Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/3278522.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      One_Direction_(Band)
  Relationship:
      Harry_Styles/Louis_Tomlinson
  Character:
      Harry_Styles, Louis_Tomlinson, Zayn_Malik, Liam_Payne, Niall_Horan
  Additional Tags:
      Time_Travel, Alternate_Universe_-_Canon_Divergence, Consensual_Underage
      Sex, Slow_Build, Falling_In_Love, First_Time, Accidental_Voyeurism
  Stats:
      Published: 2015-02-02 Updated: 2016-04-19 Chapters: 10/18 Words: 97263
****** An Illusion in Time ******
by SadaVeniren
Summary
     Louis wakes up in a bedroom that isn't his own, next to a person he
     doesn't know. It doesn't take him long to find out he isn't in the
     right year either; he's five years in the future.
Notes
     First fic in this fandom huzzah! I hope you all enjoy this. A few
     notes:
     1. The underage warning is in place because Past!Harry is 16 in this,
     and so while everything that happens is consensual and fun the
     general feeling I got from my friends when I brought this up to them
     was to warn just in case that is something that will squick you out.
     2. I don't have a beta yet because I'm the only one of my friends in
     fandom :( So this has been beta'd to the best of my abilities but the
     brit-picking is probably subpar as I am an American. If there are any
     glaringly offensive errors let me know. Alternatively if you wanna
     help hit me up on tumblr and offer betaing services, I will love you
     forever. :)
     3. I hope to post at least once a week, on Mondays, but we will see
     if I end up posting more frequently depending on how quick I end up
     writing. I have this plotted out and so it's a matter of words on the
     page at this point :) Also the 15 chapters is a rough estimate based
     on the outline, but it can change depending on pacing and the like.
     4. Lastly, I thought long and hard about the true science of time
     travel and ramifications and all that good stuff and eventually
     decided "fuck it, magic because I can" so don't think too hard about
     the logistics, and enjoy as much as you can.
***** Chapter 1 *****
Louis came out of sleep in steps. It was a change of pace from jolting awake to
his alarm first thing in the morning, which was generally followed by being
jumped on by one of the twins begging him to help do their hair since their mum
didn’t have time. The first thing he was aware of was the warmth. He snuggled
into his pillow, letting out a breath. It was a lot more comfortable than he
remembered, but that’s how it was in the mornings, wasn’t it? You never wanted
to leave your warm bed because the outside was cold and unforgiving and full of
reality. The second thing he noticed was the silence, quickly followed by the
light. It was bright, and that was what caused Louis to snap his eyes open.
He’d overslept.
Shit.
How had he overslept?
He bolted up, threw off the covers while patting down his hair. He was running
on autopilot up until he tried to get out of bed, misjudged the distance from
the bed to the floor, and promptly fell on his face.
Fuck.
Had the bed always been that far off the ground? Louis pushed himself up, eyes
finally taking in his surroundings.
This wasn’t his room.
This was definitely not his room.
This wasn’t any room in his house.
Hell this wasn’t even Stan’s room.
He backed up until he was sitting pressed against the bed, and he curled his
knees up to his chest trying not to panic. From his position on the ground he
could see the room was huge, and expensive looking. It was painted a light sea-
foam green, and right across from his were two light-colored wood dressers that
took up a good span of the wall. Both were covered in various knick-knacks, and
one topped with a large mirror. His head whipped from side to side, taking in
as much as he could. There was art on the walls: tasteful pieces like paintings
of beachside views, and poems talking about family. And then there were two
doors: one to his right, and one to his left.
If Louis weren’t freaking out as much he would admire the room more because it
was really nice. However the only thing running through his head at the moment
was shit, was I kidnapped?
He finally looked down at his own body, terrified out of his mind at what he
would find. He felt all right, it seemed like he was still dressed, and he
would know if he had been violated. That’s something you noticed, right?
He let out a sigh of relief when he saw that he was dressed in the sweater and
jogging bottoms he’d worn to bed the night before. He touched them just in
case, making sure they were real.
They were. So that was one crisis solved.
He needed a plan of some kind. Figure out where he was should be the first
priority. Or maybe his first priority should be figuring out how he’d gotten
there? He hadn’t gone drinking the night before, that was something he saved
for the weekends when he didn’t have to get the girls up and ready for school.
Okay, just get up, he thought, taking a deep breath to steel himself.
Just one more second, and then he’d stand up and find out what was going on.
“Hello?” A quiet, deep voice asked from behind him.
Louis closed his eyes, curled up on himself, and hoped he would fade into the
side of the bed. He hadn’t expected anyone to be there with him, because why
would they be? Unless they were the person who had kidnapped him? In which
case, shouldn’t they be looking for him, not hesitantly calling for him?
“Is anyone there?” The voice asked again, shaking.
Louis heard shuffling in the bed, and he carefully opened one eye. No one was
rushing into the room. And the person on the bed wasn’t clambering out looking
for him.
He held his breath.
There was more shuffling, and feet hit the ground on other side of the bed.
“Shit.” There was a definite hitch in the voice now, and then Louis heard quiet
crying.
That sounded like a kid, and the kid was crying. Louis had a weakness for
crying kids. He couldn’t just let him keep crying. Quietly Louis turned around,
peaking his head over the edge of the bed. He was met with the sight of a naked
back, the blankets just coming up to the dip of the kid’s lower back. Louis
could see a mop of dark curls and he swallowed. Maybe this boy was closer to
his age than he had originally guessed.
“Hello?” He whispered.
The kid whipped his head around and Louis found himself staring at intense
green eyes. Louis’ mouth went dry and he had to fight his instinct to duck his
head. The boy was beautiful, young looking with chubby little cheeks, despite
the rest of him being on just the left side of lanky. His nose was a little big
for him, and he had a wide mouth, but for Louis he had never seen a more
gorgeous person. Which made this awful timing, because they’d both been
kidnapped and were being held in some stranger’s room.
The kid wiped his eyes, his green-green eyes Louis noticed, and then tried to
pull the blankets up over his naked chest.
He sniffed. “Who are you?”
Louis used the voice he used on Phoebe and Daisy when they had nightmares. “I’m
Louis. Who are you?”
“I’m Harry.” His eyes darted around the room. “Where am I? Did you take me?”
Louis shook his head, and slowly started to stand up, trying not to scare
Harry. “No, I didn’t. I don’t know where we are; I just woke up here.” He got
onto the bed. Harry watched him, pulling the blankets up over himself more.
“Where are you from, Harry?”
“Cheshire.”
Louis nodded, settling onto the edge of the bed, far enough away from Harry to
hopefully make him feel comfortable. “I’m from Doncaster. So that’s what? A
good three hours?”
“Two by car.”
“Alright. So we have no memory how we got here, and I haven’t heard anyone
moving around.”
“Do you think we’re alone?” Harry was looking at him with wide eyes, and it
filled Louis with a sense of dread. He was being counted on to comfort this
total stranger, and Louis didn’t know if he could.
He swallowed. “I don’t know. But if we can I think we should look around, yeah?
Maybe try and leave? Or find a phone and call our parents? You are old enough
to remember your home number right?”
Harry flushed, hands clasping together on top of the covers. “I’ll be sixteen
on the first of February.”
Alright, so Louis hadn’t been too far off by guessing his age. An almost
sixteen year old would be a better escape partner than a twelve year old.
“Okay, so you’re old enough to be useful.” His eyes darted around the room,
looking for some sign of the time. He was racking his brain, trying to remember
how long before his mum could legally call the police and report him missing.
Harry was quiet beside him, though his cheeks were blooming red. “You can’t be
much older than me.”
Louis smiled despite himself. “I just turned eighteen. Christmas eve.”
“Happy birthday.”
The smile didn’t leave his face as he kept looking around the room. The
dressers didn’t have anything useful on top of them from what he could see.
There was some sort of sitting area across from the bed, two comfy looking
chairs around a low coffee table that had a few books on it. One of the doors
probably led to a bathroom or a closet, while the other was towards freedom.
His eyes finally settled on the bedside table beside them where there was some
sort of really large smartphone sitting there.
He grabbed it.
“Huh, this is really big iPhone.” He flipped it over, and yeah that was an
Apple logo. It said it was an iPad, whatever that was.
When he looked up Harry was staring at it. “I think that’s that rumored Apple
tablet. Heard Robin talking about it with mum. There’s supposed to be an
announcement next week.”
Louis looked back at the tablet – iPad – in his hands. “Think Steve Jobs
kidnapped us?”
That got a small laugh from Harry.
Louis counted it as a win. Especially because Harry had such a nice laugh.
He pressed the home button, lighting up the screen with a picture of water.
“Well, looks like the dates right at least.” Louis turned the iPad so Harry
could see that it said 11:17 on Thursday, January 15.
Harry shook his head. “But today’s Friday.”
Louis frowned and looked back at the iPad. “Huh. You’re right. Weird. Must be
why it’s still a prototype or something. Programming bug.” He slid his finger
to the side and came to a passcode request. “Shit.”
Harry shifted closer to him. “Try 1-2-3-4?”
“I doubt it’ll be that easy,” Louis said, but he tried it.
It didn’t work.
Neither did the other generic passcodes Harry suggested, up until the iPad
declared itself disabled for the next half hour.
“Well that was pointless,” Louis said, putting the iPad back where he had found
it. “We should just look around.” They had wasted time looking at the iPad, but
no one had come in just yet. Louis climbed off of the bed and headed for the
door closest to the bed.
He really hoped it wasn’t locked.
He reached for the door handle, twisting it carefully. It turned, and Louis
looked back at the bed where Harry was still sitting under the covers.
“Come on then, love,” he said.
Harry scrunched up his face and shook his head. “Uh, I’m sorta…naked? Under
here?”
Louis blinked. He hadn’t really considered that. Yeah Harry had been shirtless,
but Louis had just assumed… oh crap. “Are you alright?” Had Harry been bad
touched by their (up until this very moment a pretty lame) kidnapper?
“I mean, I sleep naked?” Harry sounded unsure, and Louis took his hand off the
doorknob.
“Well guess we’re gonna have to get you clothes.” He turned towards the two
dressers. “Think these things have anything in them?”
Harry smiled hesitantly at him and got off the bed slowly, dragging the
comforter with him to keep himself covered. Louis opened the drawer on the left
side, while Harry opened the other one. The first drawer was filled with
underwear and socks, while the second one was full of soft looking jogging
bottoms not unlike what Louis was currently wearing. Louis grabbed a few to see
what size they were. When he turned to show them to Harry he saw that Harry had
stopped on only the first drawer and was giggling.
“What’d you find there?”
Harry held up a pair of bright pink boxer briefs, causing Louis to laugh along
with him. “What would you even wear these with? Wouldn’t they show through your
clothes?”
“I don’t know. Wanna find out?” Louis waggled his eyebrows.
Harry laughed again, pulling the blanket up to cover his mouth. His cheeks were
bright red. “I don’t feel comfortable wearing some guy’s pants. He might like,
have an STD? Crabs or something right?” He looked down at the boxers in his
hand, stuffing them back in the drawer and making for the bottoms Louis had in
his hands.
Louis let him take them, turning back to the wardrobe and opening the next
drawer. Jackpot. T-shirts. He flipped through them, pausing when he saw a white
shirt with the old McIntosh logo. He held it up for Harry to see. “I’m not
saying we were kidnapped by Steve Jobs but the signs are pointing to yes.” He
glanced over when he was done saying that, seeing that Harry had pulled the
bottoms. He was practically swimming in them, and he had to pull the drawstring
extremely far to keep them up over his narrow hips.
His cheeks were still red as he took the shirt with a soft, “thanks.”
The shirt didn’t fit much better but at least he wasn’t naked anymore. Louis
watched as he rolled up the legs of the jogging bottoms, before deeming himself
good to go.
Louis went to the door, only pausing for a second when he felt Harry’s hand
wrap around his. Harry had pretty large hands for a fifteen year old.
“So what’s the plan? Just try and get out the door?”
Louis shook his head. “I mean, yeah ideally. But we should try and find some
phone or something. What if we’re in the middle of nowhere?”
He looked back at Harry who darted his eyes to the window. “We could look
outside? See what we are dealing with?”
Louis tugged him towards the window. He didn’t want to admit it, but he was
glad they hadn’t left the room yet. Yeah, sure it gave their kidnappers a good
chance of coming back for them, but what if someone was right outside? Waiting
for them to leave? And what if there was retribution? Louis didn’t want
anything to happen to either of them.
Harry opened the sheer curtain, revealing a large back yard. There was a high
gate around house, but Louis could see that there were other houses within
view. The area didn’t look like Doncaster, and Harry’s disappointed face led
Louis to assume he didn’t recognize where they were either.
“Okay. We try and find a phone. If we can’t find one soon we leave and go to
another house, say we’re lost, and need a phone. If we hear someone we run for
it.”
Harry squeezed his hand in response. “I’m gonna warn you, I tend to trip over
my own two feet.”
“I’ll look out for you.”
“Thanks.”
They both kept looking at one another, not moving from the window. Louis
couldn’t help but notice how adorable Harry was. If he was … braver, and they
weren’t kidnapped, Louis would maybe even think he was pretty, handsome,
gorgeous, exactly what Louis looked for in people he liked.
He took a deep breath and twined their fingers together. “I got you.”
He pulled them to the door and opened it.
It was a bathroom.
Harry let out a loud laugh, and Louis dropped his head. “Must be that other
door.” He shut the door and dragged Harry to the other door.
This one did open into a hallway, an empty balcony hallway. And Louis couldn’t
hear anyone rushing towards them. He stepped out into the hallway, hesitating
before peaking over the edge of the balcony to see the living room below. It
was also empty, except for furniture, and floor to ceiling glass doors that fed
into the backyard. He couldn’t hear anything, so he was almost confident it was
safe to try and go downstairs.
He looked right, and then left. Left only led to a dead end, but he could see
that on his right were stairs to the downstairs, as well as other doors.
He kept a tight grip on Harry’s hand as they crept towards the stairs.
“Think we should open these doors?” Harry whispered.
Louis shrugged, focusing on the stairs. He hadn’t spotted a phone from his
glance downstairs but he was sure he could find one. Maybe in the kitchen.
“Kinda scared. Like what could be behind them?”
“Well, we were behind one door.”
“Exactly.” Louis checked the stairs before descending them, trying to be as
quiet as possible. The floor was all hardwood but it didn’t squeak under their
feet.
Louis took the last step, eyes already looking around for a phone. He spotted a
laptop on one of the coffee tables, but it was closed and probably had a
password too. Since they hadn’t been too successful with the first one he
didn’t want to waste time on another when freedom was right there. He was
stopped by Harry’s hand covering his mouth, pulling him back up the stairs.
He didn’t shriek, definitely didn’t shriek.
“I hear something,” Harry whispered in his ear.
Louis frowned, staying still against the wall of the staircase.
“Why’s it gotta be ‘girl’? Why can’t it be ‘baby’? We won’t be able to sing
these lyrics forever,” a voice said. It was male, and he had a Doncaster
accent.
“Sounds kinda like you,” Harry whispered.
“It’s the accent,” Louis mumbled against Harry’s palm.
He could only guess the voice was on the other side of the wall, and from the
sounds of banging around it was probably a kitchen. Open floor plans were all
the rage according to those house-decorating shows.
“One beat, that’s why,” a tinny voice replied. Louis could barely catch it.
Their kidnapper must be talking to someone over the phone.
“Well have them rewrite it so two beats work… what about babe?” There was more
banging, and Louis realized he was frozen.
Their kidnapper was right there.
And the door was right over there.
They could make a run for it.
Harry was shaking behind him, and Louis squeezed his hand. He needed a weapon.
If they took the guy by surprise they’d be safe to make a run for it. And maybe
they could get information.
“Are we really fighting over this?” The tinny voice asked.
Louis spotted the fireplace across the room. There were pokers right beside it.
He looked down the wall, trying to judge how to get there without being seen.
He thought he could do it, with the way the two couches were laid out in an L,
and then there was a long dining table right where the wall ended and the
kitchen began. He could crawl under that and hopefully not be seen to make the
rest of the way to the fireplace.
He loosened his grip on Harry’s hand, and when Harry’s grip tightened in
response he turned around. “I’m getting that poker. I’ll bash him over the
head.”
Harry shook his head. “Let’s just make a run for it. The doors are right
there.”
“He’ll hear the door shut. Just stay here. If he finds me, run to the door.
I’ll jump on him so you can make it, alright?” Louis pulled his hand away and
began to creep behind the couch despite Harry’s frantic headshakes.
Their kidnapper was still on the phone, and hopefully the kitchen was designed
so the stove was facing the other way. That would make sense. Granted they had
bathrooms in places where Louis thought hallways should be, but that didn’t
matter.
He dropped behind the couch and started crawling. He spotted a few dog toys and
he frowned. He hadn’t taken a dog into account. Was it a guard dog? Was it
inside? He hadn’t heard any barking? And the dog would notice intruders right?
Louis ignored his thoughts, and focused on getting to the fireplace unseen. He
didn’t look back at Harry standing by the stairs, and didn’t look to the side
where their kidnapper was. He just trusted that the constant flow of
conversation meant he hadn’t been seen yet.
“Why do I even write with you? You are so frustrating!” Their kidnapper
shouted.
“Ditto,” the tinny voice replied.
“Ditto’s a fucking pokemon.”
There was laughter. Louis grabbed the poker and pulled towards him. He was
safely under the tables, and a look to his right did confirm there was some
sort of breakfast bar in the kitchen. He carefully made his way out from under
the table. It was harder than when he had gone under there because now he had a
heavy metal rod that he needed to make sure didn’t clang against anything, but
he made it. He got behind the couches, and then made his way back to Harry’s
side.
Weapon acquired.
Harry’s hand wrapped up in his again. They were both shaking, and Louis needed
to take a moment to calm his breathing. He kept on hand on the poker, and the
other he tangled with Harry’s. Harry pressed his forehead to Louis’, keeping
his eyes shut.
“Don’t leave me like that again,” he whispered.
“Won’t. Promise.” Louis said, watching as Harry’s eyes opened, and he was
caught by how green they were all over again.
“Okay. I believe you.”
“Shut it, I just woke up!” Their kidnapper shouted, interrupting the moment,
and snapping Louis back to the present.
He turned back around but kept a hold of Harry’s hand as he started to move
them down the wall.
“No you didn’t. Zayn saw you on Xbox Live two hours ago.” The phone voice
paused. “Have you slept at all since getting back?”
Getting back? From what? Kidnapping two innocent boys? Louis thought, rolling
his eyes, right as he stopped at the edge of the wall.
“Oh look at that, my toast is burning.”
“You don’t eat toast.”
Their kidnapper kept talking right over the other voice. “Because I am freshly
woken up. Better go before I ruin my breakfast. Love you, babe. Kisses, hugs,
et cetera et cetera. Fucking Liam, Christ. Asking about me health like he’s my
friend or some shit. Who does he think he is? Hey! I asked you a question!”
Louis and Harry shared a wide-eyed stare. Had they been found?
“Stupid fucking cat. No, nope. You don’t get to not answer me, give me
judgmental looks, and then eat the bacon I painstakingly cooked for myself.”
Louis let out a breath. The guy was just talking to his cat, which okay. Their
kidnapper was weird. But at least he was distracted. He risked a peek around
the corner of wall.
Their kidnapper’s back was to them, and he was petting a rather large black and
white cat while he stood beside the stove.
“Who’s your favorite daddy? It’s me isn’t it? Cause I spoil you. Other daddy
doesn’t let you eat bacon does he? He’s all ‘cats need lean meat’, ‘get out of
my human food we buy you gourmet cat food’, but I know better don’t I?”
Louis pulled back, and looked at Harry. Harry was pale, and Louis wanted to say
something to reassure him that everything was going to be okay, but his tongue
didn’t work. He could only faintly smile at Harry and hope it reassured him.
He pulled the poker up. He took three deep breaths, and then he dropped Harry’s
hand and turned the corner, poker raised above his head.
His eyes met the eyes of his kidnapper.
The guy screamed, whipping the large pan he was holding into a defensive
position, dumping the rest of the bacon in the pan onto the ground.
The noise scared the cat, who slipped into the sink before running off.
Louis brought the poker down, but met the pan their kidnapper was holding.
Their kidnapper who was still screaming bloody murder.
Louis couldn’t help it. He screamed in response, dropping the poker and bolting
backwards, right into Harry.
Their kidnapper’s eyes went wide, and he pushed himself against the cabinets.
“Harry?!”
Louis froze, his hands reaching frantically to hold onto Harry. The kidnapper
knew Harry? He looked back at Harry to see if there was any recognition, but
all he saw was Harry’s pale face. He looked back at their kidnapper, who was
also getting pretty pale as his eyes darted from Louis to Harry.
“Fuck.” Their kidnapper said.
Louis tried to get moisture back in his mouth so he could sound even a little
threatening. “You’re going to let us go. And you’re gonna turn yourself into
the cops.”
Their kidnapper’s face twisted in confusion. “What?”
“You know what you did.” Louis made sure his body was in front Harry. This guy
had already done enough.
“Okay. Louis. I can explain. I think. Just give me a second.” Their kidnapper
was holding his hands up, showing the pan. “I’m going to put this down, and
we’re going to talk.”
Louis’ eyes darted to the poker on the floor, and then immediately jumped back
to their kidnapper, who was putting the pan down like he had said. He knew
their names. Louis wondered how long he had been stalking both of them.
“Okay. This is going to sound crazy—“
“Crazier than you sneaking into our beds and driving us to your mansion that
you what? Share with your husband or something?”
Their kidnapper took a deep breath, eyes closing. Louis wondered if he could
grab the poker and attack him while he had his defenses down. “Yes. It is. But
it’s the only thing I can think of, and like one of those physic laws, or
Sherlock or Spock said ‘remove the impossible and whatever remains, no matter
how totally fucked it is, is the truth’.”
“Just spit it out perv!”
“Time travel.”
Louis barked out a laugh. “Bullshit.”
“That actually makes sense,” Harry said quietly from behind Louis.
Their kidnapper’s eyes went soft, and he smiled some creepy fucking smile at
Harry. “I knew you were my favorite for a reason.”
Louis growled. “Hey! He’s fifteen you fucking pervert. Super illegal. Eyes off
him.”
For some reason this made their kidnapper laugh instead of quiver in fear. He
rubbed the bridge of his nose, and muttered something too low for Louis to
catch.
“No, Louis. I mean, it makes sense. That iPad thing upstairs. The date being
wrong. The fact that this guy kinda really looks like you, just older. Almost
to the point where he could be you? And your voices are super similar.”
“Excuse me?” Louis asked, whipping his head around to look at Harry in
disbelief, but Harry was staring at the guy- their fucking kidnapper.
He grudgingly looked back at the guy, actually taking in his features. He
hadn’t done it originally, too pumped up on adrenaline. The guy had floppy
brown hair and the beginnings of a beard coming in. His face looked pretty
haggard, with dark circles under his eyes. His cheekbones were pretty prominent
too, though it was more in a way that spoke to losing any baby fat that might
have been there, than being too thin, despite what the rest of his body seemed
to be saying. He was wearing a tank top that hung off his frame almost as much
as the stolen clothes hung off of Harry. Up and down his arms were, frankly, a
mix of really ugly tattoos.
“You’re crazy. He looks nothing like me.”
“What date do you think it is?”
Louis refused to answer, but before he could tell Harry not to answer as well,
he already had. “It’s supposed to be January 15th 2010.”
Their kidnapper – who was definitely not a future Louis – nodded. “Okay. Give
me, 2010. January. Okay,” he met Louis’ eyes. “James Corden? You have the
hugest crush on him, and it’s not like sexual, well sorta, but you’d love to
marry him because you think he’s the cuddliest person you’ve met.”
Louis kept his mouth shut, refusing to acknowledge anything the guy said. If he
just ignored his crazy maybe he would shut up and let them go.
“And, shit.” His eyes darted up to Harry. “You have a birthmark on your upper
left thigh, right by your dick. It’s shaped kinda like Italy if you tilt your
head to the side and forget what Italy is supposed to look like.”
“Not fair you saw him naked when you kidnapped him,” Louis snapped, forgetting
his plan.
“I didn’t fucking kidnap anyone! I’m just- you are Baby Harry, and you are…
fuck… you’re Baby Me.”
“I’m eighteen. I’m not a child.”
“Baby Me. Definitely Baby Me. Fuck, I was an obnoxious shit. I will need to
send like fifty different apology cards to a variety of people.”
“You know me,” Harry whispered.
Louis’ grip tightened, not letting Harry move from behind him.
The kidnapper got that creepy look again, all soft around the eyes. “Yes,
sweetheart. I do.”
“Pet names! You fucking creep! Stop it!”
The guy didn’t look bothered, though he did duck his head.
“That’s how I always explain that birthmark. So I… must have told you,” Harry
said.
“Probably in the car after he had kidnapped you,” Louis muttered but he could
already feel he was losing Harry.
Harry actually believed this guy. This guy who definitely wasn’t him from the
future.
Not-Him looked up at the ceiling. “Okay. Time travel. We have a procedure for
this.”
“You have a procedure?” Harry asked, stepping to the side. Louis kept his hold
on Harry’s hand, daring Not-Him to say something. “Has this happened before?”
Not-Him nodded, and then shook his. “Never happened, but yeah. Procedure.
You’ll find out in due time that when you’re really fucking high you come up
with some crazy ideas. Like, just never listen to Zayn after binge reading a
ton of comics, except I guess in this case it applies.” He looked at the
ceiling. “Okay, let me think. You’re from January 2010 so you have zero idea
about all of this. Which means,” he frowned. “How about you two go to the
couch. I’ll make some tea, clean up this whole mess,” he pointed to the dropped
bacon. “Fuck I gotta bring in the dogs. That’s gonna confuse them.”
“What?” Harry asked.
“Well you’re me and you from the past, so you smell just like us? So the dogs
will think you are us? That’s how it works, right?”
Louis didn't know how it worked, so he just ignored Not-Him’s question. “Are
you shitting me? You really expect me to believe-” his words died in his throat
when he met… his future self’s eyes. Apparently. “Fine. I’ll go along with your
‘time travel’ theory for now. But only because you scream like a little bitch
when you’re snuck up on so you can’t be that terrifying.”
“Also he really looks like you,” Harry said.
Louis looked at him. Harry was still pale, and his hand was trembling in Louis’
hand, but he was trying to smile. Louis realized he really wanted to see that
smile without the constraints of whatever craziness was going on right now.
“Right,” Future Louis said. “Couches are this way. I’ll put the tea on. A
warning, the dogs are probably going to go right for you, Harry. They’ve missed
you.”
“That’s okay, I love dogs.”
Future Louis smiled that creepy fond smile again and Louis rolled his eyes,
turning Harry away from him. He looked back and mouthed, “fifteen!” before
making a big X with his arms.
He tried not to think about the fact that his actions only made his future self
laugh.
***** Chapter 2 *****
Chapter Notes
     I hope everyone is enjoying the ride so far. I finished this chapter
     in time to post this week and I have the next chapter almost done :
     D Exciting~~
     Again please note I don't have a beta/brit-picker so I've just been
     re-reading this over and over again so if there are glaring mistakes
     please tell me. Or better yet hit me here or on tumblr and offer to
     beta for me :D Cause editing is literally the worst :(
     I'll see you guys next Monday!
The couch was comfortable Louis gave it that. His future self had good tastes
it seemed. Especially if that bedroom had been his as well, not that Louis had
gotten the opportunity to ask. He had sat down on the couch and immediately
wrapped his arms around Harry, who was starting to shake now that he was coming
down from the adrenaline rush. Future Louis was puttering around in the
kitchen, plugging in the kettle and cleaning up the mess of bacon.
“This is crazy,” Harry finally breathed out.
“Yeah. Yeah it is.” Louis didn’t know what else to say. He was pretty sure
shock was finally starting to sink in. He was in the future. Like how did that
work? What did that mean? What was going to happen? How was he going to get
back? He had to get back right? Especially if this was his future. Would this
screw up the future? His past? It shouldn’t, right? He had never thought enough
about time travel to consider these things, but his future self had.
Harry tucked his head into Louis’ shoulder, interrupting his thoughts. Harry’s
curls brushed against his cheeks and got dangerously close to his eyes, but
Louis found himself not minding. Instead he just tried to push them away with
the side of his face, nuzzling into the top of Harry’s head as he pulled them
back in the couch until they sunk into the cushions. Harry curled his hands
into the fabric of Louis’ shirt so they were proper cuddling on the couch.
“So like, why do you think we got sent here?” Harry asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, normally in movies or stuff you get sent to the future or change bodies
with people to learn a lesson. And it’s not like we ended up in our actual
beds. We ended up here. With your future self, and he knows me. So I’ll be
meeting my future self. There’s gotta be a reason. And maybe that reason is to
learn a lesson.”
“Yeah maybe.” Louis glanced up as his future self crossed the room to the back
doors. He was rubbing his face as he did, trying to cover a yawn. In the grey
light from the windows he looked even more exhausted than he had in the
kitchen. “Maybe I have a hardcore drug problem and this is a warning for me
clean up my act.” He scrunched up his nose. “Or I’m just supposed to know not
to get those tattoos.”
Harry laughed, and he tried to stifle it in the crook of Louis’ shoulder but it
came out loud, brash, and choking. Future Louis turned around, and looked at
them both before shaking his head and turning back to the door. He opened it
and brought his fingers to his lips, letting out a sharp whistle. “Come on
Erik! Abby!”
It took a moment but then Louis saw two dogs come running up to the door. One
was medium sized, golden, and fluffy, who immediately jumped up on Louis,
tongue hanging out, ears flopping everywhere. The second dog was a mostly black
German shepherd. It was larger than the other dog, but the shepherd’s paws and
ears seemed too big for its body so Louis bet it wasn’t fully grown yet. Future
Louis was smiling as he pet both dogs, making cooing noises at them, as he
gently pushed the golden dog back into a sitting position.
Louis saw the exact moment the dogs realized there were other people in the
room. The shepherd’s ears perked up and immediately came barreling to the
couch, burying its face in Harry’s thigh, tail wagging happily.
Harry giggled – actually giggled – as he pet the dog’s head. “Hi boy. Boy?” He
looked to Future Louis for confirmation.
Future Louis nodded, still standing by the door. “Yeah boy. The shepherd is
Erik, and the little brat of a cockapoo is Abby. She’s a menace.”
Louis looked over to see the cockapoo had jumped up on the couch next to Harry
and was nudging his side with her face. Harry made a cooing sound not
dissimilar to the sound Future Louis had made, fully pulling away from Louis so
he could use both hands to pet the dogs.
“Hello,” he said. “You’re both such loveable little puppies aren’t you?” His
hand caught Erik’s tags, and he hummed as he turned it over. “Erik Tomlinson.
Must be your dog,” he said to Louis.
Louis glanced at Future Louis, who gave a shrug. That was all Louis needed to
reach over and scratch behind Erik’s ear. He whipped his head around, let out a
happy sounding bark, and nudged Louis’ hand for more pets. “Why didn’t you just
name him Magneto?” Louis asked.
Future Louis laughed, finally moving away from the back door. “I wanted to, but
‘dogs need to have respectable names, Lewis, and at least if we call him Erik
he’s not one hundred percent destined to try and destroy the human race.’” He
rolled his eyes, but he was smiling as he came over to the couch, carefully
positioning himself behind Erik.
Erik’s head tipped back, and then snapped forward to look at Louis. He let out
a whine, and Louis’ hand stilled as he looked at his future self. There was a
moment where everyone held their breath while Erik tried to work out what he
was smelling, and then he let out a happy bark, licked Future Louis’ face,
before looking back at Louis.
Future Louis let out a groan and he wrapped his arms around Erik, pulling him
away from the couch. “Alright, that’s enough.” His voice rose and got
commanding. “Kitchen!”
Erik twisted in Future Louis’ hold and when he broke free he trotted off to the
kitchen. With one dog out of the way Future Louis turned his attention to Abby.
Louis did as well, breath catching as he saw Abby had curled up with her head
in Harry’s lap and was soaking up the pets he was giving her.
“Hey!” Future Louis said. “Kitchen!” He snapped his fingers, but Abby just
buried her face in Harry’s thigh. Future Louis took a deep breath and then
poked at the dog, prodding her until she got off the couch with only minor
injuries caused to Harry. Harry winced, rubbing his thigh, and looking at
Abby’s retreating back with a betrayed look. “You got off lucky,” Future Louis
said. “She’s a cock stomper. And she’s at that right height where if she jumps
up, paws right in the dick. Fucking hurts.” He rubbed himself subconsciously as
he headed into the kitchen and returned with a tray of three mugs, and three
bowls of cereal. He put the tray down on the coffee table, and then sat down on
floor.
Erik followed him back into the living room and settled down next to Future
Louis.
Louis looked at the tray, unsure if he should trust it. Harry didn’t seem to
have any concerns though, sitting up and looking at the mugs before picking up
the one with a light blue seahorse on it. He took a sniff of the tea and then
sipped it delicately. A smile bloomed on his face. “This is just the way I like
it when I drink tea.”
Future Louis raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders as he picked up his
own mug, one covered in blue anchors. That left one mug for Louis, one that
matched Harry’s except that instead of sea horses it had starfish.
“I would hope so. Been making your tea long enough,” Future Louis said.
Harry glanced at Louis, giving him a big smile. “So, like, we are friends in
the future? Really good friends? How did we meet? Did we meet like this?”
Future Louis held up a hand, putting his tea down to dig into his cereal. Louis
watched him, still refusing to touch anything. Though that did look like his
favorite cereal. Maybe eating wouldn’t be too bad an idea, especially with the
way his stomach growled.
“Hold on. I need to remember the procedure.” Future Louis pulled out his phone,
or at least Louis guessed it was his phone. It was pretty huge, and Louis could
see the screen clearly when his future self set it down. The background picture
was covered up by all the apps, but Louis could see two people’s faces.
An app opened and Louis saw an upside down word document come up.
“Right, so first thing on the list says ‘don’t reveal anything about the
future.’”
“Well we’ve already seen some technology, so I’d say that’s pretty fucked,”
Louis said, pointing at the phone.
Future Louis frowned, but he seemed to ignore what Louis said. “’Don’t touch
the precious past people, you’ll rip a wound in time and monsters will devour
us all in an attempt to cleanse the wound.’ Ugh that was Liam, wasn’t it?”
“Well I mean, that was on Doctor Who,” Harry piped up.
“That’s the most ridiculous-” Louis looked at his future self. “So are you just
gonna keep us locked in a box and not let us see anything until we get
transported back, which you don’t even know how that’s going to happen. Harry
and I were both minding our own business, went to bed one night, and woke up
here the next morning. Now did that ever happen to you?”
“Not that I remember?” Future Louis said, finger nervously scrolling through
the word document on his phone. It looked very extensive for something that was
made up as a joke.
“Well there you go! This must have happened to you, but you don’t remember. So
there’s no reason to freak out.”
“But we don’t know that for sure, Louis,” Harry said. “What if this is like a
new thread or something? There’s time travel that works like that, right? New
timelines and what not?”
Louis took a deep breath and then reached over the table, touching Future
Louis’ bare shoulder. Harry gasped, and Future Louis smacked his hand away, but
Louis was grinning.
“Well there’s one thing disproven. No wound in time or whatever. So cross that
off your stupid procedure thing, and just talk to us.”
Future Louis rubbed his shoulder as he looked out the back doors. “Listen. I
just don’t know what to say. This is your house in the future. Yes I know
Harry; we met through… work. And I don’t know how to get you two back. I guess…
ask me questions?”
“Can I see myself?” Harry asked, voice hopeful.
Future Louis looked at him with that creepy fond smile. “Not in person, no.
He’s not in the country right now.”
Harry’s eyes went wide. “Where am I? Paris? Can I visit myself?”
“You’re in L.A. right now. And I don’t exactly know how you could visit
yourself. I’m actually going back there on Sunday.” Future Louis started
chewing on the skin around his thumbnail, a nervous habit that Louis knew he
had had since he was younger. It was weird to see he still wouldn’t grow out of
it in five years.
“Why am I in L.A.?”
“You’re working.”
“I work in America?” Harry fell back into the couch, eyes still wide. “Wow.”
Future Louis shrugged. “Yeah. Uh it’s only four A.M there. I can probably Skype
him in an hour or so, if you wanna see yourself? I’ll have to tell him anyway.”
He let out a sigh and finally looked at Louis. His eyes darted down to the full
bowl of cereal and mug of tea. “Harry, love, could you do me a favor?”
Harry perked up, nodding. “Sure thing.”
“You two woke in the bedroom right? Light green walls?” Harry nodded again.
“Could you go back up there and get me iPad? Should be on the bedside table.
Looks like this but bigger.” He held up his phone.
Harry stood up, causing Abby to perk up her head. Harry dropped his hand to her
head and she stood, following Harry up the stairs. Once he was halfway upstairs
Future Louis settled his eyes back on Louis.
“Eat your fucking food. I’m not gonna poison myself.” Louis crossed his arms
over his chest, and didn’t say anything. Future Louis sighed and grabbed the
second bowl of cereal and took an exaggerated bite, showing it was fine to eat.
When Louis didn’t react his future self sighed and sat the bowl back down.
“We’ve got like a minute before Harry gets back down here if he doesn’t get
caught up playing with Abby, and I’m just trying to figure out what the hell
could be bothering me. I know we’d gotten over our angsty-hate-the-world
attitude by eighteen.”
“Where’s mum?” And that- that wasn’t what Louis had wanted to come out of his
mouth, but it was the only thing running through his mind. His body was finally
calming down from the adrenaline rush and it was hitting him that he was
trapped in the fucking future with no idea when he’d get back.
Future Louis’ face softened immediately, and it took him standing up for Louis
to realize he was starting to cry. He hastily tried to wipe the tears away but
they kept coming. Future Louis sat down next to him on the couch and slowly
wrapped him up in his arms, pulling him into a head.
“Hey, hey it’s alright. Mum’s fine. She’s so, so, so happy right now, and all
the girls are good too.” Louis felt lips press against the top of his head, and
something nudged his knee. He realized it must be Erik, picking up on his
distress.
“Is everything okay?” Harry’s voice came from behind and Louis really hadn’t
wanted him to see him like this, but the tears were still coming down his
cheeks and he couldn’t stop.
Future Louis must have non-verbally done something because Louis felt the other
side of the couch dip and long arms wrap around the parts of him that Future
Louis wasn’t touching. Slowly he felt himself being transferred from Future
Louis’ hold to mostly Harry’s, and he relaxed, sobbing into his shoulder.
“It’s okay,” Harry said, and it sounded like he was starting to cry too. Maybe
it was hitting him as well, the reality of their situation.
“It’s not. I just realize we can’t just go back. Like I can’t go home. I
thought when we were kidnapped it was just, oh I’m in Liverpool, or Manchester,
or even London, I’ll get home before dinner, and the worst thing that happened
was it just takes a little bit of time, and now,” he hiccupped and Harry rubbed
his upper back harder, “now I’m stuck. We’re stuck.”
Harry didn’t seem to have a response to that because he stayed silent, rocking
Louis there on the couch.
Louis wasn’t sure how long he cried, but at some point he realized he was just
sniffing against Harry’s chest and he slowly pulled back. He rubbed his eyes,
feeling self-conscious. Even seeing that Harry’s eyes were red rimmed too
didn’t make him feel back. It actually made him feel worse because this kid was
only fifteen, and no doubt he was just as frightened. Louis at least had proof
he was with someone safe, because he supposed he could trust himself. But Harry
had none. He just had Future Louis’ words that they were friends to go on.
“Sorry,” he said. Harry handed him the now room temperature tea mug and he took
a sip. It was good, prepared just how he liked it.
When he looked at Future Louis he was biting his lip. “How about I call our
mum’s and see if they can come here? I have to make some phone calls anyway,
let people know what’s going on, but seeing them won’t hurt right?” Louis shook
his head, looking at Harry for confirmation. “Okay. Baby Self, I can’t promise
that mum can get here today, cause the girls have school, and there are the
babies—“
“Mum had more kids? With Mark?” Louis asked, confused.
“Eh,” Future Louis coughed. “Yes, and no. Two new siblings: Ernest and Doris.
Born about a year ago. Not with Mark. Anyway, I don’t know if she can make it
here today. But I think Mummy Anne will. Let me just go make some phone calls,
and then we’ll Skype with Harry, okay?”
Both boys nodded, and Future Louis leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the tops
of each of their heads. Louis felt himself blush because he knew he was clucky,
and that didn’t seem to have changed.
“How many siblings do you have?” Harry asked, scooching over to let Abby jump
on the couch. It was obvious she loved him more than Louis.
“Well, in 2010 I just had four sisters. Now I guess I have two more.” And
apparently he had a new step-dad? Louis tried not to think about that. “What
about you?”
“Just an older sister. She’s brilliant. We’re really close.” His eyes crinkled
in a weird way. “Maybe that’s how we know each other? You’re Gemma’s age. Maybe
you’re dating her? Your older self looks like you two would fit: tattoos, and
kinda weird.”
Louis snorted. “Doubt it. I’m not,” he took a deep breath. He hadn’t actually
said it out loud to anyone yet, but he must have by this point. Right? And
Harry seemed nice enough. If they were good enough friends in the future he
must be okay with it. “I’m not really into girls.”
“Oh.” Harry’s eyes dropped to Abby’s head, but he was smiling. “That’s good.
Well, not good, like ‘oh I’m glad you’re gay cause I would hate you if you were
straight’. Just, thanks for trusting me with that.”
Louis couldn’t help but smile back. “I figure I tell you in the future, might
as well tell you now.”
When Harry looked up at him his eyes were shining. “Yeah.” He held Louis’ gaze
for a moment before a blush rose on his cheeks and he looked down. “Uh, me too.
For the record. I mean, at least, gender isn’t important to me. I’m attracted
to like personality?”
Louis felt his smile widen involuntarily. “Oh. Cool.”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah.”
Their eyes met again, and they burst into giggles, causing Future Louis to lean
out of the kitchen with a confused look on his face. “Hey, I’m making phone
calls right down the hall over here. There’s an office, so if you need me I’ll
be right there. Don’t burn the place down, okay?”
“We won’t,” Harry and Louis said at the same time, causing them both to start
laughing again.
Future Louis rolled his eyes before disappearing back in the kitchen.
Louis cuddled back into the cushions of the couch, patting beside him for Erik
to join him, Harry, and Abby on the couch. It was a tight fit, and Erik ended
up covering the entirety of Louis’ lap while Harry pressed himself right up
against Louis.
“I’m glad I got put into the future with you,” Harry said.
“Me too.” Louis pressed a kiss on Harry’s hairline. He loved how his curls felt
against his cheeks and he couldn’t resist rubbing his cheek against them. “So
what’s your favorite band?”
“Well I like a lot of different stuff. Love The Stones, The Beatles, you know
typical stuff.” Louis hummed in understanding. “I like The Script. I’ve seen
them in concert too.”
Louis smiled. “Really? Me too. Saw them last year in Manchester.”
“You did? That’s the concert I went to.” Harry’s voice was filled with awe.
“No shit.”
“It’s almost strange, isn’t it? Finding out we were at the same concert.”
“Yeah,” Louis breathed out. “Like fate.”
“How about you? Favorite bands? Or maybe I should ask something else. Favorite
movie?”
“What is this? Twenty questions?”
Harry laughed. “Yeah. Feel like we should get to know each other, if we’re
stuck like this for awhile.”
“Fair enough. Now my favorite movie… that’s a tough one. There’s so many,”
Louis said, closing his eyes as he fell into the conversation.
                                     *****
By the time Future Louis finished all his phone calls a couple hours or so
later, Louis and Harry had moved on from Twenty Questions and settled into
trading stories. Louis was in the middle of telling a story about how he had
(unsuccessfully) tried to convince his year five teacher that he and Stan, his
best friend, had switched bodies.
“I personally think we nailed each other’s mannerisms, but our teacher was all
caught up in the science of it and how it wasn’t possible.”
Harry laughed. “If she could see this.”
“Exactly! That’d show her. Might look her up and do just that.”
“Are we talking about Mrs. Hutchinson?” Future Louis asked, coming back into
the room. “Don’t bother. She lives in Manchester with her daughter now and
suffers from dementia.”
Louis frowned, some of the delight leaving him. How different was the future?
Last he’d heard she was still teaching, and that had been at the beginning of
the school year.
Harry seemed to pick up on his mood shift and immediately tried to fix it.
“Finished all your phone calls?”
Future Louis nodded. “Yeah. Mummy Anne will be coming over around dinner. Baby
Me, mum might be able to come down tomorrow. The flu is going around and Doris
caught it pretty bad.”
“Oh.” Louis felt himself getting even more down, and he tried to fight it. “Is
there any chance of going up to see her? Even for an hour? Or the girls?”
“Yeah… so that’s the thing I need to talk to both of you about. As you know
Harry is in L.A., and on Sunday I’m flying there meself. Won’t be back in the
UK til April.” Louis held his breath, waiting to see what that meant for them.
“Now obviously we want you two to be safely back in the past before all that
happens, but just in case, we’ll need to have a plan for where you’re gonna
stay.”
“Can’t we just stay with our mums?” Harry asked. “We won’t step on any
butterflies or anything.”
“We thought about that, but ‘The Powers That Be’ want you two to stay by me and
Harry.” Future Louis made sure to use air quotes.
“’The Powers That Be’?” Louis asked, mimicking Future Louis’ air quotes.
“Our bosses. Listen it doesn’t really matter who, it’s just in our best
interest that you two aren’t unsupervised. Who knows what chaos you’ll cause.”
“Hey!” Harry protested.
“Well how are we gonna stay with you? You’re going to be in America. I didn’t
exactly transport here with my passport.”
“There’s a reason my calls took so long. We’ll get you new passports. I mean,
you do actually exist in this reality. Not like if you’d been transported from
some different reality. So we don’t need to forge anything. Just, you know,
fudge the details, but since we only have til Sunday, what we’re gonna do to
actually get to L.A. is this: Harry’s gonna be express mailing his passport
here. He got it renewed when he was eighteen so the picture isn’t too far off
from Baby Hazza here.
“Baby Hazza will fly with me Sunday, and Monday I’ll mail my passport here.
Same one I’ve had since I was eighteen, so our pictures will match perfectly.
You’ll fly out Wednesday then, Baby Me.”
Louis stopped breathing. He was going to be alone, and his own mum couldn’t see
him because his not-even-conceived-yet baby sister had the fucking flu. “No,”
he whispered.
Future Louis gave him a strange look. “What do you mean no? This is literally
the only way to do this in enough time. Trust me. I was on the phone for two
fucking hours plotting this out with a dozen different people.”
“Let me and Harry fly together on Sunday, or Wednesday, or whatever. I’m not
being left alone.”
Future Louis’ face softened. “Oh. Oh no you won’t be alone. I called Stan, and
he’ll be flying to L.A. with you. I thought I mentioned that.”
Louis shook his head. “No. No you fucking didn’t.” He could feel himself relax.
Stan. Stan, his best friend was still around, just a phone call away. It wasn’t
his mum but it would be fine.
“Okay. So are we all clear? Everyone good with the plan?” When he heard no
complaints he clapped his hands. “Good! Hopefully tomorrow you two will wake up
in the right time, but if not at least we have a plan! Now, it’s after two, and
Harry said he’d be up.” Future Louis grabbed the iPad and made his way to the
couch. He settled in between Harry and Louis, forcing the dogs to jump down to
make room. Abby let out a whimper and Harry almost motioned for her to come
back up but Future Louis commanded, “no. Lay down.”
Abby whined once more but settled down at Harry’s feet, joining Erik who had
done so with no such fuss.
Louis watched as Future Louis unlocked the iPad, and his eyes zoomed in on the
background picture. It was a big family picture, but all of the apps were
covering the details.
“Hey, is that a wedding?” Louis asked, reaching to touch the screen. It looked
like… “Is that mum?”
“Oh, yeah.” Future Louis tried to smack his hand away. “From her wedding last
summer.” He opened an app folder, filled with apps like Contacts, Messages, and
FaceTime, whatever that was.
“Can I see the whole pic?” Louis asked, pressing the screen to try and go back.
“I wanna see too,” Harry said. “Thought I saw Robin.”
“Fine.” Future Louis seemed very put-upon as he swiped the apps to the side
until he got a page that didn’t have as many blocking the background.
Louis spared a thought for why he didn’t just pull up the photo album, but then
he was too busy looking at the picture to think on it.
That was his mum with a man he didn’t recognize. He supposed he’d be meeting
him soon enough. His eyes glanced over the other guests, and he was pretty sure
he recognized Lottie, and Fizzy, though they were both much older looking than
he remembered. He saw his mum’s parents, and a few aunts and uncles. The twins
were dressed up nicely in matching similar dresses to Lottie and Fizzy.
There were a few faces he didn’t recognize, especially when he got to the other
side and spotted himself next to Stan, holding a baby on his hip (big brother
duty reigned) and standing in front of –
“Is that me?” Harry asked, pointing to the man Louis had been staring at.
“Yup. That’s my Harry,” Future Louis said, voice soft.
Louis stared at what Future Harry looked like. He also had a baby on his hip
(Louis could only guess that was the second newest sibling), and that combined
with him standing mostly behind Louis hid the bulk of his body. He was wearing
large sunglasses, and a giant hat, so Louis couldn’t see exactly how much his
face had changed. But he could tell one thing. Like the fact that Future Harry
was huge.
“I get tall,” Harry mused.
“You’re gonna hit a growth spurt soon and shoot up like a fucking weed,” Future
Louis said.
“You have tattoos,” Louis said, because it was the only thing he could see.
While most of Future Harry’s body was blocked, he could still see his dark blue
dress shirt, and the fact that it had been unbuttoned to show off the top of
his chest. The top of his chest that seemed to have a few suspicious shadows on
them.
Harry’s eyes widened and he tilted the iPad as if it could change his viewing
angle. “I do. What are they?”
Future Louis sighed and batted both of their hands away, flicking back to the
first app page and opening back up the folder he had been in before. He clicked
the Facetime app. “Yes Baby Hazza, you become a tattooed deviant just like me.
Though, to be fair, it was you who corrupted me. I was clean cut and innocent
before I met you.” Before either of them could respond Future Louis had pressed
call on one of his contacts and the app said it was connecting with
“StagMuffin” complete with a bread emoji and a banana.
Louis didn’t know what to think of that, and then there was a naked chest – a
tattooed naked chest. If this was Future Harry then those tattoos they had seen
were two birds and what looked like a giant moth.
“Haz,” Future Louis said dryly. “Tilt the camera up.”
“Oops.” And if Louis thought Harry’s voice was deep now, it was nothing
compared to Future Harry’s.
The camera tilted up revealing his face. It was definitely Harry, as in he was
recognizably the same, but there were striking differences. Future Harry had
lost the chubby cheeks, causing his jaw to be squarer. It didn’t look like he’d
grow into his nose, but it worked for him, in an unconventional way. His hair
was a big difference though. Gone was the curly mop, and instead Future Harry
had almost shoulder length thick wavy hairy. Where Future Louis seemed to be
drug addict sloppy, Future Harry looked like a serious rock star.
“Wow,” Harry said.
Future Harry waved, breaking the illusion of serious rock star with the way his
face lit up, friendly and welcoming. “Hello Child Me! How are the Louises
treating you?”
“They are nice.” Harry blushed and glanced at them. “And his dogs are nice,
regardless what he says.”
Future Harry burst out laughing, and it was as wonderful sounding as Harry’s
own laughter. “Yeah, Abby is definitely my dog. She’s a sweetie.”
“Menace. Complete menace,” Future Louis muttered.
“Lou told me mum is coming down today.”
Harry nodded. “He said that. She’s probably gonna freak.”
“Prepare for cheek pinches.”
Louis didn’t know what caused him to reach over and pinch Harry’s cheeks, but
he did. Maybe it was reflexive to seeing them dimple, because Future Louis was
cupping Harry’s chin, almost as if he was about to pinch his cheeks too.
Harry just smiled even wider as his future self laughed. Louis slowly lowered
his hand, wondering if it would start feeling weird. Future Louis didn’t seem
to think so, because he kept his hand on Harry’s chin and gently shook his
face.
“I’m gonna admit something to you, Harold. I had forgotten how adorable you
were at this age.”
Future Harry made an exaggerated gasp, and even Harry played along, though the
blush had reached his ears. Louis could only stare in fascination.
“How could you forget that face!?”
Harry stuck out his lower lip in a pout, and Louis’ stare slowly turned to
horror as Future Louis slid his thumb over Harry’s lower lip unconsciously.
“Hey,” he said, grabbing Future Louis’ wrist and prying him off of Harry’s
chin. “What did we talk about?” He hissed, glaring at Future Louis.
Future Louis had the gall to just blink confusedly at him, but Future Harry
seemed to find this hilarious, and was laughing so hard he had dropped his
webcam to the side. Louis had a sneaking suspicion that he was actually using
an iPad too.
Harry looked confused when he looked over at him, and Louis wanted to cuddle
him. He pushed that feeling to the side. Obviously his future self had like –
feelings or something for his Harry – and that was fine. Louis could handle
knowing he was apparently going to be in life long unrequited love with
someone, but he wasn’t going to let his future self paw all over the underage
version of Harry just to satisfy his lust.
Future Louis broke the staring contest and looked back at the iPad. He sighed.
“Are you naked, Harold?”
Louis couldn’t help it. He looked at the screen. All he saw at first was naked
flesh, but then his brain connected naked flesh with naked thigh, naked hip,
naked cock – Louis looked away.
“My pants are all the way across the room, and it’s cold. Didn’t want to leave
the bed.” Now Future Harry was the one pouting, and Louis had lied to himself.
He couldn’t handle this.
He was blushing.
He was fucking blushing.
He refused to meet Harry’s eyes, but somehow they ended up anyway. Harry was
grinning, actually grinning, and he had the balls to waggle his eyebrows.
Louis hated him.
“Everyone’s seen my bits anyway,” Future Harry was saying.
“I haven’t,” Louis said, facepalming.
“Oops,” Future Harry said again, though he didn’t sound very apologetic. “I’d
just assumed with Child Me wearing Lou’s shirt he’d been naked when he woke up.
I don’t normally wear clothes unless I am like – required to by law.”
Harry looked down at his shirt. “Oh this is yours? Sorry. I was umm… yeah
naked.”
“It’s okay,” Future Louis said. “I only wore it once.”
“I didn’t look at him,” Louis said, realizing too late that his opinion hadn’t
been asked. The look his future self gave him told as much, but Future Harry
seemed to again find this hilarious. Maybe the two of them had talked about
Future Louis’ very obvious crush at some point, and it was a joke now between
them.
“Ummm, could I talk to myself?” Harry asked. “Alone?”
Future Louis’ face softened and he handed the iPad to Harry. “Of course, love.
I’ll show Baby Me the guest rooms you two will sleep in. And then when you two
are done I’ll give you a tour before I run out.”
“Where are you going?” Louis and Harry asked.
Future Louis stood up. “I have some work things to do. Either Stan or Mummy
Anne will be here soonish. Now, come along Baby Me. Let’s leave the Harrys to
their talks. Don’t hang up when you’re done Baby Hazza. I wanna say bye to my
Harry.”
There was another loud laugh from Future Harry as Harry threw Future Louis a
salute.
Louis stayed seated even as Future Louis gave him an exasperated look so
reminiscent of his own mum. Harry nudged his side, and Louis looked at him.
“Go on,” he whispered, though Louis was pretty sure that he didn’t need to. He
was pretty sure Future Harry and Louis were listening in, since that’s what he
would be doing. “I’ll be right here.” Harry moved the iPad to his other hand
and looped an arm around Louis’ neck.
Louis returned the hug, squeezing tighter than he probably should have but he
couldn’t help it. He was scared. He didn’t want to leave Harry’s side even now.
Reluctantly he let go, and tried to give Harry a brave smile. “Don’t go into
the past without me, alright?”
Harry nodded, returning the smile. “I promise.”
Louis stood up and gestured to Future Louis. “Lead the way.”
Future Louis quirked his eyebrow, but turned around and headed up the stairs.
Louis followed, Erik on his heels. He took one look back to see Harry had his
attention on the iPad, and Abby back up on the couch.
They came to the top of the stairs and instead of going right, back to the room
Louis and Harry had woken up in, Future Louis went left. Louis had no option
but to follow, even as he almost tripped over Erik, trying to do so.
Future Louis turned around at the sound of him tripping and frowned.
“Downstairs,” he said, pointing towards the stairs. Erik let out a whine, but
ducked his head and turned around, walking down the stairs. Future Louis waited
until he was sure Erik wasn’t going to come back up the stairs and then turned
back to his original destination. “It’s pretty simple,” he said, gesturing to
the door on his left, but not opening it. “This is the guest bathroom, and the
rest of the rooms up here are guest rooms.” He passed by the first door that
was opposite the bathroom, as well as the hallway to his left after the
bathroom that Louis could only assume led to more rooms.
Holy hell this house was huge.
Future Louis came to the next set of door at the end of the hall and he opened
first the one of his right. “This is the one you can stay in.” He stepped
inside, motioning Louis to follow him.
The room was furnished with a wardrobe, and a large bed in a similar set up to
the bedroom he had woken up in. This room’s color scheme was a burnt orange and
beige that made Louis immediately feel like he was in the desert. There were
large windows on two sides of the room that let in tons of natural light even
through the sheer curtains.
“And Baby Hazza will stay across the hall.” Future Louis said as he went over
to the wardrobe and opened a drawer, frowning as he checked the contents, which
appeared empty.
“Is this one of the rooms the girls stay in?” Future Louis looked up from the
drawer, eyebrows drawn together in confusion. “Because, like, they visit don’t
they? We still see them? I know you have the wedding picture, but it’s just
weird not being there. With them. I always assumed I’d stay in Doncaster, and
stay around mum. Help her out until at least the twins were older.”
Future Louis’ face softened. “Yeah, I remember.” He shut the drawer, apparently
satisfied with his curiosity. “The girls and mum don’t really have assigned
rooms, these are just guest rooms, which is why there aren’t any personal
effects in here. And they don’t usually come here except on holidays. I’m more
likely to go up to see them, since traveling with just two people is easier
than moving the whole family down.”
“Two?” Louis asked. Did Future Louis live with someone else? Actually, that
made perfect sense. Of course he did. Louis and Harry had woken up in a bedroom
with two wardrobes. On top of that this house was huge for just one person.
Oh, and hadn’t Future Louis said something about “other daddy” when he was
talking to the cat?
Future Louis had a horrified look on his face, and Louis was pretty sure he
hadn’t intended to say what he had. Which meant that Louis’ train of thought
was probably correct. There was someone else who lived here. Probably someone
else who owned the house.
Oh fuck was he someone’s rent boy?
It was pretty obvious by Future Louis’ reaction that he really hadn’t wanted
Louis to find out there was someone he was seeing. He was probably ashamed.
Also this house was huge. There was no way he could afford it in any lifetime
without someone rich and famous backing him, and that wasn’t going to happen.
And sure, the tattoos looked really awful to Louis, but it could be some rich
old guy’s cup of tea.
Fuck. He had a sugar daddy in the future.
What even was his life?
“We live with someone?”
Future Louis grimaced, but then seemed to think better of it, and nodded.
“Yeah. I didn’t want to tell you, kinda hoped you’d figure it out on your own.”
“I mean, it’s pretty obvious now that I think about it.”
Strangely, Future Louis’ face went soft. “Yeah. It is pretty obvious, isn’t
it?”
Oh god, did he enjoy being some guy’s rent boy? Louis was sure there were
perks, like the really nice house, and he would bet that he probably sent a
good chunk of money to his mum. That would explain how she would have another
set of twins, if Louis was able to help her pay.
Well if this was going to be his life he might as well accept it. At least he
knew Stan was still around, and he somehow met up with someone like Harry. So
it couldn’t be all awful.
“It is. I mean this house for starters. There’s no way we’d ever actually live
it on our own. So someone has to be paying for it.”
Future Louis’ eyes drew together. “What are you talking about?”
Louis shrugged. “I just hadn’t thought about it when I was too worried about
being kidnapped by some creepy old guy, which, hey I wasn’t too far off base
with that. But for us to live here someone else would be involved.” Future
Louis continued to stare at him like he was waiting for the punch line, making
Louis feel uncomfortable. But if Future Louis needed to hear him actually say
the words… well in for a penny in for a pound. “Not gonna lie, being someone’s
rent boy is not how I expected to live my life, but you seem to enjoy it. Drug
addict chic look aside.” His eyes darted up and down Future Louis’ frame,
because Louis still wasn’t entirely convinced he wasn’t actually here to get a
warning about the dangers of addiction.
Future Louis just stared at him for a solid moment, and then he let out a loud
laugh and slapped both his hands over his face. “Oh my god why is my younger
self so unobservant. This is embarrassing,” Future Louis muttered into his
hands. “No, you fucking drama queen, there isn’t any sugar daddy.” He pulled
his head up to look right in Louis’ eyes. “It’s Harry. He’s who I live with.
He’s who I’m dating. And no I’m not his fucking kept boy or something.” Future
Louis rubbed his face. “God I thought you’d figured it out, what with the
yelling at me to stay about from Baby Hazza.”
“I just thought you had a giant boner for him! It’s not mutually exclusive to
be a rent boy and have a crush on your friend.”
“I hope that conversation Harry and Baby Hazza are having is going easier,” he
muttered. “Probably is since Baby Hazza realized what was going on the moment
he saw the picture on my iPad.”
“How do you know Harry figured it out?”
“Because Harry’s not a fucking moron, unlike meself!” Future Louis sat down on
the bed, face still in his hands, his body shaking with unsuppressed laughter.
“Hey! You can’t expect me to just assume that the guy I wake up next to in the
future is going to be my future boyfriend.”
“Of course. It’s much more likely that we become a fucking rent boy for some
rich old guy than marry an attractive younger man who I have in my contacts as
StagMuffin.”
“I would have assumed woman if you hadn’t mentioned ‘other daddy’.”
Future Louis burst out laughing again, and collapsed backwards onto the bed.
“I’m so stupid. I am literally the stupidest boy in the world. How the fuck
have I lived this long?”
Louis felt a hot streak of shame shoot through him. He didn’t think the
assumption he had made was that unreasonable, especially with the facts he had
been presented with. So he stood there, feeling embarrassed, while Future Louis
laughed him. If he didn’t feel so self-conscience he would punch himself in the
stomach just to hurt him.
He watched as Future Louis’ laughter slowly subsided, his shame slowly churning
into anger. “Are you done?”
Future Louis let out another body shaking laugh. Louis was about to finally
work up the nerve to kick him in the shin when there was a tentative knock on
the door. Louis whipped his head around to see Harry standing in the door
holding the iPad.
“We’re finished,” he said hesitantly. “You said you wanted to say goodbye?”
Future Louis pulled himself up into a sitting position, and then stood up,
prancing over to Harry and taking the iPad from him. Louis could only stare in
horror as Future Louis started talking to Future Harry. He was going to tell
him what Louis had thought no doubt. And they were going to laugh at him.
Louis didn’t even want to look towards Harry, embarrassed on multiple levels.
On top of the fact that he would probably laugh when he found out what Louis
had thought was going on, there was also the reality to consider. In the future
they – shit had Future Louis said something about marriage? They owned a house
together at least. And dogs. And traveled to visit each other. Meanwhile, they
also had only just met. Sure, Louis thought Harry was cute, and they’d found
out they had similar taste in movies, and music, but you don’t build a life on
that.
Maybe Future Louis was wrong. Maybe Harry hadn’t figured out that they were
together.
He finally looked over at Harry, and saw him staring at his hands. Or at least
he thought he was staring at his hands, but after looking at him for a while he
realized Harry kept sneaking glances at him, smiling faintly.
He definitely knew.
Louis didn’t know how to even begin to address that. Hey, so it looks like
we’re gonna get married in the future, stranger. Let’s snog? Would that even
work?
“Love you, Haz. I’ll see you Sunday with Baby Hazza,” Future Louis said,
blowing a kiss to the screen.
“Love you too! I’m looking forward to it. And seeing Child You.” There was a
smacking sound and Louis could only assume Future Harry had returned the kiss.
They were disgusting.
Louis glanced at Harry to see if he shared his opinion but Harry was staring
with open awe at Future Louis. It made Louis feel uncomfortable, and maybe a
tiny bit jealous. But he still couldn’t work up the nerve to try and touch
Harry to draw his attention back to himself.
“Alright tour time!” Future Louis said, tucking the iPad under his arm. He
ushered them out of the bedroom and back into the hall. “Now, this is the
upstairs. Baby Hazza, like I told Louis, that room is the guest bathroom. Right
here is going to be the room you sleep in.” He opened the door to the room
across from Louis’ revealing a guest room that had a cream and lilac color
scheme. This room had two twin beds instead of one queen sized bed. “And you’ll
both be staying in separate rooms,” Future Louis said, wagging his finger at
them. “I won’t have any funny business under my roof.”
Louis couldn't even come up with a retort to that because he was too busy
blushing. He didn’t dare look at Harry, but he didn’t want to look at Future
Louis either, considering that Future Louis had a shit-eating grin on his face.
He knew he was making both of them uncomfortable and he was enough of an arse
to enjoy it.
Louis really hated himself sometimes, because if the roles were reversed that
was exactly what he would be doing.
“What if I have a nightmare?” Harry asked, and Louis couldn’t help but look at
him. He was pouting. Again.
That seemed to at least catch Future Louis off guard and he stammered around an
answer. Louis kinda loved Harry even more in this moment for catching his
future self off guard. It gave him the courage to wrap his arm around Harry’s
shoulder and pull him closer, looking Future Louis right in the eye as he said,
“don’t worry, Hazza. I’m right across the hall. Future Me can suck it.”
Harry preened and pressed his face into the juncture between Louis’ neck and
collarbone. “Thanks!”
“Future You has sucked-“ Future Louis closed his eyes, cutting himself off and
Louis arched an eyebrow. Future Louis let out a sigh, looking up to the
ceiling, mouthed “why?” before turning his attention back to them. “Right, I’ll
pick up condoms on my way home then. And lube.”
Louis and Harry dropped their arms from each other, both blushing madly. Louis
knew they had let Future Louis win this round, but he couldn’t help it. That
hadn’t been innuendo; it had been blatant and vaguely embarrassing.
Future Louis was smirking as he pushed past them. “A N Y W A Y, there’s another
guest room right down this hallway, and that concludes the upstairs tour, since
you’ve both seen your future rooms. Where you have sex. Lots of sex. Very
homosexual sex. Involving butts, and things being inserted. In butts.” He sent
them both a wink and Louis hated him. So much.
Harry was bright red, and Louis couldn’t even work up the nerve to hold his
hand in comfort because he was too embarrassed.
“You know you’re only ruining your own relationship.”
Future Louis shrugged. “We figure this follows like one of the laws of time
travel where you’re not gonna remember any of this so it doesn’t matter what we
say, because I sure don’t remember this happening.”
“So I can just go run in traffic and you won’t care? Because obviously it’s
meant to happen?”
Future Louis gave him the finger as they walked back down the stairs. “Don’t be
reckless.”
Louis startled as Harry’s hand slipped into his, but he wrapped his fingers
around it anyway. Harry was still blushing, and at this point Louis was worried
it was going to be permanent. He still looked adorable though.
Louis couldn’t believe they were dating in the future. He must have done
something right to have Harry like him, and despite what Future Louis seemed to
think about them not remembering when they go back, he really didn’t want to
risk ruining this future. Future Louis was kind of a dick, but in all honesty
that’s how Louis was, so he couldn’t fault him.
“Now you’ve been here. This is the living room.” He made air quotes around the
word “living room”. “Those doors lead to the backyard and patio. This is the
kitchen, as you can see.” Future Louis made a wide hand gesture. “Baby Hazza
you are free to cook whenever you want, though I only know where like six pans
are. Also I haven’t gone grocery shopping since I got back. So good luck. Baby
Me, please have adult supervision before attempting to use anything but the
microwave. We have a fridge, stove, dishwasher, blah, blah, blah, it’s a
kitchen. You both know how those work.”
Future Louis kept walking until he was out of the kitchen. He pointed to the
door across the hall. “That’s another bathroom, just in case you need it. This
way is the front door.” He turned left and Louis saw a closed off foyer that he
assumed led to the front door. “On the left is the parlour,” Future Louis said
it with an attempt at a posh accent. “We pretty much never go in there unless
we are having parties. This is where some of the quieter people come to talk.”
Louis took in the room. It was smaller than the other room, so it seemed more
intimate for talking. There were couches and chairs arranged in a horseshoe,
with a coffee table in the middle of it. The walls were decorated with
pictures, and Louis took a step closer to try and see what all they had but
Future Louis was moving on.
“That’s my office. I’d prefer if you don’t go in there,” Future Louis said,
pointing to the room to the right of the foyer.
That made Louis really want to go in and see it, and the door was open so he
tried to take a peek inside. Future Louis sighed and shut the door, but not
before Louis got a view of a messy desk, and what he thought was a keyboard.
“Do you have to do the opposite of everything I tell you?” Future Louis asked.
Louis gave him a look. “Yes? Why does this surprise you? Don’t you do the
same?”
Future Louis sighed and grabbed him by the shoulder. “Come on, we’re almost
finished. Those stairs lead down to the basement. That’s where we have the
television and entertainment things, like video game consoles. Also the laundry
room is down there.” Future Louis walked them right past that set of stairs and
into a big open room. “And finally the Zen Room. Or at least that’s what I call
it. Harry just calls it a sun room, but I personally think my name is better.”
There were floor to ceiling doors on the far side of the room, which Louis
assumed led out to the backyard. Windows were on the other wall, causing this
room to be the brightest Louis had seen yet in the house, even on an overcast
day. On one of the two remaining walls was a power rack, free weights, and a
rolled up yoga mat packed neatly against it, and on the other was a comfortable
looking couch, upon which sat the giant cat Louis remembered from earlier.
Harry cooed at the cat, who perked up a little, and then practically preened
when he started to pet her. “What’s your name, pretty?”
“That’s Misty. She’s your cat if we’re gonna get technical, since she only
likes me when you aren’t around,” Future Louis said.
“She has good taste then,” Harry said with a smile, kneeling down to pick her
up and cuddle her to his chest.
Louis turned away from the sight to keep looking at the room. The walls were
bare except for over the couch where there were framed pieces of paper. Louis
took a step towards them, frowning as he noticed they were lined pieces of
paper, crinkled, with handwriting on them. He tilted his head to the side,
reading the words to, he supposed, different poems.
“Hey, that’s my handwriting,” Harry said, having followed Louis’ gaze. “Did I
write these?”
Future Louis clapped his hands and the sound reverberated in the room, causing
both of them to startle, but this time Misty stayed in one place. “Right then,
look at the time. I need to shower before my ride gets here. Chop, chop.” He
shooed them away from the room and back towards the living room.
Abby and Erik perked up when they sat down on the couch, and Louis had a moment
where he worried about how they would handle the cat that was now taking up
Harry’s attention. They seemed to notice her, and settled back down instead of
jumping up onto the couch. Future Louis headed to the stairs as they made
themselves comfortable.
“Now, I want you two to behave while I’m showering. Erik. Abby. I’m trusting
you to watch them.” He pointed at the dogs, and Erik gave a lazy bark as if he
were agreeing. “I’ll be down soon.” He jogged up the stairs and Louis waited
until he heard the bedroom door shut before he turned towards Harry.
Harry was wrapped up in the cat, petting her as he whispered nonsense to her.
The sight took his breath away, and he was reminded that at some point in time
seeing this every day would be his reality. If they ever made it home he would
have this to look forward to: Harry, and pets, and maybe even a family.
He mentally shook himself. He was getting far ahead of anything that could
possibly happen. Harry was great right now, but they’d only just met. And they
were both dealing with a crazy situation that no one else they knew had ever
dealt with. Louis should try and take this slow.
“Wanna go see what’s in Old Me’s office?” He asked.
Harry looked up from Misty, frowning. “Didn’t he tell us not to go in there?”
“Old Me is stupid if he thinks I’m not going to look into his office when he
specifically told me not to.” Louis stood up and offered his hand. “What’s the
worst that could happen?”
“A horrible time paradox that ends civilization as we know it?”
Louis dropped his hand and sighed. “I can’t believe I’m going to marry you one
day if you won’t even break my future self’s trust with me.” When the words
were out of his mouth he realized what he had said.
Harry’s jaw had dropped and he’d stopped petting Misty. Louis started to
backpedal when Harry spoke. “He hadn’t told me we were married.”
Louis blinked. “Uh?”
“Other Harry. He just confirmed that we were together and at the point in our
relationship where we were living together. He was very vague and rambled a
lot. I get very good at not answering questions it seems.”
“Oh. Well Old Me really sucks at this whole answering questions thing, though
to be fair I tend to stick my foot in me mouth a great deal even now, and uh…
yeah he said something about being married.”
A small smile broke out on Harry’s face, but Louis watched as he quickly tried
to pull it back. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach as Harry looked down at
Misty. “Oh.”
There were so many things Louis wanted to say. He wanted to assure Harry that
that didn’t need to mean anything, but he also wanted to explain that he kinda
hoped it did because they’d only just met, and maybe he was a little insane,
but he could see it. The two of them, that is.
He shoved that all away. “So are we breaking and entering or are you gonna pet
your cat?”
Harry giggled, stroking Misty’s back. “Maybe I like petting the pussy.”
Louis’ face contorted as he tried to stifle a giggle, but he couldn’t. He lost
it, and threw his head back, his whole body shaking in the same way Future
Louis’ had when he’d accused him of being a rent boy.
When he finally got himself under control he could see that Harry was watching
him with no reservations. It was like he was drinking Louis in and loving every
moment. Louis flushed, and tried to cover it by extending his hand. “Come on,
love. Let’s see if we can get us an ASBO.”
Harry laughed and let Misty jump off of his lap as he grabbed hold of Louis’
hand.
“Lead the way.”
***** Chapter 3 *****
Chapter Notes
     *\o/* Next chapter! As you may have noticed the word count has
     doubled with this chapter because I am incredibly long winded :| That
     "slow build" tag is only here because of how long these chapters are
     going to get I swear....
     I'd like to thank et-y-et for beta'ing this chapter.
     You can always hit me up on tumblr with questions/thoughts etc.
     Enjoy the chapter, I will see you all next Monday with a new chapter
     :)
Louis wasn’t sure what to expect as he and Harry walked towards Future Louis’
office. He just knew that he wasn’t supposed to go in there, and so he was damn
sure going to go in there. It would be too easy, since Future Louis hadn’t even
locked the door. But even still, Louis and Harry made a game out of it.
Harry was humming one of the James Bond themes as they crept towards the door.
Louis was doing high knee steps, while Harry seemed to be impersonating a
cartoon character with his overly wide steps. By the time they reached the
office door they were both giggling, and their antics had scared off both of
the dogs.
Louis held his finger to his lips as he put his hand on the doorknob. He had
been keeping one ear open for the sound of Future Louis coming back downstairs,
but so far he hadn’t heard anything. Harry was grinning wildly, his eyes
sparkling with mirth as he watched Louis.
“What do you think he’s got in there?” Harry asked.
Louis shrugged. “Dunno. Thought I saw a keyboard, but I’m hoping for something
more exciting.”
“Like what? Dead bodies?”
Louis snorted. “We’d smell those, wouldn’t we? Maybe it’ll have clues to how we
managed to get this big house.”
Harry’s eyes widened and then he nodded excitedly. “Yeah, I’d wondered that.
Maybe I’ve made it as a big lawyer. I want to read law.”
“Yeah? You think?”
Harry shrugged. “Crazier things have happened! Are you gonna open it?”
Louis took a deep breath and turned the handle right as he heard keys in the
front door.
Both of them froze as the jiggling continued and then the front door opened.
Erik barked, but Louis didn’t hear him come towards the front door.
Some fucking guard dog, Louis thought as Abby’s barks joined in.
Louis mouthed to Harry, “stay very, very still,” and Harry nodded. They were
both acting as though they could blend into the door if they stayed still
enough.
The foyer door opened and someone came through it, both arms laden down with
bags. Louis couldn’t see their face at first, but they were tall, had long
brown hair, and in heels, so he put money on it being a woman. She wasn’t
wearing a coat, and so Louis could only assume that she had put it away in a
closet in the foyer. She turned, showing her side profile, as she yelled at the
still barking dogs.
“Abby! Erik! It’s just me! So stop barking!”
Harry gasped next to him, startling the woman.
“Mum?”
She put her hand over her heart as she tried to get over the scare the two of
them must have given her. Louis watched as shock and delight crossed her face
before she dropped the bags she was carrying and reached out her hand towards
Harry. “Harry, come here.”
Harry practically lunged himself at her, wrapping her in a hug. “Mum!”
Louis hung back as Harry started to cry, unsure about what he could do. Harry’s
mum was whispering into his ear and rocking himself back and forth. He felt
voyeuristic, and he wondered if there was some way he could sneak away without
them seeing. Watching the two of them just reminded him that he couldn’t see
his own mum until later.
She was the first to pull back, and Louis finally got a good look at her face.
She was beautiful, and smiling as her fingers brushed against Harry’s cheeks.
“Oh my baby boy, look how young you are.” She wrapped him in another hug.
Louis swayed in his spot as he debated walking away. His motion must have
caught her attention, though, because she glanced up at him over Harry’s
shoulder. He was worried about how she would react, but her face didn’t change
as she pulled away from Harry. “Louis,” she said. “You both really are so
young.”
Harry looked back at Louis, and beckoned him forward. Louis took a hesitant
step, and waved at her. “Hi. I’m Louis.”
She smiled warmly. “Anne. I’m this one’s mum.” She nodded towards Harry and
pulled him close for another kiss on the top of the head. “I can’t believe
you’re almost my height again. But how are you two? And what are you doing
here? I thought Louis would have you all stashed away on the couch?”
“We are definitely not breaking into my future self’s office,” Louis said.
Anne tilted her head to the side and Louis wondered if that was the impression
he was supposed to give off to his future mother-in-law. Maybe Future Louis
tried a lot harder to be more perfect. Anne reached over and pinched his cheek
then, smiling. “I see your mother is right and you’ve always been a mischievous
little brat.”
Louis flushed, and crossed his arms over his chest. Harry’s mum knew his mum,
and they had talked. Probably a lot.
“What’s in the bags?” Harry asked, drawing Anne’s attention back to him.
“Oh! I had some of your old clothes still packed away at the house. Louis said
he’d take you out to get more clothes, but I figured having something that you
remember wouldn’t hurt. And I brought groceries. Louis mentioned he didn’t have
any food in the house, and I thought you boys might like some food.”
“He gave us cereal,” Harry said. “So he had that. And the milk wasn’t spoiled!”
Anne shook her head, and Louis wondered if this was a long standing thing, him
not having food in the house. That would be a little disappointing, if in five
years he hadn’t learned how to do something as basic as keep the fridge
stocked.
“Hey!” Future Louis called, coming around the corner from the kitchen, Abby and
Erik at his ankles. His hair was damp, and he was dressed in an oversized grey
sweater and black jeans. “What are you two doing over here? Oh mum!” He smiled,
walking over to give her a hug. It was a little awkward, all four of them close
together, and then the dogs trying to get in on the action too. Harry ended up
petting Abby to get her away from his mum, and Louis did the same with Erik so
they had a little more breathing room. Future Louis went in for the hug with
Anne. “Wasn’t expecting you here so soon.”
“I was able to leave sooner than I thought. Just had to grab a few things,”
Anne pulled back from the hug and nodded to the bags.
Future Louis looked at them and frowned. “You didn’t have to, I could have gone
and grabbed stuff from the store.”
She fixed him with a look. “I thought you were busy working. That’s why you
look like shit, and don’t visit.” Harry winced from where he was crouched
beside Anne, petting Abby. Louis had a suspicion that Anne probably didn’t
swear that often. “Don’t you have meetings to get to anyway?”
Future Louis’ head rolled back and he sighed. “Yes, mum. Thank you, mum.” He
looked at Louis and Harry, and then the dogs. He sighed and snapped his finger,
getting the two dogs attention. “Living room,” he commanded, and they both
ducked their heads, loping back towards the other room. Future Louis smiled,
and then his brain finally seemed to realize where Louis was standing. “What
were you two doing out here?” He narrowed his eyes. “Were you trying to go into
my office?”
Louis held up his hands. “Did you really think I wouldn’t?”
Future Louis let out a loud sigh. “I had hoped you would respect the fragile
balance of the future, or time streams, or whatever.” His eyes landed on Harry
who, without the distraction of Abby looked rather silly just crouching there
on the floor. “And you! You’re supposed to be the good one,” Future Louis said,
mock wagging his finger.
Harry grinned, no signs of the tears he had had before. “What can I say? He
made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Future Louis turned his glare towards Louis. “And you were worried I was gonna
be the one corrupting him? Four hours and you have this sweet boy caught up in
your pranks. I have my eye on you, Baby Me.”
“Maybe not a good conversation to have in front of his mum?” Louis asked,
feeling self-conscious because he could feel Anne’s gaze on him. Maybe Future
Louis was comfortable with her, but he was vaguely terrified he was going to do
something to ruin her impression of him.
Anne laughed. “It’s alright, Louis. I didn’t get to see my Harry and Louis when
they first met, so it’s nice to get to see how it was in those beginning
stages. See the influences you two had on each other.” She winked at Future
Louis. “I can’t really tell much of a difference though.”
Louis felt triumphant when Future Louis blushed at that. His mouth opened and
closed a few times, and when something beeped in his pocket his face looked
relieved. He pulled out his phone. “My ride is here.” He looked at Anne. “Dogs
need to be let out and fed at six.”
“I know the schedule, love. Tell Alberto I said hi,” Anne said as she stepped
forward to kiss Future Louis’ cheek. “Love you, my boy.”
“Love you too, mum,” Future Louis said, returning the kiss. “Thanks so much for
stopping by. Stan should be here soon. I’ll be back tonight.”
“Alright. I’ll make dinner, since I know you probably won’t be eating.” She
gave him one more hug and then Future Louis was out the door, leaving Louis the
one alone with people he didn’t know.
Anne smiled at both of them. “How about we look at these clothes I brought.”
                                     *****
It took Louis about fifteen minutes to decide he loved Anne. She was warm and
welcoming in such a similar way to his own mother he almost, almost didn’t feel
homesick watching her and Harry sort through the bags of clothing she’d brought
with her. There seemed to be some story behind everything that she had, even if
Harry didn’t know it yet.
Not everything in the bags were Harry’s either, because there were a few
sweaters that Louis recognized from his own closet. Whenever he pointed those
out Anne just smiled and shrugged.
“You two were practically living together before you even got your first place,
so a lot of your stuff started getting mixed up. We never bothered to sort it
out when we moved you into your first apartment.”
Louis wondered briefly how they had met. Had they been roommates at uni? Harry
was two years younger than him, but considering Louis’ track record there was a
good chance he was never going to even get into uni at this rate, so it
wouldn’t surprise him if it took awhile. And Harry was apparently brilliant and
became some fancy lawyer. Maybe it was possible for them to have met at uni.
Harry kept sorting through the bags of clothes, pulling out what he liked, and
offering Louis some of the clothes as well. He lost track of the time as they
sorted through everything, and by the time Anne stood up to let the dogs out
Harry had made three neat folded piles of clothing.
“Mum, Louis said the laundry was downstairs?” Harry called across the room.
Anne nodded. “Yes, did you want to wash those? I can come help you.”
Harry shook his head, putting one of the piles neatly back into the bags. “I
got it.”
Louis stood and picked up the larger pile. “I’ll help you.” He noticed Anne was
watching them both with a fond expression, and he tried not to think too much
about how it warmed him up.
Harry smiled, taking the smaller pile. “Thanks!”
“I’ll start dinner. I was thinking a chicken, tomato, and pepper soup?” Anne
said. “Harry if you want you can help me when you come back up?”
Harry nodded, giving her an even bigger smile than he had been wearing before.
Louis started to head towards the stairs Future Louis had said led to the
laundry room. He was careful walking down them, since there was no light until
he reached the bottom, and then he got a bit lost.
To his left opened up to a huge entertainment room. There was a very large
screen television that took up most of the far wall, and surrounding it were
shelves full of DVDs and what Louis could only assume were video games as well.
In front of the TV were multiple couches and chairs, positioned all over so
people weren’t completely on top of one another. Mirrors covered the other
walls, causing the room to seem brighter, more open, and even bigger than it
actually was. Louis could see there were heavy curtains that could come down
and cover the mirrors, probably to make it easier for viewing purposes.
“Wow,” Harry said, stopping on the bottom stair right behind Louis. “That’s a
lot bigger than I was expecting.”
“Seriously. We must host a ton of parties.”
“It’s like our own movie theatre, almost.”
Louis looked towards his right, where there was another door. “Guess this leads
to the laundry.”
Harry opened it, his hands being less full, but they didn’t find themselves in
a laundry room. Instead it was just another, cosier television room, with only
two couches, and a much smaller television. It was decorated with movie posters
and comic art: DC, Marvel, and Darkhorse. It looked like an actual family room,
as opposed to the impersonal movie theater next door, and the sterile upstairs.
There was even a small kitchen with white cabinetry on the other side of the
room, and Louis wondered if this was where Future Louis and Harry spent most of
their time.
“Bet the laundry is through that door,” Harry said, nodding towards the door
across from them. He opened it and made an agreeable sound, turning on a light
as he stepped into the next room.
Louis followed him in, and yes, it was a laundry room. It wasn’t anything
fancy, and definitely felt like a basement finally. The walls were finished,
but the floors were concrete. There wasn’t anything else in the room except for
the washer, dryer, racks to air-dry clothes, and a shelf filled with way too
much laundry detergent. Harry hummed to himself as he began to fiddle with the
washer, figuring out how to turn it on. Louis stood to the side, still holding
his pile of clothes. In theory he knew how to wash clothes, but it had gotten
passed on to Lottie in the list of chores to do once she turned ten so he
hadn’t actually done any laundry for a couple years.
Harry seemed comfortable though, grabbing detergent off the shelf.
“It’s great you’re getting to see your mum,” Louis said, if only to fill the
silence.
“Yeah, especially cause we’re gonna be all the way across the world soon.”
Louis looked over at where he was putting the sweaters into the washing
machine. “Are you scared?”
Harry bit his lip, and then nodded. “It still doesn’t feel like any of this has
sunk in.” His hands were starting to tremble as he reached for the laundry
detergent and Louis stepped up to him, pulling him into a hug.
Harry didn’t start to cry, but Louis was sure it was a near thing.
“I just want to go home,” Harry whispered. “I want my mum, and my house, and
like, this is wonderful knowing what’s to come but it’s not mine.”
Louis squeezed him tight. “We’ll go home, and then we’ll be in the right time,
and we can do everything in the right order. You’ll go to school, and become a
big fancy lawyer, who works in L.A. sometimes. And you won’t even remember that
this happened, we’ll both be able to live our lives and this will be nothing to
us.”
Harry nodded against his shoulder, sniffing. “I want this, I do. This life. It
seems...nice.”
Louis shushed him. “It’s okay. I understand. I think I’m the only person in the
world right now who understands.” Harry laughed, pulling away. His face was red
but not wet and Louis smiled at him, pressing their foreheads together. “We’re
gonna be okay. I promise.”
Harry shut his eyes and took a deep breath, allowing Louis to really look at
his face. He was so young looking, but still so brave, and Louis wanted nothing
more than to protect him. He had managed to go so long without freaking out,
and was only doing it now in the safety of isolation. Louis wished he could be
as strong as Harry was.
Harry’s eyes fluttered up, and Louis was met with the green, green, of his
irises. They stared at one another, breathing in the same air, wrapped around
one another. Louis shuffled his feet, bringing himself just a touch closer to
Harry and he closed his own eyes when he saw Harry’s dart down, his tongue
wetting his lips.
Louis’ hand slowly moved from Harry’s waist, up, up so he was cupping his
cheek, and only then did he open his eyes again. Harry let out a shuddering
breath, and licked his lips once more, making them glisten in the low light.
The doorbell rang, deep and melodic.
Harry jolted, but Louis held him close, not letting him get away. Not when they
were so close to… to something.
Harry’s heart was hammering even faster in his chest.
“Louis! Stan’s here!” Anne called down to them.
Louis closed his eyes.
“You should go see your friend,” Harry whispered. Louis opened his eyes and saw
Harry was smiling. “I’ll be up once I get this load of laundry started.”
“Okay,” Louis whispered. He dropped his hand and stepped away from Harry. “I’ll
see you upstairs.”
Harry nodded, turning back to the washing machine.
“Louis!” Anne called again, and Louis jogged up the stairs.
“I’m here!” He said, coming through the doorway and looking to his left.
He didn’t see Anne but Stan stood there dressed in a warm burgundy hoodie and
jeans, taller and broader than Louis remembered seeing him last but it didn’t
matter. That was Stan’s face. Still round, and friendly, and familiar. It was
one of the most beautiful sights Louis had seen since coming to the future. He
launched himself at Stan, wrapping his arms around his neck, and causing Stan
to let out a surprised yelp.
“Hey!”
“It’s so good to see you,” Louis said, burying his face in Stan’s shoulder. He
even smelled the same because he wore the same cologne even five years later.
Louis let out a wet laugh.
“Aw Boobear, there’s no need to cry,” Stan said, squeezing him tight.
Louis laughed and playfully punched Stan’s side as he pulled away. “Fuck you
too.”
Stan smiled, still touching Louis. “You alright then? Christ, you are young.
Look at you, all untatted up.” He ran his hands up and down Louis’ arms before
turning his wrists over, whistling. “Proper clean you are.”
“Ugh, the tattoos. They’re so ugly, who let me get them?”
Stan burst out laughing, and pulled Louis back into a hug. “Not me, that’s for
me sure. They were all your idea though. I like them.” They stood there in an
embrace, Stan gently rocking him until his heart-rate had calmed down. “This is
crazy isn’t it?”
“You have no idea,” Louis whispered.
“Definitely the craziest thing to happen to you so far, and that is saying a
lot,” Stan said, laughing. Before Louis could respond, Stan let out a cry.
“Hazza!”
Louis turned around, and yeah, there was Harry, peeking out. He ducked his head
back behind the wall of the stairs.
“I don’t think he’s met you yet. It’s still 2010 for him.”
Stan shrugged. “No worries. Just haven’t seen him for awhile. Missed Christmas
and New Years cause I was on holiday, and by the time I got back he’d swanned
off.”
Harry poked back around the wall, and Stan waved. Harry tentatively waved back,
and then stepped out. “Hi. I’m, yeah I’m Harry.”
Stan stuck his hand out, and Harry shook it. “Stan. I’m this fucker’s best, and
oldest, mate. And I’d like to say you and I get on.”
Harry smiled. “Good to know. Would be a little awkward if you didn’t like me,
what with me and Louis like,” he gestured with his free hand.
Stan broke out in a smile, dropping his hand. “Oh good you two know! Louis had
said he wasn’t going to tell you, and let you figure it out on your own. Glad
he changed his mind, I was worried I’d slip up and ruin everything.”
Louis looked down. “Yeah, we figured it out. Wasn’t too hard.” He refused to
acknowledge the truth of how he had actually found out.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t have ruined everything,” Harry said with a smile.
“I don’t know, as best mate I have to constantly bust his balls about being the
most besotted man in the world. It’s practically second nature at this point.
Was worried you two were going to do something married and the jokes would just
slip out.”
Louis watched as Harry’s cheeks reddened. His mind was darting back to the
laundry room, and he wondered if that’s where Harry’s was too. They had almost
kissed. And while that didn’t seem to be too big of a deal for Stan, it was
huge for Louis. He’d kissed only one boy so far, and that had been an older guy
that he had met at a party back in November. Kissing the guy he was apparently
going to marry in the future seemed a lot more important than a drunk party
kiss.
If it was going to happen Louis wanted it to be right.
“I mean, the first time I met you - meet you - whatever, you two are already so
wrapped up in each other.”
Harry didn’t seem to know what to say to that, and he shuffled his feet as he
mumbled, “I think I’m gonna help my mum with dinner.”
Louis watched as Harry made his way into the kitchen and he could hear him
start talking with Anne. Louis’ eyes drifted back to Stan, who was staring
openly at him.
“What?”
“Just- wow. I hadn’t realized how much you’ve changed.” Stan enveloped him in
another hug. “I still love you so much.”
Louis blushed. Stan and him didn’t usually say those kinds of things to one
another. Those words were saved for after really rough days when it was
completely dark, not casually thrown out the way Stan seemed to be doing now.
Louis didn’t know what changed to make Stan more open with his words, but he
kinda liked it.
“I love you too, Stan.” He returned the hug with full force. “So glad you’re
still around.”
Stan laughed. “Me too. But it’s not just me, you’ve still got a couple hanger
ons in your old age. Maybe you’ll be running into them.”
That made Louis feel a bit better. He still had all of his friends. He knew he
was needy at times, and if he had managed to hold onto people he liked, that
was a good sign.
“Come on,” Stan said. “I smell some deliciousness coming from the kitchen.”
Louis couldn’t smell anything, and when he got into the kitchen with Stan’s arm
around him he saw that Anne was just emptying a can of crushed tomatoes into a
pot on the stove. Harry was dicing up chicken on the island, and he was wearing
an apron that was covered in cupcakes. Stan grabbed two chairs from the table
across from the fire place and pulled them up to the living room side of the
island so they could talk to Anne and Harry while they cooked.
Louis watched with awe as Harry followed Anne’s instructions. He was focused,
and he would sometimes remind her that he knew how to do certain steps already,
causing Anne to laugh.
“I don’t remember where you are in your cooking skills. You get a lot better by
the time you move in with Louis,” Anne said, smiling.
“When’s that?” Harry asked as he began to pan cook the diced chicken under
Anne’s gaze.
Anne pursed her lips, but Stan spoke up. “Technically, you didn’t move in
together til like late 2011. But you’ll start living together in a couple
months in your time, and then you never really stop.”
Louis’ eyebrows shoot up in surprise. Anne had alluded to something similar,
but… what did that even mean? He couldn’t imagine what in the next couple
months would cause his and Harry’s paths to cross. It definitely couldn’t be
uni then. Maybe they just met by chance? At a bus stop, or they both miss a
train? Maybe they get on the wrong train together, and end up stranded in
Liverpool or something. Them seated next to each other, and instead of freaking
out they just talk, and laugh. A real meet cute. It would be fitting.
Stan nudged him with his shoulder, knocking Louis out of his thoughts.
“Smells good, doesn’t it?”
Louis looked up to see Harry stirring the pot as Anne loaded the dishwasher
with the dirty cutting boards. It did actually smell really good, for something
as simple as tomato pepper soup. It made his mouth water a little. “Yeah, wow.
It does.” He couldn’t see Harry’s face, but he was pretty sure from the way
Anne started to grin, Harry was smiling.
“Hazza is the best cook after me mum. Swear! We went on this trip – or we go on
for you two – skiing, and it’s just the four of us, me, you two, and Jonny. And
Hazza saved us from eating take out every night. You raised a good one, Anne.”
“Of course I did,” Anne said, turning around to lean against the cupboards.
“Jonny. Like Jonny Harvey? He’s still a friend?” Harry asked, turning away from
the soup after turning the heat down to a simmer.
Stan nodded. “Yeah, course. He’s in Australia right now at school. You’ll
probably see him if you’re stuck here long enough. Think he’s going to one of
your shows.”
“Shows?” Louis asked.
Stan and Anne shared a confused look. “Yeah. With the band?” Stan asked.
Louis and Harry traded the confused looks now.
“I don’t... think Louis told them,” Anne said, frowning. “I had just assumed
he’d told them.”
Stan closed his eyes in obvious frustration. “Of course not. He tells you two
about being in a relationship and leaves out what you do for a living. Typical
Lewis.”
“I take it I’m not a lawyer then?” Harry asked, eyes wide.
Anne gave him a fond smile, and patted his shoulder. “No, love. A bit
different.”
“Yeah, just a tiny bit.” Stan snorted, pulling out his phone. “You’re only part
of the biggest band in the world at the moment.”
“Excuse me?” Louis asked with a laugh, not really believing it. He looked over
at Harry whose face hadn’t changed from that wide-eyed expression of disbelief.
“Here, wanna listen to one of your songs?” Stan asked, a smirk coming to his
face.
“Nope!” Louis declared. He didn’t want to hear his voice, definitely not. He
didn’t care that it was good enough to get into a band. It tended to be sharp
and pitchy and he didn’t want to find out he was the Joey Fatone of the band.
Or worse, the Lance Bass. Only there for harmonies sake. Getting a solo in
maybe one song on the whole album, if he was lucky.
Stan didn’t seem to care about his opinion, and with Harry still just staring
in shock Stan fiddled with his phone and then some music was coming through the
speakers. He placed the phone on the countertop and Louis could see cover art
as a voice he didn’t recognize started to sing.
The voice was nice at least, and definitely not his. He was pretty sure it
wasn’t Harry’s either, and the look over at Harry confirmed that.
Louis resisted the urge to look at the picture for about three seconds, and
then the pre-chorus kicked in and wow was that Harry’s singing voice? It was
gorgeous. Louis was in love. How had he ended up in a band with someone that
talented? How did he end up married to someone that talented?
Louis looked at the phone.
It was a pastel explosion, befitting the pop song he was hearing. He was in the
middle, being groped by a generically cute looking boy. On his picture’s right
was an insanely gorgeous boy next to Harry, and the group rounded off with a
blond boy. They looked perfectly packaged as a fun loving group and Louis
wanted to hate it so much because he couldn’t imagine how this even happened.
“Who are the other boys?” He asked, in lieu of listening to the song. He hadn’t
heard his voice yet and he refused to get disappointed over that fact.
Harry sidled up beside him and looked at the picture
“Your bandmates. Ya got Zayn,” Stan pointed to insanely gorgeous boy between
Louis and Harry, “Liam,” that was the boy groping Louis, “and Niall,” the final
boy. “Good lads. You guys got put together at X-Factor. It’s how you two meet.”
Harry finally blinked, and looked at Anne. “You actually let me audition?”
Anne nodded. “Of course. You wanted it so badly, I wasn’t going to tell you
no.”
The song ended and Louis hadn’t heard himself. He grabbed the phone and clicked
it off, trying not to be disappointed. So what he didn’t get any lines in a
song. The counter said this was only 1 of 75 songs. He had to sing a line in at
least one of those songs.
Right?
“Which voice was yours, Louis?” Harry asked.
Louis shrugged with one shoulder. He wasn’t going to admit he hadn’t heard
himself, because wouldn’t that look great? Louis thought he had heard Harry’s
voice a bunch throughout the song. Meanwhile Louis couldn’t even get a single
line that he recognized as his.
“Oh, that song isn’t a good example of Louis’ voice, it’s just your most
famous. I have tons others,” Stan said, picking his phone up. “Would you prefer
a ballad, or a fast paced song?”
Louis’ head snapped up and he tried to reach for the phone. He didn’t know if
Stan was being sincere or if this was one of those things where they joked
around. He trusted that Stan had no intentions of actually hurting Louis’
feelings, but he was probably running off of Future Louis, and maybe he’d
gotten over how his voice was in the future.
“Stan!” He practically pleaded, trying to get the phone from Stan, but he was
blocking him with his body.
Stan laughed. “Here this is one of my new favorite songs by you guys.” There
was about five seconds of music and then someone let out a wail.
Louis went red. He was almost positive that was him.
Stan was grinning at Harry. “That was Louis. This is Niall, and then it’ll be
you, and then the chorus, which is all Louis.”
“Stan!” Louis snapped as he grabbed the phone from Stan’s hand. He wasn’t
paying attention to the music as he paused the song before his voice could be
heard.
He got a glance of Harry, who was pouting at the music being cut off, but he
didn’t care. If Harry wanted to hear his voice fine, but it would be on Louis’
terms once he got the courage to do it.
“Harry, check the soup please,” Anne said, seeming to realize that something
was the matter with him. He shot her a grateful look as Harry turned back to
the stove, stirring the soup.
“Think it’s done,” he said, lifting the spoon up to taste it. His face broke
into another smile and he put the spoon to side. “Tastes really good, mum!”
Anne pointed to one of the cupboards to Harry’s right. “Bowls are up there.
There should be more than enough for Louis to have leftovers when he gets back
from his meetings.”
It hit Louis then that the meetings Future Louis had to go to were probably not
what he had been imagining. “What kind of meeting is he at?”
“Think he’s meeting to discuss some up and coming indie band. He just started
another company,” Stan said.
“A company?” Louis asked as Harry put a bowl in front of him.
“Let’s eat in the living room,” Anne said, grabbing her bowl and carrying it
towards the sofa.
Louis numbly followed after her, his own bowl in hand. Abby and Erik were
sprawled out on the floor by the couch and they didn’t even bother to look up
when they sat down. Louis’ mind was still spinning with the latest news. How
could Future Louis not tell them this? This was so much bigger than being
married to another guy, and having that guy right there. That Louis could see
happening. He could, if he thought about it hard enough, come up with enough
good things about himself to understand why someone would want to marry him.
But a boyband? A singer. Who had a company? And worked in L.A.? And toured in
Australia. They must be huge to travel outside of Britain. Maybe Stan wasn’t
being hyperbolic when he said they were the biggest boyband in the world.
“What do you think of the soup?” Harry asked.
Louis hadn’t even realized Harry had sat down between him and Anne, Stan on his
right. He had been too caught up in his thoughts. He took a big spoonful bite,
and luckily it wasn’t so hot he burned himself. The taste exploded in his
mouth, and he couldn’t help the happy sound that came out.
“Really tasty.” He made sure to get a chunk of chicken next and he happily ate
it.
Harry smiled at him. “Good.”
“So it’s true then,” Stan said. “You have always liked being domestic.”
Harry ducked his head as Louis frowned. He was pretty sure Stan wasn’t trying
to say anything mean by that, but Harry didn’t know that. “Guess I have,” he
muttered, taking a big sip off his spoon.
Stan just kept going, either unaware, or uncaring of Harry’s reaction. “Well be
comfortable in the knowledge that that is exactly what you’re life is going to
be like. Anne, you did buy tonight’s groceries, right?”
Anne nodded. “Yes.”
“Cause Louis can’t stock a fridge to save his life. He’d live on a takeout if
he could.” Both Stan and Anne laughed at that.
Louis looked at Harry and nudged his shoulder. When he had Harry’s attention he
pulled a funny face, making him smile. He leaned forward and pressed his lips
near Harry’s ear. “Thank you for dinner. It’s really good.”
Harry was smiling so wide Louis could feel his face shifting up near his ears,
and that gave him the idea to dip his spoon into Harry’s bowl, stealing some
soup from him. He had popped the spoon in his mouth before Harry even noticed.
Harry let out a delighted gasp, and then stole his own spoonful from Louis’
bowl.
“Well I just lost my appetite,” Stan declared, putting his empty bowl on the
coffee table. Louis rolled his eyes, and stole more of Harry’s soup. He was
pretty sure they were just going to end up eating each other’s bowls now. Stan
opened up the laptop that had been on the table since that afternoon. “Let’s
watch a movie. If you don’t mind, Mama Twist.”
Louis looked over at Anne, who was just smiling as she leaned back against the
couch. “That’s fine by me.”
“Lemme just,” Harry put down the bowl Louis had almost finished. “I need to
change out the laundry,” He got up, and headed towards the downstairs.
Stan gave Louis a look, and then got distracted typing in the password to the
laptop, which meant it probably was the same one Louis used even now… even back
then? He shook his head to clear the thoughts and watched as Stan opened
iTunes. He waited the few minutes it took Harry to come back up, before he
asked them about the movie selection.
“Everyone good with Skyfall?”
“What’s that?” Harry asked, accepting Louis’ bowl so he could finish eating.
“Latest James Bond movie. Came out in 2012. If I remember right you both have
seen the other two?”
Harry and Louis nodded, and Stan started the movie, settling down on the couch.
Now that he was actually sitting on the couch it pushed the four of them very
tight together. Harry ended up curling against Anne, and while Louis was
tempted to curl up against Harry, he opted to cuddle with Stan, who didn’t seem
to mind. Louis did find his hand resting dangerously close to Harry’s, and by
the time James Bond had been shot off the train by his fellow agent Harry’s
fingers were wrapped around his pinky and ring finger.
Future Louis came home right around the time Q’s arrogance allowed Silva to
escape, and Louis almost, almost let go of Harry’s hand. But then he realized
he couldn’t, not when Harry was the one holding on tight.
Future Louis was yawning when he came into living room, but he looked pleased.
The dogs didn’t run to greet him, but Louis was pretty sure that’s because they
had fallen asleep.
“What are we watching then?” Future Louis asked, climbing into Stan’s lap. “Oh,
this is the best part.” He snuggled into Stan’s chest, and Louis would almost
feel embarrassed at how he was acting, but he couldn’t, not when he was sitting
there holding hands with Harry as if they were both fourteen. “How are the two
babies? Did Mummy Anne and Stan take care of you?”
Harry and Louis both grunted, and when Future Louis put his legs across Louis’
lap, he pinched him.
“Ow,” Future Louis grumbled.
“Shut it, the movie’s playing,” Louis said.
“Being a member of the world’s biggest boyband doesn’t mean you’re allowed to
talk during a film,” Harry said, yawning himself.
Future Louis froze, and his feet dropped out of Louis’ laps. “Oh. You two know
about that then?”
“Yes,” Stan said. “Thanks for that, by the way. I thought you’d told them.”
“Well he didn’t,” Louis said.
“I was worried,” Future Louis said. “What if the news had shocked them so much
they passed out? I’d have no way to help them!”
“Quiet,” Harry hissed, drawing Louis’ attention back to the screen. James Bond
was running through a subway station now. “Go eat the dinner me and mum made.”
Future Louis sighed and climbed out of Stan’s lap, pulling him up as well.
“Will do, Baby Hazza.”
Now that Louis’ right side was free he was able to shift. Harry was looking
exhausted curled up against Anne, but that didn’t stop Louis from resting his
head on Harry’s shoulder. Harry yawned again, and Anne kissed his forehead.
“There’s still an hour left,” Future Louis said, as he came back into the room
with a bowl. “You look so tired, Baby Hazza. I don’t think you’ll make it to
the end of the movie.”
Harry grunted, but then closed his eyes, seeming to relent. “Time travel is
very tiring.”
Future Louis paused the movie, and waited for Stan to sit back down next to
Louis to take his perch in Stan’s lap. “Go to bed then, love. You remember
where it is?”
Harry nodded, but then he groaned. “I need to get the laundry out of the
dryer.”
Louis didn’t really understand what face Future Louis made, it seemed part
pained and part fond, but that didn’t make much sense. “I can do that for you,”
Future Louis said. “Pinky promise.”
Harry smiled, and Anne kissed the top of his head, whispering for him to get
up. Louis watched as he slowly did just that, and he found himself following
after Harry. “I’ll walk him up.”
Future Louis was giving him a look, but then he just shrugged, and turned his
attention to Anne. “Are you spending the night, mum?”
She stood up as well, stretching. “No, I told Robin I’d be home tonight.”
Future Louis frowned. “We have the room, you don’t need to drive.”
“It’s fine. Unless, Harry, you want me to stay?” Anne asked.
Harry looked at her for a long moment, and then raised his arms, beckoning her
in for a hug. He whispered something to her that Louis couldn’t hear, and she
answered back. She gave him a big kiss when she finally pulled away.
“Sleep well. If you need me have Louis call me and I’ll be here.”
Harry nodded, and then turned, grabbing hold of Louis’ hand. “I will. Love you,
mum.”
“Love you too. I hope you don’t take this wrong, but I hope I don’t see you
soon.”
Harry smiled tiredly as he started to walk up to the bed.
“I’ll walk you out,” Future Louis said, getting up, still holding the bowl of
soup.
Louis gave Anne a wave, not feeling comfortable hugging her goodbye. Besides,
Harry was practically pulling him along upstairs, and he had no choice but to
follow.
“Oi- Shit! You two!” Future Louis hollered from downstairs. “I bought you
toothbrushes and shit.” Louis turned around at the top of the stairs to see
that Future Louis was holding a Tesco bag in the hand that didn’t have the bowl
of soup.
“Throw it,” Louis said, positioning himself to catch the bag.
“I’m not gonna throw it,” Future Louis said.
Louis rolled his eyes and motioned with his hand. Future Louis sighed and then
threw the bag underhanded up the stairs. It made it only halfway and Louis
looked at Future Louis with disappointment. Future Louis just gave him the
finger, right in plain view of Anne, but he didn’t seem to care, because he
turned around and wrapped his free arm around her and started walking her out.
Louis walked back down the stairs to grab the bag, and he returned to Harry’s
side. “Here, have a toothbrush.” He handed the bag to Harry, who smiled at him.
“Hey, Louis.”
“Yeah?”
“Could you sleep in my room tonight?”
Louis watched as Harry picked the neon green toothbrush out the bag, and began
opening the packaging. His mind went back to what Future Louis had said about
any “funny business”, and then he remembered he didn’t actually care.
“Course. I’m gonna just grab the laundry for you, okay?”
Harry beamed at him. “I’ll wait for you then.”
Louis wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, lean in and give him a kiss on
the cheek, a hug, what? So he kinda stood there until Harry went into the
bathroom to get ready for bed, and then he bolted down the stairs. No one was
in the living room, and he finally saw Future Louis and Stan when he turned out
of the kitchen. Future Louis was finally finishing up his bowl of soup,
standing right in front of the foyer, talking with Stan.
They both looked at him, and Louis pointed towards the stairs. “Laundry?”
Future Louis nodded. “I’ll come with you,” he said, handing his bowl to Stan,
who didn’t seem to think it was strange.
Louis followed Future Louis downstairs, and he found himself a bit lost for
words. He felt like he should ask about the band and what’s that like, or maybe
about if he ever gets better at house chores.
“Please don’t google yourself,” Future Louis said once they got into the
laundry room. “Like seriously, please promise me, if you get in front of a
computer, do not, do not google yourself. Or Harry. Or any of that.”
Louis blinked. He wasn’t expecting that. “Why?”
“Because the media lies and I don’t want you getting those ideas in your head,
and start worrying or some shit.” He sighed. “And please don’t let Baby Hazza
do it either.”
“Not like you’ll give us much chance to, I’m sure.”
Future Louis opened the dryer and pulled out the clothes. He then checked the
washer, and groaned when he saw there was clothes in there. “Just. What you see
here: me, Harry, Stan, that’s reality. Not… anything else.”
“Oookay,” Louis drew out the word, and grabbed the clean clothes from Future
Louis so he could start the dryer. “They write nasty shit about us then?”
“Yes.”
“We must be pretty big, then.”
“Yeah. Yeah we are.” Future Louis let out a big breath. “I’m gonna take you two
shopping for more clothes tomorrow. I’ll wake you up early.”
Louis looked at the pile of clothes in his hand. “This isn’t enough?”
“Not if you’re going on a plane. Listen, we’ll talk more in the morning.”
“If I’m here.”
“If you’re here,” Future Louis conceded.
“So, I’m dismissed?”
Future Louis waved his hand, and Louis made his way back upstairs. He said
goodnight to Stan, and took the clothes into the room he was supposed to stay
in. He dumped them on the bed, debated attempting to fold them, and decided to
leave it. He left the bedroom, closing the door, and headed to the bathroom.
Harry wasn’t in there anymore, probably waiting for him in his room, and so
Louis made quick work of brushing his teeth and cleaning up for the night.
Once he was done he opened the bathroom door, intent on heading into Harry’s
room before Future Louis was any the wiser. He had just stepped into the
hallway when he heard Stan and Future Louis come up the stairs.
He stepped back into the dark bathroom.
“You sure you’re okay with sharing?” Future Louis asked.
“Louis, I told you already, yes. You look like shit. I know I’m not Harry but
if having the extra body helps you sleep it’s no skin off my back.” They paused
at the top of the stairs and Louis stayed as still as possible, hoping they
didn’t look down his way. “Oh hey, can I see that chair you two were
snapchatting pictures of?”
Louis risked moving to turn his head, seeing they were in front of the door
between his and Future Louis’ room. If they turned around they would see him.
Future Louis shrugged and opened the door. “Yeah, come on in.”
“You two finally agree on a paint color?”
Future Louis snorted. “Of course not. But we think we’re gonna eventually do
like a wallpaper border of circuses.”
Louis couldn’t see into the room, but he saw a sliver of cream colored wall. He
frowned, wondering what could be in there. Against his better judgment he
stepped out of the bathroom, walking the few feet to the dark stairs so he
could see into the room.
“Still very much a work in progress,” Future Louis was saying as Louis settled
down onto the stairs, finally getting a good view of the room. It was sparse,
and yes, very much a work in progress. There were what Louis guessed were paint
swatches taped to the walls, and the floor had a white tarp covering it. He
couldn’t see any furniture in the room from this angle, though.
“You two must be going for a record for how long it’ll take you to actually get
this room up and running. It’s been what? Almost two years now?”
“In our defense, we didn’t really start until this past October.”
“Yeah, and before that it was just an empty room you didn’t even use for
storage because when you bought the place you already knew what this room was
gonna be,” Stan said, voice smug. “The chair is lovely though.”
“Innit? Very comfy too. Great lower back support. Could sit in it for hours.”
“Oh fuck, you two have shagged in it.” Stan sounded offended.
Louis couldn’t see Future Louis smack him, but he heard it. “We have not. It’s
a rocking chair. In the nursery. For our future child. We aren’t getting off in
here, you sick fuck.”
“Well you know, those ho-mo-six-urals,” Stan said, voice accented and teasing.
“That’s it, get out. Into the bedroom. That I can’t believe I’m letting you
stay in when you say shit like that.”
“I don’t want to wake up beside your loaded gun!” Stan cried, coming out of the
room. Louis pressed himself against the stair wall, hoping the darkness hid
him.
“Oh my god shut the fuck up with that, it’s so old and it’s only been two
months!”
The two of them passed by him without so much of a look, and Louis was
thankful.
“Maybe if you were gonna get tired of it you shouldn’t have written about your
fucking morning wood!”
“I didn’t even write that line! Liam came up with it.”
“So you say, but do I believe you? No. Why? Cause I’ve stayed over before with
you and Haz. I know things. Terrible things. Like how much you like the taste
of jizz. You’re a come slut, Tommo. Words you have said, from your own fucking
mouth.”
“Okay first of all, his jizz is an exception to all others because he has a
very fruit intensive diet—“ The bedroom door shut, but Louis could still hear
their banter through the walls. That didn’t stop him from creeping up the
stairs and heading towards the bedroom door so he could hear them better.
“This! This is why I know it was you who wrote all the dirty lines in all of
your songs,” Stan was saying.
“Jesus fuck, I hate you. Roll over so I don’t have to see your face.”
Louis heard shuffling, and he wondered if they were getting into bed together.
“You have washed these sheets since Haz left, right?” Stan asked.
“Harry washed them before he left,” Future Louis said. There was a pause, and
Louis could only assume they were settling into bed. “And then we had a bukkake
fest after he put the clean ones on.”
“I fucking hate you,” Stan shrieked. “Thank fuck you don’t have black lights in
here. I’d need bleach. For my brain.”
Louis snickered, stepping away from the bedroom. At least it sounded like he
and Stan were still the same.
“You gonna cuddle me mate?” Stan asked, and Louis paused, wanting to hear the
end of their exchange.
“I’m gonna shiv you if you don’t shut the fuck up and let me sleep.”
“You know how to sweet talk your men,” Stan said. “Love you, Louis.”
“Love you too, Stan. G’night.” Future Louis sounded exhausted.
“Night, mate.”
Louis smiled, moving away from the bedroom door and heading back towards his
original target. He knocked once on Harry’s door, waiting to hear him call out,
“come in,” before letting himself in. Harry was sitting on the closest bed to
the door, bathed in the soft yellow light of the bedside table. He was wearing
boxers and Louis gave him a small smile.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi.” Harry adjusted himself on the bed, making room for Louis to climb in
beside him.
Once he was in bed, Harry leaned over and shut off the light, plunging the room
into darkness.
“Thanks for coming,” Harry said, voice disembodied as Louis’ eyes tried to
adjust.
He felt the bed shift, and then arms were wrapping around his waist. He
returned the hug, leaning back against the pillows. It took them only a few
moments to find a comfortable position with Harry’s head resting on Louis’
chest, one hand tucked against Louis’ side while the other wrapped around his
stomach so Harry had a grip. Louis returned the hug with his left arm, cradling
Harry to him, while his right arm rested limply near Harry’s left hand on his
chest.
“Do you think we’ll wake up at home tomorrow?” Harry asked.
“I don’t know.” Louis said. “We have to go back eventually.”
“Yeah, cause we have a future.”
More than you know, Louis thought, remembering the room - nursery - Future
Louis was showing to Stan.
“I wonder how it is we meet,” Harry said. “Do we notice each other before we
get put into a band together? Or are we total strangers when that happens?”
“I probably notice you,” Louis said. “Hear your voice and…” fall madly in love
“and think it’s the most angelic thing I’ve heard.”
Harry shifted against him, fingers curling in the fabric of his shirt. “Maybe
it’s the other way around. Maybe I hear you? And want like an autograph, ‘cause
I think you’re so cool.”
Louis snorted. He highly doubted it. Especially if he wasn’t good enough to get
lines in all of their band’s songs. Definitely the Joey Fatone. He stayed quiet
though, as Harry started to ramble about how they would meet, and what it would
be like.
He sounded so earnest, as if there was nothing he wanted more than to continue
on the path they had. He knew the future, knew what he was going to end up
with, some scrawny tattooed guy who talked to his cat, and was extra clingy
with his friends, and couldn’t cook, or do any household chores, and yet he
still wanted it.
“I, I have a youtube channel actually. I put up covers and stuff.”
Harry paused with his thoughts, and Louis thought he might feel a smile.
“That’s really cool. Wonder if it’s still up.”
“Might be.” Louis shrugged. “Though maybe I had to take it down when we got
famous.”
“We can search for it tomorrow. Future You will let us borrow his iPad or
something.”
Louis doubted it, especially after Future Louis’ warning about googling
themselves. But maybe there was another way he could share his singing with
Harry. His current singing, not the voice that let out that wail Louis was
pretty sure he would completely butcher if he tried. It would be close to what
Harry probably would hear the first time. He swallowed, and closed his eyes. He
could do this. They were in almost complete darkness. If he could sing and put
his songs up on youtube – if he somehow grew up to sing in giant sold out
stadiums all over the world – he could sing to his future husband. “I could
sing for you now?”
Harry shifted against Louis’ chest. “You could…” he trailed off, leaving the
invitation open.
Louis took a deep breath. He’d practiced this song hundreds of times before he
recorded himself singing it a couple years ago, and he knew he’d gotten better
since then. Harry’s fingers clenched in his shirt and Louis let out a breath,
jumping right into the song.
He started off shaky, practically whispering, but by the time he’d gotten to
the end of the first verse he’d increased his volume. Harry stayed silent the
entire time as Louis made his way through the song, but he trusted that Harry
was listening. When he wrapped his fingers loosely around Harry’s the second
time he sung the chorus he felt Harry squeeze back and that was enough to carry
him through the rest of the song.
When he was finally finished he stayed quiet. The bedroom was freakishly still,
but Louis wasn’t going to be the first one to speak. He wanted to hear what
Harry thought, not break the tension with an ill-timed joke.
“Your voice is lovely,” Harry whispered, finally.
“Not as lovely as yours.”
Louis felt a huff of air against his knuckles, and he wondered for a brief
moment if they were going to kiss. If Harry was going to lean up, or maybe he
should lean down. It felt right. Like they should.
Harry’s lips pressed against his knuckles and Louis’ stomach knotted. “Night
Louis.”
The breath punched out of Louis and he shut his eyes tight, adjusting himself
against the pillow with Harry curled up to his chest, mouth still against their
entwined hands. “Night love.” He carefully brought their fingers up to his own
mouth, returning the kiss.
Harry let out a content sound as he settled into sleep.
                                     *****
“Step away from the brightly colored trousers and no one will get hurt.”
They were inside a department store at eight A.M. because that was the only
time Future Louis could have the store open for him. Apparently that was a perk
of being a celebrity: stores just opened up for you so you could shop in peace.
Louis was learning a lot of new things about being a celebrity today. For
starters, they came with their own bodyguard, and personal driver.
Alberto was pretty cool, and he seemed to take the whole Louis and Harry being
there very well. Currently he was standing by the department store’s door
looking vaguely menacing by sheer body mass alone. Louis kept looking over at
him, waiting to see if that demeanor would ever drop, but so far it hadn’t.
Louis hadn’t seen him so much as check his phone. He just stood there: big,
solid, and stoic.
Harry had wandered off almost as soon as they had gotten in the store, and
Louis had wanted to do the same, but Future Louis seemed determined to stick by
him, and micromanage every decision he made. So far Louis had been able to grab
exactly nothing. He seriously did not understand what Future Louis’ problem
was.
It couldn’t have been payback for spending the night with Harry. Future Louis
hadn’t even made a joke when he opened Harry’s door and found them asleep on
the same twin bed. He had just shook his head, and suggested that next time
they should maybe try the queen in the other room if they wanted to share.
Louis had caught sight of Stan behind Future Louis giving him a thumbs up, so
Future Louis obviously couldn’t have been too upset about that.
It had to be something else.
Louis touched a salmon colored pair of very tiny, stretchy looking trousers.
The tag labeled them jeggings, and his hand on them made Future Louis’ eye
twitch uncontrollably. “How about, no?”
“Just trust me. You will regret this.”
“You are dressed like a hobo. A literal hobo.” Future Louis was wearing a baggy
sweatshirt, baggy joggers, and vans. His hair was tucked under a beanie pulled
low. Louis was positive that, if he tried to leave the house like that, his
mother would drag him back in and force him to change. “There are tea stains on
the sleeve of your sweatshirt. Why should I trust you?”
“I’m dressed comfortably. I like being able to feel my testicles, thank you
very much. And I’m serious, you are going to regret this.”
Louis rolled his eyes. He liked the colors and dammit, if his future self was
paying, he was going to get something he liked. “I don’t feel like I’ll regret
this.”
“If you’re making choices to spite me, remember you are only spiting yourself,
and you will regret this.” Future Louis let out a sigh as Louis grabbed a pair
of periwinkle colored trousers off the rack in two sizes so he could try them
on. “Regretting it, regretting it. This is literally you, in the future,
regretting the clothing choices you are making.”
Louis gave him the finger.
He was only half turned when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and suddenly
Future Louis and he were scuffling in the middle of a posh department store.
“Give me the fucking trousers, Baby Me.”
“Never!” He cried back, curling up on himself, trying to protect himself when
he felt fingers beginning to tickle him.
“I have five years of rough housing with four different boys. I have learned
tricks. You will not win.”
Future Louis’ fingers managed to dig into his ribs and Louis let out a shriek.
He tried to throw his body weight forward, even if it meant he ended up
crashing into a rack of clothes at least he’d be away from the tickling. He was
positive they were getting glared at by the associate behind the counter, but
Louis supposed a perk of being a celebrity was they could get away with this
kind of behavior. Future Louis was keeping a good grip on him through all of
his struggling, and Louis couldn’t get away from it.
He broke, and began laughing. The sound reverberated through the quiet store,
and Louis could see the faintest twitch of Alberto’s lips as he kept
screeching.
“Lemme go, lemme go, fuck I’m gonna piss,” Louis cried, trying to get away
before he actually did feel like he was gonna wee.
“Umm,” Harry said from the side.
Future Louis immediately stopped tickling Louis, and he was so, so grateful for
Harry in this moment.
“Got everything you need?” Future Louis asked, still keeping Louis bent over
and wrapped up in his arms.
Louis tried to get a better look at Harry, but his fringe was in the way, so
all he saw was Harry’s legs.
“I think so?” Harry seemed unsure, and Future Louis let go of Louis to advance
Harry.
“Well let me see what you picked out, love.”
Louis straightened and he finally got a look at Harry. He was holding a small
pile of clothes: what looked like two pairs of trousers, a few shirts, a pack
of pants, and socks.
“I already tried on the trousers, so I know those fit,” Harry said quietly as
Future Louis flicked through his pile, frowning.
“Are you sure that’s all you need, Baby Hazza?”
Harry nodded. “The clothes mum brought will be fine.”
“Love, we’re going to L.A. and then Australia, and it’s summer there. It’ll be
warm. Mummy Anne brought you mostly joggers and sweatshirts. You can get away
with borrowing mine or Harry’s shirts but you’ll want shorts that fit.”
Harry shifted from foot to foot, looking uncomfortable. Louis almost approached
him, to try and comfort him, but then Future Louis did exactly that. He leaned
forward, pressing his mouth close to Harry’s ear as he whispered something in
it. When he pulled away he took the pile of clothes from Harry’s arms.
“Alright then?” Future Louis asked, and Louis really had to strain to hear him.
Harry nodded, and stepped back. “Good lad, there you go.” Future Louis said,
smiling as he watched Harry head back across the store, in search of whatever
Future Louis had told him to find.
Louis was frowning when Future Louis turned back to him, and it made Future
Louis give him a look.
“What did you tell Harry?”
Future Louis rolled his eyes and took a step closer to Louis, dropping his
voice as he spoke. “Listen, Harry is very self conscious at this age, just like
everyone else. He needs a little encouragement to grow into himself and I for
one love giving him that encouragement. And you will too.”
“I’m not… I just… you’re a lot older than him. Maybe I can try being the one to
encourage him.” That wasn’t really what Louis wanted to say, but at the same
time it was exactly what he wanted to get across. Future Louis already had his
own Harry to love and take care of. There was no need for him to start with a
younger version of Harry, and potentially ruin Louis’ chance with Harry. There
was no way he could compete with an older version of himself, who already knew
what to say to Harry, and there was also no way for him to learn if he kept
getting stopped from doing the same. Future Louis was giving him a half
confused, half amused look, and Louis didn’t want to hear his backhanded
compliments. “Also I’m pretty sure that shop assistant thinks we’re the pretty
women to your Richard Gere.”
Future Louis chortled, letting Louis’ previous comments go. “With the amount
she’s getting paid to be here she really shouldn’t be thinking. But alas.” He
headed over to her, to put the clothes on the counter. “Are you going to try on
those trousers or have you seen the error of your ways?”
Louis flipped him off again, and this time he was facing towards Alberto, and
could see the amused look that passed his face before he smoothed it over with
indifference. He grabbed a few shirts, and less colorful trousers and shorts
before he headed towards the changing room. Harry was going in at the same
time, holding a few pairs of shorts – actual shorts it looked like, not the
broad shorts, or khakis that Louis knew most boys wore. Harry ducked his head
and Louis gave him a smile.
“Do you think I’ll regret wearing these trousers?” He asked, holding up the
periwinkle ones he had picked out.
Harry’s face lit up. “I don’t think so. Future You is just a stick in a mud.”
Louis laughed. “Not sure if that’s a compliment or not.”
“Well if you know you turn into a stick in the mud maybe you’ll be able to
prevent it,” Harry said, entering his own changing room.
Louis did the same, laying out the clothes he had picked out. He started with
the shirts, trying each one on quickly. They all fit, and felt good against his
skin, so he knew he wouldn’t get itchy, and he put them into one pile. Next he
tackled the shorts. He tried the larger shorts first, found them a little
baggy, and then moved onto the next size lower.
He frowned when he realized he was at that awkward in between stage. The next
size lower fit his legs better but were tight around the hips. He let out a
annoyed sigh, but decided on the larger size. The trousers were the last things
he tried on, and he’d just gotten the larger size buttoned up when there was a
knock on his door.
“Yes?” He called, going to the door, checking out how the trousers felt when he
walked.
“Wanted your opinion,” Harry said, voice quiet.
Louis bit his lip, and opened the door. Harry was standing on the other side,
dressed in white shorts that hit his mid-thigh. They were loose, but then again
Harry’s legs were pretty thin. Louis swallowed, unsure if he should ask Harry
to turn around, but then Harry did it without asking, twirling to show the back
of the shorts.
“They look good,” he said, voice a little rough. He swallowed again, and tried
to pull his eyes away from Harry’s hips, but he could see the shorts were a
little loose there too, just starting to slip without a belt. “How do they
feel?”
Harry was smiling when he spun back around to face Louis. “A little loose, but
if I’m due for a growth spurt then I think I’ll fill them out.” Louis nodded
dumbly, finally dragging his eyes up to Harry’s face. “Are those the ones
Future You didn’t want you get?”
Louis looked down at his trousers, still nodding because that was all he could
do. He actually really liked the color the more he wore it, and these fit
better than the shorts.
“Oh Christ,” Future Louis said from the door to the changing rooms, “I look
more camp than I remember.”
Louis tried to push down his frustration. Future Louis had admitted to making
these same choices and hindsight or whatever wasn't going to stop Louis from
liking what he liked. “I like them, and they fit quite nicely.” He stepped out
from behind Harry and gave his own twirl, uncaring how he looked because it
made Future Louis get a sour look on his face and that was all that mattered.
“I’m not buying those.”
“Well I want them,” Louis said, sticking out his tongue.
“I am not buying those, and that’s final.”
“I like them,” Harry said quietly.
Future Louis’ eyes drifted over to Harry, and Louis saw how his eyes dragged
down Harry’s frame. He snapped his fingers.
“Eyes on me, buddy.”
Future Louis’ rolled his eyes, but looked back at Louis with an annoyed
expression. “Fine. I’ll get you the fucking trousers. When you’re twenty three
and lying awake in bed, unable to sleep because you thought those pants were a
good idea, know that you could have prevented this.”
Louis crossed his arms. “And you call me the drama queen. I see that’s
something we don’t grow out of.”
Future Louis flipped him off, walking out of the changing room. “Just finish
trying your clothes on. I’m hungry and I want to beat the lunch rush.”
Drama Queen, Louis thought, because it was barely nine. He watched Future Louis
leave, and then looked at Harry. “So? Get the trousers?”
Harry nodded quickly, patting the shorts he was wearing. “Definitely, and I’ll
get these.”
Louis smiled, and slipped back into the changing room. He took off the
trousers, putting them in his “yes” clothing pile, and got changed into the
borrowed clothes. When he stepped back out of the changing room Harry was
waiting for him, holding a neat pile of folded shorts. It was only when Louis
actually looked at the back pockets and saw the intricate designs that he
realized the shorts Harry had picked out were for women, not men.
Harry noticed him looking and he tucked the shorts to his chest, hiding them.
“I prefer shorter shorts and these are the only one...” he started explaining.
Louis put his hand on Harry’s shoulder, drawing him into a one-armed hug. “They
look good on you.”
Harry ducked his head, but Louis heard his quiet, “Thank you.”
Future Louis was standing by the counter, laughing with Alberto. Louis guided
Harry over towards him and they put their clothes on the counter.
“That everything? I grabbed you pants and socks,” Future Louis said, giving
Louis a look. Both boys nodded, and Future Louis flipped through the clothes,
nodding to himself. “Alright we got socks, pants, shirts, shorts, couple of
jeans and trousers. Louis, you got sleep clothes. Hazza has joggers back at the
house. And there are more than enough shoes for you two to wear. I think that
settles everything?” He arched his eyebrow to see if they had any complaints,
but they stayed quiet. “Well if we are missing anything else we can go shopping
again in L.A. Now let me pay the nice lady.” He waved them off to the door.
Louis dragged Harry towards the accessory section by the front door, and they
spent the few minutes it took Future Louis to pay for the clothes trying on
various hats and sunglasses. Louis loved seeing Harry smile, and he loved even
more being the one who caused it.
                                     *****
After they left the department store Future Louis brought them to a café down
the street, their bags safely tucked into the car. Alberto took a seat in a
chair by the door, and Future Louis took up the table right behind it. Harry
volunteered to get them their orders, taking the money Future Louis handed him
with a giant smile.
Louis took a seat across from Future Louis and they fell into a vaguely
uncomfortable silence as Louis kept an eye on Harry standing in line.
“Have you spoken with mum today?” Louis asked.
“Been texting her. Doris’ doing better, but now Ernest is the one sick.”
“The cycle of sickness.”
Future Louis nodded, turning to watch Harry. “Remember that one winter where it
was just a domino effect? I think there wasn’t a week someone wasn’t sick.”
“You mean that time when the twins were just born, or last year?”
“Both.”
Louis sighed. “So I’m not gonna get to see mum?”
Future Louis shrugged. “Maybe Stan will take you up on Monday or Tuesday.”
That sent a jolt of anxiety through him, reminding him that in only two days
he’d be alone with just Stan. Future Louis was a bit of an ass, but it was
still himself. Having his own presence there was constantly reassuring,
especially because Future Louis seemed to always guess what Louis actually
needed.
“Would there be a way I could do that video chat thing with you guys?”
Future Louis made a face, but then nodded. “Yeah, Stan’s got it on his phone so
we can do it if you want.” Louis let out a sigh of relief and Future Louis
leaned forward. “It’ll fly right by, and then you’ll be back with me, and Baby
Hazza, and Big Harry.”
Louis snorted. “Big Harry?”
Future Louis arched his eyebrows. “Well, if the shoe fits.” His eyes darted
back over to Harry, who was still in line, talking animatedly with the cashier.
“He is way too friendly for his own good,” Future Louis muttered, and Louis
could tell he was debating getting up and interrupting their talk. He probably
didn’t want to draw attention to himself though.
The café wasn’t that crowded, and the people that were there didn’t seem to pay
them any mind. Actually, this whole morning they had been out no one looked
their way once. Louis didn’t know how to feel about that.
“What’s the point of being famous if you aren’t being recognized and mobbed?”
He asked.
Future Louis cracked a smile, and rested his chin in the palm of his hand. “Ah,
to be young and naïve again.”
“Better than old and cynical!” Louis chirped.
Future Louis rolled his eyes and looked at Louis. “Trust me, Baby Me, you will
learn to appreciate being unseen very soon. The first time you’re surrounded on
all sides and can barely breathe through the people shouting at you, you’ll be
praying for this.”
The way he said it had Louis seriously thinking about it. He had never
considered what it would be like to actually be mobbed by a bunch of people. He
had been in pits at small venues before, and that wasn’t too bad. He was
tactile by nature, and being in large crowds didn’t bother him. He was good at
making himself big enough so he didn’t get pushed around too much, but if
Future Louis was pointing it out, maybe it was different than he was imagining.
“Why do you call me that?”
Future Louis arched an eyebrow. “What? Baby Me? What else would I call you?
Can’t really call you ‘Self’ can I? Then I sound like a self-absorbed arse.
‘Trust me, Self.’ ‘Self, what are you planning on doing today?’ ‘Eat your
veggies, Self, or else we’ll never grow big and strong.’ It just has a really
awful ring to it. Sides, what do you call me? Bet it’s like ‘Old Me.’”
“No. For the record I call you ‘Future Louis.’” Louis stuck his tongue out and
Future Louis returned the gesture just as Harry brought their cups over, and a
bag full of treats.
He sat down and pulled out two cookies, one for himself and one for Louis, a
cheese pastry for Future Louis, and then handed the bag containing the
remaining pastry to Future Louis so he could give it Alberto. Louis broke off a
small bit of his cookie, determined to eat it slowly, as he watched Future
Louis stick most of the cheese pastry in his mouth.
Harry snorted, sipping his drink.
“Have a good chat with the cashier, Baby Hazza?” Future Louis asked.
Harry grinned. “She said I looked like Harry Styles. I told her I was his son,
and that got a laugh.”
Future Louis choked on his pastry and covered his mouth as he laughed. “Very
clever,” he said, reaching over and ruffling Harry’s curls.
He didn’t try and bat Future Louis’ hand away, just accepted the touch as if it
was normal. Louis hoped one day he would be just as comfortable with Harry as
Future Louis was.
“Hey, this song is really catchy. Do you know the singer?” Harry asked, humming
along to some female singer telling them to “shake it off”.
Future Louis’ eye twitched, and he removed his hand from Harry’s hair. “You
would like this song,” he muttered before heaving a put upon sigh and
answering, “this is Taylor Swift.”
“No way! I love her! What’s that one song? Romeo and Juliet? I tried to learn
the chord to it on guitar.”
“There are some things, Baby Hazza, that I didn’t need to know about you. That
is one of them. I’m never going to get that image out of my head.”
Louis frowned as he saw Harry’s face drop a little. “What’s wrong with that? We
thought about singing ‘You Belong with Me’ at a talent show last year. Even
spent some time trying to transpose it to piano.”
“And I am forever thankful to Stan for talking me out of that,” Future Louis
said with a snide look on his face. He leaned back in his seat. “I came here
cause it’s an indie café. If they are gonna play this drivel they might as well
play The Wanted too. Then my day will be complete.”
“Who’s The Wanted?” Louis asked.
“They sound like a band I would like,” Harry said, giving Future Louis a look.
Future Louis let out a mock-offended gasp and let the chair he was leaning back
in fall to all four legs. He reached over and stole Harry’s cookie. “Nope. You
don’t deserve this when you are saying things specifically to hurt me.”
Louis rolled his eyes and broke his own cookie in half, passing it to Harry so
he would stop pouting. “What? Are they like our big rivals? All boy bands need
a big rival.”
Future Louis bit into Harry’s cookie. “No. Definitely not,” he said around a
mouthful of cookie. “They’re cocks and we hate them.”
“But I thought you loved cock,” Harry mumbled and Future Louis reached over and
tugged his ear gently, causing him to squirm.
“That was a terrible joke, Baby Hazza, one you are much too young to be
telling. Who is influencing this behavior?”
Louis watched as Harry’s entire being brightened under the attention of Future
Louis and he tried not to be too jealous.
“You are,” Harry said, giggling as Future Louis moved from pinching his ear to
his cheek.
“You’re a very cheeky shit, you know that?” Future Louis let go of Harry’s
cheek, and leaned back in his seat. “The Wanted were awful. I ruined their
careers and I have no regrets. We are never speaking of this again.”
Louis shared a look with Harry that consisted mostly of eyebrow raises until
Harry finally whispered, “so mysterious,” which sent them both into a fit of
giggles, that only ended when Harry started humming along to the final chorus
of the Taylor Swift song playing.
Future Louis hid his frown behind the last of the cookie he had stolen, but
Louis tried not to think about what that meant.
***** Chapter 4 *****
Chapter Notes
     *\o/* Chapter time! Due to a lack of crushing snow in my part of
     America I had work on a Monday for the first time since mid-January
     thus pushing back when I could finally post this! But it is done :)
     (one day I will write a chapter that is not ridiculously long, but it
     is not this day) Thanks again so much to et-y-et for beta'ing for
     me!!! And thank you everyone for reading so far!
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Future Louis grew on people like a fungus. It was a trait that Louis had always
attributed to himself, and he was pleased that it seemed to carry over even as
he got older. It even worked on him, because the more time he spent with Future
Louis, the more he grew to almost like his future self. Impressive since it was
only a couple days. Future Louis was with Harry and Louis from the moment they
woke up until he ushered them off to bed that night: cracking jokes, playing
with the dogs, showing them the latest FIFA game, and occasionally pulling them
into impromptu tickle fights which led to being sprawled out on the floor, all
three of them trying to catch their breath.
When he went out each afternoon for work, Stan took over, filling their time
with new movies, music, and football gossip.
“A word of advice, just skip the 2013-2014 season. Or better yet, if you
remember any of this when you get back, go to the board the moment S.A.F.
retires and slap them across the face when they suggest Moyesie for the job.
Just crack ‘em one, and then point your finger in one of the Glazer’s faces,
say, ‘no,’ and walk out. You’ll be legendary.” Stan said.
They had just finished watching the Manchester United game, and were sprawled
out downstairs in the big theatre room, still undecided about whether they
would watch the next match. Harry was curled up to Louis’ chest, as had become
commonplace. They had spent last night curled up in Louis' bed, quoting entire
scenes from some of their favorite movies. Louis had drifted off to the sound
of Harry begging him to "never let go," and after waking up still curled up
together for the second morning in a row, it had seemed silly to stop, even if
they were outside the bedroom.
Stan didn’t even bat an eyelash anymore, and Future Louis only waggled his
eyebrows once.
“Pretty sure that’ll just get me arrested.”
Stan shrugged, flipping through the channels on the television, looking for
something else to watch. "But think about the pain you would save yourself. It
would be for the greater good. Just make sure your judge is a fan and tell him
you saved us from finishing seventh."
"We're doing alright this season though, right?" Louis asked, at the same time
Harry said, "But what if slapping them doesn't stop the events from unfolding?"
Louis looked down at Harry's curls. "Hazza has a point," he said, and Harry
snuggled into his chest in response, throwing his leg over Louis'.
Stan shut off the television, apparently not interested in anything on
television. "Well, it's almost dinner time. What if I take you two out to
Nando's?"
Harry looked up from Louis' chest. "Really?! We can go out?"
Louis groaned, shifting until Harry laid back down. He had been doubling as a
blanket, and Louis missed his warmth. "You're only suggesting that because your
idea of me ruining my future for one season of football is flawed."
Stan looked over at them and stuck out his tongue. "You're only being pissy
cause you're comfy. Come on, get ready while I let the dogs out and feed them."
He stood up and ran upstairs, leaving Louis and Harry alone.
Harry pulled away from Louis and gave him an indulgent smile when all he did in
response was make a pitiful sound. "Come back here, I'm cold."
Harry stretched, the shirt he wore to riding up to show a flash of bare
stomach. Louis glanced away. He was comfortable with Harry, and sure, knowing
they like - ended up together in the future meant something to him, but he was
still a little uncomfortable with the idea of being physical. He didn't have
any experience beyond kissing one guy; hell he wasn't even out at home, so this
whole thing was weird.
Harry flopped back onto him. "Louis," he practically sing-songed, "Nando's.
Food. Going out and being in the world."
"You'll get plenty of that when you leave me for L.A. tomorrow," Louis groused.
Harry pecked his cheek with a kiss. "Is this your way of saying you're gonna
miss me?" Louis froze, and his lack of movement let Harry stand up and dance
towards the stairs. "Come on, Lou! You'll be able to wear those trousers you
got!"
Louis groaned but pulled himself up, following after Harry. Stan was just
finished putting food in the dogs bowls while Misty eyed him warily from the
kitchen counter. Harry migrated over to her, petting and praising her before
going to where Future Louis had showed him they kept the pet food. Stan waggled
his eyebrows, showing that he had noticed Louis staring at Harry. Lois flipped
him off in response, and headed upstairs.
He changed into the periwinkle skinnies and a black hoodie he had gotten from
Anne, and was fixing his hair in the bathroom when Harry joined him. "You
ready?" Harry asked, changed as well.
"Yeah, lemme just," Louis patted his hair down with a bit more water and turned
to Harry. "Good?"
Harry nodded, smiling widely. "Gorgeous!"
Louis blushed and reached for Harry's hand as he passed him. They walked
downstairs holding hands, Louis in front of Harry, guiding the way. Stan had
let the dogs back in, and he was twirling his car keys in the kitchen.
"You boys ready?" Stan asked, and when they both nodded he guided them out to
the garage.
"You're sure Louis won't be upset?" Harry asked.
"Not much he can do from Doncaster except send me angry emoticons," Stan said
with a laugh.
Traveling with just Stan was different than riding with Louis yesterday.
Instead of having a driver, Alberto, and a luxurious SUV, it was just the three
of them in Stan's reasonably priced car. Stan turned on his stereo, which was
hooked up to phone, and filled the car with music Louis hadn't heard yet. Harry
and he sat in the backseat, holding hands.
They didn’t let go, even after Stan parked and ushered them out of the car.
Louis felt a little thrill shoot him each time they passed someone and they
weren’t given a second glance. Harry kept up the conversation with Stan, asking
him about the area and other mundane questions, because Louis couldn't. Not
when he felt like he was getting away with something big as they walked into
the restaurant.
It was sorta crowded, but it was still early, and the three of them went
through the motions of getting their food. Stan paid for them, and then sat
down in a corner table, so they were at least a little separated from the rest
of the dinner crowd.
"The future isn't too scary is it, boys?" Stan asked, digging into his food.
"Doesn't seem that different," Louis said.
"The clothes are a bit tighter," Harry said. "But besides that it seems the
same. Especially the food."
Louis reached over and took a piece of chicken that Harry had cut up. They’d
gotten the same thing but with different sauces, and Louis wanted to try
Harry's. Harry let him have it without a fuss, and when he dug his fork into
Louis' plate, Louis just pushed it closer so he could get the piece he wanted.
When he looked over, Stan was shaking his head, and Louis wondered if this was
taking PDA too far, but Stan didn't say anything.
"Have you been to L.A.?" Harry asked around a mouthful of food.
Stan nodded. "Yeah, you two have a house there so I went to see it when you
bought it. You spend a lot of time there working with like, big name producers.
I think you've been working with like Adele and Meghan Trainor the past month,
Harry."
"Who?"
"Wait, Adele has that one song I've heard on the radio like a year ago, Chasing
Pavements. She's got a wicked voice," Louis said.
Stan threw his head back and laughed, causing some people to look at them, only
to turn away. Once Stan had collected himself he started speaking. "Yeah, Adele
has that one song. She's a proper legend now. And Meghan Trainor is a new
singer. Her debut song exploded in the U.S."
"And I've been working with them?"
"Course! You're a superstar, Haz. And you don't exactly suck at songwriting
either. Neither of you do, though Louis does tend to get more songs on the
record cause him and Payno are like, really in tune with what it takes to write
a good song or something. I think it's just ‘cause you two get on with Julian
more." Stan shrugged, as though that sentence made any sense to Louis or Harry.
The only thing he took away from it was that their band wasn't some
manufactured pop machine like the first song he had heard led him to believe.
They apparently wrote their own music. That was something promising at least,
because Louis had always been interested in song creation. Knowing that
happened sent a shiver down his spine.
"Do you think I'll be allowed to go see the inside of a studio?" Harry asked.
"What, in L.A.? Yeah probably. Louis is going there for work too. Like he's
been working here a lot, vocal training and shit, but people actually live in
L.A. so he'll be able to sit down with them. The bonus of course is that Haz is
there, so I think you two had some plans to spend a few days relaxing before
tour. But I can't imagine they'll not bring you along when they go to the
studio. It’s kinda the reason you two are going it the U.S."
Harry seemed delighted with the idea, but it made Louis feel a little out of
sorts. It just reminded him that he was going to be alone again.
Stan kicked him under the table. "So, Baby Louis, I was thinking that there are
like a hundred comic book movies that came out in the last five years and you
haven't seen them. I propose a marathon."
Louis looked up and grinned. "Yeah? What came out? Oh shit, Iron Man 2 is out
in May."
"Yes, that. And a couple Thor movies, Cap movies, Avengers, Batman, Superman,
they rebooted Spider-Man."
"Get out," Louis said. "They did another Spider-Man?"
Stan nodded. "With Gwen Stacey this time."
"Fuck, but why?" Louis groaned and shoved his plate away. He was still hungry,
but Harry seemed to take it as a hint that he could dig in. Louis let him,
taking the remainder of what was on Harry's plate in retaliation.
"Kinda jealous," Harry said. "Were the Superman movies good?"
"Are they ever?" Stan asked.
"Yes," both Harry and Louis said at the same time, causing Stan to roll his
eyes.
"Nerds. It was a Superman movie. Oh, Haz, this will interest you. They finally
finished The Hobbit movies."
Harry clapped. "I'll have to watch them."
"You'll probably be able to convince Other Harry to take you to the cinema to
see it. The last one came out a couple weeks ago."
Harry made a happy sound. Louis watched him, unable to take his eyes away.
Harry’s excitement was adorable.
"You know," Stan said slowly. "You meet Sir Ian McKellen."
Harry's head snapped up. "What?"
Stan grinned. "Yeah. He's a big fan."
"Shut up," Harry said. "Don't mess with me, Stanley. I seriously meet Gandalf?"
He didn't sound the least bit menacing and Louis had to stop himself from
laughing at Harry's earnest expression. He was so cute.
"Swear! I got a pic. You were interviewed together on Graham Norton." Stan
pulled out his phone. "Whole band was actually."
Louis leaned forward, waiting for Stan to show his screen. He was careful not
to let them see the screen, muttering about the number of selfies they’d sent
him. He finally turned the phone around, showing a picture of Future Harry and
Louis with Ian McKellen in the middle.
"Is he wearing a shirt from our band?" Harry whispered in shock.
Stan nodded. "Told you he was a fan. I'll have to show you the interview when
we get home."
Louis leaned back. He wasn't sure he'd be able to handle seeing himself in an
interview. "Won't that, like, ruin the time streams?"
Stan shrugged. "How the fuck should I know? It's not like you talk about your
personal life. Just a mention of this award show you went to, and a bit about
the new album. Pretty tame and boring. Not like I'm showing an interview where
you two spend the whole time eye fucking."
"That would be tame," Harry pointed out. "We already know we're together."
Stan's face did something funny, and Louis wanted to ask what that was for.
"Hey. You know who else you met, played with actually? Ronnie Wood."
Harry looked as if he might explode trying to contain his scream. It served a
good distraction from wanting to ask Stan about that look.
                                     *****
Future Louis woke up them up early the next day - impressive since he hadn’t
gotten home until after midnight - for the mid-morning flight he and Harry were
going to take. They had packed the night before, Future Louis putting Harry’s
clothing in his suitcase. Alberto had arrived with the car around eight, and
now all that was left was to say goodbye, which is what Future Louis was
currently doing with the dogs.
“Are you two gonna be good while I’m gone?” Future Louis asked as he kneeled
down to pet both of the dogs. Abby licked his face, and he scrunched up his
nose. “I hate you,” he said. Abby let out a happy bark in retaliation.
Louis had walked in on Harry saying goodbye to Misty in the sun room earlier,
so he knew the only person left to say goodbye was himself. Which led to them
standing awkwardly to the side of Future Louis while Louis tried to work up the
nerve to start off farewells.
Harry was the one to move in for the hug, arms going around his neck, and Louis
returned it easily. He squeezed Harry’s midsection.
“Have a good flight,” he said, not letting go just yet.
“It’ll be three days you two. You will survive without one another,” Future
Louis said. He must finally be done with the dogs if he was busting their
balls.
“Oh shut it. I remember how you were after the X-Factor. ‘Mum, are you sure I
can’t pop over to Cheshire? Just an hour. Harry and I miss each other ever so
much.’”
“Shut the fuck up, Stanley.”
“And you two weren’t even – even like official yet. So your mum didn’t know why
your knickers were in such a twist.”
Louis blocked their banter out, burying his face in Harry’s shoulder. “We’ll be
okay,” he said, more for himself than for Harry.
“Right,” Harry said. “I just don’t want to go back without saying goodbye to
you.”
“Well that’s why we’re saying goodbye now.” Louis felt Harry nod against the
side of his head. And then he heard it, the beginning of sniffles. Louis
started to panic, and he pulled back, cupping Harry’s cheeks. “Hey, hey if we
go back before we see each other, I will find you. We’ll be meeting up in six
months, remember that.”
Harry nodded, his eyes shining. “Okay.” He didn’t wipe his eyes, so Louis
swiped his finger over Harry’s cheek, removing the few tears that fell. “I’ll
miss you.”
Louis swallowed, but managed to smile. “You’ll have me, right over there.” He
nodded his head discreetly in Future Louis’ direction.
“Not the same,” Harry whispered.
“We weren’t that bad, were we?” Future Louis asked, voice loud enough that
Louis realized he was getting impatient.
He stepped away from Harry, but not before pressing a gentle kiss on his cheek.
“I’ll see you soon.”
Future Louis had stopped bouncing on the balls of his feet and turned to Stan
giving him a quick hug. Louis watched them as Harry moved away to grab hold of
one of the suitcases.
“Yes you were. Worse, even,” Stan said. “Have a safe trip. I’ll see you
Wednesday.”
“See you Wednesday,” Future Louis said, giving Louis a look. Louis waved at
him, and Future Louis shook his head, but waved back. Louis was glad they both
seemed to realize it would be strange hugging themselves. “Come on, Baby Hazza,
our chariot awaits.”
Harry gave one more look back at Louis and then he followed Future Louis out
the front door. Louis stood in the doorway until they were packed into the car,
and it had pulled away. Stan’s hand rested on his shoulder. Louis looked up at
him, and tried to give a smile. He was purposefully not thinking about the fact
that he was alone.
“Let’s start this movie marathon,” he said, guiding Louis back inside.
                                     *****
The rest of Sunday passed by in a flurry of Marvel movies, with Louis and Stan
barrelling all the way through Phase One, including what Louis had already
seen, before they broke for a really late dinner. Stan ordered them take out,
and brought Louis along when he went to pick it up.
“So we’ve got four Marvel movies left. We could do like we sometimes do and
stay up until four to finish up all the movies, sleep in until like noon, and
hope for the best or we can be responsible adults and wake up early so I can
drive your sorry arse up to Doncaster and see your mum at a reasonable hour.”
Louis perked up. “Mum, definitely mum.”
Stan smiled at him. “That’s what I thought. It’ll be another early morning for
you, Baby Tommo.”
“Worth it. Will she know I’m coming? Can I see the girls?”
“She knows you’re coming. Louis checked in with her this morning. The babies
are doing better, and while Phoebe seems to have the sniffles it’s not enough
to keep her in bed. She’ll be home all day tomorrow, so if we’re up there by
lunch time we can stay for a few hours before coming home tomorrow night.”
Louis almost asked why they couldn’t stay the night and then he remembered:
Abby and Erik. The housesitter Future Louis and Harry hired wasn’t starting
until Wednesday since Louis and Stan would be there. So unless they brought the
dogs up with them, which seemed unlikely, based on the size of Stan’s car, they
had to be back to take care of them. He sighed. “It’ll be good to see mum.”
Stan reached over and patted his knee. “That’s the spirit, Baby Tommo.”
They ate their food downstairs, with Stan putting on Iron Man 3 while they
waited for Future Louis to text that they had landed. Louis was apprehensive as
the minutes ticked by passed the time Future Louis had said their flight was
getting in. It wasn’t that he thought anything bad had happened to the plan, he
was afraid they would forget about him here. He knew it was stupid, but he
couldn’t shut it off.
Stan’s phone finally went off right after the movie started, confirming that
Future Louis and Harry had landed safely. Then, finally, Louis could relax and
enjoy the rest of the movie. And it was a good movie, definitely better than he
was expecting from a third Iron Man movie. He wasn’t feeling too tired when
they were done, and if it weren’t for the fact that he was seeing his mum in
the morning he would pester Stan to continue until they were all out of Marvel
movies to watch. But because he was seeing her, he dutifully followed Stan
upstairs and into the kitchen.
His mind was still racing though, and he knew he would need to do something to
calm down before he fell asleep. He hadn’t had that problem the last couple
nights because Harry had been there, and now Louis wondered if Harry was really
good at that. He bit his lip, and decided to go for it.
“Is there any chance I could do that video chat with Harry?” Louis asked as he
stood there in the kitchen. “It’s still like early there right?”
Stan frowned, flipping his phone. “I don’t have an iPhone and Louis took his
laptop. We can call and see if they pick up?”
“That won’t be too much for long distance?” Louis asked.
“Nah, I have a plan to include it ‘cause you get needy.” Stan nodded his head
towards Louis. “As demonstrated.”
“I’m not needy…” Louis said, but he knew he didn’t sound very convincing.
“Course not, Baby Tommo.” Stan unlocked his phone and pressed call, putting the
phone on the countertop.
Louis could hear it ring, and he waited, hoping Future Louis would pick up.
The phone clicked. “Hello?”
It was Harry. Louis couldn’t tell if it was Future Harry or his Harry, but that
didn’t matter.
“Haz? Hey, it’s me Stan.”
“I saw on the ID. That’s not a very flattering picture of you. What did that
stuffed animal ever do to you?”
Stan let out a loud laugh. “Too many horrible things, Baby Haz. This is Baby
Haz, right?”
“Uh, yeah. Louis left his phone out on the counter and I heard it ring and saw
it was you. That’s alright, isn’t it? I can go get Older Me or Louis?”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’m sure they are busy,” Stan said. “I’m only calling to
talk to you anyway. Your Louis just wanted to call and check in on you. We’re
gonna be heading to bed in a few. Have an early morning tomorrow.” He pushed
the phone towards Louis indicating he should pick it up.
“Oh! That’s okay,” Harry said, voice chipper.
Louis took the phone and turned off the speaker, holding it up to his ear. Stan
made a few hand motions and then edged out of the kitchen, towards Future
Louis’ office.
“Hi,” he said, cutting off Harry’s babbling about how okay he was with talking
to Louis.
“Hi,” Harry said. “What’s up?”
Louis didn’t really know what to say, he’d just wanted to hear Harry’s voice.
“How’s it there?”
“It’s really nice!” Harry said, and it killed Louis that he couldn’t see his
face. He sounded so excited. “Grown-up me is really funny, so that’s something
to look forward to.” Louis swallowed, nodding even though Harry couldn’t see
him. “They… we make each other laugh a lot.”
“That’s… good,” Louis finally said. He didn’t know why it was so awkward to get
conversation going. He should just talk to Harry about the movies, or ramble
about how he was going to see him mum, but his mind was blank. “I miss you,”
Louis confessed.
“I miss you too,” Harry said. “I can’t wait til Wednesday. This house is
awesome. It’s really different from the one in London, all modern looking, but
just as big. And there’s a pool! The outside space is super sick. I bet you’ll
love it. Future You does. He lit up the moment we came up to the house.”
Louis cut Harry off before he could keep rambling. “I bet I will. I get to see
my mum tomorrow.”
Harry cheered, and it brought a smile to Louis’ face. “You should call me and
tell me all about it. And I can fill you on what’s happening here. Older Me
said he’d take me around the neighborhood.”
“I will. We need to drive back from Doncaster so I’ll have time in the car.”
Louis looked to the side to see Stan was lingering in the doorway of Future
Louis’ office. “I should probably go. Don’t want to do too much damage to
Stan’s phone bill.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow then!” Harry said. “Just have Stan message one of the
Older Us-es or something and I’ll call.”
“Alright, I can do that.” Louis took a deep breath. “Have fun, Harry.”
“You two, Lou. I’ll see you soon.”
“Definitely.” Louis was grinning when he ended the call. He glanced back over
to where Stan was standing.
He was in the doorway to Future Louis’ office and he beckoned Louis over once
he saw he was off the phone. Louis went over, because he still hadn’t been
inside the room, and he was curious what it had in it, especially now he knew
what Future Louis did for a living. He wondered what a pop star’s office would
look like.
“Come on in,” Stan said. When Louis just stood there Stan stepped to the side.
“Louis wanted you to see this.”
Louis narrowed his eyes, but cautiously walked up to the office door. He could
already see that the room was a mess, with papers all over the desk, chair, and
keyboard that filled up most of the room. The curtains were drawn, and the
walls were covered in framed… awards.
Louis blinked. “Wow,” he whispered, walking around the room to look at each
award. There were albums with the certificates from when they had gone platinum
in various countries, and on the shelves were actual statues. He lingered over
reading each one, soaking it all up.
“Louis - You in the future, sorta use your office as a motivation place
whenever you’re feeling down.”
Louis listened as Stan rambled on about all the reasons Future Louis wanted him
to see the room, about how he thought it would help Louis know this was all
real, that they could succeed, and would be a star. It was his legacy, and he
was going to live it soon.
He stopped at the desk, flopping down in the chair. The papers, he realized,
were all covered in handwriting, his handwriting. They were songs that he had
written, or was writing. Louis smiled, shifting the papers around. There were
pictures on the desk as well, though they were mostly hidden under the papers.
He wasn’t surprised to see that the wedding photo from Future Louis’ iPad was
one of the pictures. The other pictures included his sisters, him with the
band, and him and Harry. It was all strangely comforting. He hadn’t really
imagined becoming a businessman, but he’d always just assumed that this was
what someone successful was supposed to have. An office with pictures of your
family, and look, he did.
His hands grazed a notebook, and Louis paused. It was leatherbound, and heavy.
He glanced up at Stan, who was just watching him from the door but not saying
anything, so he shrugged to himself and picked it up. Stan would probably yell
at him if he did anything Future Louis would be upset about.
He flipped open the notebook, and wasn’t too surprised to see it was filled
with more handwriting. He could see a few different people’s handwriting, but
the majority looked like his, with music notes drawn to show how he seemed to
think the melody should be.
Louis didn’t even attempt to hum any of the songs, because he didn’t know what
had come to fruition. It would be embarrassing to start singing something that
Stan had on his phone. He flipped to the front of the notebook, and his eyes
caught writing on the inside cover. Someone had written him an inscription,
like his grandparents had done when they bought him books when he was a lot
younger.
Had his grandparents given him the notebook to write in?
The inscription read, “May the words come as easily as my love for you.” It
didn’t have a signature; instead there were doodles of music notes, hearts, and
two stick figures holding hands. Louis cracked a smile. It must have been given
to him by Harry.
He kept going through the notebook, now giving it extra attention since he knew
what Harry’s handwriting looked like. Harry didn’t seem to write that much in
the notebook, but he was pretty sure the random hearts and doodles were done by
him. A lot of the other handwriting seemed to be from “Liam” if Louis was
following the conversations correctly.
LIAM ARE YOU WRITING ABOUT RIMMING? I’M SO PROUD! One note from him read,
pointing to a line that said, “Taste on my tongue/I don’t want to wash away the
night before”. Presumably Liam was the one who followed up with, noooooooo. The
banter continued: Future Louis responded with a quip about brushing your teeth
after swallowing semen, and then a third person who Louis didn’t recognize
entered the conversation with “BLOWIE HYGIENE 101: SPIT DON'T SWALLOW.” This
only brought on a range of responses that quickly turned into lots of
exclamation points, and Harry wrote "spitters are quitters”. He turned the
page, not prepared to deal with those kind of shenanigans.
Louis snorted, moving onto the next page. “’Tell Liam he eats Eskimos feet.’ Do
I not get on with Liam?” He looked up at Stan.
Stan gave him a strange look from the door. “Nah. You two are really close. I
mean, he’s not Harry or me, but Liam, Zayn, and Niall are your brothers. Why?”
“I overheard Future Louis on the phone with, I think it was Liam? And he was
giving him a lot of shit? And now these notes to each other? This one says
‘Have you wanked today, Payno? Need a hand?’ Payno is Liam, right? Pretty sure
that’s his handwriting with a bunch of sad faces after it.”
Stan let out a laugh, walked forward, and took the notebook from Louis’ hands.
“Yup, Payno is Liam. You show your affection through shit talking. You know
that, don’t you?”
Louis shrugged. It worked fine with Stan, or Oli and the rest of his friends
here, but he couldn’t imagine it working with new people. He was pretty sure
the reason Stan stuck by him was because of his fungus like attributes. “Always
thought I’d grow out of it.”
“Louis Tomlinson? Grow up? That’ll be the day. You still show you love people
by pulling pranks on them, and telling them they suck. No need to impress
anyone, or change the way you are.”
Louis fidgeted. “Don’t seem to be that way with Harry.”
Stan’s smile went soft. “Well that’s totally different. Harry’s the love of
your life. Wouldn’t be right to shit talk him, would it? I mean you two banter,
and it’s top class, but… you love him. And you show it a lot.”
“I’m not a shitty boyfriend then?”
Stan laughed. “Have you seen yourself with Harry? You are many things, my
friend, but a shitty boyfriend is not one of them.” He handed the notebook back
to Louis. “You ready for bed?”
Louis looked around the office once more the proof that he was one day going to
live his life making music, writing songs with a group of crazy people, and be
married to someone who loved him with all their heart. He understood why Future
Louis wanted him to see it.
“Yeah.”
                                     *****
True to his word, Stan rolled Louis out of bed bright and early so they could
make the trip up to Doncaster. Louis debated dressing up for his mum, but then
decided she would probably think something was wrong, and he didn’t want her to
worry. The ride up was boring and quiet for the most part, though Louis liked
when he started to recognize the area they were passing by.
“It’s been so strange,” he said, “not knowing where I’ve been.”
“I believe it,” Stan said. “But you know, I’ve been thinking about all the ways
this could have been worse. Like, what if you’d been transported here, but into
your older body? Think how fucked you would have been.”
“That is a horrifying thought.”
“You would have gotten dragged to all these business meetings, royally fucked
them up all up, gotten yourself written up in The Sun about having a drug
addiction and going mad…”
“I would have been in that body with those tattoos.”
Stan laughed. “Hey! Leave those alone. You do end up getting them.”
“I hate tattoos, you know that. Was I drunk or something? Do I actually have a
drug and drink problem? You can tell me. It’ll set me on the straight and
narrow.”
Stan laughed again. “No! I promise all those tattoos are carefully thought out.
Well, minus like one or two. Pretty sure you just got some cause you wanted
something stupid and random and Zayn had a tattoo gun.”
Louis frowned, but felt confident that Stan knew what he was talking about. He
still couldn’t see it, but he supposed one day he’d understand. They lapsed
into another comfortable silence until arriving in Doncaster and Louis began to
really recognize where they were. Stan had said his mum didn’t live where she’d
used to, but still, it was strange when they veered off the path that led to
where he considered home.
The house Stan pulled up to was definitely not the house he had grown up in. It
was a bit bigger, though not as large as Future Louis’ house, and maybe not big
enough for everyone to have their own room, but still. It was nice. Stan parked
in the street, and climbed out without looking back at Louis. So all he could
do was follow Stan up the stairs to the front door, which Stan then knocked on.
At first, he didn’t hear much noise, but then there was shuffling and the door
opened to reveal his mum. She was older, he could tell, but she looked so happy
and healthy. There were still signs of exhaustion that always followed her
around, but they weren’t as prominent, especially with the way she lit up when
her eyes landed on him.
“Oh, Boobear!” She cried, wrapping him up in her arms.
He fell into her embrace, returning the hug and soaking up the feeling of her.
It hit him then that he hadn’t seen her for four days. He hadn’t gone away on
bad terms by any means, but it was still such a relief to see her again. They
stood there in the doorway, hugging each other for what seemed like forever,
and also not long enough. The only reason they even parted was because there
was a baby’s laugh, and his mum finally pulled away.
“Come in, come in,” she said, ushering them in.
Stan hung by the door, smiling. “I’ve actually got errands to run, so I was
gonna go. I’ll be back around seven? That’ll be after dinner right?”
Louis looked at Stan, and then his mum who was nodding. “Yeah, should be done
with dinner. Thanks, Stan.”
“No problem, Mama Jay.” Stan leaned in and gave her a hug before leaving.
His mum brought him into the house, and kept hold of his hand as she led him
into the living room. The house was definitely bigger than his old one, but it
still felt like home as he came into the inviting living room which had a play
pen set up in the middle. His mum brought him over to where he saw his future
baby siblings were. They were wearing matching shirts and baby trousers, one in
red and white and the other in orange and white.
“You don’t mind being introduced, do you?”
“Course not,” Louis said, smiling as the twin dressed in a red and white
started a hybrid of crawling and walking towards the edge of the playpen. “You
still trust me to pick them up right?” He asked, even though he wasn’t sure
why. They were his siblings after all, and he had done his fair share of
raising the other girls.
His mum gave him a look. “That’s Doris,” she said as Louis reached down and
picked Doris up, much to her delight. He brought her up to his face, rubbing
noses gently with her as he made sure he had her supported correctly.
“Hi Doris,” he whispered. “Do you recognize me?” He didn’t know how old she
was, but when all she did was giggle and wave her hands around his face Louis
assumed she wasn’t old enough to start talking. That didn’t mean he wasn’t
going to talk to her. “That’s okay, I don’t recognize you either. I’m Louis,
your big brother.” Doris’ hand flailed near his face and he caught it, giving
the knuckles a kiss. “Are you old enough to say ‘hi’ yet?”
“Not quite,” his mum said, picking up Ernest and guiding them over to the couch
so they could sit down. “They’ll be one in a little less than a month.”
Ernest giggled and Louis looked over at him even as he leaned back so Doris
could lay on his chest. “You two grow up fast don’t you?”
“You’re telling me,” his mum said. “Look at you! I saw you just two days ago
and you were all scruffy and grown up, and now I’m looking at you from what?
2010?”
Louis nodded. “Yeah, I haven’t even auditioned for X-Factor yet.”
His mum let out a sigh. “You all grow up so fast. Wait until you see the
girls.” Ernest gurgled and Louis pulled a face at him. “Here, let’s switch,”
his mum said, maneuvering so they traded babies. Ernest was even more flail-
y than his sister and Louis ended up almost taking a fist to the eye before he
settled Ernest down on his chest.
“So everything is okay with you in the future? You look happy,” he said, not
asking any questions about the inevitable divorce and what caused it. He’d find
out in his own time, and at least he knew now that it all worked out.
“Oh Boobear, I don’t want for anything,” his mum said, leaning her head over to
rest on his shoulder. “Not even a second set of hands.”
Louis laughed and shifted closer to her. “If you promise.”
“Could go for a nap after we feed the babies though.”
“Just go to sleep on the couch?”
“Lottie’s train from London doesn’t get in until almost 3:30 and Dan picks the
girls up from school today. I think we’ll be able to squeeze in a quick nap
without anyone knowing.” She winked at him as she stood up.
“Lottie is in London?” Louis asked, following her into the kitchen where two
high chairs were set up already. He strapped in Ernest while making funny
faces, waiting for his mum to answer.
“She’s a make-up artist’s apprentice. She’s been doing work down in London and
then she’ll be going on tour with your band.”
Louis couldn’t stop the grin coming to his face. “Lottie comes with me?”
“She’s been helping since last summer. She still lives here but Lou - that’s
who she works under - let’s her stay with her when they have work.”
They fell into a comfortable routine that Louis remembered from when Phoebe and
Daisy were babies. It was nice to do something as mind-numbingly familiar as
this, and having his mum’s constant chatter as she talked to him about what it
was like to move into the new house helped keep him in an almost floating state
of happiness.
Once the babies were fed and laid down for a nap, Louis found himself curled up
with his mum on the couch, napping until they were woken up by one of the
babies crying, in need a diaper change. From there it was even more routine
that kept Louis from thinking about how this wasn’t actually his life. Changing
Ernest was a bit of a different adventure than he was used to, but he got
through it with minimal urine on him, and his mum only laughing at him for a
minute.
He considered himself lucky.
By the time the girls came home, Louis was feeling very relaxed and
comfortable, so much that seeing how much they had grown in five years didn’t
come as big of a shock. Sure, all of them were definitely grown up - and he
made sure to be appropriately impressed with Daisy and Phoebe, as well as
contrite enough when Lottie and Fizzy threatened him bodily harm when he
commented on their makeup - but they were his sisters at the end of it. That
had definitely not changed.
“Homework!” His mum said, clapping her hands and directing the traffic of too
many bodies that tended to happen in their house.
Phoebe and Daisy wandered off to the kitchen to follow her orders, while Fizzy
wandered upstairs because she was old enough to study without someone looking
over her shoulder, as she made sure to point out. That left Louis in the living
room with Lottie and the babies. He realized that the mysterious Dan had
managed to sneak in without saying hello to him, but Louis found he couldn’t
blame him too much. This was probably incredibly strange for him since they
hadn’t met yet, and he tried to not hold it against the man. … Unless it turned
out he was a royal dick. And then he would make sure to tell Future Louis and
have Dan’s life made a living hell.
But for now, he’d roll with it.
“So is it true that there’s a little Harry in the future too?” Lottie asked,
sitting down on the couch next to Louis, opening up a bag of crisps. He’d just
put Doris back in the playpen so he realized he had no means to distract her,
which he figured was sort of the point. She had that look in her eye that
usually spelled trouble for him.
Louis nodded, because that seemed like a safe bet. Lottie seemed a lot more
confident in herself than she had been five years ago, and that was good, it
was. But it also meant she was likely to actually say all the things she had
been thinking when she was younger and wanted to call Louis on his shit, but
didn’t because she respected him. This was uncharted territory.
“I know him better than you,” Lottie said with a wink. “Used to have the most
massive crush on him, but you always warned me off. Said he was too old for me.
Didn’t even tell me the truth ‘til last year, that you two were together, and
you only bit that bullet cause you were proposing.”
Louis stared. He hadn’t been expecting her to go right for this, but again -
uncharted territory. He retaliated the only way he knew. He snatched the bag of
crisps from her hand. “Maybe I didn’t tell you cause you have a big mouth.”
Lottie pouted. “Gimme the bag back.” This was much more familiar, and Louis
made a show of eating a crisp even though it was a flavor he wasn’t a big fan
of. “I will sit on you, Lewis. I’m not twelve anymore.” Louis kept the bag away
from her until he felt sharp stings in his bicep. “My nails will draw blood.
Hand over my snack food.”
He groaned and held on, because so far every time he had gotten into this sort
of situation in the future he had been bullied into giving up. He refused to
let that happen with his sister.
She stepped on him.
Literally planted her foot on his thigh and stepped on him to get leverage to
reach the bag.
Louis cursed, dropping the bag on the floor. The crisps didn’t scatter, which
he was thankful for because his mum had a sixth sense for messes. Lottie cried
out dramatically, and draped herself the rest of the way over Louis to grab the
bag. He groaned, and shoved her off, only after he saw that she had indeed
gotten the bag.
“I’d forgotten how mean you were,” she said, sticking out her lower lip as she
settled back down beside him. “No wonder I like Harry more.”
Louis stuck out his tongue. “Well I like Harry more than I like you and I’ve
only known him a couple days.”
Lottie rolled her eyes and munched on a crisp. “I’m very impressed with your
dedication by the way. I know you hate cheddar cheese.”
He laughed. “That’s right, appreciate me. Feed my ego.”
“Your ego is big enough, superstar,” Lottie said, tugging on his ear while she
continued to eat.
“You’re gonna spoil your dinner.”
“I skipped lunch ‘cause I had to catch a train to come up and see you. Because
I love you. So much.”
Louis couldn’t stop feeling incredibly loved by that, and he showed it by
wrapping his arms around Lottie’s shoulders. “I love you too.”
“Am I your favorite sister?” She asked.
“Don’t tell the others,” he whispered, causing her to laugh.
“Then make sure to tell me this time when you and Harry start dating.”
That caused Louis to frown and he hooked his chin onto her shoulder. “That
really upset you, me not saying anything?” She nodded. “Did you hate me or
something?”
“We got in a few fights about it, to be honest. I mean, you and Harry have been
together for so long, and I only just found out. And you did straight lie to my
face a good chunk of the time. You and mum.”
“But we’re good now?”
Lottie smiled. “We’re good now. Up until you realize I’ve snogged him, and he’s
decided I’m the much better Tomlinson.”
Louis frowned. “He’s fifteen. Much too young for you.”
Lottie cackled. “Oh that’s rich. Before he was too old, now he’s too young.
He’s turning sixteen on the first. We’ll be the same age.”
“His birthday is the first?”
Lottie nodded, grinning. “Yup. Better get ready for that. Especially since
you’ll have two Harry’s you’ll want to impress. Bet your more successful self
is already planning something.”
“Who says I want to impress him?”
Lottie gave him a look. “You’re Louis and he’s Harry. You’ll want to impress
him. Maybe you should make the two of them cards.”
That… didn’t sound like too bad of an idea. Louis made some pretty legendary
cards. There was just a good chance he had already done that for Future Harry.
He sighed, and tried not to look like he was already thinking about it.
Lottie’s look told him he wasn’t fooling her, but what did she know?
“I’m your sister; I know everything,” Lottie said, kissing his forehead and
ruffling his fringe.
“Ugh, I hate you.” Louis tried to pat it back down, but it didn’t want to
cooperate. Lottie made a tutting sound and she ran her fingers through it until
it was lying flat once again.
“There, now you look presentable for when you see Harry again.”
Louis groaned. “I won’t see him until Wednesday. He’s already in L.A.”
Her laugh was interrupted by their mum calling them in for dinner.
Dinner was a loud event. The food was leftovers, but they were delicious. Dan,
after he officially met him, seemed nice, though he was a little young in
Louis’ opinion. The girls’ seemed to like him, and Fizzy made sure to lean over
a whisper that he was decent loud enough for the whole table to hear. Dan took
it all in stride, though Louis did notice he was a little unsure of how to
handle Louis, but that seemed to be the worst of him, which boded well for life
in their house.
By the time Stan picked him up, his mum was trying to put the babies to bed,
but Doris was still up, and playful.
“You’ve excited her too much,” his mum tutted, but she didn’t really seem to
mind, as she took a video of Louis pulled faces just to make Doris laugh.
“Well she’s been sick,” Louis argued, gumming at Doris’ arm.
“Have fun playing with babies?” Stan asked, waving at everyone from the
doorway.
“Of course I did,” Louis said, finally handing her back to his mum. He gave his
mum one last kiss and hug before he let Stan lead him outside.
He realized he wasn’t even that sad about leaving, because he had had so much
fun, and he was safe in the knowledge everyone he loved was happy. It was a
good feeling.
Chapter End Notes
     I swear next chapter we will actually finally meet Future Harry.
***** Interlude I *****
Chapter Notes
     This wasn't meant to be posted as part of the fic proper, but I
     wanted to post something today so here we are! The proper chapter
     will be out as soon as possible :)
     Two "outtakes", one from Baby Harry and one from Future Harry's POV.
     Future Harry's POV is just plain (sorta-non-vanilla??? idk i'm an
     awful judge of this) smut and I'm not sorry about that. I realized
     we're 36k into a rated E fic and I haven't written so much as an
     accidental boner so well... you deserve it. Especially since Baby
     Harry and Louis aren't getting any for a while. If you don't like
     smut for some reason you are free to skip Interlude 1B. If you do
     like smut for some reason you are free to skip down to Interlude 1B :
     D
     This is unbeta'd and I'm sorry for any spelling/grammar errors.
                                 INTERLUDE 1A
Harry was nervous as the car they took from the airport pulled into a gated
driveway. He hadn’t slept on the plane, even though Future Louis had offered
him the bed. He was too wired, too nervous, too everything. His mind was racing
through a million different scenarios about what he was going to see once he
got to Future Harry and Louis’ house. Most of them didn’t make any sense,
because he was pretty positive Future Louis would have mentioned if they had
adopted a kid, or if Harry one day developed a really awful temper that didn’t
come out over a fifteen minute video chat. But that was the thing with
irrational fears.
Harry watched the scenery as they drove through a picturesque neighborhood,
holding Future Louis’ hand in the backseat. That was the only thing keeping him
from jumping out of his skin. Future Louis had been holding his hand almost
nonstop since they had gotten into the car together in London.
The car pulled into a gated driveway, and parked right behind a small white car
that someone was getting out of.
“Excellent, we didn’t beat Harry home,” Future Louis said, letting go of
Harry’s hand, unbuckling his seatbelt, and climbing out of the car.
Harry watched through the front window as Future Harry and Louis embraced and
kissed each other hello. He found himself frozen in the backseat because this
was the moment. He didn’t know what moment, but it was the moment. He was
meeting his future self. How many people had this sort of opportunity?
He knew of one, and he suddenly really, really wanted Louis - past Louis, his
Louis - beside him to share this moment.
When he refocused on the present Future Harry had let go of Future Louis and
was coming towards their car. “Grab that bag from the car, could you Lou? Oh
hello, Alberto,” Future Harry hugged Alberto on his way to the backseat of the
car. “I stopped off and bought us some burritos. Figured you might not have
eaten yet.” He stopped in front of Harry’s opened door, and ducked a little so
he could look in. “Hello there.”
Harry swallowed, and tried to smile. “Hi.”
Future Harry was… something else. His hair was ridiculously long, going passed
his shoulders. He had an aura of calm around him that Harry was envious of
because he knew he definitely didn’t exude that. Future Harry seemed like the
kind of person who wore what he wanted, and did what he wanted, with no regard
for what other people thought about him.
Harry loved him instantly, and he decided in that moment he was going to do
whatever he could to grow up to become that person, because it was possible.
He surprised both of them by throwing his arms around Future Harry’s waist.
Future Harry’s hands ended up resting in his hair, letting Harry hold onto him
for as long as he needed.
“What’s all this then? Looks like you’ve grown an attachment there, Harold.”
Harry peeked out from Future Harry’s chest to look at Future Louis. “Name’s not
Harold. Don’t you know that? What kind of husband are you?”
Future Louis grinned and reached over to pinch his cheek. “Look at you, so
adorably indignant. You haven’t scolded me about that in ages.”
Future Harry leaned over and kissed the smug grin off of Future Louis’ mouth,
and Harry disentangled himself from Future Harry. “I could start again if you
miss it that much.”
Harry grabbed Future Harry’s hand before he could walk away, and okay that was
probably weird but Future Harry didn’t even look back at him. He just pulled
Harry out of the car and guided them towards the stairs off the driveway.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” Future Harry said, voice low and teasing. “Make
yourself at home.”
Harry blinked, drinking in the green and lush courtyard. “Wow,” he said.
“Beautiful, right?” Future Louis asked.
“You know it is,” Harry said. “And this is really yours?”
“Yup, bought it last year. Needed a home base in L.A.,” Future Harry said.
They ascended the front steps and walked into the open living room. Around the
corner was a large kitchen, which was where they set up lunch. Future Harry had
bought him a burrito that he refused to list the ingredients of. He just kept
smiling whenever Harry asked him.
“Eat it, Child Me. It’s the same thing I’m eating here.” Future Harry held out
his own burrito, which had a huge bite taken out of it. Harry could see beans
and rice, and he sighed, but bit into the burrito.
He gave Future Harry a look. “It’s just ground beef with rice and beans?”
Future Harry seemed to think his reaction was hilarious, because he threw his
head back as he laughed. “Of course it is! What did you think we would get?”
“I don’t know! You were being so secretive! I thought maybe it was super spicy
or some weird meat!”
“You are not that exciting, Baby Hazza,” Future Louis said. “You still dip your
chips in mayo because you think it’s proper posh, and your favorite drink is
water.”
“It is not,” Harry and Future Harry said at the same time.
Future Harry held up his hand and Harry high-fived it.
Future Louis was smiling as they pulled their hands apart. “Nerds.”
“Rude,” Future Harry mumbled around a mouthful of burrito. “Bet you and Child
Louis are the exact same.”
“We are definitely not.”
“They are,” Harry said, and when Future Harry and Louis looked at him he
wondered if he wasn’t supposed to say anything.
“Go on?” Future Harry said, giving Future Louis a huge grin.
“Oh well, you should see them with Stan. He’ll do something and they will both
sigh, all offended.”
Future Harry laughed and pointed at Future Louis. “I love that offended sigh.
It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
Future Louis rolled his eyes. “You’re ridiculous.” He crumpled up his burrito
wrapper. “I’m headed to take a nap. Didn’t get any sleep on the flight.”
Future Harry looked concerned, even after Future Louis had kissed him on the
lips and left the room, going down the stairs back near the front room. Harry
finished up his own burrito before speaking. “I couldn’t sleep, so he stayed up
with me.”
Future Harry’s face cleared and he smiled. “That makes sense. How about I take
you downstairs so you can pick out a room for yourself before Child Louis gets
here? We have a few spare rooms. So there’s plenty of room for you two to
spread out.”
Harry felt himself blush, and he looked away from Future Harry. He had assumed
he and Louis would be sharing once Louis got here, but from the way Future
Harry spoke it made it sound like they wouldn’t. “Actually, I was… Louis and I
shared a room back in London.”
Future Harry shrugged as he rounded the island and headed towards the stairs.
“Fine by me. You guys can share the downstairs then. Give each of us some
privacy.”
“Oh no it’s not! We just… like to cuddle.” Harry grabbed his suitcase before he
followed after Future Harry.
Future Harry shrugged again, but he was smiling. “It’s okay. I am the last
person you need to explain yourself to. Louis and I slept in the same bed
during the X-Factor and we were sharing with the other boys. It was a tiny bunk
bed, but we were adamant about sharing it. Our backs did not thank us, for the
record.”
“Louis, Older Louis, when he found out we shared one of the twins he told us we
should have used the bigger bed.”
“Speaking from experience.” Harry turned left once he got to the bottom of the
stairs, where there was an open door. “This should work out for you two.” He
indicated for Harry to go in.
“Wow,” Harry said, which seemed to be his default response to everything Future
Harry had. The room was huge and brightly lit from the sun outside. “Is that
our own deck thing?” Harry went to the sliding glass door on the other side of
the bed and unlocked it to look outside. It looked private.
“We can see into it from the kitchen so don’t walk around nude if you don’t
want to risk that, but yeah it’s private.”
Harry shrugged. “Don’t really care.”
Future Harry made the rock on gesture with his hand. “Rock out with your cock
out.”
Harry burst out of laughing. “What? What does that even mean?”
Future Harry just shook his head. “Are you good down here? I don’t want to
leave you if you aren’t, but I should probably make sure Louis didn’t pass out
on the floor or something.”
Harry crossed his arms over his chest. “Or something.”
Future Harry kept his face neutral, not giving anything away. “You’ve got free
reign of the house.”
“Just don’t open the doors that have mysterious sounds coming from them.”
At that Future Harry cracked a smile. “Well, they probably won’t be mysterious.
You’ll recognize at least one set of them.”
“You’re wrong. I’ll probably recognize both sets.”
Future Harry cackled. “You learn quick. I’ll see you in a bit, Child Me.” He
headed back up the stairs, leaving Harry alone to unpack.
And so he did, neatly refolding everything and putting them in the one set of
drawers. After that he took a quick shower, because even a private plane left
him feeling a little icky. He was happy when it turned out the shower wasn’t
ridiculously hard to operate, because it meant he didn’t have to go and
interrupt his future self.
When he was clean and changed he climbed the stairs, not bothering to explore
anything but the top floor. He was just about to pass the kitchen when a
buzzing caught his attention, and he glanced over to see it was a phone. He
wondered if he should just let it ring, but then he saw the callerID.
Stan’s picture was of him mock-fucking an oversized teddy bear and Harry picked
it up before he thought better of it.
“Hello?” He asked, worried there might have been an emergency.
“Haz? Hey, it’s me Stan.”
“I saw on the ID. That’s not a very flattering picture of you. What did that
stuffed animal ever do to you?”
“Too many horrible things, Baby Haz. This is Baby Haz, right?”
Harry adjusted the phone against his ear. It was ridiculously oversized, making
it awkward to actually use as a phone. “Uh, yeah. Louis left his phone out on
the counter and I heard it ring and saw it was you. That’s alright, isn’t it? I
can go get Older Me or Louis?”
“No, no, it’s fine. I’m sure they are busy,” Stan said, and Harry rolled his
eyes. He was very sure they were busy too. “I’m only calling to talk to you
anyway. Your Louis just wanted to call and check in on you. We’re gonna be
heading to bed in a few. Have an early morning tomorrow.”
“Oh! That’s okay,” Harry said, suddenly connecting the dots. Yes, getting a
call from Stan meant he could talk to Louis. His Louis.
They spoke for a few minutes, and at the end of the conversation Harry was left
buzzing. Louis missed him. Maybe even as much as Harry missed him, which, when
he thought about it was a lot.
He explored the rest of the top floor, finding another living room tucked away
behind some sliding doors, an upstairs bathroom, and a foyer that opened up to
a bridge that connected the house to a guest house. Once he was satisfied he
knew the top floor by heart he went outside. Alberto was standing near the
guest house talking with another man who Harry didn’t recognize. He assumed the
man was another security guard, and so he lingered closer to the house, not
wanting to bother them if they were doing something important.
Alberto waved to him, and he gave a small wave back, making his way to the
pool, since that was far enough away it wouldn’t bother anyone. He dipped his
foot in, frowning at how cold it was. It didn’t get any warmer the longer he
kept his foot in the pool, but he grit his teeth and bared it until he had both
of his legs in the water and he was sitting comfortably on the side.
He swirled his foot around, hoping he didn’t catch hypothermia. Alberto was
still talking with the other security guard so there was a good chance nothing
bad would happen to him.
“Mind if I join you?”
Harry had to cover his eyes to see Future Harry standing there. “It’s your
house.”
Future Harry sat down next to him, putting his own feet in the pool. Now that
he wasn’t in the direct sunlight Harry was able to look at him. He’d changed
clothes, but besides that Harry couldn’t see any real difference in him. He
wasn’t sure what he had been looking for, evidence of some kind he supposed,
but he didn’t know what that looked like. It wasn’t like Future Louis would
leave a big mark that said Louis Has Been Here.
“How’d you know I was out here?”
“Lucky guess,” Future Harry said, stretching his arms over his head. “Our room
opens up right into the courtyard so there was no harm in checking.”
Harry hummed. “Your pool is cold.”
“It’s January. What did you expect? It’s only like twenty-one, twenty-two most
days. We hit twenty-seven last week I think.”
“Then why have the pool open.”
“Morning swim wakes me up. You should try it.”
“Does Louis join you?”
Future Harry snorted. “If by join you mean sit on the side and squirt a water
gun at me? Yes, he does join me.”
“Why do you let him have a water gun? I’ve only known him for a couple days and
even I know that leads no where good.”
Future Harry nodded towards an outdoor shelving unit that Harry had just
assumed held towels. “We have a whole arsenal in there.” He swung his legs out
of the water and walked over to open the unit. He pulled out a pink water
pistol and filled it with water.
Harry only had a second before he was being shot with the water. He shrieked
because even in a tiny spray it was still cold. Future Harry didn’t let up,
coming closer to Harry with each shot he took.
Harry waved his arms in front of him, trying desperately to keep the water
away, but it was futile. Future Harry got right next to him, and Harry finally
lost his battle with balance and toppled into the pool.
It was freezing and he broke the surface shivering.
“You fucking suck,” Harry said through chattering teeth.
Future Harry just shrugged and stripped off the sleeveless shirt he was wearing
before getting in the water after him. “It’s the only way to get used to it.”
“I’m going to turn into an icicle.”
Harry watched as Future Harry started to swim the length of the pool and he
dove for the water pistol Future Harry had left when he got into the pool. He
filled it up and then swam to the end of the pool Future Harry would be coming
to next. Right as Future Harry raised his head up to take a breath Harry fired.
Future Harry sputtered and rose to his full height, wiping his face. He fixed
Harry with a look before he lunged for the pistol. Harry dodged him, but just
barely, and wrestling for control over one pink water pistol was how Future
Louis found them about ten minutes later.
                                     *****
                                 INTERLUDE 1B
Louis was on him the moment he shut the door to their bedroom, pushing at his
shirt as if it was personally offending him.
“Of all the fucking times to not wear one of your ridiculous tit shirts,” Louis
groused, trying to pull the t-shirt over Harry’s head.
Harry laughed, letting him do what he wanted. Louis didn’t seem impressed with
his non-compliance, and he was pouting by the time he got Harry’s shirt off and
tossed in the general direction of the dirty clothes. “Hello to you too, love.”
“You took your sweet time,” Louis complained, hands dropping to Harry’s belt.
He caught Louis’ hands, and brought them up to his mouth, kissing Louis’
thumbs. “I was making sure my younger counterpart was set up. And you need to
show patience.”
“I have been incredibly patient, now please get naked so I can fuck you.”
Harry couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he kissed Louis’ knuckles, edging
them back towards the bed. “And they say romance is dead.”
Louis let himself be pushed onto the bed, and he even scrambled backwards so
Harry had room to climb on top of him. “You know, this would be easier if we
weren’t wearing any clothing.”
“Patience,” Harry said as he leaned forward and kissed Louis. It was a proper
kiss, since they hadn’t had one yet. He had been nervous about being too
affectionate in front of his younger self, since he couldn’t exactly remember
what had been going through his head at that point in time. Looking back now he
couldn’t remember not being who he was now, but he knew there had to have been
a shift. So he wanted to make sure his younger self was as comfortable as
possible.
Louis melted into the kiss, opening up for Harry with practiced ease. Harry
cupped his face, inching closer until he felt himself pressed up against Louis’
cock. He let out a moan and ground down against it just to relieve some
pressure.
Louis hissed and broke the kiss, but that was okay with Harry, he just moved
his lips across Louis’ jaw and down his neck. He didn’t suck bruises like he
used to, not until he got to Louis’ shoulder where he knew it would be hidden.
“Oh, fuck,” Louis groaned, head falling back to head the headboard of their
bed. His body tensed up underneath Harry’s hands every time he bit down and it
was a lovely feeling, especially with the way Harry was gently rocking his
hips.
“See, patience is good.”
“Sex is good too,” Louis muttered, chasing after Harry’s lips.
Louis’ hands found Harry’s hips and this time Harry let him undo his belt. He
rolled off Louis so he could remove his trousers and pants, and by the time he
climbed back into Louis’ lap he too had undressed. Harry surged forward, giving
Louis another kiss.
“Think you’d be okay with just relaxing and letting me take care of you?” He
asked once they broke the kiss.
Louis grinned, his hand sliding up and down Harry’s back. “Of course, love.” He
reclined against the pillows, and Harry scooted back with him, so he was
hovering just over Louis’ lower stomach.
Louis reached over for the bottle of lube Harry had left out on the bedside
table, and Harry took the time he was distracted to run his fingers up and down
Louis’ chest.
“Are you going to, or do you want me to?” Louis asked, waving the lube in
Harry’s line of sight just as he scratched a nail over Louis’ nipple. Louis
hissed and dropped the bottle on his face, causing Harry to giggle.
“You can!” He perched himself up fully on his knees so Louis would have access
to him, and Louis gave him a strange look. But he still uncapped the bottle and
squirted some lube on his fingers. It wasn’t until he had reached around to
press a finger into Harry that he figured out Harry had already done the work
for him.
“When’d you do that then?” Louis’ fingers pressed against the base of the plug
that was nestled inside Harry’s arse.
“Soon as you texted you’d landed. Wanted to be ready for you.” Harry couldn’t
stop himself from grinning. He had gotten to the point where he hadn’t really
felt the plug anymore unless he really focused, but now that Louis was touching
him he was hyper aware of it.
“Weren’t you at lunch with Jeff or someone?” Louis’ lubed hand kept petting the
base of plug while his clean hand rested on Harry’s hip, holding him steady for
when he started twisting the plug to remove it.
“Yup,” Harry tossed his head back, moving his hips along with the pace Louis
was teasing him with.
“God, you filthy little boy. Did you tell them what you were doing, or just
disappear?”
“Bathroom in the restaurant. We were just getting ready to leave so it didn’t
look weird to bring my bag in. Been doing this so long I can walk pretty
normal.”
“No shit,” Louis whispered, jaw slack as he watched the way Harry’s cock bobbed
with each roll of his hips. “I didn’t even notice and I watch the way you walk
a lot.”
“Fuck Lou, I missed you, and knew you missed me. Just wanted to surprise you.”
Harry’s eyes were shut so he couldn’t see the face Louis made, but he could
still hear his soft tone.
“Oh, love, I am very surprised.” His clean hand shifted from Harry’s hip up to
below his armpit. Louis was trying to take the weight of most of Harry’s upper
body onto his one arm before he pulled out the plug, and both of Harry’s hands
scrambled for purchase of Louis’ forearm. “I got you, I got you. Hold onto my
arm and just lemme…” Louis gripped the base of the plug and pressed it upwards.
Harry slumped forward, stars in front of his eyes as the plug hit his prostate.
He hadn’t come, not yet, but it was a near thing. “There we go,” Louis
whispered. He pulled the plug out of Harry’s limp body, leaving Harry feeling
empty. He whined, fingernails digging into Louis’ forearm as he tried to get
control of his body again to sit up. “Ssh,” Louis said, and a cool, wet finger
pressed inside him. “Just gotta make sure you’re wet, baby. Need you nice and
slick if you’re gonna ride me, don’t I?”
Harry nodded, tongue feeling thick in his mouth as he closed his eyes. Louis’
fingers filled him back up, and he rode out that feeling for as long as he
could. Until Louis removed his hand, deeming him stretched enough. He pushed
gently at Harry’s hips until he had moved back and was just over the tip of
Louis’ cock.
Harry reached down and wrapped his hand around Louis’ cock, making sure it too
was slick enough with lube, before he began sinking down on it, one slow inch
after another.
It was strange, the way taking cock cleared up his mind, but it did. Once he
was seated fully on Louis' cock Harry didn't feel as cloudy minded. It helped
that Louis always lost focus the moment Harry sank down on him. He fed off of
that lack of control, snatched it and twisted it to his advantage.
Harry leaned back, getting his bearings as he started a slow pace. He took
pride in the way Louis looked: flush against the pillow, hair disheveled as he
stared at Harry like he was the answer to all his problems. Harry focused, and
made sure to squeeze the next time he sunk down. Louis bit his lip as he
attempted to stay quiet.
Harry smirked and grabbed hold of Louis’ clean hand. He entwined their hands
and brought them up to his mouth, kissing the tips of each of Louis’ fingers.
“You can bite the pillow if it’s too hard to stay quiet.”
Louis mustered the energy to lift one hand so he could flip Harry off with his
other hand. “Go fuck yourself.”
Harry grinned, rising up on his thighs and dropping back down just as he sucked
one of Louis’ finger in his mouth. Louis’ face twisted in pleasure and he let
out a wordless scream.
“Good boy,” Harry whispered.
Louis groaned and his free hand clenched against Harry’s hips. “Fuck. You.”
“You are,” Harry said.
He started up a pace that suited him, mostly rolling his hips so Louis’ cock
was completely inside him, making him feel full. He let go of Louis’ hand after
a moment, and immediately Louis tried to retaliate. He dragged his wet finger
down Harry’s neck and chest to his right nipple, and pinched. Hard.
Harry whined, but the pain didn’t stop his pace. It just made him try harder to
keep fucking himself on Louis’ cock. Louis’ second hand joined his first,
pressing against Harry’s chest as they tormented his nipples by squeezing and
pinching them, just how Harry liked it.
“Gorgeous. You’re so fucking gorgeous, baby,” Louis whispered as he alternated
on which two nipples he was playing with.
Harry gasped, and his thighs were starting to burn, but he wanted this to last.
It was their first time together in a couple weeks and dammit, it was going to
be great. He was trying to stay sitting up straight, he really was, but then
Louis dropped one hand from his nipple to his cock and pumped from tip to root.
Harry barely managed to stay up, and he couldn’t really hear the words Louis
said over the pounding in his ears.
“Still wish your dick got wetter.”
Harry laughed, hoarse and fucked out sounding. “Invest in a better model.”
Louis pretended to contemplate that longer than Harry wanted him too, so he
found the strength to twist Louis’ nipple.
Louis laughed and smacked his hand away. “Hey! What happened to letting me
relax while you rode me?”
“That was before you decided to be a dick.”
“Well I mean, my dick does make up a good portion of my being.”
“Only cause you’re so short,” Harry shot back, brain reconnecting even through
the slow pace Louis was jacking him off at.
Louis pinched his hip with his other hand. “I’m proportional, thank you very
little. And you like my dick. Don’t even try pretending you don’t.”
“That is why I’m riding it.”
“You’re doing a piss poor job. I get me hand wrapped around you and you just
stop.”
And Harry had stopped, he realized now. He had been too caught up in his cock
being stroked and the banter that he had stopped moving his hips except in the
very minute way he was thrusting into Louis’ hand.
“Shit,” Harry groaned, trying to start his pace up again but Louis just
laughed.
“Don’t worry, I got this babe.” Louis tried to sit up but it caused his cock to
slip out of Harry as Harry fell backwards from Louis' movements. “Whoops,”
Louis said, not sounding very apologetic as he scrambled on top of Harry,
pinning his shoulders down with both hands.
Harry’s head was right at the edge of the bed, and if he completely relaxed
he’d be hanging his head slightly off the bed. The thought made him giggle, but
his giggle turned into a moan as Louis hovered over him, nudging his legs into
position. “You are gorgeous,” he whispered.
He couldn’t tell if Louis blushed or if that was just a sex flush, but it
didn’t matter. Louis kissed him, pulled his hand from Harry’s shoulders, hooked
his arms underneath Harry’s knees and pushed his cock back inside Harry’s arse.
They both moaned, and their heads knocked lightly together as Harry tried not
to fall off the bed, and Louis tried to get buried deep inside him.
“Help,” Harry whispered, wrapping his arms around Louis’ shoulders. “Falling.”
Louis laughed, but managed to pull Harry a few centimeters back so he wasn’t
falling anymore. His head was still right at the edge of the bed though.
“So strong,” Harry muttered, petting Louis’ bicep.
“Compliments will get you everywhere.” Louis grinned, pulling his hips back
before fucking into Harry.
Harry tried to get some purchase underneath Louis so he could thrust back into
Louis, but it was futile. Louis was controlling the pace now.
“Louis,” he gasped. “Lemme…” his words died in his throat.
“Just relax and take it,” Louis said.
“Thought you were the one relaxing.”
Louis smirked, and screwed his hips down into Harry’s. “Oh. I’m relaxed.”
Harry whined, throwing his head back, and he no longer cared if he fell off the
bed. It would be worth it for the way Louis was going. Harry felt the stretch
in most of his body as Louis bent him almost in half. The blood was pounding in
his head, and he was getting tunnel vision. His only focus was Louis: Louis’
hands on his body, and Louis’ cock in his arse, and Louis’ lips against his
jaw.
“Thanks be to yoga,” Harry whispered against Louis’ lips, causing Louis to
laugh just before his face screwed up and he came.
He reared up as he did, giving himself more control to fully bury himself
inside Harry.
Harry got his hand in between their bodies, pumping his cock the few strokes it
needed until he too came, streaks of come going up his chest. Louis’ eyes were
locked on his body, hungrily watching as his cock gave a few final twitches,
before he pulled out and rolled to the side.
“Thanks be to yoga,” Louis laughed as he rolled over so he could look at Harry.
“Put that on my fucking grave.”
Harry snorted. “Who knew yoga got you so hot.”
“You get me so hot,” Louis muttered, as he wiped some come off of Harry’s hip
and licked it off his finger. “You know, Stan had the nerve to call me a
cumslut.”
Harry arched an eyebrow, not saying anything while Louis sucked his index
finger clean and dipped it back in the streaks of come on Harry’s stomach.
“Wherever did he get that idea?”
“No clue.” Louis gave up pretence after a moment and leaned over to lick the
rest of the come off Harry’s stomach.
Harry groaned. “I should probably check to make sure Child Me hasn’t fallen in
the pool or something.”
“Think you’re confusing yourself with me. I was the walking disaster. Baby
Hazza is just fine.”
“You must be forgetting how clumsy I am. It wouldn’t be on purpose.”
Louis threw his arm around Harry’s chest, holding him in place. “Don’t leave me
yet.”
Harry patted his shoulder and smiled. They were sweaty, sticky, and laying on
the wrong side of the bed, but he still couldn’t think of a better way to spend
his time.
***** Chapter 5 *****
Chapter Notes
     *\o/* chapter time! This chapter should be titled "How Many Dick
     Jokes Can Fit in 11k" to which obviously the answer is: A Dick-load.
     I would like to personally thank Louis and Liam for reminding me how
     much they enjoy dick jokes with that Bangkok promo video, because I
     was worried I had gone overboard with them. BUT IT IS NOT SO.
     This chapter wasn't beta'd that heavily so any mistakes are entirely
     mine for missing them. Enjoy! I'll be back next week with either a
     SUPER RIDICULOUSLY LONG CHAPTER, or a NOT QUITE AS RIDICULOUSLY LONG
     CHAPTER depending on where I end up cutting myself off at. :)
When Louis and Stan got off the private plane - and wow that was a way to
travel - they were shuttled to a waiting car. None of the staff gave them a
second look, which Louis supposed was good for their cover. He wondered what it
had been like for Harry and Future Louis when they had traveled. He could only
assume it was even more secretive.
He climbed into the back of the car, curious to see if Future Louis had driven
out to pick them up with the Harrys, but he was disappointed to see he hadn’t.
Louis didn’t recognize the driver, but he recognized Alberto, who was seated in
the front seat.
“Hey.”
Alberto looked back at him and gave a faint smile. “How was your flight?”
“Good,” Stan said. “The dream team give you any trouble? With two of them now,
I’m sure it’ll be a mess.”
Alberto rolled his eyes, but didn’t say anything as they started driving.
Los Angeles was a lot different than Louis was expecting. For starters, there
was near-constant traffic, even at two on a Wednesday afternoon, when they
weren’t on the freeway. It meant that looking out the window didn’t provide
much of a view until they got up into the hills away from the main roads, and
then Louis’ face was glued to the window, taking in the scenery.
The car finally pulled into a gated driveway next to a row of hedges and a
large garage. Louis followed Stan and Alberto out of the car, grabbing his
suitcase from the back. The three of them headed down to another gate, which
led to a flight of stairs. It was already much more complicated than the house
in London and Louis was a bit breathless.
The stairs ended in a giant yard, and Louis had to stop to take it all in.
“Wow,” Louis said, much to the delight of Stan, who looked back at him, already
halfway across the yard. “I thought this was supposed to be the desert.”
The yard was lush and green, with trees and bushes lining its boundaries,
casting shade over most of the grass. There was an inground pool on the side of
the yard, and to his right he saw a house, then a covered bridge that led to a
second larger house with even more stairs, which looked to be two stories. The
exterior was all polished wood and glass and Louis could see through the big
house across to the mountains.
“Yeah, that was my first reaction.”
“Which house are we…?” Louis asked, looking from one house to the next.
“Main house is this.” Stan pointed to the larger house. “That’s the guest
house. Alberto stays there.”
“Not me family?”
“Nah, there’s like eighty bedrooms in this house.” Stan walked right up to the
front door and opened it, calling out, “Yoohoo! We made it, bitches!”
Louis followed him, eyes drinking in every sight. He had thought the house in
London was nice, but this - this was another level of rich. This was a proper
futuristic type of home, with the glass windows and wood paneling. Even the
furniture in this first room was more futuristic than the sterile living room
of the London house.
Louis looked left and right, trying to get his bearings, because he couldn’t
even begin to guess where everything was - were there bedrooms to his right, or
did that led to the kitchen? - when he heard Future Louis call out to them.
“In the kitchen!”
Oh great, Louis had no idea where that was.
Stan beckoned Louis to follow him, and it wasn’t like he had a choice. He left
his suitcase in the front room and followed Stan around the frosted glass - was
that a fireplace? why would you need a fireplace in the desert? - into another
large room with floor to ceiling windows that had an amazing view of the
mountains.
He looked around and okay, there was the kitchen. That made sense.
Louis stopped caring about the mountains when his eyes landed on the three
people in the kitchen. Or more specifically, his eyes landed on Harry, who was
seated at the kitchen table shirtless. Future Louis was standing behind him,
rubbing his hands together and then hovering them just over the naked skin of
Harry’s back. It took only a moment to realize why this was happening.
“Stay. Still.” Future Louis commanded.
Harry was lobster red.
Literally. All over his shoulders, down half of his back, and over his chest he
was bright lobster red.
Harry winced as Future Louis’ hand touched his back, smearing a green liquid
over the skin, and he tried to arch away from the touch. Future Louis placed
his clean hand on the back of his head and Harry froze. “Good, Baby Hazza,”
Future Louis said as he began to rub the liquid into his skin until it started
to glisten in the kitchen light.
Stan whistled. “Baby Hazza found out the joys of L.A. sun, I see.”
“Yeah, he did,” and that was Future Harry, drawling his words from across the
room. He was standing behind the kitchen counter building a tower of
sandwiches.
Future Harry was actually wearing a shirt, some loose-fitting half buttoned up
dress shirt, as he carefully balanced what looked like a third layer onto his
sandwich tower and then stuck a toothpick in the middle of it. He was tall and
broad in a way Louis hadn’t really prepared himself for because Harry, the one
sitting right there, was much tinier than him.
He was smiling as he made eye contact with Louis, and gave an over-exaggerated
wave. “Welcome to die!” He cheered.
Louis had no idea how to even respond to that and Future Louis snorted. “Ignore
him. It’s from Marvel vs. Capcom 3.”
That put Louis back on proper footing. Video games he could handle. “They
finally made a third one?”
“Yeah, it sucked. We have it in the living room. That’s what Haz and I were
doing while Baby Hazza here was getting the sunburn of his life.” Future Louis
pinched the side of Harry’s neck, causing him to let out a loud squeak. “Stop
squirming away from me.”
“But it’s cold,” Harry whined, and then glanced at Louis. “And I wanna see
Louis.”
“Ugh, teenagers and their hormones,” Future Louis muttered. “Let me finish
putting the aloe vera on your skin before you go tell Baby Me how much you’ve
missed him, okay love?”
Harry grinned and it was only natural for Louis to return it. He winced again
when Future Louis moved from his back to his shoulders, and he gave a full body
shiver.
“It’s cold.”
“No shit, that’s the point. You have a burn, Baby Hazza.”
“I see you three have been having lots of fun,” Stan said. Louis blinked away
from Harry and Future Louis back to Stan, who had moved to be beside Future
Harry. He reached for a sandwich. “Thanks mate, you know just what a person
needs after an airplane ride.”
Future Harry laughed, and it was so similar to the way Harry did it, head
thrown back and all. Louis wondered if he and Future Louis were that similar.
Future Harry made eye contact with Louis and pointed to the plate of
sandwiches. "Eat up. Made these for all of us."
Louis realized then that he was still standing a good distance away from the
rest of them, waiting for Future Louis to be done with Harry so he could say
hi. He shuffled forward, but he stopped by Harry grabbing his wrist as he
passed. Future Louis groaned. "Can you wait two seconds, Baby Hazza?"
"No," Harry and Future Harry said at the same time, and Louis grinned.
Future Louis on the other hand closed his eyes and looked up to the ceiling.
"Next time I wish for two Harrys I will remember this moment and think better
of it."
"Hey!" Future Harry said at the same time Stan groaned out, "Ew. I'm trying to
eat, you twat. That was not a mental image that helps digestion."
"Are you almost done?" Harry asked. He wasn't squirming anymore now that he had
Louis' wrist in his grip.
"You know," Future Louis said, looking at Louis and blatantly ignoring everyone
else. "I actually bought the arcade MvC 2, along with a couple other games.
They're back in London. If you end up being stuck with us until we get back you
can play them."
Louis didn't know what to say. He assumed Future Louis only really brought it
up to make a point about ignoring everyone else. "I didn't see any arcade games
in the house?"
"They aren't in that house," Future Harry said.
"Why?" Louis asked.
"Because they don't fit with Harold's theme," Future Louis said, but there was
no malice in his tone, just comfortable banter.
"You mean they didn't fit in general," Future Harry responded easily, like this
was a long standing discussion between the two of them.
"Harold, my love, have you see our house? It's huge. We can make them fit. We
can rearrange the downstairs. I shouldn’t have to drive across London to play
an arcade game. Defeats the purpose of buying the damn thing.”
"Of course, love," Future Harry said. "We'll tackle that as soon as we finish
the upstairs."
Stan snorted and nudged Future Harry so he could give him a high five. Future
Louis just grinned as if those words brought him joy. “Alright, turn around for
me, Baby Hazza.” Harry did as he was asked and Future Louis squirted more aloe
into his hand. He frowned in concentration as he pushed Harry’s hair aside to
check his ears. “Still no burn there. Make sure to thank your hair, love. Lemme
just get your nose and those cheeks and you’ll be good.” Harry stayed still as
Future Louis smeared aloe vera gently on his cheeks and nose. “And you’re good.
Off you go.”
Harry leapt from his seat and turned so he was face to face with Louis before
he threw his arms around his neck. He was sticky, and smelled strongly of aloe,
so Louis rested his hands in the one place he could, right on his hips. Harry’s
face was even redder than his shoulders, but he was still smiling widely, even
though the sunburn must hurt.
“Hi, I missed you,” Harry said in a quiet rush.
“I missed you too,” Louis said, causing Harry to smile so hard it hurt Louis.
“Come on, I can show you our room. Where's your stuff?”
"Back by the door," Louis glanced at Future Louis to see if he had any
objections but he had settled onto the other side of Future Harry and was
picking up a layer of sandwich.
Harry dragged him back around the corner to the door and Louis picked up his
suitcase. "Come on the rooms are downstairs. Though first! So down that way is
a bathroom, and there's also the living room right through those sliding doors,
but everyone enters through the back by the kitchen." He pulled Louis towards a
set of stairs hidden behind a false wall. "We'll be right back up! Don't eat
all the food!"
“I expect no funny business!” Future Louis called after them.
“Was that really necessary?” Louis heard Future Harry ask.
“If we can’t take the piss out of our past selves who can we take the piss out
of? Hey! Don’t forget to come back! You need your nutrients!” Future Louis
yelled after them.
“But we’ll get plenty of protein downstairs!” Harry called back as they reached
the next floor. Future Louis’ laugh could be heard from down there.
“Was that necessary?” Louis asked.
"If we can't take the piss out of our future selves who can we take the piss
out of?"
“You’ve been corrupted.”
Harry laughed. “You learn to give as you get. It’s sink or swim. Sometimes
literally. This floor has a couple guest rooms, so I guess Stan is staying on
this level. Other Louis and Harry's room is right down there. And our room is
on the bottom floor. Come on!" He started down the stairs again and Louis
followed him all the way into what Harry had said was their room.
“Wow,” Louis said. The room was huge, with the far wall entirely glass looking
out on a patio that was furnished under a small pavillion. “Is that…open?” He
asked, because he suddenly felt very exposed.
“It’s a private patio. Like, people on the upper floors can see down into the
space that isn’t covered, but no one can just wander into it and see in here.”
“Oh, well that’s comforting,” Louis said, as Harry grabbed his suitcase and put
it onto the bed. “Hey, I’ll help with that.”
“Thanks,” Harry said, opening the suitcase up. He showed Louis where to put his
clothes, which didn’t take long to put away. And then they were left standing
next to the bed together, an empty suitcase in front of them. Harry reached
over and took Louis’ hand. “I hope it’s okay, us sharing. I kinda told them it
would be okay with you?”
Louis smiled, and lifted Harry’s hand up to his mouth. He kissed the knuckle,
since there was even aloe vera on the back of his hands, and seriously how did
that happen? He was just about to ask Harry, when he looked up and swore he saw
Harry was an even brighter red than before.
“Are you blushing?”
“No,” Harry muttered.
“I think you are.” Louis took a step closer, chasing after Harry’s face.
“You’re getting redder.”
“Not possible. I’m a full on cooked lobster. Other Louis said so.”
Louis entwined their fingers, careful of the sunburn on the back of Harry’s
hands. He smirked as Harry looked away from him. “Definitely getting redder.”
"I think that plane ride has taken its toll on you, or is it that you were
hitting the sauce? Other Louis said there was a fully stocked mini bar. You
don't want your alcohol and drug problem to start so soon, do you?"
Louis laughed. "You think just because you're sunburnt and in pain I won't make
you pay for saying that..."
Harry stuck his tongue out, causing Louis to laugh more as he tried to grab it
before Harry put it back in his mouth. They were both laughing and Louis was
about to grab hold of one of Harry's ears since he knew those weren't burnt,
when Harry giggled out, “oh do you want a Kiss?”
Louis stopped, his hand suspended in mid-air. He knew he looked ridiculous and
his mouth was hanging open, because Harry laughed again.
"What?" He managed to stammer out.
Harry spun around and grabbed something from the bedside table. When he turned
back he was holding something silver in his hand. "A Kiss! Other Me likes
them."
Louis closed his mouth. "What is it?"
"It's chocolate. I am pretty sure he just likes them because of the name."
Harry handed him the ... Kiss and Louis looked at it. "Go ahead. Unwrap it."
Louis gave Harry a look, but slowly unwrapped the piece of chocolate. “It looks
like one of those cartoon shits.”
Harry laughed. “It’s a Kiss! Just put it in your mouth!”
“It’s not gonna hurt me is it? This top part looks pointy. Like it’ll stab the
roof of my mouth.”
“Okay, yes. I may have hurt myself on it, but it’s fine. Really it’s just
chocolate. Here,” Harry took the chocolate from Louis’ hand and bit off the top
half of the kiss, so there was no more pointy part. “Now you won’t hurt
yourself.”
Louis took the chocolate and carefully popped it in his mouth. It wasn’t
anything special. It tasted like the cheap chocolate he got at the store, but
Harry was smiling so widely at him, and Louis realized it was probably all due
to the name.
He’d just accepted a Kiss from Harry.
Oh.
“Hey! Are you two coming back up here?”
Future Louis' voice filled the room and they both froze, looking towards the
door. But Future Louis wasn't there.
"What the hell?” Harry asked, looking around. "Is there an intercom?"
Louis looked around as well and finally saw what he guessed was the intercom.
“Are you two fucking or something?”
“Of course not, there’s no supplies down there.” That was Future Harry and were
they seriously having this conversation in front of Stan? Louis hoped not.
He scrambled over to the intercom, pressing the talk button. “Why the hell do
you guys have an intercom?” He released the talk button and waited.
“Have you seen how big this house is?” Future Louis asked. And then, “I’M A
SINGER GODDAMMIT!” echoed faintly down to them from the upstairs. “Me vocals
shouldn’t be used for shouting for very long,” he finished saying over the
intercom. “Now please come upstairs. There’s food for you. Because you need
more than just protein. Or something… You can’t live off of jizz okay so come.”
He paused. “And eat.” The intercom cut off.
Louis looked at Harry, “If I start talking in 100% innuendo like that, please
kill me.”
“Of course,” Harry said with a smile, offering Louis his hand.
                                     *****
“So what’s Liam like?” Harry asked.
“A twat,” Future Louis said.
The five of them had moved into the living room off the side of the kitchen,
which was homier than the front room. This room was decorated similarly to the
downstairs den in their London home, with a few couches, a large television,
and their gaming consoles, while framed pictures of their family and friends
littered the walls. Harry and Future Harry were on one couch, while Louis sat
on the floor with Future Louis and Stan because they were supposed to be
showing him Marvel vs Capcom 3.
“I fucking hate this game,” Stan muttered as he began aggressively button
mashing, which Louis recognized as a poor life choice even before Future Louis
cackled and used Felicia to take out Stan's last fighter, Not-MegaMan-MegaMan.
"Liam is," Future Harry said, "dedicated to his craft and to music in general.
He is also-"
"A twat," Future Louis said.
"One of our best friends, who has the biggest heart in the world and wants
nothing more than for everyone to be happy."
"Like I said, he's a twat." Future Louis said, turning back to look at the
Harrys. "But don't tell him I said that. He'll pout at me and I'll feel bad."
Louis laughed as that caused Future Harry to pout, and after a nudge Harry also
began pouting. Future Louis groaned but crawled over to the couch and got up on
his knees so he could give Future Harry a kiss. He let out a sigh as he pulled
back. "Liam is very nice and it's possible he only deserves like, eighty
percent of the shit I give him. Maybe."
Future Harry patted his shoulder and pulled him back for another quick kiss.
"Good boy," he said causing Future Louis to roll his eyes and pinch him before
he crawled back to the television to set up another game.
Louis looked back at the couch. He wanted to curl up next to Harry, but he was
a little intimidated with Future Harry. Future Harry was beautiful in person.
Like Harry was beautiful too but he still had this layer of adorable over him.
Five years seemed to strip him of that and leave behind the most beautiful
person Louis had ever laid eyes on. In a way it was almost like meeting Anne.
There were all these expectations Future Harry probably had of him, and he
didn't think he'd be able to meet them.
So instead of getting onto the couch he inched back until his back was pressed
against Harry’s knee. That point of contact was enough to calm him down enough
to be able to at least look at Future Harry without blushing, which meant he
could look at Harry too.
He heard another match getting set up right as Harry’s hand found its way to
the back of his neck, and suddenly nothing else mattered as he closed his eyes.
Harry tugged lightly on his hair and Louis figured that meant he wanted him to
move, so he did, scooting back so he was bracketed between Harry’s legs, and
his back was against the couch. Harry scratched the back of his head, and no
one had ever done that for him before except his mum, and this did not feeling
anything like that.
He felt himself turning into a puddle and he didn’t care. He rested his head
against Harry’s bare thigh and had to resist the urge to press a kiss to it.
“Lou, you gotta get going,” Future Harry said, his voice piercing through the
haze of calm that had come over Louis.
“I will, in a minute. I just wanna finish this game- You are shit Lucas. You
are shit and I am a god, eat web.”
“Lou,” Future Harry tried again.
“Where are you going?” Louis asked, opening his eyes right as Future Louis
triggered his Team Combo.
“Just got - fuck you! - stupid shit I have to deal with. Won’t take long. Die
Doctor Doom, this is just the natural order!” He threw his controller down and
raised his arms in triumph. “Who is the best?”
Stan hit Future Louis’ side, causing him to double over in pain. “Beating
people in video games isn’t an achievement you should boost about.”
“Sure it is. It shuts my other boys up for a good thirty minutes.”
“And then they try and murder you in your sleep, and I have to wake up and save
you from suffocation.” Future Harry said. “Also, Lou. You do have to go.”
Future Louis let out a frustrated sound, but got to his feet and walked over to
Future Harry. Louis tracked his movements with his eyes, trying not to move too
much if it would make Harry stop playing with his hair. “Fine, fine. I’m
going.” He leaned down and kissed Future Harry. Louis couldn’t look away as he
did. He was captivated with how happy they both looked being with each other,
and he couldn’t help but nudge his nose against Harry’s thigh to make sure he
was paying attention too. “I’ll be back, probably with Liam,” Future Louis said
after he broke the kiss to rest his forehead against Future Harry’s. He was
smiling as he kissed Future Harry once more.
“Alright. I’ll have started dinner.” Future Harry leaned up to give Future
Louis one more quick kiss.
“You’re the best. Love you.”
“Love you too,” Future Harry said, as he let Future Louis step away from him.
Future Louis paused to kiss Harry on the top of the head, and then Louis as
well. “Have fun you lot. Except you, Stan. You can sit there and suffer in your
defeat.”
Stan flipped Future Louis off just as he shut the sliding door to the den. “Why
is my best friend such a prick? Hazza if you say one fucking word I will
castrate you and all your hopes of curly headed babies go into that fucking
canyon behind this house. Because that’s where I am throwing your balls.”
“Rude,” Future Harry said as he threw a pillow at Stan’s head. “I would never
say anything to deserve that sort of reaction from you.” Stan paused, and
waited for Future Harry to go on. They engaged in a staring contest before
Future Harry let out a sigh. “Fine! You shouldn’t be surprised my dick is so
powerful it can change a man into its spitting image.”
“I fucking knew it,” Stan groaned as he launched the pillow at Future Harry’s
face.
He let out a shriek of laughter, and tried to roll away before Stan threw
himself onto the couch to start beating him with the pillow. Louis laughed as
the commotion made both him and Harry have to scramble away before they got
caught in the fray. It wouldn’t do for someone to accidentally touch Harry’s
sunburn. They ended up on the other side of the coffee table with Harry
shielding himself behind Louis as they watched Stan and Future Harry engage in
a rather aggressive pillow fight.
“Some. Things. You. Need. To. Keep. To. Yourself,” Stan said, each word
emphasized with a pillow strike.
Future Harry was full on laughing as he mostly tried to protect himself with
his pillow. “You walk into these things!”
“You have dick on your brain all the time!”
“I can’t help it! Have you seen-” Whatever Future Harry was going to say was
cut off by Stan shoving the pillow over his face.
“Just until the bubbles stop,” Stan whispered, glancing over to Louis and
Harry. He winked at them as Future Harry went still. He slowly removed the
pillow to reveal Future Harry had his eyes closed and was sticking his tongue
out in an exaggerated “playing dead” fashion. “So. I need you two to help with
burying the body. And we’re going to need to give an excuse to give Louis. I’m
thinking we go with ‘he ran off with David Beckham’ because Louis won’t fault
him for that one, and also the image might distract him long enough for me to
run away.”
Harry snorted from beside Louis.
“You’re both mad,” Louis said, but he scooted closer to the couch and gently
poked Future Harry’s nose. He huffed and opened his eyes. Louis didn’t gasp,
because wow Future Harry was gorgeous, though from the way Future Harry’s face
slowly turned into a bright smile he knew his face must have shown some
reaction. Future Harry winked at him, and before Louis could wonder why Future
Harry had attacked Stan.
“Shit!” Stan cried out as he was toppled onto the ground, narrowly missing the
coffee table.
Future Harry climbed on top of Stan as he beat him repeatedly with the pillow.
“You. Come. Into. My. House. You. Show. Me. Such. Disrespect.”
Stan was laughing as he tried to get out from underneath Future Harry.
“Disrespect! You can’t even quote the fucking movie right!”
Future Harry paused, and he turned towards Louis and Harry. “You two didn’t see
anything.”
Harry clamped his hands over his eyes, laughing as he did, and it caused Louis
to laugh right as Stan got the upperhand and flipped his and Future Harry’s
positions. He took off running out of the room and Future Harry gave chase,
pillow clutched in his grip.
Louis didn’t know if he should chase after them as he heard the two of them
clammer down the stairs and so he turned to Harry. “Is it always like this?”
Harry was still laughing as he nodded. “Stan’s new, but I think so.”
Louis flopped back onto the floor. “We live a crazy life, Harry.”
“I think it’s quite lovely,” Harry said, smiling as he crawled over so he could
lay down next to Louis, wincing only a little as he tried to get comfortable.
Louis kissed the top of Harry’s head right as he heard something crash
downstairs.
“THAT LAMP WAS UGLY ANYWAY,” Stan called out.
Quite lovely indeed.
                                     *****
Future Harry started cooking almost two hours later, and Harry followed after
him eagerly. Stan only gave him a look when he asked if it was alright that he
go and watch.
“Whatever, Baby Tommo. I’m gonna need a nap anyway.” He yawned as he said that
and Louis patted his shoulder sympathetically.
“We all get to that age when we start losing stamina.”
“Shame we’re doing it at the same time, and yet you’re so much younger.” Stan
shot him a victorious grin, and Louis let him have that one.
Watching Harry and Future Harry cook together was something strange. They
communicated in a weird mix of pointing, hand gestures, and the word “thing-a-
ma-bob”. Louis wondered if it came from being around each other the last couple
days, or if it was just a Harry thing. He couldn’t imagine Future Louis and
himself pulling off this type of conversation no matter how much time they
spent together, so it was probably just a Harry thing.
It was lovely to watch though, and since he was in the kitchen with them he got
to steal pieces of food as they used them.
Future Louis came home with Liam right after Harry had popped the flatbreads
they were going to eat as a side in the oven.
“We’re home!” Future Louis called. “Just go put your shit downstairs, Payno.
You aren’t making it to Niall’s tonight.”
“Smart decision, Tommo,” another voice said, deep and warm. That must be Liam.
“I am the leader of this operation for some reason.”
Liam’s laughter was like barking and Louis took a step back from the kitchen so
he could catch a glimpse of Liam as he walked downstairs. He looked taller than
Louis, which dammit was he the shortest in the band?, and underneath his baggy
joggers and jacket he seemed to be built and compact if the way he was just
casually carrying two suitcases over his shoulders was any indication.
Louis lingered long after Liam had disappeared from sight, and so he wasn’t
surprised when Future Louis turned the corner while looking at his phone and
ran into him.
“Fuck,” Future Louis cursed, grabbing Louis so they didn’t topple over. “What
are you doing standing here?”
“Creeping?” Louis asked, as if he didn’t know what he was doing.
Future Louis sighed and ruffled his hair. “Sounds about right, you nosey fuck.”
“You’re only insulting yourself.”
“I know,” Future Louis said as he walked into the kitchen to be beside Future
Harry. He looked down at the chicken breast Future Harry was cutting up.
“Dinner smells good,” he said, tugging on Future Harry’s bicep until he got a
kiss.
“Careful. Chicken hands.”
“Oh, wouldn’t want that on me.”
Future Harry laughed. “Nope.”
Louis sidled back up to the kitchen island so he could be with the three of
them. Future Louis was humming something as his eyes drifted over to Harry.
“What’s this then? You shouldn’t be cooking shirtless, Baby Hazza. Still can’t
get a shirt on?” Harry looked sheepish as he nodded. Future Louis rolled his
eyes. “Sit down and I’ll put more aloe on you. Tomorrow you aren’t allowed
outside. I don’t care what sad eyes you give me, love. I will lock you in the
basement until you heal.”
“We don’t have a basement,” Future Harry said. “Child Me, can you do the
thing?”
“Already on it,” Harry said, turning to the stove with the cutting board full
of chopped up vegetables and putting them in the frying pan.
“Careful. Wouldn’t want to singe a nipple,” Future Louis said as the pan
sizzled.
“I’ve got three others,” both Harrys said at the same time.
Louis resolutely did not choke on air. He hadn’t noticed that. It wasn’t that
he hadn’t been paying attention to Harry’s chest, but he had been trying really
hard not to look at it. But now when Harry turned around his eyes immediately
dragged down to his chest and he really looked at him for the first time. He
tilted his head to the side, not really seeing anything.
“A little ways below the left nipple, and then about halfway to his navel on
the right side,” Future Louis whispered in his ear.
Louis jolted and smacked Future Louis. “I wasn’t looking.”
Future Louis shrugged. “It’s not like he’s ashamed of them.”
“Think they’re cool,” Future Harry said. “We absorbed our twin in the womb and
all we have left as evidence of this heinous murder is a second set of nips.”
Harry laughed as he took a seat. “Can someone get my back?”
“Here I’ll do it,” Louis volunteered. He tried not to overthink as he started
to rub the aloe vera over Harry’s neck and shoulders, trying to be careful so
he didn’t hurt him. He was definitely not thinking about Harry’s chest, and
four nipples. What could you even do with four nipples? “How did you even do
this?”
“Swimming. I’ve been in the pool most of the time here.”
“And he kept forgetting sunscreen,” Future Louis said.
“Who kept forgetting sunscreen? Holy shit I think that’s the worst I’ve ever
seen you get burnt, Harry.” Louis looked over to see Liam had come up the
stairs, changed into basketball shorts and an undershirt. “Okay,” Liam said,
drawing out the word. “That’s a little creepy you two… four.”
Louis looked at Harry, and Future Harry and Louis. All four of them had been
looking at Liam with eerily similar expressions.
“There are four of us, so you’d be correct in saying four,” Harry said,
squirming backwards in his seat to touch Louis’ hand. “Are you almost done so I
can get back to cooking?”
Louis snapped back to the job at hand and squirted more aloe on his hand so he
could finish Harry’s back. “Give me a second.”
“We’re outnumbered.” Stan must have finally come upstairs from his nap, because
he was now standing beside Liam. “If we walk quickly they won’t notice we’re
here because they’ll be too distracted with their husbands.”
Louis shook his head as he heard Liam and Stan shuffle across the kitchen
towards the living room.
“I should trip both of you,” Future Louis muttered.
“Here, try this for me,” Future Harry said, presumably to distract Future Louis
from hurting their friends.
Future Louis took a bite of the flatbread he was handed. “It’s good. I’ll just
take the rest of this.”
“Heeeey,” Future Harry said. Louis looked back at them, finished with Harry’s
back to see Future Louis dancing backwards with half a fresh flatbread in his
mouth. “Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes,” Future Harry said, with
a fond sigh. “I’ll call you in when it’s done.”
“Love you,” Future Louis said.
“Love you too.”
Future Louis stepped forward so they could share a quick kiss before he left
for the living room. Louis washed his hands in the sink, and he hesitated for a
moment, watching the two Harry’s move around the kitchen.
Future Harry smiled at him. “You can go too. We’ll be fine in here.”
Louis smiled in thanks as he headed towards the living room. Stan and Future
Louis were by the television sorting out the controllers to play FIFA.
“Here Liam, found your controller,” Future Louis said, handing over a black and
yellow controller, before dropping down to sit beside Liam. He was smiling
easily as he patted the seat beside him indicating he wanted Louis to sit down.
Louis did just that, curling up against the side of the couch since it looked
like Future Louis was going to be occupied bothering Liam.
Liam smiled at him, and reached over Future Louis to shake his hand. “I’m
sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Liam.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good things I hope.” Louis shrugged and made a face at the same time
Future Louis burst out laughing. Liam closed his eyes, looking painfully
amused. “Sounds about right. What should I call you to like, distinguish
between the two?”
“Uh,” Louis looked at Future Louis. “Future Me and Stan mostly calls me uh…
Baby Louis. Or Baby Tommo, but you can use Other Louis if you want? Harry is
Baby Hazza.”
Liam grinned. “He would be. I forgot how adorable he used to be.” That was
directed towards Future Louis and they shared a smile. “You must be in heaven.”
“He’s only fifteen!” Louis said, but it didn’t have the heat it would have had
a week ago.
“You have a dirty mind, Payno.” Future Louis throwing his arm around Louis’
shoulders and pulling him close. “As Baby Me is constantly reminding me, Baby
Hazza is only fifteen and I would never take advantage.”
Liam rolled his eyes as he finally started the game with Stan. “So you say. But
next time we sit down with Julian it’ll be all ‘one, two, three, not only Harry
and me,’ or something ridiculous like that.”
“I call winner,” Louis said, hoping to distract them from the topic before
Future Louis could respond.
It seemed to do the trick as Liam and Stan focused on the match, and Future
Louis started giving some dodgy commentary over the match’s. Stan ended up
winning and Liam handed the controller over to Louis.
Louis was getting the game started up when Future Louis shifted beside him,
taking his arm off. Louis didn’t think anything of it, focused on the
television screen.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Liam cried out, and Louis didn’t want to look over,
but… he did.
Future Louis was wrapped around him like an octopus. Why was Louis not
surprised?
“Sssh,” Future Louis clamped his hand over Liam’s mouth, making no concession
for his nose, leaving Liam flailing for the moment it took to pry Louis’ hand
down to just his mouth. “I am bestowing affection on you. And what is the
proper reaction to this honor?”
Liam finally removed Future Louis’ hand. “Shoving you off?” He did the exact
opposite though, shifting so he was leaning against the couch and taking most
of Future Louis’ weight.
“There’s a good Liam. You’re the best Liam. Yes you are,” Future Louis said,
petting his chest.
“I don’t know why I missed you.” Liam tucked Future Louis’ head under his chin.
The sliding door opened and Future Harry poked his head in. “Hey, dinner is
almost ready. Lou can you help me?”
Louis paused his game selections, waiting to see if Future Harry needed him as
well.
“Nope,” Future Louis said, gripping Liam a little tighter.
“Thanks, babe.”
Future Louis waited a moment and then untangled himself from Liam and stretched
as he stood up.
“Haz, what’s for dinner?” Liam called, and Future Harry paused in the doorway,
giving him a serene smile.
“Kale and quinoa salad, with fried tofu.”
Liam blanched. “Really?”
“No, you idiot. I made chicken curry and some cheesy artichoke flatbread, what
the hell, Liam? Do you even know me?”
“With you I never know! You’re a changed man, Haz.”
Future Harry flipped Liam off, causing Future Louis to burst into a huge smile.
“He’s a man after my own heart.”
He left the living room and a moment later Louis heard a shriek. He got off the
couch to look out of the den to see what happened. He was just in time to see
Harry rubbing his arse with one hand. Future Louis was grinning as he rested
his hand casually on Future Harry’s hip, and pulled him in—
Louis looked away this time, and then, in a moment of stupidity or bravery or
something, looked back. They were still kissing, slow and deep. A real romantic
kiss, not the quick pecks they had given each other all afternoon. This one
looked like they were making a promise to continue later in private.
They broke away when Future Louis squeezed Future Harry’s arse, causing both of
them to start laughing into each other’s mouths. They whispered to each other,
too low for Louis to hear, and then Future Harry skipped the rest of the way to
the kitchen.
“They’re disgustingly cute aren’t they?” Liam asked as he sat back down.
It was a little embarrassing to be caught staring and Louis tried to mumble out
an excuse but Stan talked right over him.
“‘Cute’ is not the word I would use to describe them. You still up for this
match, Baby Tommo?”
Louis looked back at the sliding door. “Won’t dinner be ready soon?”
Stan shrugged. “Probably but this’ll only take fifteen minutes if you start now
so it’ll still be warm.”
Louis bit his lip and then picked up his controller. If Future Harry asked him
to come to dinner he would, because he was polite.
This time it was Liam who gave the commentary as Stan and him played out a
Manchester derby (he was stuck with City because Stan beat him to team
selection). The sliding door opened when the game time was at 75 minutes and
counting down. Louis somehow found himself up one-nil through a goal from
Aguero, whoever he was. Louis barely recognized either team included in the
game, but whatever. He was winning.
“Which one of you is playing City?” Harry asked, sitting down on the arm of the
couch next to Louis.
“Other Tommo,” Liam said.
“Hey, that almost rhymed!” Harry said.
“I’m a regular poet and I didn’t even know it,” Liam said, reaching in front of
Louis to shake hands with Harry, who seemed to think Liam’s jokes were worthy
enough for a small laugh. Louis thought they were dumb. “I’m Liam. It’s nice to
meet you, Other Harry.”
“You’re about to move that arm or else I’m gonna bite it,” Louis grumbled
trying to see around him. The time was the 89th minute, and he had just barely
had Hart save a goal.
Liam just laughed and moved his arm to behind Louis’ head. “At least you come
by it honestly, Other Tommo.”
The final whistle blew and Louis let out a sigh of relief, dropping his
controller on the table. “I won, and yet I am not as excited about it as I
should be,” Louis said, waving his hands around half-heartedly in the air.
“That’s the best feeling to have after a match,” Harry said. “But dinner’s
ready! So that should cheer you up.”
“It sure cheers me up,” Stan said, already at the door.
Louis took Harry’s hand and let him guide him out and into the kitchen, where…
Future Harry was standing shirtless supervising Future Louis spoon out the hot
food into bowls. He had even more tattoos than Future Louis, which yes, Louis
had seen him shirtless over the iPad but in person was different. He was all
lean, toned muscle, and Louis wanted… his mind went blank with want.
He could only process the skin in sections, and his eyes traveled up and down
Harry’s naked torso: birds, butterfly, laurels. He would never be able to wipe
this from his mind, and he was pretty sure he would never want to.
“I see it’s strip o’clock already; my how the time flies,” Liam said, snapping
Louis out of his daze.
Future Harry flipped him off without even looking at him, which meant he hadn’t
seen Louis blatantly checking him up. “Lou got curry on my shirt.”
“Not on purpose. It wasn’t.” The second denial was directed to them.
“It’s okay, Tommo, we see your devious plot to get both Harry’s shirtless.
First you have Other Hazza…”
“Liam, I will make your dinner inedible.”
“Ew.”
“Not like that, you fuck. Just… you are all awful and I hate every one of you.
Get out of my house,” Future Louis said as Future Harry handed Liam a bowl. All
four of the future boys were smiling, comfortable in the banter, so Louis let
it wash over him.
The curry and flat bread were delicious, made even more so by the company Louis
was eating it in. They ate while standing around the kitchen counter even
though there was a dining table right behind them. Harry and Louis mostly kept
to their own private conversation while the other four talked about things that
only had any knowledge of.
When they finished eating they broke up in small groups again: Future Louis and
Liam went out onto the balcony off of the kitchen, while Stan, Future Harry,
and Harry went into the living room. Louis hovered for a moment, and then
followed Future Louis and Liam outside.
“It was some sick stuff, Tommo. Can’t wait for you to give it a proper listen,”
Liam was saying.
Future Louis looked back at him, and waved. “What brings you out here, Baby
Me.”
Liam turned around and smiled at him, cigarette in his mouth. “The idea of two
Harrys that much for you?”
Future Louis shoved him after putting his own cigarette in his mouth and Louis
closed his eyes before dropping down into a chair behind them. “Wanted to see
the view and get some fresh air.”
“It is a lovely view,” Liam agreed.
Future Louis shoved him a little more, and Louis realized he was moving them
downwind of him so the smoke wasn’t hitting him in the face. He sighed and
stood up to stand on the other side of Future Louis, since the smoke wasn’t
going to come his way.
“So are you gonna watch our shows?” Liam asked.
“If I’m still here, I don’t see why I wouldn’t. Unless this is your way of
saying you think you suck.”
Liam laughed, but Future Louis was the one who spoke. “Yup, that’s exactly what
we’re trying to say. Run away while you still can, before the world’s biggest
boyband ruins your ears with our bubblegum pop shit.”
“Some of those lyrics didn’t look very bubblegum pop,” Louis offered. “The ones
in the notebook.”
Future Louis gave him a look. “Which notebook? Got a couple of those.”
Louis shrugged. “Dunno. It was on your desk, and Harry gave it to you.”
“Harry buys him all his notebooks, otherwise Tommo would be writing on napkins
and lose half his work,” Liam said.
“Payno is right, you gotta narrow it down.”
“There was a lot of sex talk in it.”
“There always is,” Liam laughed. “Tommo is a dirty, dirty boy.”
Future Louis shoved him with his shoulder again. “Fuck off.”
“Actually, you wrote most of those lyrics. Do you wank enough, Liam?”
Future Louis and Liam shared a look, before they both burst out laughing.
Future Louis held up his hand for a highfive.
“That’s meself right there,” Future Louis said, as he tried to catch his
breath.
“Yeah, we aren’t playing that one for the Disney crowd.”
“We aren’t allowed to play that one for the Disney crowd, you mean,” Future
Louis said.
Liam shrugged. “Semantics. Either way, ten year old little Suzy isn’t getting
to hear about our erections.”
“What does ten year old little Suzy even think the song is about? What do our
sisters even think the song is about?” Louis asked.
Future Louis laughed. “Honestly? They don’t really comprehend the lyrics. They
just hear the music and sing along, unaware what they are singing. Like I’m
sure there are some kids who can hazard a guess, or like, giggle at some of the
lines, but the true depravity is lost on them.”
“Like the rimming?” Louis asked.
“Oh my god it wasn’t about rimming,” Liam said.
Future Louis snorted. “Well it sure as fuck wasn’t about sucking cock, Liam,
because you need to brush your teeth after that or else you fuck them up, we’ve
been over this.”
“You are aware there is more ways to have sex than with just a man, correct?
Like you can eat a woman out too, and not just rimming. There’s a whole like
second set of genitalia- not that it was about that! I was thinking more
innocent, like kissing. Taste of mouths? That sort of thing.”
“No one believes that for a second,” Louis said. “And I just read one line.”
“Yeah, you tell him, Baby Me.”
Liam hung his head. “This is what my life has come to, two Louis Tomlinson’s
attacking me from both sides.” He stubbed out his finished cigarette in the
ashtray.
“We’re actually attacking you from one side, you’d need to get in the middle
for it to be two,” Louis said.
“I don’t fancy a Tomlinson sandwich, thank you.”
“Everyone fancies a Tomlinson sandwich, Payno,” Future Louis said.
“I fucking hate you, mate,” Liam said as he wrapped Future Louis up in a hug.
“I’m headed to bed. Give Haz a kiss for me, but not one of those deep tongue
kisses you two do, a chaste one. Like you reserve for when you’re in front of
your family.”
“I love you too,” Future Louis said, shoving him towards the balcony door.
“Night. I’ll make sure to give Harry an extra big kiss for you.”
Liam blew them both large kisses as he headed back inside and Future Louis
turned back around shaking his head while he tapped out some of the ash on his
own cigarette. He must have lit his just a bit after Liam. “I do actually like
that boy.” He caught Louis’ eye. “I don’t need a lecture thank you.”
“I wasn’t going to say anything.”
Future Louis gave him a look. “Sure you weren’t. Bet you weren’t expecting all
of this.”
“You’re not what I imaged I’d grow up to be, no.”
“Disappointed?”
“Not really. I think all the essentials are there, it’s just the package it’s
wrapped in.”
Future Louis flipped him off. “Stop slagging the tattoos. Stan reports to me, I
hope you know.”
“But they are so ugly. And we hate tattoos. You can’t remove them, so you’re
gonna be stuck with that shit forever.”
Future Louis gave him another look, sucking on the end of his cigarette, before
he stubbed it out in the ashtray. “Yes.” He drew out the word. “That’s sorta
the point.” It was Louis’ turn to stare in confusion and it caused Future Louis
to drop his head. “I’m so stupid. You know my fans are actually smarter than
you, and they don’t have nearly the wealth of information you have.”
“Well explain it to me.”
“It’s not something I can explain. You’ll understand one day.”
“You’re so full of shit,” Louis said, but there was no heat behind it.
Future Louis rolled his eyes. “The first tattoo I got were the screws on my
ankles. All the boys got them, minus Niall ‘cause he just doesn’t want
tattoos.”
“We don’t want tattoos.”
“That changes in a few years.”
“But why?”
“Did you see our husband when he took off his shirt?”
Louis’ mind flashed to Future Harry’s arms, littered with ink, and his chest,
and stomach, and hips. “Oh.”
“Exactly. So I got screws to match the other boys, because we were about to hit
a rough patch and like we knew it was coming. We could see it, and we needed to
reassure each other that we were in this together. And that’s what all of these
mean at the end of the day. A constant reminder.”
“So that’s what it’s gonna be like for me then?” Future Louis didn’t say
anything, just shrugged. Louis let out a big sigh. “I don’t like comparing our
lives, because they’re so different.”
“Or maybe they aren’t. Maybe you go home, and forget, but the feeling lingers
on, which is why when Harry and I met there was an instant connection.”
“Forged in time travel.”
“Exactly.”
“But what if it’s only like that because I see you two together. What if you’re
only comfortable because you have vague memories and feelings of being me,
watching you two…”
“Woah we are getting a little too heavy for me. Okay. Listen. Let’s break it
down real simple. You like Baby Hazza right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s all that really matters. That’s all that mattered to me when I
was in your shoes. You’re allowed to like him. You’re allowed to pursue your
dreams or whatever inspirational thing you need from me. This is me – your
older, wiser self – telling you it’s going to be okay. It will all work out,
because you can trust yourself.” Future Louis looked him in the eye. “You’ve
got this, Baby Me.”
And Louis knew that Future Louis wasn’t just talking about Harry, or about
singing, he was talking about life. He nudged Future Louis’ shoulder with his
own and smiled at him.
“Thanks. I think I’m gonna go to bed, now.”
Future Louis pulled him in for a hug. “Did Baby Me have a long day?” He kissed
the top of his head. “Sleep well. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Hopefully not though.”
“Yeah. Hopefully not.” Future Louis let him go and ushered him off the balcony.
“The Harrys should still be in the living room if you want to say goodnight.”
Harry and Future Harry were indeed in the living room, both still shirtless,
playing a version of what Louis assumed was the latest Mario Kart. They kept
knocking elbows, trying to throw the other off as they laughed.
“Where’s Stan?” Louis asked.
“Went to bed, haha eat it, Self!” Harry said, taking the lead as … Peach in a
catsuit?
“Steady and slow wins the race.” Future Harry was playing what Louis guessed
was his own avatar.
“Not in this one,” Harry said, crossing the line for the final lap.
“Are they playing Mario Kart again? Yesterday it was Smash and I had hoped they
would stay on it. Neither of them actually knows how to play, so it’s just an
item fest and button mashing,” Future Louis said from behind Louis.
“As opposed to?”
“Oh, they are crazy competitive with this. Those steering wheels will be used
as deadly weapons.”
“Yes!” Harry cheered as he crossed the finish line first, and Future Harry
second. “Steady and slow loses the race.”
Future Harry smacked Harry’s arm lightly and he winced. Before he could
retaliate with what looked like a very painful nipple twist, Future Louis spoke
up. “Haz, Baby Me is off to bed. He just wanted to say goodnight before you two
killed each other.”
Harry pulled away from Future Harry. “I’ll come with you!” His feet got tangled
as he tried to stand up and Future Harry ended up having to catch him before he
fell.
“No, it’s okay. You can stay up,” Louis said even as Harry wrapped his arms
around Future Harry’s neck and received a kiss on the top of his head.
“No it’s fine. I should get some sleep anyway it’s almost… eight.” He gave
Louis a look.
“It’s like three or four A.M. for me. You don’t have to come.”
Harry shook his head and stood up. “Nope. Coming to bed with you. Night, Older
Self.”
“Night, Child Me.” Future Harry waved at Louis, and he almost felt bad because
he hadn’t really interacted with him all day. It had always been buffered by
someone else. He saw Harry give Future Louis a hug and he wondered if he should
do the same with Future Harry, but Future Harry just winked at him. “Night,
Child Louis. Sleep well.”
“Thanks,” he said, tongue heavy.
Future Harry was deadly, he decided.
Louis followed Harry back downstairs, and they got ready for bed in a
comfortable silence. It was only when they were climbing into bed, Louis
dressed in his pajama bottoms and a loose shirt, and Harry in boxers and his
bright red skin that Louis frowned. “Are you going to be able to cuddle up to
me like you have been?”
Harry frowned as well. “What do you mean?”
“Your sunburn.”
“Oh,” Harry said, looking at his shoulders as best he could. “Damn.”
“Does it hurt when you lay down?”
“Yeah. I’ve had to sleep on my stomach the last couple days.”
“Okay, then we’ll just sleep like that until your sunburn goes away.”
Harry pouted, but from the way he winced when he flopped onto his back, Louis
knew it was a good decision. He turned over onto his stomach and Louis flipped
off the light, plunging the room into darkness, except for the faint glow of
outside.
He settled down into bed and reached out for Harry’s hand, entwining their
fingers.
“Glad we’re back together,” Harry said. “I really did miss you.”
“I missed you too. Was Future Me not a good replacement?”
“He’s not you.”
Louis couldn’t stop the smile that came to his face. “Technically he is.”
“No. He’s Older Louis. He’s who you will be, but for right now you’re you. Just
like I’m me.”
Louis let Harry’s words hang in the darkness for a long moment. “Do you ever
feel like we have a choice,” Louis asked.
“What do you mean? With how our future’s gonna be? Is this about the tattoos?”
Louis felt the bed dip as Harry moved around. “No it’s not about the tattoos,
Future Me explained those, sorta. And it’s not like, me specific either. It’s
just, everyone assumes we’re meant to be. That we’ve fallen in love and are
going to be together forever. But in reality, we just met. We’ve known each
other a week, and spent three days apart. We can’t be in love.”
“Is it that insane of an idea? Being in love?”
“No,” Louis whispered. “No it’s not. I’m just – I’m terrified that it’s not
going to last. Cause I look at us – older us, and see how that Harry looks at
that Louis, and I can’t imagine be loved like that. And it scares me because
apparently I am one day and I’m not – I don’t want to screw this up. I want you
to love me – but I want you to love me. Not what you see in the future.”
Harry cut off his ramblings with a dry kiss. Louis’ eyes were open for a
moment, and then they slid shut as he kissed back. The kiss was tentative and
slow as they tried it out, and it was over far too soon.
“I don’t think it’s fair to call it love yet, but I don’t think anything starts
off as love. Love is something that grows, and maybe, maybe it could grow
between us?”
Louis nodded, breathless. He wanted to say so much, tell Harry how much he
wanted to try this, but all he could do was lean forward and kiss him again. He
cupped Harry’s chin as their lips moved against one another. His whole body was
tingling with excitement because even if this was one of the tamest things he
had done, it felt so much heavier.
Harry was panting for breath when they broke apart. Louis opened his eyes,
drinking in the faint outline of Harry he could see in the dark.
“Is this okay?” He whispered, as if raising his voice too much would break the
spell.
Harry nodded quickly, pushing his face forward. “You could do it again.”
Louis nodded as well. His hands were trembling as he moved them gently into
Harry’s hair, tangling them up in the curls. This time the kiss was deeper,
both of them giving it their all, until Louis felt his stomach start to knot up
in anticipation of what else was coming.
They broke for air, gulping in as much as they could before resuming the kiss.
Louis felt like an amateur because he knew there was a way to do this where he
wasn’t left gasping for air every time, but he couldn’t remember it. He
couldn’t remember proper snogging technique while he was fucking doing it. Not
with the way his body and mind were buzzing.
What had Harry reduced him to?
Harry’s fingers clenched around his hips, and Louis let a whimper escape from
his mouth as his hand dropped from Harry’s hair to his shoulder. He squeezed
just as he rolled his hips forward, just a little, just enough to find out if
Harry was as hard as he was.
“Ow, fuck,” Harry cursed, ripping away from Louis’ hold to sit up and hold his
shoulder.
“Shit,” Louis said, rolling over to turn on the side table lamp. His cock was
throbbing, but he ignored it. “Fuck, sorry. Lemme see.” He turned back around
and looked at Harry, hesitant to touch him again after hurting him. “Harry, can
you let me see it?”
“It’s fine,” Harry said, but he did turn so Louis could see his shoulder. It
was still an angry red and Louis pressed a light kiss to it.
“I’m so sorry. I forgot you had the burn.”
“I forgot I had the burn, up until… yeah.” Harry sounded embarrassed and Louis
glanced up at him, smiling.
Harry’s lips were swollen from their kissing and Louis felt very proud to have
done that. He wondered what Harry thought he looked like. He kissed Harry’s
shoulder once more.
“How about we just go to sleep?” Harry pouted and Louis couldn’t help it. He
leaned up and kissed him on the lips. “I am actually tired, love.”
Harry’s eyes darkened as he gave a full body shiver. “I- I like that.”
Louis grinned, giving him another kiss. He understood now why Future Harry and
Louis were doing it all the time. Harry was just so… kissable; he didn’t want
to stop. “I’m glad, so let’s go to sleep, alright?”
Harry’s pout was minimal this time, and when Louis shut off the light plunging
them back into darkness it disappeared completely. They both laid back down and
Louis grabbed hold of Harry’s hand.
“Sorry my sunburn interrupted us.”
“It’s okay. We have all the time in the world.” Louis leaned over to kiss Harry
once more before closing his eyes and settling into the pillow. “Sleep well,
Harry.”
“You too, Louis.”
                                     *****
Louis woke up when Harry got out of bed.
“What time is it?”
“It’s only 7:30,” Harry said. Louis groaned and buried his face in his pillow.
He missed sleeping in. “You don’t need to get up, I’m just hanging out with
Older Harry.”
Louis pulled his face out of the pillow to give him a skeptical look. “At seven
in the morning?”
Harry nodded, and reached over to squeeze Louis’ hand. “We walk around the
neighborhood, and then Harry exercises.”
The idea of exercise this early - or ever - made Louis tired. “Have fun with
that.”
Harry laughed, almost as if he were expecting that answer. “I will. Go back to
sleep.” He kissed the back of Louis’ hand.
Louis didn’t remember falling back asleep, but he must have since the next
thing he remembered was looking over at the clock on the bedside table next to
the bowl of Kisses and seeing it read 9:00. He buried his face back in the
pillow, and tried to will himself back to sleep, but it was no use. He wasn’t
tired enough to go back to sleep, especially since he was alone in the empty
bed.
He got up, and ran through his morning routine before he trudged up to the top
floor, cursing Future Louis and Harry for buying a giant three story house with
no elevator. He was ashamed that he found himself panting a little, and
wondered if maybe he should have taken Harry up on that offer for a walk.
The upstairs was quiet, but Louis spotted Future Louis sitting in the front
room by the fireplace holding a mug.
“Is that tea?”
Future Louis smiled at him, and Louis realized he looked loads better than he
had back in London. Much less drug-addict chic and more grungy punk singer.
“There’s a mug for you on the counter, and some muffins. I figured you’d be up
soon.”
“Yeah? How’d you guess that?”
“Cause I just woke up about twenty minutes ago.”
Louis grabbed a muffin and the mug of tea from the counter. The mug had a
starfish on it with Seas the Day written on it, and Louis was reminded of the
mug he’d used back in London. “You two really like the beach.”
Future Louis just arched his eyebrow as he hid behind his own mug, which was
Spider-Man decorated. “You kissed Baby Hazza.”
Louis blew on his tea, surprised it was still hot, and tried to keep his face
neutral. “How do you figure?”
“Cause I know the look I get after I’ve done something.” Future Louis lets that
hang in the air for a moment and then smiles. “That and Baby Hazza told Harry,
who told me.”
“That makes much more sense. Where are the Harrys then?”
“Morning swim,” Future Louis said, inclining his head toward the front door.
Louis looked outside to see that there were two people doing laps in the pool,
while two more people sat on the bench right beside the pool.
“Is he wearing sunscreen?”
“No, he accepted the fate of skin cancer.” Louis glared at Future Louis. “Of
course he’s wearing fucking sunscreen. Haz and I double teamed him.”
“Phrasing.”
They lapsed into a comfortable silence as they both drank their tea, and Louis
ate his muffin. If he hadn’t seen the box it had been in he would have asked
Future Louis if one of the Harrys had made it. Harry had mentioned during one
of their conversations that he had just started working in a bakery, and
enjoyed pestering the head baker to show him basic techniques.
“Alright, on a serious note. Do you want to talk about this?”
“Talk about what?” Louis asked, mouth full of a bite of muffin. Future Louis
arched an eyebrow at him. “No?” Future Louis gave him a severe look that seemed
to say, try again. Louis swallowed, and tried again. “I’m good. We’re good. It
feels right.”
“Okay. That makes sense from what I remember when I was your age. Well, I’m
glad. It took you two long enough.”
“It’s been a week! How long did it take you two? What, did you trip and land on
his dick the day you met?”
Future Louis snorted. “Close. Dicks were involved in our first meeting.”
“I’m not even going to ask,” Louis muttered.
Future Louis pretended he didn’t hear. “Let’s see… we met a boot camp in mid-
July, and our first kiss was…”
“Don’t act like you don’t have that tattooed on your thigh or something.”
“It’s on my arse, thank you very much. We kissed July thirty-first, though an
argument could be made for August first because it was in the middle of the
night. First day as a real band all together.”
“Wow. So it happened quick?”
“Love at first sight,” Future Louis confirmed. “Or, well, if you want to get
technical it was lust at first sight, because love is a deep emotional
connection, formed over a long period of time.”
“Oh my god, shut the fuck up. You ruined such a good moment.”
Future Louis cracked a smile. “I can’t help it. I’m going to sound old but -
you’ll understand what I mean when you’re older.”
Louis walked away from Future Louis and went outside, since he was done with
his breakfast. He shielded his eyes from the morning sun as he came down the
stairs.
“Look who has come to grace us with his presence!” Stan called to him.
“Hey,” he said, waving.
He dropped his hand from over his eyes as he got into the shade, but he had to
blink once or twice to get his eyes working again. It was enough time for Harry
to climb out of the pool and run up to him, throwing his wet arms around Louis’
shoulders. Louis flailed in surprise because the water was cold.
Harry pulled back just far enough so he could kiss Louis. “Morning!” He said,
stepping away from Louis. He was beautiful, and the water droplets from his
hair made his green eyes shine.
Louis caught him around the waist before he could get to far. “Morning to you
too,” he said just before he pulled him back in for another quick kiss.
“Oh fuck there’s two of them now! Liam, can I crash with you until I go back
this weekend?”
Louis flipped Stan off, but didn’t drop his hand from Harry’s waist.
***** Chapter 6 *****
Chapter Notes
     Yeeeeeeeah let's just up the number of chapters this is gonna have
     cause that's how that goes. This is literally just the beginning of
     what I originally planned to be this chapter anD AS YOU MIGHT BE ABLE
     TO TELL IT'S TOO LONG. So sorry about that.
     Un-beta'd except for my own four eyes, I'm sorry :( Any terrible
     mistakes just lemme know.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Liam left for wherever he was staying in L.A. after Future Harry finished with
his morning swim. Louis assumed that was not the last he had seen of him, since
Liam mentioned carpooling with Future Louis on Saturday, so he only gave Liam a
distracted wave instead of a more serious goodbye. Harry had convinced him to
sit by the pool, and so he had his legs submersed in the fucking freezing water
while he watched Harry finish up his own laps.
“Hey, Melody!” Future Louis called from the side of the house.
Louis splashed some water towards Harry, pulling his attention back towards
him. “Harry, Future Me is calling for you.”
Harry stopped at the end of the pool and shook out his hair. “Huh?”
“Melody!” Future Louis called again, coming up to the pool.
“Is he talking to me?” Harry asked, looking at Louis for confirmation.
“Of course I’m talking to you, you freaking mermaid.” Future Louis said,
sitting down beside Louis.
Harry swam over to them, face a little perplexed. “Sorry, I’d think you’d go
with Ariel.”
“Nope, already taken by my Harry. Decided to go with her daughter,” Future
Louis swung his legs under the water, grinning. “Nevermind. You should get out,
and get around.”
“Are we going out?” Louis asked as Harry pulled himself out of the pool.
“Yeah, got a few errands to run. Figured we’ll take you two and Stan around
with us, let you see the sights.” He shrugged. “Can’t really leave the two of
you alone unsupervised now, can I?” He winked and then stood up.
Louis lolled his head back as Harry got out of the pool and sat down next to
him, dripping with water. “You’re not funny,” he said.
“I’m hilarious.” Future Louis tossed Harry’s towel towards them. “Chop chop,
babies.”
Harry was trying to be gentle as he toweled off, but he kept wincing so Louis
took the towel from him. “Let me,” he said as he started to pat very gently at
Harry’s arms, shoulders, and back.
“Thanks,” Harry said, before he leaned over and kissed Louis’ cheek.
Louis grinned and turned his head, kissing Harry on the lips. He could feel
Harry starting to smile, and he edged just a bit closer so he could keep the
kiss going. Harry’s body was cold and clammy, but Louis didn’t mind as he
rested one hand on Harry’s bare hip, right above the waistband of his shorts.
Harry made a happy sound in the back of his throat as he cupped Louis’ cheek,
letting the kiss deepen.
This time Louis remembered how to breathe through his nose, and he was able to
enjoy the slide of their lips without worrying about oxygen. The only problem
now was making sure he didn’t accidentally tip them into the pool, but if he
kept one hand on the ground he could keep himself leaning away from the water.
He pulled Harry a little bit closer as he licked into his mouth, until their
thighs were touching and the cold water started to transfer onto his joggers.
Louis didn’t mind, too distracted by the way Harry tasted. Sure it was a bit
too much chlorine, but beyond that he could taste what he thought was probably
pure Harry. Or at least whatever muffin he had eaten that morning.
He laughed a little at that thought, breaking the kiss finally. They rested
their foreheads together, both breathing heavily, before Harry bumped his nose
lightly against Louis’. Louis opened his eyes, smiling as he made eye contact
with Harry.
“More?” He asked, already leaning forward so that when Harry nodded he only had
a few centimeters before they were kissing again.
This was wonderful. Louis could do this all day.
Which is probably why after a few seconds he felt the cold squirt of water on
the back of his head.
He let out a shriek as the next bit of water hit his bare neck, and it was
cold! He toppled into Harry’s chest trying to get away from it.
“What did I tell you two? Can’t leave you unsupervised for a second,” Future
Louis said. Louis managed to pull himself off of Harry to turn around and see
Future Louis pointing a neon yellow water gun at him. He squeezed the trigger
and got Louis right in the face. “You two look like you need to cool down.”
“Then why are you just spraying me?” Future Louis gave him a look, but tilted
the gun to the side so he was aiming at Harry. Louis moved with the gun, and
Future Louis just raised an eyebrow, before squeezing the trigger again. Cold
water hit Louis right in the face and he grimaced. “I fucking hate you.”
“Stop making out. Get changed. We got shit to do.”
Harry giggled as he stood up, taking Louis’ hand as he did. “Sorry, Older
Louis.”
“No you fucking aren’t,” Future Louis said, as he put the water gun back in
it’s place. “Don’t make me come downstairs, because I will. And if I have to
you will be very upset, let me clue you.”
“Yes, Older Louis,” Harry said almost robotically, still smiling.
Louis stuck his tongue out at Future Louis as they passed each other, and
Future Louis scrunched up his nose in retaliation. Harry and he did manage to
change quickly and without further incident, though it was hard when all Louis
wanted to do was wrap Harry up in his arms and pull him down onto the bed and
keep kissing for the next eight hours until they fell asleep. But he couldn’t,
not when they had the prospect of seeing more of Los Angeles together. Tonight
though, they could keep going, especially if Harry’s shoulders were feeling
better.
Louis looked at the loose cotton t-shirt Harry was wearing and he frowned.
“Does that bother your burn?”
Harry shrugged, and then winced. “A little yeah. But don’t put the aloe on it.
The way it feels under the shirt is weird, and I don’t like it.”
“If you say so, but when we get back we should put some more on you.”
“Okay,” Harry said, stopping to kiss Louis before he headed out of their room
and up the stairs.
Louis followed, grabbing Harry’s hand when he could reach it so they got to the
top floor together, hand in hand. Stan, Future Louis, and Harry, were waiting
for them ready to go. While Stan and Future Louis didn’t look any different,
Future Harry was dressed differently than Louis had seen in any picture, or
real life. Instead of a fancy patterned shirt, he was wearing a monotone
henley, and a beanie covered his hair.
He must have caught Louis staring because he pointed to the hat and grinned.
“Incognito. Never get recognized if they can’t see the hair these days.”
“We’re not taking your Mercedes then?” Stan asked, grinning. “You know I love
that car.”
Future Harry smiled as they made their way out of the house and up to the
garage. “I’d let you take it for a ride later but I don’t trust you on these
American roads.”
“One day, mate,” Stan said. “Me and that car will run away together.”
Future Louis laughed as one of the garage doors opened to reveal a black four
door BMW sedan with very tinted windows. He arched an eyebrow. “Incognito?”
Neither Future Harry nor Future Louis responded to him as they got into the
front seat of the car.
“I call middle,” Stan said, climbing into the backseat and taking over the
middle before Louis could do anything to respond. “Not sitting next to your
couple shit; I have been in too many fucking car rides.”
Harry laughed, getting in behind Future Harry, but Louis was less amused.
“You’d rather have to sit in between our quote, couple shit?” He asked as he
got in behind Future Louis and tried to climb over Stan to push him to the
side.
Harry was kind enough to help him, and they pushed Stan over to be behind
Future Louis, allowing Louis to be in the middle. “You’re gonna need to move a
little more, Stan. My arse can’t fit in that spot,” Louis said as he tried to
not get stuck switching places.
Future Harry was giving him a wide smile as he half leaned in the front seat,
and he felt a hand on his waist trying to guide him down to sit.
SMACK
Louis shrieked, jolting forward a little as Stan cackled. “Sit down, Baby
Tommo. There’s plenty of room for your fucking arse, sizeable as it is.”
Louis plopped down, smacking Stan’s chest, and making a grab at his nipple.
“That fucking hurt.” Stan tried to squirm away from him, but Future Louis
leaned his seat back, pinning Stan to his place. Louis twisted until Stan
laughingly begged for mercy. “Serves you fucking right.” Louis shifted in his
seat, fixing his fringe before looking for his seatbelt.
Future Louis wasn’t moving his seat to an upright position just yet, and Future
Harry hadn’t even turned on the car, so Louis knew he had time. He caught sight
of Harry out of the corner of his eye, and once he had the seat belt fastened
he looked fully at him as he linked their hands together.
Harry wasn’t looking at him though. Harry was glaring at Stan, who didn’t seem
to realize because he was engaged in a flicking match with Future Louis. Louis
frowned, and squeezed Harry’s hand, but Harry kept glaring.
Louis leaned close to him, pressing their bodies against one another. “Hey,
love.” Harry let out a breath, and closed his eyes. Louis kissed his cheek.
“You okay?”
Harry sighed. “Yeah. Just… didn’t like seeing…” he trailed off, but Louis saw
where he was going with it.
“Stan smacking my ass?”
“Yeah,” Harry let out with another sigh. He kissed Louis’ cheek. “Didn’t expect
to get so upset.”
Louis smiled. “Just jealous you haven’t gotten to touch the goods yet.”
That got Harry to crack a big smile, as he squeezed his fingers around Louis’.
“Maybe.”
“You could grab it now,” Louis said, eyes darting to Harry’s lips. He wasn’t
actually sure if Harry would be able to grab it now, or how he’d react to that.
His arse was a sensitive spot for him, and there was a good chance this could
lead to him having to figure out how to hide an erection from everyone.
Harry laughed, kissing him on the lips.
“God-fucking-dammit, this is why I wanted to sit in the middle.”
Louis twisted his leg so he could kick Stan’s calf, right as Future Louis
finally pulled up his seat. Stan kicked back, and they got into a short scuffle
with their feet, knocking against Future Louis’ chair.
“I swear to fuck if I have to come back there and kill both of you I will,”
Future Louis grumbled.
Louis leaned forward so he could pat Future Louis on the shoulder, even as Stan
kept gently kicking the back of his seat. “Remember you are my future.”
“I remember. Are we ready to go, Harold?”
“Is everyone seated and have all their rough housing out of their system?”
Future Harry asked, looking back at all of them over the top of the aviator
sunglasses he had put on. He was grinning, so obviously their rough housing
hadn’t bothered him too much.
Louis sat back down in his seat, but not before he felt a quick grab on his
bum. He grinned, and turned towards Harry, who was grinning like a loon. They
both giggled as he kissed Harry once, twice, three times, all the while aware
that Stan was groaning beside them.
The car started to move, but then it paused, and Louis pulled away from Harry
to see what the problem was. He smiled when he saw it. Future Harry was leaning
over to give Future Louis his own kiss, much to the loud protests of Stan.
“Fucking hell I hate all four of you twats. I wanna go home! Lemme out of this
orgy car!” Stan made a few fake grabs for the door.
Future Harry just laughed as he pulled out of the garage, and onto the street.
Stan settled down, and Louis relaxed into his seat. He hadn’t realized how
small the backseat of the car was until that moment, because Harry’s legs were
squished behind Future Harry’s seat, and even though Future Louis had pulled up
his seat a little, Stan also had no leg room. Now that he was thinking about
it, he had no idea how his own legs were currently fitting, and he knew that he
they were going to fall asleep soon.
He wiggled in his seat, pulling his legs up, and after only a seconds
hesitation, draped them over Harry’s thighs. To get comfortable he had to twist
so he was sitting facing the window, but once he was, he felt a lot less
cramped, and hey - it gave Stan more room. The fact that Harry didn’t seem to
mind, and merely placed one hand on Louis’ knee before taking hold of one of
Louis’ other hands was just an added bonus.
Louis smiled, and rested his cheek on top of Harry’s head. "So what are you two
getting in your errands?" He asked, just to fill the silence that had taken
over the car. He had been expecting there to be a near incessant chatter from
Future Louis and Stan, but when he darted a glance to Future Louis he had his
eyes closed as he played with the hand Future Harry wasn’t keeping on the
steering wheel.
Future Harry answered him. “We have to go grocery shopping, but before that,
who knows. We are dust on the wind, letting nature guide us on our journey
through life." That caused Future Louis to laugh, and Future Harry smiled. "I
figured we should probably pick up an extra suitcase at least, so we'll head
into a store at some point and grab one.”
Before Louis could ask if they could just walk into a store with no security -
which he assumed they could since they were going to do it, and Future Harry
and Louis would know what they could and couldn't do - Future Louis spoke up.
“Did we already get Jeff a gift?”
“Yes, I got it earlier this month.”
“Excellent. A bottle of wine, or were you more creative?”
Future Harry shot him a smirk. “I thought about a glow in the dark handcuff set
but I settled for some expensive wine.”
“Classy, Harold.”
Stan groaned. “Is this really what you two talk about now? What gifts you
bought for people’s birthdays? You sound like me parents.”
“Well, Stanley, usually we talk about sex, but we decided to reign ourselves
in.”
Future Harry snickered. “Unless you want to hear about that. Because I ended up
getting the handcuffs. I was going to save it for a special occasion, but
well..."
"Every occasion is special with you, Harold," Future Louis said, right before
Stan leaned over the gap between the driver and passenger’s seat and flicked
first Future Harry's ear, and then Future Louis'.
"Oi!" Future Louis said, turning around and grabbing Stan's hand before he
could pull it back. "Hands off me boy!"
Louis couldn't tell if Future Louis was seriously upset or not. He had a glare
that rivaled the one Harry had been shooting Stan earlier, but Stan didn't
seemed bothered, and Future Harry was laughing, even as he rubbed his ear.
Louis looked from Future Louis to Stan, waiting to see what was going to
happen. He was suddenly very glad Future Louis hadn't been around to witness
the pillow fight. He wasn't sure how he would have taken that, and maybe they
would have had to bury a body. Or at the very least take care of some serious
bruises.
“Are you two going out tomorrow night?” Harry piped up from beside Louis, and
he whipped his head back to Harry. He gave Louis a not quite subtle wink, but
the message got across.
Future Louis let go of Stan's wrist with a pinch. “Yeah. Friend’s having a
birthday party, and naturally he needs our lovely presence to make it a true
party.”
"I'm on babysitting duty, which is why these two haven't shipped me back to
England just yet," Stan said with his own wink, leaning back in his seat.
"Especially now that you two have gotten all hormonal."
"I didn't call it babysitting," Future Louis said, giving Louis an almost
apologetic look. "I just thought the two of you would need some supervision so
you didn't burn down the house."
"Uh huh," Louis said, not entirely convinced. He didn't say anything else
though, because suddenly the car jolted to a stop.
“Fuck, Haz,” Stan grumbled, and it was echoed by Future Louis.
Future Harry looked back with an apologetic smile, and nodded towards the
pedestrians crossing the street. Louis frowned, looking out the window, because
there were a lot of pedestrians, and wow traffic was heavy. He hadn’t realized
it had gotten this heavy.
Harry let out a low whistle, eyes glued to the view outside the tinted windows,
which had changed from hills and residential areas to congested traffic,
sprawling buildings, and lots and lots of people. Louis was transfixed as the
car made its way at a crawl down the street, Future Harry slamming on the
brakes frequently.
“Thank fuck this isn’t a manual,” Future Louis grumbled.
Future Harry just laughed. “I learned that lesson in London.”
“Pretty sure you both did. Poor car, it didn’t deserve that life.” Stan said.
Louis turned his head to see out of Stan's window, since then he wasn't looking
over traffic to see the sidewalk, and he felt Harry turn with him, pressing
himself close to Louis so he could see out the window too. His legs were still
sprawled over Harry’s thighs, which made it a bit uncomfortable, but he wanted
to take in all the sights he could.
"Wow," Harry said. "This is proper Hollywood, isn’t it?"
"Well, kinda," Stan said, right as the car jolted to a stop again due to
traffic.
“Why did you think driving down Hollywood Boulevard was a good idea, Harold?”
Future Louis asked.
“I wanted Child Me and Louis to see some of the tourist attractions, even if
it’s from inside a car. You remember what your first time here was like.”
Future Louis groaned in time with the car stopping and going and then stopping
again. “You can play tour guide.”
That caused Future Louis to perk up, and he cleared his throat. "If you look to
your left, you will see the illustrious crowd of obnoxious camera packing
tourists."
Harry burst out laughing, but he and Louis both obligingly turned to look at
what Future Louis was talking about. Future Louis kept up a steady stream of
commentary as they made their way the rest of the way down Hollywood Boulevard,
stopping and going the whole time. He did point out some of the more
interesting attractions, like Madame Tussauds, where they had their own wax
figurines.
Future Harry turned off Hollywood Boulevard at some point, and then drove up
Sunset Boulevard, so they could see more attractions from inside the car.
“And that’s an In-N-Out, which we will have to take you to at some point, Fuck
Haz, how have I been here five days and you haven’t gotten me a burger yet?”
Future Louis asked, causing Future Harry to just laugh some more, as he took
Future Louis’ hand up to his mouth and kissed the knuckles.
That seemed to be his default, or rather both of their defaults, laughing at
everything the other one did, or said. Louis remembered what Harry had said
over the phone, about how they made each other laugh. Louis supposed he hadn’t
been lying.
“We’ll get food from an In-N-Out that isn’t filled with tourist, how’s that?”
Future Harry asked after he dropped Future Louis’ hand from his mouth.
Future Harry eventually pulled off of the tourist roads, and while the traffic
didn’t go away entirely there were less stops and goes. Future Louis’ running
commentary didn’t let up though, which Louis appreciated. It was relaxing to
have something filling the air of the car, and it distracted him from realizing
exactly how long they had been stuck in the car, despite not driving very far.
They ended up driving alongside the ocean, and like, Louis had known Los
Angeles was right next to water, but it was still kinda crazy to see the ocean
right there, with people on the beach in the middle of January. Sure they
didn’t look like they were tanning, but still… beaches. January.
"Yes, to your left would be the ocean, with its subpar waves," Future Louis
said.
Stan laughed. "You say that like you are a master surfer."
"I've surfed in Australia. The waves there are much better.”
"We learn to surf?" Louis asked.
"Yup. We do learn to surf. Harry, not so much."
"I bet I fall off the board too easily," Harry said, grinning.
"Hey!" Future Harry said. "Have a little faith in yourself. We can be
graceful."
"Balance isn't our forte, though," Harry said, leaning forward. “Can we go to
the beach? I wanna stick my foot in the Pacific Ocean.”
Louis snorted and pulled Harry back because he didn’t like how he had to move
his legs when Harry leaned forward. “Did you bring sunscreen?” Harry pouted,
eyes darting to Future Louis, who had turned around to look at them. Louis took
pity on him and whispered in his ear. “I just don’t want you getting worse,
love.”
Harry shivered, just like he had the night before. He was looking a little
glassy eyed when Louis pulled back, and he wanted nothing more than to cuddle
up next to Harry, but he knew he couldn’t, not without possibly hurting Harry.
“I actually did bring sunscreen,” Future Louis said. “For both of you.” He
pinched Future Harry’s cheek.
“Hey,” Future Harry drawled. “My moisturizer has sunscreen. And yes, we can go
to the beach. We’re gonna be parking soon. Figure we can find a suitcase in one
of the stores downtown. Shouldn’t be too crowded since it’s a Thursday and
all.”
“Kiddies do have school,” Future Louis agreed.
“And then we can walk over to the beach from there. It’ll only be a couple of
blocks.”
Louis found himself groaning along with Future Louis and Stan.
“You’re so buying me a burger for lunch if we are doing the walk I think we
are,” Stan said.
“Oh fuck,” Future Louis groaned again, sinking down in his seat. “Thanks for
reminding me. I had blocked that out of my mind- Ow, fuck.”
Future Harry had pinched him, and Louis could only guess it was on his nipple.
“I saw your skateboard in the boot, so don’t even start.”
“Oi, did you pack me one too?” Stan asked.
“Nah, just packed the one. I figured you could use is, and I’ll stick to
walking.” Future Louis said, sounding pained. “Gotta get my endurance back up
for this tour, so don’t even think of saying shit, Stan.”
“That’s what she said,” Harry said.
“Lame,” Stan muttered, reaching over Louis to tussle Harry’s hair.
Future Harry pulled into a parking garage near tons of shops, and Louis worried
again about being spotted, but since neither Future Harry nor Future Louis
seemed too concerned he decided to let it go. He did notice that they didn’t
hold hands as they walked out of the garage. Future Louis kept his hands
occupied with a cigarette, and Future Harry had his stuffed in his pockets.
Louis tried not to think too hard on it though since his own fingers were
tangled up with Harry’s and neither of them had said anything about not doing
that. No one gave their group a second look as they made their way down the
street and into a department store. Louis wanted to keep an eye on how Future
Louis and Future Harry acted in public, but Harry’s enthusiasm at everything
they passed kept him distracted.
“I know it probably looks so similar to something we’d see at home, but Lou,
we’re in America, in the future. These people are the future,” he was
whispering excitedly as they lagged behind Stan, Future Louis and Harry.
Louis squeezed his hand, causing Harry to smile at him. “I like your
excitement.”
When he finally started to pay attention to his surroundings he realized Future
Harry had walked them to a small display of suitcases, which he was eyeing
distastefully.
“You should have just ordered online if you were gonna be picky,” Future Louis
called from across the aisle where he was looking at an assortment of bags and
accessories with Stan.
Future Harry stuck out his tongue, before grabbing one of the suitcases from
the display and started to really inspect it. Louis could only assume there was
some trick about suitcases he didn’t fully understand, because Future Harry put
that one back muttering about compartments.
He let himself be pulled towards a rack of sunglasses by Harry, and they
started giggling as they tried them on when it became obvious nobody needed
their help.
“Oh my god,” Future Louis said. His words were quickly followed by a bark of
laughter from Stan. Louis looked up through the purple lenses of the sunglasses
he was trying on, and he saw Future Louis holding up a bag, waving it in the
direction of Future Harry. “Haz, I think I need it.”
Future Harry’s eyebrows furrowed and then he shook his head. “No.”
“But it’s bright fucking orange.” Louis took off his sunglasses to see that the
bag Future Louis was holding was in fact entirely bright fucking orange. “Think
if I carry it around long enough Niall will become convinced it’s fashionable?”
“Probably not; he does possess eyes.”
Future Louis looked at the bag again. “You’re right, I’d need to get one for
Zayn too. If both of us have one Niall won’t be able to resist.”
“Or it would make Liam want one,” Future Harry said, zipping up the suitcase he
had been looking at.
Louis watched as Future Louis snapped a picture of the bag and sent it to
someone, presumably Zayn. “If you were trying to make me not want one, that was
the wrong thing to say.”
Harry tugged on Louis' arm and nodded towards something. He looked in the
direction he was nodding, and then his eyes settled on the sign for a fitting
room. It took Louis a moment to understand what he was trying to say, but then
it clicked. The store they were in was huge, and so far he had only seen one
other customer, and no sales people, so there was a good chance the fitting
room was empty. He followed Harry back towards the fitting room, and by the
time they reached it they were both giggling. Louis knew there was a chance
Future Louis or Harry would get upset with them, but they seemed really keen on
their own banter. And even if they did they’d get over it. Probably.
Harry and him fell on each other the moment they were inside the fitting room,
which was blissfully empty. He made sure to be careful with Harry, backing
himself up against the changing room wall even as they kissed. Harry cupped his
chin, slowing the kiss down, which wow - it was such a dissonance to the
frantic beating of Louis' heart pounding in his head. He let Harry do what he
wanted, settling his hands on Harry’s hips. He really, really didn’t want to
hurt him.
Harry had no such worries, and he tucked his fingers under the hem of Louis’
shirt, touching skin. Louis shuddered. He wanted to do the same, but sunburn.
Fucking sunburn.
Louis broke the kiss, and trailed his lips down to Harry’s chin. He tilted his
head so Louis had better access, and Louis was gentle, so gentle as he kissed
Harry’s neck. He could feel the heat radiating from Harry’s skin, so he didn’t
bite like he wanted, but soft brushes of his lips and tongue were fine. Harry
seemed to enjoy it, if the whimpers he was making were any indication. And
those, those Louis loved. Really loved. He wanted to hear more of them, and as
he gently pushed the collar of Harry’s shirt to the side so he could kiss the
dip of his collarbone, he hoped he’d keep hearing them.
Harry’s hands squeezed his hips as he kissed his collarbone, and then Louis
felt Harry’s hips rocking forward.
His head started to spin again because he really, really wanted to rock back,
and he hesitated for a minute, unsure if he should, but then Harry did it
again, hips pushing forward so there was definite pressure on Louis’ cock.
Harry was hard. Louis was hard. And dammit he couldn’t help it, he pressed back
and was rewarded with a breathy gasp from Harry.
Harry’s hands slipped further up Louis’ shirt when their lips reconnected.
Louis’ head was spinning, and he was just thankful that he had decided to be
the one to lean against the wall, because he felt like his knees were going to
give out. Harry was pressed against him, and it took all of Louis’ control not
to do something completely stupid like claw at Harry’s back. As it was he
clamped down on Harry’s hips, trying to still them so he could be in control
and get the feeling just right against his own cock.
Harry moaned, freezing as Louis rolled his hips and spread his feet out just a
bit so he had a better angle.
“Ahem.” The words were accompanied by a loud, fake cough, and Louis froze.
They’d be caught.
Shit.
Then the familiarity of the voice caught up with him, and he just felt
disappointment flood his body, because fuck, couldn’t his future self see he
was busy?
He slowly turned his head to the side, and yeah, there was Future Louis
standing in the door of the changing stall they had stumbled into.
"Oops," Harry said, grinning maniacally, and definitely not stepping away from
Louis’ body. Which was probably smart, he was still painfully hard, and he
could feel that Harry was the same.
Future Louis did not look impressed. "Hi, you fucking horny monsters." He
nodded his head towards the exit. "You both are ridiculous.”
“Who’s ridiculous, oh I see you found them,” Future Harry poked his head over
Future Louis’ shoulder, smiling widely when he saw the two of them pressed up
against each other. “Having fun?”
“Yep!” Harry said, but he still didn’t step away, probably because they were
both still really hard, and there were just some things you didn’t share with
anyone else, even your future self.
“Until you two showed up.” Louis was just glad he didn’t feel like sinking into
the ground in embarrassment. He felt like he’d be betraying Harry, who seemed
perfectly okay with being caught.
“Well, I found a suitcase, which means this trip was officially a success.”
Future Harry got a kiss on the cheek from Future Louis for that.
“I’m very happy for you, love.”
“Did you find them?” Louis heard Stan ask. “Is it safe to come back there or is
this ripped straight from your X-Factor handbook?”
“Dicks are encased in trousers, you’re safe,” Future Louis said, smirking. “Now
come along, Babies.” Louis and Harry didn’t move, because from what Louis could
tell they were both still hard. Future Louis gave them a hard look. “What are
you two waiting for?” He clapped his hands.
Louis looked at Harry and they both grimaced. Future Harry caught on first and
he laughed. “I think we should give them a minute.”
Future Louis furrowed his brows, but then he snorted. “Well go ahead, stick
your hand down your pants and readjust. You’re both old enough to know how that
goes.” At least he had the decency to turn away from them, and guide Future
Harry and Stan out of the fitting room.
Louis blushed as he adjusted his trousers from the outside, trying not to watch
Harry do the same. Once both of them looked presentable - though now that Louis
had felt the outline of Harry’s cock he wasn’t able to not look at it - they
left the fitting room to meet up with Stan, Future Louis and Harry. Louis had
been expecting Stan to be mock-grumbling about horny teens, but instead it
looked like he and Future Louis were in the middle of an argument.
“Stan, shut up and let me do this for you,” Future Louis was saying, one hand
on top of the suitcase Future Harry much have picked out. “You’ve gone above
and beyond-”
“You flew me to fucking Los Angeles, are putting me up in your house, comping
me for the work I’m missing, and you’re feeding me, I don’t need anything else,
you fuck,” Stan snapped back at him.
Louis paused beside Future Harry, unsure what was going on. Future Harry smiled
at him and Harry, before coughing discreetly to get Future Louis’ attention.
Future Louis turned his head, finally noticing that Louis and Harry had joined
them. "Love, I'll pay for this. I'm gonna grab some things for Stan-"
"No you aren't!" Stan hissed.
"And then meet up with you. You can take the Babies out for ice cream, or
something. Cool them down." He winked.
Future Harry kissed Future Louis quickly. "Love you. I’ll text you where we end
up."
"Love you too, Haz.” Future Louis turned back to Stan and clapped his hands
together. “Now! Stanley!"
"You are not buying me something. I don't need anything!"
Louis gave Future Louis and Stan one last look before he followed Future Harry
down the aisle to leave the store. His stomach fluttered at the idea that he
was going to be alone with both Harrys, and he tried to push it to the side. He
could totally handle this. Future Louis had, and anything he could do, Louis
could do.
Future Harry turned right as they left the department store, and then stopped,
frowning. He looked around, and Louis couldn’t help looking with him.
“Ah! This way!” Future Harry grabbed Harry’s other hand, and started walking in
the opposite direction.
Harry giggled. “Did you forget where you were going?”
Future Harry shushed him with a finger to his lips. “Don’t tell, Lou.”
For some reason that caused Harry to laugh even more, leaning against Future
Harry. Future Harry kissed the top of Harry’s head, and then nudged him to
stand up straight so they were only taking up most of the sidewalk and not the
whole sidewalk. Louis was glad there weren’t that many people out and about
because that meant they were able to walk like that: Louis, Harry, Future
Harry, all holding hands down the street without bothering anyone.
Future Harry only had them turn around two more times before he pulled out his
phone and got walking directions. “See! I sorta knew the direction we were
going!” Future Harry said, smiling as if he hadn’t made them walk in circles.
They finally came to an empty ice cream shop, and Future Harry fired off a text
to Future Louis, letting him know where they were. He then joined Harry and
Louis in line. The female server didn’t give them a second look as she filled
their order: a mint chocolate chip shake for Future Harry, cookie dough for
Louis, and some sort of banana ice cream with hot fudge for Harry. They settled
into seats at a table and Louis found himself watching Harry and Future Harry
rather than eating his own ice cream. Harry looked in heaven as he ate his ice
cream, and Future Harry was watching him with an indulgent smile, sipping
slowly as his shake. He caught Louis’ eyes and broke out into a genuine smile,
his lips still wrapped around the straw.
Harry let out a happy moan and wiggled in his seat, causing Louis to drop his
gaze from Future Harry, suddenly embarrassed. If he’d thought time and being
with Harry would make it easier to be around Future Harry he was gravely
mistaken. He was pretty sure he would get over it eventually because Future
Harry really wasn’t that different from Harry. He was just a bit more
confident. Confidence just went a long way for a person apparently.
So for now it was a battle to stop himself from melting into a puddle when
Future Harry looked at him.
“Thanks for the ice cream, Future Harry,” Louis said, looking at his ice cream.
He chanced a look at Future Harry, who swallowed the sip he had just taken and
took the straw out of his mouth.
“You’re welcome.”
“Thank you!” Harry chirped, causing Future Harry to look at him fondly before
reaching over and messing up his hair.
“No problem. Figured it wouldn’t ruin your lunch.”
“We’re gonna get that place Stan and me were talking about?”
Future Harry nodded. “Might not have an option. Otherwise I’ll have a mutiny on
my hands and Lou might try and drive. And he’s pretty awful on American roads.”
He winked, causing Louis to blush, dropping the eye contact he had been proud
of holding.
“Did you want a bite?” Harry asked, holding the spoon out for Future Harry.
He shook his head. “It’s all yours.”
Harry shrugged and offered the spoon to Louis. Louis took the spoon, trading
Harry for a bite of his own, which made Harry smiled as he happily licked the
spoon clean. It was distracting to say the least, watching Harry do that, and
he ended up having hot fudge drip down onto his finger.
Future Harry snorted as Louis licked his thumb clean. It wasn’t until he caught
Harry’s eye that he realized Harry was staring now, mouth hanging open. He
finished cleaning his thumb and then handed the spoon back to Harry, taking his
own spoon in return.
“That was good,” he said, trying not to preen too much.
Harry swallowed. “Yeah. I like bananas. But not like, the candy flavor. Though
I guess that’s what bananas really tasted like before the banana crisis.”
“Huh?” He looked at Future Harry for clarification, but he was nodding.
“Yup, what we know as bananas are not actual bananas, they’re Cavendishes. Real
bananas were basically wiped out in the 1950s due to a bacteria. They were
sweeter and tasted closer to the banana candies.”
“How do you know this?”
“Did a paper on it in school,” Harry said, sounding proud of himself.
Louis smiled. “I think that is one of the most random pieces of knowledge I’ve
heard.”
“It’s a great conversation starter at parties,” Future Harry said.
“You don’t really?” Harry laughed.
“Well, I would, but usually Lou stops me. Says there’s a time and a place for
these things.”
The door opening cut off any response as Stan and Future Louis stumbled into
the shop, bantering. Future Harry waved, as if somehow the two of them would
miss them in the empty shop.
“Hey, I saved you half. Mint chocolate chip,” Future Harry said, holding out
the shake for Future Louis.
Future Louis dropped down into the seat on Future Harry’s right, and took the
shake with flourish, while Stan went up to the counter, a skateboard tucked
under his arm. “Thanks, love.”
“You got done quick,” Harry said.
Future Louis gave Future Harry a look, but he clearly was responding to Harry.
“How long did Haz have you walking around to find this place? It’s just right
around the corner.”
“Not long,” Harry said.
“Uh huh. Well we got a couple things, but no it didn’t take long,” Future Louis
said, taking a sip of the shake.
"What did you buy him?" Future Harry asked, probably to change topics.
"Ew, there are chocolate chips in here."
"Well, yes. It's a mint chocolate chip shake."
Future Louis made a face as he took another sip. "If I wanted to chew my drink,
Harold, I'd get ice in my shit or something."
Future Harry just looked at him fondly as Future Louis sipped at the milkshake.
"To answer your question, Hazza, he was under the impression I needed a new
bag," Stan said, standing with his own cup of ice cream. "I didn't, by the way.
But thank you both anyway. It's very nice and not bright fucking orange."
"You're welcome." Future Harry said, holding out his hand for the milkshake,
which Future Louis handed over after taking one more sip. Future Harry popped
the straw into his mouth, chewing on the end.
Future Louis stared at him for a moment, but then seemed to collect himself.
Louis was proud of his self control because for some reason Future Harry made
chewing on a straw look incredibly seductive.
"We gonna walk?" Stan asked, and that got Future Louis to his feet, followed by
Future Harry, who was smirking as he tongued at the end of the straw.
And they had the gall to say anything about his hormones. He huffed, muttering
under his breath.
"Hmm?" Harry asked, spoon in his mouth.
"Just... Future us."
Harry popped the spoon out and grinned. "They don't have room to lecture us, do
they?"
Whatever Louis was about to say dried up as Harry took another spoonful of ice
cream and sucked if off the spoon. Louis was transfixed, and getting very hard,
very quickly. Harry's tongue looked ... talented... which was probably not
something he should be thinking. That sounded almost too dirty, but Harry just
kept his eyes locked on Louis' as he licked the back of the spoon cleaned.
"Can I have another bite of yours?" Harry asked.
Louis swallowed and pushed his cup towards Harry, who looked pleased as he took
the spoon that Louis was barely holding onto.
“Babies! Hormones off, walking shoes on!” Future Louis called from the door. “I
know you’re both old enough to eat and walk, come on.”
Harry glared at Future Louis, but he stood up when Louis did, taking his almost
finished cup with him.
They left the store and began to walk down the street. Stan kept a slow
drifting pace on his skateboard so he stayed beside Future Harry and Louis.
Louis hung back with Harry, trading bites from their ice cream until both bowls
were empty.
Future Harry stopped at a crosswalk, and Louis looked across the freeway to see
the ocean.
“Wow,” he said, because there the ocean was. Which he still couldn’t believe,
of all the things.
Harry clutched his bicep. “Are we gonna walk along the beach?”
“There’s a boardwalk, yeah,” Future Harry said as the crosswalk turned so they
could cross.
“Ugh, walking. Walking is the worst,” Future Louis groaned as he elbowed Future
Harry’s side. Future Harry smiled at him and they clasped hands for a quick
moment as they ran across the street. Once they were across they let go of
their hands though, and Future Harry stuffed his hands in his pocket while
Future Louis kept his own hands busy with the milkshake cup. “We are not
walking the whole fucking beach this time, Harold. I am putting my foot down
now.”
Stan laughed, taking off on his skateboard down the boardwalk. “Should have
brought your board.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Future Louis groused, keeping pace with Future Harry.
“Future Louis is a bit of a drama queen, isn’t he?” Harry asked, as the two of
them watched the three boys in front of them.
“I mean, he’s not wrong. Walking is awful.”
For some reason that made Harry smile widely as he threw out their cups in the
first trash can he found. “Come on.” He tugged Louis’ hand and sprinted so they
were just behind Future Harry and Louis.
Louis put up only minor protest, but in the end the pace Future Harry and Louis
were setting wasn’t that fast. Stan kept looping back to them on the
skateboard, making faces at Future Louis.
“I keep thinking we should bring Abby and Erik here if we ever stay in Los
Angeles long enough, just to see how happy they would be,” Future Harry said,
looking at the beach.
Louis looked as well. It wasn’t crowded by people, but he figured that was
because it was the middle of winter, but there were people on it, walking with
their dogs off leashes. He could only imagine the two dogs would be in heaven.
“Abby would try swimming and then someone would have to save her before she
drowned.”
“She’s a water dog. She knows how to swim,” Future Harry said.
“Do you really wanna risk her swimming in the ocean, Haz?”
“Am I hearing domestic conversation over here again?” Stan asked, getting off
the skateboard so he could walk with them.
“There’s always domestic conversation,” Future Harry said with a smile.
“It is us,” Future Louis said.
Stan shoved his way in between Future Harry and Louis, edging Future Louis onto
the beach. “Alright well I’m staging an intervention cause you’re helping me
find seashells for me mum.”
Future Louis went without much complaint, leaving the three of them standing on
the boardwalk with the skateboard. Future Harry didn’t seem bothered, just
ushered Harry and Louis towards the sand so they were out of people’s way and
then sat down in between them, draping his arms across both of their shoulders.
Louis noted that he was being very careful with Harry, and so he didn’t
complain and started watching Future Louis and Stan goof off as they pretended
to collect seashells. He did reach his arm behind Future Harry so he could grab
Harry’s hand, and he smiled when their fingers tangled together.
He heard Harry and Future Harry drop into conversation, and he let the feeling
of everything wash over him. It was truly relaxing sitting on a beach, the sun
beating down on him, with his future husband’s arm draped over his shoulder. He
could block out the sound of traffic right behind him and really drift in a way
he normally didn’t allow himself to. He leaned against Future Harry’s side,
watching as Future Louis and Stan’s seashell hunt turned into them tossing off
their shoes and splashing in the water.
Louis turned towards Future Harry to see what his reaction was going to be to
the new shenanigans. His eyes caught the edge of a tattoo on Future Harry’s
upper bicep and he frowned, turning his body so he could see. He hadn’t really
looked at Future Harry’s arm tattoos, but now that Future Harry had pushed up
the henley he was wearing so high, they were kinda right there.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He said, making sure his voice was loud enough to
hear.
Future Harry looked away from Future Louis and Stan running through the water,
because of course he had been looking. “What?”
“You have fucking matching tattoos!” Louis pulled away so he could tug up the
sleeve a bit more to make sure he wasn’t going crazy.
Future Harry seemed amused as he looked at his arm as Louis pointed to the ship
and the heart. “Well would you look at that. We do.”
“They’ve got a couple more,” Harry piped up. “The anchor and the rope. The
dagger and rose go together too.”
“How does a dagger and rose go together?” Louis asked.
“Classic nautical iconography. I’ve always been interested in sailing and
traveling.”
Louis tipped his head back. “I really am an idiot.”
“Hush,” Future Harry said, tucking Louis back under his arm and kissing his
temple. “No you aren’t. I just haven’t taught you yet.”
That made Louis feel a little bit better, and he made a mental note to start
researching sailing at some point in the near future. It was obviously
something important to them and he didn’t want to mess anything up.
“What’s going to go with the mermaid?” Harry asked.
“Pretty sure that counts as a spoiler, Child Me. Oh shit, Lou! We don’t have
any towels! And we still need to go grocery shopping!” Future Harry called,
bringing both of his hands up to his mouth so the yell carried across the
beach.
Louis looked up just in time to see Stan catch Future Louis by the wrist to
stop him from toppling back into a wave. Both of them were laughing, and Stan
spun Future Louis away from the water until they both collapsed onto the sand.
Future Louis didn’t stay down long, getting up and running to them, huge smile
on his face. He grabbed hold of Harry’s wrist, and pulled him away.
“Come on, Baby Hazza. Time to play.”
Harry laughed, and let himself be lifted up over Future Louis’ shoulder fireman
style.
“Lou! What are you doing!?” Future Harry yelled.
Future Louis blew Future Harry a kiss. “Letting Baby Hazza step into the
Pacific!”
Louis watched Future Louis drop Harry gently feet first into the water after
tossing his shoes to the side, and Harry shrieked. He wasn’t too deep, just up
to his ankles, but still looked like he was having the time of his life. He
sighed, and dropped his head onto Future Harry’s shoulder as the wind picked
up. Suddenly it wasn’t as warm as it had been and Louis shivered.
“What are you doing?” Future Harry asked, and Louis didn’t know what it was but
he could tell Future Harry seemed unsure about how he should act with Louis.
So he sighed, and made sure to put all his snark in one sentence. “Looking at
my future and regretting my choices.”
Future Harry let out a loud laugh as he wrapped his arms around Louis. Louis
immediately relaxed, soaking up the warmth from Future Harry’s body. Future
Harry kissed the top of his head and he smiled.
“You chilly, sweetheart?” Future Harry asked, and Louis nodded, snuggling
closer to him and wrapping his arms around Future Harry’s waist. Future Harry
rubbed his bare arms. “This helping?”
“Yeah,” he closed his eyes. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Future Harry gave him another kiss on the top of the head, as the
two of them settled into watching Stan, Harry, and Future Louis play on the
beach.
                                     *****
Louis woke up the next day incredibly hard. He didn’t know why he was surprised
considering he’d fallen asleep after making out with Harry for what seemed like
hours. He’d been aching by the time he’d finally convinced both of them to
drift off, a feat he deserved major credit for considering how desperate Harry
had sounded wanting to go further.
And Louis wanted that too, really badly, but he also wanted things to be
perfect. If he’d learned anything from watching their future selves it was that
they were the happiest relationship he’d ever seen. They had fucking tattoos.
And Future Harry loved him an obscene amount. He refused to mess up that type
of perfection by rushing anything. So no matter how badly he wanted this he was
taking things slow. He wasn’t sure how slow since they were already sharing a
bed, but he definitely knew two days was too fast to be messing around passed
making out.
Or at least… he was pretty sure two days was too fast. Maybe he should check
with Future Louis about how fast they should be moving. But immediately his
mind rejected that idea. He knew what Future Louis would say, because it’s
exactly what he would say. “Trust yourself.” Which wasn’t fucking helpful when
all he wanted was to get this right.
The bed dipped and Louis cracked an eye, surprised to see Harry climbing back
into bed wearing just his pants. What time was it?
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Louis asked, snuggling against Harry’s neck
after he got under the covers. He was warm, with his sunburn only a mild red
this morning.
“Decided not to go for a swim, and let my burn heal.”
“Smart,” Louis said as he felt Harry’s fingers trace the waistband of his own
pants. Maybe it hadn’t been the smartest idea to listen to Harry about sleeping
in just his pants. He managed to control his gasp, but just barely.
Harry heard it though, and he smirked before closing the gap between their
lips. His hand splayed on Louis’ hip, and his thumb tucked underneath Louis’
pants’ waistband, stroking downward. Louis’ cock throbbed, and he arched up,
allowing Harry’s hand to slip closer - dangerously close.
Louis broke the kiss to breathe, and Harry didn’t hesitate to latch onto his
neck, sucking and nipping at the sensitive skin he had discovered last night.
“I should, teeth, morning breath,” Louis gasped as Harry nipped his ear. He
rocked his hips forward. Harry’s hand slipped entirely under his pants and
Louis couldn’t help but moan, cutting off his own words.
“It’s alright,” Harry whispered, biting on down Louis’ neck. “I don’t mind.”
Louis wanted to roll away before it was too late. His hands needed something to
hold onto and he balled them into fists so he didn’t accidentally grab any
sunburnt skin. Harry dragged his mouth back to Louis’, hovering over his lips
just like his hand was fucking centimeters from Louis’ cock. If he breathed
wrong he’d push up against it and Louis wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop. An
early morning hand job was not what he had been picturing for how they would
kick the physical side of their relationship off.
“Harry,” he moaned.
“Is this okay?” Harry asked, and Louis opened his eyes, staring into Harry’s.
He could feel the warmth radiating off of Harry’s hand and he was so hard, and
it wasn’t like it was wrong. It just… wasn’t exactly how he wanted it to go.
But it could still work?
His cock twitched and Harry’s fingers brushed against it. Louis gasped and
nodded, eyes squeezing shut.
“Yes, okay, if you want.” His words were swallowed up by Harry’s lips.
He was immediately on the cusp of an orgasm the moment Harry’s fucking fingers
wrapped around his cock and he’d never been this close that fast. He scrambled,
trying so hard to be careful because he wasn’t going to mess this up, and his
hand slipped into the front of Harry’s pants without question.
Neither of them really had any sort of rhythm going. Both of their hands were
at awkward angles and it was more their hips desperately seeking friction than
anything, but it was still the hottest thing Louis had ever done - and he had
actually had sex.
All it took was one glance down to see the tip of Harry’s cock peeking out, his
hand wrapped around it, and he was gone. So fucking gone.
His body tingled all over as he came down from his orgasm, and only the wetness
on his hand assured him that Harry had come too.
“Breakfast’s ready!” Future Louis said over the intercom.
Louis groaned and tried to bury his face in his pillow. “I fucking hate him.”
Harry giggled. “I would have hated him more if he was a minute earlier.”
“You wouldn’t have gotten your hand on my dick that’s for sure.”
Harry pouted. “Hey.” He sounded just like Future Harry in that moment and Louis
wondered if it was something he did before, or something he’d picked up.
Louis kissed him to take the pout away, closed mouth because now that his head
wasn’t drenched in orgasm he was aware of how bad his breath was. “Give me a
minute and we can go again.”
“Who even jokes about that?”
“People in touch with the reality of the situation. It’s not like either of us
was disappointed.”
Harry snuggled into the pillow. “It was good though, right?”
Louis kissed Harry on the nose. “Yeah. It was alright.”
Harry stuck out his tongue. “Alright?”
“Think I need a second go to be sure,” Louis said, leaning in to give Harry one
last kiss. “But first, brushing my teeth.” He looked at his hand, and stomach.
“And maybe a shower.”
“I can join you?”
“Again I state, breakfast is ready,” Future Louis said over the intercom.
Louis groaned but got out of bed, hitting the intercom. “We’ll be up in a
second.” He refused to give any leeway in regards to innuendos, because he knew
Future Louis would take his shot and run with it.
He turned back to the bed, and the sight of Harry licking his finger made him
stop in his tracks. Some sort of sound he didn’t even know he was capable of
making came out of his mouth, and Harry looked at him. He slowly popped his wet
index finger out of his mouth.
“Just curious.”
Louis stumbled over his words for a solid minute before giving up and fleeing
to the bathroom, Harry close on his heels.
                                     *****
Louis felt a weird mix of lethargic and wired all morning. It was the strangest
thing to experience. He’d had two mind-blowing orgasms within such a short span
of time that part of him didn’t want to move, but on the other hand, Harry was
right there, clingy, snuggly, and his. He couldn’t ignore that. So maybe he was
a little more public with his displays of affections, but Harry seemed to soak
it up. He was practically vibrating with joy every time Louis touching him or
kissed him.
Which was a lot. They held hands at the table as they ate the breakfast Future
Harry had made, and then had snuggled together on the couch in the living room
while Harry played against the computer in Mario Kart. He kept peppering kisses
against Harry’s neck now that it was finally starting to heal and he felt like
he wouldn’t hurt Harry when he did it.
It wasn’t a lot he thought, they weren’t making out ridiculously on the couch,
or grinding against one another, but it was a near constant thing. So he could
maybe understand why, after the whole day, Stan seemed a little unsure about
taking them out to see a movie like he had promised when Future Harry and Louis
left for their friend’s party.
“Listen, I just don’t wanna sit there and chaperone you two if you’re just
gonna make out all movie.”
“We won’t, I promise,” Harry said, hands clasped in front of his chest.
“Sorry Baby Hazza, but I’ve been there, done that, got a t-shirt, and a couple
of traumatic memories.”
“But, please?” Harry added in a pout, and Louis got up to join him.
Stan seemed unamused but he threw his hands up in disgust. “Fine! But only
because that means I get to drive one of their cars and I love doing that.”
Louis and Harry both cheered, because as nice as it had been inside all day, it
would be nice to get out of the house and do something normal, and seeing a
movie was pretty normal. That didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try and dress up a
little. Stan had given them fifteen minutes to get ready, and so Louis flew
downstairs, Harry hot on his heels, to make himself as nice looking as
possible.
His wardrobe had not been put together with any intention of going on dates,
and while the thought of attempting to raid Future Louis’ closet had its perks,
he ultimately decided against it for the sake of time. He was fixing his hair
in the bathroom mirror when Harry joined him to try and do the same.
“You look nice,” Harry said, looking Louis up and down.
Louis returned the look, feeling one hundred times lighter. “You too.” He
kissed Harry as he passed him, heading upstairs so he could stop Stan from
leaving without them. He figured Harry would understand.
Stan seemed distracted by the idea of driving Future Harry’s car though, and he
was practically jumping up and down in excitement when Louis got upstairs. Stan
ushered them outside, but he didn’t lock up, and Louis realized why when they
passed Alberto sitting beside the pool on his phone. He waved to them as they
passed and they waved back.
“Now I want one of you in the back, and one of you up front,” Stan said as he
opened the garage and unlocked the BMW they had driven yesterday. Louis saw the
way he looked longingly at the white Mercedes parked next to the car and he
stayed silent while Stan had his moment pining for the car. Stan managed to
collect himself and pointed to the both of them. “Like I said, one in the
front, one in the back. No funny business.” Louis didn’t move, and just let
Harry pout until Stan sighed and pressed his head to the roof of the car. “Oh
for fuck’s sake, get in the back. Just keep your hands where I can see them.”
Harry broke into a large grin and climbed into the middle so he could curl up
against Louis now that his sunburn was going down. Despite Stan’s vocal worries
Louis and Harry did manage to keep their hands to themselves through the
entirety of the night out - including the place they stopped for dinner.
It wasn’t even that hard because all three of them did get along, and Stan was
great. Louis was going to miss him when he left the next day.
“See that wasn’t so bad,” Harry chirped, smiling as they got back home to an
empty house. Louis had said they wouldn’t be home until at least three in the
morning.
“Yeah, yeah. I suppose in light of your control I can give you two these
without feeling like I’m rewarding bad behavior.” Stan held up his hand as he
jogged downstairs. He returned, much to their confusion, with two identically
wrapped presents. He handed one to Harry, and one to Louis. “This is an early
birthday gift, Baby Hazza. And since I figured you’d need one too, this is a
late birthday gift for you, Baby Tommo.”
They both took the gifts and traded looks. Louis was glad to see he wasn’t the
only one surprised at Stan getting them something. He nudged Harry’s arm. “You
can go first.”
Harry blinked and then carefully undid the tape so the paper stayed perfectly
intact. He pulled out a rectangular box, and darted his eyes up to Stan, mouth
open. “Stan.”
“I know, I’m awesome,” he said with a smile. “It’s the latest iPod,” he said as
if there needed to be clarification. “Sorry it’s already been opened. I wanted
it filled up with music so I gave it to Haz to load up with all the music he
loves currently and stuff he remembers liking at your age.”
Louis looked down at his own present and undid the wrapping without prompting.
He pulled out the black iPod, unsure if this was real.
“I made sure you got black, like your soul,” Stan said with a laugh.
Louis couldn’t even work up the snark to snap at Stan, he just looked at the
iPod with reverence. “Stan, you really didn’t have to.”
“I know,” he winked. “I could have left it up to your present selves, but I
figure once you two go back I’ll just have Harry and Louis sign them and then
auction them off for charity.” Louis laughed, turning on the iPod. “Same deal
goes for you as it went for Harry. I had Louis load it up with music he likes,
or remembers liking, and if either of you need anything else both iPod’s are
synced to Louis’ laptop. Happy birthdays, Babies!”
Louis was the first one to grab Stan in a hug, but then Harry joined him and
Stan let out a big laugh. “Thanks, mate.”
“Yeah, you’re welcome. That trip to Australia was going to suck if you didn’t
have something to distract you. If you need different headphones just bother
your present selves. They get that shit for free.”
Louis nodded dumbly, turning on the iPod and thumbing over to the music. Future
Louis had filled it up with a lot of stuff he liked, and from the way Harry
kept muttering excitedly he knew he was just as pleased with his music
selection. Louis wondered if maybe they could switch iPods and see if there was
anything they had forgotten to mention during their talks about music.
Stan had really knocked it out of the park with this gift.
Louis hoped he could live up to it.
Shit.
He’d completely forgotten. What the hell was he going to get Harry for his
birthday?
Chapter End Notes
     The_banana_crisis is a real thing D:
***** Chapter 7 *****
Chapter Notes
     Sorry!!! I didn't mean for this to take as long as it did OTL
     hopefully you won't have to wait that long for the next chapter. But
     on the plus side this chapter is super long???
     I'd like to thank Warmcuppatea for beta'ing this chapter even though
     she was sick!! :)
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Louis woke up with his face snuggled into Harry’s curls. He could hear the
faint music coming from the speakers Harry had brought into their room last
night so they could play their new iPods out loud. Harry had set his up first,
and they had fallen asleep to a random mix of songs, including the Stones, the
Beatles, and for some reason the song “Don’t Cha.” Harry had grumbled about it
being a guilty pleasure when Louis’ eyes had popped open in surprise right
before he had drifted off.
The music was still going, and Louis couldn’t help but smile when he realized
he was hearing the ending chords to “All You Need is Love.” He nuzzled the back
of Harry’s neck, and brushed gentle kisses over the healing skin. His shoulders
didn’t look bright red anymore, and the skin itself wasn’t as warm.
Harry groaned and pushed himself back into Louis’ chest. “Wha’ time is it?” He
asked.
Louis kissed right behind his ear. “Dunno, just woke up. Did you need to be up
at a certain time?” He kept his voice soft and teasing not wanting to break the
early morning cuddle they had going on.
"Nope, Older Harry said he was going to sleep in today," Harry said, humming
contently before turning his head to give Louis a peck on the lips. "So I'm all
yours."
Louis smiled, adjusting himself so he was in a more comfortable position to
kiss Harry. “I like that idea.”
Harry had slept naked and Louis appreciated it because that meant it was easy
for his hand to drift down and wrap around Harry’s cock. He had grown confident
with initiating sex over the past day. It really did seem like the two of them
were made for each other with how easy it was to learn one another’s bodies. Or
maybe that was just being young and inexperienced.
Louis didn’t really care, and he wanted to believe the more romantic option.
Harry let out a soft gasp, grinding his arse back against Louis, dragging the
cotton of his pants over his erection. He rocked his hips forward, trying not
to be too frantic. He wanted it to last just a bit longer, even though he knew
they would be able to go for another round by the time they got into the
shower.
“Lou,” Harry whispered. Even with the lazy pace that was set, he was already on
edge.
Louis peeked to watch his hand move slowly up and down. “Just a bit more,
love.”
Harry shuddered in his arms at the endearment. “Faster, please.”
Louis kissed his shoulder, eyes darting back and forth from his hand on Harry’s
cock to Harry’s face. He was breaking out in a sweat since their legs were
still under the covers, and Louis wasn’t sure if it was possible for him to
look more gorgeous.
Harry cursed and curled up on himself as he came. Louis kissed the center of
his back as he took his come covered hand off of Harry’s cock. He knew the
flannel they had brought into the room last night was still nearby so he just
needed to find it. Before he could start looking for it Harry rolled over,
grabbing hold of his bicep.
Louis took in the blissed out look on Harry’s face and he smiled. “Yes, love?”
Harry groaned and tugged him down to kiss him. He was careful with his hand,
not wanting to smear come anywhere, but then Harry started to get bitey and
Louis sort of got lost. He bit Louis’ lip first, and then moved down to his
neck. Louis was already sure he had hickies all over his neck from the night
before, so these were just going to add to the collection. Oh well, it wasn’t
like everyone else didn’t know what they were up to, sharing a room and all.
Harry climbed on top of him, trailing his lips down to Louis’ chest as he did.
Louis couldn’t stop the whimper that left his mouth as he settled his hands on
Harry’s naked hips, rutting up against his arse.
“Fuck,” he cursed.
Harry shot him a grin. “What happened to that slow pace you had going before?”
His mouth was right above Louis’ nipple and they hadn’t done that yet, but damn
the feeling of his breath puffing over the nipple felt really good.
“Out the window.” Never let it be said that Louis wasn’t honest. “Hand? My
dick? Please?”
Harry didn’t follow his request. He licked Louis’ nipple instead, almost like a
test.
Louis’ cock twitched against Harry’s arse and he moaned. He managed to see
Harry smile before his eyes slid shut in pleasure as Harry started to explore
his reactions to nipple play. Each touch sent jolts through his body, and Louis
couldn’t help the way he started to rub against Harry’s arse.
It was dirty, and he knew it was going to be messy inside his boxers if he
ended up coming in them, but it didn’t matter. It felt so good, the double
assault, and Louis didn’t want it to end, even when he felt his balls
tightening.
“Shit, fuck,” he grunted, hoping that was enough of a warning before he made a
mess in his pants.
His mind whited out, and he felt himself go limp underneath Harry. Harry didn’t
seem to have any plans of moving, and Louis drifted for a few minutes to the
feeling of Harry kissing his neck, rubbing himself languidly against Louis’
stomach.
Harry was hard again.
God fucking bless being a teenager.
Louis angled his head down, puckering his lips so Harry would know he wanted a
kiss. Harry did kiss him, and Louis let out a happy sound.
“We should shower,” he said.
“My bum is a bit of a mess,” Harry said, laughing against his lips.
“Not my fault.”
“Think I might be a little chafed. You should stop wearing clothes to bed.”
Louis opened an eye to see Harry pout. He rolled his eyes and pushed Harry off
of him. Harry splayed out on his side of the bed, and Louis couldn’t help but
stare. He was naked, hard, and gorgeous. “Uh,” Louis said intelligently.
That made Harry’s face light up like sunshine and he reached over to tug on the
waistband of Louis’ pants. “Come on, let’s go clean up and then I’ll make us
breakfast.”
Louis’ stomach growled before he could make a quip about staying in bed all
day, so he just sighed and climbed out of bed, removing his pants before the
come could dry. The clock on his bedside table told him it was only ten A.M.
and since he hadn’t heard Future Harry and Louis come in before he had drifted
off at three A.M. he figured they probably wouldn’t be awake to bother him and
Harry when they went up for breakfast. That meant they could take their time in
the shower and still have time alone, and the thought made him grin.
He looked at Harry, who was staring at him with open lust. It gave his self-
esteem a boost to know that Harry found him so attractive and it was hard to
not crawl back in bed. He took a couple steps towards the bathroom, and Harry’s
eyes tracked him.
“Coming?”
Harry smirked as he got out of bed. “Will be once you start touching me again.”
Louis laughed, not sure why he was surprised that was the answer.
                                     *****
Stan's departure was harder than Louis had expected. It didn't hit him until
Stan was hugging Future Harry in front of the car that was going to take him to
the airport. He probably wasn't going to see this Stan again for quite some
time, probably until he was at this point in his own future. And with that he
was finally going to be alone with no safety net except for his future self. Up
until now he had had some other tangible connection to his own past, but now it
was leaving. He felt selfish and stupid because obviously Harry had gone
through this and he was fine but... Louis was scared.
Stan stepped away from Future Harry and turned towards him, holding open his
arms. Louis fell into them, hugging Stan tight.
"Take care, mate," Stan whispered in his ear and Louis shut his eyes because he
felt like he was going to cry.
"Gonna miss the fuck out of you."
"Don't worry, those old twats will take care of you."
"They aren't you though. Won't get to see you 'til I get back."
Stan laughed and squeezed him. "It's okay. Got plenty of others who will take
care of you. Won't even notice I'm gone." He pulled back and looked Louis in
the eye. "Promise you'll be good to me when you get back, if you remember any
of this of course?"
Louis nodded. "Course. Best mates for life and all that."
Stan smiled wistfully and pulled him back in for another hug. "Love you, Baby
Tommo. Couldn't ask for a better one."
"Me neither," Louis said, burying his face in Stan's neck once more before he
finally stepped away.
Future Louis immediately took his place, and it looked like he was restraining
himself from jumping up and wrapping his legs around Stan’s waist like the
koala he seemed to try and be. “Have a good flight, sorry it’s commercial.”
“Oh my god, Lewis, for the last time, I don’t fucking care. You do not need
charter a private plane for me every time I fly,” Stan said.
Louis looked away, and suddenly Harry was there, wrapping his arms around
Louis’ shoulders. “You alright, babe?”
Louis nodded, curling up in Harry’s arms. When he felt it was safe to look
again Future Louis had let Stan go, and he was getting into the car. He managed
to give Stan a big smile and wave before the door shut, but the moment the car
pulled away he dropped both and tucked himself closer into Harry’s body.
Future Louis looked about the most upset that Louis had seen him since coming
to the future, and he took solace in the fact that maybe he wasn’t alone in how
he was feeling. Harry kissed his forehead and he smiled.
“Gonna miss him, is all,” he finally said.
Future Louis’ head shot up and he gave Louis a smile as he held up his arms.
“Do you need a hug, Baby Me, or has Baby Hazza got that covered?”
Louis flipped him the bird, but he let Future Louis step into his space and
give him a hug. It probably should have been awkward pressed between Future
Louis and Harry, but Louis seemed to need the closeness at that moment. He was
just glad he didn’t cry.
Future Louis let him go after a moment. “You’ll see him again in no time. And
hey, for now you’ve got me and the Harrys. And if you make it to tour there’ll
be tons of people, including Lottie.”
Louis took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ll be alright.” At the arched eyebrows
Future Louis gave him he reiterated it. “I promise.”
Harry squeezed his shoulder and Louis relaxed. He caught Future Harry’s eye and
Future Harry held up his own arms. “Group hug?”
“Group hug!” Harry cheered, and Louis didn’t have time to brace himself before
he was sandwiched between Harry and Future Louis. Both Harrys were cheering and
jumping up and down in excitement, and it made Louis a little dizzy.
Future Louis didn’t look like he was coping much better, but after a few
seconds he seemed to get his bearings, and he joined in the cheering, leaving
Louis standing there. He couldn’t help it. He started laughing and he let his
head fall into Future Louis’ chest, which was a poor choice because he was
jumping up and down.
“Oh my god I am stuck with insane people.” He tried to get out of the hug but
all three of them just crowded him in. He let out a scream, but it was drowned
out.
Someone’s arms wrapped around his waist and only the sensation of being lifted
up and backwards clued him onto the fact that it was Harry. His feet left the
ground for a moment, and then suddenly he was crashing to the ground.
“Fuck!” He shouted, even though Harry took the brunt of the fall. “Shit.”
“Fuck,” Future Louis mimicked him. “Baby Haz, your back!”
Harry groaned underneath Louis and he scrambled off of him, immediately
checking for any injuries. Future Harry and Louis were standing frozen right in
front of them, as if they didn’t know what to do. Louis carefully touched
Harry’s shoulder, not spotting any injuries.
“Ow,” Harry whined.
“Did you hit your head?” Louis asked, moving his hands to Harry’s head next,
feeling around for a bruise.
“The curls protect it,” Harry said, but he let Louis look. “Did bruise my bum
though. Kiss it better?”
Future Louis threw his hands up in the air. “Well he’s fine then I see.”
Future Harry laughed, his face becoming more relaxed now that Harry had made a
quip. But Louis wasn’t convinced just yet, and he kept looking Harry over until
he was satisfied. The only thing he found was scrapes on his elbows, so Louis
kissed those really quick. Harry was smiling at him by the time he pulled Harry
to his feet.
“My hero,” he said, and it almost sounded sincere despite the teasing look on
his face.
“Maybe try not to walk backwards next time you pick me up, yeah?” Louis said.
“Alright, alright you two, let’s head back into the house. Buddy system this
time so neither of the Harolds fall down the stairs and break anything,” Future
Louis said, ushering them out of the driveway and back into the yard. Harry
stuck his tongue out and Future Louis made an aborted grab for it. “Tongues in
mouths, Baby Hazza. If you’re gonna stick it out, it has better uses.”
Harry and Future Harry both dissolved into giggles, and Louis stuck his own
tongue out in retaliation once he had gotten down the stairs and onto the
grass. He wasn’t as quick as putting it away as Harry though, and Future Louis
got a hand on it.
“What the fuck did I just say?” Future Louis asked, laughing as he used one
hand to start tickling Louis.
He let go of Louis’ tongue pretty quick, but he kept up the tickling and Louis
collapsed onto the grass to try and escape. He ended up trying to bite Future
Louis’ arm, which just earned him a whack on the nose as Future Louis used his
knees to keep Louis’ shoulders pinned. He kept the weight of his bum on Louis’
chest, altogether making him pretty immobile, which meant when Future Louis
leaned back to continue tickling Louis had no retaliation or protection.
He turned his head, hoping to get some sympathy from Harry or Future Harry but
they were both just staring at them. It took Louis a moment to figure out why,
and he ended up groaning through the laughter.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” he managed to get out in half-screams, “Control your lust
and save me!”
Neither Harry sprung into action, and Future Harry even had the nerve to tilt
his head to the side as if he were trying to get a better view. Louis hated
both of them.
Future Louis finally seemed to think he had had enough and rolled off of him,
leaving Louis to lie on the grass and try and catch his breath.
“Everyone good?” Future Louis asked.
“I fucking hate all of you,” Louis gasped out.
Future Harry clapped his hands together, and then turned them into a thumbs up.
“Very nice show. Ten out of ten. Would watch again.”
Future Louis laughed and got to his feet. “Glad you enjoyed yourself.” He held
his hand out for Louis, but he shook his head.
“I’ll just lie here and slowly fulfill the circle of laugh.”
“Become the grass so the antelope can eat it, good call.” Future Louis didn’t
seem bothered as he skipped over to the two Harrys, giving Future Harry a kiss
on the cheek.
Future Harry beamed. “Liam will be here in about twenty minutes. You guys gonna
use the upstairs?”
“Yeah, you’re gonna be in the downstairs study with Jessica right?”
Louis looked over at them, confused by the change in topic. “Care to tell your
better counterparts what’s going on then?”
“Work related stuff. Liam is coming over to prep for some songwriting next week
and Harry has voice lessons today. Jessica’s our new coach. Figured you two
wouldn’t be interested and would just watch movies or something.”
Louis traded looks with Harry as he sat up. “Well you’re wrong.”
“I’d love to watch too, unless you don’t want us around,” Harry said.
Future Louis rolled his eyes. “That’s not it at all. Just figured it would be
boring. Songwriting is fun but I think it’s only that way for the people doing
it.”
Louis shook his head. “No, I’d really like to see it. I won’t butt in.” Future
Louis gave him a look. “Okay, I mean if either of you say something stupid I
might not be able to resist but I swear I won’t try to distract you.”
Future Louis shrugged, and then nodded towards the house. “Sounds fine by me.
Guess I won’t feel bad asking you to help move me keyboard upstairs now.”
“You have a keyboard?” Harry asked, taking Louis’ hand as the four of them
walked into the house.
“Gotta couple. Oh that’s right you two haven’t seen the second floor,” Future
Louis said. “Well follow me, Babies.”
Future Harry flopped onto the couch in the front room while Future Louis lead
them downstairs and into what must have been their study. It was the most
disorganized room Louis had seen in both of their houses after Future Louis’
study back in London. There wasn’t a lot of furniture, just a couch and a bed
pushed into the corner, so all the papers that Louis guessed were probably
Future Louis’ writing were scattered on the floor. There were two keyboards set
up in the room, while a third was folded up against one of the walls, and two
guitars, one on a stand next to the couch and one laid out on the bed.
Harry crouched down and picked up one of the pieces of paper. “Oh cool! Is this
one of the songs you wrote?”
Future Louis reached out and grabbed the paper from his hand, frowning. “Uh
yeah, but what the hell.. We’d recorded this long before we bought this house.
How the hell did it end up here?” He crumpled up the paper and tossed it in the
bin beside the couch.
Harry squawked. “I was reading that.”
“The song made it onto our third album, and that’s like, I think, the second
draft I had written. If you wanna hear it I’ll let you, but there’s no point
reading it.”
Harry stuck out his tongue but he left the paper alone, going instead to the
bed and sitting down beside the guitar. He touched the neck, glancing over at
Future Louis to see if it was okay to do so. Future Louis was distracted
though, making his ways through the papers and books to the keyboard by the
wall, so Harry picked up the guitar and placed his fingers in position to strum
a chord. Louis smiled at Harry, knowing he wanted to learn how to play and back
home had been pestering his bandmates to teach him.
Future Louis looked over, his own smile in place. “Look at you over there,
holding a guitar all proper.”
“Do I learn in the future? My coordination right now isn’t the best,” Harry
said, demonstrating what he meant by moving his left hand down the neck, which
caused his right hand to move too despite him glaring at it.
“You’re getting there. Niall will be more than happy to help you, and like
we’ve got Dan in our band. He’d be willing to teach you too.” Harry’s face lit
up. “Now, let’s get this keyboard upstairs,” Future Louis said, snapping Louis’
attention away admiring Harry as he grabbed the keyboard leaning against the
wall. With the feet of the keyboard folded up it only came up to Future Louis’
chest, so Louis stood there, unsure what he was expected to do. Future Louis
gave him a look and then sighed, nodding to the keyboard. “Hello? Grab the
other end and help me take this up the stairs.”
“Why? Is it heavy or something?” Louis asked, stubbornly staying in his place.
“What? No, it’s just awkward and I don’t want it walk into a wall or drop it
down the stairs.”
Louis looked at the other two keyboards in the room. “But, like, you could just
get another one if it broke.”
“Oh my god, just because I can buy another one doesn’t mean I go around ramming
my instruments into walls or risk dropping it. We don’t let Niall smash his
guitars, so I’m sure as hell not gonna destroy a piano. Now fucking help me.”
He moved so Louis could grab the other side, and only Harry’s giggling made
Louis go to the other side of the keyboard with no protest.
The keyboard was light, and with both of them at each end it was easy to move
the keyboard out of the room and up the stairs. Harry followed after them
holding the guitar and a guitar book he had found on the floor. Future Louis
guided them to where he wanted the keyboard set up while Harry sat down next to
Future Harry.
“Lookie what you got there,” Future Harry said, looking away from his phone to
scoot closer to Harry. “How good are we right now?”
“Pretty shit,” Harry said, flipping open the book to the first page. “Older
Louis says we get better though, right?”
Louis took a seat on the floor in between Harry’s legs, and rested his head on
his knee. He figured that if Harry started playing he’d ask him to move, but
for now it was okay. He kinda liked sitting like this because there was always
a good chance Harry would start playing with his hair. He smiled when that was
exactly what happened. Harry kept talking to Future Harry, both of them looking
through the book, but he moved the guitar to the side so Louis had more of his
thigh to lean against.
He closed his eyes and let himself drift, happily curled up against Harry’s
leg. The sounds of Future Louis practicing scales on the keyboard filtered
through, but not enough to pull him from relaxation.
He only came around when he finally heard Liam go, “Oh fuck, it’s been two days
and they’ve advanced to week three of the X-Factor. Which one of you allowed
this?”
He cracked an eye to see if Liam was in his line of sight, and when he wasn’t
he closed his eyes again, because it wasn’t worth looking around. He nuzzled
into Harry’s hand, which was still combing through his hair, and snorted. “Who
let your rudeness into this house? I won’t stand for it.”
“Yeah, that’s really rude, Liam,” Future Harry said. “They are their own
individual people, going through their own journey of life. Who are we, mere
humans, to stand in the way of the advancement of a pure and honest
relationship?”
There was a long moment of silence that followed his statement. Louis couldn’t
help but crack a wide smile because Future Harry had sounded so honest and
sincere when he said that even though Louis was pretty positive he was one
hundred percent full of shit. Liam was the first to break, laughing loud and
long.
“I don’t know why I love any of you,” Liam said in between his laughter.
“I don’t either cause none of us love you,” Future Louis snapped at the same
time he played a few notes on the keyboard.
“Well at least we are all in agreement about that at least.” Liam’s voice moved
closer and Louis finally opened an eye.
Liam still wasn’t in his line of sight, but Louis supposed with him here Future
Louis and he would start working soon. So he got to his feet, moving up to be
on the couch next to Harry, even though that meant he had to move the guitar.
He waved to Liam after he sat down, and Liam waved back with a smile on his
face, which didn’t drop even when Louis curled up into Harry’s side. If
anything his smile got bigger as he turned to Louis.
“You know sometimes I think I remember how you two were wrong, like I’m
imagining it through rose colored glasses or something, but it looks like I’m
not,” Liam said, dragging one of the chairs over to the keyboard.
Louis didn’t even bother flipping him the finger because he decided it wasn’t
worth it. He was comfy, and Liam wasn’t even really being a dick about
anything. So there was no reason to give any sort of reaction.
Future Harry stood up, stretching. “Lou, I’m gonna go take a nap before Jessica
gets here. Don’t let me sleep longer than ninety minutes.”
“I’ll set an alarm, love,” Future Louis said, beckoning Future Harry over to
him so he could give him a kiss. “You still feeling hung over?” Future Harry
snorted but didn’t deny the accusation. Louis had been pleasantly surprised at
how put together both Future Louis and Harry had looked when they dragged
themselves out of bed to say goodbye to Stan, but apparently hangovers were
still very much a thing. They were just better at hiding them than Louis was at
eighteen. “I told you not to have that fourth margarita.” Future Louis kissed
his forehead. “You’re gonna drink water before you head to your nap, right?”
“Yes, Lou,” Future Harry was smiling as he trudged off to the kitchen to grab a
bottle of water before heading downstairs with a wave to all of them. “Happy
writing.”
“Enjoy your nap,” Liam called after him. “So, do we have an audience for
today’s session?” He asked nodding to Louis and Harry who were still curled up
on the couch.
“Yeah,” Future Louis said. “The Babies will be coming to the studio with us
too.”
“That’s a sentence I wasn’t expecting to hear for at least another year.”
If Liam said that to get a ride out of Future Louis - and with the way he was
looking at him that seemed likely - he was sorely disappointed because Future
Louis just shrugged. “You two did want to go to the studio right?”
“Yeah!” Harry cheered. “Are you recording?”
Future Louis nodded. “Gonna record a couple demos with a few different people
over the next week. Right now Liam and I are prepping for the writing session.
We don’t like to go into them empty handed.”
“What do you do to prep?” Louis asked, all ears even while he was still
cuddling Harry.
“Figure out the overall sound we want the song to be like. If we come with a
fully formed song even better. When Harry wrote with Meghan - she’s a popular
singer right now - he had a completely written song. So if we can get that,
great. But let’s see, we’re working with Joel and Benji first, and then Chad,
and you’re off to see Jason after this right?” Future Louis directed that
question to Liam.
“You sure you can’t come?” Liam asked.
“I might Skype you or something, but I got paperwork and shit. I’m gonna be
swamped all week so today and tomorrow are the only time I have to get them
done.” Future Louis glanced back at Louis and Harry and smiled. “Anyway, we got
like a couple of very different sounds we can choose from.”
“That’s kinda how Louis and I like to work. Our minds jump around too much to
stay on one idea for long, so if we have two or three different styles to work
with it’s better.”
“What kinda songs are you working on right now?” Harry asked.
“We got a folk rock - that’s what you’d call it, right, Tommo?”
“I guess. Acoustic rock ballad thing. And then we’re hoping to do this crazy
punk-rock song.”
“So you can see we have two extremes.”
“That’s not even counting your stuff,” Future Louis said. “Your dance remixes
and all that.”
“My dance remixes are sick, thank you very much.”
Future Louis grinned and them. “If Liam could, he’d be Justin Timberlake, but
none of us can dance so he’s stuck doing pop-rock.”
“You make it sound like I don’t like the music we make. And that hurts.”
“Good. I hope it fucking hurts. Now grab my notebook and open to page whatever…
class is in session.” He pulled out his phone and Louis supposed he set his
alarm to wake up Future Harry.
The banter died off as they started working. It actually wasn’t boring to watch
at all. Sure Louis had no idea what was actually happening but it was
definitely not boring. Future Louis and Liam didn’t talk in full sentences, so
much as they said one or two words and then the other would nod. It wasn’t on
the same level as watching the two Harrys cook together, but it was still a
little surreal. They seamlessly transitioned from hovering over the notebook
with two different pens, to Future Louis playing a string of notes on the
keyboard while Liam nodded or frowned to indicate his level of approval.
Even the way they seemed to weave in and out of professionalism was something
that fascinated Louis. He could always tell the moment Future Louis’ mind
wandered and he would start up some sort of game on the notebook, or draw
something that cause Liam to laugh and join in for a few minutes until he
steered Future Louis back on task.
It hit Louis then, just how well Liam - someone who was a complete stranger to
him at this moment - knew him. And if this was how well his friend knew him,
how well did Future Harry? Sure he’d seen glimpses of it, both with Future
Harry and his Harry, but he hadn’t watched Future Louis and Harry together for
an hour straight.
He decided he’d have to change that.
“We are brilliant,” Future Louis cheered, falling back in his chair.
“Did you guys finish?” Harry asked. “Can we hear? Or is there anything to hear?
Do you need more than the piano?”
Liam smiled at him, flipping to a new page in the notebook. “I think we can
manage if you just let us borrow that guitar.”
“You mean let me borrow the guitar?” At Liam’s look Future Louis just scoffed.
“I play better than you. You take piano, we’ll play the chorus and the second
verse, how’s that?”
Liam traded spots with Future Louis, sitting fully behind the keyboard as he
set up the notebook on the stand. Future Louis took the guitar just as his
alarm went off. He shut it off before settling down close to Liam so he could
see the notebook.
“Alright, Liam-Louis Folk Ballad Number 89, take one,” Future Louis said.
Liam counted out the beat and then they began to play a sombre melody. Louis
was surprised when they started to sing and Future Louis took the lead in the
chorus, with Liam providing harmony. Future Louis’ voice was raw emotion, and
it suited the lyrics that seemed to be about growing stronger after getting
knocked down.
They couldn’t have sung longer than a minute but they had already completely
enraptured Louis and from what he could tell, Harry too. They both clapped and
Future Louis and Liam beamed.
“It’s not finished, and someone else will probably write a completely new
melody that wasn’t half lifted from the lost chronicles of Fleetwood Mac, but
this is a really good start,” Liam said.
“Most productive ninety minutes we’ve had in a while, I’d say,” Future Louis
said, putting the guitar in his empty seat now that he had gotten up. “I’ll be
right back up. Liam, you know Jessica right? If she shows up while I’m getting
Harold up can you let her in?”
Liam saluted, and then turned his attention back to the keyboard. He played a
couple different melodies before settling into something that sounded vaguely
happy. “I probably shouldn’t play that,” he said with a grin.
“Is that one of our songs?” Louis asked, paying full attention to what Liam was
playing now. With just the piano it sounded like do-do-do-do-do which didn’t
really mean much to him, but it was still something.
“Yeah from our third album. Haz wrote it. We’re keeping it in our setlist for
this first leg so you’ll get to hear it live.”
Oh yeah. That was a thing that was going to happen. Louis kept forgetting. His
future band was going on tour in a couple weeks. And if he stuck around he’d
witness it. He would see what his future was really, really like. That was
insane.
He wrapped his arms around Harry and squeezed, causing him to grunt. He had
just been happy to have Harry, but the reminder that there was so much more to
come made him giddy. If everything worked out once he got back to his own time
he had this future to look forward to. He could and would be standing on a
stage singing in front of thousands of people. Even his wildest dreams hadn’t
considered that a possibility.
Future Louis and Harry walked upstairs, and while Future Harry didn’t look any
more or less rested than he had when he’d gone downstairs he had the most
adorable bed head. Up until this moment Louis had only see Future Harry as put
together, or very near it. Now though his hair was a obviously pillow smudged
and Louis was a little regretful when he pulled it back in a bun.
“Jessica’s in the driveway,” Future Louis said, watching Future Harry as he
headed into the kitchen.
Louis didn’t know who he was telling this to until Future Louis looked at him
and Harry. “Are you talking to us?”
“Yes?”
“Do you need us to leave?”
“No?” Future Louis looked at Liam, who just shrugged. Louis had a feeling they
were silently communicating, and he almost snapped something but Harry decided
to start combing his fingers through his hair again and Louis decided against
it. “I was gonna say if you two wanted to you could probably sit on Harry’s
lesson. You were surprisingly well behaved while me and Payno worked.”
“You say this as if you’re surprised,” Harry said.
Future Louis smirked. “Fuck yeah I’m surprised. I’m a little shit and when I
raise hell I bring everyone down with me. No clue how Baby Me is so calm. Kudos
to you too, Baby Hazza.”
Louis flipped Future Louis off. “Maybe your Harry should give you more orgasms
and run his fingers through your hair more often. Really mellows a person out.”
Harry burst out laughing, and it hit him so hard he dislodged Louis from his
side. “You can’t just say those things!”
“I should definitely not be here,” Liam said.
Louis met Future Louis’ crinkled eyes and held up his hand for what he knew was
going to be a congratulatory high-five. Future Louis did indeed high-five him.
“I will let you have that one.” The look on his face turned wicked and any
triumphant Louis felt plummeted because he knew that Future Louis wasn’t going
to let him have this one. “I’ll also let you have this,” Future Louis said,
dropping two packets on his chest.
Louis knew what they were immediately, and he pushed aside the instinctual
embarrassment at being handed condoms and lube because he wasn’t fucking
letting Future Louis win this. “Aw, thanks! You’re the best.” He hugged the
lube and condom to his chest.
Harry was still laughing uncontrollably and Louis glanced back to make sure he
wasn’t going to collapse from oxygen loss.
“I see you gave them the condom and lube. Good, safe sex is important,” Future
Harry said, coming back into the living room. “Oh, let Jessica in.”
Future Louis was the one to open the door, pointing to Louis before he opened
the door. “This isn’t over yet. I will break you.”
“Embarrassing me with sex isn’t the answer! I’ve become immune.” Louis shut his
mouth when the door opened, and he really hoped this Jessica woman didn’t hear
him. That would probably be embarrassing for Future Louis.
Jessica turned out to be a wafey middle-aged woman with a pepper colored bob
cut and a south London accent. “Took me long enough to get down here. You
couldn’t just have a place in downtown where my hotel is, no you gotta drag me
to the middle of nowhere.”
Future Louis laughed and offered the woman a hug. “Thank you, really.”
“Yeah, yeah. Not like I could just abandon you when I haven’t even begun to
work on your boy.” She looked around Future Louis to Future Harry and paused
when her eyes landed on Louis and Harry on the couch. “You got company I see.”
“Yeah, these are our cousins, and you’ve met Liam.” Future Harry said as Liam
waved.
“Strong genes your families have there,” Jessica said. “Look the spitting
images of you two. Or are you gonna tell me the Louis-clone is Harry’s cousin
and the Harry-clone is Louis’ cousin?”
“Well would you believe me if I said they were our past selves magically
transported here to see the future unfold?” Future Harry asked.
Jessica gave Louis and Harry a look over and then shrugged. “I’d see it. Do
your past selves suffer from the same bad habits you two do and if so, is there
a chance I can actually teach them?”
Future Harry frowned. “Hey.”
“Don’t you, hey me. You have me for ninety minutes so let’s see how that voice
sounds. Where are we doing this? You better have a room with decent acoustics
or I won't stay.”
Louis had to wonder why everything Future Louis and Harry did were designated
in blocks of ninety minutes. Was it just because that was the easiest thing? Or
was it some weird way celebrities broke up the day.
“Downstairs, we have a room set up,” Future Louis said, pointing Jessica to the
stairs. Future Harry followed after her, beckoning Louis and Harry to join him.
Harry stood up and skipped to the stairs, pausing when he realized Louis wasn’t
following him. “You coming?”
“I’ll be down in a minute, just gonna grab some water,” Louis said.
Once Harry was out of sight he stood up, heading into the kitchen to get his
drink. He kept one ear on the conversation between Future Louis and Liam
though, because he was nothing if not a nosey person, and Future Louis seemed
to drop random details when his defenses were down.
“That woman is a firecracker,” Liam said. “She’ll kick your ass.”
“Yes, that’s why we hired her. Neither of us really need coddled at this point,
and it helps that she’s invested in like, long term vocal care.”
“No, no I totally agree. Just, wow. She’s got your number. You’re both gonna
sound amazing this tour.”
“We’re all gonna sound amazing. Can’t wait to get back on the road - well
except for all the shitty parts of being on the road.” Louis peeked back into
the front room to see Future Louis flipping through his notebook.
“Least we aren’t bussing it through America or Europe yet.”
“Small fucking miracles. Actual beds. Can’t ask for much more.” Future Louis
looked up and caught Louis creeping on them. “You headed downstairs? Jessica
wasn’t exaggerating about bad habits and if there’s any chance of you
remembering shit from this when you get back anything she teaches would be a
good thing.”
“Are you going to have lessons too?” Louis asked before taking the final sip of
water.
“Nah, I’ll start lessons again on Monday.”
“Why not today?”
“Little break. What the fuck did you think I was doing when I left back in
London? I was practicing with her every other day.”
“Among other things,” Liam said with a smirk, and Future Louis rolled his eyes
at him.
Louis ignored their banter. “But Harry’s been here you’ve said. So has he been
working with someone else?”
Future Louis took a deep breath. “Harry has been under a very strict rest
schedule since Christmas, so he doesn’t completely ruin his voice.”
“Why do you gotta emphasize the strict part? Makes me think you mean something
perverted.” Future Louis arched his eyebrows. “Because you mean something
perverted, of course.” Louis returned to the kitchen to put his glass in the
sink. “I’ll leave you two to work. Or, Liam you said you were leaving?”
“Yup, my car is on its way.” Liam pointed to Future Louis. “Last chance, you
wanna tag along? Bet it’ll go better than over Skype.”
“Can’t, I’m locking myself in one of the spare rooms and going over paperwork
for,” his eyes darted to Louis, “well you know. Future business stuff.”
“You know the things that you randomly keep from me seem really stupid,” Louis
pointed out.
“You think that, but that’s cause you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
“He’s talking about adoption papers,” Liam said, laughing when Future Louis
shot him a death glare and then slapped him across the chest.
“I’m fucking not. You’re gonna give the poor kid a fucking heart attack.” He
looked Louis up and down before sighing. “I started a production company this
year and there’s a lot of work that goes into it, legalities and all of that,
before I can sign anyone. There are a lot of obstacles to jump through and I’m
about to rip me hair out, if we’re being honest.”
“Please don’t do that, I don’t want to be bald,” Louis said. He vaguely
remembered Stan mentioning that he’d started a company, but he couldn’t
remember if he had told him the details.
“Glad to know you support me.” Future Louis slapped Liam on the back. “Text me
and I’ll join via Skype or something if I’m free.”
Liam smiled and pulled Future Louis into a hug. “Course. See you later this
week.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m gonna get sick of your fucking face soon enough.”
Louis waved as Liam left and was about to head downstairs when Future Louis
crowded behind him, and put his hand in Louis’ pocket. He froze as Future
Louis’ mouth pressed right against his ear, because this was not what he was
expecting at all.
“Don’t forget these, Baby Me.”
Louis closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he spoke his voice was
still disappointedly shaky, and the words weren’t what he had wanted them to
be. “I- we don’t actually need those.”
Future Louis laughed low in his ear and if Louis wasn’t frozen in place he
would have jumped away. “If you’re anything like us, you will. Better safe than
sorry.” He withdrew his hand from Louis’ pocket and patted his hip. “Get off to
the study, will you? Listen, learn, be amazed at Harry.”
Louis nodded, unable to do anything else. The condom and packet of lube felt a
lot heavier in his pocket than they had on his chest and he made a detour to
his and Harry’s room to hide them in the back of his side table before he went
to the study to watch the remaining of Future Harry’s voice lesson.
                                     *****
Sunday was a lazy day off, and Louis didn’t see Future Louis or Harry until
late in the afternoon, and that was honestly okay. He and Harry had only left
their own bed because they had needed food, which seemed to be the only reason
Future Louis and Harry had come upstairs too. It said a lot about how
desensitized Louis was becoming towards nudity when he didn’t even stop at the
sight of both Future Louis and Harry in nothing but their pants standing at the
kitchen island.
The fact that both Harry and he were dressed the same way must have helped.
“Want some tea?” Future Harry asked, waving to them. “We just turned off the
kettle but I can plug it back in.”
“Just water for me,” Harry said, smiling.
It was a little odd to stand around the island altogether, because Louis was
starting to recognize a lot more similarities than he would’ve liked. Harry and
Future Harry both shared the same slow movements that seemed to come after
orgasm. The happy glow that surrounded them was freakishly similar too, and the
fact that they kept catching each other’s eyes and laughing wasn’t helping.
Future Harry passed Louis a cup of still steeping tea. “Well, it was nice
seeing you two. We weren’t uh, planning on staying up here long though.”
Louis shrugged and glanced at Harry. He hadn’t been expecting to see them
either, so it was no big loss that they weren’t sticking around. However, he
couldn’t help but give a dig to Future Louis. “Thought you had work to do all
day?”
Future Louis flipped him off, looking probably the least threatening he could,
standing there in pants and his chest littered with love bites. “It’s called
multi-tasking.”
“I think it’s called slacking off,” Louis said, finally taking a sip of his
tea. It wasn’t quite strong enough but it was getting there.
“I don’t have to hear this. Harold, I’ll be downstairs. Join me if you must.”
Future Harry burst out laughing and kissed both Louis and Harry on the forehead
before chasing after Future Louis. Louis didn’t let his eyes follow Future
Harry’s retreating form, as he dropped his head onto Harry’s shoulder.
“Want me to make you an omelette, Louis?” Harry asked, because he was wonderful
and amazing.
Louis kissed his shoulder. “Could you? Since our future selves didn’t care
enough to make sure we were properly fed?”
Harry laughed and ducked his head to give Louis a kiss. “I’m not convinced they
even fed themselves. Looks like they just had water and tea.”
“Hydration is very important during marathons,” Louis said with a nod.
“You’re horrible. What do you want in your omelette?” Harry asked as he got off
of his chair.
Louis hummed in thought. “Whatever you make yourself, I guess. Not a fan of
greens.”
Harry rolled his eyes. “I know that much about you.”
Louis watched as Harry started to make them omelettes and he couldn’t keep the
smile off of his face. This was the boy that was going to become a permanent
fixture in his life. They were going to have days like this for the rest of
their lives, and if they were really lucky, in five years they’d be thinking
about adopting kids.
It was both crazy and comforting. They’d only met a little over a week ago, but
he already knew for certain that this was going to happen.
Once they had finished their omelettes, which were delicious, Harry dragged
Louis outside and towards the pool. While it was a surprise, he didn’t put up
too much of a protest, though he did point out that there was a good chance
they would get cramps.
“It’s not like we’ll be doing laps. I just miss swimming, and now that my
shoulders are better I can go outside again.”
Louis frowned and looked at the cabinet that held the water guns. He was pretty
sure there was sunscreen in there. “Sunscreen first. Don’t need you getting
burnt again.”
Harry sighed, but let Louis rub waterproof sunscreen all over his shoulders,
biceps, and back before he climbed into the water. It was still fucking
freezing, just like it had been the last time, and today Louis was actually
getting in the whole way and intending to stay in. He didn’t know why he had
agreed to this.
Harry didn’t seem to have any complaints, happily floating in the water and
soaking up the sun. Every time Louis thought about saying something he looked
at Harry and the words died. He just looked so blissful. Louis didn’t want to
ruin that, but that didn’t stop him from keeping a string of talk going that
Harry didn’t need to respond to.
It wasn’t until Louis saw he was getting extra pruney that he finally decided
it was time for him to get out of the water. His body had sorta gotten used to
the temperature, though his balls shrinking up and hiding was something he was
pretty sure he would never get used to.
“Harry, I’m gonna get out, alright? But I’ll stay right here.”
Harry turned over from floating on his back (shit maybe Louis should have put
more sunscreen on his chest) and gave Louis a slow smile. The pit of Louis’
stomach dropped down.
He knew that smile.
That smile promised things.
Before he could pull himself out of the water, Harry was on him, pushing him
against the side of the pool and kissing him deep and dirty. He fell into it,
because what else could he do. Sure, he was a little annoyed that Harry had
been apparently waiting for this moment, and once he could talk he was gonna
let Harry know about his annoyance, except he probably wouldn’t be talking
soon.
Harry’s hands immediately went to his waist, trying to lift him up. Louis
scrambled, because yeah, since he was underwater Harry could just pick him up a
lot easier, but it seemed like Harry was trying to get him to the side of the
pool and that probably wasn’t going to happen without Louis’ help. He didn’t
understand what Harry wanted to do, but he went with it, getting up on the side
of the pool.
Harry pushed his pants down, exposing his hardening cock.
Louis was suddenly very aware of where they were.
They were outside. Totally exposed.
His hands went to cover himself as embarrassment took over the flood of
endorphins. “Shit. Harry, we’re in public.”
Harry shook his head, but he at least didn’t try and pull Louis’ hands away
from his dick. “No we aren’t. The only people around today are the Older Us’s
and they are locked up in their room doing the exact same thing we are.”
“But, Alberto?” Louis darted his eyes to the guest house.
“He has the day off, and Older Harry told me he’d be gone all day buying
souvenirs for his family.”
Louis almost swallowed his tongue. Harry had fucking planned this. “You planned
this.”
“Duh?” Harry said, as if it was no big deal. “I thought it would be fun. Like,
we can’t get caught, but we’re out in the open.”
“Holy shit,” Louis said, dropping his hands from his cock. He leaned back on
them, and yeah that probably exposed his whole body to all the people who
couldn’t see him, but it also opened him up to Harry.
The look Harry gave him made him shiver as he watched Harry wrap his hand
around his cock.
“So, this is okay?” Harry asked.
Louis nodded. “Yup, perfectly. Yeah. Fuck.” He watched as Harry’s laid his head
on his thigh, because his mouth was right there. Louis could feel his breath
puffing against his cock and it was… fuck.
He wasn’t sure if Harry’s intention was to put his mouth on his cock, and the
anticipation was killing him. That and being outdoors. Both were sending him
into overdrive, and even with the slow up and down drag of Harry’s cold and
damp hand on his dick he was still boiling hot and so close. He was half a
second away from tangling his fingers in Harry’s hair and closing the distance
between Harry’s lips and his cock, but he didn’t want to do that. He wanted
Harry to choose to close that distance. He wanted Harry gagging for his cock,
in ways he couldn’t even fully understand. It had never been like this with any
of his girlfriends.
He fell backwards. His toes curled and he cursed as he felt his orgasm hit him
in waves. His body shuddered, and while it was a bit of a pain to basically
convulse on the tiles around the pool, he barely noticed them over the sharp
pain of Harry sinking his teeth into Louis’ thigh.
“Oh fuck,” he cursed, throwing a hand over his eyes.
He heard Harry pull himself out of the pool and Louis tried to move. He needed
to return the favor and get Harry off as well. He fumbled, touching the cold
tile before finding Harry’s thigh. He opened his eyes against the brightness of
the late afternoon sun so he could see what he was doing as he got his hand
inside Harry’s pants.
The sound Harry made was music to his ears. It was so gratifying to know he
could do the same for someone who was so amazing to him. Louis reached over for
a kiss as he let Harry fuck into his hand. He was making the most adorable
sounds of pleasure, and Louis realized just how much being in public like this
was doing it for Harry.
“Like being out here, love?” He asked, dropping tiny bites along Harry’s jaw
line. “Like thinking anyone could see?”
Harry nodded, not even ashamed as he curled up closer to Louis. “Yeah. So
good.”
Louis smiled as he glanced down. He thumbed at Harry’s foreskin before pulling
it down just a bit to touch his sensitive head. Harry groaned, and Louis
watched as his balls tightened and he came all over Louis’ hand.
He felt rather proud of himself.
Harry stayed curled on his side and so Louis gave him a quick kiss. “That was
fun,” he whispered against Harry’s lips.
Harry smiled and opened one eye. “You sure?”
“I can see the appeal of it. Maybe a couple more times where we can’t be caught
and I’d be willing to move it somewhere a bit less private.”
Harry’s laugh was one of the most beautiful sights Louis had ever witnessed,
and he couldn’t help but stroke his cheek with his clean hand. “Hey, love?”
Harry hummed in response, his eyes shutting. “What do you want for your
birthday?”
Harry gave a shrug, but then frowned and opened an eye. He seemed to realize
that this was a serious question and so Louis assumed he was no giving it some
serious thought. “I like spending time with my family on my birthday. Being
around my loved ones, you know? And knowing they love me and care for me.
That’s what’s really important to me, I think.”
Louis swallowed, his mind racing. How the hell could he give Harry that for his
birthday? “Okay,” he whispered, leaning over to kiss him.
Harry let out a happy sigh and closed his eyes. Even though the sun wasn’t as
high in the air it still felt nice on his skin, and Louis didn’t even mind this
his legs were still dangling in the cold water and his cock was hanging out of
his pants. Or that his stomach was covered in come. All that mattered was that
he was here with his boyfriend.
Louis’ eyes popped open.
Had they even had that conversation? He tried to backtrack to their first kiss.
They had been talking about love, and how this wasn’t love, but it could be.
But had the words actually been said? He couldn’t remember. It was all a little
hazy.
Those words were kinda important to him.
“Hey, Harry?” Louis asked, looking up at the sky.
“Yeah?”
“We’re boyfriends, right?”
Harry was silent for a moment and Louis looked over at him. Had the question
been too stupid? Had it hurt Harry’s feelings? Maybe it had, because that was
definitely not a question you asked after giving someone lots of orgasms over
the last couple days.
Harry’s lips were pursed in thought. “I mean, yeah? What else would we be?”
Louis’ worries faded. “I don’t know. Just never had a boyfriend before. Wasn’t
sure how it was supposed to go. Anyone I’ve dated tended to be the one who
asked me out?”
“You stud,” Harry said in a poor imitation of Olivia Newton John’s voice.
Louis laughed anyway because it was adorable. “Guess I am.” He looked back up
at the clouds. “We should get back inside before you burn.”
Harry groaned. “Pretty sure I can’t move.”
Louis managed to pull himself upright. “If you get up, you’ll be able to lay
back in a bed while I play with your nipples. I’m interested in seeing if all
four work the same way.”
Harry sat up. “Alright, fine. You’ve convinced me.”
“Oh like it’s such a hardship.” Louis tucked his dick back in his pants and
stood up before helping Harry stand up. The yard was still blissfully empty, no
one the wiser about what they had just done. It sent a thrill down his spine
knowing they had gotten away with that. He led the chase back to their bedroom
and when he got there he only had a second before he was tackled back on the
bed. “Thought you couldn’t move,” he said, looking up at Harry.
“I got better.” Harry sucked a kiss into Louis’ neck and he closed his eyes in
pleasure.
It was easy to roll Harry over now that they were on a soft bed, and kiss him
deeply. And it was easy to push Harry’s damp pants off, even as they laughed in
between kisses.
“Definitely gonna have to change these sheets,” Louis whispered, pulling back
to look at Harry.
They both were naked and that was a first for them being in bed. Sure, when
they had showered together they were naked, but this was different somehow.
Louis’ hand trailed down Harry’s hip, eyes devouring the sight of his thin
frame laid out before him.
“You said something about my nipples?” Harry asked, one of his fingers sliding
up to the lowest one and circling it.
Louis’ mouth went a bit dry, and he nodded. “Yeah uh. Does that feel like
anything?”
Harry shook his head. “No, but you can try.”
So Louis did. He let one of his fingers join Harry’s in tracing around the two
smaller nipples, but he didn’t get much of a reaction for him. It wasn’t until
he moved up to his larger nipples - his real nipples? - that Louis finally got
a reaction.
“Shit,” Harry cursed, body arching into Louis’ touch. “Do that some more.”
Louis was more than happy to oblige.
Two orgasms later and Harry was happily napping beside Louis, head tucked into
his neck. Louis kissed the top of his head and debated drifting off as well,
but the talk of birthday gifts played in the back of his head. He was finally
forming an idea of what he wanted to do for Harry, and with him asleep now was
one of the best times he could have to approach Future Louis and Harry about
it.
He only hoped they had come out of their sex den so he could talk to them. He
didn’t fancy the idea of knocking on their door to ask about Harry’s birthday.
They’d probably think it wasn’t important, or that it could wait.
Louis extracted himself from the bed, kissing Harry’s forehead as he put on a
pair of joggers and left. It was hard because Harry looked so cute, and Louis
didn’t want to leave him. If Future Louis and Harry weren’t upstairs he’d be
right back down though, so there was that.
Future Louis and Harry were indeed up in the kitchen, laughing as they stood
next to each other building sandwiches. They were both still shirtless,
obviously only upstairs for another quick meal, which Louis should probably do
too. And maybe grab something for Harry too. But first he needed to speak to
them.
“Hey, Baby Me, where’s your better half?” Future Louis asked before taking a
big bite out of his sandwich.
Louis climbed up into a seat. “Asleep.” Future Louis waggled his eyebrows, but
kept quiet as he chewed. “I actually wanted to ask you two a favor,” he plowed
through before he could think better of his decision. “I’ve been trying to
think of what I can do for Harry’s birthday, ‘cause it’s a week from today,
right?” He watched as Future Harry’s face lit up with delight, nodding
excitedly. Future Louis looked interested too, and when he didn’t say anything
snarky Louis continued. “And I think I figured it out. I want to cook him
dinner, since that seems proper romantic, but ummm, as you probably know I’m
kinda really shit at it. So could you maybe help? Either of you?” He glanced at
both of them, and instead of the mocking he was expecting, especially from
Future Louis, all he saw was fondness.
“Of course we’ll help. Do you have any idea what you want to try cooking?”
Future Harry asked, pushing aside his sandwich to give Louis his full
attention. It put his chest tattoos on full display, as well as the dark love
bites that covered his chest. Louis wanted to stare, mesmerized by all the
tattoos, but he managed to drag his eyes away from that.
He played with his fingers as he thought about it for a moment, and then he
looked over at Future Louis. "Well, what did you make for Harry the first time
you cooked for him?"
Future Louis shook his head. "It doesn't matter what I made. This is your own
life, you don't have to follow in my footsteps."
"Yeah, but it worked. Right?" Future Louis looked at Future Harry and they
traded nods. "I don't want to mess up."
"You won't. Here how about we do this," Future Harry said. "I'll pull up a
cookbook and we can look through it together and decide what you want to make.
And then I'll help you with it in secret so when you make it next Sunday, it'll
be perfect."
Louis bit his lip, but then nodded. "That could work."
"Of course it can, love," Future Harry said pulling out Future Louis' phone
from his hoodie pocket. "We can start looking now while Child Me is still
asleep."
"Okay," Louis said, leaning over the counter so he could see the screen.
Future Harry opened a web page and started a search that brought him to Jamie
Oliver's website. "These recipes are easy enough that you won't get
overwhelmed." He turned the phone around. "Now do you want to just start
looking randomly or do you have something in mind? Maybe like the protein you
want to use."
Louis gave him a look. "Literally the only thing I've ever cooked was stew and
mash, and the stew doesn't count cause all I did was put the ingredients in the
pot that mum had laid out."
Future Harry seemed undeterred. "Well I figure we'll stick to either chicken,
pork, or steak. Fish could be an option but it can be a little tricky to figure
out when it's done cooking unless you've worked with it enough times."
"I will cook whatever you are willing to buy for me," Louis said, scrolling
through the website. It wasn't organized by meats unfortunately, so he clicked
on a random category: Dinner for Two. The page was filled with delicate,
complicated looking finger foods. He groaned. "These all look so hard."
Future Harry looked over at the screen. "There should be like a guide, little
chef hats or something. It'll tell you how hard they are. I could always teach
you how to make a good steak."
"I want dinner to be a little fancy," Louis said, looking through the other
categories, still intimidated with how complex everything looked. "Like I want
him to know I really put thought into this. If you just gave me a hint about
what you had your first time I'm sure it would help."
"Not a chance," Future Harry said. "I want you to have this for the two of you.
In my personal opinion, steak is the easiest thing to cook but that's because I
like mine rare."
"Alive you mean," Future Louis groused. "It's still mooing when it comes off
the stove."
"It's delicious. You can actually taste the meat then."
"Oh don't feed me that shit. Medium rare works just as well for tasting the
meat. All the chefs say so. I don't need it bleeding all over me plate." Louis
said, a bit of a glare in his eyes, but Louis saw the fondness he was hiding
behind it.
"All the chefs? Watching cooking shows again?"
Future Louis stuck out his tongue. "Guess who isn't getting a home cooked meal
for their anniversary if they keep teasing me about this."
Future Harry laughed as he hugged Future Louis. "Aw, don't be that way,
Boobear. You know I didn't mean anything by it."
Louis rolled his eyes. "You two are ridiculous." They really were. He wasn’t
sure he’d ever seen a relationship dynamic like theirs before outside of the
movies. Was that where Future Louis had taken all of his cues from? That would
be a bit pathetic, but then again it seemed to work. Future Harry seemed
absolutely charmed and in love with Future Louis, regardless of the way he
would sometimes talk back to him.
It all seemed so perfect and real. Louis always worried about how he would end
up fucking it up, and then he remembered Harry lying downstairs, and how happy
he looked when he was looking at Louis. That gave him hope that maybe, just
maybe, he could one day reach their level as long as he played his cards
exactly right.
"I'm not the one freaking out about cooking my boyfriend a birthday dinner,"
Future Louis shot back.
Louis ignored his future self’s quip and clicked on a recipe for roasted
chicken breast wrapped in pancetta and turned the phone around so Future Harry
and Louis could see. “What about this? Says it’s super easy. Would it be
something that you’d eat? Do you think I’d end up ruining it?”
Future Louis burst out laughing and buried his face in his hands. Louis arched
his eyebrow questioningly at Future Harry, tapping down the sliver of
embarrassment he felt. It helped that Future Harry hadn’t been the one to
laugh. “So is that the laugh a good or bad sign.”
Future Harry smiled at him, poking Future Louis’ shoulder. “A good sign.”
“You should use parma ham,” Future Louis managed to get out between laughs.
“Uh,” Louis looked at the phone. “Is that what you made?”
Future Harry let out a huge sigh and pinched Future Louis’ ear. “Ignore him.
And no, it’s not what was made, but it’s perfectly fine and Child Me will love
it. You’ll have no problems learning how to cook that.”
Louis nodded and looked back at the recipe. It did seem pretty easy, only a
paragraph of instructions so it probably wouldn’t take long to prepare or
anything. His mind was already whirling with the details of the night. Harry
would sit with him while he cooked just to make sure he didn’t ruin anything
too badly, and then maybe they could curl up and watch a movie. Stan had been
nice enough to slip him a list of romance movies that had come out since 2010
that he secretly loved, because Stan was a great friend.
He was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice Harry had come upstairs until
he had plastered himself to Louis’ side. Louis kissed the top of his head as
Harry whined, “why did you leave?”
“Sorry love, I was getting water. I was gonna be right back down.” He glanced
at Future Louis and Harry to make sure neither of them were going to blow his
cover, but they seemed to have drifted back into their own world while he had
been thinking about Harry’s birthday.
Harry seemed to accept that as an answer as he reached for one of the glasses
on the table. “Come back downstairs with me?” Harry blinked up at Louis, a soft
smile on his face.
“After we eat some dinner first, alright, love?” Louis asked.
Harry frowned, but then his stomach growled. “Fine, but then can we go back
downstairs?”
“Course. Sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up.” Louis shifted his head down so
he could look Harry in the eye. He was finally realizing that something was the
matter and he needed to make sure his hunch was correct. Harry was biting his
lip and Louis stopped him from doing it by pecking a kiss to them. “Love?
What’s the matter?” He dropped his voice to a whisper, since he wasn’t sure
this was something Harry wanted either Future Louis or Harry knowing.
Harry wrapped his arms around Louis’ neck so his face could be pressed against
his ear. “You weren’t there. I thought you’d gone back to the future without
me.”
Louis hugged Harry tightly to his chest, because that thought hadn’t even
crossed his mind. But then again, what would have been his thought if he’d been
the one to wake up in bed alone with no indication about where Harry had gone?
The morning that had happened Harry had told him he was going out with Future
Harry. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
Harry shook his head and pulled away from the hug, but stayed plastered to his
side. “It’s okay.”
Louis kissed him. “Eat something and we’ll go back downstairs, okay?” He looked
up and saw Future Louis and Harry staring at them. He didn’t blush, just got up
to get the sliced meats from the fridge so Harry and he could make sandwiches
of their own.
“Everything okay?” Future Louis asked.
“Yup!” Harry said, with just a bit too much cheer. If Louis noticed it then
Future Harry and Louis definitely did, but neither of them commented on it.
“Well,” Future Harry said. “We were gonna watch a movie downstairs in our room,
but we could watch it in the living room, like all four of us?”
Louis looked at Harry, who shifted a little in his seat. “What movie?”
“Justin Timberlake did this pretty hilarious movie with Mila Kunis a couple
years back,” Future Harry said.
“I wouldn’t call it hilarious, Harold. It’s passable.”
“You love it, so don’t even try and put it down. You made us go see it in
theatres.”
“Me? No, I’m pretty sure that was Payno worshipping at the altar of Timber-
Cock,” Future Louis said. He smirked when that sent Future Harry into
hysterics. “So what do you say?”
Harry smiled a little. “Uh, that sounds fun. If you don’t mind us being there.”
“Nonsense! It’ll be fun,” Future Louis said, stepping back to head towards the
living room. “I’ll set everything up. Meet us in there when you are done. We
are gonna show you a good time.”
                                     *****
Studios were simultaneously the most exciting place Louis had ever been, and
the most boring. Future Harry had taken charge of being the Baby-sitter, (Liam
thought the pun had been hilarious, and no amount of shoulder punches seemed to
change his mind since Future Louis thought it was just as funny) since he
didn’t tend to write with Louis or Liam.
“I have a different writing style than them, so we don’t work as well
together.”
“But you and Future Me are in a relationship. So like love songs and what not
must come easy.”
For some reason that made Future Harry laugh. “Yes that would make sense, but
honestly we tend to get a bit distracted.” And then he leered, straight up
filthy-leered right through Louis’ soul. He only kept it up for a second before
cracking a smile, but it still did things to Louis. Things that probably
shouldn’t be done to him by people who weren’t his boyfriend. “But the songs we
have written together come out pretty good. We put them on the album at least,
so they can’t be terrible.”
Part of Future Harry’s baby-sitting duty included giving them a tour of the
studio. He showed them around, and had various people demonstrate equipment for
them. They were sticking with the cousins story they had semi-successfully fed
Jessica. Louis was pretty sure it only worked because most people didn’t want
to give a couple of teens a second glance if they could avoid it, and those
that did pay attention were easily distracted by Future Harry’s smile. He was
incredibly charming around a group of people.
Louis soaked up as much knowledge as he could about how the mixers and software
worked. He didn’t quite have the nerve to ask to try anything yet, especially
since Future Harry wasn’t, but it was a near thing. He just wanted to get his
hands on something tangible to see if he would actually be any good at any of
this.
One of the surprising lessons he learned was that it was very easy to spend all
day in a studio and not notice the passage of time. Once they were there it
seemed they did everything there. Jessica came in at some point, taking first
Future Harry, and then Future Louis away for lessons, which Louis and Harry sat
in on. They got food delivered at some point, which Louis thought would mean a
break in work, but according to Liam they were on a roll so they worked while
they ate.
It was overall a surreal experience for Louis. He and Harry were able to drift
in and out of the room that Future Louis and Liam were writing in as long as
they were quiet. None of the people tended to give them a second look, though
sometimes Future Louis would catch their eyes and wink.
The best part of that first day by far was when Future Louis got into the
recording booth and started to actually sing. Future Harry had leaned over and
explained the process of how they generally crafted a demo early in the day, so
Louis wasn’t surprised when half of what Louis sang was gibberish since he was
trying to help work out the melody more than anything.
When they left the studio late that night Louis still felt himself buzzing with
excitement.
“And just think, we get to do it all over again tomorrow,” Future Louis said,
not unkindly as they got into the car, Alberto up front while the four of them
squished into the backseat.
“I can’t wait,” Harry said around a yawn as he shifted up and into Louis’ lap.
Louis gladly let him do as he pleased, scootching over so he was against the
door, giving Future Louis and Harry more room. “Are you guys working with the
same group of people? I wasn’t wrong in thinking you guys finished the demo
today?”
“Nah, we’ll be at a different studio and everything,” Future Louis said. “Lots
of different people to work with over the next week.
“You mean like that folksy ballad you and Liam were working on?” Harry asked.
Louis couldn’t see it but he heard Future Louis’ smile. “Yeah. Hopefully we’ll
finish it. Feels almost like we’re on an upswing with the music. Love that
feeling.”
Louis snorted and cuddled Harry closer to his chest, figuring after the first
day in a studio he would be able to handle anything.
Future Louis spent most of the week working, and he brought Harry and Louis
along with him each day. By Louis’ second day in a studio he was feeling a lot
more confident, and the people working in the studio they were at were more
than happy to field questions from him. He enjoyed watching them work almost as
much as he liked watching Future Louis work, and he could tell Harry felt the
same way.
It made sense that they both liked music, they were in a band together in the
future after all, but it was still nice to see that they understood it in
similar ways. Louis was glad he was getting this experience, even if he
wouldn’t remember it. He had learned so much just by watching and sitting in on
Future Louis working that his desire for this future only increased.
Any fear that he would get bored was wiped away by all the new things he found
out each day. It solidified it for him. Music was not going to be a passing
fancy. Music was going to be his life, and not because he saw it be Future
Louis’ life but because he honestly enjoyed it.
That didn’t stop him from getting a little bit of cabin fever mid-way through
Wednesday when they’d been locked up in the studio for a few hours. Future
Harry had gone out after Jessica had finished giving them lessons - which Louis
had finally gotten to actually participate in after trying some of the
techniques he had seen on his own. Jessica had even corrected him a bit nicer
than she did Future Louis - which meant that Harry and Louis didn’t exactly
have a minder. It wasn’t that they had needed one.
So he convinced Harry to sneak outside with him. Well, not sneak. Sneak was
definitely the wrong word, because he was pretty sure they were allowed to go
outside, but he didn’t feel like he should tell anyone where they were going.
Harry didn’t seem to mind, following him outside with a happy bounce in his
step.
There were a set of tables outside where Louis figured people smoked, but he
hadn’t come out here to sit down. Unfortunately he didn’t have a football or
something to play with so instead he just bounced from foot to foot while Harry
sat down, shielding his eyes from the sun. It was warm outside and Louis
paused, looking at Harry.
“You aren’t wearing sunscreen.”
“Nope,” Harry said.
Louis frowned and moved to stand in front of him so his shadow covered Harry.
“You’re gonna get burned again and you’ll smell like aloe all over again.”
Harry’s forehead wrinkled and he made an aborted swipe in Louis’ general
direction. “The sun feels nice.”
“You wanna know what else feels nice? Me being able to kiss you without
worrying I’m going to hurt you.”
Harry smiled at that and cracked an eye open. Louis was struck with how
gorgeous he was all over again. “Yeah? You should remind me.”
Louis shook his head but leaned down anyway, kissing Harry’s forehead, then his
temple, then his cheek until he had circled around to his lips. Harry made a
happy sound and snaked a hand around Louis’ neck. Louis almost toppled forward
but he managed to stay standing, even though he broke the kiss.
“Reminded?”
Harry nodded. “More?”
Louis shifted so he was sitting on Harry’s thigh and he grinned before moving
in for another kiss. They had been really good these past couple of days, and
this was the first time they had really made out outside of their own bedroom.
Louis figured they deserved a few minutes of this. He’d make sure it didn’t go
passed what they were doing right now, and their hands would stay resolutely on
top of the clothes.
It was nice, just kissing with the knowledge it wasn’t going to go anywhere.
Harry was a really good kisser so that made it even better. There weren’t too
many awkward bumps, or clacking of teeth like Louis had experienced with other
people, just soft lips and a slightly wandering tongue. He kinda loved it.
“Oi! What are you kids doing?”
Harry jumped underneath him, and Louis barely avoided falling off his lap and
landing on his bum. He turned to see who had yelled at them and groaned when he
saw Future Harry smiling from the entryway to the patio. He must have dropped
his voice so he could interrupt them in one of the most terrifying way
possible.
“You scared my poor boyfriend to death,” Louis said, sinking one hand into
Harry’s hair to soothe him.
Future Harry’s smile dropped and he took off his sunglasses. “Sorry, just
thought it would be a little fun. Didn’t mean to scare you.” He walked over to
them and ruffled Harry’s hair, touching Louis’ hand as he did, not that he
seemed to notice. Louis did though, feeling a jolt go through his body at the
contact.
“It’s okay,” Harry said. “I didn’t need that year of my life anyway.”
Future Harry snorted. “Course not, it was probably gonna involve being
bedridden and senile anyway. Better to end it sooner.”
“Exactly,” Harry agreed. “You done with your errands?”
Future Harry nodded, taking his hand out of Harry’s curls. “Yup,” he popped the
‘p’ and looked over his shoulder. “Oh and I brought someone for you two to
meet!”
Louis and Harry looked around Future Harry but there was no one there. Louis
arched his eye at Future Harry. “And?”
James Corden walked through the entryway and Louis’ mouth dropped open. He
hadn’t seen James in a couple years in his own time, and this James was older
but still recognizable.
“What the fuck?” He asked, looking at Future Harry, who was smirking.
“Surprise!” He waved his hands to accompany the word and it drew James’
attention to them.
“Not inside yet, young man? Whatever will the husband say? Won’t be too happy
with you, I’m sure.” James was smiling as he spoke and his eyes dropped to
Harry and Louis. He froze. “What the fuck?”
“Surprise!” Future Harry said again, this time cackling. “You should see your
face.”
James swung his head to Future Harry. “What the fuck?”
“Time travel! I figured you’d appreciate it, what with the gig on Doctor Who
and all.”
“Time travel isn’t real, Harry Edward Styles,” James said. He looked back at
them. “Okay. Explain. Real explanation this time.”
“James Corden, this is Louis Tomlinson circa January 2010 and Harry Styles of
the same time. They showed up in London about two weeks ago and haven’t
disappeared since.”
“You can’t just spring this shit on a man. I’ve got a weak heart.” James was
still staring at them and Louis was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable, so he
held out his hand.
“Long time no see?” Louis asked, tilting his head a bit.
James took his hand and shook it, but didn’t answer him. Instead he narrowed
his eyes and looked back at Future Harry. “Wait, did they not know each other?
And they’re already like,” he looked Harry and Louis up and down.
“Yup,” Future Harry said, as if it was the best news he could say.
“You two are so in love,” James said. “Time travel. Of all the crazy things.
Though to be fair, who else would it happen to?”
“Beyonce?”
“She transcends space and time, mate,” James said seriously. “Okay. So time
travel. Hi again Louis Tomlinson. It’s been an age. Don’t forget to call me
when you get to London, I will get you all sorted.” Louis almost asked what he
meant, but then he remembered. In his future-past he was going to be on the X-
Factor. He must have reached out to James when he joined, and James had been
okay with it. “And, young Harry, it’s nice to meet you again.”
Harry had been quiet this whole time, and his silence continued to stretch on.
Louis looked at him, worried. Harry was staring at James with wide eyes.
“You’re Smithy.” Harry covered his mouth in horror as if he hadn’t meant to say
that.
“Yeah, I was,” James said, smiling.
“Sorry, it’s just you’ve met Beckham. You’ve yelled at Beckham.”
“I’m not gonna lie, this is a little strange because this is the exact same
conversation we had when we first met. Even more awkward since Becks is coming
to your party on Saturday,” his eyes darted to Future Harry. “You knew that one
right? I know Louis likes to surprise you.”
Future Harry smirked. “I know it now.”
“Ah, well shit. Pretend to be properly impressed or something. It was a hoot
listening to your husband tell me all about his adventure getting that sorted
out.” He turned his attention back to Harry and Louis, who had frozen at the
idea that they knew David Beckham in the future. If James had noticed, he
didn’t seem to care. “Do you want a hug, young Harry? Might be a bit awkward
with Louis in your lap but we’ve managed before, we’ll manage again.” James
held open his arms and Louis was reminded of the crush he had on James.
Yeah.
That was still a thing.
James wrapped them both in a hug and it seemed to be just the thing to snap
Harry out of his celebrity daze. He suddenly couldn’t shut up, asking questions
about what James was doing here, and about what Future Harry had meant with
Doctor Who.
“Woah, hold your horses. What are the rules of this? What am I authorized to
let out?” James asked Future Harry. “There are rules right?”
Future Harry shrugged. “Sorta? I mean they know about the band, but they’ve
only met Liam so far. And they obviously know they like, get together.”
“This doesn’t sound like you’ve got rules laid out,” James said.
“They don’t tell us everything,” Louis offered helpfully. “But if we figure
stuff out they don’t lie.”
“We kinda figure they won’t remember anything once they go back to the past so
it’ll be like nothing happened.”
James thought on that for a moment. “Fair enough, I guess. Not like we’ve got
another example of what to do. So to answer your question, young Harry, I’m
starting a job here in America and I’m getting the kind boys of One Direction
to do some promotion for me. Need to get any crowd I can.”
Harry’s face lit up as they started to head into the studio. “So we’ll get to
watch like a tv crew film something? That’s gonna be sick.”
James made a face as he pinched Harry’s cheek. “I forgot how precious and
excitable you both were at that age. Ah it makes me feel young again. Now you
both just stare at me like you can’t wait til I’m gone.”
“Hey,” Future Harry said.
James reached over and pinched his cheek as well. “Aw you know I love you, you
adorable little banana. Now let’s get inside and get this video filmed so I can
leave you guys in peace.”
                                     *****
Future Louis announced Thursday afternoon that he was kidnapping Harry to go on
an adventure to return something to Liam. Harry had pouted a bit at having to
leave Louis, but Louis urged him to go because this was his big opportunity to
finally get a cooking lesson. The week had turned out so busy that Future Harry
and he had had no time to start them, and Louis had seriously begun to worry
that he was going to go into Sunday blind. But now he was finally going to get
his first cooking lesson.
He was only a little nervous he was going to burn the whole house down.
“First step!” Future Harry said, grabbing two aprons from a cabinet. “Wash you
hands. Cleanliness is key.” He tied his hair back in a bun before putting on an
apron, and laying the other one out for Louis to use. Louis did as he was told,
biting back a retort about never seeing Future Harry actually wear an apron.
“Alright, we are cooking chicken. The most important thing about cooking
chicken is that we want it cooked the whole way through. It’s one of the only
meats you can’t serve rare. But! Chicken also dries out pretty easily, so
getting it right is tricky, and the most important thing.”
“Wait, should I be taking notes?”
Future Harry winked at him. “I’m talking, you’ll retain everything.”
Louis blushed, but nodded. “Okay, so how do I get fully cooked chicken without
drying it out?”
“That! Is an excellent question, and the answer is temperature. We’re cooking
in the oven so in this case you don’t want to cook it too low for too long
because it will dry out, which we already know we don’t want. So your recipe
should give you a temperature to cook it at. Pull up the recipe and tell me
what this one says.”
Louis woke the iPad Future Harry had said they were going to be using and saw
the recipe was already pulled up. “Says here, 200. That sounds pretty high?”
Future Harry gave a little shrug, waving at the stove. “That’s perfectly fine
actually. Sometimes if you don’t know the oven you’re cooking in you’ll want to
be extra vigilant with how long you are cooking something. Now this oven is
perfect, and I love her very dearly.”
“Does it have a name?”
“I can’t tell if you’re making fun of me or not, but yes, this oven does have a
name. Her name is Gina. You will treat her with respect and not make fun of
this fact.”
Louis couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face as he waved at the
oven. “Hello, Gina.”
Future Harry beamed and patted the front of the oven. “Okay so that’s sorta
oven 101. You know how to turn on an oven, right?” Louis gave him a look. “Just
checking! This oven reads celsius, none of that fahrenheit shit, so you won’t
need to worry about converting anything. Alright so for this recipe--”
“It looks like I’m basically going to be wrapping the chicken in some pancetta
and then cooking it in the oven? That really doesn’t sound too hard? And there
will be like vegetables and what not to season the chicken?”
“You know the recipe then,” Future Harry said with a smile.
Louis was not going to admit he had maybe obsessed over the recipe for the past
week, thinking of all the ways it could go wrong. Like what if he over-seasoned
it? That was a thing that could happen right? He didn’t really think he’d burn
down the house, or even burn the chicken, but there were so many ways things
could go wrong. So instead he just nodded. “Yup. So do you want me to get like
ingredients and what not?”
Future Harry nodded, and Louis went to the refrigerator to get one of the
chicken breasts Future Harry had picked up for him. There were at least two
more in the freezer which were for Sunday, though Harry didn’t know that yet.
He also grabbed the packaged pancetta and what he assumed was probably the leek
since it was the only green vegetable in the drawer that was definitely not
lettuce.
When he turned to put them on the island he saw that Future Harry had grabbed a
bowl, a pan, and the rest of the ingredients.
“You’ll find the spice rack up there,” Future Harry said, pointing to one of
the cabinets. “If you can’t remember, Child Me knows where they are and he can
remind you. So, we have all our ingredients. We have the bowl we are going to
prepare everything in. We have the pan we’re going to cook it in. When you cook
on Sunday you’ll want to grab the one that’s slightly larger than this one,
it’s the same color, just bigger.” He pointed to one of the bottom drawers.
“The pans live in there, and I keep the mixing bowls in the cabinet next to it.
We’ll also need a knife, which you can see the knife block right there, and
cutting board.” Future Harry pulled a cutting board out of a drawer in the
island. “Which you can get from here. Getting all of this so far?”
Louis looked from the ingredients they had laid out to Future Harry, and
nodded. “Think so.” He looked at the iPad, which had gone dark again, but he
felt like he knew the recipe well enough not to turn it on without Future Harry
asking him to.
“Alright. First take the chicken out of the wrapping. I bought them already
skinned so you won’t need to worry about doing any of that. Toss it in the
bowl.”
Louis did as he was told, putting the chicken in the bowl. His hands were
covered in chicken juice afterwards and he sighed, going to the sink to wash
them again. He could feel Future Harry’s eyes on him, and when he turned around
he saw Future Harry was smiling at him. “What?”
Future Harry just gave him a thumbs up. “Come over here and I’ll show you how
to cut up the leek.”
Louis was hesitant to pick up the knife. It was one of those big kitchen knives
his mum wielded with pretty generous skill in his opinion. He looked at Future
Harry and thought about making a joke, maybe trying to grab the blade instead
of the handle, but decided against it at the last minute. The way Future Harry
arched his eyebrows made him think Future Louis had tried the same trick. He’d
save it for Sunday then.
“Wait, aren’t we supposed to wash vegetables first?” He asked, pulling his hand
away from the knife.
Future Harry nodded. “I was seeing if you remembered.”
“No you weren’t, you’d forgotten too,” Louis said with a smirk, picking up the
leek and taking it over to the sink. He was pretty sure he could understand the
concept of washing a vegetable with water.
“I haven’t given a cooking lesson in a long time okay. This is a lot more
pressure than I was anticipating! I don’t always remember the correct order
when I’m under this much pressure.”
Louis finished washing the leek and put it back on island and picked up the
knife. “Are you going to show me like a technique for this or just kinda trust
me not to fuck up because it’s too much pressure?”
Future Harry huffed as if Louis had just offended him, but approached him.
“Here, I’ll help you hold the knife.” He crowded behind Louis, and wow, this
was a little intimate.
Or… like a lot intimate.
Future Harry didn’t seem to notice as he wrapped his hand around Louis’ and the
knife handle, adjusting his grip so he was - apparently - holding it correctly.
Louis tried to remember how to breathe as Future Harry’s other hand settled
over the hand holding the leek. He manipulated Louis’ hand so they had flipped
the leek around so the white root was facing the knife.
“Alright first we’ll need to remove the root,” Future Harry said, ducking his
head so it was close to Louis’ ear.
Louis wasn’t sure Future Harry realized just how badly this was affecting him,
but he tried to pay attention as Future Harry walked him through the steps of
trimming and preparing the leek. He kept his hands over Louis’ the entire time,
helping him cut the leek into the proper size to go into the bowl with the
chicken.
By the time Future Harry finally stepped back Louis felt like he hadn’t
actually breathed for years. Centuries even.
The worst part was Future Harry just kept on going through the rest of the
recipe, and Louis could barely keep up. Future Harry was different from Harry.
He was taller and broader, and Louis had known that, but right now Louis was
the one who could crowd up on Harry. But Future Harry could encompass Louis’
whole body in his arms.
It was intoxicating to think that would be a normal occurrence one day.
Louis somehow managed to get through the rest of the preparation, tossing the
chicken breast in the leek and other seasonings without any help because he
wasn’t sure he could handle Future Harry crowding behind him like that again.
Once the chicken was wrapped in the pancetta Future Harry had him put the pan
in the oven and set the timer for twenty five minutes.
“We’ll check the inside temperature after that and see if we need to give it
any extra time. Chicken should be served at 74 degrees to make sure it’s all
cooked. Now we use those twenty five minutes to clean up our mess. Luckily,
with this recipe there isn’t a lot.” Future Harry opened up his iPad and
finally put on some music, though it wasn’t anything Louis recognized.
They cleaned up in relative silence, Future Harry supervising as Louis washed
the knife, bowl, and cutting board. The cooking chicken was starting to smell
pretty delicious and Louis was getting excited. He hoped it tasted as good as
it smelled.
The timer went off and Future Harry pulled out a cooking thermometer. He had
Louis take the temperature and when they both agreed it looked like the inside
was cooked Louis took the pan out of the oven.
“We’ll just let it rest for about five minutes. Resting will allow the juices
to settle so when you cut into the chicken it doesn’t spill everywhere.” Future
Harry said. “Here, lemme show you where I keep the nice plates, and I guess
since it’s supposed to be a nice dinner you guys could have some wine or beer
with the meal.”
“Encouraging underage drinking I see,” Louis said.
Future Harry laughed. “Benefit about knowing myself. I remember all the stupid
shit I got up to when I was your ages.” He showed Louis where he kept wine
glasses, and suggested a couple of good wines that would go with the meal.
Louis’ knowledge of wine was limited to whatever someone brought to the parties
he had gone to, but he figured Future Harry already knew that. Future Louis
didn’t seem like much of wine drinker, since all Louis had seen him drink was a
few bottles of beers. But if Future Harry thought it would compliment the meal
or whatever who was he to argue?
At the end of the day he was essentially trying to impress Future Harry too.
“Alright I think it’s rested enough. Now let’s cut into this and see how you
did.”
Future Harry let him do the honors, and Louis was ecstatic to see the inside
was cooked and looked juicy. He took a small bite and his eyes went wide with
delight. It tasted good. He covered his mouth as he laughed. “Holy shit, this
is really good.”
“Can I taste?” Future Harry reached for the fork and Louis let him have it.
He watched Future Harry’s face as he tried the chicken and he felt a bit of
pride surge through him when Future Harry let out a happy sound.
“Resounding success, Lou!” He leaned over and kissed Louis’ forehead, ruffling
his hair as he pulled away.
Louis blushed and patted his hair back down. “Nonsense, you did all the
cooking.”
“How could you say that? You did the important stuff! You are all set to wow my
younger self with a tasty meal.” He held the fork back out. “Have another bite.
We’ll go over some of the big points and then I’ll teach you how to make one of
my favorite desserts, so you can really wow Child Me.” Future Harry winked.
“Not letting you go into this thinking Child Me isn’t a sure thing.”
Louis’ heart pounded in his chest and his ears as he nodded. “Thanks, Harry.”
Chapter End Notes
     I hope you all made it through okay D: And you didn't leave half-way
     thinking it wasn't worth the wait.
     James_Corden_yelling_at_the_English_National_Football_team was
     totally a thing for Red Nose Day in 2009.
     This_is_the_recipe Louis is following to make Harry's birthday dinner
     :)
***** Chapter 8 *****
Chapter Notes
     Happy Hump Day!
     Let's all pretend it has not been as long as it has actually been. I
     kept telling myself "oh it's not been that long" and then I'd look
     and see I hadn't updated since April and it's now October and I'm
     awful, I'm so sorry OTL The next chapter should be up much sooner. I
     love all my readers, I'm sorry if I haven't responded to your comment
     over the past .... five months. I'm trash.
     Please enjoy. I really hope it was worth the wait.
     Unbeta'd. All mistakes are mine. I will eventually fix this.
Louis kept staring at the refridgerator. It was mocking him with its contents.
He knew he wouldn't be using them tonight - tonight Harry had asked if they
could have pizza since Future Harry and Louis were going to be out all night at
Future Harry's birthday - but tomorrow he would be.
Future Harry had gone over the recipe with him twice more, just without the
cooking part, and he seemed to have faith that Louis wouldn't fuck up and burn
the house down. Louis wasn't that confident and had made mental notes of where
the fire extinguisher was. He didn't think that was too extreme.
And through this all Harry seemed to be unaware of the dinner Louis was
planning. He seemed to be under the impression that Future Harry and Louis were
the ones planning something, because he kept pestering them about what they
were doing on Sunday.
"It's a surprise," Future Louis said for what must have been the twentieth time
today.
Louis was watching from the front room couch as Future Harry and Louis got
around for Future Harry's birthday party. Harry had decided now was a
vulnerable time to pounce with the same question as they were trying to make
sure they had their keys, wallets, and phones.
"But what kind of surprise is it? Is it a fun one? Is it a whole day thing?
Maybe I already have other plans." Harry had his arms wrapped Future Louis'
arm, stopping him from looking for his missing cellphone.
Instead of looking annoyed, Future Louis was just smiling at Harry before he
pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "You'll abandon those plans for these.
Promise. Now can you be a love and let me find my phone?"
Harry pouted, but let go of Future Louis' arm and threw himself into Louis' lap
on the couch. The entire exchange hit Louis with how much Harry had blossomed
in the two weeks since they'd met. He wasn't the shy boy who had cried when he
found himself in a strange bedroom. He was dramatic, and loud, and similar to
Louis in a lot of ways. He still had moments of quiet, but he seemed much more
comfortable in himself and he had no problem seemingly showing this side to
Louis.
"Do you have any idea what these plans are?" Harry asked, winding his arms
around Louis' neck. "Of course not," he said before Louis could lie. "If you
knew you'd tell me, because you're not mean like Old You." He stuck his tongue
out at Future Louis' back, and when all Future Louis did was snort, it sent
Harry into a fit of giggles.
Louis was positively endeared, and kissed Harry on the cheek while petting his
curls. "Of course not. I'd never be mean like that."
Future Louis gave a much louder snort this time. "Hazza! I don't remember you
being this annoying as a kid. Something's gone wrong. I want a refund."
Future Harry laughed from the kitchen. "That would be your influence."
"Fuck you," Future Louis said. "I'm an angel. It's these fucking youths. See if
I sneak you some beer to celebrate your birthday tomorrow."
Future Harry came around the corner holding Future Louis' phone. "I'll sneak
you some alcohol."
"Traitor," Future Louis grumbled, holding out his hand for the phone.
Harry snuggled closer to Louis as they watched Future Louis pull on his jacket.
"Ready to go?" Future Harry asked instead of answering.
"Yeah, yeah. Alright, ground rules: don't burn down the house, don't flood the
house, don't make the house fall into the ravine, I've been nice and given you
lube and condoms so you're covered there... anything else I'm forgetting, Haz?"
Future Harry shook his head. "I gave you the number to the pizza place we
normally get delivery from. They'll have our card on file when you call from
the house phone." He came over and gave both of them a hug at the same time,
kissing them on the foreheads.
Harry made a happy noise and he smacked a kiss on Future Harry's cheek without
releasing his hold on Louis' neck. "Have fun. Enjoy the evening with Beckham!"
Future Louis let out a loud squawk. "Fuck! Way to ruin a man's surprise!"
Future Harry smiled at him. "It was James!"
"Corden, that fucking bastard," Future Louis grumbled as he switched places
with Future Harry so he could kiss them goodbye. "Gonna kill him when I see him
tonight. You two be safe tonight. Don't do anything we wouldn't."
"Doesn't really limit them, does it?" Future Harry said from the door.
Future Louis smirked as he ruffled both of their hairs. "Nah, it doesn't. But
regardless, don't do anything we wouldn't. Whatever that is."
"You got it," Louis piped up, watching as Future Harry and Louis finally left.
This was it.
They were alone.
No Stan. No Alberto or other security guard in the guest house. No Future Harry
or Louis. Just them. Louis looked up at Harry and a smile stretched across his
lips.
"Hi," he said, because he couldn't think of anything else to say.
Harry answered his smile with a soft kiss. "Hey."
"So, we're alone for the next couple hours." Harry nodded, leaning his forehead
against Louis'. "Do you have any plans?" Harry looked thoughtful, and then
suddenly he was off of Louis' lap and sitting on the other side of the couch,
guitar in his lap. Louis blinked from how quickly that had happened. His lap
was cold and he scooted closer to Harry. "Uh, Harry?"
Harry didn't look at him, but a faint smile played on his lips even as he
started to play the start of the song he'd been practicing. It was one of the
songs from the practice book so it wasn't a real song, but Louis had heard it
enough over the last couple days that he could recognize it by the opening
strums.
"Harry," he said, poking Harry in the side. "What the fuck, Haz?" The nickname
came out sounding more familiar and comfortable than he had been expecting.
Future Louis had a ton of nicknames for Future Harry, and each one was as
natural as the next, but so far Louis had only used "love" as a nickname for
Harry.
The new nickname didn't get Harry to stop playing the guitar, so Louis poked
him again. And then again, and again until he saw the corners of Harry's lips
pull up in a smile. "You're planning something," Louis said matter-of-factedly.
"What makes you think that?" Harry asked, smile growing.
Louis leaned over to grab Harry's practice book since it didn't look like he
was actually using it. He had practiced this song enough times to have it
memorized. "Because you're trying to ignore me when we're all alone for the
first time ever."
"Oh. Am I trying to ignore you? I thought I wanted to practiced."
Louis rolled his eyes. "You're definitely trying to ignore me. It's almost like
you have a plan to do horrible things to me, because I don't know why else you
wouldn't do them now."
"You liked what I did last time in the pool," Harry pointed out.
Louis made sure he looked extra thoughtful as he tried not to laugh. "Did I?
You'll have to remind me."
Harry stopped playing long enough to grip the front of Louis' shirt and pull
him in for a quick kiss. "You should order the pizza, because my plans take
that into account."
Louis laughed. "I'm not letting you eat pizza off my body. I don't think we've
gotten that far in our relationship yet."
"I don't know if we ever will." And with that Harry went back to ignoring Louis
in favor of his guitar.
Louis was not impressed. He didn't care what kind of plans Harry had. He had
plans too. Who knew how many more times they would have alone like this. They
were flying to Australia in a few days and Louis didn't know how many people
would be around then. And if they- no when they - finally went back to the past
it would even more difficult to get time alone in between the distance and
their own living situations. "Come on, Harry! Your plans can't be that
important." He swung his feet up onto the couch and kicked Harry gently in the
hip. It didn't interrupt his guitar playing.
Louis sniffed dramatically and opened the practice book. He grabbed a pen from
the table and began to doodle on the edges because if Harry wasn't going to pay
attention to him he was going to vandalize his property. It was petty, but he
could see old doodles on some of the corners already, and recognized them as
Future Louis' work.
Well it was good to know that things didn't seem to change in the future.
He traced over a penis and then made it spurt come onto the title of some song.
"Tempo Changes Practice #2" seemed like a good title to cover in ink come
splatters. He hoped that the addition brought much joy to whoever looked at it
next.
Once that piece of art was done he checked in on Harry, but he was still
playing guitar, lost in his own world. Louis gave him another kick to the hip,
and Harry just smiled and kept playing. Louis groaned and turned around on the
couch, flopping back against Harry's arm. That finally disrupted him.
"Do you need something?" Harry asked.
"Nope!" Louis said with as much cheer as he could, flipping to a page free of
Future Louis' drawings and starting his own. He began with a smiley face that
he like to draw, and then he thought he'd move on to drawing random lines.
Harry hummed, and started playing again. Louis didn't let the smile leave his
face because he could feel how Harry was trying not to move that arm he was
leaning against so he didn't bother Louis. "What does that smiley face mean?"
Louis paused. He hadn't been expecting that to be the thing to get Harry to
talk to him. He put the pen down and glanced over his shoulder at Harry, who
was indeed looking at him while playing. Louis suddenly felt a little self-
conscious. He hadn't realized that Harry was actually paying attention to him
this whole time. He shuffled around on the couch so he wasn't leaning against
Harry anymore and tapped the pen against the book.
"I mean, it doesn't have a meaning. Just something I like to draw. Been doing
it for as long as I could remember. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, Older You has it tattooed on his wrist. He won't tell me what most of the
smaller ones mean, but I thought you might know."
"Nope," Louis said, emphasizing the pop of the 'p'. He waited a moment to see
if Harry had anything else to say, and when he didn't Louis glanced over at
him. "You spend a lot of time looking at my future tattoos?"
Harry bit his lip, but then nodded. "Just curious. When we go out we'll hold
hands so I'll look at them then. You have a lot of them." Louis smirked,
finally putting down the book. Harry had stopped playing - fucking finally -
and it was easy to take the guitar from his hands and put it safely on the
coffee table. "Hey, I was using that."
Louis slid into Harry's lap, still smirking. "Yeah, to avoid me because you
have plans. But I have plans too." He actually didn't have specific plans but
he was ace at winging it. "And, it's your birthday tomorrow so think of it as
an early present."
Harry flushed, losing the confident edge he had had earlier. Good, if they were
on uneven footing it should be Louis who was on top. "You don't need to get me
anything."
Louis pecked his lips with a kiss. "Good thing I didn't get you this then." He
moved to Harry's neck and bit down gently, causing Harry to gasp.
"Give me, give me," Harry babbled, "you don't need to give me anything." He
tilted his head to the side and Louis took it as an invitation to suck a dark
mark into the tender flesh there.
Straddling Harry, Louis could feel how hard he was getting and he rolled his
hips, teasing Harry. It pulled another gasp from him. Louis was grinning as he
leaned back. He was trying to figure out the best way to get to his knees
without being awkward, but there didn’t seem to be anyway. So instead he just
had to wing it. He gave Harry what he hoped was a sexy smile before he climbed
off him and got on the floor.
The room was eerily quiet as Harry seemed to try and process what was going on,
which was just as well for Louis since he was doing the same thing. He’d never
done this before, but how hard could it really be? Harry’s cock was thick and
heavy in between his legs as Louis pulled it out of his jeans. He swallowed as
he tried to figure out what he was supposed to do. So far he had been running
on bravado and a vague recollection of his one experience receiving a blow job.
Maybe he shouldn’t have acted like he knew what he was doing, because Harry was
staring at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. He looked like Louis held all
the answers in the world and that was a lot of pressure, especially when there
was only one other thought running through Louis’ mind besides ‘what the fuck
do I do?’.
“Christ, you’re really big.”
Harry snorted and shifted, grabbing the base of his cock almost like he was
hiding it. “Never heard you comment on it before,” he muttered.
Louis shot him a look. “Haven’t been up close and personal with it yet.” He
knocked Harry’s hand away, wrapping his own around Harry’s cock, pumping once,
twice, three times until Harry was whimpering and clenching his fist.
Then Louis leaned forward and gave a tentative lick.
Harry did a full body shudder, and Louis did it again, tongue swiping over the
head of his cock. Harry didn’t taste awful, just a hint of musk over clean
skin. He licked again, trying to swirl his tongue around the whole head of
Harry’s cock. This made Harry finally react, and his hand grabbed Louis’
shoulder in a vice grip.
It made Louis bolder knowing that he was doing a good job.
He closed his eyes as he started to take Harry into his mouth. The weight was
heavy on his tongue and it felt really good. He hadn’t considered that it would
feel good to be the one giving head, but it was. He moaned as he took as much
as he could, which he realized wasn’t very much when he couldn’t even meet his
hand with his mouth. That was okay though. This was just his first time he told
himself.
Harry didn’t seem to have any complaints either which way. He was making high
pitched noises as Louis explored. He used those noises to gauge just how well
he was doing. When he sucked for the first time Harry let out a whimper and
gripped his shoulder even harder, and Louis knew that was good.
He finally figured out a rhythm between his hand and his mouth. It was slow,
his hand going up and down to cover the part of Harry’s cock that his mouth
couldn’t reach, while he bobbed his head, sucking and licking at the same time.
Sure it was a lot to do, but Louis found it absolutely hypnotizing to do. He
was so hard in his pants and if he had the spare brain cells he would reach
down to pull himself off at the same time he was doing this.
He wanted to make this good for Harry though. He was going to make this good
for Harry.
Harry’s breath was coming faster, and faster, especially when Louis started to
pick up the pace. He could feel the way his cock was starting to pulse and it
felt so different in his mouth than it did in his hand. He knew Harry was close
even before he tried to warn him.
“Uh- uh- Lou,” Harry whispered. His voice sounded even more wrecked than it
normally did right before orgasm and Louis had done that. Louis’ mouth had done
that.
He pulled back, sucking just on the tip, using his hand to finish Harry off.
Harry’s come was warm and slightly salty, but Louis made sure to swallow it
because he wanted to complete the experience for Harry. He pulled away, intent
on climbing up to Harry’s side so he could relieve his own erection, except,
except Harry was still hard. Louis knew what that was like, still hard despite
just coming. Sometimes you just needed to come multiple times, and sure, Louis’
jaw was starting to feel the stretch but he’d really liked doing that, so he
leaned down, wrapping his lips around Harry’s cock again.
Harry grabbed a fistful of his hair and Louis stopped what he was doing.
“No, lemme,” Harry said, and it took a moment for him to pull Louis off of his
cock, and up onto the couch.
Louis was confused, even as Harry started pulling his joggers and pants down.
It didn’t register what was happening until Harry his mouth around Louis’ cock.
He let out a string of curses as wet warmth engulfed his cock, and he tangled
his fingers in Harry’s curls before he could stop himself. He pushed his hips
up and Harry’s head down and it wasn’t until Harry was moaning with his nose
pressed into Louis’ pelvis that he realized what he had done.
He was feeling a mix of horrified and so incredibly turned on. He couldn’t
believe that he had just pushed Harry to take all of him in at once when he
hadn’t even managed half, but then, Harry seemed perfectly fine. He seemed
happy even and Louis could feel him swallow around Louis’ cock and that - that
was hot. Louis was going to go with being turned on.
He tugged on Harry’s hair to pull him up, but Harry only went halfway up before
he was sinking back down. Louis whined, caught up in the tight suction, and the
way Harry’s tongue was rubbing against him. All he could really do was rock his
hips into Harry’s mouth, chasing his orgasm that was coming hard and fast.
The sounds Harry was making was driving him closer and he tried to choke out a
warning to let Harry know what was coming. All he got in return was Harry
squeezing his thigh with one hand, and using his other hand to make sure Louis
was pushing his head the full way down.
“Shit, fuck,” Louis cursed. He knew he was being loud, but his head was
pounding with adrenaline. His hips snapped up and he held Harry down as he
came.
It wasn’t until he'd collapsed back on the couch that it hit him that Harry
hadn’t choked once.
“Holy shit,” he said again, reaching blindly for Harry so they could cuddle.
Harry came to his side, flushed and smiling. Louis stared at him for a moment
before he cupped Harry’s cheek and kissed him. They both tasted like each other
but Louis didn’t care as he kissed Harry with everything he was.
“Holy shit,” he said for a second time when they broke apart.
Harry was still smiling as he rested his head on Louis’ shoulder, peppering
kisses over whatever skin he could reach. “I know.” His voice was scratchy and
Louis probably shouldn't be as turned on by it as he was, but that honestly
seemed par the course of his life now. Harry’s voice was scratchy from the
blowjob he had just given Louis. The blowjob he had given him where he had just
casually deep throated Louis with no problem.
“Holy shit.”
Harry laughed so hard he started to cough, but once he recovered he was back to
smiling. “Good?”
Louis whined and shook Harry gently. “What kind of question is that? Where did
you learn that?”
Harry glanced up at him. “If you tuck your left thumb into a fist and squeeze
it suppresses your gag reflex,” he said, showing Louis what he meant.
Louis stared. “Where did you learn that?” And okay, that blowjob had definitely
broken him because he kept repeating himself.
If Harry noticed he didn’t seem to mind. All he did was drop his hand and
snuggle closer to Louis. “Asked Older Me for some pointers. He uh- he told me
that I’d eventually lose my gag reflex but for now that was a great way to
handle it.” Louis’ mouth hung open. He was struck speechless by the idea of
Harry asking Future Harry for blowjob tips, and probably sex tips in general.
Harry turned his head so he could look at Louis. “Happy birthday to me?”
Louis laughed and squeezed Harry in a tight hug. “Yeah happy birthday to you.
Now come on, we should probably actually order food.”
Harry beamed at him before he stole a quick kiss and scrambled out of Louis’
hold to go to the kitchen. “I’m ordering like five large pizzas!”
Louis watched him run and sighed. He really loved this kid.
….Wait.
Shit.
                                      ***
Harry didn’t end up ordering five large pizzas. Instead he only ordered two: a
large Hawaiian pizza, and a meat lovers.
“How do you even know I’d like one of those?” Louis asked as they settled down
in the den to watch a movie. “Maybe I want spinach and mushroom. Or just plain
cheese.”
Harry took his teasing with a giant smile as he got everything set up. Louis
wondered briefly if he should get up and help but Harry honestly seemed like he
had everything under control as he buzzed around the den. “Older Me wrote out
suggested orders on a note by the menu.”
“And you just trust him?”
“Of course,” Harry said as he sat down on the couch. He grabbed a slice of his
Hawaiian pizza and let out a moan when he bit into it. “Oh my god this is
really good. You have to try it.”
He held out the half eaten slice of pizza for Louis to try. Louis’ lips curled
despite himself and he reached over to the coffee table for his own slice of
pizza. “That has fruit on it. Why would I want fruit on my pizza when I could
have all of this meat?” He took a big bite of his slice of pizza.
Harry rolled his eyes, but didn’t complain as he finished off the rest of his
slice on his own. They settled into the couch and turned on the movie Harry had
picked out. Louis didn’t have particularly strong feelings for Mamma Mia either
which way but Harry loved it, and he sang along while munching on his pizza.
Louis only knew the more popular songs, but he was having way too much fun
watching Harry try and sing all the parts at once.
It was fun. The two of them were curled up on the couch together watching a
movie, eating pizza, and occasionally stealing a kiss. The relaxed nature made
it easy for Louis to push his realization to the side for now. He'd come back
to it when he was alone, and Harry wasn't trying to shove pieces of pineapple
into his mouth.
"Come on," he said laughing. "I'm just trying to make your sperm taste good."
Louis balked, opening his mouth enough that Harry could pop the piece of cheesy
pineapple in. He resisted the urge to spit it out, because that would be rude,
and instead chewed the piece and swallowed it before attacking Harry with
tickles. "What the fuck was that? Are you saying it tasted bad?" Harry was
shaking his head in between his laughter. "You didn't have to swallow if I
tasted so bad, you know!"
"I'm so- sorry," Harry gasped out. "I was just making a joke. I just- I just
wanted to make you open your mouth."
Louis didn't let up on his tickling. "Well you succeeded and hurt my feelings."
"I'm sorry!" Harry's voice went high pitched as he shrieked when Louis' hands
dipped under his joggers, attacking the sensitive skin of his hips. "I'll make
it up to you!"
Louis paused, and made a show of thinking about that while he let Harry catch
his breath. "Nah." He went back to tickling Harry until he was red faced and a
blabbering, laughing mess. Only then did he finally let up and sit back on the
couch, grabbing another slice from his meat lover's pizza.
Harry stayed sprawled on the couch as he tried to remember to breath. When he
finally managed to roll his head up to look at Louis he wasn't as red anymore.
"You're mean."
"I'm the mean one? You were the one who made a mean joke about me." Louis made
sure to include as much fake hurt as he could in his voice. "Telling me I taste
bad. Maybe you're the one who tastes bad."
"Not possible," Harry quipped. "I know I taste alright." He arched his eyebrow
until Louis remembered exactly why Harry knew how he tasted.
He flushed. "Where did you even get that something can make your jizz taste
better?"
Harry sat up, eyes flickering to the television where the bridal party was
walking to the chapel. "Oh this is my favorite part!" He reached for the remote
but Louis intercepted him, pulling Harry away from the television and back onto
the couch and into his lap.
"Nope. You don't get away that easily. Where did you hear this nonsense?"
Harry huffed. "At least let me pause the movie."
Louis let him go but the moment the movie was paused he was grabbing Harry and
making them cuddle again. Mostly so that way if Harry's answer was ridiculous
he was already trapped for retaliation.
"I've just heard Older Me teasing Older You about it a couple times. Over like
breakfast and what not."
Louis hummed, running his fingers through Harry's curls. "Is that so? And now
that you know from first hand experience? Do you have anything to add?"
Harry stared at him for a moment before his eyes dipped down to Louis' lips.
Louis' breath caught in his throat as he suddenly felt off kilter. It was a
little scary that Harry could do that to him with the easiest look. The moment
he thought he was in control Harry reminded him that that wasn't the case.
“I think... I want dessert,” Harry whispered. He kept a straight face as he
tipped his gaze lower so Louis knew what he was implying.
Louis swallowed and then Harry dissolved into giggles.
“I fucking hate you,” Louis muttered, shoving Harry off his lap and to the
ground so he could enjoy the slice of pizza in his hand.
Harry was laughing as he rolled to his knees and positioned himself between
Louis’ legs. This time Harry went slow with the blow job, and Louis wasn't sure
who it was for, himself or Louis. All he could do was sit there with a piece of
pizza hanging helplessly in his hand and watch as Harry worked up and down the
length of his cock.
Louis could feel his tongue a lot more this time around. Or maybe it was just
because he was so much more attuned to Harry this time. He wasn't as caught off
guard with the sensation so he could focus just that bit more. He could feel
Harry dragging his tongue up every time he pulled off, swirling around the tip
of Louis' cock as he hollowed his cheeks.
It felt incredible and all Louis wanted to do was drop his slice of pizza to
the side and dig his hands in Harry's hair so he could sink fully into his
mouth.
He wasn't going to do that though. He was going to enjoy this slow pace. He was
going to enjoy the way Harry was using his tongue. He was going to focus on
Harry’s nails digging into his thighs, sharp little pinpricks of pain that
countered the rolling pleasure he was feeling.
When he finally came it was buried deep in Harry's throat as he swallowed and
moaned around his cock. The pizza had dropped out of his hand and onto the
couch at some point. He couldn't care less. Future Harry and Louis would just
have to deal with it.
                                      ***
Louis woke up to a crash. The room he was in wasn't as dark as it should have
been, and he felt a little uncomfortable with Harry curled around him. It took
him a moment to remember they had fallen asleep on the couch in the den instead
of making the trek downstairs after they had gotten off together for the fourth
time that night.
"Shit," he heard from somewhere down the hall. "H, love, I just need you to
drink this."
Future Harry and Louis must have gotten home from Future Harry's birthday
party.
There was a loud giggle, and Louis didn't have to strain to hear the commotion
come closer to them. He glanced down at Harry, trying to judge in the low light
if he was still asleep. It looked like it. That was good then.
"Fuck, Haz, don't run!"
The giggling got closer, and that must have been Future Harry. "But Lou," he
practically trilled Future Louis' nickname. "I smell pizza!"
The door to the den opened fully, spilling light into the the room. Louis
closed his eyes on reflex, trying to pretend he was asleep.
"Yes love, we let the babies order pizza for dinner."
"I want some."
Louis could hear Future Louis sigh. "Only you get the drunk munchies, Harold."
"Lewis, that pizza smells so good though."
Louis opened one eye and tried to see over Harry's head of curls. With more
light in the room he could see the outline of Future Harry stumbling across the
room to the pizza boxes on the table. Future Louis was right behind him and he
grabbed the back of Future Harry's jacket, trying to stop him from get to the
pizza.
"Come on, love. You already ate a bunch tonight. I saw you swipe that extra
plate of cupcakes."
Future Harry laughed, and then it was abruptly cut off. "Shit, Lou they're
asleep in here." He'd dropped his voice to a loud, hissing whisper.
Louis shut his eye the moment he saw Future Louis swivel around to verify that
they were on the couch. He didn't want to get caught awake. He kind of wanted
this opportunity to observe Future Harry and Louis completely unguarded.
"We shouldn't be drunk in front of them. What if we leave a bad impression?"
Future Harry continued in the same loud whisper.
"Harold. They’re us. Do you even remember what you were like at 16?"
"I was a saint. A perfect angel." Future Harry giggled. Louis wasn't sure how
either of them thought this was being quiet.
"A saint who tried to out drink fucking Niall. And whose first words to me in
the bungalow were 'oh good you can buy us beer.'"
"Lies my first words were definitely about you being fit." Future Harry
hiccupped. "Didn't need you to buy me beer. Robin always did."
"You filthy fucking liar."
Louis glanced down at Harry. He looked like he was still sleeping. Louis had no
idea how he was able to accomplish this. Future Harry was clearly drunk out of
his mind, and while Future Louis seemed to be putting up a better front he too
was swaying as he tried to pull Harry out of the room.
Future Harry managed to get his hands on the top box of pizza as he collapsed
onto the ground. He made an excited squeal as he got the box opened and saw the
leftover pizza inside. "Oh my god it's got ham and pineapple! I love Child Me."
Louis had to crane his head up to see Future Harry take a huge bite of the
pizza. He felt safe doing it because Future Louis had sat down on the ground
with his back to the couch, grabbing the other box of pizza, so neither of them
were really looking at him. Future Harry let out a loud moan. "This is like an
orgasm in my mouth."
This sent Future Louis into hysterics and Louis had to bite his lower lip to
stop his own laugh. "Not sure that's a compliment to me jizz or an insult to
the pizza."
"Oh shut up. I didn't mean it like literally. A metaphorical orgasm." Future
Harry took another bite, and then continued talking with his mouth open.
"Though you know if you ate more fruit-"
"Oh shut the fuck up, H," Future Louis said. "I eat plenty of fruit. I was
eating an orange earlier today. They're in season after all."
For some reason this was the funniest thing to Future Harry because he fell
backwards with the force of his laughter. Even drunk and more uncoordinated
than he normally was he still succeeded in bringing the box of pizza with him.
"How bad would it be if I ate this whole box? Child Me left basically half the
pizza."
"Pretty bad probably." Future Louis said. "You're gonna end up doing like three
hundred laps in the pool tomorrow cause you'll feel guilty. And then you'll
probably have to buy the babies more pizza cause you deprived them the joys of
cold leftovers."
"Damn," Future Harry said. "You're right." Neither of those reasons seemed to
be good enough to stop him from picking up another slice of pizza. "This pizza
is really good. Why didn't you get them to cater my party?"
"I have no idea. I’ll have to do that next year."
The two of them finally settled down while they continued to munch on the
leftover pizza. Louis wondered if it would be safe to fall back asleep when one
of them let out a incredibly loud burp.
"Sorry," Future Louis said, sending Future Harry back to giggling.
Louis checked in on Harry again, making sure he was asleep. His breathing was
even, and his eyes were closed and Louis let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey, Lou."
"Yeah?"
"There's no one I'd rather lie on the floor next to while eating pizza cause I
have the drunk munchies."
Future Louis laughed. "Me neither, Haz." Louis heard a smacking sound and he
assumed they were kissing. "Love you."
"Love you too."
Louis closed his eyes as the two of them fell quiet. He figured there was a
good chance he would wake up tomorrow and they would still be there on the
floor, passed out and ready to wake up hungover.
Future Louis’ breath hitched, and then a moan filled the silence of the room.
Louis’ eyes snapped open. He craned his head to see over Harry’s sleeping form
to see that the two separate forms of Future Louis and Harry had morphed into
one giant blob in the low light. He couldn’t see where they fit together, or
what they were doing but he could hear fabric ruffling and their breath getting
heavier.
“Wanna fuck you,” Future Harry breathed out and Louis felt his eyes widen when
all Future Louis did in response was let out a high pitched whine.
“Yes, yes, got lube-” Future Louis was cut off by something and Louis ducked
back down to his starting position because his eyes were adjusting again and he
could see outlines of details.
No. No. No. He thought frantically. This was not happening. This wasn’t how
real life worked. They weren’t really going to have sex right here, were they?
His eyes met Harry’s. Harry was awake. Oh fuck. When had he woken up?
“Are they?” Harry whispered, not that it mattered because between the rustling
on the floor, and both of them moaning, they wouldn’t be able to hear them.
Louis just nodded, unable to speak. His mouth was dry and his stomach was in
knots as he stared at Harry.
Harry licked his lips. “Should we? Stop them?”
“Oh fuck, Haz.” Future Louis’ voice blanketed over them and Louis was morbidly
curious about what was happening.
He lifted himself back up despite the horror on Harry’s face. He could see
Future Louis spread out on the floor, bare legs exposed and his upper half
hidden by the table and pizza boxes. Future Louis wasn’t his main concern
though. He was looking at Future Harry who was sprawled out in between Future
Louis’ thighs with a look of intense concentration on his face. It took a
moment to connect what he had to be doing as Louis watched Future Louis’ hips
rise and fall off the ground.
He was starting to feel warm, the knots in his stomach coiling and tightening.
Louis heard a gasp and it took a moment to realize it had come from beneath
him. Harry had rolled over as much as he could and he was staring with his
mouth open. Louis saw his lips start to move and before he could think to hard
he covered Harry’s mouth with his hand.
He didn’t want this interrupted.
That was a terrifying realization and it came just as he finally noticed he was
hard.
“Oh, oh god!” Future Louis was loud when he was being fingered.
Louis would be embarrassed for himself if it weren’t for the fact that Future
Louis sounded exactly like he had only a couple of hours earlier. And he’d only
been getting a blowjob, not opened up. Louis could only imagine how that felt.
“Another, fuck love, need another. Give it to me.” He was also incredibly
bossy.
Louis dipped back down, pulling Harry over so neither of them were looking
anymore. He slowly removed his hand from Harry’s mouth.
“Sorry,” he whispered, only for it to be covered by another loud moan from
Future Louis.
Harry was just staring at him, and for a moment he wondered if maybe he’d made
a huge mistake. Just because he’d realized he wanted to hear this didn’t mean
that Harry wanted to. Maybe he was just weird and this would scare Harry away.
Harry lunged for him, smashing their lips together just as Future Louis’ cries
started to crescendo and Louis could hear Future Harry’s moaning join him.
They must have started fucking.
He could suddenly hear the slapping of skin against skin underneath Future
Harry’s grunts and Future Louis’ talking. He was a fountain of words and
praises now that he was being fucked and Louis couldn’t block it out even as
Harry rolled him on his back and climbed into his lap.
They were both hard and their cocks rubbed together now that Harry was on top
of him. It felt so good even though the layer of fabric from their boxers. It
was frantic, both their kissing and the way they were grinding against each
other. He wondered if they were matching the pace that Future Harry and Louis
were going. It sounded like it could be, with the way their voices were
raising. They sounded just as desperate as Louis felt.
He was running his hands through Harry’s hair, down his bare back, and then
back up. It was calming in its repetitiveness and centered him so he wasn’t
coming just yet.
Not until he heard Future Harry let out a deep moan that sounded almost exactly
like what Harry sounded like when he came. Deep and throaty.
Louis broke the kiss with Harry and turned his head.
He could see that Future Louis had his legs wrapped around Future Harry’s hips,
holding him flush against him. Future Harry hadn’t even managed to get his
trousers the whole way down and Louis had to swallow. His eyes darted down to
where he could see Future Harry’s hands stroking Future Louis’ cock.
Harry bit his collarbone and it caused him to close his eyes just as he heard
Future Louis come.
They sounded so alike.
His own orgasm hit him then, pleasure washing over him as he came in his pants,
and he just hoped that neither of them heard him, or Harry. That would be
embarrassing to explain.
Harry slumped against him, but Louis was getting used to the weight of Harry on
top of him. He went back to rubbing Harry’s back, turning his head so he could
give him a quick kiss.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw Future Harry pull out of Future Louis, his
cock large and shiny. Even soft it looked bigger than Harry’s now and that was…
interesting. Someone whined, he honestly couldn’t tell if it was him or Future
Louis, as Future Harry flopped down beside Future Louis.
“Happy birthday to me,” Future Harry drawled right before he burst into
giggles.
Harry snorted against Louis’ neck.
Louis could hear all four of them breathing in the room and he wondered if
Future Harry and Louis were going to remember that they were here, presumably
asleep. It would be pretty obvious if they looked over right now that he and
Harry had not stayed asleep. He wondered if they would care. He wondered if he
would care.
He tangled his hands in Harry’s hair and tugged him up for a kiss. Harry was
pliant and sleepy in his arms, a lazy smile on his face. He looked beautiful
even in the low light and Louis could see the future in his eyes of them
happily together, getting up to drunken antics, and still so ridiculously happy
and in love even without seeing his future self.
“Lou, I think I’m gonna be sick.” Future Harry’s voice broke through the
silence.
Future Louis cursed and Louis could see him scrambling to his feet. It was
almost comical because his pants were still around one ankle and Future Louis
ended up kicking them off as he helped Future Harry stand. “Come on, babe. I
got you. Let’s get you to the toilet,” Future Louis whispered as he walked
Future Harry carefully out of the room, and presumably down the hall to the
bathroom.
The hallway was flooded with more light as Future Louis turned on the bathroom
light, but it was quickly snuffed out when they shut the door. Louis had to
strain to hear anything, and he glanced up at Harry to see how he was doing.
“Should we get them some water?” Harry whispered.
Louis’ response was cut off by the sound of the bathroom door swinging open
again. He looked over at the door. Future Louis jogged past them only to return
a few moments later with a large glass of water.
They both stayed quiet since this time Future Louis didn’t shut the bathroom
door so they could hear what was going on. Future Harry had apparently stopped
throwing up because the only sound coming out of the bathroom was Future Louis
saying, “there, there. Come on, love. Brought you some water.” Future Harry
must have said something because Future Louis laughed. “I’m betting it was that
pizza. Just because you wanted it doesn’t mean you should have eaten it. That
mixed with the cupcakes from earlier, and all that alcohol you've had..." he
trailed off. "It's alright. As soon as you think you can stand we'll get
downstairs and I'll tuck you into bed, and tomorrow I'll stuff you full of
paracetamols to combat the hangover you're going to have before we go out and
have a nice dinner."
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise. But it's your favorite."
"That's good. I love my favorite," Future Harry said, voice dragging over the
words.
A moment later the bathroom light went off and Future Harry and Louis were
making their way down the hallway. Louis caught Harry's eyes and they
maintained worried eye contact until they could no longer hear Future Louis and
Harry.
Harry let out a loud sighed and buried his face in Louis' neck. "We're so
ridiculous in the future."
Louis laughed and hugged him tighter. "Sounds like you have a great birthday
though. Twenty one and sixteen."
"I'm a real boy now," Harry said with a high pitched mockery of Pinocchio.
"Yeah. Yeah you are." Louis kissed him. "Happy birthday."
Harry made a happy sound and snuggled closer. It would probably be
uncomfortable, him on top of Louis’ chest for the whole night, but for now it
was nice. "Night, Lou."
"Night, Haz."
                                      ***
The next time Louis woke up, it was to the smell of greasy food. He opened his
eyes and while he already felt Harry wasn't next to him he was still
disappointed that he wasn't even in the room. There was one surprise though.
Instead of the empty pizza boxes on the table there was a plate with a full
English breakfast on it.
Louis smiled in surprise and pulled himself up. He was suddenly reminded that
he had fallen asleep without cleaning himself up so his pants pulled awkwardly
at his skin from dried come. He grimaced as he looked regretfully at the plate.
He couldn't enjoy the breakfast while his pants were like this and so he swung
his legs over to put his feet on the floor. Right as he stood up Harry appeared
in the doorway of the den, holding another plate. He wasn’t in the pants he had
been wearing last night, so Louis guessed he must have changed.
“Morning,” Harry said, putting the plate down on the coffee table and leaning
in for a kiss.
Harry tasted sugary where Louis knew he tasted foul, and so he broke the kiss
as quickly as possible. “I need to clean up.”
Harry pouted. “But the food’ll get cold.” Louis resolve slowly crumbled. “And
you’ll need to brush your teeth anyway after you eat.”
“I didn’t just mean that.” He glanced down at his crotch and Harry’s eyes
followed. His eyes widened when he saw the mess and his face flared bright red,
reminiscent of the sun burn he was just healing from.
“Oh, uh… yeah, you should got downstairs. Older Louis is already back in their
room so neither of them will see you.”
Louis nodded dumbly, not standing just yet. “He was awake?” Harry hummed in
agreement. “Was it… awkward? Like, did he remember last night?”
“He definitely remembered but I’m pretty sure he bought that we were asleep. We
didn’t exactly talk about it.” Harry was still bright red. “He was up making
Older Harry breakfast.”
Something that was too similar to jealousy coursed through Louis’ body. Harry
didn’t seem that bothered that Future Louis had woken up and made Future Harry
breakfast while it was the other way for them, but it bothered Louis more than
he was expecting. Especially since he would be the one cooking Harry dinner
tonight. A fact that Harry still didn’t know.
“Was it a good breakfast?” Louis asked before he could think better of it.
Harry looked at their plates. “I think so? We’re still waiting for you to
change your pants.”
“No, I mean Older Me’s breakfast.”
Harry’s brow furrowed. “It was … interesting. He made a giant waffle that he
topped in whipped cream and some fruit.”
“That doesn’t sound like it’d go good with Harry’s hangover.” Louis was
definitely not judging Future Louis but he looked at the breakfast Harry had
made them and he knew he had come out the winner.
“It’s apparently a tradition? He didn’t really explain himself. Are you gonna
get changed so we can eat or are you just gonna ask me questions about Older
You?”
The abrupt change in topics took Louis a moment to catch up with but then he
smiled and finally stood up. “Sorry. I’ll go clean up really quick. You can
start eating if you’re that hungry.” He shuffled out of the room, pointedly
covering his ears as he walked past the second floor just in case.
Harry hadn’t started to eat when he returned to the den. He was just sitting on
the couch flipping through the channels on the television. Louis plopped down
next to him and grabbed a sausage with his fingers. Harry had managed to make
everything he’d come to associate with his mum’s cooking, and he’d cooked at
least the sausage pretty well.
“This is really good,” Louis said as he ripped the toast in half and broke the
yolk of the poached egg so it all started to mix together, just like he liked
it.
He could feel Harry watching him, presumably looking for any sign that Louis
wasn’t telling the truth about what he thought about the food. Lucky for him
Louis did really like the food. Harry was a good cook, which Louis had already
known but this had doubly confirmed it. It also made him a little nervous
because he would cooking dinner tonight and he was pretty sure it wouldn’t turn
out half as good as this breakfast.
He let Harry pick the movie again, partially because it was his birthday and
Louis firmly believed birthdays meant you got whatever you wanted, but also
because Harry’s taste in movies didn’t suck. Every time Harry picked something
Louis was just reminded how much they had in common.
They stayed in the den until late afternoon cuddling and watching movies. Louis
had actually lost track of time, and the only thing that reminded him was
Future Harry poking his head into the den midway through Rizzo’s solo in
Grease.
“Yooho-”
They both cut him off with held up fingers, and Louis could see the moment
Future Harry realized what he had interrupted. He stayed silent until Rizzo
finished and the scene changed so Harry could pause the movie.
“May I continue?” Future Harry asked. When they nodded he cleared his throat
with a smile. “Yoohoo~” He trilled, causing both of them to dissolve into
laughter. “What are you two up to tonight?”
Harry and Louis traded looks. They hadn’t actually talked about that outside of
the fact that Harry wanted to see “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” after they were
done with Grease. And Louis’ cooking dinner. Which they hadn’t talked about.
But was still happening.
He was definitely not pushing it off.
He was going to do it. He just had to wait for the right moment. Later.
“Movies?” Harry said with a shrug. “Dunno what we’ll do for dinner since it
looks like someone ate our leftovers.” He toed at an empty pizza box to
emphasize his point.
Future Harry didn’t look ashamed at the accusation in Harry’s voice. “That’s
fine, Louis’ making you dinner anyway.”
Harry’s head whipped around to stare at Louis. “What?”
Louis grimaced and covered his face with his hands. “Way to blow up my spot.”
“Whose spot got blown up?” Future Louis asked, sliding in next to Future Harry.
“I-” Future Harry stopped talking, probably at a loss for words.
“Louis’ making me dinner?” Harry asked, voice quiet and filled with awe.
Louis peeked out from between his fingers to try and gauge Harry’s reaction. He
was staring at Louis with wide eyes and his mouth hanging open. “Happy
birthday?” He whispered, suddenly feeling the pressure that came with Harry
knowing what he was going to be doing.
“Haz, did you?” Future Louis asked.
“I didn’t mean to! I thought he knew since it’s like a meal and everything!”
“No, I hadn’t told him yet,” Louis said. “Was just gonna have him sit down and
kinda figure it out on his own.” Or something. He actually hadn’t thought that
far ahead, too caught up in the anxiety of actually cooking for Harry.
“I’m so sorry,” Future Harry said. “I really didn’t mean to ruin this. Can we
just forget this whole thing ever happened and just rewind the last couple of
minutes?”
Louis thought that was a brilliant idea.
Harry on the other hand. He was staring at Future Harry something fierce before
he blurted out, “Harry’s wearing lace panties tonight!”
Everyone froze. That was not what Louis had been expecting to hear.
“Uh,” Future Louis said.
“Uh,” Louis said.
“What the fuck?!” Future Harry said, before he squeaked. Louis looked up to see
he was slapping Future Louis’ hand away from the waistband of his jeans. “No
looking yet. It’s for later.”
“Are they new? They have to be new we ruined…” Future Louis trailed off as he
turned his attention back to Harry and Louis. He probably thought he was over
sharing.
Too bad for him that line was crossed last night, Louis thought.
“Yeah, he bought them last week and had me hide them in my drawer so you
wouldn’t find them.” Harry was looking Future Harry straight in the eye as he
said this. It was mildly terrifying.
“What the fuck?” Future Harry repeated himself. “What happened to our twin bond
of secrecy?”
“You ruined my surprise, I’m ruining yours.”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” Future Harry said. “You should have ruined
something Lou was doing to be even.”
“Lou wasn’t the one who spilled the secret.”
“Alright, alright.” Future Louis said, moving in front of Future Harry. “That’s
enough you two. Baby Hazza, Baby Me, I’m very sorry this one here ruined the
surprise. He didn’t mean to, he’s just very excited. Now come over here and
give us a hug. We’re going out for Haz’s birthday and you two are having a nice
home cooked meal made by yours truly.”
Louis sighed, but he stood up alongside Harry to give Future Harry and Louis
goodbye hugs. He hugged Future Louis first, tucking himself close.
“You’re gonna knock his socks off, Baby Me,” Future Louis whispered against his
temple before pressing a kiss to his skin. “Have fun, alright. And try not to
burn the house down.”
Louis rolled his eyes as he pulled away to switch with Harry. Future Harry
didn’t let him be distant with the hug this time, and Louis let him since it
was also his birthday.
“Happy birthday,” he said as Future Harry rocked them back and forth.
“Thanks, Child Louis. I am really sorry I ruined your surprise. But you’re
gonna cook a great meal, I promise.” Future Harry leaned back so they would
look into each other’s eyes for a moment. Then he leaned forward and kissed
Louis’ forehead. Louis returned the kiss, squeezing Future Harry back.
“Thanks. Have a great birthday dinner.”
“I have excellent company,” he said with a wink.
“And you’re going to your favorite restaurant.”
Future Harry looked confused. “How did you know that?”
Oh.Right.
“Older me told me.”
Future Harry smiled. “Guess we all kept secrets from each other.”
“Yeah,” Louis said as he stepped back from Future Harry’s embrace.
Harry and Louis watched the two of them leave, and right before the front door
shut they heard Future Louis shout in delight, “is that a thong?”
Louis met Harry’s eyes and gave him a tentative smile. “Surprise?”
“What are you cooking me?” Harry asked.
“Uh, I don’t remember exactly what it’s called, but it’s really good?” Way to
go Tomlinson, he thought. That was impressive.
Harry didn’t seem to mind though. “Would you wanna start cooking now?”
Louis thought about everything waiting in the fridge, and tried to run through
the lessons he had had with Future Harry. He could totally do this.
“Yeah. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
Once they were in the kitchen he had Harry sit down on a bar stool at the
island. “Just to be sure I don’t burn the house down,” Louis said.
He grabbed the instructions Future Harry had printed out for him from where
they were tucked in a drawer, and then he began gathering his ingredients.
Harry was quiet as Louis laid them all out on the island, just watching. It
wasn’t as unnerving as Louis thought it would be to have Harry’s eyes on him
while he tried to get everything right.
He started by washing the leek, but then he stopped right before he made the
first cut into the leek.
“Shit,” he said mostly to himself, turning around and turning on the oven so it
could preheat.
When he turned back he saw that Harry was smiling so hard his eyes were
starting to crinkle.
Louis took that as a good sign. He didn’t have any hiccups as he cut the leek
(though the pieces weren’t exactly even) and tossed them in the bowl. He added
the chicken next, making sure to wash his hands in between handling the chicken
and touching the rest of the ingredients.
Harry stayed quiet up until Louis had put the pan in the oven to cook.
“Do you need help cleaning up?”
Louis shook his head. “No, I’ve got it. It’s your birthday after all.” He saw
Harry nod and fidget a bit in his seat. Louis sighed. “Could you get me the
nice plates and Future You said he had a bottle of wine tucked in the island
cabinet for us to share. If you could get that too and set the table that would
be great.”
Harry seemed more than happy to stand up and help around the kitchen. He
grabbed the plates, wine glasses, utensils, and the wine and set them out on
the island. Louis was just finishing up the dishes when he saw that Harry
wasn’t moving.
“What’s the matter?”
“Could we sit on the balcony?”
Louis glanced through the kitchen window. He knew there were small tables
outside and so he didn’t see the harm in it. It was a nice night, though a
little chilly. Louis could see it working for dinner, so he nodded and Harry
rushed off to find a table cloth so he could start setting the tables outside.
Louis stood in the kitchen while he waited for the timer to go off. He couldn’t
believe how well this was going. Sure there was no side dish or an appetizer or
something but it would be a nice little meal. It was all he really had to offer
Harry at this point in time. Maybe if he was really lucky once they got back to
their time they could do this all over again. But for now this would do.
The timer went off and Louis took out the pan. He checked the temperature of
the chicken and once he saw it was ready he turned off the oven and let the
chicken rest. Just like it said on the instructions. Harry was still setting up
the balcony, with what Louis had no idea, but it was okay. That gave him time
to plate everything himself and pour them glasses of wine.
He carried the wine outside first, shivering a bit in the cool breeze. Harry
was lighting one of the final outdoor lanterns that lined the balcony and Louis
smiled as he set down the wine. He could hear the faint sounds of music playing
which he could only guess was coming from Harry’s speakers and iPod.
“Ready?” He asked.
Harry nodded, face lit up as he scampered to his seat. Louis went back into the
kitchen, checked that the over was indeed off, and came back outside with the
plates of food. He set Harry’s down in front of him right in between the
utensils that Harry had laid out, and then he put his own plate down. It was
kinda chilly outside, especially in his thin t-shirt and trackies, and the
lanterns didn’t really provide much warmth but Harry didn’t seem to mind.
Louis watched with anticipation as Harry cut into his pancetta wrapped chicken
and took a careful bite. Watching the way his whole face melted into a moan was
the most satisfying things he’d ever seen. He took a sip of his wine.
“How is it?”
“This is delicious. Where did you find this recipe?”
“Older You gave me a list of recipes and I picked this one. I thought it looked
pretty easy so I went with it. You like it?”
Harry nodded. “I really do. You did a great job. Thank you so much.” He was
beaming and it made Louis feel so accomplished. All that anxiety and worry was
for nothing.
It had turned out perfect.
“I just wanted to do something special for your birthday. Since we’re proper
dating and everything.” He could see Harry blush and he slid his hand across
the table to tap at Harry’s free hand.
Harry’s smile only grew wider before he took another bite.
They were quiet during dinner, keeping conversation light and mostly about each
new song that came on Harry’s playlist. By the time they were finished the sun
was starting to really set, casting the whole balcony into a sea of golden red
light. Louis bussed the table and returned with the bottle of wine so they
could have another glass.
Louis watched Harry instead of the sunset after he sat down. He wasn’t
concerned that he looked like a creeper because it made sense. Harry was more
beautiful than any sunset.
The song on Harry’s iPod changed, and while it wasn’t perfect slow dancing
music, it was perfect for them.
Louis stood up, full of courage from half a bottle of wine. He extended his
hand to Harry. “Haz, I wanna hold your hand.”
Harry looked at his hand for a moment before it seemed to click. He giggled as
he stood up, and maybe they were both a little tipsy now that they were
standing but that was okay. They could still dance along to The Beatles just
fine.
As he danced wrapped in Harry’s arms he couldn’t guess what tomorrow would
bring, but if he was going to face it with Harry he knew it would be okay.
***** Interlude II *****
Chapter Notes
     Sssssssssh let's just....pretend like last time that it hasn't been
     forever (fuck did i really post last in september????). But here is a
     chapter that I'm not sure anyone will want but it's here. It's 6.5k
     and hopefully I will have the next chapter out soon.
     Thank you everyone who has been patient with me, it really means a
     lot! I really do appreciate every single person who has read this,
     and reviewed so ❤️ Yes!
     Extra special thanks to Dell for brit-picking and beta'ing and being
     a generally awesome cheerleader :D I could not have done this without
     you :D
                                 Interlude 2A
Harry was putting away groceries, minding his own business when Child Harry
plopped down at the kitchen island, hands fidgeting. He tried to ignore the
boy’s obvious nerves, trusting that Child Harry would talk to him when he was
ready. It was something he was pretty sure he remembered being good at, saying
what was on his mind with little to no prompting. Harry liked to thank his
mother for raising him properly.
So he went about his business, putting the eggs away, setting out the bread for
sandwiches, carefully untying the plastic bag the oranges were in--
“Can you teach me how to give a blowjob?”
Whelp. There went the oranges onto the ground. Harry floundered for a moment as
he watched all five oranges he bought go rolling in different directions across
the kitchen floor, banging into the island and cabinets. It was not one of his
more dignified moments.
“Oops,” Child Harry said, looking sheepish as Harry just stared at the ground.
His mind was buzzing as he tried to comprehend Child Harry’s words, but all he
could hear was the white noise of ‘did I just get asked that?’ How did someone
even respond to that kind of question? It wasn't exactly polite conversation;
you don't just come out and ask that. Not even Nick had done that when they
were drunk and he was asking his baudier questions. This was entirely new
territory and he didn't… He couldn't….
Wait, but this was him. Him, about to be sixteen. He wasn’t a child anymore. He
was well into his teens and he was probably gagging to suck his Louis’ dick as
much as Harry had been dying to suck Louis’ when he was that age. So Harry was
going to help him, dammit. He was gonna give Child Harry the best blowjob
advice he could. Except… suddenly his mind was blank on all fronts regarding
blowjobs. He couldn’t remember anything: how to start, how to end, what to do
in the middle.
He opened his mouth, hoping something would come out and meet the expectations
of Child Harry’s hopeful and curious eyes.
“Uh,” he croaked.
Child Harry’s head fell forward. “We’re awful at them aren’t we?”
Harry sputtered. “What the-? No! Why would you think that?! We are very good at
blowjobs!”
“Then why was your only response to stare at me and go ‘uh’?”
“Maybe because you caught me off guard with the question about blowjobs?”
Child Harry did not seem impressed. “So, would you say we’re, like, naturals
then?”
Well, Harry grimaced, he wouldn’t go with that. The memory of the first blowjob
he gave to Louis crept back up into his mind, the way he’d choked himself on
the first go around, unable to figure out how to breathe, suck, and use his
tongue all at the same time. He wasn’t the most coordinated. Louis had handled
it well, pulling Harry up from his knees and onto their shared bed in the X-
Factor house before he’d given Harry a demonstration on how it was supposed to
go.
It had taken Harry more than a few tries to get as good as he wanted. He’d
spent weeks relegated to just sucking on the tip and using his hand for the
rest of it before he finally managed to suppress his gag reflex enough. Louis
had never complained, patient and grateful and altogether amazing while Harry
learned the ins and outs of sucking cock. So no, Harry did not consider himself
a natural blowjob giver. He worked hard for his skills, and no doubt Child
Harry would need to do the same.
So with an air of confidence Harry didn’t actually have he grabbed a banana
from the basket on the counter and handed it over.
Child Harry stared at the banana and then looked at Harry. “Really? Are you
being serious?”
“It’s the best shape to work with.”
“But his dick isn’t curved like this!” Harry could only stare in horror at the
indignant look on Child Harry’s face as he plowed forward. “It’s more of a
straight up and down, and thicker too-” Oh god, there were hand motions. Child
Harry was miming what Child Louis’ cock looked like, and this is not what Harry
had signed up for in the slightest.
“I know!” He said, not sure entirely what he was “I know”-ing, he just needed
Child Harry to stop for five seconds. “I know what Louis’ cock looks like. I am
intimately familiar with the size, taste, texture and all of that. I know it’s
not a fucking banana, but listen, if you’re gonna practice on phallic shaped
foods the banana is the best tasting option. Don’t wanna deep throat a fucking
cucumber, or an aubergine.”
“But I like cucumber.”
Harry let out a frustrated sound. “Not enough to have it shoved down your
throat, trust me.”
That seemed to finally throw Child Harry off. He bit his lip, silent for a
moment as he eyed the banana. “Have you tried it then? The cucumber? Or umm…
aubergine?”
And really, who else could he admit this to if not himself? Harry took a deep
breath and closed his eyes as he admitted, “yes.” The word hung in the air for
far too long and Harry finally braved opening his eye. Child Harry was staring
at him with wide eyes and Harry plowed forward. “Like I said, trust me, it’s
not something you want to do. Stick with the banana, the banana is your
friend.” Harry watched as Child Harry examined the banana, turning it over a
few times before hesitantly putting it near his lips. “Oh my god, peel it
first!” He couldn’t stop himself from exclaiming. His heart was hammering in
his chest because fucking Christ, did this child not know anything?
Child Harry glared at him with all the petulance of an almost-sixteen year old.
“I’ve never done this before so why don’t you give us a demonstration?.”
Harry heard the teenage snark creeping through, and he recognized it as a
challenge that he probably shouldn’t respond to, but… he snatched another
banana from the bunch of fruit and peeled it. “Here, watch.”
It was easy at this point of his life to take almost half of the banana into
his mouth. He didn’t even have to think about it, eyes locked determinedly with
Child Harry’s as he tucked his lips around his teeth and went down to the peel
of the banana before coming back up. Child Harry was staring at him with his
mouth hanging open as Harry went back down again, full on fellating the damn
banana. Once he was satisfied he came off with pop and his own snarky look.
“There. Peeled banana, cover your teeth, and start small.”
He turned away to focus on putting away the rest of the groceries now that he
had given Child Harry some advice to start off with. He pointedly did not pay
attention to Child Harry as he focused on putting away the rest of the
groceries. Milk went in fridge. American eggs went in fridge. Tea went on
shelf. Oranges got picked up off the floor. Cereal went in the cabinet.
Harry heard gagging and had to pause. He turned around as Child Harry started
to cough and raised a concerned eyebrow. “You alright there?”
The coughing fit didn’t immediately pass so all Harry could do was wait. Just
as he was getting concerned that maybe Child Harry was actually seriously in
trouble, the coughing subsided and Harry was left with a pouting, red faced
teenager.
“A bit of the banana fell off,” he said, voice already a little scratchy.
Harry tried to suppress his snort but it didn’t quite work. “Well, don’t use
your teeth.”
“I wasn’t. But the banana got mushy and the tip fell off.” Child Harry held up
the banana to show him that the pointy tip of the banana was indeed missing.
“So peel it some more and keep trying.” Harry turned back around after he was
sure that’s what Child Harry was going to do, and finished putting the
groceries away.
Child Harry kept choking every few seconds but he didn’t dissolve into another
coughing fit, so Harry was able to keep ignoring him. It wasn’t that he didn’t
want to be hands on in teaching Child Harry useful life lessons, but giving
blowjob lessons didn’t necessarily fall under that category. When he’d first
heard that Child Harry was here, he’d thought he’d be giving coming of age
advice, or singing tips, or hell, even having long talks about feelings and
emotions before the idea of a sex talk even crossed his mind. So excuse him for
having no idea what to do when confronted with it.
He turned back around to see Child Harry slowly moving up and down the banana.
He wasn’t going down very far, and the banana was probably only just reaching
the back of his throat, but he wasn’t coughing or choking, and his eyes didn’t
look like they were watering.
“You should try hollowing your cheeks,” he found himself saying before he could
stop himself.
Child Harry dropped the banana from his mouth and pursed his lips. “Hollow my
cheeks?”
“Yeah it creates suction and like,” he squeezed his hand as if to mimic the
sensation. “Just trust me, it feels really good.”
“How do I?” He looked back at the banana as he made a fish face in what must
have been his best guess to what Harry had been saying.
“Like this,” Harry said and before he could think better of it he’d picked up
his banana again and popped it in his mouth. He turned so Child Harry could see
what he was doing as he sucked his cheeks in while he moved up and down the
banana. Once he was sure Child Harry had seen it enough to mimic it he stopped.
“You gotta be careful with the banana, ‘cause you can suck too hard and break
it, but that wouldn’t actually happen in real life.”
Child Harry laughed. “Isn’t it funny they call it a blowjob when you don’t do
much blowing?”
“Isn’t it funny Americans call it football when they use their hands?” Harry
fired back. “I mean I guess you could try and add a blow or two in there, but
it’s not particularly my style.”
Child Harry hummed. “So what’s our style?”
Harry shrugged as he looked at the banana. He pulled the peel down a bit more.
“It depends on the mood. Usually I start with little licks, get the head all
nice and wet. Nothing worse than a dry blowjob. I’ll even lick from the bottom,
like right near the balls and go to the tip, but that depends on how trimmed it
is at any given time. Manscaping isn’t our biggest strength and catching pubes
in your mouth isn’t the best sensation but you learn to live with it.” He
glanced at Child Harry who looked a mixed of intrigued and confused. Harry
supposed these could sound like incredibly foreign words to someone who had yet
to spend a significant amount of time experiencing dick up close and personal.
“Ummm, so yeah. Keep hydrated, no one likes a dry blowjob.”
“You said that one already.”
“Well excuse me.” Harry took a deep breath. “Not much else I can think of- Oh!”
He snapped his fingers. “You aren’t at this point yet but you can suppress your
gag reflex a bit if you tuck your left thumb inside a fist and squeeze.” He
demonstrated what he meant, clenching his thumb in his fist. “No idea why that
works but, pearls of wisdom I guess.”
“Why didn’t you lead with that one before you had me shoving a banana down my
throat?” Child Harry asked as he mimicked Harry. He took a moment to try and
suck on the banana again and from what Harry could see it did go a little
deeper, so Child Harry was smiling when he came up.
“I don’t have a gag reflex anymore so I don’t do it and it’s not exactly like I
have a curriculum drawn up of how to suck dick is it?”
“Maybe you should make one.”
“Who am I gonna give it to? You are the only other person who has ever asked
me.”
Child Harry shrugged, but he looked in much better spirits than he had when he
first sat down. Maybe he was feeling accomplished. “What’s the best way to
position yourself? To get the easiest angle?”
Harry sighed. He’d thought they were almost done. “I guess it depends. On your
knees always works ‘cause you can adjust yourself to your own comfort. You on
your knees and Lou standing so his dick is, like, perpendicular can be pretty
easy on your neck as opposed to how you gotta hunch over if he’s sitting down.”
“Did you really have to use ‘perpendicular’?”
Harry deadpanned him. “Yes. Yes I did.” He continued on before Child Harry
could interrupt him again. “You could do it from the side, where he’s sitting
and you’re lying down next to him instead of on your knees in between his
thighs, but that angle can get a little weird and it can be hard to deepthroat
like that.”
“So either him standing and me on my knees or him sitting and me in between his
knees would be my best bets?”
Oh god, Harry was hit with the realization he was actually preparing his
younger self to give his boyfriend a blowjob. He needed a moment. So he pinched
the bridge of his nose while he took a deep breath while nodding. “Yup. That’s
about the sum of it.”
“Awesome. And I can practice with as many bananas as I want?”
“Yup. Just eat them as well. Potassium is important.” He opened his eyes and
looked at Child Harry. “That all? No other questions for your wise, older
self?”
Child Harry stopped playing with the banana and looked thoughtful. Harry wasn’t
sure what he should be bracing himself for but nothing could worse than giving
his younger self a step-by-step guide to blowjobs, right? And he had nailed
that one.
Child Harry beamed at him. “What does being in love feel like?”
Oh shit. Child Harry couldn’t really be-- it had been two weeks-- he didn’t
already fancy himself in love.... wait. Why was he more comfortable with the
idea of Child Harry wanting to give a blowjob to Child Louis than he was with
them being in love? His priorities were definitely messed up. He blamed it on
the fact that this entire conversation was coming at him from left field.
Child Harry was looking at him with an earnest expression, hanging on his every
silence.
This was a lot of pressure.
Harry swallowed and closed his eyes, trying to put all of his emotions into
simple words. He could do this. He could totally do this. What did being in
love feel like? It was… hot and sticky summers in far off places, and cold as
fuck winters and autumns and springs because Harry got cold easily, and because
he was bigger he couldn’t steal Louis’ jackets but sometimes he did anyway.
Love was them curled up in the studio together, one of them working while the
other rested. Love was mutual exhaustion, mutual highs, and mutual lows. Being
there with each other every step of the way no matter how fucked it all became.
Constantly in each other’s pockets and never getting sick of one another,
that’s what love was. It was knowing that Louis always had his back and that he
always had Louis’, even if they didn’t always vocalize it.
Love was never being alone, even when you were all by yourself, trapped in
another country because of work.
Harry opened his eyes, and gave Child Harry a smile. “It feels like coming
home.”
It was the only way to describe it, after all.
He paused, trying to determine if his response had been too cheesy - it had to
be too cheesy. God, who even says that kinda shit about someone else? Feels
like coming home... What the fuck? - but Child Harry was just smiling in
contemplation. “That sounds lovely.”
Harry’s heart stopped for a moment and then he was giving Child Harry an
answering smile. “It’s the best.”
                                 Interlude 2B
Louis woke up feeling like he had been hit by a truck. He opened one eye and
immediately groaned. His head was pounding and the light creeping into the
bedroom was not helping. Why didn’t they have blackout curtains? Blackout
curtains sounded like a brilliant idea.
His mouth tasted like cotton and day old tequila, which sorta made sense
because he was pretty sure last night he’d had at least a couple of drinks with
tequila in them. He groaned as he tried to open his eyes again, this time even
slower so he could adjust to the light. It didn’t help.
He was going to die. This was it. The end of the line for him. At least David
Beckham had brought him a drink before he died. And Harry had had fun at his
party so that made it worthwhile.
He finally managed to get his eyes cracked open enough to see that they had
indeed made it into their bed. That was always a task and a half for them.
There were too many bedrooms in their houses and they’d definitely woken up in
the wrong one before.
Now why was he even up again? And what the hell was that beeping?
Was that his phone?
He rolled over, immediately regretted it, but was able to confirm that the
beeping was in fact his phone telling him it was ten in the morning and he was
supposed to make breakfast. He turned his phone over without turning off the
alarm and let himself wallow in the hangover headache for a second. Then he
took a deep breath and resigned himself to reality.
He turned off the alarm.
That was step one done.
Step two was grab the water bottle and paracetamol he had smartly stashed on
his bedside table before he had gone out.
He could do this.
It would take herculean effort, but he could do this.
He flopped his arm in the general direction of the bedside table and he managed
to snag both the water bottle and the pill bottle in one go. Because he was an
amazing example of coordination and skill.
Incessant beeping gone and some water in his system, he could focus on the
important part: getting out of bed without falling. He sat up, hating himself
as he did, but at least he didn’t fall back down. He turned slightly to make
sure Harry was still asleep through all of this and he saw Harry lying on his
back, head off the pillow, mouth open wide as he snored. Louis frowned in
concern. It took him a moment to roll Harry over because he was worried he was
going to wake him up. But Harry was dead to the world, locked in a hangover
sleep, and Louis had experienced enough of these to know that he’d be out for a
while. Which was just fine for him, as he had stuff to do.
Harry situated so he wasn’t snoring as badly, Louis climbed out of their bed.
His head was still pounding but the paracetamol was beginning to work - or
least the placebo effect was - and he managed to make it into the ensuite and
splash water on his face. He swished some mouthwash around to clear up his
mouth, arms too achy for him to brush his teeth just yet, before heading back
into his room to grab a pair of boxers. He was pretty sure the babies wouldn’t
be awake this early, but on the off chance they were...yeah. He didn’t think
either of them needed to see his dick.
And he was glad he did, because it only took him getting upstairs to smell
sausage cooking, which meant at least one of them had to be up. He turned into
the kitchen and was greeted with the sight of Baby Harry standing in front of
the stove, freshly showered, wearing nothing but skin tight pants.
Oh shit. He’d let Harry fuck him in front of the two of them last night. That
had definitely happened. Had they been awake? How did he even check?
He did not deserve this kind of punishment this early in the morning. He was
about to turn around and come back later, because it wasn’t like Harry was
gonna wake up before Louis forcible shook him awake, but then there was a
sizzle from the pan. Louis watched as Baby Harry jumped back just a little, and
he had to go and open his mouth.
“Put on a shirt, you fucking nudist.”
Baby Harry turned around, eyes wide as he dropped the tongs he had been
holding. Louis was just glad he didn’t send the pan flying.
“Uh, uh,” Baby Harry was stuttering and staring at him with his mouth hanging
open. “Lou…”
Well, that answered that. Baby Harry had definitely been awake. That was the
reaction of someone who had heard him getting fucked. Great. Harry was gonna be
inconsolable if he found out they’d traumatized their past selves.
The pan sizzled again and Louis took three steps so he could lower the heat,
because Baby Harry wasn’t gonna be of any use now that he was frozen in post-
voyeuristic shock. Louis refused to let on how thrown he was. If he just
pretended like everything was normal he was ninety-nine percent sure Baby Harry
would go with it.
“So, how was your night?” Baby Harry asked.
Christ, he’d forgotten what a little shit Harry was as a teenager. He’d
convinced himself that was mostly his own influence but nope, a quick glance at
Baby Harry told him that even with only a couple weeks exposure to a much tamer
Louis, he was still a snarky little shit. “It was lovely until you became a
pain in my arse, now go put on a shirt so you don’t singe yourself cooking.”
Baby Harry let out a sound that rivaled a donkey bray but he dutifully ran back
into the den and came out a moment later with a shirt on so he was covered.
“Better?”
“Yes,” Louis said, stepping back from the stove so Baby Harry could take over.
“Why did you think it was a good idea to cook without a shirt on?”
Baby Harry was cute enough to get away with the shrug so Louis set to work
gathering the ingredients for his own breakfast. He had assembled all the
ingredients and was pulling the waffle iron out of its place on the top shelf
of their overflow cabinet before Baby Harry managed to ask, “what are you
making?”
Louis beamed at him, waffle iron in hand. “Waffles!”
“Waffles? Why?”
“Special birthday breakfast. Been making it for you for the past four years.”
He began measuring out the ingredients to make the batter, which, with the help
of pre-boxed dry ingredients, was easier than ever. “You enjoy my creations.”
Baby Harry was smiling softly when Louis looked over at him. Smiling softly and
ignoring the way the pan was starting to smoke a little. “Oi, eyes on the pan.”
Baby Harry jolted and spent a few minutes trying to salvage the slightly burnt
sausage pieces, which gave Louis time to pour the batter into the waffle iron.
He still wasn’t the best chef in the world, but give him simple ingredients and
an easy cooking method and it was hard to fuck it up.
“Did you...spray that before you poured the batter on?” Baby Harry asked.
Fuck.
“Nope. I like to live dangerously.” That was gonna be a bitch to get off. “Also
I was a little distracted making sure you didn’t burn your breakfast over
there.”
“Not my breakfast,” Baby Harry chirped happily. “Making it for Louis.”
Louis looked at the pile of semi-burnt sausage and filched one while Harry
started to cook the eggs. “Delicious.”
Baby Harry rolled his eyes. “You could have asked before you took one.”
“Technically, I bought them, so I can eat them.” He took another one just to be
a brat but Baby Harry didn’t seem too bothered by it.
He turned the waffle iron over, waited the extra two minutes for it to ding and
then pulled it open. He only let out a minor wince when he saw the perfectly
cooked waffle break entirely in half. He scooped the destroyed waffle off the
iron the best he could and put it on a plate in a broken up mess. Luckily he’d
made enough extra to account for mistakes, so this time he made sure to spray
the iron before pouring the batter on.
While that cooked he covered the mess of waffle pieces in whipped cream and
began to make a smiley face with two blueberries and a sliced strawberry nose.
Once satisfied he picked it up and turned to present it to Baby Harry. “Happy
birthday!”
Baby Harry didn’t look immediately, putting the eggs he had fried on a plate
first so they didn’t burn, but the way his face lit up with a smile when he saw
the waffle masterpiece Louis had made for him was worth it.
“Is this for me or Older Me?”
“This one is all for you. Made with love and dedication from me. The start of a
new tradition.”
Baby Harry giggled as he reached for the plate. “It’s lovely.”
“Hey don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It’ll taste better than the one I’ll
make you next year, I guarantee it.”
Louis turned back to the iron to turn it over, letting Baby Harry dig into the
waffle without judgement. When he popped open the iron this time, it left a
perfectly put together waffle in its wake and Louis grinned. He placed it onto
the second plate and began to go to work with the real decorations.
His first step was to cut a handful of grapes in half to make a necklace for
the waffle face he was making. He took his time, making sure the grapes were
cut as perfectly in half as they could be, before placing them in a half ring
around the waffle, cut half down. Next he grabbed the chunks of pre-cut
pineapple he’d bought specifically for this and began to add them to the
necklace, making it look like diamonds (or something) were hanging off the
grape-pearls.
Then he began to tackle creating the face. He made a cone of whipped cream in
the center of the waffle and added two blueberries for eyes at the top of the
cone. For the nose he sliced a banana in half and tried to balance it the best
he could so it was sticking out like an actual nose.
“Come on, come on,” he whispered at the banana, hoping when he let it go it
wasn’t going to tip over and ruin all his hard work.
“That looks like a penis.”
Louis’ mouth dropped open and spun around, taking the banana nose and half the
whip cream with him. “You take that back! It is clearly a face!”
Baby Harry giggled and Louis’ gaze was drawn to his lips, which were stained
red from the strawberries he must have been eating while Louis wasn’t looking.
“Looked like a penis to me.” He tried to turn back to his own cooking but Louis
wasn’t gonna let that happen.
He grabbed Baby Harry by the arm and tugged him closer. They were about the
same size but Louis knew for a fact he was a lot stronger. Baby Harry tried to
wiggle out of his grasp but it wasn’t going to happen. Louis tossed the banana
half back towards the plate and grabbed the whole can of whipped cream. It
didn’t take much for him to squirt it all over Baby Harry’s face and down his
neck, and once he wrestled Baby Harry’s laughing mass to the ground it was even
easier to finish the job.
“Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!” Baby Harry shrieked between his laughter, face, neck,
and shirt covered in what was left of the whipped cream.
“Talk shit, get whipped,” Louis cackled from where he was sitting on Baby
Harry’s chest. He dropped the can to the ground and admired his work. Baby
Harry was definitely gonna need another shower because some of the whipped
cream had gotten in his hair. “You got anything more to say to me?” Baby Harry
could barely get out words but his frantically shaking head said enough. Louis
grinned as he wiped some of the whipped cream off Baby Harry’s cheek with his
thumb before popping it in his mouth. When he pulled it out clean he grinned.
“That’s what I thought.”
He climbed off of Baby Harry so he could survey the damage done to his birthday
waffle. It was mostly salvageable if he got the banana back on. He had only
picked up the banana from where it had landed at the edge of the plate when he
felt something wet and sticky collide with his back as arms wrapped around him.
It took him a moment to register it was Baby Harry rubbing his whipped cream
covered face all over his bare back and by the time he made a grab for him,
Baby Harry had rushed off towards the downstairs.
Louis made sure the stove was entirely off before he ran after Baby Harry.
Louis chased him down to the room he was sharing with Baby Louis and into the
bathroom where he had stripped off his shirt and was standing under the shower.
Louis froze in front of the shower, staring as Baby Harry washed the whipped
cream off of his face. It was definitely a sight to behold, Baby Harry drenched
in water, practically naked in front of him. You’d think after almost five
years he’d be used to this, but he wasn’t. This wasn’t his Harry, but Louis
couldn’t help being as affected as he was.
Against his better judgment he ducked into the shower with Baby Harry, ‘cause
he needed to wash the whipped cream off his back anyway. Baby Harry didn’t even
jump when he saw Louis beside him, just stepped to the side so Louis could have
more of the spray to clean his back.
“Want me to grab a washcloth?” Baby Harry asked, totally normal, as if they
stood almost naked in the shower together all the time. And maybe he and Baby
Louis did. He and Harry had when they were in the X-Factor house - to save
water naturally.
A silence fell over them as Baby Harry washed his back. It was a sensation that
was familiar and foreign at the same time. Baby Harry’s hands were smaller,
like they hadn’t been in a long time and it felt good, but it felt off too.
That didn’t stop him from shivering when Baby Harry let his nails scratch over
his shoulder blade, or the way his cock twitched in his pants at the thought of
Harry - any Harry - in a shower with him.
He turned off the water.
“All good?” He asked, not turning around just yet. He was hard, and wet fabric
did not hide that well.
This was weird, right? Crossing some line? At the least it warranted a talk
about boundaries with Harry, his Harry. Because wow, if he had done this with
anyone else… well, he wouldn’t have done with this anyone else.
“I’ll get towels,” Baby Harry said, and his voice was low. That was his aroused
voice. Louis knew it well, knew that if he turned his head he’d see Baby
Harry’s own erection through the fabric of his pants, no doubt.
He looked. Baby Harry had his back turned while he fished towels out from the
cabinet and Louis swallowed. It would be so easy, so easy to coax him over here
and just give him a kiss. It was Harry after all, and Harry was easy. Scratch
him behind the ear, guide him just a bit and he’s like putty in Louis’ hands.
“Haz,” he whispered, beckoning Baby Harry over and away from the towels once he
had his attention.
Baby Harry took a step forward just like he knew he would.
It would be so easy to dip forward, bring them both off. No one else would
know. He could see the way Baby Harry was breathing. He was turned on, just the
same as Louis. He’d probably be so soft under his hands.
Louis swallowed. “Happy birthday, Haz.”
Baby Harry lit up. “You still have to give me a present even though you made me
breakfast.”
Tension broken.
Louis pulled a face. “I slaved over that breakfast.”
“You fucked up Older Me’s breakfast. You weren’t gonna make me one.”
“Was too! Hand me a towel you ungrateful brat.”
Baby Harry did that donkey bray laugh again and tossed a towel in Louis’ face.
“Meet you upstairs!”
“Leave your pants, I’ll toss them in the wash!” Louis called after him, and
only when he heard the sound of Baby Harry running up the stairs did he drop
his own pants so he could add it to the pile of dirty clothes.
Cleaning up cleared his head. He made sure to steal a pair of Baby Louis’ pants
so he was semi-presentable again. Baby Harry was finishing up Baby Louis’ food
and Louis dropped a kiss on his cheek before he headed back to his room.
Harry - his Harry - was still dead to the world when Louis came in. It gave him
time to set up the plate on Harry’s table, as well as a large glass of water
and paracetamol. Once everything was one hundred percent perfect he leaned over
to wake Harry up.
It was a monumental task but Louis had plenty of practice getting him out of a
hangover sleep. He used a combination of gentle shaking and whispering until
Harry’s eyes cracked open.
He let out a pained groan. “I’m dying.”
Louis smiled sympathetically. “I know love, but I have painkiller.” Harry
somehow managed to open his mouth and Louis fed him the pill and some water. “I
brought brekkie.”
Harry whined at the notion of food and Louis kissed his forehead. “Dying.”
“I know, love. But if you sit up and get some food in you, you’ll feel better.”
Harry was the biggest baby in the world when he was hung over, so he was really
lucky Louis loved him so much. He managed to get Harry sitting up, looking only
marginally green.
“I hate throwing up,” Harry whimpered as he nursed the cup of water Louis
demanded he drink before he got any food.
“I think everyone does.”
“I feel miserable.”
“I know, love. You drank a lot last night.”
Harry cracked a little smile. “Was fun though.”
Louis returned the smile. “Yes, yes it was.”
“What did you make me for brekkie?”
Louis faked a gasp as he pulled the plate off of the side table. “You have to
ask?”
Harry was smiling when he saw the masterpiece Louis had created. It hadn’t
really survived the trip downstairs, after barely making it out of the fight
with Baby Harry alive, but Louis knew it would be edible. “You made me a face!
And it’s got a diamond necklace!”
Louis felt warmth flood his chest. Harry got him. “Thank you! Baby You was
convinced it was a dick.”
Harry was chewing on a pineapple when he answered. “Which part? The banana? Boy
has penis on the brain, that was clearly a nose.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too. I hope you know I really wanted to give you a blow job, and
eat you out, and just have sex with you all day, but I am way too hung over.”
Louis smiled and kissed Harry’s nose just to watch him crinkle it up. “It’s
alright. We can do that later. Eat your brekkie first.”
Harry whined and pawed at Louis’ shoulder for another kiss. When they broke it
and he leaned back onto his pillow with the plate in his lap he asked, “do you
think we’ve gotten past our prime? Is this what being twenty-one means? We’ve
lost the passion.”
Louis couldn’t hold in his laughter. “You’re so full of shit, Haz. You fucked
me so good last night. The passion is definitely still there.”
Harry’s eyes popped open and then he let out a regretful moan. “Oh no, we had
sex in front of the children. Louis! We’re going to be awful parents.”
“They weren’t awake!”
Harry gave him a look. “How do you know?”
“Cause Baby Hazza was making a fry up for breakfast while I slaved over your
birthday waffle. And he was all,” Louis waved his hands around, hoping that in
Harry’s hungover state he wouldn’t pick up on the fact that Louis wasn’t
telling him the truth, “not traumatized.”
Harry slapped his hand over his face and Louis winced in sympathy as he let out
a muffled groan of pain. “You promise we didn't have sex in front of our awake
past selves, who only just reached the blowjob stage in their relationship?”
Louis blinked. “I'm going to ignore how you could possibly know that-”
“I had to teach Child me,” Harry muttered and Louis sighed. Yup. He hadn't
needed to know that.
“Be that as it may, no, love, neither Baby You or Baby Me were awake when you
fucked me last night.”
Harry peeked out from behind his fingers. “You promise?”
Louis held up his pinky and waited until Harry wrapped his own around it.
“Pinky promise. Now eat your waffle that I so painstakingly slaved over,
putting my life at risk.”
Harry giggled as he slowly, carefully sat up so Louis could put the tray in his
lap. He made the appropriate oohing and ahing over the waffle creation before
he plucked the banana nose off the whipped cream face and happily bit into it.
Louis watched with a smile on his face as Harry slowly decimated the waffle,
taking his time to savor it. Sure it was simple, but Louis made a tasty waffle,
if he said so himself. Harry seemed to agree, if the happy noises he was making
at each bite was any indication.
Once he was done, Louis took the tray off of his lap and put it to the side so
it wouldn't get knocked off the bed. Harry stretched and leaned back against
the pillows and Louis couldn't help but smile.
“I love you,” he said as he curled up against Harry.
He swore he could feel the way Harry lit up at that declaration. “I love you
too. Thanks so much for breakfast.”
Louis kissed his neck before craning his neck up to reach just under Harry’s
jaw. “Only the best for my boy.”
If it was possible, the dimples on Harry’s face deepened. “Happy birthday to
me.”
“Happy birthday to you indeed,” Louis said as he closed his eyes.
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