London Bridges

Chapter 15: Silver

Louis needed something.  Zayn had his art, and with the two lads getting closer, he had Niall to keep him occupied.  Niall was busy being a tourist when he wasn't with Zayn.  Liam had a never ending amount of schoolwork that didnt leave much time for him to spend with Louis.

Louis had work, 9am-5pm every Monday-Friday, which he loved. He had meetings, three times a week, which helped.  He was in a rut, though, drowning in the monotony of his daily life, and he needed something to take up his time before he looked for excitement in the contents of a needle.

Louis saw the answer to his problems on the way home from work one Friday, a few weeks after Niall had come to town and everything was settled again.  The flat was already fairly full, but he remembered a promise he had made to Liam ages ago and couldnt resist.

"Are you home?" Louis asks into his cell phone as he struggles with the supplies he's just purchased on his way to their flat.

"Yeah," Liam answers.  "Was expecting you an hour ago, was starting to worry.  Is everything alright?"

"Sure, love," Louis says.  "Just got caught up with something.  I'll be home in five, have a surprise for you."

"Is it a surprise I have to be naked for?"

Louis laughs and the curses suddenly when he almost drops the box he's carrying under his arm.

"Not quite yet," he answers, grinning even though Liam can't see it.  "I wouldn't be opposed to getting naked later, though.  I'll see you in a few."

"Okay, see you soon, love."

When Louis gets to his building, he stares up at the two flights of stairs and reckons maybe he should've thought this through better.  He was excited, though, and now he's determined.  He makes his way up the stairs very carefully, not wanting to drop anything, especially the box that was particularly difficult to hold.  Finally, though, he gets to the door of his flat, kicking at it because his hands are too full to knock or unlock it himself.

"Who is it?" Liam's voice calls through the door.

"It's Lou, but close your eyes before you open the door."

Liam lets out an exasperated chuckle, but when he opens the door his eyes are squeezed shut and Louis can't help but kiss him.

"Was that my surprise? Can I open my eyes now?"

"Absolutely not," Louis answers.  "I'll let you know when."

Liam grins, standing awkwardly by the door as he hears Louis banging around.  Finally, after what seems like ages, Liam hears Louis's grunt of satisfaction.

"Okay, Li," Louis finally says.  "Open your eyes."

Liam blinks his eyes open, confused at first because all he can see is an empty kennel and some bowls in the corner.  He feels something tugging at his shoe string, though, and when he looks down he lets out a squeal that he'll later deny until his last breath.

Liam crouches down and scoops up the little puppy, tears springing to his eyes as he buries his nose into its small, furry head.

"Don't cry, love," Louis says softly, overwhelmed by the emotion rolling off of Liam in waves.  "Do you like him?"

Liam is temporarily speechless, so he just nods his head and pulls Louis into a passionate kiss, all the while refusing to let go of the pint size fur ball. 

"He's perfect," Liam manages to gasp out between sobs.

"Then why are you so upset?" Louis asks, chuckling slightly even though his concern is rising.

"I'm not upset," Liam promises, shaking his head.  "I'm happy, he's just what I've always wanted."

Louis smiles fondly, once again struck by how the lad who seemed to have everything growing up was left longing for the simplest of things.

"Well he needs a name," Louis says, carding his fingers through Liam's hair while simultaneously reaching out and scratching the puppy's ears. 

"What do you reckon?"

Louis chuckles.  "He's your dream, Batman.  Don't you have a name already picked?"

"No, actually," Liam says.  "I knew I'd never get one so picking a name seemed foolish.  Didn't want to get attached to something that would never happen."

Louis smiles sadly at the other man, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.  "Well it's happened now," he says.  "What are you thinking? Something fierce, like Killer."

"He is not a killer," Liam laughs.  "He looks positively angelic."

"He's just a pup, he'll grow into his name."

"What about Rocky?"

"Sure, we'll have a member of the Paw Patrol," Louis says, dryly.

"The twins really tortured you this summer," Liam laughs.

"And now I've got the theme song stuck in my head." Louis pouts.  "What about Bullet?"

"Quit trying to make our boy into a killer."

Louis smiles at Liam's words.  Looking down at the sleeping puppy on Liam's lap, Louis can see their future, trading the furry ball for a chubby, cooing baby.

"Our boy is going to be a protector," Louis says.  "He's going to keep you safe when I'm not around to do it.  He needs a name that strikes fear in the hearts of the deviants of London."

"Thats a lot of pressure to put on him," Liam frowns.  "He just needs to try his best to be a good lad, and we'll love him unconditionally."

"Of course, love," Louis appeases him.  "But we still have to call him something."

Liam is quiet for a few moments, his head tilted in curiosity as he searches for the best name for the puppy.

Suddenly the dog's head pops up, his ears pointed in attention, and he shoots off of Liam's lap to the door.  A second later they can hear the keys jangle in the hallway, shortly followed by Niall and Zayn coming through the threshold.

"Good boy!" Louis says, proud of the little fur ball for alerting them to the presence of strangers.  "You see, Batman, he'll make an excellent guard dog.  He's fast too, just like a bullet."

"When did we get a dog?" Niall asks, kicking off his shoes and bending to scoop up the puppy half whining and half growling at his feet.  "Are you sure he's a dog? Not much of a growl on him."

"Louis just brought him home," Liam says, taking the puppy from Niall's arms protectively.  "And he's perfect."

"He's cute," Zayn says, holding his hand out so that the puppy can get his scent.

"He still doesn't have a name," Louis reminds everyone.

"His name is Silver," Liam says, decisively.

"Silver,"  Louis repeats, his left hand resting on the small of Liam's back while his right hand scratches under Silver's chin.  "I like it, and its the only bullet that takes down the darkest of creatures.  Werewolves, witches, we should see what he could do with your mother, Li."

Liam laughs, kissing Louis and then snuggling into his new best friend, Silver.