Merman In The Water - Larry Stylinson AU Merman!Louis

Chapter 25

[E/N]: HELLO ONCE AGAIN AUDIENCE. WHEN WE LEFT OFF, SOPHIE AND I WERE BEING ABSOLUTE SHITHEADS AND WE STILL ARE SHITHEADS BC WE CAN'T REMEMBER IF THERE'S FANART OR NOT. IF THERE IS, FEEL FREE TO SHOOT US.
[S/N] I DID NOTHING FOR THIS CHAPTER BECAUSE I AM A PIECE OF POO POO. *grins widely*

"Can your dad maybe go away for awhile?" Zayn asked, nervously examining a heavily breathing Harry that Louis was anxiously patting at.

"I wish," Louis mumbled to the older lad before continuing to pet Harry's shoulders, back, and face. "It's alright, love, that doesn't mean I'm leaving again. He can just walk himself up here if he wants. If he can walk."

"Naked and all..." Niall pursed his lips, but then shuddered. "Someone make sure he has clothes on, please..."

Liam interjected, nodding towards the storm, "I think that is intended to bring Louis back."

At that, Harry grabbed Louis by the hand, wiped at his eyes, and determinedly began rushing Harry towards the door of the house, "Well that's too bad. It doesn't get to bring him back. Louis is old enough to decide when and for how long he wants to go back! Um... right, Louis?"

"Right, babe," Louis murmured in assurance, letting Harry protectively fold around him and move him inside the house. Niall, Zayn, and Liam all followed, and Liam and Zayn exchanged glances before Zayn murmured, "Harry... you're about as intimidating as a startled kitten. You're going to 'protect' Louis from king of all the oceans?"

"I'm going to defend Louis from his father," Harry huffed.

"Maybe my father," Louis mumbled, leaning a bit into Harry's back where Harry was shielding him from nothing in particular. "He's apparently king first, so..."

"Ah, that sucks, Lou," Liam grimaced. "Sorry your dad is so uptight..."

"Uptight is an understatement," Niall huffed. "Especially about this situation. I was there. It was like he wasn't going to hear Louis out at all. Like, generally I thought the king was a good king but after that, I don't know. If you can't even be a father to your children how are you going to be a good king to your people?"

"He doesn't get to force Louis to stay down there," Harry said determinedly. "I get to see Louis, too..."

"The king will smite you, Harry," Zayn said slowly. "Just be careful..."

Paul came up from the shop, suddenly, blinking in surprise at the lads, "Oh. Hello, boys. I was expecting you to be out celebrating Louis and Niall's return."

"Well we probably would be celebrating still," Niall explained. "But Louis' father figured out that we left? And I think he knows that we're on land again because he's sending a storm in."

Paul's eyes widened, "I see... how bad of a storm are we talking here?"

"Don't make him go back!" Harry pleaded.

"No, m'boy, no," Paul assured. "I won't send him away if he wants to stay here. However, what's happening between Louis and his father is between Louis and him, yes? So we can't necessarily get involved. Louis can stay here away from his dad if he would like, or he could go again to talk reason to him."

"We just have to hope he doesn't start taking out humans to get to Louis," Zayn pointed out. "Because from what I hear, Louis' dad isn't too fond of us. If a few humans get killed, what is that to him? As long as Louis is back, is he going to care much?"

"He can't hurt you all," Louis gasped. "There has to be some sort of rule in The Great Book! Ugh, I should have looked again-"

"It's alright," Harry said softly, clinging to Louis. "You're worth a little flooding. I might need to work on my swimming. I just need you here with me..."