Finding Louis {l.s}

9

Louis:

I stumble out of our room, ashamed of how used to his presence I am. It's a Saturday and he's not on shift so I'm a hit confused until I spot him talking tenderly to his plants, soft beams of sunlight drawing my attention to his chest. My gaze trails lower and then I snap myself to attention, thinking he's blushing because of my creepiness and not the real reason; he was talking to them about me.

"Hazz... You look... Umm... Pretty. Beautiful. Gorgeous. Fucking stunning, really- fuck. Excuse me for staring but can you blame me?"

Harry stares at me for a moment before that lovely rosy colour further floods his face. I stop panicking for a moment, starting up again when he drops to the floor. Then I remember this is usual drama queen Styles behaviour, taking some steps closer to him.

"You okay down there, buddy?"

"Louis, you can't... Just... Say things like that!"

I lay down next to him, staring first at the ceiling to mentally prepare myself before I face him. My temporary roommate is fucking stunning. I'm going to die here, being exposed to the beauty of a god. It's enough to turn anyone into pure rainbow confetti.

"Err... Why not?"

"Cos I know you're not lying and that means you actually think I look... Umm..."

"Course I do."

"I'm not even dressed up!"

"The sunlight is hitting you perfectly right now, darling. Besides, you always look perfect." To placate him as he grumbles shyly to himself, I place a light peck on his nose, admiring how the rosy colour grows even stronger and spreads delectably for my viewing pleasure. He widens his eyes at me while I just stare, prompting a growl that takes me by surprise. While I'm laughing, he's complaining about how I'm bullying him with my sweetness. "I'm never going to stop, H, that's a promise!"

"Well then I'll... I'll tell the boys you're being nice to me!"

"Good. Brownie points with your friends are always welcome."

"Speaking of them... Umm... So Liam wanted to ask you if you wanted to come by their football game, today. They're just hanging out and kicking a ball around at the park... What do you think?"

"Are they any good? M not gonna leave my safe space unless it's some real, quality football, Harold."

"Maybe you can join them and make it up to your standard, Tommo."

"I might just take you up on that. I used to be a brilliant player. I dreamt of doing it professionally for a time too... I'm gonna be really rusty now but eh, it would be nice to... To play, again."

The sky is a dark grey as we reach the park, looking quite ready to burst into tears. It's a true replica of how I usually feel inside, at least until I ran away and Harry Styles made his way into my life. I keep up a blank expression but beneath, I can feel anxiety bursting from the depths of me. I worry I'll act like I used to before I ever met Simon and I worry they won't like it. Still, I certainly can't turn down a game of football, not after so many years.

I deserve a little bit of good, don't I?

"Hey! Louis! Good to see you, mate- I had the idea so you can be on my team, yeah? Harry says you played a bit back in school. Gotta be better than Niall - anyone is, really."

"We're still gonna wipe the floor with ya, Payno! I bet Louis couldn't last a fucking minute-" Harry shoves Niall while I narrow my eyes, letting out an amused chuckle. Without a word, I swipe the football from his tight grip and begin to bounce it over my knees, kicking it high over my head and then keeping it balanced rather clumsily on my head before I finally grab it mid-air. They both gape at my shit attempt to be inpressive while Harry just grins widely, despite the fact that he's on another team.