London Bridges

Chapter 32: Fight for Him

"You have to fight for him!" Niall implores.

Zayn places a calming hand on his shoulder. He loves that Niall is pushing so hard for their two best friends, but he also knows Louis' limits.

"Theres nothing left for me to do," Louis shakes his head.

Niall lets out a derisive scoff. "You haven't done anything! You showed up here and you fucked him a few times, but you haven't given him any reason to trust you again."

Louis shoots daggers at Niall, and if looks could kill they'd all be attending a funeral not a wedding.

"Ni, lay off of him babe," Zayn urges him.

"I've laid off for two years, Z! They're both being fucking idiots. They're meant to be together, all of us are. We didn't go through all that shit to end up like this. Haz will be rolling over in his-."

Niall is silenced by Louis' fist slamming into his jaw.

"Oi, what the fuck!" Zayn yells, but Niall is already tackling Louis to the ground.

They wrestle on the floor, Niall pinning Louis with the advantage of the surprise tackle. He gets a shot in, blood spurting from Louis' nose. Zayn shouts profanities at them, trying to pull Niall off and break up the fight. He's not strong enough, though, and neither is Niall as Louis quickly pushes him off, throwing another punch.

Liam is returning from the hotel gym when he walks into the scuffle. He's confused at first, not really processing what is going on because they never fight amongst themselves like that. Zayn is yelling at him to help, though, and it pushes him into action. He's seen Louis in this state enough times to know that talking him down won't work, so he physically inserts himself, wrapping Louis in a bear hug and pulling him away. Niall, whose Irish temper dies as quickly as it flares, is much easier to manage. Once Louis is contained, Niall is calmed instantly by Zayn's hand on his heaving chest.

"Anyone want to tell me what the fuck that was about?" Liam asks when they've all calmed down and Louis has stopped the bleeding from his nose.

He still has his arms protectively around Louis' waist, just in case, and Zayn is across from them examining Niall's bruises.

"They're both fucking idiots," Zayn says, exasperated.

"It's my fault," Niall says apologetically. "I don't know when to shut up."

Louis gets up then, pulling himself out of Liam's embrace. He feels antsy, claustrophobic, and he needs to walk it off. "I'm going out," he announces.

"Lou, come on mate," Niall tries to soothe him. "I'm sorry, yeah? I'll lay off."

"It's fine," Louis waves him off. "I'm sorry I hit you. I just need some air."

Louis takes off quickly.

"What was that about?" Liam asks again.

Niall looks at Zayn, hesitating with his answer. Liam sees a slight nod pass between them as they decide whether or not to tell him. It pisses him off a bit, but then he remembers he's no longer entitled to know what goes on with Louis.

"I was pushing him about you," Niall finally admits. "They were telling me to back off, but I went too far and brought up Harry. It was my fault, I was being insensitive."

"He didn't have to hit you," Zayn interjects, pissed at his best friend for hurting the man he loves.

Niall grins easily at him, ruffling his hair. "It was a love tap," he jokes. "I deserved it."