it was one of those easy days where no one really had a plan. we were all at adelaine and jacob's, just lounging around like always. their wedding was next week, and while i thought we'd be talking about last minute details or nerves, they were surprisingly calm. adelaine was wrapped in a massive blanket on the armchair, scrolling through her phone, and jacob was stretched out on the couch with his feet on the coffee table. louis was next to me, one arm over my shoulders, playing with the charm on his necklace like he always did when he wasn't paying attention.

"alright," jacob said out of nowhere, clapping his hands together like he was about to start a meeting. "imogen, what's the most embarrassing thing louis has done since you two started... whatever this is?" he smirked, looking between us.

i could feel louis stiffen beside me. i looked up at him, biting back a smile. "hmm, i don't know. should i go with the time he spilled coffee on himself while trying to look cool, or when he tripped over my easel and tried to blame the floor?"

louis groaned and leaned his head back against the couch dramatically. "none of that happened. don't listen to her."

"it absolutely happened," i teased, poking his side. "but don't worry, it's endearing."

jacob was already cackling. "oh, mate. this is the best. why haven't we hung out with him sooner? you've corrupted her, tomlinson. our sweet little angel isn't so sweet anymore."

"she's full of shit is what she is," louis muttered, tugging me closer into his side. i could feel him fighting a smile, though, which just made me grin more.

"you're outnumbered," adelaine said, finally looking up from her phone. "and honestly, i believe her. sorry, louis."

he gave her an exaggerated glare. "i expect loyalty from you, at least."

"never," she said with a shrug.

i couldn't stop laughing at how sulky he looked, but he shook it off quickly enough, pulling me even closer. "i need a break from this lot," he said suddenly, looking down at me. "come smoke with me?"

i raised an eyebrow. "an invitation to death?"

"absolutely," he said with a straight face, standing up and offering me his hand. "are you in?"

"you had me at death," i said, letting him pull me to my feet.

we went out onto the back patio, where it was just cool enough to make the air crisp. louis lit up, leaning back against the railing and looking far too attractive for someone doing something so bad for him. i leaned on the railing beside him, watching the smoke curl into the night sky.

"okay, random question," i said, breaking the quiet. "would you rather be deaf or blind?"

he exhaled a cloud of smoke, then glanced at me. "deaf. then i wouldn't have to listen to your bullshit."

i gasped, laughing despite myself. "you just love looking at me, that's why. i get it."

"can't even deny it," he said, grinning as he took another drag. "but for real, i'd pick deaf. i don't think i could handle not seeing stuff. what about you?"

"blind," i said without hesitation.

"really?" he looked at me like i'd just said something insane.

"yeah," i shrugged. "i'd miss music too much. and i don't need to see you to know you're a pain in the bum."

"you're so annoying oh my," he muttered, shaking his head but smiling anyway.

"you love it," i shot back, nudging his arm.

he didn't say anything, just looked at me for a second like he was trying to figure me out. then he flicked his cigarette away and grabbed my hand, pulling me closer. "come here," he said, patting his lap as he sat down on the bench.

i rolled my eyes but sat down anyway, his arms wrapping around me instantly. "you're lucky you're cute," i said, resting my head against his shoulder.

"i'm lucky for a lot of things," he said quietly, almost to himself.

we stayed like that for a while, talking about nothing and everything. it was easy, like always, and it felt like the rest of the world didn't exist. just us, the night sky, and the occasional laugh from inside the house.

the door slid open behind us, and adelaine popped her head out, her blanket trailing behind her like a cape. "are you two done being gross yet? jacob and i are trying to decide on cake flavors, and i need imogen's input because someone"—she glared at louis—"thinks chocolate on chocolate is too boring."

"it is boring," louis said, leaning back with a smug grin. "expand your horizons, monroe."

addy rolled her eyes. "like you're one to talk, mr. plain chicken nuggets only."

"hey, nuggets are a classic," he argued, lifting his hands like he was defending his honor.

i laughed, standing up and brushing off my jeans. "alright, let's go save the cake situation. louis can stay out here and defend his nuggets."

"oi, don't turn on me now," he said, grabbing my hand before i could follow adelaine. "we're a team, remember?"

"not when it comes to chocolate cake," i teased, slipping free and sticking my tongue out at him.

"traitor," he muttered, but his smile didn't waver as he watched me head inside.

back in the living room, jacob had a small notepad out with cake flavor ideas scrawled all over it. "so, imogen," he said, leaning forward like this was a business meeting. "what's your dream wedding cake?"

"oh, no pressure," i said, sitting down across from him. "i mean, i like vanilla with raspberry filling, but it's your wedding, not mine."

"boring," jacob said, making a face.

addy shot him a look. "oh, and chocolate isn't boring?"

"chocolate is superior, and you know it," he replied.

i held up my hands. "i feel like i'm in the middle of a very personal debate here."

"welcome to our lives," adelaine said, flopping down beside me. "you should've seen the fight about the flowers. jacob wanted fake ones."

"they last longer!" jacob protested.

"they're tacky," adelaine countered, smirking.

i couldn't help but laugh as they bickered, their dynamic so easy and familiar. it reminded me of how louis and i teased each other—endless back-and-forths, but always with love at the core.

just as i was about to chime in, louis walked in, his necklace swinging as he plopped down beside me on the couch. "so, what's the verdict? are we going with chocolate on chocolate like civilized people?"

jacob groaned. "not you too."

"i'm just saying, it's a classic for a reason," louis said, leaning back and tossing an arm over my shoulder.

"you're outnumbered," adelaine said smugly. "vanilla with raspberry it is."

louis gave me a betrayed look. "you're siding with them?"

"i'm siding with good taste," i said, grinning.

he sighed dramatically, but his fingers brushed against mine where our hands rested on the sofa. it was a small, quiet moment, but it felt significant. comforting.

the night carried on like that—easy, filled with laughter and teasing. at one point, jacob pulled out an old board game, and the four of us played like we were kids again. louis, of course, cheated blatantly and then acted offended when we called him out.

"i don't know what you're talking about," he said, holding his cards close to his chest. "i'm just naturally talented."

"talented at being a pain," jacob muttered, shaking his head.

"i'll take it," louis replied with a wink, making everyone laugh.

as the night wound down, adelaine and jacob started tidying up, and louis and i found ourselves back on the sofa. he was quiet for a moment, playing with the charm on his necklace, and i could tell he was lost in thought.

"you alright?" i asked softly, nudging him.

he looked over at me, his blue eyes softer than usual. "yeah. just thinking."

"about?"

he hesitated, then shrugged. "just how good this is. you, me... all of it. feels like it's too good to be real sometimes."

my heart squeezed at his words, and i reached for his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "it's real, lou. and it's good because we make it good."

he didn't say anything, just leaned in to press a kiss to my temple. "you're too sweet for your own good."

i smiled, leaning into him. "so are you."