you're cold and I burn (on hold)

underst<strong>and</strong>ing his motives behind the constant change of scenery. But Harry will just have to deal
with it, because Louis was here first. And truthfully, this is what keeps Louis sane <strong>and</strong> if he isn’t
able to redecorate when he so desires he might just explode <strong>and</strong> Harry will likely be right in the
range of shrapnel, so he’s just thinking ahead <strong>and</strong> being responsible. Right.
Which for some reason causes his brain to shift just a bit to another topic at h<strong>and</strong>, which includes a
nosey step brother who he still is very much upset with, actually. Not only that Liam decided he
was going to take matters into his own precious, manicured h<strong>and</strong>s, but the fact that he hasn’t even
called to discuss the whole matter with Louis. Who, surprise, is right in the middle of this <strong>and</strong> if
Liam want’s to play wrecking ball with his life then he should probably check <strong>and</strong> see what type
of destruction he’s left behind. Liam almost always comes directly to Louis’ house after he says
something to their dad that he knows he shouldn’t have, <strong>and</strong> the course is like clockwork; Liam
will apologize, Louis will be mad, Liam won’t cease <strong>and</strong> then Louis will give in. It happens just
like that, every single time. Except for now, when Liam has offically overstepped his boundaries
<strong>and</strong> maybe he’s scared of Louis’ wrath, which is probably smart. Louis’ still pissed.
And the funny thing is, Liam has always had it pretty easy. Well, of course dealing with the
divorce of his parents was difficult but he said he was only around four years old at the time <strong>and</strong>
remembers jack shit about the whole process. Then, his mum married Louis’ father <strong>and</strong> everything
fell into place, they were the happiest of families. Well, apart from a specific fringe-haired, paint
covered, <strong>and</strong> wide eyed kid.
Louis was just different. His father hated it. Hated that Louis’ teachers would send home notes
about how poorly he was doing in class, ignoring the praise from his art teacher because it wasn’t
an ‘academic’ class, so it didn’t matter. He would scream at Louis until he was red in the face,
resembling a beat, asking why Louis didn’t bother to put forth any effort into his oh-so-important
education. And Louis didn’t fail for lack of trying, he failed for lack of underst<strong>and</strong>ing. The words
just didn’t connect in his head, <strong>and</strong> the semantics just weren’t there. He really couldn’t care less
about photosynthesis, or trigonometry, or the way the plates in the earth collie <strong>and</strong> form volcanoes.
But, Liam was the apple of (step) daddy’s eye. He was the golden child <strong>and</strong> got to hold all the
bragging rights. He was smart, he had his head in the right place, he wanted to be just like their
dad. And Liam is actually two years younger than Louis, which made the whole situation more
embarrassing. Because not only was he incomparable to his baby brother, he wasn’t as smart as
him, either. Louis grew up feeling like he was in the constant shadow of someone who was even
shorter than he was, yet towered him in every aspect of the word. It was splendid.
It makes no difference anymore, <strong>and</strong> Louis just needs to come to terms with the present day, not
lingering on the past long enough to drive him mad.
On a different, <strong>and</strong> happier, note, the flat is starting to come together. He's just got the bathroom
left <strong>and</strong> it will be good to go. He’s pulling the rings from the lavender shower curtain, folding it
into the closet. His mind is brining back unwelcome memories, he’s now thinking about this
morning (always thinking), about the embarrassment that seemed to drench his body, leaving him
st<strong>and</strong>ing in a puddle of chagrin, reminiscing in the destitution of his own self confidence. That was
such a fun time, really, he just wants to relive it again <strong>and</strong> again. And maybe he’s so bitter about
his lack of control that it makes his body so tense that he’s going to keep thinking about it until it
finally becomes too much <strong>and</strong> he has no choice but confrontation. He’s desperately hoping it
won’t come to that.
His mind is flip flopping around, lingering on Liam, then lingering on the events of the early
morning, <strong>and</strong> wasn’t this supposed to be a calming experience?
He’s redirecting his mind, away from Liam <strong>and</strong> away from Harry <strong>and</strong> those penetrating eyes.
Now, it’s time to do a walk through of the flat, <strong>and</strong> hope that his annoyed thoughts aren’t enough