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Louis has always found something so special about the final months of the year. The air feels lighter, and the chilliness in the air makes everyone cuddlier— at least with him. It just feels like everything good happens around that time of year. Unless, of course, you are a university student, in which case the final months of the year feel like the shortest, and somehow longest most stressful moments of your life.
As a university student, Louis had mixed feelings about the season. On the one hand, he loved all the fun holiday activities you could do. On the other, he hated the amount of stress he was inevitably wired with. Now, for instance, he absolutely loved the idea the Fashion Students Association came up with: a Secret Santa exchange that’s open to non-members of the association, to make it a big event. The more participants they get, the bigger the possibility of getting new members to join the association. And, well, it’s just fun when a lot of people participate in their activities.
What he hated and stressed him out about the idea, was the fact he was assigned to convince non-members to join the Secret Santa exchange. He hated being told no, even in subtle ways. Realistically, it was normal that not a lot of college students wanted to join an event where it was necessary to spend money on a stranger, but Louis still hated the amount of people telling him no. He specifically hated going into classrooms, where people would give him blank stares that clearly meant “Please stop talking.” He wasn’t even talking that much during his pitches! Granted, sometimes he explained too thoroughly, but he didn’t want anyone to be confused.
Pushing through the stress it was giving him to practically beg people to say yes to him, Louis enters the classroom where he usually takes his finance course. A course he was scraping by; he wasn’t good with numbers, okay, he just took it as an elective because he thought it would be convenient to know about finances when the moment came to open his own business. He didn’t know it would be such a nightmare in his life. But, getting back to the task at hand, Louis made sure to be fifteen minutes early to be able to make his pitch without bothering the professor. So he stands in front of the big classroom and clears his throat to catch everyone’s attention.
Once he notices most of them are staring at him, he puts on his winning smile, “Hi, everyone!” he gives a short wave, “I’m Louis, I don’t know if you recognize me, but I take finance with you. I usually sit down in the middle, while I contemplate if it’s really that necessary to know numbers in order to open up a business.”
“Which it is! I just wish someone else could know the numbers so I could just focus on making clothes, you know? It’s not like I’m super failing, but I’d like to not cry after every exam!” He looks around and notices almost everyone with a confused look on their face, “Oh, right! So back to the main thing, I’m a member of the Fashion Students Association, which is awesome and you should totally join if you love anything clothes-related!” Louis hears a cough and realizes he’s getting off-topic again, “Sorry, I ramble a lot…”
“Anyways! Now that Thanksgiving break is over and Christmas is near, we are planning a Secret Santa exchange…” Louis rambles on with his rehearsed lines, making sure to not stray too off-topic between each line. He likes talking, okay? Sue him.
While he finishes his last couple of words, he starts focusing on faces and, without fail, notices the blank stares of people who want him to shut up. However, when his shoulders start to droop, and his scent starts to dull, he notices an alpha in the front row staring at him. But it wasn’t that same blank stare, it was as if Louis had just told him there wasn’t going to be a finance final. With a string of hope, Louis makes his way to the alpha with a bright smile.
“Hi! Do you want to join the exchange?” Louis hopes the desperation on his face isn’t as obvious as it feels.
“Sorry, uhm, me?” The alpha points a finger at himself while blinking rapidly.
“Yeah, you! You look like you would have lots of fun with a Secret Santa exchange,” Louis replies, “Please?” he adds for good measure.
“I- Sure, yeah. How do I join the exchange?” Louis shrieks with happiness, not noticing the stares from everyone around him. The guy scratches his eyebrow, his gaze not straying away from Louis.
“You have no idea how happy you just made me! People keep telling me no and it’s so upsetting. It feels like no one has holiday cheer anymore.” Louis whines, “Sure, you might not want to spend money on a stranger, but what about making a stranger happy? I mean,”
“Hello, everyone, I hope you drank your coffee because today we will be starting on the next unit on your syllabus,” The professor enters the classroom, which makes Louis sit beside the curly-haired alpha he convinced to join, to not interrupt the professor’s flow.
Louis leans in towards the guy, getting a whiff of his scent in the process. He smells like bitter chocolate mixed with something spicy,
“Hey, I didn’t catch your name,” Louis whispers, “I’m Louis Tomlinson.”
“‘M Harry.” The alpha, Harry, murmurs back.
“Nice to meet you, Harry.” Louis pokes Harry’s arm and leans back into his own seat, doing his best to understand whatever it is the professor is discussing.
After the excruciating class is over, Louis says a quick bye to Harry and stands up from his desk. Mid step he feels pressure on his wrist, he glances down and sees a ringed hand, a big hand, with long fingers. Louis ignores the faint buzz he feels and glances back up, seeing Harry is the owner of said hands. Louis also makes note of how much taller and broader Harry seems standing up.
“You never told me how to join,” Harry lets go of Louis’ wrist, scratching his neck instead.
“Oh, right! Sorry about that,” Louis proceeds to get Harry’s full name, his student email, and his number, to be able to add him to the secret exchange group chat, “There the coordinator will give everyone the actual instructions, so make sure to pay attention to it.”
Harry merely nods and starts making his way out of the classroom, Louis follows suit.
“I’ll see you later, Harry! I have to keep recruiting people so there will be an actual exchange.” Louis comments, “And make sure to spread the word, please?”
“Sure,” Harry replies.
“Awesome! Bye, Harry!” Louis waves while he walks away from the alpha, who gives a small wave back before Louis turns around.
***
Louis is walking through campus when he notices a familiar set of curls sitting on one of the many picnic tables in that area of the university. Obviously, he makes his way to him. The alpha seems to be engrossed in his book, until his head snaps up, nostrils flaring. He must’ve heard Louis’s steps or something.
“Hi, Harry! Can I sit with you?” Louis asks, Harry nods so he sits down right beside him. Louis shifts his body to face Harry’s side, “What are you doing?”
“Reading.”
Louis giggles, “I know that, silly. Are you waiting for a class or just lazing about?”
“Just reading,” Harry replies back, Louis nods along, amused at Harry’s short answer.
“Well, I’m in between classes so I decided to have a snack to hold me over until I get to have lunch!” He shows what he had in his hands, two mandarins. “They’re my favorite fruit. But I hate how sticky my hands get from peeling them, so I brought extra napkins to try and help myself.”
Louis starts trying to peel one of the mandarins, already struggling.
“I’ll peel it for you,” Harry speaks up.
“Really?” Harry nods, grabbing the mandarin from Louis’ hands and peeling it with ease.
Harry gives Louis the neatly peeled mandarin and starts working on the second one. Louis puts a mandarin slice in his mouth, humming at the delicious juice that popped when he chewed it.
“Thank you so much, Harry, you’re the best! First the exchange and now this, you’re awesome.” Louis chews another slice, while Harry seems engrossed in the process of peeling the other mandarin.
“‘s no big deal.” He shrugs.
“It is to me!” Louis pokes Harry’s arm with a bright smile on his face. Harry stares intently into Louis’ eyes and hands him the peeled mandarin without any words.
Louis spends the next fifteen minutes chatting away. Harry gives him short comments now and then, even adding his own anecdotes when Louis prods. Still, Louis does most of the talking, loving the fact that the alpha is listening to his every word.
***
There are two weeks until the Secret Santa exchange event and the names have been randomly assigned to everyone who signed up. Louis got a girl alpha he was in the association with, Jane. Jane was very attractive, and if Louis didn’t know she was only into alphas, he would totally go on a date with her.
Getting someone he knew was a relief for Louis, he knew exactly what to get Jane, so that was one less stressful task on his list. The other stressful task was studying for his finance exam, while also trying to stay on top of his main course classes. To say he was losing his mind was an understatement.
He was currently in the library, thinking that maybe the books around him would create enough intelligent atmosphere for him to understand what the hell he was staring at. What was the point of buying an expensive finance textbook if everything looked like gibberish?
Louis sighed, feeling his eyes well up for the third time that afternoon. He hated feeling stupid. He swears he pays attention to the professor when he explains it, but if he doesn't understand anything at all he can’t even catch up to the professor's explanations.
Giving himself a small mental break, he lays his head in between his arms, deciding that closing his eyes might be best right now. After a few minutes, he feels a poke on his head. He raises his head and sees a pair of deep green eyes.
“Hi, Harry.” Louis greets the alpha, inconspicuously breathing in the alpha’s comforting scent.
“Why so low, Louis, is the library a bad napping spot?” Harry raises an eyebrow while sitting down beside Louis, a small teasing smile on his face.
Louis pouts, “I wasn't napping, I was taking a break from this stupid book that I’m not even sure is in English, by the way. Which doesn’t even matter because most of it is numbers!” Louis whines, “Not all of us can be geniuses, mister.”
Louis has been hanging out with Harry consistently for a few days now. Even during the weekend. Harry is just so easy to talk to. Louis also loves texting him about anything he can think of. Ever since he broke the ice when reminding Harry to stay attentive to the association’s group messages, he just kept going.
“It can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, believe you me, it’s awful. I’ve been here for three hours, nothing makes sense, I have a headache, and I’m starving!” Louis' coconut and vanilla scent turns acrid during his rant and he feels his eyes well up with tears again, “I feel like the stupidest person alive.”
At some point during his rant, Louis had covered his face with his hands, frustration bubbling up in his chest. Louis feels Harry’s warm hands grab his own and place their hands on the tables. He can feel Harry’s scent surround him, the alpha trying his best to comfort him.
“You are far from stupid, Louis. You just need a bit of help.” Louis looks into Harry’s eyes, and he can feel he is still pouting a little. Something flashes in Harry’s eyes but the alpha looks down too quickly for Louis to try to decipher it. Harry releases Louis’ hands and rubs his own thighs, “I can help you if you want.”
“Would you?” Harry nods and Louis can only jump forward and hug Harry tightly, “Harry, you are the most awesome person I’ve ever met!”
Louis can faintly feel Harry’s breath on his neck, but he moves away before Louis can fully register it.
Harry scratches his neck and clears his throat, “So did you want to start now?”
“Are you crazy?! I just told you I spent three hours feeling like the stupidest person on the whole planet,” Harry opens his mouth, but Louis continues, holding a hand up, “I am not, but it feels like it! Anyways, I can’t stay another minute here, I’m starving.”
Louis stands up from the chair and makes his way outside of the library, with Harry right beside him.
“Here.” Harry hands him a small bag.
“What is it?” Louis asks, Harry just stares at him so he opens the bag and finds three peeled mandarins, “Oh my gosh, Harry!”
“You said you get hungry when studying so.” Louis immediately puts a slice in his mouth, moaning a little at the sweetness of the fruit.
“You really are my savior, Harry, I was about to die.” Louis notices a bit of rosiness on Harry’s cheeks, he’s probably cold, I mean, it has been getting so chilly lately.
While eating his mandarins, Louis tells Harry about the good parts of his day. He doesn’t even notice that Harry is guiding them to a small cafe near campus, but is happy to eat dinner there with the alpha.
Louis is so pleased he forgets to ask Harry what he was doing at the library in the first place.
***
Harry has been tutoring Louis for about a week now and Louis almost wants to request the university’s administration to make Harry the new professor. Maybe it’s Harry’s slow drawl or the way he explains the same thing in five different ways until he’s sure Louis gets it. Or maybe it’s because Harry brings peeled mandarins every time, or because he scents Louis and gives him breaks whenever he feels Louis is getting frustrated. Whatever it is, Louis hates finances a little less.
Now, though, instead of using the afternoon to study, they’re taking a trip to the mall. Louis wants to buy a few things, including Jane’s gift. And lately, he’ll take any chance he can get to hang out with Harry.
Despite the alpha’s protests, Louis insisted on walking to Harry’s dorm; it felt more convenient to Louis.
Once outside Harry’s door, he hears a few voices inside. Does Harry have people over? Louis knocks on the room and hears shushing noises and a couple of laughs.
The door opens and instead of Harry’s tall figure, he is met with a beta with blond hair and light blue eyes smiling big at him.
“You must be Louis! I’m Dylan, come on in.” He stepped to the side, letting Louis walk into the dorm room. “Harry is finishing up in his room.”
Louis looks around the small living room and sees a pair of eyes staring at him with the same smile Dylan gave him.
He waves, “Hi, I’m Louis. Harry didn’t say he had plans, sorry!”
“Oh, you’re good! We just really wanted to meet you so Dylan stopped by.” A red-haired guy, an alpha Louis thinks, tells him, “I’m Allan, by the way. Harry’s friend and roommate.”
“Meet me?” Louis questions Allan.
“Oh, yeah. We wanted to meet the famous Louis, with the prettiest blue eyes Harry has ever seen!” Dylan pipes in, sitting on the couch, right beside Allan.
Louis’ face burns, “Oh. Well, it’s nice to meet you two. I guess you already know my name! My full name is Louis Tomlinson, though, in case you were wondering. And my eyes are pretty blue. I wouldn't say the bluest of them all but they’re blue!” Louis giggles.
Allan coos at Louis, “You’re as adorable as Harry says and even prettier.”
“Oh! Thank you, I think.” Louis replies, his omega is pleased for an unknown reason to Louis.
Louis chats with them for a few minutes, Allan and Dylan are entertained by the little omega until Louis is obviously wondering where Harry is.
“You should go knock at Harry’s door, he is taking too long,” Dylan comments, “Maybe he choked on a book or something.”
“Dyl’s right. His door is the one on the left.” Allan points at the short hall and Louis makes his way to the door.
Louis knocks on the door, which opens quickly, “Did I not say to not bother me because Louis will- Louis? When did you get here?”
Louis is pretty sure his jaw is close to the floor by the sight in front of him. He hasn’t had a chance to look at Harry’s face, because his eyes can’t look away from Harry’s torso. Where does he hide it all? His eyes trail down and Louis gulps, mouth dry, getting a look at Harry’s happy trail that sticks out from the pants he’s wearing. His omega whines in his chest, making Louis snap out of it, shaking his head slightly. He feels his face burning again when his eyes meet Harry’s, who has an amused expression on his face.
“Louis?” Harry bends down a little.
“Yeah?” Louis sighs, a bit flustered by Harry’s shirtless form.
“I’m almost ready, have you been waiting long?” Harry looks a bit panicked, “Are Dylan and Allan being insufferable?”
Louis coughs the dryness of his mouth away to be able to answer, “No, no, I kinda just got here. And they’ve been nice! I promise.”
“They haven’t said anything weird?”
“Like how my eyes are the prettiest blue ever? I don’t find that weird at all.” Louis’ eyes crinkle up with his smile when Harry groans while rubbing his face.
“They’re dumbasses, okay?” Harry says.
“So my eyes are not pretty then,” Louis teases, fluttering his eyelashes for a little bit.
“No! I mean, yes! They are very pretty. They just-” Harry takes a deep breath and looks at Louis in resignation, “Let me get a shirt and I’ll be out, okay?”
Louis giggles, weirdly pleased at flustering Harry. Sort of like getting him back for being shirtless, “I’ll wait with the ‘dumbasses’ then.”
Harry nods and turns around on his heels, walking back into his room. Louis feels curious to see what Harry’s room looks like but stops himself from following him and goes back to the living room.
***
After three years as a university student, Louis had mastered the art of making his dorm room a safe haven. His room had fairy lights all around to give it a cozy feeling, his walls had different posters and pictures that meant a lot to him. And the most important part, his bed had the comfiest sheets, accompanied by a few plushies. His desk was a bit small, but he was small so he didn’t need a lot of space. A corner of his room was reserved for the organized mess of fabrics and clothing he had designed for different classes. Overall, he liked to think his room was perfectly designed for his comfort.
Which is why, when he was feeling a bit under the weather, he invited Harry over to study in his room. This way Louis would feel comfortable while still studying for the dreaded finances exam that was at the end of the week.
Louis looks around his room and zeroes into the newest addition, the tulip-shaped lamp Harry gave him. Louis had gushed about it when they went to the mall, but told Harry it was better he focused on the gifts he wanted to get, or else he would go on an impromptu shopping spree.
He did go a little crazy buying stuff for his friends, he even snuck in a gift for Harry without him noticing. And all throughout Harry was perfectly patient, following Louis around without a single complaint. Even when Louis spent a full thirty minutes deciding on a candle, he didn’t seem bothered by Louis’ indecisiveness. And Louis never noticed how much he had ended up buying because Harry was carrying all the bags around.
When Louis was ready to go back to campus, Harry told him to wait by the mall’s entrance, saying he had forgotten something. And when he came back, he had a shopping bag with the tulip lamp in it. A few shoppers were alarmed at Louis’ shrieking, but he couldn’t help it.
Louis shivers, his current state making him chillier than usual, and pulls on his oversized sweater, making sweater paws. He opted to wear his most comfortable leggings along with it and some thick socks.
He hears a few knocks and slowly makes his way to the door. There Harry was, with his backpack hanging from both shoulders and a plastic bag on his big paw of a hand.
“What’s that?” Louis asks in lieu of a greeting.
“Chicken soup. And medicine.” Louis’ heart melts, “We don’t have to study if you feel too sick. I can go.”
“No! Stay, please.” Louis pouts and drags Harry inside, leading him to the small kitchen, serving himself and Harry a bowl of the chicken soup the alpha brought, “I don't know if we’ll study because I’m really feeling a bit down, but we can hang out. Oh! Do you wanna watch a movie? They’re streaming 13 going 30 and I’m in the mood to rewatch it. Or we could watch a show! What do you think?”
Louis sits at the small counter and eats some of the soup, humming at how delicious and warm it is.
“Did you make this?” Harry nods, lets go of his backpack, and sits right beside Louis, “Harry, this is delicious, I think I’m officially cured! I’m not even as cold anymore!”
There’s a small tint on Harry’s cheeks, “It’s no big deal.”
Louis groans, “It’s never a big deal with you, and it literally is!” Louis pokes Harry’s arm, “Now, what do you wanna watch?”
“Whatever you want, Lou.” Lou . Louis doesn't think Harry has used a nickname before this and he feels warmer all of a sudden.
“Okay, c’mon then.” Louis leaves their dirty dishes on the sink, he’ll get to them later, he swears. Louis grabs Harry’s hand and pulls him down the hall. The omega has a fleeting acknowledgment of how Harry’s hand swallows Louis’ hand perfectly.
“To your room?” Harry asks, his voice wavers and it leaves Louis confused.
“Yeah, silly, it’s where my laptop is!” Louis giggles and opens his room, “Lo and behold, my room!”
Louis stands in the middle of the room, feeling a bit anxious to see Harry’s reaction. He stares expectantly at Harry, who is scanning everything until his eyes land back on Louis. Harry seems to get a flash of understanding in his eyes.
“Your room is very pretty, Lou.” Harry’s deep drawl makes Louis feel gooey inside, his omega ecstatic that the alpha complimented his room.
“Thank you.” Louis feels shy all of a sudden, but to shake it off he starts to ramble on about every single thing in his room and the reasons for it, “...and there’s our lamp! It fits in so well with everything else. Ugh, I just love tulips, they're so pretty and- what?”
Harry just shrugs and Louis feels his chest flutter because of Harry’s deep stare. He doesn't know why he’s so nervous today. It must be the small cold he has.
“Okay, silly man, let me get my laptop and we can watch the movie,” Louis walks toward his desk, “Make yourself comfortable! But don’t take the left side, that’s my side.”
When he turns around, laptop in hand, he has to take in a sharp breath at the sight of Harry’s tall and broad body barely fitting on Louis’ twin bed. Louis finally registers Harry’s rich scent mixing with Louis’ own that always lingers in his room and his omega whines.
Louis walks toward the left side of the bed and sits down, looking straight forward. His arm immediately touches Harry’s and he shivers.
“Are you cold?” Harry asks, immediately putting an arm around Louis and rubbing it up and down. It turns out the alpha is a walking furnace because Louis heats up immediately. It’s either that or the feeling of Harry being basically pressed up against him.
Louis opts to not say anything, to save himself from saying something embarrassing like “Let’s warm each other up”. His soft heat is probably getting close. Instead, he turns on his laptop and pulls up 13 going 30 . Harry’s hand is still around him, staying perfectly still.
While the movie plays, Louis giggles at the silly parts of the movie, occasionally glancing at Harry to make sure he is enjoying the movie. On more than one occasion he catches Harry already staring at him, making Louis think Harry also wanted to see his reactions.
Louis doesn't notice when but he ends up dozing off mid-movie, and when he wakes up, his head is on Harry’s firm chest. Louis feels Harry’s steady breathing and also feels Harry’s fingers softly stroking his arm in random doodles. Louis stays perfectly still for a few more minutes, enjoying the comfort that Harry brings him.
After the minutes pass, Louis stirs to let Harry know he’s awake, “I’m so sorry, Harry, I didn’t know I was this tired.” Louis sits up, Harry’s arm falling from around him, “Sorry for laying on you like that, I didn’t notice.”
“It’s no big deal, Lou.” Harry pokes Louis’ arm when he sees Louis starting to frown because of his words, “Do you feel better?”
Forgetting the small displeasure, Louis nods enthusiastically, “I think it’s the best sleep I’ve ever had, honestly! Do you know you’re like a human heater?” He pokes Harry back.
“I’ve been told before, yeah.” Harry scratches his neck. Louis’ omega growls in his chest, upset at Harry’s words. Louis’ expression must give him away because, “By my mom! She tells me all the time, ever since I presented.”
This calms Louis’ omega, which must also show on his face because there’s something akin to fondness in Harry’s eyes.
***
Although Louis’ true passion is designing clothes, he also loves decorating. Which is why he’s having the time of his life helping out with decorations for the Secret Santa exchange. They reserved the small activity center they have at their university for two days. One to decorate and the other for the actual event.
He has been running around helping with every little task while talking the ears off of everyone he had beside him. Some have changed tasks to be away from Louis for a few minutes, which would cause a small pain in his chest. He doesn't think he’s that intense, he’s just excited about everything.
Currently, though, he’s decorating right beside Jane; the alpha has always been kind to Louis. Louis is on a talking spree, telling Jane about all of his favorite Christmas activities he wanted to do during winter break. He’s also on a small ladder, putting up tinsel on the wall. Jane is holding Louis’ leg, not letting her eyes stray away from him in case he tripped. The alpha had insisted on putting up the tinsel herself, but Louis, ever the stubborn, told her he had delicate fingers that would make it easier to maneuver the tinsel.
“...I can’t wait for proper snow to fall too! I have a very fashionable snowman in mind and I can’t wait to make it!” Louis continues, “I’m thinking of also making a baby snowman, it’s just such a cute concept and-,”
“Hey, Louis?” Jane cuts Louis off, Louis asks a small ‘yeah?’ fearing that he will be told to shut up already, “Why is that alpha staring at me as if I spat on his food?”
“What?” Louis turns around on the ladder, but takes a wrong step and trips off of the ladder, gasping in fear.
He feels Jane catch him very quickly, making him a little dizzy with the movement.
“Whoops! Thank you, Jane!” Louis exhales, shaking off the nervous energy of almost falling straight to the floor. Jane puts Louis down on the floor, checking for any bruises.
“You should be paying better attention to him,” He hears a very familiar deep rumble behind him, also catching his bitter chocolate scent, a bit heavier than usual.
Louis turns around, a smile already on his face, “Hi, Harry! You came!”
“I was paying attention, that’s why he’s in one piece right now, instead of being on the floor, in pain,” Jane crosses her arms, her muscles bulging in the process.
“If you were paying attention he wouldn't have even fallen off,” Harry also crosses his arms, Louis’ mouth drying at the sight of Harry’s biceps being noticeable from under his sweater. Jesus .
“Listen here, smartass-” Jane takes a step closer to Harry, her scent turning a bit bitter.
“ Okay! I’m actually super okay, thanks to Jane,” Louis says pointedly, with a tinge of nervousness in his voice. His omega is getting a little restless at the confrontational atmosphere forming, “So let’s move on from that!”
Harry’s jaw flexes for a few seconds before turning his attention back to Louis. Janes rolls her eyes, muttering a ‘whatever’, before patting Louis’ hair tenderly.
“I’ll go help Claire,” Jane rolls her eyes at Louis’ eyebrow wiggles, the omega knowing that Jane has a crush on that certain alpha, “I’ll see you later, Loulou” Jane says, Louis says a small ‘bye’ in return, before giving Harry his attention again.
When he sees Harry's face, there’s an annoyance in his expression, making Louis’ omega howl in displeasure, “Are you upset with me?”
Harry’s expression quickly calms down, all annoyance evaporating, “No, Lou, I was just worried about you.”
“Well, I’m perfectly fine, look!” He does a 360° for Harry, and when he faces Harry again, he sees his eyes trailing up and down. Harry clears his throat, nodding to Louis.
“I think I’m done with this wall,” Louis hums in thought, looking around for his next task until he zeroes in on the Christmas tree, “I know what we’re doing, c’mon!”
Louis takes hold of Harry’s hand, just because he can, and leads them toward the tree.
“It’s a fake one, someone from the association lent it to us for the event! We just have to decorate it so it fits the whole vibe,” Louis explains, pointing at the box filled with Christmas lights, ornaments, and other tree decorations.
Louis works pretty quickly on the tree. He chats his little heart away, Harry giving hums of acknowledgment and little comments, perfectly content to listen to Louis talk while handing him the decorations he needs. Louis thinks it feels very domestic, and if there weren't about twenty other people in the room, he would think Harry and him are decorating their own tree.
“...and there was a lot of discussion about whether to use a star or an angel for the top of the tree, but everyone agreed on the star. It’s just much more classic, you know?” Louis grabs the shiny silver star, just now realizing he doesn't have a ladder to put the star up.
He’s about to ask Harry to put it up himself when he feels a pair of heavy hands on his hips. Harry lifts him up like he weighs less than a feather, and the thought of being tossed around a little by Harry warms him up under his sweater. With slightly trembling hands, he places the star on top of the tree, trying to ignore the heat coming off of Harry’s hands, scared that if he focused on it a bit of slick would trickle out.
Harry puts him down carefully, not taking his hands off Louis’ hips. Louis turns around to face Harry, his heart skipping a beat when he sees Harry already looking at him with such intensity he almost can’t bear it.
Louis swallows a bit thickly and sees Harry’s Adam's apple moving as well. He swears he feels Harry close in until all he can see is Harry’s face, everything else a blur.
“Lou,” Harry starts, his eyes fleeting down to Louis’ mouth and up again.
“Yeah?” Louis sighs, hope expanding in his chest. He’s not sure what it is he wants to hear, but he wants it so badly.
“I-” A loud noise makes them both flinch, stepping away from each other. Harry’s hands drop from Louis’ hips, Louis misses the warmth instantly, his omega whining in his chest, “I have to go, uhm, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Louis’ face falls in disappointment, “Oh, yeah. See you tomorrow! Four PM sharp!” Louis tries to sound excited, but he can’t shake off the feeling of want.
“And here,” Harry gives Louis a peeled mandarin, along with a tulip keychain, “You told me you needed a new keychain the other day.”
Louis’ heart melts, and he forces himself to shake off the urge to kiss Harry as a thank you.
“Harry, this is so sweet!” Louis smiles genuinely, poking Harry’s arm.
“It’s no-” Louis gives him a warning look, “You’re welcome, Lou.”
***
Louis looks around the fully decorated activity center, and it looks so pretty and magical that he sighs contentedly. There’s a good amount of people in there already and it’s barely four thirty, so he’s extremely pleased with the turnout. The Christmas music that's playing is low enough so people can talk calmly. Louis sighs again, happy that the atmosphere is so cozy for everyone. Has he mentioned that he loves the holidays?
“Louis, you look ravishing!” Jane compliments him, making Louis blush and giggle behind his hands. He is very proud of the outfit he put together for himself.
He’s wearing a red sweater that clings to his body, over it a black, soft, pencil skirt that goes to mid-thigh, and black tights underneath, paired up with his favorite pair of Mary Janes. And, of course, some mascara, blush, and gloss on his pink lips. Simple but pretty.
“If that smartass doesn't scoop you up, I will.” Jane teases Louis. Louis feels his cheeks heat up, he shouldn't have worn blush, he didn't need it.
“Jane! It's not like that.” Louis’ voice lacks conviction, “And besides, I don’t think Claire likes sharing.”
Jane’s face turns to a lovestruck expression, “You’re right,” she sighs, “I’ll go find her before your alpha chews my head off for talking to you.”
“He’s not my-” Louis can’t get the full sentence out because Jane is already away from him. He smells Harry before he sees him, the bitter chocolate and spicy scent has become a comforting smell for him.
He sees Harry walk up to him and can’t help but let his eyes roam. He’s wearing a white knitted sweater that makes him look as handsome as ever with cream-colored pants. He looks so handsome and cozy, that he feels the urge to ditch the exchange and take Harry home.
When Harry’s right in front of Louis, the energy feels different and special. Louis bites his lip while looking up at Harry, “Hi, Harry” he says, “You look handsome today.”
“Hey, Lou,” There’s a twinkle in Harry’s eyes, “You look breathtaking.”
Louis’ face heats up, and he hopes the blush he’s wearing hides it enough. Louis opens his mouth to say something else, anything really but gets cut off by the host of the exchange talking into the microphone.
“...so just sit around and the first Secret Santa will stand up and give the present to the person they were assigned,” the beta explains, “And then that person turns into the next Secret Santa, giving the gift to their person and so on! Any questions?” No one speaks up, and Louis buzzes with energy. He loves Christmas!, “Then let’s begin! I’ll start!”
Gifts start being given around. Naturally, a few people gave more effort than others, but Louis thinks it’s pretty successful. And the atmosphere is so cheerful and full of energy. A brunette beta turns out to be Harry’s Secret Santa. Louis growls a little, but the beta doesn't seem to have any interest in the alpha, so he calms himself down.
Harry puts the gift down, which turns out to be a candle, and picks up the gift he will give to his assigned person. Something brews inside Louis’ chest. Logically, he knows Harry didn't have a say on who he was assigned to, but he can’t shake off the weird feeling in his stomach at the thought of him gifting to a random someone.
Harry wipes his free hand on his pants and clears his throat before speaking.
“Uhm, I got Louis Tomlinson,” Louis’ mouth opens and he rushes to stand in front of Harry.
“Oh my god, Harry! You sure can keep a secret.” Louis giggles to mask his flustered tone. Louis opens the small box and gasps, a hand covering his mouth for a second, “Harry this is-”
Louis touches the delicate golden necklace, it has a small purple tulip pendant. When he lifts the pendant, it flips over and Louis sees what’s engraved on the back of it: a small ‘H’.
“Harry?” Louis looks up to find Harry already looking at Louis. Harry takes Louis’ hands into his own, cradling the gift, and taking a deep breath.
“Louis, you are” Harry starts, “the most amazing person I have ever met. It’s impossible not to notice you, every time you would walk into finances, I was baffled that someone so beautiful could exist in this world. And then you talked to me, and I felt like the luckiest alpha in the universe.”
“Everything about you is amazing. I like that you poke my arm all the time, for some weird reason. I love listening to you talk, and talk, and talk,” Louis groans, a little embarrassed, “and it’s nothing to be embarrassed about because you talking means I get to listen to you. And I want to listen to you, and peel mandarins for you, and give you all the tulips you want and deserve.”
“Because I like you, a lot. I’ve liked you ever since you walked in on the first day of the semester, talking to someone you had just met about how much you hated numbers.” Harry turns his voice into a soft whisper, “And I love your scent, the perfect blend of coconut and vanilla that makes me want to hold you and never let go.”
“I really like you, Lou.”
Louis’ mouth opened at some point during Harry’s speech, and he feels tiny happy tears spring in his eyes, “I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard you speak.”
A blush blooms on Harry’s cheeks, “Yeah, well. It’s what happens when you keep a secret like that.”
Louis bites his lip, apparently for too long, because Harry’s face turns into an unsure expression.
Louis frees his right hand from Harry’s grip and holds the back of Harry’s neck. He pulls him down until their lips crash into one another. Their lips fit into each other like they were meant to be, being perfectly synched. Louis’ omega leaps with joy, his heart racing and his mind going dizzy with excitement. He pulls back enough to be able to speak, “I like you too, by the way.”
Harry gives him a big smile and Louis’ mouth drops, “You have dimples?!”
They hear a cough behind them, and it turns out to be the host, “This is very sweet, but can we keep going?”
Louis rushes out an apology, turning red from head to toe, and putting his gift on Harry’s hand before searching for the gift he got for Jane. When he announces he is Jane’s Secret Santa, Harry grumbles under his breath. Louis sits back down beside Harry, assuring him neither he nor Jane are interested in one another. And reminds him that they literally just kissed.
The alpha huffs a little, but Louis can tell he’s not serious about it. When the exchange is over, they hang around in a corner of the room, feeling like it’s just the two of them in the world.
While Harry noses at Louis’ neck, who is now proudly wearing his new necklace, a thought comes up in his head, “How convenient is it that you were my Secret Santa for the exchange? It’s kinda awesome.”
Harry stills and pulls away from Louis’ neck, which has Louis pouting.
“About that…” Louis raises an eyebrow, confused, “I begged your association’s coordinator to give me your name for the Secret Santa. I had gotten someone else.”
“What?” Louis smiles immediately, “How did they let you?”
“I begged for twenty minutes and gave them ten dollars.” Harry looks away in embarrassment, which makes Louis smile even bigger, and pokes Harry’s arm.
“You are something else,” Louis says, elated that the alpha liked him so much. Harry boops Louis’ nose in return.
“You’re a big deal, Lou.” Louis pulls Harry down to kiss him again, Harry’s scent surrounding him. He sighs into the kiss, he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
***
By the end of the semester, Louis passes his finances class with a B, thanks to his smart alpha. Because of this accomplishment, Harry gives Louis a beautiful bouquet of tulips and a bag of freshly peeled mandarins, which Louis shares with him.
They spent the rest of the semester cuddling, watching movies, and spending time together. Louis doesn't have mixed feelings about the season anymore, he thinks. This one was absolutely perfect.