Chapter Text
“Stop photographing me and photograph the bloody view you knob!”
Harry looked up from behind his camera with a cheeky grin. Louis gave an exasperated groan before turning back to look out the window, his phone out, a rare occurrence when Louis wasn’t working. He had the device held between both hands as he took photos of the London skyline and he looked so young, so relaxed, so carefree that Harry couldn’t not photograph it, capture the moment forever.
“Why do you never take my advice?” Louis huffed, throwing himself down next to Harry and dropping his head onto his shoulder.
“Got all the view I need right here,” Harry murmured, snorting when Louis made an appalled sound.
“Harry, no. Don’t be cheesy, I can’t stand cheesy.”
Harry toyed with his camera’s lens. “Thought this date was kinda cheesy,” he confessed.
Louis lifted his head enough to blink at him. “Why?”
“Dunno.” He shrugged, eyes squinting against the sunlight to where he could just make out the dome of St. Paul’s. “Just…London Eye? Isn’t it cliché?”
In a surprising display of affection, Louis merely wrapped his arms around Harry’s and nestled in closer. “Don’t care. Think it’s pretty bril’ to be honest.” His voice dropped to a soft whisper. “Thanks for bringing me here Harry.”
“You’re welcome,” Harry replied, bumping their noses together.
Over a movie weekend whilst Georgia had been at Eleanor’s, Harry had discovered that Louis had never been on the London Eye despite living the city near four years. Liam had been on with his sisters but apparently the one time they’d all agreed to go, Zayn had made it to the front of the line before balking and chickening out completely which had made Georgia, who’d already been undecided about the whole thing, panic and start tearing up. The four had excused themselves from the queue despite Zayn’s protests that he’d mind Georgia and Louis hadn’t made a re-attempt in the two years that had followed, filing it away under a ‘one day’ thing. Well, Harry had decided to make today that day, having passed Georgia over to Liam mid-morning. After all, Louis was more than ahead of him in the surprise date department. Not that it was a contest or anything, but still. Harry felt his turn was long overdue.
“We’re swapping sides now,” Louis remarked, drawing Harry back. “Like, of the wheel?” he offered when Harry looked at him blankly. “Now we can see the western banks. Reckon we could spot Heathrow?”
“That’s too far,” Harry tutted, reluctantly dislodging Louis before trekking over the edge of the capsule, taking another round of photos.
“Think I can see me flat,” Louis drawled, laughing at Harry’s deadpan expression. He then slipped under Harry’s arm, making a contented sound when Harry wrapped an arm around his stomach, pulling him close.
Harry arched an eyebrow. “Hello, what’s this? Since when does my prickly boyfriend snuggle?”
“Not snuggling,” Louis countered. “Just…” He shrugged. “’s nice, is all.”
Harry nudged Louis’ ear with his nose, pressing a tender kiss to the skin behind. “You are very nice.”
“I’ll accept that compliment.” Louis then turned a little more, arms coming to loop around Harry’s waist. “What are we doing after this?”
“Didn’t have anything planned,” Harry admitted. “Thought I’d see what you wanted to do, ‘cause you’ve been so snowed under lately.”
Louis’ nose scrunched up because he knew it was true. He’d been swamped with phone calls and messages these past two weeks, slipping a little bit back into how he had used to have been. But he had a deadline, assuring Harry and Georgia that by the end of the month everything would slow down once again.
Louis hummed in thought, bottom lip drawn between his teeth as he looked up at Harry tentatively. “How long has Li’ got Georgia?”
Harry frowned. “Til dinner. Why?”
Louis rocked back on his heels and Harry was nearly about to ask what was wrong when Louis whispered, “Want you to fuck me.”
Harry felt as though the air had been punched out of his lungs. “W-What?”
“You,” Louis reiterated, tugging on his belt by way of explanation. “Want you to take me back to the flat and do whatever you want with me. Want you inside me. Take me apart piece by pie-”
“Louis, stop,” Harry pleaded, pressing their foreheads together, eyes rammed shut. “We can do that, I promise you we can do that just…Just let us get off here, okay? Ten more minutes, alright?”
There was a tad of coyness to Louis’ expression as he pulled away, a reluctant, “alright” rolling off his tongue and how was Harry supposed to function after that admission? How could anyone think straight after being asked to take Louis Tomlinson to bed? And, god, do whatever he wanted to him? Fuck.
Louis looked all too smug when they hopped off the Eye, slipping his hand into Harry’s and a little bounce in his step as they headed for the Underground. It was only two stops but the line change in the middle nearly killed Harry, especially with the way Louis had gone from sop to sinner, shoving Harry into the only spare seat before plopping down onto his lap. And, naturally, Louis hadn’t just sat there. Oh no, he’d had to wiggle and writhe until Harry had gripped his hips warningly. Harry had maybe fumbled trying to unlock the flat door and Louis had snickered, right up until the moment that Harry had dragged him inside and backed him against the wall. He wasn’t laughing as his pupils dilated, body shivering with anticipation.
“Almost want to leave you like this,” Harry said, watching Louis tense up in horror. He swooped in soon enough though, placating Louis with a gentle kiss to the jaw. “But I’d never do that. Never to you Louis.”
Louis whimpered, hands coming to twist in his hair, Harry carefully taking a hold of his face and pressing their lips together. Louis was quick to respond, arching in closer and prying Harry’s lips open. Harry let him, hands shifting to stroke Louis’ sides even as their tongues brushed together. Breaking away, Harry started to walk Louis back towards his room, lips never leaving his skin for more than a second, his face, his neck, his collarbones. Louis lapped up the attention, tilting his head to give Harry better access, loud moan echoing throughout the empty flat as Harry latched onto his neck.
“Bedroom, now.”
His tone left no room for argument and Louis was quick to obey, stumbling into his room and throwing off his shirt. Louis kicked off his shoes and shimmied out of his jeans before climbing onto the bed, palming the obscene bulge in his pants while raking his eyes up and down Harry’s frame. “Why am I doing all the work?” he teased, giggling and scooting back when Harry prowled closer. “Oi! Can’t fuck me with your clothes on so hurry up and take them off Curly!”
Harry rolled his eyes but did as asked, peeling his shirt over his head. Bending over to unzip his boots, he smothered a laugh. “We’re being watched,” he said, voice low and sounding scandalised.
Following his gaze, Louis huffed out a laugh of his own when he saw their bears atop the dresser behind him. “Naughty bears,” he scolded, hopping off the bed and grabbing two ties, tying them around the bears’ eyes. “There!” He bounced back onto the bed. “I’ve spared them from an afternoon of traumatisation.”
Stepping out of his briefs, Harry pushed Louis onto his back, hovering over him. “Really? Looks like they’re more set for bondage.”
“E-excuse me?” Louis stammered, shaking his head furiously. “Harry Styles, no. Those poor innocent bears!”
Harry chuckled along at the teasing tone but his eyes were knowing when Louis’ met his. “You’re not into that then, are you?”
Louis squirmed uncomfortably. “Maybe not…?”
“’S fine,” Harry shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me.” He then gave Louis a devilish smile. “I’ve got other ways to make you beg and scream.”
“Fuck,” Louis groaned, head tilting back as Harry started to kiss a line down his chest. “Please don’t tease me? Not today.”
That softness was back, that vulnerability, and Harry could only nod, snaking up to cradle Louis’ face, thumbing his cheeks. “Whatever you want Boo, whatever you want.”
Capturing Louis’ lips sweetly for just one lingering moment, Harry returned them to his chest, Louis sighing contentedly. Keeping his touch light, Harry traced every one of Louis’ bones with his tongue, paying particular attention to any area that made his breath hitch or eyes squeeze shut; that one spot at the bottom of his left rib cage, his hip bones, the delicate skin between his groin and his thigh.
“Harry…”
“So beautiful,” Harry murmured, hand coming to wrap around Louis’ cock, awed at the way Louis’ spine bent, the tiny ‘ah!’ that escaped his lips. Holding Louis down with a hand, Harry placed one last kiss to his navel before wrapping his lips around the leaking red tip of his cock. Louis gave a muffled cry, Harry’s name rolling off his lips as Harry proceeded to take him deeper and deeper, only stopping when he felt the head bump against the back of his throat.
“Christ Haz,” Louis panted, hands clenching and unclenching in the sheets because he didn’t know what to do with them. Harry peered up through his lashes, his own cock stiffening at the sight of Louis, breathless and skin glistening with sweat. He continued bobbing his head up and down, occasionally pulling back to swirl his tongue around the tip or to lap at the thick vein underneath. “Harry,” Louis mewled, tugging on his hair weakly. “Haz, please. Too much. Gonna come. Don’t want to. Not yet…Not until you’re inside.”
Pulling off with a sinful ‘pop’, Harry pressed a kiss to the inside of Louis’ wrist. “Lube? Condom?”
“You know where it is,” Louis grumbled, blindly feeling around his bedside table before managing to open the drawer, lobbing the two items Harry’s way.
“Thank you,” he said sweetly, Louis’ expression souring. Opening the lube and pouring a generous amount into his hand, Harry raised his eyebrows at his boyfriend. “Don’t think I’m not gonna enjoy wiping that look off your face.”
Before whatever haughty reply Louis had planned could leave his lips, Harry pressed in a finger. “Fuck!” Louis shouted, so loudly that for one terrible moment Harry thought he’d hurt him. He’d even started to inch his finger out when Louis shook his head desperately, “don’t. No, please. C’mon Harry, more, more!”
“Easy Louis,” Harry breathed, mouthing at his chest even as he started to work his finger in and out, waiting for Louis to relax because Jesus Christ he was tight. “Haven’t done this in awhile, have you?”
Louis keened as Harry started to push in a second finger. “Not since before El’. Used to…fuck…Liam thought I was a slag…ah, Harry!...’cause I did anyone.”
Harry’s eyes flashed, a growl rumbling in his throat. “Not anymore.”
“Not anymore,” Louis assured, rocking back onto Harry’s fingers and loosely gesturing for him to add another. “Not since El’. I…” His breath caught mid-sentence as Harry twisted in that third finger, gasping at the stretch. As Harry’s free hand came to card through his hair calmingly, he found the air to finish. “Had to mature after that, you know? And now…so long Harry, so long.”
“I know, I know,” Harry soothed, curling his fingers just so, finding that spot that made Louis sob, feet kicking out helplessly. “You’re so tight Lou’. Going to be slow, alright? Not gonna hurt you.”
Louis’ continued to give little, tiny gasps as Harry massaged his prostrate. “You’d never hurt me…I know that. Love you Harry, love you so much.”
Harry’s heart swelled in his chest and he was powerless to stop himself from leaning up to capture Louis’ lips. “Love you too.” The words were accompanied by him removing his fingers, something that tore a pitiful sound out of Louis’ throat. “Patience,” Harry chuckled, tearing open the condom wrapper, hissing as he rolled the rubber down his length. Tipping some more lube into his hand, Harry looked up to find Louis watching him attentively, eyes bright with a feral edge to them. “I was gonna ask if you’re sure but…”
Louis matched him grin for grin. “Wouldn’t have asked otherwise.”
Settling between Louis’ legs, Harry tossed him a stern look. “Doesn’t mean you couldn’t have changed your mind since then.” Louis nodded in thanks, gaze locked on Harry’s until he started to ease in, his eyes falling shut as he adjusted to the stretch. “You’re okay,” Harry murmured, stroking his thighs as he waited for Louis to breathe and unclench. “Come on babe, it’s alright. You’ve got this. God, you already feel so good.”
Louis managed a disbelieving huff, taking a deep breath before rolling his hips up ever so slightly. Harry took the hint, carefully pushing in inch by inch until he bottomed out. Louis groaned as their hips bumped together, shoulders tensed in pain but face so clearly displaying bliss. “Haz, fuck…you…fucking hell Harry.” His words were as garbled as Harry’s brain felt. “Come on Harry, move, please.”
Harry gave the tiniest rock in and out, Louis whimpering in response. “You sure?”
“Harry!” Louis shouted, sounding so like his usual bossy, impatient self that Harry didn’t need any more reassurance. He pulled out and snapped back in before Louis could bitch further, his boyfriend crying out at the sudden change in momentum. “Fuck, Harry, yes!”
Repeating the motion, Harry let Louis adjust before finding a rhythm. Louis threw his head back, meeting each of Harry’s thrusts with a roll of his hips, pulling him deeper and deeper and fuck if Harry was going to last much longer. The barest shifting of his weight had Louis swearing profusely, that magic spot inside him being hit once more. Making sure to hit that spot head on, Harry snaked a hand forward to grip Louis’ cock, fingers wrapping around the base. “Close Lou’?”
“You…even need to ask?” Louis panted, whining at a particularly hard brush to his prostrate. “So close…fuck, so close…Harry, please…”
Harry started to pump Louis’ cock in time with his thrusts, desperate to give Louis what he wanted in this room filled with nothing but the smell of their sweat and the sound of their skin slapping together. Louis’ little breathless moans had Harry dangerously close to the edge, that burning in his belly only becoming stronger. “Come on Lou’,” he urged, his motions becoming sloppy as his orgasm started to spark behind his eyes. “Come on love, come for me.”
Twisting his hand in the exact way he knew Louis loved and pounding his prostrate at the same time, Harry was rewarded by Louis screaming his name, body bending up obscenely as he came. Louis clenching around his cock dragged Harry over the edge too, his vision exploding with blinding spots of colour as he shot into the condom. His head came to rest on Louis’ chest, Louis’ hands finding their way into his hair, rubbing his scalp affectionately.
“Harry, babe,” Louis gasped, voice raw but so full of emotion. “You…that was…love you. I love you.”
“I love you,” Harry parroted, pulling out before it became too uncomfortable, Louis fussing at the loss. He pressed their foreheads together in compensation. “It’s all I do; love you.”
Louis gave him a despaired look as he pulled away. “You’re ridiculous.”
Harry nuzzled into his neck. “So you always say. But…would you say I was ridiculous if I suggested a shower?”
Louis gave him a relieved grin, teasingly holding out his arms. “Carry me!”
His eyes then went as wide as saucers and he attempted to scramble away as Harry’s hands found their way under his back.
“Not really!”
***
Rolling over, Harry winced when his arm accidentally smacked into Louis’ chest. Louis stirred and blearily opened his eyes. “Sorry, sorry,” Harry rambled, brushing Louis’ hair off his face gently. Louis merely groaned, burying his face into his pillow.
“What time is it?” he asked, voice muffled and sounding very much like he was dreading the answer.
Harry craned his neck over his shoulder, locating his phone and reaching to grab it. “Ten past seven,” he read, hiding a grin when Louis whined in disgust.
“Too early,” he complained. “Sundays were not made to be faced this early. Can we just stay here all day?”
“Sorry love,” Harry whispered, massaging his boyfriend’s neck. While yes, Sweet Nothings was shut on Sundays and Louis similarly avoided work like the plague… “Think Georgia might not be too happy with that idea.”
As if she’d heard them, the sound of Georgia’s door being pushed open echoed down the hall. Her footsteps led to the bathroom and Louis gave a deep sigh, pushing himself up only to flop back down seconds later. “Nope, can’t be done.”
Harry snorted in amusement, earning him a quirked eyebrow from Louis. He shrugged but that only served to make Louis’ expression swap to a glare.
“Georgia-Rose!” Louis bellowed upon hearing the bathroom door open.
Tiny feet ran down the hall and Georgia’s head popped into the room. “Yes Daddy?”
Louis stretched an arm out in her direction, Georgia sprinting over and laughing when she was dragged onto the bed. Rolling over, Louis deposited the giggling girl between him and Harry, curling an arm around her chest lovingly.
“I don’t feel like getting up just yet baby. Can you stay with me and Harry for awhile? Would that be okay?”
Georgia swivelled around to peer up at her father, forehead scrunched up in thought. “Like a lie in?”
Louis tweaked her nose. “Exactly!”
Georgia pondered for a moment longer before turning to Harry. “Promise to not get up without me?”
Harry gave a quiet laugh, as did Louis. “Of course Rosie,” he dutifully replied, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
The answer seemed to pacify her and Georgia shifted back until she was pressed right against Louis. Louis tightened his grip and hid his face in her shoulder, eyes already heavy with sleep. Within minutes both Tomlinsons were gone and, looking over at them, father and daughter peacefully asleep and wrapped up in each other, Harry didn’t think he’d ever been in love with Louis more.
***
“Trust you to pick a fancy place Gems,” Harry grumbled as he slipped his arms into the sleeves of his white, silk shirt, Gemma sparing him a glance over the top of her phone. “And, like, on a day when I’m working late. Why couldn’t we do this tomorrow? I finish early then.”
“Ugh, stop your whining,” Gemma tutted, getting to her feet and straightening out her evening dress. “I come all the way to visit you and all you do is mope.”
Harry pouted. “I’m not moping!”
Gemma poked her tongue out at him. “Are too!”
“Are not!”
His sister held up a hand. “We are so not going there.” She pointed at the jacket hanging next to one of the bakery’s fridges. “Put that on and do something with that mane you call hair. I’ll see if that taxi’s here yet.”
Huffing petulantly, Harry pulled on the suit jacket even as Gemma swept from the room. Don’t get him wrong, he loved that she’d taken time out of her trip to London to visit him but that didn’t mean he liked squeezing into a tight fitted suit after spending hours slaving over hot ovens. Harry would have much rather have snuck in a shower first but Gemma was adamant her reservations could not be changed.
Pulling the black ribbon into a bow, Harry ran a hand through his hair as he stepped out into the front. “’m ready Gems!”
“About time H!” she called, finishing her conversation with the taxi driver and beckoning for him to hop into the back.
“So where are these reservations?” Harry asked as they pulled away from the curb.
“Oh, this new place,” Gemma answered distractedly, peering down as her phone went off once more. “People were talking and I thought, why not?” Before Harry could push, she was turning to him, gaze so piercing it was a tad unnerving. “So…you and Louis?”
Harry groaned, stretching his legs out as best he could in the back of the cab. “I promise you we’re not that interesting. We’re just a normal couple in a normal relationship. I’m happy, Louis’ happy, Georgia’s happy.”
Gemma made an indignant noise at that. “I still haven’t met this munchkin – she sounds precious!”
He quirked an eyebrow. “Well, if someone hadn’t dragged me out you could be meeting her right now.”
“Oh my god, are you ever going to let that go!” Harry laughed and Gemma soon joined in, shaking her head. She shook a finger at him teasingly. “Don’t pretend you don’t like fancy places.” She leant over and tugged his shirt. “What, with your silk shirt and all. You are so pretentious. How does Louis stand it?”
Harry ducked his head, grin threatening to break his face in half. “He hates it.”
“But he loves you.” Gemma’s voice was soft enough to make Harry look up, her hand sliding into his. “He loves you enough that he doesn’t care. Well, I say ‘doesn’t care’ but more like let’s you do it while he mentally smacks his head against a wall.”
Harry guffawed. “Pretty sure that’s exactly what he does.”
There was no answer and Harry glanced over, blinking in surprise when he saw they were stopped outside a gate that was interwoven with fairy lights. Gemma was already climbing out and Harry scrambled to follow, thoroughly confused because he could almost swear that that gate looked familiar. The lights were new, as was the red carpet – what even? – but the…It took him a second but Harry suddenly realised where he was, eyes wide. The primary school. They were at Georgia-Rose’s primary school.
…a school which now had bouquets of tulips and roses leading up to the front entrance and Gemma must have made the driver go around the block a few times because they had to have been driving longer than the time it usually took to get here.
“Gemma, I…”
“Harry!”
There was no surprise as to who that voice belonged to, Harry’s head snapping up as Georgia waved furiously from her position at the top of the stairs. Louis stood by her side and…Harry’s breath caught in his throat. Fuck, he looked gorgeous. His hair was done in the most immaculate quiff, body tucked inside a sharp black suit, the tiniest of black polka dots on his white shirt, and above the top of his brown dress shoes, his ankles peeped out. At Georgia’s yell, he excused himself from the couple he had been talking to, warning Georgia when she went to run and making her walk beside him instead.
“Louis…” Harry breathed, his boyfriend sending him a crooked grin…right before side-stepping him.
“Gemma!” he crowed, carefully pulling her into a hug, mindful of creasing her dress. “Thanks for doing all this. Manage to get him here alright?”
Gemma rolled her eyes as Harry’s mouth dropped open. Those little conspirators! “He pitched a fit at first but I got him here in the end.” She bent down, waggling her fingers at Georgia and making her giggle. “I have been waiting so long to meet you!”
“Me too,” Georgia whispered shyly, swinging back and forth. “You’re so pretty.”
Gemma made an ‘aww’ sound before she caught sight of movement over Louis’ shoulder. “Oh, there’s Niall.” She gave them a wink. “Think I’ll let him show me the way.” With a kiss to both their cheeks she disappeared, leaving Harry standing there with absolutely no idea what to say. Fortunately, he didn’t have to because Georgia was right on that.
“Harry, do you like my dress?” she demanded, twirling once and looking very pleased when the pink fabric fanned out voluminously.
“It’s beautiful.” Because it was true; it was lace and sequins and honestly something that looked like a cross between Cinderella and the Good Witch from the Wizard of Oz. “Are you a princess?”
She swapped from holding Louis’ hand to holding his, shaking her head. “No, I’m a fairy godmother. I make the wishes come true.”
Harry was going to ask her to explain when Louis stepped in, cutting over them both. “Georgie love, why don’t we take Harry inside? We have a lot to show him.”
Georgia nodded enthusiastically, holding out her arms and Louis grinned, tucking her hand into the crease of his elbow. Harry did the same, even if he had to stoop quite a bit, and they headed inside, passing Liam who spared them a wave before continuing to talk to the people grouped around him. Each of them, Harry noted, were dressed to the nines and he had never been more bewildered in his life. What was going on? As they stepped into the school’s hall, Harry couldn’t do it anymore, had to stop because the entire hall was filled with round dining tables, strings of fairy lights, roses, and…
“Louis, what even is this?”
Louis shied away from his gaze, turning to Georgia instead. “Poppet, I think it’s-”
To her credit, the little girl merely rolled her eyes. “Daddy, I know. We talked about it lots of times.”
She zipped off into the crowd of people within the room and Louis took a deep breath, taking one of Harry’s hands in his, watching Georgia intently. “I…I don’t even know how to say this Harry.” His voice was barely audible in the room, Harry having to step closer as he continued, longing to wipe away Louis’ furrowed expression but not even sure as to why it was there. “I wanted to thank you,” Louis finally said, eyes scouring the ground. “You’ve done so much for me, and Georgia, and everyone I know really and I…I’m not good with words Harry.” He risked a glance up, Harry nodding in response. “I don’t always say the things I want to say, don’t know how really, but I can show it. And I…When I thought about how to thank you, I thought about things like overseas trips or fancy clothes but it never seemed right to me because yes, you like that, but what you like more is to make a difference. So I thought that maybe the best way to thank you was to do something for the people that mean a lot to you.”
If Louis had thought his explanation would make things clearer, he was wrong. Harry didn’t have to wait long though because at that moment Georgia came back, pulling two people along behind her and…oh.
“Molly…Andrew…”
“Hi Harry!” the pair chimed.
“Look!” Molly cried, spinning and showing off her twisting up-do that was topped with a tiara. “I’m a princess! Lou made me a princess!”
“And me too!” Andrew exclaimed, indeed in a dress of his own, bouncing up and down ecstatically. “I’m an Elsa! Look, look!”
“You look amazing,” Harry whispered, blinking through his tears. “Both of you.”
“Off you lot go,” Louis instructed gently. “I need to talk with Harry a little more.”
As they disappeared Harry’s gaze swept over the crowd once more and he the more he looked, the more familiar faces he started to see. “They’re…everyone here…they’re from the shelter, aren’t they?”
“They are,” Louis confirmed, squeezing his hand before leading Harry into the room. “I heard what Uru said, about her daughter not feeling like a princess, and I know these people have it rough. So Georgia and I decided to do something for you and, by association, them. Tonight is what we’ve called the ‘I Believe in Magic’ ball. A night for princes and princesses of all ages, complete with clothes, hair-cuts, and a five-star meal – free of charge, all expenses paid.”
“I Believe in Magic,” Harry repeated because words, he needed to form words at some point. “Is that…’s that why Rosie’s the fairy godmother?”
Louis grinned. “It is. She’s very proud. Think she thinks she owns this night ‘cause she helped me plan it so much.” At Harry’s startled look, Louis elbowed him. “Why do you think she was so alright with letting me “work” so much lately? Because she knew what I was doing and we had to keep it a secret. Thought it was a great game, she did. Let’s make sure Harry doesn’t find out, being all sneaky and James Bond-like.”
“She’s a minx.” Harry then frowned, pulling Louis to a halt. “Hang on…Molly just said Lou did her hair? Have you been keeping secrets because that was way beyond your abilities.”
“Hey!” Louis screeched, offended. “How dare you speak about me like that! But no…see, there?” He gestured to an area flooded with lights and a string of mirrors. “Fizzy’s been working at a beauty place, yeah? She and Lottie came down and her boss Lou came too when she heard about the ball; said it was a wonderful thing and that she’d love to help. They’re trimming the kids’ hair and doing it all fancy and then cutting the parents’ hair too. And oh!” He snapped his fingers, “Lou’s kid Lux is here and if there were ever a rival to Georgia’s cuteness, it would be her. I would not be against eating her!”
“Georgia may not appreciate that,” Harry drawled, Louis waving him off. “Guess that means I should probably say hi to your sisters, right?”
“Later,” Louis requested, pulling him back when he started to move in their direction. “We’ll all have time to catch up when dinner’s on. Gemma’s already wormed her way over there though I see.”
Harry saw it was true, lips pursing. “Think that could be a bit not good. They’re probably going to exchange embarrassing stories.”
“Oh, undoubtedly,” Louis agreed, continuing his tour by pointing to where Liam was flitting from group to group. “Liam is finally putting his PR skills to good use. He helped me with getting some sponsors for tonight and now he’s getting donations from corporate guests we’ve invited along. We’ve already raised over £10, 000.”
“W-What?” Harry choked on his breath, pulling Louis up, running a hand through his hair. “Ten thousand? Louis, what the hell? That’s…that’s incredible. That’s…God,” he tried to hide a sniff behind his hand. “Boo, that’ll go so far. So, so far.”
Louis thumbed away his tears. “I know. Ed’s already told me. And don’t think,” he added, leading them to the back of the hall, “That Ed hasn’t mentioned that he used to stay at that exact shelter.” His eyes were soft. “I get why it means so much to you.”
“Ed knows about this?”
Louis let out an incredulous laugh. “Harold, how buried in that head of yours are you? He’s right there, playing guitar and singing away, or did you not notice?”
Ed was…Now that Harry looked, Louis was absolutely right. Ed was at the front of the room, him and Niall set up on stools with microphones and guitars, providing the musical backdrop for the evening.
“I just…” Harry swallowed around the lump in his throat. “This…Louis, this is too much. It’s…I can’t take it in. How did you do all this? Why would you do all this?”
Louis folded his arms. “Because I wanted to. Simple as that.” He brought them to a stop right beside a large white screen that was flanked with lights, none of which were turned on yet. He turned to Harry, nervous once again. He gestured to the set up behind him. “You know what this is.”
Harry nodded tentatively. “It’s for photos.”
“Yeah, it is.” Louis picked up a black leather wallet, going to hand it to him before changing his mind, fingers curled tight in the fabric. “Okay…so, you saw Molly in that dress, right?” Harry gave another nod, Louis sighing and going to touch his own hair before clearly remembering it was not meant to be touched, scowling slightly. “Well, all the dresses and suits for kids were donated and I…Gemma and Lottie both said that the parents might like photos of their children dressed up, yeah? I agreed because hey, I have so many photos of Georgia that I have no right to judge anyone. But…photo booth requires a photographer and all that.”
Biting his lip, Louis all but shoved the wallet into his hands. Harry fumbled at the unexpected action but why Louis was so nervous was beyond him. Harry then flipped the book open. All the air left his lungs in one large exhale. Because, holy fuck, Louis had made them. He had actually made business cards. Actual, honest to God, business cards.
I Study Rainbows
Harry Styles – Photographer
The words stared back at him, written in a loopy yet easily legible font. The cards came in two colours, pastel pink or pastel blue. On the back of the card were his details, neatly printed, along with his Instagram username. If Harry had thought he was getting his breath back in the next hour, he was hopelessly wrong.
His shoulders shook. “Louis…”
Louis wrapped him up in a hug, pressing his forehead into Harry’s shoulder. “I didn’t know if you would be okay with it,” he admitted. “I thought…maybe I was being presumptuous, yeah? I…I thought you could give them out to the donors here, get some clients but then I didn’t…I didn’t know if that would be okay. It’s your business.”
“It’s not even a business,” Harry pointed out, folding himself closer around Louis’ petit frame. “I was always too lazy to get it started.” He pulled back, wiping his eyes and sniffing quite unattractively. “So…uh, photograph the shelter children, was it?”
Louis managed a watery smile of his own. “Yeah, ‘s about it.”
Harry immediately winced. “I…I’ll need my camera though. Like…” He was cut off mid-stream as Louis spun him around, pointing at the equipment already set up. Which…was his. It was all his. “How…?”
“Niall,” Louis answered with a smile. He leant over to flip on the lights, drawing the attention of the children closest who had obviously known what the area was for. They were already begging and pleading with their parents, dragging them over, and Louis gave a fond chuckle. His expression then soured dramatically and he sent his eyes skyward. “Fuck. Mr Saville really did turn up. I mean, I know the guy’s rich but, fucking hell. Now I actually have to go and talk to him. Fucking pain in the arse.”
His muttering was lost to Harry as he stomped off, smile perfect once he reached the side of his old client. Harry watched him go with awe, still feeling very much as though he was in a daze. He wondered if he pinched himself hard enough if he would wake up. The weight in his hand begged to differ though…The weight and the insistent tugging on his other hand.
“Hazzy! Lux and I want a photo.”
He blinked down at Georgia who was frowning up at him impatiently. The girl by her side was absolutely adorable and, right, this was Lux. Okay, Harry could see where Louis was coming from. He shooed Georgia off towards the backdrop, stepping in behind his camera before,
“Hey, wait, Hazzy?”
“Well if I’m Rosie then you’re Hazzy!”
He laughed, adjusting the zoom. “Alright then. Ready baby? Smile!”
***
Louis’ voice was little more than a soft murmur when Harry emerged from the bathroom. Giving his hair one last scrub with the towel, Harry placed it back on the rack and tip-toed down to Georgia’s room. Louis had long since stripped out of his suit, hair a chaotic mess and clad in only a pair of boxers. Georgia had swapped into her pyjamas but her hair was as pristine as when Harry had first seen her on the red carpet hours ago.
“Rosie…I think we’re being watched.”
Blinking, Harry flushed when he found both Tomlinsons to be staring at him. “Sorry,” he muttered, moving to back away only to be called back by Louis.
“Come, sit.” Louis gestured to the side of Georgia he wasn’t sitting on, waiting for Harry to join them before returning his attention to the book. “Now darling, is Harry going to help with the voices?” He gave Harry a small smirk. “I think he’d make a great Lord Cucuface.”
Georgia gave her father a playful shove, smile bright and infectious. “No Daddy! You have to be Lord Cucuface because you do the silly voice. Harry can be Miss Clavel!”
Louis folded over with laughter and Harry smacked him over the back of the head, prying the copy of Madeline out of his hands and giving Georgia an over-the-top incredulous look. “While Daddy’s being silly, shall we start? Would you like to read Madeline’s bits?”
Georgia gave an excited nod, wriggling back between them and nominating herself as page turner. Louis truly did do an outrageous French accent whenever the snobby school chairman made an appearance, while Harry did his best to sound like a loving yet firm teacher. By the time they had reached the last page and Madeline was safely back in her bed, Georgia was asleep against Louis’ side. As Harry returned the book to its proper place, Louis kissed his daughter goodnight, tucking her in before carefully climbing over her. He whispered a final ‘good night’ before turning out the light and pulling the door shut.
“I think she’ll sleep well tonight. That ball completely wiped her out,” Louis stated, rubbing his own eyes with a fist clumsily as he entered their bedroom.
“Think she was everywhere all the time,” Harry said in disbelief, crawling under the covers as Louis rummaged around in his bedside drawer. “She probably spoke to more guests than you and Liam combined.”
“Tell me about it.” Finally shutting the drawer, Louis settled into a cross legged position, poking Harry with a finger.
“What?” he managed, blearily turning his head.
“You know…” Louis said, toying with the hem of his boxers. “About a month ago, I did something I thought I’d never do.”
Frowning, Harry forced himself to sit up. “Oh?”
Louis hummed in agreement, suddenly finding the ceiling very interesting. “Yeah. I um…I found meself looking at engagement rings.”
Harry froze, heart no longer beating, lungs no longer expanding, stomach dropping away. He couldn’t even blink, couldn’t risk missing anything that Louis was about to do, say, anything because…Because…
“It was fun,” Louis continued, barely meeting Harry’s gaze before looking away. “I, uh, I even took Georgia, you know? She likes jewellery. The shinier the better, in her opinion.”
One of his hands moved to grasp something from in his lap and it took Harry a moment to realise exactly what Louis had been looking for in his bedside drawer. Before he could even start to comprehend what that meant, Louis was reaching over and grabbing his hand, opening it and setting the black velvet box on his palm. Harry’s hand shook under its weight – so ridiculous because it was so light but the weight behind what it meant so enormous – and he barely dared to open it. In the end, it was Louis’ own shaking breath that spurred him into action. Flipping open the lid, Harry sucked in a breath at the beautiful ring that lay inside. It was a wide silver band, the thinnest inlays of wood just in from each edge. Nestled in the centre were seven tiny diamonds, each one shimmering and shining.
“Louis…” Harry forced the name out through his lumped throat. “I…This is beautiful. The most…” He shook his head. “It’s the most exquisite thing I’ve ever seen.” He managed the barest of laughs, handing the box back. “Maybe not what I would have pictured for you but-”
“’s not for me.”
And oh god, was there even air on this planet? There couldn’t be, it had to have disappeared, because Harry had never been so breathless. “…you…” It wasn’t even a croak.
Louis snapped the box shut, shifting onto his knees and taking Harry’s hands in his. “Harry …I have called you the most ridiculous man in the world so many times but…nothing could be further from the truth. If anyone’s ridiculous, it’s me. It’s me because I should have pursued you from the moment I met you; I should never have kept things from you, never have risked losing you.” His fingers interlaced with Harry’s, blue eyes narrowed as he stared down at their joined hands. “You said once that I would never commit to you. I argued that I already was.” He shook his head firmly. “I wasn’t. I was a liar. I realised, later, and possibly after I’d had some sense knocked into me, that if I was – as I’d said – truly willing to be yours, then I would be yours. Simple as that. No questions, no exemption clauses. How could I ever possibly say I was giving you all I could when I wouldn’t even commit to putting my name beside yours on a piece of paper?”
Harry blinked back tears furiously. “Louis…”
Louis gave a single shake of the head. “No Harry, please. I…After our fight, our stupid, stupid fight, you know what? I remembered something what I’d said to Zayn. He was feeding me bullshit about his whole break-up with Li’ and I told him he had to fucking compromise, that that was what made a relationship. And when we fought, I didn’t do that. Harry, I didn’t. In no way did I stop to consider how you were feeling, or that maybe marriage doesn’t mean anything to me but it means something to you and…And Harry, just like tonight, like with the people from the shelter, if it matters to you and I’m with you then it matters to me too. And so,” he untangled his hands, moving into the best scrunched over kneel he could given his position, Louis opened the box once again. “Harry Edward Styles, I love you. I am so in love with you, from your bloody dimples to your ludicrous boots, from your stubbornness to your endless compassion and unending patience. You have made me into a better person and I…I’d really like you to keep doing that. To walk with me, and Georgie of course, through the rest of my, well our, lives. So, essentially…Harry Styles, will you marry me?”
“Jesus Christ, yes,” Harry sobbed, flinging his arms around Louis, crushing his boyfriend against his chest. “Yes, yes, in every language I can’t even think of at this moment, yes. Louis…” He couldn’t say anything more, biting his lip to stop tears from falling as Louis slid the ring onto his finger before he was dragged back in once more. “Always, yes.”
***
Grabbing his phone off the bedside table, Louis reached over to grab Harry’s hand, interlacing their fingers. He then tilted their hands so that Harry’s ring was obvious in the shot. He snapped the photo, Harry’s chin coming to slot over his bare shoulder as he brought it up on the screen to inspect. “Good?” he inquired, offering the phone to Harry.
Harry hummed. “Perfect.”
“Here, I’ll send it to you and then I’m sending it to my mum. She’ll have a cow, I know it.”
Harry snorted, leaning over to grab his own phone as a message notification popped up. “Give me a sec’ and we’ll send them together. Lord knows Mum would kill me if she discovered that Jay had found out first.”
Louis cackled, waiting for Harry to compose his message before counting down. “Three, two…one.” They pressed send simultaneously, sharing giddy grins. Louis then opened the group chat they had.
Despite what Harry says, think my photography skills are actually improving.
He attached the photo and sent it, watching as Niall and then Liam’s icon appeared next to the message. Thirty seconds later all hell broke loose as their phones suddenly became beacons of lights, messages coming from everyone: Niall, Liam, Ed, Fizzy, Robin, Anne, Babs…wait, Babs? And yep, sure enough, there was a message from Babs, wishing them her best. And wait, fuck, shit, was that Zayn? Shaking his head, Louis tossed his phone down, Harry mimicking him before rolling into his arms.
“I love you.”
Louis bopped his nose. “I should hope so!” His gaze then softened. “And, for the record, I love you too.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
***