Can I dip? | Larry Stylinson

F o u r t e e n

Louis really has no reason to talk to Harry. Their deal was done. The time is up. Harry no longer needed to be Louis' follower—but somehow he's spending every single day with him. A day with him in the forest sparked an interest in Louis. A week turned into a month all of a sudden.

They are practically inseparable—weirdly. They always meet each other behind the bushes. They eat together in breaks. Niall barely even gets to see Harry because Louis kind of has a little hatred towards the lad. He kinda is a little bit possessive. He kinda wants Harry to his own—in a friendly manner.

Louis still refuses to show his soft spot despite of starting to befriend the little boy. He doesn't let Harry cuddle him. He doesn't let Harry treat him how he treats Niall which really makes Harry baffled.

Harry once turned frustrated and asked him if it would be okay if they just don't talk to each other because he loves showing his friendly affection and being restricted is not his forte—but then Louis refused. It's like he doesn't like him but he does at the same time(as a friend). It's pretty complicated. Louis is complicated.

Harry also formed a little bit of an attachment towards Louis. He feels like he's his long lost big bro of some sort—but then he kinda likes him a tad bit—just a tad bit. Maybe because he's protective of him or maybe because he's portraying the brother that Harry always wanted. He's quite confused to be honest.

It's almost Louis' birthday and at the same time—also Christmas. The boys are utterly excited of what's to come. Harry wants to do something special for the boy but he needs Niall's help. Niall kind of didn't want to help at first but then eventually gave in because of Harry's puppy eyes.

The two boys, Niall and Harry swim together in Harry's backyard inflatable pool. Niall's mum finally allowed him to have a play date with Harry in the morning, meaning he could finally hang out in the yard.

"So what can we give Louis for his special birthday gift?" Harry queries, splashing some water towards Niall's back.

"Maybe, some dirt cake would do the trick. I love dirt cakes and it's fun making 'em." Harry frowns at Niall's idea. It's absolutely horrid. Maybe it's a bad idea to ask Niall for gift ideas. He should ask his mum.

"You know what, Niall? Maybe we should just focus swimmin' and leave all those gift ideas behind. I would love to practice my backstrokes." Harry lies, but it's kind of truthful. He does need to practice his backstrokes—although he couldn't because of the size of the pool but then it still convinced Niall so it's all good.

They finish swimming around after 1 hour of playing unsuccessful Marco Polo.

The boys stand up from the water and step out of the pool. They grab the towels hung on the chairs nearby to wipe off their bodies.

They walk inside the house, still all dripping wet while holding the towels. "Kids! Don't come in just yet. You're gonna get the floors wet." Anne frantically rushes towards them and ushers them out of the back door.

"But mum! We're not THAT wet." Says Harry, drenched in wetness. Anne looks at him unamused. "I'll bring you boys some clothes. Just change in the changing room, okay?" Anne leaves to go upstairs and fetch them some dry clothes.

"So about that Louis gift idea..." Niall tries. "Nope, no. Niall. I've had enough of your crazy ideas for Louis' birthday-"

"Did I hear someone is having a birthday?" Anne pops out of the backdoor with a huge mischievous grin. "Cuz if I heard it right then momma Anne can help." She hands the dry clothes to them.

"Uhm—yes, mummy. My best—I mean friend is gonna be a big boy now. I need a present." Harry removes his shirt and pants without any care at all, changing into his dry clothes. What? He's used to being naked all the time. Niall doesn't even bother anymore.

"Well, what are your plans? Give me some of yours and I'll give some of mine." She crouches down to hear the little boy a bit more.

"Niall's planning to make him a dirt cake. I don't want-"

"Hey! That's a great idea. Come on." Niall cuts him off, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Of course, Niall. It is." Anne reassures him. "But maybe Harry wants something less cooler than that, honey."

"Okay." Niall grumbles, going into the changing room to quickly change. Unlike Harry, Niall is very conservative and he doesn't like being naked around other people aside from his brother. No one knows why.

"So mummy, do you have any gift ideas?" Harry stares up at her, frowning a little bit.

"Let me think—hmmm." Anne scrunches her eyebrows and holds her chin. "Maybe, we should bake him cookies and write him a letter."

"That's the best idea ever, mummy!" Harry smiles oh so wide and claps his hands. "That way, you could really put your heart into it." Anne adds.

"You're the best mummy ever." Harry runs up to her arms and hugs her.