Harry woke with a sharp, insistent pain throbbing in his mouth. He didn't understand it, only that it hurt fiercely. Before he could cry out, Louis entered, scooping the small boy into his arms.
"Morning, Hazza," Louis said, holding Harry against his hip as they headed toward the kitchen. "How did my little man sleep?"
Harry burrowed his face into the crook of Louis’ neck. "Good, dada," he mumbled, his voice muffled.
He was settled in his high chair as the others—Niall, Liam, and Zayn—gathered for breakfast. Niall kissed the top of Harry’s head. Harry smiled weakly; Niall was his favorite, the one he clung to most.
Louis placed a bowl of Cheerios in front of Harry. He just stared at the cereal, the pain returning with a dull ache.
"Aren't you going to eat, Haz?" Zayn asked, watching him.
Harry shook his head and pouted, pushing his lips into a tight line. "No," he whispered.
Concern passed between the adults. Liam gently lifted Harry from the chair and set him on the floor. "Go play for a while, okay?"
Harry nodded and toddled off toward the playroom, grabbing his stuffed giraffe. He chewed on the giraffe’s leg, finding a small, temporary distraction from the ache.
Hours later, Zayn went to check on Harry. He frowned when he saw the boy gnawing on the toy. "Harry, take that out of your mouth, please. You know you shouldn’t put things in your mouth that don’t belong there," Zayn said, gently prying the giraffe from Harry’s grasp.
"No!" Harry whined, reaching for the toy.
Zayn sighed and placed the giraffe on the floor. "I think it's time for a nap," he said, carrying Harry upstairs.
About an hour into his nap, Liam woke Harry and brought him downstairs. Louis handed Harry a bottle. "Here, pumpkin."
Harry shook his head, pushing the nipple away with a frustrated yell. "NO!"
"Harry! No yelling!" Niall scolded gently.
Harry ignored him, continuing to scream. "NO!"
"Don't make me put you in time-out," Zayn warned, his voice stern.
Liam tried again, but Harry screamed louder. "That's it!" Zayn huffed, scooping Harry up and placing him on the bottom step. "Ten minutes."
Harry watched Zayn leave and burst into tears. He didn’t understand why his daddies were so angry. His mouth hurt, and he didn’t know what he’d done wrong.
After ten minutes, Niall retrieved Harry. "Now, will you tell Daddy why you've been so grumpy today?" he asked, holding Harry close.
"Moufh huwt!" Harry sobbed, clutching Niall’s shirt.
Recognition dawned on Zayn. "Is that why you were chewing on your stuffed animal?"
Harry nodded, tears streaming down his face.
"And why you didn’t eat?" Louis asked.
Another nod.
"Or drink your bottle?" Liam asked.
Harry nodded again, sniffing softly.
"Oh, baby," Niall cooed, rubbing circles on Harry’s back. "Why didn’t you tell us? We have something that might help."
Louis disappeared briefly, then returned with a teething ring. "Here, baby. This should help with the pain." He handed it to Niall, who offered it to Harry.
Hesitantly, Harry opened his mouth and began to chew on the plastic ring. Almost instantly, the throbbing lessened. It wasn’t gone entirely, but the sharp pain had subsided. For the first time in hours, Harry felt a small measure of relief.