Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“You can’t be serious! The tap is broken? What do you mean there’s no Guinness?” Niall’s shrill voice was enough to make half the omegas in the bar turn their heads.

Louis sighed, wiping his hands with a towel. He leaned over the counter to give Niall a hearty pinch on his arm. It left a pinkened spot on the omega’s pale skin. The omega howled, pouting as he shielded himself.

“The sign on the door clearly says we don’t serve beer tonight since the taps are under maintenance. Despite that, you still chose to walk in.”

“What’re you on about, Tommo? I come here ‘most every night. You should have special privileges for patrons like myself.” Niall puffed out his chest irritably.

Louis didn’t have the luxury to spend the night standing around, listening to his omega friend’s whines and complaints.

“Come off it, order a negroni or daiquiri… I’ll treat you to a pint tomorrow night, ‘kay, lad?”

“Daiquiri? Sounds like some overpriced Frenchy dessert! What the hell is it?” Niall made a face as Louis laughed into his fist.

“It’s this!” A deep voice chirped from the corner, half hidden in shadow and nestled next to the nook of the bar’s front window.

Harry had claimed that spot the moment he had stepped into the bar and ever since, it has been reserved for the omega.

Louis looked up, eyes crinkling when he took in the adorable sight of Harry brandishing his glass of strawberry daquiri. His flamingo-colored nails shone against the bright pink liquid in the translucent cocktail glass, temporarily distracting Louis with their slenderness.

“No way! I won’t feel tipsy even after five of those things…”

Louis tore his eyes away from Harry, cocking his brow at Niall. “Don’t underestimate the power of rum. Drink five and if you still don’t feel tipsy then I’ll have a go at the pole.”

Louis jerked his chin at the dance pole situated at the far end of the bar. It was a unique feature of Knotless which Liam had insisted on promoting.

He could see a cluster of omegas around the pole, giggling as they sloshed their cocktails over each other’s crop tops. One of them was wrapped around the pole with her arse in the air while her friends cheered.

“Fuck yeah! It’s a bet! I can’t wait to see you make a fool out of your knothead self!” Niall screamed out in delight, tapping the bar top impatiently. “Now, gimme five of them pink sodas!”

After Louis had whipped up five daquiris and watched Niall attempting to down them in one go, he could sense a presence to his left as the familiar scent of nutmeg and nectarines washed over him. He could pick out the soft musky smell even amongst the heavy swirls of potent omega scents that hung over the bar.

“You know… That’s one risky bet, Lou. Nialler is a champion at holding his liquor.” Harry’s voice was so slow, even slower since the omega was on his third cocktail tonight.

Louis had made him a fresh citrusy mojito just hours before, but the omega was soon begging for something sweeter.

“I’m pretty sure he will be tipsy. I took extra precaution to slip more rum in the mix. If he does power through it and remain sober, then, you’ll get the opportunity to see my hideous pole dancing.” Louis winked at the omega who chuckled, flushed cheeks looking so pink under the dim bar lights. “Don’t you wanna see me work my arse off on the pole?”

Harry shrugged, fingers dancing over the bar countertop, toying with a napkin. “You’ll embarrass yourself. You’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

“I wasn’t aware I have a reputation. Mind telling me what it is, sweetheart?”

Mossy greens widened before they rolled dramatically. “Your reputation as the stoic alpha bartender.”

“Stoic, huh. I’ve been told I’m rather charming.”

Another pointed eye roll. “You are. You made a new customer swoon once. She even hit her head against this very counter.” Harry rapped the counter top with his knuckles and dissolved into giggles as Louis pulled a face.

“Don’t remind me of that horrid incident.”

It had been a literal blood scene. The customer in question had broken her nose and her bleeding had made other omegas within the vicinity faint at the sight of so much blood.

Liam had scolded Louis for hours after they had finished cleaning up and apologizing to everyone.

“Horrid, but goes to show how charming you are.” Harry reasoned as he took a sip, pink tongue darting out to collect the rum droplets on his lips. Louis tracked the movement with his gaze, unable to look away.

“Oops, looks like we won’t get the honors of seeing you dance tonight.” The omega jerked his thumb towards the open dance floor where Niall was now grinding shamelessly against an omega girl, both laughing and belting out the lyrics to Kesha’s Blow.

Louis laughed at the sight, whipping out his phone to capture the scene and storing it in case Niall bitched about cocktails again.

“I love this song.” He heard Harry slurring as the omega leaned his head on his arms, eyes fluttering close as the beat of Rupert Holmes’ classic Pina Colada song filtered through the bar.

The alpha watched as his omega friend mouthed to the lyrics, giggling to himself as he swayed his body to the beat. It was such an endearing sight.

He reached out, brushing away a curl from Harry’s forehead. “Didn’t I tell you that you can bring a pillow, love?” He asked, smiling as the omega hummed, leaning into his touch.

“Liam wouldn’t mind it if I store your pillow in the backroom. He loves you too much to deny you of anything.” The alpha continued, fingers (selfishly) sinking into silky curls as he caressed Harry’s scalp. The omega’s purr couldn’t be heard over the loud music, but Louis could feel the vibration against his fingertips.

“Can I get a martini on the rocks?” Someone was snapping their fingers down at the far end of the counter and just as Louis pulled his hand away, Harry’s eyes snapped open.

The omega mouthed the words If you like making love at midnight right at Louis, forest greens hazy as he dimpled sleepily.

The alpha could feel something stirring in his chest, but the snapping of fingers was his priority right now.

“Of course, love, coming right up.” He promised the anticipating omega, hurrying to grab a glass and shoveling some ice into a bucket.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

It was his third year working in Knotless, an infamous omega-only bar located in the suburban edge of North London. Bartending from 6pm until 1am had been tough at first, but gradually Louis started to enjoy the rush, the drink making and most of all, interacting with omegas from all walks of life.

The bar was opened by his omega best friend since high school, Liam Payne, who had created the omega-only establishment when his ex-alpha cheated on him with their neighbor (talk about soap opera cliché).

“It isn’t a grudge.” Liam had insisted, turning up his nose as he presented Louis with the bar’s name.

Now one might wonder why Louis, an alpha, was hired to be a bartender at a bar called Knotless. Well, Louis supposed the story went back to a time on a footie field when he was thirteen.

“You can’t play with us.” Oli said stubbornly, holding out an arm to stop Louis from lunging for the ball.

“Why not?” Louis stared at his friend. He and Oli were on great terms, but for some reason, his friend had been acting cold and distant ever since Louis came back to school from his first rut.

“Me ma says it’s not safe.” Oli was still shaking his head as he backed away. Other omegas behind him were nodding in unison.

“You’re an alpha. You should go play with alphas.” Oli gave him a pitiful look as Louis gritted his teeth.

“But you guys are better at footie. It’s more fun to play with you!” Louis stomped his foot in distress. He couldn’t understand why his footie friends were staring at him like that, glares on edge and with fear laced in their scents.

“I don’t wanna be friends with an alpha!” Bebe, an omega girl piped up. “An alpha pushed my sister down the stairs while they were playing and she broke her leg!”

Others tittered behind her. Louis frowned. “I’m sure the alpha didn’t mean it!” He protested.

“Lou.” Oli snatched up the ball, holding it protectively to his chest. “Go play with Calvin and Stan. Please.”

With that, the group of omegas left Louis in the dust. The alpha wiped away the angry tears from his eyes.

As soon as he got back home, he confronted Jay, his omega mother. After his outburst, Jay stroked his tear-stained cheeks. “I need to tell you, baby. Now that you’re an alpha, you have so many responsibilities, but the most important is that you should never hurt an omega. They are vulnerable creatures, however strong they might appear to be. They need love, comfort and trust. It would be better if you stay away from them if you don’t know how to control your alpha.”

“Stay away from omegas?”

“Yes, dear. You’ll always want more from an omega and vice versa. Your scent, your aura, your alpha will make omegas act differently around you. It’s very hard to remain friends without hurting each other due to your biological difference.”

“But! Then…” Louis looked up at Jay with pleading baby blues. “Isaac, Calum, Oli, Bebe… They are all omegas! I can’t play footie with them anymore?”

“Better not to. You don’t want to hurt them, do you, darling? You’ve just presented and not in control of your alpha.”

With these words, Jay sent Louis off to school.

At break time, Louis still approached the footie field. He could see Oli and the usual footie group clustered around the goalpost. He strolled up to them, gaze determined and mind made up.

“I won’t hurt any of you.” He announced to the omegas when he got close enough. They turned to stare at him.

“I promise.” He made a cross motion over his heart. “If I hurt any of you, I will break my own arms and legs.”

He could see Oli’s mouth dropping open as his friend gave him an incredulous look.

“Lou…”

“So, can I play with you guys or not? You’re missing a goalie right?”

He could see Oli’s defenses unfurling as his friend sighed. “You don’t even like being in goal.”

Louis shrugged. “’M not picky if I get to play.”

Suddenly he felt someone slinging an arm around his shoulder. He turned to see Isaac grinning at him. “I won’t let you waste your talent in goal, Tommo. You’re me striker!”

The alpha could feel relief flooding him as he returned Isaac’s grin. “Hell yeah I am!”

From that day on, Louis made it his life mission to prove to the world that alpha could be friends with omegas. He was going to cross the supposed “boundaries” but he will do so without hurting anyone. Why should there be rules about this anyways? Why can’t he be free to befriend omegas that he’s fond of?

He restricted himself to dating only betas and the occasional alpha. Omegas were friends. He wouldn’t fall, wouldn’t hurt or make his alpha go wild for one. He was in control, in total absolute control of his alpha and he was going to prove everyone wrong.

His plan, of course, went swimmingly, earning him a rightful place in Knotless as the head bartender. His alpha never so much as blink while he went about mixing colorful cocktails, singing along with drunken omegas and sending them off in omega safety Ubers.

He made sure to dose himself in blockers every time he stepped out of his flat. He used them so often that sometimes he would forget the undertones of his own scent.

Never had he thought the day would come when his wolf would blink open its eyes, ears perked and alert at an omega’s presence. This was all before Liam introduced him to Harry Styles.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

He had been setting up for opening on a freezing September evening when Liam had stepped into Knotless. It took a minute or two for Louis to realize that his omega friend wasn’t alone. Someone who was a bit taller than Liam was cowering behind the omega as Liam talked to him in hushed whispers.

“Li?” Louis closed a cabinet, rounding the bar counter and hopping down from the raised step. He approached his friend hesitantly. Even at this distance, he could see whoever Liam had brought in visibly shivering as he drew closer.

“Lou, I want you to meet someone. He used to be my Uni dormmate.” Liam turned back to nudge the person forward as they let out a reluctant squeak of protest. “Come on, H, he isn’t gonna do anything. He’s the nicest alpha you’ll ever meet, promise.”

Louis couldn’t help but walk nearer and the scent that hit him was nothing short of soured fear and apprehension. It was so heavy that it made the alpha’s baby blues water and he had to pinch his nose in order to stop himself from growling.

“Shit! Is your friend okay?” Louis had to ask, covering his nose with his jumper sleeve.

He was suddenly hit the overwhelmingly powerful urge to protect. Protect this cowering figure of a stranger whose scent was making his alpha howl.

“He’s so dramatic.” Liam was rolling his eyes as he shouldered the other person forward. Louis watched the strange omega stumbling against the wooden floor.

He made a distressed noise when he tripped clumsily over his own chunky buckled boots. Louis wasn’t aware of his own body moving as he lunged forward, catching the falling stranger in his arms.

The instant Louis’ arms closed around the stranger’s shoulders, the omega let out a horrified gasp and squirmed so violently that his head full of curls bumped painfully into Louis’ chin, making him curse loudly.

Long slender fingers found purchase on Louis’ chest before they curled into the front of his jumper, fisting the material so hard that Louis felt himself being jerked forward. Startled green eyes flew up to meet his and finally, the omega’s face was thrown under the lights. Louis had time to register beautiful bow shaped pouty lips, sharp jawline and a light sheen of stubbles across the omega’s upper lip before he was being pushed away.

“What the—” Louis felt his back connecting with the bar counter, sending a jolt of pain down his spine as he winced.

The omega darted back behind Liam who had been watching the entire exchange with a half amused, half exasperated expression.

“Harry.” Liam scolded quietly as the other omega buried his face into his jacket.

It took almost ten more minutes of coaxing from Liam to get Harry to emerge and to properly introduce himself. The alpha tried not to show his disappointment when the omega pointedly ignored his attempt at a handshake.

“Sorry if he’s a bit jumpy.” After Liam had set Harry up in the shadowed corner of the bar and pacified the omega with a Long Island, he had dragged Louis into the backroom to explain.

“A bit?” Louis scoffed. “Are you sure him cowering like that means he’s a bit afraid of me?”

“Not you in particular.” Liam scratched his head in frustration before his shoulders slumped. “He was… Fuck, I shouldn’t be telling you this, but he suffered some domestic abuse from his alpha dad for presenting as omega. It fucked him up as a pup and now, he’s just… He doesn’t trust any alpha. Also, he had some toxic relationships that didn’t end well when he was in Uni so… He’s been jumpy for quite some time now.”

Louis gawked as Liam heaved another sigh.

“Look… I finally got him to get out of his flat. He had been holed up in there since last weekend when he had an encounter with a knothead on the tube. The man used his alpha voice on him accidentally and H freaked out.”

“Jesus.” Louis exhaled, running a hand through his messed-up quiff.

“I want to show him that he’s safe here. This is a place where he can have fun and not worry about knotheads. Please, help me show him that it’s safe.” Liam pleaded, earnest browns wide and beseeching.

“Are you sure I’m the right person for it?” Louis asked as Liam gave him a pat on the back. “What if he hates me?”

“Tommo, I don’t think there’s anyone in the world who can actually hate you.”

Liam left him at this, sauntering into his office and shooing Louis back to his post behind the bar counter. Louis made sure to spray an extra layer of blockers on his neck and wrists just in case.

He started with cleaning his supplies and stocking beer in the fridges. He was counting the vodka bottles when he heard a tentative clearing of throat behind him.

He whipped around, nearly elbowing a bottle off the shelf to face the omega who was staring unblinkingly at him from over the counter.

“Need something?” He asked, taking extra precaution to keep his voice casual and friendly.

“Um…” The omega tapped his empty glass, tracing nonsensical patterns against it. “Water?”

Louis blinked before nodding quickly. “Sure.” He reached out to take the glass, careful to keep his movements slow and clear. He was glad Harry didn’t flinch.

He filled the glass with water, glancing at the omega who was playing with his rings.

“Ice?”

Harry shook his head, teeth sinking into his plush bottom lip. Louis suddenly had a brilliant idea. He fished around in the drawers underneath the counter. Before he set down Harry’s glass of water, he showcased the fancy pink doily and put the glass on it.

He watched as Harry’s forest greens grew round with curiosity as the omega stared at the delicate doily.

“Thought you’d prefer this to a coaster that says I’m Ginvincible.” Louis commented with a shrug.

He hadn’t expected the omega to let out a honk of laughter. The noise seemed to burst out of Harry’s chest, making his entire being tremble with the force of it as the omega slapped a hand hurriedly over his mouth.

Louis’ lips quirked up when he spotted dimples popping into place on either side of the omega’s cheeks.

“I love puns.” The omega admitted once he had quieted down. He flashed another shy dimpled smile. “I have a coaster at home which says I make pour decisions. It’s my fav one so far. But I think I’m Ginvincible comes close.”

Louis jerked his head at the omega. “Puns are the worst things on earth. If it weren’t for Liam insisting that he wants pun coasters, I would’ve never known they existed.”

He startled when he saw Harry leaning forward, elbows firm on the counter as the omega gave him the biggest grin. “Plot twist. I’m the one who told Liam to buy those coasters!”

“You fucking didn’t.” Louis said in horror as the omega giggled.

“I did.”

“Did not!”

“Did!” The omega whined and Louis could only drop his head into his hands.

“And here I thought we are gonna be good friends.” The alpha sighed, peeking at the dimpling omega between his fingers and winking.

The carefree smile slid off of Harry’s face. The omega cast his gaze down, lips pinched as he stared at the doily and his glass of water.

Had he push it too far? The alpha rubbed at the back of his neck, not sure what to do with himself as tense silence surrounded them.

“This is pretty.” Harry’s deep voice cut through the tension. The omega was tapping the doily with his finger. Louis could see the omega’s sparkling nude manicure shining under the light.

“Matches your nails.” The alpha said in a soft voice.

“You like my nails?” Harry’s voice was all but an uncertain whisper.

“’Course.” Louis said as the bell on top of the bar door chimed, announcing the first customers for the night. “They suit you.”

The swarm of omegas that pushed themselves through the door was enough to make Harry hightail for his seat in the corner, but Louis could see the shadow of a dimpled smile on the omega’s face just before he turned away.

That was how their first meeting had gone. Months later, when Louis brought it up, Harry would snort and wave the newest coaster that he had forced Liam to buy in his face.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

By the end of the night, Niall had gone from wriggling his arse on the dance floor to snoring on one of the toilets. Louis fondly pinched the omega awake and sent him off with the kitchen chef, Lewis, who was Niall’s friend.

Louis swept and mopped the floors, smiling along as Harry gushed about his most recent client. Harry was a nail tech and he had his own private studio, which was a part of his shared flat. He mostly served loyal returning clients and by word of mouth, he had a following on social media for his fantastic nail art. He was skillful, thus, the omega was always booked.

“Hey, Lou…” Louis looked to see Harry pouting at him, batting his mascaraed lashes. “Wanna take a walk. Come?”

“A walk?” The alpha echoed, gaze flicking to the window. “At 2am?”

Harry nodded enthusiastically, curls falling into his mossy greens as he spun his bar stool. “Wanna go see the moon!”

He clasped his hands in front of his chest as if in prayer, doe eyes never leaving baby blues. Louis could only sigh in defeat.

“You should be glad it’s summer. I’d never let you take a walk at 2am in the snow.” The alpha grumbled.

“I thought you were gonna say I should be glad coz I’m cute.” The omega muttered unhappily under his breath as Louis finished putting away the cleaning equipment.

Louis untied his black work apron, checking for any alcohol stains before hanging it up on a rack.

“Come on, cute Curly. Let’s take a walk and get you home.” The alpha hopped down from the counter step, holding out his arm to Harry whose face split into a sunny grin.

The omega glued himself to Louis’ side, nuzzling into the alpha’s shirt. “You smell like rum and strawberries.” The omega giggled as they exited the bar.

“Coz Ni demanded three more daquiris and split the third one on me.” Louis made sure to lock the bar door behind him. It was hard to do this singlehandedly with Harry clinging to him, but he didn’t have the heart to shake off the omega.

The August heat wasn’t as oppressive since it was late and the moon was hung low in the skies, a half crescent standing out stark silver against the night skies.

Louis listened to Harry’s ramblings as the omega leaned into his side. His feet were killing him, but having Harry so relaxed and trusting beside him was worth it.

They reached the narrow river, walking along it until the streetlamps faded and only the moon, stars were all that they could see.

“Lou?” Harry’s fingers slipped into the alpha’s, icy cold despite the warm night.

The alpha ran his thumb over the back of the omega’s hand, trying to rub some warmth in it. “Hmm?”

“Do you think… I—I’m a coward?”

The words, sounding so unsure and vulnerable, as if they were physically ripped from the omega made Louis stop dead in his tracks.

“What? Who told you that?” The alpha asked as he tugged on Harry’s hand, willing the omega to turn and meet his gaze.

He could see Harry’s slumped shoulders curling further in on himself as he hunched. “I— No one. I’ve just been thinking… About it lately.”

“Haz, come here.” With one firm tug, Louis reached out so that he could cup Harry’s cheek with his free hand. “Didn’t I say you shouldn’t overthink?”

He let his thumb stroke over Harry’s cheek, pressing gently against the spot where he knew the beloved dimple would appear. The omega took a shaky breath, scent turning sweeter as he filled the air around them with pheromones.

Louis desperately wished he could release his own, but he was covered in blockers and he didn’t want to scare Harry off with his scent.

After all, the alpha had never let anyone know his scent, always double checking that he was scentless. Him being scentless and much like a beta was what had gotten Harry to trust him in the first place.

“I— You know I went back to Cheshire last weekend…” Louis hummed, urging the omega to go on as Harry wetted his chapped lips. “And my cousins… They were talking in the kitchen and I heard— Heard them talking about me. About how I’m so peculiar, oversensitive and that I’d never find anyone who’d want me. And—” Forest greens swam. “And I— I guess I felt hurt.”

The alpha made a distressed sound in his throat, a mix between a growl and whimper as he pulled the omega into his chest. “Oh, love…” The alpha held him tighter, pressing his lips into the crown of the omega’s curls. “You’re safe. It’s okay. Those people don’t know shit. Don’t let their irrelevant judgment upset you. They can go fuck themselves for all we care.” Louis flattened his palm over Harry’s trembling back, smoothing his hand down the expanse of it, feeling the omega’s muscles relaxing under his touch.

Harry pushed his head into the alpha’s neck, turning so that his lips was just shy of the alpha’s bare skin. His breath of strawberry summer, nutmeg and nectarine fanned over Louis’ nose. The alpha inhaled, relishing in the delicious scent.

Harry whimpered. “You’d never leave me, right?”

Louis shook his head, turning to kiss the omega’s forehead, chaste and fleeting. “How can you ask that? Of course, I’d never leave you.”

His heart ached, but the alpha would never let Harry down, would never go back on his promise. This omega, so sweet and pliant in his arms, was his friend.

They would never be more than that. Louis would never allow it. Sometimes, it was okay to ache instead of bleed.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

A FEW DAYS LATER

Harry was on his second pancake when his flat mate, Mitch, burst into the living room. The omega cradled the plate of steaming hot breakfast to his chest, thinking that Mitch was after his food, but instead, the omega muttered.

“Li’s here.”

Liam popped his head into the doorway, waving sheepishly.

“Hey, H.”

Harry nodded in acknowledgement as Liam walked over to the couch. Mitch wandered off, in search of breakfast (most likely) since it was only eight in the morning.

“So…” Out of the corner of Harry’s eye, he could spot Liam’s fingers fidgeting. Uh-oh, that wasn’t a good sign.

“So?” Harry chewed, licking syrup from his fork before placing his empty plate down. “Spill.” He ordered simply.

When Liam remained silent, Harry stuck out his foot, poking his friend’s stomach with his toe and causing Liam to yelp in protest.

“Why are you here so early? Shouldn’t you be sleeping? Lou has the day off, which means you’re on shift today…”

He could see Liam huffing as the omega tried to bat away Harry’s insistent foot. “You know his schedule? Is he taking you out to brunch later? You guys are so married.”

The omega blushed a crimson color, swinging his other foot up onto the couch so he could land a kick into Liam’s side.

The omegas soon engaged in a wrestling session that involved too many flailing limbs and shrieking curses. Mitch was the one who broke them apart and the cool omega gave them both a withering glare accompanied by a threatening cock of his head.

“When will you two learn to act your age?” Mitch chided as he flung himself into the loveseat.

Harry disentangled his necklace from his chin length curls as he pouted at Liam who was rubbing at the place Harry had scratched him with his ocean blue nails.

He crossed his arms, making a show of sticking out his tongue at Liam. “Coz this one here won’t tell me the reason why my tranquil morning was disturbed.”

Liam splayed back into the couch, pushing his fringe from his forehead before shrugging. “I think… I might’ve…”

All this stalling was getting Harry’s nerves. He picked up a throw pillow and lightly hit Liam with it.

“Met someone! Jesus, stop hitting me!” Liam managed to dodge the next blow, grimacing at Harry who dropped the pillow in shock.

“Met someone?” The omega squawked at his friend.

Even Mitch was putting his phone away and leaning in intently. “Payno, you met someone? Are me ears working?”

Liam was full on blushing by now. It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

“Oh my God!” Harry’s hands flew up to cover his mouth. “You went on a date? After you pricked your finger and made us help you commit yourself to a blood oath which entailed that you are prohibited from dating? Is he an alpha? Please tell me he isn’t an alpha…”

“To be fair, that blood oath is bullshit stuff from the Net.” Mitch muttered, but he was also shaking his head. “I’m not sure if we should be happy or…”

“Scared for you.” Harry helped Mitch finish off the sentence.

“Yeah, he’s an alpha.” Liam mumbled, completely ignoring both Harry and Mitch’s incredulous stares.

“Okay now I’m truly scared. Not for you, but for the alpha coz this time, you might cut the guy’s knot off for real if he does something like cheat or lie to you.” Harry narrowed his eyes at Liam.

His omega friend shrugged. “I can’t promise anything.” He dropped his head against the couch. “But this guy… He’s different! My omega feels so loved around him.”

“Wait,” Harry held up a hand. “How many dates have you been on?”

“Three.”

“Three? And you’re talking about him like he’s your future bond mate?” Harry was aware that his voice was getting higher, but he couldn’t stop himself.

“Three dates are plenty! Didn’t you confess to Sarah after three dates?” Liam shot Mitch a look.

“Don’t drag me into the equation. Sarah’s me soulmate. Not some random alpha I met on Knotter.”

Harry stifled his frustrated groan. He didn’t know what was Knotter, but from Mitch’s tone and the way Liam’s cheeks grew a rosier shade, he had the inclining that it was a dating app.

“Alright!” Liam threw up his hands. “Here I am trying to tell you guys some good news, but all you are doing is slandering my alpha and making a fuss out of nothing. You should be happy for me! I deserve happiness, don’t I? After all the shit my ex put me through!”

Liam made a point of getting up, but Harry flung himself at the other omega, hugging his friend around the waist and deterring Liam from leaving the couch.

“I’m sorry.” He could feel Liam struggling in his hold as his friend sniffled audibly.

“I’m so happy for you. Sorry for taking the piss.” He nuzzled into Liam’s cheek as the omega let out a reluctant huff.

Mitch dropped himself into the seat next to the pair, looping his arm around Liam’s neck and giving the omega a comforting squeeze.

“I know you two are worried about me, but I swear, this alpha isn’t going to hurt me. He’s so… Amazing and caring.”

“Tell us more?” Harry prodded.

“Yeah, mate, what’s he like?” Mitch chimed in, putting his head on Liam’s shoulder as the other omega let out a lovesick sigh.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

The rest of their morning passed with tales of Liam’s alpha, a postman named Zayn.

Liam had met Zayn on Knotter, an app for anyone seeking companionship or in some cases, a knot (not the sexual knot, it’s more about tying the knot in marriage as the app stated. Harry had giggled so hard at the statement when he had read it off of Liam’s phone.). They had gone on three dates and the fourth one was next Friday. Liam was extremely nervous about this one since he was planning on confessing to Zayn.

“Why don’t you wait until he confesses to you?” Harry asked. In his case, he didn’t have the guts to confess to anyone, let alone an alpha he had just met four dates in.

“This isn’t the 1960s, H. Omegas can confess and everyone knows I hate playing the waiting game.” Liam smirked.

“You know what would be a brilliant idea?” Mitch suddenly straightened, giving the cozy pair on the couch an almost evil grin.

“What if… H gets Knotter and you guys go on a double date? This way, Li can have more courage and make the confession plan fall through! Also, H can go on his first date in… What? Four years?”

Harry stared at Mitch like his friend had sprouted eight tentacles from his torso. No, Harry wasn’t seeing things. Mitch wasn’t turning into an octopus, but he sure as hell was crazy.

“That… Might work!” Liam clapped his hands as Harry’s jaw slackened.

“What—” The omega gathered the air in his lungs to shriek, but Mitch was already shushing him.

“Let’s sit down and make a master plan!” Mitch rubbed his hands like he was a scientist keen on conducting an experiment.

Harry pushed himself off of Liam’s chest, feeling the air tightening in his lungs when he saw Mitch reaching for his phone on the coffee table.

“No!” The omega snatched his phone from Mitch as he clamped his eyes shut. “I won’t do it! You can’t make me!”

Images flashed behind his closed lids, sharp edged pieces of painful memories that he had locked in the back of his mind were presenting themselves. He remembered the way his father had leered down at him, spewing insults to him for being a soft hearted omega. He remembered his first boyfriend who had laughed at his dream of becoming a nail tech and jeered that he would be good at nothing except bending over.

“Haz.” He felt Liam cupping his cheeks as he hyperventilated, fighting to get air into his lungs. “You’re okay. We’re joking. Breathe with me.”

Harry could sense Liam scenting him in desperate comfort and he sagged into his friend’s hold. He knew anyone else would think his action was over the top but in front of Liam and Mitch, he didn’t need to pretend.

They understood him, knew what he had been through and although they joked sometimes about Harry not having a love life, his friends didn’t mean any harm. After he had regained his breathing, the room lapsed into palpable silence.

“Do you guys think…” Harry broke the tension after a while, playing with a loose yarn unfurling from a throw pillow. He wrapped his arms around it, lying his head atop its fluffy cover. “I might find someone on that app?”

He had always craved love, the deepest kind of love that could only be shared between bond mates, him and his alpha. The kind of precious love that only this single person in the universe could bestow upon him. His omega whined within him, yowling a forbidden name, but Harry shoved it back. No, now wasn’t the time to think about Louis.

“Wait, H… You actually wanna give it a go?” Mitch sounded perplexed as Liam gave him an equally surprised stare.

Harry blushed, ducking his head. “I— I dunno.”

He honestly didn’t. He wanted to be loved, but the person who he wanted this type of love from was an alpha who Harry knew would never return his feelings.

“We aren’t forcing you. You don’t have to do this.” Liam reasoned as Harry thumbed open his phone, lips pinched between his canines. He located Knotter, exhaling before pressing Download.

“I want to… At least try. I hope I find someone as lovely as your Zayn, Li.” Harry mumbled as his heart gave a sore tug.

His screen popped up with a message from Louis and he flicked it away quickly.

“Oh, Haz, you deserve so much. All the love in the world.” Liam threw his arms around the taller omega.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

The three dings from his doorbell in succession made Louis hop from his perch on his bed. As he rushed pass the mirror, he halted, brushing his fringe off of his forehead and wishing that he hadn’t worn a beanie that morning. He rubbed at his growing scruff. Oh well, he didn’t have time to style his hair or shave his beard.

He kicked aside his basket full of dirty laundry, hoping that Harry wouldn’t spot the sloppiness (although the omega always manages to) and unlocked his flat front door.

Harry, looking cuddly in a flimsy heart shaped dotted shirt with loose turquoise flared shorts, knuckled tiredly at his eye while dimpling at Louis.

The sight of him so open, trusting and smiley was everything that Louis had worked hard for. It was such a drastic change compared to the first time Harry had ignored his handshake three years ago, distrust and fear blatantly swimming in his forest greens.

“I brought some ingredients!” The omega gestured at the tote bag filled with groceries hooked on his arm. “Since I cancelled on our brunch, I’ll make it up to you by making some sweet potato pasta with garlic!”

Louis had to hide his grimace into his shoulder, but he was pretty sure Harry saw it since the omega burst into hysterical giggles.

“Nothing I make will be bad.”

“I’m not gonna deny you’re an ace cook, but… Sweet potato? Why can’t you go the normal route and make carbonara or tomato pasta?”

Harry chose to ignore the question, pushing his way into the flat and flashing his canines playfully at the alpha. “Traditional recipes are so boring! We need to spice up your palate.”

The alpha trailed the omega into the kitchen, finding no energy within him to resist staring hungrily at Harry’s shaven legs and the way the flared cotton shorts looked like slippery silk against tanned skin.

“Sorry I had to cancel.” After Harry had collected the necessary cooking equipment (the omega knew every nook and cranny of Louis’ kitchen,) he turned to give Louis an apologetic smile.

“No worries.” The alpha said, waving him off.

They had originally planned on taking the train into London since Harry had claimed he wanted to check out some boutiques in town after having brunch, but one hour before the arrangement, the omega had suddenly messaged him saying that he needed to cancel. Urgent business had been Harry’s reason and Louis didn’t pry since he could somehow sense that Harry wasn’t keen on letting more on.

“Everything okay?” The alpha checked, stuffing his hands into his jogger pockets as he watched Harry waking the stove.

The omega nodded, ears pinkening before he turned his back fully on the alpha. “Now, I need to concentrate. Kindly get out of my kitchen.”

“Your kitchen, huh.” Louis huffed fondly before swinging from the doorway knowing that once Harry gets into his cooking mode, it wasn’t wise to disturb the omega.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

After a magnificent feast of sweet potato pasta and Japanese milk pudding which Harry had revealed as the secret dessert, they settled down onto the couch, limbs tangled as Louis flicked through the telly.

“What do you wanna watch, love?” He asked, smiling at Harry who was squirming around, trying to find the most comfortable position against Louis’ shoulder.

The omega butted his head into Louis’ neck, lips grazing lightly over Louis’ bond mark spot and scent glands as he threw his legs over the alpha’s lap.

“What’s with you today? You’re like a magnet.” The alpha rasped in an endeared tone, fingers burying into Harry’s hair and stroking gently.

The omega’s hair was getting longer, hanging down to his chin and Louis knew Harry loved to use it as a curtain to hide his expressions. He couldn’t help but tuck the curly strands behind the omega’s ear, so that he could see Harry’s slightly flushed cheeks.

The omega clung harder to him, making it so that there wasn’t a sliver of space between their bodies. Perhaps he was nearing his heat… No, he shouldn’t be thinking about heats around his platonic best omega friend.

Although Harry had said his doctor had never diagnosed him with touch deprivation, Louis had always suspected that the omega had a minor case of it, what with always seeking touch and affection from the people he trusted. Louis was honored to be one of the privileged few.

“This looks decent.” The screen presented the trailer of Saw and he felt Harry cowering as a man in a grotesque white and red mask flashed onto the screen.

“No! I don’t wanna watch a scary movie when we’re cuddling! Ruins the mood!” Harry screeched into Louis’ shirt, fingers hooked tight into the material.

“Cuddling, are we?” Louis had to tease. “Hmmm, a cuddle appropriate movie? How about Titanic?”

“Noooooooooo…” Harry whined, pouty lips pulled far down into an exaggerated frown. “Jack dies! It certainly can’t qualify as a happy cuddle appropriate movie.”

“Curly, I swear…” Louis pretended to blow air from the corner of his mouth. “I’m gonna close my eyes and whichever film or series I click on, we’ll watch it.”

He chuckled when the omega pawed at his shirt front. He squeezed his eyes close before scrolling and randomly clicking.

“Oh!” He heard Harry breathing into his neck and he cracked open an eye. Thank God, it wasn’t Saw or Titanic.

“Think I watched it once with the younger twins.” Louis commented as Zootopia began to play.

Harry remained silent, nose twitching against Louis’ neck. Louis stroked his hand across the omega’s shoulders, digging his fingers into tight muscles and feeling Harry going lax.

He absentmindedly watched as the bright animations on the screen flashed.

“Come to think of it, that bunny looks kinda like you, love.” He mused more to himself than to Harry.

“Wanna scent you.” Harry said back as he picked at Louis’ hoodie collar, tugging it down so that the tips of his It Is What It Is tattoo exposed itself.

“Huh?” The alpha asked distractedly, baby blues flickering from the telly to the fidgeting omega in his lap.

“You smell stale… I— Wanna scent you.” The omega tapped his finger against the alpha’s throat. “You remind me of hospitals and schools. I hate that you’re blocking your scent from me.”

The alpha’s mouth fell open at the bold intimate request. He couldn’t, for the life of him, remember the last time he had been in another person’s vicinity without dosing himself in blockers. He had promised himself that he would never let his dominant alpha scent overwhelm anyone.

“I—” His throat felt parched all of a sudden and he swallowed desperately. “Haz, I—”

“Please.” Harry cut him off, forest greens pleading as he stared up at Louis. “Wanna feel safe. Please let me scent you.”

There was no point in arguing. Louis could see the determination in Harry’s eyes.

“’Kay. Let me… Go wash off me blockers.” He rasped.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

“Fuck.” He swore, hand knocking into his half hard cock again as he attempted to soap up his abdomen.

Louis raised his head up to the warm jets of water and hissed as he succumbed, wrapping his hand around his length and bringing it to full hardness.

He reasoned that he didn’t want to get hard during Harry’s scenting. Him jacking off now was to take the edge off so that he wouldn’t make his omega friend feel uncomfortable.

“Mmmph!” He let loose a groan as his toes curled against the bathroom tiles. His cock was heavy in his fist, knot pulsing at the base. With a few more frantic strokes, he slammed his other palm on the shower stall wall and came with a stifled cry, biting down on his arm to keep in his noises.

He took a moment to gather his wits, fighting the urge to crumple onto the floor in a hazy post orgasm daze. Fuck no, he wasn’t going to let Harry come in here to find him naked with a popped knot.

He exited the shower as quickly as he could, wincing in pain as dull ache shot through the heaviness of his popped knot around his base. He dried off hurriedly, throwing on a loose tank top and footie shorts before hastily blow drying his hair.

He didn’t do a thorough job of it, leaving the ends to dry on their own as he stumbled out of bathroom. He hoped his flushed cheeks could be justified by the heat of the water and not his wanking session.

“That was fast.” Harry looked over the top of the couch as Louis stepped back into the living room. The omega’s wide curious eyes tracked the alpha’s loose clothes and dark patches of water that was seeping into Louis’ shirt from his half-wet hair.

The alpha flopped down on the couch, toweling at his hair as he shrugged at Harry.

“Didn’t wanna keep you waiting.” He said truthfully as Harry dimpled.

“Your hair is getting long.” Without warning, the omega inserted himself into Louis’ space, fingers tangling into the alpha’s fringe as he tugged away the towel.

“Yeah, coz we made a pact, remember? I grow mine out with you so that you won’t feel so lonely.”

Louis held still as the omega hummed happily, drying the wet ends of his hair. He tried to steady his breathing as Harry hovered closer.

“Can I?” The omega’s face was already mere inches from his scent glands.

Louis squeezed his eyes shut, afraid to look as he nodded jerkily.

Maybe it was a mistake to close his eyes because now, all his senses were zeroed in on his neck and shoulders. Every hair on his neck was standing up as he balled his hands into his shorts. No matter what happens, he lectured himself, Harry was a friend and this meant nothing more than comforting him.

He clenched his jaw, digging his canines into his tongue when he felt the tip of Harry’s nose grazing over his skin.

“Mmhmm.” The omega made a noise into his neck and for a second, Louis was beyond scared that Harry wouldn’t like his natural scent. He felt himself growing cold and numb when the omega took in another long drag.

“Sun…” The faint word was whispered wetly into his neck as Louis jolted, feeling the briefest hint of darting tongue over his scent glands.

Before he could react, Harry suddenly pulled back. The fear that had been so prominent melted when the omega raised his head, glossy forest greens blinking as he dimpled dreamily.

“Has anyone ever told you that you smell like suede?” Harry closed his eyes as if reminiscing Louis’ scent. “Leather?” The omega scrunched up his brows. “No, no,” He shook his head as Louis tracked the upward twitch of his lips. “Leather soak in sunshine!”

Harry’s eyes snapped open in triumph. He bit his lips. “I’m still trying to figure out the undertones. So…”

The omega stuffed his face back into Louis’ neck as the alpha yelped in surprise.

Louis raised a shaky hand to comb his fingers through Harry’s curls. “Take your time, Curly.” He whispered as the omega made a chirping noise.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

Harry was lying on a field of wild cape marguerites. The spring breeze fanned over his cheeks, caressing the curls on his nape as he sighed in content.

He turned, arms stretching out to seek the body of the wolf beside him. Furry blankets met his finger tips before a strong arm was enveloping him as Harry snuggled closer to his alpha.

“Lou.” He whispered in his sleep, scent drunk and satiated as he nudged his nose into Louis’ neck. Safe and sound.

He gripped Louis’ waist, pulling the other man impossibly close as he slung his knee over the alpha’s hip. So safe, sound, secure and—

Hard.

Harry yawned, fighting the drowsiness as he shifted his hips, mewling quietly when he felt the foreign hardness against his own tented shorts front. He forced his heavy lids open, breath hitching in his throat when he felt Louis’ hard cock twitching against his own.

He had to blink several times to kickstart his brain as he took in the sight in front of him. Louis looked serene, ethereal in an otherworldly way as he released little puffs of air from his mouth, snoring quietly. The crease of tension between the alpha’s nose and the constant agitated ticking of his jaw that Harry witnessed often were gone, replaced by an incredibly defenseless angel whose expression was so vulnerable that the omega couldn’t help but want to capture it in a photograph forever.

Harry’s gaze travelled downwards, sliding over the pillow crease on Louis’ cheek to his thin pink lips and down to fix on the bulging front of the alpha’s boxers and the equally strained material of his own shorts. In this position, their crotches were inches apart.

He honestly didn’t know what was going through his mind as he shifted his hips forward, eyes fluttering close when his erection rubbed against Louis’.

The omega buried his face into the alpha’s chest, biting down on Louis’ tank top to stifle his pleasured noises as he erased the sliver of space between their bodies. His cock slid against Louis’ hard on sensually as the omega clutched at the blanket draped over them.

He rolled his hips, feeling more of Louis’ scent circling him as he mewled in need. He wasn’t going into heat, but why was the mere rubbing off against the alpha of his dreams sending him into such a state? He could feel slick blurting from his hole and soaking into his panties.

He couldn’t fight the gasp building within him when he drove his clothed tip too eagerly against Louis’ and at the same time, the alpha let out a low growl.

Harry froze at the warning noise, not daring to exhale as he held his breath. The alpha had grown as still as a stone. The omega didn’t dare look up. He felt his lungs screaming for air and when he couldn’t stand it any longer, he let out a long shaky breath.

“Shit.” Louis’ hoarse rasp sent a tremor down his spine, but before he could so much as look up to gauge the alpha’s expression, the smaller man was flinging himself off of the bed.

Harry shot up, in time to see Louis tripping over a pile of discarded clothes and slamming his shoulder into the suite’s bathroom door.

“Lou?” He cried, but his voice was lost over the echoing slam of the bathroom door. He could only stare in shock at the closed door.

He sat on the bed for what seemed like an eternity, startling when he felt a few hot drops of tears sliding down his cheeks. He buried his face into a blanket in time to stifle a pitiful sob. The bathroom door remained firmly shut as he cried on.

He doesn’t want you and would never want you, his omega whined as he got to quaking feet, grabbing blindly for a jacket in the abandoned pile of clothes on the floor.

He greedily inhaled Louis’ scent from it as he pulled it on. He forced himself to knocking tentatively on the bathroom door instead of jiggling at the doorknob as he wiped away his tear tracks.

“Lou?” Come out. Come out and tell me it’s okay. That everything is fine and you don’t hate me.

“Haz.”

He had to lean his forehead against the cold wood when he heard the alpha’s muffled whisper.

“Can you come out?” Harry asked as he stifled a sniff into the sleeve of Louis’ jacket.

“I can’t.” The alpha’s voice sounded miles away. “I— It’s better if you leave.”

Harry’s heart sank to his toes as his omega let out a distressed cry. He managed to swallow the terrible noise as he hastily backed away from the door.

Of course, Louis didn’t want him. The alpha must think he was such a creep for rubbing one off against him while he was still sleeping. Harry felt more tears flooding his eyes as he turned away.

He knew he had crossed the line when he had asked to scent Louis. From what Liam had told him, Louis had never been interested in an omega. The alpha always liked to keep himself scentless and never once displayed any kind of yearning for scenting. It was all in his head, the omega realized with a dull pang. He had been so foolish to think he had a chance with this gentle alpha.

It was such a wrong move to bare himself to Louis, to let his guard down and indulge in the illusion that the alpha had wanted him back.

He left Louis’ flat in a hurry. Stupid, stupid, stupid, his omega jeered at him as he rushed home, avoiding Mitch’s questions and burrowing himself into his nest. It was until much later that it dawned on him that he was still clad in Louis’ jacket and that the alpha’s wonderful suede scent had seeped into his nest.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

Louis hadn’t seen Harry for a week and his alpha was agitated to the point that every time the bell jingled above Knotless’ front door, he would stop stirring and proceed to staring at the incoming omega only to deflate in disappointment when they didn’t sport curls or have sparkling green eyes.

“Mate, careful with that!” Lewis popped out from beside him when he nearly sent a tray of tequila shots spilling across the counter. “Where’s your head at today?”

“Apparently not here.” Niall muttered from over the counter as the Irish downed his beer and smirked.

Louis wasn’t in the mood to joke around, however, and was grateful when Lewis ushered him to the sink to wash some glasses and lemons.

He wished he had taken a sick leave and rested at home, but Liam had claimed a day off so Louis had to drag himself to work. He reasoned that a positive thing was that he might catch Harry coming into the bar, but so far, no luck.

He finished washing the glasses cluttered at the sink and chopped up some lemon slices. He also refilled Niall’s Guinness and watched warily as the omega downed it.

“Awww, bloody hell, not this shit again!” The omega slammed down his pint, sloshing some onto the counter top as he tapped at his phone.

Louis slid a Cosmopolitan over the counter to an omega with bleached blue hair and as he retracted his hand, he noticed another notification lighting up on Niall’s screen. Even though he was reading the text upside down, there was no mistaking the name on top of the notifications.

HS: The pink sweater or yellow sequined jacket?

HS: I don’t wanna seem too extra…

HS: Don’t wanna scare the alpha off.

Louis shook his head as he went about making the next drink before he visibly jolted.

Scare the alpha off? What alpha?

“Why is Haz texting you non-stop?” Louis blurted when he saw another notification popping up, this time, it only said image.0369. His fingers were itching to grab the phone and thumb open the photo.

“He’s freaking out about his outfit coz he’s going on his first date in…” Niall squinted at the bottom of his empty glass. “Five years? Or was it four?”

Louis was glad he wasn’t holding any breakable object in his hands as he stared at Niall in disbelief.

Harry going on a date? Going on a date with an alpha? Harry being willingly near a strange alpha? His lovely beautiful Harry was out there being wooed and taken out on a moonlit date by some random alpha?

“I don’t believe you.” Louis breathed out. There was no way the nonsense Niall was spewing was remotely true. “You’re fucking drunk.”

Niall gave him an icy glare. “I’m only on me second pint, knothead.”

Louis snatched up Niall’s phone just in time to see a new message flashing across the screen.

HS: Johnny’s picking me up now. Thanks for the unhelpful advice, Nini.

Johnny… The rest of the sentences blurred to showcase this one ridiculously offending word.

Johnny?

“Who in fucking fuck’s name is Johnny?” Louis spat, swiping away the notification because he couldn’t stand staring at the offensive name one second longer.

Niall failed to answer him because by the time Louis tore his angry glare from the screen, the omega was already out of his seat and dancing with another patron.

“Serve these truffle fries up.” Lewis was yelling and Louis could only slam Niall’s phone face down.

The rest of the night passed in a blundering haze. He surpassed his own record of spilt drinks and made more than one annoyed omega come up to him complaining about the wrong mix. All in all, he was going to get a raging lecture from Liam soon.

He ended up getting another chance to check Niall’s phone before he sent the giggling omega off with Lewis and felt infuriated since there were no new texts from Harry. It’d only meant that the omega must be enjoying his date with Johnny.

He stormed up the stairs of his flat, grumbling curses when he bumped into his neighbor’s shoe rack and was tempted to kick the whole thing over.

It was with great difficulty that he finally made it into the safety of his bedroom where he promptly shed all clothes and flopped onto his messy bed. He was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but as he tossed and turned, sleep couldn’t quite overtake him.

His thumb hovered over the CALL button next to Harry’s contact more than once, but he always forced himself from pressing down. He couldn’t call him, not when he had no right to meddle.

The omega was clearly avoiding him since the incident last weekend. Louis had woken up to his hard cock grinding into Harry’s and high-tailed from the scene. The omega must be disgusted by his action, must be so scared since Louis had taken advantage of him subconsciously.

Why did he have to be such a knothead and cuddle his omega friend in bed? So many lines were crossed and yet, Louis had let it happen. Let it happen because he had been greedy for Harry’s affections.

“Fuck.” He grunted, burying his face further into his pillow, wishing that he could turn back time and tell Harry to go home instead of carrying the softly begging omega into his bed.

His nose, as if on instinct, sought out the faintest trace of Harry’s scent that the omega had left behind last weekend. Beautifully ripe nectarines and smoky nutmeg.

“Omega…” He hissed, muffling his grunts in the sweet-smelling pillow as he swiveled his hips, driving his cock into the wrinkled bedsheets.

He flipped onto his stomach, fucking his cock into his mattress. He imagined he was holding down Harry’s wrists, bruising the omega’s skin with his grip as he shoved his knot further inside.

With a few deep groans, he wrapped a hand around himself. He tugged, sluggish and without rhythm as he panted into his pillow. He bared his canines, clamping his teeth down onto the edge of the pillow, picturing them breaking warm skin and sealing a bondmark into Harry’s slender neck. Mine, forever.

The metallic taste of blood flooded his senses as he accidentally nipped his own tongue and he pretended the blood was trickling from Harry’s open mark. Mine, mine, mine.

He didn’t know when he had come, only knew that sparks burst behind his closed lids as his hips stuttered forward. He fell asleep with a hand around his sore cock and lips mumbling Harry’s name.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

Saturday was when Harry finally showed up at Knotless. The omega waltzed through the door in a low-cut blouse paired with creamy leather trousers, seemingly already tipsy as he strode to the counter.

“Louuuuuuuuu!” Louis froze, glass of screwdriver held out to a customer as Harry lifted himself onto a bar stool and put his chin on his palm. “Miss me?”

No, it’s none of your business where he’s been, whose bed he had been in. You’re not his alpha. You have no right.

He squared his shoulders, spinning on his heels before clapping his hands. “Curly! Where did our devoted patron run off to? We miss you dearly.”

Harry frowned prettily as he leaned over the counter to jab at Louis’ arm. “But did you? Did you miss me?”

The alpha had to bite down on his tongue, swallowing back the questions he longed to ask. He shrugged, trying to be as discreet as he could. He skillfully poured a glass of iced lemon black tea he had made this morning and set it down in front of Harry.

Harry’s huff wasn’t lost over the pounding bass as the omega crossed his arms. “Stupid knothead.”

“Don’t think you have the right to call me that.” He had thought Harry didn’t hear, but the omega visibly bristled.

“You were the one who told me to leave!” The omega burst out.

Oh? So they were gonna talk about it?

Louis glanced around, noting that no one was at the bar before he pinched the bridge of his nose. “Harold. I told you to leave coz it was for your own safety. We were… I’m not used to being scented and— I shouldn’t have let you stayed over… It’s my fault for putting us in that situation.”

He didn’t get the time to dissect Harry’s expression and if he did, he would’ve seen the storm building in those green irises. The sound of multiple chimes from the door just announced a handful of guests. A group of girls in glittery dresses marched up to the counter, waving their hands to get Louis’ attention.

“We’re here for the bachelorette party? Our reservation is at ten.”

Louis easily slipped on a charming smile. “’Course. Who’s the lucky bride?”

The girls giggled, shoving each other until one of them, with a plastic tiara perched in her permed curls stumbled into view. She blushed when Louis offered her a wink.

“Right then, bride-to-be, what’ll it be? Shall I bring out the champagne? How about we kick everything off with a round of shots, love?”

He began to make the drinks after they placed their orders, trying not to glance at the corner where he knew Harry was. However, when he did finally chance a look, the seat was empty and the glass of lemon tea laid on the coaster, abandoned and untouched.

What in the world?

He whipped his head about, eyes roaming over the dancing bodies and tipsy omegas. The gaggle of girls from the bachelorette party had flocked to the pole in the corner and in the midst of them was—

Lace.

Louis had to reach up and pinch his cheek to make sure the strobe lights spinning above the dance floor weren’t deceiving him.

No, they indeed weren’t playing tricks on his eyes. It was a light green, mint colored bralette peeking out from Harry’s blouse, which had unbuttoned itself to display his butterfly tattoo.

The omega was rolling his hips against the pole, throwing a dimpled smug smile over his shoulders at his group of admirers as the bachelorettes screamed in delight. Every time he pulled back to thrust against the pole, Louis could see the muscles at the dip of his slim waist working as he stretched up, revealing that sliver of tanned skin underneath his blouse. The edges of laurels teased Louis endlessly with their presence.

“Tommo!” The whack to the back of his head was much deserved. “Quit your drooling and get these nachos to table 28.”

Louis felt like he was in a daze as he walked on autopilot to the table, surrendering the basket topped with nachos to the awaiting omegas while not tearing his eyes off of Harry. The omega twirled around the pole, teasingly raising his gangly legs and kept collapsing against the pole in fits of hysterical giggles.

Louis swallowed thickly, forcing his burning stare away and releasing a deep breath. He turned when he felt someone tapping his shoulder.

It was the bride-to-be omega who downed the shot in her hand and grinned at him.

“Are you the stripper?” The omega chirped, tittering on her platform heels.

“I’m not the stripper, love. Sorry to disappoint.” Louis laughed lightly as he gently led her to a barstool.

“But I was promised strippers!” She whined, crossing her arms and slumping against the counter.

“This is a bar, not a strip club.” Louis shook his head. “I can get you a water?”

“Can you get me a stripper instead?” She slurred unhappily.

Louis was saved from having to reply when more omegas joined them, jostling Louis so that he ended up trapped beside the pouting bride-to-be.

“You are so wasted!” Her friend smoothed a hand down the omega’s back as the bride-to-be shook her head.

“Y’all promised me strippers!” She yelled, grabbing for her friend’s drink and throwing it back.

“She’s a nightmare when she throws a fit.” Her friend turned to give Louis an apologetic wince.

“How about,” Another omega from the entourage suddenly popped up beside them. “You give our bride-to-be a kiss and cuddle, go on then! It’ll cheer her right up!”

Louis’ eyes widened at the suggestion, trying and failing to detach himself from the crowd of absurdly drunk omegas.

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Omegas were screaming loud enough to make Louis’ eardrums bleed. The bride-to-be seemed to sober up a bit as she faced Louis, giving him a watery and hopeful smile.

“You’re cute.” The omega slurred, wrapping her arms around his neck and tugging him down so that he was half stooped over the barstool seat. “Such a cute stripper.”

“Not a stri—” Louis felt lips pressing into his as vodka and lime soda filled his senses. The omega tilted her head to deepen the kiss, but Louis jerked himself away just in time.

He wiped at his mouth, hiding his wince into the back of his hand as the bride-to-be giggled uncontrollably. The crowd of bachelorettes cheered over the pulsing music. One of the many perks of working as a bartender entailed that this wasn’t the first time a drunken customer had landed a kiss on him.

“Give us another round of shots!” One of the omegas shouted over the din and Louis turned to oblige.

After he had filled a tray of shots and fitted cut lemons onto each brim, the group ushered away and back onto the dance floor.

Louis dragged a wet rag down the counter, collecting the spilled alcohol before coming to a sudden halt. Harry was sitting at his nook in the corner, brows screwed as he nursed the untouched glass of lemon tea Louis had put there earlier that night.

“Haz?”

He leaned over the counter, deciding last minute fuck it all and reached out to touch the back of Harry’s hand resting against the glass.

The omega flinched so hard that he knocked over the glass, sending it cascading over the side of the counter and smashing into pieces onto the wooden floor.

“Fuck!” The alpha cursed. He pushed his palm against the counter, hopping over it and nearly tripping over in his haste. He could hear the crunching of broken shards underneath his sneakers, but he ignored the mess on the floor. He stretched out his hand, but before he could pat Harry down for injuries or inspect his skin for glass scratches, the omega was slapping his hands away.

Louis’ breath stuttered in his lungs, clogged in his throat as his eyes flew up to meet resentful mossy greens. He couldn’t fathom just what the fuck was going on, but judging from Harry’s hunched shoulders and defensive stance, he could tell the omega was angry.

“You can’t do that!” Harry slid off of his seat. Louis could see his bell bottoms were soaked through by the spilt drink. “Can’t get in my head like that…” The omega shook his head vigorously like he was trying to rid himself of thoughts.

“What—” Louis stepped closer, dismay filling him as Harry backed away.

“Don’t touch me like you mean it! Not when you don’t… Not when you just— With someone else…” Before Louis could even comprehend the words hurled at him, Harry was shoving him aside and running for the door.

“Wait! What do you—” Louis threw himself bodily forward in order to block Harry from tugging open the door. He ended up pressing the omega into the hard wood.

“Let go of me!” The omega shrieked, curls flying as he rammed his shoulder into Louis’ chest.

“Tell me what’s wrong! Tell me so I can fix it!” Louis protested, grabbing for Harry’s wrists as the omega thrashed.

He must have accidentally let a bit of his alpha timbre slip through because Harry gasped, body shuddering and stilling at his command. Fear shot through him as the omega seemed to shut down in front of his very eyes, curling in on himself and shivering violently.

“I didn’t mean to—”

With one last hard push, Harry successfully wriggled out of his hold and lunged at the door.

“You’re not my alpha! Never was and never will be!” Harry screamed at him, cheeks red and glazed greens like orbs of burning emerald jade.

Louis didn’t know how long he stood there, staring at the swinging doors of the bar as the crowd behind him danced on, unbeknownst to the sound of his heart breaking.

When you left, I lost a part of me

It's still so hard to believe

Come back, baby, please

'Cause we belong together

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

Sometimes, Harry hated mornings. They meant a new start, a new beginning as he liked to think, but as he laid there, dried tear tracks on his cheeks in his messed-up nest, he wished the sun would disappear and let him fall back to complete darkness.

He stretched, turning to the side and fished his phone out from between blankets. He pointedly tried not to stare at Louis’ jacket which was the closest clothing near his pillow.

He squinted against the glare of the phone, sitting up slowly when he realized Louis had texted him several times throughout the night.

He chewed at his lips before thumbing the texts open.

L: Are you safe?

L: Home?

L: Call me when you’re home?

L: I’m sorry.

L: Sorry for using my voice on you. I didn’t mean to. I really didn’t. I’m so sorry.

“I don’t want your apology, knothead.” Harry threw the phone aside, flopping back onto his nest and throwing an arm over his eyes.

He exhaled as the memory of the omega girl’s lips fitting against Louis’ replayed in his mind. How easy it had looked. How natural. It was something that he would never have with Louis, he had realized as he stared at them kissing, at the way the omega girl’s hands curled into the front of Louis’ shirt and the way she giggled into his mouth.

“H?” His bedroom door was being flung rudely opened and he could only bury his head into his pillow.

“Honey, you alright?” He could feel Liam sinking down onto the bed.

“Yeah. ‘M fine.” He said gruffly, still refusing to raise his head.

“Sure about that? Coz these walls, as you and I both know, are paper thin and I could hear you bawling your eyes last night.”

Harry’s head shot up as he gave Liam an incredulous pout. “I wasn’t!”

“Hmmm…” His friend narrowed his eyes. “You should look in a mirror. You’re a proper mess.”

Harry groaned, hand flying up to touch the swollen skin around his puffy eyes.

“What did he do this time?” Liam crossed his arms, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

“He?” Harry tugged at his bottom lip.

“Don’t play dumb. What did Louis do this time, huh?”

Harry flushed, clasping his hands in his lap. “He… He didn’t do anything.”

“I find that hard to believe.”

Harry shook his head. “He didn’t… He was just,” The image of Louis kissing the omega flashed into his mind as he dug his nails into his palm. “Being himself.” He grumbled.

Liam was silent for a moment before the omega sighed. “Him being his knothead self is what you can’t stand the most, isn’t it?”

Harry sighed. “It’s none of your business!”

“Come off it, H! If you don’t want me to meddle then at least tell me how was the date last Friday? You went out with that guy Johnny, didn’t you?”

The omega curled his knees into his chest and shrugged.

“Turns out Johnny’s a childhood friend.” He confessed simply.

“What?” Liam gasped.

Harry nodded. It had been quite a surprise when they had met up for a date and discovered that they used to go to the same kindergarten. Harry had even gone to Johnny’s place for birthday parties and play dates when he was little.

“What a small world!” Johnny had exclaimed as they reminisced their shared past over plates of steaming Pho soup. “You’ve changed a lot, Harry, I seriously didn’t recognize you at first…”

“I have?” Harry asked, tucking a curl behind his ear self-consciously as he stirred his soup.

“Yes. But I guess one thing didn’t change.” Johnny leaned back. “Still the prettiest omega I’ve ever seen.”

Harry ducked his head, dimpling into his Pho. “Don’t pull those lines on me, Johnny.”

“Just stating a fact.” The alpha shrugged, offering Harry a fried wonton. “I’m kind of scared to try their spicy sauce. Help a man out?”

Harry accepted the wonton, laughing when Johnny made a face as he smeared a copious amount of sauce onto it.

The night had ended with a short walk around a park and Johnny keying in his phone number into Harry’s contacts.

“It was so nice hanging out with you.” The alpha said, smiling graciously as Harry hummed. “Will you ever consider… A second date?”

It ached to hear the hope in Johnny’s voice.

“Um, Johnny?” Harry should come clean, he really should. It was such a lovely date and being with a familiar alpha had made his omega less anxious. “Have you ever been in love?” He asked quietly, toeing at some wildflowers protruding from the cracks in the sidewalk.

“Ah.” Johnny cleared his throat. “Can’t say I have… No. Not yet?”

“I am.” Harry looked up at the darkened sky. At the shining moon that sort of resembled Louis’ eyes. Silvery blue. “In love… I mean.”

“Oh.” Johnny let out a soft breath. “I figured.”

Harry whipped his head back to meet Johnny’s gaze. “You figured?”

“Yeah.” Johnny laughed. “There’s no way an omega like you would be single and on Knotter.”

“An omega like me?” Harry cocked his head in confusion.

“Like I said,” The alpha’s smile was so genuine that it hurt. “Prettiest omega around.”

Harry huffed in annoyance as Johnny chuckled. “Give yourself some credit, will you? Besides, I could tell you weren’t interested in me. You were spacing out during our chats. You were thinking about…” Johnny raised a brow. “Your person?”

“How—”

“You have that look on your face. Dreamy… Far away?”

The omega couldn’t think of a good retort.

“So? This person? Who’re they?” Johnny guided them over to a park bench, using his jacket sleeve to brush away the dead leaves and dew clinging to the wood.

“He’s… He doesn’t love me back.” Harry didn’t know how to put it any simpler than this.

Johnny sat down, patting the seat next to him. “How would you know? Did you ask him?”

“Of course not! I can’t just— Go up to him and…” Harry waved his hands in the air, ignoring Johnny’s obvious smirk. “Ask if he loves me!”

“Why not?” The alpha merely tugged at his shirt so that Harry would finally sit. The omega crossed his legs, jiggling his foot as he chewed on his knuckle.

“Coz I know he doesn’t! Why bother asking him if I know he’s gonna reject me? He isn’t even into omegas! He dates alphas and betas…” Harry ranted, hugging himself as he blew at a strand of loose curl across his forehead.

“Maybe he’s as afraid as you are.” Johnny said after a while. “Afraid that you don’t love him back. Everyone’s got their fears.”

Harry shuffled his feet, watching as more leaves drifted down from the trees in the rustling night wind. In his mind, Louis had always been fearless. Does he get scared too? Scared to put their friendship in jeopardy?

“Hey,” He felt Johnny nudging his shoulder. “I can see the wheels turning in your mind. You’re thinking too hard.”

Harry smiled, nudging him right back. “Can’t believe I’m getting love advice from me childhood bestie.”

“I might as well be your fairy godmother.” Johnny joked as Harry honked out a laugh. “If you ever need me, H, just text and I’ll be there.”

The memory of their date made Harry wake his phone again as he scrolled down his contacts, stopping when he reached Johnny’s number.

“Might go on a second date.” He found himself saying as he shot Johnny a text.

H: I’m craving frozen yogurt.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Liam practically glowing with pride as the omega squealed.

“Oh my God, Harry Styles, willingly going on a second date? Has the world gone mad?”

Harry giggled as he rolled over to tackle Liam into the bed.

“You’re okay now? Like really okay?” His friend asked after they had settled down.

Harry nodded. “I’m trying to be.”

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

Louis wasn’t the kind of person to track down someone because they don’t reply to his texts. Or… He had never thought he would be that kind of person to do such a thing and yet, here he was, standing pathetically at the doorway of Harry and Mitch’s shared flat.

“What do you mean he’s out?” He hissed as Liam leaned casually against the doorway, chewing loudly at a pear. “And why are you always here? You chipping in on the rent?”

“You want me to put it more bluntly?” The omega smacked his lips before giving Louis a shrug. “H’s out and on a date.”

“With who?” Louis spat, unable to stop his fists from balling up.

“How should I know?” Liam took another bite. “If you’re so keen on knowing, you can go see for yourself.”

The omega lazily pulled his phone out and turned it so that Louis could see the picture Harry had sent. It was a blurry selfie of the omega dimpling at the camera with the river behind him. Louis could spot willow trees and a stoned walkway. He scanned the background in order to decipher where Harry was.

His heart sank as he snatched Liam’s phone away, zooming in on the person at the edge of the photo. He could make him out now. His windswept brown fringe put half of his face in shadow as the guy squinted at the camera, fingers held up in a peace sign.

He swiped frantically down as his horrifying suspicions were confirmed.

H: The weather’s so nice. Johnny’s taking me to a new frozen yogurt place!

Of fucking course, it had to be fucking Johnny.

“Fuck!” He swore as he tossed Liam’s phone back at the omega.

“Hey! Who said you could scroll?” Liam’s shout was lost in his ears as Louis ran for the flat building stairs.

He had an inkling of where the pair had gone and he prayed to the Gods that he was on track as he sped down the stairs, flinging open his car door and revving the engine.

～ ～ ～ ～ ～

“Our signature yogurt is the kiwi shortcake and vanilla banana.” The shop clerk greeted them with a blinding smile, introducing the menu.

“Vanilla banana!” Harry exclaimed. “Cute.”

He left Johnny to tend to the yogurts as he exited the shop and claimed one of the patio tables.

He was just about to turn and help Johnny open the door since the alpha was juggling their yogurt cups when the scent of suede hit him. He almost chocked on the bitter sourness of the scent, like flaking leather and moldy bedsheets.

He looked up, eyes widening when he spotted Louis stomping across the grass. The alpha didn’t stop until he was right in front of Harry and his scent, so prominent, bitter and raw was making the omega dizzy as he swayed involuntarily.

“Why didn’t you answer my texts?” The alpha blurted, baby blues darting all over Harry’s face. “Do you have any idea how worried I am?” Louis ploughed on, stepping closer and running a frustrated hand through his fringe. “God knows what could have happened to you!”

The words sparked a flick of anger within Harry as he squared his shoulders.

“You have no right to accuse me like this! You used your voice on me!” He half shouted back, pushing forward so that his chest bumped against Louis’. He was in his heeled boots today so he was on a much higher eye level than the alpha as he glared down the bridge of his nose.

Louis heaved a loud sigh, tearing a bit at his hair as he looked up at Harry. “I’m sorry, Haz! It was out of line and I’m sorry! I apologized… I texted… I called, but you didn’t pick up? I know I have no right, but fuck, at least tell me you’re safe?”

This only served to make Harry even angrier. He fisted the front of Louis’ hoodie. “But it isn’t about you using your voice on me! You think I’m mad coz of that? I’m mad at you coz you pretend that you care about me when you obviously don’t!”

Louis’ face contorted in confusion as small hands flew up to cover Harry’s. “What? What do you mean by that?”

“The point is you’re not my alpha! You can’t go around acting like you are… Making me so confused and—” Harry sniffed, suddenly feeling like there was something stuck in his throat. “Whatever! You can’t act like I’m yours!”

The omega loosened his fists, jerking his hands away from Louis’ before turning his back on the alpha. Through the glass window of the frozen yogurt shop, he could see Johnny watching them. His alpha friend gave him a tilt of the head as if asking whether he was alright. Harry merely shook his head before giving Johnny a weak smile.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got somewhere to be.” Harry threw the sentence over his shoulder.

“You’re right.” Came Louis’ shaky voice behind him. “As you’ve made it abundantly clear last night. I’m not your alpha and will never be.”

Harry squeezed his eyes shut. He wouldn’t let tears fall for this oblivious knothead.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be. You matter to me, Haz. Doesn’t fucking mean I pretend to care. I care too much to be honest. Care and love you with all my heart… Even when I know you don’t want me in that way.”

Harry took another step towards the frozen yogurt shop door before almost twisting his ankle with how fast he spun around.

“What did you say?” He stared at Louis whose watery blues swiveled guiltily away.

“I— Nothing!” The alpha had the audacity to start backing away, Adidas sneakers catching on some rocks as he stumbled.

“Louis William Tomlinson!” Harry strode forward as Louis turned, but not before giving Harry the view of the panic written all over his face, as he made to sprint up the grassy path. The omega grabbed the hood of the alpha’s hoodie just in time, yanking hard and making Louis topple backwards.

“What did you just say?!”

Louis grunted when Harry captured his arm, pulling him around.

“You said— I heard you say something!” The omega cupped the alpha’s cheeks, pinching Louis’ flushed skin until the alpha was howling. “Say it again. Look me in the eyes and say it!”

“Fuck, Haz, do you have to be this dramatic?” The alpha’s hands slid around the omega’s wrists as Harry continued to hold on to his face.

“Say it, Lou!” Harry pouted, ignoring how perfect Louis’ small hands encompassed his wrists and how he could feel the alpha’s thumb right over his pulse point.

“I love you.” Baby blues were determined in their surrender as Harry sucked in a sharp breath.

Lovely soft leather and sunshine.

“How long… How long have you loved me?” The omega whispered as he searched Louis’ features.

“Been a long time. Can’t remember the details. Just know that I feel for you. That I want you and yeah, all that—”

Harry didn’t know what possessed him. Maybe it was the way the alpha’s thin pink lips were curved into a trembling smile that made him surged forward to seal Louis’ mouth shut with a kiss.

The alpha’s mouth slackened against his as Louis made a shocked noise in the back of his throat as Harry pressed closer, caressing the alpha’s cheeks and deepening their kiss.

He tasted like salty caramel, floral and sweet. Harry felt like he was kissing flower petals as he grazed Louis’ lips with his tongue, seeking entrance.

The feeling of Louis’ tongue accepting him, curling hotly around his own sent the warmest sensation down to his toes, making Harry whine needily. He wanted so much more, needed a lot more, but at the same time, it was enough. More than enough.

Harry wanted to document the sparks that shot through him every time their lips moved, with every swipe of Louis’ tongue and tiny nip to the corner of his mouth.

“I love you. Love you, love you too.” He gasped into Louis’ mouth, finally pulling back to let them catch a breath as he stared at the beautiful alpha in his embrace.

“Yeah?” Louis licked his swollen lips. Hands slipping from the omega’s wrists up to his neck, sinking into his curls.

Harry nodded before closing the gap again, tilting his head and welcoming the alpha’s tongue.

Their tongues met before their lips and Harry giggled at how sloppy, wet and perfect their desperate kisses were. They kissed until they heard someone shouting “Yuck!”

They broke apart, eyes finding a group of pups in their school uniforms as they ran by.

Harry laughed as Louis wiped his mouth with the back of his hoodie sleeve. “Fuck, baby,” The alpha rasped, gaze still fixed on Harry’s puffy lips. “You’re a mess.”

“So are you!” The omega countered, falling into the alpha’s arms and pushing his face into Louis’ neck. “You’re not wearing blockers…” He mumbled happily.

“Forgot to spray some on when I left home. Was in a rush to find you.” Louis explained as his arms caged Harry into his chest. Since the omega was taller, it was an awkward angle, but Harry made it work by resting his entire weight on Louis and slung his arms over the alpha’s slim shoulders.

“Don’t wear blockers when you’re with me. Wanna smell you all the time.” Harry sighed as he draped himself over Louis whose muffled grunts made him giggle.

“Are you trying to climb me like a tree?” The alpha grumbled when Harry nuzzled into his cheek. “Don’t think me legs can hold up much longer, baby.”

Harry threw back his head to laugh, purposefully sagging against the smaller man. “It’s payback for not telling me that you love me earlier.”

“Oh, honey,” Louis growled as Harry swung up one leg around his waist. “I seriously can’t hold—” The alpha’s legs gave out just as Harry shifted his weight, trying to wind his other leg around Louis and they both fell back onto the grass.

He shrieked with laughter as Louis made a winded noise. The alpha shook his head fondly as the omega pecked over his face. “You’re gonna kill me before I properly confess.”

“The I love you is plenty enough.” Harry dimpled, ducking down to suck a bite into the alpha’s throat.

“Hey lovebirds,” Johnny’s drawl made Harry’s head snap up and he could feel Louis stiffening beneath him. “I don’t mean to interrupt, but your yogurts are melting into yogurt shakes.”

The omega released the alpha, sitting up and dimpling at Johnny. “Oh Johnny, you’re so considerate!”

“I don’t know what your beau likes so I ordered a chocolate one.” Johnny smirked, passing Harry his cup of yogurt.

“Name’s Johnny.” He gave Louis a nod, offering a cup to him.

“Louis.” Louis couldn’t help but straighten up. He knew it was impossible to posture in a sitting position, so he shot out an arm to grip Harry’s waist possessively.

“You’re H’s person?” The alpha smiled at the pair as Harry leaned his head on Louis’ shoulder.

“No, he’s not. He’s just a knothead.” Harry was quick to deflect and muffled his laugh into Louis’ hoodie as the alpha growled.

“I’m your person, baby, admit it.” Louis turned to capture Harry’s lips in a heated kiss, pulling the omega closer towards him.

“Now that that’s sorted.” Johnny laughed when Harry made a face at Louis, sticking out his tongue. “I feel like I shouldn’t be third-wheeling this date. I best be on my merry way.”

They watched as Johnny strolled away. Louis tracked the way the alpha’s shirt stretched over his muscular back as he walked, lips pulling down into a frown as he grasped Harry’s chin.

“Eyes on me, baby honey.” He could see mossy greens shining with mischief.

“Johnny’s a mate.” Harry explained as Louis landed a kiss on his plump lips, huffing.

“And what about me, huh?” The alpha asked teasingly as the omega mewled when his hands crept up the back of Harry’s blouse.

“Weren’t you listening, Lou? You’re a knothead.” The omega laughed as Louis pushed him backwards, cradling his neck so that his head wouldn’t hit the hard earth.

“My knothead. My only.” Harry whispered as he looped his arms around Louis and pulling him down into a languid kiss. “Did you know? I started to fall for you since you made me laugh that first night in Knotless. You charmed the pants right off of me and I hated that I was so easy for it.”

“Love,” Louis nuzzled into Harry’s nose, making the omega whine. “You have no idea how easy I was for you too.”

“Could have said something like hey Harold, I love you along the way and yet, you decided to friendzone me.” Harry complained as Louis pressed his nose into the omega’s scent glands.

His eyes shuttered close as Louis took in a breath, scenting and peppering kisses on his neck.

“You were the one that acted like you might get burned if I so much as touch you at first. It took a long time for me to gain your trust and I wasn’t gonna ruin it.” The alpha sighed. “Your trust is important to me. Much more important than anything else.”

Harry hid his flushed face into Louis’ chest as the omega mumbled. “I thought you’d never see me as a potential mate.”

Louis exhaled, lying himself down on the grass beside Harry and untucked a loose leaf that had fluttered down into the omega’s messy curls. “I never date omegas coz…” He sighed again. “It’s a stupid bet I had with myself. Social norms messing with my head and I wanted to prove something, I guess. Was doing pretty well ‘til you came along actually…”

Harry snuggled into the grass, propping his head up in his hand as he swept aside the fringe falling into Louis’ eyes. “Couldn’t resist me?”

“You got that fucking right.” Louis grunted as Harry kissed his nose. “Always so curly, lovely and seducing me.”

“I’m glad I’ve lured you into declaring your love for me.” The omega sang. “Now you can’t escape my clutches!” With this, he rolled on top of the smaller alpha, punching out reluctant laughter from Louis.

“I’m happy to be in them.” The alpha said in a winded voice as Harry pinched his cheek.

They spent the rest of the day, eating (drinking) from their yogurt cups and exchanging kisses on the grass.