Young & Beautiful

XXVI
Chapter Summary
Louis comes back to school.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
As soon as Louis and his mum step through the door of his uni flat, Niall is suffocating him to
death.
“TOMMO!” he bellows heartily, lithe arms squeezing every particle of oxygen out of Louis’ small
bones. Well, not small. Compact. “How’ve you been, mate? I’ve missed you! We’ve all missed
you! Zayn told me to fetch you as soon as you came—they’re all in his rooms!” He’s golden and
smiling and his blue eyes look like January and a fresh term, his thick knit jumper pushed to his
elbows and his tennis shoes whiter than the snow that’s already begun receding back into the
earth.
“Easy there, killer,” Louis says, brushing his fringe away, but he’s smiling and the sight of Niall
is, to be honest, sort of wonderful. Just seeing and smelling their flat in general brings a tidal wave
of joy and relief, and though he’s going to miss the girls (he’s got Charlotte’s gift tucked safely in
his shoulder bag) and Stan and the quirks of his hometown, Louis is quickly beginning to realize
that home is no longer confined to a single location.
Even the piano looks comforting right now.
“Niall m’dear!” Louis’ mum exclaims, wrapping the bouncing boy in her embrace, and Niall
laughs happily, hugging her like they’ve known each other for years.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it down,” Niall says sincerely, kissing her cheek. “Got a bit wrapped
up in youthful pleasantries.”
Youthful pleasantries?
Couldn’t make it down?
Was he invited??
Louis raises his eyebrows.
“Oh, it’s fine, love,” she says, smoothing out the wrinkles of his jumper. “I’m just happy to see
you.”
Louis successfully resists a snort. He’s trying to be more supportive of the whole ‘Niall is his
mum’s new best friend’ situation. It seems to actually be helping her attitude about things, which is
always welcome, so. He’s biting his lips until they bleed, basically.
“Likewise,” Niall says happily, and they chat a bit more as Louis unpacks—setting the photo of
him and his family on his bedside table with care—and checking his phone every 4 minutes.