Tolerate It || l.s ✓

Chapter 8

"Birthday bitch, where are you?" Zayn hollered as he pushed his way in through Harry's front door.

"Not your bitch." Harry shook his head with a smile as he emerged from the living room.

"Yes you are." Zayn pulled him in for a hug, pressing a sloppy kiss to Harry's cheek- causing Harry to emit a displeased sound as he wiped it away, "you're my birthday bitch."

"It's not my birthday either." Harry raised his eyebrows, stepping back from the hug.

"Well, I couldn't be here for your actual birthday so I thought we could do a redo. So essentially it is your birthday."

"I've missed you." Harry beamed, "it's so lovely to see you."

"I've missed you too." Zayn grinned, "so, how was your birthday?"

"Not the happiest." Harry shrugged, "but Louis came over which was nice. But then I sobbed at him, which wasn't so nice."

"First of all, who's Louis?"

"He's someone I work with. I've seen a lot of him recently, I'd class him as a friend."

"A friend, eh? My Harry really is growing up." Zayn teased. "Now the more important question, why did you sob at him?"

"You know how I feel about my birthday, and my mum didn't call which made it worse."

"Oh H, that really is one way to ruin your birthday, isn't it?" Zayn sighed sympathetically, running his hand up and down Harry's arm.

"Yep." Harry grimaced. "Have you seen her around recently?"

"Yeah, yeah. I have. Couple of times actually. I think she's seeing a new bloke."

"Ah." Harry sighed, "that must be why she couldn't be fucked with calling me. What's this one like?"

"I'm not sure. Just seen them together around town. I'll try and gather some information for you." He spoke, "so your actual birthday wasn't the best, but this one has to be wonderful. So what do you want to do?"

"Clubbing? I've not been in a long time."

"We're going clubbing!"

"Z, I'm not sure I know how to club anymore. I'm a proper teacher now, I even wear glasses sometimes. How am I meant to act at a club?"

"Wear your tightest, hottest clothes, and flirt with all the lads. You need to get laid."

"No I don't." Harry retaliated, crossing his arms.

"When was the last time you had sex?"

"I don't want to talk about that." Harry groaned, covering his face with his hands. "That's personal."

"Babes, you and I both know you need to get laid. You spend a lot of time stressed and sad, you need to let it out somehow."

"This is not a good second birthday. Stop talking to me about my sex life."

"Your nonexistent sex life." Zayn coughed.

"If you want me to get laid so bad why don't you do it?" Harry glared, and Zayn actually looked like he was considering it for a minute.

"Okay." Zayn shrugged, "now or later?"

"I'm joking you perv!" Harry cried out, exasperated as his hands flew into the air.

"Shame." Zayn shrugged again with a small smirk. "Right, I'll spare you and move on. What do you want to do first, birthday boy?"

"Brunch?"

"Brunch it is."

//

"Are you sure I look okay?" Harry smoothed his hands down over his trousers. He was wearing dusty red corduroy flares and a band tee with a partnered shirt undone over the top. Bracelets were scattered up his arms- a thankfully successful attempt at keeping his cuts hidden.

"For the last time, I'm positive that you look stunning." Zayn sighed, "okay?"

"Okay." Harry muttered, not looking so sure.

"You look hot babes. If you weren't my best friend I would definitely try and pull you." And with that, Zayn grabbed Harry's hand, dragging him out of the door.

By the time they arrived the club was already decently full. The pair made their way straight to the bar, Zayn ordering a pint and Harry ordering a strawberry daiquiri.

Harry was notoriously a lightweight. Well, he was amongst those who knew him at least. He had only had a few drinks before it had hit him, and now he had lost any self respect he had entered the club with and he had started to grind against Zayn.

He wasn't quite at the point of incoherence, instead at the point where he knew what was going on, he just couldn't bring himself to care about anything much.

"Harry!" Zayn shouted over the music and Harry looked up, spilling his drink as he did so. He frowned, fixating his eyes upon the liquid which splattered across the floor. As he stopped dancing, the crowds pushed him to and fro, causing him to sway and almost fall.

Zayn grabbed ahold of his shoulders, securing him back into place. "Harry!" He tried again, taking the drink out of Harry's hand.

Harry gave him an inquisitive look, his whole expression dazed.

"Harry, how about that lad over there? He's 100% your type!" Zayn nodded to the man who was chatting with two others. "I reckon he could give you a good fuck! Keeps glancing over at you too!"

Okay, Zayn wasn't quite as sober as he had initially thought either. He had been a lot louder than intended. The man turned to look at them, obviously having heard what Zayn had said.

Harry near enough sobered up within a second. That was Louis.

"He heard you, you wanker!" Harry hissed, his words slurred, "that's Louis!" Nevermind, he hadn't sobered up.

"Hello Harry, I see I'm the topic of your ravishing conversation." Louis smirked, quirking an eyebrow at the pair as he made his way over.

"I, I didn't say anything!" Harry swayed again, pouting as he tried to focus on Louis's face.

"We're trying to get Harry laid." Zayn offered as an explanation and Harry's jaw dropped.

"No, no, no. You're trying to get me laid you fibber. I have no part in this stupid plan." He pointed an accusatory finger at Zayn, jabbing it in his chest.

Zayn gave Harry a little push, playing it off as just the push of the crowds. Harry stumbled forwards, Louis immediately putting a steady hand on Harry's waist to hold him upright.

Harry giggled at the contact, a small "tickles!" escaping from his lips. He slouched forwards, resting his forehead on Louis's shoulder.

Louis gently rubbed a hand up and down on Harry's back, chuckling at him. "How much has he had to drink?" He directed the question to Zayn.

"He's very much so a lightweight." Zayn responded and Harry lifted his head to glare at Zayn.

"Not." He retaliated.

"You can't deny it babes." Zayn teased.

Harry stood up taller, leaning forward to whisper in Louis's ear. "I am not."

"It's okay, I know you're not."

As Louis's friends saw that he didn't seem to be returning anytime soon they made their way over, smirking at him as Harry remained draped over Louis.

"Thought we'd save you from third wheeling mate." One said, an Irish accent meeting their ears.

Zayn stepped around Louis and Harry, engaging in conversation with the other two.

"I'm sorry I keep crying at you." Harry leaned back, looking Louis in the eye.

"It's alright. I don't mind." Louis smiled.

"I'm not crying at you now."

"No, you're not. You seem very happy now."

"Thank you for letting me cry at you. It's nice knowing you're there for me." Harry mumbled as he slouched forwards again.

"Of course. You can always cry at me." Louis responded, helping Harry to stand up straight.

Harry simply grinned at him.