Chapter Text
It was almost noon and Louis still hadn't finished reading the required material he needed to - Taking and Receiving Your Sub Testing Score. He scoffed every time he read that title. How archaic.
He sighed and rolled over, looking at the bright red digital numbers that read 11:26. He knew that in four minutes his mother would come knocking on his door to take him to City Hall, where he would be administered the required testing that would pair him in two hours to the best fitting dominant.
He rolled off of the bed and trudged over to his closet and stared at his clothes before sighing and grabbing a pair of tight black jeans and a white shirt. He had to jump to get the pants over his plump arse, and he had to lay on the bed and suck in his little tummy to button them, but it was worth it when he turned in the mirror and looked at his bum, which was, if you asked him, nothing short of perfect. His tummy, however, was his biggest issue. Thankfully, the white shirt didn't cling to his belly or his arms. He walked over to the mirror and stared gloomily at his face and hair, neither of which he was too fond of at the moment. He decided against contacts, and instead just slipped on his black framed glasses and swept his hair into the usual fringe. He sighed one more time before rolling up his jeans to show his ankles and slipping on a pair of red converse.
Ten seconds later, there was a sharp knock on his bedroom door, and he glanced at the clock. 11:30 sharp. His mother swung the door open and glanced at him.
“Louis,” She blinked once, giving him a look from head to toe. “Are you sure that's the best outfit for you to wear? You're meeting your Dominant today. First impressions are so important.” She was using her gentle, soothing voice, which Louis appreciated. He'd gone to her multiple times over the past few months, agonizing over this very day. She understood his apprehension.
He tugged at his shirt self-consciously. Let's not start that, Louis. “Yes, mum. Let's go.” He snaked past her and down the stairs to grab his jacket. It was old and worn but it was his favorite, and he would wear it until it was coming apart at the seams.
“You'll need more than that! Its the middle of October!” He heard his mother call behind him. There was a low murmur and a short “Fine.”, and he knew that his dad must have told her to lighten up, because a few seconds later, she closed the front door and walked to the car, unlocking it.
They both slid in and were silent. His mum fiddled with the heat, finally settling on the right temperature. After that, there was no more noise, and it wasn't until they were stuck at a stoplight that she cleared her throat and looked at him.
“You know what's about to happen, right?” She asked him. She looked nervous for him, eyes swimming with uncertainty.
He shifted in his seat. “Sort of." He answered. "I go in and take a test that's personal and invasive, meet the complete stranger some other strangers decide to stick me with as my dominant, and if he likes me after two hours, we move in together, I cook and clean and have his babies. If he hates me, which will be likely, I get marked an unmatchable submissive and have to take the test again in six months.”
Louis' mum clicked her tongue and swatted at his leg. “Don't put it like that! You know full well that he'll love you. Everyone loves you. Be serious. Would you like me to tell you what to expect? "
He sighed. They still had a few minutes in the car, and he'd rather talk out his nerves than sit and stew in them. "Sure, mum."
"Okay. First things first, you'll go in, you take a picture, your weight, your blood type and height, and then you sit and take a very thorough test. Upon completion of that test, you get a list of every, uh, action" She glanced at Louis from the corner of her eye, "performed between and dominant and his submissive, and you put each one into a category marked either red or green. Red is what you are not comfortable with at all and green is what you are comfortable with. After the test, your information will be put in a database and two hours later you and your dominant will be placed in the same room. After they assess you physically, you will go over the red and greens. After that, if he chooses to keep you, both of you will be entered in the database as together, and you will be expected to move in with him within one week. If he deems you unacceptable, you will immediately be taken from the room and away from him and be categorized as an unmatchable submissive.” She finished just as they pulled into the parking lot and killed the engine.
Louis was still in his seat. That was a lot of information to take in, and it quite honestly scared him. He was so afraid he would be unwanted by whoever he was matched with.
"One week? That's not enough time to get to know someone. Who decided that was the best approach to this huge, lifelong commitment?" He was almost shrill. He looked at his mum. "What if I refuse? What if we just go home now? What if whoever I match with pretends to be nice until it's too late and then they're mean and hateful?"
His mum, bless her heart, placed a calming hand on his knee. "Baby, look at me. First of all, your father and I would never let you stay with someone who was mean and hateful, whether you're matched with him or not. Second of all, it just sounds like a lot. I promise it's not. It's just very thorough. They want to make sure you get matched with the best person for you, someone who will make taking care of you their priority. Do we need to sit here and take a few moments? We have time."
Did he? If he sat there any longer, he might lose his nerve. But if he went in, he might meet the love of his life. Or the worst person in the world. His heart skipped a beat in his chest. He took a few deep breaths and tried to focus. Everyone had to do this. Everyone had been in his shoes before.
He glanced up when his mother nudged him expectantly. “Louis? It's time to go in.” She pointed to the clock, which read 11:54. He nodded and unbuckled his seat belt. He took another breath before stepping out into the chilly afternoon.
When they entered the building and checked in for the submissive testing, he was whisked away, barely managing to wave at his mum, who looked emotional. His height was taken (5'8”) his weight was taken (he looked away) and his blood was taken (yuck). After a testing booklet with his name on it (Louis Tomlinson, 18, virgin, highly fertile) was thrust into his hands, he was told the rules by a woman who talked way too fast, and then shoved into a room with a single desk in it. He was given an hour to finish the test and list his reds and greens. When the time was up, the door would unlock and someone would escort him to the waiting room where he was to sit for two hours while his test and information was put through the database.
With that, she was gone and he could finally breathe.
He sat down at the cold desk and began his test. Question 1: How important is money and success to you? He didn't know if the question was being directed to him about his money and success or about his future dominant's money and success. He scribbled his answer down, remembering to answer honestly. There was no point in saying what he thought they'd want him to say. This was going to stick with him for the rest of his life.
Question 2: How important is starting and maintaining a healthy family to you? And are you willing to get pregnant multiple times? Louis' heart leapt at the question as he happily wrote down his answer. He would love to have many children, and the idea of getting pregnant multiple times excited him. He would love to have his dominant's attention, lovingly touching his belly, feeling the life inside of him kick.
Maybe this wasn't so bad.
Unfortunately, the happiness of that question didn't last though. The next few questions were extremely hard. His hands began to shake; the feeling of impending rejection was setting in. He tried to finish the fifty questions as fast as he could so he could get to the reds and greens and be done with the test already. He kept reminding himself that there was no right or wrong answer, just honest ones.
It felt like ages until he was finally done with the questions, and he sat his pencil down and stretched his fingers. He breathed in and out a few times and pushed the booklet away, face down. Out of sight, out of mind. Time to begin with the other portion, the more intimate portion. He opened the book and scanned the pages, eyes widening.
There was a sexual act listed and he was to mark either red, green, or questionable beside each one. He gulped reading some of the acts. Breath play? What was that even? Collaring? Was that a green for him? Anal torture? Bright, screaming red. Orgasm denial made him tilt his head and think about it. It would definitely be something he'd try. Fire play and knife play were huge reds. By the time he'd marked those, he felt exhausted, and those were just a few from the list. By the time he was done with, his breathing was heavy and he felt like panicking. He had put red for the majority of the acts listed, and no dominant would want him after reading the list.
A clicking sound brought him back. He turned and stood, facing the same woman who told him all about the test. She took it from his hands and motioned for him to follow her. She dropped the test and his information off at a desk, and then he was being led into a room where six other people sat. He assumed they were waiting to meet their dominants as well. He sat down and the lady started talking.
“The results will be done in approximately two hours. When they are done, your new Dominant will be given your information and have a chance to look it over. After that, you will be placed in a room and you will wait quietly for them. Once everyone has the correct dominant, that is when you may begin going over the list you were asked to fill out. If your dominant decides to keep you, you will both be listed in the database as together. Should the dominant decide you aren't good enough for them, you will immediately be taken from the room and listed as unmatchable and after six months, you will be able to take the test again.” She finished, glancing at all of the before turning on her heel and walking out. The door clicked shut behind her.
“Well, that's fucking scary.” He heard someone beside him say. He turned his head to find a boy about his age sitting beside him. He had bright blonde hair, obviously dyed, and a thick accent. He looked nervous, and that made Louis feel better.
“Yeah, just a little bit.” Louis agreed. Might as well try to make a friend.
The blond held his hand out and smiled. “Niall James Horan, at your service.” He stated.
“Louis Tomlinson.” Louis shook his hand.
“Are you looking for a bloke or a bird to be your dom?” Niall asked, looking around the room at the other six people, four girls and two more guys.
“Uh, on the preferences I put male, so...” He trailed off, not wanting everyone in the room to hear.
“Sweet! Me too!” Niall exclaimed. “I've always liked a good cock” He stated unashamed. “Just hope the lad I get paired with can cook. I love to eat.”
Louis just stared at him.
“What?” Niall asked, rubbing at his chin. “I got something on me face?”
Louis was almost speechless. If he'd learned anything from taking those tests, it was that his job as a submissive was to serve his dominant. In all aspects; cooking, cleaning, sexually. He wondered how Niall did on his test. Just by the way he was talking, things didn't look hopeful.
“You want your dom to cook for you? Um, you're supposed to cook for them.” He said in a low tone, glancing around. Was the room bugged? Could anyone hear them? Were they watching?
“Oh, yeah. You're definitely a sub. You're the most submissive person I've ever met.” Niall looked him up and down. “Killer bum, mate. Saw it when you walked in. Your Dom is going to flip his shit when he gets a look at you. Will probably want to knock you up as soon as possible. You're probably the most fertile thing alive, I think.”
“Thanks...I think.” Louis gave him a small smile. The bluntness was refreshing, he decided. He would have to keep in touch with Niall after today.
The more he talked to Niall, he found out that he really enjoyed the boy, and hoped that they would be able to keep in touch. He discovered that Niall did in fact dye his hair, he used to have braces, he was very Irish and very proud of it, he really did love food and he could drink anyone under the table if he was challenged too. He giggled when Niall told him a story that involved a few pints of Guinness and a pair of underwear printed with the Irish flag.
He really liked the way Niall told a story; he used his hands animatedly and talked loudly and you couldn't help but listen to every funny word that came from his mouth. After a while, Niall quieted down and stared at the clock.
“'m so fucking nervous, mate.” Niall finally admitted. He looked at the floor and then to Louis, who was also staring at the clock.
“Why?” Louis asked.
“What if my Dom doesn't want me? I mean, I can be submissive, but I don't act like it all the time...what if he really doesn't like that? Or what if he doesn't want me because I'm a half virgin?” Niall chewed on his bottom lip.
“A half virgin?” Louis couldn't help but ask. He bit back a smile, because Niall looked dead serious.
“Yeah, I've fooled around with people before, had me fingers and a few toys up there, but never a real one, so...” He had a bright shade of red on his cheeks when he told Louis.
“What does your paper say you are?” Louis asked, remembering how his said virgin, right there behind his age.
“Non-virgin. I want to be able to explain to my Dom why before he decides he hates me, but we aren't allowed to talk without their permission. What if he sees it, and then sees me, and won't even let me explain before I'm hauled off and deemed unmatchable?” Louis swore the blonde lad was about to cry. He put a comforting arm around Niall's shoulder and brought him to a cuddle.
“Hey now, none of that. You'll be able to explain. All of the dominants and submissives have to try to have a normal conversation, remember?” Louis rubbed his hand up and down Niall's back in what he hoped to be a comforting manor. He could have laughed. Merely hours ago, he was the one having to be comforted.
“You're so good at being submissive, and I'm not. Sometimes I don't know when to shut my mouth.” Niall laughed at that, and Louis smiled when he realized that his friend wasn't sad anymore.
“Hey, me neither. I ramble on when I'm nervous and I literally need a hand over my mouth to shut me up. I don't mean too, it's just something that I do.” Louis told him.
“Or a hand over your bum, now that it's almost time to meet our Doms.” Niall laughed even harder when he saw that Louis' face had turned a bright red at the thought of being spanked. He looked at the clock and his heart started beating rapidly.
“Oh my God, Niall. It's almost time. Mine's going to hate me. I want to leave.” Louis tried to stand, but Niall grabbed his wrist.
“Hey, hey, Louis. We literally just had this conversation about me. Everything's going to be fine. Your Dom will love you and your wonderful arse.” Niall reassured him, wrapping him in a hug. “And don't panic, they have super strict rules about approaching anyone who isn't your future partner.”
Just as they pulled away, the door clicked open and the same woman they had seen all day was standing there. “Follow me.” She said, turning to walk away. Everyone in the room scrambled to follow her, Niall and Louis going last because of their churning stomachs and doubt. The room was at the very end of the hallway, and she opened the door, allowing the subs to go in. There were seven round tables scattered across the room, and two chairs at each, sitting side by side instead of across from each other.
“You will take a seat and sit quietly until your Dom has identified you as his or her Submissive. Then, you may discuss the list and have a conversation.” She gave everyone a pointed look before leaving the room once more. Niall glanced at Louis and they both headed for the two tabled closest to each other, and even though they had a quite a few feet between them, they still felt better knowing the other was close. Louis looked down at his lap when he heard the door click back open. His heart started beating rapidly, and his throat felt tight. He tugged at his shirt and shifted in his seat, trying to make his tummy and thighs disappear.
“Stand up.” A voice said above him. A deep, gravelly voice. His head snapped up and he was met with clear, emerald eyes. He quickly stood, not wanting his Dom to get a bad impression. He looked back up at his Dom, making eye contact. His Dom was tall. But then again, Louis was very short for a boy his age.
“Turn.” The same voice said, and Louis looked at his lips, which were plump and cherry red. His face was clear and his hair was curly, and...he was frowning. Oh my God why was he frowning? Louis looked back at his eyes.
“Clearly you can't listen. I said turn.” His dom said, and Louis knew his face colored in shame. He lowered his head and turned, trying to suck in his stomach. He willed his eyes not to prickle with tears. The last thing he wanted was his dom to think he was a baby. When he was done with his full circle, he kept his head down. His heart was thumping in his chest.
“You may sit.” His dom said, doing so himself. Louis sat down, grabbing his list just in case the man in front of him wanted to look at it right away.
“I'm your dom. Harry Styles.” When Louis heard the name, he looked straight into the dom's eyes.
“Harry...Styles?” He asked quietly. His dom nodded.
“Is that a problem, Louis?” Harry raised his eyebrows.
Louis shook his head. “No! No, no, I just-I mean-I didn't think...” He trailed off, looking down at himself, tugging at his shirt once more. He was stopped when a large hand grabbed his small wrist.
“Stop doing that this instant. I can't stand fidgeting. Now, what didn't you think?” Harry asked, still holding on to Louis' wrist. Louis stared at it for a moment, marveling at how long Harry's fingers were, and how big his hand was.
Then, he remembered Harry was waiting for an answer. “I didn't think, I mean I just thought, that, you know...I'm sorry you had to be paired with me.” Louis finished lamely. He looked over at Niall, who was laughing with his new dom, a tall, buff man with brown hair and puppy dog eyes.
“Why are you sorry, Louis?” Harry's hand left his wrist and Louis immediately grabbed for it back. When he realized what he was doing, he put his hand back in his lap.
Harry's mouth turned up at that. “Did you want to hold my hand?” He asked. Louis thought he was beautiful when he looked amused.
“I did, but it's whatever you want to do. You don't have to hold my hand if you don't want to.” Louis rushed out, twisting his hands together.
“Louis, this pairing isn't just about me. It's about you, mainly.” Harry reached for his hand, intertwining their fingers together. “As your Dom, I'm here to protect you and listen to you and take care of you.”
Just then, there was a girl yelling at the top of her lungs as she was being dragged through the open door away from the man she was sitting at the table with. He laughed at her clawing at the door and rolled his eyes.
Louis shifted closer to Harry and gripped his hand tighter. The cold and cruel look in the dom's eyes as he laughed made Louis uncomfortable.
“Harry?” He said quietly.
“Hm?” Harry asked, scanning over the information folder he was given about Louis. Louis had the exact same one on Harry, he just had yet to read it.
“What do you think so far?” Louis asked, still staring at the Dom who rejected his Sub. He was just sitting there, laughing quietly to himself as he scanned what Louis assumed to be her folder.
“What?” Harry looked up that time, his eyes following to where Louis was looking. He gently took Louis' chin and turned his face. “Don't look at him. He's an asshole. I happen to know for a fact that this is the fourth time he's rejected a submissive. So please, don't look over at him anymore. I want your eyes on me.” Harry said. Louis tore his eyes away from the other Dom, focusing all of his attention on Harry. He smiled shyly, making Harry smiley in return.
Louis' heart fluttered when he saw the dimples, and he reached out to poke one. Harry grabbed his hand and held it in his.
“Now, Louis. Let's go over this list and your information.” Harry placed the open folder in front of Louis, and Louis did the same with Harry's. “Okay, let's start with the most obvious. You want kids?” Harry asked Louis, reading what the folder said. “You're fertile.” Harry raked his eyes over Louis' form. “Highly fertile.”
“Um.” Louis squeaked, embarrassed. “I do. Want kids, I mean.”
"Hm.” Harry said. “That's going to be a problem. I don't.” He said, and Louis swore the whole room could hear his heart crack.
“You...you don't?” He shifted in his seat and tugged at his shirt again.
Harry shook his head, seemingly oblivious to Louis' inner turmoil. “No. I'm constantly busy, flying places to meet with very important clients, and I work very hectic hours. I don't need a child to ruin that.”
“But a child doesn't ruin anything. How would a child ruin your work?” Louis asked. He saw Harry's eyes flicker up, immediately irritated.
“We are not talking about this now. You're to immediately get on birth control, the higher the dosage, the better. We'll go to the pharmacy after this.” The tone of his voice left no room for argument, so that was that.
He continued, reading from the packet. “Now, it seems that all of your reds are my reds, which is good. However, some of what you listed as questionable are my greens.” He glanced up at Louis. “I would very much like to choke you.” His eyes lingered on Louis' smooth neck.
And, what? Louis panicked. “Is that one I missed? I don't want you to choke me, I don't want to die-”
Harry cut him off, cradling his face in his large hands. “Hey, calm down. Now. It's not choking to kill. Hell, it's not even choking. I worded that wrong. Calm down.” Harry ordered, and Louis felt his heart rate slow down, and he blinked a few times before meeting Harry's eyes.
“There we are. Hi.” Harry murmured. “We'll talk about this later, huh?” He gathered everything up in his arms before turning to Louis, who was walking toward a blonde boy sitting with his friend Liam.
“Louis! This is Liam. He's fabulous and he can cook.” Niall cheered, leaning back into Liam's brick wall chest. He looked like that cat that ate the canary, all smiles and bliss. Louis envied him.
Harry shook his head before walking over, sliding his arm around Louis' waist. “You're a wanderer, aren't you? We'll have to work on that.” He mumbled into Louis' ear. He felt the smaller boy shiver before looking up at him apologetically.
“Harry, this is Niall and his Dom-” Louis started to say, but Harry interrupted him.
“My best friend and housemate, Liam Payne.” Harry said, watching as Louis' and Niall's eyes widened. What were the chances? Louis felt better about the situation. It was seemingly fate.
“We're going to live in the same house!" Niall cheered. "I'm going to live in the same house as your fabulous bum! I'm so happy!”
“Alright. I think we've been here long enough. Liam, Niall? Would you like to join us for a late lunch?” Harry asked, placing his hand on Louis' waist and tugging him close. Liam looked at Niall who nodded back up at him.
“Great! Meet at Florence's?” Harry asked, tugging Louis away before he could hear Liam agree. Harry nodded to the people he passed, and then tugged Louis into a dark doorway.
“Okay, listen Louis. There are going to be lot of paparazzi out here, wanting my picture, and wanting your picture. They will call out to you and they will continue until you give an answer, which you are not to do - look at me - do you understand, Louis? Do not speak or look at them. I will be holding you against me so you won't get knocked around. Please don't be nervous. I won't let anything happen to you.” Harry assured him.
Louis looked at Harry for a minute before nodding. “Okay, yeah. I trust you.” He said. Harry nodded.
“Alright. Let's do this. Oh, and Louis? Don't fuck this up.” Harry growled before gripping Louis' hip and holding him tightly to his side. As soon as the door was open, Louis was blinded by multiple flashing lights. He kept his head down, focusing on his and Harry's synchronized steps.
“Harry! Is this your new sub?” Someone called.
“What's your name, sweetheart?” Another called.
“Proper twink, looks like! A new toy, Harry?” Louis' steps stuttered when he heard that, and Harry gripped him hard enough to bruise before leading him the next few feet to the waiting Escalade. He practically shoved Louis into the passenger seat before walking quickly around the car to the drivers side. He sent a silent thank you to the car company because the windows were tinted enough that no one could ever see in.
“Are you okay?” Harry asked, reaching over the console to ruck Louis' shirt up to inspect his side. “Thank God.” He said.
“What?” Thank God what? What has he already done to upset Harry?
“I didn't bruise you. I held you hard enough to. Louis, if I ever hurt you with anything, my words, my actions, my touch, you need to tell me. I don't care what the situation is, if I'm mad as hell at you and want to punish you in any way, you need to tell me if you're hurt. Do you understand?” Harry was very serious and stern. It was comforting knowing that he took things seriously.
Louis nodded, looking outside at the paparazzi, who were trying to swarm the car. “What that one said, about me - ”
Harry cut him off with a firm shake of the head. “Nothing they say is true. You're not to believe any of it. Got it? You're my new submissive and I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to spoil you, and I'm going to discipline you. You aren't my property, and I'm going to allow you certain freedoms.” Harry ran his hand through Louis' hair, cupping the back of his head and kissing his forehead. Louis closed his eyes, savoring the first tender moment between him and his dominant.
“Harry?” Louis asked, watching the paps get smaller in the mirror as Harry drove away.
“Yes, baby?” Harry asked, swerving smoothly to avoid a large pothole. Louis smiled at the pet name, affection blooming in his chest. Harry glanced over and noticed.
“You like it when I call you that?” He asked. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Yes, but if you don't-” Louis began, but Harry grabbing his hand over the console stopped his rambling. He stared down at their hands. God, Harry's hands were huge.
“Louis, I'll let you know when I don't want to be sweet towards you.” He said, driving along the busy street. "But until that time, I will use any and every pet name that makes you blush like that."
Louis giggled nervously, then cleared his throat. “Like, what do you mean? That I'll know when you don't want to be sweet with me?”
“I'm going to be very blunt. I'm a very strict dominant, Louis. If I tell you to do something I expect it to be done. If I'm feeling generous, I'll give you a warning or two. If its a particularly busy week, I'll try not to ask too much of you. If it's a bad week, I might not talk to you at all. In order for it to be a bad week, you would have to had do something that I asked you not to. If you blatantly disobey or ignore me, there's a room in the house that is for incidences where I don't want to hear, see, or talk to you and you will spend however long I feel you should in there. Meals will be sent up and you aren't allowed to talk to anyone until I feel that you've served your punishment.” Harry explained. His tone of voice wasn't harsh, but it was firm. Louis could tell he was being very serious.
“What if...what if maybe I'm having a bad week and you don't see or maybe you punish me before I can tell you that I'm having a bad week? Or if somethings upset me and I maybe forget to do something you ask of me?” Louis asked timidly.
“I will always give you time to talk to me before I decide your punishment. I don't want you to be upset at something and in isolation. I want you to tell me as soon as somethings upset you, okay? Then I'll know not to ask you to do anything for a little while. I don't want my baby upset ever.” Harry brought Louis' hand to his mouth and kissed his knuckles.
“Maybe, do you think when we move in together, we can maybe talk more about...the baby situation?” Louis asked as politely as he could. He bit his lip and looked at Harry, who's jaw was clenched. Was Harry angry at that question?
Harry gripped his hand a little harder than necessary. “No. I'm sorry, Louis, but I've given my final answer about that. Do not bring up the topic again.” He said without looking at Louis.
“Okay.” He squirmed his hand out of Harry's and sat on it, spending the rest of the ride looking at the storm clouds gathering outside. It was sprinkling out, and Louis knew that before the car stopped at the restaurant that it would be pouring down rain.
A few minutes later, Harry pulled up in front of Florence's, an expensive Italian restaurant that Louis had always heard of but never been able to afford it. He heard Harry open his door and toss the keys to the valet, and a loud clap of thunder reminded him that he didn't have an umbrella or anything. He looked at the sky once more before opening his door. He was immediately jerked from the car and an umbrella was placed over his head and an arm around his waist.
He was surprised that Harry helped him at all, because he had a feeling that he had upset the dominant. He grabbed the bottom of Harry's shirt and held it tightly until they were past the flashing cameras and in the safety and warmth of the restaurant. A bubbly and blond waitress greeted them at the door, looking only at Harry, smiling and batting her eyelashes as she led them to their table. Harry pulled Louis' chair out for him and made sure that he was seated before sitting down himself.
“Would you like to start off with some wine?” She asked Harry, twirling her hair.
“The most expensive bottle. And a basket of breadsticks. We'll be expecting two more people shortly, so if you could hurry.” Harry said without looking at her. She seemed annoyed when she left and that made Louis giggle.
“What's got you laughing, doll?” Harry asked while skimming the menu. He didn't glance up at all.
He stifled his laugh with a cough. “Nothing....sir? I'm really sorry if I made you upset in the car. I just thought that we could talk about it some more. I understand if you don't though.” Louis said quickly, opening his menu and looking straight for the salad section.
Harry covered the section with his hand and turned the page to the pastas and raviolis. He then put an arm around Louis and brought him close, whispering in his ear. “If you want to talk about it, we can talk about it. I want to hear what you have to say about it. And were you giggling because of the waitresses flirtatious ways?” He asked, making Louis giggle again. Harry wished he could record the sound and make it his ringtone.
“Are we interrupting something?” He heard a deep voice ask, making him pull away from the smaller boy, moving his hand to rest on Louis' delicious thigh.
“Nothing that can't be continued, Liam.” Harry said, motioning for them to sit down. Liam pulled Niall's chair out for him and then sat, both of them immediately opening their menus.
“Is this okay?” The waitress had returned, plunking a basket of delicious smelling bread on the table and its little bowl of dipping oil next to it before turning to Harry to show him the label of the wine.
Louis didn't miss the slight wrinkle to Harry's nose. “That's your most expensive? Okay...” He said, and she poured a little into a glass for him to test. “It'll do.” He told her.
Louis and Niall both took a breadstick at the same time, Niall eating all of his in three bites, while Louis tore pieces off before dipping and eating.
“Try the wine?” Harry asked Louis, who looked up at him, his blue eyes shining through the glasses he slid on to read the menu.
“I don't know if I'll like it...” Louis said but he picked it up and tried it anyway, nose crinkling at the taste. He set the glass back down. “I'm sorry, Harry - Sir. I don't like it.” He said, resting his hand on top of the one Harry had resting on his thigh.
“It's alright, would you like something else to drink?” He asked, watching Louis thumb through the menu, glancing more than once at the pastas.
“Tea? Yorkshire if they have it?” Louis asked, and Harry nodded before waving his hand to have the waitress scurry over.
“Are we ready to order?” She asked, pen poised.
“I think we'll need a few more minutes. However, I will take a Yorkshire tea.” Harry told her, and she nodded, scribbling on her paper before walking off.
When she returned with the tea and some sugar, they ordered. Harry got the chicken saltimbocca, Louis got beef and Italian sausage ravioli in marinara, Liam got penne alla vodka, and Niall ordered shrimp fra diavolo. When their orders were taken, Harry and Liam began to talk to each other, leaving Niall and Louis to have their own conversation.
“Lou, there's a fair next weekend. Wanna go?” Niall asked, drumming his fingers on the table.
Louis shrugged. “What kind of fair? Craft fair?” He nibbled on the end of his breadstick.
“Nah. Those don't even sound fun, mate. It's a like a carnival, you know? Ferris wheel, fun house, hay ride...you know. The fun stuff.”
“Craft fairs are fun!” Louis defended. “At the good ones, you can make a candle or a sampler.” He said, remembering the apple scented candle he had sitting on his dresser at home. It was the very first candle he had made, and it was starting to thin because he always burned it. “I need to make a new candle. Mine is almost gone.” He pouted.
Niall mulled it over. “Is there food at craft fairs?” Of course Niall would ask about food. Louis laughed.
“There are homemade food booths, you know. And cooking contests. I've always wanted to enter the baked goods one, but I don't know how to make anything but Dutch apple pie." Louis replied.
"That's my favorite." Harry's voice rumbled in his ear. "You'll have to make if for me some time." Louis blushed and nodded.
"Okay." He agreed. The thought of cooking Harry something made him feel good. Warm and fuzzy inside, like he should.
The foursome conversed for twenty more minutes before their food was being served to them. When the waitresses were gone, they all dug in eagerly. Louis stared at his food before cutting a piece of ravioli and taking a bite. It was the best thing he had ever eaten.
“Can you eat it all for me?” Harry murmured to him, cutting his chicken. He glanced expectantly at Louis.
“I can try.” Louis responded quietly, earning a quick peck on the cheek. His blush was involuntary. He glanced over at Niall, who made a funny face, and the two erupted into soft laughter.
“I'm so glad they get along with each other.” Liam said to Harry, both men looking at their submissives excited faces.
“I am too. They'll need to keep each other company for when we have business meetings or last minute flights and can't take them.” Harry agreed. Both him and Liam were at the very top of Styles and Payne Global. They managed thousands of businesses, ranging from alcohol to clothing to record labels.. They were constantly in Forbes and business magazines. They were famous for not taking shit from anyone and running a very tight ship. They were partners with many successful businesses throughout the globe.
Halfway through the meal, Louis looked around the table. The conversation had died down a bit, and Harry was cutting his chicken, Niall was chomping happily on a spicy shrimp, and Liam was bringing a forkful of noodles to his mouth. The food looked so good, but Harry's looked the best to him, though.
Harry must have noticed him, because he leaned over and whispered, “Would you like to try it, love?” Louis blushed when he realized he was caught staring.
“Uh, no thank you.” He looked away, but Harry handed Louis his fork, which he had put food on. Louis took it shyly and took the bite of food. He chewed and swallowed the delicious food, thanking Harry.
“Hey, Liam. Give me some of yours.” Niall demanded after he saw the exchange between Harry and Louis. Liam rolled his eyes before handing Niall the fork he was bringing up to his mouth. Niall smiled happily and took the pasta in his mouth. Liam laughed and took his fork back.
"Manners," Louis heard Liam chide Niall gently and quietly. Niall nodded and smiled up at Liam. It seemed like they had already developed a flawless relationship.
Louis looked up at Harry. “Do you want some of mine?” He offered.
Harry shook his head. “Thank you, sweets, but I would prefer that you ate it for me.” Harry replied, sipping his wine.
The rest of the meal went quickly and silently, and before Louis knew it, he was putting his last ravioli in his mouth. When he was through, he shifted in his seat to get closer to Harry, resting his head on his dominants shoulder.
“Tired?” Harry asked, slipping his credit card in the little black book the waitress had left with the food. Louis nodded. Eating a big meal always left him a little tired. “You ate all of your ravioli for me, thank you. Was it good?”
“It was delicious. Thank you.” He replied, wrapping his hand around Harry's bulging bicep. Liam and Niall finished up, and they all stood.
“Remember what I said about the paps, Louis.” Harry reminded him, and Louis nodded, keeping his hand tight around Harry's bicep. The foursome parted ways at the door, Louis and Niall hugging each other and talking about how they would see each other again within the week when they were moving into the house. Harry wrapped one arm around Louis' shoulders while the other held an umbrella. It was still raining hard, and thankfully there weren't that many paps around.
Once they were both situated in the car, Harry turned the heat on and buckled up. Louis did the same.
“We should go over what is going to happen this week.” Harry said as they pulled away from the restaurant. “After I meet your parents, which I would like to do in a few days, so do not forget. You'll move in with me, and when you move in with me, you will have your freedoms within the house, which you will be touring tomorrow when I am off of work. Niall will be there too. You won't have to work for things, I am going to spoil you, so long as you don't get ungrateful. Sometimes I will take you to work parties or galas or charity events, and sometimes I won't. It depends on if I think you've been good or not.” He glanced at Louis, who was chewing on his bottom lip.
He continued, looking back at the road. “After the house has been shown to you, you will have a day or two to pack what you want to bring. I will take you shopping to get a new wardrobe, one that I approve of, and some other things you would like to have.”
When Louis heard the clothing comment, he blushed. “I'm sorry, my mum told me to change today and I didn't listen.” He smoothed his shirt.
“You look wonderful, Louis. This is just so I know that whatever you put on, I already approve of and you won't have to change twice.” Harry assured him. "Your home address?"
Louis rattled off the numbers and in a few minutes, they were pulled up to Louis' house. Before he could get out, however, Harry grabbed his wrist gently.
“I have something for you.” He said before reaching into the middle console and presenting Louis a sleek white iPhone box.
“I can't-” He held his hands up. He knew it was part of a dominants nature to provide for their submissive, but he just couldn't accept such an expensive gift.
“You can and you will.” Harry handed it to him. “It's all set up and my name and number are already in it. This way, I can get ahold of you if something comes up or you would like to do something with me, within reason.” Harry smiled at Louis and kissed his temple.
“Thank you, Harry.” Louis replied, opening the door and sliding out of the car. He walked over the house and stood, watching as Harry pulled away. When Harry's vehicle was out of sight, he exhaled slowly and his shoulders relaxed. He was already so exhausted.