Pretty in Plastic (l.s)

xl

Louis watches as the girls sleep, and Harry lays with them in the large bed. The twins are two now, active and disastrous, and they've run the couple down immensely. Harry lazily blinks, and smiles when he sees Louis watching them from the doorway.

"Come lay down." He whispers, and Louis wouldn't have caught it if it wasn't for the lip reading. The doll bites his lip, and sulks over. He sits on the other side of the toddlers, and watches them with a bittersweet stare.

"We need to talk." Louis whispers back, and Harry gives him a worried look. Louis doesn't try to ease the uneasiness he sees because what he has to say is worth stressing over. "I lied."

Harry stares at him for a few seconds, and a part of him wants to just laugh in the doll's face because Louis never lies. "Huh?"

"When I first came to life, you asked why." Louis swallows. "I said I didn't know, and I lied."

Harry sees the shameful look gloom over the doll's face. For the first time, Louis didn't feel so great about himself and Harry's heart broke at the sight. "What're you here for, butterfly?"

Louis opens his mouth, and his breath gets caught in his throat. He's hesitant, but he swallows whatever fears and guilts he has. "Your wishes."

"My wishes?"

Louis brings his knees to his chest, and places his finger tips on his cheeks. "You wished to be loved, and supported, and for for someone to love. That's why I'm here."

Harry feels his heart warm, and he stares at Louis. He always knew Louis was a blessing, but this happened just because he asked? "What's this have you worried for?"

"I think— I think it's my time soon."

Now Harry's extremely attentive. "What? No."

"Harry—"

"I said no." It's calm, for the sake of the children, but firm. He stands, and walks out of the room. Louis quickly follows, peaking back to make sure the children are asleep, and wraps his arms around the man from behind when they're in the hall.

"It's no one's choice. I'm not choosing to leave." Harry closes his eyes at his words. He places an open hand on the hall to lean on, and bites his lip. "I'm sorry."

"Why now?"

Louis grips Harry's shirt, right above the man's heart, and shakes his head. "You have people who are going to love, and support you forever. You'll love them all the same."

"Gemma, and the guys aren't like us—"

"I'm not talking about them." Louis whispers, and it's so gentle. It's as if the doll was easing the man into the truth as best as he could, but the blow is still going to be devastating. "We have two beautiful daughters who are going to see you as a hero, a man amongst men, and will be by your side forever."

Harry looks over his shoulder at Louis, and the little ball of sunshine is already watching him. "What if I can't do this alone?"

"Every moment we spent together has lead to this, Haz." Louis kisses his shoulder. "So you can do it on your own. Besides, I'll still be here as long as you keep me. I'm listening, and I'm watching. Always. I love you."

He reaches up, and wipes the tears that start to fall from Harry's eyes. The man takes his hand, kisses it, and rubs his cheek against it. "I love you more."

Louis grins softly. "I love you most."

—————

"He always has this doll." Kleio whispers as she sees the little plastic toy sitting on their dad's night stand. They're back from college, graduates in business and computers. Harry's downstairs cooking dinner for them, and he hasn't changed.