparents are taking me court.” He states simple not wanting to overload Harry.

“What the hell? Why?” Harry snaps and Louis can tell by his face he’s pissed.

“They’re fighting for custody, apparently they don’t think I’m capable to raise him.” Louis looks away from the screen, he can already picture the expression Harry’s wearing and he doesn’t want to see it.

“That’s bullshit! You are more than capable! They can’t do that to you, you’re his father!” Harry huffs out and as Louis called it through his shitty screen he can see the tears pooling in his boyfriends eyes.

“They have done it babe, I go to court on the fifth. Which is why I haven’t answered you I’ve been spending as much time as I can before they take him from me.” He chokes out that last bit covering his mouth to stop any other unwanted noises from escaping.

“Hey don’t say that. You are not losing him everyone will see it in court. They don’t have anything on you, you give him your soul and everything else you can. He’s happy, well fed, smart, loved, anyone can see what tremendous care he’s in. Fuck his so called grandparents that have never wanted anything to do with him before now. Screw them. They don’t mean shit and everyone in the jury will see that. You are not going to lose him you hear me?” Harry wants nothing more to hold him in his arms and kiss away the negative.

“I’m so fucking scared Harry. What if they do? What if they win and I lose him! I can’t lose him! He’s all of me, he’s literally my world. If they take him I’m going to crumble.” Louis sheds his tears through it not caring because it’s Harry he’s talking to, the boy the loves him through anything.

“I won’t let them take him you hear me? I’ve got Paul calling the best lawyers in London now okay? He’s not going anywhere. You’ll have a fantastic lawyer by tomorrow who will build up your case and once you take the stand no one will be able to tell you that you don’t deserve your son.” Harry starts off on the defense about Nate going anywhere but with Louis. He will do everything in his power to make sure that’s exactly where Nate stays. Home where he belongs with Louis.

“Mum and I already have a lawyer.” Louis weakly says because he doesn’t know what else to say.

“Louis, I try not to cross any lines financially with you because I know how hard you work for your money but this is the one time you need to let me step in and use the resources I have. I can get you the highest rank lawyer in London and I want to, you and Nate are on the line and I will stop at nothing to use what I can in my position to assure that he stays with you.” Harry never takes over anything to do with Nate or money he knows Louis got enough to support them and if he needed would come to Harry as a last resort. “ If I had it my way I’d be paying off your student loans already but I’m not, I know theres a line. Let me cross it and do this for you. Please, you and Nate mean more to me than any of this I have and if I can’t use my status for this then fuck I quit now.”

“Okay. I give you permission. Thank you Harry.” Louis never expected Harry to shovel out the money for a lawyer, he didn’t go into this conversation thinking that. Knowing Harry has his back in this allows him to breath for the first time since he received the papers.

“No need baby. I’ll take care of it okay? I’ll take care of you and Nate, he’s not going anywhere. I promise.” Harry softly says watching Louis face on the screen for any indication.

“I love you. Sorry for making the last few days hell for you.” Wiping away at his eyes Louis gets out.

“S’alright darling. You most definitely had more important things to worry about than little ol me. I’m glad you're here now and that I didn’t scare you away.” Harry gives him a smile and holds up a tissue trying to hand it through the screen, it gets Louis to laugh so he’s happy.

“Not one bit Haz, I’m not going anywhere. Thank you for understand and for hiring a lawyer. Mum and I didn’t have much to scrap together so I don’t know how this guy would have been. Makes me feel a bit better knowing the one you get will know what the fuck he’s doing.” Louis wants to kiss those lips, wants them so bad.

“Course love. Don’t fight me one it but let me know how much you spent and I’ll give it back to you and your Mum.” Pressing forward on the money issues Harry states.

“Harry no.”

“Harry yes. You need that money for yourself and Nate, I’m not letting you spend your savings. I know he’s not my son but I love him like he is and I love you so I am going to make sure the people I love are financially okay.” Harry pushes on not backing down from reimburse Jay and his boy.

“I love you, too. So does Nate he won’t drink out of any other cup besides his Arreh’ one.” Louis grins out pronouncing his name how Nate says it.

“Aw where is he? Can I say hi? Or do we have more adulty things to discuss without little ears listening in?” Glancing around the room that he can see Harry questions.

“He’s inside playing with your sister actually.” Secretly loving the fact that Harry’s sister is over, it gives him a warm spot in his heart knowing not only Harry but his family care about him and Nate.

“Gems there? That’s what she was up to. She kept sending me these cryptic messages all day, the last one said to be ready at six by a computer.” Harry links all the vague texts together in his head smiling that his sister went and stayed for dinner with his boyfriend for him.

“Yeah, she came into work this morning and I told her to stay at mine while I was at work so we could talk. Came home to dinner already on and a shove down the hall to talk to you after we finished eating babe. I think Nate approves of her, they’re on a play date right now.” He knows he can’t see into the family room from here but he still tries eyes crinkling loving how their families mix together.

“I’m so jealous! Bring them in, I wanna say hi.” Harry rushes out making the shooing motion with his hands.

“Alright babe. Give me a sec yeah?” Louis stands up walking away from the screen and Harry watches it’s emptiness, grin spreading into a full blown smile when he see’s Nate running down the hallway.

“Arreh’!” Nate’s yelling as he climbs into the computer chair showing off his teeth to Harry.

“Little man! I miss you!” He can see Louis and Gemma enter the door frame behind Nate’s head.

“I miss you! Why you on pooper?” Nate asks in confusion touching his fingers to the screen like that would bring Harry here.

“I’m on tour silly! Since I can’t be at your home this is the next best thing so I can see how big you’ve gotten!” He knows it’s only be a few days but after practically living with each other the last month it’s odd not seeing Nate or Louis daily.

“Niyo?” Nate tries to look around Harry’s head to find his favorite besides Harry of course.

“Niall’s here yeah, he’s in the next room getting ready to go sing.” Glancing at the time Harry curses to himself he’s going to have to go in a few minutes.

“Arreh’ sing! Pretty, Dadee say he lobes Arreh’ sing!” Nate looks back at his father with pride and turns back to the screen.

“Daddy loves my singing, that’s good to know!” He’s cut off from saying anything else when Zayn comes in letting him know he’s got five minutes.

“Zang! Hiii!” Nate bounces waving at the camera.

“Hey Nate! Miss you, be good for your father!” Zayn tells him as someone from their crew comes in grabbing him to get his battery pack on.

“Bye bye!” Flapping his hand Nate yells watching Zayn figure leave through the door.

“I have to go now Nate, I’ll talk to you tomorrow okay?” Harry looks at Louis for that part wanting to make sure he’s nothing going to leave him in the dark anymore.

“O’tay bye Arreh’! Lobe you!” Nate blows him a kiss that Harry reaches out and grabs putting it in his pocket.

“I love you, too. Bye!” Watching Louis put down Nate off his lap and watching his figure take Gemma’s hand pulling her down the hallway.

“You look gorgeous.” Louis breaks Harry from his trance and earns himself a smile.

“So do you, very sexy. Wish I could kiss you right now.” Tilting forward a bit being cheesey he puckers his lips like he’s waiting for him to actually receive a kiss.

“Feeling’s mutual. I could use a Harry Styles cuddle.” Louis gives in leaning in to push his own lips out making a kiss sound sitting back normally.

“Harry Styles really likes to cuddle you, he told me it’s one of his favorite things.” Leaning on his own hand he smiles at his boyfriend.

“Oh did he? I’m glad Louis is very satisfied knowing Harry likes to love him.”

Someone enters the room again and frowns at Harry clearly not wanting to pull him away but the show must go on.

“I’m sorry I have to go sing or something.” Louis lets out a laughing because Harry is so charmingly stupid sometimes.

“Is that what you do? I had no idea. Go on now and give them something to scream about.” Winking at him Louis says.

“I only put effort into making you scream, darling.” Harry stands and cracks his back, leaning forward to smirk.

“Cheeky! Go now before I have my way with you and all those tweens will be heartbroken that their heartthrob isn’t have a dancing frenzy on stage for their enjoyment.” Laughing at his own statement Louis misses Harry’s look of mock hurt.

“Heyyy now. I have wonderful moves out there.”

“Of course you do dear.”

“They pay to see me you know?”

“I find it weird humans pay to see other humans.”

“That’s odd. Shit- I gotta go. I love you, talk to you tomorrow okay?” Harry bites his bottom lip not really wanting to leave.

“Go be a superstar. I love you, too. Yes, I’ll call you tomorrow night before your show.” Louis promises and gives him a sincerely soft expression to match.  

“M’kay bye baby.” Harry blew him one last kiss before ending the call and leaving to take the stage.

xxx

Meeting the new lawyer, Alex Jones, gives Louis a bit more of comfort, he’s smart, on top of everything and is very set on getting to know Nate too. Maybe that’s part of all this Louis doesn’t know he’s never had to worry about a custody battle. He doesn’t care if it’s only for the job, he has Nate laughing and drawing him pictures and that’s what's important to him. Nate’s coloring him a picture of the green lantern when Alex pulls him aside.

“You have done a tremendous job with him, I honestly don’t think we’ll have a problem winning this case. I do have to talk to you about his evaluation that the courts going to want, it’s not secret he’s bright and the court will put him on the stand for the basic questions.” Alex informs Louis, he’s a bit taken back about that.

“He’s three, he can’t be put on a stand.” Louis steps back looking at his lawyer with a frown.

“As of right now he’s not no. After seeing him in action I’m going to suggest the psychologist comes in and gives us the okay. It would be a huge plus for us if he talks, trust me he radiates love for you.”  Alex pulls his phone out from his pocket.

“I don’t have a choice do I?” Louis sighs out, this feels like putting way too much on a three year old, it’s Louis problem not Nate’s.

“It could be taken that you’re hiding something if he doesn’t. Hi Peter. Good, how are you? I was wondering if you were free tomorrow to do an eval? Yeah, I sent you the case this morning. Nathan Tomlinson. Awesome thank you. See you tomorrow, bye.” Hanging up, he does a few more things on his phone before giving Louis his attention.

“We’ll take him down tomorrow he’ll be asked a few questions with no pressure to answer them, more to observe how he is and mentally if he’s able to be questioned in court.” Walking him through the plan for the next day Louis nods his head.

“Alex I done! Pickure for you.” Nate runs over with the piece of paper flapping in the air and hands it over to the lawyer smiling.

“Wow, you did this? I love it! Thank you so much.” Alex beams at the art work and boost Nate’s little ego up.

“Wellycome! Dadee can I have berries?” Nate asks politely looking up at his father.

“Yes, you may have some berries. If you go wash your hands you can help me with them.” Louis’ loving the manners lately, Harry and himself have been working on them.

“I give berries shower, yesh!” Nate skips down the hallway to the bathroom.

“Aces, he’s adorable and polite I seriously don’t think we’ll have a problem with the case.” Alex happily adds in moving to grab the paperwork in his bag for Louis to sign his consent for Nate to see the psychologist.

“That’s what I’m hoping for.” Hearing the water turn off Louis hides in the kitchen arch way jumping out when Nate gets close startling him into a fit of giggles and continues aw Nate sings a song about showering berries.

xxx

Staring through the two way window Louis has his lips pressed together tightly, bouncing on the tips of his toes ready for any sign of trouble to come in and rescue his son. He wishes Harry was here, his Mum offered but he told her no he could handle it on his own. He doesn’t think he can, his son’s being in their without him has his heart racing. Their plan besides using his past four years of banking, food shopping, basically everything he has done the last four years will be put on blast for everyone to see, is to use his son. Which he’s not worried per say, he knows he’s raised Nate well and he’s done what he can to teach his little not fully developed mind right from wrong, and all those little life lessons. He thinks he’s done good enough for his son, he’s scared because it’s not people who know the two of them what will be judging. The closer and closer it comes to his court date, the shittier his stomach is starting to feel. Trying to pushes that aside he watches and listens to his son being evaluated.

Dr. Peter Hannon seems nice enough, and the way he’s handling Nate right now helps Louis a little bit.

“Nate do you have a favorite color?” Dr. Hannon pulls out a set of crayons and paper setting them in front of the three year old.

“Yesh, red and blue like spiderman.” Nate picks the red and blue up and starts to color.

“You like spiderman?” He asks picking up his own color to draw a line on the page.

“Lobe spiderman. Dadee say me fast and Arreh’ call me spidey!” Nate’s eyes light up, he basically covered everything he loves in one sentence.

“Who's Harry?” Dr. Hannon asks keeping up with coloring finding Nate enjoys it.

“Arreh’ sings pretty. Arreh’ stay at my house. I go at Arreh’ house. Dadee lobes Arreh’.” Nate picks up an orange crayon concentrating on his picture.

“Your Daddy loves Harry? Do you love Harry?” Pushing more into this story he asks.

“Yesh, me lobe Arreh’. Dadee lobe Arreh’ like Poppee lobes Nannana. Cooties lobe.” Nate chirps on happily.

“Are you happy that Harry and Daddy love each other?” Dr. Hannon questions pay close attention.

“Yesh. Arreh’-” Nate stops coloring and squints his eyes looking up at the ceiling. “Dadee happy faces Arreh’ at my house.”

“Daddy’s happy when Harry’s at your house?”

“Yesh! Me happy Dadee happy.” Nate taps over his heart and Louis’ about to burst at this he can’t help a smile form. God his son is wonderful.

“You’re happy that Daddy’s happy. That’s very nice of you. Is Daddy happy when Harry’s not at your house?”

“Yesh. Dadee works me school. Dadee say lobe you Nate. Dadee plays with me. Oooo Dadee and me matchin’ jammies!” Nate gets really excited when he remembers all their matching jammies.  

Louis stops listening when his phone goes off in his pocket, it’s Harry so he hits answer and brings it up to his ear.

“Hey babe.” His boyfriends voice comes over the line.

“Hey beautiful.” Louis replies still watching through the window.

“How’s the evaluation going?” Louis can hear him eating between answers.

“I think well. He’s still in there but he’s got a smile on and making the Psychologist laugh.” Hearing Nate’s laughing come through the speaker Louis cracks a smile.

“That has to be a plus. It’s kind of hard not to love Nate so good luck trying to find a negative mark.” Hearing a crunch in his ear Louis rests the back of his head against the glass.

“I hope so. I feel like my life is being combed over with a magnify glass. I don’t have anything to hide but it’s still scary as fuck.” Closing his eyes and listening to the crunch of the apple Harry’s munching on. “I’ve seen plenty of court shows there going to try and get you to freak out and confess to murder or something.” Getting a laugh out of Harry.

“Yes, you Louis Tomlinson are capable of any kind of harm and I’m the next striker for Man U.” Louis cracks this time letting himself forget about his worries for the moment.

“You and your giraffes limbs are better off on stage thrashing about.” Louis fires back and listens the Harry laugh again.

“I’m an incredible dancer.”

“Totally.”

“I really am.”

“Mhm.”

“I want to kiss you.”

“I need to kiss you.” Louis notices Dr. Hannon stand up making his way to the door.

“Hazza the Dr. coming out now I’ll call you later. I love you.” Louis waits for Harry’s I love you too before hanging up. Dr. Hannon steps out as Alex comes back into the room.

“How crappy of a job have done with him?” Louis takes a dig at himself knowing it hurts less if someone else happens to tell him.

“Relax Louis, he’s wonderful, such a delight. He looks up to you and he is a very well rounded three year old. He’s good to take the stand without a doubt and I’ll be there so no one takes advantage of him as well.” Dr. Hannon hands a folder over to Alex.

“Perfect, we’ll see you in court Tuesday.” Louis and Alex shake his hand, opening the door to tell Nate it’s time to go. Nate cleans up what’s he’s played with and carries the papers he drew on over to his Dad.

“Here Dadee, put me colors in the pooper for Arreh’.” Nate tells him holding out the drawings for him to take.

“You want to send these to Harry on the computer?” Louis asks playing with Nate’s hair with his free hand.

“Yesh peas!” Nate nods hugging Louis leg.

“We can send them. Are you ready to go?” Louis kneels down to tie Nate’s converse.

“Yesh. We go nap? I sleepy.” Nate rubs at his eye and leans into his father's chest.

“Yeah we can go home and nap. Did you have fun with Dr. Hannon?” Louis gets back on his feet with Nate on his hip, his little head laying on Louis shoulder.

“Yesh. He favorite color is purple.” Nate’s voice trails off, Louis thanks Alex again and leaves with his son asleep on him and a new found sense of things might turn out okay.

xxx

Tuesday comes entirely too fast for Louis liking. Between arrangements all week and having people in suits constantly pop in unexpectedly for house and family evaluations, Louis was being exhausted of this whole ordeal. He wants this to be over but feels the end will be losing Nate. It’s hell basically. Taking his time to button his white dress shirt, slipping his suit pants on and perfecting his tie in the mirror. With his hair already styled, all that was left was to slip his good dress shoes on and sufficient in his suit jacket. Nate’s been running around in his hulk underwear and his bow tie he wanted ever since he say a picture of Harry wearing one. It numbs the thoughts going through his head as he chases after him to pick up and blow raspberries on his tummy.

“Let’s get you dressed bub.” Carrying his son into his room he playful tosses him onto his bed, listening to the giggles bounce around the room while he pulls down Nate’s tux.

“Fancee! We go out Arreh’?” Nate asks sliding off the bed to stand so his Dad can dress him.

“No not today. Maybe next time he’s home we can go out and eat fancy.” Louis gets both arms through, starting on the buttons till he can tuck the bow tie under the collar.

“O’tay Dadee.” Nate pats his fathers face leaning to press a kiss to his nose. “Dadee pretty.”

“Why thank you, you are very pretty as well.” Nate’s hands move to hold onto Louis shoulder as he picks his left foot up to step in switching to his right, Louis pulls them up tucking the shirt in.

“I nose that Dadee.” Nate stretchers his little arms around Louis neck.

“You do? Well I’m glad your self esteem has already started to develop.” Hugging his son back Louis smiles to himself, what a great moment this would be if they weren’t about to go to court.

“Donnose what you sayin’.” Nate kiss his Dad’s nose again and tries to run away.

“Nate you need shoes!” Louis calls out from his knees.

“Yucky shoes!” He hears being shouted at him from down the hall.

“You are my son.” Standing up he dusts off his pants, leaning down to grab Nate’s dress shoes.

xxx

“Harry you can’t drop something like this on the phone!” Liam yells at him through the line and yeah he deserves it.

“I know this is the shittiest way to go about it but I have to Li. I’m sorry I’m leaving you to clean up my mess but I gotta.” Harry truthfully answers back hoping Liam will understand.

“I get it, I do. A warning would have been a bit better but we all understand and love you.” His bandmate now with a much softer tone says.

“Thanks Li, love you lads too!” With that he hangs up the phone and closes his eyes.

xxx

He didn’t want to get out.

It’s as if the car has locked him in knowing he doesn’t want to escape into this hell that’s been dropped upon him.

His Mum, the saint she is, picked him and Nate up so Louis wouldn’t have to think much about anything but his son today. But now he can’t run away anymore, he can’t hide in his Mummy’s van, he needs to step out and hold his son for dear life praying to the God he doesn’t believe in for this to go in his favor.

So, that’s what he did. Stepping out of the van to help Nate out, letting him run into his Aunts legs. He was going to be cooped up for a long, long time, might as well use those legs of his now. His enter family was there to support him along with Harry’s family, Anne, Robin and Gemma. He was shocked to see them there but pulling Gemma into a hug really helped him.

“Thanks for coming, honestly.” Squeezing her extra tight, he knew she understood.

“Family has to stick together yeah?” Gemma released him and pinched his cheeks.

“Where’s my favorite Tomlinson?” Looking around until she spotted Nate running circles around a girl that looks very much like Louis.

“Oi! I’m your favorite Tomlinson!” Louis shoves her over laughing as he does.

“Gehma!” Nate ends his circle running and makes a straight line for her.

“Nate!” Gemma scoops him up into her arms kissing his cheeks.

“You come back n play wit me?” Nate chats excitedly finding his new friend again.

“Yeah we’ll play later okay?” Gemma gives him a hug and Nate finds her necklace fascinating so he plays with that.

“Hello Nate!” Anne smiles waving to him.

“Hi Nan!” Nate waves back.

Louis takes a minute or two pacing by himself while his and Harry’s families mesh together perfectly, like this even is more than just Louis. Louis not the only life that would be affect if he loses the case. He’s surrounded by some of the greatest people in the world and he couldn’t be more proud of this family they’ve blended together for Nate. Because Nate is swirling in love and care being surrounded by these two families. It’s a bit of a drug for Louis, it’s silencing the voice in his head telling him they're going to take Nate.

He’s brought back from a tap on his shoulder turns to see Alex giving him the most support look he can. “Hey Louis, how you feeling?” Straightening out his tie his lawyer asks.

“Bit nervous. Slept in Nate’s bed last night and when he woke up he told me I was too old for his bed.” Louis lightly chuckles trying really hard not to panic.

“I’m not only saying this because I’m your lawyer, I don’t see us losing this case. Unless they whip out that you’re a secret drug dealer or prostitute, maybe you robbed a bank and haven’t told me.” Alex jokes around relieving pressure from Louis.  

“Nah, I’ve done known of those. I’ve only gotten one parking ticket ever when I was seventeen other than that I’m squeaky clean.” Louis fakes wiping his hands clean.

Glancing down at his watch Alex give him a gentle smile, “We should head in now.”  Alex patted his back and started heading for the concrete steps to hell.

“We’re heading in.” Louis calmly informs everyone being pulled into a hug.

“Stan! You made it!” Louis hugged him back tightly.

“I wouldn’t miss something this important. Oh and um thanks for introducing me to Eleanor.” Stan let go and motioned next to him where the girl was standing.

“Knew you two would hit it off! Call me cupid! Hi El nice to see you again.” Louis step forward pressing a kiss to her cheek before giving her a hug.

“Always a pleasure Lou, wish it was a bit better reasons but still never the less to see that mug of yours.” Pulls away smiling and God Louis has the greatest people surrounding him.

“You guy are just in time because we’re headed in now.” Louis fidgets with his ties.

“Dadee!” Louis head turns to watch Nate come running towards him hugging his knees.

“Hi baby. You alright?” Louis picks his son up to hold as they start walking towards the stairs.

“Mo’kay. Can we go eat?” Nate turns his attention to play with top of Louis’ hair that’s been sculpted into a quiff.

“We just ate. Are you hungry already?” Well shit, Louis doesn’t want him being hungry the whole time, this also doesn’t look good on him.

“No hunger. Tons peeople we go partay.” So Nate’s not hungry, he thinks it’s a party.

“This isn’t a party silly, we have to go sit inside for a little and let the Alex and Daddy talk to the nice man. After we can have a party at home. Hows that sound?” Louis’ got Alex by his side plus his and Harry’s families, with his friends all behind him.

"Good time!" Nate cheers as they all head up the stairs getting closer to doom.

xxx

It’s a bit weird seeing the past memories scroll through his mind. Louis likes to think it’s like that saying how you see your life flash before your eyes, he’s seeing the past four years pass. Four years since he found out he was going to be a Dad, four years since he begged her to keep the baby and he’d raise it. Four years since his life changed forever in the best way possible. Four years of being blissfully happy with Nate. He wouldn’t change anything if he had the chance. Picturing his life without Nate breaks Louis heart, so he sucks it all up as he takes his seat next to Alex before the court.

The first fifteen minutes are a bit of a mindless, numbing, muted haze. He stands when he’s supposed to and raises his hand in identification. He’s never been in a courtroom before only have seen the ones on TV shows. At one point he meets eyes with Allyson, Nate’s Mum, they look a bit apologetic. Maybe she didn’t know what her parents were doing at the time and dragged her. She doesn’t have any rights at the moment since she signed them away. Louis never told her she couldn’t see Nate, he’s her son as well, so if she did want to Louis wouldn’t deny her that. She hasn’t wanted to that’s the thing. It’s all a bit strange, like some kind of cloud is hanging over them currently. So this is it, he’s about to hand over the fate of his life and Nate’s to a panel of people he’s never met before. Awesome. Closing his eyes a minute to take a few deep breathes Louis tries to calm himself.

“Arreh’!” Louis eyes snap open and head turns around to see Harry taking a seat as quietly as he can next to Louis’ Mum and Nate's climbing into his lap to give his nose a kiss.

“Dadee! Arreh’ here!” Nate claps settled in Harry’s lap leaning against his chest happily. Louis lets his face break out in a closed mouth grin trying to contain how damn happy he is that Harry showed up. He didn’t expect him at all but that’s Harry for you. He’s still staring at him when Harry mouths ‘I love you’ and Louis sends it back turning around with a new found confidence facing the judge ready to do this.

It all sets in when he’s asked to take the stand and prays to the heavens above that whatever happens is in Nate’s best interest.

Chapter Text

Breath in. Breath out. Repeat.

It’s odd he has to think about pumping air through his lungs, it’s not something he has to remember to do.

But now raising his left hand while the rights on rest on the holy book listening to the words he never thought he’d have to repeat in a courtroom.

“I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Louis breathes out lowering both hands to his lap once he’s sat back down.

The plaintiff's lawyer rises from her chair walking in front of her table looking to Louis, she looks like a thin version of Professor Umbridge to him, he really hopes she’s not a bitch like her too. That’s his least favorite character, even Voldemort isn’t as annoying.

“Mr. Tomlinson, can you tell the court why you’re here?” She stops midway to his stand crossing her arms over her chest.

“To be honest I do not know. I know it regards the custody of my son but other than that I don’t.” Louis slots his hands together trying to not look at Nate and Harry.

“You are here because my client Rosemarie Burke, who is the biological grandmother to your son, Nathan Tomlinson, doesn’t feel or agree with your method of parenting and has decided to speak up on behalf of the child.” Her hands wave as she speaks and Louis can’t believe this bullshit he has to listen to.

“Now that you have an understanding of why you’re here, I think it’s best if we start by going over the basic information to help everyone else understand why this little boy’s grandmother is so concerned for her only grandchild.” Louis has to bite back the huff trying to make its way out on that one, he nods instead.

“How old were you when you found out that you had impregnated the plaintiff's daughter, Allyson Burke.” And really the wording is ridiculed in Lawyer talk not that Mrs. Bloomington isn’t snobby enough of a name.

“I was nineteen.” Louis answers normally, he wasn’t ashamed of his son nor did he really give a fuck if other people thought it was wrong.

“Can you tell us what happened when she came to you, I assume scared?” Bloomington goes on.

“She was definitely scared, who wouldn’t be? When she came to my dorm she was crying, we knew each other from shared lectures but we weren’t dating or anything. I told her I’d support her in what ever decision she made.” He remembers every detail through some sort of weird blur, it’s not everyday a girl tells you she’s pregnant. Taking a breath and clearing his mind from emotions.

“Whose decision was it to get drunk and engage in sexual intercourse?” She flatly says and it takes back Louis for a moment.

“Both of ours, it was consensual sex. I would never touch or do anything to anyone without their permission. I have four little sisters I’ve been raised to respect women.” Louis states, he hates how its a conceived notion that guys are assholes who don’t give a shit.  

“Four younger sisters who have a different father than you, correct?”

“Yes, although that’s a bit irrelevant.” Louis comments not liking his family being in the lines of fire.

“Was only a question. Now you said you would support Ms. Burke once you found out she was pregnant with your child. If that’s so why do you have sole custody?” She questioned him.

“After we both calmed down we talked for hours about everything and options and what not. Originally the plan was that she would have the baby and we’d both be involved in the baby's life.” Louis recalls side glancing at his now three year old son.

“Originally? What changed with the plan?” Mrs. Bloomington pushed on.

“A week or two after she came back to me saying she changed her mind and she didn’t want to have a baby.” Controlling his voice he spoke, it’s like his own flashbacks were happening after each question.

“How did you feel about her change of decision?”

“Devastated. I had wrapped my head around the fact I was going to be a father, told me Mum and everything.” Rubbing his hands on his dress pants he says.

“Yet, you have a son. Did you pressure Ms. Burke into continuing her pregnancy?” Firing back she questioned.

“No. I mean I asked her if she would keep it for me and that I would raise it and not have her involved or pay for anything. Which obviously she did. I never pressured her into carrying on the pregnancy, if she didn’t want to I would have understood. Fortunately she said she would and gave me the greatest thing in the world and I am so thankful for that.” Squeezing his own thighs he states keeping the emotion out as best as he can, this is only the beginning.

“Nathan is how old now?” Switching over a bit from the past Mrs. Bloomington ask walking further away from him gesturing to his son.

“Three years and five months old.” Louis can’t help the smile appear on his face as he answers right away.

“In that span how many times has he seen his Mum.” She questions heading back to him more.

“I think once? A few years ago, we ran into each other and yeah.” Louis honestly answers trying to recall the times he ran into her without Nate that didn’t exactly count.

“Why only once? She is the mother of your son.”

“Allyson had signed over her rights to me, all of them. I never told her she couldn’t see him or be apart of his life, she didn’t want that and I respected her choice. If she called me up and said she wanted back into his life I would have agreed to it. Like you said, she is his Mum, I wouldn’t deny my son his mother nor would I be upset with it.” Louis put out there the truth, he honestly wouldn’t have stopped her from having a life with Nate.

“Yet here we are in court for this reason.” Throwing her hands out like to show she was right.

“That’s not true. I’m here because his grandmother, only by blood, who has never wanted anything to do with him the last four years has now suddenly taken to my horriblly bad parenting skills. If I was such a problem why haven’t they tried this before? Or I don’t know, picked up the phone and called me? I wouldn’t have said no to them meeting him. It’s odd to me as a father that someone who is supposed to be family had to bring me to court in order to have their minds spoken for.” Louis briefly but calm lashes out, it’s not his fault they're all trying to twist his words.

“You say you're a family with the Plaintiff yet not have contact with them, that statement contradicts itself.”

“They’re contradicted themselves. I never took them away from their grandson, they have never come to me or have even Allyson say to me they wanted to be apart of his life. They’re claiming I’m this crappy father yet they have never been around Nate enough to even tell me his favorite color or what stuffed animal he needs in order to sleep. Blood wise yes they are his family, but in my eyes they’re not. Blood doesn’t make a family whole, love does. There is nothing more in this world I love than my son.” Louis lays it out for them, it’s not his fault they didn’t want to be apart of Nate’s.

“Wonderful you bring up the word love. Is it true you are in a relationship with Mr. Harry Styles?” Pressing on into his personal life she asks.

“Yes I am.” Louis truthfully answers again allowing a smile to creep onto his face.

“How do you feel that your son sees this relationship taking place?” Questioning him in what he will swear is a hint of disgust.

“Fine? I don’t really understand the question. He likes Harry if that's what you mean, you were present when Harry himself entered the room and Nate was happy about it.” Louis retorts hoping that wasn’t supposed to be directed towards his sexuality or rather lack of definition.

“Do you push your beliefs on him at home?” She fires back and that’s got Louis a bit ticked.

“Objection your honor!” Alex stands from his table for the first time since he left Louis handle everything else knowing he could.

“Larissa where is this going?” Judge Lange asks the lawyer.

“I should have watched my wording I can see where this might have been taken. Mr. Tomlinson your sexuality could be a bit confusing, to say your son. No mother around yet your boyfriend who you have been practically living with the last few months, is the one around. Do you think that’s healthy for him at this age?” Correcting herself but not really she questions.

“I don’t believe the gender of my partner has anything to do with my son. Over the last four years I’ve had two relationships, one is sitting in this room now and the other Nate didn’t like so I broke it off. I don’t think I’m confusing my son at all because I’ve taught him where love comes from. I’ve taught him how blind love can be and how beautiful it is, to love a person for their qualities. He may be only three but he’s a very bright kid. I don’t know what you think I do, I don’t bring strange men or women home because I put my son first. If it came down to a situation where it was either my relationship or Nate, in a heartbeat I would go with Nate. And actually Harry would be shaking Nate’s hand thanking him for sharing me and leaving if the thought he was a problem or a bad influence on Nate.” Louis has to stop to collect himself flicking the tears away before the can fall taking deep breathes to push them back.

“Men and women, you’re not saying you’re gay?” She’s really pressing on Louis last nerve.

“I can’t believe that’s what you took from all of that. It doesn’t matter. I love my son, I do everything and anything for him. I make sure he has nutritional food to eat everyday, to make sure he’s developing properly at daycare, talking to him about his day even tho I’m with him everyday, if he’s happy or sad, whatever mood he’s in. I’m there when he wakes up and when I'm tucking him into bed. The fact that my parenting skills are being question because what? I’m seeing someone who happens to be male? I don’t that’s fair one bit do you? Does anyone question your parenting abilities because your married to the opposite sex? I don’t think they do, so why should I be question about it.” Louis finishes trying really hard not to snap at them for this shit.

“Mr. Tomlinson please calm down. I know this is hard for you but I must ask you to refrain yourself from anything but the questions.” Judge Lange steps in after Louis sort of heated response.

“Sorry Sir.” Louis responds not wanting to put himself in a negative or angry state.

Bloomington retreats from her spot walking back over to her chair to sit while Alex stands up buttoning a button on his suit before approaching the bench.

“Louis, how long have you been in relationship with Mr. Styles?” Alex starts off confusing him a bit since isn’t he supposed to be on his side and not focus on Harry.

“Few months, four months I believe.” Louis answer politely showing his lawyer the respect he didn’t before to her.

“Four months with him and now all the sudden you’re being called to court. You see that’s interesting to me. Four months out of the three years and five months Nathan has been alive for and now his grandparents are seeking out for his safety apparently. It’s interesting to me because my client has been out and about with his significant other, who happens to be in the music industry, the last few months. Not all of those four, manly since last month. Since last month Louis Tomlinson has appeared in more than sixty articles or news story surrounding his rumored, at the time, relationship with Mr. Styles. Sixty articles for Rosemarie Burke to have seen in the paper or on TV regarding anything to do with my client. I find it fascinating that, much so like Louis stated previously, they have taken interest in my clients son within that time span.” Alex steps away pulling down a bored with articles and pictures pinned to it. “Let’s keep in mind that Louis himself is not the famous one out of the two. Louis isn’t it true that you didn’t have contact with Mr. Styles for three days after receiving the papers you were being served?” Alex questions him looking relaxed and that gives Louis a little bit of air.

“Yes, I didn’t answer him.” Louis more quietly answers.

“Why? Isn’t he supposed to be your boyfriend the one you apparently have put before your own child?” Alex pushed on trying to show Louis for who he is.

“You never want to read a paper that threatens taking your child away but when you do, it’s like your whole world shatters within seconds and the only thing you can think of is a time bomb ticking down till the day they-the day were you could lose your son. So no I didn’t answer him because where I was meant to be was spending the most amount of time with my child as I could. It didn’t matter who Harry was, if he was a girl or a boy. All that mattered was Nate and I spent every second I could with him.” Louis answers picking the pace up of his words by accident.

“It sounds to me that you think you’ll lose the case and your son. Why don’t you have much more confidence in yourself.”  Alex leans on the stand trying to block out Nate’s grandparents so Louis only focuses on his reaction.

“I do. I cried every night to sleep dreading coming to this court. I’m a twenty four year old daycare worker that’s working on his degree slowly while raising his son. I don’t have a degree, yet I have student loans piling up on a wager that’s only enough to give my son a living on a cushion. How does any of that compare to what they could give him? What do I have to offer him that is better than what they could? They don’t have debts, they don’t get paid just enough to get by, why would anyone in their right mind see that I’m a better choice than they are. Maybe they're right. Maybe I’m a horrible excuse of a parent and Nate would get a better life without me. So yeah, I don’t think I’m in the position to win this case.” Louis slumps back in a defeat as a tear slips through without his permission.

“Dadee don’t cry! Arreh’ why is he crying?” Nate shouts out from where Harry’s trying to keep him quiet.

“It’s okay baby, I’m alright.” Louis wipes it away and get his mind set back on what’s important that little boy.

“Cuse me Sir! Can I give my Dadee a hug?” Nate was standing on Harry’s thighs ignoring his attempts to sit the toddler down.

“I’m sorry Nathan, right now you can’t.” Judge Lange actually sounds upset not being allowed to let them hug.

“Oh. Um Sir Dadee says if someone’s sad we hug them cause it’s okay to be sad. I not want Dadee sad alone.” Nate pouts never not being allowed to go hug his father when he wants.

“I’m not sad Nate, it’s okay. Thank you.” Louis turns to apologize to judge, “I’m sorry for the interruption.” Louis blushes looking back at Harry, who's kissing Nate’s cheek, holding the now sitting boy against his chest.

“I wish more interruptions were like that.” Judge Lange smiles lightly at Louis before he turns back facing the room.

“Louis has there ever been a time that the Plaintiff contacted you in any way to see her grandson?” Alex unbuttons his jacket putting his hands on his waist to stand.

“No. This is the first time I’ve heard from or seen her since the birth of my son.” Louis answers.

“If they had come to you instead of the court what would you have done?” Stepping closer to him he asks.

“I would have invited them over to get to know Nate and if they wanted a relationship with him we would have gone from there and set something up.” Honestly Louis answers, he wouldn’t have said no if they had come to him.

“No further questions for Mr. Tomlinson.” Alex headed back over taking his seat next to Louis empty ones.

“You may step down now.” Judge Lange tells him and he listens walking across the floor to take his seat next to Alex not really sure what happens next.

“I would like to call my client Mrs. Rosemarie Burke to the stand.” Bloomington states after she’s standing fixing the matching jacket to her pencil skirt. Silently he watched the lady ruining his life cross the floor and take the seat where Louis had just been.

“Mrs. Burke why did you decided to finally take action into seeing your grandson?” Louis thinks a bit ironic how similar these two women are, or maybe it’s not ironic maybe shitty people just lump together.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, I understand that my daughter didn’t want to be apart of his life but myself and my husband do. It’s already been over three years, we didn’t want to miss out on anymore.” Sitting in a perfect posture acting all posh, Louis finds it annoying and fake.

“You’ve been thinking about it, apparently Mr. Tomlinson finds that odd you want to see Nathan.”

“Objection your honor! She’s twisting words!” Alex throws his hand up calling out.

“Granted, where are you going with this Mrs. Bloomington?” Judge Lange asks.

“Three years of having her grandson on her mind. Three years of not wanting to overstep her daughters choice to not be in her sons life. Three years of wanting to see his face on holidays and birthdays. Was there another agenda for you?” Bloomington question her client.

“No, there was no other agenda.”

“No other secret agenda that has anything to do with Mr. Tomlinson’s relationship?” Pointing to Louis and Harry before facing her again.

“No. Maybe that’s what gave me the finally push, seeing them in the papers and on TV, I wanted into his life not because of who his father is seeing but because I had to walk by and see him on the covers, it really made me wonder how much I was missing out on. He’s my only grandchild.” Tearing up a bit Mrs. Burke finishes dabbing under her eyes.

“No agenda, only wanting to reunite her grandchild to her. That doesn’t sound like any kind of motive of any kind besides love. This women simply wants to see her grandson more, I don’t see the problem in that. Shouldn’t the defiant want more family into his life?” Mrs. Bloomington walks back taking her seat before Alex can throw out an objection, he’s quickly jumping out of his chair and walking to the Plaintiff.

“My client has stated numerous times that if the Plaintiff wanted into Nathan's life he would welcomed it. What he and I don’t understand is why we are in court fighting for his custody to remain. Why is Mrs. Burke trying to remove Nathan from his father who he’s lived with since the day he was born after his Mum, the Plaintiff's daughter, had signed over her parental rights giving my client sole custody. This shouldn’t be a court matter. Nathan is a healthy and lively three year old who is happy and developing on track. There is no reason this matter has made it to this courtroom besides the fact something else has sparked them to proceed private matters into this public court. The first time Nathan was ever even photographed with Louis and Harry was on the twelve of February, few days after the Brit Awards the story of the two of them ran revealing who Louis and Nate were and since then Nate and Louis were snapped at One Direction’s 02 Arena tour the end of February. That must have a been a rather rushed court serving considering the following day of that concert Louis got the official papers. Mrs. Burke, why did you pick a week ago to serve the papers? Out of all the months in a span of Nathan’s life, you picked now, two weeks since he was first pictured? Doesn’t that seem a little fishy to you?” Alex finishes walking over to his brief case taking out a stapled stack of papers after his speech.

“Like I said I wanted to be apart of his life, all those events had nothing to do with it.” Holding her ground she states.

“So two weeks after Nate’s first picture was ran through the paper you started calling around for a lawyer?” Alex questions her statement.

“No. I called a week before the court date.” Admitting she answers.

“A week before the court date would be the Saturday that Louis and Nate attended Harry’s concert, which also falls after the running over their story. That would only be two times you had to pass papers about Nate. You decided that week to pursue custody for this child with no other reason but to have him in your life?” Alex tosses the stack on his desk strolling towards the jury.

“Yes.” It’s short and Louis snorts as quietly as he could, this is ridiculous.

“Why custody?” Alex questions to her with his arms out facing the jury still.

“To make up for the time we’ve missed.” Alex fires after that one so fast she barely ends the word missed.

“You want to remove this child at a very delicate and impressionable age from his home to ‘make up’ for time missed? You do realize how absurd that is.” Alex laughs out facing her with a raised eyebrow.

“I don’t think it’s absurd, I think it’s what's best for him.” Louis will swear she turned her nose up at his direction.

“What’s best for him? You don’t know anything about him to know what’s best for him! You know nothing about this child to be making any kind of life altering decisions for him. That is the job of his father, whom has done a marvelous job with him may I add. You’re actually asking to remove him from his father. I’m baffled. The only reason I could see you doing this would be because of who my client is dating, which honestly I don’t think you agree with.”  Walking away towards his desk giving Louis an encouraging smile before facing the Plaintiff.

“I do not have a problem with it. I’m thinking about Nathan’s safety over everything.” Mrs. Burke states still in her posh posture.

“Nate’s safety? That’s a new add in this case, didn’t you say it was about getting to know him?” Alex plays into the confusion facing the Jury with his arms shrugged.

“Of the things I’ve seen he was practically mobbed, a three year old shouldn’t be in that position.”

“Oh so this is going back to his relationship with Mr. Styles. We’ll did you know that Mr. Styles and his security team with the help of Simon Cowell has just finished up an order that has gone into effect banning any sort of crowd or photographs to be taken of Nate? Whether he’s around Mr. Styles or not. Does that sound like an unsafe situation of a significant other to take the precautions of?” Alex walks back to grab the stack of the law bringing it over to her. “Faulting Mr. Styles job isn’t a reason to bring my client to court when his sons life is at stake.” Alex passes another few copies over to the jury for them to read for themselves. “If you read when the was first drawn up it was months ago, say by the date four? The same length as Mr. Tomlinson’s and Mr. Styles’ relationship. If you can’t see this child is in good hands between the two of them I’ll recommend my Optometrist to you.” Alex ends it on that taking his seat next to Louis, patting his thigh in comfort as fights back the smile from the look on Mrs. Burke's face on that last zinger. Mrs. Bloomington is up rather quickly after and Louis thinks she going to question her again which he thinks is odd.

“I would like to call Harry Styles to the stand.” She smirks, Louis whips his head around to see Harry’s mouth dropped open. Can they even do that?

“Objection!” Alex calls standing ready to fight to keep Harry off.

“If he’s the other person so called raising Nathan with Louis, I think it’s perfectly reasonable to have him on the stand. Unless of course you’re trying to hide something about it and then I ask the Jury why? Why would they object to him being cross examined if there is nothing to hide.” Mrs. Bloomington points back at Harry, who's already handed Nate of to Jay and standing.

“Nothing to hide.” Speaking out of turn bit bravely Harry states loud enough for everyone to hear. Making his way through the gate one foot at a time to sit on the stand, after he’s sworn in he sits waiting for whatever she’ll give at him.

“Mr. Styles how old are you?” She fires out and Harry gears up for what he thinks will be a speed round of stupid questions.

“I am nineteen.” Harry says proudly.

“That is four years younger than Mr. Tomlinson. What is your job title?”

“Imma singer.”

“A singer in a band?”

“Yes. I’m a member of One Direction.”

“You’re currently on tour correct?”

“Correct.”

“How long will you be away on this tour?”

Harry thinks for a minute forgetting for a moment, he’s like that. “Eight months I believe, minus a week and two days.”

“Eight months is a long time to be away. How is Nathan going to feel with this change in his routine?”

“It’s not the first time I’ve gone away for my job, Nate understands why, he’s an intelligent little thing. Louis has the information to contact me and before I left we wrote down all the time changes and a Skype schedule. I myself, with Louis refusal but it happened, bought them calling cards so when I head to America or other countries out of his plan, they can still call or text. Plus I have breaks and time off in between contents and some countries.” Harry lays out their system and everything they had went over before he left, taking the steps and explaining why Harry’s going to be gone for some time. Nate gets it, he pouted but he understood.

“That’s grand and all but how is Nathan supposed to get the benefits of a two parent team?”

Harry scuffs. “He doesn’t need another parent, Louis is more than capable of providing everything he needs, he doesn’t need me or anyone to team up with him for Nate. He’s been perfect in raising his son the past three years, I need them a hell of a lot more than he needs me.” Harry’s face is still disturbed from her question at Louis not being able to handle his son.

“So you’re denying you are a co-parent?”

“I think down the road if Louis will have me in that way I would be flattered to be honored with a title like that. I’m not his father, I’m his Arreh’ and that’s all I need to be to him.” Harry puts out hating how narrow minded this lady is.

“Don’t you think all that and your relationship confuses Nathan? You’re not a parent but yet you're around all the time expect now since you’ve left for an eight month tour. I’d be confused.” She simply puts and really Harry’s two seconds away from shaking this lady to her senses.

“Nathan knows I love him, knows how his and I’s relationship is, he knows how Louis and I’s relationship is. I’m not his father but I love and treat him like he’s my own son. I don’t need to fit into your bigot box of parent or co-parent, I need to be whatever Nate needs me to be to him. If he never thinks of me as anything but his Harry I will die happily with a smile on my face because I’ve been blessed enough to have him in my life.” Harry fires out silencing everyone in the court, he watches Bloomington walk back almost defeated to sit down and finally shut up.

“Your honor the only questions I have for Mr. Styles, is what nineteen year old would go through all this if you didn’t care for Nathan’s best interest? If you are as toxic as they are making you, wouldn’t you not giving a single damn about that child?” Alex questions from where he’s standing next to Louis not even bothering to go before anyone.

“The one that cares for him in every aspect of his life and I guess not, if I had other motives to cut out Louis to only my life I wouldn’t be standing before you.” Harry stops himself from going on any further leaving only that point.

“Nothing further your honor. Thank you Mr. Styles you may step down now.” Alex tells Harry who listen stepping off the platform heading back to his spot next to Jay, Nate immediately climbs back over into his lap hugging him.

“At this time I will call a fifteen minute recess and when we get back Nathan Tomlinson will take the stand accompanied by Dr. Peter Hannon, whom has passed Nathan on his evaluation to appear on the stand. Dismissed.” Slamming the gavel down Alex stands as Louis does to making his way to see his son.

“Dadee!” Harry helps Nate launch from his arms into Louis.

“Hi baby. Is Harry being nice to you while you sit and be such a wonderfully mannered boy?” Louis leans against Harry feeling his hand place itself on his waist.  

“Arreh’ always nice silly Dadee!” Nate turns to lightly pat Harry’s face.

“I am very silly, you caught me.” Louis laughs letting his head rest on Harry’s shoulder

“You’re doing great babe.” Harry whispers as Nate plays with his bow tie.

“Thank you, you as well. How’s it seem like it’s going?” Closing his eyes to rest a minute from the madness.

“I think well. Alex basically called her out and slammed her on his last one. I might have laughed at his joke.” Squeezing Louis hip he quietly states.

“You buffoon of course you would laugh. It was a nice closer tho, got her to shake bit.”

“The whole segment was, she didn't have a chance.” Harry drums his fingers on Louis in a soothing manner.

"Yours either, she didn't expect those answers to come out of your mouth." Leaning into his touch Louis says.“Now its up to the little man to seal the deal and keep the family together.” Louis lifts his head to place kisses around Nate’s face.

“Yeah, we have to keep our family together.” Beaming at Harry Louis says, closing his eyes feeling Harry’s lips press against his forehead.

“Alright buddy. In a few minutes you're going to go sit where I and Harry were and talk like Dr. Hannon said. Okay?” Louis waits for the head nod and kiss his nose.

“Tay Dadee. We get ice cream after?” Nate rubs his hands along the smooth jawline of his father where normally there is stubble.

“Yes, after we can eat all the ice cream we want.” Croaking out hugging his son closer to his body in hopes that later will come out in their favor.

“Yay! Lobe you Dadee!” Nate kisses his lips once to pull back and smile at him.

“I love you, too. So much baby.” Keeping him close Louis turns the pair into Harry’s chest, who wraps his arms around them to hold against him wanting to keep their little family together as long as they can. Neither Harry nor Louis could tell you how long they stand their wrapped tightly together, it’s not till there's a tap on his shoulder that Louis is brought back to reality.

“Hate to break this moment up but we’re getting ready to start back up. Nate you alright?” Alex softly asks smiling when Nate turns his head around at him.

“Yesh. I go talk now. Bye bye Dadee lobe you. Bye bye Arreh’ lobe you.” Nate gives each of them a kiss on the nose and Louis lowers him to set his feet on the ground. Alex stretches his hand out and Nate slips his little hand into Alex’s. Louis watches as Alex walks Nate over to the table, turning into Harry’s chest again Louis sighs wiping his face against Harry’s blazer.

“Hey. It’s going to be okay. I love you.” Giving him a quick kiss to the lips and breaking their embrace.

“I hope so. I love you, too.” Louis lets go and heads back over squatting down in front of Nate one last time to give him a kiss, he takes his seat two seconds later and watches his son swinging his and Alex’s linked hands back in forth. Louis waits holding his breath as the Judge re-enters the courtroom and takes his spot picking up the gavel once again.

“Court is back in session!” Banging the wood mallet he roars out in his powerful voice calling all the attention as people find their seats and sit in silence. “If I have everyone’s attention to now call Nathan William Tomlinson to the stand with the guidance of child developmental Psychologist Dr. Peter Hannon.” Judge orders and Alex brings Nate to meet where Dr. Hannon has risen from their side, taking Nate’s small little hand in his to walk him towards the bench, helping him up to sit before the court. Dr. Hannon stands next to him with his hands clasps together in front of him.

Breath in. Breath out. Repeat.

Louis swallowed loudly feeling like people in China probably heard it. His baby looks so small sitting up there not really understanding why all this is happening. He didn’t want to spook him and say he might get taken away, Nate doesn’t really understand why he’s up there but Louis prays to all types of God’s in that moment for a miracle.

“Mrs. Burke you may approach and begin your questioning.” Judge Lange announces for them to begin.

Rising from her seat to straighten out her jacket again the lawyer takes the floor to stand in front of Nate. “Nathan do you know how old you are?” Starting with the basic she asks.

“Yesh! I’m three!” Nate holds up three fingers smiling looking immediately at his Dad.

“Nice age. If I asked you to point out your Dad could you?” She questions moving away to let him point.

“Mine Dadee ova dere!” Nate excites pointing over to where Louis’ sat.

“Let the record show Louis Tomlinson is being identified as Nathan’s father.” Stating as she moves again.

“Hi Dadee!” Nate waves adorable and the whole courtroom awe’s. Louis gives a simple wave back biting his lip as does.

“Nathan could you point out your Mum?” She strategically asks.

“Objection!” Alex calls out.

“Overruled. Nathan can you answer the lady’s question?” Judge Lange softy talks to the three year old.

“Um no.” Shaking his head but stops to squint his face looking up, Louis knows it’s his thinking face. “Mine Mummy no lives with me and Dadee.” Nate adds in.

“You can’t pick out your own Mummy. Do you want to meet her?”

“Objection your honor! Mrs. Bloomington has no decision in whether or not Nathan meets his Mum nor any part of their relationship.” Alex stands up to point to her.

“Granted.” Judge Lange gives her a look and waves to continue.

“Nathan do you wish you had your Mum around like other kids?” Watching her wording she comes back with.

“No? I got Dadee. Dadee lobes me.” Nate pats over his heart and Louis has to turn away to push away the tears coming out.

“You do have your Dad. Do you wish your Dad and Mum could love you?” Pressing her luck she questions.

Nate makes his thinking face again, “No. I no need Mummy. Lily at care no Daddy only Mummy.” Nate shrugs it off like it’s not a big deal to not have two parents.

“You don’t need someone to help with you, like a Mummy does?” Bloomington asks.

“No mine Dadee do all.” Nate taps at his own knees bored with her questions it seems and Louis would laugh if it weren’t for the fact his son’s up there to save himself basically. Plus he was just told by his son he doesn’t need anyone but him. “Wait! I got a Arreh’ nobody at care has one. Arreh’ lobes me too. Like Dadee!” Nate giggles as if he was stupid for not remembering Harry.

“A Harry? Is he here today?” Stepping over to open Nate’s line of vision she says.

“Yesh! Arreh’s ova dere by Nannana!” Nate waves to both of them.

“Let the record show Nathan has identified Harry Styles.” Walking closer to him, “Does Harry live with you?”

“Nope. I wish!” Nate smiles at the thought of living with Harry. “Arreh’ sleepsova and me go ova to sleep at Arreh’s house.” Nate nods to himself and looks back over at Harry to wave again.

“Harry stays over your house and you stay over his. Do you go there by yourself?”

“No silly! Me can no car.” Nate starts giggling.

“Your Dad drives you to see Harry?” Blinking at the fact that he’s giggling.

“Yesh. Arreh’ on tor no go to Arreh’s house.” Nate frowns at the thought of not seeing Harry.

“Are you upset Harry’s leaving?”

“Yesh and no.” Nate states with a scrunched up face, looking like he might have more to say but doesn’t.

“Why yes and no? Do you not like Harry?” Pushing the button on that one she questions.

“Me lobe Arreh’! Arreh’ sing pretty. Girl come at lunch sayin’ Arreh’ is hero. Me share Arreh’ cause he hero. But no cape, me do not know why.” Nate throws his hands up like he’s never heard anything like Harry not having a cape.

“You think Harry’s a hero because his fans come up to you in public? Do you get scared when they do?”

“Not scary. Fans lobe Arreh’ like me do. Arreh’ hero cause him make dem happy! No hurt me. No hurt Dadee. No hurt Arreh’. Lots and lots of lobe.” Nate states and Louis really thanks God at how amazing his son is.

“How about when they take your picture?”

“I very pretty like Dadee.” Nate beams uses his little hand to touch his hair that has been styled.

“They take your picture because you’re handsome?”

“Course. Arreh’ handysome, Zayng handysome, Niyo handysome, Leemo handysome, Dadee handyson, Nate handysome.” He points out like he’s stating the most obvious thing in the world.

“Does your Dad think Harry’s handsome?” Fighting for her stance she pushes that card.

“Yesh. Arreh’ lobes Dadee. Dadee lobes Arreh’.” Nodding his head again he says.

“Do you think it’s odd that they love each other?”

“No? No cooties. Lobe like Poppee and Nannana. Dadee lobes Arreh’.” Answering like it’s nothing different to anyone else.

“No cooties? What do you mean by that?”

“Arreh’ say cootie free little man. He kisseh mine Dadee cause no cooties.” States happily leaning over to smile at Louis and Harry.

“Kissing in front of a three year old, talking about Sexual Transmitted Diseases, clearly that is not a proper way to go about their relationship when Nate knows all about it.” Leaving her statement at that sitting back down by her client.

Alex gets up not liking here ending statement. “I didn’t know two adults kissing was hazardous to a three year old. If Harry was a female would that even have been an issue to bring up? Why is that because the two are both male it’s a bad environment? Are we really going to take a three year old saying cooties as being STD talk? He’s three! That’s the age where girls don’t want to play with boys because of cooties. It has nothing to do with sex or what my client and his significant other choose to do in the comfort of their own bedroom. The fact these are being made points because Mr. Tomlinson is involved with a male, that’s discrimination! This whole case in discrimination. The only reason Mrs. Burke has brought my client here today is because he is in a relationship with another man. His parenting has nothing to do with it! You heard Nathan, he’s happy, he’s loved, he’s smart, he is doing an incredible job. Let’s get down to what this case is really about because putting a three year old up here to quiz him about his father's relationship is ridiculous.” Alex fumes at the way she spun those questions and how she handled it all. “Nathan are you happy at home?” Alex turns finally to the three year old.

“Yesh! When I got sad Dadee hugs me. Say sad is otay but must talk to Dadee.”

“Why did you get sad?” The lawyer questions his voice much softer than it was during his rant.

“Arreh’ go tor.” Nate pouts a bit.

“Harry left for tour and you got sad. Do you talk to Harry while he’s gone?”

“On the pooper screen. Dadee gives me Arreh’ and Nate time. phone too.” Nate’s smile comes back up.

“Your Dad lets you talk to Harry on the computer screen and on the phone. Is Daddy ever sad when Harry leaves?”

“No. Me do no think. Dadee say it’s Arreh’s job and jobs portant. Arreh’ come home and Dadee super duper happy! I lobe Dadee super duper happy!” Nate claps his hands almost cheering in a way.

“Daddy never is sad around you because he tells you touring is Harry’s job and he’s happy around you. You love when Harry’s home cause it makes him super happy?” Translating Nate’s language to the court.

“Yesh yesh! Me happy Dadee happy Arreh’ happy. Family happy.” Nate states patting at his chest again, Harry has to lean forward elbows on his thighs with his head in his hands to keep the tears away while Jay rub his back, Louis not much better but doesn’t have his Mum next to him. His son just called the three of them family.

“Harry and Daddy are your family? That makes you happy?” Alex questions the statements loving the way Nate’s answering these questions.

“Super duper happy! Me little family. Not only family me got Nannana, Poppee, Auntie Lots, Auntie Fizzle, Auntie Peebs, Auntie Daisy, Uncle Stan, Nanne, Auntie Gehma, Robin. Lots of family.” Nate’s beaming by the time he ticked off his family members by name.

“Let the record state Nathan has pointed out how he defines a family to the people that love him as he loves them. Some of those people aren’t blood related but as my client had stated earlier, he has not taught his son to view family by only being related but to see all the qualities of what family mean. Out of the twelve names he had recited five of them have no blood relation, but you couldn’t tell by the way he said them. They are all his family. Who are we to pull this sweet, kind, growing little boy from all these wonderful people that are sculpting his mind to make his own decision and determine his value of what family means. Why pull him away from this? I had both a Mum and Dad growing up and you know what? They didn’t give me any other reason to be around them besides the fact we’re related. They didn’t love me like Louis loves his son unconditional or Harry who doesn’t have to give two craps about but he does, he loves him like a son. My Dad didn’t give a damn about me let alone treat me and help me understand and explore the world to make it my own. You know why I’m a great lawyer? I had years and years, upon years of arguing and fighting with my parents to the point where I resented them. Am I saying Nathan and his father won’t ever fight? No, I’m saying not every heterosexual couple is a family. But this little boy sitting before you all has a family, a brilliant one at that, it would be a crime to separate this family because of who the child’s father is seeing. If Mr. Styles was a horrible influence do you really think he would have left his tour having a concert, in Ireland, to fly here today to support both Louis and Nate? Does that sound like a secondary parent who loves this child to no ends? Who would do everything to make sure he’s okay and knows he’s loved? Jury of the court I’d like you to look back on some of the points made in the courtroom today and think of not what's best for Mr. Tomlinson or Mrs.Burke but what would ultimately be best for Nathan. Thank you for your time.” Alex bows to them walking back to where Louis is with confidence and a smirk on his face, he drops it once he sits and faces the Judge.

“At this time the Jury will head back into their room to discuss and come back. Dr. Peter Hannon you may escort Nathan back to Mr. Styles.” Slamming the gavel down as the jury headed behind the closed door. Nate skipped his way, hand in Dr. Hannon’s, over to Harry who scooped him up into his arms pressing kisses all over his face. Louis turns moving to stand pressed against the wooden wall separating them, Harry moves so Nate’s in between them and Louis can hear him mumbling things into Nate’s head.

“You did amazing. I’m so proud of you. I love you.” Harry keeps repeating these things in cycles to Nate, Louis gets his arms around both of them pulling them close to keep them steady. Louis lips keep their spot on Nate’s head rubbing Harry’s back in comfort while they just be . Their families let them have their moment collected together in their own mind space.

“How did I end up with son as smart as you baby.” Louis lightly says to his son still in their little rock formation.

“You maked me that way.” Nate turns his torso in Harry’s arms to pat Louis face gently.

“Nah that ones all you smarty pants. Did you know I love you?” Harry shifts Nate in his arms for Louis to take hold of him.

“Course Dadee! I lobe you. Arreh’ lobe you too.” Nate stretches his arm out to pat Harry’s cheek.

“I love you, too Nate. Daddy and I are very, very, very proud of you.” Extending his long arms to place them around Louis and Nate.

“Got to sit by cool dude.” Nate spins in Louis arms to point towards where the judge sits.

“You liked sitting by Judge Lange. He wasn’t that scary right?” Louis lays his head on Harry’s chest, the opposite side Nate’s leaning on the shoulder of to see of Harry’s.

“Nope. Pretty smile.” Nate adds in yawning into his blazer.

“How about after we nap before we go out to celebrate?” Harry moves a hand to Nate’s back, he’s got his two of his favorite boys under his palms.

“Harry, we don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t, I don’t want to promise things yet.” Louis whispers into the ear closest to him.

“Okay if that’s how you want to play it than okay.” Harry tells him in a agreement knowing how stressful this is right now for him.

“Thank you.” Louis dips his head closer to Harry’s to sneak in a kiss for comfort. It’s broken when there is a door opening, both Louis and Harry turn to see the jury walk back, Louis shits himself, they haven’t been in there for even ten minutes. Fuck.

“Baby breath. Hey now, calm down sweetheart. Breath in, breath out. There you go. I’ve got you no matter what happens you hear me? If it’s not what we want to here we’ll accept it than fight back. Got it? This little boys not losing you.” In a serious tone Harry tells him hoping to not have his boyfriend give himself a heart attack.

“Us. He’s not losing us. Like it or not you’re in this with me for the parent column.” Louis mumbles out rubbing his head against Harry’s shoulder, practically squeezing Nate in his arms with fear.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way. I love it. I love you.” Harry’s lips find his partners and seals his words against them. If he can shut the world out by closing his eyes and keeping his mind on Harry’s mouth, it does wonders to help his breathing.

“At this time will the Plaintiff and Defiant stand.” Judge Lange voice breaks his haven letting go of Harry to switch Nate into his arms, facing the front again he stands next to Alex pinching his own wrist.

“Members of the Jury if you representative will stand.” A man with brunette hair stands like he’s told holding a piece of paper that could shatter his world in seconds. The man looks about ten years older than Louis and he prays once again to all Gods, spirits, angels, the Dalila lama, anything he can think of, he shuts his eyes not being able to look.

“In the decision on the matter of Burke vs. Tomlinson, can you tell the court where the custody of Nathan William Tomlinson should lay.” Judge Lange’s voice rings through Louis head like he’s standing under a bell tower. This is it. He can’t help but crack his eyes open to stare at the man watching his mouth open to deliver the verdict.

Breath in. Breath out. Repeat.

xxx

“I know you’re all bummed that Harry’s not with us tonight, we’re bummed out as well.” Niall starts talking to the crowd in his homeland.

“He had some rather serious business that he had to go handle back in London but he sends his love to each and everyone of you!” Liam into the microphone says getting shrieks back.

“He felt so bad about missing he made you amazing fans a video!” Zayn turns pointing to the screen as does Liam and Niall.

Harry faces appears on the screen being met with screams before the video clip starts.

“ Hello everyone! I’m really, truly, sorry I can’t be at the show tonight. Don’t know if you can tell but I’m currently sat on a flight back to London. Um, you’ll all probably hear why so I might as well tell you. Many of you have speculated my relationship with Louis and you are correct on that, we are together. Thank you for the support and love you’ve give me the last few months. On that topic and the reason I’m missing the show, is because there’s a custody battle going on with Louis’ son and they need me with them right now.  I hope you all can understand and give us some privacy the next few days depending on the results. I love you all! Massive thank you! Enjoy the show these lads are incredible! Byee!”  Harry’s face fades out and the stage lights come back on for three out of four members of One Direction to sing.

xxx

Louis couldn’t put into real words how he’s feeling right about now. He doesn’t want to think about having to go back with lawyers to discuss visitations, all he can think about is Harry’s strong arms around him keeping him afloat from drifting.

He won.

He’s not losing Nate.

They’re all sat at the ice cream parlor, as Harry promised, eating their weight in sundaes and Louis couldn’t give two shits about anything other than the fact that no ones coming to take Nate from him. It had been an easy decision from the Jury who all besides two favored Louis to continue with sole custody. It had been Louis to speak up, after obviously tackling the shit out of Harry and Nate into a giant hug, he told the court that he had no problem with Rosemarie being in Nate’s life but he would like to go through the court to set something up to protect himself and Nate, he doesn’t trust her at all and refuses to let her have Nate alone. Nate still doesn’t understand what’s going on but he’s happier now knowing Harry and Louis have smiles on their face helping him tackle the giant sundae in front of him.

xxx

Nate’s sugar rush has him crashing in the car on the way to the airport since Harry took a cab, hands linked over the shift, the only form of intimacy they’ve had all day. Staying at the ice cream parlor too long brought fans and paparazzi who knew he was there, they made their dash out of there not to bring more attention and get their families out. Sadly Harry had to catch the first flight out of London to Dublin to get back to tour, One Direction has an interview in the morning so Harry really needs to get back, he already missed the show. Now Louis driving him still on a high from not losing his son but sad to see Harry go so fast.

“What’s going on in the mind of yours?” Breaking the silence Harry asks trying to curl his gangly limbs on the seat.

“Everything. The trial, you, you coming here, me having to drive you back, Nate meeting his Mum for real next week. It’s all like this blur yet slow mo at the same time. Does that make any sense?” Glancing over to Harry quickly returning his eyes to the road.

“It makes sense. It was a very hard and long week for you, the trial was it all coming together and you didn’t know the outcome, that’s a shit ton of stress and emotional roller coaster. I’m proud of you boo, you handled this whole thing outstandingly.” Bringing their intertwined hands to his mouth he kisses the back of Louis hand.

“Thank, I’m relieved to actually sleep tonight. Wish you were sleeping next to me though.” Louis pouts switching lanes.

“I know baby if I didn’t have that interview I would have stayed the night. You could have used a relaxer and I know just how to do that.” Harry lowered his voice causing Louis to bit his lip.

“Hey now, don’t be saying things like that when I’m on my way to hand deliver you to the plane that will take you away from me for a while.” This time it’s Louis’ who brings Harry’s hand up to his lips, licking a strip over the back of his hand.

“You bloody tease.” Stretching his seat belt as he leans over to lick up his boyfriends neck.

“That mouth of yours is always running. Keep that thing away from you, I don’t know what kind of boys you be kissin’.” Louis turns into the airport heading to Harry’s gate.

“Only the pretty ones, I have standards you know.” Harry hums out watching people getting in and out of cabs and cars at the gate he’ll be going through. Louis spots the security team van and pulls up next to it.

“I love you.” Leaning over to meet his mouth against Louis’.

“I love you, too. Lemme know when you land.” Louis tucks his face into his boyfriends neck.

“Always.” Whispering he says nuzzling Louis with his chin.

“Get going pop star, Niall’s kind waits for no one, not even someone as cute and curly as you.” Louis gets in a full minute of snogging before there's a tap on his window from the team.

“I’ll do you proud baby.” Kiss . “Thanks for driving.” Kiss . “Get home safe.” Kiss . “I love you.” Kiss and giggles.

“Have a good flight sweetheart, tell the lads hello. I love you.” Louis gives into one more smooch before Harry’s opening the door with his bag slung over his shoulder.

“Bye baby.” Louis waves, blowing a kiss to him while his two bodyguards protect his sides as cameras start flashing, Louis puts the car back in drive and heads home with his life strapped safely in the backseat and his heart's about to get on a plane to fly away from him.

Chapter Text

The problem with the case is now in the testimony it’s stated when the two of them started dating, there’s backlash. Not a lot but enough that has people upset about being lied to about him and Taylor Swift. Not only is that hard enough dealing with that portion he’s already a bit homesick wanting to get back, and those thought make him feel like shit since this is his dream, it’s all their dreams and Harry tries his best not to mope about around them only letting it get to him while he’s in the shower or in his bunk once the other lads have gone to sleep. Less than a month till he’s back in London for about a week and he can’t wait for it.

While they're in Manchester Harry does a solo interview to clear up all the rumors and cheating claims on both Taylor and Louis. He figures he owes the fans this much and Modest has agreed that they should be honest about the whole thing at this point, he’s surprised how chill they're actually being about this. That’s where he’s sat now on stage with thirty seconds to go, he’s never done an interview by himself before it’s odd not having the other boys there with him, he doesn’t like it.

“Hello and welcome back, I’m joined here now with none other than One Direction’s Harry Styles. Welcome Harry!” The interviewer, John, introduces him and he gives a wave to the audience who cheered for him, he takes that as a good sign.

“Hii! Thank you for having me John.” Harry smiles putting his nerves behind him, he thinks the worst has already happened.

“You are welcome. How are you this morning?” He questions to Harry.

“I’m doing rather well, excited to be playing tonight, my sisters coming to the show so bit nervous.” Harry chats lightly keeping it friendly.

“Did you get more nervous when your families there? I would think that calmed you.”

“I know for me, and the rest of the lads, it’s worse when your family or friends come cause you could play to thousands of people but you don’t really know the faces in the crowd. Not like having people you do know in there just adds a bit more I suppose.” His sister and a group of her friends are coming tonight and he’s stoked about it.

“That makes sense. Speaking of family you recently had to leave to tour fly back to London for a court, is everything okay now?” John gives him the chance to talk about how he wants he didn’t want to pressure him with certain questions.

“Yeah fortunately it is. I don’t know how much about it is out there but um my boyfriend was in a bit of a custody battle over his son and you know that’s where I had to be. I’m incredible happy the fans understood as well as the lads, yeah everything's good now.” Harry gives a real smile knowing his words are true.

“People are taking this as your official come out, is that the way you want it to be known?”

“Yes and no I guess. It’s like this is who I’m happy with why does it matter what gender they are?” Harry gets a bit of a applause from the crowd.

“Personally I find nothing wrong with it, I think it’s wonderful you’re happy and if people can’t see the relationship you have, specially now, than I feel sorry for them. Have your fans backed you up, I know there was a some backlash but are there some who are supportive?” John switches his legs around leaning forward more to give Harry his full interest.

“Well there hasn’t been as much negativity from me being involved with my boyfriend, right now it’s more they feel a bit lied to? I guess you would say, and that’s causing a stir up, not so much me being gay.” Laying out how he views it he says.

“About Taylor Swift?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t a real relationship and I know that it’s upset a ton of people but the intentions were well. It’s hard being in this career, especially at the beginning of it, to just come out and expect everything to be fine and dandy. It was a choice with my team that we made in order to protect my real relationship from being questioned. I’m a male, he’s a male, no one really wanted to see me with another male. I feel bad about the whole thing but I had a boyfriend and his son to protect so I hope people can understand the reasoning behind it.” From the wings Harry can see his team stunned at the answer, they were getting ready to be hit with the truth of how they closet Harry.

“It’s not a bad reason to have done that, like you said you had a young one to protect and you had to do what you had to do. I think once people see and understand why you went about it this way they’ll see it this way instead.”

“I hope so. I never meant to hurt or lie to my fans. To people sending Taylor hate about being a home wrecker, please don’t. She’s really lovely and was helping out a friend and I can’t thank her enough for doing that. Blame me if you need to but don’t go after her.” Harry talks into the camera instead of directly at John, hoping his fans stop.

“You’ve been with Louis for how long now?” Changing the subject to be more light he asks.

“Since November, so fourish months.” A smile makes its way back to Harry’s face.

“I don’t know if you want to talk about more than that, or anything involving the little guy, I’ll leave that up to you.” Not wanting to cross lines John says.

“I appreciate that, honestly. Um, he’s wonderful really. It’s a bit scary for me to think how much he means to me, Nate’s amazing. I have so much love for him it’s crazy how easily he’s fallen into my life. I know I’m young to think that way about a child that biologically isn’t mine but no lie I treat him like my own. Louis does too. I’ve got myself a little family back home now, something I didn’t have a few months ago. It’s wonderful, I couldn’t be happier.”  Breaking out in an enormous smile he says.

“I know we are all happy that things are okay with Nate and Louis, having to deal with being in court and everything. I heard you guys are also recording part of the album on the road?”

“I’m ecstatic everything went well for them back home, I couldn’t imagine leaving them if it went the other way. Yeah, we’re recording on the road in various hotel rooms and stuff like that. Makes us feel more rock n roll, living on the edge.”

“Is the new album taking more of the rocky tone?”

“Yeah sorta, we’re still keeping the pop sound just now adding more guitars and what not. Niall’s stoked about that.” Harry thinks about to Niall’s face when they handed him the sheet music that he would be playing.

“I’m rather interested in hearing it now! Sounds like it’s going to be an incredible album.”

“We’re really happy about it so far, we’ve had a lot more to do with majority of the songs. We all wrote a lot of them and had input on the ones we didn’t, lot more creative control now that we all understand how this process works and are producing good enough songs to even be considered. It’s been a great experience knowing we’re putting it together.” Harry explains on.

“Well Harry it’s been a blast having you here, glad everything worked out for you back home. Good luck to you and the lads on the album, as well on the rest of your tour!”

“Thank you for having me! Lovely time!” Waiting for the camera to switch Harry steps off set back over to his assistant and team.

“You did great Harry, nice transit away from the hate to your album.” Joe, his assistant that he just took on, claps him on the back handing him a bottle of water.

“Thanks, I didn’t want it all to be about my personal life. The albums really important to me.” Harry takes a sip and heads to get out of his mic.

“Louis called about four times and he’s been blowing up your texts, Niall wanted to know if you wanna meet up for lunch and your mum called..” Joe pulls Harry’s phone out of his pocket, handing it over him.

“Thank you Joe.” Harry enters his passcode to pull Louis’ texts, he has twelve of them.

Louis: Harold please tell me why my mums callin me about our engagement?

Louis: I don’t think this counts as you asking me

Louis: I’ve been grounded…..

Louis: I’m 24 and grounded.

Louis: Told her we werent and she grounded me longer for lying.

Louis: if this is your way of proposing, were done.

Louis: oh great just ignore your fiancé

Louis: I’m going to kill you

Louis: Answer my callllsss!!!

Louis: Babbbeeeeee pleasee?

Louis: How rude Nate tried ringing you and you didnt answer.

Louis: Shit you’re doing an interview. Makes sense sorry babe! Love youu!

Harry can’t help the giggles coming out of his mouth, it’s such a Louis thing to do and he loves it. After changing into his regular clothes Harry and his team head out into the van that will bring him to meet Niall for lunch since they all confirmed it without him. Dialing his Mum on the way there he waits for her voice to come across.

“Harry Edward Styles if your little bum is engaged and didn’t tell me I’m disowning you!” Pulling away from the phone he twitches  a bit.

“No need for that Mum, I’m not engaged, someone’s running stories it seems. I still have a chance at the family secret recipes right?” Harry leans back smiling, he enjoys the times he can talk to her on the same time zone.

“I guess if it’s all false then yeah the box could still be passed down to you, although Louis is a wonderful man Harry.” She hints to him and he can hear the look she would be giving if it were in person.

“Bit young to get engaged s’only been a few months, oh and Jay flipped on Louis for not telling her we’re apparently engaged, she even grounded him Mum.” Harry squeaks out as if it’s the greatest thing in the world.

“You would have been grounded as well! I’ll have to call her up for tea maybe this weekend. I know we all miss you love. We could have a Harry’s away party and get the in laws together.” Anne beams, Harry’s pretty sure he’s matching her, he loves how their families get along.

“Bit of pressure to commit there yah? In laws and all, kinda scary to have other people besides Lou and I talking like that.” Harry still can’t keep the smile off his face.

“Well baby, it’s a bit different from the start yeah? This wasn’t just a boy you decided to sleep with.”

“Muuuummm!” Harry blushes out, “You can’t say things like that, you’re not supposed to know about those things!” Dropping his head into this free hand, he shakes it.

“What? Sex is a healthy and normal part of a relationship, which is why I’m glad you’re only sleeping with one person and not around again.” Harry coughs a few times letting that sink in.

“I never said I was sleeping around Mum.”

“Niall told me all about your undercover adventures.” Anne continues as if talking about sex with him is the same as pie flavors. The things he’s willing to do for those recipes.

“Why in the world are you talking to Niall about my sex life?!” His voice goes embarrassingly high.

“It came up. I have to make sure someone’s looking out for you darling. No harm done, you got yourself tested yeah?” Anne pushes on keeping the same tone and Harry knows he’s the split image of a tomato.

“Oh my God! Can we talk about anything but this?”

“Honey there's nothing wrong with talking about these things, I’d rather have this conversation now instead of getting call that you have Chlamydia or something. My job as your Mum is to protect you, I’m not there handing you condoms but I will make sure you’re taking proper care of yourself.” He can hear the kettle going off and the sound of the frying pan sizzling.

“These things should not be coming from you. I promise you I don’t have chlamydia or any other STD, and yes, I’ve been tested, recently even. We’re both good and smart about these things. No worries mummy dearest.” The van comes to a stop as the arrive at Nando’s.

“I’ll always worry, you’re my baby. I reckon Louis’ gotten better at the whole protection thing so.”

“Mum! That’s it, conversation is over now. I gotta go anyway just arrived to lunch where I’m meeting Niall.” Harry cuts her off and hopes his face has gone back to a normal color.

“Alright dear, tell him and the rest of the boys I said hello! Love you Harry.” Anne chokes a bit.

“Hey now, no tears Mum. I’m in Manchester yeah? Never too far from you. I love you and see you when I’m back in London.” Harry gets out of the car throwing thank you’s to the driver and Joe, making his way instead where Niall’s sat waiting for him.

“Counting down the days. Have a nice lunch, love you. Bye.” Anne’s side clicks off and Harry walks to sit down with Niall for a nice lunch where he will scold him for discussing his sex life with his Mum.

xxx

It’s been a fast pace since they left Manchester, being on the bus for nights instead of hotels, Harry loves it. Hotels can sometimes get lonely if he doesn’t pass out the minute he’s done showering. Harry had a bought Louis an iPad for no reason but he says it’s important since he wouldn’t always be able to use his computer. Louis had called him complaining about it and refusing to accept the gift, Nate on the other hand had no problem making him download games and this way he could even type to Harry. So Harry’s sitting on the bus while the lads explore the Nottingham Arena, waiting for Louis to facetime him before he has to go for sound check. He’s got twitter open following some fans and retweeting a few things, that’s disappears when FaceTime notification turns his screen gray and waits for him to accept it. Nate’s face pops up when he does, waving rapidly in front of the camera making him go a bit blurry, once it’s focused back to normal he can make out Louis arms are the one actually holding the iPad as Nate’s sitting on his lap.

“Arreh’ hiiiiiiii!” Nate grins madly leaning as close as he can cutting Harry’s vision of Louis face, only letting him see the ink perfectly scripted across his chest.

“Nate! Hey little man! How are you?” Harry starts up an easy conversation.

“I so, so, good! Got a transformer sticker for being good!” Showing Harry his Optimus Prime sticker on his shirt.

“Wow! That’s a great job love, I’m very proud of you. How are your friends at care?” He asks knowing the new kid Shawn has been creating chaos there, Louis said he’s a little brat that doesn’t know how to be nice or share, or really anything but show Nate how not to act. Unfortunately that’s been proven true, Nate thinks he’s the best mate he’s ever had and now all the sudden Nate’s acting out following in Shawn’s lead. It’s the first time Nate’s ever gotten in trouble at daycare and he’s gone down in marks in preschool. Louis' not happy, Harry’s not happy, and Nate doesn’t seem to think he’s doing anything wrong. Louis had to put him in time out, he freaked, crying his lungs out why his Daddy didn’t love him anymore. That had hit Louis the hardest, he wanted to scoop him up and tell him how much he did love him but Louis knew he had to stick to the punishment. Louis fled to the bathroom calling his Mum quickly for reinsurance that he wasn’t being too harsh on his son. After words of encouragement and some about how he’s got to learn that’s not how to behave, Louis hung up the phone to go over to where his son had stopped crying to sit and have a chat about the right way to behave and maybe Shawn wasn’t a very good mate if he got him in trouble. Two days later Nate’s name was back on the positive behavior side towards the top. Crisis averted. He had called Harry up late that night while Harry was coming down from his concert high, finally be able to breath and relax that his son was back to being his son and no negative boy to influence him. So Nate getting a sticker was a huge deal, they both knew it once they could meet each other eyes.

“Tanks! All good! Shawn got Luke in trouble too! Me and Luke play together now. No one gets in trouble and Dadee doesn’t have to be all sad when I got moved to the bad side.” Nate looks back at his Dad who's got a smile on his face

“I think that’s a good choice, Luke sounds like a really great friend. Now anytime you think you’re doing something bad just think of Daddy’s sad face and maybe you won’t go about it. He doesn’t like putting you in time out, makes him sad as well. Let’s see how many good stickers you can get in a row yeah? Maybe when I get back we can go out to celebrate if you get one everyday till than. How about it?” Harry proposes wishing he could be cuddled up with the two of them talking about how they're going to go about him. Louis fallen asleep on the line with Harry the past few nights discussing what to do and how they want to handle it. They, not only Louis, LouisandHarry. Together. Parenting him. It scares Harry a bit sometimes, once the trail ended it was almost an unspoken stronger bond that this wasn’t Louis and Nate, plus Harry on the side, it’s turned into Louis, Harry and Nate as a single unit. Not seeing or talking to Nate daily bothers him the few times it’s happened where they only had fifteen minutes. He’s rather glad that this whole thing brought them closer than pushed them apart, especially after the way it started with Louis ignoring him. Harry’s felt guilty, blames himself a bit for the whole thing ever happening, if he wasn’t famous Nate wouldn’t have been in the paper. Luckily, their stronger than ever, even with Harry away sometimes he feels like he’s right there with them. Their family chats before Nate and Louis have dinner and Harry takes the stage. Getting to talk to Louis at the end of the night, getting a summary of the whole day and Nate’s progress.

“Otayy!! I promise! Can we go see a film?” Nate bounces himself in Louis lap excitedly at the thought of seeing a movie.

“We’ll I don’t know what’s playing but I’ll see what I can do yeah? If get the stickers I’ll have surprise for you.” Harry thinks what he can set up, he’ll ask to pull some strings.

“Yesh! I’ll be good!” Cheesing hard core close to the camera so the only thing Harry can see is his teeth.

“That’s what I like to hear!” Harry laughs at the close up.

“How many more sleeps till you come home?” Nate pulls away from the screen to show his full face again, the smile got smaller but he can see the love in his eyes, his heart melts.

“Thirteen more sleeps till I come home. So thirteen more stickers you can get, maybe if you ask nicely Daddy can make you a calendar for you to put your stickers so when I get home you can show me them.” Louis face comes back into the shot and he’s give Harry the look. He has a Harry look, and Harry has a Louis look. It’s disgustingly cute, especially when it’s pointed out in interviews.

“I can count to that! Yay! Dadee please can we?” Nate turns away from the camera to ask Louis.

“Yeah we can, after dinner we’ll make one and you can put Optimus on it to start the count off.” Louis leans down pressing a kiss into Nate’s chubby cheeks.

“Wooo! Hear dat Arreh’ I get a calmender!!” Nate yells in excitement.

“I heard that, can’t wait to see what stickers you get for being a good boy!” Harry head turns as the bus door opens, he hears Niall before he sees him.

“Haz! Time for soundcheck, get your arse out here you wanker!” Niall shouts skipping down the way to where he's sitting.

“Whattas wanker?” Nate voice is bright and chirpy when Niall stops in place frozen from his spot.

“Um. Nothing, you can’t say that till your eleven.” Niall is the first one to start talking from his spot leaning on the back of the couches.

“That's far away. I be good boy with stickers!” Nate stands up to show off his sticker to Niall.

“Optimus Prime is my favorite! Love the sticker!” Turning his attention back to Harry he says, “We really do have to go Haz, they want us to eat before we go on.” Niall blows kisses to Nate and Louis turning away to run back out the doors.

“Alright, guess that’s my cue to leave now. I love you Nate, gimme a kiss.” Harry leans close to the screen pushing his lips out waiting to see Nate’s little lips do the same.

“Lobe you! Dadee I have to go potty, down peas!” Louis helps Nate off his lap and watches has he scurries out of the room towards the toilet.

“Hey babe.” Harry softens his tone taking in all of Louis features.

“Hello love, how was your day.” Louis finally takes center screen getting closer.

“Not bad, fucked around a bit with the lads. The usually for these kinda cities, got out of the bus to stretch our legs and what not.” Harry hums happily.

“I wanna stretch your legs out a bit and what not.” Louis smirks licking his lips.

“Jesus, don’t get me hard before I have to go for sound check. I’ve been so horny, wanna have phone sex later?” Harry nonchalantly offers with a shrug.

“Yeah, yeah. You should put the plug in now and keep it in till our nightly chat.” Louis bites his lip at the suggestion.

“Fuck, yeah. I’ll do it. I gotta go, love you baby.” Harry blows a kiss and ends the call running to his suitcase to grab what he needs before entering the bathroom. Lubing up a few fingers he quickly opens himself up enough to slide the plug in settling it in the perfect spot. Grabbing his phone he takes a picture of his toy filled hole and sends it to Louis, pulling his pants up, washing up and heading over to sound check.

xxx

It might have slipped his mind that Gemma and her friends were coming to the show tonight, which is how he finds himself out at a club with them, texting Louis. He’s still got the plug in, wouldn’t be right to take it out without Louis permission. He’s talking to Gemma’s new boy-toy when he’s phone’s buzzing on the top of their table, Louis! Not wanting to miss it he answers pressing the phone close to his ear as his other hand flies up to block the noise.

“Did you forget about me killer?” He can hear how breathless his boyfriend sounds over the line, he gulps.

“N-no. Um forgot Gems was coming tonight and yeah, we’re out now. Sorry baby.” Harry stumbles around his words feeling the alcohol take over his mind turning it fuzzy.

“Such a shame.” He tisked, “I hope you’re behaving yourself.” Hearing a small moan come across Harry bites down on his lips looking for the bathroom.

“Yeah, yeah I am. Trying to find the loo, hold on.” Harry walks away from their group looking for signs, when he finds he pushes his way through the crowd stuffing himself into the restroom, finding a stall open and locking himself in. “Kay, I’m in a stall.”

“What do you expect me to do about it?” Louis gasps out.

“Are you-you’re jerking off?” Harry groans unbuttoning his jeans to shimmy down enough to get his own cock out.

“Yeah, I was promised phone sex. I’m on a phone and having sex.” Louis gets out.

“Fuck. God, I’m in time with you.” Harry grabs his cock fisting himself in time with Louis.

“Did I say you could touch yourself?” Pausing his movements to adjust and focus on the other side.

“No. I need to Lou, the plug.” Harry gasps thumbing over himself.

“It better be still in, Harold.” Louis starts back up again.

“It is. Yeah, so in. Can I play with it?” He begs.

“Have you been a good boy?” Questioning his boyfriend he asks.

“Yes, so good Lou, I’ve been the best. Please need something.” Harry whines out dropping his pants lower to hover his hand over the plastic tip.

“Go ahead but when you’re done you have to keep it in till you get home.” Louis commands, he can hear the moment Harry starts to move the plug.

“Thank you, thank you, fuck, thanks Lou. Wish you were here.”

“Getting you off in the loo of some club, we’ll try it when you come home. But right now I need you to focus on getting yourself off before someone sees you in like this, it’s for my eyes only.” Continuing his control Louis keeps going knowing this is what Harry needs.

“Kay! M’close. Almost, shit, gonna. Yeah!” Between pumping his cock and teasing his prostate with the plug he comes into his hand with a moan.

“What a good boy, such sweet sounds from that wicked mouth of yours. Gonna blow soon babe.” Louis quickens his hand speed closing his eyes to picture being with Harry. Its quiet for a bit while he’s focusing on his release, he gets startled by his phone beep and pulls away to see a text from Harry.

“Babe you texted me?” He questions putting the phone on speaker for a minute.

“Yeah open it.”

When he does he instantly cums, Harry’s got his load in his hand next to his now soft cock. “So pretty Hazza, wish I was there to see you lick it up.”

“If we hurry on facetime you can? Shit. Um someone just came in, I’ll call you later, love you sweetheart.” Hanging up his phone placing it onto of the toilet paper holder, grabbing some to wipe the cum and flushes down the bowl. Exiting the stall to find someone lighting up a joint as he heads to the sinks to wash his hands.

“Bird not know you’re at the club?” The stranger says on his release letting the weed cloud linger in between them.

“Um no, my boyfriend’s got work in the morning so he’s calling to say goodnight.” Harry makes sure the soap is on every surface of his hands and sticks them under the stream of water.

“Does he know you’re out and looking like sex on legs? I wouldn’t leave you here alone looking like that.” He’s leaning against the wall next to where the paper towels are which Harry spots through the mirror.  

“Yes he knows I’m out, and he doesn’t treat me like an object to only be oogled at.” Flicking his hands into the sink making his way to take some paper towels ignoring the man next to him.

“Want a hit?” He offers his joint raising his eyebrows at him.

“I don’t smoke.” Throwing the wet paper towel into the garbage bin he declines.

“All the rags say how polite and friendly you are, not really getting the vibe.” Taking another hit he breathes it our right by Harry’s face.

“You implied me lying to my partner, hitting on me, treating me like I was someones property and offering me illegal drugs. Sorry if I haven’t been offering you a blowie in the stalls.” Harry rolls his eyes, moving to throw the door open.

“Chill dude, friendly chit chat didn’t mean any harm.”

“Have a good one.” Harry simply says walking out to weaving through the crowd to locate his sister.

“There you are! I was getting worried!” Gemma wraps an arm around him bringing him into their little circle.

“Had to go to the loo, sorry to worry you.” He doesn’t see the guy for the rest of the night and that makes him happy going back to having fun.

xxx

His house feels empty when he finally gets home, throwing his bags by the front door and heading into the kitchen. He doesn’t know why he does, he doesn’t have a lot in there, few things in the freezer. He’s debating if he should run to Tesco's to grab things for the next few days since he wants to do nothing but be a vegetable and cuddle up with Louis and Nate, that's all he wants from this break. It’s mid Monday Louis at work for a few hours, he debating dropping by but discards that cause he knows he won’t want to leave and Louis’ working so he makes the choice to shower before hitting the shops. He decides to head over to Louis after picking up groceries to cook for them all. After tidying up the place a bit, he notes his boyfriend probably had a rough morning, so he throws in some laundry, empties the dishwasher, refills it after he’s rinsed the remaining dishes in the sink, vacuums a bit, makes both their beds, tidy’s Nate's room up and by the time he’s been there almost three hours, the flat looks great. He still has to kill another two hours so he sets up in the living room with a glass of Pinot and his beloved journal, jotting down some lyrics and humming things out to himself. He gets fussy forty minutes and two glasses of wine in, he makes his way to the kitchen pulling out the vegetables to start chopping up.

xxx

Louis literally squeals when he pulls into his drive seeing Harry’s Rover, practically flinging himself out of the driver’s seat to unbuckle Nate and scoop him into his arms leaving his backpack on the seat and trying his best not to run up the walkway to the door. He barely gets the key in before he’s throwing the door open.

“Harry!” Louis yells with glee, putting Nate down to shut and lock the door, glancing around at his now clean flat.

“Lou!” Harry appears with the kitchen rag over his shoulder and a grin on his face as he spots his boyfriend in living room, Nate’s little body flies down the hall and into Harry’s awaiting arms.

“Arreh’ you home!” Nate presses kisses into Harry’s neck as Harry does the same to his head.

“My favorite three year old!” Standing up with Nate settled in his arms walking to meet Louis halfway quickly joining their lips.

“Hello love.”

“Welcome home babe.” Louis whispered against his lips, kissing him three or four times before stepping away to take his jacket off, collecting Nate’s as well.

“You didn’t have to clean!” Louis shouts from where he’s putting their jackets on hangers.

“I got in earlier than I thought wanted to cook you dinner before I had to head off to the arena.” Stealing another kiss leaving Louis in the hallway with his lips still pursed as he slips into the kitchen to check on dinner.

“It’s already five what time do you have to leave.” Louis pouts wishing Harry told him he was home.

“Uh before six.” Harry places Nate down and puts the oven mitt on to remove the chicken from the oven.

“Nooo.” He whines attaching himself to Harry’s back, wrapping his arms around his waist.

“I’ll come over after the show, unless you wanna come with?” Placing the kitchen down on the hot pad.

“I do have off tomorrow.” Louis thinks out loud into the back of Harry’s neck glancing over to where Nate’s coloring at his play table.

“Hey Nate, wanna come see me sing tonight?” Harry asks him thinking that’s the best way to go about it.

“Yesh, yesh, yesh! Peas! Dadee!” Nate drops his crayons and runs from the living room straight into them hugging all four of the legs.

“We can go but we gotta eat now and head over, okay?” Louis breaks off of Harry’s back and steps to the side grabbing the apple juice from the fridge to pour in all three of their cups.

“Let’s eat than.” Harry scoops Nate up and drops him carefully into his chair as Louis takes his own giving him a loving look over the food.

“Thanks for cooking babe.” Louis cuts Nate’s chicken into pieces he can eat.

“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else than at this table.”

xxx

SUGARSCAPE: HARRY STYLES SHINES BRIGHTER THAN NORMAL! WE THINK WE OWE TO THE ATTENDANCE OF A CERTAIN BOY!

A s One Direction sets up camp for a five days at The London O2 Arena they kicked off last night and one member seems to be a bit more high on life than the others. (We’re not saying Zayn’s high notes didn’t make us swoon!) For the first real appearance from these two cuties since our Hazzahead flew to be with his lover in his time of need, Harry Styles (19) and boyfriend Louis Tomlinson (24) were snapped heading into the arena together with Tomlinson’s three year old son, Nathan. Fans got some nice pictures of the couple holding hands while Little Tommo (Nicknamed deemed by Nialler) went running into a very excited Niall Horan (19). Later Horan tweeted a picture with the toddler backstage sitting on the Irishman's lap playing a wee bit of guitar. Our hearts practically bursted from the cuteness! The happy couple seemed like they were on cloud nine as they took a few pictures together that Styles uploaded to his Instagram. During the concert fans took pictures of Style’s boyfriend front row hanging with Momma Cox and soon to be stepdad Robin Twist, pints in hands while Nate sat playful on top of Haz’s soon to be stepbrother Mike Twist (21). Seems like a bit of family bonding which is not helping with the engagement rumors that Styles popped the question to the twenty four year old father. Tomlinson tweeted earlier in the week that he didn’t know where those rumors came from and that they were definitely NOT engaged. We want to believe him but our shipper hearts towards Larry Stylinson won’t let us think logically! Tomlinson and Styles kept their hands intertwined as they headed out of the building towards Styles’ Range Rover with a sleeping Nate tucked preciously into Tomlinson’s neck, even exchanging a sweet kiss after strapping the toddler in. Fans went nuts for this display of affection. We’re so happy for our Harold!

xxx

“Have I told you how amazing your cock is?”

“Not nearly enough.” Harry hums one eye buried in the pillow the other looking at the beauty that is all his.

“Your cocks amazing.”  Louis slips his hand further down the singers torso passing his happy trail and under the sheet that’s keeping their naked bodies covered.

“How long do you think we got?” Eying the clock Harry asks.

“Thirty minutes top.” Louis starts to pump Harry’s dick awake.

“We’ve managed shorter.” Harry knocks his boyfriend’s hand away rolling over as he does to be on top of him.

“Challenge accepted.” Louis pushes his hips up into Harry as they both start rolling them into one another feeling each other grow hard instantly.

“So glad you’re still open from last night.” Harry smirks slipping two digits into the used hole.

“Oh yeahh. Time saver that one.” Louis moans using his ab muscles to lift his shoulder and head off the mattress licking into Harry’s mouth not wasting time.

“You bettcha baby.” Taking Louis tongue hostage into his own mouth sucking on it with enough force to make the boy below him moan.

“Can you please, please, fuck me now?” Louis begs wrapping his legs around Harry’s waist trying to push him closer, he succeeds feeling the penis he’s craving press against his own.

“Nah thought I’d tease you a little more.” Harry moves his mouth to Louis nibble at his ear.

“We don’t have time for that, plus I think you did more enough of that last night.” He huffs out trying to make it seem like he’s not enjoying the mouth on his ear.

“I didn’t hear you complaining while I was rimming you love.” Leaving the ear he finds Louis eyes to meet and leans down kissing him again letting their mouths mold against each other with a rhythm that Harry keeps going as he removes his fingers and shifts to get a hand around his cock bringing it so his tips giving Louis hole some pressure.

“Yes, yes, yes, c’mon in you go.” Dropping his feet to rest on the back of Harry’s calves to nudge in the tip of Harry’s penis.

“God you’re so greedy! I’m trying to be romantic and woo you, yet here you are taking advantage of me. You’re only after one thing you monster.” His statement is complete contradicted by himself as he jolts his hips forward entering Louis in one swift motion till he’s bottomed out pressing against his boyfriends prostate.

“Fuck yeah, Haz. God yes.” Louis starts rotating his own hips to add more to the pleasure he’s currently feeling. Harry starts going with it meeting as Louis rolls down creating a stronger feeling.

“Can I move babe?” Harry questions pulsating small thrust leaving Louis with his mouth open unable to answer. “Gonna take that as a yes.” Harry grins elongating his hip rolls feeling the sensation of the tightness from Louis hole change from his movements.

“Faster!” Louis squeaks out hands gripping Harry’s back as he starts to really pound into him.

“How fast Lou?” He questions speeding up getting high pitch noises from him.

“M-more.” Louis drops himself down hands leaving his boyfriends torso to flop down squeezing the sheets below him.  

“You want more? I’ll give you more and how about harder? Want it rougher?” Harry shifts his weight onto one arm grabbing Louis leg left to bend in before draping it over his shoulder, drilling in with a new angle that has Harry quickly using his free hand to cover Louis mouth. “So loud today baby. Love it so much. Wish you could scream out for everyone to hear but you can’t.”

“Can’t.” Louis gasps through Harry’s fingers.

“Nope not allowed.” His thrust hits hard right near Louis prostate which has him squirming. Louis shaking his head in agreement.

“Can’t because your son is down the hall. So filthy have to shut you up myself.” Harry whispers out keeping his voice down, that rials Louis up even more.

Using his hand he removes Harry’s holding it against the mattress to reconnect their lips again.  “So good H, fuck.” Louis holds on wrapping his other arm around Harry’s neck to keep him close as Harry’s motions start to fall apart.

“Love you so much Louis. Missed you, missed this, missed the way you look when you first wake up so peaceful and gentle, missed the look on your face when you see Nate for the first time that morning, so soft and full of love, missed your amazing body, missed the way you say my name. God, I’m so in love with you.” Harry stammers fucking hard into Louis with short jolts causing him to fill his lungs up with air only to scream it back out completely forgetting the boy down the hall, only focused on Harry’s words, he shakes as he cums letting his body drop down from the pleasure too buzzed to do anything else except be there for Harry.

“H, come on. Baby, want you to cum in me, need it, need to feel you more than you are now, need to feel you being pleased completely. Need you to feel how I feel cause this is the best feeling in the world. Love it, love you. So much.” He whines out sensitivity creeping up on him as he tries to hold it off to make sure Harry’s finishes.

“You can’t-shit, you can’t say things like that. Holy fucking shit. Jesus!” Harry releases his load from Louis clenching himself around him. He hold himself up long enough to remove his dick dropping to lower himself down and trail down his lovers body kissing his way till he pushes Louis legs open again using his arms to tilt his boyfriends hips up giving him more of an angle to swoop in and lick up the cum dripping out of his entrance.

“Shit! Motherfucker yeahhh!” Louis whines feeling that sinful tongue probe into him cleaning out his mans cum. Once he gets it all Harry snakes back up laying down grabbing Louis as he goes so that his boyfriends tucked under his arm, head laying on his fast beating chest.

“Oh how you spoil me.” Louis breathes out calming down from the high he’s on.

“With only the best penetration darling.” Harry turns into him locking lips.

“World’s greatest penetrator.” Louis playfully nibbles at Harry’s peck.

“Can I get that on a mug?” Slipping his hand down to rest on his boy’s bum he says.

“Yes, I’ll make sure that’s your next gift from me. A mug.” Swatting his chest lightly he grins out.

“Boo-yahhh!” Harry cheers leaning down to kiss him.

“Alright, lets go shower before the monster wakes demanding your attention and food.” Louis gets one more long smooch in before Harry’s chasing him down the hallway naked before Nate has the chance to surprise them with his presence.

xxx

Like clockwork Nate comes stumbling through the kitchen fifteen minutes after Harry and Louis finally put clothes on. He sleepily hugs each of them around their legs giving each one a kiss to their thighs. Louis silently hands him over a cup of milk in his Spiderman sippy cup considering he’s never fully alert to have his big boy cups this early. He takes it with another kiss to Louis hand and he trotting off to the living room to sit on the couch and slowly drink his milk while he wakes up. Continuing with the cooking, Harry scrambles the eggs and flips the bacon as Louis cutting fruit up while he waits for the toast to pop. The manage to get the table set just in time for a now more awake Nate comes galloping in.

“Arreh’ you gonna play here today?” Nate asks as Harry helps him get into his chair.

“Yeah for a while we can hang out all day, maybe go to the park?” Looking over to see Louis opinion on the day.

“Park would be lovely, weathers supposed to actually be more sunny today.” Louis agrees with the plans as he starts to eat.

“Pickynic peas?” Nate chomps on an orange slice.

“You want to have a picnic?” Louis questions his son.

“Yesh!” Nate nods his head grinning with juices from the orange dripping down his chin.

“Hmm what kind of food do we have to pack for a picnic?” Around his toast he asks.

“Sammiches. Fruit, lots and lots. Lemaidaids.” Nate ticks off the count on his fingers remembering what his picture book had.

“Those are the right things we need. Maybe if you ask Harry nicely he’ll make some sandwiches and you can help.” Nate opens his mouth with excitement and whips around to Harry.

“Peas make sammiches wit me Arreh’?” Nate asks holding his breath for the answer.

“I would love that. We can stop at Sainsbury and get a whole much of different fruit, hows that sound?” He says before picking up his cup.

“Yay!” Nate cheers waving his fork around.

xxx

“Whats dis one taste like?” Nate points out to the peaches from Harry’s arms while Louis carries to basket.

“It’s a peach and it’s not as sweet. Let’s add it to the basket you can try it. How about raspberries, have you had those before?” Harry picks up a package looking at them before putting them down to check the next one for better ones.

“Dadee?” Nate turns to his father in question.

“Nope you haven't. He likes strawberries tho.” Louis grabs a plastic bag to add a few apples in while Harry shows his son the world of fruits.

“Can we get this one! It’s as big as you Dadee!” Nate leans down in his arms to pat the watermelon. Harry can’t hold back his laugh looking over to see Louis priceless face.

“If I’m a watermelon what is Harry?” Moving in to kiss Harry’s lips letting him know its okay to laugh.

“Nanners!” Nate twists to point at the bananas.

“That makes sense, I do love bananas.” Harry agrees picking up a package of precut watermelon adding it to the basket.

“It is your favorite shape.” Louis whispers into his boyfriend's ear hand pressed against the curve of his back.

“Don’t you dare.” He shoots back tracing his words to meet Louis lips.

“Very lots of yummy fruit! Park and pickynic now?” Nate bounces leaning his head towards theirs to join in their kiss, it shouldn’t be as cute as Louis thinks it is.

“We have to go pay first, is there anything else we haven’t packed that you want for our picnic?” Harry asks strolling towards the register.

“No tanks.” Playing with Harry’s hair Nate politely says.

“Good manners little man.” Harry brings his hand up to high five Nate who excitedly gives him one.

“I good boy.” Tapping his chest Nate states.

“You are a very good boy and Daddy loves when you use your manners.” Louis turns down the cookie isle knowing Nate didn’t add any in at the flat, he was too excited about the fruit, he grabs his sons favorite and throws them in.

“Babe you want anything special?” Eying the wall of delicious cookies he asks his boyfriend.

“Can I get you to go?” Harry presses against him resting his chin on Louis shoulder.

“Mmmm tonight you can.” Bring his hand up to pat Harry’s cheek he smirks out reaching for the peanut butter treats.

“Oh I love those.” With one last kiss onto Louis cheek Harry pulls away holding his hand out for Louis to take, he switches the basket to his other before clasping them together walking towards the checkout.  Louis tenses up a bit squeezing Harry’s hand when he see’s someone with a camera out.

“Um excuse me.” Harry stops where he is turning to the boy who can’t be more than sixteen to get his attention, “Could you not take our picture, we’re just trying to buy fruit.” Harry politely asks.

“So-sorry. I was gonna. I’m Sam and I wanted to thank you for coming out.” He shakily manages to say.

“Oh. Um you’re welcome. I think?” This hasn’t happened to Harry in person before, twitter yes but never like this.

The Sam laughs. “You should be thanking yourself, you’re a right hero to a lot of us.” The kid playing with his phone changing it between hands.

“No, no. Sorry but I haven’t done anything to deserve that.” Harry adjust Nate into his other arm.

“You have no idea. You made it seem like it was nothing to be gay, like it didn’t have to be a big deal or anything. Made us feel normal for once.” Handing off Nate to Louis who accepts him with ease, Harry steps forward not even caring how it looks and giving Sam a hug.

“You are normal all the time, being gay has nothing to do with that. Us?” Harry lets the boy go with his question.

“My boyfriend and I. We kept us a secret for so long cause we were worried but not anymore. Not since you effortless came out with such class. Thank you for giving the LGBT a good name. Um I know you said no pics but can I get one with you? My boyfriends going to shit himself.” He laughs and Harry can’t deny it he turns to ask Louis and when he does his boyfriends already placing the basket on the floor to have a free hand to use. Taking the phone Harry and the boy set up with Harry’s arm around him, once it’s taken he hands it back with a smile.

“Thank you again Harry and Louis, thank you as well. For giving people hope for a real relationship. You two are the best role models any of us could ask for.” The kid brings his hand forward for Louis to shake.

“You think very highly of us, we’re pretty normal people.” Louis takes the boys hand and shakes.

“Hiii!” Nate waves from his fathers arms at the new comer.

“Hello Nate.” He blushes in embarrassment probably knowing everything about their relationship.

“Arreh’ friend?” The three year old ask a bit confused by the situation.

“Yes he’s a friend, his names Sam.” Harry chats happily.

“Hiya Sam!” Nate keeps waving at him.

“You’re lucky to have your Dad and Harry.” Sam smiles at them again and takes a step back.

“You can have another picture if you want, if that’s going to make you and your boyfriend more comfortable. I love hearing these amazing stories from my fans and anyway I can help make them love themselves for who they are I’d gladly do.” Harry offers moving his arm around Louis’ waist.

“Seriously? Are you even human. Thank you! Could I, you can say no but can I get one of the three of you? Your family’s wonderful.” Harry looks to Louis seeing as it’s his call, it’s his son after all. Louis happens to look his way at the same time meeting eyes.

“Yeah, tell you boyfriend he missed out.” Louis laughs bring Harry closer to him with Nate wedged between them.

“Smile little man.” Harry says while cheesing at the camera.

“Thank you so much, honestly you have no idea how much this means to me and everyone else you’ve saved. Thank you.” Sam stares down at his phone in awe.

“No thank you. If it wasn’t for you guys, all our fans, I never would have moved to London and found my heart.” Harry blushes ducking into Louis shoulder after he says it.

“You have no idea the inspiration you’ve brought to this generation. Thanks for stopping to talk to me. I’ll let you guys get going. Bye.” Sam waves giving them all one last smile before turning away to head down one of the isles.

“You are something else Harry Styles.” Louis presses a kiss to his mans lips before moving to pick up the basket and step in line reaching behind him for Harry’s hand.

“So are you Louis Tomlinson. Let’s buy some fruit and take this little guy to the park.” Harry helps unload the basket and takes his wallet out before Louis can think to.

“Harold.” Sternly he says.

“Lewis.” Slide his card into the machine he gives him a grin as he puts his card away and takes the receipt.

“I hate you.”

“You love me. Let’s go now, we have new fruit for Nate to try!” Skipping his way to the car ahead of them with a smile. God, Louis is in love with an idiot, an absolute perfect idiot.

Chapter Text

Luckily Louis gets to see Harry on the nineteenth and twentieth of April in Manchester for their two shows. They take advantage when Niall offers to watch Nate with Zayn to give them alone time while they can get it, seeing as they'll be touring the next four months and even tho One Directions off for a bit between the European leg and North American, Harry already had planned to head out to Los Angele's to meet up with some songwriting legends so they can finish up their third album. He’s bummed it means less Louis time but even Louis had told him how amazing opportunity it was to get to write with people like Gary Lightbody, so he wasn’t allowed to change his plans now that Louis was in the picture. Needless to say they very quickly agree to babysitter Niall to hurry into their hotel room knowing they won’t get to feel each other like this till August.

It’s now that Louis thinking about it that he really appreciates everything he has, that the only issue he’s going to endure is that Harry will be going from city to city, compared to month ago it was about losing his son. He’s got it all, and now he’s butt naked being pressed against the scratchy hotel comforter with his boyfriend’s lips attached to his. Feeling the goosebumps make themselves present as Harry runs his fingers down the length of his torso finding their resting spot on his hip. Their mouths to separate as they mold together deepening the kiss every time, Louis feels like hes in the sea, kinda like how you can never truly touch the bottom if you’re out far enough. Harry’s kiss takes him places, a different location depending on how he feels like kissing that day. Sometimes their sweet and meaningful, other their downright filthy and dirty, sometimes its a bit more of a tease, Louis never knows till he’s got them on his. Today’s a day of downright filthy, his own tongue is quickly sucked into Harry’s mouth being captured and held against to be sucked on.

“Are you gonna like take your pants off anytime soon love?” He gets out taking his tongue back from Harry’s hold shifting himself so he can move his right arm to try and tug the thin material separating them from being skin on skin.

“Mmm.” Ignoring the question instead he kisses his way down Louis’ neck sucking harder in someplace and not at all in others throwing Louis a bit off at where his sinful mouth is heading.

“That doesn’t get your dick any closer to me.” Tilting his head giving him more room to do what he pleases with Louis shuts his eyes and focuses on the feeling and the sensation as more skin is claimed.  

“You would think working with kids would give you some kinda patience.”

“I don’t when I’m going to have as much of you as I can in the next few hours before you head off on me.” Bringing Harry’s head over to kiss him forcefully not wanting to waste another second.

“We are going to have the greatest phone sex babe.” Sneaking in each word between kisses.

“Talk dirty to me.” Thrusting his hips up to meet Harry’s clothed cock.

“Oh I will but right now I’d rather show you all the things you’ll be picturing us doing while I’m away.” Louis can’t help but moan out after hearing those words.

“Yeah. Let’s do it. All talk and no action.”

“I’ll give you action.” Leaving a trail made by his tongue Harry travels down the older man’s body to suck a bruise into Louis hip by one of Harry’s favorite tattoo’s on his body. It’s an anchor the size of Louis palm with the words ‘fate anchors the soul’ in cursive underneath it. Harry had asked about it before what he meant by it, Louis had told him it was one dedicated to Nate, everything that happened in to have his son and everything his son meant to him. Nate anchored him to life, all the positive and negatives. Harry loves it. He can’t wait to have his own kids be represented on his body. His favorite tho is the one of Nate’s hand print inked on Louis left shoulder, his friend did an amazing job with it. He loses track of what he’s doing for a few seconds until he realized his face is right by Louis dick and takes it into his mouth allowing it to harden all the way while he proceeds to blow him.

“Much better.” Louis sighs one hand coming down to tangle his hands into the locks he loves the other resting against the bed. He doesn’t get an verbal answer from his boy, instead he gets a hum and faster bobbing. When he feels like hes about to cum, he tap at Harry’s head to get him off which the boy follows and watches Louis dick plop against his stomach. Makes his way back up to press his lips against his boyfriends molding them together without missing a beat.

“Gonna get your fingers in me?” Breaking the kiss Louis breathlessly says.

“You are so demanding. Why don’t you just lay back and enjoy what I give you? I thought getting my mouth on your cock would shut you up a bit. Maybe you should suck my cock, yeah?” Harry moves away from him, getting off the bed to grab the lube and condoms.

“It would be my honor to suck your dick but I’ve been craving your fingers being in me and opening me up, God Haz I missed all of you. You know I never rush us but, fuck, I’m dying for you. Practically gagging over your cock being in my ass.” Watching his boyfriend toy with the waistband of his pants his eyes follow them as they drop, quickly shooting back up to take in his penis, that’s standing proudly hard Louis can’t help but lick his lips in anticipation.

“This is what you want?” Harry asks with a smirk on his face as he takes his prick into his own hand to jack off slowly walking back over to the bed to kneel on.

“Don’t be cocky you arse. I will not beg for you nor let you touch me with that look on your face you Popstar.” Copying his boyfriend, Louis takes his cock into his hand mimicking Harry’s motions in time.

“Are we just going to stare at each other jerking it or you gonna let me kiss you again while I give you what you want?” Harry knee walks over to be in between Louis spread legs.

“I mean we could race to the finish but that we can do over Skype. What I can’t do is have sex with you so I would very much like it if we do start engaging in physical contact.” Louis pushes himself up leaning in as close as he can to Harry’s lips.

“Kiss me you fool.” Closing the space their lips meet again as the both drop their penis’ as Harry slowly lowers them back down to the mattress using his free hand to search for the bottle of lube blindly. Laughing against his lips Louis hands the bottle over nibbling on Harry’s bottle lip while he hears him uncapping and squirting lube onto his fingers. He doesn’t waste another second taking his now lubed fingers down to his hole gently massaging around the outside, slipping in his middle finger once he deems it okay to do so, Louis doesn’t seem to have a problem with the intrusion as he continues to slip his pointer in right next to it.  

“Ohhh, right there. Yes baby.” Louis closes his eyes in bliss biting his own lip as he just feels once again as Harry pumps his three fingers into him with ease.

“If you like that, you'll love this.” Harry speeds up aiming for his prostate to hit repeatedly.

“Yess! Fuck God. Feels so good. Can I cum? Please?” Louis doesn’t know why he’s suddenly asking permission, they’ve never had set roles with their sex life but today Louis seems to be taking the submissive role and he’s not sure how he feels about it.

“You wanna cum only from my fingers?” Licking at his boyfriends nipples he takes the left into his mouth sucking lightly on the nub.

“Ah shit! Yes, yes, yes, please! Harry please.” He moans out taking a breath when Harry unlatches his nipple but inhales again as the wet feeling of a tongue on his right one. Again, nipple play has never been as sexy as it is right now to him. He has no idea what his body is doing anymore. He’s lost control.

“Go ahead, cum for me.” Drilling his fingers in faster purposely only hitting his prostate every few jabs, listening to the little whimpers and whines his boyfriends making.

“Gonna.” Whining out Louis’ body shakes from his orgasim, Harry watching him shoot his load over his own stomach.

“So sexy.” Harry’s voice drops removing his fingers to trail them through the puddles of cum, scooping the white liquid on his finger bringing it to his mouth staring at Louis, eyes darkened barely showing any of the deep green color. Louis shouldn’t be as turned on so immediately after cumming but watching Harry sucking on his finger with his cum has him already starting to get hard again.

“Stop complimenting yourself love.” Louis leans up again to capture Harry’s lips on his tasting himself as their tongues mash against each other in some unspoken harmony that works and no one bites the others tongue, that’s a win.

Harry release Louis mouth from his and draws back bring his hand up to cup his face. “You are so beautiful.” Louis blushes at that looking away from Harry’s face moving his hand to take Harry into it starting a rhythm with his cock to distract from having to say anything. “I lay awake at night thinking about how lovely you are, how your eyes light up when you’re really happy and you get these crinkles next to them. I love those crinkles. I love the way you blushes when I compliment you. How you honestly don’t believe me when I tell you just how beautiful you are.” Kissing Louis again he seals his words against them, letting Louis actions speak knowing he won’t voice his response. Harry doesn’t understand how the boy is self conscious about his appearance or really anything about him. It baffles Harry, he’s ready to tell him everyday if he has to how truly wonderful he thinks Louis is.

“Wanna ride you. Wanna be as close as I can to you.” Louis pushes Harry away from him, Harry gets the picture moving to sit on the bed grabbing a condom as he does. Quickly he slips it on, Louis got the lube ready to drizzle on covering it enough tossing the bottle to the side.

“Yeah? Come on than lets cuddle n’ make love.” Harry reaches his hands out making grabby motions for Louis to come much closer to him. Moving as close as he can Louis sits down on his mates thighs scooting his way till he’s right by Harry’s dick, he’s got his feet flat on the bed snuggled against his boyfriends sides. Hands come to his waist helping him lift up enough to get Harry’s cock right underneath his hole. Gradually with gentleness Louis slowly lowers himself on the head of the cock, breathing in once it’s past the rim sliding down further trying to control the shaking in his thighs till he’s settled pressed against Harry completely. They take a minute of silence foreheads touching gasping little breaths of air between each other, just feeling their physical bond turn emotional locking eyes in silent questions. Louis closes his eyes moving his head to engage in a kiss, slide their tongues together that Harry takes as an okay starting to thrust up in small motions. Gasping from the fullness and pressure of Harry’s penis stretching him he starts to go against Harry’s movements trapping his cock in between their stomachs. The little whines and whimpers come back as he’s panting into Harry’s mouth stealing breaths of air to refill his own lungs, like sucking in the breath is the only way to keep him from floating away. Their rocking rhythm speeds up Louis doing as much as he can from the position but it’s more so Harry thrusting up and lifting Louis up that’s making this happen. Harry loves it. Loves how Louis pressed so close against him feeling every inhale he takes, loves how Louis can’t even seem to function more than little hip rotations.

“How’s that babe, good yeah?” Harry breaks off their kiss, or whatever face sucking it was considered, looking into his eyes that are full of bliss starting to get that satisfied glossy glaze on them.

“Fuckin’ incredible.” Dropping his head on Harry’s shoulder he says ,quickly using his mouth to suck the closest spot he can reach without moving.

“Can I flip you? Not that I don’t like this-fuck, I love it like this, but yeah, can I flip us? Wanna please you right, darling.” Squeezing his boyfriends delicious ass cheeks.

“Yea, yea, yea. Need you please!” Louis pulls himself off Harry’s cock hissing at the feeling of being empty, flopping down on the bed, spreading his legs open automatically for him. Wasting no time pushing himself up from his spot, Harry grabs one of Louis legs throwing it over his shoulder leaving the other to its own. With one hand my his boyfriends head, the other helping to guide himself back into Louis awaiting hole.

“Oh yeahh!” Louis moans out as Harry instantly speeds his pace up now being able to fully drive into his boyfriend without restriction.

“Feel so good baby. Don’t hold back on those noises.” Harry doubles his efforts wanting to see just how vocal Louis would get.

“Shit! Yes Hazza! Harder!” Louis screams out wrapping his leg around Harry’s waist opening him up a bit more which he gasps at.

“You like that yeah? Look so good like this Lou.” Listening to his boyfriend Harry quickens his pace even more, the sounds of his balls slapping against Louis bum echoing through the room while his moans bounce around.

“I need to cum. Gotta cum. Please, please, please make me cum!” He wails out gripping Harry’s back with one of his hands, that will without doubt leave behind some kind of mark, uses his other to push himself up and practically maul the younger mans lips.

“C’mon cum love.” Harry jabs himself against Louis prostate earning screams from him as he drops his torso back to the matters unable to do anything but feel. “You’re not cumming. Should I stop?” With a hard thrust Harry stays pressed against the spot.

“No, no, no! Don’t stop! Please don’t!” Begging was never really Louis thing, but he thinks he can live with it if Harry keeps doing these things to him.

“I got you, yeah?” Starting back up he doesn’t hold back right away going in as fast and hard as he can attacking Louis prostate till his scream turns silent mouth wide open in pleasure. Pushing himself to the edge as well Harry’s movements start to get frantic as he tries to keep it going till his boyfriend cums first. As soon as Louis choking on air, shaking from his release as the white liquid squirts over their bodies, Harry always loses control grunting as he thrusts in the last few times milking everything out of his cock that he can before his motion is slowly stopping and Louis legs are dropped down to the mattress. He pulls out grabbing the condom to take off and throw away, grabbing one of the hotel towels to wipe up the cum on his stomach and his boyfriends as well.

“You’ve turned me into jelly, my bones don’t work anymore.” He hasn’t moved from his spot, doesn’t think he could if he tried.

“Exactly what I was aiming for, deboning.” Smirking he drops back down on the bed wiggling around to find the lips he’s looking for.

“Ha, ha, ha. Your jokes are horrid love. Don’t quit your day job, or er-night job? Not really sure, you have some flexible hours.” Louis moves up on the bed to cuddle into Harry's side.

“I’m flexible in every aspect and any hour of the day.” Sliding his hand down to give Louis’ bum a playful slap.

“Cheeky! It seems to me that-”

He’s cut off by knocks on the door and a little voice shouting through.

“Dadee! You kay?! Open pease! Danger! Niyo help!” Nate’s little scared voice in panic on the other side. Harry jumps up grabbing for a pair of joggers for himself and Louis, throwing them to the man as they both quickly hop into the legs on their way to the door. Flinging the door open Louis instantly drops down to his knees collecting Nate who runs in immediately to his fathers arms.

“It’s okay. I’m okay, no one was in danger.” Soothing his son pressing kisses into his head.

“I hearded you screaming. I gots scared.” Nate buries his face into Louis neck. Of course Niall finds that funny, he knows why he was screaming and starts laughing.

“Oh no, we just saw a spider Harry took care of it. But hey listen yeah. If I’m every screaming or in danger, don’t try and find me. You need to run and hide where ever you can if there's some sort of danger.” Louis seriously tells him finally seeing his sons face which has tears streaming down. Wiping them away Louis presses a gentle kiss to his nose.

“Need mine Dadee.” Nate cries out a bit again hiding himself back into Louis.

“Shh. Shh. Daddy’s not going anywhere, okay. I’m right here.” Louis scoops him up keeping him close to his chest, Nate’s little arms wrapping around his neck to hold himself closer.

“I sleep wit you. Pease.” Nate asks sniffing his boogers back into his nose from where they were running.

“Yes, baby of course. Can you say goodnight to Niall and tell him thank you?” Louis spins his body so all Nate has to do is look up to see the blonde.

“Night night Niyo. Lobe you.” Nate squirms in his arms moving his little body enough to stick his lips out awaiting for Niall to give him a kiss.

“I love you too. See you in the morning pint size.” Niall leans in to give him his goodnight kiss, he straightens up to address Louis and Harry.  “I’ll bring his stuff over in the morning, sorry lads I know you had more planned than only one round. I can take him a bit in the morning if you want?” Niall offers standing in the doorway feeling bad that he couldn’t keep Nate happy for the night.

“It’s not a big deal, thank you for offering to watch him. Did you have fun with Niall?” Louis questions his son swaying him in his arms.

“Yesh.” Rubbing at his eyes Nate yawns out.

“I’m glad you did. Like I said, if you want to drop him off in the morning I’ll take him. Was gonna go grab breakfast from this little diner down the road. I really don’t mind bringing him with me. If you okay with it.” Bringing his hand up he plays with Nate’s hair.

“Um, I’m fine with it yeah. I’ll see how he is in the morning. What time did you want to head out?” Shifting his weight to the other leg rubbing Nate’s back in comfort.

“Probably round ten I think. If he’s fine when he gets up honestly come knock on my door, I’ll be up by eight turdy. You two can have the rest of your alone time and I get to spend time with my favorite three year old.” Niall moves his hand down to tickle Nate, getting a giggle out of him.

“Thanks mate,  think he’ll be good to hang out tomorrow. Say thank you Nate.” Louis bounces him to get another cheerful smile.

“Tank you. Sleepy Dadee.” Nate hides himself again yawning against his shoulders.

“Alright buddy we'll go to sleep now.” Louis hugs the boy closer to him smiling lightly despite the situation.

“Kay.” Is mumbled out and Niall’s having as he steps out of the room. Once the doors closed the three of them head over to the king sized bed in the middle of the room, Harry changes his direction picking up his boxers from the floor slipping into the bathroom to get change and brush his teeth. Louis has Nate already tucked under the covers, silently praising himself for not being under the covers when they had sex, and leans over placing a kiss to his forehead, his eyes are already closed thumb securely between his lips. Which Louis finds odd since he was never a thumb sucker, he hopes this doesn’t become a thing. It can’t be good at his age. His thoughts are cut off when the bathroom door opens the light flooding through as Harry appears walking over to the bed moving the comforter to get under on Nate’s other side.

“I got him. You can go wash up, shower even.” Harry gives him a playful smirk at his words and snuggles down to rest his head on the pillow next to Nate’s.

“Wipe that look off your face you buffoon.” Pushing himself up off the bed he makes his way over to Harry’s side giving him a kiss before strutting off to the bathroom for a shower.

XXX

The next morning Harry’s woken up by little rumbles on his stomach, at first he thinks he’s hungry but once he opens his eyes and shakes the haze away he realize what woke him up was Nate farting. He can’t help but chuckle to himself as the farts continue against his bare torso matching the shaking from him trying to keep the sound down. Glancing at the clock that reads five after eight his eyes fall down to Louis, whose eyes are already open and staring at him with a soft, peaceful look to it. His face hasn’t fully woken up you can tell by the crisp lines from the pillow fossilized onto his skin, there's a small collection of eye boogers in the corner of his left eye, he’s a piece of artwork Harry thinks to himself. Absolutely stunning slowly waking up. Louis must heard his son farting because before Harry can really take in the way his hair is crinkled on one side, he’s laughing.

“Is he farting on you?” Whispering not wanting to wake his son.

“Yeah. It’s hysterical. Just keeps coming, what did he eat last night?” Harry looks down at the three year old whose undisturbed from his own passing of gas, and how so easily he fits between the two of them safely and clearly peacefully.

It tugs at Harry’s heart.

“We ate backstage with you. I think he had chicken and beans. He was with Liam, wouldn’t leave his side so I’m pretty sure Liam gave him chicken and beans. Which makes sense why he’s farting so much. Jesus. Are they smelly?” Louis leans over sniffing the air hearing the gas come out.

“Nah they don’t smell but it’s been like five minutes straight. He’s gonna have to shit when he gets up.” Harry presses a kiss into Nate’s head and leans to meet Louis lips for a morning kiss that’s filled with lazy movements and the taste of sleep.

“My son poops, not shits. You sir have a potty mouth and I don’t enjoy being kissed by one of those.” He gives him a bit of a lip bit pulling away to lay back down, snuggling closer to his son and Harry.

“Are you forgetting the reason Nate came running to our door? You were Mister Potty Mouth last night.” Harry rest his head on his palm sitting up a bit being careful not to jostle Nate’s sleeping form.

“Oh excuse me my for not watching my language while you were assaulting my prostate. That’s a bit different love.” Louis moves his arm resting it over Nate to find Harry’s hand linking them together.

“You are pardoned.” He giggles to himself as Nate rips another loud fart, it startles himself and he wakes up a bit confused at what woke him.

“Hi Dadee.” Nate tucks his face into Louis collarbone, closing his eyes again before the really even open.

“Morning baby.” Releasing Harry’s hand he brings his own to rest on Nate’s back rubbing soothing patterns.

“Dadee my bums talking.” Nate says seriously causing Harry to turn away shoving his face into the pillow.

“Your bum’s talking? Well that’s okay, does your tummy hurt?”

“No. Potty time.” Popping up from his spot he kisses his father's lips before crawling over him to get off the bed and gallop to the bathroom.

“Oh my God. His bum was talking. Do you hear your son?” Harry cackles rolling over managing to get his arms around Louis for a cuddle.

“He woke himself up from farting, I don’t even know how to answer that.” Letting himself be manhandled he opens his legs to slot on top of Harry comfortable where neither one of their balls are being crushed.

“His bum was talking, duhh.” Louis flicks him in the nipple.

“Morning babe.” Their lips meet for a proper good morning kiss.

“Morning beautiful. I say we get him ready and hand him off to Niall. He’s farted enough on the tour bus that someone should give him a taste of his own medicine.” Allowing his hands to roam he trails down his boyfriends naked back down to the sensational curve that brings him to the top of the mound which is Louis ass.

“He does seem fine this morning, we’ll ask him when he comes back if he wants to. If not we can all go.” He drops his head down to rest on Harry’s chest listening to his heartbeat steady.

“Sounds good either way. God I’m gonna miss you.” Mumbling into his boyfriends hair Harry says.

“No. Don’t right now love. We’ve got all day to enjoy each other and not think about the next few months, yeah? Be happy with me.” Frowning a bit Louis tries to shake those thoughts out of his head, he knows it’s going to be a long, hard next few months but their adults. Adults with jobs and other concerns besides their physical relationship.

“Yeah, you’re right. Sorry. Just. I don’t know, I love having you around you know? Like I get my dream job and my dream man. At the same time. I’m so lucky and I know I am, sometimes I wish you could just like tour with me. I understand why you can’t and I would never belittle you or your life to only sitting on a tour bus. You make everything seem like sunshine. Does that make sense?” He’s rambling he knows it but sometimes he can’t help but let all these little things slip out of his mouth, he has no filter.

He’s surprised he hasn't accidentally proposed yet.

“Harry, I love being around you as well and you make everything rainbows and unicorns. We’re gonna be fine. We’re a lot stronger than a pewny four month separation. We’ll get through it and when we reunite it will be wonderful and magically like all those movies. I’m the lucky one, darling. I’ve got you and I’ve got Nate, honestly that’s all I need from this world. I have a job I really enjoy that allows me to see my son laugh and smile, grow and develop his incredible mind. I have this amazingly wonderful boyfriend who could probably unite the world with his kindness and spirit. I couldn’t have dreamed up a better life than I have now. I love you. Four months will fly by and you’ll be stuck with me till your next tour.” Louis finishes his little speech sealing his words against Harry’s mouth. The bathroom door opens causing them to break their kiss as Louis slides off of his boy turning to watch his son waddling out of the bathroom with toilet paper stuck to his foot.

“Dadee I poopied!” He cheers launching himself in a run for the bed.

“Good boy! Did you flush and wash your hands?” Louis questions helping Nate climb back up.

“I washed my hands.” Raising his hands like Louis could actually tell whether or not he washed them.

“That’s very good. Did you flush?” Louis already knows the answer so he picks Nate up to move him on the other side by Harry as he gets up.

“No! You can’t flush!” Nate panics scrambling around trying to get his father to stop.

“Why not?” Louis eyebrow is raised preparing himself for whatever bizarre things Nate’s about to say.

“We talk. Mine friends. No go down, Nate good friend.” He taps himself on the chest.

“C’mere.” Louis sits on the bed gesturing for Nate to sit on his lap which he does. “That’s really nice you made friends but we gotta flush the poopie. It’s gonna start smelling really bad and no one else can use the toilet if it’s there. We can make other friends instead okay?” No parenting book could have ever prepared Louis for what actually happens to children's minds as they grow.

“I sad.” Nate slides off Louis lap crawling over to where Harry’s still laying on the bed watching them.

“I know you’re sad and I’m sorry. Maybe we can think about going to the pet store when we go home to get you a friend there. Did you say hello to Harry yet?” Louis pushes himself off the bed heading into the bathroom to flush what his son left behind. When he comes back Nate’s cuddled on Harry and they seem to be discussing something serious or well Harry tends to take everything seriously so you really never know what you're gonna get.

“What’s the hot topic?” Louis crosses his feet under his bum to sit.

“Dadee I need a puppy!” Nate’s eyes light up with excitement, Harry’s got a matching look on his.

“A puppy? Hmm I was thinking something smaller than Puppy.” Louis gives Harry a death stare when Nate turns to him for his input on the situation.

“But Puppy’s give kisses Arreh’ said so.” Nate’s lip starts to shake.

“Did he now? We’ll it wouldn’t be fair to Puppy since we’re at care most days, he'd be home all alone.” Pointing out how sad the dog would be is his only game plan right now cause he can’t handle saying no to both those faces.

“Puppy come with.” Nate nodds like he solved it logically.

“Puppies can’t go to care like we do. We can look around at other pets and see what we can have. How about that?” Knowing he’s not gonna hear the end of it he decides to change the subject hoping to not break his sons heart about a puppy. He’s going to kill Harry.

“Otay. I get friend?” Reassuring himself Nate asks.

“Yes. We’ll still get you a friend. Speaking of, Niall wanted to hang out with you this morning. Do you want to play with him?” Louis questions rolling over so his head was resting on Harry’s thigh.

“Yesh! Niyo! I go now.” Nate tires climbing over Harry to get off the bed kicking Louis in the face in the process of getting his feet on the carpet running over to his bag to pull out clothes.

“That’s my que to get him dressed. Text Niall and make sure he’s still okay with this.” Louis gets up to help Nate change out of his Pj’s into some jeans and his One Direction shirt. He prides himself on the fact he has it all signed, not that he actually understands what it means but still he gets happy when their fans tell him they like it.

“Oh I got him a denim button up shirt so we could match tonight.” Standing from the bed he walks across the room to where his bag is, digging around for the mini size shirt of his own to find and toss in Louis direction.

“It’s cute. You wanna match Harry? He’s gonna wear this too.” Louis hands his son the new pair of Cars undies for him to change into.

“Yesh! Arreh’ and Nate!” He jumps around from the news. Louis stuffs his hands into one of the pant holes holding it open for Nate to step his foot into, repeating it with the right he tugs them up till their resting on his hips.

“Yeah Little Man! Harry and Nate!” Cheering as he strollers over sitting on the end of the bed while Louis helps Nate into his shirt. “Niall said he’d swing by in bout five minutes.”

“You’re matching Harry with your button up, do you want to match Daddy with your vans?” Grabbing socks from the bag he hands them to Nate, who plops down on his bum to put his socks on himself.

“Otay Dadee.” Nate nodds trying his hardest to concentrate on the task at hand. Louis grabs their black and gray checkered slip ons, placing them next to Nate.

There’s a knock on the door that Harry stands to open to reveal Niall grinning happily. “Hey mate. Nate ready to go?” Stepping into the room, dropping the backpack on the bed.

“I believe so, Louis’ helping him with his shoes.” Harry walks over picking up the button up to check for tags making sure he got them all before helping Nate slip his arms in. Louis rolls the sleeves up to his elbows.

“He’s ready to go. You sure about this Niall?” Louis stands up after Nate’s fully dressed to admire his outfit, he barely steps out of the way when Nate goes running towards Niall with his arms out.

“Niyo! Hiii!” Hugging the Irishman Nate happily cheers.

“Pint size! You ready to go get some yummy food?” Picking the toddler up settling him on his hip.

“Yesh! Nom nom. I hungry.” Nate shakes his head and waves to Harry and Louis.

“Alright lets go feed that tummy of yours. I’ll let you lads know when we’re on our way back. If you need more time, shoot me a text yeah? Enjoy boys.” Niall turns around heading for the door smirking as he leaves.

When the door shuts Louis punches Harry in the arm. “A puppy! I’m going to kill you Styles!”

XXX

Niall chooses to walk to the diner considering it’s two blocks down from their hotel, he’s got a bodyguard with him for precaution, he would never put Nate in jeopardy of any kind of surprise attack by fans or paps. He’s got Nate’s hand tightly in his as they stroll down the street with their shades on, Niall couldn’t help stopping to buy him a pair of toddler Ray Bans to match his adult size one. Nate’s all matched out today with his favorites and the smile proves it. Since the walk itself is only about fifteen minutes tops, Niall calls it a win that they’re only stopped three times, besides when they left the hotel that was crowded with fans. Nate’s loving it as they stroll hand in hand chatting about whatever topic Nate wants. Spider man seems to be a hit, also Niall didn’t know Harry and Louis were getting a puppy? He’ll have to ask about that. Once they finally get into the diner the front host seems to be blushing clearly aware of who he is.

“Hello, welcome to Dean’s table for two?” She flashes her eyes down to Nate and slowly, very slowly, trails over Niall’s body checking him out.

“Yeah two please.” Niall ignores it, looking down at Nate who's picking his nose. He swats his finger away laughing at how freaking cute this kid is.

“Mine boogies need out.” Nate tells him as they follow the girl to a booth they’ll be eating in, he helps Nate climb up on the bench and slides in next to him. As soon as their settled with menu’s Niall grabs a napkin and brings it to Nate’s nose.

“Blow the boogies out.” He says no phased at all while reading over the menu figuring out what he’s in the mood for.  

Pulling his head away Nate looks at the napkin in front of them where the boogers are now present. “All done.” He pats Niall’s wrist and the matters over as Niall folds the napkin slipping it in his pocket. He doesn’t want to leave it on the table, gross.

“What does your tummy want to eat? There’s eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles, muffins, fruit. Anything sound good?” Turning his attention to Nate who's got the menu upside down with a focused face on.

“Piktuchs pretty.” Pointing to the stack of pancakes with blueberries.

“They are pretty, is that what you want? Pancakes and fruit?”  Questioning the three year old.

“Bacon and fruit! Pease.” Nate says pointing to a bunch of words on the page.

“Alright you can have that and eggs hows that sound? Eggs are good for you they have protein in them.” Wanting the kid to eat what he knows Harry would feed him.

“Proteen?” Turning to the nineteen year old he asks.

“Protein makes you big and strong! Helps your muscles grow.” Niall taps Nate’s arms to show him.

“Niyo musscles?”

“Yeah I have muslces, see.” He flex his arm taking Nate’s to feel his bicep.

“Dadee musscles! Power Rangers.” Nate turns when the girl comes back with some crayons and a activity sheet for him. “Tank you!” He tells her picking up the blue immediately to scribble all over the page.

“You are welcome! Are you ready to order?” She questions with her pen ready to write down.

“Yeah, can I get two eggs, bacon-can I get that extra crispy?” He pauses watching her nod and continues, “Rye toast and waffles for me. For the little guy he would like an egg with bacon and pancakes with blueberries and strawberries please.” Niall finishes their order collecting the menus. “Oh, can also get a glass of orange juice and, Nate what kind of juice do you want?” Turning his attention back to Nate he asks.

“Apple pease.” Without lifting his head he responds.

“Alright coming right up. I’ll be back with your drinks in a sec.” She turns and walks away.

Niall turns to face Nate a bit more watching him color in silence for about thirty seconds, it’s cute. He stick his little tongue out the corner of his mouth. “Are you having fun being here with us?” Starting a bit of dialog between them.

“Yesh.” Shortly he says ignoring Niall basically.

“I’m glad. I like having you around. Can I color with you?”

“Here.” Handing him the green crayon Nate says. “Lobe you Niyo.”

“I love you too pint size. Why don’t I color this side and we can give this to Harry when we’re done. He loves hanging your drawings on the tour bus.” Switching to red.

“Me like color. I do pretty for Arreh’!” They finish up the page just in time for their food to appear on the table.

“Yes, you do very pretty for Harry.” He’s about to start eating when he glances over to Nate who's trying to rip apart his pancakes with his fingers. Pulling the plate closer to him he slices the pancakes into little edible pieces for him. “There you go buddy. Dig in.”

“Tank you!” It’s said with a mouthful of pancake and berries. Niall grabs his phone to snap a picture not being able to help Instagramming it.

NiallHoran: Brekkie date with my favorite pint size!!!

“Niyo can you get me puppy?” Stuffing a piece of bacon in his mouth he says.

“I think yer Dad would kill me if I got you a puppy. I’m not even allowed to get a puppy.” He knows Louis probably said no to a dog so Niall doesn’t want to step over lines and even give him any kind of hope.

“No? Why no? Grannana has puppy.” Nate shares that pieces of information.

“Well Grandma Jay is older and all your Aunts are home to take care of their doggie. Daddy isn’t home much since you hang out at daycare. Puppy would be very sad to be left alone. You don’t want that do you?” Biting into his toast he questions.

“Me no want sad puppy.” Nate sadly stuffs his gob with eggs.

“Well kitties don’t need a lot of attention like puppies. Maybe ask your Dad for a kitty.” Niall suggests cutting his own pancake.

“I do! Kitty mine!” Niall probably shouldn’t have said that but the kid was sad. He can’t help it.

XXX

Saying goodbye is never pleasant.

It sucks even more dick when the next time they’ll hold each other close will be in four months. He’s an adult. He needs to pull himself together and let go of his boyfriend. His ass has to drive them back to London tonight so he must let go now. His child’s asleep on the couch in the dressing room while he and Harry share a few kisses that remain pg even tho they want to rip each other naked.

He’s an adult remember.

“I love you. Thank you so much for coming and seeing me. I’m gonna miss you.” Harry buried his face in Louis neck.

“I know babe. I’m going to miss you as well. A lot. Like I damn. I love you Harry. You’re going to have an amazing time touring and when you come back I’ll be waiting with open arms and a bed to snuggle in.” Holding him tight against his body Louis tells him.

“Can’t wait.” Breathing in his scent Harry’s scent pulling him even closer to his body, not that its even possible.

“Yes you can. You can wait and have a spectacular time with the lads and touring all over The States. Don’t be all mopey cause I’m not around, I know how excited you are about the rest of tour. We’re going to be fine. It’s time for you to continue being the pop star you are and I’m going to go home and go back to work too.” Moving his arms to wrap them around his boyfriends neck, twisting his hands together.

“I know baby. It like, I’ll do something or something will happen and I go to turn to tell you but you’re not there. Just odd I guess. Probably be a bit better than last time I left since we practically lived together up till I went.” Leaning down he finds his boyfriend's lips securing them together.

“That we did. I loved being pampered by your cooking. We’ll have plenty of time for all that after tour.” Breaking for air Louis gets out before they go back to kissing.

“Good. Thank you for being the most fantastical boyfriend ever.”

“Thank you for making me incredibly happy.” Getting lost in each others lips turns into a bit of a problem till someone knocks on the door.

“Harry time to load up.” It’s Zayn.

“Be right there.” Not taking his eyes off Louis he answers.

“I should be going as well, three hour drive and all.” Pushing up on his tippy toes Louis seals their lips again.

“Do you want a hotel? I could call in a favor here, I don’t want you driving if you’re too tired.” Rubbing his thumbs at his boyfriends hip’s he asks with concern.

“No, I’m fine. I’ll make a cuppa to go, I’m honestly fine Haz. Stop worrying about me, I’m older.” Licking his nose he quickly drops his arms and steps back from Harry.

“Alright if you say so. Go make your tea and I’ll get Nate.” Harry points over to the kettle as we'd already walking over to Nate’s sleeping form.

With a hot brewed drink in his hand Louis watches as Harry drapes the sleeping boy’s head on his shoulder holding him snug against his chest with the blanket Zayn brought him still wrapped around his body. They head out talking in whispers through the halls of the arena not wanting to disturb the boy from his sleep.