after louis' interview, which i'd sat through quietly while laughing at all the right moments, we decided to stop by phoebe and daisy's. it wasn't a plan, really—just one of those spur of the moment decisions that seemed to happen a lot with louis.

"you sure you're up for it?" he asked as we got in the car, his voice soft but teasing. "they're a lot, bluey."

i nodded, smiling. "i love them. they're your family, louis. of course i'm up for it."

he gave me one of his lopsided grins and started the car, one hand on the wheel and the other finding its usual spot on my thigh. it was such a simple, instinctive thing for him now, but it never failed to make my stomach flip.

i scrolled through my phone as he drove, trying to ignore how my pulse sped up every time his thumb brushed over my leg. some fans had already picked up on little details from the interview—the sour patch kids photo, the accidental girlfriend confession. they were speculating, and though it should've made me nervous, it didn't. not really.

"you've got that little smile on your face," he teased, glancing over at me briefly.

"do i?" i asked, feigning innocence.

he chuckled, shaking his head. "yeah, and it's making me nervous. what are you reading?"

"just comments," i said honestly.

"about me or about us?"

"both."

"should i be worried?" he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

i laughed softly. "not at all. they're saying nice things. mostly about how happy you looked."

"well, of course i looked happy," he replied, throwing me a cheeky grin. "you were there."

i rolled my eyes, but my cheeks heated up all the same. he was so effortlessly charming, even when he was being a bit of a menace.

we pulled up to phoebe and daisy's not long after, and i smoothed down louis' hoodie nervously. i'd met them plenty of times before, but there was always this tiny flicker of anxiety when i was around louis' family. i wanted them to like me, not just because i was with louis, but because i genuinely cared about them.

"you ready, bluey?" louis asked as he turned off the car, his voice soft.

"always," i replied, giving him a small smile.

phoebe opened the door before we even had a chance to knock, grinning as she pulled me into a tight hug. "imogen! you're glowing," she said, stepping back to look at me.

"she always glows," louis chimed in as he walked past us, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

i shot him a look, but he just smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

daisy appeared next, giving me a quick hug before flopping onto the sofa. "so, how was the big interview?" she asked, her tone playful.

"it was good," i said softly, sitting down beside louis.

"she's being modest," louis added, leaning back into the cushions. "she completely stole the show. laughed at me the whole time, didn't you?"

"i wasn't laughing at you," i protested, my voice quiet but firm. "i was laughing because you were funny."

phoebe and daisy exchanged a look, their smiles widening. "so you were funny and happy?" phoebe teased, nudging louis. "miracles do happen."

louis rolled his eyes but didn't respond, instead pulling me closer until i was practically leaning against him.

we spent the next hour or so talking and laughing about everything, from the interview to random family updates to old stories about louis growing up. phoebe and daisy were full of energy, and their dynamic with louis was hilarious to watch. they teased him relentlessly, but it was clear how much they adored him.

at one point, phoebe leaned forward, her expression suddenly serious. "imogen," she said softly, "if he ever hurts you, he's going to have to answer to us."

i blinked in surprise, my heart swelling at her protectiveness. before i could respond, daisy added, "no, seriously. you're either his soulmate, or we're coming for him."

i let out a soft laugh, glancing at louis, who looked equal parts amused and exasperated. "you two are ridiculous," he muttered, though there was a fondness in his tone.

"i don't think you'll need to come for him," i said gently, my voice warm. "he's... well, he's louis."

"what's that supposed to mean?" he asked, raising a brow at me.

i smiled softly, my gaze meeting his. "it means you're you. and i trust you."

for a moment, the room felt still, the weight of my words hanging in the air. louis' hand tightened slightly on my shoulder, his thumb brushing against my skin.

phoebe and daisy didn't say anything, but i could see the approval in their eyes. it was like they were silently telling me, you're one of us now.

as the evening went on, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. phoebe showed me a few old family photos, and daisy told me about a new hobby she'd picked up. louis was quieter than usual, his focus seemingly on me the entire time. every now and then, he'd lean over to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear or press a kiss to my temple.

by the time we left, i felt a sense of warmth that i couldn't quite put into words. phoebe gave me one last hug before we walked out, whispering, "he's a good one, but you already knew that."

as louis and i got into the car, i glanced over at him, catching the soft smile playing on his lips. "what?" i asked, feeling a little self-conscious under his gaze.

"nothing," he said, shaking his head slightly. "just... they really like you, don't they?"

"well, i hope so," i replied with a small laugh. "i like them, too."

he reached over, his fingers lacing with mine as he started the engine. "good," he said simply.

the drive back was quiet, but not in an awkward way. louis hummed along to the radio, his thumb idly stroking the back of my hand. i found myself watching him more than i cared to admit, the way his jaw tightened as he concentrated on the road, the small furrow in his brow when he switched lanes.

"you're staring," he said after a while, his voice teasing.

"am i?" i asked, trying to sound casual.

"yeah," he replied, glancing at me with a smirk. "but i get it. i'm very fit."

i rolled my eyes, but the corners of my mouth tugged upwards despite myself. "you're egotistical."

"you like it," he shot back, grinning.

as we pulled up to my cottage, louis put the car in park but didn't move to get out. instead, he turned to face me, his expression soft but serious. "today was good, yeah?"

"it was great," i assured him, squeezing his hand gently. "your sisters are wonderful."

he smiled, leaning in to press a kiss to my forehead. "thanks for coming with me, bluey. means a lot."

"you don't have to thank me," i replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

"still," he said, his lips brushing against my skin again. "just wanted you to know."

we sat there for a moment longer, the quiet hum of the engine filling the space between us. eventually, louis sighed, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. "go on, then. get inside before i drag you back to mine."

i laughed softly, shaking my head. "you're trouble, you know that?."

"yeah, yeah," he said, smirking. "goodnight, bluey."

"goodnight, louis."

as i got out of the car and walked up to my door, i couldn't help but glance back. louis was still there, watching me with that same soft smile. and i felt like i was exactly where i was meant to be.

@louistomlinson • 8m ago