Me and Lou (Louis Partridge x Y/N - fem reader)

The End

Louis had to head back to his own house that afternoon before Ruby returned. Before he left, we decided to confront her the next day. We decided that only after the confrontation would he be informing his parents and manager of the situation. I asked if he wanted me to be there for those conversations, but he said he was fine, even though I could tell he was terrified. However, more than anything, he was terrified of confronting Ruby. I would certainly be there with him for that.

Throughout our planning, Louis voice was shaking with anxiety and I could have sworn I saw a single tear run down his face. He really did his best to appear emotionless and collected; I knew that if he didn't do that, he would be a sobbing, emotional mess. Which was fine and expected--especially in this situation--but we needed to be able to think clearly as we planned the confrontation. He didn't text me that night, probably out of pure terror of Ruby discovering he had even spoken to me. 

As I gently massaged my moisturizer into my skin, I began thinking about all the ways my life would change. People, even my family, would call me stupid for putting my reputation and future on the line for a teenage boy, for love. I did love him, right? I gripped the countertop and stared into my mirror, searching my own tired eyes for the answer, thinking that somehow my reflection would tell me. 

Love is a powerful force, but it is also much rarer than most people think it is. Our decision could impact my chances of getting into university, or having a career at all if the public chose to believe Ruby. I exhaled deeply as I realized that, regardless of how many people could believe in Louis' innocence, there will always be some who wouldn't. He'd asked me a thousand times if I was sure I wanted to be involved with the whole situation. Of course I did, I wanted to support him and prove to the masses that he really was a fantastic person, not the horrible monster Ruby was going to paint him to be. But was I choosing to help him because I...loved him? Many people my age mistake all sorts of weak, temporary feelings for love. Was I doing the same? 

My racing thoughts were beginning to exhaust me, although I knew I would be far too anxious to sleep tonight. I sat down on my bed, hugging one of my pillows to my chest. Just as I was about to open my TikTok to block out the overwhelming questions plaguing my brain, it hit me. Love is a choice. And making this choice for Louis is, in fact, loving him. I have nothing to gain from this. Even if I didn't truly love him, I still am helping a tortured, abused person escape a dreadful situation. That's love, and that love doesn't even have to be romantic. This realization calmed my mind and gave me almost a sense of confidence and peace; finally realizing that what all the adults in my life had been talking about all this time. Love is so much more than fuzzy feelings and romantic dates, it's an action. Love is making sacrifices for the people around us because we care about them. I am in love with Louis but I also love him. I curled up under my soft lilac-colored blankets, calmed with my new understanding of the difference between being in love, and truly loving. 

-----Time skip: the next afternoon---------------------------

I was biting my lip so hard I thought I might draw blood. Tears threatened to spill down my face but I just squeezed Louis hand a little harder and he gently squeezed mine back.

"DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO TO BOTH OF YOU IF YOU GO THROUGH WITH THIS!?"

Ruby screamed in our faces, standing a mere foot away from us with her cheeks glowing a fiery red and her fists clenched. Her screaming that had been mixed with both incoherent sounds and threats came to a stop. She leaned even closer to us and pressed her lips together, the threat of a smile visible at the corners of her pretty mouth. Her tall, thin frame towered over me and it took everything in my not to cower under to her vicious stare. 

"I'm going to make everyone hate you. Both of you. You will be nothing. You will have no future, no friends, and no life. You will be disgusting to everyone if you try to leave me. This is your last chance, Louis." 

Her tone was threateningly level, and I knew she meant every last word she said. 

Louis didn't look at me, but stiffened his posture and lifted his chin a little. His eyes narrowed at her. 

"I don't care. I'm done. Get out of my house." He said in a low, level voice. I'd never seen him act hostile before. It was almost chilling to see anger glinting in his usually warm, inviting eyes.

Ruby stood still, her eyes widening ever-so-slightly. Had she not expected Louis to stay true to his word?

"I said get out of my house!" 

Her chest heaving in fury, Ruby stomped over to Louis' front door and picked up the trash bags full of her stuff that Louis had packed up and shoved by the door. 

"You're gonna regret this. I mean it." She hissed, before slamming the door. 

And then it was quiet. I turned to Louis and we wrapped our arms around each other. 

We stood just holding each other for a few minutes. Louis was shaking mess so, without a word, I guided him to his sofa and sat him down while I grabbed him a glass of water from his kitchen. I handed it to him and he gave me a small smile as our fingertips brushed together. I sat next to him and he set his glass down. He grabs my hand in mine and then just leans his head back and closes his eyes for several minutes. I rub my thumb back and forth across the back of his hand, letting him take his time to process all of this. 

"I can't believe it's finally over", He finally sighs after several minutes.

His phone begins to suddenly buzz incessantly. Louis opens his eyes and checks the notifications, his eyes widening. 

"I guess it's not really over yet. She's already told the entire internet about it. Or at least her version of the situation. These headlines are saying she might try to sue me..."

"Sue you!? That's awful. I can't believe she's working so qui-" 

Louis phone ringing loudly cuts me off mid sentence.

I raise my eyebrows at him and he shows me who's calling. It's his manager. But Louis just silences the call and puts his phone in his pocket. 

"Aren't you going to answer that?" I ask, getting nervous that he declined the call. 

He inhales deeply. "Maybe later. I don't want to deal with it just yet. I want just a few minutes of peace."

"You aren't worried about any of this?" I'm becoming more anxious by the second. But Louis appears calm.

He laughs dryly. 

"I've had two days to be worried about all this. I just want a few minutes of freedom from her. I'm tired, y/n." 

He beckons me closer and wraps his arms around me, pulling me against his side. 

"What are you gonna do? What are you gonna tell your manager--heck, what are you gonna tell your parents?"

"The truth, I guess. I'll figure something out later. Besides, I know everything will be okay as long as I have you." 

And with that, he lifts up my chin and softly places his lips on mine. I lean into Louis chest and inhale his scent deeply. My life was about to be turned upside down but as I look at the sweet, strong, lovely brunette boy holding me, I realize it will all be worth it. With that thought, I nestle deeper into Louis embrace and enjoy our last moment of peace we would have for a long time. 

a/n:

i started this over a year ago. there are a lot of things about this story i wish i could have done better but all in all i'm happy considering this is the first real story i've finished. it's like my firstborn child that im a little disappointed in but it's still extremely special to me lol. it's been so incredible writing my first fanfic and getting to fall in love with my characters. from here i will hopefully grow my skills and my commitment to writing. although i dont have an obsession with Louis P anymore, this story helps me feel connected to the lovesick younger me that started this journey. this is the story that started it all, thank you all for reading this, you guys mean so much to me <3