#louper

It's still too early for anyone to be in the square, but Louis couldn't sleep, and had decided to set out a bit before he usually did. He was done tuning his guitar, and had spent the last few minutes strumming out whatever his fingers wanted to.

It used to be one of the things that grounded him, kept him focused, but today he can't find that satisfaction.

He realizes quickly that he isn't just playing random notes and chords. He knows this song. But, much like the rest of his life, there's something missing. Another thing to look for that he's sure would put it all into place again. He focuses harder, his fingers becoming careless in rebellion, and he disconnects, letting the guitar hang offf his shoulder as he does a few finger exercises.

When he starts playing again, it's smoother. He can hear the song in his head again, and this time is able to determine which part of the guitar harmony he's trying to play. But still...

"Ugh," he mutters out loud, "what's with this? It's still missing something."

"Probably the violin."

It was a voice he knows, even if it had been almost a year and a half since he'd heard it.

A voice he's rather conflicted about hearing again.

Silence.

Last he'd checked, she wanted nothing to do with him, and he was doing his best to honor that. She was the one who drove him away. He shouldn't even want her around. He doesn't.

But he also doesn't want her to leave.

"Why are you here?" It comes out too harsh, but paradoxically, not as harshly as he wants it to.

"I... heard you playing. I recognized the song. Ocean Avenue. Learning the violin part was a bitch, but... we used to play it together. Those were the days, right?"

At least she has little idea how to continue the conversation either.

He doesn't turn to her. Just takes a deep breath and waits for her to leave. Just like she did before.

"You still haven't told me what you want." This one is more stern. A more obvious reproach.

He feels her take a step closer before he hears it.

He desperately wants her to say "You." Though whether to shoot her down or welcome her back into his life with open arms, he isn’t sure.

Her small sob makes up his mind. His arms are already around her before he can make the decision. She pushes closer to him, burying her face in his chest, and as angry as he wants to be... he can't. Not while she's hurting.

"What happened, Pipes?" His fingers, finding no hair in which to bury themselves, brush against her shaven scalp.

"I had to- I couldn't..." She trails off, sniffling.

He pats her back. "Take your time."

She takes a deep breath and tries again. "I had to break it off with someone. I... I really like her and she felt the same, but... but i was just going to ruin it. Like I ruin everything."

"That's not true."

Suddenly angry, she twists out of his grip, huddling in on herself. "Lou, I ruined us."

Well, you're not wrong. "Not on your own. That was a three-person job."

"Well, I don't want that to be the end of us. I'm sorry I cut you off. I should have tried to... I dunno, not... cut you off?"

"You mean... you wanna be friends again?"

"I do. I really, really do. We do need to take some time and hash it out, but I am sorry, Louis. For everything. For not believing in you. For not trying to hear your side. I should have known better. Honor among thieves and all. Do you forgive me?"

"All is forgiven. Partner."

Louis smiles, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leaning an obnoxious amount of weight on her.

"I hated seeing you like that, and even though it wasnt intentional, I'm sorry I hurt you."

One of her hands runs along his forearm, leaving goosebumps in its wake. "We're cool then?"

"I wouldn't say it's water under the bridge, but we've at least closed off the roads to start construction."

She snorts and punches his arm. He takes her straight to the ground, laying her our flat and then lying beside her.

“Ten more minutes, Mari. Okay? There should be ice cream there,” he grinned and made a slow turn into the neighbourhood. “But remember our deal.”

“Sandwiches first, then ice cream,” Mari smiled and started giggling when Louis tickled her tummy with one hand.

Her black hair fell into her face as she wiggled, her face flushing pink as she squealed. “Papa! Papa, stop!”

Louis pulled up to the large Gothic house and parked behind his parents car, turning off the engine. He unbuckled his daughter and held her on his lap, facing him. She wiggled around impatiently, her rounded bottom lip sticking out.

“When we go in, please stay by my side, okay? I know everything is new, but I would really like it if you stayed next to me until I can find your cousins, okay? Then I’ll let you go play,” Louis said, holding onto her little chubby hands. Three years of being her father had gone by so fast and he can honestly say he has not gotten any less protective of her. She was just so small and curious and he always remembered how she used to fit safely into the circle of his arms.

She had the Agreste eyes, that’s how he was sure she was his. He never even asked for a test. Now, she was three and meeting the whole family for the first time and even though he trusted everyone in that house, some part of him would always worry. Mari always had a habit of getting herself into trouble, just like he used to. He could never tell if he was proud of that or worried.

“I promise, Papa.”

That promise was immediately broken minutes after they walked through the doors. His sister Emma nearly pounced on him, locking him into a hug like a vice. After years on the team, her body was pure muscle and could easily crush him. God, how he had missed her.

“Hey, little brother! It’s been so long. You live in the same damn city now, where the fuck have you been? Everyone’s been worried about -” Emma started but she cut her sentence off when she noticed the little girl at her brother’s pant leg, looking down at the floor. “Oh, hello! I’m your Auntie Emma. Your cousin must be around here somewhere. Lotte? Baby, have you seen Nova?”

Louis placed a hand on Mari’s head, letting her know he was there. Lotte walked over after hearing her wife’s voice. “They’re probably playing with Plagg and Tikki in the garden. I can go check - oh, who’s this little cutie? Louis, is this your daughter? Hello, Mariposa. I’m Auntie Lotte,” she smiled and held out her hand to shake. Mari wrinkled her dark brows at the woman’s hand then walked away without saying a word, head bowed. Louis reached out for his daughter but narrowly missed her because Hugo showed up to see him. He clapped a hand on his shoulder and pulled him in for a hug he hadn’t been ready for.

“Finally, you cut your hair! You were starting to look like dad during his midlife crisis, no offence. Where’s your daughter?”

“Well, she was just here. She walked away. If I could just go get her -”

“Louis, she’ll be fine. We’re all family here. Let her be. Trust me, it’s really difficult to let your kid go for the first time. But this place is super safe. Now, let’s go see Bri. She’s missed you a lot,” Emma smiled and led him away. That’s how the first few hours went: Louis trying to sneak away to keep an eye on Mari and someone steering him away to catch up. It was driving him a little crazy.

Piper -

She gently rubbed her eye, careful not to smudge her makeup. Her little brother had invited her to his anniversary party and she couldn’t be happier, she just wished he could’ve picked a better date. Just when she thought she was on this hacker’s tail, he slipped through her fingers again last night. This game of cat and mouse had been going on for a year and it was wearing her thin. But she had to put on a happy (and well-rested) face for her brother and his partners. It wasn’t about her today.

She wandered the house, sipping a triple espresso and just hoping to stay awake for the party when she spotted a little girl with curly black hair and ocean green eyes. Was she a new child of Emma and Lotte’s? She hadn’t seen her before now but she sure was cute in her little purple dress with a large butterfly on the front. The little thing looked lost so Piper went up to her and squatted down to her level.

“Hiya. I’m Piper. You look a little lost. Do you need help finding your mommy,” she asked gently. The little girl looked at her and slowly smiled.

“My name is Mari. I don’t know where my papa is. I went to look for the garden so I could meet my cousins but I don’t know where it is,” she said. Piper stood up and held out her hand until Mari took it, wrapping her hand around two of Piper’s fingers. Piper thought she had to be Emma’s. She had the Agreste eyes and was obviously named after the matriarch of the family.

“I’ll take you to the garden, okay, Mari? Maybe your papa is waiting for you there,” Piper smiled gently and walked with her, saying hi to people as they walked. The house was large but they made it to the garden without any problems. Until one problem showed himself.

Louis.

He looked better than she remembered. He had stubble and his hair was cut short and swept to the side, as if he had actually tried to look decent today. Her chest squeezed painfully at seeing him again but he didn’t seem to be looking at her, not until she spoke.

“Louis.”

“Piper.”

“Papa!”

Mari dropped Piper’s fingers and ran over to the man Piper had grown up with. Then she saw the resemblance: same eyes, same forehead. Louis scooped the little girl up and placed her on his hip in a move so natural, he must have done it a thousand times.

“Papa,” Piper asked, still unable to believe it. Louis’s cheeks slowly turned from pink to red, looking from the little girl in his arms to the woman he hadn’t seen in five years.

From Louis to Pipes:

Piper please It’s not what it looks like. Yuo have to belive me Pls Justt let me explain.

 He pauses with his finger over the keys. How was he supposed to explain what happened when he wasn’t even sure what happened. He waits for Piper to text him back, she always texts him back. When he phone remains silent, he downs the rest of his drink. Pouring another glass, he tries texting her again, even though he knows she’s not going to answer him. The thought breaks his heart just a little bit more.

From Louis to Pipes:

Please answer me Pipes. You’re my best freind Why won’t you answer my calls?

She doesn’t answer. It takes him until midnight to finally accept that she’s not going to text him back tonight. He finishes his glass, unsure of how many he’s had so far, and climbs into bed. He’s not getting any sleep tonight, but at least no one can see him cry here.

From Louis to Pipes:

It’s been a week pipes I miss you I know u arent talking to me right now I just dont get why you wont let me tell my side of the story Its not fair piper Pls I miss you

The week turns unto two, which turns into a month, and he still hasn’t heard from Piper. Louis isn’t sure what he’s supposed to do. Piper has been his best friend since they shared a crib, and he didn’t know how to not talk to her every day. Even when they were busy for the first three months of school, they still found time to text each other every day. The radio silence was making him agitated and antsy. Piper just needed some time. She was pissed at him, but she just needed to blow off some steam. She’d be back and talking to him in no time.

Just give it another week.

From Louis to Pipes:

This is fucking bullshit Piper! You arent even going to give me a chance to explain myself?? This isnt like you. I thought we were friends?? Why are you doing this to me?! 

It’s been three months. Louis is pissed off. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen, this was never supposed to happen. He could lose anyone, be he never thought he’d lose Piper. But she apparently decided he wasn’t good enough for her. He didn’t even deserve to tell his side of the story. Well fine! If she didn’t want to talk to him anymore, he wouldn’t talk to her either.

He was moving on anyways. He didn’t need her. He didn’t miss her.

From Louis to Piper:

I miss you.

He woke up in an unfamiliar bed. He didn’t mean to text Piper last night, he really didn’t, but the alcohol mixed with his loneliness and turned to desperation. He thought about texting her back to tell her that he did not miss her, that was just the alcohol talking, but he thought better of it. He say up, trying to remember who he went home with last night. Most of the night was a blur, but he vaguely remembered taking shots with some brunette. He got up and gathered up his clothes off the floor. He could smell bacon cooking in the other room, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who stayed for breakfast. He looked at the last text on his phone before pocketing it. He considered deleting Piper’s number for good. Because he didn’t need her. And he didn’t miss her.

From Louis to Piper:

I know you arent talking to me still, but I don’t have Doms number. Tell him I say Happy Birthday will u?

Louis could just text Bri and have her tell Dom, but it just made more sense to text Piper. That’s what he tells himself. Besides, she may not care about him anymore, but she still cared about her baby brother. Maybe it would be enough to get her to text him back. Even if it’s just to send him Dom’s number, or call him an asshole for missing Dom’s party. Besides, it had been months. She was bound to text him back if it was about her little brother, he’s sure of it.

She doesn’t text him back.

 From Louis to Piper:

Seriously?? Are you really this fucking petty? I know ur mad at me but to miss Bri’s party? Thats fuckin low and u know it.

 Bridgette says that Piper couldn’t make it. She had an exam. It was really important, and as much as she’d love to be there, it just isn’t possible for her right now. Bri says she promised to come visit next weekend and take her shopping to make up for it. Bridgette asks how Louis doesn’t know about her big exam, didn’t she tell you? Louis just mutters that they’ve both been busy. He doesn’t really believe Piper’s excuse. It was obvious she was still avoiding him. It wasn’t fair, and she was taking it out on Bridgette. He stared at his phone, waiting for her to text back, to defend herself, to claim she had an exam and couldn’t be there. But she wasn’t going to text back. She was never going to text back. He cursed himself for getting his god damn hopes up again. His finger hovered over her contact, ready to delete her contact, delete her out of his whole life like she seemed to do to him. He can’t make himself do it. Not yet.

From Louis to Piper:

Happy Birthday

It’s the last text he sends to her. She never answers. He knows she won’t answer. It’s been long enough. Louis is ready. He clicks her contact name and blocks her number. She’s made her choice. She doesn’t want anything to do with him. And he was done with her too. She was a stranger to him. And he didn’t need her.

From Piper to Louis:

Happy Birthday

Well, actually, that was nowhere near true--the boy she used to know had become a man. A man who had filled out quite nicely over the years...

‘Stop it,’ Piper scolded herself with a sharp, mental tap. She had no business having those thoughts anymore. Yes, things had been...strange...between her and Louis ever since he and Luna had broken up, but still, that didn’t mean that anything was going to change between them now. It was the last night they would see each other for a while. She was just happy to be near him, in the limited time they had left.

“It’s getting late,” Mrs. Agreste said after dessert had been eaten and the conversations were winding down. “You kids should head off to bed--big moving day tomorrow and all.”

“Thanks for dinner, Mom,” Louis said; despite his usual uncouth behavior (like his stripping), he never failed to be courteous towards his parents. Mrs. Agreste smiled as a chorus of thanks erupted from the table, following Louis’ example.

“Of course,” she said warmly, rising to her feet. “It was a lot of work, though...I think I’ll have myself a nice bubble bath as a little reward. And since I made dinner all by myself, someone else can handle the dishes, right...?”

Her tone was pleasant enough, but the warning was clear, and Mr. Agreste and Bridgette jumped up at the same time with nervous laughter as they gathered up the dishes from the dinner table.

“You heard Marinette, time for bed,” Piper’s mother insisted, making waving motions at Piper and Louis. “You too, Dom--you have school in the morning.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Dom replied, getting to his feet and giving his sister a hug. “Night, Piper. Wake me before you leave, okay? You can’t leave without saying goodbye.”

“I will,” Piper promised, grinning at her little brother, who wasn’t so little anymore either. Piper didn’t think she’d ever get over how big and handsome her little squirt of a brother had grown.

“D’you want me to wake you before I leave tomorrow, Bri?” Louis called to his sister as she helped her father load the dishwasher. She looked over at him with her wide blue eyes.

“Louis, I’ll probably be awake before you,” she pointed out with a scoff. “If anything, I’ll wake you up when I move my stuff into your room tomorrow.”

“That’s cold, Bee,” Louis complained with a pout, and Piper openly snickered at him.

“Sucks to be you,” she commented, and Louis made a face at her as he followed her to the stairs.

“She’ll cry when I leave tomorrow,” he said confidently, and Piper laughed some more. Though she knew that Bridgette loved her brother with all her heart, Piper was fairly certain that she loved the thought of having an extra room all to herself more.

When they reached the second floor landing, Louis caught her arm.

“Wanna hang out in my room for a bit?” He asked, when Piper paused to give him a questioning look. “I know we both have to be up early, but it’s our last night together, so...”

“Sure,” Piper agreed, not needing much convincing. Why wouldn’t she want to hang out with her best friend one last time before they each went their separate ways to chase their futures?

Louis grinned, the gesture lighting up his whole face. God, he was cute. Piper hated that.

“Bring your violin,” he requested, letting his hand slide away from her arm to fold his hands behind his head. “We can have a jam session in our jammies. For old times’ sake.”

“You’re such a dork,”  Piper laughed, and Louis rewarded her with a wink.

“You love me anyway,” he teased with a grin before he turned and headed to his bedroom. Piper paused a moment, staring after him. Oh, if he only knew how true that was...

But Piper was finished dwelling on the “what ifs”. She had spent far too much time pining over that oblivious boy who would never see her as anything more than a friend. It was time to move on, once and for all.

God, why was she so hyper-aware of how much skin she was showing? It wasn’t like she had dressed any differently; Louis had seen her in her pajamas plenty of times, as well as bathing suits that were a lot more revealing than this. So why was she so uncomfortable in her own skin tonight?

Maybe it was him--he was sitting so close to her that Piper could feel the body heat radiating off of him. And though he was wearing more clothes than he deemed appropriate in public, Piper could not be more aware of the fact that he was shirtless. Normally, she’d mock him by complaining about it in an attempt to shame him into a shirt, but tonight, it was all she could do to remind herself to behave. It didn’t matter how many abs she could count from this angle, he was her friend, and these thoughts were wildly inappropriate. God, why couldn’t she just act normal around him anymore?!

Louis seemed completely oblivious to her preoccupation (of course). He was too busy fiddling with his stereo, constantly changing the channel no matter what song was playing, almost as if he was doing it to keep his hands busy. After a minute or two of this, Piper raised an eyebrow at him.

“Are you looking for a specific song?” She asked, brushing her braids to the side. “Because your chances of hearing something you like are better if you just stick to one station for more than a second.”

Louis wrinkled his nose, his lips twisting to the side as he kept hitting the skip button on his stereo remote.

“I’m just trying to see if...ah,” he trailed off, grinning as saxophone suddenly blared through his speakers. He hastily adjusted the volume, and Piper snickered.

“Seriously?” She asked as the melody faded in lieu of George Michael’s voice. “This song was popular when our parents were our age. You telling me you like this?”

Louis shrugged his bare shoulders, leaning back on his hands as he glanced over at Piper, eyebrows arched.

“You got a problem with the classics?”

“I just didn’t know you were into 90s music,” Piper said, working to sound casual. In the back of her mind, however, there was nothing but question marks.

This...was considered a really romantic song, according to her parents. And while she was sure Louis didn’t mean anything by playing it now...it still sent a shiver down her spine. This didn’t mean anything...it couldn’t...Louis was just being Louis, after all...

“You cold?”

Warmth slid around Piper as Louis’ arm found its way around her. She swallowed, making herself look up at him. He was watching her, his expression friendly and open, his eyes warm as always. She almost suspected him of messing with her, sure that he knew what his touch was doing to her...but that familiar glint of mischief was absent from his eyes tonight. Piper didn’t know which was worse: him flustering her on purpose, or by accident.

“I’m fine,” she said after a moment, offering a small, reassuring smile before she looked away.

“Cool,” Louis replied. He didn’t move his arm. Piper didn’t know what to do about it, and so she just sat there and willed herself not to lose her head. It was fine...they were just hanging out, same as usual. It was fine...

“So,” said Louis, drawing Piper’s attention back to him as he tilted his head at her, looking curious. “You nervous?”

Piper stared at him. Oh god...could he read her mind?!

“About college,” Louis clarified when Piper didn’t say anything. She let out a breathless laugh.

“Oh, that. ...A little,” she admitted, glancing away from him for a moment as she swept her braids back behind her shoulder. When she met his gaze again, she was smiling. “It’s a good kind of nervous, though. Starting a new chapter of my life, growing as a person...all that jazz.” She quirked an eyebrow at him. “What about you?”

“Shit, I can’t wait to leave,” Louis enthused with a wicked grin. “I’ve gotten too infamous around here, so none of my pranks are as satisfying as they used to be. I’m ready to start terrorizing a whole new bunch of people.”

“Of course,” Piper laughed with a roll of her eyes. Honestly, she didn’t expect anything else from him.

“Yeah...” Louis’ smile faded, and something like wistfulness entered his eyes now. “I’m gonna miss my partner in crime, though.” He squeezed her shoulder for emphasis.

“Aw,” Piper cooed, giving Louis’ cheeks a squeeze. “I didn’t realize you were such a softie.”

Louis’ lips puckered in a pout, which made the face he was making even funnier.

“You act like you’re not gonna miss me, too,” he complained when Piper finally let go of his face. She rolled her eyes at the dramatic tone of his voice.

“Oh c’mon. You act like we’re never gonna see each other again.”

“Well, even when we do...it won’t be exactly the same anymore, right?” Louis’ blonde brow furrowed. “I mean...we won’t be living in the same place anymore. Don’t you think it’ll be...y’know...weird? I mean, we’ve been together our whole lives...but now we’re heading to different colleges, in different towns...and the thought of not being able to see you downstairs in the kitchen when I wake up...not hanging out with you in school...not coming up with crazy schemes on the weekends...”

Louis trailed off, his eyes far away, on a grim future that hurt Piper to think about. Yes, she had thought about all this too, but she had already forced herself to make peace with it. The minute she and Louis had been accepted to separate colleges, Piper knew that things would change. And she wasn’t sure if it was because Louis was thinking about all this just now, or because they never really made time to discuss it, but the thought of going anywhere without him...

It made Piper want to cry.

And so she resolved to lighten the mood immediately.

“You’re so serious,” she teased him with a nudge to his ribs. “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

Louis blinked, his expression unreadable for a moment as he stared down at her. A second later, however, his face split into that mischievous grin Piper was so fond of.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized formally, which put her on guard, “is this better?”

Before she could move to defend herself, Louis lunged, attacking her abdomen with his wiggling fingers as he tickled her. Piper let out a shriek of laughter that was hastily muffled as she swatted at him.

“Ahahahaha! Louis, s-stop! Cut it out, I’m gonna pee! Hahahahaha!”

“Say uncle!” Louis demanded, refusing to halt his onslaught of tickling. The only way Piper could save herself was to get away from him; she rolled off the bed, bent over as she regained her breath, rubbing tears of mirth from her face.

“Ha ha...you jackass...” she huffed at him, massaging her sore sides, unable to dismiss the grin from her face just yet. Louis merely grinned at her from where he sat on the bed, not looking the least bit sorry. She really was going to miss him.

“You love me,” Louis insisted again, getting to his feet as he smirked at her. Piper stuck her tongue out at him as he approached, watching him carefully for any signs of further wandering hands.

“Yeah, yeah,” she huffed, crossing her arms in defense as she grinned up at him. “Hurry up and leave already.”

The reminder made Louis sober again. As he stared down at her, Piper watched as something crossed his face, too fast for her to catch it. But something about the way he held his mouth seemed uncertain...what was he thinking?

“...I really am going to miss you, Pipes,” he said quietly. Piper felt her heart throb painfully, but for his sake, she ignored it, offering him another smile.

“I’ll miss you, too,” she answered. Louis’ head bobbed, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Good.” His voice was so quiet now that Piper had to lean in to catch the words. “That’s good...”

And then...it happened.

One minute, they were just staring at each other.

The next minute, Louis had suddenly leaned in--

And he was kissing her.

...

Louis was KISSING her!!!

Piper didn’t know what to do. This had come completely out of nowhere--what the hell was she supposed to do?!

Freezing up was probably the wrong answer, but something in her brain had short-circuited, and she was no longer able to think properly. All she could focus on was the feel of Louis’ lips, which were softer than she had expected, pressed firmly against hers before he drew back. Piper stared, wide-eyed, as Louis opened his eyes. His face was flushed, and his eyes searched her face, and she couldn’t decide if he was trying to commit her features to memory, or if he was looking for something...something he was hoping to find, something that had been there all along...

Piper, who had been trying to bully her brain back into working order, promptly gave up at the look on his face, that quiet longing in his eyes. She didn’t know how long it had been there, had no idea when he might have started feeling for her the way she had been trying not to feel about him for way too long--

His lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but Piper didn’t give him the chance. She surged forward, mashing her lips into his, her arms encircling him, pressing him to her as she kissed him, taking what she had wanted for so long without any regret, because he started it. Here she was, on the eve of their departure, ready to start her new life, and then, he pulls this shit. Was she supposed to just let him get away with it, after she had worked so hard to suppress how much she wanted him?

If he wanted to kiss her, then by god, he was going to kiss her, damn it!

Louis seemed to have no complaints; he held her tightly to him, a low sound uttered from the back of his throat as his mouth moved against hers, certainly eager enough. Piper’s head was spinning, but she didn’t care--who needed to breathe when she was finally kissing the man of her dreams?

Suddenly, it wasn’t only her head that was spinning--her whole body was spinning, and she jumped, certain she was about to fall--

Louis’ arms were still around her, though--he had her. And once Piper realized what was happening, she broke the kiss to let out a laugh of disbelief--the little shit was actually dipping her! God, could he get any more cheesy?

“Piper,” Louis breathed against her neck, and Piper felt her breath catch at the way her name sounded when spoken like this, wrapped in his arms, lips swollen from kissing, the heat between them too much, and yet, somehow, not enough.

Piper pulled back to look at him. He was breathing heavy, his face completely red, green eyes hooded as he gazed down at her. Piper stifled a moan. He looked so sexy. Why did he have to do this to her tonight, when they had to leave each other in the morning? They could’ve had weeks, months, years together, if only he had made a move like this sooner...so why now?

Piper almost asked...but the thought of wasting a single moment like this on words seemed pointless. It was their last night together, and she wanted to make it count.

Straightening up from his dip (what a dork), Piper stepped back, keeping his gaze as she tugged on his hand, beckoning him to follow. He did, too quickly, and they stumbled, falling onto the bed. Louis swore, and Piper laughed, the sound quickly swallowed by Louis’ lips as he kissed her deeply. Piper responded enthusiastically and let herself get swallowed up in the moment, and they spent the night on fire, the heat all-consuming and undeniable, bare, sweat-slicked skin pressed against each other, gasps of breath and muttered words of devotion, the world splintering and shattering into pieces that created new stars in the sky.

It was a dream. It had to be.

There was no way Piper’s innermost desires had manifested into reality...no way...

Piper opened her eyes. Louis was sleeping next to her, his blonde hair a mess, his mouth open, drool soaking his pillow. As Piper stared at him, slowly coming to terms with what happened the night before, she pressed her lips together, tears springing to her eyes.

How she wished it had been a dream. As much as she had wanted him the night before, knowing what it was like to have him, and now having to leave him...it was unbearable.

‘The last night’ didn’t mean ‘the end’.

The Cheng family is huge. And as such, the Cheng Family Reunion is a huge event. With loads and loads of people. Everywhere.

And though Dominique had grown more than a bit, he still found himself disoriented and confused by too many people in one place. Like… here.

He’d managed to squeeze his way out of the house, but there were Chengs everywhere. The front yard. The back yard. The side of the house. He was nervous and jittery and oh my god why did it have to be me why couldn’t Felix do this where is Bee anyway where is anyone I actually know-

bonk

Something collided with his knee. No, someone. A child.

“Oh, no!”

His own anxiety forgotten, he scoops the girl up into his arms and holds her close.

“My gosh, are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“Where are your parents? Who did you come with?”

“My daddy and I were by the grill and I left to get some juice and…” She turns her head in the direction of the grill, then back around. “Um…”

“Are you lost?”

“Maybe?”

“Well, I’ll help you find your daddy. I’m Dominique.”

The girl’s eyes widen in shock, and she claps happily. “You must be Uncle Dom!”

He nearly drops her. “Uncle?”

Her head nods. “Mmmhmm. Daddy said my Uncle Dom has dark skin and green braids, and he’s probably somewhere hiding from the crowd.”

That was surprisingly accurate.

“Your father knows me well.”

She nods enthusiastically. “Where’s Aunty Bee and Uncle Felix? Are they with you?”

“Bridgette is around, but Felix couldn’t come.”

She nods sagely. “Daddy says Uncle Felix is allergic to color. Maybe it’s people too.”

Dom laughs. “Yeah that sounds like him. C’mon, let’s go find your daddy. What’s your name?”

“Mari.”

Well, that certainly narrowed down the list of suspects. He never pegged Hugo as the kid-having type, but he supposed he didn’t hang around Hugo enough to know.

And so he moved about the manor, child in arm, asking around for Hugo or Ms. Marinette, but he didn’t see them anywhere.

He did find Piper, though. Or she found him.

“Hey there little bro! Didn’t expect to see you… actually outside. Who’s kid is this.”

“Uncle Dom, you have a sister?”

“Did she say Uncle?” Piper moves closer to inspect the child. “Yeah, that’s an Agreste baby alright. But when did Emma or Lotte find the time to pop another one out? How old are you anyway?”

“Three,” Mari responds, “But I’m turning four in two months.”

“You’re really articulate for three.”

“Ar-ti-cu-late,” Mari tests the word out. “What’s that mean?”

“It means you’re good at speaking. It’s a compliment.”

Mari smiles. “Thank you Miss…”

Dom catches Mari’s verbal stumble. “Mari, this is my big sister Piper. Piper, this is Mari, Hugo’s daughter.”

Piper sputters and snorts, spraying her drink as she doubles over in laughter. “C’mon Dom, if you’re gonna try and pull my leg at least make it believable.”

“She’s named after Ms. Marinette and she calls me ‘Uncle,’ but she’s looking for her father. So that leaves Hugo by process of elimination. Maybe he… uh, donated… like he did for Nova.”

“Actually, my name is Mariposa. Everyone calls me Mari, though.”

Something clicks in Dom’s head, and he realizes that he’d come to the wrong conclusion after all.

Piper comes closer. “That’s such a beautiful name. It’s Spanish, right?”

Mari nods. “Mmhmm. It means-”

Dom quickly covers the girl’s mouth. “Well, that was Aunty Piper you can come find her again after we find your daddy, okay?”

He attempts to shuffle off, ignoring Piper’s confusion, but stops when someone bumps into him. The last person he needed to show up, in fact. A frazzled-looking Louis picks himself up off the ground, panting.

“Dom! I am so glad to see you right now I need your help, I’ve been looking all over for… Mari!”

Oh dear Lord…

“My god Dom, you’re a lifesaver!”

Louis’s lips press against Dom’s cheek and the giggling little girl is scooped from his arms.

“Daddy’s really sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to leave you.”

“It’s okay daddy! I got to meet Uncle Dom! But how come you didn’t tell me I had an Auntie Piper, too?”

For the first time since his arrival at the scene, Louis takes his eyes off his daughter.

Piper is standing there, jaw slack, a can of soda on the ground directly below her open hand, it’s contents soaking into the lawn.

Dom brings a hand to his forehead.

Louis carefully sets his daughter down, crouching so he’s eye level with her.

“Auntie Piper and I don’t get along very well, actually.”

“Why not?”

“It’s… complicated.”

Mari’s eyes brighten in realization. “Oh.” She looks over to Piper, who has yet to pick her drink- or her jaw- up off the ground. “So did she break up with you, or did you break up with her?”

“You know what?” Dom asks nobody in particular, “I just remembered that I have to be literally anywhere but here have a good day!”