Paper Rings - HS

06

The night went by quickly and before I knew it I was being carried to bed in Harry's arms.

"I'll be on the couch if you need anything."

I was drunk... too drunk. Lines were blurry and my body was comfortably numb. It's the tequila.

"Stay. I don't mind."

"Kait, you're drunk. I don't want you to wake up and hate me in the morning."

Considerate Harry, as always.

"Just get in the fucking bed Hazza, I promise not to hold anything against you in the morning."

I assumed he would try to argue his way out of this one, but he didn't. He obliged, setting me down on the mattress before getting in on the opposite side, wrapping us both in the comforter that in my altered state felt like a million fluffy clouds just came down over my body.

"I'm not that drunk you know."

Stating matter of factly, I flipped to my side, looking up at the man with a messy head of brunette curls in my bed.

"The empty tequila bottle on the coffee table begs to differ."

He chuckled, amused by my altered state.

Harry reached over, placing his hand gently on the top of my head before running his fingers through my hair. I loved when he did this. As kids he would often do this when we watched movies. I never knew why, but I never stopped him because it was soothing. He continued to do so, my eyelids becoming heavier as he combed through my wavy blonde hair.

"You know, I'd do anything for you. No matter what or when or why, you'll always be my priority."

I don't know if these were just drunk words coming from his mouth or if he actually meant it; whole heartedly. I'd go to the ends of the earth for Harry and I would tell him, but the last thing I'd ever want to do is cross a line considering his current status with my high school ex best friend.

I opened my eyes watching Harry stare up at the ceiling, his fingers lazily tangled in my hair. He was so focused on his stare that I could just watch his natural beauty. The way he breathes, the way the thoughts race through his mind.

"You're staring, sweetheart."

Caught.

"I just like looking at you, it reminds me that you're real. You're here, and I have you back in my life."

His head turned to face me, a grin on his lips. His dimples making another appearance.

He sighed heavily, one of content.

"Don't worry, I do the same when you're sleeping. Not in a creepy way, but a way in which I see you at peace; no racing thoughts or a stress induced furrowed brow. You're beautiful even when you sleep."

I could feel the temperature of my face slowly rise. I could just brush it off as the tequila coursing through my bloodstream, but I knew the pink flush of my cheeks was caused by him. He knew what he was doing without even truly knowing.

He's got a girlfriend, but this doesn't feel wrong. He's got a girlfriend, but I don't want him to stop watching me when I'm resting.

"Lou and I had a nice chat today while you were on the field."

His brows raised, he was curious but wouldn't pry unless I wanted to confess the details of the conversation that still weighed heavily on my mind.

"Lou is a good mate, always has something to say."