One Bed
As expected, Harry was hyperactive following the unsanctioned sugary beverage and the desserts that Tony insisted on sharing with everyone at the table. Harry had silently pleaded to be included and Norman folded under the pressure. He didn't want Harry to hate him, and Harry deserved some small reward for staying so well behaved for most of the day, prior to Tony's bad influence.
As soon as they returned to their hotel room, Harry jumped into bed and made a mess of the sheets by rolling around until he finally came to rest on his back with his arms outspread. His limbs weren't long enough to reach both edges at the same time.
Norman half wished he could bottle this innocence. And the other half wanted Harry to act more grown-up.
Harry abruptly sat up and exclaimed, “Tony Stark isn't as bad as you said he was!”
Norman snorted. “Of course you'd think that.”
“He was kind of weird, but he wasn't mean.”
“You know he was lying to you. Shirley Temples are non-alcoholic.”
Harry rolled onto his stomach and kicked his feet up and down. “I know,” he said with a smile. “But I'm not sure he did.”
“Oh, he absolutely knew or else he wouldn't have given you one. He's not that irresponsible.”
“Then we were both having fun playing pretend.” Harry's smile turned devious. “And you might be surprised. He says none of the rules apply to him.”
Norman sat on the bed next to Harry. He touched his son's head and combed his fingers through the short ginger curls. Harry eagerly leaned into the touch. Daddy's manicured fingernails lightly scratched Harry's scalp. To Harry, this felt like heaven. Norman was normally so distant. Any gentle touch was transcendent. In these moments, Harry felt loved.
“You were very well behaved, with only a few minor exceptions.” This praise relieved Harry of his fears. He had tried so hard to make Daddy happy, and now he got confirmation that he had succeeded... with only a few minor exceptions. Before Harry could worry over his mistakes, Norman saw fit to offer him a reward.
“I think you've earned a hug.”
Harry was over the moon with joy and nearly jumped into Daddy's lap. Norman welcomed him with open arms and a middling amount of laughter. Harry went boneless and melted into the embrace. “I did my best,” Harry said. “I tried to stay out of the way and be quiet and—”
“You did good. Didn't you hear me? I'm proud of you.”
Harry hugged him tighter until Norman gave him a couple pats on the back to signal the end of the hug.
Harry's arms fell to his sides, but he stayed perched in his father's lap. Norman cupped one side of Harry's face, caressing his cheek. “Are you going to be good for me tomorrow?”
With a look of determination, Harry gave a sharp nod.
“You won't let Tony tempt you into any more misbehavior?”
Harry hesitated to answer. The worst thing he could do was to lie. He only needed to be caught once before Norman taught him this important lesson. Norman acknowledged that lying was a useful skill and he could practice on anyone else, but he would always have to tell Daddy the truth. This rule was set in stone.
“Harry.”
“I already promised I'll be good,” Harry said. “But… I can't stop Tony from being bad, so I guess that just means you can't leave me alone with him.”
Norman petted his son's hair. “That shouldn't be a problem,” he said. “You'll either be confined to this room or glued to my side. Do you understand?”
“Yessir,” Harry said.
“And you won't wait ‘til the last minute to tell me if you need to use the restroom.”
Harry slid off the bed and onto his feet. “If I have to pee, you'll be the first to know!”
Norman laughed at his son's obvious enthusiasm. “Alright, get cleaned up so we can go to bed. Lights out in twenty minutes.”
“But Dad …” Harry whined. “It's only ten.”
“That's already past your bedtime.” Harry continued to pout and Norman rolled his eyes. “This isn't a vacation, Harry. It's a work trip and I'd like to get an early start tomorrow morning.” Norman gave him a light shove towards the bathroom. “Now, go shower and brush your teeth. And don't forget to floss.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Harry said. Then he paused by the door and turned around. “I mean, yessir.” With a mock salute and a wink, Harry disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door with a giggle.
When Harry returned a little less than twenty minutes later, clean from the shower and with his mouth minty fresh, Harry found his matching plaid pajama top and bottoms waiting for him on the bed. Harry got changed and settled in while Norman took his turn in the bathroom. Norman took nearly thirty minutes. Which gave Harry enough time to get heavily invested in reading a book. He yawned as Norman emerged in a pair of boxer briefs.
Harry frowned. “How come you're allowed to sleep in just your underwear?”
“Because my body runs hot, and you need the extra layers so you don't become a blanket hog.”
“I'm still going to hog the blanket,” Harry teased.
“Careful, son, or else you might end up sleeping on the floor.”
Harry slid into the middle of the bed, encroaching on Norman's side. “Make a deal,” Harry said, “I won't fight over the blankets if you hold me.”
Norman told Harry to move out from under the top sheet, so they could keep that layer between them, then he allowed Harry to curl up in the position of the little spoon.
“Don't get used to this,” Norman said.
Harry responded with a happy hum. “Mmhmm.”
“Goodnight, Harry.”
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
“I love you,” he whispered into his son's hair so soft that it was barely audible.
“Love you, too,” Harry half-mumbled with a smile. He was a lot more tired than he thought. Harry quickly dozed off while Norman laid awake for a little while longer silently chastising himself for being so weak willed and physically affectionate with Harry. Ambrose would've never tolerated this needy behavior. But it was hard to deny Harry when Norman was equally touch starved and wanting to cuddle. This was the sort of behavior that was supposed to be reserved for a marriage bed and acquiesced just to please a woman. Norman was going to have to put a stop to this sooner than later. But not tonight.