Just One Little Favour

Twenty

Harry looks up at the ticking clock.

He's only got fifteen minutes until the children can all go home, but he can't help the small flap in his tummy from flickering to life when he thinks about letting the kids out of class and seeing a familiar blue eyed man child he calls his fake boyfriend.

He hates how his feelings go from one to the other, telling him Louis is a right twit, but then wanting to fall to his knees in front of him whenever he flashes a cheeky grin, the way his eyes light up and his cheekbones look as though they could slice diamond.

He can't help that his brain finds the guy attractive. He's one of the most attractive lads he's fallen his eyes upon. Don't get him wrong, Fillip was cute, but he was an ass. He won't get into what that pretty boy did, because it still haunts him to this day. He can barely even look at himself in the mirror without his skin crawling—still got those scars from what he did. No matter how cute Fillip's brown doughy eyes were, or the way his glasses would shimmer under the moonlight, he was ugly at the core.

He looks up from his marking of the spelling bees to find Joseph plodding his way over. He allowed them to have half an hour golden time, so the kids are all playing nicely with the cars and other toys.

Joe plops his head into Harry's chest, sighing heavily. "Daddy, when is it home time?"

Harry quirks a brow, strokes Joseph's hair back. "'M not your Daddy, lad."

Joe looks up, brows furrowed. "Oh. But you like playing Mummy and Daddy."

Harry smiles. "I do, but only with my family," he explains.

Joe tilts his head to the side. "Huh. I think I understand." He looks to his hands that rest on Harry's knees. "I miss my Daddy."

Harry frowns. "Oh, Buddy, I'm sure you'll see him soon."

Joe begins picking his nose and Harry is quick to pry his finger from digging further. He wipes the tip of his finger with a tissue, tossing it in the bin.

"Do you think my Mummy and Daddy will break apart like Uncle Louis and his boyfriend Paddy did?"

This has Harry's ears perking. So Louis has or rather had a boyfriend recently. He doesn't want to pry, but he also very much wants to know the details.

"I'm not one to decide if they will or not, Joseph, but I know that whatever decision they do go for, will be for your own benefit. So Louis had a boyfriend?"

Joe nods. "Yuh. It was ages ago. He told me Paddy was a cow, and that he only wanted him for his money. I tolds Uncle Loulou that I'd never love him for his money. I love him cause he's my Meow!" Joe flicks his hands in the air, making a big show of it, grin scrunching up his eyes.

"You're a good boy, Joseph." Harry holds his hand out for a high five and Joe is quick to slap his hand to his.

Harry looks up at the time. "Right, guys, it's home time, please pop all the toys away and grab your things, lining up at the door sensibly, please!" he calls.

The sound of clanging from chair legs hitting table legs echo, the donks and clanks of toys being thrown into boxes mixes with the sounds of the children chatting excitedly to each other as they all shuffle to grab their things.

Harry goes to stand at the door, gives a head count before leading the small class out of their classroom and toward the front of the building.

The sun is warm when the doors open and it hugs the skin. He squints his eyes against the rays and scans the front courtyard to find the parents.

His eyes land on a particular boy wearing white chinos and a belt, a blue polo shirt hugging his waist. He holds up a hand and waves towards Joey, the young boy bombarding down the stairs and straight into his arms.