Pretty in Plastic (l.s)

xxx

Louis carefully cuts the box open, slow so that he doesn't harm himself. He's in the backroom of the shop, working a morning shift with Harry, but it's awkward: he and Harry have so much built up tension from being strictly platonic, Louis's so quiet and no one talks in the backroom, and Liam is training him. It's safe to say that Liam was shocked when he found out that Louis was working at the shop, and he seemed a bit agitated as well. Louis didn't understand why because it's not like he chose to turn back for so long, and the timing was terrible.

"Don't be so slow, Louis." Liam says gently as he moves on from one box to the other. Three quick slices, fast spread of the cardboard flaps, and putting the product into it's pile.

"Knives are sharp, Liam." The doll justifies, and Liam watches him. Everyone who does stock knows to buy, and bring their own gloves. Thick gloves help protect the worker from any damage, but Louis is new so he wouldn't know. Liam rolls his eyes, and places his hands over Louis'.

"Make sure you get thick gloves like these." Liam motions to his own. He pulls them off, and puts them on Louis. The doll blushes at the kind gesture. "You won't cut yourself if you have them. Can you move faster now, please?"

"Yes." The doll nods. There's unspoken words between them, and Louis wants to clear with him so bad. Liam really is a good person to have around, and Louis does care about. The doll knows that, if the feelings Liam has goes away, their friendship can blossom and Louis would have a best friend. "When is our break?"

"Most go at a different time. Since I'm training you, though, we'll be going together." Louis nods. "We've got about another hour until hour fifteen. Once we get back from that, we'll start processing these boxes."

"You sure do a lot." Louis mumbles as he gains speed in opening. Liam chuckles, and grins.

"Yeah, well— I need to work if I want money." Liam says. "Money pays the way."

When break time does come, Liam shows Louis where the break room is, and gives him a little snack Jo always leaves out for employees. He sits with Louis, despite that many seats are available, and the doll hopes this is the time to talk about everything.

"I know I never answered you." Louis mumbles, and Liam looks up from his mini bag of chips. "I went through a lot with Harry the night you dropped me off, and I just— I left without my phone, and I never went back to get it."

"Are you with Harry?" Louis shakes his head despite how much he wants to nod. "That's what you fought about, right? Your feelings?"

Louis's slow to answer, and he nibbles on his lip thought. "We fought about a lot that night. Things built up between us, and we just— bursted. He bursted."

The doll nibbles on his cookies, and Liam purses his lips. Louis isn't looking at him, but he can see the man watching him. He doesn't know if Liam is going to forgive him or not, but he sure hopes so. "So, what's your answer?"

"Huh?" The doll blinks, and looks at him.

"Harry's made it clear he isn't wanting anymore than a friendship with you." Liam says earnestly, and Louis licks the crumbs off his lips. "Will you give me a chance now that you see that?"

Louis blinks at him because he's confused. Sure, the doll's inability to answer the first time didn't mean a no per say, but it didn't mean he's into Liam. Then again, Louis never gave himself a chance to because he was focused Harry.

Harry didn't say they wouldn't be together, though. He told Louis he had personal issues to work out, which the doll understood, and then they could be together. Who's to say that will actually happen, though?

"Let's go out next Friday." Louis says, and Liam smiles.

—————

"How did you like stocking?" Harry asks once they're inside the apartment. Louis beams at him, and bounces on his toes.

"I loved it!" He says, and Harry grins. "I really like how fast time goes by. No wonder you work, sitting at home makes things so slow."

Harry laughs, and ruffles his hair. He walks by the doll, Louis following after him, and he goes to their shared room. "You just started."

"I really like it. Jo's nice, Niall's there, and Liam keeps me good company." Harry raises an eyebrow as he changes out of his work shirt. Louis doesn't notice the slight pause in Harry's movements. "Are you and Liam still friends? It'd be nice to have a group outing."

"Liam and I," Harry sighs as he sits on the bed shirtless, "we aren't as close, but I'm sure we can put our differences aside for you."

"Oh," Louis tugs on the oversized sweater Harry gave him to wear for the chill, "is it because of me?"

"Well, Liam really likes you. He cares about you a lot." Harry treads carefully because he doesn't to negatively influence the way Louis sees Liam. It isn't his job to pick, and choose who Louis has around. He won't withhold Louis like that. "He doesn't want you hurt."

"He thinks you'll hurt me?" Louis asks, and Harry slowly nods. The doll nibbles on his lip, and frowns a little. It's adorable, and it reminds Harry of a frustrated pup figuring out a treat toy. "Do you think the same of him?"

"I'm just a jealous person." Harry answers easily. "I want you to myself, and him having feelings for you made me feel... possessive."

Louis sits next to Harry, and bounces his leg. "I'm not yours."

"I know that, butterfly." The man whispers sadly, and sighs. "I know that all too well."

Shorter than usual. Sorry xx