freedomfireflies

[freedomfireflies]

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[freedomfireflies]

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Under Construction II

Read Under Construction here | ~7.1k

From Me: a bit of a slow burn

Warning: a little angsty mayhaps. otherwise fluffy

Summary: “Interesting,” she practically sang. “He seems... friendly.”

“M-hmm.”

“Attractive,” Eleanor continued.

“Yup,” she nodded and scooped some dip onto her plate and grabbed a handful of chips. “What?” She asked, finally.

“Can I be maid of honor? Are you gonna invite your class to be part of your wedding? Do you want a summer wedding because it will be easier to plan around school?”

She sighed and ate her buffalo chicken dip as Eleanor rambled on about it. “It’s not happening.”

Louis and Eleanor were already sitting in their regular booth when she arrived. Her eyes were half closed despite the coffee she drank. “Oh, come on, babe, rally please,” Louis frowned at her approach. She sighed. She wanted to go home. As much as she loved her friends she was just drained and wanted to be alone.

 “I love this dress,” Eleanor smiled excitedly.

She grinned weakly and dropped into the booth before putting her head on the table. “What did you order?” She asked.

“Buffalo chicken dip.”

“God Bless,” she sighed. “Did you order me a drink?”

“You sure you can drink in your condition?” Louis asked, lifting her arm and letting it flop lazily on the table.

“I’m rallying,” she mumbled into the wood.

“You can tell,” Eleanor patted the back of her hair. “How was your day?”

Her day was wonderful. She was sure she was going to get a cold any minute. The kids were behind in math because of a fire drill and there had been indoor recess for three days straight due to rain. It was madness and this Friday was the first reprieve in ages.

Plus, Harry came back around for the second week in a row to look at stuff around her classroom.

She hadn’t told Louis and Eleanor about the cute guy working next to her school. She knew Eleanor would be bursting at the seams and Louis would make one too many jokes about Harry and his tool(s).

She sat up and shook her head a bit before answering. Trying to perk herself up. Perhaps she should have ordered an espresso martini. Something with caffeine would have helped. “It was good, the kids are doing really well,” she nodded. “I’m a little worried about Milo socially, but overall, they’re a great group,” she said proudly. “I love them so much.”

“You always do,” Louis grinned almost as proudly as she did. He too thought his best friend was a superhero teaching little ones. Having grown up with a host of younger siblings, he knew how important teachers were. He couldn’t believe how kind, compassionate, and patient she was in every facet of her life. Watching his best friend do this made him more appreciative.

“Do you get to rest this weekend?” Eleanor asked.

But Louis also knew she devoted so much of her time in and out of the classroom to these sweet kids.

In theory, she would rest. But even on weekends she had a pretty packed schedule. There were errands, cleaning, laundry, and hopefully getting outside to enjoy the fall weather. “Yes,” she nodded. “One of my kids asked me to go to their soccer game tomorrow though, it’s at the school, so I figured I could swing by.”

“That’s kind of you,” Eleanor grinned. “Any dates in your future?” She wiggled her eyebrows.

She sighed. The thought of dating the handsome construction worker crossed her mind. But after her previous relationships, it just made more sense to be alone for the time being. Until she got her footing and found a balance that worked for her. It wouldn’t be long now; she was getting there. But these kids were her whole world, and she loved being there for them. They were young, adorable, and they valued those who showed up—especially if people in their lives weren’t showing up. “No dates.”

“None?” Eleanor pouted. “Babe, it’s been...forever.”

“Don’t remind me,” she sighed. “I’ve just been busy.”

“But it’s good for you. You don’t have to sleep with every guy, and you don’t have to marry the first guy you find,” El continued. “I know you love those kids and they’re your whole life; I get that. But the right guy will let you have that.”

“It’s hard,” she explained. “I don’t want it to be like last time,” she shrugged. It was so casual. As if it wasn’t the worst break up in the history of the world. If she pushed it down and didn’t think about it, it wouldn’t bother her like it used to. She wouldn’t worry about it.

“Bird?”

She nearly broke her neck with the way it snapped to the voice before she could stop it. Eleanor’s gaze turned to the sound as well. Her jaw dropping as Harry approached. He smiled that sweet, sexy way with the pretty dimples. He was wearing a polo shirt instead of his company’s T-shirt and his dark pants replaced the ever-present work ones he wore on the job site. His work boots were now just a pair of casual trainers. It was clear Harry would look hot in a trash bag, but part of her missed the construction outfit.

“Harry,” she said softly and standing outside the booth to greet him. “Hi,” she said.

“Hi, Bird,” he grinned a little brighter. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Um,” she shook her head. “These are my best friends: Louis and Eleanor,” she gestured. “This is Harry,” she said to them.

“Hi,” he waved briefly. “Did y’come right from school?” He asked, glancing at the dress he saw her in only hours before.

Well, yeah. She hadn’t anticipated anyone from work seeing her in the same outfit. “Um...yeah. I stopped at my sister’s house to help her with something. Didn’t leave time to change.”

“Y’look beautiful,” he said reassuringly, his smile unmoving from his face. She felt her face warm at the compliment knowing Eleanor was eating it up. “Jus’ wanted t’make sure y’weren’t there for hours and hours on your own.”

She bit the inside of her lip knowing that Louis and Eleanor were going to give her an earful as soon as he left. If he left. Fortunately, at that moment, the waitress came by and placed the buffalo chicken dip on the center of their table. Her stomach growled at the sight of it. “Do you two want to order a drink?” She asked of herself and Harry.

“Oh, I need another minute to look over the—” She started hoping it would give her a moment to rid her space of Harry. Not that she really wanted him to leave. But she didn’t want the first time seeing him outside her classroom to be overshadowed by her faux parental figures eating buffalo chicken dip with her who at any moment were going to go at it about the guy she was hiding from them.

“Harry, please sit,” Eleanor begged. “We never finish this with the three of us,” she continued.

Harry looked at her and noted the uneasiness clearly on her face as her two little worlds collided. “S’okay, thank you. M’here with m’friend Niall. Jus’ coming back from the bathroom and thought I saw you in y’pretty dress,” he winked. Her face felt hot, and she wondered if she was going to start sweating. She needed to have a bite of the dip in hopes of playing off the heat she felt spreading through her body. “I’ll see you Monday?” He pressed a hand to her arm and gave it a gentle squeeze before he said goodbye to her friends. As soon as he was out of ear and eye shot, she turned toward her booth with her friends and waited for the onslaught of questions.

“Who’s Harry?” Eleanor began crunching on a chip.

“Uh... he’s a construction worker. He’s the foreman on the job site next to the school.”

“How’d you meet?” Louis smiled excitedly.

“I had to show the kids all the scary noises, or I was never going to get anything done.”

“Oh,” Eleanor brightened. “When did you meet him?”

“Last week,” she admitted.

“Interesting,” she practically sang. “He seems... friendly.”

“M-hmm.”

“Attractive,” Eleanor continued.

“Yup,” she nodded and scooped some dip onto her plate and grabbed a handful of chips.

“How did he know you would be in your classroom for hours on end?” Louis asked. It was ridiculous she was making them practically beg for details, but she didn’t want to get their hopes up.

“Uh...” she sighed. “Janie may have told him that my desk was crooked, and if he could fix it that would be nice.” Louis and Eleanor grinned liked maniacs as they continued eating. She knew it was coming but she did her best to ignore their stares and insinuating smiles. “What?” She asked, finally.

“Can I be maid of honor? Are you gonna invite your class to be part of your wedding? Do you want a summer wedding because it will be easier to plan around school?”

She sighed and ate her buffalo chicken dip as Eleanor rambled on about it. “It’s not happening.”

“Why not?” She frowned.

For about ten thousand reasons. The main one being she wasn’t going to be in a relationship when she didn’t feel she could devote her time to it the way she needed to. Neither her nor whomever she decided to date deserved that. “You know why.”

“For fuck’s sake,” Louis rolled his eyes. “You spend a lot of time on your students, yes. But it’s no worse than a hobby like knitting or video games,” he said pointedly. She knew where it was headed because they had been having the same conversation since her breakup almost two years ago. “Evan wanted your attention when he had time for you, it’s no different. You shouldn’t let his stupid behavior or ideas get to you and dictate your dating life.”

She frowned around her next bite of chip and dip. Louis was right, to a degree, but Evan had some pretty decent points. She did spend a lot of time and energy on her kids to the point of ad nauseum. There was only so much someone probably wanted to hear about in a group of twenty random five- and six-year-olds.

When the waitress returned, she ordered her drink and finally felt her stomach pain relieved once the food settled in. She liked the music that was playing around the room. Nothing over the top, but people were dancing. This was one of her favorite spots. Not too casual, not too fancy. Not too clubby, but not too hole-in-the-wall either.

But she didn’t dare look around to find the handsome foreman roaming about the room.

After a few more questions about Harry, a conversation about dinner plans for the following week, family chat, a second drink (and a third), along with another app (this time fried pickles that she was pretty sure Eleanor and Louis only got two of total before she devoured them) and more chatter about her cute kids, the night seemed longer than she imagined she could last. The bill was placed on their table, and she frowned almost immediately.

“My drinks are missing,” she told the waitress.

“Oh, the gentleman that was here earlier insisted your drinks go on his tab,” she explained with a kind smile.

Her face warmed again, and she could feel Eleanor and Louis positively beaming. “Oh,” she mumbled. “That was very nice of him,” handing her card over.

“Go thank him!” El smiled. “Please! It’s obvious he likes you.”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. He doesn’t know how insane I am about the kids.”

“I could kill Evan,” Louis mumbled sipping the last of his drink. “Just go thank the cute guy for Christ’s sake. It’ll give him something to think about tonight.”

She scratched her eyebrow with her middle finger while glaring at Louis. As casually as she could, glanced around the place looking for signs of the hot guy. “I wouldn’t have had three drinks,” she mumbled.

“Go tell him that! I’ll guard your credit card. Just go find him, please!” Eleanor begged. “You deserve a cute guy buying you drinks.”

“I’m not going to go find him. I’ll just see him on Monday and thank him then,” she offered. “But I do have to pee; even the teacher bladder can’t hold all this in,” she explained sliding out of the booth once more.

“Please run into him, please run into him, please run into him,” Eleanor murmured to herself, miming a praying motion as she walked away. She rolled her eyes and headed across the room to the bathroom. 

As soon as she turned the corner to the bathroom, Eleanor��s prayers were answered. His profile was in view as he hung at the bar watching the game while he and Niall sipped their drinks. They had smiles on their faces, laughing at something, and enjoying the moment. She seriously hated that she was going to have to walk right by them to get to the bathroom.

Taking a deep breath, she headed their way. When she was close enough that she could hear his voice and his intoxicating laugh, he did a double take as she approached. “Hi Bird,” he grinned so sweetly she could feel her cheeks warm.

“Hi,” she smiled in return. “Thanks for getting my drinks... I wouldn’t have gotten that many if I knew you were paying,” she frowned.

He shook his head brushing her off quickly. “S’why I did it,” he said reassuringly. “And three is not that many after the week y’had,” he reminded her with that smile that could light up a black hole. Fuck he’s pretty. “This is m’friend, Niall. He’s also on the crew. This is Miss Bird, Miss Bee for short,” he explained, her heart skipping a beat as he remembered what the little ones said. “She was in charge of the cute kids last week.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Miss Bird,” he held his hand out to shake it. “I heard you have a lovely classroom.”

She blushed darting her eyes to Harry’s ever-present smile. and then returning to Niall. “Thank you,” she said appreciatively. “It’s kind of a work in progress.”

“You don’t have to explain that to us,” Niall chuckled making her grin.

While she interacted with Niall, her body felt the warmth and weight of Harry’s stare on her skin. That smile of his was doing things to her—none of which were what she would call healthy. It was like goosebumps, a flutter of her stomach, her heart was flying. It felt like her little ones explaining their tummy aches and she was suffering every second of it.

“Well, I won’t keep you both... I was heading to the bathroom, anyway. But... thank you again,” she said appreciatively to Harry.

“Course, bird,” he nodded politely. “See you Monday?” He asked.

She nodded. “Monday,” she agreed.

*

“She’s cute,” Niall grinned. “I can see why you like her.”

Harry smiled at the glass in front of him like a love-sick fool. He was doting after her every Friday doing little repairs. He had massive plans for things she mentioned she wanted once he gained more of her trust. It seemed too grand of a gesture to do it all after only setting foot in her classroom three times.

She was so pretty. The kind of pretty that Harry would have blushed over when he was young. Like when he first learned that he was allowed to like girls and that they were supposed to put butterflies in his stomach. He liked the bright colors she wore and the way she spoke to her students. He was overwhelmed by her. Each time she smiled, he swore he heard music. Her laugh rivaled the sound of symphonies. He liked everything she did, the way she wore her hair, how she pursed her lips when she was doing her planning for the coming week—all of it. He could admit he was a little obsessed. He wasn’t too proud to say it. She was lovely from every angle. The way she thanked him for silly little things. How she was so meticulous in her cleaning or even the cutting of paper for her students’ projects.

“She’s so sweet,” Harry sighed. “M’lucky I can talk around her.”

“Why don’t you ask her out?”

“Did y’not jus’ hear me say m’lucky I can even talk around her?”

He smirked into his drink. “Well, you better find some luck; she’s coming back.”

Harry turned to her approaching again. She looked a bit frazzled, her cheeks a cute shade of red that matched the pants she wore the first time he saw her. She took a deep breath. “Hi again, I’m sorry to bother you guys,” she sounded sincere and embarrassed.

“Not at all, Bird, everything alright?” Harry was quick to ask.

“Here, you sit,” Niall offered. “I was going to use the restroom myself,” he clapped Harry on the back and walked away before he could say anything else. Harry turned his full attention towards her.

“I’m fine... My friends... they’re kind of the... pranking type. They knew you were here so... they kind of left me... and took all my stuff,” she rolled her eyes. “Could I use your phone to order a ride?”

He chuckled. “These are your best friends?” But he could see Niall doing something like that. Maybe she did like him but was too shy to do something about it. He was surprised Niall didn’t think of doing the very same thing before her pair of friends did. The best Harry thought he could do was buy her drinks but instead he would get an extra fifteen minutes, outside her classroom, alone with her. This would be extra lovely.

“Well, not anymore,” she grumbled.

Harry laughed again. “I can take y’home?” He offered. “Or wherever your stuff is.”

She shook her head quickly. “Thank you, but I don’t want to put you out. Louis and Eleanor live across town and I’m just a five-minute drive so I can just call a ride.”

Harry paused briefly as he looked her over, assessing if she would really hate him for insisting on helping her out. “I really don’t mind, Miss Bird. Told you I was at y’service,” he reminded her gently.

Her heart skipped several beats. Not just one. He threw her heart totally out of sync. Her ex-boyfriend never visited her classroom and yet this stranger was happy to be there. Happy to help her. Wanted to help her. “I appreciate it, not that you need to do the other stuff for me either, but this is really above and beyond.”

“Think society should go above and beyond for the teachers that go above and beyond all the time,” he shrugged and finished the last of his drink. “I also don’t want you t’get in a car with a stranger without any of your stuff.”

She knew that Harry wouldn’t let her do it, probably just the same as Eleanor and Louis knew he wouldn’t either. She didn’t really want to go alone, but she also knew that Eleanor wouldn’t come back unless she was desperate. But El must have known that Harry wouldn’t let her find her own ride home alone late in the evening. Even from the few interactions she had with him, it was evident that Harry was a good person. As a kindergarten teacher, she believed she was an excellent judge of character. It was important when on field trips to know if people were going to be good to her little ones or not. It made her wary of people walking by the playground at recess. Of course, it also helped on parent night figuring out if a parent was going to be a headache or not throughout the year.

There was no way Harry was going to let her get into a car with a complete stranger to drive her home late in the night without her belongings. For safety purposes first and foremost.

Also, because he was fairly certain he was in love with her, but that truly was secondary. Maybe.

“I’m not going to hold you and Niall up?” She asked.

“M’pretty sure Niall left,” he admitted signing the receipt for all the drinks he had bought this evening. Niall was long gone; he waved at Harry when he exited the bathroom making obscene gestures with his fingers and a waggle of his eyebrows as he left. Harry obviously ignored him.

She smiled. “Some friends we have,” she joked.

But they were. For making them spend time with one another. “The very best,” he nodded in agreement.

*

Harry opened the passenger door of his car for her to get inside. The small gesture didn’t go unnoticed. The chivalry was something she wasn’t completely used to. She was more of a DIY kind of girl, yard sale and paint it kind of vibe. Fix her skirt with a safety pin before giving up on it. Doors weren’t held open for her, people couldn’t get there fast enough. But she didn’t need it either. She didn’t need doors opened for her or a knight and shining armor to come to her rescue. One of the many things her mentors taught her was to be resourceful.

But Harry opened her door anyway and she thought that maybe it wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world to be a little less resourceful. “Thanks,” she mumbled quietly.

He winked at her. Winked. Then headed to his side of the car. “Y’can play with the temperature and music if y’feel so inclined,” he told her as the car started.

“I’m comfortable right now, thank you,” she said softly.

In the creepiest of ways, he wanted to know where she lived. Maybe he would surprise her with flowers or something equally stalker-ish or serial killer-like. Therefore, it was probably for the best he was taking her to Louis and Eleanor’s. She put the address into his GPS, so she didn’t have to give him directions (bad ones at that). It felt a little awkward in the car for about two minutes as she tried to think of what to say. Her whole life revolved around six-year-olds and from previous experience it felt like a bad idea to talk about them to a new guy who knew very little about her.

Fortunately, Harry broke the ice quickly. “What do y’have planned for your class this week?” He asked.

She blinked wondering if he could hear her thoughts. But despite his question, she wasn’t going to bombard him. “Oh, just the normal kindergarten things,” she summarized.

He chuckled. “Y’can chat ‘bout the more specifics if y’want,” he said following the GPS to the right.

Her heart felt so excited and heavy all the same. He was going to make her fall in love with him so quickly it was embarrassing. “Um...” she thought of the weekly planner on her now evenly laid desk that didn’t wobble when she wrote on the surface. “We’re going to start our shapes unit in math,” she started. “We’re still reading Charlotte’s Web and they’re working on their handwriting while we do our reading comprehension stuff.”

“That’s a lot for kindergarten, no?”

“It’s a ton, actually,” she nodded. “I think the standards have gotten harder since I was in kindergarten. They need to know about a hundred more things than I ever did. It’s overwhelming,” she explained. “So I try to make it fun and engaging because there is so much.”

“If the way your kids talked t’me a couple weeks ago is any indication, they love you and your class.”

“I think so too,” she admitted shyly.

“Y’should be proud of that, Bird,” he chuckled. “Y’sound like s’not the coolest thing in the world.”

“It’s not... not really.”

He frowned, and part of her wished she never made him do it. His mouth was too pretty to be making a sad face. He was too pretty to be anything but happy and she didn’t want to be the cause of upsetting him no matter how minor it was. “But it is,” he assured her.

“Well... thank you,” she said sincerely. “How about you? What’s up for this week?”

“Well, we’re finally going t’pour the forms for the foundation. We spent all this past week digging and prepping and getting things inspected,” he explained.

“Is it hard to time things?”

He shrugged. “Not particularly. I have an outline of what supposed t’get done and when. There’s room for error. S’the biggest project ‘ve ever worked on so I have t’estimate based on the smaller projects ‘ve done. The weather is what can really do us in on a big project like this.”

“That makes sense. How long is this project projected to be?”

“We’re thinking a little over a year start t’finish.”

“That’s so much,” she said in surprise. “And it’s going to be a whole police and fire station?”

“S’the plan,” he smirked.

“That’s incredible. Truly. I couldn’t do anything like that.”

“S’not so bad. Time feels like s’flying already.”

“That’s fair, can’t believe it’s almost Halloween.”

“What are y’going t’be? Do y’do dress up for your students?” He asked. She nodded.

“I put in my newsletter at the beginning of the year that I want to dress as your future profession or dream job.”

He grinned while watching the road even though he would have preferred to stare at her as he asked his next question. “So you don’t need a costume?”

“I’ll probably dress up as something silly, like a donut or a crayon. Something to make them laugh and enjoy. I already have my dream job,” she said so casually. Harry felt his stomach flip over her passion. She was so unbelievably good.

Harry cleared his throat before he told her he loved her and wanted to spend the rest of his life fixing up her classroom to be anything she wanted. “Any construction workers in the bunch?”

“Oh, at least five,” she giggled. “I have a list of questions for you too, that I’ve been holding over their heads, so they’ll be quiet during math,” she admitted with another laugh.

But Harry frowned. Had he known she had a list of questions, a way for him to spend more time with the pretty woman, he would have all but begged to be in her classroom. “Why didn’t y’tell me? I’d come in and answer questions,” he offered.

She looked toward the window briefly. “They’ll forget about it eventually, I don’t want...” she took a deep breath. “I am not holding you to it, is all I mean.”

Harry followed the GPS for another minute through a series of turns. “S’not a problem. Jus’ tell me the time and I’ll be there.”

“It’s really no big—”

“You’re right, Bird, s’no big deal. None at all. So m’happy t’come in,” he assured her.

She bit the inside of her lip as Harry pulled into the driveway. “You’re very kind Mr. Styles,” she said quietly looking at her hands in her lap.

Now parked, Harry turned toward her and nodded. “So are you, Miss Bee.”

“I knew we forgot someone!” Louis shouted from the doorway.

She rolled her eyes rolling down the window. “You guys suck. Harry already thinks you’re insane and never wants to see me again.”

Eleanor skipped down the steps and leaned onto the window frame. “It’s why we’re friends, Harry. Get on board or you can’t be with her. Or whatever The Spice Girls said.”

He smiled. “S’okay, I appreciated the alone time,” he winked at Eleanor without so much as a glance at her. She was grateful for the dark to cover the shade of red on her cheeks. “Are y’staying the night?”

“It’s either she stays here, or the Styles-Taxi will have to bring her home,” Eleanor said impishly.

“Nope, I’ve inconvenienced Harry enough for a lifetime, thank you,” she said shoving El away from the car and opening the door. Harry smirked.

“Will you tell her she’s not an inconvenience?” Louis asked a few steps back from the window.

“That’s very kind of you, Louis. Ask my only real friend right now, who didn’t abandon me and drove me out of his way to get me back to you lot,” she rolled her eyes, “to tell me I’m not an inconvenience.”

Harry laughed softly. “You’re not,” he assured her. “I’d drive y’home if y’needed me to.”

She nodded and looked at him shyly. “Thank you, but we’re going to one of my students’ soccer games tomorrow, so I don’t mind spending the night here.”

“Oh, that’s very sweet of you, Miss Bee.”

“She doesn’t turn it off,” Louis rolled her eyes. “We’re going to her sister’s dance recital on Sunday and... what are you doing tomorrow evening? Babysitting or tutoring?”

She ignored Louis. “Good night, Harry, thank you for the ride,” she said softly and waved heading for the door with Eleanor.

Louis sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. “We didn’t think you’d really kidnap her but thank you for bringing her home anyway.”

“Anytime,” he smiled. “She’s... really lovely,” he murmured gazing after her retreating figure. “Here’s m’number... in case she gets stranded and y’need m’taxi services,” he handed off a dark navy business card that stated his name and number along with Handy Man Services and a graphic of some tools in silver leaf lettering.

“Pleasure to meet you, Harry. Thanks for taking care of Miss Kindergarten.”

“Course,” he nodded and waved as Louis headed for the house after the girls. Harry sank into the scent of her perfume that lingered in the car as he drove away with a smile on his lips.

*

Harry could see it was her from the job site when she was out at the playground monitoring the little ones. He wondered if she was constantly doing a headcount. Or if she trusted they wouldn’t stray too far. With the weather getting a little cooler, her pink coat turned into a bright blue, thicker in appearance. She still wore dresses, but not as frequently—only when the weather cooperated. There was a walkie-talkie in her hand as she walked the perimeter checking the watch on her wrist every so often—was she doing a step count? She must have walked six miles at work while toting her students around the building and playground.

The kids often didn’t leave her alone. Or they were constantly calling out for her. There were other students out there too, other teachers as well. But no one was called upon the way she was.

It had to be hard to be needed so much. But he couldn’t blame them either. He would call out for her too if he could.

“Is this why you’re taking your lunch break so late?” Niall asked sipping his water while he looked at Harry meandering near the fence by the field. He smirked. “Maybe.”

“Hmm,” he hummed shaking his head. “Lovesick.”

“Maybe,” he repeated watching her again.

“Did you ask her out when you drove her home?”

“No, didn’t want t’put her on the spot. Didn’t want her to think she had to say yes.”

“Mm. I’m sure watching her and her students on the outskirts of a playground is helping your case.”

“Mr. Harry!” Someone shouted.

Her head instinctively turned toward the job site, and Harry felt a little smug that her eyes caught his from across the way. The little ones bounded toward the field. A little gaggle of six-year-olds rushing toward him. It was adorable.

Their pretty teacher followed behind at a leisurely pace. “Miss Bee said we can ask you our questions if we’re really good during math time,” Harry only remembered the names of the three that asked him questions a couple weeks prior and unfortunately neither Mae, Milo, nor Zara was the one talking now.

“Sounds like we need t’be good during math time. We’re learning shapes, yeah?” He asked.

The little heads bobbed in agreement. A little girl closest to the fence was staring straight up, her neck bent back at a ninety-degree angle to look at Harry. “Do you know what a rhombus is?”

Harry chuckled. “I think so, do you want to tell me?”

“It has four equal sides. It looks like a square, but it’s squished,” Mae explained.

“You can make it out of two equal-literal triangles,” a little boy continued.

“Equilateral, my love,” she said gently approaching. Harry gave a small wave as did Niall.

“We love triangles on the job site,” Niall said knowingly.

“Really?!” Another little girl piped up excitedly.

“Yeah, they’re the strongest shape,” Harry explained. “When we start framing the building—”

“What’s framing?”

“Mr. Harry was speaking, Brayden,” she chided softly. “It’s rude to interrupt, right my love?” She asked.

“Sorry, Mr. Harry,” Brayden frowned.

“S’okay, lad. S’a good question,” he said reassuringly.

Niall answered in response for Harry. “It’s putting all pieces up around the sides into the foundation of where the building would be.”

They tilted their heads up at him, their little eyes looking on curiously. Confused by the word foundation for sure. “It’s like when you put the edges of a puzzle together first,” her voice was so kind and soft. Their heads bobbed once more in recognition of something they had done, finally understanding what Niall and Harry meant. Her ability to make analogies for the little ones made Harry fall a little harder for her.

“So we put in these diagonal pieces,” Harry explained. “Makes the building stronger.”

“What’s a diagonal?” Milo asked.

“It splits a shape in half from corner to corner,” Niall answered.

“Have you ever had a PB and J cut into triangles?” She asked Milo.

“Triangles are the best kind for PB and J’s,” Mae nodded excitedly.

“I like rectangles more!”

“My mommy cuts mine into a heart.”

She smiled as the little ones all said their favorite sandwich shapes. “Miss Bee,” a little one tugged on her pant leg. “Could we have a sandwich party with shapes?”

“I think that sounds like a great idea, Kai,” she grinned.

“Mr. Harry, can you and your friend come to our party?”

“This is Mr. Niall,” Harry gestured to his friend beside him.

“Hi Mr. Niall!” They all sang in unison.

“Can they please come Miss Bee?” Kai asked.

“Mr. Harry can answer all our questions!”

The excitement was bursting from them before she could answer. Their chatter was a little overwhelming. “Watch this,” Harry murmured to Niall, a smile on his face as the pretty woman looked at all the children. The awe he had for her was probably evident on his face. Niall could see the adoration in Harry’s eyes as he watched.

“Tootsie roll, lollipop!” she called out with a slightly louder voice.

“We’ve been talking, now let’s stop!”

Somehow getting a group of six-year-olds to stop chattering with a simple phrase was one of the hottest things Harry had ever seen. Niall swore Harry was going to start drooling over her. Niall chuckled but was nonetheless impressed. “Should try that on the crew.”

“Mr. Harry and Mr. Niall are doing their jobs, remember? They can’t just come to our party.”

“What if we make invitations? I made invitations for my birthday party!”

“Amara, we can discuss it back in circle time, but you know how we can’t just go to specials whenever we want? Mr. Harry and Mr. Niall can’t just come to our party in the middle of their jobs,” she explained.

“Oh,” the little one pouted.

“We would love t’be there,” Harry said knowingly. “If we can arrange a time, we can try t’make it.”

“Why don’t you guys go line up with the other teachers,” she suggested. “Say bye to Mr. Harry and Mr. Niall.”

“Bye!”

“Thank you,” she said kindly to the pair of them. “That was really cool to talk about shapes,” she smiled.

“No problem,” Niall assured her. “I gotta get back to my task, but it was nice to see you again, Miss Bee. Let me know when our sandwich party is.”

Harry smiled brightly at her. “Hi.”

She looked at him shyly, her cheeks blushing once more. “Hi.”

Harry put his hand on the fence dangerously close to hers. He could feel the warmth of her pinky near his. “Can I come see y’later in your classroom?” He asked.

“It’s not Friday,” the pinch of her brows coming together.

“I can’t wait till Friday,” he said knowingly those pretty dimples of his making her melt a bit.

She bit her lower lip and nodded, a smile twitching on her mouth. “Later,” she agreed and walked away.

Harry felt practically giddy as he walked back to the site.

*

The outside door was propped open when he arrived. Quickly he found her sitting on the carpeted floor of the classroom in a circle of colorful paper, her laminator in the middle beside her and the smell of warm plastic. “What are you doing?” He asked.

“I have to cut these pumpkins up,” she explained. “I want to laminate my decorations for November too,” she continued.

Harry sat beside her. Cross-legged. His tall frame, his T-shirt stretching over his muscles. His clunky work boots. Everything about him was broad and masculine. His expression was extremely concentrated as he picked up a pair of scissors and got to work cutting up the bright orange paper. “How’s this work?” He asked pointing to the laminator.

She demonstrated with the paper and plastic she had in her hand. Harry watched with rapt attention. “I like to save the plastic as much as possible, so I put a lot on one sheet,” she told him. He nodded. He took some paper and plastic cover sheets from her. “Thank you,” she said gratefully. “I’m sure you don’t want to spend a Tuesday afternoon doing this,” she mumbled.

“S’no bother. I like spending time with you,” he reminded her. “Why are you on the floor, though?”

“I can only sit in a chair that’s made for a six-year-old for so long, my desk isn’t big enough for everything and the outlet by my desk is a little sketchy at best,” she smiled. “And I love my rocking chair, but it’s not really conducive for paper cutting and stuff...” she glanced at Harry again and his large body. He was so hot. “Do you want to sit in a real chair? You probably don’t want to sit on rainbow carpet after a long day at work,” she frowned.

“No,” he chuckled. “M’okay,” he assured her.

“Do you want a snack or a drink or anything?”

“M’really fine, Bird. Jus’ happy t’help you. Happy t’be spending time with you.”

“Cutting paper,” she stated, accusation laced in her tone.

“Cutting paper,” he repeated and nodded at the same time.

“On a Tuesday.”

“I could help on a Wednesday too,” he shrugged.

She swallowed. “Harry,” she said softly. Her fingers paused using the scissors, and some of the paper slid off her lap.

“Yes?”

“Why are you doing this?”

“M’sure y’know why, Bird. You’re a brilliant, educated, beautiful woman.” Her cheeks flushed with color and Harry smiled gently at her. “I like you, Bird. You know I do.” Her lap was covered in orange, black, and yellow paper. She was so pretty. Her hair piled on top of her head, at least three pencils sticking out of the bun at every which angle. She probably thought it looked messy, but Harry just thought she looked like the prettiest art sculpture ever created. The cardigan on her shoulders slipped to one side and Harry thought a plain white T-shirt beneath it might be the sexiest thing he ever saw. “Bird?” He said quietly.

“I spread myself really thin. I have a family, my friends, my students, I barely take care of myself, and I don’t care because I love every single thing I do,” she explained. “I thought I put my ex first, but he didn’t feel the same way. If you ask Louis and Eleanor, they’ll tell you he was the worst, but I think he may have been right,” she swallowed. “I put so much into this job and I love it and I don’t think—”

“Do y’think m’going t’try and change that?” He interrupted. “Your passion is exactly why I like you. M’not going t’change that. If I only get t’spend time with you by cutting up paper and laminating it on the floor of your classroom once a week then I can’t think of a better date. This is more than enough. I don’t need a lot.”

“You might not need a lot, but it doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a lot.”

God, she was perfect. “S’more than enough jus’ t’know that, Bird. Truly.”

She rolled her lips into her mouth. “Really?”

“Besides, if I help y’get all this done, then it goes by faster. Right? Maybe then I could take you t’dinner?”

“But—”

“Please, let me take you t’dinner,” he offered, his voice soft. “It doesn’t have t’be a date. Can jus’ be us going as friends.”

“I really don’t want to send mixed signals and I just—”

“Bird,” he smiled. “M’not afraid t’beg. There’s no expectations. Jus’ dinner or lunch. Or breakfast. Whenever you’re free.”

She bit the inside of her cheek and pulled out her phone and tapped on the screen a few times. “I’m free Friday night,” she said softly.

“After a long week?” He chuckled. “Y’were practically falling asleep with y’friends on Friday. Pick a different day. Any day. Sunday afternoon, Monday night, or four in the morning on a Thursday. I don’t care.”

“You’d go on a date with me on a Monday night?”

“I’d go on a date with you during your lunch hour.”

“Lunch hour,” she laughed. “I get twenty-four minutes,” she shook her head.

“Then it would be the best spent twenty-four minutes I can possibly think of,” he promised unbothered by the amount of time. Harry would take fifteen seconds of time with her. As much as she could offer, he would take it.

She pursed her lips. “You really want to do this?”

“I really want t’do this.”

There was a long pause as they gazed at one another. Harry thought she was the prettiest person in the world. How anyone let her slip away was a mystery to him. If she gave him a chance, he wouldn’t be going anywhere. No matter how hard she tried to push him away for his own benefit.

“Sunday afternoon sounds kind of lovely,” she admitted quietly.

“I couldn’t agree more.”

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @sunshinemoonsposts @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach

@straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals

@angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams

@summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland

@lovrave @st-ev-ie @pandeebearstyles @toosarcastic03 @luvonstyles

@tenaciousperfectionunknown @classychalamet @love-letters-to-uranus @emmaawbr @crossyourpeter

@kissitnhekitchen @indierockgirrl @stylesfever @just-another-reader1098 @michellekstyles

@hermionelove @tiredinwinter @whimsy-willows @hannah9921 @fangirl7060

@vikiii07 @prettygurl-2009 @mads3502 @triski73 @angeldavis777

@dontforgtme @lizsogolden @me-undiscovered @you-sunshine @rose-girls-world

@claimingharrystigertattoo @inlikea-coolway @theseaview @lunaharrygurl @emmie2308 @fruity-harry @somebunnybaby @avas-queen-black @mema10 @tulips4harry @spinninc @sassamanda77 @ell0ra-br3kk3r @mp-269 @jmp1494 @fangirl509east @sideboobrry11 @drewrry @dutchtheatrelore @copiastricycle @mypolicemanharryyy @harry2121 @inharryshelter @fandomxo @sarah-thatstings-ann @yourlocalstilinski-valdez @hsandts4l @izzyjay @kaylasficreca @stylesftcher @mikayloves1d @hsandts4l

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist here

[freedomfireflies]

I know you’re busy and that’s okay please don’t feel guilty! We are here for you! You’re so sweet and funny that even if you don’t write again knowing that you’re just on here for fun is enough!

Stop this is so insanely nice 😭💞💞💞💞 If I didn't feel so annoying, I would be here bugging everyone every day HAHAH I love getting to hear about everyone's day and things that make them happy! I hope you're all having a great summer break or enjoying June so far!

I also hope that you're all safe, taking care of yourselves, and drinking your water! The world is really scary right now for a lot of different reasons, so wherever you are, I hope you're safe ♥️

[freedomfireflies]

Is there a reason you stopped being on here ?

Hi hi!! I started working on a personal project that took up a lot of my time and I think being away from the fandom for so long made me kind of fall out of love with it a little? Which is AWFUL because I wasn't really here for Harry, I was mostly here because of all the amazing people I met and got to talk to 😭 So I absolutely want to come back, I'm just now sure how yet!!!

[freedomfireflies]

Thank you so much for thinking of me!!! Every tag from you feels like the warmest hug and I squeal every time!! 😭💞

i need protective harry fics🙏🙏🙏

you ask and you shall receive!!!

PROTECTIVE!HARRY

Soft spot by @cloudyluun

go with it by @eveningepiphany

private show by @cloudyluun

overprotective by @chrisevansonly

Knockout by @freedomfireflies

[freedomfireflies]

Nancy, the tears streaming down my face right now you have NO idea!!!! 😭♥️♥️♥️ Thank you so much for thinking of me and taking the time to say the NICEST things! You're always so kind to me and all the other authors and I know I speak for all of us when I saw how appreciative we are!!

This is a top tier list, I'm so excited to bookmark these for later!!

Do you have any harry fics you’d recommend on here and on wattpad?

you asked for fic recs and i took the assignment very seriously (maybe too seriously? lol) my friend so here's a list that i think you'll vibe with:

on wattpad:

duplicity by happydays1d (i know, i know i always talk about it but this one has me absolutely feral. 😭 it’s dark, dramatic, and addictive in a “just one more chapter at 2AM” kind of way lol. but what really got me? the character development. 🥹 like, watching these characters unravel and rebuild themselves is truly amazing. i’ve been thinking about them way more than is normal hehe - plus duplicity harry is my pookie 🥹)

complicity by happydays1d (it's sequel to duplicity - if duplicity wrecked me, complicity came back for the emotional leftovers lol)

*also bonus recs if you find yourself enjoying a julez (happydays1d) binge reading (like me):

malignant, hideaway, devotion (it's her earlier work and while they have more like a "chaotic fanfic energy" vibe, they’re a blast to read. also i think it's super fascinating to see her growth as an author - major props to her! 💞)

*moving on*

devil's due by petit_cerise (okay, so i didn’t connect with this one as deeply as the others - but that’s 100% a me thing. a ton of people love it, and i still had a great time reading it.🥰 it's beautifully written and the drama is like on fire.)

flower girl by @sushirrrry (my bestie laur @daydreaming-laur recommended it to me and it’s such a beautiful story: soft in some ways, gut-punching in others and the characters feel so real)

*also these are on my TBR and I’m dying to get to them, i just haven’t had the time (or emotional strength) yet lol:

aerial by peanutboyfriend (this one’s been haunting my TBR thanks to my friend dreea @fkinavocado , she has amazing taste and if she says it’s great, i believe her. 🙌)

nine blue signs by littledovedoll (someone recommended this to me on here a couple months ago and it’s been quietly sitting on my list ever since. i haven’t read it yet, but my friend laur @daydreaming-laur has and she loved it - and honestly, if laur’s into it, that’s all the endorsement i need 🥰)

stall by MysteryMixtapes (this one’s is also a classic but i haven’t read it yet - i know, i know - but it’s been on my radar forever. everyone who's read it seems obsessed, and the hype has me very curious.)

cherry by fuxkingharrry (everyone says it’s so well written and basically great. so yeah, i have to read it!)

on tumblr (a mix of old loves and new finds):

okay so some of these are like classics 💕 (the kind that stay with you forever and you come back to them every now and then) and others are more recent gems i’ve come across. they’re a mix of series, one shots and blurbs bc i didn't know what you'd preferred:

404 by @freedomfireflies (well obviously, this wouldn’t be a proper rec list if i didn’t mention @freedomfireflies 💖 her writing just hits! there’s always so much heart, tension, and ✨vibe✨ in her words. this one is one of my absolute favs - it’s sharp, emotional, and laced with just the right amount of angst. the writing is so atmospheric, and the tension? *chef’s kiss*.)

pillow talk, the playboy, the angel and the fae by @freedomfireflies as well. (well she has this uncanny ability to get inside her characters’ heads and make you feel everything right along with them and basically if she wrote it, I’m reading it. that's it.)

butterfly boy by @looselucy (okay, butterfly boy is everything. i’m talking laughing, crying, full-on emotional rollercoaster. it's just so well written with so much heart. amazing, truly!)

a toast to the future by @narryffdreaming (toast to the future is one of those fics that’s just.. wow 🤯 dani has this rare talent for making her characters feel so real, like you can practically hear their thoughts. it's actually mind-blowing how she can dive into those layers of complexity while still making it feel so natural.)

teach me by @jarofstyles (listen- teach me is so hot like really hot 🔥 the writing is so smooth and it really sets the mood.)

off limits by @harryslittlefreakk (fire. this one has that perfect mix of steamy tension and just a hint of angst that makes the whole thing like so hot.)

enigma by @heartateasee (the angst? top-tier. the misunderstandings? so deliciously painful. the tension? you could cut it with a knife. loved it.)

talk nerdy to me also by @heartateasee (what can i say? HOT, HOT, HOT.)

no loss by @adorebeaa (like, flirty banter? great. sexual tension? off the charts. would read it again in a heartbeat- she absolutely nailed the vibe✨)

hawthorn also by @adorebeaa (hawthorn is like watching a movie in your head like it's amazing)

truth or dare and sex tutor by @gurugirl (her writing feels always so effortless. she just knows exactly how to make every story hit just right.)

something old by @didhewinkback (i read it a while ago and i’m seriously thinking it might be time for a reread - that’s how much i loved it. honestly, it’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve finished it, and i can’t wait to dive back into it again)

harry and Y/N are in the same ballet class, and they hate each other by @jawllines (let’s just say that this one had me feeling things. like, I’m over here blushing and squirming in my seat because that harry? holy hell.. 😩 he had me weak in the knees.)

oh also this one by @jarofstyles (it had me blushing and kicking my feet - loved it.)

press play by @cloudyluun (well, if you like your fics with a big dose of passion and intensity, this one will definitely leave you flushed in the best way hehe)

his angel by @ghstyles (it's the perfect mix of a little dark and a little soft hehe it keeps you totally hooked!)

player, do anything, make her regret it and valerie by @watchmegetobsessed (her writing is sharp, creative, and emotionally rich. every story feels fresh. she’s just so talented.)

it's you by @ijustmissyouraccenths (the writing is so good, the vibes were on point and now i’m super curious to check out more of her work. definitely keeping an eye on her stuff from now on.)

okay so… i definitely got carried away. like, hard. 🥲 i started this thinking i’d rec a few fics and i ended up here lol i had so much fun putting this together (shoutout to 1d for soundtracking the entire chaos and keeping me emotionally charged through it all lol) i know i forgot some amazing stories and authors, and for that i'm so sorry! seriously though, how lucky are we to have writers who pour so much talent into these stories? 🥹

anyway, hope you find something here that makes you feel things or just gives you a really good time! 😍 let me know what you think, and happy reading friend! ❤️

[freedomfireflies]

No because the COLLAGE??? I'm so obsessed with the vibes of this, you're kidding!! 😭💞

“Chapter Twenty-Six”

Word Count: 5k

(Chapter twenty-six to “Cherry Bomb” - please make sure to read the TW on the “Cherry Bomb” masterlist before proceeding.)

●・○・●・○・●

“She just decided to speak out to a tabloid about you and Harry, or what?” Kailey asks as we walk around the outside mall - coffees in our hands and sunglasses perched on our noses.

“We’re still not really sure yet,” I sigh with a shake of my head. “Lys is trying to figure out if she sought out some online tabloid to talk to, or if they dug into Harry’s past and somehow found out about their relationship, and reached out for a statement.”

“God, that’s so fucked up. Either way, it’s childish of her to do that. Rylan knows damn well that you and Harry weren’t seeing each other like that when the two of them were together. She’s just pissed off that he chose you over her in the end. It’s not even like they were a true couple, you know? Everyone could see that it was just a relationship of convenience.”

“I’m just trying not to let it get to me. We’ve already made a statement yesterday, and Lys is trying to get the sites who have reported on it to take their stories down, or to at least say that we reached out to comment, but it seems like we’re hitting a wall.” We stop in front of one of the stores we want to go to so that we can finish off our coffees before going in. “I’m just happy that she didn’t she didn’t say anything about his addiction or his sobriety. Regardless of her being out of line, at least she knows that would be too far.”

“That’s true.” Kailey nods as she tosses her coffee cup into the recycling bin, and I do the same before we head into the store. “She better hope that I don’t see her in person anytime soon. I won’t hesitate to give her a piece of my mind.”

“Trust me, Harry already said he wanted to call her, and I stopped him. Honestly, if anyone were to try and say anything to her, she would just use it as another ploy against us. Us just putting out statements to the bigger parties, and staying silent when it comes to her, is our best option.”

“I guess you’re right. I just don’t think it’s fair. She gets to run her mouth and spread lies against you both, but she doesn’t get any repercussions. Why don’t you sue her for defamation?”

“God, you and Harry are the same,” I laugh as I start to sort through a rack of clothes. “He suggested that too, but I explained to him that would mean we would have to deal with her for a longer period of time, and I don’t feel like doing that. If she wants to get her couple weeks of fame by trying to get people to think negatively about us, then fine. Eventually she’ll get tired, and the excitement will die down, and she’ll go back to being her miserable self.”

Today I told Harry that I needed to get out of the house for a little bit while he was at work, so I asked Kailey if she had any plans. When she said she didn’t, I brought up just going out and doing some shopping, and she was all for it. It’s been a while since she and I have been able to hang out one on one, so I was more than looking forward to this once she agreed. 

After us finding out about what Rylan had said to that tabloid last week, Harry and I have been a bit on edge. Thankfully nothing has really changed between our dynamic, but it’s easy to tell when one of us is in our heads about the whole thing. When I found Harry standing in front of that bottle of liquor that I had overlooked in my pantry, I felt like everything was about to crumble from underneath us. I also felt so guilty that I had somehow missed it when ridding the house of alcohol. I could tell he was upset that I was feeling the burden of that so heavily, but I couldn’t help it. It was a foolish mistake.

It was only a couple of days ago that I had a discussion with Harry about whether or not he still wanted to play in the show. I told him that if it felt like too much, especially with what we were up against at the moment, that he could back out. I wouldn’t be upset if he changed his mind.

“No, Lo,” he said while setting down the sponge he had been using to wash dishes, and he dried his hands before walking over to where I was leaning against one of the counters. “We’re not letting her win, and plus, I still feel fine about performing. Let people think what they want to think about us at the end of the day. We know who we are, and so do the people who are most important to us. That’s what matters.”

I had felt tears rushing to my waterline again, just like they had a couple of times since Lys’ phone call where she told me what Rylan had said, and Harry shook his head.

“Don’t cry, please,” he whispered as he leaned forward to press his lips against my forehead. “I’m getting back on that stage with you, Birdy. We’re going to kill it, and this whole thing will be the last thing on our minds when it’s all said and done.”

Harry has been so patient when it comes to calming me down over the past week. I’ve tried not to get too worked up about it, considering I know that won’t change anything, but it’s still so discouraging to know someone was trying to tear down the success I’ve worked so hard for with a terrible rumor. All because that someone is jealous.

“Are you looking for anything in particular?” Kailey asks me - drawing me out of my thoughts as we walk around the store. 

“Not really.” I shrug. “Just wanted to see you, and get out of the house. I figured some retail therapy was a good way to get my mind off everything.”

Eventually we come to a rack of some dresses, and I pick out a few that catch my eye before asking the attendant for a dressing room. Once in the room, I hang the dresses up on the back of the door, and I remove my clothes before trying the first one on. All the dresses I picked out are black, but they all have something that sets them apart.

The one currently on my body has a low v in the front that reveals my cleavage with lace details laying over the swells of my breasts. It hits right to the tops of my feet, but there’s a large slit that runs up that side. I wedge my bottom lip between my teeth as I grab my phone from inside my purse, and I pose in a way that has my leg coming out of the slit. My thigh is revealed once I position my leg the right way, and I also make sure my breasts are sitting nicely as I snap a picture from Harry. I quickly send the picture to him with a ‘think I should get it?’ text to accompany it.

Once I’ve tried on the other two dresses, I pull my clothes back on just as my phone chimes. A grin pulls onto my lips as I see Harry’s response, and I smuggle a giggle behind my hand.

‘Did you really just send a picture to me like that when I’m at work? That’s not good girl behavior, Lo.’

I put the other two dresses I had tried on back on the rack, but I drape the first one over my arm as I text Harry back.

‘Just wanted your opinion is all. ;) You didn’t answer my question though. Should I get it?’

I walk over to see that Kailey has a few things of her own in her hand. “Did you find something?” She asks as I approach.

“Yeah, I think I’m gonna get this dress.”

“Oh, that’s pretty,” she says while running her fingers over the material. 

We look at a couple of more racks as my phone chimes again - blush tinting my cheeks when I read over Harry’s words.

‘I’d be offended if you didn’t get that dress. Make sure you’re free Friday night because I’m taking you on a date, and I want you to wear it for me, but just know it’ll end up on our bedroom floor the second I get you back in the house.’

Once Kailey and I check out at the store, we continue to walk through the mall before I spot a jewelry store.

“Hey, can we pop in here really quick? I want to look at their rings,” I say, and Kailey gives me a nod.

The employee behind the counter greets us as we walk inside, and as I look over the cases, my eyes are immediately drawn to a set of two rings. One of the rings is a thicker gold band that has a small bird outline, as if it had been punched out, and the ring next to it is a thinner band with silhouette of a bird in the middle - as if it were the piece that had been punched out of the thicker ring.

“Excuse me,” I speak up, and once the employee walks over, I tap my fingertip against the glass. “May I see this set, please?”

The employee gives me a nod and takes the set out - placing it on top of the counter. My eyes take it in, and I immediately think of Harry, and his nickname for me. We don’t really have anything at the moment that symbolizes the next step that we’ve taken in our relationship, and I could give him the thicker ring to wear, and then I could wear the thinner one. 

I check the tags that are attached to the rings so I can see the sizes, and I rack my brain to remember Harry’s. I had them memorized when we were back in highschool, in case I ever wanted to buy him one, but I never got around to it. Once I think it over, I know that the thicker ring will definitely fit on one of his fingers, and the thinner band will fit my middle one.

“I’ll take them,” I tell the employee with a smile. 

“Are you getting those for you and Harry?” Kailey teases lightly with a hip bump as we stand at the register.

“Yeah.” I nod. “I’ve always wanted to get him a ring, but I just never did. This just feels like us.”

Once I pay and the employee places both rings inside their own individual boxes, I thank them, and then we head back out as I drop my sunglasses back onto my nose.

We only go to a few more stores before I look at the time and realize Harry has already been home for a little bit - announcing to Kailey that I should head out.

“That’s fine,” she says as we give each other a hug. “Sadie and I actually are catching a movie in about an hour, so this is perfect timing.”

We go our separate ways to our cars once we get to the parking lot, and I have a large smile on my face as I make my way home. Once I park my car in the driveway, I grab my bag with the rings, and the garment bag that has my dress inside, and I head inside the house. As soon as I open the door, I’m met with the smell of different herbs and spices coming from the kitchen, and my smile only grows.

I bypass the kitchen only for a moment so I can hang my closet up in my dress, but I keep the ring bag in my hand as I kick off my shoes. After stashing the ring bag in the dining room, where I know we’ll end up eating, I walk into the kitchen to see Harry facing the stove, and I walk up behind him - wrapping my arms around his waist.

“It smells so good, H,” I compliment him as I press a kiss against his shoulder blade through his shirt.

Harry chuckles softly as he peeks over his shoulder at me, and I feel the usual butterflies fluttering in my stomach at the sweet dimple indenting his cheek. “Found a new recipe I wanted to try for some cajun honey salmon. I’m making some chili oil rice to go with it. Does that sound okay to you?”

“Sounds more than okay.” I can’t help but slightly gawk at him. “Are you joking? You’re an excellent cook, and those both sound amazing.” Turning around, I push myself onto the counter next to the stove so I can face him. “I know I tell you all the time, but you really do spoil me too much.”

A smirk covers Harry’s lips as he puts the spoon down on the spoon rest, and he walks between my legs - his large palms creeping up my fishnet covered thighs. “And you should know by now that I love spoiling you.”

Cradling his cheeks in my hands, I lean down to press a few soft kisses to his lips before leaning back. I lift my fingertips to brush against his hairline before combing my fingers through the front of his long hair to push it back. “I love your hair like this. It suits you so well.”

“Yeah?” He presses his lips to the hinge of my jaw before moving back over to the stove. “I was actually thinking about getting it trimmed before the show.”

“If you want.” I shrug as I kick my legs. “I think it looks perfect as is.”

It doesn’t take long for Harry to finish up dinner, and after several attempts of begging to assist him, he lets me help him set the plates before we head into the dining room. I sit down and hide the bag with the rings as Harry steps back into the kitchen to grab us each a glass of water, and once he’s sat at the table with me, I reach across to graze my fingers along his wrist.

“This looks amazing, H. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He moves his arm so that he can reach my fingers - giving them a small squeeze.

As we eat, I ask him how his day was, and he asks me how shopping with Kailey went. I make it a point not to bring up the fact that I opened up to her about what’s going on with Rylan. It’s been a couple of days since Harry and I have brought it up in conversation to each other, and I don’t want to be the one to do so. I actually don’t want us to have to talk about it at all anymore.

Once I can tell that we’re getting towards the end of our meal, I pick the shopping bag up off the floor, and I put both ring boxes in my lap. I discreetly look down and open each one so I can see which one is which, and I leave mine on my thigh as I hold Harry’s in my hand.

“I…I actually bought something for you when I was out today,” I tell him, and I see Harry’s eyes already lighting up.

“You did? You didn’t have to do that, Birdy.”

“No, I wanted to.” I nod as I place his ring box on the table, and I slide it over to him. “Went into a store to look for some jewelry, and I saw this in the case. I was so drawn to it, and I knew I couldn’t leave without getting it for you.”

Harry holds eye contact with me for a bit longer before he wipes his hands on his napkin, and he reaches forward for the box. I can tell that he’s giving himself a second, but then he finally opens it. I can see that his eyes are darting all over the ring, as if he’s taking it in fully, before he looks back over at me.

“Marlowe…this is amazing.” He shakes his head before looking back down at the piece of jewelry. “This means so much to me. You have no idea.”

I smile as I stand up from the table, and I make my way around so that I can sit in his lap. Bringing my ring box up, I see Harry’s brows narrow in his confusion before I pop it open. “I have the matching one. So now, even if we’re not together, we have a little piece of each other.”

Harry’s lips part as he stares at my ring now, and then he looks back to his before gazing over to mine once more. He’s silent as he takes the ring out of my box after setting his own down, and I watch as he moves the ring in front of each of my fingers, as if he’s trying to figure out which one it’ll go on, and eventually he slides it right onto my middle finger. I feel my heart thumping in my chest as I pick his box up, and I take his ring out while bringing one of his hands up with my free hand. I mimic his action of trying to calculate where it should, but once I hold it in front of his index finger, I know it’s the one.

With the rings now on our hands, we hold them up next to each other, and we both giggle softly as we wiggle our fingers.

“Thank you so much,” he whispers before looking up into my eyes. “No one has ever bought me something so sentimental before. I hope you know how much this means to me, Lo.”

I cup one of the sides of Harry’s neck as I run my thumb over his jawline. “I just want you to know how special you are to me.” I suck in a deep breath as warmth spreads all over my body. “I love you so much, Harry.”

“I love you too.” Harry pulls at me so my forehead is now resting against his. “I love you so fucking much.”

I giggle as his lips meet my own, and soon his tongue taps against the seam of them - asking for permission. Opening my mouth, our tongues tangle with each other’s and I already feel the need to have him brewing in my lower abdomen.

“This might seem silly to ask right now,” he mumbles against me. “But did you end up getting that dress?”

Smirking, I give him a nod. “I definitely did. Figured we’d both be happy about it.”

Harry’s eyes darken before me, and I let out a squeal as I find myself over his shoulder as he stands up from his chair. My house is upside down around me as he stalks down the hallway towards our bedroom - excitement flooding through me. Everything around me blurs, and soon I feel my back meeting my mattress as I look up to see Harry towering at the foot of the bed. He climbs up onto it, and he lifts his torso up before grabbing my legs so my knees are locked against his hips.

“You didn’t think you were going to get away with teasing me all day, did you?” His fingers hook into the holes of my fishnets over one of my thighs, and he rips them apart - emitting a gasp from me. “So sweet getting us those matching rings, Lo, but it won’t make me forget how you were trying to get me all riled up at work.”

He rips the fishnets over my other thigh as well before he reaches up to undo the button of my ripped jeans shorts, and then he drags the zipper down. Once those are discarded, he pulls my fishnets off and places them onto the bed next to me before moving onto my top. Laying completely bare to him, he bites down on his bottom lip as he grabs the fishnets again, and he takes both of my hands. He ties my wrists securely together with one of the legs while looping the other through the metal poles of my headboard - latching me to it.

“Is this okay?” He asks, and my chest heaves as I give him a nod.

This takes me back to the conversation that we had the one night where we were talking about each other’s preferences, and I remember him saying he liked to tie his partners up sometimes - as long as they were okay with it. And right now, I definitely was.

Harry gets up to stand at the foot of the bed to rid himself of his clothes as well, and once he’s naked, he knees back onto the mattress so that he’s hovering over me.

“If you want me to untie you at any time, you tell me, okay?” He asks while caressing my cheek. “I want you to be comfortable.”

“I am, H. Promise,” I assure him with a nod. “You could never make me uncomfortable.”

There’s a small twitch of his lips that resembles a smile before the hunger floods right back into his eyes. One of his hands presses into the pillows beside my head as the other trails down my body. He takes a minute to circle the tip of his finger around one of my nipples, causing me to squirm and bite down on my bottom lip, but he doesn’t linger for long. Soon his digits are sliding through my soaked folds, and I gasp.

“Harry,” I whimper as I feel him circling around where I need him most, and my back arches as he dips his middle finger inside of me.

“Fuck, you’re so wet already.” Harry clicks his tongue against the back of his teeth. He ruts his cock against the inside of my thigh - goosebumps erupting over my skin. “You don’t know just how much that turns me on.”

My hips buck up against the palm of his hand, and I hear him chuckle darkly as my eyes slip shut. “Look at you trying to take,” he teases. “I intend on drawing this out a little bit, Lo. Did you know you gave me a fucking hard on behind the counter today? Had to ask to take my ten minute break early so I could go calm down in the bathroom.”

The thought of Harry in his tight jeans with his prick pressing against the zipper has me clenching down around his finger, and I open my eyes to see him looking down at me with flushed cheeks. “Maybe you should’ve sent me a picture of your own. I would’ve liked to have seen how hard you were.”

A growl erupts in Harry’s throat as he removes his finger from me, and his hand goes down to wrap around his shaft. He starts to give himself strokes while my eyes dart between his and his hand - causing me to whimper.

“What? Don’t like to see me touch myself like this? What if I just got myself off, hm? If I just decide to come all over this perfect pussy instead of being inside of you?”

“Harry, please,” I whine as I stare up at him. “I need you.”

I can tell I’ve spoken the right words when he starts to tap his tip against my clit, and my thighs already start to tremble as he pushes into me. A lewd moan floods from my lips as my nails dig into the palms of my hands, and I resist bringing my hips up to get him the rest of the way in. He pulses in and out of me for a moment, but only sinking himself halfway before pulling out again.

“Yeah?” Harry’s lips smear over mine, and I tilt my chin so I can suck his bottom one between my own. “How bad do you need me?”

“So bad.” I lift one of my legs a bit higher to press the heel of my foot against the small of his back. “Need you to fuck me.”

I’ve never really been one to talk like this in the bedroom, but Harry brings it out of me. He makes sex so fun, yet so intimate, and that’s something I never had before. Not to rag on my ex, but it just felt like going through the motions most of the time, and then it was done. With Harry, it feels like something special every single time. 

“You’re lucky I’m crazy about you, and that I’m so in love with you.” He moves our lips around so that he’s now sucking on my tongue, and I groan at the sensation it shoots to my core. “Or else I wouldn’t give into you like this.”

With a fluid roll of his hips, Harry sinks into me entirely, and my breath hitches in the back of my throat as I bring my other leg up so that I’m crossing my heels at the base of his spine to keep him close. “Yes,” I breathe, and I can’t help but lift my hips to grind against his. “You feel so good, Harry.”

A grunt rattles in Harry’s chest he presses his pelvis right against my clit - causing my toes to curl. “Squeezing me so tight, baby. So fucking snug around me.”

“I’m so full,” I whimper, and I see Harry’s eyes darken even more.

“God, you gotta be careful saying shit like that, Lo. You’ll make me come too early.”

“Sorry,” I breathe. “It’s just never felt like this before. I hardly realize what comes out of my mouth because my brain gets all fuzzy.”

From there, Harry starts to set up a rhythm with his thrusts, and our moans fill the space around us. As much as I wish I could reach out and touch him, the fact my hands are tied up makes this even more erotic - turning me that much more. I know that my nails are close to breaking through the skin of my palms, but I can’t even feel it at this point. The only thing my body is registering is Harry’s taking of it.

I get so lost that I don’t even realize that Harry’s hips have stilled until he pulls out of me, and I open my mouth to protest before I’m flipped over so that I’m on my knees - now facing my headboard. My hands cling to the poles they’re tied to as I look over my shoulder to see Harry pulling his hair back into a bun.

This sight in itself could make me come without any more stimulation from him.

Harry’s body blankets over my own as I feel his tip sliding through my slit again before he’s entering me once more. I gasp at how deep he’s managing to hit from this angle, and my hands tighten around the poles. After a moment, his hand comes down to slap against one of the rounds of my ass, and I whine at just how good that ended up feeling.

“You like that?” Harry pants as his hips continue to smack against my ass. “Such a good fucking girl for me.”

His praise shoots straight to my aching clit, and I wish that I could bring my hand down to rub it. I know the minute he starts to show my bundle of nerves attention again, I’ll come right away.

I let out a noise of surprise as I feel Harry pull my cheeks apart, and I jolt when I feel him spit down against my tightest hole. The pad of his thumb begins to rub against my rim while my eyes roll back in my head at the sensation.

“Such pretty holes. I’ve never had anyone here before,” he states as he taps against my rim. “Never wanted to, but I feel the need to be inside of you in every possible way, Lo.”

My orgasm is approaching quickly, but I know that I want to be able to cling to Harry once it hits me. 

“Harry,” I moan. “Can you untie my hands? I want to touch you.”

Harry’s lips begin to sponge along the side of my neck as he reaches forward and rips the fishnets so that my wrists are free, and I immediately reach back to grip his thighs as he continues to plow into me from behind. Eventually one of his hands comes up to collar my throat, pressing just slightly against my pulse points while dropping his other hand to rub against my clit. My walls begin to pulse around him, and I sink my fingertips into the meat of his legs as the pleasure within me heightens.

“I’m gonna come,” I gasp out, and my climax washes over me before I can even finish my statement.

Harry lets out a deep grunt into my ear, and eventually, I drop back down onto the bed - sinking in my elbows as I peer at him over my shoulder with a soft smirk on my face. 

“Jesus, you’re so sexy.” He shakes his head. “I’m about to come.”

With three more thrusts, I feel Harry’s cock twitch inside of me before he starts to empty himself. I hum at the warmth that follows it, and I fist the comforter into my palms as he rides out his high. He gives us each a second, and then he pulls out of me - collapsing onto the mattress onto his back while looking over in my direction.

“That was amazing,” I say with a soft laugh as I curl into his side. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Harry kisses me as he cups my cheek. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

●・○・●・○・●

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[freedomfireflies]

Very excited to get into this one day! Sam always comes through with the coziest and sweetest stories! 💞

Neighbors Extra VIII

Read Neighbors here | ~3.6k words

From me: this will probs be the last of them for a while 💕 I know they're a fan favorite overall, but I hope you've enjoyed this little family as much as I have.

Warnings: grab your tissues it's a little emotional. mentions of throwing up, family dynamics, pregnancy and baby-talk

Summary: Rory is going to be the best big brother. But he's a little nervous about what this means for their family of three.

“Hi beautiful,” Harry grinned sweetly.

“I feel anything but beautiful.”

His smile turned to a frown instantly and he came over to the sweet girl and wrapped his arms around her. “Why’s that, kitten?”

“She’s sucking the life out of me,” she yawned. “Baby girl is draining me of my beauty or whatever that saying is,” she mumbled tiredly into his chest.

“She’s not,” he assured her. “Y’look stunning.”

“Don’t lie, Harry it’s not becoming, and it sets a bad example for Rory.”

“Will you?” He mumbled and kissed the top of her head. “Come sit down,” he ordered. “What do you want for dinner?”

“We can’t even talk about food, or I’ll throw up,” she promised. “Morning sickness has turned into afternoon and evening sickness at the mention of anything. Just put it in front of me and I’ll try,” she flopped onto the couch and rubbed her stomach. She was just starting to show a little more. A little under six months she was rounder than she had been, her complaints about clothes not fitting and feeling uncomfortable was beginning. But Harry was entranced by the movement watching the diamond on her fourth finger glitter with each pass of her hand along the baby inside her. He remembered the day he told him like it was yesterday. She was late, her cramps hadn’t made themselves known and she was craving pickles like she did with Rory despite the fact she didn’t like pickles at all.

Harry was overjoyed to say the least. He was pretty certain he had tears in his eyes while he kissed her pretty face, down her neck all the way to her stomach where he spoke softly to the little one already growing. “Hi little one,” he whispered. “Mummy and I love you t’bits,” he promised. “Be gentle with Mummy these next nine months, I love Mummy as much as you do.”

He sat beside her and rubbed the pressure point on her wrist that was connected to relieving nausea. “How was your day?”

“Good,” she smiled sighing as the relief in Harry’s ability to take her pain away (no matter how small) was like his own part time job. Harry couldn’t get over how stunning she looked, yes, her stomach was a bit fuller but that was mainly the only difference in Harry’s eyes. She would say her skin looked lackluster, her fingers felt swollen but the only thing Harry could see was how she was growing their baby and she looked gorgeous doing it. “How was yours?”

Harry sighed. He didn’t want to worry her, but Rory was still being a bit closed off. He’d been that way since they told the nine-year-old that there was a little sibling expected in several months’ time. They waited the full three months to make sure everything was up to snuff before they said anything. Rory was still the wonderful little boy he was. He did his little chores, his homework, he listened when they asked him to pick up or go to bed for the evening. There were very few arguments. While Rory was excited to have a sibling, he seemed to be resentful toward her and Harry.

She frowned. “I might try again.”

“Be my guest,” he shrugged. “Yesterday was no such luck.”

They figured perhaps it was some kind of pre-puberty thing. Maybe he was closing himself off from them because that’s what pre-teen and teenage boys did. She hoped it wouldn’t happen, Rory was her best friend, and they did everything together. She waddled to his room, knocking and opening the door. “Hi, love bug,” she smiled.

“Hi Mumma,” he said quietly while looking up from his gaming device with a gentle grin. “Is it dinner time?”

She fought the wave of nausea off at the mention of food and she shook her head. “No, not yet. How was school, cutie pie?”

“Good.”

She frowned. “Did you learn anything new?”

“No.”

She closed the door behind them. “Everything okay, Rory?” He nodded, turned back to his device and remained silent. She took a deep breath wondering what kind of magic Harry could work on him from his psych degree angle. “Baby, are you sure everything is okay? You’re not acting like yourself. Remember the last time this happened we had to take you to the hospital?”

He looked at her briefly and then his eyes dropped to her stomach. She could see the battle in his eyes of whether to say it or not. “You’re going to get mad at me. Or I’ll get in trouble.”

“Rory,” she pouted. “You have to tell me so I can help fix it. I won’t get mad at you, I can’t promise about the trouble, but you have to let me help. You can tell me anything, remember?”

He swallowed and looked a little glassy-eyed as he decided if he should say it or not. He took a deep breath, set his gaming device aside, and looked at her directly. “Do you have to have a baby?”

Her mouth popped open in surprise. Rory was so excited to have a sibling. He talked about helping all the time. He was helping pick out the decorations for the baby’s room and everything. They discussed all the changes that would be coming and how Rory was going to be a huge help in playing with her and making sure she learned all the important things she needed to know (like how to make s’mores and blow bubbles, of course). “Well... yes, Rory. Of course we do.”

“But...” he sighed then shook his head. “Never mind.”

“Baby,” she said tentatively. “Tell me what’s bothering you. You’re supposed to tell me everything. If you don’t tell me, you almost always tell Daddy,” she reminded him. “We’re worried you’re not telling us something.”

Rory was nine now. Which meant that he was trying to be a grown-up when he didn’t need to be. So, when his eyes started to water, he looked away and shook his head. “Harry’s not my dad,” he mumbled.

Her frown deepened and she went to sit on his bed. He turned to face away from her, curling in on himself a bit. She placed a hand on his side and rubbed gently. “What are you talking about, Rory? Of course he is.”

“But not really, Mumma,” he sniffed. “I know he loves me, but he’s...”

“Rory,” she whispered. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” he sniffled a little louder. It broke her heart. Tears filled her eyes too and she was grateful he was facing away from him because she wasn’t sure she could console him and herself at the same time. Not with that little face she loved so much looking as crushed as he sounded in his voice. “Harry—”

“Dad,” she corrected. She knew that Rory used his real name and Dad interchangeably. But right then it seemed like he shouldn’t. Like he needed a reminder that Harry was his everything.

“Dad,” he mumbled. “Dad has never had a baby,” he reminded her.

“So?” She asked.

“What if he likes the baby more than me?” He sniffled. “What if the baby is better than me because she’s just like Harry? Or looks like Harry? What if the baby—”

“Rory James,” she gasped. “Stop it,” she ordered.

“But Mumma, I’m not Harry’s baby.”

“You are, my love. Of course you are. You would break his heart if he heard this.”

“It’s why I haven’t told you,” he mumbled into his pillow.

“Rory,” she repeated. “You are never to hide something from us. You know that.”

“But I don’t like upsetting you, Mumma. I know Harry loves me.”

“Daddy does love you,” her voice cracked as she spoke. “Fuck,” she whispered.

“That’s a bad word, Mumma.”

She felt nauseous for a whole new reason. “Harry!?” She called, her voice breaking as she walked toward the door. Within seconds Harry’s footsteps were heard nearly running down the hall. His eyes were concerned as he approached the door she was opening, and she had a hand on her chest trying to keep her heart inside her body.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, holding one of her hips and the other hand cupped her face. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. Seeing nothing concerning, he turned his attention to Rory, still facing away from everyone in his little bed and ascertained that nothing was physically wrong with either of them so he breathed a little easier.

“Can you go hold him?” She hiccupped as the tears started flowing more freely. She swiped them away. “I have to go throw up,” she sniffled and headed down the hall for the bathroom.

“Kitten—”

“Please,” she begged and closed the bathroom door.

After throwing up, she quickly hopped into the shower to rinse herself off. As fast as she could without being able to fully see her feet, she changed into some comfy pajamas and returned to the bedroom. There she found her much too tall husband in a child’s twin bed, sitting against the wall and holding Rory in his lap. It reminded her of when he held Rory during the car wash, Harry’s arms caged around him so protectively. He rocked Rory gently, kissed the top of his head while the little one sniffled as he cried into his shirt. “Y’okay, kitten?” He asked.

She nodded. “Did he tell you what was wrong?” She asked, climbing into the little bed too. Harry shook his head, his eyes sad with defeat. “Rory,” she whispered, rubbing his back as Harry soothed him. “Please tell Daddy what’s wrong. He’ll make it better, I promise. Think about all the times he’s made everything better,” she reminded him and reached out to brush his hair away from his teary eyes.

“I don’t want you to have a baby,” he blurted.

Harry’s eyes flicked to hers and she shook her head and wiped the corner of her eye. It didn’t have to do with the baby. That wasn’t even the important part of anything he had told her. But Harry pouted. She could see the psychoanalysis beginning. The theories and research he’d done for his degrees in classes on child development. All the reasons Rory could possibly be upset, and he had no idea that it wasn’t a single one of them. “M’sorry t’hear that Rory,” he mumbled into his hair. “S’a big change, yeah? Like when y’learned t’use the bathroom while stand—”

“No,” Rory shook his head. “It’s not that,” he croaked. Rory was so smart and knew that Harry was going to look for the psychological answer even if he couldn’t say it was psychological in nature.

Harry looked at her briefly. She looked on with so much hurt. Her eyes were a watery mess, her lower lip quivered; she was aching to let out the sob she felt. He didn’t understand what he was missing. He felt so terrible his two favorite people were so heartbroken and upset. It was awful. It felt like his chest was caving in. Was this what a heart attack felt like? It was miserable—maybe worse than a heart attack. He couldn’t be certain.

“Tell him, love bug, please,” she begged.

“You’re going to love the baby more than me,” his voice was so small. Smaller than her bubbly baby boy had ever been. She covered a hand over her mouth to stop the sob from breaking through.

“What?” He shook his head, and he pulled Rory away from him. He kept his eyes cast down, he knew boys weren’t supposed to cry like this unless they were really hurt. But Rory felt really hurt. “Rory James,” he whispered. Then he flicked his attention to the beautiful girl who was just as heartbroken as their son. Surely, he misheard him and misunderstood. Surely the little boy that filled every crevice in the space of his heart knew how much Harry adored him.

“I’m sorry,” he sniffled hating the way his full name sounded in Harry’s mouth more than his mother’s. It was reserved for larger reprimanding—not that Rory needed much of it, he was perfect. But even still, Harry never said it. Ever.

“Rory,” he repeated softly. “That is crazy,” he promised, rubbing his thumbs on his little cheeks. Even if he wasn’t the little three-year-old he met in the driveway so long ago, he was always going to be little to Harry. “Rory, you’re m’best friend,” he reminded him. “How could y’think I would love anyone more than you?”

She was still crying hard behind her hand which made Harry realize there was still something he was missing. Something that was going to perhaps devastate the way he felt when he was already so upset. “Because the baby is going to be your baby.”

Harry was almost certain a heart attack would feel less awful at this point. “Rory, lad,” he sighed clutching him back to his chest. He kissed the top of his head. “S’horrible thing t’feel and say,” he felt like his voice was close to cracking. He wanted to cry as much as his wife and baby boy were. “You think m’not going t’love you as much because you’re not mine?” He nodded solemnly against Harry’s chest. “Rory, of course you’re mine. I love you more than anything in the world,” he reminded him. “You know that right?”

“But—”

“No buts,” he shook his head firmly. “Ever. You don’t question this, understand?”

“But—”

“No, Rory. This isn’t something y’get to cute your way out of. You’re my son and I will never love anyone or anything more than you. Get that out of your head,” he instructed.

“Okay,” he sniffled.

“You understand, right?” He repeated.

He nodded. “I understand,” he whispered.

“Mumma, y’okay?” Harry asked. She nodded, wiping her eyes.

She cleared her throat. “I’m good.”

“Alright, good,” Harry nodded. He didn’t let go of Rory but pulled her toward the pair of them. Harry moved the three of them to squeeze together on the tiny bed—Rory laying along the length of his body as he fit, and her beside him snuggled close without squishing the baby. Harry was certain the three of them were emotionally exhausted, so Harry made the executive decision to have them all get some sleep in before dinner.

*

“Daddy?” Rory asked.

“Hmm?” He hummed. Harry was doing some work at the table. Rory was skimming the newspaper for a news article to share with his class. She was making pancakes and chocolate milk for breakfast.

“Can baby hear us?”

He glanced up from his laptop and he peered at her near the stove. Her stomach was another month rounder now and things were a lot more normal now that they knew why Rory was so closed off. “Yeah, she can,” Harry nodded. “Do y’want to talk t’her?”

“Can I Mumma?” Rory asked.

“Of course,” she nodded. Harry walked over to the pretty woman that made every one of his dreams come true along with the little boy he adored more than anything. Harry crouched beside Rory and put his hand on her stomach. He rubbed his thumb on her shirt and smiled encouragingly at Rory.

“Go ahead, Rory,” Harry whispered.

“I don’t really know what to say,” he answered back.

“Just talk t’her, she already loves you. You’re going t’be her big brother,” Harry promised. “You’ll be the best big brother ever.”

It was quiet for a couple of moments while Rory thought it over. “Can I tell her about us?” He asked.

“Us?” She repeated.

“Like me, you, and Daddy,” he bit his lip.

“Yeah, you can tell her ‘bout us,” Harry looked on full of questions.  “Hi,” he whispered. “I’m Rory,” he put his hand on his mother’s stomach beside Harry’s. “Mumma didn’t eat you,” he explained. “I get that confused sometimes.” Harry smirked while she giggled above them. “She always says she’s going to eat cute babies though a lot so it might confuse you too,” he continued making Harry chuckle quietly while she rolled her eyes. “I’m your brother,” he told her. “We’re going to be best friends,” he promised. “I might not be good at sharing my toys sometimes, but I don’t mean it. Sometimes I won’t want to play, but that doesn’t mean I won’t love you. I’m going to love you a lot.”

Her eyes watered and Harry grinned brightly. “Mumma is really good to talk to when you’re sad or have questions. She always makes me feel better when I’m sick, helping with homework, and she’s really good at the hard levels of Mario Party,” he explained. “And she’s a girl so you’re going to have to play with her and do dress up and makeup or something. And she’ll show you how to use tampons,” she and Harry couldn’t contain their giggles.

“You forgot about craft time and s’mores,” Harry reminded him of his favorite lady.

“Oh yeah, Mumma is fun to play with on rainy days. And in the summer we eat s’mores until we get tummy aches.”

Harry grinned. “She’s the best little one,” he whispered to her stomach.

“Thanks boys,” she whispered trying not to cry harder than she was.

“Daddy is here too,” he told her stomach. “Daddy is the best too. He can blow really big bubbles and he loves to play board games. He won’t let anything happen to you in car washes or in thunderstorms and he knows Santa,” Harry was in awe of the little boy who was so scared that Harry could love someone more than him. Harry was a little worried he wouldn’t love the little girl enough. Well, not really, but it seemed impossible that he could love the little family he made like this and still have room for more. “Daddy is really smart too. He can teach you a lot about your brain and it’s really cool. He also knows where Mumma hides the good candy and he’ll share it at bedtime.”

“I knew it!”

“Rory!” Harry pouted.

He giggled. “I’m really excited to meet you. Mumma needs a girl to play with,” he explained. “I think we all do. And Daddy’s going to love us both—more than anything in the world.”

Harry nodded. “That’s true,” he agreed.

“He says he loves Mumma more than anything in the world too, but I think he might love us more.”

He chuckled. “Sorry, kitten,” he winked up at her.

“I’ll let it slide.”

“Mumma’s not a cat either. Daddy calls her that because she’s pretty like one. And his voice is funny because he’s not from here. It’s a little confusing.” Part of Harry wanted her to stay pregnant forever listening to the little boy list off hundreds of reasons why he and Rory loved this woman so much. It felt like heaven. “Mumma is going to make sure you eat your veggies, but I’ll show you how to hide them in your napkin,” he whispered.

“Rory,” she sighed. “Don’t teach her bad things.”

“It’s not bad, Mumma! Green beans are yucky.”

“Well, what if she likes them?” Harry asked.

“Well, she’s my sister so she probably won’t,” he shrugged.

Harry chuckled. “S’a good point, lad.”

“When do you want to come out?” Rory asked.

“She’s still in there for another two months,” she explained from above.

“Do you like pancakes?” He asked her. “Mumma makes them a lot.”

“She’s your sister,” Harry reminded him. “She probably does.”

He giggled and nodded. “That’s true,” he agreed. “Then I think she really wants some pancakes right now, because I really want pancakes right now. Talk to you later,” he gave a quick kiss to her stomach and popped back up to sit at the table with his comics.

“You have the cutest son,” she whispered to Harry who stood beside her and kissed the side of her face.

“You too, baby,” he murmured into her hair. “Thanks for giving me two really cool kids.”

“Two really cool kids who you give candy to at bedtime?” She asked turning to him and quirking an eyebrow at him suspiciously.

Harry grinned wickedly. “I haven’t a clue what he’s talking about.”

“Uh-huh. Gotta find a new hiding spot,” she muttered, silently cataloging where she could put her stash next. She turned back to the stove putting more butter into the pan to finish her batch of pancakes.

“Hey kitten?” He asked.

“Hmm?”

Harry was in awe of her. A single mom who loved Rory more than anything. Who pushed him away despite her own happiness. Someone who worried she would be too boring for Harry because she loved her kid so much. Who let Harry in and be the best dad in the world (according to Rory and every Father’s Day gift he’d gotten for the last three years). She was perfect and lovely. He kind of agreed with Rory, he didn’t know how it was possible to love three people so much. “I love you. So much.”

She grinned and nodded. “I love you too, Harry,” she tilted her head back so he could kiss her.

“Ew!” Rory covered his eyes dramatically. “She’s lucky she’s in your belly Mumma, so she can’t see it!”

Harry laughed, kissing her more and shaking his head. “Just you wait, Rory. You’re going to meet someone who you’ll love kissing.”

“No way, Jose, I’m never kissing anyone.”

“Not even Mumma?” she pulled away from Harry’s embrace and brought his plate of pancakes to him and kissed the side of his little face while he set aside his comics.

“Well... I guess Mumma kisses are okay,” he mumbled grabbing his fork and knife.

Harry smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.”

--

general taglist: @justlemmeadoreyou @daydreamingofmatilda @sunshinemoonsposts @loving-hazz @likeapplejuicenpeach

@straightontilmornin @freedomfireflies @littlenatilda @kathb59 @babegoals

@angel-upon @lilfreakjez @mleestiles @ameliaalvarez06 @canyonmoondreams

@summertime-pills @daphnesutton @l4rrysh0use @perfectywrong @foreverxholland

@lovrave @st-ev-ie @pandeebearstyles @toosarcastic03 @luvonstyles

@tenaciousperfectionunknown @classychalamet @love-letters-to-uranus @emmaawbr @crossyourpeter

@kissitnhekitchen @indierockgirrl @stylesfever @michellekstyles @just-another-reader1098

@hermionelove @tiredinwinter @whimsy-willows @hannah9921 @fangirl7060

@vikiii07 @prettygurl-2009 @mads3502 @triski73 @angeldavis777

@dontforgtme @lizsogolden @me-undiscovered @you-sunshine @rose-girls-world

@claimingharrystigertattoo @inlikea-coolway @theseaview @lunaharrygurl @emmie2308 @fruity-harry @somebunnybaby @avas-queen-black @mema10 @tulips4harry @spinninc @sassamanda77 @ell0ra-br3kk3r @mp-269 @jmp1494 @fangirl509east @sideboobrry11 @drewrry @dutchtheatrelore @copiastricycle @mypolicemanharryyy @harry2121 @inharryshelter @fandomxo @sarah-thatstings-ann @yourlocalstilinski-valdez

neighbors taglist: @mopeymousey @vmpellie

I'm sorry if I missed anyone in the taglist. Please let me know if you'd like to join, if it didn't work, if you no longer want to be included, etc. :)

If you like this, check out my masterlist here

[freedomfireflies]

This looks so aesthetic and cute!! So excited to read it 🥹💞

Tiger/Birdie/Laces 1K-ish blurby

Because I’ve been thinking about Tiger and Y/N (Birdie) shooting another video with Laces in a secluded meadow.

Short of the occasional tip-off (the airy, sugar-saturated giggle that spills out of Laces as something sweet and translucent dribbles from her wine glass, patching the thin white fabric clinging to her nipples sheer; the obscene, sunlit view Birdie provides of her cunt as she arches forward to paw through the picnic basket), there’s really nothing that suggests the scene isn’t just a very attractive group of friends splitting lunch outdoors. The energy is startlingly relaxed, and lazily indulgent in a way that practically looks candid. The trio are genuinely lounging, at least at first— bare thighs against gingham, knuckles fruit-wet as they pass ripe berries hand to hand, the sun branding everything gold and melting in a cozy heat across everything it touches. Fizzy wine dissolves on their tongues and makes everything more lightheaded. Makes them laugh too easy.

Tiger, of course, is the unspoken focal point in a way that commands attention. He feeds the girls strawberries until their lips are stained, beaming lopsidedly as fruit juice leaks down his fingertips and rolls across the back of his sunkissed hand. It coats his bulky assortment of rings, and one sweet rivulet skates down his wrist as Birdie takes the flesh of the fruit between her teeth. When the pad of his thumb brushes the corner of her mouth, Laces leans forward and drags her tongue up from his forearm where the liquid had spilled, her own fingers curled around toned muscle to keep him in place. Her coy gaze blooms desirously under her lashes as she bats them up at him. There’s a silent flicker of a dare to his tone when he tells Birdie to open wider, gaze cast to the shape of Laces’ tongue on his skin.

When he prods two fingers into Birdie’s mouth after she’s chewed and swallowed the last bite, eyes stuck to the shape of her puffy lips, a hot sear climbs up the knobs of his spine. Her mouth is just— so incredibly warm and wet. He nudges around the inside with the pads of his fingers, catching on the ridges of her teeth and sinking towards the back of her tongue.

The girls take turns feeding each other fruit, mouthing at one another’s sticky fingertips and volleying a peal of giggles back and forth. One of them smears the wet end of a half-bitten strawberry across the other’s cheek. The other one nips at it and grazes the ends of her teeth against wiggling fingertips in the process. At some point or another, Birdie rises on her haunches to squeeze a strawberry in her fist down Laces’ chest, staining the damp fabric pink and smearing berry flesh between her clavicles as the other girl shrieks. And frankly, when the pair topples over one another in their playful, unscripted food fight, the view of Birdie’s pretty pussy peeking from under the hem of her hitching sundress is one for the books, Harry decides. He idly palms over the fattened outline of his cock, lazily braced back on one elbow. When she bites at Laces’ fingers again, this time hard enough to warrant a sharp squawk that melts off into a laugh, he sits up and rucks the hemline of her dress higher, one hand gripping her hip, and plants a teasingly scolding smack onto her ass. It’s indulgent and just hard enough to make her rock forward, and it causes Laces to snicker under her.

There’s a lot that happens in between the pair mouthing at his cock. Things like wine and fruit-soaked kisses with slippery tongues, things like fingers creeping between incrementally splaying thighs. The same strawberries drip down Birdie’s chest when Tiger slips the top of her dress down (his thumb lazily swiping one of her straps off onto her arm, and the next one, with an unapologetic oops). It coats her pebbled nipples, and he lurches forward to trace them with his tongue as his fingers snake between Laces’ thighs.

All of these incidents, of course, snowball into one thing. And that’s him on his feet, his cock peeking through the undone zipper of his jeans. His fist sealed over the root as they kneel on either side with their tongues laving along the throbbing shape of it. All obedient demure, hands behind their backs. He doesn’t give them any particular directions— they’re too busy trying to out-moan each other. It’s raunchy, and lewd, and his dick pulses between their eager mouths as he points the camera down at them. He lets spit puddle up behind his teeth and then lets it dribble out, just to watch their slippery tongues chase it and smear it along his prick. It’s good, like, they put their work into it, and inevitably one ends up sloppily bobbing her head as her throat spasms frantically over his tip (his fingers tangled into her hair) while the other needily licks at his sack.

The picnic blanket’s mostly decorative. By the end it’s bunched under their knees while one gets face-faced with crumbs stuck to her cheek and the other helplessly tries to insert herself back in: “You want me to finish in your mouth, or hers? That’s right— ask nicely.”

He probably doesn’t cum like that, though. He fucks up into one harshly while the other grinds down against his lips, rolling muffled grunts against a swollen clit with his tongue as his fingertips nearly score bruises into the other’s hips with how hard he’s gripping. His tummy flexes, and while Birdie rocks against his sticky, slick chin, her fingers pull at his curls, prying a low hum out of him. When they cum, they switch positions.

And do it all over again.

By the end, he probably just cums onto one of their pussies. Has them lay back and split their thighs for him to decide, and when he twists his hand over his pulsing cock, the final destination is sort of like a spur-of-the-moment aim moment. His neck cranes and his abdomen tenses before he ducks his chin and pries his eyes open (a Task with a capital T) for the sake of guiding it somewhere useful. And after he’s painted over one of their cunts with milky white, a final pearlescent bead trickling out and drooling over his fingers, he tells the other one to clean it up, his honeyed voice still tinged with breathy exhilaration. “You like sharing? Show me, then. Get your tongue in there.”

[freedomfireflies]

Hi I don’t want to start drama but jarofstyles posted a fic they did called ‘teach me?’ That sounds a lot like your teach me fic, even the same title.

Hi!! Ooo, it sounds so good, I’ll have to check it out soon! And no drama at all! I definitely didn’t come up with the concept, and I’m so excited to see their take on it! 💞 but thank you for letting me know!!

[freedomfireflies]

It’s not a reading recommendation but I started watching Severance and it’s a really good show!

Also AMC’s IWTV is the best show ever, the angst and aaah my heart! It’s the best and I would think you would enjoy it also!

AAAA I LOVE SEVERANCE!! I didn't realize there was more than one season, so when I got to the end of season one and two started right away I was so happy 😭 Such a good show! The music, the acting, the twists! It deserves all the hype!

Ooooo I will DEF have to check that out, that does look really good!! I WILL GET BACK TO YOU ON WHAT I THINK!!

[freedomfireflies]

oh dear how much i’ve missed you!! i hope you’re doing well and life is treating you kindly 🩷

Stop Lottie I missed you more!!! 😭😭😭 How are you??

[freedomfireflies]

https://www.tumblr.com/freedomfireflies/780992004182212608/do-you-publish-any-of-your-other-non-harry-work

If you don’t mind me asking who are the other people you write about? And what made you start writing about them?

I don't write for any other fandoms!! I've just been writing a few novels for myself to maybe do something with one day! But I do miss writing for fandoms because it's so fun to share something you enjoy with other people! The way I'm doing it is very lonely now cause it's just me and two friends who read it and tell me if it's trash HAHAH

[freedomfireflies]

Are you writing again?

Yes and no?? I don't think I'll be writing too much here, but I do want to do a few imagines!!

How about you, how's writing going for you?? I've missed reading your stuff!!

[freedomfireflies]

I don’t care is you aren’t posting I STILL WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR UPDATES BC I LOVE YOU AS A PERSON AND NOT JUST A WRITER!!

ASFLS STOP THIS IS VERY NICE!!! Okay deal, we can all just chat and update each other on anything good or bad going on in our lives!! 🥹💞 (ily more!!)

[freedomfireflies]

What is the your novel about? :)

I'm not sure I should say too much since I want to keep it pretty seperate from this account, but there is a grumpy/edgy MMC, a bit of a love triangle, some comedic side characters, and it's a veeeeerry slow burn! It's been very fun to write!

[freedomfireflies]

https://www.tumblr.com/freedomfireflies/780933919637929984/httpswwwtumblrcomfreedomfireflies78065487011

Thank youuu☺️❤️

And ooooo okay, that sounds interesting!! Sounds like you’ve been having a productive week, I love that☺️☺️and oh my gosh I love Pinterest too. What’s your Pinterest if you don’t mind me asking

Isn't it so fun?? I could spend all day looking at it, it's such a boost of serotonin!! 😭💞 My personal one is private and my Tumblr one is pretty empty, BUT here is the link to that one!! Honestly scrolling on that account makes me miss that summer, so you might catch me adding more pins now HAHA