Letters to Lou *Larry Stylinson*

Age 5

"Papa, does Daddy like me?"

Harry's head shot up from his dog-eared book to Darcy, who stood before him twiddling the hem of her skirt. Her cheeks, still laden with baby fat, were rosy from a day out in the snow. Upon a closer look, however, they were more blotchy instead, with dried tears trailing down her face, matting down stray strands of brown hair. Quickly, Harry set the book aside as Darcy ran more than hurriedly into his tight embrace.

"Why would you ask such a thing? Of course Daddy loves you." Harry murmurs into her hair, catching scent of the fruity shampoo that boasted to be tear-free. If only the shampoo would work outside of bath time.

Darcy murmurs into Harry's shoulder, of which he could barely hear. "What was that, honey?" Harry asks, as Darcy pulls away, tears now brimming in the corners of her eyes.

"I said, if Daddy loves me, then why doesn't he come back for Christmas?" Darcy asks again, her forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Why did he leave last Christmas? Did he not like my present?"

Harry frantically shook his head. "No, no! Not at all." Harry says, remembering the messily wrapped box remained unopened under the tree Christmas morning.

"Then why did he leave?" Darcy demands, and Harry winces at the sharpness in her words that he didn't know a five year old could make. One look at her sad blue eyes, however, and he knew it was more out of hurt than anything.

"Daddy, uh, Daddy's busy." Harry stammers, unsure what exactly he is doing. Darcy's eyes light up with curiosity, pressing him to go on. "Daddy's very busy around this time of the year, Darling. You know how Santa has elves, right?"

Darcy nods, almost excitedly.

"Well-" Harry gulps "-your daddy's an elf. He has to make all those toys for Christmas and help Santa deliver them."

Pure awe unravels across Darcy's face, as she bounces up and down on Harry's lap. "I knew it! Is that why Uncle Niall always calls Daddy an elfish bugger?"

Harry surprises himself by breaking out into laughter, as he remembers Louis' sharp cheekbones and small elf-like frame. Darcy's giggles join in, and before long, both of them are nearly in stitches.

"Papa," Darcy says, once they've sombered down a bit "When will Daddy come back?"

Harry fumbles his mind for a bit, before setting Darcy next to him on the couch and grabbing a pen and an extra Christmas card from the coffee table. "Here," Harry says, opening up the card to the blank inside. "Why don't you write Daddy a letter? I'm sure he wants to see how much your writing's improved."

Darcy giggles delightedly, before grabbing the pen and card. She bounces off the couch and onto the living room floor, resting on her stomach and propped up by her elbows. For a few moments she ponders in silence, before giving Harry a questioning look.

"What should I write?"

Harry thinks for a bit, before a light bulb lights above his head. "Why don't you write Daddy a story? You've always loved Daddy's stories, I'm sure he'll love yours." Harry grins, as Darcy smiles back satisfied. It wasn't long before the quiet house was filled with the sounds of pen scrawling away on paper, and Harry could only imagine what Darcy could have possibly conjured up.

Hi! If you've read this far, uh, thank you! Thanks for giving this a shot. Please tell me if there is any grammar things to correct, and how you feel about this so far :) -Clayla