Out in the Cold (Zianourry) ON HOLD

Seven

The next morning Harry wakes up before the other four boys again, and again cooks breakfast. Niall, as expected, is the first one stumbling in the kitchen. 

"Marry me, please." The blond jokes, peering up through his lashes at Harry, spooning some oatmeal in his mouth as soon as he's finished speaking.

Harry laughs, louder than he expected too, quickly slapping a hand over his mouth, while Niall grins widely, extremely pleased of himself. "Jeez, Niall, at least take me out to dinner first." He jokes right back, surprising himself.

Niall's grin grows, as he playfully slaps his forehead. "Right! The food! How could I ever forget the food?"

"Did I just hear Niall say he forgot about food?" Louis asks as he walks into the kitchen, his eyes, though wide, blinking sleepily as he lets a yawn escape his lips. "It's a miracle!"

Harry laughs at Louis' teasing, causing the cerulean eyes to turn on him. "Seriously, I swear this boy loves food more than he does us." Louis tells him, amusement laced in his voice.

Niall nods his head eagerly, quickly swallowing his food. "I would leave you all if I could marry food. Specifically Harry's food. This shit is amazing."

"This is really good food." Louis says in agreement. "Where'd you learn to cook, if you don't mind me asking."

Harry's body tenses a little, like it always does when he thinks of his past. "I uh, I taught myself." He forces himself to shrug, but he's sure it probably came out as a grimace.

Both boys frown, and Louis gently sets his silverware down, stares straight into Harry's eyes as he says, "Look, I'm not sure what you've been through, and I know you don't know us well enough or are ready to tell us, but all four of us are here for you, to listen, to help, whatever you need, whenever you need it, okay?"

Harry nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thank you, Louis. That means a lot, really."

Louis nods, smiling back. Then Zayn, followed by Liam, enters the kitchen, messy-haired and hungry.

As the two sit down in their places at the table, Harry can't help but ask, "Okay, how the hell does Zayn still look like a model, even with bedhair?"

This causes everyone to laugh, Harry allows himself a moment to feel proud. "We 'ave no clue honestly," Louis answers. "We've just gotten used to the fact that none of us are as pretty as him."

"Except maybe you," Niall jumps in, trying (and failing) to wink.

"Niall, honey, we've talked about this. That's just blinking." Liam sighs, exasparatedly, shaking his head.

"That was too a wink!" Niall complains, glaring at Liam. He turns to Harry, jutting his bottom lip out. "Right, Hazza?"

Harry's eyes widen, and he quickly shoves a spoonful of oatmeal in his mouth, gesturing wildly at it. Liam, Louis, and Zayn burst into laughter, while Niall's pout deepens. "I thought you were on my side!" He yells, pushing up from his chair and storming out of the room.

He walks back in moments later. "Forgot my food." He mumbles, sending a glare at each and every single boy.

Liam's holding back a snicker, Louis and Zayn are full on laughing, and Harry.. Harry's frozen, staring wide eyed at the table.

"Harry?" Niall says softly, walking around the table to the boy. His hands land on top of Harry's, gently prying his fingers off of the spoon, letting it fall back into the bowl.

"What's wrong, Harry?" Liam goes full protective mode, standing up from his chair and walking briskly to join Niall by Harry's side.

Harry snaps out of it a moment later, shaking his head and standing up from the table, mumbling 'I'm fine, forget it.'