Chapter Text
(Louis)
Liam, Oli and Zayn stayed till late last night to set everything up. The three of them can be very productive, when they want to be. Thanks to them, I have the entire day to lay around and relax.
For the first time in years, I have no meeting to attend, no work to do and no siblings to entertain. So, I have been sitting on my living room couch and playing FIFA, with random online players, for the past hour.
I defeated Miranda in a tough game and just as I am about to start a new game, the doorbell rings, startling me. I wasn't expecting anyone today. I reluctantly get out of the blanket, put the controller on the coffee table and get up.
The furry rug in the living room, felt so soft under my bare feet that every step in the cold marble, feels like a sting. I take a look at my reflection on the thin, decorative mirror in the entryway and fix my hair. The white England football shorts and the black t-shirt look neat. So, I step forward and open the door.
Oh, hello there!
The sight in front of me makes me wish I had put on finer clothes. It's Harry and he is wearing a burgundy v-neck t-shirt and black ripped jeans, showing off his perfect collarbones and knees. He has black flip flops on, which is oddly casual, given the outfit, but looks hot, nevertheless. His hands are folded behind his back. His hairs are down and dimples are out, stirring things inside me.
Did you dress up for me?
"Hey, neighbor." Harry says in that deep voice of his.
"Hi, neighbor."
"How is the moving in going on? Are you all settled in?" His eyes are shining and his smile is very bright, suggesting there is a reason behind this visit.
I wouldn't mind even if there wasn't a reason.
"Yeah, the boys helped me to get it all done yesterday...I am just having a leisure day today"
"That's nice, because...there's nothing better than a chocolate cake on a leisure day!" His smile grew wider and he brought his right hand out, from behind him, as he said this.
He is holding a big tupperware container in his hand. He offers me the container and I look at him with a confused expression.
"I baked you a chocolate cake. I thought, since you just moved in, you must be tired and would like to have some comfort food." His smile grows a little shy as he says this.
I love chocolate cake.
"That's so thoughtful of you." I say with a smile and take the container from his hand. "Thankyou very much."
"Don't thank me yet." He brings his other hand out and he is holding a small potted plant in it. "I also brought you a houseplant, to make it feel more homely."
The enthusiasm in his voice makes me chuckle. I didn't expect Harry to bake me a cake or bring me a houseplant. Normally, I would be suspicious of such actions by someone from his background. But, from his expression, it feels like he doesn't have any bad motives behind it.
His radiant smile and the pure shine in his eyes make me feel warm. So, I do something I haven't done in a long while. I step aside from the door and gesture with my hand towards the apartment.
"Why don't you make it a home yourself?"
I decide to get to know a stranger.
I am attracted to Harry and that's why I thought I can't be friends with him. But, if I get to know him, maybe that will change. He is my neighbor and I can't avoid him forever. So, I think it's better to try being friends.
I still can't tell him everything and it would be wrong, if I intended to use him for anything. But, I don't have any such plans so, it doesn't feel wrong.
"I would love to." Harry says with a smile and steps into my apartment.
I close the door and follow behind him. Harry stops between the living room and kitchen and looks around the apartment. He then walks to the kitchen and places the plant on the breakfast table. I place the tupperware box on the counter.
"Now, every morning, it will accompany you with your breakfast and remind you of me." Harry looks at me with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"So, the real reason you brought it, was to occupy my thoughts?" I ask with a smirk.
"That's just an added bonus." He shrugs innocently, biting his lower lip.
I want to be the one biting it.
No, I dont.
"Thankyou, for the plant and the cake."
"Oh it's nothing." He waves it off, "You are a huge football fan, aren't you?"
I take a look at my football shoes rack by the door, the big basket of footballs beside the couch, the glass football on the mantle and the clothes I am wearing and smirk.
"What gave me away?" I ask and take a step towards Harry.
"Just the very beautiful, football England shorts that you are wearing." He replies with a cheeky smile.
"I don't know if I should be flattered or offended, that you are looking at my legs."
"Definitely flattered."
"Oh?"
The one step turned into a few steps and now I am standing less than a feet away from Harry. I can smell his perfume and it's heavenly. I want to close the distance even further and the subtle shift to darkness in Harry's eyes, suggests he wants the same.
Lou, behave yourself!
I clear my throat and take a small step backwards. Then I take a few more steps back, towards my fridge. Harry turns his head in several directions, apparently looking around the place. I open the fridge door and look inside.
"Would you like something to drink? I have orange juice, coffee and some beer." I look away from the fridge and at Harry again, and say, "I also made some tea before and I hear I make a real mean cuppa."
"I would love some tea, thankyou." He says with a sweet smile.
While I pour him a cup, Harry wanders into the living room and sees my little setup.
"You were playing FIFA?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much all I have done today. Do you like the game?"
"Do I like it?" Harry scoffs and looks at me. I hand him the cup and raise an eyebrow, asking him to explain. "Why don't you play with me and you'll find out." He says in a challenging voice.
"Is that a challenge?" I ask and I take another controller out of the box and connect it to the system.
"Mmm..this really is a mean cup of tea, I love it! And yes, it is a challenge."
I hand him the other controller, "Well, then.." I look into his eyes and say, "Challenge accepted, neighbor."
This is going to be a fun game.
I walk around Harry and take my spot in the couch, pulling the blanket over my lap. Harry places his mug on the coffee table and sits beside me.
"Do you want the blanket as well?" I ask him, so that he can be comfortable while we play.
"Are you asking me to share a blanket with you?" He asks with a cheeky grin.
Such a flirt!
"An enticing offer but..."
I pull another blanket out from under the coffee table and throw it at Harry. He breaks into giggles and I roll my eyes at him.
Harry removes his flip flops, opens the blanket and gets snuggled inside it. I exit the online portal and open a new game to play with him.
"What team do you want?"
"Manchester United." He says, immediately.
I select my team and Harry sniggers. I slowly turn my head towards him.
"Any comments?" I ask him with raised eyebrows.
"Why would you choose Doncaster Rovers against Manchester United?" He seems to be controlling a giggle as he says this.
I narrow my eyes at him and say, "They are a really good team and with proper resources and guidance, they will bring your Manchester United to their knees."
Harry snorts and I narrow my eyes even further.
"Say a single bad word about them and I'll kick you out and play with the houseplant." My eyes have turned to slits by now and Harry finally understands how serious I am about this.
"Okay, okay I'll shut up." He says and raises his hands in surrender.
"Good." I turn my face to the screen again and start the game.
The countdown starts on the screen and Harry scooches a little towards me. I can feel him looking at me.
"Oh and Lou" he says and I turn to look at him. This is the first time he has called me Lou and I like the sound of it. His voice is low and kind of sexy as he says, "Before we start...I want you to know, that I wouldn't mind you bringing me to my knees." He bites his lower lips.
Holy fuck!
I am struggling to find some non flirty words for a reply and don't notice when the timer ends and the game starts. Harry grins devilishly, turns towards the screen and takes the ball.
I gasp, "You cheater!" I take control of my players and try to take the ball away from him.
"Everything is fair is love and war." His voice reflects his giddiness at his little trick.
"Oh? So which one is this?" I ask, still struggling to take the ball.
"Whichever one you want it to be." Harry says with the same sexy voice.
Damn, he is one very flirty, distracting being!