KINGS & QUEENS - LARRY STYLINSON FANFICTION

KINGS & QUEENS

After about half an hour, Harry and Louis are ready to go. They decide to walk through the small city centre and see if they can find a cosy place to have breakfast. It's a cold November morning when Harry and Louis hurry down the nearly empty streets. Harry spots a café at a corner that seems cosy, quite old-fashioned and not crowded at all. "That was a good breakfast that one," Louis says when they leave. "The eggs were fantastic and that bacon so crispy!"

Harry laughs. "Yeah, I noticed that you liked it. I've never seen someone eating so much at once."

"It was so yummy! I just couldn't resist."

"That's true."

"And it was nice to be at a café without being recognized. I like that feeling of normality a lot, when people don't treat me any special." Louis kicks a pebble away that lays in the way. "It's the moments I love the most."

"I feel the same, yes."

They continue walking down the street for a while. "What are we going to do now?"

"Do you want to go home?"

"To the hotel? No."

"Okay." There's silence again. "Do you remember you told me that you liked board games?"

"Yeah, I love board games! How do you remember that?"

"I sometimes pay attention when people talk to me, you know?" Louis nudges Harry playfully and he chuckles. "There's a place where you can have a drink and play board games and I thought that might be something you'd like."

"That sounds so cool. I don't even remember when I told you that. Or maybe I didn't tell you directly? I have no idea."

"You talked to Niall and I heard it."

"Might be."

"It's not a wonder that you don't remember that since you barely talked to me back then."

"Yeah. Ugh, I still feel guilty."

"Don't, it's okay. At least we're on good terms now, aren't we?"

"We are," Louis smiles. "And I'm glad it turned out that way."

"Yes, me too."

The place they go to is more or less a large room that looks like a library from the 90ies. The walls on the left are completely covered with wooden bookshelves. The difference is they don't only hold books but also plenty of different board games. The walls are decorated with old paintings that are surrounded by golden frames. The low window sills are crammed with different kinds of green plants and there are two cats sleeping on a huge pillow near the counter top of a small bar that's in the back of the room. "Kings & Queens" is the name of the place. The curved, golden letters are painted on the glass that's framed by an ancient green wood panelling on the outside.

"What a cool place that is," Louis says as they're walking into the room.

"I've just heard about it but now that I'm here I have to admit it's even cooler than I thought."

"Hey guys, come in, come in!" the guy behind the corner says happily. "Nice to meet you, I'm Adriaan." Harry and Louis reply the handshake. "Have you ever been here?"

"No," Harry replies. "I've only read about that place online but it looks even cooler than in the pictures."

"Thank you so much. It took me ages to renovate this room but in the end all the hard work paid off. So, do you want me to tell you how it works?"

Louis and Harry nod. "Yeah!" they say unison what makes Adriaan laugh.

"Great. Okay, so basically you pay for your stay and the drinks you want. I've got everything: alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic ones, smoothies, shakes, iced coffee, latte macchiato, water, cola and other soft drinks, tea, hot chocolate, whatever you want. You can also see the prices over there." Adriaan points at a black board. "So, for example now it's almost twelve so if you stay for two hours without drinking anything it would be 20 € and the first drink is always free. If you want more drinks or a sandwich, it will add to your bill. From that money, I also pay for the two cats over there."

"Oh wow, that's amazing. Why are the cats here?" Harry wants to know.

"I saved them when I was on a trip through Greece. Someone had thrown them away like garbage. They were in a box next to a bin and I don't need to tell you in what awful condition they were. I took them with me, went to the doctor and stuff and now look at them. They are healthy and happy. That's their favourite place."

"Aren't they afraid of the people?"

"They were at first but since they got used to it . . . people pet them and some even bring cat food as a present. It's a wonder how much they like being around people by now. I live upstairs so they can practically go upstairs if it gets too much but they usually don't."

"That's such a nice story. It's okay that you charge a little bit more since it's for a good cause," Louis says.

Adriaan nods. "Yeah and I also donate some of my money to an association that cares about homeless cats in Greece. That's why my drinks aren't cheap but I think the atmosphere and the cats are worth it."

"That's wonderful. Can we choose a place?"

"Sure! Sit down wherever you want and I'll bring you my menu."

"Thanks. So where do you want to sit?" Harry asks Louis as they look around the room. There are just two occupied tables, the other ones are empty.

"Next to you," Louis says.

Harry looks at Louis and gives him a soft smile. "I hoped you'd say that. Look, I like that table over there, in the corner."

"Oh yeah, I almost didn't notice there was another table since the shelf is in front of it."

"It's like a little booth, isn't it?"

"Let's go there. Thank you so much for bringing me here. It's the coolest place I've ever been."

"We haven't even started playing!" Harry laughs as he sits down on the small, comfy armchair.

Louis sighs as he lets himself fall onto his chair. "Well, my glass is half full."

"Since when?" Harry chuckles. "That's new for me."

Louis rolls his eyes. "Since we were on that yacht."

Harry nods but can't hide a smile. "Mr. Pessimistic That's nice. Now let's choose a game and something to drink."

After they've ordered drinks, Harry and Louis decide on a game. It's fun spending time with Harry because they don't only play but also, they talk about different things, laugh together and it's just a relaxed and atmosphere in general. Harry and Louis spend about four hours at the "Kings & Queens" and Adriaan gives Harry and Louis a discount eventually because they've stayed for such a long time and drank more than three drinks per person. Harry insists to pay for both of them and Louis donates some money for Adriaan's cats and his association in addition.