Chapter Text
Tis show business . . . or at least that’s what they say, isn’t it? Because there really is no business like show business and if by that they mean no other business is quite as risky and ruthless, beautiful, craziness as that of the entertainment industry, then they would most certainly be 100% correct. Showbiz is all about providing something interesting to watch or in some cases to do, an escape from the reality of the world around us, and that value is often generated by those who create. From musicians to actors/actresses to artists - a person’s image is considered equally as important as their talent. This is due to the fact that they have a significant impact on society and culture dramatically. They influence how people think, live, eat, dress and even what we purchase. Which is why, even if it isn’t uncommon to make it in the industry when young, it is quite uncommon to make it when one is both young and also a submissive.
Harry was both young, just 16 years old, and the most sweet submissive creature when he found he had made it. Or at least he was starting to make it. Or maybe he was just surviving. See despite the fact that it is in a person’s genetic makeup, meaning no one has a say in whether they are a dom or sub, the world is not quite equal for all no matter what marking they are born with. So while equality for subs is progressing, even if he hadn’t found himself in the music industry spotlight life might not have been smooth sailing for Harry.
Harry strangely hadn’t been terrified when he auditioned for the X-Factor; his nerves showed up some because of his age, but he had made it through. He had seen how to be a brave sub for his loving mother, Anne - had shown him strength when he was just seven years old and she reported his abusive father. Plus his mother’s new progressive dominate Robin, who she had met semi-organically had come into his life just at the right time when he was a teen and always gave him and his sister Gemma lots of support. He still wasn’t terrified when he realized he was one of the only subs to go through to boot camp.
In fact he was not overcome by fear at all until he had officially made it through to the judges’ house instead of as a solo act, but roped into a group with several other boys of whom he knew nothing about or what mark they had was which actually was very terrifying for the boy. His fears quickly dissipated when they finally had a moment alone and it was revealed he was not the only sub in the group; in fact, one of the lads was even a switch.
Those who are dominant are born with a star on the inside of their right bicep. Some stars are six pointed and others are classic with five and others still look more like a diamond with four, but all are stars with points. The points can be jagged and well defined or more ‘quirky’ almost seeming to swirl at the end. Most doms when wearing a short sleeve shirt their mark can be seen and when purposely displaying it their muscle is always clearly seen as it is known that doms are naturally stronger than their counterpart.
A submissives’ mark is always right near the left collarbone, though for some it is closer to the sternum at the center of the chest and others nearer the shoulder; with subs it can be right on the bone or below or above it. Unlike doms, typically when wearing clothing (unless a real revealing blouse that is) their mark can not be seen unless they get into a vulnerable and submissive stance to display the delicate space between their neck and chest. A sub’s mark very closely resembles a rounded crescent moon though some can be fuller than others and have different shading when closely inspected.
A switch’s mark is a combination of a half star blending into a half moon, indicating the one who bore the mark has both submissive and dominant tendencies and characteristics. Their mark can be located on either side of the body smack dab on the switch’s shoulder cap so could easily be displayed in a tank top or by a quick shrug of the sleeve down of the shoulder to reveal.
Just like fingerprints, each person’s marking is unique to them. Both boys’ whose names begin with L, Louis and Liam were doms and each had a star. Zayn, like Harry, was a sub and had a near half circle moon. Then there was Niall whose morphed half moon-half star indicating he was a switch was found on his right side.
In this private small moment of quiet they were able to begin to process and sort of take it all in, but even this was short lived as the camera quickly surrounded them all to capture some footage of the world’s newest boy band. They would be given the chance to get to know each other better soon, in fact soon the whole world would know all about them, but at least they had been able to learn one another’s names and marking status.
It had been a roller coaster of a ride for all five of the boys so far in the competition, and the day they were made into a band emotions were all over the place. From hopeful to terrified to relieved to anxious to full of sorrow to joyous; it all had just been a lot to take in and even though still excited all the boys, especially the submissive ones, were beginning to feel weary. Robin who had accompanied Harry as his guardian/family dom noticed this and the moment the new band was released from the interviews and signing of forms he offered up his holiday bungalow for the boys to stay in together as it had been suggested they continue to bond with one another, which really goes to show how deeply he cared for Harry’s wellbeing. With the stress of lodging out of the way, the emotion which overcame all the lads was gratefulness.
Robin even offered to stay with them so they would have an adult in the house, meaning he would have to take additional time off of work, but this is when they learned Louis luckily was already 18, and since he was a dom after all it was decided they could spend the next week alone before they had their first performance together; plus it helped all the boys’ parents to know he was the oldest at home and used to taking care of a handful of youngsters for his mum on the reg. It wasn’t shocking when they learned that Louis had already taken the mandatory government test to be matched. The boys also were not surprised that he did not have a submissive yet as sometimes it took awhile to receive your match after testing. The test was long and detailed and was meant to find the most compatible person out there who one could care for if they were a dom or who could care for them if they were a sub; for switches it was slightly more complicated and they had to wait until they were 20 years old to test as this gave them a bit more time to mature into their preferences. The test was almost fail proof with perfect matches, but as Anne and Harry’s biological father proved sometimes it just didn’t work out how it was meant to.
They were slightly surprised though to learn that Louis had chosen to defer his exam from being submitted into the dom pool for matches for a year because most doms were well dying to be dominant, it is just who they are to the core, and while not unheard of it was not an commonality.
This was only an option because the system like many things in the world favored domes so they could defer which was justified with statements such as ‘Deferring a year allows a dom to further explore who they are.’ Basically this meant if they wanted to have a bit of “fun” once legally able to consent before they matched they could by being a stand in dom for an unmatched sub or trialing things with a switch who was seeing if there were the submissive type. This was not an option for subs though because well equality and something along the lines of ‘Subs could become too attached in a non-matched relationship which could cause physical and emotional harm to the sub as well as their future dom’ also translated to used-goods-are-damaged-goods.
Louis wanting to clear the air right away, partially since he was not only the oldest dom member of the band, he was also the oldest so the one in charge for the week, but mostly because he had deferred his match which came with negative connotation, he proclaimed to his band mates, “I deferred because I didn’t wanna get me a new match with my proper like faith in the future for the X-factor ‘cause I reckon we’re getting’ somewhere with this all won’t we lads. . . you know what I mean.”
They all still had so many questions, but knew they could wait for later as they needed to figure out sleeping arrangements. Harry showed them the two rooms and Louis, quick on his feet, decided the doms would share one room, the subs in the other, and then Niall would get to claim the couch. Quickly rotating in and out of the bathroom for short showers and the brushing of teeth, once the boys were all clad in pajamas they found themselves gathering in the living room where Harry was assisting Niall with making up the couch with a sheet and duvet so it almost looked like a makeshift bed once a pillow was placed at the armrest.
Since Louis was in charge he softly commanded, “Alright, it is way past everyone’s bedtime.” He was really glancing at the two subs because both looked like they could fall asleep where they stood, he continued, “We all need rest now and we can get on knowing one another in the morning.”
Harry was quickest to obey though he headed straight to the hall light switch rather than to bed as he wanted to make sure he turned it off as he and his sister had been trained to do since he was young when money at times was tight and Anne had made sure to not waste any electricity. Harry wasn’t the biggest fan of the dark, never had been, but he also was the most familiar with the bungalow and knew he’d be able to find the room which had been assigned to him.
Louis, of course, was the last to move from his spot though his eyes had followed the youngest member of the newly formed band when he had immediately reacted to his words. Once Niall had plopped down on the couch and wrapped himself up into a blanket burrito, Louis made his way down the hall to the room he would be sharing with Liam. He stopped before he made it to his final destination as he placed his hand over the top of startled Harry’s, who had completely zoned out as he tried to stay awake. Harry whipped his head around at a shockingly quick speed and met Louis’ eyes in the hallway.
The young submissive hadn’t even realized how intense his eye contact must have been as he was swimming in Louis’ blue irises and peering into Louis glittering, opaque pupils as if gazing through a hole to the soul though he wasn’t sure if he was looking in or looking out until the older boy made physical contact pulling Harry from his trance. Eye contact is not really a true type of contact at all, at least not in the physical sense, but you can feel it nonetheless; Harry quickly shifted his eyes down as he knew it was always best to avert direct staring at a dom without permission. Though if he could have gone against his nature of pleasing, he would have loved for them to remain locked with the boy who had his other hand now gently placed on Harry’s shoulder.
The glance they shared probably lasted four seconds at most, but Harry felt in those seconds he had been somehow telling Louis who he was and also hinting to Louis who he himself was as well in a vague and vulnerable way. Louis felt they had just shared an unspoken bond, but he couldn’t be sure as he didn’t want to misinterpret the body language of a submissive who was fatigued from living through what he knew for him even as a dom had been a depleting day. So Louis interrupted whatever had just transpired between the two with spoken words, “You turn in for the night. I’ll get the light tonight once you make it to your room, alright?”
It had been worded as a question, but listening to the tone Harry had known it was a gentle command. So he immediately shuffled down the hall and only paused, daring to glance bashfully at Louis one last time as he pushed the door of the bedroom and saw Louis was still standing there with his hand on the light switch and a kind smile on his face. Before making quick work of turning off the light, Louis checked all the doors were locked. Chuckling to himself that he could already hear Niall snoring, he slid into the room and crawled into the bed wishing Liam goodnight. Louis ended up drifting to sleep thinking of Harry’s expressive, keen green eyes
Harry made breakfast for the lads from day one. He doesn’t do it just because he likes pleasing but because he equally likes cooking and is good at it like really good. (It was actually this first week Harry learned how to make Louis’ tea to his liking. There is just something so intimate about knowing how to prepare someone’s perfect cup of hot tea, but more on that later).
All the boys wake up to the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Niall is the first to the kitchen after Harry since the living room where he slept is closest to the kitchen and his jaw drops in amazement as he sees the works for a full English breakfast spread across the counter. Ever hungry he snags a piece of bacon and volunteers to set the dining table so the first meal they share together can be a proper one at that and Harry points to the cupboard with all the dishes and cutlery.
The one in charge and the oldest, Louis insists they eat family style despite Zayn having offered to plate everyone’s meals. He wanted to paint a clear picture from the get go that just because they may be submissive they were not required to serve as they could all share responsibilities; they are equals despite their marks being different and so many in the world viewing that direct association with hierarchical status.
The conversation flowed naturally as they passed the plates of various foods around and ate their fill. Zayn did beat Louis to the kitchen to wash the dishes, it did seem he had the smallest appetite and belly as he was always finishing first, but when Liam was done eating he slipped right next to Zayn at the double sink assisting in rinsing the soapy dishes so they could go into the drying rack.
That became their meal time routine for the week they spent living together in the bungalow preparing for their first group performance at the judges’ houses. All five boys did their fair part to pitch in: Harry cooking, Niall setting the table (this was really just a way he could sneak into the kitchen to get his hands on food before the meal), and Zayn & Liam on the dishes after. Louis of course took care of getting everything put up to tidy the table and kitchen as he was a firm believer that the one who cooked and prepped things before eating, whether they be dominant or submissive, did not have to take care of anything after. They did sometimes order takeaway (they were all teenage boys after all) and on those occasions the dynamics shifted some, but everyone always ended up well-fed and having been somehow involved with making sure the meal was enjoyed without too much mess piling up.
While all arrangements from meals to musically (though it did take them a couple days to select a piece to sing) to even how they teamed up together for playing fifa at the end of the day were going well, sleeping arrangements were not working out. Niall was quite content with the couch, but it seemed Louis and Liam were being two classic doms and had already begun butting heads.
They just really needed some space and time apart from one another. Louis thought if they could sleep and clear their heads at night then they could at least make it through the next day without snapping at one another. So he suggested it to all of the boys knowing it could be uncomfortable for Zayn and Harry who seemed to be fine sharing a bed with the other sub, but may not be able to relax with a still mostly unfamiliar dom next to them.
It was just a suggestion and he had a back up plan of crashing in the living room on the floor, but before that option was brought up, Harry shrugged seeming comfortable sleeping wherever and declared such saying, “I sleep nude … so if that won’t be an issue with one of you I can sleep wherever. As long as it’s fine with Zayn too.” Louis noticed Liam had made some subtle movements when Harry said ‘Nude’ but he didn’t mind much as he slept in just his boxers so he quickly offered to switch into Harry’s room. Luckily Zayn was agreeable and it was all settled.
To say it was that simple though would be a lie. Well, it was a well thought through plan and everyone did sleep much better. So much so that Louis woke up early feeling well rested, not even slightly grumpy which was uncharacteristic for him in the morning; he felt a genius. The thing Louis hadn’t anticipated though was waking up all tangled up with Harry and the sheets the next morning. Harry who was very much naked, a thing Louis hadn’t noticed much in the dark last night and had very much forgotten about.
His body’s response was natural. It was morning and he was very much aware of the nudity of the gorgeous sub he was sharing a bed with. He wanted to continue to just take in Harry’s body in the morning light, but knew he shouldn’t so he wouldn’t. He somehow managed to pull himself out of the mess which was only the day before a neat bed and into a cold shower to take care of his morning wood without waking Harry.
When Louis returned to the room from the bathroom down the hall, Harry was already up and attem, no longer in the room. He had made the bed neatly, and when Louis did find him, he was softly humming in the kitchen making the morning meal. Turning around in almost a dance-like move, startled by Louis, Harry almost dropped the tea he was sipping and a couple of drops spilt on the floor.
“Didn’t mean to startle ya, lad.” Louis said as he crossed the kitchen to grab the rag from the counter next to the sink. “Just wanted to make me tea after me morning shower.”
When Louis stood up from where he knelt cleaning the floor he noticed two things: First, Harry hadn’t moved an inch. Second, the boy’s cheeks radiated with a reddish tint. Maybe it was embarrassment, maybe he was blushing - the world may never know.
It was not until Louis was rinsing the soiled rag in the sink that Harry broke from his stupor, uttering the faintest, “Let me.”
Louis turned back toward Harry with a questioning look on his face as he had no clue what the younger boy was asking or hinting at. But after clearing his throat and setting down his own mug, the second time Harry spoke it was boldly as he requested, “Let me get it, yeah? I can make your tea.”
Harry was already pulling a mug down from the shelf and as the kettle was still warm from when he boiled water for his own beverage he had everything set. He pushed the tea box to Louis who selected a bag which was labeled yorkshire blend, and as he handed it to Harry, he in a firm but also kind tone said, “The bag must go on the bottom to get properly soaked and I alway steep it for exactly 4 minutes 30.”
As he set about doing exactly as instructed, Harry asked, “Do you take milk and sugar? Or maybe honey?”
“No, absolutely no sugar. One can not ruin a good cup of tea with a lump or spoonful of sweetness. You have to drink the bold flavor. I used to always add a splash of milk, but lately taken to just having a plain cup of yorkshire straight. You’ll never find my kitchen without at least a bag or two, it’s my favorite tea.”
Louis took a long whiff of the lovely aroma coming from the mug placed in his hands by Harry after he pulled the tea bag out after the clock showed 4:30 had passed. “This smells heavenly, love,” and with a content sigh added, “This is perfect. Mmm, so good.” Louis was much too engrossed in enjoying the drink to notice Harry’s face was flushed with pink again at his use of a pet name and how he was practically preening at the praise.
The next morning Harry woke before Louis. The sleeping arrangements remained because everyone had agreed they slept well in the new set up and tempers were no longer flaring. So Harry found himself really enjoying being snuggled up, the duvet had been tossed because it was quite warm . . . wait why was it so warm if there were no covers on him? As Harry came to his senses he realized he was not alone in his own bed at home, but currently wrapped in Louis’ arms who was spooning him from behind.
Louis who was mumbling in his sleep and seemed to be cuddling in closer. Louis whose now rhythmical breathing as he slipped back into slumber was hitting Harry’s neck and sending shivers down his spine. Louis whose length was hard and right up against Harry’s naked crack. Louis who had called him good yesterday on multiple occasions even if it was so nonchalantly. Louis who had called him love though he seemed to call many that. Louis who was handsome as heck and though Harry was still just getting to know him, he knew he’d do anything for the older boy as he could recognize he was an excellent dom.
Louis who had noticed Harry shifting and was once again almost drifting into consciousness, said two calm words, “Be still.”
Harry at once stilled. It’s not like he could disobey, could he? It is not like he wanted to anyways. It’s like Louis didn’t know how even when sleep filled his dominating voice did to the young teenage sub wrapped in his sweet embrace. So Harry remained in place, relaxing in the older boy’s arms even though his heart was still beating rapidly in his chest.
It was not until Harry heard ever hungry Niall in the kitchen that he pulled away, “Going to go make breakfast and I’ll bring you your cup of tea.”
Since yesterday was an outlier day and Louis was still definitely not a morning person, he seemed to just roll over onto his back in his sleep as Harry scurried out. Just a little bit over 4 and a half minutes later Louis was really awoken by a hand rubbing his shoulder just above his dom 12 point - 4 long were long and straight and the other 8, two in between each of the long ones were short, thing, and could only be described as whimsical - star mark. A hand that was accompanied with a sweet voice and a sweet face and the perfect cup of tea.
“Morning Lou,” said a once again bashful Harry.
“Mmmm . . . g’morning,” Louis returned in a sort of growl with his eyes still half closed.
“Here’s tea. Drink it in bed as you wake up. I’m sure I’ll have breakfast done by the time you’ve finished it.”
Louis couldn’t help but smile at the warm steaming cup in his hand and the curly head that was once again scurrying out of the door.
----
When the band, who had taken on the name One Direction, advanced on in the competition after the judges house their friendships really took form. Yes, Louis and Liam still butt heads it seemed like more often than not, but they were all united having one dream. Plus it helped that Louis was bunking with Harry so even with all the rehearsals, interviews, and performances there were still times they got to seek refuge away from one another.
That dream seemed to come true to an abrupt end when One Direction did not win the show. But just as quickly as it was all over the five realized it had only just begun when they were still signed and next thing they knew were in the studio working on their first album. A fun, but also grueling task and the boys were grateful they had each other to get them through the long hours of work put into it. The two subs in the band had been warned how challenging it would be and the others who biologically were better equipped for handling it all made sure to take them under their wings which helped them further to create unbreakable bonds.
Before they knew it, the cohesive group’s album was taking off and they were signing to sing a world tour. They said goodbye to their families until their next break and said goodbye to the UK with Zayn’s first trip on a plane after they had toured around with XFactor.
Since they were all still teenagers, it was decided that Paul Higgins, their bodyguard would be the boys’ stand in dom since they had hit if off and he would be traveling everywhere with them. Even doms who are underage need someone to watch over them. He wasn’t the strictest and mostly carried out keeping the lads in check with drawn out scolding (yes even doms deserve proper scolding from time to time). When the rare occasion arose he did have to give a punish to one of the subs or the switch band member he would enlist one of the two doms of One Direction to assist with aftercare because the boys were just cuddly and affectionate with one another like that and Paul was definitely not like that except with his wife.
As an adult, Louis of course had the most freedom, but with his birthday nearing he knew it meant he could potentially be matched in the near future and that thought terrified him a bit. He felt like he could be a good dom, he was always helping to keep the younger lads, even Liam in check after all. He could keep things light and fun while also at the same time on the straight and narrow; he would chide when needed and praise when deserved. Their schedule is what worried him, with them being on the road he wasn’t confident at all if he were to be assigned a sub.
That and then there was Harry. Louis knew Harry was first and foremost his bandmate and best friend, but Louis recalled a recent tv interview to promote their tour when someone had asked about the subs in the band, particularly the youngest he had been the first to jump to sing Harry’s praise by saying, “He is an absolute pleasure.”
It had also gone to the press and been printed in a top magazine which had a full spread about the band and particularly them all going to be of age to be matched when Louis had said about Harry, “His dom is going to be the luckiest human alive when he matches with them.” He instantly regretted his words even though it was the truth and if there was anything he hated it was lying. He had said other things about himself and the other members, but of course those words were the ones that had printed in bold font and everyone began obsessing over. Suddenly everyone wanted Harry as a sub and every sub wanted to be just like Harry. He felt like once Harry was matched he would surely end up being required to quit the band if his future dom had read the bit or heard Louis practically pinning after Harry. Louis was sure others had said the same but he didn’t want to unintentionally make anyone jealous and force Harry to leave the band.
Luckily for Louis, Harry was the youngest and still had another year to go before he was even old enough to take the match test. Zayn would be 18 first, then Liam, then Niall though as a switch he would have to wait until he was 20. Louis couldn’t help but wonder how them all coming of age and matching would impact the band. All of them collectively swore that it wouldn’t, but they all were still to be matched and Louis just was not so sure.
It turned out Louis did not get matched on his 19th birthday as he feared. It turned out Louis did not match when Zayn turned 18 less than a month later. They were sleeping on buses and in hotel rooms in a different place each night so it is probably good neither of them instantly matched with their respective sub and dom. They were also so busy with their first tour that it could almost go unnoticed with their busy days and nights. Yet, they found comfort in one another and the fact that the person they had yet to match with anyone in the system.
Both had still had not received ‘match’ letters when Liam’s birthday rolled around and with them wrapping up their second album and preparing for their next world tour, management somehow managed to be able to allow him to defer taking the text for the next 6 months until Harry was also old enough. They actually had already scheduled a down day from their second world tour on Harry’s actual birthday when both boys would go to the matching headquarters to complete the exam.
It was wonderful until it wasn’t. Louis got to enjoy life, traveling with his bandmates, and fame until the fame became too much. All of a sudden Louis, or Matchless Louis as they called him, was the headline of every tabloid. His 20th birthday had come and gone meaning he had now been matchless and in the pool for over 1 year.
At first he didn’t mind the wait. He was waiting for someone kind. Someone he could cherish as he cared for them. Someone who would take the time to learn him and understand him; someone who would know exactly how to please him as he was able to please them in return. Someone who would submit to him not because he was their dom, but because they loved him. Someone who was his perfect match, and who he could learn the depth of their soul.
Time is a cruel thing and the waiting, it changed Louis because it nearly broke him. On top of still having fears and reservations he would be matched mid-tour and feel obligated to leave Harry and the band for his sub, he now had a crippling anxiety he would end up matchless. His heart became a bit hardened; each and every day he did not receive notification he had been matched he felt like an utterly inept dom and it grew evermore harder still.
While he innately had always had the desire to care for someone to provide a submissive with everything they needed. It became even more heightened the longer he went without matching. He found himself becoming stricture in nature and he yearned to dominate Harry as more than his stand-in dom, since they had become flatmates Harry had requested the switch for Louis to take on the role to enforce the rules Robin and Anne had established. Yes, the lines had blurred a bit and of course the wonderfully kind and still perfectly pleasing submissive always listened to him.
Harry who could make him a cup of tea so he’d like it better than when he made it for himself. Harry who was timid and shy unless encouraged and then would come bursting out of his shell in his full goofball glory. Harry who spoke slowly and thought about his words with care. Harry who cried when the paps threw insults their way and turned to him for comfort. Harry who would be turning 18 in just a couple of days. Harry who was his best friend, who Louis loved dearly and was terrified of losing.
He would never admit this to Harry, but he did let a bit of this slip to his fellow dom in the band Liam when he had come to him with his own anxieties about his upcoming test. Both of them had matured quite a bit since meeting and no longer bickered. Liam at 18 had also taken on the role of stand-in dom for a fellow band member as Zayn asked him to fill in the spot for Paul as he trusted Liam deeply. Also Niall had been about to age out, and to be honest, with them all being adults, Paul just really needed a break as being security for the biggest boyband on the planet was more than enough to keep his hands full. So yes, he mentioned how perfect it would be to be Harry’s real dom to Liam and Liam did his best to offer reassurances saying he was sure no matter what they’d all still be best mates.
When test day did roll around the media was having a field day over it. Leading up to Harry’s birthday the amount of articles published with the youngest member of One Direction being the main subject was too numerous to quantify. Articles that talked about what kinds of sub Harry would be or what kind of dom would be deserving to have such a perfect submissive. There were articles mentioning Liam also testing and then of course how Zayn and more notably Louis were still unmatched, but those were almost washed out by Harry’s name being thrown everywhere.
Poll we’re going of how quickly he’d match or whether or not he’d be able to stay in the band everywhere online. No matter what you looked at or read, no one could escape that the youngest, most sought after member of One Direction was likely to be snatched away so soon. Harry, while he always had the desire to be good and knew he would do well with a well-matched dom he hated all the media circus his 18th birthday has become; Louis could probably argue and win a debate that he hated it all even more so.
If it were up to Harry, he would have spent his birthday having a lie in cuddled up on the couch with Louis as they often would on their days off since he so relished being held and the feeling of safety which was always there when he got to be the little spoon. That would be followed by brunch with the boys, then a dinner out with his family, and it would all be topped off with cake and a champagne toast with all those he held dear.
Instead Harry found himself being woken up early by Louis shaking his shoulder. “Up you get birthday boy. It's a big day now, innit?”
Harry did not know if he should be more surprised by the fact that Louis was up before him to wake him up before the sun had risen or the gift which seemed to have spontaneously appeared out of nowhere and now sat on the pillow next to wear his head was turned with him all wrapped up in the duvet as he lay there on his stomach.
Louis was now pulling the covers off of him. “Come on Haz. We don’t want you to be late now would we? Plus the faster you finish up today the faster we’ll get to eat cake.”
Even if Harry had wanted to sleep more, it was clear he was well awake. Well, awake enough that if Louis could keep his eyes open before long he would be ready, or as ready as he would ever be, for everything the day was sure to bring. “Aren’t you curious what I got you?” Louis asked. As Harry finally sat up, Louis offered Harry his first official Happy Birthday of the day.
Inside the poorly wrapped gift was a case with a pair of Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses inside. Despite them being indoors, Harry immediately went to put them on. With a full on grin spreading across his face he gratefully thanked Louis, “These are perfect Lou!”
“I thought you might like them. You can wear them out today. I’m sure he already warned you, but Paul mentioned to me when he called this morning to make sure we’d be on time when he sends the driver that there are a lot of paps outside. I’m sure they will be littered along the drive and at the exam center.”
With that the smile on Harry’s face wavered slightly, “It won’t be that bad, will it?”
Louis didn’t know if Harry meant the paps or if he meant the exam, but he soothingly assured him, “Nah, everything will be just fine.” He wanted to further reassure the sub by carding his finger through his hair or rubbing his back, both things Harry loved, but when the dom saw the time he resorted to just pulling Harry in for a quick hug before hinting at the need to rush, “Come on now, you’ve got to get dress and hurry on out.”
“Aren’t you coming with me?” Harry asked a pout beginning to develop on his face.
“I know I am your stand in dom until you get matched and I could go, but remember management suggested and told us it just be you and Liam with Paul. I don’t want him or the three of you to be overwhelmed by anyone or anything because I get in the way, plus I am sure if I went the other lads would want to go too and we wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk. So no complaining please, H. And where is that smile of yours, birthdays are meant to be happy days, you have nothing to fear.” And just like that, with the comforting words from Louis, Harry was starting to smile again as he got out of bed and threw some clothes on.
He hadn’t mentioned Harry actually taking the exam, but it was all Louis could think about once Harry was out of the door. That he was sure Harry would do brilliantly as he was the ideal example of a model sub. Louis could only think of the system and how it just meant Harry was one step closer to being matched to his perfect dom, but also it meant he would be one step closer to leaving him behind. It was emotional for him as he thought about it all and he tried to not become bitter, but he was still unmatched and he felt like he was about to lose the one thing that kept him grounded through it all. So full of all of his sad feelings, Louis tried to go about his day and prepare for a wonderful birthday evening for Harry.
Once they had made it to the exam center, which had been a slight fanfare with the crowds that had gathered, Harry kept thinking about his future dom once he had been matched. As he was guided into an exam room, Harry thought and wished his dom would praise him like Louis always did. As he picked up the exam and a pencil filling in the blank space with his name, he hoped whoever he matched with would care and comfort him like Louis always had. He tried to focus hard on all of the questions on the pages before him and not become overwhelmed as he selected preference and ranked things according to importance. To Harry the test went on and on as he took his time wanting to make sure everything was a perfect representation of who he was and that each answer was true to him. When he finally finished the last page he found himself with his thoughts returned to Louis and how he longed for his dom to be just like him.
Though the exams were nearly identical for those who are dominant and their submissive counterparts, when Harry completed the exam and walked out of his exam room, Liam was already waiting in the lobby area. An exam center official kindly thanked them and reminded them processing takes 3-4 business days meaning their match could come anytime after that frame, but not a minute sooner. Both Liam and Harry thanked the staff in return as Paul corralled them up with an, “Alright boys, time to get you to a birthday party.”
----
By day 3 post exam, Harry was an anxious little ball of nerves so tightly wound. He had thoroughly enjoyed his birthday celebration and it kept his potential match from being on the forefront of his mind, but as time wore on it started eating at him. Harry had no clue how Louis continues to wait so with it now having been months and years.
It was actually Niall who noticed everyone else in the band seemed much too tense so he set-up for them to have a spa day with masks and massages to try to help alleviate some of the gloomy vibes encompassing them all. And that is how they found themselves all attempting to relax on a travel day as the bus drove to their next pit-stop. It did work wonders on their skin, but did not quite ease Harry’s mind as he gave voice to the questions swimming in his head that evening as they all climbed into their bunks, “You don’t think a notification letter won’t find us with us being on the road, do you?”
Liam who was more confident thanks to his biological make up as a dom, and was not as stressed as our poor boy Harry, reported, “My dad told me when you get matched they will notify you via several modalities including electronic and the post. For the letter to be delivered it has to be signed by you and only you and then the email will come through to the email address you put down on your exam. Don’t worry Harry, we’ll be alright.”
Alright or not, Harry still struggled to fall asleep. He tossed and turned struggling to get comfortable as he often found was the case when sleeping away from home or in such a little bed. This resulted in a somewhat cranky and very tired Harry the next day. So tired in fact he did not fully process that there was someone coming into the dressing room where he was alone changing into his approved outfit for the night’s concert to ask for an autograph and give him a note. That in itself should have been alarming to Harry because fans were not allowed backstage this far, but if he had fully been aware and not so worn down by stress and lack of sleep he would have realized it was a signature they requested and not an autograph and the paper left in his hand and was now tucked into his back pocket was an official letter.
It wasn’t until he found himself wearily perched in Lou’s chair getting his hair styled with Louis sitting nearby watching and something similar happened with it all occurring for the second time this time to Louis instead that Harry realized something weird might be up. Lou, who was now wielding a makeup brush as she worked to hide the dark shadow under Harry’s eyes, called out across the room to Louis, “What was that all about?”
“I’ve got a match,” Louis let out in the faintest of whispers.
“What was that, dear?” Lou asked.
Clearing his throat and an octave or two louder this time, Louis said, “I’ve got a match. This is my notification letter.”
Both Harry and Lou's head whipped so fast they’d probably be sore the next day.
Lou spoke first with excitement, “Yeah, then?”
Harry too also had a question, “Really?” He realized that his single word could have come across as rude or disappointed and he wanted to try to be excited for Louis, he was excited for Louis, so after a pause as happily as he could Harry followed up his previous question with, “Who is it?
“Hush luv, maybe he wants some time alone so he can read it in private.” Still looking at Louis, Lou asked, “Do you need some space? Want us to step out?”
Louis, who was coming out of the initial shock and could feel his heart pounding rapidly in his chest, shook his head, “Let me just read it real fast and then I don’t think I’ll mind telling you. I love both of you dearly.”
“Alright, dear. You take your time, and if you change your mind and need us to leave you let us know. We’ll be quite over here won’t we, Harry?”
Harry just nodded as while Lou's question hadn’t been a command, he took it to heart and wanted to make sure he was not disturbing the dom he had come to rely on these past few years and who he so fondly looked up to.
The minutes dragged by as Louis read the letter, and when his eyes had stopped darting across the page as he reached the bottom of it, Louis looked up with wide eyes and met Harry’s gaze from where he was seated up on an empty stylist station’s counter, “It’s you.”