Falling In Love At A Coffee Shop - Chapter 3
Niall could tell that despite all the things Harry could be worrying about, he was still having a good time. It made him happy to think that it was his idea of coming here that made Harry like this.
After taking their pick at a few packages of candies, Niall spoke, "I have a confession to make," he said, as harry tossed a gummy bear in the air and catching it in his mouth. "Mm?" Harry asked, distracted by the roller-coasters looming above them. Niall swallowed a handful of sour worms, "This actually isn't my special place," he confessed. Harry turned to him, "Oh," he said, "Then where is it?"
Niall shook his head, "If I were to tell you, it wouldn't be very special wouldn't it? That's the point of a special place, isn't it? For it to be especially just for you?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't have my own special place." Niall pulled Harry over to a bench, where they sat in front of a park map. "Really?" Niall asked, "Not one single place you feel comfortable where you can be yourself." Harry paused, thinking, then he said, "I do recall several places I used to love going, the only problem is, I used to love going there with Derek." This didn't seem to phase Harry too much.
Niall pushed what he hoped wasn't a sensitive button, cocking his head, he asked gently, "What happened there?"
Harry had been fixed on a spot just under a bush, spacing out. He shook himself out of his trance, furrowing his eyebrows, "Excuse me?" he asked.
Niall adjusted himself so he was sitting cross legged on the bench facing Harry. "Come on," he said, "You didn't fall in love with a drunken ass hole. What changed?"
Harry sniffed, tugging at a curl, setting aside his candy and wrapping his arms around himself to shield his body from the cold. "His brother died," Harry said, "Derek took it really hard."
Niall grimaced, "Sorry, mate. How long ago was this?"
Harry laughed, tossing back another gummy bear before replying, "That was three years ago," he shook his head, "And I know it may sound harsh, but I just wish he would get over it, ya know? Like, put flowers on his grave and move on. I may be saying this from a naïve point of view because no close family member of mine has died, but still!" Harry's voice cracked, and he swallowed a sob, "Sometimes it just gets so hard, ya know? Like I just want him to go back to how he used to be! I want what's best for him and why can't he see that! I feel like he never sees me anymore," the tears were falling now, "like I'm just some extra in his move: Life! Staring Derek Harris! I feel like I mean as much to him as his dog does! He is incapable of doing anything more than acknowledging me! He's more sober than not, and sometimes, sometimes I just wanna pack up everything and leave, forget about him, why can't it be about me for once!"
At some point Harry had fallen against Niall, who was holding the younger boy's head against his chest, running his fingers through Harry's hair, Niall whispered, "It can be about you right now."
Harry sniffed, attempting to get his emotions in check, he was a rolling storm of feelings, ever-changing from love to hate to rear to regret. He couldn't get ahold of himself, so he just sat there, slouched against this boy- this stranger, wondering how it was he could open up to Niall more than he could open up to his own boyfriend.
The two boys sat there for another thirty minutes before Niall checked his phone, he had several messages from Louis. Each one more urgent than the next, Derek was supposedly tired and ready to go, and he was looking for Harry. Eleanour and Louis weren't going to be able to stall much longer.
"Shit, Harry," Niall whispered into Harry's hair, "Derek is looking for you."
Harry groaned, sitting up, "We should go," he said, he stood up, offering Niall his hand.
Niall took it, but made no move to go, "We don't have to," he whispered. Squeezing Harry's hand. Niall wasn't too sure why he was saying this. He was letting himself go, allowing the warm twisting knot in his stomach speak for itself.
Harry paused, for a second he considered taking Niall's offer, eying the blonde's soft pink lips. Then the image of Derek, stumbling drunk, fists swinging when he found out. He decided against it, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't, he shook his head. "Better not," he muttered, pulling Niall to his feet, but instead of releasing Niall's hand, he entwined their fingers together, giving Niall, a reassuring squeeze, and the two boys walked like that to the car.
The drive had been in silence, Harry had fallen asleep with his head rested against the window, and Niall had been focused on the road, assessing his feelings for the brunette.
He nudged Harry awake at the stoplight a block from the house, and when they parked, Niall asked the question he'd been wondering ever since Harry's outburst.
"Harry?" he asked, resting his forearm on Harry's seat, "Why don't you just leave him?"
Harry shook his head forcefullly, "I couldn't," he muttered, reaching for the door handle, but Niall grabbed Harry's, hand, rubbing circles with his forefinger against Harry's palm.
"Why?" Niall insisted. His eyes were hopeful, praying it wasn't because of what he thought it was. Niall clearly remembers stories of his cousin being pressured into a relationship, which drove her into depression. There was something about Harry that made him want to protect him, Niall didn't know why, but he really cared for Harry.
Harry shrugged, "He needs me," he said. Niall's heart sank, he had heard that answer before, from his cousin on numerous occasions. Niall squeezed Harry's hand, "If he's forcing you to do things," Niall whispered, noting how Harry's eyes momentarily widened, Niall got it right, "here's my number and address," he let go of Harry's hand, reaching into the glove compartment to grab a slip of paper and pen, scribbling down a series of numbers and words, and passing the note to Harry.
Harry looked dumbly between the note and Niall for a moments, before leaning over the center console to quickly peck Niall's cheek. And Niall's hand came up to cup at Harry's, pulling his ear in close he whispered strongly, hoping he could get his point accross, "You deserve better."
Harry pulled away slowly, green eyes plunging into the depths of blue ones. He nodded, understanding. Biting his lip Harry got out of the car to find Derek. Niall was left on his own, wondering what the hell he was trying to accomplish.
Derek was sitting on a couch in the living room, mumbling incoherently as Eleanour pressed a damp towel to his neck. When Derek saw Harry, he jumped up, grabbing Harry's collar. "You!" He roared, "Where the hell did you think you were going?" Harry squirmed under Derek's grasp, uncomfortable in the crowded room, everyone's eyes on them.
Suddenly he felt a warm hand at his waist, Niall came to stand beside Harry, forearm pressed against Derek's chest. Niall spoke convincingly, "Look, Derek, relax. We just went to get a few drinks, we didn't feel too much like alcohol tonight," Niall held up a soda, "We brought some back, want one?" He asked.
Derek released Harry's shirt, and Harry took a deep breath, finding himself leaning into Niall's touch. "Why don't I drive you guys home? Sound good?"
Derek nodded, "I'll mee ya ah thuh car," he slurred.
After Derek disappeared, Harry's heartbeat slowed a bit, relaxing. Niall spun him around to face him, arms holding Harry's shoulders. "Are you alright?" He asked, worry written all over his face. Harry nodded slowly, "Thanks," he said.
Harry reached down to take Niall's hand, "Let's go," he said, pulling Niall through the house.
The car ride was silent, Derek had fallen asleep in the back, and Niall's hand had found it's way to rest on Harry's leg, giving him a reassuring squeeze before returning to the steering wheel. At the apartment building, Harry reached back and pinched Derek's leg. Derek woke, and realizing where they were he clambered out if the car and threw up before climbing the stairs to their loft.
Niall turned to Harry, who wasn't watching Derek, but Niall. Harry shook his head, smiling, "I wish I could deserve you," he whispered.
Harry's eyes began to spill over, and Niall flipped the arm rests up, pulling Harry closer to him. "Shh, it's alright," Niall whispered, thumbing away the tears as they fell, "Derek doesn't deserve you."
Niall leaned forward, kissing Harry's cheeks where tears were staining his skin. Niall pulled back a bit, blushing, "You know," he blurted, "you have the cutest dimples."
Harry giggled, a blush creeping up his face. Harry ran his thumb across Niall's lips, pulling the bottom one slightly down. Harry sighed, "I really don't want to have to go in there." Niall shook his head, his toothy smile lighting up his face, "then don't," he muttered. His face was so close to Harry's that Harry could taste Niall's sour worm breath.
Harry bit his lip, "I have to," he said.
Niall rolled his eyes, "no, you really don't." Harry nodded, eyes wide, "yes, I really do," a few tears slipped out. "What?" Niall whispered against Harry's check after kissing them all away. Harry pulled away, shaking his head, "He'll kill you."
"I don't care," Niall whispered.
Harry gigled, "well I do," he said, clambering out of the car.
Niall rolled down the window, "I want to see you tomorrow," he called. Harry stopped, swiveling on his heel, he took a step forward, a cheeky smile playing across his face. "When?" Harry asked.
"Eleven."
"Where?" Harry took another step.
"That coffee shop," Niall said, pointing at a random café.
Harry grinned, bending down so his head was by the window, "How long for?" He asked.
Niall winked, "As long as I can have you."
Harry wiggled his eyebrows, "then it's a date," he said, faces so closed they could've kissed, but before Niall could make a move, Harry retracted his head from the car and skipped back to the door. Pausing to wiggle his fingers at Niall, who laughed, "You're such a tease, Haz," he said, shaking his head. Harry blew him a kiss, heart warming at the sound of his new nickname, before entering the house.
Niall drove back to Eleanour's house to pick up Louis, who was waiting on the curb. "What took you so long, mate?" he asked as Niall swapped places with him.
Louis turned the radio on and Midnight City started playing. Niall began humming the tune while nodding his head with the beat. Louis cocked an eyebrow, "what's got you all bouncy?"
Niall grinned, blushing, "I dunno," he said. "It wouldn't have anything to do with Harry, would it?" Louis asked, "Derek would kill you in a heartbeat."
Niall laughed, "You know, that's what Harry said!"
Louis gasped overdramatically, "Niiall! That is not okay!"
Niall groaned, "Oh come on, Louis! You saw Derek, Harry deserves better!"
"Oh and so the perfect option is to start an affair with him?"
"Actually," Niall corrected, "we didn't start anything."
Louis nodded sarcastically, "Oh I'm sure!"
Niall smacked him, "I'm serious! We didn't even kiss!"
Louis snorted, "Uh huh. I doubt it was for lack of trying on your part, I assume."
Niall blushed "Well... no, but still!" he exclaimed, wondering if he should continue, "Anyways, I'm seeing him tomorrow."
Louis sighed, "just promise me you won't get too attached?"
Niall nodded, "I promise," but deep down, Niall knew this was one promise he wasn't quite sure he was going to be able to keep.