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perfeggso · 4 years

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Noir (yutae)

Week I pt. 1

Tokyo – fall of 1983: Nakamoto Yuta is quickly rising in the ranks of one of Japan’s most notorious yakuza families, and he’s poised to climb even further if he can stop himself from being ruined by the pretty Korean boy who’s shown up out of nowhere.

Glossary of Japanese words

Characters: Yuta x Taeyong + NCT ensemble, Twice J-line (for funsies)

Genres: Gang!AU, angst, smut, fluff, 1980s!AU

Warnings: graphic violence, swearing, minor character death, alcohol use, mentions of drugs, period-typical homophobia, xenophobia, BDSM

Rating: 18+

Length: 1.7k (will progressively get way longer)

Yuta was easily recognizable. He was of about average stature, but that was the first and last thing about him that could be described as “average.” Yuta reckoned that anyone living or working in the areas in and around Ueno Park and Akihabara could describe him to the police if they felt like it, but they all knew better, didn’t they? He had a striking face, which others often remarked could have landed him in an idol group in another life. He kept his hair in an undercut which swept over his head suggesting ever so faintly the shape of a mullet, but he would never call it that. Mullets were for Mötley Crüe, not for men of taste. Although he kept the bottom of the haircut in its original black, the long part was died white – an aesthetic choice that Yuta not only liked but which also made him feel nearly invincible in its destruction of his anonymity.

Yuta was freshly 24, a prodigy of sorts in his own world of the Inagawa-kai family, where he had been promoted to Shategashira lieutenant last year and was now the commander of a small gaijin and zainichi unit operating in Shitamachi. There was gossip that his position was due only to his relationship with Oyabun Hirai Goro’s daughter, but he knew better than that which was all that mattered.

It was late October and a crisp evening as Yuta weaved his way down Chūō Avenue. He drew plenty of looks: of fearful recognition but also of admiration from certain young women. Not one for subtlety, he wore a double-breasted dark blue snakeskin suit and a jumble of rings and piercings. A scar transversing his right eyebrow and the tendrils of tattoos reaching out from his sleeves and collar confirmed his connection to the underworld for anyone who saw him, but that was alright if it gave Yuta some space to walk in the crowd.

He took a right into an arcade where Mark was sitting absently behind a yellow desk and flipping through the pages of the latest Young Magazine installment of Akira . When he saw Yuta, he immediately straightened to attention.

“Good evening Shategashira!”

“At ease,” Yuta said casually, “how’s business today?”

Mark went back to slouching over his comic and shrugged as Yuta surveyed the room.

“Average,” hazarded Mark, “I’ve been hearing the machines in back pretty consistently my whole shift and Jungwoo’s still somewhere fixing shit and trying to get people to buy computers.”

Yuta rapped his knuckles against the desk. “Having any luck?”

Mark shrugged again. “Why don’t you ask him?”

Yuta withdrew from the desk with a performative huff and straightened his jacket. Sometimes he wondered if he should be less familiar with his subordinates, but he couldn’t imagine acting strict like some other lieutenants; he liked most of his men too much to be anything but personable. So as usual, Mark’s cautious sass went unacknowledged.

Yuta made his way to the back of the low-ceilinged white room. The walls were lined with cubbies full of manga, tech and porn magazines, and cassettes; string lights; mirrors; Nintendo arcade games; and in the center of the space, you could peruse tables of PC’s in various states of disuse alongside Mazinger Z figurines. Jungwoo had stationed himself in the middle of the clutter, fiddling with the hard drive of an ’82 Apple.

“Jungwoo!”

“Shategashira!”

“At ease.”

“This just came today!” remarked Jungwoo, referring to the computer. “The computing power on this thing is off the charts! A shame I have to fuck with it.”

“A necessary sacrifice,” said Yuta, not giving a damn about the technical side of this business since he couldn’t begin to understand it. “How many have you sold?”

“Seven today,” said Jungwoo, sinking into a chair with his whole weight and pushing at his cuticles with the end of a screwdriver, “so that’s 225,000 yen, give or take. I can get the books if you want.”

Yuta smiled, catlike. “No, that’s alright. Good work. Although I’m confident you can do better still.”

Jungwoo stood again sharply. “I assure you I can, Shategashira !”

“Good.”

In reality this was not a bad amount of revenue for the day so far. The Inagawa-kai paid the property and business taxes on the building to shore up favor with the local government but didn’t technically own it. The real owners covered all other expenses and utilities, meaning the Inagawa people ultimately could keep more of their profits than the average business owners, and this setup wouldn’t change because the landlords knew the local precinct had Inagawa’s back and that Yuta – or if not him, someone else – would not hesitate to pull a katana on them if they suddenly took issue with the arrangement.

No, thought Yuta, this is good. Jungwoo was selling near his quota, and with the viruses he had installed, many of the unsuspecting customers would eventually be bringing their devices back for costly repairs.

Yuta looked at the unassuming door behind Jungwoo.

“Johnny in there?” he asked.

Jungwoo nodded curtly in response and Yuta passed him to open the door, stepping into the windowless back room. Smoke hit Yuta instantly, warming his lungs along with the stinging scent of hard liquor. The room may have been devoid of natural light, but it did have plenty of colorful artificial illumination: a wall of well-populated pachinko machines making brassy noises so loud Yuta could have sworn they were coming from inside his skull. Each machine was a hypnotizing box of glowing neon, flashing lightbulbs, and shiny silver balls clacking in a perverse rhythm with the players’ chorus of disappointed groans and victorious whoops. The men at the pachinko machines were all around middle age, smoking their heads off and depressing the shit out of Yuta.

Yuta swept his gaze over the rest of the room; the weathered purple booths on the other wall, the checkerboard tile on the floor, the mildewy walls; until he landed on Johnny. He was in the bar in the back, under a dusty glass chandelier, smoking with a young woman seemingly attached to the front of his mahogany suit.

Johnny didn’t notice Yuta until he was a few paces away, and Yuta sensed a flicker of disappointment on Johnny’s face when he did look up, although Yuta couldn’t reproach him for that and he did well to hide it.

“Ah, Shategashira ,” Johnny greeted languidly, and Yuta acknowledged him back with a nod of his head. Johnny was a few months older than Yuta, so he could afford to be more casual with his superior. The only reason Johnny didn’t have Yuta’s position was that he indulged too much in life’s vices and wanted to keep it that way.

“Can we speak somewhere a bit quieter?” Yuta asked, and Johnny nodded, whispering something to his companion before leading Yuta out the back doorway into an alley. Yuta breathed the crisp autumn air in once outside, a relief from the stuffiness of the pachinko bar. Yuta reached into his pocket and pulled out a box of cigarettes and a lighter, smoking to match Johnny and giving Johnny time to get situated next to him against the wall. Yuta had to look up to speak since Johnny was a good bit taller than him and when he did, Johnny’s face was sharper than usual in the shadows of twilight. Yuta took a long drag of his cigarette.

“So,” said Johnny, “you know when yet?”

“A month and a half from today,” said Yuta, “gives us enough time to finish preparing, I think.”

Johnny nodded, grinding the burnt-out end of his cigarette into the brick behind him. “Good. Can you relay the details? What do I need to do?”

“You and I and the other Sokaiya members will be going into the Mitsubishi executive offices with the goal of getting 130,000,000 yen and the right to ship arms and drugs to our Triad allies in Hong Kong disguised alongside the company’s car and electronics exports.”

“Goro’s getting ambitious, huh?” Johnny figured aloud.

“Yes,” Yuta answered, “in return we’re offering our own men as indefinite security details for commerce in the South China Sea and for members of the executive board, personally.”

“Mercenaries and bodyguards, I see.”

“You could call it that.” Yuta took another drag of his cigarette and let the smoke escape his mouth in a meandering cloud. Once it dissipated, he said, “but as to your role, you’re in charge of gathering information on Sato Kenichi. He runs Mitsubishi’s finances and although we’ve found ample evidence to use against the CEO and I’m still working on some leads for the VP – Miyazaki is his name – we need dirt on as many of the higher ups as possible. They can’t refuse us or we’re dead.”

Johnny nodded, lighting himself another cigarette. “Sato Kenichi. Understood. Any leads on the guy?”

“Yes, I have them here.” Yuta pulled a small sealed folder out of the interior of his jacket and handed it to Johnny, who slipped it into one of his inner pockets without opening it.

“Thank you, Shategashira .”

“Just do a good job,” said Yuta, adding, “please.” Then he dropped his cigarette to the asphalt and ground it out with the heel of his boot. “We have almost enough stock to make the shareholder’s meeting so that shouldn’t be a problem. Also, the Triads are sending a group of emissaries to advise us on their priorities and join us at the meeting. They should be here in a few weeks or so. That is all. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go meet the princess for our joint birthday dinner. We decided to combine this year.”

Yuta and Johnny pushed themselves off the wall and exchanged conspiratorial smiles.

“Tell her I said omedetou ,” said Johnny, backing away to return to his post at the dingy Pachinko bar, pulling the packet on Sato Kenichi out of his pocket and passing it between his hands. “I can’t wait to see what this Sato-san gets up to in his spare time. These executive types are all extortionists and perverts. And they call us the criminals.”

Yuta chuckled to himself. It was ironic, wasn’t it? He saluted Johnny and turned on his heel with a “work hard, please,” and that was that. The sun was setting, hot pink. He’d be late to meet Momo if he didn’t hurry, but this was important business after all. A month and a half. What could possibly go wrong in such a short time?

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5hfanfiction · 7 years

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Hold On To Me (LOUREN One-Shot)

OS based on this text post I saw please: ‘Does somebody wanna be fake engaged to me for like 2 hours to try free wedding cake samples’

“Does somebody wanna be fake engaged to me for like 2 hours to try free wedding cake samples?!”

“Louis! Stop yelling. I’m trying to finish my essay.”

“That is so not the answer to my question,” sasses the boy with the striped T-shirt and red pants.

Lauren huffs as she speeds type on her laptop. Sitting pretty much relaxed in her black graphic tee and jeans-covered legs. Her entirety occupying the whole couch. It is another chilling day on a Friday afternoon but of course, there is always someone or one moron rather, who finds it satisfying to disturb her peace.

“Yoo-hoo! Hey! Hey, you down there!” Louis keeps pointing to her even though she blatantly ignores him. “Yes, you! Typing like bat-shit crazy! The one with bed head hair!”

That last comment definitely catches her attention and she ceases punching her fingertips on the keyboard. He grins triumphantly when the brunette eventually lands a hard stare on him.

Arms across her chest, she raises her eyebrow unimpressed. “Really?”

“What?” Louis feigns clueless.

“There’s no one here to entertain your childish antics, Louis. Seriously. And get off the coffee table!”

“Well, you’re somebody here,” Louis pouts and looks down at his plain socks. “Oh, look at that! I’m not even wearing shoes!”

Smiling to himself as he wiggles his toes through the holes. Lauren sighs, putting away her laptop. “What were you screaming about anyways moron?”

“Aww! Come on, didn’t you hear me?”

He cups his hands over his mouth and obnoxiously shouts. “Is anyone here smart and lucky enough to be my fake fiancée for like 2 hours tomorrow and try free wedding cake samples?”

Once again, Louis stretches his signature evil smirk at the annoyed Lauren. He could have sworn her eyeballs rolled upwards just like the emoji. If his words could not register, he hasn’t got a clue how to make her listen anymore.

Meanwhile, the poor lass is still covering her ears. Listening to his hysterical voice has never been as irritating as today. She cannot even remember what she just heard.

Now standing with hands on her hips, she frowns at his aloof smile.

“Louis William Tomlinson! You get down here this instance before I come up and drag you down by your ears!”

Raising his hands in surrender, he jumps down and towers over her.

Moving closer to her, he starts singing, “Nobody can drag me down!” Inching closer and snapping his fingers, he repeats, “Nobody! Nobody!”

As soon as he finishes singing, he makes a cross-eyed face to her and that’s when she loses it.

Lauren grabs Louis by his left ear and pulls him towards the kitchen. Ignoring his protest with every step they take, she lets him go once they’re there.

With a frown marring his childlike features, he rubs his unfortunate red ear. “Why are we in the kitchen? I’m not hungry.” He comments, confused.

Lauren shrugs. “I’m making sure you wet the towel before wiping the coffee table. Also, I want to remind you not to forget the sanitising spray this time. It serves a purpose called eliminating Tomlinson’s stink off the table.”

Louis flinches. “Pfft! Give me some credit, woman. I so know how to clean a house!”

She is about to argue back when he rests his hands on the wall on either side of her head. His abrupt approach causes her to lean back. The gap between them shortens drastically. Since being playful didn’t make her say yes to him, perhaps she can fall for his method of seduction.

The British accent drips from his mouth. “My dear Peaches. You didn’t answer my question.”

“What question?” Lauren does not hold back from a scowl. “If that’s what you call a proposal, only a grandmama will go with you.”

Louis instantly wails. “I’ve never been insulted like this before! I’m just gonna hide right here.”

She inevitably bursts into laughter when he hits his head on her shoulder, concealing embarrassment. Still chuckling, she deliberately pecks his temple. “Honestly Lou. Why can’t you go bother someone else asking her instead?”

Louis gasps loudly and covers his mouth in mock horror. “Honestly, Lolo that is not how you talk to your Prince Charming! And you know I can’t do that.” He moves away from Lauren and opens the fridge, enjoying the cool air on him. “I don’t want to brag but without a doubt, the girls will be all over me!”

She rolls her eyes while he continues blabbering. “So instead of this charming fabuLouis breaking their hearts by asking them, he decides to choose his one and only.”

“Wow, who can that be?” She questions with sarcasm.

“If I choose someone else, I’ll be breaking your heart. And we all know you’ll constantly be green with envy. Pun intended.”

“Sure whatever you say, my little heartbreaker,” she pats his cheek before walking away but he blocks her. Leaning against the counter, he crosses his arms against his chest. She mimics his posture.

“Stop playing coy darling! I know you want to be my fake fiancée.” Louis waggles his eyebrows. “Don’t blame me if you can’t see that we are indeed a great couple! Blame your glasses…or eyes.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my eyes.”

“It’s too green,” he states and as soon as Lauren frowns and opens her mouth to argue, he continues, “and sometimes it’s trying to imitate my brilliant blue ba…orbs.”

“You’re talking absolutely no logic. Maybe just maybe you’re green about my green eyes. Cause it changes colour unlike yours.”

“Now look who’s the immature one. The point is you don’t see that we’re the OTP in college,” he smirks and puffs out his chest.

“Oh Louis, I do see it now.”

“Wait, what?” Louis asks, puzzled “You do?”

“Yeah. I see how much you hopelessly want me to go with you.”

Lauren closes her eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply for theatrical effect before she speaks slowly. “And I also see your changing smirk when I tell you yes.”

As expected, he starts to smile.

“It’s a yes that I won’t go with you.”

Persistent as always, he tugs her wrist gently to pull her against his warm body.

“Listen, let’s make a deal, yeah?” Louis offers, seeing how he has no other choice. “If you do this, I’ll plead with Steve to have you in my group for our final assessment.”

Lauren jerks her head at him, face astounded, “Lou, what are you trying to say?”

This is a great deal Lauren is well aware. Louis happens to be one of the few chosen leaders for their Music Major. It’s crucial to have a strong group for their final project. They are each expected to produce an EP after all.

He exhales before fixing his stare on her, “I’m saying that I am willing to have you on my team instead of Perrie.”

“Goat girl?” She tries hard not to snicker when noticing him visibly swallowing his pride like literally. “But that’s huge though! Do you realise the risk you could be taking? Besides, are you trying to start a catfight by separating Jade and…”

“I thought you would like to team up with Jade and Thomas?”

“True but…”

“Don’t tell me you want DJ on board. I don’t want to deal with your Manibear being Mama Bear. I’ll pick Ally for you if she’s…”

“Pez vocals are off the charts! You could have high scores for your team!”

“But I’m in love with your voice there’s a difference!”

“Yet I wasn’t your first choice. I’m not a rebound Louis!” She folds her arms and glares at him.

Sighing and gaze landing elsewhere but hers, “I know and I’m sorry you feel that way. It’s strategical but selfish of me to put your feelings aside.”

Louis takes her hands in his. “You know I could finalise my team by next week right? Give me a chance Lo. I was insecure about myself and my voice,” he trails off sounding softer with every word.

He looks away but she cups his chin instead, “I love your voice Louis and I know you’ll make it better than fine. I have faith in you. I wish you would too.”

Silence fills the air. “What if you didn’t stick to your bargain because of your unwise brash decision?”

He scoffs, “Ironic much? You just said you have faith in me.”

“That I do but seeing how you would put your name in jeopardy by not having the best female vocalist in our class, now that intrigues me.”

Noticing that he prefers to stay mute, she eggs on, “Yep you’re really desperate and I wonder why. Won’t you enlighten me Loubear?”

He groans at her glorious smile. She pulls his shirt lightly before leaning in. Her grin widens when he gulps uneasily.

***

*Flashback: Earlier, that Friday morning…*

Louis hastened his steps while ferociously typing on his phone. He was running late but was eager to get his usual breakfast. He mentally cursed himself for engaging Lauren whose messages were nothing but lecturing him, as usual.

Yep, nothing new he thought as he typed another message.

What was new then, however, was when someone collided into Louis once he was inside the bakery.

“My apologies, I…Louis?”

His body cringed as he heard a low voice in a British accent that is almost too familiar.

Louis dreaded every second of lifting his gaze to meet the owner of that haunting voice. His blue eyes bore into confused light green ones. He realised the softening countenance of the boy with curls and quickly hardened his expression.

“Watch where you’re going you blundering baboon!” Louis spat in rage.

Frowning, the boy mirrored Louis’s scowl. “Nice knowing you haven’t changed.”

“Woah aren’t you glad we’re not together anymore ey Harry?”

“Very much indeed,” Harry shifted his gaze downwards before staring into the blue orbs again. “And you should watch where you’re stepping on.”

Louis hesitantly looked down and picked up a brochure underneath his sneaker. He scanned through it and scoffed. So it was true then he thought. All week he heard rumours going around college about the wealthy junior being engaged. He always brushed it off not wanting to believe it.

“Wedding Cake Exhibition? Whom are you getting married too? Yourself?” He chuckled at his own sarcasm, eyes shut and arms hugged his midriff.

“Laugh all you want Louis. I’m not letting you step on my happiness. Figuratively or literally.”

Louis was still in fits of laughter.

“You may be holding onto my future in your hands, literally but there’s no stopping me.”

“Really? Are you saying words like literally now? Clearly, she’s rubbing off on you. I won’t even say she’s rubbing off you figuratively or literally. Oh wait, I already did!”

Harry balled his fist on Louis’s tee and glared. “You leave her out of this! She’s not like anyone I’ve dated. She’s not that kind of girl!”

Louis swatted Harry’s hands away and sneered.

“Such a shame that you wouldn’t take me seriously, Louis. I’d probably invite you to our engagement party but your lonely self could ruin the ambience.”

“Excuse me, playboy,” Louis raised a brow. “What makes you think I’m alone when I’m not? I’m very much engaged thanks for assuming without asking.”

Harry snorted. “Seriously? Well, surely, I feel sorry for whoever she is.”

“Rest assured, she’s happy with me,” Louis growls as he paces closer. “Unlike yours whom only feels obliged to be with you!”

“Stop telling fibs Louis, don’t you ever learn?”

“Coming from someone who’s choosing wedding cakes like some excited forty-year-old woman!”

“Look, Louis,” Harry gritted his teeth. “I haven’t got time to play with you.”

The junior was about to turn away when funny enough he realised his body was not ready to leave the senior. What was more surprising was that Louis was not moving either.

Harry could not help but smirk. “My fiancée can’t stop talking about this exhibition.”

“Excuse me, did I ask?” Louis flamboyantly snaps.

“Aren’t your fiancée excited for this kinda stuff?” Harry lengthened his smirk. “Unless… she’s not even real.”

Louis twitched his eyes and fumed. “She’s real, Sherlock! I’m not like you who enjoys telling everyone he bumps into that he has a freaking fiancée! Of course, you don’t hear me walking around the school telling the whole campus I’m already engaged. And no, I don’t need some stupid fancy party to prove that I’m engaged already.”

Harry’s poker face annoyed Louis but before he could comment, Harry remarked. “Are you done, Louis? Are you going to predictably tell me when you have a fiancée?”

“Yeah! My fiancée and I are going strong and long, far longer than yours!”

“You don’t even know when I’ve proposed.”

“No! But it doesn’t matter because I proposed first before you do!”

“I’m not listening to this anymore,” Harry initiated the move to leave the conversation.

Louis, however, was not giving up. “Hey! Don’t you dare walk away from me! I’ll show you how gorgeous my fiancée really is! She’s gonna put your girl to shame! And you’ll be bawling your eyes out at how beautiful we are and you wish you could be us instead!”

The pacing lad eventually stopped his stride and smirked over his shoulder.

“We’ll see you tomorrow at the Wedding Cake Exhibition then, with your make believe fiancée. Don’t chicken out on me,” Harry held back a chuckle before walking away.

Louis managed to shout just as the junior was stepping out, “I’ll be there tomorrow you arse! And she’s real, stupid boy with curls!”

As the clinking bell marked Harry’s exit from the store and out of sight, Louis huffed and folded his arms across his chest once more. It was going to be a long day, he thought to himself.

*End of flashback.*

***

For how long Lauren has been waving her hands in front of Louis, he does not know. He does know however that his nips will bruise due to her pinching.

“Ow! Lolo!” Louis swats her hands away, scolding her in the process. “That really hurt! What is wrong with you?”

“Like fucking finally! I’ve been trying to get you back to the real world! You should be thanking me for saving you from your dreaded La-la Land!”

“Why bother? You’re pinching me into entering Lolo Land!” He tries to soothe his poor aching chest by doing circular motions on the affected area.

“Do not sass me Loubear! You’ve been zoned out for Lord knows how long when you’re supposed to be telling me why you insist on going to that exhibition.”

“Right…” Louis slowly drags on purpose. He looks elsewhere while whistling out a tune to his previous song, completely disregarding Lauren whose hands placed firmly on her hips while she taps her feet impatiently.

“Are you telling me or not?” Lauren asks, more fiercely now.

“It’s just for two hours Lo,” Louis tries to evade the question. “Besides, you can sample free wedding cakes! It’s only for engaged couples, though. Here’s the info.”

Louis hands her the brochure he retrieves from his back pocket. Lauren scrunches her nose.

“Lou you really need to wash your shoes,” she mentions his footprint on the front. While flipping the page, she asks, “Why are you so eager anyways? Did they offer you carrot cake?”

“Is that a trick question? They have Sherbet mind you.”

“Dang Louis, anyone could just pretend to be engaged just to taste wedding cakes.”

“Right? That’s what I was proposing we do!”

The longer she remains quiet browsing through the brochure, the more nervous he gets. He tries to convince her by attempting to lure her in by mentioning a topic he knows would distract her.

“Think about our group Lauren. It’s a good deal on my part and yours. You help me, I help you. Sounds good? So, what do you say, fiancée?”

“Why do I even put up with you?”

“Because I’m the Lou to your Lo,” he grins adorably.

Rolling her eyes, “And I put the Lo in your Lou. There, I won the argument. You still trying to be all smooth now?”

He raises his hands in surrender, “Not gonna argue with you, my Peaches Baby.”

She fails to hide the rosy colour of her cheeks at his charms. He decides to not tease her about it and let it slide this time, for now.

“How did I do? Well enough to be your fiancé?”

He lifts her chin so that their gaze meet before he caresses her jawline. Both withholding shy smiles as they admire the emotion behind their irises. “Hold on darling…you are actually beaming, so I’ll take that as a yes!”

“Well, are you sure you aren’t forgetting something?” Lauren wiggles the finger on her left hand.

“Oh-oh!”

***

*The next day, Saturday morning*

The sweet-scented brunette saunters to the dining area. Surprised is an understatement as her jaw hangs mid-air. The breakfast is their usual meal but the set-up is pleasing. Louis is standing idly by the dining table. His hair is styled in her favourite hairdo. Smartly groomed in a blue tux, with knee length tight pants.

Lauren nearly loses control when she notices heart shaped candles on the dining table. Although it belongs to her, he happily lit it without consent. Hiding away her irkness, she gazes on the approaching lad who gently places her hand on his arm. She instantly blushes by the gesture as he guides her to the chair.

Once seated, he grins shyly. They look at each other for a moment, admiring each other’s presence while silence fills the air.

“A noteworthy person like you deserves nothing but the best,” Louis resumes his ever-praising speech, intending to scald her cheeks hot red. “I can never describe the way I feel when I’m with you, Amor my love.”

Amused that his cute princess looks so lost and not knowing how to react, Louis comments further. “If you redden anymore I’ll be sure to call you tomato my dear Lolo carrot.”

Lauren bursts into giggles, the kind that is childlike and totally adorable.

“Ah, that’s the sound I’ve been waiting to hear,” Louis says, wiggling his eyebrows repeatedly.

“Louis!” Lauren ducks her head to conceal the heat that is burning her cheeks. “Stop…” she drags in a baby voice.

“I want to do this properly Lolo. So allow me,” He takes out the black box from the pocket of his navy blazer and kneels on his left knee.

She gasps and covers her mouth with both hands.

Their eyes connect once more, oozing with tender affections.

“So what do you say peaches? Will you willingly be my lovely, beloved fiancée? And till…sleep, do us part?”

He opens the box to reveal the delightful jewellery, grinning from ear to ear. “What do you say ey…um…tomato?”

Louis senses the swift change of expression and gulps in anticipation.

“Oh, Louis I can assure you that my cheeks are heating up right now and not for the same reason as before,” Lauren answers keeping her calm, oddly enough.

“Is it the colour? I pick green to match your irises! Do you want blue to match mine instead?”

“SERIOUSLY LOUIS?”

“Yes Lauren, seriously,” Louis looks and answers innocently.

“RING POP? A FREAKING RING POP?” She yells in his face.

“What? I thought you love Ring Pops.”

“THEN WHERE IS THE FUCKING CANDY?”

The blue-eyed lad has the nerves to take a good three seconds peering inside the black box. Looking back at Lauren, Louis chuckles.

He leans forward for a kiss. “Eager aren’t you?”

Jabbing a finger on his chest, “Louis William Tomlinson! You have the cheek to eat the damn candy! How dare you! How freaking dare you eat a candy from a girl! I could really cry right now!”

She hides behind her hands. He quickly gets up in panic upon seeing her so upset. Footsteps are heard as she peeks through her fingers. He retrieves a larger box from a nearby drawer. Kneeling in front of her again, he gladly unveils the contents that almost takes her breath away. Rows of multi-coloured packets of Ring Pops candies occupy the yellow box.

“Oh-oh, waterworks are coming,” Louis smirks.

“It’s not…I’m not…” She huffs, avoiding eye contact. “It’s just dust. SMH.”

“Yes and I’m currently peeling onions. SMH.”

Lauren giggles wiping the tears resting in her eyes.

Louis ends up sitting cross-legged on the floor, one hand holding the box while the other hooks under his chin. “Peaches, you’re touched aren’t ya? I make you cry and smile at the same time. Now that’s what you call pure talent. Don’t doubt me anymore, love.”

She shoves his shoulder lightly. “Heartbreaker.”

Her one-word response tickles him. He cackles, “Only breaking others hearts to be with you.”

That rendered her speechless. She beams with an obvious blush colouring her pale tone.

“Why didn’t you present me with a proper Ring Pop in the first place, Loubear?” Lauren manages to pout. “Did you even wash the ring you presented? I don’t want to be touching anything with your saliva attached.”

“I’ve cleaned it, Peaches, rest assured. Besides, I so know you,” he smirks cheekily. “If I present you with a Ring Pop with the candy, you’re going to suck on it repeatedly. And I don’t need such obscene visuals early in the morning.”

“LOUIS!” She slaps his arm hard. “You and your filthy mind!”

He doesn’t bother arguing that pretty hard hit as he is busy laughing his arse off. “I’m pretty sure that’s you darling, not me. Oh well, there goes my one month supply of candy. What I wouldn’t do for you ey Lolo. No, but seriously it’s a yes, right?”

***

“Louis. I love you. Really, I do. But if we’re heading where I think it is, I’m gonna have to kill you.”

“You can kill me later love. Now let’s go.”

Parking right smack in the middle of the carpark, Lauren gulps. The venue of the cake exhibition is none other than their own college.

She folds her arms instinctively.

“Nope, I’m not going. I bail,” Lauren reconsiders aloud. “I’ll find another musical group to join, maybe with one of my girls.”

“Aww, Lolo! Don’t do this. Don’t think too much. I know you’re way smarter than me but this time, give it a rest and play along.”

“No! No way!”

“I’ve already mentioned that I’m engaged! You can’t bail on me now!”

She turns her head towards him at lightning speed that he is sure she’ll sprain her neck. “Who did you tell? Why didn’t you mentioned it to me before?”

“It might have slipped my mind,” Louis drags his sentence slowly, a tell-tale sign that he’s lying.

“Lie to me again and I’ll make sure you sleep outside of our apartment door.”

Huffing, his legs bounce nervously as he looks elsewhere. He brings his fingers near his mouth to bite his nails.

Reading his actions, Lauren knows not to question him further as upset is written all over. She clasps her hand over his.

“Louis…”

“I just need you to have faith in me, just this once. I swear I don’t mean to drag you into this or take advantage of you. If anyone asks you for how long we’ve been engaged, let me handle it.”

“I don’t want to be kept in the dark with your suspicious motives. Don’t you at least owe me an explanation?”

Thinking of a good explanation exhausts his brain as he drops his forehead on Lauren’s shoulder. “Can I tell you after the event?”

“But…”

“Are we going inside or should I drive you home?”

***

Cake tasting exhibition welcomes a large crowd of diverse couples, from career-oriented adults to college students as young as them. The booths display a wide range of choices, enticing their customers with vivid striking colours, decorations and aroma. It is amazing to see the college graduates offering their cake tasting for free. Such an opportunity cannot be missed by those dreaming of such delicacy at its finest on their special day.

Basked in the melodious tune from the speakers around, Louis and Lauren merrily exchange opinions on the cakes they tasted and viewed. At times, their tastes complement each other and at times they do not.

It isn’t long till a familiar voice hollers. Subconsciously, Louis gently pulls Lauren closer, his hand never leaving her waist.

“Oh my god! Is that really you Lo?” A cheery voice greets Lauren before squashing each other in a tight embrace. “Hug attack!”

The raven haired beauty slowly turns to face her friend before dragging her words, “Hey, Ally, funny I didn’t see you…”

“Oh Lauren honey, don’t go blaming on my height now. I’m actually tall, you’re just taller, that’s all,” beams Ally.

“Oh no, I wasn’t implementing that. I guess I’m just surprised.”

Ally chuckles, “You should be fully aware that I’m stationed here silly! I’ve only talked about this exhibition like a hundred times!”

‘Damn’ Lauren thinks internally, how could she have forgotten? She sure wishes her face doesn’t betray her right now.

“Lo?” Normani appears behind Ally, followed by Dinah who towers over them.

“Time for Hug Attack!” The smallest one cue in for a bone crushing hug.

“Squeeze!” The tall young one squeezes them into slight suffocation.

The first rule of their sisterhood, embrace at first sight, always. The quartet has been best friends for years and waited for the youngest one to graduate before enrolling in the same course and college.

Recently, they were nicknamed 4H, since they’ve known each other since High School. But mainly, the name is based on their surnames, Allyson Brooke Hernandez, Normani Kordei Hamilton and Dinah Jane Hanson. And as for Lauren Michelle Jauregui, well, her last name is pronounced as H so yeah it fits.

Dinah casually slings her arm around Normani’s shoulder, eyeing the couple. “Aye, who do we have here?”

“Hey, ladies, what are you doing here?” Louis hopes he doesn’t sound too nervous.

Normani narrows her eyes, “We could ask you the same thing.”

“We’re here to taste cakes, like duh!”

“Uh-uh, in a Wedding Cake Exhibition?” Normani comments on Lauren’s reply.

Lauren is quick to point at Louis, “It was his idea!”

Dinah snorts, “Yeah sure.”

“Highly unlikely Lo guys are not exactly into cake tasting.”

Ally nods, “I agree with Mani. The evidence is evident today.”

“The next thing you’ll be saying is that you’re engaged,” Dinah laughs with Ally and Normani joining her.

Lauren and Louis look at each other awkwardly. Yet their arms are all over each other.

Realising how the couple did not join in their laughter, Dinah speaks up again, “Wait, are you really trying to say you’re engaged? Like, you’re not pulling our legs are you?”

“Ah!”

The group of friends immediately covers their ears when Normani squeals, “I wanna hear all about it! Girl, show me your ring!”

“Um, it’s not ready yet so I’ve decided to use my gran’s pearl ring. You know, when they asked to look at the engagement ring during registration. Apparently, my dear Louis here got my ring size wrong, isn’t that right?” Lauren arches her thick eyebrow at him who shrugs nervously.

“Boo!” Dinah lightly shoves his shoulder.

“Dinah Jane!” Ally scolds lightly before a smile appears. “Oh well, since you’re here I must insist that you both try the cakes from my booth. Norminah here offers to be a great help to me. Although, they think I didn’t see them subtly eating my cakes.”

“Can’t blame us, Short Stack.” Dinah grabs Lauren’s wrist, “Come on boo, she’s got Mango cakes.”

Ally pants a little catching up with them, “Yeah and I’ve experimented on this fruity flavour from the candies we bought earlier. From that green thorny fruit with yellow flesh. We got those from Singapore, remember those sweets?”

Lauren furrows her brows trying to recall their holiday trip on the first week of April. Ally speeds off to her booth excitedly before Normani tugs on Lauren’s other wrist.

***

Leaving Ally’s booth, Lauren continues licking the mango cream covered spoon contently while Louis has his eyes wandering elsewhere.

There is not a sight of the one he is looking for. The one who forces this exhibition on him. He starts to feel fooled by the curly haired prick.

Lauren tosses the empty spoon at a nearby bin and turns to Louis’ scrunching face. “Oh-oh.”

“What?” Louis promptly responds.

“You got that ‘I’m about to break wind face.” She says trying to shove him towards the gents.

“Pfft don’t make me the scapegoat when you’re the one who wants to do it!”

His tummy rumbles violently and she simply raises her eyebrows.

“Okay, okay fine, I’ll go. Just stay here. Don’t go wandering off,” he protests as he heads towards the particular location.

The brunette smiles, still waving at her pretend fiancé who keeps looking back at her as though she will disappear from him. Lauren spots a bench nearby and decides to have a seat after what feels like an hour of walking and tasting. For a brief moment, she instinctively glances at her side and something catches her eyes.

Two caramel orbs stare right deep into her soul. She does not even realise she is staring back longer than necessary. Those eyes are too familiar to ignore. Her legs react accordingly as she gets up, eventually tearing her gaze away from those eyes. She rushes her steps.

“Lauren…”

A voice creeps at the back of her neck, striking her nerves numb. A hand clasps on her arm.

“Get off me!” Lauren jerks away, turning towards the face she never plans to see at this joyous place.

“Lauren please…” pleads Camila, not lifting her gaze off her favourite emerald eyes, not even for a second. Ignoring the death glare that’s killing her, she continues, “Just hear me out, Laur.”

For a moment, they turn deaf and blind to the world around them. Irises fixed on one another while their hearts beats a language only those two understand. ‘Laur’ is the affectionate term Camila uses for Lauren. Not gonna lie, Lauren still feels her heart flutter. There is only one tone in which the name is being said all the time. And just the sound of it conveys all the feels: love.

“You fucking left me! After five long years, you have decided our fate for us!” Lauren closes her eyes against her will and looks away. “So now I’m walking away from you.”

Camila yells when Lauren shows her back on her. “Don’t act as if I’ve never reached out to you!” Lauren shifts her attention back to Camila.

“Leaving was my last option! You know that, Lauren.”

Closing in she snarls, “You’re saying I made you leave is that it?”

The slender brunette hangs her head in defeat and mumbles softly, “I didn’t say that Lauren.”

“It’s so like you to just hide away and run Camila,” she scoffs.

“It wasn’t easy leaving you Lauren please believe me…”

“You’re here at this very exhibition. What does that tell me?”

“I could say the same about you but I don’t want to fight with you Lauren.”

Inching and sparing barely a space between them, “Seems as if you’re accusing me of starting any fight between us.” For a moment Lauren swears she sees glossiness in the younger one’s eyes. Staring at each other and staying mute, the world stops countless times for them.

Camila has no idea if Lauren counted but her name keeps rolling off her tongue like the norm. ‘Lauren’ is the name she calls whenever she wants the green eyed goddess to take note of serious conversations. It’s both formal and familiar. The cleft chin beauty hopes the older girl can sense the sincerity she tries to convey.

“You know that is not true Lauren. I have genuine feelings about us! Reciprocating your love is all I’ve ever done but I told you it will be difficult on my part. I have restrictions of that you’re aware. After all, it’s not like you’re the one who needs to enter a lavender…”

“Any problem here ladies?”

Lauren breathes relief as the witty cheeky voice breaks in between them. Her saviour curls his arm on her hip, pulling her nearer. The petite brunette looks at the contact before shifting her gaze.

It isn’t long till they are greeted by someone, imitating Louis’s gesture on Camila. That simple act blows a fuse of patience in Louis as he heaves a glare on the green eyes happily smirking back.

Louis brushes his hand along Lauren’s hair tenderly before she rests her head against his collarbone. He loves holding her near, a little overprotective over his girl and his pride.

When Lauren meets the rival green, she begins to understand Louis’s feelings. Her hand makes its way to his back, rubbing gently to soothe him.

“Well, well, well,” the curly haired bloke drawls behind a sneer. “Fancy seeing you around here, Louis.”

“Not fancy seeing you though,” Louis grunts back.

Harry ignores it as he gives Lauren the once-over. “With her nonetheless. I’m truly surprised.”

“Get your shit together then,” Louis scoffs before smiling proudly. “She’s real and gorgeous and way hotter than your Minnie Mouse. Now you finally believe how engaged I am with her.”

“Minnie Mouse happen to grow on me while you’re taking my fiancée’s old flame, the vampire. Real classy,” Harry pecks a kiss on Camila’s head. “Come on Mils, let’s leave.”

“Yeah, go ahead and find some corner to weep! You’re the one who took my fiancée’s old flame first!” Louis gives a hard cold laugh. “We have the best thing you’ll never have, it’s called pure love!”

Spinning round, Harry has his shoulders perked up. “Hold on a second. What did I just hear? Never have pure love, you say?”

Camila flinches, knowing something awful is bound to happen. “Harry, don’t.”

Her words left unheard as Harry is already consumed in anger. “Do you really think that just because you came here as promised, jumping along with your fiancée will actually make me regret breaking up with you?! You think I want to take you back and leave Camila behind! Wow, you love to see me suffer! Seriously, Louis, how selfish can you get, huh?!”

“Said enough? Now you tell me who really wants who back? Shouting like some five-year-old. Think you can get married with the limited patience you have?”

Lauren instantly holds Louis as though at any moment, he can just shatter to pieces. With his hand against hers, she can tell that he tries convincing her that he is alright.

Camila watches Harry being cold and silent, knowing how horrible he feels right now. She rubs her hand on her chest to calm him. The ballroom lights and ray shine on her diamond ring making it sparkle, catching the attention of Lauren and Louis. Lauren lowers her head when she feels the pang in her chest she has grown so accustomed to when it comes to the other girl.

“Ah yes, the diamond cost me an arm and a leg but it’s all worth it for my beautiful fiancée. Unlike you Louis, I actually got an exquisite ring for my wife-to-be. You don’t.”

“I send it for washing! No one had an issue with it except you! Well, Miss Cabello, good luck living the rest of your life with his arrogant arse!” Louis playfully winks at Camila, pulling Lauren away from the spot. “I’m sure it’s worth his curls!”

“Hey!” Camila barks back defensively.

Harry pulls her to face him instead.

“Haz?”

“Sorry, I…” Harry attempts to apologise.

Camila smiles and tousles his curls. “Not your fault. Louis is the usual jerk he always is.”

Listening to the girl chuckle, Harry cannot stop himself from pulling her into a bone breaking hug. Camila accepts it and soothes him while her eyes remain on the brunette who is getting further away from them.

“I hope you know how much I appreciate you being here with me Mils. It’s at the expense of your relationship but I sincerely hope I can make you feel at least half of what she’s able to give you.”

“We’ll figure it out Haz. Surely I would want her to understand and someday I wish she would give me a chance. I just don’t want her to be out of my life completely. It’s hurting me more than I’m ever able to tell her.”

“You still love her?”

“I’m trying to move on Harry,” Camila sighs and runs her hand through her hair, a habit she picks up from Lauren. “Even if we’re not together, she’ll always stay in my heart forever.”

***

“Hey, there’s another mango cake booth! You love them, don’t ya, Lolo?! Come on, hurry before they finish…” Louis halts in his excitement as her hand is pulled away from his grip. “Lolo? What’s wrong?”

“Are you fine with the way it is?” Lauren creases her brows. “Stop acting tough around me.”

He laughs with his hands on his hips. “What are you talking about? Why so serious?”

“You want him back, don’t cha? Still yearning for that curly ex of yours, using me to make him jelly. I mean, of course, he should be envious. There is no way anyone can replace me in your heart,” she deduces from what she experienced earlier.

“I won’t say I want him back, Peaches,” Louis sighs, raising a finger and shaking it. “No way. No way-eh-eh-eh.”

“I’m serious, Loubear!” Lauren pouts. “If you want, we can go back and talk things out. I’m here for you, Lou.”

“If you insist on talking about this, then tell me why did you try to run away from her, huh?” He arches a brow at her. “Say it. Go on.”

She turns away, irked. “So not fair.”

“What is? Love is a wicked game,” Louis chortles, clinging his arm over her neck. “You know I know. You know I’ll remember you and I know you know I know that you’ll remember me- Y’ouch! Lolo, that hurts.”

Lauren watches the lad rubbing his ear, grumbling under his breath but she knows something is up when he starts singing. He probably tries hard not to be saddened by what Harry said earlier.

Briefly, Lauren touches his cheek before planting a kiss near his lips. “There, there.”

Surprised, Louis stares at Lauren with red surfacing his cheeks. Little does he realise, she only did so because Camila still has her eyes on them and the kiss makes the latter stunned with her jaw hanging in shock.

***

After laughing aloud to each other’s silliness, Louis and Lauren cackle their way out of the exhibition and towards the carpark.

“Just great. Of all the people I came across you two.”

Enters another familiar voice disrupting their happy time together. Louis pulls Lauren to stand behind him and glares at the lad with the slope quiff before him.

“Oh wow, it’s you!” Louis purposely ends his words with a high pitch note and peeks at his girl behind him. “Say, Lolo. What’s with today? Is it National Meet-Your-Ex slash Asshole Day?”

“Stop with your bitchy sass, Lou,” Zayn grunts, side-hugging a blonde. “I know it was you when I heard the loud obnoxious laugh I was so familiar with.”

Zayn looks between the two and shakes his head.

“So he’s the new boy on your list? Thinking he can even be compared to me?” Zayn scoffs.

Louis mars his face with the ultimate annoying look. “What are you talking about? A list? Your name is probably the last one on it because duh, Z!”

An electric stare is induced between the two lads, Zayn is beyond pissed with Louis’ crappy mouth. Lauren is simply enjoying the grumpy look from the tanned boy, giggling behind Louis’ back to muffle herself.

“Mind waiting in the car babe?” Zayn addresses the blonde who simply looks at Lauren and Louis momentarily before dismissing them.

Moving closer, “So I’m guessing you decide to get engaged years after I do huh?” Zayn says eyeing Lauren who also dawns a black leather jacket. Anyone can see that Lauren and Zayn are in similar outfits rocking it out in a black ensemble. The people could also have mistaken that they are a couple.

“If you’re so happy you wouldn’t be pissed about Lauren and…”

“Believe me when I say I wouldn’t wish you the best for playing games behind my back. Did you even tell him you made out with a brunette girl a couple of times?”

Louis is about to reply when Lauren covers his lips with her index finger.

“What the hell are you talking about Zayn? I had never cheated on you with Louis! Not even once in the three years that we’ve been together! Yeah it’s true I was in a relationship with a girl after you but not anymore. I’m a loyal person and you of all people should know that.”

She sighs before adding, “We were best of friends Zayn, the three of us. The troubled trio as they called it. I would never be unfaithful to you and going off behind your back with our best friend! I thought you would trust me enough, Zayn.”

Lauren’s voice cracks towards the end. Zayn directs his vision straight ahead, avoiding the crumbling façade he sees in Lauren’s green irises. He blinks and shifts away from her, pocketing his hands before addressing Louis.

“I just witness the two of you being all lovey-dovey here at a place for engaged couples! All I know is that what happened between us wasn’t my fault. I saw how affectionate you two were. It’s not farfetched knowing you tryna steal my girl.”

Louis takes a step forward, head to head with the admittedly fetching erstwhile friend. His temper rising at the wild accusations tossed towards the girl who did nothing wrong in their past relationship.

“How many fucking time must she convinced you that she is telling the truth. Don’t blame her! Put your anger on me instead! Pick someone your own size Zayn! She has done nothing wrong but to love you recklessly and maybe that is the flaw! I won’t stand quiet when you’re talking trash about my girl!”

“If I ever see your mom, I’ll tell her you’re to blame, Louis,” Zayn states firmly, meaning to sound cold. “She’ll be so disappointed in you.”

As the Bradford bad boy makes way to his car, Louis hangs his head low and clenches his fists. Any mentioning of his mom always strikes a chord in his heart. It’s a touchy subject that he tries to avoid at all cost. Memories becoming more painful seeing how he would love to have many more years with her.

Lauren faces a stiffened Louis. Her hand finds his, her fingers gently forcing his fist open, intertwining their fingers together. She squeezes his hands to reassure him that things will get better. Through stinging tears, she tries her hardest to focus on him and offers kind words.

“I’m here Louis. Just hold on.”

***

Their car ride home is filled with silence. The only interaction between them is their joining hands. Lauren doesn’t question why Louis pulls over at the grocery store and makes her wait in the car. True to his words that he won’t take too long, she spots him emerging with two bags. Seat belt tucked safely, all he says is that he needs to get fucking wasted.

Louis sighs before turning his head towards the passenger seat. Lauren is focusing on twiddling her thumbs with a sombre expression. He set aside his sorrow and decides to cheer her up. Smirking, struck by a brilliant idea, he starts the engine towards the intended location.

She follows him absentmindedly not bothering to question him as they are queuing up. Minutes later, when they are seated in the cinema, she looks at him before raising her left brow. He grins, knowing what the gesture translates to.

As the movie starts playing, his smile broadens upon seeing her beaming. Even though it’s the fourth time this time, she is still laughing hysterically watching The Boss Baby.

Mentally patting himself on the back for a great job, he drives to her favourite sushi place for dinner. Her spirits lift up visibly as the night lights up the sky with brilliant stars shimmering brightly.

So here they are, hours later waiting for midnight. On the black couch in the apartment, drunk as planned. Their giggles fill the surrounding with hands barely caressing each other’s clothed bodies. He suddenly lifts her bridal style and making their way towards the bedroom.

“If you’re a cake and I’m a cake, do you know what that means Lolo?”

“Double twin cake that’s what we are.”

Chortling, Louis comments, “No, no I meant if we’re like together, together kind of cake.”

Lauren has the widest grin with her lids shut in bliss. “I don’t know Lou, I’m supposed to rest my mind today. Tell me, Lou.”

“You’re a cake, I’m a cake and when we get together we’re a wedding cake!”

Lauren burst out laughing at his ridiculousness. Her laughter is so contagious even Louis is unsuccessful in holding back. He joins laughing with her for quite some time.

“Laugh all you want Lolo you know it’s true. You can’t get rid of me and you don’t want to!”

Tugging him further into her, she scoffs before answering with pride. “Say whatever you want Louis for at the end of the day you always,” her lip inching closer to his, breathing heavily, “always come back to me.”

* End of Louren One-Shot*

A/N:

Heyya lovelies! This is our first fanfic written together! We are so excited to share it with all of you. It is Louren centric but with Larry and Camren. Hope you enjoy this as much as we spent writing this piece. Thank you so much for giving our fanfiction a chance! Happy Days!

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/story/107562475

AO3: http://archiveofourown.org/works/10755168/chapters/23848398

#UPDATE #one shot #AU #camren #laurmani #alren #laurinah #requested #angst drama #romance fluff #submission #Hold On To Me

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dirmony15-blog · 7 years