Maybe we can (L.S.)

15

"So. Any special requirements food-wise?" Harry asked, inspecting his fridge after they had left Emma and Mikey playing with Sam in the living room.

"Not really. We'll eat anything. Just nothing that needs a lot of chewing" Liam smiled.

Harry started taking out multiple containers of food from the fridge "I already had some roasted veggies and chicken meatballs ready. Would that be okay? I also have pumpkin puree, or I can prepare something else if-"

"Harry! It's okay. Veggies and meatballs sounds perfect" Liam interrupted.

"Okay then" Harry said as he turned to grab some plates from the cabinet.

"Fuck" He mumbled and winced as he put more weight on his left leg. He really should take his prosthesis off but he didn't want to freak Liam out. They were already starting to get along.

"You okay? Here, let me help you with the table" Liam asked, eyeing him with concern.

"Yeah, thanks" Harry said quickly. Passing the plates to Liam.

Just as they were all settled around the table a loud bang coming from the hallway was heard.

"What was that?" Liam jumped in his seat.

But Harry didn't have time to answer as Niall sutumbled inside the kitchen.

"Harry! I'm going o diie... I need food!" Niall whinned.

"Hey, Ni! I didn't think you were coming. How did you get here?" Harry said

"A friend dropped me. Thanks for worrying for me, by the way. I could have died there, you know? With no food in the middle of nowhere" Niall said while inspecting the fridge.

"God! Just grab something and stop whinning, Ni. We have guests if you didn't notice" Harry said pointing to Liam and Mikey.

"Oh, hi Liam! How are you doing, Mikey?" Niall said, messing Mikey's hair with his hand.

"Hi mate. Nice to see mine isn't the only house you barge in undexpected" Liam chuckled.

"What? You knew each other already?" Harry asked, looking confused. Not that it surprised him. Niall was friends with everyone he crossed paths with, but he was confused as he had failed to mention he, apparently, was great friends with his neighbor.

"Yeah, I've known him since we moved here nearly three years ago... What a small world" Liam answered, seein that Niall was busy looking at the food container that was now slowly turning inside the microwave.

Harry shook his head in amusment, watching as Niall sat on a stool and started to munch some meatballs, nodding his head in agreament.

"Mate, you are gross. Little Mikey here already eats better than you do" Liam said, looking at Mikey who was carefully grabbing a piece of carrot with his fingers, as he still had trouble with using the fork.

"Well, it's not my fault that he eats so delicately, is it? Besides, he's got some sauce on his forehead" Niall replied. "Anyway, how did you meet? I thought Sam had his appointment today" He asked.

"He did. We actually met there. Liam saw us waiting for the bus and kindly offered to take us home. And then we discovered we were neighbors so, here we are" Harry answered.

"Oh, great! It makes sense. He is the reason I knew about the ECAC" Niall nodded.

"Could have mentioned you were friends with my neighbor" Harry said.

Niall just shrugged and continued eating as both Harry and Liam laughed.

After they all finished, Liam went to the living room with the kids while Harry cleaned the table and put the plates in the dishwasher but, as soon as he got up, a sharp pain shot trough his leg and he fell to the floor.

"Fuck" Harry mumbled.

"Wow! Are you okay?" Liam asked reentering the kitchen holding a hand to help Harry up.

"Harryy! You've been wearing this crappy leg all day? You said it hurt you! Why didn't you take it off as soon as you arrived?" Niall shouted in concern.

"What? I think I'm missing something here" Liam said confused.

"Hmmpf! I just... I just didn't want Liam to know..." Harry whispered for only Niall to hear.

"Oh God, Harry! Cut the crap and take it off before you start bleeding, will you?" Niall huffed. "Liam won't care about it. Not everyone is an ashole like Ethan, Harry" He added softly, squeezing his shoulder.

Harry sighed, looking up at Liam's confused eyes before he looked down again and started taking off his prosthetic leg. He winced when he finished and saw the reddish skin and blister that the plaster had tried and failed to cover.

"Holly cow, Harry! No wonder you were in pain earlier! I'm no expert but it looks like you shoudn't be wearing this" Liam exclaimed.

Harry looked at him and was glad to see that his face didn't show disgust or pity, just shock "I know... I just didn't want you to freak out and leave".

"Why would I leave? You seem to be a nice lad and the kids are really getting along" Liam shrugged.

After that, they all went to the living room together, Harry with a cold pack to ease his pain, and sat there chatting and playing with the kids until Liam went back home with Mikey asleep in his arms, promising to meet again the next day.