- louis wasn't sure when the baby was coming, but he didn't think the answer was right now
- he got to the hospital as quick as he could, alone in the middle of winter
- Briana was already there
- louis felt a bit sick
- louis managed, after much persuasion, to get into the hospital room
- despite all the doctors and nurses rushing around and the mother of his child sitting right there, a sheen of sweat on her forehead, louis still felt very much alone
- louis is asked if he wants to be in the room when the baby is born
- he doesn't process the question at first
- finally briana answers for him
- "no, he doesn't."
- louis tries to argue, but the doctor is already ushering him out the room
- he squeezes briana's hand once on his way out, an intimate gesture neither of them is quite accustomed to
- he finds himself alone in the waiting room, his leg bouncing heavily
- his hands are sweating and shaking
- his eyes are tired
- he's alone
- his phone buzzes in his pocket and he pulls it out quickly, just in case
- it's... oh
- it's harry
- just a text
- "mind if i come over rn?? h"
- the idiot still signs his texts
- louis smiles
- "i'm at the hospital actually. let yourself in"
- before he knows it, he's being called by harry
- stupid harry
- "hello?"
- "louis! are you ok? why are you in hospital?"
- "oh... bri is in labor rn."
- he feels sick just saying it aloud
- harry realizes he sounds off
- "be there soon. want some soup?"
- "you don't have to do that, haz."
- "sure i do. soup?"
- soon enough, harry is in his car, a small container of soup in between his legs, trying hard not to speed
- he'd rather not wind up in hospital for a car accident
- he makes it to the hospital in record time.
- he walks straight past the front desk, determined to find lou
- he does. sitting with his head in his hands, alone in the waiting room
- "louis."
- lou looks up quickly, exhausted and slightly disheveled, but that all seems to fall away the moment he sees harry.
- his harry.
- "haz!"
- he stands swiftly and crosses the room to him
- he hugs him
- and hugs him
- and harry hugs back
- but it's weird because they haven't hugged in a while, haven't talked in a while.
- not since... well. this.
- "careful, lou. you'll make me spill the soup.
- "shut up."
- louis hides his face in harrys shoulder and harry lets him.
- louis says something but it's muffled by harry's coat.
- "what was that, lou?"
- "i want..." louis pulls away and properly looks at harry for the first time in a while
- "you want...?" harry studies louis' face closely like it's the last time he'll see it this close
- those days, they were never too sure.
- "harry will you... could you be his godfather? please?"
- harry almost drops the soup.
- he doesn't answer louis right away, just looks at him
- louis almost regrets asking the question, but before he can take it back...
- harry pulls him in again, leaving a chaste kiss on his temple, completely enveloping him in his arms
- "anything for you, louis."
- "anything?"
- "anything."
- "promise?"
- "pinky promise."
- briana has the baby. a baby boy.
- louis rushes into the room and looks at the little stinker it bri's arms.
- he's perfect.
- harry is allowed in a while later, the soup forgotten on a random table.
- it's been a few hours, now
- freddie is swaddled and fully asleep. briana is asleep too
- louis feels alone again.
- alone with harry.
- the two of them.
- "do you want to hold him?"
- "is that okay?" harry practically whispers, looking over the little baby in louis' arms.
- "of course, haz."
- the trade the baby off without disturbing it
- almost like they had practice
- "what's his name, lou?"
- "freddie. freddie tomlinson."
- "i love it."
- there's silence for a moment and harry moves to sit down, still cradling the baby with direction precision
- "you won't break him, h."
- "feels like i could. i broke a lot of things, lou."
- louis' jaw tightens, but he sits next to harry anyway
- "you're not gonna break it this time, h. i promise."
- "promise?"
- "pinky promise."
- more silence
- louis wonders if harry and him would ever have this
- they aren't even together anymore
- but louis always assumed they'd have kids together
- maybe they will
- "you're going to be an amazing father, louis."
- "you think so?"
- "i know so."
- "how's that?"
- "took care of me, didn't you?"
- louis smiles softly, looking down at his son
- his son
- and his harry
- "i missed you."
- "i missed you too, lou."
- louis stands again and takes a quick photo of his boys.
- "what's that for?"
- "so he knows which uncle is the good one."
- "thought i was the godfather."
- "you can be both."
- "i'd rather be the stepfather."
- louis smiled and softly places his hand over harry's where it rests on fred's side
- "i'd like that."
- "you would?"
- "anything for you, haz."
- "anything?"
- "anything."
