Forced Family Fun

seventeen

After much contemplation Louis ended up staying for the game. Obviously he called Ashton to make sure the man didn't mind babysitting a little while longer - which he didn't - but yeah he stayed, and god was he glad he stayed. Now it's no secret that Harry is an amazing father, but as Louis watched him cheer his son on he could immediately see just how much passion he has for what they do.

Anyone could tell Harry knew close to jack shit about football, however, with all the screaming he was doing he could probably pull off as being the sport's biggest fan...so long as you didn't listen to the words he shouted. From shoot in the basket to he used his hands when shouting at the goalie. For Louis it was obviously entertaining, however, he saw the look of annoyance on Niall's face each time he had to correct the man.

Eventually, though, the game came to an end and not only had Manchester won but Liam scored the only goal of the game. Harry looked just about ready to run into the team huddle upon the game ending, but thankfully Louis and Niall were able to distract his mind long enough for Liam to finally come over to them on his own. However, once that happened Louis had no control of Harry's reactions.

"Oh I'm so proud of you! My baby boy. You did so well out there, and you made the basket and just how did you get so athletic? Obviously it didn't come from me," Harry joked as he hugged the boy.

"Thanks dad," Liam mumbled as he hugged his father back before noticing Louis. "Oh, uh, I didn't think you would come to the game."

"Well typically on Mondays I'm reserved from four to four thirty to watch the latest Wiggles episode, however, we're on a by-week this time around, so I decided to swing by. And I'm sure glad I did," Louis jokes which causes Niall to laugh as well as Liam to crack a smile.

"I say this calls for a celebration. Let's all go out to dinner, and Liam why don't you ask some of your teammates if they want to jo-"

"Dad," Liam said flatly, and that was enough to get the father to stop talking.

It took the man a minute but eventually he was able to pick up on what the boy wanted him to do, and that in turn could only make him frown. He didn't want his son living in fear of making friends, but at the same time he knows this is all still fresh for him so he wasn't about to push anything.

"Or we can just do a dinner with us. Nandos?" Harry offers which has Liam nodding softly before the older man turns to Louis. "Care to spare another hour or so? I'm sure Ashton can manage."

And of course Louis contemplates the thought for a few moments because he wasn't just going to decide, however, eventually he found himself agreeing as he made his way to his own car so he could follow Harry to the restaurant.

It didn't take long for the two cars to make their way to the restaurant and before anyone knew it they were all seated at a booth as Harry placed everyone's orders. Seeing as it was just Louis, Niall, and Liam at the table, though, the older man took this as a chance to get to know the youngest Styles a bit better.

"So, Niall, I noticed you were really into your brother's game. You like football as well?" Louis questions.

"I love it! When I grow up I'm gonna be a football player unlike Liam who wants to be like a doctor or a writer or something," Niall says as he rolls his eyes towards the end at Liam's interest.

"Nothing wrong with wanting to be either of those things. I mean, when you become a football player if you ever get hurt you'll need a doctor, so Liam could help you out with that if he becomes that. Or if he becomes a writer he can write up stories about all your games and brag about you," Louis says which actually causes Niall to think a bit about how this could be convenient.