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.