aster extras

clingy

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"What are you all smiley about, lovebug?"

Harry pressed a kiss to the top of (Y/N)'s head as he settled onto the couch beside her. He slung an arm around her shoulders, a smile matching her's on his face as she cuddled into his side instinctually. She locked her phone and dropped it into her lap before looking up to him with her wide eyes and bubbly smile.

"Nothing, Sarah just sent a funny picture in the group chat," she answered, reaching for his free hand to hold in both of hers.

"Y'guys have a group chat without me?" Harry pressed, a teasing pout on his face.

"No, its just Sarah and a couple of girls from the library. We've been talking a lot lately, it's been nice." (Y/N) held a bashful smile on her face as she spoke, gaze trained on their joined hands, "We've been talking about doing something all together soon."

"Yeah? What've y'got planned?" Harry asked, elated knowing that she was branching out a bit more in her comfort zone. As much as he wanted to be in a part of every corner of her life, he was happy to know that she had more friends than just their little group and was getting more comfortable with herself.

(Y/N) slightly shrugged beside him, her fingers tracing the tattoos on the backs of his hands. "They want to have a girls' night, but I don't think I really know what that means," she ended with a smile, one that only Harry could pick up on the curl of sadness at the very edge of her lips.

Harry flipped his palm up under her hold, delicately wrapping his fingers around hers. "Depends," he started, "Y'guys could go out and drink and have fun that way,"—(Y/N)'s features scrunched up at that idea, still not comfortable doing those kinds of things without Harry with her—"Or y'could all get together and watch movies or talk, whatever y'want to do, jus' no boys allowed I think."

"The second one sounds more fun," she settled, mimicking the smile on Harry's face.

"Tell them that, and maybe y'could invite everyone over here. We could fix up the guest room, I'll clean up all m'stuff and I'll leave y'alone for the night while y'hang out in there?" Harry offered, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand.

A smile bloomed on (Y/N)'s features, one that molded her features to carry softened edges and rounded curves. Her eyes were bright and excited, matching the way she practically bounced in her seat as she looked up at him. "Really? You'd let me invite them over here?" Her tone was animated as she spoke.

"'Course," he simplified, "If that's what y'wanted, then, of course."

She slipped her hand out from his, Harry immediately missing the warmth though he couldn't feel too upset when he saw how she excitedly she scooped up her phone. "I'll text them and see if they might want to this weekend!" She began tapping away at the screen before she paused, "If that's okay."

Harry was quick to nod, letting her know it was definitely okay with him before she lost any of her gusto over the idea. "I gave myself this Friday night off since I worked those doubles, so if y'wanted to invite everyone over then?"

(Y/N) happily agreed, resuming the tapping at her phone. Harry settled his arm over her shoulder, the black of his fingernails tracing over the bare skin of her arm showcased by the short sleeves of her shirt. He felt a matching bubble of elation settle in his system, working its way through his bloodstream as he could practically feel the excitement of the girl beside him.

He knew his offer alone was something that meant a lot to her, knowing just how limited her exposure and time with friends was growing up. She shared once that she'd never even been allowed to spend the night away from home, especially not with anyone from school or that her parents didn't personally select for her to spend time with. When she moved in with Sarah, that was the first time she had stayed away from her parents in her entire life. Those small facts and insights into who she was before him, broke little bits of his heart. He couldn't imagine what it would have been like to be so tethered to the same people she wanted nothing more than to get away from, even if for only a night. So, he didn't blame her exorbitant amount of excitement at even just the prospect of having a girls' night, even if he had to explain the ground rules to her.