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"Harry, love, rise and shine!" Anne said loudly from the bottom of the stairs. It was his eighteenth birthday, and today was the day he had to go to the City Bureau and give his Pairing Test. As nervous as he had been about it for the past month, Anne knew he was ready for it."Yes, mum!" Harry shouted back downstairs, groaning, and rubbing his eyes. His stomach had been in knots all night, and he'd only fallen asleep in the wee hours of the morning after he'd tired himself out fretting about the test, and who he would end up getting paired with at the end of the day. He was extremely tensed but he managed to get himself out of bed without too much effort, making his bed and brushing his teeth before rushing down the stairs, where his mother was waiting with breakfast."I know you're nervous, love, but it will be fine," Anne said. In truth she worried about her youngest, merely because he was a kind submissive, and people just walked all over him because of his helpful and benevolent nature. She could only hope he would be paired to a good dominant, someone who would take care of her son.Harry could only nod as he scarfed down his breakfast, kissing his mother's cheek and going back upstairs to shower and get into presentable clothes. He ended up choosing a button down and chinos, trying to get his wild curls to obey and stay down instead of springing up and looking truly unruly. Once deeming himself ready he waited by the car for his mother.Anne was going to drive him to the Bureau for his test. The drive into the city took an hour, and the whole while Harry was fidgety, playing some quiet music in the car to calm himself, but to no avail. As soon as Anne pulled up to the looming building Harry could feel his tension bubbling to the surface, but he meekly stepped out of the car.At the reception desk of the large building his name was noted down on a form and he had to bid his mother goodbye for the day. He followed a middle-aged lady to a clean white inspection room which looked much like a doctor's cabin. His weight and height were taken and he was quizzed about his health in all sorts of questions, his answers being scribbled down onto the form.After the physical Harry was sent to the waiting area, where there were a few more submissives patiently sitting in the chairs, waiting for their test to start. Harry quickly sat down by the friendliest looking one, a tall, lean girl with tan skin and dazzling brown eyes. She was gorgeous."Hello, I'm Harry," he said in a whisper, offering a small smile."I'm Zayn," she said, giving a nod. "Are you looking for a male or a female dominant?""I'm not picky," Harry shrugged. "You?""I'm looking for a bloke," she answered with a small smile.They made small talk for a few minutes and Harry found out it was her first time taking the test too, and that she was from Bradford. It wasn’t uncommon for submissives to have to take the test multiple times. Only about half of them were ever paired in their first attempt, which meant the room was not full of 18-year-olds, but also some in their early twenties. Some unfortunate souls would take the test year after year, never being paired, or even worse, being paired with a dominant only to be rejected within the first few days. Harry wasn’t sure if he could deal with that happening to him. He’d rather be unmatched than have to face such a brutal rejection.Five minutes later, a strict looking instructor walked in and read their names off a clipboard, leading each submissive into a different room. Harry's room was quiet and small with a single desk in the centre, where his test booklet was placed with a pencil. He could see a security camera perched up in the far corner of the room, which he chose to ignore before sitting down and carefully opening up the seal.The first part of the test was easy. He was to write down his personal details, such as his name, age, his residence, occupation etc. This portion also included information about his family, his history, and any health issues his dominant must know about. The most important question was his choice of dominant, where he chose 'either male or female'. The only question that made him blush was the one about his virginity, which he answered quickly by marking 'yes'.The second section was about his reds, greens, and yellows. This section included various degrees of sexual things, right from vanilla to extreme kinks. The key for making was simple. If he was not comfortable with something he was to mark it red. If he was completely interested, he was to mark it green, and if he was not sure, yellow.The first page of items was quite chaste, with 'vanilla sex', 'vaginal sex', 'anal sex', 'oral sex' and such other staples, where all of his answers were green. The second page included bondage, different methods of punishment and orgasm denial. The third page was the worst, with breath play, disgust, needle play, knife play, humiliation and all such extreme kinks on the list. Harry marked only disgust, needle play, and knife play with reds, everything else on the page yellow.Harry felt considerably better when the hardest part was over, but the third section of the test was very challenging. It was a descriptive answer section. The first question was about his desire for being a stay at home submissive or a working submissive and why, which was simple enough. He didn’t have any doubts about his wishes. He quickly wrote down his answer and went to the next question.When asked what qualities he desires in his dominant the most, he responded with a typical answer that seemed obvious. When asked about his desire for children he simply wrote what he felt. He loved children and wanted his own but all in due time. He was only eighteen.After he had finished the test and closed the little booklet the stern man from before relieved him back into the waiting room, collecting his booklet. It would be an hour before the books were reviewed and suitable matches found.Harry waited there with three other submissives for ten more minutes before Zayn made an appearance, looking a bit drained. "Was that test intense or what?" She muttered to Harry, sitting beside him ungracefully now that no one was watching her every move.Harry agreed wholeheartedly. "Especially the descriptive answers. I just felt lame the whole time."The hour seemed to pass extremely slowly but once it was up the group was led to another room, just as uninviting as the previous. There were five round tables in the room, each a fair distance from the others. Once the subs had sat down, one on each table, it was time to call their matched dominants inside.*****
Tomlinson & Payne was the most prosperous law firm in the entire country of England, and it was situated right in the heart of London. The owners were top partners and lawyers themselves, Liam Payne, and Louisa Tomlinson. The company was a success story if anyone had ever heard one. Right through college the two dominants had been best friends and were now working together.Being half partner was no joke, and Louisa was poring through contract papers that afternoon when she got the call. It was an important contract related to their company taking on a huge project, and she was mildly irritated at the interruption, but she answered anyway."Hello, Miss Tomlinson, this is Agnes from the bureau. We have found you a match."

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Louisa was in the car in less than two minutes, contract forgotten on the table. Her driver, James, drove her straight to the City Bureau and she stepped out in her work dress. Her brown hair was pinned up in an effortless looking bun, and her makeup was done up perfectly as usual, although minimal. Save for a little lip gloss and eyeliner her face was naturally smooth with tanned skin. Her dress of the day was a marsala coloured formal, down to her knees and made of a soft wool to keep her shielded from the cold without the need for a coat. She didn’t need anyone knowing she got cold easily. She was a big bad boss.As soon as she stepped inside the receptionist led her straight up to the room. The door opened and Louisa's eyes landed upon the subs. All were waiting meekly and silently. It was like she could feel their nerves, and fear. Some were rejected by dominants at first sight, undoubtedly a humiliating experience, if not painful.She was led to the table furthest from the door, where a nervous looking submissive looked up at her with the greenest eyes she had ever seen. She watched him with an unwavering gaze, as little scared or intimidated her anymore.She watched as the cute sub got to his feet, scrambling rather clumsily to stand in front of her with his head bowed, not daring to look up at her anymore. She gave a wry smile to herself, stepping around him in a full circle, her heels clicking across the white floor as she did, before coming back to face him. She could hear his nervous breathing too. Realising she was the cause for it, she smacked herself internally and opened her mouth."Sit," she instructed him quietly, waiting until he had obeyed before sitting down in front of him. He was tall, she guessed around six feet, and he had the wildest curls she had ever seen atop his head. His face was quite shapely, and his jawline was to kill for. His body seemed lean and athletic despite his clumsy demeanour, or maybe he was just nervous, she supposed.She went over the papers she had been handed a few minutes prior, opening them up and reading everything quickly. His name was Harry Styles, he was newly eighteen and from Cheshire. He had an older sister in America who was a dominant and paired.She read through to his reds, yellows, and greens, surprised. "You don't have very many reds, Harry," she told him. "That's good." She kept the papers down and looked at him. "It seems like we are a good match, after all. My name is Louise Tomlinson. You may speak." As cold as she wanted to be to maintain her image, she didn’t want to scare him.He nervously looked up at her with those green eyes that pierced Louisa's soul. They looked shocked, and he nervously bit on his lip. "Tomlinson? As in Tomlinson-Payne, the law firm?" He stuttered.Louisa gave a nod. "Yes, although I mostly handle the financial aspect of the company. My partner, Liam, is the lawyer."Harry gave a nod, seemingly too stunned to speak. Louisa assumed she was quite intimidating anyway; it was a natural response. She had spent years crafting her reputation for a reason."Would you like to go out on a little date with me?" Louisa offered. "I will drop you home after," she added on, knowing it would only make him nervous if she talked abstractly. They were strangers; he had no way of knowing she wouldn’t hurt him once they were alone.Harry gave a small nod. "Yes ma'am," he said softly, not quite sure what to call her. He wouldn’t dare disrespect his prospective dominant within minutes of meeting her.Louise only gave a chuckle, getting to her feet and waiting for Harry to follow her out of the room. Harry, as he left, cast a glance at Zayn, who was seemingly being lewdly appraised by her new dominant. Harry hoped she would be fine.Snapping him out of his thoughts, Louisa told her driver to leave the car, opening the door for Harry to get in. It was a Range Rover, tall and black. Harry got in and thanked her softly, still incredibly nervous about all this.Louisa got into the driver's seat with a little difficulty. She wasn't short by any means, but she definitely wasn't tall, standing at a mediocre five feet seven inches without any heels, which explained her collection of footwear that made her taller. Nothing too ridiculous, just enough so that she wouldn’t be perceived short in her male-dominated industry. "Put on your seatbelt," she instructed Harry, who seemed a bit dazed by everything.Harry nodded and obeyed quickly. Louisa pulled into the road, driving through the busy city to get to her favourite restaurant. She could sense the submissive's nervousness, so she spoke, "I know this is all a big deal, but please remember that there is no pressure. I am not one of those dominants who will force you into something against your wishes. If you do not wish to be paired with me, I would like you to tell me within a week," she said honestly. To be truthful she liked this boy already, but she knew there was no point in anything one sided. She could never be that type of dominant."Yes ma'am," Harry answered quickly, not sure why she would be saying such a thing. It was incredibly kind of her, of course, but it was unexpected. Dominants could reject subs without reason, but submissives had no say in any decision because the system was always right, and to the government, that was reason enough."Please, Harry, do not call me ma'am, it makes me feel old," Louisa chuckled, pulling up to the restaurant, hopping out and taking Harry's hand when he stepped out before she could open the door for him. "You may call me miss in public."After a nod from Harry, Louise gave the car key to the valet and they stepped into the cosy but posh restaurant, immediately greeted by a leggy blonde, who was the host. "Miss Tomlinson, so good to see you! Table for two?""Yes please," Louisa replied, cool as a cucumber. "Something quiet."The blonde nodded energetically. "Of course, follow me."They were led through to a quiet corner table, which was a little far from the other tables. "I will send your server right away, Miss Tomlinson," the host said, departing immediately. It took only one glance to know that this was a pairing in the making.Louise nodded and pulled out Harry's chair for him, making his cheeks turn pink as he sat down, murmuring a small thank you. Louise noticed, finding him absolutely adorable. She sat down in front of him, crossing her legs as she looked at him, just admiring, really. "You have very pretty dimples," she said casually, chuckling when he blushed yet again.Before Harry could say anything, their waiter arrived with the drinks menu. "Hello, my name is Pete, I will be your server tonight," he said politely."Good evening," Louisa said, turning to Harry. "What would you like to drink?" She asked him."Something warm, like tea?" Harry said, sounding like he was almost asking a question.Louisa nodded and ordered his tea, and a water for herself. Once they were alone again, Louisa leaned in to speak to him. "Tell me about you."Harry, playing with his fingers under the table, was not quite sure what to say. She was quite close to his face, and it was rather distracting. She had an intense gaze. "Um, I'm from Holmes Chapel, I live with my mother and step father, and my older sister lives in the states with her submissive-""I already know that," Louisa hummed, mildly amused. "I meant, tell me about you. What are your hobbies? What do you like to do? Are you wanting to work, study or stay at home?"Harry blushed. He supposed she did know that from his form. It was just that his brain wasn’t working quite right at the moment. He was sitting across the table from a very beautiful dominant, after all. "Oopsie. Sorry miss. Well, I just finished college and right now I'm working at a part time job in my hometown. I really don't mind staying home at all, it's quite nice, but I do want to go to university..." he trailed off when Pete returned with their drinks and the food menu.Louise gave a nod. "And what do you want to study?" She asked."I want to become a chef, or a baker," Harry explained, his green eyes coming alive with his love for cooking and food.Louise smiled. She noticed the change in his body language as soon as he spoke about it. She could appreciate that kind of passion in a person. "That sounds very nice, we do have some good universities in London for culinary courses. I would encourage you to enrol and pursue your education."Harry gave a thankful smile and opened his menu, looking at the main course items directly. He hadn't eaten much all day, but he still wasn't very hungry, but that was just the nerves. Breakfast had been a bowl of cereal and they’d had lunch at the Bureau, but his mind had been rather occupied the whole time and he barely remembered anything he’d actually eaten. He finally decided on trying the gnocchi, which sounded nice and filling.Louisa ordered the grilled chicken with a red wine sauce and a side of vegetables for herself, her attention back on Harry. "Do you have any questions you'd like to ask me?""Not at the moment, miss," Harry answered honestly. He willed his brain to start functioning again, not that it was working. His heart wouldn’t stop thumping loudly in his chest.The rest of dinner passed without much event; their food too delicious to be able to carry on a conversation as they ate. After paying for their meal, they were back in the car and Louise turned up the heat as she started the drive towards Cheshire."Harry, you should call your mother and let her know you'll be home soon," she reminded him, to which he did call her, talking for a couple of minutes. Anne was excited to hear the details, which Harry promised he would give once they got home and hung up."Let me tell you what we're going to be doing this week," Louisa said, taking the initiative. She was the Dom, after all. "Tomorrow afternoon I will come to your house to pick you up, and also meet your parents. We will be going out for another date. The day after, I would like you to meet my parents. I expect to see you every evening, on time. I'm on a tight schedule Harry, so I expect no delays. After the week is over you will be moving in with me in my London home. At any point during this week if you wish to not be a part of his relationship, just tell me and I will go to the Bureau myself and say that I don't want you. You can give the test again in six months and be paired to another dominant.""Yes miss," Harry replied. He hadn’t expected her to be serious about the offer of letting him, a sub, reject her, but she was, and that made him a little less nervous and scared. "That sounds lovely. Is there anything in particular that I should wear for tomorrow?""Wear something warm," Louise advised, "it's quite chilly out." A few minutes later they were outside Harry's home. "I will meet your parents tomorrow, it's late now." She took his hand and kissed it, letting him go and giving him a business card. "My personal number is on the back, send me a text from your number tonight.""Yes miss," Harry replied, getting out of the car."Good night, Harry.""Good might miss."Harry watched as she left, a small smile appearing on his lips as he went inside.

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Louisa, instead of going home, drove down to outside the city to see Liam. Apart from being her business partner he was her closest friend and confidante, and she would be lying if she wasn't close with his sub, Niall as well. She parked hurriedly and rang the doorbell, waiting for the minute or so it took for Niall to answer the door."Louise, hello," Niall said, looking exhausted, wearing nothing but joggers, rubbing his eyes. "Come in."Louisa stepped inside, giving an amused look to the sub. "Niall," she greeted, "you look like you've been fucked. Repeatedly I might add." It was no secret that she did not have a filter.Niall rolled his eyes at her. This would normally be frowned upon, as submissives were supposed to show respect to all dominants, but Louisa and Niall had known each other a while now, and Niall wasn't too great with respect and such. "You know how Liam gets after a difficult day in the courtroom," he said."Ah," Louisa replied. That was explanation enough. Liam, being the top dog lawyer of the entire firm, had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He had to handle the toughest cases sometimes, and she knew it got to him. He was of course too kind and restrained in public to show negative emotion, but at home he would release all of his pent-up energy with Niall.Before either of them could say anything more the man himself made an appearance, looking dull as he walked down the stairs. "Louise, what are you doing here?" He muttered. The interruption was not welcome, he had been looking forward to another round with Niall. There were a few positions he’d been missing lately."I didn't know I wasn't welcome here," Louisa replied sassily."You're welcome here any time, you know that," Niall said, glaring at Liam for a few seconds. Liam might have been the dominant, but this was Niall’s home, and he would never be so unwelcoming towards a guest in his home, especially not when the guest was his Dom’s best friend. "He's just being extra grumpy."Louisa rolled her eyes and sat down. "I came to tell you that I got paired today.""What?" Liam gasped, doing a double take for a few seconds, his jaw hanging open. Louisa was a difficult person at times, and Liam had all but given up on her ever finding a submissive for herself. She hadn't even taken the Pairing Test until she'd finished university and had her degree in hand, and that too was after the government was ready to arrest her for it.Niall jumped up and down excitedly, then winced at the pain in his lower half before sitting down beside her. "Tell me everything!""Well, his name is Harry, and he just took the test for the first time. He's got the greenest eyes you'll ever see, and wild brown curls. He's tall, and he's just finished college. He's from Cheshire, but he'll be moving in with me soon, of course," she stated the obvious."He sounds so cute, I want to meet him," Niall said excitedly, clapping his hands. "I will be his best friend.""Niall," Louisa chuckled."Congratulations," Liam said, giving her a hug. He wasn’t as grumpy anymore. "He sounds great.""He really is, he blushes all of the time! And he's clumsy," Louisa said fondly."Gone soft already?" Liam teased, making Louisa slap his arm, hard. She looked tiny, especially in front of Liam, but she was a menace."Oi, that hurt!" Liam objected."Good. It was supposed to."*****As soon as Harry went inside, Anne was standing there, looking excited. "How did it go?"Harry sighed. "It went well, Mum.""Who is it?" She asked."Louisa Tomlinson," Harry replied, going into the kitchen to get himself a drink of water."The half partner in Tomlinson-Payne, Louisa Tomlinson?" Anne exclaimed. "She's been waiting two years for a submissive.""Yes, her," Harry said, taking a swig of his water. "Well if I am her correct match like the system says I am, I was only sixteen when she took the test.""Right," Anne murmured. "So, what's she like? Do you like her? Why didn't she come in?"Harry chuckled fondly at his mother. "Mum, it's late, she said she will come tomorrow, in the evening, to meet you and Robin. She's taking me out on another date. Oh shoot, that reminds me, I have to text her so that she gets my number before I go to bed,” he rambled."Okay, I'll let Robin know, he should be back by tomorrow morning anyway," Anne said. Robin was Harry's stepfather. He had children with his first wife too, and now that they were all around the same age and getting paired, Robin had gone to visit them. "Oh dear, she should also meet Des, do you want me to call him here?" She asked. Des was Harry and Gemma's biological father and Anne's first husband. After their divorce, Des had moved to London and now had a girlfriend."No no, Louisa and I will meet him in London later this week," Harry decided, kissing his mother's cheek. "I'm going to go take a shower mum, and then head to bed.""Okay love, I know it's been a long day. Good night!"Harry went up the stairs and to his bedroom, flopping down onto the bed and taking out his phone and the business card Louise had given her, typing in her number, and saving it in his phone book before sending her a text message.
Hello miss, it's Harry :)
He waited for a reply for a few minutes but after a while he decided it was best to take his shower before he got tired, getting up and going to the bathroom. He definitely needed one. He sure was glad to have this bathroom to himself ever since Gemma moved out, but he missed her sometimes.After taking his shower, Harry dried off and got dressed in his pyjamas, climbing in bed with a small yawn. He checked his phone to see a reply from Louisa, his lips instantly forming a smile.
Sleep tight Harry x text me when you wake up.
Harry replied quickly, before putting his phone down and closing his eyes.
Good night miss.

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The morning came with a good night's rest for Harry. He stretched in bed, then rolled over to check his phone. He wasn't a big phone guy, which was unlike the current generation, but today he wanted to see if there was anything from Louisa. When he saw he didn't have any notifications, he felt a little disheartened but then remembered she'd told him to text her when he woke up. Perking up at the thought, he quickly typed up a little text and sent it.
Good morning, miss.
He checked the time, seeing it was eight o clock. Guessing she might be at work or heading there, Harry climbed out of bed and brushed his teeth lazily, going downstairs to fetch himself some breakfast. Anne and Robin were eating, serious looks on their faces."Good morning," Harry greeted, fixing himself a bowl of cereal and grabbing a banana, sitting down to eat."Did you sleep all right?" Anne asked like a mother hen."I slept fine, mum," Harry responded. He was soon going to move in with Louisa, and he wouldn't be living here anymore. He hoped his mum would be okay."So, your dominant is coming here today," Robin started."Yes, she would like to meet you," Harry said. "Both of you. She'll text me the time.""Okay, son," Robin agreed. He already knew Harry liked her from the way Anne had chatted his ear off about it.Harry nodded, making a mental note to check his phone, having left it upstairs in his room, but was quickly distracted by Anne."So, I called Gemma last night after you'd gone to bed and told her everything. She was surprised you were matched this fast, but then again, I told her your dominant was the one who had to wait. She's happy, wants you to call her," Anne prattled on.Harry mumbled out a reply and went upstairs to shower, taking a long hot shower to wake himself up properly and relax his muscles, stiff from sleeping. He loved taking hot showers, they were so soothing. He put on casual clothes, then checked his phone.
Good morning, Harry. Did you sleep well?
There was another below it.I will be picking you up at four in the afternoon today. Remember to dress in something warm.And another an hour later.
Harry, a reply is expected from you.
Harry felt extremely disappointed in himself for forgetting to check his phone earlier, but he typed in a reply quickly, answering all of her questions at once.
I slept well, miss, thank you. How about you? And that sounds completely fine. Yes, I will miss. :)
He added on a smiley at the end, hoping she wasn't angry or mad at him for taking time to reply, but he didn't get a text back. He assumed she was busy, and got himself occupied with cleaning the house, starting with his bedroom. He guessed she would want to see it, and he wanted her to like it. He also helped his mum with lunch and only checked his phone afterwards, upset to see that there still wasn't a text from Louisa. He spent the next two hours surfing the internet for culinary schools in London and how to apply for them. He really wanted to become a chef, and since Louisa seemed to want him to do it too, he was going to do it. He'd never really made concrete plans or got too passionate about his dream before because he was a submissive, and his dominant was the one who would decide if he should stay home or go out to study and work.Seeing that the clock had struck three, Harry flipped his laptop shut and got up. He shaved, very carefully, then fiddled with his curls until they looked perfect. He got dressed, putting on winter boots, the thickest jeans he had, a shirt, sweater and even kept a scarf, a hat, and a jacket to the side to wear before they left.When he heard a car pull up, he peeked down through his window, and confirming his doubts, it was Louisa. She parked the car and hopped out of the car, wearing a long coat, all black and looking extra sleek. The sight made Harry's heart flip a little in his chest, simply because she was gorgeous. He sprinted downstairs to be the one to open the door for his dominant, opening it seconds after she had knocked. Anne and Robin were in the living room."Miss! I'm so sorry for texting you so late," Harry apologised immediately. He really did feel terrible about it."I'm not upset, I only expect an explanation, but first let's do what I'm here for," Louisa replied coolly, stepping inside."Yes miss," Harry said, leading her inside.*****Finally, half an hour later, Harry showed Louisa his room, and she closed the door to talk to him privately. His family was great, and she really liked them. After tea and just getting to know each other, they were finally alone."Nice room," Louisa said, sitting on his bed and patting the space next to her. She knew Harry was nervous, even though she wasn't going to get angry at him now. She could never be that type of Dom. She didn’t want to scare him."Thank you, miss," Harry responded, sitting down beside her, fiddling with his fingers. He took a breath before talking. "I'm sorry for texting you so late, miss, I was with my mum and then I took a shower, it just slipped my mind. Please forgive me." He couldn't even look at her, staring at the floor. This was not a good start to their courtship, and he wouldn’t even be mad if she decided to break their pairing right then. Maybe she had only met his parents as a courtesy.Louisa turned to him, a small smile on her lips. She gently laid her hand against his shoulder, trying to make her touch comforting. "Harry, you really don't have to ask for forgiveness. I said this before, this isn't something I'll ever get mad over, all I expect is a reason. And now that I have one, that's all really, isn't it?" She mused. As hard as this was for Harry, Louisa was really working on herself to make him feel relaxed when with her, and she hoped he would calm down."Okay miss," Harry nodded. Looking up at her with heated cheeks, he returned her smile with a genuine one of his own, his dimples showing. They almost made Louisa's heart melt. He really was stunning."You're very attractive," Louisa hummed, taking advantage of their closeness, and leaning into press her lips against his soft looking ones, a hand on the bed and the other on his bicep, keeping it chaste. His lips were soft, and warm against hers.Harry was slightly surprised, but he closed his eyes, lightly pressing back against her soft mouth, settling his hands on her waist, pulling back when she did. His cheeks were flushed, which only made Louisa giggle slightly. "Come, let's head out."Harry nodded, excited for their little date. His heart was thumping as he stood up, walking downstairs with her. "Where are we going, miss?""It's a surprise, but bundle up," Louisa advised, thanking his parents once again and putting on her coat over her cashmere dress and black tights, flats on her feet making her look quite short standing next to Harry's looming height. "I will have him home by ten, Mr and Mrs Twist," Louisa promised them, before taking Harry's hand and leading him out.Harry quickly wore his coat, scarf, and hat, following Louisa out to her car, hopping in and buckling up. He was excited for the surprise, and really happy that they hadn't got into a fight earlier. He was ready to put that little hitch in their relationship in the past.

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Louisa drove through Cheshire and then to the outskirts quietly, with some radio music playing in the background."Do you always drive, miss?" Harry asked to break the silence."No, I usually have my driver with me, but since we're still getting to know each other, I assumed it would be more comfortable for you to be alone with me instead of having him snoop in," Louisa explained. "I do hope you're comfortable with me, Harry.""Of course, I'm comfortable with you miss," Harry answered immediately, not wanting her to think otherwise for a second longer. He felt slightly guilty for not saying that sooner. Now that she had brought it up, he noticed all of the times her gestures had tried for the same. "I really couldn't have asked for a better dominant."Louisa blushed a bit but only responded with a nod. Her sub was bringing out the shy and giggly side of her. She stopped the car at what was a cluster of trees, a trail visible between them, leading away from the road. They both got out of the car, Louisa once more taking Harry's hand. His was larger, but it felt natural. She led him into the trees, it being too narrow for them to walk side to side properly. She took the lead as was her role, and she was excited to show him his surprise. She kept quiet, knowing Harry was curiously exploring and watching the trees.Five minutes later, there was a break through the trees, and they were suddenly in a clearing of sorts. It wasn't much, just an area where the trees had been replaced by grass, and quite small, trees surrounding them from all sides, but the entire clearing was illuminated by the moonlight, making it shimmer and look beautiful."It's unreal, miss," Harry breathed, gently squeezing the hand he was still holding. He couldn’t stop looking around. "It really is. How did you even find this place?""It's just a marvel of nature," Louisa sighed, kissing his cheek, and leaving behind the faintest mark of her raspberry lip gloss on his pale skin. "Liam and I are all about the outdoors. We were hiking in this area, and we found it, although it was daytime, so it didn't look as amazing as it does at night. It's just a place that's stayed with me, and I can come here whenever life becomes too stressful."Harry looked down at her, nodding. The kiss had broken him out of his reverie, kickstarting his heart. "It's really pretty here," he said, sitting down in the glass fluidly, crossing his legs. Suddenly the clumsy sub was as graceful as a dancer, and it took Louisa aback with admiration. She took a few moments to sink down beside him, laying down on her back to look up at the sky. She was lowering her walls around him, showing him glimpses of who she was behind the tough mask she portrayed. It made her skin shimmer with the moonlight, giving her an almost unrealistic beauty and making Harry's heart flutter."Look up at the sky," Louisa suggested softly, breaking him out of his trance as he gazed up. The moon was almost full, and the stars were faded in the sky compared to it."It's not as breathtaking as you, miss," Harry answered truthfully, looking back down at her, a cheesy grin on his face. Now that she was opening up to him, he could feel himself relaxing, too. His brain seemed to function normally again.Louisa giggled, the sound infectious, before sitting back up. She hadn’t been expecting that in the slightest. "You're a cheesy one," she commented, kissing his nose, which was a little red because of the cold. "I like it."Harry winked, feeling the warmth of her lips on his nose even after she’d pulled back. "I can turn on the charm whenever you want, miss.""Mhm, I bet you're really popular with the ladies," Louisa mused, content to be sitting there with him, in this open space, just them alone together."I suppose I was," Harry agreed, "but now I'm yours and only yours, miss." His voice held his promise, and he wasn't going to break it. As far as he was concerned, he was paired to her and now they would make a life and be together. Commitment was important to him, just like the stereotypical submissive."I like to hear that," Louisa hummed, looking down at his strong hands, an array of rings adorning his long fingers. She could tell they would become veiny and rugged with age. He was still only eighteen. "Your hands are freezing. Let's get going before you fall sick."Harry had to admit, even though he loved it here, it was freezing, especially the ground. He agreed and got up, helping her to her feet. They lazily walked back to the car and Louisa made sure to crank up the heat so that Harry wouldn't be cold a minute longer. His cheeks and nose and pinked up considerably in the cold, even without the marks of her lip gloss."After a cold evening I think we should top off the night with something extra warm," Louisa suggested, pressing a button on her steering wheel. "Hey Siri. Find me nearby restaurants or cafes with a soup specialty.""Cafe Fiore, two kilometres away. Speciality : soups and stews.""Open in Google maps,” she told Siri, and the screen showed them the way there."That's pretty cool," Harry said, a little star struck by it all. He obviously knew about Siri, but he'd never really used it. His family was a middle-class family. They'd always had enough, but nothing too expensive or luxurious."I think so too," Louisa agreed, pulling up to their destination. It was small and quaint, just perfect for their dinner. Once they were inside and seated at a booth by the window in the nearly full restaurant, their menus were handed to them. "What would you like?"Harry looked over the menu quickly, deciding on the beef stew with kale, and a hot chocolate to drink. Louisa ordered a chicken soup and a tea for herself. It was the perfect way to warm up. She could see her lip gloss on his cheek and nose, still, and didn’t bother telling Harry about it. She wanted other people to know he was hers. As a Dominant, she took pride in it.A few minutes later and they'd both shrugged their coats off, Harry found himself biting his lip and saying, "I like your dress, miss." His guard was no longer up around her. It looked so comfortable, and he could tell it was pure cashmere, a soft grey colour."Thank you, Harry," Louisa smiled. "It's Cashmere Boutique. I tend to do a lot of shopping there since London has unpredictable weather at best.” She didn’t reveal that she got cold very easily. That would come in time. They had so much to discover about one another. “That reminds me, I hope you will be moving in with me this weekend. I would like you settled in before you have to start looking for culinary school and enrol.""Yes miss," Harry agreed. "I look forward to living with you, although I am slightly anxious about leaving my mother at home. I am her baby and I'm all grown up now and moving away to live with my dominant. Although she couldn't be more excited about this pairing, because she really likes you, she will still miss me." He was honest."That is what mothers are like," Louisa smiled softly, thinking of her own. Their food arrived and she eagerly took a spoonful, blowing on it and taking a sip. It was great, warm, and hearty."Can I ask about your family, miss?" Harry asked meekly. She hadn't mentioned them yet and he was curious."I have five sisters and a brother, they're all my step siblings. My father pretty much disappeared after he found out my mother was pregnant with me," Louisa explained. "She was strong about it and raised me alone until she fell in love with my step father, Mark Tomlinson. I took his name and really, he is the one who is my father. I consider him to be. When I left for college, they got divorced but they're still good friends. My mother is now married to Dan, and they have a son and a daughter.""That's a large, loving family," Harry said. "I bet it gets really loud at the holidays, miss.""It does," Louisa chuckled. "It's really a lot, my sisters are quite the little brats. They're all submissives, and Lottie, the oldest of the lot, got paired last year. This year, you'll experience the craziness too." She tacked that on at the end rather casually even though she knew it would mean a great deal to Harry. It meant a great deal to her, too.Harry felt all warm inside when she said it like that. He was glad he wasn't the only one who was seriously thinking about their future together already.After dinner Louisa checked the time. "It's too late to take you to London. I wanted to introduce you to Liam and Niall, his sub. They are very excited to meet you.""I would love to meet them," Harry said, agreeing about the time. "Maybe after I move in, miss.""That will have to do. I'll drop you home, sweets," Louisa said, paying their bill and leaving a tip before sliding her coat back on and leading him out. Harry tried his best not to stare as she did, her curves rather visible at certain angles when she didn’t have her coat on. He felt like a teenager seeing a beautiful woman for the first time and found himself wishing she’d kiss him again. The car ride back was filled with oldies music that was playing on the radio, with the likes of Dean Martin and Elvis Presley. It took Louisa to another time, a simpler time in history."Thank you for today, miss, it was truly amazing," Harry gushed sincerely once they were in his driveway. The light was on, and he could see his mother waiting by the living room window. He could tell she was going to get emotional when he moved out.Louisa gently kissed his hand, then his forehead. "I enjoyed myself with you, Harry. Tomorrow Liam and I are going out of town for the day, so I may not be able to come and see you. Do you have a Skype account?""Yes miss," Harry responded, slightly sad he wouldn't get to see her tomorrow. Oh well, at least they would Skype."I will text you the time I'm free, we can Skype then. Good night," Louisa smiled softly, driving away once Harry had gone inside, lip gloss still visible on his face.

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After mostly avoiding his mother as soon as he stepped inside, Harry went to bed guilty. Acting as if he was tired when he just didn't want to talk to her was a mean thing to do. He just didn't know how to talk about him leaving this home. They all knew it was coming but it was still not enough to prepare him. He knew she was going to miss him a lot but that she still wanted him to go. They'd known this was going to happen their whole lives, but now that it actually was, it was a lot harder. Harry didn't want to leave but then again, he did, because he was going to move to London and live with Louisa! The prospect was exciting enough to relieve him of some of his nerves as he laid in his bed for one of the last times and stared at the ceiling, reminding himself this was for everyone's greater good. Although he supposed he really needed to speak with Robin first about how to bring up all this with his mum in the first place, because he had a feeling, he couldn't just avoid her forever.It wasn't the end of the world; they'd still get to see each other. Around the holidays, obviously and if he missed her a lot Louisa would let him visit home and of course she could come see him in London. Maybe Harry was just overthinking about the whole ordeal, and he sighed and closed his eyes to try and get some sleep. The prospect of not being able to see Louisa tomorrow didn't make the day seem interesting to him, but he supposed he'd make do. His dominant was the CFO of a large law firm and he understood that she had work responsibilities. In fact, he was very grateful that she took out all this time to spend with him the past three days when he knew she'd rather be at home relaxing or sleeping in her free time than having to drive out all the way to Cheshire to see him every evening. Although Harry did hope she was as taken with him as he was smitten with her, and that they would be taking their relationship to the next level when he moved in. Obviously, they would be sleeping in the same room, and in the same bed, and Harry honestly was ready to go all the way with her. It wasn't like he was a girl who had to get nervous about losing his virginity, anyway. It wouldn't even hurt for him, unless Louisa was into certain other kinks, which he knew she was. After all he'd given his Pairing Test and been matched to her because their preferences matched, though he hoped their first few times wouldn't be anything too intense. As wild as his fantasies got, he was still inexperienced and looking to Louisa to guide him, and he assumed she knew that after reading the answers to his Pairing Test.Thinking about it was making Harry stress out, so he tiptoed to the bathroom to take a shower to soothe himself. Although Louisa had made sure he'd warmed up right after their outing with the heat cranked up in the car and getting them soup and warm drinks for dinner, Harry found that a hot shower did wonders to warm up a shivering person, provided they weren't too cold and bundled up right after to keep the chill out of their bones.After showering Harry felt much better, getting back into bed wearing his pyjamas, a pair of soft joggers and a jumper so that he wouldn't get cold during the night despite having more than enough blankets and the radiator in his room as high as it would go. He did always get cold at night.Harry tiptoed around his mother during breakfast the next morning, keeping his mouth full of delicious English breakfast instead of replying to anything she was saying. He finally managed to find Robin alone and talk to him, which just made him feel downright silly afterwards. All he'd said about it was, "Sure, you'll both cry the day you leave but you're going to have a great life with your dominant. As for your mother, she has me."Robin taking such good care of his mum really made Harry happy. He was a great dominant. He was so glad that they both found each other and that they were there for each other. It didn't work out with their first spouses, but they were perfect for each other now, and that was all that mattered. Now, worrying about it all seemed silly, so he dropped it and went right back to normal, helping with making lunch and then doing the dishes. He supposed he'd have to do them every day in his new home, but he didn't mind.In the afternoon Harry watched a movie alone while checking his phone every few minutes, hoping to see a text from Louisa but he got nothing. Surely, she would text him in the evening at least. She had promised they would Skype tonight, and he trusted her word, but there was nothing. Not even till dinner time, and not after. Harry was distracted throughout the meal, which was easily noticeable but both Anne and Robin chose not to ask him about it, deciding he would come to them if he wanted to talk about it.Harry moped and turned on his laptop anyway, logging into his Skype and sitting by his phone, waiting for Louisa to text him, but she never did. It was getting late, and Harry's eyes were getting droopy, so Anne promptly made him shut his laptop down and put him to bed, not wanting her son to strain himself. He was strong, yes, but he was still a submissive. It was important to take care of him.*****An insistent knocking on the door was what woke Anne up around midnight. Her and Robin had gone to bed soon after Harry, and she shook Robin awake quickly. "Robin, I think someone's at the door," she said. All those years she lived alone with a young Harry and Gemma, she'd done it all herself but her husband was a stubborn man and demanded to do the harder, scarier things to spare her.Robin woke up surely after hearing that, carefully walking downstairs and going to the door. The knocking started up again, and Robin flicked the porch lights on, looking through the window. "Anne, it's Louisa," Robin said, completely relieved it wasn't some sort of thief. He'd first thought it might be Gemma because she used to have the habit of dropping by unexpectedly in the night, but that was when she was still in the country. Now that she was in America, she didn't come home much."I'll get the door," Anne said, a little angry at the dominant. She was a submissive herself, but a mother first. Her poor Harry had waited around all day for a single text from her and she had never done so, but now had the nerve to show up at their doorstep at midnight. An explanation was definitely in order."Mrs Twist, I'm so sorry to bother you at this time," Louisa started as soon as Anne opened the door. "It's just that I was out all day and I know I didn't contact Harry today and I just-""Come inside," Robin said quickly before Anne could burst at the woman, both of them getting inside in a rush. He got a cold look from his wife but chose to ignore it, playing the role of peace maker. "Come into the kitchen, I'll make you a cup of tea.""Really, you don't have to," Louisa insisted, but Robin ignored her and started the kettle anyway, turning on the lights. A little miffed, Louisa sat down at the counter, biting on her lip. "I know an apology is in order for the way I acted today. It was my responsibility to contact Harry today and I broke my promise, for which I am deeply regretful and please believe me when I say that was never my intention.""There better had been some sort of big problem or emergency for you to act this way," Anne suddenly said. "You've just started on a lifelong commitment, and I expect you to understand that your life is not just about your work anymore. Harry was waiting around for you all day and it really bothered him you didn't text. You have to change your life just a little to accommodate my son into it. I understand you have a demanding occupation but that cannot be an excuse for anything." She had tried to keep her voice level but wasn’t sure it had worked. Harry was her baby.Louisa nodded shamefully. "I understand, Mrs Twist. I am sorry, and I assure you it will not happen again. There was an emergency of sorts, though. About ten or so of us got stuck in a lift for a few hours. Liam and I were about to leave, and the lift shut down so we got extremely late on our way back. Nothing happened, everyone's fine, but I didn't want to just go home and be alone as usual. I know Harry is sleeping and you don't want to wake him up, but I would be glad if you'd at least let me kiss him goodnight tonight." Louisa could see the way Anne's face softened after hearing her explanation, more than a little relieved that there wasn't any animosity between them. It would really be a shame if they started fighting so early on."Here's your tea," Robin said, handing her the mug. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad you're all okay, and Harry is your submissive now, you can see him if you want to. I only have one request though, please do not get into certain intimate activities under our roof. That makes me uncomfortable. Ah, I'm headed to bed. You're welcome to stay. Good night, Louisa." With that, Robin went straight up to bed, leaving Louisa just sitting there with a gaping mouth. Anne just shrugged and followed him upstairs a few seconds later. All was forgiven for now.Louisa decided to drink her tea first, taking small sips and looking out the window to the light breeze caressing the tree leaves in the moonlight. She finished the mug and washed it, drying it and leaving it on the counter because she didn't know where it went. She then proceeded upstairs, carefully opening the door of Harry's room to see him sleeping in bed, tucked under what looked like four or five blankets. She thought he was so adorable like this, his curls askew and his cheeks pink. She leaned down to kiss his forehead, being careful to not actually wake him. He didn't even move. Chuckling to herself, she quietly slipped off her coat and shoes, leaving them on a chair, and slowly unravelled the blankets from one side, gently laying down and making sure to not rock the bed. Once she'd covered herself up, she looked at him sleeping peacefully, closing her eyes. It had been a long day, and she was tired. Sleeping next to her sub seemed like the best way to end it.

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The first thing Harry realised in the morning was that he was incredibly warm. No matter how much he tucked himself in, how many blankets he took, or how many sweaters he wore, he always woke up a little chilly during winter. But not today. Today he was toasty warm, and the feeling was so blissful he almost fell back asleep. He was jerked awake by something moving. Startled, his eyes flew open, only to land on his dominant. Sleeping in his bed, next to him.
Wait, what?
Louisa shifted in her sleep again, her brow furrowing. It was starting to get sunny outside, and the daylight creeped into the room, brightening it to start waking her up."Miss?" Harry said dumbly. He felt like he was missing something very important. How was she here right now? He didn't remember seeing her last night. Or maybe that was just his sleep-addled brain fooling him. No, he would remember getting in bed with his dominant!Harry watched as Louisa opened her baby blue eyes, giving a soft yawn. He thought that she was incredibly beautiful, and even more so with her hair all soft and tousled from sleeping. He hadn't seen such an adorable sight ever before.The first thing Louisa saw when she opened her eyes were Harry's piercing green eyes staring right into her soul. It made her insides feel like jelly and suddenly she was very awake. "Harry," she said softly."Good morning?" Harry said, confused. He remembered everything that happened yesterday now, and he was just lost. He wasn't upset anymore. There had to be an explanation and he didn't want to jump to conclusions or doubt her. That wasn't a very good idea when it came to relationships."I'm sorry," Louisa breathed. "I really am. I didn't mean to make you wait around and then never contact you when I promised I would. If you would let me, explain and apologise, I would be honoured."Harry only gave a nod, giving her the signal to continue. His curiosity was piqued now, and he'd already forgiven her in his head. Not that he was going to tell her that yet. He did deserve an explanation."Liam and I were busy all day, and I didn't even get a minute of a breather. I didn't want to be rude to our new clients and stare into my phone and giggle like a schoolgirl because that's what I do when I read your cute text replies. So, I decided I would just call you when we left. Unfortunately, we got stuck in the lift for a good hour or so, and I get a bit claustrophobic, I have to admit. We got out safely. It didn't fall or anything, and I was so relieved. Liam got some food in me and went home. Then I came here. I feel terrible."Harry bit on his bottom lip. He was the submissive, and yet here he was, wanting to protect her from her fear. "There isn't anything to forgive then, miss. None of that was your fault. And although it makes me so incredibly happy to hear that my texts make you giggle like a schoolgirl, I'm more concerned about you, miss. I'm glad to know that everyone got out unscathed, but it must be so scary if you're claustrophobic."Louisa took a deep breath. "I feel like I can't breathe in confined spaces, like I'll suffocate. At least Liam was there with me, otherwise I would have lost it completely.""I am glad, too, miss. I understand that he's your best friend," Harry said lightly with a small smile. "Do you need anything miss?""A toothbrush and a hairbrush, I'd reckon," Louisa said matter of factly, sitting up with a chuckle. "Your bed is very comfortable, and I slept well but now my hair is a total mess.""I noticed. You look just as beautiful as when you're all done up, miss," Harry told her honestly, giving her an extra toothbrush. He noticed that she was still in nice-looking trousers and a sweater, probably her clothes from the day before. "Miss. Would you like to wear something of mine? I can't imagine those clothes were too comfortable to sleep in." He was sure she would swim in them; she was at least four inches shorter than his looming height.Louisa blushed. Something about sharing clothing made her feel all warm and gooey inside. It was a level of intimacy she hadn’t shared with anyone since her university days. "It's okay love, I probably have to head back to London soon," she said regretfully. When she saw his face fall, she got an idea. "Why don't you come with me? We can meet up with Liam and Niall. They are very excited to finally get to meet you, and I would also like to take you shopping.""That sounds good, miss!" Harry chirped, perking up instantly. He really was curious about Liam, his dominant's best friend, and Niall, who sounded like a unique submissive. "I'll get ready quickly."Louisa nodded and let him have his room to himself, brushing her teeth and making herself presentable in the small bathroom. The two stepped downstairs together to smell the wafts of breakfast. Anne and Robin had already eaten, and they were waiting for the newly paired couple. Harry immediately felt a bit nervous. He knew that his mum would've blown her top off at Louisa, but all seemed fine between them. They even made small talk and Anne had no problem with them going to London.On the way there, Harry broke the silence. He had a lot on his mind that he just had to say, and he couldn’t keep silent any longer. "Miss. I know you're the dominant in this relationship, and I understand that completely. But that doesn't mean that you always take care of me. I'm so happy you came to me last night when you needed me, and I want you to know that I am always here for you. You have your fears and I have mine. When you need help, I will be there for you just as you are there for me."Louisa took a moment before speaking. He had touched her deeply with his sentiment. She wasn’t sure she had ever known she would find a submissive quite like him, but he existed, and he was paired to her. "Harry, you are so beyond your years. I love that about you. You understand what a relationship is. I know we are the right match," she breathed, a little emotional. "Thank you, I will keep that in mind. And I will take care of us."Louisa drove them to her house first, where they would be living together soon. She got out of the car, taking Harry's hand. His large paw always swallowed hers right up in its grip, which was firm but gentle, just like his personality. “This is my home. Your new home," she announced, taking him inside. The living room was large with a round staircase off to one side. Underneath the staircase was the door to the kitchen, which was quite spacious as well, and with an attached pantry. On the other side was a lounge with a fireplace. Upstairs was Louisa's home office and bedrooms, and out back a garden and a separate shed for a gym."It's so big and beautiful, miss," Harry said in awe as they sat on the swing in the garden. He actually really loved it. He could see himself living here, although he didn't fancy staying in such a large house all alone if Louisa was at work or away somewhere."Thank you," Louisa said, having changed into a more casual dress with her soft brown hair down and loose. It made her look like an angel to Harry, and he couldn't help but want to kiss her soft lips. He suddenly felt very emboldened to make the first move. He leaned in to steal a kiss, making Louisa giggle and kiss him gently. He hadn’t ever known Dominants to be the type to giggle, but his Dominant giggled in his presence and made him feel trusted and closer to her. The sunlight made their chill dissipate and filled them with a warm feeling of love. Of home. When they finally pulled apart, Louisa remembered they had to go meet up with Liam and Niall. "Come on, we'll catch up on the kissing later."Harry nodded and followed her. After a short drive they were at the restaurant they were supposed to meet at, waiting for the other couple at a quiet table. It was outside since winter was actually dissipating now, and the sun was out. Harry was excited but nervous. Seeing him riled up made Louisa grin and kiss his lips, making them both feel a bit giddy with each other.

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"I spy, two lovebirds snogging at the corner table," Niall said to Liam loudly, making Harry and Louisa pull apart from each other with blushes on their faces. Niall chuckled at that, walking up to the table with Liam, looking Harry up and down. "Oh, my goodness, Louisa, you did not tell me how cute he is."Harry raised an eyebrow. This submissive was so loud and called another dominant by their name! No submissive called any dominant by their name, unless it was their dominant and they had allowed it specifically, usually only in certain situations. And his dominant, Liam, was totally cool with it. Louisa was also swatting him off with her hand as the two sat down."Oi Niall, don't steal him," Louisa joked. "Liam can't handle you anyway, this curly haired cutie is all mine," she said, giving Harry's cheek a shameless peck."Sod off," Liam grumbled, flipping Louisa off discreetly, rolling his eyes. Louisa chose to ignore that childish reaction, looking at Niall instead."Let me formally introduce you to my submissive, Harry Styles. Harry, this is my best friend and business partner, Liam Payne, and his very loud, very giggly submissive, Niall Horan," Louisa introduced. "You can call Liam Mr Payne," she added with a laugh, making Liam groan again. She had to keep in mind to give Harry clear enough instruction in any public situation, not wanting to make him feel like he didn’t know what the rules were. She preferred him to be himself, but he was a submissive, and submissives needed direction.Niall shook Harry's hand and grinned at him, making Harry smile back. Harry was good with social interaction, he could be the star of attention or blend into the background depending on the situation, and he was good at charming people. And he liked Niall already. "Hello," Harry said."Hi!" Niall chirped. "I can already tell we're going to be best friends. We can hang out in the afternoons. It gets boring at home all alone, you know. At least it does for me when Liam goes off to work, the hotshot lawyer that he is."Liam chuckled at how much Niall was talking. "Honey, don't scare him off," he teased. "Give him some time to process and get used to you and your loudness.""Believe me, it took me a year," Louisa told Harry knowingly, making him laugh."Oh, I like him already," Harry said brightly. "And you too, Mr Payne," he added quickly, not wanting any misunderstandings. Being a people pleaser was his nature.Liam made a face. "I really wish I wouldn't be called that; I get that enough at the office. But for now, it is okay. Once we get to know each other more, I will not stand for it.""It makes him feel old," Niall translated to Harry, everyone laughing once again at Liam's expense. "Okay, let's order, I'm hungry," he said, picking up the menu card. He let Liam order for him this time, leaning in to Harry. "Some people don't like a sub that talks. So, I let Liam handle the big shots. And by the big shots, I mean nosy restaurant workers.”Louisa asked Harry what he wanted, Harry quickly scanning the menu and deciding on the aglio olio pasta. Louisa ordered, adding a Parmesan chicken for herself. "Do you like chicken, miss?" Harry asked, having observed that she ordered a chicken dish everywhere they went for dinner so far. He wanted to know these things about her, so that he could cook for her."It's her favourite thing ever," Niall supplied. "I've known her since I got matched to Liam, which was right after he took the test. And Liam and Louisa, those two are a package deal. Louisa can cook, she's actually really good but she doesn't have time sometimes, so I have cooked many a meals for her. She's happy as long as there's chicken!"Louisa rolled her eyes at Niall. "You're lucky you're Liam's sub, blondie, otherwise I would never take this badmouthing from anyone." They would bicker every time they were in each other’s presence."Ain't that the truth," Liam said, thanking the waiter when he brought by their wine and complimentary bread rolls with black olive pesto and tomato paste. Niall reached for it immediately. "Oh. Another thing about Niall, he loves food. And no matter how much he eats; he doesn't put on a single ounce. I don't even know how he does it."Harry giggled. "You're very lucky, Niall," he said, eating one of the bread rolls, finding them delicious. After they'd finished their snack their food arrived, looking, and smelling scrumptious. Over his plate of pasta Harry learned more about fun-loving Niall and saw into what Louisa's life was like, or what it used to be like. Now that he was in her life, it would be different. He wouldn't mind if she was tired after a long day of work, he would give her a glass of wine to relax. He would have dinner ready to fill her up after a workday, and he would personally tuck her in bed if she needed it.After eating they slowly drained their wine glasses over idle chatter about this and that. Louisa had tried hard to not talk about work with Liam while they had this double date of sorts, and she was proud of herself that it had worked. She had a habit of bringing up work at the wrong time."It was great to meet you," Harry told Niall sincerely as they stood by their cars. The doms were already in their cars, waiting. Niall surprised Harry by giving him a hug, and they said goodbye."I'm glad you two are getting along," Louisa said as Harry got into the car. "I knew you would, because Niall is an extremely likeable person. I know from personal experience.""He is," Harry agreed. "Where to now, miss?" He asked her. Honestly, he would go anywhere she wanted with her."Since it's only afternoon, let's go to Hyde Park for a bit. We can go shopping tomorrow," Louisa said. "I'm not in the mood right now and I don't have my card right now either," she admitted with a chuckle."That sounds like a plan, miss," Harry agreed. "I love Hyde Park. I've only been there a couple of times in passing.""It's very calming," Louisa said, driving there and parking a little far, walking down to the park with him. They walked through the park once before finding a nice spot in the sunlight, sitting down on a bench since they didn't have a picnic blanket, just watching the ducks waddle around at the lake and squirrels running around on the trees. It was the perfect date, with plenty of snuggles and stolen kisses. And if Louisa had anything to say about it, she was falling in love with Harry.

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After their little stint in Hyde Park of trying to feed the ducks and swans and ending up with a duck chasing them, Louisa took Harry home. The sun had set, and it was dinnertime, so Harry naturally invited Louisa in. "Come on, you have to be tired after running around getting chased by that duck, miss," Harry laughed freely."You're right," Louisa agreed, giving in, and going in with him. He was very persuasive, and she couldn't resist his charms, anyway. She was a little cautious of dropping by without informing them earlier, but they had more than enough food for everyone. After dinner Louisa kissed Harry goodbye on the porch, making it extra passionate just because it was chilly out and she needed a little pick me up."Bye," Harry said, cheeks pink and waving at her as she got in the car and drove off, but not before telling him how cute he was when he blushed, which certainly did not help the situation in his point of view.The next day was shopping day, and Louisa was excited to shop for her sub. It was a first, and she wanted to get him all the things he wanted. He climbed into the car and was greeted with a kiss, chaste this time."How was your night, miss?" Harry asked her, a little impatient to just move in with her and not have to ask this because he would just know."It was uneventful," Louisa shrugged as they drove. "I didn't do much, just went home and slept. Got up this morning and I decided I wanted to spend all day with you," she added cheesily."I'm rubbing off on you, miss," Harry teased, even though he was flattered and blushing again, knowing she noticed his red face. She always did.Louisa pulled over to the first store. "Okay, let's get you some new clothes," she said. It was a sweater mill, and Harry chose a pullover, a cardigan, and a wind cheater, satisfied with his choices, but Louisa added a neon blue scarf and black gloves into the pile. She effectively shushed him with a kiss when he objected that it was too much, kissing him to distract his mind from how much it cost. In her opinion her sub deserved the best, and she was giving him the best.Harry already felt like he had everything he needed, but his dominant was gorgeous, and he had to match her. She was always dressed classily and if he was going to be seen with her, he had her reputation to uphold, so he was happy to browse a variety of shops until she was satisfied.Louisa took Harry to buy absolutely everything, right from casuals to straight up suits, getting him fitted for an array of five suits, a plain black, one blue, one brown and two pinstripe. Getting measured was rather odd for Harry but he managed to get through it. The man was asking him what side of the fly he was going to put his cock for goodness sakes. That question made Louisa giggle, or maybe it was the look of sheer embarrassment on Harry face that got her."Miss, are we done?" Harry asked after managing to put the measuring tape thoughts of horror behind him. He was a little tired and it was only just past noon. He had no idea shopping could be this exhausting! He'd never shopped much before, anyway. Just a few things here and there when he needed them."We haven't got you shoes yet, silly," Louisa said, winking. She could tell it was getting a little boring for him. When he gave her a look, she burst into laughter. "Okay okay, we'll put some food in you first and then go get you shoes."Harry gave a relieved sigh, nodding. He could do that. They went for lunch to a busy looking cafe, Louisa ordering paninis, a salad, and iced drinks. While they waited, Harry chose to let himself get lost in her blue eyes. Louisa noticed, blushing slightly but not saying anything. Harry noticed every little thing about her, like her eyelashes that perfectly framed her almond shaped eyes. The way she brushed her hair out of her eyes when it blew with the wind, and the way she tapped her long, painted nails on the table when she was feeling impatient. He noticed when she was happy, and when she seemed distracted with something from work. He was just totally enamoured with her.Their food arrived with the promise of tasting as excellent as it smelled, and Harry eagerly took a bite of his panini, nearly burning his mouth. Louisa noticed, giggling, which only made Harry red-faced yet again."It's really good, miss," Harry said once he'd calmed down, slurping down half of his drink to keep his tongue from burning again. The salad was just as refreshing and fresh, re-energising them for shoe shopping.After they had eaten, Louisa promptly took Harry to get him shoes, also buying socks in the process. Harry ended up agreeing to two pairs of formal shoes, two sports shoes and a pair of casual slippers to wear around the house. He wasn't a fan of sliding around in the house with just socks on."Miss, no more shopping, please," he pleaded as they headed out of the shop after paying. His tone of voice made Louisa chuckle, agreeing with him. It was still afternoon and they had one more thing to discuss.Louisa took him to a quiet little spot by the riverside to talk. "Harry, I want you to move in with me," she said truthfully. "I hope you want to move in with me, too. I think things have been going well with us, but you need to feel the same way, too. Do you?"Harry nodded. He didn't want her to feel like he didn't reciprocate her feelings. "I want to move in with you, miss," he said happily. Honestly, he had been waiting for her to ask. He wasn’t sure why she hadn’t asked him earlier before they’d shopped. There would have been no need for her to spend the money she had on him if either of them had said no to this arrangement, and he certainly wasn’t going to be the one to turn her down."Alright, we will move you in over the weekend," Louisa said, smiling widely. She could tell they were moving at the right speed, and everything would work itself out."As long as it doesn't involve any more shopping," Harry joked, laughing.

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On the drive back to Cheshire, Louisa noticed that Harry was suddenly being very quiet. They'd had such a fantastic day together, so Louisa could only assume it was because he was tired. She let him be, changing the music to something soft and calming, reggae. She laughed softly when she remembered that reggae was dogs' favourite music genre, making Harry furrow his brow in questioning.Louisa shrugged. "It's reggae. I just remembered that dogs love reggae," she said. She never had a dog growing up, and she actually really wanted one. She loved dogs, but never really got around to adopting one. Oh, maybe she could adopt one with Harry.Harry laughed softly despite being so lost in thought before. "Okay I do have to admit that is very adorable," he said. "I love dogs, and also cats. Kittens are so cute.""Maybe we'll get you a kitten next week," Louisa suggested, only a little playful. She was actually serious about it. "He or she can help you adjust in the house. I know it's a big change." Realisation dawned upon her. "It's why you're so quiet right now, isn't it?" She prompted softly."Partly, miss," Harry responded wryly. He was pleasantly surprised that she could actually guess what was on his mind without having to be prompted. "I've never lived away from my mother for longer than a week or so, I'd reckon. I somewhat worry about her. I know she has Robin, but I still do fret. As for me, I'll be fine in a couple of days."Louisa nodded. "I remember when I left home for university. My mother was so emotional, because I am the oldest and the first one that left the house. It's natural and the way life works. Everyone will need to come to terms with the change in their own way, but it's a good thing," she said as they arrived at their destination. "I believe we have arrived," she announced, just to make him smile again.Harry did grin at her attempt to lighten his mood, leaning ahead to kiss her tan cheek. "Thank you, miss. I truly appreciate it. I had fun with you today as I have had on every day this week."Louisa cracked a wide grin in response. "It was all my pleasure. Should I come in and talk to your parents about your moving or would you rather do that alone, if that's the way you prefer?""I don't really mind either way, we're going to cry when I actually move out no matter who watches us," Harry shrugged, mentioning his mother and himself in the crying category. Heck, it could even get Robin to shed a few tears."Well, you have tomorrow to pack, I'll come get you on Sunday," Louisa said, deciding against going inside since the lights were off and they were probably sleeping. "You can leave everything we shopped for you today in the car, I'll set it up at home for you."Harry nodded and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Will I not be seeing you tomorrow?" He asked with a small pout, making Louisa chuckle and peck it lightly."I have to get the house ready for your arrival," she joked.*****With a goodnight kiss, Harry departed from the car and went inside before he got chilly, heading upstairs to get changed out of the clothes he wore all day. Anne and Robin were already in bed, so he wasn't expecting to hear puttering about in the kitchen as he brushed his teeth. When he made his way back down, he discovered that it was his mum, making peppermint tea."Enough for two?" Harry asked softly from the doorway so as to not startle her, sitting down on one of the bar stools after grabbing an extra mug.Anne nodded and poured the hot water into the mugs, dipping teabags into them and stirring hers. She liked plenty of sugar in hers whereas Harry just always drank it black and plain. "Did you enjoy yourself today?"Harry nodded as he took a sip, sighing in content. "Louisa asked me to move in on Sunday. I said yes," he told her softly, hoping she wouldn't get sad.Anne nodded. She was very happy her son was in a healthy relationship that was going in the right direction, but a little sad to see her baby leave. "That's great, Harry," she said, giving him a warm hug. "We all knew this day was coming but now that it's here it's just so different."Harry hugged her back. "I have tomorrow to pack, and I need your help, okay," he told her, pulling back. "We are not crying until Sunday," he decided.And until Sunday morning, cry they did not. After their late-night peppermint tea date in the kitchen Harry fell into bed, to be awakened the next morning to a cute text from Louisa. Harry replied to it and got out of bed, because it was going to be a busy day and he was actually freaking out a little about packing. He wasn't sure if he'd get it all done, not that he had a lot of belongings. He had his own fair share, but definitely not as much trash as Gemma had!Harry decided to take along all the little mementos he'd collected over the years, all the small titbits he'd kept, like an old button from his great grandpa's favourite sweater, the really warm scarf Gemma had knit for him last Christmas, the trophy he'd won for breaking the 100m dash school record when he was in secondary school. He'd always been a bit clumsy and not very good at sports, apart from track. He enjoyed jogging and running, and his lithe body was great at it. After school, he'd stopped competing to focus on the academics piling on in college and later devoted himself to his job and reading up on life as a paired submissive, and the preparation had done him justice. He was completely ready to start the new chapter in his life.Anne made Harry's favourite breakfast, pancakes. He had always been surprisingly non-fussy, but Anne made even pancakes extravagant for his going-away breakfast, adding in raspberries and blueberries, even bananas, because Harry had been obsessed with bananas since he was a baby. She knew he wasn't really going away, but he was moving out, and he was still her baby.After eating too much, Harry was greeted by a bubbly Louisa with a big kiss. "Are you ready to go?" She asked him softly, loading up the car when Harry nodded. Louisa looked like a small person, but she had a lot of strength in that tiny body, Harry discovered. She lifted his bags like they were nothing.Louisa waited by the car so that Harry could have his goodbyes, not wanting to interfere in their moment. Harry hugged Robin, who reassured him everything was going to be great. Anne cried, hugging, and kissing Harry more times than they could both keep count of in their emotional moment. Harry couldn't help but cry himself, but he reined it in as he climbed into the car and waved to them as the house became smaller and smaller in the distance, promising he would call every day and visit at the weekend, until he could no longer see it.

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The house seemed even more beautiful this time. Harry lugged a bag up the stairs while Louisa brought up another. He suddenly remembered that he was technically supposed to share a bed with his dominant. Did that mean they were going to do it tonight? Would he even perform well enough? What if he was terrible at sex?Louisa brushed past him and opened the door to her bedroom. The bed was large and plush, with cream-coloured covers and a red coloured duvet. There were also many pillows. "The wardrobe is through here," she said, opening a large door to reveal a rather huge wardrobe space. It was more like a walkway with cupboards on both sides, and the end of the walkway had another door. "Your side is the left; all my stuff is on the right. And that door goes to the bathroom."Harry nodded and tried to stop staring at the bed, walking into the glamorous wardrobe. As he stepped forward, he saw that indeed the right side was neatly arranged with all of Louisa's clothes, many formal dresses hung on coat hangers, then coats, a separate compartment for shoes, then casuals and other such, like workout clothes. He could even see a few drawers that seemed to have lingerie, cheeks heating up as he looked away quickly. The structure of his side was also identical, with many compartments to hang up fancy clothes, and fold casuals."Do you like it?" Louisa asked him softly as she waited by the large mirrors on either side of the door, with two dressers in accompaniment. She noticed he'd gone quiet. "Is it too much?"Harry shook his head. "I must agree that it's very lavish, miss, but it's very beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much. I really hadn't imagined it would be this lovely." He really did like it, but he was just a little taken aback by the sheer size and grandiose. He was used to cramming his things in the two cupboards he used to have, not all this free space.She showed him the bathroom next, and this, Harry was sort of expecting, especially after seeing the wardrobe. It was simple and minimalistic in design with a washbasin, another large mirror, and a bathroom counter. To the right there was the shower cubicle, although it was a bit large to be called a cubicle, Harry supposed. On the other side was the toilet, and the left was a large bathtub. "It's a jacuzzi, and the shower has rain jet settings.""That's amazing," Harry said, taking it all in. "I've only ever had one tiny bathroom and I had to share it with my sister for fifteen or so years.""I know," Louisa smiled fondly. "This is a big change for you, but I'm so happy to see you taking it all in. Money isn't everything in life, as I'm sure you already know, but I like to have nice things. All this came with the house, I only splurged on the wardrobe. I do have a lot of clothes," she said sheepishly.Harry laughed softly, the sound echoing slightly in the large bathroom. "It's okay, miss. A woman of your position certainly needs an expansive wardrobe. And you don't have to worry about me, miss. I'm sure I'm going to love living here.""It's a new beginning for us both," Louisa agreed, standing up on her tiptoes to peck his lips. She always did love a good height on a man. ***** Louisa left Harry to unpack and hang up all the clothes they bought on their shopping spree that Friday, going downstairs to get started on something to eat at dinner time. She did know her way around a kitchen, although she never did have enough time or energy to cook an entire meal just for herself, especially on work days, which were long and exhausting. Keeping with the Sunday theme, she decided to make a small roast just for them. She had a few pieces of duck left anyway.She roasted the duck in the oven with a sauce and stuffing, and also made roast potatoes as a side, with a fresh salad to go. She was so engrossed in making the food perfect she didn't even notice that Harry had come looking for her, just standing in the doorway and watching her."Miss?" Harry asked, stepping in tentatively. He definitely could have stood there and watched her for longer, but it was rude to stare, and he didn't want to get caught with his hand in the cookie jar on the first day.Louisa's head snapped up as she stirred the gravy, the duck resting on the counter. "Oh hey, are you done unpacking? Dinner is almost ready, the plates and glasses are over here," she said, pointing to the shelf.Harry nodded and took out the plates and two glasses. He also managed to find the cutlery in a drawer. "Should I set the table, miss?" He asked her. The dining table was huge.Louisa shook her head. "That table is too big for just the two of us, love. Just set the counter up, we'll sit on the bar stools. I never use the table much anyway unless I have guests over."Harry nodded and set the counter up neatly, waiting for her to finish cooking. "Do you have guests over often, miss?" He asked, just chatting idly."Not very much, no. Mostly just Liam, and Niall too. My parents or sisters every now and then just show up if they're in town for anything. Other than that, the occasional formal party. Liam and I have an annual bash with all the company members but that's more of a party than a sit-down meal," Louisa said, pulling out a nice bottle of red wine from another cupboard. "Would you fancy some wine, or are you alright with water?" She asked him."I'd like to try the wine," Harry said shyly. Technically speaking, he was the legal age to drink wine now, and he hadn't really probed that. He'd only tried wine a couple of times in his life, and he'd thought it was fine.Louisa nodded and poured it in their glasses, plating their food with a seriousness on her face. It looked delicious: one duck breast and one thigh on each plate, some fresh kale salad, gravy, and roasted potatoes. Louisa sat down on the bar stool and raised her glass. "Cheers to you," she said.Harry blushed and clinked his glass with hers, taking a sip. It was good, the first wine he'd ever really liked. He picked up his fork and ate a bit of salad before trying the duck. "This is really good miss," he said genuinely."Thank you love, I do like to cook in my free time. It's not quite enough as I only end up cooking on the weekends and all this eating out is giving me a tummy," Louisa said, shaking her head at herself."Although you look killer miss, I'd be happy to cook for you. I'm good at it and I like to keep people fed, and healthy," Harry offered.Louisa blushed slightly despite herself, leaning forward to peck his cheek lightly. The rest of their meal passed with idle chatter about this and that. Louisa cleaned up the kitchen after while Harry washed the plates and glasses, leaving them to dry in the rack."I have to check up on my itinerary for tomorrow," Louisa told him. "You can come with me and sit in my office while I do so."Harry nodded excitedly. He really had loved that room the first and only time he saw it. She had so many books, he couldn't wait to dig into them. Louisa went behind her desk and opened up her laptop while Harry mused through the books, choosing a Mills and Boon romance to read. Louisa looked over a few minutes later, finding him immersed in the book. She could most certainly get used to quiet evenings with her sub.

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Harry was so deeply engrossed in his book after a while that he didn’t even notice when Louisa got up and walked over to him, until she cleared her throat. Harry looked up, a little startled at the sudden sound, blushing when he saw her standing in front of him. “I think we should turn in for the night,” Louisa said softly, a fond smile on her face. She really adored how engrossed he had been in his book. Literature held an important place in her life. It was a passion she hoped to share with her sub. Harry nodded, putting the book back in its place and letting her lead him out of the room. He instantly forgot about what he had been reading. All of his anxiety was starting to come back as they departed from the office/library, his thoughts flooding back into his mind. Louisa, totally oblivious, walked to the bedroom. “Wait here,” she instructed, pointing to the bed before she disappeared into the closet, closing the door. Giving him direction came naturally to her, making her feel like she wouldn’t be a completely terrible dominant. She brushed her teeth and put on a little moisturiser before changing into her pyjamas, which were modest and silky. She made sure that the set was totally unsexy. She didn’t want to scare her new and young submissive on their first night sharing her bed. She opened the door and came back out. Harry was still perched on the bed like a good boy, waiting for her. He looked over as soon as she came out, taking in the sight of her looking sleepy and soft in silk pyjamas and a top. He thought her beautiful no matter what she was wearing, but she looked ethereal when she was truly relaxed. He considered himself incredibly lucky to have such a lovely dominant, and it most definitely did not hurt that she was turning him on just a little. “You can go get into your pyjamas, brush your teeth and what not,” Louisa suggested, sitting down in bed, on the right as was customary. Dominants on the right, submissives on the left. They were taught this in school. “Yes miss,” Harry replied, snapping out of his reverie, following instruction. He didn’t close the door, heading straight to the bathroom first. He wouldn’t be opposed to his Dom walking in here while he was in a state of undress. He was a teenager after all, he had sexual desires. While he had never enacted them with another person, being around a very attractive Dominant was making him feel…all sorts of feelings. Louisa sat in bed and checked her phone for a few minutes, yawning a little. The day had gone better than she’d thought, and even though she was a dominant, spending her first night with her sub made her nervous. Although, this wasn’t their first night at all. She’d slept in his bed with him the night she’d returned late from her business trip. That had been so nice. Harry was so warm, and good at snuggling. Louisa liked that a tad more than she’d ever admit. Harry put on his sweatpants and a loose t shirt for bed and got on his side, turning to her. He had a lot to say, and he wasn’t shy about it. “Miss, I think you look very beautiful right now,” he complimented, coloured pink. Even though she was surprised, Louisa felt a warmth blooming in her chest. She put down her phone and kissed his cheek. “You’re so sweet,” she mused. “Thank you.” She laid down, facing him and pulling him closer to her, clapping her hands to turn the lights off before snuggling into him. “Good night, Harry.” Harry scooted closer to her, smelling the faint scent of her moisturiser. “Good night miss.” ***** Harry fell asleep easily enough, surprising even himself when he jerked awake. He rubbed his eyes, very carefully rolling away from Louisa, who was sound asleep, curled into him with her hair covering her face. Harry took a moment to gaze at her, gently moving her hair out of her face, hoping he hadn’t woken her up. When she didn’t stir, Harry climbed out of bed to go and relieve himself, taking a look at the time as he went. It was 5 in the morning. He couldn’t believe how easy it was to spend time with Louisa. It was as easy as breathing, because all he had to do was be himself, and she accepted that. Not all dominants were so caring and open, and he knew that she was truly special. That only made him cherish her more. But there were so many things he still didn’t know about her, like her favourite food, time of day, book, movie, whether she was an early riser or a late owl, what made her happy, what made her sad. The list was endless, and Harry couldn’t wait to unearth all of it. “Harry?” Louisa called out when she awoke to an empty bed, frowning sleepily. It was too early to be awake. She hated mornings with a passion. “Coming miss!” Harry called out, washing his hands, and rushing back to bed. “I was in the bathroom.” “Oh, alright come cuddle me, it’s cold,” Louisa whined, her slight accent making an appearance. Harry nodded eagerly and climbed back in, putting an arm over her smaller form when she pressed herself against him again. Before he could say anything else, she was fast asleep. Harry could only chuckle softly. ***** Louisa woke up when her alarm blared, slapping her hand on it, sitting up, rubbing her eyes. “Harry?” She mumbled again, getting to her feet, stumbling to the bathroom with her eyes still closed. She cleaned up a little and looked around for Harry, but he wasn’t in the room. Confused, she traipsed downstairs only to see him in the kitchen, chopping something carefully. She could smell coffee, wrinkling her nose subconsciously. “Good morning miss,” Harry said warmly, opening the oven to take out the home fries he’d popped in there earlier to cook. “I woke up early, so I thought I’d make you breakfast.” Louisa started. He looked so comfortable, so at home in her kitchen, cooking for her. She couldn’t wrap her mind around how it had happened so fast. He looked so cute with his curls in disarray from sleeping and his morning blush fresh on his cheeks and she just wanted to squeeze him. Harry awkwardly stood there while she stared at him, hoping she wasn’t mad at him. “Miss, I’m sorry if I crossed a boundary.” “No, you didn’t,” Louisa said immediately, feeling bad for reacting in the way she was. She had to remind herself her sub needed her to vocalise her feelings and he couldn’t read her mind. She would have to be more open with him. “I’m sorry, no one has ever done something like this for me. Well apart from Liam, of course,” she chuckled. Liam was so domestic sometimes. “I love it, Harry, really. I just don’t like coffee. I’m a tea person.” Harry preened at the compliment. It was the submissive in him needing her approval for everything, he could hardly help it. “Oh of course Miss, I will make you tea right away.” He got started on it instantly. Louisa reached over and pecked his cheek, smiling widely. “You’re so adorable I could just eat you up,” she teased, giggling freely when he went red at the statement. “Oh, don’t worry love, I’m just teasing.” Harry shook his head at himself and got the plates, fixing her a plate of eggs on toast, home fries and beans, with her tea of course. He couldn’t let his mind wander. “Harry, where’s your plate? You eat with me,” Louisa quipped, waiting for him to get his own plate. It was Harry’s turn to start this time. He only took a moment before nodding quickly and getting another plate and his mug of coffee to the table. He couldn’t quite believe his dominant, she treated him like her equal. This was so unheard of. He had only seen it with his mother and Robin at home, and Gemma didn’t discuss these aspects of her personal relationship with her baby brother. Louisa happily dug into her food and fed Harry endless compliments throughout the meal. Even her tea was perfect, and she felt that the submissive sitting next to her was perfect too. Maybe she was starting to believe the system really paired people together perfectly. Everything felt right, and she couldn’t help but feel excited for the start of their lives together. After eating, Louisa told Harry to get dressed casually. They were going out for the day, just to Liam and Niall’s place to hang out with the other couple. Louisa just wanted to show Harry off to her best friends in the whole world, if she was being completely honest. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to get some advice from the other couple. They had been together for almost seven years now. Liam had taken the Pairing Test as soon as he had turned eighteen. He was in university at the time and was quickly becoming Louisa’s best friend. He’d tried to talk Louisa into giving her own Test but she’d fended him off successfully. She hadn’t wanted a submissive while she pursued her education, and then career. Everything had been going normally for a year, but then all of a sudden Liam has been matched, to Niall who was nothing like any other submissive she’d ever seen. He was loud, opinionated, ate more than two dominants combined, laughed to his fill, and did whatever he wanted. It really made Louisa see submissives in a different way. She’d always been of the opinion that they were all meek, quiet, unambitious people whose only desire was to be owned by a dominant and please them, which had been the reason she had been against getting one of her own. Once Niall had weaselled his way into her heart and life as a very good friend, Louisa really had had no excuse to not take the Test. If she didn’t like her submissive, she still had authority to reject him. She was the dominant after all. So, when she took the Test, she waited and waited, but no one was being matched to her. Her career took off faster than she’d predicted, and her life became a whirlwind. It took two years to find her match, and how glorious he was, even in his faded blue jeans and a long-sleeved t shirt. All Louisa wanted was to kiss him.

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Harry pulled on his clothes when Louisa instructed him to get dressed, brushing his hair just a little to keep the unruly curls looking presentable. He was a little surprised when the next thing he knew, he was being pinned against the door and being kissed by his dominant. He was a little taken aback but quickly regained his bearings and responded to the spontaneous lip lock, moving his lips against Louisa’s soft ones. He didn’t know what had spurred this sudden show of passion, but he most definitely didn’t mind. He frowned a little when she pulled back to breathe, looking down at her. She was still in her pyjamas and her hair was messy from sleep. Her cheeks were slightly pink and her lips even more so. He couldn’t help but lean in to peck her swollen lips once more, acting purely on instinct. It was no secret he wanted her, in every way. “Mm Harry,” Louisa murmured, making Harry feel weak in the knees. Her sounds would be the death of him. It was practically a moan. “Miss,” Harry sighed happily, smiling softly at her. Realising what she had done, Louisa pinked. “I don’t know what came over me,” she stammered. “I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Harry shook his head, trying his best to appease her worry. “You didn’t. I’m okay with it, really. It’s nice to see you desire me the same way I desire you, Miss.” “Oh, I desire you,” Louisa confirmed, kissing his dimples one by one, standing on her tiptoes. “Very much. But you’re young and inexperienced and it’s up to me to make sure all your firsts are worth remembering.” She understood her responsibilities to him very well, and this one needed to be handled right. Harry nodded quickly. “I’m willing and eager for whatever you want to do to me, Miss.” Surely expressing his consent so bluntly would make his Dominant realise that he wanted it. He was practically gagging for it. He licked his lips subconsciously at the thought of actually having sex with her. “Mm but if we don’t stop talking about it right now, we’d never leave, and Niall and Liam are expecting us,” Louisa sassed with the willpower and self-control of a saint. No way would she rush her first intimate touch with him. She wanted to take her time and treat him like he deserved. Harry almost asked her right then to never leave her bed, but he held his tongue and gave an understanding nod, going to wait for her in the bedroom. His Dom knew what was good for him and it was his job to trust her. He slightly adjusted his hard on in his pants once he was alone, embarrassed about how easily he’d been aroused by her. He really couldn’t be blamed. He was a horny teenager who’d never done it with anyone. He believed in saving himself for his dominant. Harry got to his feet when Louisa emerged, dressed in a casual t shirt and skinny jeans, her hair in a messy ponytail. None of the slick and sharpness of her professional getup was visible, and Harry decided he liked this look on her better. There was such a softness to her when she let down her guard. “You’re a vision, Miss,” Harry told her, totally unabashedly. “Speak for yourself,” she said fondly, taking his hand in hers. They walked downstairs and out to her car. Louisa stopped Harry and opened his door for him as was proper for dominants to do, making Harry blush and mumble out a thank you as he climbed in and did his seatbelt. Louisa climbed into the driver’s seat and started down the road, driving leisurely. He wondered to himself about the traditionality of their relationship. It seemed they were a healthy mix of tradition and modernity. It only took five minutes to get to their desired destination. If Louisa’s house was mind blowing, Liam and Niall’s was just as astounding. The interior design was styled differently to Louisa’s, filled with pastel colours instead of the warm browns and earthy tones Harry was getting used to as his new home. Louisa led him inside, explaining that she had a spare key and was welcome anytime. Liam and Niall were in the kitchen, where Niall was stuffing his face with a lot of food, a literal pile of scrambled eggs still on his plate. He got up and ran to Harry to give him a welcoming hug as soon as he saw him, while Liam came over but hung back. “You guys want something to drink?” He asked. “No thank you mister Payne,” Harry said, making Louisa laugh at the look on Liam’s face. “Oh, don’t worry Li, he will call you something else once he’s more comfortable with you,” Louisa laughed, patting his arm and taking a water bottle from the counter. “Liam is so funny sometimes,” Niall said to Harry, leading him outside to gossip only for submissives. “He’s pretty great though. Honestly, he’s so fit I’m always roaming around with a hard on at the thought of him. It cannot be helped.” Harry blushed when he heard that. “Yeah, I had to subtly readjust myself a couple of times since I moved in yesterday,” he confessed, more comfortable in the fellow sub’s company. At least he wasn’t the only one being a horndog. Niall chuckled knowingly. “It’s odd before the first time you sleep together, for sure. Ah it’ll get better once you’re going at it like rabbits. God only knows how many times Liam and I did it the first month.” Harry went crimson at how freely Niall was speaking about his sex life with his dominant. “You’re so free,” he said in awe. Niall grinned. “I’d never be with anyone else; no other dominant could handle me. I’m loud, opinionated and I don’t care what anyone thinks about me. I don’t do all that ‘Yes, Sir’ stuff unless it’s Liam doming me in the bedroom. He’s honestly so amazing,” he sighed dreamily. Harry cooed softly at how cute this sounded. “That’s so nice.” It was the kind of relationship he wanted with his Dom. “Oh, it is. Louisa is the same, maybe only slightly stricter, I’d say,” he quipped. “She’s just had some fixed notions and expectations of what her life should be like.” “Like what?” Harry asked curiously, looking up when he heard soft footsteps. The dominants had decided to join them. Liam gave Louisa a look that Harry most definitely saw. Louisa returned it with a nod and a smile, sitting next to Harry while Liam sat down and pulled Niall into his lap with zero shame. “Oh, Louisa is very ambitious,” Liam spoke. “I knew that as soon as I met her. Success was always going to be her biggest priority. She didn’t even take the Pairing Test until the government demanded it.” “Yeah,” Louisa said, leaning into Harry’s lean body. “I didn’t want any distractions while I focused on my career. But then I was forced to. Honestly, I didn’t care much for submissives in my teenage years. The subs I’d seen before that were meek and only wanted to live for their Doms. No aspiration, dreams of their own. It made me feel like no sub would be right for me. Until Niall showed up.” Liam chuckled. “Oh, that’s right. Niall made her do a full 180 but then she always had an excuse. No distractions till we make it to the top. I was doing law; she was focused on finance. Next thing I knew I was at a law firm as an associate and Louisa was a financial consultant. We didn’t see each other much that year, until we started climbing the ranks.” “Liam here cracked a case no one else had been able to win. He got a huge promotion,” Louisa explained. “He called me up and insisted I come to work at the firm. I appeared for the interview and was selected. Honestly the firm was in a big financial mess. The name partners had completely neglected the financial aspects of running a corporate law firm. There was a lot of arguing that solved nothing.” “Yeah, they were quite the annoyance. I hardly had enough experience to take over, but my mentor trusted me,” Liam added. “Smith left the firm and was no longer name partner, while West stayed. We were West-Payne for a while, until he passed on. And I did the right thing and put Louisa’s name on it. Hence Tomlinson-Payne. We made history, no firm has a non-lawyer as name partner.” “I did save your asses,” Louisa said smugly, turning to Harry. “I hope we didn’t bore you with the work talk.” She wanted him to know her and work was a big part of who she was, who she had been for years now. “Miss it’s honestly fascinating,” Harry breathed, “and I always want to know more about you. I want to know everything, all the little and big things.” Louisa cracked a grin and kissed his cheek, making Niall give a sigh at the cuteness and kiss his own dom. “Let’s go out, all of us. We’ll have lunch at a pub, roam Piccadilly square and stare at Buckingham Palace through the gates,” Louisa said dreamily. “I almost made a member of the royal guard laugh last time,” Niall said proudly, making Harry chuckle. “Of course, you did,” Liam said suspiciously. “Of course, you did.”

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Louisa pulled Liam upstairs as soon as they had eaten the dinner they’d cooked together after coming back to Liam’s earlier. “I need your help.” “Of course, whatever you need,” Liam said, frowning slightly. “What happened?” Louisa took a deep breath. “I want to have sex with Harry tonight.” “He’s a virgin,” Liam realised, laughing softly at the mortified look on his best friend’s face. “Oh shush, I’m not teasing you. Niall was a virgin when he was matched to me too.” “I know,” Louisa quipped. “I just want to do everything right.” “Don’t know how much I can help you,” Liam said truthfully. “After all I was giving, but you’re going to be receiving, right?” Louisa blushed crimson. “Yes. I’m not pegging him, Li. At least not just yet.” Liam laughed softly. “Mhm. Well, I think it’s important to take it slow, and remember that he hasn’t done this before. So, his endurance won’t be great, he might not last very long.” “I’m not worried about my pleasure,” Louisa dismissed. “Not right now. I want it to be good for him.” She was focused, as always. Liam laughed more at his best friend’s expense. “Oh Lou. He’s a guy. He could blow his load from just one touch of your hand in the right place.” ***** The day was drawing to a close and Harry was very much ready to go home with his dominant, but both Louisa and Liam were nowhere to be seen. He sat with Niall, watching telly, his mind wandering elsewhere. The dominants had sneaked upstairs, and they’d been gone for a while, which made Harry anxious. He hoped Louisa wasn’t having second thoughts about him, even though she’d never done anything to make him think so. She was the kindest and loveliest. Louisa walked downstairs once she was no longer red faced. Harry immediately got to his feet, and they said quick goodbyes before piling back into the car. He noticed that something was different, though. “Miss?” He mumbled. “Harry,” she said evenly. She had to ask him now before she made things any more awkward than they needed to be. “Do you think you’re ready for sex?” He took a deep breath. He really wasn’t expecting her to be so blunt but here they were. “Yes,” he stammered immediately, not wanting her to think he wasn’t ready, because he was. He really was. He was just really nervous about if he’d be good at it. He probably wouldn’t be and he didn’t want to be a disappointment. “Good,” Louisa smiled as she pulled up to her garage. She got out of the car, waiting for Harry to join her before taking his large hand in hers, leading him inside without another word. She could sense his anxiety and she was more than willing to kiss it away. Harry gulped when Louisa pushed him down on the bed until he was on his back, looking up at his dominant. “Miss,” he breathed softly, feeling himself slowly start to become aroused. It didn’t take long for him, especially not when such a beautiful woman was on top of him. It was a first for him. Louisa tugged his t shirt over his head with a little help, throwing it aside once Harry’s chest was visible. His body was lean, as she had expected, but firm. “Are you a runner?” she quizzed, taking in the smattering of moles all over his skin, small dots here and there. She wanted to memorise them all. “Yes, I ran track in school,” Harry explained, swallowing hard again. He practically had a raging boner and she’d hardly touched him yet. “Very nice,” she complimented, licking her lips as she unbuttoned and unzipped his jeans, tugging them down his legs, along with his boxers in one go. She watched as Harry’s cock slapped up against his stomach, hard and ready for her. “You look delectable,” Louisa murmured, taking his length in her hand. He was uncircumcised, with a good girth and the length wasn’t bad either. She moved her hand up and down slowly, looking deep into his green eyes as she stroked him. She wanted to take in every little thing about him. Harry trembled at the sudden pleasure coursing through him. Her touch was perfect, not too light but not too firm, and it was overwhelming. “Miss,” he pleaded, not sure if he wanted release or for her to stop. He was in overdrive. “Do you need to come?” She asked softly. “You can if you want, you’ll be coming again later.” She knew he needed her permission, and she gave it. She could never deny the beautiful creature that was her sub. Harry nodded frantically and gave a choked off moan when she speeded up, her thumb rubbing his tip every time her hand went up, precome weeping from it. He bucked up his hips hard, shooting thick ropes across her hand. He’d masturbated before, of course, but the pleasure was a lot more intense when it wasn’t his hand on his cock, and he was left feeling like mush. Louisa caught his come in her other hand so that it wouldn’t make a mess, pumping him through his orgasm. His moans, the look on his face, and his involuntary movements were enough to make her feel rather aroused herself. Reminding herself she needed to comfort him, she kissed his cheek and told him to stay right there. She went to wash her hands and was back in a minute. Harry opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, panting softly. He looked over to Louisa when she came back in. “Miss, please may I undress you?” He asked, acting on instinct again. His release had him on a high. Thinking would only make him nervous again. “Of course, sweetie,” she smiled encouragingly, staying still while he sat up and tugged her t shirt over her head, looking down at her bra for a few seconds before reaching around to unclip it. Louisa threw it to the floor while Harry took off her jeans. Louisa stepped out of them and shimmied out of her panties, standing in front of him bare naked. She could see the admiration and hunger in his pretty green eyes. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his eyes taking in every inch of her body. She wasn’t thin like the models everywhere. Her stomach was soft but mostly flat and her hips were rounded. Her breasts were medium sized, but still they were perfect to him. Louisa blushed only a little, knowing it was important for her to take control here. She was the dominant. It was her job. She pushed him back down onto his back and straddled his hips, pressing her wet cunt to his soft cock. She just needed some contact, she was painfully aroused for him, because of him. Harry let loose a soft moan at the feeling of her soft and wet pussy against his dick. He could feel himself filling up again. “Mistress,” he breathed, before he realised what he was saying. Louisa ground her swollen clitoris down on his cock, giving herself some pleasurable friction, smirking when she felt him get hard again. If her precious Harry wanted a mistress, he would get a mistress. “Do you like me being your mistress, Harry? Should I ride you, take you deep inside me, make you come again?” Harry whimpered at her words. “Please, Mistress,” he begged, unable to help himself. Her words, her touches, the contact against his now hard cock, they were all making it so hard to form coherent thoughts. Louisa pulled away only a little to slide a condom onto his length. “That’ll do,” she mused to herself, gripping his cock at the base, and changing positions to slowly take him inside her. Harry was holding his breath. Her cunt was so wet and warm and tight he felt that he was going to come in seconds. He didn’t want to be selfish. He wanted her to come before he did this time, but it was so difficult to hold back. Louisa lowered herself until she had his entire length inside her, rocking back and forth and moaning at the feeling of his cock rubbing right against her g spot. The angle was working wonders for her, but part of it was definitely his shape and size. She could tell Harry was having a hard time controlling himself from his orgasm, so she rubbed her clit rapidly as she rocked, wanting to come with him. “You can come,” Louisa reassured him with a moan of her own. She could feel him let loose as he released into the condom. She pinched her clit and rocked rapidly against his cock, clenching hard around his length, and milking his orgasm further until she came. Harry whined weakly, exhausted after that. He couldn’t believe what was happening. His thoughts had completely left the building, and he was left feeling very spacey. He felt like a sub. The sub he was always meant to be. Louisa got off of him and took off his condom, tying it and throwing it away. She cleaned up a little and pulled on a little slip that barely covered her ass, climbing in bed next to her floaty sub. She didn’t bother initiating conversation, knowing her sub just needed rest and would be fine tomorrow. Harry turned to her with glassy eyes, smiling when she kissed his cheek and pulled him close to her. He closed his eyes, floating into the world of dreams, happiest he’d ever been.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry’s sleepy green eyes blinked open when he felt an increasing pressure on his bladder. He opened them in cracks, peering around the room. It was morning, he could tell. He felt warm and the sun was out, but they were protected by the curtains. He tried moving, but there was some resistance from the dominant plastered to his side. Louisa laid on his right, her hands holding his arm, her head on his shoulder and her leg thrown over his legs to keep him in place. She was fast asleep, her breath fanning across Harry’s neck. Harry couldn’t quite see her face from the angle, so he gently tried extricating himself, accidentally brushing his crotch against her leg. He was a man, and he had morning wood on most days. He groaned softly at the friction, gasping softly when he actually got a look at what Louisa was wearing. On her side, her breasts were close together and framed by the lace of her slip. He could even see the outlines of her nipples, gulping hard to himself. His eyes travelled lower, taking in the curve of her waist and her round hip, where the slip ended, her bare legs falling together, one knee in front of the other. Harry could practically see the outline of her ass- and what an ass it was. Round, perky, big. Would it bounce? He swallowed hard at the thought. Oh well, he had a raging boner now, and one he couldn’t ignore. He desperately wanted to touch himself, but it was wrong to do so without his dominant’s permission, so he pressed his hand down on his cock, only then realising he was naked, remembering everything that happened last night. He was no longer a virgin. They had sex and it had been amazing. He was aware that he was extremely hard. He tried getting out of bed so that he could go to the bathroom, even though he had no idea how he was going to actually be able to relieve himself with such a raging hard on. “Mmgh,” Louisa groaned and moved a little when she felt the bed dip. Harry turned back around to look at her, taking in her body again. God, he could barely control himself. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, squinting a little. “Miss,” Harry panted softly, cheeks flushed, and curls matted with sleep, but body alert. He needed attention, specifically hers. “Everything alright?” she mumbled sleepily, stretching a little, not even noticing Harry’s eyes following the hem of her slip riding up her body to reveal her pink cunt, then her hip bones and her belly button. She raised an eyebrow when her eyes finally landed upon his crotch. “Miss. Please may I touch myself?” Harry asked, squirming with need. He couldn’t bear it; she looked like a wet dream. All of the blood rushing downstairs had his head swimming. She sat up, very awake now. Her sub needed her. “Of course, Harry, but wouldn’t it be better if I touched you instead, hm?” she asked knowingly, smirking only slightly. She wasn’t sleepy at all anymore. “Of course, Miss,” he stuttered out quickly. “B-but I also need to pee. I c-can’t if I’m hard.” He really should’ve felt embarrassed, but his whole body was just full of need. “Oh baby,” Louisa sympathised. “Come on, we’ll go to the bathroom first. I don’t think you’ll be able to hold it once you’ve come.” Harry nodded pitifully and went to the bathroom, Louisa behind him. “Stand over the loo, then.” Harry lifted up the toilet seat and stood there, gulping when Louisa came up to his side and wrapped her hand around his cock lightly. “Is that alright?” She asked gently, always gently. “Yes Miss,” he hissed as she started to move her hand up and down slowly. Her grip was still light, and for that he was glad. Any tighter and it would hurt quite a bit. He was far too sensitive for anything more. He looked into his Dominant’s eyes as she twisted her wrist around his length. His heart was hammering a rock drum beat in his chest. Louisa looked up at him easily, her hand moving faster. Harry gave a small choked off groan, physically unable to keep silent. “You can come when you’re ready,” Louisa gave him permission, “although I bet it’ll be soon. You’re so hard, baby.” He was considerably harder than last night. Harry panted softly, rocking his hips subconsciously back and forth to meet the motion of her hand. His body knew what it needed without him having to think about it. She gave a devilish grin. “If you like my hand this much, imagine how good my mouth will be,” Louisa teased, thumbing his weeping tip. The next thing Harry knew he was shooting his load. Louisa stroked him gently through it, totally expecting that. She’d really teased him a bit too far there with that remark. As soon as he’d come Harry couldn’t hold in his pee anymore, groaning in relief. The look on his face made Louisa giggle softly. “You’re perfect,” she told him with a fond bob of her head, washing her hand at the basin and starting to brush her teeth. None of this made her feel awkward in the slightest. He was her sub and she had taken care of him. Honestly, she felt quite accomplished. It took Harry a minute to gather his wits, looking to her with loopy eyes and a smile as he flushed the toilet and stood beside her, washing up and picking up his own toothbrush. They watched each other in the mirror as they brushed their teeth, Harry smiling around his toothbrush the whole time. Now that he was sated, the sight of his Dominant in the tiny slip was less sexual and more of a sight to softly admire, a different feast for his eyes. Louisa finished first and pulled on shorts under her slip. “I do have to go in to work today, so thank you for that amazing start to the day.” Harry blushed. “I wish I could’ve returned the favour Miss,” he said after rinsing his mouth. Louisa put her hair up, looking at him with a cheeky glint in her eye. Only if she could take him up on the offer now without being supremely late for work. “You can, but maybe later hm? How does tonight sound?” “Really good,” Harry choked out. He would actually be hard again if he hadn’t just come five minutes ago. Louisa chuckled softly. “Never thought the morning after would be this fun.” *** After eating breakfast with Harry, Louisa went to work, making sure he had plenty to occupy himself with while she was working. She introduced him to her cook, her cleaning lady and her driver before leaving, dressed in boots and another lovely dress from Cashmere Boutique. Harry spent the day in the house alone, spending some time in each room, just taking it all in, that he was now living here. He found the lounge and sat down on the armchair, turning the TV on. After watching an hour of The Simpsons, he felt more at home, going upstairs to unpack everything completely. He’d been putting it off for the past two days, but he didn’t want Louisa thinking he was lazy, so he put on some soft oldies tunes and got to it after lunch, which the cook had prepared earlier in the day before leaving him to his privacy. Harry decided that he would make a nice dinner for Louisa. He was sure she’d have a long day at work, and he wanted to make her feel taken care of, like a sub was supposed to do for his dominant. He remembered Niall telling him how much Louisa loved chicken, so he checked the freezer and found some. He left it to thaw, checking his phone. Louisa had texted him that she would be home at seven and couldn’t wait to see him. Harry checked the time, heading to the gym to get a workout in before cooking. He got onto the treadmill and ran for a good twenty or so minutes, sweating profusely by the time he was done. He decided to shower, then got dressed in cute pyjamas and started on dinner, humming to himself while he waited for his dominant to return. He knew, he’d soon be taking university classes, so he wanted to pay as much attention to his Dom as he could right now. And so, he cooked with love for his love.

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Louisa thanked her driver for the day when he finally pulled up to the house, dismissing him for the night and stepping out of the car, walking inside with her heels clicking against the tiled floor. She could smell something lovely, something delicious, before she saw anything. She called out Harry’s name, stepping to the kitchen after toeing off her uncomfortable footwear. Harry was poking his head into the fridge, checking the ice dispenser. He turned at the sound of his name, blushing. “Oh miss!” Louisa giggled slightly and moved forward in her bare feet to kiss his dimpled red cheek. “Hi there, how is it going?” Harry nodded. “Good, good. Um, I made dinner. Chicken is obviously involved, since I know you like it, Miss.” “Thank you. Shall we eat, then?” Louisa put her briefcase on one of the stools at the kitchen counter. “I’ll just get the plates.” Harry set the counter, quickly but still making sure it looked neat. “Miss, what would you like to drink?” Louisa thought about it for a few seconds. “Hm, I’ll take a red wine. I’ll go look in the pantry and pick one.” She opened the door and stepped inside, looking through the many bottles before choosing one. “This’ll do.” Harry found a red wine glass and a tumbler for him in the cabinet and got himself an ice water. Louisa poured herself her wine and sat down to eat, taking a small bite of her chicken with the fresh salad. “This is good. Now I know why you want to go to culinary school.” Harry grinned, proud of himself. “Thank you miss,” he preened. Cooking for his dominant was one of his most important duties as a submissive, and he took great interest in it. They ate whilst talking about the food, and Louisa could see how her gangly sub lit up whenever he talked about cooking. “Well, you sure put my cooking skills to complete shame,” Louisa chuckled once her plate and wine glass were both empty. “I thought I’d picked up some good enough skills to get by in case the chef absconded. But no. No sir. I have been outdone. Outdone so hard that I’m level one and you’re level 100.” She loaded on the compliments and praise that her sub deserved. Harry blushed and laughed at that. Listening to praise from his dominant gave him a warm and pleasant feeling in his stomach. He decided he would try to make her happy all the time. It was maybe slightly selfish because it made him happy, too. “I will cook for you whenever you want, Miss. All you have to do is ask.” Louisa nodded. “I’ll take you up on that offer. But for now, I think I’ll take a shower. I’ve had a long day.” She pecked his cheek and went up to their room and shed her clothes before starting the water, feeling the hot water soothe and relax her stressed and overworked muscles. Harry stayed in the kitchen and put the wine bottle back in its rightful place very carefully. He knew this wine collection was probably more expensive than all the money he’d ever seen before in his life put together, and he didn’t want to accidentally drop anything. He closed the pantry door and cleaned up the counter, did the dishes one by one and put them in their rightful places. He checked the time and headed up to the bedroom to see if Louisa was done with her shower. Louisa towelled off and stepped into the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of granny panties to wear. They were comfortable, sue her. She looked up when she heard a soft gasp, seeing her sub standing there with his eyes wide. She giggled softly. “You feeling alright love?” Harry cleared his throat roughly. He wasn’t yet used to seeing a naked woman in front of him, and most definitely not a woman to whom he was incredibly attracted. “Miss,” he said, voice small. Louisa tugged her panties up her legs and into place, walking towards him, her breasts still uncovered, moving with her steps. Harry couldn’t stop looking at them. “It’s okay,” she reassured him, “you can look all you want.” She wasn’t shy about her body, and even if she had been, how could anyone feel anything but honoured when the eyes on them were so full of need? Harry’s entire face was a colour closely resembling a ripe tomato as he nodded shyly. “You’re very beautiful, Miss. Breathtaking, really.” Louisa smirked slightly. “Oh, you’re not bad, either. You’re gorgeous.” Harry’s skin started going towards the colour of apples. He couldn’t stop looking at her. Her skin looked soft and smooth, and by touching it last night, he knew it was. He gasped to himself as he remembered the morning, realising he was supposed to do something very important tonight. She noticed the change in his body language. “What’s on your mind?” Louisa coaxed, touching his arm gently. “I-um, we talked about it this morning,” he spoke hesitantly. “And I want to be good at it, at pleasuring you-“ “Ah,” she interrupted him, “that. Don’t worry about that. I’ll help you; I’ll tell you what to do. You don’t have to worry about your performance in bed with me. You haven’t disappointed me so far.” He bowed his head gently, showing his submission. “But it won’t be as good for you if you have to tell me what to do, Miss.” “I have so much to teach you,” she said fondly, petting his slightly stubbled cheek. The slight roughness was something she enjoyed. “But don’t you worry, I will help you be your best. I actually like being your first. All of your firsts.” Harry felt considerably better after hearing that. Slightly hesitant to make the first move, he leaned down slowly to meet her lips with his own, kissing her softly. He wasn’t sure if he would have been able to do this with any other dominant. He could feel her smiling against his mouth, then move her lips against his expertly. She was so good at kissing. Louisa leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him gently, but added passion into it as it continued, daring to lick over his lips before pulling back, just to check if he was feeling alright. Harry was panting for breath. That was so hot. “Miss.” “Let’s get in bed,” she suggested, “and we can take this further.” Harry nodded eagerly as she took his hand in her smaller one and tugged him to the bed. He went willingly, sitting and looking up at her. “Just follow your instincts,” Louisa reminded him, straddling his lap, smiling down at him when she felt his hands on her hips. They were large and soft. “That’s it, now keep going and stop thinking so much. Do what you feel like doing.” Harry initiated another kiss, this time hot, breathy, and open-mouthed. All coherent thought had flown out of the window, and he was running on pure instinct. He squeezed her hips with his hands, sliding up her sides to the sides of her ribs. He hesitated for a moment against her mouth, unsure of whether he should proceed, but Louisa snogged him harder and wiggled slightly, silently encouraging him to keep going. Harry groaned into her mouth and cupped her breasts in his hands, just feeling them. They were soft yet firm and the right size to hold. Louisa pulled back to breathe. “Good, you’re doing good so far,” she panted softly, her lips swollen and pink. Harry groaned again, squeezing her breasts very lightly, then doing it again. “Go on, have a nice grope.” Harry surprised her by what he did next. He rubbed and lightly pinched her nipple between his index and middle fingers, moving them up and down. Louisa didn’t remember the last time someone had taken their time on her like this, appreciated every part of her available to them, and that was making her weak. She didn’t interrupt him, letting him run free since he was breaking out of his shell for the first time. He squeezed her breast again, feeling his dominant’s eyes on him, although he couldn’t quite stop looking at her perfect globes. “Use your mouth,” she told him softly. He reached down immediately to place his lips around her nipple, sucking lightly. “That’s it,” Louisa hissed. “Now poke out your tongue and rub, but still keep the suction.” She couldn’t quite hold back the moan when he followed instruction. Gods, his mouth was hot. Harry pulled back once the nipple he’d been working on was a hardened nub, licking over his lips wetly before moving to the other. This time he was hungrier for it, more insistent, which had Louisa squirming and tugging on his glorious curls. When he pulled back to breathe and looked up at her with his green blown out eyes, he was met with a similar sapphire gaze. Louisa pushed him down on his back and got in top of him, her legs straddling him. She was more than ready to have his mouth on her. “Right, shall we, then.” She rolled to her side slightly and tugged off her panties, scooting over to his head, straddling him slowly, carefully, until his head was placed between her legs. She looked down at him, slowly lowering onto his open mouth. Harry licked her up and down immediately, wasting no time. He knew the basics, and he was eager. “That’s it, good boy,” Louisa groaned. “Okay now wiggle your tongue, probe gently, focus on the clit.” She moaned out loudly when he pushed his tongue into her almost halfway then pulled it back out. He knew more than he’d let on. “Fuck, yes.” Spurred on by her sounds, Harry moved his mouth higher slightly, flattening his tongue against her clit, moving it up and down quickly. He could feel it hardening. “Yes, good,” Louisa breathed, more air than sound. She rocked her hips slightly to get a faster pace, wetness coating her core. Harry moved down to her opening again, sliding his tongue over it a few times to get her taste before pushing in again. “Move it in and out,” Louisa squeaked out. She wasn’t sure if she was loud enough for him to hear her, but when he fucked her with his tongue, she almost fell over. She grabbed a fistful of his curls, her other hand clutching a pillow as she tried to stay upright. His mouth was simply divine. Harry, even more determined, moved back up to her clit. He’d heard that this little nub was the secret to pleasuring women, especially by sucking on it. He wrapped his lips around it and sucked hard. Louisa almost buckled over, panting for breath. Gods, he was good. She wondered if he’d been talking to experienced people or reading about it. Heck, she didn’t remember the last time someone gave her a good oral. Harry remembered what she’d told him while sucking on her nipple, to poke it with his tongue as he sucked, repeating the action here, and it worked. She gave a shout of his name, tugging on his hair hard as her thighs trembled and closed around Harry’s head as she let loose. He felt some of her essence drip down to his chin, unwrapping his lips from the trembling bud and running his tongue over it to catch her sweet salty taste as much as he could. Louisa sat down beside him once she’d caught her breath. “Fuck, Harry, you’re so good.” Harry looked up at her, his face glinting wetly. “Thank you miss.” Before he could say any more, he felt her hand on him, shoved into his pants, palming his leaking hard on. He groaned and bucked his hips, his eyes never leaving his dominant as she tugged his pants down and freed his cock, kissing his weeping tip, taking her first taste of him. Harry groaned and stared at the ceiling in any hopes of holding off for any longer than a minute. If his eyes landed on her again, especially her breasts, he would be a goner. He felt her mouth envelop his tip, then move down slowly. He focused on keeping still; he didn’t want to buck up his hips and accidentally choke her, or worse. Louisa slid her mouth down his length, feeling him at the back of her throat, before coming back up to his tip. She slowly bobbed her head, looking up at him. She was enjoying it a lot more than she ever had before. Harry decided to chance a glance down at her, almost losing it as soon as he did. Her eyes were blown sapphires and her pretty pink mouth was stretched around his girth. He could see the outline of his cock fill her cheeks. Before he knew what was happening, he was coming. Louisa pulled off as the come started filling her mouth, holding his base with one hand and the other under his tip, collecting his release. Once he was pliant and going soft in her grip, Louisa got to her feet and went to the bathroom to clean up, rinsing her mouth and washing her hands before walking back to her loopy sub in bed, who was looking at her like she was an angel. He opened his mouth to speak. “That was a nice tutorial.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry slept like a baby again. It probably had something to do with the sexual activity. It wasn’t like he was doing much, though, just following his dominant like a puppy. He had been worried that she would get a bit frustrated that he didn’t know anything, but she’d actually been beyond sweet about it. He didn’t know how the hell he’d gotten so lucky. His dominant was perfect. Literally perfect. And not just physically. Sure, she had a lovely body and a beautiful face but the way she treated him was what he was falling hard for. He woke up and slowly climbed out of bed without waking Louisa up. He cleaned up in the bathroom and tiptoed downstairs, into the kitchen. He wanted to cook her breakfast again just like the previous morning, but he heard her coming down, the sound of her house slippers against the stairs, while he was still getting out the pots and pans. “Good morning,” Louisa grinned, still looking a little sleepy, leaning up to kiss his dimpled cheek. “I’ll order something, I don’t want my submissive slogging away in the kitchen every day for me.” “I don’t mind,” Harry shrugged. “But if that’s what you want, miss.” She typed some things into her phone and ordered some breakfast sandwiches, proceeding to start the kettle. “I can’t get too used to your cooking; you know. You’ll start university at a point and then you’ll be busy, we’ll have to get the cook here more often if I’m also busy. Which also reminds me, we have to look at universities. March is when they start taking new applicants, I think.” “I would love to,” Harry smiled softly, getting two mugs and tea bags. “I am very excited to be studying at culinary school. I even shortlisted a few programmes I like, and they’re right here, in London. I don’t know about how many submissives enrol but I really like them.” “I don’t mind if you’re the only one in the class who’s a submissive,” Louisa said, shrugging, “but I believe that you probably won’t be. London is a hub for the progressive.” She would make sure any dominant who even looked at Harry wrong was penalised. Harry slid her tea mug across to her and Louisa proceeded to take a sip. “I have to go to work, and I’ll be gone like yesterday, so what are you going to be busying yourself with?” “I thought of calling Niall?” Harry suggested. “If that’s okay, miss.” “That’s fine with me, he would love to hang out with you,” Louisa chuckled. “That boy is so loud. Have fun with him, but not too fun. I want to have fun with you tonight, too.” She really was shameless. Harry blushed, nodding. “Of course, miss.” *****Louisa left for work after giving Harry a big smooch and absolutely ruining her lip gloss, and Harry called Niall once his heart had stopped thumping wildly. Niall answered after a few rings and was ecstatic that Harry had called. “Why don’t we hang out at the mall? I have to get some things, anyway. Let me come pick you up in an hour. We’ll roam around and we can have lunch later.” Harry agreed and cleaned up in the kitchen a little, washing their mugs and plates before taking a shower and pulling on a pair of skinny jeans and a short sleeved black t shirt, brushing his hair a little. Niall played Justin Bieber the whole way to the mall, which made Harry chuckle. Sure, Harry loved popstars as much as the next guy, but he was more into older pop than the latest hits. They went to so many shops that Harry lost count. Niall was buying things left and right. Most of them were for Liam or for their home, like a really gorgeous blue silk tie or some fairy lights to hang up in their lounge. They ended up settling for the Burger King in the food court in the mall for lunch. Niall ate twice as much as Harry, which boggled him. “I always eat a lot, you saw it that day, mate.” Harry chuckled. “I still don’t get where it all goes.” He didn’t even have a tummy. Outrageous. Niall winked. “That’s my superpower. Washboard abs no matter what I eat.” After eating they were both too full to move so they sat there, and Niall was starting to get to the naughty topics of conversation. He was curious and didn’t give two hoots about propriety. “So, how’s the sex?” he asked bluntly. Harry looked flushed. “Well, it’s good,” he said. “We only did it once, but we’ve been doing lots of other things. She likes that I don’t really have any experience. She wants to be all of my firsts.” Niall cooed. “That’s so adorable I might even feel sick with the cuteness. And how are you finding sub life?” “I am going to be going to culinary school in September, so I still have a few months. I’m just wondering what I’m supposed to do till then. I can’t just stay at home everyday while Miss goes off to work. It gets boring. I busied myself yesterday, but I was so bored that I had to get out. I love my quiet time, but I need to be out and about, you know?” Niall chuckled loudly, with not a single care of who heard. “Well, that’s good that you’re studying. It’s important. Maybe you could take up a hobby and learn a skill? They have online classes for almost everything these days if not proper training.” “What do you do, when you get bored?” “Well, I take guitar classes. I have a class down at the Music Academy, I take advanced training one on one. But that’s it. I meet like two students a day, go for a couple of hours. I can schedule them whenever I want so it’s not too difficult. I have two classes at 3 today. But like, I didn’t go to music school or anything. I’ve been playing since I was a kid. I’ve just always loved the guitar.” “Wow, that’s so impressive,” Harry said in awe. “That sounds really cool, actually. I might sign up for guitar lessons if Miss agrees.” “She wouldn’t refuse you a single thing, young Harold,” Niall chuckled. Niall dropped Harry home before going to teach his class. Harry found the laundry room and checked the instruction leaflets properly, then got Louisa’s and his own clothes from the hamper, putting a load in the washer. It was too early to work out and he had nothing to do. He put on some music on his phone and danced like a maniac to it while the washer did its job, moving them to the dryer and then taking them to the ironing board. He hadn’t washed any special items this time, since he hadn’t talked to Miss about laundry yet and he didn’t want to overstep. She had the loveliest silk and satin nightwear, and he didn’t want to mess it up by washing it wrong. Harry worked out, showered and then made dinner for himself and his dominant, throwing together a simple but delicious pasta dish with some more chopped up chicken that he’d pan roasted first. He was shaking his ass to the music while he cooked, stopping when he heard the door open. He turned the music down till it was only background, getting the plates. “Harry?” Louisa called out, coming into the kitchen barefoot. Her feet were throbbing and all she wanted was to sit down without her heels, which was why she’d kicked them off as soon as the door was open. “Oh, there you are.” Harry grinned at her, putting the plates down on the counter. “Good evening, Miss. The food is ready, would you like some wine or anything?” Louisa leaned over the counter to try and give him a kiss, but he was too tall, and she only came up to his shoulder, giggling. “Come over here so I can kiss you.” Harry leaned over the counter and kissed her lips, bending over further so that she wouldn’t have to reach over too much. The kiss was soft, sweet, and long, so by the time they pulled back, his lips were tingling. He liked it, though. “I will go and get a nice bottle; do you want some too?” Louisa asked, going to the walk in and pulling out a bottle of red wine. She could smell the pasta he was heaping onto their plates, and it would be a good pairing. “I could try some, Miss,” Harry agreed, getting the red wine glasses, and sitting down at the counter, watching Louisa pour the wine and place the bottle down carefully, sitting down next to him. They were close enough for their knees to be touching. Louisa clinked glasses with him and took a sip. “That’s good.” She grinned and took a forkful of spaghetti, eating it. “This is amazing, Harry.” He preened and started eating. These small compliments gave him the confidence he needed to seriously pursue culinary studies. He had this dream of starting his own restaurant or eatery someday. Really, he’d be happy with having a food truck or something small, but he didn’t know if it would pan out, because he had a dominant now. He was thankful to be getting the chance at studying at one of the best institutes in the first place. Harry told Louisa about his day over food, and she was more than happy to hear all about it. She had boring days at work sometimes. Her head would constantly be buried into financial statements and speaking to accountants for the next two months. The end of the financial year was coming up and work was starting to become a bitch. It was like this every year. Things would hopefully calm down around mid-April. “You really should learn the guitar,” she smiled, kissing his cheek, and getting to her feet. “Niall is a great teacher, and I’ve heard good things about the institute, too. But I don’t think you should continue the guitar classes once your university classes start. I don’t want my sub all exhausted.” Harry blushed and agreed with her, starting on the cleaning up. She had a point. Not only was she his dominant, but she was older. She had more life experience. “I’ll go shower and get dressed, come up to the bedroom once you’re done here,” Louisa said, going upstairs. Harry watched her go up the stairs. He could see her lovely ass moving a little with her, swallowing hard. He was going to get hard if he started drooling over it now. He scrubbed the pot and gave it his full attention, but he was done with everything quickly, walking upstairs. He texted his mother and told her everything was fine just to distract himself from sexual thoughts, but then he heard the shower still running, and Louisa was humming something he couldn’t quite make out. He was suddenly tempted to take a peek, since the door was open, but he was scared to overstep. What if she punished him? They hadn’t even talked about punishments yet, which they really should have. His throat went dry as he stood up, about to peek into the bathroom, when he heard the water stop. He froze in the doorway, unmoving. Louisa, completely oblivious, towelled herself dry, spotting Harry in the mirror. “Harry? What are you doing?” He didn’t say anything, blushing like a tomato. Louisa tiptoed to him, completely naked but now dry. “Do you want a shower?” Harry was too busy staring to form words. “Okay,” she laughed at his silence, ruffling his hair, reaching up to touch it. “Come on.” She went to the bed directly, not bothering to put on any clothes. Harry followed her like a puppy, almost drooling at the view. Her ass looked downright amazing. He didn’t even know he had a thing for ass until he saw hers, and it was godly. Louisa laid down in bed, looking up at him. “Get in.” Harry blushed and scooted onto the bed, laying down next to her. Louisa suddenly climbed on top of him, straddling him. “Mm I see you’re raring to go.” She could feel his hard on. “We’re going to try so many things.” Harry’s face was already flushed. He only nodded, licking over his drying lips. He was in for a long night, and he could barely wait.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

All Harry could focus on was Louisa’s breasts hanging in front of him. He really should’ve maintained eye contact with her, but the enticing globes had him in a trance. It was like he was hypnotised. “Harry, baby,” she said sweetly, looking at him. She could tell where his attention had wandered off to. “Do you want another touch?” He gulped, embarrassed he’d been caught, looking back up into her eyes. “Sorry, miss.” Louisa let her mouth rise in a lopsided smirk. She could see his chest rising and falling in anticipation. “Am I scaring you, my sweet pet?” The cute little nickname made him shake his head fast enough to make the top of his curls bob. “No, you could never,” he said honestly. He truly believed it. She leaned in to his ear, as if what she was going to whisper was a secret. “I’m wondering if you’re a tits or ass man. I’m not sure yet, you’ve spent time staring at both in the past ten minutes.” He softly panted for breath. She noticed everything. She knew he’d been ogling her. She continued, a hand on his chest. “I kind of like it, though. The hunger in your eyes.” She paused to place a kiss on his earlobe. “There’s something about it. You’re not shy about desiring me and yet you’re perfectly respectful. You ogle me because I let you. Because I said it’s okay.” He nodded again, agreeing with her. She pulled back from his ear after another chaste kiss that made him jolt. “You can look at me whenever you want. If you want or need a touch, a kiss, you can tell me. In the privacy of our home, we can do as we please. You don’t have to wait for me to initiate. You have desires, too. Yours are even rawer and more primal than mine. With me, you can always express yourself openly. I hope you can.” It took Harry a minute to find his words. Louisa waited patiently, sitting up a little on her knees. “I don’t know what I was expecting after I was paired, but it wasn’t this. Even when I was very young, everyone had always known I’d be a sub. I showed all of the traits, and nobody was surprised when it was confirmed. I didn’t rebel against it, because I found there to be nothing negative about having this place in life. When I started learning more about what it’s like out there, for submissives, I did feel worried. I didn’t know anything about who I’d be paired with. What if my Dom wanted me to stay home? What if I wasn’t allowed to speak unless spoken to? What if I had to cut off all contact with my family? These are all such common practices and Dominants just exact them harshly, without much consideration for their sub’s feelings. But you’re not like that.” His voice softened at the end. Louisa’s eyes were soft. She thumbed his cheek very gently. “I will never be like that, Harry. I don’t want to be. I don’t give a flying fuck what the government might think about that. I am your Dominant, which means I decide how I treat you. And this is precisely how I want to treat you. I want you to be happy. So happy. I want you to chase your dream and accomplish everything you’ve ever wanted. If you want to become a pastry chef, become a pastry chef. If you want to work in a professional kitchen at a restaurant, if you want to start your own fast-food truck. The world is your oyster. You’re eighteen, your whole life is ahead of you, and I can’t get in the way of that. “We learn about how submissives support our lives, how they make our homes and keep us fed. How they wait for us and have a warm meal ready, our houses cleaned and proper, beds made, everything made up just the way we like, so that when we go home after a terrible day at work, we can relax. But isn’t it our jobs to support you too? We bring in the money and somehow that’s equal to the housework you don’t even get paid for. We ask for sex, and you offer it without hesitation. We’re allowed to punish you if you do anything wrong. We’re allowed to reject you, kick you out of our homes, treat you like absolute crap, and you’re supposed to take it. I think the fuck not,” she said angrily. “Miss,” he said gently, resting a large paw over the hand that was caressing his face. He could sense her distress and felt the need to comfort her. It didn’t even have anything to do with their relationship. He would always comfort anyone who could use it. She softened again. The size difference between their hands always made her giggle. “Here we are, naked, and I’m rambling.” She shook her head at herself. “Sorry, I got carried away. The point was, you can do what you want when it’s just us, sexual or otherwise.” He shook his head. “I got to know more of you, and that’s important to me.” She got off of him and sat down next to him, covering herself up with the sheets. “You’re right. This is about us discovering each other.” “I’m also discovering myself,” he said lightly, turning onto his side so that he could see her. He needed to see her. He’d missed her all day. “I didn’t know many things about, um, my preferences, so to speak.” “Are you both a tits and ass man, then?” she teased. He turned on the charm effortlessly. “I’m a you man, miss, all the way through. I am honoured to appreciate every part of you if you will let me. If there is something you aren’t comfortable with, I can take a no. I am still the sub in this relationship, and that’s how I want it to be. I will take your direction.” “I don’t even know what I would’ve done if I’d never met you. Nothing about my life would’ve changed. I’d never even been matched before I got the phone call. If they say their system is perfect, I might just start being a believer, because this really makes sense to me,” she admitted. “Us together, it feels so right. I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if you’d been paired to someone else, someone who couldn’t treat you right.” Harry tried to keep his voice aloof. “Most likely I’d never go to culinary school in that case. By the time I realised it was something I wanted, I was old enough to know it may never happen, because my Dom would decide that about my life. It was likely that I’d be matched and accepted in the first go, because of the rejection rate.” It was common. Doms would reject subs once they were done having their fun with them, and the Bureau had no problems in pairing them to a new sub. Many were known to go through subs like they meant nothing, even though there were other ways to satisfy the needs these Doms were using them for. The Bureau simply wouldn’t accept having unnecessary unpaired adults roaming around, causing a nuisance to their picture of a perfect society. Louisa looked like her mind was far away. Harry reached out and touched her arm, drawing her attention back to him. “Miss, is everything alright? Would you like me to make you a cup of chamomile tea to help you sleep? I could give you a foot rub,” he offered. “Or a massage, although I’m not sure how good I’d be at that. I’ve never given anyone a massage before.” Her mood lifted. “A massage? Would that involve you touching me all over, my little sub?” Her sub was hardly little, especially right next to her, but he was hers. “It would involve whatever you want and anything you will allow,” he said boldly. “I was planning on touching you all over,” she hummed, “while I finally got to ride you. When you were inside me last time, it was your first time and if I’d started riding you then, you would’ve been far too sensitive to enjoy it the way that I want you to.” “I’ll do anything you want,” he said shamelessly. It was the absolute truth. Even if it was something he’d never heard of, he’d try it for her, irrespective of her domination over him. He would do it because of how she made him feel. “A bit too early for overstimulation,” she chuckled, kissing his cheek. “All in good time.” She would be lying if she said she didn’t love how eager he was. “For now, I want to commence my earlier plan. Undress for me, sub.” Coming from her, even the most common and casual of a dominant’s words sounded so different. It didn’t sound like a command. It sounded so soft and gentle in her voice that his inner submissive preened at the tenderness of the attention he was receiving. She licked her lips as she watched him strip fully naked and climb back onto the bed, sitting back on his knees and waiting for her next instruction. “I’d love to explore your back, of course, but let me focus on your front today. I’ll save that ass for another night.” Blushing, he nodded and laid down on his back again, on top of the covers. Not having a stitch of clothing on himself had never been a problem for Harry, but the intensity of his Dominant’s gaze flustered him. He was hyper aware of the soft sheets under his back, his heart thudding in his chest, his cock hard and resting against his lower stomach. “Try to relax,” she guided softly, dropping the sheets from her body, and hovering above her sub once again, trying to pick up from where she had left off, nosing along his collarbone. He lifted his head and presented her neck to him like a good sub, earning a soft groan from her at his willingness. She left a few close-mouthed kisses on some of the skin, watching the paleness pink up a little. She moved lower to reach his chest. “You know, I’ve never been with someone who has more than the standard two nipples,” she joked, running her thumb over one, then the second. Harry gave a slight whimper under his breath. “The, uh, extra ones don’t really do anything for me,” he confessed, then went crimson when he realised the meaning behind his words. “Oh,” Louisa smirked. “These two do something for you?” She rubbed her thumbs against the nubs in slow circles, eliciting a proper moan from him this time. Proud of her accomplishment and making a note of his sensitive nipples for later, she proceeded lower, flattening and dragging her hands across his stomach, till his belly button, stopping there. Harry’s chest heaved up and down in anticipation. The main attraction was right there. He was steadily leaking precome onto his stomach and he couldn’t be bothered to feel self-conscious about it. “I think you won’t last if I take you now, so it’s better that you come once, and we can work from there.” She took his length in her hand, sliding the foreskin back and forth, feeling it fill up even more. “Didn’t think you could get any harder than you already were.” She squeezed his cock slightly and jerked him off slowly, running a hand over his tip and using the precome as lube to make the slide easier. His moans grew animalistic when her hand speeded up, thumbing his tip every few strokes and he was just so close. “Please,” he croaked out weakly, fisting the sheets and struggling to stay still. “Please, miss.” “We’ll work on you using your words to ask for what you want,” she cooed, “but for now I’ll allow this. Go ahead.” Harry drove his heels into the mattress and bucked his hips, achieving release. All he could feel was pleasure coursing through his veins, and his body went taut before melting into the covers, pliant. By the time he came to his senses and blinked his eyes awake, his Dominant was climbing on top of him to wipe at his face, making him realise he’d been sweating. “So lovely,” Louisa praised, her hands all over his chest, just touching and feeling him. “And all mine.” He nodded fervently. “Yours, miss.” She leaned down and gave him a kiss on his parted lips, letting him catch his breath before deepening it, turning into a full-on snog with open mouths and tongues. She slid her tongue into his mouth expertly, tasting him, her fingers in his hair, tugging. She pulled back once neither of them could breathe anymore, moving her hair out of her face while Harry stared at her dopily with a swollen, parted, wet mouth. The sight was almost enough for Louisa to shove two fingers into his hot mouth and feel it around her digits, but instead she chose to rub her thumb against his lips, staring into his wide green eyes. “You’re such a good boy. I want to do absolutely filthy things to you and your wonderful body. Sometimes, I almost forget that you’re new to this. You kiss like you’ve been doing it for years.” “I have kissed people before,” he admitted with pink cheeks, “at school but it never went any further than holding hands or a hug apart from the kissing.” “Were girls swooning over you left, and right?” she asked. “I wouldn’t say swooning,” he flushed, embarrassed. She poked his red cheek. “If you didn’t make me so wet, I’d call you adorable.” His face darkened another shade. “Let me do something for you, miss.” “You’ll need some more time to get hard again, let me teach you how to use these.” She took one of his hands in hers, kissing his knuckles. “I’m wet enough, you don’t need to use lube right now. If I feel like that changes, I’ll let you know.” She laid back and showed him what do to with her own fingers, rubbing herself and slowly pushing in a couple of fingers and pumping them in and out. “Remember, yours will go in deeper than mine because of the angle and the length of your fingers.” He nodded and watched as she pulled her fingers out and spread her legs further so that he could have easier access. He couldn’t help himself, he reached ahead and took her soaked fingers into his mouth, tasting her juices on her hand, daring to look his Dominant in the eye and see the shift in her face. He made a show of licking and sucking, never once breaking eye contact. “Change in plans,” she commanded abruptly, sitting up and pushing him back until he was laying under her once more. “I’m going to take what I want, and you are going to enjoy the ride. You can’t come till I allow it, or I will milk you dry.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I’ll try to make it soon, Liam,” was the first thing Harry heard as he rolled onto his back and stretched, giving a groan. His body felt thoroughly exhausted still. Wasn’t it morning? He shot up in bed, making his dominant giggle. He was supposed to be making breakfast! “Calm down, lovely, just lay back down,” Louisa mused, nudging his shoulder till he was horizontal again. “You had a big night, rest more.” He blinked a few times, looking up at his Dom. She wasn’t dressed yet, still in a satin slip, her hair thrown back in a messy bun. She looked a lot more awake than he felt, his memories of the previous night colouring his pale cheeks. “Oh good, so you remember,” she chuckled, getting out of bed, and going through her wardrobe, the door open. “I’m also kind of sore, to be honest. You have a talent of making me act on instinct and do nasty things to you.” He rubbed his eyes, groaning into a pillow. He’d just woken up and now he was thinking about sex with his Dom again. It was not helping his morning situation. “Now, I know I went a bit too far and you probably need to rest to feel like yourself again, so you don’t need to worry about cooking for me, I already ordered breakfast and the chef will come by to make lunch and dinner. I also heard about you using the gym from the housekeeper, which I think you should take a break from today also. I don’t want you worn out. We’ll do something nice tonight, maybe a relaxing bath.” Louisa prattled on casually, going into the bathroom to do her hair, then getting dressed and grabbing a pair of heels to wear, placing them by the door. Meanwhile, Harry was trying to think of the most unsexy things on the planet in a desperate attempt to dissipate his morning wood. He sat up in bed when he heard her leave the room, covering himself with the sheets. He was aching, but in a good way. Nothing a hot shower wouldn’t fix. He wondered what it would be like if she included his ass into the equation the next time. He was expecting it would hurt. Louisa walked back into the bedroom with a big bag of food. “Do you want to eat in here? I don’t usually allow it, but I think I can make an exception today and the housekeeper will change the sheets later.” Finally making his brain work correctly, Harry spoke. “Sorry, good morning, miss.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Hi. Feeling okay? You’ve been quiet, it made me ramble.” “I’m good, I will get dressed and bring the food down and we can eat at the table,” he offered, getting out of bed. He still had a semi, but he ignored it as he pulled on a t shirt. He looked at the time. His Dom was already an hour late for work. Louisa nodded obliviously and got her briefcase and went downstairs, Harry following with the bag. He could see her hair bounce a little with every step, and he just wanted to touch it, but he kept his hands to himself. She had been very lenient with him last night and hadn’t even punished him for all of the times he’d gone wrong, for which he was repaying her by making her late for work. He was a terrible sub! He tried to plate the food as best he could and got some orange juice, sitting down once Louisa was already eating, taking a hesitant bite. He felt guilty and wanted to apologise, but she was already in a rush. Apologising now would only make her later for work. She finished her food and juice, then gave him a kiss and rushed off to work. She had a lot to do today, but she didn’t mind spending more time with her sub in the morning. He’d needed it and frankly, she’d needed it, too. She’d woken up aching and limping to the bathroom until she’d taken a shower and was feeling a lot less sore. She had more work than she’d let Harry know, leaving the office every day before six thirty so she could have dinner with him. It hadn’t gone unnoticed by everyone at the office, and it was no secret that she’d finally been paired. “Excel spreadsheets are starting to give me a headache,” Louisa complained as she opened the box of lunch that Liam placed on her table before taking a seat in front of her. Most of the junior partners were always trying to stay in Liam’s good books and do him favours, and at least one of them dropped off lunch for him every day. Louisa chose to stay out of the lawyers’ sucking up and had her lunch delivered. “You’re too young to be tired of working in finance, we will crumble,” Liam deadpanned as he took a big bite and leaned back in his chair. “If a name partner leaves so soon, I will get fucked in the ass.” She laughed and poked a piece of chicken, popping it into her mouth. It was a stir fry with veggies and some noodles on the side along with some soup in a flask. “Never knew you to be the one to bend over and ask for it, but hm, maybe for Niall?” she teased. “Sod off,” he grumbled. “You know what I meant.” She flipped him off casually and took another bite before opening the flask and taking a sip of soup. “Want some?” “Unless that’s whisky or a single malt scotch, no.” “You’re in a terrible mood,” she noted. “Want to talk about it? Everything fine at home?” He put down his container of food. “Everything is fine with Niall. You know how he is. Being with him is as easy as breathing. He’s got his work and I’m honestly jealous of him right now. He works like 10 hours a week. We work 10 hours a day,” he said sullenly. “I miss my blondie.” “Is that what this is about, then? You do know you’re name partner? Give a few of your cases to all of the people who keep trying to suck up to you and you’ll cut your work hours,” she shrugged. “It’s not that hard, Li. You don’t need to do everything on your own. There are practically a hundred lawyers who are just dying for the opportunity to show you they deserve to be senior partner. Delegate.” “Everyone is incompetent,” he grumbled, stealing some chicken from Louisa’s box. “But fine, I’ll try. I hate still being in the office when you’ve already left for the day.” Louisa held back a giggle. “Is that what this is about? You miss blondie because I’ve been going home to Harry every night at a reasonable time of the evening?” “I’ve noticed you’ve changed things around to accommodate your sub, and I feel like even with the experience that I have with being in a successful relationship, Niall does more of the adjusting with me than I ever do for him.” “My relationship with Harry isn’t like you and Niall. You two have known each other for the past decade. I don’t have that with Harry yet, and he’s so much younger than I am. It worries me that I might do something wrong. I don’t want to hurt him, that’s why I’m trying so hard. Besides, hanging out here for 14 hours every day was getting so old.” She cracked a grin. “I go home to him because I want to. If I could, I’d go even earlier.” “Is Louisa Tomlinson in love?” Liam laughed. “That’s why you were late this morning.” “I went a bit hard on him last night. Pretty much all of it was new to him and believe me, even I was sore and overslept my alarm. That’s why I was late, you doofus. Don’t make me bring up the times you and Niall went so hard you broke the furniture and each other’s brains. I’m surprised you haven’t broken each other’s dicks yet.” Liam shrugged it off. “We have a healthy sex life. I’m assuming yours is going well.” “It’s just such a relief to have a sexual partner I don’t have to worry about. It’s hard enough being a Dominant woman.” The effort she had to put every day in her appearance, her demeanour, her behaviour, her body language, just to be taken seriously as a Dominant who was a woman, was enormous. She was short, mid-sized and had a god-gifted behind. Many Dominant men had tried to convince her she was really meant to be a sub. “I’d slap them with your results in their face,” he muttered. “I don’t know how you even do it. Does Harry submit to you?” “We haven’t really done any D/s yet, but I did do a good job of topping him last night and he took it well. When I give a command, he listens. He trusts me, and I want to be worthy of his trust. I have to step up to the plate.” “Sounds like you already have.” He stole another bite from Louisa’s box, earning a stab of her heel right on his toe. “Ow!” Louisa only grinned triumphantly and finished her food. That was enough to teach him a lesson not to steal her food again. ***“Hiya, love, how are you?” Harry smiled. Hearing his mum’s voice was enough to make his chest fill with warmth. She sounded like home. “I’m okay, mum, I thought I’d call and check up on you. “How are you and Robin doing?” “We’re fine, nothing to worry about here,” she reassured. “Are you adjusting to your new home? How are things? Are you getting enough rest? How busy are you every day? Do you have a lot to do?” He gave a small laugh at all of her questions. “I’m adjusting really well; I just miss seeing you every day. Miss treats me well; she takes care of me. She does the things for me that I’m traditionally supposed to do for her. She has a housekeeper and a chef. Don’t forget the separate cleaning staff that do deep cleans every weekend. I’m not expected to do anything that I dislike, but I can cook if I want to. I like having a hot meal ready for her when she gets back from work.” “Are you feeling lonely?” she asked like a mother hen. “Louisa must be gone all day.” “She is gone all day,” he agreed. “And it does get a bit lonely, but I made a friend. Her partner’s sub, Niall, is so fun. He teaches guitar as a private tutor and Miss said I could take a few lessons from him if it interests me.” “That sounds nice, did you tell her you can play the piano?” “I forgot, and it didn’t come up. I did see a grand piano in the formal lounge the other day. From what I know that room is only used to entertain guests at parties, just like the dining room with the huge table. We’ve just been eating in the kitchen every day. There’s a nice counter. And the kitchen is so wonderful, I was scared of breaking something, but I think I’m getting used to it. She wants me to go to culinary school.” Anne could hear the excitement in his voice. Harry was her baby and she just wanted him to be happy. She missed her son, but he lived only a few hours away at the most, and she could see him every now and then. They’d always known he’d move away and make his own life at some point. She could picture him there, in a lavish house. “You really should visit, mum.” “Now, dear. That’s up to your Dom. I’d love to come by.” Harry shook his head as if she could see him. “Miss wouldn’t deny you a visit to see me. She told me she just wants me to be happy. I’m allowed to be completely myself when I’m with her, ask for whatever I need, as long as I’m respectful and relay to her authority in public. In private, she deems me her equal.” His face coloured as he remembered the events of the previous night. “Tonight is only the beginning,” she’d said, holding his cock at the base. “You’re going to have to control yourself a lot more. If I deny you pleasure, then you don’t come till I say. If I say you’re going to come over and over again, you do it for me.” “It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you,” Anne said, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Did you want to make dinner now? I’ll call you tomorrow and we can talk more.” “No, we can talk. The chef made me lunch and also dinner, all I have to do is heat it up. I’ve been on orders to rest today,” he admitted. “Miss went a little hard on me last night and she doesn’t want me taxing myself. I’ve been doing mostly nothing all day. Took a bath, then read a book and I made friends with the chef over lunch. After that I’ve just been binge watching Peaky Blinders.” “As long as it was consensual,” she supplied. “It was,” he said quickly. “She checked and made sure I was fine with everything while also pushing me. I felt safe the whole time.” “Good, honey, that’s good. I know it can get awkward to talk about these things. I just want you to be satisfied with all of the aspects of your life.” They talked about less embarrassing events after that, keeping the conversation light. Anne promised to send him a new recipe she’d found online and tried out. Apparently, it was Robin’s new favourite. Harry got out of bed around six thirty and made his way downstairs to heat up dinner after saying goodbye, assuming his Dom would be home around seven as she had been the past couple of days. He wondered if he should ask her more about her work and show his interest in knowing more about her job, or if he should choose not to bring it up. After all, she did go off to the office all day every day and had every right to relax and not think about work after hours. He had everything ready by seven, waiting for his Dom to get home. He wondered if they would be doing anything more tonight, maybe continue last night’s activities? She had said she wanted to work on improving his endurance without making him feel inadequate or self-conscious, like she knew what she did to him with the slightest smirk or wiggle of her brow. Only her sight was enough for his body to want her. It made him feel like a horn dog, but he was a sub, after all. It was natural for him to want to be topped.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I’m hopeless!” Harry groaned, putting down the guitar and flopping onto the sofa again. “Nah, you’re doing okay,” Niall shrugged. “It’s only your first class. Frankly, you have an ear for it. At least you can tell you’re not doing it right.” Harry buried his face in a pillow. “Not helping.” Niall laughed freely. “Oh, come on, show some more patience. You’ve barely started.” He gave Harry’s bum a swat and got up. “Right, let’s forget about this for now and go stuff our faces.” They talked about everything but the guitar over a mountain of food. “So, is the sex good?” Niall asked shamelessly, tearing into some garlic bread. Harry flushed. “Yes? It’s good. A lot of it is new to me, but I’m learning, and I have a good Dom. She cares about my feelings. She checks in with me.” “Louisa is honestly doing a much better job than I’d thought,” Niall said wistfully. Harry raised a brow. “What does that mean?” The blond sub shook his head. “It’s nothing. Certainly not as serious as you think it is, or I made it sound. She’s just, never really had much of a relationship with anyone since I’ve known her. There have only ever been some random fucks every now and then, but apart from that, she’s a one woman show.” “We haven’t talked about that yet. I mean, whether I can have my own one man show if I feel the urge and she isn’t there to, uh, help me out,” he stammered. Niall laughed at his expense. “You’ll figure it out. Liam and I don’t really have any rules about that. We don’t have many rules at all, to be honest. He lets me do what I want when I want it. Probably compensates for all of the times he’s angry about something at work and decides to fuck me till I can’t walk. It hurts.” He shoved another piece of bread into his mouth. “I’m a little worried about that,” Harry admitted. “Of hurting after taking it up the ass? Nah, it’s more pleasurable than anything else. I can help you out of course, but I don’t think you’ll need to worry about it. You’re definitely not going to be taking things up there as much as I do. Louisa’s a fan of dick, ass is a nice addition. She told me so herself,” he nodded sagely. “It’s mainly about prep. You have to make sure you’re clean down there and ready, for starters, and then you can start with opening yourself up, or rather, have her open you up. Lubricant is necessary, and so is patience. Then you can start taking toys. Flared bases only. Things can get sucked up inside of you and then you have to get a colonoscopy to remove them.” Niall looked a bit traumatised. “Right,” Harry murmured. “Sorry if that’s scaring you, but I’m sure Louisa will make sure everything goes well. I’m assuming you agreed to it on your Pairing Test.” “Oh, yes, I agreed to mostly everything. I’ll try it out. Miss seemed to be interested in it and promised me it would be saved for another night. I hoped that would be last night, but she was too tired to do anything, so we just slept, not that I minded. It’s just that she didn’t even let me do anything around the house yesterday and I wasn’t even tired. Miss does this thing when she sleeps,” he said fondly, like a sap in love, “when she attaches all of her limbs to my body and holds tightly. It’s like a warm cocoon.” Niall cooed. “You’re in love,” he sing-songed, getting up to grab a tub of ice cream from the fridge, eating happily. “Liam told me Louisa’s been leaving work every day by six thirty to be home with you. Now that’s sappy. Never thought I’d see the day; the whole office is full of workaholics. I know people who sleep there.” He shuddered at the thought. “Can’t imagine it. I knew I didn’t want to work. At least, not in an office. Just because the AC’s on doesn’t mean it isn’t stuffy. Not that I don’t love when Liam gets all dressed up in a crisp suit every other morning to go to the courthouse.” He was salivating at the thought again. Harry chuckled. “Mister Payne is very good looking. Do women ever throw themselves at him?” “Oh, you bet. All the time. It’s exhausting. Like, hello, he’s been mated since before he ever became a lawyer?! I deserve more respect than that, I stayed in a tiny flat with those two for three years while they studied. Although, I’m sure Louisa had a bigger problem with those arrangements than I did,” he smirked. “Liam and I were like rabbits every time he pulled his nose out of a book. Louisa barely ever came home for a while until we promised to calm down. Speaking of you definitely didn’t hear this from me, but Louisa has her fair share of admirers as well. Most of them are too chicken to say anything to her face because she looks like she’d bite their heads clean off.” “Miss is not scary,” Harry objected. “She’s the nicest.” “To you, maybe! You need to see how she is at the office. An absolute menace. They’re more scared of her than they are of my Lima bean. She’s a tiny thing. Even I’m physically bigger than her. It must be tough to be a woman that size and be a Dom. She had to fight for her place to make sure people would take her seriously, and that comes with a hard exterior. That’s why Liam and I worried she’d never be paired. Not that we’ve read her Pairing Test, but we just, know her,” he shrugged. “I’ve never had to call her anything but Louisa, but maybe that’s only because she always knew her sisters would be submissives and grew a conscience before most Doms ever do.” Harry didn’t know what part of this information to process first. “I was supposed to meet her family when I moved in but that didn’t happen, I was wondering what that’s about. I didn’t want to pry.” “They’re probably just giving you some space. You’ve just moved to another city for your Dom, you’ve got a lot on your plate. The Tomlinsons can be pretty overwhelming. It’s our guess that the twins will also present as submissives, but we don’t know about the younger set of twins yet. Too early to tell,” Niall hummed. “What about your sister?” “She’s also a female Dom, which is why I want her to meet Miss, but she lives in America with her sub, Mattie. They’re happy there and doing well. I came into this being okay with a Dom of either gender, but after hearing about your sex life, I’m relieved I was paired to a woman. I don’t know how I’m going to take anything up there.” Niall patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry, you will. Besides, Louisa loves a good cock. She’s probably obsessed with yours, so that’s where most of her attention will go, if not all of it.” “You know her super well,” Harry noted. “Of course, I do, she’s Liam’s best friend. They’ve been inseparable ever since they presented as Doms. I’ve heard stories of them bickering, which they still do, but not as much. It’s a shame, I’d love to see them fight each other. Heck, I’d drive them to the boxing ring and let them duke it out.” Niall was drooling at the thought. Harry cleared his throat. “Ahem, back to the guitar, then, shall we?” ***“Hiya, pet, everything alright?” “Hi, mum,” Louisa smiled softly into the phone. “Do you have a few minutes to talk? It’s been a few days.” “Of course, I do, how are you?” “I’m alright. I’m good, things are good with Harry. He moved in and we are exploring our relationship.” Our bodies. Exploring each other’s bodies so well. “Bring him up to see us then! Daisy and Pheebs won’t stop asking about him,” Jay chuckled. “Mark’s been at his wits’ end trying to get them to pipe down.” “Alright, alright, I’ll try this weekend,” Louisa giggled. “How are you, how are the babies?” “They’re doing well, love, they’re little ones. They cry and poo all the time. Nothing new.” “I just want to smell their new baby smell,” Louisa sighed dreamily. They chatted till her driver pulled up, getting out of the car to rush inside to her sub, who was frantically cooking up a storm in the kitchen. Something smelled incredible. “Miss!” Harry chirped, stirring something in a large pot. “I’m sorry, dinner isn’t ready yet. I was with Niall, and we lost track of time. Could you give me ten minutes? I can get you a glass of wine.” He really should have had everything on the table by now, but his bread was still in the oven, baking. Louisa placed her briefcase on a barstool. She had chosen a pair of black high waisted trousers and a dark green knit sweater today. It made her look cosy. “Ten minutes would be enough for me to give you a nice little spanking on your perky bottom. One for each minute of delay.” He was speechless. His Dom was going to punish him! He gulped but nodded. He deserved it. It was his job to have things ready for her before she got home, and he’d failed. “How do you want me, miss?” he asked timidly, fidgeting with his hands. Louisa stepped closer till she was in his space, unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans. “Pull them down and bend over the counter.” He almost jumped to do as she asked, pressing his forehead against the cool surface, feeling himself harden against the counter’s edge while he bent over, showing his ass to her. It wasn’t bare, still covered with his briefs. She turned off the stove and placed a lid on the delicious looking soup before palming his ass cheeks in both hands, squeezing a little, eliciting a squeak from her sub. “I know we never discussed punishments, nor did I ever give you a rule to follow about dinnertime, but I came home feeling rather frisky, and I’m going to spank you because I want to. I feel like watching these cheeks bounce for me.” “Yes miss,” he breathed against the counter. “Try not to move, I don’t want you to bruise your hips,” she hummed. “I’ll only be using my hand, so I assume it won’t hurt. You don’t have to worry about counting.” With that, she brought down a hand on his right ass cheek. Harry held his breath and only twitched a little. He could feel the contact and the sting, but it wasn’t much, closer to what it felt like if some slapped him on the shoulder on the footie field. A second hit on the exact same spot had him breathing heavily, and a third had him squirming. His chest was heaving as he struggled against his basic instinct to move, holding the edge of the counter for dear life. It didn’t take long and soon she was palming his now red ass in both hands again, smoothing over the skin. “Stand and pull up your jeans,” she instructed softly, waiting till he was upright. She leaned up and gave him a soft and brief kiss on his lips. “Sit.” Nodding with glassed over eyes, he took a seat and watched in a daze as his Dom got plates, spoons, bowls, and glasses, then the bread from the oven with mitts and the pot of soup. She sat in front of him after placing the bread in a basket, sliced up and still steaming, along with the hot soup. “This smells amazing,” she groaned, taking a sip. “I’m glad you like it, I found a recipe book and I also might have asked your chef about it,” he confessed, taking a bite, still distracted by what she had just done to him, and his hard bulge in his pants. “It also tastes amazing, better than my chef makes it, but don’t tell him that,” she giggled, eating more, as if she hadn’t just driven her sub to such a point of arousal that he couldn’t even sit still. He was quite literally throbbing. Harry tried his best to focus and managed to finish a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. Louisa was happily eating seconds, leaning back once she was done. “You need to cook me more stuff, that was divine. Hit the spot after a long day, I feel warm.” He got up and puttered around, starting to clean. His thoughts were still scattered. He was only a sub, his body had needs and they were screaming at him. He tried to subtly adjust himself in his jeans before starting the dishes, trying not to rock against the cabinet just to get some friction. Louisa snaked her arms around his torso, making him hesitate. “Keep washing love,” she said softly, sliding her hands down his sides and undoing his jeans again, pulling out his hard, leaking cock from his briefs and stroking the length back and forth slowly. “I know you need this. Just try not to break any of my bowls or glasses.” He gulped and placed down a clean bowl, breathing jagged. It felt so good. Frankly, it wouldn’t take him long to come at all. “You need to finish the dishes before you can come.” He moaned but started washing the rest, hoping he wouldn’t drop anything. His hands were shaking the whole time, and it took longer than usual, but he managed to finish. Louisa let go of him so that he could place them in the rack to dry off. He waited with bated breath, letting out a rough groan when her hand contacted his throbbing cock again. It took him only a minute of pumping before he was coming, thick ropes in the sink. He moaned through it, gripping the edge of the counter so he wouldn’t fall to his knees if they buckled. Satisfied, Louisa pulled back and helped him turn around and pull up his jeans again. Harry was dopey, smiling softly at her, face red. If this was how their evenings were going to go, he’d be more than happy to be spanked.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“They’re so soft,” Louisa hummed, raking her hand through Harry’s thick curls. They were still damp from his hour-long hair wash session earlier that day. He smiled dopily and yawned softly. “They are due for a trim.” She gasped softly. “You’re going to cut these pretty babies?” “Not if you don’t want me to, Miss,” he said honestly. “If you want me to grow them out, I’m happy to. It’s just that I have some hair fall and that wouldn’t bode well at culinary school. I’ll be a permanent customer of hair nets.” She tugged on a curl playfully and let go. “I think my sub would look hot with long hair, but maybe you can grow it out a little later. Starting culinary school will be a big change for you.” “Considering I also got paired, I’m sure I’ll be okay with more changes, Miss.” “Are you being a smartass?” Louisa giggled. “Wouldn’t have pegged you for the snarky type. I’m usually the sarcastic one. I guess many things have changed in my life.” She snaked her head into his curls again. “These are so nice. Sorry about Earnest tugging on them.” He let out a laugh, looking up at his Dom. It was a Sunday afternoon, so they were being incredibly lazy in the lounge, sprawled out on the big sofa. “I didn’t lose any hair, so it’s fine. Your sisters are adorable, though, especially the twin girls. I thought everyone was lovely and very welcoming. Don’t tell anyone but your mother was my favourite. My mum would love her. They’d be the best of friends.” Louisa leaned over to his head in her lap and gave his cheek a smooch. “I do think they should meet each other too. They don’t even live that far from each other, they’re closer than we are to them. My mum loved you to pieces. My sisters were just curious. Lottie was the first one to be paired even though I’m the oldest. I’m known to be difficult, but I own it.” “You are not difficult, you’re the nicest,” he protested. “I don’t know why everyone thinks this. Even Niall said the same thing a few days ago. I do not agree.” She thumbed his cheek. “Nah, they’re right. I’m just different with you because you’re my adorable little sub and I just want to squish you.” She squished his face a little in her hands. “The cutest thing.” He laughed, blushing. They’d had such a good weekend. He’d been a bit lonely during the week but had managed to catch a hold of Niall for two guitar sessions. He was nowhere near knowing how to use both of his hands at the same time, but it gave him something to do, even though it was frustrating. He was used to being good at everything and learning quickly, but the guitar was testing his patience. He didn’t have much of it since he was still young. Louisa had brought some takeaway home on Friday night, and they’d eaten while watching more Peaky Blinders in the lounge before the couch turned into a very comfortable place for her to receive a very nice and much needed oral from her sub. He was even better than the first time, some of his eagerness replaced by experience. She’d tugged on his curls then, and her obsession with his hair had commenced. They hadn’t had much sex after that, save for a Saturday morning shower event where Louisa had caught Harry in the shower, watching him shamelessly while she brushed her teeth, then asking him to masturbate and make himself come. “I want to watch you touch yourself while you think about me,” was all she’d had to say to make his morning boner grow hard enough to hurt. He’d come so hard that his knees had almost buckled. Meanwhile she’d brushed through her soft brown hair casually. They’d driven up to Doncaster and stayed with Mark and most of Louisa’s sisters overnight in the house she’d grown up in. Watching Louisa’s face light up when her mother showed up with the babies had Harry falling stupidly in love with her. He couldn’t help himself. She was so wonderful with the babies, and with her own mum. Harry could see how deep their bond was, remembering how she’d told him that her mum had raised her as a single mother when she was 19, before she’d met Mark. Louisa barely put the babies down the whole time and even disappeared with them and her mum for a while, when Harry had sat down to braid Daisy’s hair, which meant that Phoebe also wanted hers done, thank you. They slept in Louisa’s old room which was tiny. She only had a few bits and bobs still in there, and the old bed had been moved years ago, so they made do with two mattresses on the floor, which made it almost impossible to open the door more than half of the way. Harry had been shy to share a bed with his Dom under the same roof as her family, but she’d been completely respectful and hadn’t even done any more than hug and kiss him the whole time. Since they had only two bathrooms, he’d chosen to skip showering that morning and helped Mark with breakfast. He tried to call him Mr Tomlinson, but Mark would have none of it. It wasn’t like he hadn’t noticed the looks he’d got from all of the family whenever he called his Dominant miss, but he’d kept his questions to himself till they were home and alone again. “Miss? I couldn’t help but notice that everyone had a slightly…odd reaction to my title for you. I didn’t understand why they found it odd, because you’re the one who told me to call you that,” he frowned. Louisa didn’t answer straight away, taking a beat. “I’m trying to word this right, so just hear me out till I’m done and then you can ask questions, okay? “My mum had a bad experience with my birth father, and that made her parents quite sceptical about Dominants. Things were stricter back then than they are now, too, in society. They supported her after I was born, and they didn’t even trust Mark in the beginning. They’d fought for the Bureau to leave my mum alone; they didn’t want her paired to someone like Troy.” She spat the name like it was venom. “When they saw how Mark treated me, a child that wasn’t his, who’d come from the woman he loved, they accepted him. There was no question of there ever being inequality in their relationship, and when they got married and had more kids, I wasn’t merely a part of their family, but it was my family. Having so many girls in the house, it was naturally expected that all, if not most, would be submissives, until I started showing signs of domination. “I’m pretty sure that worried everyone for a bit there because they didn’t know how to handle a female Dominant. There’s so few of us, even now. We’re a rare commodity.” It was true, only 10% of all dominants were women. When it came to men, the numbers were more balanced, with around 70% of men being dominant and 30% submissive. These numbers had been balancing slowly in the past few decades. “Even my sister has never called her Dom sir. Titles showing power create distance and an imbalance of power is never good,” she shook her head. “But I’ve had to do a lot in order to earn the respect I deserve as a Dominant in society. A lot more than any man has certainly ever had to do. My profession is crawling with Dom men. Any women that do make it are usually subs and end up leaving the industry at the behest of their own Doms, or because of the harassment they face at work. All of these things changed who I am after I made a life for myself. I knew I didn’t want the rough and tough traditional Dom crap. It's outdated and I won’t be making useless rules that control another person’s life to my whims and likings. “So, I decided the one thing I would do, is give myself a title. Every Dom I know outside my family is addressed by title by their sub. Some have had multiple subs.” She made a face. “They make a game out of rejecting them once they’ve used their bodies and the Bureau hates it too, because apparently a sub who isn’t a teenage virgin shouldn’t even ‘disgrace the system with their presence’. No matter what, it’s always the sub’s fault in their eyes. “That’s how we ended up here with you calling me Miss but having all of the freedoms my family believes in. I did toy with the idea of being a strict Dom for a while, especially after I met Niall, but I quickly abandoned that idea after my mother intervened. I was going to take the test and everything, but she told me I wouldn’t be able to be the right kind of Dominant because my head wasn’t in the right space. She knows me too well. That’s why I waited and took the test later, but nothing happened for so long that I was starting to give up. Now I know why I had to wait; you were only sixteen.” She gave his cheek another kiss. “I think Miss or Miss Louisa both work nicely.” He nodded, listening closely. “I’m okay with it. You give me the freedom to be myself when I’m with you and it’s more than I thought I’d get. I used to worry about what kind of life and what kind of Dom I’d end up with, because as a sub, we’ve all heard the stories, and we all pray that it doesn’t happen to us. We usually can’t defend ourselves in the case that it does happen, especially against a male Dom. I was relieved to be paired with a woman, although I didn’t expect it to happen. Gemma was the only female Dom I knew and she’s hardly a Dom most of the time. She was awkward in school, but she blossomed once she was diagnosed with ADHD and figured herself out. Turning out a Dom only gave her the confidence she needed and she’s happy now. Mattie calls her Mistress just to tease her,” he laughed. “Everyone is always surprised when a woman presents as a Dom,” Louisa sighed. “I had a few in my class at business school and I promise I tried to make friends with them, but they were all far too busy looking to be paired as soon as possible. And that’s why Liam is my best friend. My partner in crime. Or should I say, law.” She made a face. “Law is boring. Numbers are my friend.” Harry burst into laughter. “Miss, only a nerd could say that!” He clutched his sides in laughter. She poked his cheek. “Are you calling me a nerd?!” ***“We should go clubbing tomorrow night,” Louisa said randomly on Thursday. They were eating dinner, more delicious soup and bread Harry had baked. It had been a busy few days and she needed to let loose a little. “Clubbing? I’ve only ever gone to tiny bars in Cheshire, and I was underage,” Harry admitted. “You’ll be with me. You can try some drinks. I’ll ask Liam if he wants to come out with Niall. He might not, Niall can drink everyone under the table and walk out sober, and Liam tends to drink only when he’s frustrated about work.” “Okay,” Harry agreed. He had done two more sessions of guitar with Niall, but apart from that he didn’t have much else going on in his life. He did some things around the house, worked out, cooked dinner, and did the laundry and dishes. That wasn’t a lot of work. “What should I wear?” “I’ll pick something out for you,” she grinned slyly. That was how Harry ended up in a club full of people grinding on each other, wearing a tight t shirt and jeans, hair slicked back with gel. His Dom had put together the look for him, and he almost didn’t recognise himself in the outfit. Louisa held his hand and pulled him to a booth, ordering a few drinks immediately. “Don’t worry about getting drunk, I have the driver waiting for us,” she reminded him, a hand on his thigh and her lips at his ear. It was too loud in the club already, and Harry’s heartbeat thumped along with the music’s bass in the speakers. He threw back a lemon drop shot and made a face at how unbelievably sour it was, choosing a strawberry cocktail next and earning a giggle and kiss from his Dom. He was getting slightly tipsy, smiling dopily at her as if she was the sun. She pulled him to the dance floor as soon as all of their glasses were empty, placing his arms around her waist. “Dance with me.” She moved her body across his, hands all over him, and he poorly imitated her movements, trying his best. The alcohol was starting to get to his head after a few songs and he felt the urge to relieve himself. Louisa helped him to the bathrooms, which were gender neutral. He leaned against the door and opened it, suddenly nauseous when he saw someone throwing up in a urinal. “Oop, bad idea,” Louisa said. “That’s enough to get you to throw up. Just breathe and don’t look at them.” He nodded and made a rush for one of the stalls, but they were all occupied, with a queue waiting already. He tiptoed to the last door in the corner, nudging it open carefully. There, on the cold tiled floor next to the toilet, was a girl covered in bruises, cuts, and blood. He couldn’t stop the shriek coming from his mouth. “Zayn?!”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Louisa couldn’t help but react when her sub shrieked, immediately worried he was in danger. She placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him aside so she could see. Her blood ran cold. “Help her out of there,” she said softly to Harry. It was obvious that the attacker wasn’t around. They’d probably done the damage and left once they got bored. It wasn’t unheard of. “I’ll call an ambulance.” She glared daggers at everyone else in the room as she got her phone and called 999. Harry leaned over and tried to push some of Zayn’s hair out of her face, trying to assess the damage. She was awake, but barely. Her face was covered in bruises to the point where her natural skin tone wasn’t visible. “Zayn? Hi, it’s Harry, remember me?” He waited for her to respond or acknowledge him, but she didn’t. She was just so out of it. “I’m going to help you out of here, okay? Nobody’s going to hurt you anymore.” He knew she wouldn’t be able to stand or walk and he didn’t want to risk her falling, so he gently placed one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her up and cradling her to his chest as much as he could. The motion elicited a heartbreaking whimper from her, and Harry held back his emotions as he managed to carry her out of the stall. There was nowhere to set her down. “They’re coming, let’s take her outside,” Louisa said. “Are you okay to carry her?” Harry only nodded, afraid that if he started talking, he’d also start crying and then he wouldn’t be able to help Zayn anymore. He carried her as carefully as he could, trying not to jostle her at all. He knew there were more injuries that he couldn’t see, hidden by her clothes. They finally made it to the emergency exit and Louisa opened it shamelessly because this was an emergency. Her driver was already pulling up, so she opened the door and instructed Harry to set her down in the back. “No- it’ll hurt her, I’ll hold on to her until they arrive,” he managed to say. He couldn’t imagine the cries of pain that would escape her if he moved her again. “Okay, but it’s cold,” she said softly, popping the back and finding a blanket, placing it over the girl as much as she could without hurting her, stepping closer so that she could give her some of her body heat. “Do you know her?” He swallowed hard and nodded. “We took the Test together. She was paired to a man, that was the last I saw of her. We should find her Dom.” Louisa shook her head gently. “It’s likely he was the one who did this to her. It’s not uncommon. He’s probably looking for a new sub already. At least I hope so.” Realisation dawned on Harry when he realised what his Dom was saying, clutching Zayn tighter to him. He just wanted to protect her. “You mean he’s going to come back for her and hurt her again?” It meant this probably wasn’t the first time she’d endured abuse. Louisa only nodded sombrely as she heard the sirens. She pulled back and waved at the ambulance till they spotted her, pulling up. “We found her in the toilets, she’s pretty badly beaten up and completely out of it. Her name is Zayn.” Harry hesitated when they brought out a stretcher, but placed her down carefully, sniffling when he heard her moans of pain again. “She’s- she keeps crying out in pain every time I move her,” he stuttered, tears falling down his face. The paramedic looked to Louisa for her permission to speak to her sub and she nodded. “We’ll take good care of her; do you know any more about her? We’ll need her information.” Harry wiped his face roughly, realising his hands were shaking. “Her name’s Zayn Malik, she took the Pairing Test with me on February 1st at the Bureau here. We were both paired on the same day. She told me it was her first time taking the test too, so she’s probably 18. We didn’t share birthdays.” Louisa rushed to him and wrapped an arm around him as much as she could. He leaned down and cried against her shoulder. “I’ll join you at the hospital shortly, thank you,” she told the paramedics as they wheeled Zayn into the back of the ambulance and checked her vitals before rushing off. She turned and gathered her sub into her arms, which only made him cry harder. “Baby,” she coaxed gently, rubbing his back. “She’s safe now, I promise.” “No, she’s not,” he sobbed. “He’ll come back for her and then maybe he’ll kill her next time! He won’t even get caught, he’ll just lie and get away with it!” He wasn’t far off base. That wasn’t an unlikely outcome. There were hundreds of unsolved sub death cases every year. Most families would get a half-assed reply from the government saying the sub had probably run away from home and found themselves in bad company. The reality was otherwise. She squeezed him tighter. “He won’t get to her. She’s an abuse victim who’s been found in time, thankfully. People might not say it out loud, but they know who causes such kind of abuse. I’ll go there and handle it, okay? I’ll get the police involved and I’ll even call Liam.” He nodded pitifully into her neck and pulled back. She gently wiped at his wet cheeks. “Now, I don’t want you to be alone, and I need Liam anyway, so I am taking you to Niall, and I want you to try to rest. Liam and I will go to the hospital right away and handle everything.” She was calm but focused. She had a plan of action. “I don’t want to leave you, my sweet angel, but I trust Niall. He’s more than capable of making sure you’re okay while Liam and I handle things. We’ll get to the bottom of it before Zayn can even wake up.” Harry wanted to protest, but he nodded and got in the car. Louisa told the driver to take them to Liam’s before pulling Harry close again. He wasn’t crying anymore, but he was still deeply upset. Nobody deserved the kind of abuse Zayn had suffered, and how long had she suffered in silence? How long had she had to endure? How many times had she begged for help without hope for any? What would’ve happened if he hadn’t found her? They pulled up soon enough and the lights were off, so Louisa rang Liam’s phone and then the doorbell. Harry only stood there, not sure if his brain was working right anymore. He blinked when the lights turned on and Liam opened the door, squinting. “Liam, get dressed, it’s an emergency,” was all Louisa said before pulling Harry inside with her. She helped him to the sofa and made him sit down, getting him a glass of water. “Is he okay? Do we need to call someone?” Liam asked. “No, but he’s not the emergency. We need to go to the hospital. We found a sub beaten half to death. Her Dom could come back for her,” Louisa rushed out. “We’ll leave in five,” Liam said immediately, rushing upstairs. Niall came down the stairs before Liam could, looking cute and sleepy in pyjamas. He sat down next to Harry and gave him a hug. He didn’t need to know what was wrong, just that something was, and his friend was upset, and his Dom had his angry game face on. Liam rushed down and gave Louisa a look. She gently tilted up Harry’s chin and gave him a very soft kiss on his lips. “We won’t come back till we’re sure she’s safe.” He clutched her hand and squeezed it before letting go, nodding. With that, she turned to leave with Liam, both of them out of the door in seconds. Harry could hear the car zooming off into the distance. It was silent for a while, Niall only trying to comfort him. He didn’t ask any questions, but Harry could hear his confusion in the quiet. “We found her in the club. She was so out of it that she didn’t even realise what was happening. She only cried in pain every time I moved her, and she was trembling as soon as we brought her outside.” “She’ll be okay in the hospital, they’ll look after her,” Niall soothed. “Liam’s there now, he won’t let her Dom get to her if he shows up. He’s got a lot of contacts, police, private security, you name it. I trust him.” Harry nodded, running a hand through his curls, which were now completely messed up. “I need to clean up a bit,” he said sheepishly. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure some of Liam’s clothes will fit you, go wash your face and I’ll find you something snug. We’ll drink some tea and watch something silly to take our minds off things.” Niall got him some of Liam’s joggers and a t shirt to wear. The t shirt was a bit too big on him, but Harry still looked cute wearing it. He turned the kettle on and made the younger boy sit at the table while he got the mugs and teabags. “How do you like your tea?” “Uh, just as it is, no milk, no sugar,” he replied, still dazed, and lost in thought. He couldn’t get the sight of Zayn out of his head. He looked up with a thankful smile when the blond placed a mug in front of him. “You know, when Liam and I were paired, things were really strained with Louisa and me,” Niall said, taking a sip of his own milky tea. “Louisa didn’t really know how to act around me, like at all. She was also worried that Liam would change after meeting me and start acting like a typical Dom. Liam’s not like that, which is why Louisa is friends with him in the first place. She didn’t even talk to me at first, and as a sub it makes you kind of feel rejected, because you just want everyone to like you. Then I figured out she was just giving me space because subs usually don’t like having to share their nest with another Dom they have no relationship to, but we didn’t have an option, neither of them was making any money. I always had a thing for music, and I started taking guitar classes to support the ‘family’. “She was sweet to me, even though she is sassy as hell. I can barely cook, and have you ever heard of a Dom cooking every day because she did. That’s when I knew I could trust her. I know you can trust her. She’ll make sure everything goes alright. Liam’s only there to act tough and bodyguard-y just in case someone tries to do something till the police arrive.” “Won’t the police just try to send Zayn back to her Dom?” Harry protested. “We shouldn’t involve them. It’ll make it way easier for her Dom to find her.” “If he’s looking,” Niall grumbled. “Abuse may be common, but leaving your abused sub in a public place like that usually means they’ve been rejected by their Dom. He doesn’t care if he’s found out, he’ll lie and say she ran off and someone else probably found her alone and vulnerable and beat her up for the heck of it, or worse.” Or worse. The words rang in Harry’s head. She could have been molested and raped by her own Dom for months and no one would have known. That was a trauma he didn’t know how to process. Niall gently patted his hand when he noticed he was lost in his thoughts again. “The worst is over. Everything will be taken care of. I don’t think her Dom will come back in this case. If he does, we’ll take him to court. He can’t have her back. He shouldn’t be able to have any sub. Doms like that are the scum of the earth,” he ranted. “Do they even know what being a Dom is supposed to be? You’re supposed to care for and love someone who depends on you. Frankly I hope they hang his ass in open court and broadcast it across the world.” Harry finished his tea. “Have you heard from Mr Payne yet?” It had been an hour since they’d left. Niall checked his phone. “No, but that’s a good thing. With Liam, no news is always good news. That’s what happens when he comes home angry and fucks me senseless. See, that’s what sex is supposed to be. He takes out his anger on my body because I want him to, because I allowed him to, not because I’m his property and he can do what he pleases with me.” “I always feel like my consent matters with Miss,” Harry sighed. “But I realise not everyone has that luxury. God, is it a luxury to ask for the right to express consent in your relationship when you’re a submissive? Is it a luxury to have your Dom listen and stop if you say no? Isn’t that supposed to be a human right?” “Yep, but since it’s all Doms in power, a violation of a sub’s basic rights can be swept under the rug very easily. We were second-class citizens only a century ago, Harry. Social reform takes time even with good people who want to make a change are at the helm and unfortunately, we’re stuck with a bunch of wrinkly old bastards in the Supreme Court. It takes a lot to challenge their world view and actually get them to see what’s right. There is nothing that can justify what happened to Zayn and what’s been happening to subs behind closed doors since the beginning of history, and yet they still find ways to justify it. They don’t want us to have the same rights and freedoms as Doms, because then we wouldn’t need them anymore.” “You know a lot about this.” Niall shrugged. “I’ve been paired to a lawyer since he was studying to be one. Sometimes there would be no other way to spend time with him than to sit with him while he studied and that would get boring, so I’d read his case studies. I know I’d be great at being a sub rights activist. It’s like this: if my Dom comes home and fucks me all night, it’s because I want him to. Not because I’m his object. I can be free and still love and need him.” “Me too. I love Miss and I always will, even if I excel culinary school and become a prodigy and start a restaurant and get 3 Michelin stars, which is impossible. I want to be successful but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to be with my Dom.” Niall gasped. “What?” Harry asked. “You just- you said you love Louisa.” “Of course, I do. She’s at the hospital with her best friend trying to make sure a sub she doesn’t even know is safe. I can’t not love her.” “Well have you told her that?!” He blushed deeply. Oh, right, that. “Not yet.” Niall rushed to the door and threw an extra coat towards him. “Put this on. We’re going to the hospital so that you can profess your love.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“I can’t leave the house in this!” Harry panicked. He was not dressed appropriately. He was wearing Mr Payne’s pyjamas. “It’s a hospital, it’s fine,” Niall waved off, grabbing his car keys. “Just put the coat on and slip on your shoes and we’ll go. Besides, I know you won’t want to sleep right now, and we can get an update on the situation. You want to know how she’s doing, don’t you?” Harry hesitated. He did want to know how Zayn was doing, but his Dom had asked him to stay with Niall and promised to take care of things. Would he be violating her trust in him by disobeying? “She did say I have to stay with you,” he mumbled. “Exactly! Loophole! I’m going; hence you’re coming with me. Let’s go, no time to waste!” Niall drove like a maniac and Harry wondered how he’d ever got his driver’s license in the first place. His stomach was flipping in on itself and he couldn’t tell how much of it was nerves and how much was motion sickness. “What if she yells at me? What if she’s angry?!” Harry panicked. “What if she doesn’t even say it back or rejects me?! Niall!” The blond rolled his eyes. “Relax with the dramatics. Nothing like that’s going to happen. She already loves you and she could never reject you. Have you seen that woman? She’s so gone for you. You’re literally the sub of her dreams. Do you know how hard it is for Dom women to find a male sub? Ridiculous, it’s like you were made for her.” Harry took a moment to digest this information, thoughts scattered. Yes, he was still worried about Zayn, but the doctors and nurses were certainly capable of helping her. She’d been conscious when he’d found her, which helped. Most likely, it would take time for her to be okay again, but she would find her way back to normalcy. Niall pulled into the parking lot and turned the car off. It was parked so haphazardly that Harry almost cringed. “No time! Forget about the car, let’s get inside!” He threw the door open and groaned when his phone went off. “Shit, it’s Liam.” Harry chewed on the inside of his cheek as he listened to Niall answer the phone. “Babe? Yeah, is everything okay?” A pause and a few hums from Niall, then, “Oh. Alright.” Then a short, nervous laugh. “About that, what floor are you on?” After another minute, he hung up. “Let’s go. They’re outside the ICU.” Harry gulped and nodded, following Niall inside. *** As soon as the car was moving, Liam turned to Louisa. “Who’s the sub?” “Harry met her at the Bureau on the day of his Test, said she got paired on the same day as we did. I don’t really remember seeing her, there were a lot of subs in the room, and I was so fixated on him that I didn’t see anyone else. Her name is Zayn Malik, and our guess is that she’s 18, because that was her first time taking the Test. She’s from Bradford originally. We don’t really know who she was paired to.” Liam thought for a minute. “We are going to have to get the police involved, the hospital will call them if we don’t. It’s better if you call them since you found her. We don’t want them thinking we’re hiding something. That means the Bureau will also get involved and then if her Dom is still looking for her-“ “I’ll murder that bastard myself,” Louisa growled. “I won’t let them give her back to that disgusting piece of shit.” “They won’t,” Liam said. “I’ll make sure of it. The police are not that heartless in abuse cases, and she’ll be safe until she’s fully healed and gets doctor’s clearance. Once she has a clean bill of health, we can file in court. I’ll get some private security then.” Louisa was still absolutely livid. “I can’t believe he chose to hurt her and leave her in a public place. What if she hadn’t been found in time? What were the people in the club even doing? Just letting it be someone else’s problem?! It’s not like it was only subs around, I saw plenty of Dominants!” He pulled her into his side. “Don’t poke or bite me, I’m trying to help. You know how people are, they didn’t want to get involved, even if someone dies because of it. If they’d tried to help her and her Dom had showed up, shit would’ve hit the fan. Nobody ever challenges the Bureau and wins.” “Shit has already hit the fan, Liam,” she muttered as they pulled up to the hospital. She hopped out and rushed inside to ask after Zayn, finding out she was already being tended to in the emergency room and was told to wait in the waiting area and a doctor would be out shortly. Liam sat down next to her. “I know you’re angry and I’m proud of you for acting quickly and saving her life, but you have to know this could become dangerous. We don’t know who her Dom is. If it’s someone powerful, which it could be, considering the way he’s left her in public completely battered, you could get in so much trouble. You’d need bodyguards yourself. You have a sub now, Lou. You can’t be reckless. You could put him in danger, too.” She gave him a glare. “What should I have said? Don’t help her? Leave her there like everyone in here is? You didn’t hear his scream or her whimpers of pain, Liam, so don’t start with me right now. Harry would’ve hated me if I hadn’t let him help her. He was so worried, and he was sobbing. It could’ve been him who was treated that way, had he been paired to someone else. He wants to protect her, just like I do. I get that I want to protect her, because I’m a Dom and that’s what a good Dom does. Harry wants to protect her, too.” “Don’t misunderstand, Lou, come on. I’m not trying to justify anything. I just don’t want you to get caught up in something dangerous for a person you don’t even know. Think about this, we’ve seen cases like this go south fast. You already have a sub.” “Liam, we just want to help her till she recovers and keep her away from anyone who might hurt her again. She might have been enduring abuse ever since the day she was paired. We won’t know till we get a chance to talk to her.” “Fine, I’ll do what I’m here for.” Liam called the police. Louisa stood up as a doctor came up to them. “Are you here for Zayn Malik? How are you related to her?” “My sub and I found her beaten up and in a terrible condition, so I called 999. We don’t have any way to contact her family. My sub met her once briefly, that’s how we know her name. How is she doing?” “Not very well. There may be some internal bleeding, for which we are taking her up for some scans. We’ve given her some painkillers through IV and we’ve found plenty of bruises so far. Most of them look fresh but some are definitely a few weeks old. There are also scars on her back which appear to be from some sort of belt, cane, or whip, and some of those may be at risk of infection, so we’ll be starting a round of antibiotics. We don’t have any medical history or information, which means we’ll have to carefully observe if she reacts adversely to any of the medications. Please be assured, we’ll take good care of her.” “Do you think you’ll need to run a rape kit?” she asked. “I’m certainly positive she has been raped. We’ll run a comprehensive kit and do considerable blood work as well, but we won’t be able to do much unless we can match any sperm sample, we can collect to the culprit. We will also need to call the police, since this is a case of physical and sexual abuse.” “They’re on their way, I already spoke to them,” Liam said, coming up. “Thank you.” The doctor nodded and left. It didn’t take long for a policeman to arrive and question Louisa. Thankfully, he was from a local police station and Liam knew him well from time spent in the courtroom on various cases over the past few years, so it didn’t take long. “We’ll send someone to guard her, in case the person, or people, who did this to her, show up,” he assured. Louisa went to the nurses’ station and filled out Zayn’s patient form with what she knew, which wasn’t much, and another one for herself to be the primary contact. “Excuse me,” she asked a nurse politely, “would it be possible for you to search up her name and find out any more about her? An emergency contact, perhaps?” The night nurse was a middle-aged lady that reminded Louisa of some very nice teachers in school. It put her at ease. “I believe someone already looked her up and didn’t find much, but I’ll give it a go.” She opened up the database on her computer and typed in her name, looking through. “We don’t have any medical history on her, not even her blood type or date of birth, which is strange. It means she was probably born in a rural hospital without access to the national database back then. The Bureau is the only place that can help. They would have her data.” “Did she have anything in her pockets or on her person when she was brought in?” “I’ll check, they just took her up to get a CT scan, her personal belongings are still in the back room. Sit tight for a couple of minutes.” Louisa nodded and thanked her for her help, sitting back down next to Liam. “She doesn’t even have a registered date or place of birth. Let’s hope they find something in her belongings.” They waited in silence until the nurse returned, holding a clear plastic bag. “These are her clothes. If there was anything in her pockets, it’s in there.” Louisa opened the bag and rummaged through. There was some blood on the clothes, which she should’ve expected, but it still bothered her. She dug through everything, pulling out a small identity card. It was from the Bureau. “Harry’s right, she’s 18. From Bradford, doesn’t give her full address. There is a contact number, but I doubt she still has that phone, she didn’t have one on her. We’re going to have to wait till she can talk to us.” “We need to talk to her before the police do. Just to make sure that they don’t contact her Dom. We’ll wait till she wakes up.” “She doesn’t know us, why would she talk to us?” “She knows Harry,” Liam reminded her. “And he’s a sub, too. She can talk to him.” “It’ll hurt him to know everything she’s been through.” “You can’t hide it from him, he deserves to know. It will hurt, but this isn’t something you can protect him from. You shouldn’t protect him from this. He wants to help her, so let him.” “Right,” Louisa sighed, leaning back in the plastic chair. “I’ll call Niall and update him.” Liam got his phone and called Niall. “Hey, she’s stable now.” He frowned when he heard the wind whipping around through the phone. “Babe where are you?” he asked. When he got another question instead of an answer, he knew Niall was up to something. “Outside the ICU? Niall, are you seriously at the hospital? Please tell me you brought Harry. You can’t leave the poor kid on his own tonight.” He sighed. “Fine. Come inside. We’re in the waiting area on the ground floor.” Louisa sat up. “Did you seriously just say what I think you said? Niall brought my sub here right now in the middle of the night?!” Before Liam could respond, the two subs entered and Louisa stood, about to tear Niall a new one. “Louisa, hear me out for two seconds before you bite my head off,” Niall said. She glared at him as she pulled Harry to her by his hand and kissed it softly. “Are you okay? Do you need me?” “I always need you, miss,” he blushed. “But that’s not why we came. Is Zayn going to be alright?” “Of course, she is, they’ve checked her and they’re doing some more tests. She’s in bad shape but they don’t think she has any broken bones, but maybe some internal bleeding and infections. We’ll know in a couple of hours. She doesn’t have any medical history or an emergency contact, so we’ll be the first to know.” She turned to Niall. “Explain, blondie. Before I ask Liam to take you out of my sight.” Niall wasn’t fazed in the slightest. “Harry has something to say to you and it’s extremely important. We couldn’t wait.” “I could’ve waited,” Harry flushed, “but Niall doesn’t really listen and has to get his way. Now that I know Zayn will be okay, I guess since we’re already here, I can tell you. Please don’t get mad.” Louis turned to him. “I’m not mad at you, but I will be dealing with blondie later.” She flipped him off without even averting her eyes from her sub. “You can tell me anything.” He took a deep breath, trying to be brave. “I love you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry watched as Louisa’s face changed from confusion to a very soft look. It made the pit of his stomach feel warm. She reached up to touch his cheek gently. “I love you too,” she smiled, pulling him down so she could give him a kiss. It was short but sweet. “Not how I wanted this moment to go, but I’ll take it.” “Sorry,” he blushed. “Niall said I had to tell you right now and it couldn’t wait. He’s uh, very persuasive.” She flipped Niall the finger again, giving Harry’s sweet lips another kiss. “He’s a sod. I’ll deal with him later. Are you feeling okay?” “I’m always good when I’m with you, Miss.” She giggled softly and let go of him so he wouldn’t have to bend over for her. “I wanted to be angry that you showed up but I’m not. Zayn’s going to be okay. The police are sending someone to stand guard and make sure no one tries to hurt her again and we’re waiting to hear back from the doctor.” “We’ll wait with you,” Niall said, earning a slap on the ass from Liam. “You get away with everything,” Louisa glared daggers at the blond. “Not this time, blondie. I’ll make sure of it.” He only shrugged. “You don’t scare me.” Harry held back a smile. As amusing as their banter was, they were in a hospital, and they had to maintain some decorum. They waited in relative silence after that, Liam and Niall murmuring to each other quietly in a corner of the room while Louisa sat holding hands with her sub. “They’ve fixed her up and run the rape kit,” a nurse informed. “She’s been moved to a room. She’s still pretty doped up and won’t be conscious at least till tomorrow afternoon. Her police protection showed up, they’re waiting outside the room. You can visit her tomorrow; I’ll call the phone number you gave once she’s awake. The police will also want to question her personally.” Louisa nodded and thanked her before getting up. “I’ll check that the police are here and she’s safe, then we’ll leave. Liam?” He went with her, glaring at Niall again, who was unplussed. “Liam and I will take my car and Louisa’s car is parked out back,” he told Harry. “See you tomorrow. Glad it went over well; you got kissed in a hospital.” Harry shoved him lightly. “Can’t believe I let you almost get me in trouble.” Niall only laughed it off and they waited outside for their Doms. “You know, when Liam said I love you to me for the first time, he took me out to my favourite restaurant. It was very romantic.” Harry flushed. “I need to do something romantic for her, don’t I?” He racked his brain for something, anything he could do for her in the morning. “Right, but now’s not really the time, you know? Once we have a better picture of everything that’s happened to Zayn, and we know she’s doing okay, you can pamper your Dom nicely. Louisa is easily pleased, especially when it comes to you. Nothing to worry about.” “Nothing ever fazes you, Horan. Some of us actually get nervous about these things.” Niall was about to protest but then the door swung open, and their Doms walked out. “Everything’s set, no one not on hospital staff is getting through those doors and someone will always be supervising, so let’s get home. It’s 3 am.” “I’ll let you know when they call,” Louisa told Liam before leaving with Harry. She got in the car once Harry was seated, driving home carefully despite the streets being empty. She was exhausted and it was late, and her brain wasn’t working right. They fell into bed as soon as they got home, too tired to even undress. They’d deal with it in the morning. ***Louisa groggily sat up in bed and squinted at her phone. It was noon and her bladder was ready to burst. She stumbled to the bathroom with her eyes half closed. Her body was stiff, and she was struggling to wake herself up. She felt a lot better after she washed her face and shed her clothes from last night, stepping into the steaming shower. Feeling awake and fresh, she wrapped a towel around herself and opened the door to check on Harry. Frowning when she didn’t see him in the room, she went back inside to get dressed. She didn’t feel like wearing anything remotely uncomfortable and looked through her things, finding a pair of yoga pants and a baggy tee, pulling them on and putting her hair in a messy bun before trudging downstairs. She was starving. Suddenly smelling something incredibly mouthwatering, she entered the kitchen to find Harry stirring something in a saucepan, then bending over and displaying his assets very nicely in a pair of grey sweatpants as he opened the oven and pulled out a tray of hash. Louisa waited until Harry had put the hot pan down and taken his mitts off before she tiptoed behind him and grabbed his ass in both hands. “Sub,” she greeted. He stuttered, breath hitching. “Miss. Good morning. I uh, cooked. Wasn’t sure if you wanted breakfast or lunch at this time so I made something midway?” Louisa let go and turned him around with her hands on his waist, and he reflexively leaned down for a kiss, which she immediately reacted to, giving him a long, slow kiss that left him breathless. “What did you make?” He blinked and took a moment to reply. “Uh, it’s kind of a breakfast hash but with turkey instead of eggs and a gravy.” “I am so hungry I could eat a horse,” she grinned. He served her quickly and sat down, waiting for her to start eating. This was his small way of taking care of his Dom, by fulfilling his duties. “It’s so good,” she groaned, eating more. “Thank you,” he preened. “I wanted to ask if you’d heard from the hospital yet, miss?” She shook her head, swallowing. “Not yet, but I think we’ll get ready and go soon, I want to get a chance to talk to her before the police do. We need to know what’s going on so that we can figure out a game plan. If her Dom comes back and stakes a claim on her, the Bureau will make the police give her back to them as soon as the doctors give her a clean bill of health. We have to stop that from happening. We need to figure out who her Dom is first.” “Right, I’ll clean up in here and get ready.” “Sit and finish your food first,” Louisa said, putting more food in her mouth, absolutely drenched in gravy. “I want to demolish this. So good. I’ll kiss your hands.” He flushed from hairline to chin, hiding a giggle as he started eating. “Thank you.” He didn’t need to be thinking about her kissing his hands, they had more important matters to attend to. He ate his food, thinking about what he could do for his Dom that would be romantic. He needed ideas. Google would help. “I’ll call Liam and get dressed.” Louisa got her phone and called him, speaking for a few minutes. Harry busied himself with cleaning up and rushing to get ready to leave. He hoped Zayn would wake up soon and be okay. They left for the hospital and had to wait at the nurses’ station for a while to meet with Zayn’s doctor. “She’s waking up, but she’s still groggy and in pain so we have to keep her on painkillers. The rape kit results came back, there’s only one sperm sample.” Louisa knew what that meant. “Can we see her?” Liam showed up at that moment, alone. The doctor nodded and took them upstairs. Zayn’s room was guarded by a policewoman waiting outside the door. She gave Liam a nod and opened the door for them to enter. “Wait here for a minute,” Louisa told Harry softly, going inside with Liam. Zayn was laying in the bed, looking small and frail, hooked up to a few wires, monitors beeping and showing her vital signs. She blinked a few times and shifted, trying to take in her surroundings. “Zayn?” Liam asked, in business mode. “We would like to talk to you about what happened and who did this to you.” She let out a shriek that was meant to be loud but came out softly because of her injuries, trying to squirm away from him. “No no!” Liam drew back, a little confused. Zayn look terrified, trying to push away from him, but she was feeble and in pain. “No please don’t hurt yourself,” Louisa said softly, trying to help her. She didn’t want to startle her. Zayn blinked a few times and looked up at the woman, a little less frightened now. Her brain was still foggy, but she felt familiar, somehow? She couldn’t place her finger on it. Louisa noticed her eyes flick back to Liam, who was hanging back. “Liam? Wait outside,” she said. “Send Harry in. She needs a familiar face and you’re scaring her.” Liam didn’t protest. Zayn frowned a little and tried to right herself again and Louisa helped her, touching as gently as possible, adjusting the blankets over her body. “I’m Louisa Tomlinson. Harry said you met at the Bureau? He’s my sub,” she supplied. “We found you last night. I’m not sure how much you remember. We brought you here and the doctors and nurses have been taking good care of you. You also have police protection until we figure out what happened.” Harry carefully stepped inside, making as little noise as possible. He was silent, only taking in the scenario. He had a good guess as to why Mr Payne had been asked to leave. Louisa turned to Harry, and they shared a look. They both knew by now. Louisa stood and got Zayn a cup of water with a lid and a straw, pulling up her bed a little so she could sip some. “It’s okay, the doctor said you can have some. We have to see how much your stomach can handle. They didn’t give you any general anaesthetic, just some painkillers. That’s why you’re so groggy, but you’re going to be fine,” she tried to reassure the frail sub. Zayn blinked a few times, trying to drink a few sips without being out of breath. Her chest and ribs hurt whenever she breathed, and everything hurt when she swallowed. She tried not to cry. “Hi, Zayn, do you remember me?” Harry asked softly, stepping closer until she could see him. “It’s Harry. We called an ambulance, and they brought you here. Do you remember what happened?” Louisa held his hand and squeezed gently, waiting in silence. “It was cold, so cold,” she whispered. “And everything hurt. I kept zoning in and out and I couldn’t move. Then someone was talking and then I was warm even though the pain was bad. Was that you?” “Yeah, I had to carry you. I tried talking to you, but I didn’t think you were able to understand,” he explained. Zayn was crying. “I thought I was going to die in there, thank you for saving me.” “You’re safe now, nobody will hurt you,” Louisa promised. “Liam and I will make sure of it. We have the power to make sure of it.” They both noticed Zayn stiffen again when Liam’s name was mentioned. “Mr Payne is very nice, Zayn,” Harry said. “I promise he won’t hurt you. He could never. He also has a fun sub, Niall. I’ll bring him around once you’re feeling a little better so that you can make a new friend.” “Zayn? Liam’s a lawyer, he’s on your side,” Louisa added. “I can tell that you’re scared. Does that have something to do with your Dom? Did he do this to you? We won’t let him get to you again. If you tell us everything, we’ll be able to act right away.” She started to sob at the Dom woman’s words. Harry shook his head at Louisa and sat beside Zayn, trying to calm her down. “Hey, hey, you don’t have to say anything you don’t want to. We just want you to be okay and safe and happy, okay? We can talk about it when you’re ready, you should rest right now. Nobody’s going to hurt you, not now and not ever again.” Louisa tiptoed out as her sobs turned to hiccups. Liam was waiting outside. “This is not good,” he muttered. “We need to know who he is.” “Unless she tells us, we’ve not got a hope of finding out,” Louisa said glumly. “The only other option is going to the Bureau.” He inhaled sharply. “I’ve got some contacts there, but it’s risky. They’ll contact the Dom if anyone finds out we’ve been snooping and then hell will rain down on her and us. We’ll be in court defending ourselves, Lou.” “I tried to ask her but she’s distraught.” “I gathered as much. It has to be him, Louisa. Whoever her Dom is. That’s why she’s scared of me. I’m peak male Dominant. She thinks I’m going to hurt her too.” Louisa chewed on the inside of her cheek. “I know, but I’m thinking this could be deeper than that. Maybe she has had more than one negative experience.” “I don’t know why people like that are allowed to have kids in the first place.” “Shit,” Louisa cursed. “We need to check if the doctors ran a pregnancy test. She could be pregnant.” Harry poked his head out. “She’s asleep. I think she’ll be able to tell us more when she wakes up. Can we keep her from being questioned till then, Miss?” “Doubtful,” Liam answered instead. “They want to question her for her safety, and their intentions are noble, so why would they stop if we asked? We aren’t related to her.” He turned to Louisa. “That perfectly explains why she doesn’t have any emergency contacts listed on her Bureau ID. Why she’s not in the national database.” Harry frowned and stepped outside, looking at his Dom. “I’ll explain later, love, I need to speak to her doctor.” He nodded and went with her. It turned out the doctor had run a pregnancy test when she’d started bleeding and she’d had an active miscarriage right on the table. It hadn’t lasted long because she’d only been two weeks pregnant. “Oh, good,” Liam growled. “Gives me more to end that bastard. I’m going to appeal for the death penalty when I find him.” He stormed off. Harry was just sad. Louisa tried to comfort him. “He’ll come around, he’s just pissed off because he wants to have children too, but Niall won’t have any genetic contribution if they go with a surrogate. The government wouldn’t allow it.” He wasn’t sure how much more upsetting news he could handle, crying softly in his hands. How could someone hurt a person that badly, and only for being a submissive? How did Zayn deserve any of this? How was it her fault? Why had this happened? “Some people are just sick.” Harry realised he might have said some of his thoughts out loud. “We need to know who he is, Miss. We can’t protect her if we don’t know.” “I’m guessing that’s where Liam went, to find out.” “The Bureau?” His blood ran cold. “No.” “He caused a miscarriage, Harry. We’ve got him now. It’s obvious she went through that because of the abuse she’d suffered, and they have a sample waiting to be DNA matched from the rape kit they ran. We need to find him in time so that we can match it to him. He’ll be going away for life if Liam can’t convince the court to have him sentenced to death. Whatever happens, he won’t get out of this.” She wiped his face and kissed it gently. He sniffed and buried his face in her neck. “Thank you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry racked his brain. “Would it help if we called Niall? Everyone loves him.” Louisa paced. “I don’t know if she’s up for visitors. We’re only allowed up here because of our contacts. We would’ve been kicked out if we weren’t Tomlinson and Payne.” Harry had some curiosity, but this wasn’t the time. “I’m going to try and wake her up and ask her. I don’t want to make her cry but if we can get her to tell us before Mr Payne does something irreversible-“ “He’s not going to stop. He is royally pissed off. He is ready to kill.” He frowned. “But why?” She was about to answer when the policeman trotted over to them. “She’s awake inside, I think it would be good to have a familiar face.” “Harry, go in,” Louisa nodded at him, but he shook his head and held her hand, taking him with her. He needed some strength right now, and God knew he didn’t have enough to do this alone. Zayn was half awake, eyes heavy, trying to move. He rushed over to help her, taking off the blankets that were tangled up between her legs. “I’m here, I’m here. It’s okay, Zayn. You’re safe.” She whimpered softly and tried to reach out. Louisa held her hand gently. “We’ve got plenty of police here and they’re our contacts. They won’t let anything harm you again. I know you don’t want to think about why you’re here, but I’m going to have to push you a little. I need to know who hurt you, Zayn. I need to know before the police come to question you.” Zayn shook her head. She was terrified. “I won’t be able to stop the police from talking to you and they will ask the same thing I did. We know it’s your Dom who did this. All we need is a name and we’ll take care of the bastard.” She was crying again. Harry gently wiped at her cheeks with a tissue. “You’re safe now, we promise. He won’t get to you.” “You don’t understand,” she sobbed. “He will get to me eventually. He knows how to. He’s too powerful to be stopped.” “He’s done some things that won’t fly in front of the police or in court,” Louisa said, not wanting to bring up the miscarriage in addition to the poor girl’s trauma. “Doesn’t matter who he is. We’ll get him. We have contacts too, plenty of them. That’s the thing about being in this business, we make friends who owe us favours.” Harry swallowed his curiosity again. He had a lot of questions for his Dom, but they couldn’t be asked in front of Zayn. “He’ll hurt you just for saving my life,” Zayn insisted, sniffling, and moaning in pain when her ribs twinged. “I’m sure he wanted me to die so that no one would be able to talk and expose him.” “Well, you’re alive, and I’m not scared,” Louisa shot back, then softened when she realised, she was being harsh. Zayn deserved tenderness. “You know I’m not a danger to you and you know I can protect you.” “We will,” Harry promised with a nod. “We won’t leave you alone for a minute. Just, please, Zayn, say it.” When she started shaking again, he placed a blanket on her. She hadn’t let go of Louisa’s hand, which was encouraging. “Simon Cowell.” Before Louisa could react, there was a knock on the door that made all of them jump, the silence deafening. The door opened and a nurse poked her head in. “I need to check her; her pulse and blood pressure are spiking.” Louisa moved out of the way, but Zayn wouldn’t let go of her hand, so the nurse worked around her and injected more painkillers in her IV. “Try not to move too much, love, you’re pretty banged up. And don’t worry, you’re safe here.” She left promptly once Zayn’s heart had calmed down. “You’re not going to leave, are you?” Zayn asked, panicking despite feeling sluggish. “No, we’re not going to leave,” Harry replied immediately. “I’m not leaving. I don’t know who this Cowell guy is, but I don’t care. He could be the Prime Minister; it doesn’t change what he did to you.” He turned to his Dom. Why was she silent? She took a deep breath. She had a duty to protect her sub, but it was far too late. It would make no difference if they left now. They were already in this, and Harry would hate her. “We’re not leaving. Shit, I need to call Liam and make him back off.” She took her phone and called, but it rang and rang without any answer. “Fuck. He isn’t answering.” “I’ll try Niall,” Harry said. He had little clue what was going on, but he could tell that was urgent. “He isn’t answering either.” Louisa shook her head. “Too late now. He’s probably already done what he went to do.” “Where did he go?” She inhaled sharply. “He has a contact in the Bureau. We needed to know who Zayn’s Dom is, so he went off to find out. If the Bureau finds out we’ve been snooping, they will contact Cowell.” She spat the name like it was venom. Zayn was shaking again. “We’ll figure it out, okay?” Harry said. “We’ll figure it out. You’re going to have to talk to the police and tell them everything. I’ll be here if you want when you do. They’ll be able to protect you.” “Your medical reports speak for themselves, just give them the name and you’ll be done,” Louisa muttered. “I know what you’re scared of, but I know scumbags like Cowell only get away with these things because the victims don’t talk. You’re going to talk.” It sounded like a command and Zayn cowered again. Harry shot his Dom a look. Zayn did not need to be scared off right now! “She needs our support,” he said. Louisa almost wanted to be amused, she’d never seen her sub angry. “What do you mean, my medical reports? Do I have broken bones? Did I lose an organ?” Zayn asked. Louisa’s face fell. “Zayn…” “No, tell me. He doesn’t know either, does he?” She pointed to Harry who looked just as confused. “It’ll hurt you,” she said gently. “Not as badly as I’ve already been hurt. I’ve been through it, I should know.” Harry stared at Louisa. She cleared her throat. “There are a few things. You don’t have any broken bones, but you had some internal bleeding, so they drained the blood, which means there was a tube in your side. That’s why your ribs hurt. You were also hypothermic, but they warmed you up. You have a lot of bruises, which will heal and fade in time. There were some scars on your back which they cleaned, but you’re on antibiotics now to make sure you don’t get an infection. You lost a lot of blood, so they gave you a blood transfusion. And you were two weeks pregnant.” Zayn was too tired to cry. “W-was?” “You had a miscarriage on the table. They said it was along about 2 weeks, so everything happened fast. It may have even started before you got to the hospital. They ran a rape kit too, and there’s only one sperm sample. I’m guessing it’s Cowell.” There it was again, the disgust in her tone when his name came up. It made things sound personal. He tried his best to comfort Zayn, but his mind was elsewhere, especially when his Dom left the room. He had so many questions. What had Louisa and Mr Payne been talking about before, about Zayn not having any medical records in the national system? He’d barely overheard anything. Who was this Simon Cowell person and why was he so powerful? How did Louisa know this person, and why did she hate him enough for things to be personal? Were they going to be in danger? Zayn was so exhausted that she drifted in and out of consciousness and a nurse advised Harry to let her rest. He nodded and closed the blinds before leaving the room. In the hallways, he saw Niall limping towards Louisa. “Niall!” He rushed over to the blonde. “Are you okay? Are you injured? You’re limping!” He brushed him off. “Liam’s still looking for a parking spot. I’m fine.” Louisa glared into nothingness at this information. She knew what that meant. “You couldn’t answer your phone?!” she snapped as soon as her partner came into sight. “There was a reason I was calling, you moron!” She turned to Niall. “And you, blondie! You’re no better!” “Lou,” Liam growled, stepping in front of his sub protectively. “Don’t.” “Li, do you honestly think she’s going to hurt me?” Niall snapped. “You’re such an idiot.” He pushed him off by the arm. “Ridiculous.” “Miss,” Harry said very softly. He was worried. She was so angry. He hated it. She took her sub’s hand and kissed it before letting go. “Liam’s already found out from his contact about Cowell, sweetheart. I’m mad because we could’ve stopped him from doing that but then he didn’t answer his phone like a dumbass and while we were here trying to help Zayn, they were fucking like rabbits. Honestly, Niall, how do you even do it?” “Not my man’s fault he’s big,” he shrugged. “I’m sorry. I tried to get my phone, I really did, but you know what he’s like.” She poked Liam hard in a very firm bicep. “You are an asshole.” “I wasn’t doing any good by being here, Tommo. She’s terrified of me. So, I fucked off and did what I do best.” He was smug. “Fucking your sub?” Louisa snarked. Liam rolled his eyes. “I already told the police about Cowell and the miscarriage. They’ll ask for the hospital reports, of course, and they should be on their way to interrogate Zayn. They’ve already detained Cowell. If he protests, he’ll be placed on house arrest. He’s not going anywhere without being watched.” “He’s going to call the Bureau.” “Let him, that son of a bitch won’t get away this time,” Liam shrugged. “Now are you done calling me names or are we going to have another go at it?” “Oh, please have another go at it. Shall I arrange some boxing equipment?” Niall asked. “Blondie,” Louisa said, shaking her head. “And you, Lima, moron, dumbass and asshole are barely the surface, but I will let it go because you did something useful.” “I’ll also be applying for a restraining order on Monday as soon as the court opens. Can’t let any of his minions get to her. If Cowell has ever employed you, past or present, you can’t be within half a kilometre of her.” “Should I be proud?” Louisa wondered out loud. “I’m not name partner for nothing.” Everyone was a little relaxed now. “She’s sleeping, when will the police come?” Harry asked. “They’ll wait till a doctor clears her to be fit to be questioned,” Liam reassured. “I’d have filed the restraining order today if the courts weren’t closed on weekends.” “Thank god for weekends, you’d never be home otherwise,” Niall shot in. “Do you want to stay till they’re done with the questioning?” Louisa asked Harry. “You wanted to be with her when it happens.” “You should go home though, mate.” Niall patted his shoulder. “It’s been a long afternoon. We can convince them to wait because she’s sleeping, right?” “Right,” he murmured, ready to leave with his Dom. She held his hand again as they went out to the parking lot. As if reading his mind, she spoke first. “I know you don’t have any idea what’s going on. Let me make sure you’re feeling better, and then we can talk. I’ll tell you everything.” He really was overwhelmed, and he felt a little dizzy because of it. He sat in the car quietly, just watching her drive. “You don’t really like driving,” he blurted out without thinking. “I really don’t,” she agreed. “It’s annoying but I gave my driver time off after we kept him late last night. He’ll be back on Monday.” Monday. She would have to go back to work. Would he be standing guard to protect Zayn alone next week? “Do you want to take a shower?” she asked, pulling him out of his panic. “No, I’m fine.” She only hummed in assent and pulled up to a large café, taking him to the quiet table in the corner and immediately ordering some tea and food. While they waited, she got him a small box of macarons. “Eat some.” He nodded and took a bite of a pink one. “It’s nice,” he mumbled. Louisa held his other hand. “I’m sorry about today.” “None of this is your fault, Miss. Who is that guy?” “Cowell is one of the most powerful men in London, which makes him one of the most powerful in the country. He’s known to be ruthless. He owns a few above-board companies, but we all know he does shady as fuck shit under that pretence. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, never worked a day and took over his father’s company and bought a few more with his family’s money. He rose to a bigger position of power pretty quickly. You know how the Bureau gets a literal boner when they find a rich Dom and they paired him to every sub they could find. He’s a scumbag with money.” “How do you know him?” She frowned. “You picked up on that.” “I did, Miss.” “We sued his ass once for a client and he lost the case. He was extremely pissed off that he got beaten, and we wouldn’t listen to anything he was saying. The client couldn’t be bought and that was useless to him, so he tried coming after us. I think Liam scared him a little, but when he showed up and saw me, all hell broke loose. We’d just taken over as name partners and were making a name of ourselves, and he’d thought I was a man. “He called me a sub to my face, so I had him kicked out. He would send me disgusting messages and show up if I went to a club or a bar or even a restaurant for dinner. He showed up at parties I went to. It was extremely creepy, and he was stalking me, because I had an ass that was too sinful to be wasted. He tried to touch me, and I punched him square in the face. He got Botox after that.” Harry almost laughed at the Botox. “So, he has a thing for being a piece of shit to women.” “Oh, yes. We tried to dig in deeper when we were fighting his ass in court, but we didn’t have the time to get very far. The judge basically ruled in a week’s time, and we got what we wanted. Cowell lost a lot of money. We were going to go after his illegal businesses, but he backed off after I punched him. I wanted him to show up so I could punch him again.” He gave a smile at that. “Sounds like the Louisa Tomlinson I know.” She winked as their teas and sandwiches were placed on the table. “I almost broke my hand and spent the night getting a brace fitted on my hand. A nurse flirted with me the whole time. Fun times. It meant nothing, I’m not really into women that way, but I guess she assumed because I am a female Dom. Most of us choose women to be paired to.” Harry picked at his sandwich. “I didn’t put down a preferred gender on my form.” “I noticed.” She nudged his hand up to his mouth. “Eat.” He mechanically took a bite. “And the thing you were talking about Zayn not having medical records?” Louisa decided to brush over it. This was a discussion for another day. Her sub had been through enough today. “We’ll have to ask her about her family life at some point. Later is fine, once we’ve applied in court against Cowell. I’m not even a lawyer and I want to be in court facing him. I’ll get him on financial fraud, Liam will do the rest. We do have a lot of good lawyers. I hope we can get the government to chop his dick off.” “Doubtful from what I’ve seen and heard, Miss,” Harry shook his head, eating. “They don’t even do chemical castration for rapists.” “Most rapists never get caught. We want to make an example of his ass. People like him should see how he suffers for all of his sins, and it should put the fear of God in them.” “We? As in Mr Payne, too?” She nodded. “That’s a different story. Niall can tell you when you meet up tomorrow. For now, let’s eat and talk about random stuff like how you’d make this sandwich and why yours would taste way better.” He cracked a grin. “Way, way better.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“They said they’ll be questioning her in the morning,” Niall said. “Good,” Harry sighed in relief. “I didn’t want her to be alone when it happened.” “Liam said he took care of it, and I trust him. I tried to go say hi, but I think she was pretty doped up again, so she didn’t say anything. Hope I didn’t scare her.” “Don’t think you’d be able to scare anyone,” he teased. “You’re a goofball.” “You’re a marshmallow,” he shot back. “Anyway, we’re going back home now, two policewomen are guarding her tonight.” “And the, uh, bad guy?” Harry asked. “Already in police custody. Courts don’t open till Monday morning; he can’t post for bail. I doubt he’ll rot in a jail cell till then, though, probably got a few tricks up his sleeve. Maybe some bribes. That’s why Zayn’s being guarded. Liam says we can’t take any risks until the restraining order is in place.” Harry chewed the inside of his cheek. “Okay, thanks Ni, Miss and I will go to the hospital early tomorrow and I can be with her.” “I have a class to take, but I’ll drop by later. Night.” He could hear Niall yawning as he cut the call, getting up from his chair. At least one of them would sleep well tonight. He was just so worried, and he didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t sure he could sleep at all. People like that Cowell guy were dangerous and well connected. You didn’t need to be a genius to guess he had some police officers paid off to do his whim. “Harry?” Louisa asked softly from the doorway. He turned and tried his best to smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Love, she’s safe, okay?” “How long will she need to be in the hospital?” he asked. What would they do once she had to go home? Where would she go? They didn’t even know anything about her family. Would she even be safe? “At least this week, it depends on how well she heals. We’ll need to talk to her, of course, but I think it might be a good idea if she can come and live here, with us. We’re the only people she trusts right now. Liam scares her. If she’s here, we can keep an eye on her, and I’ll hire private security for all of us. Liam and Niall included. We’ll have to be careful.” The hope in his eyes glimmered and faded. “This is more dangerous than you’d thought, isn’t it?” “I’m just being overly cautious,” she reassured. “I’ve had a brush with that insufferable bastard before, but I didn’t have you to worry about then, did I?” She touched his cheek gently. He softened. “I want to be useful, not someone you have to worry about. I’ll take self defence classes. I’ll even learn how to use weapons and do martial arts. I used to run pretty well in school.” She shook her head. “You’re not the type to hurt someone else, my love. You’re my sweet and gentle sub.” She gently leaned up and pulled him down to meet his lips, keeping it soft. “And it’s my job to worry about you. I think I’m good at it.” He couldn’t help but smile, stealing another kiss from her lips. Seeing that he was successfully distracted, she took one of his large hands in hers. “Speaking of, we haven’t been giving each other a lot of intimate time lately, and I was thinking we could change that, if you’re in the mood. It could be a nice way to relax, and you’ll feel better after.” He nodded like a puppy. How could he ever deny her? “We’ve been trying some interesting things, but this time I would like to know what you want,” she said casually as she pulled him up the stairs, him following. “Anything you’ve been curious about, or maybe just something you like doing to yourself, and I’ll help along.” He flushed when he remembered her watching him in the shower, asking him to touch himself for her, talking to him the entire time about how good he looked, making him go over the edge with only her words. It was the best orgasm he’d had by his own hand. She thumbed his red cheek, giggling softly. “I’m guessing you’ve thought of something?” “I was remembering last weekend in the shower,” he confessed. “You didn’t even touch me, and it was so intense.” “Presence can be compelling,” she hummed. “Touches are only part of the experience. I was entirely into it, too, just as much as you were, and I enjoy making you feel good.” She watched as his face turned crimson. “What is it then, pet?” “I-I don’t know,” he mumbled, nervous. “It’s not something a sub should ask for from their Dom.” “And who told you that, hm?” she asked. “You can ask me anything. I’ve seen your form, I’m pretty sure you’re not going to surprise me.” He gulped. “I wanted to feel your mouth, like, properly, but I don’t want to come too fast and ruin it.” “Oh,” she smiled, making him sit on the bed and climb into his lap, straddling it. “We can work on your endurance, but I’d still be happy to. I don’t think it’s submissive to give someone an oral, and I happen to have a thing for men, so why wouldn’t I suck a cock?” He flushed again with embarrassment. She spoke about it so casually! He didn’t know how to react. She’d just agreed to giving him a blowjob, a proper one. He’d never heard of a sub receiving one from their Dom. In fact, subs weren’t supposed to ask for it, or have any desire for it. What pleased the Dom pleased their sub, irrespective of what it was. “Anything else you wanted to try?” she asked, trying not to be too amused. “I’m not sure, I do have a lot of questions though.” He tried to clear his head. “Many of them are about what you like, Miss.” “I like plenty of things.” She kissed his cheek, hand sliding up inside his t-shirt, feeling his stomach, then his extra nipples, then his chest, pinching both nipples between her fore and middle fingers, eliciting a squirm from her sub. “Watching you feel arousal and pleasure because of me is my favourite thing, though, so I want to find all sorts of ways we can get there.” He nodded, gulping. All of the blood was rushing straight to his dick. He let her slide his t-shirt off, holding his arms up. His little cross necklace fell between his collarbones, and he watched as his Dom leaned in and kissed it, then his skin. “You’re so warm,” she murmured, and he fell onto the mattress on his back, relinquishing thought. She undressed him till there was nothing left. “The only thing you’re wearing right now is your little necklace.” Oh God, he thought. Why was that so hot to him? He was throbbing, ready to beg for some contact. She wrapped a hand around his base, but there was no friction, so it did little to reduce his frustration. The next thing he felt was a hot lick on his slit, shifting. It sent tingles shooting straight up his dick. “I’ll try not to go too slow,” she smirked, taking just the tip in her mouth, and sucking at the head, finding his slit with the tip of her tongue again, sliding it back and forth, applying some pressure. It brought out a loud moan from her sub’s lips, leading her on to take more of him in her mouth. He was large, which did make it difficult for her, what with her lack of practice recently, but she tried her best not to choke or gag, pulling back before taking him in deeper. His eyes were closed as he struggled not to move, fisting the sheets and writhing. There was just so much heat and tightness enveloping his cock that it was in heaven. He could hear his heart roaring in his ears. Louisa took him back in her mouth and sucked hard. She couldn’t take all of him yet. His eyes flew open and landed on hers and he bucked his hips hard, making her choke and start to pull back, but then he was coming in her mouth, body taut, moaning like a good little sub. She sucked him dry, making him tremble as he fell against the bed again. “I-I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?” he asked breathlessly, trying to scramble into a sitting position but his whole body felt like jelly. “I’m such a terrible sub! I came in your mouth, and I didn’t even ask for permission!” She licked her lips, climbing on top of him, pushing her mouth against his, tilting his chin down and making him taste his own taste off of her tongue and lips. Once he was panting for breath, she pulled back and smirked. “I kind of enjoyed that. Gives me ideas for next time. I do need to improve my performance. You taste nice. Have you been eating pineapples?” He frowned. She wasn’t mad at him. It didn’t make sense. “Uh, yes, miss, I ate some this morning.” “That explains it,” she chuckled. “Now, what next?” He was frustrated again. “Why aren’t you mad at me?” “That went fine, why would I be mad? Don’t be silly. I’ll tie you up if I don’t want you to move.” “I choked you!” he stammered. “Not on purpose and not for more than two seconds, it’s fine. It’s not like you gave me brain damage.” Her eyes grew dark. “Are you telling me you want me to be mad? Does my little sub want a punishment?” She took his sensitive and wet cock in her hand, stroking it again. He whimpered. He was far too sensitive for this, trying to move away. “It’s too much, miss! It’s too much!” She didn’t stop stroking and his protests became weak moans, sniffling as his cock painfully filled up again. Satisfied, she let go, leaving him hard and leaking, just as he’d been before they’d started. “That was one of the things I wanted to try.” He wiped his face. “That was intense and now I’m hard again. I’m guessing that was on purpose?” She kissed his cheek. “I thought you could take it.” “I can, but it makes it very hard to think about anything else, pun intended.” He cracked a grin. “Maybe I don’t want you to think about anything else. I quite like having your mind on me.” “My mind is always on you,” he said shamelessly. “My Dominant.” She winked. “Undress me.” He sat up, feeling more like himself now. He knew undressing her would only make him needier. He wanted to be needier. He took his time touching and kissing exposed skin, and Louisa giggled when his lips brushed past a very ticklish spot. “Are you ticklish, Miss?” he teased. “Not very Dominant of me, but yes.” “I disagree, I quite like it and I’m not into subs.” He took off her bra last and immediately wanted to touch and kiss and lick and suck. “May I?” “So polite.” She gave a grin, settling into his lap again. “Go on.” He didn’t waste any time, holding a breast in his hand and squeezing very gently, closing his lips around the nipple, trying to tongue it in the same way that she had done to his cock head. “Oh,” she breathed, “you’re a fast learner.” “I’m eager to please,” he replied, licking over the now pebbled nub before moving to the other one. She took the chance to grab one of his hands and lead it to her exposed nipple and showed him now to pinch it slowly and sensually. He deftly rolled it in between two fingertips. “Yes,” she encouraged. “Good. That’s good.” He pulled his mouth away and kissed her luscious lips instead, both hands touching and squeezing her breasts. She gave his lower lip a nibble and they kissed each other in a mix of lips and tongues and breaths, completely unabashed and unthinking. In that moment, there was no Dom and no sub. It was just the two people loving each other and sharing that love. The feeling left Harry breathless. She pulled back to let him breathe, moving his hands down to her waist and then hips. “This might sound vanilla, but we’ve never done missionary.” Getting the message, he rolled them over until Louisa was the one laying on the mattress on her back, him hovering above her. It was the first time their positions were truly flipped. The sub was on top of the Dom. “Condoms inside the dresser,” she reminded him. “I won’t need lube.” He was quick to find one and place it on himself, not touching any more than necessary. Being inside her was better than his hand could ever be. “Can I?” he hesitated. “Yes.” She spread open her legs as he positioned himself and slowly pushed inside her, her back arching as she was fully penetrated. “So deep at this angle.” “Should I pull out a little? I don’t-“ She cut him off with a peck to the lips. “It’s good. Try thrusting your hips.” He pulled back a little till he was halfway out before pushing back in, rocking his hips back and forth. It felt unbelievably good to him, the sporadic clenching and unclenching, the tight heat, a beautiful body under his. He thanked his lucky stars that he’d waited to find his Dom. It felt so right. She gave a moan all of a sudden. “Yes! Right there, exactly like that. Keep going.” He balanced himself on his hands on either side of his Dom’s body writhing in pleasure underneath his larger form, his face in her neck. It was the first time he was fully in control of both of their pleasures, and he was determined to be amazing. Blow her mind completely. Louisa hooked a leg around his hip and let out a long moan of his name. He was trying to keep focused but she made it impossible. He had to last longer than his Dom this time. She clenched roughly and grabbed his hair in a fist, coming with a cry. He moved back a little to watch her come apart, his own thrusts becoming sloppy and uncoordinated as his vision went white. She held him and let go of his hair as he collapsed on top of her, soothingly stroking his back, feeling him panting for breath, his face in her neck again. He was still inside of her, softening now. He shuffled a little as he pulled out and tried to get off, but she shook her head and held him in place. She didn’t mind his weight on top of her. It was comforting. She let go a minute later and Harry rushed to the bathroom to clean up. She followed after a few seconds to pee, doing her business as casually as if there wasn’t another person in the bathroom, then put on a pair of panties and scooped up his t shirt from the floor, wearing it. Harry’s heart almost stopped. This gorgeous woman was his partner for life, and she was wearing his clothes. He didn’t think this would be a possibility, considering the nature of his pairing. “I’m in love with you,” he said without thinking. Louisa grinned and pulled him close till their bodies were pressed against each other. “Good, I wouldn’t want this to be one-sided.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Waking up to a snoring Harry was a funnier sight than Louisa had expected. She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped her. He was fast asleep on his back, mouth open. She tried to close it by tilting his chin up and he rolled over in response, pinning her down under his left side, his breath tickling her neck. He started snoring again. Louisa held back another giggle and squirmed to get out from under his weight, but couldn’t. She tickled his ear, making him groan and swat at it, still asleep. She nudged him in the side with her free knee, trying to get him to roll back over, but that didn’t work either. So, she leaned over a little and took his earlobe in her mouth. He let out a wordless soft moan and shifted a little, enough for her to wriggle free, grinning triumphantly as she scooched out of bed and went to the bathroom. She found him sitting up and rubbing his eyes when she emerged. “Was I having a sex dream or did you suck on my ear?” he asked sleepily, shaking out his misshapen curls. She shrugged. “Must have been a sex dream.” “Mmhm,” he grumbled, getting up. “I’m just teasing, you were on top of me and I couldn’t get you to budge,” she laughed. “That got you to move.” He blushed and shook his head, disappearing into the wardrobe while she went downstairs to check if they could have leftovers for breakfast. When he joined her in the kitchen, she was holding a bowl of cut up pineapple from the fridge. “Miss, why did you ask me if I ate pineapple yesterday?” She winked. “A few foods can make you taste nicer, one of them is pineapple. It goes both ways.” She popped a piece into her mouth. “Works for women, too.” He licked his lips absently. “Does that mean you’re asking me to have a taste today?” “Why not, sounds like a plan. I’m not going to the office tomorrow since Liam will be in court and one of us needs to be available in case something happens, which means we can have fun in bed tonight. No need to be boring and sleep early.” “Right,” he flushed. He was relieved to know she’d be with him. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to be alone for too long. What had happened to Zayn was too disconcerting. If he didn’t feel safe, he knew she would be feeling considerably worse. “We should go to the hospital.” “We should, that’s why I’m looking for something to eat. Didn’t we have leftovers from yesterday?” “I think they’re in the freezer, didn’t want anything to go bad.” He leaned over and opened the freezer, looking through it. Louisa gave his ass a smack. “Looking good.” He twitched but pulled out a container. “I would say I worked on it but I really didn’t do any squats.” “I don’t even work out,” she snorted. “It’s all natural, baby.” He bit on the inside of his cheek at all of the thoughts of touching her ass. “Should I heat this up?” He turned the microwave on and started anyway. “Look at you being domestic, it’s adorable,” she cooed. “We’ll eat whatever that is.” “It’s burrito filling, I’ll heat up some tortillas, there are some packaged ones.” He pulled them out of a cabinet. “I’ll do that,” she hummed, getting a pan and placing it on the heat. “I want a shit ton of cheese on it.” She turned to get some and caught him staring at her ass. “Tonight.” He nodded and busied himself with getting plates and glasses. Louisa put together quesadillas instead of burritos, her tongue poking out of her lips in concentration. Harry thought it was adorable. “Do you cook often?” he asked, watching her. “Not very, no. It was hard to find the time, or the energy, which is why I hired a chef and housekeepers. It’s easier this way. Now that you’re here, I want us to be spending time together instead of worrying about the house being a total dump.” She slid more onto Harry’s plate. “Let’s eat.” “I can cook for you whenever you’d like.” He took a bite and groaned. “It’s so good.” “I’ll keep that in mind,” she grinned. They ate in silence after that, too hungry to make conversation. It would’ve been a perfect morning. “Let’s head out in fifteen minutes, I don’t want the police to show up before we do.” He nodded and got up immediately to clean. “Don’t worry about it.” She took him upstairs. “We pay people enough to clear our plates once in a while. It’s fine.” He busied himself with getting dressed and trying to make his curls sit, but they were just not behaving. Could he get away with wearing a beanie inside the hospital? “Looks cute,” Louisa hummed as she passed him wearing a washed-out green beanie. “Are you ready to leave?” “Yes,” he said. He was anxious to be back with Zayn. He wasn’t sure leaving her without a familiar face all evening and night had been such a good idea. He was such a terrible friend for not being there with her. Louisa pulled him out of his thoughts. “We’re going to have to ask her about her family. We need to know if we can contact anyone for her.” “I’ll ask,” he agreed. If something happened to him, he’d want his family to know. They arrived and made a beeline for Zayn’s room. She had a new policeman guarding her door when they got there and a doctor was checking her, so they waited for a while. “Harry, go in and I’ll join you in a minute,” Louisa guided when the doctor emerged. Harry went inside without complaint and saw Zayn was now able to sit up in bed, still leaning on pillows, but it was an improvement. “Hi,” he said softly. She turned to him, TV still running. “Hey. Is it the next day already? You changed your clothes.” “They’ve been giving you painkillers,” Harry nodded. “Niall said they made you loopy. He was here when I left and made sure you were doing alright.” “Was it a blonde? I remember seeing a blonde. I thought it was nurse at first but then he was playing guitar and it sounded like heaven. But I’m still alive so I guess it was Niall.” “He brought his guitar in and played for you? He’s the sweetest.” Harry was going to give him a kiss later. Niall knew just how to help and he’d gone out of his way for a stranger. “How are you feeling? Can you eat anything?” “I didn’t throw up the water they’ve been making me drink, or rather pouring down my throat while I struggle to remember how to swallow, but now that I’m awake and responding, they’re going to give me something. Hopefully it doesn’t taste gross.” “It’s hospital food, you never know,” he tried to joke. “I’ll bring you something if they’ll allow me. I can cook pretty well.” Louisa knocked and poked her head in. “The nurse has brought you some soup.” She opened the door and let her in, waiting for the nurse to set up the table on Zayn’s bed and place the soup down. “It’s soup, shouldn’t be too bad,” Zayn smiled. “I’ll help,” Harry offered, holding a spoonful to her mouth. Louisa was silent for a while, not wanting to make her feel pressured. “Is it okay?” he asked. “It’s fine, my mouth just feels weird and my stomach is hollow,” Zayn reassured. “I’ll finish it and hopefully not throw it up?” “Hopefully.” He fed her more. They took it slowly, and even though it got cold before she could finish it, she did finish it. “I didn’t realise before but I was absolutely starving.” Harry smiled gently. “You haven’t eaten since you got here.” “Longer than that, but I don’t have to think about that anymore, do I?” Louisa hissed. “That bastard starved you?!” Harry wanted to say something, but he was angry, too. “Do I have to tell them that?” Zayn asked. “Yes,” Harry replied. “You do. It might not be as bad as all of the other stuff, but it’s still bad, Zayn. They need to know. That’s cruelty. I mean, I don’t know the law that well, but I’m sure Mr Payne would agree if he were here.” “He scares me.” “Liam looks tough, but he’s a softie,” Louisa said. “He tries to intimidate people when he’s working to get his way. He’s not like that in his personal life. But you don’t have to be around him if you don’t want to, he’ll stay out of your way.” She nodded. “Thanks. And the blonde guy with the guitar?” “Niall is his sub,” Harry supplied. Zayn was sheepish. “Sorry, the drugs are not helping my brain.” “It’s fine. The police do want to question you today. They won’t ask much and Harry can stay with you when they do. They will ask you to confirm your Dom’s name, show you a picture of him so that you can positively identify him. The rest can be done later. They already took a copy of your medical records.” “Because I was banged up and there’s documented proof, I don’t have to describe everything?” Louisa looked glum. “You don’t have to describe everything right now. If that fucker fights in court, which he will when either we represent you or the government assigns a public prosecutor, the judge will call you in. I’m a hundred percent sure. It’s the perfect way to sway the decisions in our favour. But I’m not a lawyer and Liam will be able to tell you more when you feel ready to talk. We can all discuss it together once you’re out of here.” “I don’t have anywhere to go.” “Of course you do,” Harry said. “You are staying with us. We agreed that it was the best way to keep everyone safe and make sure you feel safe, too. We wouldn’t stick you with anyone else and we have more than enough space.” “I can’t accept that,” she protested. “You can and you will,” Louisa said, using her Dom voice. It was a cheap play, but it worked. The Dom voice always worked on subs, even subs that weren’t hers. Harry shot her a look, holding back his tongue. What was she doing? “Okay,” Zayn agreed in a small voice. Harry checked her monitors, but she wasn’t scared. She’d just obeyed Louisa without another thought. Was that what it was like to be a Dom? There was a knock on the door. Louisa gave a nod and opened the door, letting in two middle-aged officers before leaving the room. They only confirmed Zayn’s name, then her Dom’s. Their third question was their last. “Was your Dom the one who did this to you?” “Yes,” was all she could say before she started crying. It was all too much for her and Harry tried his best to hug her without hurting her. The policemen left promptly after that, knowing their reassurances or apologies wouldn’t help in this situation. Unfortunately, they had experience with these kinds of cases. Subs who had suffered couldn’t suddenly feel safe overnight. It took time, patience and therapy. The powerful stature of her Dom made this a high profile case, which only meant that the best of the police force would be on it. Enough officers had seen the hospital documents and were convinced that Cowell needed to be brought to justice, and the fact that Liam had spoken to them personally had helped. “You couldn’t have told me about last night?” Louisa hissed. Liam groaned. “Lou, I’m sleeping.” “Oh, did I wake you, princess?” she snarked. “Fine. Have it your way. They showed up to question her so I let them take a copy of the medical records to read. They’ll be taking it pretty seriously now.” “She’s been questioned. It took less than five minutes.” “So my little speech worked,” he said smugly. “You know, you could thank me instead of being mad.” “Shut your face. I’m not thanking you for not telling me this shit. You’re not my lawyer. I thought we tell each other everything.” “Stop being so sassy, it’s too early. Besides, you were with Harry and I could see you both needed to be away together for a little bit. Even one evening can help. It doesn’t feel like it but you are still a new pairing.” Harry poked his head outside the room before Louisa could sass Liam any more. “Miss? Can we call Niall? She won’t stop crying and I don’t know what to do. She said him playing the guitar helped her last night.” “I’ll send him,” Liam replied, having overheard through the phone. “And I’ll come by later with food, should I bring anything for Zayn?” “No, she isn’t allowed anything but hospital food,” Louisa sighed. “We’ll wait for Niall.” She reached over and gave Harry a soft kiss on the cheek. “Do you want me to sit with her? You can wait outside.” He nodded and took a seat in one of the chairs. He wasn’t sure if he could take listening to her heart-breaking sobs much longer. He felt helpless. He could still hear them outside. He frowned when they stopped, standing up and going back inside when his curiosity piqued. Zayn was laying back in bed, sniffling softly, Louisa sitting beside her, a hand in her hair, just stroking the top of her head, singing so softly that he could barely make out the words. “And even if somehow they could have shown you the place you wanted, well, I'm sure you could have made it, that bit better on your own, you are the only ones who know.” Her voice faded at the end as Zayn’s sniffles stopped and she closed her eyes. She was still awake, just resting. Harry sat in the corner quietly, a little surprised. Louisa carefully got off the bed so Zayn could sleep if she needed, taking her sub’s hand and pulling him back outside. “It was beautiful. I wish I could’ve heard more of it.” Louisa flushed, and he wanted to kiss her right there, damn the hospital. “My sisters were fussy babies. Especially the twins, drove us up the wall every night with their crying.” “It was a pretty song.” “It’s Arctic Monkeys,” she chuckled softly. “Not exactly a conventional choice but I sang it to Doris the other day and she dozed off pretty quick.” “You have that little bit of magic in you, Miss,” he winked. “You are such a goof,” she laughed. Niall trotted up with his guitar. “Needed me?” “She might have dozed off, but she liked your guitar playing,” Harry said. “Said it sounded like heaven. I said, ‘nah, it was just Niall’.” Niall shoved him playfully. “I’m going to get a bite to eat then.” Harry turned to his Dom. “I am asking your permission to give blondie here a big wet kiss. He really helped Zayn yesterday while we were gone.” Niall made a face. “Ew, no. I don’t like you that way, Haz. I might be into men but you’re not one of them.” Louisa smirked. “In that case, my love, you can give him two big wet kisses. I’ll even watch.” Niall gasped. “This is cruelty. You’re exacting revenge because I brought Harry here to confess his love.” “Three wet, big and sloppy ones, plant them on him. Slip him some tongue,” Louisa egged on. Harry held back a giggle. “I’d give him one now.” “Thank God we’re in a hospital or I’d have been sexually assaulted right now.” Niall looked relieved. “You’re not getting off that easy, take him out to the parking lot and give him a smooch,” Louisa suggested. Niall shrieked and ran off. Harry gave a grin. “You’re funny.” She gave a shrug. “Have to keep life interesting, otherwise the stress would eat us alive.” Harry smirked. “Since I can’t plant a wet one on blondie, my lips are feeling lonely by themselves.” “I’d snog you, but that would create more problems than it would solve.” He hesitated, biting the inside of his cheek. “You used your Dom voice on Zayn and she just melted. How do you do that? Have you ever used it on me to get me to do what you want?” “You would’ve noticed. I prefer not to use it. It doesn’t really work on other Doms but it seems to work on subs pretty well. I thought it best not to go back and forth with her and end the discussion, since we were not going to accept any of her protests. She doesn’t have anywhere to go. She’s safer with us than at a hotel. Besides, she will need tending to even after she’s out of here.” He still had questions, but it would have to do for now. “Will you use your Dom voice on me in the future?” She noticed his coloured cheeks. “Do you want me to use it? Get you to do my bidding?” He was shameless. “I’d do your bidding without it. I’m yours.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“She likes me,” Niall smirked as he stepped outside. “I’m her favourite person now.” Harry grabbed his face out of nowhere and kissed him right on the lips, pulling back with a smacking sound. “That’s one.” “Gross!” Niall exclaimed while Louisa giggled. “You are insufferable. The both of you. You deserve each other.” “Thanks babe,” Louisa winked, throwing an arm around her sub’s waist. “Want to get dinner before we go home or should I order something?” Harry leaned into her touch without a thought. “Anything is fine with me, Miss.” “We’ll stay with Zayn for a couple more hours, then we’re off too,” Niall said. “Okay, blondie.” She reached up and messed up his hair. “Now you look like you’ve been kissed properly.” Niall wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Still gross,” he muttered as he got his hoodie from the car and put it on. “I’m going back inside, Zayn’s going to freak out if she’s left alone with my big bad Liam.” They both nodded and let him go, heading to their own car. “I’m feeling kind of knackered,” Louisa admitted. “We can just go home, then. I can order food if you want?” he suggested. “Sounds good.” She frowned as she started driving back, Harry clicking through his phone. “I can learn to drive if that would be better,” he offered. “I could drive when you need me to.” “It’s fine, lovely. You’ve got a lot on your plate. We should think about where you want to apply for culinary studies. It’s something we can get done soon. Maybe once Zayn moves in. I’ll try to be home as much as possible and drop into work when absolutely necessary.” “You don’t have to do that.” “I want to do it. Did you order food?” “Yes, it says half an hour.” “Plenty of time for a shower.” She pulled into the garage and turned the car off. “I honestly don’t know why I have two cars. Maybe you could take some driving lessons on the Porsche.” He gasped. “But it’s a Porsche! What if I scratch it? What if I crash it?” She looked amused. “Should I buy you a scrappy second hand Ford?” He blushed prettily. “Again, you don’t have to do that.” “Maybe I want to,” she winked, heading inside. “I’d invite you in for the shower I’m about to take but then we won’t be done in thirty minutes and I wouldn’t dare miss our food delivery.” He gulped. There his mind was again, back in the gutter. It was something else, imagining her in the shower, wet, under the spray, bending over, washing herself. Louisa was oblivious to his plight, hopping into the shower and taking her time. She was making some plans for them tonight. Everything that was going on in their lives was stressful and she wanted Harry to feel relaxed when it was just them, at least for a little. Maybe a massage would be a good idea. It would give her an excuse to touch him all over, not that she needed one. She could touch him all over whenever she wanted. Getting herself worked up wasn’t a great idea, because turning the shower cold didn’t exactly work for women, so she dried off and got dressed. She wouldn’t have to wait long. She could be patient for an hour. She found the t-shirt she had worn to bed last night (Harry’s), and pulled it on. Maybe it was just slightly cruel to her sub, doing that to him, but it was comfortable and it still smelled like him. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t fit into any of her clothes, though. Harry was in the kitchen, checking the fridge and scribbling on a notepad, still in his clothes from the day. He’d been trying his best to distract himself from his naughty thoughts by keeping busy, making a grocery list. He was pretty sure that either the chef or the housekeeper would pick everything up, but he wanted to feel useful. He looked up and gulped, eyes raking over his Dom. There it was again. She was in his t-shirt. He wasn’t sure what it did to him, but it definitely did something. It did a lot, and it wasn’t just arousal. “How much longer till the food arrives?” she asked casually, walking around the island to reach him and give him a kiss. “Um, five minutes?” he squeaked breathlessly, as if he’d just run a sprint. “I’m so hungry,” she groaned, stretching a little, the shirt falling off of one of her shoulders when she bent the other way. There was no bra strap. He stared like a teenager who’d never seen a bared shoulder. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Earth to Harry.” He flushed. “Sorry. It’s very hard to concentrate when you’re wearing my clothes.” He took a deep breath. “I didn’t think I could ever have this. I read about it in books and wondered how that would work out if I did in fact get paired to a woman. Doms don’t really wear their sub’s clothing. It’s supposed to be the other way around, and I’m not small enough to fit into yours.” She picked at a curl, tugging on it before curling it around her finger. “I could always just buy something really baggy. You’ll fit then. Maybe a few dresses.” “Blue?” he blurted before he could stop himself. He was so gone for her. She gave a lopsided smirk. “To match my eyes? Sounds like a good idea. Don’t know if it’ll fit right though, you have bigger shoulders and smaller boobs. Who knows, maybe you’ll grow a bit chesty.” She gave his blushing cheeks a kiss and let go. He wouldn’t mind. His body would still change, he was only eighteen. Imagining his Dom admiring him in a blue dress was a little too much to handle, so he busied himself with getting plates and glasses when the food arrived, and they ate in the kitchen, eyeing each other like they couldn’t wait to fuck. “Is it just me or are you looking at me like you want to eat me?” she teased. “I wanted to test the pineapple theory,” he said innocently, licking his fork, then his lips. “Oh, you know what you’re doing with that.” “Should I stop?” he hummed, even though he did not have any intention of stopping. “Would you if I asked? Or would you egg me on just so I’d punish you?” “Not fair,” he pouted. That was enough to get him raging hard. “Is it on me that you find spanking hot?” He tried being bold. Maybe he’d get more than a spanking this time. “You’re the only one I’ve been with, so yes.” She stood from her seat and sat in his lap. “I was going to touch you all over today. Everywhere. Give you a massage and be super nice, but now I’m not so sure.” A whine escaped his lips. “Please, Miss.” Of course he wanted to be touched everywhere. “Spanking or massage? Which one?” she purred, taking his earlobe in her mouth and sucking on it. She could smell his pure scent mixed with some sweat from the day. There was no trace of hospital. He gulped, chest heaving. His brain wasn’t working right. He could only take short breaths. Had she asked him a question? He couldn’t remember. He could only hear the blood rushing in his ears. She let go of his earlobe and brushed her lips against his ear. “I’m going to tie your wrists to the bed so you can’t move and then I’ll touch you all over. I’ll go slow, take my time, teach you a thing or two about patience.” She pulled back, looking into his blown out eyes. “You’ll look so pretty all flushed and desperate under me, unable to touch, only able to take what I give when I give it to you. I promise, I won’t torture you too much.” He gasped softly. One touch on his cock. One touch was all he needed to come right now. But it was a touch he didn’t receive. She got off his lap and he followed her like a puppy, his dick feeling trapped in too many layers of clothing. Every moment with his Dom was so much more than he’d imagined it would be. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he’d waited for her. She’d waited for him too, albeit in a different way. They’d declared love for each other. To Harry, that made each moment more special, more real. It made his need for her more urgent. “Clothes off, on the bed on your back. I want to see your face.” She didn’t use her Dom voice, but it made him tremble all the same, realisation hitting him. She was really going to tie him to the bed so that he couldn’t move. This was the first time they were entering the D/s territory of their relationship in the bedroom, and his cock was already leaking in his briefs. He stripped hastily, getting on the bed. “Wrists up, love.” She brought some padded handcuffs from the wardrobe. They looked sturdy, but they were gentle on the wrists. She climbed on top of him and secured a cuff around his wrist before looping the chain through two of the bars on the headboard, then clicking the other cuff into place. He tested the cuffs, tugging. They were soft against his skin, but he couldn’t budge at all. He wouldn’t be able to get free unless she unlocked them. “Are you okay? Is it too uncomfortable?” she checked. He shuffled a little till his arms could rest against the bed and his shoulders didn’t feel tense. “My cock is what’s very uncomfortable, please.” She grabbed his jaw and kissed his plump lips for a few seconds before pulling back just as abruptly. “I’m not going to give it to you that easily, my little sub. You’ll have to learn what it means to be patient. I’ve been very lenient with you, allowing you plenty of orgasms. Tonight, that’s about to change.” A whine escaped him as she got off of him and undressed herself. He watched her with hungry eyes, wishing he could reach out and bring her closer, on top of him. “I worked myself up you know,” she confessed. “Thinking about touching you all over. Kissing every nipple, even the extra ones, licking your v-cuts. They’re coming in nicely already. Giving you a very nice massage wasn’t out of the picture.” His breathing was ragged. “I would give you a massage any day, any way you want it.” “Yes you would.” She ran a hand down his arm, till his shoulder. “Because you’re a good sub. The best sub.” She leaned into his neck and nosed down till she found his collarbone, licking across it before using her teeth, eliciting a whimper. “I won’t bite too hard.” He wanted to reply but all that came out was an airy moan. The anticipation, the inability to touch, the teasing; it was just a lot. He shifted a few times, feeling his cock resting against his stomach, hard and ignored. She knew just when to kiss and touch and keep it at full mast. He let out a choked sound when she dipped her tongue in his belly button and looked up at him and they made eye contact. His head fell back into the pillow as he tugged on the cuffs, taking in a shaky breath. “Yummy,” she commented, hands on his thighs. He had a light smattering of hair, some on his thighs and a happy trail. “I’m guessing you’re going to grow more body hair with time.” She leaned in and nosed along his hip before dipping her tongue in a v-cut. It wasn’t as pronounced, but it made Harry whimper just the same. “These will look even better in a couple of years. Welcome to adulthood.” He bit on his lip and tugged on the cuffs again even though it did nothing. He just couldn’t help himself. “I want you, please, Miss.” “I think I’ve teased you enough. Now, we’re going to figure out if I do taste better after eating pineapple.” He licked his lips as she straddled his face, looking up at her with blown-out eyes. He was more than eager. “Yes please.” He did as much as he could with his hands being tied, sucking and licking and moaning. She moved her hips a little, knowing what she wanted and how to get it. He flattened his tongue against her clit and moved it back and forth, making her moan in pleasure, grabbing his hair in her fist and looking down at him. Maintaining eye contact, he wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked hard. Louisa tugged on his curls roughly as she came, legs closing around his head. He groaned as her juices dribbled down his chin, trying to catch everything with his tongue, making a slurping noise in the process. She slowly rolled over to sit beside him. “I feel like jelly.” Harry’s mouth was still glistening. “You’re always welcome. You do taste delicious.” She winked. “Right, what shall we do about that?” “Touch me?” he asked. “Or do I have to wait longer? I really don’t know how much more I can take.” She chuckled and bent over, giving him a sinful view of her backside, taking his cock in her hand and licking some of the precome off his tip as she worked her hand over him. He immediately moaned and bucked his hips into her touch. “I should buy you a fleshlight,” she mused. “I think you’d like it a lot.” He knew what a fleshlight was, giving another moan at the sheer imagination of her using one on him. “Roll your hips up more,” she said, stilling her hand on him, giving him a squeeze. He obeyed, whining and fucking up into her hand. He was just so close. He needed it. He needed it so bad. “Please.” She used her Dom voice this time. “Come.” His whole body shuddered as he thrust up one last time, the come shooting out of him and landing on himself, making messy patterns on his chest, some hitting the underside of his chin. He went taut, riding the high of pleasure coursing through every fibre of his being. He fell against the bed, limp as a noodle, feeling aftershocks. The intensity left him dazed. She uncuffed him and helped him bring his arms back down, waiting for him to blink his eyes open. She was patient with him, giving him gentle kisses on his forehead, cheeks, nose and then lips. “Hi there,” she smiled. He blinked a few times. “The Dom voice really works.” “It was kind of cheating, but yes. You need help to the shower? You’re messy.” He blushed and got up. “I’ll clean myself up.” “I’ll wait.” She leaned back in bed, still naked. He took a long gaze at her before going to the bathroom, head still a little spacey. He cleaned off, thinking about all of the changes that would happen to his body that Louisa had spoken about. He was still a gangly teen at best. He had been working out a bit in the gym, but he found cardio, yoga and Pilates more comfortable than using the collection of weights. Would that be a problem? He shook his head at himself and left the bathroom, wrapped in a towel as he went through his underwear drawer and pulled one on before wearing some soft shorts and climbing into bed. Louisa was now dressed, back in his t shirt, some tiny shorts underneath that he could barely see. She gave him a sleepy smile, snuggling against him. “Tired?” He nodded, lids heavy. “Showers always get me drowsy.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You’re adorable. We have had quite the day. Rest, we don’t have to be up early in the morning. Kind of looking forward to not going to work,” she yawned, head on his chest. Harry kept one arm around her, away from her bum. “Good night, Miss.” He closed his eyes and dreamt more of his Dom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“So, did you sign up for any courses yet?” Niall asked, shoving another chip into his mouth. Harry nodded. “There are a lot of options. I’m not sure if I really want to go for a full-time 3-year or 4-year course at university, because I want to focus on my Dom, too, and I don’t know whether I’ll want to work at a restaurant afterwards or start something small on my own. I’m thinking I might do a year-long thing and then an internship so that I can pick up work as a sous chef somewhere and get experience.” “What does Louisa think?” “She supports me in whatever I want to do. She’s okay with all of the options, although she did say that she doesn’t know enough about the field to be able to give me advice that I can use. She wants me to follow my heart and do what feels right. I don’t want to decide hastily.” “But if you don’t like something even after starting it, you can change your mind.” “I know that, but I’m not too keen on wasting time.” “Louisa wouldn’t see it that way. She loves you so much, H. She’d give you the world.” He blushed. “Do you guys talk about me when I’m not around?” “Don’t know about those two, but I talk about you with Niall,” Zayn piped up. She’d been quiet the past few days, trying to heal, but also come to terms with processing her trauma. She’d finally started throwing in a comment here and there, giving the others a glimpse of her personality. “We’re obsessed with your curls,” Niall shrugged. “So bouncy. Why’d you get them trimmed?! Silly. You could’ve sold your curls.” “I’m not selling my hair, that’s ridiculous,” he snorted. “And I don’t need the world. Miss gives me everything I need and more. I’m very happy with her and I’m glad she’s just as happy with me. It’s kind of silly but I really liked having her home for the past few days, despite the cause. It felt like we got so much more time together. Otherwise I feel like a sad puppy when she’s gone.” “Is that why we’re in sub central right now?” Niall joked. The three of them had been holed up in Zayn’s room all morning, since Louisa had gone back to work and Liam was very busy loading off his other cases within the firm so that he could prepare for Zayn’s case in good time. They’d been keeping an eye on Cowell, too, but he was still on house arrest and hadn’t been able to make any moves. “I’m sure Zayn would like to be out of that lumpy bed and in a nice, soft mattress.” He turned to her. “I think we can take you home tomorrow.” She sighed. “I know you won’t listen when I say this, but I don’t want to impose. I know I can’t go anywhere else, either, though. I’m scared of what he might do. Not just to me, but to you guys. He’s got people who will do his bidding.” “Frankly, I wouldn’t worry. Liam said they’ve been trying to get a good look at whoever has been going in and out of Cowell’s house, but he suspects that the information they’re getting isn’t completely accurate. But, we did expect this, and we’ve already hired some private security. There are like, known vulnerable spots where someone could try to hurt us, like parking lots, or in the car, or when any one of us is alone. So, don’t be alone and always have two bouncers with you. Money buys goons, but it also buys protection,” Niall explained. “Besides, if something happens to us now, the police will know it’s Cowell’s doing, so I don’t expect him to cause us any physical harm. Blackmail is probably more likely.” “I’m only eighteen, I wouldn’t even know if I was being blackmailed,” Harry said. “You’re a smart cookie. I wouldn’t even believe you’re only eighteen. You’re mature,” Niall shot back. He nudged him in the side. He knew what Niall was doing. “You’re a good friend.” “I’m good at hyping people up,” he replied nonchalantly. They ordered some food and ate. Zayn had stuck to mostly bland food, soups and rice, only foods that would be gentle on her stomach. She was doing a lot better, except for the fact that she couldn’t stand or walk for very long without being completely exhausted. The doctors had chalked it up to her rib injury. It would need time to heal. A cracked rib was a serious injury and she was lucky she hadn’t punctured a lung. She was still on a lot of painkillers, but she didn’t need an IV anymore and had to swallow the pills, which tasted disgusting. It was probably not the best part of her day, but she knew she’d be worse off without the medication. It was sunset when Niall finally picked up his guitar and left. “Got to go earn some money by teaching spoilt rich kids to play the guitar,” was his explanation. “He’s not a typical sub,” Zayn noted once he was gone. “Oh, he doesn’t even cook unless it’s a momentous occasion,” Harry nodded. “He just orders food all the time and Liam doesn’t even care. They’re very happy together.” Louisa took the moment to poke her head in. “The nurse wanted to give you your sponge bath, Zayn.” Both subs nodded and Harry stepped out to give them privacy, but what he really wanted was to have a moment with his Dom. He wanted a kiss and a cuddle, maybe even a nice snog. She read his mind and pulled his larger frame towards hers. He idly wondered if he would become larger as he got older. Maybe his shoulders would widen, maybe he’d get bigger arms. Maybe he’d be twice his own Dom’s size and still always submit to her. She was a goddess. She pressed her lips to his and kissed him softly for a few seconds before pulling back enough to admire his handsome face. “I missed you.” He finally noticed she was still in her work clothes. She looked breath-taking in a black turtleneck sweater that elongated her neck. Her blue eyes shone in contrast, brighter than usual. “I missed you too, Miss.” There was more that he wanted to say, more that he needed to do, but he kept it to himself. They were, after all, in a public place. “We’ll be able to take Zayn home tomorrow, so I’ve already taken the day off work. I can catch up on some things from the home office once she’s settled in.” The largest guest room had been readied for Zayn two days ago in anticipation of this. Harry had checked it multiple times himself. It was also the room closest to Louisa’s, in case she needed help with anything, even if it was just to the bathroom. “I also got her a phone and put in our contacts, activated GPS tracking.” “I checked the TV in her room and made sure it works. I can put some music on her phone so that she doesn’t get bored all day.” “You can let her know and we’ll go home,” she smiled softly and went through her phone, texting Liam the updates. She looked up when he came back to her. “You look upset, love.” “I’ve been neglecting my own Dom, of course I’m upset,” he said pitifully. “I’m supposed to have a hot dinner ready for you in your lovely, cosy home after work. Not have you rushing on an empty stomach for me.” “Don’t be ridiculous. I am perfectly capable of feeding myself. I’m not a baby. Turn that frown upside down, I am taking us out for dinner and I won’t be taking no for an answer. Be good or I’ll spank you.” He gulped but went with her silently after that. His brain was a mush of don’t think about being spanked don’t think about being spanked for the next twenty minutes. He felt embarrassed for being so fixated on sex, but he was in love and it was his Dom. He only wanted what he rightfully deserved. He hadn’t even realised how famished he was until the food was in front of him, taking a big bite. Louisa was watching him with so much affection that he paused mid-bite. She shook her head and started eating. Successfully distracted with food, Harry ended the meal without a raging hard on and stuck to giving his Dom dopey eyes instead, just because she was so beautiful. He couldn’t help how he felt about her. He just felt so much that he stared at her the whole way home, even when she poked his arm and giggled. “You’re so silly, Harry.” “I’m only silly for you.” He meant every word. “When did this take a turn from sexual to romantic?” “You’re the one who started it, Miss.” She raised an eyebrow. “When I looked at you during dinner? I was simply admiring my sub.” “And now I am admiring my Dom.” She giggled so hard that she had to stop the car before parking it. “Smooth.” He gave a goofy grin. “Glad to know I’m charming.” “You charm my pants off.” “I know you said you’re taking the day off tomorrow, so I wanted to ask if I could pamper you, right now,” he started shyly. She gave him a smirk. “Pamper me? What’s on the menu, then?” “A massage. I think I’m good with my hands. I will be perfectly patient and put you before me, of course.” That was how they ended up in bed, Louisa on her front, her hair sprawled out on a pillow, groaning softly while Harry worked the massage oil into her muscles, focused. He’d been hard again since she’d dropped her last piece of clothing. Her skin was smooth and soft with some light brown hair that was just as soft as the hair on her head. He wanted to lick across it, but that would be naughty, and he was trying to help his Dom relax. He respectfully went down her thighs, trying not to stare at her ass but by God, it was perfect. He reached her ankles and hesitated at her feet. “You have very nice toes, miss. And feet.” She giggled softly into a pillow, about to reply when she felt something hot and warm and silky envelop her second toe, giving a moan. “Fuck, Harry.” Spurred on, he closed his eyes and suckled, moving his tongue across the digit. He wasn’t thinking anymore, just acting purely on instinct like an animal, eliciting another moan from her. He pulled back and slid his tongue between two toes. She tasted clean, there was no sweat or grime, but the soft digits felt so good in his mouth that he went back in, suckling on her big toe. Louisa grabbed a pillow and let out a string of curse words, shuddering. This was the last thing she had expected to get out of a massage, but her sub was worshipping her feet and she was so wet that she was ready to hump the bed and come like that like a horny teenager. When the heat was gone she turned her upper body until she was on her side, looking down at her sub. His pink lips were glistening and his eyes were blown out with lust. He looked wrecked and she hadn’t even touched him yet. Shame coloured his cheeks as soon as his brain caught up with his actions and he averted his eyes, making Louisa pull him closer and nudge his chin up. “Never be embarrassed of what makes you feel good. You made me feel good, too. Just feel how good it was for me.” She took his hand in hers and spread her legs open, leading his fingers to her folds. She was soaked, moving her hips against his touch, giving a sigh of pleasure at the contact. He looked hesitant still, but she gave him a nod, trying to encourage him. “Do what you want. I will make you stop if I don’t want it, too.” He rubbed his fingers through her folds, either side of her clit, pinching the nub lightly before snaking his pointer over her clit, just the fingertip, back and forth, playing with it. She fell back against the pillows, whimpering softly, fully on her back now. He took his fingers into his mouth because he couldn’t resist tasting her any longer, then grabbed her foot in his hand, bending her leg further at the knee, their eyes fixated on each other as he placed kisses on her feet, open mouthed and wet, using his tongue, too, before taking two toes into his mouth and sliding his tongue between them. How could Harry even be real? Louisa wanted to ask the universe just how in the hell this man was even real. He was so much, almost too much, giving her everything he had, lain bare and unashamed for her, giving in to his most primal of desires unabashedly, fulfilling his desires, with her. Only with her. No one else knew this side of him. It was all only for her. He closed his lips around the big toe and suckled, eyes closed, long lashes framing his cheeks, on another plane of arousal and need. A plane of existence where shame and hesitation didn’t exist. The only thing that existed was the two of them. Louisa twitched despite being untouched, finally pressing two fingers to her clit roughly. That was all it took for her to come, arching her back and crying out his name. She lost control of her body and Harry pulled back to hold her leg securely at the ankle so that she wouldn’t kick him in the face or chest, his entire being on fire with desire and need. She opened her eyes and stared right into Harry’s soul. “Touch yourself.” He wrapped a fist around his pulsing length. He was aching, giving a keen and moving his hand over himself fast. He’d been spurting precome steadily since he’d taken the first move on her feet, and even his own touch felt earth-shattering. His chest heaved as he raced towards completion, throwing his head back and closing his eyes tightly as the orgasm spread through him. It took him a moment to come back down to earth. A soft, wet rag was being dragged across his skin, cleaning up the mess he’d made over himself. He was on his back and he felt thoroughly exhausted, right to the bone. Soft lips made contact with his and parted too soon, before he could kiss back. “You zoned out for a minute there,” Louisa said softly as she came into view. “Feeling okay?” He took in some more oxygen. “I don’t know what came over me.” “You wanted something, and you went for it. I know you ticked it on your form, but what I wasn’t expecting was such a bold move from my cute little sub, and that too out of absolutely nowhere.” He frowned dazedly. “It was like someone flipped a switch in my brain and I entered some kind of sex crazed fog.” “That’s just called desire. If your crazy sex involves some sensual foot worship, I really don’t think you have anything to worry about.” She thumbed his cheek gently. “I liked that side of you.” “It was good?” he asked hopefully. “It was so good, baby.” She pecked his lips and laid down, snuggling into him. “The shock value of it too, though. You’re unpredictable. I kind of like it. As long as it’s only for me.” “Only for you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Just lean on me, I promise you won’t hurt me,” Harry coaxed. “I carried you then and I can carry you now.” “Threatening,” Zayn commented dryly, leaning her full weight on him as she took a few more steps. “You could have just let them wheel you out to the car,” he shot back, holding her waist as he helped her along. “This is quite a lot of walking for someone whose ribs haven’t healed yet.” “I have to learn to get around on my own again. I can’t keep needing someone to wait on hand and foot for me.” “Nonsense. You are still recovering. It’s fine to need help.” They made slow progress to the door and Louisa was already waiting with the car. She’d brought the Porsche so that it would be easier for Zayn to climb into than the Range Rover. She’d also brought Zayn some of her own clothes to wear, since Zayn didn’t have any of her own belongings. Whatever she’d had when she went to Cowell had probably been thrown out by the piece of shit Dom already. Harry sat in the back with Zayn while his Dom sat up front. She’d decided not to drive today. She had a driver on hand for a reason. Besides, the Porsche was too valuable to scratch. It had sentimental value. “I had the bedroom on the ground floor readied as well,” Louisa said as they pulled up to her home. “I don’t think you should strain yourself by taking on the stairs today. Maybe in a couple of days, we can give it a shot. The room upstairs is much nicer and it’s closer to ours, but all in good time.” Ours. Harry didn’t know whether to blush or preen, so he did both. His Dom thought of the bedroom as theirs, not just hers. The house as theirs, the life they shared was theirs. It was an effort to get Zayn to the guest room, but they managed. She was starting to feel the pain kicking in. “Food’s already done, I’ll fix you a plate.” Louisa rushed off before either of the subs could even say anything. She’d seen the pain on Zayn’s face. She needed to take her painkillers and rest. Zayn just gaped like a fish for a minute before finding her words. “A Dom is going to bring me food?” The words sounded unbelievable, even coming from her own mouth. “She cooks, too,” Harry grinned. “And she’s good at it. Not a whole lot, because she’s busy, but when she has time and feels like it. She never eats before I do. She makes me sit with her and eat the first bite. I wanted to chalk it up to the fact that she has a lot of younger siblings, most of whom are supposed to present as subs, but I think her mother has a lot to do with it. Jay is honestly such a warm presence. She reminds me of my mother and how she took care of Gemma and I, knowing we’d present the way we did.” “Is Gemma your sister?” “Yes, she’s a Dom. She moved to America with her sub. Another relationship like mine with Miss. A female Dom with a male sub. I don’t know too much about their dynamic together except that it’s close to how mine is.” Zayn was about to reply but Louisa came in with a plate of food. Harry placed a table in front of Zayn on the bed and then the plate in front of her. It was a steaming hot risotto with vegetables and chicken on top. It made her sigh softly. “Is this okay?” Harry asked. “I don’t know the last time I ate something that looked this good,” Zayn admitted quietly, and the room grew silent. Harry didn’t want to cry, but the tears sprung into his eyes before he could help himself, and he stepped out with a sniffle. “He’s okay,” Louisa reassured. “He’s just emotional, love. He cares. He feels deeply.” “You should be mad at me for making your sub cry.” Louisa shook her head. “I’m not. I’ll take care of him. That’s my job. You should eat, it’s hot and I know it’s good because I already had a taste. I’m right outside.” She placed a button in her hand gently. “Press this if you need a thing.” Zayn nodded and took a bite. She was starving. Louisa found Harry wiping his face, cradling him in her arms. “Oh my poor baby.” Despite the size difference, he felt comforted. “Sorry.” “It’s alright to be sensitive. It actually makes you the most wonderful and sweetest thing. So precious.” He let out a wet laugh. “Okay, Miss.” “Now how about we get some food in you? You can come and sit with Zayn until she sleeps. I’ll finish up some work, come find me in the office when you’re done.” Harry pulled back, and Louisa sensed the hesitation in his stance before he’d even said a word. “Are you going to eat in front of your laptop?” She thumbed his cheek. “No, I’ll just call Liam and get some updates. I know it’s not a good idea to be working when eating but I really need to talk to him soon, love. And it’s not like we don’t hang out for lunch every day at work, anyway. It won’t be much different than that. We usually just sit there and talk about you and Niall, though.” Harry supposed he couldn’t criticise his Dom’s work. He wasn’t the expert on the topic between the two of them. He kissed her cheek and got himself a plate while she disappeared upstairs to her home office. He went back to Zayn’s room to find her eating quietly, taking small bites. “I’ll sit with you,” he said, placing himself in the chair and holding his plate. “You know, chicken is my favourite food.” It made Harry grin. “Miss loves chicken too, I try to make it every other day. Or the chef does, anyway.” “She’s rich,” Zayn pointed out. “Hence the Porsche.” Zayn gave a laugh and held her side in pain. “No laughing please. It hurts.” He gave an apologetic smile and helped her take her meds after she had eaten. “You can go, I’ll just sleep. Besides, the TV remote is right here if I get bored.” “And your new phone,” Harry reminded. “You can use it for whatever. If there’s someone you need to call.” Something flashed across Zayn’s face for a split second before she nodded and laid down very carefully, and Harry almost missed it. He left the room and went to find his Dom, who was hunched over her laptop, reading intently. “I’d ask you to come sit in my lap but you’re so tall and gangly that you’ll never fit,” she said without looking up from the screen. It made him blush again. “Maybe it’s better we tried the lap arrangement in something a bit sturdier than a desk chair,” he agreed. “Maybe the sofa or the bed would work better.” “Ah, our sex locations,” she hummed, then looked up. “No more sofa sex in the lounge for us while Zayn is here.” He frowned. It was better to bring it up now than later. “Something’s a bit off with her. I couldn’t quite place my finger on it. I gave her the new phone and said she could use it, contact anyone she likes. She tried not to react but there was something there.” Louisa leaned back in her chair. “I suspected as much. Liam and I talked about this already.” “On Saturday?” They’d been talking mutedly in the hospital corridor and Louisa had dismissed the topic quickly when he’d shown up. “You really do notice everything,” she murmured. “Yes, on Saturday. We were discussing why she doesn’t have a birth certificate or any records, but she’s registered with the Bureau. That does mean she had to come to the Pairing Test.” “But how does the Bureau know her age if she doesn’t have a birth certificate? Her birthday is on her card, 12th January.” “Most likely? She was born in a rural hospital or in a home birth and was registered later. Not sure if there was computerisation everywhere then and it is possible she could’ve been missed when incorporating. The hospital or clinic could have closed down. But the fact that there’s no record of her before she presented isn’t a good sign.” The solemn look on his Dom’s face had his heart catching in his throat. “What does that mean?” “Liam guesses she was kept away from the world, seen as a source of shame by her family. Probably her father. Maybe he hoped she’d present as a Dom, but honestly? Most of the world doesn’t know what to do with a female Dom. Being born with the female anatomy is a disadvantage in itself. When she presented as a sub, they had no choice left but to take her to the Bureau. They’re always looking for more female subs.” “The category with the highest demand,” he sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Does that mean he hurt her when she was a child?” “We don’t know. All we have is a last name to go on and that isn’t helpful. This isn’t something we can take up with the police but it doesn’t have anything to do with the case we’re looking to build against Cowell. This is about her past. She probably thought she would get a chance at living a good life with her Dom, and she ended up worse off than where she’d started. We’re looking at private investigators to look for people with the last name Malik in Bradford. We’ve got to be discreet about it. I think Zayn won’t appreciate us doing this. After all, there’s a reason she won’t say a word about it.” “But what if she has sisters? Subs? They could be mistreated too, and they could be suffering right now.” Louisa took his hand and squeezed. “She probably does have sisters who are subs. This can become a ‘business’, so to speak, for some people. The Bureau can be very thankful to families that provide them with multiple female subs. My own mother would know,” she snorted. He blinked in disbelief. “They pay people whose children turn out to be subs?” “If you have two or more daughters who present as subs and enter the system to be paired, you get money. They twisted it around to say we need to be having more children and boosting the population, and we need ‘good, obedient housewives’ for that, which are in essence, female subs. They make it about the good of society. Mum got a payout when Fiz presented, even though she’s not entered the system yet. They’ve seen how successful Lottie’s pairing has been, so they’ve got high expectations from the Tomlinson girls.” “And the twins are next,” he realised. “How do you even deal with it?” “Mum’s pissed. She really is, but she took the money. Didn’t use it, it’s sitting in a college fund for Fiz, although she wants to become a model. Can you believe she asked me to move to London and audition for different modelling gigs? My baby sister.” She shook her head. “It’s crazy.” “You wouldn’t deny any one of them of a thing. You’d spoil them rotten.” Louisa blushed. “Sh don’t tell them that, they think I’m a toughie.” “Nah, you’re a softie.” He had the dopiest smile on his face. She leaned over and gave him a kiss. “I’m almost done in here, could you check on Zayn once? We can have some tea and sit outside. Fresh air would be good for her.” She turned back to her laptop and wrote the last email before flipping it shut, walking downstairs. She found her sub in the kitchen, kettle whistling. “She’s still asleep,” Harry said softly, pouring the water to steep the tea. “It’s probably the painkillers and the fact that she’s finally got a soft bed.” “We can sit outside then love, just us two. Make it a romantic moment.” She reached over, crowded in his space, opening a cabinet to pull out a tin of biscuits. “Which ones are your favourite?” He looked over her shoulder, assaulted by her soft smell. He tried to concentrate. “I’ll take any of the cream ones.” “Sometimes I forget you’re technically still growing,” she chuckled, “but then you remind me.” He scratched the back of his neck self-consciously. “Does that bother you? The age difference?” She turned around, chests almost pressing into each other. “I think eighteen is too young for subs to be paired permanently. I was pretty reckless when I was eighteen. I would know. If Doms are allowed to wait a few years, why can’t you? You’re still figuring yourself out, your body is still changing. It’s a rocky time to be making a lifelong commitment. What you want out of life can still change.” He knew she was being practical, but damn it all. He didn’t care. “I’ve never been in love before, so I don’t know what it’s like with other people. I only know with you, and it sounds juvenile to say, but I don’t want it with anyone else, and I’m not going to want it with anyone else. I don’t think I’m too young to fall in love.” She brushed her lips against his. “You’re wise for your age, Harry, but no one is going to blame you if things change. We all change.” She pulled back and took the teas outside, leaving him to follow with the tin of biscuits. He frowned. Did that mean his Dom didn’t see their Pairing lasting the rest of their lives? She seemed to think that he would change his mind about loving her and wanting to be with her in a few years’ time. But why? Why would he ever change his mind? She was so good for him, good to him. Sure, he was young, but that had never stopped the millions of successful Pairings before. There had been failures, including his own parents. Including Louisa’s mum and birth father. Was that what this whole thing was about? Louisa sat in a chair, sipping her tea on the patio. He sat down and nursed his own mug, glancing at her a few times. She seemed calm, not like she’d just insinuated that their love wouldn’t last more than a few years. Like he’d up and leave when he felt like his heart didn’t want her any longer and she’d just let him go. She wouldn’t be like other Doms, forcing their subs into a lifetime of togetherness or dumping them like they were an extra weight. But how could he explain to her that this very fact made him sure that his love wouldn’t fade? How could he get her to understand, without sounding like an eighteen year old with unrealistic hopes and dreams for the future? After all, how could he convince her that he was sure where his heart lay, and where it would lay until it had life in it? She snapped him out of his epiphany. “I know you want to say something.” He took a deep breath, staring at the grass. “I’m not angry or upset. I’m just a little confused. I don’t want you to doubt my love. It might be my first time, but it’s very real and I’ve already imagined the rest of our lives together. I don’t want it to go any other way. You keep reminding me that I have all of life’s freedoms, despite the world we live in, where you have to grant them to me. But it's the only world I’ve ever known and while it’s not perfect, it’s mine. It sounds cliché, but age is only a number to me. This is the first time I’ve ever really felt that you’re so much older than me.” “I’m trying to protect my heart, and I’ve hurt you in the process.” He shook his head. “I am ready to love you wholly, no holds barred. I’m not scared and I’m not protecting my heart. Maybe it’s because I’m young, maybe it’s because I’m a sub and maybe it’s only because I’m me. I think it’s fair of me to expect that love from my Dom, especially since I’ve given it. And I’ve seen it from you. You love deeply. You care. I’ve seen you with your family and I’ve seen you with Zayn. She’s nobody to you and yet you’re doing everything for her. She feels safe because you’re here.” She got up abruptly and Harry almost thought he’d angered her, but then she was crowding his space and grabbing his hair and kissing him hard. It ended as abruptly as it had started and his head was swimming. “I love you. Do you hear me, Harry Styles? You’ve walked into my life and changed it forever. You’ve changed me forever. I’m a new woman because of you. You’ve awakened so much in me that you don’t even know about, and I am scared. It’s not very Dominant of me, but I am scared. Everything in my life is consumed with you and I still can’t get enough. I’m obsessed with you and I don’t even want to stop. That job I love? Doesn’t even matter anymore. It’s boring now. Spending any waking minute without you feels like time wasted. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. The only other sub I love besides my family is blondie, and he certainly doesn’t consume my every thought.” Harry laughed despite himself at the mention of Niall. “I hear you, Miss.” She kissed his cheeks and planted herself right in his lap. It felt comfortable, easy. Effortless. “It was silly of me to be so dramatic. It’s just that I’ve changed so much as I’ve grown older, I didn’t think a sub would cause a totally different transformation in me.” He buried his face in her hair, just inhaling deeply. “Nothing about my life has been the same ever since I walked into the Bureau on my birthday,” he mumbled. “But I wouldn’t change a thing.” “I’m sorry if I hurt you. I never want to be the cause of your pain.” He felt the sudden overwhelming urge to comfort her, squeezing her closer to him until they were sharing body heat completely. “You could never hurt me.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry hadn’t slept well. He’d kept getting out of bed every couple of hours to check on Zayn, finding her in bed and fast asleep till morning, after which he’d helped her to the bathroom and then waited outside respectfully until she was done. He tried rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and checked the kitchen once while Zayn brushed her teeth, then went back to help with her hair. “You’re good at this,” she noted. “I have enough trouble dealing with my own hair, it’s a task,” he chuckled softly, brushing through her black locks. “We should think about washing your hair tomorrow, I think the shampoo Miss uses will work on you, too. Mine’s for curls.” “I’m not being too much of a burden, am I?” “Don’t even say that. We’re just worried about you, you’re still healing. Once all of this blows over, you’re a free woman. You can go explore the world.” “It’s not like I’m feeling caged here, Harry. You’ve spent a lot of time and energy on me and it’s not going to slow down for a while. I expect this to be dragged out in court. I’ve overheard plenty.” “I’m sure Mr Payne thought you were sleeping,” Harry noted. “He didn’t want you to worry.” “Could you fill me in on what you know?” “It’s nothing concerning yet, mostly a waiting game still. Cowell is still on house arrest but he has definitely has visitors. Not sure about the credibility of the data we have. Cowell must have police officers in his pocket. We’re taking everything with a grain of salt. Mr Payne said the restraining order is in effect, it was granted immediately, so that’s a helpful safety net. It’ll stay in effect for one year, which is more than enough time for your case to be concluded. That’s all I know, and I’m done with your hair.” He'd tied it back in a loose braid so that it wouldn’t get in her face. “Would you like to sit outside on the patio? I’ll make breakfast. The chef will come by later to make lunch. Miss likes sleeping in on the weekends.” He knew she’d been bothered by his tossing and turning and probably hadn’t slept any better than he had. She also had work to deal with, she must have been tired. He wasn’t going to wake her. Zayn managed to walk by herself, even though Harry hovered the entire time, taking a seat outside. He gave her the phone. “I’ve got my mobile on me, call me if you need anything. I won’t be able to hear you in the kitchen.” He got her some water and then tea, taking out the sausages and eggs, toasting bread, heating up beans and frying eggs. Miss wouldn’t eat the beans, but he’d substitute them with some bacon for her. He piled Zayn’s plate and took it out to her. She’d been going through the phone. “The world kept spinning out here while I was in there, and it feels like I need a moment to catch up.” Harry gently placed the food in front of her. She didn’t say any more and started eating. He wanted to say something, but her words felt incredibly sad, and he couldn’t respond. He went back inside to cook for himself since there was no sign of his Dom being awake yet, humming quietly as he turned the sausages. Louisa looked sleepy when she alighted, wearing her hair in a messy bun, barefoot in her pyjamas, a soft grey t shirt (which was unfortunately her own and not Harry’s) and matching shorts that hugged her thighs and ass so well that Harry was immediately drooling. She leaned over to pick a fork and stab a sausage, biting the other end. “Good morning.” He blushed and cracked more eggs. “Good morning, Miss. I’m gathering you don’t want any beans?” “Mhm,” she said, biting more of her sausage, watching as he got the bacon. “A bacon sarnie sounds good, there’s brown sauce up there.” She pointed to one of the cabinets and he followed, placing it on the counter, then adding some toast to the plate. He started the kettle up once again, too, knowing she wouldn’t go without tea. “Did you sleep okay? I probably kept waking you up,” he said sheepishly. “Not the best, but I’m alright, and I don’t even have any plans for the day so I can relax. I didn’t like knowing you were worried, but it’s very sweet how much you care for her. I was trying to figure out if it’s because you’re a sub or because you’re you, and I think it’s the latter.” He preened as he slid the bacon onto her plate, watching as she lathered her toast with butter and brown sauce before piling the meat on and closing the sandwich. His stomach gave a growl and he decided to fix himself one, too, but then his phone was going off. It was Zayn. “I’ll check on her, you’re hungry.” Louisa got up before he could even protest. He sighed and started making his own sandwich and took a bite, dipping it in some beans. He suddenly felt nostalgic, the taste reminding him of home. His mother had been the one who’d taught him how to cook, of course his food would taste like hers. He missed her. “Baby, what happened?” Louisa was at his side, wiping his wet cheeks. Had he been crying? He hadn’t noticed. “Nothing,” he mumbled, not trusting his voice. It was fine to miss his mum, really, it wasn’t that dramatic, but here he was, crying like a little child. She pulled him in closer and he buried his face in her neck. “Oh my poor baby.” She kissed his head. “Can you tell me what’s wrong so I can make it go away?” He shook his head but answered anyway. “It’s all so silly, but I just miss home. Not that this isn’t home, but you know. Holmes Chapel, my mum, the house, Robin.” “I miss Donny all the time too. It’s okay.” She felt guilty. Harry hadn’t seen his family in too long. Not even once since he’d come to live with her. She’d taken him away from his hometown and his family and she hadn’t even invited them over to see him, forget taking him home for at least a weekend! He pulled back a little and wiped his face. “I didn’t even realise I was crying, I’m sorry for being dramatic.” She cupped his face, and suddenly her hands felt small. “I’m sorry. I should’ve taken you home for a few days. I don’t really have an excuse for why I didn’t get around to it, since we did see my family. It slipped my mind. You lived there for your whole life, of course you miss them. I’ve been neglecting my duty to you.” He placed a hand over hers, much larger in size. “You haven’t failed me in the slightest, Miss. I’m just a bit of a crier. I’ll call home and talk, I do that a lot anyway. Besides, I think my mum’s got a bit more used to me not being around. It’s not like she didn’t know this was coming, but I think she secretly hoped I wouldn’t be paired right away. Just to get more time with me.” “Who wouldn’t want to get more time with you, you’re wonderful.” He laughed wetly. “I don’t know, I don’t think that I was all that wonderful growing up. I was difficult sometimes. I’d get into my mum’s clothes and jewellery and wear them and do fashion shows, even when my own sister was never into it. It was probably when she realised I would be a sub for the first time. That can be a scary thought.” “She raised you so well, Harry. Besides, we already talked about you wearing a blue dress?” She tried to lighten the mood. He was smiling by then. “Right, soon. And I have to grow out my hair too at some point, we discussed that as well. Anyway, what did Zayn need?” “Oh she was asking if she could sit in the sun so I helped her out to the swing in the garden. She’s there now, she’s walking quite well. Now eat your food and no more crying. You’ve cried twice in the past two days.” He took another bite and Louisa sat back down to eat. He felt a bit embarrassed, still, having cried at something so small. He’d just call his mum and talk for a bit and he’d feel all better. It didn’t need to be so dramatic. He started cleaning up and doing the dishes when the doorbell rang. He frowned and dried his hands, going to open the door, but Louisa had already opened it. “Hope we’re not too early,” Liam said as he came in, Niall already inside and giving Louisa a hug. He moved to Harry next, complaining that he was too tall. “It’s fine, we woke up late,” Louisa shrugged. “Besides, you’ve seen me in way worse shape than grey pyjamas.” “Let me go say hey to Zayn,” Niall said. “In the garden,” Harry guided, going back to his dishes so that the Doms could talk. He didn’t want to be snooping, plus they probably had to talk shop. It wasn’t like Liam and Niall to drop by unannounced. “We’ll try, not sure if it’ll work,” he heard his Dom sigh as footsteps entered the kitchen. He was still wiping down the surfaces, having finished the dishes by then. He wanted to leave the kitchen as clean as it had been before he’d started. “Lou, I don’t want to be the bad guy with her, she’s scared of me enough,” Liam said, taking a seat on a stool. “That’s why you brought Niall. Everyone loves blondie.” Harry bit on the inside of his cheek. He’d figured it out. They were here to question Zayn about everything, and that included her past. He wasn’t sure she would be receptive to answering. “She will feel like it’s an ambush,” he said before he could stop himself. “Like we’re cornering her. And it wouldn’t be right. She’s already scared enough and she finally trusts us.” “At least three of us,” Liam supplied. “She does not trust me in the slightest.” “No offence, Li,” Louisa scoffed, “but have you ever seen yourself in the mirror? You might look like a teddy bear when you smile at blondie, but we all know what you look like when you scowl at a paralegal. Hell hath no fury. You look ready to fire everyone and then sue them for being bad at their jobs. I’m glad I’m immune to the death stare.” “I only use it at work,” Liam protested. “And it’s only when I’m angry. Can’t slip up, we’re too young to be where we are. Everyone’s got something to say about it and I can’t be taking people’s shit especially when I have to also be responsible for them. I also pay their salaries.” “Partly, yes, but Harry’s right. Zayn’s not going to see this in a good light if all four of us gang up on her out of nowhere, that too right after she’s been discharged from the hospital. The girl’s barely had three full meals and one night of sleep since then. I know we can’t wait much longer.” “We’ll need all the time we can get to build our case,” Liam grumbled. “Can’t prepare without the facts. And I know there’s something fishy about their Pairing in the first place. I want to subpoena Cowell’s Bureau records too. His form, Zayn’s form.” Louisa sucked in a breath. “If we can prove they were never even a match, that they’d just pawned off an 18 year old sub giving her test the first time to a man like Cowell, with no care for what she’d written on her form, there is no way he could ever have another sub.” “What?” Harry gasped. “Wouldn’t that be detrimental to the Bureau’s reputation? They’d be humiliated in open court.” “Corruption in the Bureau isn’t uncommon. That’s pretty much how I know my contact. I pay him for his services and he gives me information I need,” Liam said. “Going after the Bureau’s intentions as a whole, as a collective, is something I would really love to do, but I am only one man with a law firm. The Bureau is a lot more powerful than me. They’re too big to be taken down as an entity and the anarchy that could cause is unthinkable. So, we target what we know. We seed out the bad eggs.” Louisa shrugged. “Not like everyone there is bad. After all, that’s how we found blondie and curly here.” Harry’s brain was racing too fast for him to be able to blush. This was a lot bigger than just what Zayn had suffered through. Liam shook his head. “There’s never been any precedent. We need to set the precedent. Us being in loving relationships with our subs hardly says that everyone else is loving on their subs. How much more abuse are we going to allow them to brush under the carpet? Why does Cowell have to cause a miscarriage in order to be tried? Does that make the rest of her trauma unimportant?” Harry watched as Louisa struggled to respond. “All of her trauma is important, Li, but this is his worst crime. I can’t begin to describe what that kind of loss can mean to a woman. Even just the physical aspect of it – the pain, the fact that it’ll take time for her organs to heal. Maybe even feeling glad that the baby didn’t live, because why would you want to raise a child that was raped into you? The guilt that comes with that kind of thought, being glad that you don’t have to raise a child who would have only reminded you of its father, despite it never being the child’s fault. If she had been pregnant still, all of this would have been way shittier, incredibly more complex and emotionally devastating, overall worse for our case. I practically know that, I can’t escape that fact. But what we’ve got is reality, and it might tip the scales in our favour, but we should be more considerate. After all, we’re only fighting the fight. She’s the one who had to live through it.” She got to her feet and went outside. Harry turned to Mr Payne. “There’s things about Zayn that even I can’t understand, nor Niall. We never will. She’s a woman. A lot of what comes with that is alien to the male psyche. I accepted that a long time ago.” Liam managed a smile. “I always knew I’d be paired to a male sub. Women are lovely but not the right life partner for me. I guess that’s why. I grew up with sisters and never realised we were different from each other when I was a kid. Louisa’s always known that burden. It’s sad that we’d never have become so close if she hadn’t been a Dom. Her life would’ve been totally different if she really had presented as a sub.” “Jay said it was a surprise when Miss presented. Nobody saw it coming.” “Oh 100%,” Liam agreed. “She had always been a bit sassy but never bossy. She was so nurturing with her baby sisters, too, especially when Daisy and Phoebe were born. She’d be ready to do everything for them, and she did do everything. The domesticity of it all made everyone assume it would be a house full of subs.” “I’m glad that didn’t happen, because she is a great Dom,” Harry blushed. “Most people don’t agree with our methods. We’d be seen as too soft, not at all Dom-like. Not that I give a flying hoot about what people at work think. I’ve earned my spot, I work hard, I own part of the firm. Nobody gave it to me for free. If I can utilise my freedoms as a Dom to make Niall happy, I’m satisfied.” “Niall wouldn’t be who he is if he’d been with someone else,” Harry nodded. Liam’s posture tensed at that. Harry remembered something Louisa had said about their Pairing. “Did I say something wrong?” “We haven’t had the most smooth-sailing relationship. I know we make it look easy, but it hasn’t always been that way and none of it has ever been Niall’s fault. I’m to blame for most of it. Some of it was completely out of my control, too. He forgave me, despite it all, and stayed with me, when he really would have been better off leaving. I had it chalked up to the fact that a sub can’t reject their paired Dom unless the Dom rejects them first, but he says I never made him feel that way.” “Miss says she idolises your relationship and tries to treat me the same way you treat Niall.” “Now. The way I treat Niall now. It wasn’t always like this. I wasn’t the good guy. I was too young and dumb in the beginning, then I was drowned in work, and I did things I’m not proud of, treated him wrongly. He stayed, even though he should have left. Zayn’s not wrong to be afraid of me. Louisa’s not wrong to think I’m being aggressive with my approach. She knows how I can get.” Harry was a little confused as to why he was on the receiving end of this confession, but then he realised that Mr Payne was trying to show him that he wasn’t always the good guy. Almost like Harry should have been wary of him. “I don’t think it changes the way I see you,” he said honestly. “You’ve put in the work and made things right. And Zayn’s only scared because of your physical strength. In her experience, people use that strength to hurt others. With time, she’ll see you’re no threat to her, and she won’t be afraid anymore.” “I hope so. Winning this case is for so much more than just Zayn.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry was minding his own business in the lounge when Louisa sought him out. She was freshly showered and her hair was done, but pulled back in a ponytail instead of being allowed to hang loosely down her shoulders. “Sorry if I was dramatic earlier,” she said, flopping down on the sofa next to him. He laid his head in her lap without a thought. “You weren’t dramatic, Miss. Not in the slightest. I agreed with you. I’m a sub, but I’m still male. I’m physically stronger than most female Doms. I always wondered if that was a turn off for female Doms, maybe that’s why most of them choose female subs.” She ran a hand through his curls. “I don’t have any friends who are female Doms like me, so I wouldn’t know, but the ones I did have the displeasure of being around chose women, so you have a point. Physically being smaller than your sub can be conflicting, but I’ve always been small.” “And feisty,” he tacked on with a grin, looking up at her now. “You’re very feisty.” She giggled freely. “It helps that you’re the gentlest thing I’ve ever met. Gentler than my own mum. You’re just so soft and kind and nurturing and it actually drives me crazy knowing you’re only eighteen and you’re like this.” “I won’t be so soft when I’m older,” he pouted, making his Dom peck his lips. “I’m serious. I’ll get all muscular and hard.” “Which will be sexy,” she winked. “This way, I get to appreciate your body in all of its forms. From what I’ve seen and touched so far, I am looking forward to it. You’re fit, if you hadn’t noticed.” He blushed and fiddled with his hair a little, shy. “I’d love to cuddle and flirt more, but I need to call everyone in for lunch and not be such a bad host.” He sat up despite not wanting to move. “Where is everyone?” He hadn’t heard a sound in a while now. “Still outside, although Zayn moved back to the patio when the sun got a bit too hot. They’ve been talking. Pretty sure she even talked to Liam. Maybe it’s better this way. We’re in reach if she needs us. This way, it’s not an ambush.” He nodded and rushed to the kitchen, then paused, wondering if he should set the dining table up. It was big, but the counter was too small for five people, when they had a table right there. They hadn’t used it since he’d moved in. Maybe today was a good opportunity. Everything had been set up for five when Louisa emerged with Zayn, Liam and Niall trickling in behind them silently. Zayn took a seat and gave an exhausted sigh which absolutely broke Harry’s heart and he rushed to bring her pills from her room. Louisa hovered for a while, until Zayn started eating, before taking her seat at the head of the table, pulling Harry in to sit next to her. He gulped and took in the sight. She was the leader and she looked good in the position of power. It made him feel weak in the knees. His Dom was everything. Zayn ate slowly, finishing last while Liam and Niall had eaten so fast that they were done before she’d gone through half of her plate. Louisa and Harry had eyes only for each other the entire time, making Niall coo. “You and Liam were like this too, blondie,” Louisa reminded him. He shrugged. “We’ve always been cute, but this is a new look on you. Can’t say I don’t like it, I’ve never seen you so doting.” Harry’s heart was about to burst. His Dom really did dote on him, that too with other people around. She didn’t care if it made her look weak or un-Dom-like. She never held back when it came to showing just how she felt about him. No matter what her past had been, how many others she’d been with, whether male or female, whether Dom or sub, it didn’t matter to him. She looked at him like she had eyes only for him. It was enough for Harry. He didn’t doubt her love. “What can I say,” Louisa said smugly, “I’m a good Dom.” “Not like some other Doms, certainly,” Zayn said dryly, placing her fork down, making everyone start. “Was that sarcasm?” Niall asked, then howled when she nodded. “You’re funny.” Louisa bit back a giggle. “More wine?” “I’ll get it.” Harry was about to get to his feet when his Dom stopped him. “No, you will sit here and look pretty.” She hadn’t used her Dom voice, but she still made him tremble. He tried his best not to let it show when she left to the pantry, and everyone else at the table gave him pointed looks. “What?” he blushed self-consciously. “I don’t know whether she’s doting or not, but she’s so gone for you,” Zayn said softly. “That’s a good thing.” “She cherishes you,” Liam added. “I can see how she feels about you, plain as day. It’s written all over her face. I’ve never seen her like this with anyone else and I’ve known her since we were teenagers. I never thought I’d have to ask someone this, but you have the power to break her heart. Just please don’t do it.” Harry shook his head and was about to protest immediately when Louisa returned, completely oblivious, placing another bottle of beer in front of Niall without even asking if he’d like wine. She sat back down and laced her fingers with his casually, turning to Zayn. “I can’t offer you any alcohol, it contraindicates with some of your medication.” Something changed in her face and Liam rose a brow at Louisa, who nodded back at him. Harry noticed them have that quick silent exchange and tried to steer the conversation. “Have you ever had alcohol before, Zayn?” She took a moment before answering. “No and I don’t think I want to. He never made me drink, but uh, there were times when he injected me with things – drugs, I don’t know which ones. It would make me weak and I wasn’t able to fight him or stop him. I wouldn’t feel much pain either, until later, once the drugs had worn off. Then it would be bad. He’d stopped with the drugs though, a while before the nightclub incident.” Everyone was silent, and Liam was fuming. “He drugged you?” Niall grabbed his hand all of a sudden and shook his head. Zayn stared with her eyes wide. In her experience, an angry Dom was not to be messed with. It was better to run as far away as possible. She was even more shocked when Liam actually calmed down. His chest was still heaving but he held his sub’s hand gently, not even squeezing it. “God damn it,” Louisa muttered under her breath. “He’s definitely killed someone by OD’ing them before this, then.” “I’m lucky to be alive,” Zayn said, looking white as a sheet. Harry gave his own Dom a pointed look. Zayn was scared and there was no need to scare her even more. She needed comfort, not the cold, hard facts. He started the kettle, hoping some tea would warm her, then poured everyone else more wine. They all needed something to take the edge off. “Sorry,” Louisa said softly. “I don’t want to sound calculating. You’re more than a case to us, Zayn. This is our chance to change this country. You could be the key to it all.” Harry could tell Louisa and Liam had discussed this in detail. They had been thinking about this very critically, inspecting from every angle, piecing together every bit of information, building their case. It was a lot bigger than Zayn. Hell, it was bigger than Cowell. This challenged the entire operations of the Bureau, the Supreme Court and the Government. It unsettled him. Niall spoke up. “Fighting for sub rights has always been on the small scale, ground level. Helping abandoned subs, giving them housing and a job. It’s all social workers do. It’s hard when there are so many of them. The system is so broken and it needs to be fixed. We can’t let them keep treating us as second-class citizens, keeping us at the mercy of a flawed system.” Harry blinked. Since when was Niall this smart? Wasn’t he just a guitar tutor making money off of rich kids? He made Zayn’s tea and handed it to her before taking his rightful place next to his Dom dutifully. “So I’m important,” Zayn realised. “I’m important because I didn’t die when he tried to kill me. All he killed was a part of me.” “He’ll pay for it.” Louisa was just as angry as Liam had been. She was just better at hiding it. “He’ll pay for it all. Starting with everything he’s done to you, then all of his subs who mysteriously disappeared or passed away, bodies being found all over the country. He’s not the only one who’s contributing to those alarming numbers, I’m sure, but he’s the one we’ll be making an example out of. We’ve got him now. He won’t get off scot-free this time.” “We have a good idea of who will be representing him in court too,” Liam said. “It’s not like they aren’t good, but they are money motivated. That’s how Cowell gets so many people to work for him. He has too much money.” “Is it naïve to think money doesn’t buy passion?” Harry asked meekly. He had the least amount of knowledge about this of everyone in the room. Louisa kissed his cheek and then his hand, bringing it to her lips. “It buys loyalty, but not passion.” “You’re passionate about this, so no matter how much money he throws at the problem, he won’t be able to get away unless he physically leaves the country, in which case he wouldn’t be able to come back?” he guessed. “Nope,” Liam answered. “If he flees with charges against him, he’ll get more charges slapped onto him. If he returns, prison. Being a Dom with money can’t save you from everything.” Louisa was too busy loving on her sub with only her eyes to listen to Liam. “Uh oh, she’s got the fond look in her eyes again,” Niall teased. “Liam and I will be off, we’re going for a little trip to the beach, stay the night, swim all day.” Louisa flipped him off but got up to give him a hug anyway. “He’d be useless without you.” “Be back on Monday,” Liam said, giving a wave before leaving with his sub. Zayn had finished her tea and was almost falling asleep, so Harry helped her to bed. “Everyone’s got so much on their plate because of me,” she sighed. “It won’t be so tense when the trial actually starts,” Harry reassured, even though he didn’t know if that was even true. He just wanted to calm her down somehow. He didn’t have the foggiest, but she seemed appeased and laid down to rest, the painkillers making her sleepy. Harry left the room and passed the housekeeper, who only gave him a kind smile as she went to the laundry room. He felt a pang of guilt, realising it was him who should have been doing the laundry. The housekeeper had plenty to take care of and he’d been neglecting his duties towards his Dom. He found her in the kitchen, sitting on the counter, holding her glass of half-finished wine, sipping it as she stared off into space. He could tell she had a lot on her mind, but she spotted him and smiled like he was the sun, waiting till he was in her space before putting an arm around him and pulling him closer to peck his lips. “We’re the same height now,” she smiled softly. “It’s nice,” he agreed, placing resting his forehead against hers. “I like that you’re larger than me, and that you’ll probably grow. It makes your submission mean more. I had the notion that I would never find a man who would submit to me willingly.” He was smiling like an idiot. “Just because I could press your weight in the gym, doesn’t mean I can’t kneel at your feet.” She cupped his cheek and they kissed gently. “You’re a poet.” “I try. Submission is so powerful, it’s hard to explain right. From what I’ve experienced so far, I find it empowering. When I trust you implicitly, when I give in, I don’t have to think. I don’t have to worry about a thing. There is no stress. Life is so simple for those moments. It’s just us. And yet if I don’t want something, if I can’t handle something, you stop. You listen. You’re so focused on me all of the time. You want me to feel good. You want me to enjoy myself. You make it about me. How many Doms really do that? Put those two things together, and I will submit to you every time, even if it’s something as simple as sitting by you at the head of the table as your rightful partner, or as extreme as relinquishing all control in the bedroom. I want everything with you.” Louisa’s eyes were blown out. Her sub, relinquishing all control to her. “You want to try kneeling?” He gulped a little. “If that’s something you want me to do. If it’s not something you’re into then of course not,” he hedged. “It’s not that I don’t want to explore the D/s aspect of us more, it’s just that you’re young and I don’t want to scare you off or intimidate you. I can always take care of you, no matter what you want, even if it’s light play or heavy enough to involve pain.” He shifted his weight, skin growing hot. “And Zayn is here, which makes it difficult for us to fully explore. We have to make sure she’s doing okay. We can’t just be off fucking in our room all weekend, even though that sounds like a weekend from heaven.” He wanted to drop to his knees right then, on the tiled kitchen floor, but he held himself back. He’d never be able to look anyone in the eye if they saw him doing that, not the housekeeper and not Zayn. “I’ll be patient.” “I don’t know how patient I can be,” she hinted. He sucked in a breath. “Zayn’s asleep, she won’t wake for a while.” “Perfect.” She downed her wine and got off the counter. “Bedroom.” He followed, fighting the urge to just fall to all fours and crawl behind her. He’d have been embarrassed of the imagination only weeks ago, but now it was all he could think about. Sexual, non-sexual, he didn’t care. He was ready for that level of submission with his Dom. She placed a pillow on the carpet near the foot of her bed, and that was all it took for him to let go. He fell to his knees and bowed his head in submission, showing her he was ready. It brought him some strange satisfaction, something none of the books had ever taught him about. He hadn’t expected kneeling to do anything for him. He’d always thought it was for the Dom’s enjoyment. Louisa licked her lips at the sight. She could see how much he wanted this, needed it. He’d been under a lot of stress with her being gone all day for work while Zayn was still in the hospital and the situation had been precarious. He needed her to take his mind off of it. “Comfortable?” she asked. “Yes, mistress,” he breathed. She sat down in front of him and touched his hair before trailing down his face and tilting his chin up, kissing him. He was pliant and soft under her. “Let’s save this sexy nickname for the bedroom, okay? Otherwise I’m going to get wet thinking about this every single time I hear it.” “Yes, mistress.” Louisa shed her clothes, only her bottoms and panties. She needed his mouth on her now. Nobody had ever kneeled for her before. It was such a power trip. “You know what to do,” she guided. He didn’t hesitate, slotting himself between her glorious spread thighs, breathing her in before using his lips and mouth and tongue on her silky folds. She grabbed his hair in a fist and he moaned, prompting her to tug on the curls. He was hard and leaking in his briefs and yet so satisfied in his position, closing his eyes in absolute devotion and focused on his purpose to make his Dom feel good. He existed for her. “Harry,” she moaned, tugging harder on his hair and making him moan again. His sounds, his tongue, his mouth, it was all so good that she was ready to lose her mind. He was getting better, more skilful, still very eager, and it drove her wild. “Yes, just like that.” He flattened his tongue and moved it back and forth rapidly, opening his eyes to look up at her face twisting in pleasure before her mouth opened and she gasped, pushing him into her pussy as she came, taste flooding his tongue. He lapped his tongue against her folds, catching her sweet and salty release. He pulled back when she let go of him, licking his lips and resting his head on her thigh, panting softly for breath, eyes closed again. He was basking in her. She smoothed a hand over his hair and leaned back a little, catching her breath. “Baby, do your knees hurt? We can get back to this later. I know you’re liking it but this kind of position takes practice. Let’s go slow.” He nodded and she helped him to his feet and onto the bed. He was feeling a bit hazy, but she undressed him and jerked him off quickly, no teasing. He was moaning and whimpering and gasping for breath, too needy to be self-conscious of how fast he came, blinking a few times as he tried to focus through the post-sex stupor. His brain was starting to get a bit stupid right after orgasm. Louisa coaxed him back to her gently, with soft touches and kisses. “There we go, you’re back. Hi.” He blushed and smiled. “Thank you, Miss. Is it weird that I zone out after coming? You’re always so gentle with me and I still get so overwhelmed.” “It doesn’t bother me. It’s an exercise in trust. You can let go only because you trust me to take care of you. And I want you to let go. You need it baby. You need to relax. You’re strong and beautiful but you’re my sub. I love taking care of you.” He preened under her attention. “I didn’t realise kneeling would help me so much. I hadn’t even thought about it before.” “You’re just the sweetest thing.” She pecked his lips. “We can try it again. Whenever you need it, you tell me, and make sure not to hurt yourself.” “Was it good for you? I’ve always known it’s something Doms like, I never thought I would be the one needing it.” “I loved it, baby. You’re very hot, and we’re just very compatible. At least the Bureau gets some things right.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“How was your weekend?” Harry asked, pulling more beer out of the fridge. “Sexy,” Niall grinned. “Absolutely sexy. Liam’s fit as fuck, and I can’t get enough. He said he felt like his dick was going to fall off this morning. He didn’t even get a morning boner today.” Harry laughed and took his seat. “Well I’m glad you had fun, but I was asking about the beach, you know, not the dicking you got, even though that’s interesting.” He’d been thinking about anal lately. He’d put it on his form, but Louisa had made no moves for a while and he was wondering whether she wanted to any more. “Interesting?” Niall chuckled. “Oh, were you thinking about doing it yourself? Who’s taking what up the bum? Wouldn’t put it past Louisa to peg you.” He flushed. His Dom, fucking him with a strap on. How would he be able to handle it? He’d never even taken a finger. “Have some questions?” Niall guessed. “The lack of experience makes this complicated,” Harry admitted sheepishly. “I’m nervous, don’t know what to do. Do I need to, like, clean up down there?” “Just make sure you’ve done your business that day and you could use an enema kit, really have yourself ready to go, but it can feel odd the first few times and you have to be careful. Don’t get overexcited about it, you could get completely freaked out or hurt yourself. Also, talk about it with Lou, I’m sure she’d be glad you asked her for something you want. That woman is whipped for you entirely.” “I’m whipped for her too.” Harry was already trying to remember everything Niall had said. Where was he going to get an enema kit from without his Dom finding out? “I’m going to check on Zayn again, she’s been sleeping a while.” Harry nodded and spent some time googling. It all made him feel a bit weirded out. The clean-up, the prep, the possibility of it all going downhill. Then he came across all of the articles on just how good it could be if done right. Prostate simulation, the general pleasure of penetration. He could feel himself growing harder. Zayn and Niall showed up then. Zayn looked a lot fresher now, having taken a bath yesterday, which Harry had very respectfully offered to help with, but she had declined. Louisa had taken over effortlessly and Harry admired her for it. Zayn was comfortable with her in a way that she couldn’t be with Harry. It helped that Louisa was a woman. Harry liked to think it was more than that. Louisa challenged and refuted every stereotype about Doms Zayn had grown up with. “Slept well?” Harry asked, starting the kettle without even asking. They’d been going through their tea stock steadily. “Yes, thank you,” Zayn said simply, sitting down. She wasn’t in constant pain anymore, even when the medications would lose some of their effect between mealtimes. She was able to breathe without hurting, sleep without hurting. “Any updates?” “Liam would’ve called,” Niall answered. “So no, nothing. He’s been waiting to hear from the court about the trial. We think they’ll assign a public prosecutor to you as well, and Liam will work with whoever they assign. I hope it’s a sub lawyer who kicks that Cowell asshole to the curb. The satisfaction that would bring to my heart, I tell you.” “There are sub lawyers?” “They’re rare, but they exist. I think when Liam was in law school, there were about two subs in the graduating class,” Niall nodded. “Every year, the number goes up. Somehow that gives me hope that there are more good Doms out there, ones who want their sub to not only have dreams but also fulfil them. Law is a demanding profession, you work too long and barely get time to feed yourself at times, forget taking care of the house and a Dom. Same goes for medicine. Been seeing a good increase in subs employed, although most of them are nurses and you’d be hard pressed to find a submissive surgeon. Still an improvement though.” “How do you know so much about this?” Harry asked. “In part I started taking in interest because of Liam, but also because I care,” Niall shrugged. “I want to help. Liam’s sweet and all, but that doesn’t mean things were always great between us. There were times we didn’t even live together because of his drinking and partying. He was constantly inebriated and it was getting completely out of hand. I gave him an ultimatum and I lived on my own for a few months. Discovered sub rights organisations and saw how much they worked for, and it’s made me a better person. I do what I can with them, but things have improved and volunteers are plenty.” Zayn looked uncertain and wary again, so Harry jumped in. “We’ve all made mistakes, and sometimes when you have a certain lifestyle, things happen.” “Lawyers and investment bankers do a lot worse than alcohol, Z,” Niall said. “Cocaine is their favourite drug. It’s expensive and fancy and quite the status symbol. Liam’s good now, he’s not like sober or a teetotaller, but he has it under control. He doesn’t get drunk anymore, just a couple of glasses of wine here and there, and he’s never been violent. He hits the gym for that type of aggression release. And, he knows I like rough sex. He’s never forced me into it.” Harry chewed on the inside of his cheek. Zayn seemed very sheltered, like all of this was new information to her, and he wondered about her upbringing and why she wouldn’t talk about it. It seemed Louisa was right about some things, but the rest was still a mystery. Niall continued. “Louisa’s never done drugs either, except for some weed. Sure does love smoking up a joint every now and then. There was a point when they both used to smoke fags, but when I sort of left Liam, he decided he was done.” Zayn seemed relaxed again, so Harry assumed she was fine with cigarettes and weed. He’d always wondered about weed, what it felt like, even though he wasn’t a fan of the thought of smoking one. He had slight asthma and although it barely ever acted up unless he was practically on top of a mountain, where the air was thin, he didn’t fancy smoke in his lungs. Maybe there was another way to try weed? He’d have to ask his Dom. Niall chugged his beer happily, going through his phone. “Liam just texted, said he got called into court, so he’ll be home early when court closes. I’ve got to be home by then, he barely ever shows up before eight, so I’m seizing the moment.” He raised his beer and finished it before giving Zayn a pat on her shoulder, a quick hug to Harry and messing up his curls before leaving with a wave. “Right, let me get started on dinner,” Harry hummed, opening the fridge. “Doesn’t the chef cook everything?” Zayn asked, feeling dumb. “It depends. If we ask, he cooks whatever we want. Sometimes I ask him to make extra, so that we can have leftovers later, but most of the time I prefer to cook for us. I can use the practice for when I start culinary school. I think I’m choosing a one-year course at Le Cordon Bleu. The French do it best.” He pulled out a chicken that had already been broken down, putting the wings back inside, deciding to use the thighs and legs today. He busied himself immediately and Zayn watched quietly. He was completely engrossed. “What time does Louisa get back?” Zayn asked after a while. Harry looked up from the onions he was slicing. “She tries to be home by six thirty so we can have dinner together by seven. After that, we usually just laze around and she flirts with me while I clean. Sometimes she’s too tired for much so we just go to bed early, other times we watch something on telly for a bit.” He left out the part where they’d done something sexual more than half of the time they had together at home. Zayn didn’t need to know about that. “We don’t really go out on weeknights unless it’s Friday and we can sleep in the next day. Neither of us are morning people. I get lonely sometimes when she’s not here, so I busy myself with going to the gym and cooking. It tires me out enough. Apart from that, I call home.” She composed her face too well at that. “How do you plan on managing everything once you start your course?” “It’ll be an adjustment, but this was something Miss has always wanted for me. She asked me about my hopes and dreams for the future the very first time we met and promised me she wouldn’t stop me from those, never get in the way.” He fried his onions. “She courted me for a week and then asked me if I wanted to continue or end it right there, and she’d go to the Bureau and reject me. I could’ve taken the test again in six months. She sounded too good to be true, but like, it just got better from there. She takes care of me in a way that’s so much more than just what a Dom does for their sub. I feel more than safe, I feel like I finally know what love is. It sounds so cheesy. They teach us about giving love, but not about what it feels like to receive it.” “I wouldn’t know what it’s like. Not sure I want to find out.” “Someday, it’ll be okay. I know it doesn’t feel that way right now, but it will. Time heals everything. I’ve seen it with my own parents. When they split up, it was hard on all of us but my mum was so determined to make sure everything was okay, and it was. She took care of us perfectly and now she has Robin and she’s so happy. Doesn’t mean she hates my dad. They’re still friends. Robin is still friends with his ex-wife, too. It doesn’t always end up that civil, but we’re humans. Our hearts will never be too full or too damaged to love.” He heard the front door click open and shut, then the clicks of Louisa’s heels being taken off as she plodded into the kitchen barefoot. She had eyes only for Harry, and he was smiling at her like she was the sun. She pulled him in close and he placed his arms around her to give her a kiss, their lips moving against each other for a few seconds before they both pulled back a little. Zayn had never noticed the height difference between the two of them before being so prominent. Harry was half a foot taller than his Dom. “Missed you,” Louisa said, bringing one of his hands to her lips to kiss it, making him blush as he turned the chicken around before turning to her. “Ditto.” She giggled softly and let go of him, going upstairs to change, and Harry had the silliest smile on his face as he got the plates and glasses and set them up at the counter. When he realised Zayn was staring, he raised his brow. “This was what I wanted my life to look like too. You’re so happy.” Harry felt guilty. Of course Zayn would see the two of them together and think that this was what her own life was also supposed to be, but she’d ended up with a monster. She saw the life she should have had, the life she deserved, the life she’d never got. Harry had got everything handed to him on a silver platter. Maybe he’d been a saint in a past life, and that was why he was being rewarded. “I’m not jealous, or sad. I’m not ready for any kind of relationship at this point, and I don’t know if I ever will be again. Being alone sounds good to me,” Zayn said, trying to lighten her voice. “I didn’t want to make you feel bad.” “It’s okay, Zayn, I know you didn’t mean to. Your feelings are completely valid. It’s fine to think that you were the one who ended up with the short end of the stick, to no fault of your own, when I’ve been rewarded by life for absolutely nothing. Wanting to be happy isn’t a crime. I know you mean no ill towards me.” “That’s what I get for wanting to be paired with a man,” she muttered under her breath. “Baby,” Louisa said as she came back, now dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a soft white tee that was too big on her, giving him a kiss on the cheek and taking a seat next to Zayn. “Feeling better?” Harry was staring at Louisa, and Zayn didn’t know what that was about, so she nodded dumbly. “I’m alright. It doesn’t hurt much. When do I have to get a check-up?” “Friday. If I can’t make it, Niall will come, and Harry will be there too, of course,” Louisa replied, and Harry reacted by placing a kiss on the top of his Dom’s head as he brought the food to the table. Louisa only smiled at that. There was a pan full of veggies and another with chicken in a sauce that looked like it had been made in a restaurant, along with a pot of what looked like some small grains cooked in stock. “They’ll reduce your painkillers down to the bare minimum and probably take you off antibiotics and antifungals. Not a doctor, but that’s my guess.” “Right,” Zayn said. “Those antibiotics are making my tongue have its own taste.” Louisa gave a laugh as Harry served Zayn’s plate first, even though Louisa was his Dom. Louisa reached for the vegetables as soon as Harry had put them down, loading them onto her plate and passing it to Harry so he could serve himself, before moving to the chicken. “New recipe tonight?” she asked. “Just something I thought you’d like. I’d forgotten about it, but then I found it in my cookbook today,” Harry answered. “I only paired it with quinoa instead of aligot, we’re out of cream. Don’t worry about it, I already told Pierre and he’ll pick some up on his way here tomorrow.” “We should have aligot tomorrow,” Louisa groaned, digging in. “I’m sure you’d make a really good aligot.” “Done, and yes I do,” he grinned, taking a bite. Zayn only watched quietly, eating a few bites. The food was impeccable, just like everything she’d been fed since she arrived. It was fresh, prepared with care, loaded with flavour, and yet didn’t feel unhealthy. “Was work okay today?” Harry asked. “Eh, nothing special,” Louisa shrugged. “Got some new hires coming in for summer internships, let’s see if I can get anyone good this time that I can keep for longer than 3 months. I’m not getting my hopes up, last year one of the interns couldn’t even use Excel. Liam’s also getting some interns fresh out of law school. I don’t think he’ll be keeping most of them, because half will leave as soon as they’re done with their term. Liam loves acting like a big bad.” “I’m sure Niall humbles him plentily.” Louisa giggled. “Blondie might be annoying sometimes, but he knows what he’s doing with Liam. He’s good. Looks like an innocent angel who plays guitar, but he’s got layers like an onion. Keeps Liam sane.” “I still can’t play a thing. I’m rubbish,” Harry admitted. “We tried again today and I was so terrible that I broke a string. I think I’m better off sticking to the keys.” Louisa’s eyes lit up. “You can play the piano? Harry, there’s a piano sitting in the house collecting dust!” He flushed. “I didn’t want to bring it up and sound cocky because I’m not very good.” “Nonsense, I’m sure you’re better than I am.” “We both play piano and we never knew,” he chuckled. “I’ll try playing something.” He got up to clean, placing the plates in the sink before starting on the stove first. “Still, Miss, don’t get your hopes up because I am not great and I am out of practice. It’s been months since I played and we didn’t have a piano at home. I’d go to church just to play. Never even been religious.” Louisa leaned over the counter when he turned and touched the little cross he wore around his neck. “What’s this for, then?” “Always had it on me, never took it off. It’s become a part of me.” He flushed hard, remembering the time she’d singled it out when he’d been naked under her. “I’m pretty chill with the God thing and considering you’ve never taken me to church, I’m guessing we’re on the same page.” “Yes,” Louisa shrugged. “Last time I went to church was when Mum married Dan, that’s about it. But that’s creative, going to church to play the keys. I’m sure some people showed up just to get a glimpse of you.” She was teasing and it was working. “Being a looker and a charmer has its advantages,” he replied as he wiped down the counter. “It definitely helped business when I worked at the bakery.” “Got a good few tips out of it? Maybe a snog or two?” she asked shamelessly. “Miss,” he whined softly. She was doing this totally on purpose just to rile him up. He could see where her plans for the night were going once Zayn was asleep in her room. He couldn’t help but be interested. His desire for her never really ebbed. He wasn’t sure it ever would. “Yes, sometimes. Once or twice.” Zayn held back a giggle. “If I went to Harry’s bakery as a 16 year old girl, I’d flirt with him, too, considering he flirts back.” “Oh, he flirts,” Louisa confirmed, already doing the dishes. Harry pouted at her and she only winked at him. “He flirts very well. He has my full permission to flirt with me whenever he feels like it as long as I’m not at work. Otherwise, it’s very distracting and I don’t get anything done.” He gave a slight smirk, feeling rather smug about it. “I have saved all of my flirtations for only one woman now.” “You can flirt with Niall if you want. Besides, you still owe him two wet and sloppy big ones, right on the lips,” Louisa cackled. “He’ll love them.” Harry sniggered and dried his hands. The cleaning up was all done for the night. “He acts all innocent, he’s definitely not. Told me he doesn’t like me that way, such a liar.” “I know right? Everyone likes you that way,” Louisa said, making him preen. “My sub, the one who doesn’t know what life is like when everyone around him isn’t in love with him.” He pouted, which prompted her to give him a kiss. “I still love you, baby. Promise.” “Love you too,” he sighed, then forced himself to pull back. Zayn didn’t need to see them kissing and cuddling and being gooey with each other. They’d been paired the same day and their fates couldn’t have been more opposite. Of course she would be able to find happiness in the future, but right now, she was broken and this wouldn’t help. Louisa let him go and gave a stretch. “Zayn, you up for a movie or some crappy reality TV before bed?” “Actually, I’m pretty tired. I think I’ll get in bed and maybe listen to a bit of music before I sleep? Niall was over all afternoon and I didn’t nap.” “First day she’s stayed up without taking a single nap,” Harry nodded, looking proud. “And she said she loves her sleep.” “Doesn’t everybody?” Louisa said. “Except Liam, he’s such a workout freak and a morning person. I can’t with him. Anyway, goodnight Zayn. You can call either of us if you need anything. Keep your phone on you.” Neither of them made a move as Zayn slowly got to her feet, said goodnight and slowly went to her room. Once the door clicked shut, Harry turned to his Dom, nervous. “What, love?” She looked amused. “I want you to take me further tonight. As far as you want to take me.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Louisa’s thoughts were full of absolute debauchery now that her sub had practically begged her for it. He’d asked for what he desired, and it gave her some secret thrill, a feeling of pride, almost. She hadn’t seen it coming, but it was the best surprise. “Have you been thinking about it all day?” she asked, a hand on his hip, thumb rubbing circles against the clothed bone, still well separated from his cock. “Working yourself up? Spending hours aroused and hard and trapped?” He gulped and nodded. “More than all day, I’ve been wondering when you’re going to do absolutely unspeakable things to me. I realised I might not have expressly stated my desire for it, so I thought today was a good time to speak up, considering Zayn is doing better and settled in well.” “And she’s tucked into a downstairs bedroom, nowhere near ours,” she tacked on, her hand now sliding into his boxers, feeling the hot skin underneath. “So we don’t have to worry about being quiet. I don’t think you could be quiet when I’m doing raunchy things to you.” He nodded in agreement, shifting his hips a little just to get her hand where he really needed it, but she tsked in admonishment and he stopped, face looking flushed already. “Please do raunchy things to me.” He didn’t care if he sounded desperate. He was desperate for her. There wasn’t any hiding it. Louisa leaned into his ear. “Pick out a few toys from my bottom drawer, and wait for me. I’ll be up in five minutes, so you won’t have long. I’ll be using all of the toys on you tonight, so be wise in your choices.” She patted his bum and pulled back, making him scurry off upstairs, pouring herself a glass of wine and taking a long swig as she looked at the time. It wasn’t even late yet, they’d have a good amount of time to go through more than a few new things and they wouldn’t be interrupted. She arrived at the bedroom to find Harry kneeling in front of the bed, all of his clothes still on, and a few different toys on the bed. He had his eyes obediently trained to the floor, his hands on his knees as he sat back on his heels. She could almost hear his heart thumping wildly in his chest. She stood behind him, grabbing his curls in her fist and tugging a little, eliciting a whimper from his mouth. “Mistress,” he breathed, and she knew he was gone already. He’d slipped into the part of him that just needed to be dominated, a part of himself he’d barely tasted before. “Good sub,” she praised, pulling back until his eyes could meet hers, looking up at her with a dazed look. “You’re safe with me, it’s okay. Let go and be yourself.” She placed one hand on his cheek and then traced his lips, which were wet and bitten and red. “You have such a lovely mouth. Kissable. Great at giving head.” She let go and he returned his head to his bowed position, showing the entirety of his submission. She felt a thrill of power surge through her, stepping around to pick up one of the toys on the bed, waving it around. A pink fleshlight. “You found my newest toy. I did promise I’d get you one and use it on you, and I will, tonight, but then our fun will end too fast. I want to make this last. You will be coming only once tonight, baby.” She placed it back down on the bed and lifted the next – a much larger toy. A long leather handle with strips of the same material hanging from it. “You want me to whip you?” “Yes please, mistress,” he answered truthfully. He’d seen the whip sitting there and had almost come in his pants at the thought of her using it on him, leaving burning marks of leather on his back, ass and thighs. He’d also found the collection of butt plugs, but had stayed away from them. “I would love to.” She leaned forward and held the handle in front of his face. “Facing the front and not the floor, take this handle between your teeth and hold it there while I inspect the last of your selections,” she ordered. As he opened his mouth obediently, she placed it in his mouth and he bit down gently, the leather strips falling down the right side and towards the floor. “No speaking.” He focused on the task at hand, trying to ignore the incessant need crawling into his veins to take his dick out and touch himself. He started drooling onto the floor, spit pooling in his mouth before dripping down his chin. “What a pretty boy I have,” she cooed, picking up the last toy. “I’m starting to think you have an affinity for leather.” His chest heaved as more drool slid down his chin and pooled under him as she brought the collar into view. It was plain, no embellishments, adjustable to fit around a neck with two metal loops, front and back, in case any more bondage was to be tied to it. He wanted, no, needed it around his neck, the weight of it, the feel. What would it feel like if she tugged on the metal loop, making him move whichever way she wanted? “You look good when you drool but still keep trying to focus,” she said, sitting down in front of him with a box of tissues and wet wipes next to her. “Let go.” She took the handle of the whip and wiped it clean, then collected the drool dripping from his chin in her hand, rubbing the wet hand all over his face. His eyes closed of their own accord as he panted and moaned unabashedly, in another world. “Your mouth is sinful.” She pulled back to admire her work and opened the collar. Harry still had his eyes closed, revelling in the feeling of what she had just done to him, and the fact that he had more than liked it. He felt no shame. He gasped as his eyes flew open at the first contact of the leather against the skin of his neck, looking up at his Dom as she closed the collar around his neck, into place. She placed two fingers into the collar, checking that it wasn’t too tight. “Such a good little sub I have,” she praised. “It looks so good on you, Harry. Just like all of the times I imagined you in this.” His eyes went wide, the weight of the collar resting in place. His Dom had wanted this for a while and she’d just waited until he’d expressed his desire for it. Collar play had always been shown to subs are more of a service aspect of their lives, rather than only sexual, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to wear it without getting hard immediately. “Three toys is a good place to start from.” She stood up and walked around, tugging on the metal loop behind the collar. “Next time, I’m going to attach a leash to this.” She let go of it and gave him no time to answer, pushing her foot under his bum, between his feet, till she could feel his hard on. He moaned and rocked against the contact. He desperately needed some friction. She let him, moving her foot a little and he let out a moan. She tugged his hair back until he could see her again, looking up at her while still rocking his hips as he moaned out loud. Suddenly she let go and removed the contact, making him whined in complaint, which earned him another sharp tug at his hair. A warning. “Not yet. Get up and strip for me, don’t you dare touch yourself. Climb on the bed, on your front, and I will try this whip on your pale body till it is covered in red stripes.” He scrambled to obey, the collar sitting heavy on his neck, reminding him of his purpose. Reminding him of who and what he was. He climbed onto the bed stark naked save for the collar and the cross, both around his neck, laying on his front. He heard her pick up the whip again, swishing it around in her hand. With bated breath, he waited to feel the first strike. Where would she hit him first? His thighs, his back, or his ass? His whole body shuddered when the cool leather made contact with his back, sliding down almost teasingly, a feather-like touch, to his ass and then the backs of his thighs. Only a second later there was a crack, and a warming feeling on his ass cheeks, that made him realise she’d delivered the first blow. He panted softly into the pillow, waiting for the next, which landed a few seconds later on the tops of his thighs, where it hurt just a little bit more. Louisa didn’t speak, only taking in the way her sub twitched with every hit, watching his skin turn redder. This whip wouldn’t do much damage, the most it could do was leave him with red skin and a reminder of this activity for the next day. And that had been exactly why she’d purchased it. She had never intended to use it as a punishment, but as an arousal tool. Something to intensify their play. Harry couldn’t stop twitching, especially as the whipping continued and he could feel the burn in his skin. It was mostly on his ass, which was where his Dom had focused her attention, reddening the skin. His cock brushed against the sheets with every twitch, bubbling more precome and ruining them. He was so hard and so needy. “Stop moving,” she commanded. “You’re not allowed pleasure yet.” He whined into the pillow and mumbled a sorry, not moving his hips anymore. “Up,” she said, placing the whip down and touching both sides of his hips. “Hips only, keep your face and arms down and spread your knees.” He struggled to get into position and find his balance, spreading his knees and shifting till his face wasn’t pressed into the bedding too hard. His arms supported the weight of his upper body, his legs open wide enough for his hard cock to dangle between them, completely on display for his Dom. “Lovely,” she hummed, admiring her work. “I can see everything from this angle.” He felt the bed shift as she climbed up behind him, panting softly in anticipation. He sucked in a rough breath when he felt cool hands on his heated skin, just at the crease of his ass cheeks, tracing the curve, admiring the colour there. He grabbed a pillow in his fist to control the urge to move, willing himself to be good for her. Louisa got to the final attraction, a slick hand covering his cock and jerking it off slowly, back and forth, back and forth. Harry’s hips stuttered all of a sudden and he couldn’t stop himself from thrusting into the feeling. Instinct was taking over his needy body. She let him rut into her hand for a few strokes before pulling back. “Did I say you could do that, sub? Move?” “No, mistress, I’m sorry, mistress,” he whined pathetically. “I can’t help it.” “You can help it and you will help it.” He felt something tight envelop his cock blissfully, moaning out loud as his thighs shook with the sudden onslaught of pleasure. It kept sheathing his entire length, then pulling back, pushing forwards, a slow and repetitive drag. Fleshlight, his brain realised foggily as he drooled and sobbed in pleasure and the sheet effort it took to obey his Dom’s command. His thoughts were scattered and centred only around pleasurepleasurepleasure. “I won’t tease you too long.” She moved the toy over his length rapidly. “You were good today. You deserve this. Enjoy yourself. Let go. You’re allowed to come now.” He moaned senseless noises into the sheets as he reached his high, his whole body going rigid and taut as the pleasure flooded into every part of his being. The assault continued as she thoroughly milked him until he was too soft for the toy, whimpering in oversensitivity. As soon as the fleshlight was removed, he fell onto the bed, breathless and shaking. Louisa waited patiently, rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back, safely away from his reddened ass and thighs. “There we go, it’s alright, you’re done for tonight. Do you think you can turn over for me so I can make sure you’re okay?” It took him a few seconds but he rolled over onto his back and made a soft noise when his ass made contact with the bedding. His face was a complete mess of drool and tears and his eyes were still a bit spacey. He blinked a few times. “You didn’t come.” “Don’t worry about me love, I can take care of it,” she reassured. “You’re in no state, and it’s all because of me. I quite enjoy taking pride in it. There is something you can do, though.” She picked up the fleshlight and placed the opening at his mouth. He was confused but then when she straightened the toy to be vertical, he felt his own come sliding down to his mouth. He opened up obediently, eyes trained on her as he swallowed, licking into the plastic and making a complete show of it, his spent cock twitching. He didn’t care for the taste, but it wasn’t horrible, and the look in Louisa’s eyes, the one of pure hunger, pure lust, made it worth it every bit. When it was clean, he put the fleshlight down carelessly, his own taste still on his tongue. She hovered over and kissed his wet mouth roughly, snogging the absolute breath out of his lungs before pulling back and spitting into his mouth. “Good boy.” She closed his mouth by tilting his chin up and he swallowed again, hypnotised by her. She tugged on the metal loop on his collar resting between his collarbones, then let go and placed a kiss there. “So tempting.” He whined when her warmth had disappeared, craning his neck to see that she had slipped into the wardrobe, returning with a very nice looking vibrator. He sat up, watching as she undressed and exposed every inch of her tanned skin, climbing into the bed. His cock was fattening up again, and it wouldn’t take long for him to be raring to go again. She spread her legs open and pushed the vibrator against her folds, turning the device on. “Look at me, Harry.” He watched her pleasure herself and wished it was him who was doing this to her, making her feel good, getting her off. “You’re so beautiful, Miss, so perfect.” She gave a soft moan as she moved the toy back and forth, enjoying herself. Harry could see the wetness on the head of the vibrator, groaning at the imagination of getting to taste it. He’d get his mouth on it come hell or high water. It didn’t take long for Louisa to come undone, shudders rippling through her body. She turned the buzzing off with a button and Harry dove forward, licking her taste off of the toy, moaning. She watched with mild surprise, feeling sated after that. “Calm down love,” she hummed, closing her legs and laying down when he detached his mouth from the now clean toy. “You’ve got yourself all worked up again.” “It’ll go away,” he said, his voice sounding wrecked as he swallowed and felt the collar again. “Let me help with that.” She took off the collar carefully and placed it away. “It looked amazing on you. Better than I’d imagined.” “I didn’t even know it’s something I wanted until I saw it in there,” he admitted, slotting himself next to her. “It made me feel so much desire and need that I had to pick it up. I wanted to wear it right away, but I knew I had to wait for you to put it on me and bestow me with that honour.” She turned onto her side and hooked her leg around him, kissing his forehead. “You’re precious, did you know?” He preened at that. “Miss,” he blushed. “Let me clean the implements and I need to apply some balm on your ass and thighs, so get back on your front. I better do it now, before I get too tired to move.” She hopped out of bed and Harry rolled onto his front and waited, feeling the bed dip a few minutes later, then something cool and soft being applied on his ass, which was mildly irritated after taking the whip, and then his thighs, which didn’t hurt at all. “All done,” she announced and he rolled onto his side again. “Was it everything you’d hoped you’d get? Or am I supposed to push you further next time?” “You can push me further every time,” he admitted. “I enjoyed tonight, and it was a good start, but like you said, for example, I want you to put the leash on the collar next time, Miss. Please.” She kissed the hollow of his throat, where the collar had rested before. “Yeah? Should I clip it on and lead you around on all fours? Make you kneel for me and take your mouth for my pleasure while giving you none in return? Make you wait, until you can’t take it anymore and disobey me so that I can punish you?” He was hard again.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

After falling asleep with a boner and waking up with a boner, Harry had been pretty desperate for some relief. Louisa egged him on and watched as he touched himself, moaning and coming into his own fist. Louisa simply kissed his cheek and got out of bed to get on with her day. When Harry finally gathered his bearings well enough to get out of bed, his Dom was showering and he leered at her through the see-through glass while he brushed his teeth. She only laughed and got on with her business, drying off and walking into the wardrobe naked to get dressed. Harry stared at her arse to get as much of his fill as possible, then followed her after washing up himself, right down to the kitchen. “Pierre isn’t coming in for a while, so I’m going to order some food in,” Louisa hummed, going through her phone. “What do you want, love?” His brain was lagging. “Uh, whatever’s good.” She laughed and ordered food, putting her phone down to turn the kettle on. “We shouldn’t be making a habit of eating takeaway, Zayn needs nutrition. I think she’s still sleeping, her door’s closed.” “I will check on her,” he said right away, opening her door just a crack. She wasn’t in bed, but he could hear the water running. “Zayn?” he called out. “You aren’t trying to shower on your own, are you? You’re not supposed to.” She poked her head out of the bathroom door. “I’m not,” she said indignantly, giving him another glimpse of her personality. “I’ll be there in five.” He nodded and let her be, going back to his Dom. Zayn made an appearance a while later, looking fresher. “You look better,” Louisa observed. “I am better,” she smiled and took a seat. “I’m not going to the office today,” Louisa announced. “Liam just messaged me, there’s a preliminary meeting with the judge at the High Court today. I don’t get to go to that because I’m not a lawyer. He’ll come here and give us all of the updates once he’s done. Shouldn’t be much, they’ll just go through all of the charges against Cowell. His lawyer should be talking about which charges they want to plead guilty to. I don’t think he’ll plead guilty to any, but he might just pick and choose some of the less serious ones to look more accommodating.” “It would work in his favour in front of the jury if he makes it seem like he’s just a businessman doing business and a jealous sub has decided to ruin his reputation for silly reasons,” Harry sighed. “But juries are more well-balanced than the rest of society. We will get a good distribution of Doms and subs. That will help us when the time comes. A jury won’t be involved till the second court date, when the hearings start.” “Will I be expected to show?” Zayn asked, fiddling with her hands. “Not every time. I expect to have your hearing first and out of the way, then Liam will get to the rest. Also, we will make sure Cowell is not in the building when you’re there. The restraining order will guarantee you don’t have to see him, not even in court,” Louisa reassured. “Will you be going to the courtroom as well?” Harry asked. “I usually don’t go, but I’ll go when Zayn’s there, and then for the other testimonies. Liam will bring some of the best in the firm there. Besides, I will have to give my statement and so will you, baby.” She kissed her sub’s cheek. “Because we were the ones who found her.” A shiver travelled down his spine at the thought. He would have to go to court and tell them about that night. “Will you be there when I have to?” he asked, trying to be strong. She gathered him in her arms. “I will never let anyone harm you.” She kissed his head. “You’ll be safe the entire time, I promise.” “It’s just scary,” he mumbled. “I’ve never even seen the inside of a courtroom before.” “Your statement will be important. We can do yours and Zayn’s on the same day, and Liam’s and Niall’s. They weren’t there when it happened but they’ve been around Zayn a lot and they will have things to say that will help the jury decide what they think about Zayn, while Cowell and his team will try their best to discredit everything we say, and also make him look like a goody two shoes. The long line of failed and disappeared submissives? Just a bunch of bad luck or freak accidents.” “He must have a lot of people on his side,” Zayn spoke. She’d had almost too much time on her hands, and a phone. The Internet told her more than she’d ever thought she’d have to know. “They will be character witnesses for him. We have to find out the subs he’s had before me. What happened to each and every single one of them.” “Subpoenaing the Bureau’s records is a big task. Liam’s on it. He’s working hard for this. He’s completely covering all of his bases and he’s got a good team on this already. Niall texted me to say Liam’s been in boss mode. Our private security will also be starting today. People will guard the house and I will have someone with me at all times whenever I leave the house.” Harry gulped. “So if we don’t have private security with us, somebody could try to hurt us?” “It’s possible. I don’t want to take any chances. I had a bodyguard the last time Cowell tried to stalk me.” “He tried to stalk you?!” Harry erupted. Louisa gave a shrug. “Eh. He mostly succeeded but he didn’t step foot in my home, that I know of. Mostly just at work. Surely that was a reputation thing.” “He just really loves going after every woman he sees,” Zayn muttered, distaste obvious on her face. “What an arsehole.” So the rules were set. Nobody was to leave the house without a bodyguard and there would be at least one guarding the house as well. Liam and Niall had their own personal security starting the same day. Zayn stayed away from the burly men, hiding in her room. Big tall male Doms still made her nervous. Harry made them tea and gave them biscuits despite their protestations, asked them to make themselves comfortable, although they insisted on guarding from the outside. At night, someone else would take over. Liam and Niall dropped by after tea time. The look on Liam’s face was enough to know that everything seemed to be going fine. “Just as expected,” he confirmed as he walked in. “He’s pleaded guilty to absolutely fuck all.” “His ego is the size of Antarctica,” Niall supplied as he flopped onto the sofa. “And that’s why my prediction was correct. Again.” “Blondie should go to law school,” Louisa snorted. “Not a bad idea,” Liam mused, earning himself a hard elbow shove right into his ribs. “I am not studying for 18 hours a day, thank you.” “I’d never see you,” Harry pouted. “You’re not getting rid of me,” Niall confirmed. Louisa settled into Harry’s lap and gave him a kiss. He was immediately distracted and promptly forgot what they’d been talking about. He didn’t even realise his hands were all over her until Niall cleared his throat. Blushing, he started pulling back, but his Dom stopped him and placed his arms around her waist. “Alright?” she checked. “Alright.” He placed a soft kiss to her cheek. “God, I could just puke at this sappy lovefest,” Niall laughed. “They’re young and in love,” Liam said, pretending to be wistful. “Like we once were.” “I’m older than you, Liam,” Louisa said dryly, not moving from her sub’s warm embrace. “By less than a year, so it doesn’t count,” he shot back, making everyone giggle. “I’m the baby of the house,” Harry smiled, earning some more soft kisses from Louisa, who was absolutely doting on him. She’d seen his fear when the courtroom had been mentioned. She needed to comfort him. Her inner Dom was basically clawing at her to hold him and never let him go anywhere where he could be hurt. “Niall is the one who acts like the baby. So spoiled,” Louisa commented. He flipped her the finger. “Everybody loves me.” They bantered for a bit and Harry was content to just sit there with his Dom close, surrounded by friends. He was comfortable. The world outside was a mess, but in here, everything was perfect. “Should I tell my mum?” he asked hours later, when they were about to eat dinner. Liam and Niall had stayed, and Zayn was watching telly with them. Pierre had cooked and left; there was enough for everyone. Louisa nodded. “Yes, tell her. I should call home, too. We don’t want them coming here right now, seeing the security guards and freaking out. My mother would have an episode if she found out from anyone else.” “Right, I’ll call home after dinner,” he said quietly. Even though he wasn’t sure how to explain everything to his mum, he had to. Besides, it was his mother. She was practically a saint. Liam and Niall left after dinner, and even though Niall pretended to be sleepy, it was obvious they were going to go home and fuck all night. “Those two don’t surprise me anymore,” Louisa shook her head. Harry chewed on the inside of his cheek, glancing at Zayn a few times, who was oblivious. “I’m actually not sleepy,” she admitted, “and I know we can’t really go out, but would it be alright if I sat outside for a bit? Nobody’s coming into the garden to abduct me, right?” “It’s fine, just don’t be out there too long, and take a blanket,” Louisa nodded. She’d stopped helping Zayn with every little thing, stopped asking if she needed help in the first place. Harry hadn’t understood it, but now that he could see her being more self-sufficient, he knew Louisa had thought it through. She was coaxing Zayn to be her own person, be independent, even though they were stuck in a difficult and potentially unsafe situation that required hiring security. Once she was out of earshot, he couldn’t hold back anymore. “I need to talk to you.” Louisa raised her brow. Her sub had never uttered those words before. He was usually more open and less nervous. “It’s about Niall and Zayn.” He still sounded unsure, sitting down on a stool in the kitchen. “I was about to call them to dinner before, and I went to the lounge. They didn’t hear the door open because they were watching TV, and they jumped back as soon as I started talking,” he rambled, “but I’m pretty sure they were either kissing or about to kiss and Mr Payne was watching.” When she didn’t respond, he looked up instead of staring at the kitchen bar. He wasn’t sure of what he’d seen, but he just knew. He had a feeling. Something was going on with Niall and Zayn and Niall’s Dom seemed to be completely okay with it? He’d read about kinks and he knew voyeurism was a thing, but Mr Payne and Niall were paired and living happily together for years now, and since when did Niall like women?! Louisa was thinking. “Hmm. Interesting. I can see why Zayn would do that. Niall makes her feel safe, but he’s different to her than you are. She sees him differently. Maybe it is because it’s Niall, I mean, he’s just magnetic. She’s into men, she’s seeking comfort, and there’s only so much I can give her even as a Dom. We’re both women and we aren’t into women. And she’s scared of most Doms. Of course she’d seek comfort from subs. Niall is older, well-settled, even has his own career. He’s seen more of the world. She’s spent enough time in his presence to know that he’s smart and caring, too. He’s taken time out of his day for her, taken effort to be there for her. She feels protected.” “And it’s normal to want physical touch and reassurance. Besides, Niall would never hurt her, push her,” he realised. “But do subs love other subs romantically? Does it even work? And where does Mr Payne fit into this?” Harry was starting to feel like he was the sheltered one. Louisa smiled softly and kissed his cheek. With him sitting and her standing next to him, she was only a head higher than him. It made her feel like she could protect him and do her duty as a Dom. “Liam’s not the possessive or jealous type. Or, I guess, he’s worked on those and bettered himself so that it doesn’t anger him when people are attracted to Niall. Niall’s not everyone’s cup of tea, surely, but if you’re modern and liberal, it’s impossible to not love his not-so-submissive personality. The way he lives his life has the ability to open people’s eyes.” “Do you want me to be like him?” he asked innocently. “No love, you’re Harry and I love you just the way you are. Do I want to grant you the freedoms he has? Absolutely, otherwise I would never have taken a sub. I’m responsible for you, wholly, and I can’t be slipshod about it. You’re at a turning point in your life, and I’m going to help you achieve the career you’ve wanted. I put that down in my form, you know, that I wanted a sub who wished for something more than just serving me.” He was red in the face, hiding in her neck. She gave a soft giggle and ran a gentle hand through his curls. “So Mr Payne is a voyeur?” he asked, not moving. She let out another laugh. “I actually don’t know if he likes to watch, but I’m not surprised if he does. And I think it must’ve only been a kiss or two, they wouldn’t get it on in our lounge if they didn’t want anyone knowing, which makes me think Zayn initiated it. Also because Niall wouldn’t initiate anything with her by himself. Just a bit surprised that Zayn wasn’t scared because Liam was there in the first place.” “Oh, we’ve been trying to get her to be less scared of Mr Payne,” he admitted, looking up at her. “I just didn’t realise Niall had…more than one motive behind it. I was thinking about the case, I didn’t want Zayn to be scared of the guy that’s protecting her, fighting for her.” “That’s noble, love, but if Zayn has been making lovey dovey eyes or hinting at something with Niall, it’s okay for him to reciprocate. She’s on her own journey, and if Niall is okay with it, she can kiss him. Seeing as Liam doesn’t mind, it makes it more than okay. Maybe that’s why they left so quick after dinner to go home and fuck like rabbits,” she smirked. “I would tease them about it, but let’s wait till someone tells us something.” “I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. I still don’t understand how it’s supposed to work, though. Do sub on sub relationships even exist in a romantic sense? Are they legal?” “If it’s okay for a Dom to be paired to a sub and yet be gallivanting off with others without consequences, I don’t see why this has to be any different. Besides, Liam knows about it, and as long as the Dom says it’s fine, the sub can do what they wish in private. Now, if, say, they were doing it in public, that would be a different scenario.” Harry’s mind was starting to spin with all of this new information. So, Zayn was into Niall and Niall didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t know if Niall felt the same way or if it was just a comfort thing. He didn’t know if Zayn felt love or just needed comfort that physical touch could bring. Maybe it wasn’t even a sexual thing at all, and maybe it wasn’t permanent. It probably wasn’t any of his business. “I know you’re curious, but let them come to us, okay? They will open up once they feel ready.” He nodded. She was right. He couldn’t make Niall or Zayn uncomfortable. It wasn’t like he couldn’t accept them. His acceptance wasn’t something that even mattered in this situation. As long as they were happy, he was happy for them. They had a right to live their lives the way they wanted to. “They’re probably not the first throuple out there, polyamory has been a topic of discussion for as long as humans have existed. Nowadays, that may be frowned upon, because of Pairings, but surely there are people who live outside the rules. As long as there’s consent, which surely does not even exist in all Pairings." "If subs could reject their Doms, Zayn would never have ended up in that man’s clutches in the first place.” “We live in a flawed system. It’s why I feel so compelled to protect you.” She touched his cheeks again. “You’re smart, but you’re young and innocent. Your heart is pure. You’re curious about everything, you’re passionate. You’re gentle. I can’t let anything hurt you.” “I feel safe with you. As long as I have you, I’ll be okay. It’s not the same, but I want to protect you too. Maybe I can’t do it the way you can-“ She quieted him with a kiss. “You’re my sub. You’re perfect.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry all but forgot about witnessing the Niall-Zayn kiss the next morning. Louisa was holding three envelopes in her hand. Envelopes delivered to them by the High Court. “We’ve been ordered to appear in court in exactly five days,” she announced, making Zayn look like a skittish cat. “We’ll be giving our statements and then we’ll be out of there. No more, no less. There will be no questioning from opposition. Statements will be recorded and if required, there may be cross examination at a later stage.” Zayn looked white as a ghost. “Cross examination?” Even Harry was terrified. Louisa looked pained. “Liam will be there the whole time. I will be there the whole time. Hell we’ll invite Niall to sit there and look pretty just so you feel calmer.” Zayn still looked scared, but she wasn’t pale anymore. Louisa and Harry both noticed the change. So whatever was going on with Niall wasn’t just a one-time thing. There were feelings. “Having everybody there will help,” Harry said lightly, trying to brush off the feeling of dread at the thought of having to face the opposition’s lawyers. They could ask all kinds of horrid questions and twist his words around to try and win. “The only thing we can do is tell the truth. Also, I asked Liam to train you a bit for this. Just for your statements, especially Zayn. There are ways in which you can present yourself, or just the way you speak, that will help get the point across better. Initial statements can and will be referred to more than a few times during the trial. Cowell will be absent from the courtroom when we’re there.” “If we’re caught lying, we go to jail?” Zayn asked. “You need to stop googling everything,” Harry muttered. “The Internet paints a doomsday picture.” “Your injuries didn’t lie, and the hospital reports didn’t lie. If they say we forged and faked everything, we’ll get the doctors and nurses to testify, we’ll pull CCTV footage. Liam’s been subpoenaing everything left, right and centre,” Louisa informed. “I don’t think they’ll be able to get away with that part of it. He could say that someone else hurt you, because you ran from him. That’s where we need to establish history. And if he says you lied, then we have to establish history. If the court does find you lied or omitted on purpose, they’ll fine you. We’ll pay it off. Not a big deal. When we win, Cowell will have to pay you millions.” “A fine is a big deal,” Zayn said indignantly. “It’ll be in thousands of pounds.” “I could pay that out of pocket.” Zayn looked flabbergasted. Harry tried his best to hide his smile. “Um, yeah, Z, the money isn’t going to be an issue.” Louisa shrugged. “I sound snooty but it’s true. If they fine us, they fine us. That’s not detrimental to our end goal.” “I mean, I should’ve known considering where I’m seated right now,” Zayn mumbled, waving a hand around to the lovely furniture and the beautiful house. “I’m just not used to money. I grew up working class.” “So did I,” Harry said. “This place is an adjustment, for sure. It took me a while and it makes me shy and awkward when my own Dom just spends on me for no reason.” “I didn’t come from money, but I don’t spend on you for no reason.” Louisa kissed his cheek. “I haven’t even taken you shopping in ages. I should pamper my sub more, is what I think.” She was only teasing, but Harry got all huffy and red anyway. “I have everything I need right now.” “We need to finish your application to Le Cordon Bleu,” she reminded. They’d spoken about it while snuggling in bed a few nights ago. Louisa had been beyond thrilled to know that Harry had chosen a programme for himself. Le Cordon Bleu was the best place he could go, but rather ruthless if you wanted to stick around as an intern after. Barely anyone ever got in. Harry decided he’d give it a shot, but if he didn’t get the internship, he’d be fine with it and find work elsewhere. “It’s not much, just a form and then you need to sign some stuff,” Harry said. “Consent.” “Oh yes, because it’s so important for a Dom to dictate how her sub breathes.” Harry snorted. “Am I allowed to snort laughter or is that unbecoming of a submissive?” She kissed his nose. “I happen to think it’s adorable. Come on now, bring me your laptop and we’ll finish it before Niall comes over for your guitar lessons. I’ll go into the office then, need to make sure the team isn’t slacking.” Harry would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the step back Louisa had taken from work. She was home a lot more, and he secretly relished in it. It wasn’t like they just fucked like rabbits the whole time, but they did have more energy for their nightly activities, and they did do things. Kinky, nasty things, but they hadn’t gone beyond some handcuffs, spanking, a few toys and the occasional foot worship. His Dom had nice feet, sue him for liking them. They curled up on the sofa and filled every detail together, while Zayn was taking a walk around the garden. Harry could tell she’d missed being outside. He wasn’t sure he was ready to hear what he’d done to her when she gave her statement in court. There were so many things she’d never spoken about. Louisa signed the form and paid the money before giving Harry a big smooch. “So proud of you, love.” “Well, I’m a shoo in because anyone who’s done their A-levels can apply,” he said sheepishly. “They don’t reject applicants anyway, they just add more classes.” “Hopefully you’ll make lots of friends, love. Actually, I know you will. Just look at that lovely smile on that adorable face.” “I am known to be charming. Let’s just hope I’m not the worst applicant ever. They expect everyone to have basic skills in the kitchen. I better start practicing now.” It would take his mind off of the case. He knew he wouldn’t feel rest until the dreaded statements were over. “We can give Pierre some time off if you want. He’d be happy,” Louisa chuckled. “And I’m more than glad to eat my sub’s food. Did you know you have magical hands?” He gave a wink as he went to the kitchen. “I do know how to use them and I’m a quick learner, I adapt to new techniques.” “Indeed,” she said, kissing his cheek and going to get dressed for work. She chose some high waisted trousers and a pink blouse with some ruffles, pulling her hair back and getting her briefcase. She had work responsibilities she had been passing off to others, but now she couldn’t slack anymore. The next week would be hard enough and she needed to put things in order before chaos descended on them. Harry could feel Zayn watching from afar when Louisa descended the stairs looking professional and glorious, giving him a kiss goodbye along with soft loving words before she left. He stared at her in longing till she was gone, then got started on cooking. Pierre deserved some time off, and Harry needed something to do with himself. He was even thinking of squeezing in a good Pilates session before lunch if Niall didn’t show. Zayn wandered inside a while later, while Harry was in the gym, music on. He’d missed exercising and feeling good about himself and his body. Louisa always assured him that she loved his body the way it was, and that it would change as he got older. He’d always worked out for how it made him feel and not how he looked, but lately he’d started thinking about the looks aspect too. He wanted to be his best for her. He didn’t stop till he was trembling and dripping sweat, taking off his shirt and wiping his face. Zayn was standing in the doorway and staring at him, but she looked away as soon as Harry noticed her. “Everything alright?” he asked, sounding winded still as he chugged some water. “I was just looking for you. Didn’t see you when I came inside.” She wouldn’t even look at him. “Sorry, I’m not used to shirtless men.” “It’s fine, I’ve finished up in here. I’ll take a shower and we can have lunch, everything’s ready,” he said, walking past her to go upstairs and wash off the sweat. He wondered if it was really about her sheltered upbringing, or if seeing him without a shirt on made her feel some type of way. Maybe she wanted to see Niall without a shirt on? He shook his head and rubbed shampoo into his scalp before doing his deep conditioning treatment. He had no plans for the afternoon, so he could let his curls dry while he tried to learn guitar with Niall. By the time he had lunch with Zayn, Niall had showed up, stealing a bite from his plate. “I swear, you have the fastest metabolism I’ve ever seen,” Harry ragged on him. “I’m a lucky fucker,” he replied. “I don’t even know who blessed me with it.” “Isn’t Ireland a Catholic country?” Zayn piped up. “Doesn’t mean I’m religious,” Niall grumbled. “Me neither,” Harry agreed as he cleaned up the kitchen. “Let’s get started.” They got comfortable in the lounge and Harry tried his best to focus. Zayn roamed in and out of the room a few times before settling on the settee to listen. Harry messed up more than once. All of his attention was on the two again. His curiosity was burning. “Not bad, but you did mess up a bit,” Niall said as he showed him how to play the chords again. They’d barely made it past the basics yet, but he’d reassured Harry that the first few months would be the hardest. “Maybe I should stick to the piano,” Harry grumbled, trying again. “I can play that, too,” Niall grinned smugly. “Play us something,” Zayn said immediately. Harry noticed how she lit up at the thought. “I’ll play something on guitar if Harry plays something on the piano,” Niall offered. “Thank god, I thought you were about to ask me to play on the guitar,” Harry laughed. “Finish your lesson first, you’re not getting off that easy,” Niall poked him. Harry griped but got through it and made his way to the piano, touching the grand instrument before sitting down. “I’ve never played this piano before.” “It’s an expensive one, isn’t it?” Zayn muttered. “Hey, if Louisa wants to spend her money on a piano, she’s got my approval,” Niall shrugged. “H, play something. Come on.” He took a second to think before his hands started moving. He wasn’t the best player, he couldn’t play anything difficult or complicated, so he kept it simple and played Coldplay. “The Scientist,” Niall guessed. “A goodie.” Niall and Zayn made a show of clapping once he was done and he got up shyly. “I’ll start the kettle,” he said, rushing out of the room. He had to play for his Dom. He’d waited long enough. He’d wished she was there to listen. By the time the tea was brewing, he tiptoed out of the kitchen, trying to spy on the other two people in the house. He could hear them talking, struggling to make out the words. “He’s okay with it,” he heard Niall say, tone light. “He does not mind. He just wants to know. There aren’t secrets between us anymore.” Then Zayn said something that Harry couldn’t catch a single word of, only murmurs. “I liked it. I just worried that Haz saw us, but I don’t think he did.” Zayn groaned at that, and Harry definitely heard it. So, she didn’t want him to know. “Don’t worry. I know we can’t tell anyone about whatever this is, but honestly, I’m here for you, whatever you need.” After that, he could hear some shuffling and then soft noises. They were kissing. He rushed away from the door, feeling like he was invading their privacy. They didn’t want him to know, maybe because they thought he wouldn’t understand. It didn’t sound like they understood any of it, either. Harry knew what it was like to feel things and not be able to make any sense of what they were and what they meant, but he’d had the convenience of only having those feelings and acting on them with his Dom, to whom he was paired legally and rightfully in the eyes of the government. He had the mugs of tea ready when the door swung open and Niall came in, Zayn trailing behind. He couldn’t tell that they’d been kissing from the looks of them. Everything seemed normal. “Thanks,” Niall cheered, taking a sip of his tea and sitting down. “Louisa does have good taste in tea.” “She’s from Yorkshire,” Harry stated the obvious. “I called home and told my mum about everything that’s going on here. She flipped out. Any advice?” Niall gave him a look. “Of course she flipped out, silly. Her son is in danger to the point of needing a bodyguard and she can’t do anything about it. You should not have said anything unless she was about to show up at your doorstep.” “She wouldn’t have shown up without calling me first,” Harry protested. “But, she needed to know. She’s my mum, I tell her these things. I knew she’d worry, but she would’ve known I was hiding something from her if I hadn’t said anything. And, Miss told me to tell her. I wasn’t about to disobey.” Zayn looked guilty the whole time Harry was talking, but her face changed the moment he said disobey. “Why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Harry asked, eyes on her. “Just some bad memories,” she tried to brush off, suddenly very busy sipping at her tea. Harry made sure his words were gentle. “I’m not trying to dredge anything up, but you’re going to have to say it all in court.” “Before court,” Niall corrected. “Liam needs to know every word you’re going to say. We’re going to be practicing, thoroughly.” Zayn gulped. “I’m not sure I’m ready.” “He can start with me first, surely,” Harry offered. “Make sure what I’m going to be saying doesn’t put any of us in a bad position.” Niall gave a nod. “We’ll all be submitting statements, so we’ve all got to prepare. That doesn’t diminish the importance of yours, Z, but we’ll ease you into it. At least we don’t have to worry about a cross examination straight away. We’ll get plenty of advance notice if it’s required.” Zayn sighed into her cup but said no more. She’d come to realise there was no escaping it. The only way out was through. “It’s going to work out,” Harry reassured. “I have faith and we have proof. People can lie, CCTV camera footage doesn’t. You can even tell if footage is real or if it’s been doctored. Technology.” Niall put his empty mug down. “Truth. Anyway, I have to bounce. I’ve got to get to another sesh, and then I’ll get to go home. Two lessons in one day, I am busy.” Harry laughed and sent him off. Zayn lingered for a bit but ended up going to her room so as to not rouse his suspicion, while Harry busied himself with cleaning up and making dinner. Cooking really did take his mind off of what was coming. He definitely needed the distraction, picking a difficult salmon wellington recipe, making everything from scratch, including the pastry. It took a good couple of hours, and was a considerable amount of labour, which kept his hands and mind busy. Louisa traipsed into the kitchen when the wellington was in the oven and Harry was getting the plates, pulling him close and giving him an absolutely filthy kiss. He groaned into her mouth in surprise, leaning over to meet her height. “Good evening,” she smirked, looking rather smug, even though the puffy pink top made her look rather angelic. “Mm, hi,” he smiled dopily. “What was that for?” “I came home feeling rather needy. I’d do you right now if we didn’t have company.” He gave a whine. He loved Zayn, he did, but she was a cockblock. She pecked his lips. “Be a good boy for a while. I’ll take care of you after dinner. We’ll just tell Zayn I’m tired and go to bed early.” “We always go to bed early, she knows what we’re doing up there, Miss,” he protested. “It’s not a secret. Besides, I can be loud.” “That I know,” she winked, heading upstairs with her briefcase. She put the bag in her home office and went to the bedroom to undress, changing into a silky nightie with a slip and some shorts that showed off her God-gifted behind. No doubt it would send poor Harry into a bit of a frenzy of need, but it was still better than slipping into one of his tees. That sounded tempting, but Louisa held back. Harry did stare at her shamelessly more than a few times and she felt smug about herself. He didn’t even care if Zayn noticed, he was whipped for his Dom, body and mind, and he wasn’t shy about it. Louisa took mercy on him and gave a big yawn right after dinner, even though sleep was not on her mind. “Long day,” she groaned, giving a stretch, the slip riding up her front to reveal more smooth, tanned skin. “I’ll join you in bed in a few minutes,” Harry nodded, finishing up the dishes and starting to wipe the surfaces down. “I gave Pierre the rest of the week off. He’ll be back on Monday.” “Four days of eating your food? What a lucky woman I am,” Louisa hummed, giving his ass a pat before nodding a goodnight to Zayn and heading upstairs. Harry tried his best to finish up as fast as he could. He was feeling rather needy tonight. He’d missed his Dom all day, sue him. “Have fun,” Zayn said dryly, heading to the lounge. “I’ll put myself to bed later.” He flushed but said goodnight and rushed up the stairs. He didn’t mind Zayn knowing he was about to have some really good sex with his Dom. Louisa was waiting for him in bed, holding a strip of dark fabric in her hand. “Close your eyes,” she said when he approached her, fastening it in place. It was a blindfold.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry was more than happy to fumble along even though he couldn’t see a thing. He didn’t touch the blindfold, but he did touch his Dom plenty. She let him have a good feel, even undress her, and not once did she rush him. He was so focused on his senses of touch and hearing that every moment was filled with anticipation. He pawed at her, earning a soft laugh. “Looking for my bum?” she asked, rolling over and guiding his hand to it. He squeezed hard when he found it, then gave a groan. “It’s so perfect.” “Maybe someday I’ll let you be inside it.” He forgot how to breathe at that, giving each cheek a kiss. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to survive that. “What a good sub I have,” she praised. He felt along till he reached the insides of her thighs, spreading them open so that he could touch her silky folds. She felt hotter, wetter than he’d remembered her feeling like, and he lifted his fingers up to his mouth to get a taste. Louisa moaned when he pushed two fingers inside her completely unprompted, slow but sure, pumping them in and out, thumb finding her clit and rubbing. “I taught you so well.” He licked over his lips. “I did say I’m a quick learner.” He pushed his fingers in deep, trying to find her g spot, smirking to himself as he felt the spongy texture. She shifted under him. “Yes,” she breathed, goading him on to move his fingers faster and curl them with every pump. Pleasure was starting to build. “You’re good with your fingers. Almost as good as you are with your mouth.” He keened at the praise and added a third finger, redoubling his efforts. It didn’t take long for her to come after that, burying her face into her pillow and muffling her own moans. He could hear her just fine, but he wished she would be louder. He wanted Zayn to hear how good he made his Dom feel. He flushed when he realised what that meant, pulling his fingers out and licking them clean of Louisa’s taste. “Something on your mind?” she asked, her voice closer now. He was hyper aware of his aching cock still trapped inside clothing. “I-“ He choked on air when he felt a hand on his bulge, teasing it back and forth. “Oh mistress.” Thoughts were flying out of the window at the speed of sound. “I love it when you fall into this space.” She turned them around so that he was under her, and pulled off his t shirt, then his shorts and his boxers. “You should wear shorts more often, they show off your legs very nicely.” “I will,” he agreed immediately. Hell, he’d do anything she asked. He’d be naked all the time if she wanted. He felt a hand wrap around his aching dick and moaned, the feeling much more intense than usual. He twitched with every stroke, just desperate to thrust up into her hand. “Still,” she commanded, and he obeyed. He moaned but he stayed as still as he could, trembling when he felt his orgasm start to build, moans turning into whimpers. Then something hot and wet and tight was enveloping him and he was a goner, his balls going tight and his ears filling with white noise as he exploded. It was so good that he forgot how to breathe. “Babe, you’ve got to breathe,” was the first thing he heard, sucking in a rough breath. His head was swimming as he tried to get oxygen back into his lungs. The fabric from his eyes was pulled away and he could see again. His whole body felt like jelly. Louisa watched with a soft smile as he struggled to find words. “Intense,” was all he could manage. “Did I break your brain?” “I…think so?” he guessed. He still felt a little spacey. “You didn’t even tie me up this time.” “It was all about the blindfold tonight.” She kissed his cheek and got up. “Don’t move, I’ll clean you up. You forgot to breathe for a few.” Oh, yeah. He had forgotten how to breathe. “Does that happen?” “Yes.” She wiped him clean with something soft and warm and he felt sleepy. “It’s normal. Just, don’t come so hard that you break your own brain.” He gave a soft laugh and nodded. “Message received.” She scooted next to him in bed and got comfortable, now wearing the same nightie she’d put on before dinner. “How were things with Niall today?” “I heard them talking and kissing, but I kept myself out of it,” he admitted. “They don’t want me, or anybody, to know. I can respect that. It sounded like they don’t really know what they’re doing either.” “I’m glad I’m not in Liam’s position. I probably wouldn’t be this understanding,” Louisa admitted. “I would definitely be jealous if anyone else had your attention but me.” He didn’t hesitate. “Impossible, I’ve devoted myself to you completely, Miss. Mind, body and soul. You’ve taken it all.” She propped herself up on an elbow to look at him, her face fond and her eyes glossy. “Harry.” “It’s true.” He gazed into her soul. “You’re it for me, and I don’t care if it hasn’t even been a year or if I’m only eighteen. Niall knew with Mr Payne when he was eighteen, Mattie knew with Gemma, I can certainly know with you.” “Stop before I cry,” she sniffed, burying her face in his neck. He held her close, both arms around her. He hadn’t seen her cry before, but something had been different about her today ever since she got home. “Miss?” he asked softly. “What happened?” She lifted her face and wiped her cheeks. “I’m a mess, is what happened.” “No, I mean at work.” He kept his voice gentle. “You’ve been different tonight. I’m not complaining,” he corrected quickly, “but I can tell you’ve been thinking hard.” She sighed and shifted again, not looking at him as she doodled patterns on his chest and ribs with her finger. “Cowell isn’t on house arrest anymore.” He stiffened. “Did you see him?” She shook her head. “He tried to come to the office this morning while I was here with you and Zayn. Liam sent him off with not even a word and filed a restraining order against him for me.” The blood drained from his face. “He was there for you?” She reached up to cup the side of his cheek. “They thought he was there because of the case. He obviously knows who we are and that somehow we were the ones who found Zayn and are now fighting for her. Fighting against him. Liam expected him to throw around some choice words about the firm and leave once he was done. He called the police, so Cowell did have to leave in a hurry. As he was leaving, he said he was ‘looking forward to seeing the woman’ and some derogatory things I won’t repeat.” Her sub did not need to know the sexual acts Cowell had suggested she do for him. “That man will fuck anything that moves.” Harry was frozen. “What if you’d been there when he showed?” “We have security and CCTV. He wouldn’t have dared touch me in a place where it could be documented by proof and witnesses. Especially not now, considering he’s already about to face the High Court for allegations worse than throwing around some lewd remarks.” “So he could try to get you alone?” “He won’t be able to. I’ll get the restraining order by Monday, and we have the bodyguards. I put CCTV cameras up outside the house. He won’t try anything with me. He hasn’t made a move to get to Zayn and kill her, which means he knows he can’t get away with murder.” He felt like a parrot, just spewing out questions. “He could try to kill Zayn?!” “Likely. Making her disappear wouldn’t be good enough. He’d make it look like a disappearance, though. Her body would never be found in that case.” Louisa stopped talking when she realised she’d said too much. “It’s never going to happen. When she survived the night we found her, his fate was sealed. He’s not going to get away with knocking up his sub and hurting her enough for her to lose her baby.” “So, that’s the driving point? His biggest crime in the eyes of the government and the courts is that he killed a baby that wasn’t even born yet, but it’s totally fine that he raped and abused her and left her for dead!” She smoothed a hand over his chest. “I’m not going to tell you to calm down, because you’re right, but I also don’t want you hurting. I know there isn’t much I can do, and time will be the only thing that helps, but Zayn is okay, love. She’s safe and she’s healthy again. Whatever’s going on with Niall, she’s the one in control of her life for the first time. Let her explore. It’s all we can do for her till we start the dogfighting in the courtroom. You haven’t seen Liam in his element. He's kind of brilliant.” She gave a smile despite herself. She knew exactly what Liam would say if he heard her say kind of before brilliant. “What if we lose?” he whispered, voicing his biggest fear, even if only timidly. “What if he wins?” “Worst case scenario, we’ll take Zayn and we’ll run. We’ll live in a country where nobody gives a shit, where they can’t find us or get to us. Zayn could change her name and live her life doing whatever she wanted. Art, maybe. She’s been doodling a lot lately.” “You would uproot everything you’ve worked for, for Zayn?” Harry didn’t understand why. She was just someone Louisa met and helped save. Louisa had done so much for her already, but this was a sacrifice. “It’s not ideal, but yes, in the off case that Cowell can prove himself innocent on every count in front of the High Court and the Supreme Court, we will leave the country. I don’t want to leave behind my life, but career and money is secondary to safety. I’d miss my family, and I’d hate to take you away from yours, but Liam and I have discussed this route more than once.” Harry sucked in a breath. Everything had been planned, even if it all went downhill. In every possible outcome, they’d be safe. “So, the five of us would run?” “It wasn’t even my idea. Niall came up with it. He has a list of countries we could go to and become legal citizens. We wouldn’t be able to come back here, though.” “Niall came up with this?” he asked incredulously. “I did say he should go to law school.” “I hate the plan, I really do, but he’s a genius. How does he even come up with these things? Wouldn’t he miss his family too?” Louisa sat up. “Not my story to tell, love, but Niall doesn’t talk to his family much. They’re in Ireland, still, which he says helps, because they don’t bug him a lot. It has a lot to do with how he’s not really a model submissive.” That made sense. Harry had never heard Niall bring up his family. “It explains a lot about him.” “It also explains why Zayn gravitated to him. She’s got some unpleasant memories of her family, too, which we only know by how she reacts to family being mentioned. When you have something in common with a person, you feel connected to them. She sees he’s doing more than fine without his family and it gives her hope that she’ll be okay, too. Being okay is our everyday, but for her, it’s her goal.” “I realised that I support them, whatever it is. At least they’re trying to be open with each other and they’re afraid of judgement, so I won’t be judging them. I’ll give them grief when they do eventually decide to stop being dumb and tell me about it, but I’ve already accepted them. I guess the only question I have is what does that mean for Mr Payne?” “Well, love, in a polyamorous relationship, all of the people don’t have to be with each other romantically and sexually. Sometimes, one of the partnerships can be platonic. In that case, they’d be metamours. Right now, I think they are. But, I don’t expect that to last very long if this goes on.” She looked smug. Harry blinked, trying to decipher the meaning behind her words. “But Zayn’s afraid of him.” “Won’t be for much longer. Liam’s a big teddy bear in private. Also, he’s bisexual. It’s completely possible for him to be into Zayn.” Harry gaped for a few seconds. “But- he told me- he said he could only see partnership with a man.” “And he has Niall. That is a partnership. Adding a third person to make a throuple won’t change that part. There will just be another person along with them. Instead of twice the love, they could have thrice the love. Maybe I’m a silly romantic, but I’m kind of rooting for them already.” He was surprised. “Have you ever wanted a polyamorous arrangement for yourself, Miss?” She shook her head. “I would’ve tried if I’d felt genuine interest in someone, but all of the sex I’ve had has been just that, sex. There was never a relationship with one person, forget multiple. I told myself it was because men couldn’t handle a dominant woman, and it was hard to find a male sub who wasn’t paired and willing to sleep with me. They usually want male Doms. I don’t have the necessary equipment to satisfy them.” “I don’t know what I am, if it’s bisexual or pansexual or any other label. I wasn’t hung up on my Dom’s gender,” he confessed. “I just wanted someone who cared about me, someone to build a life with. If you were a man, I’d love you the same, want you the same. My desire wouldn’t change.” Louisa grabbed his face and gave him a kiss. “Oh baby, you’re really the absolute sweetest thing.” He kissed back, his hands around her, holding her close to him as he relished the feeling of her soft lips. He wouldn’t have cared if she was man, woman, neither, or both. He was in love with her. She murmured soft words of endearment against his lips every time they broke apart to breathe, then resumed kissing again. They took their time, and he was taken back to the first time they’d kissed like this, perched on the edge of the bed with his Dom in his lap, his hands all over her. That time, it had been laced with sexual tension. This time, it was soft and gentle. It was better. Harry got a good sleep that night, but the moment his eyes opened in the morning, he was worried again. They were all still in danger, especially Zayn and Louisa. Cowell had his eye on them both and Harry was powerless to do anything. He felt helpless and restless, getting up and leaving a sleeping Louisa to busy himself with something, anything. He got through a load of laundry and proceeded to prepare a feast for breakfast, right from bacon and sausages to toast and beans and even pancakes with various toppings and flavours. He only realised he’d gone overboard when the kitchen counter was full of serving plates stacked with food. Zayn walked in and eyed the scene. “Wow. Are we having a breakfast party?” Sarcasm. Harry rolled his eyes in response. “I’ll see if Niall wants to come over and help. He’d eat half of this food on his own and then have the nerve to ask me what I’m making for lunch.” She snorted in response and chose a stack of pancakes, sitting down to eat. “Where does all of the food even go? He’s got washboard abs.” “Have you seen them then? His washboard abs?” Zayn flushed. “I’m just saying. Sit down and eat with me before I start feeling self-conscious.” Harry let it slide and shot Niall a text, asking if the both of them could come over for brekkie. He got a reply within a few minutes. “They’re on their way.” “Both of them?” Zayn squeaked. “Is Mr Payne still making you uncomfortable?” “No,” she answered far too quickly. Keeping up the act, Harry pretended to be suspicious but said nothing as he ate. Liam and Niall showed up half an hour later and Niall dove for the food while Liam hung back, waiting for Louisa. Once Zayn was out of earshot, but giving Liam some odd looks, he turned to Harry. “I’m assuming she told you about Cowell.” “She did,” Harry nodded, keeping his face smooth. “Why do you think I panic-cooked enough food to feed ten? Or five, if one of them is Niall?” “I applied for the restraining order yesterday, it’ll come through by tonight. Nothing to worry. Our private security says his goons have backed off again. I should feel some relief, but I don’t. They’re planning something.” “Would they do something on court day?” “Possible. Looking into it now. Thought I should update you. Louisa might forget later. She gets a bit frazzled if things get intense. Things at the firm are getting a bit slipshod. Our end of year reports are being published. There will be talk about the firm publicly. Lou likes to run a tight ship and make sure things go smoothly. This time, we’ve got a looming case to worry about. This case will make or break us.” “I hope it’s the former,” Harry said, trying to look like he wasn’t terrified. “Right.” He cleared his throat. “Shall we get started with the statements then? We need to practice. Niall, babe? You’re first.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was the first time Harry got to witness Mr Payne in his zone. The look of love and fondness on his face when he usually looked at Niall was gone in a flash, replaced by an indifferent but stern expression as he stared him down and asked him to give his honest and true statement. There would be no questioning, but he still bore down an almost threatening stare at the sub, who remained complete unphased as he said his piece, explaining what had happened that night, starting from when Louisa and Harry had shown up. Harry kept quiet and tried to stay in the present, but it wasn’t that easy for Zayn, who could only hear everything in her own point of view. “She thought I was an angel,” Niall added smugly, “in the hospital when I watched her the first time. I played guitar. They say music helps.” It didn’t do much to change the look on Zayn’s face. There were too many negative memories to get through and Niall’s light didn’t diminish their darkness. She could only remember those days as full of all different kinds of pain and fear. Fear that she would be found and surely that would be the end of her life and she would be powerless. She would never have had a shot at surviving. “Thank you,” Liam said when Niall finished, and the façade dropped instantly, like a falling curtain at stage time. They kissed softly for a few seconds. “You were great.” “I’ll go next if it eases everyone here,” Louisa offered. She gave Harry’s cheek a soft kiss and sat down. She didn’t hesitate once while speaking, getting through her entire recount. Harry watched just as quietly as before, but his Dom didn’t look at him. He would need to look at her when his turn came, even if it was only practice. That was just one of the reasons why she was the Dom and he was the sub. “Great,” Liam nodded when she was done. “We’ll listen back and think about where we can use better phrasing. It’ll help avoid any cross questioning in the future, and in case it really has to happen, we’ll be able to object and not get denied.” “Niall didn’t get this feedback,” Louisa teased. “You’re a lot closer to the situation,” Niall shrugged. “The closest Dom to this situation, you’ll have weight here.” “Seriously, send him to law school,” Louisa told Liam seriously, who only rolled his eyes. Harry gulped as he took his seat and wasn’t even sure where to begin. He didn’t know if Zayn should even listen to this, but she would have to give her own statement too and that would be as close as she would get to reliving her nightmares. He cleared his throat and stared at his Dom, who tried to remain neutral, but was struggling against her primal instincts. She was almost compelled to help him, to stop this. Her inner Dom said no to even letting him step into the courtroom.“Lou. You’ve got to reel it in,” Niall said softly while Harry was still talking. She turned to blondie and tried to manage a smile, but settled for only sucking in a ragged breath. There would be no option but to control herself in court. She wouldn’t be able to hide him away now. “Was I being obvious?” she muttered under her breath. Liam turned. “You’re about as subtle as a heart attack. Nothing bad is going to happen in court. Harry actually has done a wonderful job with his statement. It’s well crafted, highlights the points that we want to focus on, and it doesn’t shine a light on any of us negatively. He’s portraying us as model citizens who were just living our lives.” Harry exhaled the breath he didn’t realise he’d been holding. “I’m good at this?!” Louisa gave a sigh of relief. “Yes, baby, you’re good at this,” she said, gathering him up in his arms. “You’re the best.” He relished in the feeling and sagged against her. He suddenly felt a lot better now that it was over and apparently, he was good? Liam cleared his throat. “Time for the big one.” Harry watched as Zayn sat down, gulping and trying to speak, starting from the time she was paired to Cowell. She described atrocities that had led to the founding and then development of sub rights organisations, sounding like she was detailing someone else’s pain. She’d said no multiple times and he’d done things to her. He’d shot her up with drugs at times so she wouldn’t be able to deny consent. He’d left her for dead. She couldn’t get through the rest of it. By this point, she was sobbing so hard her entire frame shook. Harry reached out to hug her but Niall was there in a flash. She hid her face in his shoulder and cried. Louisa and Liam shared a look and Liam nodded. Louisa took Harry’s hand and tugged him out of the room, towards the garden. “They’ll make sure she’s okay. She needs to process her feelings now, so that she doesn’t let her fear overwhelm her in court.” “She’s going to be afraid no matter how many times we rehearse it,” Harry mumbled. “She has to admit to everything she’s suffered through. That can never be easy for any victim. And in the eyes of the law, she hasn’t even got to the worst part yet.” “The court already has her medical reports, they will be taken into consideration even if she doesn’t mention the miscarriage in her statement. Or the cracked ribs, the swelling, the bruising, the scars and burns. They can’t deny the abuse, they can only deny that Cowell was the one who inflicted them. They won’t be able to come down on a victim that hard. It would almost certainly be seen as inhumane by the jury.” Harry sat down, head in his hands. “Will it really turn out okay?” “It’s hard to have faith when things are getting hard, but it will turn out okay. The only reason we’re taking so many precautions is because it’s Cowell.” “He’s going to play dirty.” “Liam told you?” Harry only nodded. “We’re going to be prepared. Hell, he will drag us all through the mud. We’ve ruined his reputation, he won’t let it go at all. We’ve got to get the criminal charges to stick.” Liam popped his head out. “She’s calmed down now and Niall’s got her sipping on some tea. She’s okay.” “You might be scary to her, but you sure can calm her, too,” Louisa hinted. Liam didn’t respond, only shrugging as he went back inside. “Makes sense. Should come with the territory. Scaring people into telling the truth is important of course, but you should also make sure people on your side are comfortable in coming to you with the complete truth, even if it damages your case,” Harry observed. Louisa kissed his cheek. “You’re so smart.” “I’m learning,” he flushed as they went back inside. As Liam had said, Zayn and Niall were in the kitchen and she was sipping tea. She looked much better now. “We’re going to have to get through the whole statement,” Niall apologised. “Let’s pick up where we left off for today and get to the end. Then, we’ll come back to it tomorrow and try to get through the whole thing in one shot. I wish I could say we could go slower, but we just don’t have the time anymore. It’s close.” Zayn nodded and mumbled an okay before taking her seat in the chair they’d selected, so to speak. Louisa and Harry hung back and held hands while she talked about being in the hospital, then being able to leave, being taken in by a Dom who didn’t even know her before, had no obligation to her, but chose to care for her anyway. Louisa turned her head and hid her face in Harry’s chest, breathing in a lungful of him. He was surprised and looked down, feeling his t shirt turn damp. At a loss of what to do, he wrapped his arms around her like he knew how to. She gave a soft sniffle that only Harry heard and his heart felt like it had been squeezed hard. Knowing she was upset made him hurt physically. This was his Dom, the person his life revolved around. She protected him, provided for him and held complete ownership of him. Having someone to hold and having someone hold him had been merely a dream, one he’d never really been sure he’d end up with, until he’d met Louisa. Yet, he was helpless in face of her distress. “Baby,” she mumbled softly into his shirt when he squeezed her closer again. “I’m okay. Don’t worry.” He felt guilty. She was sad and yet she was worrying about him. “You’re entitled to your feelings, Miss. Don’t worry about me.” She wiped her face a little and he loosened his arms. “I’m supposed to comfort you, not the other way around,” she whispered. “I need to be a better Dom.” “I don’t want a better Dom, I want my Dom,” he said stubbornly. “I’m young but I’ll figure out what you need and be that for you, because I am your sub.” “Since you’re my sub, I can tell you to stop giving a fuck about what society tells you your role is. I’m the only one you need to listen to, and I just want you to be happy.” “You make me happy,” he said, looking down at her with blazing green eyes. “I am the happiest with you. But, I don’t like seeing you cry.” He hesitantly touched her cheek, thumbing away the tears. “I didn’t realise she would make you cry, too.” “I’m a softie.” Her smile was watery. He kissed her forehead and just took her in. It was no secret that she smelled incredible at all times, all soft and floral. She left the scent everywhere, especially in their bed, on the sheets, her pillow. It was his favourite thing in the world. It really was a shame that he couldn’t fit into her clothes. He wanted to wear her scent on him somehow, but he supposed her wearing his was a good substitute when she did. He could understand her feelings. Knowing that she’d helped Zayn and done some good for her was important to Louisa and he could see that. The two had a bond that was different from how Zayn was with him, or Niall, or even Liam, which was too confusing for Harry’s overloaded brain right now. Zayn was a woman who needed a woman around, and it helped that it was a strong one. A Dominant. One who had power and influence. One who had the money to protect. One who had chosen to help her out of nothing but the goodness of her heart with nothing to gain and everything to lose. “I swear I’m going to need a tissue,” Niall whined. “Just look at them, Jesus.” Louisa pulled back and Harry looked up. All three of them had their eyes trained on them now. He flushed and fiddled with his fingers, shy. “Sorry,” Zayn mumbled and Louisa gave her a hug. “Adorable,” Niall said. “I feel like I’m about to cry.” “No,” Liam warned. “No.” Louisa pulled back. “Niall is a nightmare when he cries,” she told Harry and then nodded at Zayn. “Remember that, probably be useful information at some point in the future.” Realising what she was hinting at, Zayn was the one who got all shy. Niall only shrugged. “I’ll reel it in if you two stop being absolute saps. My heart can’t handle it. Call me hormonal.” “You have a 24-hour hormonal cycle,” Louisa commented dryly. “You’re not hormonal.” “Ah, Louisa Tomlinson, always educating us on female biology,” Liam quipped. “You’ll thank me for it,” she winked, making herself some tea now that the situation felt lighter, “especially now that the information is useful to you.” Liam gaped like a fish at how obvious she was being. Harry held back his giggle and tried to school his expression. Niall chose to lean into the topic and ask Zayn how she was feeling with her 28-day hormone cycle. “It’s messed up right now, I was bleeding a lot in the hospital but I’ve stopped now. Just have to wait and see when I get my period again. Doctors said it might not be right away, because of what I went through and the miscarriage can cause issues too, but I’m relatively healthy now. If I get my period and it’s bad, I’ll just have to go back in again.” “I asked about birth control,” Louisa added, “so that we can arrest her period if it’s just going to put her in more pain, but that involves messing with the natural hormones in her body. They’re already out of whack, so she needs to go through a few cycles and they’ll test her. After that, she could get on the shot or use one of the other methods.” “I mean, if you have had success with the shot, that’s probably the best option to consider,” Liam said. “Not that I have anything to decide when it comes to your reproductive health.” Zayn flushed. “Right,” she mumbled. “There’s still time.” Niall shook his head. “I’m so glad I’m not a woman. Can’t imagine dealing with blood and hormones and pain and not just asking a doctor to rip out my uterus.” “That’s why I went on the shot, but every year, I have to tough it out through one period,” Louisa grumbled. “Just so that my body’s natural hormones don’t get too messed up, it’s the safest in case I want to have children. Which, since I’m into men, means I’ll be the one carrying and birthing them, so I kind of need to be fertile.” Harry blushed hard enough to feel his cheeks burning. She was talking about having children so casually. He suddenly felt young. “Looks like Harry’s down for whenever, just let him know when you’re in the mood, eh?” Niall teased. “The form doesn’t ask subs when they want children, just asks how many they’d like. Harry said he doesn’t mind as long as he has at least one,” Louisa remembered. “Which would’ve never happened with a male Dom,” Harry nodded. “He’d have had a baby with some woman and I’d have been in the picture only after the birth. Of course I’d love the baby the same, but I think I would like to have genetic contribution.” Liam looked sceptical. “He sounds 38, not 18.” “Sod off,” Louisa laughed. “We’re not having a baby right now. Harry is too young for that and I want him to be on a good career path. We’ve also got so much to do together before we get there. I’m in no hurry. I’ll be fertile another decade, at least. Besides, my family history is conducive. We’re fertile women here.” “Can you imagine the sass on her mouth when she’s knocked up? Harry, watch out, mate,” Niall spoke shamelessly. Louisa gave him a right poke in his side. Harry was all shy at the thought. Did he want children? Of course he did, but he’d walked into his Pairing Test not knowing anything about his future. Now, he had a Dom who wanted children with him, but was willing to wait for him to be a little older before they did. She was willing to be pregnant and have the baby herself, unlike almost every female Dom choosing a surrogate. In most cases, a sperm donor was involved since the sub would likely also be female. “She’d be an incredible mother.” He could imagine her as a mother easily. She was just so protective and caring. She’d be perfect at it. He’d seen her with her siblings. She knew everything about taking care of a baby, a toddler and a child. She had experience. “And the most beautiful one.” “We’re not having this conversation yet,” Louisa muttered. “It’s too early. In the future, yes, I will birth children with my sub. Happy?” “Very, I want to be the godfather,” Niall grinned. Harry sipped his tea. He couldn’t get it out of his head. Louisa, being pregnant with a round belly. Louisa, holding their new born baby. Louisa, taking care of the baby like a mama bear. Louisa, teaching their baby to talk, to walk, to play, to read, to write. And he’d be right there, to cuddle and snuggle and change nappies and blow raspberries and tickle. He’d be a father. Liam got up from his seat. “We’ll be back tomorrow to continue, but we don’t need a mountain of breakfast, even though it was delicious, Harry.” “I need to talk to you,” Zayn said, not even looking at Liam. “The car’s outside,” Niall offered, and the three of them went out the front door. Harry could see them through the window. Zayn was shifting her weight awkwardly every few seconds as she spoke, then Niall reached for her and held her to his side, saying something that settled her considerably.  Then Niall let go and Zayn reached up to give Liam a kiss on the cheek. Harry saw Liam smile before taking her hand and kissing it, saying goodbye and getting in the car. Zayn watched as they left before opening the front door to come inside. “They’ll be okay,” Harry smiled. Louisa hummed knowingly. “Should’ve seen it coming when she called him an angel in the hospital.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry couldn’t breathe. His hands were clawing to grab something, anything, to gain some kind of respite, but he was helpless. He panted and sucked more air in, desperately, as he stumbled out of the large door and into an open hallway. It was deserted. He leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and trying to drown out the noise. He was too busy having a complete meltdown to hear the clicks of heels, only realising he’d been followed when he felt a soft hand on his cheek, then in his hair, pushing the curls out of his face. The hands moved down to undo the top two buttons on his shirt so that he could breathe easier. He clutched at a hand quietly, struggling to find his ground. “Do you need to throw up?” A hand softly rubbed his back up and down in soothing circles, carefully, as if he would break if too much pressure was applied. He kissed the fingers he was still clutching, trying to get a lungful of the only scent that could help right now. “I’m here, I’m here.” He thought he would start sobbing, but he couldn’t. This wasn’t even his pain. He was only listening to someone else’s trauma. How could everyone else just sit there and listen, and not feel anything? Not show any emotion on their faces? This wasn’t a movie scene, this was real life. “I need you to say something.” The prompt was soft so he nodded and let go, pushing his curls back again. They kept getting in his face. It felt suffocating. “I’m fine.” He pulled her close again, burying his face in her neck. She smelled the same as always, and he didn’t feel so unsettled anymore. Only she could soothe him. Louisa squeezed him close. Having her heels on halved the height difference between them, which made it a little simpler to comfort her sub. “Baby, you’re not fine and that’s okay. It’s a lot to take in.” “She never told us,” he choked out. “She never told us everything.” “I know love, I know.” She rubbed his back again. “That might have been Liam’s idea. A rehearsed speech doesn’t sound genuine, you know. This bit’s important going forward.” He struggled to speak. “You should be in there with her. She needs you more than I do.” “She doesn’t need me. She has Niall and Liam. You have me. You’re my first responsibility. Now just focus on me. Stay in the present.” He nodded feebly into her skin and focused. He focused on her scent, the way she felt, how she held him. They were okay. They were together and everyone was safe. The pain was in the past. Louisa noticed when his body relaxed and pulled back to wipe his face gently. She was dressed in a proper suit, having chosen a tailored one with trousers rather than the skirt women usually showed up to court in. He would’ve found it hot when she’d dressed that morning if he hadn’t been so nervous. He traced one of the stripes with his thumb, grounding himself in the moment. “There we go, love,” she said softly. “We don’t need to go back in. Niall will bring Zayn out and we can go home. We don’t have to come back here unless we get called and that won’t be right away. Hopefully, it won’t be necessary.” “But you think it will be?” His voice was small. He knew his Dom well enough to know when she was only trying to make him feel better despite knowing otherwise. “I know not to underestimate anyone, and Liam is sure they will play some dirty games. All we can do is have a modicum of decency.” Cowell was not fucking around. True to Liam’s guess, he’d tried to sabotage their visit to the court today. They were to take two cars, Liam’s and Louisa’s. Liam was going to bring Niall and Louisa, Harry and Zayn would ride together with her driver, and each car would have one bodyguard. Cowell hadn’t gone to petty extents, he’d gone to carefully planned ones. First, he’d had a goon or two visit the driver and make sure he wouldn’t be able to leave his house or reach out to Louisa. The poor man had been terrified when he’d been found by one of their new bodyguards. The goons had left by then, their job done. Second, Louisa’s car battery had been fully discharged during the night and wouldn’t start. The Porsche was working fine, which meant Louisa was forced to drive while thinking of the fact that a goon had got into her garage past security. He could’ve easily broken into the house if he’d wanted. If that wasn’t enough to have them on edge, they got stuck behind a lorry on the way to the courtroom and Louisa was too anxious to even try overtaking. She was shakier than usual behind the wheel and they almost didn’t make it on time. It was a miracle that they did. Niall had gone first and given his statement flawlessly. Harry wondered if blondie had a shot at a career in acting. Liam and Louisa had done their jobs perfectly, and Harry had managed to get through his, his ears ringing. The door flew open and Niall stepped out, holding hands tightly with Zayn. “Liam’s finishing up,” he said. Zayn clung to him like he was a lifeline and kept silent. She wasn’t crying. Harry could understand. Niall was safe. He felt safe and comforting. “Right,” Louisa nodded. “Let’s find Zayn a seat and we can wait for him.” They found some seats near the lobby and took a seat. Zayn wouldn’t let go of Niall, so he sat with her, wildly sharing looks with Louisa, pointing to Harry. “I’m okay,” he mumbled when he noticed, shifting his weight from foot to foot awkwardly. He didn’t know why he suddenly felt uncomfortable. It wasn’t like he’d done anything wrong. Liam showed up carrying his briefcase. If Louisa was dressed well for the day, Liam was beyond standout in his suit. He exuded power, all sharp lines and firm faces. Harry would’ve been scared of him if he didn’t know him personally. He was kind of impressed. He could see that his Dom had told him right. “We’re done, further statements shall be recorded tomorrow. Cowell will be here so none of you are allowed here. I’ll come and I’ll have the police here with me along with the bodyguards. I’d recommend the four of you stick together while I’m here in case he sends someone else. Lou, we’ve got to tighten security at your place. I’m thinking motion sensors.” “Let’s not scare the subs,” Louisa said, then reconsidered. “Well, not Niall.” “If I was going to be scared at this point, I wouldn’t have survived the first time Liam took a sub’s case,” Niall replied drily. Liam decided to be gentle. “It’s never been this bad.” “That’s what you say now, but everything was scary in the moment when it was actually happening,” Niall muttered. “I’ve gone through it with you, babe, and I’m fine with it. It’s prepared me for this. And honestly, if I fall apart, we’re all fucked.” Harry snorted despite himself, eliciting a giggle from Louisa. “The glue of this establishment, truly, Mr Horan,” she said. “Do you want to drive back? I can’t be arsed.” “At this point, everyone depends on me,” Niall said smugly, taking the key from her and giving it to Liam. “But I’ll sit in the back with Zayn.” “Right,” Liam agreed. “Better get out of here.” Zayn was still quiet and clutching Niall’s arm but they managed to get her in the car. She sat between Niall and Harry in the back while Louisa took shotgun. “Do you have to go to the office?” she asked. “Nah, I haven’t even been looking at any of the other cases. No point in going now. Besides, I need to prepare for tomorrow and I do that better when I’m alone,” Liam replied, driving effortlessly. “Lou, how can you find this difficult? This car is a dream to drive.” “Shut up,” she grumbled. “I’m not a good driver. It makes me antsy.” “Yeah cause you drive like a snail,” Niall piped up from the back. “Blondie, I swear to God, don’t start with me right now. I’m feeling rather pouncy today,” she sassed. Liam cleared his throat. “No violence in the car. You controlled yourself well in the courtroom today, I’m actually impressed. I thought you were going to jump in when Harry was in the box.” Louisa felt a little defensive. “I had to trust him to handle himself. I can’t be the overbearing Dominant. I have a higher standing to uphold.” “What, because of your gender? You’re allowed to be yourself. I can see this is taking a lot out of you. Cowell is after all of us, but he poses a different threat to you than he does to me. He wouldn’t dare get near me.” “And he sees me as a helpless female, I know,” she snorted. “We’ve got to up security, it’ll be fine then.” “Want to go to the gym and get buff? Drink protein shakes and become a gym bro?” Liam teased. “Oh, fuck off.” Liam only laughed. Harry listened quietly to the Doms chat, the conversation varying wildly between looming dangers and idle banter. He wondered if they were always like that, making light of situations and cases so that it wouldn’t feel like the end of the world, or if they were doing it for his benefit. He was the only one who’d flipped out in court. Niall took Zayn inside when they arrived and Liam patted Harry’s shoulder as he got out. “You did good today, don’t sweat it. Nobody blames you for needing a moment. It did get pretty intense.” “I think what got me was the fact that nobody cried,” he admitted. “I felt like I was the only one who felt a fraction of her pain. Everyone else felt so far removed from the situation. Like they were watching a movie. I’m fine now. I’ll check what we have for lunch.” Louisa pulled him inside. “I’ll order something, you need to lay down.” She wasn’t asking. He nodded and went up to bed, taking off the suit jacket and the shoes, flopping onto the mattress. He wasn’t sure if he would be able to stomach lunch, but he assumed the queasiness would subside. “If this were the appropriate moment, I’d say you look scrumptious.” He looked up to see his Dom standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She was still in her suit, but her hair was down. “If this were the appropriate moment, I’d touch you all over,” he replied. Nothing could distract him from her beauty. His desire for her only ever seemed to grow. She clicked the door shut behind her, stepped out of her heels and unbuttoned her jacket, pulling it off. Harry wasn’t sure he wasn’t drooling at the sight of her. The blouse made her breasts look incredible. “Need a distraction, love?” She started unbuttoning the blouse, his eyes following hungrily. “Yes, please,” he breathed, sitting up to get a better view. He was still in his shirt and trousers. “Those trousers make your ass look glorious.” “I thought it looked glorious in everything,” she teased, standing in front of him in only her bra and trousers. The bra was cream-coloured, slightly lighter than her naturally tan skin tone, with a pretty lace bow in the middle, a tiny stone encased in metal hanging from it. He reached out to grab her waist, pulling her closer. “I would say my eyes are up here, but I actually enjoy it when my body as your attention.” She pushed a hand into his messy curls and rubbed at his scalp, eliciting a soft moan as his eyes slipped shut, his face between her breasts, above her bra. “Take it off.” He reached behind her, unclipping the bra before taking it off of her from the front. He had half a mind to motorboat her like a horny teenager, looking up at her through his lashes. “Use your mouth,” she said, and he obeyed, kissing over her breast before taking a nipple into his mouth to suckle and tease. He pulled back with a wet mouth to give the other nub some attention as she undid her trousers and let them fall before pulling him back by his curls. He looked up at her as she climbed into his lap, in her panties. They were nothing special, but the person in them was. His hands slid down to her hips to touch and hold as she unbuttoned his shirt. “You know, I didn’t realise how hot you would look in your suit when we had you measured, but you really do. It’s a shame that the occasion is less than desirable, because I wanted to ravage you. In any other situation, I would have.” He was shameless. “You can ravage me right now.” She slid her hand inside his shirt, down his front. “I’m a Dom, love, I have to put your needs first. I am also known to be more patient than you are.” She gave a smirk. “Not exactly the patron saint of self-control, but I do alright.” “You’re definitely better than me.” He was brazen. “You’re everything.” She groaned and kissed his mouth roughly, snogging the breath out of him as she rocked her hips against him, feeling his bulge. He moaned in surprise into her mouth, his hands now on her ass as he squeezed and palmed it, encouraging her movements. He’d never imagined grinding would feel this good. “God, I love you,” she whined softly, rocking her hips more. “I love you too.” She gave a soft laugh when she heard the sheer desperation in his voice. It felt good to be needed, more than good. She pulled his cock out of his trousers and slid her panties to the side, taking him inside her. He moaned loudly, fisting the sheets in his hands as he struggled to find purchase. He was in heaven already, under his Dom in bed with his shirt open and cock out of his trousers, inside her perfect body, fulfilling his life’s purpose. She swivelled her hips up and down, making a whole show of it, her tits bouncing in front of him as his eyes fixated on them. This was the first time she’d taken him bare. They’d always used a rubber before, despite her being on birth control. “You’re going to make such a mess inside me,” she moaned. “Fuck you feel magical.” He moaned again, feeling the hot walls clench around him. Sex with her had always been good, but this was blowing his mind to pieces. Being inside her without the barrier of a thin film of rubber made it so much more intense. “I’m not going to last,” he begged. “I don’t want you to,” she panted, grinding her hips down with every bounce, clenching and unclenching sporadically. “You’re so good. So good.” He could see her face twisting in pleasure, her hair bouncing around with the rest of her as she took her pleasure from his body while claiming him as hers all over again. She moaned again, and he could feel her getting closer. His hands made their way to her chest, pinching and squeezing her nipples. “Yes, yes!” She threw her head back and came around him, which shocked Harry into his own orgasm, his release spilling inside her and dripping back down his cock. “God, you’re perfect.” She kissed his bitten lips and pulled back, slowly getting off of him, a mess of come between them. He followed her to the bathroom like a puppy. “You look like a lovesick puppy,” she laughed as she helped him undress and into the shower. “We’ll get the suit professionally cleaned. Don’t worry, come doesn’t stain too badly.” He flushed. “Whoops.” “No whoops there, I practically climbed onto your cock without any warning. You did look very scrumptious. It does things to me.” “You do things to me,” he flirted. “All sorts of things.” “Yes, but we’d better get back downstairs or the rest will know what we’ve been up to, and I’m not sure Zayn’s in the mood to think about us fucking.” “Probably,” he agreed, drying off and getting dressed in some sweats and a tee. They made it downstairs five minutes later. He was in a much better mood now, although he did feel rather guilty about it. Zayn could have used some more support from both of them and instead they’d disappeared to their room to fuck. “Are you feeling okay?” Louisa asked him softly, her thumb rubbing soothing circles into the back of his hand. “I’m okay now,” he reassured, looking for Zayn. “I think maybe it’s time for a trim. My curls got in my face today and it felt a bit uncomfortable.” He downplayed how uncomfortable it had actually been. He could just fix the problem with a quick trip to the hairdresser’s. “I’ll find you a good one here that does curls.” She kissed his cheek and pulled him into the kitchen. Liam was there, his laptop perched onto the counter as he frowned at it. “The lovers make an appearance,” he announced. “Don’t worry, I already ordered pizza, it’ll get here in five minutes. I thought you’d take longer.” Louisa poked him in the arm and got herself some water. “I tend to be sexually satisfied much faster with my sub. So much easier than wrestling for control with a Dominant man who would keep trying to overpower me.” Harry felt a sense of pride in knowing he was the right one for her. He had no desire to overpower her or take control. He would always submit. “Where are Niall and Zayn?” Liam stiffened a little but shifted in his chair. Harry tried to suppress his smile. “She wouldn’t let go of him and he said it would be best if she laid down for a bit so he put her to bed. I’m guessing she still hasn’t let go, cause he didn’t come out. I didn’t want to scare her by barging in there, so I started on work.” “Logical, but the food will get here soon and they need to eat. Niall eats like a horse and Zayn didn’t even eat breakfast this morning. Harry, love, could you check on them?” she asked. He nodded and gave her cheek a kiss before going to Zayn’s room. Before he could even knock, he heard the sounds of kissing and sighs and soft murmurs he couldn’t make out. Deciding to spare them the embarrassment, he knocked on the door and called out. “Niall?” he called out, opening the door just a little. “Come in,” he replied. Harry opened the door. Niall and Zayn were both in her bed and she had her head on his chest as he leaned back, a soft hand in her hair. It looked romantic. “Hey, Zayn, feeling okay?” “I’m okay,” she said in a small voice. Harry could hear that this wasn’t easy for her. Just because she was kissing Niall didn’t mean she had forgotten. She was only trying to heal the pain by replacing it with love and he couldn’t blame her. Seeking comfort was natural. “Food’s on the way, we can eat together in the kitchen,” Harry said softly. “We’ll be right there,” Niall nodded and helped Zayn out of bed. Harry left for the kitchen, shaking the stupid smile off his face. Whatever it was, he was rooting for it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry silently observed as Zayn gingerly ate her pizza while Niall practically inhaled his. There couldn’t be more opposing personalities. Niall was unashamed, whereas Zayn hesitated before doing everything. He couldn’t blame her. She was starting to open up slowly, showing her real personality little by little. He turned to Liam and Louisa, who were eating slices sitting in front of his laptop. They’d both groaned about how good the pizza was, but they were back to work mode, focusing and murmuring to each other about this and that, then someone would correct something and they’d continue. Harry frowned. He knew work was important, but they weren’t even focusing on the food! So what if it was just fast food pizza? “Not to speak out of turn,” he started, “but the laptop can wait for ten minutes while you eat?” He sounded unsure because he was, he didn’t want to make anyone snap at him. They’d all had a tough morning and emotions were running high. Louisa giggled and plopped herself right into his lap, giving him a kiss. “You’re right. Nobody should eat in front of a screen.” “Lest I disrespect a greasy pizza,” Liam said, flipping his laptop shut. “Better not,” Niall snorted. “Pizza is love, pizza is life.” Harry held her close with one arm, feeding her a bite from his slice. She ate it and hummed. “Not to act like a big baby but food tastes better when you feed it to me,” she flirted, making him flush. If they’d been alone, he would’ve quipped something cheesy back, but they weren’t and the presence of their friends make him shy. “Cute,” Zayn giggled under her breath, stuffing her face with another bite. Louisa looked smug. “We are very cute.” They finished eating, Niall being done the fastest and sitting there content to stare at Zayn, while she finished last and drank some water. Louisa and Harry spent the time being all lovey-dovey again, but then again, they could hardly help themselves. Being in close proximity made them want to be romantic. She had to tear herself away from her lovely sub and go to her office with Liam to finish working. She didn’t have the knowledge of law like Liam did, but she had made it a point to be completely involved since this case was not like the others and she had a personal stake in it. They all did. “You don’t need to keep me company,” Harry grinned to Niall and Zayn as he washed some of the glasses they’d used and put them down to dry. He had the impression that they probably wanted to cuddle and kiss each other and be romantic without prying eyes on them. “Besides, I’m done here, so I’m going to read up on some stuff for Le Cordon Bleu and then I’ll hit the gym.” “We’ll join you in the gym?” Niall suggested. “Z and I have a TV date. We’ve decided to binge watch Peaky Blinders.” “I’ll poke my head in before I go.” Harry got his laptop and started doing his research. He stayed upstairs so that Niall and Zayn wouldn’t be bothered. He felt slightly jealous that they were cuddled up in front of the telly while his Dom was working and he couldn’t cuddle up to her, but that was only because he always wanted to be with her every waking moment of the day. It wouldn’t be easy once he was off at Le Cordon Bleu every day. An hour later, he was yawning into his fist, so he flipped his laptop shut and changed into his workout gear. It was nothing special, just a t shirt and his shorts. He went to the lounge and waved. Zayn was asleep on Niall’s shoulder while he watched the telly with rapt attention. He turned it off and extricated himself carefully, placing a pillow under her head before following Harry to the gym. “Do you even work out?” Harry joked to Niall as he put some music on the speakers. He liked listening to something upbeat and nice when he was exercising. None of the metal stuff or hip-hop. He preferred soft rock. “Eh, not my favourite thing to do but sometimes,” Niall shrugged, opting to watch Harry for a while. Harry warmed up with a few Pilates moves and got into the groove. “If you didn’t make a face when I kissed you outside the hospital then, I would’ve thought you were checking me out,” Harry said dryly as he got some weights. Just light ones. He’d been looking at a few online workouts, wondering if he could hire a personal trainer for weight training. He didn’t want to get particularly buff, but weights had looked interesting recently, and so had some other stuff, like boxing. He’d need a trainer with knowledge for that. “We’re best friends, platonic ones,” Niall replied loudly and turned the music down a little as he watched. “Does Louisa even come in here and use all of this equipment? Any of it?” “Nope, not that I’ve seen. Apparently, her beautiful ass is God-given.” He continued to do his hammer curls. “Not that I mind. She’s perfect to me and it’s not like she’s lazy. She’s a busy person and she has other things on her mind all the time. I can’t even imagine the responsibility that comes with being a Dom.” He shuddered at the thought. “She’s healthy.” Niall smirked. “Of course she is healthy, have you seen her family? Filled with gorgeous women.” “Seems to me that you’re not gay?” Niall didn’t bother hiding his grin. “Always been bisexual but I lean towards men, and I didn’t know that till I sat in the Bureau holding my Pairing Test, ticking the Men box when it came to my preference. In hindsight I realise that might have gone badly for me but I lucked out and paired to Liam.” Harry knew what he was talking about. It was hardly likely that a submissive man looking for a Dominant man would be able to find a Dom who would let their sub be who he was and not who he wanted him to be. Dominant women who wished to be paired to submissive men exclusively struggled to find a match because of many reasons. One, the society deemed them as weaker to Dominant men because of gender bias. Two, women’s bodies were made to receive and men’s bodies were made to give. Society couldn’t understand how the receiver could dominate the giver and the same ideas were passed onto the next generation, then the next, and the next. Unless your family was liberal, that was what you believed. Three, there weren’t many Dominant women, still. They were a minority in the world, which meant that they didn’t have enough representation in any facet, even when they tried to show that they were more than able. It was hard to make people listen. Four, Dominant women were softer than Dominant men. None of the domestic abuse cases, complaints, trials, ever came from a submissive of a Dominant woman. They were the epitome of liberal thoughts and they cared for their subs in a different way, and Harry would argue, a better way. Niall would’ve had a better chance at being himself with a Dominant woman, or have a few years before he was even paired in the first place due to their low numbers. Besides, once paired, Dominant women tended not to reject their sub. The rejection rates were so low that even the Bureau was surprised. “Granted, Liam wasn’t always such a gem,” Niall continued, “but he never stopped me from being myself. He just cared a bit more about what I did in public when he wasn’t senior partner at a law firm. Now, he doesn’t give a flying fuck, and I love it. I sometimes play the role of docile sub in public and he finds it so ridiculous. We get a good laugh out of it.’ “Like the first time we met?” Harry laughed. “You let him order your food and the server thought nothing of it until everything arrived and you demolished more food than the rest of us did put together.” “I was hungry! Never get between a hungry Irishman and his potatoes.” He snorted a laugh and put down his dumbbells. “I can’t work out if you keep making me laugh, silly goose. Don’t forget, I still have two kisses to give you.” “No,” Niall gasped, getting up as a sweaty Harry started slinking closer to him. “Don’t you dare!” Harry got all up in his space and puckered his lips before laughing. “I’m joking, I wouldn’t do it if Miss isn’t around. She wants to watch.” “Voyeur,” he muttered and poked him in the chest before pulling back. “I’ll leave you to finish, I’ll use the bicycle.” He got on it and started pedalling as Harry smugly went back to his workout, feeling accomplished as he finished up his workout with a few stretches and breathing exercises. By the time he was done, Niall had worked up a sweat himself, following him out. “I’ll shower and steal a couple of your clothes.” Harry nudged him in the shoulder and went to the bedroom, stripping down and putting his sweaty clothes in the hamper as he went to the bathroom. He started when he found his Dom inside, naked herself. She turned when he entered, a slight smirk on her face. “Don’t you look delicious.” He couldn’t be bothered to blush. He was too busy staring at her beautiful body. “Would you like to take a bite?” “I already rode you once today, don’t make me do it again,” she purred, stepping closer to him and pulling him down to her height. He went willingly till she snogged the breath out of him, leaving him panting roughly. “Fuck, you taste good too. And you look so much better all sweaty and red.” She took no time in sinking down to her knees in front of him, taking his cock in her hand and stroking it a few times. He was in complete shock, looking down at his Dom kneeling, and yet holding all of the power. His legs felt weak at the look in her eyes, and he was already so hard he was throbbing in her hand. He gave a curse when she kissed his tip with soft and wet lips and sucked on it, enveloping him in the most delicious heat. It felt like heaven sliding down his cock, and he was ascending. He jumped a little when he heard some shuffling from behind him, his cock still in bliss. He struggled to focus and pull back, but Louisa stopped him, a grip on his hips as she swallowed him down. Holy fuck, he could see stars dancing in front of his eyes. It was so intense that he wasn’t sure if he was still standing anymore. He didn’t know what to do with his hands so they stayed by his sides rigidly, determined to show his submission. If his Dom enjoyed it, he revelled in it. Louisa wouldn’t relent till his thighs started shaking and he started spilling his release, tasting a little and letting the rest land over her body in ropes, holding him in place till he started to soften. “Babe, sit down before your legs buckle.” He let out a soft groan and sat down on the closed lid of the toilet. “Where did that come from?” He sounded weak. She got off her knees and smirked as she stepped into the shower, turning the jets on to hit her in the chest and wash away the come. “I couldn’t help myself when you suddenly came in all naked. Good that you stepped in before I was in the shower already, otherwise I would’ve had to shower twice.” He let out a short laugh and followed her into the shower so that they could wash together. “Let me do something for you,” he murmured, taking the showerhead into his hand, turning it on and fiddling with the settings until it was pulsing with jets. She smirked a little and leaned against the wall, spreading her legs. “Go on.” He didn’t hesitate, kissing her mouth as he positioned the showerhead and fiddled until she moaned against his lips. Smirking, he slowly tilted his hand back and forth a little, trying to set a rhythm. “Is it good?” he asked against her mouth. “Yes.” She sounded breathy, and Harry revelled in it. He was making her feel good. They’d never had sex twice in one afternoon before, and that was turning him all the way on all over again, surprising even himself. Maybe he’d underestimated his own abilities. He was all up in her space, kissing her neck and sucking, increasing the pressure of the water just a little. He was a man on a mission. He wanted her to fall apart and all because of him. He drank in her moans and whimpers like a man starved, even though he wasn’t. He just hadn’t had a chance to have her like this before. It was new and exciting. She dug her nails into his shoulder as she came hard, her entire body trembling as her eyes rolled back into her head. He pulled back to admire, turning the water off only once she was completely lax. He kissed her cheek very gently and got her body wash. It smelled like berries. He was about to lather her up when she poked him in the side playfully and pulled him down for another kiss, smiling against his lips again. He grinned like a goof and lathered her up, focusing a little more on her chest than the rest, before moving to her legs and sliding up to her godly ass. She let him touch and grope, not at all shy. “Satisfied?” she smirked once she was soaped from neckline to toe, getting some body wash and sliding her hands down his chest. “My turn.” She touched him everywhere too, giving his ass a smack and sliding her hand between his cheeks like it was nothing, winking when his breaths got choppy. “Soon,” was all she said, and he almost forgot how to make his lungs function. His cock didn’t come down from full mast even after they’d washed away all of the soap and were squeaky clean, because he was too busy thinking about her penetrating him soon. She definitely noticed but let him be, pulling on comfortable clothes. He got dressed and adjusted himself so the boner wouldn’t be quite as visible, heading back downstairs. He watched as his Dom undid the claw clip in her hair and let it fall. The caramel locks were getting longer and he had the urge to play with them. “Thanks for the clothes.” Niall slapped his shoulder. He frowned in confusion. “He was in our wardrobe while we were in the bathroom,” Louisa supplied as she started the kettle. It took a second for Harry’s brain to work, but then he was redder than a tomato. That was the shuffle and thump he’d heard when his Dom’s mouth had been on him. Had he moaned loudly enough for Niall to hear and know what they’d been doing inside? Niall had a megawatt grin on his face. “Had a good shower? Bet it was better than mine.” “Why, is Zayn still asleep?” Harry smirked. Louisa held back a giggle and closed her lips, pretending to be busy with getting teabags. Niall got all huffy. “Why would I be in the shower with Zayn? She was awake and went to her room for a bit. I’ll get her for tea. Is Liam still in your office?” he looked to Louisa. “I’ll give him a shout, man’s been glued to the screen too long,” Louisa nodded, letting the teas steep as she went upstairs to get him, but not before giving Harry a shit-eating grin. “Good job.” He winked and got out a tin of biscuits, munching on a custard cream. Niall blushed and rushed off to Zayn’s room. Harry was surprised. He’d never seen Niall blush before. He kind of liked it. Now he had a chance to tease him openly about it and he would be doing it. “Blondie looks cute when he gets red,” he heard Louisa say to Liam as they both slid into the room. “Niall is always cute when he’s not acting spoiled,” Liam replied, keeping a straight face as he reached for a mug of tea, adding a splash of milk and stirring in some sugar. He stuffed his face with a biscuit when Louisa rose her brow at him so that he wouldn’t have to answer. “When does Niall act spoiled?” Louisa laughed. “He does whatever he wants all the time,” Harry shrugged. “Like he just told us he’s bringing Zayn for tea but he’s been gone for five minutes.” “Blondie does what he wants. If not, he wouldn’t be Blondie,” Louisa snorted, eating a bourbon biscuit. “Everyone’s favourite thing about him.” “He probably influences the subs he teaches positively. Maybe even the Doms and their families,” Harry nodded. “I mean, he’s helped me just by being around and Zayn adores him. He must have that effect on the people he tutors.” “It’s why he gets so many students,” Liam agreed. “He does house visits and he’s easy to be around. Some of the rich and fancy ones don’t mind his personality and assimilate easily, but the conservative ones do. He changes their minds somehow. He’s an enigma.” “He’d be great as a lawyer, honestly, send him to law school.” “Do not send me to law school,” Niall snapped as he strode in. Zayn followed with a laugh. “I am not going anywhere.” “As if I could send you anywhere, baby.” Liam gave him a peck and then stared at Zayn for a good five seconds. Harry wondered if this meant he wanted to kiss her too. She was too shy to look back at him, though, so they had lots of progress to make. Maybe it would be better if they got to spend more time together. “We’ll be off soon if you’re done with work?” Niall asked. “Yes, I’m going cross-eyed,” Liam said. “Is that code for a rough fuck?” It was Louisa who spoke, but Niall had no problem flipping her off. “You got off twice in one afternoon, I’m allowed a shag with my Dom.” Louisa didn’t even bother holding back her laughter. “Keep the bedroom life spicy, you’re my inspiration. Just don’t break each other, Liam’s back in the courtroom tomorrow and we need him to be focused.” “I’ll be focused,” Liam spoke indignantly. “I know this rests on my shoulders and I don’t take it lightly.” He looked straight at Zayn. “You can count on me.” She finally spoke. “I know. I trust you.” Harry hid a smile. He was going to play matchmaker.

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Louisa stayed home and Niall came over the next morning when Liam left for court. They had double the security and the motion sensors were already up and running along with the cameras. One bouncer sat at the screen, monitoring the feed from every camera. Meanwhile, Louisa was thinking. “What?” Niall asked, looking at her. Harry looked up from the pot he was stirring. His Dom was frowning a lot today. “He’s trying to make us paranoid, put us on the defensive,” she said. “He wants us to run scared. He isn’t going to do anything today.” “But we can’t be sure and Liam is paranoid,” Niall replied. “You can’t change his core personality. Besides, we have more to protect now.” His eyes glanced over Harry and landed on Zayn last, lingering. Harry opened his mouth. “We all need protection. It’s not just Zayn or me, it’s all of us. Niall, you’re still a sub and Cowell would know to get to you if he wants to throw Mr Payne off his game. He’s smart enough for that. And he’s after the women anyway, that includes my Dom and I’m not standing by and letting him hurt her.” Louisa grabbed his face and gave him a kiss. “Oh baby. He won’t hurt me. I won’t let him hurt you.” Harry was about to kiss back but the kiss was over before he could process it. “You’ve always talked about us being equals, so let me pull my weight in this relationship.” The weight behind his words was so powerful that everyone in the room was floored. Louisa turned off the stove and pulled him to her, holding him tight. Nobody spoke and Harry was a little confused, frowning. “Sap,” Niall commented, and Harry had the sudden urge to flip him off, so he did. Zayn stifled her fit of giggles. Louisa shifted and Harry wrapped her tight in his arms. He liked being able to hold her like this. It made him feel needed and useful. She mumbled something against his chest that he couldn’t make out and he just felt so fond of her in that moment. He touched her soft hair, running his hand through the brown waves. The caramel colour was gorgeous. Niall leaned over the counter and stirred the pot. “This looks good, is it ready?” Harry looked mildly annoyed but answered anyway. “Yes but I need to taste so I can check if it’s alright.” “I’ll wait,” Niall grumbled, messing around on his phone. Louisa pulled back and Harry let her, even though he didn’t want to. She wasn’t crying but the way she was looking at him was about to make him start crying if she didn’t stop. She cupped his face. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” “I’d say something flirtatious but I can’t think of anything.” She giggled and pecked his lips. “I’ll let you finish. Sorry if I got in the way.” “You could never. I love having you with me at all times.” He really did. He was starting to become the clingy and needy type. He just wanted her around constantly. Louisa watched him with longing while he set the table and brought over the very intricate soup along with the bread. It was one of her favourite meals, especially when Harry was the one who’d cooked it. The bread had been baked and spreading its delicious aroma throughout the house since morning and her stomach was rumbling. “Liam is on his way, court’s out,” Niall announced as he tore into a piece of bread. Zayn gaped for a few seconds before composing herself. Harry silently wondered if her surprise was for the way Niall was eating, or for the fact that he didn’t even bother waiting for his Dom to show up before eating. As far as Harry knew, they’d never had any rules of the sort, despite what subs were regularly taught. ‘Your Dom comes first’. Louisa nodded and fed Harry a bite before starting to eat, and this was something Zayn had noticed every time. She wondered what it meant. Was it some sort of ritual where the person who’d prepared the food tasted it first? She couldn’t keep up with the odd ways of living in this house. Harry noticed Zayn picking at her food while Niall practically inhaled his first serving and happily went for seconds. He would probably go for thirds. Harry had enough food, but where did Niall even put away all of the volume he ate?! “Are you nervous, Zayn?” he asked softly. She nodded. “Just want to know what happened today so that I can relax and not have to feel so panicky.” “I’ll give you snuggles,” Niall promised. “I’m sure blondie’s snuggles are very helpful,” Louisa piped up between bites and Harry hid a giggle against a spoonful of soup. They bantered back and forth till Liam arrived, and suddenly everyone fell quiet. He looked tired, taking off his jacket and undoing his tie, earning a wolf whistle from Niall. “You’d do great in a strip club,” Louisa nodded. “Oh good, an alternate career option, whoopie,” Liam replied dryly. “Shit, did it go badly?” Niall asked. “Pretty much went the way we thought it would.” Liam sat down and thanked Harry softly for the food before digging in. “He says Zayn ran away from his home for reasons unknown to him. He guesses, she never liked him because he was too old and grey and she wanted a young and hot Dom with a 10-inch cock and the body of a Greek God. Also, conveniently,” he paused to take another bite, “the security footage from his main door and gates from the day is unavailable due to a computer virus. Virus, my ass.” “So, they can’t prove that she left on her own, but we can’t prove that some of his goons dropped her off at the club to die and hoped no one would notice her in the crowds,” Louisa gathered, getting her laptop and starting to type. “That doesn’t really tip the scales either way, so it’s good, I guess. What else did he say?” “The same old, that he’s a good Dom who keeps being rejected by his subs who always leave him. Gave a whole sob story about being rich but unhappy because he couldn’t find a good sub to share his life and wealth with. Talked about how he was a liberal Dominant who wanted to give his sub everything.” Harry digested this. Surely, there had to be some proof that showed Cowell being the disgusting vermin he was. “Doesn’t the firm have CCTV? What did he say when he came to the office?” “It doesn’t have audio, only video,” Louisa replied. Liam shook his head. “I already have the footage and I’ve gone over it. Unless an expert lip-reader comes into court and correctly deciphers what he said then, we’ve not got anything to go on to bring down his image and show them what he really is. All we’ve got to go on is witnesses. Security guards present on the day, a few other people, the receptionists. Can do if the time comes, but now isn’t the right moment for that. I’ve already taken their statements, if needed we’ll submit everything to the court as evidence.” “When does the questioning start?” It was Zayn who had spoken, which made Liam look up at her. “I get to cross examine him next week. Since he’s the defendant, I get to grill him on the coals. Whatever happens then will decide if you have to come back to court.” “Questions?” Louisa spoke. “I added a few to the list already,” Liam nodded. “But we’ve got a few days so let’s put our heads together and come up with every possible scenario. It’s pretty obvious what he’s going to say, from the stand he’s taken, but maybe that is the catch? He wants us to think we’ve made his strategy out because it’s an obvious strategy or he really is an egotistical maniac who thinks he’s going to get away with this by bribing people.” “Or he’s going to flee the country?” Zayn was unsure, but he did have the ability to do so if he wished. “He won’t leave his empire behind until he thinks he can’t win this case,” Louisa shook her head. “I know him enough to know that. He’s not going to run yet. He thinks he can actually come out of this innocent and unscathed and use this to his advantage. Get people’s sympathy. Surely the Jury must have had a reaction to his testimony.” “I’ve been studying the jury members, snooping around on the internet,” Niall said. “There’s a good amount of subs, it’s half-half like we’d expected. The subs are not all paired, either. There are two which don’t have a Dom right now. One of them was rejected by their Dom and hasn’t been paired again. The other one’s Dom passed away and she refused to ever take a partner again.” “Is that allowed?” Zayn asked meekly. “It’s allowed only in certain cases, unfortunately,” Liam sighed. “She’s an older woman, in her 40s. Her Dom passed after suffering through painful disease for years. She was probably devastated, her records show that she has devoted her life to service and donated most of his riches. She uses the little that’s left to live a simple life and works for sub rights. Her Dom was influential and came from generational wealth. They have no heirs.” “She might be the key to all of this. She will help the other subs on the Jury see our side,” Niall nodded sagely. “It’s our luck that she’s on Jury duty as the same time as our case.” “The rejected sub will also side with Zayn. What about the Doms?” Harry asked. “It’s my job to turn them by showing evidence but also emotion since the evidence suddenly seems to be very lacking. I’ve subpoenaed everything but the Bureau will resist. I’m not sure how long it will take for them to cough it all up but I’m not going to let it go. We’ll get their records.” “Cowell won’t let that go so easily. He’ll probably tell the Bureau to do everything in their power to withhold their reports,” Louisa snorted. “I hope the Bureau tells him to fuck off. At some point, they will get tired of him trying to run this show, and that’s where we might have a shot. Divide and conquer.” “He’s got his contacts, but we’ve got ours,” Liam shrugged. “He must have lost some public favour by now.” “Oh I already tipped off his investors,” Louisa smirked. “They will have an absolute field day with him. I expect most of them to pull out within the next month. He’ll try to convince them to stay on, of course, and promise that this will pass, but the companies have started bleeding money already. His reputation is being questioned, and nobody wants to support that publicly.” “What about privately?” Niall hummed. “Possible, but unlikely. It’s a dangerous position to put yourself in to illegally give money to someone who’s under trial. If they’re private funds and not company funds, it’s not like the money will last very long. Using company funds for personal motivations is illegal. Nobody wants to risk getting caught when the spotlight is so close to them. Much easier to do shady activities in the dark. That’s why we want to make an example out of him, and I have a personal stake in this, so I would love to see him burn. I hate having to be careful but I have to protect Harry. He must know I’m paired by now, it’s public news.” “There was no reason for him to be watching us before we slapped him with this suit, but yes, he knows,” Liam agreed. “No way he doesn’t know and he’s keeping that information for later, when it’ll become useful to him. I wouldn’t put it past him to try to hurt Harry or worse.” “I won’t get abducted,” Harry said. “I’ll start training in self-defence. Hell, we can teach Zayn, too.” “Excuse me?” she squeaked. Louisa rubbed her face, looking exhausted. “I don’t want anyone here to have to get into a physical fight but it looks like we can’t take the risk of being unprepared. Rationally, it’s not unlikely that he would get goons to try and eliminate Zayn, or if not, grab her and make her disappear. We would never even be able to find her in time if that happens, but if the key person in this case just disappears out of nowhere, there will be investigations that will drag Cowell through the mud. Surely, his legal counsel has already told him that.” “Which is why I’m more worried about Harry,” Liam finished her thought. “Trying to take Zayn is far too obvious a move, and one he knows he won’t be able to hide. Once the goons are found, it won’t take a minute to link them back to him and it’ll be over for him. He can’t risk that. He’s going to go for blackmail, and he knows Harry is the key.” “He would never try to take Niall,” Louisa breathed. “He’s done enough research to know Niall wouldn’t go easily and he’s an influential figure in the local circles. Besides, nobody can handle blondie. Harry is young and soft and lovely and anyone who sees him knows that he wouldn’t hurt a fly. He’s the way to my heart. Blackmailing me by threatening to hurt him would be the easiest dirty trick to play.” Zayn and Harry were both frozen. “So,” she said coolly, “I’m not going to get murdered because of a technicality.” Niall gave her a snug cuddle. “Sorry.” “And I’m going to get abducted because I’m the weak one of this team.” Harry sounded weak and his age for the first time in months. Louisa shook her head and held him close. “I won’t let him hurt you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” “He will use your love for me to get what he wants, to drop the charges so that he lets me go, or something, and you’ll do it because you can’t let me get hurt and then this all will have been for nothing, which isn’t okay. He’s done this before and got away with it, we can’t let him get away with it now. He’ll just do it again. Someone else will be the next Zayn and we won’t be able to do anything about it then.” Liam cleared his throat. “The only reason we got him this time was because he was too overconfident. He thought he’d never get caught, because he was sure Zayn was dead, or almost dead when she was dropped off. They didn’t see her living through the night, but they were wrong. She lived.” He held her hand gently and squeezed. “She defied the odds because she received medical attention in time. Maybe luck, maybe fate. It wasn’t her time to go, because it’s his time to see his empire burn. He will pour every bit of his money into this to win. We’ve got him in a way no one’s ever got him before. He knows he’s fucked up big time with his overconfidence, and logically, he should proceed with hesitation at every step, but I’m not so sure.” “That fucker believes he’s God,” Niall snorted. “He fears nothing and no one. Even if he’s proclaimed guilty and sentenced to prison, he will bribe someone and get out of there somehow. He always has a backup plan, and a backup plan for the backup plan.” “So, we’ll get a backup plan for the backup plan for the backup plan, and another one just for good measure,” Harry suggested. “We just need to know what he’s thinking, which direction he plans to go in. In court, it seems like Mr Payne knows what his strategy is, but what is his strategy outside of court? Does he want to grab me, or does he want to grab someone else?” “He could try to grab you, too,” Liam said glumly, looking to his best friend. “Yeah, he thinks I’m some weak bitch,” Louisa agreed. “That’s something I hadn’t thought of. I’m not strong enough to fight people off physically. Maybe I need some self-defence training too.” “We can all get some, I’m down. I know a person,” Niall said, getting his phone. Zayn sniffed and buried her face in his neck. “I know pet, nobody will make you do something you don’t want to do. I promise. I’m here, aren’t I? You’re okay, Z. We’ll get you a nice woman as an instructor.” “Sure, guys, but,” Harry hesitated, “that’s not my point. Like, I know it’s not likely that he’ll try to take Mr Payne, but what about our families? They’re living their lives and they won’t see it coming at all. There are children and teenagers involved. Or maybe he just wants us to think that so that we panic and spread ourselves thin trying to protect everyone. Maybe it’s a distraction?” “We need a mole,” Louisa muttered, looking stressed. “We need to turn someone on Cowell’s legal team, or personal team, or personal security, heck even his driver. We need an informant, and a good one. One that won’t be detected easily.” “I’ll start studying every person on his teams, Liam?” Niall looked to his Dom. “Right, babe, let’s start with legal and I’ll get you the rest.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Liam and Niall were holed up all day together so Harry didn’t get much of a chance to play matchmaker for Liam and Zayn. He did his best to be a good sub and host while Louisa tried her best to work on her own aspect of things, but she was distracted and worried and Harry wasn’t blind to it. All of the tension was making Zayn antsy and Harry knew she needed a calmer environment to function. “I have to go to the office tomorrow,” Louisa said glumly over her mug of tea. “Our annual reports got published and there’s things to discuss. We might even have to arrange a press conference.” “You’re good at those, Lou. Just focus on the firm and leave this to me,” Liam assured. “I’ll be here with everyone else and we’ll have prospects. We’ll offer money if we have to.” “I don’t want to leave Harry.” Harry felt guilty. “I don’t want you to leave, either.” He wasn’t worried for himself. He was worried about his Dom. She was in physical danger too. “He’s safer with me than with you, Lou,” Liam reminded. “At least, right now. He wouldn’t dare try to take me out. And anyone who thinks I’m outnumbered can try getting through to Niall. He’d chew them up and spit them out.” “I trust you, that’s not what this is about,” Louisa frowned. “I am absolutely not in the mood to think about annual reports and financial futures when my mind is otherwise occupied. We’ve forecasted all sorts of shit for next year, but I don’t even know what next month will look like for the firm. Everyone knows what we’re doing with Cowell by now and all eyes are on us. The observant ones must have noticed the additional security we’ve hired, considering these bouncers aren’t exactly inconspicuous.” “Did you want to hire secret agents, then? Have them in pretend fill-in roles?” Niall suggested. “Add a couple of plainclothes ex-military or ex-spy type guys on your payroll and a few more at home as housekeeping, a back-up chef. Cowell’s goons won’t think to spot them as security and won’t even target them.” “I still don’t know if that would spread us too thin, financially speaking,” Louisa sighed. “I’ve got baby sisters to think about.” Liam rubbed her back. “They know how much you care about them, but this is about protection. Niall is right, we need some plainclothes. If we actually get attacked somehow, we’ve got to have that back-up.” “Alright,” she agreed. “I’ll look into it.” By the time Niall and Liam left, it was past dinnertime and everyone felt too exhausted to pretend to watch television. Once Zayn was asleep in her new room right next to Louisa and Harry’s, the couple went to bed. It made both of them a little less nervous about something happening to Zayn. “She’s taken today hard,” Harry admitted as he laid down. “She needs a happier, calmer environment, not this mess. She was getting better till yesterday and now she’s not. She’s probably worse.” “I noticed but I need you to take this one,” Louisa yawned. “I’ve got to get things sorted at the firm. We’ve garnered a lot of attention. I’ve got a good team and Krystle has done an incredible job of keeping everything together, but she isn’t me and I need to be there. I’ll drop you and Zayn off in the morning before I go to work and I’ll keep you updated.” “The change in scenery ought to help her a bit,” Harry agreed, snuggling against her and closing his eyes. -----It seemed nobody had slept well that night, because cranky was the only word to describe the mood that morning. Harry cooked, all three ate and were piled into the car within time. He could tell Louisa was thinking again and kept quiet, only giving her a soft kiss when they pulled up to Liam and Niall’s place. Zayn stared at the house apprehensively and he reassured her by squeezing her hand and holding it as he took her inside. The couple were already up and eating, laptops on the table and food on the side. Niall offered a slice of buttered toast from his plate to Zayn and Harry almost fainted. Since when did Niall share food?! “Is everyone glum this morning?” Niall wondered as Zayn took a couple of bites before placing the half-eaten slice of toast back onto his plate. He popped the rest into his mouth without a second’s hesitation. “Morose, more like,” Harry sighed, starting the kettle and puttering around till he found the mugs and teabags. “Don’t fret, Lou will come around. She just gets into her funk sometimes when things are tense,” Liam said from behind his laptop. “Someone’s got to be at the firm every now and then, we can’t ignore our responsibilities. Besides, you gave her plenty to think about and now she won’t rest till we have at least two good informants working for Cowell.” “I already found some good prospects.” Niall looked smug. “Did you even sleep last night?” Harry asked incredulously. That was incredibly fast. “I did, I’m just good,” he shrugged back. “It’s just unlikely that everyone we approach hates Cowell. Not all of the loyalty he has is only from money. He’s got to have helped someone in tough times, something. It would be dangerous if we approached someone and they went to Cowell. We have to be absolutely sure that the prospects we do go to will turn immediately.” “We do not want a double agent situation on our hands,” Liam muttered. “That would end us. We discuss a lot of shit that can’t reach Cowell. If it does, we will be fucked.” Harry placed steaming mugs of tea in front of everyone and sat down next to Niall, looking at his laptop. “Who are all of these people?” “Cowell’s legal team. He’s got a good team. Liam knows most of them from the previous case. Most of the lawyers haven’t even changed since then. It’s our biggest competing law firm in the city and it’s a good one. We’ve got Ben and James, who were present in court. Rob is taking the lead, as he’s a name partner.” “Stringer is good, he also comes from generational wealth,” Liam supplied. “He used to take one of the classes, it was a good class. This might even be his last case. The Cowell and Stringer families go way back, so he might just be sticking around just for the loyalty aspect. We don’t really know where Stringer stands, if he believes Cowell can win this or not. Louisa knows James personally, and he’s a good chap. Well, as good as you can be working in law.” Harry took a long sip from his tea. “I know this isn’t the angle we’re trying, but that does give me an idea. If James is a good chap like you say, Mr Payne, can’t we get him on our side? Miss Louisa can talk to him and get him to listen somehow.” “She is convincing,” Zayn mumbled. “It’s unlikely, but Z, have you seen any of these people at Cowell’s place?” Niall asked, turning the laptop screen around to her. She scrolled through, focusing on every photo. “Maybe this one,” she said, “but I’m not sure. I think he was there once, but I can’t tell until I hear him speak.” She pointed to Ben Winston. Niall pulled up everything he could find on Ben, in his zone. Harry stopped him. “Wait, Ni, I know her. Meredith. She was a friend of Gemma’s before she moved to America. She even used to come over to our place when I was a kid. I haven’t seen her in years.” “Well, apparently she married Ben Winston, so that’s a win. Are we seriously going to turn Ben and James? That sounds complete unrealistic,” Niall stated. “But a double-pronged attack from the newly paired couple. I like it.” “Stringer’s not a bad guy, either,” Liam defended, thinking. “I can always try to convince him to drop the case. Cowell would have to get new representation and I think he would struggle. The rest of the city’s firms are much smaller.” “They could still want the business, because money,” Harry finished the thought. “He’s got it, they want it.” He was starting to understand this world and how it worked. “His play is his wealth, and while we need money, too, we’ve got other stuff going for us, like the fact that we’re decent people.” “Stringer will not take kindly to us trying to poach his people. That could be considered an act of war. We’ve got a mutual respect going, and I’m sure he was the one who convinced Cowell last time to admit guilt and give the client the payout,” Liam added. “So this is a dangerous approach. I have to go to him first and make sure our relationship isn’t fragile. At the end of the day, all name partners are egoistic. I would know. We want to win. We need to win. He’s not going to be any different. Besides, he’s 30 years older than me. He won’t stand to be bested by someone half his age.” Zayn messed with her fingers. “But, doesn’t that give us the advantage? Younger people are more innovative and come up with ideas that the older population would never even consider.” “Stringer’s not our enemy, Z, Cowell is, and just because Stringer is his lawyer, doesn’t mean he knows everything Cowell has done and continues to do,” Niall said gently. “There’s a lot of corporate politics going on here. Law is a pretty competitive business and it will always be fragile. If we go after both Ben and James like this, Stringer will see it as an act of war. We’ll never live it down. Tomlinson-Payne will suffer. Stringer is revered in this profession, but turning him to dump Cowell will be nearly impossible. These generational wealth people are always friends with each other and they don’t cut ties so easily.” That put a damper on the conversation. It felt like a dead end despite having leads. Liam was convinced he had to talk to Stringer and make it obvious that Cowell was a lot shadier than they knew, and appeal to Stringer’s humanity. It would be a public loss for Stringer, and no lawyer ever took that well, but they all knew that a loss every now and then was inevitable. After all, he had taken the loss the last time he’d gone to court for Cowell, but that had been only financial fraud. The decision would be left to Louisa for now. “I’ll cook,” Harry said an hour later, only to get shot down immediately by the blond. “Abso-fucking-lutely not,” Niall snapped. “I’m not that bad of a host, I will order in.” Harry sighed. “Why don’t we compromise and you can order something and I’ll make a side salad? If you have the ingredients for a side salad.” “Yes, I have salad! Ridiculous, I’m not that unhealthy. Fine, I’m ordering burgers.” He got his phone and went outside. Harry looked around, seeing that Mr Payne had moved into the living room. Zayn was hesitating and meandering here and there aimlessly, so he just told her to go and watch some television. He didn’t want to call it matchmaking, but he was encouraging them to be in the same room alone together and he did think that was a good move. Zayn’s reluctance was too obvious, but he couldn’t blame her. She had every right to be nervous about this and Harry’s presence wasn’t helping, so he took it upon himself to be helpful. Once he had successfully placed them in the same room together, he started assembling the salad. Niall came back from the garden and plopped himself down at the dining table. “Where’s Zayn?” Harry gave a sly grin. “Where she’s supposed to be, so you’re stuck in this kitchen with me for the next half an hour till the food arrives. Which burgers did you get?” “Oh, everything. Liam eats a lot of meat, but I prefer chicken,” Niall said, ignoring the comment about Zayn even though he knew Harry was up to something. “I love a good turkey or fish burger,” Harry shrugged. Niall made a face. “You can have those.” Harry only laughed in response and squeezed some fresh lemon juice over his greens before tossing them. “Done, let that marinate for a bit. I need to go grocery shopping for the house, too, but we’ve got a lot going on right now and I didn’t want to make it a thing.” “Louisa will take you. She loves doing domestic stuff with you, I’ve noticed. Before you came into her life, she was always too busy with work to do much else. Half of the time, she’d be here on the weekends once Liam and I were done fucking. Otherwise she would just go up to Doncaster.” Imagining his Dom’s life before their Pairing made Harry feel fond. She’d changed everything around for him without hesitating and she’d never once pushed him. He did want to go home with her, like she’d taken him to hers, but the situation made it difficult…or did it? There was no reason for them to not be able to get away from London for a bit. They could even take a couple of bouncers with them. Zayn would be safe here with Liam and Niall in a house protected by ex-military bodyguards and motion sensors and alarms. The forced proximity was bound to make it easier for Liam and Zayn to be around each other. That was how it worked in the romance novels. ---Louisa showed up late. It was past dinnertime and Niall had practically shoved food down Harry’s throat an hour ago. “She will kill me if she finds out I didn’t feed you.” Harry had protested but Niall was stronger and more stubborn. Louisa walked in and Harry was immediately calm, going to her like a puppy and seeking comfort. “I missed you,” he mumbled quietly. She gave him a cuddle and a kiss before pulling him to the table and sitting with him. He had to physically stop himself from feeding his Dom every bite. She mumbled some compliments for the food but didn’t say much else, which made him think she’d had a terrible day and was itching to be home in her own bed instead of being here. Liam didn’t bother them till she had eaten, but then they started talking shop right away, so Harry went to hang out with the subs in the living room. Niall and Zayn were snuggling on the sofa so he plastered himself to Niall’s other side, grinning when the two didn’t even flinch or move. They weren’t even trying to hide it anymore, at least not from him, which was nice. It made him feel trusted. “Hope today wasn’t too boring,” Niall teased, nudging Harry. “Eh, it was fine, and I don’t mind doing the cooking. Keeps me occupied, but I should be working out more. The stress is starting to eat me alive.” “We don’t handle it well, do we,” Niall sighed, running his fingers through Zayn’s hair absentmindedly. “What we need is a break. Maybe a short trip.” “I was thinking of taking Miss home, hers or mine or both for a few days,” Harry admitted. “She needs her family’s support. I could use some too.” “That isn’t a bad idea, and I will take care of Z.” Zayn bit on the inside of her cheek, not saying anything. Harry wondered if she was ready to be in such close proximity with Niall and Liam without him or Louisa around. He wasn’t sure if his presence was paramount for her, but Louisa’s definitely was, because he didn’t know what it was like to be a woman. “Why don’t we find a nice spot for the three of you to stay close by in the area somewhere? Robin has a property outside Holmes Chapel that’s just sitting empty,” Harry suggested. “If we need each other, we’ll be able to meet up pretty quick.” “What’s that about Holmes Chapel?” Louisa asked as she walked in and plopped herself into Harry’s lap. She looked exhausted. He lightly traced a fingertip around the dark circles under her eyes. “We need a break and we need it soon, so I was thinking we can go up north. Doncaster, Holmes Chapel, both are fine with me. Mr Payne said there won’t be a next court date right away and we’ll get a week’s notice in advance. I want you to rest.” She grabbed his hand in hers and kissed it. “Sweetheart. That’s a lovely idea, but I will need a couple of days before we can go,” she said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t take you home sooner, but I will do it right this time.” “Hey, you couldn’t just keep sending me back home every time I missed my mother, and the situation got out of hand, but we’ll be okay, right?” She grabbed his face and kissed him. “I love you,” she mumbled against his lips. “Let’s go home, I know I look tired. Besides, I kept the driver.” She got off his lap and took his hand. “Zayn, five minutes?” She nodded and the couple left to wait outside, giving her time. “How’s it going with those three?” Louisa asked, fidgeting as they waited by the car. “Fine, I tried to smooth things over with Mr Payne, but she still gravitates towards Niall. Can’t blame her, but I think it’ll help when we go out of town.” He quickly explained the spare house that belonged to his stepfather. “He’ll be happy that someone’s using the house, and if it really is a problem for Mr Payne, he can even pay him rent for the week. We can get it cleaned over the weekend.” She gave a grin, crowding into his space till his back touched the side of the car. “Did I get paired to a smarty pants?” He nodded and leaned over to kiss her, feeling a thrill when she had to reach up still. He felt like he could protect her somehow, just by being physically larger. He didn’t know how to use it yet, but he would. “I love you,” he mumbled against her lips, pulling back when Zayn got into the car. “Let’s go home and rest.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry loaded his bag into the car and then plopped Zayn’s in next to it. Louisa was waiting for them, leaning against her beautiful Porsche, looking truly relaxed for once. She was wearing a pair of jeans that hung to her ass gloriously. Harry hadn’t stopped drooling since she’d squeezed into them. She had a tiny top on, some of her smooth tan midriff exposed. He wanted to kiss every inch of her skin. It was rather warm out. He was dressed in the sleeveless t shirt he’d worn to the club the night they’d found Zayn, and some cotton shorts. His Dom loved it when he wore shorts. The sunlight kissed Louisa’s hair and made it look positively ethereal, and Harry couldn’t make his brain work well enough to form words to express his love for those caramel locks, so he stuck to only staring like a lovestruck fool. Louisa noticed and chuckled softly, giving him a soft kiss. “Let’s get going, Liam and Niall will join us on the road and follow us up.” He nodded and got in the car, buckling up. Zayn got in the back and immediately settled down for a long nap. He guessed she’d been up most of the night, nervous about where she’d be tonight. In a countryside house alone with Liam and Niall for the first time. He hoped she’d be okay. He knew she needed this time with them so that they could figure out what was going on between them. He was so glad to be going home. It was summertime now, and he was looking forward to spending the days out in the garden with his Dom, his mum and Robin, like a well-settled family. He wanted to take Louisa to all of his old haunts, right from the bridge under which he’d scratched his name on a pillar to the park to the bakery he used to work at. Holmes Chapel had been his life. Louisa looked relaxed even as she drove, first through the city, then onto the motorway. Liam and Niall were following in their car, Liam behind the wheel while Niall munched on snacks in the passenger seat. “I can see him shoving crisps into his mouth in the rear view mirror,” Louisa giggled, shaking her head. “I didn’t bring any crisps for myself,” Harry joked, then checked on Zayn. “She’s like, proper asleep.” “That doesn’t mean I can just tug you off in the car, unfortunately, because she could wake up any moment and hear how pretty you sound when you come. I’m not sure I wish to share that experience with anyone.” She had a shit eating grin on her face. Harry had missed her being in such a good mood. Lately, things had been so difficult that they’d never really had time to truly relax. It wasn’t like their problems were over yet, but they were stuck waiting for the court to give them the date of their next hearing, and they had been working like dogs to be able to get away for a bit. They weren’t sure how long they’d be able to stay, because it was likely they’d have to be back as soon as they heard from court. “I would be distracting to you while you drove,” he shrugged. “So I’m fine with waiting, although I don’t know if I’ll get it up with my mum in the house.” “I doubt you had problems getting it up when you were still living there and taking care of it with your hand.” He huffed. “That was different but I’m pretty sure she knew about that, too.” “Nothing wrong with it, we’re all sexual beings. It’s just that you light my fire, Harry Styles,” she flirted dramatically. “You just do things to me and then I can’t control myself. I’ll have to behave in front of your folks.” “Shame,” he replied, mimicking her tone. “I’m glad we decided not to surprise my mum, she would’ve fainted if she’d seen us showing up at her doorstep with no warning.” “She does not need to treat me like royalty, I already told her this. I’m not suddenly going to stop loving you if your family doesn’t furnish me with riches and gold. I don’t care about any of that stuff. I just want you to be happy. I don’t want her preparing feasts and decorating the house and God knows what.” “She probably misses cooking for me, so I can’t promise there won’t be a feast, but I don’t think she’d go for decorations,” he chuckled. “We’ve got a very nice garden, it’ll be the perfect spot to sunbathe. It’s just that you’re my Dom and socially that means something, so.” “It doesn’t have to mean anything,” she grumbled. “This discussion makes me uncomfortable. I don’t have more value or worth than you just because I’m a Dom. I’m sure she knows that but we all live with what we’ve internalised from our world.” “She won’t bring it up,” he reassured, thinking she looked absolutely adorable while grumpy. “Besides, she’ll be very happy we’re arriving in time for lunch, so you probably will be in for a feast. We can ride with the threesome to Robin’s place and be back in time to eat. I’ll order them something since they didn’t want to impose, even though that would’ve been completely fine.” “They’re at a fork in the road of their relationship, it’s bound to get awkward. Let them figure it out,” Louisa shrugged as she took the exit off the motorway. “I think they’ll be alright. Of all the people I thought could be more than just the boring stereotype, Liam Payne is a surprise even after all these years. I did not see him being poly.” “People are always changing and growing, you taught me that,” Harry said softly. “It’s a good thing, as long as the change is good for you. Loving two people instead of one while they also love each other and you sounds like an unrealistic utopic dream sequence.” He gnawed on the inside of his cheek. “What if the Bureau finds out that they’re all with each other?” Louisa was about to answer when Zayn shifted. They both froze, waiting, testing, to see if she’d heard. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, looking around. “How much longer?” “Not much, I’ll pick up the keys from Robin and we’ll be there in half an hour,” Harry supplied, relieved. He didn’t want her overhearing and overthinking this trip because of it. He just wanted all of them to be happy together. He told his Dom where to go. They were dropping by to Robin’s office to pick up the keys. Louisa idled the car while he hopped inside and grabbed the keys and got back in. “It’s all done up for them, should be nice. I don’t even remember the last time I was there.” Zayn was blushing crimson in the back quietly while Louisa hummed and drove through the town. Harry was looking around with big eyes, so happy to be back. They drove out of town and back into beautiful countryside, then down a tiny road until they could see a house. There were flowers blooming everywhere and it looked beautiful. “I’ll send Liam the location,” Louisa nodded, turning the engine off at the end of the road and grabbing her phone while Harry and Zayn got out of the car and unlocked the front door. They both went inside and looked around the downstairs. Everything had been cleaned and stocked. Harry checked the fridge and found a casserole dish with lasagne with a note. Zayn felt sheepish. “Don’t sweat it, she kept asking if you’d come for lunch,” Harry reassured. “My mother is a hen. She’s been itching to meet my friends, but I get that you need this time to yourself, and you can come up and meet her when you feel ready, all three of you. Don’t overthink this, you’re safe with them, you can trust them. Focus on your feelings and what you want.” She sniffed and gave him a hug. He gave her a good squeeze before letting go. She was still pretty skinny, but better than what she’d been when he’d found her. Her hair was shinier, her skin was healthier, she was happier. And she was in love. Niall barged in and Harry pulled back. “Just heat it up in the oven, should be good,” he said, patting Zayn’s shoulder. “We’ll get going, let you guys settle in. Call me if you need anything and I can swing by after lunch. Don’t worry, I won’t bring mum and Robin around. This place is yours for the next few days, at least.” “Thanks mate,” Niall grinned, starting the oven right away. “Didn’t he eat two family-sized bags of crisps in the car?” Louisa asked incredulously from the living room. “He’s bottomless,” Liam shrugged. “We’ll be out of your hair, now please don’t thank me again or I’ll die of embarrassment,” Harry groaned and ushered himself out of there, placing Zayn’s bag outside the kitchen and giving them a wave. Louisa was giving Zayn a cuddle so he waited for a few minutes outside, just taking in the fresh air. It was warm, pleasantly so. Louisa hugged him from behind, looping her arms around his stomach and squeezing him. “You look so yummy, I want to do you in the car,” she groaned. He would’ve been raring to go if it wasn’t past noon already. “My mum will take one look at me and know if I’ve been fucked and then that’ll be that. She’ll corner me and ask me if I’m satisfied with my sex life.” She held back a giggle. “Are you satisfied with your sex life?” He groaned. “Don’t ask me that because I’m entirely tempted to use the nickname I’m not allowed to use outside our play and then you will punish me and now I’m hard.” She laughed freely at his rambling and let go of him. “Too bad it’s already late, otherwise I’d have given you a tug in the car, but we can’t let Anne know her innocent son likes having semi-public sexual escapades.” He huffed and got back in the car, grumbling under his breath. Now he had to think of unsexy things so that he wouldn’t be raging for it all through lunch. “Just think of your grandma, Liam and Niall say it works,” Louisa supplied helpfully, earning a very horrid expression from her sub that had her cackling again. “Poor thing.” “Whose fault is it that I’m a poor thing?” he pouted. “Turn right here, then down the road to the end and you should see it.” They were a little late for lunch. Robin was already home and the two were waiting for them. Harry had been a little worried about them being awkward but there was nothing to be worried about, apparently. Everyone was smiles and hugs and they’d left their bags in the car in their rush to get inside. “I’ll just get them later, we’ve kept you waiting for lunch,” Louisa shrugged. “I’ll nip to the loo and join you at the table.” The moment they heard the bathroom door click shut, Anne was cuddling her baby again. “I missed you so much,” he said, holding her close. “It’s just been so hectic lately and I know you were worried but we have security and everything and we’re safe. Everyone’s being careful.” “Oh my poor baby,” Anne said. “All of this must be so hard.” “It is, but I’m still so happy with her, mum, you don’t even know. She’s perfect to me and I get everything I could ever need and want from her. I got into Le Cordon Bleu, classes start in September and I’m so excited.” “Will this whole case wrap up by then?” Robin asked. “It should but I’m not the expert. It’s a high profile case. If he gets the time, I’ll ask Mr Payne to drop by to answer your questions, I’m sure he’d be happy to help. He’s feeling rather indebted to you after you gave him the house to stay in for the week rent-free. I started feeling embarrassed at the countless thank yous.” “It’s nothing, love, they’re your friends and who doesn’t do this for friends?” Anne piped. The table was already set and they all sat down to eat. Harry silently wondered if his mum and Robin had figured out the throuple yet. He wasn’t sure this was the time or the place to bring it up, but surely at least Niall had realised that they would have to have at least guessed it by now. Harry wasn’t worried, his family wasn’t the type to judge. Louisa kept the conversation going, saying how sorry she was she hadn’t brought Harry back home since their Pairing and she felt like she needed to be better at her duties as his Dom, which made Harry pout and shut her up with a kiss, after which she giggled and all was right again. Anne understood, of course she did, and insisted they come over for Christmas. “It’s her birthday on Christmas eve,” Harry said softly. “So I think we’d probably do Christmas in Doncaster.” “I would love to invite you both to our home, we always have a huge and grand Christmas,” Louisa smiled. “My mum has been absolutely dying to meet you.” “We talk on the phone every now and then, it eases my mind knowing she’s not as scared about this court case as I am,” Anne admitted. “We’re taking every precaution and we’ll be coming out on top,” Louisa reassured. “You can talk to Liam about it if you’d like, he’d love to fill you in on things. He’s feeling rather sheepish about using your house without paying rent.” Anne and Robin shared a look at that and Robin laughed it off. “Nonsense, he is your business partner and you are our family. Your family is ours.” “I’ve known him since we were in school, he’s my best friend. At some point, our biggest fear was me presenting as a sub and us never seeing each other again,” Louisa reminisced. “When I presented as a Dom, we made a pact to always be there for each other. Now, it’s rare that a day goes by that I don’t see his mug.” Harry always found it cute to hear about his Dom and Mr Payne being best friend since they were teenagers. It was a serious commitment to have a friendship spanning more than a decade and a half. He found it endearing, too, the way they were with each other. He was glad his Dom had people in her life who understood her, supported her and most importantly, encouraged her. “You’ve got that sappy, lovestruck smile on your face, baby, were you thinking about me?” Louisa teased softly once everyone was full. He nodded and pecked her lips softly. “You know, I don’t say this enough, but I really like it when you initiate things, even the smallest stuff like holding my hand or kissing me, it’s very nice to know you want to show me affection. Thank you.” She gave him a proper kiss this time before pulling back. “Everything was great, Anne. I can see where Harry gets his skills from.” “Oh love,” Anne chuckled. “He’s going to become better than me, that’s why he’s going to a fancy French culinary institute.” “The French do it best,” he shrugged, getting up to clear the table. Louisa was about to offer her help, but she was sure Anne wanted to spend some quality time with her son, so she made herself scarce and got their bags from the car. Harry’s room was as he’d left it, except for the bed. It had been swapped out for a comfortable double bed now. She unpacked her bag and then even Harry’s. All of their clothes fit in his wardrobe, which had some of the things he’d left behind when he’d come to live with her. She found her way downstairs after an hour to find that mother and son were still chatting away in the kitchen. Guessing Robin had gone back to work after lunch, she went outside to sit in the garden, taking out her phone. There were no notifications from either Liam, Niall or Zayn, so she expected things were going well. She’d given Zayn the entire birth control spiel, she’d even given her two boxes of condoms, just in case. She’d also packed her plenty of menstrual products in case her period came out of nowhere and told her to call immediately if she felt any pain. “I still won’t fit in your lap,” Harry pouted as he came outside. Louisa grinned. “You probably never will, I don’t expect you’ll get any skinnier.” “Want to go out and explore Holmes Chapel for a bit?” he asked. “Or are you beat from driving?” “Nah, I’m fine. Let’s go, I want to see all of the spots.” She got up and pecked his cheek. “Oh good, because you look so good in your outfit today and I want to show off my Dom to everyone in this town. Look at me now, happy and settled and my Dom is sexier than anyone could’ve imagined.” She burst into giggles and kissed him while still laughing, which made him laugh. They broke apart and headed out. “I could teach you to drive here, there’s almost no traffic.” “Not the Porsche, I’ll crash it into something and never forgive myself. You said it has sentimental value to you,” he protested. “I’ll get you to come around,” she laughed. “I’m persuasive.” “Can I persuade you to have sex with me tonight?” he asked. “Shameless,” she snorted. “Oh well, welcome to Holmes Chapel.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

After snogging and dry humping under the very tree where Harry had had his first kiss seven years ago, the couple set off to head back when his phone went off. “It’s Zayn. She’s asking if we can come over.” “Both of us?” Louisa had a shit eating grin on her face. “I didn’t think they’d want company so soon.” “I was more worried about them doing something and then getting hurt in the process, but sure.” “That’s life. There’s always the risk of getting hurt. Tell her we’re on our way.” He nodded and replied to her before getting back in the car. “Is it wrong to be horribly curious about them?” She giggled. “I’m pretty curious too, considering I’ve had to give various sex talks to Zayn in the past couple of days. She was mortified every time, which was why I thought they’d take a few days to figure that out, but I’m guessing she let herself be led by her feelings. She finally trusts them.” “Well, she deserves twice the love.” They pulled up to the house in ten minutes. It was late evening. Zayn opened the door before they even had a chance to knock, looking frazzled. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun. “That’s a sex hairstyle,” Louisa nodded in approval. Zayn blushed crimson. “Well.” Harry gasped. “Oh my god you did it? How was it? How are you feeling?” “There was no, um, sex sex,” she stammered. “Just some hand stuff and mouth stuff. It was intense. A lot more intense than I’d thought? Maybe because I was just so nervous.” “You won’t be as nervous next time, right?” Harry said, trying to be casual about it. “I’m kind of proud of you, though, you did it. You trusted them enough to go for what you want. This is huge.” “Not that much,” she grumbled, taking a seat and looking embarrassed. “Liam is still a bit scary. Like, I don’t know if I should even say this-“ “He’s big,” Louisa finished, then shrugged. “I’ve been his best friend forever. I know his dick size. It comes up every now and then, what with Niall’s crass mouth and the fact that I’ve walked in on them fucking like rabbits more than once and in the worst places. Don’t get me started on that one.” “It spooked me a bit? Like, how does that thing fit inside someone?” Zayn asked incredulously. “And Niall takes it inside him?” “Hon, that sounds like something you should discuss with Niall,” Harry said sheepishly. “I don’t have any experience in the matter yet.” Louisa winked at him. “Yet.” Zayn groaned at the two of them. “I swear, the two of you are the worst. Why did I even text you?” He chuckled. “You’re cute when you’re grumpy.” “Where are Liam and Niall, though?” Louisa asked, getting up. “Niall had the audacity to fall asleep right after he finished,” Zayn answered. “Ass.” Harry and Louisa exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. “That does sound like him, indeed.” “It’s not very flattering, can’t a girl ask for cuddles?” Zayn huffed indignantly. “Let me guess, you weren’t feeling up to cuddling with the man bear with the telephone pole dick that is Liam Payne?” Louisa snickered, then schooled her expression. “He won’t hurt you, physically, and you can use lube, that helps.” “I just didn’t feel ready for penetration today, but Liam’s a Dom and I don’t expect him to be happy about Niall sticking his dick in me while he gets no action of his own.” Harry whistled lowly. “I did not expect such crass language from you. I’m impressed.” Zayn shot him a dirty look. “I asked you here because I wanted your help, I don’t want to freak out and ruin this holiday before it’s even started. I was just getting used to being close to Liam, not being scared of his strength and size, but clearly I have more issues to work through, so I just let Niall finish him off. Didn’t even touch him. I feel like that’s not- that must have been disappointing for him.” “Disappointing for Liam?” Louisa snorted. “Don’t worry about that, men are usually happy enough to get one warm body to jerk off to, he’s got two. He’ll live, Z. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Whatever you did do, was it good? Did you enjoy yourself?” “Everything was going great till that point and then I just kind of froze. Not that they hadn’t already taken care of me. I’ve never felt that kind of pleasure before, but I was totally unable to deliver any.” Her face was crimson. “Well, that’s because you’re still getting used to the way you feel sexual desire, and that’s normal after what you’ve been through,” Louisa gentled. “Frankly, I’m proud of you. You’re doing so well. Just go with the flow and trust that your body knows what it needs. Besides, those two treat you like the most precious thing.” “They do,” she flushed. “Am I allowed details?” Harry interjected, winking. “Oh yes, please, give us the details,” Louisa added. “Guys,” Zayn mumbled, resembling a tomato. A very cute one, but still. “Come on,” Harry pouted. “You brushed over it by calling it ‘hand and mouth stuff’. I need more juice than that.” “You act like you’re about to start writing a 400 page smut novel,” Zayn snorted, but proceeded to explain anyway. “Well it started slowly enough, with some kissing and touching, like it’s supposed to, and I was into it even though I was nervous enough to puke. Thank fuck that didn’t happen, I would’ve never lived it down. But, like, it’s pretty intense to have two people touching and kissing at the same time and I’ve never even really had one before so how was I supposed to not spontaneously combust at how they were making me feel? So we moved it to the bedroom pretty fast and Liam was actually super sweet about it, he even offered to leave if I wasn’t comfortable but I asked him to stay, and he was okay to just watch, but then I asked him to participate.” “And I thought you were shy,” Harry teased. “I’m not shy, just quiet.” She fiddled with her fingers. “It got pretty hot and heavy after that, Liam watched us for a bit. I was feeling self-conscious but Niall is apparently the antidote to that because I forgot about it in two minutes and it was the first time I felt real pleasure. He was so careful with me, and maybe that just comes from us both being subs. We don’t feel the need to be rough with each other but he’s a natural at guiding me into things that he knows I want, even though I sometimes struggle to vocalise them.” “That was what I was curious about, but it makes sense,” Harry nodded. “About Niall, I mean.” “First positive sexual encounter, that’s huge,” Louisa smiled. “Important in a woman’s life.” “I’m glad it was with Niall, of course, but I feel like I asked for almost too much, both of their attention was on me almost the entire time. They put me first but I’m not even a part of their relationship. They’ve been together for years, they’ve barely known me for months,” Zayn sighed. “So? They both want you in their relationship. You can all have a relationship together,” Louisa said. “It’s not illegal if the Dom accepts it. Nobody gives a fuck what the sub has to say, but it won’t be a Pairing. If Liam wants to keep you both, he technically can as per the law. We just can’t let the courts know about this yet. Let’s just keep it quiet and on the down low for a bit.” “You can’t deny that they both want you and you want them both,” Harry pointed out. “And that’s okay, it’s not a bad thing. As long as all parties consent, why wouldn’t it be fine?” “Don’t think about what the world might think, Zayn,” Louisa smiled softly. “Only worry about what you want. What you need. They’re more than ready to give it to you. They are so whipped. Well, Niall has always been a soft baby, all bark and no bite, and Liam pretends to be a badass but he’s a puppy. A complete puppy.” “Right, I mean, sure,” Zayn said, gulping. “I know you’re right but I’m still figuring things out. I don’t know what the ground rules are here, and they’re both looking at me like that all the time and it’s not just that sappy look, it’s more like they want to eat me. Now, that’s where things get difficult. I can’t think, and then I just do, and I don’t want to do something only to regret it later. Besides, I’m still kind of freaked out about when I might get my period again. It won’t let me relax.” Louisa squeezed her hand. “You might want to wait for penetration till you get it, then.” “I mean, fingers are fine, I think?” Zayn squeaked. “Like two or three but I don’t feel ready for anything more.” “Maybe focus on romance first,” Harry winked. “It’s underrated, let them pamper you a bit.” “Who’s pampering whom?” Liam asked as he walked in. He placed a kiss on top of Zayn’s messy curls and started the kettle. “Didn’t you have tea yet?” “No, I forgot,” she said sheepishly in reply. “I should be the one playing host,” Harry dismissed, getting the mugs and teabags. “We were just rather occupied with our topic of discussion.” Liam was casual. “Yes, well, if I’m the one doing the pampering, I’m okay with that. As long as Zayn is okay with that.” “Who doesn’t want to be pampered?” she smiled. “See, all’s fixed. I’m going to go and annoy Niall,” Harry grinned, heading upstairs. “He’s going to end up annoying you,” Louisa said after him but let him go. She secretly enjoyed how Harry had close friends that were her friends, too. Besides, Niall and Harry seemed to get along like a house on fire. Harry hopped up the stairs and flung open the bedroom door, practically jumping onto the bed next to Niall. “Wake up, blondie.” He groaned in response and cracked open a blue eye. “Hey curly, you’re here.” “Zayn called us over. Did it get spicy in here?” Niall threw a pillow in his face. “We just wanted to make her feel good, did we freak her out?” “No, she’s just worried about your Dom’s dick size, but I suggested she warm up with yours, obviously. A perfectly respectable average size ought to do her some good, but she’s concerned about getting her period so I think you are all better off waiting till she’s done with that.” “Oh. Right. I hadn’t thought about that. Liam and I totally forgot about it.” “She said it’s been on her mind for a while, and that was why she couldn’t really relax completely.” Harry gave a stretch and got up. “I suddenly realise that I crawled into your sex bed.” “Don’t worry, we didn’t get any come on the sheets,” Niall smirked. “I do not need to know that my best friend likes to swallow.” “Oh? Who helps you when you have sex questions?” “That’s different,” Harry defended. “I’m young and inexperienced, of course I have questions. You’re experienced. I’m allowed to be curious.” “Sure, take it up the butt yet?” He threw the pillow back into Niall’s face. “Shut up and get out of bed before I wipe that stupid smirk off your face.” *** “I’d better look at making dinner.” Liam opened the fridge and looked through a few things, picking out some chicken, then a few vegetables and then going to the pantry to get some staples. “Chicken pot pie?” he asked as he came back. “Definitely.” “Damn, that sounds good,” Louisa chuckled. “Not that Anne’s food isn’t incredible, it really was. I feel bad I didn’t help her cook or clean, but Harry did take me around to see some of the town and I got to have a look at all of his old haunts. I might have even snogged him under a tree.” “Is that what you were doing when Zayn called you over? Teenagers.” Liam shook his head. “How juvenile of you.” It was Louisa’s turn to be casual. “I did more than just snog him, Liam. If my sub wants semi-public naughtiness, then he gets semi-public naughtiness. He gives me everything I could ever need and more, how can I not want to give him the world?” Liam winked. “Oh look, who’s being sappy now?” Louisa flipped him off and sipped her tea. It was nice to not have to talk about work or the case for a while, and she was truly relaxed. It had been a good idea to get away from it all for a little bit. “Harry and I should be going soon, I don’t want to be late for dinner. I already feel sheepish enough making Anne do the cooking and cleaning.” Niall stalked in with his hair askew, the brown roots visible. “She wouldn’t let her son’s Dom do the cooking or the cleaning.” “Hey!” Harry protested. “You haven’t even met my mum.” Niall shrugged. “Don’t have to, I know I’m right.” “Fine,” Harry grumbled. “We should hop out soon.” Louisa pulled him close and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Right, we’ll get going if we’re not needed?” She looked to Zayn. “I think I’m okay now.” Harry patted Zayn’s hand and gave Niall a wave. “We’ll be back tomorrow if you want us.” Louisa snickered as they headed out. “Seems like they made good progress.” “Yeah, I’m sure there will be more. Zayn might want to pretend she’s not a horndog, but she is.” Louisa laughed freely but didn’t disagree as they pulled back onto the road. “They’re getting some, but we’re not. Tomorrow, I’m taking you out and taking care of you properly. Any ideas where we could go?” He gulped. “Um, well, we could just drive the car to the middle of nowhere and do it in the back or something?” “That’s more than semi-public,” she teased. “Do you like that? The danger, the thrill, that you might get caught? My little exhibitionist.” He flushed hard. “Oh, did you mean a hotel? We’ve got plenty around, some are nice, some are homely, some are fancy.” “Well, I just need secluded to take care of you,” she grinned as she pulled up and turned the engine off. “Need a minute before we go inside?” He nodded, undoing his seatbelt but just sitting there. It was embarrassing how he was just raring to go all the time. His Dom had to say the word and he was up for it, literally. Louisa giggled softly and followed him inside once he was feeling ready. Dinner was another round of delicious food that left her stuffed. “I think I ate too much.” Harry laughed and kissed her cheek. “Everyone eats too much when they’re on holiday, it’s the acceptable thing to do.” Robin was starting on the dishes, so Louisa got up and offered to help, only to get shooed into the living room and sat in front of the TV while Anne watched a movie. She plopped Harry onto the sofa and sat herself in his lap, getting comfortable. She was too busy snuggling and smelling her sub to bother with the telly. The soft background noise was welcome, lulling her to a half-asleep state. Harry’s arms around her created the perfect warm cocoon. It had been a lovely day, the first time she’d felt the absence of tension and stress in a while. She’d just been so occupied with work and worrying about everything that she’d forgotten how easy it had been to simply be with him. She groaned and shifted when she felt Harry move. “Just hold on, let me take us to bed,” he said softly, getting to his feet with her still in his arms. “No, you’ll strain yourself, put me down,” she protested, trying to wake herself up. “I wouldn’t,” he disagreed, but placed her down to her feet anyway. She shook her head. “I fell asleep in front of the telly like an 80 year old.” He followed her up the stairs. “I happen to think it’s adorable.” “And I happen to think you’re adorable.” She took off her shorts and top, making Harry freeze when she pulled his t shirt off of his frame and put it on. It just covered her ass. “Mm warm and snug.” She climbed right into bed. He gulped and shed his jeans before putting on pyjama bottoms and getting in without a shirt. He didn’t know what it was exactly, seeing her in his clothes, but it made him feral. He just wanted her to be on top of him, doing nasty things to him, or he could do nasty things to her. “You tease me so much, mistress.” She pinched his arm. “Don’t be naughty, or I’ll spank you tomorrow.” “Looking forward to it, actually.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

It was the next morning and Harry was definitely looking forward to it. Louisa could tell, from the way he was being jittery. “Calm down,” she laughed, giving his cheek a kiss. “Try a cold shower.” “Already did,” he grumbled but followed her down the stairs anyway. It was breakfast time and they could both smell beans and toast. “I’ll grill some sausage or bacon for you.” “Thanks babe.” Louisa made herself some tea. “I could just eat the beans, I feel silly for being picky.” “It’s not silly, plenty of people don’t like beans.” He found what he was looking for along with some HP sauce. “Let me do the thing I’m supposed to do.” “Feed me?” she teased. Anne and Robin were both absent, although she could hear them in the garden, so she gave his ass a good smack. Harry jumped a foot in the air and held onto the counter for a few seconds, his brain trying to catch up. “Mistress,” he whined. “Come on.” She patted the spot she’d smacked. “Now, we agreed we wouldn’t use that name unless we were playing, so be a good boy or I’ll have to drive us to the middle of nowhere and take care of this problem.” He groaned but proceeded to fry up some sausage and also some spinach, getting himself a glass of orange juice. “You started it.” “And I will end it when I please, my little sub. I want to play with you today.” He almost dropped the glass right out of his hand, gulping. “Careful, love, concentrate.” He flushed and sat down after her plate was ready, then got himself a good helping of beans on his toast before devouring every bite. He was back to being half-hard by the time he was done, rather than having a raging boner. He threw open the kitchen window and yelled out. “Mum! Did you eat?” “Yes love, Robin and I are done!” “Okay!” Harry left the window open as he got started on the dishes. Louisa grinned to herself. This was the perfect opportunity to tease him a little more, see how far she could take it. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed a little from behind, eliciting a cute noise from his throat. “You’re always warm.” Meanwhile, all Harry could think about was the last time she’d had her hands on him while he was doing the dishes. He was back to being rock hard, and he couldn’t be blamed. “I- thank you?” His brain felt broken. She kissed his back, between his shoulder blades, over his t shirt. “I really liked sleeping in your shirt last night, it was very nice. You have lovely clothes, you know. Soft and they always smell like you. You smell like flowers.” His pulse was racing. He sucked in a hot breath. “They’re yours. I’m yours.” Did that sound pathetic? Probably. Did he care? No. “I know babe.” He could hear the smile in her voice. “We should head out soon.” “Yes,” he stuttered, turning the tap off and leaving the dishes to dry. She loosened her grip on him so that he could turn around, kissing him softly for a few seconds before pulling back. “I’m going to go chat with your parents while you compose yourself.” She let go of him and went outside to the garden. He took a few deep breaths, shaking his hands a few times to get the nerves out. He wasn’t even sure what he was nervous about. He was acting like this was his first time. It had just been a while and he missed his Dom’s touch. He couldn’t deny that he was practically gagging for it by now. Maybe he was the horndog. “Right, we’re off in five,” Louisa said casually as she came back inside. “I’ll get my things.” He gaped for a few seconds as she brushed past him and went upstairs, fumbling around for his phone and keys, stuffing them in the pocket of his shorts as fast as he could. Before he could think, his feet were carrying him through the grass. His mum and Robin were sitting on a blanket in the middle of their lawn. “Hiya, pet, heading out?” Anne asked, getting up to give him a squeeze. “Yeah, since you two are having a date right here, we thought we’d have one of our own,” he tried to joke. “We just haven’t had quality time in a while.” “You deserve it, love, so go and have fun. Should we expect you for dinner?” “Uh, I think so, but I’ll text you if that changes.” He genuinely had no clue what his Dom had planned for him. Would they be fucking all day? That sounded necessary, considering just how needy he was feeling. Would it always be like this? Being desperate for her if they hadn’t had each other for a while? He hoped so. If Anne knew what the two were going to do, she didn’t mention it. Louisa waited for him by the car, looking at her phone. She’d have to find some time to open her laptop tonight after she was done taking care of her sub. He trotted over, nervous and excited. “I was going to do you in the woods, but then I decided against it,” she grinned as she got in the car. “I found us a room in an inn that came highly recommended from honeymooners, asked them for as private as a room could get. They were happy to comply.” Harry was red in the face as he buckled his seatbelt. “I’m sure they were, Miss.” “We’ll order some pizza for lunch between rounds,” she hummed as she followed Google Maps. “And we can get a few snacks if we need. They have a kettle in the room, and I already packed some essentials in my purse.” Rounds. “Um, how many rounds are we going?” he squeaked. “As long as you can still orgasm,” she smirked. “I’m not going to be stopping until I’m feeling satisfied, and that will take a while.” He gulped. His heart was hammering as they pulled up to the Inn. It looked like an old mansion had been converted to an Inn, and they had quite a large yard too. There was another building amongst the trees and grass with a walking path. When they stepped inside, Harry trailed behind his Dom, looking around. He was sure the receptionist knew what they were there for, and it made him shy. Louisa took the key. It was a beautiful brass key that looked like it was from the 1800s. “Will you be needing a porter to help with any luggage?” the girl behind the desk asked. “No, thank you, we’re only here for the day. We’ll find our way to the room, thanks for your help.” Louisa took Harry’s hand and they walked down the path to the second building of rooms, which was newer but constructed in an older style, mainly with wooden tones and textures. It was a lot quieter here, and he genuinely hoped there weren’t any people already in the rooms near theirs, because he was hopeless at being quiet, unless his Dom had placed a gag in her purse for him. “How’d we get early check in?” Harry asked in a whisper. “Money, honey. And I was willing to spend it on this. My baby needs attention.” She winked as they arrived to the door of their room. It was right at the end of the hallway, a large wooden door. She put the key in and opened the door to a medium-sized room, with a small hallway and a door to the bathroom to the left, and a small cupboard to the right, with a mirror on the side. Stepping inside further, there was a TV on the wall and facing it, a large double bed. There were a couple of chocolates on the pillows and some folded sheets with extra towels and a small stiff piece of paper. “Have a pleasant stay with us. Please dial 9 for reception,” she read. “Not very romantic, is it?” He let out a giggle. “We didn’t come for romance, we came here so we could fuck each other’s brains out. Speaking of,” he murmured, licking his lips and unwrapping a chocolate truffle, placing it in his mouth and letting it dissolve a little before he leaned down to kiss the living daylights out of his Dom. She was a little surprised and let out a moan right into his mouth before kissing back, their mouths becoming a mess of sweet, melted chocolate. Harry returned the moan, because this was turning out better than he’d thought when he’d done it. Once there was no chocolate left, he licked over her lips and pulled back. “Would you like me on my knees?” She looked up at him with parted lips, licking across them as she gave him a hungry look. “You make me feral. I’m going to absolutely destroy you. Get on your knees and lean your head back against the bed.” He bit on his lip when he realised what she was about to do, groaning as he got into position. He licked over his lips and looked up at her. “Please let me taste you, mistress.” She patted his cheek, standing over him. “Not yet, pet. It’s still early. I want to go slow.” He whined in protest. Slow? He wanted to go fast, so fast that he wouldn’t even be able to catch his own breath. He wanted to be ruined completely and then sleep for hours and do it all over again till every fibre of his being ached. “Open your mouth.” She pushed in two fingers and felt his tongue, rubbing it slowly. Now he understood why he was leaning back against the bed, because if he didn’t, his drool would fall onto the carpet under him and make a mess which someone else would have to clean up. That was the worst part of being in a hotel. They had limitations to their play. He sucked on her fingers and let the drool pool before subconsciously swallowing, looking up at her. He was incredibly hard and feeling rather trapped, squirming a little as he struggled to stay still against his basic instincts, moaning. Louisa responded by pushing her fingers deeper down his throat until he gagged and choked, pulling back when his eyes started watering, rubbing her slimy digits all over his face, watching him moan and whimper and pant for breath. “God, baby, you’re so hot,” she groaned. He looked up at her and licked her fingers again, dragging his tongue down the digits that had choked him. She trembled at the hunger in his eyes. “Unreal. I can barely take it. I’m going to enjoy this.” She shimmied off her jeans and panties, leaving them on the floor, placing her knees on the bed. He moved his hands up to her thighs and sucked on her folds, closing his eyes and moaning. She tasted amazing. Louisa’s moans filled the room, soft and breathy and yet shameless as she gripped his curls in his fist and moved her hips back and forth a little. His mouth had its way of driving her crazy, and the way she was pulling on his curls was making him crazy. It didn’t take long at all for her to come on his face, his tongue lapping up every drop eagerly, even making a slurping noise. She panted softly, shuffling on the bed so that she was no longer on top of him, only to find that her sub was shamelessly palming himself through his shorts. She leaned back and watched him. His eyes were still closed, his face wet and his mouth parted as he touched himself over the fabric. “Are you having a party all by yourself down there? Didn’t even invite me.” He snapped his eyes open and blushed, taking his hand off of himself. “Sorry, I didn’t even realise I was doing it.” “Poor baby, so needy.” She patted the bed. “Come here and take your clothes off.” She was still in her crop top, naked from the waist below, sitting on her legs. Some of her hair was falling down her shoulders, the rest hidden behind her. The sight made Harry fall more in love. He complied like a good boy, taking off his clothes in a haste, almost tripping over his own shorts and falling face first into the bed. He groaned. “That was not sexy,” he mumbled into the bedcovers. “Whoops?” Louisa giggled at his expense. “It’s fine, love. On your back.” She patted his ass. “I think I’ll do a round with this later, actually.” Flushed, he rolled over until he was on his back, looking up at the ceiling. “Later sounds good, I think I’m about to explode if I don’t come soon. I haven’t even been touching myself,” he whined. “It’s been too long.” She climbed on top of him and kissed his mouth, all tongues and teeth, pulling back once he was breathless, trailing her wet mouth down his body. “Remind me to play with these too,” she teased, kissing a nipple, then the other, and even the extra ones, until her mouth was over his navel, giving it a kiss, too, her mouth almost at the tip of his cock, heavily resting there, desperate for attention. “You look so yummy today.” She licked her lips. “Please,” he groaned softly, shifting slightly. It was starting to hurt. He was absolutely gagging for it. He let out a pained moan when he finally felt what he’d been desperate for, a moist, wet heat around him, with a gentle, constant pressure. He fisted a pillow hard, his knuckles turning white. “Mm.” Louisa sucked on the tip, slowly flicking her tongue over his slit, tasting more of his precome. It had been too fucking long. She was never going to starve herself of this again. Knowing it wouldn’t take Harry long, she slowly took him in deeper, pulling back to play with his tip and slit again, sliding her tongue underneath the shaft to rub against the underside, earning a howl of pleasure from him. She popped off and smirked. There he was, splayed out underneath her, looking absolutely wrecked, and she hadn’t even taken his entire length yet. His lashes were wet, and he was clearly overwhelmed. She took pleasure in it, knowing his walls were down, but only for her. No one else had ever seen him in this state, and they never would. She revelled in the noises he made, feeling rather proud of having caused them. She felt like his Dom. Harry craned his neck when there was no longer a warm mouth on his cock, watching as his Dom opened her purse and pulled out another leather pouch, finally presenting the long, pink toy she’d bought just for him. He moaned at the sight and let his head fall back, crying out in pleasure at the fleshlight engulfing him with delicious pressure. It wasn’t warm and wet like his Dom’s mouth, but the squeeze was perfect and he was bucking his hips, chasing his orgasm. He came quickly after that, into the toy as his Dom milked every drop for him until he was boneless on the bed, panting. He only realised his face was wet when she wiped at it gently. “Stay for a minute,” she said, walking into the bathroom. He shamelessly ogled her bare ass as she did. She washed out the toy and returned, drying it with a hand towel. She started the kettle in the room and pulled her hair out of her face, tying it back with a hair tie, making her crop top ride up further. As much as he was enjoying the view, Harry wanted more. He sat up, licking his lips as he slid a hand under her top, feeling her ribs, then further higher to cup at her breast over her bra, squeezing once and angling his palm so that his thumb could rub over her nipple, back and forth, then in circles. Louisa let her arms fall and gave a soft moan. “Mm baby. You know just how to take care of me, don’t you?” He felt her nub harden under his touch and pinched it slightly, rubbing between two fingers now. His words were as shameless as his actions. “I want you all the time. I want to worship you.” “Yeah? You want to touch me all over with your tongue?” She licked over her lips absently. “I want to touch you all over with my lips, too. May I please undress you?” “Go on.” He wasted no time, pulling the shirt over her head and then reaching around to undo the bra, pulling it down her arms. The clothes fell carelessly to the carpeted floor as the kettle whistled to signify that the water had boiled. They both ignored it, Louisa grabbing his curls in her hand and tugging as she bluntly scratched along his scalp, pulling his head back. He looked up at her with complete devotion, leaning in to suck her nipple into his mouth, using his lips and tongue skilfully. She let out a soft moan and tugged just a little harder, prompting him to grab her other breast, squeezing and then rubbing the ignored nub there. Harry pulled back and lowered his mouth down her body until he reached her navel, slowly dipping his tongue inside her belly button. He felt her inhale sharply at that, and then he was being pulled up by his hair. It was such a delicious pain. He looked up at her with devotion as she leaned in close to his face and spat into his mouth. He swallowed it without flinching, which made the sexual energy in the room that much more intense. She loosened the grip in his hair, and he went back down to her belly button, mimicking what he had been doing to her nipple and her clit. She let him do as he pleased for a while before placing her hands on his shoulders and pushing him back until his head had hit the pillows, climbing on top of him. Without further ado, she grabbed him at the base and sank down on him. “Fuck!” he cursed in surprise. He was hard again, of course he was. What was he expected to be after she’d pulled on his hair and spat into his mouth?! Louisa took no mercy or any pause, bouncing on top of him, her tits deliciously dancing in front of his face as she rode him for her own pleasure. Harry was a mess of moans and whimpers, and their needy sounds filled the room. “Did you curse?” She gripped his jaw. “Sorry,” he stuttered. “Don’t make me add to the spanks you already have racked up,” she warned, panting softly for breath as she twisted her hips and sank down on him, grinding down, moaning at the friction against her clit, clenching around him. “Spank me until I can’t sit!” he panted. “I want you to punish me!” Fuck, he was so close that he could see stars. She rubbed her clit as she bounced again, clenching so hard that Harry couldn’t even ask for permission. They were both breathless and sweaty as they went limp. “Coming together is very nice.” She slowly got off of his cock, clenching hard and reached up towards his face, hovering over it as she unclenched and let his come fall. He groaned and lapped up his release from her folds, making her tremble with how sensitive she already was. He licked his lips, not caring about what she put in his mouth. He just loved everything she did to him. “Mistress,” he moaned softly. He just needed more and more. Two orgasms wasn’t enough. He wanted her to wreck him. And wreck him she did.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Have some tea,” Louisa said as he carried a mug over to the bed. She was wearing his t shirt and nothing else, her hair back in a messy bun. It exposed her neck deliciously, although Harry had been laser focused on the other exposed parts of her. He whined but took the mug anyway. Their rampant sexual activity had left him feeling rather overheated, which made a hot drink sound unappetising, but he needed a little soothing, so he took a sip. The hot liquid did help his shoulders relax, but it did nothing for the hard cock between his legs. “I’d be worried about that erection if you hadn’t come twice already, pet,” she smirked, only teasing as she plonked down onto the bed and drank from her own mug. He watched her face change as she leaned in closer until their faces were almost touching. Was he expected to not react to this? He was genuinely concerned he was about to spill his tea all over the both of them. “Tilt your head up a bit, angel.” He did as she asked, eyes on her as she drank a sip from his mug of tea and lowered her lips to his, pulling his chin down to pass the drink into his mouth. He moaned shamelessly as he swallowed and licked over his lips. “That got it going again,” she teased, looking at his cock again, which was dribbling precome and making a mess all over his lower stomach. She leaned over and licked over a very faint line of a v-cut. They were starting to come in, finally. Harry thanked the gods up above silently. “How do you even come up with these things and expect me to not die from need?” he whined. His mind was just a muddle of sexual desire. “The Dom in me has come alive because of you. I let her slip out and take control every now and then. I know you can take it, love. I wouldn’t push you too far.” This time, when she drank from his mug, he was ready and opened his mouth for her like a good boy, then swallowed. Her tongue explored his mouth as soon as he had, and he groaned. “Please.” She grabbed the base of his cock in his hand and squeezed, not hard enough to hurt. “I really thought men had longer refractory periods? Here you are, raring to go even after you come. Honestly, I’m rather impressed, how are you still going?” “You promised you wouldn’t stop till I couldn’t come anymore, and we both know that hasn’t happened yet, so please,” he begged, “mistress.” She licked her lips and took his cock in her mouth, more than just a couple of inches, eliciting a loud whimper from her sub. She wasn’t shy about liking the male appendage, never had been. She just liked to be in control of the male while pleasuring it. Harry whined and moaned and shifted on the bed, the tea now placed to the side as he tried his hardest not to lose his absolute mind at the all-consuming carnal pleasure. “I’m-“ he gasped, so close he could taste it, and then the heat around his cock disappeared. Louisa licked her wet lips. “Not yet, baby. You’re going to learn to wait.” He whined softly. His Dom was edging him. “Tsk tsk,” she reprimanded, “no complaints. I still have to spank you, but that will just have you harder than a rock. My little masochist.” She was teasing but they both knew she was right. The burn of her slaps against his ass only made his ache for her deeper. It was hardly a punishment, unless there was going to be something rougher than a whip involved? He wasn’t sure he wouldn’t just start crying, and that would be embarrassing, not that he had anything to be self-conscious of. This was his Dom. She knew parts of him he hadn’t even known existed till she’d showed him. “God, that look on your face,” she groaned. “Is my desperation that obvious?” he pouted. “You’re still talking in full sentences, so you’re not even close to desperate enough yet, love. Get on your hands and knees.” He gulped at the smirk on her face as he got into position, presenting his ass to her. “Head up, good boy.” She pulled his head back by his curls before letting go and placing a towel underneath him on the bed. He realised it was for his precome and shifted, feeling even needier. He hadn’t thought that was possible. Louisa admired the view for a few seconds before palming an ass cheek and giving it a swat. “Spread your knees a little more, I don’t want you to fall over.” He complied and sucked in a breath, just waiting for her to do something. The next thing he knew, his ass was on fire and he all but jumped. She gently patted the red skin as he turned around to find that she was holding a wooden rule. Now he understood why she’d asked him to spread his legs and hold his balance. “That was one, how many do you think you deserve?” She touched the skin she’d abused, slowly trailing along it, waiting for him to answer. “Five for calling you mistress outside our play,” he trembled at the mere thought. “And five for touching myself before without your permission.” “Mm, that’s not too far off, considering it is your first time being spanked with this.” She patted the rule against his thigh. “And I do want you to be able to walk and sit by the time this is over, so I think a total of ten is justified. I want you to try counting, okay? I’m not going to rain them down on you.” He nodded. “Yes mistress.” His heart was thumping like crazy. He gasped and twitched as he felt the second burning stroke. “Two, mistress.” “Yes, just like that,” she praised. “Good. Remember to breathe and don’t tense up too much.” “Yes, mistress,” he said obediently. He counted like a good boy for strikes three, four and five, crying out at strike six, tears falling down his face. He was so overwhelmed and desperate and his thoughts were scattered. He was sliding into a different kind of space in his own head, an untasted one. Seven and eight had him sobbing and trembling as he grabbed the sheets in his hands to stop himself from falling flat onto his face. “Two more.” Her voice was soft and she kissed his ass cheeks with soft lips, feeling the burning skin. “You’re doing so good, love. You can do this.” He took the last two strikes just as dutifully, choking on his own sob. He mewled at the feeling of something cool being applied to his stinging ass cheeks, his face a mess of tears and drool. She moved him slowly till he was laying down, kissing his wet face before wiping it clean. “I have the best sub, you were so good. So good.” She kissed his cheeks a few times. “Are you feeling alright?” He blinked a few times and nodded. “I think I tapped into, uh, something inside of me that I never knew existed before today. You have a way of doing that to me. It’s just kind of wild, how I always want more. I want everything with you.” “Aren’t you the sweetest thing,” Louisa sighed dopily, staring at him with love hearts practically flying out of her eyes. “You need a few minutes, though. I’ll order pizza, do you want a chocolate?” She unwrapped the other pillow treat and popped it into his mouth, giggling when he licked her finger. “Naughty.” He chewed on the chocolate, nodding. “Yes to the pizza.” He was starting to get hungry, he hadn’t noticed earlier. Then, without thinking, “Can we add spinach to it?” Louisa blinked and then giggled. “Spinach on a pizza? Ridiculous, but we can get half and half.” She tapped on a few things. “Done. Half spinach and half chicken.” “At least my topping is a little unpredictable.” “What a flirt.” She got out of bed and started to get dressed. “I don’t know which kind of a health nut orders spinach on a pizza, but it’s still better than kale, or pineapple, so I guess it’s not that gross.” “It’s delicious,” he protested, watching her roaming around in his t-shirt, sliding her panties on under it before pulling on her jeans, wiggling to get them up above her ass. “I see something else that’s delicious right now.”“Are you talking about my arse again?” She turned around and gave a wiggle. “How’s yours doing?” He groaned. “Don’t remind me. I’m trying to go from boner to no boner and this is not helping, miss.” She laughed freely and Harry shot her a look. She was beautiful and incredible and he was in love with her but she did just laugh at his misery. “Sorry angel.” She leaned over and gave his cheek a kiss. “I’ll pick up the pizza from the reception, stay in bed till I’m back, I like you naked for me.” He whined softly and watched her go, laying under the covers. He wouldn’t put any clothes on if she didn’t want him to, but he wasn’t going to walk around a hotel room with his cock out for no reason. He had been rather shameless about his body before, and while he wasn’t self-conscious by any means, he did find it more comfortable to be in his birthday suit at home than a hotel room he’d never been in before. To be fair, his boner wasn’t raging by the time she came back, but he pouted like it was, anyway, sitting up in bed and covering his lower half with the sheets. The pizza smelled mouthwatering as his Dom climbed over his legs to get in the bed, and he realised she hadn’t put her bra on under his t shirt. He licked his lips absently and reached for a slice of pizza. He wasn’t sure what was more delicious, his Dom or the pizza. “Pretty good,” she nodded in approval as she ate. True to her word, she had got a half and half with spinach and chicken, and it was good, at least, as good as fast food pizza could be expected to be. “I hope things are going good with Zayn and her boys.” The way she said it made him laugh. “I’m sure she’ll call if they mess up, though I just think they might get on her nerves. I’ve heard even one man is a piece of work, and she’s got two.” She winked. “I have one, and I quite like him.” She pecked his lips and stole a bite of his pizza. “That’s better than I thought it would be. Not bad at all.” “That’s what I was saying,” he teased. “Don’t say something cheesy about how I’m better than I thought you’d be, too, and that you’re so happy with me, because I will get sentimental, and we’re here to fuck and not be romantic, remember?” He shrugged. “Pizza makes me feel very loving.” He shook his head at himself. “I sound like Niall.” Louisa snorted. “That does sound like blondie, but enough about him.” With a pizza slice still in her hand, she turned and straddled his thighs, sitting on them over the sheets. Harry smiled up at her like he loved everything she did and especially her weight on him. He knew what she was really saying. “I’m down, or up, really.” She laughed again. “Hilarious, but finish your food.” He groaned playfully but ate quietly while she sat on his thighs and they silently eyed each other. The eye-fucking continued till the pizza box was empty and Louisa tossed it to the side carelessly, not even looking at the box as she scooted closer and pulled down the sheets to expose him. He was beyond ready for her. “Time for some more, baby.” She wrapped a hand around him and tugged him off slowly, taking her time, squeezing, stroking, thumbing the tip until he squirmed and whined, giving him a steely look to obey. He moaned softly and grabbed at the pillows to gain some kind of purchase, his chest heaving as he started to feel his orgasm closing in, gasping for air when the touch was gone and he was left on the edge. “God, you look so pretty when you’re flushed like this.” She licked her lips and got off of him, taking off her jeans and panties, leaving the t shirt on and climbing back onto him, straddling him properly now, grinding her wetness down on his throbbing length. “Please.” He blinked up at her with wet lashes. “Please can I be inside you?” She didn’t answer and sank down on him in one go, whimpering softly herself. “Fuck, baby, you feel so good.” Harry couldn’t help himself, he squeezed her hips and slid his hands inside the fabric to touch her skin and squeeze her waist. He was in heaven, even more so when his Dom started bouncing on top of him and all he could do was watch her and take her in, moaning softly. “Oh my god.” Louisa was focused, panting softly as she moved. His hands on her moved with her, and the grip suddenly felt delicious, something she hadn’t known she was into. She ground her hips down and threw her head back, changing the motion. He leaned in without a thought and kissed her bare neck, sucking and licking and even using his teeth, acting purely on instinct. She’d said he made her feral, but he was the absolutely feral one here. He just constantly wanted moremoremore. The sounds of moans, skins slapping against each other, soft breathing getting faster were what threw Louisa first, moaning and stilling as she came, clenching so hard that Harry almost to breathe, his vision whiting out completely for a few seconds. He pulled her in closer and just held her, still connected. “Mm,” she groaned softly, shifting and making him wince in oversensitivity. “Alright?” He panted softly. “More than alright, I feel great,” he reassured. “Just a bit sensitive, but if that’s something you’re into.” She pecked his mouth and got off of him, using a towel to hop to the bathroom without making a mess of the carpet. “Might have been a better idea to use condoms in here.” He blushed to himself in embarrassment. “Not that hotel housekeeping aren’t used to cleaning up rooms after sexual activities have taken place in them,” she continued, which made Harry frown. He knew what most of those uses were for, Doms cheating on their subs with other people. At least some were for honeymoon phases, and was that what they had right now? That was something to turn a frown upside down. “Are we done playing?” he asked when she plopped herself down next to him, close enough to be touching. “Because I don’t think I can handle my Dom in my clothes and not want to go again.” “You came three times, and you still want to keep going? I really got lucky with you.” She had a grin on her face. “We can go another round but I think I need a break this time. I’m not young like you.” He raised his brow. “Does that mean that other men you’ve been with before didn’t want to go four rounds with you?” He knew that wasn’t unrealistic, but he couldn’t imagine not constantly desiring her. “Most only go one, especially if they’re Doms. You’re lucky to squeeze out a second round from them,” Louisa snorted. “Have you only been with Dom men before?” He did wonder about his Dom’s sexual life before they met, but he just hadn’t found it appropriate to ask. Since she’d brought it up, he felt a little more comfortable opening up about his questions. “Do you know how hard it is to find a submissive man who wants a Dominant woman?” she pouted. “It took even the Bureau years to find you for me. They were trying to suggest that I take a woman, because they were available, but it wasn’t like the pairing would’ve been a successful one. The compatibility just wouldn’t have been there, besides, I am straight. And to think, some Dom man could’ve just snatched you up if they’d paired you to someone else.” “That would’ve been a travesty because I’d never have met you, unless it didn’t work out and I got recycled through the system,” he winced. It just made him think of Zayn. “I have had a hard enough time being taken seriously by people as a Dom, and then I had to go and want a male submissive.” She shook her head at herself. “I love making my own life harder than it has to be.” “It all worked out, though. You have a great job and you have me. You have friends that care about you and you have an amazing family.” She looked up at him. “I really do.” “We should go down and see them soon, I don’t want our trip to get cut short before you get to spend time with them.” The court case still hung over them like a sword, threatening to swing one way or the other and change the entire course of their lives. He wasn’t sure if he could handle Cowell winning the case. Not only would that emotionally ruin Zayn, but it would also mean they’d be leaving this country, never to return, never to see their families again. He didn’t want that, certainly not for himself nor his Dom. He loved her family, too. “It’s fine, H, you need to spend more time with yours first. I took you away from them and completely forgot about the fact that you probably missed them the entire time, because I was so occupied with my stuff, and I need to be better about that. I know you don’t blame me for anything and that’s a relief, but I do have to step up to the plate.” He took a deep breath. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me. We couldn’t control how things went wrong, and protecting Zayn was our focus for a while, which was the right thing to do. She’s finally finding her happiness, and we played a part in that, which makes me very happy, actually. She’s going to be okay, and it was a team effort. Besides, I kind of like my new friends, even Niall, even though he can be rather-“ “Annoying? Irritating? Out there? Loud?” “Give blondie a little more credit,” he laughed. “He’s a good lad.” “I guess I can’t call him loud, I used to be loud. Age has mellowed me,” she giggled. “Always the centre of attention, but that got old quick after I presented. I guess people had always looked at me in a certain way, and when it turned out I was the opposite, the nature of their attention changed.” “People kept trying to change you?” “Or avoid me, but it told me who my real friends were. Liam and I were always worried I’d present as a sub and our friendship would be over. Everything changes after you present. He was the only person who was genuinely happy for me. Mum was mostly just worried about how I’d find my own space in the world. I get where she’s coming from, honestly, but when I’m a mother, it will be completely different to what her experience was. People will have a field day if they find out I want to have my own babies because apparently, growing a person in your uterus is a submissive experience.” It was Harry’s turn to snort. “The world might be a wreck out there, but the last time I checked, I don’t have a uterus and my forms say submissive.” Louisa had to hide her laugh. “So ridiculous.” “I could ask Gemma about it? She doesn’t have any kids yet either, but she’s probably had a lot of thoughts about it and made some decisions,” he suggested. They’d never really talked about the dom-sub side of life with each other and Harry had always assumed it was because of their age difference and also their status difference, but now that he was paired, too, and a legal adult, they could talk about it, right? “She is the only other Dom I kind of know with a successful Pairing with a submissive man, so it sounds like a good idea. Have you two been talking?” “Not much, just some Whatsapp here and there. The time zones make it tricky, and they did move there to be closer to Mattie’s family, so it’s not like they’re completely alone and lonely out there. And her career is going very well, the podcast is great and she signed a book deal,” he beamed proudly. He did miss his sister, but she was happy making a life out in America and he was fine with that. She was happy and that was what mattered. Louisa kissed his head. She thought he was just absolutely adorable. “Another round before we go back home? Mum was asking if we’d be back for dinner,” he said casually. “Yeah, I think we can be back for dinner. Let her know and then I want you on your front. It’s time for my sub to know what it’s like to be penetrated.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Harry?” “It’s Louisa. Harry’s just a bit out of sorts at the moment, but I wanted to call and let you know that we’ll be a bit late for dinner, and I didn’t want to keep you and Robin waiting for us.” “Of course, dear, no problem, the food will be here waiting for you,” Anne said. “Thanks, see you soon.” Louisa placed Harry’s phone back down. Harry whined softly from bed. He was completely out of it still, he’d never been gone so far and so deep into subspace before, and he was really struggling to come out of it. Everything just felt so nice and floaty and comfortable. “Baby, you ready to come back to me?” Louisa asked softly, stroking down his back. “I need to wash you up before we go back, your mother will not like us back smelling like sex.” He groaned when she mentioned his mother, sluggishly rolling onto his back. He did not need her knowing he was no longer an anal virgin. “Does it hurt, love?” She hadn’t gone too hard on him, of course, only a couple of fingers and a thin dildo for penetration, but it had just been so intensely overwhelming for him that he had been completely done for. He managed to shake his head. He was a little sore, but it was nothing bad. She’d made sure he wouldn’t be in pain. She kissed his cheek tenderly. “You know, sometimes I wonder if you’re going to start growing facial hair tomorrow, or never.” He pouted at her. Rude. He was trying his best to grow his facial hair, but it was barely there and patchy whenever there was any. It was not attractive. “Only teasing, love,” she chuckled softly. “Just trying to bring you back to me.” “’M fine,” he mumbled. He sounded pretty wrecked. Damn. “Sure, angel,” she snorted, getting out of bed. “I have no idea how I’m going to get your barely lucid ass into the shower without the both of us falling over.” He blinked and tried to sit up in bed, groaning when he felt the soreness in his ass. So, that was what it felt like. “Woah, woah. Slow down. We’ve got time. No rush.” It took a few more minutes but they made it to the shower. Harry was steady on his feet, but he wasn’t talking much, letting himself be washed and giving the dopiest smile ever. It made Louisa giggle. “You’re so silly.” She shook her head and turned the water off, drying him with a towel. His hands caught up to her and he finished the job, getting dressed. “I think I’m back,” he said, sitting down on the bed, shifting a little. Wow, he really could feel that. She pecked his cheek. “We can check out and head back, then, love. You must be getting hungry.” Checking out didn’t take very long, and although his eyes were no longer glassy, the man behind the reception could definitely tell Harry had had a very nice time in the room. The only thing Harry noticed about him was that he was a sub, too, just like the girl behind the desk when they’d checked in that morning. He wondered to himself how well that boded if a Dom came yelling about something or demanding things, especially in the middle of the night. Louisa drove back quietly, tapping her hands on the steering wheel to the radio, which softly played in the background. Harry was watching her again, admiring everything about her, and just how much he loved every little bit of her. He was almost sad when they pulled up. “Let’s hope nobody asks us about what we were up to,” Louisa joked, getting out of the car. Harry groaned and followed her. That would be an awkward conversation. He said hello to his mum and gave her a kiss on the cheek before washing his hands and getting the food. Louisa was looking at her phone, frowning. “We’d better go over to check on Zayn after eating,” she said softly. “Is she okay?” he whispered back. “I’m sure everything is fine,” she reassured. “It’s just as a precaution. They could just be fucking like rabbits. I just haven’t got a single text or call from any of them.” He couldn’t help but grin at that. His Dom wouldn’t admit it, but she was a bit clingy when it came to people that mattered to her. He found it cute. Besides, who didn’t want to be doted on and looked after? She could physically cling to him and he would relish in it. By the time they ate and headed over to check on Zayn, it was almost dark out. The late summertime sunsets had always been a favourite of Harry’s, and he watched the sun dip over the horizon instead of staring at his Dom driving again. Liam was the one who answered the door, looking dishevelled and dressed only in a pair of shorts. At least they were baggy, and not form-fitting. Harry didn’t need to witness threesome sex today. “What’s up?” “Nobody’s texted me all day, you buffoon,” Louisa said, annoyed as she made her way inside. “I got worried. Is everything alright?” She made a face. “This whole house smells like sex. I’m going to need to get this deep cleaned before I give these keys back to Robin.” Liam gave a shameless wink. “Sorry, got a little carried away.” “A little?” Louisa rose her brow. The living room was a mess with the sofa cushions strewn around the carpet. “Please don’t tell me I’m about to find come-stained furniture.” “I was careful,” Liam defended. “And yes, only a little, because Zayn got her period and freaked out.” “And you didn’t call me?” Louisa rushed upstairs, calling out for Zayn. “You were busy,” Liam grumbled. “Besides, we had it handled.” Louisa threw open the bedroom door to find Zayn curled up between a mountain of pillows all around her, groaning softly. Her frustration evaporated as she made her way to her. “Hi, is it bad?” Zayn sniffed. “Yes.” “Do you want ice cream?” Another sniffle. “Yes.” “What’s your favourite?” “Any normal flavours are fine.” “Oh, pet.” Louisa pulled away some of the pillows and got in the bed next to her, giving her a kiss on the head. “The bleeding?” “There’s a lot, I already changed my tampon once and it’s only been like two hours.” “Okay, we’ll monitor for a couple of hours, and if necessary, we’ll go to urgent care. I’ve got you, we’ve got you,” Louisa soothed. “Nothing to be afraid of. I’ll ask someone to bring up your ice cream.” “But it’s late, who has ice cream at this hour?” Zayn wailed. Louisa smiled. “Love, there’s some in the freezer. Anne stocked the place before we got here and I reminded Harry to add some ice cream to the list. Apparently, wanting ice cream on your period is universal because the cold temperature helps soothe you and the sugar is, well, sugar.” She wailed softly and threw her head into Louisa’s lap, wrapping her arms around her waist. Louisa only chuckled in response. It reminded her of her baby sisters. She wiggled a little to get her phone from her pocket and called Harry, asking him to bring up some ice cream from the freezer. He trotted up like a good boy, bringing a few different tubs and one spoon for each tub, knocking before opening the door. “As you ordered, madams,” he said, putting on a posh accent, presenting the spoils to them. “Good old vanilla, some Neapolitan here, and this one’s mixed berry if you’re looking for something different.” Zayn groaned and made grabby hands for the ice cream. “Neapolitan,” Louisa translated helpfully. “You’re going to have to sit up to eat and not choke, Z.” Harry gave a soft smile and watched as Louisa helped her move to sit up amongst the pillows. A few more top sheets and it would be a blanket fort. Maybe he could make one for her if it wasn’t so warm. “Oh no,” Zayn groaned and Louisa moved her in a flash, Harry watching on in mild shock as he saw the blood start to stain the grey sweat bottoms she was wearing, undoubtedly Niall’s. Liam’s would’ve been way too big on her. The two girls hobbled to the bathroom and Harry put down the ice cream to the side, checking the bed. There wasn’t any blood on the sheets, so he just rearranged the pillows to be more comfortable for her. He could hear muffled mumbling from behind the door, and he wanted to give them space, so he took the vanilla and berry ice creams back downstairs, almost falling over when Niall grabbed him out of nowhere for a very enthusiastic hug. “Oof!” he groaned, the breath knocked out of his lungs. “Hey,” Niall grinned, pulling back, looking at the ice cream. “No chocolate?” Harry shrugged and put the tubs back in the fridge. “Nah, but there’s some ice lollies if you want one. Why didn’t you give her ice cream before we got here?” “Didn’t think of it,” he shrugged back. “I’m not an expert in the matter. She just wanted lots of pillows and water, so I provided and then she was feeling embarrassed so I let her rest.” “She’s bleeding like a fountain out of a part of her that’s finally feeling sexy to her, of course she’s embarrassed.” He’d seen enough of the mood swings and pain with his sister. His mother had never hid it from him, very well knowing her son needed to be informed on these things. “She needs a feminine presence.” “Don’t we all,” Niall said, sitting down at the counter and unwrapping a chocolate bar, taking a bite. “You could take her over to meet your mum if you want. She’d like it.” Liam looked like he was on the edge. “If she’s feeling up for it. Do we need to take her to the hospital?” “Not that I know,” Harry shook his head. “I’ll go check in a few. There was a bit of a too much blood situation right now so I excused myself, Zayn seemed embarrassed enough and she doesn’t need me there in that kind of situation, considering she has all of the help that could actually make a difference.” Liam didn’t look appeased. “We are her partners now, we have to pull our weight.” “She needs time, Li,” Niall said. “She’s still figuring herself out after everything, and the past couple of days have been so amazing for us. Even before, at home, she was opening up to us and actually letting us into her personal space. We all knew this day was going to come, and she couldn’t have relaxed with us pushing her about this. Let her come to terms with this and get through the next few days. Nothing life threatening, but she’s going to be in pain and likely need a trip to the hospital, which I’m sure she’s not looking forward to, considering what she was in there last time for.” Harry was silently impressed but nodded along. “Besides, we’re always here and Miss loves Zayn to pieces.” “Oh good, another person to compete for Zayn’s attention.” Liam was disgruntled. “Ridiculous,” Niall snorted, polishing off the entire chocolate bar. When he caught Harry staring, he promised, “I’ll buy more in the morning for her.” “I’m going back up to check on them.” Harry rolled his eyes and went back upstairs to find that Zayn was now back in bed between the pillows and resting against the back, downing some ice cream. “Hey.” She hummed around her spoon. “Want some?” He shook his head. “I ate way too much at dinner,” he chuckled. “How are you feeling?” “Gross,” she pouted. “You know it’s okay, right? Don’t be embarrassed, or at least, try not to be. This is nothing to be self conscious about. I don’t want you to feel like Niall and Mr Payne are going to be weird about it. They’re giving you space because you need it. Well, Niall is, Mr Payne is pouting.” “I can’t believe you still call him Mr Payne,” she giggled. “I got used to it,” he replied, flustered. “Don’t tell me you call him some ridiculous nickname.” “Footlong would work for him.” Harry choked on air and blinked a few times. “What?!” Zayn laughed and then held her stomach and gave a soft, “Ow.” He sat down and grabbed a pillow. “Surely that’s too big.” “I mean, that’s what I was saying.” “Good lord, Niall is something else.” She giggled again, shoving more ice cream in her mouth. Niall’s behaviours had been rubbing off on her. “All done,” Louisa said as she came out of the bathroom, holding wet clothes in her hands, carrying them downstairs after blowing Harry a quick kiss. She put them in the washing machine and immediately started a cycle with hot water. “I feel like a baby,” Zayn sighed. “Everyone’s back to taking care of me.” “It’s only for a few days, and you need to tell us if you feel worse for the wear,” Harry admonished sternly. “We’ll have to take you to the hospital if you do, just to be safe. It’s not too far but it’s also not as close by as it would be in London. You don’t have to feel like you’re inconveniencing us, because you’re not. Each and every single one of us loves you.” She sniffed in response. Louisa poked her head back into the room. “Did you make her cry?” She grabbed a spoon and stole a bite of ice cream. “I was being sweet,” Harry said matter-of-factly as Louisa fed him some ice cream, mostly the strawberry part, licking his lips. Zayn nodded and wiped her face, loading another spoonful into herself. She’d made a good dent in the vanilla and chocolate, so Louisa stuck to the strawberry. “I will get you more ice cream tomorrow, and there’s some vanilla too.” “Not sure about the chocolate bars though, blondie polished one off in five minutes flat when I was downstairs,” Harry snorted. “I’d kill to have his metabolism.” “You’re too much of a sweetheart, all you’d do is poke him,” Louisa giggled, kissing some ice cream off his lips. “I’d be horny if you didn’t spend all day doing me,” he replied shamelessly. “That’s all it takes? One kiss?” Zayn blinked. “Sometimes less. Sometimes it takes nothing at all,” Harry nodded sagely. “Not even a sexual thought and for some reason I’m up. It’s an odd experience to own a dick, but it’s fine for the most part. Certainly better than having female parts, I’m sure.” “Oh, these parts are no party,” Zayn snorted in response. “I move and blood comes gushing out of me.” “It’s never been bad before?” Louisa checked. “Never like this. I remember having your run-off-the-mill cramps but that’s about it, it was always relatively normal,” she shrugged. “Okay I think it’s better if Harry and I hang out for a while, just in case. Those two down there are not equipped for an emergency right now.” Louisa shook her head. “Also let me check on the laundry.” She exited the room and called Anne to let her know what was going on before checking on the washer, almost jumping when Liam tiptoed into the kitchen behind her. “Jesus!” “Is everything okay?” “Yes everything is fine, dumbass. God, you startled me. Ass. Help me put these clothes up to dry outside in the back.” He rolled his eyes but did as he was told. “Are you staying a bit?” “Yeah, just to make sure she doesn’t need to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. I don’t think you’d be in any state to drive her and Niall is a maniac behind the wheel.” “Don’t let him teach Harry how to drive.” She snorted in response as they went back inside. “I’ll check the guest room in case Harry’s tired.” “We, uh, checked it already,” Liam replied casually. “You know, in case Zayn kicked us out of the bedroom.” Louisa groaned and grabbed him by the shoulders. “You need to chill. She’s not kicking you out of anything, she’s just embarrassed and also scared of what’s happening to her, besides being in a lot of pain. And her hormones must be all over the place considering what a whirlwind you’ve all been caught up in since you walked into this house.” “Yeah, we pretty much got right to it the moment you and Harry left.” “I guessed as much. And that’s fine, it’s just a lot for her right now. If it was me I’d be crying for my mum already and being a pain in her arse.” He frowned. “She still didn’t say much about her family?” “No. I don’t know if they’re even looking for her. I mean, why would they if they didn’t hear about the case? They could’ve just assumed that she was with her Dom and things were however. I don’t want to bring it up to her and I don’t think you should, either. She must have been thinking about them, but if she isn’t ready to talk any more about them, then she shouldn’t.” “I feel like we make progress but then end up at the same place when it comes to her past. I try not to think about it and it is fine most of the time, because we’ve got other things going in, and the past couple of days have been so good for all of us,” Liam sighed. “Is this about you being a Dom to two subs now? I can’t imagine that’s easy. Wanting to and needing to take care of both of them and their needs and wants. Providing for them, loving them the way they deserve. I know Niall pulls a lot of weight with Zayn, and he is incredible at taking care of her, but he’s still not a Dom. It’s different, and the way Zayn needs you is different from the way she needs him. Besides, there’s no rulebook for this kind of relationship. There’s three unique people in it.” “The crazy thing is, I wanted this before I even knew what this was. Ni makes things so easy and effortless, and she loved him so quickly, which really shouldn’t have been all that surprising in hindsight.” “Blondie is the glue.” As if summoned, he made an appearance at the top of the stairs. “Lou, did you want to go and bring an overnight bag for you and H? If not that’s cool, too, I’ve got clothes that’ll be alright on H but you’ll be stuck wearing something baggy of Liam’s because Zayn’s clothes are never going to fit over your ass.” Louisa made a show of turning around and looking at her own butt. “Good point. I’ll get an overnight bag from Anne’s. That’s just easier.” “Or you could roam around naked, that’s fine, I certainly don’t mind,” Niall said as he disappeared into the master bedroom, where Zayn was. “Uh, what?” Harry poked him. “My Dom isn’t roaming around naked with you and Mr Payne in the house.” “Mr Payne doesn’t care,” Niall snorted. “He might have been bisexual since he presented but he’s already got the both of us.” He waved a hand between Zayn and himself. “Besides, if he wanted to start something with his best friend, he would’ve done it a decade ago.” “He’s being possessive,” Zayn giggled to Niall. “Well, yeah, that’s my Dom,” Harry grumbled. “Don’t worry, nobody’s going to be naked,” Louisa said, giving his cheek a kiss. “I’m going to bring us some clothes and toiletries. I’ll be back in half an hour, I’ll say goodnight to Anne and Robin for you.” “I mean, Harry can wear mine and you can wear his if you want,” Niall shrugged. “No,” Harry and Louisa both said together. Niall stared at them sceptically until the light bulb went off over his head. “Ooh.” “Oh come on, don’t act like you didn’t put Zayn in your clothes on purpose,” Louisa said while Harry was busy blushing crimson, Zayn poking one of his dimples. “They’re comfy,” Zayn defended. “Men’s clothes always are, but my poor baby is worn out today, and I want him to rest, not ogle me.” Louisa kissed his curls and left with that before the discussion could heat up further. By the time she got back, Zayn was asleep, cuddled up to Niall, while Harry waited in the guest bedroom for his Dom.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Did they sleep?” Louisa asked. “I think so, I came in here a while ago so that they could be together,” Harry whispered back. “And I haven’t heard them much since through the wall, just some muffled talking every now and then.” “Must be snuggling in bed.” She had a soft smile on her face, opening the bag and pulling out her own pyjamas. “Do you want to brush your teeth first?” He nodded and kissed her cheek before going to the bathroom with the little bag, taking out his toothbrush. He hadn’t been in this house for a while now, maybe a couple of years. He’d brought some friends up here in the summer once and they’d hung out. By the time he got back to the bedroom, his Dom was changed and her hair was down in a loose braid while she went through her phone. “Bathroom’s all yours.” She gave him a peck on the lips, returning his kiss from earlier. He used the time to get into his pyjamas, which were just some soft shorts. He hated sleeping with a shirt on in the summer, he’d always sweat into it. He laid in bed and waited, yawning softly. The bed was fine, but he was starting to miss their bed at home. It was a much nicer mattress with those very fancy Egyptian sheets. “Did you tell Zayn to call immediately or yell out if she needs me or us?” Louisa asked as she climbed into bed. “Yes, and I also told Niall,” he nodded, holding his arms open and pulling her close. He loved cuddling with her. He just loved being physically close. “I hope she feels comfortable enough to let them help her if she needs it. Getting in and out of bed, or changing her tampon.” “I hope so too, she doesn’t need to be tripping over or hurting herself, but we can’t baby her. She’s got to know we’re here for her, but when she asks. Don’t want to be too overbearing and make her feel suffocated. It’s important for her to start feeling independent now.” She buried her face in his neck and breathed him in. “You know, you could’ve stayed home with your parents. We’re here to visit them so that you can spend time with them.” “No, we’re here because we need a break from all of the stress. Besides, Zayn needed us. She needed you more but I’d like to think I helped by being here. If I didn’t help her, I definitely helped Niall reason with his Dom that everything is fine.” “Liam’s just jittery because he’s still learning how to navigate a period,” she snorted. “It’s ridiculous. I don’t even know what’s so hard about it. He has sisters, older ones. He should’ve been taking it in stride, knowing what to do, but maybe it is different when it’s not your sister. Or he just got used to being with blondie’s uncomplicated physique. Did you know that Niall barely ever gets sick? He has shitty knees, but he literally never gets a cold or a fever or the flu. You could sneeze into his nose and he’d still be totally fine the next day. It’s quite atrocious.” Harry couldn’t help but giggle. “What? That’s so silly.” He reconsidered for a moment, his chest still moving with laughter. “Are we completely sure Niall is human? He’s just such an oddball. The metabolism, the fact that he’s apparently having regular rough sex with a man with a footlong?!” It was Louisa’s turn to giggle. “He’s quite the enigma, blondie. Also, you will not believe this, but he isn’t even blonde! And he said he’s not going to bleach his hair anymore. I’ll have to find a new nickname for him,” she pouted. “Nah, just call him blondie even when his hair’s back to brown. It’ll throw people off,” he grinned. “Besides, it’s a very nice nickname for Niall, although I’m not sure if we’ll ever find one good enough for Mr Payne. I don’t think I can call him footlong to his face.” “Zayn can.” They both burst into laughter for a few seconds before it died down. They could hear some talking coming from the other room again. “Oops, did we wake them up?” “Oh, well, it’s fine. It’s not like Liam and Niall haven’t woken me up by fucking in our house for years before I finally got my own place just to get away from them. They were exhausting and Niall can’t cook, but he sure can eat. They would’ve been stuck eating takeaway for their lives if I hadn’t taught Liam to cook.” “Well, they do have a chef.” “They do now, after I insisted they get one. I like cooking but I barely ever had the energy for it after work every day and I started neglecting my health by either eating out or skipping meals. Both are bad and Mum was ready to bite my head off when she found out so I decided to splurge. It’s not like Liam didn’t have the money, either, and so what if Niall was at home half the time, he’s never been great in the kitchen, which is fine. If you have money, what’s the point in hoarding it? Spend it on nice things.” “Is that why you loved taking me shopping in the beginning?” She grinned. “I still want to take you for more shopping but you are making it very hard for me to spoil you. You’ll get so busy in September, I won’t be able to whisk you away for an impromptu day only for spending money.” “I still don’t see why impromptu days for spending money are necessary, but if it makes my Dom happy, I’m not opposed.” She placed a kiss on his chest and yawned. “I love spoiling you.” He kept his wide grin to himself and closed his eyes. It had been quite the day. ---Louisa got out of bed twice during the night to check on Zayn. She was starting to worry and seriously considering driving her to the hospital. Niall was fast asleep but Liam barely closed his eyes for more than two seconds at a time. Harry drifted in and out of sleep until he just gave up around sunrise. “She fell asleep again,” Louisa said as she came back to bed. “It’s a lot of blood, I think we should take her to the hospital once she wakes up and eats something. Just make sure everything’s okay.” He nodded and tucked her into bed before going downstairs to cook. He wasn’t sleepy anymore, and some cooking would help calm his frayed mind. If his Dom was unsettled and on edge, he was on edge, too. He couldn’t help how he reacted to her feelings, and he was worried about Zayn himself, but he knew Mr Payne and Niall had her. He whipped up a humongous spread again, giving all of his energy to whisking pancake batter and chopping veggies and grating potatoes. He’d never actually made hash browns from scratch before, but he was about to join one of the leading culinary programs in the world, which meant he had to polish up his skills beforehand. “Something smells mouthwatering,” Niall groaned as he appeared, his hair sticking in a few different directions as he walked into the kitchen, looking sleepy and dishevelled. Harry could appreciate that his best friend was kind of cute sometimes. “Don’t eat all of it. I’m almost done. How’s Zayn?” “Asleep, left her with Liam.” He stretched and started the kettle. “We’ll feed her once she’s up.” He nodded and went upstairs to brush his teeth, tiptoeing into the bathroom so that he wouldn’t wake Louisa. By the time he was done and trying to get the tangles out of his curls, he could feel his own stomach starting to grumble, so he made his way back down to the kitchen. Niall already had a piece of toast hanging from his mouth as he poured himself some juice. “Slob,” Harry teased as he got them plates and cutlery before fixing his own tea and filling their plates. “Everybody in this house loves me for who I am,” Niall said smugly, “slob and all.” Harry sighed dramatically. “You’re right. Teach me your ways.” “Well, first, you’ve got to be cute. Very cute, and I think you are. Although, not as cute as I am, so you’ll have to make up for that in other ways. Next, you have to be really freaking comforting. Give off that aura, make people feel like they can trust you. Smile but not in a creepy way, you know? Give hugs, look soft. Wear baggy and soft clothing in pastels and baby shades, those help. Third, make jokes. Be funny and make people laugh. Laughter is the best medicine, and they say so for a reason. You already have number four, so that’s sorted.” “What’s number four?” Niall smirked. “Being a sub, so that’s in your favour. Five, be charming. This, I think you’re good at. Probably better than me. I’ve seen you flirting with Louisa, but obviously you can’t do it that way with other people. Although, I wouldn’t be opposed to being a test subject. To make sure you don’t proposition other people accidentally, of course, because then Louisa will get jealous.” He pouted. “I wouldn’t flirt with other people like that, and I would like to think we are both secure in our pairing.” “You two are perfect for each other,” Niall sighed. “I’m not worried about that. I never am, I just don’t want you to be fighting. It’s going to be a big change when you’re off at your fancy course and you won’t be home all the time anymore. While all that starts off, we still don’t know where we’re going to be with Cowell and Zayn. Too many variables.” “Now you’re scaring me.” “Shh there.” Niall pulled him into a forceful hug and patted his head. “It’ll be okay, child. It will work out.” Harry groaned and let himself be hugged. “Thank you?” Niall let go of him and sat back down, proceeding to gulp down food. “Always happy to be of service.” “Are you literally never sad? Or full? You’re always eating.” “That’s the secret to happiness,” Niall said sagely. “Food equals happiness.” “Your metabolism equals happiness,” Louisa snorted as she came down the stairs and plopped herself into her sub’s lap, who only groaned but pulled her close anyway. “Hi.” “Wish you’d slept longer,” he pouted. “I slept fine, I’m hungry,” she pouted right back. “PDA,” Niall muttered, shoving more food into his mouth, pancakes this time. “Should I heat up the sausages again? They get rubbery when they cool down,” Harry offered, flipping Niall off behind his Dom’s back. “No, it’s fine.” She picked up his fork and took a bite right off of her sub’s plate. They’d never eaten off of the same plate or cutlery anymore, but by the amount of spit and come they’d shared by now, this was hardly odd. It felt right. Harry reached over Louisa, who was still in his lap, and added more eggs and sausages to his plate, then some of the hashbrowns. “Made them from scratch.” “So sweet,” she said, taking a bite immediately. “I love them.” He grinned to himself, holding her close with one hand so that his Dom would be comfortable. So what if he had a half-boner? That was expected. Niall waved a hand at them. “This is getting so sappy.” “Well, I wouldn’t say that my sub gets a lapful of Dom every morning, but this trip was about destressing, and I’d say this is helpful,” she replied. “Very,” Harry agreed immediately. “I love having you close.” “Did you get taller? I feel like you got taller,” she hummed. “Nah, you’re just short,” Niall said, earning a napkin being thrown into his face. “What, it’s the truth.” “I’m still growing,” Harry admitted. “Maybe I did grow a bit, not sure.” Louisa smirked. “I love your changing body. A nice add-on to what’s already perfect.” Niall snorted. “You make aging sound romantic.” “She makes everything sound romantic,” Harry agreed again. Louisa gave his cheek a smooch and went back to her food. Harry was content to grab his fork and eat off of the same plate, too, while they also shared a chair. It felt surprisingly natural, easy. Liam appeared at the top of the stairs, looking like a deer in the headlights. “Uh, Lou? We need you up here.” She got up mid-bite and rushed upstairs. “What happened?” “She locked me out of the bathroom and she won’t open the door.” “Okay, don’t panic and wait outside.” She knocked on the door. “Zayn? Can you tell me how you’re doing? Are you okay?” It was quiet for a minute and Louisa was about to ask Liam to call emergency services, but then the lock clicked open from the inside. Louisa gently opened the door and went inside. “No, it smells like blood in here,” Zayn wailed softly. Louisa flushed the toilet. “Okay, everything’s fine. Nothing I haven’t smelled before.” Zayn was eighteen, and it was natural that she would be more self-conscious about these things than herself. “Is that why you wouldn’t let Liam in here?” “It reeks,” she mumbled. “It’s just blood. Come on, hop in the shower and I’ll get you some clothes to wear. Then we’re going to make sure you’re fed and go to the hospital to get you checked.” Zayn sighed but complied and Louisa helped her take her clothes off. “Yell out if you need me,” she said once Zayn was safely in the shower, going to start another load of laundry. It took a while but eventually they made their way downstairs. Liam seemed considerably less nervous by then, drinking coffee darker than coal from a mug. Harry made her a plate with a little bit of everything and got her some tea. “Do you want some pancakes?” “Yes, thank you,” she said softly and sat down to eat. Liam and Niall watched on in silence. “You two need to chill out,” Louisa groaned. “If you freak out, she’s going to freak out.” “You’re right,” Niall nodded and sat down next to Zayn. “I’m here, love.” She smiled at him like he’d hung the moon before going back to her food. Harry watched on in surprise. Niall definitely had some kind of effect on everyone. “We’re going to go to the hospital,” Louisa said softly. “Zayn, who do you want to come with you?” “I’m going,” Liam said immediately, not even giving Zayn a chance to protest. Louisa could tell he needed it. “Alright, Zayn? Anyone else?” “You?” “I’m coming anyway, do you need these two dorks?” She pointed to the other two subs in the room. “If not, I’m shipping them off to Anne’s or to hang around Holmes Chapel.” “I’m fine,” she said quietly. Niall pouted. “I am not a dork.” He turned to his loves. “Call me if you need me, I’ll be there.” “I’ll keep him in line,” Louisa reassured. She was sure Liam and Zayn could use this time to come closer together. They weren’t wary of each other anymore, but it did make sense that they were both closer to Niall than to each other. It was time to change that. ---Niall pouted the entire time till they left for the hospital while Harry busied himself doing the dishes, cleaning up the kitchen, and placing the leftovers in the fridge. “You can have some breakfast for dinner tonight. Now, stop moping around and get dressed, I am taking you around town. No driving like a maniac here. Everyone goes slow.” “Fine,” he grumped, going upstairs. Harry got his bag and also Louisa’s things, going outside. They’d taken Mr Payne’s car, and now Niall would be driving the Porsche. He wasn’t sure how well that was going to go. If he scratched or bumped it somewhere, Louisa would probably snap at him. Niall practically drooled over the car for a few minutes before even getting in, starting the engine and groaning. Harry watched on in amusement as they pulled onto the road and headed towards town, giving directions here and there. They went to the local shops first, picking up some fresh produce, then some groceries. He quickly steered Niall to the bakery once he started to get crabby, and the blond immediately perked up at the sight and smell of baked goods. “Harry’s best friend,” he introduced himself shamelessly to everyone working, then took a seat. “God, I want to eat everything in here right now.” Harry got him a tea before bringing over some of the fresh breads and cakes. They stuffed their faces for a while, until Niall looked appeased, going quiet on their way to meet Anne. “Are you actually nervous?!” Harry asked incredulously. “I didn’t think that was even a possibility.” “Shut up,” he grumbled in response, pulling up the car achingly slow, turning off the engine. “I want your family to like me.” “My mother likes everyone who likes me. She only wants me to be treated well and have good people around me. She was mad at Miss once but forgave her instantly. It was cute.” He poked Niall’s cheek. “Almost as cute as you right now.” “I am adorable,” he replied smugly, getting out of the car and walking up confidently. Harry only laughed and followed him to the door. He was glad Niall was distracted. He was curious about how things were going at the hospital, but he was sure it would always turn out fine because his Dom was there and he trusted her completely. She always made everything better.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Liam, just let her walk,” Louisa sighed as she watched her bear of a best friend carry Zayn inside the hospital and into the emergency room. She hurried behind them and pocketed the car key. Someone had to be practical. “No,” was all he said in reply. A nurse widened her eyes at the sight and immediately led him to a bed, where he very carefully placed Zayn down. “I could’ve walked,” she grumbled. “I’m on my period, not an invalid.” Louisa cracked a grin at that. “Right, what’s the matter?” another nurse asked as she brought in a clipboard. “Name, age?” “Zayn Malik, eighteen, she got her period and the flow has been horrendous,” Louisa answered. “History of abuse. Doctors down in London warned us this might happen. We’re here on holiday.” The nurse wrote down some things. “And who is her Dominant?” She looked between Louisa and Liam, unsure. “Officially? Neither of us. She was abandoned,” Liam said, the loathing in his voice obvious. “She lives with us now, our subs are her best friends.” That seemed to soften the nurse and she nodded, writing down a few more things. “The doctor will examine her in a few minutes, one of you needs to come with me for paperwork and I will also need her medical history.” “That’ll be me.” Louisa immediately beelined out of the small curtained area to give Liam and Zayn a moment. “Hi, sorry, you need to change into a hospital gown and the doctor can examine you then.” A third nurse poked her head in through the curtains and handed the paper-like gown to Liam. He nodded and helped Zayn sit up and started peeling her clothes off. She quickly turned crimson. “Should I stop?” he asked. “No, I’m just shy,” she dismissed quickly. “Also I’m going to bleed on the bed as soon as I take these clothes off and that won’t be pretty.” Liam kissed her head. “It’s going to be fine, and that’s actually why we’re here. Don’t be embarrassed, there’s some wet wipes right here, I’ll wipe it off if you want.” Zayn nodded and let him help her take her clothes off all the way but kept her panties on as he put the gown on her, then helped her lay back down. “We’ll keep these on till the doctor comes, alright?” Louisa returned with the doctor, a young woman who looked no older than Louisa or Liam. Zayn visibly relaxed. She wasn’t sure she was ready for a man to look at her bleeding vagina right now. “Do you want us to stay?” Louisa asked softly. “I’ll stay,” Liam said immediately, and Louisa nodded and went to wait outside, while a nurse went in to take Zayn’s vitals and a sample of blood to send off to pathology. She checked her phone and there were no messages from either Niall or Harry, which she took to be a good sign. If everything turned out fine with Zayn, she wanted to pamper her sub tonight with something nice. The doctor emerged. “We’d like to wait to see her test reports, just to see if she hasn’t lost too much blood. If required, we can give her some medicines, but most likely, I’d like to keep her for observation overnight. If there are no alarm bells, she’s free to go home tomorrow.” “Thank you,” she said with a nod and poked her head inside the curtain. Liam was placing a blanket over Zayn, his eyes so filled with love that she almost melted right there. “We might be here a while, do you need anything?” “Yeah, they said they would shift me to a room after my blood work came back,” Zayn spoke. “Apparently I look a little pale.” “Only a little,” Liam added. “You still look fine. Lovely, even.” Louisa cracked a grin as she saw Zayn’s cheeks colour. “Not so pale anymore. Anyway, I’m going to pop out and bring some food, essentials. If there’s anything specific, shoot me a text.” She waved and made her exit. It took a while, but by the time she got back, the mission had been accomplished. The front desk informed her that Zayn had been moved to a room on the second floor and was doing fine. She lugged up the food, leaving the clothes and toiletries in the car. When she opened the door, Liam was laying in the bed with Zayn, making her look small next to him. Louisa was tempted to take a picture but then the door clicked shut and Liam was awake. “Sorry, were you sleeping?” Louisa whispered. “No.” He looked sheepish as he slowly got out of the bed. “She wanted to be held and Niall isn’t here.” “She wanted to be held by you, Li. And you needed to be the one holding her. You insisted on coming for a reason.” He poked her and straightened when Zayn groaned and woke up, too. “I smell food.” Louisa hummed. “I brought some sandwiches and a soup, there’s some lemonade for you to sip on later. Looks like you might be staying overnight?” “Better safe than sorry,” Liam shrugged and unpacked the soup carefully, sitting by Zayn and feeding her a spoonful, only after blowing on it to make sure it wasn’t too hot. Zayn looked sheepish as she took a sip. “Cute,” Louisa cooed. She just couldn’t help herself. “Anyway, I got you some clothes and necessities. I’ll bring them up and just let me know if you need anything else.” She left the food at the side of the bed and left them alone again. Being in a hospital was less than desirable, but everyone was considerably more relaxed now that they knew Zayn was getting the care she needed. --- “Will you stop fussing?” “Don’t get huffy puffy with me, we’re looking out for you. Go home with Harold and this doesn’t have to get ugly,” Niall said sternly. Harry immediately protested. “Excuse me? My name is Harry!” Then, he turned to his Dom. “He’s right though. Let’s get going.” Louisa sighed and got to her feet. “Fine,” she grumbled. “I still can’t drive,” Harry admitted as they started to leave. Niall slipped back inside Zayn’s room. “I’m fine enough to drive,” she glared as she walked out of the hospital. “I’m not sick.” “Did you think I wouldn’t notice that you looked pale as soon as I saw you?” he shot back. “I’m offended.” “I just didn’t eat. It’s not a big deal.” She got in the car and turned the key. “Let’s go.” He looked annoyed but managed not to throw a hissy fit. If he was the Dom, this would’ve gone differently. “You had time to get food for them. Why didn’t you get any for yourself?” he asked as calmly as he could. She pulled onto the road. “I had to do some documentation stuff.” “Not an excuse.” “Are you mad at me?” Louisa struggled to hide the smile playing at the corners of her lips. “This isn’t amusing. I have every right to be mad. I leave you to your devices for one day and you forget to feed yourself,” he rambled. “God knows what you did and how you lived before I came along. You have to take care of yourself and be healthy. I know this is all a stressful situation and you’ve taken Zayn’s responsibility onto yourself but she’s with Mr Payne and Niall and they’re perfectly capable of handling this situation. I also know you two are besties and stuff but she’s got other people taking care of her so you need to take care of yourself and if you can’t do that, then let me do it.” Despite trying her hardest to be serious, she giggled. “Miss!” “Sorry,” she giggled. “You’re adorable.” “Rude.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “There’s food at home and if you don’t eat till I’m satisfied you’re full, I’m not talking to you for the rest of the week.” “Are you trying to give me an ultimatum?” “Yes,” he grumbled. “Is it working?” “If it makes you happy, then yes, it’s working.” She parked on the street. “I am hungry but I also want tea. The tea at the hospital was not up to the mark.” “You’re not supposed to have tea on an empty stomach,” he said, irritated. “I’ll make you some in the morning.” He opened the door and walked straight into the kitchen, getting her some water and heating up the food. “Did everyone else eat?” She took a seat. “I was waiting for you. I know you said not to but I decided to be rebellious today because you didn’t listen to me, either.” He made their plates and sat down next to her. “Okay, so are we even?” she grinned as she took a bite. He pouted but eventually gave in. “Fine, we’re even. I won’t be mad anymore.” They were too busy eating for the next few minutes, after which Harry silently got to his feet and started doing the dishes. He was starting to feel worn out. Niall had been a lot of energy to deal with all day, and they’d done a lot of exploring. Besides, it had been quite the fiasco having him at home going through his old pictures, making best friends with his mother and poking fun. “Go to bed,” Louisa said softly, watching his shoulders slump. He fought a yawn. “I’m almost done anyway.” “Stubborn,” she teased, but waited for him to be done. She wasn’t feeling sleepy yet, but she could definitely use some rest. They had to be back to the hospital in the morning to check in with Zayn and her doctor. Hopefully she would be able to leave by then. They’d been feeding her with plenty of carbs and making sure she drank lots of water. Harry gave a stretch and dried his hands. “All done.” “Where’s Anne?” Louisa asked idly.“They went to catch a movie. Niall all but rushed them out of the house as soon as they’d eaten and insisted they keep the spark alive.” She stifled a giggle. “Not surprising. Let’s go to bed, then, love. You look exhausted. Poor baby.” He pouted, leaning into it. “I am your poor baby.” She gave him a few kisses and they headed to bed. Louisa made Harry get in bed while she hopped into the shower quickly to wash off any hospital smell before climbing in bed next to him, warm and sleepy. He pulled her close, half asleep, mumbling something. “What, babe?” she asked. “Smell nice,” he hummed, falling asleep right then, making her giggle again. --- “You need to wake up, baby.” Harry whined softly and opened his eyes, squinting. “I’m going to the hospital and I’ll call once I know something.” He blinked his eyes open and yawned. His Dom was already dressed and ready to go. “Mmkay. I’ll miss you.” She pecked his cheek and rushed out, giving Harry some time to lounge in bed and wake himself up before finally looking at his phone, sitting up in bed. “What the fuck?!” He rushed out of bed and started getting ready frantically, whooshing down the stairs to get some food. His mother looked startled. “Harry?” “Need to go back to London tonight, I have to pack,” he rushed. “Pipe down, love, Louisa’s already done most of it. I’ll give you some stuff to take with you,” she said. He did a double take. “She could’ve woken me up earlier and told me!” “You sleep deeply and I’m sure she didn’t want to worry you sick, dear, like you are now. Sit and eat in peace.” He grumbled under his breath but did as he was told and took slower bites, his mind running a million miles an hour. What was going to happen in court tomorrow? Would it be bad? What if this was all for naught and they lost? “Niall will come by to help you out, is what he’s texted me. Quite the character, that lad.” “He’s a lot. Did you really have to tell him I don’t like being called Harold?” he groaned. “Now it’s all he’s ever going to call me.” “It’s just harmless fun, love.” He grumbled to himself around his fork. He was grumpy. Could you blame him? Their little holiday was over. He busied himself and got ready, packing the rest of his things and double checking that he hadn’t forgotten something. It had been nice to be home for a few days but it had been a few days too short. Blondie hadn’t bothered to show up, though, which meant he didn’t have help. Rude. He was still pouting about it when Louisa came back from the hospital. She gave him a kiss and tried to placate him, sighing softly. “It’ll be alright, everything’s going to work out. Are you alright, love?” “No,” he huffed. “You were supposed to get to go home, too.” “There’s always next time, and if there isn’t, there’s Christmas. Nothing to worry about. Now, we’re planning to head out soon, are you ready?” “Yeah, we already made lunch so we can eat and head out.” Lunch and the goodbyes turned out sad and Harry was already moping as he got in the car. He didn’t even get a chance to get a driving lesson from his Dom, and he’d been secretly hoping for another tryst in a hotel room at some point, but it was all over for now. Maybe he’d get something in their own bed at home. That was enough for him to not be annoyed anymore and he even put on the radio as they pulled onto the road. “Oh no,” Louisa groaned, looking in her rear view mirror. “What?” “Niall’s driving.” “Oh god no, Zayn’s going to throw up.” --- At some point Liam had called Harry and told him they were pulling over at a service area, having overtaken Louisa’s responsible driving style a while ago due to blondie’s skills. Harry relayed the information along and Louisa pulled in, too, five minutes later. Niall and Zayn were at the toilets so Harry puttered along to check in on them. Zayn looked a bit green, and he had to hold back a giggle. “Please just let him drive the rest of the way,” she groaned as she dry heaved. “I feel gross.” “Sorry.” Niall did look sheepish. “Remind me not to take driving lessons from blondie,” Harry joked, gently holding back Zayn’s hair. “Your hair feels a lot better, Z. Healthy.” They took a few more minutes. “It might help to drink something cold or eat something salty,” Niall suggested. “If you’re feeling like you can eat.” “I’ll try.” They went over to where they could see the two Doms talking hushedly, worry written clearly on their faces. Harry cleared his throat to get their attention while Niall supported Zayn. “Are you okay?” Liam asked. “She should try eating something. Fries and a coke from McDonalds?” Niall suggested. Zayn nodded in agreement and they took a seat while Liam immediately went to order. “I want something, too,” Niall pouted, earning a smack on the back of his head from Harry. “Harold! Ow!” “Didn’t you have lunch before you left?” “Yes, but it’s McDonald’s!” “You are a child,” Harry snorted. “Rude!” “Call me Harold again and see what I can do,” he threatened. “Don’t test me, blondie.” Both Louisa and Zayn burst into a fit of giggles. “Harold?” Zayn sniggered. “God, my sub sounds like an eighty year old man,” Louisa laughed. Harry flushed to the colour of crimson and groaned. “Aw, cutie,” Niall cooed and poked his cheek, earning a death glare. “You don’t scare me, you’re too adorable. Yes you are.” Liam didn’t even bother asking what that was about as he brought over the fries with some ketchup and a coke. “Take your time, we’re not in any rush.” Harry saw a lot of Louisa in Liam’s actions right then, blushing to himself. He liked being doted over and taken care of. It made him feel safe. Niall stole a couple of fries and a sip of the coke. “Beer is better.” “Ew,” Zayn and Harry both said at the same time, earning a look from Louisa. “Guinness is the best,” Niall claimed. “Sure, love,” Liam shrugged. He found it best not to argue. His sub was rather stubborn. “I hate beer,” Harry admitted. Niall gasped. “I don’t know if we can be friends, curly. That’s not acceptable.” “You can’t call me Harold and then also tell me I have to like beer and get away with it,” Harry huffed. “Beer is gross.” “I agree,” Zayn nodded seriously. “I’m feeling better now, should we get going?” “Mhm, let’s.” Liam stood immediately. Niall’s antics were getting pretty wild and he wanted to save himself from the public judgement before the blonde traumatised someone working in the McDonald’s. Niall was all too happy to hold Zayn’s fries and drink for her as they went back to the cars. She didn’t seem to mind the fact that he’d practically stolen half of the fries. They were a match made in heaven. Harry wasn’t sure he could handle blondie stealing his food all the time. “Thank God I’m not the one in a throuple with Niall, he’d eat all of my food,” Harry said with mock seriousness as he buckled up. Louisa stifled a giggle. “It’s that high metabolism of his,” she replied, mimicking his grave tone. Harry started messing with the centre console, switching to CD, and Oasis started playing. “You still have CDs?” he sniggered. “Oldie.” “Oh, do the youngsters these days not buy CDs anymore?” she asked, pretending not to know. “Definitely not, CDs are out. Streaming is in. And if you’re rich and snooty, you get a record player and buy vinyls.” “Appealing,” she hummed. “It’s not a bad idea. Vinyls sound good. Mum and Robin have some.” “Oh, do you listen to old music like us oldies, then?” He flushed, making his Dom giggle. Louisa made a note to herself to look at record players and get some vinyls. She was sure Harry would love it. Maybe that could be his Christmas present, or New Year’s? His birthday wouldn’t be too far off then too. Harry took a nap while Louisa let her mind wander over things she wanted to buy for him. It had been a while since she’d got the chance to pamper him with nice things and her sub deserved all the nice things in the world. She would just have to make up for it, but first, they had to get through the next appearance in court. Harry hadn’t asked for any details about what was about to go down, and even though that was odd, considering his nature, she was relieved she didn’t have to explain everything yet. She didn’t need him knowing Cowell had been granted bail.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“What do you mean he’s pissed?” Harry asked. “He’s super pissed. He was angry as fuck this morning when he left and he hasn’t even been replying to my messages. Fuck. This isn’t good.” “Blondie, breathe. Where’s Zayn?” Niall sucked in a ragged breath loud enough for Harry to hear through the phone. “I distracted her with Peaky Blinders. She’s been hooked.” “What do you think it is?” “Something shit. This is the calm before the storm. There’s something he’s not telling me. He never does this!” “Calm down,” Harry instructed. “He’s got a lot on his plate and he didn’t want to worry you. You could handle it, but can Zayn? Especially if it’s something bad. You don’t think we’re going to lose?” “I’ll know once he gets back but things are not looking up, I’ll tell you. What did Louisa say?” “She’s been relatively quiet since yesterday. I tried seducing her last night and she turned me down. She said she was tired and I called her an oldie. We laughed it off and went to sleep. She seemed a tad nervous this morning, actually. I asked about it and she said she doesn’t feel great about going to the courtroom because she’s not a lawyer.” “Wait, you tried to seduce her?” “Niall! Don’t laugh. It’s not like you don’t seduce your Dom. I just wanted to help her relax, release some hormones, you know? But it didn’t work,” he pouted. He chuckled anyway. “I get that she’s going to court for Zayn, it’s personally important for her to be there, but still, Louisa Tomlinson getting nervous isn’t very normal. I think I’ve only ever seen her being nervous about you in the beginning. She wanted this to work.” Harry flushed. “Really?” “Really. So remember, no matter what happens, it’s not like he’ll ever get near any of us. Besides, we still have the security.” “I mean, I feel kind of guilty that they make me feel slightly safer, cause they have to be here all the time and keep an eye out, and they’re risking their lives.” “You’re also paying them,” Niall snorted, “so it’s fine. They signed up for the job knowing what it entailed. Besides, they got time off when we went to Holmes Chapel, which was such a nice trip, by the way. Love the place.” “We can go back sometime. I just feel so bad we didn’t get to go to Doncaster.” “I’m pretty sure she’s not even thinking about that right now,” Niall reassured. “Courts must have closed by now and they aren’t back yet, that’s what I’m worried about.” He looked at his Find My app. “Liam’s location isn’t on. That only means one thing.” “What?” “He’s gone drinking.” Harry hesitated. “You threatened to leave him the last time he went off the rails.” “Well, yeah, but this might be a one-off. He can’t come home drunk off his face, he can’t. Zayn will freak the fuck out and he knows this. Fuck, why would he do this?” “We don’t know that he’s done it at all, don’t get paranoid now. Just give him a call and I’ll call Miss as well and then we’ll know for sure. And if he is drunk, I’ll ask her to bring him here and sober him up before we send him your way. Then you can rip him a new one.” Niall grumbled under his breath. “Fine,” he muttered in a way that indicated he knew he’d probably overreacted. “I’ll text you.” Harry tried Louisa but she didn’t answer either, and he was starting to feel rather paranoid at this point. He tried to tell himself it was nothing, maybe they just didn’t have service, or something had gone wrong but it was nothing disastrous. Surely they would be fine. Niall texted to say that Liam had answered his phone and said he was on his way home. Harry waited anxiously, pacing the length of the living room to try and calm himself. His Dom always answered her phone, so what was going on? His phone beeped again and he looked at the screen. 
I’m soooo hornyyyy.

Miss you baby.

Was his Dom drunk? --- The question was answered a few minutes later when there was a knock at the door and Harry could see Mr Payne holding onto his drunk best friend. He opened the door and his Dom practically threw herself at him, giggling and holding onto him like a koala. He was caught off guard but he managed to hold his balance. “What is going on?!” “She’s drunk off her face. I’d stay and help but she’s been very insistent that she only wants you, in rather, um, sexual ways, so I’m going to take my leave,” Liam said awkwardly. “I would suggest not fighting her, just give her what she wants until she calms down a little and sobers up. Niall has been desperately trying to get hold of me, so I’ll head home now. If she does something crazy, call me.” “Okay,” he sighed, pulling Louisa inside. “Come on, Miss, need some help here, make your feet work.” She only giggled against his neck and mumbled something about wanting to eat him like was a soft serve ice cream cone. His face heated up at the obscenities and he swung the door shut, carefully moving her to the nearest sofa and plopping her down, only to get pulled down and on top of her. “Mm I want you,” she whined, and Harry had to physically pull back from the overwhelming smell of alcohol. “You need to sober up, right now.” He tried to sound firm and authoritative but failed miserably. “Nooooo, being drunk is fun. I want you right now, take off your clothes.” She tried to tug his t shirt off but he resisted, making her pout. “No. Absolutely not. You’re drunk off your face and I won’t just give in. Let’s get you upstairs.” He fought her grip on his shirt and grabbed her by the legs, trying to get her to stand. It was difficult since she was fighting back quite hard, so he gave up and hauled her up into his arms. “Stop moving! I’m trying to help you.” “I’m not a damsel in distress,” she huffed. “I just want some D.” “You’re not getting any,” he said, tone snippy, ignoring her when she pouted like a petulant child, carrying her to the spare bathroom and placing her on the closed toilet lid. He sprinkled some water on her face and then proceeded to make her stand near the basin, washing her face for her. It only helped a little, but it was a start. “To the kitchen.” She gave him a salute. “Yes, Captain.” She took a few steps and stumbled but Harry was quick to steady her, helping her to the kitchen and making her sit in a chair in the dining room instead of the bar stools. He wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t fall off a bar stool. He gave her some water and stared her down until she chugged it, then made some lemonade, making sure it was extra sour before giving it to her. She gave him a dopey smile big enough to melt his heart right then and there, taking a sip and whining immediately. “Drink all of it. You need to sober up and tell me what happened. Drinking right after work? Unacceptable. Niall and I have been worried!” His ranting only made her smile wider, which frustrated him further. “This isn’t funny!” “You’re wonderful,” she sighed, looking so cute that Harry couldn’t resist, giving her a few kisses. She laughed and seemed much more herself now. “Alright, that’s better. You’re not getting any dinner till you tell me what happened, and it would be a real shame if you don’t, because I made a proper roast.” She didn’t need to know he’d cooked for lunch and made enough for dinner. Especially not right now because he was feeling rather petty. She made him sit down and climbed into his lap. She was still a bit tipsy but nothing impairing, and the change in her mood was apparent. “I need you to hear me out and not get angry or react till I’m done, okay?” “Okay,” he said, not really meaning it. “Simon Cowell was granted bail yesterday. We’ve disputed it today, of course, but he’s been out and free. It’s very hard to convince the judge that he’s a threat to people, especially to subs and women, considering we have no proof. Zayn’s restraining order is still in effect, but that’s all we’ve got right now. He walked in there all smug and cocky, thinking he’s won, but he hasn’t. We won’t let him. I promise. We’ve got something coming up.” He took a second to think. “Is that why you went drinking?” “Yes, and Liam didn’t even tell me he had something in the works already. He just let me spiral and once I was chugging shots, he opens his idiotic mouth. It’s like he wanted me drunk.” “If I wasn’t so nervous, I’d have found it adorable.” She poked his dimple. “You’re so silly. Anyway, I’m still mad I didn’t get any D.” “I mean, if you’re sober now, we can, but not until you tell me what the plan is. I’ve been left in the dark too long.” “The DNA samples taken from Zayn when she was in the hospital. They found his disgusting evidence all over her. All of the samples should be from the same person. All we have to do, is match them to Cowell.” “Doesn’t he have to consent to getting DNA tested in the first place? He could just say no…but that’ll look super bad in front of the judge, because why wouldn’t he do the thing that would prove his innocence, unless it does the opposite and basically convicts him.” She snuggled into him. “Mhm, and we know he could try paying someone off to falsify results, so we’ve called in the doctor and a forensic scientist to do the testing. It will be going down tomorrow.” “I’d ask if I can come to watch him squirm, but I’m not sure you’d be okay with that.” She gave him a smooch. “You can come if it’s going to give you some kind of pleasure, but Zayn is not allowed in there because Cowell will be present. Niall will stay with her, as usual, with security. You’ll have a bodyguard there with you. Now, enough of the moody talk, because I want some loving.” “Aren’t you hungry?” he teased. “I’m hungry for you. The alcohol didn’t make me horny, it just made me vocal.” She placed a kiss on his collarbone and smirked when he swallowed. “Are you nervous, baby?” “No, my heart just races whenever you touch me like that,” he admitted, face heating up. “I want to do you so good, right now.” He swivelled them over a little and once her back was to the table, laid her down on it. “You’ve had a long and terrible day, let me make it better.” He started undoing her trousers, pulling them down along with her panties and pushing her legs open for him. She complied easily, watching him, licking her lips. He knew how to use his mouth and fingers for her skilfully, and it made her moan and shudder and completely fall apart in only a few minutes. He licked his lips and pulled back while she was still twitchy. “Take your cock out and fuck me,” she groaned. He grunted in reply and pulled down his joggers only halfway, stroking his length a few times. He’d been ready to go since she’d expressed her drunken desire to consume him like ice cream. She moaned his name out loud when she was filled to the hilt, making him feel a sense of pride. “Yes, fuck me.” He slid his hands under to grab her ass, groaning as he squeezed the perfectly firm and large cheeks as he started to thrust. She clenched sporadically and his knees almost gave out right then at the sudden onslaught of pleasure. His Dom was perfect and she was all his. Louisa clenched hard on purpose just to hear him mewl. “I’ve always wanted to be fucked on this table,” she said breathlessly. She wanted to see just how far she could push him, and some half-truths would be the perfect add-on. “Just like this.” He was about to lose focus completely, but then jealousy was suddenly taking head. “Did you ever imagine it with one of your past lovers?” He knew they’d all been Dom men. He was too young to be comparable to them. Did that mean he needed to get better at pleasuring her? “Maybe I did, love,” she teased, whimpering when he suddenly drove into her hard. “Ooh, are you mad? Jealous?” He hovered over her and slapped his hands down on the table. “If I don’t please you well enough, mistress, just say so.” It came out sounding a lot sharper than he’d intended it to be. She smirked, watching him hover over her. “You look rather determined. And angry.” “I am.” As if to prove his point, he began to get rough with his thrusts. “As I belong to you, you belong to me.” She moaned out loud, her back arching in pleasure. She was still clothed from the waist up and it annoyed Harry. He wanted to suck on those nipples and make her come, but it wasn’t necessary, because she came anyway, clamping around him so tightly that he was coming before he even realised it. He slipped out of her and panted for breath, watching her still tremble slightly, then taking in the sight of his come starting to drip from her. Without a single thought, he fell to his knees and started lapping it up with his lips and tongue, slurping shamelessly. He thought they tasted incredible together. Louisa moaned and trembled, sliding down the table a little. Harry slid his arms under her hips and held her in place, devouring her and giving her clit a rough suck. She grabbed his curls and tugged hard enough for it to hurt, and he looked up to see her eyes were wet as he forced a third orgasm out of her shaking body. This one was soundless as her body shuddered and trembled, the aftershocks waning as he gently let go of her and moved her hips back onto the table so that she wouldn’t fall. “Oh god,” she groaned a minute later. “Not god, but I’ll take the compliment,” he grinned, helping her sit up and kissing her cheek. “Want a shower? I’ll set up dinner till then.” “You’ve been spending too much time with blondie.” Louisa kissed his cheek. “I’ll be right back.” He grinned and righted himself, washing his hands at the sink before starting the microwave, heating up each side dish one by one and leaving the chicken for last. He felt sated after that event, and even though there was tomorrow to think about, he wasn’t worried. He had everything on the counter with a bottle of red for his Dom when she made a reappearance, her soft hair down. She was wearing another one of his t shirts, taking a seat and immediately taking a bite. “Oh yes.” He poured her wine and sat down, looking rather smug. Cooking, cleaning, fucking. He was good at all of them. Actually, he was rather great at all of them. Louisa drowned her veggies in gravy and groaned with every bite, making Harry clear his throat in response. “I just made you come three times.” She winked. “The food’s just that good. I’m going to get a tummy.” “Keeping my Dom fed is my job.” “Model subs don’t get jealous and fuck the living daylights out of their Dom.” “Model subs do deliver multiple orgasms and act as stress relief.” She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to limp to the courtroom tomorrow.” “I don’t see how that’s my problem? You wanted it, I happily delivered. You wanted to get a rise out of me. Was that just a distraction technique or were you looking to receive some rough treatment?” She batted her lashes at him and ate her food, licking her lips. “I’m not worried, I promise. I have faith in us.” --- After fussing over Harry’s very proper button down and straight trousers and fiddling with his collar, Louisa held his hand and they entered the courtroom together. Almost everyone else was already present, Cowell included. She gave him a smug ass look as she escorted her sub to sit behind their desk on the first bench, and he gave her hand a kiss before letting go to take his place. Harry noticed the smirk on Cowell’s face disappear, feeling a sense of pride knowing they’d knocked him down a peg. Liam was dressed in another of his crisp court suits, looking menacing as the judge arrived. He was ready to fire off, holding a file. He waited patiently for the day’s proceedings to start. “Mr Payne, what is the evidence you’ll be presenting today?” the ancient-looking judge questioned. “Your Honor, in front of you, you have a copy of the file I am holding in my hand. If you would please open it, you will see that while the victim was in the hospital, multiple DNA samples were found on her, extracted, and carefully stored by a forensic analyst. We can conclude that whoever these DNA samples belong to is Ms Malik’s assailant, and since my case hinges on the fact that it is the defendant, I request you to grant us the permission to obtain a cheek swab and a strand of hair from the defendant.” The wrinkly looking judge was reading the file, and a silence settled in the courtroom. Harry stole a glance at Cowell and his lawyers, who were whispering amongst each other. One of the lawyers seemed pissed. He idly wondered if he was Ben Winston or James Corden. Neither of them seemed to be the top dog, and the other one looked like this was his first case. Was that fear on team Cowell? The judge gave them a pointed look. “Silence in the court,” he proclaimed, closing the file. “Mr Cowell, Mr Winston. Do you object to providing the required DNA samples?” Winston stood from his seat and smoothed out his tie, looking unnerved. In another situation, Harry would’ve found the man handsome. “Your Honor, I have advised my client that it be best he heeds, however, he has chosen not to.” Liam raised a brow. “But, Ben, this could prove his innocence. If the samples don’t match, he’s free to go. Why would he refuse the chance to be a free man?” Harry and Louisa both had to suppress a smile at that. Liam sounded so condescending. It was quite hilarious. “I find it quite demeaning,” Cowell spoke up, not even bothering to stand. “Having to prove my innocence when in fact, the ones accusing me have not shown a shred of proof. She ran away from me, and I didn’t chase after her. Was that my crime?” “But this is proof? What more do you need than a DNA testing? We can add a court-appointed forensic analyst if you’re so afraid of bias,” Liam mocked. “Mr Payne,” the judge warned. “Apologies,” he said immediately. “I shouldn’t get carried away, although I am very interested in applying for a court order to obtain Mr Cowell’s DNA samples.” He kept his tone light, making Cowell narrow his eyes. Winston and the other guy seemed defeated. “The defendant shall be providing the required DNA samples to the forensic analyst at the Queen Mary hospital. If the collection of the same can be organised, Mr Payne?” “I’ve got them waiting outside,” he confirmed, looking like a smug fuck and calling them in with their equipment. Harry was sure Niall and Zayn were about to get fucked so hard tonight. Mr Payne was on quite the high. It didn’t take long for two people in lab coats to show up. Cowell was disgruntled but gave the samples. Louisa observed him intently the entire time. He didn’t quite look defeated enough for her satisfaction. She stood and made her way to Liam, whispering in his ear. Harry watched him nod in reply and make a move to the judge’s bench, speaking in a low voice. The old man nodded once and asked his assistant to bring him something, writing something down for the next minute before speaking up. “Court will reconvene tomorrow morning, once the DNA results have been obtained. Until then, Mr Cowell, police will be accompanying you wherever you may be going.” Two uniformed policemen made their way over to escort Cowell as the judge adjourned the court and moved to leave, but Cowell’s eyes were only on Louisa. Harry watched him as he looked at her, his eyes turning from lust to loathing. The work was Mr Payne’s but the fact that a woman was instrumental in bringing him down, had obviously pricked at his ego. Harry felt a flare of anger rise as he got to his feet without thinking, making his way over to where she stood. “Coming to defend your Dom?” Cowell sneered. “She’s perfectly capable of that herself,” he snipped. “I just prefer being by her side in the presence of unwanted attention, although I’m sure you wouldn’t understand what it’s like to love someone.” Louisa suppressed a giggle, sticking to a smile before glaring at Cowell. “Honestly, if you’re done looking at me like I’m an object, please leave. I’m sure it hurts to know your life’s ruined as you know it, but I’m garnering great pleasure from that fact. Tomorrow is your last day in the free world, I’d suggest you make the most of today.” She took Harry’s hand and stalked right out of there. He didn’t hesitate to follow. They were all feeling pretty good. Celebrations were in order.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Noooo,” Harry whined, watching as his Dom pulled away, struggling weakly against the ropes. “Shh, angel. He’s called way too many times, I don’t have a good feeling about this.” Louisa placed a hand on his wet mouth and answered the phone. “Liam, what?” Harry protested with a whine and squirmed more, feeling the rope dig into his wrists. Fuck, it was starting to hurt. “We need a little time, come over in an hour or so.” She cut the call and removed her hand from his mouth, looking down at him. “Make me come.” He immediately got to work as soon as she sat back down on his face, sucking and licking and making obscene noises as he slurped up her juices. She humped his tongue as she came and he groaned, his cock twitching again, and it hurt. He wasn’t sure he could come a fourth time today. She pulled back once satisfied and leaned over to undo the ropes, proceeding to spit into his mouth once, which he only too eagerly swallowed. “Good boy,” she praised. “You did so good today.” He gave a flushed smile and sat up, carefully getting to his wobbly legs and making his way to the bathroom. She followed, giving his red ass another smack just to hear him whimper again, smirking and starting the water. “You deserve a bath, babe.” He nodded and got in, shifting uncomfortably a few times till he could find a position that wasn’t overly painful on his poor butt cheeks. She kissed his head and put in some bubble bath and turned the water off. “Relax, I’m right here.” She got in the shower and took her time, Harry watching her lazily from the tub. He did have a great view of her. She stepped out and dried off, getting dressed and coming back to get him. She wasn’t in much, just some shorts that showed off her delicious thighs and a baggy t shirt that Harry was pretty sure belonged to him. He gave a soft whine and earned a chuckle in return as she helped him out. “Time to come back to the real world, babe. Do you want some tea?” He let out a hum of agreement and tried to make his brain work enough to form words, but he was still struggling a little. He managed to get out of the bath without slipping or making a fool of himself, drying off and getting himself dressed. Louisa watched closely in case he needed help, but he made it down the stairs without hurting himself. She made him a nice cup of peppermint tea and he gave a dopey smile, remembering the time he’d had some with his mother before he’d moved here. “Thanks.” “Oh you’re back, I was getting a little concerned.” He broke into a grin. “You spanked me till I cried, then made me come three times. My brain was obviously scrambled.” “Whoops?” she shrugged. “Who’s coming over?” he asked once his brain was starting to catch up. “Liam, Niall and Zayn. Don’t know what for, but he’s getting smacked once he’s here because he called me three times while I was getting eaten out. I hate being interrupted.” He hid a giggle as he sipped his tea. “That’s between best friends, I’ll stay out of it. I just want to give Zayn the biggest hug ever. She’s going to be free and happy and with the best people.” “I’m a little sceptical about celebrating too early. I don’t want something bad to happen. He looked pissed off. It was apparent he hadn’t thought of this, and he’s going to be accompanied by the police constantly, but I’m still worried he could try to get out of this somehow.” “Security at the forensic lab where they’re testing the DNA?” Harry suggested. “Already placed. If somebody shows up to try and destroy the samples, we’ll know.” “What if they already switched out the samples?” She frowned. “Yeah that could be a possibility but I don’t see how that could happen unless he’s got someone at the lab in his pocket to falsify the results, but I’ve promised them a shit ton of money myself. Can’t let him get away with this, especially not after today.” “I hated the way he looked at you. It made my blood boil. Why did we wait so long to do this DNA testing thing in the first place?” he pouted. The doorbell rang. “I’ll let Liam answer that.” She went to get the door, but Harry didn’t hear the sets of footsteps he’d been expecting. Instead there was just some alarmed but hushed talking. He waited a minute before following her. “Are you sure?” Louisa asked in a low voice. “Pretty sure, I checked it myself.” Harry recognised the voice. It was Cowell’s lawyer from the courtroom that day. What was Ben Winston doing here? “You know what? Just come in and sit down, Liam’s on his way and we can talk.” Louisa turned around and froze. “What’s going on?” Harry asked as he watched Ben come in sheepishly and take his shoes off. He was still dressed in a crisp suit and looked immaculate. He was quite handsome and his eyes were striking, but he wasn’t Harry’s type. “Cowell sent some kind of mysterious payment to the Stringer account and he’s been MIA since. Ben called the police station to check on the officer that was accompanying Cowell today, and apparently they can’t reach him. They’ve sent units to check his house, since it’s assumed he’s probably there, but nobody’s heard back yet.” “It might be too soon to tell, but the payment’s got me thinking this is an escape. He’s paying us so that he can leave. He could be gone already, the man has private jets,” Ben said. “Is he the escaping type?” Harry questioned. “I’d have thought his hate for my Dom and Zayn was enough for him to continue to try exacting revenge.” The tone of possessiveness around my Dom was clear as day. “Liam pulled the rug out from under him with the DNA testing,” Ben explained. “He’s not got much up his sleeve and he isn’t the type to get his hands dirty himself. Besides, those bodyguards you guys have are military class, and he knows that. He tried to hire them through the agency and they basically told him to fuck off.” “The owners know Liam’s father,” Louisa said idly. “They would never work for Cowell.” “And they’re badass, they’d have shot anyone trying to get near you. They almost shot me when I tried to get to the door,” Ben shuddered. Harry offered the man a glass of water. “So, why are you telling us all of this?” “I called Liam first and then the police to stop him from escaping. Basically, after you left the courtroom, Cowell fired me, and all of us at the firm, as his legal representation, because apparently we were dumb enough to not know about the DNA samples existing in the first place. We thought he might look for other representation, but he’s friends with Rob, so those ties have to have been severed. Here’s hoping the police are at the airport before he tries to leave.” “Which airport? There’s so many,” Louisa groaned. “I don’t think they have enough officers to cover City Airport, Stanstead, Norholt, god knows where else. He could’ve driven off to go to Cambridge, Oxford, or even north. Do you know which airport he has his private jet usually at?” “James is looking into it now. I’m waiting for his reply.” Harry’s head was spinning as he watched Mr Payne, Zayn and Niall enter the house. “It’s Farnborough, has to be,” Liam said tightly. “That’s the most luxurious private airstrip here.” “Can the police get there in time?” Louisa asked. “Let’s hope, because once he’s gone, we won’t find him,” Liam fumed. “As much as I want to see him suffer for what he’s done, the law is clear. He’ll be a fugitive. He can’t be extradited as long as he goes off and hides on an island. He has properties in multiple places and he’ll just pay someone off, change his identity and live in a luxury villa for the rest of his life,” Ben said. “Vanuatu seems like a favourite. Their information is hardly ever leaked onto the internet. We don’t even know how many billionaires have properties there, forget how much money’s being stashed. Besides, the lack of taxes on wealth makes it an attractive destination.” “There’s almost no public information available on residents and/or property owners in Vanuatu, it makes sense.” Niall pulled Harry close and gave him a squeeze, which Harry appreciated, reaching around to pull Zayn into the hug, too. Ben blinked a few times, not expecting that from Niall. “Blondie has a habit of surprising people, you’ll get used to it,” Louisa shrugged, taking a seat. “So, Farnborough?” “Already told the popo,” Niall nodded, making Harry hide a smile and pull away from their hug. Only Niall could get away with calling the police popo and still managing to sound serious. “I hope they catch him and accidentally shoot him in the dick while he’s trying to get away. Oh, I’d pay to get the live feed.” Harry snorted and sat next to Louisa, holding her hand. “I’m probably alone in the sentiment, but I don’t really care where he is as long as he’s just gone out of our lives and can’t hurt Zayn anymore. I don’t know anything about Vanuatu, but I’m pretty sure he can’t come back without getting arrested, so we’d be safe even if he escapes.” Louisa blinked a few times. Niall rolled his eyes and Zayn gasped. Liam raised his brow. Even Ben looked rattled. “You…don’t care for revenge?” Ben asked. He’d been observing the troupe when he’d got the chance. After today’s wild ride in the courtroom and Harry bearing witness to the action, he’d have thought he had even more reason to be royally vengeful towards the criminal. Harry shrugged. “I want Miss Louisa and Zayn and all of us to be safe. If he’s gone, he can’t hurt us. Sure, it’s an anticlimactic end, but I don’t care. Our lives can be peaceful, I won’t need to take a bodyguard to culinary school, Miss Louisa won’t spend all day worrying about me. That sounds good.” “I want to see the fucker suffer,” Niall scoffed. “I can’t believe you, Curly. He’s done despicable things and he can’t get away with it.” “At this point, what Harry’s saying sounds the most realistic scenario,” Liam sighed. “He’s probably going to get away. It’s not what I want, either, but there’s not much I can do if he can’t be extradited or pays off some government officials to hide his whereabouts. Who knows, he could go to Russia. No extradition treaty.” “I kind of want to tie him up in a dingy basement and give Zayn a rusty knife to chop his dick off,” Louisa said shamelessly. “Then, when he’s at the brink of death, we’ll make sure he lives through his castration and then put him in prison.” Harry’s eyes widened. Zayn shifted a little but gave a nod. “Doesn’t sound too bad.” “Woah guys, not legal,” Ben warned. “I don’t work at Tomlinson-Payne, I’m technically your rival.” “We’re telling you this because we’re going to make you an accomplice to our crime. That way, you can’t tell anyone without implicating yourself,” Niall grinned, impressed that Zayn was into some good old torture, but maybe she’d just been reading too many of his dark romance books. “A girl can fantasise,” Louisa said indignantly and Zayn agreed with an all-too-enthusiastic nod, making the men in the room rather concerned. “Don’t worry, we don’t hurt people that don’t deserve it.” Ben visibly relaxed and Niall couldn’t hold in his laugh anymore. “Excuse him, he’s a bit crazy,” Liam apologised, getting up. “I need a drink, anyone else?” “I’d say yes but I’m waiting to hear from James, I’d better stay sober. Besides, I’m not sure my other half would appreciate me returning late and drunk on the same night while she’s stuck at home with a colicky baby,” Ben muttered. “You have a baby?” Harry gushed, his green eyes lighting up. Louisa watched as Ben nodded and showed her sub a picture, over which he fawned like it was the cutest baby in the world. She knew Harry liked children and babies, but she hadn’t known how much. Maybe, once all of this was over and he was through his culinary studies, they could try for a little one of their own. It was a little soon for Harry, but she had a biological clock which would eventually limit their options. Niall eyed Liam like a hawk and made sure he had only one glass of whisky, while Zayn sat down next to him just to feel some comfort. Liam put his free arm around her and held her close to placate her. It was natural for her to feel unsettled and it was his job to make sure she was doing okay. “I’ll order some food,” Louisa said a while later. “Babe, do you want to sleep?” Harry was nodding off on the sofa. “No, I’ll start the kettle,” he said, making himself busy. “I can help,” Zayn said, escaping to the kitchen. She’d been eyeing Ben nervously most of the time, and nobody could blame her for being uncomfortable around a Dom she didn’t know, especially because he was a man. “So, you want revenge?” Harry asked softly as the kettle heated up. Being vengeful didn’t seem like Zayn’s style. “Well,” she shrugged lightly. “When Louisa described it, I imagined it, and suddenly it sounded like a good idea. Besides, nobody would say it’s undeserved, although I imagine there are others like me out there who would also deserve the chance to irreparably damage the one who’s caused them undeniable pain.” He sighed sadly. “We never found any of them. His past subs. Wouldn’t the Bureau have those records?" "Why dig up the past for those who were able to move on? Assuming they survived," she said softly. "I hope they’re happy and safe and with people who love them.” Harry nodded and gave her a hug, letting her help with the tea. He even found a tray for her to carry the mugs out, following her with the rest. The living room had erupted into courses of action by their return. Louisa was on her laptop and her phone at the same time, muttering mhms into the receiver. Ben and Liam were reading something as well while Niall was on another phone. “Did they get him?” Zayn asked. “The plane took off,” Niall replied, “but they’ve been asked to turn around and make an emergency landing at one of the airports. They did leave from Farnborough, though, which is something. The pilot said he’s turning around and will land in fifteen minutes. They’re still in British airspace.” “Since when did we get a pilot on our side?” Harry asked, confused. “Since he has to fly back after dropping Simon off and then get arrested for aiding and abetting a criminal,” Ben smirked. “James was able to track the flight and figure out the plane in time to make him turn around. The police are ready and waiting now. If the pilot tells them what he knows, he won’t even do time. Maybe a teeny fine.” “Stringer is going to shit himself when he wakes up tomorrow morning and realises what’s gone down,” Liam shook his head. “Maybe he’ll agree to doing a collaboration with me.” Ben scoffed. “Sure.” “Men,” Louisa snorted, sipping her tea. “As soon as that man is in custody, I’m going to bed. Tomorrow is going to be fun and all, but I need to sleep in order to function. I want a front seat to the takedown.” “I won’t be there,” Ben said sullenly. “Oh just come and sit in the audience anyway, enjoy yourself,” Louisa shrugged. “Bring Stringer, he’ll have a good time.” “Bring James, I have to give him my thanks,” Liam added, getting to his feet and heading into the kitchen to get himself a snack. Action always made him peckish. Ben shrugged and turned back to his phone. Harry offered the stressed man more tea and asked about his baby to pass the time and give him a distraction. Zayn followed Liam like a puppy, so Niall sprawled out on the armchair and leaned back, not really doing anything. Louisa sat back and watched Harry cooing at the baby pictures Ben was enthusiastically showing him. She was in the mood to squeeze her sub close and kiss him till he giggled, but they had company. Sigh. “I’ll be out of your hair soon,” Ben said as Harry fought a yawn, his eyes drooping a little. “Sorry, it’s been a long day,” Harry flushed. Louisa only pulled him close and held him. He leaned into her, sighing in content. He was starting to doze off when a loud noise made him startle again. By the time he realised what was going on, he was getting kissed. “We got him, we’ve got him,” Louisa smiled, giving him another kiss. Zayn gave no fucks and threw herself into Niall’s lap, who held her securely while she tried to process. Liam watched on in fondness. Ben cleared his throat awkwardly and got up. Liam shook his hand and they exchanged some words before Ben left. Harry sheepishly waved. There was too much going on for his sleep-addled brain to comprehend right now. “Is it really over?” “Tomorrow, it will be.” Niall squeezed Zayn closer. “Babe, you alright?” She didn’t say anything, burrowing herself into him more. Liam sighed. “We’ll take the spare room.” Louisa nodded and got up, giving a kiss to Harry’s curls and going to get the guest room ready. She wasn’t sure if the bed would fit them all, but they had made it work at Robin’s place. Harry took a few minutes to follow, getting more pillows and closing the curtains. Louisa stopped him gently once the room looked fine enough, pulling him closer. “I love you,” he said softly. “I love you, sweetheart. I’m sorry the aftercare got pushed to the side, you needed it.” “I’m fine. I’ll be in our room.” She nodded and let him go. He crawled into bed after shucking his shirt and opening a window to let some air in, groaning to himself. He was looking forward to autumn. Life would be different. He’d be learning what he loved and have his Dom and his friends in his life, and they’d all be perfectly safe, healthy and happy. Zayn would finally have the chance to follow her dreams, whatever those might be. All they had to do was get through one more day. Oh, how wrong he was.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Zayn had to be absent from the courtroom due to Cowell’s presence, and she was pouting about it. Niall had popped home to bring everyone fresh clothes, especially for Liam, since he had to be in court bright and early. Liam got dressed in the crisp suit with pinstripes, one of Niall’s favourites, while Zayn whined. “Zee, no,” Liam said firmly as he did his tie, turning around to face her. “Don’t make me use my Dom voice. I promised myself I wouldn’t bend your will out of force.” Niall suppressed a giggle. “She wants you to use it, babe, she’s practically gagging for it.” Zayn flushed a beet red and scrammed from the room, almost running into poor Harry’s chest. “Everything okay?” he asked, hiding his grin at overhearing the conversation. “Fine,” she stammered, looking up at Harry. He was dressed and ready to go, his curls looking subdued for once. The button down shirt he was wearing was tucked into some dress pants that made him look rather professional, and older than his age. It was a good look on him. “You look nice.” “Thanks, love. Food’s ready, come on.” He led her downstairs. They’d asked the chef to come by early and make enough breakfast for everyone, and then lunch. Harry had been too wired up to do the cooking himself. Today was such a huge day. “I can eat once you’re gone,” she muttered. Louisa was at the table and waiting, sipping from her favourite mug. She looked fierce with her makeup being perfect, highlighting her naturally sharp cheekbones and heart-shaped facial structure, and a winged eyeliner that Zayn immediately wanted for herself. Harry made his way over to her and took his designated seat at her right, and she proceeded to give him a gentle kiss on his cheek while they gazed fondly at each other. Liam followed and patted Zayn’s ass before taking a seat, making her squeak. Harry giggled under his breath and started to eat his beans on toast while his Dom stuck to her usual favourites, sans beans. Liam drank coffee darker than charcoal while Niall did his best to placate Zayn, reassuring her that he didn’t mind missing the action to be home with her, and whispering into her ear to promise that he would do some naughty things to her if she could just behave for now. That seemed to settle her and she finally started eating. Harry told them to have fun before leaving with Louisa and Mr Payne. He felt so much lighter today. Last night, he’d fallen asleep pretty much as soon as his head had hit the pillow, and he didn’t even remember cuddling with Louisa, but he did wake up to her on top of him, which was very nice. She always smelled amazing, but he did prefer her sleepy and warm in the mornings above all else. Although, her look of the day was making him salivate despite having been thoroughly destroyed the evening before. He was insatiable when it came to her. “Should be simple enough since he tried to escape,” Harry said, trying to lighten the mood in the car. Louisa shrugged. “I’m not worried about Cowell anymore, good riddance.” Liam didn’t say anything, which made Harry frown. Was he worried about something going wrong, and if he was, why wasn’t he saying anything? They arrived before time and made their way inside, where it seemed there were a lot more police officers than every previous time. Harry guessed they had the criminal in a holding room somewhere in the building and would bring him in once proceedings started. Ben was already sitting in the back and Louisa gave him a wave. Harry went to say a quick hello and sat down quickly as the court was brought to order. Everything looked very, very serious. Cowell was brought in, wearing handcuffs and keeping his head down. He looked like shit, and suddenly Harry felt a sense of satisfaction. Good, he deserved it. There was no lawyer present with him, which made it obvious he hadn’t hired new representation, and the judge asked him to confirm the same. He’d always had the option to represent himself, or have a court-appointed lawyer. He declined. “It has come to my attention that you, Mr Cowell, tried to leave the country last night. Officers here have handed me multiple written statements saying they were chasing you around various private airports in London, trying to find you, and then some saying they found you trying to flee on a private jet. Even your pilot has written that you were to be flying to Hawaii first, then onwards to Tuvalu. I’m sure you understand that trying to leave the country when you’re under trial is a criminal offense, so this is your last chance to speak up.” “I’m being framed, your Honour,” Cowell said, sounding weak for dramatic effect. “Who knows, they must have falsified the DNA test results to get a match. They even subpoenaed my records from the government and the Bureau multiple times, which is a gross invasion of my privacy. My businesses are suffering and they’re trying to destroy me. A man like me in prison wouldn’t survive for more than a few days.” Liam rolled his eyes but said nothing. The evidence spoke bounds, and they still had the DNA tests. “If you can prove the results have been falsified, then you can press charges against Tomlinson-Payne,” the judge said. “Accusations being thrown around by an almost-fugitive aren’t taken very seriously in my courtroom.” Ben and Harry both suppressed a smile at the tone. That judge was so fed up. Liam smoothed down his suit and stood up. “Your Honour, if we can proceed with the DNA test results. If you’d like to speak to the forensic scientists that conducted the tests, they’re present. Otherwise, a copy of the reports has been given to you.” The judge put on his glasses and intently read over the pages. His face didn’t move for a while and Harry was holding his breath, although he wasn’t sure why. He was certain that the reports showed a conclusive match. It took a few minutes before the judge banged his gavel. “Court will reconvene in an hour, for final proceedings and case closure,” was all the wrinkled old man said before leaving the room. Louisa gave a smirk in Liam’s direction and called out to Harry, who immediately followed her like a puppy. “Do you want to give Zayn the good news?” he asked. “Let’s wait till the case is actually closed,” Liam butted in. Ben was with him, looking a little nervous. “Stringer’s showing up for closure. I wonder if he’s going to punch Cowell.” Louisa shrugged and went with Harry to get some tea, while they took a seat on a nice bench, overlooking the building. He held her hand and gave her goo goo eyes. “You look so beautiful today.’ “I made it a point to look drop dead gorgeous because it’s the last time Cowell’s going to see me,” she hummed, taking a sip and making a face. “You make way better tea than this.” He giggled softly. “Imagine, after today, life will be so nice. I’ll be at Le Cordon Bleu, you get to go back to work full time, everyone’s happy.” “Nah, I don’t think I want to go back to work full time. Maybe I will cut down on my work hours and relax more. Go home for a while, if we get the time before you have to start. I miss my mum,” she smiled. He kissed her hand. “You can stay in Doncaster for as long as you like. I’ll follow you wherever you go, you know that.” “No, you have a training programme you need to start.” She poked him lightly. “I want to take your education seriously, and even though it’s not formal university, it’s one of the best in the world. Sure, it’s not like you’ll be doing the thing in Paris, but London is almost as good, maybe just a step down.”                                                                 “Honestly, I’m nervous. What if I’m the youngest one there? What if I know literally nothing and they’re just throwing around words I’ve never heard of and I end up messing up and being the worst student at Le Cordon Bleu in the history of Le Cordon Bleu?” he rambled. He’d had plenty of nightmares of being laughed at for making inedible food, bad cuts, terrible presentations, his hair ending up in a dish. Louisa giggled softly. “Oh my sweet baby, you don’t even know how good you are. Besides, remember, you don’t have to like fine dining or work in fine dining. It’s just a one year training course so that you can procure as much knowledge as possible. Even if you do terribly, you’ll still pass and then if you want nothing to do with it, you can go into fast food, or no food at all. Whatever you want, baby. If you don’t want to work at all, if you want to work from home, the world is your oyster.” “No, I want to work,” he said, blushing a little. He always felt shy when she pampered him. “If it doesn’t work out with me working at a restaurant or something, I’ll find another way to make it happen. I don’t want to be gone all the time, stressed and too busy to be with you. I want to take care of you in the way a good sub should, and does, even if I don’t wait on your hand and foot. I want to do things for you, not out of obligation.” “Cutie pie.” She grabbed his face and smooched his cheek, pulling back. “Let’s go back inside, I don’t want to be late.” He nodded and they went back inside, hand in hand, smiling softly. He was so in love with her. Everyone was hanging around by the door as a few people settled back inside. Some young looking lawyers were also present. Harry was pretty sure they worked at Tomlinson-Payne. Maybe they were here to observe and learn like an intern. He blushed when he felt their eyes on him as Louisa escorted him to his seat and went back to the front with Liam. They murmured something to each other that he couldn’t hear, and he fiddled with his fingers until the judge came back. “After taking into account court proceedings over this case, evidences submitted, testimonies and reports, the high court of London concludes that the defendant, Mr Simon Cowell, dominant by status, is proven guilty on accounts of rape, repeated abuse and abandonment of Ms Zayn Malik, submissive. Further, the defendant is also found guilty of trying to evade charges by fleeing the country.” Harry sat on his hands, finding it hard to believe that they’d won as the judge listed the clauses of the judicial codes under which Cowell was guilty, then adding the years of imprisonment he would be facing. He’d heard Mr Payne mention life imprisonment earlier, but it wasn’t given. Cowell ended up with twenty years for rape, ten years for abuse and a fine for the abandonment of £100,000, which Harry thought was not even close to enough, but he was also required to pay an additional £100,000 to Zayn for reparations. Cowell said nothing as the judge stood and two court guards escorted him out. Hopefully he wouldn’t survive 30 years in prison. Good riddance. He wasn’t sure if he should feel guilty for feeling this way, but then everyone was celebrating. Ben slapped his shoulder and Harry watched as his Dom hugged Mr Payne tightly before shaking hands with Ben and another man sitting closer to the front he didn’t know. The associates around him were already filing out of the room and Liam was now excitedly speaking into the phone. Louisa grabbed Harry’s face and gave him another big kiss which made him giggle softly. “Love you,” she said. He was caught up in their little bubble until Mr Payne came back. “We should get going,” he said. “Fuck, is Zayn okay?” she asked. “No, she won’t stop crying.” They were about to step out when a guard flagged Liam down. “You guys go ahead, the judge wants to speak to me,” was all he ushered out before going with the guard. Louisa sighed but took Harry with her. They didn’t hear from him until they got home to find Zayn clinging to Niall, who really was trying his best to calm her down. Louisa gently extricated Niall from her grip and took his place, softly murmuring in Zayn’s ear and smoothing out her hair, being gentle. Niall gave Harry a tight hug and pulled back, moving to another room to give them a moment. “Where’s Liam?” “The judge called him back, don’t know what for. Said he’d meet up here once he was done, but it’s been a while,” Harry confessed. “Do you think it could be something worrisome?” “Nah, probably just some case files,” Niall shrugged. “I’m going to try to feed Zayn something, maybe that’ll help.” He carried a tin of biscuits to the living room to find that she’d already stopped crying and Louisa was wiping her face. “He’s coming, okay? Everything’s over. You’re going to be fine. He can’t hurt anybody ever again, I promise,” Louisa promised softly. What Zayn needed was her Dom, and in all ways, it was Liam. Only he could give her closure right now. He walked in, loosening his tie and flinging his briefcase to the floor as Zayn launched herself at him. He held her close, and no words were spoken till she melted against him. “I feel like I’m intruding,” Louisa muttered as she exited the room and got herself some water, taking off her heels and taking a seat. Harry followed like a puppy. She pulled him in close while he was still standing and plastered her face in his chest. “You smell so nice.” He flushed. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want you right now.” She held back a giggle and pulled him down for a snog, whining when Niall cleared his throat loudly. “What, blondie?” she sassed, pulling back. “Liam needs to say something important.” The serious look on his face wasn’t something Harry had seen before, so he quietly followed him out. Zayn was sitting in her Dom’s lap and he held her close. She looked tiny against his frame. “Guys, please sit down.” Harry frowned and sat in the armchair, opening his arms for his Dom without a thought and holding her close. She idly played with his hair. “Li, I swear to God, if this is a prank of some sort, I’m going to throw my heels at you.” He glared at her for a second. “The members of the court had some reservations about the status of our personal and professional lives due to some observations and not-so-anonymous tips. They found that Zayn living with you but being with me and Niall was a bit of a red flag. I assured them that Zayn and I would be signing documents to confirm that she’s now mine.” He kissed the top of her head when she buried her face in his neck shyly. “But, they have some concerns about you. They’ve suggested the Bureau conduct an investigation into your Pairing to figure out if you have a good atmosphere at home for Harry.” “What the actual fuck?” Louisa cursed, holding Harry closer to her now. “Fucking asshole. He still had to one up me before going to rot in prison.”“What does an investigation mean?” Harry asked timidly. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer. “Basically they’ll assign someone to you, an inspector of the Bureau, who will come over and check the house first, then talk to the both of you separately, and maybe even talk to us and your families,” Niall answered. “The outcome usually depends on how traditional or modern the inspector is. If Cowell had pull at the Bureau right till the end, you can be sure you’re getting the short end of the stick. He hates Louisa, and he wants to make her suffer. He hates Liam, too, but Liam’s a man.” “The outcome?” Harry shuddered. “They could say I’m unfit to take care of you,” Louisa mumbled. “That you need a ‘better’ Dom and take you away from me. Of course, there would be things done to ensure I improve and take a different submissive in the future, one I’d be able to provide for. But I don’t care, because I won’t let them take you from me, ever. I’ll fight everyone I have to for you, Harry Styles. You’re it for me.” He sniffed and kissed her softly for a second before pulling back. “I don’t want anyone else.” “I thought they’d investigate us,” Niall muttered. “Not Louisa.” “And yet again, a woman has to prove her status,” Louisa snapped, getting off of Harry’s lap. He was feeling rather morose but he let her go. He understood her anger but he was only capable of feeling sad right now. Everything was supposed to go back to normal, not get worse. Now some stranger would be poking into their lives and judging his Dom for every move and somehow would be the one to decide if they got to stay together. “It won’t be right away,” Liam reassured. “Lou, go home for a few days. I’ll keep an eye on things and let you know when they assign someone and do full background checks. I’ll put five associates on it. I’ll dig up dirt and blackmail them.” Louisa placed her hands on her hips and glared at her best friend. “Li, I love you, but I don’t need you to save me every time something goes wrong.” “Oh, please, that was one time and that guy was twice your size. Besides, I’m not beating anyone up this time.” Harry raised his brow. “Um, what?” “There was a guy at business school and he tried to grab her,” Liam spoke up. “It was late and I offered to pick her up but she was being an idiot. I showed up anyway and she got in a few hits but he was quite the big fucker. Definitely bigger than I was back then. Got him in the head with my briefcase after which she proceeded to make sure he wouldn’t be thinking with his dick again. I’m not saying she couldn’t defend herself. I’m just saying we’re all different body types and Dominant men are generally biologically stronger than everyone else.” Harry didn’t react. “I want a personal trainer.” “What, so you can get buff and protect me?” Louisa sounded offended. “I’m young and dumb but I have to start doing something,” he muttered. “I defer to your judgement, but you told me I could do whatever I wanted and this is what I want.” He crossed his arms in defiance. “Or did you change your mind about giving me free will?” She fumed for a few seconds. “Don’t make me use the belt, you won’t be able to handle it.” “As if you could ever hurt me.” Niall gave a low whistle and Zayn giggled softly into Liam’s neck. “Maybe we should go back to our place,” Liam suggested, patting Zayn’s ass to get off of his lap. Louisa ignored them and straddled her sub’s lap, hiding her face in his neck and just breathing him in. Harry wasn’t sure how she was feeling. There was a lot going on. He completely trusted her, but did she trust herself right now? Her status was about to be questioned all over again and they could lose each other. Did that mean she was now supposed to change her ways and become a different kind of Dominant? That wasn’t what he wanted. He liked her the way she was. “Stay, eat before you go,” Harry sighed. “There’s more than enough food.” Louisa pouted into her sub’s chest but mumbled an okay. She just wanted to mope but he wouldn’t let her. He even threatened to feed her like a baby if she didn’t eat her lunch. “Lou, come on, you’ve got to take charge,” Liam sighed. “And I’m here, okay? I’ll handle things and keep you updated on stuff. It will do you good to go home. Trust me. The Bureau loves family-centric values, remember?” She rolled her eyes at him but decided it was time to take a trip to Doncaster. Her mother would know how to handle this situation. They’d leave tomorrow morning. She needed the rest of the day to do some packing and then fuck the living daylights out of her sub. “Don’t go too hard on him, poor kid looked exhausted last night when we got here,” Niall grinned to Louisa. “He can handle a lot more than you think,” she winked back at him. “Besides, I expect not to be interrupted during our aftercare time tonight.” “Oh, none of us are going to bother you, promise.” He grabbed the bag he’d brought over and headed to the car. Liam and Zayn were practically snogging against the car door, Liam’s tie hanging loose around his neck and his jacket on Zayn’s frame instead, swallowing her up. Niall sighed and rolled his eyes, getting in. Ever since Liam had announced he would be making his commitment to Zayn a legally recognised Pairing, the two couldn’t get enough of each other. “Third wheel in my own relationship,” he complained to himself. “Get a room,” Louisa called out as she closed the front door, shaking her head and heading upstairs. “Fuck.” Harry was kneeling near the bed, his forehead resting on the edge of the mattress, his eyes closed, hands behind his back, clasped together above the curve of his ass. He was naked, his ass red and marked from yesterday’s play, some stripes and areas a little redder than the rest of the pink cheeks. He trembled a little when he sensed his Dom enter and rake her eyes all over him. He needed his brain to shut off for a while. He needed to be taken care of. “This is a nice surprise.” He gulped but stayed mostly still while she stepped closer and took in the implements he’d placed on the bed. “You want me to fuck you, baby?” she asked sweetly, picking up the bottle of lube and the smallest plastic toy. There were a couple of larger sizes, too, and a plug. “You’re going to be aching by the time I’m done.” “Please, mistress,” he breathed. She licked her lips. The outside world could wait. She was going to take care of her sub’s needs tonight.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

A soft and warm hand down his back made Harry shudder. He licked his lips in anticipation, struggling with himself to stay in position and be a good sub. He was ready to beg her to do something more when the touch grabbed the back of his curls and tugged a little, earning a soft moan from him. “You like that, baby, don’t you?” she smirked. He whined softly. “Yes. So much.” His cock was hard and leaking already. “You came three times last night, and yet here you are, desperate for me.” She sounded smug as she let go of his hair. Harry was about to protest at the loss of contact, but then his ass was being squeezed and he could only squeak. It was a different kind of soreness that only made his cock twitch. “So lovely,” she praised and let go. “Scoot back a little and put your hands on the floor, I want you on your fours.” He obeyed without a sound, staring at the carpet. His heart was thudding loudly in his ears and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe he wanted it more badly than he’d thought. Needed it.

“Spread your knees a little more,” she guided, then pressed a finger to his rim, slowly rubbing the puckered hole in circles. “You know, Liam and I spoke about pegging. He was making fun of me after you’d moved in because I was nervous about being your first time. I told him there was time, and I would peg you, eventually.” He sucked in a few rough breaths. God, was he going to get pegged today? He didn’t even know she had a harness to use for a strap on. He’d just found some of the dildos and grabbed whatever looked good to him. A wet finger entered him first. He gave a soft groan and clenched involuntarily. He had never really tried it before, when he’d been touching himself, but with Louisa, he’d discovered so many parts of himself. He struggled to stay still, moans escaping his lips as his hole was fingered open, his cock jerking of its own accord without any direct contact. “May I touch myself, please?” he whimpered when he couldn’t take it anymore. He was throbbing. A pinch on the sore skin of his ass made him twitch. “No. Be good and stay in position.” The fingering got a lot more intense then and Harry was trembling and whimpering mindlessly. His rim was aching, his walls were clenching and his cock was begging for something. Anything. Louisa relished in his noises, pulling out the three fingers she’d had inside of him and spitting into the hole which had slightly opened now but was clenching again now that it was empty. She picked up the smallest toy he’d picked out, a relatively thin and smooth pink dildo. Slicking it up with copious amounts of lube, she pushed just the tip against his rim, earning more obscene sounds from him as he was slowly filled. His entire body shuddered as the insertion went deeper and he clenched hard. “Fuck baby, you look incredible,” she praised, giving one of his cheeks a kiss and holding the dildo in place. “Talk to me.” He whined and squirmed. “More, more please.” She pushed the toy in deeper, right till the flared base. The noises that came out of Harry’s throat became higher pitched as he rocked his hips back and forth a little without even realising it. “You’ll take a bigger one soon baby, and that one will press against your special spot and make you see stars.” He was positively sweating by now. It was starting to feel like too much. His chest heaved as he sucked in air to steady himself but it wasn’t working. He was too strung out. He felt like he could come with two tugs to his cock. Louisa smoothed a hand down his back and played with the dildo that had slowly started to slip out of him as he’d tried to relax his body. “No, inside.” She pushed it back in the rest of the way, eliciting more whimpers. “You need to learn how to take this, or I can’t take you up a size. Be good.” He was about to protest, his lashes wet. He wasn’t sure what he was struggling with more, his cock, his hole, or his willpower to obey. Louisa kept teasing him and letting go and waiting for the dildo to start slipping out again before tapping the flat base before pushing it back in. He tried to clench harder so that the toy would stay inside, whimpering softly. “Oh, look, baby, the pink dildo complements your ass cheeks so nicely,” she teased, grabbing the base and starting a rough pace, fucking him with the toy. His sounds were nonsensical by now, his cock leaking a steady stream of precome. She pulled the plastic out and slapped his rim, making him squeak and jump. The next insertion was larger, thicker. He whined softly as he felt stretched, but needy for it as he absentmindedly rocked his hips. He gripped the carpet in his fists so that he wouldn’t fall over onto his face as he was filled and stretched. “You’re taking this so well,” Louisa praised, watching his rim open and swallow up the thicker dildo. “I always knew you could. When I was sitting there, filling my form at the Bureau, I mulled over whether this was something I wanted, but eventually I gave it a neutral. Then I finally got to meet you after years of waiting, and I knew I wanted to do this to you.” He whimpered and clenched hard around the toy at her words, mewling in pain and pleasure. He was losing control of his body. She owned him. “Good boy.” She flattened the base of the toy against his ass and held it in place, watching as his rim twitched and fluttered, struggling a little to accept the intrusion, even though it was wanted. When he wasn’t twitching as much, relaxing into it, she leaned over and licked over the rim, pushing the toy back in once it started slipping out slowly. “Fuck,” was all Harry could utter as his whole body went taut and his arms struggled as he came right onto the floor, completely untouched. Her tongue had done him in and left him wrecked. His brain felt like it was exploding inside his skull and all he could see was stars and he could hear nothing at all. When he realised where he was, he was on the floor, half on the carpet and half on the tiles on his stomach. Louisa gently stroked a hand down his back, this time to coax him out of his little bubble. “Love, can you hear me? Come back to me, angel. Come back.” He groaned very softly and tried to make his limbs work, but his legs didn’t quite get the memo and he flopped back onto the floor. Embarrassing. “Take a moment, angel.” She got up and shifted a little. He could hear her retreat into the bathroom and then the tap was running for a minute before she returned. By that point, he’d managed to pull himself up to a seated position, leaning against their bed. His come wasn’t on the floor or the carpet, so he assumed she’d cleaned that up while he’d whited out. He gave her a dopey smile and she smoothed out his curls a bit. “Are your legs feeling stable enough to get on the bed, love?” she asked. He nodded and carefully supported his weight with his hands on the bed until he flopped onto the mattress. “I’ve never done that before. Only you wield this power over me.” She smirked and squeezed a sore ass cheek, earning a whine. “Of course, my little submissive. You’re all mine, always. Nobody can take you away from me.” There was such power in her voice that he almost trembled. “Never,” he promised. They could do everything in the world. He would never leave her. He would always find his way back, even if they took him away. “Let me pleasure you.” She patted his ass and pulled back. “I don’t think you’ve recovered enough for what I had planned, so take a break while I’m still allowing you to. I’ll get you some water.” He rolled onto his back and watched her go, still fully clothed while he was as bare as the day as he was born. He was more than happy to not have to think for  a while about the impending doom that was looming over them. He could yell and scream till he was blue in the face that he wanted to be with Louisa and only Louisa, but it would make zero difference in convincing anyone. The Bureau operated on a set of parameters for compatibility and societal rules. His Dom needed to be able to provide a certain kind of environment for him in order to be a suitable Dom, and even though his Dom provided him more than he’d ever really need, he was sure the Bureau could find faults. No Pairing out there was perfect, of course, but he wouldn’t be taken away from his Dom by anyone. The necessities were important, the luxuries were lovely, but the love they shared? It was irreplaceable. She held his heart. If he was feeling like this, how was his Dom feeling? Did she feel this helplessness, this fear, this anger? She returned and helped him sit up and drink water, coddling him like he was a child, and he all but melted under her attention. She saw the look in his eyes change and gave him a soft smile, thumbing his cheek gently. “My love.” “My everything.” The ease with which he proclaimed it made her break and she kissed him roughly, holding his face and snogging the absolute breath out of him, hard and fast and passionate. He panted softly when it ended as abruptly as it had started. He smirked when he realised that he, too, held power over her. It gave him this rush of feeling. “I know you’re in love with me, my mistress.” His tone was teasing, earning him a grab of the jaw. “Don’t tempt me to break you, little sub, because I will. I’ll stuff that insolent ass with the plug you picked out and then lock your cock in a cage for the night. Don’t make me purchase a sounding rod.” He trembled. A sounding rod? Holy fuck. The thing would go…inside his penis. She smirked. “Good boy, remember that I’m in control. Sometimes I let you fuck me on the table because I like goading you, but I am the Dominant for a reason. I have no problem punishing you whenever I feel like it.” He shuddered and looked up at her through lidded eyes. She seemed very satisfied at his reaction, pushing him down and spreading his legs open. He clenched reflexively, whimpering softly when she pressed two fingers to his rim. “It’s definitely looser than when we started, baby.” The pride in her voice was not lost on him as he mewled and squirmed. “Shh, shh, baby, be still.” She played with his rim, teasing her fingertip inside, then pulling back to rub over the hole. “Such a good sub.” He panted softly and whined. After the orgasm he’d had, he wasn’t sure how his cock was filling up again, but it was. He choked on air when two fingers entered him again and he clenched. “Such a pretty hole,” she hummed, pulling them out and giving his rim a slap, making him twitch. She held up the bejewelled plug, smirking. “Definitely my go-to for anal play, good pick.” He gave a weak moan at the thought of the toy inside him, then his cock was hard as steel again when he realised what she meant. She liked using the toy inside her glorious ass. Fuck, he wouldn’t survive that sight today. “I know what you’re thinking, naughty boy. I’m not taking it.” She held the plug in front of his mouth. “Show me how eager you are to have this.” She pressed it against his lips and he kissed and licked before opening his mouth and sucking on the tip. They locked eyes as she pushed the toy deeper into his mouth till it was nestled inside, the jewel shining above his lips. She pulled back and he coughed a little, drool connecting his mouth to the plug in a line for a second or two. She rubbed some of the wetness over his face, earning another moan. “Mistress, please, put it inside me.” She pinched a nipple and twisted it, making him whimper nonsensically, before using copious amounts of lube, and finally teasing the plastic against his rim. He shifted and tried to push himself down on the plug, earning a hard slap to his thigh, hissing at the burn. Maybe she’d left a handprint on him. Fuck, why was that so hot? His cock twitched at the mere thought. Once deliciously full, Louisa admired the sight. “Jewellery suits you.” He flushed hard. Of all of the things he expected her to say, it wasn’t that. He felt filthy and depraved for liking it. He wanted more. She leaned over and gave him a snog, playing with his nipple, rubbing and pinching. He whined right into her mouth when she twisted it hard, his back arching off the bed. “I will get the rope and cock cage,” she warned. He shivered at the mention and shook his head. “No, please, I’ll be good. I’m sorry, mistress,” he begged with wet lashes. “It’s just very hard to control myself when you’re touching me. I can’t help myself. I just want more. All the time.” She licked her lips and peeled off her clothes, one by one, and he drank in the sight. She climbed back up and straddled his hips, his cock resting against his stomach, hard and ready to go. Harry watched as she rubbed her glistening folds against his cock, coating him in her wetness, shuddering when the contact made him feel so good that his cock twitched again. She let out a few soft moans, which was opposite to her gaze, which was intense and definitely not soft. It made Harry shift a little and she pinched his nipples and tugged, making him whimper. “I’m going to make you see stars.” “You already did,” he whined, choking on his own breath when suddenly she lifted her hips and grabbed his base, sinking down on him until he was fully sheathed inside her glorious pussy. His chest heaved as he struggled to hold back and not bust his nut like a fifteen year old, which only made his Dom smirk and start to ride him. He closed his eyes to hold himself back, earning him another handprint-inducing slap on his thigh. “Eyes on me.” She was a woman on a mission, riding him hard and fast, her breasts swinging so deliciously that he moaned helplessly when he was compelled to obey and watch, due to her command, even though she hadn’t used her Dom voice on him. The sight only made it harder for him to hold back. He whimpered and moaned and was sure he was a mess by now, but she looked at him like she owned him, which she did, and he bucked his hips out of instinct, fisting the sheets. This prompted her to stop riding him, grinding her hips down against him, reaching around to tease the end of the plug nestled inside him, playing with it. He gave a choked off moan as his balls tightened and he was so close to his orgasm that he could taste it. “Not yet.” She pushed the plug back in and started riding him again, earning more obscene sounds, clenching and moaning herself, rubbing her clit. “If you wait to come till I’m done, I’ll reward you, baby.” He struggled under her when she hovered, changing the angle. Her tits were practically swinging in his face. If she was just a few inches taller, they’d have been at the perfect distance to bite. “Oh yes, right there,” she groaned and clenched so hard that Harry lost it right then, coming hard. This time, he didn’t white out completely, giving weak moans as his body went taut, before melting into the bed completely. Louisa panted for breath, resting her weight on him, which he found immensely reassuring. If they stayed like this forever, he’d be a happy man. Louisa eventually did move, cleaning herself up before gently pulling the plug out of his ass, making him choke on a half-sob. He was so sensitive that even a brush of her fingers was enough to overstimulate him. She kissed his thigh chastely, where she’d left handprints, going to clean the implements they’d used. Harry didn’t bother moving. He had always been uncoordinated and a little clumsy, and it tended to get worse when his brain was scrambled in a post-sex haze. Besides, he was perfectly content to lay there, where the bed smelled like the both of them, making it feel like a safe, warm cocoon. Louisa plopped back on top of him and he held her. “Was that alright, baby?” He nodded. “Exactly what I needed. I’m feeling much more secure in our relationship after that.” She could hear the smile in his voice, poking him in his side. “You’re actually joking around right now. I just fucked your brains out. You came untouched, just from getting your ass fucked.” He giggled. “That was very nice, thank you. I thoroughly enjoyed it, although I am wondering why the strap on harness was not included in the programme. I didn’t know you had one, mistress, or I would’ve picked it out when I was selecting the toys.” “I also didn’t use the biggest dildo you chose, because you need more practice before going that far. With the right prep, it can feel good in the moment but it’ll hurt later.” “I’m already sore,” he groaned in agreement. “But I feel better. Good. Does it help you, too? Doing this with me? To me?” “It helps reaffirm my status in this relationship, but I like to think this isn’t purely Dom/sub for me anymore. You’re an irreplaceable part of my life and my heart. If you hurt, I hurt. If you’re happy, I feel happy too. Seeing your smile makes me feel something.” She looked up at him. “I didn’t expect to feel this way at all. Maybe the Bureau gets some things right.” “We have to show them that,” he agreed. “I don’t agree with a lot that they do, especially after the things I’ve discovered since entering the system, but our fate rests in their hands and if I have to, I’ll do anything to make sure I stay with you. They can try all they like, I would never re-enter the system.” It hadn’t taken more than a few seconds for him to make that connection. If things went awry, he would never put himself up for another Dom. There was only one Dom for him. He’d rather be alone if he couldn’t be with her. She pecked his lips softly. “I’d run away with you in a heartbeat if that’s what it comes down to. But it won’t come down to that, because this time, I’ll let Liam help.” If her ego had ever been too big before to accept help from her best friend, it wasn’t anymore. She would never take any risks when it came to Harry. He was her priority. He nodded. He knew she was being absolutely serious. He would never want her to leave her family behind, though. Speaking of, he said, “Are you excited to go home?” She smiled softly. “Yes, I miss them. I need mum’s advice, too. She always fixes things.” He smiled back and nodded. Whenever they spoke about her family, his Dom’s eyes always got fond and soft. He found it endearing. “Should we pack?”

“In a bit,” she murmured, snuggling back into his chest, inhaling him in. He squeezed her closer in return.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

I've been thinking for the past day, of the tragedy we're facing right now. In our wildest dreams, we'd never imagined losing one of the boys forever. For those reading this in a future point in time, this note is regarding the passing of Liam Payne on 16th October, 2024, aged 31, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'm not going to go into the details as Google and social media have plenty of information about it and the situation is still unfolding as I type this out. Needless to say, this has come as a shock to us all. Most of us grew up with One Direction, in one way or another, whether you're one of the older fans who was there from the start, or one of the younger ones who joined us post-hiatus. It's happened very suddenly, and it's feeling quite impossible to accept. At least, for me. One Direction has been a part of my life since their inception, and I've practically never got over my 1D phase. From now on, everything in this fandom will be different. There is no way for anything to be the same again. Even if we are not his loved ones, we did love him, and we need to process and grieve in our own ways. There are plenty of resources available to reach out and ask for help, but if you feel like, for whatever reason, you just want to talk to someone, come and find me on discord @ signoftheharold. I'm around to chat, talk about Liam, or anything else. My heart and thoughts are with the boys, who have lost their brother, his sisters, his parents, who have lost their son, and his son, who has lost his father. I truly hope none of you choose this moment to hate, to call names, or to compare Liam to other people (P. Diddy). I do not agree that it will ever be justified, and I will not condone any disrespectful content, should it show up in my comments. A life has been lost, and quietude would be more desirable than disrespect. This story will be continuing, but with some changes in the future plot. What I had planned initially will no longer be written, however there will still be plenty of plot, fluff and smut. I prefer to write minimal angst and I only write HEAs, hence I will keep going with this fic and any side projects in the same alternate universe. The tags are also updated to reflect these upcoming changes. I hope you will stick around for the journey. It has always been my wish to create a world which is not only interesting to dip into, but also to provide some sweetness in real life, and we always need more happiness. Thank you for reading.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry was limping as he gathered the last bag and placed it in the boot of the car, getting in and doing his seatbelt. Despite having asked for it, he was glad Louisa hadn’t used the biggest dildo on him, because he was aching anyway. He’d barely been able to poo today. Louisa held back a giggle, putting on sunglasses. It was the end of August and they had only a week’s time till Harry’s classes at Le Cordon Bleu started. She wanted to make the most of this trip home, and that included relaxing, which was why she had put on a crop top that was basically a bralette with a cute flower pattern and some jean shorts. Harry hadn’t stopped ogling her since she’d got dressed. “Did you call ahead to say we were coming?” he asked. “Nope, it’s going to be a surprise,” she grinned as they left. She was feeling a lot less jittery about the drive once they had left the city behind, relaxing visibly in her seat. Besides, it helped that her car wasn’t a stick. “We’ll go around and see my grandparents as well.” “Sounds nice, this will be helpful for Christmastime practice. I’ll have to make sure I don’t forget any names.” She had a big family and he kind of liked that. It made things feel cosy. She grinned. “What do you think about a little holiday after Christmas? For New Year’s. I’ll even ask Liam. Make it fun. Maybe we’ll get Zayn to try some alcohol.” Harry checked his phone. “I haven’t heard a peep from Niall since they left, which makes no sense. He’s always texting me some rubbish.” “That house probably reeks of sex. I’m sure they’re enjoying themselves.” He giggled and nodded. “We think we’re bad, but they’re so much worse. I’m pretty sure Niall and Zayn fucked on our sofa when we were in court, of all places.” “Better get that deep cleaned,” she teased. “It is interesting though, how they’re making it work.” “Niall is hardly submissive-like,” Harry snorted. “That’s why it works.” Louisa placed a casual hand on his jean-clad thigh. “Well, I think it’s important to let an individual explore all sides of themselves. A designation shouldn’t get in the way of that.” He bit on the inside of his cheek. “I agree, thank you for encouraging me and supporting me on my journey. It helps me to know I’m accepted any way I am, even if I end up with an interest that isn’t very sub-like. I think culinary school is probably going to be like that, too.” “Does that make you nervous? Ending up in a room full of Doms who think they’re better than you just because of designation?” she asked softly. “No. I think I just don’t like the fact that subs do 99% of the cooking in their own homes, but when it comes to making a career out of it, it’s the Doms that become chefs and yell at people in professional kitchens. The subs that do make it, get stuck being the dishwasher or that kid in the corner who just peels potatoes and garlic every day for 12 hours. That’s a big part why I don’t feel attracted to going into fine dining. People are mean.” “Nobody’s getting away with being mean to my baby, I’ll get them fired.” He laughed wetly. “No need. I’ll find something I like doing and do that.” She smirked. “I’d buy a restaurant in your name and you can cook whatever you want there. Employ only subs and cook whatever you want, whenever you want. We can market it however.” He flushed. “Sometimes I forget how much money you have.” “I guess it helps knowing where to invest your money when you’re working in finance but also law,” she mused. “What’s the point of having it if I can’t spend it on you? It’s just sitting there and I already have the things I need. The house, the cars, the staff.” “You only have two cars. Flashy rich people have like, one for each day of the week. It makes me forget that you have that much money just sitting there.” “I made nest eggs for my sisters. If anything happens, something goes wrong, and they need money, I’ve got them more than covered. And I put money in my mother’s account only for her to get mad at me,” she snorted. “Like, I get that she grew up lower class but let me help?” “She told me you already helped loads even when you were broke,” he said softly. “With your sisters.” Her eyes were fond. “Good times. Pheebs and Daisy were in primary school and mum would be at work when school would be out so I’d go to pick them up and we’d get some candy for under a pound and they’d be happy enough. Then Mark took over taking care of them and making sure they did their homework while I went to my part time job. We’d eat dinner once mum was home and I’d do the dishes with her just so it could be only the two of us for a bit. When you have a lot of siblings, you have to share your mother with them.” “I can see where your work ethic comes from.” “I’ve been slowing down and stopping to smell the roses more and more nowadays. With you, but also because of everything we’ve already been through. I feel kind of bad that I roped you into so much danger and drama.” “I’m offended,” he snorted. “Zayn tried to say sorry the other day because her ex-Dom tried to hunt us down. I told her to shut her mouth. Now that she’s opened up and started talking more, she does say some shit.” Louisa burst into laughter, so much so that she slowed down and changed lanes so that she could laugh even harder. “So ridiculous.” He shrugged even though he was grinning the whole time. He liked seeing her so happy. They’d been under the assumption that once the case was closed and Cowell was behind bars, they’d be happy together and live in peace. It had always been the plan, but now, everything was up in the air again. They pulled into Doncaster a while later and Louisa’s stomach rumbled audibly enough for Harry to laugh. “Why didn’t we call ahead and tell your mother we were coming?” “Because I wanted to take you somewhere first, my love.” She pulled up to park on the side of the road and hopped out, Harry following with confusion to a small restaurant on the corner. It was more of a pub, but since it was lunchtime, it was filled with people eating their meals at the tables and even at the bar. It felt alive. “I like this place already,” he said, holding her hand. She grinned and found them two bar stools right at the end of the bar. “This is where Liam and I had our first drinks. Disgusting to the taste, of course, but a rite of passage.” “Of course,” he agreed. He could see how different lives were growing up, when you presented as a Dom or a sub. Everything changed with designation and most people ended up knowing what they’d be years before they actually presented. His parents had never doubted that he’d be a sub. Louisa ordered a few different things and two pints of beer, turning back to Harry and just holding his hand. They were tucked away in a corner of the crowded pub, and it felt intimate. It felt warm. They made goo goo eyes at each other until the food and drinks arrived, post which Louisa was too busy eating to make conversation and Harry was too busy staring at her. This was the first time she’d truly relaxed in months. Everything was so good that he ate too much and groaned. “I’m going to get a tummy.” She kissed his cheek and got up. “Let’s take a bit of a walk and the food will go down better.” They walked around, and Harry asked her about this and that, and Louisa was all too eager to answer. “That’s one of the grocery shops my grandparents shop from, because they remember the day it opened. This one is new, I think it opened after Liam and I moved to London. This was Fizzy’s favourite place in school, but she’s outgrown it now…” The stories continued for a while, until they walked in a circle and ended back up at the car. “I should’ve brought your mother a gift,” he said. “Something nice, like a mug or a bracelet.” “Nonsense, you’ve already given her the best gift you could,” Louisa dismissed. “She’s always been worried about me ending up alone. Not anymore. She’s proper convinced we’re made for each other.” “Well, we are,” he grinned. “Made for each other, that is.” His grin faded. “Just have to convince the Bureau of it.” “We will. Anyway, she’ll know what to do. She always does.” They pulled up to Louisa’s family home soon after, and when the door opened to a crying Earnest, Harry immediately went into parenting mode and gave him a hug, wiped his chubby cheeks and took him inside. Louisa watched them fondly before going inside and looking for her mother. Since the younger set of twins were here, it was likely she was visiting, or she’d dropped them off for a date with Dan. “Mum?” she called out, groaning when she got sideswiped into the wall and squeezed tight. “Fiz, ow!” Felicite laughed and pulled back. “Hi. Wasn’t expecting you.” She patted her sister’s head. “Surprise visit. Ow, let go. Jesus, you’re a ruffian. Who have you been hanging out with? Christ’s sake. Where’s mum?” “I’m babysitting the kids while she’s out with Dan.” Fizzy finally let go of her. “We are not kids!” They heard Daisy yell from upstairs. “For fuck’s sakes, this house is too loud,” Louisa groaned. Growing up, it had always been crowded and boisterous, but she did prefer the quietude of her own London house now. Next thing she knew, she was getting attacked by more hugs, groaning. “Oof, have you lot been roughhousing these past few months? Jesus.” “Nah, you’re getting old.” Louisa poked Fizzy hard and pulled back. “Anyway, don’t attack my poor sub with these hugs, he’s fragile.” Daisy and Phoebe giggled in unison because of some kooky twin telepathy at that before rushing off, to ambush her poor sub, no doubt. Fizzy hung back and started the kettle, turning to her oldest sister. “So, you’re happy.” “Very, Fiz. He’s wonderful, caring. He’s also easy on the eyes, so that helps,” she joked. “And we go together perfectly. When I’m down, he’s there to lift me up. He knows what I want and need without me having to say a word. It feels crazy to think we haven’t been together for a decade already. He’s the only one I’ve ever really been able to fulfil my role with.” “As a Dom?” Fizzy asked, shyly. She was a sub, only sixteen, and it hadn’t come as a surprise. Louisa had insisted she do her A-levels, after which she’d help her move to London and try a career in modelling. Fizzy had insisted she wanted to do both and would balance her time. Now that she was closer to taking her own Pairing Test, it was natural for her to have more questions. “Yeah, it’s hard out there as a Dominant woman. We’re still rare and when we’re unpaired, we have to struggle a little to find someone to be with for some sexual release. Dom men fall into a few categories. Category one is the scumbags, paired and cheating on their partners, looking for a quick fuck. It’s not difficult to spot them when they approach you in the wild. Not a category you’ll need to concern yourself with. Category two is the ones that are fuckboys. Looking to never be paired, just have one night stands or purely sexual relationships. These are fine if you’re on the same page and want the same things, but they’re often immature and aloof because responsibility makes them tremble. Category three are the ones that think they can fix a Dominant woman, and make her submit to them. They are mistaken. Again, not what you need to worry about. Category four is Liam and others like him, devoted to their partner, or partners. Category five is those genuinely looking for a Pairing. That’s the category you want.” Fizzy’s eyes bugged out of their sockets. “Partners?” she squeaked. “Oh, right, you don’t know,” Louisa smiled softly. The court case had made it into the papers and it was national news that Cowell would be in prison for probably the rest of his life, and a list of the crimes he’d committed. Zayn’s name had been mentioned but there was no picture of her, but Tomlinson-Payne had been flying high already. “Zayn has joined Liam and Niall’s pairing. Liam and Zayn went down to the Bureau to sign the papers already, I think. They’re official.” Fizzy was in shock. “Niall’s okay with that?” “Zayn and Niall were a thing pretty much as soon as they laid eyes on each other. It was fucking adorable. She saw him, heard his voice in the hospital, and knew he was for her. He was the one who could get through to her when none of us could. Liam was supportive as always, and when Zayn needed the kind of reassurance only a Dom could offer, he stepped up. She’s still my best friend, but they’re all with each other.” “Can that work?” “Of course, babe. You should see them all together. It more than works. They are in love with each other and it’s all quite sappy, to be honest. It took Liam and Zayn a bit longer to get to each other, so they’re still in the early stages, all cutesy. Niall and Zayn are practically established by now. It does help that blondie is a rather unsubmissive-like submissive, and there’s no possessiveness in their relationship. They’re all pieces of the puzzle that fit together.” “And he cares about what Niall wants,” Fiz said softly. “I know you’re scared, love, of what the future holds. It’s very easy to end up with a Dominant who you don’t love, but I’m your big sister and I’m always going to be there for you, come hell or high water. Besides, I own half of a law firm. We can get you out of any mess.” A Dominant who you don’t love. They both knew that it was much more than that which could go wrong, but Fizzy nodded and hugged Louisa, gently this time. “Thank you,” she sniffed. “We’ll find you a career man. Someone who wants you to pursue modelling as much as you do, but also protects you when necessary. And he has to be good looking of course,” Louisa joked. “Besides, who knows, you might not be paired right away. Sometimes it takes time.” “You were paired to Harry on the day he took the Pairing test.” “And it was the beginning of the rest of my life. I want your Dom to feel that way about you, lovely.” “Am I interrupting?” Harry asked softly as he stood in the doorway to the kitchen. Fizzy gave a wet laugh and gave him a hug. “Hi, how are you doing, Felicite?” “I’m good,” she said. “Have some tea, I’ll check on the kids.” “Earnest is napping, I just put him down. He was crying when we got here because he missed his mumma. Doris is sleeping like the angel she is.” “Thanks, I’ll be right back.” She excused herself and Louisa pulled Harry in for a kiss. “Hi,” he grinned. “Did you miss me?” “Well, yes, but also, seeing you with children does something to my ovaries. I need some time to process,” Louisa joked. “It’s still early.” Harry blinked a few times. “What- miss!” She couldn’t just spring that on him, that too, so casually! “What?” she teased softly. “I said what I said. We agreed to wait till you started your career, but I’ve been feeling some baby fever. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because of the things you do to me. I’ve never really been with anyone before and thought, I’d have his babies, until I met you. So it’s throwing me for a loop, because all of this is new to me, too.” He flushed crimson. His Dom wanted to have his babies right now, practicalities aside. “I’m not saying let’s start trying right away, because that would be silly. We’ve still got a lot to worry about, of course, but this is forever. The rest of our lives. Let’s do it right.” He agreed with a soft nod and dipped his head down to kiss her. There was a warmth spreading in his chest, filling up his entire body, head to toe, until he was flushed and happy. He was secure in his Pairing, and he wouldn’t let anyone destroy them, even if they tried. They heard the front door click open and pulled back. Louisa pecked his lips and went to the door to hug her mother. Jay squeezed her tight and they murmured softly to each other while Dan said hello and let them have their moment, while Harry busied himself getting them tea. Jay pulled back and gave him a hug before taking the mug from him. “How are you love?” she asked. “Alright,” he smiled softly. “Sorry we couldn’t visit sooner.” She gave his cheek a pinch and sat down. “So, what’s wrong?” Louisa sighed. “Mum. We can talk about it later. You just got here. We just got here. Also, stop reading my mind, it makes me self-conscious.” “If I could read your mind, I’d already know what’s wrong, pet.” Harry was about to slip out of the kitchen but then his Dom grabbed his hand and made him stay. He nodded and sat down quietly, not expecting her to climb into his lap. He put his arms around her anyway. “Well?” Jay asked. “I’m waiting. Out with it before someone interrupts us. Is something going on with the case? I thought that was over.” “It’s over,” Louisa reassured. “This is different. The Bureau is opening an investigation into us. Harry and I.” He circled his arms tighter around her. I won’t let them take her from me.
 
“Oh, baby,” Jay cooed softly, holding her hand. “I’m sorry. What brought this on?” Investigations weren’t common, but when someone’s name started appearing in the papers, your chances of being scrutinised went up exponentially. “An anonymous tip.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice and Harry almost laughed, hiding his smile in her shoulder. “Anyway, Harry’s about to start culinary school and I don’t want them disrupting things. Liam said he’d help, but we all know that when he intervenes, it becomes way too intense and final. He doesn’t give a shit about where the pieces fall.” If you want to win, you have to pay the price. “Well. We can figure this out. Have you talked through it with Liam yet?” “A little, but he was rather preoccupied with a lapful of sub at the time, and I didn’t want to ruin their celebratory mood. They’re so happy, mum.” “I have a lapful of Dom, and I’d be mad if someone ruined it,” Harry agreed seriously.Jay laughed. “So, it’s true? Liam has taken Zayn in?” “More like Niall took her in after she fell head over heels for him. Zayn’s done a lot of work on herself to begin to believe that Li isn’t like the other Dominant men she used to know. They’re signing today to make it official and then they’re all a happy throuple. I guess three isn’t a crowd,” Louisa grinned. “Ask them to drop by for a visit, I haven’t seen them in ages and I’d love to meet Zayn,” Jay said, finishing her mug. “Liam’s forgotten all about us.” “More like ran away when he realised Lottie had a humongous crush on him and knew that if I saw them together I’d make sure he regretted ever looking at her,” Louisa muttered. “He was too old for her.” “That’s just code for you didn’t approve of him for your sister. Besides, it was just a silly crush,” Jay waved off. “You always did take it way too seriously. I blamed the Dom in you for it.” “Fine,” she grumbled. “You weren’t wrong, mum.” “Right, are you staying here or with us?” “Here is fine, Fizzy was missing me.” It would do some good to Fizzy to see a relatively newly paired couple operate. “I’ll hang out with her and come over tomorrow. Will you cook?” she pouted and made big puppy eyes at her mother. “Fine, pet. How long are you staying?” “Just till Saturday, Harry starts his course on Monday and I’m sure he’s feeling nervous.” She kissed his cheek softly. “I’m fine,” he replied, flushing pink. He couldn’t help how he reacted to her simple touches and kisses. “I can help with the kids.” She got off his lap when she heard that the twins were definitely up from their nap and running around, and he gave her a kiss before going to check on them, while Louisa watched on fondly. “Oh sweetheart, you are so in love,” Jay cooed softly. Louisa laughed and gave her a cuddle. “Yes but I still missed you.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Harry got all but shooed out of the kitchen and swatted on his bum when he tried to help with dinner, but he figured it was for the best since he didn’t want to intrude on his Dom’s personal time with her mum. He found it best to keep the kids busy. Mark was at his girlfriend’s, Felicité had retreated to her room once her chores were done, especially since both sets of twins seemed to be absolutely enamoured with Harry anyway. Doris had become obsessed with his hair and would keep trying to grab a curl while the older set of twins had all sorts of questions for him. “Were you born with that hair or did it come in later?” “I used to be blonde,” he grinned. “Then after a couple of years my hair darkened and became curly.” “Do you like it? Is it hard to maintain?” Harry wasn’t sure which twin was which. “I like it,” he shrugged, “but it is hard. I have to take such good care of it, and it grows pretty wildly sometimes. I’ve been trimming it regularly to keep it at a manageable length, but your sister wants me to grow it out at some point, which sounds nice.”“You’d look so good with long hair! I’ll help you braid it!” All of it made Harry miss Gemma. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Louisa and Jay worked together, chopping and stirring and talking each other’s ears off. “So, those three,” Jay started. “It wasn’t all that surprising,” Louisa shrugged. “Harry saw Niall and Zayn kissing once and Liam didn’t seem to mind. It did take time, for the relationship to become established, but they’ve really helped Zayn come to terms with herself, more than anything. She’s finally feeling settled, I’m sure. She can rely on someone for the first time.” “And the criminal?” “30 years in jail, and he had to pay £200,000 to Zayn. She doesn’t even have a bank account. Liam must be eager to open one in her name, he was practically desperate to make Zayn his and sign at the Bureau. It took her a bit of time to warm up to him, he looks kind of big and scary, but now they’re feeling closer to each other. Poor Liam was about to lose his mind.” “Wasn’t he the same man who had to pay out some millions to his investors a few years ago when there was some financial fraud in his company?” “Yep, he lied to his investors and created falsified documents to get them to invest in the first place, which is illegal. Besides, he had a lot of goons hired to do his bidding, kind of threaten people here and there to make sure they wouldn’t talk. Anyway, it’s not like his companies could recover now. I recommended they dissolve everything and give the money to charity, not that there’s much left,” she snorted. “Louisa Tomlinson, do not tell me you sent them another legal notice. He’s gone to prison!” She shrugged. “Oh well. It wasn’t really a court notice or anything. I just gave them a hint to act fast, before I decided to come for them piece by piece. It’s really crazy how much information you can find out about companies and their top management if you really know where to look and give it time and effort. We spent six months on this case, Liam and I came across some rather fascinating facts.” “You Dominants,” Jay sighed. “There’s no controlling you when you’re out for blood.” “I try to keep it reeled in most of the time,” Louisa defended. “I was just in the mood for a little fun, keep things interesting. He fucked with me by sending the Bureau on my ass, so I decided it would be a lovely idea for his companies to be nothing but forgotten dust. I’m sure his family is incredibly ashamed of him.” “Men like him don’t do the things they do without help,” Jay agreed. “I just didn’t think you’d be so angry about it now that he’s gone.” “I have a lot to lose,” Louisa answered quietly. “I won’t let them take him from me. I don’t care if I have to lie, cheat, manipulate, blackmail or coerce. If they hurt him, they hurt me.” “Lou,” she said softly. “I know you love him and you two are completely crazy for each other, but don’t get so caught up in your emotions that you forget practicality. It’s best to move on.” “You have no idea how many times I wanted to punch his stupid face every time in the courtroom. I’ve never really wanted to beat someone up before, but there I was. The way he looked at me, like I was a piece of meat, every time he saw me. It made me feel disgusting. He did despicable things to Zayn. He drugged her, mum, starved her, kept her tied up on cold floors and in basements and-“ She took a deep breath to calm herself down, gripping the counter for dear life. “I wanted to make him suffer.” Jay gathered her daughter in her arms and held her close. “Nobody deserves to go through that, but you saved her, pet. All of you came together to save her and she’s okay now, yeah? You’re all okay. It might get difficult sometimes, because the memories come back every now and then, but she’s got two people taking care of her, and they’re the ones best equipped to take care of her.”She felt her anger dissipate, just sighing softly. Mum’s hugs were the best. “I know I’m a lot to deal with. Such a moody one for my age, eh?” “You’ll always be my baby.” Jay kissed her head and pulled back. “No matter how old you get.” She bit on the inside of her cheek, trying to think of something else so that she wouldn’t feel so frustrated about the lack of revenge against Cowell. “This is a weird question but do you know any Dom mothers?” “Sure, there’s plenty.” “I don’t mean the ones where the sub carries and births the baby.” Realisation flickered on Jay’s face. “Oh. No, I don’t. I don’t think we’ve had a Dominant woman present in the family at all, except you. None of my friends, either, not even at work. All of the couples that come in are with sub pregnancies. Do you want to…?” It wasn’t like they hadn’t talked about it before, Louisa having her own children someday. Jay had started preparing her for Dominant situations and talks as soon as she’d presented. It had been a surprise and a learning curve for all of the family, but from her research, Jay knew the obvious choice for Dominant women to have children was to pair with a submissive woman, choose a sperm donor and have a baby that way. It wasn’t uncommon for her to deliver their babies. “Yeah. I do.” The words hung in the air for a few seconds. They could hear Doris and Earnest giggling loudly in the living room. “Oh,” Jay realised. “When did you know?” “Quite early on. Probably when I brought him to meet you for the first time. He was just so lovely with the babies. I don’t know, it’s too early, we’ve not even been together for a year yet and everything’s been such a mess, he’s only eighteen and I know we have time, fertility wise.” “You could freeze some eggs, if you’re worried.” “That’s not all I’m worried about.” Louisa chewed on the inside of her cheek. “Will I even be a good mum? Can I be doting and loving and all of those things that a good mum is supposed to be as a Dom?” Harry cleared his throat from behind them, making both women turn. “If I may say something?” Louisa nodded, looking guilty at being caught. “That’s a traditional way of thinking, and while we might be an accepted pair, we aren’t a conventional one. I’ve personally been around one other couple like us, but I was too young to understand the nuances of what it means to actually be in the Dom/sub element of a Pairing, anyway. I don’t think we need to be all that caught up in the traditional roles. I am the sub. I can do everything short of carry and birth our children.” He paused, testing the way it felt on his tongue. Our children. “You can do the badass stuff like teaching them how to ride bikes and swim and do taxes, be the bad cop when I’m too soft and spoil them rotten.” “The softest.” She kissed him right then and there, which he certainly had no hesitations about. By the time they broke apart, he was flushed. “So red.” She thumbed his cheek, making him giggle nervously. Dinner was a fairly quiet affair considering the amount of people present, children and teens included. Louisa asked a few questions about Mark’s girlfriend, and the man just seemed to light up. Phoebe and Daisy confirmed that they liked her, she was a lovely lady. Harry complimented the food to no end and both Jay and Louisa blushed, looking every bit of the mother-daughter pair they were. Earnest and Doris made a mess that needed cleaning, food all over their hands, faces and high chairs. Harry was more than willing to take the job but he got shooed to the hall to sit and watch telly with Fizzy. “Are you the quietest of the lot?” he asked as they watched Strictly Come Dancing. “Yeah. Louisa and Lottie were a lot growing up and then Pheebs and Daisy. I was the middle child. Besides, they’re too loud,” she giggled. “Someone needed to be quiet. Thank god Mum makes them do the dishes and stuff now, I get so fed up of taking care of everyone if they’re making a huge mess.” “Are you all tired out?” he chuckled.“Oh, definitely. Once mum is gone, those two baby hellions unleash their tantrums. She thinks they’re her angels. And the older twins are giggling after boys all day. It gets exhausting running after them all. It was easier when Lottie was still here, but she’s been gone a year now, so I guess I’m used to it.” “How’s she doing in her Pairing?” “Everything is fine, he’s sweet to her and he takes care of her. He encouraged her to try being a beauty influencer of some sort, she’s gone for it. It’s nice, usually Doms don’t want us to plaster ourselves on social media.” “I’m sure lots of subs enjoy her content,” was all he said, even though it was likely a lot of Doms were perusing her content for other reasons. Negative attention was a part of life, especially as a sub on the internet. People hid behind the veil of anonymity and the complete lack of accountability had them saying some rather unhinged things. “It sounds scary, this getting paired affair. My entire life would change in a snap. As soon as I’m 18, I’m sitting there writing a test that’s going to determine my entire future, and I won’t even get a say. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t even know if I want this.”Harry pulled her in and gave her a snug hug. “It’s scary, I know. I was terrified, too, and that’s not what you want to be on your birthday,” he chuckled, “but I’d been prepared well. Have you been talking about this with your sisters and mum?” “Lottie’s busy in her life,” she mumbled, “and Louisa in hers. Mum already has a lot going on with the kids, I don’t want to bother anyone.” “You’re not a bother. They would love to help. I’m sure they’d jump at the chance if you approached them with your fears.” “What’s it like, the Test?” “Eh, a long day, but not bad, overall. You go in and it’s pretty systematic. You give them your name and they take down all of your details, then you get put with the group of the day, which rotates through different rooms throughout the day. They take your physical details and medical history, so you need to be carrying documents if you have any medical issues. You do spend an awful lot of time in waiting rooms over the day, though, so it’s nice to make friends. “The actual Test can be quite daunting, because you get put in this tiny room with a single table and you have to sit there and write in silence till you get through the entire booklet. You can’t be shy about checking off your reds, yellows and greens, but I found that part pretty easy. It’s the descriptive section that’s hard. They ask all sorts of questions and you just have to know what you want, or you can’t answer them.” “So, if I want to go to London and be a model, I could write that in there?” she questioned. “Oh, definitely. It does ask if you want to be stay-at-home, a part-time worker or a full-time worker. It also asks about children, and some Doms may require you to take a fertility test. Not sure if you can opt out, but it is better than it used to be. The Bureau would make you take a fertility test.” He shuddered at the thought. “It’s all in the past now.” “I read about the case,” she said softly. “Things are changing. Have you seen what’s going on on social media ever since? It’s been crazy. You’re all famous.” She thrust her phone at him. There were a few videos of them exiting the courtroom after the verdict, Louisa holding her hand tightly. They didn’t have much of Zayn’s, except for a new video of her with Liam while they got into the car outside the Bureau. “Oh, they signed,” he cooed softly. “They must be so happy.” Zayn looked beautiful. She was wearing a long dress that he hadn’t seen before, but he assumed her new Dom had bought it for her for the occasion. The white dress made her look relaxed and made her naturally tan skin tone pop against the contrast of her black hair and the white dress. He still remembered the skin and bones she’d been that night in the club, and the days that followed. How much she had to struggle to get through everything, to come to terms with what she’d suffered through, and to let that go so that she could love again. She’d once told him she didn’t want a relationship or love again, but here she was. It was like life had said, you’ve suffered enough, now you can have your happily ever after. “Love of my life, blondie needs you urgently,” Louisa hummed as she came into the room and plopped herself into Harry’s lap, handing him her phone. His brain almost glitched at the nickname. Love of my life. He rose his brow at her and took it, holding it to his ear while Fizzy put the TV on mute, amused.“Harold, oh my god, do you live under a rock? Have you seen what’s going around?!” “Uh, hello to you too, Niall, what’s going on?” Louisa pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Everyone’s losing their minds, we’re on the news,” Zayn said, taking the phone from her not-so-blond lover. “We were at the Bureau to sign and apparently someone there works at a news station. He was covering the court case on the network. He asked if we’d all do interviews, and I was about to be really uncomfortable, but Liam gave him his card and said he’d call later. He thinks this could be an incredible PR move, for you guys.” “Let me explain,” Niall piped up excitedly. “We could all go on, Cowell’s companies will die and that would be such sweet revenge. I know Louisa wanted some. And and and! You could showcase your wonderful relationship, broadcasted to the entire country, and show those smug assholes at the Bureau that you two are the real deal.” “They could still try to twist it around,” Liam spoke in the background. “But we’ll see what happens and take it one step at a time. I’m hopeful. This was just a stroke of luck.” “Apparently, we’re famous on social media,” Harry said lightly. “So we’re gaining public favour. If anyone wants to promote themselves or suddenly launch a cosmetics company, now is the time. Killer sales possibilities.” “So, should we do it?” Liam asked. “Lou said she would like you to decide. I’m okay either way, I’ll be handing out plenty of documentation for the network to sign. We’ll be protected, there will be no questions we don’t want to answer.” That was for everyone’s benefit, but especially Zayn’s. Harry would’ve done the same if he was in her Dom’s shoes. He smiled softly. He wasn’t scared of being on TV, but he had other things to occupy his mind. “I think it’ll be okay, but I am starting at Le Cordon Bleu on Monday.” Just thinking about it made his heart thump loudly in his chest. “I’ll take care of that,” Liam reassured. “You can discuss everything with Lou if you want, we don’t have to give them an answer right away. Niall was the one who got all excited about it.” “Imagine how much I could do with that kind of publicity!” Niall exclaimed. “I’d be so busy taking guitar classes and bringing in the moolah. And I’ll get people to donate to sub rights.” “You so would,” Harry agreed. “Everyone loves you to pieces.” Louisa giggled softly into his neck at that, and he immediately got distracted. This could be the key to making sure they weren’t torn apart. They had a chance to show everyone just how good they were for each other, that this Pairing had been the best thing that had ever happened to either of them. “We’ll talk later, have fun,” Zayn said before hanging up. He was about to say goodbye but then he felt a set of warm lips on his soft spot and his whole body shuddered involuntarily. Fuck, what was he thinking about again? All of the blood in his body was rushing south really quickly. “We should head to bed,” Louisa hummed loudly enough for Fizzy to hear, who was still perched on the sofa next to them. “I already got your old room ready for you,” Felicité winked, getting up. “Goodnight.” She disappeared up the stairs. “Does the bedroom share any walls with any other bedrooms?” he asked in a whisper. “Yes, so you’ll have to be quiet,” Louisa smirked, kissing his earlobe and taking it into her mouth. He sucked in a breath roughly, squeezing her hips. “I don’t- don’t know if I can do- um, that,” he stuttered. Fuck, he was so hard right now. “There is a first time for everything,” Louisa purred in his ear and pulled back, getting off of his lap. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she took his hand and led him up the stairs. He was sure he was about to trip and fall flat on his face, but they made it to the bedroom uninjured. The room was the same as he remembered it from the last time they’d stayed over. The big bed took up most of the space, and he could tell they’d had it put in only after their Pairing, so that they’d be able to stay over. “What’s it like to have sex in your childhood home?” he asked breathlessly. Louisa smirked. “Let’s find out.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

After a very enthusiastic romp on a squeaky bed and Harry’s mouth practically stuffed with pillow while he exerted great self-control to be quiet while also being made to come twice in quick succession, he found it no trouble to sleep for the next ten hours uninterrupted. He didn’t even stir when his Dom got out of bed and slid out of the room. When he woke, he was alone. He groaned and rolled over, stretching. Actively trying not to think about their antics last night was difficult but he managed, pulling his joggers up and looking for his t shirt, but it wasn’t anywhere in sight, so he opened his bag and got a new one before making his way to the bathroom, knocking on the door just to make sure he wouldn’t walk in to someone showering. “Oof,” he groaned as he got squeezed from behind, arms wrapped around him. “Hi, sleepyhead,” Louisa giggled, kissing his back. “I missed you.”
He turned around to peck her lips. “Let me brush my teeth and I’ll kiss you properly.”

He was still sleepy and soft and it made her grin, patting his ass as she let him go. He narrowed his eyes at her playfully, taking in her appearance. She’d stolen his t shirt again and had it knotted at the front and was wearing shorts underneath that were practically clinging to her skin. Now if only she’d turn around, he’d get a view of that incredible arse. “I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is don’t,” she giggled. “You’ll just make your morning predicament worse and then a cold shower is the only thing that could help my poor baby. So come down and eat when you’re done brushing.”

He groaned around his toothbrush because she was right and averted his eyes when she left. He was feeling pretty hungry and could also use some coffee, so he rushed and went downstairs once he was relatively presentable. Jay and Dan had taken the twins home and it was quiet. Mark was reading the paper and sipping his tea while Daisy and Phoebe were glued to their phones in the living room. He found his Dom in the kitchen with Fizzy and they were both talking in low voices, both of their heads snapping up when he entered. Felicite blushed and fiddled with her hair. “Come sit.” Louisa got up and fixed him a plate like a mother hen and placed it in front of him. It was nothing fancy, just some breakfast sandwiches filled to the brim and a side of baked beans. “Thanks,” he grinned, taking a seat. “Morning, Fizzy.” “Hi,” she flushed shyly, looking flustered still. He rose a brow as he popped a bite into his mouth after scooping a hefty amount of beans on. He wasn’t being picky, but these were definitely a different brand of beans than the ones he preferred. He could tell. “Fiz, eh, heard us last night,” Louisa supplied to clear up the confusion, making her baby sister turn crimson. “The bed was squeaking and you’re not that quiet, love.”

He hid his grin behind his fork and swallowed. “Oh, whoops?” “It’s not awkward,” she corrected. “She’s curious.” “About sex? Isn’t everyone,” he shrugged. “Sex is very nice, Fizzy, and healthy when you’re in tune with your partner’s needs. It can take some time to find that, though, when things are new, especially if inexperience plays a part. Lottie should be more help.” “She’s, um,” Fiz stammered, “well. She found it no big deal. She had a boyfriend before, in school. I haven’t really been with anyone yet. Like, is it supposed to hurt the first time?” Louisa patted her arm. “Likely it won’t feel good right away, but it’s your Dom’s responsibility to make sure that you are taken care of in every sense.” Her face turned smug. “My newfound fame will be helpful when it comes to it. I can be very scary when I need to be and I have resources.” Harry laughed. His Dom, being big, bad and scary? She was a huge floofball! Her dominating him in bed was a wholly different matter and had nothing to do with this argument. “Is everyone scared of you at work?” he teased. “I can’t hire people who can’t even use Excel!” He chuckled at her expense. He found it hilarious whenever she got fired up about interns in her department. “I’m sure you’ll be overprotective like always,” Felicite piped up, “and that could be helpful, but don’t intervene unless you need to. Poor Lewis almost looked like he’d seen a ghost after you threatened to chop his balls off if Lottie ever cried because of him.” Harry laughed so hard that he had to put his fork and knife down. Louisa was about to quip back but then she was completely enamoured with the wonderful sight of her sub’s unbridled laughter and sheer joy and her heart was suddenly so full, it was at risk to burst. “I’m not joking,” Fiz said seriously. “She did say that and he did freak out. He still steers clear of Lou whenever they’re in the same room together.”

“He better not hurt my sister,” Louisa quipped. Harry wiped his face, he’d laughed so much his eyes were watering. “God, I’m paired to a comedian.” His Dom grinned. “Of course. You’re very lucky.” He gave her a smooch and went back to her food. Fizzy’s eyes were on them before she excused herself to not be rude and intrude on their moments, but Harry could tell she was rather curious. “Hanging out here today or with your mum?” he asked once he was done eating. “We’re all going over there soon, baby, so get dressed. We’ll pop by the house and go to the pub for a nice, greasy meal.” “You really love those,” he chuckled before getting up and starting to clean. “No cleaning, get up there and get ready, we’re leaving in half an hour.” She patted his ass and he pouted till she pecked his lips, finally going upstairs. Louisa made Phoebe and Daisy clean up the kitchen by threatening to take away their phones and Phoebe blushed the entire time, which was clearly something. “A boy on your mind?” she guessed. “Indeed,” Daisy laughed. “She has a huge crush on this guy in our class and he suddenly started texting her out of the blue.” She whispered the next part. “I tipped off his friend about it and apparently, the crush is mutual.” “Daisy!” Her twin poked her hard in the side. Louisa laughed. “Cute. Keep an eye on the progress for me, Dee.” “Or she could get her own boyfriend!” Phoebe protested. “No thank you,” Daisy shuddered, washing the plates. Louisa hummed to herself and made a note to ask mum about that later. Harry descended the stairs looking positively yummy in a pair of shorts and a t shirt. Louisa licked her lips and appreciated the sight. “Looking good.” He flushed. “Don’t, otherwise I’ll be thinking of you all the time at lunch.” She kissed his cheek. “I wouldn’t want that,” she teased softly. “My poor baby.” “Okay, that’s not helping,” he whined. “I can’t do you every night, poor Fiz will be traumatised,” she giggled, then turned. “Girls, let’s head out!” The twins whined and said they needed time to get dressed, but Louisa ruled her house with an iron fist and suddenly they were ready to go in five minutes. Felicite emerged from her room and joined them, always the quietest one of the lot. “You sure you’re okay at home alone, dad?” she asked Mark. “Sallie’s coming over, I’m making her lunch. Shoo before she shows up.” “Ooh,” Louisa hummed, giving a suggestive wag of her brows before piling everyone into the car. The girls complained about being smushed in the back, which she silenced quickly with, “My sub sits in the front with me, now sh your faces.” Harry silently grinned the whole way there. --- Lunch with Jay and her children turned out to be a rather noisy affair as soon as they were in the pub. Louisa took over feeding Earnest and Doris and let them make an absolute mess when they tried eating with their own hands, but she was gentle and patient with them, trying to teach them how to use a fork and a spoon. Harry was enamoured by the sight while the rest of the girls were busy talking their heads off with Jay. “You haven’t touched your food, do you want me to feed you?” he asked his Dom softly while she gave Doris some water in her favourite cup. The girl was fussy and never drank out of any other cup than the pink one she’d imprinted on. “That’s sweet, baby, yes. I’ve got my hands full with these two.” She didn’t sound annoyed or frustrated, but rather content, and it made Harry’s heart swell to twice its size. He fed her a forkful and almost groaned watching her lips wrap around the fork and then chew, licking a bit of sauce off of the cutlery. “Mm it tastes better when you feed me.” “What do you know, you hadn’t even taken a bite,” he teased. “Sh and let me love on you.” She turned back to wipe Earnest’s face and hands. Harry resumed the task at hand and fed her another bite, which she received and while it may not have been intended to be sexual, his mind kept going there. Why was he always so needy for her? Was it because of his young age, the honeymoon stage of their relationship or was he just the type to have sex on his mind? Louisa noticed the change in his expression, and her lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. She didn’t say anything, just raised an eyebrow in that way she did whenever she was silently calling him out. It was a look that always made Harry’s stomach flip—and, unfortunately, made other parts of him react too. “What’s that look for, Miss?” he asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. “Oh, nothing,” she hummed, reaching over to wipe a stray bit of sauce from his chin with her thumb. Her touch lingered just a second too long, sending a shiver down his spine. “You just look quite...distracted.” “I’m not distracted,” Harry quipped, though his flushed cheeks betrayed him. “Mm-hmm.” She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to make his pulse quicken. “Of course you aren’t.” Harry swallowed hard, his mind racing with thoughts he absolutely shouldn’t be having in a pub full of people. “You’re messing with me,” he accused, though there was no real bite to his tone. “Am I?” she questioned, tilting her head innocently. “Or are you just a little too easy to fluster?” He didn’t have a good comeback for that, so he focused on feeding her another bite instead. But, of course, she had to make it worse by letting out a soft hum of approval as she chewed, her tongue darting out to catch a bit of sauce on her lip. Harry’s thoughts promptly derailed. “You’re doing that on purpose,” he muttered, his voice barely audible over the chatter of the pub. “Doing what?” she posed, her tone the picture of innocence. But the glint in her eyes told a different story. “Being...distracting,” he replied, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks. Louisa smirked, leaning in just enough for him to catch a whiff of her perfume. “Oh, sweetheart,” she murmured, her voice low and teasing, “if I wanted to distract you, you’d know.” Harry nearly choked on his own breath, his mind instantly conjuring a dozen scenarios he absolutely shouldn’t be thinking about in public. Louisa just laughed softly, clearly enjoying his reaction. “You’re impossible,” he said, trying to sound exasperated but mostly sounding breathless. “And you’re adorable when you’re flustered,” she shot back, her tone light but with an unmistakable edge of affection. Harry felt like his brain was short-circuiting. On one hand, he wanted to drag her out of the pub and kiss her senseless. On the other hand, he didn’t trust himself to even stand up without giving away just how much her teasing was affecting him. “You’re thinking about something naughty, aren’t you?” she asked suddenly, her voice low enough that only he could hear. “No,” Harry lied immediately, his voice a touch too high-pitched. Louisa’s smirk widened. “Of course,” she said again, leaning in so close her breath brushed against his ear. “Tell me, baby, what’s on your mind?” Harry’s face was on fire at this point. “I, uh, I don’t think this is an appropriate time for that conversation.” He glanced at the toddlers and her teen sisters around the table, not to forget her mother. She pulled back slightly, laughing softly. “Smart answer. But we’re finishing that conversation later.”The promise in her tone sent a thrill through him, and he barely managed to suppress a shiver. He knew she’d make good on that promise, too, just like she had last night, even though it had been at poor Fizzy’s expense, not that he was ashamed she’d heard them. Louisa, satisfied with his flustered state, turned her attention back to the children, who were now engaged in some sort of argument over a toy. Harry took the opportunity to take a few deep breaths, trying to get his heart rate back under control. But, of course, Louisa wasn’t done with him yet. A few minutes later, as they were cleaning up the table, she leaned in close again, her lips brushing against his ear as she whispered, “You’re lucky there are kids here. Otherwise, I’d have you blushing for a very different reason.” Harry froze, his breath catching in his throat. Before he could even process her words, she pulled back with a smug smile, like she hadn’t just set his brain on fire. “Mistress,” he hissed, his voice barely audible. Her eyes darkened immediately. “I warned you not to call me that outside our playtime, little sub. You’re testing me.” He whined. “You’re evil. I was just returning the sentiment.” “I will tie you up this time,” she threatened. “And you will love it.” He couldn’t argue with that. --- The drive to Jay’s place was deceptively quiet, as the girls had piled into Jay’s car instead of Louisa’s. Harry’s heart was anything but. He couldn’t stop replaying Louisa’s words in his head, the promise of what was waiting for him when they were alone. Her teasing had left his thoughts scrambled, and the sight of her delectable behind as she exited the car was not helping. Louisa glanced back at him, catching him staring. Her lips curled into that maddeningly smug smile that always made him feel both utterly exposed and completely adored. “You’re quiet,” she teased. “Just...thinking,” Harry mumbled, his cheeks heating up for what felt like the hundredth time that day. “Mm, about earlier?” Her voice dropped just enough to make his breath hitch. “Maybe,” he admitted, his voice barely audible. Louisa chuckled softly, stopping at their front door. He wasn’t usually so shy, but she liked it. She liked all of his sides. She turned to him, stepping close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body. “Good,” she murmured, her fingers brushing lightly against his jaw. “Because I haven’t stopped thinking about it either.” Harry’s pulse raced as she unlocked the door and stepped inside, her movements slow and deliberate. He followed her, only thinking of her. They flitted past the girls in the living room and the twins nodding down for their nap in the nursery till they arrived at the guest room. The moment the door clicked shut behind them, Louisa turned to face him, her expression shifting from playful to something much more intense. “Come here,” she commanded, her voice low but firm. Harry obeyed instantly, his feet moving before his brain could catch up. He never had to think with her, he just obeyed. He stopped just in front of her, his head tilted slightly to meet her gaze. Her eyes were dark, glinting with that commanding energy that always left him breathless. “Good boy,” she praised, her hand coming up fist in his hair, albeit gently. The praise sent a jolt of heat through him, and he leaned into her touch without thinking, his eyes dilating in pleasure. Louisa’s touch traced down his scalp and then his face, her touch light but deliberate. “You’ve been so sweet today,” she murmured, her lips curling into a small smile. “Taking care of me, feeding me...watching me like you couldn’t take your eyes off me.” “I couldn’t,” Harry admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. Her smile widened slightly, her thumb brushing over his lower lip. “I know, baby. I saw the way you looked at me. Like you were ready to drop to your knees right there in the pub.” Harry swallowed hard, his breath catching. The thought had crossed his mind more than once, and the fact that she’d noticed, and was now calling him out on it, only made him feel more exposed. “Was I wrong?” A smirk played on her perfectly luscious lips. “No, miss,” he managed to whisper, his cheeks burning. “Good,” she hummed, her voice a mix of amusement and approval. “Because that’s exactly where I want you now.” Harry’s knees nearly buckled at her words. He sank to the floor without hesitation, his eyes trained on her as she looked down at him with an expression that was equal parts affection and command. Louisa took a step closer, her hand sliding back into his hair. She tugged harder now, just enough to tilt his head back so he was looking up at her. “There’s my sweet submissive, so sweet,” she murmured, her voice soft but undeniably in control. Harry’s heart was pounding, his entire body attuned to her every word, her every movement. She didn’t need to raise her voice or bark orders; her presence alone was enough to command him, to make him want to give her everything. “You’ve been so patient,” she continued, her fingers combing through his hair, her touch alternating between soft and rough, tugging and smoothening just to keep him on edge. “But I know what you’ve been thinking about. I could see it in your eyes, feel it in the way you looked at me. You want to be dominated.” “I couldn’t help it,” Harry confessed, his voice trembling slightly. “You’re...you’re perfect, mistress.” Louisa laughed softly, the sound warm and rich. “You’re too sweet for your own good.” Her thumb brushed over his lower lip, which was wet. “But I like that about you.” He couldn’t stop the small, needy sound that escaped him as she continued to play with his hair. Every time she pulled his hair and tugged, his cock grew harder. He felt like he was completely at her mercy, and he wouldn’t have had it any other way. The look in his eyes was enough for her to soften, and for a moment, the intensity between them gave way to something gentler, more intimate. Her touch went back to his lips, tracing them. “You’re everything.” His heart thudded hard at that, and he felt a lump rise in his throat. Moments like these, when she looked at him like he was the most important thing in her world, always left him feeling raw, vulnerable in the best way. He trusted her with his life. “You’re mine,” she said quietly, her voice firm but filled with warmth. “Yes,” Harry whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. “Always.” Louisa smiled, her fingers tightening in his hair to tug roughly enough to make him moan. “Good.” Her voice changed again, sending shivers down his spine. “Now, let’s see just how sweet you can be for me.”

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

“Did you really have to take him up to a bedroom and have your way with him with your baby sisters and brother in the same house?” Jay admonished. Louisa didn’t bother blushing. “Yes. I did. My sub was being needy and I took care of him like a good Dom does. Besides, we have a healthy sex life. I know he’s loud, but we’re working on that.” She’d practically smothered him with a pillow and it had just made him moan louder. They’d discovered a new kink of his, and she was delighted. “He hasn’t been this relaxed in ages. I just want him to enjoy this time before we go back to our lives and start being investigated by the Bureau.” Jay’s eyes softened. “I do understand, sweet pea, but your sisters are rather…how shall I put it? Nosy and giggly.” She shrugged. “Pish posh, mum. Fizzy’s got to get with the programme soon enough, she’ll be giving her Test in eighteen months. Phoebe has a boyfriend. Don’t know about Daisy though, I do need to talk to her about it.” She hummed. She had a feeling she knew where Daisy’s mind was. “Doms,” Jay sighed, shaking her head at her oldest daughter. “You’ll do what you think is right. I’ll talk to Harry and see how he’s doing. Daisy was outside a while ago, go find her.” Louisa kissed her cheek and went to the garden to find the twins lounging in the grass like they were sunbathing. “Girls!” She took a seat between them, crossing her legs. “Your boyfriend didn’t text or call today?” she teased Phoebe. She grumbled under her breath and checked her phone for the thousandth time. “He said he’d call but he didn’t.” “Men, is anyone surprised?” Daisy rolled her eyes. “I don’t know, mine’s pretty nice,” Louisa grinned. “He’s a sub, it doesn’t count,” Phoebe huffed and got up from the grass and stomped off inside like the moody teenager she was. “She’s definitely presenting as a sub,” Louisa laughed, taking her place and turning to Daisy. “So, what about you?” She looked alarmed. “What about me?” “You’ll present soon, nervous?” she asked. Daisy gulped. “Yes, but also, like, this isn’t in my control. Mum says she knows we’re both going to be subs but she thought you’d be a sub and she was wrong. I don’t want to submit!” Louisa patted her arm and squeezed her hand gently. “Do you want to be a Dom? Is that what you feel like?” Back when she’d been this young, she’d been a bit too childish and immersed in herself to ever worry about what she felt like she wanted. She’d been too busy enjoying life, living every moment she could. It had always felt like something out of her control, and nobody had expected her status to be what it was. “I still have time, yeah,” Daisy sighed. “But I don’t know that, either. I can’t really put my finger on it. I don’t know if I want anything at all. To be with anyone. If I end up a sub, I won’t be able to reject anyone. As a Dom, I could just reject every sub and live my life.” “Oh, sweetheart,” she cooed softly, kissing her head. “You have time to figure this out, you really do. Some of us feel attraction and need differently. You know how crazy it was when I presented and wouldn’t even take the Test. Liam was always better with that stuff, but of course he was. Everything is easier for men.” She rolled over on the grass to give her sister a cuddle. “I think what you’re feeling is just doubt, but it could also be asexuality. Both are a possibility, and both are normal. Let’s not worry about it now, hm? Everything is fine right now.” “I just,” Daisy whined, “I see Phoebe being into boys all the time and I just don’t feel anything. Some of them try talking to me and fine, I can have a friend here and there but I don’t want any of them to kiss me? I don’t feel any butterflies or whatever it is Pheebs feels with her crush? Is that weird?” Louisa kissed the top of her head. “Sh baby, it’s not weird. You’re just being yourself. Dom or sub, you know you’re a person first and it’s the way mum raised us. Whatever happens in the future, your family will always support you.” She squeezed her close. “Don’t fret.” “Harry said he never really had a girlfriend before he met you.” Louisa’s face turned fond. “Well, he’d been in casual relationships before like you see your friends being in at school, but he was saving himself for me, Daisy. That’s quite normal. I know Lotts didn’t do it that way, and that relationship didn’t work out, but she’s happy now and Lewis isn’t mad at her for not being a virgin.” Daisy made a face at the crass terminology. As soon as the twins had had the sex talk from Jay and a reaffirming Q&A session with Louisa, the awkwardness had gone down and the openness had really helped with easy communication. She didn’t want to think about her sister getting freaky with her sub even though they were very cute together. She did find it adorable, because it was, but she didn’t see them and think she wanted it for herself, whereas Phoebe was sure she was a sub and wanted a life similar to Lottie’s. Louisa laughed at the look of embarrassment on her face. “I’ll spare you the details. Let’s not think about this now. Just study, have fun with your friends, spend time with family, and do things that fulfil you. We’ll worry about the future when you present.” “Fizzy will be gone by then,” Daisy said sadly. “You see Lottie all the time, and she’s paired. Why would the same not happen with Fiz?” “Ugh, she wants to move to London and be a model. Who’s going to help me with my homework when she’s gone?! Dad tries but you know how he is, he really can’t remember anything he learned in school.” Louisa nudged her playfully. “Give Dad a bit more credit. And I’ll help with your homework. I’m literally a CFO, I know how to do maths.” --- “How was your time with Daisy?” Harry asked as they snuggled in bed. It had been a long day with Louisa’s family and he was absolutely drained. Those kids were hellions! They’d got food in his hair and he’d had to wash the curls, which took an hour and he was so exhausted by then that he’d flopped into bed.Louisa was doting on him. “Good, she’s so like me. She’s literally going to be me,” she laughed. “We had fun, she told me what was bothering her. Mum’s convinced she’ll present as a sub and she’s scared. She doesn’t really feel the need for a partner yet, which is what I used to be like back then. She was asking me if there was a way to turn out to be a Dom.” “If she lies on her Pairing test?” he suggested. “I’m assuming that’s a pretty serious offense if the Bureau finds out, Miss, but still, some people just don’t feel the need for romance or sex at all but the Bureau doesn’t recognise that.” “It is a pretty serious infraction if caught, and whenever a woman presents as a Dom, there’s a lot of scrutiny. Plenty of the employees of the Bureau are rather old-fashioned and they don’t like women with power, which means they’re going to snoop everywhere possible and try to find anything they can. They bothered me so much until I finally told them to fuck right off to their faces. I was ready to throw hands.” “Is that why you didn’t want to be Paired?” “Oh sweet pea,” she cooed, kissing his forehead. “Are you worried about that? You came into my life and everything changed. I’d been lonely, I’ll admit, and I need sex and romance in my life. Doms can’t give that to me, and I don’t want them anyway.” She made a face. “You made me feel so much for you at first sight. It was the way you were just so lovely and shy and cute. Everything about you drew me in more and more, the more time we spent with each other, the more I felt for you. I could see how the Bureau got some things right. Not just right, but perfectly right. It is a flawed system, but for some, it works perfectly. And we are the some.” He was flushed but gave her a kiss. “I’m not doubting us,” he said softly. “You integrated me into your life seamlessly and you always take care of me, put me first. I assume that’s not easy when you’re used to doing everything yourself and not getting anything in return.” “Are you serious? You’re the one whose life changed completely, you integrated yourself into my life. You literally moved into my house. I’d think that’s scarier for you than it is for me.” “I was scared of what my Dom could be like, but the moment I met you, I knew. I never once felt unsafe with you. I can only let go of everything because of my trust in you. I don’t doubt you for a second.” She squeezed him closer. “Stop before you make me cry.” He chuckled and yawned into her neck. “Okay. But only because I’m tired.” ---  The week seemed to rush by. Harry was wrapped up in his Dom’s siblings almost the entire time, getting in a couple of serious conversations with Jay, who was so nurturing and had such a calming presence that it was starting to make sense why the twins only rained hell when she wasn’t around. Fizzy was practically begging Louisa to let her come to London and she’d manage college with trying to get some modelling gigs, while Louisa wouldn’t budge since Jay wasn’t ready to let her baby go right away. Lottie visited for a bit, while Phoebe was glued to her phone. Niall texted some stuff here and there, mostly his regular ridiculous anecdotes, like describing in detail how Zayn had sucked Liam’s cock out of his ass and then ate his ass out and how thoroughly much he’d enjoyed that experienced. Harry’s eyes had almost bugged out of his sockets when he’d read that message. He hadn’t needed to know that, but now that he did know it, he was a little curious. Of course he was glad that they were happy and doing well, progressing in their relationship, but he did have some questions about how they were doing it. Maybe the amount of questions Fizzy seemed to have about them were piquing his own interest in them. Harry had started out being into girls around him but that had quickly progressed into gender not starting to matter, which was why he’d never filled a gender preference on his form. He was positive he loved his Dom for who she was inside and not her bodily form, because he’d love her in any form, male or female. All of his sexual experiences had been with her, and he wondered if it would be different if she had been a man. He definitely preferred her as a woman, though. It added layers of complexity to her personality which made her even more attractive and desirable to him. She hadn’t had things easy, and while he never wanted her to struggle, it had been inevitable. He was glad she was a Dom, and they fit perfectly together because of it. Getting back home turned frisky in the car and Louisa had to pull over just so she wouldn’t crash them into a tree and they dry humped like horny teenagers until she came and tugged him off. He’d been a bit dopey after that until they got home, after which he jumped into unpacking and laundry while Louisa went through some emails. She’d been putting off work for a while, and things were piling up. The doorbell going off should’ve made it obvious who was visiting, but Harry was still blindsided when Niall practically threw himself at him and he had to catch himself from falling backwards. “Curly, I missed you!” Liam and Zayn stepped in next with mild amusement. Both were positively glowing, holding hands and beaming at each other. “Oi, let me hug him,” Zayn grumbled, pulling her other lover away and squeezing Harry close. “Hi, love,” he greeted softly, pulling back. “How are things? Come sit.” “These two have been attached to the hip,” Niall groaned. “They’re inseparable, Liam didn’t even go to the firm all week. He’s basically been obsessed.” Liam shrugged and pulled Zayn close, and she went easily. They were clearly completely comfortable with each other now, and it was a welcome change. It had been a slow process and Niall had been the buffer between them, but now their dynamic seemed to be much more relaxed. “Let them be cute,” Harry admonished Niall while starting the kettle. “You’ve had your Dom to yourself for ages, and he was patient when Zayn chose you first. Anyway, what’s up?” “Nothing much, really,” Niall said, flopping onto the couch dramatically. “Just thought we’d drop by since someone”—he gestured toward Zayn and Liam, who were now whispering something to each other—“refused to let me sleep in this morning. I swear, they’re exhausting.” Zayn smirked. “Don’t act like you weren’t into it. You were the one begging for a third round.” Harry choked on air and quickly turned back to the kettle. While he wasn’t a prude, far from it, rather, he hadn’t expected that from Zayn, of all people. She’d become a lot bolder in the past week. “Right. Tea. Tea sounds good.” Louisa walked into the room, eyebrows raised at the scene before her. “I see our chaos squad is here,” she said, her voice low and commanding as she walked over to Harry. She slipped her arms around his waist, pressing her front against his back as she nuzzled his neck. “Miss me already, handsome?” Harry leaned into her touch instinctively, his body relaxing. “Always, miss.” “Ugh, get a room,” Niall teased, throwing a cushion in their direction. Louisa caught the cushion mid-air without looking and tossed it right back at him. “Careful, blondie. You know I won’t let you roughhouse with my sub,” she warned, though her tone was playful. “Sorry, Mistress Louisa,” Niall quipped with a cheeky grin, earning a snicker from Zayn. Harry turned, his cheeks pink, and whispered, “Do they always have to be so loud?” Louisa chuckled, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Let them. It’s Niall’s natural state and besides, they’re our best friends.” “Friends who overshare,” Harry muttered, thinking about Niall’s texts. “You love it,” Niall shot back, reading his expression like a book. As the kettle whistled, Harry busied himself with making tea while the others settled on the couches. Liam pulled Zayn onto his lap, their movements so fluid and natural it was clear they’d been doing this for a while. Zayn toyed with Liam’s hair absentmindedly, their intimate gestures drawing Harry’s gaze. “See something you like, Curly?” Zayn teased, catching Harry staring at their newly comfortable intimacy. Harry flushed and quickly looked away, fumbling with the sugar. “No! I mean, I wasn’t—no offense, you’re both gorgeous, but I wasn’t—” Louisa chuckled from where she stood beside him. She stepped closer, resting a possessive hand on his waist. “Relax, my little sub. No one’s accusing you of anything.” Her voice was soft yet firm, grounding him instantly. Harry leaned into her touch, the embarrassment melting into a warm sense of security. “I just… I guess I’m curious, that’s all. I guess three isn’t a crowd.” Louisa raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Curiosity is natural, love. You’ve never seen a throuple in action, have you?” Harry shook his head, cheeks heating. “I didn’t realise such a thing could exist.” Niall snorted from the couch, tossing another cushion at them. “Well, you’re missing out, mate. These two are like a live-action romance novel half the time.” Liam kissed the top of Zayn’s head, his arms wrapped securely around her waist. “It’s not a bad thing, is it?” he asked, his tone teasing. “Of course not,” Niall replied, grinning. “It’s just a lot to handle, even for me.” Louisa’s gaze flicked to Harry, her expression unreadable for a moment before she spoke. “You can look all you want, my little sub, but remember—watching is where it ends. You’re mine.” Harry nodded quickly, his heart racing. “Always, miss. Only yours.” “Good,” she said, leaning in to press a kiss to his temple. Her fingers brushed against his jaw, tilting his face up to meet her eyes. “Never doubt that.” The room had quieted slightly, the intensity of Louisa’s tone catching everyone’s attention. The looming Bureau inquiry was on everyone’s minds. Niall, ever the comic relief, cleared his throat loudly. “Well, that’s a mood shift if I’ve ever seen one.” Harry, still recovering from the interaction, busied himself with the tea. He handed a mug to Niall, who took it gratefully, then moved to the others. Zayn accepted hers with a soft “thank you” while Liam gave him a warm smile. “So,” Harry began, desperate to change the subject, “what’s new with you three?” Liam and Zayn exchanged a look before Zayn answered. “We’ve been… exploring some new things, I guess you could say.” Harry’s brows knit together. “New things?” “Oh, don’t ask that unless you want details,” Niall groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “They’ll go on for hours.” Zayn smirked. “Jealous?” “Always,” Niall replied without hesitation, his grin wide. Harry glanced at Louisa, unsure how to navigate the conversation. She seemed unbothered, sipping her tea calmly. “It’s okay to be curious, Harry,” she said softly, her eyes meeting his. “But don’t let them scare you off with their antics.” Liam laughed, a deep, rich sound that filled the room. “We’re not that bad, are we?” Zayn leaned over, resting her chin on Liam’s shoulder. “We’re just honest about what we enjoy. That’s not a crime, is it?” “Not at all,” Louisa replied smoothly. “In fact, I’d say it’s refreshing.” Everyone could appreciate Zayn’s personality shining through. Harry nodded, though he stayed quiet, his mind racing. He couldn’t deny his curiosity about their dynamic, but Louisa’s firm boundaries reassured him. He belonged to her, and that was exactly how he wanted it to be. The conversation shifted after that, the group falling into an easy rhythm of banter and storytelling. Louisa pulled Harry onto her lap at one point, her arms circling his waist as she held him close. It was a bit awkward, because he was considerably taller, but they made it work this time. He leaned back against her, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest. “Having fun, my little sub?” she murmured in his ear, her voice low and intimate. He nodded, his cheeks flushing. “Yeah. I like it when they’re here. It’s… lively.” “Good,” she said, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “I like seeing you like this—relaxed and happy.” Across the room, Zayn had shifted to sit beside Liam, her legs draped over his lap. Niall sprawled out next to them, his head resting against Zayn’s shoulder. They looked so comfortable together, their bond evident in the way they touched and interacted. Harry watched them for a moment before turning to Louisa. “Do you think they’re… like us?” “In some ways, yes,” she replied, her hand tracing slow circles on his thigh. “But every relationship is unique. They’ve found what works for them, just as we’ve found what works for us.” Harry considered that, his gaze drifting back to the throuple. Zayn was laughing at something Niall had said, her head thrown back in genuine amusement. Liam watched her with soft eyes, his hand resting on her knee. It was clear they cared deeply for each other. Louisa’s voice pulled him back. “You don’t need to compare, love. What we have is ours. No one else can touch that.” He smiled, leaning into her. “I know. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” There was some discussion about the upcoming inquiry and Liam reassured them that he had people working on it. They also had to be on telly with the reporter that had grabbed onto their story. As the door closed, Harry turned to Louisa, his expression thoughtful. “You really don’t mind me being curious?” “Not at all,” she said, pulling him close. “Curiosity is healthy. But acting on it? That’s another matter entirely. You’re mine, Harry. Always.” “Always,” he echoed, his voice soft but sure.