Chapter Text
Concert venues always had a surprising amount of hallways and rooms to poke around in. Zoey had become accustomed to it after going on so many tours with the band. It was like a maze of places to explore, which was perfect for killing time when everyone else was busy. Usually, Paul would sit and play with her when he had a chance. And Lou and Caroline too, they were all very nice to her and did their best to keep her entertained. But sometimes, exploring on your own was a little bit fun and exciting.
Of course, she wasn't supposed to. She was never supposed to leave the room unattended, she had to have someone with her. But what's the point of rules if you don't break them occasionally? Besides, she would be back before anybody even caught on.
The small girl knelt down and peeked around the corner to check nobody was there before darting into a room. It turned out to be pretty boring though, just a couch and some dressing tables with mirrors and a mini fridge. Lame.
-
"I'm so ready to get Zoey and head to the hotel to crash. I'm exhausted," Harry groaned as he raked a hand through his long, sweaty curls.
"She seemed pretty tired too today, hopefully she sleeps good tonight," Louis agreed.
The couple stepped into the dressing room, but paused when they didn't see their little girl curled up on the couch. Her ipad was resting on one of the cushions and her baby doll was laying on the coffee table, but no Zoey could be seen.
"Where's Zoey?" Louis looked at the only person in the room, a guy they didn't know that well named David. He was fairly new to the crew, though he seemed nice enough. At the moment he looked impossibly stressed out.
"I'm not sure," the man said nervously.
"What?" It was Harry this time, looking incredibly pissed off.
"I don't know, I stepped out for a second and she's gone...."
Zayn, Niall, and Liam entered the room at that point, immediately registering the tension.
"Everything okay?" Liam looked between Harry, Louis, and David.
"Zoey's fucking missing," Louis swore.
-
Zoey was tired. She knew it was late, she was hungry and ready to go back to the hotel. Except she couldn't figure out which hallway she had come from originally. After exploring for a while, everything sort of jumbled together and she couldn't figure out how to get back.
Unsure of what else to do, she picked a hallway and just started walking. The lights were dim in some spots like the bulbs needed to be changed and suddenly it felt eerie to be alone in a strange place.
Tears pricked her eyes and began to drip down her cheeks as she nervously chewed on the edge of her thumb, quelling sobs.
"D-daddy? Papa?" She whimpered.
Nobody replied and Zoey began to cry a bit louder as she continued walking. Her pull up was already wet but she couldn't stop it when she began to pee again. The training pants unable to hold it all, leaked onto her pale pink leggings. Her sobbing picked up as she become more distressed and uncomfortable, beginning to scream for her Daddy and Papa.
That was when she spotted a faintly glowing exit sign. Taking a risk, she surged forwards and heaved her little body against the heavy door to push it open. The night air was cold and bit at her skin through her thin clothes. The wind whipped at her hair and made her nose run more than it already was as she looked around wildly for someone, anyone.
"Zoey?" Paul turned, concerned from where he was standing and smoking a cigarette. Quickly, he stomped it out and rushed to the crying little girl who had just burst outside.
"P-paulie! I dunno what happened, I can't find Daddy," the little wept as she clung to him.
Paul hoisted her onto his hip easily, shushing her gently. "I'll take you to your Daddy and Papa Zozo. The show is over now, I bet they're so worried for you sweetheart."
Paul navigated them back to the dressing room easily where the boys were frantically pacing and talking on the phone, telling whoever was on the other line that Zoey was missing.
"It's okay, I've got her," Paul announced, making everyone's head snap towards him.
Zoey sniffled, ducking her head into his shoulder shyly.
"Oh my god," Harry made it across the room in two strides before grasping his little girl and crushing her into a hug.
"Baby, where were you? What happened? You scared us half to death!"
Zoey scrubbed at her face and whimpered, looking at the floor.
Louis knelt beside the pair, hugging her as well.
" 'S alright love, it's alright. Are you hurt?" Louis' eyes raked over her quickly in search of any injuries, coming up empty though he did notice her pants were damp.
"What happened to your leggings sweetheart? Why are you wet?" He touched her bum with one hand but Zoey squirmed away, embarrassed at the attention in front of everyone.
"No Papa!"
Harry frowned, tapping her thigh.
"No ma'am, you had us all very scared. Cut the attitude Zoey. Did you have an accident?" He leaned back onto his heels to look at her.
Zoey didn't reply, staring at the floor.
"Let's go to the hotel, it's just a couple minutes away. We'll give her a bath," Louis said to his husband, sighing.
Zoey swiped at her eyes as they watered again, thoroughly humiliated.
The drive to the hotel was quick, and consisted only of quiet chatting amongst the band members as Zoey fidgeted in her car seat and stared out the window at the lights on all of the buildings.
"Alright Zo, bathroom please," Louis directed as they entered their room and dropped their bags.
The small girl scurried there quickly, not needing to be told twice. She knew they didn't like when she undressed herself but decided she didn't care at the moment as she stripped.
Harry frowned when he walked in to find her naked, clothes in a heap on the floor and her soaked pull-up in the trash can.
"Come here, Zoey Marie."
"Daddy, I have to take a bath," she pointed at the tub.
"What's gotten into you today?" He turned on the taps and tugged her to stand between his legs as he perched on the edge of the tub.
"Wanted to explore but I got lost," she murmured, cheeks flaming.
Harry hummed in response. He lifted her easily, large hands supporting her small body as he helped her into the tub.
“It wasn’t very safe for you to go off by yourself,” he said after a moment.
Zoey looked up, eyes wide before dropping them to her lap. She flicked at a few of the bubbles silently, lost in thought.
“Sorry Daddy..” Her voice came out quietly.
“If we need to hire a special babysitter just for you, we can do that. I’m thinking that may be a good idea.”
Her face snapped up, alarmed. “No, I, I… I can be good and listen. I don’t need a babysitter, okay?”
Harry frowned, his green eyes a shade darker than usual. They got like that when he wasn’t happy. Zoey gulped nervously.
“Who makes the rules and calls the shots?” He asked, running a sudsy washcloth across her left arm.
“You, and Papa do,” Zoey muttered, cheeks red.
“Good girl,” Harry praised. “So, who decided if you need a sitter?”
“You and Papa,” her voice came out mildly dejected.
“I can be a big girl though.”
“Of course, but isn’t it nice being Daddy’s baby instead?” Harry leaned forward, lips brushing lightly at her cheek.
She squirmed, the water sloshing a little inside the tub. “Y-yes.”
He smiled before unplugging the drain and scooped her out with a large, soft towel. Zoey squealed at the suddenness, a little giggle making its way free.
Harry dropped her onto the bed, flat on her back before grabbing a bottle of lotion and beginning to carefully rub it into her legs. Zoey sighed deeply at the feeling and let her body relax into the soft mattress.
His large hands worked slowly, and carefully to ensure no inch of skin was left untouched. His fingers massaged lightly, working away gently at the tightness of her muscles she didn’t even realize was there.
She remained limp and pliant while he diapered and dressed her in pajamas, the smell of lavender lotion invading her senses.
He picked her up easily, fingers brushing her hair back from her face. “My little baby, my sweet girl. You’re Daddy’s girl, huh?”