????? ??? ????? ????? ?.?.

Harry was elbow-deep in repotting soil at Rooted, humming softly to himself, when Louis kissed his cheek goodbye with a quick, "Be back soon—running a couple errands, nothing wild."

Harry, distracted by the stubborn roots of a bird's nest fern, didn't even question it.

Which was exactly what Louis needed.

⸻

The Secret Meeting – A Not-So-Subtle Gathering

Louis had wrangled the group to meet at Zayn and Liam's place under vague pretenses ("Niall's cooking something weird, come if you want to survive it"), but as soon as they were all in the living room—Niall balancing a snack tray, Gemma sipping tea, Zayn sketching idly, Liam wiping his hands with a dishtowel—Louis stood awkwardly in front of them, clearly about to combust.

He shifted on his feet. "Alright, uh. So. I sort of lied."

Niall: "You mean this isn't about the lemon-miso popcorn disaster?"

Louis gave him a withering look, then took a deep breath.

"It's about Harry."

Four pairs of eyes locked on him instantly.

Louis shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, cheeks a little pink. "I want to ask him to marry me."

The room exploded.

Gemma squealed and nearly spilled her tea. Zayn let out a soft "finally" under his breath. Liam hugged Louis without warning, and Niall started tearing up before he even processed it fully.

"You're serious?" Gemma asked, eyes wide with warmth.

Louis nodded, smile small and real. "I've been thinking about it for a while. I mean... after everything. After building this life. Rooted and the cabin and mornings with Willow and—I just know."

Zayn grinned. "You don't have to convince us, mate. You're basically already married."

"I want it to be right, though," Louis said. "Simple. Us. Maybe at Rooted. Or even at home. But... I'd like your help. All of you. Planning it. Making it something he'll remember."

Liam gave a firm nod. "We're in."

Gemma stood up then, softly gesturing for Louis to join her in the kitchen.

⸻

It was quiet in the kitchen. Just the hum of the fridge and distant laughter from the others.

Gemma looked at him with something more than sisterly fondness. Something like love laced with pride.

"You're really going to be my brother," she said softly.

Louis smiled. "I already feel like I am."

She stepped forward and pulled him into a hug, holding on longer than expected.

"You make him brave," she whispered. "He's always been love-filled, but you... you helped him live it out loud. Thank you."

Louis hugged her back tightly. "He makes me brave, Gem."

They pulled apart slowly, and she wiped her eyes before smirking. "Alright. Now let's plan something so magical he ugly cries."

Louis chuckled. "He will. I guarantee it."

⸻

Back at Rooted – That Evening

When Louis returned later, Harry was rearranging the succulent shelf with Willow snoozing in a planter nearby.

"Everything alright?" Harry asked without looking up.

"Yeah," Louis said, walking over, slipping an arm around Harry's waist. "Just a little running around."

Harry leaned into him. "You smell like Zayn's place."

Louis grinned. "Caught."

And in that quiet moment, Harry had no idea his future had just started growing beneath his feet—just like everything else they'd nurtured together.