Chapter Text
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Harry didn't listen to music the way society expected an Omega to. You certainly wouldn't find him at a Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter concert—he loved rock music with a powerful sound that bounced off the speakers. Surprisingly, this type of music comforted him and made him feel alive. And if there was one band that had won his heart and soul, it was The Rogue.
That band had everything he was looking for: a sound that could rock concert hall foundations, raw power, and a lot of audacity. The Alpha lead singer, Louis Tomlinson, was the heart and soul of the band. His voice, raspy yet high pitched, brings both joy and melancholy in a single breath. For Harry, Louis wasn't just a rock star; he symbolized both freedom and rebellion, someone who could control everything while remaining free. The band's songs touched Harry deeply, and he often recognized himself in their lyrics.
Harry wasn't the only fan passionate about The Rogue. His 6-year-old son, Max, an energetic Alpha with big, green eyes, had also become a fan of the band (how could it be otherwise?). Max was very good at interpreting Harry's emotions. During Harry's moments of melancholy, he would sit on the couch, put one of their albums on repeat, and stay silent, his eyes lost in thought. Max would sit next to him and release his soft 6-year-old Alpha’s pheromones to comfort him. Sometimes, when Harry felt better, Max would turn on the speakers and pick his favorite songs, often the more upbeat ones, and excitedly try to mimic the rhythm of the drums by moving his little arms to the beat, as if he were playing on real toms, bass drums, and cymbals.
When Harry saw the announcement on social media that The Rogue was going on tour, he was so excited. It was the moment he had been waiting for a long time: to see the band live again, but this time with his son so Max could finally experience watching his favorite band perform live. The last time Harry saw the band live, he was with his ex, and Max was a small pea growing inside him without Harry's knowledge. Without hesitation, he bought two tickets as close to the stage as possible—after weeks of waiting, Harry finally received the tickets and surprised Max, who screamed with joy.
On the night of the concert, both of them struggled to contain their excitement. Harry wore his favorite The Rogue’s t-shirt and helped Max dress like a rocker—black jeans, white t-shirt, and black leather jacket. He had considered styling Max’s hair in a rockabilly pompadour but chose to let his brown curls do their thing. Having the same hair, Harry understood it would be futile to attempt to influence their decisions because it was as if their hair had a will of its own.
Finally prepared, they left their apartment and went to the subway that would take them to the O2 Arena. Max trotted alongside to its entrance, his excitement palpable. Harry held his son's hand tightly throughout the subway ride, too afraid of losing him in the sea of passengers.
When they arrived, Harry felt a wave of energy enter his body. The giant poster outside, with The Rogue's logo and Louis's smiling face, made it all feel so real.
As they entered the venue, Harry was fascinated by its vastness. The stage was huge, with giant speakers above the crowd. The atmosphere was exciting! Fans were chatting, eagerly awaiting the start of the opening act. Harry and Max sat near the stage, where Harry could already feel vibrations from background music before the concert began.
Max, sensing Harry's energy, stayed close to him, his wide eyes filled with wonder at the crowd. Alphas and Betas constituted the majority of the audience, and Harry couldn't hide his inner satisfaction at having chosen to take suppressants. Some Alphas, in a state of extreme excitement induced by alcohol and/or drugs, which was common at rock concerts, could enter a rut-like state and that could be dangerous for nearby Omegas. This had happened at other concerts, and Harry didn't want to take any chances. Some Alphas had become uncontrollable and had to be confined for a few days for treatment.
Everyone was there for one reason: The Rogue. Harry's heart raced. He had trouble tearing his gaze from the stage, imagining what it would be like to see Louis in person again.
"Can you believe we're really here?" Max screamed, squirming with excitement.
"I can't wait to see them!" Harry shared Max’s anticipation.
"Me too! Imagine! We'll even get to see Louis up close!" Max insisted, and Harry smiled, his eyes sparkling. He couldn't contain his pride for his little one, who had spent the entire day making a sign.
"Do you think Louis will see my sign?" Max asked, looking at Harry with wide eyes full of hope.
"I bet he will," Harry replied, gently stroking Max's back. "You did a wonderful job. Hold it up high when he's on this side of the stage."
The opening band had electrified the stage with an outpouring of energy, getting the audience worked up as they waited for The Rogue's performance to begin. The band's catchy song echoed throughout the stadium, merging indie rock with a dash of pop, and the audience reacted enthusiastically, cheering and singing along. The lead singer filled the space with his voice, establishing a connection with the crowd that swayed to the rhythm of the songs. It was clear that, despite the crowd's anticipation for The Rogue, the opening act had earned its place, putting everyone in a good mood and ready to welcome the main act to the stage.
After a short break, allowing the crew to adjust instruments on stage, the lights suddenly went out, and the crowd screamed with excitement. The unmistakable sound of the drums struck like thunder through the speakers, and Louis stepped on stage, his chocolate-brown hair covering his eyes, his iconic leather jacket sparkling under the lights. When his voice rose, Harry felt his heart race in his chest. It was as if the planet had stopped spinning.
Their favourite song, The Greatest, opened the concert, and Max's eyes shone with joy. He, clearly swept up in the excitement, began screaming and jumping energetically near the stage, clapping his hands to the beat. Harry smiled and gently told him to calm down a little. "I know, buddy, me too," he whispered, his gaze fixed on the stage. Louis had a captivating charm, and Harry had a hard time believing he was experiencing it in real time.
During the concert, as Louis moved toward their side, Harry lifted his son onto his shoulders and told him to hold up the sign high.
Max waved it with enthusiasm, determined to catch the singer's attention. Harry watched, captivated by the moment, feeling the music vibrate within him.
"Look, look!" Max yelled. "He's coming this way!"
Then something unexpected happened. The lights suddenly shifted, and a beam of light focused directly on Harry and Max as Louis stepped closer to the edge of the stage, his gaze scanning the crowd. Harry felt his heart race as Louis made eye contact with him, a smile spreading across the singer's lips—Harry was overwhelmed with warmth. Then Louis's gaze shifted to Max, who proudly held up his sign. Upon reading it, Louis burst out laughing, momentarily disrupting the rhythm of the song and causing him to miss a line.
Louis quickly recovered, continuing the song without further interruption, the lights shifting again. Harry and Max couldn't help but giggle. They had succeeded in distracting Louis, causing him to mess up the lyrics to his song, exactly as they had intended. They exchanged a knowing look, savoring the moment, while Louis, still smiling, carried on with the song, unaware of their small victory. At that point, they could only hope the second part of their wish would come true, though that was unlikely.
Louis went on to perform several more songs, effortlessly commanding the stage with his unique energy. The audience was completely captivated by the performance, the music softening for the usual brief break, a moment when Louis would typically chat with some lucky audience members, telling funny stories or exchanging a few words. However, this time, things went differently. Instead of addressing the whole crowd, Louis chose to turn toward Harry and Max, a mischievous smile forming on his lips.
As he approached them, his gaze fixed, Harry's heart fluttered. Was this really happening? Louis stopped in front of them, his smile widening as he signaled to a technician backstage. Without hesitation, the technician acted immediately by pointing a spotlight toward Harry and Max, lighting them up in front of thousands of people. At the same time, a cameraman raced over, eager to record every expression and reaction, as if he realized something major was about to happen. Harry and Max exchanged a look, both unsure of what to except but knowing it would be unforgettable. On the giant screen above the stage, Louis appeared on one side, while Harry and Max were projected on the other. The sight made Harry blush, while Max laughed uncontrollably, clapping with excitement.
"Hey, you!" Louis called, his voice echoing over the background music provided by the musicians. "So, you think you can prank me, lad?" He teased, his voice resonating in the stadium. "You got me good with that joke!"
Max laughed even harder, his cheeks flushed with joy as he looked up at Louis, clearly relishing the attention. Louis winked at him, making the moment even more special.
"It seems we have a little prankster here," Louis said, pointing at Max, who continued to laugh.
Louis moved closer to the edge of the stage. "Come up here!" he shouted, motioning for Max to join him. The crowd erupted into cheers, and Harry's heart raced. "And bring the sign with you!"
Setting his son down, Harry gently pushed him in the direction of a security guard, an imposing man in a black suit who was prepared to assist the boy over the barrier and onto the stage.
Max's eyes widened in disbelief. "Me? Up there?" He looked up at Harry, who, unable to hide his smile, could only nod in confirmation.
"You asked for something, and now it's time to receive your reward." Louis told him from the stage.
"Go on, pup! You've got this!" Harry encouraged, his voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.
Max hesitated for a moment, his little feet shifting nervously as he looked up at the stage. He wasn't sure he had the courage to go up on his own, his small hands gripping the railing tightly. Sensing his hesitation, Louis smiled warmly and crouched down, his voice soft and encouraging.
"Hey, no need to be shy, buddy. How about coming up with Curly Sr.?"
When Harry realized what Louis was implying, his heart skipped a beat. Despite feeling a mixture of trepidation and excitement, he grabbed Max's hand in his, smiled at him, and followed the man to the stage steps, thanking his suppressants for helping him conceal the emotions he was feeling.
Max's face lit up as they climbed together, his tiny feet bouncing with joy. Harry's hand rested gently on his back, guiding him with warmth and reassurance. As they reached the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers. Max's laughter, picked up by the mics, filled the stadium with a magical, welcoming energy. Louis crouched down with his arms open wide, welcoming the little boy who rushed into his embrace, making the moment all the more unforgettable.
"What's your name, little man?" He inquired in a kind and curious tone.
"Max!" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm, eyes wide and sparkling as he looked at Louis, clearly overjoyed to be in the spotlight.
"Max! I love your sign! Can you show it to the crowd?" Louis asked, glancing at the colorful, hand-painted letters that boldly expressed their message.
Max, gripping the sign tightly in his little hands, raised it high for everyone to see. The message, bold and cheeky, was broadcast on the giant screens across the concert hall. "You mess up the lyrics, you let me on stage!" The crowd froze for a split second, then burst out laughing, the sound echoing across the stadium.
Still laughing, Louis raised his hands to calm the audience, his mischievous smile never fading.
"All right, all right," he said, "No need for more signs like that, folks. I know you... I fell for it once, but I won't fall for it again!"
He winked at Max, who giggled, and the crowd erupted in another wave of laughter, well aware that Louis enjoyed the joke as much as they did.
"You’re a big fan?" he asked.
"Yeah! We love The Rogue!" Max beamed, his face glowing as his shyness melted away under the spotlight.
On stage, Max's confidence only grew, bubbling over with excitement as he stood in front of Louis. Sensing the joy, the crowd cheered in unison, amplifying the magical feeling of the moment.
"You know what, Louis?" Max asked, eyes glowing with excitement. His small voice rang out over the stage, full of enthusiasm.
"No, what, Max?" Louis replied, leaning down slightly, genuinely intrigued and amused.
"The last time I saw you, I was in my mummy's belly!" Max said proudly, puffing out his chest and smiling at Louis.
Louis's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? That's awesome!" he said, smiling. "Where's your mom?" Couldn't she make it tonight with you and your dad?"
Max shook his head.
"No, silly! Mumma's here! And I don't have a daddy," he said, pointing his little finger in Harry's direction.
The spotlights swung around, landing directly on Harry, who had been lingering slightly off to the side. His heart pounded as thousands of eyes turned toward him. His face flushed immediately, heat rising to his cheeks with the sudden spotlight. The attention made him feel exposed, vulnerable. In front of thousands, his own pup had outed him without a second thought. The last thing Harry expected tonight was to be thrown into the limelight so personally. He stepped back slightly, feeling uncomfortable, torn between pride for Max's fearless spirit and a deep, raw embarrassment. He swallowed hard, trying to compose himself, but his blush only deepened.
Louis, noticing Harry's discomfort, turned toward him, his expression softening. He looked at Harry with a reassuring, almost protective gaze, as if silently saying that everything was fine, that there was no reason to feel ashamed. He gave him a small, knowing smile, carrying a silent message: It's okay. You don't have to be embarrassed. We've got this.
The look Louis gave him felt more intimate than anything typically exchanged between an artist and a fan. For a moment, Harry could've sworn Louis saw him—truly saw him. It was all he had ever wanted, and it filled his heart with emotion.
Louis turned back to Max with a wink, his playful energy unwavering. "Well, I guess your mom has always had great taste, huh?" He said with a teasing lilt, hoping to lighten Harry's nerves.
The crowd, sensing the bond forming on stage, responded with cheers, their acceptance washing over Harry like a warm wave. The weight of being exposed in front of so many seemed just a little lighter now that he realized Louis wasn't judging him. On the contrary, he made him understand that all of this was simply part of life. Harry couldn't help but feel a little more at ease, his discomfort slowly easing as he looked at Max, whose beaming smile made it all a bit more bearable.
Max, of course, was thrilled. He beamed at Louis, his hands clapping excitedly as he soaked up the attention. Harry felt a lump form in his throat. He was particularly moved, not simply by his quiet message but also by the gleam in Louis’s eye and the way he made Harry feel seen for the first time in what seemed like an eternity. As if he wasn't invisible, wasn’t just another fan in the crowd.
"Want to help me with the next song?" Louis asked, steering the moment back to him and the child, giving Harry a chance to breathe.
"Yes! Yes!" Max beamed, bouncing on his toes.
"All right then, let's do it! This one's Always You."
Louis stood and signaled to the band, who kicked up the tempo, and the music began. Louis lifted Max into his arms, and together they shared the mic. Max's voice was timid at first, but grew stronger as they sang, their eyes twinkling with shared joy.
Harry's heart swelled with pride, and he couldn't tear his eyes away from them—his idol and his son, both radiant under the stage lights. For a moment, everything felt perfect. As the song came to an end, Louis turned to Max, their faces inches apart.
"You're a wonderful singer, Max! Would you like to come back and sing with us again sometime?"
Max's jaw dropped, and he nodded vigorously. "Really? I'd love to!"
"All right, let's do it!" Louis winked, set him down gently, and turned to the crowd. "Everybody, give it up for Max!"
In an instant, the fairy tale they were living was over. Louis turned to the audience, raising his hand to draw their energy back. The attention shifted, and suddenly Harry and Max were being escorted offstage. Harry blinked at the sudden realization of what had happened hit him. They were back in the crowd, surrounded by thousands, while Louis seemed to have already moved on, focused on the show.
For a moment, Harry stood still, Max at his side, overwhelmed by a rush of conflicting emotions. He felt tears sting at the corners of his eyes, not from sadness, but because for one fleeting moment, someone, someone as important as Louis, had seen him. For the first time since Max's father had left, someone had made him feel like he mattered.
And yet, as he watched Louis walking on stage, doubts crept in. Was Louis genuinely concerned about him and his son? Or was it just a fleeting gesture, a crowd-pleasing moment? Was he just another fan to Louis, a face lost in a sea of adoration? The question lingered in Harry's heart, a sharp jab of uncertainty disrupting the magic.