Chapter Text
''Hey, hey Lou! Over here!''
Louis needed approximately five seconds to spot Liam. His cousin was waiting for him next to the barrier that divided the small entrance hall of the train station from the general waiting area. Bulkier than he remembered, with brown puppy eyes and a wide grin, Liam was standing there, hair shaven into a sidecut. He was good-looking in a way, that cried Look at this sharp and muscular lad! He is so responsible, the perfect son-in-law! and all the other things Louis wasn't.
Liam was clad in light blue jeans combined with a white baseball t-shirt that complimented his biceps and sixpack. Louis felt his chest ache. A colourfol opposition to Louis in favourite skinny jeans, the black one's with the slit knees, worn-out chucks and a dark grey hoodie. Louis's hair was tousled and standing in different directions. Not to mention the huge bags under his eyes, blending in strangely with the eye-liner around them. Louis looked like shit in comparison to Liam. Not that it bothered him that much though. It wasn't Liam's fault, that he was the golden boy of the family and Louis kept securing his status as the black sheep.
Liam is the captain of his football team. Why aren't you sporty too?
Liam only got straight A's this year. Why don't you study more?
Liam has a girlfriend now. Why don't you have one?
Well, of course his parents had annoyed him with the last question only before the incident. The incident responsible for his exile, as Louis liked to call it. The incident, outing him as gay to everyone. Before the voices in his head took over, Louis shut them down and smiled.
''Liam!''
''Lou! Finally! I already started thinking your train had crashed or something!'' Liam embraced him in a bear hug and shouldered Louis' giant duffel bag for him.
''How was your journey, love?''
''Exhausting.'' Louis rubbed his eyes as they stepped outisde the trainstation. ''How are you?“
''Fine, fine." Liam smiled and threw Louis' luggage on the back seat of his Range Rover. They got into the car and Liam steered out of the parking spot. His cousin was akwardly quiet while they drove, so Louis saw it coming. It took about five minutes until Liam adressed the elephant doing somersaults on the backseat. ''So, well, uhm Jay explained why you are staying with me, but erhm, I mean … is it true?“
Louis sighed: ''Yes.“
''Oh, wow.“ Liam blushed slightly, before he laughed. ''Oh, Lou. I don't even want to imagine the fuzz you created.“
Louis exhaled loudly. Liam didn't mind.
''Yeah, shit kind of hit the fan. Mum decided it would be the best to get me out of town.“
''Glad to help.“ Liam patted his shoulder without taking his eyes off the street. ''Speaking of which, we have to make a quick stop and pick up some stuff for dinner before I show you your new home. Is that okay?“
''Sure, no problem.“
Liam nodded and after that their conversation flowed easily. Liam told him about his football team and that they had a chance to win the championship this year. Louis promised to accompany him to his match on Wednesday. After a while Liam turned right and they parked on an open parking lot infront of a petrol station, a small supermarket attached to it. Right infront of the supermarket was a small yard. A few teenagers were milling around picnic tables, smoking and listening to music. Some boys even kicked a football around.
''Shit,“ Liam mumbled and glared at the yard.
''What is it?“
''Nothing. Uhm could you stay in the car, Lou? I'll be right back. Just stay in the car, love, would you?“
''Uh... sure.“ Louis watched with big eyes how Liam got out and hurried towards the shop.
Weird, Louis thought to himself and was about to turn up the radio when he noticed the small brown item on the driver seat. It was Liam's wallet. Cursing, Louis snatched the wallet up and checked his reflection in the rearview mirror – yep he still looked like shit. Shorthandly he pulled a beanie out of his backpack and over his not even near the usual fringe hair. With a deep breath he shoved the wallet into his backpack and got out of the car.
*
It was Zayn who noticed it.
''Hey, isn't that Payne's car?“
''Huh?“ Harry asked and yanked up from where he had been sprawled out over one of the picnic tables. Their ususal spot.
''Look there, the Range Rover. I could swear that's Payne's car.“ Zayn took a deep breath from his cigarette. Personally Harry disliked cigarettes, but it was neither his task nor his responsibility to chastise his friend. Zayn chewed gum after every smoke, so it was alright.
''Yeah, I think you're right.“ Curiously Harry eyed the black clunky car. And indeed, in the next moment it was none other than his personal nemesis who got out of the car, walking directly into the small supermarket. Harry felt Zayn's questioning glance and grinned. Without a word they got up and followed the other boy inside the supermarket. They found Liam in the bread aisle, a basket full of vegetables and a range of other healthy products in hand.
''Look, look, who it is Zayn, the legendary Liam Payne. What's up, mate?“ Harry whistled and approached Liam, his arms open like he wanted to hug him.
Liam turned around as soon as Harry had spoken up and glared at them. ''Fuck off, Styles.“
''Oh, that's not very nice. Seems like your mother didn't teach you any manners.“ Harry crinkled his forehead like he was actually offended, and crossed his arms before his chest.
''I mean it. Fuck off. I've got better things to do than to deal with you twats.“ Liam planted himself infront of them and flexed his muscles. Harry couldn't help, but feel a little jealous sting. Harry had always been muscular in a lean way, not nearly as buff as Liam. Still he had Zayn by his side. They could easily take on him. But before he had the chance to say something, an unfamiliar voice sounded behind them.
''Liam?“
Harry turned his torso around to face an unknown boy. It was obviously the one who called Liam's name. Harry quickly sized him up. The bloke was about two years younger than him and several inches smaller, curvy with an ass that made Harry's dick twitch. The boy's clothing was dark and kind of ripped, contrasting smoothly with his caramel skin tone. The feathery light brown fringe had been tugged under a black beanie. Bright, cerulean blue eyes, emphasised by neatly applied eye-liner, met his for only a moment before the boy averted his eyes, focussing on Liam. Harry kind of expected the stranger to roll by on a skateboard, grabbing a bag of crisps from one of the aisles and rolling out of the shop without paying. He nearly grinned, when he caught side of an actual skateboard, attached to the back of the boy's backpack. Yo Filthy Animal was written between the wheels. He exchanged a look with Zayn. Now who was this?
*
The air in the small supermarket was cold and artifical and Louis immediately needed to pee. Great. Could this day get any better?
Thinking of deserts and clinging to the straps of his backpack, he skimmed the aisles. The shop seemed almost empty, with the exception of an elderly lady in aisle 3, arguing with an exasperated looking employee. The teen girl's face lit up, when she caught him observing the scene. Grinning she popped her chewing gum bubble at him. Louis blushed and hasted along. He secretly gave her kudos. The girl had worn twice as much eye-liner than him, and that was a fucking accomplishement. Eventually Louis found Liam in the back of the shop. Startled he noted, that his cousin was not alone.
''Liam?“
Louis promptly recognised the unusual way Liam was standing. Shopper basket next to his feet, shoulders pulled back, chest and chin raised. Liam radiated the oldest mixture of self-confidence and aggression, that existed: 'Try me, if you're brave enough.'
Louis rolled his eyes. There was a brawl about to break out and he would be in the middle of it and he still needed to fucking pee. Not even looking at the two strangers across from his cousin, he strolled past them.
''Lou?“ Liam's face fell, as he spotted Louis. Louis frowned, until he saw the expression in Liam's eyes. Concern, not disappointment. Something inside Louis' chest heated up and poured down his insides.
''Liam. What's going on?“ Louis vaguely gestured behind him, where the two other lads were standing.
''Nothing, love.“ Liam smiled at him, not very convincing. ''Thought I told you to stay in the car.“ The older lad added mumbling.
''You forgot your wallet.'' Louis pulled the small leather item out of his backpack and handed it to his cousin.
''Oh, thanks.“ Liam took the wallet. Louis didn't miss the way Liam shifted slightly on his feet, shielding him from the view of other boys. ''Now, why don't you just get back into the car, yeah? I'll be there in a minute.'
Louis looked up at Liam and crinkled his forehead, silently letting him know that he knew what was going on. Louis was ready to fight alongside him. Liam slightly shook his head in response, shifting a little more. Just go, the older lad's eyes seemed to say. Louis sighed and tightened the grip on his backpack-straps, but gave up. Liam was big and strong. He could take on the two other chaps. Louis probably would be in the way anyway. He was already a few feet away when a slow and deep voice sounded behind Liam's back. Louis didn't miss the haughty note to it.
''Hey, Payne, that's not very nice. Why don't you introduce us to your little friend?“
Little friend? Louis stopped on his heels and turned around. Within a split second he took the two strangers in. The right lad was -technically spoken- the most attractive human being Louis had ever encountered. About Liam's height, with deep-tanned skin, silky black hair and glowing brown eyes, the bloke looked like an ancient god. Well, a mixture between an ancient god and a Greaser because hot damn that leather jacket. Louis was sure if he hadn't been gay already, he would have been now.
Still somehow it was the other stranger, that caught his eye. The one who had spoken was at least a head taller than Louis, all long limbs and milky skin. Running his ridiculously long fingers through his dark curls, the boy was grinning at him. Louis felt dizzy for a moment. Then he scolded himself. Focus, Tommo, focus!
He frowned at the left stranger disparagingly, and crossed his arms infront of his chest. ''I'm neither little nor his friend. I'm his cousin. Get your fucking facts straight, Curly.“
Curly exchanged an amused look with Johnny Cade and grinned even wider. ''Sadly I am not known for being remarkably talented at getting my fucking facts very straight.“
Louis felt his cheeks burn as soon as the innuendo kicked in and he realised what Curly had just said. Unable to break the eye-contact, he stared back. Thankfully Liam chose that moment to step in. With a smooth movement he shifted himself infront of Louis, shielding him completely with his broad shoulders.
His voice cold as ice, he growled at Curly. ''Leave him alone. I mean it, Stlyes. Don't even breath in his direction.“
''Woah, easy, Payne. Look after your blood pressure.“
''Get lost already."
''As far as we know it, this is a public place.“ Curly answered blatantly. Louis watched how the muscles in Liam's shoulders tensed. For a few moments, Liam stood completely still. Then his backmuscles eased and Louis heared his cousin exhale. Liam turned around and grabbed Louis' arm but not in a rough way. His features softened as soon as he looked at Louis, but his warm brown eyes remained hard.
''C'mon, Louis, we gonna order some pizza tonight, yeah?“
Louis nodded and let Liam drag him out of the store. His bladder cried out in relief. Before they turned around the corner, he took a last glimpse over his shoulder.
''Goodbye... Loueh!“ Curly called after him.
*
The moment Liam parked the car infront of their house, Louis sprinted inside and locked himself in the bathroom. His bladder had been seconds away from exploding. Liam laughed at him, when Louis came out and offered him a piggy-back ride upstairs. ''C'mon, babe, I'll show you your room.“
Louis jumped on Liam's back, clinging to the older bloke like a monkey. Liam carried him upstairs, through the small hall and into his new room. It was nice, neat and clean and unpersonal. Without much reluctance Louis kicked his shoes off and threw himself on the bed in the corner of the room. He rolled around a little bit and finally sprawled himself out, face facing the white ceiling. He let a content sigh slip out of his mouth.
''You can decorate the room like you want. It's yours now. I bought you some bedsheets but if you don't like them, we can exchange 'em and yeah...“ Liam rubbed the back of his head, looked down at him. Louis sat up, grabbed Liam's hand and pulled him down. As soon as Liam lay next to him, he wrapped his arms around the others ribcage. ''Thanks for letting me stay here, Li. I really do appreciate it. Love you.“
''Everything for the family, babe. Love you too.“
Louis smiled and tried to suppress a yawn but failed miserably.
''You exhausted?“
''Mhm.“ Louis rubbed his eyes again and snuggled under Liam's armpit. They both kept silent while Liam patted his hair. After a while Louis breath deepened and his eyes fell shut.
Liam didn't move a long time after Louis had fallen asleep. He just watched his younger cousin dream, softly caressing his head and shoulders. Louis looked exhausted, even in his sleep. Nothing like the energetic goofball that used to chase Liam around the coffee table. Not to mention how his looks had changed. Liam had needed a moment to digest the guyliner and dark skater vibe when he had picked up Louis at the trainstation. Now he was already over it. Jay had told Liam the whole story about Louis having to move and Liam was barely able contain the anger inside him, so he couldn't even imagine the war inside Louis.
Imagining all the ways he wanted to beat the living shit out of the people who had made Louis' life miserable instead, he slowly drifted into sleep. That was until his phone buzzed. With a quiet sigh he fumbled it outside of his pocket and looked at the screen. He allowed himself another audible sigh and carefully unwinded Louis's and his limbs. Already looking for his car keys, he tiptoed outside of Louis' room and closed the door behind him.