Archive of Our Own ^beta

Spring has broken out of every corner. Sun slightly breaking through the few leaves of the trees, warming Harry's face gently. Summer is still months away, yet the sun has a certain warmth Harry has missed all winter long. He has never been a fan of the cold, grey months, especially once Christmas had passed, Harry was pretty much done with the whole winter season. Sadly, the weather wasn't on his side at all, bringing them one of the coldest and longest winters in years. Every morning Harry had went to uni, he shivered and pulled the scarf tighter around his throat, yet the cold kept bothering him.

Although warmth is finally returning, Harry can't fully appreciate it. The last few days were rainy, still cold and the wind got the best of him on his bike. Harry caught a nasty cold that keeps bothering him — the one that fucks with his head, makes him shiver uncontrollably and feels like he's only half alive because of it.

He's probably putting himself in great danger riding his bike back home, since keeping his eyes open is a struggle itself. He sighs, thankful for his house already coming into view. Those are the days where he couldn't be happier about still staying with his family, who live a fifteen minute bike ride away from Harry's university. Many of his friends didn't understand why he would pick his local university — on some days, he doesn’t understand it either, but on days like today, he knows exactly why.

After pushing the bike into the garage, he slips into the house. The familiar sound of chatter fills the air, heater on, wrapping Harry in a warm embrace, making him sigh and his omega settle in his chest. "Harry, is that you?" His mother's voice cuts through the calm, making Harry snap back into reality. He kicks his shoes off and carries himself into the kitchen. "Oh, darling, you look horrible."

Harry nods because he doesn't only look like that, he feels horrible too, his scent probably turning sour too.

"Coming down with something, I guess," Harry explains and shrugs, before setting up a kettle for some tea," how was everyone's day?" He looks around, his mother and his two younger siblings sitting at the table. He has always taken pride in being the oldest, his two sister looking up to him and all.

"Heather and I had a fight this morning because she said her favourite colour is pink, but my favourite colour is pink, so she really can't have that one!" Harry nods, a smile pulling at his lips. "That's mine!"

"Holly, she can have pink as favourite colour too," their mother answers gently," it isn't just yours. Harry likes pink too, you know?"

"That's okay, he's my brother!" Harry chuckles tiredly, smiling at his nine year old sister though. Holly has always been a little stubborn, from the day she was born all through her kindergarten years to now. She has a lot from her father, Harry thinks, assuming she'll present as an alpha at some point in her teens.

Thea on the other hand, she's a quiet girl. Pleased as long as people are around her. She turned seven recently and wouldn't shut up about how she's all grown now. Harry adores his little sisters, they're exactly what was missing the first twelve years of his life. "Well, I'm glad I can still like pink," Harry adds, voice betraying him, before the kettle whistles.

"Can you watch your siblings later?" Harry's mother asks casually, like she hasn't already planned him in. Again, he really loves his sisters, but sometimes it feels a lot like they're his children, not his mother's. "Richard is working late today and I already told the girls we'll be meeting up for wine tonight."

"I'm really not feeling well, Mum," Harry answers, pouring the boiling water into his favourite cup," I'm probably running a fever, my throat is hurting and a headache is also bothering me since this morning. I actually just want to go to bed." He turns, seeing his mother's annoyed expression.

It's always like that. Sometimes he feels like a cheap babysitter that is getting nothing out of this. "We can look after ourselves, Mum," Thea suggests proudly, receiving nothing but a long stare from her mother.

"Yesterday you were fine too," she adds, raising her eyebrows," you even came home late with that boyfriend of yours." Harry keeps his mouth shut. She never made a secret about not liking Louis — has always been incredibly vocal about it, despite Harry's willingness to change her mind about him. All she sees is the town-known version of him — the teenager version of him. The version of parties every weekend, of sex and drugs and horrible decisions. She never gave him a chance. "So you'll be fine watching your sister for a night."

If it only ever was just a night. It's nearly daily though, getting to the point, where he feels like he has to apologise for making plans with his friends or his boyfriend. "Last night I wasn't sick," Harry states.

"Well, you'll manage today. I'm sure. If you had plans with your boyfriend, you would'nt cancel that either," she assumes, before taking a sip from her tea and then focusing on Holly's homework again," alright, Holly, back to your math homework, yeah?"

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Despite drinking gallons of tea, taking painkillers and eating two bowls of soup, Harry doesn't feel any better. The Frozen 2 movie overstimulating his already aching temples as the unsettling sensation of stress sinks deeper into his chest. He knows it's his omega, demanding for a break, asking for some hours of sleep. Just anything calm at this point — his omega is craving Louis, he realises after a while.

Thankfully, his sister are mesmerised by the movie, so Harry pulls out his phone, typing a quick message.

Harry

Missing you :(

Lou <3

Hey, love! Missing you too, everything okay? You can come over if the missing get's too much ;)

Harry

Mum's making me watch my sisters again and I'm so terribly sick. I feel like death on legs, but of course she's meeting her friends for some glasses of wine and some gossip. :(((

Lou<3

Oh baby :( You want me to come over and help you? Zayn just left and I'm free now.

Harry

No, it's fine… I know you're having an early appointment tomorrow. Don't worry. I'll manage, but I wanted to let you know how much I'm missing you!!!

Lou<3

Okay..? If you feel worse though, let me know. I'll be there. Oh and because we're obviously already missing each other, why don't you come over after uni tomorrow? I'm sure I can cuddle you back to life?

Harry

Sounds good :) see you tomorrow!!!!

Harry feels giddy about it, despite having met up with Louis hundreds and dozens of times, but it always feels thrilling. His omega more than pleased by the alpha Harry's heart picked. It even feels like his omega can never get enough of him. There was already a deep pull the first time they properly met each other — not one of those brief passings they shared over the years, but actually meeting each other.

Niall, Harry's friend threw a party, inviting what felt like everyone he has ever met, including Zayn, Louis' best friend. It was an early autumn night, a little chilly for the outfit Harry had picked, but warm enough to walk to Niall's place. There was nothing unusual about the night or the party — there were people dancing to music, playing drinking games, snogging each other in the corner and there were the smokers. The smell of weed still clings to Niall's living room if he's being honest, but it always reminds Harry how him and Louis looked at each other for the first time.

The last traces of heat still clinging to Harry's body that night, making heads turn and eyes linger. Louis wasn't one of many though. There was something deeper in that gaze, something Harry couldn't shake off all night long.

While other alphas were bluntly flirting with him all night long, Louis kept his distance. Something so not his style, if Harry believed what everyone always said about him. He always had some sort of a fuckboy reputation — smoking weed behind the school, stealing cigarettes from the supermarket, getting too drunk, driving too fast and having too many tattoos. Harry didn't care about Louis back then, not like many of his fellow omega friends did, but that night he couldn't help but feel thrilled by the looks.

Surprisingly, Louis didn't flirt his way into Harry's heart. He offered to walk him home after the party died down. Voice was soft, eyes gentle and Harry nearly turned him down, but Louis' scent hit Harry's nostrils so hard, he couldn't say no — amberwood and a hint of lavender pulling at Harry's chest. At that time it was the neediness of his omega, so freshly out of heat, nose still sensitive and heart still lonely.

Louis didn't do anything with any bad intentions in mind, Harry had to find out. All he did was drop him off at home, smile wickedly, leave Harry his number and then he disappeared back into the night. Parts of Harry were disappointed, but he's not the omega who throws himself at alphas, so he had stepped inside and tried to shake the disappointed feeling off. He couldn't.

Then Louis actually put effort into impressing Harry. Driving him around, taking him out for sweet pastries, bringing him along to his friends chaotic parties and buying small gifts for him. Harry loved being courted so old-fashionedly.

Harry learned, a reputation is nothing more than that — doesn't have to be true at all. Behind the Louis everyone knows, there's a soft and gentle alpha, who is everything but a mess. He wishes more people wouldn't see the rebellious teenager anymore, but the steady man Louis has become in the last few years. Sadly, his own tattoo and piercing studio doesn't help Harry's mother respecting him.

He sighs deeply, eyes barely staying open now, phone resting on his thigh, while he's holding, what feels like the thousandth, cup of tea in his hands. A quick glance at the clock tells Harry he should bring his sister to bed soon, but he's feeling too horrible to actually move. So he let's the movie flicker over the TV and leans back. If his mother wants them in bed sooner, she should be here herself.

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

The morning starts slow. Three cups of tea, a slice of toast and an apple. Harry felt too sick for everything else. Dressed in one of Louis' hoodies, he's sitting in the kitchen, watching the sun rise higher. Sadly, Louis' scent has already faded from the hoodie that's usually placed neatly over Harry's pillow. It helps him fall asleep, but he probably has to steal another one soon and return this one quietly.

Louis doesn't really know that Harry borrows some clothes every now and then — or at least he doesn't speak up about it if he does know. Harry doesn't nest, not really, but having one or two pieces of clothing from Louis does help him have a better sleep. Last night that didn't help at all though, no matter how deep Harry pressed his nose into the worn fabric. He was unsettled all night long.

"Morning." His mothers voice startles him. He lifts his head, blinking tiredly, before clearing his throat.

"Morning," Harry whispers, voice breaking due to his cold," you came home late? Even Richard was home earlier than you." She nods, looking slightly hungover.

"You know how it is," she answers, pouring herself a cup of coffee that Harry made. He doesn't really know how it is though, since his mother often asks him to be home at a certain time. Even at twenty-one. "Can you pick Holly and Thea up from school this afternoon? Richard and I are going out for lunch."

"Sorry, I'm going to Louis’ after uni," Harry mumbles, looking into his tea. He doesn't need to take a sniff of the room to know his mother's calm cinnamon scent turns slightly sour.

"Can't you do that another day? You have already seen that mess this week." Harry's omega claws at his chest, whispering to him, to finally tell his mother to shut the fuck up, to leave Louis alone. He keeps his mouth shut again. He's nothing more than a coward after all. "I thought you're sick anyway?"

"I am, Mum!" He coughs, throat hurting. "But I can't have my peace here."

She rolls her eyes, sitting down across from Harry. "You can't have your peace here? Surely you find that peace with Louis Tomlinson. Gosh, I though this was just your late rebellion, but this is getting out of hand."

"You don't even know him," Harry mumbles, taking another sip from his tea. The unsettling feeling returning in his chest, exhaustion nagging on his bones and pain filling his head. He's not in the shape for this conversation.

"Don't have to, darling. He's bad news — has always been bad news. Surprised you haven't dropped out of uni yet." She puts her reading glasses on and opens the newspaper on the table — the one that Harry brought inside. She keeps talking like Louis isn't the one motivating him to push through, offering his room to study in, whenever Harry's mother strips herself off her responsibilities again and wants Harry to babysit. Louis reads Harry's study cards out loud whenever Harry's eyelids are too heavy to keep going.

"He's a good guy, Mum. Why can't you give him a chance?" Harry wants to know, sweat curling at his neck. The fever probably returns again. "We're together for over a year now, yet you won't see that this is serious. He's serious about me and I'm serious about him."

"It's just one of those silly teenager relationships, you'll see that too one day, when you can have a proper alpha at your side. One that can provide for you and your family." Harry opens his mouth, then shuts it again. His own scent turning sour now. Harry does love his mother, but in moments like this he can't stand her, can't stand her pretentious and conservative attitude.

"I can provide for my fucking self. When I get that degree I can open my own therapist office and I won't need an alpha to provide a good life for me," Harry fires back, hands curling tight around the hot cup in his hands.

"Watch your language," she mumbles, eyes flying over an article in the newspaper. Her white bathrobe tightly wrapped around her body. "It's not about not being able to provide for yourself, it's about your omega wanting a real alpha at some point. Not some chaotic manchild that never learned how to grow up. You deserve someone proper. Someone who has a steady job and dates you with a real future in mind, darling."

"Louis is all that, Mum. He's a proper alpha and he has a steady job, just like he dates me with a future in mind," Harry tries, knowing it's hopeless. His mother will never understand that Louis is more than his reputation. "He loves me."

Harry's mother chuckles and despite Harry being twenty-one, he feels like a child. "He likes that you're younger than him. Guidable and naive, darling." Harry shakes his head, his omega uneasy in his chest. He growls lowly, something his mother doesn't like at all. That's why her head snaps up immediately.

"You're projecting," Harry states, eyebrows furrowed, grip tight around the cup," because dad wasn't who you thought he is, so now you're projecting that on me, but Louis isn't like my father at all!"

"That's what you think now, but let me tell you, one day you'll see he isn't the one."

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Fuelled by anger, uneasiness and this nasty cold, Harry bikes down the street. Faster than usual, heading everywhere but to uni. His mother's words laying like rocks in his subconscious. Both himself and his omega unable to calm back down.

He knows Louis won't be home. He had an early appointment at his tattoo studio, but he needs to go somewhere, so Louis' place is all that he can think of. It's like his omega is taking over, leading him to the only place where peace and quiet is still an option.

Without caring about his bike, he throws it into the bush next to the front door and rings the door bell. It takes a few seconds, before the door swings open and Louis' mother is standing in front of him. A little pup in her arms — Jamie. Only seven months old and already the most adorable little boy. Harry softens, shoulders slowly relaxing.

"Hey, Harry, dear," she greets him softly, opening the door further and letting him in without questioning it," Louis is still at work, but he said something about you coming over today. You still stick?" Harry nods, unable to talk, still so terribly in distress about everything that happened in the last few hours. "You need anything?"

"Just— just sleep!" He takes his shoes off, taking in the familiar scent of Louis' home. It's a mixture of his amberwoody scent and the sweet scents of his mother and his sisters. As always it is incredibly welcoming, soothing the tension in Harry's limbs. "Haven't really slept at all and.." He shrugs.

Jennifer, Louis' mother nods, smiling knowingly. She can probably sense the distress in Harry's scent, just like she can read the stressed expression Harry must be carrying on his face now. "If you need anything just let me know. Jamie and I are going to be downstairs, yeah? I think Louis won't be out long though. Early appointments usually mean he's home earlier."

"Yeah," Harry whispers and nods, his energy slowly fading. The bike ride here more tiring than on normal days. "Thanks."

Louis' room is at the end of the little hallway. Much bigger than Harry's room, even holds space for a sofa, a giant TV, a closet and a shelf with books and cds and everything Louis was ever interested in. On the wall hangs a sketched picture of Harry and Louis' cat Bowie that Louis made a few months into their relationship, after Harry stayed with Louis for a night the very first time. He happily sighs at the memory while he's stepping further into the room, taking his clothes off, until he's wearing nothing more than his underwear.

A shiver runs through him, despite Louis having the heater on — probably even on a higher power than usually, but Harry freezes anyway. Then he crawls underneath the covers that smell so deliciously like Louis.

Meow. Harry lifts his head, spotting Bowie, the orange cat underneath the covers too. "You get me," Harry mumbles happily, letting the quiet, the scent and the warmth sink into his shuddering body," wanna take a nap, mh?" Meow. Bowie stretches himself and closes his eyes again. Harry does the same, take a deep breath and let the scent of amberwood and lavender settle in his chest.

Most of Harry's tension falls off his shoulders, knowing that his mother is far away now, not withing reach, ready to give him another reason to look after her and Richard's children. Yet, the uneasiness in Harry's chest isn't fully gone, just tamed down a little. He tosses and turns a few times. Meow.

"Sorry," he mumbles, sitting up again. A shiver runs through him again, before he looks around, spotting a few abandoned clothes on the chair in the corner, just like the blankets and pillows on the sofa.

Without ever making the decision, he's already up, gathering the blankets and clothes in his hands and throwing them onto the bed.

Warmer. Cozier. Alpha's scent.

Thankfully, no one sees him as he's rubbing Louis' used gym shirt all over his face, breathing the smell of sweat and Louis' scent in as if it's saving Harry's life. He places the additional pillows at the edge of the bed, before he places the worn clothes over them. Then he wraps one of the two extra blankets around his body, before he throws the other over the devut. "Better?" He asks, head feeling like it's in the clouds.

Meow. Bowie seems unbothered, laying higher now, stretching his legs, paws in the fabric of Louis' clothes. "Better," Harry agrees himself, laying back down, cuddling himself deeper into the plush bed, the uneasiness lifting now. It's warm, safe and comfortable now, he decides, omega satisfied in his chest too as he's closing his eyes, feeling sleep pulling him in so easily.

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Those naps during the day are both the best one's you can ever have, but also so groundbreakingly confusing. they have you waking up completely unaware of where you are and how you got there. That happens to Harry too.

He wakes up with sweat on his neck, the lack of water in his system and the biggest question of 'where am I?' He ever had. After blinking a few times, he tries to sit up. The sun seems to set already, since the warm sunlight spills into Louis' room, like it only ever does during sunset.

"You're awake." Harry's head wipes around, spotting Louis launching on the sofa. Switch in his hand, smirk on his face and dressed in lose, blue shorts and a plain white shirt. It's nothing special, Harry never found him any sexier anyway. An unfiltered whine escapes his lips, before he rubs his eyes and hopes the blush on his cheeks isn't too visible — he always has the option to blame it on the fever. "How are you feeling, baby? Mum said you already came here in the morning."

"Why aren't you here?" Louis tilts his head, like he doesn't understand. "In bed. With me." The alpha chuckles, already getting up from his sofa and walking towards his bed.

"Wasn't sure if you wanted me to… lay next to you?" He stops, only brushing Harry's lost and sweaty curls away from his forehead. "God, you're hot."

"Thanks." Harry mumbles, lifting the covers, signalising Louis to finally get in, so Harry can drown in Louis' warmth, his scent and the feeling of getting held. Louis doesn't get in though, he chuckles again, so soft and warm, it wakes butterflies in Harry.

"I didn't mean that, baby, but that too. I'll get you a glass of water, yeah? It's important that you drink enough while having a fever. Mum asked if you want anything specific for dinner. You're staying for dinner, right?" Harry blinks. Too many questions. All he wants is his alpha close. He doesn't care about anything else. "Alright, sorry. I'll be right back, baby." As Louis leaves the room, Bowie follows him gracefully.

Another whine escapes his lips uncontrollably, making the blush on his cheeks a few shades deeper. He's not sure why he's this needy. Usually he only ever feels that way before, during and right after his heats, but his last heat was only a few weeks ago, so there's no way it's because of his heat.

It doesn't take long until Louis slips back into the room, Bowie still following him, hoping onto the bed, before Louis even reaches it. "Here, drink something," Louis says softly, sitting down at the edge of the bed," it really got you, huh?"

Harry nods, taking big gulps from the water. "Mum got mad at me for going here today," Harry explains," said, she thought I'm sick and blah blah blah. I wish she would finally see you for who you are."

Louis never said it out loud, doesn't have to, Harry knows it is bothering him too, especially since Louis has tried it all to woo Harry's family, to impress them and show how serious he is with their son. They never gave him a proper chance though. "It's not your fault, princess. Don't beat yourself up because of it, yeah?" It's hard not to though. Harry let's his head hang low, taking deep breaths. "I know you're trying your best." Louis moves his fingers through Harry's messy curls.

"It's just— your family is so incredibly loving." Jennifer has welcomed Harry with open arms, a trusting smile and a warmth Harry only ever knew from his own home. When Jamie was born, Harry was allowed to hold him, to look after him for an afternoon. Harry just wishes his family would welcome Louis with the same warm embrace. "And— it's not your fault that things were how they were."

"It's okay, my sweet love. You're burning up. What about another nap?"

"Yeah, but why are you still not here, right next to me?"

"Can I?" Louis asks gently. The blue of his eyes so warm, like the sky on a warm summer day. There stubbles on his cheeks from not shaving for a few days — Harry loves him most like that. He doesn't need anyone else. He doesn't need someone 'proper', someone his mother thinks he wants. All he ever needed was someone like Louis. Soft and gentle, yet adventurous at times, pulling Harry into a real life, into something fun and thrilling.

"Of course, silly," Harry mumbles, lifting the devut once again. This time Louis doesn't even hesitate, he slips underneath the covers, scoots closer and pulls Harry into his arms. "Finally, alpha. Needed you." He presses his nose against Louis' skin, breathing his calming scent in as the alpha wraps his arms tightly around him. "Missed you so, so, so, so, so much."

Louis giggles lowly, his chest vibrating familiary. "Missed you too, my omega," he whispers, nose buried in Haryr's hair," couldn't stop thinking about you all day long."

"Hope you didn't tattoo me on your client," Harry mumbles, eyelids heavy again. Louis scent is numbing all of Harry's problems, whether they're coming from his mother or this cold. Amberwood and lavender flood him throughoutly, making his own limbs go pliant in Louis' hold.

"No, as surprisingly as that sounds, I did not." He presses a kiss to Harry's forehead. "It was a close call though. My alpha just knew you're in distress." It starts in Harry's chest, expands to his throat and then effects his whole body — he starts purring contently.

"Good alpha." Harry knows Louis likes to hear this, to feel the validation. As a reward, Harry gets met by a low, but pleased rumble from his alpha's chest. It looses all kinds of tension that was left in Harry's body, as he slowly rubs his cheek against the fabric of Louis' shirt.

"Wanna kiss you, baby," Louis whispers, his hands holding Harry's hips now.

"But I'm sick, Lou. I don't want to pass this down to you," Harry complains, pouting though because he also wants to kiss Louis. The older one doesn't seem to care though, moves his right hand up, lifts Harry's head by his chin and kisses him throughoutly. It's deep and longingly, like they haven't seen each other in weeks, maybe even months, although it's only been two days. Harry feels his heart yearning too though, deepening the kiss selfishly.

This time, it doesn't lead anywhere further than kissing. That alone leaves Harry breathless enough to be fair. "Can't help but love you like this," Louis mumbles, licking his lips before leaning in for a quick brush of lips," besides, you look so adorable like this, my sleepy head. Your hair messy, cheeks rosy, eyes glossy and tired." Harry pouts at him. "Loving my omega in any moment."

"Stop being cute when I'm trying to be mad at you," Harry adds.

"Why mad, baby?" Harry places his head back on Louis' chest, moving his whole body on top of him.

"Not my fault I'm sick and I look like this." Louis places a kiss into Harry's hair and chuckles

"I love you anyway, so don't worry, princess."

"I love you too, even though I'm feeling terrible!"

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Harry wakes up again when it's fully dark outside. His phone buzzing on Louis' bedside table. The sound not only waking him and Louis, but also his headache, that he welcomes with a groan. "Who's that?" Louis mumbles sounding just as disoriented as Harry feels. It's those damn naps!

He stretches his arm out, getting a hold of his phone. The display is way too bright for Harry's eyes, so it takes him a moment piece together who's calling.

Mum.

He groans again, pressing the green button though, before putting her on speaker and closing his eyes again. "What?" He mumbles as Louis' arms wrap tightly around him, breath tickling his temple. Louis' hand is pressed to his lower back, heat sinking into Harry's shivering body.

"Where are you? It's already late and you still haven't come home." Harry sighs, not moving an inch though. Louis' body is far too warm, smells way too good and wraps Harry into a cocoon of peace and quiet.

"With Louis." That's all he says, although that's quite obvious already. Where else is he supposed to be now? "Sleeping here."

"It's Wednesday, Harry.Besides, you claim to be sick, so why are you hanging with your boyfriend then?"

"We were sleeping until you woke us up, Mrs. Styles. He's resting here and he really needs it, so please, let him be for once. He's twenty-one years old. He knows what he's doing!" Harry slowly lifts his head, Louis' cheeks are flushed from his sleep, voice raspy and deep. If Harry wouldn't feel so sick, he surely would be be slicking up now. "And I'll make sure he's okay, by the way."

"Harry?" It's like she doesn't even want to hear Louis.

"You heard him," Harry adds weakly, so, so tired of this constant back and forth. He doesn't understand why she's so unsupportive, although Louis couldn't be any sweeter. He's the perfect alpha. "Good night."

"Ha—" Harry hangs up, turns his phone off and places it back on the bedside table. He buries his face in Louis' neck and groans softly.

"'m sorry," he mumbles against the warm skin of the alpha," don't take it to heart. You're so, so lovely."

"Again, princess, it's okay. You're not your parents. You're you and it's not your fault that she's— how did you call it the other day?" Harry lifts his head again, smiling weakly. Louis remembers a lot of things from helping Harry study. "Projecting her trauma and… struggles with the loss of control? Was it that?"

"Yeah," Harry answers and nods," not even that uncommon, you know? They're scared of ending up alone when all their children are grown."

"She still has Richard though." Harry nods, but then shakes his head.

"She also has attachments issues, I guess. I think, she's always keeping him an arm length away, but of course she would never admit that." Harry shrugs. "I don't care though. I don't want to talk about her right now, if that's okay with you."

"Sure, don't necessarily want to talk about her either." He smiles, but again, Harry knows it bothers him more than he would like to admit. It's written all over his face though.

"Is it actually okay that I'm staying here?" Harry asks sillily. It's nowhere near the first time he's staying over, but he still feels like he's supposed to ask. He doesn't want to bother Louis after all, besides he might have to leave early tomorrow.

"Don't be stupid, baby. I couldn't kick you out even if I wanted to," Louis answers quietly, smiling at his omega," you built such a cute and warm little nest in my bed. I love it." Harry's cheeks flush deeply red as his eyes roam over the re-arranged pillows, the extra blankets and the clothes he placed intentionally. Only now Harry realises why Louis hasn't crawled into bed the second he walked into the room — he didn't want to enter Harry's nest before asking. "Could get used to it even."

"I didn't even— I just—"

"Don't worry, love. I don't mind. It's really sweet and such an honour, yeah? I truly love it, omega. You did a fantastic job." Louis' soothing voice doesn't cool down the heat in Harry's cheeks, but it soothes the sudden wave of panic in his chest. He has never nested before. Not even after his heats or after presenting — not even when his childhood friend decided to move across the globe and his first boyfriend broke up with him over the phone. All it takes is a little cold, an annoying fight with his mother and some pressure from university and he's nesting?

"I just never..? Why now?"

"I don't know, love. I know with my little sisters, Charlotte doesn't nest either, while Hannah has the most pillows and blankets in her bed and repeatedly asks for some worn clothes from my mother and me. I don't think there's a certain timeline when to start certain things, you know? Maybe you just needed the security of it and felt safe enough to try it out? I'm glad you feel like this with me, because I want you know that you can nest in my bed, my sofa, wherever you want, baby. I love it and I love you and I'm so proud of you for trying this out, yeah?" He presses a gentle kiss to Harry's cheek. "It feels comfortable, doesn't it?"

"Yeah, just— a bit confused," Harry admits and shrugs, leaning into Louis' touch though. "Never felt the urge to try this, but— I guess I was in a lot of distress this morning."

"I fucking hate to hear that, baby." Louis tightens the grip around his omega, nose gently rubbing over the spot where Harry's bonding mark will be one day. It pulls a content sigh from Harry's lips, the quickly facing panic already fading again. "You'll always have a space here, by my side!"

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

After slurping on some soup around midnight, they have fallen back into bed, limbs tangled, Louis' nose moving repeatedly over the scent gland on Harry's neck. It soothed Harry into a kind of sleep that could heal literally everything, so when he wakes the next morning, he feels rebirthed. His vanilla scent has mixed faintly with the rich and heavy scent of amberwood and lavender, pulling Harry gently out of the land of dreams.

Louis' room is already light up by the morning light, telling Harry he has been sleeping longer than he should've had. He remembers turning his phone off, meaning his alarm couldn't have gone off either. He groans, the missing warmth beside him not pleasing him either. A yawn breaks out of him, before he sits up, looking around, spotting Bowie at his feet, still asleep without a care in the world.

Harry would love to be a cat, he thinks again, blinking slowly. Thankful for the missing headache this morning — his body buzzes with faint waves of energy, the scent of his alpha clinging to him like a second skin.

Getting up does point out, Harry still hasn't returned to his usual energy levels. His knees wobble under the sudden weight and it feels like his stomach turns too, caused by the lack of solid food he had in the past twenty-four hours, he guesses, stretching and gathering some comfy clothes from Louis' closet. They don't necessarily smell like him, like Harry wants them to, since every other piece of worn clothing is woven into Louis' bed — Harry's nest.

The memory from last night still brings heat into Harry's cheeks and he's not able to shake it off, while he pads down the stairs. Jamies joyful baby noises filling the house downstairs, topped by the soft music playing in the radio. Harry can't help but feel at home here.

"Oh, morning, Harry!" Jennifer smiles happily, cutting some fresh apples right now. "You want some?"

"Please? If it's no bother of course," Harry answers, stomach grumbling traitorously, making Jennifer laugh gently.

"Don't worry. Are you feeling better?" She places a freshly cut apple in front of Harry, before she wanders off towards the sink, where he fills a glass of water for Harry, placing it next to Harry's plate. Then she's already gone again, getting some toast out.

"Yeah, I probably only needed a proper night of sleep," Harry admits honestly, downing the water nearly in one go, before he fills his stomach with some fruits, later on two slices of toast Jennifer made for him. She's lovely, Harry already figured that out the first time he met her.

Her long, brown hair was up in a bun, her blue eyes wide and happy as she was holding the door open for him and Louis. Harry still remembers the annoyingly hot blush on his cheeks, caused by the fear of not being liked, of being disapproved of. None of his fears ever came true tough — thankfully!!! Jennifer had pulled him into a hug as a greeting, exclaiming to call her Jennifer and that she couldn't have been more thrilled about Louis finally bringing someone home, especially someone as sweet as Harry. It felt like getting of shot of pure ecstasy, Harry supposes, still smiling even over a year later.

"Don't we all?" She laughs softly, sitting back down and looking at Jamie, who has been looking at Harry curiously the whole time. He's a proper ray of sunshine too, Harry has learned from the moment he held him for the first time. It woke this maternal instinct in him — he remembers his eyes finding Louis', who was only softly looking back, a domestic spark in those blue, usually so chaotic eyes. "Jamie especially, yeah? Always napping, right baby?"

"He looks like he's judging me," Harry states, putting on a funny face, which does crack Jamies shell. The little one giggles happily and claps his hands together.

"Jamie could never, doesn't he?" She tickles his stomach, before looking back at Harry. "He's probably just a little confused you're smelling exactly like his brother." The blush rises into his cheeks before he can say anything. It has Jennifer chuckle gently, not helping Harry's case of a severe blush problem. "Don't be ashamed, Harry. I'm glad you two are so happy together."

Still doesn't help to defeat the heat in Harry's cheeks. He doesn't want anything else though, because Jennifer's warm gaze lingers on him, still so welcoming and open. So not Harry's mother. "Besides, we were all young and in love once. Keep that up as long as you can, yeah? It's the key to a healthy relationship."

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

The morning slips away quietly. Harry doesn't really do much, besides turning his phone on, asking one of his friends if he's missing anything important today. He purposefully ignores the three missed texts from his mother and the two unanswered calls. He plans to go back home later today anyway, so whatever she has to say, she can say to his face then. Or she doesn't. Harry doesn't really care.

With Louis' laptop on the pillow, Harry finds himself browsing through Netflix. Him and Louis have recently started Stranger Things, since Harry has never seen it, despite the immense hype years ago. Although Louis has already seen the show, Harry doesn't want to watch it without Louis, so he ends up where he always does when he's in the need to watch something light and silly. With friends. Perfect for a day like this.

Bowie seems to agree, curling into Harry's body, paws in the shirt he's wearing, as he purrs gently while Harry brushes through his fur. It's perfect and calm and everything Harry could ever need right now. He can't turn off the corners of his mind though, thinking this isn't a thing at his own home. Laying around in bed always earns him a snarky remark, a raised eyebrow or a full roll of his mother's eyes.

Here it's okay. It's normal and as Louis comes back from work, a soft smile is glued to his pretty face.

"Hey, love," he greets Harry quietly, stepping inside, placing a kiss onto Harry's forehead, before he changes into more comfortable clothes," how are you feeling?"

"So much better," Harry answers truthfully, closing the laptop in the meantime," but I would feel so, so much better if you would get into bed with me?" He looks up through his lashes, knowing it'll grant him any wish he wants. Unsurprisingly, Louis grins, crawling underneath the covers without wasting any time. Everything is so familiar, but Harry still remembers a time, where it was new, where he felt shy and unsure about where him and Louis' connection would lead.

Harry remembers spending the first night here. Determined to stay on his side, suspicious and nervous about where this leads. He knew where it lead with his previous boyfriend and Harry wasn't ready to go back there yet. As strong minded as he was, he ended up waking in Louis' arms anyway.

"Your Mum said I smell like you," Harry mumbles, pressing his face against Louis' throat, where his scent is the strongest. He could live entire life's right here — day and night, morning and evening, summer and winter, year after year. It's strangely addicting.

"You kind of do, baby." Topped off with a low chuckle, making Louis' chest vibrate again. "But I like it. Don't like when you're smelling like someone else, when someone else's scent clings to your clothes or your hair." Harry lifts his head, smug smile about his face.

One of the many stories about Louis is that he's possessive, a bit jealous at times and Harry has learned that it's true, but he doesn't mind. He finds himself liking that to be honest and it's not like he's throwing a fit whenever Harry is hanging out with other alpha's, but Louis gets so adorably pouty, Harry can't help but love him more because of that. "I know I already smell heavily of you, but would you like to scent me?"

A spark lights up in the blue of Louis' eyes. "Always!"

So the rest of the day slips away from them too. After cuddles and heavy scenting, Harry only rolls himself out of bed because he knows he shouldn't stay another night. He really wants to though, but his mother doesn't need to lose her mind more than she already has, so he drags himself into the bathroom to take a long, hot shower. Louis wasn't thrilled to hear about that either, but Harry promised him he can scent him again afterwards.

Despite putting the emphasis on afterwards, Louis still follows Harry into the bathroom. "That wasn't an invitation to shower with me?" Harry states, but Louis only shrugs.

"Wasn't going to," Louis answers, although it does sound like a huge lie. Harry let's it slide and locks the door, eying Louis suspiciously. "I swear, baby. Just want to be with you?" Something Harry would never have thought about Louis — he's clingy. Adorably clingy. "In fact, I still have to tell you about the strange customer I had today, so if you don't mind?" He sits down at the edge of the bathtub.

"Okay, but no funny business, okay?" Louis smiles innocently, hands folded in his lap.

"I can even close my eyes, baby, if that's what you want?" He does.

"You'll look anyway." Harry knows him too well for that. At least he pretends to be respectful about it, but Harry knows better too — in the sheets he's different. Eyes filled with a hunger only Harry ever seems to satisfy. Of course Harry can't really compare much, his list of boyfriends not very long, but with Louis it's different anyway, so much better too. While Louis does lose himself in his primal instincts in bed, Harry never felt more worthshipped.

"Well, that's barely my fault, princess. You're unreal!" The corners of his mouth are already twisted into a grin. "Can't believe you're with me. My smart, pretty, sexy omega." Harry blushes again, stepping closer to Louis, stopping as he's standing between Louis' legs.

"You know I don't want anyone else," Harry whispers, cupping Louis' face with his hands, making him look up. Then, he opens his eyes, the grin still on his face. "Also, I know you're flirting with me, trying to change my mind about this shower."

"Omega, I would never." Smirk fades into this innocent smile. Harry can't help but kiss his lips. "Seems more like you can't make up your mind, angel?"

"Shut up, Lou. Close your eyes now!" Harry steps back.

"As you please, Ma'am!"

"You're an idiot." Harry pulls the shirt over his head, checking if Louis peaks at him. For now he doesn't.

"You love it though." And that's something Harry can't deny. His heart even misses a beat, like it wants to confirm Louis' statement too.

"I really do," Harry answers with a sigh, stripping off the rest of his clothes. Looking back at Louis, who has his eyes open now. "You're such a liar."

"And you're made by the gods, baby." Louis doesn't even hide how he's checking Harry out. A pleased smile on the older man's face as his eyes settle on Harry's face. "What did you expect, angel? You chose the wicked."

"Shut up, silly alpha." Harry turns, turning the shower on and waits until the water gets warmer. "And stop looking at my ass."

"And the fun killer is back!" Harry giggles, getting under the warm water, feeling the warm buzz of his skin. His omega happily resting in his chest, preening under the attention of the alpha. The bathroom fogs up quickly, since Harry showers in what feels like cooking water, but it relaxes his muscles.

In the meantime, Louis tells him about the customer he had today. One that has been there quite a few times already, always getting another name tattooed on his arm, always telling Louis how another relationship just hasn't worked out and that he's not understanding why his omegas never seem to stay. Harry can't help to laugh at the way Louis tells the story, genuinely frustrated about how the other alpha always makes the same mistake over and over again.

"So you wouldn't get my name tattooed on your skin?" Harry asks, currently shampooing his hair.

"Well— that can hardly be compared, love. He has eight names on his arm. I mean, you make the mistake once, maybe twice, but he's probably already fighting with his omegas again," Louis answers," besides, you know I have the day we got together tattooed on my fingers." Harry smiles, looking through the milky glass, watching Louis' silhouette carefully. It's obvious, in the way Louis is sitting, he's looking back. "So yeah… maybe I'm also a love-sick fool that simply got lucky?"

Harry blushes again. He's still not feeling completely back to normal — the cold sitting deep in his bones, but Louis' words rewire Harry's brain anyway, tunring the switch on. Harry feels himself slicking up and he's sure Louis is about to smell it too. He quickly grabs the body wash and pours it over his body. It smells like vanilla just like Harry's own scent, so he hopes Louis won't catch a whiff of what's actually happening. Harry can't help it though. Louis considering himself a love sick fool does something to Harry — yearning is sexy!

"You absolutely did," Harry answers, trying to overplay the needy whines of his omega in his chest. It absolutely is not the time, he tells himself, turning the shower back on to wash the body wash and the shampoo off. He doesn't waste any time with a hair mask or anything, he simply opens the shower door and hopes for the fucking best.

Louis jumps up, the towel unfolded and held open in seconds. "Thanks," Harry mumbles, not helping the giddiness inside of him. Their eyes met innocently this time, before Louis wraps the towel around Harry and then pulls him into a hug.

"I really did," Louis agrees softly, nose already pressed against Harry's scent gland.

Louis is playing unfair, he decides as his knees buckle, a whine stuck in his throat, head thrown back, while his body goes pilant in Louis' grip. Usually he's not so easily whoed by Louis, but the cold and the uneasiness of the best few days still sit deeply, so it's only natural his omega is craving his alpha. "Oh, baby," Louis mumbles, licking over Harry's scent gland. Again, so, so, so unfair!

"Do that again, please." Harry breathes out, eyes halfway closed already.

Louis does over and over again, until the sweet vanilla scent disappears and Harry feels stickily drenched in amberwood and the earthy notes of lavender, slick already dripping down his body. "Gosh, you smell divine."

"The— the body wash."

"No." Louis takes a deep, gready breath, before he licks over the place their bonding spot would be one day," it's more natural. You're body wash never smells like that. This is—" He takes another demonstratively deep breath. "It's sweeter."

"Mh." Harry struggles with keeping his thoughts clear. It's really difficult, everyone would understand that, if they were wrapped in those strong, tattooed arms, getting drenched in Louis' scent, while the alpha's lips work over Harry's most sensitive spots.

"Wonder if you taste sweeter too," Louis mumbles against Harry's flushed skin.

"Louis—" His voice isn't more than a shaky breath, nails digging into Louis' clothed shoulder. Why does he still wear so many clothes? "Take me to your room?" And again, their eyes meet with a little more heat this time.

"Naughty you," Louis whispers, capturing Harry's lips in a bruising kiss," my mother is home."

"I can be quiet," Harry answers quietly," please, alpha." And he's looking up through his lashes again. Louis never stood a chance anyway.

"I don't know about that, but you know I can't say no to you." Louis' lips wander again, kissing Harry wetly, until the omega is nothing but a panting and clouded-minded mess. "When you were in heat a few weeks ago, I remember faintly how you woke half the house in the middle of the night."

The omega pouts. "I was in heat," Harry mumbles, pout getting kissed away by Louis.

Last heat was a lot more intense than the one's before. Harry's omega tried to match Louis' primal energy, leaving him needier than usually. Louis would never admit that, but Harry did tire him out during the four days Harry's heat lasted. According to the alpha himself, Louis fell into a rut-like mindset, making hours blurry and all he remembered afterwards was the sweet scent of his omega, the delicious taste and the sweaty skin bending and stretching in the sheets.

"And now you're actually sick," Louis states, pulling Harry closer anyway, like brain and dick are having a silent fight over who decides their next move," can't do that to you when you're sick, baby." Harry pouts again.

"You started this!"

"Well, you smell so good, princess. I couldn't help myself."

Harry keeps looking through his lashes, pout glued to his face. "Please, alpha."

It coaxes a quiet growl out of the older man. "Or don't you want me, alpha?" Harry knows exactly which buttons to press now. Louis is easy like that — a soft alpha at heart, but still an alpha, so naturally he wants to take Harry to bed and devour him. "Already slicking up for you, Lou."

There it is again. The quiet growl. Louis is trying to stay rational, to recall his mother is home, Harry is still bothered by a cold and that Harry just showered to go back home. "Please," Harry whispers, rubbing his cheek over Louis' shoulder," I need you, alpha."

Something snaps. Louis lifts Harry into the air, unlocks the bathroom door and carries him down the hallway, locking his bedroom door behind him. "I swear, if you're loud, I will stop," Louis mumbles, placing Harry on the centre of the bed," you know I love your moans, but I can't suffer through another conversation with my mother about using protection and and and and. I just can't, baby."

"Just touch me. I'll be quiet," Harry breathes out, eyes roaming over Louis' body," also take your clothes off, please." Louis chuckles and pulls the shirt over his head, exposing Louis' tattooed chest. It is what it is inked into the soft skin, where light hair curls itself. Harry licks his lips, ready to mark those words again. The old marks have nearly faded.

At the end of the day, it's not only Louis, who's possessive. It is Harry too.

"Pleased?" Louis asks towering over his omega.

"Very!" The corners of Harry's mouth twist into a smirk. He's even more pleased as Louis is pulling the towel open, revealing Harry's skin again. The darkness returns to Louis' eyes, like he's holding himself back from launching onto Harry. "Touch me, please."

Louis doesn't need to get told twice. Before Harry can blink, Louis is already kissing Harry's neck again, hands roaming over the exposed skin, like he hasn't already mapped out every inch of Harry's body. The stubbles scratch Harry's skin, making muffled moans slip from his bitten lips. He's really trying to keep his lips shut, but Louis has absolutely no mercy with him. Lips brush over Harry's sensitive nipples, like Louis doesn't know it's driving Harry crazy. "Stay quiet," Louis mumbles, sounding rather amused though, lips twitching as he's looking up, grinning like the devil itself.

"You're mean." The pout get's wiped from Harry's face the second Louis' lips work down Harry's chest, hands effortlessly pushing Harry's knees apart.

"Wanna taste you," Louis exclaims, looking up again, clearly waiting for permission. All the omega is still capable of is nodding, spreading his legs a little further to give Louis better access. "See if you taste sweeter too now." His head disappear between Harry's legs, tongue licking long, teasingly strips up his thigh.

Harry still remembers the first time Louis ate him out like this. Unapologetically greedy, while licking every drop of slick out of Harry's hole. The omega never felt so filthy, yet so sexy and adored, about how Louis ate him like a buffet, grunting every time more slick gushed out of the omega. Harry still faintly remembers how Louis smelled like him for three days straight, grinning proudly every time someone mentioned that.

The thought of that fuels Harry more than he would like to admit, Louis' tongue fucking in and out of him. "Louis, god, oh—" He stutters, arching his back, while his fingers are deeply buried in Louis' fluffy, brown hair.

"Shh." Harry feels the sound on his hole, making a shudder run through him. An apology already at the tip of his tongue, when Louis' tongue is already back doing unapologetically things to his omega. It's like he doesn't even want Harry to stay quiet, which he doesn't for a moment, a throaty moan overcoming him as his head falls back, pulling Louis' hair closer to his middle. His legs close around Louis subconsciously as he's rolling his hips, one whine after the other spilling from his red-bitten lips. "Baby, love to be suffocated by your thighs and drowning in your slick, but you have to stay quiet!"

"Sorry," Harry mumbles, feeling boneless already, looking down at the man, who is still in between his long legs, still grinning like he's winning," how do I taste?"

Louis groans, shaking his head in disbelief. "You wanna have a taste?" He licks his lips, spreading Harry's legs again. "You taste so sweet. A bit like vanilla ice-cream, topped with honey and the sweetest kind of sprinkles. You taste so fucking addicting!" As his last word ends, he pushes one of his fingers inside. The surprise of it all makes Harry throw his head back again, another loud moan falling from his lips and he's so, so sure there's no point in trying to stay quiet anymore. Again, Louis doesn't even try to sush Harry in any way — a light slap on Harry's ass doesn't help the omega to keep the moans inside, quite the opposite to be fair. "Harry, shut it, or I'll stop."

"Don't. Please. I can be good. Sorry." Harry's thoughts are as incoherent as his spoken words.

"That's what I want to hear, baby. Now suck." Without another word, Louis pulls his finger out of Harry, making him whine. Then, Harry feels Louis' finger in his mouth, the taste of vanilla clouding his brain, sucking mindlessly on his alpha's finger. "All you need is your slutty mouth filled, right?" Harry hums happily. "Oh baby, you have no idea how badly I wanna fill your mouth properly, but I'm a good alpha, so I won't."

Harry tries to let Louis know he can take it, but his words are muffled. "And you're my pretty omega, right? So you won't complain, am I right? You'll be good and quiet when I'll fill you up. I'm gonna go slow and gentle today." Harry wants to complain, wants to get used by Louis, doesn't need to get coddled, but he knows better than to complain. He nods, thankful for what he's getting. "Good omega."

Naturally, his omega purrs at those words. Happy to be useful for his alpha, for his future mate.

Louis pulls the finger out of Harry's mouth, leans down for a kiss and presses his forehead against Harry's. "I love you, omega. You're mine. All mine."

"Yours." That's all Harry's mind is still capable of, especially as soon as he feels Louis slowly pushing in, the slick making it easy, nearly too slippery. "Yours. Yours. Yours." Bite me. Bite me. Harry's omega hasn't stopped about it ever since his last heat has ended. It's like it demands to be bonded as soon as possible — not caring about the fact that they're still young, not even living together and only exclusive for ninteen months. His omega is sure. Louis is the one.

"God, you're so wet for me, baby," Louis grunts into Harry's ear, teeth grazing the bonding spot, like he's thinking about sinking his teeth into that patch of skin too. Like clockwork, Harry shudders underneath his alpha, fingernails digging deeply into Louis' back, probably leaving nasty bruises. Neither of them cares, because shortly after Louis pushes all the way in. "So warm, so tight. All mine." Usually they never have sex like this, but whenever they do, Harry's heart hammers against his chest. They're not just having sex — they're making love.

"Yours. All yours." Harry's nails scratch over Louis' skin as he's getting used to sensation of getting filled again. "Move, please. Ready, Louis." Before Louis moves, he leans down though, pressing his lips to Harry's.

His thrusts start slow, nearly teasingly slow, leaving Harry panting and motionless beneath him. "Please go faster. Please." It feels like punishment this way. "Can take it, Lou."

"Aw, baby," Louis cooes, slightly amused, stopping his movements after slipping all the way in," I thought you wouldn't complain, princess?" Their scents mix deliciously. "But now you do."

"'m not," Harry states quickly," just— i need you. I can take it. Promise!" Louis still towers over him, eyes locked on Harry's. "Please, alpha. Fuck me properly." Harry knows Louis is holding back for Harry's sake, although the omega has never asked him to do so. If he genuinely didn't want to do this, he would've voiced his discomfort by now. Harry is all in though, needing some sort of relief soon.

"You don't know what you're asking for." Harry does, very well actually, confirming in a firm nod that pulls his own lips into a smile.

As expected, Harry's pleads wake the primal parts of Louis' alpha, making it impossible for him to resist his sweet omega. Louis sits back, slipping out of Harry, who whines at the sudden emptiness, clenching around nothing and following Louis with his eyes. "Let's see if your Sunday morning yoga curses are paying off," Louis adds, fingers wrapping around Harry's ankles, before he places them on his shoulder," let's see how flexible you really are."

"You'd be surprised, Lo—" Without letting him finish his sentence, Louis pushes back in. This time with more force, with a certain intensity that has Harry gasping for air. The new angle gives Louis the ability to fuck even deeper into his boyfriend — so deep, Harry can see the outline of Louis' cock on his stomach. As a victim to his overwhelmed body, he moans again, his legs getting pushed higher now, ankles on the height of his own head now. Technically, the position is slightly uncomfortable, but it makes Louis go deeper, hitting Harry's spot over and over again.

"Shh, baby." Harry can't keep his mouth shut though. Louis' trusts so madening, Harry loses his mind with every thrust a little more. "Princess, shush now!" Again, Harry can't, no matter how much he's trying, it slips over and over again, stars already exloding behind his eyelids. That's when Louis clearly has enough, pressing his hand onto Harry's mouth and shutting him up for good now. "I warned you, baby."

Harry goes completely pilant in Louis' hold. Mind slipping away from him as Louis' thrusts become faster and harder, obviously chasing his own high now. The bed squeaks dangerously, probably just as telling as the moans that slipped out of Harry's mouth a few minutes ago. Bite me. Bite me. Claim me. Make me yours. My mate. Harry's omega takes over so easily, slick running down into the sheets, probably making a proper mess already, but neither of them cares. Louis' weight presses the omega deeper into the mattress.

The tension builds in Harry's stomach, expanding into his entire body and as much as he wants to keep going, his body reminds him of the cold that's still stealing most of his energy. He clenches around Louis, knowing it'll throw him over the edge quicker too. "God, Harry, baby," he grunts, fucking hard and unapologetically into his boyfriend. The sound of sweaty skin, slapping against sweaty skin, combined with the squeaky bed, topped off by Louis' low, possessive grunts, might be Harry's new favourite mixture of sounds. It's raw and filthy, another wave of slick gushes out of him as he thinks about it. "I'm gonna come, baby."

Louis is about to pull out, Harry can sense it, so he regains the control of his legs, wraps them around Louis and pulls him closer, making it impossible for Louis to pull out. The surprise of it all makes him remove his hand from Harry's mouth. "Knot me," Harry demands, voice shaking with the need for release.

"Har—"

"Please." It's the look through his lashes, the lick over his lips and the breathy moan coming from his moan. Louis' hesitation falls off his shoulders and his controlled movements turn messier, chasing his own and Harry's pleasure. He even presses his hand back onto Harry's mouth, making him see stars even before the tension on his body peaks.

"Want me to fill you up again, huh?" Every trust brings Harry closer to his orgasm, but he doesn't want to come early, wants to come exactly when Louis does too. When his knot locks them together for a few minutes — exactly how they're supposed to be; locked. Bite me. "Until you're dripping from my cum."

Please. The weak attempt of a word gets muffled by Louis' hand. The try does put a smirk on the alphas face. "Gonna make you all mine," Louis adds, thrusting deeper into Harry, picking up pace in a way Harry didn't know was possible anymore. With shaky legs, a boneless body and the failed attempt to push his orgasm away, Harry comes all over his and Louis' stomach, while slick gushes out of him, drenching half of the bed in his sweetness.

Harry doesn't care though, clenching around Louis as his consciousness slips into this buzzing orgasm haze, barely getting broken by Louis' knot stretching him out from the inside, locking them together. Louis' cum filling him up, until Harry is seeing all the stars above.

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Coming down feels like a proper crash down this time. Harry's headache returns, limbs aching and body feeling spent. He coughs into Louis' shoulder as a shudder runs through him. How couldn't he feel all of this a few seconds ago? It's liked his cold hit pause while he was horny.

He wraps both arms and legs around Louis, who has crashed right on top of him.

It takes a few minutes until Louis' knot goes down, making it possible to pull out of Harry. "How are you feeling, angel?" Louis' voice is soft now, nearly worried," shit, you're shuddering. Fuck, I knew I shouldn't have done this."

"Lou, cuddles," Harry whispers, unsatisfied by the sudden coldness, since Louis has removed his heated body from his pouty boyfriend," 'm fine, just— want you close."

"Baby, you should've said something. God, I— I'm sorry. Love, you're still feverish." Harry shakes his head, even though Louis is probably right. He's feeling alright — energy drained, but content in a way only Louis ever archives with him. "And now everything is messy— I should—"

"Lou, stop panicking. You're a great alpha. You're very caring, very sweet and kind. Come here now," Harry whispers, another shudder running through him," please, alpha. Need your close." Louis nods slowly, still visibly worried, but he's listening to his omega (as he always does). Wrapping the covers over their bodies, Harry scoots closer to his boyfriend, pressing his naked body into Louis'. "Warm."

"I'm sorry, princess." Louis moves his nose over Harry's scent gland, pulling a giggle out of the omega.

"They told me you're a scary, chaotic alpha, who never knows how to behave. This isn't what I signed up for?" Harry jokes, fingers slowly moving over Louis' warm skin. He could do this for hours — just wrapped into each other's arms, preferably naked like this. It brings a certain intimacy nothing else really does. There's nothing sexual about the way they hold each other now. It's gentle and soft and exactly what Harry needs right now.

"Harry, this isn't funny. I should've read the signs better." Louis is a proper worrier, always worrying about other people's health and problems.

"Well, personally, I also wanted you to fuck my mouth, but you didn't, so I think you're fine. Besides, you wanted to go slow, but I particularly begged you to go faster, knowing very well your alpha goes a bit rough in the heat of the moment. I know you and you know me — I know if I actually felt bad during sex, your alpha would also pull back. You're a good guy, Lou. You love me and our secondary genders have already synced pretty well, so please stop worrying and kiss me?" It does ease the tension from Louis' shoulders, leaning in for a quick, feather like kiss on the lips. "You can do that better."

"You're very demanding for someone who's sick!"

"That's what you signed up for after all!" Harry leans in this time, kissing Louis slowly. "It's just what you get when you're loved by me."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

After another long shower, during wish Louis washes Harry's hair gently, they heat up some of the leftover soup and sit through dinner with burning cheeks and shy glances into each other's direction. Jennifer's knowing smile makes Harry feel more embarrassed than he should be, but he can't help but blush terribly even though she never actually says anything.

Then Louis insists on driving Harry home. Apparently it's too cold, too late and too dangerous to take the bike back home. Harry doesn't really want to go, but he also doesn't want to add fuel to the fire, so he get's into Louis' car, already planning to stay over tomorrow. The idea of sleeping in his own bed doesn't satisfy him at all. It's not even half as comfortable as his own, it's also missing Louis, so that's a huge minus point for his own bed.

As usually, Louis doesn't actually take the speed limit very seriously. The roads are empty though, music fills the comfortable silence and Louis' hand rests possively on Harry's thigh. Everything is exactly how it's supposed to be. Besides the fact that he's going back to a home that doesn't tolerate Louis, making his omega in chest feel slightly distressed again. It's silly, but he really doesn't want to leave.

"You're alright, love?" Louis wants to know as he stops at a red light. His thumb grazing over the inside of Harry's thigh.

"Rather want to sleep in your bed again," Harry admits, watching Louis' reaction. All the older man does is turn his head, looking at his omega. "The idea of getting out of this car pains me. Is that dramatic? Please, tell me I'm just being dramatic, yeah?"

"You know you can stay over as long as you want," Louis answers gently, glancing the traffic light that's still bright red," and… well, I didn't want to sound too..? Much? But I also hate the idea of you sleeping anywhere but beside me. I don't know, maybe it's your cold or the fact that I knotted you earlier—" Harry blushes again. "I just— I want you close all the damn time."

"So we're both dramatic?" Harry asks, laughing a little forced. It's odd. There was a time, where they didn't see each other for three weeks due to lack of time, exams, Louis' tight schedule, Zayn going through a tough breakup and Harry having to babysit his sisters every free second he got. Of course he missed him then, but now it's like he's already missing him while he's sitting right beside him. "I don't want this to weight down on our relationship. Co-dependency like this isn't always… good?"

"I know, that's why I didn't want to say anything. I don't want to overwhelme you." Honking makes them snap out of their conversation. The traffic light just turned green. "I know I kind of did before he got exclusive."

"What?" Louis did not overwhelme him.

"It's okay. I know that courting stuff isn't exactly… modern? I know it goes against your beliefs and your view of omegas independency and trust me, I believe in that too, but— At that time, I— I didn't know how else to do this? To it properly, you know?" Harry swallows.

"Can you stop the car?" He whispers, turning in his seat. Harry doesn't miss the panic that rises onto Louis' face, but he doesn't soothe the worrying alpha right away — the small waves of panic cuter than Louis would ever admit to be. The good alpha Louis is, he does stop the car at the next possible place. "I liked that you know, because despite courting being so fucking old-fashioned, I found it very sweet. It was never too much, you know?"

"Really?" Louis asks, like he genuinely doesn't believe in it. "Zayn used to make fun of me because of it, because I approached you in a way that our grandparents did. He said it's outdated and that omega's like you don't like that."

"I can't speak for everyone, but I did. I loved to see you put effort into us. My omega loved it too and it's not the old-fashioned traditions that are wrong right away, it's the old-fashioned attitude. The believe that alphas are better than omegas, that they're smarter, stronger, leaders and all that stuff. Omegas can be all that too, but you know that." Harry smiles at his alpha. "Besides, don't listen to Zayn, he's a nice guy, but he has no idea about what I want. You're perfect, yeah? Perfect for me and I love you."

Louis blushes now, happily fidgeting in his seat, before he leans over and presses his lips onto Harry's. "Now, I know we already had soup with your mother, but I would die for strawberry ice-cream right now." The alpha raises his eyebrows.

"I thought you don't really like that flavour?"

"I didn't, I guess? There's this new café down the street and when I saw the strawberry ice-cream a week ago, I just had to get it? Does that make sense?" Louis giggles, shaking his head, but brings the car back onto the road.

"It doesn't, princess, but if that's what you want, you'll get it!"

"Thanks, Lou."

So they stop for ice-cream cones on their way home.

Harry gets the strawberry flavour, while Louis gets vanilla like he always does.

─ ⊹ ⊱ ☆ ⊰ ⊹ ─

Back home, Harry gets kisses scandalously deeply in front of the front door. Louis tends to do that sometimes, like he wants to proof to Harry's mother this is as serious as it can get. Harry's mother obviously doesn't really like that public display of affection, but Harry doesn't care, always kisses back as filthy as he's getting kissed.

"You want to stay over today?" Harry asks, needier than he should be after the last twenty-four hours.

"You sure she won't kill me in our sleep?" Louis asks, amused expression on his face.

"I won't let that happen, don't worry." He doesn't even wait for a nod or a yes or anything else. Harry unlocks the front door and pulls Louis inside. It's not the first time Louis has stayed over, but it's definitely been a while since he was here. Usuallly they're staying at Louis' place.

"I'll send a quick prayer anyway," Louis mumbles, getting out of his shoes and placing them neatly where they're supposed to be. Harry giggles, pressing a kiss to Louis' cheek like he's a love-sick idiot, freshly falllen in love.

"Harry?" His mother's voice echoes through the house. "You're late. Also, do you always have to snog that boyfriend of yours on our front porch that's—" She appears in the hallway and freezes in her tracks. "Oh. Hello, Louis. I wasn't aware you'll be coming over today."

"Spontaneous idea," Harry answers and shrugs.

"Hello, Mrs. Styles," Louis greets her overly kind. He's always trying to be liked, that's for sure, but Harry's mother isn't impressed, only nods and turns back around.

"Richard and I are going out today. Can you watch the girls, Harry?" Harry's mother asks, already back in the living room again.

"Sure we can," Louis answers for Harry, following her, acting completely unbothered by her attitude. It makes Harry giggle again, following them too. "Any special occasion for the date tonight?"

Harry's mother looks up from the book she's reading. Thea and Holly probably in their rooms, since they're not here. "No," she answers coldly," would you leave me and my son alone for a moment?"

"Sure, I'll go to the bathroom really quick. Meet me in your room, love?" Louis answers, turning towards Harry, who's nodding slowly. Slightly nervous about what his mother has to say now. Their fingers brush as Louis passes his omega.

"What do you want, Mum?" Harry asks, sighing from annoyance. "He's always kind to you, but you're so— shit?"

"Don't be dramatic." She places her book besides her. "Look, I told you a million times, but this isn't okay. First of all, you bring him here without asking, then you reek of him? I thought I raised you smarter than that. Letting that mess of a man bed you?"

"What?"

"I can't believe you two are sleeping together." She whispers like it's a dirty, little secret, like it's some sort of scandal.

"Mum, we're in a relationship. I hate to break it to you, but I fear that's normal. Where did you think am I spending my heats?" She opens her eyes, like Harry said something beyond disturbing not that he's having sex with his boyfriend. "We're together for nearly two years now. I don't know, but if you and Richard don't have sex, I fear that's not my problem."

"Harry Styles, don't you see what that boy does to you? Before you were with him, you knew how to behave. Now you're just as wicked as he is."

Harry nods, gathering all the confidence he has.

"Before him I was guiable, I was naive and stupid in a way. Since him I stand up for what I want and for who I am and you can't stand that, because you're so used to me saying yes every time and bowing my head to your wishes. I'm grown up now. I'm not a child and I love that man with all I have. He's the one and I know one day I'll marry him, make him my mate and have his children. There's nothing in the world you can do about that. So unless you want me to hate you for the rest of your life, get your shit together and actually get to know him."

"You clearly lost your mind," she answers, shaking her head in pure disbelief.

"No, you did." With that, he turns, heads to his room and finds Louis already sitting on his bed.

The sudden silence makes Harry sigh, ready to fall into Louis' arms and stay there, until he wakes and realises it all has been a bad dream. That his mother finally seen Louis for who is, not for who he once was.

"You want to marry me, huh?" Again, just like that, Louis eases the tension. Filling the air with his soothing pheromones.

"You heard all that?" Heat rises into Harry's cheeks as he walks towards the bed. It's still not even half as comfortable as Louis' — doesn't even feel right as Harry lays down, curling into Louis' arms.

"Yeah, I did, baby."

"I'm sorry. I really thought she would come around at some point, but—"

"Shh. It's alright. I don't care. I love you too, baby. I want to marry you one day too, bond with you and have tiny, little version of us running around our place. She won't take that away from us, okay?" Louis presses tiny, little kisses onto Harry's forehead and into his hair. "You're my everything and you'll always be my everything."

"I just wish she was as welcoming as your Mum is," Harry mumbles, disappointment sitting deep.

"As long as you like me, that's all that matters to me. Besides, Holly and Thea love me too, so who cares if your mother doesn't? She seems to have a deranged view of love anyway." Harry nods, but that doesn't make the situation much better. At the end of the day, Harry still wants nothing more than a peaceful family situation. Not this mess they're in now. Harry presses his nose into Louis' hoodie. "Also, I have been thinking about it for quite a while now. Even more today, to be honest, but I think we should move in together?

"What?" Harry lifts his head.

"Yeah, find a tiny flat somewhere and just— be? Just you and me?"

Harry blinks. Unsure what to say. His omega already thrilled by the idea of having a shared place.

"That way, we wouldn't have to feel bad about wanting to be around each other more. You could have some space from your family and maybe… have a proper nest, or not, whatever you want. We don't have to decide anything now just—" With all the bad feelings out of the window, Harry throws himself at his alpha, kissing him messily, but incredibly happy. "I take that as a yes?" Louis laughs, hands holding Harry's hip tightly.

"Yes, I would really want that!" Harry kisses Louis again.

Their first step into a serious future — a shared, future. Harry couldn't be happier about that.