Chapter Text
Louis kicks the ball in Harry and Niall’s direction. Harry immediately panics, knowing that Louis is always handling a ball during their lunch breaks. Niall kicks the ball with little force, enough for it to roll back to Louis. “Thanks, mate.” Louis smiles and approaches them slowly, he wipes his forehead with his shirt, exposing a bit of his stomach.
Harry looks away, his cheeks hot. Niall nudges his arm with a smirk. “I can’t believe you’re getting so worked up over him.” Harry nudges him back and mutters a quiet “shut up”.
“Zayn says you’re coming over this Friday.” Louis interrupts their conversation, ball around his arm next to his delicate waist. “Yeah, we are. Right, Harry?” Niall asks. Harry’s eyes meet Louis’ and then Niall’s. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you then.” Harry says, he loves Niall, they’ve been best mates since they were children but there were moments where he wishes he kept his crush a secret.
Louis nods and walks away. Harry punches Niall’s arm once Louis is out of earshot. “I fucking hate you sometimes,” Harry huffs, embarrassed. “What?” Niall laughs, “You’re always so shy around him, you should speak to him a bit more.” He shrugs.
In no way is Harry ever going to strike up a conversation with Louis Tomlinson. Why would he put himself in that situation?
“And why would I do that? We’re not even friends.” Niall opens the door to the main hallway, passing a few students on their way to the cafeteria. “I doubt you’d ever want to be friends with him.” Niall states, looking for an empty table. “What does that even mean?”
“It means I think you’d rather be his boyfriend .” Niall drags out the word, he spots a table and immediately walks toward it.
“Oh my god ,” Harry drags his hands over his face, it’s embarrassing because it’s true so he doesn’t even defend himself.
They sit beside each other and Harry sees Louis and Zayn enter the cafeteria, he looks away when he sees Louis look around, probably looking for his footie team. Niall looks back and waves a hand to Zayn, he’s still not used to having the same lunch break as the seniors.
The school divided their lunchtimes so the cafeteria wouldn’t be too crowded, so it was Freshmen with the Sophomores and Juniors with the Seniors. That schedule change only started this year so Zayn has been hanging around with Louis more considering it was his last year in high school.
Harry looks at him again, he’s just so attractive. He doesn’t know how to help himself. “Oi mate,” Niall holds his jaw, “think you might be drooling, eh?” Harry pushes his hand off and shakes his head, “If you’re crushing on Louis so bad, why don’t you just ask for his number?”
“You really think it’s that easy?”
Well, realistically, it should be, but aside from Harry’s growing crush on Louis Tomlinson, there’s another big problem, he’s Zayn Malik’s stepbrother.
Who is Zayn Malik, you might ask? His best mate.
Louis and Zayn go their separate ways and Zayn heads to their table. “When’s Louis’ next game?” Niall asks as soon as Zayn sits beside him. Harry kicks Niall’s knee under the table. Considering that Zayn is Louis’ stepbrother, Harry never actually told him about his… growing crush.
Zayn doesn’t seem to notice or wonder why Niall is asking so he just shrugs and says “Next Friday, I think. You lads want to watch?” Harry stills, he has never watched Louis play a proper game before, or at least not on the bleachers, he just stays around the side of the field so no one would see him.
“Yeah, let’s do it. Harry, you’re in, I’m calling the shots.” Niall says, saving him from saying anything. Harry just nods and asks about how their biology laboratory is going.
They all head to their classes together and Zayn asks them if they’re still going to his house and Harry feels a tad bit guilty that he’s been hiding something from Zayn, he doesn’t think much about it and instead tries to focus on his English class.
☀︎
The week passes by and it’s finally Friday. Zayn’s house isn’t too far a walk from the school so they just walk, talking about the funniest professors in their school.
The moment Harry steps into Zayn’s house, he wonders if Louis is already home. He figures since Louis is a senior he must be out partying with his footie mates, right?
Wrong.
Louis walks down the stairs, shirtless, for fuck’s sake why can’t Louis keep his shirt on when Harry is around. Niall looks at Harry and stifles a laugh when he sees his red face. “Did you order in?” Louis asks from the stairs, his hands on the railing and his fringe swept properly on his forehead. “Nope,” Zayn answers but grabs the phone and gets comfortable on his couch. “What do you want, Lou?”
“Let your friends pick.” Louis spares him a glance since he’s still standing near the door and Zayn and Niall are already comfortable on the couch. He goes back to his room but Harry doesn’t hear the door shut.
Their food arrives a few minutes later and he hears Louis go down the steps again. Please do not be shirtless Harry thinks repeatedly. Surprisingly, Louis is wearing decent clothes and Harry doesn’t know if he’s pleased or not.
Louis grabs his share of the food and heads back into his room, to Harry’s dismay. After watching a few movies and laughing at Niall’s stories for the past 3 hours. They head into Zayn’s room (which is right beside Louis’) to sleep. Zayn grabs an extra mattress and lays it right next to his bed. “Who’s sleeping on the mattress?” Zayn asks. Niall and Harry jump on Zayn’s bed at the same time. “What?! This is my room!” He laughs, dragging their feet off his bed.
“I have back problems!” Harry reasons. “Fuckers! Let’s all just squish ourselves into Zayn’s bed!” Niall proposes. Which they do, or try to.
At around four a.m., Harry hears someone outside and goes to check it out. He would have died in a horror movie, he’s well aware but also, he’s curious so sue him.
“Hi.” Louis whispers, it’s dark and the only light is coming from his bedroom and the open door. “Louis? Why are you awake?” Harry whispers back, drags his hands through his hair in an attempt of looking a bit decent. “Just… you know.” Louis laughs quietly, he doesn’t know why he’s awake, too.
Harry just smiles at him, “I thought your house was being robbed.” He turns around to go back to Zayn’s room but Louis stops him, “Wait.” Harry is dead. He can’t even look at Louis without blushing like a fifth-grader and now Louis wants to talk to him , at four fucking a.m.
“When you watch the team at the side of the field, who are you looking for?” Louis smirks, and Harry’s heart is going crazy and might just jump out in panic. “What? No- Huh? I just pass by.” is what he comes up with. He never even noticed Louis looking in his direction and knowing that he’s caught in the act watching him play football like a creep. Harry wants to crawl in a corner and hide.
“It’s okay, I won’t tell.” Louis laughs, leaning towards the wall with his arms crossed. Harry wants to kiss him. “Not Luke though.” His smile drops, he looks at his feet as if not knowing what else to do. Luke is Louis’ ex, he knows that. They dated for the whole Sophomore year, Harry knows because he was a freshman then and not because he has been pining on Louis for the past 3 years. Not at all.
“Oh. No, no- ehm. Luke isn’t like… my type or something. I mean- I’m sorry I know you dated, he’s attractive, for sure.” Harry rushes out. It’s better that he’d stumble around his words than having to confess to Louis right to his face. “That’s not what I mean, Harry. You’re too good for him, he’s a dick is what I’m saying.” Louis looks at him again. He was not expecting that, Louis was an overall private person and so was Zayn. He knows Zayn would rather die than tell anyone whatever he and Louis talk about. Everyone just figured they broke up when they started fighting each other on the field all the time.
“Since you’ve already mentioned it then, what is your type then? Or who? Since you’re always creeping on the football team. I might help you with him, I won’t embarrass you I promise.” Louis raises his hands up in defense and in honesty.
“No, I don’t know. I like watching the sport, is all.” Lie, lie, lie. He’s lying to Louis’ face. Their first proper conversation in three years and Harry is straight-up lying. “Alright, I’m gonna pretend I believe you. Since you’re such a fan, you should come to your future boyfriend’s game on Friday.” Louis teases. And oh, if he just knew.
Harry blushes, “He’s not my future boyfriend.” He mutters quietly. “Ha! I caught you, so you are eyeing someone on the team.”
Harry tries to ignore him, “Zayn- Zayn already invited me and Niall to the game so if you see me there, it’s because we already planned to, by the way. Not because of- a person. Or something.” He doesn’t like being teased, especially not by the person he has been pining on.
“So defensive.” Louis smirks, he puts his hand on Harry’s shoulder, he tries his hardest not to react to the touch at all. “I swear if your lover is on the bench and you go to the game just for him — it’s gonna be a bit funny, yeah, but I won’t tease you for it.” Louis crosses his heart, “Promise.”
“No way he’s gonna be on the bench.” Because it’s you, Harry wants to say. Except no, he doesn’t want to say that. What is he thinking?
“Confident. Nice.” Louis nods, he walks back to his room, “I’ll see you on Friday, Harold.” He closes the door.
Harry goes back to Zayn’s room as he sees the sun starting to rise. He tries so hard not to scream into a pillow.
☀︎
“Okay tell me again,” Niall says for the third time, taking a bite of his burger. “I already told you twice!” Harry says, looking around for Zayn and his brother. “So basically, the love of your life just invited you to his game and told you to be his personal cheerleader, and you didn’t take that as a sign to make out with him in his room?”
“Niall what the fuck! That’s not what happened!” Harry hisses, nervous that someone might overhear their conversation. “Yes it is what happened, Harry. You told me twice and I have the same conclusion. And would you please eat your food!”
Harry takes a bite of his hashbrown, “We’re still going to the game.” Niall states. “Jay and Liam from Maths are playing.” Harry nods. Replaying the memory in his head; Louis laughing, teasing him, putting his hand on his shoulder , fuck.
Niall hits him in the head, “Stop dreaming about him and eat!”
Harry goes to his Economics class and sits beside Dev, they’ve been partners in a few projects but nothing outside of that. “Hey,” Dev waves at him, his feet stretched out in front of him. “Hey Dev, how have your classes been?” Harry asks, as polite as he is.
“Good, good. Hey, ehm, I have a football game on Friday.” Dev starts, fully facing Harry now. Fuck. Did Louis tell everyone he’s been watching the team on the sidelines? No. Louis wouldn’t rat him out like that, right? There’s just no fucking way. “I was just wondering if you’re like, interested… in watching me play- or the team play.” Dev clears his throat.
Harry nods, “Yeah, yeah sure. I’ve actually made plans with my mates, we’re going. I didn’t know you were on the team.” He admits, playing with his pen.
“Started this year actually,” Dev moves when he sees their professor walk in. He leans in a bit closer to Harry and whispers, “I’ll see you there.” Well. He definitely will.
The day before Louis’ game, he goes to his locker and sees Louis laughing with a few of his friends. He walks past them, pretending as if he doesn’t hear Louis’ beautiful laugh behind him. Harry enters his code on his lock, trying to hold back a smile. What? He’s smitten, alright? And Louis’ laugh is fucking contagious and Harry has been crushing on this boy since he was fifteen, he’s allowed to be this taken with him.
He puts his book inside and slams his locker door shut, he sees Louis in his peripheral vision and he doesn’t know if he should move faster or slower because he really wants to talk to Louis but he also doesn’t want to embarrass himself.
“Hey Harry,” Louis says, Harry releases the breath he was holding and turns his whole body to Louis, “Hi Lou- ehm, Louis.” He says sheepishly. Louis smiles at him, “‘S alright, you can call me Lou.” Harry nods, hands fidgeting on his shirt.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah? I’ll be wearing jersey number fourteen, I think.” Harry nods again, he doesn’t know what to say. “What about Dev?” He blurts out. He realizes that Louis might think Dev is his special person and he wants to punch himself.
“Dev? Oh.” Louis’ face falls. “Devon, I see.” Louis nods to himself. “Maybe I’ll bench him to ruin your fun.” Louis scoffs. “No- Dev isn’t the person, Dev isn’t the person I’m crushing on, or whatever.” Harry defends himself and waves his hand around randomly.
Louis seems unconvinced, “I told you I wouldn’t tell, Harry.” He rolls his eyes. Fuck, did he piss him off? Does Louis have bad blood with Dev? Harry feels so fucking dumb, he’s mentally punching himself for the one chance he has to be friends with Louis.
“No, I promise. Why would I lie to you?” Harry says, it’s true, he wouldn’t lie to Louis but he remembers he already has. “Alright, I believe you. Calm down. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah? Fourteen Harold!” Louis emphasizes, already walking away.
It’s Friday and he’s nervous. He doesn’t even know why, it’s not like a big league, it’s just a high school footie game and Louis won’t even see him in the bleachers, and yet he is sweating. He’s in History class and he has no idea what his professor is saying because he hasn’t been paying attention for the past hour.
He doesn’t see Louis in the hallways, which is a bit of a relief and a bit of a shitty thing but he doesn’t think about it much. He’s with Zayn most breaks and it’s nice. Zayn has always been his comfort person since day one alongside Niall. They’ve been best mates since god knows when and he knows he can rely on them the most.
“How do you think Louis will react if I tell him I like a person on the team?” Zayn asks, they’re leaning on the lockers along the hallway. “Oh? Who first?” Harry teases, Zayn has never been much of an affectionate person, much less the person who crushes on someone. Nobody is blind to his looks, even Harry knows Zayn is attractive and talented as hell. Anyone would be lucky to have him.
Zayn rolls his eyes, “Alright, fine. It’s Liam.”
“Really? Niall is like, friends with him. I’m happy for you, mate.”
Zayn punches him arm lightly, “Just a crush, Harry, and Niall is friends with everyone.” Harry chuckles, it’s true. “No he told me we could watch the game together because he’s watching for Liam and I’m watching for-” Harry coughs. “The team.” Zayn looks at him warily, “Fuck off, who is it?”
Harry is so screwed, he didn’t want Zayn to know because they’ve always been protective of each other, and maybe Harry thought he would get over it the first time he saw Louis in Zayn’s house all loud and cheery, and yet here he is.
“Tell me,” Zayn drags the word, he never hides anything from Harry and yet Harry is being a shitty friend. “Don’t get mad.” Harry says, holding Zayn’s arm. “What? Is it Liam? No way, me first.”
“What?” Harry asks, “No! It’s… It’s not even a serious crush, it’s fine.” Harry waves his hand.
“Oh come on Harry, I know you. You’re not the type to just play around, you fall hard and you love deep, tell me.” Well, what is he supposed to say to that?
“It’s Louis.” Harry says, voice barely above a whisper but he knows Zayn heard it. He looks down at his feet, he doesn’t like this situation.
“Since when?” Zayn asks, voice calm so he takes that as a good sign. “I don’t know like… a while.” Since fucking freshman year.
“Alright fine, you know I can’t lie to you. Since freshman year, I didn’t tell you because I thought I would get over it and I feel bad now so I’m sorry.” Harry huffs, fixing his hair because he doesn’t know what else to do with his hands.
“You fucking- Are you serious?” Zayn asks, punching his arm. Harder than the first time, might he add. Harry nods. “Harry, you know he’s- Harry, he’s my brother , I’ll fucking kill you if you hurt him and you’re my best mate, I’ll kill him if he hurts you. ”
Harry shrugs, “It’s not like it’s ever gonna happen. He’s way out of my league.”
“Shut up, don’t talk about yourself like that, and I’m mad at you for hiding this for three whole years , could’ve turned grey and I wouldn’t even have known.” Zayn rolls his eyes, but Harry knows Zayn loves him.
“I should fucking tell him, is what I should do.” Zayn smirks, “Z, I’ll egg your house if you say one bloody word to him.”
“As if! You’re in love with my brother, you wouldn’t want him to clean your mess.” Zayn laughs loudly, “Oh my god shut up. Someone could hear you!” Harry says, slapping Zayn’s side while he remains unbothered.
“Let’s say hypothetically, Louis likes you back,” As if Harry hasn’t been dreaming about that since he was a kid, but of course, he’s not going to tell his brother that. “You’re not going to make out in his room while I’m in the house, yeah? Just checking.”
“What is it with you and Niall thinking we’re going to make out in his room?” Harry grits. The splitting image of Louis under him, kissing him senseless has always been on his mind ever since Niall said it and now even Zayn.
“Answer the question, Harry. Or am I getting you hot and bothered by the idea?” Harry’s face flushes, “No! I don’t know! In what universe would Louis Tomlinson want to kiss me in? It’s impossible so there, I hope you have a good night’s sleep knowing we’re not kissing in the next room.”
“Stop with your dramatics, to answer your question, in this universe, now answer mine.”
“He would not kiss me in this universe, be realistic.” Harry rolls his eyes, “Ugh, fine. In a universe where-“
“Nope,” Harry interrupts, “He’s not kissing me even in a parallel world.” Zayn puts his hand on Harry’s mouth. “In a universe where the two of you are soulmates and are meant to have grandchildren together and be a lovesick couple every day, now say it.”
Harry stills, he is in love with Louis Tomlinson and that’s exactly what he wants with him.
“Yes Zayn, I would kiss your brother even if you’re in the next room, even right in front of you maybe because I like him. There, is that what you wanted to hear?” Harry gives him his fakest smile.
“Okay fine, but don’t make any sounds, or if you will, buy me headphones.” Zayn nods. “It’s not fucking happening, Z! You have nothing to worry about, now let’s go.” Harry says and starts walking. Harry never liked bringing his hopes up, he’s been crushing on one person for the past three years and nothing has happened. Things aren’t going to change now, Harry thinks.
Well, Zayn knows something he doesn’t.
Louis is fidgeting, his knee bouncing for the past 20 minutes he feels like he could run ten laps. This is his last year in high school and maybe colleges would watch him and he could get into one with a scholarship.
Also, Harry is watching. Louis remembers the conversation he had with him and okay, maybe Harry is watching Devon but still. He’s here and fuck it all.
Harry sees Louis from the bleachers, his blue jersey with the yellow numbers fourteen on it. He looks really good Harry wants to fucking push him and just kiss him.
“Harry move, and stop dreaming about my brother for one second.” Zayn says, pushing Harry further into the bleacher so he and Niall could sit. Niall cackles loudly, “Should’ve told Zayn long ago so we could have been teasing your sorry arse for years.”
Harry rolls his eyes, he sees Dev catch his attention so he waves. “Who’s that?” Zayn asks, nodding at Dev.
“Devon, from my Econ class.” Harry answers, picking at the seams of his shirt. “The fuck Harry? Are you cheating on my brother already?”
“You know as well as I do Louis doesn’t like me that way.” Harry says honestly and Zayn doesn’t say anything else.
Zayn wouldn’t betray his brother like that.
The game starts and the other school gets the ball first but Jay is quick to steal it. After a few more back and forths between the two teams, Luke gets the ball and doesn’t pass it to Louis despite him waving and being a free catch.
The ball gets kicked by the other team and he sees Louis curse and run towards it. Louis didn’t lie when he said Luke was a dick. “Fucking hate that guy.” Zayn mutters and Niall nods along with him.
“I should try out for the team next year, what ya think lads?” Niall asks. Harry nods enthusiastically and Zayn says yes absolutely.
Niall has always been a decent player at footie but never tried his chances for the team. “You’d be a great player on the team, Ni.” Zayn pats him on the back.
In a swift movement, he sees Dev pass the ball to Louis and Louis runs as fast as he can, dodging the players without losing the ball and kicks it to their goal. It’s the first point of the game and he sees Louis look into the crowd and pumps his fist into the air before he’s tackled by his team.
Eventually, the game ends with 2-0 with Liam scoring the other goal. Their crowd goes insane and the bleachers shake from their excitement.
He makes a mental note to tease Zayn about it later. When he looks back at the field, he can see Louis drinking from a bottle with his cheekbones showing, sweat dripping down his forehead. Louis takes off his shirt and Harry is not about to pop a fucking stiffy in front of everyone so he coughs and tells Zayn and Niall they should go, thankfully they don’t question him.
They end up going straight to Zayn’s house because it’s become a routine to hang out every Friday but now it’s different because Zayn knows and Louis is so fucking hot and Harry has no self control when it comes to Louis.
They arrive and greet Zayn and Louis’ mum, “This is really good, Sarah. Thank you so much for cooking dinner for us.” Niall says, his plate full of food. Harry nods in agreement, his mouth full.
“No worries boys, you’ve always been like my two other sons.” She says and leaves the table to clean the kitchen.
Niall points at Harry and mouths, son-in-law . Zayn laughs out loud, his fork dropping on his plate. “Oi, manners.” Louis appears from behind him and he stills.
What the fuck is he supposed to do? Congratulate him? Hug him maybe? Should he lead the conversation or wait for Zayn to do it?
“Louis! Good game lad, you were incredible.” Niall stands up and gives Louis a hug, Harry’s stomach drops, no he isn’t jealous of his best mate hugging the person he fancies. He’s not, he is not jealous.
Zayn stands up and gives him a hug too, and Niall immediately resumes eating his food. Honestly, he’s so thankful Zayn stood up and gave him a hug because it gives him an excuse to do it too.
“You did great Lou, I’m so fucking proud of you.” Zayn pats his back. “Thanks Z, love you.” Louis says quietly.
Harry stands up too and hugs him too. “You’re amazing.” Harry whispers, he can smell Louis’ shampoo and he might fucking collapse, he doesn’t want to let Louis go. Ever.
“Thank you love.” Louis says back, slowly letting go of Harry. His hands stay on his hips for a few but eventually pulls back. Harry’s heart is beating so fast he fears Louis might hear it. Love, Louis called him love. He really wants to kiss him but unfortunately, this isn’t the universe where Harry gets his dream guy.
Or so he thinks.