Foreign Exchange (A Nouis Story)

Chapter 4: Back In Doncaster

Louis POV

"Louis, we're home."

My eyes flickered open when I heard my mom say my name. Out the foggy window the front porch light glowed faintly in the distance. We were finally back in Doncaster. I looked down at my phone, still lit up from the game of Solitaire I had been playing on the ride home. The digital clock on the screen read 1:47. Damn, I couldn't wait to get into bed. Somehow I must've fallen asleep in this god-awful backseat, although Niall was still snoring lightly next to me, his hands tucked neatly under his head. Poor lad must've had such a long day; I felt bad waking him up. Especially after looking at his red cheeks and eyes that were practically sewn shut. He looked so innocent. And vulnerable.

"Niiaaalll. Wake up. We're home." I shook his side gently. His light blue eyes stood out in the dark car and peered at me.

"Oh. Hi Louis," he sat up, and rubbed his eyes. He climbed out of the car after me, and followed me into the house with his eyes closed, blocking out the bright light from the front porch.

"Louis, can you help him get settled? We'll carry his bags in," my dad asked, slamming the trunk shut.

"Yep. It's right up the stairs, Niall." The blonde boy followed me up the steps, into my room and immediately sat down on my bed, exhausted. I chuckled; he always seemed right at home. I leaned against the dresser awkwardly and silence filled the room. I wasn't quite sure what to do now. I mean, it's not like I could go to sleep with him on the edge of my bed.

"Sweet room dude." Niall murmured quietly, gesturing to my lab area. Well, it wasn't exactly a lab. More like a computer desk with my microscope on top, but it worked. There were bookshelves along an entire wall, and along the other was a black and white glow of a world map that lined the entire right side of my room.

"Oh, uh.. thanks. Biology is kinda my thing. I don't know, I guess it's weird," I replied, turning to him sheepishly, feeling very nervous as he checked out where I spend practically every hour of the day.

"No." Niall stood up and slowly walked towards me in the dark room. "It's cool." His face was suddenly very close to mine. I swallowed hard.

"Thanks," I breathed. We stood there, looking at each other. A toilet flushed downstairs, and we jumped apart. I took my glasses off and looked down, cleaning the lenses with my shirt.

"Do you, er, want a shower?" I asked Niall awkwardly, and walked over to put my glasses on the night stand.

"Nah, I'll just wait until morning. I'm afraid I might die if I stand up much longer," he chuckled, and collapsed right on the bed across the room from me.

"Alright. Let me know if you need anything," I told him, and turned off the light. Neither of us had bothered to change into our pajamas, and I wasn't quite comfortable stripping down to my boxers with him in the room. I slid under the covers still wearing my jeans, but I didn't fall asleep right away. I wondered what it was going to be like sharing a room with somebody. I was an only child, and I rarely had a friend over except for Stan on occasion. This was going to be totally different. Especially with somebody as fit as Niall. After a few minutes the ruffling of blankets had stopped and I was sure Niall was already asleep. Then I heard his soft Irish accent again.

"Thanks, Louis. Goodnight."

*** 

Niall POV

I suddenly woke up from the dream I was having when I felt an uncomfortably bright light shining on my face. I realized it was the overhead light. What the hell was Louis doing up right now? He was across the room, pulling a shirt over his head. His back was showing, and it was surprisingly tan and muscular, from the bit i could see on the far side of the room. I wonder if he had any tattoos. Probably not.