Rivals - L.S.

Twenty Four - Covent Gardens

This chapter is broken up into a few parts, just because there's a ton of stuff Louis and Harry are going to do! Prepare yourself for lots of cuteness. Also, THANK YOU FOR 1K!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Louis was feeling oddly optimistic on the morning of Christmas Eve. Usually, he despises his birthday with all his heart, it had been that way since he was a teen who grew up wishing he had never been born. But now, here he was, awake at six thirty in the morning awaiting Harry's arrival with a smile on his face and some pep in his step. Louis had no idea what to expect or what was in store for him, but just the idea of it all made him feel warm and tingly inside. He wondered if this was what normal people felt like on their birthdays, because if it was, he had definitely been missing out.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket, signaling a text from Harry that ordered the blue eyed boy to head outside. He grabbed his wallet and keys and shoved them into his pocket, heading out to take the elevator down to the lobby. Through the glass doors, he could see Harry and, God, he looked like an angel.

The boy was wearing black jeans and a black button up, covered by a long black trench coat and a loosely hanging patterned scarf. A wide grin was on his face, his dimples looking extra deep and his eyes looking extra bright. Harry was clutching a bouquet of roses to his chest, holding a balloon that ready 'Happy 1st Birthday' with a picture of a race car.

Louis laughed out loud, then quickly covered his mouth because his doorman was looking at him like he was a freak. He quickly headed outside, pulling his coat tighter around himself to face the cold.

"Happy birthday angel!" Harry shouted upon seeing Louis, waving eagerly. He fumbled slightly as he tried not to let go of the balloon or drop the roses.

Louis smirked and called out in response, "Sorry, mister, seems like you've got the wrong guy. I'm most definitely not the little toddler you're looking for. But, I'm sure when you find him, he'll love that balloon."

Harry rolled his eyes and puffed his bottom lip out into a pout. "It was the only balloon I could find," he justified, "Besides, it's actually very symbolic. You know, it's your first real birthday. And your first birthday with me. So it fits. Now shut up, get your cute butt over here, and appreciate me."

Louis jogged across the street, pulling Harry into a tight hug and pressing a gentle kiss onto the boy's lips. He pulled away and took the items from Harry with a wide smile, "Thank you, H."

"Of course, love. Anything for you. Now, hop in because we've got 25 birthdays to cram into one day. Our schedule is tight so we'd better get moving," Harry winked, opening the passenger door up for Louis.

Louis shook his head but got into the car still, asking, "Are you sure you want to do all this? We don't have to. Really, it's not a big deal if you just want to hang out instead of spending money and wasting gas and everything." He had always felt awkward having other people do things for him and this was no different, even if he did want it.

"Louis. We are doing this. No more trying to convince me not to," Harry instructed, "Besides, I'm a pop star who doubles as a professional athlete. I don't think money and gas will prove to be big problems for me." The boy cracked a smile before shutting the door and trotting around to the driver's side.

Louis leaned back into the seat, buckling his belt and smiling out his window as they started off down the street.

-

"And here, my lovely prince, is our first destination," Harry cheered as he put the car in park.

Louis recognized the place, it was Covent Garden and it was one of the most popular winter attractions in London. Not that Louis played into winter attractions, he had never actually been there before, but one year Zayn's girlfriend tried to make him go with them. Needless to say, Louis declined. He unbuckled his seatbelt and looked around through the window.