No Strings Attached

Chapter Nine

He shook his head furiously like it would scatter those particles of thought into the air around him. This time, he had to remind himself again that the moment Harry walked out the door later that night, there were no guarantees. 

But that could wait. 

After turning off the television, Louis carefully crept to the sleeping pair. He prodded Rosie’s thigh and the little girl stirred, her lashes flickering. He held her gently and delicately pulled her up and out from Harry’s grip. In that movement, his eyes opened and he glanced at Louis hazily. 

“Lou…? What – ” 

But Louis held a finger to his lips, shushing the boy as he turned around to put the little girl to bed in her room. He realized he should have just woken her as she would only wake later that night when no person ought to be up, but that was a gamble he was willing to take. Right now, he just wanted to be with Harry. 

When he shut the door behind him and returned to the living room, he found Harry still on the couch, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. 

“I didn’t hear you come in. She kept me busy, that one,” he said, nodding at Rosie’s bedroom. “She’s a great girl, Lou, she really is – ” 

Louis knew all that, knew how wonderful his daughter was without needing to be told. So he swept down and cut Harry off with a light kiss, one that left a confused expression on the younger boy’s face. 

“Lou?” His eyes were glassy and bright with genuine bewilderment, and all Louis wanted to do was show him what he meant. 

“Come on,” Louis said, tugging at Harry’s sleeve. “Get up. We’re going into the room.” 

Harry’s face lit up in understanding. But he couldn’t hide his smirk when he said, “Really, right now?” 

“Yes,” Louis said urgently, unable to keep himself from staring at Harry’s pink lips. “Now.” 

“Lou, Rosie’s in the room next door. That’s sick.” But he was already standing. 

“She’s sleeping,” Louis returned in hushed whispers, leading Harry away from the couch. “And she’ll stay that way so long as you don’t make any noise.” 

“No promises,” Harry returned playfully, laughing as they stumbled into the bedroom. 

***

Against Zayn’s initial advice, Harry started spending more time at the flat. 

It was all very easy, easier than Louis expected. This way, he had another sitter to rely on if Zayn or the other two ever fell through. Of course, Harry offered to take care of Rosie more than he really needed to, but Louis wasn’t exactly going to say no to him. Rosie enjoyed Harry’s company just as much as the curly-haired boy enjoyed hers. Even Zayn couldn’t say anything against that. 

They met eventually, and Louis’ heart had been pounding the whole way leading up to it. 

“He’s one of your best friends,” Harry had said. 

The best friend, Louis had thought. 

“And I’m one of your friends,” Harry continued. 

We’re friends with benefits, Louis reminded himself. 

“And friends are allowed to meet other friends,” Harry finished with a determined little nod before he, Louis, and Rosie met up with Zayn for a late lunch on a Wednesday afternoon. 

Louis was surprised at how decidedly un-awkward it was. Perhaps it had been Rosie’s doing, since her presence typically diffused any sort of social tension, and Louis’ uncomfortable silence throughout the whole thing had been social tension enough. But neither Harry nor Zayn paid attention to him for much of the meal, since they were so engrossed in a conversation that spanned everything from their favorite football teams to their favorite singers to their preference of underwear brand. In fact, Louis felt so superfluous throughout the whole thing that he tended to Rosie the whole time, and even she was more captivated by the animated conversation playing before her.