For what it's worth (I'm sorry)
Niall and Maria were next to his car as promised, but a third person was there with them. They were carrying a bouquet of flowers, but Harry couldn't tell what kind from this far away. Niall seemed to be a little spooked but was smiling, and so was Maria. As Harry came closer, the stranger's scent finally hit his nose.
It was familiar, a scent Harry would never forget. Almond, chocolate, buttercream. Once a scent so sweet and addicting to something that triggered Harry's omega response. Louis.
The alpha must've heard him coming because he turned towards him. He looked older. He was older, but he also looked a bit worn down. Different. Still breathtakingly beautiful, tho. His hair was shaved on the sides. It wasn't fully brown anymore, grey strands stood out among the brown hair. He had a beard now, trimmed very low. So, so beautiful.
Harry blinked, wishing for his disappearance. He wanted to laugh and cry. Days, months, years wishing for Louis to come back and, as soon as he does, Harry first thought is to wish him gone. He blinked again. Louis was still there. Fuck.
The bouquet he was carrying was made of carnations, yellow roses, chrysanthemums and baby's breath. The typical flowers you would give to someone who just gave birth. Harry's heart broke a little more. Louis gave him a small smile, eyes tracing his face the same way Harry had done to him. Harry suddenly felt conscious of his dirty lilac scrubs, the wildness of his hair, the bags under his eyes.
Before either of them could say something, Maria screamed for his attention, her cries of “daddy” ringing loudly in the parking lot. Harry went to her, cuddling her tight against his chest, letting her scent him. Niall gave him a guilty, bewildered look.
“Hi, baby. Daddy missed you sooo much. Did you have fun with Niall, huh?”
Maria nodded enthusiastically, ponytails swinging along with her head. — “Yes! He promised to take us out for dinner today. And ice cream after.”
“Ice cream? This late at night? Doesn't seem like a good idea to me.”
“But he promised!! Please, pleaaase?”
Harry smiled at her, ignoring the fact that Louis, her other dad, was staring at them. Niall's scent grew a bit stronger, like he was scent-marking them. Harry frowned but said nothing.
“Ni, can you unlock the car? I'll buckle her in and we can go.”
The car beeped and Harry tried to do as he said, but his hands were shaking too much for him to get it at first. This was one of his worst nightmares. When he thought about it – about Louis meeting Maria for the first time – it was always in a controlled environment and after Louis was made aware of the fact that he was somebody's father. After he promised not to take her away from him. After he promised to stay. Not like this. Not when Harry was tired and distraught.
Maria seemed to notice his distress and pressed her lips on his cheek. “Okay, daddy?”
Harry gave her a kiss back and smiled. No matter what, Maria was always capable of bringing him back from the depths of his mind. — “Always, sweetie. Daddy just missed you a lot today.”
Harry finished buckling her in and closed the door of the car. He turned to find Niall and Louis silently staring at each other. There was an annoyed look in Louis’ eyes, the flowers now hanging low on his hands. Some baby's breath falling on the floor.
“Careful. You don't want to ruin Zayn's bouquet.” — The words were out before Harry could think better. Both alphas turned towards him. Feeling pressured to say something, anything, that wasn't about his daughter, Harry continued. — “He is fine, by the way. His daughter was born forty-five minutes ago.” — Harry turned to Niall, hoping the alpha would smell his scent pleading for him to comply. — “I'm tired. We should go now, Niall.”
“Of course, love. Get in the car.”
“Wait, wait. Harry” — Louis says, stepping closer to them. He was visibly confused, like he was the one blindsided. — “You have a kid? A toddler?”
Harry can't help but chuckle, an empty twisted sound he doesn't recognise. — “Looks like it.”
Louis flinched, eyes going back to Maria on the back seat. Harry moves a bit to cover his view of her. The alpha frowned – and it hurts how much he looks like her – but doesn't comment on it. — “She has blue eyes.”
“Beautiful, aren't they? When I'm out with her, people always say they are a copy of mine.” — Niall says, throwing an arm around Harry's shoulders. It makes him want to laugh. It's not a lie. People who don't know them sometimes think he is Maria's father, but to have him imply that in front of Louis makes Harry want to straight up giggle. — “Something about skies and seas and both of them being blue.”
Louis seemed more bewildered now. — “Right, right.”
Maria, with her four year old impatience, knocks on the window and whines about them taking “aaages” to go, that they must hurry because she would “starvee” to death. The perfect excuse to end that awkward meeting. Harry looks back at Louis and doesn't bother to say goodbye, just nods at him and enters the car. Niall follows suit and does the same.
When the car is finally leaving the parking lot, Louis just a tiny dot on his mirror, Harry allowed himself to feel.
Coming soon for the @onedirectionbigbang Round 8!!
Fic by @ineverateakiwi | Art by the amazing @berzerkshires
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