Lilo & Nouis Smut (BoyxBoy)

26. There's No Friend Like an Old Friend (Lilo)

Liam checks his watch for what feels like the hundredth time since he got to the train station. He was supposed to have been here by now, but Liam should have known better. Louis had never been on time to anything in his life. He'll be late to his own funeral, Liam thinks. There are some people looking at him as they go by, glaring at him like they know about what he's done. Some women look him up and down, obviously checking him out, but Liam pretends he doesn't notice. Finally, a car stops at the curb in front of him, a familiar car that he hasn't seen in what seems like forever. Liam stands from the bench and walks to the car and climbs in, greeted by Louis' sweet smile and tired eyes.

"I'm so sorry I'm late. My boss is a prick, wouldn't let me leave early." Louis says, reaching over and giving Liam a tight hug that he returns happily.

"It's all good, Lou. You have no idea how grateful I am for you even agreeing to pick me up in the first place. You look really good, too, not the same scrawny little guy I befriended in the seventh grade." Liam chuckles, pulling away to really get a good look at Louis. He looks different than when they graduated; his hair is scruffier and shorter, he has some facial hair to match, and there are a couple of tattoos poking out of the top of his shirt. He looks really good, but Liam can tell that he's tired and worn out.

"Whatever." He says, rolling his eyes. "You look good too. Get in some good workout time?" He asks, pinching Liam's bicep. Liam shrugs and look forward through the windshield. He just got out of prison after being locked up for two years for armed robbery. He's been in and out of trouble since he was fifteen with different small crimes, but this last time he ran out of luck. He was sentenced to three years but got out early on good behavior. His parents are still angry with him; that's why Louis had to pick him up. They told him that they don't want to be around him if he doesn't clean up his act, and that's exactly what Liam plans to do.

"How are you and El?" He asks when they've pulled out of the station.

"Um, not very good. She moved out a couple of weeks ago." He says.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" Louis shakes his head. They had been good friends long enough to know that when one of them wants to talk about something, they will. Right now isn't one of those times.

"Where are you heading?" He asks.

"I don't...I'm not sure. I don't really have anywhere to go. My parents are still furious with me, most of my friends deserted me. I called a few people before you to come pick me up because I didn't want to pull you away from your studies at school or work but no one agreed to it." Liam says. Louis looks at him with sympathy and nods.

"Stay with me. My flat is kinda small and shitty, but it's home." He says.

"Are you sure that's okay? I can find somewhere else if I'm imposing."

"No, it's totally cool. Hell, you can even take the bed." He says.

"I don't want to make you sleep on the couch. I'll take the couch, you can sleep in your bed." Liam argues.

"How about we both sleep in the bed. It's a decent size, and we used to do it all the time, what's so different now?" He asks.

"The fact that now we're grown men and one of us is gay." Liam replies, smirking.

"I'm not gay." Louis says in confusion.

"I am." He looks at Liam in suprise for a second before his eyes go back at the road again.

"Li, whatever happened in there-"

"It's not like that." Liam says quickly. "I've known I was gay since I was sixteen, Lou. I just never told anyone because I was afraid of being treated differently. I hope you don't mind."