London Bridges

Chapter 11: Dinner Party

"You were a real douchebag yesterday."

Louis laughs, surprised those are the first words to come out of what he thought to be a still sleeping Liam.

"I know," he says. "I'm sorry."

Liam shrugs. "Thanks for coming to bed at least."

Louis rolls them over, effectively pinning Liam under him.

"I had a shitty day yesterday," he says. "But that's not an excuse, I shouldn't have take it out on you."

Liam sighs, intwining his fingers into the hair at the base of Louis's neck and pulling him into a deep kiss. Whenever they argue it always feels like ages since their last kiss, even if it was really just a few hours.

"You know I'm always on your side, yeah?"

"Yeah," Louis confirms. "And you're right, Nialler needs us too. I was just trying to protect Zayn and his sobriety."

"Zayn's sobriety is not your responsibility, love," Liam says. "Yours is, though, and I'm guessing that's why you had such a rough day yesterday."

"I'm fine," Louis says, rolling off of Liam and onto his back so that he's staring at the ceiling. "It's a new day."

"Don't do that, don't lie to me," Liam scolds gently.

Louis reaches out to him, brushing his thumb across Liam's lips. "I don't want you to worry."

"I don't want you to hide your struggles from me. I don't need you to be perfect, Lou, I need you to be honest, with me and yourself."

"I'm honestly better today," Louis grins cheekily. "Yesterday was rough, arsehole clients, arsehole paps, shitty weather. Today is already better, and so am I, but I have a meeting coming up with Bax and his group."

"Good," Liam smiles.

The next week is extremely hectic. Louis is swamped at work, coming home exhausted and sore. Liam is frantic, revising for his first set of exams. Zayn keeps himself out of the house as much as possible, preparing his portfolio for the art program at University College Dublin (UCD) and worrying about Niall's impending arrival. Louis shows up to a few of Bax's meetings, dragging Zayn alone with him, and though it's strikingly different from the center, it does them both well to have that outlet again. Other than these meetings and Liam falling into bed after he's already asleep, they're all orbiting each other without much contact. When Friday comes along, Louis decides to change that.

"Lou, I have an exam, I need to revise," Liam complains as Louis drags him away from his books and towards the shower.

He turns the hot water on and pulls Liam's shirt over his head, ignoring the squeak of protests that escapes from the younger lad's throat.

"Your exam is on Monday, it's Friday and you've been revising all week. You can spare a few hours away from your books."

"There's so much material to go over. I have a never ending stack of notes-."

Louis shuts him up by slipping his tongue in Liam's mouth. He's sad to admit that it's the most intimacy they've had all week.

"One night, Batman," he encourages, gently kneading the tension out of Liam's shoulders. "We'll have dinner with my boss, get a decent, home cooked meal out of it, and then we'll come home, relax, and tomorrow you'll be nice and refreshed to continue revising."

"Alright," Liam agrees, unable to deny the fact that food and rest sounds extremely good.

"Brilliant," Louis grins, nudging Liam into the already steaming shower. "Now wash up well cus you stink, love."