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Harry sighed and rubbed his temples. “Louis, come on, wake up,” he said again, his voice a mixture of frustration and affection. It was probably the hundredth time he’d tried to wake his fiancé. Louis was buried deep under the covers, the bed a mess of twisted sheets and pillows. Harry had been trying for the better part of an hour to get Louis out of bed for their brunch date with their friends, but so far, all his efforts had been in vain.
It had been weeks since their whole group had gotten together. Life had pulled them all in different directions, their busy jobs keeping them apart. Niall, a music teacher, was only ever free on Sundays. Zayn, with his flexible schedule as an artist, could make time whenever he wanted, but Liam, who worked as a football coach at the same school as Niall, had his own packed schedule.
Harry, a writer with several published books, worked from home and could usually find the time. But Louis, an accountant, often came home late from work, drowned in numbers and spreadsheets and too exhausted to do much of anything. Today was a rare exception. Somehow, all of them had managed to free up their schedules for brunch and Harry wasn’t about to let Louis sleep through it.
"Babe, we’re gonna be late!" Harry whisper-yelled, trying to be gentle but firm. He knew Louis loved his sleep and he could understand that because after all, Louis worked so hard that any day off was a luxury to him. Harry felt a little guilty for waking him but he also knew that Louis would want to see their friends, even if it meant dragging him out of bed kicking and screaming.
“Mmmhhh,” Louis groaned from under the covers, rolling over and pulling the duvet up over his head, blocking out the morning sunlight. He was completely cocooned now, a mound of blankets that didn’t seem to have any intention of moving.
Harry shook his head, muttering to himself. “I knew Zayn should’ve scheduled his meeting for the morning.” He had half a mind to call Zayn and tell him that brunch was off, but Louis would be mad at him for canceling. Harry loved his fiancé too much to deny him a chance to see their friends, even if Louis didn’t fully realize it yet.
An idea popped into Harry’s head, he would run his fiancé a bath. Maybe that would help wake Louis up in a more relaxing way. He glanced at the clock: 9 AM. They were supposed to meet at 11, so there was still enough time if he got things moving now.
Harry tiptoed to the bathroom, turning on the tap and letting warm water flow into the tub. While the water filled, he made his way downstairs to prepare tea. Louis always started his mornings with a cup of tea and Harry hoped the perfect combination of a bath and tea would ease him into the day. As he waited for the water to boil, Harry couldn’t help but smile as he thought back to the day he had proposed to Louis. That had been the happiest moment of his life, and even now, just calling Louis his fiancé made his heart swell.
He carried two steaming cups of tea back upstairs, quietly pushing open the door to their bedroom. Louis was now lying spread out across the bed, his face half-buried in a pillow, his lips slightly parted as he breathed softly. Harry set the tea on the bedside table and returned to the bathroom, where the tub was now full. He added lavender bath salts and lit a scented candle, their favorite, before going back to the bedroom.
Louis hadn’t moved an inch. Harry stood over him, his heart softening at the sight of his sleeping fiancé. As much as he loved spending time with their friends, a part of him just wanted to call off brunch and spend the entire day in bed with Louis, watching shit TV, eating junk food, and doing absolutely nothing. But Louis would be mad if he missed brunch, so Harry had no choice but to get him up.
He bent down and gently kissed Louis on the forehead. Then, with slow and careful movements, he slid his arms under Louis’ body and lifted him off the bed. Louis stirred but didn’t fully wake up, his head resting against Harry’s shoulder as he let out a sleepy sigh.
“Mmmhhh,” Louis mumbled as Harry carried him to the bathroom.
Harry chuckled softly. “Did you seriously go back to sleep in my arms, baby?” He didn’t get a response, his boy was out cold again. Harry shook his head, a fond smile playing on his lips.
Harry gently bent down, testing the water with his hand to ensure the temperature was just right, warm enough to soothe, but not too hot to jolt Louis awake. Satisfied, he slowly lowered Louis into the bath, careful to cradle his fiancé’s head as he settled him into the water. Louis, still fast asleep, barely stirred, a soft sigh escaping his lips as the warmth surrounded him. Harry smiled, his heart aching with affection. Louis had been working so hard, and seeing him so exhausted tugged at his heartstrings.
Harry was relieved Louis was already naked, thanks to the passionate night they’d shared so he didn’t have to fumble with clothes and risk waking him. He gently held Louis’ head above the water, making sure he wouldn’t accidentally fall. Even in his sleep, Louis’ face softened as if the tension of the past weeks was melting away.
With one hand supporting Louis, Harry carefully removed his own boxer briefs, letting them fall to his ankles before stepping out of them. The cool air hit his skin briefly before he climbed into the tub behind Louis, positioning himself so that Louis could rest against his chest. The bathtub was spacious enough for both of them, and Harry was grateful for that small luxury as he gently pulled Louis back into his arms, his fiancé’s body fitting perfectly against his.
Louis’ head lolled against Harry’s shoulder, his breathing steady and peaceful, completely unaware of the world around him. Harry pressed a soft kiss to Louis’ temple, letting the warmth of the water relax them both. He reached for the loofah, dipping it in the water and lathering it with lavender-scented soap, Louis’ favorite. Slowly, he began to wash Louis’ body, his movements gentle and careful, not wanting to disturb his sleep.
Harry’s hand moved in slow, soothing strokes, running the loofah across Louis’ chest, down his stomach, and over his arms. He paused for a moment, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment, the way his fiance unconsciously pressed closer to him, as if seeking more of Harry’s warmth even in his sleep.
He smiled, washing Louis’ back, the warm water pouring over his fiancé’s skin as Harry took his time, enjoying the simple act of taking care of the man he loved. Harry avoided Louis’ legs, not wanting to jostle him too much. When he reached Louis’ lower back, his hand lingered for a moment before he gave his bum a light, playful squeeze. A soft moan escaped Louis’ lips, his body shifting slightly in response.
“Hazza,” Louis murmured, still half-asleep, his voice a soft, contented hum.
“Hey, baby,” Harry whispered, brushing damp hair away from Louis’ face. He leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to his fiancé’s cheek. “You wanna wake up for me?”
Louis’ eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused as he blinked up at Harry, clearly confused. “Why am I wet?” he asked groggily, his voice thick with sleep.
Harry chuckled, his breath warm against Louis’ ear. “We’re in the bath, love. Thought we could relax before meeting the others. Didn’t want to wake you, but I thought a bath might help.”
Louis blinked again, looking around as if just now realizing where he was. He let out a small, tired laugh, resting his head back against Harry’s chest. “I was that out of it, huh?”
“You were,” Harry confirmed softly.
Louis sighed, his body still limp in Harry’s arms. “Sorry I was difficult…”.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Harry said softly, pressing a kiss to Louis’ forehead. “Did you finish your financial report last night?”
Louis’ eyes opened a bit more, and a small smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, I did. And my two weeks of leave got approved.”
Harry’s eyes lit up. “Oh my god, baby, that’s amazing!” He kissed Louis again, this time more deeply. “I can’t wait for our holiday!”
Louis smiled, but instead of pulling away he deepened the kiss, shifting in the bath so that he was lying on top of Harry, their bodies pressed together. Harry’s hands wandered down Louis’ back, squeezing lightly at his bum as their kiss grew more passionate.
“Babe,” Harry mumbled against Louis’ lips, “we’re really gonna be late…”
Louis pulled back with a teasing smirk. “Do you want me to help you get ready?” he asked playfully.
Harry laughed, his voice low and husky. “As much as I’d love that, we both know what’s going to happen if we’re late to meet the boys.”
“Oh, I can’t take their teasing today,” Louis groaned, but a laugh escaped him as he rested his head against Harry’s chest.
Harry reached for the loofah and began gently washing Louis, starting with his shoulders and working his way down. Louis, still half-asleep, leaned into Harry’s touch, sighing softly as the warm water soothed his muscles.
“You’re spoiling me,” he murmured, his blue eyes fluttering shut again.
“You deserve it,” Harry replied, his voice full of affection. He carefully washed Louis’ back, arms, and chest, taking his time to enjoy the intimacy of the moment. He loved these quiet, tender moments with Louis where it was just the two of them, the rest of the world fading into the background.
Another 15 minutes passed before they finally climbed out of the tub. Harry wrapped Louis in a soft towel, drying him off before helping him into a robe. He handed Louis his now lukewarm tea, which he accepted with a grateful smile.
“I can’t believe you carried me to the bath and washed me while I was asleep,” Louis said, shaking his head in disbelief.
“You were so out of it,” Harry said with a chuckle. “I figured I’d save us some time.”
Louis raised an eyebrow playfully. “So you thought I could sleep through a bath?”
“Didn’t you?” Harry winked. “I almost touched some other areas, too.”
Louis gasped, his eyes wide with mock indignation.
“You’re lucky I love you. Otherwise, I’d be going with Jackson from down the—”
Harry was on him in an instant, pinning him playfully to the bed. “You take that back, future Mr. Styles.”
“I thought we agreed on Tomlinson-Styles,” Louis shot back, smirking as he batted his eyelashes innocently.
“Lou, take it back,” Harry whined, leaning in close, their noses almost touching.
Louis laughed, but before he could respond, Harry captured his lips in a passionate kiss. He melted into the kiss and wrapped his arms securely around his fiance who held him firmly around the waist.
When they finally pulled apart, Harry’s voice dropped to a low, dark whisper. “Don’t you ever mention his name again.”
Louis rolled his eyes, laughing as he pulled away to get dressed. “He’s 83 years old, Harry.”
“I don’t care,” Harry said with a smirk. “You’re mine.”
Louis groaned, still playfully pouting after their teasing exchange. He was halfway through fixing his hair when Harry, with his usual cheeky grin, dropped a bombshell: “It’s alright. Just let me know when you’re going out with Jackson, so I can get Mathew too.”
Louis froze, his eyes narrowing as he caught Harry’s reflection in the mirror. His jaw clenched, but it was clear from the twitch in his lips that he was fighting back a smile. “Don’t you dare start with me now, Styles,” Louis growled, but Harry had already burst into laughter, doubling over as he clutched his sides.
Harry’s laughter echoed through their room, and Louis, despite his best efforts, felt his resolve cracking. He rolled his eyes dramatically and turned to face Harry, who was now wiping tears from his eyes, still chuckling.
"Oh, you think you’re funny, huh?” Louis said, his voice dripping with mock irritation as he stalked over to where Harry stood, still snickering. “Don’t laugh at me. I don’t care that Mathew’s a priest, he’s always giving you heart eyes.”
Harry stifled another laugh, his expression softening as he reached out and pulled Louis into his arms. “Love, that’s because I volunteer at the orphanage. He’s just grateful that I read to the kids.”
Louis grumbled, his head resting against Harry’s chest. “Mm-hmm, that’s what you say. But every time we visit, he’s always making those ‘goo-goo eyes’ at you like you’re a saint or something.”
Harry couldn’t help but grin as he ran his fingers through Louis’ messy hair. They’d had this conversation a few times before, with Louis stubbornly convinced that Father Mathew, their local priest, had a crush on Harry. Every time Harry volunteered to read to the kids at the orphanage, Louis would catch Mathew sneaking glances at Harry, which, of course, drove him mad.
“He’s a priest, Lou. A man of God,” Harry said with exaggerated innocence, his voice laced with amusement. “He’s probably just admiring my holy spirit.”
Louis pulled back slightly, giving Harry a deadly serious look, though the smile tugging at his lips betrayed his true feelings. “I don’t care if he’s a saint himself, he’s still giving you those puppy-dog eyes, and I don’t like it. You’re mine.”
Harry’s grin widened, his dimples showing. He loved this side of Louis, the possessive, protective side that bubbled up every time he sensed even the slightest threat to their relationship. It was endearing, even if Louis refused to admit he was being jealous of a priest.
“I really love you, baby,” Harry whispered, his voice sincere now. He leaned in, pressing his lips gently to Louis’ forehead. “It’s you and me against the world, no matter who’s giving me heart eyes.”
Louis melted into the kiss, his earlier frustration fading away as he let out a soft sigh. “I love you too. Just… don’t laugh at me about this, alright? I mean it.”
Harry nodded, still holding Louis close. “I promise, no more teasing. Besides, you know you’re the only one I want. Even if Mathew did have a crush on me, he’s got nothing on you.”
Louis smiled, burying his face in Harry’s chest. “Good. Just keep that in mind next time we see him, yeah?”
Harry chuckled softly, giving Louis a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry, love. Mathew’s harmless.”
Louis grumbled something unintelligible into Harry’s chest, but Harry only kissed the top of his head, knowing that the conversation was officially over, for now.
Harry smiled, holding Louis close for a moment before pulling away. “Now, let’s go meet the boys before Niall comes banging on the door, demanding food.”
“Or Zayn shows up complaining about how unserious we are for not keeping time,” Louis giggled.
“And then Liam will tell them both off because we’re his power couple, and he loves us so much,” Harry added fondly.
“Yeah, he’s always our superhero, coming to our defense,” Louis agreed, smiling widely, holding Harry’s hand as they left the house.