Pairings: Harry/Louis, Zayn/Liam, Niall/OFC
Rating: Explicit
Word count: 136,858
Chapters: 9/9
“You don’t have to push people away, you don’t have to resign yourself to a string of mindless shags and think that’s all there is.”
“Oh really?” Niall interrupts. “What’s the plan, Tommo? Huh? Carry on as you are, work your way through as many nameless conquests as you can? Every few years go back to Jess and have another kid until you’ve got enough to fill the gap in your life caused by whatever it is that’s making you such a martyr?”
Louis is stunned into silence. With eyes wide, he struggles to breathe for a second.
“Well, fuck me Niall, say how you really feel, please!” He exclaims, laughing because he’s got absolutely no clue how to deal with what just happened.
Niall softens and Louis feels conflicted.
“I’m sorry mate, that was… that was harsh. You know I love you and the little ones, but the basic premise is true. You don’t have to put up with that. You don’t have to limit yourself to that life if you don’t want to.”
“Who says I don’t like that life?”
Niall shrugs, looks thoroughly disbelieving. “If you say so, Tommo, but for the record, I don’t believe you.”
Louis looks over at Harry, and when he looks back, Niall is grinning softly but smugly at him.
“Lou?” Niall says, attracting his attention back. “That guy is out there making friends with your friends, barking out laughing at every ridiculous thing that comes out of your mouth, and he’s been watching you like a hawk all night. What more do you want?”
“Niall, what twenty one year old in their right mind is gonna take on someone with two kids? Forget all the rest of the drama, that’s enough to make him run a mile. So what’s the point?”
“You don’t know that.” Niall says. “You’re underestimating him, I think.”
“Like you’re the expert on Harry all of a sudden!”
“I just thought we’d… y’know , and then he’d be gone. Like the rest of them.” Louis admits, feeling a bit crushed. He wants to go home.
“Well, I hate to break it to you mate but I don’t think Harry’s on the same wavelength.”
Louis hates that Niall is right.
He hates that he’s already way past the point of ‘one night stand’ with Harry. His plan is unravelling fast and he’s got no idea how to fix it.
“Goin’ to the loo.” He mumbles, sighing heavily and pushing off the bar. Niall doesn’t follow him.
Louis has a truckload of painful memories and a custody arrangement where a family could’ve been. The last thing he’s looking for is a new relationship.
Harry has accepted that he’s not made for relationships and isn’t interested in getting burnt again.
It’s a good job they’ve both got meddling friends.
Complete 13.10.17! Please read here on AO3.
