London Bridges

Chapter 23: Out of Place

"This place is fucking ridiculous."

That's Louis' immediate reaction when they pull up to the gates of Liam's childhood home. 

"This is my parents, Lou," Liam says, self-consciously.  "Its not me."

Louis's eyes soften as he looks over to Liam, his hand raising almost involuntarily to brush through the younger man's hair.

"Don't worry, Trust Fund," Louis smiles at him.  "For rich or for poor, I love you even with this disgustingly privileged museum you call a house."

Liam laughs, relaxing with the joke, and drives through the now open, iron gate.

A man waits for them at the top of the driveway, and Louis doesn't really know what to make of it when he opens the door for him.

"Welcome to the Payne residence, Sir.  You must be Master Louis," the man says.

"Um, just Louis is fine," Louis answers, unsure.  "Or Lou is okay too, I'm not a master of anything except maybe smoking a pack a day."

He realizes he is rambling when he hears Liam's amused laugh.

"Its alright, Edward," Liam says, still chuckling.  "Lou isn't really comfortable with the formalities."

"Of course, sir," Edward answers with a slight bow.  "May I say, Master Liam, its great to have you home."

"Thank you, Edward."

Louis gets even more confused when Liam starts to walk towards the front door without grabbing any cases from the car.  He takes his cues from Liam though, so he just grabs Silver's lead and follows Liam up to the house.  He thinks he sees Edwards' nose turn up at the dog, but he doesn't call attention to it.  The entire situation just weirds him out.

The house is even more ostentatious on the inside.  Louis steps onto marble flooring and the contrast between the bright white stone and his worn, black Vans hurt his eyes.  Oil paintings adorn the walls surrounding him, and Louis wonders what kind of pervert approved dozens of frozen figures staring down at them from all angles.

"We can stay at a hotel if you want," Liam says quietly, sensing Louis' discomfort and unwillingness to move further into the house.  "Or I can rent a place."

"Thats crazy, Li, we don't have the money to stay at a hotel for six months, and it doesn't make sense to rent a place if we can stay here for free."

Liam scratches his head awkwardly.  "Actually, we do have the money for a hotel if you wanted it," he corrects.  "I'm not gonna be working for free." 

Louis looks at him in confusion until he realizes Liam is now the CEO of a multi-billion pound company.  This whole thing is giving him a stomachache. 

"Just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to blow it," Louis says.

Liam is about to respond when Edward interrupts.

"Pardon me, Master Liam, dinner is ready to be served in the dining room," Edward announces.  "Or I could bring it up to your quarters, if you'd prefer."

Liam hears Louis mutter something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like "fucking quarters." 

"The dining room is fine, Ed, but give us a bit to settle in, yeah?"

"Certainly, sir.  I'll let Chef know to keep your plates warm.  Arthur has taken your belongings upstairs already.  Please, let us know if you need anything else."

Louis follows Liam silently up the stairs.  He feels so out of place in his ripped jeans and tshirt that he actually finds himself wishing he could get upstairs without actually touching the floor lest he dirty it somehow.