Look After You

Chapter 1

   The boys were scattered around the living room of Louis and Harry's flat. Niall and Liam were sitting on the floor arguing over which movie to watch. Zayn was sitting on one of the two couches with his sketchbook drawn to his chest, doodling away as usual, and Harry was plopped down next to him, occasionally glancing over Zayn's shoulder causing the raven-haired boy to yell; "Harreh! I'm not done yet!" Curled up on the other couch was Louis, who softly bit his bottom  lip.

   "I will shave your eyebrow in your sleep again!" Niall threatened Liam, a slight smile appearing on his face.

   "Fine, we'll watch your film! But I get to pick next time." Liam sighed, throwing the movie at Niall's blonde head while getting off of the floor.

  Niall triumphantly smiled a bracey grin as he placed the disk into the DVD player, then rushed into the kitchen as the previews began. Liam flopped down next to Louis, who wasn't at all phased by the sudden company, instead his eyes kept wandering over towards Harry, who was now wrestling with Zayn. "Come on man, let me see it!" Harry whined as Zayn held the sketchbook higher over his head, holding Harry back with his free hand.

   "I told you, you can see it when I'm finished!" Zayn chuckled as he pushed Harry back over to his side of the couch.

   As Louis watched the two boys interact, a pang of something tingled inside his stomach, he couldn't help but notice that one of Harry's trademark curls stood out from the rest...and his eyes seemed much greener than he remembered. Have they always been that green? He thought to himself as Zayn shoved Harry off of the couch in a fit of laughter. And has his laugh always been so...adorable? 

   "Louis, stop staring at Harry and make room! The film's about to start!" Niall's Irish accent broke through Louis' thoughts as he nudged him, holding a massive bowl of popcorn.

   "Wha...?" Louis muttered, looking at Niall quickly while a shade of pink began to cover his cheeks. "Oh, sorry mate." He apologized, making room for Niall while shoving his own hand into the giant bowl.

   "No! I didn't make this for you!" Niall smiled, slapping Louis' hand away. Just as Louis was about to respond, Niall stuck his buttery hand over his mouth and whispered, "shh! The film's starting!"

   Louis tried to get comfortable, but the couch proved too small for the three boys and the popcorn. Harry noticed Louis squirming and couldn't stop himself from chuckling. Louis heard the noise and glanced up to notice two intent green eyes staring at him from across the room. Louis' breath caught in his throat as he and Harry locked eyes for what seemed like hours. What is wrong with me? Why does he do this to me? 

   The meeting of green and blue was broken by Harry's deep whisper, "Lou, come sit by me?"

   Louis slowly maneuvered out of his crowded sitting arrangement, which received an angry glare from Niall who had a face full of popcorn, and closed the distance between himself and where Harry sat. Harry patted the spot between Zayn and himself, signaling Louis to sit down. Zayn looked up from his sketchbook to give Louis a smile and a "vas happenin'?" which Louis replied by rolling his eyes and ruffling Zayn's hair before sitting down where Harry had instructed. "Not the hair!" Zayn pouted, trying to fix the damage Louis had caused.

   "Shh!" Niall whispered sharply with a handful of popcorn ready to be crammed into his already full mouth, Louis was always amazed that the blonde lad didn't choke.

   Zayn punched Louis softly in the arm before picking up his pencil and continued sketching. Louis stuck out his tongue between his thin lips at the boy and settled comfortably between the two. He could feel the warmth radiating off from Harry's body and swallowed the urge to embrace him. What the hell, Lou!? Louis scolded himself, pulling his knees to his chest. "Hey Boo Bear, you alright?" Harry whispered, looking over with his stunning green eyes. Oh, the pet names! Louis' stomach did a somersault as he brought a smile to his lips and nodded at his curly headed Haz.

   Harry gladly accepted Louis' response and leaned his head onto his shoulder while releasing a yawn. He felt his heart pound faster inside of his chest as Harry moved closer to get comfortable. Louis had been Harry's pillow many times, he didn't mind it really, he actually preferred it. He put an arm around Harry's shoulders like always. Harry smiled, moving his head onto Louis' chest. Louis chuckled nervously and patted the curls that now brushed against his cheek.

   He is so cute when he sleeps. Louis thought as he stroked the hair of the now sleeping boy. Why haven't I ever noticed before? He thought back to all the times he had shared a bed with Harry. He smiled to himself at the boy's peaceful appearance, he looked twelve instead of eighteen. Louis' train of thought was derailed by an outburst of laughter that escaped from Niall's mouth. Popcorn flew onto the floor as Niall held his sides as he laughed, it looked as if he was afraid that he'd unravel if he were to let go. Harry only shifted slightly against Louis at the sudden disturbance and soon got comfortable once again. Liam, however, opened his eyes and chucked a pillow at the dying Niall. Niall tried to apologize, but no noise came out, only frantic hand motions. Louis glanced at the popcorn that Niall had spat onto the floor and huffed.

   "Niall, you blonde leprechaun! You pick that up!" Louis smirked as Niall gave him a thumbs up while trying to catch his breath. 

   Liam had dozed off with a fairly annoyed expression on his face by the time Niall had fully calmed down. Louis chuckled softly at how red Niall's face had turned from his tantrum. Niall didn't seem phased by the incident and returned to staring intently at the TV screen. Louis looked over at Zayn who was chewing on the eraser of his pencil, examining his sketchbook closely. Zayn smiled, removing the pink eraser from between his lips. "Harreh, I'm--oh, you're sleeping." Zayn placed his sketchbook onto the floor. "I'll show you later then. I need a cigarette." He grunted as he pushed off of the couch and headed toward the balcony, digging into his back pocket.

   Louis leaned over slightly, careful not to disturb Harry as he softly snored, and smiled brightly at what was on the piece of paper. Zayn had sketched a little One Direction cartoon, down to the stripes on Louis' shirts and the curls on Harry's head. Louis looked out the glass door that led to the balcony, just as Zayn lit the cigarette and inhaled the smoke deeply. Louis smiled at the drawing before repositioning himself in a way that wouldn't wake Harry or cause his muscles to cramp. He yawned and softly rested his head on top of Harry's soft curls and allowed his eyes to drop slowly. Before he let sleep consume him, he heard a soft "Louis" escape Harry's lips.