Got the sunshine on my shoulders - by: hattalove

chapter seventeen

"So they believed you?" Harry whispers, trying to navigate his way down the stairs with his eyes closed.
"I think so," Niall shouts on the other end. Harry hisses in pain. "They said they'd look into it, anyway, and I got the company lawyer on it because of the phone calls and all, so-I think it should be okay. I assume you'll need to testify or something, but I guess they 've got to run some background checks first."

Harry's not entirely sure that he's comprehending all of it, but there will be time to be happy about it later. Right now, he's got to try and handle his second wine hangover in as many days.

He makes it downstairs and into the kitchen just as Niall is cackling into the phone, apparently at his own joke.

"Good morning, darling," Mum says from her spot at the table. She's reading the paper and sipping on her coffee, watching him with a glint in her eye.

"Morning," he smiles at her crookedly. He can't believe he's awake early enough to see her before she goes to work.

Although 'see' might not be the best word to use. He's only opened his eyes wide enough to see where he's going, intent on keeping out the sunshine that's pouring right in through the open window.

"Did you sleep well?" she asks, and Robin chuckles beside her. She's entirely too smug for Harry's liking. "I made some eggs, if you'd like."

Harry wills his rolling stomach back down.

"I'm okay," he croaks, trying to find the tea with only half an eye open. "Thanks, though."

"They're right on the stove if you change your mind," she replies. Harry automatically looks over at the pale yellow scramble resting in the pan, and immediately wishes he hadn't.

"Thank you," he says again, laser-focused on the kettle. His own half-naked, bleary-eyed, wrinkled reflection blinks back at him from its shiny surface. "I, uh. I think I might skip breakfast today."

Robin full-on laughs at this, and pats Harry on the back on his way to put his plate in the sink.

Harry only just remembers that Niall's still on the phone.

"Hello?" he says quietly when he presses it back to his ear.

"Nice of you to remember good old me," Niall replies, dry. At least he's not yelling anymore. "I also put out the statement like you wanted, it went up online last night, but you probably already knew."

"I've been ignoring texts."

"Uh," says Niall. "Okay?"

Harry pours the water in his cup and takes a seat. He doesn't say a whole lot, just enjoys every weird sound Niall makes on the other end of the line. He's not in the office, or doesn't sound like it, at least - he's huffing a lot, and something that sounds like wind is making the connection crackle.

Mum gets up, and kisses the crown of his head before she goes upstairs. He smiles at her and hopes it's enough.

"So what are you going to do now?" he asks Niall once he's had a few sips of tea, and they've had time to settle in his stomach. "Since your only famous client is on a break, and there aren't any more stalkers to chase."

"That's a good question, actually," Niall says. "I'm going on holiday."

Harry perks up. "Where?"

"Well, uh. I think this is it."

Harry laughs. Shakes his head. "Are you in Australia? Did you get lost in the bush again?"

Niall laughs back. "Open the door and find out."