#whenever harry introduces it to him he is LOCKED IN

[starzionn]

if there’s one thing about draco in drarry fics, he’s always gonna love the telly

[watchmegetobsessed]

MAKE HER REGRET IT

A/N: i was really in the mood for some smut and the neighbors trope popped into my head, so here we are!

WORD COUNT: 4.1k

WARNING: sexual content

SUMMARY: Harry, your freshly divorced, insanely hot neighbor needs your help: you have to pretend to be his new girlfriend when his ex-wife comes over, however your little stunt outdoes your expectations in a lot of ways.

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It's a basic instinct for you at this point to look up at the balcony whenever you’re approaching your apartment building. However you’re not looking at yours, but the one next to yours that belongs to one hot, freshly divorced guy who moved in next door about two months ago. 

You remember the morning the moving truck appeared and you knew someone was taking the vacant apartment beside yours. You just arrived back from your morning run and you jumped right into guesses about who it will be. Maybe someone your age? A girl you can go to yoga with? Or a sweet old lady you can have tea with on warm afternoons? Hopefully not a noisy family, because the walls are way too thin to endure the screaming of a child. 

Then you saw him. Carrying a heavy looking box up the stairs, a simple white shirt stretching on his torso, tattooed arms flexing under the weight of the box, you knew you were fucked the first time you saw Harry Styles. 

It took you no time to lurk over the next day and introduce yourself as his neighbor. 

“If you need suggestions for coffee spots around the neighborhood, I’m your person,” you smiled at him charmingly as he stood in his doorway in gray sweats and a black t-shirt, hair messy but so delicious, it was screaming for your fingers to run through his locks. 

“I will definitely keep that in mind. I can offer to fix anything around your apartment, I’m kind of a handyman,” he chuckled and your knees almost buckled hearing his creamy british accent. 

Fate played on your hand, because you kept running into each other so it didn’t take long for you to go out for a coffee run together and it was smooth sailing from then. You learned about how he just got divorced, his wife cheated on him and he found out on their second anniversary, tragic story and you still can’t quite understand how any woman could cheat on a man like him. You practically drool every time you catch a glimpse of him arriving back from a run in nothing but a pair of shorts, his tanned skin glistening from sweat. You definitely love to move out to the balcony around the time he can be expected to appear in the late afternoon, you watch him stretch and breathe heavily and the sight alone makes you break a sweat as well, but for a whole different reason. 

You’ve been trying to flirt with him every possible occasion, but you also make sure you don’t come off too pushy. After all he just got out of a marriage, it must be hard on him to recover from being cheated on. There’s also a slight age difference between the two of you, not that dramatic, but that eight years could easily be a deal breaker for him, so you’ve been playing it safe. 

When you’re lying in bed late at night and sleep is not coming to you, you can’t help but think of how he is on the other side of the wall, you imagine him sleeping without a shirt, maybe thinking about you the way you like to think of him… But it’s all just a fantasy, one you fancy very much. 

The door to his balcony is open so you know he is home, but he is not out. You take your time walking up the stairs, your legs are definitely tired from the run you just had and just when you reach your floor Harry’s front door swings open and you stop, watching him walk over to your door. He didn’t notice you, so you stay still and watch him take a deep breath as he lifts his fist up to knock, but then it falls back to his side and he shakes his head, stepping backwards before returning to his spot on your doormat and that’s when you decide to put him out of his misery. 

“Are you out of sugar, neighbor?” you ask, slowly walking towards him. Harry spins around with a stunned expression. 

“Oh, I didn’t–I didn’t see you.” You catch his gaze running down your body and legs and you’re thankful you decided to wear your shortest shorts. 

Playing with your keys in your hands, you finally reach him. 

“What’s up?”

“Um… I have a bit of a situation on my hands and you might be able to help me.”

Unlocking the door you push it in and gesture for him to follow you inside. 

“Do tell me.”

Rounding your way into the kitchen you step to the fridge to grab some water. Harry hesitantly follows you and stops by the kitchen counter. 

“So, I talked to Rory this morning,” he starts. You’ve heard enough about Rory, his ex wife to know that if she’s involved, it’s for sure something messy. “You know that painting in my living room?” You nod. “Well, she insists it’s hers, because a friend of hers painted it, but I was the one who paid for it. Whatever. She’s been trying to get me to give it to her and honestly I’m over it so I gave in. She is picking it up today.”

“When will the part where I can help come?”

“Right here,” he chuckles nervously. “We got into a fight, no surprise. She screamed at me over the phone and told me I’ll die alone because no one can put up with my shit.”

You need to force yourself to swallow the bitterness in your mouth. That woman sounds very much like the spawn of the devil, because who would say that to anyone? Especially to Harry? Aside from being insanely hot you’ve also learned just how kind, passionate and funny he is, basically the whole deal. Rory is the biggest loser in history for letting go of a man like him. 

“One thing followed the other and I just… Um, I told her that I have someone.”

The light bulb switches on in your mind, because you already know where this is heading. And you like it, very much. 

“I don’t know what got into me, but I told her she can meet my alleged girlfriend when she picks up the painting so she can see herself that I’m not the loser she thinks I am. And… as you might now, I do not have anyone…”

“You want me to be your fake girlfriend,” you finish for him, saving him from having to say it out loud. You can see just how awkward he is, having to ask you for such a thing. 

“Basically, yeah. Only if you don’t mind being part of this shitshow. I understand if you find it weird and I don’t expect you to–”

“When should I be over at yours?” you simply ask and watch his eyes go wide. 

“Y-You will do it?”

“Sure, sounds fun. Besides, I’m curious to see the stupidest woman on earth,” you add smirking and he finally lets out a relieved laugh as well. 

“Thank you so much, Y/N. Really, I owe you big time. She’ll be here in about two hours.”

“Perfect. I’ll be there.”

For the next two hours, you do everything you can to bring out the hottest version of yourself. Hair, makeup, dress, everything is on spot when you step out of your apartment and walk over to Harry’s door, ringing the bell. 

When the door swings open and Harry sees you his mouth hangs open, giving you that one last ego boost you need to be the best possible fake girlfriend ever. 

“Satisfied with your girlfriend?” you ask, tilting your head. 

“I-I uh–Yeah! I’m… yes.”

“Can I go inside then?” you ask with a chuckle and he steps aside in a hurry.

“Sorry, yeah come inside.”

“So what’s the plan?” you ask, walking into his living room and making yourself comfortable on the couch. Harry follows, but he takes the armchair across you and you can tell he is still struggling with not ogling you, especially your exposed legs and deep cleavage the dress teases him with. 

“I don’t… I have no idea, I have never done this before.”

“I have.”

“Really?”

“Just once, in college. One of my friends broke up with a girl who did not take it well and I was his fake girlfriend for a week to get her to stop harassing him. It worked.”

“Then… I trust you with anything.”

“What’s the goal?”

Harry opens his mouth, but then closes, as if he is embarrassed to say what’s on his mind. 

“Harry, say it. I’m happy to help with anything.”

“I want to make her regret it.”

“Regret what she said?”

“Regret everything,” he corrects and when he looks you in the eye a shiver runs down your spine from the determination that’s behind his green irises. 

“Consider it done,” you smile at him devilishly. 

At your suggestion you both take a shot to ease your nerves and make it easier to lie. It seems to loosen him just enough that he doesn’t look like he is about to attend an interrogation. 

And then the bell rings. 

“Show time,” you smile at him and as he walks over to the door you take your place on the couch again. 

You hear the door open and then a female voice mixes with Harry’s before the footsteps follow. Harry comes into view first, but then Rory steps out from behind him and you see the pure shock in her eyes when she finally spots you. 

“Oh, hi!” you smile at her almost disgustingly sweetly as you stand from the couch and walk closer. “You must be Rony. I’m Y/N.” You hold out a hand for her and watch as her mouth twitches when she hears you mess her name up. 

“Rory,” she sassily says and shakes your hand at last. “So you’re the… girlfriend.” The disgust in her tone is apparent, she is not even trying to hide it and it just makes it way more enjoyable. 

“Yes and you must be the cheating ex-wife.”

Harry coughs beside you, he was not expecting you to be this blunt, but the look on Rory’s face is priceless, because she can’t deny what she is. Moving closer to Harry you wrap an arm around his waist and though at first he freezes at your closeness, he is quick to recover and join in on the act, his arm finding your waist as well. 

“The painting is over there, just take it and let’s get over with it, alright?” Harry nods towards the painting he already took off the wall, now it’s leant against the console table that’s been underneath it. 

“You didn’t even wrap it?” she scoffs. How am I supposed to take it like this?”

“Rory, I’m not a fucking gallery. You wanted the painting, take it.”

“It’s gonna be ruined if I just put it into my car like this!” she argues. 

“That’s none of my business.”

“Harry, this is so not okay! I can’t–”

“Jesus, Rory fine! I think I have some bubble wrap,” he grunts, heading into his bedroom to find something to wrap the painting in, leaving the two of you alone.

Rory gives you another long, dirty look, as if you were the woman Harry cheated on her with when she is the culprit of this mess here. 

“So how long have you been together?” she then asks, pretending like she is just chit chatting, but you know she is eager to know everything about you.

“A little over a month now. You know, I wasn’t looking for anything serious, but Harry is just the perfect guy and I couldn’t stay away from him.”

“Oh, he is not that perfect, little girl.”

It’s obvious she tried to derogate you by calling you a little girl, she must be around the age of Harry, not more than thirty-six for sure, but she can’t find anything to use against you other than the fact that you’re clearly in your twenties. How mature. 

“I know. But everything he can give me makes it worth it. And the sex, ah!”

She gives you a puzzled look. You knew this would stir her up, Harry mentioned how distant they grew in the last few months and sex wasn’t the same anymore. Looking at the timeline she must have started her affair around that time and Harry couldn’t perform the way he otherwise could because she wasn’t open to him anymore. It was a vicious cycle, but you also know Rory is the kind of woman who must have humiliated him because of that. Harry never said, but you just feel that she criticized his sexual performance when she left him even if it all happened because of her. 

And now hearing that he is giving his all to another woman is definitely something that can drive her nuts. 

“Oh please, he sucks in bed,” she scoffs.

“Not with the right partner. He is so good, I honestly don’t know how you could let go of him.”

“He couldn’t make me cum for months!”

“That’s unfortunate. I get an orgasm basically after every meal. He is so good at it, honestly, it’s like he just wants to please me every possible moment. I mean, I can’t remember a morning when I didn’t wake up with his head between my legs, he loves quickies, I have to sanitize the kitchen counter like twice a day.” You let out a chuckle and just watch as her face grows redder while staring at the kitchen counter, raging jealousy swirling in her mind for sure. It’s clearer than daylight that she didn’t cheat on him because he wasn’t manly enough, this woman is simply a stupid loser who couldn’t appreciate what she had, maybe panicked that she can’t mess around with others and then simply chose to ruin everything. 

You’re more than happy to remind her what she lost. 

“Alright, this is all I got,” Harry emerges from the bedroom with some bubble wrap he probably had left from moving, but when he sees you and Rory staring each other down, he stops. But before he could speak up, you decide to push that knife into Rory’s chest as your final move. 

Stepping over to Harry you push yourself up against him, he drops the bubble wrap and his hands grab you by the waist instantly, though you see confusion in his eyes before you take his face in your hands and pull him closer, lips pressing against his hungrily. 

It’s not a sweet, shy first kiss. This is the perfect show off, messy, passionate, full of tongue and eagerness as you practically devour each other. For a bit you forget about the show you’re putting up and it’s your real desire you’ve been fighting for weeks now. Every time you try to pull back Harry just keeps demanding more and you happily give him what he wants. He bites into your bottom lip when one of his hands moves down to your ass, giving it a not-at-all shy squeeze, making you moan into the kiss. 

It feels like it takes forever for you to stop, when you open your eyes you’re met with Harry’s hungry eyes, his lips are slightly swollen and shiny from your kisses. 

And then you remember you’re not alone. 

“Oh, fuck you. Fuck you both!” Rory pops the bubble around you and when you turn to look at her, she is already grabbing the painting, not even bothering to wrap it. 

“It was nice to meet you!” you call after her.

“Fuck you!” she repeats, marching towards the door and you’re just smirking like an idiot, pleased with yourself for pissing her off so badly. 

Harry follows her to shut the door behind her and you let yourself bathe in the sweet victory you just earned. 

“This went amazing, right? She was so mad, oh my God!” you laugh, but your smile quickly disappears when you realize the serious look on Harry’s face as he is walking back towards you. 

Shit, maybe the kiss was too much. He didn’t want it and now he is pissed at you.

“Are you mad about the kiss? I-I’m sorry if it was too–”

The words die down on your lips when they crash against his again, his hand cupping the back of your head while the other returns straight to your ass, groping you so hard your whole body smashes against his. 

Your mouth opens in surprise and it gives him the chance to push his tongue against yours, he is demanding, rough and so much more raw than what you imagined him to be like. 

“What did you tell her?” he asks against your mouth, moving you around until the small of your back hits the kitchen counter. “What did you tell her that made her so pissed?” he demands, his hand already eagerly moving underneath your dress. He presses two fingers against your clothed clit, making your eyes roll into the back of your head. 

“I said, ah–I said I wake up every day with… your head between my legs, and… Oh fuck!” You’re losing your ability to speak your thoughts as his fingers start circling, the fabric of your underwear is so drenched, if you could think straight you might be embarrassed just how aroused he made you so fast. 

“And?” he urges you to continue, but at the same time he pushes your underwear to the side and pushes two fingers into you without warning, making you gasp so loud that people on the street must have heard it through the open balcony door. 

“A-and that you fuck me on the… the kitchen counter all the time.”

He curls his fingers inside you as he keeps talking.

“Then that’s what I’ll do to you now. Are you okay with that?” he asks and you nod eagerly as you hold onto his broad shoulders. 

The next moment he pulls his hand back and you whine, feeling empty all of a sudden, but then he lifts you up and makes you sit on the counter, he lowers himself and places your legs over his shoulders with careful, but confident moves. You grab onto his hair as he pushes his head between your thighs and his mouth meets your clit. 

“Oh, fuck! Harry!” you gasp out, tugging on his hair as he swirls his tongue against your swollen clit, his fingers teasing your hole again. Then they push into you and he sucks on your clit, making you see stars. 

You imagined him to be skilled, but whatever it is he is doing to you, it feels out of this world and now you know you weren’t wrong when you praised him that much to Rory before. 

You’re totally out of breath when he comes up, he kisses you and you can taste yourself on his tongue, your hands impatiently tug on his shirt to get rid of it. Soon the fabric lands on the tiled floor and you map out every inch of his hard chest with your palm and while you keep kissing like there’s no tomorrow, you faintly hear the zipper of his pants come undone. 

You look him in the eyes when you reach down and take his hard length into your hands and you can’t hold back a gasp when you realize just how big he is. 

“I know you can take it, baby,” he coos, kissing the corner of your mouth and you’re ready to take him right then and there, but he moves back, making you reach for him in panic. “Condom,” he says and you lean back onto your elbows with a sigh as you watch him disappear in his bedroom. You have just a few seconds you process that here you are, on top of Harry’s kitchen counter, with your dress bunched up around your waist, your drenched pussy on show, waiting to be fucked properly. You definitely did not expect this outcome when you woke up this morning, but you’re not complaining. 

Then Harry appears and he is walking over to you, completely naked, his dick in his hands as he rolls the condom on while moving and you bite into your bottom lip, hoping to remember this view until the end of time. 

When he reaches you again he simply curls his arms around your thighs and tugs on you so you get closer to the edge. His erection wedges between your wet folds and the tip pokes against your clit, making you clench around nothing. 

“I have to admit, I’ve been fantasizing about fucking you on this counter since the day I moved in and saw you for the first time.”

“Just on the counter?” you ask teasingly. 

“Every surface of this fucking apartment,” he admits with no remorse.

“Make a list then and I’m more than happy to do them all. But let’s tick the counter off first.”

“Don’t have to ask me twice.”

He reaches down and circles his thumb against your clit a bit before grabbing his dick by the base and dragging it up and down your cunt a few times before pushing the head in first, letting you adjust to his thickness first. When you claw at his chest he takes it as a sign to go deeper and he keeps pushing until you take his whole length, feeling fuller than ever before. 

“I want to go hard,” he breathes out, staying still for now.

“Go hard then. I can take it,” you assure him, though you do have doubts feeling just how stretched out you are now. 

“Of course you can. You’re my good girl,” he praises you and before you could get a word out, he pulls back and slams into you hard. 

There are moments when you actually think you’re about to burst, Harry did not joke when he said he wants to go hard, his thrusts are fast and rough and he makes sure he buries his whole length into you every time he pushes into you. At one point he pulls your legs over his shoulders and it allows him to reach a point in you no one has before and it pushes you towards the edge rapidly. The counter is painfully hard underneath you, but you somehow forget about the pain and only focus on how hard Harry is railing into you. His stamina is incredible, your body already feels like goo and you’re not even doing the actual work. 

“Harry, I’m so close,” you moan and his fingers dig deeper into your thighs at your words. 

“Come around my cock, baby. I wanna feel you squeeze me.”

You cry out his name again, a tear rolling down your cheek, because you’re so desperate to let go. Harry moves a hand to where you meet and his thumb returns to your clit and that’s what throws you over the edge. 

Your back arches and you squeeze around him uncontrollably, gasping for air as he ruthlessly keeps fucking into you. 

“That’s it, baby. You look so fucking beautiful, coming on my cock.”

You can’t stop moaning as you ride out your orgasm. The last waves are washing over your body when his movements fall out of rhythm, he slams into you hard and he sucks on his breath before moaning out your name over and over again, pushing into you a few more times as he comes. He falls forward, his face burying into your heaving chest as he tries to catch his breath along with you. There’s a long minute of silent bliss, his cock is still inside you, his lips peppering soft kisses onto the skin that’s exposed on your chest while you’re mindlessly playing with his hair. 

When he straightens up he pulls out of you, the empty feeling hitting you again. He carefully helps you off the counter, but keeps his arms around you, because when your feet hit the floor you wobble. 

Nuzzling your nose against his chest you take the cross pendant on his necklace between your teeth and pull back, looking him in the eyes. 

“Don’t do that, or we’re moving to the next place on the list.”

Giggling you let go of it and push yourself up to steal a kiss. 

“Give me some time to recover, but I’m all in to check out another place.”

“Jesus, I knew you’d be the death of me the moment I saw you,” he breathes out, before his mouth claims yours hungrily. 

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

[seivsite]

THE GOLDEN TRIO .ᐟ

includes: otoya eita x fem!reader x karasu tabito. everything is platonic, a few swear words, not so intended harry potter golden trio reference — wc: 523

At first, you thought of them as arrogant and stupid. Oh, how wrong could you be. After becoming their so-called “girl best friend,” you get to see a side of them they never really show to anyone; it’s a very exclusive side reserved only for you.

It’s quite funny how you became friends. It all started after the U-20 match when Otoya spotted you at the bowling alley and found you really pretty. He mustered up the courage to ask you out on a date, but little did he know that you weren’t easily impressed. You began teasing him by pointing out his flaws, like saying his hair looked like a turnip or joking about his lack of romantic success despite his popularity. Your playful banter continued until he pleaded on his knees for you to stop. Meanwhile, Karasu couldn’t contain his laughter, amused by the whole situation unfolding in the background.

After all that, Karasu introduced himself and Otoya, but you already knew who they were because they stood out in the U-20 match. Without missing a beat, they immediately asked which one of them was cooler, expecting a response that favoured one of them.

However, you took a moment to consider and then casually replied, “Itoshi Rin.” A smile played on your lips as you chuckled, watching their expressions deflate in defeat.

The dynamic between the three of you is undeniably unique and perhaps even questionable at times. You’d have to listen to all of Otoya’s flimsy attempts to woo girls, and there you were, telling him that those girls were assholes, and he shouldn’t date them because they would only ruin his life and dignity.

And then there’s Karasu, always judging all his friends from Blue Lock and sharing all sorts of stories with you. Like that one time Shidou tried to fight Rin but ended up getting electrocuted and tied up as a result. He thought, “Damn, that could never be me, man. I don’t understand that guy. He even got a hard-on during the U-20 match! Can you believe it?”

As time went on, the bond between the three of you grew stronger, and you found yourself often playing the role of mediator in your conversations. Whenever Karasu said something that offended Otoya or expressed a different opinion, Otoya would turn to you, seeking your perspective. Your response would vary depending on your mood and the circumstances at hand.

You also now have two intimidating men barking at people who try to hit on you or make you uncomfortable. They wouldn’t hesitate to punch someone in the face if they ever looked at you the wrong way.

You wouldn’t hesitate to surprise them with random gifts that reminded you of each of them. For example, you might have bought Karasu a crow plush because it reminded you of him, or a ninja figure with the same hair colour as Otoya. They were always pleasantly surprised by these gestures and wondered how you could afford such things. Whenever they asked about the source of your funds, you would simply reply with a mischievous wink and say, “It’s a secret.”

NOTES. i pulled this out of my ass its kinda wonky but whatever i need more karasu otoya content

LIKES AND REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED! ‹3

[moonbread123-wattpad]

Hey, so I have an idea for a oneshot if you're interested : No voldemort au where harry meets the trader's parents. I want to see your take on how that would go down. Thank you!!

I LOVE this idea!

TW: Implied unhappy family. Slightly strained relationship between Y/n and her mother. Y/n calls her mother mumma because I said so. Some uses of Hindi.

Type: fluff

Pairing: Harry Potter x Rich!Indian!fem!reader

Year: Fifth year

Summary: Harry meets Y/n's parents.

Feel free to leave comments, I love reading them!

As Harry adjusted his hoodie for what felt like the hundredth time that noon, he gazed into the mirror at the bend of the road, attempting to tame the unruly tangles of his hair. However, the result only seemed to exacerbate the mess, leaving his locks in a state of unbridled chaos.

Just as he was about to resign himself to his unkempt appearance, the soft voice on the intercom announced the arrival of IndiGo flight 6E 1546, Y/n's flight. Harry's gaze drifted involuntarily to the state of his clothes, he really should've let his mother pick out his outfit. He felt a pang of self-consciousness, his nervous smile faltering as he anticipated being seen alongside Y/n.

As he stood up, he noticed the CISF guard approaching, accompanied by Y/n and her parents. Her eyes sparkled as she took in her surroundings, her exhaustion from the journey momentarily forgotten. Her gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Harry, and her face lit up with a radiant smile. She looked stunning in her AE top and jeans, her natural beauty radiating like a warm sunbeam. In contrast, Harry's worn hand-me-downs seemed dull and faded, a stark reminder of his humble circumstances. He felt a flutter of anxiety in his chest as he wondered if he would ever be able to measure up to her parents' expectations.

Y/n, as always, seemed torn between running up to greet him and waiting for her parents to catch up. Her mother gave a gesture which clearly said 'go ahead'. Y/n broke away from her and almost skipped to Harry.

"Hi," she greeted him. "I would've hugged you right now, but y'know..." she nodded significantly to her parents.

"Hello" Harry greeted back, managing the tiniest smile. He glanced over at her parents. Her father seemed to be instructing someone over the phone, her mother surveying him with interest.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to my parents" Y/n grabbed his hand before he could reply. Not that he would've been able too- he could never get his mind to think straight whenever she did that.

"Mumma!" she said excitedly as she neared her mother.

"Haath," her mother warned sternly, and she immediately let go of his hand with a slightly tensed expression. Harry had seen her mother for the first time- she looked about his parents' age (i.e. slightly too young to have a child). Her father, on the other hand, looked much older than her mother.

"You must be Harry?" her mother said pleasantly, reaching out a hand to shake his. He could see her gaze over him, her smile unable to hide the glint of contempt in her eyes.

"Yes, nice to meet you," he smiled, shaking her hand. Her father put down his phone, finally surveying him.

"Nice to meet you, Harry," he smiled, similarly holding out his hand. He, however, seemed to have a genuine smile. Harry relaxed visibly- it was hard to feel stressed with a man like him.

They exchanged the formalities, and Harry requested them to pay a visit to his house, as he lived close by and they could walk there.

As they walked, the parents fell behind. Harry could hear her parents whispering over Y/n's voice. He couldn't understand what they were saying, but the mother didn't sound too happy.

"I have a feeling your mother doesn't like me," he whispered to Y/n.

"Don't worry about it. She always dislikes people at first," she assured him. Harry gave a feeble smile and crossed his fingers in his pocket, praying to God his parents would be able to save him.

He spent most of the next half-an-hour zoned out, barely noticing how her mother looked slightly more approving when she saw Lily. By the time he came back to reality, the parents seemed to be getting on quite well. Y/n was snapping her fingers in front of him.

"Did you, like, die?" she asked.

"Kind of," he admitted, smiling. This one didn't falter. Maybe this was not going too bad afterall.

Please send more asks<3

[alisonfelixwrites]

Informed consent: chapter 5

Word count: 11,300

Mia didn’t think she had often been this nervous.

She remembered being nervous to tell her parents she got two B’s in sixth form. She remembered being nervous when her parents introduced her to Daniel with a very apparent wiggle in their brows. She remembered being nervous about being alone with him for the first time only to feel disappointment pretty soon after as he was constantly on his phone and hardly spared her a glance.

But now, she was extra nervous.

For one, she had never gone on a date before. She wasn’t sure what to expect even if Hazel had gone over a billion different scenarios with her.

Mia had blindly agreed when Harry so politely asked her on a date. Sharing that hug with him had felt like being surrounded by a warm blanket, Mia had felt. And then they had broken apart, shared some tea as he was alone in his apartment and spoke a little more about his brother.

Harry had admitted that Mia had spoken the truth with the words she spoke during the therapy session. She had also said that professor Dillon pushed her into forming some sort of diagnosis and to confront him, something she tried to get through to Harry that she didn’t want to do.

He understood, and told her it was alright. He opened up though, to Mia, not therapist Mia.

And then when she decided to go home once her stomach started growling, he left another one of those mind blowing kisses on her cheek. Mia was certain that by now he knew fully well the effect those kisses had on her. They made Mia flustered and made her stumble over her words. She truly had difficulty remembering the English language when he was that close to her.

And she was right, Harry did know how he made her feel. He relished in it a little, making her squirm just the right amount that it stayed playful before crossing the line into making her anxious or uncomfortable. He hoped she’d communicate it to him, if he crossed a line.

Mia was picking out an outfit for the date, and so far Hazel had convinced her into thinking of a codeword that she could text if she needed saving. Mia felt like she was overdoing it a little, solemnly getting back at Mia because that was how she behaved whenever Hazel went on a date with someone.

Mia always made Hazel turn on her location so she could follow along. She also asked for hourly updates, which Hazel usually forgot. Mia didn’t blame her, but it had caused her to stay up sometimes during the night, checking her phone every few minutes to see an update for Hazel that could ease her mind.

Hazel didn’t go that far, only teasing Mia a little for her excessive worries. With Mia going on her own date tonight, Hazel was playing stylist. Mia wanted to look like herself, only a little more put together. Harry hadn’t told her much about the date or what they were going to do. 

So she wore black wide slacks and another cute floral top that she had lying around. Hazel continued complimenting her when she wore them until Mia shyly blushed.

“What time is he picking you up again?” Hazel asked for the fifteenth time. Mia anxiously nibbled her lip as she let Hazel brush through her hair. She had been for a while now and Mia suspected that her hair was brushed through enough, but she also suspected that Hazel could sense her anxiety and continued brushing through her locks to ease Mia’s nerves.

And she was right, it did feel extremely calming to feel someone playing with her hair.

“Seven.” Mia breathed, sliding a ring around her finger and then holding up her hand to inspect the way it looked. She tilted her head to the side for a better view, narrowing her eyes and all until she eventually decided to take it off again. She dropped it back into her jewellery box and let out a deep breath, “Okay, so tell me again what to do when he wants to – uh.. sleep with me.” Mia squeaked out.

Hazel drew a breath, “You’re going to be firm and clear. You’re going to say ‘Harry, I like you but I don’t know you well enough to take that step’.” She spoke. Mia nodded, repeating the words in her head before letting out another breath, “A-And do you think he’ll try to?”

“I don’t know.” Hazel shrugged, dragging the brush through the lengths of Mia’s brown hair, “Not everyone is set on sleeping with the other on the first date. It’s just important to have that conversation and it’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

Mia nodded, “Yeah.” She tried to convince herself at this point.

“Mia, he just likes you a lot.” Hazel softly spoke, stopping the movement of the brush as she moved to sit opposite Mia. Hazel’s hair was in a high bun and she was wearing casual wear. Apparently for once, she wasn’t going out on a Friday. She had caught a bit of a cold during the week and had been feeling a little under the weather.

Mia had taken it upon herself to make some fresh soup this afternoon after her classes. Even though Hazel stopped her and said it was too much, Mia had to admit she only partly did it for her friend’s sickness but also did it to ignore the nerves about the evening.

So cutting up carrots, tomatoes, onions – until she was crying violently and had to blink harshly to get rid of the tears and the stinging – and some leek, while watching Grey’s Anatomy, had made her think of something else besides the upcoming date with Harry. Which is what she had been thinking about for the past twenty four hours.

After her first excitement settled, the inevitable anxiety came lurking. What if he expected things? What if he realised he didn’t like her? What if it got awkward? 

That’s when Hazel started distracting Mia by bringing up stories about the worst first dates. They started out as funny until Mia was giggling while stirring the vegetables on the stove, waiting for them to soften. The confessions turned rather serious after a bit though, with Hazel going over some important bits with Mia.

“I’m serious, Mia. When you say ‘no’, it means ‘no’. It doesn’t mean ‘maybe’ and it certainly doesn’t mean ‘yes’. Anything besides ‘yes’ means ‘no’. Only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’. Got it?”

Mia had listened intently and then had slowly nodded, asking Hazel what it meant if she just didn’t say anything. It was a possibility for Mia. More than often she had found herself unable to speak in moments of discomfort or anxiety. Like she just lost her tongue and couldn’t form words.

Hazel had firmly shook her head, “Silence means ‘no’. Only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’.”

The importance of consent was something her mother never really explained to Mia. Not her father either. The only thing her mother had really taught Mia about sex, was that it happened to serve the husband. 

Of course throughout her education, Mia had gotten classes on sexual activity and during her readings in the field of philosophy or even psychology, she had learned a lot. Also through watching Grey’s Anatomy – where everyone seemingly had a relationship with everyone – Mia’s view on sex changed completely. She no longer thought she had to just lie there and wait for her husband to be done using her. She felt like she earned pleasure and that she had a say in it.

Hazel confirmed that, going on about different positions until Mia winced and curled up into a ball, wishing she had been born without ears or Hazel without a mouth. 

Sex had never appealed much to Mia. She didn’t feel overly hormonal and had never come across a person who made her want to explore her own sexual side. She had never masturbated and was even a little scared to do so. It just didn’t sound like it could be something she liked, if anything – it sounded near painful.

So Mia steered clear of all those areas. Until she met Harry.

For the past few days, she had woken up during the night with a slight sheen of sweat covering her skin, with her mouth open in either a gasp or a moan, her hand tightly clutching the pillow and an uncomfortable pool of warmth between her legs.

Once, she had curiously dipped her finger down when she felt sticky and gross, and her eyes had widened in surprise upon feeling wetness. She had moved into the bathroom with red cheeks to clean herself up but not without inspecting what she saw on the toilet paper.

It wasn’t pee, because it was stickier and slimier than that. Also, it was see-through and it didn’t smell. Mia was curious, rubbing some of it between two of her fingers to feel the texture before she disposed of it and washed her hands.

It was unfamiliar, but it excited her nonetheless. Her body was reacting to Harry in a way it had never reacted to anyone else. For Mia, this was partly a confirmation that she truly did like him.

Mia was just zipping up her second boot when someone rang the bell. She straightened up immediately and just as quickly, Hazel’s head peaked out her bedroom with a wide grin, “It’s seven!”

Mia bit her lip and felt her heart drumming harshly in her chest. She nodded at Hazel and walked up to the intercom, pressing the little speaker, “Hey.” She smiled when she saw Harry through the little screen. He turned around to inspect the intercom and then grinned at the camera, “Hi.”

“I’ll be down in a second.” Mia smiled, already letting her eyes trial over what he was wearing even through a small black and white screen. Harry shortly nodded, “Can I come up for a minute? I have your book.” He held the book in his hand that she had handed him less than a week ago and Mia’s eyes widened, “You finished that?”

“Mia, maybe it’s easier to speak face to face then through the intercom!” Hazel called from her bedroom. Harry let out a chuckle upon hearing Hazel’s distant voice and Mia blushed, nibbling her lip, “Okay, second floor.”

Harry nodded and Mia pressed the button to let him up. She opened the door on a crack while running her hands through her hair again, pulling up her pants, tugging on her sleeves and smoothing her hands over her abdomen.

The footsteps in the hallway grew louder and she could faintly hear Harry greeting someone he passed by in the hall. Mia suspected it was Mister Stevens. He was an elderly single man living in this building and was always lurking around to catch everything. The moment he heard a bell going, he wandered the halls to see who arrived and which apartment they went into.

Hazel had had a few altercations with him when she brought home someone for the night and Mister Stevens caught them making out in the hall.

Soon enough, Harry’s head came into view as he jogged up the last bit of the stairs. He was in wintery attire with his signature navy beanie on his head, a cosy long sleeved shirt with a flannel over it and then his winter coat.

He wore black jeans and equally black boots and Mia had to really force herself not to drool at the sight of him. Especially when he smiled and those dimples made her lose her breath.

“Hi.” He mumbled again, standing in the doorway. Mia exhaled shakily, “H-Hello.”

The look she shot him – eyes open in wonder, cheeks slightly flushed – hadn’t gone unnoticed by Harry and it boosted his ego. He wasn’t wearing anything special since they were headed somewhere rather casual. He hadn’t told Mia much but she looked like herself too.

“You look so beautiful.” Harry complimented, taking in her form. The black slacks accentuated the length of her legs and nipped in at the waist a little where the dark shade of her bottoms contrasted with the lighter burnt orange of her flowery top. Long sleeves and a little tight around her chest, the fit complimented her body perfectly. Her hair was brushed over one shoulder and she couldn’t stop playing with the ends of her locks as she blushed under Harry’s compliment.

“Thank you.” Mia smiled, “You too.”

“I look really beautiful?” Harry teased and Mia blushed deeper, licking her lips and trying her very hardest to think of words in the English vocabulary that she could then speak instead of staring at him like a lost puppy.

“Yes.” She settled on murmuring and Harry’s smile grew a little as he breathed out a chuckle. He held up his hand, “Here, this is yours.”

“You finished it so quickly?” Mia asked, gently taking it from his hand. She flicked through the pages and exhaled a breath, suspecting that Harry didn’t like it if he went through it that fast. Maybe he really only pretended to read it to be of interest to her and have something to chat about. Those quotes he knew in the library could’ve been dumb luck of him opening up the book on the good page.

He shot her a blinding smile though, “I did. Couldn’t put it down. You highlighted all the passages that I liked the most, it was amazing to read with your little notes.”

Mia blushed deeper and tucked a strand of her hair away as she felt Harry’s eyes gazing over her features. She put the book to the side and shyly grabbed her coat right as Hazel popped her head out again, “Hi Harry.” She smirked.

“Hazel.” He nodded politely. She grinned, “Are you going to get my girl back home before midnight?”

He breathed out a laugh, “I’ll get her home safe, yeah. No worries.” He didn’t answer about the midnight thing, hoping this night would carry on a little longer than that.

Because little did Mia know she wasn’t the only one who had been nervous all day. Harry played it off cool though. The first six times his friends asked him about it, he shrugged it off and vaguely responded that he looked forward to it but didn’t really dive in.

The seventh time – when Zayn asked – Harry cracked. He spilled everything, about being so nervous about this date which honestly to him just felt like the first serious date he’d ever been on. Other times it just felt mandatory if he wanted sex, and now that wasn’t even on his mind.

Well, it was. Mia was gorgeous and involuntarily flirty. She made his heart flutter and blood rush to places she’d probably blush about, but Harry couldn’t help it. When she was around him, he became nervous because if she could read his mind, she’d judge him for sure. To Harry, Mia was the epitome of grace. He obviously didn’t know all that much about her yet, but she carried herself innocently and it was one of the things that attracted him.

She was almost childish in a way, but in a cute way. Like she just looked at the world with rose-coloured glasses and she saw Harry that way too. And no one had seen Harry engulfed by pink ever. 

So he thought about her a lot. About the shape of her body, her scent, the way her skin felt when he leaned in and kissed the high of her cheek. The way she blushed and looked at him with round eyes afterwards, her mouth in a little ‘o’ in pure shock. But he also thought about how much he liked talking to her, how the conversation never ended, how she smiled at his jokes and how considerate she had been when he opened up about Edward.

It wasn’t an easy topic for Harry. His friends knew since they had visited him at home over the summer and had physically met his parents and Edward, but he just didn’t really talk about it all that much. Mia would probably have some psychological theory about that, Harry thought.

So this night had a lot riding on it. It was really their first time hanging out like this, besides from last week when he sort of saved her from that guy at the bar. Then they talked at home on the couch but it was still a little reserved. Now it was a date and they had called it a date. And both of them knew that a date meant romantic feelings.

Which they both already had for the other, but they were both too shy to admit it. Mia because she had never felt this before, and Harry because he now realised he also had never felt this before. He had felt attraction, sure. But not like this. And it made him nervous, how quickly Mia had made him swoon and how quickly she turned him weak in the knees.

Mia put on her long coat and flipped her hair out of the neckline, letting it cascade down her back before also grabbing a beanie to warm her a little. She smiled softly upon realising the shade of it matched Harry’s quite well, and he seemingly noticed it too as he chuckled and then stepped aside to let her out of the apartment.

They descended the stairs together and Mia fixed her beanie a little upon stepping outside, the cold air greeting them as darkness already had taken over. Mia shuddered slightly at the change of temperature and Harry bundled up his coat a little thicker, “It’s not very far, where we’re going. Are you okay to walk or is it too cold?”

Mia shook her head, keeping the chattering of her teeth under control, “It’s not too cold, walking is fine.”

Harry smiled and then nudged his head in the direction they started walking in as Mia buried her hands in the pockets of her coat, “So where exactly are you taking me?”

Harry turned his head and shot her a half-smile, “Are you hungry?”

Mia nibbled her lip, deciding for the first time today to listen to her body. On days where she was nervous, she usually couldn’t eat much. Her body just didn’t feel like it, but the growl in her stomach made even Harry’s brows shoot up, “I’m taking that as a yes.”

Mia blushed and nodded, “Yes, I’m quite hungry. Are we having dinner?”

“Yes.” Harry nodded with a bashful smile, “There’s this Italian place not too far, I’ve been there like once with my folks when they visited me and it’s really nice. Do you like Italian?” The conversation started flowing as Mia eagerly nodded, “I love Italian!” She exclaimed.

Harry chuckled at her enthusiasm and nodded, “Good, I made the right pick.”

“You sure did.” Mia smiled back, a loud chatter of her teeth making Harry frown a little, “Mia, you’re shivering.”

“I’m okay, really.” She brushed it off.

Harry brought one hand out of his pocket and gently reached for her, not quite touching her yet. Mia saw the gesture and blushed a little, unsure of what he was trying to do. Harry smiled at her panicked reaction and exhaled a chuckle, “Can I hold your hand?”

“Can you – oh. Y-Yes. Of course. Yes.” Mia stuttered much to Harry’s amusement. She slipped her hand from her pocket and he took it in his, warmth immediately engulfing her as his large palm covered her smaller one. Mia was mesmerised from the tingly touch as she felt Harry rearranging their hands until her arm was linked with his, and he brought their entwined hands into his pocket.

She couldn’t help the bright smile from forming on her lips as the position immediately made sure she was flush to his side. They matched their step and even Harry had a tiny blush on his cheeks. Their fingers were laced together in the pocket of his coat, nice and warm and gentle as he stroked his thumb over the back of her hand.

Mia had trouble breathing, feeling like she was floating on little pink clouds instead of walking in the puddles that littered the sidewalks of London while they made their way to the Italian restaurant Harry had booked them a table at.

He was a dream, Mia decided. And not just a wet dream like she had experiencing in the past few days, but a dreamy dream. One that made her just sigh and rest her chin in her palm with her eyelids fluttering shut and her lips in an easy smile as stardust filled her brain.

“Thank you.” She murmured and he gave her a gentle squeeze, “No problem, love.”

Mia felt butterflies zapping up her spine, making her dizzy. If she was lying in bed right now, she’d be rolling around with cheeks that hurt from smiling and her feet kicking as she hardly knew how to deal with these feelings. She had laid like that more than once in the course of the last week while on a call with Harry.

They chattered a little more about the rain and their classes that day before Harry made them stop in front of a tiny little Italian restaurant. Mia eyed the place with wondrous eyes, the warmth greeting her along with the scent of fresh marinara sauce once Harry opened the door for her.

It had like six tables and soft music played as the lights danced from the shaky candles on each table.

Harry spoke to the waiter who then guided them to a table in the far back. Mia took off her coat and hung it up on a hook on the wall before flipping her hair over her shoulder and taking her seat. Harry shifted in his chair opposite her, their knees bumping together softly before Mia crossed her legs over one another with a small smile.

“Thank you so much for bringing me here.” She spoke to Harry as her eyes darted around the interior, “This place is so cosy.”

“Do you like it?” He asked and she nodded immediately, “I love it. Truly. I –“ She cut herself off with a sigh and a nibble of her lip, “I’ve never been on a date before.” She admitted.

Where she thought Harry would give her a confused frown, or where she thought his brows would raise in surprise, he didn’t show anything on his face besides warmth and understanding. His hand easily found hers across the table, like they were drawn together after that touch outside and the handholding for warmth.

It felt natural now to hold her hand, Harry decided, and he never wanted to let go. Her palm was small and soft and he could feel a small scar above her second knuckle. He couldn’t wait to ask her how she got it, he couldn’t wait to get to know every little detail about Mia.

“Well, they don’t know what they’re missing out on.” Harry softly spoke, “And I feel very lucky that I’m sitting here with you for your first date.”

Mia blushed and stared at their fingers toying together. It was electrifying and addictive. She cleared her throat, “Have you gone on a lot of dates?”

“Not a lot.” Harry shrugged, “A few. Like maybe three. But never here.”

Mia wasn’t sure why that piece of information made her smile a little wider. She felt special. Treasured. Harry had never brought anyone else here, yet he brought her. A place he liked and had been before with his parents.

Harry licked his lips, lowering his eyes for a moment. Mia admired the way he looked, his hair a little flattened from wearing the beanie but after running his fingers through it a few times, it was pushed back from his forehead again as usual. Dark, chestnut waves that framed him perfectly. Green, soft eyes, pink lips, a slight stubble on his chin and once more that little scar on his nose where she wanted to ask if he used to have a nose ring.

She noticed the way his thumb stroked over her pointer finger a little quicker the longer they stayed silent.

Just as she opened her mouth, Harry opened his, “I spoke to professor Dillon today.” He spoke, words leaving his mouth faster than Mia was used to from him. Harry was a slow talker, something she had learned to admire during the therapy sessions. His speech was calculated and he often searched for his words with a gaze somewhere far away, but it’s how Mia felt like he was really putting thought into the question she had asked.

Mia tilted her head to the side, “Really?” 

Harry nodded, “Mhm. Told him I wanted another therapist.” He smiled softly and Mia returned it, nodding her head. It was for the best. She didn’t feel too good anymore being Harry’s therapist and getting to know him like that. She wanted to know him as herself and see him on her own time, not because it was mandatory. 

“A-And did you tell him why?” She followed-up. Harry leaned over the table a little with a dreamy smirk on his lips, “I did. Told him I started to like my current therapist a little bit too much and it wouldn’t be all that ethical.”

Mia blushed and giggled out a small laugh before biting her lip, “I think I did receive an email from him around six.”

“You haven’t read it?”

“No.” Mia breathed, “I – uh, Hazel made me promise that I wouldn’t check my emails anymore on a Friday night. 

“Why’s that?”

Mia licked her lips and opened her mouth, only to be interrupted by the waiter who briefly handed them their menus and went over tonight’s specials. Mia hardly heard him, if she was honest, her eyes were already anxiously dancing over the words in front of her. She immediately felt a pop of panic as she had trouble reading them quickly, the Italian words even more difficult.

“Hm?” Harry brought her back to their original topic and Mia lifted her gaze, “Oh – uh, well, I just often got caught up doing school work on a Friday night when I went through my emails. Like I just always felt the immediate need to do something. And according to Hazel, it’s a crime to work for school on a Friday.” Mia chuckled softly. 

Harry smiled and let out a laugh, a sound that made Mia grin, her body erupting in tingles when he laughed at her little joke. Mia liked it when Harry smiled, or laughed. It made his dimple more apparent and the crinkles around his eyes deepened. Also – it was a weird thing to think, Mia thought – but she felt like Harry had cute teeth.

They weren’t perfect, but nothing about him was. Yet that made him all the more attractive to her. She had said it before and she’d say it again. She had grown up around perfection and had always learned to be so. She had always heard that imperfections were something to hide, that she had to strive for perfection.

She’d had lengthy talks about it with Hazel. Now that Mia thought about it, Hazel truly was somehow her therapist. Hazel had always called out Mia for being a perfectionist. But after only a few days of living together, Hazel quickly realised that Mia really couldn’t help it.

And the more Mia thought of it, the more she tried to find imperfections in people. She liked finding them and felt like it made them more human. She admired it about others. Somehow hoping she’d be able to accept her own.

“She sounds like a good friend.” Harry remarked and Mia smiled, nodding, “The best. She’s so nice.”

“That’s nice.” Harry returned her smile before dragging his eyes back down the menu, “Have you decided what you want yet?”

Mia’s smile faltered as she attempted to read the words, but the more she tried, the harder it became. Her hands trembled softly as she drew a breath, “Just the margarita pizza, I think. You?”

Harry flicked his eyes up, “Really? D’you not want anything different? They have quite rare stuff on this menu. This tonnarelli looks amazing.”

Mia didn’t respond and Harry glanced up to see her again, “Mia? Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” She breathed, putting down the menu with a sigh as she anxiously bit her lip, “Would… would you mind reading the menu out to me?”

Harry blinked at her a few times as Mia held her breath. He eventually nodded, “Sure. Okay, so there’s ricotta ravioli with butter and sage. Tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, garlic and parsley. Then there’s the seafood risotto – which sounds great, to be honest.” He mumbled, “Tonnarelli with colatura di alici and tomatoes. Colatura is like a fish sauce, made from anchovies. It’s really great.”

He bit his lip with a concentrated frown on his face, “Then there’s pappardelle with ragu. There’s some salads,” He lifted his eyes, “d’you want a salad, Mia?”

Mia blinked before softly shaking her head and Harry hummed, diverting his attention back to the menu, “There’s eggplant parmesan, grilled squid with mussels and prawns, lamb with anchovies, rosemary and potatoes. Roasted pig with grapes and white wine. And tagliata with rosemary and balsamic vinegar.” Harry closed the menu.

“Thank you.” Mia whispered after a silent moment. She couldn’t believe it. Harry hadn’t even asked her why she needed the menu read out. He hadn’t questioned her or made her feel weird about it, he just went with it. After contemplating for a brief second, she felt like he earned it even more to know this bit of information about her. One of her imperfections.

She knew some of his. His relation with his parents and his brother, the whole library incident, the fact that he blew his first year. He knew she struggled with school and that her parents controlled most of her life.

“I’m dyslexic.” Mia murmured. Harry stared at her for a bit, “You are?”

Mia nodded, “Yeah. It’s obviously something I can work around and I don’t want to blame everything on it, but it is one of the reasons I struggle with the course materials a little.” She explained. Harry immediately nodded, “Yeah, of course.”

“So, that’s why I asked you to read the menu.” She blushed a little and Harry tilted his head to the side with a small smirk, “Really? I thought y’just liked the sound of my voice, Mia.”

It was her turn to throw her head back in a laugh and Harry smiled as she laughed freely. He felt privileged to know this piece of information about her. It wasn’t something she actively tried to hide, it seemed, but it also wasn’t something she was overly proud of.

It made more sense now, though. The typo’s in her texts or emails, her needing extra credit to get through her subjects, her excessive studying. Her perfectionism.

“So, what’s it gonna be?”

Mia puckered her lips in thought, “Either the seafood risotto, the tagliata or the tagliatelle.”

“You’ve narrowed it down to three?” Harry teased and Mia giggled, “I have. Which one would you pick?”

“I was set on the tonnarelli but that seafood risotto… I think my pick has been made. So how about you take either of the other two and we can share?”

Mia’s face lit up, “Which one do you like more? The tagliata or the tagliatelle?”

“I like both.” Harry chuckled, “’M not a picky eater, you can choose.”

“Maybe the tagliata?” 

Harry hummed, “Great pick, love. Any drink preferences? D’you want to share some wine?”

“Wine?” Mia raised her brows, “Oh. I don’t know, I’ve never had it.”

“You can try it if you want. Maybe just a glass? And if you don’t like it or don’t want it anymore, I’ll finish it.”

“You’ll have two glasses of wine?” Mia questioned in surprise and Harry nodded, “Sure. I won’t be drunk from two glasses, Mia. Promise. I’ll still be a perfect gentleman.”

Mia gazed at him for a second, “I mean… I’ve always wanted to try it. Hazel says it tastes good.”

“Yeah, you can choose. I’d take some water with it too, to hydrate. But red wine tastes great with Italian.” Harry shrugged.

“Okay.” Mia breathed, “Which one should we pick?”

It was Harry’s turn to pucker his lips, and he hadn’t given Mia an answer yet by the time the waiter came for their order. Mia ordered the tagliata and Harry the seafood risotto and the waiter nodded while writing down.

“Then maybe a bottle of sparkling water?” Harry checked with Mia and she nodded as he continued, “And then, uh – two glasses of your Sangiovese wine.”

“The 2020 or the 2017, sir?” 

I raised my brows at Harry who seemed deep in thought, “The 2017, please. Has it got some Merlot in it, too?”

“Yes.” The waiter nodded and Harry hummed, “Very good, thank you.” And then we handed back our menus. I chuckled under my breath, “Wow. Do you know a lot about wine?”

“Not at all.” He snickered, “Just said some words and hoped it’d sound fancy.”

Mia giggled bashfully, “It did, convinced me.”

Soon enough, the waiter returned for Harry to taste the wine and give it his opinion. Mia watched with intense eyes as the small bit in his elegant glass got sloshed around, the wine dancing around the side of the glass and dripping down in streaks as Harry inspected it carefully.

He had his eyes on hers as he took a tiny sip, and Mia felt her insides trembling at the eye contact. Harry puckered his lips as he inhaled a little breath with the wine in his mouth to let it breathe. He swallowed it in little sips, both me and the waiter waiting for his verdict.

I knew he was faking and teasing, and I brought my fingers to my mouth to hide my little smile.

“Delicious.” Harry smiled at the waiter, who seemingly nodded in relief. He poured the both of them a glass and Mia curiously lifted it up. It felt heavy in her hand, and she felt like she looked sophisticated with the fancy glass resting casually between her fingers.

“Cheers.” Harry softly smiled, holding up his glass. Mia grinned back while ticking them together, “Thank you again for bringing me here, Harry. This is amazing.”

He felt warm at her genuine compliment, and nodded in agreement, “It really is. ‘M glad you like it.”

They both took a sip of their wine, Mia careful and tiny, while Harry was already a little more used to the taste and drank more confidently. Mia tried to mimic the way Harry had tasted the wine so professionally earlier, copying his movements without him realising. 

She liked the taste, having expected it to taste like it smelled. And it did.

“So is it finally my turn to ask you questions?” Mia asked. Harry shot her a grin, “What do you mean?” He teased, “You’ve been asking me questions for four sessions, Mia.”

She giggled and shook her head, “Not like that. Not about… the library. Just you.”

“Just me.” Harry nodded, leaning his free hand over the table again to meet Mia’s halfway, which was somehow already waiting for him in the same spot as before. Their fingers found each other easily and Harry felt completely giddy, “Just me and just you.”

Mia’s cheeks hurt from smiling as she hid slightly behind her glass of wine and nodded.

“What d’you want to know? Choose carefully, the first one is a big one.” He playfully teased and Mia bit down her lip, “Did you used to have a nose piercing?”

Harry’s smile grew until it turned into a full laugh, his shoulders shaking as he chuckled, “Is that really your first question?”

“Yes.” Mia laughed, “I’m curious. I’ve seen the little scar on your nose.” She pointed to her nostril and Harry shook his head with a smile before taking a breath, “I did. When I was sixteen, I had like a hoop in my nose. I took it out when starting college, only had it for a few years.”

“Why’d you take it out?” Mia questioned, studying his face. Harry shot her a playful smile, “Why do you ask, sweetheart? Would you have liked me even more?”

He subtly dropped her dazed confession from a few days ago and Mia blushed while taking another small sip of wine and then alternating with some cold water. The nickname made her shudder even if Harry said it so casually. She’d remember that forever, the way the word sweetheart sounded, falling from his lips. She could already tell it’d be another reason for her to wake up sweaty and with sticky thighs. 

Harry chuckled and gently squeezed her fingers, “I took it out because when enrolling in uni, they kind of gave me a hard time about it. Our school’s quite conservative, Mia. Don’t know if you’ve noticed.” He sounded a little sarcastic.

Mia didn’t say anything and Harry continued, “I mean, they’re making students do forced therapy… I know it’s your field and all, but I think it’s weird. You can’t give mandatory therapy because people won’t pay for whatever they broke or whatever damage they inflicted. It’s like bribery.”

Mia casted her eyes down, her finger mindlessly tracing over the ring around Harry’s middle finger. She hadn’t even really noticed they’d been holding hands this entire time and it felt so normal. “I understand what you’re saying. I-I’m only doing it for the extra credit.” Mia started near defending herself and Harry quickly frowned, “Mia, ‘m not accusing you of anything. I know you’re just executing a system that you probably don’t really stand behind.”

She pressed her lips together and nodded, “I-I’ve thought about what we spoke about last week. About me maybe wanting to do something different.”

Harry’s face lit up, “Y’did? What’s that mean, hm? Have I taken you to the philosophy-side?”

“Not quite.” Mia snickered before drawing a breath, “I was thinking about sociology or… anthropology maybe.”

Harry smiled and raised his brows, “Really?”

Mia blushed softly and nodded, “Yeah. Seems interesting, if I’m honest. It’s not about the individual, but on groups of people and their dynamic. It… uh – it requires me to talk less.” Mia admitted, “I think I’d like that.”

“To be fair, I think you’re quite a good therapist. Already.”

Mia smiled, “Thank you. But I still don’t think it’s really for me. Like you said, I don’t really believe in it, and it’s hard to be passionate about something I don’t believe in.”

“Sociology leans a lot more into philosophy.” Harry smirked in triumph, gently tapping his fingertip against Mia’s knuckle. She smiled, “It does. ‘S a bit more of everything. Anthropology, biology, psychology and philosophy. And less epistemology, which is great.”

Harry groaned out, “Shit, yeah, epistemology. The worst.”

Mia giggled and Harry looked at her, “So how’re you going to do it? Finish your year? Or just your semester?”

“It’s mostly just an idea for now.” Mia backed down a little, “I’m not sure how my parents would take that. And if I’d be a-allowed to.”

“Allowed to? Do you still think they’d try and push you into a field you don’t want to be in?”

Mia cast her eyes down, “I don’t know.”

“You could try and talk to them about it?”

“Yeah,” She shrugged, “maybe. I might finish my year, try and get my grades up and take my credits into next year. I’m sure I could skip a few subjects that overlap with what I do now.”

What Mia really meant to say was that she’d try and finish her year, hoping that maybe her feelings towards psychology changed and she’d suddenly find her passion so as to avoid a very nerve-wracking conversation with her parents where they’d just repeat how disappointed they were in her.

Harry somehow sensed this, leaning over the table a little more, “They sound… uh – a little bit controlling.” He carefully voiced his concerns. Mia offered him a brief, tight smile and exhaled through her nose, “I-I think they just want the best for me.”

Harry sensed that she sort of closed off around the topic and decided that now wasn’t the time or place to get into it. So he just nodded, “Perhaps.”

They fell silent for a second and each took another sip of their wine before Harry cleared his throat, “Do you want to talk about your dyslexia?”

Mia lifted her eyes right before swallowing, and licked the excess taste of wine off her red-stained bottom lip – which made Harry moan internally as he watched her carefully. “Sure.” She responded, “You can ask me about it, if you want. I don’t mind talking about it.” It was partly the truth. Mia had just never really spoken about it much in general. 

“So… is it just reading you have some trouble with?”

Their hands were still joined together, Harry rubbing soothing circles into her palm as Mia traced her finger over the rim of her glass of wine, “Reading and also writing. And just… processing information in general. I don’t know, it’s a little hard to tell because I’m so used to it and I don’t know any other way. Words just… flow together a little and it’s not as easy to read one word like in full. It’s like I have to break it down and it takes me three times as long to get through a sentence.” She tried to explain.

Harry listened intently as Mia continued, “So when I’m taking notes in class, I really just scribble stuff down and rely a lot on what I hear. Which is why I don’t like skipping classes. Going through the presentation afterwards just takes me so much longer because I have to read it all. And then after taking notes during class, I have to re-write them once I get home because…” She blushed a little bit in shame, “t-there’s a lot of mistakes in how I write. I have to filter them out and write the words down properly.”

Harry felt for her, seeing the way she got slightly embarrassed about it and he didn’t have to think long before knowing why that was. Her parents. He shifted in his seat a little, “That sounds like a lot of extra work.”

“It is.” Mia nodded before exhaling a chuckle, “Hazel often thinks that what I do in my room is actively studying, but I’m usually just redoing my notes or reading through bits of the classes that I missed throughout the day because the professor went too quickly.”

“And does the school know? I’m sure they’d be set on helping you if you explained it to them.” Harry offered and Mia cast her eyes down before shaking her head, “No, they don’t.”

Harry blinked, realising that this meant that she’d take regular exams like everyone else. Students with dyslexia were allowed to take their exams in separate rooms where it was calmer and less crowded. The exams were printed on larger paper with larger letters and some questions were swapped out so they’d have to read and write less. Also, they got scored less on grammar and little vocabulary mistakes.

Harry was sure Mia also knew this, and he continued to glance at her as she nibbled on her lip again, “They did know when I was in high school. I think that’s why I experienced that so differently and never struggled a lot with any materials. I passed with flying colours and somehow that made me think I was really smart or that I was this great student. But now…”

“You really can’t compare uni to high school, Mia.” Harry coaxed, “It’s completely different in a lot of ways. But I think I agree when you say that maybe it was different because they knew of you being dyslexic. I-I think you should tell now, as well. They can help you a little. And it’s not making it easier or anything, they’re mechanisms to support you. Right now, you’re doing like… three times as much as anyone else. You’re taking these tutoring classes, you’re doing this therapy stuff and you’re going through your notes at least twice just to re-write them. No one’s got the time for that.” He softly spoke.

Mia didn’t say anything, a little baffled by how Harry stood up for her even when she didn’t for herself. Her insides felt warm and even though this was nowhere near funny, she had to force herself to keep her smile down. Harry let out a short breath, “Sorry.”

She shook her head quickly, “No, no. Don’t apologise. It’s definitely something I’ll think about.”

Harry flicked his eyes up to see the genuine look in Mia’s eyes and he knew she wasn’t just saying it to coax him, but she had truly listened and found herself agreeing.

The food came moments later, with their hands breaking apart and the plates standing in front of them. Mia found herself peaking into Harry’s plate, who immediately noticed. He let out a chuckle, “How about we each eat half and then swap?”

She nibbled her lip, “We can do that?”

“Sure.” He shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. Mia couldn’t even imagine, swapping plates in a restaurant just like that. Her parents would call it impolite and rude, but she was here with Harry and she was having the most fun she’d had in a very long time. She smiled and nodded, “Okay. Wait for me, though. I eat a little slower.”

Harry found himself wishing his chair was right next to hers so he could pull her into his side and have her rub her nose into his neck, “Of course.” He smiled. He just felt so floaty around her, and somehow it was the best feeling in the world. 

They started their food, Harry checking Mia’s face when she took the first bite. Her eyes closed and she exhaled through her nose while her shoulders dropped. The sight made him grin and he scooped some risotto on his fork, “Is it good?”

“It’s so good.” She hummed, “This meat is so soft.”

Harry found a joke there, something about other meat definitely not being soft, but he kept it down. Part of him suspected that to not be Mia’s humour and he certainly didn’t want her to choke on her food in surprise of his dirty mouth.

Harry ate more, stopping after a few minutes to shrug off his flannel and then roll up the sleeves a little of the long sleeved shirt he wore underneath. Mia’s eyes darted to the exposed skin and Harry noticed, slightly smirking at the way she so blatantly checked him out.

“D’you like my tattoos?” He asked. Mia blushed and her eyes widened, stopping mid-chew as she realised Harry caught her. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and nodded shyly, “I do. They suit you really well. I-I’ve never seen someone with that many tattoos.”

“Oh, I’ve got loads more.” Harry smiled, “All over my chest and even some on my legs. I’ve got a huge butterfly on my stomach.”

Mia’s eyes widened more, “No way.”

“Yes.” Harry chuckled and Mia straightened up, “That’s – wow. Do you have a picture?”

Harry narrowed his eyes with a small smile, “I definitely do, but I think I want to wait to show you until you’re ready to see in real life.”

Heat flushed over Mia’s chest and up to her neck as she stared at him, realising what he said. Even just the thought of a shirtless Harry was enough to get her heart hammering violently in her throat and the butterflies to go insane. 

Butterflies. She gathered herself, “Why’d you get a butterfly in that spot?”

Harry smiled to himself, “You know, when people talk about liking someone a lot – or being in love – they mention butterflies in their tummy?”

Mia couldn’t breathe. She simply nodded and Harry took amusement in her flustered state, taking it a little further, “Well, that’s why I got it. Representing the butterflies.”

“S-So,” Mia stuttered out, “you felt the butterflies? W-When you got the tattoo?”

Harry shook his head, “No. I wanted to, but I didn’t. So I got it tattooed, if that makes sense? I don’t know.” He took a sharp breath, somehow having to man up to say the next part as all his confidence in the world just faltered when turning so vulnerable, “I do know I never felt them before. Until now, with you.”

Mia stopped breathing altogether. She had admitted in a blurt last week that she liked him. And that was a lot and she had thought about that moment and damned herself as there was no way to save her from that. But Harry just admitted that he felt butterflies in his stomach while being around her. For the first time ever. 

The other people he went on dates with, no butterflies. The people he had kissed, no butterflies. The people he had slept with – including the girl in the library -, no butterflies.

Harry’s heart was drumming hard, seizing up Mia’s reaction. This was too much, he thought. He had been too blunt, had scared her away, had fucked it all up. Right as he was about to open his mouth and take the entire thing back in an attempt to save their evening – probably wrapping it up quickly so he could go home and wallow in self-pity – , Mia took a breath.

“Me too.” She squeaked out, gathering all her courage to respond and voice her reciprocation of his feelings of affection. 

Harry’s eyes rounded as he gazed at her, a small little smile tugging on his lips, “Yeah?”

Mia bit her lip to fight her smile and nodded, “Mhm.”

“Fuck.” Harry mumbled with a wide grin, shaking his head to himself. Mia found herself smiling wider when she noticed the blush on his neck, crawling up to his jaws and cheeks. She giggled under her breath, “You’re blushing.”

“Stop.” Harry laughed, his leg bobbing underneath the table as he tried to contain whatever he was feeling. Unfamiliar, this giddiness. He hadn’t experienced it and he wasn’t sure where all the energy in his body came from. Well – he did. It was caused by Mia, but he couldn’t understand how one person could make him feel this way with so little words.

She liked him. She really liked him, felt the butterflies that he felt. They liked each other, and Harry would go as far to admit that he was very quickly falling hard for her. If he hadn’t yet. 

Images of Mia in a white wedding dress flashed through his brain, images of her with a round belly, images of them on vacation where they’d enjoy food and wine and each other. It was one date and he somehow could see an entire future and he needed to calm. down. 

Harry caught his breath, willing away his pink cheeks – which only she could pull from him – as he dared lifting his eyes. The look in Mia’s face nearly made him fall off the chair. She softly glanced at him, holding her chin in her hand, elbow on the table. It seemed like her food was long forgotten, a soft look in her eyes, a dreamy look. Her eyes were a little closed, her lips up in the tiniest little smile and he swore he could hear her purring.

He couldn’t look away, completely lost in pale blue eyes that he was quickly drowning in. He held onto the last little bit of composure he had before he’d blurt out that he fucking loved her on their first date.

“Swap?” He suggested with a dry throat. Mia seemingly snapped out of her daydream, straightening up with a soft pink on her cheeks as she bit her lip and smiled to herself, “Swap.”

She smiled as they clumsily changed plates and cutlery, and she tried not to think of how weirdly intimate it was that she was eating the risotto with the fork that had been in Harry’s mouth before as he took a bite of the meat. He moaned a little more than she had when he took that first bite, clearly a little excessive to get them out of their intense staring mood they had been in for the past few minutes.

Mia didn’t mind the more playful vibe Harry pulled them into again, and soon enough they were lost in another conversation about philosophy. Harry no longer teased her for studying psychology, he sensed it was a sensitive subject and they’d had enough of that already tonight. So they continued discussing lighter stuff, little philosophy debates which Mia knew surprisingly much about.

They spoke about Harry’s first year in uni, with Mia asking him to recall the moment he first met his four best friends. It was a question he’d never received before, but he liked it. He went over the memories he had with Niall, Zayn, Louis and Liam and Mia smiled and laughed as he recalled some embarrassing or funny moments with the four idiots he called his besties.

Mia also asked him about Sarah, and her heart melted into a puddle when Harry explained that he often walked Sarah home after their classes when Mitch couldn’t make it. Sarah had been harassed on campus a few times and he and Mitch had an agreement that they’d never let her walk home by herself.

It’s why she showed up at room two after their session when Mia had seen them. Harry was quick to tell her that there had never been anything romantic between him and Sarah, that she was one of his mates’ girlfriends who he got along with. 

It was endearing though, Mia felt, how protective Harry felt. Not only of her, but over women in general. He walked Sarah home when it got a little late and it was dark, he had saved Mia from Tyler at the bar as well. 

Mia swooned over his whole saviour complex which she had learned a lot about. Many women hated it, but she secretly loved it for some reason. Maybe because she had never really felt protected before. 

They finished their food while talking, Harry excessively scraping up every scrap of sauce left while Mia took the spoon through the risotto to not leave anything behind. They both decided they loved this restaurant, and immediately made plans to return here someday.

Mia could picture it, them celebrating their anniversaries here. She was going crazy, she felt. Harry would certainly run for the hills if he knew she was somehow planning their entire future in her mind. 

The restaurant had run empty by the time the waiter handed them the dessert menu. And even though Mia was full, she agreed on sharing some red velvet cake – which was a chef’s speciality apparently. It wasn’t very Italian, Harry noticed, but he didn’t mind. 

The wine was gone, and Mia had to admit that she didn’t feel any different. It was pleasant, knowing she could maybe enjoy a slow glass of wine without having to fear losing her composure or feeling dizzy. They drank their water until the waiter came back with their tea and the piece of cake.

It stood in the middle of them, both holding onto a spoon as they tried to split it in half. Harry laughed when Mia reached for the biggest part jokingly until granting it to Harry. They had a little discussion about it until Mia convinced him she truly wasn’t hungry anymore and he could have the biggest part.

Harry nibbled his lip as he took a small scoop of the cake and then held up his spoon. Mia understood what he meant and leaned over the table, softly parting her lips as Harry fed her the little bit of cake. It had to look stupid, she knew that. From onlookers, they had to be cringey and disgusting, but she loved it. Her fingertips numbed when he intently stared at the way the spoon disappeared between her lips, his fingers gripping the table cloth out of the corner of her eye.

The tension was driving Harry absolutely crazy, but he suspected that Mia didn’t do any of it on purpose. She didn’t realise how sexy she really was. They ate the cake – which had been a great choice – and finished their tea around midnight.

“Mia, come on.” Harry laughed, fighting her over the bill. She had her finger around it but Harry’s hand pried it away from her, “I’m paying, seriously.”

She sighed in defeat, “Fine, but I’m paying next time.”

The sentiment made Harry’s heart flutter and he nodded immediately, “Okay, love. You can pay next time.”

He got up and went over to the cash register to pay for their dinner as Mia put on her coat. They hadn’t really agreed that the night was ending, but somehow they both started walking in the direction of her apartment complex, hands once more entwined in Harry’s coat pocket like they had done it all their lives.

Mia felt warm, matching their steps and feeling a little more comfortable with leaning into his side a bit. The streets felt empty and it was cold, their breaths clouding in front of them as they softly talked a little more. 

Stopping at her front door, Mia pulled out her key and looked at Harry over her shoulder, “D’you – uh, do you want to come up?”

He smiled and instantly nodded, “Yeah. Promised Hazel I’d get you home safe, didn’t I? That means up to your door, if I’m not mistaken.” He playfully joked and Mia bit her lip, nodding, “I think so too.”

They were silent in the hallways so as to not wake any other tenants at this hour in the night, walking up to the second floor until Mia laid eyes on the closed door of her apartment. 

“This is the door.” Harry sighed as they stood in front of it. Mia nodded, “This is the door.”

She held her key but didn’t make any moves to open it up, and Harry nibbled his lip, “So – uh… I had a great time tonight.”

Mia turned to face him, taking her hand up to her hair to slip off the beanie and tuck it into the pocket of her coat. She nodded at him with a smile, “Me too, Harry. Really. Thank you so much for taking me out.”

“’S my pleasure, love.” He chuckled out, daring to take a step closer to her. His eyes darted over her features, seeing how her eyes flicked between his and how breaths tumbled from her parted lips a tad quicker at the proximity.

She leaned against the doorpost of the closed door, Harry in front of her, “Have you ever been kissed before?” He asked.

Mia swallowed through her dry throat, inhaling the perfume she had been faintly smelling all evening. She softly shook her head, “No.” With the admittance of her being a virgin in every sense of the word, she wondered if it’d turn Harry off. He was obviously more experienced than her and she somehow thought he’d already figured out she was very inexperienced, but still.

But his reaction amazed her once more. He simply nodded, no shock or surprise or confusion written on his face. He shuffled a little closer again, “C-Can I please kiss you?”

Mia held her breath, her hands in tight fists next to her as Harry stood close, towering over her in the hallway of her apartment building. The automatic lights flicked off, leaving them in darkness. Only the small window at the end of the hall made some light pop in from the streets below. It illuminated part of Harry’s face, who stared at hers intently.

“You can say no.” He added in a whisper, “It’s okay if you say no.”

Mia remembered the talk about consent she had with Hazel and swallowed thickly again. She had dreamed of Harry’s lips on hers, yet the word was somehow stuck in her throat. It was stupid, it was just a kiss. Mia wasn’t sure why she made such a big deal out of it.

“What’s it feel like?” She asked in a murmur. She could faintly see the side of Harry’s lip tug up in a small smile as he took his hands out of the pockets of his coat. The movement made the hallway light turn on again, suddenly showing the entirety of Harry again.

He didn’t pay attention to it, gently lifting his hands until he reached her face. His fingers played with some free strands of her hair until he took it upon himself to brush the locks behind her shoulders. He seized up her reaction with each little movement he made, but Mia was just widely staring into his eyes as he leaned in.

Fingers on her jaw, cupping her cheeks, Harry leaned in to press a kiss to her cheekbone. They had done this before, and Mia puffed out a soft breath as she felt like she could sink through her knees at any moment.

“Like this.” Harry whispered, “But then on your lips.”

He repeated the action, kissing a little more towards her nose this time. Mia’s eyes fluttered close as he did it again, up to her brow bone and then her forehead until moving over to the other cheek. Her breaths came out puffy and shaky when she leaned into him. Her fingers had subconsciously gripped the fabric of his flannel and Harry pressed a tiny kiss to her nose, “Hm?”

Mia’s brain was swirling with lights and fireworks and she nodded with his hands around her, “Y-Yes. Please.”

“Please, what?” He whispered, needing her to say it. It was stupid, but he needed her to say it. Knowing she was about to ask him so politely to kiss her, would haunt his dreams for life and it was selfish, but he needed it.

Mia swallowed again, her throat so dry she felt woozy, “Please, k-kiss me.”

Harry exhaled and dipped his head, closing his eyes when kissing her. Their lips pressed together and Mia closed her eyes as well, tightening her grip on his clothing and pulling him closer to her at the same time. Harry happily obliged, shuffling closer until he was flush against her, legs between one another.

The lights turned off again as their lips were joined, and Harry pulled back when he felt like he was about to pass out. He only pulled back an inch, not enough to set off the lighting in the hallway. Their noses brushed together and he continued to leave little pecks on Mia’s parted lips. 

“How’s that for a first kiss?” He whispered against her lips. Mia exhaled a trembling breath and Harry smiled when he felt it against his mouth. Her eyes fluttered open again, the darkness concealing her wildly blushing cheeks as she still tasted him on her lips, “R-Really good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes.” She squeaked out, “Can – Can you kiss me again?”

“Gladly.” Harry murmured before repeating the action, a little more confidently this time. His body was on fire. He kissed her again, eyes closed, hearts open, his fingers cradling her closer to him. Their noses bumped together and Mia sighed out, leaning back and letting him guide her through it entirely. 

She loved kissing, Mia decided. Or maybe she only loved kissing Harry, she wasn’t sure. Mia had never been drunk before, but she felt drunk on him. Mesmerised, completely lost. He was soft, his lips were like little pillows pressed to hers. It was everything she could’ve dreamed of and Mia wanted more.

She pushed herself up on her toes a little, attempting to match his height more. The lights turned on again but they both had their eyes closed, ignoring it completely. Harry used his hands to tilt her head a little more, fitting his form better for easier access.

He pulled back and immediately kissed her again, moving his head to the other side. His entire body trembled when Mia exhaled the softest whimper against his lips. He couldn’t stop it, the gentle parting of his lips and the way he swooped his tongue over her lower lip. 

Mia froze and the breath hitched in her throat when she felt it, and she grew nervous all over again.

Pulling back, she felt him breathing against her lips. Her eyes stayed closed as Harry pressed another little kiss to her top lip, “Sorry.” He whispered, having felt how she tensed up a little at his attempt to deepen their kiss. But he was so addicted and he wanted so much. This slow pace felt savoury but also it felt like torture.

“Sorry.” He repeated in a sigh, “Just wanted to taste you a little more, ‘m sorry.”

His three apologies made Mia frown and she quickly shook her head when he felt his fingers around her cheeks loosening. She didn’t want him to let her go, if anything – she wished they could stay like this for a very long time. Her lips felt tingly and warm and she shook her head, “No, don’t apologise, please. I just – uh…” She took a breath, “I don’t know what to do. W-When you do that.”

Harry breathed out, his eyes still closed and Mia stared at his lids. The lights turned off again and with the tilt of Harry’s head that he did to brush his nose up against hers, it flicked on again. He opened his eyes with a small smile, “That’s okay. You can let me take the lead, you don’t have to do anything.”

Mia’s heart hammered in her chest, knowing they were about to  make out. She wanted to, but she was so nervous. They stared into each other’s eyes again until the lights turned off and Harry breathed out a chuckle, “Maybe we should go inside?”

Mia froze up, inhaling sharply, “I don’t want to sleep with you.”

“I know.” Harry whispered, “I know.” The lights turned on again, “Not what I was trying to do, Mia, I promise. That’s totally alright.”

She felt more at ease again at his comforting words, and his quick agreement just showed how much he cared and how sex really wasn’t the only thing on his mind right now. Harry had to admit it was some on his mind with how close they were standing and how they had been kissing for a few minutes, but he just wanted to make her feel safe and comfortable.

“These lights are just annoying me a little.” He chuckled quietly and Mia mimicked his smile, nodding while he still had his hands around her cheeks, “Okay.”

“You sure? ‘M not inviting myself in to try and sleep with you.” He repeated, wanting her to really know. Mia immediately nodded, “No, I know. I know.” She pushed herself up into him, bumping her nose into his and Harry’s eyes closed at the feeling. He couldn’t stop himself before leaning in and gently pressing a little kiss to her lips, “Okay.” He murmured.

“Okay.” Mia smiled back. 

[jahayla-parker]

In Time : Tom Holland x Reader

Chapter 11

The End

2k wc and SMAUs , click here for warnings and other chapters

Y/n sat beside Harry as Tom exchanged autographs with Son Heung-min. She watched as Tom paused, looking beside him and then frowning slightly. Before she could ask him what was wrong , his eyes met hers.

Tom’s frown softened into a pout. “Love, come ‘ere,” he requested, shifting on the couch so there was more room for y/n. He smiled as she sat beside him. He kissed her cheek before turning to Son Heung-Min.. “This is my girlfriend , y/n,” Tom said proudly.

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tomholland2013: bts of today’s No Way Home Travel Vlog @/sonypictures

(link in bio)

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yourusername: boyfriend material 😘

tomholland2013: the jersey or me? 🤔

yourusername: do i have to choose? It’s really cozy T

karinainatlanta: stopppp! girl are you stealing Holland’s clothes? 🙌

yourusername: 😇 no comment

harryholland64: @/ karinainatlanta yes, yes, she is… Tom won’t share with me… even though it’s MY last name on the jersey 🙄 but @/yourusername can wear it whenever she wants

tomholland2013: it looks best on her 🥰

hollandfanatic17: Just finished this episode and I cried!

brothersofholland: running to watch now 🏃‍♂️



———

Y/n closed her eyes peacefully as she rested her head on Tom’s shoulder as they sat in the van on the way to the next press event. She felt his lips press tenderly against the top of her head. She hummed as he quietly asked if she was doing okay. She smiled as his arm around her waist tightened lovingly.

Tom took advantage of y/n’s restful state. He slyly nudged Harry and looked over at y/n. When his brother nodded and took his phone out to take a picture for him, Tom smiled and mouthed thank you. Harry grinned But teasingly shook his head. Tom knew he was probably being a bit much, but he just so proud that she’s with him.

Tom watched from the side as y/n chatted with some of the crew backstage at his latest press event. He’d made sure to introduce her to as many people as he could. He couldn’t help but want to show her off. But he also hoped that pointing out her hard work and skill at y/f/h would help her lock down a job she enjoyed here in London. Because he can’t imagine her having to go back to the us. Mostly as she doesn’t want to, she mentioned this herself several times after arriving and getting comfortable with some of the cultural differences. So for her sake he didn’t want for her to have to leave. But truthfully he also didn’t want her to leave simply because he selfishly wanted her to stay for his own sake as well. Lucky for him, it seemed like y/n had picked up on networking early on in the press tour. Tom smiled to himself knowing it should help her land a job she’d enjoy that would also let her stay here.

———

LA premiere

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yourusername: The One Where The Press Tour Ends and The North American Premiere Begins. 🕷️❤️

So proud of my incredibly talented and handsome boyfriend, and the rest of the cast and crew! You definitely don’t want to miss this film! ❤️

📸 credit: @/harryholland64

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karinainatlanta: You look like royalty y/n! 👑🔥

yourusername: He sure made me feel like royalty 🥹

tomholland2013: Thank you for coming, my darling xx❤️

yourusername: No place I’d rather be than by your side T😘

nikkihollandphotography: you both look incredible ❤️

hollandfanatic17: That photo is the cutest 😭

parker_13_holland: he took her to the premiere, im deceased!!!!

zendaya: thank you girl, you looked so gorgeous! ❤️❤️❤️

tomholland2013: isn’t she absolutely radiant? 🥰

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tomholland2013: I can't believe we actually did it. Sharing the screen and my life with these incredible people has been nothing short of life changing. This movie is a labour of love a celebrates three generations of cinema. It truly is a dream come true and I'm forever grateful for all the love and support we've received over the years.

You made this third movie possible and I’m so grateful for that because it gave me the greatest opportunity of my lifetime. This film brought with it the chance to meet the most incredible people; off and on set. It was an experience I’ll never forget.

We love you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Enjoy the movie.

P.S. Bring tissues!

view all 996,247 comments

yourusername: forever happily indebted to this film ❤️

tomholland2013: as am I 😘 xxx

karinainatlanta: What a stylish couple! 👏👏

tomholland2013: She makes it easy 😊

yourusername: p.s. YES, definitely bring tissues! That is unless you feel like being a crying mess when you leave the theater cause this talented cast WILL make you cry🕷️❤️

tomholland2013: @/yourusername: you still looked beautiful, xxx

hollandfanatic17: OMG him helping with her heels? 😭

yourusername: 🥹 So unbelievably proud of you honey ❤️

tomholland2013: ❤️🥹

parker_holland: anyone else see they shared the same photo of them embracing and spinning? 😍

toms_wife_13: i saw a tiktok of that moment! It was so cute, she was so happy for him

parker_holland: @/toms_wife_13 plz send me the link! I HAVE to see that!

marevlicious_sam: @/toms_wife_13 me too plz!🙏

harperhollander: curious to see what’s next for them now that the premier is over? 🙄 Finally no more fake media reporting

hollandnews: wtf are you taking about? Look at these photos, the only thing fake here is you. But I agree, can’t wait to see what is in store next for them because they’re here to stay😌

tsholland_4ever: alert! Y/n commented multiple times on this same post! 👀

yourusername: yeah… I couldn’t help it 🤷‍♀️ 😂

tomholand2013: @/yourusername always has my back ❤️

Taglist: @theslayerofthevampires @galaxyholland @bigbirdstwins @mcushvft @fishingirl12 @raajali3 @justapurrcat @natswifeysblog15 @directioner5life @ell0ra-br3kk3r @laylasbunbunny

Tom Holland Masterlist

In Time Series Masterlist Navigation

Peter Parker / Spider-Man Masterlist

All My Works / My Main Masterlist Navigation

[nadinebrooks]

Here is the link to my masterlist.

Your Best Friend

Harry: Gryffindor, halfblood, same year

Neville Longbottom: At first it seemed like an unlikely pairing, but at the same time it just made sense. You had such an outgoing and bubbly personality while Neville was more introverted and kept to himself. You two perfectly balanced each other out. The two of you met the first day you arrived at Hogwarts. Once the hat placed you in Gryffindor, you sat down by him and promptly introduced yourself. Whenever people made fun of Neville, you were always there to stand up for him. He didn’t need to say it, but you knew that he was thankful to have you there when Draco was feeling particularly mouthy that day. You were able to bring out that fun and energetic side of him that had been longing to come out while he was able to bring you back down to earth. 

Ron: Ravenclaw, muggleborn, year above

Hermione Granger: It was no surprise to anyone that you and Hermione became quick friends once you had gotten talking to each other. At first Ron was a little hesitant to officially introduce the two of you once he became romantically involved with you. Ginny told him that there was nothing to be worried about. She knew that the two of you would get along pretty well. A lot of the students at Hogwarts were always comparing you two which could be a little annoying sometimes. Sometimes you joke about how she should have been placed in Ravenclaw with you. Even though you had never expressed this out loud to her, you did question why the hat hadn’t placed her in Ravenclaw. You had also wondered what that would be like - having your best friend in the same house as you. Even though you two were similar in the academic aspect of your lives, you were completely different in almost every other way. 

Draco: Slytherin, pureblood, year below

Blaise Zabini: You two practically grew up together. He knew you better than you knew yourself. You didn’t even have to say anything and Blaise already knew what you were thinking. He was good at finishing your sentences and even better at giving you advice. Even if that advice wasn’t something that you wanted to hear. But he didn’t care. He had never been one to sugarcoat things. Your family was surprised when you had taken an interest in Draco rather than him. Contrary to popular belief, you and Blaise had never been romantically involved in any way. Most girls stayed away from him because they thought he was into you. It was the same for you; most guys avoid you too. From time to time Draco did get jealous, but the both of you told him to get over himself. 

George: Slytherin, halfblood, same year

Angelina Johnson: George loved the idea of two of the most important women in his life being close friends. At first Angelina wanted absolutely nothing to do with you. Slytherin weren’t known for having the best reputation at Hogwarts and you completely understood where Angelina was coming from. When he asked Angelina to spend some time with you, she told him off and stormed away. There was no way she would hangout with a Slytherin if she could help it. But as she was thinking about it, she realized she had never heard a bad thing about you. Whenever she saw you walking around the castle, you were always smiling at everyone. She started noticing that in the classes you took together, you would go out of your way to help anyone that needed it. You would help classmates study for Herbology exams and practice wand movements for Transfigurations. Angelina was a little confused as to why you had been placed in Slytherin. She could see you in any house but that one. When she asked Geoge about it, he just shrugged and said that’s what the hat wanted. One day George had gotten tired of Angelina coming up with excuses as to why she couldn’t spend some time with you. So being the sneaky redhead that he was, he managed to trick Angelina and lock her in the same room as you. An hour later, he came back to let her out. He expected the room to be completely silent, but he was met with the two of you giggling so hard that she had tears streaming down her cheeks.  

Fred: Gryffindor, pureblood, 2 years below (same as Trio)

Ginny Weasley: Ginny Weasley was a friendly girl and had lots of people who she considered her friend. It was an honor for Ginny to call you her best friend. You were a little more on the quiet side so it was harder for you to make friends. Even though you were a year older than Ginny, it felt like she had taken you under her wing. Before you and Fred started seeing each other, you mentioned staying at Hogwarts during Christmas break, but Fred refused to let that happen when he knew that his mum was more than willing to have you at their home. At the Weasley’s house, you found yourself lodging in Ginny’s room. Ginny said it was like pulling teeth to get you to talk to her, but eventually she managed to break through that exterior shell. And once she did, the two of you were inseparable. Ginny noticed the looks that you and Fred gave each other when you thought that nobody was watching. She absolutely adored you and practically begged Fred to ask you out on a date. You brought out a side of Fred that she had never seen before and she couldn’t wait for him to make you a Weasley. 

Cedric: Hufflepuff, muggleborn, same year

George Weasley: At first you two didn’t really get along. You thought that both of the Weasley twins needed to take life a little more seriously. The reason that they were at Hogwarts was to get an education so that they could get a job after school and contribute to society. However, you soon realized that neither of them were looking to get that traditional job like most wizards. Cedric did find the twins entertaining so he would often hang out with them during his free time and drag you along. At first you did your best to avoid them to keep from getting annoyed. Everyone seemed to love them, but you weren’t sure why they rubbed you the wrong day. Late one evening, after a Quidditch game where Gryffindor beat Slytherin, the twin threw a party. Cedric brought you along and after a couple of shots of fire whiskey, you found yourself dancing on a table with George Weasley. George taught you how to not take life so seriously. You can’t change how people feel about you so don’t try. Do what you love and be happy. 

[tpwkwriter]

More boyfriendrry headcannons 💘

may include talks of smut/but mostly fluff 💫

— — — — — —

• 100% the type of boyfriend that is highly clingy and he’s very much whipped over you.

• absolute sucker for your fashion and style, and definitely takes his own inspiration from your wardrobe.

• loves having matching accessories!! Necklaces, rings,bags!!!!!!

• He loves when you opt to paint his nails, whenever he gets compliments about them he always loves to brag about how talented his girlfriend is: “yeah thanks my girlfriend did them, she’s so good right?!”

• Shopping Trips with him were always fun and the best, him spoiling his girl was his favourite thing even if y/n did refuse he’d do it regardless. You two would always find yourself in one of Guccis stores. “Get what you want baby its all on me” he’d say looking through various suits and jackets.

• but regardless of y/n constant disapproval he would still get her anything she sure interest in.

• The establishment of him being very protective of his girl was often prominent, in large crowds or settings his hand was always locked in yours or his hands would gently be on your waist guiding you through people.

• Though harry wasn’t possessive he definitely would make sure people treated his girl with respect and thoughtfulness.

• “her eyes are up here mate”

• “you must be mistaken she’s not alone buddy”

• It was well known Harry was an infamous gentlemen and respectful guy, so during the couples most intimate times he still managed to make her blush.

• “this okay honey?” He’d breath resting his forehead on hers

• “is it okay for me to take this off angel?”

• and as well as positive reinforcement.

• “your so amazing, I love you so much”

• “my perfect girl, so, so beautiful”

• His family were also very much in love with you, always messaging you and checking in.

• you and Gemma soon became the bestest of friends

• harry loved seeing his favourite girls get on so well.

• constant compliments from this man. “You look beautiful” “take my breath away” “you should wear that more often poppet”

• when out with friends always introducing you as ‘my girl’ and always checking on you making sure your comfortable and okay.

•good morning kisses, hello kisses, goodnight kisses just kisses.

• any excuse to cuddle or hold you..

[thenasoneshots]

FandomMas 2023 Day 1 - James Potter

Fandom: Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts

Prompt: She hates Christmas Day with her parents as all they ever talk about is how she is single and childless. Except this year they’ve invited the neighbours. (I don’t remember where I got the prompt from)

Timing: Marauders’ Era (6th Year)

Reader's Relations: None

Reader’s House: Not Applicable

Other Notes: The reader is a pure-blood. You’ve also never interacted with James or his friends before.

---------------------------

“(Y/n), you need to find yourself a boyfriend! You’re 16, by that age I was already engaged to your father!”

I inwardly sighed, as I’d had to put up with this since I turned thirteen, whenever my mother got an opportunity, which was very often whilst I was at home, she would always chastise me about not having a boyfriend or anything, wanting me to get married the minute I finished school

“Mum, please! I don’t want to rush into a marriage! I don’t care what age you and Father got married at, I’ll get married at my own pace and when I do it will NOT be for status or whatever, it will be for love,” I replied, as she continued to tie my dress around my waist.

“(Y/n)! You do not speak to me like that. You need to carry on our family, you are our only daughter, so it is my responsibility to make sure you marry a nice, pure-blooded man so you carry on the (L/n) legacy!”

I sighed, knowing not to retort back and let her finish the final details of my outfit before she spoke again, “Now, I know the Potters have a boy about your age, I’ve invited them over for lunch, I expect you to get to know James and well, if all goes well, we should hear wedding bells once you’ve finished school!”

“Yes, Mother,” I spoke in defeat, knowing there was no way I would get out of it as I heard the doorbell ring. My mother jolted up and ran downstairs, leaving me to give my Norwegian Forest cat, who surprisingly, my mother had let me name Lucas (Let me know if you get the reference), a pat on the head before following her downstairs. When I got to the bottom, I spotted my mother talking to who I guessed were the Potters in the living room.

“(Y/n)! There you are. Come here now, I need to introduce you!”

I sighed and walked over, putting on a fake smile as my mother introduced me, however, that smile became real when I locked eyes with James. My mother hadn’t told me he was so handsome and I hadn’t realised I was staring until he was waving a hand in front of my face, “Hello? Miss (L/n)?”

I snapped from my daze, “Sorry, I was just thinking about something, it’s wonderful to meet you.”

“Same to you.”

“(Y/n), why don’t you show James around? It will give you two time to get to know each other.”

I nodded, “Yes, Mother,” before turning back to James, “Shall we?” he smiled at me and we walked out of the room. I showed him around where things were inside the hose before walking outside where we sat down on a bench in the garden.

“I hate this. My mother’s trying to marry me off. Not that you’re not a great guy or anything, it's just I want to marry for love, but my mother won’t see that. Like is it too much to ask?”

“I get what you mean, (Y/n). Honestly, I’m being forced into this too but my parents have told me I should marry for love.”

“What are you doing here then? Is my mother blackmailing your parents or something?”

“No! To be honest I wanted to get a chance to know you. I’ve heard your name floating around at Hogwarts, and I wanted to get to know you.”

“R-really?”

James nodded before responding, “Really, and now that I’ve seen you in person, well... I’m not sure how to say this..”

“Just be blunt, James. Like a plaster, just rip it off and tell me what you want to say.”

He nodded, muttering an ‘okay’ before returning to his normal speaking voice, “I think I might be in love with you.”

I gasped, not expecting him to say that and smiled, “Wow, that’s not what I was expecting you to say, but to be honest, I think I’ll need more time to sort out my feelings. I know my mother is going to force us to get married anyway, but I want to let my love life happen in its own time.”

“Fair enough.”

“But, can you do me one favour until I sort this out? Please don’t mention to anyone that my mother is going to force us to get married.”

---------------------------------

“James, can I talk to you please?” I asked, managing to find him and his friends in a hallway shortly after breakfast one day.

“Oh hello there gorgeous.”

I rolled my eyes at Sirius’ comment and looked James in the eye biting my lip. He soon nodded and I smiled, grabbing his arm and dragging him off away from his friends. Once we were alone, I stopped and caught my breath, “So, about what is inevitable for us in the future…” He nodded and I took a deep breath, “I’m not too fussed about it anymore,” I continued, leaning up and kissing him, “Merry Christmas, James.” I giggled seeing his bright red face and stood away before turning around and going to walk off, leaving him in a state of shock, but I felt a hand around my wrist and James pulled me back into him, “I take it that means you’ve ‘figured out your feelings’ then?” I nodded, “Yeah, I love you, James.”

“That makes me happy to hear.”

-----------------------------------END OF ONESHOT

Day 1 done!

[inkybinkyboink]

i have 2 do everything myself (/j)

ok so im thinking its an office party at the ugc

except pennywise confiscates bobby's set of keys

(cont'd under the cut)

tiny tom locks himself in amenity #9 and they have to get him out

problem is, pennywise is at the ugc party with the keys

so bobby has to heist his way into the party and get the keys back

hot blades harry is like "i gotchu pal" and starts scheming with becky on how to get in, knife in hand

so the rich right, they're all at this party

lockstock shows up and like boo and sully from monsters inc, little sally is trailing behind him, absolutely unshakeable.

lockstock is like "u need to leave" and little sally starts crying

lockstock freaks out and is like "ok FINE but dont do anything stupid" and he introduces her as a distant relative to keep cladwell off his back

ok so the office right. they're all doing secret santa.

except of course barrel got lockstock

little sally finds the dessert table and the rest is history

or or or maybe she runs into hope and hope is like "a child??? alone???? come here i will keep you safe all night long"

little sally does not understand any of the politics that are spoken about but whenever some rich white guy asks her what she asked for from santa for christmas she's got a BANGER line lined up and ready to go

"i saw a dead body once. it was cool"

"capitalism is gonna kill us all"

"santa isn't real, don't treat me like im nine. i'm ten."

halfway through the party theres the sound of breaking class coming from cladwell's office

harry, becky and bobby are half in, half out the window, there's a pulley system involved with levers, it's so complicated

"why couldnt we just take the stairs?"

everyone runs in and "bobby?"

"ms. pennywise. funny running into you here."

homie broke a window and did not get cut but he leans on the window sill to try and look casual and THATS when he decides to accidentally hurt himself

side plot with barrel trying to work up the courage to give lockstock his gift

little sally accidentally eats something with nuts in it and gets sick

lockstock starts taking her home

stopped by barrel whos like "ah wait heres a thing for you"

"now's really not a good time"

idk what it would be i just think it results in little sally throwing up in the gift bag and ruining the gift

"ah, it's fine, it was stupid anyways"

it's definitely a mug that says "best captain ever" but it's like a boat captain, not a police captain, and barrel has no clue

tiny tom never gets out of the amenity

where's the sitcom christmas episode of urinetown

[harrysmimi]

Harry dates the reader's best friend and after they break up, Harry and the reader start dating!!! lmao I want to see drama 😈😈😈

And also related to this and this request. I tried my best to incorporate it all.

I hope this met your expectations as I tried my best. I'm just not the best at writing angsty angsts.

Ps. There won't be a part 2 to this. This has an open ending.

Six Weeks

Synopsis: One where YN's love with Harry but she can't seem to confess her feelings

More of my work

YN had an hour left before she got off work, so she started on lunch as she skipped on her breakfast to get her work done early.

Working from home came with it's own perks, she could work whenever unless she got her 8 hours in. At the end of the day her work was done, just had an hour before she could log out and enjoy her weekend all by herself. Today she woke up super early and started on her work so she can have a relaxing afternoon and evening. Taking a break from her freelance work which she is busy with on weekends.

Just as she was midway sauteing some onions her door bell went off. Lowering the flame to her stove she headed to get the door.

"Harry?" She was surprised to see an unexpected visitor.

"Hello love!" He exclaimed.

"Hi, come in!" She stepped aside to let him in.

"Thank you." He slipped off his shoes bythe door before he walked in, shedding his coat and hanging it up on the coat hook by the door.

"I thought you weren't going to be in town for another week." YN said, shutting the door behind her. "Do you wanna join me in the kitchen? The stove is on."

He followed her to the kitchen. "What are you making?"

"Just some rice, I'm feeling lazy today."

"I was done with my fitting and all early so came back to spend some time with Mum and dad and Gemma, before I go back on tour again." He answer her questions she asked before he got distracted.

They both talked and caught up since they last saw each other which was more than six months ago.

Harry and YN met just after One Direction announced their hiatus and he was back in London. YN was a new student, happened to be living at his mother's as a paying guest. His mum offered a few students to stay in at her's only if they're willing to abid to her rules, which many didn't but YN certainly did.

Harry was surprised how she was so only focused on what brought her to London in the first place. Her only ever leaving the house to go to college or work (though her dad really helped her out as much as he could), gave her a lot of time to spend with her land lady, Anne.

Anne and YN really got along well from the get go. Especially since Anne was fine with her using the kitchen whenever she wanted the girls spend their free time cooking up something. YN was taught few of her baking recipes whilst Anne was introduced to her guest's native cousin.

Mundane and might be boring. But they had fun.

YN ended up staying for the entirety of her degree course at Anne's, and for another six months before she found studio flat to rent and be on her own with a stable job.

YN and Harry met over at Christmas time, a couple of meetings and he got to know sbe doesn't have any idea of his work life.

YN liked to call her the most boring person to ever walk on the planet earth not no reason!

He had long jair back then, he was visiting his mum and sister as they had a fun holiday planned whilst YN didn't. She had to stay back in London and work on her assignments as the new environment and degree course was kicking her arse for good.

For most of the time YN was locked up in her room, going at her assignments and projects. Learning to be a software engineer wasn't easy. Till this day she regrets not switching her career paths.

Though it took a long time for YN and Harry to become friends, it was the best friendship either of them have had. Given the fact that both of them are so much alike yet so different. Cliché but very fucking true. YN didn't needed any friends, in fact she only made friend's with just one girl from her class and that was it, after graduation they grew apart. Where as Harry made friends everywhere he went, even though he's as shy as her and as reserved as her.

Somewhere in those moments YN grew to harbour some (or more) feelings for him. He was kind, yet he found his way to annoy her in most adorable ways.

Just when she was about to tell him about her feelings, regardless of the possibilities of infinite outcomes popping up in her head Harry told her he was seeing someone. That someone was her only friend from College, Elodie.

Yeah, that felt like a punch in the gut.

Since then Harry and Elodie have been in an on and off relationship.

YN grew over her feelings somewhere in those years, Harry released his first album, started on with his solo tour. Her dad passed away so she has to take up the responsibility as the oldest child to look after her family back home. Her mum's a house and her siblings were all little when it all happened. That gave her another reason to just get over her heart break. Though her feelings for him manages to revisit her whenever he's being himself around her. Which is all the time.

But YN's been there for Harry through it all and his highs and lows with Elodie. Especially with his lows. She listened to him rant about things he couldn't stand about his girlfriend anymore. Even when she cheated on him and he cheated on her.

YN didn't liked that. It was all against her morals but she respected him enough to not judge him.

Now him visiting her gave her vibes that he was going to complain about his girlfriend. Surprisingly he didn't. Not until he started asking about her. They had sat down for dinner after YN forced him too join her.

"How have you been?" He asked, filling up his plate, "how's your mum?"

"She's doing great. Having fun picking out guys for me to marry." She chuckled.

"Never knew you were into arranged marriages." He looked at her, eyes wide, "is it still a thing?"

"I am certainly going to have an arranged marriage, unless I find a guy my mum approves of. Which have high likelihood, I won't, given I don't social much."

"Do you have someone in mind?"

"No, not really." She shrugged, continuing to stuff her face with food. "What about you and Elodie? Thought she didn't liked you coming over to visit me."

Of fuck! She shouldn't have asked that.

"Uhh, it's complicated." He hesitated, "she broke up with me for good last week over text."

"What the fu-" YN interrupted herself in time but the sentiments traveled through, "over text? Why?"

"She thought I was cheating on her again just because Kendall came to my show in LA." He explained, "I don't think I wanna do this anymore."

YN kept to herself. They've been through it. She had tried to talk some sense into him but he doesn't like to take advices because he's a grown man.

More like a man child.

YN had a lot of shit on her plate so she didn't found it worth to talk to him about it and them ending up getting into arguments. It put a lot of strain on their own relationship with one another which YN hates so much. So she just settled on humming in acknowledgement to what he shared.

"Hmm."

"Hmm? That's all?"

"What do you want me to say?" She shrugged, "we end up arguing when I'm telling you something which you're not going to agree upon on. I don't find it worth putting out friendship through it all."

"I thought you'd atleast... Never mind." He sighed.

YN tried her best not to roll her eyes at him and have her meal in peace. She put on TV with her favourite show. All for next twenty minutes she heard Harry sighing and being gloomy, which annoyed her. For many different reasons but one reason which had priority was that he's visiting her after a long time. They can be happy for once and not talk about person she has now grown to despise.

"Harry can you not?"

"What?"

"Can you not be gloomy for once?" She decided to cut to it, "we see each other once or twice a year that's mostly when I reach out to you, or when you have problems with your girlfriend who keeps on cheating on you! I can't take this anymore! For once be a good friend you used to be." With that she picked up the empty dishes and walked in the kitchen.

"Okay, I'm sorry for wanting to confine in person I feel safe around." His voice sounded much louder.

"You do this all the time!" She raised her voice to match his too, "all you talk about is what she when you don't listen to me, so now don't even tell me a thing about her. I don't want to hear it."

"Fine I'll leave then!" He grabbed his phone.

"Please, don't be my guest!" She gestured at the door.

Harry grabbed his coat and he was out the door. Did he regret lashing out on her? Of course, he did. But was he going to go back and apologise? No, not tonight.

YN on the other hand felt awful. She had never once asked anyone to leave her house under any circumstances.

She tried her best to be friends with Elodie. Her feelings wasn't a secret from her friend, that she liked Harry. Yet her friend proceeded to go on and date him.

Was it wrong that she said nothing about it? Maybe it was.

Harry seemed happy throughout the initial stage of his relationship with his girlfriend. That she didn't wanted to ruin. But she did warned him around the first time when Elodie was first cheating on him. He didn't believe her.

Then when he found out, he came crying to her after the first breakup. Then it kept happening, over and over and over again. It made harder for her to get over her feelings for him, it gave her false hopes of her chance with him. At least she wanted to tell him how she feels and get it off her chest there. Now when she chose to not talk about it for her own sake she did not expected him to lash out like that.

......................................................................

It was official that YN was moving back home.

It has been a good three months and life has been going on the same as it has been. Her mum has finally found a good match for her (according her it was). Being brown comes with it's own perks of skipping the whole dating option.

It was good she thought. The guy her mum told her about seemed nice. Vihaan was his name. Apparently he graduated from the same college as YN in the same year with a law degree. But he's planning to move back home as well.

Perfect! - is what her mum said.

YN had managed to squeeze in a few dates with him in her busy schedule. Now it something entirely new for her and she hasn't been on any dates really.

Today though, he had asked her to go meet his parents. It's not too early for it being an arranged marriage. But YN had some stuff she had to get rid off, like some pots and pans. A few things she had borrowed from Anne which were long forgotten and buried deep somewhere in the storage.

YN also happened to find a few blazers she borrowed for Harry when she was interviewing for new job (well be forced to wear those to make a good first impression). She never got to give those back to him because he was busy when she was free and vice versa. It was a hassle. So she packed the stuff to return to Anne and make a run to her place before she headed to meet her future in-laws who were in town. She also took the blazers with her to Anne's so she return them to her son who's constantly visiting her.

"Hello darling." Anne greeted YN by the door, "what all of this?" She was surprised to look at the box in YN's hands and blazer covers.

"Just some stuff I borrowed from you ages ago." YN said, slipped her shoes off by the door before she walked in, "like the baking pans for cakes and stuff. I never got to use them by the way."

Anne chuckled, "that's alright, you didn't had to bring these back, dove. What's with the impulsive cleaning?"

"Oh no, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you." She waddled in managing to carry a big box because she couldn't find any smaller ones with her puffer jacket on. "Can I put this on the counter?"

"Yeah, I'll help you with that." Anne gave her a hand.

"I am moving back to India." YN got back to answering her question, "I might be getting married soon, don't worry I'll send you the invitation. And yeah, that's pretty much the reason for me moving back home."

"Awh, YN that's so lovely!" Anne cooed, "who's the lucky guy?"

"He's from my city but he was a student in my college, I didn't know that. His name is Vihaan, he's a lawyer." YN shared, and involuntarily blood rush creeped up to her cheeks.

"Did you mum chose him for you?" Anne was already onto making tea for both of them.

"Yeah, she did." YN nodded as she shrugged off her jacket. "Also can't wait to get out of cold already."

"Yeah? It isn't this cold in your city, is it?"

"No, not really."

"And how long have you known Vihaan?" The green eyes lady asked.

"About three months. I've grown to quite like him." YN shared, "he's sweet."

"And when are you moving back? Got to through you a little dinner." Anne enquired.

"In about six weeks. But you don't have to. In fact why don't you and Gemma and even Michal come over to mine for dinner?" YN said, "you can also meet Vihaan then!"

"Now that sounds fun, will surely come over one weekend." Anne rested the mug of tea in front of her and YN mumbled her thank you, "and what are these?"

"Oh these are blazers which Harry lend to me. Can you give these back to him for me, please?"

"Why don't you do that yourself? He's coming over to visit with his girlfriend in about..." She looked at her phone for time, "five-seven minutes."

The door bell went off.

"There he is." Anne did her little excited walk to the front door to welcome her son.

YN did not wanted to see him actually, especially after the argument that day. Plus he was back with Elodie with new pap pictures all over the internet which Anne's confirmation to hammer the nail to the rumours, it broke her heart all over again. She has been doing great without seeing him and without talking to him all together. She has been able to slowly move on.

Also her moving back home wasn't for anyone but her mum who was all alone. YN get's to still keep her job and be transferred to the branch in her city and she can still work from home.

"YN do you want to stay over for lunch, I made my roast and there is cheesecake for dessert?" Anne suggested.

"I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to pass this time. I'm going to have lunch with Vihaan and his parents." YN shared, "I'll be heading out after my tea."

"Hold on, who is Vihaan?" Elodie asked, excited for some reason considering the fact that her and YN are no longer friends, which everyone is aware of.

"My future Fiancé." YN answered.

"As in your boyfriend?"

"Nope."

"YN, you're already getting married?" Harry butted in, "you told me about this, what? Like, a month ago?"

"Three months ago, Harry." YN corrected him.

"Am I invited?" Elodie clapped her hands like an excited toddler, her dyed hay-like blonde hair moving on her shoulders. "Come with me, whilst Harry helps his mum with something he got her!" She grabbed YN's hand and dragged her to the living room.

YN somehow managed to not spill her hot tea anywhere and sat down on Anne's sofa. The kitties are lounging next tk the fire place under their little blankets. Anne has still got the blanket YN crocheted (which took her about a year to finish with her schedule) for the kittens.

"Tell me about him?" Elodie asked grabbing a throw pillow to keep on her lap, looking behind her to see Harry following his mum to her garden with a pot with got for her as a just-because present. "Hmm, now you can just stay away from my boyfriend, can't you? How fun!"

"What the- what do you even mean?" YN was taken back.

"He's always with you when he's in town. Which he rarely comes back to London. He's always vacationing or touring or filming a movie or recording yet another Album." She complained. "And when he is in London he goes straight to see you!"

"What's the matter with that? He's working. And no we don't see each other every time he's in London so don't sit there and say that."

"Why not? He cheated on me. Wasn't that girl you?" The blonde finally confessed.

Harry confessed to her that he cheated on her ages ago. But he have seemed to leave out the details of with whom. It certainly wasn't her. Hell, YN haven't even thought about even kissing him after he told her he was seeing Elodie. It wasn't like her all.

"What the fuck are you talking about? He didn't cheat on you with me!" YN has had it.

It might not seem alot but her feelings have been bottled up little by little over the last few years.

"Yeah, you always manage to come in between us." Elodie shrugged simply accusing her, "didn't you tell me you like him. No in fact you said you loved him! I'm finally confessing it to you because you're getting married soon, so I don't care!"

"Then why did you went on and date him, didn't I tell you I have feelings for him and I was going to tell him?" YN's eyes welled up with tears this time. "You were my best friend and I trusted you."

If she were a cartoon her face would have been blood red with smoke coming out of her ears. But she's a pro at keeping her anger in check.

She watched the blonde's expressions change, looking over her head her behind her. She found Harry looking right at her. Now how much did he hear?

YN decided it was better to leave now to create any drama at Anne's house.

"Anne, umm, I'm gonna go now." YN grabbed her jacket and coat. "I'll call you later this week? To plan out dinner at mine."

"Sure love." Anne nodded in agreement. She could sense the awkward and heavy vibes clouding her lovely home right now.

YN could feel her heart trying it's best to burst out of her chest raw. As her

......................................................................

YN drove to Vihaan's place and from there he was going to take her to the restaurant they were going to meet up his parents at. Now it was something YN was very hesitant about. Meeting his parents without anyone with her. Yeah it is common tradition to take your parents to see your future spouse's parents. And it was too early.

YN got bad vibes from Vihaan's mum, her future mother-in-law. He had told her he didn't wanted live alone even after they got married as he's the only son and he wished to take care of his parents, which she was fine with. It is a thing in Asia that the older son takes care of the parents, which she doesn't mind as she grew up with those practices and traditions. But his mum gave her weird vibes even though she had talked to the lady a just twice over a video call and text. That's all.

Mother-in-law's have this very bad reputation of being controlling and manipulative, which so far Vihaan's mum fit checks every category off. It started off with talking about her reconsidering her continuing her job after marriage. Be a housewife instead.

Which haven't yet to tell her mother about or else she would have handled it herself. Her mum was very supportive of her focusing on her career and she would have still wanted to focus on her career. Her own mum gave up her career when she married her dad, whilst her dad was a good husband and a father, she struggled to take care of her kids when he passed. Now that was something she didn't want for YN.

YN actually liked this guy. He checked all the bare minimum boxes for her. He was respectful, and respected her decisions so far. She was starting to like him as well. But he ignored her when she brought up his mum wanting her to quit her job by diverting the topic to something else.

Well, she haven't been strong into dating game, having been gone on just couple of dates. Never passed the second date phase with anyone she went out with. It was a very obvious red flag for her. But she's still got a time to be firm and talk about it. At least to her mum first.

She still went on with it. "What's wrong?" Vihaan asked on the drive to the restaurant. She stopped at a red light.

"It's nothing, just had a rough day." She explained. "I wanted to tell you something."

"Hmm?"

"You mum asked me to reconsider keeping my job if we were to get married." She brought up the topic which he managed to divert before.

"She did?"

"Mhmm, she did." YN nodded and started driving again once the light turned green again.

"Well, what is your decision then?"

"You know it." YN shrugged, "I just don't want your mum telling me what to do and what not to, that's all."

"What? She's going to be your mother-in-law, basically she's like your mother." He chuckled, nervousness evident in his voice.

"But she is not my mother." YN pointed out, "even my own mother never told me to consider keeping my job. Like ever!"

"I respect her for that." He nodded, "we'll talk about it later, okay?"

"Why not now? You can tell you mum to not interfere, if we are to get married. We need to talk about it now, or else I would not want to live with your parents."

"So you want me to leave my parents?"

"Well, I'm leaving my mother too. It's only fair." YN tried to keep it cool. She haven't talked this much in a long time and her jaw hurt already. She prefered texting over talking over phone calls.

She's the silent kind of person.

"She have your brother to take of her, and he is now that he's got a stable career."

"You know he just started like two months ago, he's a fresher," YN reminded him. A heavy sigh left her chest as she tried her best to be calm. Or else she was going to run iver someone or run into a pole or a building.

"I am never say you can't. My mum just asked you to reconsider it, not actually quit your job!" He started getting defensive about it, his voice going up an octave.

"Don't yell at me, I'm just trying to have a conversation. Please!" She sighed again.

She was feeling the same heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach she felt every time Harry told her he's got a girlfriend. It felt so bad, and she couldn't pin point what she was feeling. But it was something negative. But she stopped her car on a side.

"You know what? Get out, please." She said.

"What? Why?"

"I don't want to do this anymore." She announced, "go tell you mum I said I do not want to get married her boy."

"Where is this coming from, YN? I told you we can talk about it. Later. Okay?" He said, trying to talk to her like she's a toddler.

"Don't talk to me. Like that. Okay?" She mocked his tone. "Please!" She gestured to the way out of her car. And he stepped out of car as she said so.

It wasn't an over reaction, was it? She knew how it was going to be. Her in-laws are going to manipulate her into quitting her job. That's how it is. Even if they agreed to her (whish they don't het to have an opinion on) keeping her job now, they would guilt trip her into doing it anyway.

Just like her own grandparents did with her mother. Whilst her mum doesn't regret quitting her job for her kids, YN was sure she would.

Growing up her dad always made her life easy. Hell, she didn't even needed to keep a side job as she studied abroad. He even paid for her rent and other expenses along with her tuition fees the best he could, she kept a job just so she could live more comfortably and not trouble her father much more.

It was very hard on her, in every way after her dad passed. Because she had no one to rely on anymore. People looked at her with pity because she's not a fatherless child. It gets to her but she tried her best to not pay any mind to it. She's got her mum for her.

She called her mum the first thing when she got home. Luckily she didn't got her lease signed off, or sold any of her things yet like she planned on. She was going to reconsider other things now!

......................................................................

Harry was furious.

As he stood there on his place watching YN walk out of the door. She didn't even pit on her puffer she was in that hurry to leave. He knew YN wasn't the type to stay and argue, she prefers to take herself out of the situation until it's all cooled down enough to talk about it. He doubts she's even going to talk about it. Or to him at all after this.

Now he knew why YN stopped being friends with Elodie.

He felt like a biggest dickhead and dumbass to ever exist that he never saw that she liked him since the very beginning like he did.

Harry had grown to be infatuated by YN the first time he saw her. That grew into a small crush and he started liking her. Hell and heavens, there was a time where both of would text about hours and hours talking about literally nothing, sending each other funny posts to keep a conversation going. Fuck, how he missed those days!

And to hear YN say that she was going to tell him how he felt but he beat her to telling her her that he was seeing her other best friend from college. He thought she didn't like him that way.

Honestly, he was feeling lonely but his feelings grew for Elodie. He wouldn't lie there but everything died soon when she first cheated on him. He didn't know why he got back together with her.

Maybe because he found out YN was going on a date with this guy she met at work. Though it didn't work out after the second date. He felt even more awful.

God, even his mum knew about how YN felt about him. She never told him either. Well, why should she? They were both grown up adults and it was their personal matter.

If it were him in place of Elodie he wouldn't even consider going out with someone their best friend admitted to like. Well, he did went out with YN's best friend, he ain't a saint himself. But he wouldn't betray his best friend like that.

All Elodie did was feed of off him. The clout, the career boost. And he didn't even saw it until his mum pointed it out to him after he told Elodie to leave. She was bug face in modeling industry all of a sudden, she was getting bigger and bigger campaigns, even big magazine covers. All because Harry did not care if she talked about him because there was nothing to hide. He didn't realise she was using him. Even after she cheated on him twice. Made a huge fuss about it, even in media about him doing the same. He wasn't petty to tell after her. He would never do that. Even to his worse enemy.

He knew what is it to be under media and public scrutiny, 24 by 7, every day of the hear.

YN was probably his only friend who wasn't the part of the entertainment industry in anyway who managed to keep him on his toes. She didn't worked for any celebrity, she didn't even bother to be friends with other of his industry friends. Even his manager. She hates him in fact.

He betrayed her. In a worse way he could only imagine. This has never happened to him.

He went into his head space of thinking about if he would have been patient enough how things would have turned out. With a mug of tea in his hands as he sat on his make shift bed of the sofa at his mum's, Skye and Dotty fast asleep on his legs over the blanket on his lower body.

All he could think about was the stupid fit Elodie threw at his mum's house, like a fucking toddler. Luckily his mum was nice enough to not kick her and him out of her house, he was embarrassed. Yeah, Anne is his mum but it was still embarassing.

"Wasn't it her?" Elodie asked, furious of Harry when he brought up her recent cheating incident.

"It was never her!" Harry exclaimed, "it was never her, now if you're done Elodie please leave. This is my mum's house."

"I know who's house this is!" She hissed at him, "she made you cheat on me because she wanted to take revenge. She told me she's in fucking love with you! But I love you as well! It's not fucking fair!"

"Then why the fuck would you go on and cheat on someone you love?" He pointed out, but he doesn't want a answer, "you on what? I don't want any answers from you, we're done and through. Don't reach out to me again, just leave please!" He walked her to the door grabbing all his stuff. Shut the door behind him taking a few minutes to relax himself there.

His mum saw everything. She didn't know he ever cheated on any of his partners. But he did. He never wanted to tell him mum, because she raised him to be a better person. But she heard everything. And there was no way his mum didn't knew, it was public affair that he had a hook up. Elodie made sure to make it a public affair. But he knew his mum chose not to believe those.

"Hey, it's alright." Anne still approached him with a hug.

"I'm sorry, I didn't wanted you to know!" His face was smooshed in her neck, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." He kept chanting as he sobbed and sobbed.

"It's alright!" Anne assured him, letting him get it all out. After he calmed down he did talked about it to his mum.

He did hooked up with this random person, he doesn't remember their name, he was drunk and high. It was after he had an yet another huge argument with Elodie. He ended up taking that person his place he shared with her when she was on a trip for her runway show.

Confessing it and getting it all out was something which put him at ease there. He had one less thing weighing on his shoulders.

His mum convinced him to stay the night, so he made the sofa his home where Anne's cats usually sleep at night. But none of them were asleep really, running around like they're in a forest. Well half them were asleep on him though, so he couldn't move much.

He remembered, YN adores Anne's cats so much! And the feeling are mutually from the felines as well. They're not as kind to him as they're being now, maybe they can sense he's sad and feeling low. With Skye and Dotty both purring loudly on him, he didn't mind the smuggles. He needed that.

He was really sad. Not because he broke up with with his girlfriend. God, no! He wasn't. He couldn't bring himself to love Elodie again after this second time she cheated on him. They were through it, talked it out, but he saw that still coming through.

He was sad because YN was there the whole time. If he had waited for some time. Only if...

He feels bad being an asshole to her that day. She was still being nice to him, made extra food because he was over just in time. They were sat in her living like usual, not having to talk much and just enjoy one another's company there. He fucked it up.

YN was probably tired of his shit that she refused to talk about it. He gets it now. She probably still feels hurt though he doesn't want to assume, she was seeing someone else now.

But that doesn't mean he can't talk it out. So he tried to reach for his phone and immediately called YN to check in on her. She seemed so hurt when she walked out. But her line was busy. He felt even more horrible.

......................................................................

It has been a month, and YN was still miserable. She just had two weeks until she could finally go home for a while.

Everything started to feel overwhelming to her. Even working from home. She ordered groceries online to not having to leave her flat. Her car was probably going to hate her. So was her body when she eventually has to leave her flat for something or the other.

But she lost it and called her mum to tell her everything. Better share it with anyone than bottle it up. She was in her bed crying her heart out talking to her mum on the call. This is something she would go to Harry to talk about. But he's the reason she's crying now. And maybe that asshole Vihaan.

She liked him. The feelings were real. Her intuitions were never wrong. Well, maybe they were wrong with Elodie but with Vihaan they were not.

Apparently there was a huge scandal made of this issue back home, she had not energy to deal with whatsoever. Typical brown people behaviour it was. All she needed to know was that the marriage was going to be a total scam for her.

"Mumma, I really don't know what to do!" She sobbed into her pillow.

"I know it's going to be hard. Why didn't you tell him that you like him? You have." Her mum tried to console YN the best she could over a phone call.

"Because he was dating my best friend. Or he is, I don't know. I don't want to get in between my best friend and her boyfriend. That's not me!"

"And she did the same to you, did you tell her that you like this guy?" Her mum pointed out.

"Hmm."

"Now, we'll keep everything aside, okay? Come to see us for a week." Her mum suggested, "it'll help clear up your mind, hmm?"

"Okay." YN agreed, sniffling, "I love you Mumma."

"Hmm. Now go to sleep." Her mum scolded her, "and I love you too."

"Mm bye." YN hung up her call and put her phone back on the night stand.

It was early morning for her mum. She felt bad for starting off her day with whining and crying and complaining. But she has been crying non-stop since midnight and it's now half past three in the morning for her. Her head was throbbing as her eyes burn from dried up tears. There is so much of crying one can do.

She didn't even know why she was crying, that was making her cry even more. Her whole body ached which just added to her misery.

Yeah, YN you're probably overreacting, just go to fucking sleep! - she scolded herself.

Just as she was about to go back to sleep, sinking deep into her fluffy blankets with her hood on, her phone started ringing. It was from Harry she noticed from the red heart emojis which were on either of his initial letter. She turned her phone to silent.

It was nine in the morning. She hadn't slept a blink. But when she finally was going to sleep, there was a knock on her door.

Contemplating she gave up just ignoring him for many reasons, he might make more noise and her neighbours would be mad, or he might sit there entire day and night, talk to her through the door because she lives in a studio flat and her bedroom is literally in her living room, he'd do anything but leave.

"Hey, YN it's me, Harry." She heard him through the door before his knuckles met the hardwood again.

Harry on the other side of the door, tried to knock on her door, hitting his knuckles again on the door.

YN somehow managed to pull herself put of her bed. All she wanted to do was be miserable on her weekend before she could continue to be miserable back home for a couple of weeks. But here Harry was, knocking her door. Wrapping her fluffy blanket around her, she went to check on the door.

"Hi," Harry sighed in relief seeing her finally. "I, I wanna talk to you, cam I come in please?"

She just stepped aside to let her in. Right away he noticed her flat was pitch dark, with the light blocking curtains still closed up. He also noticed how red, puffy and swollen her eyes her, eyelashes still wet from tears.

YN just wanted to sleep in compensation of what she missed at night. That's all.

"YN-"

"Did I left out something to return?" She was already ready to sift through her boxes which were meant to shipped back home but she never got to take of those, so now half of them shoved into her closet and piled up in a corner.

"No, no— what, what are these boxes for?" Harry stuttered seeing all the boxes. She just shrugged for his dismay. "Came over to check up on you. You alright?"

Does her puffy, red eyes, runny nose and rosy cheeks look look alright to you, Harry? He thought to himself. He also noticed a big pile of laundry eating up her laundry basket by the bathroom door. She did not liked to leave dirty clothes piled up like that, whenever he was over, her washer in the kitchen was always running with something or other. Her electricity bill was mostly from running her washer, he wondered.

"YN!" He sighed and grabbed her hand to drag her to the bed, he made her sit there and found a place for himself on the floor in front of her. "YN, I'm so, so, so sorry, my love!" He proceeded to lace his fingers through hers because she let him as she stared right back at him. "I can't tell you how sorry I am for not seeing through it all. Everyone knew, even Dotty knew and I didn't. I'm so fucking sorry!"

He was referring to the conversation he heard of YN and Elodie. His ex took advantage of everyone. It wasn't fair.

Only if, he wasn't stupid and dumb and blind and dickhead it would have all been so fucking different! Only if!

"It took me six long weeks to come and apologise. I don't want to ruin anything between us. I don't want to loose you as my bestest friend!" He sniffled, "I know I've already ruined everything but please consider giving me another chance, please!" He looked up ather with his puppy eyes brimmed up with tears threatening to escape.

YN hasn't said a word since she opened the door for him. There is no use in ruining her friendship with him. Yeah, he went on and dated the person once she called her best friend — well, it was her fault to even consider a shitty person like Elodie a best friend — but he was her only friend. She have gone through being only his friend but was it worth it?

Was it worth it? Of course there were many different factors contributing to her low time now which is making her depressed. It was winter, her seasonal dipression was already kicking in, although she wouldn't say she's depressed. She's just sad.

She wants to be sad.

No one qas letting her be sad in peace. Not her mum. Not her brother. Not her Boss. No even herself.

"I don't know what to say." Is all she said. And that made him fall in silence as well. His shoulders slumped as a puff of air sighed through his nose.

Harry didn't know how he felt, truly. He had been worse. He had just managed to pull himself back from falling into his drinking habits. He had managed to keep his hands away from his favourite vodka for a week, to clear his mind and think straight. All he did was sleep all day if he was not being asked to work.

Right, asked to work. He had no motivation to work. His head was empty.

"I'm so sorry for what she did." He broke the silence. "I'm so sorry for not listening to you."

"Hmm." She sounded, accepting his apology.

Well, it felt so good to accept an apology for what it is rather than just waving it off and giving it a label of "it's okay".

The room fell into deep silence again. An awkward one this time. Before Harry spoke again here. "So, am I invited to the wedding?"

Give him a break please. He's been suffering too!

Whilst he knew thay was probably not the right time to invite himself to her alleged wedding, he was just trying to snip the thread of awkwardness in the air which was coming to his throat.

"I'm, I'm not... getting married." She shrugged taking in a long break.

"What, what are these boxes for then? Thought you were going back..." He stopped there. He was falling straight into his typical behaviour with her, he knows he needs to earn for his apology to be truly accepted.

"Yeah. I am. I am going back." She admitted.

Well, she'll be back after her vacation is over, which is for less than a six week. But still she would be working from home back home. She just hadn't had the energy to unpack her clothes from the boxes, and her pots and pans were laying homeless all around the kitchen.

A part of her didn't wanted to tell Harry about it though. Not at least until he's all riled up in anxiousness and panicking.

Cruel. Yeah, she knew.

"What? Why?"

And like she expected he panicked, so she just shrugged.

"YN!" He sighed, "why? You said you're bever going back."

She was partially joking all the times she have told him that. YN decided to stay quiet again there.

"Okay." He nodded. "I'm really sorry. Really very sorry."

"I know."

"Okay." He nodded again, keeping his head down. "Do you want me to make you breakfast?"

"No."

"Okay." He sighed again.

"You know Harry?"

"What?" He lifted his head to look at her, found her getting comfy in her bed by the missing head board on her single bed.

"I'm so glad you came to terms with everything with Elodie and now you know why I'm no longer friends with her." She spoke, her voice was dry, nasally and hoarse from crying so much. "I've always had bad luck with friends I guess and I continue to do so. Thought you'd not be like everyone else. I was proven wrong the moment you told me you're seeing my best friend. Well, best friend back then. While all the time I have been very obvious about my own feelings towards you being more. Still, letting it go was the best thing I could do, but I'll admit it that I always felt happy each and every time you came to me and told me you're done with her. I'd gather up everything in me to finally, finally go upto you and tell you everything but I just couldn't. And it hurt so fucking much, hearing you be so freaking heartbroken pouring your heart out to me for you to just to get back with her. I'm do not want to sit here and hear another break down just for you to go and dump everything in gutter. And for you to tell me you reciprocated the same feelings for me. I can't bring myself to trust you on this."

Platonic heartbreaks hurt like a bitch if not more than a romantic break up. And YN couldn't bring herself to tell him everything just because Elodie qas once her friend. Doesn't matter they were no longer friends. It all went against her morals. And he never trusted her as a friend when she told him about his now-ex cheating on him shamelessly, without any remorse.

"I don't know if I just want to take your sorry and tell you it's okay, because it's not. To me it's not. It still hurts. I forgive you but it's not okay." She concluded her little confession. All Harry could do was sit there and process everything she said to him.

"I know. I know it's not okay, YN. I just... don't want to ruin it with you. I know I should have said that, not atleast now. But you're my best friend. My only best friend!" Now he could see his vision getting blurry with tears brimming up in his eyes, as he choked and stumbled on his words. "I swear I'll never talk about yet another break down of mine. I just don't want to loose you as a friend, YN. You're my rock!"

"Don't you think it's going be harder to stay friends after all of this?" YN asked. She felt a sting in her heart seeing his teary eyes. She barely falling for it though.

"And don't you think it's going to be better to be friends especially when we know how we feel about each other?" He counter questioned her, just to to get a dry and blunt answer from her.

"Nope." She shook her head, "I can't trust you or anyone for the matter of fact." And Harry's head dropped again as a few tears fell onto the fabric of his grey sweats on his thighs. "I need time."

"You promise we'll reconciliate?" He asked. "As only friends."

"I don't know."

"Please."

YN truly needed time to think about everything, get herself together. That's why she was going to take a break.

"I'm not going to promise anything to you, Harry. Really. I'm going back home for six weeks and we'll talk about it after—"

"Alright." He agreed in a heartbeat cutting YN midway.

"Alright."

"Can I hug you?"

"Mhmm." She agreed. Least to say he was just way too eager to hug her finally, nuzzled his face in her neck.

......................................................................

N O T E :

Hope y'all liked it, this was requested on Tumblr ages ago.

There won't e a part two to this one, hence why I left an open ending.

Ik the character of Vihaan should be explored more here but quite frankly I didn't know where to take that character so I left it there.

Please, please leave a comment about how you liked it and what you think about my writing. Reviews are great encouragement to write more. <3

Tag list:

@vrittivsanghavi @buckymydarlingangel @sweetwritingfanficfriend @theroosterswife24 @sleutherclaw @melllinaa @michellekstyles @sunshinemoonsposts @marialikescherries @japanchrry @onlyangelrain @originalsoulcollector @harrysgirl-1d

Lemme know if you want to added to the tag list

[farfromharry]

married the wrong man | tom holland fic

Summary: Your wedding day is meant to be a joyous occasion, but you can’t help but feel as though you’ve made a horrible mistake. You should be marrying your best friend today, and his friends and brothers believe so too

Word count - 3414

Warnings - language

━━━━━━━━━♡♥♡━━━━━━━━━

People had always told you your wedding day would be the happiest day of your life, and so far everything and everyone was proving that to be wrong. For starters, you couldn’t say you were excited to even get married, you’d spent most of your morning getting ready telling your mother that it just didn’t feel right. Then there were just too many things going wrong that couldn't be coincidences, and God you really should’ve taken at least one of them as a sign. You even tried to beg for someone to interrupt while the ceremony was happening, nearly missing your cue from the officiant. 

But now here you were, a newly married, very unexcited, woman shuffling her away around her wedding party with a frown on her face. You’d obviously paint on a smile when it came to talking to someone, trying to act as positive as possible so they didn’t see that you were screaming for help on the inside. It also didn’t help that the one person that may be able to help you right now had been M.I.A since the meal earlier. 

You knew Tom wasn’t really as thrilled about you getting married as he’d pretended to be, but he never once stopped you to admit his feelings before it happened, even with your many obvious hints and encouragement from his brothers. You were in the midst of talking to one of your new husband’s old friends when you spotted the table of your own friends moping around. You excused yourself from the dull conversation with the awfully boring woman and began to head in their direction, hands lifting up the ends of your dress so it didn’t trail along the floor.  

Harry was the first to lock eyes, his elbow nudging his twin as you made yourself known. 

“So,” you started, smoothing down the underside of your dress as you took a seat at the table of unenthusiastic looking lads. “Are you having fun?” you asked, a smile planted on your lips that any one of them could see through, they had been your friends for longer than you’d been dating Joseph. You were met with a wave of silence from each and every one of them, your heart sinking further into your stomach as each beat passed. You knew they weren’t happy for you, even if they were trying to be. But knowing you were unhappy and still went through with the wedding really pissed them off, it’s all they’d been able to talk about. And that’s what had made Tom finally walk away. 

“Yeah, um-“ Sam clearly tried to lie for your sake, not wanting to put a damper on the wedding because they didn’t exactly like your new husband. They’d told you this on numerous occasions, right from when you first introduced him. As time went by they’d seen you crying in Tom’s arms about him enough time to know he was no good for you. “I can’t, he’s my brother Y/N,” he said, shaking his head in disappointment, standing from his seat and walking away from the table with his beer in hand.

Your fake smile faltered slightly and your eyes flickered between Harry and Harrison, hoping they were feeling more up to keeping up the lie than Sam was. It was evident that they weren’t and it only made you feel more hopeless. Why were you so stupid? 

Harry wouldn’t even look at you, his eyes fixated on the sticker on his alcohol bottle, the tips of his fingers trying to angrily peel it off, something he’d done for years whenever he tried to control an outburst of emotions. Harrison was next to follow behind Sam a few moments later, without a word and a mere glance at you. 

With each awkward second that passed your hope dwindled more, wanting him to get it over with and either just leave or scream in your face, just something that would have you feeling anything other than regret. You could see that Harry was going to be next but your hand on his from across the table seemed to slow him down. “Harry, please,” you nearly begged. 

You could tell he thought about it for a second upon hearing your desperation, but then he thought about Tom and he was right back to where he was 30 seconds ago, hating you. “I-I can’t just forgive this, Y/N,” he told you. You were sure your heart was breaking as he looked at you with such disappointment in his eyes. “You’re one of my best friends and I love you, but you married the wrong man. You know it, we know it, a-and Tom knows it. I can’t support you on this one.”

With that he stood from his seat, leaving you sitting alone at the table with tears threatening to drip from your eyes. Embarrassment coursed through you as you realised how largely you’d fucked up this time round. You didn’t want to lose your friends, you didn’t want to lose him, and have to spend the rest of your life suffering through a one sided marriage with no one to turn to when you needed them. You quickly got yourself together, not wanting people to see the bride cry on her wedding day, seeing as surely it’d cause a whirlwind of chaos and attention that you really didn’t want right now.

You cleared your throat quietly and stood from your seat as if none of that conversation had happened, immediately being whisked away by a random guest that just had to speak with the bride right away. You forced that fake smile back onto your face again and ignored the looks from the various parts of the room where your angry friends had migrated to, but you could still feel their venomous stares on you. 

You really needed a drink.

»»——⍟——««

Stepping outside the stuffy ballroom, you were first met with a wave of fresh, freeing air. It’d been quite the struggle to get away from everyone but thankfully you’d managed to distract those who wanted to talk to you with your new husband, giving you the chance to sneak away like you wanted.

Upon entering the courtyard, you were also met with two figures in the close distance, two very familiar figures although standing a short distance apart.

You approached the closer one first, laying your hand on Tuwaine’s arm and startling him slightly. “Hi,” you greeted, flashing him a sad smile. “You mad at me too? Looks like you’re avoiding me out here.” He shrugged, keeping quiet as he tried to find the right thing to say in the most gentle way possible. He knew making a comment about Tom’s current state would probably only make you feel worse, but honestly a part of him wanted to make you feel bad.

“Jus’ making sure he doesn’t drink himself into a coma,” he stated. He was right in thinking those words would guilt you, they made you feel ten times more awful than you did without hearing them. Plus the current state of Tom sitting half on, half off a freezing bench with bloodshot eyes didn’t do much to make you feel great.

“C-Can we have a minute?” you asked. Hesitation was written all over Tuwaine’s face, but he decided to allow it in hopes it could do some good, heading back indoors with a swift nod.

You shuffled over to where Tom was seated and he didn’t even raise his head to look at you. He knew it was you though, he recognised the scent of your familiar perfume alone, but the huge white dress was also a giveaway.

“Hey,” you greeted, taking a seat beside him on the cold concrete bench. He didn’t look at you, instead just taking a large swig of his nearly empty beer. You sighed softly, eyes raking over the nearby area where you saw the multiple other empty beer bottles surrounding the tipsy man. Even though he had the most right to be upset with you right now, a small part of you had thought maybe he wouldn’t be. “Guess you’re not having fun, huh?”

He chuckled dryly, raising his eyebrows to show you he was unimpressed with your attempt at conversation.

“What gave it away?” he asked, tone doused in sarcasm. You frowned, bringing your knees up to your chest as far as you could with the restrictions of your dress, arms wrapping around them as you practically curled in on yourself. “Could be that you won’t even look at me right now. Or maybe your posse of brothers and friends who all hate my guts.”

He didn’t laugh at that like he would’ve normally. It made your heart sting. You decided to switch your tone to a more serious one, tell him what you wanted to get off your chest that you wouldn’t dream of telling anyone else, and you just had to hope he’d listen.

“I don’t know what to do,” you whispered, turning to look at him, seeing his brown eyes staring back at you for the first time since you’d sat down. Genuine worry was written all over your face, and it had Tom sobering up with concern in a flash. “I made a huge mistake. I-I don’t even love him, god.”

Those were the words Tom’s wanted to hear for nearly three years, ever since that first time you’d cried on his shoulder after ranting about all the horrible things Joe said to you during a petty fight. He didn’t think he’d be hearing them merely hours after you got married though.

“What do you mean you don’t love him?” he asked, a sound like offense in his tone. He needed to hear you truly say it if he was to believe it. He needed to know that you had some bad feelings about this before you went through with it and you weren’t really as blind as everyone thought, and he needed to hear that he was the one you were so hopelessly in love with. Your eyes flickered to his and the tears lining your waterline were now obvious to him. You were struggling to keep your composure, but you were sure the last thing a heartbroken Tom would want to do right now was console the woman who broke his heart. You sniffled quietly as you stared at him, worried he wouldn’t believe you just like everyone else hadn’t this morning.

“I told them it didn’t f-feel right. They were helping me get ready and I told them I didn’t want to anymore,” you explained, looking at him like a fearful child. “They told me I was just being silly and it was nerves, and God- I believed them. I was so stupid to believe them.”

He couldn’t find the right words to say. He’d never had to deal with a married friend’s problems this far in his adult life, let alone a married friend he was in love with. He wanted to just tell you to leave Joe, but he didn’t know if that was his own selfishness or if he was actually thinking logically.

“For the first time in my life, I-I don’t know how to get through this,” you admitted, breaking Tom’s heart at the blatant distress he was seeing right now. He wanted nothing more than to just wrap his arms around you in that moment and protect you from it all like he’d done so many times before. If this was just a normal breakup then he probably would’ve, but this was so much more complicated. Tom didn’t even know if you could get a divorce so soon after a wedding, would you even want to go through the struggle of a divorce so soon.

The words left the brunette's mouth before he could even think. But once they were out he didn’t have any plan to take them back. “Run away with me.”

The words caught you off guard, but also seemed to excite something inside of you. You gasped. “What?”

He sat up straighter, taking your hands into his and laying them in his lap. His eyes were solely focused on yours, giving you his undivided attention. Your eyes caught sight of the deep breaths he was taking, something he’d always done when he was nervous to admit something. But with a reassuring squeeze of his hands he was swallowing those nerves and showcasing his courage.

“Y/N, I think we both know by now that I’m in love with you. I know I should’ve told you, and I shouldn’t have let you go through with the wedding, but now’s our chance, let’s start a life together, something we should’ve done a long time ago.”

No immediate rejection was a sign to the brunette that you were thinking about it. Surely if you thought it was a terrible idea you could’ve easily told him he was crazy and left him there to wallow in his own pity, but you were still there, still entertaining the idea.

“But, what do I do about this?” you asked, raising your hand that held the golden band around your ring finger. He sighed upon seeing it, his mind being reminded that you weren’t his.

“We can figure that out after. Just, run away with me and we’ll deal with all that stuff later.”

Your silence worried him. He was putting his heart on the line here and you had the power to break it for the second time today, reducing it to crumbs of what it once was.

Part of him knew how insane it was to even suggest such a thing, your family would be so angry at him, and you, so would Joseph. But in the end you knew you had Tom’s brothers and your friends on your side, they just wanted to see you happy. Right now, without Tom by your side but another man, you weren’t happy.

You knew what you needed to do if you wanted to spend your life being eternally loved; You had to run away with your best friend.

“You know what?” He cocked his head, eyes raking over your face that was now decorated with a sweet grin. “Let’s do it. Fuck, let’s start a life together Tommy.”

“You’re sure?” he asked, thumb stroking over your cheek bone as he gave you that familiar silly grin. You nodded your head, leaning forward to brush your lips over his. He was the one to seal the kiss, hand on the back of your head pushing you the final stretch until your lips were molding together. This was the first time you’d ever kissed Tom in the years he’d been your best friend, but you’d never felt these kinds of sparks kissing anyone else before, not even Joseph.

“This is one thing I’m sure about.”

Desperate pants filled the air around you as you pulled away, lovesick grins painting your faces. Neither of you had a care in the world now, too busy running on the adrenaline of what you were about to do with no second thoughts.

However you noticed the slight dip in Tom’s expression. “How do we get out of here? You’re kind of noticeable,” he pointed out. You giggled, looking down at the fabric clinging to your body. Your eyes surveyed the courtyard, seeing the gate that would lead you around to where Tom’s car was.

“Follow me.”

The brunette was certain he’d never felt more alive than running away from your wedding hand in hand. He was ignoring all signs screaming at him that this was going against everything he believed in, but Joseph didn’t deserve you and you deserved to be happy.

With Tom’s car in sight you were on the final stretch to getting to live out your lives together, your hands tightening around each other.

“Here,” he guided, helping you into the passenger side of his car, bunching up your dress and making sure he didn’t trap any of the poof in the door.

Tom climbed in the other side of the car and let out a laugh of disbelief as he took a few seconds to think about how insane what you were doing was. He turned his head to look at you, watching you for a few seconds just to see that radiant smile plastered on your face. You were unable to wipe it off.

“Y/N,” he called. You looked in his direction, eyebrows raised to silently let him know to keep talking. He brought his hand up to cup your jaw, pulling you in close until your noses were brushing each other.

“Fuck, I love you. I love you,” he muttered, pecking your lips over and over again. You felt like a teenager with her first love all over again, sneaking around, sharing kisses and loud laughter together in secret. With one last look at the party going on, the one that was meant to be for you, you made up your mind.

“Let’s get out of here, Tommy.”

»»——⍟——««

Tom had been the one to suggest texting someone at the wedding, preferably one of his brothers, to let them know what was going on. There was no doubt in a short time there would be chaos when they couldn’t find the bride. 

Little did you know that chaos was ensuing as you spoke, considering Sam was unaware of the text he’d been sent, failing to hear the chime over the loud chatter in the venue. They were eventually approached by your husband, the man having to bite back his mild hatred for the group of men, just so he could silence the wave of questions he’d been receiving about your whereabouts. 

“Has anyone seen Y/N?” The four men pretended not to hear Joseph’s question, continuing their conversation loudly in hopes the man would get the hint and just leave.

He cleared his throat again, drawing the four pairs of eyes to him as he stood there awkwardly. It wasn’t a secret that the men didn’t like him either, Tom more than all, but they were your friends so he put up with it.

“How can we help?” Tuwaine asked, disregarding his thoughts of everything he wanted to yell at his stupid face.

“Do you know where Y/N is? No one can find her.” 

Harry’s eyes drifted to his friend, knowing you had exited the building after your run in with them at the table, where you no doubt would’ve found Tom and Tuwaine drinking, making him the last one here to have seen you. “I left her talking with Tom the last time I saw her,” he explained. 

Joseph verbally snarled upon hearing you were with Tom on his wedding day, granted he was your best friend but the man wasn’t silent about his dislike for the movie star, so just like many times before he expected you to avoid him for the day just for his sake.

“I’ll text Tom,” Sam said, pulling out his phone to see there was already a message on his home screen. The man’s eyes widened, jaw dropping as he read over the words on his screen. His hand raised to slap his twins arm, gaining his attention and tilting the device.

“What-“ The redhead had the exact same reaction, except a grin split across his face as he saw the picture you’d attached. You and Tom were holding hands over the console of the car, more happiness written on both of your faces than Harry had ever seen from either of you. The message attached simply stating:

‘Runaway bride finally chose the right man!!’

The other two males took a look at the phone and were also very pleased with what they were seeing, sitting back in their seats with smug smiles on their faces that they didn’t even try to suppress.

“He finally did it,” Harrison muttered, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.

They probably should’ve been more sympathetic towards the man, but they couldn’t even begin to hide how happy they were that Tom got the girl he’d been pining for for so long, and he lost the woman he hadn’t deserved in the first place. Now they could be on your side. Harry was the first one to speak up, sliding a beer bottle in Joseph’s direction. “Well mate, I think you’ll need a drink before this one.” 

━━━━━━━━━♡♥♡━━━━━━━━━

tom holland taglist → @lmaotshollandd​​​ @call-me-baby-gir1​​ @icyhollands​​ @sinisterspidey​​ @siriuslyslyslytherin​​​ @itstaskeen​​ @tpwk-grande​​ @zspideyy​​ @spideyssunshine​​ @givebuckyhisplumsnow​​ @lowkey-holland​​ ​ @wizkiddx​​ @hopeless-romantic-baby​​ @thehumanistsdiary​ @piscesparker​ @bvttercupbby​ @spideyspeaches​​ @celestialholland​ @captainamirica​ @tomsirishgirlx​ @slutforsr​ @annathesillyfriend​ @lovableparker​ @whoeveniskendall​ @sunwardsss​ @dhtomholland​ @messedupmyfuckinglife​ @scarletspideyy​ @multixfandomwriter​ @mrsholland96​ @tomhollandismyhusband1996​ @just-lost-inbetween-worlds​ @magicalxdaydream​ @hallecarey1​ @cedricdiggorysimpp​ @lovehollandy12​ @peterbenjiparker​ @tomshufflepuff​ @the-girl-in-the-chair​ @prancerrparkerr​ @tom-softie​ @rqmanoff​ @mcushvft​ @nellabellaa​ @miraclesoflove​ @marvelobsessed10031917​ @samaraaaaa​ @hogwartsmarvelmommy​ @elishi03​ @mn-jun​ @nocturnalms​ @tomhollandlol​ @kayasholland​ @safeplaceholland​ @peter-parkers-gf​ @wrendermeuseless​

[moonlit-imagines]

warnings:

a/n:

requested by anonymous

“I just hate how much recognition he gets. Whenever I introduce myself, all I get is, ‘Potter? As In Harry Potter?’ or ‘I wasn’t aware there was two of you!’” You complained, slouching in your spot on the couch while Ron sympathized.

“Oh, I know what you mean. Do you know just how many older brothers I have? I’m always overlooked for everything, and the hand-me-downs!” Ron groaned, explaining his shared feelings with you. “I’m the youngest boy, but not the youngest child. I’m basically worthless.”

“Oh, don’t sell yourself short, Ron.” You punched him in the arm, trying to lift his spirits a bit. “I’ve met your family, you’re in no way forgotten.” You assured him, partially turning it into a competition. “Me on the other hand? The family me and Harry got pretends like we don’t even exist! They gush and gush over their own little boy, but all we had was each other. Now Harry hasn’t got the time of day for me.”

“Yeah, right. Harry loves you, you know that. He’s only busy with studies and such.” You two truly were starting to compete a bit, but what’s a little competition between friends and your shortcomings?

“Don’t forget saving Hogwarts every year.” You added and Ron quieted himself for a moment. “I’m just saying, Ronny, we definitely got the short end of the stick, but I guess it could be worse.”

taglist: @ravenmoore14 // @summersimmerus // @the-did-i-ask // @azazel-nyx // @randomfandomimagine // @scarthefangirl // @locke-writes //

[slasherrabbitmadness]

Victorian DILF Brahms x Female Reader

Series: Don't forget who you belong to.

Chapter 2 - Give me your answer, do

Underthecut - NSFW, Male Masturbation, Oral - Male Receiving.

Brahms sat idly in his living room, leaning back in his large leather recliner. Feet shuffling along the Egyptian carpet, thumbs twiddling as he hums Daisy Bell by Harry Dacre,

"I'm half crazy, all for the love of you." He smiles as he thinks of her. How her hair shines in the sun, like a halo above her head. Her eyes sparkling whenever she laughs, how the corner of her eyes crinkles ever so slightly. How her smile makes his heart skip a beat.

Brahms sucks in a breath, his hum-singing continues, "There are bright lights the dazzling eyes of beautiful Daisy Bell." He sits up straight, eyes on the unlit fireplace, the gold gate held an ornate Chinese dog welded on the front. He looks above the fireplace to the mantel, the rows of photos in their ash wood frames.

His face is stern as he glances at a particular photo. He, a half-smile as his hand rests on his son's shoulder. Lawrence when he was a boy of eight. Lawrence's other shoulder had a delicate white hand upon it. Gerti, her lips dark with her favourite shade of lipstick, her slight freckles littered her face, her silky blonde hair up in a beautiful age-appropriate bun.

His hum-singing fades as he continues to stare, the family photo, the family in the photo appearing as sharp and elegant as their social standing. That day, Gerti had scolded him all morning, her eyes wide and glossy, her alabaster skin held a blue and yellow hue under her eyes. Her fingers were cold and clammy.

"For the love of everything, Brahms, hurry for once." Brahms flinches as he can still hear her screeching, "Lawrence, get the cat's paw out of your mouth and stop pulling its tail!" He chuckles,

"I miss that cat," Brahms laughs to himself. Never one for pets but how that scraggly little beast could make his son laugh in the most jovial way, warmed him greatly.

His amused grin falls as his eyes lock with Gerti's. Grabbing the photo, his thumb ghosts over her image, remembering how once soft her skin was. His stomach churns as a chill seeps into his bones, shaking him in his spot.

He places the family photo back on the mantle, right next to a photo of her. Her hands grasping each other, face tilted slightly, a timid smile upon her face. "Sir, I don't need my photo taken!"

"Y/n, as my employee of a year, you are practically family." Brahms let out a shaky breath as his mind replays the conversation. "And you may call me, Brahms. You address Gerti by her full name."

"Gerti and are intimate in ways that have allowed us to be close."

"Pray tell may I watch these intimate moments?" His cheeky reply had cost him an ear full from his wife when she had found out. Brahms still never understood why women used such charged words to describe a close friendship.

Brahms left the living room, a stirring in his gut had him heave. He wanted to call upon her for aid, 'Fetch me a water with some ice, and actually bring some black tea and one of our lemons from Italy.' he clears his throat at the thought of dryness being washed back by the cold refreshment.

He had given her a few hours a week for personal time. Free to be spent however she pleased. Ever since the death of his wife and Lawerence attending Rugby School for Boys she had more free time. Much to Brahms immense displeasure.

Brahms had taken to stalking her on her days off. Wanted to see what she got up to. Where she went and specifically with who. He would linger twenty feet behind, always darting behind stalls and other tall men to hide, he even took to wearing a coat that he kept hidden in hopes she would not recognize him further.

He stared in amazement at how well she helped an old lady onto the trolley all the while juggling her belongings, refusing a 'tip' "It's the nice thing to do." in reference to helping others.

His cheeks flushed whenever she stopped to smell the flowers, literally. A quaint smile as she turned down the offer for a free one from the vendor. She often stopped to sniff the white and yellow flowers. He had noticed Daisys were her favorite.

He seethed when one day you were stopped by a handsome Youngman, his tall lean frame stood confidently as his dark brown eyes held a softness as they looked down at you. He had overheard the name in a distinctly American accent, "Dan, yeah I'm studying medicine with my colleague, I'd introduce you but..." He hated that you always walked near the campus, hated all the young men eager, too eager to chat up a single young lady.

Dan had never gotten farther than chaste conversations and one quick feather-light kiss on her cheek.

Brahms wondered if he should up and move, just to be a little further away from the university, away from the young men, away from one of them stealing her away. She was his, he had just yet to convince her. Ask her, even bring it up in any conceivable way.

One occasion made the blood sear in his veins. He should have been more away, should have been more vigilant of this Dan fellow. He watched from a distance as Dan rounded the corner and collided with her. His tall body fell over hers, his hand had just managed to catch the back of her head, softening to the blow to the ground.

"Oh, God! I am so sorry!" Dan's eyes wide in shock, "Oh, I'm so sorry."

She laughed, "No, no, it's fine," Brahms gritted his teeth.

"No, it's not." Dan pulled himself and her up, his hand holding her in a firm grasp. "I am so sorry." He scratched the back of his head, his expression doleful.

"Accidents happen." She assured, grabbing his hand still wrapped around hers. " It's okay Dan."

"You remember me!" Dan's brown eyes lit up. A Radiant smile over his face as he stepped closer to her.

Brahms seethed as the scene played out before him. She smiled, he smiled. She laughed, he laughed. The words between the two began to fall effortlessly between them both.

He watched despondently. How she could let herself relax so easily in another man's presence. How her demeanor shifted around Dan. Those stiff shoulders eased themselves as Dan placed his hand on her shoulder and winked.

Brahms cursed, the university's chapel bell rang out. Every thunderous clang shot through Brahms. Every clang was a reminder he had another place to be. The dreaded desk in the dreaded little corner of his office.

He turned one last time, eyes watched as she smiled with a warmth he'd never seen, how she leaned into Dan as his smile shined bright.

Brahms walks up to his maid's room, thanking Gerti for installing a sense of comfort in Y/N as to never locking the door.

He jiggles the door handle, "Hm..." Again, "Weird," his eyes narrow, "Bloody thing is locked." He jostles the handle, "Bloody woman..."

Click

"Ah, there we are." He hums in approval as the door creaks open. Forever grateful for the previous owner teaching him how to easily unlock a door in the house without a key "Rickety ol' tings" Brahms mocked the man's heavy accent.

He inhales as he enters her room. The simple little abode warmed his heart. Her bed and the nightgown left upon it stirred his loins. He walks to the bed, grabs the nightgown, bringing it to his nose, he growls as he inhales, her natural scent lingered on the garment.

Brahms holds the garment in his teeth as he shucks off his pants, freeing his painfully erect cock. The thoughts whirl in his mind as he plops onto her bed, sighing with content as he sinks down into the mattress and a sneer as he grips his cock.

The same bed she slept, where when the night calls for it, he knew she'd sleep naked. "Fuck..." He growls through the nightgown, ripping it from his mouth to place it over his chest. Her bed, her bed where she no doubt has touched herself, even if briefly in a beautiful sinful manner.

Does she shy away as she dipped those delicate little fingers into her dripping pussy? Does she bite her cheek to stifle her pitchy moans when that jolt of pleasure shot through her?

Brahms collects some spit in his large hand, sucking in a breath as his cold spit touches his cock. His hand pumps eagerly around his thick member, a low groan as the image of her crawling up to him floods his mind. He sighs as he pictures it as her hand gripping him, gasping at how large it is,

"Brahms, my fingers can't even wrap around it!"

"That's okay, love, use those pretty little lips and that wet little tongue to help you."

"What if my make-up smears?"

"Oh, love, that's what I want." Brahms throws his head back, thumb circling his swollen head, picturing it as her delicate wet little tongue. He grips himself harder as he swears he can feel her lips wrap around his cock.

His low groans and breathy moans fill her little room, her name falling from his lips, "So beautiful, Y/N. My love, so perfect, mhm, yes, further down your throat, moaning around it."

Brahms breathing hitches as he pictures her, clawing at his chest as tears prick the corner of her eyes, "I'm a little nervous," She says as she rubs her glistening pussy, inches over his leaking cock.

"You got this, my love." Brahms keens,

"Will it fit, Brahms?..." She bites her lip, a hand groping her beautiful chest.

"My love, just relax, I have you." He pictures gripping her hip to ease her down onto him, gripping his cock as he imagines her warm pussy gripping him.

Audible slaps from the fisting of his cock, mixing with his now desperate pleas and moans fill her room. She's on top of him, her chest flushed against his, she's commenting on how she loves the feel of his hairy chest, praised-filled moans as she comments on his pecs flexing under her.

Brahms bucks his hips into his hand, "Hold you close." He moans as he pictures rolling on top of her, her legs wrapping around his lower half, arms pulling him in close, whispering in his ear,

"Brahms cum in me, cum in me, make me yours." He grips squeeze around his cock, imaging it's her pussy clenching around him, "I love you, Brahms."

He hisses as his body shakes, muscles flexing, toes curling as he snarls out his release. The image of her accepting his seed sends heat washing over him. His cock pulses in his grip, his cum spraying over her nightgown, the remaining spilling down his fingers and cock.

His temples pulse, his ears ringing. His toes unfurling as his legs ceased in their shakes. He squeezes his cock a few more times, hearing her breathlessly thanking him, "It's so warm in me. Thank you, Brahms." He swears he can feel her nuzzling into his chest as if she was there.

Brahms coughs as he sits up, shaking his head as he gingerly throws his legs over the side, placing his feet on the door. The nightgown falls over his cock. He snorts, using it to clean himself. He stands up, placing the nightgown where he had found it. A wicked and mischievous grin spreads over his face at the thought of her wearing his spent at night.

He grunts as he retrieves his trousers, pulling them up in haste, tucking his chub back in. A content sigh as he eyes the bed and nightgown. She wouldn't be sleeping alone for much longer.

Brahms snaps his attention to the trill of his front doorbell. He clicks his tongue as he makes haste to the door. He debates on if he has time to properly clean his hand, decides to just wear a fancy white-glove he leaves, conveniently, near the front door instead.

"Coming! My Maid is out currently," He sucks in a breath as he pulls a glove over his right hand, he cocks his head quickly before opening the door. "Sorry, it'd have been answered sooner...who are you?"

Brahms stared down at the short man before him. His brown hair combed expertly to the side, his brows immaculate under his thick glasses. He wore a glowering expression, his lips in a tight line.

The man clears his throat, "Herbert, Herbert West." Brahms makes note of his American accent, "I believe this paper is for the lady of this residence." Herbert whips the paper in front of him, his expression changing to say "Well, hurry and take it!"

"Mr. West."

"Herbert."

"Herbert, If by Lady you mean, Gerti? She passed awa-"

"I don't mean your dead wife."

Brahms's eyes narrow at Herbert. He opens his mouth the speak.

"I mean, Y/n. She is the only lady living here. So Dan tells me."

Brahms's jaw slackens, "Dan." He says more to himself.

"Yes, it's an invitation to a formal at the university. He already invited her. Just wanted to make sure she got all the details, it's all there on the paper." Herbert whips it again in front of Brahms.

Brahms yanks the paper from Herbert, eyes scanning it wildly.

University of London

Residents of Handel Mansions we formally invite you to bring along the most beautiful dame for the start of our fall formal.

September 28th, 1900

Entrance fee 1 pound, with a beautiful dame on your arm the fee is waved.

Brahms stares back at Herbert who pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Well," Herbert begins, "I figured be best to drop it off for Dan. He's been awfully busy." He flashes a smile to Brahms as he turns, "Dan also says to let Y/n know he wishes her luck at her new job on Robitaille's farm." He turns back around to Brahms, "Oh, it was nice meeting you, Mr.?"

Brahms pauses, clearing his throat, "Brahms Heelshire."

Herbert clicks his tongue, "I knew that." He walks down the stairs, a pep in his step, "Was nice meeting you Mr. Heelshire."

Brahms stares at the short man walking away, nodding to a man walking past. He turns back around, slamming the door behind in, the frame shook.

He stares down at the paper, eyes reading it over and over again. "A formal." He starts, "That Dan..." His breath catches in his chest, "A job?" he questions aloud.

He collapses against his door, slumping over as he crunches the paper in his hands. His thoughts raced to her, cursing himself for not intervening that day she ran into Dan. Wishing he just took the reprimand from his employer and raced in to shove Dan away from you. Creating some fantastical lie as to why he was suddenly there.

Brahms's thoughts slip to his son. Lawrence, his green eyes shine whenever he and Y/n play. He hugs her like he did his mother. How y/n always promises to play with him, tuck him at night. How were you going to tuck him in if you were to be away? How were you going to be there to kiss his little cheek as he falls asleep?

"How are you going to be there for me?"

[havethetimeofyourstyles]

in which a new relationship sparks up in the restaurant. 

a/n: hi loves! i’m back with a new story, and this is for nat’s @harrystylescherry​ playlist fic challenge! the song i chose is ‘say it’ by maggie rogers, which is one of my absolute favorite songs! hope you all like it, please reblog and leave feedback!

WORD COUNT: 13.8k words of waiter!harry x waitress!yn 

WARNINGS: angst and some smut 

COME INTO MY INBOX AND LETS TALK ABOUT ‘SAY IT’ i’d love to know your thoughts!

pls rb to share <3

It was eleven in the morning when Harry walked through the back door of ‘Spring,’ ready to start his long day of being on his feet while waiting tables. 

He walked to the staff’s lounge that held their lockers and a bench before looking around to see if anyone else was in the locker room; he turned the dial of his lock pad to open his blue locker. His coworkers would always tease him about being so secretive when he knows that no one would actually steal from him, but better to be safe than sorry, and he couldn’t imagine how awkward that would be confronting one of his coworkers if they actually had stolen from him. 

He put his white canvas tote bag that was printed in a brown text that said ‘Celestial Natural Foods’—a store in Hawaii—in his locker and hanging it on one out of the two hooks before grabbing his black waist apron and tying it around his waist. 

The restaurant’s attire was a simple white or black button down with black trousers. The manager of the restaurant, Irene, told the staff that they could choose either color shirt whenever they pleased. As for jewelry, she didn’t mind when her waiters and waitresses wore jewelry, as long as it wasn’t interfering with how they held the plates of food, causing them to drop it. Harry was glad to hear that Irene allowed jewelry because his rings and necklaces made him Harry. Twisting his rings and fixing his necklaces, he took a quick glance at the small mirror that was stuck on the inside of the door with a magnet, and combed his hair back with his hands before closing his locker shut and locking it. 

He washed his hands at the sink next to the locker room, and he smiled at the commotion and noise from behind him that came from the kitchen crew. They were prepping for the dinner hour, chopping up various vegetables, making the restaurant’s famous dressing and sauces, and baking the side dishes that usually took a while in the oven. 

“Hey, Harry!” Jet, one of the sous chefs, greeted as he looked up at Harry with a big smile as he continued chopping up cabbage like the professional chef that he was. 

Harry chuckled, amazed at his knife skills. “Hey, Jet. How are you today?” He leaned against the stainless steel countertop as he talked to Jet through the open space of the shelves, where the food rested under the heated and dim light when it was ready to be served. 

“I’m doing great! How was your three day vacation?” 

“It was okay. It went by fast, but I missed it here anyways,” Harry responded with a smile. Jet laughed, nodding. 

“Well, we missed you too. Anyways, Irene told me to tell you that she’s looking for you.” Harry squinted his eyes slightly, not knowing whether Irene looking for him was a good or bad thing, and Jet seemed to notice what he was thinking. “Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure it’s nothing bad.” 

Harry nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. Jet was his closest friend at Spring, ever since Harry started working as a waiter three years ago. He desperately needed a job because being his own boss and freelancing as a photographer could be difficult sometimes; and building up a client list when he first started out was even harder. But three years later, he was able to get his name around through his clients, and he earned enough where he could technically quit his job at Spring and focused purely on photography; however, Harry liked the restaurant too much to just quit—he liked serving people, believe it or not. His charms go a long way for respectful and kind customers, and of course, a great tip. Most of his friends always worked here as well, as he didn’t have quite a lot of friends since he moved from London, but his coworkers had become his very own friends, and he loved them too much to leave. 

“Thanks, I’ll see you when we open!” Harry said as Jet waved to him, watching him walk around the counter to find Irene who was talking to a woman he’s never seen before. 

He’s always loved walking through the restaurant because it had such a friendly and open vibe with white painted walls, trees planted in a line in the middle of the floor, and a big glass ceiling for a solarium ambience. His favorite part was that there were no walls to separate the dining area from the kitchen, so customers could see straight through the kitchen and watch the chefs work on their food with just a turn of their heads. 

“Ah, there he is,” Irene said once Harry was close enough. “I’m glad you’re early.” 

“Irene, I’m always early, what do you mean?” Harry breathed out a chuckle. 

“I know you are. I’m just glad you’re extra early today because I need you to train this lovely woman next to me.” Irene stepped out of the way to reveal you to the waiter that was going to train you today. 

Harry looked at you, and immediately, his breath was caught in his throat. The light that was provided through the glass ceiling cast down at you, giving you a glow that was ethereal, and he mentally thanked the interior designer of the restaurant from so many years ago for insisting on putting a glass ceiling instead of a regular, covered one. There you were, standing in the open light as you flashed him a smile that almost made him collapse due to how weak his knees were, and he physically had to place a hand on the brown wooden table next to him to keep himself up. You were stunning, to say the least. 

“Hi, I’m Y/N,” you offered him a hand, smiling softly at him. He shook your hand, feeling the softness of your small hand and how it contrasted to his large and somewhat rough hand. 

“I’m Harry. It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiled, two dimples indenting his cheeks. You noticed that his left dimple was more prominent than his right, but either way, you thought he was a gorgeous man. 

Yours and Harry’s eyes had lingered a bit longer, and once you had caught yourself staring, you forced yourself to take your eyes off him, even though it was difficult to. And that’s when you knew it was going to be a slight problem working around him. 

“Now that introductions are out of the way,” Irene interrupted. She turned towards Harry. “Harry, this is our newest addition to our waiting staff. You’ve been here long enough and it seems like you’re here everyday, so I’m going to leave her with you to train.” Once she was down, Irene turned towards you. “Y/N, you’re going to train with Harry for the rest of the week. It’s usually two weeks that are required for training, but since you’ve had waiting experience before, I’ll knock it down to one, and by the end of the week, we’ll see how you’re doing and where you are with everything. Sounds good?” 

You nodded excitedly, giving her a bright smile before she clapped her hands and said ‘great.’ Harry looked at you the entire time, and he just knew that you were the type of person that could light up a room with your beautiful and bright smile. 

Irene turned towards Harry once more. “Show her the ropes, introduce her to people, and just make her comfortable, yeah?” Harry nodded, teasingly saluting at his boss as he earned a laugh from her. 

Irene left, leaving the two of you, but your attention was preoccupied with the restaurant as you eagerly looked around, getting familiar with the place you’d hoped to be stable at for a while. 

Harry cleared his throat, to which you immediately looked at him. He gave you a smile before he said, “So, ready for your first day?” 

“Ready!” You exclaimed, tone a bit too excited, making you slightly embarrassed, so you curled your lips into your mouth and looked around the restaurant again to hide your slight embarrassment. 

Harry giggled. “Don’t look around too much—you might get tired of this place before you even start,” he teased, completely forgetting how shy and embarrassed you looked. 

“I think I’m gonna like it here,” you confessed immediately, feeling a certain comfort once you walked into the restaurant. Hell, the moment you researched the restaurant, you loved the place. 

“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Harry led you around the counter where customers could watch the chefs in action as they cooked their meals. “This is where you could get all the supplies needed—napkins, extra plates, utensils, place mats, everything should be here. If not, then it’ll usually be in the kitchen, right over here.” He walked over to the kitchen where there were more supplies under the table, and pointed below the table. “Here’s more if the ones behind the counter run out, and if they do run out and you just so happen to be there, please make sure to refill it.” You nodded understandingly. 

Harry walked you through the steps of how the system of the restaurants worked as he imputed a demo order into the system on the touchable screen. There were five order screens, one in each corner of the restaurant, one behind the counter, and one in the kitchen; there shouldn’t be any collision or anyone waiting for one of the severs to finish with the screen because there were only about four to five servers working every shift considering it was a small restaurant. Harry then walked you along on where to pick up the order as every dish had its receipt with the order printed on the paper along with the table number. He told you that the table numbers are in order of how the tables are set up—number one starts with the countertops since it’s closest to the entrance, following along the walls, and the tables in the middle were numbered last. 

You liked how easy their routine and system was that you were sure you’d have it down by the end of the week. Harry made sure to introduce you to the staff that you two passed by as he led you throughout the restaurant; he made you feel comfortable right from the bat, making sure to make a few jokes here and there that certainly released some tension in your shoulders from nerves. You were grateful that he made you laugh--you were worried that you wouldn’t like your coworkers or they would be mean and snarky because you’re the newbie, but with Harry, it seemed like you two were getting along quite well; he was polite, helpful, and kind. 

“So, that’s pretty much it.” He looked at the time on his Apple Watch, reading a quarter to six in the evening, 15 minutes until Spring opened for dinner. “Do you have any questions?” 

You tried thinking of anything that you could ask, but your mind seemed to have collected all the information Harry had told you and retained it quite well. “No, nothing I can think of at the moment.” 

“Great. For now, do you mind checking the placemats and the table decor for me?” You nodded helpfully. “And then if you have any remaining time left, just chill out and take a breather for a second, and then come find me when we open.” 

“Okay. Sounds good.” You smiled at him sweetly, making him smile back before he walked away and towards the kitchen. 

You headed towards the dining room, making sure the woven placements were symmetrical and even; you also straightened out the utensils that made their way out of line or off the tablemats. You did this for the rest of the ten minutes you had of peace before you made your way through the restaurant to find Harry. 

The entire time you were in the dining room, Harry was in the locker room, mindlessly on his phone to waste time. He was lucky that he didn’t have to do anything before the restaurant opened, so he had some spare time to relax for a bit. He tried cooling down to get the pink flush that painted his cheeks off, but that’s what happened when he was around you; immediately, you had already had this effect on him, making him blush and nervous around you, and he didn’t know what it was. Maybe it was the way you brightly smiled at him, practically gleaming; or the way you laughed at his jokes, which even he could admit are a bit corny and bad—a very dad-like joke, but you still laughed. 

Whatever it was, he knew that he was fucked. 

Dinner time was a rush. Spring was busy and full; the reservation booklet was booked with no space to cater to walk-ins. 

You were shadowing Harry as you followed him around like a lost puppy, watching him interact with the customers, occasionally pulling out his charm so he would get a big tip. You couldn’t imagine if you were a customer and Harry was your server because your face would heat up instantly, and it would be difficult to contain a smile on your face. He had such a natural charm to him, making him naturally flirty as he flashed customers his smile and laughing at their horribly made jokes. 

For half of the night, you simply followed him around, watched the paths he took when he got the customers’ food and his overall routine of things. With every table he got assigned to, he made sure to introduce you to the party, always glancing over at you once he said your name as you greeted the customers with a bright smile. Harry nearly had to stop every time he glanced over at you as it seemed like your beauty always distracted him. 

You helped him with dealing with the plates, beverages, and getting extra necessities such as cheese, hot sauce, or extra utensils and plates for the table. 

Once the restaurant died down a bit, you and Harry were able to walk a bit slower, relaxing each time a party leaves. When there was about an hour and a half left of your shift and till the restaurant closes, Harry asked you if you’d like to take orders, saying it’ll be best if he observed how you would talk and serve the customers, and you excitedly said ‘yes.’ Harry was only assigned to five to six tables during his shift, and since it was near closing time, there were only two that had just arrived. 

Harry politely introduced himself, telling the parties that you were new and shadowing him, but you were going to take over for the rest of their stay at Spring. He watched you kindly talk to them, occasionally making small talk as you laughed with them; you talked about your favorite items on the menu, along with your favorite selection of wine. This time, Harry helped you with your tasks that you had done before you two switched off, and he immediately admitted to himself that the two of you made such a great team. It was only your first day here, and he already saw how naturally the both of you moved around one another, along with communicating so well with each other. 

You were bidding the last party in the restaurant goodbye with a wave and telling them to enjoy the rest of their evening before you grabbed the mason jar that held the bill, along with the tips. You walked over to the kitchen where Irene was counting all the money and placed the mason jar besides her, giving her a smile before walking over to the locker room. 

Harry was sitting on the bench with his phone in his hands, and looked up once you entered the room. 

“How was your first day?” He smiled. 

“It was actually really great. The energy here is amazing.” 

“Well, I’m glad. You’re a natural, and it helps both of us that you already have restaurant experience.” Harry completely put his phone away into his tote bag, giving you his attention, which you really admired. Some people would make small talk and quickly end the conversation to go back on their phones. “Where did you work before, if you don’t mind me asking?” 

“I actually moved here from NorCal—San Francisco—just two weeks ago. But I worked at one of the restaurants at Pier 49. The restaurant was pretty small and we weren’t as busy as it was here, only on the weekends we would get a bit busy. So, this is definitely completely different than being outside and smelling the fresh ocean a few feet away,” you explained, chuckling. 

“Wow, SF, that’s quite the trip. But we’re glad to have you. I think you’re fitting right in.” 

“Thank you. I already like it here.” Harry gave you a warm smile, grateful that you had a great first day, and that Spring gave you a good first impression for you to stay. 

The two of you chatted a bit, talking about the customers you had and laughing at the jokes they made or the conversations they talked about. It was kind-hearted and fun, and a conversation that made you feel light; it wasn’t anything serious. It ended when it was time for closing, cleaning up and making sure everything was in order for tomorrow afternoon’s shift. 

Irene handed the staff their tips for the night, which you amounted for $120 for a Sunday night. It wasn’t bad for your first night of tips, and you knew you would be working a lot more since this was your only job and you weren’t doing anything else. 

As everyone walked outside into the staff parking lot, everyone said their goodbyes to one another, spreading apart and walking out to their vehicles. 

Once you opened your car door, Harry called out for you from the opposite side of where you parked. 

“Yeah?” You raised your brows. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He offered a smile before getting into his car and starting it, but he waited until you were safely inside of your car and out of the parking garage, and then he would leave. 

He couldn’t help but notice the smile that appeared onto your face before you got inside your car, and he couldn’t help but think about how incredibly beautiful you are. 

The entire week went on just like your first day. You were getting more comfortable with the flow of the restaurant, and where everything was. You continued shadowing Harry, but some days, he would let you serve your customers for the entire shift. 

Now that it was Friday evening, you couldn’t wait to relax the next day. You had told Irene that you were available all days of the week, and since you were new and still needed to complete training, she scheduled you for Sunday to Friday, getting Saturday off, which you appreciated. When you told yourself that you were able to work all day, you didn’t realize how exhausting and tiring that was until it came down to the end of the week as your feet ached, telling you to sit down for at least an entire day. 

Once it was closing time, you were finally able to catch a breath as you cleaned up part of the dining room. Chatter and laughter was heard from the kitchen quite loud as it echoed against the walls; you smiled, enjoying the sound of laughter, especially when it came from people you knew. 

As you were mindlessly wiping down tables, Harry walked up to you with two cocktails in his hands, smiling as he handed you one. You raised your brows, hesitant to take it from him as you wondered if it was allowed to drink since you were technically still on the clock. 

“Irene made them for us, if that’s what you’re wondering,” he said as if he read your mind. You breathed out a chuckle, taking a glass before thanking him and clinking your glass with his before taking a sip of the cold tequila drink. You sighed in relief, and Harry giggled. “Do you have any plans for tonight? I know it’s almost midnight, but I mean…you could still.” He felt his ears heat up, feeling a tad bit nervous when he was around you. 

“No, I don’t. I don’t really have any friends in SoCal, but I can't wait to go home and sleep.” 

“O-Oh okay, I was just gonna ask if you’d like to stay for a bit longer.” 

“Here? For what?” You asked curiously. 

“Well, the lot of us get together after night shifts to do a mini celebration at the end of the long and busy week. We only do it Fridays since that’s when most of us are working all together,” he said referring to the bunch laughing and talking in the kitchen. You did notice now that you had been working with the same group of people, and partially that was because you only mostly worked night shifts and so did the rest. “We usually stay for an hour—drink, eat, talk. It made us closer, actually, so I’d thought you might like to join since you’re new,” he invited.

You didn’t take long to think of an answer—to weigh out your choices of wanting to go to bed at a somewhat reasonable time or stay an extra hour and hang out with your coworkers. 

“I’d actually really love that, thank you,” you accepted his invitation with a sweet smile, making Harry’s heart pound just a tad bit harder against his chest. 

“Great! Well, come on into the kitchen when you’re done. The chefs are cooking up some food,” he said before he walked away, leaving you to finish up your tasks for the night, which didn’t take you any more than ten minutes to finish up. 

You walked into the kitchen and Harry immediately handed you a plate that you gladly took. Jet excitedly waved to you to go over to the stove so he could serve you. 

“Allergic to anything?” He asked to make sure you weren’t going into the emergency room tonight. 

“Uh, shellfish when it’s consumed. I’m okay to be around it, though.”

“Oh shit, this would not be good for you.” His eyes widened as he immediately dropped the large silver serving spoon of the lobster risotto; it looked absolutely delicious. “Good thing I’m prepared. Do you like spaghetti and meatballs?” 

“Love.”

“Great!” He started plating your plate with the food before handing it back to you with an ‘enjoy!’ as you thanked him. 

Once everyone was satisfied, you all headed out to the dining table, settling on a large rectangle table comfortably. There were about twelve of you, and it seemed like everyone had assigned seats since they immediately went straight to their spot and placed their table or drink in front of it. 

You were a bit lost, not knowing where to sit, and the only person you’re reasonably close to was Harry, but it seemed like he was a bit preoccupied chatting with Quinn, another chef. 

“Y/N! Sit next to me, yeah?” Ivy, one of the waitresses called out for you. You smiled, thankful she was the one to ask you, and you gladly took a seat next to her. 

Harry took the seat in front of Ivy, diagonal from you, and he really wished he was the one sitting next to you. 

“Damn, I really should get a large circle table for all of us so we could see each other’s faces,” Irene suggested, and the group agreed, but everyone wondered where it would be placed since the restaurant had no space for another large table. 

Everyone broke out into their own conversations, chatting with one another freely and as loud as they wanted. 

“How was your first week here, Y/N?” Ivy asked. 

“It was great! I really love this place.” Harry looked at you as you talked with Ivy. He really could get lost just looking at your beauty, and sometimes, he would have to knock himself out of his glare to prevent him from getting caught. He was just so captivated by you, and it didn’t take a lot of effort for him to be so drawn to you. 

Ivy had definitely noticed Harry’s stare from the corner of her eye, and admittingly, she got jealous because she’s had a small crush on Harry ever since she started working at Spring four months ago. But it wasn’t like she was going to do anything about it because it seemed like he didn’t take interest in her, so she wasn’t going to force it. However, it didn’t slip past her that you occasionally glanced over at Harry as well—briefly averting your eyes towards him once he took a sip of his water or someone had pulled him out of his attention on you to make conversation. 

Gently pulling you by the arm, Ivy leaned over to whisper into your ear. “Harry’s totally crushing on you.” 

You pulled back, shocked. “What?” You mouthed. 

“He can’t stop looking at you—it’s so obvious.” You simply chuckled, shaking your head slightly as your cheeks felt warm, not from the alcohol or how close everyone was sitting, but because you couldn’t even believe that Harry would have a crush on you. Sure, you two had spent the entirety of your shifts together, but you didn’t think that he would have a crush on you. 

You tried not to think of Ivy’s words for the rest of the night, and you tried even harder to not look at Harry to catch it he was staring at you. Your thoughts seemed to make you more drunk when you were trying to sober up to drive back home. You only had three cocktails, which was quite mindless of you to be drinking when you had to drive home, but you simply wanted to have fun because you deserved it, and you were comfortable and making friends. And everyone seemed to be drinking as well as they were getting a ride from the more responsible ones who were driving and leaving their car in the parking garage during the night. 

Once everyone was all out of their social battery with their plates and glasses empty, you all started to clean up, helping one another to make the process of going home quicke; there were two people washing the dishes and two people drying as the rest put those dishes away and cleaned the table. 

Just like every single night, everyone said their goodbyes in the parking lot before going to their cars to head home for a good night's rest. 

You were sober, but you didn’t feel safe enough to drive, and you don’t know if that’s the alcohol or the thoughts of Harry making you dizzy. So, instead of walking to your car, you took out your phone and opened the Uber app, knowing you’d be able to get a ride home quickly since it was past midnight on a Friday night. 

“Hey, whatcha doing?” Harry asked, walking up to you once he noticed that you weren’t going to your car. He made it a habit to watch you get inside your car and leave the parking garage safely because anything could happen in the few minutes if he left before you. 

“I’m calling an Uber. I don’t wanna drive back…” you replied before looking down at your phone again.

“Oh, I could drive you home, if you’d like?” He offered politely. 

“Really? You don’t have to do that.”

“I insist. I would feel better knowing that I was the one that got you home safely.” The corners of your lips couldn’t help but turn up into a smile as your heart fluttered against your ribcage. 

“That’s really sweet, Harry, I’d like that,” you accepted. Harry grinned, leading you to his car as you followed; he walked over to the passenger seat, opening the door for you, which easily almost made your knees buckle in. How is he such a gentleman and so incredibly kind? You wondered, thinking about how rare it was to meet a man without anything leading to more than a conversation. 

You thanked him before getting into his car; his car was very clean and he had a Saturn air freshener that hung on his rearview mirror, admitting a fresh lemon scent throughout his vehicle. Harry got in, handing you his phone to play some music and to enter your address before starting the car and driving out of the parking garage. You played Daniel Caesar, which you thought was the perfect kind of music for a night drive since your place was fifteen minutes away from the restaurant. The two of you sang along to ‘Hold Me Down’ as he watched you from the corner of his eye, adorably swaying in your seat to the song as you muttered the lyrics. 

The sunroof cover was open, giving you an orange glow every time the car passed by a lamppost. Unconsciously, you both looked at one another every time the car stopped at a red light, both smiling at one another. You were thankful that it was dark out as it hid your big smile from how much you were giddy just looking at Harry. 

Once the navigation told him that your place was on the right, he parked against the curb in front of your apartment complex. You unbuckled your seatbelt before turning towards him in your seat as he turned towards you as well. 

“Thank you for the ride, Harry. It was really kind of you to offer.” 

“Not a problem. Don’t be hesitant to ask again. I rarely drink when we have our after-hours dinners, so you’re free to drink all you want and I’ll be glad to take you home,” he told you, and you smiled, nodding your head. 

“I’ll keep that in mind. It’s just been a while since I drank and hung out with friends,” you explained. 

“No worries. I’m glad you had fun, I assumed?” 

“Yeah, lots of fun! I really like it there, and you made it bearable and fun as well as my trainer,” you admitted. Harry felt his cheeks slightly redden, and just as you were thinking, he was grateful it was dark out. 

He cleared his throat. “Well, I’m glad. You’ll be on your own now. No need for me anymore since you’ve pretty much gotten everything done so quickly,” he chuckled, a dimple indenting his left cheek, making you hold in your breath. 

“Can I still ask you for help if I need you?” You asked innocently, leaning your elbow against the middle console as you rested your chin against your fist. Harry pursed in his lips as his mind focused on the last three words that slipped out of your mouth--I need you. It was merely an innocent question relating to work that he shouldn’t think too much about, but he couldn’t help it. 

“Of course. I’m always gonna be here if you need me,” he responded, keeping it friendly. At that, you smiled, nodding your head in acceptance. You gathered your belongings that rested at your feet before turning to face him again. Leaning forward, Harry thought you were leaning in to kiss him, which he wouldn’t mind whatsoever, but that dream was crushed when you wrapped your arm around his shoulder, giving him a hug. He hugged you back, placing his hand against your back and slightly rubbing his hand up and down, hoping you couldn’t feel his heart hammering against his chest at the feel of your upper body slightly pressed against him. 

You pulled away, giving him a shy smile. “I’ll see you on Sunday. Drive safe, okay?” 

“Always do. Sleep well.” He bid you goodbye as you got out of his car, walking over to the entrance of your apartment complex. You turned around before you opened the door, waving at him before heading inside. 

Harry drove off to his place, the opposite direction of your apartment, passing Spring. He could’ve honestly been home already in the comfort of his bed, but he didn’t mind taking you home at all. That only meant he got to spend a bit of more time together, but he noticed that with every passing second, minute, and hour, he felt himself falling for you just a bit more. 

You’ve been at Spring for almost a month, and you couldn’t believe how fast the days went by. The more you worked, the more you started to feel a place at home with the restaurant. It was welcoming and fun, and all the credit was due to the people that you surrounded yourself with. You felt a difference in your attitude, your mood, and you liked the change that it brought you--you felt happy. 

Being in San Francisco your entire life was great up until it wasn’t. It was a toxic place for you simply because of the people that you were surrounded with. You noticed that you were always on fight-or-flight mode, ready for someone to make one comment at you so you could snap at them. You hated being and thinking like that, so the best thing you did for yourself was to move away from the toxicity of your hometown, and you were glad that you did. 

It was another usual Friday evening, after hours at Spring as you sat in your usual seat next to Ivy as the two of you and Harry were laughing about a story Ivy was telling about her ex-boyfriend in college. 

Harry looked over at you, heart swooning as he watched you laugh, wiping your under eyes from the tears that had slipped out. It was a beautiful sight, he’d say; you had such a beautiful smile and contagious laugh that he loved hearing, whether it’d be from the kitchen as he was in the dining room or in the locker room—wherever it was, he always smiled to himself when he heard it. 

The two of you had gotten quite close, making the work environment bearable and fun. When you would be in the same area at the same time, you had this thing where you would bump his hip with yours lightly, and he would bump yours right back—of course, when there weren’t any food or drink handling. There would always be light conversations within those hip bumps, comfortably getting to know one another, whether it would be asking quick-fire questions or a random story about one another’s lives that would come to mind. It wasn’t an ordinary setting or time to get to know each other, but it made things fun because the two of you would come up with more questions to come up with the next time he bumped into you. It was nice having a thing with you, he thought. 

There would be moments during those little meetings when your fingers would brush delicately against his, sending shivers to his body. It was simply overwhelming in the best way possible. 

Everyone called it a night, doing the nightly routine of tidying and cleaning everything up. Despite the long shift and being on your feet, you still had quite a bit of energy that you would like to use up so you could get a night’s rest. You looked at your friends, seeing if anyone was up for a late night adventure just based off of their posture and how often they yawned, and it seemed like everyone was exhausted, for obvious reasons. But you’d ask one person before you decide to go alone. 

Once everything was clean and ready for the Saturday’s brunch, everyone walked out of the restaurant, walking over to their cars. 

“Hey, Harry?” You called out, making him instantly turn around at the sound of your voice. 

“Yeah, love?” The pet name had merely slipped out, and you felt your face getting warm, shyly smiling. 

“Uh, you could totally say no and I would completely understand why because it’s Friday night, and we had a long shift, and you must be tired-”

“Y/N?” You stopped talking, raising your brows. “Breath, yeah? Take your time,” he interrupted the rambling that you hadn’t known you were doing. 

Nodding, you took a deep breath. You didn’t know why you were nervous, but every time you were around Harry, he just made you feel a certain swarm of butterflies entering your stomach. 

“I’m not as tired as I thought, and I wanna end tonight with some sweets. So, would you like to come with me to get some dessert? Again, you could say no.” 

Harry smiled. “I’d love to,” he replied with no second thought. 

“Really?” 

“Yeah, of course. Plus, we could finally talk properly. Hate always walking away from our unfinished conversations.” He breathed out a chuckle, running his clad ring hand through his curls. 

“Great! Oh, uh, do you mind if we take your car? I took an Uber here, but I’ll compensate with buying you cookies and paying for your gas,” you suggested, keeping your excitement at bay. 

“No worries, c’mon. But I might take you up on the cookie offer.” He smiled, opening your door for you, which never failed to make you swoon. 

As he started the car, warming up the engine and turning the heater on, you two debated on where to go. You suggested going to Insomnia Cookies in Santa Monica, which was a twenty minute drive from Downtown LA, and it closed at two In the morning, but only if he was down to drive the opposite direction of where you two lived. And luckily, he didn’t mind the drive because he was always down for a late night drive and adventure, especially if it was with you. 

The car speakers played Frank Ocean, he merged on the 101, tapping his fingers along with the beat against the steering wheel. You subtly studied him as he drove, just as you did when you would glance at him across the restaurant. He always mindlessly curled his pink lips into his mouth, a habit that he, assumingly, had for years. You noticed how he would always play with his rings; his thumb would reach over to his other fingers to play with the heavy, metal rings; not helping that your mind would instantly go to what else his hands could do, especially to you, to your body, but you had to immediately snap yourself out of your thoughts to prevent them from going any further. Not to mention, the way his eyes always lit up; they had a natural gleam to them, making them incredibly irresistible to not look in his green eyes. 

He was captivating in all the right ways, and you felt yourself falling for him quite quickly, making that fear inside of you light up, inflaming your body with anxiousness. 

Your thoughts soon vanished when Harry pulled into a parking space in front of your destination, and he turned off the car. He turned to look at you, giving you a small smile before getting out. You decided to buy Harry anything he’d like, which he got the same six pack of cookies as you. 

Harry suggested eating in his car, which you agreed. Although the cold in SoCal wasn’t the same coldness as it was in NorCal, you didn’t want to stand around and freeze. The two of you make light conversation, talking about social media and enjoying the warmth of the fresh baked cookies. You then realized that you hadn’t followed him on Instagram, so you asked for his username, which was just his first and last name. 

“Your pictures are amazing,” you complimented.

“Stalking me already?” He teased. A smirk on his face present, making you roll your eyes as you didn’t know if you wanted to slap or kiss the smirk off—always wanting to go for the latter. “But thank you. I, uh, I actually took those myself.” Your eyes brightened. The photographs posted on his Instagram were mostly portraits of beautiful people, some of them were landscapes of a field or the mountains, but most of them were portraits. You knew very little about photography, thanks to the ‘Beginning of Photography 1’ class that you took in college, but you could see the depth of the picture and the way they’re taken; the emotion was clearly there, making you feel intensity through the picture. 

“Wow, you’re really talented, Harry.”

He blushed, looking down at his lap for a moment before looking back up at you again. “Thank you so much. I’m a freelance photographer.”

“Do you plan on leaving Spring to focus solely on photography?” You asked curiously. He softly smiled; he could hear the genuine tone in your voice, and he really appreciated that. 

“I’m not sure. I’ll have an appointment, maybe, three or four times a month? But the restaurant brings in more money, especially the tips,” he explained. 

You nodded. “Well, for what it’s worth, you’re extremely talented, and one day, you’ll be at the place you want to be. Everything will work out.” Harry smiled in appreciation of your words, not saying anything else. 

Taking another bite of his cookie, he changed the subject. “So, do you miss any of your friends in SF?” 

You raised your brows, not expecting that question, but you answered honestly. “To tell you the truth, I really don’t. A month before moving here,” you began to open up vulnerably; you hadn’t spoken to anyone about this. “I got out of a long relationship—quite toxic, honestly,” you said, looking at him. He had this look on his face that was so comforting, not a word coming out of his mouth, asking for details; it didn’t tell you that he was nosy or pressing you to tell him more. It simply told you that he was there to listen, whenever you were ready to tell him, and you really appreciated that. 

You hadn’t realized how hard it was talking about your past relationship because it had been all bottled up until now.  A deep breath came out of your mouth, and Harry immediately realized that it must’ve been a hard subject to speak about. Unexpected to you, he reached over to grab your hand, holding it gently as his thumb caressed your skin. He hoped he masked his nervousness well, making the smallest physical touch with you when, really, his pulse was hammering against his veins, heart pounding through his chest as his breathing began to feel erratic, but outside he remained cool, calm, and collected as if the touch didn’t drive him insane. 

You tried not letting Harry’s thumb, caressing the back of your hand, affect your ability to speak a coherent sentence, so you continued. “Uh, my ex was cheating on me with someone in our friend group. He told me not to worry about her, but you know how that goes when you hear that phrase. It was with a girl that I used to date—my first relationship, actually. The worst part of it was when I found out, I took him back when he promised he wouldn’t do it again and claimed that he loved me, and then I took him back again, and again and again.” 

Harry inhaled deeply, trying to not let the hand holding yours squeeze tightly so the blood circulation cuts off because he felt angry. He was so mad because how could anyone do that to you? Sweet, kind, and lovely you? 

“When I told him I couldn’t handle it anymore—all the lies, cheating, and betrayal—I broke up with him. Our friend group turned against me, completely ignored me. Now that I think about it, I noticed they started to be cold and rude towards me once they started sneaking around, and I have no clue why because I didn’t do anything to them. Guess they were just covering up for them because everyone knew except me, and I just felt so stupid because I was so clueless to think he ever loved me to forgive him so many times.” 

You started to sniffle as the bad memories that you lived through for the few months of the betrayal started to come up again. You were doing a good job not thinking about it when you started working at the restaurant, and you didn’t plan on telling Harry tonight, but you trusted him to let go of all the agony that you bottled up inside your mind. 

“Hey, come here,” he said, opening his arms up. You gladly rested your head against his shoulders, wishing the middle console wasn’t there so you could press your body against his. He hands rubbed your back just as it did when you first hugged him, and to say that you hadn’t been craving for his touch was a complete lie. “You’re not stupid whatsoever. I understand why you did what you did, but that doesn’t make you stupid. It makes them stupid for betraying your trust and forgiveness over and over again. You’re not in the wrong here nor was it your fault, love.” 

You nodded against his shoulder, and you felt him place the side of his face against the top of your head, cuddling up to you, which immediately put a smile on your face. Harry’s comfort had immediately made you feel better—it made you feel safe. You hadn’t felt so comfortable in someone else’s arms in a very long time, and considering that you’ve only known him for a month, you’d say it’s quite unbelievable how comfortable you are in his hold, especially opening up to him like you did. 

Pulling back from his hold, you looked up at him, giving him a smile. The weight on your shoulders suddenly felt lighter once you opened the bottle and poured out the contents in it. Talking to Harry was refreshing, a fresh breath of air, and you inhaled the crisp oxygen gratefully, knowing that being vulnerable and opening up had changed your friendship. 

It was Sunday evening, and you were cleaning up to prepare for closing. It had been a long day, even though you only worked for four hours; it just seemed that you were running around more than usual. 

But you were glad that the day was over, and you could take a long nice shower to end your night. Throughout cleaning, your coworkers had said goodbye, leaving through the back door, which you found odd because everyone usually heads out at the same time, but you didn’t think too much of it. 

Once you were done in the dining room, you looked around, finding the restaurant completely empty, but everything seemed to be in order, so you headed over to the locker room. 

When you rounded around the counter top and into the kitchen, Harry jumped up from his crouched position, startling you as you took a step back, gasping with your hand over your heart. 

“Holy shit, you scared me,” you said breathlessly. 

Harry chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, I thought you still knew I was here.” 

“I thought I was completely alone, and hiding behind the counter doesn’t help.” You and Harry laughed. You hadn’t noticed the two plates of food and wine glasses that were filled with sparkling soda sitting next to him on the stainless steel counter, and you wondered for a moment if that was for you and him. “What’s that for?” 

“For us, if you’d like. I made it quickly once everything was slow and we were starting to close,” he said shyly, rubbing his tattooed forearm. 

Your brows raised, eyes widening slightly. “You made this? For us?”

“Yeah. Today marks one month being here, so I decided to make dinner to celebrate.” You were quite speechless at the thought; it was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful that Harry went through that trouble of making a meal to celebrate a somewhat significant date. Tears started to well up in your eyes, making the man in front of you blurry. “Oh, wait, no. Please don’t cry. You could definitely take this to-go, if you want! I know you’re probably tired, but-”

Harry was cut off by your arms wrapping around his shoulders. He was taken back at first from the impact of your body crashing against his, but once he regained his balance, he immediately wrapped his arms around your waist, holding you tightly. 

Your scent was impeccable—quite alluring for running around for a few hours. He knew he smelled like food, the smoke from garlic and onions sautéing, and vegetables cooking. He buried his head into your shoulder, holding you close. This had been the first time you two were ever hugging outside of the comfort and safety of his car—no middle console to interfere, no awkwardness in trying to figure out how to give a proper hug in a confined space. He enjoyed it a lot—the way your body was pressed up against his. It made him happy, it made him feel safe. 

The intimate moment lasted for a few minutes, simply just hugging one another in relief in the kitchen, swaying slightly as complete silence surrounded the two of you. 

Once you were satisfied (although you think you would never be satisfied enough if you’re not in his arms), you pulled away, coming face-to-face with him. Your cheeks were slightly damped from the few tears that had fallen out, but weirdly, it gave you a natural and happy glow, and you were feeling exactly that. 

“Harry, thank you so much. This is the sweetest and most thoughtful thing someone has ever done for me.” You looked up at him through your wet lashes, warmly smiling at him. 

“You’re welcome. Shall we eat?” You nodded, and he unwrapped his arms from around your waist, letting you go, which he wished he hadn’t. He grabbed the two heavy plates that were filled with honey garlic chicken with sautéed spinach and mushroom on a bed of rice, and you grabbed the glasses, reaching over to place them onto the countertop before the two of you walked around to sit on the high stools. 

The two of you ate in comfortable silence, and you thanked and complimented him for the lovely meal. There was light conversation, asking questions about each other’s childhood. Listening to Harry talk about his life in England was so fascinating to you, and you wished that you had grown up with him because he seemed like such a fun and kind kid to play with. You learned that his sister and mom were back home in London, and they visited every six months, and he would occasionally go back home as well, if the bills weren’t stacking up and he was good with money. His words and mind seemed to get the best of him, slipping out about how much they would love you and that he’ll invite you to lunch whenever they visit to meet them; and he hoped he didn’t freak you out. You simply blushed, nodding your head, and not saying anything else. 

The more you talked to him, the more you found yourself staring at him as you listened to what he had to say. You’d come to terms a few weeks ago that you really liked his eyes—how green they were, and how they stare into you, giving you his full attention. You liked his hands, his hair, his nose, his cheeks, and most of all, you liked his lips. You couldn’t blame alcohol for these thoughts because Harry replaced wine with sparkling soda, so these were completely sober thoughts racing your mind. His lips were something you glanced at often, trying not to glare at them too much as he talked as you didn’t want to get caught for admiring them. They were so pink, and he occasionally bit them and curled them into his mouth, making them pinker. You liked when he would take his fingers and pinch his bottom lip, a habit that he seemed to form throughout his life. You suddenly wanted to kiss him—really, really bad. 

You shook off the thought immediately, being completely sidetracked with your infatuation with Harry. Was it an infatuation? No, you knew the feelings you felt for him felt much stronger than a simple admiration for your coworker. 

Once the talking had died down and the plates were empty, you and Harry decided to clean up. You quickly took both of your plates, beating Harry to the sink to wash the dishes. He chuckled as he watched you fast walk towards the sink; he soon followed with the glasses, placing them carefully into the sink. He decided to dry the dishes, finding the dish rag on your right side. So, he leaned over, placing his left hand on your waist, chest slightly pressed against your back as he grabbed the rag. You turned your head to the right, dropping your shoulder to turn more of your body towards him. He was close and it made you feel flushed; you felt your  cheeks heating up once he looked down at you, faces inches away from each other. 

You turned back around, quickly placing the last dish on the counter before you turned off the water. Harry was still close in proximity, not making any effort to move away from you. Turning around, your back was now pressed up against the edge of the sink. Harry rested his hands against the edge, trapping you with his arms. Your breath began to deepen, heart beating quite harshly against your chest as Harry looked into your eyes, briefly glancing at your lips, and slowly trailing them back up into your eyes. He brought one hand to graze the side of your face gently, skin prickling with goosebumps. 

“You’re so beautiful,” he complimented honestly. 

“Thank you, you are too.” 

“I mean it. You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met. Listen, I-I really like you, and we haven’t known each other for long but I just…can’t get enough of you,” You smiled, averting your eyes to his lips before looking back up; your cheeks and neck felt incredibly warm from his confession. Bodily, you placed your hands on his waist, pulling him towards you to close the gap between you two; Harry smirked at your action, liking the way your bodies were pressed up against each other. 

“Are you gonna do anything about it?” You raised your brows curiously. 

“What would you like me to do?” His hands were rubbing up and down your back soothingly. 

“Hmm…a few things actually,” you muttered—more to yourself but Harry definitely heard from how close you two physically were. Your fingertips were mindlessly drawing circles on his lower back where his slightly wrinkled white shirt was tucked into his black jeans. 

“Care to share?” 

You took a deep breath, looking him in the eyes that captivated you quite clearly. “Want you to kiss me.” 

The corner of his lip turned up as he curled his lips into his mouth. “Can I please? Been wanting to for so long.” 

“Tell me.” Harry raised his brows. “Tell me how long you’ve been wanting to kiss me.” 

He curled his lips into his mouth, looking down at your soft lips before back up at your eyes. “Ever since I saw you for the first time. So, please let me kiss you. Do you want me to?” 

Harry quite literally took your breath away, breath stuck in your throat before you cleared it. Nodding your head quite eagerly, you softly said, “Yeah, want you to.” 

With that, he trailed his hands from your waist, up your spine, to your shoulders, and up to your face where he placed his hands on both sides, gently holding your face delicately as if it were a piece of art that was crafted for months, years; he didn’t want to drop or break the precious masterpiece that he cradled with his hands. 

His thumb caressed your soft cheek, giving your lips one last look before he leaned in and connected your lips with his. You sighed deeply once you felt his soft lips touch yours, and your shoulder visibly relaxed, letting go of everyone that may have held you back. 

You wrapped your arms tightly around his neck, pulling him in closer. A spark ran through your body as your lips molded together so perfectly in sync, making the firework inside of you pop into a beautiful and magical scene. 

Whimpering against his mouth, you suddenly wanted more of him; he was, in all ways, addicting. You unconsciously lifted your right leg, bringing it up to his hip, making Harry press himself against your core, holding your thigh. He started to feel himself harden inside of his pants from the way you’re kissing him, the way your hands gripped his hair, and the way your tongue effortlessly swiveled against his. 

You pulled away from his lips quite breathlessly, lips swollen. “Want you.” 

“Me too—want you so bad.” He leaned forward to kiss you again, and once he did, you pulled away, only leaving him with a small kiss to his lips. Harry pouted, making you chuckle. 

“That was the best kiss I’ve ever had,” you confessed. 

Harry smirked. “Well, I’ll be glad to do it again.” 

“Wanna get out of here? C-Can we go to yours?” You asked shyly. 

“Yeah?” You nodded. “You sure?” 

“Absolutely positive.” 

Harry gave you a smile and another kiss before he backed away, grabbing your hand to lead you to the locker room where the two of you grabbed your belongings from your lockers. Quickly after, you two were out the door of Spring; Harry locked up, and walked you two over to his car where he, yet again, opened the passenger door for you. 

The entire ten minute drive to his apartment, his hand never left yours. It delicately sat on your thigh with your hand on top of his, palm against the back of his hand as your fingers intertwined with his. Harry found it difficult to drive properly because all he ever wanted to do was either kiss you or look at you, and since it was just a bit after midnight, he hit all the green lights, so there was continuous driving and less kissing and looking. But that just made it quicker for him to get to his place. 

His apartment was on the second floor, which didn’t take long to get to, but catching up to Harry’s long strides as he practically dragged you up the stairs—no patience to wait for the elevator—was tiring you out. 

Once his front door closed, he immediately pushed you up against it, cradling your face in his hands as he kissed you feverishly. You practically could feel him smiling into the kiss, happy to have his lips on yours, and it completely tied your stomach into knots as the familiar flutter you felt in your chest made itself present. 

You’d come to realize, in the kitchen, that kissing Harry was everything you ever imagined. His soft lips molding and connecting with yours so perfectly made all of your dreams and realities come true. He just had a way with how he worked his lips as well as where to put his hands. But you were eager to find out what else he could do. 

Harry was the one to pull away first, which he even surprised himself with, but he led you to his bedroom, which you were too excited about. He closed his bedroom door, taking your lips in with his again, backing you up against his bed as he gently placed you on top of it, hovering over you. 

His lips trailed to your cheek, your jaw, and down to your neck where he lightly nibbled and sucked on your soft skin. You felt him lick your skin, soothing out the small love bite that he left on your skin before he pulled his head from your neck. 

“You sure you want to do this? I’d be happy just kissing you.” 

You smiled. “I’m sure, wanna touch you. You’re sure too?” You asked consent from him as well, making his cock twitch in his pants. 

“Very sure, love. You have no idea.” He sat on his knees as you laid below him, and he’s sure he’s never seen someone look so beautiful as you do; he was completely enthralled by your beauty. “Can I take this off?” He referred to your shirt, playing with the buttons on the front. You nodded, biting your lip. 

He leaned his weight on one side of you, placing one arm behind your head as you rested against it. He took your mouth in with his as his other hand began unbuttoning your white shirt, impressively with one hand. Once he got to the bottom, he sat up again, as did you to take off your shirt and your sports bra. You didn’t wear anything sexy to work because you wanted to be comfortable while waiting tables. 

Harry looked at your bare torso, licking his lips before he wrapped his lips around your nipple, sucking and licking the pebbled bud before switching to the other. His lips then placed small kisses down your body and to the hem of your pants, where he looked up to see you flushed from just his kisses. 

“Harry…” you whined. 

“What is it, beautiful?” He smirked. 

“Please, take it off.” 

“I’m getting there, love, don’t worry.” A breathy chuckle came out of his mouth before he unbuttoned your trousers. Your hips raised off the bed, and he swiftly took them off, leaving you in your nude seamless underwear. “Fuck, you’re so stunning, Y/N, I swear.” You looked at him and smiled; you were clearly at loss for words because of how Harry was looking at you. He wasn’t looking at you with complete admiration, like he was so lost in his daze of his sight. And that thought made you even more aroused. 

He gave you another kiss to your stomach before taking off your underwear, situating himself in between your legs, lying on his stomach. Harry looked up once more to find you staring at him, eager to watch what he’s about to do; he placed a kiss to your inner thighs, gently nibbling on your flesh, making you squirm. 

“Harry, please. Need to feel you,” you pleaded, brows crinkling. 

“Tell me what you need,” he teased, earning an impatient scoff from you, but Harry chuckled at your frustration. 

“Need your mouth on me. Please, want you to eat me out already.” 

Now, who was he to deny that request? So, that’s what he did—he slowly licked your clit multiple times before licking into your hole, collecting your arousal on his tongue. He used your wetness to lubricate your clit, completely assaulting your sensitive bud. Your back arched as the sensations ran through your body, hands gripping the sheets below you tightly that they practically wrinkled. Harry moaned against your clit, making you buck your hips into his face. 

“Fuck, Harry…” you dragged out, throwing your head back into the pillows. 

For a few minutes, Harry continued devouring your taste, not stopping until you came all over his mouth and you were completely shocked by his will to not stop until you’ve had your orgasm from his tongue. 

He replaced his tongue with his fingers, slowly entering your wet hole as he fingered you. You moaned louder; the tips of his fingers curling up to meet the softness of your upper walls. His unoccupied thumb rubbed your clit in slow circles, something that he noticed you really liked based on your hips thrusting upwards and your hand gripping his hair harder that it felt like you were going to rip out his locks. 

“So pretty, love. So wet for me.” The simplicity of his words had made you feel the familiar bubble in your lower stomach, and you wanted to release it so bad. 

“Harry, I’m gonna…cum,” you groaned out, biting your lips. 

He continued his pace on your clit, but added a tad bit more pressure, causing you to jolt a little. His fingers that were inside of you repeatedly brushed your g-spot, making you close your legs, but Harry pried them open, encouraging you to release. 

“C’mon, baby. Want you—need you to cum for me. Can you do that? Can you give me what I want?” 

“Mhm,” you nodded, mouth ajar as your voice was hitched in your throat. A few more thrust and rubs from his fingers, and you hit your high, releasing around his long fingers as he slowed his movements, riding out your orgasm while praising you for your peak. 

“That’s it. There you go.” One of his hands rubbed your stomach, calming you down while the other hand gently played and cupped your pussy as you unconsciously and slightly thrusted your hips into his hand. 

Once you had relaxed, you opened your eyes; Harry was kissing up your body before he kissed your lips so sweetly. 

“Hmm, you’re so good at that.” He smiled, kissing your neck as he started to rut his hips on your thigh. You felt his hard on through his pants, and you knew that wasn’t comfortable whatsoever. 

“Can I touch you?” You asked. He pulled his head from your neck, facing you as he was about to say it was completely fine if you didn’t, but you spoke up first. “That can’t be comfortable, and I wanna touch you—if you’d let me.” You were looking at him with innocent eyes, even though he knew what you were about to do was going against anything innocent. Plus, the way you were looking at him only made him more aroused.

“Course, let me just get out of these.” He got off the bed, but stayed closed; he was about to unbutton his shirt, but you stopped him quickly, replacing his hands with yours. Harry dropped his arms to his side once your lips were attached to his neck, giving him a small hickey on the underside of his jaw. The feel of just your lips on his skin made him bite his lips as a chill ran through him. You sat on your knees and started unbuttoning his white shirt, and with every button you undid, you gave him a kiss to every bit of his skin that was left exposed until you reached the hem of his pants. 

You looked up at him on all fours, and he watched you press another kiss to his tattooed torso. “Mind if I take these off?” You toyed with the hem of his pants. 

“No, please, don’t mind at all.” You smiled, looking back at his bulge, which outlined through the fabric of his pants. You palmed him, making him hiss through his teeth. He hadn’t felt another person’s touch in so long, so your lips and touch felt overwhelming in the best way. 

You unbuttoned his pants, which he was fast to get out of, leaving him in his black briefs. You positioned yourself to lay flat on your stomach, thankful that Harry’s bed was the perfect height to where you don’t have to strain your neck to suck on him. Kissing down his happy trail, you left a prominent love bite in between his tattooed leaves that were so perfectly inked on his lower abdomen. You then kissed his hard length through his briefs, making Harry breathe heavily. He’s never felt so teased in his life, but you were making it all worth it because nobody had ever made him feel so aroused. 

Finally, your fingers gripped the hem of his briefs and tugged them down so his cock could departure from the strained material. He was big, and you knew that from when he was driving to his place earlier as his cock was pushing against his pants, making you excited and eager. But seeing it right in front of you made you salivate. 

“Holy shit, you’re so big.” All he did was smirk at your words, knowing that fact quite clearly. You grabbed a hold of him as you held his dick upwards before you licked the underside from base to tip. Harry breathed in through his nose once he felt the smallest bit of contact from your mouth. 

Your mouth began to work on his tip, sucking and licking up the precum that had spilled out of his tip before you started to take more and more of him in your mouth. It was Harry’s turn to fill the room with his raspy and deep moan, and the noise he was making was triggering your arousal. Harry had a full view of your mouth on him as well as a great view of your entire backside, not missing the way he noticed how you started to subtly move your hips into the sheets. 

As you sucked on him, taking him further into your mouth, Harry dragged his fingers from your shoulders, down your spine, and to your ass that was out in the open with no shame whatsoever. His hands kneaded your flesh before slapping on cheek, which made you moan around him. 

“Like that?” He went back to his standing position, leaning back a tad bit to get a good look at you. “Tell me, do you like that?” You looked up at him, making direct eye contact with him as your cheeks hollowed and you sucked hard around him before letting out a ‘mhm.’ Your mouth was working wonders on him while your hand was fondling and playing with his balls, making him throw his head back and accidentally bucking his hips up into your mouth, hitting the back of your throat. “Fuck, sorry, baby.” He moved your hair to check up on you, but all you did was place your hands on his ass and pulled him towards you until your nose touched his pubic bone. Harry let out a throaty moan, and your hands pushed and pulled his lower body until he understood what you were doing. 

So, he took control, holding your head steady before he slowly started to thrust into your mouth; the tip of his cock brushed against the back of your throat. There was a string of spit that was dangling from your mouth and connecting to his balls—a sight so filthy but helped him get right on the edge. 

“I’m gonna cum. Love your mouth so much. So beautiful for me, so perfect.” Harry’s hips began to jerk sloppily, indicating that he was close. With just a few more thrusts into your perfect mouth, he spilled down your throat as he stopped thrusting, keeping you halfway on him. A series of curses and your name came from his lips as he shut his eyes. You took every drop that he offered, trying to swallow every bit of content as best as you could, but some of it had spilled out of your mouth due to how much he overfilled your mouth with his cum. 

Harry seemed to be in the middle of calming down from his intense orgasm, so you took the time to clean up. Pulling back, you wiped your mouth and licked your fingers as well as cleaning his cock with your mouth. What you didn’t notice was that Harry was watching you the entire time; he lowered his head, neck straining from looking up too much, and saw you eagerly cleaning and licking every last drop that had fallen from your pretty lips. The sight was enough to make him hard again if he wasn’t too spent. 

He collapsed on his bed next to you, his head was next to your ass, to which he pressed a small kiss to your hip in gratitude. You moved to lay your head on his stomach, looking at him and giving him a small smile. 

“Come here. What are you looking at me like that for?” He reached out for you, and you moved again, resting your elbow next to his head before giving him a kiss. The kiss didn’t deepen any further, just molding your lips with one another as he tasted himself on your tongue. 

“Nothing. You seemed to have enjoyed yourself.” 

“Very much did, thank you. Did you? You could be honest with me.” 

You giggled. “Honestly…I had a really great time. You made me feel really good. The best I’ve felt in a really long time,” you told him honestly, and Harry smiled at that. 

“Do you want to stay the night? I’m always in a cuddly mood after anything sexual—well, I’m always in a cuddly mood, period.” You laughed, nodding your head before kissing his cheek. 

“I’d love to. Can I use your restroom, and do you have a spare toothbrush?” 

Harry nodded, getting off the bed before leading you to his bathroom where he gave you a toothbrush and some of his face wash. He left you to do your business and told you that he would have a change of clothes. 

Once you were done, you walked out of his bathroom, still naked, and was met with Harry in a pair of gray briefs and a change of his clothes in his hands, handing them to you. He gave you a kiss to your forehead before going off to the bathroom and leaving you to change. 

You replayed the evening in your mind over and over again as you changed—you really enjoyed his company and him as a person. Harry was a more than nice guy, who seemed to like you for whatever reason, and you liked him too. Maybe a bit too much, and you felt like you liked him more than you projected—dare, you say that you were falling in love. But you couldn’t let yourself feel that way; you were beating yourself up for it. In all honesty, you were scared, so you had a habit of not portraying the entirety of your feelings out on the table so people could perceive it. 

Your mind was racing with so many thoughts in your head, repeating and spitting out every insecurity that your previous ‘friends’ had told you in the past—calling you a slut and how you couldn’t keep anyone around because they both ended up cheating on you. Your head was telling you Harry would do the same, and as hard as you were trying to deny that because Harry was the kindest person you’ve ever met, it was all you could hear. You couldn’t do this, no, you couldn’t feel like this, you thought. You felt like you needed to protect yourself before you were in too deep. 

Without even knowing, you were frantically grabbing your clothes and shoes that were all thrown across Harry’s floor. Your heart was racing, mind telling you to ‘leave’ and that ‘nobody is going to love you,’ so that’s what you were doing, leaving. 

You made it out of his bedroom, so close to the front door until you realized you had forgotten your purse. Turning around to go back, you were met with Harry leaning against the frame of the hallway entry, holding your purse in his hands. 

“Not planning on saying goodbye?” His voice sounded defeated, the complete opposite as to what it was prior. He looked down at his feet, not even able to make eye contact with you when he was always keen on making direct eye contact when talking to someone, but seeing you walk out his bedroom door when you were supposed to be waiting for him in his bed to cuddle was heartbreaking. 

“Harry…”

“That’s all it was to you, I’m guessing? You know you could’ve said no to staying the night, I would’ve understood. But to say yes after we’ve been intimate, and getting my hopes up? I-I thought you liked me, that’s all, and I’m stupid for falling for it,” he ended with a scoff. He felt extremely vulnerable; he laid his feelings out on the table, let you see his body, and it seemed like you just picked and chose your cards straight from the deck to only have Harry fold. 

“No, that’s not it-”

“Then please tell me what it is before I drive myself into the wall thinking what I’ve done wrong!” He raised his voice—not too loud where it startled you, but enough to where he simply let out his frustrations. 

“I like you, Harry, I do. But we can’t be together.” You didn’t know how to put it into words, so that was the best you could come up with. 

“And why’s that?” He furrowed his brows, walking towards you, but keeping a safe distance. “Give me a good reason why, and I’ll let you go—I’ll leave you alone. We’ll simply be coworkers who don’t talk to each other. I’ll-”

“I’m scared, okay! I’m scared because I cannot fall in love with you, even though I’m already in too deep. I’ve done it once and i-it hurt me.” You were on the verge of bawling, maintaining your emotions. “I-I cannot feel this way so soon—fresh out of a relationship…I’ve only known you for, what? A month? We barely even know each other, Harry-”

“See, now, that’s where you’re wrong. You think I don’t know you, but I bet that you know I know you quite well. Probably more than all of your bitchy friends back home who you’ve known for years.” You stayed silent, not knowing how to respond, but he was right, he did know you better than anyone you knew back in SF. “If I didn’t know you then I wouldn’t know that your favorite thing to eat while you were growing up was chocolate croissants. Your favorite color often switches every few days, but some of them are, and specifically: maroon, evergreen, mustard yellow, burnt orange, and beige. You love watching kids cooking competitions in your free time and often root for the one who is doing miserably and knows who won’t make it to the next round. You’re learning how to bake, which is what you said that you’ve always wanted to learn out to make proper pastries, and based on what you bring to work for us to try, you’re on the right path to being a baker.” 

“I’m…” you were at a loss for words, tears lining your eyes. All of the questions and playful conversation you and Harry had during work had come around in his words; it showed that Harry really listened, and when he did, he didn’t forget every detail you’ve told him. Your heart felt like it was in your stomach, making your stomach flutter in giddiness and shock. 

“I could go on, honestly, but it would be an entire list of things that I’ve remembered about you.” Harry softly smiled down at his feet. “All I’m saying is this: I like to think I know the basics of you, and I still have a lot to learn about you. But don’t run away from me, please. If you want to and you don’t want anything to do with me, that’s fine, but I can’t let you walk out without trying not to stop you.” He sighed, completely putting himself out there as he was practically begging you to stay. “I really like you, Y/N, I mean it. I don’t care if we’ve only known each other for a month. I don’t care that you just got out of a relationship. I mean if you’re still in love with him or have a bit of interest in him still, then that’s different-”

“I don’t,” you interrupted, shaking your head no. It was the truth; you hadn’t felt love for your ex in a really long time, and you simply stayed with him and kept forgiving him just because it was comfortable. 

“Okay…” 

“It’s just…I don’t want people to think I’m some kind of person who moves on from relationships so quickly. I-I mean, I didn’t come here just to find myself in another relationship, y’know?” Your tone was concerning, like all of your worries were piling up into one big stack that made your head hurt from thinking too much. 

“No one’s gonna think that—I don’t think that. Besides, it isn’t any of their business.” Harry walked even closer to you, inches away as his hands grazed your upper arms. “Let me ask you something, does this feel right? Being with me?” You nodded with no hesitation. “Say it,” he instructed, wanting to hear the words come out of your mouth. 

“This feels right.” 

Harry smiled at you comfortingly. “Okay, then let it be right.” 

“I’m scared,” you admitted, looking down. He lifted your chin up with the soft touch of his fingertips, goosebumps littered your skin with just his simple touch. 

“Me too, but I’m doing surprisingly well at hiding it. We’ll go slow, okay? No pressure into labeling; let’s just go with the flow, alright?” He suggested, and you softly muttered an ‘okay,’ reaching up to wrap your arms around his shoulders, giving him a warm and grateful hug. 

“I’m so sorry-” you said into his shoulder, but he quickly cut you off. 

“No need to be sorry, I understand.” His understanding makes you even more soft as you hugged him tighter; a few tears slipped your eyes, streaming down Harry’s shoulder. 

After a moment, the two of you pulled away, feeling so much relief from the hug and conversation. 

“Is your offer on staying the night still up?” You asked hesitantly.

He smiled. “Yeah, it always is. C’mon.” He took you by the hand, leading you to his room and into his bed—not for the actions of pleasure, but for a nice and comforting cuddle. 

You situated yourself on his chest, comfortably trailing your fingers up and down his skin as his arm was wrapped around your shoulder. 

Lifting your head up to meet his face, he smiled at you before you gave him a sweet kiss to his lips. It didn’t lead to anything, it didn’t even deepen; just the feel of his soft, pink lips on yours was enough to make you feel bliss. 

You pulled away. “Slow?” Harry chuckled, nodding his head. 

“Slow.” 

Your face warmed up as you smiled, cheeks aching; you positioned yourself back onto his chest for the night, taking up all of his space on the bed when your side was completely empty as you held him close. Even though you’ve only known him for a month, you felt yourself falling; because ultimately, it felt right. 

please come into my inbox and tell me your thoughts, feelings, and favorite moments! thank you for reading <3

[parkersroses]

taken. | harry styles.

summary: harry finally found the love and happiness he was looking for. but someone from his past comes back and he’s reminded of the pain he went through.

pairing: harry styles x fem!reader

word count: 4304 words

warning(s): slight mentions of sex, bullying, angst and fluff

author’s note: (disclaimer: gif is not mine!)

this honestly the longest fic i’ve written, i’m honestly shook and i wrote it in about two days! taken was one of my favs from the up all night album so this was born lol. hope you guys like this as much as i do! as always, if you do like this, leave a like, comment and reblog! your feedback is very much appreciated <3

When Harry falls in love, he falls madly and deeply.

So when he met Y/N at a record store, where she skimmed through the vinyls to pick up some Queen albums to play at home for her own pleasure, it was safe to say he quickly fell down that hole. 

It was pure bliss in every moment he got to spend with her. On their first date, he took her out to the park and set up a picnic. He could still remember the smile on her face when they got there, wearing a pretty sundress and looking ever so beautiful under the summer sky. He even got her a bouquet of flowers, though he wouldn’t admit he got them last minute at a nearby florist minutes before the date.

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and they were now happily living together. Harry swore he had never felt this much love for someone. Y/N was always there to support and cheer on him with everything he did, whether it’d be touring and appearing on a Vogue cover. He never doubted the love she had for him and it was the same on Y/N’s side. They were just hopelessly in love with one another. 

On one day, Harry and Y/N were on their way to meet up with some friends for some brunch. It took quite an effort for Y/N to get him out of bed, remembering how Harry just wanted to cuddle in with her in bed.

“Harry, get up right now. I really don’t want our friends to think we’re skipping out on them because you wanna cuddle,” Y/N was picking out her outfit for the day while Harry was still lying in bed with his face buried in his pillow. She wasn’t going to lie, Harry did look adorable all wrapped up in blankets and she almost would forget about their plans or the day - almost.

“Don’t tell me you don’t love my cuddles, love. My cuddles are the best of the best!” He said as he poked his head out of the blankets. 

“I do love them, baby. But I won’t have our friends tease us again for being late just because you wanna cuddle or have sex,” she said as she turned around to face him. Harry chuckled and laid on his back, putting his hands behind his head. He smirked as he saw Y/N’s eyes averting to his toned tattooed upper body and blushing at the sight. 

“Think you wouldn’t mind the latter, right darlin’?” He smirked at the effect he has over his girlfriend. 

Blood rose to her face and she cleared her throat as she threw a towel at him. “Stop distracting me and get ready,” she said. Harry only groaned at this.

They soon arrived at the shop and were greeted by their friends, luckily they weren’t late so they didn’t get teased this time. Y/N went around hugging everyone while Harry sat down at their saved seats. “Harry,” a voice called out to him. He looked up and to his surprise saw a familiar face he had not seen in years. 

Her ash brown was straightened and her eyes were as blue as the sky on a sunny day. There’s a hint of a smirk on her cherry red lips. He hadn’t seen her ever since he went to his audition and was speechless of how she was suddenly here in their friend group. 

“C-Cindy, hi,” he greeted her. “Long time, no see, huh?” She said as she sips on her drinks, looking up at him with her doe eyes. Harry, for a second, clenched his jaw a bit before giving a tight smile. “Yeah, been a while,”

Y/N sat down next to him and held his hand, he smiled brightly at her and kissed her temple. “You alright, bub?” she asked and Harry's heart just might burst at how sweet she is. He nodded and she turned to one of their friends, Josh, and delved into a conversation with him. 

Throughout the whole brunch, Y/N couldn’t help but notice a slight change in how Harry was acting. Sometimes, when she asked him something, he would seem to be deep in his thoughts before breaking out of it. She thought it might have to do with Cindy, the pretty girl who sat across him that she hadn’t known of until today. Perhaps Harry and her had a bit of history together. Y/N wasn’t one to be the over jealous girlfriend; she trusts Harry very much in fact. But clearly, there’s a tinge in her heart after seeing the flirty looks Harry had been receiving from Cindy. She made a note to ask him about it later.

When the brunch is over, the couple bid their goodbyes outside of the shop. Just as they were leaving, Cindy called out to Harry. “Do you mind if I get your number? You know, to catch up?” She asked sweetly while handing out her phone.

Harry merely accepted the device, though hesitantly, and typed in his number. “Oh yeah, Y/N, this is Cindy, as you know. Cindy, this is Y/N, my girlfriend,” he introduced Y/N and she nods and smiles at his old friend. Y/N saw how Cindy stiffed up with the word ‘girlfriend’ but relaxed and gave a smile. 

“Nice to meet you. Anyways, I’ll text you soon, Harry,” she said as she waves her phone. She bid them goodbye and Harry lets out a breath he didn’t know he held back. He tugged Y/N’s hand and they both headed back home. 

━

When the both of them arrive home, Y/N could still sense that something is bothering Harry. When he smiles, it’s usually wide with his dimples making their appearance. But now, he only lifts the corner of his mouth. They weren’t the type to hide anything from each other and they’d always confide with one another if something was bothering them. So, she couldn't help but feel worried for Harry. 

“You alright in that pretty of yours, H?” The two laid on their beds, wanting to take a short nap in the afternoon. Harry had his heavily tattooed arm around Y/N while she laid her head on his chest where his heart beated. It was no doubt one of her favourite positions to sleep in, the beating of his heart lulling her to sleep.

Harry chuckled at Y/N’s question, pressing a kiss on her the crown of her head. “Nothing, darling,” he assured her. Y/N propped her head on her hand, looking at him. “You know you can tell me anything, right?” 

Harry raised an eyebrow at her. He didn’t think she would notice his off behaviour, but of course, she always does. That was one thing he loved about her, she just knew him all too well. She brushed her hand through his curly locks and he closed his eyes, sighing at the feeling. 

“I know it might be something to do with Cindy. You don’t have to tell me everything now, but just want you to know that I’ll listen. Whenever you want to tell me,” she said. He nodded as he listened to her.

She was right, though. They never really kept things from each other so he might as well just confess to her. Plus, she only wanted to help him.

I honestly have the sweetest girlfriend ever, he thought.

“We dated briefly in school,” he said.

Y/N’s eyes widened, she didn’t think he’d say it out now. “I was sorta in love with her back then. Thought she was the prettiest girl in school and all,” he sighed before he continued. “Something happened and it just didn’t end well, on my part at least,” he let out a small laugh, but there was no humor behind it. 

“Seeing her just brought back memories, I guess,” he said. He ran his hand through her hair, stroking his thumb against her cheek. Y/N kissed his palm and laid back on his chest. She figured that was all she was going to get from him, and she didn’t mind it. 

“You’re okay now, right?” She asked concernedly, not wanting to trigger anything. Harry only chuckled and pulled her closer to him. “I am now. And I’ve got you now to take care of me,” he teased. 

Y/N giggled and lifted her head up. “I love you,” she said softly, her words filled with warmth and love. Harry smiled and kissed her lips. “I love you too. So much,” he said back.

—

It was a few days later when Harry stumbled into Cindy again at a supermarket. He was in the middle of getting groceries when he heard her voice. 

“Harry!”

He looked up from the grocery list to see Cindy walking over to him. Cindy surprised him as she went in for a hug. Harry froze and hesitantly hugged back. They pulled away and he cleared his throat. 

“How’ve you been?” She asked in a sickeningly sweet tone. Not wanting to appear rude though, he tightly smiled at her. “Been good. And you?”

“I’m doing great. It’s really great to see you again.” 

He nodded and cleared his throat. “Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to get going. Y/N’s probably waiting for me at home.” Cindy’s smile faltered a bit upon hearing Y/N. “Yeah, Y/N. How is she?” She asked, although she didn’t seem like she wanted to know.

Harry smiled at the thought of his girlfriend. “She’s doing great! Been studying a lot but she’s doing very well.” Cindy faked a smile, but her heart can’t help but melt at his smile. He always did have a beautiful smile. “Uh, listen, I’m going to a bar with some of our friends this weekend. I was wondering if you wanna join,” She offered as she pouted her lips a bit, fluttering her eyelashes.

Harry hesitated for a minute. “Um, I don’t know. I was planning to stay in with Y/N,” he decided to make up a random excuse. “Oh, what? She doesn’t like partying? I think we all need a break once in a while,” she scoffed. Harry furrowed his eyebrows and talked back, “I never said I won’t come. I’ll think about it, alright?” 

Cindy was flushed and bowed her head, as if she was embarrassed for talking about Y/N quite rudely. Good, she should be, Harry thought. “Right, sorry about that. But let me know. It’d be really nice if you come. Y/N can come if she wants to.” Harry nodded. 

“I’ll, uh, see you around, Cindy,” Harry said as he quickly pushes his cart away from the scene. It was almost suffocating to be in the same room as Cindy, or aisle for that matter. Harry cursed at himself; he could’ve just said no and be over with it. Now, Cindy’s going to expect him to be there. 

Good job, you idiot! He thought.

Of course, Cindy was impossible for anyone to resist and he was sure she knew this. But he didn’t feel right about it. He knew he should’ve let whatever happened in the past go, but his heart just can’t seem to do it. His heart still hurt and was still bitter for what happened. 

Harry was 16 while Cindy was 17. He knew the chances are that you’d be more popular among the crowd if you dated someone a year above you, but that wasn’t his intention at all. He had the biggest crush on Cindy for quite a while. He saw her as probably the prettiest girl in school. So when Cindy asked him out, his little heart just bursted. 

As one month went up, he was already falling for her. He did all the nicest things for her but unfortunately he couldn't see the red flags that warned him about her. They were at some house party, though he wasn’t one to drink back then. He remembered kissing her in one of the empty bedrooms. He remembered Cindy undoing his jeans and feeling flustered at what was about to happen. But he also remembered a couple of drunk guys, who turned out to be Cindy’s friends in her year, barging through the room, holding a recording camera. It was all a blur. 

The next day, he showed up at school to talk to her, but his heart broke after seeing Cindy flirting with a senior. His heart broke even more when Cindy called their relationship off, saying that she only pitied him and never was interested in him the way he was with her. It was all a game to her. The rumours about Harry sleeping around with junior and senior girls start to spread, the recording from the party went out. Harry became the joke of the school. It completely destroyed him for a while. People in the halls gave him dirty looks, some pitied him, but what’s worse was that Cindy never had a bit of kindness in her heart to defend him. It was what triggered his first anxiety attack too. 

Eventually, the video was taken down and the ones who spread the rumours were given a word or two from the principal. But, it didn’t fix the damage and pain Harry went through. 

Now, he finally had the woman of his dreams, one who supported and loved through all he did. One who wiped his tears or even cried with him during the hard times. Harry felt like this was his shot at finally being happy with someone who genuinely and deeply loved him as he did her.

But Cindy's back and now he has to face the woman who played a major role in nearly damaging himself. 

Harry was sure to get a lecture from Y/N about this. He groaned at the thought as he continued his grocery shopping. 

━

“You did what?” Y/N asked in disbelief.

Harry had finished putting the groceries in the kitchen, all while telling Y/N about his dumb self accepting Cindy’s invitation to a bar. He was now sitting by the island with his face buried in his hands. “Go on. Tell me I’m an idiot,” he sighed.

Y/N chuckled a bit at her boyfriend, “Okay, you’re an idiot.” Harry lifted his face, his mouth agape as his girlfriend called him out. Y/N shrugged, “You told me to say it,”

“I didn’t think you’d actually do it, though,” Harry groaned. 

“Look, I’m just confused. From what I know, seeing her again made you uncomfortable. Why didn’t you just decline the offer?” Y/N asked gently, knowing how stressed he is about this situation. “Because I’ll probably feel guilty saying ‘no’ and I’m an idiot.” he said, hiding his face in hands again. 

“Well, you got the idiot part right,” Y/N whispered to herself.

“What?”

“Nothing!”

Harry sighed. Y/N frowned at him. She felt a bit guilty that she can’t offer anything other than advice to him. This was his problem, his past that came back to fool with him and it was driving him up the wall. She walked up beside him and wrapped her arms around, kissing his head lightly. Harry in return wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

“You know you’re not obligated to please everyone, right bub?” Y/N said gently as she stared into his beautiful green eyes. “If even her presence makes you uncomfortable, then don’t go. Of course, I won’t force you if you want to go. But don’t do something that you know it’s hurt you. I don’t know much about Cindy or what she did to you, but don't put yourself through whatever she made you feel years ago again.” 

Harry stared at Y/N with his mouth slightly agape, taking in her words. She was right, as always. He wasn’t going to put himself through the pain and misery he went through years ago. He didn’t need to ‘think about it’. 

“You’re right, darling,” he chuckled. Y/N smiled brightly at him as she ran her fingers through his hair, a gesture that seemed to comfort him always. “Of course, I am,” she teased. Harry rolled his eyes at him and sighed. “I'm gonna tell her I won’t come. ‘Ave the whole day to spend with my beautiful girl,” he smiled. 

Y/N blushed at his words and pecked his lips. “Quite the charmer you are, Styles. Does your girlfriend know how cheesy you get?” She joked. Harry laughed and joked back, “Well, we’re still happily in love together. I’m assuming she doesn’t mind,”

Y/N beamed at him and gave him a more proper kiss. Harry smiled in the kiss, returning the gesture. When they pulled away, she pressed her forehead on his as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Think she doesn’t mind either,” she said. 

━

Harry ended up declining Cindy’s offer, much to her dismay. Unfortunately for Harry though, it didn’t stop her from texting him nearly every day. She was always asking whether Harry was free to hang out, most of the time she implied that it would be just the two of them. Of course, Harry sometimes would ignore them or give her short answers, saying he was busy, which wasn’t a complete lie because he did have to go to the studio once in a while. 

Though, you could really tell how much he wanted to bang his head after receiving those messages and Y/N was also getting annoyed with Cindy and whatever little plan she had. 

“She needs to back off my man. She had her chance and she ruined it. That’s on her,” she exclaimed one time. Harry smirked at this and pecked her lips. “Your man, huh?” He teased.

Y/N blushed after realizing her words, but she still meant it. “W-Well yeah. You’re my man and I’m your girl,” she pouted.

Harry stifled his laugh at her adorable self. “You’re absolutely right, darling. What do you say about having some alone time with your man in the bedroom?” He said as planted kisses at the crook of her neck.

On one of the occasions he went home after being in the studio, he stopped by a nearby coffee shop to buy himself and his girl drinks. He got himself a black coffee and Y/N a hazelnut latte, even asked for two blueberry muffins. 

As he was humming to himself by the side while waiting for his order, his eyes wandered and you could imagine his shock after seeing Cindy at a table across the room. He quickly ducked his head down, praying his order would be ready soon.

“Harry!” The barista called out his name. Harry cursed at the loud announcement, though he thanked them and gave them a generous tip in the tip jar. As he quickly tried to get out there with his head down, he heard Cindy call out to him.

“Harry! Hey!” Cindy called as she waved her arms at him. He internally groaned at this, he walked over to her anyway, not wanting to seem rude. 

“Hey Cindy,” he said, giving her a fake smile. God, he’d rather be anywhere but here. 

“What, babe? You’re not gonna sit down with me?” She smirked. Harry froze at this. 

“Uh, I actually gotta go home to-“ he’s cut off after Cindy pulled his arm down, making him sit opposite her. He pulled his arm back from her, clearing his throat.

“I’ve been texting you and haven’t heard much back,” Cindy said as she pouted at him. Harry pressed his lips in a straight line before he replied, “Yeah, I’ve been busy, working in the studio and stuff,”

Like he said, not a total lie.

Cindy hummed at this. What she said next really surprised him. “I really missed you, you know,”

What?

“Didn’t you miss me, Harry?”

Harry stumbled upon his words, not knowing how to reply to that. Cindy slowly grabbed his hand. “Cindy, what-“

“You ever think what would happen if we never broke up?” She started. Harry thought all of this was ridiculous. Was she even thinking clearly?

“Last time I remember, you broke up with me,” he said bitterly. Cindy’s face became flushed. “And that was my mistake. But c’mon Harry. We’re older now. Never knew you’d be this big in the music industry. We’d be amazing together,” she said.

Is she serious? Has she gone mental?

He pulled his hand away from her grip, as if he was disgusted to hold it. “That’s really rich coming from you, Cindy,” he scoffed.

Cindy frowned at him. “Harry, I-“

Harry cut her off before speaking again. “It’s quite hypocritical of you to say you want me when you clearly said otherwise before. Now that I’m with somebody else, you suddenly want me? You suddenly miss me bowing down to you?”

Cindy scoffed. “So, I made a mistake when we were younger. But we can move past that! Plus, that girlfriend of yours couldn’t possibly be better than me,” she smirked at the last statement.

Harry was now fuming. “That girlfriend of mine has a name and she’s already better than you’ll ever be,” he said firmly.

“Yeah, right,” Cindy mumbled.

“I don’t know if you remember, Cindy, but you nearly ruined my life. I was broken for a long time because of you and your little game you played. But now, I consider myself lucky. I found someone who genuinely loves and supports me throughout my highs and lows. Someone who doesn’t see me as Harry Styles, but simply just Harry. Someone who I can cry and lean on to. Someone who’s clearly not you,” he seethed. 

Harry calmed down for a bit after realising he was starting to lose his temper. Cindy now didn’t look as confident as she always does. She knew Harry was right about everything; she just wouldn’t admit to being in the wrong. 

“I wish under different circumstances, we’d be on good terms. Maybe we could’ve been friends. But what you did to me is still painful to me. And now when I look at you, I’m reminded of how you’re just a beautiful mistake I made,” he said gently this time.

Cindy gasped and looked at him with her mouth agape. “Harry, I-I’m sorry,” she said, her voice wavering a bit as if she’s lost for words. Harry only gave her a nod.

“It was nice seeing you again, Cindy. Have a good life,” he said as he stood up and walked out of the coffee shop. He felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders, as if he finally let go of his past demons haunting him.

When he got home, Y/N was in the middle of painting while following a Bob Ross tutorial in the living room. He chuckled as he watched her face scrunched up in concentration to follow the instructions. He put the bag of coffee and their muffins down on the coffee table and sat down next to her.

“Hi, darling. Ya doing alright?” He asked softly as he kissed her cheek.

Y/N sighed in frustration and paused the tutorial video. “I guess. I used the wrong shade of pink for the sky. Bob is probably disappointed,” she pouted.

“I’m sure Bob will appreciate the effort. If it cheers you up, your painting is probably better than his,” he joked. She giggled at him.

“I’m sure Bob’s ghost is punching the air right now after you said that,” she joked back. 

Harry smiled as he looked at her. Her hair up in a messy bun, her face free of makeup, he sure that she's wearing his button shirt with shorts. She looked ethereal. It was in that moment Harry realised that she was the one he wanted to marry one day.

“Harry?”

He’s popped out of his little bubble as she called him out. “Yeah, love?” 

“You zoned out a bit. You alright?” Y/N asked as she stroked his cheek. Harry smiled at his thoughtful girlfriend and nodded.

“I’m fine, love. Just thinking of how much I love you,” he said genuinely. Y/N blushed at his words. “Well, I love you too,” she beamed at him.

“Well, I hope you do. I bought blueberry muffins for us,” he teased as he took out their drinks and muffins out of the paper bag. Y/N dramatically gasped as she took one of the muffins. “I think we’re truly meant to be together, Harry Styles,” she said dreamily as she took a bite.

Harry laughed at her words and admired her for a bit. I think we’re meant to be, too. He thought as he took a sip of his coffee. He now felt a lot of happiness and joy in his life, with his love by his side.

After letting go of his past, he felt like he could finally breathe again.