Archive of Our Own

All things considered, Harry thinks he has always been a good alpha.

Of course, there are aspects of the way he acts that could be seen as intense. He can be territorial, prone to growling a bit too much when things don’t work the way he planned. But now, at 33, he’s mellowed, at least by his own standards. It’s kind of progress, one that goes mostly unnoticed by others, especially the people who work for him. They wouldn’t dare say anything about it. Fear, after all, is still a tool he knows how to use, consciously or not. But deep inside, he knows he’s changed. He tries to catch himself before reacting out of instinct, counts to ten when someone makes a mistake rather than grinding his teeth. He doesn’t snap as often, doesn't feel the need to prove his dominance every second of the day.

There is one person who does notice, though.

One who sees the effort under the surface. There’s still room for improvement there as well, with this person. Harry knows that. He could be less possessive during his rut, could learn to ease up a little when it comes to his omega’s health. But he tries. He tries in the best way he can, because he still is just a man that sometimes makes mistakes: he makes sure to scent his nest before every business trip that takes him away longer than a couple days. He tries to take him on a date at least once a week, no matter how tight his schedule is, no matter how draining the meetings are. He brings home small gifts, sometimes things that his omega mentioned in passing, sometimes just something soft that reminds him of comfort. And when he holds him at night, he holds him like he’s something precious. Because he is.

Louis is his precious, perfect omega. 

Not just perfect in the traditional sense, not just in the way he looks or carries himself, but in the way he is. In the way he fits into the life Harry has built for himself. He anticipates Harry’s needs, creates a sense of home that Harry never even realized he was missing until Louis arrived. He cooks, keeps their home in order, stands beside Harry at every event with loyalty, making small conversations with business’ partners that he knows are important to Harry. It’s more than just support: it’s presence, warmth, strength. Sometimes Harry watches him, from across the room, and he’s struck by the same disbelief that first hit him when they started dating: how did this happen? How did someone like him end up with someone like Louis?

He still remembers the first time they met. Four years ago, at a formal dinner hosted by a mutual business associate. Louis had been there on the arm of an older alpha, a greasy, arrogant older guy, a walking example of an alpha that thought he was above everyone else. Harry noticed the dynamic immediately. The way Louis smiled, but never quite in his eyes. The way his body tensed slightly each time the alpha laid a hand on him. Harry watched, because he’s always been observant. He didn’t speak to Louis right away, but the image stayed with him. That omega with the beautiful, sad smile and the scent of something soft and warm beneath the tension.

Later that night, they ended up alone on the terrace. A coincidence, maybe, or maybe not. When Louis introduced himself, there was something final about it, something that pulled them closer, and Harry knew. He knew, deep in his bones, in the way an alpha sometimes just knows. Louis was meant to be his. His omega.

Nothing happened that night, but Louis did become his, in time. Neither of them could fight the pull, and it happened just a few weeks later. Louis showed up at Harry’s office, some paperwork in hand, his then-alpha too preoccupied to show up himself. It wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a brief exchange. But Louis had dropped his phone, and when he bent to pick it up, something shifted in Harry. His scent surrounded him, sweet like vanilla and steadying in a way that caught him off guard. And when Louis stood up, their hands brushed, and Harry didn’t resist the pull. He couldn’t.

It had started with a touch, innocent enough. A small moment suspended in time. But when Louis looked at him, eyes bright and impossibly blue, Harry acted on instinct. He leaned in. Kissed him. Claiming him in the softest way, but gave everything.

And from that moment, he hasn’t stopped. He hasn’t stopped kissing him, he hasn’t stopped claiming.

Not even when, just six months later, Louis had his mark on his neck, wearing it proudly for everyone to see, for everyone to know.

Still, there is something that Harry really is trying to work on. Something he can’t help, because Louis is his, he knows he is. 

Harry is terribly possessive.

He can’t help it. He tries, swallowing hard when another man talks to Louis. When someone comments on his scent, because (and Harry might be biased) it is the best scent in the world. When someone compliments his looks.

Louis is objectively gorgeous: all soft edges, blue eyes, curves and tanned skin, but, if you ask Harry, people should mind their own business. And it doesn’t even matter to him that Louis reassures him that he will never want someone else, and it doesn’t matter that he knows Louis would never do that. The thought is there, really is, because losing Louis would mean losing the person he loves the most, it would mean losing the person he does everything for, the person that really, truly made him feel like an alpha.

And he never really thought too much into it, he thought it was normal. Alpha insecurities and shit.

He didn’t, really, because he knows Louis loves him. 

Not until that very morning.

“What crawled up your ass?” Niall asks, looking a bit too comfortable in Harry’s office. He props one ankle on his knee and tosses a folder onto the coffee table in front of the sofa he’s sitting on. “And, by the way, that David guy called again. Third time today. Spare me, and let me schedule a meeting before I have to call the police on him. He’s two voicemails away from a restraining order.”

Harry barely looks up from his laptop, fingers paused mid-keystroke. “Alright, alright. Call him back if you must, but do me a favor and don’t let him think I’m doing this out of pity,” he says, eyes flicking back to the glowing screen. “And nothing crawled up my ass.”

Niall snorts. “You say that, but you’re scowling like someone cancelled your birthday and Christmas. Or, I don’t know. You look like an alpha with no sexy omega ”

When Harry doesn’t respond, Niall leans back, studying him with narrowed eyes. “You know, it’s weird to comment on another alpha’s scent, but—” he pauses dramatically, “you smell like milk left out during a heatwave.”

Harry raises an eyebrow. “If it’s weird, why’d you say it anyway?”

“Because I might technically work for you,” Niall says, standing up and moving to the chair across from Harry’s desk, “but I’m also your only friend with enough balls to call you out when you start smelling like someone took a dump on you.”

Harry sighs and shuts the laptop with more force than necessary. “It’s nothing.”

Niall crosses his arms. “Is this a coffee thing? Did Louis accidentally put sugar in it, breaking his perfect housewife strike?”

“Louis would never do that,” Harry replies, quick and sharp, like the suggestion itself is an insult. “And no, it’s not the coffee. I said it’s stupid.”

But Niall just sits back and gives him a look, one filled with amusement and challenge. The look that says I know you better than you think, and I’m not leaving until you spill.

Harry runs a hand through his curls, frustrated with himself more than anything. “Louis smells different,” he finally says.

Niall lifts his brows. “Okay. And?”

“That’s it. He smells different,” Harry repeats, more quietly now. “He has for a few weeks.”

Niall doesn’t interrupt, which is rare enough to make Harry glance up.

“I can’t exactly pinpoint it,” Harry says, tapping his fingers on the desk, trying to find the right words. “It’s not just his usual scent. I know what Louis smells like. I could describe it in detail with my eyes closed. I have, honestly.”

Niall makes a face, but Harry ignores him.

“It’s just… Different now. Not bad, not really. Just a little stronger. A little sharper. There’s a sour note I’ve never noticed before.”

“You think he’s getting sick?” Niall suggests. “The weather's been awful. Maybe his immune system’s just off.”

Harry shakes his head slowly. “No. It started after his last heat. That’s when I noticed it. Ever since then, it’s been consistent. Like…” He hesitates, voice dropping. “Like his omega is rejecting me.”

There’s a heavy pause. Niall blinks once, then lets out an incredulous laugh. “Rejecting you?” He leans forward, eyebrows raised so high they’re nearly in his hairline. “You? The alpha he moved in with two weeks into dating? The one he let bite through his neck after, what, nine months? That you?”

Six, Harry thinks. He doesn’t correct his friend, though, and he doesn’t respond. He just stares at the desk, jaw tight.

“Are you actually shitting me right now?” Niall says, shaking his head like Harry’s just suggested the sky turned green. “Listen, you guys are so in love it’s actually disgusting to see. Like, it’s sickening,” he rolls his eyes, “you go home to a cooked dinner every night, your little home all tidy and smelling like freshly baked cookies to an omega that…”

“That, what?”

“I don’t want to get my ass kicked on a Friday afternoon,” he snorts, “but Louis is fucking hot, mate. And somehow, he wants you. Rejecting you, my ass.”

Harry nods, and the phone ringing saves him, helping him dive right back in the whole schedule for the day.

And Harry stops thinking about it, at least until that very same evening.

Sex with Louis has always been good. Great, even. Perfect. Louis is generous in bed, both with what he gives and what he craves. He likes to be teased, likes being pushed just to the edge and pulled back again, he loves being talked through it, told what to do. He lives for it, even. And Harry? Harry lives for Louis.

But there’s one thing Louis does that’s always been a little odd, at least by most people’s standards.

He likes to sit on Harry’s cock. Just sit, not ride, not move at all. He likes to warm him. There’s something in the intimacy of it, that rubs the omega just right. They do it a lot: sometimes it’s during a lazy afternoon nap, sometimes it’s when they’re watching reruns of Friends, even when they have watched the show a hundred times. Sometimes it's after sex, when Harry's still inside him, softening slowly, and Louis refuses to let go.

Tonight, they’re curled up on the sofa, the TV on, and Louis is perfectly still in Harry’s lap, snug and small, impaled and perfectly content, chest rising and falling slowly as he rests his back against Harry’s chest, commenting the movie that’s playing like Harry’s cock is not inside of him.

And Harry should feel relaxed. Sated. At peace.

But instead, all he can think about is that scent. That wrong note again.

It’s stupid, he thinks, and yet…

“Angel?”

Louis hums without lifting his head. “Yes?”

“Are you okay?” Harry asks gently, hands stroking down the curve of Louis’ hip gently.

Louis shifts slightly at the question, a soft whine catching in his throat at the movement. He tightens around Harry just a little, instinctive and needy. “Never been better, alpha. Why?”

Harry hesitates. He presses a kiss to Louis’ hair. Then, almost  scared, he says, “Your scent’s a bit different, angel. I was just wondering if something’s wrong.”

Louis lifts his head, turning it slightly, surprised. “Oh,” he says after a beat, “I’m sorry.”

He starts to move off of his alpha, slow and careful, like he thinks he's done something wrong, but before Harry can say anything to stop him, Louis settles back down, this time straddling him face-to-face, thighs cradling Harry’s hips, arms around his shoulders.

“It’s the scent neutralizers,” he says softly, nuzzling into Harry’s neck. “The ones I’ve been using weren’t the best. I ran out of the brand I usually get. The doctor prescribed me new ones, but they haven’t come in yet.”

Harry blinks, stunned for a moment. Relief rushes through him so fast it nearly makes his head spin. Of course. That makes sense. That explains it.

But still, he can’t stop the ache in his chest at how quick Louis had been to apologise. At how fast he’d moved, like the shift in scent, this tiny, uncontrollable thing, might have been enough to ruin the moment.

Harry wraps his arms around him tightly. “You don’t have to say sorry, sweetheart,” he murmurs against his skin. “Just wanted to make sure you’re alright.”

Louis breathes out a soft laugh. “You’re sweet when you’re worried, you know.”

Harry smiles, but it’s small, almost sad. “I worry because I love you.”

“I know,” Louis says, tilting Harry’s face up. He kisses him slow and deep, rocking slightly so Harry’s cock presses deeper inside. “Can you fuck me now, alpha? You’re so deep already.”

The alpha pretends to think about it, watching the way the omega gasps a little when Harry rocks his hips. “Should I?”

“Please, alpha,” Louis whines shakily.

Harry hums, biting back a groan as he thrusts up again, dragging another desperate sound from Louis’s throat. “I know, baby. You always do so well for me, warming me up so good.”

Louis leans in, pressing their foreheads together, eyes wide and wet. “I need it,” he says. “I love to feel you. So big, so thick.”

Harry’s possessiveness gets a growl out of him, and he kisses Louis hard, rough and claiming, all tongue and teeth. Then, he wraps a hand around the back of his neck, holding him close, Louis moving his hips slowly to feel Harry as much as he can. 

Harry meets his movement, lips finding Louis’, and when the omega moans, Harry growls against his sleep. “Gonna fill you up,” he growls, “keep you wet and open. So full.”

Louis moans, the sound raw, and it pushes Harry closer to the edge. Their movements start to lose their rhythm, each thrust a little harder, a little deeper, like their bodies are being completely taken over by their alpha and omega.

“You’re mine,” Harry pants, biting down on Louis’s bond mark again, not enough to break the skin but enough to remind Louis that it’s there, that Harry gave him the mark. “Meant to be fucked full. Meant to carry my pups.”

Louis nods wildly, clinging to him, completely pliant. “Please, alpha, please, want it, want to be bred, want you to keep me full.”

That’s what does it. The way Louis begs for it. The way his body trembles, open and desperate and ready.

Harry thrusts deep one last time and holds him there, every muscle going tight as he finally gives in his knot expands inside of his omega. His voice breaks into a groan as he comes, hard and hot, spilling deep inside Louis.

Louis lets out a long, shaking moan as he feels it, body clenching greedily around him. He doesn’t move, doesn’t want to. He just stays there, chest to chest with Harry, letting the warmth settle deep.

Harry is breathing hard, arms around Louis like he can’t bear to let him go. “Stay right there,” he murmurs. “Don’t move. I want to make sure I fill you up like the needy little omega you are. ”

“I won’t,” Louis whispers. “Not going anywhere.”

Harry nuzzles against his cheek, pressing soft kisses there now. Gentler, slower, the rush behind them fading into something tender.

“I love you more than anything you know that?” Harry says quietly.

Louis smiles against his skin. “I do. And I love being yours.”

“Always,” Harry murmurs, voice low, “you’re always going to be mine.”

They stay like that for a while, Harry still buried inside and Louis warm and full, both of them wrapped up in their little bubble.

Harry almost forgets about it.

Almost, because Louis’ scent is still sour.

✰ ✰ ✰

Louis is a good omega. He was raised to be one, by parents who believed in tradition like it was a God. His mother, a gentle and beautiful omega herself, was the example of a perfect housewife. Their home always smelled like cinnamon, fresh bread, and she always had something bubbling in a saucepan on the cooker. She kept the house perfect, never resting, and never once did she forget a school run or miss a moment that mattered. She was warmth and structure and love, all in one single person.

His father, by contrast, was the quintessential alpha: tall, strong, the anchor of their family. He provided financially and emotionally, in all the ways Louis had been taught to expect. He was the one who taught Louis how to ride a bike, how to drive, and sat at the table with him while he was studying for his A-Levels.

So, when Louis presented, there was no confusion. It felt quite natural, actually, that he would follow in the path his mother started. She taught him how to be soft, how to make a house feel like a home, even if it was just a small flat in a city far from where he grew up.

Then he met George.

Louis was 22, new to London, a little too eager to connect with people away from his hometown and desperate to belong somewhere. George was... older. A lot older. Polished, composed, experienced and he offered stability, certainty, and the kind of dominant presence Louis thought he was supposed to want.

And for a while, it was nice. George knew how to play the role, how to treat him like the omega he thought he should be. Louis let himself fall into it, into the routine, into the familiarity of a life he’d always known.

But then, the cracks began to show. The age gap stopped being something Louis could ignore. They wanted different things, traveling in opposite directions without realizing it. George didn’t see him, not really. He saw a version of Louis that could be used for business, someone younger, prettier, that didn’t have much else to offer.

And then Harry happened.

Louis will never forget that first kiss because of how it felt, because he has never been kissed like that, in a way that made his world start turning again. No one has ever touched him the way Harry does. No one has ever held him like he was both delicate and unbreakable at once. 

With Harry, everything feels different. Real. Deep. Full of every single thing a relationship between alphas and omegas should be.

Harry is sharp and driven, smart, a real alpha. He owns his own business, manages people with ease, voice full of authority. But what people don’t see, and Louis is not-so secretly happy about it, is the softness under all that. The way Harry teases him until they end up laughing for no reason, the way he whispers I love you like it’s a secret for just them to know. The way his hands can be strong and gentle in the same breath.

He’s the kind of alpha Louis never expected to want, and now couldn’t live without.

But Harry has one flaw: he’s territorial. Possessive. He growls when other alphas get too close, his eyes darkening, his posture changing just enough to let everyone know Louis is his. He growls, he sulks, sometimes he even argues, not because he doesn’t trust Louis, but out of instinct. Out of fear, maybe, especially around his rut, when the feeling someone might take Louis from him gets a little bit stronger..

Louis doesn’t mind it, not really. He understands. He trusts Harry in a way that he couldn’t believe was possible. They don’t lie to each other. They talk, they go through things together. They’ve promised honesty, always.

Almost always.

Because Louis has a tiny, tiny secret. A tiny, sixteen weeks old secret.

A pup.

The idea of having a little baby Harry growing inside of him makes Louis feel like he’s walking on cloud nine. It’s not just the thrill of expecting a child, it’s the quiet realization of a dream he and his alpha have talked about since the very beginning. They talked about it on their very first official date, not in a planning sort of way, but more like two people that shared the same hope for the future. 

It was nice, easy. Just like it was supposed to be from the very start, and it wasn’t the moving in together after a few weeks, or even the bonding not long after. Not the wedding. It was something else, something deeper that words couldn’t explain. Louis couldn’t explain it if he tried. He’d simply seen Harry, heard his voice, and in that instant, everything made sense.

And now, they are creating life together.

Of course, Harry gets protective. Sometimes a little too much, honestly, though Louis would rather chop off his own arm than admit it out loud. That’s why he’s keeping the secret, just for a little bit longer, because he knows that once Harry knows, he’s not going to leave Louis’ side, ever. God, Louis is probably not going to be able to go to Waitrose by himself anymore. Not that Harry would say no, he would just growl and huff until Louis gave up.

Sixteen weeks, just four months in, and Louis doesn’t particularly feel guilty about keeping the secret, because they still have five months to be happy about everything. He’s not even showing yet, after all.

He just needed a little more time. But he’s telling Harry tonight, and he has planned it all: a perfectly cooked dinner, cupcakes with either pink or blue frosting depending on the sex, and a tiny baby onesie that says “best daddy ever” printed across the front. 

It’ll be perfect. 

It has to be.

“So, they’re in the perfect position, Louis. Do you want to know the genders?” Dr. Swift’s voice brings him back to the present. Louis bites his lip, nerves buzzing under his skin. He nods but hesitates. “Before you tell me, I have a question.”

“Yes?”

He likes Dr. Swift. She’s tall, blonde, and she wears the perfect scent neutralisers because Louis has no idea what her scent is. She once answered an email from Louis at three in the morning, and from that moment, Louis decided she is his favourite person.

“If you… You have an alpha, right?”

“That’s correct,” she replies, eyebrows drawing together in curiosity, sensing the shift in tone but not yet seeing where it’s going.

“Would your alpha hate you if you didn’t tell him about being pregnant straight away?”

He’s trying to frame it like a hypothetical, but the wobble in his voice betrays him a little. He’s not scared about Harry’s reaction, really, but he needs to have another omega’s insight on what could happen. Just in case.

Dr. Swift pauses, thoughtful. “He’d probably be upset at first. Maybe confused. But he’s my mate and my husband,” she says gently. “He’d be cross, yes, but also over the moon. Because it’s our pup. Our future.”

Louis exhales, a weight lifting even if the anxiety is still heavy in his chest. He lies back on the examination table, lifting his shirt.

“You still haven’t told Harry?” she asks, moving into position.

“Nope,” Louis admits, a soft chuckle escaping. “He’s been under a lot of stress, work and everything. But he’s catching on to my scent changing and I haven’t bought anything for the baby yet because I want to do that with him. I want him in every part of this.”

Dr. Swift smiles, setting the device against his stomach. “That’s sweet. Let’s get the show going, then.”

The room fills with the steady and strong sound of the baby’s heartbeat, and it’s enough to bring tears to Louis’ eyes every time.

“You’ve got a very healthy alpha baby boy cooking in there, Louis,” Dr. Swift says warmly. “Heartbeat’s perfect, lots of movement, and based on growth and size, you’re definitely due near the end of October.”

Louis wipes his damp cheeks with the back of his hand, eyes bright. “He’s going to be so happy.”

“I’m sure he will be,” she replies with a kind smile. “And Louis, I can see how much you care, you’re taking this pregnancy very seriously. But make sure you’re taking care of yourself, too. Carrying an alpha can be draining. Don’t skip your vitamins, and eat your greens, even if they taste like shit.”

“Yes, boss,” Louis says with a mock salute, grinning.

“I can squeeze you in for next week’s check up. I imagine your alpha will want to see the pup himself?”

“Yeah,” Louis nods, heart fluttering. “Definitely.”

“Want me to print some pictures?”

“Please,” he says softly, and he leaves the doctor’s office knowing, hoping, this will be the start of the rest of their lives.

Except, Louis really needs to stop underestimating his husband and his alpha’s instincts.

The table is all set, Louis even used their good plates, the cupcakes are in the fridge, each topped with sugar letters that spell it’s a boy, and the onesie is in a blue gift back hidden on a chair pushed against the table.

Louis checks the chicken for what it feels like the millionth time, and then glances at the clock on the oven.

Harry is late, but it’s not a problem. That’s why he’s so stressed, after all.

When the key finally turns in the lock, Louis nearly drops the spoon he’d been fidgeting with and tries to compose himself and smile.

“Hey,” he calls out, voice soft. “I’m in the kitchen!”

Harry steps inside, and even if the face he’s making at the sight of the kitchen table perfectly set is not exactly the one Louis was expecting, the omega still smiles, walking over to kiss his alpha. Except, Harry doesn't lean in for the kiss.

He flinches, his nostrils flaring.

Louis feels it immediately. That change in the air.  Harry is cold. Calculating. Suspicious. His jaw clenches. “What’s going on?”

Louis blinks, unsure. “Dinner,” he said lightly. “Thought it might be nice. You’ve had such a stressful week and…”

“That’s not what I mean.”

Harry steps forward, and something about his posture, the tilt of his head, the darkening of his eyes, make Louis’s stomach drop.

“You smell different.”

Louis goes still, very still. “What?”

“You smell different, Louis.”

“I told you the other day, it’s going to take a while for the scent neutralisers to…”

Harry cuts him off. “Don’t bullshit me.”

Louis takes a step back like he’s been burned, because Harry is not just saying. He’s… He’s being very serious.

“I’m not bullshitting you,” the omega answers, more quietly now. “What are you even talking about?”

“Your scent is off,” Harry snaps. “It’s not just different. It’s marked. Faint, but there. Don’t play innocent. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Louis stares at him, stunned. “You think I let someone else scent me?”

Harry doesn’t say yes, he doesn’t really need to because his face says it all. Louis takes another step back, eyes wide with disbelief. “You think I’m cheating on you?”

“You’ve been acting strange for weeks. Distant. Scent all over the place. I come home and the place smells like you’ve been hiding something. I’m not stupid, Louis.”

“I never said you were!” Louis snaps. “But what you're saying…. Jesus, Harry, it’s insane. Do you even hear yourself?”

“I know what I’m smelling,” Harry growls, stepping forward. “You smell like another alpha has been on you. Or in you.”

Louis flinches like he's being slapped.

Something breaks in him right then. “You know, I always thought it was cute that you were jealous, territorial, or whatever. But the fact that your brain immediately went there is actually quite offensive.”

Harry doesn’t say anything.

“You know what the worst part is?” the omega continues, voice small. “It’s not that you think I would cheat. It’s that you didn’t even ask. You didn’t give me a chance to explain. You just walked in and decided I was dirty.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” Louis’s voice cracks. “You smelled something you didn’t understand, and instead of trusting me, the person you supposedly love, you decided I was someone else’s omega.”

Harry’s lips part, but no sound comes out.

“I made you dinner,” Louis says, voice firm as he tries not to cry. “I spent the whole day planning something for you. For us. And this is… This is what I get.”

“Louis,” Harry says, finally sounding unsure. “I… I just need to understand. Please. If there’s something you’re not telling me...”

Louis shakes his head. “You lost the right to that the moment you looked at me like I was less.”

He doesn’t even look at Harry as he walks to their front door. 

“Where are you going?” Harry demands, voice low and dangerous now. Possessive.

Louis grabs his jacket, barely managing to slide on his shoes with the way his hands are shaking. He shrugs. “Lottie’s,” he says, voice flat. “Or to this mysterious alpha I’m cheating you on with, maybe he won’t talk to me like I’m a cheap whore.”

“You can’t just leave. We need to talk.”

“There’s nothing left to say.”

“Louis, I swear…”

Louis opens the door, but before he can leave, Harry’s voice stops him. “If you walk out right now, you better think about what that means. What it says to me.”

“I’m already thinking about what you just said to me, Harry. That’s enough.”

It could be easy. He could just walk back in, tell Harry that he’s pregnant with his child, and Harry would feel like the shittiest alpha in the universe.

But Louis doesn’t like easy, so he storms out without looking back. 

✰ ✰ ✰

“And it’s been three days?”

“Three whole days,” Harry says, “I spent the weekend with my mom and she called Gemma, Niall.”

Niall smiles sympathetically, “I’m sorry?”

“He doesn’t answer to my texts, Lottie won’t tell me if he’s okay and my alpha is spiraling,” he stabs his salad with his fork while his best friend shakes his head. “I mean, you did accuse him of cheating.”

“What would you do if you came home to Ames smelling like someone else?”

“Believe her when she tells me she didn’t let another alpha hit it,” he says, biting his sandwich, “but again, our relationship is very different from yours.”

Harry looks at him, and before he can stop himself, he asks what he means. Niall shrugs, “well, remember my lunch break is unpaid so you can’t fire me, but you and Louis are a bit… Obsessed with each other?”

“Are you telling me, or asking me?”

“Telling you,” Niall answers quickly. “More traditional, also? Not in a bad way, but if they made a Real Housewives version in central London, Louis would be the first to get called up. He does everything for you. Amelia and I are not like that, if I came home to dinner on the table I’d think someone died.”

“Your point?”

“My point is that Louis lives for you. Last month he came in for three hours to let you scent him just because you were stressed,” he says, “why did your brain just immediately assume he was cheating?”

“Because he did it before, didn’t he?”

“Ouch, mate. Are you even listening to yourself?” Niall shakes his head, “he cheated on someone with you. If you think that once a cheater, always a cheater, why put yourself through the bonding, the wedding? Be honest with yourself.”

Harry pauses, nodding.

Rationally, he knows Louis wouldn’t cheat. He would never. Louis doesn’t know how to lie, he tells Harry every single part of his day when he gets home, and he is so, so sweet. He makes Harry feel loved, even when he doesn’t deserve it.

“Then why does he smell different?”

“There could be a million reasons why,” Niall answers, “his omega could be sick, he could be getting closer to his heath when the heath is not supposed to come, you being a dick all the time might have triggered something, he could be pregnant…”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I’m not saying, my brother’s omega had the sweetest scent. She got pregnant, and none of us could stand to be close to her, she reeked.”

Harry shakes his head, “I’m leaving in a few hours. I’m going to Lottie’s place, I need to see if…”

“If he’s letting someone else hit it in his sister’s flat?”

“You’re so getting fired today.”

“No, I’m not.”

He is not, in fact. The place would crumble without Niall, still… He’s right.

Louis would never cheat on him. God, Louis doesn’t even look at other people, other alphas.

Yes, he cheated. But that alpha was different, he wasn’t Harry. 

Louis didn’t let him bite him, he didn’t let him marry him.

God, he’s such an idiot.

When he knocks on Lottie’s door, the beta is not even surprised. In fact, she had been expecting him with the way the alpha’s black car drove past the house twice, and her phone had buzzed with Harry’s name more than once. 

When she opens the door,  Harry is standing there, eyes frantic as if he was secretly hoping Louis would open the door.

“Where is he?” he asks, voice low. Lottie steps on the side, letting him in. “You don’t get to walk in here demanding things.”

“I’m not demanding,” Harry says, though the strain in his voice makes it sound like a lie. “I just need to see him. Please.”

She crosses her arms. “He’s sleeping, and also… Definitely not ready to see you.”

Harry lets out a breath, shoulders sagging a little. “Lottie, I messed up. I know that. But I need to explain.”

“You could’ve let him talk, instead of accusing him of things.”

“I thought…” Harry rubs his jaw, clearly holding something back. “I thought he was cheating.”

She scoffs. “Yeah. He told me.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. It wasn’t even rational. It was just… Instinct. My brain just went somewhere dark and I couldn’t pull it back fast enough, and my alpha just took over. His scent is so amazing, and he smells so, so different and…”

“And what, you think that’s an excuse?”

“No,” Harry says quickly. “It’s not. But it’s the truth. I didn’t want to lash out. I panicked. His scent was off and I…”

“You didn’t trust him.”

Harry flinches. “I didn’t give him a chance to explain.”

“You know, my brother loves you so much,” she crosses her arms together, “he loves you, and always has an excuse for you. This time, he couldn’t even cover your sorry ass.”

Harry looks at her, not quite sure what to make of the confession. “I’m so, so sorry. I’ll do better,” he promises, stepping closer. “Is he okay?”

Lottie hesitates. “He’s… Okay. Not talking much. Which, you’d know, is not like Louis.”

“I know,” he says, voice cracking. “I haven’t slept. I keep thinking if I’d just waited a minute. Just let him speak.”

“Then none of this would’ve happened,” she finishes for him. “Yeah.”

Harry nods, “you do know I love him, don’t you?” he asks, and when the woman in front him nods, he takes a deep breath. Lottie speaks up again, “listen, I won’t act like having some time with my brother is such a hard job. Louis is lovely,” she says, “but unfortunately you are part of this family and I have to tell you… He’s really upset.”

“I know, I know,” Harry says, “and I will do everything to fix it. I just want to talk to him.”

Lottie nods, “he’s resting,” she then says, shoulders relaxing, “I… Let me talk to him, okay? And leave your jacket here.”

“What?”

“He’s going to start feeling sick, isn’t he? He hasn’t been home in days,” she notes, unimpressed, “he is eventually going to start needing your scent.”

Harry nods, “can I leave him a note?”

“Sure, let me get you some paper,” she says, disappearing into the kitchen. When she comes back, she hands him pen and paper.

Angel,
I know you don’t want to talk to me.
I am so, sorry about the other night, I don’t know what I was thinking.
Give me the chance to fix it.
I’ll wait for you,
I love you more than anything and I don’t want to lose you, ever.
-H.

Lottie doesn’t read it. She doesn’t read it, and when Harry leaves and Louis wakes up, she smiles at him fondly, tapping the spot on the sofa next to hers.

“Right, have you got something to tell me?” she asks, and her brother looks at her, confused. She smiles. “You didn’t mention your scent, in your little confession.”

“No, I didn’t” Louis agrees, voice small. “But I… I didn’t tell him yet, and he just thought I would go with another alpha.”

“Tell him what?”

He hesitates, fingers twitching around the hem of his shirt. “I’m pregnant.”

Lottie smiles brightly at him, “that’s amazing, Lou!” she says, hugging him, “why didn’t you tell me?”

Louis shrugs. “Sixteen weeks. It’s an alpha, a baby boy.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t tell him,” Louis says, eyes stinging. “I didn’t want anyone to know, and I had it all planned, the other night. Dinner. Cupcakes. A onesie.”

“Shit,” she breathes. “And instead…”

“I left with it still inside me.” Louis looks down at himself, palm drifting protectively over his abdomen. “And now I don’t know if I can go back.”

They sit in silence.

“He loves you,” she says eventually, “he came over, and left something for you, by the way.”

“Maybe,” Louis whispers. “But I feel like he doesn’t trust me enough for this relationship to work.”

“And you don’t trust him to hear the truth now.”

Louis nods, tears threatening to come out. “I don’t know if I’m more scared he’ll be angry I didn’t tell him, or scared he’ll only want me back because I’m carrying his baby.”

Lottie moves closer, her arm wrapping around her brother’s shoulders. “Don’t be silly,” she reassures him, “he’s a knothead, but he adores you. He just doesn’t know how to tame his own alpha.”

“What did he leave?”

“He left you a note, and his jacket is on a chair in the kitchen. I didn’t want to touch it.”

“Thank you, Lots.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an auntie,” she finally says, “he’s going to be so, so spoiled. Even if daddy is a dickhead.”

“Especially because daddy is a dickhead.”

✰ ✰ ✰

Lottie is at work when the postman comes by, and Louis is bored, so bored, so he shuffles the letters around and sees one addressed to him.

He opens it lazily, cup of tea all forgotten on the table.

Angel,
I know I said I’d wait for you, but it’s been a whole week since you left and my alpha is getting restless, and frankly, so am I.
I have been staying at mum’s place, everything about our home feels terribly wrong without you… I miss you. I miss the way you groan when you hear my alarm go off, the way you cuddle into me because you don’t want me to leave the bed, the way you always, always almost convince me to not go into the office.
I have been thinking, and you were right to leave. I was a dickhead, because I know how much you love me. How much effort you put into our relationship, in our home, in our life.
So, I’ll keep waiting for you.
I hope you’re resting, and, if you have time, I hope you think about me.
Always yours,
Harry

Louis doesn’t cry. He just sniffles quietly, putting the piece of paper in the spare bedroom is staying in.

He doesn’t cry three days later, when another letter comes in.

Angel,
I don’t know what I’d do if you don’t forgive me, but I know I don’t deserve you.
Gemma decided to work from home, and guess what? She’s staying at mom’s place as well. Mom is happy about it, but Gemma is only doing it so I don’t forget how much of a bad alpha to you I’ve been. She even said I should go to therapy, because there is no way I don’t see how much you love me.
The thing is… I do. And I love you, too. So, so much.
I miss you. I miss the way you always end up climbing into my lap while we’re having dinner because you insist that a whole day without me is too long. I miss the way you smile at me, and I miss your laugh.
I’m still waiting,
H.

He cries when he calls Dr. Swift’s office to cancel the appointment, promising the receptionist to call to rebook it soon, and he cries while reading another note.

Angel,
I dreamt of you last night. You were wearing my university’s old jumper and you were sitting on the sofa reading a baby names book. Then, I woke up and for a split second, I could smell you. Then it was gone. I miss you.
Mom says I should just come get you, but I don’t want to act like a dickhead even more than I’ve already been.
A text, though, that would be nice. Just to let me know how you’re feeling. Even if you just want to yell at me.
Love you,
Harry.

Louis sighs. “See, baby?” he says, looking down to his belly, “daddy loves us. He’s just a bit of an idiot, sometimes,” he jokes. He rests his hands on his stomach, “he’s going to be the best dad,” he promises, nodding to himself. “He’s going to teach you how to be a proper alpha, but I’m going to teach you about feelings.”

He smiles.

“Sometimes daddy can be a bit… Weird, about the things he’s feeling. I think he thinks he is not feeling enough, and he ends up feeling too much,” he explains. “You know, pup, that’s exactly how we ended up getting married. I was putting up a fight over something daddy bought for our home, and he said something like maybe we should get married if this is winding you up so much,” he chuckles, sniffling softly, “but he’s going to be the best daddy, I promise. I have the feeling you’re going to look just like him, and that you’re going to be obsessed with him.”

He smiles.

“And I know Harry is going to be just as obsessed, you know? I’m not even scared he’s going to be upset about me keeping you a secret,” he says, “he’s just going to be so, so happy to have you. And I know that he’s going to protect you, and love you, and treat you like a little prince. He’s probably going to buy a car before you turn one.”

He caresses his belly for a minute, before he speaks up again. “I know we’re not very happy right now,” he continues, “but daddy has to learn. Just for a few more days, and then we’re going home, baby. I know you miss our bed,” he says, “I’m not daddy’s property, you see. He doesn’t even think I am, that’s the thing, but he opens his big, beautiful mouth a bit too much sometimes.”

He turns the piece of paper from Harry’s last notes in his hand, “you know, pup, I fell in love with your daddy straight away, he didn’t give me any choice, really” he explains, and he feels a bit silly because he’s pretty much talking to himself. “I met him at a dinner, and we ended up together on the restaurant’s terrace, and he introduced himself and I just knew. The same way I just knew you were in here, baking for us like a little banana bread,” he laughs, “daddy thinks it’s in my scent, but I knew because you made me crave avocado so freaking much.”

His little chat with their pup gets interrupted by Lottie entering her home, announcing she brought take away with her.

“You okay?” she asks. Louis nods, “Harry sent another little note. I’m pretty sure he’s driving here instead of going for his beloved coffee break.”

“Are you going to talk to him?”

“I think I’m… I might go home tomorrow afternoon. Be there before he comes home from work, and I will definitely make him sleep on the sofa”. They both laugh, then Lottie rests her head on Louis’ shoulder, “you know you can stay here for as long as you want, yeah? You don’t have to go back if you don’t want to.”

“I know, babes,” he answers, “but he’s my mate and my husband, I can’t ignore him forever. And I’m not just going to fall in bed with him, he’s going to work for it.”

“He better. I’m a beta, but alphas don’t scare me.”

✰ ✰ ✰

Harry has pretty much lost count of how many hours he has been in the office, but Niall decided to get the afternoon off, going God knows where doing God knows what.

He misses Louis, his neck is hurting cause he has been sitting at his desk reading the same document over and over again and he misses Louis.

At exactly 19:45, there’s a gentle knock on his office’s door and he is surprised, hopeful even, as he says “come in”, eyes still on the screen.

The door opens. “Hey, stranger.”

He glances up, and blinks.

“Ames,” he says, standing quickly. “Shit, why are you here? It’s late.”

“It’s not even 8, grandpa” she smiles, sitting on the chair across Harry’s desk. “Niall’s cousin is over to visit, and too much irish-ness was giving me a headache. Also, please tell me Louis made biscuits for you today.”

Harry smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “No biscuits, sorry,” he says, and she nods knowingly. “Yeah, not being able to eat the batter must suck. He must really love this baby.”

His brow furrows. “What?”

Amelia blinks at him, confused. “You know pregnant omegas can’t eat a lot of shit, raw eggs being at the top of the list. Babies just love to—”

Harry’s blood goes cold.

“What?”

Amelia tilts her head, even more confused now, and Harry just stares at her, green eyes wide.

“Amelia” he says quietly, trying to recollect his thoughts. “What baby?”

She looks like she’s just been caught stealing, hands flying to her mouth. “I’m so, so sorry” she says quickly, “I thought he… You know, the scent. And he has been glowing, and he’s been so, so happy. I just assumed.”

It hits Harry straight away. It wasn’t just the scent.

There also was the way Louis purred into him every time he came back from work. There also was the way he was a tad bit clingier than he normally would. 

So many little signs that he didn’t see. Harry always left early for work, what if he wasn’t there for Louis if he had morning sickness? What if Louis wasn’t well? He still made him lunch, he still cooked dinner, he still took care of Harry. And Harry threw it all back in his omega’s face.

“I am so… Shit, are you okay?”

Harry nods, “we are… He’s been… He’s staying with Lottie. We had a fight, and he’s not talking to me, so I don’t know if he actually is pregnant.”

“Niall mentioned,” Amelia says, voice trying to be reassuring. “What are you fighting about?”

Harry sighs. “Well, now that you mentioned a possible pregnancy it makes more sense but, uhm, his scent changed. And I kind of accused him of cheating.”

“Pardon me?”

“I know, Ames, I feel like shit. I didn’t really think” he admits, sighing again, this time louder, “and now he won’t talk to me”. He pauses, collecting his thoughts for a minute. “Amelia, you’re an omega!”

“Last time I checked.”

“His scent was so, so sour, could he really be…”

She nods, smiling. “Most definitely, I think. Are you going to do something about it?” she asks, “I don’t know, maybe something that’s not sitting in your office with your best friend’s mate at 8 in the evening?”

Harry nods, and he waits downstairs for Niall to pick Amelia up, and decides to go home. 

He drives, deciding to be a better alpha: he will go home, and won’t mope because the house is quiet. He will clean the kitchen, change the bedsheets, hoover, mop and will even do the laundry, trying not to fuck their clothes up; then, in the morning, he will fix it. He will go to Lottie’s, get Louis, look him in the eyes, and bring him home. Be the alpha he deserves.

He goes to the shop, buys one million cleaning products that he doesn’t even need because he’s on a mission, except, when he enters their shared house, Louis’ scent hits him before he can even think.

“You’re here,” he says, entering their sitting room. Louis looks up from the tv, nodding, “I am. Lottie is going to Doncaster for the weekend, and I didn’t want to be alone,” he says, “I can still go, if you want.”

“I don’t want you to go, I was… I was going to come get you. To fix it.”

Louis nods to the bag Harry is holding. “Were you going to fix it with…” he walks over to him, peeking inside. “Dettol spray and a scrub daddy?” he asks. Harry smirks, dropping the bag on the floor, but then shakes his head, “I was coming to talk to you, and apologise properly. Like the alpha you deserve.”

“And what were you going to say?”

“That I am fucking idiot for even thinking you could cheat on me,” the alpha answers quickly, afraid Louis could vanish from his sight, “I know you wouldn’t. Just like I wouldn’t,” he continues, taking a deep breath because he really doesn’t want to say anything wrong, “Louis, my alpha is so terribly tied to your scent. It’s what keeps me going. And I am sorry that I hurt you, but Amelia came by the office today and she said—” he asks. 

Louis tenses, but nods. He can’t stop himself from smiling, but his omega is still wary, like he has to protect the pup more than anything else. “Seventeen weeks.”

Harry closes his eyes for a second, then breathes out, and smiling, he looks at Louis.  “You’re pregnant. You’re really pregnant.”

“And you thought I was cheating on you,” Louis says, and this time his voice is cold, upset, and it makes Harry wince. “I know. I know, and I hate myself for it.”

“You should,” Louis says honestly, “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d go all protective. And it’s nice, when you don’t turn on me. And you did, this time.”

“I panicked,” Harry says, stepping closer. “It wasn’t an excuse. Just… I smelled something different, and instead of being the person you could lean on, I let my instincts win.”

“You are supposed to protect me,” Louis says, voice breaking. “You are supposed to be my safe place.”

“I know.”

Louis doesn’t move. Doesn’t open his arms. “Do you even want this? The baby. Me.”

Harry’s face crumples, pain flickering like lightning across his features. “Louis, don’t be silly. You’re the love of my life, of course I want you. Of course I want them. I am so, so happy” he says, “and I am so proud of you. You’re carrying a life.”

Louis sniffles, wiping his eyes, and when Harry reaches for him, he doesn’t move away. “You’ve been doing it all alone. And I missed everything.”

“I didn’t want to tell you like this,” Louis whispers. “I had cupcakes. A onesie. A dinner.”

At that, Harry finally laughs. “Of course you did,” he says, kissing Louis’ head, “I am so, sorry baby. Tell me how to fix it.”

Louis looks up at him, “there’s more.”

“More?”

He nods, finally relaxing into the touch, “it’s a boy, Harry,” he says, “and an alpha. That’s why my scent is sour. I wasn’t… There was another alpha, after all. Just not the type you were expecting.”

“A boy? An alpha?”

“Yes,” Louis says, “and you… Me being here doesn’t mean I am forgiving you. Because we are going to have a baby, and this baby is going to be raised as an alpha, but I don’t want him to grow up to be a… A possessive knothead.”

“Like his father?”

“Yes, like his father,” Louis answers, “because you… You are an amazing man, Harry. You take care of me, and I have no doubt you’re going to be an incredible father, but you hurt me. You hurt me so, so much and this is supposed to be the happiest time of our lives.”

“Why didn’t you tell me when you found out, then?” Harry asks, “were you just trying to give me a way out?”

Louis rolls his eyes, “of course not, we’re married. Bonded,” he answers, “but if you really, really think I could ever betray you like that…”

“I don’t,” Harry interrupts him, “I really, really don’t. I will… I will work on it. Go to therapy, if you want.”

“You hate talking about your feelings.”

“I won’t, if it will make you believe that I don’t think you could cheat on me,” he says, serious. “I know you, I know you.”

Louis nods. “Then, let’s sit down and tell me what you’re feeling,” he demands, “you don’t need to talk to a stranger. You need to talk to me, and you need to listen to yourself, and to me.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes, let’s do it. Right now.”

He drags Louis to the sofa, and they sit down. Harry is surprised when Louis climbs into his lap, a sign of intimacy that he won’t take for granted ever, ever again. 

“Let me start by saying that I am so, so happy we’re having this pup,” Harry says, face hidden in the crook of Louis’ neck, “I am going to spend the rest of this pregnancy making sure that you are well rested, well fed, well loved. I am going to be the best alpha for you, and for this pup.”

Louis nods, “but?”

“But I was bottling up the fact that your scent changed for days, and when I came home… I had a shit day at work, and coming home to your scent so different just triggered me. It’s not an excuse, I shouldn’t have taken it out on you”. Louis nods at that, and when Harry continues, he relaxes into him. “Your scent… When we met, that night? I went home and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I feel in love with you for so many reasons, and the way you smell is not even in the top five, really, but the idea of it changing, when it’s something that has grounded me so much in the past… It was driving me insane.”

“And you just assumed I’d cheat?”

“No, it wasn’t… It wasn’t rational,” Harry whispers, “there is not an universe where I’m not your alpha and you’re not my omega. We were meant to be, from the very start. That’s why George didn’t stand a chance with you, because when we met we both knew.”

“We did,” Louis says, smiling at the memory, “you were just sitting there, all serious. I think the only smile you gave the world that evening was the one you gave to me,” he jokes, but when Harry nods, the omega looks up to him. “I would never cheat on you.”

“I know, baby, I know,” the alpha’s hands travel to Louis’ stomach, “I can’t believe we’re having a baby. A tiny, little baby you.”

“Well, he’s already turning my scent sour when another alpha is close, there’s no doubt he’s going to be just like daddy.”

Harry flinches as that. “Well, we can learn how to share together, can’t we?” he asks, “and… Do I hate when we go somewhere and an alpha is a little bit too interested in you? Yes,” he admits, voice steady, “but I trust you, and I’ll do better. I’ll be better. For you, for him, for us.”

Louis climbs off of his lap. “You really haven’t been here the whole time I was at Lottie’s?”

“Yes.”

The omega puts his hands on his hips. “There’s cupcakes in the fridge, you might want to throw them in the bin,” he says, “and… You’re sleeping on the sofa.”

Harry nods.

Louis still wakes up to make him breakfast. 

✰ ✰ ✰

Louis has a mission, and the mission is to make Harry really work for it, but it’s hard.

One day later, when Harry comes home from work with a giant bouquet of flowers, Louis says thank you and only smiles brightly when his back is turned, so Harry can’t see it.

The day after that, when Harry brings dinner home from Louis’ favourite chinese restaurant, he lies and tells him he’s not hungry. He is starving, really, but he waits until Harry is having a shower to sneak into the kitchen and eat as fast as he can. He knows Harry knows, but the alpha doesn’t say anything, just smirks when he opens the fridge and sees the leftovers gone.

On another day, Harry decides to take him shopping. He takes his afternoon off, something that, to Louis, feels like a miracle.

“I feel very unprepared,” Harry says at some point, scanning the incredible amount of high-chairs in front of them. Louis, next to him, chuckles. “You know what? I’m appreciating a bit more the fact that we have money, because why would I spend £500 for a high-chair?”

“All he’s going to do is puke on it.”

“That’s very true, Harry,” Louis says, “should we go look at clothes?”

They do.

They stay in the shop for an eternity, Louis showing Harry every single piece of clothing with a follow- up commentary on why they should buy it, and they get home with an incredible amount of baby outfits, Harry joking that he won’t need clothes until he’s two.

It’s rocky, to say the least, until they’re finally sitting down in Dr. Swift’s warmly lit office a week later. The tension that’s been clinging to Harry’s shoulders eases when the doctor greets them with a reassuring, wide smile. The room smells faintly of lavender and antiseptic, oddly comforting, and the gentle hum of the ultrasound machine waiting in the corner is a quiet reminder that they are actually having a baby.

Harry doesn’t waste any time. His hand is resting gently, protectively, on Louis’ thigh, more to calm himself than Louis. “And everything has been absolutely fine?” he asks, his voice low but filled with hope, eyes fixed on Dr. Swift.

She nods without hesitation, the kind of nod that instantly eases any worry he might have. “The baby is very, very healthy. Louis has been brilliant since the very start.”

Harry exhales, a laugh of relief caught somewhere in the sound. But his concern isn’t completely gone, just shifted.

“And he’s… Louis, I mean. Is he okay?” Harry glances briefly at Louis but keeps his eyes mostly on the doctor, like he needs a second opinion to believe what Louis always says.

“You know I’m literally sitting right next to you?” Louis says, his tone light and teasing, though there’s warmth in his voice. He smiles, nudging Harry gently.

Harry nods, unfazed. “And I also know that you always say you’re okay, so I want a professional opinion.”

Dr. Swift laughs at that, her eyes crinkling. “He is okay, pregnancy-wise at least,” she says with a wink. “Everything else? That needs to come out from that very cute mouth.”

“I’m okay,” Louis insists, eyes flicking between them, a soft sincerity in his voice. “And you both have to believe me. I finally started showing, so it means he’s growing just fine.”

Harry gives him a look — the kind that says I still don’t buy it completely — but Dr. Swift is quicker to speak.

“Would daddy like to see the little bean?”

The words have barely left her mouth before Harry is out of his chair so fast he nearly knocks it over. Louis bites his lip to suppress a laugh as he gets up more carefully, used to the routine by now. Harry’s hand finds his immediately — always warm, always tight — and he doesn’t let go, not even for a second. Dr. Swift watches them with a smile that borders on fondness, then turns back to prepare the equipment.

The moment the gentle but unmistakable sound of their pup’s heartbeat fills the room, it’s like the whole world stops. Louis is grinning like an idiot, fingers tightening around Harry’s hand. On the screen, a blurry but distinct form wiggles slightly, and Louis’ chest aches in the best possible way.

Dr. Swift turns to them, pointing out the little head on the monitor. “That’s his little head,” she explains, “all the measurements are perfect, heartbeat is strong. He’s a very cute baby alpha, growing amazingly and incredibly healthy — because someone is doing a fantastic job.”

Louis looks up at her, heart swelling with pride… but then his gaze shifts.

And Harry is crying.

“Are you—” he starts, startled.

“I’m okay,” Harry says quickly, sniffling as he wipes at his cheeks with his sleeve. His voice cracks just a bit. “It’s just… that’s our baby. We made him together. We have a complete little family and I’m just so happy.”

Louis squeezes his hand again, their fingers intertwined, and Dr. Swift offers a smile that’s practically glowing.

“Would you like a copy of the video?”

“Yes, please,” Harry replies, far too quickly, laughing at himself as he rubs at his eyes. “Our mums are going to be so happy. And Niall and Amelia, and your sisters, and Gemma, and—”

Louis lets out a soft laugh, glancing at the doctor. “Thank you, Taylor. When do we have to come back?”

“In six weeks,” she says. “You’ll be in your third trimester by then, and we can start making proper plans for the birth, and run the full checks again.”

Harry, ever vigilant, speaks up again. “And does he have to do anything in particular?” His tone is cautious but firm.

Taylor gives him a small wink. “Still eating healthy, still resting, and he still has to take his vitamins.”

That’s when Louis shifts slightly, sitting up straighter. “Is there anything I can take for my scent?” he asks, slightly hesitant. “Apparently it changed a lot.”

Dr. Swift’s eyes soften. “Okay, this is going to sound a bit silly, but it’s actually pretty well supported,” she says, leaning forward a little. “You’re bonded, but you’re also carrying an alpha pup. And alphas, even unborn ones, are instinctively territorial. This is the baby trying to protect you, and himself. There’s not much you can do to mask it. The best solution?” She looks over at Harry. “Be there. Be around. It might get better… Or it might not. But the minute this baby is born, everything will regulate again.”

Louis nods slowly, taking it in. “And… I didn’t actually act on it before but now the baby is big and… You know.”

Taylor lets out a knowing laugh. “You can have as much sex as you want, as long as you’re comfortable. Nothing too intense, of course, but it can ease tension, help with discomfort, and honestly, good for you.”

“Always is,” Louis mumbles under his breath, earning a playful eye roll from Harry.

“Thank you,” Louis adds quickly, this time more earnestly, “so, so much.”

Dr. Swift hands them a printed ultrasound still along with a USB drive containing the video. As they gather their things and prepare to leave, Harry is still sniffling a little, but his eyes shine with something Louis hasn’t seen so clearly in weeks: peace. 

Harry is always so put together and he cried, he cried, looking at a grainy screen because that grainy screen showed him their baby.

They climb into the car, and before the alpha can start driving, Louis clears his voice.

“You really want this baby, don’t you?”

Harry stops with his seatbelt half on. “Of course I do,” he answers, “I am so, so happy. I can’t believe this. Like… He’s going to be so small, and he’s going to keep me up all night and I will have to change a thousand nappies a day but—”

“Oh, you will?”

Harry nods without even stopping to think, “of course I will, you’re going to push him out of your body so I’m going to do all the dirty work. You can just stay in bed and look pretty and have the nice little cuddles and the little hand wrapped around your finger and, you know.”

Louis smiles, squeezing Harry’s thigh, “I don’t know if I will ever look pretty again after pushing a child out,” he jokes, “but… You really want him.”

The alpha finally puts his seatbelt on, nodding, “I want you and I want him and we are going to find a cute little house that is not in Central London with the best schools and we are going to adopt a dog and have an army of little babies.”

Louis laughs, his heart fluttering in his chest, “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you as soon as I found out,” he finally says, like it was waiting for the right moment to let it out, “it would’ve been much easier but I just… I just wanted to be just us two for a bit.”

“Why?”

“Because you love me, and you love me so much, but you’re also the alphiest alpha ever,” Louis says, “you can smell an alpha next to me before you even see them, and you always makes sure that I am not uncomfortable and I know that telling you would’ve meant you wouldn’t have been able to do anything but be by my side every waking hour and…”

“Am I too much, for you?”

“No, no,” Louis is quick to say, “I love how protective you are. I hardly have to worry about what's going on around me and you have no idea what it means to an omega,” he smiles, because he can see Harry’s brain working out what is happening, “but sometimes I feel like I’m just the husband of the CEO of a company that makes millions and I love staying at home and do those things for you but when I found out I felt so whole and I just wanted the feeling for myself for a bit longer.”

“Louis,” Harry says, “you’re the one that wanted to stay home. You could come work for us anytime and I never wanted you to think that I expect you to stay home.”

“I know, I know,” the omega says, looking down to his lap, “I’m so happy with our life, even when I burn our dinner because you come home and grope me and we end up making out until the fire alarm goes off,” he jokes, “I’m just sorry I took this away from you.”

“I’m sorry for accusing you of cheating,” the alpha answers, “I just… My life before you was so miserable. I had my flat, and my job, and all I did was work and go to the gym and then you came into my life and you’re so… You make my life better on every aspect and the idea of losing just makes me want to lay down on train tracks.”

Louis looks up, “we’re both sorry,” he says, “can we just go home and… Be us? Like it was before.”

“Of course, baby. We can order dinner and just stay on the sofa and do nothing.”

“And I can sit on your cock?” Louis asks out of the blue, like he’s asking for ice cream, but that’s just the kind of person he is, so Harry barks out a laugh, nodding, “you can, baby.”

Louis does exactly that, barely giving Harry the time to react when they walk through the door.

✰ ✰ ✰

If Louis thought that Harry was protective, jealous, and territorial before, now that he is almost nine months pregnant he just thinks he’s nuts.

“You won’t be doing that, that’s final.”

Louis looks at the tv, and he would be bothered by the alpha’s tone if he didn’t have a giant bowl of ice cream on top of his belly. 

“Louis, I’m being serious. This is not happening.”

“Mhm, mhm.”

“Louis, look at me” the alpha says, “you’re not doing this.”

Louis watched a BBC program about omegas giving birth at home and suddenly Harry Styles is the most stressed man in the universe. 

“Why not?” the omega pouts, finally looking up to Harry.

“Are you being serious right now?” Harry says, “we have a plan! Dr. Swift has a plan! You have braxton hicks, we go to the hospital, you’re going to get that giant needle in your back so you won’t feel pain and then you’ll…”

“Uhm, Harry?”

“No, no, I’m sorry but you’re not… Listen, I think in the past four months I have been very supportive. Rubbed your feet, cooked the most disgusting food combinations in the universe, and I scented you and kept you full and knotted and I apologised so, so many times. I’m sorry, but you’re giving birth in a hospital.”

“Harry?”

“You are not giving birth at home, I’m sorry. Anything could go wrong, we are miles away from a proper hospital, and we live too central. The traffic, and there is always so much shit happening around here and I won’t have one of those cheap movies conversations when you’re on your death bed and you tell me to let our baby live because you’re bleeding out and—”

“Alpha!”

“What?”

“No birth home, I got you baby,” he says, “but… We need a new sofa.”

“Okay?” Harry looks confused, “you can look online, decide what you want. I trust you.”

Louis nods, “and a new car— carpet,” he takes a deep breath, slowly putting the ice-cream on the side, “and grab a blanket. We can’t buy a new car.”

“Baby? Are you okay?”

“My waters just broke, and I have… Jesus. Harry. We need to go,” he whines, “like. Right now.”

“We don’t have a bag? We don’t have a car seat, I was supposed to pick it up tomorrow and we—”

“Harry I swear on my life, if you don’t get me in the car right about now I will never let you stick your dick in me every again,” Louis groans, “I know I said— FUCKING. HELL. Harry, please just— call Lottie or your mom and have them arrange a bag but please let’s just… Let’s just go.”

Harry doesn’t exactly know what he’s doing: he moves around the house in a circle, grabbing his and Louis’ chargers and paperwork he thinks he might need, and only when he’s in front of the car with Louis, he realises that he left the car keys in his coat. Louis would laugh if he wasn’t in the worst pain imaginable.

He will miss being pregnant. He’ll miss Harry’s attention, the fact that he dropped everything for him all the time, that he was there for every doctor appointment and he will also miss feeling his baby move around.

But he’s so excited for what’s to come.

If only Harry drove faster.

“We should’ve gotten the train,” Louis moans, his head against the window of the passenger seat, “Harry, it hurts.”

“I wanna give birth at home, Harry,” the alpha smirks, “I want to bring the baby in the world in our home,” he jokes, and Louis snorts. “Yes—Fuck, you have a point here,” the omega moans, “please.”

“Almost there baby, I promise,” his alpha answers, eyes on the road, “I’m so proud of you, baby, we’re six minutes away.”

Louis manages to phone Dr. Swift somehow, and she promises she will meet them there, but the call is cut short when another contraction rips through him. He nearly crushes Harry’s hand trying to hang onto it, even though the alpha is still driving.

“Baby, baby, don’t squeeze my hand right now, I need it for steering! Just breathe, baby” Harry panics, swerving slightly as Louis groans.

“Harry Edward Styles, if you tell me to breathe one more time I will stab you with a pen,” Louis hisses, sweat gathering at his temples.

Harry nods, knuckles white on the wheel. “Okay. No breathing talk. But you are doing great, baby and I’m so proud of you.”

Louis lets out a humorless laugh. “I’m doing great? I’m literally shoving a watermelon through my— ouch” his complaint melts into another cry as his hand clutches his belly.

Harry almost pulls over. “Oh my God, oh my God, is the baby okay? Are you okay? Should we pull over? Should I call an ambulance?”

“Harry, I swear, if you stop this car I will get out and walk myself there.”

That’s all it takes for Harry to press harder on the accelerator, muttering something about the traffic under his breath as though he’s never driven in London on a Saturday morning before.

By the time they reach the hospital, Louis is pale but determined, muttering insults under his breath with every contraction. Harry jumps out of the car, sprints around to Louis’ side, and almost forgets how to open the door in his frenzy.

“Okay, we’re here, I’ve got you. Don’t move, just— no, wait, you have to move. But slowly. Gently. Baby, you’re so brave. Okay, come here, lean on me,” he pulls Louis closer, but the omega growls. He knows he sounds ridiculous, but he still does it. 

Harry doesn’t let go of him: they shuffle into the hospital lobby, and Harry looks seconds away from bursting into tears when he sees Dr. Swift waiting with a wheelchair.

“Harry, relax,” she says kindly, guiding Louis into the chair. “We’ve got this. Everything is under control.”

Harry immediately crouches beside Louis, brushing damp hair from his forehead, whispering, “See? See, baby, we’re fine. You’re fine. Our baby’s fine. I love you. You’re so strong.”

Louis, panting, smirks despite himself. “You’re going to be insufferable after this, aren’t you?”

Harry beams through his nerves. “Oh, absolutely. Every day I’m going to remind you how amazing you are.”

Louis groans as another contraction hits, grabbing Harry’s collar. “Fine. Just—just make sure you actually remember the car seat tomorrow or I’ll feed you to your mother.”

Harry laughs, “deal.”

And as Dr. Swift wheels them toward the delivery room, Harry keeps one hand on Louis’ knee, the other tangled in his fingers, murmuring promises like prayers: that everything will be okay, that their baby is about to change everything, that Louis has never looked stronger or more loved.

It happens quickly, all considered: Louis screams, Harry’s hand gets crushed, and then, suddenly, the air around them feels different. Quieter, softer. 

But then it’s there, the small, sharp cry that fills every part of their lives with love.

Louis’ chest heaves, tears blurring his vision as he struggles to lift his head. Harry makes a broken sound, like a laugh tangled with a sob, clutching Louis’ hand. A nurse lowers the tiny bundle of joy onto Louis’ chest, and Harry doesn’t say anything: he just watches them, his hand caressing Louis’ head, and he feels so many things he can’t explain at the same time.

The nurse is quick to get their baby back, so he can be weighted, while another one brings them into what will be their room for the night. As soon as they’re alone, Harry leans down to kiss Louis, “I love you so fucking much.”

“Did you see him? He looked so cute,” Louis says, “and I love you too.”

The same nurse from before, comes back after a while, baby into the tiny cot that she’s wheeling around.

“We need a name,” she smiles, “and then he’s all yours.”

Louis nods, then looks up at Harry, “his name is Theo,” he says. The nurse nods, scribbling the name on her clipboard, “I’ll be back in an hour or so, okay?”

Louis feels everything at once—exhaustion, relief, something so huge and overwhelming it makes his throat ache. “Harry,” he breathes, arms curling protectively around the newborn. “Look at him.”

Harry is already looking. He’s staring like he doesn’t want to look at anything else, ever. Like the only reason he is on this earth is to be in this very hospital room, with no other purpose than to make his omega and now their son happy.

His hand trembles as he brushes a fingertip along their son’s impossibly small arm.

“He’s perfect,” Harry says, voice low. “He’s… Oh my god, Lou, he’s ours. You did it. You’re incredible.”

Louis lets out a weak laugh, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. “We did it. And he’s gorgeous. Obviously, he takes after me.”

Harry huffs a watery laugh, pressing his lips into Louis’ damp hair. “He’s got your nose. And your attitude, probably. God help me if he’s as cheeky as you.”

Louis tilts his head to look at him, eyes glassy but mischievous. “You’ll love it.”

Harry looks down again, utterly undone as their son lets out a soft, hiccupping noise and burrows closer against Louis’ chest. His voice cracks when he whispers, “I already do. I love him. I love you both so much.”

Louis exhales, sinking deeper into the pillows, their baby boy safe and warm against him. “We’re a family now,” he murmurs, his smile tired but radiant.

Harry shifts his attention to Louis now, reaching out for his cheek, thumb smoothing gently over his skin. “The best family. And I swear, Louis, I’ll protect him with everything I’ve got. With everything I am.”

Louis hums softly, eyelids heavy but lips quirking. “I know you will," he whispers, "you do it for me, it's only natural you'll do it for him as well."

Their son lets out the tiniest sigh at that, and both of them are gone. Just two hopelessly in love people, now two hearts orbiting the new little universe resting between them.