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Louis bites his chapped lip for what feels like the hundredth time. He is fidgety and nervous. Too much energy and not enough time to get rid of it.
He is anxious, scared of what is to become of him. It’s not like this is a surprise. In fact, he had long known he was to be married to Calidius’s future ruler, who he had met only once. He doesn’t remember much, but he still has the blood-red circular sun, made of firestone, that Harry had gifted him hanging around his neck.
They were kids when they met. At the time, Louis hadn’t really known what to make of the meeting. He vaguely remembers the young green-eyed boy and how he was sunkissed and covered in thin clothing. Louis hadn’t understood how he wasn’t cold.
He remembers Harry’s father, a behemoth of a man that spoke in a strange accent. Louis had never seen a man of that stature. Louis was immediately intimidated, but that quickly melted into warm curiosity when the big burly man smiled at him.
Louis was often regarded as a deity of sorts among his people. He was given a gift. It’s a rarity among his people but one that is dealt with disciplined precision. He has what his people call the gift to nurture, and Louis has the ability to heal and encourage growth of any kind.
They kept him on such a high pedestal that it often led to solitude. After all, the common folk are beneath such blessed beings like Louis.
Louis didn’t understand and detested everything about that way of thinking, so he welcomed any warm and kind gesture. He had absolutely beamed when Harry’s father had patted his head as he walked by. Louis had never felt such warmth before, and he almost whined when the hand was gone.
When the adults had gone to speak privately, it left Harry and Louis to their own devices. Elated that he was left with someone else to talk to, Louis almost jumped at the opportunity to finally talk to someone his age, but as someone with honor, he knew that he should always wait until he was addressed.
When five minutes passed in silence, however, Louis couldn’t help but burst at the seams with the need to say something. Anything.
“The chief said we’re to get married,” Louis chirps excitedly.
The boy’s already rosy cheeks blossomed even further, startled by Louis’ sudden voice.
Louis giggles at his reaction.
“That means you’re gonna have to take care of me,” Louis explains as he crawls closer to the young prince. The boy gulps and his face reddens further.
“Yeah, I guess so.”
Louis preens at the boy finally talking to him. The five minutes of silence were excruciatingly awful for someone as bubbly as Louis.
“Are you cold?” Louis asks, noticing the boy covered in goosebumps. “The chief told me you come from a place where there is no snow.”
He can see the boy puff up. “It’s cold, but I can handle it,” he says matter-of-factly.
More silence passes between them until Louis physically can’t stand sitting in silence any longer. “Want to make snow angels with me?” he asks
“Snow what?” Harry asks. Louis screeches excitedly as he stands up and pulls on Harry’s hand. “I’ll show you! Let’s go outside!”
Louis smiles at the memory and clutches the stone Harry had gifted him before he departed those years ago.
“What’s this? It’s beautiful!” Louis asks.
“It’s firestone. I was brave and went to fetch it in the fiery sands of the desert” Harry says with pride.
“You’re giving it to me?” Louis asks in amazement.
“Yes. Mama said that dad gave her lots of courting gifts and since we’re going to get married, I need to start doing that too. It’s my most prized possession so take good care of it,” Harry explains.
Louis clutches onto the rock and brings it near his heart. “I promise I will!” He says before he leans in and kisses Harry smack in the mouth like he had seen his parents do.
“Louis!” He hears his mother scold him before he’s yanked by the wrist.
He hears a big belly laugh from Harry’s father. “He is quite the little one, isn’t he? He’s left my little coyote stunned. I like him.”
“I apologize. Louis has yet to learn about manners fully,” his mother says.
“No need to apologize,” Harry’s father says before turning to him. “You’ll make a fine coyote if you keep that attitude, little one.”
What’s a coyote?” Louis asks.
“It’s what we call our people, but they’re also a type of canine native to Calidius.
“Will I get to meet one?”Louis asks excitedly.
“Of course you will!”
That was the last time he saw Harry and his father, and now here he was, kneeling in front of Glacien’s elders as the ceremony continues.
“Now that we’ve joined you both in this spiritual union, it is time to join your bodies as one. Prince Harry, if you will please,” he says, nodding toward the thick icy wall.
Louis is dreading this part. They’re to go behind this huge gaudy wall made of ice to consummate their marriage. Thankfully the ice is frosted over, so nobody will be able to see anything, but the fact that they’ll be so close by still makes Louis uncomfortable.
Harry holds his hand as he helps Louis stand. He bends down and places his arm under Louis’ legs and another behind his back, gently lifting Louis up into a bridal carry.
Glacien traditions say that Louis’ feet may not touch the ground until he is brought down to “earth” by his partner. Like most of these ancient traditions, Louis doesn’t understand much.
“I’ll try to be quick about this, but you need to relax,” Harry says as bends down again to lay Louis across the nest of animal furs and pelts hiding behind the ice wall.
“I’ll try,” Louis replies anxiously. His teeth bite onto his lower lip, a nervous habit he hasn’t been able to break.
“Have you—have you done this before?” Louis asks. Harry just stares at him expectantly. “B—because I’m not quite versed in the act of lovemaking…obviously,” Louis says nervously. “I mean, I’ve read plenty of books about this subject, but I reckon it’s not quite the same, right?” Louis cringes as he laughs anxiously. “Well, of course, it isn’t, but I just hate how they’re all standing outside waiting for us to finish. I mean, talk about awkward, I mean, what if like—I know the cold isn’t helping here, and what if you have performance anxiety and can’t get it up, and what if I’m not up to par with what gets you going. I mean, there’s just so many things that can go wrong, and I’m not quite sure if—“
“Louis,” Harry interrupts his horrendous rant and grabs Louis’ chin, lifting it so Louis will meet his eyes. “You need to relax. I know this isn’t ideal. I’m more than put off by this tradition of your people, but I am being respectful here because I promised my mother I would follow protocol.”
“Relax. Right. I—I can do that,” Louis chuckles nervously as he stares into Harry’s dark green eyes.
“May I?” Harry asks, hand letting go of Louis’ chin. He taps the clasp by Louis’ collarbone.
Louis just nods his head and lets Harry undress him. He’s not really the shy type—in fact, he can be entirely all too annoying, according to his best and only friend, Oli. He just hates awkwardness and uncomfortable moments, so he often finds himself filling the empty silence with questions and long-winded rants.
Therefore it’s a surprise even to himself that right now, it's the exact opposite. He’s very still, turning his head to the side as he lets Harry slowly take all the layers of clothing off of him. He gulps until Harry finally unhooks the laces from his vest and meets Louis’ pale skin. Louis hisses as Harry’s cold fingers trace his warm stomach.
“Smooth and creamy,” Harry whispers almost to himself. Harry looks almost in a trance as he feels Louis’ soft skin. His eyes rake up his body until his eyes zero in on his neck.
“Is that?…” Harry whispers as he bends down to inspect Louis’ necklace.
Louis nods, face flushed.
“I promised you, didn’t I?” He whispers, staring into Harry’s eyes. They soften for a slight second.
Harry gazes at him for a full minute as if he’s searching for something on Louis’ face, but much to Louis’ disappointment, he doesn’t say anything and instead begins to undress himself.
Louis can’t help but stare at Harry’s broad body. At his chest, his abs, his biceps, everything really. He drinks him in completely, allowing his eyes to take their time. Louis is sure they don’t make men like this in Glacien. In retrospect, his people are hidden by layers of clothes, but because of the extreme conditions, his people are usually shorter and rounder in build. This is a rare sight, and Louis’ eyes don’t know where to focus, trying to take all of Harry in.
He hears a chuckle, and then Harry discards his trousers. Louis flushes as he sees Harry’s cock. No other man has been bare before him, but Louis guesses that as far as first times go, he lucked out.
Everything about Harry Styles of Calidius is big, and Louis can’t help but observe. Harry spits on one palm before he takes hold of himself, hissing a bit as he begins to stroke himself slowly.
Louis gulps audibly, hands gripping the furs beneath him tightly.
“Relax,” Harry whispers as grabs some of the oil from the vials next to the bedding and smears them into his fingers.
“Have you touched yourself before?” He asks.
Louis's eyes widen. “No—no,” he says in disbelief. “Only my partner can.”
Harry stops moving his fingers, frowning. “Is that what they tell you here?” Harry asks. As he glares through the frosted ice wall. Louis nods. He can see Harry’s jaw tighten, multiplying Louis’ nerves tenfold.
“Did—did I say something wrong?” He asks.
“No,” Harry grits out in response.
Louis bites his lip, not believing him if his soured body language is anything to go by. Louis watches Harry’s face go through various emotions, brows furrowed as he once again searches for something on Louis’ face. He opens his mouth as if he’s about to say something but closes it until he finally speaks again, tone gentle, unlike his fierce eyes.
“Louis, if you do not want to go through with this, I can stop.”
Louis’ eyes widen. He immediately tenses up. Resources are becoming scarce, and neighboring tribes are making finding food even more difficult. Although the people of Calidius and Glacien have kept on friendly terms, nothing has ever been set in stone and everything has instead been in limbo until Louis seals the deal with this marriage. He needs to do this not only for his people, but for himself as well. This has been his purpose, after all. Louis has gone most of his life in isolation and has spent more of his time daydreaming about what lies beyond this icy and desolate prison than actually living.
He wants this.
He needs this.
“Am I— am I not to your liking?” He asks as he tries to cover himself up, but Harry immediately stops him, taking hold of his wrists.
“That’s not what I meant,” he says, visibly frustrated.
“Then please continue. I— I want this,” Louis whispers. He bravely opens his legs so Harry can fit more comfortably in between.
Harry sighs dejectedly as he brings his fingers down to Louis’ opening. Louis gasps as Harry’s finger breach his hole, immediately stiffening.
He hears Harry curse. “You need to relax.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m just—“
“I know, I know,” Harry gently soothes him as he takes hold of Louis’ soft cock and starts pumping it up and down. Louis holds on to Harry’s forearms as his breathing quickens at the odd yet satisfying sensation.
Harry continues to take his time stroking Louis until he’s also completely hard.
Louis’ chest rises and falls, and the second Louis relaxes again, Harry’s other hand moves his fingers inside Louis. A short, breathy whine escapes Louis’ mouth.
This goes on for another 10 minutes until Louis is sweaty from the warmth of Harry’s body.
“You’re doing well,” Harry whispers to him, and all Louis can do is whimper. Harry is fucking three fingers into Louis’ hole, and Louis bites his lip so hard he breaks the skin.
“Harry, I think I’m—“ he whimpers. “Harry, stop, I’m—” He doesn’t have time to finish his sentence before he shoots onto Harry’s stomach and hand.
He gasps for air as his vision blurs from the intensity of his first real orgasm. He can feel Harry whispering into his ear, but his brain is too muddy to make sense of the words.
He gives Louis a couple of minutes to calm down from his high before he lines himself up in between Louis’ thighs.
“Harry,” Louis whispers, and Harry pushes all the way in, in one stroke. Louis’ face morphs into one of pain as he yelps at the sudden intrusion. This pain is truly something else. Tears drip from his eyes as his body involuntarily tightens, making Harry groan.
“Relax, Louis. You’re gripping onto me too tightly,” Harry hisses.
“Harry, it hurts,” Louis whimpers to him as he hides his face into his neck.
“I won’t move until you’re ready just relax for me, okay? You’ve been doing perfectly so far. Just relax,” Harry advises him gently. He takes hold of Louis’ deflated cock once again, and Louis bucks his hips into the tight grip.
“That’s it. Just relax and try to get hard again,” Harry whispers into his ear. Louis is only half hard, but he manages to adjust to Harry’s cock inside him. As soon as he loosens his muscles, Harry starts to move slowly.
Louis closes his eyes and tries to breathe through it. He can see a shadow behind the glass, and he immediately clamps up again.
“Fuck,” Harry whispers before he stops moving his hips. He turns toward the glass and glares at it. “You will stand back and not come near here if you know what’s good for you.”
“Of—of course, Prince Styles, but we must check that the copulation is complete.”
“I will notify you once it is. Now stand back or so help me god,” He threatens.
Louis feels so humiliated. Harry groans as Louis tightens himself, so Louis tries to relax as best he can. Harry doesn’t say a word as he pushes in and out.
He keeps the pace until Louis starts to feel a bit of pleasure and moans out a low “please.” He doesn’t even know what he’s asking for, but Harry must because he grunts again and quickens his thrusts. Louis’ hands dig into Harry’s back for purchase, and before he can cry out from the sudden pace, Harry snaps his hips forcefully, and then he’s coming inside of Louis, Louis following behind right after.
Finally, they’ve completed their marriage in the eyes of Glacien law.
Louis blocks out the rest of the mating ceremony until Harry carries him to his chambers, away from any other prying eyes. Once Louis has been placed in his bed, Harry leaves him alone.
Louis has so many emotions running through his mind that he can’t help but cry himself to sleep that night.
He cries because that experience was scary.
He cries because he’ll be leaving Glacien forever.
He cries because he truly doesn’t know what exactly to make of Harry.
And he cries some more because he hopes that whatever becomes of him after this, he can experience actually living and not just daydreaming.
The next day, after a melancholy goodbye to his grandmother and father, Louis departs for Calidius.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
“Louis, you need to remain hydrated.”
“I know, Oli.”
“You keep saying that, but you’re not drinking.”
Oli and Louis are the same age and have been best friends since birth. Oli volunteered to go with Louis, and Louis feels a bit better with Oli by his side.
“Louis,” Oli says from behind him.
Louis grabs his empty canteen and pretends to drink. It’s been empty for a few hours now, but Louis doesn’t want to take from Oli’s. He’d had to do that the past two days, and he knows it’s taking a toll on Oli’s body.
“We’ll probably stop in a couple of hours to rest. Can you manage until then, or should I tell the second in command to stop?
“I do not need rest, Oli. We need to stop delaying things. We’re already two full days behind because of me.”
“Louis, don’t be stupid. This is a hard transition, and you’ve never been down from the mountains and—”
“—And I will be fine, Oli. I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine,” Louis repeats stubbornly.
To say Louis is irritable is an understatement. He is hot. So, so terribly hot and thirsty that his vision is becoming unfocused. His tongue is beyond dry, and he’s probably lost a few pounds from sweating so much. His back and thighs burn from riding on his horse for so long, but he refuses to look weak and travel in the carriage the whole way.
The Styles are a strong family, and he will not be the weak link. He’s already had the whole caravan slow down for him, and he will not add yet another stop to the tally.
Louis has lost count of how many days it’s been since they’ve left the snowy and icy mountains of Glacien. He knew the journey would take about a month's worth of travel, but he didn’t realize it would be this devastatingly difficult.
He wishes he could be lazy and lay in the carriage like he did the first week after they parted, as there was no way he could even sit up on a horse right after their wedding night.
Louis flushes at the thought of said night, and how horrible and inexperienced he was. It’s not like his grandma hadn’t prepared him—she did try to prepare him as best she could, but talking about it was wholly different than actually having sex.
Not to mention that he had to prove he was “pure.” It was all complete bullshit, and he hadn’t expected Harry to be so undeniably attractive, which had made him even more nervous. Harry will probably want nothing to do with Louis. He’s been so distant already, and if that’s any indication of what was to come, Louis is in for a life of misery.
Harry had gone ahead with some of his men to scope the area. Harry’s older cousin, Cyrus, was at the forefront. Louis really likes him. He seems to be really grounded and continues to smile at Louis whenever they make eye contact. He’s a kind man, resembling Harry, except he is a bit older than Harry, and has lighter, almost blonde hair.
“Are you alright, my prince?”
Louis turns to his left to see Nuri, a beautiful woman who was probably appointed by Harry to watch over him. She’s very kind as well and has doted on Louis since they left.
“Yes, Nuri. Not to worry,” he says with a smile.
“We can stop if you’d like. Just say the word,” she responds, concern flashing in her eyes.
Great, Louis must look absolutely miserable.
“Thank you, Nuri. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She stared at him for a few seconds and then nodded and rode faster toward the front.
It’s another half an hour before Louis can’t handle it anymore.
“Oli!” Louis says as black dots begin to obscure his vision. Fuck fuck fuck, he can’t help but think as he feels himself starting to slip away.
“Oli,” Louis repeats. “I think—I think I’m going to pass out.” Louis whispers. He pulls back on the reins, but by the time anyone has time to react, he loses consciousness.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
The slow murmuring is the first thing Louis notices when he finally comes to. He slowly opens his eyes, but instantly regrets it and winces at the pain on the side of his head.
Louis groans as he raises his hand to the side of his face. He can feel a bandage and a big bump. He must have eaten shit and fallen off his horse.
“You’re an absolute idiot, Louis,” He can’t help but whisper out loud to himself.
“Yes, you are,” a gravely deep voice responds.
Louis yelps as he sits up in shock, which only makes the pounding in his head worse.
“Harry!” Louis exclaims in surprise.
Now he takes in his surroundings. Harry is shirtless, sharpening his sword as he glares at Louis. Louis instantly burrows into himself. Harry is very intimidating.
Harry sighs and puts his sword down. “How are you feeling?” He asks, voice stoic, almost sounding tired.
“I’m okay!” Louis immediately responds.
Harry raises his left brow.
Okay, Louis definitely isn't completely fine, but he doesn’t want to worry or burden anyone because of his stupidity. “I mean, I guess my head hurts a bit, but otherwise, I’m totally okay,” Louis responds, not daring to make eye contact. It’s a lie. Louis feels and probably looks like death. His body aches. His thighs burn from riding on a horse for so long, but he’s not one to complain.
Harry gets up and hands him a canteen. “Make sure you drink enough water. You passed out because you overheated,” He informs him.
“I’m sorry, I just ran out, and I didn’t want anyone to stop or take anyone’s water or—”
“Or you can ask for some because you ran out, “ Harry says.
As Louis said, he’s an idiot. He’s trying so hard to prove himself that he ended up making a scene.
“I’m sorry. I—”
“Stop apologizing,” Harry says. “Just take care of yourself, and if something hurts or you need help, ask for it.”
Louis purses his lips in a thin line. He feels like he’s being scolded, as if things couldn’t get any worse. Louis wants to wallow away and die. He wishes he could read Harry’s mind, but he’s so stoic that Louis can never tell how he’s truly feeling.
“Your ginger friend is worried about you. So is Nuri,” Harry says. Louis cringes at that. They were trying their best to keep Louis from getting sick, and here he is doing just that.
“I’ll go get them. Try to stay out of trouble, yeah?” Harry says before removing himself from the tent. Louis deflates and falls back onto his back. He hates this, but he brought it on himself for being careless. He’s not used to this. His mother died when he was 10, and after that, he was taken care of by his grandma. His father was barely present and always doing anything other than taking care of Louis. Louis always suspected it was because he resembled his mother too much and his father couldn’t bear looking at him.
A minute later, Oli walks in with Nuri close behind him.
“I know, I know you can say I told you so.”
“You’re an idiot, Louis,” Oli says as he kneels down and punches his arm.
“Hey!” Louis yelps as he rubs the spot Oli hit. He goes to sit up, and Nuri kneels at his other side.
“Slowly, my prince,” She soothes.
“I owe you both an apology.“
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. We don’t need one, Louis. We’re just glad you’re okay. You scared us half to death,” Oli says.
“You hit your head pretty hard when you fell off your horse. It was complete chaos when we heard Oliver’s screams,” Nuri informs him.
“Ugh, that’s so embarrassing,” Louis says, cringing at the thought of him just face-diving to the ground.
“Cyrus and I came rushing back as soon as we heard.”
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to stop everyone yet again,” Louis whispers, ready to cry from embarrassment.
“At least be glad you weren’t conscious when Harry came back,” Oli says under his breath.
“Oliver!” Nuri hisses under her breath, and she flares daggers at him
“What do you mean by that?” Louis asks, tilting his head in confusion.
Nuri sighs.
“What? I tell Louis everything. Get used to it, Nuri,” Oli replies before turning to Louis. “We got the tongue-lashing of a lifetime. Truly is one scary motherfucker, that one.”
“Oliver!” Nuri scolds again.
“What? It’s true!” Oliver shrugs.
“He was pissed off that neither one of us gave you water. Honestly, Louis, I know we were running low until we reached a spring, but you come first.”
Louis hates that they got reprimanded because of his stupidity and stubbornness, but the thought of their lives taking a backseat for him feels wrong.
“Well, that’s bullshit, so don’t ever believe that nonsense,” Louis states, a pout prominent on his lips.
Nuri chuckles at that. “I don’t think that’s quite how things work, my prince, but regardless, how are you feeling?” She asks as she checks on his bandages.
“Humiliated and ready to die,” He grumbles. “Harry probably wishes he’d broken off the engagement. I’ve done nothing but dishonor him, honestly.”
“Hmmm,” Nuri whispers. “My prince, I think you’ve gotten it all wrong. Prince Harry is a little rough around the edges, but he has a good heart, and I don’t think anything you’ve done could be viewed as dishonorable,” Nuri reassures him with a kind smile. “Do not forget this is all new to you. You’re like a little fennec fox that is stumbling and just learning about the world. It’ll take time to adjust, my prince.”
“She’s right, Lou. I think you’re overthinking every step you take. I know it’s hard, but try not to, okay? And give yourself some credit. This is a lot,” Oli agrees.
Louis bites his lip. “I know, but I just— I just want to ensure I do my duty and not disappoint anyone, especially Harry. It’s obvious Glacien gains more from this arrangement than anything and—”
“With all due respect, my prince,” Nuri interrupts. “I suggest that you not speak too lowly of yourself. Especially in front of prince Harry,” she advises. “We’re about a couple of days away from reaching the deserts of Calidius. Lady Hina has been looking forward to meeting you, so it’s best to try to gain as much energy to make a great first impression, yes?”
Louis gulps at that. Lady Hina is Harry’s mother and from what he’s heard, she’s a very kind and gentle woman to Calidius, but a viper ready to strike when necessary. Louis is extremely nervous about meeting her. Harry’s father was injured during a battle a few years back and sadly passed away. Louis had only met him once, but he hadn’t been able to stop the tears from falling upon hearing the news. Harry’s mother took over Calidius and stayed back rather than attending the wedding ceremony, sending Harry’s uncle in her stead.
Louis groans. He just hopes he doesn’t embarrass himself further.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
Louis has been sitting pin straight for a whole hour now. He can feel himself start to shake from the exertion of keeping his body so stiff. He can’t help it, though—he’s nervous, and Harry is sitting behind him, arms around his torso as he holds the reins of the horse.
“How are you feeling?” Harry suddenly murmurs into Louis’ ear, sending unexpected chills down his body.
“I—I'm feeling okay. Excited to finally arrive at the Oasis.”
The Calidian desert was not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. Louis had been fascinated at how similar, yet vastly different their homes truly were.
“It’s up ahead, just beyond that mirage.”
Louis squints his eyes as he tries to make sense of the lake up ahead, but he doesn’t see any sort of shelter or people.
“Harry, I don’t see anything,” He mutters skeptically.
“That’s because it’s hidden to the naked eye,” Harry says as he sits up straighter, bringing himself forward and closer to Louis’ back. Louis can feel his warm breath brush against his ear. Louis holds his breath at the proximity. “And how does that work?” Louis asks, trying to distract himself.
“In simple terms, whenever you see a mirage, you will be able to open a portal that leads you to the Oasis. This mark here,” Harry explains. Louis turns his head to see, as he taps the middle of his sternum, showing a tattoo of a circle with jagged shapes sticking out of it. “—is the key, and everyone who is part of our tribe bears it.”
Louis hums, wondering if he will be tattooed as well. Nuri explained that they are all born with the mark somewhere in their body, but for members joining the tribe, it’s a bit of a more grueling and painful process. Louis bites his lip and wonders how painful it will be. He’s married to Harry, so he’s bound to get the mark. On one hand, he’s looking forward to becoming part of Calidius and its people, but on the other, he’s scared of the pain.
“All you have to do is say this,” Harry explains further, pulling Louis out of his thoughts.
Calidius, this Coyote demands
To be shown the Oasis,
Among the simmering sand.
Louis’ hands can’t help but hold on to Harry’s forearms in alarm, eyes immediately widening as some sort of passage appears before them in the middle of the Calidian desert.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” Harry asks. Louis can’t help but nod, finding that no word in his vocabulary would suffice to describe just how breathtaking this place looks.
Now, between this rocky stone and sand is a lush valley full of vegetation. Louis has never seen so many colors in his life. All he’s used to is shades of blue, white, and the hue of the sunrise and sunset. His life has been colorless compared to the scene before him now.
“Welcome to the Oasis, Louis,” Harry says.
They travel down the side of the valley until they are met with people at what Louis assumes is the front entrance of their city.
“Harry, I’m nervous,” Louis admits.
“You’ll be okay,” Harry responds.
Louis wishes he could hide behind Harry or that Harry would hold his hand or do anything physical to comfort him, but he’s learned that Harry isn’t the physically affectionate type. Louis takes a deep breath and straightens his posture. He tries to make himself taller, but the sad truth of it is that he and Oli are dwarfed by all of the coyotes.
There’s a whole crowd of them, and Louis’ heart starts to accelerate from nervousness.
“Nothing to be scared of. My people respect me and therefore will respect you,” Harry assures him.
Respect is always welcome, but Louis can’t help but think that he wants to also be liked. His desperate need to fit in is always at the forefront, and he wants to win over the hearts of the coyotes. He hopes that he does eventually.
Harry dismounts easily and then helps Louis down, holding onto his waist as he does so. His feet just barely touch the ground when he’s suddenly pushed back onto Harry by a giant canine.
“Solis, calm down boy,” Harry says cooly as he extends his arm to try to push him back and away from Louis.
“This is Solis, alpha of one of the coyote packs that live in the Oasis,” Harry explains. The coyote sniffs Louis thoroughly, and Louis can’t help but gulp at just how massive he is. He must approve of Louis because he just sits down on his hind legs.
“Harry, welcome back, son,” a voice says. They both turn at the sound.
Harry nods at Louis and then walks up to meet his mother, Lady Hina. They embrace, and she holds his face after they part. They whisper something to each other, but it’s too low for Louis to hear. Harry then turns his body toward Louis, and his mother's eyes turn toward him.
She smiles and starts to walk over to where Louis is. Louis doesn’t know what to do so he just stands there and bows. He hears a small chuckle and quickly looks up in confusion.
“We don’t do that here, darling,” she says. “May I?” She asks as she brings her hands up to Louis’ face.
Louis just nods. He’s a bit taken aback by the fact that Harry’s mother is shorter than a lot of the women he has seen upon entering the Oasis. She’s as tall as Louis, but has strong features and dark hair. Her green eyes are kind as she gazes into Louis’ blue ones. She’s well built though, muscles line her frame, and she looks like everything Louis had pictured the leader of the Coyotes should look.
“You’re a beautiful one, aren’t you?”
Louis blushes. Her hands are calloused but warm and gentle, and she looks like a warrior of a woman—one that has held the helm of Calidius since the chief’s passing. Louis hopes that he can prove himself to her and show her that he is worthy of being by her son’s side.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” Louis says with a smile.
“As have I, darling. I hope the trip wasn’t too unbearable. How are you feeling?”
“I feel alright. Better now that we have safely made it to the Oasis.”
“I know you must be extremely tired, so you can go ahead and rest,” Hina says. “We will commence with the marriage ceremony tonight when the moon is full.”
Louis shakes his head as she leads him through the sea of people. They’re all whispering to him as they take him in. He wished he knew what they were saying. Are they whispering in approval or displeasure?
They walk some more until he hears someone yell for Harry. Louis turns around to see a man who’s slightly shorter than Harry, but more lithe in figure. They don’t quite hug, but Louis can tell they are close just by the body language, especially from the other man.
Harry turns and introduces him as Aiden, a childhood friend. Louis is about to greet him but when they make eye contact, Aiden’s eyes suddenly become cold. Louis is quite taken aback. He’s never been one to be at the receiving end of such a look, and the shock of it makes him swallow his hello.
“Welcome,” the man says in greeting.
“Hello, I’m Louis.”
“Aiden,” he says as he extends his hand. His hand is firm and a little too tight when it grasps Louis’. Louis wasn’t expecting that either, so his brow furrows a little.
He lets go and Aiden doesn’t bother looking at him twice before he departs, informing Harry should join him soon for a debrief of what’s been happening during the months he’s been gone.
“He’s rude,” Oli whispers as soon as Louis is led to his living quarters.
“Nuri, is there anything you can tell us about that Aiden fellow?” Oli asks.
“He’s one of the elder’s grandsons. He’s two years younger than Harry and yourself, prince Louis.”
“He had no right to treat Louis with such hostility. It’s completely uncalled for.”
“It’s quite alright, Oli. I’m sure it will take some time for some to get used to me being here. Especially since Calidius hasn’t married someone outside of the tribe in the last 300 years,” Louis states. “I’m sure he’ll warm up to me as time passes. After all, no one truly knows anything about me. For all they know, my intentions could be bad. It’s understandable.”
“Still uncalled for,” Oli mutters.
“Let’s just get some rest before the ceremony,” Louis advises.
“My prince, I will come back and help you prepare for the ceremony at dusk.”
“Of course, Nuri. Thank you. Go off to see your family in the meantime, please,” Louis says with a smile. Once Nuri is gone, his face drops once more.
Louis doesn’t need the approval of everyone, but the sting of rejection still hurts.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
The wedding ceremony in Calidius is more intimate than it was back home.
There are only seven people in attendance including him and Harry.
Lady Hina, as leader of the tribe until Harry officially takes over in a month, is officiating the wedding along with two elders. Harry’s cousin and second-in-command, Cyrus, is Harry’s guardian, as they call it. Oli is Louis’. Guardians are witnesses that help with the preparations during the ceremony. Louis doesn't quite understand, but he’s happy that he has Oli’s support.
The ceremony itself isn’t too long either. They all sit among a ring of fire under a full moon, all listening as the elders talk in the ancient language.
The tunic that Louis is wearing is long and beige in color. His hair has been styled to the side, with little beads of gold adorning some of the longer strands. Harry is wearing a similar outfit except his torso is covered by gold armor. The chest plate has the sun sigil in the center with ancient writing around it. It’s very beautiful. Louis can’t keep his eyes away from all the jewelry adorning his fingers as well. He looks like a god.
Lady Hina gives a short speech that Louis does not understand and then they’re made to drink some flavorless drink, which Louis supposes is easy enough. They are also told to kiss right where their hearts beat. Louis lets Harry take the lead. Even though Nuri had walked him through the steps of what to do, Louis is still too nervous to take the initiative. They’re both sitting on their knees facing each other. Harry nods before he leans over and moves Louis’ tunic to the side by his chest area. He then brings his lip to Louis’ soft skin and gives him a gentle kiss. He then fixes Louis’ tunic. Louis follows suit.
“Now for the Calidius’ mark on his body,” Hina says. Louis feels Harry tense beside him, only further worsening his nerves about this part of the ceremony.
“It’s usually branded on with this special scepter by combining soil from the Oasis, blood from a coyote, and sand from the Calidian desert. This is then licked by the flames of a fire, and the symbol of the sun is scorched onto the skin,” Hina explains as Louis gulps. “Louis, we’ll have your guardian go first if he allows it.”
Oli looks as white as a ghost, but he moves forward as Lady Hina mixes the ingredients.
Louis turns away as it happens. He can tell that Oli tries to hold in his screams, but in the end, he still ends up screaming in agony. Louis feels himself start to panic at the sound.
He stands to see if he can help with his healing abilities, but Harry grabs onto his wrist.
“If you heal him now, it’ll be for nothing,” Harry whispers.
“It’s okay, I’m okay,” Oli hisses. His face is beat red, beads of sweat sliding off his face. Louis can see the veins in his neck as he sits down, trying to avoid touching the mark on his forearm.
“Here, put this on it. It will numb your arm and help the healing process,” Lady Hina says. Oli breathes heavily as he closes his eyes and places the strange leaf on his new mark.
“Louis?”
Louis snaps his head toward Hina. He’s scared. He wants to bear the mark, but after hearing about the process and seeing Oli go through it, he can’t pretend he’s looking forward to it.
“Absolutely not,” Harry says beside him. Louis turns toward him in shock.
“We will not be branding Louis’ skin,” Harry says in a gruff tone, muscles in his jaw prominent.
He’s not happy.
“You know it must be done, Harry,” Hina says.
Harry turns to Louis and takes hold of the necklace around his neck, yanking on it. The string he had attached the firestone to immediately snaps from the force.
“Louis will be able to open the gates with this if he ever needs it,” Harry explains. “Dad helped me conjure up the magic to engrave the symbol on it.”
“He’s had that with him all long?” Lady Hina asks in bewilderment.
“I gave it to him upon our first meeting,” Harry explains. “If he ever needed to find us, the stone would have guided him here. He took care of it as promised. Later, if Louis so chooses, he can get the marking, but I will not allow it right now. Not with him.”
Lady Hina stares at Harry until her features soften.
“So be it, son.”
“There’s more to it, but nothing that anyone needs to know,” Harry says. “Father was the only one at the time powerful enough to create such a thing.”
Harry grabs the pendant and reattaches it to a golden metal link that he breaks from part of his armor.
He turns to Louis and ties it around his neck. While he does so, he murmurs something in the ancient language, but Louis is too stunned to ask what he’s saying.
“You didn’t have an extra of those?” Oli mumbles, but he’s standing with a tight-lipped smile.
“You’ve proven yourself a man. Now, with that marking, you will guard Louis with your life or I will take yours,” Harry tells him sternly.
“No need to tell me twice,” Oli says with a two-finger salute.
After that, Harry and Louis are dismissed to have some alone time.
Louis sits nervously in a lavish tent surrounded by flowers and bedding made out of the softest furs, unsure of what to expect. Harry turns to him and tells him they won’t do anything until Louis is 100 percent ready. Louis is thankful for that, but in the back of his mind, he can’t help but think that he’s failing his husband in a way.
A couple of hours later, they join the rest of the tribe and enjoy a big feast before finally retiring to their perspective huts, much to Louis’ disappointment.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
Louis’ first few weeks in Calidius are some of the most difficult times in his life. He tries his hardest to appease everyone he meets. He knows he looks different and he behaves differently from all of them, and it’s just very difficult to be thrust into a whole new world with so many people when it’s basically just been him on his own most of his life.
Louis hides his eyes under the beautiful hat that Nuri had gifted him as a wedding present, which he treasures very much. It’s the shape of the Calidius emblem and it protects him from the sun, which his skin is struggling to adjust to after so many years in the cold.
He’s come to realize that the coyotes are a very proud and brazen people. They have no mouth filters and Louis finds that very hard to get accustomed to. However, Cyrus and his wife Nala, along with Nuri, have really taken the time to get Louis assimilated as best they can.
He knows it’s likely that Harry’s people think he is weak, not assertive enough, not good enough—but Louis isn’t one to let such things deter him.
The one thing he does wish, however, is for Harry to spend more time with him. They still have not really touched each other since their first marriage ceremony, and Louis would really like to give intimacy another show. Unfortunately, it’s as if Harry has this humungous wall of ice around his heart and is not willing to let Louis through yet.
He has an idea to help crack it though, and he just needs to get Oli on board.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
“Oli, do you really think I should do it?” Louis asks as he peers behind the flaps of the tent.
“Yes, Louis,” Oli says as he tightens the strings on the bow. “You’re not very good at most physical activities, but if there’s anything you excel in besides reading, it’s archery.”
“Gee, thanks,” Louis grumbles. “I know, but I wasn’t even invited to this. What if I make a fool of myself?”
“Doubt that’ll happen. I did not spend hours upon hours teaching you how to do this for you to fail,” Oli responds with a stern look as he hands Louis his bow.
“I can’t just take your place!”
“The hell you can’t. Your lovely husband there ensured I can’t use my arm for a month straight, So it’s up to you to represent Glacien.”
“If you’d just let me heal you,” Louis interjects, reaching out toward Oli’s bandaged arm.
“Absolutely not,” Oli cuts him off. “You can do this in your sleep. Now go!”
“Only if you come with me,” Louis begs. “Please. I can’t do this alone.”
Oli sighs before straightening up and puffing his chest. “The men here make me feel like a child, you know.”
Louis chuckles at that. “Same,” He whispers before Oli nods, and they emerge from the tent.
“You want Harry’s attention, don’t you?” Oli asks with a smirk.
Louis’ face heats up. “Yes,” he says.
“Then let’s walk in there like you own the place.”
“But what if—”
“No,” Oli interrupts. “Now go.”
The walk isn’t too long, but it makes it even more nerve-wracking than it already was when a bunch of big men that probably could lift both Louis and Oli with one arm immediately zero in on the pair.
“Louis and Red!” Cyrus yells happily. Waving his hand up in the air. “Came to cheer for me now did ya?”
There are chuckles around them and Louis sneaks a peek at Harry under his hat. His stone-faced glare sends chills down Louis’ spine even though the temperature outside is hot as can be.
“Not quite,” Oli says.
“I’d suggest you sit this one out, Red,” Cyrus adds. “You can’t possibly shoot without your right arm out of commission.”
“Oh, I’m not shooting. Prince Louis will though.”
The laughs start up again, and Cyrus’s surprise is evident. “Have you ever shot arrows before Louis?”
“Maybe once or twice,” Louis says as he looks up at him.”
“Maybe the prince should sit this one out for practice in the morning. After all, we have bets going,” Cyrus says gently.
“That’s okay, I’ll put my faith in my prince,” Oli says confidently.
“Ever the loyal one, huh Red?” Cyrus laughs. “We admire that.”
“Okay, well if the prince wants to give it a shot, of course he can.” Cyrus turns to Harry. “Any objections from our leader?”
Harry’s gaze doesn’t move from Louis and Louis does everything in his power not to look away. Maybe it’s the heat getting to him, but he swears he sees the slightest tilt in the corner of Harry’s mouth.
“None,” he says
“Okay, Aiden. You’re up first,” Cyrus says.
Aiden, who was happy and smiling as Louis walked up to the field, is now quite the opposite. Louis doesn’t know why Aiden dislikes him so much. He really tried to befriend him, and that failed miserably. Louis might not know many things, but he isn’t a complete idiot. It’s clear Aiden’s in love with Harry. Just the thought alone makes Louis’ stomach knot.
With perfect form, he aims and shoots. It doesn’t quite hit the X on the tree, but it comes within a few inches. His second and third shots land similarly.
Elias, a quiet, peppered-haired man, goes next and manages to land his arrows a little behind Aiden’s. Aiden is still in the lead then.
Four other men follow suit, but none is able to come close to where Aiden and Elias hit.
Harry, who clearly isn’t the best at archery, ends up landing his arrow just outside of Aiden’s.
“Still beat ya, Haz,” Aiden chuckles after Harry’s shot. He brings his hand up and touches Harry along the side of his arm.
Louis’ heart jolts in annoyance. He swallows the lump that’s suddenly formed in his throat.
He’s jealous. He’s completely jealous that he can’t touch his own husband freely and comfortably and that Aiden gets to. He can see Aiden look back at Louis with a smirk, and if Louis was a terrible person, he’d shoot this arrow right in his thigh. He’s a prince, though, and he holds himself with honor.
“You’re up, snowflake,” Cyrus says.
Louis swallows audibly. He hopes that this is just like every other time Oli taught him back in Glacien, always sneaking away from his post to give Louis some pointers.
Louis stands, legs apart, and pulls back on the strong. It feels a bit odd since he hasn’t used this in months, but he extends his forefinger out in line with the arrowhead. He breathes in, opening one eye, and lets go of the arrow as he exhales.
It hits the trunk, but it’s further than any of the others. He hears some chuckles but they're immediately shushed by someone. Louis is too embarrassed to decipher who.
Get it together , Louis thinks. This is no time to fail.
Louis smiles right at the mark.
“No way!”
“He did it.”
“Lucky shot,” he hears Aiden sneer.
“But can you do it again?” Cyrus taunts after looking approvingly at the arrow.
Louis straightens his back and repeats the motion. He doesn’t even think as lets go of the arrow, and he watches as it hits dead center.
“What!”
“Ha, Cyrus, you just got your ass handed to you by the prince.”
“No way!” Cyrus mutters. “Again!”
“You want to lose again?” Louis asks, raising one eyebrow.
A bunch of oohs and cackles can be heard around them.
“Oh, you’re on.”
Louis dares to sneak another peek at Harry and immediately lowers his head when he makes eye contact. Finally, he has Harry’s attention. Louis can’t help but celebrate.
Louis ends up beating all of them again. Harry comes close, but Aiden refuses to participate.
“Looks like we have a new champion,” Harry says when their games are complete.
“Well, fuck!” Cyrus laughs excitedly as he runs toward Louis and tosses him on his shoulder.
“Cyrus!” Louis screams, but Cyrus ignores him and spins Louis around.
“Well, I’m beyond impressed. Here I thought you were as defenseless and fragile as a snowflake,” Cyrus says as he spins him, Louis’ hat flying off in the process.
“Cyrus,” Harry’s deep tone drawls then.
“Hands off, hands off,” Cyrus says as he puts Louis down, arms immediately going up in surrender.
Harry picks up his sun hat and gently places it on his head. “You did well,” He says.
It’s not much, but Louis will take it.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
A few weeks pass and Louis really feels like he’s making progress in fitting in with the coyotes. Every morning, he makes an effort to explore a new side of the Oasis, and every time, he learns something new. He hasn’t gone outside of the Oasis into the deserts of Calidius because he’s terrified of the desert.
He also learns about the different types of animals that live within the Oasis. Since coming here, Louis quickly learned that everything inside The Oasis is bigger. The people are stronger, sturdier, and taller and the same can be said about the animals. Things are usually twice and even triple in size what they’re supposed to be. It’s truly fascinating.
A great example is when Louis learns more about the coyotes. He remembers the words he must say for the entrance to the Oasis to appear. Coyote was one of the keywords and Louis learned exactly why they play such a vital role with the tribe. The people of Calidius refer to themselves as coyotes because they share the land with actual coyotes. Legend says they guided the first-ever settlers of the tribe and through time, they learned to live symbiotically. The coyote packs and the tribe tend to keep to themselves, but Louis has taken a keen interest in Solis, Harry’s coyote. Which brings him to his current adventure.
Louis, ever curious, follows Solis out into the woods. The coyote is massive and is certainly bigger in stature and strength than regular coyotes outside of the Oasis. The canine has come to like Louis. Louis was told he’s not as friendly as most wild animals aren't, but after their first meeting, Louis thinks he won him over.
Harry and Solis found each other years ago when Harry had gotten hurt, as a kid. Solis had brought him food. Harry noticed that Solis had been strangely kicked out of his pack and eventually brought him with him until he grew up to make a pack of his own.
After learning about the special bond he and Harry have, Louis has made it his mission to not only be accepted but perhaps be trusted enough to be able to come close to his pack.
As Louis follows Solis, he tries to make mental notes of where he’s headed, but after a while, he loses track and blindly follows the coyote. Not long after that, Louis stops alongside the coyote and sees an open field full of sand. There he sees more coyotes staring at them.
This must be Solis’ pack.
The coyotes surround Louis immediately. Louis should have been afraid, especially since he’s never been so close to a group of these animals before, but for some strange reason, he isn’t.
He doesn’t know why he decided to follow Solis, but upon seeing one of the coyote’s pack hyperventilating on the ground, Louis has his answer.
One of the females is giving birth. Louis slowly approaches and gets growled at by one of the males next to her. Solis, however, growls back even louder as he stands in front of Louis. There seems to be some sort of standoff, but eventually, the rest of the pack submits.
Nurture.
Your gift is called nurture, and you have the ability to heal and encourage growth of any kind.
That afternoon, Louis helps the female coyote deliver six pups.
Hours later, that’s how Harry, Aiden, and Nuri find him. He’s covered in fluids, blood, and sweat, and nestling one of the pups in his arms next to the nursing mother with the entire pack surrounding them.
“How did they just let him near?” he hears Aiden trail off in shock.
“Louis, you are truly something else,” Nuri says in awe.
Harry just stares in amazement.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
“I saw that look, Louis.”
Louis bites his lip as shame washes over him. Even more so because it’s Hina who catches him. Now he knows where Harry got his observation skills from.
“Want to talk about it, darling?” Hina asks as she sits across the table.
“I know he’s Harry’s best friend but I can’t help but compare myself to him, Hina,” Louis grumbles. He falls onto his back as he lays across Hina’s floor, his mood completely soured.
“Aiden is a nice boy, but he is a troublemaker. Always has been and always will be,” Hina says. “And even though Harry has matured, he’s still always bailing Aiden out of some nonsense.”
Louis knows Harry is his, but he still really doesn’t like the sound of that.
“Hina, I know I shouldn’t be feeling this way, but I don’t feel good when he’s around Harry.”
He can see Hina smile almost somberly at him. “What do you feel Louis?”
Louis thinks hard about it, wanting to put it into words properly, but he just has too many feelings bundled up inside, just like always. He just needs to say it before his heart explodes.
“I—I don’t want him around Harry!” He confesses. “I don’t even want him to look at Harry. He looks at him with these eyes and I know I sound completely ridiculous, but every time he touches him, even if it’s by accident, I have this very ugly feeling in the pit of my stomach and I feel like I want to take Harry and hide him away forever,” Louis explains. He’s out of breath by the time he finishes, but decides he’s not done.
“I don’t want to be a hypocrite because I have Oli and he hugs me and even cuddles with me sometimes but it’s just different. I just feel like—no. I know he wants to take Harry away from me,” Louis confides in Hina. “I know he’s Harry’s right-hand man and Harry trusts him with his life and they have a bond only childhood friends could have and I’m just, I’m just—“
“You’re jealous?”
Louis cringes at the word. He’s always kept to himself and never really had to think about negative emotions like this. Even if his life up until now was rather lonely, he’s still a prince chosen by the ancient gods with an important gift and he’s always felt blessed.
“I’m sorry!” Louis says. “I know I should not have such horrible feelings but I can’t help it.”
“Louis, my child. Your feelings are completely valid,” Hina says soothingly. “But it’s what you decide to do with those feelings that matters.”
“What do I do with those feelings?”
“Communication and honesty are key. Are you going to confront Aiden and tell him to stay away from Harry? Or ask Harry to keep Aiden at arm's length?” Hina asks him.
Louis’ eyes widen. “Of course not! I could never do such a thing,” he exclaims. “I would never ask Harry of that either. It’s not right, no matter how I feel.”
“Then what will you choose to do?”
Louis doesn’t think he has many options to choose, but he knows he must just swallow his feelings. Harry is his husband and that trumps everything, right?
“Nothing,” Louis says. “I just have to get rid of these negative emotions and try to befriend him! I mean, he’s Harry’s best friend so he must be a wonderful person,” Louis explains with determination. If he repeats it enough, maybe he’ll start to believe it’s true.
“You are beautiful, Louis,” Hina says kindly. ‘You know that. right?”
Louis looks at Hina and smiles. “Oh, you’re too kind to me.”
She stares at Louis with a sigh and then stands with a determined look in her eye.
“Tonight is the blood moon ceremony,” she explains as she gets up. She walks over to where there is a big basket of fabrics.
“We had a small ceremony when you got here with Harry and you wore your traditional clothes, but what if tonight…” she says as he pulls a bunch of different colored fabrics, making a mess of them on the floor. “What if tonight, my dear, you wear some traditional Calidius garments?”
Louis’ eyes widen. He’s seen some of the clothes they were here and he gets shy just thinking about it. They don’t wear much clothing sometimes, though Louis knows it’s likely only shocking to him because he’s so used to covering himself up from the cold.
“You’ll wear this red,” Hina tells him, holding up a piece of fabric in the color. “It’s the Styles’ colors and one of Harry’s favorites. You can see it in the jewelry he wears and even his nails when they’re not their usual black.”
Louis has noticed Harry’s affinity for red.
“Here, let me make something for you with this fabric,” Hina tells him. “It was gifted to me by my late husband.”
Louis’ mouth drops open in surprise. “Hina! I can’t possibly wear that! It’s for you to wear and—”
“And I want you to wear it. I wear white now because I’m a widow. As much as I love the fabric and it’s special to me, I want you, as my one and only son’s partner, to wear it,” she says simply.
“Now let’s get these clothes off of you,” Hina says as she turns her attention to his laced-up vest and the long-sleeve shirt under it. No wonder you passed out so often when you first arrived. These clothes are a bit stuffy, love,” she tells him.
“I know,” Louis acknowledges. “But I’m not used to wearing so little and besides, it helps me cover up from the sun a bit.”
“Hmm yes, your skin is fairer,” Hina hums. “We’ll just have to use some of that lotion to help protect it. With more time under the sun, your skin will adjust and darken a bit,” she explains. Once the laces of his vest are off, she helps him out of his long-sleeved tunic so she can see his body and make some measurements.
“Oh, wow, you do hide some gorgeous curves under there don’t you?” Hina gasps.
Louis flushes red at that, but she doesn’t seem to notice.
“Oh, this will look gorgeous on you,” she says excitedly.
That’s how Louis spends his afternoon—laughing with Hina and having so much fun that he doesn’t feel so bad about himself or have doubts about Harry and Aiden. Louis can’t help but tear up when Hina isn’t looking his way, too focused on his clothing. She reminds him so much of his mother. She was always so soothing and caring to him, and now more than ever, he’s really happy he has her to hold on to when life gets a bit overwhelming.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
Louis is nervous. He’s never worn so little before. Part of his stomach is uncovered and there are slits on his pants that show his legs when the wind blows.
The tunic that Hina spent all day making is all red with intricate gold detailing. His shoulders and back are covered, but there are no sleeves and the front has a diamond-shaped cutout, showing off most of his tummy. Hina has now recruited Nuri to help her put some markings on his skin with a gold shimmery paint. It’s beautiful and he’s never seen anything like it.
“This is called aurum. You can only find it deep in the caverns deep in the forest of the Oasis. It’s very difficult to find, but worth it when we put it on our skin,” Hina says as she paints intricate symbols around his belly button. “It’s usually only worn during weddings ceremonies and festivities, so we figure this is the perfect time for you to wear it.” She and Nuri giggle.
“Will other tribe members be wearing this?” Louis asks.
“Yes, but not with aurum. Usually only higher ranked tribe members wear it.”
And that’s how Louis spends the rest of the time until the ceremony, being pampered and dressed by Hina and Nuri. He really enjoys the experience.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
Louis bites his lip as he hides behind Hina.
“Hina I can’t do this. I’m nervous. I’ll probably trip and break my face and smear all these beautiful markings that you and Nuri worked on. I feel like I’m just playing dress up and that none of the tribe members will take me seriously and Harry will probably think I look ridiculous and—”
“Louis, breathe. You look beautiful. The only ridiculous thing here is the things that are coming flying out of your mouth when you go into your ramblings,” Hina says, exasperated.
Louis slaps a hand over his mouth to stop himself from spewing even more nonsense.
“Louis, are you back here? I haven’t seen you all—” Louis looks back to see Oli frozen with his mouth wide open. “L—Louis?” He asks with a shocked expression.
“Hi, Oli,” Louis says shyly, bringing his arms around him to cover his middle.
“You—you look different,” is what Oli manages to say once he’s moved past the shock.
“Good different?” Louis asks, uncertain.
“Definitely good. I mean, great. I mean, wow!” He exclaims as he comes closer.
“No touching,” Nuri says sharply, as the paint is still drying.
“Come on, love,” Hina says. “It’s time for us to walk and join the festivities and I want you to walk hand-in-hand with me.”
Louis’ eyes bulge in horror.
“What!? Hina, no! I can’t,” Louis says. Hina draws attention everywhere she goes. She’s beautiful and regal and Louis will just make a fool of himself beside her, he’s sure of it.
Hina turns around with eyes of steel. If Louis didn’t know her, he’d coward in fear. Her touch is gentle though when she takes hold of his hand.
“Louis, you are beautiful, kind, and nurturing. You’re also scarily smart,” she tells him. “You are now part of my family, my tribe, my world. You will regard yourself as how the partner of the beast and the scorching Calidius tribe should regard themselves as.”
She gives him a stern look as she continues, “You will walk with poise and dignity. We chose you because it was already written but as soon as my husband saw the little boy with fire in his veins, he knew you’d be the right fit. My son is rough around the edges, but he’s a man who cares for you. Maybe more than he leads on and than even you can comprehend,” Hina assures him. “Walk out there and do not give anyone any reason to doubt why you’re here,” she finishes before kissing his forehead.
Though he tries to internalize her words, Louis still feels jittery and nervous. As soon as he steps out and begins to descend down the crowds, it’s as though they have a barrier around them. People move aside to make room for their entrance and begin to whisper. Louis tries to keep his head held high and simultaneously tries not to trip and embarrass himself.
Louis makes eye contact with a little boy and he can’t help but smile at him. He knows tradition here is to be intimidating and raw but he just can’t not smile at children. After that, he starts smiling at anyone he makes eye contact with. He wasn’t allowed to live among his people back home and he doesn’t want to make the same mistake here. He doesn’t want to feel like he’s above them when in reality, he wants to be among them.
Louis is all smiles until he comes to a stop and finally sees Harry.
Harry’s eyes are just on him. Louis can see that Harry’s gaze is focused on his legs and watches as it slowly moves up his body. Goosebumps appear all over Louís’ body despite the fact that there’s no chill or strong breeze blowing. He notices how Harry’s eyes linger a few seconds longer on his tummy until they finally make their way up to meet his own.
Louis feels like he can’t breathe. Harry looks so handsome, so strong, and his hair is pushed back. It’s like time stands still as they gaze into each other’s eyes until Aiden yanks on Harry’s arm, breaking the spell. Louis remembers to finally breathe, and he and Hina take a seat across from Harry, Cyrus and his family, Aiden, and the other tribe members to the left of Harry.
For once, he’s grateful to Aiden for pulling Harry’s attention away because he’s sure that if he’d held Harry’s gaze any longer, he would have forgotten to breathe and collapsed.
“Wow, Louis. You are sure easy on the eyes aren’t you?” Nala compliments.
“Yes, I could barely recognize you. You look lovely. It’s about time you took interest in Calidius style,” Cyrus replies.
“Oh—oh yes, it’s absolutely lovely. Lady Hina helped me with this,” Louis tells them.
“Is that the fabric father got you?” Harry questions his mother.
“Yes, dear. I figured it would look beautiful under tonight’s blood moon and figured, why not have Louis wear it?” Hina says.
“Hmm,” is all Harry says as his eyes once again find Louis.
Louis deflates a bit about that reaction, but it’s not like he expected much from Harry anyway.
Dinner continues with Louis answering everyone’s questions as politely as possible. Eventually, Harry’s nephew, little Helios, comes to his side to play with the jewelry around Louis’ neck. The little boy is about four years old and has a lot to say.
“I want to marry you too,” is one of the first things that comes out of his mouth. Cyrus breaks out in laughter as his mother gasps in shock over her son’s words to the prince.
“He’s been talking about you nonstop, and even though I’ve told him that he’s about 20 years too young and a few months too late, he’s determined, just like every Styles,” Cyrus says.
Louis smiles at him and holds out his arms to encourage thte little boy to sit on his lap. Though he hadn’t spent much time with them previously, he’s recently come to the realization that he really loves children. Babies, kids—they’re all beautiful and full of life. He sees how much fun they have here in Calidius where they are allowed to enjoy their innocence and childhood as much as possible.
Sure, he’s heard different stories about the children here being bred as warriors from a young age, and while he has seen some of that, it starts only if the children volunteer, and they get every other day to rest and enjoy their free time. It’s amazing how disciplined they are, but that doesn’t stop them from acting like little terrors during their time off.
“Watch out, Harry. Looks like someone is trying to steal your husband,” Cyrus exclaims joyfully.
Harry’s eyes zero in on Louis and Helios. “I’m marrying him, Uncle Harry. I’ll fight for his hand!” The little boy says with a puffed-out chest.
Harry’s raises one of his brows. “So I train you personally and this is what I get in return?”
Helios gulps, a little intimidated, but nods anyway.
“There is no need for that!” Louis says as he hugs Helios tighter to his chest.
“Why don’t you and I go dance instead?” Louis suggests. Helios’ eyes immediately brighten. I love to dance!” He says, the feud with Harry forgotten just like that.
Louis has no idea what he’s doing but he’s been observing the dances for a while. He just bops around and spins Helios a few times. More people join in and before Louis knows it, a good hour has passed. Helios is now sleeping soundly on his shoulder as his mother scoops him up in his arms.
“You’re a godsend,” she tells him. “You will make a fine mother,” she adds with a wink. Louis flushes at that, but before he can reply, someone grabs his hands and spins him around. He gasps into a sturdy chest full of tattoos, immediately recognizing it. He looks up to see Harry’s stern expression as he looks down at him.
“I didn’t know you were so good with kids,” Harry tells him.
“I—I didn’t know either if I’m honest,” Louis admits.
Louis is spun a few times as Harry leads them to the rhythm of the drums. He doesn’t say much after that, much to Louis’ disappointment, but the dance is more than enough to brighten his mood.
When people have begun to disperse from the dance floor, Harry eventually nods at Louis. “You should wear red more often,” he whispers softly before walking away.
Louis only has a second to process that before Nuri and Oli are pulling him into another round of dancing.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
His hopeful optimism doesn't last very long, however, as Aiden walks up to him early one morning to dampen his high spirits.
“I don’t like you.”
Louis is taken aback by the sudden confession. He’s not stupid—he knows Aiden would rather eat sand than befriend Louis, but Louis believes in giving people second chances, and he’s tried his hardest on multiple occasions to get Aiden to talk to him. Every time, the man just gives him a venomous look and walks away. Unfortunately, he’s so subtle in the way he does it that only those looking for something off really notice.
“I am your prince and I will not let you talk to me in such a matter!” Louis defends himself.
“You’ll never be my anything,” Aiden spits out. “You belong to the enemy and my people will never bow down to you no matter how much the Styles try to convince us.”
Louis’ heart lurches at that. “You’re wrong! I love the people of Calidius as if they were my own. I will do everything in my power to protect them,” he tells Aiden.
Aiden laughs. “You’re so pathetic,” he says, ridiculing Louis with a shake of his head. “You want to know the truth?” He sneers as he gets closer to Louis. “The truth is everyone here just pities you. It’s not a secret that your father sold you off to the Styles. If it weren’t for your little healing powers, they wouldn’t have bothered. Don’t fall into the delusion that Harry could ever love you. Don’t forget you’ll always just be someone he was forced to marry.”
Louis thought he was strong enough for whatever Aiden might throw at him, but he’s beginning to see that he wasn’t. His skin will never be as thick as that of the people here. He’s always too sensitive, too caring. Louis’ heart is on the brink of exploding and he feels sick.
“You’re just a liability and a distraction. Haven’t you wondered why Harry never gave you our mark?” Aiden asks him mockingly. “You’re not worthy of our mark or to hold the position you do.”
“And you are?” Louis bites back.
Aiden’s eyes widen for a second before they narrow into slits once again.
“I do not care what you think of me,” Louis tells him viciously. “I know you’re in love with Harry. It’s clear as day, but if you think I’ll believe a word you say as if you can speak for my husband, then you’re mistaken.”
Not bothering to hear what Aiden has to say to that, Louis walks away.
He wishes he could fight for himself more, but Aiden apparently knows where to hit Louis the hardest. Still, Louis won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing him cry.
“Yes, run away like you always do,” Aiden yells after him. “Face it, Louis. You’ll never be one of us!”
Louis shouldn’t believe anything that came out of Aiden’s mouth, but it’s like he’s taken an axe to the cracks of Louis’ insecurities. Louis needs time to cry out his feelings and sleep to escape them for a while, but if Aiden thinks he’ll give up that quickly, then he’s mistaken.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
Louis avoids Harry after his talk with Aiden.
Nuri has become Louis’ favorite person besides Oli, of course, and she’s the one who suggested Louis try a different approach to get Harry’s attention.
“Absence makes the heart grow founder, my dear prince.”
So Louis has been trying his hardest to avoid Harry, much to his heart’s displeasure.
It only takes four days of this plan for Harry to seek him out.
It’s night time and Louis is at one of the lagoons, practically naked apart from a pair of shorts. He hears a slight snap of a branch, indicating someone’s presence, and he quickly turns around, grabbing his long tunic to cover himself more.
“Your skills are improving. However, you’ve brought no protection,” Harry says in his deep drawl.
“Harry, what—your face!”
“It’s just a scratch. It’ll heal within a few—“
“None of that,” Louis exclaims as he gets out of the shallow water that he was standing in and immediately moves his hands toward the gash on the side of Harry’s face. Harry bends down a little to accommodate Louis’ height.
“That’s what I’m here for right?” Louis chuckles awkwardly.
Harry frowns at that, but Louis closes his eyes and starts to feel the tingle in his hands. The white glow starts and after a few minutes, he moves his hands down and away from Harry’s face. Louis’ forehead is sweaty and his breathing is heavy, but Harry’s wound is all healed up, with only a faint scar left as evidence that the wound had ever been there.
“I can’t do anything about the scarring,” Louis apologizes as he takes a step back.
Harry blinks and then moves forward to grab Louis by the waist to help him sit down. Then he looks somewhere off into the distance and whistles loudly. There are only a few seconds of silence before he hears a short howl that rises and falls in pitch, followed by staccato yips in the distance.
Louis just stares at the man like he’s hung the moon in the sky.
Harry turns to stare down at Louis and they both gaze at each other.
There’s so much Louis wants to say at that moment, but he doesn’t know how to start. The silence isn’t uncomfortable, but Louis feels like there’s electricity in the air. Harry finally bends down to grab the bowl that Louis had discarded earlier and dunks it in the water to fill it before gently pouring the water onto Louis’ shoulder.
Louis looks up at him in surprise as Harry gently bathes him, right up until a giant coyote joins them.
“Solis,” Louis whispers.
Harry unclips his fur cape from his shoulders and brings it around Louis’ wet body.
“Bring protection with you always,” Harry says as he gets to his feet. “And by the way, that’s not why you’re here,” He adds before he starts walking away.
“Stay with him, Solis,” Harry tells the coyote before his body disappears into the darkened trees, but not before turning to give Louis one final look.
Louis hugs the fur around him closer to his body with a small smile.
Solis yips at him as he comes closer, licking his shin before laying his head on Louis’ lap. Louis giggles before he bends down to kiss the giant coyote on the forehead.
This is the sign that Louis needed to finally prove himself and confess to Harry. He just needs to come up with a plan and execute it.
“I’ve missed you, Solis,” he whispers as he begins to sing a Glacien lullaby, all the while thinking that maybe just maybe, things will go his way from now on.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
His plan wasn't the smartest but it's the best he could come up with.
“Solis, you really shouldn’t have followed me out here,” Louis tells the coyote as he walks further away from the passage. Being out of the Oasis is very weird…and hot.
“I do appreciate you joining me though,” Louis confesses when he stops and bends down to pet the giant canine. He feels less lonely and more protected. Perhaps this is cheating, but no matter how many times Louis had told him to turn around and go back to the Oasis, Solis ignored it.
He’s really regretting his life choices right now. He should have told someone where he was going. Technically he did in a note, and that counts for something even though the scriptures said he shouldn’t tell anyone. He’s not an idiot though—he had to make his presence known in some way because if things go south, at least they’ll know where to find his body.
He read about the right of passage for young men and women that takes place on their 20th birthday. Technically, Louis is late by five years, but better late than never, right?
The task is simple. Get one, two, or ideally, all three medicinal plants, one native to the desert and two to the Oasis and present them to the village elders.
The three plants are the Hellstail Fauna, the Dragonite Weed, and the Sangius Cacti.
He spent the majority of the night in the oasis finding the first two that can only be seen when the sun is away. With a bit of help from Solis, and a lot of time searching through what felt like miles of plants, Louis found the first two.
The hardest part of the challenge however was finding the cactus, since it can only be found outside of the Oasis.
Louis looks up at this boulder-like structure, and he can’t see much because of the reflection of the sun, but his eyes can detect long and thin cacti, gleaming red. Louis smiles. “I found you.”
He tries to make quick work of the ascent. He’s excited. He knew he would be lucky to find the Sangius Cacti but the glimmering is done by some of the rocky formations that sometimes can be found growing around the crevices in between the boulder toward the top. Louis also notes some of the darker and smooth stones while he climbs up to the cactus. He knows Harry has a lot of jewelry, but he can’t help but take a few of them, knowing that if he polishes them, he can turn them into some sort of necklace or bracelet for his husband.
Harry would love that.
Climbing up is becoming much more difficult as Louis grows more exhausted. He can even hear Solis’ unhappy whines from down at the bottom. The sun is beating down on him relentlessly, and the effects of it are starting to be felt in Louis’ body. He’s much more sluggish now, with slower automation in his movements. His mouth feels as dry as sand but he knows if he gets this and brings it back, he’ll surely be respected. Maybe then Harry will choose to sleep in his hut and see him as an equal.
Louis makes it to the top. It took longer than probably should have, but he’s happy to finally make it. His main priority is the Sangius, so he slices a piece off with the head of his arrow. He handles it gently as he puts it in his satchel. He feels tired but hopeful as he begins carving out the red stone. Unfortunately, he’s so focused on his goal that he doesn’t stop to think about what can be found around this particular cactus.
He yanks out the piece of stone and quickly places it in his satchel, but before he can even blink or try to defend himself, he’s struck on the neck.
Louis has no time to think but the pain causes his body to act quickly. The yellow and green snake has latched onto Louis’ jugular, and Louis gasps as he pulls it off himself and throws it.
They’re not a deadly species, but Louis knows it’s just a matter of time before the effects of the bite start to become a problem.
With adrenaline now pumping through his body. He starts to descend the boulder, not daring look down. He knows if he is afraid, it will make things worse. His heartbeat is quickening and he’s becoming clumsier by the second, nearly losing his footing and falling backward more than once. He can hear Solis’ anxious whining not too far below now.
After some torturous and rather scary maneuvering, his feet finally land on solid ground.
Solis is immediately at his side, and Louis falls onto his ass. He’s sweating profusely, he’s clearly dehydrated, and he knows his mind is about to deteriorate due to hallucinations.
The sunburst viper venom is a hallucinogenic and somewhat of an aphrodisiac. It has its uses, but Louis knows he’ll quickly lose his sense of time and self. He needs to find shelter quickly, or better yet, at least make it back to the Oasis.
He can hear Solis whine again and the coyote’s cold tongue licks his cheek.
“Solis, help me find shelter. Somewhere less open,” Louis begs. He doesn’t know if Solis can actually understand him but the canine leaves his side in a hurry. Louis uses this time to get water from his bag. There’s barely any left, but at least it’s something.
The longer Solis is gone, the more paranoid Louis starts to feel, but thankfully, he eventually sees Solis out of the corner of his eye. “Wow, you came back fast,” Louis mumbles.
Actually, maybe it’s been a while and Louis didn’t realize it due to the venom running through his system.
Louis turns to welcome Solis back, but instead of seeing the familiar coyote, he sees a black beast. Louis screams as it leaps towards him but it’s tackled mid-air, which stops it just a few feet from where it would’ve reached Louis.
Solis is tumbling around, biting and snarling as he fights his much bigger opponent, and Louis is frozen in fear. The black beast is a puma with a razor-sharp set of teeth.
Solis gets flung to the side and the puma begins to run toward Louis again. He’s about to pounce when his hind leg is gripped by Solis.
Louis can’t sit here and do nothing. He turns and looks for his bow and arrows, which he finds laying on the ground behind him. He grasps both, and without thinking or aiming, just pulls back on the string, shooting the arrow. It misses completely.
This is reckless, Louis knows. He could easily hit Solis by accident, especially with his addled mind, but he needs to try something. Anything.
He hears Solis yelp and Louis doesn't think twice before shooting again.
Thankfully, this time, he hits the puma in its side, which leaves it yipping in pain.
It’s not enough to stop it completely, so Louis aims again. He misses, but tries again and again until he finally aims and hits it right on it’s side again. The beast goes down immediately.
Louis’ body is already weak and his mind is foggy, but he wastes no time crawling toward Solis, who’s laying on the ground on his side. Louis can see his chest moving up and down quickly.
“Solis?” Louis asks. Solis doesn’t respond but he turns to Louis, tail offering a weak wag.
“ No, no, no, no ,” Louis chants as he takes in the giant wound from his neck. Louis is not going to let him die. Not for him. Not when he has a pack of his own and especially not when he means so much to Harry.
Louis’ body feels weak. He doesn’t know how much time he has until he can’t help anymore. His skin feels sticky, there’s a low hum in his ears, and he can feel the uncomfortable tingle in his body from the venom.
He sits up on his knees and swallows as he assesses the damage. He can feel himself start to tear up but he quickly wipes them away. He has a job to do. He leans in to kiss Solis’ head to comfort him, or perhaps to comfort himself. Maybe both.
“Please be okay,” Louis whispers as he brings his hands to the bloody area and closes his eyes.
He can feel the effects immediately. He’s never actually patched up a wound this deep and in such a critical area before. He knows he can do so many things with his power, but they always came at a cost. Blood starts to pour from his nose and his fingers begin to turn black as coal as he works to heal Solis. He begins to feel weak and dizzy, but he tries his hardest to remain conscience at least until the wound is closed. It’s hard to tell how far he’s progressed with the white glow from his hands obscuring his view, so he just hopes it’s working.
Solis sluggish starts to stir, Louis smiles knowing he’ll be all right. “Solis, Louis whispers, “I need you to help me get back out into the sun before my vision goes out.”
If Louis didn’t know any better, he’d bet his whole life that he can understand Louis. It takes a few minutes, and Louis’hands are as cold as ice, but Louis manages to climb onto Solis’ back.
They make it a few yards before Louis is out into the sun. His vision is blurry but he can still see what he’s been looking for, the mirage.
He can hear the Puma in the distance and that makes Louis fling into action with the last bit of strength he has left. His necklace dangles from his neck as he mutters out the incantation.
Calidius, this Coyote demands
To be shown the Oasis,
Among the simmering sand.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
Louis wins one archery competition and he thinks he can move the world.
The task is simple. Get one if not all the three medicinal plants native to the desert and the Oasis. The Hellstail Fauna, the Dragonite Weed, and the Sangius Cacti.
Louis’ found all three.
When Louis comes to, he can’t quite tell how long he’s been out of it, but it’s definitely been a while. He sees a canopy of trees so he sighs in relief knowing he at least made it back into the Oasis.His breathing is labored and he has a wound on his shoulder that he doesn’t even know where it came from. He slowly sits up and thats when he notices it. His heart quickens as he notices the puma that attacked them out in the desert is laying nearby with two arrows still protruding from his body.
Solis is nowhere to be found, and Louis really hopes he’s okay. He would never forgive himself if something happened to him. He was Harry’s companion, after all.
Louis looks down at his hands and the black tint of his skin. It’s an after-effect of using his powers. The stain goes all the way to his forearms, which has never happened before, but he knows it will go away with time and recuperation.
After a few minutes of sitting there helplessly, unsure of what to do, Louis sees the creature start twitching. Louis’ heartbeat increases drastically as he sees the puma regain consciousness, even with a huge bite wound on its neck, and two arrows in its side.
Louis is all out of arrows. Turns out, he’s not a very good shot when there’s a giant animal trying to kill him and when he’s already weakened by a snake bite. Out of options, Louis takes the knife strapped to his thigh and holds it out in front of him defensively.
The animal is staring straight at him, body language sluggish from his injuries, but ready to ready to charge until the end. Louis can respect that. He’ll fight to his last breath too.
However, the animal isn’t even given the opportunity to move before a shower of arrows rain down on him, finishing it off for good.
“Holy fuck, Louis!” Louis hears a voice from his left, but all he has eyes for is Harry, who appears suddenly at his side like some angel from above.
“Louis,” Harry says, voice clipped with worry and anger.
Oli makes it to Louis next and he immediately gasps when he sees Louis’ hands.
He goes for Louis’ left arm and Louis hisses at the contact. Before he can even ask Oli to stop, in too much pain for that, he hears Oli cursing because Harry has taken hold of his arm.
“Do not touch himm” Harry spits out.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It wasn’t my intention to hurt him,” Oli says. “Fuck I think my hand is broken.”
At that moment, Solis makes an appearance next to Harry. His fur is matted and stained red from the blood, but his tail is wagging and he doesn’t look on the brink of death anymore.
Louis immediately starts to tear up, so grateful that Solis is okay and his efforts worked.
Harry, however, is starting to panic. “Louis,” Harry says, ignoring Oli completely. “Heal your wounds. Now,” he demands as he places his hand on Louis’ forehead.
Louis can’t help but moan at the touch. He should be embarrassed, but he’s too weak to care.
Maybe it’s the last bit of the aphrodisiac or just at how touch-starved he is due to Harry’s distance from him, but it feels so damn good. He doesn’t want it to stop.
“Louis, heal yourself. Damnit,” he hears Harry's command again. Louis whines when Harry takes his hand off his forehead.
“I c—can’t,” he whimpers.
“What do you mean, you can’t?” Harry says angrily.
“He can’t heal himself. Only others,” Oli answers for him.
“What?” Harry growls.
“Harry, I’m okay, I was just so worried about Solis,” Louis whimpers.
“Just be quiet and save your energy.”
“Yes, Louis. Listen to your husband. He will look after you. You can rest now,” Oli reassures him.
“Harry,” Louis hears Aiden say. He can just barely make out Aiden standing over him as well. “He was bitten by a sunburst.”
At that, Harry immediately puts his hand on Louis’ cheek. Louis sighs at his touch. It truly does make him feel so much better.
“He probably has a high-grade fever at the amount he was injected with, especially since his tolerance to it hasn’t built up,” Harry says as he touches Louis gently, examining his shoulder wound as well.
“Harry,” Louis slurs. “I’ll be okay, just please don’t stop touching me,” he begs.
“I won’t,” Harry reassures him.
“And would you look at what’s in his bag,” Cyrus says from somewhere nearby. “All three plants from the challenge.”
Harry turns towards Louis. “This is why you’re here?” He asks in disbelief.
“Yes?” Louis mumbles, but it comes out more like a question than a statement.
“And he took down a puma.”
No, Louis wants to say. That was mostly Solis. He deserves the credit too, and all those who fired arrows when Harry arrived, he supposes. Unfortunately, he’s so very tired that he can’t manage to get out the words to defend Solis’ role.
“Harry, you’ve got yourself one strong little snowflake, that’s for sure,” he hears Cyrus say.
He wishes he was conscious long enough to hear Harry's response.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
The recovery is the worst part, but at least it’s shown him that Harry is more caring than he leads on. Louis knows that he’s come to check on Louis every day, though he thinks he’s being sneaky about it.
“You've been thawing his heart, darling,” Hina had said when Louis asked who kept leaving such pretty yellow flowers by the pelts covering his body. “My son is as stubborn as a rock, and his father’s death affected him more than I ever could have imagined.”
“We didn’t know what outcome this arrangement would have brought, but I am so thankful for you and your empathetic heart,” Hina continues. “My people need someone like you. Harry needs someone like you by his side. His heart is as big and vast as the desert, but it’s hardened from life, developing a layer of permafrost that no one could quite break through. All it took was a few months with you to start thawing his heart.”
After that talk with Hina, Louis was deadset on making a necklace with the stone he had gathered when he went on that “adventure,” as he now refers to it.
However, as with most things, that attempt doesn’t go Louis’ way.
It’s a complete mess. Louis had everything ready, and then suddenly it was just not working out the way he wanted it to. Louis is no expert in the art of jewelry making, but he’s already cracked three of the stones he’s polished.
He’s spent the last hour trying to get this to work, but once the final and delicate stone breaks again, Louis completely loses it and starts to ugly cry.
Is this a sign? Louis has been feeling so passionate and good about himself, even after what happened, and it's amazing just how one small thing can just derail everything.
“It’s the thought that counts, you know.”
Louis turns around with a gasp. “Harry,” he whispers as tears cling to his lash line.
“No need to cry over such trivial things,” Harry replies with a slight frown.
Louis lowers his eyes, sighing dejectedly and trying not to let his childish emotions get in the way. It was just a necklace. He was delusional thinking someone like Harry Styles would wear such a thing. Not when he has beautiful jewelry that has probably been passed down for many generations—that has real meaning. Louis’ little childish pastime wouldn’t be able to compare. He clears his eyes with the back of his hands, a dumb apology at the tip of his tongue, but the words never make out of his mouth.
He gasps when Harry is suddenly much closer, but doesn’t dare meet his eyes—too embarrassed about being caught crying, about the necklace, about everything that has led up to this point, really. Even though they’re the same age, Louis feels younger, more vulnerable. Just like he did on their wedding night.
Maybe Aiden was right. Maybe he wasn’t meant to rule next to Harry. He’s too sheltered, too emotional, too soft…maybe…
“I can see your brain overthinking,” Harry whispers. His calloused and warm hands caress Louis jaw and then softly lift his face until Louis is looking at him.
Louis stops breathing.
“Look at me when I speak to you,” Harry says, tone soft but holding it as a command.
Louis’ eyes finally meet his.
He takes notice of how Harry's eyes roam all over his face, finally settling on his eyes. “What happened to the fire in your eyes?” Harry asks, tone lowering a bit. “It was there burning so bright just a few days ago,” he asks as his thumb wipes a lone tear from his cheek.
“It’s not—“
“Something’s clearly upset you. Tell me who or what it is. It can’t be just this necklace.”
Why does Harry have to be so observant? Is Louis too easy to read?
Louis can feel himself start to panic. He doesn’t want to do this. Not yet, at least. He quickly shakes his head, trying to plaster on a smile. “It’s nothing, really, Harry. You don’t have to—”
Harry interrupts, “I don’t like being lied to, Louis,” he scolds.
Louis shuts up at that.
“You know I went out looking for those plants to prove myself worthy to you?” Louis says after a beat of silence.
Harry’s eyes darken, “That was beyond reckless and not worth putting your life in danger. You do not need to prove yourself to me, Louis. Never do that again. Ever.”
His shoulders sag a bit. Ready or not, he needs to lift this weight off his shoulders. He remembers what Hina had said—how communication and honesty are key. Maybe he shouldn’t ask, especially with how scared he is to know what will fall from Harry’s lips, but his brain, and perhaps his heart most of all, need an answer. Even if the answer destroys every hope he has built over the past few months, he can’t stay in this limbo forever.
Ignorance is not always bliss.
“Harry, are you in love with someone else?” Louis asks. He can tell Harry’s caught off guard by the question as he studies Louis’ face. “I know loving someone so suddenly is preposterous, and I—I don’t expect you to love me right away…if at all, really,” Louis chuckles humorlessly. He suddenly wants to puke at the realization of just how painful it is to be this vulnerable and open with someone you’re ready to give your all to.
Before Louis can continue, Harry interrupts him yet again.
“What does that have to do with my question?” Harry asks, frown etched on his face.
“Everything,” Louis replies. “Or perhaps nothing.”
“What is this about?” Harry responds, thumb softly running back and forth on Louis’ jaw.
Louis studies his face. His cool demeanor is present as always, but he can see the lines in his brow and the slight frown on his lips. Harry really doesn’t know.
Exasperated, Louis snorts. “For someone so observant with everything, you’re quite thick with certain things around you, you know that?”
“Louis—”
“I’m just being stupid is all, nothing—“
“Louis,” Harry repeats.
“No, hear me out, Harry,” Louis interjects, looking up at Harry with a wobbly smile. “I think maybe I’m not cut out for this role. I keep messing up, and I feel like I’m letting the tribe down all the damn time, and he was right about everything, and I’m clearly just a liability, and I—” Louis stops suddenly, not wanting to say too much. He looks up at Harry. “And yeah,” he finishes lamely.
“And yeah?” Harry says, raising an eyebrow.
Louis can feel tears pooling again. He needs to remain strong, but Harry’s already becoming blurry. He nods anyway.
There's a pregnant pause, and Louis wishes he could fly away to the moon right now.
“Louis, I’m only going to ask you once. Who is the ‘he’ who told you all this?” Harry asks, venom in his tone.
“It doesn’t matter,” Louis mumbles. “It all doesn’t matter because I keep screwing up. I mean, I can barely even make you a stupid necklace. The only thing I have going for me is my brain and maybe healing people when they’re hurt, but even then, I feel like it’s not enough.”
Harry starts to laugh, throwing Louis for a loop. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen Harry laugh like this, and it doesn’t feel nice that he’s doing it when Louis’ heart is clearly breaking.
Louis gazes at Harry with a frown. “Don’t make fun of me, Harry,” he glares.
“Then stop spewing such bullshit,” Harry bites back.“I’m a simple man, so I’ll answer your question bluntly. No, I’m not in love with someone else. I have never been and never will be. The second I laid eyes on you again back in Glacien, I knew you’d be it for me,” Harry says such conviction. Louis just stares at him with his mouth agape.
“Then why have you—I don’t know, you’ve been so...distant,” Louis says as he stares up at Harry in disbelief.
“Because of the shitshow that was our wedding night. The fact that you got hurt before we even made it to Calidius—that I can’t even protect you in my own lands—and the fact that you’ve been so nervous around me,” Harry says simply.
Louis frowns at the confession.
“I wanted to give you space,” Harry continues. “For fuck’s sake, Louis, this was a drastic change in your life. I needed you to process everything without me invading your space like some overly attached toddler.”
“So—so this whole time, you’ve just been giving me space when all you’ve wanted was to—to spend time together?”
“I thought I was being too forward when I basically ripped Oliver’s hands off you, and you’ve been so quiet. I’ve seen how you are around my mother, Nuri, Oliver, and even Cyrus. Yet whenever I come into your vicinity, you immediately shut down,” Harry accuses.
“It’s because you make me nervous!” Louis exclaims. “I—I always end up making a fool of myself in front of you, and I just clam up when you’re around me. I mean, how in the world was I supposed to know? Being too forward? Are you insane, Harry Styles? You’re too subtle with everything. People swear you stare at me a lot, but I never catch you staring! I figured it was just people trying to make me feel better or something. I mean, come on!” Louis exclaims. “You’re usually never around and even when I got all pretty for you. I mean, it was for me, but I was hoping to impress you. All you told me was to wear red more often, and I did, and what came of that?” Louis snorts out, exasperated. “I’ll tell you what! Absolutely nothing! The nerve of you to say such a thing and—”
“Louis,” Harry interrupts. “I’m going to kiss you now.” That is all the warning Harry gives him before he grabs the side of his jaw with one hand, tilting his head up, and grabs his waist with the other, pulling Louis towards him.
The kiss is rough and filled with ardent need, and it makes Louis see stars.
Harry bites his bottom lip and Louis whimpers at the burning sensation. It feels so good to be held by Harry. Harry easily bends down and holds Louis up in his arms.
Louis pulls back as he breathes in rapidly, and Harry attacks his neck with kisses.
“Harry, I’ve wanted this for so long. I’ve been trying everything in my power without just being overzealous and maybe turning you off. I mean, I’m in no way, shape, or form very good at seduction. Clearly, if my advances made me seem scared rather than eager. I’m just too much in my head, you know? And I thought I would just make a fool of myself if I even remotely attempted to be sexy around you. I mean, I got Nuri and even Lady Hina to teach me and—” Louis yelps as Harry slaps his ass hard.
“Louis, be quiet and do not mention my mother when all that's going through my head right now is how I want to fuck you right here in the open.”
Louis flushes at Harry’s vulgar choice of words, and even more so at the fact that he says it in the same stoic tone that he always uses.
“You can’t say that!” Louis gasps.
“I’m the beast of the sands. I can say and do as I please. You want me to be forward? Then I will be. I want to completely devour you. Right here, right now.” he says in a steely voice.
Louis’ emotions have been all over the place tonight, but with Harry holding him like he’d been dreaming of and saying things that he’s fantasized about—it’s making him feel dizzy with need. He is so done being nervous and scared. He has no idea what he’s doing or how seductive he can really be with no experience, but Nuri took her time teaching him some things, and he doesn’t want to let her down. He kisses Harry deeply, moaning filthily as he cants his hips against Harry’s bulge. “Then do it.” He whispers into the kiss.
Harry's eyes darken at that.
Harry slaps Louis’ ass again and growls into his mouth as he licks into him like he wants to make good on his promise and devour Louis whole. This crazed and more animalistic version of Harry is everything Louis has been yearning for. They kiss as if they need each other to keep breathing, and perhaps they do.
This is the scorching beast of Calidius who will burn anything in his path with just one look. Louis moans at the thought of having this beast of a man going completely wild at Louis’ feet.
Harry’s hands begin to roam all over Louis’ body. He stops kissing Louis, and Louis interrupts him before he can even get a word out.
“Don’t you dare ask me anything. My answer is yes,” Louis kisses his mouth. “I’m yours for the taking. Just take what you want,” he whines, kissing all over Harry’s lips and jaw.
“Louis, don’t say things you don’t mean,” Harry groans as he bites his shoulder.
“I mean everything I say,” he gasps out.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” Harry groans as he begins to take Louis’ jacket off. Harry’s hands suddenly stop at his upper back, and he tenses into their kiss.
“What,” he hisses, “are you wearing?”
“Huh?” Louis blinks dazedly. “Nothing?” Louis chuckles nervously.
Louis had totally forgotten he was wearing some dumb little two-piece that Nuri gave him to try on.
Harry glares at him, tightening his hold on him.
“You’re unbearable.”
Louis feels a sudden surge of confidence. He’s going to thank Nuri profusely when he gets the chance.
Harry’s jaw tightens as he rips open Louis’ first layer of clothing, and then he stares and feels over Louis’ hide undergarments. His calloused hands are ecstasy on Louis’ soft and warm skin. Louis has been desperate for Harry’s touch since their wedding day all those months ago. It’s crazy to think Harry and him haven’t been intimate since that night, and all Louis knows is that if he doesn’t get Harry’s cock inside of him soon, he might just die.
Harry grumbles a noise into his neck, and Louis whines when he presses his mouth at the spot in Louis’ neck that makes him just melt.
“Harry,” Louis whines as he grabs hold of Harry’s shirt and tugs it up. “Off, off, off, please,” Louis begs like some bitch in heat.
The shirt gets tossed and reveals the intricate tattoos of the Calidius tribe, ones that Louis has been dying to trace with his hands, mouth, and tongue. His mouth can't help but water at the sight.
“You’re not real,” Louis whispers to himself. His hands are magnetized to Harry’s marked skin: all hard, firm muscle. Raw, concrete strength. His hands feel down his pecs and the deep ridges of his abs. He looks up to see Harry watching him with an intense gaze and tight smile. His mouth buries itself back into Louis’ throat, making Louis groan. He’s undeniably hard as a rock.
“Harry,” Louis says, clawing at the back of Harry’s hair, now short under his fingertips. “Please. Don’t make me wait more than you already have.”
Harry bites sharply into his neck and Louis yelps at the sting.
“You’re one to talk,” Harry growls. “Don’t get me started, you little tease.” He puts Louis down and takes a step back to rake his eyes over the undergarments on Louis’ body before leaning back in.
“The fact that you truly don’t realize just how sexy you are is making me go mad,” Harry whispers against his ear.
“Wouldn’t you prefer this off?” Louis asks in a silky tone, touching the clothing.
“No. Now turn around,” Harry commands, and Louis doesn’t have the fight left in him to object.
“Just fuck me please—," Louis starts, but he stops when Harry drags his thumb under his chin, tipping his head up. Louis swallows against his fingers.
“I need to know right now if you want to take things slow, Louis. I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself unless you tell me right now.”
Louis’ eyes soften. Even after everything, even with how cold and dry Harry may seem at times, he will always be a gentleman beneath it all. Louis grows hot from just how beautiful Harry is. As much as Louis would love to take things slow with Harry, to really explore each other's bodies, he doesn’t think he can right now. Not when the need to have Harry eat him alive grows more with every passing second.
“Harry, I need you to fuck me. Fuck me like you’ve wanted to. Use me, I don’t care, I just need you right now, please,” he begs.
Harry gently caresses the back of Louis’ head until he grips Louis’ hair, pulling it back. Louis yips at the sudden sting. “Stop me at any moment,” he growls into his ear from behind as he presses Louis against the tree. Then he tells Louis to suck, putting two fingers to Louis’ mouth. Louis does so with no hesitation.
“If you could only look at yourself. Fuck,” Harry says as kisses down Louis’ back. Louis slobbers and sucks on his fingers until they’re coated with spit. Goosebumps erupt all over his body when the lingerie is tugged aside and slick fingers probe around his ass.
“Yes,” Louis moans, rocking on his toes. “Fuck me. Please,” Louis whines.
“Enough with your demands,” Harry scolds, but he rams two thick fingers so deep that Louis swears he sees stars. It makes him wheeze, overwhelmed by the sting and the arousal.
Louis will probably be beyond embarrassed at how debauched and improper he’s behaving, but right now, he doesn’t give one fuck. He’s always been one to deprive himself of such raunchy desires. He always follows rules and does what is asked of him. He wants to be selfish, he wants to be greedy for once. Harry makes him feral and now he’s free to do as his heart and body desire. He wants this god , he really does, and he's going to take as much as he can get.
Harry stands behind him, one hand scissoring around his rim, the other pulling and squeezing his cheeks open. Louis moans in pleasure. He pushes back onto his fingers, completely at the mercy of Harry’s hands.
His toes curl at the realization that Harry can do whatever he wants with him, and Louis will do nothing to stop him. Harry continues to roughly work him open until Louis screams.
Harry’s found his prostate and is rubbing it, and it’s so overstimulating. Louis’ cock hardens even more, and his legs give out. Harry has to catch him to stop him from collapsing completely.
“More, more, more,” Louis slurs in a daze.
Harry brutally fucks him with his fingers against the tree. Louis groans and arches back against him, extending his arm backward to find purchase around Harry’s neck as he holds on for dear life.
Harry spits on his cock a few times, and Louis knows that this probably will hurt beyond belief, but he doesn’t give one shit if he can't walk for the next month. Harry’s cock slips along his ass—and he obviously knows Harry is big, he knows, but there’s nothing quite like a friendly reminder of just how big , especially when you’re craving it so fucking bad.
Harry tugs his hips back, bends him in half, and forces his hands back against the tree, and this just reaffirms how much Louis gets off on being completely manhandled. Harry pushes in painstakingly slow, and all of Louis’ air leaves his lungs.
“Oh god,” Louis’ voice shakes.
For a split second, the fear of Harry legitimately breaking him in half runs through his muddy mind, but it quickly evaporates as Harry pushes forward. Louis bites his bottom lip until he can taste the blood.
“Get yourself off with your hand,” Harry commands, and Louis does. Louis breathes in and out through his nose, and he takes ahold of his cock to ease some of the pressure and pain.
“You alright?” Harry asks him, voice hoarse and deep. The sound goes straight to Louis’ cock.
“Fuck, Louis. Stop fucking squeezing me, baby.”
That does it. Louis comes with a quiet scream.
“Fuck,” he can hear Harry groan as his grip on Louis’s hips tighten. He knows there will be finger shape bruises for days. Louis doesn’t even have time to breathe because Harry starts to move, and it feels so deliciously good. It hurts, but it’s a good pain, and Harry continues to growl like a rabid animal as he holds all of Louis’ weight. He’s so freaking strong, each thrust sending Louis up against the tree. Louis is probably being too loud, but he has no other outlet for it besides the uh uh uhs being forced out of him by Harry’s cock.
He doesn’t know how long Harry fucks him like this, but he can barely breathe, and he’s definitely way too stimulated to the point that it starting to hurt, and not in a good way.
“Harry, I can’t—” Louis cries.
Harry slows down, and Louis can feel him caress him over the damp garments.
Harry picks up speed again and then slows down, and Louis starts to cry. Suddenly, Harry spins him around, lifts him by the ass, and joins their mouths in a bruising kiss. They’re just breathing into each other and Louis slams his head back against the damn tree and sobs.
“If you could only see just how fucking beautiful and sinful you look.”
“Please come, Harry. Put a baby in me,” Louis says, and for a second, he stiffens at the words that just came out of his mouth but then, with a loud fuck, Harry slams his back into the tree, and Louis screams. Harry slams his hips in one last time, and it’s so impossibly deep. Louis wails and squirms as Harry grabs hold of his cock between them and quickly gets him off. His toes curl as a final orgasm is coaxed out of him, and Harry spills hot come inside of him.
And the thing is, Harry could have possibly just put a baby inside Louis.
Louis collapses onto Harry and Harry just barely manages to catch his weight as he falls back against the grass, both completely exhausted.
They spend a long time just lying on the grass, taking some time to come down from their high. Finally, Harry sits up and rakes his hand through Louis’ sweaty bangs.
“Was I too rough?” He asks, concern lacing in his voice.
Louis shakes his head. “You're perfect,” He says dreamily.
Harry shakes his head, but Louis takes note of the way the corner of his lip curves upward.
“Let’s get cleaned up,” he says. He bends down to pick Louis up and carry him to the spring.
Once they’re both clean, they spend so much time making out that Louis’ hands turn all pruney. At that point, Harry carries him back to where their discarded clothes lay.
“You animal.” Louis chastises as he holds up his ripped-up shirt.
“Here, wear mine,” Harry says as he hands Louis his shirt. “Let's go before my mother, Oliver, and Nuri send a search party.”
Louis giggles at that. “Could I stay in your hut?” Louis asks nervously.
Harry frowns at the question. “You’re staying in our hut.”
Louis smiles and leans his head against Harry’s shoulder. His lower back is killing him, and he’s sure he won’t be able to sit anywhere for the next week, but it was all well worth it.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
Louis wakes up in Harry’s or, well, their hut. He stretches, but quickly winces at just how sore his whole body is. Louis hums. It’s a good kind of sore, one that Louis will bear like a badge of honor. He survived the mighty beast’s cock and lived to tell the tale.
He takes hold of the sheets and the pillow he’s been hugging and takes a long, satisfying sniff. They smell like Harry. The musky scent of saffron and sweet fruit tones fill his nostrils, and Louis could get high off this scent alone. He buries his face into the pillows and groans as a particular stretch makes him wince in pain.
“Drink that tea right next to you,” Harry says from behind him.
Louis yelps at the sudden sound of Harry’s raspy voice.
“You scared me!” Louis says, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. Harry just caught him sniffing around his bed like some creep. Why does he always have to be there when Louis makes a fool of himself?
Harry just raises his left brow when Louis continues to stare at him. He can’t help it, though. Harry is sitting cross-legged across the room. Probably watching Louis sleep as he sharpens his hunting gear. Louis could get used to waking up to this view every day.
“The tea will make you feel better. Drink.” Harry instructs him as he focuses again on his tools.
Louis pouts as he glares at the tea. He hates this particular blend. Its pungent smell is enough to make him queasy, but it has always helped ease the pain whenever he is made to drink it.
He begrudgingly takes a few sips as he continues to sneak peeks at Harry. Once he finishes the disgusting herbal tea, he moves to get up, but it's as if his joints and hamstrings decide to lock on him. A traitorous whimper escapes from his mouth, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Harry, much to Louis’ annoyance.
“How bad does it hurt?”
“What?” Louis asks dumbly.
“I shouldn’t have been so rough with you,” He states with a frown, tone laced with anger.
Louis sighs. “I asked you to—I wanted this. Don’t tell me you regret it.”
Harry looks at him as if he’s just grown a second head. “Of course, I don’t regret it, but it was only your second time having sex. I should have been gentle,” Harry says, expression souring more by the second. “It looks like you got mauled by an animal. I was too violent.”
Louis can’t help but giggle, much to Harry’s irritation. “That’s because I pretty much did, right? The beast of Calidius did a number on me,” Louis tries to joke, but it falls flat.
Harry glares. “Not funny, Louis.”
Louis sighs and smiles at his dumb husband. “Harry, trust me. Last night was,” Louis pauses because he can’t quite explain to Harry how freeing and beautiful last night was to him. “It was amazing,” he finishes simply.
And he really does mean it.
Ever since Louis was a child, Harry was the vision that Louis saw when he pictured freedom. Louis had been too guarded and ingrained with tradition, and it was always his duty to stay hidden away in the icy caverns of Glacien, even from his own people. It doesn’t have to be that way here in the Oasis and Calidius as a whole, and especially not with Harry. Louis can embrace a side of himself that he was never able to before, just as he did last night.
Louis flushes. “I mean, I’ve been in love with you since we were five. Technically, it wasn’t really love, but I thought of you every day. And then I saw you again, and you were so gorgeous and strong, and then your abs, god, your abs, and then your, you know—honestly, they don’t make men like you in Glacien. Not that I was ever around men, it was really just Oli. I mean, I don’t know his size, but I can’t imagine it’s anywhere close to your size. I mean, it’s quite big. Too big actually, but somehow I seemed to have survived it twice so—”
Louis is cut off when Harry grabs his face, pulling him up into a kiss.
That’s one way to shut him up.
Louis closes his eyes and leans into the kiss, reveling in the taste of Harry.
Eventually, Harry pulls back slightly and gently rests his forehead against Louis’. “As cute as I find your unfiltered ramblings, you need to watch what you say.”
Louis’ cheeks feel hot.
“Nope,” Harry says before Louis can apologize. “Don’t apologize.”
Wow, is he really this predictable?
“That reminds me, Louis,” Harry says. “I need to talk to you about something you said yesterday.”
“Am I in trouble?” Louis asks with a frown.
“You’re not, but someone definitely is,” Harry states.
Louis’ eyes widen, knowing exactly where this is going.
Harry raises his left brow. “A name, Louis.”
Louis bites his lip. He hates this. He doesn’t want to be the reason why Harry fights with his childhood best friend. Even worse, what if he thinks Louis is doing it for attention and—
“Enough. You’re doing it again,” Harry says. Louis cringes. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”
“I don’t want things to get messy, especially because of my stupid insecurities and—”
“You’re insecurities and feelings are not stupid, Louis. Not to me.” Harry looks down at him. His face is still stony and unreadable, but Louis sees anger flash on his features before he tames himself again. It’s impressive how in control of his emotions he is, but even if only for a second, warmth fills Louis’ heart at the thought of that control slipping because of him.
“I want you to trust me, Louis. I don’t want anyone to make you feel like you don’t belong. I’ve neglected your well-being and feelings for too long, but that ended last night.”
Louis inhales and exhales, shoulders slouching a bit.
“Sorry I—,” he quickly slaps his hand over his mouth.” He knows Harry has repeatedly asked him to stop apologizing, but he can’t help himself sometimes.
Harry’s stern eyes don’t quite soften, but he waits patiently for Louis to say something.
“For someone who said such awful and untrue things, you sure are going to lengths to protect them,” Harry says.
Louis doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t know why he doesn’t want to tell Harry. Maybe it's because he doesn’t want to hurt him or maybe it’s because he’s scared his friendship with Aiden runs deeper than his relationship with Louis’. Maybe it's a bit of both.
“Is it Oliver?” Harry snarls.
Louis’ eyes widen. “No!” Louis exclaims. Harry straightens and makes leave toward the door, clearly not believing Louis and dead set on going to confront Oli.
“It was Aiden!” Louis finally admits.
Harry freezes. “What?” Harry asks, swiftly turning around.
Louis starts tearing up. He starts to panic.
“Aiden said that to you?”
Louis can’t even see Harry now, tears completely obscuring his vision.
“He wouldn’t. He—” Harry's eyes unfocus, and in seconds his nose flares, and his jaw clenches. He takes a look at Louis, and his eyes darken in anger.
“No, Harry, please don’t!” Louis wails as he scrambles to get up. His whole body protests and his muscles lock, and then he gets tangled up on the pelts and trips. “Please don’t make a scene. Please!”
“Do not ask that of me,” Harry snarls.
Louis is taken back to the puma incident. Just as he was then, Harry is stiff and hot-headed fumes are exuding from his body.
“For my best friend to say that to my husband! Especially with him knowing how much I care about you,” Harry spits out in disgust. “Anyone who questions you and your place in this tribe questions me!”
“Harry…” Louis whimpers, and that’s all Harry needs for him to rush towards Louis.
“Fuck, Louis. Fuck. All this time. Right under my nose. I feel betrayed. I feel disgusted. I feel—”
“Harry, please calm down. Please,” Louis begs as he leans his forehead against Harry’s. “Please don’t be rash.”
“Louis, you’re too kind for your own good. That worries me,” Harry says as he grabs his face and kisses his forehead, his eyelids, and lips. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He asks softly.
“Because I didn’t know how to breach the topic. This was between me and him. And if you haven’t noticed, Harry, I think we have one thing in common, and that’s you.”
“Fuck. Louis, is this why you asked me if I was in love anyone? You thought I—”
“Loved Aiden? Yeah,” Louis confirms solemnly. “B—but I definitely don’t think that now. I mean, sure, a little tiny deep, deep part of me still worries, but—”
Harry grabs his face. Louis has noticed how much Harry likes holding his face or throat. It makes him feel all tingly. “He is—was my best friend,” Harry amends. “I love him like a brother, but I’m not in love with him. And right now, I don’t know what to feel other than anger.”
“I just need you to calm down. I don’t want you to do or say something you’ll regret,” Louis says.
“If you think I’m going to stand here and pretend nothing happened, then you’re horribly mistaken. Anyone who makes you feel like that or questions you as my husband is doing the same to me,” Harry states. “I’m done hurting you, and if I need to protect you from those closest to me, then I will. You’re my husband, and I’m done failing you,” Harry says. “So let me handle this my way.”
Louis just nods as his brain tries to make sense of what Harry is telling him. He feels like he’s dreaming as he realizes how much Harry truly does care for him. More than he had ever hoped, and that makes everything else melt into the background. It doesn’t make what Aiden said right, but knowing that Harry chooses him—that renders his words meaningless to Louis.
“Harry, if I’m being honest, I’m feeling needy, and I don’t want you to go near him right now, okay?” Louis confesses. “I just want you to hold me and maybe…” Louis mumbles. “Maybe we can bathe together?” Louis whispers the last bit.
Within the hour, Louis is shyly sitting in between Harry’s legs. It’s definitely a tight fit, as the tub is not meant for two people, but he loves the feeling of Harry’s warm skin against his.
“I’m yours to touch,” Harry states, making Louis almost jump out of his skin. “Don’t act all innocent when I know how lewd your thoughts can be.”
“They are not!” Louis protests before he shyly takes Harry up on that and starts caressing Harry’s tattoos, much like he did last night.
He can feel Harry relax automatically under Louis’ touch.
After a minute, Louis can’t help but giggle as Harry’s fingers start to run up and down Louis’ waist. “That tickles!” Louis whines as he takes hold of Harry’s hands.
“You’re soft,” Harry says, “I enjoy touching you.”
Louis’ cheeks inflame. He doesn’t say anything, and just lays back on Harry’s chest as he lets Harry run his calloused hands all over his body. There’s nothing really sexual about it—it’s just them enjoying each other’s company, slowly getting to know each other’s bodies. If Louis were to die right here and there, he’d die happy.
“I don’t have anything to worry about with that ginger, right?” Harry says with a frown. It takes Louis a second to understand what Harry means before he bursts out in laughter.
Harry glares at him.
“Oli definitely sees me as a brother. Besides, I don’t think I have the right equipment down there for him,” Louis says humorously. Harry hums in response. “Which reminds me, you should apologize to him. You scared him half to death and almost broke his arm!” Louis scolds, “And he still thinks you could have gotten him a necklace like mine.”
“Nope,” is all Harry says.
“Harry, that’s not nice.”
“I don’t do nice,” Harry states. “He shouldn’t have been touching you like that.”
“He was just making sure I was alright.”
“Only I can touch you,” Harry says.
“Trust me, I think he got the memo. As did everyone else in Calidius.”
Harry hums again, this time emphasizing with a strong grip on his waist.
Louis just kisses his cheek. He can really get used to this Harry.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
Louis is awoken from his sleep by shouts. He sits up, confused and worried when he realizes Harry isn’t beside him as he had been when he fell asleep.
“You’ve really abandoned me over an outsider?” A voice shouts.
“Aiden, this isn’t the time and place. Louis is sleeping. We can talk about this elsewhere,” Louis hears Harry’s angry tone reply.
“See! You haven’t once come and spent time with me since you decided to be all lovey-dovey with him. You used to care about me, and now you don’t even stop to ask how I’m doing!”
“Aiden, watch your tone. You’re causing a scene.”
“I don’t care if I cause a scene! They can all hear. I can’t do this anymore. Harry. You must know by now how in love with you I am. I have been for years. I know it’s not too late,” Aiden screams.
Louis sits up in shock, scrambling to get up. He’s done letting Aiden get the best of him, and he’s damn sure not just going to sit here while another man confesses his love to his husband.
“Aiden, you have lost your damn mind. I have loved you like a brother, but the vitriol you have thrown Louis' way is unacceptable. My fondness for you blinded me when you've crossed so many lines.”
Louis walks out and sees Aiden’s face, red from desperation, and Harry standing in front of him with a stony expression.
Aiden immediately turns to Louis and then turns back to Harry. “You need to choose, either me or him,” Aiden says hysterically, gesturing between the two of them.
Louis has heard enough. He knows how affected Harry was by his father's death, and as much as he dislikes Aiden, he knows the man is breaking Harry’s heart as a brother would.
“The fact that you so selfishly ask that of Harry says enough about your character,” Louis spits. “I've let you belittle me and disrespect me for so long, and I’ve always been thinking of Harry and putting on a brave face for him. You don’t deserve his friendship, and you don’t deserve his love.”
“You stay out of this!” Aiden bites back.
“Aiden, you need to walk away,” Harry says. “You will not like my answer.”
“Say it then,” Aiden spits.
“It’s always been Louis, and it will always be Louis,” Harry says simply.
Aiden looks shocked, as if he truly did not see Harry ever choosing Louis over him. Louis can’t help but feel sorry for him. He never wanted any of this to happen, but he knows it’s not his fault.
“Aiden, honey, why don’t you come with me?” Louis hears Lady Hina say.
Louis steps beside Harry to hold his hand.
That night Harry mourns the loss of a brother.
Louis holds him through the night because even the largest of beasts need comfort.
── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ──
It's a bittersweet few weeks, but Harry's mood eventually brightens when Hina finally steps down as chief.
Harry becomes chief a week later. The night it happens, the stars are fully out, and everyone in the tribe is present, including Solis and his pack. Hina hands control over to Harry with the passage of a beautifully detailed golden arm cuff, worn by all Calidius tribe leaders.
It’s perfect.
── ⋆⋅❅⋅⋆ ──
Three months later, Louis wakes up knowing he is carrying life inside of him. It finally clicked when he noticed Solis had begun staying by Louis’ side more often. Solis has become even more protective of him than usual, and Louis now knows why.
He waits for Harry to arrive home that night from a hunting trip. He sits calmly and strokes Solis’ fur while he waits. He’s nervous, of course, but he knows Harry will be elated. Their bedroom talk has gotten more raunchy, and since the second time they mated, Louis has known Harry really wanted to put a child in him. He can’t wait to see Harry’s face when Louis tells him he has.
Months ago, Louis could have never imagined his life ending up this perfect, with both a husband that loves him and a child on the way. He should have known though.
After all, Louis’ gift is called nurture. He has the ability to heal and encourage growth of any kind, including life within him.