This Road Has Been Putting Miles On My Heart

9

Chapter 9:

Louis was the happiest man in the world.

He thought he couldn't be happier, besides the day of his wedding, and everything just seemed hopeful and promising. He woke up in time for once, literally jumping out of bed and taking a long, steaming shower. He made himself some tea while he cooked egg on toast and skipped to his bedroom to change. He wore his black trousers and white button up, school clothing policy and all, but switched up his outfit by combining it with a patterned, brightly colored tie. He smoothed down his hair, spritzing a little bit of hairspray to fluff it up, and wore matching patterned socks.

When the kettle whistled announcing that his tea was ready, he padded over and hummed a happy tune, wiggling his bum back and forth. Instead of eating in silence like he usually did, he plugged in his phone into the speakers and jammed out to Justin Timberlake. He and Harry were planning a nautical themed summer wedding filled with fireworks and the works and he was counting down the days until he could call his husband Harry Tomlinson.

He drove to school whistling all the way and even parked in his favorite parking spot. The world was on his side finally. He jogged up the school steps and walked to his classroom, Susan pinching his bum as she passed by him. He laughed giddily and opened the door, flicking the lights on and sitting down at his desk.

He sipped his tea and grimaced. It needed more milk. He grabbed his to go mug and made his way to the teacher's lounge, whistling happily. His whistles stopped when he saw he wasn't the only one there. Sebastian was bent over while he grabbed the carton of milk from the fridge. He turned to him and avoided his eyes. He poured milk in his coffee, the milk blooming outwards like flower petals.

"Hey," Louis said, cautiously.

"Hey," Sebastian replied, his eyes flitting to him briefly.

"Um. Whenever you're done with the milk you can hand it over."

"Oh. So I can't get milk either, now?"

Louis' eyebrows pinched together. He stammered, "Um, n-no. That's not what I meant. My tea needs more milk."

Sebastian popped his mouth open, his eyebrows raising high. "Oh. Sorry. Here."

Louis accepted the milk. He poured milk in his tea and handed it back. "Thanks."

"No problem."

When Sebastian didn't say anything else, Louis nodded at him and turned around, heading for his classroom. Sebastian reached out a hand to stop him. "Hey. Wait." Louis turned at the sound of his voice. He looked at his face, his expression blank. "Yes?"

Sebastian uttered a long-suffering sigh. "I'm sorry about the letter."

Louis accepted his apology. Quietly, he said, "That's okay."

"I didn't mean to come off so bold." Sebastian leaned back with the tips of his fingers spread out on the surface of the table. "I shouldn't have said all those things knowing you have a boyfriend. I understand now that it isn't in my place to come between your relationship. I don't want you to think of me as a homewrecker. And if you want to, I do want to go back to being friends. Me and you." Sebastian flicked his hand between them. "Like you said...We get on really well."

Louis fingered the end of his tie. He was at a loss for words. He wasn't accepting a long apology from Sebastian this morning. He guesses the world was really on his side. Louis crinkled his eyes in a smile and extended his hand out in a silent agreement.

Sebastian's face broke out in a smile and shook his hand. As Louis was pulling away, he gripped his hand tighter and pulled him to his chest. Louis muffled out an, "Oof," his head falling on his shoulder. Sebastian hugged him warm, mumbling, "I missed you. My days have been so boring without you."