Chapter 3

                                    

                                          
What's up Larries? I wrote another part for you...just so you know, I do have a direction with this story and will update pretty consistently-at least 1 chapter a week, and you can hold me to that! 
Enjoy reading!
Tw: S*mon Cowell
Harry snuggled into Louis' chest as Liam and Zayn walked in together. 
"Hey ladies," he greeted them, grinning, "fancy meeting you here,"
"Oh fuck off, Harold," Zayn scoffed, "we all know if someone else had hosted, you and Louis would've rolled in after management, what with Louis taking bloody forever on his hair and you choosing your jeans." 
"Oh shut up, you" Harry responded, getting up and giving Zayn a bone crushing hug, cuddling his head into the thin man's neck
"You alright?" Zayn whispered so only he could hear
Harry just nodded against his neck, blinking back the tears that gathered and swallowing back the lump in his throat. Zayn could always tell when he was feeling fragile, and he always, always checked if Harry was okay. 
"Did you eat anything yet today?" He whispered back softly
Zayn pulled back, "I will" he said shortly, plopping down on the couch next to Niall. 
Harry sat back down next to his boyfriend, who immediately placed a hand on his thigh
"What am I? The neighbor's cat?" Liam demanded, turning away from his conversation with Niall, "no hello for me?"
"Hello" Harry and Louis said together and instantly turned back to each other as if they had rehearsed ignoring Liam. Catching each other's eyes they burst out laughing and got up to jump on Liam, Harry ruffling his hair and Louis giving him a giant lovebite. 
"God, I think I'd rather be ignored," Liam mumbled with a huge smile on his face
"I'm calling bullshit," Niall announced, just as a sharp knock resounded through the room. 
"Oh for fucks sake, already?" Harry mumbled, "you get it Liam," 
"Fine," Liam jumped up and scanned the room, "Zayn, pick up that water bottle, Niall, your shoelace and Harry, pull your hoodie tighter, no need to piss off management with your hickey the second the walk in," he finished with a smirk. "Although I'm glad you and Taylor had a good time," he added on the afterthought
Harry turned to secretly glare at Louis who looked back at him innocently, both of them chuckling lightly and immediately quieting down as Simon and Paul walked in. 
"What's up boys?" Simon said with a plastic grin Harry knew to be fake. "It's been a while since I've seen you, you're looking well"
"Thanks Simon," Niall said shortly, gesturing to the 2 armchairs. Harry had to hold himself back from rolling his eyes, Zayn looked thinner than ever, he knew his own eyes were still red and he could see the way Liam was pulling his sweater sleeves down, but sure. They looked well. 
Paul stayed quiet but shot each of them a genuine smile, Harry gave him a light fist bump as he passed. He liked Paul, the only decent member of their management crew. Always quick to encourage and give real compliments. And the only one to ever notice if one of them was somewhat emotionally unavailable before an appearance. 
"So what's up, Simon?" Liam asked
"It's like this boys," Simon began, his gaze lingering on each of them, stopping to look distastefully at Harry's makeup "I've received some disturbing reports from the last show. Larry Stylinson is trending on Twitter, as is Niam, and so many people commenting that Zayn looks miserable. I mean, look at your face Harry, anyone would think you're gay. Seriously boys, you know how important our image is don't you? When you go out on stage you smile, no matter what's going on, you sell the idea that you're happy and free because image. Image brings fans. Gay couples, miserable boys, immaturity, that's what drives fans away."
Harry kept his eyes trained on his hands, studiously avoiding catching anyone's eyes. It was his fault, if the band would break up, it would end their careers it would be on him and his stupid sexuality. 
"Got it, Simon. Smile and keep it in our pants," Liam said curtly, "is that all?" Harry looked up and saw he had moved across the couch and was sitting protectively next to Zayn, Niall was clenching his fists, looking as though he might explode any second. Harry didn't dare look at his boyfriend, who he could feel getting closer to him. 
"No. One more thing, I've booked another gig for you, it's a short interview, just to help us out tomorrow afternoon. You will act appropriately and hopefully dispel some rumors. Image boys," he reminded them, his gaze sweeping over reach in turn. Harry refused to meet his eye. 
With a long suffering sigh, Simon got up to leave beckoning Paul to join him. Paul gestured for him to go out without him, "I'm just going to get some water if that's okay, Harry? Louis?"
"Sure, let me walk you to the kitchen," Louis said, jumping up. Harry looked up and met his blue eyes, they looked back at him full of warmth, with an inexplicable hardness in them. The door clicked shut behind Simon and Niall suddenly through the pillow he was holding onto the floor in frustration. 
"Bastard," he shot out, turning to head over to the window seat. Paul held out a hand to stop him.
"I'm sorry boys," he said awkwardly, trying to catch each of their eyes. "I'm so, so sorry. Just know, I'm not homophobic, not all of us are, and what's more, I know Modest! can be rough on their clients. Well, more than rough," he shrugged, catching Zayn's eye. "But there's a few of us that will have your back, no matter what, if things get out of hand, call me, I'm not the most influential but I can pull some strings here and there. You're people, boys, and I respect that."
There was a short silence, the boys looked uncomfortable, not sure what to do with themselves. They'd never discussed how Modest! treated them outside of their group. Then Harry stood up and extended his hand to Paul. 
"Thank you," he said simply
"Nice makeup," Paul replied with a wink. 
That broke the spell, the boys stood up and shook Paul's hand, Louis giving him a water. 
"Oh, I didn't need that Louis," he said chuckling, "I just couldn't stand by while he said things like that. I'll see you boys, good luck tomorrow"
"Doesn't change the fact that Simon's a bastard," Niall grumbled as the door shut behind Paul
"No," Zayn said, staring at the door, "but it sure as hell helps knowing someone's got our backs." 
"Yeah," Harry agreed, lightly smiling at Zayn and pulling him towards the couch, "it sure does."
Then, grinning cheekily, he threw a pillow at Niall and looked away innocently. 
"Oi, what'd you do that for?!" Niall yelped, picking up a pillow and attempting to smother Harry with it. Harry jumped up from the couch and ran to Louis, holding him in front of him like a shield. 
"No sorry, Harold, you're on your own," Louis laughed, going to sit with Zayn who was observing with a sad smile tugging at his lips. Harry ducked behind Liam who instantly moved aside,
"Nope. Not getting involved lads, way too much risk."
"Damn right!" Niall yelled, finally getting ahold of Harry's shoulders, shoving him down to the wall and sitting on top of him, smashing his head with the pillow and wheezing with laughter. Harry held his arms up to shield his head, struggling to push Niall off him,
"Save me, Lou!" He called, hardly breathing through his giggles
"I'm coming, Haz!" Louis jumped up, picking up a pillow and running towards them. Laughing, he smashed the pillow into Niall, knocking him off balance. Together, the boyfriends dragged Niall to the center of the living room where they pelted him with pillow after pillow as he lay immobilized laughing on the floor. 
"You....fucker." he wheezed between laughs, pointing at Liam. 
The boys turned and rolled their eyes. 
"Lima!! Twitcam? Really? I've still got a full face on!" 
"Oh shut it Harold, you look hot, and no one's gonna convince me that looking gorgeous is not okay." Liam huffed as he shut his phone. "besides, you're standing with your back to the camera, no one can tell." 
"Alright whatever," Harry groaned. "Lou can you order takeout? Lads you're staying for dinner." He half commanded. 
"Won't be a problem," Niall grinned. "let's discuss strategies for, what was it? Smiling and keeping it in our pants."
"Oh fuck offfff Niall," Zayn groaned as he came to join them. 
"I agree," Harry said, putting an arm around Zayn. "But you are staying for dinner."
"Fine by me," Liam shrugged, "just make it pizza, please"
Harry caught Zayn's eye and motioned him aside. "Zayn-"
"No Harry, don't make me eat...I'm not hungry."
"Zayn please, I won't force you to eat anything heavy, but tell me, what will you eat? Or can I order you a smoothie so you'll at least get some nutrients?"
"Maybe....maybe a salad or garlic bread. But not both, and sure, I'll drink a smoothie."
"You got it, Ringo." Harry ruffled his hair. 
"I'm getting jealous here!" Louis called, "what are you both getting?"
"I'll have a giant portion of chips, a personal pizza and a chocolate milkshake, and Zayn will have garlic bread, a salad and a smoothie."
Zayn opened his mouth to protest but Harry stopped him, "you'll have the salad for breakfast tomorrow. I'll make sure the dressing is on the side."
"Thanks Hazza," Zayn mumbled. 
"You're not alone, Ringo," Harry told him, "you've got five lads who know what you're going through, and we got your back."
With that, he left Zayn alone with his thoughts and spontaneously gave Louis a giant hug. Surprised, Louis hugged him back tightly. 
"What for, angel?" He whispered 
"For everything," he whispered back, nuzzling his head into Louis' neck. 
"Can we tell them, love?" Louis asked him, pulling Harry back a little to look him in the eye. "Niall knows," 
Harry looked at him for a minute and then nodded to the door, Louis understood
"Lads, Harold and I are going to pick up the pizza order, be back in 20 minutes, don't wreck the house, and don't touch the fucking cake."
"What's with you and the bloody cake," Niall grumbled from behind a large grin
"More'n your life's worth if you try find out," Harry warned, laughingly. 
Niall let out a long suffering sigh, "just go get our food fuckers," he growled, heading back to the couch with a beer bottle he had nicked from the fridge. 
"On it, Liam, please keep the lads in check mate,"
"You got it," Liam nodded, throwing him a wallet, "here, dinners on me,"
"Thanks dad!" Harry called, stepping outside with Louis and heading for the car. 
Louis held the door open for him and he giggled, "thanks Sunshine," he grinned, climbing in. As Louis jumped in and started the car, Harry grinned cheekily at him and said, "the answer is yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. Fuck it. Let's tell them. And, Lou?"
"Angel?" Louis responded, hardly daring to breathe
"Let's tell our families too."
"Harrold? What? Seriously?" Louis sputtered, turning to face him properly
"Dead serious, if you're okay with that," he added, suddenly shy
"Fuck yeah!" Louis grinned, starting the car, and leaning over to kiss his boyfriend hard. Harry kissed him back, biting on Louis' lower lip to open his mouth, and slipping his tongue into his mouth. They made out for a little while until Harry's phone buzzed. He looked down and grinned sheepishly, "it's Niall, he wants to know how long we're gonna be."
"Shit, we better get going then," Louis laughed, pulling out of the driveway
"Alright, how we gonna tell them?" Harry smiled, he loved watching Louis drive, there was something so sexy about the way Louis gripped the wheel with one hand, keeping the other one protectively on Harry's thigh. 
"What about something like, 'hey guys, Louis and I are dating,'"
"Lameeee," Harry groaned. They tossed ideas before them, each more ridiculous than the rest, laughing and teasing each other
"I got it," Louis said as they pulled up, and Harry couldn't help but smile fondly at the mischievous glint in Louis' eyes. He looked like a little child when he got like that,
"What is it Sunshine?" He asked
"Let's just not tell them. Let's just act as if they've known all along, and film how shocked they are."
"Cheeky bastard," Harry laughed loudly, "it's perfect" 
Louis reached over and kissed his hand quickly, before walking around to open the door, 
"M'lady," he said quietly so no one could hear,
They both pulled on baseball caps and dodged into the pizza store to pick up their order. 
It's about to be a big shocking reveal for the other lads... ;)
And what are we thinking of King Paul? 
And Zarry Stylik? 
So much to unpack in this chapter
Stay tuned for more!
-Lila xx