They were packed. Weapons chosen. Plan in the bag. Zayn was in Louis' bathroom, like he had been for about twenty minutes now. Louis didn't hear anymore crying so he assumed Zayn was just dealing the best he knew how.

Louis was standing on his balcony, flipping his phone between his hands. Finally he sighed and called his boy.

"Lou!" Harry greeted from the other end. "I wasn't expecting a call so soon."

"Hey, kitten. I haven't left yet. Just about, so I wanted to say goodbye."

"Aww, Lou, that's cute. I feel like a proper boyfriend."

"You are. You're my proper boyfriend."

"Yours," Harry sighed. "So, I know you can't tell me much, but is this mission easy? Like it's not very dangerous or anything, right?"

Louis didn't want to lie to Harry, not while he was trying so hard to build the trust needed for their type of relationship. "Honestly, love, it's not an easy one. But I've done this a hundred times before and I'm always safe."

"Louis, promise you'll be extra careful."

"I'll come home to you, I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't guarantee."

Louis refused to think about that, "I'm coming home."

"Okay."

"I have to go."

"Really?"

"Yeah, babe. I'll try and stay in touch, but in case I don't I want something from you."

"Yes, of course I'll write about you in my diary."

Louis laughed fondly, "Actually sort of, but no. Harry listen to me."

"Okay."

"Every single day I want you to finger yourself open, up to three fingers," Harry whimpered, "but you won't come. You'll stop and write a letter to me. Tell me about your day, how much you miss me, how mad you are that you're so hard and I won't let you come. I want long letters, too. And when you're done you can come."

Harry was breathing heavier into the phone, "Okay."

"At the very end of each letter put something you want to try with me. Toys. Techniques. Locations. Anything. And when I get back we'll try a few. Alright, love?" Harry didn't really answer, but Louis could hear him holding back moans through the phone. "Harry, I asked you a question."

"Yes, yes, I'll do it," he rushed out.

"Good boy," Harry whined, "Promise?"

"Louis?"

"Yes, baby?"

"Anything?"

"Anything at all. I'll consider anything. We'll talk about it."

"Even...maybe-"

"Yes, Harry, even that."

Harry giggled, "Okay. Thanks."

"I'll see you when I get back."

"I'll be ready."

Louis smiled at that. "Bye, baby."

"Bye, Lou."

Louis hung up and went back inside to find Zayn sitting on the couch with their stuff at his feet. His eyes were a little red, but his face was serene like it always is once he's planned out the mission and knew there was nothing left to be done. Louis on the other hand was getting quite the opposite feeling. The night before jitters. Tonight when they landed in Germany Zayn would take him to bed and fuck him until every ounce of nervousness and doubt melted into the mattress. Then he'd wake up and start a week long undercover op.

One that would surely kill them both. He was truly worried that this would be the end of them, or Zayn for sure. He promised Harry he'd be back, but Louis didn't know if the two of them would make it out of this one in one piece.

***

Harry had been in a daze for weeks. He was supposed to be home a week ago to spend his last few weeks at home before school started again. He'd missed call after call from his mom and sister but the point of taking the holiday in the first place was to get away from his home and family so those went unanswered the entire time he was gone.

He normally prided himself on being up on social and political events, considering his lifestyle, but since that night at the rave he hasn't laid eyes on a news article. But now he's finally home and back in his room, his mom is no where to be found, and he's flipping through the last two weeks worth of news on his iPad.

Then he sees it.

BRITISH HOME SECRETARY SHOT AND KILLED DURING POLITICAL TALKS IN PARIS

Harry's mouth fell open. How had he missed this? Leslie was a sweet woman. His mom must be a wreck; they were close. And to think he ignored all her calls because he though she was being needy.

He dropped the device and picked up his phone to dial Anne's number. "Oh God, Harry! Where the hell were you?!"

Harry instantly felt bad. "I'm so sorry, mum. I went to America and I didn't get any international minutes," Harry lied. Louis actually had minutes on his and offered it to Harry multiple times, but he declined.

"I was so worried. You went to that party and then Leslie..and I didn't hear from you...I was so worried."

Harry could hear the tears in her voice. "Really, mum, I'm so sorry. I should've called. I'm fine. Great even. That holiday really did me well."

Anne sniffled, "Yeah, okay. I'm glad. Just please tell me when you're coming home."

Another pang of guilt hit Harry hard. "I'm actually already home."

"You're here! Where?"

"...In my room," Harry said hesitantly.

"Oh I'm coming home right now! Call your sister. We're having lunch."

"Sure, mum."

Harry hung up feeling worse than he had before he left originally. And he was at the same party as Leslie when she died. Someone in that room killed her. He probably saw their face and didn't even know it. What could motivate someone to kill an innocent woman? They'd have to be heartless.