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The stress Harry had been feeling lately was starting to weigh down on him. It was his first year of uni, along with his first year of being with Louis. The work load was nothing like he thought it would be. Late nights were more common than study breaks at this point, and it was really getting to him.
And on top of that, being with Louis for nearly six months began making Harry feel like a shit boyfriend, because dates and movie marathons were quite rare. It made the omega in him feel like he was failing, like he was disappointing his alpha.
He didn’t tell Louis this, not wanting to sound whiny or annoy the older boy. On the inside, he knew Louis would never get upset with him, and would only want to help, but still. Harry just didn’t want to make a fuss.
The stress had been building up slowly, so he figured that’s why Louis hadn’t noticed him being off or extra tired. Although, he did control it pretty well, and would just play it off as him “getting used to the new schedule” for his classes.
But now, sitting at the end of their bed (the twin that was supposed to be for only Louis considering their dorm room, but quickly turned into their bed, leaving the other empty— no complaints) with a throbbing headache and an anxiously shaking leg, Harry sort of wishes Louis knew.
Except Louis was at his own classes, leaving Harry to himself for a bit, but Harry wasn’t keeping track of time. He was too overwhelmed, too busy with work and just life. He contemplated texting Louis to ask when he’d be back, but he chose not to. Disturbing Louis while he was in class was something he would feel guilty about— he didn’t want to seem needy and clingy.
It’s not that these thoughts were rare, but they weren’t so heavy, so much. All that Harry could think about was how shitty of an omega he was.
He couldn’t bare just an hour alone without his alpha, he couldn’t handle basic schoolwork, and hell, he couldn’t even occupy himself with getting food or hanging out will Niall. Bad omega. Obnoxious omega. Sensitive omega.
Harry just needed a break. He needed Louis.
But Louis was already doing something, and Harry was wallowing in self pity for being stressed. Stressed.
He couldn’t control the faint whimper that made its way up and out of his throat. Scooting back and curling up into a ball, he closed his eyes and held back tears which, very clearly, was not easy to do.
With heavy breaths and another whine, he buried his face into a pillow to muffle his pathetic cries. While reaching his hands out aimlessly to find a blanket, he furrowed his brows when he felt strings attached to something soft.
When he opened his bleary eyes, he saw that he had picked up one of Louis’ jumpers he must’ve left. Not even thinking about it, Harry gripped the hoodie and pulled it up to his face, relishing and basking in his alpha’s scent. It only made his need to be comforted stronger.
He couldn’t describe the feeling, but having Louis’ own jumper pressed up to his nose with the strong scent covering the fabric made his omega practically purr. And he wasn’t really thinking, was too distressed to realize what he was doing but the next thing he knew, he was dragging himself off of the bed and walking over to their dirty clothes hamper.
Barely paying attention, Harry fished around in the bin and pulled out handfuls and handfuls of clothes. When he made his way back over to the bed, he dropped them all down and frowned. Some were his own, and some were Louis’. He really only wanted Louis’, but he was too dazed and teary eyed to care.
Harry frowned again, his omega feeling dissatisfied with the clothes being messily piled on. Before even thinking about what he was actually doing, he was biting his lip in concentration and moving the jumpers, joggers and shirts around in very, very specific places.
Some socks were sprinkled in too, and Harry didn’t know why, but each article of clothing was just drawn to different parts of the bed. Each one had to be laid out differently, spaced separately and placed very carefully. If even a single piece looked wrong— felt wrong, he huffed in frustration and fixed it immediately.
It took a few minutes to get them all right and perfect, but once he finished, he hesitantly climbed back onto the bed and pulled his knees to his chest in the middle of all of the clothes. He formed himself into a little ball, getting comfortable and sighing once he felt calmer. Of course not one hundred percent calm, seeing as Louis still wasn’t with him. The scent of the clothing surrounding him was definitely helping though, the aroma of his alpha wrapping around him and making him feel protected.
He just wanted Louis though. He missed him so much, and he literally saw him just about an hour ago.
Realizing he was stressing himself out worse by thinking about how much he wanted his boyfriend to be back with him, cuddling him and giving him sweet little kisses like always, he let his eyes fall closed until he drifted into a quick sleep.
-
“Yeah, I’ll text you later and let Harry know you’re coming over for a bit.”
Niall gives him a thanks and says bye before hanging up, leaving Louis to tuck his phone into his pocket and open he and Harry’s dorm door.
He sets his bag down, lifting his head up and eyes landing on his sleeping boyfriend. A smile spreads on his face at the sight of his balled up and comfy looking boy. But then he blinks, making sure he’s seeing what he thinks before he takes in the random clothes scattered around yet somehow placed neatly surrounding Harry— his omega. His omega who is in fact…nesting?
He’s— oh my god. He’s nesting.
A million thoughts run through his head; Is he okay? Is he upset? Did he purposely nest? And wow, Louis just, he’s never seen Harry nest. Hell, Harry’s never even said anything about it. Louis’ thought about it before, has wondered if Harry had ever nested or considered it, but it wasn’t like it was a concern of his or anything.
But now, seeing his boyfriend snuggled up inside a ring of a shit ton of their (if according to their mix of scents wafting around the room, Louis figures they’re dirty clothes obviously) clothes, he feels his heart swell. The sight in front of him is rather adorable, so Louis makes sure to approach slowly, not knowing how Harry will react to someone coming near his nest, even though it’s just Louis. Every omega is different, and whatever Harry wants or feels is always okay with him. As long as his boy is happy, Louis’ happy.
He walks over to the bed, sitting cautiously at the end where he wasn’t touching or getting in the way of any part of his nest. “Baby,” Louis whispered, placing a gentle handle on Harry’s shin and squeezing softly.
It takes another murmur “I’m here, love” before Harry opens his eyes and sees Louis. Louis expects his face to light up with a smile, maybe even hugging him and giving him a kiss like he usually does, but instead Harry just whines. He whines, looking around and seemingly remembering his new nest.
Louis furrowed his brows, wondering why his baby was upset but not wanting to mess up Harry’s creation.
”H? What’s wrong, baby?” Louis asks, wanting nothing more than to just cuddle his boy close.
”Lou,” Harry whines again, reaching his arms out and making grabby hands.
Seeing tears spring to Harry’s eyes makes Louis’ alpha instincts kick in, immediately accepting his omega’s invite and carefully kneeing his way close to Harry. He tries his hardest to keep the nest the way it was, lying down on his back and letting Harry climb on top of him.
The boy splays himself on top of Louis, straddling his waist and dropping his head into the crook of Louis’ neck. There he scents him, nosing at his bond mark and letting the familiar smell relax his nerves. His omega settles, feeling grounded and letting Louis’ arms wrap around him.
”Oh my love, I’m sorry you had to be alone,” Louis whispers, running his fingers through Harry’s curls while gently scratching at his scalp.
Harry whimpered against Louis’ skin, lips tracing his neck and lightly suckling. Louis let him, knowing his boy needed the comfort despite not knowing exactly what got him so upset.
”You okay, baby? Wanna tell me what’s got my pretty boy so sad?” Louis coaxed, kissing Harry’s temple over and over, letting his lips linger.
The younger boy swallowed, sniffling and reluctantly sitting up on Louis’ lap. He bites his lip, looking down at the nest around them. “‘M sorry.”
Louis’ forehead pinched in confusion, hands holding onto his hips and rubbing his thumbs along the skin under his shirt. It made him so sad, the fact that Harry always felt the need to apologize whenever people around him weren’t happy. Louis hates it, hates it so much.
“Sorry for what, honey?” he says softly. “You’ve done nothing wrong.”
”The— I— got stressed and like, I don’t know. I don’t know how it happened,” Harry gestures towards the nest. “I don’t want you to think it’s weird…”
And if that doesn’t break Louis’ heart, nothing will. He shakes his head, his alpha begging to wrap his omega up in his arms and keep them nuzzled together in the safety of his nest.
”It’s not weird, baby. It’s normal. It’s— it comforts you, yeah?”
Harry nods hesitantly. “Think so…your scent, it, it’s nice. Safe,” he mumbles, avoiding Louis’ soft, almost watery eyes.
It’s hard, but Louis manages to hold off on teasing Harry about being so cute.
”See?” he hums. “That’s okay, darling. Good, actually. Let’s me know I must be doing something right.”
Looking up, Harry returns the wide grin on Louis’ face. He’s thankful that the boy is no longer crying, because quite frankly, it’s something he loathes.
”You’re not, like, freaked out or something?”
Louis shakes his head. “Of course I’m not. ‘S cute, if I’m being honest.”
That makes Harry blush, and instead of covering his face with his little hands, he picks up one of Louis’ random shirts and hides his face with it. Unknowingly, too, and it warms Louis’ heart like nothing else.
”Stoppp,” Harry’s whine came out muffled from the way his face was buried into the soft fabric, clearly making sure his nose was pressed deep into it.
Louis was sure he was in love.
“Just wanna check, baby, did something happen that upset you? Made you feel a bit sad, maybe?” Louis asked carefully, running his hands up and down Harry’s sides until he pulled the shirt away and placed it down very meticulously again.
He shrugged. “Dunno.”
A lie, very clearly. Louis knows him too well by now to see through it.
”Please be honest with me, sweetheart. You’ve never, you’ve never nested before, right?”
Harry softly nods.
”Then there must’ve been something that happened that made you. I just wanna help, my love,” Louis encourages with gentle squeezes to the younger boy’s thighs then.
Realizing it’d be best to just admit what made him so stressed, Harry sighed. “Just, uni wasn’t really what I was expecting. There’s so much work and stuff that I got annoyed and overwhelmed then you weren’t here and I didn’t want to bother you in class and I just, I didn’t know what happened but next thing I knew I’d made this,” he looked all around at the nest. “Don’t know why.”
Louis frowned, his heart shattering at Harry’s guilty looking face. He reaches his hand up to cup Harry’s cheek and caresses the skin soothingly.
”I’m sorry I wasn’t here, darling. You can always, always call if you need me, okay? You never bother me.”
Harry nods, taking Louis’ hand away from his face and pulling it up to his neck, making his fingers graze his bond mark— which had just recently healed fully.
”Thank you, Lou. Love you,” he whispers, leaning into Louis’ hold.
Louis smiled. “You’re welcome, baby. I love you,” he says back with a kiss to Harry’s nose despite the odd angle.
After sighing comfortably from Louis’ gentle touches, Harry licks his lips in deep thought. Louis’ seen that look too many times to not know it.
Louis thanks whatever being is up in sky when Harry speaks faintly, almost like he’s embarrassed again because god Louis loves him.
”Do you think you could give me your shirt, please?”
-
The two had gone out for lunch not long after, grateful for the free time they had to spend together and just enjoy each other’s company. They both swore they were falling in love more and more with each passing day.
”Oh yeah, I was supposed to ask,” Louis began as they were making their way back to their dorm, “do you mind if Niall comes over later?”
Harry hesitates before nodding. “But my, you know? I don’t want him seeing it.”
Louis pulls out the key when they get to the door, and he feels sad for his boyfriend. The last thing he ever wants is for him to feel upset or ashamed.
”I’ve known him for years, darling. And he loves you, I don’t think he’ll mind. Especially with him being a beta, he really won’t even care, I’m sure.”
With a deep breath, Harry nods, trying to calm himself down and let Louis’ words help him relax. They did, at least a little.
”Yeah, okay. That’s fine,” he gives a half smile, prompting Louis to kiss his cheek before unlocking the door.
The sight before them is enough to ignite something inside both of them that is a feeling similar to agitation, or something that makes a heavy urge of protection to wash over them.
Harry is much more distressed by it, though. It, being Niall practically sprawled out on Harry’s bed, phone in hand until he sees them and smiles. He waves, sitting up and greeting them.
”Surprise!”
And oh. Oh no. Oh no no no, no.
There the boy was, chilling all comfortable and relaxed on top of Harry’s nest. The nest that had been neat and perfect, neat and perfect and just like Harry wanted was now a mess. A mess of overlapping and spread out clothes that the beta obviously didn’t know was a nest.
A nest. Something that should never ever be moved around or rearranged or fixed by someone other than the original creator. Harry’s omega was exploding.
”What’s wrong?” Niall asked when he saw the look of shock on Louis’ face and the clenched jaw of Harry’s.
Louis sighed, not really knowing how to handle the situation but knowing he needed to act fast.
”Niall maybe um, maybe now isn’t the best time. I forgot to tell you that Harry isn’t feeling very good and um—”
”Oh, sorry. I can just—”
The poor oblivious boy was cut off by Harry storming over and shoving him out of the way and onto the edge of the bed. He immediately began picking up random articles of clothing, putting them here and there with a frustrated whine because it was all messed up. It wasn’t like it originally was and he couldn’t remember how it had been before he and Louis had left.
It took a second for Niall to realize, but when he did, the look of regret on his face made Louis feel bad for him. He didn’t know, and yeah, maybe it should’ve been obvious, but apparently it wasn’t.
”Shit I— I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” he stuttered, standing up and keeping distance from Harry upon knowing the boy was very distressed.
Louis shakes his head, gesturing for him to come closer. “It’s fine, it’s not your fault. Maybe just, I’ll text you later. I’ll tell him you’re sorry and that it was a mistake. He’s Harry, he’ll forgive you.”
Niall nodded, apologizing again and wanting to do it to Harry in person, but seeing as the boy was rushing and huffing to repair his nest, the beta chose to just leave in hopes of Harry calming down sometime and forgiving him.
Once the door was closed and the two were left alone, Louis made his way over to Harry and hesitated before mumbling to him. “Baby, it’s okay.”
He was cautious, trying to be patient and understand how Harry would deal with the type of situation.
”It’s not! He ruined it! It’s— it’s not good anymore,” Harry cried, tears rolling down his cheeks while Louis took pity on his boyfriend.
”Hey,” Louis said under his breath, taking Harry’s wrists and carefully pulling them away. “It’s all right, darling. You can fix it, it’ll be okay again. I just need you to breathe, please.”
Harry swallowed, tearing his eyes away from the pile of clothes and burying his face back into the crook of his alpha’s neck. Scenting him like he did earlier, letting the earthy and strong aroma calm him. Though he was still visibly crying, the smell of Louis helped his whimpers to die down.
Rubbing Harry’s back and holding him close, Louis rested his chin atop Harry’s hair, letting the boy take his time.
A couple minutes passed, which consisted of Louis whispering praises into Harry’s ear and feeling a bit of pride from the fact that it’s so easy for Harry to relax just from his scent.
”Are you okay, baby?” Louis checked once Harry’s breath had slowed until it was back to normal.
It took a few seconds, but Harry nosed at Louis’ shoulder before leaning back and looking back up to meet his eyes. “I guess. I just,” he looked over disappointingly at his messy nest, “it’s not the same. ‘S ruined now.”
Louis coos, pecking Harry’s forehead and keeping his arms wrapped around his narrow, tiny waist. A small boy with a big heart. Heart of gold, one of the many many reasons why Louis loves him so much.
”I know, love. But you can make it again, yeah? Just take your time and think it through, make it nice and safe again, hm?”
Harry ponders his alpha’s words, taking them in and thinking them over before nodding. “I can try. Won’t be the same, though.”
”That’s true, but it’ll be okay. You can put it back together, move things around where you want until it’s all comfy. Does that sound okay?”
The older boy waits, giving Harry time to respond on his own accord.
”Yeah, I think. But um, can it just be me? When I’m done you can come in if you want, to like, take a nap or something.”
Harry’s voice was all low and squeaky, his embarrassment adorable to Louis. But he of course agreed, Harry’s happiness and safety being his number one concern always.
”Of course, darling. I’ll just clean up a bit until you’re ready.”
”Okay,” Harry said. “Can you tell Niall I’m sorry? Didn’t mean to shove him like that.”
Knowing Harry, Louis expected that. Ever the forgiving one, Harry often felt sorry and guilty for just about everything he did that may have disappointed someone just barely (much to Louis’ dismay).
”Yeah, baby, I’ll tell him. He isn’t mad, though. I promise you,” Louis reassured and waited for Harry’s reluctant nod before kissing him and letting him do his thing.
While Louis tidied up the desk and put Harry’s schoolwork away neatly because he didn’t want the boy to have to worry about it for the rest of the day, Harry was cleaning up his nest and placing each piece of clothing wherever it felt right.
The apparent stress was affecting Louis, too, that and his omega’s sensitivity reflecting onto him. It made his alpha worry, his protective side pouring out and making him want to wrap Harry up and hold him tightly until he was okay again.
He was set on making Harry happy. Harry’s comfortability was always a goal of Louis’, it had been ever since they met and it would be that way for forever.
”Um, Lou?”
Louis turned around after putting his backpack on the desk, seeing Harry laying back down on the bed right in the middle of his new and adjusted nest. He looked much better, tears gone and a cute little smile on his face— one of Louis’ favorite sights.
”All good?” Harry nodded. “Want me to come over?”
Harry nodded again. “Cuddle?”
Chuckling, Louis grinned at his baby’s shyness and made his way over to the side of the bed. He let Harry move over a bit to make room for him, waiting patiently until all was well and he could lie down next to the sleepy looking boy.
He got comfortable, settling on his back and making sure to not move the clothing around too much. Harry was silently appreciative of it, thankful that he was with an alpha who was never angry and always caring, just wanting the best for him.
Harry scooted closer, pressing himself up against Louis’ side and squeezing his arms up to his own chest so that he was smaller and felt safer. Of course, he once again snuck his head back into Louis’ neck to help him become ever more tired, just letting go and basking in the presence of his boyfriend, his alpha and the love of his life.
Louis wrapped an arm around his shoulders, keeping him close and smiling as Harry curled up with a content sigh.
Harry was safe, he was happy, and he felt comfortable in his nest beside Louis. His Louis.
He was Harry’s, and Harry was his.
“I love you, baby,” Louis breathed, just a murmur in Harry’s ear that the younger boy barely heard, as he was just on the brink of sleep.
Harry yawned, nuzzling his nose right against Louis’ bonding mark and where the scent was the strongest, most soothing.
”Love you, Lou. Alpha, mine…”
He didn’t really finish speaking, falling asleep in barely three seconds and making Louis feel on top of the world. Their love for each other was unexplainable and never ending.
Louis could get used to this.