“I think she likes me.”

He says it with a grin, rocking ever so slightly in the armchair, your niece snug against his chest. Her little hand is curled around the edge of his hoodie, and her lashes are fluttering like she’s seconds from drifting off.

You smile at him from where you sit on the couch, one leg tucked underneath you, half-eating cold pizza and half-watching this entire thing like it’s the sweetest movie ever made.

Then, it happens.

The baby gives a tiny sigh, burrows closer to Louis, and stills. Fast asleep.

Louis freezes.

Not in panic, in awe. His whole body softens, like he’s afraid to move too fast and ruin it. His eyes lift to meet yours, wide and blinking, like what the hell just happened?

“She’s asleep.” His voice is quiet. Gentle. “She actually, she just… fell asleep on me.”

He looks down at the little girl curled into his chest, one hand hovering protectively behind her back like instinct, and his whole expression changes, like something clicked deep inside.

“…That’s mad.”

You laugh softly, watching the way he cradles her now like she’s the most fragile, precious thing in the world. Like the room is quieter now. More sacred.

“I’m not moving. Ever. This is it. I live here now.”

And even though he’s joking, there’s something sincere in the way he holds her, and in the way he keeps glancing at you like he’s wondering what it would be like if this wasn’t just for the night.

If this was yours.