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Any plans he had to sit as far away from his Dad and brother were quickly ended by the steely blue glare Louis sent him as he pointedly pulled out the chair next to him. If he were feeling less fragile or if he knew is ass wasn't already 700 kinds of screwed he may have argued but today was not the day to mess his dad around. His Dad’s bite may have been notorious when his parents were in the band but the years since then had by no means lessened its sting. Normally it wasn't being directed his way- Louis always leaving Harry to deal with when Alex got into trouble- but he had overheard enough business men and seen Harry fall victim to it on numerous occasions. And shit me no wonder people were slightly terrified of him. It took an embarrassingly long time before Alex actually reached the table; each step bringing with it a fresh new wave of nausea. By the time he sat down Harry was back at the table holding a large glass of water.
“Drink this. And if you think you’re gunna hurl try and give us a warning. I’m sure your brother would prefer that the sink got splattered instead of him.”
Despite feeling like death, Alex couldn't help but smirk at the look of abs9olute horror that took over Leo’s face. God he wished he was that innocent again. His voice when he tried to speak was horribly croaky so he took a small gulp before he tried again.
“This little bro - is why you should never drink.”
Louis couldn't help but laugh as he ruffled his hand through Alex’s hair; fingers catching themselves in the soft curls at the nape of his neck as they used to do with Harry.
“Maybe you should take your own advice mister.”
Alex’s reply was almost unintelligible in the muffle it became from the way he had leant his head on to the table. Although Alex was definitely in most respects a ‘Styles’, hungover Alex was most no doubt full out Louis .
“Yeah I could. But where would be the fun in that….”
“God if I haven't heard that phrase before coming from the mouth of a Tomlinson.”
As amusing as Alex’s groan at Liam’s was voice, any humour quickly vanished with weight of the events of the night before sinking in Harry’s chest. It wasn't hard for him to imagine how heartbroken Liam must be right now- could see it in the his posture as he slumped himself against the door frame and the distant look in his eyes despite the smile he was putting on for Alex and Leo. And Liam had every right be upset - Lord knows he’d reacted to worse to rumours abut Louis cheating on him. But even knowing how he’d reacted in the past still didn't make watching the way Louis held Leo that bit closer to him- obviously worried that Liam would pull him away-any easier. It would hard for anyone to witness but for Harry the pain Louis and Liam were in was that much more present; the scene in front of him strikingly familiar to when he had watched Louis with the same hawk like vision Liam was doing when he had first started letting Louis see Alex. When it was him and not Liam lingering anxiously in the door way. He knew Liam was just trying to protect his children - and Harry was notorious in his efforts to do that- but this Louis was not the person you needed to protect anyone from. What stood out most to Harry, perhaps now as a Dad of three and used to looking out for a child’s response, was not the tension between Liam and Louis but how Leo seemed to be clutching Louis’s jumper that bit closer back- as if he already knew something was wrong. Harry leapt to his feet , feeling on edge regardless of the fact he was in his own house.
“Ain’t that the truth. Can .. I um get you anything Liam?”
Despite it not reaching his eyes, Harry was more than a little surprised at the smile he got in return. Then again he reminded himself Liam always had been the most consulate professional and right now they had an audience - be it only Alex and Leo.
“A coffee- please”
“I’ll have one too actually H.”
Louis felt the weight of Liam’s gaze on him when he spoke; a feeling he normally welcomed -selfish in his seeking of Liam’s attention. But today it just made him feel uneasy - a cold weight and not the normal flutter hitting his chest.
“But Dad I thought you always had tea in the morning?”
“ You don't miss a trick do you Leo ….”
Alex pulled his head off the table to down the remnants of his water glass and before he cracked a smile at Leo, who smiled back earnestly in return. Leo’s need for approval from Alex was a constant topic of contention within their group and although Louis thought it was something quite endearing to see, he was also not blind to the fact that Alex’s larger than life personality was one that could easily squash Leo’s much more Liam like reserved nature. In some ways Louis found it almost nostalgic of the days of the X factor when Harry's used to follow him round like a lost puppy. Thankfully Alex was well aware of his brother’s idolisation of him and although he had been known to abuse that, he was more than not even more protective of Leo than any of his other brothers or sisters. Knowing almost innately when his brother needed a boost without Leo ever having to ask.
“Dad your love affair with tea is like older than time … it’s like Dad and yoga and that custard creme stash he has hidden at the back of the cupboard.
Even Liam couldn't stop himself from laughing at the affronted look on Harry’s face as he turned back from the coffee machine.
“Heeyyyy….”
“Busted H..
It was easy to forget in that moment, the five of them laughing in the kitchen almost like any other day and for the first time since last night Liam felt a little lighter inside. It didn't mean he didn't feel a surge of anger at seeing Leo in Louis’ arms - the son he had forgotten about in his grief - he didn't feel insecure at the innate connection between Harry and Louis or he wasn't devastated by the confirmation of his fears but this was still his family. Fucked up for sure but still surviving. No matter what happened between him and Louis. Moving towards the table he could feel Louis’ eyes on him as they tried to search out Liam’s face for a reaction to him being there with Leo on his lap and Harry a breathing distance away. Call him a coward but he really couldn't deal with it just yet. He was an open book to Louis and he wasn't sure he wanted the pages to be read just yet. His thoughts not something Liam wanted anyone to witness - the blatant insecurities laid bare- especially when he didn't even know what he wanted just yet. As horrible as it was going to be, he knew he needed to talk to Harry first before he made any decisions and with one look in those ocean blue eyes he would falter. He would let him back in to their house and into that special corner of his heart always reserved fro him before he had forgiven him. While it may seem the prefect solution, to allow a facade of a life to continue it would only end in heartbreak. As ironic as it seemed now, Liam had enough evidence to the fact from he demise of Harry and Louis. From the secrets Harry kept from them about Louis slipping away. The ret of them weren't ignorant of course - the shadows of addiction hard to ignore- but they didn't see the full extent. Nor had they ever been told. While Liam was close to the truth than most from the fragments Louis had told him - alone in the dark; whispered conversations. He had no doubt Harry would always remain tight lipped on the very worst moments. And maybe that hurt as well, his and Louis’ worst belonging to Harry too. It wasn't just theirs. It made him feel horrible to even think- how could he be jealous over a disease that had almost killed his husband.
“Coffee for you.”
Harry’s rasping voice interrupted his train of thoughts, the edges of his mouth tugging upwards in gratitude.
“Cheers. “
“The wanderer is awake I see!”
Ed’s booming voice and the responding groan from Alex was a welcome interruption.
“Oh my god Ed…. Why so loud?”
Undeterred by the groan and Alex’s hands covering his ears in complaint, Ed stroad over and ruffled his hair.
“Surprised you’ve not met been killed by the firing squad yet.”
Harry let out a low chuckle.
“Oh believe me there is plenty of time still left for that - thought we’d wait for Nick to be up as well before we started thought.”
Alex’s head hitting the table and the melodramatic mumble still audible through the mass of hair falling over his face was enough to set off another round of laughter around the room.
“I officially hate my life.”