The Degradation (translation)

Two months 3

Moments of intimacy that go beyond the usual.

Louis' pov

"Whoa, damn it..."

A shout of admiration and a whistle. I can't hide my smile as I glance out of the corner of my eye at Ethan sitting in the back. He leaned forward to get a better look at Harry's house. England play Italy in the World Cup today. Harry suggested I watch the match at his place and I asked if Liam could come with me. Because, first of all, Harry's screen is huge, and second of all, I want them to be friends. Liam is my best friend, practically my brother, and Harry is my boyfriend, so I want to... So that everything is in order between them. This is important to me, and Harry understood it, so he agreed almost immediately.

Ethan was with Liam when I came to pick him up, so I had no choice but to invite him, too. I called Harry and, much to my surprise, he didn't mind. He's trying so hard. And Ethan helped me out at the club, so I think he deserves to watch some good football. Maybe I can convince Harry that not all the guys on the team are idiots.

"I know, I reacted the same way when I first came here."

I drive up to the end of a long alley. Liam sighs too.

"And why the weirdest are always the luckiest..."

If only he knew how ironic his phrase was. I park near the main entrance because I don't want them to go into Harry's room. I brake and open the door.

"You haven't been inside yet."

Ethan and Liam weren't too happy about me dragging them to Harry's house. Not because they hate him, just because they remind of the old "him". When I didn't know Harry, his reputation wasn't very credible. He was just a cruel and strange guy who didn't want to get close to. But it seems the mansion has just fundamentally changed their opinion of it. We get out of the car and they look at everything with their mouths open. It's so weird knocking on the door. I usually try not to, so I don't run into Harry's father.

And if Liam and Ethan were delighted with the house, the look on their faces when they saw the uniformed butler was beyond words.

"Hello, Manuel!"

"Hello, sir."

Oh, well, I'm still amazed at his manners myself. I once gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder for making me tea, and he nearly choked. Harry was laughing so hard that there were tears in the corners of his eyes. But I'm sure Manuel is cool, just hiding it. Sometimes I think he cares more about Harry than his father does.

Liam and Ethan greet Manuel in confusion, to which he smiles politely and closes the door behind us. I bite my lip to keep from laughing. This is my finest hour. As soon as we enter the hall, Bastard runs out of the kitchen like a bullet.

"My God!"

Ethan pulls back, and Bastard looks as happy as if it's his birthday. He jumps on me and starts circling around the guys, wagging his tail like a madman. I've never seen him so active before.

He probably wasn't used to guests either.

"Don't worry, he doesn't bite."

Yes, it just runs, jumps and licks you until you lose your pulse. Don't worry, you'll get used to it. Ethan pats him behind the ear. Well, that's the end. Bastard rolls onto his back, sticks out his tongue, and lets everyone know that Ethan is his new best friend.

"Bastard," Manuel whistles, opening the door to the garden and gesturing for him to leave. "If you don't mind leaving the room."

He runs out into the garden and starts digging in the grass. We laugh as we wipe our hands on our jeans to get rid of the fur.