Frowned Upon [H.S. AU]

NINETEEN

"Bare skin, so bright, sunkissed,

Those eyes are telling me something."

✿ ✿ ✿

IRIS MONROE

December 5th, 2021

I tear my eyes away from the papers in front of me when a handful of knocks echo through my quiet apartment. My brows furrow softly as I look at the time; it's only seven in the morning.

The knocks themselves were gentle and not intimidating whatsoever, but I'm not expecting any company or deliveries. Even then, deliveries usually come in the afternoon, never this early.

My focus shifts to the pajamas I still have on, and I realize that all I've done since waking up is brush my teeth and wash my face. In my defense, I woke up nearly thirty minutes ago and didn't expect to have to socialize with anyone at all today.

Just as I'm about to let it go, there are a few more knocks.

"Iriiis," Harry's voice whines through the door.

The sound of his voice makes me stand up with a rush of excitement, and I nearly jog over to the door to open it as quickly as I can.

When I crack the door and peek my head out, I see that he's in a much more casual work suit, and he has a coffee cup in each hand. He tilts his head when he notices I haven't opened the door entirely.

"You're still in your pajamas, aren't you?" He chuckles.

My cheeks heat up, but I reluctantly open the door.

"I would have gotten dressed if I knew you were coming over," I explain as he steps in.

His eyes unapologetically look me up and down, and I push myself onto my toes. My hands rest against his chilled cheeks, and I kiss him softly. Despite the two cups in his hands, the heel of his palms press against my hips as he exaggerates a satisfied groan.

"I wanted to surprise you before I went to my meeting," he mumbles against my lips while urging me to walk backward, and his foot kicks the door shut, "I'm sorry I didn't make it home before you left on Friday...work was crazy...god, you look beautiful."

My laugh softly muffles against his lips as his affection refuses to let up.

"Thank you," I pout at his sweet generosity, "You didn't have to do that."

"I'd do anything to see this pretty face of yours," he continues before finally pulling back to look down at me. His eyes focus on my shorts and make their way up to my long-sleeved shirt, "Might have to visit more often."

I lightly smack his arm, and he hands me the cup of coffee. I generously take a sip, enjoying the warmth that spreads through my chest before I look up at him.

"Can you stay for a minute?" I ask hopefully and reach down to grab his hand.

His expression seems contemplative, and he checks the time on my stove before he looks back at me. The crease between his brows softens when his eyes meet mine.

"I can stay for ten more minutes," he says confidently, more to himself rather than to me. He smiles at my clear happiness with his response and licks his lips before speaking up again, "But...I did want to ask you something while I was here."

I raise my brows in interest, and I pull him to follow me into the kitchen. My hand lets go of his for a brief moment to rush ahead to set down the coffee cup and attempt to straighten up the papers I left scattered across the table. I manage to make two small piles as he sits down in the chair I was previously sat down in.