The bodyguard

Chapter 13- The Guilt

Harry decided that they would make chicken fajitas and they bought the ingredients after Louis had guided him around in Doncaster, telling him stories from his upbringing.

Harry put him to work as soon as they arrived at the house. When Dan and Louis's siblings came home Louis was dressed in an apron, chopping vegetables in full swing. They all stared at him in surprise.

"What's he doing?" Daisy questioned.

"I be damned!" Lottie grinned and winked at Harry.

Harry smirked in return and continued to stir the chicken.
"Dinner's almost ready."

"Thanks, guys but is it really safe to let Louis handle a knife?" Dan said with a grin.

"Oh come on! I'm not that bad in the kitchen." Louis huffed.

"Do you guys remember that time when Louis almost burned down the house when he tried to make popcorn?" Phoebe asked and everybody hummed in agreement.

"Or that time when he burned his hand on the stove when he tried to cook noodles?" Daisy added.

"Or..." Lottie started but Louis cut her off.

"Alright, I suck!" Louis snorted.

Harry was laughing so hard that he cried.
"Don't worry Lou. I'm gonna teach you how to cook."

"Yeah?" Louis beamed and was so busy staring at Harry that he missed the looks his family members shared.

Dan and Lottie set the table and they all sat down to eat. Harry was indulged in the conversations this time. Louis couldn't stop smiling. Everybody complimented the food.
"Thank you, I mean just look at the perfection of this nicely cut cucumber." Louis sassed and his siblings rolled their eyes at him.

"Best chopped cucumber I've ever seen." Harry said with a wink.

Louis smiled with pink cheeks and Lottie smacked him in the back of the head with a smirk. Louis flipped her the finger and Lottie put her tongue out. Harry watched their interaction with a fond smile on his lips. Louis and Lottie reminded him of
himself and his older sister Gemma.

After dinner, Doris and Ernie ran up to Harry as soon as they got out of their chairs.
"Ary, play?" Doris asked.

Harry smiled at them and looked up at Louis for permission. Louis rolled his eyes at him but nodded his head.
"Go ahead. I'm gonna help Dan in the kitchen before I join you."

Harry took Doris and Ernies little chubby hands in his and they walked away. Louis watched them leave with a fond smile on his lips. Harry was great with kids.
"I thought you were helping me?" Dan said with a laugh lingering in his voice.

The girls had scattered which left Louis and Dan by themselves. They cleared the table together.
"So...Harry's a great young man." Dan said all of a sudden.

"Yeah." Louis answered.

"You deserve great Lou." Dan continued softly.

Louis met his eyes. Dan's words warmed his heart.
"Harry's my client, not my boyfriend."

"Who you got the hots for." Dan smirked.

"Dan!" Louis gasped.

"Don't deny it!" Dan chuckled.

"Ehm, I...well, yeah, but I'm still his bodyguard so I can't exactly act on it." Louis mumbled.

"I can see how that complicates things but you won't be his bodyguard forever. I worry about you, Louis. I want you to be happy, you know? Your mum and Fizzies deaths are a damn tragedy and I miss them every day but life goes on. I want you to experience life Lou with all that it has to offer, especially love. Don't hide behind your work." Dan said with a sad smile.

Louis got a lump in his throat.
"Yeah...you're right Dan. I just...Troy's my father and he did this. I blame myself. Working as a bodyguard has been my redemption."

Dan's eyes grew wide.
"What? No son, don't blame yourself, and don't you for a second think that I or the girls blame you for what your father did. That's not your burden to bear. It's not your fault Louis!"

Louis burst out crying and Dan immediately hugged him.
"Why haven't you told me before that you felt this way? Oh my God, Louis." Dan asked.

Louis cried a little more before he took a deep breath and answered Dan's question.
"I don't know. It's hard to talk about. I told Harry about it and he pretty much said the same thing as you did just now."

Dan smiled at him.
"He's a keeper. I'm glad you met him. He brings the old Louis out of you."

Louis chuckled and dried his cheeks.
"Lottie said the same thing."

"See?" Dan winked.

"I love you, Dan. I'm so grateful that you take care of my siblings, that they still can call this a home. You didn't have to do that." Louis said sincerely.

"I love you too kiddo, and I love you and your sisters like you were my own. I wouldn't have it any other way. Now go and find that none boyfriend of yours. I'll finish up here." Dan said with a wink.

Louis grinned and rushed out of the kitchen. He stepped into Doris and Ernie's bedroom and once again the sight that met him made him smile. Harry was squeezed into a tutu with the same princess crown on his head, swirling around with both Doris and Ernie in his arms. The kids were laughing happily and Harry's face radiated happiness. He noticed Louis and stopped dancing around and put the kids down. He had a worried wrinkle between his eyebrows and he walked up to Louis and cradled his cheeks with both hands.
"Are you okay? Have you been crying? What's wrong?"

"I'm okay. Don't worry. I just had a talk with Dan about me mum and I told him how I felt about Troy and the situation and he told me the same as you told me and I might have cried a bit. No biggie." Louis said and gave Harry a reassuring smile.

"I'm glad you talked to him about that." Harry said and let go of Louis's cheeks. He took a step back.

"I would have never had the courage to have that conversation if it hadn't been for you. Thank you, Harry." Louis said and took a step closer.

Their chests were almost touching. Louis's eyes flickered between Harry's eyes and his lips. Harry held his breath and came closer.
"Looou! Aaaary! Play!" Doris whined and pulled Louis's leg.

The moment was broken but Harry was excited anyhow. Louis had almost kissed him!