The Twins - LS

8 - Edward

Edward Styles

THEY WERE SUPPOSED to meet up later for dinner, which was fine with Edward.

There was split second through the rest of the day, that Edward thought Louis might go to Harry to talk about their plans tonight, but thankfully he never did. He only had a secret smile for him from afar. He seemed excited for what was going to happen tonight, and Edward was just as excited. If not, even more.

He knew he was supposed to feel bad. That there was supposed to be guilt running through his veins instead of excitement. But he couldn't find it in him to feel bad. So, he didn't bother trying.

Instead, he went on with his regular day. Books were shelved, customers were helped, and shelves were dusted. Fortunately, throughout the day, neither man spoke to each other. But there were moments when he saw like Harry wanted to say something to him but decided not to.

And maybe that was for the better. Why ruin something that had been in the works for a while? Even if neither one of them knew that. As long as he knew that. That was all that mattered.

His regular day went by slowly than he wanted. But when it was time for him to go upstairs to get dinner ready for his 'date', he caught up with Harry by the stairs. "What are you doing tonight?"

"There was a convention going on downtown to talk about new book releases." He said, catching his twin brother's eye.

"Sounds interesting." Edward lied, but the smile he had on his face didn't show the lie. "Are you going."

"I was thinking about it." He said, contemplating. "Why? Are you trying to get rid of me?"

"Out of your own bookstore, and place you lived?" Edward snickered.

Harry nodded. "I think I will check it out." He began to grab things to take with him. The usual being his keys, wallet, and phone. But as he was turning out the lights to the store, he seemed to realize something. Edward waited, his skin feeling suddenly chilly. Not warm under the pressure like it should have been. "If Louis asks, will you tell him where I am?"

"Of course." Edward nodded.

"I wish you guys could get along." It was the last thing he whispered before disappearing out the door.

After tonight, neither one of them would have to worry about that.

////

HE HEARD FOOTSTEPS coming in through the door.

As he heard Louis enter the small apartment, he was just beginning to get the food ready on the plates. He didn't say anything as he felt Louis grab the plates like he lived there. He placed them on the table as Edward put the finished food on them. And that's when Louis glanced up to look at Edward. But in his mind, it was Harry.

"Thank you for doing this." Louis whispered. He glanced down at the food. "This smells incredible."

Edward faked a smile. "Thank you. I added a secret ingredient to it."

"Really?" He asked curiously, staring at the food. "Will you ever tell me what it is?"

"Maybe." This time the smirk was real. "If you're lucky."

Louis grabbed his fork, and Edward waited with a steady breath as he went to twirl some of the noodles he made on the fork. And just as he was about to take a bite, he scrunched his eyebrows and paused.

Edward waited.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted the other night about your brother." He took a deep breath. "I know how much he means to you, and I would never want to get in the way of that. I hope you understand."

Edward nodded, but nothing he felt for him changed. There was still anger lingering beneath his skin and constant ringing in his ears. And he knew that nothing Louis said would change that.

But he still faked a smile and reached over to grab his hand. He laced their hands together. "I appreciate the apology. Now let's enjoy our food."

This time, Louis did take a bite. A few more after that. Edward watched with fascination as he continued eating until the plate was almost completely empty. Edward was slowly eating his food as he watched everything unravel.

It happened slowly, but fast enough for Edward to soak it all in. It began with a few coughs like Louis was choking on a spice or the food went down the wrong pipe. But once he realized something was wrong, he began to panic. His eyes widened, and he grabbed his throat. He glanced over at Edward with concern in his eyes and began muttering the one-word Edward knew he would mutter.

"Epi....Epi." He muttered in between coughs, and the hand around his throat seemed to tighten.

"What are you trying to say?" Edward leaned in, a smirk on his face. "Are you trying to say EpiPen?"

Louis managed to nod and watched as Edward slowly got up to grab where he hid it. He grabbed it from one of the drawers and made a show of putting it in front where Louis could see it but couldn't grab it. And when he did try to grab it, Edward moved it further out of his reach.

"Nu uh." He taunted. "This isn't how tonight is supposed to go."

More panic began to show in his features. "What's wrong, pretty boy? Don't you know your own boyfriend's twin brother?"

Louis began to sweat and leaned over the chair. He collapsed on the ground. Edward went behind him to grab something and showed him before his closed his eyes. A huge bottle of peanut oil. And before he closed his eyes, he glanced at Edward one last time. "My secret ingredient."

Louis closed his eyes, his skin turning pale, and his breathing turning swallow. At this point, it was going too slowly for Edward, but he trusted the process and waited. And waited as he took a seat right next to Louis with the only thing that could save him in his hand.

And when it became clear that Louis had stopped breathing, Edward didn't do anything but continue talking. Talked through what Louis did to end up in this situation. Why he deserved what he got. And why he shouldn't have tried to come between them in the first place. And at least, from wherever he goes now, he won't be able to.

And to add more insult to injury to the situation, he took a knife from the countertop and walked back towards Louis. The knife shined as he stabbed him in the heart.

The heart that he dared thought he could give to Harry.