Subtletys

Chapter 3: Act Like You Deserve Me

Sorry for not updating! Here is an early update to make up for last week's missed one! Enjoy xxx

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Being back on the court felt like gaining sensation back in a numbed limb. It felt so refreshing to be darting around on court, diving for the ball and jumping up to land killer spikes.

Louis felt like he was in heaven until his left arm started to ache and cramp up.

He took a break at the sidelines since Harry had warned him about not playing too long with a freshly healed arm. Not sooner than he had sat down on the bench did the other lads joined him, all being called by Coach Vines who had dragged the whiteboard out of his office.

"Last night there was a spontaneous invite from Buckingham. They're hosting a weekend practice match on campus."

Coach Vines made a shushing noise impatiently when the crowd of players stirred.

"Missing out on a few lame parties wouldn't kill you lot. So, be there. We're closing in on the Winter Cup and I expect everyone to be on their best behavior."

This last sentence was aimed directly at Louis who slouched lower on the bench, tucking his chin into the high collar of his team jacket.

"Doesn't Buckingham have... What's his face? Dave Allen on the team?"

After practice, the locker room was a buzz as Louis tried to ignore the concerned stares in his direction.

He was the first to hightail out of the suffocating locker room, only to run (almost) head first into Harry who was dragging a sack full of volleyballs towards the equipment room.

"Can you watch where you're going, clumsy omega?" Louis rubbed at the point where his head had come into slight contact with the nearby wall since he had veered away at the last second so as not to run headfirst into Harry's shoulder.

Harry gave him an unimpressed roll of the eyes, bending down to hoist the sack up again. Louis smacked the back of the omega's hand lightly, roughly tugging the sack away.

"Isn't Steve the one on ball duties?" He muttered as he started down the hallway towards the equipment room.

"Lou..."

After he had successfully(ish) tossed the sack of volleyballs into the room and kicked aside some rusty cones so that Harry wouldn't trip over at the entrance, he turned to find the omega nervously twiddling his thumbs, bottom lip tucked between his teeth.

"What?"

"You know... You don't have to join the weekend trip to Buckingham."

Louis huffed. "Not you too."

"I mean it!" Louis wasn't quick enough to dodge Harry's hand which had flown out to grasp the hem of his jacket sleeve. "You haven't seen him since he transferred..."

He had long put Dave behind him after their "huge" falling out. Dave had been the first person he had befriended in Brunel and also the first friend he had lost.

"Doesn't matter anymore. I don't care about him." Louis sighed, jerking his arm away. "You shouldn't be worried about trivial things, Curly." He added quickly when he saw the shadow falling over Harry's face.

The omega still looked unconvinced, pigeon toed and endearingly frowning at Louis in such a way that one would think the alpha was sick and on his death bed.

"Come on." He chuckled, putting out a hand, squeezing Harry's love handle. "I might as well drive you home. It's cold out."

Harry's face immediately morphed into a nonplus pout. "You're trying to change the subject."