Chapter Text
78 years prior
Louis sat by the enormous windows in Harry’s study, a cup of hot tea in his hands, as he looked at the flurry of fresh snow that was falling down outside. December had just arrived, and as soon as the month had turned, Harry had banished the rich red and yellow fall leaves that had previously been in the gardens, replacing them with beautiful blankets of white snow.
He pressed his hand to the window, the glass only slightly chilly, and then put his cheek on the pane, sighing and letting his breath fog up the glass. A moment later, he felt a pair of strong hands on his shoulder, and he smiled and closed his eyes.
“Hey,” he said softly.
“Hello, my love,” Harry purred, and kissed the back of Louis’s head. “You just looked so beautiful sitting here, I simply had to say hello.”
“I’m glad you did,” Louis murmured, and then went back to staring at the soft snowfall outside.
“Harry?” he asked after a moment.
“Yes, my darling?”
“Will we be celebrating Christmas this year?”
“Christmas?” Harry repeated.
“Well, yes,” Louis said. He turned in the window seat, enough to face Harry. “Um. We celebrated Halloween last month – “
“Samhain,” Harry cut in.
“Right. Well, we celebrated one mortal holiday, I thought maybe…”
He trailed off, his face falling, and Harry quickly jumped in.
“Samhain is very important to demons, that’s why we celebrate it,” Harry said. “We don’t usually celebrate any mortal religious holidays.”
“Oh.”
“But,” Harry said. “Some of my friends have celebrated Yule in the past, and if you would like that, I will get decorations as soon as I finish work today.”
Louis brightened and straightened up, smiling at Harry.
“I’d like that.”
“Well, then, anything for you, darling.”
Harry stroked his fingers through Louis’s hair and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
“Just give me about an hour as I sort out these pesky cases,” he said, pulling up the puffy, short sleeve of Louis’s day dress. “Then I am all yours.”
“Hooray,” Louis said softly, and then pushed his lips out to receive a kiss. Harry gladly gave him one, and Louis smiled to himself when he pulled away.
“I just love Christmas so much,” Louis sighed. “When I was a kid…”
He trailed off, shaking his head.
“Never mind, that’s embarrassing.”
“What is it?” Harry prodded. “Tell me.”
“Well it’s just..” Louis sighed, smiling. “When I was a kid, I would see all my neighbor’s houses lit up for the holidays, and since my birthday’s on the 24th, I would think they hung up the lights for my birthday.”
He shook his head again, his fingers dancing on his mug.
“That’s dumb, huh.”
Harry touched Louis’s shoulder. making the human look up.
“That is perhaps the most precious thing I have ever heard in my life.”
Louis snorted and put his tea down.
“Right. And how old are you again?”
“3,057.”
“Of course,” Louis sighed. “How could I forget.”
“And you,” Harry said, picking Louis up by the waist and spinning him around. “Will be 22 in just a few weeks.”
Louis squeaked and laughed, throwing his arms around Harry’s neck.
“22 and yet 21 at the same time,” he said, gesturing to his own face.
“It will be your first birthday here,” Harry said. “We’ll do something grand.”
He set Louis down and then cradled his face, giving him another kiss.
“You always make such a fuss over me,” Louis sighed, putting his hands on Harry’s chest.
Harry grinned, pushing his forehead against Louis’s own.
“And it is my greatest pleasure.”
*
Now
When Louis arrived at the top of the grand stairway, Harry was waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs.
He always did it when they hosted big events, even if he had already seen Louis’s outfit for the evening. He had once told Louis that just getting to see him, fully dressed up and standing at the top of the staircase like he belonged there, thrilled him every time.
Louis always believed him, but Harry had never looked at him like he did now. He was beaming so much Louis could see flickers of golden energy coming off of him.
As Louis descended the stairs, the candles fixed to the bannisters lit up as he passed them. His own gown was made entirely of silver, covering him from toe to wrist to collarbone, the fabric glittering with each light he passed. He had a small tiara in his hair to match, also made of silver and tiny diamonds. It had been Harry’s gift for their 25th anniversary, years ago, and had remained one of his favorites.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he stayed at the bottom step for a moment, fully looking at Harry. He was dressed in black and white; a well-fitted coat that flared out at the bottom, along with a high collared shirt and a tie that matched Louis’s dress.
Louis reached out a hand and Harry quickly took it, kissing the back of his hand gently.
“So?” Louis lifted his brows and grabbed his skirt in his free hand, giving a little spin. “What do you think?”
“I think,” Harry sighed. “After so many years, I have finally run out of words. You are too stunning for any of them.”
Louis laughed, and then stepped off the final stair, coming to stand fully in front of Harry.
“Well, you look so handsome,” Louis said. “You know I’ve only seen you wear a tux a few times since we’ve been married?”
“Well it’s not a tux,” Harry said. “It’s a coat and tails.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Louis rolled his eyes.
He stuck his arm out, looping it through Harry’s elbow, and gave him in a tug.
“Come on, I don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
“My love, it’s your birthday. You are the star of the show,” Harry chuckled, patting his elbow. “They can wait as long as they need.”
Still, he didn’t protest when Louis pushed him to go towards the grand back doors of the house.
Their entire entryway was filled with Yule decorations; twenty-foot-tall fir trees decorated in always-twinkling enchanted lights, glimmering glass stars that hung suspended in the air, rich golden and silver curtains which covered all the windows. And somehow, all the light got a little brighter as Harry and Louis passed.
The two of them paused before the doors to the main back garden, and Harry put a hand on his back, the tickle of an enchantment going through his skin.
“To keep you warm,” he said when Louis looked at him.
“Always so thoughtful,” Louis said, and then turned his gaze out to the doors. “Alright. Let’s go.”
The back doors to the garden opened with just a glance from Harry, and Louis was immediately greeted by hundreds of people spread out over the awning and grass. The garden was decorated just as much as the inside of the house was; more tall pine trees, berry and light covered garlands, thousands of lanterns and candles casting golden light out onto the snow and the faces of the guests.
Harry had told him nearly the entire realm had been invited tonight, and it looked like they had all shown up, too. Louis didn’t quite know where to start, but the most familiar faces were closest to him, so he started there.
He came over to his sisters first, their bodies shimmering a bit as he hugged each of them, kissing their cheek.
“I’m so glad you came,” he said when he was done, stepping back to admire all of them.
“Oh, come on,” Lottie smiled. “Not even the afterlife could keep us away.”
“And I’m so thankful for it,” Louis said. “I mean, even if my little sisters have decided to look older than me now.”
“Hey,” Fizzy huffed. “It’s not our fault we all happened to look really good in our 30’s and wanted to stay that way for eternity.”
“I mean, Louis, we love you, but – “ Daisy started, and Phoebe cut in: “We’re not saying 15 forever for you.”
“Hey,” he scolded, grabbing her cheek. “I’m still your big brother. Don’t forget it.”
Next, he came over to see his friends, although he didn’t have to go far before Niall ran up and nearly knocked g the breath out of him a bit as he wrapped Louis in a hug.
“Louis!” he squealed in his ear. “I can’t believe it. This is such a fun party. And Daddy told me 100 is so old for a human. That’s so cool. I’m so glad I get more time with you. 100 years isn’t even enough.”
“Baby,” Liam laughed, putting a hand on Niall’s shoulder to pull him back a little. “Let’s not overwhelm Louis, he has so many guests.”
“Yes, but Niall is my best friend, Liam,” Louis said, which made Zayn laugh behind them.
“Happy birthday, babes,” Zayn smiled, and then looked over to where Harry was lingering nearby. “Harry, am I allowed to give your gorgeous husband a kiss on his cheek? I promise I won’t ask for another century.”
“Fine,” Harry grumbled, and Zayn laughed and kissed Louis, patting his shoulder when he was done.
“We love you so much, you know,” he said. “Now go on, go say hi to everyone else. We’ll be here all night.”
Louis circled around to the edge of the crowd, where Mitch, on his one night off, had tried to tuck himself away behind a small decorated fir tree. Louis didn’t blame him, though. He was with his newly bonded companion Sarah, who was dressed in a long black gown and holding a small baby completely outfitted in white shearling.
“Hello, Louis,” Mitch said, and then, offered one of his very rare smiles. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you,” Louis said. “Are you two alright? Do you have everything you need?”
“We need to settle on a name for them,” Sarah sighed, bouncing the baby in her lap. “People are already confused why we have a baby, they’re more confused why they do not have a name.”
The baby gurgled happily in her lap, and Louis held out a hand, letting the little one grab it.
“Well Mitchell is just so good with babies,” he said. “I’m sure you two will figure it out.”
“Yes, and if it takes a long to name our child as it did for him to ask me out, we will have a name by your next birthday,” Sarah said, making Mitch blush. Louis excused himself, laughing under his breath as he listened to the two bicker back and forth as he walked away.
Louis circled around the awning, greeting a few more friends, and then, finally stopped in front of a tall demon standing by the end of the awning, dressed in a blue set of coat and tails similar to his father’s.
He opened his arms wide, and Max practically collapsed into them.
“Hello, my darling,” Louis smiled, rubbing his back.
“Happy birthday, Mama,” Max murmured into his shoulder.
“Thank you, baby,” Louis pulled back and looked over his shoulder, smiling to the small group of demons behind him. “Oh, you brought your family. It’s so good to see all of you again.”
The four demons behind Max lifted their hands, waving to Louis. After a few tumultuous years of looking for a mate, Max had finally seemed to find his match, four times over. Lydia, the willowy lower demon in a red gown who had caught his eye first. Titus, in an evergreen tuxedo, and Abigail, his companion in gold, who had joined Lydia and Max a few decades afterwards. And Rosa, the newest addition to his family, whom he had met on a trip to Italy and who now stood laughing next to Lydia, her voluminous blue dress spreading over the other demon’s feet.
Louis gave each of them a hug and then kissed Max’s cheek before going back to Harry’s side. The demon tucked a hand around his waist, and then turned to everyone, the crowd only quieting when his gaze reached them.
“Hello, everyone,” he greeted, his voice effortlessly carrying across the snow-covered. “I hope you will indulge me in a few words.”
He set a hand on Louis’s shoulder, rubbing over his skin as he spoke.
“Today, my husband turns 100 years old,” he said. “I think some of us here maybe do not quite understand the magnitude of that, but my Louis is a human, and a century is so precious to them. And the time I have gotten to spend with him for the last 100 years has been some of the most precious years of my life, as well.”
“Sap” Louis mouthed to him, which just made Harry grin and then go back to his speech.
“I first met Louis when he was 21. Young for a human, and the smallest glimmer of time to someone like me. But even then, I saw the promise in him, the spark of an incredible soul. And I have had the privilege to watch that spark grow, to see him blossom into his spirit, his power. I am truly lucky to stand by his side, and to have received the gifts he has given me over these many years.”
Louis felt a burning in his eyes, and he had to blink away the tears as Harry held his cheek.
“You will have so many of these, my beloved,” he said. “But for tonight, this is your first Centennial. And I hope you enjoy every moment.”
He took a moment to just look at Louis, his eyes soft, his mouth poised in a smile. Then, he turned back to the crowd.
“Now, if you will give us a few moments, the libations and entertainment will begin.”
The crowd cheered, and Louis sighed in relief, kissing Harry firmly on his lips.
“I thought you would never stop singing my praises,” Louis said. “I mean, how boring is it to hear how wonderful you are?”
“And yet after many decades, it still makes you smile,” Harry said, taking his hand. “Now come on, let’s eat.”
Soon, a long table was set out in the middle of the courtyard, laid down with a full Christmas feast: countless bottles of warm, spiced wine, a ham and turkey that never seemed to get smaller no matter how many slices were taken off of it, platters of potatoes and greens that kept refilling. The courtyard filled with music as they ate, courtesy of the many musically talented demons Harry had invited who had brought along their harps, violins, and even a grand piano. The more the music played, the more demons got up to dance, until dinner was abandoned and the courtyard was filled with spinning demons dressed in every color imaginable.
Harry stood in the center of it all, lifting and spinning Louis in countless positions, making him laugh and gasp as they danced. Louis squealed when Harry lifted him entirely over his head, and cackled when he put him down.
“I see someone enjoyed our viewing of Dirty Dancing last week,” he noted, and then let out a long breath. “I think I need to sit down for a moment, though.”
“Of course, darling,” Harry nodded, and then grinned. “I was actually just thinking, it seems just about time for your gift.”
“Is it that time already?” Louis lifted his brow.
“Are you ready for it?’
“Hmm,” Louis hummed, tilting his head like he had to give it any serious thought. “Yes. Yes I am.”
“Then it is time,” Harry said.
He took Louis’s hand, bringing them back up to the awning, where there was already a small love seat waiting for just the two of them. As always, the demons seemed to follow Harry’s mood. They all settled, some of them sitting down in the snow or on the stairs of the awning, while others remained standing with their dancing partners and just began gently swaying.
Louis curled up against Harry on the loveseat, wrapping his arms around him. Harry cradled the back of his head with his hand, stroking down his neck.
“Now, darling?”
“Yes,” Louis nodded. “Please.”
Harry nodded back and kissed his forehead, then turned his gaze upwards. Louis watched as his eyes sparked, twisting between green and yellow and black as he focused.
Above them, the sky exploded with stars. They were so numerous and bright, they nearly blocked out the blackness they were set against. The crowd laughed and cheered at the sight overhead, while Louis just cuddled closer to Harry and smiled.
“They’re so beautiful.”
“And every light is for you.”
“I remember when you first did this,” Louis said. “When I was 22. And it’s never gotten old.”
“I will do it every single year until you get sick of it,” Harry said. “Just to see that beautiful smile on your face.”
Louis patted his arm, making Harry look over at him.
“I don’t foresee myself getting sick of it anytime soon,” Louis said.
Harry’s face softened, his tumultuous eyes finally settling back to their beautiful green.
He leaned forward to kiss Louis, and when their lips touched, the stars burned brighter than they ever had before.