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When Louis comes home from footie practice he hears the twins gushing in the living room. His hair is still slightly wet and dishelven from when he washed it after practice. Luckily it's warm enough outside so he isn't at risk of catching a cold. This has to be a first, since autumn in Doncaster is usually already freezing and rainy. Not this year though. Louis´ hastily packed bag is slung over his shoulder. He dumps it on the floor next to the door, in order to take off his shoes.
“Girls, I´m home,” he yells before continuing his way into the living room. When he enters, the girls don't even look up. They're far too focused on their phones.
“Gosh, he's so hot!”
“Yes, and his voice…” Phoebe sighs.
“Girls,” Louis tries again, “I´m hungry. What do you want to eat? Should I order something?” He's tired and hungry so there's no way he can be bothered to cook right now. To be fair, he despises cooking, however today´s practice was especially intense so Louis feels like that is a legitimate excuse.
“Yeah, yeah…” The twins are still focused on their phones, not even glancing at him. Damn it!
Louis sights, “Alright, I´ll ask Lottie what she wants, then.”
When Louis turns to leave the room, Daisy easily says: “She's not here. She's at her boyfriend´s”
Louis can´t help the frown that takes over his expression. Growing up with so many sisters left him quite protective over them. Especially now that he is the legal guardian of Lottie and the twins. So naturally he likes to be in control about their whereabouts and the people they hang out with and he's worried about the oldest of the girls. He just doesn't trust her new boyfriend. However, he doesn't trust any boy around her, so…
Finally, the twins turn around. “Oh, come on. He's a nice guy. And he wants you to like him.”
“Well, then he shouldn't steal my baby sister.”
That poor guy was mortified when Lottie brought him around a few weeks ago. Since then, they seemed to prefer staying at his parent's home.
Daisy snickers before she exclaims: “She's 17!”
Louis rolls his eyes, walking up to the couch in which the twins are sitting comfortably. “What were you looking at anyways?”
Daisy practically shoves her phone into his face. “Harry Styles. He's going on tour in a few weeks.”
His Intargarm is open and Louis has to admit, he likes what he sees. Long curly hair, green eyes and the prettiest smile. And, damn, that butterfly tattoo on his chest.
“Never heard of him.” Louis´voice is monotonous.
“Not everybody can be a well known football star, I guess.”
Louis chuckles. He's the captain of Doncaster´s football team. The Doncaster Rovers. It has been his dream to become a football player ever since he was little. After school he got accepted into Manchester University and their footie scholarship. When he received the offer to go back to his hometown after he finished studying, he didn't hesitate for a second. Especially after the death of their mum. It was a double win, really. He get´s to play for his favorite club and be near his family.
“Alright, I suppose it's my turn to choose dinner.” He heads towards the kitchen to order Pizza, leaving behind two gushing girls.
***
They have dinner in the living room. The girls can´t stop talking about Harry Styles and how badly they want to see him live.
So when they are finished eating and the twins go back to their chatter (Lottie still hasn't come back and the footballer is getting gradually more pissed and worried), Louis puts the empty pizza boxes in the bin before heading upstairs. Once he is in his room, he flops down onto his bed and pulls out his laptop.
Louis just wants for his little sisters to be happy and finally he is financially in a situation where he can buy them nice things. They do deserve to get a break especially after the last few years. That's how he finds himself looking up ticket information about Harry Styles. Supposedly, he will be performing in Manchester in a few weeks time. Perfect!
Louis´face falters when he clicks on the ticket websites, realising that they are all sold out. He tries again on different websites, but none of them seem to have any tickets available. Shit, here goes nothing.
His mind races, desperate to make the girls happy. Then it clicks. Liam.
Liam is a close friend of Louis, who coincidentally works in the music industry and might know some people. They met at university, and were roommates in fact. Ever since then, their connection grew stronger so naturally they still talk a lot even though Louis is back in Doncaster and Liam moved to London after finishing his degree.
Louis pulls up the other boy´s contact on his phone and sends him a quick message.
Mate, I might need to call in that favour
It doesn't even take a minute for his phone to ring. Louis presses the green button and is instantly greeted by Liam´s warm voice.
“Hey Louis, what´s up?”
“I need you to do me a favour. Is there any way you could get Harry Styles tickets for me? I've searched everywhere but they are sold out.”
Liam laughs, “I mean he's pretty, but are you sure that's really your type of music?”
What is it with everybody mentioning his looks to Louis? Like, yes, he has eyes. He can see that Harry Styles is gorgeous.
“Not for me, you idiot,” Louis grumbles, “they are for my sisters. You know, they do deserve a little retreat. And the siblings have been gushing about that Harry-dude endlessly.”
“I see. Actually, I´m friends with his manager. Let me see what I can do,” the man on the other end mumbles.
Louis exhales a sigh of relief. “You´re the best, man. Thank you!”
“You know I love you and would do anything for you And your sisters, of course. How are they?”
And with that Louis launches into a full blown conversation about his younger siblings and how much he adores them. And after that he lets out his frustration about Lottie´s boyfriend much to Liam's amusement.
***
Liam worked his magic and Louis can't contain his excitement. They even got VIP-tickets with an included meet and greet. He already booked a hotel to stay in Manchester after the concert. They´ll stay the whole weekend since Louis wants to treat everybody to mini-holidays.
So, instead of going out with his team after today's match (they obviously won), Louis decides to spend his evening with his family in order to give his girls their surprise. Lottie volunteered to cook something and he's very pleased that they get a night for all four of them.
When they are finished eating, Louis retrieves an envelope from his bedroom. He walks downstairs again and into the kitchen. The girls are deep into conversation as Louis speaks up.
“Girls, I have got a little something for you.”
He pulls out the tickets from behind his back and places them onto the kitchen table. A smile is on his face as he eagerly awaits their reaction.
Unsurprisingly, the twins gasp and throw themselves at his neck, hugging their big brother tightly. Louis reciprocates the embrace as Lottie chuckles lightly.
“How? They are sold out everywhere. Thank you, Lou. You are the best!”
“I feel like we all deserve some time off-time. We will spend the whole weekend in Manchester, though the concert is obviously the highlight. I hope you like it.”
“Thank you!” Daisy is crying right now.
He squeezes his sisters one more time before letting them go. Lottie is standing next to them, a smile on her face. Louis turns to her and gives her a hug as well before getting started on the dishes. He offered to do them, since he didn´t contribute to the meal.
While he cleans them, all three girls sit together at the kitchen table, gushing and giggling while looking for outfits to wear to the show. They are showing each other different options while commenting.
“Oh, that's cute.”
“Look, that dress is perfect!”
“OMG, that pair of pants is so Harry coded.”
Every now and then, they turn around showing glittery clothes to Louis and asking for his opinion on them. He goes with his standardized hum.
When he is finished with his dishes, he admires his sisters. He's glad that they smile again. A year ago he would not have believed it. And they grow up so fast too. Lottie has a boyfriend for god's sake. And the couple seems serious too. Luckily the twins are still single, Louis thinks. One less thing to worry about.
Louis excuses himself into the living room. When he pulls out his phone, he sees that Lottie sent him a photo of their group hug. It's adorable.
He quickly switches apps and shoots a quick message to Liam.
Thank you for making the girl´s happy, Payno
***
It's the day of the concert and the girls are utterly excited. They wouldn't stop chattering the whole drive to Manchester and made him listen to what must be Harry Styles´whole discography. Needless to say that they couldn't decide on an outfit yet. Louis has seen the delivery guy way too often over the past weeks.
Still, he is happy and appreciates those moments with his family.
Currently, the girls are putting their makeup on. Getting ready. Louis is already dressed in a plain shirt and his black skinny jeans. Can't go wrong with that. And the jeans make his ass look great which is always favorable on a night out. Maybe he'll take the girls back to the hotel room and go out. It´s been a while since he had a proper weekend off. Coincidentally, this weekend and the next week there are no games, so Louis got away with it.
“Are you done yet?” Louis asks in mock annoyance.
“Just a few more minutes, big brother.”
He sights and sits down on his bed. The suite is really nice actually. The twins are sharing a king sized bed while Lottie has her own bedroom. Louis sleeps on the couch which is ridiculously comfortable. And it´s cream coloured with way too many pillows. Who even wants that?
Growing up, they never had a lot of money so Louis is grateful that he can afford such nice things now and make the girls happy.
“We´re gonna miss the meet and greet if you take any longer.”
Just in that moment, the bathroom door opens and out step all three girls. They are all glittery and glammed up.
“Can you take a picture of us?”
Louis nods in agreement and grabs his phone while the girls pose. He snaps a few pictures before putting his phone into his pocket.
“Come on, we have to leave.”
With that he ushers all of them out into the dimly lit hallway.
***
There are about 20 other people in the backstage area who are all waiting for Harry to come out for the meet and greet. The room itself is pretty small and sparsely decorated. The grey backdrop is lit by a light. There is a tiny couch in one corner but nobody uses it. People are scattered everywhere, talking excitedly.
That's until Harry Styles himself enters the room. Suddenly it has gone very quiet. The man in question wears a gentle smile, taking his time for each person. Posing for a photo, doing some small talk. Then he moves on to the next person. The people who are finished are ushered out of the room and into the special VIP area on the arena floor. When they leave, they are talking excitedly among them.
Louis and his sisters are the last persons to remain in the room. When it's their turn, Daisy and Phoebe are very excited. Lottie isn't as affected yet she seems nervous too. The girls exchange some kind words with Harry Styles and afterwards pose for a group photo. Louis takes it upon himself to get the perfect shot. The girls even get an autograph.
“Hi, and you are?”
Louis is ripped out of his thoughts as Harry Styles stands directly in front of him, a kind smile on his lips. He holds out a hand to Louis, which he reluctantly accepts.
“ Oh, I'm Louis. I'm just escorting my little sisters. Don't worry about me.”
His hand is being shaken as Louis dumbfoundedly stares at the man in front of him.
He's even more attractive in real life, even though Louis would never admit that out loud.
“ I see. You are just as gorgeous as your sisters. Must run in the family.” The curly haired boy looks so sincere while the girls snicker behind him. Louis is taken aback at this offensive flirting. That's what it is though, isn't it?
“Thank you,” he stutters, realising that they are still holding hands and withdrawing his.
“You know, our beautiful brother,” Lottie puts emphasis on the word beautiful and it isn't helping Louis’ case “,got us these tickets. It was sold out, but he's simply the best.”
Harry raises an eyebrow, still his gaze remains on him.
“Oh, so you've got the tickets for the friend of a friend my Zayn told me about.”
“ Yeah, I guess so. Thank you very much again. You've made the girls so happy.”
Harry brushes it off. “Don't worry!”
And okay, Louis might officially be addicted to his smile.
Right at that moment a stage worker appears behind them.
“Mr Styles, I fear you'll have to get going.”
Harry actually looks sad at that.
“I'm sorry.,” he hesitates. “, would you mind hanging out with me and my mate Niall after the show? Maybe I can introduce you to Zayn as well?”
Louis is dumbstruck at that while the girls giggle some more.
“Sure, I'd love to,” Louis answers as Harry is practically pulled out of the room.
What an unexpected turn of events.
However, Louis genuinely wants to continue talking to Harry. He seems like such a nice guy and has his heartbeat racing.
***
After the concert is over, Louis and the girls stay a bit behind, taking pictures. Confetti is scattered everywhere as the girls pose. Louis, as always, captures their best angles.
The show was amazing. Louis often found himself mesmerized by the brunette singer in front of him. His stage presence is stunning and the songs were catchy. Louis even sang along a few, recognising them from the car. The VIP area was incredibly close to the stage and the footballer often found himself staring right into Harry's green eyes and the singer seemed to be lost in his as well. But that must be his delusion, right?
Still, especially during medicine it seemed like Harry was performing just for him. And what a performance it was. Fuck!
Louis is started out of his thoughts when a hand taps his shoulder. The girls look at him and his companion. Louis turns around and recognises the stage worker from before.
“Louis, right? Mr Styles told me to pick you up and accompany you to his dressing room.”
Right when Louis turns around again to shoot a questioning look towards his siblings who seem extremely excited and shush him away, the guy adds: “Your sisters can come too.”
Louis is unsure what to do. After seeing his stage persona Harry seems so incredible and way out of league for Luis. Yet, he got to know the real him for a few minutes and would like to get to know him even better. Screw it!
Louis walks behind the stage person, gesturing his sisters to follow who are gushing all the time. They take paths that Louis hasn't even noticed before, leading them into a private area of the arena. The walls are painted black, only interrupted by doors scattered around the halls, name tags put on them. They stop in front of a room that clearly says Styles on it. The man leaves while the Tomlinsons stand in front of the massive grey door..
Louis hesitates for a moment, taking one big breath, before he reluctantly knocks on the door.
“Hi, it's me. Louis.” His voice is unusually small. God, what is this man doing to him?
“One sec,” comes the answer from inside the dressing room. Then they hear shuffling and eventually the door opens. It reveals a particularly beautiful sight.
Harry changed out of his suit, now comfortably in jeans and a shirt. His hair is slightly wet and ruffled. Has he showered already? A gentle smile spreads across his face.
“You came. Come on in.”
With that Harry steps aside and opens his door a bit wider. There is a blonde guy sitting on the red sofa. Apart from that, the room is pretty much empty except for a mirror and a rack of clothes. Louis' stomach sinks.
Harry must have noticed Louis´line of sight, because he promptly introduces the bloke as Niall. His best mate. Louis exhales a sigh of relief, he didn't know he was holding.
When all four of them step inside, Harry asks them how they liked the show.
The girls go into full on fangirl mode and praise Harry while Louis just stands there and smiles. Harry catches his eyes, both of them lost in each other for a second.
Niall must have noticed. When the girls are finished with their pitch, he stands up and walks towards them.
“Let us see if we can find some merch for you.”
That is obviously just a cheap excuse but the girls hurriedly agree. Maybe they´ve noticed as well.
So, after that it's just him and Harry. He gestures towards the red couch. Make yourself at home. Do you want something to drink?”
Louis takes a seat. Harry follows suit and sits at the opposite end of the sofa. A sofa which is actually really small and Harry´s presence seems a bit overbearing for a second. Louis is a nervous mess.
“I really liked your show as well. Wasn´t a fan before if you haven't noticed,” he laughs and god, that's just embarrassing. “I really liked your last song.” Medicine .
Harry laughs, obviously not a slightest bit offended. That laugh!
“Thank you! It's very kind of you to take your sisters. You must love them very much.”
Harry seems so gentle. So genuine.
Louis opens up and tells Harry about their mother's death. Then their sister's not long after. The singer just listens and offers his presence.
After that the conversation shifts to other topics, still heartfelt though and both of them don't even realise how much time has already passed.
In fact, they get so lost that they don't even notice Niall and the girls coming back. Harry and Louis subconsciously scooted closer to each other during their conversation. Knees touching.
Niall clears his throat.
“I'm sorry mate, but it's really late right now and there's only so much I can do to keep the girls busy. They must have seen the whole arena by now. 10k steps are safe,” the Irish chuckles.
Harry snaps out of his gaze, both men jumping away from each other as if they've been caught doing something they shouldn't. Which isn't the case. They were just talking. Niall laughs out loud and the girls try to stifle one as well.
“God, I'm so sorry I'm keeping you here,” Harry apologises profoundly.
“Let me see you out.”
When Louis stands up, Harry follows swiftly, embracing the shorter boy.
“I'd like to see you again. Can I have your phone number?”
Harry fishes his phone out of his pockets and hands it to Louis who is a nervous wreck. He clumsily takes it and saves his contact information. He hands the phone back to Harry and their hands brush. Electricity is shooting through his fingers, up his arm and finally straight into his heart. Louis blushes.
As Harry takes his phone back, he leans in and gives Louis a peck on his cheek.
“Thank you for today, Louis.”
“Thank you,” the footballer replies with a genuine voice.
With that they get ushered out by Zayn who Louis hasn't noticed before.
The second they reach the hotel, Louis' phone rings.
Hope you got to your hotel safely. Let me take you out when you are free. XX H
And the rest is history.