Have I forgotten how to love; remind me once again

Chapter Twenty

A/N Aaaalmost there...

It isn't until they're all gathered in the living room, Niall beating Zayn's ass at FIFA, that Louis admits he got drunk yesterday after they left. He instantly follows it up with the fact that he threw out the remaining alcohol in the house this morning and he could cry when Liam simply utters a simple, "I'm proud of you. That can't have been easy", not even mentioning the drinking part.

They talk about the news of the band breaking up too, but in a much lighter tone than Louis had anticipated, each of them attempting to find the most hilarious Tweets, comments, and outrageously wrong articles. That's it, and Louis stops feeling like he ruined their lives for a moment.

Once again, it's Louis who turns the conversation more serious as he mumbles out of nowhere, "I'm going to get him back, you know", and instead of trying to talk him out of it - as Louis had kind of thought they would - Niall simply laughs loudly, "Oh, thank god you finally reached that conclusion. Took you long enough".

Zayn simply hums a smiling, "You will get him back. The two of you are meant to be in every scenario." Then he ruins the sappy comment by adding, "It's disgustingly cliché to look at really."

And so, Louis feels infinitely lighter than yesterday, deciding that getting Harry back starts tomorrow, because he can only climb so many mountains in a day. Right now, he's happy with playing FIFA with his friends, even though there's an empty place for his love's head resting in his lap, cheering him on with utterly unhelpful advice.

He has to ask though, if any of them has spoken to Harry, pushing away the pang of jealousy when Niall reveals that Harry called him yesterday, assuring him that he's okay. Well, as good as can be, and Louis stops himself from asking whether Harry inquired about him or not. He isn't sure he wants the answer to ruin his happy moment right now.

***

When time comes to sleep, the house is once again full of life, and even though Louis chooses to stay on the couch alone, the backdrop of soft sounds from upstairs keeps his doubts at bay when Louis contemplates how to go at the whole getting-the-love-of-his-life-to-realize-he's-in-love-with Louis-thing.

He's got a pretty good idea, and Louis' planning on cueing the boys in tomorrow, kind of wanting their advice as well, but for now Louis simply lets it be, hoping for a good night's sleep. Or just some sleep.

Calming his breaths and closing his eyes, Louis is nearing sleep when the faint sound of murmurs from upstairs is accompanied by something else. Something Louis can't quite identify. It's kind of like... oh. No there's no denying the origin of the repeated thud thud thud sounding from upstairs. Louis has a pretty good guess as to which room the noises are coming from - even before he can make out who the whining sounds belong to. Liam and Zayn must have thought the house was already asleep. Or maybe they just don't care.

Oh god, is he happy he didn't accept Niall's offer to cuddle even though Louis was incredibly close to holding the Irish boy to his word. That would have brought him right across from the rendezvous happening upstairs right now though.

Groaning, Louis covers his ears with his pillow, yet he can't help a smile from forming on his lips. Good on them, he thinks, as Louis incredibly manages to fall asleep before the noises disappear.

***

Louis is - quite impressively - the first one up and when his friends stumble downstairs in various states of disarray, breakfast is served though much more appreciated is the fresh tea that follows. While his friends are eating - Liam standing against the counter, Louis sitting on it, and the other two seated at the table - Louis is gathering the courage to tell them about his plan.