Chapter Text
Peck. Peck. Peck.
Harry turns his head to the right and sees a little a orange lady bug trying to fly out through the window but she keeps hitting glass instead. The boy gets so excited he toddles over to the bug.
“Hello,” he smiles at it.
“How you get inside,” he asks.
Harry’s mind tends to personify objects and creatures. The ladybug begins telling Harry her story.
“I was just climbing in the grass with my friends when suddenly I saw the biggest door I ever saw in my life open right in front of me. I got so excited! I flew as fast as I could to get inside! I didn’t know the door would lead me into your home. I’m sorry! But I heard you coming into the room and I thought you could help me.”
He reaches his pinky towards the bug and tells it to climb up. The bug eventually does so and he smiles proudly at his own accomplishment.
“You want outside,” he asks. In his mind the lady bug replies yes. “Okay.”
He turns his head and his green eyes scan the room for signs of anyone else’s presence before quietly lifting the window up. He flicks his pinky a little and the bug flies off.
“Bye bye! You c’n visit me! Bye!” He blows a few kisses towards where he believes the ladybug may have went.
The window closes and Harry sits on the couch of the playroom staring at the doorway. He should be playing, but instead he is waiting for the three most important people in his life to join him. Normally he has the time of his life when he’s in here, but not right now. He wants more than anything for Louis to be in here with him. Daddy told Harry a month ago that good big brothers loved playing, and that is all he’s been hoping for since Louis arrived. The only chance he’s had to play with Loulou was last night. But Louis only wanted to talk so he didn’t get much time with the Legos. But that’s okay, because Harry likes hearing Louis’ voice. It sounds like how hot cocoa feels on a sore throat.
Papa told him they would only be a few minutes in the bathroom, but Harry’s pretty sure it’s been hours. He frowns and turns onto his stomach and lets his arm drop down on the ground to clutch the shaggy carpeting between knuckles.
“Woger,” he asks looking at his bear sitting nearby.
“Did they forget ‘bout us,” he asks and the bear stares at him.
“No, they wouldn’t, Everybody loves you, Harry. Rememer? Daddy and Papa said so themselves,” he thinks the bear says.
Harry chuckles at the toy, “You wight! They love us!”
The bear in the bow tie and top hat has managed to get Harry smiling and happy again. Sometimes he just needs a good pep talk to remind him of how good life is.
“There’s the smiling baby,” Liam says loudly.
“Daddy! Papa! Louwee!” Harry runs forward and hugs them all. “Knew you didn’t forget me!”
“We could never forget about you,” Liam assures.
“You were gone for years,” he complains.
Zayn chuckles, “Only 25 minutes.”
Louis is put on the ground and Harry grabs his hand and pulls the boy away from his daddies.
“Let’s play,” he says eagerly.
The boy is dragged to the right side of the room where toys are scattered everywhere as well as in tubs and on shelves. There must be thousands of dollars worth in toys. Louis briefly wonders how the men can afford any of this and if they even have jobs. The room, which is painted to look like they are in the forest, has lush green carpet that Louis sinks his sock covered toes into.
From what Louis can see, there is just about any toy a kid could dream of in here. Action figures and dolls are stored in a tub on one shelf. There are stuffed animals everywhere. Various sport balls are pushed between furniture, including a mini basketball hoop. Louis pretty sure that he sees costumes hanging in a little closet to his right. In a line against the wall on the floor are remote-controlled cars. There is a small table holding various art supplies. Basic toys like card games, slinkies and yo-yos are also on the bookcase.
What catches Louis’ attention most is a keyboard with a guitar propped up against it. Zayn notices what the boy is staring at.
“Do you play,” Zayn asks him.
He already knows that the boy can. There are two videos on his instagram of him playing rock songs. Liam and Zayn had specifically bought this a month ago as a present for Louis.
The brunette nods slowly, unable to take his eyes off of the beautiful instrument.
“Well, it's in the playroom, which means you’re allowed to play with it,” Zayn says.
Louis nods and slowly approaches the keyboard. Its beautiful. And full sized! He’s almost terrified to touch it. He’s only ever been around crappy falling apart ones that they used to teach students in primary and the occasional bars that have pianos. Having learned where all of the keys were when he was 8, it was easy for him to teach himself through youtube videos when he got older.
He skims his fingers along the black and white keys, getting a good feel of the cool plastic. His eyes glance over the different buttons and he finds the power switch. He turns the keyboard on and the little square screen in the middle glows blue.
A beautiful sound is emitted when Louis’ pointer finger presses down on the middle c key. His face brightens and everyone in the room can see. He taps on the f sharp and is completely taken with this instrument.
The short boy turns around to face the daddies. “Thank you,” he says, and genuinely means it.
“Anything for you,” Zayn says. Liam nods in agreement.
The boy feels something touching his side and turns to see the finger of a certain curly-haired boy tapping his ribs.
“Pway a song, Loulou,” he begs.
The boy debates mentally what song he should play. Obviously, he wants one that the others know. He looks over at the boy with the wide eyes and dimples and a sudden burst of inspiration causes his fingers move to the right placing. He begins playing the Harry Potter theme song. Liam and Zayn chuckle. Harry has no idea what song Louis is playing as he’s never seen any of the films, but he still admires Louis’ playing skills.
Brown curls flop as Harry begins twirling around the floors. Neither boy knows it, but Zayn has his phone out and is recording the precious moment. Harry is anything but graceful on his Bambi legs, but Zayn knows that anyone who watches the video will melt at the sight. Louis’ musical skills sure will be something to brag about when they go to the next mommies and daddies get together.
The song ends after a few minutes and the three members of Louis’ audience clap.
“That reminds me,” Zayn says. “I need you two to tell me by Friday what you want to be for Halloween.”
“I already know, Papa,” Harry squeals.
“Do you now?”
“Wanna be an angel!”
As if the boy couldn’t get anymore adorable, he decides to be the most innocent creature. Louis honestly has no idea how these men have lived with him for nearly three years without their hearts melting into puddles. Louis figures Harry was probably the sweetest little child ever, always listening to his parents and making polite conversations at church and chasing butterflies in the park.
“So you want to be yourself,” Liam says picking him up and swinging him around simulating the feeling of flying.
“I’m flying! Looook Lou! Wheee!”
The smaller boy watches with a small smile playing on his lips because of the youngest. He looks genuinely happy. ‘Will I ever feel that way.’ he asks himself.
Zayn shakes his head fondly and looks at his new baby. “What about you, Babe? Have any idea what you want to wear? We can pretty much find any costume online.”
“Oh, I uh,” he says kicking his toes on the carpet. “I’ve never celebrated Halloween before.”
“Really,” Zayn slightly gasps. “Sorry, Sweetie. I hope that didn’t come off as rude. I’m just surprised.”
Louis shakes his head. “My family… they didn’t like…. well you see…,” he struggles to phrase it the right way.
Zayn and Liam have visibly stiffened at the mention of his family, but they aren’t going to stop him from voicing his thoughts. Liam continues to fly the excited boy around so Harry doesn’t hear Louis very well. The daddies are well aware of Louis’ past and Harry shouldn’t hear such negative things. It would only upset him. The distraction is working as the boy continues laughing and making whooshing noises. Oblivious to the negative things that exist outside of his mind.
“You see…. I grew up in a church,” he says hoping that works as an explanation. “We went to a service on every October 31st instead. Because its the Devil’s holiday.”
“I promise you, it's not,” Papa says.
“Everyone walking around in scary costumes. Television constantly showing people getting killed. Skulls everywhere,” his mouth runs. “Devilish.”
The boy surprises himself as he thinks of the holiday. Its one of few things he didn’t rebel against the church after his family had passed. He did it all; clubbing, sex, drinking, drugs, tattoos, but he never celebrated holidays that the church called blasphemous.
Liam decides to add input to the conversation. “Well, at least in this community, it isn’t like that at all. Nothing scary. There is a movie night at the theater that shows Scooby-Doo every year on the Friday before Halloween. And there’s things like pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating. Nothing bad like you were told.”
“Wanna paint a punkin,” Harry says.
“In a few days, Babe,” Zayn tells him.
He sticks out his lower lip and looks up at Zayn through his lashes, “Now? Please,” he begs.
“That’s not going to work today, Honey. No pouting. I said in a few days and I mean in a few days,” the man tells the boy.
The elder boy is relieved that the attention was drawn away from his past. Louis, feeling very big brotherly, decides to stop the pouting. “Harry,” he says shyly. Green eyes meet his now. “Why don’t we color pictures of pumpkins?”
Harry rapidly nods and demands that Daddy put him down, but he doesn’t get away without first pecking a kiss on Liam’s cheek.
The youngest pulls on Louis’ hand effectively forcing him over to the art table. Harry pulls out a pack of Crayola markers and lots of paper.
“I’ll be right back,” Liam whispers in Zayn’s ear. His husband nods and watches the brunette leave the room. He goes over to the boys and sits criss cross on the floor in front of the short table. The boys are sitting in low to the ground chairs, so its definitely odd to see the man below them.
“Mind if I color with you,” he asks.
“Sure, Papa,” Harry says enthusiastically.
“Are you okay with that, Louis?”
“Go ahead,” the boy says.
It isn’t much, but at least he’s not telling the man to go away. But Louis is the one to hand Zayn paper and markers. Zayn choses the black and yellow markers. He takes the black and uncaps it before drawing the outline of his characters. He allows his art do the talking as the ink leaks out of its spongy tip and onto the paper. Even if it's just doodling, it looks spectacular.
“What are you making, Harry,” Zayn asks.
“Us if we were punkins!” The boy holds up a picture with four jack-o-lanterns. Two big in the back and two tiny in the front. They all have big grins and a variety of shapes for their noses and eyes. Its pretty sloppy looking, but Zayn gives him a large encouraging smile.
“That’s so wonderful, Honey!”
“Thank you, Papa,” he says continuing to color. He adds crazy green swirls for stems coming out of the tops.
“And you, Lou? What are you coloring?”
Louis stays quiet but holds his picture up like Harry had. He was having a few issues coloring with precision considering the markers are fat tipped. It would’ve been much easier with colored pencils. He reveals the image of a tree with leaves of orange, yellow and red. The tree branches are sparse as the fall leaves are flowing in the fall breeze.
“That’s so beautiful, Louis!”
“Uh-huh,” Harry agrees excitedly.
The boy blushes at the compliments and thanks them.
Since neither boy asks about his drawing, Zayn decides to show them anyway. “How’s this,” he asks as he shows them his drawing of Woodstock and Snoopy from Charlie Brown. It isn’t Halloween or fall themed like the two boy’s drawings.
“Woah,” Louis says in astonishment. “That’s so good.”
“Thank you, Sweetie.”
Liam appears behind Zayn then, placing his hand on the man’s shoulder. Zayn jumps a bit surprise. “It looks wonderful, Babe.” He presses a kiss right in the middle of the man’s crown.
“Look, Daddy,” Harry says showing of his drawing again.
“Oh my! Looks like I’m surrounded by three fantastic artists! How about I take a picture of you all holding your masterpieces?”
Harry, Zayn, and Louis all stand up from the table. Liam has them move away from the window for better lighting. Zayn stands in the middle and they hold their pictures up. Zayn and Harry smile proudly but Louis looks very awkward. Liam snaps the picture anyway.
“Well, my Darlings, I say we should frame that picture,” Liam says showing the three the screen on the camera and Zayn agrees. The man makes a mental note to tape the drawings up in the nursery later on.
Louis decides that he kind of likes how nice Liam and Zayn are, even if it does seem a bit fake. He never would have received any compliments from his family or friends for a silly drawing before. ‘So maybe that’s one less thing to hate them for,’ he thinks.
--
Rules Harry and Louis Must Follow
1. Respect Daddy and Papa and each other
2. Eat as much food on your plate as you can
3. No swearing, making threats, hitting, kicking, or using any unnecessary force
4. Always tell Daddy or Papa when your nappy needs to be changed
5. If you are uncomfortable with something let Daddy and/or Papa know immediately
6. Accept your punishments
7. Have good manners during every situation
8. Be gentle with the furniture and other items in the house
9. You may not go outside without permission and somebody with you
10. Treat babysitters, friends, and visitors with as much respect as Papa and Daddy, but remember that your daddies always make the main decisions
11. When going up and down stairs, you must always hold Papa or Daddy’s hand or be carried
12. Have fun and be nice to each other :)
Rules Daddy and Papa Must Follow
1. Be patient with the boys
2. Gentle touches should always be used
3. Take other’s feelings into consideration when making every decision
4. Respect each other and Louis and Harry
5. Punishments should be fair. Cruelty is not acceptable.
6. Protect the boys at all cost
7. Try following schedules as close as possible
8. Ask spouse for help dealing with situations you are not comfortable with
9. Make sure everything is fun and safe for Harry and Louis :)
Morning routine:
At 8:00, Daddy and Papa will go into room and wake the littles. They will then change nappies regardless of if they have been used. If it is a daycare day, the boys will be dressed into an outfit that is more appropriate to go out in public. If it is not a daycare day, they may stay in pajamas for breakfast. Depending on the food being served and direction from at least one daddy, the littles may feed themselves. After breakfast, the little should be dressed in a new outfit for the day.
Nightly routine:
Daddy and Papa will each take one little boy an hour and a half before bedtime. This is quiet time. During this time the little will be cuddled and fed their night time bottle. Make sure that anything that may be bothering the boy is settled, and anything that may have gone wrong during the day is discussed and understood by both the daddy and baby as to what happened and how to avoid it happening again. When the bottle is finished, the boy will be bathed unless a bath has already been given that day or the little is too knackered to bathe. This decision can only be made if the boy has bathed the day before. Make sure the boy’s teeth is brushed before leaving the bathroom. Then the boys will both be taken up to the nursery and changed and dressed into their pjs. Allow for 10 minutes of talking to each other before winding down with a bedtime story. When the littles are asleep, make sure the baby monitor is working and the nightlight is turned on before leaving.
Punishments:
to be doled out with purpose, careful consideration, and fairness.
Hitting / kicking / unnecessary use of force: 5 spanks and 20 minutes sitting in a corner with hands under bottom.
Swearing: 5 spanks per word. Maximum 20 spanks per punishment.
Making threats: 5 spanks.
General disrespect: 20 minutes sitting in a corner.
Throwing / Breaking item: 5 spanks.
Lying: 20 minutes sitting in corner.
Additional items:
1. If either boy is ill, the other little must respect that and follow Papa and Daddy’s instruction and allow rest.
2. If either boy seems irritated in the morning, do not send them to daycare without assessing the situation first. It may be a serious issue that needs to be dealt with immediately.
3. Littles must wear a bib while eating all meals as well as during snacks that require them.
4. Naps are to be started and finished before 5:00 p.m. to ensure a good night of rest.
5. There is no scheduled nap time, but it is suggested to take one anyway so the littles are happy.
6. Cartoons and movies may only be watched with permission. The allowed films have already been placed on the shelves.
7. If either boy wakes up in the middle of the night, a daddy must wake up as well to comfort and assist the little one on returning to sleep.
8. Neither boy is allowed to touch either daddies’ cell phones.
9. When in public, littles must remain close by and in plain sight of a daddy. No exceptions.