silver diadem

day seven (bachelor (ette) party)

The next morning, Liam was up early, prepared to go straight to the orphanage and stay all day. He had established with Mrs. Benson he'd return early. She promised the door would be unlocked; he was invited to go straight upstairs without checking in.

Niall was sleepy but fond of the relationship Liam had already made with their foster child. After almost a year of arguments, Niall was beyond happy Liam finally felt the same way he did about having a child; specifically, Griffin.

When they arrived, the facility was quiet yet again, being 8am. Liam hoped Griffin was awake. He smiled at Mrs.Benson through her open office door before rushing up the stairs and into the 10-12 year olds room. Few boys were awake, playing with cards or reading. Liam didn't see Griffin but knew he had a history of hiding from the visit yesterday. The man looked around every corner and under every bed.

The words isolation and his parents jumbled his mind. Perhaps, they'd come for him already. Maybe he had a nightmare and Benson didn't know what to do, yet again. Liam was worried.

"He's gone," he muttered, worried, to Niall. Niall's face was graced with a sad smile. He nodded slowly.

"We had to be prepared for this, love. He's a foster kid. We'd have to give him up eventually," Niall tried to soothe. Anger stretched through Liam; he took a few deep breaths before letting himself get sad. He knew this would happen: he would get his hopes up and something would go wrong.

"It's okay," Liam whispered. He hadn't shown true vulnerability since Niall and Liam had gotten married. "Um, we can l-look at the others i-if you'd l-like."

Niall sighed, defeated but nodded. This was a major setback. Both boys gazed around the room seeing most boys still sleeping.

"We can go into a different room, now," Niall offered.

The men walked hand and hand to the next room over, the same layout. More boys were awake, however, Liam stayed quiet the whole time, letting Niall introduce him. None of the boys stood out.

As they neared the last bunk beds, Liam saw it first. The tufts of brunette hair creeping from the blanket and he knew.

He raced over to the bed, carefully peeling the blanket off of the boys face to reveal Griffin, sound asleep breathing harshly. Liam wanted to squeal. He ignore his urges and carefully sat down next to the boy, rubbing his fingertips over his back carefully, soothing him. Immediately, Griffins breaths became lighter and smooth.

Niall sat lightly next to Liam, gripping his hand into Liam's unoccupied one, watching lovingly.

After 30 minutes, Griffin slowly awoke, smiling at the sight of Liam and Niall.

"Hello, Misters!" He grumbled happily.

"Good morning, Griff. Why are you in this room?"

Griffin pouted. "Yesterday was my birthday, that's why I wasn't in isolation again. It was my birthday present to be out. I told Mrs. Benson to tell you guys, maybe she forgot."

Both Liam and Niall knew she couldn't "forget" but ignored it, Liam making a mental note to question Benson later.

•••

Louis groaned in frustration. His students in Paris continued to send him more video. "One! I asked for one!" he hissed to himself angerly.

Louis was trying his best to stay involved and he had asked one of the parents using the group chat he had to send ONE video of the dancers progress. Of course, every mom found it necessary. He kept himself from sending them a hateful message explaining the meaning of the word "one."

"Lou?" Harry descended the stairs, only boxers on his hips. He had more tattoos than Louis remembered. He couldn't help but think how much he would love to ravish-

"Louis? Are you big, bubby?"

Harry's tone made Louis want to slap him. He knew Harry was only acting this way for his own entertainment and it bothered Louis. Being little wasn't something to joke about for him.

"Yes. Please stop babying me. You're not my daddy." Louis seethed.

Harry put his hands up defensively. "Okay, okay, was just seeing if you needed help with anything," Harry offered.

Louis rolled his eyes. "Ya know, you really hurt your mum." Louis didn't know Anne had made up with Harry. "She's a sweet woman and you made her angry. She must've been upset over more than just a wedding, Styles," Louis teased. He knew Anne was upset that Louis wouldn't be marrying Harry but his anger couldn't let him bring himself to care all that much. He had no way to change it, regardless.

Harry's eyes flashed sadness and anger before rolling his eyes. "You know just how to push and push until someone realizes just how annoying you really are," Harry snapped.

"Funny thing is: you invited me here. You told me to come back the week of your wedding. Wrote out right on the back of the invitation. Was that before or after Alex fucked you? Hmm, funny."

"You know I didn't have sex with her, Louis."

"No. I don't. I don't know. Because no one knows who you are anymore. Little rich boy Styles has it made in America and suddenly he likes girls and gets married because a corporate guy told him to," Louis stepped closer to Harry, "and the worst part? The Harry I knew, NEVER let anyone boss him around. He was dominant and raw. Silly how money and a little bit of support changes people," Louis breathed.

"You know nothing about me," Harry snapped back. He wouldn't attack Louis' character but he could prove his point.

"And maybe I don't want to," Louis stepped closer again. The two boys were inches away, Louis breathing heavy in anger and Harry trying to stay calm.

"Maybe you should. Maybe you should, for the first time, try to get your head so far out of your ass that you'll see someone else's point of view," Harry demanded.

"You're such a-," Harry gripped around Louis, placing his hands right over Lou's bum and tugging harshly. Louis seethed ready to continue his words before Harry crashed his lips into his.