Pleatorial - Larry Stylinson AU

Chapter Five

Louis was taken off-guard so fast he couldn’t even remotely control his facial expression. His eyes widened to the size of saucers, jaw slack and cheeks certainly flushed. But most of all, his eyes were brimming with tears. He was just sitting there, staring at this robot that wasn’t supposed to have any control of their emotions. 

His pulse thrummed loudly in his ears, and he had to break the eye contact they were having, rubbing his face and coughing softly to cover up the fact he had been so flattered by that. 

He slid out of the chair, feeling nauseated again. His legs nearly gave out beneath him and he wanted so badly to make an effort to say something, but his mouth seemed to lose its function. So instead, he just limply shuffled into his room, shut the door and stayed there for the rest of the night. 

Louis had made it to work without making eye-contact with Harry- which had been a thoroughly difficult task considering he was standing right outside his door that morning, holding a cup of tea and eagerly handing it to him. 

Other than that, Louis had already gotten dressed and ready by then and headed out the door with a curt goodbye. 

He really loathed doing that to him, really hated having to ignore him, but he had to if he wished to actually continue his life somewhat normally. He needed to find a real boyfriend, one that wasn’t gears and circuits. 

But then again, he really didn’t.

This was all rushing through his head as he was filing into the employee elevators with Niall, Zayn and Liam tagging along behind him. He was still immersed in his thoughts, not paying much attention to the fact that Andrea had called a rather prompt employee meeting in the gigantic Amphitheatre.

Louis was feeling more and more dread as the elevator descended, and he leaned his head back onto the glass, momentarily closing his eyes. He let out a jaunt breath, deciding he shouldn’t give it too much thought; Harry was probably just… joking. He couldn’t have actually decided he was gay just by looking at Louis, especially if he was a robot.

He ran this over and over until he partially convinced himself and let out a relieved sigh as the elevator doors swung open to the plushly furnished amphitheatre that seated close to 3,000. From all sides, people filed in and took seats. Louis didn’t have enough head-space to even spend a moment thinking about what this could be about, and nor did he really care- it was most likely another run through on how they needed to keep the cafeteria slightly cleaner. 

Zayn, Liam, Niall and Louis all sat in the far left corner, under the box seats, and reclined back, preparing themselves to be even further bored. Zayn and Liam poked and prodded, Niall hysterically laughing at something- but Louis, he just sat there, staring at the slowly lowering projection screen on the massive stage. 

“Hey Lou!” A voice cooed out, and Louis was snapped out of his own little world, turning confusedly to see where it had come from, discovering it was none other but Eleanor, sitting directly behind him. Her legs were primly crossed, hands delicately placed on her knee, head cocked to the side, an innocent smile on her face.

“O-Oh, hi Elean- El.” Louis corrected himself, waving subtly. She beamed, wiggling in her seat happily. 

“What’re you doing this weekend?” She chirped, raising her eyebrows expectantly. He gulped, opening his mouth, clamping it shut again. 

“Euh, I’m p-pretty busy, but-” He was thankfully interrupted by the lights dimming and the projector screen being filled with light. The room was hushed, and he quickly turned in his seat, feeling a little guilty for just leaving her like that. 

Andrea’s pretty face filled the screen, her stormy eyes stern and narrowed, blond hair pinned back rather cynically. Her lips parted for a sigh that filled the theatre with a wistful noise, further silencing everyone.

“Goodmorning everyone. I’ve gathered you all here today to inform you with some rather… pressing news.” Her voice grated out, sounding irritated and tired. Louis glanced over at Liam, who just rolled his eyes and shrugged. 

“As you all may have heard, I recently purchased a Styles bot.” Her eyes swept across the room, as though the pre-recording had determined that chatter would erupt, and it certainly did. Louis went rigid instantly, his eyes glued onto the screen.

“Well, he has been stolen, and he being a very costly 400 thousand pounds, it is dire we find out where exactly he has gone.” Her voice was cold, trim and un-caring, as though she didn’t necessarily care for the thing, but only wished to have her money returned. Louis sank into his seat, his cheeks draining of all color, his hand shakily covering his mouth. 

A picture of Harry’s very familiar and perfect face filled the screen, and more chatter erupted in the room. “This is the android, if you have any information as to where it may be, or who may have stolen it, please contact me. He has been reported to be a threat to society, defective.” She tutted, her face returning to screen.

Louis heart was slamming in his chest so hard he was almost positive he was going to pass out. “Oh god, oh my god.” He whispered over and over, the pit of his stomach roiling. Zayn and Liam glanced over at him, eyebrows furrowing. 

“What is it, Lou-” Liam was interrupted by Louis frantic whispering.

“I-I have him. Oh my god, I’m so fucked. He’s at my apartment.” He rubbed his face, looking up wildly. All three boys’ faces fell into awe, Liam shaking his head.

“What?” He whispered as quietly as possible, leaning forward. “Are you kidding me? You stole him?” 

Louis nodded, than stopped and shook his head rapidly. “No-No! Oh god no, no he was.. he was just. This is so bad. I knew I shouldn’t have taken him with me. It’s just.. he was just.. out in the parking garage… and Andrea had abandoned him.” He babbled under his breath, shaking his head still, glancing back up at the screen. 

“And if one of you stole it, you will regret it. Thoroughly.” Her eyes narrowed, and then the screen snapped to black, and the lights gradually grew. The room shifted uncomfortably, before beginning to drain back out to the elevators. Zayn gazed at Louis, blinking several times. 

“Louis…” his voice hush, “That is.. so.. dangerous.” He cocked his head, before a maniac grin pulling onto his lips, “But so awesome, can we come over and see him?” Liam punched him in the arm, leeching a strange cry from the raven haired man. Louis was breathing out shakily, leaning his face into his hands.

“I-I mean.. you guys.. you guys have to keep it under lock and throw away the god damn key… oh god what am I doing I could go to prison for this.” Louis cried out, looking pitifully up at Liam. “Do you know what they’d do to me in prison?!” 

They all broke out into hushed giggles, except for Louis, who still looked disheveled. 

“No but really, Lou. That’s amazing, I wouldn’t have expected that from you… living on the edge now are we?” Niall joked, shoulder bumping him as though he’d only stolen a piece of candy from the store. 

This was certainly not that. 

“Niall, it’s an android! I’m hanging -off- the edge pulling this stunt.” Louis returned his face to his hands. 

“But we can come over tonight and see him, right?” Zayn pressed, grinning. Louis half wanted to choke him, and half was too drained to even protest. 

“I swear to god if anyone finds out, I will kill you.” Louis numbly stood, pushing  past them to the elevators.

Dinner guests, Louis sighed out defeatedly at the conclusion.