Chapter Text
"I bet everyone thinks I'm your mate,” Ollie says excitedly.
Louis and Zayn share a look. “You need, like, three more inches – at least,” the brunette sniggers, sliding out of the car. In front of them boys are spilling across the front garden of a semi-detactched house. The front door is wide-open. Music is blaring through the open windows of a crowded living room.
Scrambling out of the backseat, Ollie says: “my mum reckons I’ll be six-foot-two once I’ve had my rut, you know.”
A smile pulls on Louis’ lips. “I wasn’t talking about your height.”
Ollie’s smile fades.
Crowing with laughter, the two Omegas pass through the front door and are immediately swallowed by their first ever house party. http://ohslashy.tumblr.com/post/116457998682
The first hour is chaotic and confusing.
The music, they discover, is coming from behind a closed door. Emboldened by alcohol, Louis and Zayn push open the door.
It’s dark inside the room. The smell of slick and seed fills their nostrils. Omegas and Alphas are dancing together in a manner that can only be described as sexual.
They can see one Omega sandwiched between two Alphas, another bent over with his hands wrapped around his ankles, another with his legs coiled around an Alpha’s waist.
“Would you like it if Harry danced with you like that?” Zayn whispers.
Louis blushes. “Don’t be daft.”
An Alpha saunters up to them and growls: "wanna dance?”
In reply, Louis turns his head to the side and displays the bond mark on his throat.
The Alpha shrugs and disappears back into the crowd.
"C'mon," Louis shouts into Zayn's ear. "Let's go back."
Other Alphas are eyeing Louis. A dark-haired boy by the speakers hasn’t stopped staring since they entered the room.
Zayn nods and pushes Louis back into the hallway.
“Louis!” Ollie is before them in an instant. “It’s really dangerous for you to go in there,” scolds. “You should have asked me to go with you.”
“Oh, piss off,” Louis snaps.
Time seems to move in great leaps. Suddenly it’s midnight and when Zayn catches his reflection in a mirror he’s surprised to see pink-cheeks and glassy-eyes staring back at him.
He is even more surprised when Louis lowers a bottle of beer and reveals that tears are streaming down his cheeks.
“Lou!” Zayn says in alarm. “What’s wrong?”
Louis shakes his head.
Zayn takes his hand and drags the smaller boy up the staircase. He finds a bathroom, pulls Louis inside and locks it behind them.
Louis is grinding the heel of his hands into his eyesockets.
"Bro?"
Louis lets out a sob.
“Alright, give me your phone," Zayn tells him. "I'm gonna call Harry."
“No!” Louis yelps.
“Come on, Lou, he’s your mate – you nee-”
“He’s - not – my – mate,” Louis hiccups.
“What? Why would you say that?” Zayn hisses.
Louis looks down, ashamed, and whispers: “We’re so d-d-different… I’m so disobedient.”
“Louis, you’re always bangin’ on about how you’re the perfect couple-”
“-Perfect couple?” Louis exclaims. “Ha!” He looks miserably into his beer bottle. “I c-can’t,” he chokes out, “even fit his c-c-cock in my mou-mouth.” He drops his face into his hands and bursts into tears.
Cheeks burning, Zayn pats his head. “That’s the stupidest reason I’ve ever heard…”
Louis pushes him off. “How about this then? He doesn’t need me!” he yells. “He doesn’t care about me. He doesn’t treat me like an adult! He doesn’t even spank me!” Louis breaks off abruptly, looking down at the phone in his hand.
Harry’s name is flashing on the screen.
Utterly alarmed, Zayn stutters out: “he’s calling you right now, Louis. How can you say he doesn’t care?”
Louis shakes his head. “I’m a burden,” he whispers. “The only reason he puts up with me is because…” He blinks rapidly as a fresh wave of tears spills down his cheeks… “Because I let him fuck me…” He presses the red button. “But he’s gonna get bored of that too.” He exhales shakily and looks up at Zayn, his blue eyes shimmering with tears. “We’re not equals.”
Zayn's heart sinks. "Harry adores you, bro. You know that."
"For now," Louis whispers.
Zayn gnaws on his bottom lip. "Maybe he-" he starts.
Louis’ hopeless gaze, however, makes him trail off. His head feels fuzzy. He’s not equipped for this conversation, not at the moment. "I think we should go home, Louis. I’m gonna text Liam.”
Louis sniffles but nods.
Within five minutes Zayn is telling him, “Liam’s on his way. Let’s go wait outside.”
Louis puts his hands on Zayn’s shoulders and jumps down. The top of his head brushes Zayn’s nose. Zayn gives him another hug, kissing his hair. “Come on.”
As they return to the upstairs corridor, however, they come face to face with the dark-haired Alpha who was watching them earlier.
He’s short – for an Alpha – which means he still towers over Zayn and Louis. He’s not really barring their path but his bulky frame prevents them from moving past him, and he’s doing nothing to alter that. He gives Louis an appraising look.
“Looks like you need an Alpha to take care of you…”
Zayn’s grip on Louis’ hand tightens. “He has a mate for that,” he snaps.
The Alpha raises his eyebrows. “Does he?” he asks in mock surprise. He takes Louis by the jaw and inspects his neck. “Can’t tell…”
“Who said you could touch me?” Louis snarls, batting his hand away.
“I suppose you’re marked too?” Rick teases.
Zayn doesn’t rise to it. “I’m not even matured.”
“Rick? Louis? What’s going on?”
Ollie has appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Nothing, pup,” the Alpha sneers. He’s steps out of the way, allowing Louis and Zayn to see just how red Ollie’s cheeks are turning.
“Louis, I need to talk to you,” Ollie says.
Louis nods, tugging on Zayn’s hand.
“Alone,” Ollie implores.
Louis draws up short.
“It’s okay,” Zayn says, holding up his phone. “I’ll check where Liam is.”
With reluctance, Louis allows himself to be pulled into the bedroom beside them.
Zayn brings up Liam’s number. He is in the process of texting him when he realises that the Alpha has yet to move.
“What?” Zayn says angrily.
Rick leans down and sniffs him.
Outraged, Zayn pushes his head away.
The Alpha’s hand shoots out, gripping Zayn’s wrist.
“Ow!”
“Sure you’re not matured? I can smell something sweet – something like… honey…”
Zayn pales. That’s Louis’ scent, clinging to his skin from countless nights of cuddling.
“Doesn’t matter either way,” Zayn says, trying to sound threatening. “Even if I was, I already have an Alpha.”
“Oh yeah?” Rick scoffs. “And what’s his name?” He clearly suspects that Zayn is lying and it gives Zayn great pleasure to announce that his boyfriend is none other than Liam Payne.
Rick, however, is unimpressed. “When I was at school Liam Payne was a skinny pup,” he says quietly. He takes a step closer, forcing Zayn to retreat further down the hall – further away from the stairs, further away from an escape.
“W-well, you should see him now,” Zayn stammers. He tries to slide away but Rick slams a hand against the wall.
“With pleasure,” Rick leers. “I’d like him to know that I’ve taken you from him.” He snaps Zayn’s head to the side, baring his throat.
Pure and unaltered terror slices through Zayn.
“LOUIS!”
MEANWHILE, LOUIS
Ollie’s stuttered and slightly slurred words wash over him, distant as the sound of waves crashing out at sea.
Louis stares at the phone cupped in his hand.
Where are you? I know you’re upset, Louis love. Please answer your phone xxxxx
And then – what seems to Louis to be out of nowhere (but actually follows a declaration of love) – Ollie’s face lurches towards him.
Louis yelps, reeling backward and tumbling off the bed. “Wh-wh-what are you doing!?” he exclaims from the floor.
Ollie looks confused. He has, after all, just told Louis that he loved him. “I… I…. I think I should be your Alpha!” he announces.
“I have an Alpha,” Louis points out. He climbs to his feet.
Ollie does too.
Louis doesn’t find Ollie the least bit intimidating, though he is – as usual – dwarfed by him.
“Louis-” Ollie begins, reaching out to take his hand.
But a blood-curdling scream cuts him off.
“LOUIS!”
Louis’ head snaps towards the door. “Zayn?”
He tries to pull away but Ollie tightens his grip. “Lou- wait. Let me finish,” he pleads.
“Ollie, get off me,” Louis snarls, trying to pull himself free.
“I love-“
“LOUIS!”
Zayn’s scream sends chills down Louis’ spine. “Ollie, let go!” he half-yells, half-begs.
“I’d never abandon you!” Ollie blurts out.
Louis punches him.
Ollie staggers, releasing Louis’ wrist. Louis suspects he’s more shocked than hurt but he doesn’t wait to find out. He races from the room, bursting into the upstairs hallway to find that the Alpha from earlier has pinned Zayn against the far wall. And he’s-he’s attempting to mark him.
“Oi!” Louis screams, striding forward. “What are you doing!?” He shoves the Alpha in the back, then darts away when Rick swipes at him like he’s an annoying fly.
Louis balls his fist determinately and marches towards them again-
The next swipe throws him to the floor. A moment later Zayn lands on top of him.
Louis tries to drag him to his feet.
But experience has taught Zayn that Louis is the one that needs protection and so he tries to push the smaller Omega away.
Then a kick to the stomach makes him shout out with pain, his legs buckling.
“Zayn!” Louis yelps.
Rick pulls his foot back again.
Louis jumps forward. “Please, don’t,” he begs.
Rick grabs him by the hair, yanking his head back. He pulls Louis onto his tiptoes – who cries out in pain – and draws in a lungful of Louis’ scent.
“Stop it…” Zayn croaks.
But Rick merely huffs in disappointment and drops Louis to the floor. “Looks like you were telling the truth after all,” he says, eyeing Zayn in disappointment.
“Arsehole,” Louis spits at his retreating form. He turns to Zayn. “Zayn? Are you okay...”
Zayn’s features are crumpled with pain. He’s hugs his middle. “It hurts so much,” he sobs.
Louis pulls him to his feet. “Come on, let’s go.”
Confronted with their vulnerability again and again, the two young Omegas stagger down the stairs as fast as they can.
Once outside, Zayn hunkers down on the curb, clutching his mobile.
Ollie is sulking because Zayn – in his moment of desperation – called out for Louis and not him.
Louis, meanwhile, is raging at him. “The way you acted tonight,” he screams, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re a Beta – you coward!”
Zayn glances over his shoulder, eyes wide. At the same time a car pulls up in front of them.
Ollie’s hands are curled into fists. “It wouldn’t matter if I was a Beta,” he shouts at Louis, “I’m still bigger and stronger than you! So you better show me some respect. I could make you do whatever I wanted, you know!”
Louis’ scream of outrage is drowned out by a sudden roar. A huge figure erupts out of the driver’s seat of the car.
Ollie squeals as he is grabbed by the front of the shirt, lifted off his feet and slammed into the tree behind him.
“It’s boys like you,” Liam growls, “that grow up to the worst kind of Alpha. I don’t want to see your face or hear you name ever again.” He drops him and watches the boy tear off towards the house.
Liam surveys the scene in front of him. Teenagers are spilling out of the front door, clutching beer bottles and cigarettes. A concoction of different scents throb in the air.
He turns around. “What happen-”
The music fades into the background. “Zayn?” he hears himself saying. His feet move so fast that one moment he is standing several metres away and the next he is crouching down in front of him. “What happened, baby?”
Tears are dripping from Zayn’s thick, black lashes. His hands tremble where he holds them to his stomach. “Got kicked,” he croaks.
“Who?” Liam says. The word feels thick in his mouth, like saying it softly when he yearns to yell it makes it taste funny.
“He’s inside,” Louis says, when Zayn doesn’t reply.
For several moments, Liam is torn between looking after his future mate and avenging him.
Then he growls, scoops Zayn up and stalks towards the car. He is truly furious; because he pulls Zayn into his lap and drives with him like that.
“He could smell Louis on me – he thought- he thought I… And he tried to…” Zayn words are muffled into Liam’s shoulder.
This is clearly news to Louis, who looks horrified.
“It’s not your fault Louis,” Liam says. But his teeth are gritted tightly. He suppresses a rush of resentment that Louis demands so much attention, when Liam would rather devote all of it to Zayn. It’s not his fault, he reminds himself, he didn’t ask for his early heat. “How did you end up at that party?” he asks.
Zayn and Louis say nothing.
“How did you end up that party,” Liam repeats and, this time, he can’t keep the anger from bleeding into his voice, “full of older Alphas?”
“It was my idea,” Louis says in a small voice. He waits for Liam to tell him that it’s not his fault. To assure him that everything is going to be okay.
He doesn’t.
They spend the rest of the journey in silence.
SIX HOURS LATER
A car a skids to a stop in front of the drive, it's wheels screeching. Inside, Rick lowers his game controller. There's hurried footsteps up the path, the sound of the door being thrown off its hinges. He stands up and turns.
A tall, curly-haired Alpha is stalking towards him.
“Is that you, Styles?” he says. “What are you-argh. Fuck. You hit me, you bastar-OW!”
He finds himself sprawled on the floor, his head spinning, his cheek throbbing, his nose bleeding.
Vaguely, he sees Harry raise his nose and sniff the air. And, like that, he’s gone again.
A few miles away Louis is sobbing into the lavender jumper that Harry gifted to him many months ago. Zayn is dozing in the bed above him and Liam is listening, heart-broken, to the sound of his laboured breathing.
It’s almost 7 o’clock in the morning when Harry climbs through the window.
Louis breaks off abruptly, sitting up.
Harry has barely pulled himself into the room when Louis erupts out of bed.
"Where have you been!?" he screams. “I’ve been calling you for hours, you arsehole!”
Harry closes the space between them in two strides, takes Louis’ face between his palms and smashes their mouths together.
Louis continues to sob, his tiny fists clenching in the back of Harry’s shirt.
"I forgot my phone," Harry murmurs, speaking the words into Louis' mouth. Even in the gloom Liam can see that his knuckles are bleeding. “I got in the car as soon as I felt your fear.” He pulls back and searches Louis' tear stained face. "What happened?"
Louis doesn't answer, however, except to kiss him.
Harry strips him efficiently, tossing his clothes to the floor. He shoves one, then two, then three fingers into Louis' hole and begins stretching it out.
“Alpha, please,” Louis sobs.
"Hush," Harry whispers, as Louis begins to cry in earnest. "I'm here now. I'm here."
Whilst Harry attempts to console the Omega, Louis sucks at whatever he can reach: Harry's bottom lip, then his throat and - as Harry straightens up - one fat, brown nipple.
As usual, Louis begins telling Harry he’s ready long before he actually is. Harry knows better than to believe him. However, this does mean Harry gets to enjoy several minutes of Louis begging for his cock.
Utterly determined, Louis pulls it free from Harry’s jeans. He’s delighted to discover that Harry’s hard for him already, his thick cock curving towards his belly. Seed is seeping from the slit, rolling over veins as thick as ropes and drenching the nest of curls between his thighs.
“Lie down,” Harry growls and, moments later, “look at me as I take you.”
This is instantly followed by a small cry of pain.
Zayn blinks awake, realises what is happening on the bed beneath him, and hides his face in Liam’s chest.
Louis tears only cease when Harry shudders above him and spills his seed inside him.
LATER THAT MORNING
Liam lays Zayn’s head on the pillow and climbs down from his bed.
Beneath him, Harry is slumped against the headboard, dozing intermittently and cradling Louis to his chest. Louis, his cheek resting on Harry’s shoulder, is the very picture of innocence; which is a considerable feat as Harry’s knot is currently nestled inside him.
Liam swallows. “We need to talk.”
Harry nods. He scoots towards the end of the bed and eases the Omega off his softening cock.
Zayn wrinkles his nose as Louis – dripping and naked – is placed in his bed. Although, when Louis shivers, Zayn immediately pulls the duvet over him.
Meanwhile, Harry is using a t-shirt to dab the slick from his pubes, cupping his hefty cock in his palm.
As always, Liam is awed that Louis manages to fit that inside of him. He clears his throat.
Harry looks up.
“Meet me in the kitchen.”
A FEW MINUTES LATER
Clink. Clink. Clink.
Liam watches Harry swirl a teabag around a Doncaster Rovers mug.
“Whose blood is that?”
Harry glances at his knuckles. He crosses to the sink - the two Alphas barely fit into the pokey kitchenette in Louis and Zayn’s boarding house so this requires Liam to move – and washes his hands thoroughly. “I didn’t ask his name.”
Liam sighs. He relays what Zayn told him whilst they were in the nurse’s office, tending to his broken rib.
As he listens, Harry braces his hands on the counter.
Liam hesitates. "This boy - Oliver - took Louis upstairs."
Harry closes his eyes and moans: “Oh God.”
Liam says impatiently. “Harry - nothing happened. Okay? Relax.”
"But I felt Louis' fear,” Harry says, shaking his head vehemently, “it woke me up."
"He was scared. He was terrified," Liam explains. “For Zayn.”
Harry blinks, raising his head. Liam is leant against the counter beside him.
“Zayn?” Harry says blankly. “Why would anyone want Zayn?”
Liam suppresses a stab of anger. It’s in an Alpha’s nature to assume their Omega is the most desirable.
But Harry is right. Liam never imagined someone would want Zayn because Zayn is yet to have his first heat. And it wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to hurt Louis.
“Oliver’s older brother is Jackson Preston, remember him?”
“Two years above us?”
“Yeah, that’s him. You remember who he used to hang out with? Ricky Barrows?”
Harry furrows his brow. “The Alpha who was expelled for hiding in an Omega’s wardrobe? Yeah. How could I forget?”
Liam swallows thickly.
“Mate,” Harry breathes. “What happened?”
“It’s okay,” Liam says. “I just thought, you know, ‘cause he was young he was safe.” He drags a hand over his face. “Ricky tried to mark him. He smelt Louis on Zayn and assumed he was mature.”
Harry rakes a hand through his hair. “Christ – is he okay?”
Liam nodded, then shook his head, then shrugged. “Ricky broke one of his ribs. Bloody hell - I hope it was Ricky you punched. Even then, I still owe him one.”
Harry nods slowly. “And… Oliver and Louis, what did happen?”
“Nothing. I mean – Oliver told Louis he was in love with him and tried to kiss him. Louis put him in his place.”
Harry nods. “I thought,” he says, his voice thick, “I thought…”
“I know,” Liam says gently. Because – he can resent Harry all he likes but at the end of the day he counts his blessings that his Omega has never been molested.
Harry turns back to the tea. "What was he thinking...going to that party in the first place?" he mutters, fishing the tea bag out and tossing it into the bin.
When they return to their Omegas they find them curled up together, inciting their lust and endearment at once.
Harry clenches his jaw. He reaches out and shakes Louis awake.
Louis, clearly, isn't used to being woken up like this and pouts when he sees his mate standing by the bunkbed.
"Haz..." he mumbles, untangling himself from Zayn and sitting up.
"Climb down here," Harry interjects, placing his hands on his hips.
Louis looks even more disgruntled. He rubs sleep from his eyes. The last thing he remembers he was falling asleep in Harry's arms - with Harry still inside him. "Haz..." he repeats.
"Now. Louis," Harry says, cutting him off once again. "We're going to talk about how you ended up at that party."
Louis - maybe because he's too sleepy to protest, maybe because he knows he's in the wrong - climbs down.
Zayn blinks awake as Louis drops to the floor, tilting his head back to look into Harry's face.
Liam hands him a jumper wordlessly and Louis pulls it on, tugging it down to his thighs.
"It was your idea to go to that party," Harry says.
Louis doesn’t deny it, devoting most of his attention to creating sweater-paws.
Harry lifts his chin.
“You knew Zayn would never let you go alone. And so, by going, you put him in danger too. And look what happened.”
Louis looks up at Zayn.
"It's not the first time that you've acted completely irresponsibly," Harry continues.
Louis gives a large roll of his eyes. “Look, it’s Zayn that likes the ‘daddy’ stuff, not me,” he says. “So why don’t you skip the lecture-”
"Louis!" Harry yells, "don't be so - so fucking insensitive! Zayn has a cracked rib. My nan is on her deathbed and I can’t be with her! And it’s your fault!"
Louis' eyes widen. He blinks, watching Harry rake a hand through his curls. Then, to nobody’s real surprise, he starts to cry. He reaches out, curling his fingers into Harry’s shirt.
But Harry pries his fingers away. "For God's sake, Louis," he mutters, though it’s half-hearted. He takes a deep breath, then hunkers down and takes Louis by the shoulders. “You're the most important thing to me,” he says firmly. “I never want you to do something like that again. I can’t,” – his voice breaks – “I can’t bare it.”
Louis nods tearfully and attempts to wriggle out of Harry's grip and into his embrace instead.
Harry, however, holds him still. "You promise?" he presses.
"Yes, Harry," Louis sobs, lifting a hand to hide his face. "I promise."
Harry's face softens. "Alright come here," he says, relief colouring his tone.
Louis hesitates, moving his fingers to reveal that tears are glimmering in eyes full of suspicion – as though he is worried Harry is going to reprimand him once more.
But Harry smiles encouragingly and Louis steps into his arms. Harry straightens up, easily lifting Louis off the floor.
Louis buries his face in Harry's shoulder, locking his ankles together at the small of Harry's back.
Harry meets Liam's gaze over Louis' head.
The other Alpha has his eyebrows raised. “That’s it?” he asks.
Harry looks at him warningly.
Liam lets out a deep breath. “I’ve never said anything, Harry. But Louis’ put Zayn in danger this time. I’m not gonna hold my tongue.” He sets his jaw. “He needs to be punished.”
Slowly, Harry lowers Louis to the floor and steps past him. “You can’t ask me to do that. Louis’ not like other Omegas. He’s too small. He's too-too-"
“You’re not beating the shit out of him. You’re disciplining him,” Liam points out. Liam’s into punishment. He spanked their best friend Niall on one occasion. "And you're too fucking soft on him," Liam snaps. "He's not a child.”
Harry’s eyes widen.
Not a child… Not a child…
Suddenly, everything falls into place. Louis has been desperate for Harry to treat him like an equal, like any Alpha would treat their Omega. By neglecting to follow his punishment through all those weeks ago Harry left Louis feeling wholly uncared for. Rather than feeling cherished, as a result Louis felt unworthy.
And there’s something that book didn’t tell Louis about provocation. It’s not a decision – subconscious or otherwise. It’s a reaction, a plea for attention.
Harry turns to Louis with an expression of grim resignation.
Louis has heard most of their conversation but clearly hasn’t expected the outcome. He takes a hasty step backwards – the look in his eyes is defiant, though they're shining with tears. “You wouldn’t dare,” he says.
Harry’s eyebrows shoot up.
At the same time, Liam turns to Zayn and murmurs: “get under the covers and put your earphones in.”
“But-”
“Zayn, this isn’t up for discussion-”
“-But he said he was sorry last night. He said it loads of times-”
Liam doesn’t say anything. In fact, his expression barely changes at all. But something in his gaze makes Zayn’s mouth snap shut all the same.
His eyes dart past him, to where Harry is guiding Louis towards the bed. Face down.
When Harry climbs into the space beside him, Louis starts and buries his face in his arms.
“Arms by your side,” Harry says.
Louis peeks at him. “Aren’t you gonna say please?”
The first smack whistles through the air and lands on the right cheek.
Louis releases a startled yelp.
All at once, Zayn grabs his iPod and throws his duvet over his head.
Liam waits until he can hear the tinny sound of Zayn’s favourite playlist before turning to Harry, on the bed below. “I’d give him at least five,” he puts in staunchly.
This, apparently, is the final straw. “Interfere again,” Harry growls, “and you can take his fucking place, Liam.” He returns his attention to Louis. “Arms by your side and turn your head – I need to see your face.”
Louis exhales deeply. He does as he's told.
Harry wets his lips, his gaze travelling from Louis' profile to the globes of his arse. When he speaks he finds himself breathless. “Five for putting Zayn in danger…”
He pulls his hand back.
Louis doesn’t make a sound, for the first five.
“Five for hurting me,” Harry continues.
A shiver racks Louis’ frame but he takes the next five obediently, though this time he whimpers.
“And five,” Harry pants, “for putting yourself in danger.” He pauses. “Do you remember your safeword?”
Louis doesn’t reply.
“Louis. Do you remember the word you have to say if you need me to stop?”
Louis nods. He’s trembling all over.
Harry throws an anxious look at Liam.
“S’okay,” Louis mumbles, sensing Harry’s hesitation. He takes a deep breath and, at the same time the trembling ceases. “I can take it.”
“You got this, Harry,” Liam murmurs.
Harry nods. He spanks Louis again.
Louis hides his face in the pillow.
Harry reaches out and grips him by the back of the neck, forcing his head to the side.
The next strike makes Louis scream.
Liam’s eyes flicker towards Zayn’s bed as the lump under the covers quivers.
Another scream draws Liam’s attention back to the scene in front of him.
Harry waits for Louis to catch his breath… Then spanks him again.
Louis arches up like a cat, then down, his wrists straining in Harry’s grip. As the movement forces his arse further into the air Harry smacks it.
Louis howls, pressing his cheek into the pillow. His feet kick out. Harry catches one before it can hit him in the face. It feels as insubstantial as a baby bird.
“That was it,” he gasps. “The last one.” He kisses the sole of his foot, then bends his head and kisses each glowing cheek. It’s terrifying to realise how much he can hurt Louis by using a mere fraction of his strength. The heat radiating from his skin is fierce.
“When you’re ready,” Harry whispers, “sit up for me…”
Knowing that it’ll be a while before that happens, Liam crosses over to Zayn’s bed and pulls the covers off.
Tears are streaming down Zayn’s cheeks.
“You listened,” Liam says quietly.
“S-Sorry,” Zayn stammers, wiping his cheeks hastily. “S-Sorry – you’re not going to-?”
Liam’s heart sinks. “No baby,” he says softly. He glances at his watch. “C’mon – time for another dose.” He disappears into the bathroom and returns a moment later with a glass of water and two Omega-sized painkillers. He watches Zayn swallow them, then accepts the empty glass, places it on the bedside table and climbs into bed beside him….
…Louis’ tea has long turned cold.
Louis is as weak as if they’ve just been through Harry’s rut.
For several long, dreadful moments Harry thinks he's traumatised him.
But when, unable to wait a moment longer, he scoops Louis into his lap, Louis clings to him fiercely. He's gasping for breath - little puffs bathing Harry's collarbones.
"M sorry, Harry," he sobs. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I’m sorry about you nan, I’m sorry for d-disobeying you, I’m sorry for t-tonight."
"It's okay," Harry promises. “Don’t cry, love. It’s over now...”
“And I’m sorry for th-thinking you w-weren’t my mate.”
There’s a long pause. “… You thought what?”
Louis goes still. He keeps his face hidden in Harry’s chest. “Nothing. Doesn’t matter. It was silly.”
Harry pulls back, staring down at him shock. “How could you think that Louis?”
Louis shakes his head stubbornly. “I was wrong.” But when Harry continues to look hurt, he elaborates. “It was… it was something this Alpha – Austin – said. You comfort me and, in return, I let you…” - he fidgets with the hem of his jumper - “you know. Like an… an arrangement. And I believed him because, well, because sometimes it does feel like that...”
Harry shakes his head slowly. “Three weeks ago I got the biggest blue balls of my life because I wanted you to do your homework. Trust me, love, it’s you care about. Not sex.”
Louis giggles and Harry smiles back, wiping away the last of his tears.
“Why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
“I didn’t want to bother you. Besides…” Louis juts his jaw defiantly. “You never tell me anything.”
Harry opens his mouth to protest… but he can’t deny it. He looks away. "I... I didn't want you to see me upset.” He scrunches up his nose, a sign that he's suprressing some emotion. "I was ashamed," he confesses and to Louis' surprise his cheeks turn red. “But I realise now that I needed my omega as much as he needed me.”
In the dorms below, Austin and his fellow Alphas are hanging out in their corridor when someone points at the doors and yells.
“No fucking way! It’s Niall Horan.”
Austin dives into his room and emerges a moment later, suddenly shirtless. He saunters down the corridor, swings the door open and props his shoulder against the doorframe. “Hey, sugar- oh shit!”
This part, he says, because Harry has stepped neatly in front of Niall.
Austin tries to shut the door but Harry reaches out a hand. The sound of his palm hitting the pane of his glass is like a crack of thunder.
Austin starts backing away.
"You've been bothering my mate," Harry states.
"Wh-what," Austin stammers. "No-"
"You made him cry. Hurt him. Because you want him and can't have him."
"Hey, man, keep him," Austin says.
Up and down the corridor boys are watching the display. Austin keeps backing up and, all at once, he finds himself flat against the far wall, Harry's impressive form blocking the light out. In a vain attempt to spare himself the humiliation from his classmates Austin thrusts his chin out and says. "He's more effort than he's worth."
Harry's growl his ferocious. His anger blinds him that. One moment his is standing before Austin, the next his hand is wrapped around his throat. "You don't deserve an Omega like Louis," Harry snarls. He releases him abruptly and storms away.
Two floors above, Louis is standing before his mirror, inspecting the freshly made bond mark that adorns his throat. He practically purrs when Harry appears behind him suddenly and traces the indents he left in Louis’ skin.
“They’ve forgotten who you belong to,” he murmurs, “let’s help them remember.”