Lastly (L.T.)

Chapter 31

Double update my dudes.

ALSO GOLDEN PREMIERED! Who else sat on YouTube for a stupid amount of time waiting for the premiere?

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Louis took a ridiculous amount of time getting back to the hotel. Taking every necessary measure to make sure we weren't being followed, which I understood but I also just wanted to get back, because my ankle was throbbing really fucking badly.

He carried me up to the hotel, the concierge giving me a sympathetic look when she saw my swollen ankle and snapped heel as he held me through the lobby.

He shifted me to one arm again to hit the button for the elevator and carried me inside so we were alone again.

It occurred to me I hadn't thanked him for it, not just for carrying me now, but for how much of a gentleman he always was. He was a criminal and a gangster with a mouth to rival most porn stars but he had better manners than a prince.

"Louis?" I said softly when he continued to hold me on the elevator.

"Do you want me to set you down?" He asked, it seemed to have just occurred to him that he was still holding me as well.

"You don't have to if I'm not hurting you." I said softly, he looked strangely vulnerable at the moment, like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.

"Thank you.." I added slowly, "for doing this...not just this even, you're always so sweet."

"I'm sweet?" He said it like it was the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard, "I'm not sweet."

I smiled at his denial, "you are sweet. Carrying me when I'm hurt, and opening doors for me, and buying me things. That's sweet and kind and it makes you a good person."

He was still looking at me like I was crazy, "you think I'm a good person?"

I smiled again, "I don't think either of us are good people, but I think you're definitely better at it than I am."

He shrugged, "we aren't meant to be good people."

"Maybe so." I agreed, "but that doesn't make what you always do any less kind."

He gave me an unsure look, his lips tugging up at the corners into a small smile.

Was he really this unfamiliar with being complimented?

I didn't know why, but that thought sent a sad pang through my chest.

How was it that he didn't know how special he was?

Infuriating, yes, and confusing, hell yes, but the fact that he was special was more glaringly obvious than either of those things.

"You're nice too, you know." He said so softly that if I had been breathing louder I wouldn't have heard it.

I couldn't help the happy smile that laced up my lips. "I don't think I'm nice either."

"You're nice to me." He said sweetly, not meeting my eyes out of embarrassment and staring at the floor.

"I am?"

I was surprised he thought I was nice to him, we were usually competing, working together, or kissing, and though it was all nice I didn't think I was ever particularly kind to him.

"You talked to me when I was losing my mind on the plane. That was nice."

I felt my cheeks heat up bashfully, "anyone would have done that Louis." I mumbled.