We Live Together [fanfic]

Louis

Louis is not there when Niall gets home. He had plan and it was a great fucking plan, but then Louis had to go and realise that his plan didn't involve sex. It was almost as though their relationship wasn't about sex. Actually it was exactly that and Louis didn't know how to deal with it. He likes the way Niall folded their clothes before they got into bed sometimes. His attempts at cooking. He likes hearing the sound of his guitar coming from every room in the house like a map to where Louis can find him. He likes Niall.

And once the idea is out there, it is out there. Louis is no good at ignoring shit he should really ignore. He's never let anything go in his entire life, he treats grudges like they're his children. He likes to poke at his problems with a stick until they start bleeding all over the place. When he realises he like Niall, Louis wants to poke it, but he's also fairly sure that's a bad instinct so he pokes something else as a distraction.

"Louis what? Why're you callin?" Zayn says when he answers the phone at three AM, which Louis thinks is a total rookie move.

"I think I'm living with Niall," says Louis.

"We're not friends Louis," says Zayn. "You're the one that said we were not friends."

"I don't remember moving in," continues Louis ignoring Zayn. "Is it possible to move in with someone without noticing?"

Zayn sighs, "when you made me send that apology basket I sent to Niall's house so yeah I think you're living there."

"I didn't make you send an apology basket. I just said that if you were really sorry you would send a basket or something."

"Whatever Louis it's three AM."

"We are also having sex. Just so you know. It's supposed to be casual yeah? Casual sex friends don't live together though."

"I don't want to be involved in this," says Zayn.

"Shouldn't have answered your phone then yeah."

"I'm gonna call Niall."

"Since when are you and Niall talking!" Louis says a little ashamed by how put out he sounds.

"Since 2010," replies Zayn not bothered by Louis tone. "I'm going to sleep."

A fucking useless phone call that solved nothing and Louis still hated Zayn, even if the basket he sent was lovely. Okay maybe calling Niall was not the worst idea. But when Louis realised he was making plans that didn't involve sex he also realised that Niall only really seemed to call him when he wanted sex. So instead of talking to Niall and risking a really awkward rejection that was bound to ruin their friendship, Louis chooses to run away.

Louis lasted two days in his house, which hates, before he was back in Niall's bed. He uses all kinds of excuses to justify himself. He's board, Niall's hot on stage, Louis is fucking horny and he hasn't had sex in months. But as he lay next to Niall unable to sleep all of his excuses felt pointless. Louis was in love with Niall and he didn't know what to do about it.

"Have you thought about dating?" Louis asks, on the couch in Niall's living room. He's trying to get Niall into Peaky Blinders but he keeps getting distracted.

"Dating? No," Niall replies still focused on the telly.

"Don't fancy anyone then?" Louis keeps poking.

Niall's attention is officially diverted and he's looking at Louis like he's said something offensive. "Quite fancy Cillian Murphy, should I get his number from Harry then?"

Louis laughs, not because it's particularly funny but he doesn't know what else to do and laughter seems to ease the worry around Niall's eyes. Louis fucking loves him. He loves him and he doesn't know what to do.