Just In Case - A Lilo Fanfic

Chapter 1

Louis didn't get it. He didn't understand. He didn't do anything wrong, did he? He never once cheated, had never even wanted to. He always made sure to at least text him every day and call on the days they wouldn't be able to see each other, and not because he had to. He always made time for him, not that it was a chore to do so because Louis wanted to see him as often as he could. Louis took him out places, introduced him to his friends, met his friends and got along rather well. Louis even introduced him to his family, his family. He's never done that with any one before because he's never felt this way about anyone before. He's never woken up to an empty bed and wished that they were there with him. He's never had someone who wasn't Harry that he wanted to call first when he got good news. There was even that time where Louis chose him over Harry to call about his new job and that was pretty incredible. Harry was not pleased.

It's not that Harry didn't like Liam, because he did, everyone liked Liam. It was just that up until Liam came along it had always been Louis and Harry, Harry and Louis, the two best mates who were practically inseparable, and for once in Louis' life, someone had come before Harry. That alone should prove how much Louis cared for Liam, not that it was exactly hard to care for the man. Liam was perfect, really. He was the kind of guy that gave more than he would take. He would always be willing to help with anything you needed and there even when you didn't need him. He was the kindest person Louis had ever met, wouldn't dream of hurting a fly. He was so selfless, always put others before him. He was talented too, and successful. He worked at a record label in London, producing music for some of the UK's biggest artists. Not to mention he was drop dead gorgeous, but that's not what caught Louis' eye at first.

When they met, Liam had been starring at the menu at Starbucks with his amazingly brown eyes, his thick eyebrows furrowed in concentration. It wasn't his broad shoulders that caught his attention first, or the ridiculous batman shirt that stretched over his stupid muscles. It was the way someone so tall and broad could look so lost and confused, how someone could look so lost and confused over a coffee choice. Liam had been sort of distracted trying to both decipher the menu and decide what he wanted to notice Louis but Louis sure noticed him, and it had nothing to do with the fact that he was holding up the line.

There was one person in between them that politely cleared their throat, reminding the confused man of the line of people behind him. Liam turned in surprise, dropping his arms from where they had been crossed over his chest while his soft looking pink lips formed an 'o' shape as he took in the line. For some reason, that at the time Louis had no clue why but now knows was because Liam thought he was cute, the man's eyes met Louis' so Louis gave him a small smile, trying to tell him that it was okay even though he was probably going to be ten minutes late because of him. The man stepped to the side, apologizing profusely to the man in between them and told him to go first.

As the man in between them placed his order, Liam had looked back to the menu, still looking hopelessly lost. Louis tried not to watch him but it was incredibly hard to look away from the strong jaw of the man that was lightly covered in stubble, probably having forgotten to shave this morning or maybe he purposely left it like that because it did look good. It was hard to notice anything else other than the small frown on his lips and the way his finger pulled at his bottom lip as he thought about his decision. Louis had ended up getting caught starring when the man must have felt someone looking at him and turned with one arched eyebrow. Louis being the quick thinker he was shot him a knowing smile, trying to pretend he was looking at him for no other reason than he knew the pour soul was confused.

"First time at Starbucks?" Louis whispered, leaning in slightly so as not to let others over hear and embarrass the man. Liam had smiled sheepishly, now biting at his bottom lip and if that weren't the most distracting action in the world than Louis didn't know what was.