PULSE [H.S]

097

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it." — Thomas Fuller

I'm frozen.

I just came downstairs, looking for Harry to ask him if he's planning on making anything for dinner or if we should order something. I find him in the living room, walking around.

"Harry, when are we—" I stop dead in my tracks.

I stare at him, unable to move or form words. He stands in front of me, looking at me innocently. Looking at me like he didn't just get a fucking lip piercing.

I blink at him, taking in the new addition to his face. There's a shiny black ring on the side of his bottom lip, and it takes my breath away.

He smirks. "What were you saying?"

"You got your lip pierced," I say dumbly.

"Good observation," he says with a laugh, raising his eyebrows at me. He says, "You like it?"

"Yes," is all I manage to get out.

He smirks again. "You're practically drooling."

I roll my eyes at him, but I walk closer to get a better look at it. The dark piece of metal contrasts with the softness of his face. It suits him and his image perfectly. I never expected him to get one.

I ask, "Did it hurt your lip?"

"No more than when you bite down on it."

I look up at him, my cheeks tinting as I think about the times I've tugged on that lip with my teeth. He always knows exactly what to say to fluster me, and the way he is smirking at me tells me he does it on purpose.

My eyes trail back down to his lips and the shiny new accessory they're wearing. All I can think about is how that would feel when we kiss. I wonder if it would feel as cool as his rings when they're on my skin, or how it would feel if he kissed me in other areas.

Shit, I really want to find out.

"Yeah, whatever," I say as my eyes meet his again, and I see the amusement dancing in them. I say, "I was checking you out."

He laughs, his dimples popping out, which makes me weak in the knees. I watch as he goes over to the couch, taking a seat on it. I follow him, sitting beside him as he clicks the TV on.

He puts on some reruns of Friends, which we watch all of the time now. The show never disappoints, and it doesn't matter how many times I've seen an episode, they're always funny.

I can't help but steal another look at the stupid lip ring. I love it already. I think I'm obsessed with it. He turns his head to meet my gaze, smirking again. I must really be boosting his ego.

I say, "This isn't fair."

"What isn't?" he asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

I blurt, "You looking like that."

The corners of his lips twitch up as a knowing smile dances on his face. He stares at me, his green eyes challenging me to do something about it, but I don't move.

He says, "Wasn't fair when you got your piercing either."

I laugh, remembering how shocked he was when I came home one night with my belly button pierced. He made me feel so good about it, like he always does.

I say, "It looks good on you."

"Yeah, I gathered that from your drooling over it," he teases with a playful tone. My heart leaps in my chest as I look at him. He adds, more seriously now, "Thanks, Kiz."