Chapter Text
Harry reached out and slid his fingers through Niall’s, making sure the crisis team would be able to see them whenever they walked into the conference room. He wasn’t going to give up Niall no matter what they said. He needed the comfort of his love and he wasn’t going to pretend that he wasn’t so very much in love with Niall. Not anymore.
“It’s going to be okay babe.” Niall spoke softly in his ear, his fingers tightening where they were laced with Harry’s fingers. He smiled softly at him. “As long as we stick together, we’ll be okay.”
Harry smiled and leaned in, brushing his lips over Niall’s quickly. “I know. I’m going anywhere.”
He really wasn’t. He was prepared to give up everything for Niall and Jamie. For their family. His family. He heard the door open and stiffened, his smile automatically dropping from his face as he watched the team of people file in. They all filed in slowly, stiff and quiet, speaking softly to one another but almost pretending Niall and Harry weren’t there. He knew this game. It unnerved him in the beginning. He remember how intimidated he felt the first time they drug him and Louis in here. They wanted to set Niall and Harry off-balance, to make them feel unimportant and make them wait in silence. He smirked and held his head high, almost laughing when the head honcho almost snarled at him.
“So you two know why you are and why we are addressing this situation now.” The man made every effort to calm himself and relax back in his seat at the head of the table, trying to regain control.
“Frankly,” Niall said calmly and unafraid. “I don’t see why you even think this is a ‘situation’.”
“Niall…” Came the reply from the boss, his tone sounding as if he were placating a child. Harry immediately wanted to fly across the table, but Niall hand squeezed, calming him down.
“You know that it’s important for you boys to be seen as ‘available’.” He continued with a condescending smile in their direction. “You can’t do that if you are gay. But, thankfully, we’ve thought of a way that you boys can continue your little affair and we can keep your image the way it needs to be.”
“Oh? And how is that?” Niall sent back, just as condescending and rude. Both Harry and Niall were pleased to see the boss finally lose his patience.
“Let’s be clear then.” The man bit out with narrowed, angry eyes. “You and Harry will spend time apart. Harry will go to Los Angeles. You will go home to Ireland and BE SEEN doing whatever it is you do. Harry will get his Winter Girlfriend and you can be as drunk and merry as often as you want.”
Niall felt like punching him in the face, but he kept a reign on it, feeling that Harry needed him right now. He could feel the trembling in the body beside him. He knew Harry was about to get very angry and Harry didn’t get angry very often. It wasn’t ever very pretty when he did. Instead he just smiled and shook his head as he gave his definitive answer.
“Thanks, but I'm past getting drunk. I have to be a good example for my son.”
He didn’t expect the harsh bark of laughter from the man. “He’s not your son. You should stop calling him that.”
It was those words that finally made Harry snap. He jumped to his feet and leaned over the table, snarling and ferocious in his fury. He slammed his fist onto the table, knuckles crack hard against the wood, but he didn’t even flinch as he stared down at the team with furious eyes.
“YOU TAKE THAT BACK!!” He shouted forcibly. “YOU FUCKING TAKE THAT BACK RIGHT NOW!!”
Niall jumped up right behind him, but instead of screaming and throwing punches of his own, Niall pressed into Harry’s side, sliding a hand along his waist. He first thought was to calm harry down before he hurt himself again.
“Harry… It’s okay.” He spoke softly into Harry’s ear, fingers caressing his side soothingly. “Calm down love.”
Harry was too angry now. He slammed his fist down again, the skin over his knuckles splitting, but Harry didn’t feel in. He ripped away and snarled at the look of surprise and fear in some of the eyes around him.
“THAT'S BULLSHIT NIALL!” He turned back to the team, pointing a finger, blood dripping unnoticed from his hand. “FUCK THEM! I QUIT! I FUCKING QUIT! I WON'T KEEP BEING USED LIKE A FUCKING TOY! THEY KEEP DOING THIS! THEY KEEP USING ME UP AND I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT ANYMORE!”
Niall felt so helpless to help Harry and felt seconds from losing his own calm. Then he heard the door open and a voice interrupt them. He felt a wave of relief and joy come over him then.
“Wow!” Came Zayn’s dulcet tones from the doorway. Niall’s relief at he and Harry no longer fighting this alone was almost enough to bring him to his knees. “What the hell did we miss that’s got baby boy screaming like that?”
Louis threw open the door next further and stalked in. They had been listening outside, unsure if they should interrupt, but he would never let Harry scream like that.
“Sorry to interrupt, lads.” If Louis was good at one thing, it was saying a big fuck you to people with a cheerful smile on his face. “But, I’m pretty damn sure there should be no reason you would need to pull Niall and Harry in here… WITHOUT us.”
With those words of censure, Louis threw himself into the seat besides Harry’s glaring at the management team, Liam and Zayn right behind him. They were fucking family and family faced these things together.
“Niall...,” Liam walked over, putting a hand on Harry’s back, speaking low. “Get him to the bathroom and calm him down for a sec, okay? We'll handle this until you can get back. Harry... mate... No one is going anywhere. Go with Niall.”
Niall nodded, he trusted them to have their best interests at heart. He wrapped his arm around Harry’s waist, still feeling the tension and coiled fury within his lover. “Come on Love.”
“No!” Harry felt the desperation kick in a bit. “Niall! You ARE Jamie’s Dad! You know that? Right?!”
Niall nodded, eager to calm him and tell him that knew. He would always know that. But, it was Louis at got through to him. Louis got up and stood in front of Harry, cupping his face.
“Harry. Go. You're bleeding all over.” Lou smiled at his friend, looking him in the eye, speaking softly and earnestly. “Believe me Harry. I'm not going to let them do this again. Trust me. This time I won't fail.”
Harry took a deep breath and let it out shakily, nodding to Louis. “Yeah. Okay. I'll go.” He let Niall lead him out of the conference room and out to the bathroom.
Zayn waited until his friend were settled before grinning at the suits, kicking his feet up unto the desk. “You boys are in some deep shit.”
The boss cleared his throat, trying to regain control, not sure exactly when he had lost it all. “I find that hard to believe.”
“You. Shut. Up.” Came the lightning fast response from Louis, punctuated by flashing blue eyes and a finger pointing viciously at him. Liam thought that Louis might put out the man eyes if he were closer.
One of the other board members spoke up, a little nervous and unsure where everything had went wrong. “We can't do that... they are in breach of contract.”
Zayn snorted and shrugged at him. But, it was Liam that answered. “Which I believe you lied about what was in said contract.”
There was a flurry of flushing and frantic looks to one another from the management team. “You are never denied the right to read your contract. You can't blame us for your lack of foresight.”
“You misled us and we are willing to go to court for it.” Liam said firmly. He wasn’t going to be Mr. Nice Guy this time. “You won't force us to do this. As a matter of fact, we have written statements and have them prepared to be sent to every major news source... in the world.” He just smiled his sweet smile and sat down beside Zayn.
“Yes... Especially how you leaked the video of Zayn and I smoking that joint.” Louis said, still standing and leaning over the table. “Was that because Zayn was going to "break up" with Perrie?”
“Which, by the way, I am.” Stated Zayn simply.
Louis stood his ground and stared intently at the enemy. He knew he was rarely serious. But, he couldn’t let this continue.
“I went along with this last time,” He spoke firmly. “Because I was young and scared and I wanted to do well. But, I won’t do it this time. I won’t let you keep forcing us into a mold we aren’t suited for.”
“If we lose fans because they can’t accept who we are,” Liam interjected, being quick to show his support. “Then we will miss them, but ultimately, we deserve to be happy too.”
Whatever reaction they had been expecting, it wasn’t derisive laughter that greeted their statements. Liam was surprised that the suits snorted in angry amusement.
“Happy?!” Laughed one of the women. “You hear that? They think they deserve to be happy!” She tittered as if this were a joke. The man spearheading this little intervention sat back and laughed with her.
“You aren't children. Stop acting like it.” He sat forward, all traces of amusement gone as he glared at Liam, Zayn and Louis. “You've been given the fame and fortunes you wanted and now you're crying about the games you have to play to keep them? That's life, lads. You know that. I don't care who you fuck... but if you want to keep your jobs, you will do it quietly and pretend to like pussy. Got it?”
“Well…” Louis was the first to recover. “That's sufficiently disgusting.” He glared at them. “I'll just deliver this letter then and my lawyers will be in contact with you.”
The sudden shouting and noise of argument rose in the room, only to be interrupted by the door and a calm voice speaking.
“That’s quite enough of that Charles.” Simon Cowell walked into the room, followed by a much calmer Harry and Niall.
Charles, the previous man in charge stood, frowning at Simon. “Simon. I don't know what you are doing here, but you weren't invited. These boys are our clients. There is no need to involve yourself.”
“Not if we quit, we aren’t.” Replied Louis quickly.
“Louis.” Simon said simply before looking at Charles. “Need I remind you who gave them to you as clients?”
“Simon…” Charles sputtered, obviously having difficulties. “This is ridiculous. You know they can't be allowed to ruin themselves this way. It's bad business.”
Simon shook his head, taking a seat beside the boys. “At this point the damage is already done if there is any. The reviews to their interview have been positive.”
“That's not entirely true.” Charles answered smugly, sitting back in his own seat. His smug look disappeared as a member of his own team cleared her throat for attention. He turned a fierce glare on her. “Yes, Ana? Is there something you want to say?”
“Sorry sir...” Came the reply from a young woman on the end. Liam had noticed that she had been quiet throughout the entire proceedings, but now she sat up straight and looked right back at her boss. “But I've been monitoring the social media sites and much like the weed video, there has been some backlash, but most of the chatter has been positive. The only negative comments are directed at other fans for not being loyal or for believing in the wrong "ship". It's a little crazy, but mostly... everyone is happy if Harry and Niall are happy.”
“Is that so?” Charles glared at the girl, speaking low and dangerously.
“Yes sir.” She knew she was fired by this point, but felt that this is what she should do. “Also... You hired me to monitor social media and that what I was doing sir. If you try to force them back into the closet, you run the risk of hurting our image more than theirs.”
Simon nodded his head with a smile. “Well put.”
“Thank you sir.” She flushed and relaxed slightly in relief.
Charles frowned in discontentment. He turned to look at Niall and Harry. “What exactly are you asking for?”
“I speak for all of us, mate.” Liam spoke quietly to Niall and Harry. “Whatever it is you want. We’re behind you. Totally.”
Niall grinned and stood, leaning over the table. “We want out of this contract and allowed to manage ourselves with Simon’s help and input when needed.”
Harry, who had been silent since his earlier outburst spoke into the stunned silence. “I won’t stay here. I refuse.”
Charles rose and slammed a furious hand down on the table. “You whiny little shits! After all we’ve done for you, you stab us in the back!”
With visible difficulty, he straightened and calmed himself. “Fine. You have the option to buy out your contracts. I’ll have the details sent to your lawyers.” With those words, he stalked out, taking most of the team with him, knowing they had won.
“Are you sure about this boys?” Simon asked, standing as well.
Niall nodded. “You’ve always had our best intentions as heart Simon. It’s you or no one. Right mates?”
Louis was quick to agree. “Yeah. But, honestly, Simon, we'd like to learn how to do this ourselves. I bet Liam and Niall would make GREAT managers.”
“It’s something I'm thinking of doing someday actually.” Niall smiled, reaching for Harry’s unhurt hand, their fingers sliding together naturally.
Simon watched them quietly, thinking about things as he leaves with promises to be in touch with details
Harry slid into Niall’s arms as soon as everyone except the band had left, pressing in close. “I think I broke my hand…”
Niall took his injured hand carefully and brushed his lips over the broke skin. “We’ll stop by the hospital, love.”
“Sorry…” Harry sighed into Niall’s neck. “I just got really angry.”
“I know. I was too.” Niall dropped a kiss behind his ear. “We won though, yeah?”
“Let's get out of here lads…” Liam hated to interrupt them, but really wanted to leave this place. “I think they might try to have security escort us out otherwise.”
Niall chuckled and slid his fingers through Harry’s hair. “Sounds good. Let’s go.”
“Let's get Harry fixed up, grab lunch to go, and go spoil that nephew of ours.” Zayn said as he stood and stretched.
Harry nodded, but everyone could tell he was still upset and angry. “I need to make a call first… okay? I’ll meet you at the car.” He leaned in and kissed Niall softly then walked out quickly, leaving them behind.
“Well...,” Liam laughed a little, trying to lighten the sudden bummed mood. “That's Harry for you. Broody bastard.”
Niall tore his eyes away from Harry’s retreating figure and shrugged with a rueful smile. “He’ll be okay. It’s been a terrible day for all of us.”
“Liam… you are terrible at this.” Louis laughed and slung an arm around Niall’s shoulders. “Come on. He'll be fine in a mo. He just needs to yell at Gem or Anne. Let's go to Nando's for lunch?”
“Yeah.” Zayn agreed with Louis quickly. “Nando's always cheers us up.” He slipped his arm through Liam’s and walked out with him.
Harry was already in the car, talking quietly on the phone, then making his goodbyes and hanging up as they climbed in. Niall could tell that he was in pain and trying to hide it, his usually golden skin was pale and damp.
“I don't think it's broken... but it's sore.” He said to them as they settled in the car.
Zayn patted his knee. “We’ll get it checked out right now, bro.”
Harry nodded wearily and leaned into Niall, letting it all go.
Louis looked around at them all and took a deep breath. “So… we’re doing this then?”
Niall nodded and wrapped his arm around Harry. “Yeah. We are.”
Louis laughed and sat back. “Good. I'm glad. I hate those fuckers anyway.”
It was hours later when Niall and Harry let themselves back into their house. Harry was glad Jamie was staying the night with Lou Teasdale and Lux. He was so very tired from their day. His hand was wrapped tightly, luckily unbroken, but dislocated knuckles needed to rest.
Niall followed him with the little bag of pain meds, reading the instructions.
“It says you should drink milk before taking this. And no drinking alcohol.”
“Hmm... It's okay for now.” Harry smiled softly at him. “I'm still a little loopy from the one they gave me at the clinic.”
He sat on the couch, and patted the seat beside him. “Come here.
Niall smiled and put the bag down, dropping onto the seat beside him. “Are you okay? About earlier?”
“Yeah... I just...” Harry took a deep breath, his emotions clogging his throat again. “I don't want anyone to ever say that to you. You have the right to be Jamie's father.”
“I know that and you know that Babe. Who gives a fuck what anyone else thinks?” Niall took Harry’s good hand in his own.
“It's not that Niall... what if something happens to me? What's going to happen to Jamie then?” Harry needed to talk about all the things that have been circling in his head for ages now.
Niall took a deep breath and turned towards him. “Harry… you think I don’t worry about this stuff too? I do. I’ve been thinking about. I think about it all the time.” Niall took another deep breath, taking the time to think about his next words. “I was going to ask when we had been together for a while... but how would you feel if I wanted to adopt Jamie?”
Harry stared at Niall for the longest time. Niall started to think he had went too far, and opened his mouth to apologize when Harry burst out in laughter. He had no idea what to say and he was sure he was looking at Harry like he had grown a second head.
“You idiot...” Harry grinned at him. “What do you think I was getting at? I had my lawyers working on it...I was going to give you the papers for your birthday, but I was just so furious today. I called them to speed them up. They will deliver them in a few days.”
Niall felt punched in the gut and laughed with him. He pulled Harry close. “I love you Harry Edward Styles. I don't think you know how much.”
“I hope as much as I love you... because I don't more is possible.” Harry gave him a slow smile, the kind he reserved only for Niall.
Niall cupped his face and kissed that beautiful smile. “We have forever to find out…”
“I love you Niall...” Harry said between soft, loving kisses. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I do.”
Niall knew it was the moment. It wouldn’t come again like this. “Then marry me.” He said simply, pulling back to look at Harry, smiling softly.
Harry flushed and pulled back enough to see him completely. “What?”
“I want you to marry me. I want the whole thing with you Harry.” Niall never wavered. He had never been so damn sure of anything in his life before this.
Harry groaned and threw himself forward, climbing into Niall’s lap and kissing him fiercely. “Fuck! Yes! Christ... Niall... yeah... love you... want to marry you...”
Niall fell back onto the couch, laughing and kissing Harry back.
Harry beamed down at him. “I love you, Irish.”
Niall laughed. “I love you too, Haz.”
Harry melted over him, and laughed softly. He pressed kisses along Niall’s neck and face. “We’re getting married.”
Niall slid his fingers through Harry’s hair, and nuzzled behind his ear. “yeah… We are.”