Louis woke up to an empty bed, as usual the morning after a mission. He stretched out his sore muscles, declining to lay on his back because Zayn was brutal last night and he wasn't going to be able to sit down comfortably today, he knew for sure. Louis crawled out of bed and walked, with a slight limp that he'd never confess to, to the bathroom for a quick shower and his normal morning routine.

Zayn was in the livingroom, engulfed in his computer, like usual the day after a mission, checking the police scanners and making sure the security tapes he deleted last night were erased for good. Just keeping up on the chatter of a post kill order.

Louis came out, wrapped in a towel, and slumped next to Zayn on the couch and joined him in staring at the data on his laptop. Zayn must of been seeing something, but to Louis it was mostly nonsense. He could understand a few things on the code, but really he was just enjoy the peace and quiet. Zayn leaned his head over and set in down on Louis' shoulder.

"Good morning, babe."

Louis gave Zayn's hair a quick peck and hummed in response. They sat still and hushed long enough for Louis' skin to air dry. Zayn was rubbing soft circles on Louis' knee while Louis fought to keep his eyes open. He had so many things he wanted to do today. Their last day here until their next job that brought them back. Zayn would be staying in most of the day, keeping tabs on everything, but Louis was free to forget last night, and that's exactly what he expected to do.

But he couldn't decide what to do, or who really. His favorite club was ruined by his last trip to Paris when a bloke drugged his drink and nearly took him home against his will. Now he won't go back. And now he'll never take a drink from anyone ever again. Louis should've known. One more reason not to trust anyone. So the question was, where to go. Louis decided to contact an old mate to see if he had an good ideas.

Louis got up from Zayn with a small squeeze of his hand on Louis' knee and headed off to get dressed. He slipped on a shirt and jeans and picked his phone up off the dresser. The contact list scrolled until it landed on the name Louis was looking for. He clicked on it and waited for the always kind voice on the other end.

Louis! He spouted in the original French pronounciation. Tell me you're in town!

"I am. And I'm bored as hell. Please give me a good spot to hit tonight."

Well, a big group of us are headed to Lombards later. A friend is playing and a bunch of us are doing a live gallery. You should come, get your hands dirty!

"That sounds really cool actually. Text me when and where."

Of course, Louis. See you tonight!

"Thanks, mate." Louis hung up and went back out to where Zayn was now laying across the couch with his laptop on his stomach and one headphone in. "Something interesting."

"They're looking through all the security tapes for the night. So far they're just angry about the missing pieces, but I'll keep listening to see where they go from here."

Louis nodded. He was always a little nervous that somehow he'd be caught. That one too smart bobby would figure something out. But Zayn has never let him down before, and he wasn't about to get worried now. This is where the roles were switched. Zayn spent his day in silence and circumspection while Louis let loose and got out of his head.

***

Harry couldn't believe he spent even five minutes at the pompous exuse for a party last night. His mom had called and said that since he was in Paris he should go becuase there'd be children of other politicians he hadn't seen 'in so long and they miss you. You should really keep in touch better'. So harry put on a suit and used his mother's name to get in.

It was awful. The food was awful, the music was awful, and the people were drunk and awful. He only saw one old friend and she was smashed by the time he got there, hitting on him even though she knew he was gay. There was one guy that could've been cute but he couldn't get a good look and he was gone through some back door before he could try. He had a great suit on though.

He only had two more days in France and he refused to waste them like he did last night. He called his artist friend hoping to get a good reference for something to do tonight that wasn't a posh ordeal. He answered the phone on the second ring.

Every old friend in the world is calling me today.

"Is that good or bad?"

Good, always good to hear from old mates. What can I do for you, Haz?

"I'm just looking for something fun to do. Got any ideas?"

He laughed and then answered, "I've got this art thing you might like."

"Sure I'm in. I love your work."

"That's great, man! I'll text you."

Harry let his phone fall on the bed next to him and ran his hands through the curls that were fanned out around his head. He'd been doing that a lot, jamming his fingers into his hair, biting his knunkles. Nervous habits that he did when he couldn't get something off his mind. That something of the moment was that bloody boy. That man. That sexy porn star con artist. He had no way of contacting him or finding him again, but he'd sent up at least a few prayers that fate would intervene on his behalf. Yesterday was a bust, even though he spent a good few hours on the streets of the inner city "enjoying the scenery".

Harry had no idea what he was doing. Stalking around Paris like a loon looking for some guy he had a one night stand with. He was loosing his mind. Tonight he was hoping he'd lose his inhibitions as well. Find someone to take his mind off Louis. It couldn't be too hard right? Harry did this all the time. Bounced from city to city, finding lovers in almost every one. Never finding a reason to stay around the next morning.

Then why did it feel like whoever he found tonight would only serve to remind him of what he could have but didn't?