Young & Beautiful

Which…thank fuck for Niall.
Because that distracts Liam easily enough as he hops up happily off from his perch on the table
and rushes to Zayn’s liquor cabinet in the corner, spouting pleasantries and suggestions with ease.
Louis stays planted, eyes seeking Harry once more and, yep, he’s staring at Louis from across the
room. He looks quiet and peaceful, his eyes mildly sad but pleased to see him—genuinely pleased
—and crinkling slightly with a small smile. And Louis doesn’t really know what to do or what to
say (does he acknowledge what happened or…?) so he finds himself sending forth an awkward
little wave, at a complete loss for anything else.
The gesture causes Harry’s smile to grow, just barely, and he returns the wave, small and sweet.
At that, there’s a definitive rush of blood to Louis’ head, and he’s just made the decision to walk
over to Harry, Harry smiling as Louis takes the first step, when suddenly he feels a hand rest on
his shoulder and—oh.
Zayn.
“Can I help you?” he asks, sounding bitchier than he meant to with one eyebrow raised, body
very much set on finding Harry. He tries to withhold his impatience.
Zayn meets his eyes, calm and cool, nodding his head in the opposite direction. “A moment,” he
more commands than asks, and Louis nods immediately. There’s just something about Zayn that
allows no room for refusal. Maybe it’s the quiet intensity of his eyes. Or the sharpness of his teeth.
Or maybe it’s the way he breathes curls of smoke and guides you with a coy smile. Or maybe it's
because he's intimidatingly attractive and you can't help but find yourself getting lost in the sex
that oozes out of his pores.
Either way, Louis finds himself following Zayn, leading him farther away from Harry and to the
opposite end of the room, tucked away by a row of collectible action figures and framed comic
books. A rather nerdy section, if Louis’ being honest. He’s long ago learned that Zayn is rather a
large dork, despite his intimidating countenance. Loveable and easily pleased.
“Do you know what’s going on with Harry?” Zayn asks immediately, sparing no thought for
transition or hesitation.
Louis blinks, startled. “Going on? Do you mean in general, or…?”
“Today,” Zayn says, silken voice dropping in volume. “Something’s changed. He’s better than
he’s been lately. Still not himself, but. He seems…different.”
At that, Louis’ stomach swoops. Hard. It might have even fallen out of his ass and plummeted
through the floorboards, leaving a shimmering gold sun in its wake. Because Louis’ insides are
definitely now coated in warm, glittering light. Fuck being embarrassment, fuck champagne-based
excuses. Louis feels warm, goddammit, and it's a remarkable experience.
“Different, you say?” Louis asks, weakly, appearing nonchalant and casual. “Howso?”
Zayn sighs, turning to look at Harry who is now taking a seat beside Niall, pouring him another
glass of whiskey and smiling as the aforementioned boy tells an exaggerated story that’s sending
Liam into fits of giggles.
“I can’t explain, really. And he hasn’t said anything to me. I’m just wondering if it has something
to do with Des. Or…anything else in his life.” He turns his face to Louis. “Do you know anything
at all?”