LOUIS' P.O.V.


I'm really trying to put myself in Harry's position. We're going to see his dad today and I can tell he's more than a little nervous. I remember telling my mum, but it wasn't the same. Sure, we weren't able to tell my sisters, but I'll be sure to tell them before the whole world knows. They're just too young to keep a secret like that. It does hurt sometimes to see how she reacts to the rumors online, but I know she thinks she's protecting me.

I suppose I could compare Harry's feelings toward telling his dad to me telling Fizzy and Lottie. I have no idea how they would react and I know that is one thing that worries Harry the most. The other, though, is the possibility of his father's disapproval. I can't relate to this. I don't have that father figure to disappoint and it's never been a concern to me. All I can do is try to be there for Harry as much as I can.

Harry typically likes to drive, but I insisted on it today, knowing he's a nervous wreck.

"Hey, it's going to be alright. No matter what happens."

I reach over and rest my hand on top of his, lacing my fingers through until he finally flipped his hand over and grasped mine back.

"I know, Lou. I'm still scared."

I keep my eyes on the road and pull his hand up to my lips, softly kissing the back of his hand. I rest our intertwined hands on top of my leg this time, making it easier for me to drive in Harry's large SUV.

"You'll feel better after you tell him. I'll be there the whole time, too."

He nods and bites on his bottom lip, pulling it between his teeth roughly.

"You're gonna make yourself bleed, babe. Don't do that."

He stops, but doesn't say anything; he just stares straight ahead.
We finally reach the small restaurant Des agreed to meet us at for lunch and I pull up to the valet stand, taking my hand away from Harry's as a man opens my door. Harry meets me on the sidewalk and we hurry into the cafe, glad that the place is a little off the maps so that no one is really around. We walk through the double doors and I lean over to whisper to Harry as his father approaches us.

"I love you, baby."

I rest my hand on his back briefly before he's pulled away from me by his eager dad.

"Hello, son. It's great to see you."

He pulls back and extends a hand to me. I take it and shake firmly.

"Good to see you, Louis."

"You too, sir."

Des is the only member of Harry's family that I haven't spent extensive time with. Hopefully after today, that can change.

"We have a table just over here. This place is quite empty for lunch."

"Good."

I mumble under my breath and Harry shoots me a look that is a mixture of fear and possibly regret. I mouth the words 'you can do it' as his dad leads us to a small table near the window. Harry and his father sit nearest the window, across from each other and I sit next to Harry.

"So, why did you want to come to lunch? Not that I'm opposed to having lunch for the sake of having lunch."

He grins and Harry looks down at the table, his face turning red.

"Uh, just some things I wanted to catch you up on."

Des summons the waitress and she walks over with a notepad.

"Hold that thought, Harry."

He turns to face the woman.

"I'll have a gin and tonic. Boys, what do you want?"

Harry doesn't look up so I answer for us both.

"We'll take your house white wine."

She nods and disappears. I hope that my ordering for Harry doesn't tip it off too much, but it doesn't quite matter when Harry is about to tell him about us anyway.

"Okay, sorry, I just really wanted a drink. What were you saying?"

"There's just a couple things I, uh, wanted to tell you."

Des folds his arms on the table and leans forward smiling.

"I'm all ears."

Harry tenses up and I slip my arm under the table, quickly finding his sweaty, shaking hand. I squeeze it lightly and Harry turns to look at me. He's biting his lip again and I nod in encouragement.

"Dad, I'm seeing someone."

"That's great, Harry! I'm happy for you. Who's the lucky girl?"

He seems oblivious to our nervous glances and Harry's obvious anxiety. I turn my stare from Harry to Des and Harry clears his throat before speaking again. Only he's stopped by the reappearance of our waitress, balancing three drinks on a tray. Honestly, that was perfect timing. I think everyone is going to need a drink in a second. She hands them out and tucks the tray under her arm.

"Are you gentlemen ready to order?"

Des looks at the menu in front of him, but I speak before he can say anything.

"Can you give us a moment, please?"

"Sure thing, I'll be back in a few minutes."

Des looks confused, but takes a sip of his mixed drink and turns his focus back to Harry. How can he not tell that his son is trying to tell him something important?

"I'm sorry, Harry. Who is she?"

Harry stammers and squeezes my hand tightly, pulling it until I finally understand what he's trying to do. I rub my thumb over his skin and he pulls our hands to the top of the table. Des glances down from Harry's face to our hands and back to Harry.

"It's Louis, dad. I'm dating Louis."

Des nearly chokes on the sip he has just taken and coughs a bit before he can officially respond, but I can tell that his reaction thus far is making Harry uncomfortable.

"When did this happen? Since when are you... gay?"

"Probably always, but I didn't realize it until I met Louis. We've been together for a long time now-"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

He looks more hurt than angry, but he still isn't being very understanding.

"I was scared, dad. I'm sorry- I wish I had, but I was afraid you would hate me."

Des looks around and seems to be searching for the words to say. I really can't tell what he's
thinking. He seems shocked to say the least.

"I could never hate you, son-"

"God, I'm so glad to hear you say that."

Harry's dad softly hits his fists on the table.

"You didn't let me finish. I can't hate you, Harry, but I can hate the things you do."

His eyes drift over to meet mine.

"I can hate you, however."

He points his finger at me and Harry pulls my hand closer to him.

"Dad!"

"It's okay, Harry."

I don't want Harry to defend me to his father. It isn't necessary. I'm not hurt by his rudeness. I'm pissed the fuck off because he could care less about his son's feelings.

"Why exactly would you hate me, sir?"

I remain calm and plan to as long as I possibly can.

"Why wouldn't I hate the kid who turned my son gay?"

"Excuse me, but I didn't turn your son gay. It doesn't work like that. I didn't realize my sexuality until I met Harry either. We just love each other and gender isn't going to change that. That's exactly what this is, but you can be daft and close-minded if you want."

"Do you really think he loves you? You're just some sort of experiment while he's a wreckless teenager. It'll pass over."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. No wonder Anne isn't with this man anymore. She's so much more understanding and humane than he is.

"So, I'm just something he's been experimenting with for, hmmm, three fucking years? How does that make sense? If he didn't like it, if he didn't love me, he wouldn't still be with me."

Des is speechless. He looks over to Harry and I follow his gaze to find my boyfriend in tears. I didn't expect it to happen this way. I actually thought his dad would be reasonable.

"Come on, Harry. Let's go home and I'll make you something for lunch."

Harry and I haven't even touched our wine as we stand up and push our chairs away from the table.

"Wait a minute now, I'm not done talking to you, Harry."

"Well, I'm done talking to you! Nothing you can say or do can change how I feel."

I'm proud of Harry for saying something and Des seems surprised by his outburst.

"Let me know when we can talk privately, without this punk around."

"Louis will always be around. He's the love of my life and if you want to be a part of that life at all, you should start getting used to it."

At that, Harry and I turn around, walking straight out the front door. As soon as it shuts behind us, I hand the ticket to the valet attendant and Harry turns to face me, burying his face in my shoulder. I wrap my arms around his waist warmly as he sobs against my sweater.

"It's alright, baby. I'm so proud of you. He'll come around."

Harry shakes his head, but doesn't say anything.

"Let's go home, eat something, and take a nice, hot bath."

He doesn't respond, but the crying subsides a little.

"Okay, love?"

"O-okay."

His voice cracks as he speaks, but he's much calmer than before. The car pulls up to the curb and I step into the open driver's door as Harry walks around to the passenger side. Once we are inside, Harry turns off the quiet radio completely.

"I'm going to call my mum."

"Alright."

I stroke his thigh and he rests his forehead agaisnt the window as his phone starts to ring.
I hope this doesn't last too long. I can't handle it when someone hurts my Harry. Even if it is his dad. That just wasn't okay.

Notes

Wahhhh :( For the record, I don't have anything against Des Styles lol. Purely fiction ;)

Anyway, how do you think Harry will handle this in the long term? Do you think Des will come around? What will Louis do about it?

Thank you guys so much for your patience! xx I really appreciate all of your support. I know this chapter is a bit short, but the next one won't be and it'll be quite sexy ;)

Check out my new AU Larry story, "Untouchable Face" and my AU Niall Horan story, "Mistake" and read them if you think they'll interest you! :D Much love to my wonderful readers! You guys are amazing. Be sure to comment!