Things have been running smoothly.
Harry has talked a little bit more about his past, especially after navigating the nappy situation. Louis had managed to get Harry in a nappy the last time he dropped successfully. Harry still sobbed when he came up, immediately begging Louis to get him out of it, but overall it went okay.
Louis got Harry to tell him about the tub situation, why for a while after they first started it was a rough time. Harry told him that he used to usually be kept dirty and when he did need a bath he was scrubbed so aggressively it left his skin burning and raw, his hair cleaned recklessly so soap always got in his eyes. Then his hair was left, mats forming, only to be brushed out so hard chunks were ripped out.
As it does every time Harry opens up to him about things, Louis' heart broke. Harry was literally the most gentle person Louis has ever met. So utterly beautiful, soft, and innocent. Louis hates that he couldn't protect Harry from that. Hates that Harry was so traumatized that the only way his body knows how to cope is to dissociate and regress. Louis is just thankful that he's here now. That he can provide love and comfort and happiness for both big and little Harry.
"Do we have to go shopping?" Louis whined.
Harry rolled his eyes. "I mean, we don't have to if you're prepared to starve."
Louis groaned before finishing his tea. "Just wanted to snuggle my boy, maybe fuck him too," He grumbled, taking care of his cup.
"We can have a good snuggle when we come back."
Louis eyed him from the side. "You didn't mention any fucking?"
Harry flicked his nose. "Stop complaining about having to come shopping with me and we'll see. Be a good boy," He teased.
Louis gasped. Harry giggled and tried to run from Louis who was now coming toward him. Louis caught him though, holding his hips and keeping him in place. "Who needs to be a good boy?"
Harry blushed but stuck his tongue out at Louis real quick. "Daddy does."
Louis raised an eyebrow, pulling Harry in closer. "Excuse me, Darling?"
Harry sighed dramatically and smiled. "I need to be a good boy."
Louis smiled and kissed Harry quickly. "And you are. My very best boy, yeah?"
Harry nodded, hugging Louis. "Your best boy," He agreed.
"Alright," Louis finally sighed. "Let's go get stocked up."
The two pulled their shoes on and headed out to the store. Louis smiled while Harry sang along to the radio. He loved seeing Harry content and happy. It was a short drive to the store, once there, Louis took the duty of cart pushing while Harry held the list and took the lead. It was still weird sometimes. Thinking about how well Louis takes care of Harry when he's little when Louis generally is shit at taking care of things. He supposes it's kind of like a switch. Like when he knows that Harry needs him to be there and take charge, he's able to step up to the plate.
Shopping was pretty status quo. Louis scowling at anything healthy Harry placed in the cart, sneaking in the good snacks when the younger wasn't looking and pitching a fit when Harry spotted them and tried to remove them. The same routine they went through every single time they went shopping.
Louis was tapping the toe of his shoes on the ground while Harry read the nutrition facts on the back of soup cans. He lolled his head back and sighed before pulling it back up and looking around. He furrowed his eyebrows when something caught his eye though. "Hey, Haz?"
"Hmm?" Harry hummed, nodding to himself before placing a few cans in the cart.
"Do you know that man over there? He keeps looking at you," Louis said, pointing down the aisle. Harry turned his head and Louis watched as the lad's entire body tensed at the same time the other man smiled once he saw Harry's face. "Harry?" Louis asked.
