i'll be hurt from the heat (running from the heat)

Chapter 1

The moment Louis met Harry he knew. Like a key in a lock, or the last piece of the jigsaw.

He didn't know anything about the boy but he was certain this was his boy, despite the fact that he had to be reminded plenty of times things don't happen like they do in films or books.

He fell in love with the boy with the shiny bright eyes and the sunshine smiles before he even knew if fate, genetics and destiny were on his side.

It turned out in the end, they were, mostly.

.

"You have to stop doing that," Louis says, his chest moving up and down with each deep breath he takes, jostling Harry's head rhythmically. Harry likes the simple comfort of being rocked back and forth. It makes him feel smaller than he is. The statement is vague and he could be referring to any one thing that happened during their quick and heated encounter.

Harry burrows his head toward Louis in an effort to hide himself. It could mean anything, but he knows exactly what it means, without thought and without a doubt.

"I know," Harry murmurs into his chest, his hand creeping up to grip at his rib cage. "I know," he repeats, before closing his eyes and giving into his desire to almost purr toward his source of heat, curling in on himself and making it his home.

He does know. That's the thing.

"It's only because I love you," Louis says. He brushes Harry's hair from his forehead. It's his voice and it sends a spark up Harry's spine. Harry knows he has to believe it. It's all he's got.

.

Nobody flat out hands Louis a form or makes him sign a sheet saying no. It's not blunt and forceful, you can't get away with that type of treatment in modern society. People have rights and lawyers and money.

Instead they sat him down at a long table without Harry by his side. The suits and folders and cold stares topped with warm smiles laid it out clearly.

Harry and Louis weren't as secretive as they had hoped on the show. It was clear they knew. But it was more evident, they knew and they wouldn't turn a blind eye anymore.

"We just want to talk to you Louis," the woman with the black ponytail and glasses started casually. She was pure alpha and it was funny to Louis how she thought she could speak to him in a particular way to get his attention. He was a pure alpha, almost fully grown, it did nothing but aggravate him. He was not some undeveloped child uncertain of his power hiding within the shell of himself.

He thinks, that actually might be the problem here. They aren't dealing with children (despite the fact that they seem to think so).

"If you've got to talk to me about what I think you want to, you ought to do it in front of Harry also," Louis replied, hand clenched on the white table top.

They tittered together, rolled eyes and murmurs of secrets. "We've already talked to Harry," the same woman replies. She is less dominant this time, Louis voice must have assured her she will be doing nothing but picking fights. He falters for a second in that thought, Harry.

He hopes Harry wasn't in here alone. That wouldn't be allowed. That shouldn't be allowed. It ruptures something in him, the deep protective side he is so desperately trying to hide from himself, Harry and the world. It's just – the thought- even the idea of Harry being alone here, vulnerable to manipulation and power trips makes Louis need to scratch at his palms.

"Louis," she repeats. "We know you plan on moving in together," she says like it's common knowledge, it isn't. It's their thing, not something for the whole world to go on about. "That isn't going to be possible."