"oi, lou? what do you fancy going down to the park for some footie?"

niall and louis were currently at louis' house, lounging about in his room. louis pondered for a bit before nodding.

"sure mate. i'll grab the ball."

♡̷

it was a beautiful day, and hershel was happy. he had convinced his mummy to let him go out to the park, which he rarely ever got to do. he thanked his mum with kisses to both cheeks, his mum cooing in response.

so, hershel got dressed in his cutest outfit and put on a bit of mascara because why not? it's the weekend and hershel is feeling good.

the park isn't too far from hershel's home, so he could just walk. he's got a bit of pep in his step and he's smiling wide.

the small boy reaches the park, and finds a nice bench under a tree. hershel sits, and let's out a content breath. he always likes to admire nature, and how pretty the the world is. every chance hershel gets he tries to go outside and sit, just to look around and appreciate the world he lives in.

hershel's admiring got interrupted though, when he felt something come in contact with his foot. he gasped quietly in surprise and looked down. it was just a footie ball. hershel bent over and picked it up, then stood. looking around confused as to where it came from.

then, he heard it.

that angelic voice that he absolutely loves.

"oi oii! that's my ball, could you toss it?"

hershel then saw him, louis was jogging over to him. looking like a god.

louis stopped in front of hershel and gave him a quick once over. then realization hit him.

"oh! it's you, hershel. what're you doing out here all alone?" louis smiled slightly.

hershel ducked his head down, blush dark red on his cheeks. "well, i - uh. i don't really have any friends.." he shrugged.

louis immediately frowned. he didn't like how everyone picked on the feminine boy that stood before him. he had a sudden urge to cuddle him and never let him go. but he shook that feeling away rather fast.

"hm. how about we change that? come play footie with me, and my mate niall over there." harry followed louis' finger who pointed over to the field where a bleach blonde boy was, waiting for louis to jog back over.

still blushing, hershel shrugs again. "im not really...properly dressed?" it comes out more like a question.

louis waves his hand in a 'whatever' motion. "oh, hogwash. you can still play. we'll go easy on you, babe." louis didn't mean for that pet name to slip but he really doesn't mind when he sees hershel's dimple from smiling.

"okay, then. let's play."

♡̷

after three hours of footie and laughs, it was time for all the boys to go home. harry, louis, and niall stood before the park's entrance.

"this was, um. really fun. thank you for inviting me to play, louis. and it was nice meeting you as well, niall." hershel says, a small grin on his face.

"it was, im glad you decided to play with us." louis replied, while niall hummed in agreement.

the three then parted ways, two going one way, one going the opposite. hershel was about to turn the corner when he heard

"see you on monday, sweetcheeks!"

and he doesn't know where this boost of confidence comes from, but he shouts back

"i can't wait, babycakes!"

and, yeah. this was the best day of hershel's life.

♡̷

⭐️🏠💓