#the static reallllll

[monicaalexandraaa]

I’ll never be over these twoooooooo. This story has my whole heart🩷🩷

Most Extra II

Read Most here | ~2.8k words

Warnings: angsty and a little fluffy

Summary: Harry hates Lauren and doesn't know how to convince her that she should too.

Harry was speeding. Beeping like an obnoxious driver in their little town where anyone who looked over would know it was Harry. But he was terrified. Truly terrified of whatever Lauren would or could say to her.

How dare she. After Harry was kind enough to not tell his sweet angel about her horrible ex-friend. He didn’t tell anyone. Not even Sarah (although he knew she suspected more than anyone). He didn't ruin her reputation for being a horrible person. All she had to do was quietly ignore her and leave them the hell alone for the rest of their lives.

But Harry got a text from Louis saying he and Eleanor were heading out and they were insistent, but she refused to go with them. The kind, stubborn lady she was. Instead, she was going to make sure Lauren got home safely.

Harry hated Lauren. Preying upon her sweet kindness once more. Harry knew from experience it was difficult (next to impossible) to convince her Eleanor and Louis would be happy to stay with her. He could hear her saying that it was late, and she didn’t mind waiting. She was going to be up until Harry got home anyway. Arguing with her was futile,

Harry pressed her contact again wanting to scream when it went to voicemail again.

What if it was too late?

What if Lauren was telling her she wasn’t enough again, and that Harry deserved more? His heart was in his throat, sweat dotted his hairline, and his stomach felt like it was about to reject his dinner. He hated being a firefighter. At least in that moment he hated it. It wasn’t fair he had to work odd hours and couldn’t be by her side to usher her out of the restaurant when she refused to leave her old friend.

He hated Eleanor and Louis while he was at it.

And the phone company since it was clear her phone was dead or she had already blocked him.

Plus, the traffic light that refused to turn green.

In that moment Harry hated everything that wasn’t her.

Fortunately, he had one rational brain cell still functioning in his mind. Her phone was just dead. Lauren wasn’t stupid enough to try the same thing a second time. Regardless, she had too much stuff in their house. It would be enough to slow her down from leaving in the middle of the night. It had to be. It would give him enough time to be there in case she tried to leave. He would beg. Sob. Scream. Whatever he had to do to keep her. To assure her she was enough. That she was more than enough.

Harry parked at the end of the short road. He was almost certain his door didn’t fully close and if the key was still in the ignition, he wouldn’t be surprised either. He took off sprinting up the sidewalk toward where a crowd of people were waiting to get into the restaurant for the live music and good food and dancing.

The whole lot of his friend group had gone earlier in the evening (except Harry because he was working) and everyone had left at a reasonable hour except for the three of them. She had sent him updates throughout the evening and told him that her phone appeared to not hold its charge, or she left her flashlight on again draining the battery. But she loved him, and she would text once she was home, and it was charged. At the time he didn’t mind at all. It was kind she sent such thoughtful messages to assuage any future worry when she didn’t answer. Harry wasn’t a controlling boyfriend (or he hoped he wasn’t) but the worry he felt over her ate at him frequently, and badly.

By the time his shift was ending he still didn’t have a message from her, but instead one from Louis. A voice memo muffled by the sound of a door closing. We tried to stay with her, but you know how she is. She’s just making sure Lauren gets home safe. She said she’ll Uber or get a ride home with her coworker.

Harry felt like she was in danger the same way when he scaled her apartment building. He sped, he beeped and was now running to find her. Hoping it wasn’t too late.

“Harry?” her sweet voice interrupted his nightmare of her leaving again. He skidded to a stop and his breath caught in his throat at the sight of Lauren hanging onto her just like she used to when she drank too much. "Are you okay, baby?" She asked her eyebrows pinched together in confusion.

He swallowed the emotion in his throat at the word baby. She was there. She was safe. She didn't sound like she was leaving. "Yeah," he shook his head. "I uh..." he bit his lip.

"My... my phone did die."

Lauren avoided Harry's gaze, which was easy enough for her because she looked like she was about to throw up so she was probably actively focusing on that. "What are you...?" He started then shook his head.

"Lauren's other friend is coming to pick her up. She was insistent. I even offered to Uber home with her. But she's not doing so well," she frowned. "Lo, you still with me?" She asked.

The girl he hated, really truly hated, nodded once. Harry wanted to scream still. "Her phone is likely in her friend's car, otherwise I would have called you. You didn't need to rush down. Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

He nodded trying to keep any semblance of cool and collected he had etched on his face. But it was nearly impossible. "M'fine. Jus’ got worried..." he rubbed the back of his head. "Where's her friend?" Harry wanted out of this nightmare and away from Lauren as soon as possible. But even though he hated her, he didn’t want something to happen to her because she was drunk and unable to stand on her own.

"She’ll be here any minute. She was ten minutes out ten minutes ago when we called from the bar."

"Do y’need t’go back in?"

She shook her head. "I told Eleanor and Louis I would just Uber or catch a ride with Lo," she explained. "Lo, you doing okay?" She stroked her hair from her face softly. Like the sweet best friend she always was way back when. "Poor thing," she frowned as Lauren nodded once more. “You got out a little early? I thought I was going to beat you home still.”

Harry didn’t want to tell her that he basically told the squad he was feeling sick, maybe it was food poisoning, and he wanted to be in the comfort of his own home when that happened.

Harry still felt nauseous anyway. Maybe he would throw up when they got home. All that anxiety and frustration. At least it seemed that Lauren was unable to speak. Unable to say anything to cause doubt or ruin his life all over again.

"Can I take y'home?" He asked.

She giggled. It was such a musical, magical sound. It made some of the worry release from the grip around his heart and throat. His shoulders untensed. She was so cute, and he loved her so much. Even when he was anxious, it was enough to settle him some. That sweet smile, her kind eyes, and that beautiful giggle. "I would hope so," she bit her lip. "Unless you want me to Uber home."

Harry wanted to handcuff her to his side. But he thought driving her home would be sufficient.

For now.

*

The second he closed the front door, Harry pressed his body flat against it, caging her against the door and his chest. “Hey, what’s wrong?” She wrapped her arms around his waist. Barely flinching. As if he did this all the time. “Baby, you're making me nervous. Why are you so upset?”

His face was pressed to the crook of her neck like he was hiding there. Harry had a good mind to hide there and never let her go. He shook his head. “S'nothing. M'fine”

“This is not very convincing, baby,” she whispered and combed her fingers through his hair. She inhaled deeply against his head and then kissed at what she could reach which was part of his ear and some of his head. “I’m sorry about my phone. I didn’t mean to worry you—”

“Can y’do me a favor? No questions asked?” He asked into her skin.

“Harry?”

“You trust me?”

“Yes of course—"

“Don’t talk to Lauren. Ever. Please.”

"Wait," she frowned, gently pushed trying to get a look at him. But he didn’t budge. Like he didn’t want to look at her when he asked because it was too much or something. "Harry, that's kind of a weird thing to—"

"No questions, kitten. Please, M’begging,” his voice was so quiet, almost cracking as he spoke into her neck.

She pushed him away again, a little firmer this time, just far enough that she could get a good look at his face. His features pinched with anxiety. His eyes looked so sad. "Harry—"

"Baby please," he pleaded. "I won't ever ask you t’blindly trust me again ‘bout anything. Just this. Please."

Her heart felt sad. His anxiety made her feel sick. She frowned, cupped his cheek. He turned quickly and brushed his lips along her palm. Of course she trusted him. With her entire life. Blindly, all the time. He scaled a whole building to save her life. He could ask her anything and she would trust him. "Okay, okay,” she brushed her thumb along his skin hoping it would soothe the anxiety in his expression. "Whatever you say, baby." Harry pulled her back into his embrace, her face snug against his shirt. His nose bumped against her skull as he kissed the top of her hair. "I blindly trust you," she assured him, muffled by his body holding her tight. "I was just a little surprised was all."

He nodded silently. Not wanting to say anything more. He wanted Lauren to remain a nice memory for her. A friend that no longer served her purpose—someone she outgrew and nothing more. "Are you always going to hug me like this when my phone dies?" She asked. “I’m sorry I worried you so much, baby. I didn’t mean to.”

"I ordered y’a portable charger when y’told me it was dying hours ago. It’ll be here tomorrow," he murmured into her hair not letting go of her even slightly.

She giggled. Continued to hold onto him, and let Harry take whatever he was getting from this hug against the front door when there was a perfectly good couch and bed nearby. But he seemed to need this.

*

The following morning, she tapped gently against his arm. "Harry, baby?" She whispered. "I need to pee." He moaned softly. "M'sorry."

He shook his head and slid to sit up against the headboard. He rubbed his eye. "S'okay."

"I'll come right back."

"No, s'okay. We can get up," he glanced at the clock on his bedside table. He could make her breakfast or have her be his breakfast.

"Well, I want to snuggle longer," she frowned getting out of bed and putting a sweatshirt over her frame. It was too big. The static from putting it on made her hair frizz in front of her face. She didn't move it. Which only made Harry love her more. She was adorable.

"Well, I'll be here," he promised.

She hurried into the bathroom and then before Harry could fall asleep, she was back. She situated herself between his legs pressing her back against his chest and holding his hands in hers. The sleeves of her sweatshirt got in the way a bit, so Harry pushed the long sleeves up her wrists. It melted her and Harry kissed the top of her head. "Y'okay, baby?" He asked. She nodded, twisting their fingers together. Then holding his left hand and tracing his palm with no pattern in mind.

"Can you tell me why?" She asked.

"Tell you why what?"

She sighed. "I know you said no question asked. But... it has nothing to do with my trust in you. But... Sarah said something to me a few weeks ago and I don't know... I'll let it go if you really want me to. But... I'd like to know. If you can tell me... I don’t even see her anymore and honestly, I’m not sure why... but... Why can’t I talk to Lauren?"

He tilted his head up and sighed. It was unfair of him to give her a directive like that. She was an adult and could do whatever she wanted. Harry didn’t want to be controlling, and this was not the way to do it. "Okay," he took a deep breath. She was utterly patient. Waited while Harry tried to form the words. Words he didn’t want to say or relive. "Do y'remember our first date when y'got back?"

"You mean having sex in your car?"

He smiled fondly and nosed at the back of her head. He was glad she remembered such a lovely detail. "Y'said something t'me. That I deserved more than you," he squeezed her hand in his. It was a little easier to have this conversation while she wasn’t looking directly at him. It might have made him cry to relive all of it and think about what happened because of what Lauren said.

"I still think that, if I'm being honest."

Harry winced. Gently he turned her in his lap so he could look at her. "Baby," he frowned. "S'not even a little funny."

She reflected his frown with her own. "Harry...” she sighed. “Tell me what happened,” she whispered.

"I was grabbing y'a coffee after m'shift. Before the fire. Lauren said the same thing. I deserved so much more than her. S'exactly what she said and maybe if either of you used a different phrase I might not have noticed. But... y'didn't get there on your own, kitten, did you? I adored you and m'confident y'knew that. So she did it, didn't she? She told you that y'weren't enough," he swallowed hard, his voice breaking. "She made y'feel like y'weren't enough for me."

"Harry," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "Stop, I'm here."

"But you weren't. I felt so alone and sad and kitten, it wasn't fair."

She winced. "I know."

"I hate Lauren."

"Harry," she brought a hand to his cheek and ran her thumb over his cheek, rough with the scruffy starting of a beard (or whatever he chose to call what grew on his baby face. "I'm the one that listened. I'm the one that left."

"But she knew y'would do that. She knew y'loved me so much y'would go because I think I would have done the same thing... I want you t'have everything. Even if that means I don't have you."

She looked down at his chest, terrified to make eye contact. "I know," she whispered.

"I'll never forgive her," Harry promised. "For making y'feel like less. For making y'feel like y'didn't deserve love and t'be happy. For making y'think I would ever stop loving you," he pressed his mouth over hers. A tear rolled down her cheek and got caught in the kiss. Harry pulled away and swiped at it with his finger. "You're my favorite person, kitten."

"You're mine," she breathed. "I'm sorry I listened to her."

"Y'thought it was the right thing t'do. I don't fault y'for that. I wish y'told me; that will always make me sad that y'didn't want t'tell me," his voice ached with longing.

"If I told you, you wouldn't have let me leave."

A wry chuckle escaped him. "I would have had a hell of a time convincing you t'stay," a forlorn smile graced his lips.

She smiled shyly. "Yeah?"

"Probably would have kissed you 'til y'believed me. Handcuffed you t'me," he chuckled. "Or m'bed."

"I'm sure Anne would have loved that."

"She would have handcuffed you too," he rolled his eyes.

She giggled and then dropped her face to his chest. "You smell good."

"Mmm."

"I love you," she whispered. He buried his face in her hair and kissed the top of her head.

"I love you, too.”

“I love you more,” she teased, and he smiled against her head. It still felt like a dream that she was in his bed and that she loved him. That she was back and all his and they would have forever.

Harry decided breakfast could wait if he could kiss her and hold her like this for a while. “I love you most.”

--

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