Five Steps Into Your Heart [Nouis]

.14

C H A P T E R  F O U R T E E N
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       When Niall wakes up, he is pleased to find that Louis has not left him to make breakfast yet. The brunette is actually still fast asleep, his arms wrapped loosely around Niall and his mouth slightly agape as small breaths escape his lips. Niall looks around the room, even though he sees nothing but darkness and a mere hint of illumination as his head turns left and faces the window. Sometimes he likes to imagine that he is looking past the glass panes and viewing the natural world, even though his mind cannot fictionally create any shapes or colors.

He then diverts his gaze to the ceiling, his fingers thrumming rhythms on Louis's chest. He feels out of place in such a new environment. He hopes that Louis's presence will continue to combat the slight anxiety he has from the unfamiliar texture of Louis's blankets and the firmness of his pillows.

Niall knows it is a ridiculous thing to be anxious over, but his touch is just so sensitive. He is used to certain feelings, smells, and tastes, and has a hard time challenging them on such short notice. It took him three years just to pick out a new brand of shampoo because he hated the initial difference in consistency. Switching his entire environment in one day has been pretty hard on him so far.

He is glad he has Louis to keep him stable though.

Feeling the brunette beside him is like holding onto the last thread of hope he has that things are going to turn out okay. Niall would rather be here— in the brunette's bed, stressing out over the thread count of Louis's sheets— than at home with Harry, who put his own selfish desires over Niall's care.

Harry's actions were completely immoral, unnecessary, and disgusting.

Louis, on the other hand, has been nothing but wonderful to Niall. He is patient and nurturing, and never puts his desires or needs above the blond's. Niall is positive that Louis is the most selfless person he has ever met.

Niall smiles when said lad begins to stir due to the patterns being drawn on his chest. Louis opens his eyes slowly, a big yawn leaving his lips as he stretches his legs. He turns to face Niall, just observing the other lad as baby blue eyes stare back into his own.

"Good morning, love," Louis says, loving how Niall's eyelashes flutter shut when he places a kiss to his forehead.

The blond looks like an angel in the morning light that trickles in through the window. Louis's window is fogged and covered in a sheen of dew, softening the sunlight until its yellow glow appears almost light blue. It makes Niall's pale skin look even more pristine, and Louis feels is heart jump at the sight.

"Good morning," Niall says, blushing a bit because he can sense Louis's stare.

The blond then buries his face in Louis's neck, tangling their legs together to keep Louis around. He is not ready to leave the warmth of Louis's bed just yet, no matter how intensely the covers rub him the wrong way. He yearns to become familiar with everything that Louis feels. He wants to miss the texture of Louis's sheets when he leaves, not dread having to be embraced by them again.

"I take it you aren't ready to get up yet," Louis whispers, his fingers running through Niall's mussed up blond hair. "Are you plenty comfortable?"

Niall nods from his position in Louis's neck. The brunette laughs as Niall's hair tickles him and rolls the two of them over so that Niall is on his back and Louis is halfway leaning over him.