aster - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

(Y/N) has figured out she might actually have asthma.
She really cant breathe right now with the knowledge of going alone to a boy's (is Harry really a boy, though?) house, especially one like Harry. And she's running out of time.
The already short drive, seemed to be even shorter with how quickly (Y/N)'s thoughts were running through her head. Before she realized it, they were parked in front of a nice looking house. A quaint looking little place with a black and white cat sitting in a window. Not entirely what (Y/N) had expected Harry to live in, no matter if Mitch lives there as well.
In her head, it was going to be just an all black house with dead flowers in the front and a "keep out" sign pasted on the front door, and a heavy metal rock concert going on right out on the front lawn. She knew it wasn't going to be like that (she is still realistic), but who would have envisioned Harry to be living in a nice light blue house with white trimming, a fairly healthy flower bed out front, and a petite little cat watching from the window.
Harry silently got out of the car, he sound of the door opening causing (Y/N) to follow suit and get out as well. She followed closely behind him, remembering to send a quick text to Sarah about her whereabouts and to let her know when she got home.
"Be careful, the cat likes to trip people," Harry warned, a breathy laugh exhaling from his lips. That's the closest (Y/N)'s heard as a laugh from him, and she thinks it might be the prettiest sound she's ever heard.
He led her through the door, flicking on the lights as he went, and as he said, the little black and white cat from the window ran right between his legs and right in front of her's almost tripping them both.
"Sorry, Evie jus' really likes people," he explains, reaching down and picking her up from in front of (Y/N)'s legs.
"It's okay. She's so cute!" She exclaimed, reaching toward her in Harry's arms and petting at her head, "You said her name was Evie?"
"Yeah, me mum gave her to me after I visited a little while back. Ended up really getting along, so she was sent home with me. A real troublemaker, she is." His voice was full of an emotion (Y/N) could only describe as fondness. This was the most she thinks he had ever talked to her, honestly. About something good, too!
"She seems very sweet," (Y/N) complimented, giving Evie a final pet before stepping back. The look of big, tattooed Harry, holding this small, petite kitten was one of the most adorable little things she's ever seen. Who would have known that Harry would have such as soft spot for cats?
"Did y'want anything to eat or drink? 'M going to grab a water, if y'want anything," Harry offered, giving his kitten one more little pet before setting her down. He turned in the direction of his kitchen, glancing back for her answer.
"Just a water, please." (Y/N) stood in the spot where Harry left her, looking around the walls and the decor trying to pretend she didn't feel awkward just standing in the middle of his home.
"Y'can take a seat on the couch if you'd like," Harry called, sounding almost amused as he looked back towards her from the fridge, "I've got Netflix and Hulu on the telly if y'wanted to pick something out to watch."
She quickly picked her place in the corner of the couch, happy to not be feeling like a house plant in the middle of the room anymore. She picked up his TV remote, turning it on to see a main menu with the different options of what platform to use for television. Harry was just a beat behind her, with two water bottles in his hands. He sat himself on the opposite side, giving a solid amount of space that helped (Y/N)'s heart to slow down. He silently handed her the bottle of water.
"Are you sure you don't want to pick what we watch? This is your house anyway," (Y/N) pressed, ready to hand over the controls.
"No, you're the guest. Your pick," Harry finished, taking a sip of his water, "I really don't care what we watch, anyway."
(Y/N) knows this really isn't that big of a deal, but that doesn't help that she feels a sudden wave of stress at the responsibility of picking what her and her crush watch. She doesn't know if picking her default show at the moment (Jersey Shore), is really a good idea, but she also has no other idea of what else there is to watch. She also doesn't want to just go through and scroll through all of these movies and shows and just bore Harry. This really isn't a big deal but to (Y/N) it couldn't be any bigger of a deal.
She stole a look to see Harry going through his phone, paying no mind to her panic at such a simple task. What's the worst that can happen anyways, she thinks. He's already yelled at her tonight, and if he, for some really unreasonable logic, kicks her out, she knows how to get home. And it's not like her crush on him has any potential of being reciprocated, so a bad show can't really jeopardize much.
She quickly switches onto Hulu, and scrolls around to find the Jersey Shore show title before pressing play on the first episode. The screen now fills with the images of the overly tanned group of friends, screaming about "The Shore" and all of the other wild things on the season to come.
"Really? Isn't this, like, ten years old and awful?" Harry challenged, peeking from his phone up to the television screen. A brow raised in question as he turned to look at (Y/N)'s flushed face.
"I didn't get to watch it when it was popular, or anything. Just actually watched it for the first time a month ago, I really like it. They're dumb, but they have a lot of fun. Before tonight, these were the only parties I've ever really seen," (Y/N) explained, embarrassment seeping into her voice, "I can change it, though. Whatever you want to see we can watch."
"'S fine. Never seen it myself, so let's give it a go."
(Y/N) didn't respond, allowing herself to half-watch the show, half-gauge Harry's reactions and overall mood. She just wanted to make sure this wasn't making him uncomfortable or close to kicking her out (she knows it's just her anxiety talking, but what can she do about it at this point).
The group on screen had just come to conclusion to go out clubbing (what a shocking switch from their regular routine, (Y/N) thinks to herself when Harry broke their silence, "You've never been to a party before tonight? Y'know you're in uni, right? Y'didn't go to parties in sixth form, either?"
(Y/N) hadn't even realized he had paid attention to that bit. Her childhood and growing up wasn't something she really wanted to get into yet; especially first time they really spend time together. (Y/N) just nodded her head and hummed a confirmation noise.
"Why not?"
Okay, she kind of assumed Harry would have dropped it after that. He already considered her something of a child (no matter how many times he took it back and apologized, he still said it), so she just thought he would assume that she doesn't like drinking (she doesn't), the crowds (she doesn't), or she wasn't invited (she wasn't). But he seemed to actually be interested in what could be her answer, and just the attention from him and everything that's happened in the last hour and a half has made her a little mushy in the brain. So she spills (or leaks, she doesn't want to overload him).
"It—I—My parents were just different," she started, feigning an light-hearted tone of voice. She didn't know what to say, not wanting to say too much, but it's not like she could stop now. "Not to say they should have let me go to a nightclub or party every night when I was in high school, but they could have at least let me go out to the movies. They were just very protective, I guess you could say. They gave me a hard time, a lot of the time."
"They didn't let y'see movies?" A furrow in his brows took over as he dropped his phone into his lap, giving her full attention.
(Y/N) shook her head, a tiny smile on her face as she tried to pass it off like it was okay, "No, not really. They thought a lot of the movies out these days were too inappropriate. Like they would give me bad ideas or something." She could hear him mumble an tha's crazy under his breath. "Now, being in college, is the first time they've let me go to a school that isn't girls only. They only just allowed me to move out last summer, but they got to pick who and where because they didn't trust my choices, I guess. I wasn't allowed to do too much living with them, and I still don't really feel comfortable doing them now. So yeah, tonight was my first party."
Harry didn't say anything back, seeming to not know what to say to her. His eyes stayed on her, tracing her form with an analyzing gaze. It looked like the look he had on his face when she had told him she left her keys behind in Clare's car. It was a blank look with no readable emotion. He was too good at hiding his emotions, it made her anxious.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring the mood down or anything. It's really not that big of a deal, they took care of me and that's all that matters, right? I just wish they had trusted me sometimes, but it doesn't matter now," she brushed off, cutting herself off before she could go on trying to explain away what she had just said. Harry's lack of response wormed into her ears and made her feel a whole different kind of self-conscious. Maybe she shouldn't've shared all of that, maybe it was too soon or maybe he though she was acting like the same little girl he thought was meant to be babysat, maybe she shou-
"'M sorry. That sounds tough, (Y/N)," Harry's deep voice took her out of her panicked thoughts.
"It really isn't that bad, I'm probably just overreacting," (Y/N) laughed, shaking away the sad feeling speaking about all of this gave her, "I'm sorry I kind of, unloaded that on you. It's a little embarrassing, honestly."
"No. No, you're not overreacting. You shouldn't be embarrassed talking about how you grew up," Harry was using the same soft voice he used just a week ago when she was in tears, "Jus' because they 'took care' of y'doesn't mean they were good to you. Being that overprotective isn't always the right thing for a kid. You need freedom, and trust to be able to grow up. 'M happy you've got the freedom to be your own person now. I...I think you're a very sweet person no matter how you were raised."
A flush painted her cheeks, blending down her neck and chest. Sweet? Harry thinks she's sweet? Not only is that generally the cutest word, but it just came out of Harry's mouth as he was describing her. She didn't think it was possible to feel like a color, but she felt pink; all soft and fluttery, and, well, sweet. She doesn't have a lot of experience what, with boys and romance overall, but this might as well be a rom-com at this point.
"Really? You think so?" (Y/N) giggled, a breathy type of giggle she was surprised came out of her and not some perfect, modelesque, romantic lead actress.
Harry gazed away from her for a moment, his lips pursed and his lip ring wobbling from his tongue's movements behind the scenes. His look different than the blank one he's had those couple of times tonight; this one was most like he was the closest thing to nervous she thought he could get. He shifted his eyes back to her's, a definitive look painting his features.
He moved slowly from his spot on the couch, closest to (Y/N)'s corner. His water bottle discarded on a crease in the fabric as he slid from one cushion to the other. (Y/N)'s heart rate spiked in her chest; this was even closer than when they had been in the car together. Every little detail of his face was so clear; the smudges in his eyeliner (still a new sight to her), the tangled, flowered vine tattoos on his neck, and the sparkling stud in his nose were so clear, she's pretty sure she could draw him (and she doesn't even know how to draw that well).
"Yeah, I do think so. I know I can be a dick sometimes, but 'm not dumb." He smiled her favorite half-smile at her, a deep dimple pressing into his cheek. He seemed closer to her than she remembers him being. His face tilted down towards her, causing her to make eye contact with him. If (Y/N) wasn't careful, she could shift just the tiniest bit and actually kiss him.
"Thank you... I—You're sweet, too," she reciprocated, running a hand through her hair to give her something to do to, maybe, calm herself.
"Yeah? Well, thank you." A real (breathtaking) smile graced his features this time.
"You're welcome." Apparently, (Y/N)'s manners were a bit funny at the moment, as Harry laughed a breathy little laugh at her. His expression very quickly changed from the dreamy rom-com lead to something much more serious. His eyes scanned all over her features before stopping at her lips.
"Would you mind if I kissed you?"
What?
What?
He wanted to kiss her? Like, put his lips on hers? Like, the way that people that like each other do? Does this mean he likes her? The way she likes him? Oh go-
"'S okay if y'don't want to." Harry started backing away from her taking his dreamy smile and all of her panicked heartbeats with him.
There was no way (Y/N) was passing this up.
"No! Wait—I—Yes, please kiss me! I mean I'd like it if you—."
"Okay."
Harry effectively cut her off with his single word and resumed to his position close to her. Even with her rushed consent, he took his time and analyzed each of her reactions. His hand placed on the side of her neck, his thumb resting on her jawline with his other fingertips brushing her hairline. His eyes closed, and (Y/N) followed suit. She just wanted this all to go right, considering this would be her first real kiss (technically her second, but was that really a kiss?).
Wait.
This is going to be her first kiss.
"Harry, wait!" She stopped him with a hand on his chest. She didn't want him to kiss her, and have it be terrible without some form of an explanation. Albeit, an embarrassing explanation, but an explanation nonetheless. (Y/N) also knows she can get quite attached to people after the most fleeting affectionate interactions since she's a virtual stranger to them, so it's safe to say that if they kiss she might just plunge into a hole of unwanted attachment that would just drive Harry away. Also, she's nervous and she just says things when she's nervous.
Harry's hand stayed stationary on her neck, only movement coming from his thumb to rub against her jawline. His brows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong, darling? I thought y'wanted me to kiss you, 'm sorry."
"I do, I do! I just—I've never kissed anyone before. Well, I kind of did when I was in high school but it wasn't any good and I didn't really want him to so I don't count it but—...I don't know, I just thought I'd tell you that in case I, like, suck." The hand on his chest took grip on his shirt to pull him back to the place he has been in before she had interrupted.
"That's all?"
"Yeah?"
That isn't exactly the first thing she thought he'd have to say to her little confession, but anything works she supposes. And it's much better than laughing or just refusing to kiss her, so she'll take it.
"That's quite surprising, honestly. But, if you'd still like me to kiss you, 'm more than happy to continue." (Y/N) quickly nodded in response, tightening her hold on him. "Just do what feels natural, if you're nervous. I'm sure you'll do fine, okay?"
(Y/N) didn't answer back as he just closed his eyes and brought them back to their previous positions. The hand on her neck helped tip her head into the right position, with Harry leaning down. This time, without any interruptions on her part, their lips met.
(Y/N) expected all of the roaming hands and the lip smacking and overtly sensual music in the background like all of the movies she watched, but none of that happened. Harry planted one, sweet, closed mouth kiss on her puckered lips then pulled away. If she hadn't known he had his lip pierced, she wouldn't have been able to tell with how fleeting the kiss was.
That was it?
He pressed one more to the corner of her mouth, then pulling away to gauge her reaction.
"Was that alright for you?" Harry cooed, a gentle tone to his voice like he was scared to be too loud to break their moment.
She nodded her head as best she could in the limited space, "Can you kiss me again? Please?"
He just pressed his lips against hers again, planting a few small kisses on her lips before catching her bottom lip between his two. (Y/N) moved along with him, parting her mouth to make way for his. Now it was like all of those small kisses, just melted together into one, long, romantic kiss. His hand on her neck moved into her hair, brushing through her strands and flexing against her scalp. His second hand that had been positioned on his leg, moved to hold her waist.
This was the type of kissing (Y/N) had seen. But it didn't feel anything like she thought it would. It wasn't like those fireworks and fire inducing moments she had read about in her books, but it was better. She felt grounded to him, in a way that she couldn't focus on anything other than him; she couldn't tell you her favorite color but she could tell you each of her favorite of Harry's tattoos. She felt relaxed in his hold, like he wouldn't let anything happen to them and their moment. She could feel it this time, his lip ring! His lips were so plushy, and soft and warm and then there was just the tiniest little sliver of cold metal to break it up. It was so good. It was like she was running out of air and up in the clouds and was kissing an angel. A tattooed, pierced angel with smudged back eyeliner and painted nails.
Or she could actually be running out of air, because she can't fathom how someone could breath and kiss like this at the same time.
Reluctantly she pulled away, keeping her grip on him stuck so he wouldn't go too far. Harry just moved his kisses to her cheek and along her jaw.
"Does kissing always feel like that, or are you just really good?" (Y/N) barely recognized the breathless tone as her own; she sounded almost sexy like she was someone who had just finished kissing her crush.
Oh wait, she did.
Harry laughed at her comment, pulling his lips from her skin and laying his forehead against her temple. He pressed a quick peck to her cheek before pulling back. "I'd like to say 's because of me, but you might be the perfect kisser here, love. Y'might be the lucky one who's able to make every kiss as sweet as you are."
"Oh my gosh," (Y/N) whined, wrapping her free arm around Harry's neck and snuggling her face into his shoulder. Harry's own hand on her waist slid around her back to hold her against him.
"Would it be alright if I kissed you a little more?" This wasn't at (Y/N)'s request, no, this was coming from Harry. Harry who could have anything he wanted in the world if he just smiled that sparkling smile and showed those pretty, green eyes, just asked (very cutely, (Y/N) adds) if it would be okay if he kissed her some more.
"Yes, please."
So they did. Harry pulled her head back around to his own. Their lips found each other's and made their home in their previous positions, moving along together. (Y/N) decided to be adventurous, moving her hand up to his hair like his in her's, and playing with the long, curly strands. One little tug from her fingers (a little trick she had read in her books) caused Harry's hand to tighten around her, their kiss to deepen, and the smallest moan to slip from his throat.
Now it was like the movies when that sensual music would start playing and clothing would be discarded, but it just stopped. Harry completely pulled away from her, dropping his arm around her, his hand in her hair sliding to her shoulder. His labored breathing matched her own, maybe even a bit harder.
He took a moment to even his gasping before speaking, "(Y/N), I—"
The sound of (Y/N)'s phone buzzing against Harry's coffee table cut him off before he could start. Harry moved, twisting back to his previous position against the back cushion of the couch. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling through his mouth and stretching out his back as (Y/N) leaned forward to grab her phone off the table.
Sarah's name was displayed across the top of the screen. (Y/N) settled against the edge of the cushion as she quickly swiped her screen to answer the call.
"Hello?" (Y/N) knew she probably sounded out of breath still, but hopefully Sarah wouldn't be able to tell.
"Hey, (Y/N). Are you still at H's?" Sarah answered back, the sound of a door shutting in the background of the call.
"Yeah," (Y/N) gave another short answer. Could Sarah tell through the phone that she had just had her first real kiss?
"Well, I just got home, if you wanted to head home, too. Is everything okay? You sound like you can't breathe," Sarah asked, the same sneaky tone (Y/N) knew that meant she was into her.
"Um, yeah. We were just watching a really—uh—funny movie and just laughed really hard and all. Lost my breath, you know?" She could see Harry give her an amused look from the corner of her eye. Both he and Sarah knew she was full of it.
"Oh, I'm sure you did lose your breath," Sarah teased. Oh, she definitely knew. "Anyway, we have our morning classes tomorrow if you still planned on joining me, unless you were staying the night. I will warn you that Mitch is on his way home, though."
"I wasn't spending the night! I just left my keys and everything, I told you that!" Her love flush from their kissing only doubled alongside her embarrassment flush from Sarah's teasing.
Harry leaned close to her, pressing a kiss to the space right in front of her ear, before providing his own commentary, "You can stay if you want to."
Oh, she just about melted at that. He can't be real, can he?
But she can't stay! Although all the kissing was nice and perfect and fun and romantic and everything she could have wanted and more and—she can't stay the night! She just barely figured out how to kiss, and (Y/N) isn't dumb, she knows what it would mean if she stayed over. There's no way she was doing that tonight. Harry wasn't even her boyfriend or anything and as much as she doesn't want to be the so-called 'prude' kids would call her in high school, or the 'proper' young woman her parents pressured her to be, she also didn't want to take a big step like sex with the first guy that called her a sweet name and kissed her. So she just can't stay!
"I'll come home. We have review tomorrow for midterms so I can't miss it. Please wait up for me," (Y/N) finalized, although slightly regretting her words when Harry backed off.
"Alright, if you say so. I'll see you soon."
(Y/N) said her goodbyes before hanging up the phone and glancing back at Harry.
"You've revisions tomorrow?" is all he said.
"Um, yeah. I don't want to miss it. I'm sorry."
"Why're you sorry? Not your fault y'have revisions and actually care about your standing," he leaned forward again, pressing a kiss on her unsuspecting lips, "Let me grab m'things and I'll take y'home."
"Oh, thank you."
As Harry got off the couch and left to pick up all of his things, an amused smirk took home on his lips.
"You're welcome."
—————
The drive home wasn't like their time together on his couch at all. Neither of the pair talked, and there wasn't any affection (well he was driving, so what did she expect, really). She just guesses he would have at least done that thing that all of those relationship instagrams always post pictures of, where the guy puts his hand on his girlfriend's leg while he's driving or lets her hold his hand, just anything for contact. But she isn't his girlfriend. For all (Y/N) knows, he just could've felt bad for her little sob story and decided to throw her a bone and give her a couple of kisses. Through all of the excitement of his touch, she almost forgot about the blonde girl that had been all over him just hours before.
Or she's just overthinking.
The feeling of the car being put in park broke (Y/N)'s gaze from her nails to see they had ended up the same place they had been earlier in the night. Taking her gaze from the window and to Harry, she saw he was already looking at her.
"You alright?" His tone was still the same gentle one he had been using back at his home. It was a wonder to think that in this same setting, only hours before, had he yelled at her.
"Yeah...Thank you for taking me home, again," she laughed that same breathy laugh that had to have come from someone else.
"You're welcome." And his lopsided smile returned.
"I guess I'll see you around?" (Y/N) didn't know what else to say. It's not like he had mentioned the two of them seeing each other like this again and given it a set date and time, so she didn't want to in case he avoided it on purpose.
"When do y'work next?" Harry countered, turning towards her the same way he had before.
"Tomorrow. I'm in at three and out at seven, why?"
"Let me take you home then, yeah? Y'can stop by the shop when you're done, if that's okay with you."
"That sounds great. I'll—uh—text you later, then. See you tomorrow." (Y/N) felt like a giddy schoolgirl being asked on her first date (which she kind of was), as she reached for the door handle next to her.
"Wait, c'mere." Harry's deep voice stopped her. She turned back around to him, seeing Harry already leaning over the center console. She couldn't even let out a little gasp before his hand was back on her neck and his lips were back on her's. His lips slotted against her's for one long kiss, before pulling away and planting a single simple one.
One more kiss was placed on the corner of her mouth, before Harry slid away from her.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
(Y/N)'s starting to get the idea that these weren't pity kisses. That felt quite nice.
—————
(Y/N) waved at Harry before he pulled away from the curb as she entered her complex. The set of stairs up to her floor were all a dopamine blur. She felt like she was in a Tom and Jerry cartoon, where Tom would get a whiff of one of the girl cat's perfume and would literally float off his feet and follow her scent. She felt just like that as she glided up the steps, feeling the tiniest bit love (like? crush?) drunk.
Once at her door, she tried to shake herself out of it as best she could as she knocked on the door for Sarah. She knew Sarah was going to ask a lot of questions and she wanted to answer them like a mature, confident girl that thought this was no big deal and not the real girl she was that was probably going to write this whole thing down in her notes app like a diary.
Sarah opened the door and quickly rushed her inside, closing the door behind them.
"I can't believe you just lost your virginity to Harry and you didn't even stay the night. You're so wild," Sarah all but screamed when they were safe inside their apartment.
"I—Sarah! You know I wouldn't do that! He's not even my boyfriend!" (Y/N) corrected, trying her hardest to keep her own tone down as it was three in the morning, but this wasn't what she had thought Sarah would say to her first thing.
"Wait, you didn't sleep with him?" Sarah stopped, pausing in the living room before sitting down on the couch. (Y/N) followed behind, popping her shoes off by the door.
"No! I'd like to actually know my person before I do something like that, you know that," (Y/N) concluded.
"I'm sorry, (Y/N). It's just kind of Harry's thing, so I just thought."
What? What's Harry's thing? "What do you mean?"
"From what I've heard from Mitch, usually if Harry brings someone home, he likes to, you know, do his business and then that's it. He's not really much for the whole dating thing," Sarah explains, "so that's kind of surprising that you didn't do anything."
"We just talked and stuff... and we did kiss. A lot." (Y/N) couldn't hide her smile as she finally said it out loud and thought about what happened on his couch.
"(Y/N)! That's so exciting! You had your first kiss tonight!" Sarah exclaimed, reaching out and putting her hands on (Y/N)'s shoulders.
"I know! I get it now, why everyone's all kissing their person all the time! It's so fun, and Harry's really good," (Y/N) couldn't help but let out a dreamy sigh at the mention of Harry's name.
"He must really like you if all you did was talk and kiss. That'd be so cute if you started dating him! Are you seeing him again soon?"
"He wants to see me tomorrow, after I get off work."
"Oh (Y/N), that's so exciting! I'm so happy for you!"
Just then (Y/N) felt her phone buzz in her lap from a text. She read the preview on her screen, seeing it was from Harry.
"It's from him, isn't it!?" Sarah bubbled, peeking over to read it as well.
Harry
Sleep well tonight, love. Text me when you get off work, please.
Just as she was typing back her own goodnight, another buzz cut her off.
Harry
I had a very good time tonight. Thank you. xx
(Y/N)'s starting to wish she had stayed the night so she could hear this in person.
Especially the kisses.
—————
I just got off work!! I'm on my way to the shop, if that's still okay with you.
(Y/N) pressed send on her message just as she walked out the door of the library. It has been almost twenty-four hours since she had seen Harry, but that whole time had still been filled with him. Soon after he had texted her goodnight the night before, she had spilled a few more details to Sarah (not all of them of course, there was still a good bit she wanted to keep to herself) before deciding to go to bed. She had sent Harry a text back with her own goodnight and excitement similar to his own, but after that there had been no contact.
She went to her morning classes, sitting through review before going home for a few hours before work. Her stomach felt jittery and she just had this feeling of boredom; she just kept flipping through the same social media apps over and over, putting on a movie in the background she didn't pay attention to. It was a weird sense of boredom that still included a rushing heart. She just wanted to go to work, and go see Harry. She was tired of waiting.
But, finally, the end of her short shift had come and she was already on her way down to Harry's tattoo parlor.
Harry
Of course. Just come in when you get here.
She was a little nervous (nothing new), but nothing like she had been the night before. She was mostly just nervous about meeting his colleagues and seeing his work. She also was kind of stressed that maybe he wouldn't treat her the same way in front of these people. But that jittery stomach, and weird anxious boredom she felt overpowered that nervousness all the way.
She just wanted to see Harry. And kiss. Definitely kiss.
Soon enough the hanging sign with "17Black Tattoos" printed in a graphic font came into few. She had never been here—the shop or the area—before, but seeing the sign brought in a sense of familiarity. She knew he was in there and that's all she needed.
The outside windows looked like what she would think a tattoo shop would look like. The name was reprinted over the windows in the same, large, graphic style as the hanging sign, with all these neons hung and decals printed everywhere else. It looked cool, honestly. The neons were all the same fluorescent red; some were roses in the corners of the window, others were words like 'ink', and one seemed to be an sideview of a woman posed to put a cigarette in her mouth. If she ever got a tattoo it would be at a place like this, and not just because Harry was here. (At least that's her story).
She walked in, a little bell chiming above her head. She could distantly hear the sound of at least two voices talking and the sound of a needle buzzing. She scanned around for a moment trying to spot Harry. Finding no sign of him, she instead paid attention to the front desk. The tall podium-like stand was occupied by a man with puppy dog eyes and a sweater with smart glasses on, not exactly the kind of person she'd have expected to work with Harry. Or even work at a tattoo parlor. Before she had known Harry, she might have even said he was her type.
"Hello, what can I help you with today? Do you have an appointment?" The man asked. It wasn't until he placed his arms on the desk did (Y/N) see his hands and the myriad of tattoos all over them.
"I'm actually friends with Harry. He told me to meet him here," (Y/N) answered, sounding almost like a question instead of telling him. She started messing with her nails, scooting closer to the row of chairs lining the front. She kind of figured he would have been waiting for her upfront, so she kind of felt out of place without him there.
"Oh, you're (Y/N)? H said you'd be stopping by. I'm Liam." He reached across the desk with his hand out for a shake. (Y/N) timidly took ahold of his hand, bouncing it twice before letting go.
"Yeah, I am. Is—Do you know if he's still here?" (Y/N) was sure he had said he'd be here, but what if she had taken too long and he had gone to the library himself and they just missed each other.
"He's just finishing some things in the back. He should be right out. I can show you around if you'd like?" Liam was already sliding off of the barstool he was at on behind the desk. She squeaked out a sure and timidly started following him around. She might be comfortable around Harry, but she still wasn't a fan of strangers and boys and just people in general, so the same simmering uneasiness crept in.
"This is where we post our designs and drawings. Zayn's are the more cartoony type of things, mine are the more realistic ones, and the real sketchy, fine line work is all H," he said as he stopped in front of the wall following the desk, just covered in all of these drawings molded around each other like wallpaper. A threshold to a hallway was cutout from the farthest corner of the wall, perpendicular to a row of stainless steel cabinets and a sink along the wall. Tattoo recliners were placed in front of the art wall, none were occupied which didn't help explain where (Y/N) was hearing the voices and buzzing coming from.
"They're all so amazing, wow," (Y/N) awed at the art. It really was a very cool thing to see. All of the contrasting styles of each of the main artists was cool to see clashing around each other.
"Have you got any tattoos?" He asked, leading them away and towards a pair of doors across from the drawing wall. This wall was more plain. Decals and a few design elements gave the otherwise plain, light grey wall character, and tied into the rest of the shop.
"Oh no, my parents would probably disown me if I got any," (Y/N) joked, although she knew she really wasn't.
"Oh I see. I felt like that, too, until I just got a huge set of arrows on my arm and my parents just had to get used to it. Now I'm here with a whole sleeve and a couple of loving parents," Liam added, rolling up his sweater sleeve a bit and showing off this own art.
(Y/N) nodded her head, "Maybe one day." She knew she was lying, but why not humor him?
"These are just our private rooms for larger tattoos that need a big longer to finish, and also where we do piercings and things," Liam continued , gesturing to the doors before opening the one on the right.
Inside the room were three boys. One was laying on his tummy on the tattoo chair with his shirt off, while another was leaned over him working away with a tattoo gun on his shoulder blade. The third was leaning against the wall next to them, watching on with his phone in his hand. As all of their attention was placed on the pair that had entered the room, the one with the tattoo gun quickly shut it off as to not make any mistakes.
"Li, who's that you got there?" The one leaning against the wall asked, an Irish lilt to his voice. He had deep brown hair with these bright blue eyes. From what she could see from his short sleeve button up shirt, he didn't have any tattoos.
"It's H's girl, (Y/N). I'm just showing her around while he finishes up whatever it is he does back there. (Y/N), this is Niall, Zayn, and Louis." Liam gestured to each of the boys; Niall being the Irish one, Louis being the one getting the tattoo and Zayn being the artist.
(Y/N) offered a wave, a blush covering her face as she realized Liam had called her Harry's girl. Like he had talked about her to them, and referred to her as such. She felt pink again. Very pink.
"Oh so you're the girl that's got him acting all soft these days," Louis teased, lifting his head up from his folding arms to speak to her.
"I—what do you mean?" (Y/N) was honestly just a tiny bit confused. Sure Harry had started treating her a bit different these past couple of times they've seen each other, but it wasn't until last night that something had really happened. Would she really go so far as to describe him as soft?
"He's been drawing up all these flowers and listening to all these love songs. He even painted one of his nails pink last week, I think," Louis continued, laying his head back down on his arms with his gaze still on her.
Her blush deepened at the thought of Harry being like that because of her, but it could have been just the change of seasons and flowers are blooming everywhere, so maybe he was just feeling pink and all. Maybe.
"Oh, I don't know if that's because of me," she laughed, running a hand through her hair and shaking her head.
"He's been much nicer, these days, too. So go on doing whatever it is you're doing, please," this time it was Zayn that had spoken up. An amused lilt in his voice, peeking through his thick accent. Zayn resumed tattooing Louis.
Liam spoke a bit louder over the sound of the tattoo gun, "He's right, you know. Harry's been much nicer lately, and we all thought he had got himself a girlfriend or at least a new friend, but no one was sure until he said you were coming by today." The three other boys nodded their heads to Liam's words.
The words I'm not his girlfriend were on the tip of (Y/N)'s tongue just as Niall cut her off. "I'd be acting like that, too, if I had a pretty girl coming by to see me," Niall's voice was full of tease, clearly not trying to hit on her more-so trying maybe to pry a giggle or a smile from her.
"Thanks," she spoke timidly, quickly moving her gaze to her nails. She definitely wasn't used to this type of attention from boys, or anyone really, so she didn't know how to react. Also, the absence of Harry while she was left in this room full of boys she didn't know was causing her previous unease to amplify.
Just then she heard another door open behind her. She looked behind her, assuming it was the front door opening for a customer. Instead she caught sight of Harry emerging from a door down that short hallway she had seen.
He looked just like he had the night before. Still all black, his tattoos and piercings all familiar, his black nails and black eyeliner still everything she remembered from those twenty-four hours before, but somehow it was different. Call it a lover's (friend-er's? Someone-you've-only-kissed-once-before-but-it-was-really-good-er's?) gaze, but he somehow just was different. He seemed softer to her. Maybe she would describe him as soft after all.
His gaze shifted to her form in the doorway of the private room. "I didn't know y'were here already. How long've you been waiting on me?" he had an apologetic tone to his voice and a furrow in his brow as he moved towards her. He had his arms crossed in front of him, up until he was within arm's reach of her. He unfolded his elbows and reached out towards (Y/N)'s waist, turning her around, gently, to face him fully. She genuinely wasn't expecting him to lean down and plant a soft kiss on her lips, but he did. He did so right in front of his friends and colleagues. Like, they were five feet away, and Harry's just kissed her.
(Y/N) dazedly blinked her eyes open, putting her own hands on his. "Um, n-not long. Only ten minutes," she replied, sure she sounded a bit out of it. It wasn't even that intense of a kiss and (Y/N) knows that, but just the fact he did it so openly just really made her feel so—so much.
"'M sorry about that, love. Let's get y'home, okay?" Harry pulled away, taking his hand from her waist to her wrist and tugging her away from the doorway she was still stood in. He looked around her, seeing the four other boys watching on. "I'll be back as soon as I get her home. Don't burn anything down, please."
And with that, he pulled her towards the front door, quickly grabbing his jacket from a coat rack next to the desk. He slid the long, black trench coat over his arms leaving the front open wide. He turned to her with her favorite lopsided smile, "Ready? You've got your keys this time?"
She shyly nodded her head, a little smile on her face at his teasing, "Yeah."
"C'mon then," he motioned his head towards the door, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he pushed the door open with his back. She hurriedly followed him, skirting around him as he held the door open for her. He joined her outside, standing in front of the shop. "Are you okay with walking, or would you like me to drive you?"
The car would keep them warm and she could listen to his music, but walking would give them more time together. And that's all she wanted, time with him. "Walking, please."
Harry smiled that smile at her, and turned in the direction of her home before starting off. (Y/N) kept in line with him, keeping a nice distance between the two of them as to not trip over her feet. She, also, didn't really know how to initiate that contact, and didn't want to cling onto his arm if he is just going to want to push her off.
"What're you doing so far away, darlin'? C'mere," Harry held an arm out for her, beaconing her to cuddle underneath his arm. (Y/N) quickly scuttled next to him, settling under his arm. His hand settled on her arm, giving a light squeeze before just brushing his fingertips against her. "How were your revisions this morning?"
"They were fine, just boring and all," (Y/N) explained, not wanting to remember her morning without him, "How was work?"
"Had a couple appointments today, nothing too exciting," a dull tone seeped in his voice, before he paused. "Missed you."
A kiss was pressed to the top of (Y/N)'s head as he pressed her closer to his side. He missed her? Like, he hadn't wanted to be away from her? Like, he missed her? Oh gosh, he really is soft, but is she any better?
"I missed you, too," she reciprocated, shyly looking down towards her feet. She could hear Harry let out an amused noise, keeping her pressed to his side.
They walked in silence for a few moments, just soaking in one another. (Y/N) was also trying to fend off cardiac arrest.
"I see you met all of the boys. They didn't bother you, did they?" Harry broke their silence, referring to the group left behind at the parlor. His tone a more stern feeling as opposed to the soft croon his last comment was soaked in.
"Oh no! They were very nice, and funny. Liam was showing me around a little bit," (Y/N) clarified.
"Yeah? What all were you able to see before they started talking your ear off?" (Y/N) tipped her head up to look at him, seeing his dimples out and his eyes sparkling like his nose stud.
"Just really the main room, and those private rooms. Liam showed me your designs."
"He did, huh? And what did you think?" His brows furrowed at that, sounding like he genuinely wanted to know wether or not she thought he was any good.
"You're so talented, Harry. All of it was so pretty, and delicate, and just so good. If I ever get a tattoo, that's what I would picture it would look like." (Y/N) praised, feeling his fingers squeeze her bicep and another kiss press to her head.
"Thank you, darling, it really means a lot."
"You're welcome."
He laughs at that.
—————
"You promise you've got your keys? You didn't leave them back at the shop or anything?" They were now stood in front of her building, Harry in front of her.
"Yes, they're right here." (Y/N) held up her keys, a little plush of a cat on the other end, "See?"
Harry just laughed at her, her favorite breathy laugh from him.
"Do you want to come in? I'm sure Sarah wouldn't mind if you wanted to hang out for a little," (Y/N) offered, ready to tug him inside behind her.
"As appealing as that sounds, love, I told them I'd be back after I dropped you off. 'M sorry," Harry referred to the group of boys they left back at the shop, a tiny bit of a pout on his lips.
"It's okay. I know you have work to take care of," (Y/N) reassured, giving him her own sweet smile.
He stepped closer to her, just enough space so the toes of his nice looking boots were just a hair away from touching her own worn out Vans. His hand reached up towards her face, palm resting on her cheek, "Next time I'll stay a bit longer, alright?"
She absentmindedly hummed a confirmation to him, too lost in the contact he was giving her. She's sure he knew the effect he had on her when he chuckled at her daze. "Yeah? 'S alright?" he playfully mocked, fondly petting at her cheekbone with his thumb.
"Yeah," she breathed, the syllable drawn out. The tiniest force from his hand had her tip her head back as he started leaning down, much like they had when they shared their first kiss.
"Can I have a kiss before I go?"
"Yes, please."
He closed the distance between their mouth, shortcutting from their previous gentle, testing kisses right to their deeper kisses. Her bottom lip slotted between his, as the same relaxing, warm feeling surrounded the two of them. He led their kiss for a few more moments before (Y/N) had to pull away (she still doesn't know how someone could kiss and breathe at the same time). Harry smiled at her breathlessness, pressing a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
"Love, you've gotta start breathing through your nose or something. 'M worried you're going to pass out on me," he teased, planting one more gentle kiss on her skin. She squeaked an okay out, finally opening her eyes to look at him already gazing at her.
He leant back from her, creating more space but leaving his hand on her cheek. "I've gotta go, but I'll text y'later. I'll wait until you're safe inside, now go on, love."
(Y/N) started moving towards the entrance to her building, before stopping and turning back at him. "Will you text me when you get back to the shop? Just so I know you made it okay? Please?"
"Of course, love."
"Thank you." (Y/N) takes the tiny bit of warm dopamine and adrenaline left in her system, and blows Harry a kiss. She hopes she doesn't look like a kid, but she wanted to give him one more kiss for the road.
He grabs the imaginary kiss in his tattooed hand, and presses it to his own lips. "You're welcome."
—————
"So that's your girl, H? Not what I expected."
Harry has just arrived back at the shop. Zayn was now wrapping and protecting Louis' new tattoo. Niall was still lounging around acting like he worked here, with Liam seemingly napping on one of the tattoo benches.
Nothing was burned down, so he didn't really care what they did. There weren't any appointments left, anyway.
"What exactly did y'expect, Louis?" Harry absentmindedly replied, shedding his jacket and sending (Y/N) a text that he was fine. How cute was she, asking him to send a text to let her know he made it back safely? So fucking cute.
"I was expecting more of a Chloe type, that's usually what you go for. With all the tattoos and all model-ey and all." Louis had now slipped his shirt back on, sitting up on the bench and looking towards Harry. He wasn't criticizing Harry's choice at all, (Y/N) was a very pretty girl and she seemed quite sweet, a tiny bit quiet but sweet. She was just different than the type Harry usually takes to. Chloe, who he had referred to, was an ex-friend/fling/girlfriend (a stretch with that last one, but still applicable Harry supposed) who Harry had seen off and on for a year or so. She had bright blonde hair, a pretty face, covered in tattoos head to toe, and was very outspoken and loud but a bit abrasive at times.
"Well, Chloe was never serious, so maybe she wasn't m'type after all, hm?" Harry countered, feeling like he had to defend not his choices, but (Y/N). He knew he was partial to the more 'Chloe type', but who's to say that was even a good type for him? Or even if he had a type at all at this point. He just knew he liked (Y/N), enjoyed spending time with her (now that he's gotten past his weird aversion to being fucking nice), and she was gorgeous. That's all he needed.
"She's real nice, H. I like her," Zayn interjected, washing his hands at the back sink, "I see why you've been acting different lately."
"What do y'mean?" Harry took a seat on the front desk stool, kicking his foot out and nudging Liam awake on the bench.
"Do they seriously not see it?" Niall suddenly scoffed, surprising Harry as he thought Niall hadn't even been mentally checked into their conversation.
"H, you painted your nail pink last week, you've been playing Hozier's entire discography on repeat, and you never sketch people, but you keep sketching her," Zayn explained, drying his hands off on a wad of paper towels as he leans against the sink.
"Maybe I jus' wanted to try something different," Harry brushed off, checking his phone for a distraction and hoping for a notification.
"Yeah, you're trying something different, alright." This time it was Liam who chimed in, his eyes still closed with his hands behind his head. "She a virgin or something? Is that why you're tripping all over yourself for her?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Just looks like you're working real hard for it this time, that's all," Liam pushes further. Harry kind of wishes he hadn't woken him up. He's being fucking annoying, and Harry didn't want to hear any of them speak on what they thought she has and hasn't done.
"You know, Liam, it's none of your fucking business—"
A vibration from his phone cut him off as the notification displayed (Y/N)'s name.
(Y/N)
Sorry I was making dinner!! I'm happy you made it okay. It was really, really nice to see you today, thank you for walking me home. Can we do that again soon, please?
A smile took over his face and he forgot what he had been in the middle of saying to Liam. He sent her a quick text back, telling her he also had a good time with her, and asking when she worked again.
"What was that, H?" Liam teased, peeking his eyes open and sending Harry a knowing look.
"Just shut the fuck up and go back to sleep, you twat. Don't fucking talk about her like that." Liam just closed his eyes though a crooked smile was stuck to his lips and went back to dozing as the rest of the boys tittered at the scolding.
(Y/N) was quick to reply this time around, letting him know she was off these next couple of days and wouldn't be back in until Tuesday. That was three days away and Harry just wanted to see her now, but he knew he needed to give her space. As far as he could tell, this was the closest thing she'd ever had to any sort of relationship and he wasn't planning on driving her away with smothering from him. He just needs to remind himself to be slow, be gentle with her. Why could he only be either one or the other; either an absolute dick that barely shows any decency towards her, or a complete sap who's one kiss away from writing a love song about her.
"Just remember to be gentle with her, H. You don't want to break her or anything."
"Liam, I jus' told you to shut the fuck up."
He'd never say this, but Harry would remember to be gentle with her. He'd never want to break her, not just in the context Liam was implying.