Dim Lights and Butterflies

Seven

The clouds are heavy in the sky, weighing down like a grey duvet to suffocate the heat from the sun. The blossom on the trees flitter to the ground in an array of pink and white like snowflakes, green leaves forming just beneath, waking up with a yawn on the wind, searching for the sun's kiss to welcome them to the world.

The streetlamps outside flicker to life, though their light is dull, barely even lighting the ground beneath them, looking sad and hopeless from where they stand. The whooshing of cars passing, flash their lights in a steady glow, the lights reflecting against the windows where the blinds are open to try and seek the natural light from outside. 

Oli slams his bottle of beer on the table beside him a little too forcefully, the games' controller in his other hand almost falling from his lazy grip. He looks to Louis with his mouth agape, motioning with his now spare hand to the TV where the scores of the game is shown.

"That was a foul!" Oli squeaks, glaring at Louis. "What cheat codes have you leeched?"

Louis snorts. "I did no such thing, Oli boy, you're just a sore loser." Louis flips Oli off, causing Oli to shove him hard until he's almost falling off the sofa. "Oi! Don't be a little bitch! Get off me, you fool." Louis pushes back, Oli tipping over the armrest. Louis splutters a laugh, almost choking on his beer. 

Oli pokes his head up from behind the sofa which he's just fallen from, blowing his ginger hair from his face. "I hate you, you know that? When you gonna get out my fuckin' hair?" he teases, jumping back onto the sofa. 

Louis gives him a deadpan look, his face straight as he can muster. "When are you gonna find a girlfriend, and stop pining for me to fuck you every night?" Louis shoots back.

"I only ask because I know you're lonely and are in need of some good ass," Oli jokes along, flicking his wrist. 

Louis glares at him. "Like I'd give in to your ass. Not when there's a jungle up there the colour of an Oompah Loompah. It gives me nightmares just thinking of it. I'm pretty sure Trump's face is slapped right bang in the middle, his mouth, your hole." Louis fakes a shiver, bringing the bottle to his lips.

Oli's lips purse. "You know, I don't know why I keep you round as a friend. All you do is bully me."

Louis pulls him into a hug. "Aw, don't be such a wet flannel, you bully me tons, 's what we do. And the only reason you keep me around is because without me, you'd have no friends left." He ruffles Oli's hair. "You love me, really."

"Yeah, yeah, a little too much apparently." Oli shakes his head, puts the controller on the armrest. "What we doing for dinner?"

Louis shrugs a shoulder. They're both as shit as each other when it comes to cooking. Louis can't lie, he misses Krystal's food. He especially loved the enchiladas she would make, the cheese melted perfectly on top. It makes his mouth salivate at the thought. 

It's been a week since Louis lost his job. Harry only called him once, but Louis was in the shower at the time, and didn't bother calling back. Other than that, it's been radio silent. He hopes the kids are okay. He misses them dearly, misses Astrid's hugs, and Orion's dirty little cackles. He also misses that mutt, Poppy. He was scared shitless of her to begin with, but he grew to love her as much as his old dog, Clifford, that he named his toy after. 

"Do you think we could get a dog?" Louis asks.

"What, for dinner? Bit weird that, mate," Oli replies.

Louis rolls his eyes. "No, you melt, as a pet."

Oli blows out air through tight lips. "Jesus, you really need to get out the house more. You know the tenancy doesn't allow pets. And who's to say you'll be staying here for good? I'm just looking after you until you're on your feet again."