The sun is just setting over London, lights up the sky with fiery colors of pinks, oranges and reds. Winter is just around the corner so the sun sets earlier and the allure if it is too much not to be captured by a camera. The November chill biting at Rae's cheeks as she sits atop her car, finding the right setting to snap the shot. Twisting her lens to zoom to her content, testing the shots before taking the serious ones. Some with the tips of the trees lining the bottom of the photo; others with nothing but the colors of the sky filling up the frame.

She's taking the photos upon request; Ronan, after his little scare was cleared by his doctor, had gotten the chance to walk around outside the day prior, right as the sun was setting. They walked around the little track on the small balcony right outside the window Rae has self proclaim as her own panic corner. He squeezed his sisters hand as hard as he could with his little fingers, pulling his other hand from his nurse, and pointing towards the sky.

"Ra-Ra, look! The sky is on fire!" Ronan proclaimed, blue eyes wide with wonder. "Picture, picture!"

Raelyn smiles to herself, as she lowers her camera to her lap, scrolling through her recent photos to the one Maria took of her and Ronan. His smile is bright, matching her own with the sunset glowing around them, holding him tight in her arms. She plans to make copies of it and frame it next to Ronan's bed, along with the ones she's taking now. She's so focused on the memory of the day before, she doesn't register the footsteps behind her. Not until her car suddenly dips a little and there's a metal popping noise along with the heavy smack of something. When she looks to her right, Kari is sitting on the hood of her car, with a rather petulant expression.

"Careful with Charlie!" Rae scowls down at her friend. "He's old and fragile."

Kari breaks her put on pout and gently pats Charlie as an apology, then glares back up at Rae. "Sorry Charlie bug. I'm mad at you." She directs towards her friend.

Rae doesn't even blink. She knows Kari's true angry face, and this is the equivalent of an angry toddler. Kari holds up a stack of magazines, poking hard at the cover of the first one.

"What the bloody hell is this!? Why didn't you tell me you were on the cover of a magazine!?" She drops the first one, revealing the second. "And this one, and this and this! Look!" She shoves the last one closer to Rae's face, who leans back startled and wobbles a little. "This is a full front cover!"

Rae stares in belief at the magazines, eyes wide and mouth open. "That...that can't be. That can't be me." She breathes quietly, carefully picking up the first one Kari dropped on the windshield.

Low and behold, on the top left corner is a gritty picture of Louis holding open the door for her. Her face, thank God, is half hidden by Louis coming out of the hospital, but that's the same outfit she wore that day, and that's clearly her brown camera bag and is-

"That's your camera tattoo right there on your arm. It's you!" Kari exclaims, flipping open the full page cover one. "Ahem. 'Louis Tomlinson is spotted entering Vans Off the Wall once again with his mystery girl. Both were seen shopping until they were mobbed by some fans and cleverly escaped out the back. No word on mystery girl yet, but she sure doesn't look anything like Louis' girlfriend, student, Eleanor Calder.' They really had to mention her by name? 'Seems like Louis isn't just going in one direction anymore.' The fuck?"

That last line breaks through Rae's initial shock, snorting out a one syllable laugh. "That last part is horribly punned. Actually just horrid in general."

"Tell me about it. Makes him seem like- no. No! I'm angry at you! Why didn't you tell me you were in fucking magazines!?"

"I didn't know. Next time I'll call you for sure when I see a pap hiding in a trash can." Rae rolls he eyes. "That first picture isn't from a professional camera. In fact, it looks like a camera phone or something. Shit." Rae sighs, sliding down the windshield to sit next to Kari, laying back against the cold glass. "I didn't even think..."

Kari's quite for all of two seconds, then voices "Hook me up with Liam. Ouch!"

Rae smacked her friends thigh. "You are insufferable."

"I'm only joking. Do you think Louis knows?"

Rae shrugs indifferently. "Haven't seen him today."

It's a Wednesday, one of the days the boys are scheduled to play. She got a text from Zayn (and since when did she actually have all their numbers saved in her phone. Probably when Louis stole it just two weeks ago and edited his contact name to Louis-the greatest you'll ever meet) informing her that they couldn't make it because they had to film some promo videos.

'Try not to miss him too much ;)'

The text was Zayn's follow up and as hard as she laughed and rolled her eyes again, she did just that. She missed him-them. They made the days a little brighter, a little more bearable at the hospice. With his random antics -their- and his little pranks. The way Louis seemed to brighten every single room, brighten Ronan's exhausted face to that of the sun and warm her mothers heart her she showed up once in a blue moon. How he seems to brighten hers when her own claws of darkness takes over. He has a knack of finding her when she's sitting alone- something she is very use to; the loneliness. She figured when he sits by her side, she's not so lonely anymore.

"Not sure he'll be too thrilled about it." Rae speaks, realizing they haven't said a word for a few minutes.

Kari had shifts to lie next to her. "What about you, doll? How do you feel about this?"

"It's...weird, y'know? But I guess it's to be expected. He's in the most famous boyband...are yet considered boys anymore? Manband?"- Kari snorts- "Just weird."

"I'm not really mad you know. Just tell me when you your next interview is. Stop smacking me!"

Rae's hand is caught by Kari, who makes it her goal to hit Rae with her own hand against her cheek. They poke at each other until Rae calls truce and watches as the sky continues to grow dark. The temperature dropping a few more in numbers, cold enough to feel it tickling their noses.

"Rae..." Kari speaks into the sky. Rae hums her acknowledgment. "What are they like?"

"Come visit and you'll find out." She answers carefully. Kari has a thing about hospitals ever since her grandfather passed away..

"I'll try."

Rae lovingly pats Kari's forehead. "I know, darling. They're just...normal. I don't know. They remind me of our boys from college, like all goofy and a little bit idiotic in the best way possible. Liam is just really kind, and gentle and he's always scared to pick up Ronan, even when he begs because he said a Liam has arms like the Hulk apparently. And he just goes out of his way for every single kid.
"They all do really. Harry...I he's just got this heart of gold. He's so endearing and Ronan never stops touching his dimples or pulling his hair. He says Harry's his brother-in-raw"
"Law. brother-in-law." Kari corrects.
"No. Raw, he's four years old you twit, because him and Olivia look a like and you know Ro. Olivia is his wife so, in-raws and what not. But Harry's charming and silly and he pretends he doesn't know how to color and wears the necklaces the twins make and he sings to Heidi who never smiles, ever. But he got her to do it. Got a hug and a kiss on his cheek from her and now she says hi very time she sees him."

When Kari questions who Heidi is, Rae explains. She's a 12 year old girl who's parents abandoned her once they found out she has a tumor in her brain and has gone blind in her left eye. Heidi had never smiled after that and it brakes Rae's heart because she hasn't been able to do anything about it. So bless Harry for somehow cracking through her walls.

"Niall makes it his mission to high five every single kid and Ronan adores him because he lets Ro strum at his guitar. Lets Ro beat him on his DS and laughs when Ronan pretends he's a t-Rex. He's so relaxed, Kari, I'm a little bit jealous of him. I like to be around him because pretty sure he is like relaxing sunshine."

Kari chuckles.

"I think Zayn isn't what anyone expects. I think he just plays up the timid card, or he just thinks a lot. He's actually really goofy, especially when Louis pulls him along. He's a really good person to just sit and talk to. I keep him company on his smoke breaks sometimes. I think being there affects him more than he would ever let on. That goes for all of them. I think we've really come to understand each other."

Rae falls silent, reminiscing the fourth time she found Zayn all alone, smoking his last cigarette. She keeps him company and he her, like they can both feel the loneliness that lingers over a place like Hummingbird. Like he can feel how lonely she gets because she comes home and goes to sleep to an empty house. She wakes up to an empty house save for the sticky notes her mother leaves; on her forehead, mirrors, the fridge, and even stuck to Charlie's windows. So Zayn sometimes places a gentle hand on her shoulder and gives her a comforting squeeze, offering a warm smile. She thinks maybe one time Zayn possibly voiced his assumptions to Louis, for he shot a concerned glance over at Rae while Zayn was still talking in his ear.

"What about Louis?" Kari inquires softly, looking over at Rae who keeps eyes on the stars.

Rae was planning in keeping it short, but she has this terribly habit of rambling. "He's...Louis. Just Louis. He's really caring and aware of everything. The other boys just seem to follow his lead, even if it means a prank goes wrong or they're caught. He's so entertaining. Makes up stories with the toys and acts them out. Gives them these high pitched voices and he's so gentle with Ronan. Good gentle, if that makes sense. He's becoming a really good friend. Someone to lean on, no matter how long you've know him, you know he'll always be there. He's supportive and he listens and he tries to understand, gives his full attention to me. He's an escape from reality at times, and he's funny and he's helping me. He's almost like a rock to stand on and-"

"Oh my god." Kari interrupts abruptly, slow smile spreading across her mouth. "You fancy him.

"I-what?" Rae stutters, snapping her head to look over at her friend.

"You like him."

Rae stares at Kari. Heartbeat beginning to bang against drums set up in her chest. "No. I-no. I don't like him. I mean I do, but no. Not like-"

"You're blushing! Rae you never blush! You-" Kari doesn't finish her sentence because Rae pushes her off Charlie. "Little shit." Kari cruses as she catches herself on her feet the last second.

"You're mental and he's got a girlfriend." Rae sits up, crossing her arms to keep warm.

Kari picks up a magazine. "Not according to this!" She taunts.

"I hate you so much." Rae deadpans, sliding off her car, just ask her mothers car pulls up.

The conversation is instantly forgotten when he mum opens her car door. Rae shoots Kari an excited look then practically bounces toward her mum, throwing her arms around her once she steps out.

"Mum! What are you doing home!?" Rae ask cheerfully, tightening her hold.

"Michelle needed some extra hours this week, so I gave her mine." MaryAnn explains, hugging her daughter back just as tight. "Which means..."

Rae pulls back and sees a white paper bag of smelling deliciously of something amazing, and looking suspiciously like a the bag from the diner Rae works at.

"Jasper always cooks too much food and always gives me the leftovers. So I figure a movie night in with my daughter is a lovely way to spend the evening. You too, love." She addresses to Kari.

"Jasper only ever cooks too much food when he knows you'll be stopping by. He's got a thing for you mum." Rae narrows her eyes suspiciously. "Did you use your feminine wiles to woo him?"

MaryAnn hip checks her daughter and leads the way inside the house. Where they set the food out and put in Breakfast at Tiffany's, followed by Love Actually because December is right around the corner and why not. She's snuggled up against her mother and Kari snuggled up against her and for a moment, she forgets what the house feels like empty.
***

The next morning comes with a carpool ride to the hospice, visiting and surprising Ronan when their mother walks in. Rae revels in the fact that night wasn't spent alone, editing pictures like it usually is. She smiles as she watches Ronan climb their mothers lap as she read him his favorite story, Curious George. Snaps photos when Ronan falls asleep in her arms as she gently rocks back and forth and sings sweetly in his ear. Her voice is warm, loving and it wraps around Rae like a comforting blanket and its times like these she realizes how much she misses and needs her mother still. But it's hard when they both work double hours and an empty house and bills to pay and- shit. The Hospital bill.

"Mum," Rae whispers as her mother carefully lays Ronan down and tucks him in, kissing his nose. "Did Dr. Ramsy talk to you?"

MaryAnn sighs, motioning for her daughter to follow her out of the room. She leads her just passed the double doors to the small waiting area to the left.

"There's...there's no way to pay it up front fully." MaryAnn informs her. "At least...not when Christmas is next month and-"

"Mum, no. I don't care about that. Honestly." Rae shakes her head genuinely. "I can pay half-"

"No, sweetie. You're already paying too many bills for me. I can't ask you to-"

"You're not asking. I'm willingly doing. Mum, please. We can...I can do it. I'll do it."

MaryAnn seems to sense Rae's determination and sighs in defeat. The last time she refused her daughter to help, she ended up with the money she paid for the bills back into her account. All Rae's doing. Instead, she offers to buy her a cup of tea because a two pound cup of tea is still affordable.

They are in the middle of a conversation about their co-works and how that one regular her the diner keeps flirting and hitting on Rae, when her phone buzzes. MaryAnn watches the smile spread slowly across his daughters lips as Louis' name flashes across the screen. She insists that Rae takes the call, sipping at her cup while her daughter steps outside to talk, MaryAnn doesn't need magazines or Kari to tell her what she see already, after Rae comes back in fifteen minutes later. There's a smile bitten back as she drops in her seat, checks her phone once more and replies to a message, laughing softly before putting her phone away. Rae's smile lingers for the rest of the night, and MaryAnn absolutely blames Louis for it.

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Notes

I snuck a song lyric in there....it's a running theme