A Handcuffed Christmas

8

"Mum, what would you say about celebrating Christmas with Louis' family this year?" Harry asked at breakfast the next day. They were on their way back to Doncaster to spend a couple of days there.

"Oh, well... That sounds lovely, but I have to ask Gemma and your grandparents as well. Would we spend it here or in Doncaster or what did you have in mind?" Anne wondered and drank her tea.

Harry exchanged a look with Louis.
"Uhm, we haven't really planned it. We thought we would ask first. Louis?"

"I haven't talked to me mum yet, but spontaneously I would say our house since we are a big family. Me mum is used to the fuzz. I wouldn't want you to get stressed out even if we obviously all would help out. Otherwise Harry and I can just rent a place, like a hotel or something?" Louis said.

"That's very considerate of you, dear. I just have to ask, you haven't planned on removing those handcuffs?" Anne asked, an amused smile playing on her lips.

"My family would totally rat us out. I've asked." Louis snorted.

"Alright then. How about if I give Jay a call?" Anne suggested.

"That would be great but I should probably talk to her first. I'll give her a ring now." Louis smiled.

He shoved the last of his toast down and stood up. Harry was drinking the last spot of tea and hurried to empty it. Where Louis went he had to go, or the other way around. They sat on his bed in his old room and he listened to Louis talking to his mum about Christmas and remembered the first Christmas they had as a band. They had been allowed to go home and celebrate. He and Louis had spent a couple of days apart and then Louis had called and invited him over because he missed him so much. A lot had changed since then.

"Me mum will talk to Anne about it. Hey, what's wrong?" Louis asked and looked at him.

Harry tried to smile.
"Nothing, that's great!"

"Why do you look so sad then?" Louis wondered.

"I'm not. I just remembered our first Christmas." Harry replied, trying to sound casual.

"Oh, yeah, that was a great one." Louis replied softly.

Harry glanced at him.
"Yeah, so, let's pack our bags. I bet you're anxious to get back to Doncaster."

"Yeah, I wanna see my family, but we'll come back here in a couple of days." Louis smiled.

"Look at us cooperating. We should send Niall a video. Maybe he'll let us get rid of the handcuffs earlier?" Harry suggested.

"I wouldn't count on it but it's worth a try." Louis smirked.

He picked up his phone and they put their heads closer together. Louis pressed recording.
"Hello, our beloved arch-nemesis. As you can see Harry and I haven't killed each other."

Harry rolled his eyes. Louis was always so overdramatic. He raised his arm.
"And as you can see we still have the handcuffs on."

"Yeah, we're playing it nice. Can we take these off now?" Louis asked and shook his wrist.

They sent the video to Niall. They received a reply minutes later.

I'm glad you're getting along. Nice try but the cuffs stay on. Remember, I have eyes everywhere!

They both sighed deeply. Damn Niall!