Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

 Louis stared out the window of the train, watching the quick passing of trees. His phone was dead and he was a little cold on the train. He adjusted the blanket he was given, trying to wrap himself tighter in it. It would make sense to charge his phone but his notifications would be empty anyway. 

His husband of four years was a cheater and he was finally moving away after the divorce was settled. His things were in a storage garage up North. The train attendant’s voice asking him if he wanted another drink is what pulled him out of his thoughts. He noticed the trolley of bland food and noticed the pop available. He nodded and told her what he wanted and she gave him a green can. He thanked her and she went on with a smile. 

Louis waited until she was gone to crack open his fifth can. The trip from New Orleans to Boston was a long one and the attendant came around every hour.

Louis continued watching the passing of the trees, trying to hold in his tears as his mind ran a mile a minute. Never in a million years did he think that he would be running away from his birthplace after a divorce, divorce was never a thought for the Catholic boy. But, here his is on his way to his best friend in Boston, soaking up the suds of the pop and the saltiness of the drops of water that gathered in the corners of his eyes and down his cheeks.

He swore he did everything right. Him and Lestat had found one another and they had connected in more ways than one. That should lead to a healthy marriage, a long lasting one. Yet here he was. Divorced, and set to go stay with a friend. His phone vibrated against his thigh and he lifted it, wiping the tears from his eyes. It was a text from Lestat that read thinking of you. Louis’ entire body ran hot in anger. He felt like he could scream. Thinking? Thinking of him? After everything? 

Fuck off. Louis’ lip was quivering now as more tears flowed down his cheeks and he shut his eyes and placed his head in his hands. His hands eventually moved to his mouth to prevent the noise of his hiccuping from becoming too loud. His body shook and he held his breath as he slowly removed his hand from his mouth. He needed to relax.

 Louis closes his eyes and sets his head back against the seat, taking a few deep breaths to calm his nerves. He was tempted to ask one of the attendants to come and turn his sofa into his bed and sleep his pain away, but he won’t let that man fuck up his mood, nor his life, again. Louis takes out his phone and sees that Lily has sent him a video, thumb hovering over the play button before tapping it. In the video is her showing him the spare room she has set up for him, complete with a basket full of his favorite snacks, drinks, and toiletries before it pans to her saying how much she can’t wait until he gets there. He finds himself tearing up again, only this time of warmth and fondness. Louis had people and wouldn’t go through this alone. He sends back a quick ‘ I love you’ with a heart before turning to the window to watch the cities pass by.

Louis’ eyes fluttered open and he could feel the train starting to slow down. He slipped his phone, charger, and the book he had tried to read back into his bag. He carried his bag on one shoulder as he maneuvered the inside of the train station. Once outside again in front of the exit, he called a cab. Louis sat down on a nearby bench and waited until it arrived and then hopped in. 

As he sat in the moving car, he looked out of the window at his new surroundings. Boston had so many people walking and it was certainly easing into spring still. Thankfully he had packed a light jacket just in case the temperature continued to drop. He pulled out his phone again as the car stopped at a red light. He saw that Lily had only reacted with a heart to his text. I’m here , he texted and saw three gray dots appear and soon he was reading a message from her that said where? Louis looked around for a street sign but there was so many cars that he couldn’t see anything so he just sent her his location. The next second Lily sent him a text saying how excited she was to see him and for a short second he felt a little fuzzy feeling in his chest. 

The drive lasted an hour and within that hour Louis attempted to read the book he packed, send a message to Grace, and look at some apartments. He thanked the driver as the car slowed and the driver only hummed. Louis whipped out a fifty dollar bill as a top and his credit card. He paid and then tipped and then got out of the car. He watched as it drove off and took out his phone. I'm outside. Louis looked around and soon he was watching Lily coming down a flight of steps and jogging towards him and wrapping him in a much needed hug. They held one another tight and rocked from side to side for a moment on the sidewalk. 

“Hi,” Lily said. 

“Hey” Louis said, realizing how groggy his voice was. Louis hardly spoke to anyone during his train ride. He cleared his throat and then asked, “How are you?”

Louis heard Lily sigh and she pulled away and scanned his face with wide eyes full of worry. “I should be asking you that, '' she teases. Louis shrugs and looks down for a moment before looking up to meet her eyes again. 

“I’m okay as I’ll ever be” Louis said and Lily nodded before grabbing his hand and pulling him to her apartment. The inside of Lily’s apartment smelled like lavender. They walked through her kitchen and the living room until Lily was opening the door to the room she had sent Louis a video of earlier. Louis’ eyes scanned the entirety of the room as he slowly walked inside of it quietly. Turning to face Lily, he slowly sat on the bed and looked down in his lap. For whatever reason, his eyes were stinging and there were tears running down his cheeks again. A pair of arms were wrapping around him and he rested his head on Lily’s shoulder for what felt like a long time. 

Lily had ordered food after Louis’ little crying session and several apologies later. The only response he got from that was “It’s fine” and “You can cry if you need to”. He was lucky to have her. The food came after twenty minutes had passed by and they had moved to the living room to cuddle on the couch to watch television. 

Lily placed the bag on the table while Louis moved to sit in one of the chairs. “You wanna eat this on a plate or in plastic?” Lily asked. 

Louis gave her a shrug and said, “Whatever you wanna do is fine”

She nodded and then said, “Plastic it is.” She pulled out the container of orange chicken from the bag and placed it in front of Louis. He popped it open as Lily gave him the fork and the knife within the plastic. 

“Thank you,” Louis found himself saying before biting into a piece of chicken. 

She hummed, “No problem…but you said that already.”

Feeling heat spread through his cheeks, Louis cleared his throat. He had genuinely forgotten.

“Sorry.”

“No need to be…you want some wine? I got your favorite.”

Louis nodded immediately, “Yes. I need something to soothe my nerves.”

He watched her move towards the refrigerator and pull out one of his favorite Riesling wines and felt that fuzzy feeling from before. It was nice to have someone be so sweet and caring towards him after months of heartache and replaying how his heart was stomped on by his ex. Lily grabbed two wine glasses and poured each of them half a glass before walking back over to the table.

“Here you are. And don’t worry about drinking it too fast. I stocked up just for you. I know it ain’t the fancy stuff you’re used to, but it’s good.”

Louis took a sip and was pleasantly surprised. It isn’t the ‘76 Josephshofer that Lestat liked to buy for him, but it damn sure was a good glass of wine.

“You right about that, Ms. Lily. Might have to stock my fridge when I move. How you been? This place treating you right?”

Lily watched Louis pile the orange chicken and fried rice in his plastic container as she did her own, “I’ve been good, Lou. And yes, my job and the people here have treated me well, which is why I’m glad you’re here. It’s a good change for you, for a better you.

Only nodding at her words as he continued to eat. Lily then says, “I’m glad you got outta there.”

I’m glad you got outta there.

Oh, the horror he would have endured if he stayed. If he continued his little strategy of pretending, if he gave Lestat more chances. He felt a tightness in his throat but he wouldn’t cry again; didn’t want to cry again. Yet, there was a tear rolling down his face again. 

Lily cooed and then moved to grab his hand, holding it tight. “Aw, baby…” she said. 

Louis pulled his hand away to quickly wipe his face, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” he whimpered. “I’m just a…a mess” He says, forcing a laugh. 

“You’re okay baby. You’re fine” Lily assured gently. Louis looked up at her, his lip quivering. 

Louis sighed, “I don’t know what I’m gonna do Lil” Louis said, voice choked. “I just…this is..I..” He stopped and after taking a deep breath to gather his words said, “This wasn’t how this was suppose to go.”

The hair on top of Lily’s head moves as she quickly nods her head, “I know…but you good Lou.”

Louis didn’t feel good. He didn’t look good either, he needed to shave his face and trim his hair, shower too. Lily rubbed her thumb across his knuckles and brought it to her mouth to leave light kisses on it. A few more tears escaped Louis’ eyes as he tried to eat, still holding Lily’s hand through the rest of their meal.

Chapter Text

Louis was tipsy off wine when he went to sleep last night. The rays from the sun came through the window and it stirred him awake. He looked around, brain not familiar with the room but familiar with the Orchid and Jasmine perfume scented body behind him. Lily was pressed up against his back and her soft breathing filled the room. 

Oh. Louis could only assume that he drank until he was a giggling mess like usual..probably laughing about the shit show his life had become. Lily probably followed him to bed. Then ended up staying because he started crying again. Louis got up and he dragged his body to the bathroom. Eyes squinting as he turned the light on to get washed up for the day. 

After brushing his teeth, showering, and getting dressed in some jeans and a hoodie. Louis came out of the bathroom to see Lily no longer in bed. Assuming she would be somewhere else in the apartment he walked out into the hallway but stopped once he heard the sound of the other shower running. He was about to walk off until Lily came out in a towel. 

She smiled at him, “Morning.”

“Morning,” He said. 

“I was thinking we could go to a cafe and…” She was refusing to say the quiet part out loud. 

“Look for apartments” Louis finished. 

“Yeah…I don’t know if I want you to leave yet, you’re pretty warm” Lily teased. Louis felt a light heat in his cheeks and shook his head. 

“Come on now, I can’t stay here…be a bother to you” He needed to get a job, get his car moved down here somehow, and find a place to stay. 

“You not bothering me Lou” Lily said. “You stay long as you like.”

Louis gave her a light smile, “Thanks…I’ll go wait downstairs.” Lily nodded before turning and walking back to her room. Louis trudged down the steps and fell into the couch. He looked down at his feet which only had socks on them. Sighing, he got up and made the miserable trip to get them from their resting place in the shoe organizer. 

Once his body hit the couch again he sighed. Doing normal things now shouldn’t be this draining. He slipped his sneakers on and settled back on the couch, nearly laying his head back before thinking about his poor little ‘fro.

“I gotta get this shit together soon.”

“Get what together?”

Louis jumped at the sound of Lily's voice, “Girl, you damn near gave me a heart attack. And I'm talking about my hair. I look like a damn fool.”

Lily sighs before going over to the shoe rack and sliding on her own sneakers. She and Louis nearly had on the same outfit, except her hoodie was bright and cropped.

“You been through a lot,” she starts before sitting next to him, “Don't be too hard on yourself, baby. Promise me you won't. And if you are, come to me. You get like a hermit when you're hurting and I don't want that. I'm here for you.”

Louis stares at her for a minute before attacking her cheek with kisses, “I promise. And you have permission to cuss me out if I start doing that.”

She grins before pulling him into her side and scratching at his scalp, “Okay. As much as I'd love to do this all day, we got places to see. I should've looked at some for you last night when you passed out from the wine.”

“I'm sorry, Lil’. I ain't want you to have to babysit me.”

Lily chuckles, “I didn't. I was tipsy too but I wanted to make sure you were good so I came in to rub you back until you fell asleep. Come on, time to roll.”

Louis stares off after her again before scrambling up at the sound of her calling his name. He watches the city and its people like a tourist as Lily drives them to this cafe that she suggested. Both the inside and outside were decorated to mimic a modern, European cafe you'd see in Paris.

“Bistro Belle? This fancy, ain't it?” Louis asks as he holds the door open for Lily.

She shrugs, “I mean…yeah I guess. But the prices are still good and affordable.”

Louis orders himself a blueberry muffin and chai latte and a chocolate croissant and green tea for Lily.

“The owner must be rolling in it to make this place look this good.”

Before Lily can answer, a man walks through the door. Curly hair gelled back, black suit pressed to perfection, and his head is held high as he walks to the back.

“I think that's him. And by the looks of it, he got money for sure.”

Louis looks over at the door and watches the man walk through, itching to not roll his eyes. The way the man dressed and carried himself reminded him a bit of his ex-husband, which put a bad taste in his mouth.

“Yeah. Seems like the richy‐rich type. Been there. Done that. He is pretty, though.”

Lily giggles before getting up to get their order and settling back in her seat, “Pretty indeed.”

The two sit and converse about life while Lily searches for apartments that let them do same-day tours. The man comes out from the back and begins talking to everyone asking about the food and service.

“You know what you wanna do for work when you get settled?”

Louis sips from his glass, “I'm not sure yet. Maybe I'll put my English degree to use and apply as a professor or high school teacher. What you think?”

“Good plan. The students gon’ love you either way.”

From the corner of his eye Louis could see the assumed business owner move gracefully towards their table “Hello. Are you all enjoying yourselves? Is the food fresh? Drinks okay?”

Louis could pick up on a slight French accent and rolled his eyes, turning away to look at his phone as Lily chatted with the man. He could, however, feel eyes on him.

“Well, the apartment building you are looking at is owned by me. If you have any trouble, call me.”

Louis’ vision was intruded by a business card and he lightly snatched it from its owner and mumbles a quick “Thanks”, drawing a chuckle from the owner as he walks to another table.

“Louis! Why so rude?! His fine ass was definitely feeling you.”

“I don't know what he was feeling ‘cause I ain't even look at him.”

“He might like ‘em feisty.”

Louis looked up at the smirk in Lily’s voice, “Lily…”

“Alright. I'll leave you alone. But, they say the best way to get over a man is to get under a new one.”

“Girl!”

Lily cackled before going back to her croissant and latte.

Once they were finished, Louis and Lily left the cafe and drove to the complex. Lily led them inside and they were met with a blonde haired and handsome leasing agent. He had a bright smile and charm and it made Louis’ stomach turn as the tour began. 

At some point during the tour he assumed his feeling of disgust was showing up on his face because Lily nudged him. He cleared his throat and followed the agent as they were shown one of the bedrooms of the apartment. It was spacious and Louis needed the room. The agent led them to the view of the living room, the washer and dryer, and then the bathroom. 

The agent turned to look at Lily and Louis and then said, “Will you two be living here together?”

“No, just me,” Louis answered simply. 

The agent nodded, “Well how do you feel about it?”

“It’s nice…how much?”

The agent went into detail about the price and it was a decent price. He could imagine living here and…existing. Once the agent finished talking he nodded and told him that he wanted to view some other complexes before making a final decision. Lily hummed in agreement and then they were both led back to the entrance to leave. 

“He was cute,” Lily said as she got behind the wheel. Louis gave a light chuckle before climbing into the passengers side. 

“Yeah?” Louis said, a light smile playing on his lips. Lily starts the car and begins to drive to another complex, a few minutes away from the previous one. This apartment is a bit bigger than the last one and equipped with a walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom, walk-in pantry, and a washer and dryer. The only thing is that it’s too far away from Lily. It’s just outside the hustle and bustle of Boston, but he needs to be close to his best friend.

“What was wrong with that one, Lou? I thought that would be the one you picked.”

“Too far away from you. I’d be at your apartment everyday and not wanting to go back because I’d miss you too much.”

Lily shook her head with a smile, “Sap.”

She made a turn out of the complex and back into the city, going to see their last apartment for the day which just so happened to be the one owned by the beautiful gentleman that owns the cafe.

“What’s the name on that card? We going to his building next. With all that fancy cologne and hair gel, this place better look like something.”

Louis snorted before reaching inside his pocket to fish out the card, “Armand…de Romanus. Fancy.”

The apartment building sat two blocks down from the cafe, so Louis knows it's going to be expensive and hard to get into. The same agent from before leads them inside and up to the eleventh floor and into a spacious two bedroom and two bathroom. It had everything Louis could ask for and enough space to get lost in. The only problem is they’re asking for 3 month’s rent, which Louis has, but he won’t have access to the money his father left him for another month.

“Can’t believe I’mma have to walk away from that. It was perfect. Should’ve asked for that money sooner,” Louis sighed as he slipped into the car.

Lily unbuckled her seatbelt and turned in her seat towards him, gripping his hand in hers, “I know, baby. Maybe we can try and convince the people to give you your money sooner?”

“Nope,” Louis started, “They always take forever with these things.”

Lily frowned as she visibly sees the tension build in his body, “Or…we can call Armand.”

“No.”

“Come on, Lou. You lit up like a kid in a candy store when we were there. This is perfect for you. My future professor needs his beautiful apartment in the sky with the floor to ceiling windows and big kitchen island so he can cook and serve his friends as much as his little heart desires.

“Alright. I'm gon’ call right now.”

Lily then noticed Louis up to his chest to lightly pat at the scars underneath his pecs, “Still itchy?”

Louis shot Lily a glance over and shook his head, “No, that’s been gone. I just tend to pat or run my fingers over them sometimes; force of habit from when I was waiting for them to heal.”

“Ah. Just making sure. I know it’s still kinda new and just wanted to make sure you were good. Now call Mr. Monopoly to get your apartment.”

The phone rang for a minute before that same silky voice from before came through the phone. “Hello?”

Louis looked over at Lily, who has a grin plastered on her face, and is mouthing for him to talk.

“Yes, this is the guy from the cafe earlier. You told me to call if I needed help…”

“Ah. Yes, the scowling beauty that does not take too kindly to me. How may I assist?”

A smirk is heard in Armand’s voice and Lily did her best to try not to laugh at the glare Louis gives the phone, as if the man on the other side can see him.

“Um…I just toured the 2 bed, 2 bath apartment on the 11th floor of your building and I was wondering if…there was some way I could work around the three months rent? I don’t usually do stuff like this, but the money I’m supposed to receive-”

“Done.”

“-Is supposed to com- wait, huh?”

“It’s done. I will handle it and we will be in touch soon, Mr. du Lac. Thank you for your call.”

The phone call ended before Louis could say anything else and he pulled the phone away from his ear, “This man just hung up- wait how he know my damn name?! You told him my name, Lily?”

She reaches over and playfully pinches his arm, “Now why in fresh hell would I tell that strange man your name, Louis? He probably just saw your name on the application you filled out before we left.”

“I’m sure there are plenty of people who filled out the application, Lil’.”

“Or…he saw your number on it. It’s strange, but I’m sure he got his ways of finding shit out.”

Louis pursed his lips, “And this the creepy ass dude you wanted me to get under?”

Lily shrugged as she pressed the push start button, “Creepy dudes got good dick.”

The two made it back to Lily's apartment in a record of thirty-five minutes, a record for after-work traffic. Louis went into his room to shimmy out of his jeans, leaving him in his oversized hoodie, briefs, and socks. He went back into the living room and snuggled into Lily's arms, face buried in her stomach. She gently caressed his cheek before he looked up at her.

“What's wrong, Lou? And don't say nothing, either.”

“Just…I don't know. This whole thing is really just fucking with me. I thought the bulk of the hurt was over, but this shit keeps creeping on me. Sometimes it hurts so much I just wanna roll over and die.”

Lily's face frowned up and she bent to kiss the tear that fell away, “Don't talk like that, Louis. Healing ain't ever been linear. Sometimes you up, and sometimes it feels like the world is against you. But you got people here for you, Lou. Me up here and Jonah and Grace down in New Orleans. You never have to go through this shit by yourself.”

“I know, but I hate feeling like I'm a waste of space in y'all lives. Even when I was still down there going through the divorce, I felt like Jonah and Grace just tolerated me.”

“They told you that?”

“No, bu-”

“Nope,” Lily pressed her finger to Louis’ lips, “Then that means you weren't. Jonah called crying to tell me to make sure I took good care of you because he hated seeing you like that. But, he never tolerated you. It's just…when you hurt, everyone feels it ‘cause we used to you being the person to lean on. But, don't rush that for us.”

“I love you, you know that?”

“Yes, now what you want for lunch?”

Louis placed his chin in his hand as if he was deep in thought, “Can you fry me some chicken?”

“...Louis, I love you, but I ain’t frying no chicken at 3pm.”

“Oh! Let’s get some of that stuff you was eating on facetime with me when I was packing. With the noodles, meat, and leaves in it.”

Lily looked at him for a long while before it clicked, “You mean Pho? Talking about some damn noodles and leaves.”

“Okay, but you knew what I meant.”

Louis pulled out his phone and let Lily type in the restaurant on his phone and place their delivery online, before fighting her on paying for their food (a cheek-splitting grin plastered on his face once he won). The two laid there for another five minutes, yelling at the TV as they watched Love is Blind on Netflix before Louis’ phone rang. Assuming it was the delivery driver, Louis answered it without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello?”

Armand’s voice emitted through the speaker, “Yes, Mr. du Lac. The apartment will be ready for you to move into in two weeks time. Is that alright with you?”

Chapter Text

The pair of friends make their way into yet another furniture store, Lily intertwining their fingers as she pulls Louis around to look at the couches. “Lil’...we done looked at all the couches in the damn city. We ain't finding shit. I'll just get a futon for the time being.”

“Hush,” Lily tuts, “We gon’ find you something. Now, look around and see if you-” She cuts herself off as she spots an emerald green cloud sectional over in the far corner of the store.

“Lou! That's so you! Let's go sit on it.” Louis has no choice but to join her as she pulls their hands over and flops on the couch.  “What you think, Lou Lou? I love it. I think it's perfect.”

He let's her hand go and sits himself on the couch, fingers branching out to feel the material. Louis slips his sneakers off and moves to lay down on the couch, it's size making him feel as if he was about to be swallowed up. “Yeah…this the one. They do holds here, right?”

Lily nods her head excitedly, “Yeah, that’s what they said when I called in the car. Let’s go get your shit so nobody comes in here acting like they want it.”Louis slides his feet in his sneakers before heading up to the associate at the register and placing his order. He still didn’t have the money from his father’s will, so credit it would have to be; and it's another reminder that he needs to get the ball rolling on finding a job so the money didn’t all go to his credit card bill. 

“Alright, got me a couch, a bedroom set, some bar stools, a couple TVs, and a coffee table. Think I’m good for right now. I’ll get the other shit later. You wanna get some lunch? Try that French brunch place you was talking about?”

“Oh Louis,” Lily sighs, “You should know I’m always down for some food.”Lily leads them outside to the car and types the address to the place in her GPS before handing the phone to Louis to play some music.

“Here, Lou. Play something good for us. And not none of that old man shit you like to listen to.”

He looks over at her, eyes squinting, before searching through his music and putting on Hi De Ho Man by Cab Calloway. A cackle falls from his lips once she glares and lightly punches him in the arm before he changes it to his 90s R&B playlist. The restaurant was a nice size with a decent amount of tables and simple, yet minimalistic, decor.

“You know what you want, Lily? On me.”

“Louis…I'm supposed to be treating you until you get your life up here together.”

“Lily,” Louis starts as he looks at her over the menu, “You know papa du Lac would roll over in his grave if I let you do that. Nope. Not having it.”

“Oh boy. I forgot you a Southern gentleman, or do you prefer Southern belle ?”

“Belle. But, I treat the women in my life well. You know that.”

They both settle on a plate of steak and eggs, each, with fries and a pitcher of mimosas.

“I'm so glad you getting your own place and settling into the city. It's gon’ be good for you.”

Louis laughs around the rim of his glass before taking a sip, “Tryna get rid of me, huh? I thought you were supposed to be treating me.” He gives her a cheesy smile as she waves him off just as the waiter sets their food down on the table.

“We should celebrate tonight, Lou. Get dressed up and go out on the town. Maybe find you a new boo.”

“One: no new boo. Had enough of men for the next five years. Two: I ain't got no clothes for ‘going out’. I threw all that shit away when I got married.”

Lily munches on a few fries and shakes her head, “Damn. You were such a good husband to that dumbass. We can get you some new clothes. Come on, Lou. Please? For me?”

His lips were pressed together in a fine line as looked at Lily’s pleading eyes. Finally he gave in and said, “Fine. But take me somewhere, I don’t know where to look.”

“You got it!” Lily said with a smile before she stuffed a few more fries in her mouth. Louis cuts a piece of his steak and raises it to his lips. “I think ol’ boy should lower the rent for you.”

Louis chuckled, “That would be great…I don’t think that would be fair to the other tenants though.”

Lily shrugs, “You should still ask” Louis watched as she took a sip of her mimosa. There was this feeling in his gut that he couldn’t ignore. It was the idea that perhaps Armand might be interested in him. They had just met, it was too soon, and it was foolish to think. 

The two of them had finished their dinner and Louis paid for it as he said he would. They left with Louis feeling a little tipsy from the mimosa. He was grinning like an idiot as they walked back to the car. “Wanna go shopping next?”

Louis hummed and then said, “Yeah. Where you thinking of going?”

As Lily started up the car she said“There’s this place called ‘Everlane’ in Salem. They got all kinds of things in there.” The car began to move as Louis reclined into the seat, feeling buzzed. Lily turned on the radio at a medium volume as she drove down the road. It was when they came to a red light that Louis felt a need to speak. 

“You know…” He started, “I was an idiot to think it would only be me.”

Lily’s eyebrows furrowed and she looked over at him, “What?”

“I’d see the way he looked at others. I’d see the way he couldn’t look away sometimes…” Louis found himself giggling suddenly, “But you’d think a bitch with a flat ass would be the last thing he would look at!”  Lily bit her bottom lip, unsure of what to say. She grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Louis smiled at her hand as he rubbed his thumb across the smooth back of it. “You know…he couldn’t get it up for a while…I should have known then” he began to laugh again.

A car behind them blows their horn and it makes Lily jolt. She begins to drive again, still holding Louis’ hand. The ride was silent until they made it to the boutique. Lily pushes the door open, Louis following behind her, and leads them inside to look around at the clothing.

“Lily…”

“Yeah, Lou?”

“I think we in the wrong store. Ain't nothing but fishnet, mesh, and leather in here.”

“Don't be dramatic. They have other stuff in here, but you should get some freakum clothes anyway.”

Louis huffs before shifting through racks of clothes. A long sleeve mesh crop and black, stacked leather pants end up on his arm as he searches for more. Lily comes back around twenty minutes in with a similar outfit. 

“Oh…guess great minds do think alike. I like your pants better, but I think my shirt would look good on you. Let's go try this on.”

The man follows behind his friend like a lost puppy to the back and is shoved inside with the clothes. He was afraid for the pants, but they went up much smoother than he could have imagined. The shirt Lily picked out was a little less see-through, gladly, and shows his slender waist and willowy shoulders. 

“Here, Lou. Put these one with it.”

A pair of black, leather boots slide under the door and he shakes his head before slipping his feet into them. He hates to admit it, but he looks damn good.

“So,” Louis starts as he steps out of the door, “What you think?”

Like states at him in awe, “My, my, my…” she raises his arm to spin him before giving him a tap on the ass, “You look good, Louis. Damn.”

Heat rises from his neck to his cheeks as her eyes follow his figure. It's been so damn long since someone has told him that he looks good or beautiful, and being with a cheater who gets with people whose looks are inferior to yours does not help. 

“Thanks, Lil’. You getting something, too?”

“Oh no. I got hoochie clothes at home.”

Louis falls asleep in the car, his fingers curled softly around Lily's and fresh tear stains on his cheek from a sudden anxiety attack over his situation. It's been building up for a while now, but he's just been ignoring it and it just so happened that everything came to a head in the store. Luckily, Lily was right there every step of the way. He wakes to her gently shaking him awake and he hops out of the car to grab the bags, letting her lead the way up to the apartment.

“You good, now? We don't have to go out if you don't want.”

Louis sets the bags by the couch and shrugs before flopping on it, “Yeah, I'm good. And I wanna go. Tired of letting his ass ruin shit for me.”

Lily slips out of her shoes and slides in beside him to lay her head on his chest, “Good. That bitch doesn't deserve your worry. Now let's nap so we can be well rested for later.” Once they were inside the apartment they sorted out which bag of items belonged to one another. After that Louis switched out his clothes with some little shorts and a white tank top and then laid down. 

Armand clicked on an email that consisted of a contract he would definitely be sending to his attorney. Yet, the urge to glance over it tempted him until he gave in. It was a PDF of 300 pages of the requirements needed when it came to purchasing a complex. 

As he scrolled, he couldn’t keep his mind off of the beauty he had seen at his coffee shop and sold the apartment to. Louis De Pointe Du Lac, a gorgeous name with a gorgeous face to match. Armand huffed as he tried to stay focused on this contract so that his attorney didn’t have to waste time explaining the explicit. 

Louis was beautiful though. He was ethereal and Armand wanted to see him more often. As he continued to scroll, he thankfully reached the bottom of the page. He reclined back in his chair and sighed. He needed a break so he made up his mind to go out tonight. 

After Louis woke up, his ears picked up the sound of music playing from a speaker in Lily’s room. He sat up and blinked a few times before he grabbed his phone and looked at the time. It was almost ten and his stomach was growling. He got up and walked to Lily’s room and opened the door. She had on a purple crop with black shorts that had diamond chains hanging from the pocket. Her jewelry consisted of golden hoops and golden armlets to match. She was sitting on the edge of the bed and looked up when he was standing in front of her. 

“Good Evening, you enjoy your nap?” The music shut off.

Louis nodded, “What club we going to by the way?”

“Silver Spur. It’s really nice I heard” Lily says. “You know what you finna wear? The outfit we bought earlier, right?” Once Louis shrugged his shoulders and shook his head Lily was hopping off the bed and leading him back to his room. 

Lily dug around in the bag she hid in the closet when he was asleep, ignoring the questioning look on her best friend's face, for an outfit. She pulled out a fitted, black, mesh tank with black cargo pants that had diamond chains dangling from the back pockets. “Ooh, we can be twinsies or something!” Lily said. She handed the clothes to Louis, “Put this on, your ass will look real good in the pants and this outfit ain’t as hot as the other one we picked out.”

Louis took the clothes and then went into the bathroom. He slipped off the clothes that he napped in and got dressed slowly. As he looked in the mirror he couldn’t help but accept the fact that everything looked right. The crop sat perfectly on him and the cargo pants hugged his ass perfectly. He couldn’t help but smile at himself as he turned to view himself from different angles. 

“Louis?!” Lily called from outside the door. He must have lost track of time and felt his cheeks get hot. He moved to open the door and watched the growing smile on Lily’s face as she examined his outfit.

“You look so pretty Lou, oh my goodness!” Lily said.  The two were walking outside after they decided on what shoes to wear. The shoes she picked made her stand an inch above Louis and she kissed his forehead playfully. Lily started the car once Louis put his seatbelt on and then the car was driving down the road. Once they came to a red light, Lily turned on some music. The song that played was “Plan B” By Megan Thee Stallion. Louis couldn’t help but giggle and then started singing along to the lyrics with Lily.  They arrived at the club and stood in line outside until they were let in. Music was loud, lights were flashing, bodies moving to the rhythm, and the smell of alcohol was rampant. Louis hasn’t been inside a club since he was twenty three years old. He felt Lily grab his hand and lead him towards the bar and he watched as she ordered them shots. Lily grabbed the small glass with a smile on her face but Louis was a little nervous. 

“What’s up?!” Lily asked over the music. She must have noticed how nervous he was. 

“I just…haven’t done shots like this in a while” Louis confessed. Lily squeezed his hand lightly. 

“You’re good…I got you” She said with a soft smile. Louis felt a warmth sprout within his chest and smiled over at his best friend and tossed his head back along with the glass, failing miserably at hiding the face he made. He hears Lily giggle before she’s tapping him vigorously, making him look over at her with a deep frown.

“What, girl?”

Lily points over to the other side of the club, “Your man is watching you.”

Louis’ eyes follow her finger and land on Armand, dressed in a black turtleneck and black trousers from what he could see. He could have sworn the man could see straight through to his soul with the way his eyes pierced his own. Lily nudges Louis in the man’s direction, urging him forward.

“I think you should go thank him for his service, Lou. He pulled some heavy strings.”

“For his service? Why’d you say it like that? He eyes her suspiciously at the sexual undertone dripping off of her tongue.

“Just go.”

Louis adjusts his top and makes his way over to Armand, a slight sway in his hips that didn’t go unnoticed by the latter, and watches the man rise to his feet. His breath is caught in his throat a bit, but the nerves fall off the longer he speaks.

“I just want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, wouldn’t know what I’d do without this approval. I promise, I’ll be a good tenant, you ain’t gotta worry about me.”

He watches Armand watch him, deep in thought, before he lifts his hand to press a kiss to the back of it, “No need to thank me, Louis. Though if you wanted to, I’d like a dance in return for my favor.”

Just then, “I’m Still in Love With You” by Sean Paul blasts through the speakers and Louis cannot miss the opportunity to dance to one of his favorite songs.

“Just this one dance.”