Satellite

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/41745675.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warning: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Category: M/M
Fandom: One Direction (Band)
Relationships: Harry Styles/Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan/Zayn Malik, Liam Payne &
Original Female Character(s)
Characters: Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne,
Original Tomlinson Child(ren), Johanna Deakin, Original Female Character(s),
Original Male Character(s)
Additional Tags: Kid Fic, Mummy Louis, Single Parent Louis Tomlinson, Teacher Louis
Tomlinson, Aerospace Engineer Harry Styles, Lone wolf Harry Styles, Fluff,
Funny, at least i think it is, Tiny bit of Angst, Hurt/Comfort, mentions of
bullying, See more in the notes, Geographical Inaccuracies, Explicit Sexual
Content, Slow Burn, Louis in Panties, Not a lot but it's there, Mpreg Louis,
Harry Styles & Louis Tomlinson are Neighbours, Grumpy Harry, He won't be
forever though hehehe, Harry is a bit uncomfortable with kids, Strangers to
Lovers, forgot the obvious one sorry
Language: English
Series: Part 1 of The Satellite Universe
Collections: Bottom Louis Fic Fest 2022
Stats: Published: 2022-09-30 Words: 78,101 Chapters: 11/11
 Satellite
by BoosBabycakes

Summary

Louis is a hardworking, dedicated, loving single mum with no interest other than making his son
happy, and who thinks that love will never knock on his door again.
Harry is a lone man, successful in his field, and thinks he has his life together and all figured out.
Wrong meets clueless, lives get turned upside down in the best way possible with the help of a cute
and curious little boy, who just wants to learn more and more.

Notes

Hello again! I’m so happy to be sharing this story with you, it has been so much fun to write. You
will find the original prompt in the end notes of the fic to avoid any spoilers :)

About the tags: In this fic I talk about a certain location, The City Of Space, which is supposed to
be located near London in the story, but it is in fact situated in Toulouse where I live. So please bear
with me hehehe I needed it in London obviously.
The mention of bullying is not explored in detail. It is only mentioned and talked about briefly, but
even if this triggers you, there will be a warning at the beginning of the chapter.

Now, as always, I want to thank my wonderful betas for supporting me and helping me with this
story, Vero, Rachel and Anj. I love you all. Thank you Anj for joining in quite late and being so
efficient!

Finally, thank you to the fest and to you the readers, for giving my story a chance. I hope you will
like it just as much as I liked writing it.

All the love and enjoy :)

See the end of the work for more notes

Chapter 1
The sound of the elevator’s doors opening doesn’t even make Harry lift his gaze from his phone’s
screen. Liam has been bugging him about some new movie they should go see since they left the
gym earlier, and Harry sends him another ‘I’ll think about it’ for what seems to be the tenth time in
their conversation, as he steps out of the elevator.

What does make Harry tear his eyes from his phone though, is when suddenly an unknown object
collides with his shin, making him trip over it as he almost ends up face down on the floor. He has
to catch himself on the wall facing the elevator with his free hand and the one holding his phone, as
his duffle bag slides off of his shoulder acting like some kind of low cost airbag.

“Fucking hell!” He curses, groaning as he steadies himself.

He turns around, glaring at what has caused him to lose his balance. He frowns when he sees two
cardboard boxes that seem to be moving boxes according to the stickers that are on them.

“What the hell?!” He curses again under his breath, hooking his duffle bag in its original position
over his shoulder, and still glaring at the offensive objects, before looking back at his abandoned
conversation with Liam. He checks to make sure his phone screen isn’t damaged from being
tackled against the hard surface of the wall.

“Oh my God!” He hears a panicked voice coming from down the hall. He doesn’t know this voice.
To be fair Harry doesn’t know if he would even recognize a voice he has heard in this building. He
is such a lone, grumpy wolf that he hardly talks to anyone here and barely listens anyway when
they speak to him, “I’m so sorry! You didn’t hurt yourself did you?”

Harry sighs, “I didn’t, but Jesus, this is not the place to leave boxes.” He complains, pocketing his
phone that is thankfully intact, and finally raises his head to look at the person who is talking to
him.

The man is jogging down the hallway and wow, yeah he definitely doesn’t know him because he
would have remembered him. For sure. The beautiful creature that is now a few feet away from
him has the most wonderful blue eyes, high cheekbones, feathery hair that Harry would want to
feel under his fingers, curves that could make anyone drool over them and- what? Okay, Harry
needs to get it together. He just saw the man for the first time literally five seconds ago.

“I’m so sorry, really,” The creature from heaven speaks again, and Harry has to shake his head to
put his thoughts in order and function like a normal human being, “The guys from the moving
agency just put the last boxes in the elevator and I couldn’t move them all at once, so I just left
them there thinking I’ll clear them away before someone arrives. Clearly, I was wrong.” The man
chuckles, his cheeks blushing slightly with embarrassment, his fingers playing nervously with the
hem of his light blue t-shirt that falls over his hips.

“It’s-” Harry clears his throat which is suddenly very dry, “It’s okay. Just- Just be careful next
time.”

“I don’t think there will be a next time, because I only plan on moving in here once. But yeah, I’ll
try to be.” He chuckles again, and god, Harry feels so stupid. Of course it won’t happen again. He
wants to slap his forehead. God what’s the matter with him this evening?

“Right,” He coughs into his fist to hide his growing embarrassment, “Well, um… Do you maybe
need a hand?” He asks. And why is he asking? This is the most he has talked to someone in his
building since he moved in five years ago when he got his job at The European Center For Space
Applications and Telecommunications. But apparently, his mouth has taken control over his mind
and the words are already out.

“Oh? Um… Yeah sure, that would be really nice of you, thank you.” The beautiful creature says,
and Harry thinks he is going to melt at the sweetness of his voice. Get a grip Styles, “I’ll grab this
one and you take this one?” He gestures towards the two remaining boxes.

“Sure,” Harry replies, “Is yours heavy?” He asks in turn, “Because I can carry the heaviest one.”

“I’m perfectly able to lift a heavy box.” The gorgeous man replies without missing a beat and Harry
feels bad instantly. Why is he acting so stupid in the presence of this man?

“Oh I didn’t mean it like that, I-” But the words die in his dry throat as the man sends him a sweet
smile before bending over and lifting up his box, offering Harry a perfect view of his glorious
backside that Harry had yet to discover.

Sweet Jesus. Harry blinks, watching the man’s hips sway so delicately, and he has to shake his head
again to refocus. He crouches down, aware of his posture for his back, and lifts the box that is quite
light, now realising that it’s labelled ‘Clothes’ and curses himself in his head again for not seeing it
earlier. He follows the man down the hall and strangely, in the direction of his own flat.

They stop at an open door, one flat before Harry's on the opposite side of the hallway. He follows
the man inside, keeping his eyes on him as they step into the entry hall where other boxes are
already there, waiting to be dispatched in the different rooms of the flat. “You can just leave it here,
thank you.” The man says as he puts down his own box, and Harry executes himself, laying his on
top of the other one. “Thank you again, for your help and sorry for making you trip.” He bites his
lower lip and Harry wants to cry at the sight.

“Oh, um… You’re welcome and don’t worry about it,” He waves a hand, “I should’ve been more
careful as to where I was going anyway.”

“Well, I promise you next time, I won’t leave the boxes there.” The man says with a teasing tone
and a little smirk and Harry is done for.

Harry chuckles, “Oh come on, give me a break here!”

“So, which flat do you live in? Um…” The man tilts his head to the side in the cutest way possible,
clearly wanting to know Harry’s name.

“Harry.” He reaches out his hand.

“Louis.” The other man takes Harry’s hand in his and shaking it.

“I live in number 29.” Harry answers Louis’ previous question.

“Oh”, Louis’ face lights up, “So not too far then.” He points at the number 28 on his own door.

“Not too far.” Harry repeats, smiling, and god, something must be wrong with his face. He rarely
smiles, let alone at strangers, but damn, Louis is doing things to him and he can’t seem to control
anything. Neither his mind nor his body. He needs to leave before he really makes a fool of himself.
Well, a second time. “Okay, I’m going to go back to my place then.” He points his thumb over his
shoulder in the direction of his flat.
“Oh yes, of course don’t let me bother you even more. I'm sorry.” Louis apologises with a smile.

“You’re not- I wasn't- It’s-” Harry stutters out and wow, he really needs to go home. Louis is
giggling at his words and the sound is just too perfect, “Okay I’m going. Good evening Louis.”

Harry awkwardly waves his hand before cringing at how awkward he must seem right now and
turns on his heel, rushing to his flat as he hears Louis’ voice behind him, “Good evening Harry!”

The curly-haired man ruffles in his duffle bag to find his keys, the moment taking so long as if they
have suddenly decided to hide from his hand. He finally gets a hold of them, opens the door
without even looking back towards Louis’ flat, and gets into his own entry hall, closing the door
and resting his back on it.

He lets out a heavy sigh and closes his eyes, the back of his head falling on the wooden surface
with a thump. He really wonders what kind of magical powers Louis must have to have him behave
like such an idiot. He is an aerospace engineer for crying out loud. He isn’t stupid and he needs to
get a grip. He doesn’t think he has ever seen such a pretty man. Okay, maybe he is being a bit
dramatic, but damn it, he can’t act this way if he sees Louis again.

He sighs again, and decides to go take a cold shower. A very cold one. He is all sweaty from the
gym and he has to clear his mind. He toes off his trainers and hurries to his bedroom, throwing his
duffle bag on the bed and heading directly to his en suite bathroom. He strips down, leaving his
dirty clothes on the tiled floor for now, and slips into the shower. He turns it on right away, the cold
spray making him wince for a moment before his body adjusts to the cool temperature, and he tries
to make his mind go blank for at least a few minutes.

—------------

Louis watches Harry hurrying back to his flat, and can’t help but chuckle again at the sight of the
man battling with his duffle bag to find his keys. When he is back in his flat, Louis closes his door
in turn, locking it behind him. He smiles and shakes his head fondly at the endearing man he just
met. Harry was all sorts of grumpy and cute at the same time during their short encounter, and
Louis can’t say he hasn’t been charmed. And, well, Louis has to admit that Harry is very handsome
and quite fit, which is an added bonus really. He let himself admire the other man’s arms as they
flexed when he was carrying the box, as well as his entire figure, when he went back to his flat
down the hallway. To be honest, Louis’ mouth went a little dry for a second.

Louis shakes his head, because he can’t focus on that right now. He doesn’t have time for this.
What he has to focus on is getting a fresh start here in Oxford and settling in as well as he can in
their new home and life.

He sighs as his eyes land on the boxes laying in his entryway and whines internally at the thought
of having to move them. He still decides to at least get them in their respective rooms to clear the
way, because if he doesn’t do it now, he won’t have the will to do it later. He grabs the box that
Harry had carried in earlier and takes it to his bedroom down the corridor. He puts it in a corner
with the rest of them and goes back to get the remaining boxes from the entryway. A couple of
them belong in the kitchen and the last one is labelled ‘Toys’ and the neat, cursive writing brings a
small smile to Louis’ face.
He heads to his son’s room and settles the box on the round, navy, fluffy carpet in the middle of the
room, next to two other boxes, knowing that his little boy will be happy to unpack his toys when he
is back.

Louis goes back to the living room and takes a look around. Thankfully, the moving guys were
there to bring up all the big furniture that Louis decided to bring from Doncaster, such as his son’s
bed which he couldn't part from, and Louis wasn’t able to say no to him. The rest of the furniture
was already in the well-furnished flat. That was a blessing, really. Louis was able to sell some of
their old things and make some money for the move.

So the only thing left for him to do is unpack. Unpack everything. The thought just makes him
want to cry. Don’t get him wrong, he is so happy to be here, but moving really sucks.

Louis summons up the courage to start with the kitchen and walks there, thinking that cooking and
eating is kind of the priority at the moment. So he starts getting the utensils out of their boxes and
storing them in the right cupboards and drawers. After that, he goes to Adam’s room to make his
bed and have it ready for him. He takes one of his son’s favorite sheets with shooting stars on them,
that he finds in one of the boxes.

When he is done, Louis takes a look at his watch and sees that it is almost 6:30 pm and that his son
will be back soon. His phone buzzes in the back pocket of his jean shorts at that moment, and Louis
pulls it out to see his mother’s name on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Darling! How are you? Are you tired from the move?” His mother wonders.

“Hey Mum,” Louis replies with a smile, “I’m okay, a bit tired, but that’s fine.”

She sighs on the other end of the line, “Don’t overwork yourself today, honey. You know you have
the entire next week to take care of all this.”

“Yeah, I know. But you know me.” Louis shrugs, as he makes his way back to the living room and
sits down on the grey couch.

“Oh I know,” He can hear the smile in his mother’s voice, “Is Adam back? I want to talk to him,
please.”

Louis chuckles at her eagerness, “He isn’t home yet,” A disappointed sigh can be heard, which
makes Louis laugh even more, “You can call back tomorrow, but for now you have to settle for
your son, I’m sorry.” He says sarcastically.

“Oh come off it Lou! You know I love you.”

“Not as much as you love your grandson.” He teases.

“Stop it. I just miss you both so much already.” Louis can hear the sadness in her voice.

“I know, I'm sorry.” He replies apologetically.

“Don’t be, honey. I know how much you needed the change of scenery.” She tells him with a soft
tone.
“Yeah” Is all Louis can reply.

“Alright, I’m going to leave you to it my darling, I can hear the girls going at each other’s throats,
so I have to intervene.” His mother says after a few seconds.

Louis laughs, knowing exactly how his sisters can be sometimes, “Okay, thank you for checking in,
Mum.”

“Of course, Lou.”

“We will see you at Christmas, okay? I don’t think we’ll come for the autumn holidays. I want to
take some time to settle here.”

“Yes, that’s completely fine,” She tells him sweetly, “Oh! Before I hang up,” She continues, and
Louis is all ears, “Did you meet any neighbours yet?”

“Oh,” Louis was not expecting the question, his mind flies immediately to Harry, “Um… yeah I
did.”

“And???” She presses on, “Are they nice? You know it’s important to get on well with your
neighbours.”

“I know Mum, and yes, he was nice. A bit grumpy, but nice.” Louis can’t help the small smile
crawling on his face at the thought of Harry.

“Well, I’m glad. And um… What was his name?” She questions, and Louis knows where she is
going with this, and he is already rolling his eyes at her subtlety.

“His name is Harry.”

“Huh? That sounds like a handsome guy’s name.”

“Mum.” He warns her.

“What?” She says innocently, “I’m just saying!”

“You know I don’t have time for that.”

“Says who?”

“Says me.”

“Oh Louis, honey, you have every right to be happy, and Adam is big now, he would understand.”

“Yeah, well I don’t want to think about this now. I have too much on my mind already.”

“Alright, alright,” Louis hears a shriek on the other line, “Okay, I have to go. Give a kiss to Adam
for me. I love you booooth!”

With that she hangs up, leaving Louis laughing and saying goodbye to no one. He sets his phone
down on the coffee table and starts to look for the TV remote in the box labelled ‘TV stuff’ when
the doorbell rings. He leaves the remote in the box and jogs to the front door, eager to see the
person on the other side.
Louis barely has time to open the door properly, that a ball of sunshine is running through the
doorway and into his legs, hugging them fiercely.

“Muuummyyyy!!!” Adam squeals, bouncing on the ball of his feet, and Louis can’t resist taking
him in his arms. The little boy wraps his legs around Louis’ waist, his small arms going circling his
neck. His son is getting heavier by the day as he is a healthy five year old, but Louis wants to hold
him for as long as he can, because he knows the day he won’t be able to do it anymore will come
quicker than he thinks.

“Hey baby! Did you have a good day with Uncle Zaynie?” Louis kisses his son’s cheek and looking
at his best friend over Adam’s shoulder. The other man waves a hand and smiles at him, closing the
front door behind him.

Adam nods his head frantically, “I did! We went to the park,” He starts to enumerate things on his
fingers and Louis nods along, “We went to get ice cream, then we went to see Uncle Niall at his
work, then we went back to the flat and we played games and then we came back here!!” He says
the last words, throwing his arms in the air, making Louis lose his balance for a few seconds.

Louis laughs and kisses all over his son’s face, making him giggle, “Well that seems like a very fun
day indeed!” Louis smiles widely. Adam nods again, “Why don’t you say thank you and bye to
Uncle Zaynie before going to your room to unpack your toys while I make dinner?” Louis suggests,
putting Adam down.

“I already said thank you to him and Uncle Niall when we left Mummy. You know I'm very polite.”
Adam frowns at his mother with his hands on his hips, a little affronted by such insinuations.

Zayn laughs behind his fist and Louis bites his lips at his son’s reaction, he honestly loves him so
much. Such a clever boy, “Of course you did, baby. I’m sorry,” He says with a hand on his chest,
“Just say goodbye then, okay?”

The frown on his son’s face has disappeared and is now replaced by another big smile as he turns
around and throws himself at Zayn, “Bye Uncle Zaynie! See you soon!” He exclaims, Zayn patting
his hair sweetly, before the little boy toes off his shoes quickly and is gone, running down the
corridor to his bedroom.

“Damn, he is something isn’t he?” Zayn shakes his head fondly.

“He is,” Louis replies, with a loving smile, thinking about his lovely boy, “Thank you again for
today. It was just better for him not to be here in the middle of all the moving and the boxes. He
would have been bored to death.” Louis chuckles, “The drive here was already tiring for him.”

Zayn waves him off, “Oh, it was nothing. I really missed him. Now that you guys are here, I'm so
glad I will get to see you both more often.”

“Yeah, me too.” Louis smiles.

“Did you get time to do a bit of unpacking and stuff? I can come by on one of my days off next
week to help you if you want?”

“Oh that’s alright, I'll have time to do it. But thanks for offering.”

“Whatever works for you,” Zayn tells him, “Give me a call if you need me.”
“I will.”

“Okay, I better be going or Niall will cut my balls off if I don’t come home on time for dinner.”

Louis barks out a laugh, and brings his best friend into a tight hug, thanking him again for taking
care of his son.

Louis closes the door behind Zayn and heads to the kitchen to start on dinner. He hears the ruffling
and happy noises coming from Adam’s room and that automatically brings a smile to his face.
Louis opts for something simple for tonight- grilled cheese and a tomato salad- as he doesn’t really
have the energy to do something else. Louis isn’t a gourmet cook, but he thinks he is doing okay.
Being a single mom didn’t really give him much of a choice, so he had to learn on his own and with
the help of his mother back in Doncaster.

While the cheese sandwiches slowly grill in the pan, he slices the tomatoes and stirs them in a bowl
with some onions, olive oil and vinegar. He splits the salad on two plates, slides on the sandwiches
on each, and brings them to the living room on the coffee table. He also brings two glasses and a
bottle of water before taking the remote he had left in the cardboard box earlier. He puts the TV on,
searching for Netflix, before going to Adam’s room.

He softly knocks on the ajar door, “Come in!” His son hollers from inside.

Louis sneaks his head in and he can’t help but smile at the sight. His son is sitting in the middle of
his room, surrounded by his toys and stuffed animals, a focused look on his face, silently debating
on where to place them. Adam takes the organisation of his toys very seriously.

“Baby, dinner is ready. Will you come to the living room, please?”

“Yes, Mummy,” Adam replies immediately and stands up. He points at his toys and tells them with
a serious tone, “Don’t move, I’ll be back soon.” Louis has to bite the inside of his cheek not to
laugh fondly.

Louis runs his fingers through Adam’s caramel feathery hair as they walk side by side to their
destination, “I thought we could watch a movie as we eat to celebrate moving. What do you think?”
Louis questions, knowing perfectly well that his son won’t turn his suggestion down.

“Yay!! Can I choose the movie? Pretty please!” Adam begs, looking up at Louis with his beautiful
blue puppy eyes.

Louis thinks he is going to melt. He will never get used to it, “Of course you can.”

They both sit down on the couch, Adam taking the remote in his hand and searching for the movie
he wants, his little feet too short to touch the hardwood floor, “Can we watch Toy Story ?”

“Which one, Baby?” Louis asks, pouring some water in their respective glasses.

Adam hums, tapping his forefinger on his chin and furrowing his brows, as if this is a one million
pounds question. His son is always so invested in everything, “The third one, I think,” He
eventually says after a moment, “It’s the best one after all.” He shrugs, clicking on the movie and
setting the remote back on the coffee table.
“You’re absolutely right,” Louis agrees, handing Adam his plate but not before spreading a kitchen
cloth on his son’s lap, “Be careful while you eat, okay?”

“Yes, Mummy.”

The familiar animated film plays on the TV, as they both bite into their cheesy sandwiches, Adam
humming at the taste, “This is very good Mummy.”

Louis’ heart swells, because he knows it’s not that extraordinary, but his son always finds ways to
make him smile and say nice things to him, “Thank you, baby.” Louis replies, caressing his son’s
cheek with his finger. The little boy turns his head to look at him and smiles, his cheeks full with
food, making him look like a baby hamster.

They continue their dinner and the movie, Louis bringing some fruits for dessert, “So, tomorrow is
Sunday and we will spend the day together. Maybe we can organise your room. Unpack your toys
and clothes, put your stars and moon on the ceiling and your posters on the wall, if you want?”

Adam nods earnestly, swallowing an apple bite, “I hope my Thomas Pesquet poster hasn’t been
crumpled with the move.” He says, pouting a bit.

“I’m sure it’s fine.” Louis tries to reassure him.

“Can we go to the park as well?” Adam asks, after swallowing another bite.

“Yes, if it’s not too hot, okay?” Adam nods again, “Do you remember that next week you will go to
the recreation center? So that Mummy can unpack, clean the flat and work a bit before school starts
the week after?”

“Yes, I remember. But I want to help you clean, Mummy.” Adam says with a sad pout, and god,
Louis has to be strong.

“I know you do, but unpacking all of these boxes is not a job for a five year old. And besides, it’s
only for four days and you’ll have way more fun at the center. Maybe you will meet students that
will be at your new school!” Louis says with an overexcited voice, attempting to make his son
smile again.

“I guess,” Adam responds with a small voice, “Will you come and get me every day?” There is
hope in his eyes.

“Of course,” Louis affirms, “I will accompany you there and come and get you at the end of the
day. I will be able to do that next week, so let's make the most of it, yeah?”

Adam nods again, and a small smile is back on his beautiful face so Louis takes that as a win. He
wishes he could have his son at home with him next week and spend time with him, but it’ll be
easier for Louis to take care of the flat if he isn’t there. He also still has quite a lot to do for work
and has some meetings with his new colleagues to prepare for the new school year at his new
school. So yeah, it was a tough decision, but it’ll be better this way.

As the movie goes on, Adam has moved and is now cuddled close to Louis’ side. His head is laying
on his mom’s shoulder, Louis’ head resting on top of his son’s. He glances down at him discreetly
without wanting to disturb him and sees that, as he predicted, Adam is sound asleep. The busy day
has taken over his tiny body.
Louis hits pause on the movie and detangles himself slowly from their position, but unfortunately
not as smoothly as he thought, because Adam is groaning like a baby bear and opening his eyes, “Is
the movie over?” Adam asks sleepily, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.

“No, but you are tired, so it’s time for bed. We will finish it tomorrow.” Louis whispers, helping his
son to stand up from the couch.

Adam whines a bit, and Louis smiles as they both shuffle towards the bathroom, “Brush your teeth,
and I’ll go prepare your pj’s.” Adam nods, as he slowly reaches for his tooth brush that Louis had
taken out earlier today, and he makes his way to his son’s room.

He looks for the box labelled ‘Adam Night Clothes’ and opens it to find a pair of pj’s for tonight.
He settles on a Buzz Lightyear pair, matching with the theme of the night, and lays it on the bed
with a fresh pair of underwear. He goes to the window to roll down the automatic shutter, when
Adam enters the room, his bare feet dragging across the hardwood floor.

“You want me to help you change or do you want to do it alone?” Louis steps closer to his sleepy
son.

“Want you to help me.” Adam replies, raising his arms in the air, waiting for his mum to lift his
shirt.

“Okay” Louis chuckles, undressing his son and helping him into his pj’s.

“Which ones do you want?” Louis questions, gesturing towards Adam’s toys, as the little boy gets
comfortable shuffling under the bed sheets. He thinks about it for a second before saying, “My
rocket plushie,” Louis isn’t surprised, the rocket is always with Adam at night, “And my sun
plushie.”

Louis turns around and grabs said soft toys, smiling as he hands them to his son, and sits down on
the edge of the bed. Adam is lying on his side, his head resting on his pillow, as he hugs his rocket
close to his chest and puts the sun next to his pillow. Louis runs his fingers through his soft hair,
scratching his scalp gently. The little boy’s eyelids slowly close with the soft movement.

Adam mumbles, “Goodnight Mummy, I love you more than space.” And Louis doesn’t even have
time to respond, the little boy is already long gone into the land of dreams.

Louis smiles down at his beautiful boy, “And I love you more than the universe.” He says back,
even though he knows Adam won’t hear his usual response, but Louis doesn’t care. He kisses his
son’s forehead, gets up before turning on the little moon-shaped night light, and exits the room,
closing the door behind him.

Louis sighs as he rests his back against the wooden surface. Today was a good day, he thinks. He
finally moved, he met a nice neighbour, he now lives closer to his best friend and he loves his son
so damn much that it hurts. Louis hopes they will have a nice life here. God, he really hopes so.
 Chapter 2

“So? Did you see him again?” Liam asks on the other end of the line.

Harry sighs in disappointment, closing the front door of his flat and making his way to the elevator.
No boxes there this time. The thought makes a small smile appear on his face, “Yeah, just once in
the elevator. I wish I had seen him more though, he is so pretty. Like really pretty, you know?”

“I know, H. That’s all you’ve been talking about since you saw him for the first time this weekend.”
Liam teases, and Harry can picture the fucking smirk on his face right now.

Harry pushes the button to the ground floor, “Come on that’s not true,” He denies, “I’m not that
bad.”

“I can assure you, you are.”

Harry rolls his eyes, knowing his best friend can’t see him, but he doesn’t care, “He is just-”

“Really pretty, I know,” Liam cuts him off, finishing his sentence for him, “Third time you were
going to say it in not even three minutes.”

“I-” Harry starts but stops himself, recounting in his head, and fuck, Liam is right. Maybe he is that
bad. Jesus, how pathetic can he be? He steps out of the elevator, shakes his head, and continues,
going back to Liam’s first question, “But yeah, I’ve only seen him once since then. We apparently
have different schedules.”

“Did he say what his job was?”

Harry steps out onto the street, readjusts his tote bag on his shoulder, and heads to the supermarket
a few blocks away from his building. It’s the end of August, so the weather is pretty warm, but
thankfully, a nice cool breeze is there to make it more bearable, “I didn’t ask, Liam. We barely
spoke for like, a minute. We said hello and banalities and again. I was barely able to put two words
together, and then we parted ways on the street.” Harry replies, frustration lacing his voice, and
sliding his sunglasses that were resting in his curls on top of his nose.

“Well, it’s only been a few days so, maybe you’ll see him again and maybe you won’t stutter. Don’t
lose hope.” Liam is laughing on the phone now and if Harry could, he would slap him on the back
of his head.

“You’re annoying, you know that?”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

Harry hums, making his best friend laugh even more.

“Alright, I have to go,” Liam tells him, “Lydia wants to go buy a new couch.”
“Oooh how fun!!!” Harry says sarcastically, as he makes his way to his destination, the cool wind
ruffling through his short curls.

“Shut up. I like doing these things.” Liam replies back, making Harry chuckle.

“Oh, I know you do.” Harry teases him a bit. He knows how much Liam loves those domestic
things and Harry can’t really imagine being the same. Domesticity and sappiness are not his things.

“You can laugh now. But you’ll see when you find your person. We’ll talk then.” Liam tells him.

“I don’t think there will be anything to talk about.” Harry is stubborn.

“Right. We’ll see about that. Okay, I really need to go.”

“Okay! Have a nice shopping session!” Harry says, way too enthusiastically.

“Fuck you.”

“Love you too! Byyyye.”

Liam sighs, but Harry can hear the smile in his voice, “Bye, H.”

They hang up and Harry puts his phone in the back pocket of his ripped jeans, almost reaching his
destination.

When he arrives at the store, Harry puts his sunglasses back in his curls, grabs a basket at the
entrance and makes his way to the fruit and vegetable section, the air conditioning of the
supermarket very well received by the man. He chooses a few items to make a fruit salad later in
the week, as well as some fresh crudités. It is very refreshing these days.

When he has what he needs, Harry grabs some chicken on his way to the breakfast section. He
stops dead in his tracks when he arrives in the designated aisle, his eyes landing on the beautiful
creature from his building - Louis. Harry’s stomach makes a weird unfamiliar fluttery thing at the
sight. Louis is wearing jean shorts again, with white Converse and a light yellow t-shirt, his golden
skin contrasting beautifully with the pale colors of his clothes. God, he is so pretty, Harry wants to
cry, and suddenly his mouth is very dry again. He needs to pick up a small bottle of water before he
leaves the store.

Louis hasn’t seen him yet, the man seems very focused on the tea shelf, his hip cocked to the side,
his forefinger resting on his chin and Harry finds him adorable. The curly-haired man hooks his
basket in the crook of his elbow, lifts his sunglasses so he can run his fingers through his curls to
make sure he looks presentable, before he sets his shades back in place. He doesn’t know why he
feels the need to do this, but he doesn’t dwell on it and clears his throat as he approaches Louis,
who is reaching out for a box of Yorkshire tea.

At the sound, Louis turns his head towards Harry, his beautiful blue eyes shimmering under the
artificial lights of the store, a bright smile adorning his face as he looks a bit surprised.

“Oh, hello Harry!” He says joyfully, throwing the box of tea in his shopping cart, and Harry can’t
help but wave embarrassingly like a 12 year old who is seeing his crush outside of school, “How
are you? Fancy seeing you here.” A little smirk appears on Louis' face.

“I’m good, um… Just- Just doing some food shopping.” Harry replies, lifting his basket as proof.
“I can see that,” Louis bites his lip and turns around to check on something or to look for someone.
Harry doesn’t really know. There is a kid looking at the cereal shelf and an elderly woman at the
crispbread one, but Harry doesn't pay much attention to it, “It’s funny that we haven’t seen each
other more.” Harry isn’t sure, but he thinks he can hear a bit of disappointment in the other man’s
voice.

“I have a weird schedule so maybe, um… maybe that’s why.” Harry is almost apologising.

“What kind of job do you do to have such a weird schedule?” Louis questions, using the same
words as Harry, and the man has to bite the inside of his cheek so as not to smile too fondly. Louis
turns around for the second time since the beginning of their conversation, and Harry is starting to
believe that he came with someone, and the thought makes his stomach drop slightly. What if he
has a boyfriend already? Of course he must have one, he is too beautiful to be single.

“I’m an aerospace engineer,” At his words, Louis’ eyes light up as if Harry had just announced that
Christmas was the next weekend, “So I can have very long days or shorter ones. I basically make
my own schedule,” He shrugs, “What about you?”

“Oh my God! I can’t believe you’re an aerospace engineer!” Louis is beaming with excitement and
Harry has no idea why, but he can’t help but match the other man’s enthusiasm with a smile of his
own, “This is so great! My s-”

Louis doesn’t have time to finish his sentence when the kid that was inspecting the cereal shelves
earlier comes running up to him, a box of Coco Pops in his hands that he proudly waves in front of
Louis’ face, “Mummy! I’m taking these this week!”

‘Mummy’ The word spins in Harry’s head like a vortex. Maybe he didn’t hear him right. Maybe he
mumbled the word ‘Louis’ and that’s it. It has to be it. Please let it be it. Harry’s heart starts to
quicken a bit.

“Okay, Baby. Put them in the cart please.” Louis says with the most caring smile, his hand
caressing the back of the kid’s head.

“Mummy, can we go to the book section later, please?” The kid pleads, his bottom lip popping out
and, fuck. This time Harry hears it right. ‘Mummy’.

Harry’s heart drops in his stomach and he subconsciously takes a step back from Louis, as if an
imaginary wall has just dropped in between the two of them, separating them and keeping Harry
away from the other man.

“We’ll see, okay? For now, I’m talking to our neighbour that you haven’t met yet!” Louis says,
turning his attention back to a stunned Harry.

The kid looks at Harry as well, his mouth forming a little ‘o’, and now that Harry sees the boy’s
face, there is no way that he is not Louis’ son. The little boy is the splitting image of his mother.
Same blue eyes, same button nose and caramel feathery hair, and it’s like he is looking at a mini
Louis and it’s quite disturbing.

“Harry,” Harry’s eyes snap back to Louis as he hears his name, “This is Adam, my son. Adam, this
is Harry, our neighbour.” With with a smile, he gestures between the little boy and Harry to make
introductions.
“Nice to meet you Harry! I’m five!” Adam says with a big smile, reaching out his hand for Harry to
shake. Damn, this kid is polite. Harry swallows hard, his eyes going from the small hand extended
to him to the boy’s face. The man finally decides to indulge the kid and takes the hand in his own, a
forced smile on his face.

“Likewise, and um… I’m 30…” He replies awkwardly, making the little boy chuckle, and Harry
smiles tightly, “So,” He looks back at Louis, “It’s- um… It’s yours?” He points at Adam. He
doesn’t know why he is asking really, because he already knows the answer, Louis said it himself.
But the words are out before he can register it.

“Um…” Louis frowns a bit and Harry cringes, because he knows it’s because of what he said, and
he instantly feels bad, “Yes h-” Louis continues, but he is cut off by Adam.

“I’m not an it,” There is a little frown on his face, his hands on his hips, “I’m a boy.”

Harry’s eyes go wide at the scolding. He just got reprimanded by a kid. What the fuck is this day?

“Adam,” Louis warns him, the boy looking up at him and whispering a ‘Sorry’, the little frown still
on his face.

Harry waves him off, “It’s um… It’s okay, I’m sorry.” Harry apologises, looking up at Louis to
show that it is for him too, and Louis smiles shyly at him. It settles Harry’s insides for a moment.
Apparently his apology is enough for Adam as well, because his bright smile is back on his face.

“Don’t worry, anyone can make mistakes!” Adam reassures him, way too nicely and joyfully for
Harry's taste. Louis looks at Harry, his bottom lip between his teeth.

Harry wants to say something, but nothing comes out.

Louis smiles at his son when he continues, “Harry here, is an aerospace engineer. Isn’t that
amazing?!”

“Really?!” Adam squeals in the aisle, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Um… Yeah.” Harry answers, not really sure why this five year old is so happy about his job.

“Wow,” Is all the little boy whispers, his eyes glimmering with excitement and Harry doesn’t know
what to do with himself. All he wants to do right now is flee. Flee from this conversation that didn’t
turn out like he expected. At all.

“Okay, well um… I need to go,” Harry says, “I got um… things to… um… do.”

“Oh, yes sure.” Louis' smile drops slightly and Harry’s heart sinks a bit.

“I’ll um… I'll see you around.” The tight smile is back on Harry’s face, as he bids goodbye to Louis
and his son. God, he still can’t believe it. Adam waves excitedly at him and Harry almost runs out
of the breakfast aisle, quickly grabbing a box of muesli on his way, and putting it in his basket. He
doesn’t turn around to look at the cute pair and just rushes to the self-checkout register to not waste
any time and get out of the shop as soon as he can.

Fortunately, one of the registers is free and Harry is on the street and on his way back to his flat in
less than ten minutes. Fuck. The slight hope he had to pursue Louis and maybe try something with
him just vanished into thin air after the conversation he just had. Louis has a kid. He is a mum.
As much as it pains him, he has to accept the fact that Louis isn't for him. Plus, the boy must have a
father, so Louis must have a partner or a boyfriend. Maybe not a husband, because Harry would
have seen him and Louis would be living with him, right? Or maybe he has a husband, and they are
in a long distance relationship? Ugh, Harry’s head is a mess and it hurts. It might be the August
sun, but Harry is pretty sure this shitty situation is to blame for it.

He is so disappointed. He doesn’t know what he is going to do with Louis living right next to him.
He will have to be strong and avoid him and just push down the tingles he gets in his tummy every
time he sees the beautiful man. It’s as simple as that. A piece of cake, really.

Harry doesn’t even think twice and reaches for his phone in his pocket, dialing Liam’s number
again.

“What is it H? I'm in the middle of Ikea right now, trying to decide between a Vimle or a Kivik.”

Harry rolls his eyes, walking as fast as he can with his tote bag full of groceries propped on his
shoulder, “He has a kid Liam.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Harry can hear the faint noise of the furniture store behind
Liam.

“Who do you think I’m talking about?” Harry replies in frustration, “Louis, of course!”

“What?!”

“He. Has. A. Kid. Liam. I just saw them at the grocery store. I swear to god, this was the most
awkward conversation I've ever had in my life.” Harry pinches the bridge of his nose with his
forefinger and thumb.

There is silence on the other end of the line, before Liam says, “Oh no.” Because he knows Harry,
and he knows perfectly well what that means.

“Yup.”

“Shit, that sucks man. Are you sure they’re his kid though, and not his sibling or something?” Liam
asks, before Harry can hear him tell his girlfriend that he is talking to his best friend.

“Well, considering he introduced the boy as his son to me, yeah, I’m pretty sure it is his kid, Liam.”
Harry snaps back.

“Alright calm down! Jesus.”

“Sorry,” Harry apologises, “It’s just- Like you said, it sucks.”

“I’m sorry too, H. You’re sure you don’t even want to try-”

“I'm going to stop you right there Liam. The answer is no.”

“But you never know, maybe you’ll grow to like this kid.”

“No.”

“Harry-”
“Liam, You know how awkward I am around kids. Do you see me having one one day? ”

“No, not really.” Liam replies sincerely.

“And can you imagine me with a kid that isn’t even mine?”

“Well, no but-”

“There is no ‘but’ Liam. I don’t want this. It’s just that simple.”

Again, there is a pause between them, “If you’re sure.” Liam eventually says.

“I don’t have much of a choice here.”

“Actually…” Liam tries, letting the word linger on his tongue.

“Just shut up Liam, please.”

‘Are you done Babe? I can’t decide without you!’ Harry can hear Lydia in the back and he knows
his time with his best friend is up.

“I’m coming, babe!” Liam replies, “Sorry H, I have to go help her choose.”

“Right. Such a crucial choice you have to make. Your life is so hard right now.” Harry says
sarcastically, and he can imagine Liam rolling his eyes at him.

“Call me back tonight if you want. We’ll talk a bit more about that awkward conversation you just
had. I need details.”

Harry sighs, cringing when he thinks back on it, “Yeah, okay. Thank you, Liam.”

“You’re welcome. Talk to you later.”

“Yeah.”

For the second time today they hang up, and Harry is back in his building. He steps into the
elevator and stares at each number lighting up in turn, as he thinks about his beautiful neighbour,
the one that will remain his neighbour, and nothing more.

—-------------

Louis watches Harry walk away from them, a small frown on his face as he is a bit confused about
what just happened. Maybe Harry didn’t feel well or maybe he is just uncomfortable with children.
He has met a few people like that. Louis doesn’t really know and to be honest he doesn’t want to
dwell on it. Despite their odd encounter and the disappointment he feels about Harry leaving like
this, Louis can’t help but be charmed by the man every time he sees him. His awkwardness is so
endearing.
He looks down at his son who is still frozen in place, his eyes wide and his mouth still in the shape
of an ‘o’.

“Are you okay, Baby?” Louis is a bit concerned, waving his hand in front of his son’s face to bring
him back to Earth.

He sees Adam close his mouth and swallow, before looking up at him and nodding, “Yeah,” He
whispers out, “He is an aerospace engineer.” He states in awe, making Louis chuckle.

“He is,” Louis replies, “Isn’t that cool?”

“So cool.” Adam says, his gaze staring into nothing.

Louis waits a few seconds before snapping his son out of his trance, “Are you ready to continue?
We still have a few things to buy before going back home.”

Adam hums, his attention back on his mom, “Can we go to the book section after, please?” He asks
again, still on track. Of course he is. Why is Louis even surprised?

The man takes a look at what is inside their shopping cart and thinks about what they still have yet
to get, counting in his head to see if he can grant this little treat to his son. He also thinks about all
the new school supplies he got for Adam for the school year. It was a lot as always, but his son
needs it all. Louis thinks it will be fine, after a few seconds of debate, and let’s be honest, he
doesn’t even know if he could ever say no to his son when he is looking at him like this and asking
so politely.

“Yes-”

“YAY!!!!” Adam cheers, jumping up and down in the breakfast aisle, and shaking the shopping cart
as he leans on it. His yell makes the old lady, who still hasn’t decided which type of crispbread she
is going to choose, jump in surprise and glare in Louis’ direction. The young man sends her a small
smile, even though he kind of wants to roll his eyes at her.

“But,” Louis raises a finger. His son stops his movements immediately and listens to his mum,
“You look for a small one, okay?”

Adam nods frantically, “Yes, Mummy.”

“You also haven’t chosen your pencil case for the new school year. Remember, you didn’t like them
in the shop we went to to get everything?” Adam nods again, “Do you want to look here? Maybe
you’ll find one?”

“Yeah, I can look!” Adam replies with bright eyes.

“Okay, let’s go then, or it’s going to be dark before we get out of here.”

The pair goes on with the rest of their shopping and as promised, they end up in the book section,
Adam observing the different shelves very carefully with a cute, focused look on his face.

Louis waits patiently, as he knows this can take a while, his arms crossed and resting on top of the
shopping cart. From time to time, Adam takes a book in hand, making Louis think that it’s the
chosen one, but he eventually sets it down again and continues his search.
After around ten minutes, Louis looks at his watch and sees that they definitely need to get going.
He still has to make dinner at home and Adam has to go to bed early, as he is going to the
recreation center again tomorrow for the last two days of the week before the weekend, and the
beginning of school the next Monday.

“Adam, honey, you have to decide now. You still have to look at the pencil cases.”

“But there are so many.” His son whines, still looking at the shelves.

“I know, but it’s always like this. There are always too many. So either you choose one now, or we
go home with none.”

Adam sighs, his shoulders dropping in defeat. It takes him another two minutes, before he finally
makes his choice.

“I’d like this one, please.” He holds the book in front of Louis, and of course it’s another one about
space. A documentary. He has tons of them, but if that’s what makes him happy, then Louis is
happy as well.

“Alright, baby. Do you want to put it in the cart or do you want to hold on to it until we get to the
checkout?”

“I’ll hold it.” Adam says with a firm nod.

“Okay, let's go.” Louis pushes the shopping cart in the direction of the school supplies area, Adam
holding on to the side of it as they make their way there.

There are rows of school bags, and at the end of the aisle are the pencil cases. Adam looks up at his
mum, a silent question in his eyes, and Louis nods, allowing his son to run down the aisle to go
look at them.

Louis follows him with the cart, giving Adam a few minutes to choose. He hopes it won’t take as
long as the book, but honestly Louis isn’t optimistic. But he is proven wrong after only two
minutes, when his little boy is hurrying back to him with a raised arm and pencil case in his hand,
his book still hooked under his other arm.

"Can I see it?” Louis asks with a smile.

“Yes!!” Adam hands the item to him, and of course it’s a Buzz Lightyear one. The smile on Louis’
face can’t help but grow, “They didn’t have any with Thomas Pesquet on them.” The little boy says
disappointedly and sighs.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Baby. But this one is very nice. Do you like it? Is it THE one?”

“Yes, it is.” Adam nods firmly and smiles.

“Alright!”

“Can I hold it like my book?”

“Of course you can, Baby.”

At Louis’ words, Adam just bounces excitedly on the balls of his feet, hugging his new book and
pencil case tightly against his chest. The sight makes Louis’ heart swell with fondness and love.

“Let’s go to the checkout counter.” Louis leads the way there.

It’s not packed, so it doesn’t take them too long. Adam has hopped into the cart and Louis passes
him the items for him to store in the two bags that they set up there. The two of them being the best
team.

Louis pays and they are out the store. They drop the cart where it belongs, and Louis puts the two
grocery bags on his shoulders and they start their journey back home. Adam, for his part, is
carrying the pack of toilet paper in one hand, his book and pencil case are proudly tucked under his
arm. Louis suggested taking one from him, but his son refused right away. Louis doesn’t even
know why he asked, he already knew the answer.

Louis didn’t want to take his car, given that the store isn’t that far away from their building, but
maybe next time he will. These bags are quite heavy and he can’t help the sigh of relief that leaves
his mouth when they arrive at their destination. He sets them down when they enter the flat, Adam
and him toeing off their shoes before the little boy is dropping the pack of toilet paper and helping
his mum by dragging one of the bags on the hardwood floor by the handle and into the kitchen.

“Thank you, baby. Can you go put the toilet paper in the bathroom?”

“Yes, Mummy!” He picks up the pack up again and runs off down the corridor, as Louis starts to
empty the bags, putting everything away in the fridge or in the cupboards.

“Mummy?” Adam calls for him, when he comes back into the kitchen.

“Yes?”

“That man must know a lot about space, right?” He says, sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs
and opening his new book in front of him on the table, his new pencil case right above it.

“Harry?” Louis asks, a bit taken aback by the question.

“Yes.”

“I guess so. I don’t know what he does precisely but he must know a lot of things, yes.”

Adam hums, flipping through his book, “I know a lot about space too.” Adam states, with a very
serious face.

Louis chuckles, “You do, honey.”

“But I’m sure Harry knows SO much more,” His voice is in awe again, and Louis can’t help but
look at him so fondly, “He was kind of funny.”

“Really? You think so? Why?” Louis takes the empty bags and folds them, before putting them
away in a cupboard. He leans against the kitchen counter, facing his son at the table and crossing
his arms in front of his chest.

“I don’t know,” The little boy shrugs, “He was just all funny when he said he was 30. That’s old
Mummy!” Louis giggles, both at his son’s words and at the memory. Because yes, Harry was kind
of funny. Louis didn’t think he would say his age back to Adam. Usually people just laugh and
ignore the information his son just gave them.

“He is only three years older than me, you know?” Louis states.

“And he is really tall,” Adam goes on, ignoring Louis’ comments of course, and the man smiles at
the non-coherence of his son’s remarks, “Do you think we will see him again? I’d like to see him
again. Where does he live? Is it far?"

Louis laughs at the sudden outburst of questions, “Maybe we will see him again. He lives in the flat
nextdoor, at number 29.”

“Okay,” Adam nods, stopping on a particular page about one of the planets of our solar system,
“Do you like Harry, Mummy?” His son asks, not lifting his gaze from his book.

Once again, Louis is taken aback by his son’s forwardness, his eyes going wide for a second, before
composing himself, “Um… I- He seems nice, yes,” Louis replies, shuffling from foot to foot,
before leaning against the counter again, “I don’t really know him yet, honey.”

Adam hums once more, “I like him. I like his hair.” That’s all he says, and Louis’ tummy makes a
small jump at the words.

After a few moments of watching his baby boy so invested in his book, Louis speaks again,
“Adam, I’d like you to go take a shower and get into your pj’s,” Adam lifts his head from his book
and opens his mouth to object, but Louis knows what he is going to say, so he stops him with a
raised hand, “After that, you can go into your room or in the living room if you prefer, and continue
your book while I make dinner, okay?”

“Okay,” His son replies with a heavy sigh and a pout.

“Do you need my help to shower or are you okay doing it yourself?” Louis asks, ignoring his son's
dramatics.

“I can do it.” Adam stands up from the chair, leaving his book and pencil case on the table, and
exits the kitchen, dragging his feet to the bathroom. Louis can’t see him, but he can hear the
familiar noise on the hardwood floor.

Louis shakes his head fondly at his boy, “You know the faster you shower, the faster you can
continue reading!” He hollers from his spot in the kitchen.

Suddenly, the shuffling is gone and replaced by a quick tapping of socked feet, the door of the
bathroom opening quickly, and Louis has to laugh once more.

The man still has a few things to do around the flat and for work, but he is quite satisfied with how
things are moving on. He was able to unpack during the last two days and still has the rest of the
week. He hears the sound of the shower and smiles to himself before stepping away from the
counter and opening the fridge to start dinner.
 Chapter 3

Harry is pathetic. He is pathetic and embarrassing, and he is fully aware of it. In the days that
followed his encounter with Louis and his son at the supermarket, Harry did everything he could to
avoid the pair or even just Louis. When he was on his way to work or going out, if he heard some
noise in the corridor that seemed to be Louis or his son, Harry would wait in his flat until he
couldn’t hear anything. His ear glued to the door for any sign of life out there.

He just couldn’t face the pretty man or be confronted by his little boy again. He embarrassed
himself once and it was already enough. Well, technically it was twice, if he counts the first time he
met Louis. Because let’s be honest, he didn’t quite shine that day either.

Harry needs to be away from the man so he can forget about him and make his peace with the fact
that nothing will ever happen between them. So far he has succeeded, even if he is not proud of the
way he did it.

Today, he is on his way to his usual coffee shop after driving back to Oxford from work. He enjoys
stopping there to get a hot beverage if it’s winter, or just something to refresh him. He brings it
back home and savours it on his balcony with maybe a little pastry if he feels like it.

The little bell on the door jingles when he enters, again, the air conditioning is very welcomed. It is
now the beginning of September, but the temperatures can still be a bit high. There are a few
customers already in line, and Harry notices that today it’s the raven-haired guy that is behind the
counter. Zayn, if he remembers correctly. Sometimes Harry comes in the morning and it’s not
always the same barista.

Harry looks up at the menu board and thinks about what he wants today. Something cold. Maybe a
smoothie. The line is moving up and only one person remains in front of him. As he waits, he dares
a glance around the shop, and he has to do a double take when his eyes land on a familiar little boy
sitting at a table next to the window and close to the counter.

Whoever, or whatever may be above them is surely fucking with him, because that little boy is
none other than Louis’ son. A cold wave runs through Harry’s body as he averts his eyes quickly,
and tries not to let the panic that is slowly growing in his tummy take over him.

What the hell is that kid doing here? Harry has been coming to this shop for a while now, and has
never seen him here before. Plus, he is alone, and Harry can’t seem to find Louis anywhere in the
café. Maybe he is in the toilets? Oh god, this can’t be happening right now. Harry was so careful!

Thankfully the boy hasn’t seen him yet, so Harry prays that his order will go along fast and that he
will be able to get out of there before that happens.

“Hello.” Harry greets Zayn in a low voice, trying to be discreet, and this seems so ridiculous in his
head. But, unfortunately, he can’t control his weird behaviour around this kid.

“Hello, how can I help you?” Zayn asks, with a smile. A nice smile, but also the kind of smile that
you plaster on your face at the end of the day when you can’t wait to finish your shift and go
home.
“I’d like a Summer Smoothie, please.” Harry asks, almost whispering now, as if he doesn’t want to
wake a beast.

“I’m sorry, I don’t think I caught that.” Zayn says with a small frown, and Harry wants to roll his
eyes, because of course he didn’t catch it. Harry doesn’t do it, not wanting to be a dick, but God, he
needs to leave as soon as possible.

Harry clears his throat as silently as he can, “I’d like a Summer Smoothie, please.” He repeats, a bit
louder this time, his eyes not leaving Zayn’s confused face, scared that if he dares to look anywhere
else, his gaze will meet the kid’s and Harry will combust from it or something. Stupidity at its
finest, he knows that.

“Oh!” Zayn exclaims, his eyes shining with recognition, “Sure, coming right up!”

He turns around, starting on Harry’s order, and the curly-haired man taps his fingers nervously on
the counter as he waits. In the meantime, other customers have entered and joined him in the line.

Fortunately, Zayn is quite fast and Harry almost throws the money at him as he takes his cup from
the barista, before turning around quickly, head bent and hurrying for the door. He barely has time
to take three steps, when he hears a little voice.

“Harryyy!” The man stiffens and stops in his tracks at the sound of his name, his back still to the
boy.

He closes his eyes, his hand tightening around his paper cup, and he has to release the tension if he
doesn’t want to crush it. He thinks for a minute about not paying attention to the kid and just keep
on walking, but somehow Harry can’t find it in himself to do that. He takes a deep breath and
slowly turns around, a tight smile plastered on his face.

The little boy is beaming at him, and Harry feels even worse, “Hello.” He says, again making that
weird waving movement that seems to take control over him every time he is in the presence of the
boy, or his mother.

Adam waves back excitedly from his seat and Harry takes a couple of steps towards his table, but
still keeping a safe distance between them. You never know.

“How are you? Do you want to sit down?” The boy asks, and damn, Harry forgot how polite he
was.

“Um… No, it’s okay, thank you. And I’m… a… good,” Harry winces internally, waving a hand to
accentuate his desire to stay away from that table, “And you?” He asks back, not knowing what he
is doing and why he is asking.

“I’m great! Just doing my homework!” Adam squeaks happily, wiggling in his seat.

Wow, he seems really happy about that. Are kids supposed to like homework? Harry’s eyes drop to
the table and he sees a Buzz Lightyear pencil case, a few pens, a copy book and what looks like a
reading book. And wait, something doesn’t add up here.

“Aren’t you a bit too young to be doing homework?” Harry blurts out, remembering that the kid is
supposed to be five. He may know nothing about kids, but he has a pretty good knowledge of the
school curriculum.
At his words, Adam straightens up, a look of pride taking over his face, “I got into Year 1 of school
in the middle of last year because I already knew how to read and because I can count really well.
So this year, I got into year 2. We have homework in Year 2.”

Harry’s eyes widen. Of fucking course Louis’ kid is some kind of genius, “So… You’re like a year
ahead?” Harry questions, wanting to be sure he got this right.

“Uh huh!” The boy replies, a big smile still adorning his face.

Harry nods in response, still processing the information he just got. Though, a question is still on
his mind since he saw the kid earlier, “So… Is your mum around?”

Adam shakes his head, “Mummy is at work,” Harry feels a wave of relief through his body.
Suddenly, he remembers that Louis never got to tell him what his job was. He was about to the last
time they saw each other, but they were interrupted by the boy.

Harry is about to ask about it, but Adam continues, “Mummy is a kindergarten teacher in
Kennington now. That’s why we changed our home. I go to school in Oxford, so when Mummy
can’t come and get me right after school, Uncle Zaynie will come and bring me here!” The little
boy turns his head towards the counter where Zayn is taking care of a customer, and suddenly it
clicks, “Uncle Zaynie is Mummy’s best friend.” Adam waves at the barista who does the same
when his eyes catch the little boy’s. He has a small frown on his face when his gaze lands on Harry.
The man feels awkward again, and he shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. Zayn must wonder
what the hell this tall, curly-haired guy is doing talking to the boy.

Harry looks back and forth between the two, and sees Adam nodding to Zayn. The frown on the
man’s face softens slightly but not completely, as he nods in return before handing the cup to a girl
waiting on the other side of the counter.

“Mummy doesn’t have enough money for daycare everyday.” The boy shrugs, lowering his head to
play with the corner of a page from his school book.

All Harry is able to say is, “Oh” His heart doing an odd stinging thing at the thought of Louis
struggling financially.

Again, he doesn’t have time to add anything, when Adam goes on, apparently sensing Harry’s
distress, “But it’s okay,” He waves a small hand at the man, still looking down at the table, “Uncle
Zaynie and Uncle Niall help.” Damn, this kid talks a lot.

Harry can only nod once more, his eyes wandering on the table the boy is sitting at, not brave
enough to look him in the eye right now. He notices a documentary book about space on the side
that he didn’t see a few minutes ago, and he can’t help but smile a bit.

“Do you like space?” He questions, pointing at the book. Why is he even asking? He wants to get
out of here, and now he is asking questions. Jesus, Styles.

Adam’s eyes light up once again, as his head snaps up so fast, making Harry almost take a step
backward at the wave of enthusiasm, “I do!!!!” He nods frantically, subconsciously grabbing the
book that Harry noticed, “Mummy said that you must know a lot about space.”

Harry feels that fluttering in his tummy at the thought of Louis talking about him to his son. He
shakes his head to get back to the actual conversation he is having with a five year old. Yeah, he
never thought this would happen again, but it is.

“Um… Yeah. I kinda do.”

“Have you ever gone to space?” There is an expectant look on Adam’s face.

Harry can’t help but chuckle, because it’s not the first time he has been asked this question with the
kind of job he has, “No, I’ve never been,” He shakes his head. He can see Adam’s face fall at the
revelation, and Harry instantly feels bad and he doesn’t even know why, “I work with satellites. I
help to design and build them.” He adds. He keeps it simple for the kid, not going into the details of
how he specifically works for telecommunication satellites.

At his words, Adam’s face lights up even more, if that’s even possible. He gasps and his mouth
drops open in the shape of an ‘o’, just like it did during their last encounter at the supermarket.
Now, Harry understands such a reaction and why Louis was so excited when Harry told him what
he does for a living.

The little boy stays stunned for a few more seconds before blinking, closing his mouth and hurrying
to open his book, “Did you build this?” He asks excitedly, stopping at a specific page, turning the
book around so that Harry can see.

Without even realising it, during their conversation, Harry has stepped closer and closer to the table
and is now resting his free hand on the back of the bench seat across the boy. He can barely feel his
right hand, the cold of his beverage slowly numbing it. He leans forward a bit to look at the page, a
satellite seemingly going around the earth on it.

“Well, I don’t know if it’s this one specifically, but I helped build ones that look like that, yes.”

“Wow. That’s so cool.” Adam whispers out in awe, turning the book around to look at it once more,
his eyes wide and his mouth still open, “What’s your favorite planet?” The boy's eyes are sparkling.

“Oh,” Harry was not expecting that question, “Um..” He thinks for a moment, “Probably Saturn. I
like the rings around it.”

Adam’s eyes are still shimmering with excitement, “It is a cool one, yes,” He agrees and Harry
feels kind of relieved that his choice has been approved, “Mine is Jupiter. It’s the biggest.” The
little boy shrugs, as if it was an understatement and just common sense, really.

“Nice choice.” The man nods at the kid’s response.

Adam smiles at Harry’s response and the man can’t control his own smile creeping on his face
seeing the little boy’s reaction. Adam makes him think about himself at that age. He remembers
how excited and obsessed he was with all of this when he was younger. He has always been
fascinated by the subject, and he can see in Adam’s eyes that it is the same for him.

Harry is brought out of his thoughts by someone clearing their throat next to him. He blinks and
turns his head to see Zayn, his arms crossed in front of his chest and a raised eyebrow. Adam looks
up from his book and focuses his attention on his uncle. For now the shop is empty of customers, so
that must be why Zayn took the time to come near them.

“Is everything okay here?” He asks, looking between Harry and the boy.
“Yes!!” Adam cheers a bit too enthusiastically for Harry’s taste.

Zayn smiles at him before turning his attention to Harry, “Can I ask who you are? I’ve seen you in
the shop before, but I’m wondering why you’re talking to Adam.” He raises his chin, a bit
defensively, and Harry understands that.

He opens his mouth to answer, but he doesn’t have time to do so, as Adam is doing it in his place,
“This is Harry,” Zayn looks at him with a raised eyebrow, “He is Mummy and I’s neighbour!!!”
Adam mumbles a little ‘sorry’ just after, aware of the fact that he didn’t let Harry speak.

Zayn doesn’t say anything right away, but after a few seconds his eyes widen, a smirk appearing on
his face, and Harry doesn’t know what’s going on.

“Oh!” Zayn nods, “I see…” He turns to Harry, the smirk still adorning his face, “So, you’re the
neighbour.”

It’s not a question, only a statement and Harry is a bit confused, “Um… I am, yes.”

Zayn's devilish smirk remains and he reaches out a hand, “Hey, I’m Louis’ best friend.”

Harry hesitantly takes the hand in his, scared that the man will crush it or something with the look
he has in his eyes, “Hey.”

“So everything is good?” He asks again, releasing Harry's hand and looking back at the boy, who
nods, “Are you hungry, buddy? Do you want something?”

Something sparkles in the boy's eyes at Zayn’s words, “Oooooh I’d like a chocolate éclair!!” He
says excitedly, before frowning, “But won’t Mummy be mad if I eat a pastry before dinner?”

“I think he won’t say anything, don’t worry.” Zayn replies, but Adam doesn’t seem very convinced,
as he is still deeply frowning and biting his lower lip. He looks so much like Louis while doing this,
it’s kind of scary and cute at the same time. Harry shakes his head at the thought. What the hell is
going on in his mind?

“How about I give you half of it, and you bring the other half home for dessert? That way you
won’t have eaten the whole thing. What do you think?” Zayn suggests, in an attempt to reassure the
little boy.

Adam thinks about it for a few seconds, “Yeah, okay.” He smiles.

Zayn smiles back at him, “Alright, coming right up!” He ruffles the boy’s hair and makes the latter
giggle at the gesture.

The barista goes to the display case to get the éclair, Harry supposes. It only takes him a couple of
minutes before he is back with a small plate and half of the pastry on it. He sets it down in front of
Adam and ruffles his hair again, before going back behind the counter to take care of the people
who have arrived in the meantime, the little boy laughing and batting his hand away.

“Thank you Uncle Zaynie!” Adam says as he takes the pastry in his hand and takes a bite.

Zayn chuckles, and replies, “You’re welcome!” Before shifting his attention to the next customer.
Harry just stands there, his hand holding his cup, definitely numb now, his eyes glued to the kid
eating his pastry. Once more, Harry doesn’t know what the hell he is doing here and checks his
watch to see that this conversation took way too long and that he needs to get out of there. But
again, he doesn’t know if he should say bye to the kid or just discreetly leave while Adam is
eating.

He decides on the former. He is not that much of a caveman after all, “Um..” He starts, making
Adam raise his head to look at him with expectant eyes, “I… Um… I’m gonna get going.” He
continues, pointing a thumb over his shoulder and towards the front door of the coffee shop. He
sees the disappointment in Adam’s eyes, and again he feels bad about it.

“Aweady?” The little boy has his mouth full of chocolate éclair.

“Yeah, I have to get home.”

“Oh okay,” Adam replies, after swallowing, and Harry can hear the sadness in his voice, “Have a
nice evening, Harry.” This kid is too polite for his own good.

“Thank you, you too.” Is all Harry replies, before turning around.

At the same time, the door of the shop opens, the bell jingles, and Harry is face to face with none
other than Louis. His blue eyes meet Harry’s green ones. God, Harry forgot how beautiful he was.
Okay, he didn’t forget, his thoughts have been haunted by him since the first time they met, but
that’s neither here nor there, really.

“Oh, hello Harry.” Louis says to the man who is frozen in place for a few seconds.

“Hello,” He manages to get out, before Adam is running past him.

“Mummy!!!!” The little boy exclaims. Louis sets his work satchel on the floor, crouches down to
get to his son’s level, and takes him in his arms.

“Hey Baby!!” Louis pulls away from the hug and kisses Adam on his cheek, “How was school
today? Did you make any friends?” He asks with a smile.

Adam just shrugs and Louis’ smile drops from his face, a frown has replaced it, “Is everything okay
at school?” There is concern in his voice.

Adam nods, “Yeah it’s great!”

Louis doesn’t seem to be that convinced, “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Mummy. Very sure.” Adam's tone is extremely serious.

“Okay” Louis smiles again, kissing the top of his son’s head before standing up and picking up his
satchel, throwing it over his shoulder.

“I was talking with Harry, Mummy!” Adam blurts out, suddenly bringing Harry back in the
conversation, as he just stayed there during their interaction.

Harry looks at Louis as the younger man does the same, “Oh, really?” Louis questions with a
shimmer in his eyes and Harry feels like a teenager again facing this beauty.
He nods dumbly, “Um… yeah. I um… I hope that’s okay?”

Louis chuckles cutely at Harry’s words, “Of course it is Harry,” Harry feels a bit of relief, “ I hope
that Adam didn’t annoy you too much?” He says with a little smirk.

“Heyyyyyy” Adam whines next to him, his hands on his hips and a little frown on his face.

“No, no, don't worry!” Harry waves him off.

Louis smiles at Harry and the green-eyed man has to grip onto the back of the bench seat as his
knees feel a little weak, “Oh what a relief!” Louis says dramatically, with a hand on his chest, and
Harry has to bite the inside of his cheek so as not to smile too big.

“See!” Adam says back, now crossing his arms in front of his chest, “I’m not annoying.” He pouts.

Louis is still laughing, “I know Baby, I’m just teasing,” He runs his fingers into Adam’s hair in a
soothing manner, making the pout slowly disappear, “What did you guys talk about?”

“Space!!” Adam shouts, and Louis has to shush him gently when customers turn to look at them,
“Space.” His words are now almost a whisper.

“Of course,” Louis nods knowingly.

His son smiles at him and hurries back to his table, sitting down again to continue his reading.

“Thank you.” Louis says, turning to Harry.

“For what?” Harry is a bit confused.

“For talking to him. I know he can be very chatty and he doesn’t really have any filter,” Louis
admits, biting his lower lip, “So, yeah, thank you for not blowing him off. I mean, you barely know
us.” Louis is now shifting from foot to foot, playing with the strap of his satchel. He seems a bit
nervous and Harry doesn’t like that.

“Oh, you don’t have to thank me. It was okay, really,” Harry tries to reassure him as best as he can,
“He is um… He is chatty, yes,” Louis chuckles at that, “But um… He is a nice kid. Um… Very
polite.” Harry doesn’t really know what he is saying, he just wants to appease Louis, so the words
come out as they do and he hopes he is making some kind of sense.

Apparently he is, because Louis' smile is back on his face, “Thank you, Harry.” He repeats,
reaching out a hand and squeezing the other man’s forearm gently. The gesture sends a nice bubbly
feeling in Harry’s tummy, and he doesn’t even have time to realise what’s happening, when Louis’
hand is gone and Harry wants to put it back where it was.

They look at each other for a moment, Harry’s eyes plunged into Louis’, but the moment is broken
when Adam’s voice resonates through the shop, “Mummy, can you come see what I have to read?”

“I’ll be right there, Baby.” Louis answers.

“I was on my way to go anyway.” Harry adds.

Louis is still smiling, and this bubbly feeling has to stop, “Okay, have a nice evening Harry.” Adam
and Louis really are the same, it’s frightening.
“Thank you. You have a nice evening as well.”

Louis nods shyly and starts to walk towards his son, as Harry walks to the door of the shop and gets
onto the street. He goes to his car, the trip back home quite short as the coffee shop is close to his
building. Harry can’t believe he experienced another weird conversation with the kid. Maybe he
needs to find another coffee shop to avoid such a thing in the near future. Ugh, this is just such a
mess. His plan was to avoid Louis and his son, and now he might run into them on a regular basis.
Harry really doesn’t know what to do.

—--------------

Louis’ insides are all fluttery as Harry leaves. He doesn’t know what it is about the man that makes
him feel like this. Maybe it’s his endearing awkwardness when he is around Louis and his son, but
he definitely feels something when the green-eyed man is around. His words about Adam made
Louis feel so proud. Raising his son to be the best little boy is all he has ever wanted to do.

“Mummy are you listening?” Louis is brought out of his thoughts by Adam’s voice.

“Yes, sorry. I’m listening.” Louis focuses his attention back on his son’s reading. The little boy
goes through the page fluently and without any difficulty and again, Louis is so proud. He listens
intently, running his fingers through Adam’s hair.

“That’s great. Very good job,” Louis says when the boy is done. Adam looks up at him with a
beaming smile and Louis can’t help but kiss the crown of his head, “Do you have anything else to
do? I wouldn’t think so, as it is just the beginning of the school year.”

Adam shakes his head, “Only the reading.”

“Okay,” Louis smiles at him, “Can you start packing up your things? We will go home soon.”
Adam nods at his mom’s request and begins to gather his pens in his pencil case and put his stuff in
his space backpack.

“Hey Lou.” He hears Zayn’s voice and turns to him, the other man giving him a quick hug as a
greeting.

“Hey, Zayn. Did everything go well with Adam?” Louis asks.

“Yeah, don’t worry.” Zayn smiles and it reassures Louis. All of this is kind of new, and thank God
Zayn and Niall are there to help him. Working in a different school than the one Adam is going to
requires a special organisation, but it works for now, thanks to his friends.

“Okay, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. I'm really happy to do it. It’s no bother really, he is a very well-mannered boy,
Louis.”

Louis can only smile and hug his friend in response, Zayn hugging him back tightly.
“Sooooo…” Louis’ best friend says when they pull away, “That was Harry…” He wiggles his
eyebrows and Louis can’t help but roll his eyes.

“Stop it. It’s not like that.”

“You sure? Because he talked to Adam for like twenty minutes or something, and the kid seems to
really like him.”

“Well, you know how Adam is. Once he has trapped you in his web it’s hard to get out of it.” The
two men laugh at Louis' words.

“True, but he wouldn’t have stayed that long if he didn’t care a bit.”

Louis shakes his head, “I don’t know. Maybe he just didn’t want to be rude or something, and he
just didn’t dare say no to him.”

“He’s really fit too.” Zayn adds with another smirk.

“That is a fact, yes.” Louis admits, because only a blind person would say Harry isn’t fit, “But I
have a kid Zayn, and it’s a lot. Not everyone is up for that, you know?” A bit of sadness laces his
voice, his gaze dropping to the floor.

He feels a hand on his shoulder, making him raise his head, “I know, babes. But the right man will
come along, and maybe he doesn’t live that far… Like in the flat across from yours.”

Louis shakes his head again, “I don’t really want to think about this right now. I want to focus on
settling into our new life.”

“I get that, but don’t close all the doors, okay? Let yourself be happy, Lou.”

He smiles at his best friend, “I’ll try.”

“Good.” Zayn hugs him again.

“I’m ready Mummy!” Adam’s voice makes them break the embrace, the boy standing next to the
two friends with a small pastry box in his hands.

“Wonderful, darling. What is that?” Louis points at the box.

“Um…” Adam starts, “It’s a pastry…” He puts on a forced smile and Louis bites the inside of his
cheek.

“Oh? Did you have some earlier?”

“Yes…” The little boy answers, “I was hungry, but I only ate half of it!” He rushes to say and Louis
laughs a bit.

“It was my idea,” Zayn interjects, “I hope it’s okay.”

“Yeah, don’t worry,” Louis waves him off and a relieved look is back on Adam’s face, “We’ll put
the rest of it in the fridge for later.”

“Alright, are you ready to go?” Louis asks his son, “You didn’t forget anything?”
Adam shakes his head, “No, I think I have everything.”

“Even if you forgot something, it’s not lost.” Zayn adds.

“Okay. Now please say thank you and goodbye to Zayn, Baby.”

“Thank you Uncle Zaynie and byyyyyeee!” Adam says, Zayn crouching down to hug the boy.

“Bye buddy, see you tomorrow after school.”

“Yes!!!!!”

Zayn laughs and Louis takes Adam’s hand in his own before waving goodbye to his best friend as
well, and the pair make their way out of the coffee shop. Louis leads them to their car - he came
directly from his school and found a parking space not too far from the café. He opens the door for
his son, the little boy taking off his backpack and handing it to his mum before hopping into his
child seat in the back of the car. Louis fastens Adam seat belts and closes the door, then goes to put
his satchel and his son’s school bag in the trunk.

He sits behind the wheel, turns the ignition on and starts to drive back home.

“Mummy?”

Louis hums at his son’s call, making eye contact with him in the rearview mirror to let him know
that he is listening to him.

“Did you know that Harry helps to make satellites?”

The awe in Adam’s voice makes Louis’ heart swell. The mention of Harry’s name bringing a small
smile to his face as well, “No I didn’t. Did he tell you that?” Louis is kind of impressed with this
new information. That’s kind of sexy as well. But now is not the time to think about that. Louis
shakes the thought out of his mind and shifts his attention back to Adam.

“Uh huh. I showed him the one in my book, but he said he didn’t know if he helped make that one,”
There is a bit of disappointment in the little boy’s voice and Louis finds it so cute, “But!” Louis
sees him raising a finger in the rearview mirror, “He said he helped make some that look like it. So,
I’ll say it’s pretty awesome.”

Louis chuckles, trying to concentrate on the city traffic and on his son at the same time, “It is
awesome. What a great job, right?”

“Yeah,” Adam says, Louis can see him looking out the window with a dreamy look and Louis is
going to melt, “His favorite planet is Saturn. It's a cool choice.”

“It is.” Louis nods with a smile.

“I hope I’ll talk about space with him again.”

“I know you do, and maybe you will, Baby. You never know.”

Adam hums, his gaze still turned to the streets of Oxford, a small smile on his face. Secretly Louis
hopes that they will cross paths with Harry again. Strangely, they didn’t see him after their
encounter in the supermarket last weekend and Louis was a bit disappointed by that. But most
importantly, Louis loves the look on Adam’s face when he talks about the man. Without knowing it,
Harry brings a smile to his son’s face and Louis couldn’t be more grateful for that.
 Chapter 4

“H, I think you’re being a bit dramatic with all of this.” Liam says on the other end of the phone.

“What do you mean? I'm not being dramatic.” Harry questions with an affronted tone.

Liam sighs, “Don’t you think that wanting to try and find a new coffee shop just so you can avoid a
kid and his mum is overreacting?”

Harry is silent for a moment, realising that when Liam puts it that way, it kind of seems dramatic.
Jesus, this whole situation is too much.

“I mean…” Harry starts, “The key word here is ‘try’, because as much as I attempted to, I just can’t
and I don’t know why,” Harry plops down on his couch, his phone to his ear, and reaches for the
remote, turning the TV on to the news channel, “Maybe it’s because the coffee isn’t that good
anywhere else, I don’t know.” He sighs, propping his feet on the coffee table in front of him.

“Harry” Liam simply says with a defeated voice.

“What?”

“I think you know perfectly well why you weren’t able to find any other suitable coffee shop.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Harry denies, knowing where Liam is going with this.

“Right, well, let me tell you that I just think that you’re slowly starting to like this kid and you just
can’t handle it.” Harry can’t see his best friend, but he is sure he just dismissively shrugged to make
his point.

Harry sighs again, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger, completely aware
that what Liam just said is right, “I just don’t know how to act around him or his mother. I become
the stupidest version of myself when I'm in their presence. I mean, that’s not uncommon for me
around kids of course, but with Louis, God, I feel so dumb all the time. He’s just so perfect, it’s
unsettling.”

“I think that’s beautiful, Harry.”

“Oh, fuck off Liam.”

His best friend just bursts out laughing, and Harry can’t help but smile as well.

“I mean it H. I’ve never seen you like that around anyone, and I just think you shouldn’t pull away
from it.”

“I don’t know, Liam. Like I said, it’s a lot.”

“Well, you do what you want of course, I’m not going to force you into anything. I’m just giving
you my opinion on this.”
“Yeah, I know, and thank you for that. I’m just not ready for something like that and I don’t think
I'll ever be.”

“Oh, never say never my friend.” Harry can hear the smirk in his voice.

He doesn’t reply and just sighs again, shaking his head and switching the channel to Netflix.

“Did you see the kid again this week?” Liam asks, and Harry can hear the sound of keys and a door
opening in the back, meaning that his best friend must be home now.

“I did, a couple of times I think. I had tried to find another coffee shop but I just came back to this
one and well, he was there. All chatty and curious and cute as usual.” Saying this, Harry can’t
control the smile that spreads on his face. Damn it.

“Cute?”

“You know what I mean.” Harry cringes at the term he just used, knowing perfectly well why his
best friend picked up on it.

“I don’t actually.” He can hear the teasing in Liam’s voice.

“Liam.” Harry warns him.

“Alright, alright. Was Louis there?”

“God no,” Harry replies immediately, making his best friend chuckle, “I didn’t stay as long as the
first time I saw the kid there. I left before Louis could arrive.”

“Harry, you're hopeless.”

“Well, fuck you Liam.”

His best friend just laughs in his phone, “Did you see him today? The kid, I mean.”

“No, I finished work earlier today, and I think school wasn’t over yet when I stopped by the café.”

“Oh yeah, that makes sense,” Liam replies, “But… Is that disappointment I hear in your voice?”

“Oh, for the love of god Liam!” Harry exclaims exasperated, his head falling backwards and resting
against the back of the couch. But his best friend isn’t wrong, Harry could feel the frustration in his
own voice when he said the words a few seconds ago.

“I’m just teasing you, man.”

Harry grunts, his head still resting on the couch, his hand coming to cover his eyes.

“Alright, I have to leave you H, Lydia asked me to cook dinner and you know I can’t concentrate if
I’m on the phone with you.”

It's Harry's turn to laugh now, “Yeah, okay, I’ll let you go. She will kill you otherwise.”

“Indeed,” Liam chuckles as well, “Okay, bye H.”

“Bye, Liam.”
They hang up before Harry throws his phone next to him on the couch. He sighs deeply, knowing
that what his best friend just said to him is becoming more and more true with each day that passes
by, but Harry is not ready to admit that to himself yet. He checks his watch to see that it is already
past 6:30 pm and that he should start on making dinner. He sighs to himself before getting up and
making his way to the kitchen, not really knowing what he is in the mood for tonight.

—------------

“So, is everyone okay with the organisation of Sports Day next month?” Louis’ school principal
asks, looking around the table in the meeting room.

Louis and his colleagues nod to the principal, signaling their approval to her. Louis looks up at the
clock above the door and grunts internally, tapping his foot impatiently under the table. This
meeting was supposed to last only an hour and a half, and it has extended to two hours now, and
Louis had to text Zayn to ask him if he didn’t mind staying a bit longer. Of course Zayn said it was
okay, but Louis hates it. His best friend already does a lot to help him, and Louis doesn’t want to
push it. But unfortunately, he doesn’t really have a choice.

“That’s great,” She smiles, “We need to send all of this to the other schools so that everyone knows
and can be prepared. Vanessa, can you do it please?”

“Sure, no problem. I’ll send this tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest.”

“Okay, thank you. Alright, I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

The teachers in the meeting room say their goodbye before they stand up and proceed to leave the
room. Louis immediately grabs his stuff, putting his pen in his pencil case and closing his meeting
notebook, throwing everything into his satchel. He takes a look around the room and sees that as
usual, a few of his colleagues just left without clearing up their mugs and putting them in the
breakroom.

Louis rolls his eyes, because if he doesn’t do it himself, the room will be in the same state
tomorrow and even the next week. He puts down his satchel and starts to gather the mugs when
Naomie stops him.

“Let me do it Louis. I know you have to go back home to your boy.” She smiles softly at him.

Louis sighs in relief, “Oh, thank you Naomie. You’re an angel.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She waves a dismissive hand, but she truly is an angel. Louis might have
stayed for another 15 minutes if she hadn’t suggested doing it in his place.

Naomie is the first person Louis talked to at his new school, except for the principal of course, and
she was so sweet and welcoming from the beginning. His other colleagues are nice as well, but they
already knew each other from a few years back, whereas Naomie and him were both new to the
school. Louis guesses they bonded easily because of that.
“No, really thank you.” Louis smiles back at her, setting the mugs down on the table in front of him
and going back to pick up his satchel and hooking it over his shoulder.

“Have a nice evening, see you tomorrow!” She waves at him as he waves back.

“You too!”

Louis hurries to leave the room and rushes through the corridor to get to the exit of the school. He
crosses the parking lot and throws his satchel on the passenger's seat, when he reaches his car. It’s
only a 20 minute drive to his home, so he should be there before 7pm.

Thankfully, the traffic isn’t as bad as what Louis would have thought, so he arrives at his building
in time. He gets out of the car after grabbing his satchel, and then makes his way to his flat. When
he enters, he can smell the scent of cooked food, so he guesses that Zayn has started on preparing
dinner, and Louis’ heart just swells at the thought.

“Hey,” Louis greets when he enters the kitchen after leaving his bag in the entry hall and toeing off
his shoes. Zayn has his back to him, while stirring something on the stove.

“Hey!” He replies back, “How was the meeting?”

Louis grunts, making his best friend laugh, “Very boring, as usual.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry.” Zayn sends him a sympathetic smile.

Louis shrugs, “That’s what comes with the job, you know?”

Zayn hums, nodding and stirring what he sees now is pasta as Louis has walked up to him and is
now resting the small of his back against the kitchen counter.

“Anyway, I’m sorry it lasted longer than expected. It’s always like that though, she tells us a time
frame and it ends up being way longer in the end.”

“It’s alright, don’t worry. You know I don’t mind. And Niall knows where I am, so all is good.” He
sends him another sweet smile.

Louis sighs from exhaustion, resting his head on Zayn’s shoulder for a second, “Still, you’re the
best.”

Zayn chuckles, his shoulders shaking and making Louis’ head move at the same time.

“I’m going to go see Adam. Is he in his room?” Louis lifts his head from his friend’s shoulder.

“Yes, he was reading a book.”

“Okay”

Louis shuffles through the corridor towards his son’s bedroom, softly knocking on the door. He
doesn’t hear any response, but doesn’t dwell on it, as it often happens when Adam is deep into one
of his books. Louis slowly opens the door, not wanting to disturb his son, but as soon as he sees the
room his heart stops. Adam isn’t there and when his heart starts working again, it feels like it’s
going to break free from his ribcage with how violently it is beating.
A cold sweat takes over Louis’ entire body as he starts to call for his son while lifting every
cushion in the room, which can seem ridiculous but he isn't really thinking clearly right now.

“ADAM?!” Louis hollers as he gets out of the room, going into his own bedroom and the bathroom
to see if his son is hiding there, lifting his pillows again with trembling hands and checking behind
the shower curtain, making the material shake.

Of course his son isn’t in any of those rooms, and as Louis continues to scream his lungs out, Zayn
just comes running to him with a panicked look on his face.

“What the hell is happening?! Why are you screaming like this?!”

Louis feels like a hand is trying to choke him to death, making his breathing very difficult, “You
said Adam was in his room and he isn’t there!” He knows his eyes must be wide and full of panic.

“What are you talking about? He was there earlier. Did you check the other rooms?”

“Of fucking course I checked the other rooms Zayn! What do you think?!” Louis is beside himself
now. He closes his fists to keep his hands from shaking so hard, his heart still banging in his chest
like a hammer made from hell.

“Fuck!” Zayn breathes out.

“Are you sure he was in his room?” Louis questions.

“Where the hell would he be otherwise?!”

“Well he is not in the flat Zayn!!! So WHERE is he?!” Louis yells.

“Alright, okay. Let’s calm down-”

“Calm down?! Are you kidding me?!” Louis thinks he is going to die.

“Louis please, I’m trying to remember.”

“Well, do it fast!”

“Jesus Christ okay um… Okay, he was definitely in his room reading, that I’m sure of. We were in
the living room watching TV after he had done his homework, and he asked me if he could go and
read in his room,” Louis is hanging onto Zayn’s every word, his eyes wider than before, “I told him
yes, of course, then after a moment, he called me and I went in to see him. He wanted to know what
a difficult word meant. Obviously I didn’t know, so I told him that and got back to the kitchen to
start dinner.”

“Alright, well all of this isn’t really helping now, is it?!” Louis can feel his patience thicken as
Zayn’s story goes on and another hot flash runs through his body.

“Can you let me finish?”

“Get on with it, please!”

“So after a few minutes, I remember I had to pee, so I went to the bathroom and then back to the
kitchen to continue with dinner. I didn’t see him leave his room at any point while I was in the
kitchen.”

“Jesus fuck!” Louis rubs his hands on his face and exhales deeply to try and calm himself down.

He can feel the tears pooling in his eyes when a hand rests on his shoulder. He grabs it instantly, the
gesture bringing him a bit of comfort, “Do you think he could have left while I was in the
bathroom?” Zayn wonders, rubbing Louis’ back with his other hand.

“No!! I mean, I don't know! Could he? He never did before. Why would he leave? What could have
happened?! I don’t know Zayn! I-”

Without even thinking twice, Louis rushes to the front door of the flat ready to open it and to look
into the hallway to see if maybe his son is there. He doesn’t even have time to reach it, when the
doorbell rings. His heart jumps in his chest once more and he practically throws himself at the door
before opening it.

What he sees on the other side isn’t what he expected to see at all and he can’t control what he does
next. He falls on his knees, grabbing his son in his arms and hugging him so tightly that he could
break him in half. Adam lets go of Harry’s hand, who is standing next to him, and circles his arms
around Louis’ neck. It’s like life has been given back to him in an instant, like he is breathing
again.

“Jesus fuck Adam! Where the hell have you been?!” Louis curses, his voice muffled by his son’s
hair and a bit broken with all the tears that are finally falling freely on his cheeks and wetting
Adam’s t-shirt.

“You said a swear word, Mummy.” Adam points out, and Louis can’t help but chuckle wetly. He
can hear Harry doing the same above us.

“I know, I’m sorry. I was just so scared. What happened?! Where did you go?! Why is Harry
here?!”

They pull away when Adam starts to speak, “I was reading my space book and there was a word
that I didn’t understand, and Uncle Zaynie was in the toilets and didn’t know what it meant. So I
remembered that Harry works for space and I thought that instead of checking the dictionary I
could ask him and he might know what the word was.” Adam’s voice is very small at the end, as if
he was ashamed of what he just did. His eyes are wet and it breaks Louis’ heart.

Louis hears Harry clear his throat, and he tears his gaze away from his son to look up at him, “I’m
sorry this happened. I was very surprised when he showed up at my door, so we just stayed in my
entryway while he told me why he was there,” The man is shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot
as he speaks and again, Louis finds it very endearing, “After a couple of minutes, I asked him if
you had agreed to this, and he told me he didn’t tell you because you weren’t there yet, but that he
also didn’t tell his uncle. So I realised that you both might be scared and wondering where he was,
and here we are now.”

“Oh my God,” Louis stands up from his position on the floor, “Please, I’m the one who is sorry. He
has never done something like this before. I don’t know what to say.” Louis looks down at Adam,
who has his head bowed and is playing with the book in his hands, “Adam, honey, say thank you
and goodnight to Harry, please. Then go wait for me in your room. We will have a conversation in a
few minutes.”
Adam nods, looking up at Harry, “Goodnight Harry, and thank you.”

“Goodnight, little man.” Harry says back, ruffling the boy's hair and making him smile shyly.

“Go on with Uncle Zaynie, please.” Louis gestures towards his best friend, when his son walks into
the flat, and Louis closes the door behind him, so that he and Harry are alone in the hallway.

“I’m so sorry.” Louis says again, wiping his wet cheeks with the back of his hand, then crossing his
arms in front of his chest and resting his back against the door.

He looks into Harry’s eyes, the green orbs feel so comforting at the moment, Louis doesn’t know
why or how to describe the feeling, “Oh don’t worry,” Harry raises a hesitant hand that Louis
follows with his gaze, and the other man finally rests it on Louis’ forearm, squeezing it in
reassurance. The gesture just makes Louis want to melt right then and there at his feet, “It’s really
no bother, I wasn’t working or anything, just preparing dinner.”

Their eyes lock once again, “But still, I don’t know what to say. I’m so embarrassed really. He has
never done this before. I feel like such a bad mum right now.” Louis goes to hide his face with his
hands, but he feels Harry’s circle around his wrist to prevent him from doing so.

“There is no need to be embarrassed, Louis. It's fine. Like I said, I was surprised but please don’t
feel bad. I didn’t mind really. And well, I’m no expert, but I don’t think you’re a bad mum. On the
contrary.” Harry smiles softly at him and Louis can feel his eyes tear up again at the man’s nice
words.

Louis sniffles, “Thank you,” He says quietly, “I will talk to him about all of this.”

Harry is still smiling at him and nodding. A few seconds after that, Harry’s hand has left his wrist
and Louis misses the contact. A crease appears between the other man’s brows, as if he was
thinking about something. Harry opens his mouth tentatively, then closes it again and Louis has to
bite the inside of cheek not to let out an embarrassing sound while watching Harry’s cuteness in all
its glory.

Louis can see that Harry is still internally debating with himself whether to speak or not, and Louis
decides to end his misery, “Do you want to ask me something?”

Harry’s eyes go wide, “Um… Yeah um…” He starts to shift from foot to foot once more, “I was
thinking that maybe I should give you my number, or you should give me yours, I don’t know. In
case um… In case this happens again? So I can let you know.” Harry runs his hand through his
short curls, and Louis has noticed it is something that he does when he is nervous.

“Well, I really hope it won’t happen again,” Louis giggles, “I don't think my heart could take it.”

Harry’s eyes go wide again, “Oh my god! Of course! No! I just-”

Louis is still giggling, as he waves Harry off, “It’s okay, Harry. I understand what you mean.” Louis
smiles at him softly.

The other man lets out a sigh of relief, running his hand through his hair again, “Okay um… So
yeah, I just thought it would be a good idea.” He shrugs.
“I agree,” Harry’s eyes light up at the words, “I think it’s a great idea. Even though, as I said, I hope
it won’t happen again.”

“Of course!”

They stay like this for a moment staring at each other, until Louis says with a small smile, “Are you
going to give me your phone?”

“Oh” Harry breaks out of his thoughts and rushes to take his phone out of his pocket, almost letting
it fall, “Sorry” He whispers, handing it to Louis.

“It’s okay,” The blue-eyed man replies, taking it in his hands, “I’ve put my number in and I’ve sent
myself a text so that way I have yours as well.”

“Yeah, that sounds good.” Harry smiles, and puts his phone back in his pocket.

“Alright, I should get back in and have that conversation.” Louis chuckles.

Harry does the same, “Yeah.”

“Thank you for tonight, and again, I’m sorry.”

“Please stop apologising, Louis.”

“Okay, sorry.”

“Louis” Harry gives him an unimpressed look, making Louis blush.

“Okay, okay. Um… Goodnight, Harry.”

“Goodnight, Louis.”

They share another look and a smile before Louis turns around and opens the door, waving at
Harry, the other man shyly doing the same before walking back to his own flat. Louis smiles to
himself as he closes the door, locking it behind him, and heads to the kitchen where Zayn is.

“I’m going to talk to Adam,” Louis tells him, “I’ll be back in a few.”

“Sure” Zayn replies with a tight smile.

Louis makes his way to his son’s room, again knocking softly on it, his heart quickening a bit at the
memory of what happened earlier, before opening the door. Adam is sitting on his bed Indian style,
his space book open in his lap. He raises his head when he sees his mum and closes the book,
giving his full attention to him. Louis walks up to the bed, mirroring his son’s position on it.

“Okay, Baby, you know why we have to talk, right?” Adam just nods, “Can you tell me what was
wrong in what happened this evening?”

Adam plays with his fingers nervously, “I shouldn’t have left the flat without saying anything to
Uncle Zaynie.”

“Yes, and why is that?”

“Because you were worried, and Uncle Zaynie too.”

Louis nods, “Yes, and also, you can’t go around to people’s homes, honey. It’s okay that it was
Harry, but you can’t go to random people. You can’t just leave the flat like that, it’s dangerous.”

“I know. I wouldn’t have gone to someone I don’t know,” Adam’s eyes tear up and Louis’ heart is
about to break, so he takes one of his son’s hand in his, “We know Harry and I knew he knew about
space, so I thought I could ask,” He shrugs, sniffling, “I’m sorry I scared you and Uncle Zaynie. I
didn’t mean to.”

“I know.” Louis reassures him, rubbing his thumb on Adam’s knuckles.

“Will I be grounded?” The little boy's bottom lip is wobbling.

“No, I just want you to understand, okay?” Adam nods again.

“Am I forbidden to go see Harry again?” His voice is quavering, “Because I really like him. I think
we are becoming friends.” He murmurs and Louis’ heart stings.

“You’re not forbidden. It’s just that you can’t do it all the time. He might have things to do or work,
and you can’t bother him,” Adam sniffles again, “But if you ever want to go see him again, you
have to tell me or Uncle Zaynie, is that clear?” Adam nods slowly, “You can’t leave the flat without
telling anyone, do you understand that?”

“I do.”

“Okay” Louis smiles at him, caressing Adam’s cheek.

“Can you um… Can you ask Harry if he minds me coming to see him? I love to talk about space
with him but I don’t want to annoy him.” He pouts.

“He didn’t seem annoyed, but I can send him a text, if that will reassure you.”

“Okay” Adam whispers.

Louis slightly raises his bum from the bed to take his phone out of his pocket, and goes into his
texts to save Harry’s number and starts writing him a message. Adam’s leg is bouncing nervously
on the bed, impatiently waiting for Harry’s answer. It’s not even ten seconds later when a new
message comes in.

From Harry: Of course it doesn’t bother me! I’m glad to help him or talk to him anytime. As
long as you are okay with it :)

Louis smiles at the message, showing it immediately to his son, “Look Baby,” He gives him the
phone, the little boy taking it in his hands.

The biggest smile appears on his face and it just makes Louis’ heart swell with joy.

“Are you okay with it, Mummy?”

“I am, as long as you follow the rules we just talked about.”

“Yeah, okay.” He hands his mum’s phone back to him, and Louis quickly sends a reply to Harry,
thanking him again.

“I hope you’re not mad at me.” Adam's voice is barely above a whisper, and Louis feels like crying
again.

“Oh Baby, come here,” He takes his son in his lap, rocking him from side to side, “I’m not mad at
you, I was just really scared. What would I do without you? You’re my whole world.”

“I’m sorry Mummy.” Adam rests his head on his mother’s shoulder, his hand fisting Louis’ shirt
like a lifeline.

“I know you are.” Louis kisses the crown of his head.

“I love you more than space Mummy.”

“And I love you more than the universe.”

They stay like that for a while, Louis just holding his son in his arms and taking in all the love he
can.

“Alright,” Louis starts after a moment, “Now, I want you to go take a shower and get into your pj’s.
It’s already quite late and you still haven’t eaten yet. So once you are ready, I’d like you to go
apologise to Uncle Zaynie, and then we will eat. After that it’ll be bedtime, because you have
school tomorrow.”

“Okay, Mummy.”

Louis smiles at him and gives him a kiss on the top of his head before standing up from the bed and
exiting the room. He heads back to the kitchen, where Zayn is now setting the table for them.

“Are you staying with us for dinner?” Louis asks when he reaches his destination.

“No, I think I will give you guys some time alone.” He smiles tightly again, and Louis can sense
that something is wrong.

“You know you’re always welcome to stay.” Louis tries.

“I know, I’m just-” He stops what he is doing for a moment, turning to face Louis, “I’m so sorry
Louis, I don’t even know what to tell you to express how fucking sorry I am for what happened I-”
He is talking really fast, his voice trembling with the words and Louis has to step forward to stop
him.

“Zayn, please. I’m not angry at you for this.”

His best friend scoffs, shrugging dismissively and looking away from Louis, “You should be angry
at me Louis. I screwed up!”

“Well, I'm not mad at you.” Zayn scoffs again at his stubbornness.
“I’m serious. There is no way you could have known he would leave the flat like that. So please
don’t blame yourself, okay?”

“It’s just that if anything had happened to him, I-”

“Nothing happened. He is fine,” Louis says, resting his hands on Zayn’s shoulders to make him
look at him, “And I warned him. We had a discussion about all of it and he understands that what
he did was wrong. We have an agreement, so I trust him to follow it.”

“God, okay,” Zayn runs his hands over his face, “I just hope that you still trust me with looking
after him?”

“Of course I do! Don’t be silly!” Louis replies, bringing his best friend into his arms and hugging
him tight, Zayn doing the same.

“You still want to go home?” Louis says in Zayn’s ear.

His best friend chuckles, “Maybe I’ll stay.”

“Good” Louis replies, squeezing him one last time before letting him go, “Do you need help with
anything?”

“No, everything is done. I was just waiting for you guys.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. It’s the least I could do after all of this.”

“Zayn, stop it please.”

“Sorry.” He picks up the cutlery he had left unattended on the table a few minutes ago, and finishes
setting the table before sitting down on one of the kitchen chairs, Louis doing the same in front of
him.

“Was Harry okay with Adam going to his place like that?” Zayn asks, pouring some water in their
glasses as they wait for Adam to join them.

“Thank you,” Louis takes a sip, “He was,” The thought just brings a small smile to his lips, “And I
think Adam really likes him and I don’t want to take that away from him, you know?”

“Of course.”

“But at the same time, I don’t want to inconvenience Harry. He doesn’t seem like the most
comfortable man around kids. So I really hope it doesn't bother him and that he didn’t just say that
to be nice.”

“Oh, I’m sure he wouldn’t have said that if he didn’t think so. I mean, I don’t know him, but from
what I’ve seen, he doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would do that.”

“Maybe you’re right,” Louis takes another gulp of his water, “You know he works with satellites,
so I think that’s why Adam bonded with him that quickly. Maybe it’s weird that it is with a man and
not a kid of his own age? Do you think it’s weird?”
“I honestly don’t think it is. If Adam feels comfortable enough to go see him in his flat without
telling us, I think that shows how safe he might feel with him and I don’t think you should be
worried. Harry seems like a very stable guy as well and Adam is a very smart boy, I don’t think he
would do this if he felt that something was off. I know Adam is only five, but still. I’ve seen how
Harry is with him a few times in the last week at the coffee shop,” Louis nods, knowing what Zayn
is talking about because of course Adam hasn't stopped talking about seeing Harry again and how
great he is, “Even if he isn’t that comfortable with kids, he always listens to him and answers the
thousands of questions Adam asks him,” Louis laughs at that, “Your son just seems to like him very
much, indeed. But of course that’s your call, you’re his mother.”

“No, I trust Adam, and I don’t know why, but I feel like I can trust Harry as well. I know it’s weird
because I barely know him, but I just have that safe feeling you just talked about when he is near.
Oh god, I sound so pathetic right now!” Louis whines, hiding his face in his hands, his elbows
resting on the table.

Zayn laughs, “You’re not pathetic babes, I just think you have a crush on that man.”

Louis’ head shoots up from where it was nestled, “What?! I don’t have a crush on him, Zayn!” He
says affronted, and maybe a little exposed at the same time. Dear God, does he have a crush on
Harry? The realisation just hits him like a train.

“Whatever you say babes, but your face right now is saying otherwise.” Zayn smirks, while taking
another sip.

Louis whines again, but their conversation is cut by little bare feet shuffling across the kitchen tiles.
Adam comes near Louis, resting his side against his mother, Louis circling his arm around his son’s
waist to bring him closer and resting the side of his head against his.

“I’m sorry Uncle Zaynie for scaring you and not telling you I was leaving.” Adam says in a small
voice, his hands playing with the hem of his Toy Story pj’s, and Louis’ heart pinches at the words.

“It’s okay buddy. Just don’t do it again, okay?”

“Okay” He murmurs.

“Come here.” Zayn opens his arms and Adam rounds the table to give him a hug.

Louis’ heart swells with love and pride for his boy and his best friend.

“Alright, should we eat?” Louis suggests.

“Yes! Is Uncle Zaynie staying?”

“I am.” Zayn nods, rubbing up and down Adam’s back, and a grin appears on the little boy’s face,
“I’ll go grab the pasta and the sauce.” Zayn tells them before standing up, Adam going to sit in his
own chair next to Louis.

“Can I have some cheese on my pasta, Mummy?”

“Of course you can.”

“I’ll get it.” Zayn says, as he sets down the food on the table.
“Thank you, Uncle Zaynie.”

They end up eating dinner, the three of them laughing and talking, and Louis can’t believe what an
emotional evening this has been. He feels drained of energy after being so anxious and so happy in
such a short amount of time.

Later that night, Adam comes into Louis’ room after the both of them went to sleep early, asking
his mum if he can sleep with him and Louis can’t find it in himself to say no. They both cuddle up
against each other and maybe this is what they need tonight. To be close to each other after so many
emotions.
 Chapter 5

Louis is cleaning the last table, settling a pot of felt-tip pens on each of them, when Naomie comes
into his classroom.

“Louis, are you ready? We’re waiting for you in the meeting room.”

Louis raises his head, frowning slightly, not really understanding what she means. He is about to
leave and go pick up Adam, so why is she talking about the meeting room?

“What? What for?” He asks, walking towards his desk and gathering his stuff.

“Um… The Cycle Council? We changed the date, remember?”

Louis’ eyes go wide, “What?!” He repeats, stopping what he is doing, “When did we decide this?”

Naomie clearly looks uncomfortable with the fact that Louis is completely lost at the moment. He
has no recollection of this change, “Um… We got an email this weekend… Saying that we moved
the Council to today instead of Thursday…”

“What email?” Louis is perfectly sure he didn’t receive such information. He checks his emails
every day and he didn’t see any from the school.

“You didn’t get it?” She bites her lower lip, her eyes apologetic.

“No I-” He sighs, rubbing his hands over his face in frustration. This is not the first time that the
communication in his new school isn’t the best, “Can you show it to me, please?”

“Yes, sure,” Naomie agrees instantly, reaching for her phone in her pocket, “Here you go.”

Louis takes the phone from her hand, thanking her. He reads it, and effectively, the principal sent it
on Saturday, explaining that it was impossible for her to make it on Thursday due to an emergency
meeting with a few school principals of the surrounding towns, and that consequently, the Council
was moved to Monday. Which is today. He goes to the list of addresses the email was sent to, and
as he expected, his email address isn’t there. The principal must have forgotten to forward it to him.

“Fuck” He says under his breath.

“Are you okay?” Naomie asks, laying a hand on Louis’ shoulder.

“She didn’t send it to me. I’m not on the list.”

“Ugh, I’m sorry.”

“God, I hate this,” Louis says, handing the phone back to his friend, “Today is not the day, I have to
go pick up Adam. My best friend can’t watch him that late.”

“Oh no! Can’t he stay a bit longer?”

“I don’t think he can,” Louis sighs again, he is so annoyed right now, it’s not even funny. He was
looking forward to picking up his son early and spending some time with him, but of course it was
too good to be true, “I’m gonna call him and see.”

“Okay, um… Do you need anything? Can I help?”

“You’re so sweet,” He smiles at her, “Can you just tell everyone that I’ll be there in a few? I need
to find a solution if Zayn can’t look after him.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know.” Louis' tone is defeated.

“Did you at least prepare for the Council? As you didn’t know it was moved.”

“Oh yes, I prepared it this weekend thankfully.” Louis is grateful that he thought about doing it in
advance. The Cycle Council is a meeting where every teacher talks about the students in their own
classes that have more difficulties in their work, or are in the need of specific attention or
adaptations to help them evolve at their own pace. So, evidently, Louis has to be there and can’t go
home right now.

“Okay, well I’ll let everyone know and you come up when you’re ready.” She squeezes his
shoulder as a comforting gesture.

“Thank you.”

His colleague leaves his classroom and Louis wastes no time in taking his phone out of his bag to
call Zayn.

“Hello?”

“Zayn, it’s me.”

“What’s up babes? Are you on your way?”

“Um…” Louis cringes internally, “Not exactly.”

“What’s going on?”

Louis sighs, “I have a meeting that wasn’t supposed to be today, but apparently we got an email this
weekend that I didn’t get and it’s whatever, but I can’t come home right now. I have to stay. Is it
possible for you to look after Adam for the next three hours?” Louis tries, however he knows it’s a
lost cause.

“Oh Lou, I’m sorry but I can’t, I told you that. Niall and I have plans tonight. We were looking
forward to that restaurant and-” Zayn starts to explain. Louis stops him.

“I know, I know. It’s okay. You don’t need to explain, it was supposed to be that way. You guys go
have fun. You deserve a little time for yourselves.” Louis smiles at the thought of his friends on a
cute date, though it quickly fades away when he thinks about what he is going to do now. His heart
starts to quicken a bit, anxious about not finding a solution. He can’t leave his son alone.

“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Louis waves him off, even though his best friend can’t see him, “I just- I don’t know
what to do.” Louis’ voice is wobbly, and he fights with himself not to start crying right now.

“I don’t know either Lou, and I can’t even suggest bringing him to your school because I’m alone
at the café and Niall is still working.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not. We need to find a way.”

There is a pause in their conversation, until Zayn starts again, “Um… I might have an idea…”

“Really? What is it?” Louis is getting impatient, curious to know what his best friend is thinking.

“Why don’t you ask Harry?”

Louis’ eyes go wide, and his heart that had already quickened is now hammering in his chest,
“What?! No! I can’t- What?!”

“It might be your only solution, babes. He knows you and Adam, we already established that he
clearly cares about the kid, and he lives right across from your flat…”

“I-” Is all Louis can say at the moment. He knows Zayn is right, and to be honest, Harry had
crossed his mind earlier when he was thinking of someone to watch over his son, but Louis doesn’t
know if he has the guts to ask the man for this.

“Do you think he’ll accept?” Louis questions, with a worried voice, “What if he doesn’t? I mean,
yes, I think he cares about Adam, but caring and taking care of a kid are two different things. What
if he is too uncomfortable and doesn’t want to do it? And what if he is working and isn’t free?
What do I do then?” Louis’ voice is frantic, and his words are coming out even faster than they
usually do.

“Lou, please calm down. I'm sure that if he is available he will say yes-”

“But-”

“But !” Zayn cuts Louis off, “If he is working, then we’ll try and find something else, alright?”

“Yeah, okay. Yeah,” Louis takes a deep breath, “I will call him and then call you right back to let
you know.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay, thank you. I'll talk to you later. Bye.”

“Bye babes.”

He hangs up and lets out a long exhale, as he plops down on his desk chair. He searches for Harry’s
number in his phone, his heart still beating like crazy. His hands are all clammy now and he has to
wipe them on his pants. He doesn’t know why he is feeling like this at the thought of talking to
Harry on the phone. He has seen the man a few times at the café after school since Adam’s
impromptu visit to his flat, so it’s not like they haven’t talked. Louis just feels all weird and his
tummy tickles with baby butterflies when he is in the green-eyed man's presence, and apparently
being on the phone with him is no different. Of course, it has been established that Louis is
developing a crush on Harry so yeah, that might explain the state he is in at the moment.

He takes another deep breath and taps on the number, his fingers drumming on his desk, his leg
bouncing nervously. He bites his lower lip and waits for the other man to pick up, the dial tone
singing in his ear.

—--------------

“L, is for the way you look at me. O, is for the only one I see. V, is very very extraordinary. E, is
even more than any- ”

Harry is cut off in his singing by the sound of his phone ringing and stopping the music in his car at
the same time. He frowns at the sight of Louis’ name on his screen, wondering why the pretty man
is calling him at 5pm. Harry quickly puts on his airpods, before answering and focusing back on the
road.

“Hello? Louis?”

“Ha- Harry?”

“Is everything okay?” Louis’ voice is quavering and it’s making Harry a bit scared, his frown
deepening on his face.

“Yes, everything is fine. I just- Um…”

“You don’t seem fine.” Harry says, “Whatever it is, you can tell me.” He tries to reassure the
anxious man.

He hears Louis take a deep breath before he starts talking again, “I um… I have an unexpected
meeting at work and I was supposed to leave now and get Adam from the café, but I have to stay
for this meeting and Zayn can’t watch him any longer because he has plans with his boyfriend so
um…” Harry’s heart rate is picking up a bit because he knows where Louis is going with this, and
honestly he doesn’t know if he can do it. Maybe he is wrong and it’s not what he thinks, so he
continues to listen, “I was wondering if you could pick up Adam and look after him until my
meeting is over?” Yeah, there it is.

Oh God, Harry doesn’t know what to do. His silence might be making Louis even more anxious,
but Harry is just scared right now. How is he supposed to take care of a five year old kid? He
doesn’t have the time to say anything, when Louis is talking once more.

“You don’t have to of course. I mean you probably have things to do, or you might still be at work,
or you don’t want to. Which is fine, I just- It’s just that I have no one else to ask.” The last words
are said in a whisper. Harry can feel the desperation and the sadness in them, and it makes his heart
break a little bit.

Harry doesn’t even think twice before saying, “Okay, I’ll do it.” The words just fly out of his mouth
at the sound of a sad Louis, because his heart just can’t take it. He somehow has to make him feel
better, and if taking care of his kid is the way to do so then so be it. Oh my God. He actually has to
look after Adam now. Oh dear.

“What? Really?” The surprise in Louis’ voice hurts Harry a little, though he can’t say that he
blames him for it. Even Harry is surprised by his own answer.

“Um… Yeah, sure.” Harry cringes at his awkwardness again.

“Oh my God! Harry you’re a lifesaver, oh my god!” Louis is almost crying on the other end of the
line and Harry has the sudden urge to hug him. He obviously can’t and even if he could, he would
never. He has to keep some distance between him and the blue-eyed man if he wants his crush to go
away.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. Oh my god, I don’t know how to thank you I-”

“Please Louis stop, it’s okay. You don’t need to say anything.”

“I do, though. Please tell me you’re not stopping your work for this?”

“I’m not, don’t worry. I'm actually on my way back home. Should I go to the coffee shop and pick
up Adam there?”

“Yes. Yes, that would be amazing. I’ll call Zayn to let him know, and I should be back home around
8:30 pm. I hope it’s not too late?”

Oh dear god, over three hours, “It’s fine.” He says, trying not to let his stress show in his voice.

“Okay. Thank you so much Harry.”

“Stop thanking me Louis.” Harry tells him again, but the happiness in Louis’ voice just makes his
heart swell.

“Do you mind cooking him something for dinner? Because it’ll be too late when I arrive.
Something simple will do, like pasta. But if you don’t want to it’s okay I’ll-” Louis blabbers out
cutely and Harry has to stop him.

“Louis?”

“Yes?”

“I’ll cook him some dinner.”

“Okay,” Louis sighs in relief “Thank you.”

“Louis” Harry warns him.

“Right. Sorry.” Harry can picture Louis biting his lower lip every time he feels shy and God, Harry
has to stop.

“Is there anything else I should know? Does he have any food allergies?” He asks, trying to focus
on the road so he doesn’t freak out and crash into a bush or something.
“No he doesn’t and um… I don’t think he’ll need to do his homework, I think he already did that
with Zayn. So, nothing really. Um… Just try to keep him occupied…” There is a bit of a smile in
Louis’ voice.

Harry laughs, even though he kind of wants to cry and call his mum right now, “Yeah alright. Oh!”
Harry says suddenly, something just pops into his head.

“What?” Louis asks.

“I don’t have any child car seats.”

“Oh, um…” There is a pause, Louis surely thinking about a solution, “You can ask for Zayn to lend
you the one he has in his car, or you can just park at our building and go pick Adam by foot? It’s
not that far away from where we live. It’s what you prefer, really.”

“Alright, well I’ll see what I’ll do then.”

“Okay. I um… I have to go, I’m sorry. My colleagues are going to kill me.”

“It’s okay. I’ll see you later then.” Harry’s tummy flutters just at the thought.

“Yes. Thank-” Louis stops in his tracks, making Harry smile, before continuing, “Bye, Harry.”

“Bye, Louis.”

They hang up before Harry says under his breath, “Fuck” What the hell was he thinking?

He is entering Oxford at the moment as L.O.V.E starts playing again after the end of the phone call,
and he considers his options and what he is going to do; go with his car or leave it and go by foot.
He thinks that maybe walking will give him time to calm down and get his shit together before he
meets up with Adam.

So he drives to his building, parks his car in his designated spot in front of it, and goes to put his
work satchel in his flat before coming back down and making his way to the coffee shop. He is glad
he made that choice, because this little walk is actually helping. He tries to clear his head and not
let the panic rise even more in his body.

The coffee shop appears in his line of vision, and Harry’s heart picks up a bit. He stops in his tracks
for a few seconds and takes a deep breath, “Fuck, I can’t believe I’m doing this,” He mutters to
himself, “Okay, here we go.” He encourages himself, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans.

The bell above the door rings when Harry enters and he barely has time to take three steps, when a
small body is throwing itself at him.

“Hello Harrryyyy!” Adam squeals, hugging the man’s legs tightly.

Harry stiffens, not really able to relax, as he wasn’t expecting such affection from the child. It takes
him a couple of seconds before he reaches out a hesitant hand, patting the boy's back awkwardly,
“Hey, little man.”

“I’m all ready to go with you!!” He says a little too excitedly for Harry's taste, but at the same time,
Harry can't say that this doesn’t make him feel happy inside.
“Are you?” He asks, detangling himself from the little boy.

“Uh huh!” Adam nods, looking up at him, “Mummy told me everything on the phone!” He has a
big smile on his face, and that makes Harry panic a bit more. Why is Adam so excited at the
thought of them spending time together? Surely he doesn’t remember how awkward Harry was
with him in each of their previous encounters.

Harry doesn’t have time to say anything, when Zayn comes from the back of the café’s counter,
standing next to him, “Hey, man. Thank you for doing this.”

“Oh it’s no worries, really.” Harry waves him off, pretending to be completely at ease with the
situation. He doesn't know who he is fooling, but at least he tries.

Zayn smiles at him knowingly, “Alright buddy, are you all set?” He asks Adam.

“Yes!! I got my school bag and all.” He gestures to his backpack to make his point.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then?” The little boy nods at his uncle, “Be nice to Harry, okay?” Zayn
crouches down to hug him.

“I will.” Adam's face is very serious as he nods firmly.

Zayn smiles at him, before standing up, “Do you need the car seat?” He asks Harry.

The man shakes his head, “No, it’s fine. I came by foot.”

“Okay. I’ll let you go then.”

Harry nods, looking at the thrilled little boy, and once again he wonders what the hell he is doing
here in this situation. He is kind of frozen in place, his gaze stuck on the boy, his mind somewhere
in the land of the most horrible scenarios that could ever happen during their babysitting session.

“Harry?” He is brought out of his thoughts by Zayn’s voice.

“What?” He says dumbly, tearing his gaze from Adam who is still smiling brightly at him and has
no idea of the storm that is swirling in Harry’s tummy.

“I have to close the café.” Zayn tells him.

“Oh right! Yes, sorry.”

“It’s okay,” He smiles, before landing a hand on his shoulder, “It’ll be fine, don’t worry.” He
murmurs, and Harry didn’t know that he needed those words to reassure him a little, but they do.

“Yeah,” He nods, “Okay Adam, let’s go.”

“Yay!!!!” The boy says, following Harry out of the shop.

Harry looks back at him when they step on the sidewalk and once more, he is caught by surprise
when Adam takes his hand and starts to skip and hum a tune that Harry doesn’t recognise, as they
make their way to their building. Again, the man stiffens, even if it’s not the first time that the little
boy has held his hand, it still is something very unfamiliar to him. He relaxes quickly when he
looks down at Adam who is blinding him with his smile, making him feel all soft.
They walk hand in hand until they reach the front door of Harry’s flat, he opens it and lets the little
boy come in. Harry takes off his shoes and watches Adam do the same, lining his small sneakers
next to Harry’s, the sight bringing a small smile on the man’s face.

“You can leave your school bag here if you want.” Harry tells him.

“Okay” Adam replies, settling his backpack down, next to the coat rack.

“Would you like something to drink?” Harry cringes at his formal tone, but he guesses he has to
speak right in front of the kid.

“Yes, please.”

“Alright, follow me.”

They both enter the kitchen, “I have… Orange juice, apple juice or water. What would you prefer?”
Harry asks while opening his fridge.

“Um… Apple juice, please.” Adam replies, patiently waiting near the kitchen island.

“Alright.” Harry grabs a glass from one of his cupboards and fills it with the beverage, before
handing it to the little boy, “You can go sit down in the living room.”

“Thank you, Harry.” He says, nodding to him and walking very carefully while he cradles the glass
between his two hands with a focused look on his face so as to not spill any liquid on the floor, his
little tongue poking out of his mouth. Harry can’t help finding this very cute, and follows him.

Adam slowly sits down on the couch, his feet dangling from it with the glass in his hands, Harry
sitting on it as well, but with a safe distance between the two of them. The boy takes a sip from his
juice, an awkward silence settles in the room. What kind of conversation can you start with a five
year old? The man cringes internally at his lack of knowledge on children. God, he really is so bad
at this.

Of course, Adam surprises him when he starts to speak on a topic that Harry wasn’t expecting. At
all.

“You know that my daddy isn’t with Mummy anymore?” He says looking at Harry and out of
nowhere.

“Um…” Harry is kind of caught off guard, “No, I um… I didn’t know.” Is all the man can say,
shifting uncomfortably on the couch.

Adam nods to himself, “That’s why he couldn’t pick me up today to help Mummy. He wasn’t very
nice. He left us when I was in Mummy’s tummy,” He tells Harry with a sad voice and a shrug,
making Harry’s heart sting, “Mummy said he isn’t really my daddy because he didn’t raise me and
never gave me love.” Harry’s heart breaks a little at the words.

“I’m sorry, Adam.” Harry says. The only words that he can think of. What are you supposed to say
to a child who talks to you about his absent dad? God help Harry. He forgot that this kid has
literally no filter and just speaks whatever crosses his mind, which is kind of endearing and cute,
Harry hates to admit.
He kind of wants to stop Adam from continuing on this topic, because Harry feels like he is
intruding in their personal life, but at the same time, he thinks that maybe it’s like when you’re an
adult and you start talking about something, it might mean that you need to say it. Maybe to
someone who is somewhat impartial. So he lets him talk.

“It’s okay,” He shrugs once more, his feet swaying and hitting the bottom of the couch, “Mummy
said that I got just as much love because he raised me with enough love for two,” At the words,
something flutters in Harry’s tummy at the thought of Louis raising his child alone, and it feels like
pride. Pride for this beautiful man who did it all on his own without the need of any man.

“Your mum is very brave.” Harry tells Adam.

“I know,” Harry can’t help smiling at him, “Grandma helped sometimes. But now, she is still in
Donny, so it’s Uncle Zaynie and Uncle Niall who help,” Harry smiles at him and opens his mouth
to say something about Doncaster, but he is cut off by the little boy who still has something to say,
“And you too, Harry.” The boy smiles brightly at him.

“Oh?” Again, is all Harry is able to get out. Jesus, how does this kid keep up with him really?

“I like it when we talk, Harry.” Adam tells him, and Harry’s heart swells at the confession. What is
this kid doing to him?

“I um… Thank you. Um… I like talking to you too, little man.” Harry admits in his turn, and he
doesn’t think the smile on Adam’s face could be any brighter if it was possible.

“Really?!” His eyes are as big as saucers.

“Yeah.” Harry returns the smile.

A big surprised gasp coming from Adam makes Harry startle on the couch, and right after, the little
boy jumps from it, sets his glass on the coffee table, and starts to run towards something in the
living room. The realisation comes to Harry’s mind, as he follows the boy with wide eyes, and he
just has the time to shout, “Don’t touch it!” Before any damage is done.

Adam stops dead in his tracks, his hand inches away from the satellite model perched on one of
Harry’s shelves. His voice must have scared the little boy because he quickly takes his hand away
and plays with his fingers nervously as he whispers, “I’m sorry, Harry. I was excited.”

Harry feels bad immediately and stands up in his turn to join him, facing the model, “It’s okay,” He
says, landing a hand on the boy’s shoulder, “It’s just very fragile,” He reaches out for the small
replica to bring it down from the shelf and in front of the little boy, “Do you want to see it?” Adam
nods in silence, “Okay, but you have to be careful.”

“I will be.” Adam says, with a very serious tone.

“Alright, come here.” Adam follows Harry back to the coffee table, where the man settles the
model on it and they both sit on the carpet.

There is another gasp, as Adam’s hand reaches out for the model once more, this time under
Harry’s surveillance, “It’s beautiful,” The boy is in awe, his eyes wide while he runs a finger along
the small solar panels, “Did you make it?”
“I designed it, yes.”

“Wow,” Adam murmurs, his gaze still glued to the replica.

“Before we build a big one,” Harry starts to explain, the boy’s attention now focused on him, “We
make small ones like this at the right scale, so we have an idea of what it will be like in the end.”

Adam’s eyes are filled with interest and once again, Harry can’t help but see himself in him when
he was his age. Already lost in his passion for space that he recognises in the little boy’s eyes. It
makes Harry smile and his heart swell that he can share all of this with him.

“Your job is really cool,” Adam says in awe, “Do you have more here?” He asks, his gaze back on
the model, his finger carefully tracing every inch of it.

“No, they are at work. I only have this one here, as it is the latest one we built and I really like it.”
He smiles.

Adam nods in understanding. There is a pause before the boy speaks again, “Do you think there are
big ones at the City Of Space in London?”

“Oh um… Yes, I think there are. You’ve never been there?” Harry asks, a bit surprised, because it
is the place you want to bring your child if they are as passionate as Adam seems to be.

The boy shakes his head, “No. I’ve always wanted to go, but Mummy said it is too expensive. He
promised we will go one day, though.” There is hope in the little boy’s voice and Harry's heart
breaks a little at the words. Of course he didn’t think that it could be difficult financially for Louis.
There is the trip to London and maybe a hotel, add that to the entrance tickets and maybe a few
souvenirs, for a single mum, it’s quite the weekend.

“I also want a goldfish,” Harry is caught off guard and brought out of his thoughts by the change of
topic. But once again, he is not that surprised anymore. It is what Adam does. Harry has learned
that now, “But Mummy says I’m too young and I’ll get it when I’m six.” He continues proudly, and
Harry can’t help chuckling at the random thought.

“Have you ever been, Harry?” Adam questions again, bringing Harry back to their original
discussion, making Harry chuckle once more. Adam is completely oblivious of it which is very
endearing in Harry’s opinion.

“Um…” The man feels a bit uncomfortable because he has been there a few times. One of the perks
of his job is to have access to it. So he just settles for, “Yes, I have.”

Adam sighs dreamily, with a bit of sadness lacing his voice, “You’re lucky.”

Harry can’t reply to this and just ruffles the boy’s hair to make him laugh. That’s all Harry wants at
that moment.

“What else is there? Can you tell me? I saw some pictures on the internet with Mummy, but not
everything.”

“Of course.” Harry says, happy to bring a smile back to the boy's face.

So Harry enumerates all the big replicas that can be found at the City Of Space, Adam listening
very intently to his every word. Harry also tells him about the different attractions and activities
that can be done there, and Adam has stars in his eyes. Harry can’t help but imagine what it would
be like to take Louis and Adam there and see those eyes sparkling when he sees everything in real
life.

Harry shakes his head to get that thought out of his mind. He can’t think like that. No. His plan is to
stay away from Louis and his son and to keep his distance. Thankfully, Adam is there to distract
him and ask questions about the names of some parts of the satellite and Harry is happy to answer.

They keep on talking about satellites and everything Adam wants to see on the day he will finally
go to the City Of Space, until Harry remembers that it is almost dinner time for the little boy.

“I’m going to start on dinner,” The man says, before he stands up from his seat on the carpet and
makes his way to the kitchen, “You can help yourself with the TV if you want.”

“I’m not allowed to watch TV on a school night.” Adam tells him, still seated on the floor.

“Oh…” Harry says dumbly for what seems to be the hundredth time this evening.

“Mummy says that screens are not good for my sleep.”

Harry once again is impressed by Louis and how he has and still is raising Adam, the little boy so
adamant on respecting the rules his mum set up.

“Alright um… Well, you can come with me in the kitchen if you’d like?”

“Okay!” Adam excitedly stands up from the floor to join Harry.

Harry starts to look around his kitchen for something to make, he opens the fridge and sees some
chicken and some vegetables. He thinks that might be okay. Not too long to prepare.

“I’m going to make some chicken with rice and vegetables. Would you like to help me?” He
suggests, seeing Adam waiting very patiently on one of the chairs.

“Oh yay!! I love to help Mummy too!” Adam rushes over to Harry, looking up at him expectantly
for his first task.

Harry smiles at him, “That’s good. It’s nice to help your mum.”

“Yes! Mummy is the best!”

“I agree.” The words come out of Harry’s mouth against his will, his eyes widening at what he just
admitted to the boy. Thankfully, Adam only smiles at him even more brightly and Harry has to
think about something to say to move on as quickly as possible from this slip up, “Um… Yeah
um… I actually don’t know if you’re allowed to hold a knife at your small age.”

“Oiii! I’m not small!” Adam shouts with an affronted voice, crossing his arms and pouting, which
makes him even cuter than he already is and it’s hard for Harry not to melt at the sight. He also
looks just like Louis at that moment, which is not helping.

Harry laughs at the offended little boy, making him pout even more and Harry laughs with renewed
vigour, “Alright, alright, you're a very big boy. My bad.” Harry says, holding his hands up in
surrender.
"Thank you,” Adam replies, with a firm nod and Harry has to bite the inside of his cheek not to
laugh again, “And no I’m not allowed to cut things unless Mummy is watching next to me.” He
says with a sad voice.

“Okay, then cutting the vegetables and the chicken is out of the question.”

“Sorry” Adam pouts once more.

“Don’t be, it’s okay.”

“Mummy lets me stir or mix things.”

“Oh, then maybe you can fill up the cooking pot with water for the rice and then set the time.”

“Okay!”

Harry brings a step stool that in in his cellar so that Adam is at the right level in front of the sink.
They fill up the pot together, before putting it on the stove. While they wait for the water to boil,
they wash their hands and then Adam does a very great job at passing Harry the pieces of chicken
that need to be sliced.

“There, can you set the timer? And tell me when it’s almost done?” Harry asks when the water is
done, passing Adam his phone, “Do you know how to use it?”

“Oh yes! I do it all the time with Mummy!”

“Perfect.” Harry smiles at him.

The man continues his slicing, before throwing the pieces of chicken in the wok and attacking the
vegetables.

“Nine minutes left.” Adam says, counting down the minutes on the timer, his gaze fixed on the
phone, his little finger tapping on it every time before it goes dark, taking his mission very
seriously. Once more, the cuteness is almost killing Harry’s insides, and he doesn’t know what this
little boy is doing to him. This has never happened to him before and it is kind of scary and exciting
at the same time.

“Six minutes left.”

Harry can’t stop smiling, as he pours the chopped vegetables into the wok, adding them to the
chicken, and starts to stir fry its contents for a bit, seasoning it with a few herbs. He lets it stand
while he goes to get the cutlery and what he needs to set the table.

“Five minutes left.”

“Can you help me, Adam?”

The boy looks up from the phone, looks back at it, and Harry can feel that he is torn, “Um… Yes,
sure.” He stands up from the chair and the man can see him glance at the electronic device every
ten seconds, obviously scared that he will miss the signal while he helps Harry put the glasses and
the plates on the table.
“Thank you, little man.” Harry says when they are done, which earns him another smile from the
boy before he goes back to his previous position, his nose practically touching the screen.

“Three minutes left.”

“Almost done then.”

“Yes!”

Harry chuckles, stirring the wok a bit more and taking the colander out to put it in the sink.

“Two minutes left.”

The man adds some salt and pepper to the preparation, tasting it to be sure. He is quite satisfied
with it when Adam announces, “One minute left!” With a very excited voice.

Harry stands next to the pot of rice, and waits for the boy's signal.

“Five seconds, four seconds, three seconds, two seconds, one second, it’s time!!!!!” Adam hollers
happily in the kitchen when the phone rings, signaling the end of the timer.

“Wow, you were such a good assistant!” Harry says, surprising himself with such a joyous tone.

“Really?!”

“The very best.”

The look of pride in Adam’s eyes makes Harry’s heart swell. He shakes his head quickly to come
back to what he is actually doing right now, which is taking the rice off of the stove. He pours it in
the colander before adding it to the preparation in the wok, stirring it a bit more before it’s ready.

“Alright, let’s eat!”

“Yay!!”

Adam hurries to sit down in one of the chairs again, and waits for Harry to fill his plate. The boy
waits for him to fill his own plate as well before he starts eating. So polite.

“Wis is weally good Hawwy!” He mumbles with his mouth full, before apologising for it. His little
hand coming up to cover it.

“Thank you, little man.” Harry chuckles, “Bon appétit!”

Adam smiles at him before digging even more into his dinner. They have time to finish, Adam
leaving some because Harry has to admit he put a bit too much on his plate. They are eating some
fruit for dessert, a banana for Harry and an apple for Adam, when the doorbell rings.

Adam gasps, his eyes full of love, “It must be Mummy!”

“I think you might be right,” Harry replies, checking his watch to see that it is indeed time for
Louis to be back, “I’ll go see. You finish your apple, please.”
Adam nods, taking another slice of apple from the bowl Harry had set up in front of him, while the
man makes his way to his front door. He opens it, and of course Adam was right, his mum is
standing on the other side.

Once again, Harry’s breath is taken away from him at the sight of Louis on his doorstep, all tired
eyes and feathery hair. He still has his work bag, so Harry guesses he came straight to his flat when
he was done and didn’t stop by his own to set his stuff there. The silence as they stare at each other
feels a bit too long, butterflies fluttering in Harry’s tummy. Words Harry, you need words.

“Hello Harry.” Louis starts, and thankfully it helps the other man regain some ability to speak.

“Hey Louis,” The blue-eyed man smiles at him, “Come in. Adam is in the kitchen.”

“Oh! I hope I'm not interrupting anything.” He smiles again.

“Of course not, we were just finishing our desserts. Are you okay?” Harry has to ask.

“I’m fine. Just a little tired after this long day, that’s all. Thank you for asking.” The last words are
in a whisper and Harry just smiles softly at him.

He leads them to the kitchen, Adam jumping off his seat when he sees his mum, and running to
him. Louis crouches down, his satchel falling from his shoulder with the movement, and takes his
son into his arms. He kisses him on top of his head, before asking, “How are you, baby? Were you
good with Harry?”

“I was very good.” He says proudly and Harry can see the smile on Louis’ face again.

The man looks up at Harry for a confirmation of his son’s statement, “He was.” Is what he says,
matching Louis’ smile.

“See?!” Adam exclaims, poking his mother’s shoulder to get his attention back on him.

“Yes, sorry baby,” He kisses his cheek loudly, making the little boy giggle and waving him away,
“I’m proud of you. You’re such a good boy.” The words make Adam blush slightly and this is
another level of cuteness that Harry hadn’t witnessed yet. The two of them are just too much to
handle at once for Harry’s weak heart.

“Alright, are you done with your dessert?” Louis asks while standing up. Adam nods, “Then we
won’t bother Harry any longer.”

“Oh it was no bother really.” Again, the words fly out of his mouth and Harry wants to kick himself
for his lack of control.

“Thank you, Harry.” Louis says with eyes that could be the death of him.

“What did I tell you about thanking me?” He smirks.

“Right. Sorry.” Louis giggles, and Lord help Harry.

“Um… Have you… Have you eaten yet?”

“Oh no. But it’s fine, I’ll grab a piece of bread and some cheese at home, or something.”
Harry doesn’t say anything and just goes to one of his cupboards to grab a plastic container,
“Adam, can you pass me the bowl on the table, please?”

“Yes, Harry.” He answers immediately, lifting the bowl in which the preparation was poured earlier
with his two hands, and carefully bringing it to Harry.

“Thank you.” He takes it from him and sets it on top of the counter.

“Harry, what are you doing?” Louis asks from behind him.

“I think he is giving you the leftovers of our great meal Mummy! So you can eat tonight!”

“He’s absolutely right.” Harry replies, turning around and smiling at Adam and his mum.

“Oh Harry, that’s not-”

“It is. So don’t even bother.”

“Harry”

“Louis” The green-eyed man mirrors him, handing the container to him.

Louis sighs in defeat, and reaches out for it, their hands brushing and lingering there for a moment,
the touch awakening another set of butterflies in Harry’s tummy, “I- You’re very nice, Harry.”

“It’s my pleasure.” He answers, taking his hand away and fighting not to reach out again and take
Louis’ hand in his once more.

They all make their way to the entry hall so Adam can pick up his school bag and put on his shoes.

“Thank you for the evening, Harry.” Adam says, his voice muffled by Harry’s legs as he hugs him
tight. This time Harry relaxes more quickly, rubbing the boy’s back.

“You’re welcome, little man.”

Louis is looking at them with gentle eyes and a soft smile, “I won’t say it because you don’t want
me to, but you know…”

“I know,” Harry mirrors the smile, “Have a good night, both of you.” He opens the front door,
letting them step outside.

“You too. I’ll see you soon?” There is hope in Louis’ voice, Harry is sure of it.

His mind is screaming at him to give a vague answer - that's how the plan is supposed to go - but of
course his heart is quicker than his brain and he just says, “Of course. I can’t wait.” He wants to
slap himself over the head, however the blinding smile on Louis’ face has the power to erase
everything around him.

They leave his flat, Adam happily waving goodbye to him, and when the door is closed, Harry lets
out a deep sigh. What the actual fuck is happening to him and his life right now? He is well aware
that he is already in too deep and this is not what he planned at all. Somehow, it’s becoming harder
and harder to fight against that strong pull he feels for Louis and that affection he has towards his
little boy.
—---------------

Louis doesn’t know what went through his mind when he asked to see Harry soon, but the reply he
got and the other man’s green eyes made him feel all weird inside once again. Maybe Harry is
interested after all, like Zayn said. Maybe he likes Louis too. Or maybe he is just being nice. Ugh,
all of this is hard, because it’s not only Louis in this, his son is a big part of it as well, and he is
already so attached to Harry.

When they touched for a few seconds earlier, Louis thought he was going to melt under it. He had
to bite the inside of his cheek not to let out an embarrassing whine when it was over. God, he is so
fucked.

“Mummy?” Louis is brought out of his rêverie by his son’s voice.

“Yes, baby?”

“Can you help me shower tonight?” His voice is small and tired, and Louis really can’t resist him.

“Of course, honey. Take your shoes off, put your bag in your room and go straight to the bathroom.
Then it’s time to sleep because it’s already quite late.”

“Okay, Mummy.”

“How was school today?” Louis wonders as they both toe off their shoes.

“T’was okay.” Adam replies, shrugging and not looking up at Louis.

“Are you sure?”

His son just nods, keeping his head down and putting away his sneakers in their shoe rack. Louis
doesn’t really like this. He doesn’t really like how silent his son is about this topic. He won’t push it
for today, because Louis knows his son and this means that he is not ready yet. But if this keeps on
for too long, he will have to approach the topic sooner or later.

After that, the little boy does what he is told, his socked feet hurrying over the hardwood floor and
to his room, as Louis sets his satchel down before leaving the plastic container that Harry gave him
in the kitchen, ready to be heated up when Adam is in bed. He then goes to the bathroom to prepare
the towels and the water for his son.

“I’m reeeeaaaaadddddyyyyyy!” A naked Adam comes rushing into the bathroom. Louis laughs at
his son’s antics. The little boy doesn’t waste any time getting into the shower, the water just at the
perfect temperature for him.

While Louis helps his son wash himself, Adam can’t stop blabbering about his evening with Harry,
and that just warms Louis’ heart. Adam tells him about the satellite model that he was able to touch
and everything Harry told him about it. He tells him all the things he wants to do one day at the
City Of Space, which makes Louis’ inside twist because he hopes that one day, he will be able to
make it happen. His son deserves it. Adam goes on about how he helped Harry make dinner and
that he was a very good timekeeper. Throughout his speech, Louis can’t help but grin and laugh and
inevitably fall more and more for the man across the hall that makes his son smile so much.
 Chapter 6
Chapter Notes

TW: There is a brief mention of school bullying in this chapter.

“Adam?” Louis calls through the door.

“Yes, Mummy?”

“I’m going to take a shower, okay? It’ll only take around ten minutes.”

“Okay!!” The little boy replies from his room.

Louis smiles to himself and goes to his bedroom to take out a band t-shirt, some loose shorts and a
pair of underpants. He makes his way to the shower, closing the door behind him. He gets
undressed and hops in, happy to have a few minutes to himself to relax a bit.

A couple of minutes have passed when Louis thinks he hears a knock on the bathroom door and a
few words being mumbled from the other side. He frowns, “Yes?” He says, a bit confused as to
what has been said, the sound of running water splashing over him not really helping.

“Adam?” He calls out, but he doesn’t think there is a response. He frowns a bit more, and turns the
water off for a few moments, calling his son’s name again, “Adam? Is that you?” But as he
suspected a few seconds earlier, there is no response.

Louis shrugs it off and thinks that maybe he imagined the whole thing. With the water running, it
can easily be confusing. He goes on with his shower, washing his hair and body until he feels
relaxed. He then steps out of the shower, and as he does so, his phone pings, indicating that he just
got a text message.

He grabs a fluffy towel, wrapping it around himself, before he takes his phone that is next to the
sink on the bathroom counter. He sees Harry’s name on his screen, and suddenly, while he reads the
message, the stress that had left his body during his shower, comes rushing back in with full force.

From Harry: Hello Louis, I’m just letting you know that Adam knocked on my door again. He
says he told you and that you said yes, but I wanted to make sure that you knew. Can you reply
please?

Louis can’t believe his son did this again, he thought that their talk had been productive and that
they had agreed on the rules, but apparently it wasn’t enough and Adam is out there again. Louis
feels so embarrassed once more, and sends a quick reply to Harry.

To Harry: I’m so sorry. I’ll be there immediately.

He doesn’t even take the time to check if Harry has seen it or to even dry his hair, and pulls on his
clothes as quickly as he can before getting out of the bathroom, grabbing his keys and rushing to
Harry's flat, barefoot.

Louis feels like he has run a marathon when he knocks on Harry’s door, exhaling deeply while he
waits, tapping his foot nervously, his heart rabbiting in his chest at the thought of his son leaving
the flat like this again.

It doesn’t take long for the green-eyed man to open the door, Adam next to him with a confused
expression on his face and a book in his hands. Louis doesn’t have time to appreciate how good
Harry looks in an old Rolling Stones t-shirt and joggers that fall on his hips, giving Louis a sneak
peek of a very sinful V line, because he can’t believe he is in this situation once again.

“Jesus, Adam! What did we say about all of this the last time?!” Louis tells him, with a bit of anger
in his voice, “I’m sorry Harry, really. Thank you for telling me.”

“You’re welcome,” He replies. His voice seems a bit raspy, maybe he caught a cold, Louis thinks,
“He said he told you, but I don’t know, I wanted to make sure.” He looks down at Adam who is still
frowning, and scrunching his nose.

“I didn’t know.” Louis sends his son a cold look, and crosses his arms in front of his chest.

“But Mummy, I did tell you.” The little boy's eyes are sincere, and now it’s Louis’ turn to be
confused.

“What?”

Adam nods, “You were in the shower,” And suddenly it all comes back to him. Louis didn’t
imagine that knock on the door after all, “I told you and you said ‘yes’ , so I thought you had heard
me. I’m sorry, Mummy.” His son’s voice is small and apologetic and Louis feels like shit.

“Oh God, Adam. No, I didn’t hear. I thought I had heard a knock yes, but I couldn’t decipher what
you said. I wasn’t even sure something had been said. I said ‘yes’ but it was a question. Oh my
God, I’m sorry.” Louis crouches down to open his arms for his son, the little boy comes easily to
wrap his arms around his mother’s neck, the book knocking on Louis’ back.

“I remembered you said I had to tell you, so I did.” Adam’s voice is watery, his words muffled in
his mother’s neck, and Louis ‘ heart is breaking.

“I know. I know, I’m sorry,” He rubs up and down his son’s back, “You should have entered the
bathroom. You know I never lock it in case of emergencies.” Louis says, pulling away from the hug
to look into his son’s eyes.

“But I heard ‘yes’ .” His voice is small.

 “That’s fair. I understand that.” He runs his hand through Adam’s fringe, “Jesus, we need to get
better at this. This is really embarrassing.” Louis chuckles, looking up at Harry.

“Please don’t be embarrassed,” The other man says with a gentle smile, and Louis thinks he could
melt into a puddle right there and then, “It could have happened to anyone really. It’s just a
misunderstanding.”

Louis stands up, his hand still in his son’s hair, “I know, but I really don’t want him to be a bother.”

“He isn't, I can assure you.”

The words make Louis’ heart swell, “Okay”

Louis gets lost inside Harry's eyes for a moment. He feels his knees being a tad weak, as Harry’s
emerald eyes pierce into his, making him feel a small tingle down his still damp spine.

“Mummy?” A little hand is tugging on his shirt.

“Yes, Baby?” Louis tears his gaze away from Harry's to focus on his son.

“Can I stay with Harry a bit? I wanted to show him my new book.” Adam pouts to make his point,
and Louis is so weak for his son.

“I um…” Louis looks back at Harry.

The other man just smiles bigger at him and nods, signaling to him that it’s okay.

“Alright, um…”

“Yay!!!!!” Adam exclaims, bouncing on his feet and hugging his book to his chest.

Louis takes a look at his watch, “Not for too long though. Only for like half an hour, because
tonight is movie night so we can't start too late, okay?”

Adam nods frantically with a big smile on his face.

“Okay then-” Louis starts again, but he is stopped by a loud gasp coming from his son. Both him
and Harry look down at the little boy, confused about what has gotten into him, “What is it,
honey?”

“What if Harry stays with us for movie night?” His eyes are wide and sparkling with his new idea,
and if Louis could hide in a mouse hole he would.

“I- um…” Is all Harry says, and Louis can’t blame him really, caught off guard like that.

“Um… I don’t know, Adam. Harry must have things to do, you know. He has a life as well.”

“Pleeeaaase Muuummyyyy!” Adam looks at him with that Puss In Boots look, and it’s really hard
for Louis at that moment. He wants to say yes, because on the one hand, deep inside him, he has
that pull that makes him want to spend more and more time with Harry and be in his presence every
chance he has, but on the other hand, he doesn’t want to impose anything on the man. He doesn’t
want to make him feel even more uncomfortable.
“I- I’m okay with it. It’s Harry’s choice, Baby.”

Harry is looking back and forth between Adam and his mom, and Louis can see the uncertainty in
his eyes, “I don’t want to be an inconvenience. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family time.” He
says sincerely, and Louis wants to throw himself at him and hug him tightly. He doesn’t, of course,
because THAT would be embarrassing.

“Pleeeaaase Haaarryyy!” Adam is playing his cards on Harry now, and Louis knows it won’t take
long for him to accept. Well, at least he hopes.

Harry directs his gaze to Louis’ one last time, seeking for something in his eyes.

“You’re not an inconvenience, Harry. I can assure you." Louis mimics the other man’s words,
earning him a bright smile that could make Louis fall down to his knees. Thank god he has some
self control.

“Alright, then.” Harry finally agrees, and Louis internally sighs in relief, as if he had been holding
his breath the whole time.

“YAAAAYYYY!” Adam exclaims, the two men jumping in surprise next to him, “Movie night
with Haaarryyy! Movie night with Haaarrryyy!” Adam sing songs, making Louis and Harry
chuckle.

“We’ll come back to your flat in half an hour?” Harry asks.

“Yes, that would be great. That way I can start on the pizza. Is that okay? Do you have any food
aversions?” Louis questions.

“It’s perfect, and no nothing to worry about,” Louis nods and smiles at him, “Do you need me to
bring anything?”

“No, I think I have everything, thank you.”

“Okay, then we’ll see you later?”

“Yeah,” Louis kisses his son on top of his head before waving at him and Harry, and going back to
his own flat with a smile on his face.

—------------

Once again, Harry doesn’t know what the hell is happening and what went through his mind to get
him to accept Louis and Adam’s offer, but apparently he is incapable of controlling it. And to be
honest, Adam’s eyes were hard to resist as well.

He isn’t surprised by his brain being a little fried in the presence of Louis, because he was barely
able to breathe when he saw him on his doorstep earlier. The creature from heaven had his hair still
wet and was only wearing a pair of shorts that put his beautiful legs on display, a t-shirt that was
falling from one of his shoulders to reveal part of his biteable collarbone, and Harry doesn’t know
how he didn’t embarrass himself even more in front of Louis. His throat was so dry that he thinks
Louis surely noticed something.

Now he is going to go to a movie night at their flat, and how is that supposed to fit in his plan? It
doesn’t really, but Harry is kind of excited to spend some more time with Adam and his mum.

“Harry?” Adam calls his name from where they are seated on the couch, bringing the man back to
their conversation from which he flew away for a few seconds.

“Yes, sorry.” He apologises, focusing on the little boy.

“Harry, can I um… Can I talk to you about something?” He asks in a small voice, closing his new
book that they had just been looking over together and putting an end to it.

Harry’s heart picks up a bit at Adam’s tone, it seems serious, but at the same time maybe it’s not.
Adam is five, how serious can a conversation be, really? Then again, the last time, the little boy
talked about his absent dad, so yeah, Harry can’t rely on anything here.

“Um… Yes, sure. What is it?”

Adam sets his book on the coffee table and shuffles backwards on his butt to get more comfortable
on the couch, leaning his back against it and keeping his gaze stuck in front of him. Harry mirrors
him, and waits for the little boy to talk.

“It’s about school.”

“Oh?” Harry voices his surprise, and now he knows it is serious and he doesn’t know if he is the
right person to talk to for this, but if Adam feels the need to, then he will listen.

“I don’t really have friends in my new school.” His voice is broken and wobbly, and Harry doesn’t
know if his heart is strong enough for this.

“Wh-” He scratches his throat, “Why is that?” He looks at Adam’s profile.

“They don’t like me.” The boy has tears in his eyes when he looks up at Harry, and the man has to
fight not to let some of his own fall as well.

“What? Why do you say that? How can they not like you? You’re the coolest little boy out there!”
Harry says sincerely, trying to cheer him up.

“They make fun of me because I’m younger than them.” He sniffles.

“Oh,” The realisation comes to Harry. Adam is a year ahead, and of course some little brats are
going to be jealous. Anger rises in him, and he has to take a discreet deep breath to calm himself.
Why is he reacting like this?

“They always call me a ‘baby’ and they don’t want to play with me because they say I'm too small
for their games. But I know they’re lying. I’m not stupid.” He sniffles again, wiping his nose with
the back of his hand, and Harry is really working on his self control not to ask for the address of
these brats and go pay them a little visit. He knows it won’t help as they are obviously six year
olds, but still. Maybe a little talk with their parents will do good.
"That, you are not. You are the smartest little boy I have ever met,” A watery smile appears on
Adam’s face, “These kids are mean and you shouldn’t pay attention to them. I know it’s hard to do
so, believe me, but they don’t deserve your tears.” Harry wipes one of the tears from Adam’s cheek
with his thumb.

“When I was younger,” Harry continues, his throat tightening a bit at the memories, “Some kids at
school used to make fun of me because I was a bit nerdy, and I liked science and space too much
according to them,” The little boy’s eyes are wide with surprise, “I wasn’t mean to them in return,
because that is not the solution, but I was ignoring them and one day they got tired of me being
indifferent to them,” Adam nods, “It wasn’t always easy, I know. Unfortunately there are always
stupid kids somewhere and this year, they ended up in your class.” He chuckles, making Adam
chuckle as well.

Suddenly, a question hits Harry like a train, his heart hammering in his chest, “They don’t- They
don’t hurt you, right? I mean physically?”

Adam shakes his head vigourously, and Harry lets out a sigh of relief, “Okay” He whispers.

“Have you talked to your teacher about it? Or your mum?” Again, Adam shakes his head and Harry
looks at him knowingly, “I know it’s not easy, but you have to tell someone.”

“But I told you.” The little boy has teary eyes.

“I know you did, little man, but there is only so much I can do,” He pats Adam’s knee, “I’m going
to have to tell your mother about this, I hope you understand?” The little boy nods, aware that it is
the right thing to do, “I can’t keep that to myself, and I think that if your mum knows, he will try
and do what’s best for you.”

“I know.” Adam nods knowingly once again.

“Okay,” Harry smiles at him and pats his knee once more, before taking his hand away, “Can I ask
why you didn’t talk about this to your mum? You two are very close, I’m sure he would listen and
try to help you.” Harry wonders.

Adam sighs, “I just-” He takes a deep breath, “I just don’t want to worry Mummy or make him
upset. He already has a lot to do.”

“Oh Adam, I’m sure he is more worried about not knowing what is going on, than he would be if
you talked to him about it.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m pretty sure, yes.”

“Did you talk to your mummy when you were little?” Adam asks, his eyes and his button nose all
red.

Harry nods his head in turn, “I did. Then she talked to my head teacher.”

“Did it help?”

“It did.”
“Okay” It’s Adam’s turn to whisper it now.

Harry smiles at him again, the little boy doing the same as the man ruffles his hair.

“Please don’t let anyone make you feel bad like this. These kids are just jealous of you and your
intelligence, and they just wish they could be like you, but they can’t. You’re such an incredible,
unique boy, Adam. Don’t forget that.” The smile on the boy’s face is blinding and Harry thinks he
did good as he mentally pats himself on the back.

“Okay,” Adam whispers again, “What is your mummy’s name?” He asks randomly and Harry is
almost not surprised anymore by this.

“Her name is Anne.” He says with a smile. He should call her soon by the way, it’s been a while.

“That’s a very pretty name.” Adam smiles at him.

“Thank you,” Harry smiles back, “Is there anyone in your class that plays with you sometimes?”
Harry questions, sure that there is at least one other intelligent kid in this school.

“Well… There is um… Zoey.”

“And who might this Zoey be?” Harry teases, making Adam giggle. A small victory.

“She is a girl in my class,” Adam replies shyly, pretending to rub his nose to hide behind his hand,
“She plays with me sometimes on the playground, or she chooses me when we have to work in
pairs. But she has her own friends too, so she goes with them a lot of the time.”

Harry hums, “Well, you know what? I think that Zoey is a very smart girl and that you should hold
onto that blossoming friendship and focus on that. Is she nice to you?”

“She is. Very nice.” He blushes a bit and Harry thinks he might die of cuteness overload.

Harry smiles knowingly, “All the more reason to focus on that.” Adam nods.

There is a small silence, before the little boy speaks again, “Can we look at my book again?”

Apparently the subject is closed and Harry is quite proud of himself for handling this. He didn’t
think it was going to be an easy one, though his personal experience helped a lot, he thinks, “Sure,
little man,” He smiles, “Where were we?”

Adam grabs his book from the coffee table and opens it to where they left off a few minutes earlier,
pointing enthusiastically to things on the page and asking for the complicated words that he doesn’t
understand.

“Did you know that there is a big red spot on Jupiter and that it is a tornado?” Adam asks, stopping
at the page with the planets of our solar system.

Harry is impressed with his knowledge but not that surprised. He knows how passionate the little
boy is about this topic, “I did, yes.” He replies with a gentle smile.

“The tornado never stops and it’s like twice the size of the earth!” Adam says in awe of his own
words.
“I know! Isn’t that incredible?”

“It is.” The little boy’s words are barely above a whisper, his gaze still glued to the book in his lap,
before turning the page and moving on.

Half an hour flies by and without even realising it, it’s already time for the pair to go back to Louis’
flat.

Louis said not to bring anything, but Harry, as a good guest, rummages through his cupboards and
cellar and finds some hard corn to pop and a bag of crisps. It might not be much, but at least he
won’t arrive empty handed, except for Louis’ son of course.

The pair make their way to the flat, Adam’s hand in Harry’s, the man carrying a bag with what he
found at his place and the little boy hooking his precious book under his arm. Harry takes a deep
breath before knocking, and a few seconds later, Louis is opening the door. His hair is dry now but
he is still wearing that sinful shirt. Oh, for crying out loud.

“Come in!” He says with a joyful tone and a bright smile, Adam releasing Harry's hand and
running inside to take his shoes off, “Adam please be careful!” Louis hollers after the disappearing
silhouette of his son.

Harry chuckles and hands his plastic bag to Louis, “Here, I thought I should at least bring
something.”

Louis takes it and looks inside, “Oh! That’s a great idea because I actually forgot about the popcorn
for tonight, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Once again, as they have a way of doing, the two of them stare at each other, and Harry feels those
small butterflies in his tummy. Louis’ eyes are so intense that Harry can easily get lost inside them
and he has to shake his head to get back to earth.

“Mummy! Harry! Are you coming?!” Adam hollers from what Harry guesses is the living room.

The two men laugh, bursting out of their little bubble, “Yes!! We’re coming!” Louis shouts back,
“Okay let’s go, or he’ll have both of our heads.” Harry laughs again at Louis’ words, when the man
heads to the kitchen, “I’ll put these in here for now. We have some work to do in the living room.”

Harry nods but frowns at the same time, not sure what Louis is referring to when he says ‘work’ .
They step into said room and when Harry sees all the pillows, blankets and stuffed animals
scattered on the floor, he immediately understands what’s about to happen.

“Harry, you're going to help us build the fort?!” Adam questions with sparkling eyes, Louis looking
at him, his arms crossed over his chest and biting his lower lip.

“Um… I guess so.” Harry replies.

“Yay!!!!! You’re an engineer, so you will help us make the best fort ever!!!”

Louis is giggling in the corner, watching them with soft eyes and the butterflies make an
appearance once more.
“Alright, let’s go!!” Adam yells, “Mummy come too!!!”

“Yes, I'm coming.” Louis takes a few steps forward and smiles at Harry as he passes in front of him
to get to the fort material.

Adam wasn’t wrong when he mentioned Harry’s job, because evidently, the man can’t help but
want to make the most perfect fort, one that will not fall and that also has the best space for the
three of them. Adam is so happy that he can’t stop smiling and laughing as they arrange everything,
making the inside of the fort all cosy and fluffy for when they sit down.

Adam gasps - his speciality Harry notices - making Louis look at him, “What is it, baby?”

“This is the most beautiful fort we ever built, Mummy.” He replies in a murmur.

“I agree.” Louis responds, glancing at Harry, and the green-eyed man has to bow his head to hide
his blush. Damn it .

“Oh, thank you.” He replies shyly, which is an odd thing for him to do.

“Harry, do you think we can add my fairy lights?” Adam's eyes are expectant.

“Oh um… Let me see if there is a plug nearby,” Harry rounds the fort carefully and sees that a plug
isn’t too far away, “Can you go grab them?” He requests, the little boy rushing off to his bedroom.

“I’ll get it! I’ll get it! I’ll get iiiiiiiiit!” He sings, his little socked feet sliding across the hardwood
floor.

“Do you need help?” Louis asks gently.

“Yeah, sure. Can you go where I am, and I’ll go inside and I’ll hand it to you by that end?”

“Okay.”

They switch places when Adam reappears, the lights in his hands. He kneels in the fort next to
Harry and they work as a team to hang them on their makeshift ceiling, passing them to Louis
through a small hole so he can plug it.

“Wow. So pretty.” Adam whispers in awe when the lights come on, his eyes shining with joy and
filling Harry’s heart with it.

“Are you ready to start, Baby?” Louis asks from outside.

“Yeeessss!!!”

“Alright, I need you guys’ help with the food. Adam, we need trays, can you show Harry where
they are?”

“Yes, Mummy.” He stands up, grabbing Harry’s hand in his, dragging him out of the fort and in
front of the living room cabinet to where the trays are, Harry supposes.

Adam hands him a couple of them, holding one himself in his arms as well, before closing the
cabinet and hurrying to the kitchen where Louis is, Harry following like a lost puppy behind him.
“Thank you!” Louis says, when they lay the trays on the kitchen counter.

Louis arranges the snacks on them; pizza, a bowl with Harry’s crisps, mozzarella sticks with salsa,
a few veggies and some sauce. The drinks are on another tray and Harry guesses the popcorn and
sweets will be for later.

“Okay, let’s bring this to the fort!” Louis exclaims, carrying the food tray.

Harry sees Adam reaching for the one with the drinks and he has to intervene, not really trusting
the little boy with it.

“I’ll take this one.” Harry interjects, before Adam can even lift it and make everything topple over
him with how high it is.

“I’m not that small!” He pouts.

Harry chuckles, “You are. But that’s okay.”

Adam growls as he follows Harry to the living room, making the man laugh a bit more.

“How do you want to um… settle in there?” Louis gestures his head towards the fort.

“I wanna go in the miiiiiidddllllleeeee!” Adam exclaims, and Harry is kind of relieved. That means
there will be someone between him and Louis. It’s better like that. He thinks.

“Okay, so get in,” Louis tells his son, “Harry you get in too,” Harry nods dumbly, “And I’ll go put
the movie on. Adam chose Tarzan, I hope you like it.”

“One of the classics, I love it.” Harry replies, trying to sit down with the tray still in his hands, and
depositing it in front of him. Louis passes him the one with the food from where he is still standing
outside of the fort, and Harry does the same with it.

“I think you look a bit like Tarzan.” Adam blurts out, sitting on the fluffy blankets next to Harry,
and the man can hear Louis giggle as he makes his way to the TV.

“Oh? Really?” Harry questions.

“Uh huh. If your hair was a bit longer, you would look like him even more!”

“I- Um… I used to have long hair like that.” Harry admits.

“What?!” Both mother and son say in surprise.

“Yeah um…” Harry scratches the back of his neck, “When I was in college. I cut it off when I was
like 22 I think.”

“Oh my, I wish I had seen that.” Harry thinks he hears Louis say, although he isn’t sure because he
is a bit far away, putting the DVD in.

“What?” He says.

Louis replies, after clearing his throat, “No- Nothing. I just- just said the movie was about to start.”
Harry isn’t convinced but he lets it go. Louis comes back to the fort, crouching down to get to his
spot on the right side of Adam, and Harry is sure he can see a slight blush on the other man’s
cheeks.

The movie starts, and what was Harry expecting when he knew he was going to watch it with a five
year old? Of course Adam knows the movie by heart and is reciting almost every dialogue as it
goes, asking questions that can’t be answered or that you rather don’t want to answer. It’s a new
experience for Harry really.

As odd as it may seem, it doesn’t bother him. On the contrary, Harry strangely feels like he belongs
there and that’s a thought he immediately tries to shake off of his mind because it is too scary. He
realises that this is the first time that he is spending time like this with both Louis and Adam, and
he is not uncomfortable like he imagined he would be.

He even feels happy, and that’s so unusual for him. Sure, he loves his job and he is happy to be
doing what he is doing. He is also happy with his family, and Liam, but this is a completely new
personal situation, in which he never thought he would end up in the first place, but here he is.
Enjoying himself in a fort he helped build with the cutest five year old and his breathtaking mum,
and somehow he doesn’t want to leave. That is another scary feeling that he can’t control.

What he is feeling for Louis is bubbling inside of him as well like a dormant volcano, waking up a
bit more every day after each moment he spends with him, and Harry knows that it will burst into
an eruption sooner rather than later.

They are halfway through the movie, and it’s time for a little break. They have eaten almost all of
the snacks that Louis had prepared and Louis brings the trays back to the kitchen, while Adam goes
to the toilets faster than Harry has ever seen. He must have been holding it in for quite a while.

“I can make the popcorn, if you want?” Harry suggests when he enters the kitchen after Louis.

“Oh, that would be nice, thank you. Do you need something special?”

“No, just butter and sugar. Or maybe you want salty ones?”

Louis shakes his head, “Sweet ones,” He says with a smile, “The butter is in the fridge and the
sugar is up there,” He points to one of the cabinets, “I’ll go to the toilets too, if you don’t mind?”

“Of course I don’t.” Harry replies, and as Louis passes by him on his way out, his soft hand
caresses Harry’s forearm. Louis doesn’t look at him and just keeps on walking, and Harry wants to
run after him so he can have his hands on him again. All over him. Alright, time to make some
popcorn, because these are not the kind of thoughts he wants to have now with Adam coming back
from the bathroom.

“Can I help?” The little boy asks, and how can Harry refuse? It’s kind of their thing now.

When the corn has popped in the pan with the butter on the stove, Harry watches Adam stir it, the
little boy perched on his step stool. As everything he does, Adam takes his mission very seriously,
and stirs so delicately, because “I don’t want to break them.” He whispers, and Harry can’t help but
smile.

He adds the sugar bit by bit, Adam still stirring, and in the corner of his eye, he spots Louis who is
leaning on the kitchen doorway with his arms crossed and a soft smile on his face, silently
watching the scene in front of him. Harry turns his head slightly to look at him, their smiles
mirroring and the butterflies in his tummy fluttering a bit more.

“All done!!!” Adam yells, bursting their moment, and they all go back to the fort with the popcorn
and a few more drinks, in case they get thirsty with the sugar.

They get to their previous position on the blankets, their backs leaning on the fluffy pillows, with
Adam in the middle with the bowl of popcorn on his lap, so that it’s at an easy access for everyone.

Harry is a big man and being in this fort isn’t the most comfortable for him, so he stretches his right
arm over Adam, resting it on top of the pillows, his fingers brushing the nape of Louis’ neck
slightly. He feels the other man stiffen under his touch, Harry himself being surprised by where his
fingers landed. He doesn’t look at him, because he doesn’t want to make it even more awkward, but
he feels Louis relax and just lean into the touch. His nape is resting on the inside of Harry’s wrist,
and the tips of his fingers just find their way to where Louis’ neck meets his shoulder, caressing the
soft skin gently.

He thinks he can sense goosebumps under his fingertips, and that sends a wave of tickles through
his arm, and down his spine. Jesus Christ, what the hell is he doing? Louis leans even more into the
touch, and Harry dares to glance at him. Louis isn’t watching him, he seems focused on the movie,
but a small smile appears on his face and Harry knows it’s for him.

They stay like that as the movie goes on, their hands brushing in the popcorn bowl like in a cliché
romantic comedy, but Harry couldn’t care less. At one point, Adam cries when Tarzan’s mum is
scared and doesn’t want to see him, Louis reassuring him even though the little boy knows the
movie and how it ends, which Harry finds very cute once again.

Towards the end, Adam is hugging his plushie rocket tightly and hides his face in Harry’s chest
when all the gorillas are in cages, making Harry tense up in surprise, never really used to that kind
of contact. He relaxes soon enough, bringing his free hand to the little boy’s hair.

The movie ends a few minutes later and Harry is surprised once again by the fact that Adam fell
asleep on him in a matter of ten minutes. The little boy has his mouth half open, a bit of drool is
dripping, wetting Harry's t-shirt, small puffs of air escaping his mouth and Harry is frozen in place,
afraid of waking him up.

“I’m sorry.” He hears Louis say, and he realises that he isn’t laying on his right arm anymore.

“Don’t be. It’s fine,” Harry says with a smile, pulling his arm down from where it previously was,
“How do we do this?” He whispers, gesturing to the little boy on his chest.

Louis bites his lower lip, “Do you mind carrying him to his bed?”

“Of course not. Is there um… a way to carry him?” He questions, unsure.

“Not really, just how you feel it. Just be careful with his head though.”

Harry nods and somehow manages to get up and out of the fort with Adam in his arms, Louis
leading the way to his son’s bedroom. He opens the covers of the bed for Harry to carefully lay
Adam there. The little boy is still sleeping like a log, not even opening one eye and Harry’s heart
swells at the softness of it all when Louis runs his hand through his hair.
“I’ll change him into his pj’s.” Louis tells him, and Harry knows it’s his cue to leave the bedroom,
and he goes to wait for Louis in the living room.

While he waits, Harry brings the tray and popcorn bowl to the kitchen and starts to clean up, not
wanting Louis to do everything on his own later. He is washing the dishes they used earlier, when
Louis comes back from Adam’s room.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that, Harry.” He says as he enters the kitchen.

“I know. But I wanted to. It’s the least I can do. You invited me here after all.” He says with a smile
that Louis mirrors.

“Thank you.”

“Do you need any help with taking down the fort?” Harry asks, drying his hand on a towel.

“No, Adam usually wants to play a bit in it the next morning.”

Harry nods, “That’s fair,” He turns around, leaning his back against the sink, “I would want to play
in it if I was his age.”

Louis giggles at that, hiding his mouth with his hand. He looks so much like Adam when he does
that.

“Can I- um…” Harry shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other, “Can I talk to you about
something? Before I leave?”

Louis frowns a bit, “Um, sure. Let’s go back to the living room then.”

Harry nods and follows him.

“I’m sorry there is no other place to sit.” Louis apologises, sitting back in the fort.

“It’s alright. It’s quite cosy in here.” Harry replies, sitting cross legged in front of him, matching his
position.

He can see that Louis is kind of nervous, playing with his fingers, his knee bouncing slightly. The
fairy lights glowing on the side of his face are making him even more beautiful than he already is.

“Okay um…” Harry starts, shifting on his arse a bit, “You know earlier when Adam was at my flat
to show me his book?” Louis is hanging on his every word, and he can see he is even more
attentive now that his son has been mentioned. He nods to Harry, “Well, he didn’t come to only
show me his new book. He um… He had something else to say to me.”

“What is it?” Louis asks impatiently, biting his lower lip again and twisting his fingers.

“He mentioned that he doesn’t have a lot of friends at his new school because they make fun of him
for his age and for being younger than them in the class,” He sees Louis’ eyes widen in some kind
of realisation and Harry’s heart stings a bit, “I tried to talk to him, he will probably tell you about it,
because I’ve had some experience with that stuff when I was younger. He knows I’m going to talk
to you. He understands that it’s important for you to know and that I couldn’t keep this to myself.
It’s too important.”
“Wow I um… I knew that something was off with him since the beginning of the school year. I
would ask him how his day was and about making new friends, and he would always shrug it off or
say ‘okay’ and move on. But that’s not like him, he used to love telling me about his days, I just
didn’t want to push it. I know arriving in a new school can be hard and it can take some time to
adjust. Even more so when you are a year ahead of the rest of your class,” Louis’ voice is sad and
breaks a little, obviously fighting not to cry, and his hands are shaking. He balls them into fists to
hide it, to no avail. Harry can sense the guilt in Louis’ words, “Moving was already a lot and
maybe a new school was too much. We just needed a new start, you know?”

Harry nods, but he actually doesn’t really know. He just feels the need to comfort Louis at that
moment, “Louis, if you felt the need to move away, then I’m sure you made the right decision. And
like you said, it takes time to adjust to a new town and a new school.” Harry tries to reassure him.

Louis just nods, his eyes watery.

“He told me that he didn’t want to worry you or hurt you by talking to you about it,” Harry
continues, “So please don’t feel guilty about him not reaching out to you. I think he wants to
protect you just as much as you want to protect him.” He says, sensing Louis’ distress, and
reaching out to take his hand in his.

“Oh Harry, thank you so much.” Is all Louis says, looking deep into his eyes and turning his hand
in Harry’s so they can lace their fingers together, a silent tear rolling down the beautiful man’s
cheek.

“You’re welcome.” Harry caresses Louis’ knuckles softly, and reaches out a hand to wipe the lone
tear with his thumb. Louis leans into the touch for a moment, before Harry pulls his hand away.

“I am a bit hurt that he didn’t want to come to me with this, but I understand him and his reasons.
I’m also happy that he trusted you enough to talk to you about it. Thank you for being there for
him… and for me.” The last words are said in a whisper, Louis’ hand tightening around Harry's at
the same time. He sniffles and wipes another tear from his cheek.

“It’s my pleasure.” Once more, the words fly out of Harry's mouth and it’s too late to catch them
back. He squeezes Louis’ hand in return.

“I will talk to him about it and I will also mention it to his teacher. I can’t let the situation worsen.”
Louis tells him.

“That’s good,” Harry replies, “Maybe you should talk to him about a certain Zoey as well,” He
smirks.

“Oh?”

“Yeah he mentioned her, saying she was the only one playing with him sometimes, so I think she’s
a keeper.”

Louis laughs at Harry's words, “That’s nice. I will remember it, thank you.”

They are lost in each other’s eyes once more, and if Harry wasn’t so gone already he would think
he was hallucinating, but their faces are slowly moving towards each other. Their joined hands are
resting on Louis’ legs, and Harry can feel the man’s breath on his lips. The tip of their noses are
softly brushing, sending a rush of tickles down Harry’s spine, the butterflies in his tummy swirling
around like crazy. They are so close. So close.

But suddenly Harry remembers everything he told himself since he met Louis, and that this is not a
good idea. This would make everything so much more complicated for Harry, and well, he is aware
that he is a coward and just gently pulls away from Louis, bringing his free hand to his cheek,
caressing his cheekbone softly.

“I think I should get home.” He murmurs, and Louis just blinks at him, as if he was coming out of a
trance.

“I um… Yeah, sure.” His cheeks are all flushed and he bows his head to hide it, and God, Harry
wants to kiss him so badly that it hurts in his insides.

He fights it though and they both get out of the fort, Louis leading Harry to the front door. He
opens it, letting the man take a few steps in the hallway.

“Thank you for tonight.” Harry smiles.

“You’re welcome,” Louis replies, “Thank you for everything, Harry.”

“I thought we had established a rule about this whole ‘thank you’ thing?” He says with a teasing
tone.

“So you are allowed to thank me but I’m not?” Louis cocks his hip, leaning his head to the side
matching Harry's smirk .

“I guess this is how it works now, yes.” Harry states with a serious tone, however that just makes
Louis giggle and Harry is dying inside.

“Alright, well goodnight, Harry.” The words are barely out of Louis’ mouth, that his lips are on
Harry’s cheeks in the blink of an eye. The man doesn’t even have time to understand what is
happening, and the most perfect lips are already gone. Like a feather blowing in the wind.

He stares dumbly at a flustered Louis who just waves at Harry before closing the door. Harry feels
like a teenager. His fingers come up to where Louis’ lips met his cheek a few seconds ago, and he
can’t seem to find his voice to bid his goodbye. He just stares at the wooden surface that is now in
front of him and eventually turns around, walking back to his own flat.

God, he is so pathetic. This was just a kiss on the cheek and this is how he reacts. Harry can’t wrap
his head around all that happened tonight. Not only between him and Louis, but with Adam as well.
The little boy is also digging his way through Harry’s heart a bit more every day. All of this is so
confusing but it feels so right at the same time, and Harry really needs to sleep. He doesn’t know
how that’s going to happen if he keeps on stirring all of this in his poor mind. But yes, maybe a
good night's sleep is what he needs. At least that’s what he tells himself, and maybe, in a way, he is
right.
 Chapter 7

Harry feels something poking him on his cheek, exactly where his dimple is supposed to be. The
man scrunches his nose, keeping his eyes closed, faking a grumpy groan. At that moment, the
incessant movement is paired with a cute giggle and Harry can’t help but smile. A little voice has
now appeared and it’s even harder for Harry now, his façade just crumbling away in an instant at
the sound of his daughter's voice.

“Daddy,” poke, “Daddy,” poke, “Daddy,” poke, “Daddy,” poke.

Harry turns his head around quickly, pretending to eat Hazel’s finger. The four year old girl giggles
even more, and starts to laugh hysterically when her father grabs her and begins tickling her
tummy until she can’t breathe.

“Aaaaaaaaaaah Daddyyyyy! Stooooopp!!!” Her laughs resonating through the bedroom.

“Why should I stop? You just disrupted my slumber.” He says with a big voice, tickling his
daughter with renewed vigour.

“Mum- Mummy asked me tooooo!”

“Oh did he now?”

“Yes!!!! Pleeaaaase Daddyyyyyy!”

Harry hums, slowing down his attack, “I guess you said the magic word, so I might release you.”

He gently releases his daughter, the little girl still giggling with tears of laughter rolling down her
rosy cheeks, “Thank you, Daddy.” She whispers.

“Where is your mum?” Harry asks, booping her nose, making the little girl scrunch her nose just
like her father.

“In the kitchen, preparing breakfast! He said you were a sleepy head!”

Harry chuckles, he can be a sleepy head sometimes, “Alright then let's go see everyone!” He
exclaims, standing up from the bed and taking Hazel in his arms who is making grabby hands at
him, not before picking up Adam’s old plushie rocket.

She wraps her legs around Harry’s middle and rests her head on his shoulder, the rocket tucked
under her chin, and he kisses her forehead while they make their way to the kitchen. Harry hears
voices as he walks, and an even bigger smile than the one he is adorning right now spreads on his
face at the thought of his little family all together on this Saturday morning.

“Good morning everyone!” He greets when he enters the kitchen, settling his daughter on her
chair at the table, the little girl whining a bit but releasing her dad in the end and finishing her
breakfast that she had already started before waking Harry up.
“‘Morning, Dad.”

“Good morning, Daddy!”

“Good morning, honey.”

The three responses come together and Harry goes to kiss Jack on top of his head, the six year old
boy giggling and munching on his french toast. Harry then steps over Adam and ruffles his hair, the
boy all grown up now and already 14 years old, Harry can’t believe time has flown by that fast.

“Dad, come on!!” He whines, waving his father’s hand away and making Harry laugh.

“Harry please leave him alone, you know he is stressed.” Louis’ voice comes from behind him, his
husband at the stove and cooking breakfast for everyone, just like Hazel told him.

Every time Harry sees Louis, it just takes his breath away. He doesn’t think he will ever get used to
how beautiful he is while expecting a child. Just over eight months pregnant, his belly has gotten so
big and round, and Harry has a hard time keeping his hands to himself in his husband’s presence.

“I already told you, I’m fine.” Adam grumbles, as he puts a spoon of his breakfast in his mouth.

“Baby, it’s okay to be stressed. It’s a big game today.” Louis says, smiling at him, and winking at
Harry, the other man mirroring him.

They both know that their son always gets anxious before one of his football games, and today is no
different. If they win this one, they will reach the final, so they try to be supportive as much as they
can.

Harry goes behind Adam’s chair, putting his hands on his shoulders and bends over slightly to
whisper in his ear, “It’ll be alright, son.” He squeezes his shoulders one more time before stepping
away. Adam turns his head and sends him a small smile, and Harry knows it’s a baby step but at
least it’s one.

When he turns to Louis, the man is already watching him, smiling softly before turning back to the
stove. Harry steps behind him, sliding his hands over his husband’s belly, kissing his neck
delicately.

“Good morning, my love,” He whispers in his ear, “Did you wake up early again?”

Louis leans against Harry’s chest and sighs contently, setting down his spatula for a moment,
turning the stove off, and resting the back of his head on Harry’s shoulder. He closes his eyes and
nods, “You know how I get when I’m getting close to my due date.”

Harry kisses his skin one more time, “I know. I wish I could do something to help.”

“You’re already doing so much.” Louis says with a soft voice, and Harry brushes his temple with
the tip of his nose.

“How is my second little girl doing?” He asks, rubbing his hands over Louis’ belly tenderly.

Louis sets his hands on top of Harry’s, “She’s waking her mummy up at ungodly hours, but apart
from that she is great.” He turns his head and smiles, making his husband smile in return, “I love
you.”
“Ugh grooossss!” They hear Jack from behind them, the little boy making them laugh.

Harry sighs contently in turn, “I love you t-”

Harry wakes up with a gasp, sitting up in his bed, the covers sliding down his chest, as if he’s just
had the most horrible nightmare. He rubs his hands over his face, slowly realising that what he just
experienced wasn’t a nightmare, but the most beautiful dream ever. However, it feels more than just
a dream, his tummy is full of butterflies again, his body is all tingly, his heart is rabbiting in his
chest, and all he wants right now is to have his hands on Louis’ belly again and have him close to
him and never let go. It feels like a magnificent fantasy that he wants to become a reality.

Fuck. His true feelings are abruptly hitting him in the face like a train. He was aware of them but
just didn't want to admit them to himself. However, now, after that dream, he can’t run away from
them. Not anymore. He wants Louis, and he wants to be part of Adam’s life. He wants a family
with Louis and he will do everything in his power to make this come true.

He never thought he would come to this realisation in his life. Ever. Louis and his son have dug
their way into his heart little by little, and Harry just didn’t see it coming until it was too late for his
poor heart.

Suddenly, an idea comes to his mind. He wants to do something for Adam and Louis, and if it’s an
opportunity for him to spend more time with the two of them, then all the better. He quickly gets up
from his bed in just his briefs, grabs his phone from his bedside table and goes to sit in front of his
laptop where he left it in the living room. He starts to call and look for everything he needs to make
his idea happen, a smile adorning his face the whole time. He just hopes that Louis will accept his
offer.

—-------------

“Mummyyyy, Mummyyyyy, Mummyyyyyyyy!” Adam sing songs when he enters Louis’ office,
surely coming from the living room where Louis left him earlier to play for a bit longer in his fort.

“What is it, Baby?” He lifts his gaze from his computer and from the planning of his next week for
school.

“Your phone is ringing!!! It says Harry on it!!!” The little boy says excitedly, waving the phone in
front of Louis’ face, and yes, now Louis is realising that he can hear his ring tone.

At the mention of Harry’s name, Louis’ tummy is all tingly and he can’t help but think back on last
night when they almost kissed and when Louis kissed his cheek. It was such a beautiful night with
his boy and the man he has a huge crush on and maybe more than that. Louis felt so at ease, it just
fit. Harry just fits with them and Louis can’t deny it anymore.

He is not going to lie, his heart was a little hurt when Harry pulled away. He thinks that maybe the
man got scared or that maybe he just isn’t interested in Louis. That mere thought just makes his
heart sting, but Louis doesn’t want to believe that. He doesn't want to believe that Harry wants to
be just friends.

Adam is still waving the device in front of him, almost knocking his nose with it, “Alright, alright,
give it to me.” Louis chuckles and grabs the phone from his son, the little boy looking expectantly
at his mother with wide eyes while the latter answers.

“Hello?”

“Louis, hello.”

“Hey, Harry.” Louis smiles to himself.

“I’m sorry, I hope I’m not disturbing you?”

Oh God, Louis wants to melt, he is so attentive all the time, “Um no, no, not at all. I was just
preparing my class for next week. I could use a break right now.”

“Oh okay, well I'm glad.” Louis can hear the smile on Harry’s face on the other end of the line.

There is a silence for a moment, before Louis starts again, “Did- Um did you want to ask me
something?” He hesitates.

“Oh right, sorry. Um, yeah I wanted to ask if you and Adam were available next weekend?
Saturday and Sunday?”

“Oh? I-” Louis was not expecting that at all, “I don’t- I- Um… Yes, we are. Autumn half term starts
next Friday but- But wh- Why?” He blabbers out and he wants to hit himself over the head.

“I want to take you both somewhere however I can’t tell you where. It’s a surprise.”

“Oh?” Louis says dumbly again, “Wow I- I don’t know what to say Harry. I don’t want us to be an
inconvenience or for you. I don’t know what you’ve planned, but I hope you didn’t have to spend
money on us I- I don’t know if I’ll-”

“What’s going on Mummy?” Adam asks, whispering in front of his mother, bouncing on the balls
of his feet.

“Shhhhhh, Honey please.” Louis puts up his forefinger, Adam nodding and shutting up instantly.

“You are not an inconvenience. Far from it. And please don’t think about the money. I'm doing it
for you both, Louis. I’m just happy to do it. So… please just say yes. Please,” Louis’ heart melts at
the tone of Harry’s voice, “I just want to spend some time with you and Adam and maybe make
you happy at the same time.” The last words are said in a low and shy voice and that does it for
Louis. Jesus, he is so weak when it comes to Harry. Maybe this is a sign that the other man is
interested in him. God, Louis hopes he is not misreading this.

“I- Okay.” His tummy is fluttering once more.

“Oh my god, really?!” Harry sounds genuinely so surprised that it makes Louis chuckle, hiding his
laugh behind his hand.

“What is it???” Adam whispers again, his face inches away from Louis’.
“Adam, please.” Louis says through his teeth.

“Yes, sorry.” Adam gestures a finger in front of his mouth.

“Um, yeah.” Louis replies to Harry.

“Oh my god, I'm so happy!” Louis laughs once more, “So we’ll be leaving Saturday morning
around 8, if that’s not too early, and we’ll stay the night on Saturday as well so we can enjoy it to
the last minute, and we’ll leave on Sunday morning. Is that- Is that okay?”

“It is. Like I said it’ll be the beginning of half term so I don’t have to worry about preparing for
class that weekend. I- Wow Harry, what have you planned? Can’t you tell me?” Louis is so
stunned.

“I could…” Harry answers, “But I really want it to be a surprise. Especially for Adam.”

“For Adam?” Now Louis is even more intrigued about their little getaway.

At the mention of his name, the little boy is even more restless than he was during this whole
conversation, “Me? What is it, Mummy????”

Louis holds his finger up again, the little boy still bouncing on his feet.

“Um… Yeah.” Harry replies shyly, and Louis just wants to hold him. If he had the guts he would
go to Harry's flat right now and just hug him. He won’t though, he has some self control, and he
doesn’t even know if Harry is home or not.

“Thank you, Harry,” Louis continues before the other man can say anything, “And yes, I’m saying
it.”

Harry laughs, “Okay, you’re allowed. But you don’t even know if you both are going to like what
I’ve planned.”

“I have a feeling that we will.” Louis says with a big smile, and Harry laughs again at his words.

“I really hope so,” There is silence again, “Alright, I’m not going to disturb you any longer.”

“You’re never disturbing me.” The words come out of Louis’ mouth in an instant and he mentally
kicks himself. God, he feels so stupid.

“That’s- Um… That’s really good to know,” Once again, Louis can hear the smile in Harry’s voice
and that just makes his embarrassment go away, “Okay, bye Louis. I’ll see you on Saturday or
maybe before during the week…”

“Yes, sure absolutely. Bye, Harry.”

“Bye.”

Louis hangs up, and he just stares into space for a moment, not really believing that Harry invited
them for a weekend. How is all of this even real? Louis has no idea, but he welcomes it with open
arms.
He feels someone tugging on his t-shirt, his son still there and waiting for him to tell him
everything, “Soooooo????” Adam's eyes are wide.

Louis puts his phone down on his desk, “Well,” He grabs his son under his armpits and lifts him up
to sit on his lap, wrapping his arms around his tiny waist, “Harry just invited us on a little trip next
weekend.”

“Oh my God!!! Really???!!! Where???” Adam screams frantically, bouncing on Louis’ lap.

“He wouldn't say,” Louis replies, shrugging, and he sees the pout instantly forming on his son’s
face, “He said it was a surprise… Especially for you…”

The pout has disappeared just as quickly as it came, and Adam’s eyes are even wider than before
with excitement, “Really??!!”

“Louis nods, “Yes. Are you excited?” He smiles.

Adam doesn’t even reply to his mother, and just jumps from his lap, and starts running around the
room, shouting, “We’re going on a little trip with Haaarryyy! We’re going on a little trip with
Haaarryyy! We’re going on a little trip with Haaarryyy!”

Louis can’t contain his laugh and the joy that fills his heart at the sight before his eyes. Now, he
can't wait for it to be next Saturday and see what Harry has in store for them.

—--------------

The week doesn’t go by fast enough in Louis’ opinion. Thankfully they cross paths a few times
with Harry at the café or when Adam wants to go talk to him, so it makes it less of a torture to wait.
Adam can’t stay in place either, always asking Harry where they are going, but of course the other
man won’t cave and just keeps the little boy and his mother in the dark.

Finally, Saturday morning arrives and Louis and Adam are all set, waiting for Harry in their living
room, their duffle bags ready in the entryway.

“Mummy, can I go knock on his door? Maybe he forgot or he didn’t wake up or-” Adam blabbers
on, impatiently pacing in the living room, as Louis watches him from his seat on the couch.

“Baby, I'm sure he will be here soon. It’s not even 8 yet.” Louis reassures him.

“Okay” Adam says to himself, nodding and still pacing.

Louis can’t help the smile that creeps onto his face at his son’s impatience, and soon enough it’s
8am, and a knock on the door can be heard. Louis’ heart quickens slightly at the sound and his son
just runs to the door, shouting as he goes, “I’ll get it!!! I’ll get it!!! I’ll get iiiiiit!!!”

“Adam, please! be careful!” Louis hollers after him, standing up from the couch and following
him.
“Harrryyyyyy!!” He hears his son, and then sees the man of his dreams hugging Adam, and Louis’
heart just melts. His insides start to flutter and he subconsciously picks up his pace to get to them
quicker.

“Hello, little man,” Harry replies, ruffling Adam’s hair as usual, “Hello, Louis.” He says when their
gazes meet and Louis has to swallow hard to hydrate his throat if he wants to be able to let out a
few words. Harry is looking so good in his black skinny jeans, a light grey knitted sweater and his
black peacoat.

“Hello, Harry.” Louis manages to say, smiling back at the man.

“Are you ready?” Harry asks.

“YEEESSSS!!!!” Adam replies before Louis can say anything, making the two men laugh.

“Alright, let’s go then!”

“YAYYYY!” The little boy shouts again, and Louis has to shush him so as to not wake the whole
floor.

Louis grabs his fluffy jean jacket and puts it over his light green jumper, before lifting the two
duffle bags.

“Oh, let me help you with these.” Harry reaches out a hand to Louis.

“You don't have to, I'm okay.”

“At least let me take one.” Harry insists.

Louis sighs, but gives up, handing one of the bags to him, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, let’s go to the train station.”

“The train station?! We’re taking the train?!” Adam asks, when they step into the hallway and
Louis closes the door behind themselves.

“We are!” Harry replies with a big smile matching the one that Adam has right now.

“But I’ve never taken the train before.” He whispers.

“I know,” Harry runs his hand through the little boy’s hair, “I remember you telling me in one of
our conversations and how much you wanted to someday, so I thought it might be a good
opportunity to do it this weekend,” Harry shrugs as if it is nothing, but to Louis, and most
especially to Adam, this is so important, “Plus, it’s quicker to go to our destination by train than by
car, so,” He shrugs again, “Two birds with one stone, I guess.”

“Oh my god!” Adam can’t contain himself anymore and just jumps on Harry to hug him again, the
other man chuckling shyly and Louis just stares at them, swooning in the cuteness of the moment.
Harry and him share a look, the two of them smiling at each other before Adam pulls away from
the hug and they can finally walk to the elevator and to Harry’s car.

They take Adam’s car seat from Louis’ car, before taking off in the direction of the train station.
They get out after Harry has parked and they make their way inside.
“Can you tell us where we’re going now?!” Adam asks excitedly for what feels like the hundredth
time.

“Hmmm…” Harry hums, “Our train is at 9, so if you look at the board, where do you think we are
going?” He questions, looking up at the board in front of them.

Adam does the same with a concentrated look on his face, and so does Louis. The man sees their
destination, but he doesn’t say anything, letting his son find out by himself.

Adam gasps, “We’re going to London?”

Louis can’t help laughing and smiling at his son’s reaction, his eyes wide, waiting for Harry's
response.

Harry nods, “We are. But that’s not our final destination.” He says with a smirk and God Louis has
to be strong.

“Oh? Where is our final destination?” Adam tries, though Harry is not a fool and doesn’t fall into
his trap.

“I’m still not telling you.”

The little boy opens his mouth but knows it’s pointless to say anything and just pouts, making
Louis chuckle a bit more behind his hand.

9am arrives quickly and before Louis knows it, the train is there and Harry leads them to the first
class coaches.

“Harry-” Louis starts however the other man cuts him off with an unimpressed tone.

“Louis.”

Louis sighs in defeat, because he knows it’s a lost cause, “Alright.”

Harry has that satisfied smug smile and Louis kind of wants to kiss it away from his stupid, perfect
face. Ugh.

Their seats are around a table so they can have some snacks and put their stuff on it. Harry puts all
the bags in the compartment above their heads while Louis asks his son, “Where do you want to
sit?”

“I wanna sit next to Harry!!!”

Louis puts a hand on his heart, faking being hurt, “Well, if you don’t want me here then I’ll just get
off the train right now.”

“Nooooo! Muummyyyy please stay!!”

Louis laughs, “I’m joking Baby. I’m just teasing you. You can sit next to whoever you want.” He
smiles at his son and then at Harry, who is already looking at him with soft eyes.

“Hihihihihihi” Adam lets out excitedly, shuffling to get to his seat next to the window, Harry sitting
right next to him and Louis in front of Harry.
They get comfortable, taking off their coats and putting some snacks and books they each brought
for the trip on the table.

“Have you ever been to London, Adam?” Harry questions, while completing a crossword puzzle.
The little boy lifting his head from the book he is reading.

Adam shakes his head, “No, never. Mummy has been, but I haven’t.”

Harry looks over at Louis, “Yeah, I’ve been a couple of times.” He confirms with a smile.

“Okay, well, I’m sorry we won’t really have time to visit today or tomorrow, but I promise you we
will come back one day.” Harry says to Adam, and Louis doesn’t even try to say anything this time.
Just a thankful look is enough for the two men.

The journey is only an hour long according to Harry, although it doesn’t prevent Adam from falling
asleep against his arm, as the little boy didn’t really sleep the previous night, too excited for what
was to come the next day. He also had to wake up early in the morning.

Louis is looking pensively out the window, when Harry’s voice comes to his ears, “Are you okay?”

Louis turns his head to look at him, “I am,” He smiles, “I’m just happy.” He says sincerely.

Harry chuckles and bows his head down shyly, scrunching his nose cutely, “We’re not even there
yet.”

“Well,” Louis grins at him, shifting on his seat, “I know that Adam is happy already, so that’s
enough for me to be happy as well,” Harry matches his smile, his soft eyes boring into Louis’,
“Thank you for bringing a smile to his face so often.” Louis looks over his sleeping son, Harry
looking down at the little boy as well.

“Please stop thanking me.” Harry says, his gaze back on Louis.

“I think that I can have a pass on our rule for the weekend, because I have a feeling that I’m going
to be thanking you a lot.”

Harry sighs, faking annoyance, “Alright, I guess I can allow it.”

Louis just smiles at him and shifts in his seat again. He stretches his legs under the table and
accidentally rubs one of Harry's calves with his foot. Louis can feel his cheeks heat up as their
gazes bore into each other once more, and when Louis begins to remove his leg, he feels Harry’s
foot hook around his ankle, keeping him in place. Louis relaxes then, understanding that it’s okay,
tingles going up his leg at the gesture. And as if it wasn’t enough to reassure Louis, the other man
gently runs his fingers over Louis’ palm, before grabbing his hand in his, Harry’s thumb gently
rubbing on Louis’ knuckles.

Louis has to bite his lower lip so as to not smile too much and make a fool out of himself. He feels
like a teenager with these gentle touches, and his tummy swirling inside of him. They stay like that
for the rest of the journey, their ankles tangled, their hands linked on the table, and a smile on their
faces.

They finally arrive, and after they get off the train, they follow Harry to the exit of King’s Cross
Station where a car is waiting for them. Louis is still stunned by everything that is happening, but
he has given up on saying anything and just decides to enjoy the whole experience.

“The driver will take us to our destination directly, and he will take our bags to the hotel that is just
across from where we are going,” Harry tells them in the car, Louis and Adam nodding at his
words, “Everything is arranged with the hotel. We will get to our destination at around 10:30, so
that gives us a bit of time before lunch and then we have the whole afternoon.”

“Aaaaaaaaaah I can’t wait to know where we’re going!!!!” Adam bounces in his seat in between
Harry and Louis, and making them chuckle.

“You’ll find out soon. We’re almost there.” Harry tells him, patting his knee gently and smiling at
him.

“Yeah, okay.” Adam tucks his hands between his knees and Louis knows he is nervous. But it’s a
good kind of nervous. Louis runs his hand through his son’s hair and kisses his head to help him
relax a bit.

Harry wasn’t lying when he said they were almost there, because now the car is stopping and Adam
is unbuckling his seatbelt and throwing himself over his mother’s lap, his nose glued to the window
to see where they are.

“Oh my God.” He whispers, with a wobbly voice.

“What is it, Adam? Where are we?” Louis asks, a bit concerned and looking out the window in
turn. His son is on the verge of crying and it’s scaring him a little.

Now, seeing what is outside of the car, Louis understands. He understands what put his son in this
state, and God, Harry just hit a bullseye, and once more Louis is astounded.

“M- Mummy we-” Adam swallow his tears, his hands pressed to the window on both sides of his
face, “We are at- at- at-”

“Just breathe, Baby.” Louis says rubs up and down his son’s back comfortingly, the man holding
his own tears seeing his son so emotional.

“We’re at the- the,” He sniffles, “The City Of Space.” Adam’s cheeks are wet with tears and now
Louis’ are falling down silently. He can’t believe Harry did this. What did he do to deserve this?
What did he do to be blessed by Harry's presence in his life?

Louis is brought out of his thoughts by his son throwing himself in his arms, “We are at The City
Of Space Mummy.” He says with a watery voice in his mother’s ear, Louis wrapping his arms
around his son and hugging him tight.

“I know. Are you happy?”

“So happy.”

“I think someone else deserves a hug as well…” Louis tells him and he barely has the time to finish
his sentence when Adam is gasping and detangling himself from his mum and jumping into Harry's
lap, earning him a surprised ‘oof’ from the other man.

“Thank you Harry. So much.” Adam whispers in Harry’s ear, but Louis can hear it, and he takes the
opportunity to wipe the tears from his cheeks.
“You’re welcome, little man.” Harry replies, hugging him back and Louis’ heart just swells.

They pull away and Louis can see Harry discreetly wiping one of his cheeks and it makes him want
to reach out for his hand.

“Alright! Are you ready to go?” Harry asks.

“Yes,” Adam nods, his voice still low and wobbly.

“Okay let’s go.” Harry smiles at them, gesturing his head to signal the other man that he can open
the door of the car.

Louis does so, and gets out on the sidewalk, helping Adam, with Harry following after him. The
driver pulls away and drives to the hotel according to Harry, and the three of them stand in front of
the entrance.

“Oh my God.” Adam says again, flabbergasted with a look of awe on his face.

“I can’t believe you did this.” Louis matches his son’s state.

“It was no big deal, really. I didn't tell you before, but with my job I have free access here. I knew
that you wanted to take him someday so…” He shrugs again, and God, this man really doesn't
know how important all of this is.

This time Louis doesn’t resist and just grabs Harry’s hand in his, squeezing it as he says, “Thank
you.” Before softly kissing his cheek again. Adam doesn’t see it, his gaze is still glued to the
entrance, his mouth agape slightly.

Harry just grins and nods, his cheeks flushing a bit. The man tries to hide it by coughing in his free
hand, a way to cover his face, but Louis is not fooled and he is just endeared once again by him.

They make their way inside, Louis’ hand still in Harry's, Adam skipping ahead of them, and the
blue-eyed man could get used to this. It feels so nice and Harry’s hand is so soft. Louis expects
them to go in line to get to the counter, but of course with Harry's free access they immediately go
to the entrance, Harry showing the security guard three lanyards that he pulls out of one of his
coat’s pockets. The guy nods at him knowingly, letting them through.

“This is for you guys.” Harry says, letting go of Louis’ hand for a moment to give them the
lanyards so they can put them around their neck.

“Wow! This is so cool!” Adam exclaims, looking at the laminated card intently.

“This will get us into everything without having to wait in line.” Harry says proudly.

“That’s amazing.” Louis smiles.

“I have prepared a little schedule for us today, as I knew what Adam wanted to see since we talked
about it,” He tells Louis and his son, taking out two pieces of paper from his pocket again, “Here is
the map,” He hands it to Adam, “And I thought that we could start with the planetarium. So where
do we have to go, little man?”

Adam studies the map intently, very focused on his new mission, his little tongue poking out of his
mouth, “Here! The planetarium is here!” He points at the map, “We have to go out, turn right and
go through the gardens.”

“Okay. Lead the way.” Harry tells him, gesturing for the little boy to go ahead of them. Adam’s
eyes are sparkling with joy and Louis just loves him so much. He also loves that Harry is making
Adam feel important and giving him the role of their tour guide. If Harry wasn’t comfortable with
Adam before, he surely has improved and is doing such a good job right now.

He is pulled out of his rêverie by Harry lacing their fingers together this time, and Louis can’t
control the smile that appears on his face. They follow Adam outside of the main building, the little
boy keeping his map in front of him as he leads the two men to where they have to go.

They walk along the main path before Adam stops dead in his tracks, making the two men stop
behind him.

“What’s going on, Honey?”

Adam just points in front of him and Louis understands right away. There, in the background,
stands a full-scale replica of the rocket Ariane 5. Adam is stuck in place, his eyes wide and his
mouth open as he stares at the rocket, Louis and Harry getting closer to the little boy.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Louis lands a hand on his son’s shoulder.

Adam nods dumbly, “Can we get a picture, Mummy?”

“Of course. But maybe later, because I think we are on schedule right now.” He smiles.

“Yeah, and we have the whole day for it,” Harry adds, “She’s not going anywhere.” He says with a
smirk making Adam giggle.

“Okay, let’s go!” The little boy exclaims, the two men jumping in surprise, following a skipping
Adam nonetheless.

It doesn't take them long to get to the planetarium and with Harry’s pass, they get inside as soon as
they arrive. The room is full of comfortable velvet seats, slightly inclined backwards so that they
can have a perfect view of the screen surrounding them that is shaped like a globe.

Adam sits in between Louis and Harry, the green-eyed man explaining to him the use of the three
little buttons on one of the armrests. Right on time, the lights are turned off and a woman with a
headset is entering and talking to the crowd. As she talks, the screen is illuminated with images of
our galaxy as if they were stargazing on a rooftop, and Louis can’t help watching his son. His eyes
are sparkling with the lights of the stars, and he has a constant smile and a look of awe on his face.
Louis’ heart is full, and he has to force himself to pay attention to the woman and not stare at his
son the whole time.

They hear and learn about the planets, and the different elements that can be found in our solar
system and galaxy, though Adam and Harry obviously already know all of what is said. The two of
them make a show of it as they get all the answers to the questions that are being asked right.

Adam also whispers the answers to his mom because, ‘“I don’t want you to be embarrassed
because you got it wrong, Mummy.”

“Right, thank you, honey.” Louis indulges him.

“Yeah, that would be embarrassing.” Harry adds with a teasing tone and Louis tries his best to be
annoyed at him and to scowl in the darkness of the room, but it’s hopeless as Louis can’t even
convince himself. Harry must feel it because he just smirks at him and Louis’ reaction is to roll his
eyes and flip him off discreetly over Adam’s head and that just makes Harry smirk even more and
Louis wants to kiss it away.

Adam and Harry even make little comments between themselves.

“Pfff so easy.” Adam whispers to Harry.

“I know right?!” The man replies, “Amateur questions, really.”

“So true.”

Louis can’t control the chuckle that escapes his mouth and he has to hide it behind his hand if he
doesn’t want the whole audience to hear him. God, the both of them are so cute and Louis doesn’t
know if he is going to survive the day at this rate.

The lights come on after 30 minutes and they continue on their little adventure with the picture that
Adam has dreamed of since he knew the City Of Space existed. Harry takes one of only Louis and
Adam before Louis stops another visitor to ask them to take a picture of their little trio. Harry
accepts with a huge smile and the picture turns out amazing with Harry's arm around Louis’
shoulder and Adam tucked in between them.

This is followed by a visit to the Mir Station. Again Adam is completely astonished by what he is
seeing, Harry giving him even more details and information as they move along. The little boy is
absorbing his words like a sponge, and Louis knows he will hear about all of this for a long time
after this day.

They take a walk in the gardens after that, observing the replicas of some reactors, part of a vessel
and of course one satellite. Once more, Adam is full of questions for Harry and the man seems
more than happy to answer, a smile adorning his face the whole time. As for Louis, he is just
admiring his son and this wonderful man sharing one of the most amazing moments of the little
boy’s life, and Louis couldn’t be happier right now.

Soon enough, it is lunch time and they spend it in one of the restaurants of the City, a place with
burgers, as per Adam’s request. Louis fights with Harry for the check, but of course he loses the
battle. Harry is determined to make Louis and Adam enjoy every single moment of this day, the
man almost running away with the check so that Louis can’t catch him.

Their afternoon starts with a movie about asteroids in the same building where the planetarium was
this morning. It’s a good idea to start slow again and digest peacefully. Louis is surprised that his
son isn’t falling asleep, because a movie after a meal is usually a good combination for him, but he
is so captivated by everything that even closing one eye is not possible at the moment for the little
boy.

The movie is followed by The City For Kids, where children can learn new things as they play
different little games. The trio engages in a handwheel race where each of them have a designated
vehicle that can fly on a big screen, Harry and Adam being so competitive that Louis can’t even
concentrate on his race.

“You’re cheating!!!” Adam exclaims, turning his wheel as fast as he can.

“I'm not cheating! You are!” Harry replies.

“Oh my God,” Louis says to himself laughing, “I’m not here with one kid, I’m here with two.”

The pair just turn their heads to him, scowling as if he had just insulted them and disturbed them in
their once in a lifetime race. Once more Louis just laughs at the ridiculous pair, the two of them
going back to their race as if nothing had happened.

“YAY!!!!” Adam shouts when he wins, throwing his arms in the air.

“Good game, little man.” Harry says with a serious tone in true sportsmanship and reaching out a
hand to shake Adam’s.

“You too, Harry.” Adam replies, shaking Harry’s hand.

Louis rolls his eyes at them while he waits, his arms crossed over his chest and his hip cocked to
the side.

“Congratulations, Baby,” He runs his fingers through his son's hair, the little boy smiling brightly
and proudly at him as they make their way outside. Louis grabs Harry’s hand again and lands
another kiss on his cheek as he says, “You’ll get over it.”

Harry smiles at him and Louis was not expecting what happens next, Harry is now the one who
kisses his cheek and if Louis wasn’t holding onto his hand he thinks he would have fallen down.
His tummy goes crazy and his cheeks feel like they are on fire. Harry just kissed him and that is
such a big deal for Louis. This means so much to him and gives him a lot of reassurance right now.

He doesn't really have time to dwell on it though, because his son is here, they are at The City Of
Space, and they still have stuff to see and he can’t focus on something else right now. He bows his
head and he feels Harry squeeze his hand as they follow a giddy Adam to their next destination.

The next stop is outside in the gardens again, where the life size replica of the Lunar Module from
1969 is displayed. The crowd gathers around it, Adam right at the barrier and in front of the
entertainer, Louis behind him with his arms wrapped around his shoulders and Harry stuck to
Louis’ side, his arm circling Louis’ waist and holding him close. It’s so nice and comforting to feel
Harry against him like this, and to be honest, the weather is getting a bit cold so the extra warmth is
very welcomed.

The entertainer explains to them how everything happened when “The eagle has landed” that day,
reenacting the actions of the two astronauts as they stepped on the moon for the first time in 1969.
Adam is immersed in it, not missing one second of what is going on before his eyes.

Finally, they retreat back to the main building where all of the exhibitions are being displayed.
They make their way to the lowest level and Harry and Louis are interrupted in their conversation
by Adam while they step down the stairs.

“Mummy! Mummy! Mummy! Mummy! Mummyyyyyyy!” The little boy has gone back up the few
steps that were separating him from the two men and is now standing in front of his mother.

“What? What is it?” Louis wonders.

“It’s Thomas Pesquet, Mummy!!!” The little boy bounces on the ball of his feet.
“What?! Where?!” Louis asks, surprised and almost as excited as his son, looking around for the
man.

“There!!!” Adam points and Louis and Harry follow the direction of his finger and suddenly Louis
wants to laugh at himself for actually thinking that the astronaut could be here. But at the same
time, he is so endeared by his son for being this excited about a cardboard cutout shaped like his
hero.

“Oh wow! Yes Honey, this is amazing!” Louis says sincerely because he knows how important this
is to his son.

“Let’s go see it, pleeaaaase!!!” Adam runs back down the rest of the stairs to the cardboard figure,
Louis hollering after him to be careful once more.

Harry and him follow, and again, it’s picture time for Adam with Thomas Pesquet, well cardboard
Thomas Pesquet, but still.

“Have you ever met him?” Adam asks Harry, as they wander through the exhibition, Louis’ son
showing off again to him and Harry regarding his knowledge about the young French astronaut,
and Louis is so proud of him for being so passionate about something.

“No, I never have,” Harry replies and Louis can see the disappointment on his son’s face, “But if I
ever do, you’ll be the first one to know.” Harry tells him, ruffling his hair and making the little boy
smile so big that it could split his face in two.

They complete their tour and walk through a couple more exhibitions before they end their little
journey at the gift shop. The absolute must before they go back to the hotel.

“Can I look for something, Mummy?” Adam asks his mother, and Louis loves him so much. The
little boy knows how it can be hard for them sometimes and always asks before he can choose
something for Louis to buy.

“Of course you can.” Louis smiles at him, caressing his son’s cheek.

“Thanks, Mummy!” Adam says before running off in the store in search of the Holy Grail.

Louis wanders around the shop as well, looking through the NASA merch, the books, the stuffed
animals, the games, the pens and more. A NASA mug catches his eye and he stays in front of the
shelf for a moment, taking one of them in his hands, when he feels someone slide behind him.
Oddly enough, he knows exactly who it is and that makes him smile, a feeling of comfort passing
through him.

“Do you see something you like?” Harry murmurs against his ear.

“I’m not taking anything for me,” Louis puts the mug back on the shelf, “Today is for Adam. And
before you say anything,” He turns around to face Harry, the other man obviously frustrated to have
been cut off by the smaller man, “Yes, I’m paying for Adam’s gift. It's the least I can do today.”

Harry opens his mouth, clearly searching for a comeback, but closes it. Louis feels proud of himself
and crosses his arms in front of his chest, popping his hip, a little smirk adorning his face. But it is
too good to be true when Harry begins to speak again.
“Well,” He leans towards Louis, and for a second the smaller man thinks that he is going to kiss
him. His heart is going crazy in his chest, but Harry is actually only reaching for the mug behind
him. The smirk on Harry’s face matches Louis’ and the man knows exactly what he is doing.
Fucking hell, “If you pay for Adam’s gift, then I will pay for yours.” He whispers, his breath
tickling Louis’ ear and sending shivers down his spine. Just like that he is gone, and Louis is just
staring into space, his breathing picking up a bit and he has to walk it off to be able to come back to
earth. Damn you, Harry.

Louis continues to wander around, his eyes landing on a little something that he thinks Harry might
like. Maybe. So when the other man isn’t looking and is engulfed in the book section with Adam,
Louis takes the opportunity to go to the register, sliding his little purchase into his pocket before the
other man can see. Finally, Adam has chosen what he wants and he has set his heart on a new
planet to stick on his ceiling, Jupiter of course, and a small plushie bear dressed as an astronaut that
Louis has to admit is very cute.

Harry pays for Louis’ mug, a smug look on his face the whole time, and Louis can only roll his
eyes at the endearing ridiculousness of this man.

“There you go.” Harry says with a big smile, handing the bag to Louis.

Louis fakes an annoyed sigh, which Harry sees right through of course, and takes the bag from the
man, “Thank you.” The smile on his face is hard to control.

“Don’t mention it.” Harry leads them outside of the shop and to another restaurant for their final
meal of the day.

Of course Harry insists on paying again and Louis really doesn’t have the energy to fight for it,
knowing perfectly well that he will lose anyway. Then, they go back to the hotel that is a few feet
away from the City Of Space, Harry giving Adam a piggyback ride, as the little boy was practically
falling asleep on his plate while eating his dessert. The adrenaline and everything that had
happened today finally taking over him.

They get to their rooms, Harry opening Louis’ door first, with one hand, the other still holding on
to a sleepy Adam on his back, “I got us two adjoining rooms,” He says when they step in, “This
one's for you and Adam, and mine is through there.” He gestures with his head towards the door on
their right.

God, this man really is something else. Of course he got adjoining rooms so no pressure was put on
them to sleep in the same one. Louis just falls for him a bit more every second of every day, and
Harry is making this really easy for him.

“That’s great, thank you.” Louis says sincerely, looking around the beautiful hotel room he is in. He
thinks it might be as big as his living room combined with his kitchen. Like Harry had told him
earlier this morning, their bags are waiting for them on their respective beds. A king size one for
Louis and a queen size one for Adam.

“Where should I put him?” Harry asks.

Louis opens his mouth, Adam is quicker than him, “I wanna sleep in Mummy’s bed tonight.” He
says with a sleepy voice.

Louis chuckles, “Okay, Baby.”

He walks to the king size bed, taking the duffle bag from it and puts it on the floor. Harry comes
next to him and manages to lay Adam down. He tries to pull away when the little boy is on the
mattress, but Adam holds on tight to him, keeping Harry wrapped in his arms before he says,
“Thank you so much for today Harry,” His voice is getting sleepier and sleepier by the second,
“You made one of my dreams come true.”

When the words are out of his mouth, it’s like all the energy he had gathered for it just flows away
from his body and the little boy is now dead to the world, his mouth agape as soft snores can be
heard.

“I-” Harry detangles himself from Adam, resting one of his hands on the mattress, “It was my
pleasure, little man.” He whispers, kissing Adam’s forehead gently and Louis thinks he is going to
die. He bites his lower lip to contain his smile, and blinks a few times to prevent threatening tears
from making an appearance.

“I’ll- Um… I’ll let you both sleep then.” Harry tells him when he straightens up, facing Louis.

“Okay,” Louis nods, swallowing hard, “I’m going to get him into his pj’s.”

“Okay,” Harry mirrors, “Goodnight, Louis.” He walks away to the door leading to his own room.

“Goodnight, Harry.” Louis mirrors back, the two of them staring intensely at each other for a
moment and Louis has to fight everything in him not to close the distance between them.

Harry smiles at him once more, before finally turning away and entering his room, the door closing
softly behind him.

“Fuck” Louis whispers to himself, shaking his head before going to Adam’s bag and getting his pj’s
for the night.

He changes his son, the latter not even batting an eyelash as usual, and then tucks him in under the
fluffy covers. Louis takes the opportunity to go take a hot shower, the warm water doing wonders
to his chilly skin. He brushes his teeth and gets dressed in one of his soft pj bottoms and a loose t-
shirt, the room being pretty warm.

He goes back and sits down on the edge of the bed, facing Harry’s door, the soft snores of his son
the only sound in the room. Louis stares at the door, playing with his fingers, his leg bouncing
nervously. His gaze shifts from time to time to his coat that is resting on the armchair in the corner,
and the man thinks about the little something he got for Harry earlier.

Louis abruptly stands up from the bed and takes a few steps towards the armchair, taking the packet
from his coat pocket. He walks to Harry’s door and takes a deep breath before knocking gently on
it. Louis bites his lower lip while he waits, his finger tapping on the paper bag.

A few seconds later, Harry opens the door and he must have taken a shower as well, because he is
only wearing joggers, his perfect chest is glimmering, a few drops fallen from his damp hair are
wandering on his beautiful skin, and Louis feels weak in the knees.

“Louis? Is everything okay?” There is concern in Harry's voice and a small frown on his face, his
eyes roaming over Louis’ body.
“I- Um… Yes, I’m fine. I- Can I- Can I come in for a minute?” He asks, one of his hands playing
with the hem of his t-shirt.

“Yeah, sure. Of course.” Harry steps aside, letting Louis inside.

When Harry closes the door behind them, Louis turns around to face him, “I wanted to give you
this,” He hands him the little packet, “As a thank you for everything,” The other man takes it in his
hands, looking inside of it, “It’s not much,” Louis adds nervously and shrugs, “But I just thought it
might make you think of us. Of this day. When you go for a drive or come home, I don't know.”
The smaller man bites his lower lip.

“That’s so cute and nice of you, Louis. Thank you,” Harry says earnestly, looking at the rocket
shaped keychain that Louis bought him, “But you really didn’t have to. I told you I was happy to do
all of this. I don’t expect anything in return.”

“Oh, I know you don’t,” Louis chuckles, because he has come to know the other man by now, “I
just thought it was the least I could do when you’ve been so amazing to my son today and the last
couple of months,” With his words, Louis takes a couple of steps towards Harry, “You always put a
smile on his face and you’ve made him happier than ever today and I just-” Louis is now right in
front of the other man, their toes touching, their gazes immersed in one another, blue drowning in
green, “He likes you so much, and I really like you too Harry.”

There he said it. It’s out now, and oh my God it feels good to say it out loud. Louis’ heart is
hammering in his chest, and he can feel his hands start to shake while he waits for Harry’s
reaction.

“You know,” The other man says, setting the keychain on the little console by the door, his now
free hands grabbing onto Louis’ hips to pull him even closer, his right arm sliding around Louis’
waist, Harry’s thumb ghosting over his soft skin, sending shivers down his spine. Their noses are
touching and their breaths are mingling. They are right back where they were a week ago in Louis’
flat inside the fort, but this time, is Harry going to pull away again? Louis lays his hand on Harry’s
chest, the tip of his fingers gently roaming over his swallows tattoos that Louis is just discovering
right now, and holy shit. He was not prepared for this.

Louis’ thoughts are interrupted by Harry’s voice again, “I don’t need anything to make me think of
this day or of you,” His left hand comes up to Louis’ cheek, “I can’t stop thinking about you, and I
don’t intend to.”

Louis’ previous mental question is answered, when Harry closes the gap between them, earning a
small gasp of surprise from Louis, the smaller man melting into Harry’s arms, as their lips touch for
the first time. Louis’ body is tingling all over, the butterflies in his tummy are in a frenzy, and a
moan escapes his mouth when Harry’s tongue teases his lips. Louis doesn’t hesitate for a second
and opens his mouth willingly, standing on his tippy toes to deepen the kiss, too desperate for Harry
and to feel his tongue on his, to taste him.

He still tastes like the coffee he had earlier after dinner, the two of them hungrily exploring each
other’s mouths. One of Louis' hands is on the back of the other man’s neck, pulling him in even
more. Harry’s hand has slowly gone down, down, down, and is now holding onto Louis’ arse,
digging into the flesh, the soft material of his pj’s crumpled in Harry’s firm grip and lifting up
slightly to reveal one of Louis’ ankles. The smaller man lets out another moan at the sensation, the
tips of his fingers sinking into Harry’s chest as the other man groans in his mouth, their bodies
rubbing against each other and creating a delicious friction on their clothed cocks.
Suddenly it hits Louis, God he wishes he didn’t have to put an end to this right now. He wants to
keep kissing Harry over and over and over again, unfortunately, they have to stop. He pulls away
slowly, Harry biting on Louis' lower lip as he does so in an attempt to keep him close, and blinking
at him when their lips separate.

They're both panting, their breaths tickling each other’s lips, “Are you okay?” Harry asks
worriedly, his eyes searching for some kind of answer on Louis’ face.

“I am. I-” Louis starts, “I just- We need to stop this right now, because I don’t know if I’ll be able to
stop if we go on, and we can’t do anything with my son in the next room.”

“Shit, you’re right. I’m so sorry.” Harry apologises, starting to pull away, his arm leaving Louis’
waist, but the smaller man stops him, bringing both of his hands on Harry’s cheeks to keep him
close and looking him in the eyes.

“Hey,” Louis smiles at him, “We both want this. A lot. I mean, I think we do…” He pauses, unsure,
but Harry’s frantic nod tells him what he needs to know, “But yeah, we can’t do this tonight. Not
here. I’m sorry.” Louis says apologetically, because he really wishes it didn’t have to be this way.

Harry nods again, laying his hands on Louis’ hips, “No, I completely understand. Please don’t
apologise,” It’s his turn to smile at Louis now, “And you’re right, I wouldn’t be able to stop either if
we went any further.” He smirks.

“Glad we’re on the same page then.” Louis mirrors his smirk, his thumbs still caressing the other
man’s cheekbones.

“About that,” Harry starts, Louis’ hands travelling back to the taller man’s chest, frowning a bit
while he waits for him to continue, “I um… I wanted to apologise for the other night.”

“What?” Louis asks genuinely confused, “What do you mean? Apologise for what?” Harry’s arm is
back around Louis’ waist, his fingers playing on his skin above the waistband of his pj’s. His other
hand now tracing along Louis’ collarbone with the tip of his fingers.

“For um… For pulling away the last time. I-” Oh “I was a bit scared and acting like a coward but
um… I'm not scared anymore. I hope you know that.” His voice is a bit sad and Louis doesn’t like
that.

“I-” Louis was not expecting this. At least now he knows why it happened, and he is glad it is not
because Harry was not interested in him. Well, with what happened between them a few minutes
ago, there is no doubt left really, “That's okay. You’re not a coward Harry, I can understand. And
yes, I think I know now.”

They smile at each other again, before Harry kisses Louis’ lips softly one last time and the smaller
man has to bite the inside of his cheek so as to not let out an embarrassing whine when it’s over.

They detangle themselves from each other, and Louis can see Harry’s growing hard on through his
joggers, and yeah, thank goodness they stopped in time. He mentally high fives himself though,
proud to have that effect on such a beautiful man.

“I’ll go back to my room.” Louis steps towards the door.

“Okay,” Harry opens it for him, “Have a goodnight.” He says again with a soft smile.
“Thank you, you too. And thank you again for today. And um… Everything." Louis pushes on his
tiptoes, and kisses Harry once more before he really has to leave.

“It was my pleasure.” Harry tells him, his hand squeezing Louis’ before the blue-eyed man closes
the door behind him.

“Fuck.” Louis mutters under his breath again, touching his lips with the tip of his fingers.

They kissed. They really kissed and Louis doesn’t know how he is going to be able to sleep tonight
knowing that Harry is in the other room. When their lips touched for the first time earlier, Louis’
heart was about to burst out of his chest, and he has never been this overwhelmed by a man. Louis
also doesn’t want to think about what Harry is going to do to take care of his previously hardening
erection, because that won’t help. At all.

All of it just feels so good. So right. Louis doesn’t want this feeling to stop.

He goes to his bed, Adam still sound asleep with his head buried in his pillow, his bear astronaut
tucked under his chin. Louis smiles down at him, running his fingers through his hair, and kisses
the top of his head before turning the lights off and sliding under the covers himself. He turns on
his side, facing his son and admiring the person he loves the most on this earth.

Louis keeps on smiling as he thinks back on today, his son being the happiest ever, Harry being the
best man ever, and the night ending in the perfect way. He closes his eyes and tries to let those
wonderful memories lull him to sleep.

—-----------

The next morning arrives quickly and Harry wakes up with a big smile on his face. He has never
felt this good and he wants to keep that feeling bubbling inside of him for as long as he can.

Yesterday went better than he could have ever imagined. Adam was so happy that it made Harry
bursting with joy as well. When he held him last night before falling asleep, it made Harry feel so
nice and warm and damn, he is so attached to this kid it is not even funny anymore. Harry never
thought a kid could have that effect on him. Well, not any kid. Louis’ kid specifically.

Louis. Oh God, Louis . When he came by last night, Harry wanted to jump up and down like a
teenager because his birthday wish had been answered. He didn’t think it would end that way, but
man, is he happy it did. Louis is the most wonderful man in the world and Harry has no intention of
letting him go. Everything in his body screamed for him to take Louis right there and then last
night, and he even had to take another shower when he was gone so he could quickly take care of
his hard on. When he tasted Louis’ lips, Harry’s heart was ready to blast a hole in his chest. Louis
has completely bewitched Harry and the green-eyed man is gladly letting it happen.

He sits up and goes to get ready. Their train leaves at 11am and they have to eat breakfast and pack
up before that.

They meet up in Louis and Adam’s room before checking out, Louis and Harry sharing a knowing
look when they say good morning, Adam completely oblivious to the whole thing and Harry thinks
he couldn’t be any cuter if he tried.

They eat breakfast at the hotel restaurant, and soon enough they are heading to King’s Cross Station
and getting on the train back to Oxford. This time, Adam wants to be alone on his side of the table,
so Harry and Louis end up next to each other. The two men secretly playing footsie under the table
like two teenagers, their hands linked in between them, out of sight. Louis’ head is on his shoulder
the whole journey, Adam is playing with his bear and his rocket that he had taken for the trip, and
Harry hasn’t felt more in place.

The train arrives in Oxford around noon, the three of them making their way to Harry’s car and
back to their building. When they arrive in front of Louis’ flat, the smaller man opens the door and
Adam’s runs inside but not before he has hugged Harry tightly once more and thanked him for what
feels like the hundredth time since they left London this morning. Harry can’t say that he minds.

They are about to bid their goodbyes again, and Harry knows it’s now or never for him to ask, so he
dives in, “Louis?”

“Yeah?” He replies, standing on his doorstep.

“Please go on a date with me,” Harry blurts out, making Louis’ eyes widen. He doesn’t let him talk
and just goes on blabbering, “Tomorrow night, or the day after that, or whenever you want but-” He
catches his breath, Louis looking at him with a smile, “Please.”

Louis chuckles and closes the small distance between them, cradling Harry’s face with his soft
hands, “Of course I want to go on a date with you, you goof. I want that more than anything.”

He doesn’t let Harry reply and just kisses him for the first time today, and Harry feels like he is
coming home. He didn’t think he could miss kissing and holding someone this much. He holds on
to Louis’ hips as their lips dance over each other’s, Louis sighing softly in his mouth as he wraps
his arms around Harry’s neck, their bodies glued to each other and Harry is dying inside.

“Mummy!!!!”

They break apart at the sound of Adam’s voice coming from Louis’ flat, the two men chuckling at
the situation, “I’m coming!” Louis hollers, before focusing his attention back on Harry, “Tomorrow
night then? I’ll see if Zayn can help me out.” He asks, taking Harry by surprise because if he is
honest, he didn’t think Louis would want to meet up so fast. But apparently he does, so Harry
doesn't waste a second to reply.

“Great! Tomorrow night,” He nods, licking his lips and tasting the Chai Tea Latte that Louis had on
the train, “I’ll pick you up at 7pm? Is that alright?”

“It’s perfect,” Louis smiles brightly at him, and Harry mirrors him, “See you tomorrow.” Louis
pecks his lips quickly before hurrying into his flat and closing the door behind him.

Once again, Harry is dumbly staring at Louis’ door and he shakes his head to come back down to
earth. God, this man will be the death of him. Harry goes back to his own flat, a grin on his face,
the rocket keychain that Louis bought him already attached to his keys. He throws his duffle bag in
his entryway before taking his coat off and grabbing his phone from his pocket. He needs to call
Liam because too much has happened during this weekend and also, he needs advice for his date.
Oh my God, yes . He is having a date with Louis. He can’t mess this up.
 Chapter 8

Louis runs from the bathroom to his bedroom when he hears his phone ringing. He groans to
himself because he really doesn’t have time right now. Thank God his hair is done, though. His
phone is lying on top of his bed, and he picks it up when he sees his mother’s picture on the screen.

He answers and tucks the device between his ear and shoulder while he rummages through his
closet half naked, with only his blue skinny jeans on, “Hello Mum.”

“Boo! How are you, darling? How was the weekend?” Jay asks with a cheery voice.

“I’m good, Mum. It was amazing with Harry. Adam was over the moon.” He replies, huffing,
looking for something specific to wear.

“Oh that's wonderful!” There is a pause, “Are you sure you’re okay though? You seem a bit
distracted.”

“Well,” Louis sighs, because he knows his mother is going to freak out, but he can’t leave her in the
dark about this, “I’m going on a date tonight, and I’m kind of in a rush because I can’t find that
fucking jumper.”

“What?! Oh my God Louuuuuu!” She shrieks on the other end of the line, and Louis has to pull his
ear away for a few seconds if he doesn’t want to go deaf.

“Mum, calm down please.” He laughs.

“How can I calm down Lou?! You’re going on a date for the first time in what seems like a
decade-”

“Thanks, Mum.” He rolls his eyes.

“So excuse me if I’m a little excited!” She continues, completely ignoring Louis’ comment, “Why
didn’t you tell me sooner?!” Louis opens his mouth to reply but he doesn’t get a chance to say
anything because his mother is on a roll, “Oh my God,” She gasps, “Are you going on a date with
Harry? Did the weekend go better than expected? Did you two-”

“Mum, I beg of you to stop.” Louis says, finally finding the knitted light blue jumper that he was
looking for.

“Alright, alright. But you didn’t answer my question…”

Louis sighs and braces himself for what’s to come, sitting on the edge of the bed next to the jumper,
“Yes, I’m going on a date with Harry. He asked me yesterday when we came back from London.”

He closes his eyes and pulls the phone away from his ear again, because the screams coming from
his mother could wake up the dead.
After she has calmed down, Louis speaks again, “Are you okay, Mum?” He laughs. He knows how
much his mum is fond of Harry. She never met him in person, but when Louis and Adam are on the
phone with her, funnily enough, he is the common theme of their conversations, and the mother and
his son can’t really hide their feelings towards the man.

“I'm just so happy for you, darling. I know how much you like him and how much Adam likes
him,” Louis can hear the smile in her voice, “I hope you will have a wonderful time with him. Do
you know where he is taking you?”

“I have no idea,” Louis shakes his head, putting his mother on speakerphone so he can finish
getting dressed. He puts on a light t-shirt underneath the jumper, “He only said to dress casually
and that it might get a bit cold.”

“Oh, that man loves surprises I see.”

“He really does.” Louis chuckles.

“I suppose my grandson is not there then?” Jay wonders when Louis takes her off speakerphone
and back to his ear, walking to his entryway to put on his shoes.“No, I’m sorry. Zayn and Niall are
taking care of him for the night. Bless them. They’re going to the cinema to see the new Buzz
Lightyear movie. I have a feeling I'll be hearing about it for the next few months.”

They both laugh, as they know very well that it is going to be the case.

“Is he okay with this? With you and Harry dating, I mean. Well I guess he is, seeing how he loves
Harry so much.”

Louis smiles at his mother’s words, “He is, yeah. We had a little talk yesterday and he jumped up
and down like a little kangaroo before stopping dead to ask me, ‘Mummy, does that mean you and
Harry are going to kiss?’ with wide eyes. When I told him that it was a possibility that kissing
might be involved, he ran out of the room screaming ‘Ewwwwwww’ but it was followed by a ‘But
I’m so happy you’re going to date!!!’.”

Jay bursts out laughing and Louis can’t contain himself either, “Oh my God he really is one of a
kind, isn’t he?” She is still chuckling on the other end of the line.

“He really is.” Louis confirms, his heart full of love for his little boy.

“Alright then, I’ll let you go darling. Tell me everything tomorrow, okay?”

“I will, Mum. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Boo.”

Louis hangs up, and sets his phone on the little console by the shoe rack so he can put on his new
Adidas sneakers. He checks his watch to see that it is 7pm and that Harry shouldn’t be long now.
He has just enough time to reach for his brown jacket that he thinks will go well with the light blue
of his jumper, when there is a knock on the door. Right on time. Louis grabs his phone and wallet,
stuffing them in his pockets, before opening the door.

As usual, Harry takes his breath away when Louis sees him. He is wearing brown leather boots
with beige flared trousers, a black shirt that is barely buttoned, and of course his black peacoat.
Louis wonders if Harry will get cold, because it is the end of October after all, as his eyes wander
over the other man’s chest tattoos. He tries to swallow to hydrate his sudden dry mouth. Louis is
not worried for himself, because he is kind of hot already. Jesus Christ.

“Hi, Baby,” Harry says with a big smile, and Louis’ knees wobble at the term of endearment, “You
look beautiful.” He adds, taking the hand of a stunned Louis, pulling him to his chest and bringing
him out of his rêverie, Harry’s arms finding their place around his waist.

“Thank you,” Louis replies, setting his hand on the lapels of Harry’s coat, “You look incredible.”
He says in a breath before Harry's mouth is on his. God, Louis missed him. He missed kissing him,
and they saw each other yesterday so that tells him how deep in he already is. Louis sighs contently,
melting into Harry’s embrace, the other man’s lips softly greeting him.

Harry pulls away, and Louis chases his mouth, pecking his lips one more time and making the taller
man chuckle, “Are you ready to go?” Harry asks. Louis nods, biting his lower lip, “Shall we then?”
He says, and Louis closes the door of his flat, before turning away in the direction of the elevator,
but he is stopped by Harry's hand around his wrist.

“Not this way.” The other man smiles.

“What?” Louis is confused, “Are we going to your flat?”

Harry laughs, “Nope.” Then just drags a puzzled Louis behind him.

Louis has both of his hands around Harry's, “Where the hell are you taking me?”

“You’ll see.” Harry teases him.

They make their way down the corridor, and Louis has no idea where they are going. He never
went that far in that direction, “You’re not going to kill me and throw me in a broom closet are
you?”

Harry lets out a honked laugh, “No, babe. Definitely not.”

“Alright, good to know.”

They stop in front of a wooden door with an inscription on it: ‘Roof’.

Louis’ eyes widen, “There is a rooftop in this building? I mean one where we can go?”

“There sure is.” Harry replies, opening the door and leading Louis up too many stairs for his liking,
but he is on a date with Harry so he is not going to complain.

“How did I not know about this? The realtor never said anything.” Louis pouts.

“I have no idea. But now you know. Mine had just mentioned it to me, and one day I was curious
and went looking, and I found it.” Harry turns around to look at him, smiling again, and Louis’
disappointment just flies away.

They stop in front of another door, “Alright, here we go.” Harry opens it and letting Louis step
outside first.
There is a light October breeze on the rooftop, but that is not what makes Louis shiver. There, in
the middle of the roof, is some kind of little nest made with pillows and blankets, what looks like a
picnic basket next to it, and a few rainbow fairy lights all around to give them some cosy
atmosphere.

Louis is speechless, his tummy flutters at the thought of Harry thinking all of this through for him.
He feels the man wrap his arms around him from behind, his broad chest glued to Louis’ back, the
smaller man resting his body on him. He doesn’t know what to say, and the only words that come
out of his mouth are, “Are we even allowed up here?”

He feels Harry’s breath against his ear when he chuckles, “No one ever said anything, so I’m
guessing we are. And to be honest, I’ve never seen anyone up here every time I come.” He replies,
kissing the side of Louis’ neck, and nosing his temple, the blue-eyed man leaning into the touch,
“But um…” Harry’s voice is hesitant, “Do- Do you like it?”

Oh my God, Louis is so stupid sometimes. He turns around quickly, cradling Harry’s face in his
hands, “I love it. It's so beautiful out here Harry.” He kisses him deeply before releasing him and
dragging him quickly to the little nest, a laughing Harry following behind.

They take off their shoes and settle on the fluffy cushions, the two men facing each other, and Louis
feels like he is sitting on a cloud. It’s not that chilly outside yet, but he knows that he won’t get cold
with all those blankets at his disposal anyway.

“I know that you don’t like things that are too over the top, no pun intended,” Louis chuckles at
Harry’s words, rolling his eyes fondly, before the other man continues, “So I thought that this
would be a good idea. Just the two of us. Up here.”

“It’s a wonderful idea,” Louis tells him, “But I'm kind of starving now, so show me what you got
for us.” He urges Harry, clapping his hands excitedly, earning him a giggle from the other man, and
Louis has to fight not to jump on him and kiss him again.

“I brought a few things so I hope you’ll like them.”

“I’m not that picky, so I think you’re fine.” Louis reassures him.

“So, we have…” Harry starts to take the containers out of the picnic basket, “Some charcuterie,
some crudités with dips, some french cheese with bread. I also made us some chicken wraps if
we’re really hungry, and for dessert I made us some raspberry tartelettes, because I know you love
them,” Harry’s cheeks become rosy with the words and Louis couldn’t be more endeared, “And a
fruit salad. I hope this is um… okay? Like it's not too simple?” Again Harry’s voice is hesitant and
unsure and Louis definitely hates that.

He leans over the food that has been displayed on the blanket, careful not to crush anything, one of
his hands finds the back of Harry's neck and the other one is braced on the other man’s knee, “This
is perfect. This is exactly the kind of thing that I love. Thank you.” Louis says, kissing him on the
lips, before sitting back down, the two men sharing a soft smile.

Harry scrunches his nose cutely, hiding the gesture as he rubs it with his hand, “Okay let’s dig in,
then?”

Louis nods enthusiastically, accepting a plate and cutlery that Harry hands him. They start eating,
picking in containers here and there and Louis feels so warm inside, so at ease.
“How are things at school with Adam? Is it better?” Harry asks him and Louis feels his heart swell
at the man being so concerned.

Louis nods, smiling at him, “It’s better, yes. I talked to his teacher about it and it turns out she
didn’t really have a talk with the class about Adam’s ‘situation’,” Louis rolls his eyes as he says the
words, because come on, do your damn job, “So she sat down with the class, talked to them and
explained. He doesn’t have a ton of friends, but Zoey and a few others have taken him in their little
group, and at least now, after the teacher’s talk, the others have stopped picking on him.” Louis’
heart stings at the thought of them mocking his son.

“Oh that’s a relief. I’m so glad.”

“I am too. That’s thanks to you really.”

“Oh come on Louis, I didn’t do anything.”

“You did though. You proved to Adam that he could trust you and talk to you, so yes, I have to
thank you.”

Harry sighs, though Louis can see the small smile on his face, “Okay, I’ll accept it.”

“Good.” Louis takes a bite of his cheese and bread.

They continue to eat Harry’s delicious food, talking and laughing at Harry's bad jokes and all of
this feels so good and easy and right. Louis has never felt this good with anyone, and looking at
Harry in the dim rainbow lights on the rooftop of their building makes Louis’ heart ache with how
much he wants this. But since things started to go a little bit further between them, a question has
been nagging at Louis’ brain, and he thinks that he has to ask Harry now before things go even
further and it’s too late.

“Harry, can I ask you a question?” Louis’ tone is unsure.

Harry looks up at him, brows a bit furrowed, “Sure, what is it?”

“I um… I’m sorry, but I have to ask you this I-” Harry is still frowning, however he doesn’t push
Louis and lets him take his time, “Are you sure about this?”

“What do you mean?” The other man is even more confused now, and he sets his plate in front of
him, folding his hand in his lap and giving Louis his full attention.

“I mean, are you sure you want to do this? With me?”

The realisation of what Louis is talking about can be read on Harry’s face, his mouth forming an
‘o’.

“Because I need to know that you’re in it Harry. It’s not just me in this unfortunately, I have a little
boy, and I hope that you know what you’re getting into,” Louis chuckles trying to make the
conversation lighter, before he continues, “I can’t-” Louis sighs and takes a deep breath, “I can’t
have you for a few weeks and then have you realise that it’s not what you want anymore. I can’t do
that to myself again. I can’t do that to Adam again.” Louis drops his gaze to his plate, fighting the
tears that are threatening to slip away.
“Oh Louis,” He hears Harry say, and then there is a bit of ruffling and shuffling and soon enough,
Louis’ plate is taken away from him and put to the side next to the nest with the rest of the stuff. He
is dragged by the hand by Harry, the other man pulling him close so that Louis can straddle his lap
without spilling or crushing anything, Louis’ knees on each side of Harry’s thighs. Harry’s arms are
wrapped protectively around him, Louis’ hands resting delicately on his shoulders, the two men
looking into each other’s eyes.

“You have to know,” Harry continues with a very serious voice, “That I know perfectly well what
I’m getting into. I have no intentions of leaving you or Adam. If you’ll both have me of course…”
He smiles sweetly at Louis and the smaller man can only nod, matching his smile, not really
finding the words right now, “You and your little boy have scratched your way into my heart and
there is no way that you can get out of it now,” Louis sniffles, nodding dumbly again, “I want you,
and I want to be in your son’s life.”

Harry’s words are sure and just hearing them lifts a weight that Louis didn’t even know he was
carrying on his shoulders, but he still feels the need to explain to Harry a few things.

“I-” Louis sniffles again, dropping his gaze to Harry’s chest.

“What is it? You know you can tell me.”

“I know, I-” Louis takes a deep breath, lifting his gaze from Harry’s butterfly and looking into his
eyes again, “When I was in Uni, I met a guy… Eric… I think you can guess who he was?” Louis
says, Harry listening to him intently and nodding knowingly.

“Yeah um… Adam mentioned him a while ago…” He is hesitant.

Louis chuckles wetly, with a fond smile, “Of course he did. Well I don’t know what he told you, but
I was with Eric for a bit more than a year and in the final year of my Masters, I got pregnant. We
had never really talked about the future before, but I knew what I wanted. I’ve always wanted a
family and kids. I didn’t know what he wanted though, but I thought he loved me enough to maybe
try this with me. Clearly, I was wrong,” Louis says, with a choked voice, as a few tears escape at
the memory. Harry tightens his grip around him and kisses his wet cheeks gently.

“When I told him that I was pregnant, he freaked out and just started shouting at me.”

“Oh, Baby.”

“He told me that he never wanted kids and that he would never want them ever in his life,” Louis
goes on, his heart breaking a bit remembering that painful moment, “He just left me in my dorm
crying every tear out of my body, and never talked to me ever again. I did see him again, because
we were still on the same campus and we had a few classes in common, but he ignored me
completely and acted like nothing ever happened between us. Like I didn’t exist anymore.” Louis
tries to dry his tears, that have decided to gang up on him and fall endlessly now. It’s the first time
in years he is telling this story again and reliving it is harder than he thought it would be.

Harry is looking at him with the softest eyes, and Louis just feels safe.

“After that,” Louis continues, “The whole Uni, and soon after that the whole town, knew what had
happened, and I finished my studies and started my teaching career being known as the guy who
got pregnant after being dumped by his boyfriend and left to raise his baby alone.”
“Is that why you left Doncaster?” Harry asks tentatively, his thumb wiping some of Louis’ tears.

Louis nods, “Yeah. I was allowed an extended year because of my pregnancy so I could finish my
Masters, and I thought that maybe when I would start working it would be better, but it wasn’t.
Everyone was always looking at me with pity eyes or judgmental looks. Thankfully, they didn’t
take it out on Adam when he was in Nursery and then at school because he was young, but I didn’t
want to risk it, and well, let’s just say that after five years I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“I get that. I can’t believe some people can literally make the life of others miserable just because it
doesn’t line up with their expectations or opinions. I’m so sorry you and Adam had to go through
this.” Harry pecks his cheeks again, and Louis can’t help leaning into the touch, closing his eyes as
his tummy flutters.

“Thankfully, I had my mother, my sisters and Zayn for a while until he moved here. They all helped
me a lot and they still do.” Louis smiles at the thought of them.

“I’m glad you had a good support system.”

“They are the best,” There is a pause before Louis goes on, “Can you tell me something about your
failed relationships as well, so that mine doesn’t seem that horrible.” He chuckles wetly, rubbing
his nose with his hand.

Harry laughs, “Well, um… For the past few years I was only living on some hook ups here and
there,” Louis feels a pang of jealousy in his stomach at the mention of Harry being with others. It’s
normal for Harry to have had a life of course, but damn it, he can’t have those pictures in his head,
“Because a few years ago I was in a relationship with a woman,” Oh “We stayed together for a few
years, but as time went by, we both became aware of the fact that we didn’t want the same things at
the time. I thought I would never want what she wanted, so we broke up by mutual consent and I
decided to not really date anymore. But recently, I realised that I do want those things. I want a
family, I want kids,” Louis’ heart picks up in his chest, “And now I also know that it wasn’t just
that me and her wanted different things at the time that made us break up, it was also because she
wasn’t the one I wanted those things with. She wasn’t the right person to have that future with…”
Harry watches him with a very intense and pointed look, and Louis knows what that means.

Oh dear God, if Harry wants Louis dead, well, he is doing a good job right now, because Louis’
heart just about stopped at his last words. If Louis was wondering if Harry was sure earlier, he isn’t
anymore after hearing his little speech. Louis doesn’t waste another second before attacking
Harry’s mouth with his, earning him a surprised noise coming from the taller man, Harry chuckling
against Louis’ lips.

Louis wraps his arms around Harry’s neck, bringing him even closer, the green-eyed man
tightening his hold around him, as Louis deepens the kiss, his tongue exploring Harry’s mouth.
Louis starts to move his hips on Harry’s lap, his clothed cock rubbing up against Harry's, Louis
moaning at the feeling and Harry groaning into his mouth.

“Fuck Louis.” Harry meets his movements, lifting his hips slightly to try and match Louis’
movements.

But Louis wants more, so much more, he is so desperate for it he could cry. He starts to fumble
with Harry's shirt, unbuttoning it as his fingers scratch at the beautiful skin underneath and tease
one of Harry’s nipples, the other man hissing at the touch and biting on Louis’ lower lip after
attacking his mouth once again.
“Louis,” He is panting in Louis’ mouth, “We can’t do this here, we’re going to freeze.”

“I don’t fucking care, Harry,” Louis replies, as he continues his motions of eight with his pelvis,
feeling Harry’s hardening cock against his, “I don’t care if I freeze my arse off. I don’t care if
someone sees us. I want you to take me. Right here, right now. I think we’ve waited long enough,
and I don’t want to wait anymore.”

He doesn’t let Harry respond, and just kisses him fiercely as he proceeds to push the other man’s
coat off of his shoulders.

“God, you’re going to be the death of me.” Harry breathes out, helping Louis out with his task and
taking Louis’ own jacket off, throwing the clothes somewhere outside of their nest.

Louis just smirks at him and a surprised squeal is ripped out of him when Harry lifts him up
suddenly, and lays him down on the fluffy blankets and pillows, the man tightening his arms around
Harry’s neck, his legs finding their way circling his waist.

Harry dives into his mouth again, tasting every bit of it, their cocks pushing against one another,
and Louis thinks he is going to die if they don’t take their clothes off right now.

“Harry, please,” Louis begs, “Please, get naked now.”

Harry laughs again in his mouth, before pecking his lips and pulling away. Their gazes stay stuck
on each other's when Harry takes his shirt off, Louis drinking him in, and if his mouth wasn’t so
dry right now, he thinks he would be drooling. Harry is so breathtaking that Louis wonders for a
second if he is real and just reaches out a hand to the man’s chest. Harry leans over him, as Louis’
fingers just dig into his pecs, his hands travelling over his tattoos, caressing the tanned soft skin, the
tip of their noses brushing gently.

Harry leans back on his haunches after a few seconds and continues to take the rest of his clothes
off. If Louis thought he was beautiful half naked, it’s nothing compared to what is in front of him
now, as the man just sits in front of him completely bare, his nipples hard with the fresh breeze
swirling around the rooftop.

“Fuck you’re so fit and beautiful.” Louis is in awe of the man.

Harry just chuckles shyly. Damn it, how can this man be so hot and cute at the same time? “I think
that you’re even more beautiful.” Harry tells him, crawling and hovering over him before kissing
him. He then proceeds to take each and every piece of Louis' clothing off, the October air making
him shiver when it kisses his skin.

“Fuck,” Louis hears Harry choke on his breath when the taller man discovers what was hidden
underneath Louis’ jeans, “You’re really trying to kill me aren’t you?” He says, his eyes boring into
Louis’ lavender lace panties.

Louis just shrugs cheekily, and maybe he shouldn’t have, because Harry’s mouth is now on his
crotch, his perfect lips kissing through the lacy material and making Louis whine at the sensation.
Louis’ hands find their way into Harry’s short curls, as the other man continues to mouth at Louis’
cock, teasing him to no end. Another whine escapes Louis’ mouth, but this time it’s when Harry’s
lips are no longer on him.
“I was right,” Harry says, in between his thighs, kissing his way down Louis’ thigh as he hooks his
fingers under Louis’ panties and drags them down, putting them on the side when they finally slip
from Louis’ ankles. Harry works his way back up, kissing every inch of Louis’ skin and purposely
avoiding his cock, until his mouth is on the smaller man’s neck, attacking it to leave a bruise that
will be on Louis for a few days. Every kiss and brush of Harry’s lips makes Louis whimper and
squirm, his hands grabbing onto Harry's broad back, a small moan leaving his mouth when their
naked cocks finally touch, “So pretty and beautiful.” He whispers in Louis’ ear, making the man
shiver even more.

“Do you-” Louis moans again and hisses when he feels Harry’s hand on his already hard cock,
stroking it at a painfully slow pace, his mouth still assaulting his neck, “Do you ha-” He moans
again as he tries to speak, when Harry’s fingers have travelled down to his balls and to his rim, a
single finger teasing at the entrance and sending little electric shock through his body.

“Do I what?” The other man asks, pulling away from Louis’ neck for a second.

“Do you have stuff?” He manages to get out with the tip of Harry’s finger now inside of him,
Louis’ own fingers digging into Harry’s shoulder blades, “Just lube. I mean-” Another moan, “I
mean if you are clean? I’m on birth control.”

Harry releases him from his torturous touch and Louis doesn’t know if he is relieved or
disappointed, “I am clean, yeah,” Harry tells him, “And I have some lube in my wallet.” He kisses
Louis’ neck once more, before pulling away.

“Your wallet, huh? Interesting,” Louis teases, and it was a bad move because Harry’s hand is back
on his cock, making him arch his back over the fluffy blanket, the back of his head buried in the
pillows underneath him, and Louis gets the message, “Fuck, okay I’m shutting up.”

Harry lets go of his cock and goes to fetch his trousers to get his wallet, Louis presumes. While he
waits, his body starts to quiver slightly, as a light layer of sweat is now covering his body and the
October night is becoming slightly chillier.

“Louis, you’re shaking baby,” Harry says when he is back in place between Louis’ legs, “I don’t
want you to be cold.” He sets the little pack of lube on one of the pillows next to Louis’ head.

“I’ll be fine.” Louis tells him, because he really doesn’t care about the cold right now.

“Let me just-” Harry doesn’t finish his sentence and turns around to grab another blanket, throwing
it over his shoulders, before hovering over Louis again, the two of them wrapped in a little fluffy
cocoon. Louis feels all of Harry’s warmth on him and around him, his tummy fluttering at the
sensation and how intensely Harry is looking at him right now. Once more, Louis feels so safe in
Harry’s arms, “Is that better?” He asks, smiling down at Louis and kissing his nose, making the
smaller man giggle and turn his head to try and hide his face in the pillows.

“Yeah, it’s better. Thank you.” Louis admits shyly, his cheeks flushing a bit as he turns his head to
look back at Harry, lifting it so he can kiss the other man.

Without another word, Harry reaches out for the packet of lube, opening it and coating his fingers
with the liquid. His hand is back between Louis’ arse cheeks, his forefinger easily making its way
inside again. Louis holds onto Harry as the other man takes his time to open him up, knowing
perfectly well that it has been a while for Louis, and Harry is so gentle with him that he could cry
right now. And that’s what he does.
He sucks in a gasp at the feeling of Harry’s third finger slowly penetrating him, tears silently falling
down his cheeks as he whimpers under the other man’s care, his legs tingling all over.

“Lou? What’s going on? Am I hurting you? Why are you crying?” Harry asks with a scared voice,
stopping his movements for a moment.

Louis shakes his head, “You’re not. You’re-” Louis stops to swallow and to dry his tears. God he is
so embarrassing, “You’re perfect. That’s why I'm crying.”

Harry's eyes are soft and caring and he doesn’t say anything, doesn’t make fun of Louis and just
leans down, kissing him slow and deep, his fingers opening him delicately again as the two men
take their time to melt in each other. Louis moans languorously against Harry’s lips when the latter
finds his sweet spot, rubbing it with the perfect pressure, the green-eyed man groaning at the
sounds escaping from Louis’ mouth.

Louis starts to squirm underneath Harry, and the latter understands immediately and slides his
fingers out, wiping them somewhere on one of the pillows. Harry coats his cock with some lube
and doesn’t waste any time before readjusting the blanket over his shoulders, closing their little
bubble. Louis feels the tip of Harry’s cock push in, the man taking his time once again, slowly
getting all the way in until he bottoms out.

Louis tightens his legs around Harry’s waist, keeping him as close as he can, their sweaty chests
sliding against one another as Harry starts to pull out before sliding back in. He continues his
movements for a while, in and out, slow and deep, giving Louis’ walls the perfect friction and
sending shivers all through his body.

Each of Harry’s thrusts is deep and strong, building Louis’ orgasm and his own at a wonderful
languorous pace and God, Louis missed this. He missed feeling so much pleasure travelling
through his veins, the tingles in his fingers, the shivers down his spine, the caresses of soft lips
against his sensitive skin. He feels like he already is a mess under Harry’s marvelous body, the
man’s soul surrounding him with warmth and gentleness, and Louis doesn’t know if he will be able
to last very long.

“Oh my God, Harry!” Louis moans high, when Harry hits his prostate, the green-eyed man
swallowing the sound with a passionate kiss, Louis hooking his ankles and pushing onto Harry’s
lower back to have him even deeper.

Harry gets it of course, and starts thrusting into Louis like his life depends on it, his balls slapping
against Louis’ arse, his cock hitting Louis’ prostate at a frantic pace, whimpers and whines coming
out of Louis’ mouth as he can’t control himself with the pleasure that he is feeling right now. The
blanket is slowly sliding off of Harry’s shoulders with his movements, exposing his back to the
October moon and letting the chill air wash over Louis’ sweaty skin, but he couldn't care less at that
moment.

“Fuck,” Harry lets out, gripping onto one of Louis’ thighs, his nails digging into the flesh and
making the smaller man squirm even more underneath him, the two of them looking into each
other’s eyes, the tip of their nose brushing.

Louis’ cock hurts with how much release it needs, constantly rubbing against Harry’s stomach,
“Ha-” Louis chokes out on a particular hard thrust, “Harry. Tou- Touch me. Please.” Louis begs,
lifting his hips even more, desperately seeking his orgasm.
Harry kisses him deeply one last time, before attaching his mouth to where Louis’ neck meets his
shoulders, biting down on it as his hand leaves Louis’ thigh to find its way to the smaller man’s
cock. Louis whines when he finally feels Harry’s grip on him, pleasure rushing through him while
the man still thrusts into him at a fierce rhythm at the same time. Louis looks at the night above
them, a clear sky in October where the stars are pouring their soft light on them, and suddenly his
body starts to quiver when he comes hard in Harry’s hand, his orgasm sending a wave of pleasure
through his veins. He tightens his legs even more around Harry, and throws his head back into the
fluffy pillows as he closes his eyes and sees other stars behind his eyelids. Stars of bliss.

Not even five seconds later, he feels Harry moan against his neck, the man’s hips stuttering as he
comes inside of Louis, heaving above him, the sound making Louis whine with how sensual it
sounds. After a few moments, Harry reaches out for one of the napkins from the picnic basket and
begins to clean himself up and Louis as well, the smaller man smiling and sighing contently the
whole time.

They drift off to sleep for a while after that below the clear October night, Harry plastered on
Louis’ back, the blanket tucked around their shoulders and under Louis' chin as to not let the cold
air slip in.

“Lou?” Louis hears someone call him, “Louis? Baby?”

Louis groans, and buries his face into Harry’s chest, they are now facing each other, their legs
tangled.

He hears the other man chuckle, “Louis, we need to go back inside, you’re freezing.” He feels
Harry’s warm hand caress up and down his arm and back.

“‘M not cold.” Louis mumbles against his skin, shuffling even closer to him, to seek some body
heat.

“You’re literally shivering right now and your skin is covered in goose-bumps.”

“‘S not” Louis mumbles again stubbornly, and detangles one of his hands that he now realises were
linked and tucked under his chin. He runs it over his arm and well, yes, Harry is right, he is
freezing. His skin is cold and he can feel the little bumps under his fingertips. He whines, making
Harry laugh again, because he doesn’t want to move. He is comfy here. Well except for his freezing
arse, but that’s just a detail.

“Come on, Lou. Let’s go back.” Harry says again, and Louis knows he is right.

He sighs in defeat, and as much as it pains him, detaches himself from Harry, “Can we go back to
my place?” Louis asks with a small voice, sitting up slowly, pulling the blankets up to his chest to
protect him from the cold air as he looks for his clothes.

“Of course, baby. Whatever you want.” Harry replies, standing up and gathering his stuff.

“Thank you.” Louis replies, holding onto the fluffy material for dear life.

“Let’s just get dressed. I’ll put the stuff back in the basket and I’ll come back tomorrow to put the
pillows, blankets and lights away, okay?”
“Okay” Louis agrees, spotting his panties a few inches away from the nest. He grabs them and puts
them on under the blanket.

The two men quickly get dressed, and after everything is packed up in the picnic basket, they head
back down to Louis’ flat. Harry sets the basket on the kitchen counter, before following Louis to his
bedroom. They brush their teeth, Louis gives him one of the spare toothbrushes that he has in the
guest drawer, before they undress themselves again. But this time, Louis puts on some pj’s and
lends Harry a pair of joggers that are definitely too short for him, though the taller man says that he
doesn’t mind. Harry stays shirtless, but Louis can’t complain when the man is a life size heating
pad and Louis snuggles into his chest once more. He feels Harry kiss his head and thinks he hears
him say ‘Goodnight, boyfriend’ to him. Louis feels so good, so sedated and warm against his man,
that he falls asleep instantly for the first time in over five years.
 Chapter 9

The next day, Louis wakes up to the sound of Harry’s soft snores and he couldn’t have dreamed of
a better way to start the morning. He smiles to himself and turns on his side, his eyes landing on
Harry's sleeping form, the other man on his stomach, the covers down to the bottom of his spine,
revealing his marvelous back.

Louis reaches out a hand, his fingertips making contact with Harry’s skin, delicately dancing along
his spine in random patterns and feeling shivers forming as he goes up and down. He hears Harry
sigh dreamily and the next thing he knows, the other man has turned on his side as well, wrapped
his arm around Louis’ waist and pulled him close to his chest.

“‘Morning” Harry says sleepily with a smile on his face, morning breath be damned, his eyes
slowly opening to meet Louis’.

“‘Morning” Louis replies, matching his smile and snuggling even closer, the hand that was on
Harry’s back now on his chest.

“I love waking up like this.” The other man confesses, leaning in for a chaste kiss.

Louis melts into it, sliding his leg between Harry’s, “Best way to wake up.” He agrees against
Harry’s mouth before kissing him again.

Harry’s hand starts to descend along Louis back and to his arse, grabbing the clothed flesh and
making the smaller man moan lowly. The kiss deepens and Louis starts to lose himself in it, Harry
groaning when Louis’ thigh brushes against his cock.

The moment is quickly broken when they hear ruffling in the hallway outside of the bedroom.

“Rise and shine!!!” Niall exclaims when he opens the door, making the two lovers pull away from
each other, hiding themselves under the covers. Thank god, Louis is not naked.

“What the hell Niall?!” Louis shouts.

“You said a bad word Mummy!” Adam says from wherever he is in the corridor, not seeing
anything in the bedroom.

“Oh my God.” Louis hides his face in embarrassment with his hands, Harry just laughs next to him,
his face burrowed in Louis’ neck.

“I’ll take it that everything went well last night,” Niall says, “Really well even.” He wiggles his
eyebrows suggestively, making Louis roll his eyes, “Hello Harry!” His tone is too excited for
Louis’ taste.

Harry chuckles, “Hello Niall.” He replies, lifting his head from Louis’ neck to be able to answer,
before snuggling back and not even caring that Louis’ friend is there.
“Is Harry with Mummy?!” Adam asks, from where he is in the corridor, supposedly held back by
Zayn.

“He sure is!” Niall replies proudly.

“Are they kissing?” The little boy questions, and Louis wants to be swallowed by the mattress right
now.

“They definitely were a few minutes ago.” He replies with a smirk.

“EEEEWWWWWWW!!!” Louis hears his son scream. It’s then followed by the sound of little feet
running away in the direction of the living room.

“Adam! Careful with the running! Jesus Niall, you’re insufferable.” Zayn says, finally appearing in
the doorway, slapping his boyfriend's shoulder and confirming that he was indeed with his son to
keep him from entering the room and being scarred for life.

“What? He asked?” He replies, playing the innocent card.

“He is five, Babe.” Zayn states.

Louis doesn’t give Niall time to reply, “What are you doing here Niall?” He whines, his fingers
finding their way to Harry’s hair.

“It’s past 10 sunshine and you said to bring Adam back around that time. I guess you guys got too
carried away to put an alarm on…” He wiggles his eyebrows again and Louis has had enough. He
detangles himself from Harry to grab one of the smaller pillows on the floor next to the bed, before
throwing it at Niall’s face, his friend catching it and laughing it off.

“Get out guys!!!” Louis hollers, hiding under the covers again and in Harry’s chest.

“Alright, alright,” Niall surrenders, “We’ll be waiting in the kiiiitcheeen!!” He sing songs as he
walks away, not before throwing the pillow back at the couple in bed, Harry bringing Louis even
closer to him to avoid the incoming projectile. God, he is so sweet Louis could cry.

“Sorry about him, guys,” Zayn apologises, “Hey Harry.” He says as well, before finally closing the
door behind him.

Harry’s chest is shaking a bit, the man chuckling at what just happened, and Louis feels like he
could crawl into a mouse hole and not come out.

“Oh my God,” Louis repeats, his voice muffled by Harry's skin, “I’m sorry. Niall tends to be a bit
too enthusiastic about things sometimes.” He says, grabbing onto Harry’s back to get him even
closer as if Louis was going to melt into his body and disappear.

Harry’s fingers run through the smaller man’s hair, scratching his scalp gently, “It’s fine, Baby.”

“It’s so embarrassing, what the fuck.” Louis whines again. He knows it’s not the first time Harry
has seen Niall, he has talked to him a few times at the coffee shop, but it’s the first time he has seen
him being Niall.

“It’s not.”
“Yeah, right.” Louis mumbles.

“Okay, maybe it is,” Harry concedes, making Louis grumble again, “But I find it cute, to be honest.
They love you and care about you, and that’s how Niall shows it. Even if the way he does it is a bit
too much.” He chuckles once more, his smile hidden in Louis’ caramel hair.

Louis knows Harry is right and God, he hates it, “I guess.” He mutters.

They stay in each other’s arms for a few more seconds before Harry speaks again, “I think I should
go though,” At the words, Louis subconsciously holds on tighter to the man, earning him another
laugh, “You need to go back to your son and I need to go clean up the roof and prepare for work
this afternoon.” He kisses Louis’ head.

Once more, Louis knows he is right, but he just feels so good right now he kind of wishes he could
stay in bed all day like this, unfortunately, duty calls.

He sighs, “I know. Doesn’t mean I'm happy about it.” He grumbles.

“I don’t want to leave either, but I know you can’t wait to see Adam.”

“Ugh, how do you know me so well already? You’re annoying.” Louis says, faking irritation and
pulling away from Harry, his heart swelling at the same time with Harry's words.

“But you like it.” Harry reaches for Louis again and kissing him all over his face and making him
giggle.

“Whatever,” Louis pushes his face away playfully, “Just leave already.”

Harry laughs again before sitting up and looking for his clothes on the armchair. Louis rolls onto
his back, and watches him get dressed, his insides fluttering at the sight of this man being in his
room. All of this is still feeling like a dream. The best dream though.

When he is ready and out of Louis’ too small joggers, Harry hovers over him as he is still in bed,
his face inches away from Louis’, the tip of their nose almost touching, “I’ll see you in the next few
days?” Louis nods eagerly, “Text me?” He nods again, “Alright, have a good day… Boyfriend…”
Harry’s voice is hesitant, his eyes searching for some kind of answer in Louis’, and the butterflies
in the smaller man’s tummy start going crazy, because yes, that’s what they are.

Louis must take too long to reply because Harry is slowly pulling away, “I’m sorry,” He shakes his
head, “I feel like a teenager, I don’t know. I just thought I’d ask so we are on the same page. I think
we are, with what we said to each other last night, but maybe you don-” He rambles on and Louis
has to stop him.

He grabs the back of Harry’s neck where the baby curls are, and lifts his head from the pillow to
mold their lips together, pulling the taller man down and making him brace himself on the mattress
so as to not fall on top of Louis, “Shut up, you idiot. Of course we’re one the same page.” He says
against the other man’s lips, before letting his head fall back on the pillow, a big smile adorning his
face.

“Okay,” Harry sighs with relief, and Louis can’t believe he was doubting this. This man really is
something else. The taller man leans over him once more and kisses him one last time before
walking away, grabbing his phone and stepping out of the bedroom.
Louis stays in bed and tries to listen to what is happening in the other room of his flat. He doesn’t
hear a lot, just Adam joyously screaming Harry's name and supposedly hugging him hello, the
thought making Louis’ heart swell.

“Did you and Mummy really kiss?” Is what he also hears and he can’t help laughing at his son’s
cuteness and how awkward and embarrassed Harry must feel.

There is no response from Harry and that makes Louis chuckle even more, imagining Harry’s
stunned face. He was laughing earlier when Niall was dealing with the five year old, but now that
he is facing him, it’s another story, and Louis couldn’t be more endeared by the man.

“Okay Adam! Time to say goodbye to Harry and go watch a movie!” God bless Niall this time,
saving Harry from his son.

Louis doesn’t hear the rest, only the front door closing he guesses, and he feels that it’s time for
him to get up now. While he puts on some fluffy socks and a hoodie, his phone pings a few times.
He sits on the edge of the bed, reaches for his phone, and sees that the messages are from Harry.

From Harry: I think I just experienced the most embarrassing moment of my life.

Louis laughs because he knows exactly what Harry is talking about.

From Harry: And I think that is a big thing to say, seeing how many times I’ve been
embarrassed in front of your son.

Louis chuckles again, hiding it behind his hand before replying.

To Harry: I’m sure it wasn’t that bad…

From Harry: I think my exact words were: Ashtfstdjrdftskjs.

Louis burst out laughing because this man is too much.

From Harry: How can I face him again?

Louis rolls his eyes, a fond smile is still on his face.

To Harry: Stop being so dramatic. You’ll be fine. He’ll have forgotten about it by the time we see
each other again.

From Harry: Louis, it’s your son, of course he won’t forget about it!!!!

To Harry: Like you said, you’ve dealt with a few awkward situations, this one is just another one.
A really funny one.

Louis is still chuckling as he types.

From Harry: :(

To Harry: Stop pouting and go get ready for work.

From Harry: *sigh* Alright…

Oh my God, Louis can’t help the giggle that comes out of his mouth.

To Harry: I’ll see you soon XXX

From Harry: I can’t wait XXX

Louis smiles, shaking his head fondly, before setting his phone down on his bedside table and
making his way to the kitchen. Zayn is there alone at the stove when Louis enters.

“Hey, sorry again about Niall earlier. You know how he can be.” He apologises to him, turning
around and putting some eggs on a plate.

Louis sighs, “It’s fine, don’t worry. It made Harry laugh, so I guess Niall is safe from my wrath.”

Zayn chuckles, “Okay, well that’s good to know. He’s just really excited for you.” He says with a
soft smile.

“I know.” Louis mirrors his smile.

“Mummyyyy!!” Adam exclaims, shuffling into the kitchen.

“Hey, Baby.” Louis crouches down to hug his son tightly.

“Did you have fun with Uncle Zaynie and Uncle Nialler?”

The little boy nods, “The movie was so cool!!”

“I’m glad you had fun.” Louis kisses his cheek.

“Uncle Nialler and I are watching Toy Story , do you want to watch it with us?” His son asks with
big expectant eyes, and how can Louis resist him?

“Of course. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“YAY!!!”

“Did you eat breakfast already?” Louis stands up.

“Yes, but can I have some fruit?”

“Sure. I’ll bring it to you.”

“Thank you,” He smiles big, though it quickly morphs into a sad pout, “Mummy, Harry already
left.”

Louis’ heart stings at his son’s face and words, “I know, honey. He had to go prepare for work.
We’ll see him in the next few days, okay?” Louis caresses his son’s cheek softly.

“Yeah, okay.”

“ADAM! YOU’RE MISSING ALL THE GOOD PARTS BUDDY!” Niall hollers from the living
room, making Louis chuckle. His son’s eyes widen and in the next second, he is hurrying back to
his uncle.

“I made some eggs for you,” Zayn tells him, “I thought you’d be hungry.”

Bless him, “Thank you. I love you.”

He chuckles, “I love you too.”

Louis goes to one of the cabinets and takes a bowl from it, before grabbing the fruit and settling it
on the kitchen table to cut some for Adam.

“I’m happy for you too, you know.” Zayn tells him, stepping next to him with a plate full of eggs,
toasts and beans.

Louis looks at him with a smile, “I know.”

“I think he is a really good man. For you and for Adam.” Louis’ heart swells at his best friend’s
words.

“I think he is too.” Louis admits, pouring the pieces of apple in the little bowl and taking a banana
to cut it into slices, “And I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Zayn doesn’t say anything, but Louis knows that that silence means more than words, his best
friend’s hand coming to his shoulder and squeezing it gently.

“Are you guys staying for lunch?” Louis asks, putting the banana slices in the bowl, and now
reaching for a few grapes.

“Sure, we’d love to. As I told you, I have two days off and Niall only works tomorrow.”
“Great.” Louis smiles happily, popping a grape into his mouth.

“I’ll bring your plate to the living room.” Zayn tells him.

“Thanks, I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Okay”

Zayn leaves and Louis, puts the fruit bowl back on the kitchen counter before grabbing some paper
towels for his son. He goes to the living room and smiles at the sight of Adam tucked between his
two uncles on the couch. He gives the bowl to him, the little boy thanking him as he does so.

“Do you want to sit on the couch?” Niall asks, tearing his eyes away from the screen.

Louis shakes his head, “No, I’m fine,” He smiles, “I’ll sit on the floor.”

Niall smiles back at him and Louis settles in between his son’s legs on the carpet, takes the plate
from the coffee table and puts it in his lap. The perfect night is morphing into the perfect morning
and Louis couldn’t feel better.

—-----------

It’s Friday evening and Harry can’t wait to finish work so he can finally go get that drink with
Liam. They’ve been talking about it for a while, but never got the chance because either one of
them is busy or their schedules just don’t align.

He checks the time at the top of his computer and sees that he will be off in five minutes. Thank
god. He loves his job really, but sometimes he just needs a little break. He saves the document on
which he was working and closes the tab. He turns his computer off when his phone starts to ring.
Louis’ picture is flashing on it, so he doesn’t waste a second to reply, his heartbeat picking up a
bit.

“Hey, Baby.”

“Hey, Harry,” The taller man can picture his boyfriend blushing on the other end of the line, “I
know you’re going out with Liam tonight so I won’t bother you for long.”

Harry frowns slightly, “You’re not bothering me. What’s going on?”

“Um… I wanted to ask you something. Or rather, Adam wanted to ask you something.”

Oh? “Can I have the phone Mummy?” He hears Adam ask, supposedly next to Louis.

“Hold on a second, Honey,” Louis replies to him, “Would that be okay?” He asks Harry.

Harry is a bit confused, but he can’t say he isn’t curious, “Of course! Put him on.”

He hears ruffling on the other end of the line, and then Adam’s voice comes through, “Harry?”
“Hey, little man.” Harry can’t help the smile that splits his face in two at the voice of the little boy.

“Helloooo!” God he is so cute, “You know that Halloween is coming on Monday and Mummy said
we could go trick-or-treating even though it’s a school night, and I asked if I could ask you to come
with us, and Mummy said yes, so I’m asking.” He blurts his sentence out, and Harry can feel that
he is a bit nervous, which makes his heart sting a bit. He doesn't want the little boy to be nervous
when he has to ask him something. Whatever it might be.

Adam’s question takes Harry a little by surprise he has to admit, but at the same time he is so
touched and flattered that he thought of Harry to share that moment with them, that the man doesn’t
even hesitate when he says, “I’d love to come with you.”

“Really??!!”

Harry chuckles at the little boy’s surprise, “Yeah, really.”

“Mummy he said yes!!!!” Adam tells his mother excitedly, and Harry can picture him jumping up
and down with the phone in his hand.

“See, I told you.” And God, his tummy flutters at Louis’ words.

“Thank you Harryyyy!!! Aaaaaaah yay!!!”

The little boy keeps on cheering happily, making Harry laugh, and suddenly it’s Louis on the
phone, “Hey, I have to take over because I don’t think he is capable of talking right now.” The two
men laugh together, “Are you okay with group costumes? Because Adam is really serious about
this.” He adds, and Harry can hear the smile in his voice.

Oh dear God he forgot about costumes, “Um… Sure…”

“Harry you don’t have to wear any, Adam will underst-”

“No, I will wear one. I'm fine.” Harry cuts him off, because no, he will suck it up.

“You sure…?” Louis asks.

“I’m sure, Louis. I can wear a costume.” Harry tells him, a bit hurt in his pride.

His boyfriend giggles, “I know you can. Um… I’ll text you what he has decided as soon as I know
so you can go shopping… You only have the weekend to do so. Is that okay?”

“It’s okay. I'll manage.”

“Alright. Well I’m gonna leave you because Adam is still screaming and running around like a
tornado, so I should go see if he hasn’t broken anything in his path.”

Harry laughs, “Yeah go. I’ll see you both on Monday then?”

“Yeah, I’ll text you the time as well.”

“Okay, great. Bye, Louis.”

“Bye, Harry.”
While Harry gathers his stuff, he can’t help the smile on his face. There are so many things that he
thought he would never do before he met Louis and his boy, and next Monday is going to be a new
one. He has to admit that he is excited about it.

—--------------

“You’re shitting me right?” Liam questions, taking a sip of his beer, the two friends sitting at the
counter of their regular bar, music surrounding them, but not too loud as it can allow the customers
to actually talk.

“I’m really not.” Harry replies, doing the same.

“You, Harry Styles, are going trick-or-treating on Halloween?”

“I am.”

“Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?” Liam teases him.

“Oh shut the fuck up, will you?” Harry pushes him playfully.

Liam raises his hands in surrender, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s just- Well you know where I’m
coming from, come on. Where is the Harry Styles who thought that domesticity and sappiness
weren’t for him?”

Harry flips him off with his free hand and Liam just shrugs, unbothered, knowing he is right
anyway.

Harry shakes his head and chuckles as he takes another sip, “Yeah, I know. I can’t blame you. You
can come with us if you want?” Harry smirks at him.

“Yeeeaaah, no. I'm going to pass. But thanks for the offer.” He raises his beer to Harry.

“You know you’ll have to do it someday, right?”

“Well, Lydia and I are not there yet.” Liam defends himself.

“But you’d like to be.” Harry pushes on, knowing his best friend so well.

“I- I don’t. I-” Liam stutters out, and Harry is proud of himself, “That’s not what we’re here to talk
about anyway.”

Harry chuckles, taking the last gulp of his beer, “You sure?”

“Please shut up.”

Harry barks out a laugh, and indulges his best friend.

They continue to talk, changing the subject to Liam’s relief, sipping on their second beer, when he
feels someone leans against the bar behind him, as he is currently turned away and facing his best
friend. He doesn’t look back, but he hears the person clearing their throat and it’s followed by a
little tap on his shoulder. Harry frowns at Liam and his friend just shrugs and gestures for Harry to
turn around.

The man does so, shifting on his bar stool, and oh, there is a girl.

“Hello.” He says politely, the girl looking at him from head to toe. She is pretty, he has to say, a
brunette with big brown eyes. But they’re not blue. They’re not Louis blue.

“Hello, um… I saw you with my friends over there,” She points at a table where there are two other
girls sitting, “And we were wondering if you’d like to join us,” She leans even more over the bar,
the movement accentuating her cleavage, and Harry wants to roll his eyes, “You guys are really
fit.” She adds with a smile, batting her eyelashes, and laying a hand on Harry’s bicep, and yeah,
that’s not gonna happen.

He shifts on his stool again, moving his arm so that the girl's hand falls and isn’t touching him
anymore. Her smile drops at the movement, “That’s very um… nice of you,” He hears Liam snort
behind him and he wants to slap him, “But I have to decline. My friend over there is engaged,” He
points to Liam, “And I’m taken. I have a boyfriend.” God, it feels so weird to say it, but at the same
time he feels a rush of pride going through him at the thought of Louis being his.

“Oh?” The disappointment on the girl’s face can be seen instantly, “Well, a girl can try, right?” She
tries to laugh it off, “I’ll just go back to my friends then.” She awkwardly waves at them and turns
around quickly, hurrying back to her table with her head bowed. Harry doesn’t even continue to
look and turns back to Liam. The man is already looking at him with a huge grin on his face.

“What?” Harry frowns, taking another sip of his drink.

“Nothing,” He shrugs, “I’m just happy for you.”

Harry laughs, feeling a bit self-conscious right now.

“Since Judy, I’ve never seen you like this. You would have never turned down a possibility of a
hookup, girl or boy, and now you have a boyfriend and you’re going trick-or-treating with him and
his son.” Harry can feel his cheeks heat up, “I’m happy you found Louis. I’m going to have to meet
the guy in person at some point to thank him.”

“Please don't embarrass me even more when you finally meet him,” He pleads, “And thanks Liam.
I’m very happy as well.”

“I can’t promise anything.” His best friend warns him, “And I can see that you are happy. It’s
beautiful, Harry.”

“Fuck you.”

Liam bursts out laughing, “No, but I’m serious.”

“I know you are,” Harry smiles at him, “If you want to meet him, then you should take me up on
my offer of trick-or-treating.” Harry keeps on teasing him with a smirk.

“That’s still a no, but maybe we could do a double date someday or something?”
“Sure, why not? I’ll ask Louis when he is available. School starts again on Monday, so he might be
a bit busy and he has to organise everything with Adam and all.”

“Of course, I understand. Just let us know, yeah?”

“Yeah.” Harry replies with a big smile as the night continues for the two friends, Liam ordering a
final round of beers for them.

—------------

Harry adjusts his cowboy hat, the final touch of his Woody costume, and puts his phone in his
backpack. He hopes he won’t be too cold in this outfit, so he packs a knitted jumper that can pass
for a cowboy one in the bag, as well as his wallet, just in case.

He steps out of his flat and goes to knock on Louis’ door. He hears the tapping of feet on the floor
on the other side, and he knows Adam is going to open it. And Harry is right, the door flies open,
the little boy jumping up and down in his Buzz Lightyear costume. Of course.

“Harryyy!!!” Adam exclaims, hurrying to him and hugging his legs tightly.

“Hey, little man. Are you excited?” Harry asks, ruffling his hair.

“I am!!! I have to go get my candy bag!” He replies, turning on his heels and running off to God
knows where in the flat.

“For the hundredth time Adam, be careful!” Louis hollers after him when he arrives in the
entryway in all his glory, and his Jessie outfit.

“God you look so hot in those bell-bottom trousers.” Harry says, hooking his fingers in Louis’ belt
loop and pulling him in.

“Well, good evening to you too,“ Louis chuckles against Harry’s lips after slightly lifting his
cowboy hat and kissing him hello, his other hand sliding over Harry’s cow patterned vest, “Those
jeans are sinful on you as well.” He tells him, kissing him again quickly because they can hear
Adam coming back.

“I found iiiiiiiit!!!” He shouts when the two men pull away from each other, the little boy waving a
bag in the shape of Buzz Lightyear’s space ship.

“Very cool.” Harry says, smiling at him and making Adam smile brightly as well.

“Okay, should we go?” Louis suggests, clapping his hands together.

“Yay!!! Let’s go!!!” Adam shouts excitedly.

“Are Zayn and Niall joining us?” Harry asks, when Louis and Adam step out of the flat.

“No, they have their own party tonight,” Harry nods knowingly, “Sorry you’re stuck doing the kids’
stuff.” Louis chuckles.
“Oh I'm not stuck doing anything, I'm happy to be here.”

Louis doesn’t say anything and just smiles at him, while he locks the door of the flat. They make
their way to the elevator and onto the streets of their neighbourhood. It is filled with other kids
dressed in all kinds of outfits that go from vampires to Miraculous Ladybug, and it’s been a while
for Harry since he was in that environment. He thinks he was nine or ten the last time he went trick-
or-treating. He never even really went to any parties when he was older, he has always been kind of
a loner and a grumpy wolf for that kind of stuff as well. Dressing up is not his thing. Well, except
when a certain little boy asks him to. He is weak like that now.

Adam drags them around the neighbourhood, smiling happily and proudly each time he knocks on
a door and he is being complimented about his outfit. Harry and Louis don’t do anything really,
they just follow him, making sure everything is fine and being careful that the little boy does not
slip away from them.

The whole time, Harry has a smile on his face and he didn’t think he would enjoy it this much.
Louis’ hand is in his and every time Adam is done collecting his candies, he comes to Harry’s other
side and takes his free hand. Harry would be lying if he said it didn’t make him feel good. The
whole atmosphere makes him feel good. He loves sharing those moments that seem so special to
Adam with him and his mum.

“Mummy can Harry stay with us to help me count the candy?” Adam asks, swaying his hands in
between Harry and Louis, skipping his way back to their building. He is holding both of their hands
now, after having played his famous Puss In Boots look on Harry while asking him if he could
carry his bag for him. Complaining that it was now too heavy. Of course Harry said yes and caved.
What was he expecting anyway?

“I don’t know, honey. Why don't you ask him? He is right there.” Louis chuckles.

“Harry, do you want to stay and count the candy with me?” Adam looks up at Harry with a blinding
smile.

Harry glances at Louis who just shrugs at him with an even bigger smile and that’s all he needs,
“Of course! I’d be happy to.”

“Yay!!!”

They arrive back at the flat and Adam doesn’t waste a second before dragging Harry behind him
and to the living room where he sits on the floor next to the coffee table and waits for Harry to do
the same.

The little boy claps his hands together happily, “Come on Harry, pour it on the table!!”

Harry executes himself, sitting down in front of Adam, thank god he took off his cowboy boots
before, because it would've been hard to settle there. He empties the contents of the bag in between
them, and Adam wiggles excitedly at the sight in front of him.

“So how do we do this?” Harry asks him.

“We divide everything by type of candy and then we count.”

“Okay, seems simple enough.”

“I’m sure you can do it.” Adam tells him with a very serious tone and Harry has to bite the inside
of his cheek at the cuteness.

“Thank you for having faith in me.” Harry replies with a smile.

“You’re welcome.” Adam says with a nod and Harry can’t help the soft chuckle that escapes his
mouth.

They dive into it, dividing and putting the reward into various groups; candy bars, soft candy, hard
candy, chewing-gum, lollipops and so on. At one point, Louis comes around.

“Do you want something to drink?” He asks.

“I’m okay, Mummy. Thank you.”

“Same, I’m fine.” Harry looks up at him with a soft smile, matching Louis’. The smaller man looks
so cute and soft in Harry’s jumper, because of course he is the one who got cold while they were
outside, and Harry was happy to lend it to him.

“Okay. Just call me if you need anything.”

“Will do!!” Adam exclaims.

“Honey, remember, only three candies tonight.” Louis looks at him with a pointed look and Adam
just nods, obviously aware of the rule.

After a while when they are done, Adam hollers, “64!!!!!” Throwing his arms in the air at the
result.

“Oh dear, that's a lot.” Louis comments, from where he is now seated on the couch after he has
joined them, his legs tucked under his arse.

“I’ve never had so many, Mummy!!!”

“I know.”

“Hihihihihihihi” The little boy rubs his hands cutely together.

“Alright, honey it’s getting late. You have school tomorrow, so off you go. To the bathroom and out
of this costume.” Louis urges him.

The little boy whines, “Whyyyy? Muuummyyyy!” Throwing his head back dramatically.

“Because I said so, that’s why.”

Adam whines again, “Muuummyyy I wanna stay with Harryyy!”

Harry feels a bit bad for the little boy acting like this, but Louis is handling it so well as usual.

“Well, he has to work as well in the morning, and maybe he will come and say goodnight to you if
you’re a good boy…”

The little boy sighs in defeat, dropping his head, “Okay.”

“Thank you,” Louis says, “Now hurry up.”

Adam just nods and stands up from the carpet, before dragging his feet to the bathroom as if all the
misery of the world was on his shoulders. Louis doesn’t say anything to his son and Harry can see
him smile and shake his head, obviously used to the little boy’s antics.

“Sorry about that.” Louis tells him.

“What are you talking about? Don’t be sorry. He is a child. That happens I reckon. Even if I'm not
an expert, I can say that it is something normal.” He laughs.

Louis does the same, before making grabby hands at Harry. The taller man gets the message and
stands up, joining Louis on the couch, the blue-eyed man tucking himself under Harry’s arm and
resting his head on his chest.

“Thank you for coming tonight.” Louis whispers.

“I loved it. I love spending those moments with you guys.” Harry confesses, his fingers finding
their way in Louis’ caramel hair.

Louis lifts his head a bit to be able to look at him, “We like spending those moments with you as
well.” Louis says, pursing his lips for a kiss and Harry can’t do anything else than give it to him.

He presses their lips together, smoothly sliding his tongue into Louis’ mouth, slowly exploring
every corner of it. Louis’ hand is gripping at Harry’s shirt underneath his vest, sighing softly in
Harry’s mouth. The taller man’s tummy flutters, the moment just perfect and gentle.

“Come on Harry!!! I wanna say goodnight to yooouuu!”

The two men burst out laughing against each other’s lips when they hear Adam scream from his
bedroom Harry supposes.

“You better go.” Louis tells him, patting his chest.

“Yup, I’m being summoned.” He replies, detangling himself from Louis and standing up.

Harry walks to Adam’s bedroom and finds him nestled in his bed, like he was expecting it. His
rocket night light is on, the planets and stars and his ceiling are glowing softly in the dim light, his
plushie rocket and plushie bear astronaut are tucked under his chin, and Harry wants to melt at how
cute he looks.

Harry leans down over the little boy, and lands a kiss on his forehead, “Goodnight, little man.”

“Goodnight Harry,” Adam’s eyelids start to drop, “You can have some candy if you want,” He says
with a sleepy voice, “But not too much.” He quickly adds after, and Harry just chuckles.

“Thank you, that’s very nice of you.”

Adam smiles sleepily, “Can you call Mummy?” His eyes are almost closed and Harry doesn’t know
if the little boy will make it by the time Louis comes.

“Of course. I’ll see you soon.” He kisses his forehead again, the little boy nodding, before Harry
straightens his back and goes to quietly exit the room, but before he can make it, Adam is speaking
again.

“Harry I made a drawing for you,” He yawns and rubs his eyes, “It’s in the entryway, I forgot to
give it to you.”

Harry smiles at him, “Okay, I'll make sure to get it before I leave.”

“Okay,” Adam whispers, before Harry finally leaves his bedroom.

Harry makes his way to the entryway where Louis is already waiting for him there.

“Your son wants you.” Harry tells him, after putting on his boots and now wrapping an arm around
his boyfriend's waist.

“Yeah, I'll go to him in a second. I just wanted to say goodbye.” He smiles up at Harry.

Harry leans down, kissing Louis on the lips deeply, his hand coming up to his cheek and caressing
the soft skin there with his thumb before pulling away and letting him go, his insides swirling.

“Text me?” He says, looking back at Louis as he opens the door of the flat, his eyes landing on the
console there and the drawing Adam was talking about, “I should get this.” He reaches out for it.

“Yes, you should,” Louis matches his smile, “And, yes, I will.” Louis confirms, grabbing on the
door and leaning against it when Harry is in the hallway.

They smile at each other before Harry walks away, the sound of the door closing behind him as he
approaches his own flat. He keeps smiling to himself while he goes to his kitchen to hang Adam’s
newest drawing for him. This time, it’s one of the three of them dressed up in their Toy Story
costumes, and Harry’s heart fills with joy at the sight. He then goes to his bedroom and gets
undressed, his Woody outfit imprinting memories of the night in his mind forever.

—-------------

“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” Harry curses under his breath, trying to find a parking spot.

Obvioulsy, it’s packed because he is fucking late. Damn it. His heart jumps in his chest when he
finally spots one, stepping on the gas pedal so that no one steals it from him. He quickly puts on the
brakes and practically throws himself out of his car. He adjusts his peacoat over his black suit and
pink shirt, as he basically runs to the front doors.

He doesn’t hear any music, so he is internally relieved that it hasn’t begun yet, but the entrance-hall
is completely empty so that makes him hurry even more. He stops when he gets to the doors and
opens them as silently as he can. The room is pitch black, except for the few security lights here
and there and the ones illuminating the front of the closed curtain that thankfully help him make his
way to where Louis, Zayn and Niall are.

His boyfriend had texted him earlier telling him that they were in the front row on the right side of
the stage, so Harry just goes there without thinking. When he spots Louis waving at him with a
huge smile on his face, his heart swells just at the sight of him. His boyfriend is dressed in a
beautiful navy suit and if Harry wasn’t in a room full of parents right now, he would go down on
him without hesitation.

“Fuck, I’m sorry,” Harry apologises when he sits down between Zayn and Louis, taking off his coat
and draping it over the back of his chair, “Of course my colleagues decided to have a drink before
Christmas break at work tonight.”

“It’s fine, I understand. You’re here now, that’s all that matters.” Louis reassures him, laying a hand
on his thigh and squeezing it.

“I just hope Adam didn’t think I wasn’t coming.” Harry's heart stings at the thought of the little boy
being disappointed and sad.

Louis shakes his head, “No don’t worry, he kept telling me you would be here because you said you
would.”

“Oh, thank God.” Harry says in relief, and Louis just leans in to give him a soft peck on the lips.

Harry barely has time to turn on his other side and wave to Zayn and Niall, when the principal of
Adam’s school comes on stage.

“Good evening everyone and welcome to our Christmas show! Thank you all for being here to
support our students and our school,” She smiles, the crowd applauding when she pauses, “This
year's theme is ‘ Christmas all around the world’, so your children will be performing dances and
songs to represent different countries. Please give a round of applause again for all of our amazing
students!” She asks, and the crowd claps joyfully again.

The lights go off completely after that and the first group comes on. Before each performance there
is a recording of the students reading a Christmas story from the country they are representing.
Soon enough, Adam’s first performance arrives and his voice can be heard over the speaker phones
while he tells the story of where the Christmas tree comes from. Its origin is apparently German
and Harry has to say that he is learning a few things tonight.

Harry also has to be honest and say that Adam is the most at ease with his reading. Even though it
is recorded, you can tell how good he is. He puts the tone where it needs to be and he has a way of
delivering the words that just make everyone want to listen to him. Plus, his little northern accent
adds something so cute that makes the whole audience chuckle at some specific words.

Louis is smiling proudly when Harry glances at him, his fingers are laced with the smaller man’s
ones, their hands still resting on top of Harry’s thigh. Louis’ eyes sparkle even more when the kids
finally come on stage to perform a Christmas song that is originally French, but that their teacher
apparently translated into English for the occasion; ‘Mon Beau Sapin’. Adam is at the front, singing
his heart out and Harry feels a pang of pride in his chest.

The song is very cute and Adam is smiling as he sings. His voice can be heard over the others, and
that just proves once more that this boy is very special and talented. He can see him glancing at the
front row, an even bigger smile splitting his face in two when he spots Harry, the man mirroring the
little boy.

“He is amazing.” Harry whispers in Louis’ ear, the other man just nods and bites his lip, obviously
holding back a few tears and Harry can’t help kissing his cheek.
The show continues, as the other classes perform and Adam’s last dance comes not long after. This
time, the pre-performance is a story about Christmas in Australia and how different it can be from
celebrating it in Europe, Father Christmas coming on a surfing board to bring his presents. Once
again, Adam’s reading is the best.

The little boy’s class gets into position, the boys all dressed up in swim trunks with a towel over
their shoulders. The girls are in swimsuits with sarongs around their waists, and suddenly ‘Surfin’
USA’ comes on, making the whole crowd laugh and clap along as the students dance and wiggle
around, mimicking being on a surfboard just like Father Christmas in the story.

Adam has a big smile plastered on his face again, the little boy having the time of his life as the
crowd just keeps on clapping in time with the music. When the dance is done, cheering can be
heard, Harry sliding his fingers into his mouth and whistling. Louis laughs next to him, his eyes
crinkling with how happy he is and Harry is just as happy. So happy and so proud. Surrounded by
Louis and his friends, watching his son on stage, the little boy that Harry adores, he feels like he
belongs there, a feeling that he thought he would never experience. But apparently, a breathtaking
blue-eyed man and his son can do that to him.

His heart fills with joy at the feeling and he can’t help kissing Louis’ cheek again a bit longer this
time when everyone sits down, to get his emotions through. Louis smiles at him and Harry has to
kiss his lips now. Chastely of course, but still intensely enough so that Louis can feel it. He knows
Louis does, as his boyfriend watches him with the most meaningful look with no words needed.
Yeah, Harry is happy.

The show ends with the traditional ‘Silent Night’ performed by the whole school on stage and soon
after, Harry, Zayn and Niall are waiting with the other parents in the lobby for Louis and Adam to
come back. The backstage doors open and the students come in, running to their families, and
Harry spots Louis and Adam immediately, the little boy rushing over to them.

“Harryyyyy!” He jumps into Harry’s arms, the man catching him easily and setting him on his hip,
“Did you like it?! Did you like the show?!” He is bouncing up and down in Harry’s arms and
making the man laugh.

“I loved it! You were amazing!” Harry tells him in the most sincere way, catching Louis’ eye and
smiling at his boyfriend.

“Aaaaaaaaaah!!!” Adam exclaims happily, hugging Harry tightly before whispering in his ear,
“Thank you for coming.” Harry doesn’t have time to respond when Adam is wiggling in his arms
and asking to be put down.

Harry does so, the little boy hurrying to Zayn and Niall to ask for their opinion as well, Louis
slipping his hand into Harry’s and resting his head on his shoulder while they watch Adam interact
with his proud uncles.

“Are you ready to go home with us, buddy?” Niall asks, looking back at Louis.

“Yeah, I put his duffle bag for the night in your car earlier when you came to pick us up.” Louis
confirms.

“Right,” Niall nods, “So you guys are going back to Harry’s?” He wiggles his brows at the two
men and Harry chuckles.
“Jesus, Niall,” Louis rolls his eyes, “And yes, we are,” He looks up at Harry, “It’s the last time we
can see each other before we leave tomorrow for Christmas break.”

They organized everything so they could have a last date before Louis and Adam leave for
Doncaster to spend Christmas with their family there. They will only see each other again after
New Year’s and the two men were on the same page thinking this was going to be way too long and
agreed on a date. Plus, according to Louis, Adam was thrilled to spend the night at Uncle Zaynie’s
and Uncle Nialler’s so it was a win-win.

“Alright well, we’ll just go then,” Zayn says, “Adam say bye to Mummy and Harry, you will see
them tomorrow morning.”

Adam jumps into his mother’s arms to hug him goodbye, Louis kissing him on the cheek and
telling him to be nice, the little boy rolling his eyes at the comment and saying, “I am always nice,
Mummy.” He then hops back down and hugs Harry’s legs saying goodbye as well and a few
minutes later, Harry and Louis are in Harry’s car on their way back to their building.

Louis’ hand is in Harry’s the whole drive, Harry caressing Louis’ knuckles with his thumb, the two
men talking about the Christmas show and their respective holidays with their families.

They get to Harry’s flat and when they step inside, they have just enough time for Harry to lock the
door and for the two of them to take off their shoes and coats, when Louis is turning him around
and throwing him against said door, attacking his mouth with his.

Harry groans into his mouth, his arms roaming around Louis’ body, his hands finding their way to
his arse and groping it tightly, pulling him in so their clothed cocks are rubbing against one another.
Louis moans, his fingers tugging on Harry’s curls, and pants into his mouth, “You look so hot in
that suit, I want you to ruin me.”

“Fuck,” Harry lets out, his cock twitching at the words, his fingers digging even deeper into the
flesh of Louis’ cheeks, “I wanted to take you out of that suit the second I saw you.” Harry admits,
and Louis whines as he pushes his hips forward so that his cock is on Harry’s once more.

“Then do it.” Louis breathes out, his eyes boring into Harry’s and the taller man can’t do anything
but comply.

He turns them over, Louis’ back now against the front door, Harry pulling the navy suit jacket off
of his boyfriend’s shoulders and almost ripping off his white shirt. Louis is breathing deeply, his
head thrown backwards and resting against the wood. His chest is heaving when Harry gets down
on his knees, still in his suit, and pulls Louis’ trousers down, revealing another pair of panties that
are destined to kill Harry. This time they are mint green, laced as well, and God, Harry could come
at the sight.

He throws the trousers somewhere before taking Louis’ socks off and right after that, his lips are
brushing over Louis’ panties, the other man moaning as Harry breathes on them, teasing Louis’
painfully hard cock under the laced fabric.

“Do- Do you like them?” Louis stammers out, the palm of his hands glued to the door behind him
as if he was trying to find some support.

Harry lifts his gaze to him, his lips still brushing over his length, “I love them,” He tells him,
hooking his fingers in the waistband and pulling them down in one go, “But I love what’s under
them even more.”

Louis whines high in his throat when he steps out of the panties, and Harry’s mouth is swallowing
him whole.

“Fuck,” The smaller man rasps out, his hands flying to Harry’s hair and tugging on his curls.

Harry groans around Louis’ cock, his own dick painfully hard in his trousers. The man swirls his
tongue around and licks the underside of Louis’ cock, slowly pulling away, leaving just the tip in
his mouth, before diving back in, pre-come leaking on his tongue. Louis’ fingers dig into Harry’s
scalp and the taller man can’t help but moan, the sound making Louis’ naked body shiver.

Harry lets go of Louis’ cock before standing up and admiring his beautiful boyfriend, “God, you’re
stunning,” He cradles Louis’ face in his hands, and kisses him deeply, his tongue diving into Louis’
mouth. The other man grips onto the lapels of Harry’s black jacket before finally sliding it off of his
shoulders.

Louis fumbles with Harry's belt and the man has to help him, and soon enough he is only in his
pink shirt, completely open, his mouth back on his boyfriend’s. Louis hooks one of his legs around
his hip, Harry gripping it tightly to keep it in place as he attacks Louis’ collarbone, leaving marks
and bites along the beautiful crevice. Louis hisses at the sensation, his hands travelling under
Harry’s shirt, and scratching at his back.

“I need to open you up,” Harry tells him, detaching his lips from Louis’ skin and looking at him.

Louis shakes his head, his words clearly lost in his throat, as he breathes deeply. Harry frowns, a bit
confused.

“What?” He asks.

Instead of a response, Louis grabs the hand that is gripping on his thigh and drags it to his arse,
letting it slide down his crack and oh . Harry has to bite the inside of his cheek and close his eyes
for a second if he doesn’t want to come on the spot. He rests his forehead on Louis’ shoulder and
takes a deep shaky breath, as the tip of his fingers graze over what appears to be a buttplug, and
Harry thinks he is going to die.

“You little minx,” Is what he says against Louis’ skin, the other man chuckling as one of his hands
comes to the back of Harry’s head, running his fingers through his hair.

“I- I didn’t want to waste any more time.” He confesses.

“I didn’t even notice anything tonight, oh my God.” Harry says, because it’s true. Louis didn’t let
anything give away and thank God he didn’t. It was his son’s Christmas show after all.

“I’m good like that.” Louis tells him, Harry lifting his head and looking at his boyfriend who is
adorning a little smirk, and Harry has to kiss it away.

“That you are,” Harry agrees, pulling away, “Turn around, please.”

Louis doesn’t object and rests his crossed arms on the door, presenting his arse to Harry. The green-
eyed man watches him hungrily, his hands caressing Louis’ back and waist until they are on his
perfect bottom. Harry pulls his cheeks apart and the tip of a golden buttplug can be seen. His breath
hitches as he reaches out for it, twisting it just a little to tease Louis, the smaller man’s moans
muffled by his arms.

Harry doesn’t tease him for long, too hungry for Louis and to get inside of him. He takes the plug
out slowly, Louis whimpering at the movement, before putting it on the console behind him.

He turns Louis around again, the smaller man already looking disheveled and Harry loves it. He
quickly reaches for his wallet in his pants for a new packet of lube so he can coat his cock with
some. When he is ready, he hooks his arms under Louis’ thighs and lifts him up, the smaller man
wrapping his legs around him instantly, his arms sliding around his neck as well for some support.

Louis is pressed up against the door, their noses are touching as Harry buries himself into Louis’
heat. God, his boyfriend is so tight even with the stretching of the plug, and a shiver runs down
Harry’s spine. He waits a few seconds before sliding out and slamming back into Louis, one of his
hands coming up on the door for leverage.

Harry’s movements are at a frantic pace straight away, the two men so hungry for each other. With
each rock of Harry’s hips, Louis’ body is hitting the door, making a ramming sound around the
entryway, and Harry is sure it can be heard from outside the flat as well. He can’t say that he cares
though, when Louis moans in his ear like this, his legs tightening even more around him as Harry
bounces him against the wooden surface. Louis’ nails are digging into his back over Harry’s pink
shirt that is now stuck to his damp skin, making Harry shudder.

Little ‘ah ah ah’s leave Louis’ mouth each time Harry thrusts right onto his sweet spot, the taller
man groaning into Louis’ mouth as he kisses him breathlessly. The arm around Louis’ waist is
holding him firmly against Harry, their sweaty chests rubbing against each other, Louis’ red cock
trapped in between their stomachs.

“I’m so close.” Louis whispers out between two moans, Harry’s open shirt tickling Louis’ thighs
and making his perfect skin shiver.

“Me too.” Harry admits, because yes, he is embarrassingly close, but the two men haven’t had sex
in over a week and that is just too long.

Harry starts to thrust into Louis’ hole quicker than earlier, if that is even possible, and he is sure
that Louis will end up with burn marks on his back from the wooden door. He makes a mental note
to rub some lotion on him later. For now, his goal is to make Louis come and Harry hoists him up a
bit more in his arm to readjust his grip, Louis letting him do what he wants with him. The smaller
man’s forehead is now resting on Harry’s shoulder, while Harry pounds into him, Louis’ cock being
stroked by their stomachs. Each thrust that Harry offers to Louis fuels the swirl of pleasure that is
pulling at the bottom of his belly.

Harry groans when he feels Louis clench around his dick, his boyfriend crying out in his neck as he
paints their chests with his come when he reaches his climax, Louis is holding onto Harry’s shirt,
fisting the sweaty material into his hands. Hearing his boyfriend fall apart takes Harry over the
edge, shooting his release into him, moaning into Louis’ ear as ecstasy takes over him and sends a
wave of thrill through his body, his shivering frame holding Louis’ quivering one close to him.

They stay wrapped up in each other, their chest heaving against one another for a while, but soon
enough, Harry’s arms are starting to hurt and are threatening to give out, the adrenaline of the
moment wearing off.
“I have to put you down, baby.” He says in Louis’ ear, not wanting to drop his boyfriend, and
kissing his hair on the side of his head.

Louis only nods in the crook of his neck, and he can feel the smaller man’s legs loosen and slowly
slide down his sides until his feet touch the hardwood floor, “Are you okay?” Harry asks, still
holding onto him and swiping Louis’ damp fringe away from his eyes, his boyfriend looking
completely blissed out.

“I’m okay.” Louis rasps out, his arms still loosely hanging around Harry’s neck.

“Can you walk?” Harry wants to make sure.

Louis only nods again sleepily and Harry just leads him gently to his bathroom for a well deserved
bath, hugging him from behind and kissing down the side of his neck as they walk down the
corridor. That moment of relaxation is followed by a romantic homemade dinner, cooked by Harry
of course, and a heavenly night that completes this date, before they have to part ways in the
morning for the next two weeks.
 Chapter 10

Louis is looking at some of the beautiful pillows and blankets that are displayed in the shop, his
hands running over the soft fabrics. After spending two weeks apart during Christmas break, Harry
wanted to take Louis and Adam on a little trip to London during one of the upcoming weekends, as
a gift to both of them. Of course Louis thought it was too much for a gift, but Harry didn’t want to
hear any of it and was stuck on his idea. So really, it was a lost cause for Louis.

Adam was over the moon of course, just like Louis, and today they decided to go for a little
shopping in the busy streets of the capital. They passed by this decoration shop and, Adam thought
that maybe he would find THE rocket lamp that he has been wanting for so long.

Harry and Adam are somewhere in the shop, while Louis is just browsing along the aisle. He
decides that it’s time for him to go and find his son and his boyfriend now, and turns around. He
walks in the main aisle and he is stopped by someone grabbing his arm to stabilise him, as he
almost runs into them.

“Oof, I’m sor-,” Louis apologises as he raises his head to look at the person, but the air and the rest
of the words get stuck in his throat when he sees who is standing in front of him. A cold shiver runs
down his spine as his heart begins to quicken in his chest.

“Louis?” The other man frowns.

“E- Eric?” Louis mirrors him. He wants to slap himself with how shaky his voice is right now.
Fuck.

The frown on Eric’s face doesn’t stay long and quickly morphs into a smirk and God, Louis forgot
how much he hated him, and still does, “It’s very nice to see you again.” He says with an overly
smooth tone and Louis wants to roll his eyes

“I don’t really know if I can say the same.” Louis spits out, jerking his arm away from the man’s
grip, anger rising in him like a volcano that has just been awakened.

“Who is this, honey?” A feminine voice comes to Louis’ ear. He hasn’t even noticed that a woman
is hanging onto Eric’s other arm. A pregnant woman that is. Louis feels like he is going to be sick.

“Oh?” Eric turns to her with a huge smile, “This is Louis, an old friend from Uni,” The words are
like a slap in the face for Louis. A ‘friend’? What a fucking arsehole. Louis can feel his heartbeat
becoming a bit more erratic, but he tries to breathe to calm himself down, “It’s been a while since
we saw each other.” His mocking smile is still on his face, and Louis has to control himself so as to
not punch him right there in the store.

Louis doesn’t even have time to respond, when the woman is speaking again, “Oh my god! How
nice!!” She says excitedly, “I’m Megan, Eric’s wife. Nice to meet you.” She reaches out a hand, her
other one rubbing her huge belly gently, and again, Louis wants to throw up.

He plasters a fake smile on his face, because it’s not that poor woman’s fault, and takes her hand in
his, shaking it quickly with a firm nod, before stuffing his hands in the pockets of his winter coat.
Louis doesn’t even know what to say and doesn’t really want to say anything to the man who hurt
him like no one ever has before.

“What are you doing here in London?” Eric asks, still showing his fucking smirk, his arm holding
his wife close to him as she smiles brightly, oblivious of the whole awkward scene taking place in
front of her eyes, and Louis clenches his fists in his pockets.

He sighs internally because he really doesn’t want to talk to this fucking jerk right now, all he
wants to do is get back to Adam and Harry, but he knows he has to be the better person here. So he
takes it upon himself to answer, “I’m here on a weekend with my-”

“Muuummyyy!! There you are!!” Adam’s voice cuts him off. Louis turns around to see him
running in his direction, Harry walking right behind him, and the blue-eyed man has never felt so
relieved in his life. But that relief doesn’t last long as he realises who is in front of him, and his
heart is now hammering in his chest, a cold sweat rushing through him.

Louis smiles at him, trying not to seem too tense for his son’s sake, “Hey Baby, yes I’m here. Did
you find what you wanted?” Louis asks him.

“Yes!! Look!!” He waves a cardboard box in front of Louis, and the man can see it is indeed a
rocket lamp.

“Awww that’s great.”

“Hey, Babe,” Harry says, kissing Louis’ temple when he steps next to them, facing the couple that
is still standing there. God, Louis wants to get out of here. Right now.

“Who is this?” Harry asks nicely, when Adam hands him the lamp, because of course it’s too heavy,
the little boy then tucking himself in front of Louis, the man’s arms wrapping protectively around
his son’s shoulders and keeping him close to him.

“Harry, this is Eric and Megan… his wife. Eric, Megan, this is Harry, my boyfriend.” A lost look
on Eric’s face has appeared while his eyes have fallen on Adam. Afterwards they travel to Harry,
Eric ignoring the little boy completely, his look turning into a darker one, almost angry, and Louis
feels a bit of satisfaction.

“Oh? I see.” He hears Harry say knowingly next to him, and suddenly his free arm is wrapped
around Louis’ waist tucking him into his side, Harry’s fingers holding onto his hip tightly, and just
by that simple touch, Louis feels safe, “I would shake your hand, but mine are full.” Harry says
with a hint of sassiness in his voice, shrugging and holding on tighter to Louis and the lamp.

Louis snorts, hiding it poorly behind one of his hands. God, he feels so much for Harry in that
moment that all his emotions are swirling inside of him, but he can feel the familiar flutter of the
butterflies in his tummy and that’s all that counts. Eric’s brows are furrowed, not really appreciating
Harry’s remark, but that’s his problem really.

“And I’m Adam! Hello!!” The little boy exclaims, feeling a bit left out.

“Yes, sorry,” Louis apologises, looking right into Eric’s eyes, “This is Adam. My son.”

Eric has been ignoring Adam since he plastered himself to his mom, and now that the little boy is
addressing him, the man is watching him with the most disgusted and condescending look that
Louis has ever seen. He fights with himself not to slap him in the face. Eric’s reaction makes Louis
hold on to his son even tighter, his fingers fisting Adam’s coat subconsciously, the little boy
completely glued to his mother’s front.

“Mummy, who is Eric?” His son asks and fuck, here it is. He knew it was going to happen.

Once more, Louis looks at the man dead in the eye and raises his chin to show him that he won’t let
this man get to him, Harry’s hand squeezing his hip once more and keeping him grounded, as he
says, “No one really, Baby. Just someone I used to know.”

First, it’s shock that passes through Eric’s eyes, it is then quickly replaced by anger, and Louis
thinks that the other man didn’t expect that answer from him. But to be honest, this man doesn’t
deserve for Adam to know who he is after what he did to them. Not right now.

“Well,” Eric starts, him and Louis shooting daggers at each other, “I think we’ll just go.” His wife
is completely silent and not really realising what the hell is going on. Louis is sure that Eric was too
much of a coward to tell her about him. Louis would bet money on it.

“I think that’s wise, yes.” Harry adds with a serious tone, holding Louis even closer to him, if that
is even possible.

Eric’s murdering look is now for Harry’s benefit, the green-eyed man completely unbothered by it.
He raises his chin and stands his ground as a way to defy the other man, and Louis is so proud of
calling him his boyfriend that he kind of wants to kiss him right now.

The couple walks away from them without a word, and Louis feels like he can breathe again, a
pressure he had on his chest just flowing away as the man from his past does.

“You okay?” Harry murmurs in his ear, and Louis feels something that he shouldn’t feel so soon for
Harry, but he does. He really does.

Louis nods, smiling softly at him, “We’ll talk later.” He whispers, Harry nodding back at him.

“Let’s pay for this and go back to the hotel, okay?” Harry suggests, Louis agreeing right away.

“Mummy, that man didn’t seem really nice.” Adam says with a frown, as they make their way to
the checkout counter, Louis’ hand in Harry’s, and his heart stinging at his son’s words.

“Well, he is not a very nice man. You’re right. But he is not important.” Louis tells him, running a
hand into his son’s hair.

“Okay, Mummy.” Adam says before skipping his way towards the checkout, making Louis shake
his head fondly at him.

Shortly after, they arrive at their hotel. Harry booked one that had small flats so Adam could have
his own little room. Adam doesn’t waste a second before hurrying there with the new book he
chose earlier today.

“We’ll be in our room, baby. If you need anything, just knock, okay?” Louis tells him, the little boy
nodding in response, before closing the door behind him to have some calm to read.

Harry and Louis do the same, closing the door of their own room. They both get changed into
something more comfortable, Louis sitting on the edge of the bed when he is done, tucking one of
his feet under his thigh as he watches Harry half naked, putting on a pair of joggers.

“Are you okay?” Harry asks again, tying the strings of his joggers.

Louis nods, “I’m better now,” He admits, “I just-” He sighs deeply, remembering what he felt when
his eyes landed on the man in the shop, “I was not expecting to see him there. Or like ever again.”

Harry nods in understanding, and throws a t-shirt over his head before sitting next to Louis on the
bed, “I’m sorry you were alone with him for a while. I can’t imagine how you must have felt.”

“I just felt frozen in place at first, and then it was just anger. Pure anger,” Harry takes his hand,
rubbing his knuckles with his thumb, “He just stood there like nothing ever happened, with that
fucking proud smile and his new wife. I can’t believe he is having a baby right now after what he
did to me and Adam,” Louis puts his face in his hands, anger bubbling in his stomach once more, “I
just hope that woman knows what she is getting herself into.”

Harry puts his free arm around Louis and pulls him in, caressing up and down Louis’ arm gently,
the blue-eyed man resting his head on his shoulder, “That’s not your problem anymore, okay?” He
says softly, Louis nodding, “He is out of your life now and I’m so sorry you had to see him again
like this. All I wanted to do was punch him in the face to be honest, but that would've made a
scene, and that’s not really a good example for Adam.”

Louis chuckles, “Yeah, I’m glad you didn’t. That man is not worth it.”

Harry sighs, “Yeah, I know you’re right. He is just such a prick.”

“I know,” There is a silence, before Louis continues, “Do you- Do you think I made the right
choice?” He asks hesitantly, because it’s been nagging at his mind since they left the store.

“What do you mean?” Harry questions, confusion in his voice.

“Do you think I made the right choice not telling Adam who Eric really is?” Louis’ heart quickens
a bit.

“Baby,” Harry pulls away from Louis slightly to be able to look at him, Louis lifting his head from
his shoulder, “I think that that choice is yours and no one else’s,” His green eyes are boring into
Louis’ blue ones, “If you think that it is the best for your son right now, then that’s what you should
do. No one can know what to do better than yourself.”

Louis’ eyes water when he listens to Harry. God, this man really is something else, always finding
the right words to say to him or his son when they need it.

Louis sniffles, blinking the threatening tears, “I just think that he is too young, too innocent right
now to know,” Harry nods at him, wiping a lone tear that escapes regardless of Louis’ efforts,
“When he is older, I will tell him, because I think he has a right to know the whole story and a right
to make his own decisions after that.” Louis tells him, bowing his head to hide the rest of the tears
that are running down his cheeks.

Harry isn’t having any of it and takes Louis’ face in his hands, cradling it as if it was the most
precious thing on earth, “You are the best mother in the fucking world, Louis. The bravest, the
strongest, and you are raising your son to be the most amazing boy I’ve ever met. And for what it’s
worth, I agree with you and I support your decision completely.”
Louis smiles and lets out an embarrassing sob, because once again, that is just what he needed to
hear right now. He doesn’t say anything more to Harry and just leans in, the two of them sharing a
watery kiss, Harry’s soft lips molded with his.

When they pull away, Louis dries his wet cheeks as best as he can, but the look on Harry’s face is
not to his liking. The man is frowning and Louis can see that something is definitely bothering him.

“What’s going on H?” Confusion laces his voice.

“I-” Harry opens his mouth, quickly closing it after, and sighs, a hesitant look on his face.

“You can tell me anything, you know? Just like I can tell you anything.” Louis gives him a pointed
look.

“I know,” Harry sighs again, “Okay, um…” Harry takes a deep breath, “I know that I was kind of
like him a few years ago… About not wanting a family or kids…” Louis’ frown deepens, not really
knowing where Harry is going with this, “But I want you to know that I will never do what he did. I
will never leave you guys. I will never hurt you like he did. Just thinking about it makes me sick,
and I promise you that I will be in your life, well, for as long as you will have me.” Harry’s voice is
quavering with the last words, and he shrugs slightly, his head falling forward to hide his face.

“Hey,” Louis lifts Harry’s chin with the tip of his fingers to make him look at him. He stands from
the bed and settles himself back down on Harry’s lap. Harry’s hands grip on Louis’ hips, and it’s
now Louis’ turn to cradle the other man’s face in his palms, “I know that you will never hurt us like
Eric did because you are nothing like him, okay? Nothing. And you never will be.” Louis insists on
the words, his heart aching a bit thinking that maybe Harry was comparing himself to that awful
man.

“With everything that you did for my boy and for me over the past few months, I know you’re
telling the truth. And thank you for being there for me. For us. For caring so much and for always
supporting me.” Louis says with a huge smile, his blue eyes sinking into Harry’s green ones, the
smaller man trying to convey his feelings through that one look. Louis leans in again and kisses
him softly, Harry's hands sliding from Louis’ hips to his back, before wrapping his arms tightly
around Louis’ waist.

“Again, I’m so sorry that this man put you through all of this. You didn’t deserve it. No one does.”
Harry says, pulling away from the kiss, “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” His words are so
sincere, his eyes so honest, that Louis can’t help but kiss him again, diving his tongue into Harry’s
mouth and kissing him passionately.

“I know.” Louis replies against the other man’s lips, because yes, he does. He doesn’t know why or
how, but Louis is certain that Harry is telling the truth. He can feel it so deeply in his heart with the
three words that he is not ready to say yet. But he will, when the time comes.

—-------------

“Do you need help?” Harry hears Louis ask him when he enters the kitchen, closing the door
behind him, while Harry puts the final touch on the cake.
Harry shakes his head, “No, I’m fine.” He smiles at Louis.

“He is very excited, you know?” Louis walks up to him next to the kitchen table where Harry is
settled with his apron tied up around his waist.

“I hope he will like it.”

“There is no way in hell that he won’t.” Louis states, laying a hand on the small of his back and
kissing Harry’s cheek, making the man chuckle.

Harry can hear the commotion and excitement from the kids outside in the other room, Adam’s
birthday party in full swing. Harry was so honoured and touched when Louis and Adam asked him,
first, to be present at his birthday party in April, and second, to bake the cake. So of course he
couldn’t decline and did his absolute best to create the perfect one for the little boy.

“Guys!! No running please!” Niall shouts from the living room, making the two men laugh.

“Are you almost done? Because I don’t think they will be able to hold them up any longer.” Louis
laughs again.

Thankfully Zayn and Niall agreed to come to the party as well, providing extra help with the kids
and of course, Adam couldn’t imagine his birthday party without his uncles. Liam and Lydia are
also attending, the little boy has loved them instantly since they came by for dinner at Louis’ one
night a few months ago.

“Yeah, I’m done,” Harry reassures Louis, “And you’re right, we better go now if we want to avert
any catastrophe.”

“Okay, I’ll go turn off the lights.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

The two men share a smile, Harry winking at Louis before the latter exits the kitchen.

“Alright kids! It’s time for Adam’s birthday cake! Come around the table please. Adam, come sit
here, honey.” Harry hears Louis says, and he knows that is his cue.

He takes his apron off, the one that Louis offered him as a joke on his birthday that says ‘Mr Good
lookin’ is cookin’’, and drapes it over one of the kitchen chairs. He then grabs a box of matches and
lights the six little candles on the cake, before lifting his creation from the table and making his
way to the living room.

As he expected, the blinds are closed and the lights are off while he makes his way there. He walks
slowly, careful not to trip over anything or even his own feet and ruin this day for Adam.

“Happy birthday to youuuuu!” Harry starts singing, the rest of the party following as he enters the
living room.

Adam is seated at the dining table, a huge smile is splitting his adorable face in two, and the few
friends he wanted to invite today, Zoey being one of them of course, are all seated in front of their
Toy Story plates. Louis is standing behind him, his hands gently resting on his shoulders, and he is
smiling just as brightly as his son. Harry catches Zayn, Niall, Liam and Lydia in the corner of his
eye, the four friends singing along too.
“Happy birthday to you, Adam!!” Harry sets the cake in front of the little boy, Adam clapping his
hands excitedly at the sight of it.

Harry had one requirement from Adam; it had to be a Buzz Lightyear cake. Other than that, Harry
had carte blanche, and that’s what he came up with after a few hours of work. The cake is a tiered
one, the ornaments from Buzz Lightyear’s chest are on the one at the bottom, his wings coming out
of it. There is a smaller cake upon it with Adam’s age right at the front, and at the very top, a
beautiful Buzz Lightyear shaped in sugarpaste from waist to head, as if he was coming out of the
cake.

“Oh my god it’s so cool!!!” Adam exclaims, his blue eyes sparkling with the lights of the candle,
and Harry’s heart just swells.

“Happy birthday to yoooouuuuuuuu!”

“Come on, make a wish baby!” Louis encourages his son. The little boy closes his eyes for a few
seconds, a concentrated look on his face, before opening them again and blowing out the six
candles in one go.

“Yay!!!!!” Everyone cheers, Adam’s friends clapping joyfully as well.

“Can you go grab a knife, babe?” Louis asks Harry.

“Oh yeah, sure.” He agrees, going to the kitchen and coming back with a knife a few seconds later.

“There you go.” He hands it to Louis.

“Thank you.” Louis smiles softly at him.

Louis proceeds to cut the cake, laying a piece in every kid’s plate, without forgetting to give one to
the adults as well. The little group settled around the coffee table, to give some space to the
children, but still keeping an eye on them.

“That cake is amazing Harry! I didn’t know you had that talent!” Niall takes another bite of the
pastry.

“I told you he was good.” Louis says with a proud smile, glancing at Harry, and the man can feel
the butterflies in his tummy flutter.

“Well, yeah, but you didn’t tell us he was THAT good! You should come and work at Zayn’s café.”
He suggests jokingly.

"Definitely." Zayn agrees.

Harry chukles, “That's a nice offer, but I love my job too much,” He declines with a smile, “I just
love to bake,” He shrugs, “That was a way for me to relax in Uni and still is now.”

“You don’t know how many times I walked into our dorm and found him covered in flour and
fondant.” Liam adds.

“Well, I don’t remember you complaining at the time. You were happy to have free cakes and
pastries almost everyday.” Harry tells him with a small smirk.
Liam raises his hands in surrender, “You’re right, I admit. I was pretty lucky.”

They continue to eat the cake and soon enough, it’s time for the presents, Adam coming to Louis
almost every two minutes to ask him, “Is it time yet???”

Harry and Louis have cleaned up the dining table, while Zayn, Niall, Liam and Lydia have helped
the kids put their presents for Adam on the table, the four adults adding their own to the pile too.
Adam picks randomly, his bright and excited smile never leaving his face as he tears up the
wrapping paper. He gets a few books and board games from his friends, a new Buzz Lightyear Pop
Up figure from Zayn and Niall with the DVD of the movie they went to see together a few months
ago, and a Toy Story blanket by Liam and Lydia. Louis, just like he promised his son, has gotten
him a goldfish but they had gone the previous day to the pet store so Adam could choose it, and
now, Thomas the fish is happily swirling around in his fish bowl in Adam’s room.

Eventually, it’s time for Harry’s present, and the man is a bit nervous about it. He didn’t really
discuss it with Louis, knowing perfectly well what kind of gift to get Adam, but he is excited to see
the little boy’s reaction.

Harry lifts the box from where it was resting close to him because it is quite heavy. Louis watches
him with a curious look, his brows furrowed slightly and Harry just shrugs while he sets the big
box in front of Adam on the table.

“Ooooooh it’s so big!!! What is it???” Adam questions, clapping his hands happily.

“Open it, Honey and you’ll see.” Louis tells him.

“Okay” He whispers out, grabbing on the wrapping paper and tearing it apart. When his eyes land
on what is underneath, his mouth falls open into an ‘O’, his eyes widening at the same time. Harry
bites his lower lip as he watches him, “Mu- Mummy it’s-” The words get stuck in his throat, his
voice quivering slightly.

“Yes-,” Louis stops, scratching his voice and Harry has to look at him. His boyfriend’s eyes are
teary and his voice is a bit hoarse as he continues, “Yes baby, it’s a telescope.” Louis looks up at
Harry, tearing his gaze away from the present, and just shakes his head fondly at him, wiping what
Harry can assume is a lonely tear.

“Oh my God.” Adam is in awe, lifting his eyes to meet Harry. They shimmer with happiness and
marvel, and his surprised mouth has now morphed into the most beautiful and joyful smile.

The little boy doesn’t even let Harry say anything, when he is running to him and jumping in his
arms, Harry catching him easily, his heart jumping in his chest with how much he cares for this
boy. Adam hugs him tightly around the neck, the man’s arms circling his small body, as the little
boy says in his ear, “Thank you so much Harry, thank you, thank you, thank you. I’ve always
wanted one.”

He keeps his hold on Harry, while the man replies, “I know you did,” He smiles in Adam’s hair,
“You told me about it. I’m just happy that you like it.”

“I love it so much.” The little boy whispers in his ear and Harry’s heart swells with joy. He hugs
Adam even tighter to his chest as his gaze catches Louis’. His boyfriend obviously a bit emotional
at the scene, just blows him a kiss before smiling softly.
Harry mirrors him, and in that moment, Harry feels so much. So much for Adam and so much for
Louis. Feelings that have never been this strong when he was in a relationship and obviously an
attachment he thought he would never have towards a child. But here he is, at his boyfriend’s son’s
birthday party, being the happiest he has ever been.

He lets Adam wiggle out of his hold, the little boy running back to his present the second his feet
touch the ground, “Come see it with me Harry!” He urges him, Harry complying and stepping next
to him at the table, “Did you guys see?!” He exclaims to his friends, the children nodding
frantically and leaning over the table to get a better look at the telescope.

“Can we open it, Mummy?” Adam is getting impatient, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“Maybe later, when your friends are gone? You should play with them and enjoy your party while
they’re here. Their parents will be there soon.” Louis suggests, glancing at Harry who smiles in
agreement.

Adam sighs, but Harry knows he understands, “Yeah, okay. You’re right.” He replies, before
leaving the living room and leading his friends to his bedroom to play with some of his new toys
and games for the remaining time.

Half an hour later, as Louis said, the kids' parents arrive to pick them up, Adam and Louis thanking
them all for coming and for the presents, while Harry and their friends start on cleaning up the
living room. Soon enough, everyone has left, and Louis, Harry and Adam are now alone in the
living room.

“Mummy, Harry, can we open the telescope now? Pleeeaaasseee!” Adam bounces on the balls of
his feet.

The two men look at each other, Harry shrugging to say that it is Louis’ call of course, waiting for
him to respond.

“Okay, baby. But you know that we won’t be able to use it today right? It’s getting late. We’ll have
to find a moment to go out.” Louis looks at Harry for confirmation, Adam glancing back and forth
between the two men sitting on the couch.

“Of course,” Harry backs Louis up, “We will organise a little field trip one night okay?”

“Soon?” Adam asks with big pleading eyes and God, he is good at this.

“As soon as we can, alright?” Harry reassures him.

Adam sighs, “Okay”

“Well, stop being so disappointed, otherwise we won’t open it at all.” Louis says from his spot next
to Harry.

He has a serious tone, but Harry knows that he is only teasing his son. Harry turns his gaze to him
and he is right, as a small smile creeps on Louis’ face, “I know, I’m sorry Mummy.” Adam
apologises.

The three of them gather around the coffee table, sitting on the floor after Harry has settled the box
on it. He carefully takes it out, a curious and excited Adam glued to his side while Harry puts it
together. He occasionally glances at Louis only to notice he’s just looking right back at them, his
chin resting in his hand, a soft smile still adorning his face and his eyes shimmering with joy.

“Wow” The little boy breathes out, “It’s so beautiful.” Harry can’t help but feel a bit of pride in his
chest for making the boy happy like this.

“It really is.” Louis agrees, looking at the grey telescope on its tripod in the middle of the coffee
table.

“Can we put it in my room Mummy?”

“I don’t see why not. Just be careful not to make it fall, alright?”

“Yes, Mummy.”

“Can you carry it, babe?” Louis asks Harry, standing up from his seat on the floor.

“Of course.” Harry grabs the telescope, lifting it from the wooden surface and follows Adam who
is skipping his way to his bedroom, Louis right behind Harry, a gentle hand on the small of his back
making the butterflies in his tummy flutter.

“Alright, I’ll put it here,” Harry says, settling the telescope next to Adam's window, “Tomorrow I
can show you how it works and we can try to test it out through your open window. We can try to
look at the moon. I mean if your mum is okay with it of course. ” Harry hurries to say, not wanting
to overstep.

Louis chuckles fondly at him, “Babe, of course I’m okay with it.”

“Yay! Thank you Mummy!” Adam says excitedly, jumping up and down and throwing his arms in
the air.

“Okay, okay, settle down.” Louis laughs and Harry has to do the same at Adam’s enthusiasm, the
little boy nodding and breathing deeply to calm himself. Harry can’t help but be endeared.

After that, the three of them settle for a small dinner, the birthday cake still in their stomach, as
Adam excitedly goes over his party and the presents he received from everyone, Louis and Harry
pleased to listen to the happy little boy.

“Can Harry read me one of my new books tonight?” Adam asks, while Louis and Harry are
cleaning up, Harry washing the dishes as the blue-eyed man dries them with one of the kitchen
towels.

Harry catches Louis’ glance next to him, and Harry doesn’t hesitate before answering, “I’d love to,
little man.”

“Yeeesss” Adam breathes out.

Louis smiles softly at Harry, “Go shower baby, and then Harry will come to you, okay?”

“Okay!” The little boy scurries off to the bathroom right away, his naked feet tapping on the
hardwood floor.
When they’re done, Louis and Harry make their way back to the living room, settling on the couch,
Louis back to his rightful place under Harry’s arm.

“Thank you for the telescope.” Louis says softly, his fingers playing with Harry’s in the other man’s
lap.

“Oh don’t thank me, Lou. I’m just happy to make him happy.” Harry admits, the fingers of his free
hand dancing along the skin of Louis’ arm.

Louis grumbles in Harry’s chest, “It must have cost you a fortune though,” Harry opens his mouth
but Louis cuts him off right away, “And don’t say it didn’t because I know those types of telescope.
I’ve looked them up in the past. They are professional ones.”

Harry closes his mouth for a second, before speaking again, “Alright it did. You caught me.”

“Ugh, Harryyy” Louis whines against his t-shirt, making his boyfriend chuckle fondly.

“But,” Harry goes on, “I chose one of those because I want Adam to be able to use it for a long
time. Even when he’s older.”

Louis’ arm squeezes around Harry middle at the words, before he raises his head to give a soft peck
on Harry’s lips, the thank you unspoken but there.

“Harryyy I’m reeeadddyyyy!” Adam hollers from his bedroom, evidently done with his shower.

“Alright,” Harry pecks Louis’ lips once more before detangling himself from his boyfriend, “I’ll go
to the toilets so you can say goodnight to him first.”

“Okay, yeah.” Louis replies, standing up from the couch as well, but before Harry can walk away,
Louis’ hand is on his wrist keeping him in place. Harry turns to him with a questioning look,
“You’re staying the night, right?” There is a bit of doubt in Louis’ voice and Harry doesn't like it
one bit.

“Of course I am.” He immediately responds, kissing Louis hard on the lips one more time, his
boyfriend smiling when they pull away.

Louis releases Harry’s wrist and makes his way to Adam’s bedroom, while Harry heads for the
toilets. He then takes the opportunity to brush his teeth and change into his pj’s while he waits.
When he is done, Louis is coming out of his son’s bedroom and winking at Harry.

“I’ll be in the bedroom.” He tells Harry, before disappearing there.

Harry knocks softly on Adam’s door, “Come in” The little boy replies, allowing Harry to enter. He
does so, and once again, the cutest vision is before his eyes. Adam is sitting up against his pillow,
his plushie astronaut and rocket obviously still there with him, and there is a space left for Harry on
the bed, the book he has to read resting in Adam’s lap.

Suddenly, there is a gasp coming from the little boy and he is out of his bed in an instant, making
Harry very confused. It doesn't stay that way for long when Adam says, “I forgot to feed Thomas.”
His voice is a bit panicked, but he is quickly relaxing while he pours the food in his goldfish’s
bowl.
“Oh yes, we can’t forget about Thomas, poor guy.” Harry says with a soft voice and an endeared
smile.

“I know!!” Adam sighs, “Okay, I’m done.” He quickly gets back under the sheets and into his
previous position.

Harry joins him on the bed, stretching his legs on the mattress, crossing his feet at the ankles. He
takes the book in his hand, Adam snuggling close to him and laying his head on Harry’s arm, ready
to listen to the story. Harry smiles to himself, his insides are all giddy, and opens the book ‘If you
had your birthday party on the moon.’

The book tells the story of a birthday party held on the moon, the party attendees landing there after
travelling in an orange rocket, all of them in space suits and admiring the view of the earth on their
journey to the moon. Adam is giggling and pointing at details that make him laugh, commenting on
things that he would desperately love to do if it was possible.

While Harry finishes the story, Adam is nodding off, his head falling forwards a few times and
Harry knows that it’s time for him to sleep. Harry closes the book, setting it on the bedside table
next to Adam’s rocket lamp, and gently detangles himself from him. He puts Adam’s pillow back
on the mattress, and the little boy shuffles down under the covers, the sheets tucked under his chin,
his plushies close to his chest.

“Thank you for the cake, for the telescope and for the story Harry.” Adam says sleepily.

Harry smiles at the little boy and leans over him to lay a kiss on his forehead, but he is stopped in
his movement, frozen in place when he hears, “I love you more than space, Harry.” And just like
that, as the last words escape his mouth, Adam is asleep, leaving a shocked Harry hovering over
him.

Harry’s heart is beating fast at Adam’s words and he realises that he feels the same about the little
boy. What he felt earlier during the party hitting him in the face once more. His attachment to
Adam has progressively transformed into a much stronger feeling, one that he never thought he
would feel towards a little boy. He wants to protect him and be there for him in the future, and God,
if that isn’t scary, but Harry is ready. So ready.

He closes the distance between Adam’s forehead and his lips, kissing him gently and whispering
against his baby skin, “I love you too, little man.” His heart filled with tenderness for the little boy.

Harry steps out of the room, still a bit astounded by what just happened, and as he takes the last few
steps, to get back to Louis, his Louis, another realisation enters his mind. He doesn’t only care so
much for Adam, he also cares deeply for Louis and even more than that. The feeling bubbling in
his chest right now is one he thought he would never feel again after what happened in his past, but
it is here, deep inside him, and Harry can’t help but embrace it. He didn’t know that Adam saying
these words to him would be what he needed to embrace his true feelings. Once again, the little boy
is full of surprises.

Harry walks to Louis’ bedroom, knocking on the door, Louis responding softly to let him in.
Harry’s boyfriend is already in bed, sitting up against the headboard, the sheets up to his waist,
patiently scrolling through his phone. He looks up at Harry when the man enters, a frown appearing
on his perfect face.
“What’s going on?” He asks, and Harry must be even more shocked than he thought he was, if it
can be seen on his face.

“I- um… Adam just told me he loved me.” Harry just stands there in front of the closed bedroom
door.

Happiness flashes on Louis’ face, but it is quickly replaced by panic, “Oh my God,” Louis says,
putting his phone face down on his bedside table and turning on his side in the bed to face Harry,
“I’m sorry babe, you know how he is, please don’t be scared by it, I-”

Louis’ voice is frantic and quivering, and Harry can’t have that. He quickly snaps out of his frozen
state and rushes to the bed, climbing on it and taking Louis’ hands in his, “Oh please Baby, no. I’m
not scared.” Harry reassures him.

“You’re not?” Louis’ eyes are wide and questioning.

“I’m really not,” Harry chuckles, smiling at him, “I love this boy to bits,” Louis sighs in relief, his
head falling forward, “And I love you too, Louis,” Louis snaps his head up to meet Harry’s gaze,
his eyes shimmering with unshed tears, “I love you so, so much, Louis you have no idea.” Harry’s
love for Louis is so deep that it hurts.

Louis laughs wetly, wiping his nose with his hand, “I love you too, Harry,” He confesses, “I’ve
loved you for a while now, but I didn’t want to scare you away.” He is a bit ashamed, Harry can’t
really blame him.

“I think I’ve felt it for quite some time as well, but I don’t know, maybe subconsciously I didn’t
want to admit it because it is so much stronger than what I’ve ever felt in my life,” Louis is hanging
onto his every word, “My love for you consumes me. You’ve become a part of me, and you and
your son have a place in my heart forever.”

Louis is crying now, Harry is tearing up as well, all these feelings washing over him and
overwhelming him in the best way.

“I-” Louis chokes out, scratching his throat to try and compose himself, “I love you more than you
know, Harry. And please don’t apologise for not saying it before, because I completely understand.
Like I said, I was the same,” Louis admits, “But now, I’m not scared anymore and I can’t believe
Adam and I found you, and I love you more than I ever thought I could.”

They both look deeply into each other’s watery eyes, all that is left unsaid passing through a single
look.

“So we’re on the same page then.” Harry jokes, making Louis laugh and slap him on the chest
playfully.

“We are, you goof.”

“Come here,” Harry pulls Louis closer to him and lays the both of them down on the mattress,
sliding under the sheets before tangling their legs together and kissing each other with so much
love that Harry doesn’t ever want to stop. Louis’ nails are digging into his back underneath his t-
shirt, holding on for dear life, while Harry’s hold around his boyfriend’s waist tightens. Their
clothed chests are glued together as they dive into each other’s mouth, their tongues exploring
every corner and massaging one another’s languorously.
They quickly fall asleep after that, the busy and emotional day finally catching up to them, Harry
being the big spoon for Louis, his boyfriend’s back pressed up against Harry’s chest. Their joined
hands are tucked under Louis’ chin, and once again, Harry feels at peace, happiness filling his
heart.

—--------------

“Adam, are you ready? We have to go now, if you want to have some time up there.” Louis calls for
him, while Harry waits with him in the entryway.

“I’m comiiiiing!” The little boy says, as he comes running to them, “I had to take my bear astronaut
with me.” He rolls his eyes, as if it was completely obvious.

“Of course.” Harry nods, indulging him and making the boy smile at him.

“See, Mummy! Harry understands.”

Harry snorts besides Louis, earning him a glare, but Harry knows it’s always with kindness, “Well
I’m sorry, maybe you guys don’t want me up there with you, then.” Louis says, crossing his arms in
front of his chest and popping his hip.

“Nooooo, Mummy!!!”

“Alright, then let’s go!” He urges his son, opening the door for him to step out.

Harry kisses Louis’ temple before crouching down a bit to lift the telescope. He exits the flat,
carrying the item carefully as Louis leads him and his son to the roof. When they arrive, Adam runs
to the blankets and pillows that Harry had arranged there earlier, preparing a cosy spot for them to
watch the meteor shower on this August night.

“Aaaaaaah” Adam exclaims excitedly, while sitting down and arranging the few plushies that he
carried with him for the occasion.

Louis sits down next to him, taking out the little snacks that he brought in case they feel a little
peckish or thirsty, while Harry sets the telescope in the right spot, directly turned in the direction of
the moon so they can have the perfect shot.

“Alright, little man, come see. Today is a full moon so as you know, it can’t get bigger than this.”
Harry says when he is done with the settings.

“Hihihihihihi” Adams claps his hands in front of him, Louis and Harry watching him with a fond
look, “Technically it can get bigger if it’s a super moon.” The little boy adds, raising a finger to
make his point.

Harry nods, and Louis can see the pride on his face, “You’re absolutely right.”

Adam stands up and walks next to the telescope, close to Harry, the man whispering indications in
his ear as the little boy observes the satellite.
“Remember, be careful not to move the telescope, or we will lose the view.” Adam nods, keeping
his hands behind his back

“Wow!! We can see all the craters and all! It’s so big!!! Mummy come see!!!!” He calls for his
mother, Louis standing up for his turn without even hesitating.

Adam steps aside from the telescope, letting his mother take his place, Louis bowing down to be
able to look, as Harry has adjusted it to Adam’s height.

“Oh my God,” Louis lets out, Harry’s hand finding the small of his back, his thumb gently
caressing him over his t-shirt, “It’s beautiful.”

“Right?!” Adam says next to him, “Mummy did you know that soon they will launch a rocket ship
to the moon? We read about it with Harry.” He says proudly.

“I didn’t know, honey. That’s amazing!” Louis exclaims, stepping away from the telescope.

“Isn’t it?!” He goes on excitedly, “The mission is called Artemis 1 and the ship is called Orion. It
will be orbiting around the moon, but with no humans!” He raises a finger again. There is so much
passion in Adam’s voice, that Harry can’t help but smile as he watches him explain. He catches
Louis’ eye, the two men sharing a soft look.

“For Artemis 3,” The little boy is on a roll, “They will send humans on the moon again. I really
hope that Thomas Pesquet will go.” The last words are said in a murmur, hope and admiration
lacing the six year old’s voice.

“That is wonderful, darling. I hope he will go too. Did you learn all of that with Harry?” Louis
questions.

Adam gives his mother a wide grin, nodding his head frantically, before looking in the telescope
again.

They take turns at the astronomical device, Harry resetting it each time the moon moves if only the
slightest, the man also showing Adam how they can take a picture by connecting Harry’s phone to
it. They already used the telescope a few times before, but tonight is the first time they are
exploring that option, keeping it for a special occasion, and what better occasion than a full moon?

The pictures turn out beautifully and Adam is over the moon, no pun intended. After a while, they
leave the telescope on the side and the three of them settle on the blankets, lying on their backs to
watch the wonderful sky full of stars that is above them, Adam squeezed in between Louis and
Harry. Tonight is the first night of the meteor shower and Harry hopes that there will be a lot of
shooting stars.

As they wait, Adam and Harry point to the different constellations that they recognise above them.
Adam quickly spots Ursa Major and Ursa Minor, and Harry feels so proud. He also points to
Cassiopeia, and Harry has to help him find Draco. Louis lets out ‘oh’ s and ‘ah ’s while his son
shows him the constellations, listening to him intently, and Harry couldn’t be more in love with
him.

Harry’s prayers are answered, because not even a few minutes after getting settled, he can hear a
gasp coming from Adam, the little boy pointing towards the stars and to a marvelous white light
arching in the sky, “There!!!!”
“Yes!!!! I saw it too honey!” Louis says happily and Harry can’t help but smile.

“Did you see it Harry?!”

“I did, little man.”

“Oof okay, that’s good.”

The little boy’s comment makes the two men laugh, Harry catching Louis’ eyes as they both turn
their gazes at the same time to look at each other over Adam’s head.

“Don’t worry, there will be more.” Harry reassures him.

After that, almost every 30 seconds, a shooting star is blessing them and Harry can’t help but look
at Adam. The little boy’s eyes are as wide as saucers, his mouth agape, his plushie bear astronaut
tightly held against his chest, and Harry loves him so much. He lifts his eyes to see Louis looking
right back at him, his boyfriend blowing him a kiss and mouthing ‘I love you’, Harry mirroring
him, as his heart pumps like crazy in his ribcage with how much love he has for his boys.

Adam falls asleep with his head on Louis’ chest, the little boy tucked between the two men who
have shuffled closer so they could hold each other. Louis’ head is lying on the inside of Harry’s left
arm, his right one protectively wrapped around the little boy and his mother, a blanket shielding
them from the cool summer breeze. Louis has now drifted into the land of Morpheus as well, and it
won’t be long until it is Harry’s turn. While the moon shines above them, the light of the sun
reflecting on the magnificent satellite, love is flowing through Harry’s veins as he holds the two
most important people in his life, his home.
 Epilogue

Louis waddles from the bathroom to the kitchen, yawning and covering his mouth with the back of
his hand and rubbing his baby bump, as he makes his way there. Being over eight months pregnant
is not a walk in the park and his nights are becoming shorter. He is used to it though, as it is not his
first time. It’s his fourth to be precise, and his unborn baby girl is no exception to the rule thinking
Louis’ bladder is a squeeze toy, but he wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

The house is still quiet, everyone is still fast asleep on this Saturday morning, but Louis knows it
won’t last for long. This peaceful atmosphere will quickly swirl into a tornado, but once again, it’s
a tornado that he welcomes with open arms. It’s a wonderfully organised chaos that Louis wouldn’t
give up for anything.

His feet shuffle across the tiled floor when he enters the kitchen, and Louis begins to cook breakfast
for his little family. He grabs some eggs, butter and milk from the fridge to prepare some french
toasts with the leftover bread they have. He also takes bacon in there and a can of beans from one
of the cupboards, because he knows Harry will want some.

After several minutes, Louis hears the tapping of little feet on the hardwood floor coming his way,
and he knows those belong to Jack and Hazel. Despite them having their own room, when one is
awake, they have to go wake up the other one. It has become a habit of theirs since Hazel has been
able to walk. Thank god they don’t tend to wake up at ungodly hours, so usually someone is
already awake in the house. If not, they both know they have to stay in one of their respective
rooms.

Louis is proved right when a set of giggles echoes in the corridor, before resonating through the
kitchen.

“Good morning Mummy!” They both say in unison, Louis smiling while he settles his spatula on
the side and turns around to greet his children.

“Good morning my babies.” Louis bends over as best as he can with his huge belly, and kisses them
on the top of their head, his two children kissing his cheek in return and his baby bump. The
gesture always brings a smile to his face.

Hazel puts Adam’s old plushie rocket on her chair before Jack and her set the table with the plates,
glasses and cutlery that are waiting at the center of the kitchen table. Jack carefully passes the
plates to his little sister, as she is still a bit too small to reach them.

“What do you guys want on your french toast?” Louis asks from the stove, flipping the bread in the
pan.

“Just powdered sugar for me Mummy.” Hazel replies, already next to Louis with her plate in her
hands.

“Alright,” Louis grabs the plate to put the bread in it, dusting some sugar on top of it, before giving
it back to his daughter, “Be careful,” Hazel nods firmly with a small ‘Thank you’, and walks back
to her seat, “What about you, Honey?” Louis takes Jack’s plate in his hands.
“Cinnamon, please.”

“Okay” Louis does the same, but with a sprinkle of cinnamon this time.

“Thank you.”

Jack takes his seat, and the both of them dig into their plates. Louis leaves the stove for a moment,
gathering the orange juice from the fridge, pouring it into his children’s glasses, and settles the
bottle on the table for everybody else.

“‘Morning,” Adam says sleepily, when he enters the kitchen several minutes later.

“Oh, good morning, Baby!” Louis replies, Adam’s siblings greeting him as well.

Adam kisses his mother on the cheek and rubs a hand over the baby bump. He goes to kiss his
brother and sister, before walking to the fridge and all around the kitchen to get what he needs for
his breakfast.

“Hazel, can you go and wake up daddy, please? He is a sleepy head, and if we don’t wake him up
he’ll still be in bed till noon.” Louis chuckles, going back to the stove to start on the eggs and
bacon, the beans already simmering in a pot.

The four year old girl doesn’t even wait to be asked twice, and jumps from her chair, squealing
joyfully with the mission she’s been assigned, making everyone laugh in the kitchen. She scurries
out and into the corridor, her giggles trailing after her.

“Are you alright?” Louis directs his attention back to a quiet Adam.

“Of course I’m alright. Why wouldn’t I be?” He replies, mixing yogurt and muesli in his bowl.

Louis shrugs nonchalantly, “Oh I don’t know, it’s not like there is something important today.”

Adam sighs, “I’m okay Mum, really.”

“Alright, if you say so,” Louis leaves it at that, but not entirely convinced, as he knows his son like
the back of his hand, “Don’t forget to eat some fruit as well. It’ll be good for the effort you’ll be
doing this afternoon.”

“Yeah” Is all Adam says, reaching for a banana in the fruit bowl on the table. The 14 year old is not
a teenager of few words, so Louis knows he is nervous about the game. He always is. But this one
is important for the team and therefore, Adam’s stress has risen up.

They all jump in surprise when they hear Hazel shriek and laugh from her parents' bedroom,
indicating Louis that his husband is now awake. He smiles, laughing softly to himself, while he
puts the hot bacon on some paper towels to soak in the excess of grease.

“You’w do gweat!” Louis hears Jack say to his brother with a mouthful of french toast.

“Thanks Jack” Adam’s voice is quiet but laced with sincerity.

Once more, Louis feels his heart being filled with pride for his children, always supporting each
other even at such a young age for Jack.
“Do you want another piece of toast, Jack?” Louis questions, the six year old boy nodding eagerly
and rushing to Louis’ side with his plate.

Louis chuckles, “Be careful.” He serves him some more, with cinnamon on top, before putting
some water to boil in the kettle.

“Good morning everyone!” Harry announces himself with Hazel wrapped in his arms, and Louis’
heart flutters at the cuteness, and as usual at the sight of his husband. Forever feeling so lucky to
have found him. The man is always looking so soft in the morning with his sleep rumpled hair.

The whole family replies to him, when he settles Hazel back in her chair after a bit of whining on
their daughter’s part. Louis watches Harry say hello to their children, Jack giggling when the man
kisses the top of his head.

“Dad, come on!!!” Adam whines as Harry ruffles his hair, waving his father’s hand away and
making the man laugh.

“Harry please leave him alone, you know he is stressed.” Louis says from where he is at the stove,
pouring the whipped eggs in the pan.

“I already told you, I’m fine.” Adam grumbles, putting a spoon of his breakfast in his mouth.

Louis turns around, “Baby, it’s okay to be stressed. It’s a big game today.” He smiles at him, trying
to reassure him. He winks at Harry, the man mirroring him.

Louis continues to prepare the eggs, shifting on his side so he can see his family. He watches Harry
go behind Adam’s chair, his husband laying his hands on their son’s shoulders, before bending over
slightly and whispering into his ear, “It’ll be alright, son.” Adam sends his dad a small smile, but
Louis knows it’s something. A few words with a big impact.

When Harry turns his head to him, Louis looks at him with a soft smile on his face. Seeing Adam
and Harry so close always fills his heart with love. The two of them have built up their relationship
through the years, their bond becoming stronger than ever, and Louis couldn’t be happier. Harry is
the perfect father figure, even if it was hard for the man at first to accept it, but Louis has always
been there to remind him of it and encourage him in his new role.

Louis turns his attention back to his eggs, and he can feel Harry step behind him, his arms
wrapping around Louis’ belly as his lips leave soft kisses on the side of his neck. Louis tilts his
head slightly to give him more access.

“Good morning my love,” Harry whispers into his ear, “Did you wake up early again?”

Louis leans against Harry’s chest and sighs contently, setting down his spatula for a moment,
turning the stove off, and resting the back of his head on Harry’s shoulder. He closes his eyes and
nods, still feeling the fatigue from his shortened night, “You know how I get when I’m getting close
to my due date.”

Harry kisses his skin one more time, “I know. I wish I could do something to help.”

“You’re already doing so much.” Louis says with a soft voice, while Harry brushes his temple with
the tip of his nose. His tummy flutters with how thoughtful his husband is. He always is, but even
more when Louis is pregnant. Always making sure he is comfortable and has everything he needs.
“How is my second little girl doing?” Harry asks, rubbing his hands over Louis’ belly tenderly and
making him relax even more against his broad chest. Louis thinks he could stay there all day in
Harry’s arms.

Louis sets his hands on top of Harry’s, “She’s waking her Mummy up at ungodly hours, but apart
from that she is great.” He turns his head and smiles, making his husband smile in return, “I love
you.” Louis says.

“Ugh grooossss!” They hear Jack from behind them, the little boy making them laugh.

Harry sighs contently in turn, his breath tickling the tip of Louis’ nose, “I love you too.”

Louis sees a small frown appear on his husband’s face as he says the words, a confused look taking
over, his gaze searching for something all around the room.

“What’s going on?” Louis frowns as well, his hand rubbing Harry’s bare forearm.

“I don’t know,” He looks back at Louis, “It kind of feels like a déjà vu moment, you know? When
you feel like you’ve already lived that moment.” Harry shakes his head, “Forget it, it’s stupid. I
must still be half asleep.” He laughs softly.

Louis frowns again, and brings his hand to Harry’s cheek, “Yeah, I know what you mean, and it’s
not stupid.” Louis pouts, not liking when his husband puts himself down like this, “Maybe you had
a dream that was similar or something.”

There is a few seconds of silence between them. Louis can see the wheels turning in Harry’s head
and suddenly, something lights up in his eyes, a grin creeping on his face, “I think you might be
right.”

“Really? You had a dream?” Louis puts his hand back on top of Harry’s on his belly, rubbing the
bump absentmindedly.

Harry nods, “You bet I did. A very important one.” His smile is so big, Louis thinks it might split
his husband’s face in two. It’s so big that it’s contagious and makes Louis smile in return.

“What do you mean?” Louis wonders.

Harry bows his head down slightly to whisper in his ear, “I’ll tell you all about it one day.” Louis is
a bit confused, but he has blind faith in Harry and if he is smiling that way, it can’t be anything
bad.

Harry lifts his head to be able to look at Louis in the eye again.

“Okay” Louis murmurs, when Harry leans down once more, his lips brushing over Louis’ before
kissing him softly, keeping it chaste. Louis melts into Harry’s embrace and into the delicate kiss.

“Mum, dad, please we are eating.” Adam’s jaded comment makes them laugh against each other’s
lips, and evidently pull away.

“Yes, we’re eating!” Jack adds up.

“Alright, alright, we get it.” Harry tells them, laying one last kiss on the side of Louis’ neck before
he goes to grab his plate at the table.
Eventually, Harry and Louis settle with their children, the little family enjoying their breakfast
together. Hazel is whining because she almost puts her plushie on her plate, Jack complains about
his stomach hurting but he still insists on having a third piece of french toast, and Adam is very
quiet, the anxiety regarding the game supposedly bubbling up inside of him. His eyes are focused
on his bowl, his spoon playing absentmindedly with the muesli. He barely has eaten anything since
he sat down and Louis is not having it. He needs strength if he doesn’t want to faint on the pitch.

“Adam Honey, is everything ready for your presentation next week?” Louis asks, taking a sip of his
tea in his NASA mug, in an attempt to take his son’s mind off of the game for a while.

Apparently it works, because Adam’s face lights up at the mention of his beloved project, “Yes!” A
big smile spreads on his face, “Dad and I finished the model last night!”

“Oh that’s amazing!” Louis cheers.

“You finished it,” Harry corrects his son as he takes a sip of his coffee, “I barely touched it. I was
only giving you directions and advice.” There is pride in his voice and that just makes Louis’ heart
swell.

Adam blushes faintly, “Well, I wouldn’t have been able to make it without your help. You’re the
expert at making satellites and satellite models.”

“It was a pleasure to help you, you know that.” Harry smiles at him, patting Adam's forearm gently.

“I know. Thank you dad.”

Louis’ plan has worked perfectly, because as they talk, Adam has been eating his yogurt and his
banana without even realising it. Louis knew that bringing up his son’s project would do the trick.
When his professor announced they would have to do a presentation on the subject of their choice
to help them build up and develop their ability to talk to an audience, obviously Adam chose the
theme of space. More specifically, he decided to talk about satellites. Louis was not surprised in the
slightest, as his son has always been fascinated by them, and even more so when he discovered that
Harry’s job was to help build them.

Of course Adam asked for his father’s help for this project, and the two of them have been having a
blast making that satellite model, and this couldn’t make Louis happier.

“You’re going to have to show it to me! I haven’t seen it yet!” Louis complains, teasing his son, “Is
it the same that your dad is engineering these days?”

“It’s almost the same. I added a few elements to make it more, like personal,” Louis sees Harry nod
in agreement, “And yeah, I know. But I just want it to be perfect and fully ready when we show it
to you.”

“Awww Honey, it’ll be perfect either way.” Louis reassures him.

Adam sends him an unimpressed look, “You’re just saying that because you’re my mum.”

Harry chuckles in his coffee mug, and Louis can’t help but do the same. He shrugs, “Maybe I am,
but there is nothing you can do about it, is there? I will always support you even if what you do is
s-h-i-t.” Louis admits, spelling out the last word so that his younger children don’t hear him say a
bad word.
Adam rolls his eyes fondly, and Louis catches Harry’s playful gaze. Jack’s face is all confused and
concentrated, the little boy trying to put the letters together. Suddenly he lets out a gasp, and Louis
has forgotten that Jack has a bit of knowledge in reading already. Ugh, stupid pregnant brain.

Jack brings both of his hands to cover his mouth in the most dramatic way, “Oh my god Daddy!!
Mummy said a bad word!!!”

“Technically he didn’t.” Harry comes to the rescue, and Louis loves him so much.

“What do you mean?”

“What did he say?”

Jack and Hazel exclaim at the same time.

Hearing his sister, Jack forgets about his questions and starts. Louis’ eyes widen as his mouth opens
to stop his son, “He said sh-”.

Fortunately, Jack doesn’t get to finish the word, as Harry launches himself over the table,
surprisingly without spilling anything on it, to cover the little boy’s mouth with his hand, “We don’t
repeat the bad words.” Harry warns him, waiting for the six year old to nod in understanding. When
he does, his father slowly releases him, watching him like a wild animal ready to jump and attack
again. Thankfully, Jack doesn’t say anything, and saying that Louis is relieved is an
understatement.

A little frown remains on his son’s face, so Louis says, “I’ll put a pound in the jar, don't worry.” At
his mother’s words, Jack’s face relaxes and he seems satisfied with the outcome. Louis catches
Harry’s eye again, mouthing a silent ‘Thank you’ to him, his husband winking at him and making
Louis’ tummy flutter.

They all finish their breakfast, the kids helping clean the table before they all retreat to their
respective bedrooms to have a bit of quiet time before they have to leave for the game this
afternoon.

“Lou, we have a dishwasher, you know?” Harry tells Louis who has begun to do the dishes in the
sink, while his husband puts the orange juice back in the fridge.

Louis rolls his eyes, “I’m aware, yes. But you know it relaxes me.”

Harry sighs, “Alright, but don’t over do it.”

“I’m pregnant Harry, not sick.” There is fondness in his voice.

“I know that,” Harry steps behind him, settling his hands on Louis’ hips and nuzzling his temple,
Louis leaning into the gesture, “But you’re eight months pregnant, not three, and you know that all
of our children decided to come to the world earlier than scheduled, so excuse me for wanting you
to take it easy.”

It’s Louis’ turn to sigh, “I know. But I’m fine.” He reassures Harry, shifting uncomfortably from
foot to foot, and bringing his wet hand to his belly, the skin underneath his high waisted pj pants
feeling very patchy today since he was woken up.
He tries to bite the inside of his cheek so as not to let a hiss escape when a mild pain shoots in the
same spot, but he must do a terrible job at it as Harry asks a bit worried, “Lou, are you sure you’re
okay?”

“Yes, don’t worry. It’s just my skin, you know how it is.” He lies, rubbing his belly with his wet
hand again, leaving a mark on his pj’s. Harry’s hand joins his as he whispers in his ear, “Please go
lie down for a bit. We have a busy afternoon and I just- Please.”

How can Louis resist his husband begging like this? In the end he knows Harry is right and that he
shouldn’t overdo it, but he can’t help it. That’s who he is. He sighs one last time in defeat, “Okay.
I’ll just go take a nap.”

“Yeeesss!!” Harry murmurs, raising his fist in victory, and making Louis laugh.

“Can you come and wake me up before lunch?”

“Of course I will, baby.” He kisses Louis’ temple, before taking the sponge from him and giving
Louis a towel to dry his hands.

Louis gives him a peck on the lips before wobbling back to their bedroom. When his body meets
the mattress, he can’t help but let out a deep sigh of relief. He didn’t even realised how much his
body needed it this morning. He reaches for his pregnancy pillow, holding it closer to him, with a
leg thrown over it. He hisses again through his teeth when he feels another sharp pull on his skin in
his lower belly after around 15 minutes into his nap, his hand instantly rubbing the painful spot.
Louis knows what this means, he is quite familiar with this kind of pain, but he won’t say anything.
He won’t ruin this day for his son. He will shut his mouth, bite the bullet and hopefully Louis is
wrong and this is just a false alarm.

—--------------

“Hazel, Honey, do you really think it’s necessary to bring your plushie to the game?” Harry asks his
daughter when he helps her get into her car seat.

“Yes” She says with big doe eyes and Harry is done for.

He sighs, “Alright, but don’t lose it there, okay?”

She nods, “I’ll be careful.”

“That’s my girl.” He kisses her on top of her head, “Jack, Adam, are you good?”

“Yess!! Mummy helped me.” Jack replies.

“Yeah, I’m good.” Adam tells him from the back of the minivan.

“Alright, let’s go then.” Harry closes Hazel’s door and goes to sit behind the wheel, Louis already
waiting for him in the passenger seat, “Are you okay?” He knows he is asking for the fiftieth time
today as he starts the engine, but he knows his husband, and something is definitely off. He pulls
out of their driveway and drives in the direction of the football club.
“Please stop asking,” Louis pleads, “I’m telling you. I. Am. Fine.” Louis smiles at him.

Harry would believe him, but the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes and he sees the subtle
movement of Louis’ fingers gripping the material of his oversized jumper. Harry doesn’t push it
because he knows that Louis will smack him over the head at some point, so he just shuts his
mouth and tries to focus on his destination and not his ‘fidgety over eight months pregnant
husband’.

They arrive at the little stadium, the parking lot already quite full when Harry finds a spot not too
far away from the entrance. He doesn’t want Louis to walk too much. Everybody gets out of the
car, Louis waving Harry off when he offers to help him down, gesturing for him to go help their
kids instead. Harry rolls his eyes at his husband’s stubbornness but complies, helping Hazel and
Jack unlock their seat belts.

Adam grabs his duffle bag from the trunk, Jack takes Louis’ hand in his, and Hazel ends up in
Harry’s arms as always, the cooler with the snacks and drinks hooked over his shoulder. They all
walk to the pitch, Harry and Louis greeting some of the parents of the kids that are on Adam’s team
while they make their way there. Adam leaves them with a wave to go meet his coach and the rest
of the team to get ready and warm up, his parents hollering after him to break a leg as he jogs away.

“Zayn told me they were here with Liam and Lydia already.” Harry hears Louis say.

He nods, and turns his head to look at Louis. There is a small frown on his face that disappears
immediately when Louis catches his gaze. Harry sighs internally and leads his family to the
bleachers. They spot their friends in the front rows, Niall waving at them, Liam and Lydia’s eight
year old twins, Chloe and Arthur, jumping up and down with him.

Harry leads Louis to sit next to Zayn, Jack following him, and Harry at the end of the row with
Hazel on his lap. Liam, Lydia and the twins are sitting in the row just in front of them. Harry
glances worriedly at Louis, his husband chatting away with Niall and Zayn, a hand constantly
supporting his baby bump.

The game starts not long after, the whole crowd cheering for the two teams, Adam’s personal fan
club being even louder than everyone else when he makes his way on the pitch. The teenager
waves at them, and Harry’s heart blows up with pride for his son.

It doesn’t really go as expected, the opposite team scores a goal not even ten minutes into the game
and Harry hopes it won’t discourage Adam’s team. He has always tried to show his son that nothing
is over until it’s over, and that everything can change for the better even at the last minute. He
catches Louis’ worried look over Jack’s head before they turn their focus back on the game again.

It’s almost half time when one of Adam’s teammates makes a run for it, passing the ball to the 14
year old who is in a good spot with no one around him. Adam picks up his pace, sprinting towards
the goal, before shooting, the ball flying right over the goalie’s head and into the net.

Harry and the crowd stand up, Hazel jumping from his lap to cheer for her brother. Louis is
standing up as well, clapping and screaming with a huge smile on his face. Harry is relieved until
he sees his husband cringe uncomfortably, and sit down before everyone else.

Harry frowns, “Lou?” He calls over the screams, the other man turning his head towards him, and
Harry gives him a pointed look.
Louis, once again, waves him off as if everything was fine, when it definitely isn’t, and Harry is
getting very frustrated and worried. He is so happy to be here to support his son and to see him
shine, but at the same time he kind of wants it to be over so he can get some sense into his stubborn
husband’s head.

During half time, Harry grabs some drinks for Hazel and Jack, Louis accepts a bottle of water with
a tight smile, and Harry has to grit his teeth. He gets a can of iced tea for himself, before chatting a
bit with Liam and Lydia who have turned in their seats to face him, Harry glancing at Louis here
and there.

The game goes on after the 15 minute break, and the second half of the game goes way better than
the first one. Adam’s team doesn’t let another goal pass through their defense and Harry’s son is so
good out there that Harry has to bite his tongue not to scream ‘That’s my son!!’.

Harry always has an eye on his husband, the other man not really succeeding in putting on a poker
face each time, but even without that, Harry can see through his strong façade. He is sure that Louis
is in pain and it breaks his heart to see him like this, but at the same time he is so damn proud of
him and to be his husband. Louis is a badass mother and Harry could never endure what he has
been through.

It’s a tie between the two teams, and once again, a couple of minutes before the final whistle, Adam
gets the ball and runs as fast as he can towards the opposite goal. Harry sees him looking around
for backup, as two opponent players approach to surround him. Adam sees a crack in there, and
kicks the ball to one of his teammates, the other boy catching it easily and kicking it as hard as he
can through the net. It’s another goal for Adam’s team and this doesn’t only mean that they’ve won
the game, but also that they are going to the final in two weeks, and Harry's heart could burst with
pride.

The referee blows the final whistle and the game is over, the crowd jumping from their seats to
clap, scream and cheer for their team. Harry sees Louis stand up instantly, jumping slightly on the
balls of his feet and Harry wants to stop him, but how can he when Louis has tears of joy running
down his face as he watches his son do a victory lap.

All of their friends and family are over the moon, Niall howling through the stadium and making
Adam laugh from where he is on the pitch. A few minutes later, the teenager is running up the
couple of stairs and joining them on the bleachers, a huge smile plastered on his face. He jumps
into Harry’s arms, the man wrapping his own arms tightly around his son and burying his nose in
his sweaty hair.

“I’m so proud of you, son.” He whispers in his ear, the arms around his neck tightening at the
words.

“I love you, Dad.” Adam murmurs.

“I love you too.” Harry manages to say, his voice cracking with emotion.

He releases his son, and the teenager shuffles between Harry and the seats, Liam, Lydia and the
twins patting him on the back, while Adam gets an armful of his siblings, screaming how much
they are happy in his ear. He laughs and kisses them on the cheek before diving into his mother’s
open arms, careful of the bump, Louis’ face nestled in the crook of his neck. Harry doesn’t hear
what they say to each other, but he is sure it is close to the words he exchanged with Adam a few
minutes ago.
Harry smiles as his heart melts at the sight of his family and friends all together, but his smile
quickly fades away when he sees Louis’ contorted face while Adam is now hugging his uncles,
Louis’ hands back under his belly to support it, and Harry has had enough.

“Liam, can you watch Jack and Hazel for me for a second?” He asks his best friend without even
waiting for the answer, knowing perfectly well that he has said yes.

Harry rushes to Louis' side, his hands grabbing onto his husband’s shoulders to look him in the eye,
“Louis,” The other man looks up at him, his eyes wide and teary, “It’s enough now, tell me what’s
going on. I know you’ve been in pain since this morning. Don’t tell me you’re fine becau-”

“I think my water just broke.” Louis blurts out with a quivering voice and Harry’s heart jumps in
his chest. Everyone around them, their family and friends, stop what they’re doing, all eyes on
Harry and Louis.

“What??!!” Harry's eyes fall to Louis’ legs, and indeed, he can see the wet halo peeking out under
Louis’ oversized jumper on his grey joggers.

“I think my water just broke.” Louis repeats, his eyes dropping to his hands on his belly.

Harry shakes his head, “No, I heard what you said. What do you mean your water just broke, you-”
Harry stops in his tracks, and suddenly everything clicks into place. He can’t believe he didn’t pick
up the signs, as it is the third pregnancy Louis is going through with Harry. He knew something
was wrong but he didn’t think it was that kind of wrong. He warned Louis this morning but he
never thought it would happen today. Oh dear god.

“Please don’t tell me you’ve been in labour since this morning and you didn’t tell me?!”

Louis’ eyes avoid Harry’s and there is his answer.

“Damn it Louis!” Harry lets out, exasperated. His hands leaving Louis’ shoulders and flying in the
air with his words.

“I didn’t want to ruin Adam’s day! It was an important game!” Louis exclaims with guilty eyes to
defend himself, and Harry can’t believe what he is hearing.

“Oh my God, Louis!”

“Mum, are you kidding?!”

Harry and Adam cry in unison, as their friends’ eyes are as wide as saucers, now realising what is
happening. Jack is gasping loudly and Hazel, bless her, is still oblivious to the whole situation.

Louis points an accusing finger at his husband and son, “Don’t you two yell at me right now! I am
in pain and I will kick your bum if you make me feel even worse than I already do!”

Adam raises his hands in surrender, “Okay, sorry, sorry. But Mum, I would’ve understood!” He
whines.

“Well it’s too late now!” Tears of frustration are falling down Louis’ cheeks now.

Harry cradles them in his hands gently, “Baby, I’m sorry but you can understand why I’m upset
right now.” Louis nods and Harry pecks his lips softly. He pulls away and he hears a faint cry
coming through Louis’ gritted teeth, the man bending over slightly as pain rushes through him.

“Okay, we’re going to the hospital right now,” Harry says immediately, his heart breaking at the
sight of his husband in pain, “Zayn, Niall can you take care of the kids while we go? I'll call you
when we’re there to let you know. You have the keys to the house right?” Harry asks, taking his
hoodie off and wraps it around Louis’ hips to cover them, not wanting him to be more embarrassed.
Louis thanks him quietly under his breath as he knots the sleeves under his baby bump.

“Of course!” Zayn replies without hesitation, “Go!!! We’ll take care of them.”

“Thank you so much,” Harry says in relief. He turns to Adam, laying a hand on his shoulder, “You
help your uncles with your siblings okay? Mum will be alright.” He adds the last words as he
always knows Adam worries a lot about his mother, especially in that state. His son nods, hugging
his mother sideways while Harry crouches down and quickly explains what is going on to Jack and
Hazel. The two children nod in understanding, or at least Harry hopes, because he doesn’t have
time to explain more.

“We will help too, don’t worry.” Lydia and Liam tell him and Harry loves his friends so much.

He gives them a sincere smile before wrapping his arm around Louis’ shoulders and guiding him
down the few steps and through the parking lot to their car. A hospital bag has been in the trunk
since Louis entered his eighth month, just in case. Thank god for that. Harry helps Louis get into
the car, this time his husband doesn’t make a fuss and lets him. Harry practically runs around the
car and dives into the driver’s seat.

“Please Harry, be careful.” Louis’ voice comes to Harry’s ears as they enter the highway to the
hospital, his hand grabbing Harry’s when another contraction hits him. This time, he doesn’t hold
back like he was doing during the whole game, and lets out a pained cry that resonates inside the
car.

“I am careful, I just hate to see you like this, you know that?” Harry’s thumb caresses Louis'
knuckles in a desperate attempt to help him through this.

“I know.” Louis says through gritted teeth and a deep exhale, his free hand clutching at the
dashboard in front of him.

“How far apart have they been?” There is a silence, and Harry doesn’t like this, “Louis” He warns
him.

Louis sighs, in frustration or pain, Harry doesn't know, “Three, four minutes.” His words are above
a whisper because he knows Harry is going to freak out, and he is right.

“For fuck’s sake, Louis!” He pushes on the gas, the car speeding up instantly, as he takes the right
exit.

“I know!!! I’m sorry, okay?! I wanted to be there for Adam’s game, I told you! My contractions
weren’t that bad at the beginning. You know they only get worse when they get closer to one
another. And stop yelling at me Harold!” Louis yells, and then tries to find a comfortable position,
wiggling in his car seat.

“That’s not a reasonable excuse Louis! Fucking hell!” Harry takes a deep breath, his eyes focused
on the road, “I’m sorry! I just- God you’re just so stubborn sometimes. You were willing to have
your baby in the middle of a football pitch just so you could see your son play the semi-finals,”
Harry shakes his head in disbelief, “I love you so much, you know that?” He finally says, glancing
at Louis.

Louis rolls his eyes, but there is a shy smile on his face, “Don’t be so dramatic, I knew exactly what
I was doing. I still am. I wasn’t going to have the baby there,” Harry gives him an unimpressed
look, “It’s not my first rodeo, Harold.”

Harry can’t help but chuckle at his husband’s words, shaking his head fondly this time.

“By the way, I love you too,” Louis says, Harry bringing his hand to his mouth and kissing it
gently.

Thankfully, they arrive not long after at the hospital, Harry parking right in front of the entrance
and not giving a single fuck about it. He grabs the hospital bag from the trunk and goes to open
Louis’ door. He reaches for his hand, wrapping a protective arm around his waist to help him get
down.

They walk to the entrance, Louis leaning on Harry’s side and breathing deeply through his nose as
they get through the doors.

They step towards the reception desk, “Hello, I’m Harry Tomlinson-Styles, this is my husband
Louis, I called from the car a few minutes ago.”

The nurse, Julie, looks up at Louis and him with a smile. Louis is gripping onto the counter, his
knuckles becoming white with how tightly he is holding onto it, “Oh sure! You told me it was
already well advanced, the contractions between three and four minutes right?”

Harry nods, “Yes, exactly. But I think they are even a bit closer together now.”

Julie nods, “We’ve prepared a room for you, so don’t worry, and your doctor has been called as
well.” She looks at Louis, the man’s grip is tightening on Harry’s hip and on the counter as another
contraction hits him. Louis stays as quiet as he can, not wanting to draw attention to him even
more, a whine getting out of him while Harry massages the small of his back in circles.

“Oh dear! Let's get you there right away!” Julie exclaims, calling for one of her colleagues, Tess, to
lead them to their designated room.

After they settle in, everything goes in a blur just like it did with Louis’ previous pregnancies. It
goes so fast that they don’t even have time to give him the epidural and Louis has to go through it
with barely any drugs. Harry is proud of him. The delivery goes without any complications, thank
god, and Harry didn’t even feel woozy this time. He thinks he is getting the hang of it by now after
three births. He mentally pats himself on the back for it.

Through it all Louis is admirable, barely screaming and going through it like the warrior he is.
Pushing until he can’t breathe and not even complaining once about the pain which Harry knows is
bursting through his veins. It’s when their little girl finally sees the light of day and is lying on his
chest, that Louis finally breaks down completely, heavy sobs taking over his entire body as tears of
joy and tiredness fall down his crimson cheeks.

Harry can’t contain his tears either, as he sits on the edge of the bed next to Louis, his hand gently
caressing his baby girl’s covered head, his arm circling around his husband’s shoulders. Harry can’t
believe this is his fourth child in front of him. He never thought he would be here one day, but he is,
and he wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. His family is everything to him. Everything.
He knows this sounds a bit dramatic, but he would give up his life in a heartbeat to protect them.
Oh! How happy he is that he had that dream eight years ago.

After a couple of hours of rest for Louis, a bit of cleaning for their baby girl and a few phone calls
to their families, there is a knock on the door. Louis is in bed, their daughter in his arms, and Harry
stands up from where he was next to him to open the door.

As he expected, the rest of his little family is on the other side with Zayn and Niall. Harry ushers
them all in, putting a finger on his mouth so as to show Hazel and Jack that they have to stay quiet.
They both nod with a very serious look on their faces and Harry loves them.

“Liam and Lydia went home and will come see you tomorrow,” Niall tells Harry when he enters,
“They wanted to give you space as it was quite an intense day.”

“Okay, thank you. I will text them again later.”

Niall smiles at him and goes further into the room, Harry closing the door behind him.

There is a chorus of quiet ‘Awwww’s and ‘ Ooooooh’s as they gather around Louis and the baby.
Careful hands are reaching out to greet her, and delicate kisses are being placed on her forehead.

Harry takes his seat back by Louis’ side, hoisting Hazel on his lap so she can see better, Jack sitting
crossed legged on the bed with wide amazed eyes.

“So what is her name?” Zayn asks softly, peering down at the baby girl.

Harry and Louis share a look, and Harry knows he has to do it, Louis not really capable right now.

“Well,” He begins, “Everyone, say hello to Johanna Tomlinson-Styles.”

Jack and Hazel gasp, “Just like Nanna Jay.” Their voices are barely above a whisper, their eyes
widening even more at the realisation.

"Exactly" Harry tells them with the softest smile ever.

“I love it.” Adam says with a shaky voice, reaching out a hand to squeeze one of his mother’s.

Louis looks up at him, a single tear rolling down his cheek and Harry can’t help but lean down and
kiss his temple, “Are you okay?” He whispers in his ear. Louis nods, sniffling, a watery smile
taking over his face, but he doesn’t reply. Harry knows and understands so he doesn’t push it. It’s
been a little over three years now since she left them, and the wound is healing slowly, at its own
pace for Louis, “I love you.” Is all Harry finally whispers, kissing the side of his head one last time.

“I love you too.” The words can only be heard by Harry and he doesn’t know if he can love Louis
more than he does right now. Actually, he thinks he can, because he falls in love with Louis more
and more each and every day, and he doesn’t even know how it is possible, but that’s how it is. And
Harry will never try to catch himself from that fall.

“She would’ve loved it.” Zayn says, smiling at Louis, and Harry can see that he has been crying as
well. There is not a dry eye in this room.
Louis sniffles again and reaches out a hand to squeeze Zayn’s forearm.

The evening slowly softens into night, as his family and friends are gathered all together on this
special day. Everyone is chatting in hushed tones, careful not to wake up little Johanna, and Harry
takes a moment to look around him and take it all in. He feels so lucky to have these wonderful
friends and a perfect family. It’s perfect for him.

His eyes drift to the window, and he can see the moon through the glass, the satellite starting to
bathe the room with its soft light. Harry smiles at the sight, and turns his head towards his people,
feeling at peace and ready for the next chapter of their lives.
End Notes

Thank you again if you’ve come this far and read the story. It means a lot to me, and I hope you
enjoyed it.

Feel free to leave a kudo or a comment, they are always appreciated :)

Also, don’t hesitate to check out my other fics on my account :)

Here is the original prompt from the fest: Prompt 58: ABO or mpreg. Mommy Louis and his super
smart five-year-old son just moved into a new apartment, and his neighbor Harry is grumpy and
hates kids. Harry falls in love with Louis the first time he sees him, but soon discovers he has a
little brat and gives up on making a move. Cut to Louis’ son conquering Harry little by little, giving
“advice” and always having super interesting things to tell Harry, which he learned or read
somewhere, always sneaking out to see his great friend Harry, scaring mommy every time he
disappears, but Louis soon gets used to them and thinks they’re super cute. Harry starts to have
mixed feelings about the child and Louis, until one day he dreams that they are a family, with more
children and another on the way, he becomes obsessed with pregnant Louis, and everything is
beautiful until he wakes up, a little shocked, but a new man, and from that moment he decides to
make that dream come true Bonus: Harry always being dumb, himbo in the presence of pretty
Louis.

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Twitter Fic account: @BoosBabycakes28
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