Louis and Harry are still so close to Jay it feels like they never moved out.

Sometimes Louis wishes they never had. They wouldn't have to worry about bills, he could get a hug from his mum whenever he wanted, and free food. Jay, however, doesn't sound too keen on that plan whenever he brings it up to her.

"How are you doing, Harry, love?" Jay asks, voice gentle and warm. Louis had told her about Anne over the phone the night before. Harry's sitting at a stool at the counter, Louis standing behind him and holding him. He feels like he has to.

Louis witnessed firsthand how much Anne broke Harry. He was there when Anne kicked him out, when Layla was old enough to ask why Daddy has a mummy, but Papa doesn't, and when Harry completely broke down over her not being at their wedding. This time she's hurting him and it's not even her own fault.

And its weird, because as much as she infuriates him, he also feels really bad for her. He was in her same situation. He knows how it feels to have cancer, be sick, know you're dying. The only difference is that he escaped it. She isn't going to.

"I'm okay," Harry replies, though he's not very convincing. Louis tucks Harry's head under his chin, his arms wrapped around his shoulders. Jay glances at Louis over Harry's head, and her look tells Louis how worried she is.

The front door opens and closes, and Lottie walks in. Louis can't get used to her being an adult. She's twenty-one, but Louis still thinks of her as sixteen. Lottie doesn't say anything, but she rushes over to a Harry as soon as she sees him, attacking him in a hug and therefore pushing Louis away. Louis can't help but pout.

"I'm so sorry, Harry," Lottie mumbles. Even after all this time, they're still, like, best friends. Louis' not jealous. Nope. Not at all.

"It's okay," Harry says softly, his voice shaking a little. Louis' heart is breaking for him, and as soon as Lottie has leaned back from him, Louis is wrapping his arms around him again. Harry clears his throat. "Um. I saw her yesterday."

"You did?" Jay asks, eyebrows furrowed with concern. "How was it?"

"It was nice," Harry admits, leaning his back into Louis' chest. Louis kisses the top of his head. "We're probably going to bring Layla there sometime this week."

Jay nods slowly. Louis knows she must be wary about the idea–she's as protective as Layla as she is her own kids. Louis' not thrilled about it either, but it's important to Harry. That's another thing he and his Mum share–they'd go great lengths for Harry.

"Where is Layla?" Lottie asks, lightening the mood. Louis is grateful. She holds up a shopping bag, grinning. "I got her presents."

"You need to stop buying her things,' Louis groans, but the giggle Harry lets out makes his stomach flutter. "She has so many clothes."

"But I found a tiny leather jacket!" Lottie whines. "And the cutest trainers."

Louis sighs. "She's in the basement with the twins."

"Thank youuu!" Lottie grins, making her way to the basement stairs. Jay smiles fondly at them, shaking her head.

"She has lots of money to spend on Layla, but as soon as I ask for the money she owes me," Jay throws her hands up. "Nothing!"

"Are you trying to deprive my child of tiny leather jackets?" Louis says these things just to make Harry laugh. It works. He'd probably hit himself in the nuts if he knew it would make Harry laugh (but it would probably just make him very, very concerned).

♛

"She's asleep," Louis sighs dramatically, walking out to the lounge. Harry is sitting on the sofa, and he grins when Louis lays down between his legs, resting his head on his torso and wrapping his arms around his waist lazily. "You better not be as difficult as your sister," He mumbles to Harry's tummy.

"Where do you think she gets it from?" Harry teases. Louis gives him a glare, one that makes him giggle. He turns his head and looks up at him, seeing Harry's face melt into a soft smile.

"How're you holding up?" He asks gently. Harry stops smiling, sighing a little.

"I don't know," He admits, reaching over and running his fingers through Louis' hair. Louis melts. "You probably think I'm weird for being this upset about it."

"What? No," Louis scoots up and climbs over Harry's leg so he's sitting next to him, wrapping him up in his arms. "She's your mum, Hazza. Whatever you're feeling, it's completely valid."

Harry rests his head on Louis' shoulder. "I feel a little guilty," He admits, voice shaky. "I mean. I should've made more of an effort to make things right with her before."

"Harry," Louis says, voice stern but soft. "She said and did some pretty awful things to you. I don't think anyone could blame you for not wanting to talk to her," Louis kisses the top of his head. "That's why I'm so proud of you for going over there yesterday. That was really mature of you."

"Really?" Harry sniffles.

"Yeah, really," And it's true. Louis doesn't know if he could've done that. "You're so lovely, H, and y've got the biggest heart. I'm so lucky."

Harry's cheeks turn a pretty pink colour as he nuzzles into the crook of Louis' neck, eyes wet. "And when we go to see her, I'm gonna be on my best behaviour," Louis gives Harry a big, cheesy grin, and Harry giggles. "Just for you."

"I think throughout the eight years we've known each other, I have yet to see your best behaviour," Harry teases. Louis pinches his bum.