I Love You ~ Louis Tomlinson

The Time Being

"Hey Lou?" Natalie asks dragging out his nickname and laying on the bed next to him on her stomach. 

"Yes lovely?" He smiles at her as he glances quickly from his phone before looking down at it again. 

She kicks her legs back and forth in the air before responding, "You busy?" She asks vaguely. 

He peeks over at her again, "I can make myself available," he answers with a shrug, but still returns his attention back to the typing on his phone. 

"I can wait," she offers, moving to get more comfortable. She doesn't want to intrude on whatever he's working on so she rests her head right below his shoulder, just close enough that she isn't touching but he can probably still feel her warmth. 

He hums in response and starts carding his hand through her hair. She smiles and tucks tighter into herself, trying to get comfortable, but still trying not to disturb him. Yet somehow she can't help herself and moves to tangle a leg with his. Louis doesn't seem to mind and leans down to kiss the side of her head. She smiles happily to herself and then the next thing she knows she's sleeping soundly. 

She wakes up less than an hour later, she dreamed of flowers and butterflies. Beautiful greens, warm shining sun, and happy laughter. She'd almost be disappointed to be back in the real world, but the view in front of her is pretty good too. 

It seems Louis finished whatever he was working on and joined her for a nap, pulling her up onto his chest an wrapping an arm around her tightly. His soft exhales fan the top of her head and blow around her baby hairs. She peers up at him, he looks so peaceful. His soft features soften even more so when he sleeps. 

She brings her hand up to brush over his cheek when she starts to see him stirring and his eyes moving back and forth beneath closed eyes. She smirks when she sees a smile try not to creep onto his lips as he fakes sleep a little longer. "Hi," she says softly. 

"Shh, still sleeping," he mumbles and blindly puts his hand on her face like he's snoozing an alarm. 

"Okay," she whispers, pressing a soft kiss into his hand before he removes it. Instead of leaving him alone, she moves so that her entire body covers his.

He makes a "hmf" sound, but wraps his arms around her anyway and hums happily when she sticks her head in the crook of his neck. 

They cuddle like that for a while, breathing in the serene silence and sharing little kisses here and there. She almost forgot what she came into the hotel room to ask Louis until he reminds her. 

"What was it you wanted to ask me earlier?" He questions, moving her hair back from her face. 

"Oh yeah," she sits up excitedly and puts her hands on his chest. "I pulled some strings," she says coyly, "Think I figured out something you'll like." 

"And what would that be?" He says with a smirk. 

"Well, get ready to tell me I'm the best girlfriend ever-" she starts, but Louis interrupts her. 

"You're the best girlfriend ever," he says cheekily. 

She shoves him playfully, "I didn't even get to tell you yet," she huffs. "Anyway," she smiles, "I pulled some strings and I mean it's not as good obviously as going outside to play football, but I did get them to clear a conference room and they said we can play football in it!" 

Louis laughs excitedly, "Are you serious? That's so cool love."

"Yeah, they said we'd have it all night so we can go as soon as you're ready," she shrugs. 

"Thank you," he says sitting up and wrapping his arms around her waist tightly before kissing her. 

They get ready as Louis excitedly chatters to her about different techniques and drills he wants to practice. All the football terms practically mean nothing to her anymore, it's been a very long time since she really played, but she's pretty keen on relearning it. She's been picking up on things he's told her about and studying it in her free time. Despite all her efforts though, she's still pretty lost as he babbles on right now. 

They walk hand in hand down the hallway with some water and snacks she packed. Louis is absolutely buzzing, practically skipping and she couldn't be happier to see such joy on his face. 

"You can invite the boys if you want," she offers, not wanting to steal all his free time away from him just for herself. 

He stops her and spins her around to face him, gently crowding her into the wall. "And if I want you all to myself," he asks with a smirk. 

"You can have it," she smiles and he kisses her for it. She drops everything that was in her hands and moves them to his hair instead, pulling him in closer to her. 

He hums eagerly against her lips and plants his hands on her waist, practically holding her up against the wall as her knees start to feel like jelly. She wraps her arms around his neck and he hoists her up so she can wrap her legs around her waist to pull him impossibly closer. 

They break away to breathe, but don't go far as they pant against each other's lips. A big wolfish smile breaks out on Louis' face as she hides hers in his neck, still going shy under his gaze from time to time. He only holds her tighter and walks her toward the conference room.

"Wait our stuff," she giggles and tries weakly to get out of his grasp. 

"I'll come back for it," he smiles and kisses her again. 

He sets her down and instructs her to wait for him as he jogs into the hall to pick up their abandoned waters. He returns only moments later, breathing heavily and shrugs, "Needed a good warm up anyhow. So, what are we starting with?" 

"You tell me Mr. Footballer," she jokes, dribbling the ball between her feet. 

He sizes her up, walking around her in a circle. "You always understate how good you are," he starts, almost menacing but playful. 

"Not sure what you mean," she says, running around him and scoring on one the little nets that's set up. She raises her hands up in victory, yelling, "GOALLLLL." 

"Well, that wasn't really fair love," Louis protests. 

"And why's that?" She asks, jutting out her hip and placing her hands on them. 

"Um," he scratches his neck and trying to come up with an answer. 

"You're right," she says, walking toward him, "Doesn't count. We hadn't properly started yet."

He smiles at her and wraps his arms around her waist, looking around at the set up and then leaning down a bit so they're eye level. "I love this idea. Thank you so much."

"Of course," she whispers. 

She wonders if right now is the right time to tell him she loves him. She wants to, but she also thinks why does she need to have more than this for now. Maybe right where they are is where they're supposed to be. 

Louis kisses her and that helps her to forget for the time being. It always serves to be a very good distraction.

He must know that too, because right before he pulls away from her, he kicks the ball toward his goal and he starts laughing like a mad man. "Gotta pay better attention there love. The game's officially started."