Archive of Our Own ^beta

How does Christmas Day begin?

Chances are the answer is positive in every way, being surrounded by family, friends or simply in the best Christmas spirit. Christmas is a beautiful and warm time for most people.

This year it is not for Harry.

There is no possible way in the world he could be doing worse than he already is. Crying in a hotel bathroom at six in the morning, with his barely three year old son and two suitcases packed waiting in the room, does not bode well at all.

Harry shrunk further into himself, sitting on the toilet seat. All he can do right now is think about what he did wrong, the problem is he doesn't know what happened. He tries to silence the pitiful sobs that come out every two seconds in a pathetically embarrassing way.

He shouldn't be crying, he has to be strong for both of them, because he is no longer a child who can live carefree, he is an adult responsible for another little life.

Little Mateo is the light that has been in charge of illuminating his path since he came into his life, he is that pillar that manages to keep him standing in every step he takes. But everything becomes stronger and stronger, more painful and tragic with each day that adds to his life.

With a trembling hand he pushes aside the curls that fall on his face, with his hair reaching his jaw and covering his face completely it becomes complicated to do some things, the hiccups become louder as the minutes go by. She wipes away the tears that run down her soft cheeks flushed from crying.

One hand clenches into a fist on the sleep shirt she's wearing, the other on her chest in an attempt to control the pounding of her rampaging heart, her face turning into sad grimaces, the corners of her lips drooping downward.

It's hard to breathe, he pulls his feet up as best he can, with his knees pulled up to his chest and his hair covering his face, he tries to hide a little bit all that avalanche of emotions that can't leave him for months.

He and Mateo used to live at his parents' house, an average sized house in a nice neighborhood. Everything changed the day his parents went out on their anniversary night for dinner, everything was going fine until it was past two in the morning and there was still no sign of their arrival.

Harry worried, he went out looking for them for hours, the world came crashing down the moment they called to tell him of a tragic car accident.

From then on he clung to his son like an anchor to keep him on his feet, to pull through and give him the best. Clearly life doesn't want that to happen, a month ago a letter arrived at the house that used to be his parents', an announcement that things can always get worse.

An eviction notice, apparently his parents had mortgaged the house years ago without telling anyone, they stopped paying about six months ago and that led the bank to charge the house on the death of the owners. They both left the house a week ago, Harry got a somewhat cheap hotel to spend the nights there.

As expected the money soon ran out, it was just a few savings that he kept intact just in case, with no job and no money he found it necessary to take a position as an assistant in a worldwide known company.

He had no support from anyone to get in, he could do it all alone. With the thought of the tragedy still in the back of his mind he realized it would be a little before seven in the morning, a little too early for most, but the perfect time to start the day for Harry.

He wiped as best he could the traces of sadness and grumpiness from his face, with the help of wet wipes and clean water he pulled himself together a bit, sighed repeatedly in front of the dirty hotel bathroom mirror and went out ready to face the world.

In the center of the bed he found a cute little burrito-shaped, soft-looking bundle. He slowly approached and got down on all fours on the baby's little body, careful to be gentle he set out to tickle the baby's cheeks with his long curly hair.

-Come on baby, it's time to wake up. - The baby makes little noises that melt Harry's heart, there is no way anyone can convince him that this is not the best thing in the world.

The baby slowly opens his little eyes, two beautiful orbs with irises as green as emeralds are the protagonists of such a tender scene. It warms his chest to realize that this little angel brings out everything in him.

-No daddy," murmured the little one, still with a trace of sleep in his eyes.

-Yes baby, it's time to work," it pained him in his soul not to be able to spend more time with his son during the week, but for the moment he needs to concentrate on asking for an advance on his first salary at the Tomlinson company, he can't wait for the fortnight to pass to receive the payment, he no longer has money to continue paying for the hotel and he hopes with all his heart that they will give him the benefit.

She carefully changes Mateo, putting on a pair of comfortable pants and a t-shirt with a pastel car print, her son's favorite color. When they were both ready they left the hotel room, with the difference that this time they would have to take all their things with them.

It wouldn't be a problem, Harry met a girl a couple of months ago. Her name is Susan and she is a very nice person, it turns out that the girl had a daycare which was a great help at the time when Harry had to go to work full time. The advantages she had is that they feed the children, the two meals a day with their respective snacks, Harry thanked Susan when she gave him a discount being aware of his current situation.

Harry shows up at eight in the morning in front of the girl with noticeable dark circles under his eyes and messy hair from frustration, she tries to ask questions, but he doesn't want people to look at him with pity, everyone he knows knows that their house was taken away from them, but no one knows that they don't have money to pay for a roof over their heads or some healthy food.

Curly avoids any questions that would give away his current situation and ends up leaving his baby in Susan's care for the rest of the day, he's going to come back for him at seven at the latest, but he's going to try to find a solution to his situation while that's going on.

She enters the main building of the company at exactly eight o'clock, she has to do everything she can to get this advance approved. In the company he only has to attend to a man no more than fifty years old who spends his time everywhere doing nothing.

The guy is demanding, but he's just one of many who work for the owner of everything, it's easier than the other assistants made him out to be. He enthusiastically puts everything in its place, he fixes the official dark blue suit that the company gave him, it is elegant and sophisticated. All the assistants are wearing the same one.

He has everything under control when the day begins, everything becomes a roller coaster of work for Harry, he has not had breakfast all day and he has to admit that this causes a lot of havoc when it comes to carrying out the activities assigned to him.

He has to fetch and deliver coffee, assign new schedules to workers he had no idea existed, get food for his boss, organize pending meetings and try to eliminate stress with more work. So you spend the first six hours of the workday, and finally it's time to go out for lunch.

He smoothes his suit with sweaty palms, he is very nervous as he waits in the armchair in front of the human resources office, there he has to stay for a short time that he uses to think about the arguments he needs to convince that man that he deserves the money and above all that he needs it.

Time passes slowly until the doors open and a worker from another area comes out with a sad and distressed look, she can hear a "Mr. Tomlinson is sorry" and it is enough to know that this young woman has just lost her job, the girl does not turn to see him or answer. She simply walks away.

Harry finds it amazing how all the hopes you cultivate so painstakingly can be withered by a droopy expression on a random face. He mentally pats himself until he manages to pull himself together a little, he has to make a good impression.

Holding his breath, he approaches the door and taps twice with his knuckles. He waits patiently for an indication or something like that, he gets nothing of the sort. He opens the door a little and steps inside so he can return if the human resources manager is busy.

The gray-haired man of at least sixty doesn't look up from his cell phone, the curly-haired man doesn't know what to do for the moment, he just continues to keep his eyes on that guy who seems very smiling despite putting a person out of a job minutes before. He goes a little further into the office, he is inside when a voice makes him jump in fear - I don't have all day, come in or go back where you came from!

And well, that's enough to keep him from sleeping for the next ten years, he feels infinitely small, but even with the feeling he walks into the room and takes a seat in one of the two cushioned chairs in front of the wooden desk. His nerves are killing him and that guy who isn't nice still doesn't look at him in the slightest.

-Well, I guess it's your first time here," says the man after staring at the device for more than five minutes.

-I... yes, it's the first time I'm here - he tries to sound confident and determined, he still doesn't know what kind of person he's dealing with, but it's clear that he must be careful with the words he uses and the tone in which he does it.
-Harry has a big conflict there, he is the one who should be upset for having to endure such bad treatment from a person who is supposed to support the worker and make sure they are well.

-I would like to ask for an advance on my salary - he says louder than he should have dreamed and secretly feels happy about it.

-Name - the guy answers without any interest in paying attention.

-Harry Styles.

It is at that moment that he fixes his eyes on Harry's body, he watches him with dark brown eyes that seem to be the cause of many nightmares around the place. Harry discreetly analyzes the way he types something on the computer that is kept on the right side of the desk - What do we have here? Is it correct that you have been working here for a week?

-Yes, I know it's a short time but I really... -he can't finish the sentence, he was rudely interrupted by the voice of the sentence that made him turn his stomach and want to go back to cry in the bathroom of that hotel he can't even afford anymore.

-I can't give you an advance.

-B-but why? - the guy smiles mischievously, with a vague movement he adjusts the suit that must be very luxurious as he leans forward with interest for a few seconds, returns to the upright position that every cruel person can have and leans back in the chair that is part of the office.

Harry is tired of it all, he gets up from the chair with annoyance painted on his face and the futile attempt not to burst into tears in front of this cruel man who has just taken away any trace of hope he has left. She turns to leave in a hurry when she hears the man answer her unwillingly.

-I don't think it's possible for a guy like you to come demanding privileges like that with only a week of work, it seems absurd to me that you would at least find the guts to be able to show up here.

Harry has nothing to say, he simply does not know what to answer to such a statement, then he remembers the reason why he dared to appear before that man, he is ready to expose all the reasons why he needs that advance when the same mocking voice interrupts him again.

-Get out of here boy, I hope not to see you here soon.

The order sounds hard and without hesitation, officially that man has become one of the few people on her hate list. She lowers her gaze with the intention of not showing her beautiful green eyes crystallized by tears, she is not going to give him the pleasure of seeing him suffer because of her.

She gets up and leaves without looking back.

It's already too late to go get some food, she has to go back to her workstation and concentrate on finding another solution. He sits at the desk outside the office that belongs to his boss, he keeps his eyes fixed on the owner's last name displayed on the document open on the computer.

He hasn't told Mateo that it's Christmas Day, he doesn't have the heart to tell him that this year none of them are going to have one of those many Christmases with family and full of love, he simply can't fail his son anymore, he can't do it again.

He sits hunched over for the next two hours being unable to concentrate on activities, then he has an idea. He is not known for having good ideas, but that one seems to be one of the least worst, he sighs loudly and noisily drawing the attention of the lady cleaning the windows a few feet away.

The woman smiles at him, just smiles back and hurries off with the pending work. Everyone gets off work at six o'clock in the evening, it is normal for a few to stay late to do work, he meticulously plans everything he has to do to go unnoticed.

It's six o'clock when Mr. Thomas leaves the office with his briefcase in his right hand and an expensive coat in his left - It's time to go home, it's Christmas - he says without being aware of what his words cause in the curly-haired boy with emerald eyes.

-Actually... - he starts a bit doubtful - I would like to stay extra time, I didn't finish some things and I wouldn't like to continue with that pending on the 26th - Mr. Thomas looks doubtful, it seems as if he wants to convince him to leave early to spend time with his family, Harry waits patiently until his boss seems to give in.

-All right Harry, but don't leave so late, it's a special date and I wouldn't want you to be cooped up here.

The curly-haired man thanks him mentally for that gesture of sympathy, if his economic and emotional situation were different he would not hesitate to gather all his things and be the first to leave the company, he nods with disinterest while pretending to do something on the computer.

The man walks away greeting anyone he meets, Harry has to get down to business if he wants everything to go as planned. He just grabs his phone and wallet so he can pick up Mateo from daycare.

The guard at the entrance is looking intently at a sheet looking for something when Harry decides to interrupt him - Good evening, I'm going back to work still, the office I'm in is on the third floor, it's Mr. Thomas'.

-Of course, it's strange that someone wants to work overtime just on this date, but I'll be here when you come back.

Harry smiles at her a little more than usual, showing off his two perfect dimples and all getting ready for what's coming - Is there a problem if I bring my baby here? I really have to finish that job and you know, it's always hard when you're a single parent.

The guard is friendly, he's empathetic and very kind in every way - Sure, no problem, just don't tell anyone you're bringing it and everything is fine.

-Thank you very much! - he exclaims before walking away from the reception with a quick step, he can hear how the guard mutters a low "No problem".

He's running a little late to pick up Mateo, it's hard to manage to leave early and pick him up, but Susan kindly offers to stay with him a little longer despite the daycare closing time being five o'clock.

He's not the only child who stays so late either, three other little ones are always sitting in the playroom with blocks around when Harry rushes in with his heart racing because of how fast he had to run to get there quickly.

He looks for Susan with his eyes and finds her sitting at a low children's table next to Mateo, apparently they are trying to play chess correctly, which is impossible since Mati likes to move the pieces in any direction and without respecting any of the rules written by the creator of the game.

-I'm here baby - he says when he is close enough to the scuffle that breaks out because Susan moved one of her pieces to a position that the boy didn't like.

-Daddy! Today we play with horses - says the boy completely excited at the same time that he leaves the chair to run to hug his father's legs.

-It's fantastic, you love horses," adds Harry, bending down to be at the same height, gently kisses the boy's tousled hair.

He can't help but feel that way, so right and so nice. It's the feeling that despite having so many difficulties he can make it through, he can wake up every morning with luck playing against him, but he can only do it if that little ray of sunshine is going to stay there all the time.

-Thank you very much Su, this little devil and I will leave right now, we'll see you in three days - he doesn't wait for the girl to ask any kind of question regarding his clear failure to get the money.

She takes her little son in her arms and with him snuggled against her chest and the two suitcases she left behind she leaves the nursery. All she has left in her pocket is a total of eleven dollars, not much, but she still has something with which she can improvise a small Christmas dinner.

He finds himself walking through the cold streets of London too late on a Christmas day when a little voice makes him want to cry again - Today is Christmas - Matthew says with rosy cheeks the moment he separates from his father's chest.

Harry's orbs crystallize a little due to the tears he's holding back, the little boy puts both little hands covered by gloves on the cheeks of the grieving adult and leaves a little kiss on his nose - I'm so sorry love... - Harry tries his best not to break down right there in the middle of the street - this year is not going to be like the others - I hope that's enough, he doesn't have the courage to tell him all the reasons why they can't have a good Christmas.

-Daddy don't cry anymore - a simple mispronounced sentence makes his soul ache like never before - daddy smile, daddy always happy.

Harry can only smile with a lone tear running down the pale skin of his cheek. Everything gets more and more complicated, he doesn't know how he's going to make it, but he's absolutely sure he's going to get out of this situation.

(...)

He ran a hand with frustration all over his face, the intention was to remove some sleep so he could get active, it was a vain attempt, there is no way he is going to be able to remove the sleep he has been dragging for three days in seconds.

He hasn't been able to sleep a single minute in all this time, he has violet dark circles under his eyes and the menacing expression that prevents anyone from approaching recklessly, it's not news, but everyone thinks that tycoons who look tired and powerful are attractive.
Louis is attractive, very attractive you might say, he is not so self-centered as to say he is the most attractive man either, but he is just a little bit in saying that he is really handsome, beautiful but unlucky when it comes to finding people to go out with and spend free time with.

Just now he mentally regrets not being in Doncaster with the rest of the family, he has too much work to let it go to waste for a Christmas dinner, he would love to be able to do it, but that's not going to happen no matter how much he wishes it would. He has things to prepare for the last week of the year and an adult life to manage.

Then he thinks of all the girls sitting at the table, in beautiful matching dresses as they do every year, he thinks of the little ones forcing him to wear the same color shirt so they can take a memorable family photo.

He thinks of the delicious turkey and desserts his mother prepares for every Christmas dinner and most of all he thinks of his big family congratulating him on his birthday in person, they all called to let him know how happy they are and how grateful they feel to still be in his life, but it's completely different to hear a voice through a device and have a warm hug full of love.

Suddenly she can't feel sadder, it's damn painful how you can be so far away from people even being next to them. He sighs. He feels bad and he has to admit it, nothing is going to change that feeling of guilt that overwhelms him as he realizes how far he moved away from his loved ones.

He can't concentrate on writing that deal he has to close by the end of the year, it's been hard to do for a while now, he finds himself considering taking a last minute train and enduring the two hour long ride so he won't be alone on his birthday while everyone spends a merry Christmas with family.

He is completely determined the moment he looks at the time and realizes it is nine o'clock at night, he must be the last person to leave the building, it is normal for these things to happen and he ends up stuck at work more than he should and best of all no one knows he even leaves the company until after twelve o'clock at night, he has a good life and he is not going to complain.

He shuts down the computer after closing each of the pop-ups, checks a bit of the notifications that rang on his cell phone throughout the day, sends a text message to Lottie and just gathers his belongings to get out of there as soon as possible.

His office is on the sixth and last floor, after putting everything in order he goes out to the corridor to take the elevator, everything is the same routine as always, he is a bit tired of everything that has to do with being a bitter businessman with a monotonous life.

When he tries to press the button on the second floor he realizes that it does not work, he presses number three to verify the functionality and the elevator doors close instantly, he does not bother about it, he can go to the third floor and there see if the button on floor one works, if he wants to leave soon, but he is not very anxious to go out into the cold air blizzards.

The door opens and Louis can clearly see a clump of chocolate-colored hair run into one of the financial advisors' offices. He doesn't hesitate to get out of the elevator and go investigate what is going on. None of the employees bring their children to the company, it is strictly forbidden as it affects the performance of the workers. That is why he provides them with daycare services, so that they can rest assured about the safety of their families.

The closer he gets to the office, the easier it becomes to hear the noises made by the child inside, from what he could see it could be a child of about four or five years old, he is too young to be there at that time of the night.

Careful not to be discovered he approaches until he can see inside the room from the opening in the door, the curly-haired boy that he can now distinguish better moves quickly around the place, he keeps what seems to be two blankets of different colors on his little arms and as he can he throws them on the sofa.

Louis continues to watch him dumbfounded, the boy spreads out the two blankets, you can see the great effort he is making to be able to finish what he started, after spreading them out he lowers himself again with great care and concentration, the brown is concentrating too much on the lullaby that the boy hums low.

He is completely lost when he leans over more than usual and makes the door swing wide open. The child doesn't look surprised, he doesn't even turn around before speaking - Almost ready daddy....

The boy freezes under the watchful eye of a tall and imposing man, Louis tries to say something about the situation, but it is impossible to coordinate his words when the boy looks at him as if silently asking him why he is there.

He doesn't need to say anything, the little boy preempts whatever his intention was to ask - You are not daddy... - he says in a very low tone, it sounds accusing and slightly threatening. Louis becomes very nervous.

-Uh? I'm not. - sentence, that's the strangest conversation he's had all year, he puts aside the time a neighbor asked him if he ever looked up videos of cows trying to get up. That day was strange, but it's stranger to have an angelic-looking little boy accuse him of not being his father.

It's confusing.

But there is something wrong with the whole situation, he can see from the photographs on the desk that the office belongs to Mr. Thomas, Louis knows that his employee has no small children, which leads him to the correct thought that this child is not related to the man, besides they have nothing in common, it is easy to realize that.

-Daddy is coming soon - answers the much calmer child - Mati doesn't move from here.

It's funny and adorable to see the way the boy points to the floor the moment he says the last sentence, that means that the father of this "Mati" is nearby, which takes him back to the beginning, it's practically night and it's a holiday all over the world, it's impossible for anyone to be in the building.

Louis takes a seat in one of the armchairs that is right in front of where the boy is standing, those big green eyes watch him until he settles in and tries to look comfortable in the place, it is as if the boy is on the defensive at all times, Louis still doesn't understand who leaves a child alone in a place as dangerous as an office.

-I think your name is Mati... - the boy nods carefully and slowly, he has pale and smooth skin, cheeks flushed by the temperature of the environment, he looks tremendously adorable with that frown - Well Mati, my name is Louis, I think I would really like to know what you are doing here.

He tries with all his might not to laugh at the boy's response - Daddy says I'm not supposed to talk to strangers.

-Well, I'm not a stranger anymore, you know my name and I know yours, you can tell me what you're doing here and where your father is. - Louis tries to be gentle, clearly not the most appropriate way to get information.

The boy shakes his head repeatedly, Louis thinks he is not going to get any cooperation from the child, he is surprised when the boy makes a sad face and then says - I don't like it here, but I'm staying because then daddy won't cry anymore.

That's enough to know that something unpleasant may be happening to one of his employees, he rarely has the time to see how things are going within the company, some of the employees don't know him in person because of all that, it's hard to do so many things at once. Louis makes a mental note to get more involved in the lives of the employees.

-Do you want to tell me what his name is? - she does not receive a concrete answer, instead she receives somewhat painful information from the boy.

-Daddy says we are fine, he cries because he is sad since we don't see Daddy Dobin and Grandma Anne, he always says we are fine, then comes Mr. white sheet man and takes the house.

That's too much information, it's nothing concrete, but he can deduce that the man in white sheets could be some lender or bank worker, as for the rest he can't figure out what's going on, only that they are going through bad times and that they are both strong.

He is about to ask the boy more questions when footsteps are heard down the hallway, they slowly approach until he stops at the door, Louis does not know him, it is enough to compare the boy to that boy to know that it is the father. He has long curly hair, it is the same chocolate color as Mati's, the same green eyes, the boy is carrying some juice boxes and granola and chocolate bars in his hands.

The boy looks scared, with his mouth open slightly and his eyes open exaggeratedly, it's a clear expression of fear that can only distress him even more.

-Hello? - he tries to make the young man come out of that state of shook in which he entered - my name is Louis, we don't know each other, but I think this little boy here is yours, am I wrong?

The boy reacts the moment his father moves a little, he runs up to his legs and hugs him with a clearly distressed expression, he has to admit that they are both like a different size copy of each other, everything is curiously the same way, it's disturbingly cozy.

Louis can't stand the way the boy's face goes from the initial shook to a completely distressed expression - I... I'm so sorry... I know... I know... - the young man's voice is pleasant, what's not pleasant is that he sounds so stuffy and fearful, it's cute. Louis knows how to appreciate beauty in people, that boy is extremely cute.

As the curly-haired young man continues with the endless stuttering Louis gets up from the couch and approaches him carefully - It's okay, take it easy. It's okay, I didn't say anything to cause you to have a nervous breakdown, I just found that little guy and it seemed strange, but it's all good.

He manages to calm him down, takes him to the sofa with the two blankets spread out and makes him take a seat, the boy climbs on his lap immediately, it is a very sweet scene, he sits on the other side of the sofa, watches as the curly-haired man puts a straw in one of the juices and offers it to his son who takes it gladly.

They remain in an uncomfortable silence until the boy shows he is ready to speak - We shouldn't be here, but I really have nowhere to go, I couldn't stay in the street with Mateo, I couldn't do that to him.

He is very sincere, it breaks Louis' heart a little bit, but he has to play the role of the unemotional person here - First of all I need to know... What is your name?

-My name is Harry Styles.

-You work here right?

He nods a little calmer and quieter, it's impossible not to melt in Harry's presence, it's as if a white aura covers him completely, as angels must look like when they receive you in paradise. The boy begins to nod from one side to the other with clear signs of sleep.

-Well, Mati filled me in a bit on the situation you're both going through and I don't want to sound rude or anything like that, are you guys okay?

Harry is surprised by the genuine interest Louis shows in them, it's as if he's really concerned about what's going on with them, he wants to say no, that everything has been bad for a while, but he can't do it in front of his baby, he can't let him hear his father break down.

-A little, yes. - That's all he replies, but it's enough for Louis to identify that tone as something similar to "I don't want him to hear us" is also the way Harry discreetly watches the child with a sad expression.

They remain silent for a few minutes, both of their minds constantly working to find the right words, Louis speaks first - Why didn't you ask the company for a loan?

Harry sinks deeper into himself, he puts on an even more distressed expression and Louis has to know what's going on, he doesn't seem to want to answer the question. He decides to wait, Harry clears his throat a couple of times before answering - I did, I went this morning to human resources to request an advance on my salary.

Louis retained in mind the way Harry's voice sounded much smaller, as if he was trying to forget what happened that morning, or as if he didn't want anyone to know what that request resulted in - I'll have to check on that later, I guess it didn't go well for you.

Harry sighs tiredly, he has to admit that he feels extremely intimidated, he was very confident the moment he walked into the office, he thought his efforts had paid off and they could spend the night in the office, now he has the feeling that he is going to be thrown out in the middle of the night by this extremely handsome and imposing man.

He mentally berates himself for not concentrating on the things that are important. It doesn't matter how handsome and understanding Louis appears to be. What matters is that he stares at him, with as if he wants to get all his secrets out in the open, it's something intense and interesting that she has to let go of if she doesn't want to end up prematurely out in the open.

-It was horrible, the human resources guy was rude and even made fun of me, I don't know if I did better or worse than the fired girl.

Louis frowned with displeasure, they hadn't fired anyone in the last few months, he even thought that the employees were working so long because of the good treatment, no doubt he has to see what is going on there, he can't allow injustices in his own company.

-The boy told me... he doesn't have a house because a man took it away - Harry's cheeks color slightly crimson, he would have liked not to have to admit that out loud, he doesn't like the feeling of people helping him with something out of pity, he has always been one of those people who fight and work hard for what they want.

There's no point in denying it, it's more than obvious that they were planning to sleep in the place. He can't imagine a more uncomfortable and sad situation than that, he doesn't know if he's going to put up with much playing the role of a strong person. - Yes, he had an unpaid mortgage that we had no idea about. I really don't know why he's still here. Is it okay if we leave and don't come back to this place?

Louis feels sad and moved, Harry wants to get out of there as fast as possible, the brown guy thinks it might be because he thinks he might rat him out, he clearly doesn't know he's in front of the owner of the company, he's not going to tell him. If he dares to mention anything about it he is sure he will run away for fear of being fired.

-I'm here because you guys have nowhere to spend the night and I happen to have a somewhat large house of my own, you could both come with me and have some pizza in a safe and comfortable place - well, Louis knows he possibly sounds like a psycho looking for prey or something weird like that, he mentally beats himself up for not thinking things through before saying them.

Harry hesitates, it's too good to be true. He can't believe that after reading so many novels and fairy tales such things happen to him. He looks down at the little body curled up in his lap, he has to think that it's also about Matthew, that the boy can't keep going through things like that.

He thinks further, everything indicates that he has to reject the proposal, he could say no, but he could also say yes, he knows that it is okay to show when you can no longer carry all the weight, that it is also valid to stop and cry on the way, he has the feeling that everything is okay if he says yes.

Then Harry nods - You'd be doing us a great favor if you let us spend the night at your place - a faint crimson color spreads across both cheeks, his eyes shining from the reflection of the lamps and without any trace of hesitation.

Louis can't believe it, Harry agreed. He gets up at a normal pace from the sofa, it is at that moment that he allows himself to see everything around him, there are two suitcases next to the armchairs, one is open, he supposes that the blankets were there before.

-Shall we go? - He doesn't wait for Harry to say anything, he goes closer and takes one of the suitcases to the door -You just take Mati, I'll take care of carrying her things- he can clearly see that Harry tries to protest, he doesn't have time to do it.

In a matter of minutes they are walking side by side towards the elevator that magically works, to a certain extent Louis is thankful that the button on the second floor didn't work, if it had worked he wouldn't have been able to meet that small but beautiful family.

He can't help but smile sideways, Harry walks ahead as they exit the building, the little boy tries to keep his little eyes open, he can't do it for long. Outside his sleek black camaro is already waiting for him, he stuffs the suitcases in the back seats and proceeds to open the door for Harry, he helps him put on his seatbelt with Mateo hanging around his neck.

The drive to the pizzeria is quiet, the baby sleeps peacefully tucked in his father's arms, Louis can even feel how close they are, he asks Harry to wait in the car for a moment, neither wants to wake Mati from her sweet dreams.

Next to the pizzeria are some toy and clothing stores, Louis thinks it would be nice if when he wakes up the boy and Harry find presents under the tree. Possibly he is being completely weird with his actions, but he wants to give them some happiness for a few days.

When they arrive at the house Harry is curious, he takes a close look at everything, there are elegant pictures of a big family hanging on the walls, it's very spacious, but it feels cozy nonetheless. Louis enters after him with suitcases and shopping bags, he has no problem with doing things himself.

He takes Harry to the guest room, they wake Matthew up for dinner, it's nice, neither can deny that it feels good in each other's company, it's like they find that one thing that is missing in life.

They sit down to watch a children's movie, in the first half hour they realize that Mateo has fallen asleep with his little feet on the chestnut's legs and his little head on his father's lap. The night continues quietly they talk about all the things they can think of, there is a moment when Harry breaks down and ends up sobbing while telling a Christmas story in the company of his parents.

-We used to watch some Christmas comedy movies before dinner, it was something like a tradition -he lets out a low sob, there is something in the chestnut that forces him to be confident, it's as if he is very clear that he can talk about any topic that causes him pain.

It's normal for Harry to feel better after telling Louis all the reasons why they ended up thinking about sleeping in the office, it's comforting to express everything he kept to himself for so long.

He has to admit that being comforted by someone like Louis is interesting, he ends up crying a little harder. A warm palm runs the length of his back, it's a gentle caress that goes up and down and occasionally offers circular motions over his shoulder blades. It's just what he needed.

-I can bet you tried to narrate it in a nicer way, no need with me Harry. It's okay if you want to cry and be away from it all for some time. I understand it's not much, but I don't like the idea of the two of you - Louis pauses briefly to watch the little boy sleeping as if that position is the most suitable, then he looks into Harry's bright orbs, he swallows audibly - I ache at the idea of the two of you being such good people, having to go through this without help.

For some strange reason Harry feels differently this time, there is no pity and compassion in the chestnut's voice, those piercing blue eyes radiate anger and helplessness. It's the first time he feels that someone sees him differently.

-You're very cute Harry, but you can't let situations pass over you.

They remain silent for a few seconds, it is only until Louis takes enough courage to bring one of his hands up to Harry's that twist as if looking for a way to tie a knot with the long fingers. Louis' action causes Harry to pause, the curly-haired man watches with interest the way the two hands come together, palm to palm.

He focuses the opposing orbs again, it's a strange thing that doesn't let him look away, Louis smiles the biggest smile he can, crinkles at the sides of his eyes teeth perfectly white in the light. Harry loses it, for a moment, he smiles the same way, with the only difference being the two perfect dimples forming on his cheeks.

Harry's expression drops, he has that feeling in the pit of his stomach that can only mean one thing, he feels attraction for Louis, it may be too soon, they just met. He doesn't think about it too much anyway.

She leans in close enough to do what she wants, she surprises Louis the moment she deposits a soft kiss on the right corner of the thin lips. He expects a rejection or some grimace of displeasure, what he receives instead manages to melt his heart completely.

The brown is very surprised, but still watches Harry with that beautiful smile. The curly one doesn't have the slightest idea about Louis' life, he doesn't know if he has a partner or an engagement, he doesn't know if what he did is wrong or if he has to escape to another country before Louis gets out of this trance that looks like it's going to be pleasant.

Anyone you ask can tell you that loving someone is complicated, that love means broken hearts and tears of pain. Right at this moment Louis knows that love is not like that, mostly because he understands that love is easy, it's pleasant temperature and soft words, it's supportive. He knows he can love those two. He knows he's going to do it in the nicest way possible and that no one is going to stop him.

He wants to be that new member that integrates into the family just to bring happiness, he wants to always see Matthew and Harry enjoying things, not suffering and not crying, he wants to have with them all that he had as a child thanks to his family.

They stay together on the couch, close enough to feel each other's body heat, Harry is nice and cute, he has a lot of the things Louis likes, the brown doesn't want them to leave, he wants them both to stay.

For a moment he thinks that cuddling is too intimate, that he should ask permission to do it, but it's Harry who makes the first move, the couch is big, so big to be able to make an unexpected mess of small and big limbs.

They fall asleep with the feeling of a new beginning, a stage that is undoubtedly going to be good. Louis wakes up the next morning with a boyish face staring at him, the smell of coffee wafts through the room and a tiny hole opens up inside his stomach, he is very hungry.

-Good morning Mr. Louis, daddy went to bring breakfast. - Matthew says in a serious voice with no trace of mockery. This is how Louis wants to live the remaining days of his life.

He liked opening presents in the morning and ordering breakfast delivered, he likes that feeling of familiarity that envelops the house with Matthew's little feet running all over the house. It's when Harry mentions in sorrow that he has to leave, that's when Louis makes a decision.

-I don't want them to leave, they can stay here as long as necessary, it can be while they find another place -he offers, Harry's face can break because of the beautiful smile he gives her and Mati screams with excitement, that confirms that he made the right decision.

They end up knowing each other better than anyone else in the world, wrapped in romance and that happiness that the three of them searched for long months.

Harry ends up upset when he realizes that Louis is the owner of the company he works for, but that doesn't stop them from staying longer than they thought, nor does it stop him from developing feelings for Louis or Mateo from calling him 'daddy', but the most important thing is that it's not a problem when they say yes in front of a judge years later.