Chapter Text
Louis hopped off the Blue Line and slushed through the snow, glad that Harry had reminded him to bring his boots today. Although tired from his long day at school and the beginning of play rehearsals, he smiled as snow softly fell in sparkling light flakes. Harry loved snow in December.
He unlocked the gate and then stomped his boots on the mat outside the door of he and Harry’s townhome. As soon as he opened the front door, he heard a meow as Romy rubbed against his leg, wanting some attention.
“Aw, has your dad been ignoring you, Romy?” he asked their black and white tuxedo cat who let out another pitiful meow. “Poor baby, dad had a lot to film today. And he doesn’t let you in his closet anymore does he? Mean old dad. You puke on one little cashmere sweater and you’re banned for life. Just doesn’t seem fair.”
He looked up when he heard a snort of laughter. “Is that cat complaining about me again?”
Harry stood in the doorway of their guest room where he filmed some of his TikToks with one hand on his hip, looking gorgeous in a fuzzy blue Calvin Klein sweater that he’d actually bought for Louis. Apparently he wanted to show it off to his followers. After moving in together, very nice clothes began appearing in Louis' closet. He was fairly certain he’d become the best dressed teacher in all the Chicago Public School system.
“How dare you imply Romy ever complains! This is the sweetest angel in the world!” Louis picked up the cat and smooched the top of her head.
“You know it’s really unfair that I’m the one who wanted cats, and they both like you best,” Harry complained as a chonky tabby cat appeared from the kitchen to meow at Louis. “I’m the one that’s here all day taking care of them and feeding them and cleaning their litter, and then as soon as you walk in the door, they act like they don’t know me.”
“It is what it is,” Louis laughed, extricating himself from their cats to give Harry a kiss. “You look amazing in that sweater. Did you film it today?”
“Yeah, but it looks better on you,” Harry sighed. “I know you don’t love being in my TikToks, but it might be nice to show how it looks on both of us.”
“I beg to differ on it looking better on me, but let me take a shower and I’m all yours.”
“Really?” Harry’s face lit up. It was always worth it to film a TikTok to make Harry happy.
“Of course.” He gave Harry another kiss before he headed towards their bedroom, their cats trailing along behind him.
Harry popped his head into their bathroom just as he was stepping into the shower. “Mind if I talk?”
“‘Course not.”
Louis stepped into the shower as Harry sat down on the toilet lid and began regaling him with their holiday plans and asking his opinion on some upcoming TikToks he was thinking about making.
“Don’t forget Ed flies in on Friday,” Harry began. “I can pick him up from O’Hare.”
“Right. We’re getting dinner with him Saturday night, yeah?”
“Yes. And Rita flies in on Monday. She said she hasn’t been home for Christmas in five years! Her family must be so excited.”
“Do we have plans with her yet?”
“I think she said she’d join us when we go ice skating with the Payne’s.”
“Oh right. Wish my family would come to that, but after what happened last time…”
Harry snorted. “Not sure your mom has forgiven us for Ernest’s broken wrist.”
“Maybe your mom and Gemma would want to come. They might enjoy it.”
“Good idea. I’ll text them and see what they think. It’d be nice to see them more, we’ve just been so busy lately.”
Louis turned off the water and stepped out to dry off. “A good busy though.”
“I'll warm up leftovers while you get dressed. No seducing me until after dinner, and we should probably decorate the tree tonight. It’s been sitting there naked for a week.”
“I’m seducing you with my soaking wet hair, am I?”
“No, but with your nude damp body you are.” Harry covered his eyes dramatically as he exited the bathroom.
Cuddling on the couch that night in front of their now decorated Christmas tree, Louis sipped a hot chocolate that wasn’t quite cool enough to drink with their cats curled up beside them, silently thankful for both Liam and the universe for sending him on that trip.