Glitter & Crimson [COMPLETED]

11

Louis stood outside the small cafe, leaning back against the weathered brick wall, his gaze drifting up to the twilight sky. His fingers curled around the slim cigarette, a quiet source of comfort as he brought it to his lips and took a deep drag, letting the nicotine settle the restless energy bubbling beneath his skin. The soft glow of streetlights washed over the empty street, the evening air calm in contrast to the chaotic scene that had just unfolded.

What was supposed to be their first official date—a moment for just him and Zayn to breathe without the eyes of the world on them—had quickly turned into a spectacle. The flickering peace of the cozy cafe had been shattered when paparazzi swarmed the windows, cameras flashing, capturing every glance, every whisper, every tiny gesture. Fans had poured in from the street, approaching them with wide-eyed enthusiasm, asking for photos and autographs, oblivious to the way Zayn's expression grew strained with every interruption. It wasn't their fault, Louis knew, but that didn't make it easier to swallow.

With a heavy sigh, he exhaled the smoke slowly, watching as it spiraled upward and disappeared into the darkening sky. He hoisted himself up onto the low wall, letting his legs dangle as he fell into a pensive silence. The cigarette burned low between his fingers, and he studied it, half-tempted to flick it away, half-wishing it could distract him from the frustration gnawing at him.

"Hey," came a familiar voice from behind. Louis glanced over his shoulder to see Zayn slipping out the cafe door, looking just as drained. Zayn's hands were shoved into his jacket pockets, his shoulders slightly hunched, as if he were trying to shake off the weight of the evening. He joined Louis by the wall, leaning close but not saying anything for a moment. He just stood there, matching Louis's gaze skyward, as if hoping the stars held an answer to the questions neither of them dared to ask aloud.

"I'm sorry, Z," Louis finally murmured, breaking the quiet. His voice was soft, but it carried the weight of his guilt. "I just... I wanted tonight to be normal. Just us."

Zayn gave a small, understanding smile, nudging Louis gently with his shoulder. "Nothing's ever normal for us, is it?" he replied, his voice laced with a mix of humor and resignation. "But it's alright. It's not your fault."

They sat in companionable silence, the sounds of the city murmuring in the background as Louis took another drag of his cigarette. Zayn's hand moved almost instinctively, finding Louis's free hand and intertwining their fingers, a small but grounding gesture. In this little moment, away from the flash of cameras and the crush of fans, it felt like the world had fallen away, leaving just the two of them.

Louis looked down at their hands, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I just wish it could be like this... all the time."

Zayn squeezed his hand, his thumb brushing gently over Louis's knuckles. "Maybe someday," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might break the fragile calm between them. "Until then, we just make the most of what we've got."

Louis nodded, holding onto Zayn's words, letting them anchor him. He flicked the cigarette away, watching it roll across the pavement before stubbing it out with his shoe. "Come on," he said, hopping down from the wall, his hand still firmly in Zayn's. "I owe you a proper night out. No cameras, no fans. Just us."

Zayn's face softened, his tired eyes brightening just a little as he followed Louis down the street, hand in hand, disappearing into the quiet night, leaving the world—and the chaos—behind them, if only for a few precious hours.

***

Liam let out a huff of determination as he pushed open the door to Zayn and Louis's shared hotel room, gesturing for Niall to follow. In his hands, he balanced a pizza box and a small bag of snacks, while Niall carried an armful of candles and a bouquet of flowers he'd "borrowed" from the hotel lobby.