Louis POV

We are a couple of episodes into the show. It's really good! Klaus is by far the best character.

I let out a soft sigh and stretch my arms above my head, releasing a bit of stiffness from sitting in the same position for too long. I feel a satisfying crack in my lower back and settle back into the lounge, resting against the armrest with my knees pulled up against my chest.

Niall has dozed off and I can hear his soft snores during quiet parts of the show. Liam has moved to lay on his stomach on the floor and Zayn is still comfy on the bean bag. I have purposely avoided glancing in Harry's direction but I can feel his presence, strong and sturdy, separated only by the armrests of our respective chairs.

I have done well to distract myself from him with the show but the episode just ended and I can't help but watch as Harry leans forward, half out of his chair, to reach the remote on the coffee table. I feel my eyebrows raise and butterflies stir at the stretch of his muscles as he moves, most of his weight on his leg and some loose curls falling forward as he reaches over. 

His shirt has ridden up and I shamelessly drop my eyes to the bare skin above his hips, seeing the defined muscle moving. I catch my breath, imagining what it would feel like to touch him, to feel his smooth skin under my hands. The thought alone has my toes curling into the chair and blood rushing where I really don't want it to.

I notice Harry's movements stop and I regretfully remove my gaze from his tempting skin to look at his face, blue eyes meeting green. He is still stretched out, remote pointing at the TV, and looking at me over his shoulder with curious eyes. I blush instantly and look back to the TV, trying to pretend that nothing had happened. I notice Liam giving me a weird look and I tilt my head to the side and raise my eyebrows at him, a silent 'is everything ok?' face. 

He just shrugs and turns back to the TV which has now started playing the next episode. The opening scene is playing but it's like I'm listening through a wall - it all sounds a little muffled. My focus is almost solely on Harry, who has now moved back to his chair. I stare at the TV but I'm watching him out of the corner of my eye. 

His presence seems much heavier than before, the cinnamon smell washing over me and enveloping my senses. I almost let out a moan at the sensation his scent gives me and I'm suddenly hit with a wave of embarrassment. If I can smell the change in Harry's scent, that means he can smell mine (considering the semi I'm sporting). It also means that Liam can as well.. which explains the look he just gave me, although I have a feeling that he can't pick up on it anywhere near as much as Harry. Hopefully he doesn't really know whats happening.. hopefully.

Harry must sense my anxiety levels start to rise because he brushes my arm gently with his fingers to get my attention, leaving his hand there as I look at him. I don't want to admit how much that simple touch affected me. It almost calmed me instantly. How is that even possible? What is he? Harry Potter?? 

He leans in a bit as he whispers to me. "You alright Lou?"

His eyebrows are knit together slightly and he is looking at me with a worried expression, his eyes so intense it's like he is looking into my soul. I really want to just lean in and sniff him. My body is thrumming with the desire to bury my nose in his neck and use his scent to calm me further and satisfy my primal need for scenting. 

I manage to control myself however (yay me). 

"Sorry yeah.. I'm uh.. I'm all good" I give him a smile that probably looks more like a grimace and focus on breathing normally.

He gives me a small smile and a slight duck of his head before leaning back into his chair. I let out a big (but quiet) sigh and turn back to the show. I can't even enjoy it now however. Harry's scent is clinging to my nostrils and I actually think my omega is starting to get a little distressed. My hands feel clammy and they are clenched tightly around my shins to keep my knees under my chin. 

About halfway through the episode I hear shuffling beside me. I don't pay it too much attention until I feel the back of the lounge chair move as Harry rests his arm across it, careful not to actually touch me. I freeze as I take this in and before I can give it too much thought I feel his fingers run gently across the top of my shoulder. 

My heart rate increases rapidly at the notion and I look to his hand. I can see his fingers moving softly across my shoulder, rings shining slightly from the light of the TV. Goosebumps erupt down my arm and I suppress a shiver. Part of me wants to shrug him off, get angry that he thinks he can do this. But the bigger part of me wants his arm to stay right where it is.

Despite this, I turn my head with narrowed eyes to confront him to see that he's already looking straight at me. I involuntarily inhale audibly and I see a dimple appear on his cheek as he suppressed a grin. I frown at him and am just about to ask him to stop when he speaks first.

"You're anxious Lou. I can feel it." His words are slow and quiet, only meant for me to hear. Now that he mentions it, I notice how sore my arms are from clutching my legs so tightly, how tight my jaw is from clenching my teeth. 

"What are you doing Harry" I direct towards him in monotone. I don't want to give away how much of an effect this is all having on me. 

"Just.. helping you relax. That's all I promise. It's kinda hard to enjoy the show when you have waves of tension rolling off you" he chuckles.

I heat up at the implication those words have.. my mind running rampant with how he could be helping me relax before my pride takes over and I turn fully to face him, legs falling away from my chest to rest on the floor. His fingers falling off my shoulder, arm remaining behind me however.

"I don't need someone to 'take care of me' Harry. I can handle things myself" I whisper back at him in an agitated tone. It has no effect on him however as he lets out another small chuckle.

"Seriously. Just let me help Lou" He pauses, dropping his gaze to the floor for a few seconds before looking back at me again, completely serious. "I want to"

My heart skips a beat at the sincerity in his voice and I decide to give in. I mean it is very.. VERY nice being this close to him. I can't let him see how eager I am though so I let out a huff before leaning back into the chair, making myself comfortable. Almost instantly his fingers start running across my shoulder again. 

Without really thinking I lean against the armrest more, bringing my body closer to Harry. I can see him grinning out of the corner of my eye. Smug bastard. But I have to admit, I feel good knowing that this simple act can make him happy. 

I can feel all the tension leave my body as the minutes progress. Harry's scent is having the desired effect on me and a part of my brain registers the face that he is scenting me again. My whole body erupts in goosebumps  when his fingers move to the side of my neck, running slow and steady from my collar bone up to the base of my ear and back down. 

I let out a content sigh and before long I can feel myself falling asleep. Listening to the steady breathing of Harry next to me, enveloped by a blanket of cinnamon and sure but soft fingers drawing shapes on my neck. 

My last thought before I fall asleep is - 'this isn't so bad at all'