Fireflies

“Harry? Harry!?” Louis yells from their garage. He’s currently struggling to reach the green tarp hidden on the top shelf. Stretching up on his tiptoes, tongue out and desperately wiggling his fingers, he’s trying to grasp the corner of the tarp. Stupid tall Harry with his long limbs, always putting things on the top shelf where he can’t reach them.

“Yeah?” Louis hears Harry call out from the driveway where he’s packing up their Jeep with military precision.

“Help, please.” Louis grunts out, stretching even further, even jumping a bit to try to close the distance between the tarp and his fingers. He feels Harry behind him, easily grabbing the tarp with ease. “Screw you.”

Harry lets out a laugh and Louis pouts, crossing his arms and glaring at his husband. “You put that there on purpose, didn’t you?”                           

Harry just plants a kiss to his cheek, still laughing, and returns to wherever he came from. Ugh, that man. That adorably frustrating man that he has been in love with since they met eleven years ago. Louis was eighteen, out with his friends at the bar when nature called. He attempted to push the bathroom door open, only to smack himself in the face. Glancing around to ensure nobody saw that, he shoved the door harder, since it was apparently stuck. Leaning his weight into it the door slammed open, banging against the wall.

On the other side of the door was a curly haired cutie, with miles of legs. He was standing at the urinal closest to the door. He had jumped at the loud noise, pissing all over the place, including onto Louis’ vans.

“Hi,” Louis had said, jumping back out of the stream. Not caring a bit about the pee seeping into his shoes, only the bright green eyes of the boy in front of him.

“Oops.” The curly haired boy said, smiling bashfully, the most adorable dimple popping onto his left cheek, before turning back to finish his business.

And the rest as they say, is history.

Louis shakes out the tarp, checking it over since their last lad’s weekend with the boys, before folding it back up and walking it over to the Jeep. “Here,” he says, passing it over to Harry. He learned years ago not to try and be helpful when it comes to packing. His job is to do what Harry asks of him, running for this or that, and trusting in whatever system Harry has going on.

Which is the best option really, because whenever Louis is left to his own devices, he tends to forget the most important things – like chargers, passports, and even once the keys to the cabin they rented six hours away. The drive back was absolutely brutal and took a lot of convincing to get Harry to forgive him. He smiles at the memory.

“Thanks. Can you go grab the cooler from the kitchen?” Harry asks, and Louis turns to fetch the item. “It’s heavy! Lift with your legs!” Harry yells after him; Louis flips him off. He knows how to lift heavy things. Just because he doesn’t work out every day like Harry, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have muscles.

He hauls the cooler out to the Jeep and squeezes it into the perfect cooler shaped hole Harry’s pointing to. 

“That’s it!” Harry says, closing the hatch to the Jeep and bumping Louis’ hip with his own. “We’re ready to go.” He climbs into the driver’s seat. 

Louis adjusts his sunglasses on his face and climbs in beside him, setting his feet up on the dash.

“Why do you always put your feet up there? Your shoes are dirty.” Harry asks for the millionth time. He would have thought that Harry would have let this go by now but apparently not.

“Because it’s comfortable and I always clean it up so it’s fine.”

“You never clean it up, babe. You say you will, but you never do.” Harry retorts. 

“Are we really going to argue right now? We finally get a weekend away, let’s just relax.” Louis fights an eye roll, instead reaching over to link his fingers with Harry’s. 

“You’re right. I don’t want to fight with you. It’s hot and I’m tired from packing and I’m taking it out on you. I’m sorry.” Harry says, bringing Louis’ hand to his mouth and kissing his fingers.

“It’s okay. I forgive you for being cranky.” 

The two hour drive has always been one of Louis’ favourites. The winding road with big trees that allows the sun to sprinkle in and out from between their leaves never fails to amaze Louis. He watches the sun dance over Harry’s face as he dances to ABBA, singing Dancing Queen at the top of his lungs. He isn’t sure how on earth he got so lucky.

It’s been ages since they had time for a weekend with the boys. The last time, Zayn and Liam were just getting back together after yet another ridiculous break up, and Niall had just gotten back, busy travelling the world for work. As they get older, it gets harder and harder to find time for their calendars to sync up. 

They pull into the campground, driving through the parking lot looking for any familiar cars. “Guess they’re not here yet, I’m going to check us all in.” Harry says, parking the car and walking towards the office. “I’ll be right back.”

Louis hops out of the car, desperate to stretch out his muscles after the drive. He has his hands on his back like an old man when he hears a familiar voice. 

“Tommo! You’re a sight for sore eyes!” Niall yells across the parking lot from where he is parked. Louis crosses the parking lot, meeting Niall in a huge bone-crushing hug.

“Missed you Nialler!” Louis says, releasing Niall from their hug. “Loving the new look. Guess blonds don’t have more fun.”

“Nah, just got tired of having to dye it all the time.”

They continue to catch up as Louis helps Niall with his bags. He’s always impressed with Niall’s packing. Only two bags, both easy to carry since they have an hour-long hike up to their favourite campsite. Louis hates the hike, and is already scheming on how to grab the lightest bag, but the view is breathtaking and completely worth the effort.

Harry walks back towards them flipping through the passes in his hand. He’s so engrossed he almost misses Niall completely, but it’s not long before he’s got Niall in a huge bear hug, spinning him around as if he were a child. Louis can’t help the smile creeping onto his face as he watches his husband and best friend. It really has been too long since they’ve done this.

They find a shady spot to sit, sorting out who will carry what, and wait for Zayn and Liam to arrive.

“Why are we always waiting for these two?” Niall ponders aloud.

“Because they are a right pain in the ass. And they are likely arguing over something. You know them.” Louis answers, feeling only slightly guilty for the tiny argument he and Harry had earlier. No need to dwell on that though, this was a lad’s weekend, and they just needed the two other lads to show the fuck up. He grabs his phone and shoots them both a message. 

Oi, you two almost here? We’re gonna leave without you if you don’t hurry up.

Liam replies almost instantly, which means Zayn is driving and is likely the reason they aren’t here yet. Zayn is a very cautious driver…and by cautious Louis means slow. 

Almost there. Stopped for fresh strawberries

“They are almost here, stopped for strawberries apparently.” Louis shares with the group, kicking his feet up onto the cooler. He tilts his head back, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath, enjoying the feel of the warm sun on his face, the smell of honeysuckle, and the sweet chirps of the birds that surround them. He feels the warmth of Harry as he moves closer, sliding his arm around Louis’ shoulder, affording him the opportunity to wiggle closer into Harry’s side, the smell of his shampoo mingling with the smell of sunshine. Yep, this is perfect.

Harry jumps, falling off the cooler and onto the hard ground when their moment of perfection is ruined but the rude honking of one Zayn Malik. Louis just rolls his eyes, thankful they have arrived, meaning the weekend can finally start. After exchanging hugs between them, they unload the car, staring at the contents that must be carried up the mountain currently sprawled on the ground. Once they’ve divided who will carry what, they load the bus that will take them into the forest along the access road and drop them at the start of their hiking trail. 

Staring out at the scenery passing them by, he can’t help but reminisce on the time they found this place. They were all in university, wanting to escape the city and thinking they knew how to camp. That weekend was a disaster. Not only did it rain most of the time, but they forgot the tarps, the tents leaked, an animal got into their food supply and Liam had slipped in the mud, getting a nasty cut from a tree branch down his arm. 

It was during their last night the skies cleared, affording them the opportunity to build a fire, which they roasted hotdogs and marshmallows while they sat around, shooting the shit, as Louis leaned back, admiring the stars. The feeling of them all being here, in this moment, regardless of the shitty weather was awesome. They decided right then and there that this lad’s weekend would become an annual event. As the years have passed, it has gotten harder and harder, but they have stuck to it. They have also gotten much better at only packing the essentials.

The bus halts to a stop as passengers before them depart one-by-one. They each collect their respective hiking bags and head to the mountain. Louis looks up, his bag tightly around his back. While he did pawn the heavier one off on Harry, he wasn’t keen on carrying this one either. At least he didn’t get stuck with the cooler. That was all Niall. Liam leads with Zayn closely behind. Niall brings up the middle and Harry the end, since Louis is still at the base, staring up at the four lads backs. Ugh. Now it’s time for the worst part. He takes off, one foot in front of the other, catching up to Harry. Stupid hike, he mutters to himself as they make their way up. 

They had briefly stopped for a water break around the halfway mark. Niall, sitting on the cooler, takes the last swig of his bottle. Liam and Zayn at the rear, deep in a conversation of their own. It’s Harry who breaks the silence. “It’s not that bad, let’s just get up there.” Harry tells him, pressing a kiss to his temple and a squeeze to his bum. After eleven years, Harry knows the kind of motivation that works. 

“Let’s go lads. No sense wasting time!” Louis cheers out, leading the pack through the trail. He’s got this, easy.

Less than ten minutes later, he is breathing more heavily than he likes and can’t get a good grip on the bags in his hands. He falls behind a bit to catch his breath, letting Harry take the lead, stupid Harry and his sexy long legs. Maybe he should consider doing a bit more cardio. He readjusts the bag on his back, slinging the tent over his shoulder and plucks up some energy.

“Look at those little short legs…moving so damn quickly!” Niall sings from behind Louis. Louis can’t help that it takes two of his steps to try and keep up with one of Harry’s. Louis gives Niall the finger, which causes everyone else to laugh. If he had more energy, he might do something else but they are starting to climb the big incline and he needs to keep his focus and energy so that he doesn’t die. 

Fuck hiking. They should invest in an ATV. He’ll be sure to ask Harry for one at Christmas. This way, he’ll be up the mountain and everyone else can suck it.

He's mentally in his happy place when they reach their destination. Dropping everything to the ground, he spins around, taking in the view. Yep, definitely worth it. He smiles over at Harry, who is looking at him with fond eyes. 

“Told you.” Harry says, sticking his tongue out at Louis.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Louis replies, a smile still plastered on his face. 

“Tents first?” Zayn comments. He says the same thing every time, why would this time be any different? They always start with the tents, so he doesn’t even wait for Harry’s reply before setting into motion his getaway plan. He has successfully avoided helping with the tent setup every year and he plans to keep his streak alive.

“Not like Louis would even help.” Liam jokes from his tent, already having it out of the bag and assembling the poles. How the hell does he do that so fast?

“I help.” Louis defends through his laughter, not even convincing himself. He plops down on the bench and pretends to tie his shoe. “I will help.” He says backing up, “Right after I take a piss. Be right back.” Harry just rolls his eyes at Louis as he takes off, leaving Harry to set up their tent by himself.

Louis has spent many hours distracting himself in these woods while avoiding doing work back at the campsite. He does actually take a piss but then he wanders over to the lookout –  it is the main reason they keep coming back each year. It’s gorgeous.  

He sits down on one of the large rocks, tucking his legs underneath him. Looking out over everything. He can’t help but think that it’s as if it is right out of a painting. In the distance a waterfall endlessly flows into a crystal clear lagoon. There are a few people swimming and enjoying themselves below. Leaning back, he breathes in, smelling the fresh air of the forest, his body finally relaxing. He loves this spot. The serenity to think over his life and the changes that he sees in himself, but the scenery as well. Each year he finds himself sitting on the same rock, sometimes alone, sometimes with Harry or even the rest of the boys. 

It’s been a good year, in retrospect. His teaching job is going well, keeping him busy but not overwhelmed. Harry got the promotion he had been eyeing for months. While it’s been amazing to see him grow into his new position, providing him the opportunities to write on the bigger stories, it’s also added new stressors. Harry’s writing is amazing and Louis tries to be extremely supportive, but those first few months were a bit of a minefield to manoeuvre, but things have smoothed out since then. 

They finished the build on their backyard deck. While they in-fact did build said deck, the end product was not worth the massive amounts of headache or labour. They may have saved a few dollars, but almost getting hit in the head with a two-by-four or Harry dropping the hammer a few too many times did not make it worth it. However, he loves being able to sit out there, around their campfire pit, and chat with Harry about their day. It was in fact one night around the fire that Harry had mentioned the adoption process. They had talked about it prior to Harry’s promotion, but held off until things were a little calmer. There was some discussion around surrogacy. Lottie had even offered to be a surrogate, but they decided that there are so many children out there who need a loving home and they want to be able to provide that.

His mind wanders, imagining Harry cooking pancakes on a Saturday morning, curls tied back and an apron tied around his waist, a baby on his hip while two other kids run circles around his ankles. He can almost hear their laughter when his concentration is broken by approaching footsteps.

“Thought I might find you here.” Harry says, moving to squeeze beside him on the rock. 

“Gotta keep up with tradition.”

“Any big revelations you want to share?” Harry asks, his green eyes reflecting the water, entangling their fingers together.

“Just that I really love you,” Louis says, leaning over and kissing his husband. “And that we are never doing another home renovation project ourselves ever again.”

Harry laughs, bumping into Louis’ shoulder with his own. “It really wasn’t that bad. And the deck is amazing.”

They fall into a comfortable silence, both thinking and soaking in the view.

Harry gets up, pulling Louis up with him. “We should get back and start on dinner. The tent is up so you don’t have to worry about helping out.” He teases, pulling on Louis’ arm to get him moving.

“Thanks. You know I would help if you needed me to.”

“I know. You’re lucky you’re so cute.” Harry says, pinching Louis’ bum, which is looking quite good these days considering how the rest of him has started aging without his approval.

Louis sways his hips, moving away from Harry’s strong fingers. He’s only a few meters away, when he shouts back over his shoulder, “You’re lucky that I’m willing to get frisky in the forest!”

---

“Fuck, that was so good.” Niall says, rubbing his belly, full from the three homemade pizzas that Harry had made. Louis had two himself, so he feels Niall’s pain. 

“Seriously Harry, those were delicious.” Liam says, leaning back in his chair and drinking from his beer.

“Thanks. I tried a new dough recipe this time so I’m glad you liked it.” Harry mentions, tidying up his workstation from any rogue toppings.

“Here. Let me do it.” Zayn says, standing up and helping Harry clean up. Louis pulls oven mitts onto his hands, grabs the pot of water that is currently boiling over the campfire and he brings it over to them.

“Here, babe.” Louis says, carefully setting down the hot pot and kissing Harry on the cheek before he walks back to the picnic table with Zayn, collecting the last few items from their meal.

Once they are done washing the dishes, Louis grabs them a drink from the cooler. They walk, hand in hand, over to the campfire pit, where Liam and Niall have a huge bonfire burning.

“Jeez, you don’t have to burn all of the wood at once you know?” Louis says, plopping down in his blue camping chair, “save some for tomorrow.”

“We are literally surrounded by wood, I think we will be fine.” Liam retorts, poking the burning logs with a long stick, sending sparks flying.

They all settle into a comfortable silence, sipping their drinks and staring into the flames, entranced by the dancing tendrils.

Eventually, the conversation starts to flow, spanning any and all topics – updates on all things life, family, work, as well as Liam and Zayn regaling stories about their recent vacation to Greece. He’s happy for them, he really is, but it would be a lie if he said it wasn’t making Louis extremely jealous. He and Harry haven’t managed to go on a real vacation in the last few years. He mentally adds it to his to-do list.

As they make their way through the topics, and their drinks, Harry comes back from getting his latest refill, bringing with him the marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. Time for smores! Louis and Zayn take off looking for the perfect marshmallow roasting sticks. It had become somewhat an unspoken competition between them. They’d be off finding winning sticks while Liam pokes the fire, optimising the flames for roasting.

Long after the marshmallows disappear and the fire dissipates, they decide to call it a night. After a few grumbles and groans, they agree that the first ones up start breakfast, and double check everything has been packed away. This works for Louis since it’s guaranteed he will be the second to the last one up. It’s usually a competition between him and Zayn. Harry will be up since he’s always been an early riser which works for Louis. A yawn escapes him as they make their way to their tents.

“Looks good in here.” He tells Harry, who’s already tucking himself into their double sleeping bag, “thank you for doing all of the work.” It’s a warm night so he strips himself of his shorts and t-shirt, crawling in beside Harry.

Harry instinctually lifts his arm, letting Louis tuck into his side, his favourite place to be. “I feel like we haven’t really talked today, and I don’t like when we argue.” Harry says to him, snuggling Louis in closer.

“Me either.” Louis says, sliding his hands around Harry’s waist. “I’m glad we were able to do this though. I’ve missed it up here.”

“Same. I love it here. I love being here with you.” Harry tells him, kissing his forehead. Louis turns his head, looking up at his handsome husband, Harry’s face is softly illuminated by the lamp in the corner of the tent. He leans up, his fingers caressing Harry’s chin. Harry leans down to kiss him properly. They kiss sweetly and softly for a minute or two, just enjoying each other, tongues lazily licking into the other’s mouth, exploring, and relishing in the familiar tastes of each other.

Louis’ fingers trail from Harry’s waist, slipping lower, and lower, tracing the curves of Harry’s body. They slide below the waistband of Harry’s briefs, gently palming his cock. He can feel Harry twitch at his delicate movements, moaning softly, growing harder as Louis continues to caress him. Lost in touching, in feeling Harry in his hand, he moves into a better position, hooking his thumbs into Harry’s briefs. In a swift movement Harry’s briefs are down, giving Louis full view of his hard cock, standing at attention and ready for him.

Louis licks the palm of his hand, locking eyes with Harry as he does. Those green eyes set ablaze, a fire behind them Louis loves to see. He takes Harry in his hand, pumping up and down, thumb swiping at the precome leaking from the tip. 

“Holy fuck,” Harry moans, arching his back at Louis’ touch. Louis encompasses Harry’s tip, rotating his palm in circles, working Harry to a tipping point, before slowly stroking down to his base, rotating his wrist as he goes. He can see that it’s driving Harry crazy. He is currently whimpering and squirming around, getting desperate for his release. His curls clinging to his sweaty forehead, his chest rising and falling, growing more shallow with each swipe of Louis’ hand. It’s not long till Harry’s moans get louder, which only spurs Louis on. After years and years of being together, they’ve gotten to know each other’s bodies as well as they know their own. He knows Harry is close. He can feel his muscles tense up, spurring Louis to give it his all, moving his hand faster and faster, twisting his wrist in the way that he knows Harry loves. 

He bends down, taking Harry into his mouth, sucking as his tongue swirls around Harry’s tip. Almost immediately, Harry shoots hot and hard into his mouth. Louis swallows it all, hollowing his cheeks, he sucks the orgasm from him, making sure there’s no mess. He tucks Harry back into his briefs as he looks at his husband. Harry’s head is thrown back, eyes closed. He is breathing in through his nose, releasing through his chewed up lips; no doubt trying to recover his breathing. Louis never gets tired of seeing Harry like this, of being the one who makes Harry feel that way.

He snuggles into Harry’s chest, pressing a few last minute kisses to his mouth before nuzzling into his neck. Louis closes his eyes, relaxing further as Harry’s fingers rub small circles on his back, sleep quickly approaching.

Or maybe not. Harry’s hand slides down Louis’ back, slipping beneath his boxers and massaging his ass, spreading his cheeks apart. The blood starts rushing towards Louis’ cock, growing hard against Harry’s leg as Harry flips him onto his back, sliding down Louis’ body and mouthing over his hard-on, covered by the thin layer of material.

“Hand or mouth?” Harry asks, rubbing his hands up and down Louis’ thighs, tongue flicking over the tenting fabric.

Louis looks through his lashes, cocking his eyebrows as if to say ‘ really?’ . Harry gets the hint, using his teeth to rid him of his boxers and taking him into his mouth.

“God, so good…” Louis moans, Harry’s tongue is licking back and forth over the vein lining the underside of his cock, his hand pumping what isn’t in his mouth. “Love, oh God, your mouth is…” Harry is using every bit of his skills to bring Louis close to the edge quickly, and Louis can feel his release approaching embarrassingly quickly, his hands finding their way into Harry’s curls, tugging gently as a warning.  

Harry takes the tugs as a challenge, taking Louis deeper and deeper, until his nose is pressed against Louis’ stomach. Harry releases a slow hum, his throat vibrating, sending Louis over the edge. 

“Holy shit!” Louis cries out, legs twitching as Harry’s sinful mouth works him through his orgasm. “So fucking good.”

Harry pops off, giving one last teasing lick to his sensitive tip before snapping the waistband of Louis’ boxers back around his waist. “We really need to get you to eat more fruit.” Harry teases, Louis smacking his chest.

“Excuse you! Are you seriously complaining?” Louis questions, snuggling into the sleeping bag, spooning Harry. “I tried to warn you, I would’ve been just as happy to come on your face.” He says with a smirk.

“I’m sure you would’ve, wanted you though.” Harry whispers, snuggling back into Louis’ chest. “Let’s just go to sleep,” Harry says, changing the subject, grabbing Louis’ arms and wrapping them around his waist. He leans back and gives Louis a kiss, “night babe.”

“Night, love you.”

“Love you too.”

It only takes moments for Louis to relax, sated and holding the most important person in his world tightly, their chests rising and falling as sleep pulls them under.

---

“Harry. Harry! Harry!!!”

What. The. Fuck.

Why is Niall screaming for Harry? What time is it? The sun is shining into their tent and Louis is not prepared to be awake. “Shut up Nialler!” Louis calls back, desperately wanting to still be asleep.

Harry squirms out of his arms, rubbing his hands over his face. Louis pulls him back into his chest, not wanting him to leave yet. “Don’t go. He will be fine.”

“HARRY! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!” Niall yells again and Louis swears he’s going to murder his friend if he doesn’t stop yelling.

“Let me just go see what he wants.” Harry says, grabbing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, throwing them on quickly.

Louis grunts, rolls onto his stomach, and says through his pillow, “Have fun. I’m staying here.”

Harry pats him on the ass, “I wouldn’t expect anything less,” laughing as he unzips the tent door and lets himself out. Stupid Harry, stupid Niall, stupid sunshine waking him up. This is supposed to be a relaxing weekend. The sun is hardly shining through the bottom of the tent. It cannot be more than 6:00am. He doesn’t have the energy to check his phone so he just relaxes back into his pillow, wiggling around a hard spot in the ground, hoping to snooze for a bit longer.

He is being pulled from the abyss he was truly appreciating. It isn’t long before his mind registers someone shaking his shoulders. He must have fallen back asleep, thank God. Otherwise it would be an extremely unpleasant day for everyone. He opens one eye and peeks over his shoulder. “Morning sunshine. Get the hell up. Breakfast’s ready.” Zayn says, pulling back the sleeping back, before retreating out of the tent quickly. He knows Louis isn’t above retaliation.

The smell of bacon wafts through the tent. It smells amazing. As if on cue, his tummy grumbles. Throwing on some clothes, he makes his way outside to investigate. The sight before him warms his heart – Harry in his ‘Nice to Meat You’ apron that Niall gifted him two years ago for Christmas. Niall is sitting at the picnic table, already munching on something and Liam and Zayn are carrying over the plates and cutlery from the storage bin. He loves his friends, despite how much he complains whenever they go camping, he truly wouldn’t give this up for anything.

He takes his seat at the table next to Niall. It isn’t long before Harry places a plate with his perfectly cooked over-easy eggs, kissing him on the forehead before he goes back and fills his own plate. There are various tinfoiled containers lying sporadically across the table. It’s a full feast – hash browns, toast, bacon, sausage, fruit salad, and pancakes.

Niall takes no man prisoner, grabbing the bacon and sausage. Harry pushes a container of fruit in front of Louis’ plate, offering up a quick wink before smiling to himself. Being the little shit he is, he stabs a grape. One, single, solitary grape, before passing the container to Liam. 

Thank goodness Harry is a good cook – it isn’t why he married him necessarily, but it definitely was a bonus factor, considering Louis can barely boil water. He grabs the bacon from out of Niall’s hands. It’s not long before his plate is filled with a little, or a lot, of everything. They eat in silence, savouring the deliciousness.

“So, what’s the plan for today? Waterfall?” Liam asks, shoving a strawberry in his mouth. The sun is steadily rising, which means it’s bound to get hotter quicker. It’s not long before they decide the waterfall would be the perfect relief from the heat. 

Eventually, the sun is in fact shining down on them, breakfast is cleaned up, swim trunks are on, and they’re ready to head out. Harry had packed them a small backpack with water, sunscreen, bug spray, a few snacks, knowing Louis would need them later. Louis contributed by grabbing their towels. He swears Harry was a boy scout in his past life. 

The forty-five minute hike isn’t as bad as Louis remembers it being. True, he is sweating and panting a bit more than he wished he was, but it truly is a picture-perfect gorgeous day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the mosquitos are biting – but mostly Liam, who is their own walking citronella candle, having doused himself in the bug repellant before the hike began. Louis is getting used to the intense smell however, and he just walks a little further away from Liam when it gets to be too much.

The sound of the rushing water alerts them they are close. Their casual chatter quickly becomes more animated as their steps speed up. They arrive in the clearing at the top of the waterwall. It is breathtaking. He scans the landscape, surprised to see that there is no one there. They have this perfect oasis all to themselves.  

They quickly strip themselves of their sweaty shirts and shoes, ready to jump in. Zayn, who prefers to hang out in the lagoon at the bottom, gathers all of their belongings and hikes down while Louis, Harry, Liam and Niall climb a bit further up to the peak of the waterfall, ready to jump into the cool blue water.

Louis loves this, the adrenaline pumping through his veins is causing his heart to beat nearly out of his chest. He watches Niall jump first, hollering out his excitement before splashing into the water below. 

“Damn this water’s cold!” He yells up at them, swimming out of the way. 

Liam jumps next, popping up. “What a rush!” He swims over to Zayn, who is now at the bottom of the waterfall, carefully making his way into the water.

Louis looks over and locks eyes with Harry, his emerald eyes are sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight. He smiles, his dimple popping onto his cheek. Louis just about jumps him right there. His husband is so fucking sexy and even after all these years, he still drives him crazy. “Together?” Louis asks, holding his hand out for Harry, wanting to touch him in whatever way he can.

Before Louis figures out Harry’s plan, Harry is running past him, launching himself off the waterfall, yelling “come and get me!” before he splashes into the water below.

Fine, two can play at that game. He takes a small step back before moving forward and aiming for a spot close to where Harry is swimming away. “You’re going to regret that, Styles!” He screams out as he free falls. Once he pops up, he’s instantly splashed in the face. He starts coughing on the water he wasn’t expecting.

“How many times do I have to tell you, it’s Tomlinson…not Styles.” Harry teases, splashing a few more times before Louis gets his wits about him and swims over towards his annoyingly cute husband, who keeps splashing him in the face. Louis dips under the water and goes for Harry’s legs, pulling him under the water, using him to launch himself upwards, gulping for air once he breaks the surface.

They swim around for a bit, splashing and acting like the teenagers they haven’t been in years. They challenge each other to chicken races, Niall on Harry’s shoulders and Louis on Liam’s. Zayn calls them all idiots and says that he’s not helping if anyone gets hurt, but they all know he would. 

Once the wrinkles start to appear on their fingertips, they decide to relax, soaking up all the sun’s rays. Harry lays out their towels while Louis searches the backpack for the sunscreen. There’s nothing like a sunburn to ruin a good vacation. Once located, he begins applying the gross, but helpful, lotion and then hands the bottle over to Harry, turning his back to him.

Harry begins to rub the lotion onto Louis’ shoulders and back, massaging his muscles as he goes and Louis closes his eyes, enjoying the sensations until Harry stops, spinning Louis around so he can return the favour. Just because he can, he squirts the lotion onto Harry’s back, resulting in a yelp from his husband and a pinch to his hip as Harry’s long arm swings around behind him, seeking revenge. “You little shit. I was nice to you.” Harry whines as Louis begins to rub in the lotion running his hands over Harry’s broad shoulders, watching as his muscles move under his touch. He admires the few tattoos he can see from this view. Harry’s chest and arms are almost covered, along with parts of his legs too, but his back remains untouched by the black ink. 

The sunscreen has long been rubbed in but Louis continues to massage Harry’s skin. When he decides he’s done, he leans up and kisses the back of Harry’s neck, below his ear, and whispers, “all done back here, unless you need help with the front?”

Harry spins around and holds his arms out, “have at it,” he says with a wink and a smirk that makes Louis equal parts embarrassed and horny. But, he has never been one to turn down the opportunity to get his hands on Harry. He squirts another blob of sunscreen on his hands and proceeds to rub it all over Harry’s chest, down his arms, and over his adorable love handles, gripping them in his hands, just for a second. While Harry isn’t exactly thrilled that they have followed him since he was a teenager, Louis loves them. They’re so wonderfully Harry and he wouldn’t change it for anything. Once he’s done, they lie out on their towels, Niall on Louis’ left and Liam and Zayn on Harry’s right.

“You two really are gross.” Niall comments, lying on his back, eyes closed.

“Jealous?” Louis jokes, crawling over to cuddle beside Niall.

“Get off me!” Niall squirms away. “Harry, get control of him.”

Louis rolls back onto his towel, laughing along with everyone else. Niall is easy to rile up and Louis makes it his personal mission to accomplish this task daily.

Unsure of how much time has passed, Louis rolls onto his stomach, aiming for a nice even tan when he gets a glimpse of Liam – covered in little red marks. “Li, what the hell is all over you?” He asks, leaning up on his forearms.

That gets everyone’s attention and Liam, seemingly unaware yet currently scratching, takes a look at his arms and torso. “What the hell?” He asks, turning his arms over, trying to assess the situation. “They are everywhere.”

Zayn goes scoots closer while the other three look on, concerned, as Zayn declares, “Looks like mosquito bites to me. Or spiders, maybe?”

“Spiders?” Niall asks, “When would he have had time to be attacked by spiders?”

“His chest didn’t look like this when we first got here…I don’t think.” Louis contributes, trying to remember specifically but all his brain is conjuring up is shirtless Harry, not Liam.

Harry starts rummaging through their backpack, on the search for something. Louis starts collecting everything he is tossing out in his search. “I know it’s in here somewhere,” Harry murmurs. “Found it!”

He pulls out a tube of After-Bite cream and moves over to Liam. Harry inspects the bites, periodically looking at Zayn. Poor Liam, he’s always the one who gets attacked by nature for some reason. While Louis is indeed sad for Liam, he is overjoyed it isn’t himself. Louis watches as Harry starts to put the cream onto each of Liam’s bites, his hands swift and quick. It’s not that Louis is jealous exactly…but maybe he is.

“How about you let Zayn finish, Harold?” He says, trying to keep his voice calm and even.

“Why? You jealous Harry has his big, strong hands all over me?” Liam teases, moaning dramatically when Harry dabs the ointment close to his left nipple.

“Okay, okay, enough of that.” Louis says, burying his face in his towel, ignoring all the comments and laughter at his expense. He can’t help wanting Harry all to himself.

Harry must have handed over the cream or finished because moments later, he feels Harry’s hand on his lower back, one sneaking around and a palm warm under his belly button. His breath tickling his ear, his voice low and rumbly, “feel like skinny dipping?”

Instantly, all of the blood rushes to Louis’ crotch, creating a bit of an uncomfortable situation in his current position against the rocks. He tilts his head, looking at Harry, and nods. “Give me a minute.” He laughs, as Harry looks down at his situation .

Harry chuckles, the deep and rough laugh that makes every nerve in Louis’ body stand in alert. Then he feels Harry begin to knead into his skin, it seems like the problem isn’t going away anytime soon if Harry has any say in it. 

“We’ll be back.” Louis calls out, running ahead of Harry, wanting to get to the water first. He skips along, hopping around, ridding himself of his swim trunks and jumps into the lagoon. Fuck, it’s so cold! He can’t be blamed for the bit of shrinkage that is likely happening right now.

He turns around, looking back towards Harry who is strutting over to where Louis’ trunks are lying on the rock. His baby blues rake over Harry’s body as he swiftly strips down, dropping his blue trunks beside Louis’ red ones. Whatever God graced Louis with the gift that is Harry, he will be eternally grateful. He looks absolutely sinful walking towards the water. He should look away, but there is no way he’s doing that. He enjoys the show and waits for Harry to join him.

“Seriously, you two are so gross!” Niall calls out to them. “And you’ve ruined the waterfall forever!”

Louis just laughs and dunks himself under the water, needing to cool down in more ways than one. When he pops back up, Harry has passed him, swimming towards the spray of the waterfall. Louis follows, knowing that he’s heading for the little alcove behind the waterfall, a spot Liam had discovered their first time here, but Harry and Louis had quickly marked it as theirs, to the point that the other boys were a bit afraid to enter it.

Louis dives under the water, swimming past the loud rush of water, and pops up on the other side, wiping the water from his face as he looks around for Harry. He circles, treading water, unsure of where he went.

“Looking for me?” Harry asks, coming up behind Louis, scaring the shit out of him.

“Damnit!” He yells out, hand flying to his chest in his fright. “I hate you sometimes.”

Harry barks out a laugh, splashing water at him, and swimming away towards the shallower part of the alcove, the large rocks perfect for standing on while still being mostly submerged. Louis follows, wrapping his arms around Harry’s waist once he arrives. Harry returns the gesture, wrapping his arms around Louis and pulling him close.

They kiss. Soft and sweet at first, but quickly progressing into sloppy passionate kisses, Harry’s hands sliding their way down to rest on Louis’ ass, pulling him in even closer. Louis has his arms around Harry’s shoulders, fingers twisting into the hair at the nape of his neck, his tongue licking its way around Harry’s mouth. He moans into Harry’s mouth when he feels his hand slide between his cheeks, pressing and teasing around his rim.

“Don’t tease,” Louis breathes out, moving down and sucking and nibbling at his favourite spot on Harry’s neck, just under his chiseled jawline. Harry lets out a moan of his own as Louis brings one of his hands down between them, attempting to grip both of them in his hand, each of them sliding back and forth against each other, Louis’ hand adding pressure.

Harry helps him out, bringing his other hand between them, replacing Louis’ own and pumping them both, both men moaning out in pleasure. Harry slips the tip of his finger inside, past Louis’ rim and his legs almost give out, his orgasm quickly approaching. Harry’s finger pumps in and out slowly, as his other hand speeds up. 

“Close…” he whimpers. And with the crook of Harry’s long finger, Louis is pushed over the edge, calling out Harry’s name, his chest resting on Harry’s. Looking to where Harry is still holding him, the water washing away all evidence of his orgasm. Harry follows right behind him, his finger slipping out of Louis and his body going slack, Louis holding them both up.

When Harry recovers, he brings his hands up, cupping Louis’ face and kissing him sweetly. “I love you, you know?” Harry says, bringing Louis tight to his chest.

“I love you too. Like a lot.” Louis replies, unintentionally breaking up the moment when he slips off the rock and plunges under the water. When he resurfaces, Harry is just laughing, swimming over to him. Louis is just about to snap out a comment when he hears Liam and Niall landing in the water on the other side of the overhang.

“Should we go back?” Harry asks, swimming around Louis, who’s floating on his back.

“Never.” Louis says, grabbing Harry’s leg as he swims past, “I never want to go back. Let’s stay here forever.”

“But what about work?” Harry asks, attempting to kick his leg free from Louis’ grasp.

“Who needs it?”

“Our families?”

“They will survive without us.” Louis replies, waving his arm around in the air, as if he is physically brushing off the question.

“Food.”

Shit. He was getting hungry. “Okay fine. We can go back. But, we will be finishing what you started later tonight.”

“Promise.” Harry calls over his shoulder before he dips under the water, swimming to the other side of the overhang.

Louis takes another moment, completely relaxing. Closing his eyes, he takes in the sound of the water as it plummets into the lagoon, only a few feet away. A smile spreads across his face as he thinks about how great his life is.

“Lou! Let’s go! I’m hungry!”

God, Niall really is being needy this weekend! And so damn loud. Louis yells back, making sure his friendly frustration is heard, “yes mom, I’m on my way.”

He swims out, meeting the rest of the group as they swim around the lagoon. He jumps onto Niall’s shoulders, attempting to dunk him under, as Niall squeals and shouts at him. “Get your junk off me!”

Everyone is laughing at them. Zayn and Liam wrapped up in each other’s arms, giggling and kissing, looking happily in love. Niall sprints out of the water, taking Louis’ swim trunks hostage.

“Get out of the water so we can go eat or you will regret it!” Niall taunts, swinging the red trunks over his head. The sun is shining down on them, must be around 1:00 pm Louis guesses, as they all make their way out of the water, Louis shielding himself with his hands while Harry just struts around, always being a bit more comfortable naked than Louis.

“Big words for such a little man.” Louis says, trying to get his trunks out of Niall’s hands. Niall pulls out his phone, and Louis panics.

“I swear, I will post a photo of you if you don’t get your ass moving.”

“I need my swim trunks first, you idiot!”

“Oh…right.” Niall laughs, their stupid little argument now over. “Here. No one wants to see that anyway.”

“Hey! Speak for yourself!” Harry says, getting himself dressed.

“No, Niall is right. No one wants to see that.” Zayn chimes in, joking around.

Well, screw this. He takes his hands away and does a little spin, showing off. “You are all a bunch of liars.” He cups his own ass cheeks. “Everyone loves my ass.”

Harry grabs the trunks from Niall and shoves them into Louis’ chest. “Just get dressed, babe.” Harry smacks his ass and goes back to packing up their backpack, heading back to camp for lunch.  

---

After a lunch of veggies, roasted hot dogs and potato chips, they set off for the beachfront. It’s another hike but this one is only about fifteen minutes. He hoists the backpack onto his shoulders again, this time choosing to walk with Zayn, chatting about the new house Liam and him have bought. It’s just down the street from Harry and Louis so he’s excited to get to see them more often.

When they arrive, they finally see signs of life – a few families and couples spread out on the sandy beach. Liam scopes out the best spot, sunny, not too close to the water, and far enough away from the other people. They set out their towels, getting everything settled, sweat forming on Louis’ forehead, definitely ready to take a quick swim before laying out.

“Shit! Li, where’d you put the sunscreen?” Zayn asks, frantically searching around inside their backpack.

“It’s under your t-shirt.” Liam responds, not seeming too concerned.

“It’s not there.”

Liam moves over to help Zayn search. “Uh oh, trouble in paradise…” Louis mocks.

“Shh, you. Leave them alone.” Harry urges, and Louis knows not to press further. Liam and Zayn have had a tumultuous past and he’s not going to have any part in any fight or issues between them, nothing more than his normal joking anyway.

Liam and Zayn continue to bicker, Zayn insisting that one of them has to go back and get it. Louis looks to Harry, who nods and offers up their bottle to share. It’s only sunscreen, no reason to get all upset over it.

“Here, you can share ours. If you’re lucky, Harry might even help you put it on.” Louis jokes, trying to lighten the mood.

Harry squares up to him, preparing his comeback. “I’ll do Zayn, you can help Liam.” He quips. Shit, okay he deserves that.

They get down to business, methodically and robotically applying sunscreen to their friends, and despite the fact that he currently has his own hands rubbing over Liam’s insane abs, he can’t help but wish that it was his shoulder blades that Harry’s large palms were rubbing into. He looks away, focusing on Liam instead.

Harry knows him too well, when he finishes Zayn he walks over to Louis, spinning him so that his back is to Harry. “Your turn.” Harry tells him, “Wouldn’t want you getting jealous or anything…” Harry teases, pinching at Louis’ hip.

“Me? Jealous? Never.” Louis says, relaxing into Harry’s touch. Again, Harry is done much too quickly for Louis’ liking but it doesn’t stop him from applying the stinky lotion to his husband’s back, taking his time, feeling like at least one of them did a thorough job.

The afternoon is perfect. There are a few waves crashing in, the sun hot above them and the water refreshingly cool. Niall brings out his water ball that skips over the waves. They have fun just throwing it back and forth, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Again, Louis is reminded how great his life is as he looks around and sees the people he loves most in this world with bright smiles on their faces.

Niall eventually heads to his towel, claiming he is cold and Liam and Zayn decide to swim off to the rocks a few feet away. Which leaves him with Harry, who is currently floating on his back, soaking up the sun. While the thought of splashing or dunking him is very tempting, he is too happy and doesn’t want to start that right now. He swims over and brings himself to float beside him, linking their fingers together.

Time passes, the sun slowly starting to dip in the sky. Louis rights himself, pulling Harry with him. He jumps up, wrapping his legs around Harry’s waist and stares at his husband. The love of his life, his perfect match; the one who puts up with his shit and stays, the one who never fails to make his insides melt and the one who can turn him on from across the room.

As he’s reflecting, Harry decides he has other plans and starts to plant kisses along Louis’ collarbones, his hands firmly situated on Louis’ ass, holding him close. Louis has his fingers tangled in Harry’s hair, subconsciously working out a few of the tangles from the water as he brings their lips together.

Ever since their first kiss, Louis has known that he could happily spend the rest of his life kissing Harry. Their lips fit perfectly together and even after eleven years, it never fails to make his heart skip a beat. The kiss is a lazy one, a few nibbles here and there, tongues exploring the familiar landscape of the other, mixed in with sweet pecks.

Louis pulls back, unhooking his legs from Harry’s waist. He can’t help but admire the face in front of him. “Let’s go in. We should probably head back soon anyway.”

“Not because you are cold though, right?” Harry teases, as his traitorous body proceeds to cover his arms with goosebumps, the sun currently behind a cloud and unable to warm him.

“Nope, I’m good!” Louis calls back, turning and swimming for shore.

---

“Seriously Harry, why you work as a reporter and not a chef will never make sense to me.” Liam says, taking another bite of his stir fry, “this is amazing."

Harry smiles and beams with pride, Louis knows how much Harry loves to cook and will never betray his secrets by telling the boys how long it took him to memorize this recipe, trying it out at home more times than Louis could count.

“He is amazing.” Louis says, resting his hand on Harry’s thigh, squeezing lightly, “Nothing he can’t do.”

“Gross.” Niall jokes, helping himself to another serving. “But this really is amazing. Good on ya.”

“Thanks. It’s just something I threw together. No big deal.” Harry says and Louis has to bite his tongue to keep his laughter at bay.

They busy themselves cleaning up and doing a bit of packing. They will be heading home in the morning. It’s as Louis is grabbing his dirty clothes, throwing them in a bag when Harry grabs him around the waist, and whispering in his ear, “want to go for a walk?”

Louis nods. Harry links their fingers together, walking off towards Louis’ favourite spot. It’s a peaceful and quiet walk. The sun is hardly visible, dipping below the horizon. As they walk, the fireflies spark around them, the darkness of the wooded forest letting them be seen, adding an ethereal atmosphere to the night. Louis wonders if there is a purpose behind this stroll, especially when Harry’s thumb keeps rubbing circles over his hand, a tell-tale sign that he is nervous. Shit. He mentally catalogs the day. Has he said or done anything inappropriate? No, he hasn’t. Well, teasing is just who he is, and Harry loves him for that so it can’t possibly be that. 

They make it to the lookout, sitting on the rock ledge, Louis leaning back in Harry’s arms. “Not that I’m complaining, but what brought this on?” Louis asks, looking out at the pink and red sky. He feels Harry’s chest rise and fall, a deep breath followed by a sigh.

Louis turns around to face Harry, seeing a face full of emotions that he can’t exactly read, which is worrisome since he’s been reading Harry’s face for over a decade. He scoots forward, turning his body to fully face Harry’s, wrapping his legs around his husband and brings his hands up to cup his cheeks. “What’s this face about?” Louis asks, his thumb rubbing along Harry's jawline. “You know you can tell me anything.”

Harry looks torn, maybe lost, Louis isn’t sure, especially when a slow smile starts to spread across Harry’s face. Harry’s eyes dart to the ground and if he’s trying to mentally chastise himself for letting the smile appear in the first place. Okay, what the hell is going on?

“Um…I uh…I got an email this afternoon…” Harry starts, dragging out his words. Louis just wants to smack it out of him, his nerves spiking as each quiet moment passes. He knows he needs to be patient and let Harry get this out at his own speed, but damn it to hell he’s nervous as fuck.

He nods, urging Harry to continue

“I received some news.”

“Okay…”

“From the adoption agency.” Harry says, that smile starting to creep back onto his face.

Louis perks up, his eyes are bright and hopeful, they have been waiting to hear if they have been approved for months now and he hopes this is what he wants it to be.

“And…” Louis starts, desperately wanting Harry to spit it out.

“And…we’ve been approved! We’re officially on the list!” Harry cheers and Louis feels the tears instantly well in his eyes. He has wanted to be a father his whole life, and part of what he loves about Harry is how much he wants to be a father as well. He can’t contain his emotions. He brings his hands up to his face, wiping away his tears. He’s smiling and crying and can’t even see Harry’s face through the buckets of tears escaping his eyes. He’s a mess, he knows he is. It’s at this moment that he’s forever grateful Harry has shared this news away from the others. He wipes away his tears with the bottom of his shirt. He begs his body to stop crying, to try and control himself just a little. It’s when he looks at Harry, tears also falling down his cheeks, he gives up and just lets them fall.

“Are you serious?” Louis asks, even though he knows Harry would never joke about this. “We really were approved?”

Harry grabs his face in his hands, “We were approved. We’re going to be parents.” He says, kissing Louis, their tears mixing as they fall down their cheeks.

“We’re going to be parents!” Louis cheers out, breaking their kiss to pull Harry into his arms, hugging him tightly. “I love you so much.”

“I love you too. I can’t believe it. I’ve been waiting to tell you all day.”

He was way too happy to even be concerned that Harry has kept this from him until now. “Did they say anything else in the email?” Louis inquires, pulling back to look at Harry, searching his face for answers.

Harry smirks, and Louis shoves his shoulder. “Tell me right now, Styles.”

“Tomlinson. Will you ever call me Tomlinson?” Harry teases, but continues. “They said that there are three couples currently looking at our profile and that we could possibly be chosen by any of them. The earliest we could expect to have a baby is in two months.”

Louis can’t contain the smile on his face, two months. They could really have a baby in two months? He tries to relax, not wanting to get his hopes up. But this feels right, the timing feels right, and he hopes that it will work out for them.

“I don’t want to get our hopes up,” Harry says, looking Louis right in the eye with his somewhat creepy stare, “but I feel like it’s going to happen.”

“Me too.” Louis whispers, leaning into Harry’s chest, letting Harry wrap his arms around him. “Imagine, in just a few months we could have a little one to look after, calling me Daddy and you Papa.”

“I know,” Harry says, kissing the top of Louis’ head. “I can’t wait to raise a family with you.”

They sit there for a few minutes, thinking about what this news means, both of them processing their emotions in their own way. Eventually, Harry breaks the silence. “Should we head back?”

Louis shakes his head, no, he wants to stay here in Harry’s arms forever. Harry laughs, his chest making Louis’ head bounce slightly. “Come on, don’t you want to tell our friends the good news?”

Louis jumps back. “Are we really ready to tell them? Isn’t it too soon?”

“I don’t think so. They’ve known that we have wanted to adopt for years now, and it seems like the perfect time to tell them. But if you want to wait – “

“NO!” Louis yells, “No, I want to tell them.” He moves to stand up, grabbing Harry’s hands and pulling him up with him. “I can’t wait to tell them.” He brings their lips together, teeth clattering together as they are both smiling too big to kiss properly.

Louis can’t keep the smile off his face as they walk hand in hand back to the campsite. He keeps stealing glances at his husband whose dimple is proudly on display, a goofy grin plastered on his face. Louis pulls Harry back, stopping them a few feet short of the site, “I’m so in love with you. I can’t wait to have a baby with you.” The tears threaten to fall again, welling up in his eyes, but he blinks them away.

Harry doesn’t reply, just pulls Louis into his body and kisses him, Louis knowing exactly what he is saying without him ever saying a word.

---

“Neil! He fucking called me Neil, after I told him it was Niall.” Niall basically yells at them, his hands waving around frantically as he tells the story. “And what was I supposed to do? He’s the damn boss! Going around and introducing me as Neil to the whole damn company!”

They were all laughing, the beers and the sun making this story funnier than it likely was, but Louis didn’t care. Niall hated when people got his name wrong, people even misspelling it in emails when his email is literally [email protected].

“Do they still call you Neil?” Zayn stutters out through his laughter.

“Yes! I feel too guilty correcting them.” Niall says exasperatedly. “It’s been two fucking months and they all still call me Neil.”

Louis leans back in his chair, still chuckling to himself. He brings his bottle to his lips, the last drops finding their way to his tongue. Damn, he really doesn’t want to get up, his back is sore – from what, he isn’t sure.

Harry looks over, studying Louis’ face, “Need another?” Louis nods, he really fucking loves Harry. Harry gets up, offering to get everyone refills and Louis slides a marshmallow into his mouth before tossing the bag over to Liam, who just found their roasting sticks from last night.

Fresh cold beer in hand, Louis looks to Harry, silently asking if they should share their news now. Harry nods, smiling and grabbing Louis’ hand.

“Um, guys…” Louis starts, unsure of exactly how he is going to do this. “Harry and I have some news.” Their friends look at them, a mixture of expressions on their faces. “So you guys know that we’ve been – “

“You’re pregnant!?” Niall yells out, then slaps his hand over his mouth.

Louis barks out a laugh, of course Niall couldn’t stay quiet. But before he can correct him, Harry blurts out, “Yes!” Louis whips his head around to look at him; what the hell? “Okay, well actually, no. But! We did get approved for the adoption list today and there are three couples interested in our profile!”

They all jump up, cheering and congratulating them, coming in for a huge group hug.

“This is amazing news!” Liam says. 

Zayn pats Louis on the back, “I’m so happy for the two of you.” 

Niall, not to be left out, “I get to be the godfather, right?” 

“We don’t know anything yet, but it could be as soon as two months. We’re trying not to get our hopes up, but it’s so exciting.” Harry explains, as they all find their way back to their seats.

Louis takes another drink from his beer, as the questions come pouring in. They want to know everything – when they applied (four months ago they started the process), how they knew they were ready (it just felt right), what they are hoping for (a healthy and happy baby is all they want), would it be an open or closed adoption (up to the birth mother but they are good with either), do they have names picked out yet (Louis says no but Harry says yes), and can Niall really be the godfather (to be discussed later).

Time flies as the fire dwindles, flames becoming embers, the stars filling up the night sky. They add more logs to the fire, just to watch them slowly burn down to embers. When the morning sun starts to light up the sky, they finally decide to call it a night and catch a bit of sleep before they need to leave in just a few hours. Louis isn’t even tired, but he agrees, crawling into the tent with Harry.

Once inside the tent, Louis starts to strip down, starting with his shirt. He rips it off, tossing it in the general direction of their laundry bag. He’s in the process of removing his shorts when Harry cries out, “what happened to your back!?”

Louis twists his head around, trying to look at his back unsuccessfully. “I don’t know. I can’t see it. What’s wrong with it?” Harry’s cool hands lightly trace over his skin. Pain instantly stinging from where his fingers lingered. Damnit, sunburn for sure.

“I think you got a sunburn, babe.” Harry informs him, tenderly tracing his fingers over the burnt skin. “It’s possible I missed a spot…”

“Harold!” Louis exclaims, “You know I get miserable when I get a sunburn! You better have packed the aloe vera…” Louis threatens, not looking forward to sleeping on the ground, feeling every bit of his burnt skin now that he’s been made aware of it.

“I did, I did. Let me grab it.”

Louis strips out of his shorts and settles himself, sitting down on their sleeping bag. He can hear Harry rustling around his bag, which should calm his nerves, but it doesn’t. He hates being burnt. This is all Harry’s fault. He was too busy rubbing down Zayn to properly pay attention to his husband. He’s about to open his mouth when Harry shouts. 

“Found it!” He sits down beside Louis, clicking open the bottle. “This is going to be cold…” Harry warns, but that doesn’t stop Louis from screaming out once the cool lotion hits his skin.

“Fuck! Ow! Harold!!!”

“Calm down, it’s not that bad.”

“Like you would know.” Louis whines, Harry continuing to torture him slowly. “Shit! Ow!”

“Keep it down you two! We don’t need to hear that!” Niall calls out from his own tent. Harry, useless, just laughs as Louis yells back, “Shut up, Horan!”

“Louis has a sunburn…” Harry informs them, yelling out into the night.

“Oh shit…good luck!” Niall yells back and Louis is sure he can hear Liam and Zayn laughing from their tent as well. Those bastards.

It’s a few minutes later when Harry finishes. Louis ensures he goes over his back twice to calm him down. Louis has to admit it actually feels pretty good now. Harry stands up and strips down to his briefs, Louis eyeing him up and licking his lips. It doesn’t go unnoticed by Harry who tells him, “We should go to sleep…”

“I’m not tired.” Louis tells him, crawling to him, pulling onto the hem of his briefs, giving a little tug as they slide a bit down Harry’s hips, exposing the deep V that leads down below the waistband. Louis looks up at Harry, silently asking for permission, and Harry nods his head, closing his eyes as Louis slides down his briefs, Harry’s semi-hard cock greeting him.

Louis licks his palm. Looking up at Harry’s face as he takes him into his hand, lazily playing with him as he gets harder and harder, Louis’ movements speed up and Harry’s breath hitches. Kneeling slightly he brings Louis face to his own, kissing him passionately. Harry licks at Louis’ lips, biting and moaning into his mouth. Louis’ runs his hands up and down Harry’s thighs, feeling his strong muscles quiver under his touch. Harry’s hands carefully roam over his sunburn, over Louis’ chest, tweaking his nipples every so often, causing Louis to shiver in excitement.

“I want you…” Louis moans out, “need you.” He reaches down between Harry’s legs and gives a few tugs to make sure he gets the message.

Harry parts their lips, and leans over to reach into their bag, bringing with him a packet of lube and a condom. “Cleaner this way,” he says as Louis raises his eyebrow at the condom in his hand. Fine, he can agree with that.

Harry rips open the lube, squeezing a dollop onto his fingers as Louis positions himself on his hands and knees, a position that drives Harry crazy. Anything for his husband. He jumps a little when Harry spreads his cheeks, his slick finger pressing against his rim. Harry teases him, rubbing it back and forth, applying various amounts of pressure, causing Louis to wriggle underneath him. “Come on, don’t tease.” Louis mutters, and Harry obeys, pushing steadily until his finger slips past the tight muscle and enters Louis.

Harry slowly pumps his finger in and out, Louis arching his back and leaning into Harry’s touch, “another…” he begs, spreading his legs further. Harry slips in another finger, stretching Louis as he goes. Louis can’t help the moan that escapes his lips, it feels so good. Harry’s always known how to make him feel exceptional.

“Shh,” Harry says, scissoring his fingers as they pump in and out, opening him up. Louis grunts out when Harry slips in another finger, pushing back against Harry’s hand, urging his fingers to go deeper. Harry keeps going, Louis slowly falling apart each time his fingers brush against his prostate, his legs starting to shake a little.

“I’m ready,” Louis tells him, turning around and looking at Harry over his shoulder.

Harry pulls his fingers out, leaving an empty feeling. He so desperately wants Harry to fill him up. Harry kisses a gentle path up Louis’ back, causing a huge shiver to run through his body. A low and sultry voice whispers in his ear, “how do you want me?”

“On your back.” Louis declares, guiding Harry down onto their temporary bed, climbing on top of him, a leg on each side. Louis reaches over and grabs the condom, ripping it open with his teeth. No time to waste he hastily slides it onto Harry’s cock, giving a few tugs before lowering himself onto him. Holding his breath he takes him in, loving how full he feels as he slides down. He takes every inch of Harry inside him, his ass meeting Harry’s groin. He pauses for a moment adjusting to the sensation. Once comfortable, he begins to rock his hips back and forth, grinding into Harry with force.

Harry’s hands find their way to Louis’ hips, his long fingers grazing over his ass cheeks, as he thrusts up. Skin slapping against bare skin. Louis breathes deeply as he takes Harry’s thrusts into him. It’s been a few days since he’s had Harry inside of him and it feels so good, he can barely keep control of himself. He knows he’s not being as quiet as he should, but he just doesn’t care. Harry leans up, trying to cover Louis’ mouth with his hands but Louis just licks his palm and moans out Harry’s name.

“Oh Harry, fuck me, you’re so big, such a beautiful dick,” Louis turns his head, distracted by Niall’s mocking voice, “Oh Harry. You’re so great. I love having your…” Niall doesn’t finish before he giggles abruptly ending his taunting. His sex haze apparently blocking out his senses to lower his voice. He can’t find the words to say anything back, so he doesn’t. While he might feel bad, but only a little, he knows he isn’t the only one. He can hear Liam and Zayn off in the distance, making their own noises. He giggles to himself knowing he’s not the only one making a racket. I guess they needed a release as well.

“You all suck! I need better friends.” Niall calls out again. He goes to protest their friend's rudeness, when Harry pounds particularly hard into his prostate, sending a plethora of endorphins running through his body. He leans back, changing the angle so that Harry hits his spot every time. There’s a faint noise running through his ears. He’s unsure if it’s the angels above singing their praises or Niall trying to drown out what’s going on around him. Either way Louis doesn’t care, he just continues allowing the moans to pour out of his mouth. 

He’s getting close, speeding up his movements as he feels Harry’ balls tighten, signalling that he is close too. “So close,” Louis moans out after a particularly hard thrust. Harry grips his ass cheeks even harder pulling him down into him as he bucks up. Come fills the condom, the sensation running through him causing an immediate release of his own. Chest heaving he glances down at Harry’s stomach. White streaks line his toned abs. His eyes make their way to Harry’s. He takes the man in, his chest rising and falling quickly. Eyes closed and hair a mess. His skin is flushed and sweat soaken. He looks absolutely wrecked.  

“So fucking good,” Harry says, still breathing heavily. Louis scoots off, Harry bringing him in and holding him close. “Always so good.”

Louis reaches around for his t-shirt, wiping up his mess on Harry’s stomach. God, he loves Harry so much. His back is still hurting so he positions himself on his side, leaning across Harry’s chest as they both try to recover, placing small kisses over Harry’s heart. “I love you, Harry Tomlinson.”

“I love you too, Louis Tomlinson.”

--- 

Louis blinks his eyes open, the sounds of the birds chirping waking him up. What time is it? He’s still wrapped up in Harry’s arms, so it must be early as Harry always gets up before him. He closes his eyes, hoping to fall back asleep when his traitorous bladder forces him to get up.

He uncurls himself from Harry’s body and throws on a pair of boxers, unzipping the tent and heading out into the morning sunlight. When he focuses, he sees that they are the last ones to wake up, Niall, Liam and Zayn already awake and preparing breakfast.

“Morning sleepyhead.” Liam greets him as Niall chirps, “Guess the sex wore you out.”

“Shut up. You’re just jealous.” He says, slipping on his shoes and walking into the forest to relieve himself. When he comes back, he sees that Harry has emerged from the tent and is helping with breakfast.

Harry hands him a pair of shorts and he slips them on over his boxers, settling into the picnic table beside Niall.

“I’m sorry about last night,” he tells his friend. “Heat of the moment, you know?”

Niall just laughs at him, rolls his eyes and says, “all good, it wouldn’t be a lad’s weekend without the two of you moaning out each other names all night.”

Well shit, that’s pretty much true. He really does have the best of friends to put up with that. Louis slings his arm over Niall’s shoulder, pulling him into a side hug, “love you Nialler,” and kisses him on the cheek.

“Oi, get off me! Save that for your husband.”

Louis lets go of him and snatches a piece of bacon that was just set on the table. Harry and Zayn serve everyone their eggs before they all dig in, apparently famished. He figures it’s the least he can do, so he volunteers to do the dishes as everyone else starts to pack up.

As he’s packing up the clean dishes into their storage container, he starts feeling that familiar feeling whenever one of these weekends comes to an end. He’s excited to go home but he doesn’t want to leave their little bubble here in the forest. He finds comfort in knowing that they will be back again next year, but sadness they’re parting so soon. He looks around, soaking in all the details before going to help Harry finish putting away their tent.

It’s not long before they load themselves up and begin the hike back to the base of the mountain. The hike down is quiet, as per the usual. He assumes they’re all feeling the same way he is. It really was a great weekend, and he can’t wait for the next one. He loves these crazy lads to the moon and back. They’ve experienced so much together. The pure amount of laughs and chats are something he will cherish forever.

Standing in the middle of the parking lot, they look at each other, no one wanting to be the first one to say goodbye. Which is ridiculous because he’s seeing Niall next week and Zayn and Liam are moving in a month just down the street. But it always feels like an ending, standing in the parking lot.

“Well, another successful lad’s weekend, right boys?” Louis finally says, breaking the silence surrounding them.

“Really was.” Liam nods, wrapping his arms around Zayn’s waist. “One of the best.”

They go around, each giving one another a nice long hug, before bringing it in for one last group hug. “I love you guys.” Harry says, they all say it back, squeezing whoever they are touching a little harder.

“Next time, I’m bringing earplugs.” Niall says, breaking up the hug and walking towards his vehicle, waving his hands over his head. Louis just laughs and grabs Harry’s hand, pulling him over to their Jeep. They wave back at Liam and Zayn before getting in their vehicle. Louis sighs, taking a look at Niall’s retreating car. Liam and Zayn honk once as they pull out behind Niall. Harry leans over to kiss him on the cheek. The car roars to life, “let’s go home.”

---

“Harry? Harry?!” Louis yells from their garage, unable to reach that damn tarp. Why does he always put it up there where Louis can’t reach it? Seriously, every year he struggles with this damn thing. He’d think Harry would have learned by now.

He turns when he hears Harry open the door to the garage, making his way over to Louis, carrying a bouncing baby Watson in his arms.

“Hi baby,” Louis coos, taking Watson from his arms as Harry reaches up to get the tarp. “Are you ready for your first lad’s weekend?”

Louis walks Watson out to their new SUV, much more baby safe than the Jeep, and opens the door. “Does Papa have everything packed?” He asks, and Harry replies, “Of course. Just need to grab the cooler.”

Louis gets Watson all settled, playing with his little toes, counting them over and over even though he knows he has ten. It seems to send the baby into a fit of giggles. Music to Louis’ ears. He hands over his pacifier as Harry packs the cooler into the trunk. “All set,” Harry says, kissing Louis on the cheek. He leans down pecking Watson’s chubby little cheeks. “Let’s do this.”