The August Project (H.S.)

Chapter Five

a/n

welcome to chapter 5! this is where things start to get interesting. i think we'll go for augustrry because i prefer it. enjoy xx

Harry

Harry began to stir in the early morning light that covered the bed sheets in a warm sheen. He'd never been able to sleep late, his lifestyle meaning he was often doing jobs until late and getting up early in the morning, so naturally it became habit.

Augustine's warm body lay pressed against his, her cheek to his chest, his arm draped lazily across her back and their legs intertwined like veins. He cautiously opened his eyes, not wanting to disturb her from her sleep as she lay in his arms. Her caramel mop of hair glowed golden in the morning sunlight, and her freckled skin seemed to gleam as her watched her with sleepy eyes. How did we even get in this position? he wondered. Not that he particularly minded. The feeling of her body against his just made him think of all things he wanted to do to her.

As he became more fully awake, the dull throbbing in his groin alerted him to his morning erection pressing against her lower abdomen. Shit.

Please don't wake up, he silently prayed as he disentangled himself from her and moved backwards a couple of inches. He reached down to gently palm himself through his boxers, feeling how hard he was beneath the thin layer of fabric. Fuck, it's never this bad in the mornings.

"Don't leave me," Augustine mumbled, barely conscious as she noticed his warmth moving away from her. She snuggled closer to him again, her face burrowing into the crook of his neck. Harry knew how shocked she would be with herself if she was fully awake. I'm not sure you know what you're doing, he silently thought.

As Augustine continued to slowly wake up, Harry kept his arm between them to conceal his boner, gulping as she began to stretch and her eyelids flickered open.

A brief look of shock passed over her face as she realised she was lying in Harry's arms, but when her eyes met his it dawned on her that neither of them really minded being this close together.

"Good morning," he whispered croakily, his voice hoarse in the early morning.

"Uh, morning," Augustine whispered back, giving him a shy smile. To his relief, she rolled over and away from him. I really don't want her to realise how hard I am.

It wasn't like she was the reason he had a boner, at least, that's what he told himself. If he could just get to the bathroom, it would be fine.

He slowly got to his feet, keeping his back to Augustine, hurrying away from the bed and into the bathroom, the door shutting abruptly behind him.

Augustine

After Harry disappeared into the bathroom, she lay alone, stretched out across the bed. Did we really sleep in each other's arms? The warmth of his body against hers had felt so comforting. A part of her felt ashamed of herself for cuddling up to her captor, but it also felt so right that she couldn't bear to think of it that way.

When Harry finally emerged from the bathroom, he was fully dressed, his curls damp, clearly having had a shower.

"M'sorry, but we need to get going," he told her, reaching into his bag to find some more clothes for her to wear. It was clear the barrier he kept high between them had closed once again.

Augustine suddenly felt very embarrassed - he was so beautiful with his perfect face and toned body, and who was she? Certainly not good enough for someone like him.

"Okay, I'll just get dressed," she replied meekly, climbing out of bed and taking the clothes from his hands. "I'll be ready soon, I promise."

•  •  •

After giving their farewells to Niall, who promised he'd see them in a few days in Paris, they climbed into Harry's car.

"Paris? We're going to Paris?" Augustine asked, a smile spreading across her cheeks.

"Yes, we are," Harry replied. "Only so I can get a few things done."

"I love Paris," she found herself saying, "most French people don't like it, but I find it beautiful."

Just like you, she felt like adding.

"S'nice, I guess," was all Harry said. He reached over and quickly connected his phone to the car bluetooth, and the gentle thrum of music filled the car.

They descended into a comfortable silence, Harry humming quietly and Augustine staring out of the window.

Paris, she thought. The city of love. She imagined Harry was not her kidnapper, and that she was with him by choice. Maybe they were going to Paris for a weekend getaway. Maybe she was wearing a silky, flowing sundress, and he thought she was pretty. But it was all just a hopeless fantasy.

Suddenly, a familiar tune filled the car and she turned to look at Harry.

"I love this song."

"What? Free Fallin' by John Mayer?"

"S'not by John Mayer, but yeah." She began to sing softly, and Augustine felt Harry's gaze linger on her as her voice followed the words.

She's a good girl,
Loves her mama,
Loves Jesus, and America too...

"It is by John Mayer," Harry protested quietly, shaking his head.

"It's not! S'by Tom Petty!" she giggled, leaning back in her seat.

"Y'definitely wrong, I think I'd know who my favourite song is by."

"If it's your favourite, sing along with me," she pleaded, giving him her best puppy eyes.

He shook his head, smiling, and turned back to the road. Augustine continued to sing softly, nodding her head to the music and staring pointedly at Harry.

And I'm free, free fallin',
Yeah I'm free, free fallin',
And all the vampires,
Walking through the valley,
Move west down Ventura boulevard...

Soon, Augustine heard the soft sound of Harry's voice joining hers, and she grinned at him.

"See, that wasn't so hard," she told him as the song drew to an end, elbowing him gently. He just laughed, glancing over at her. When theirs eyes met, butterflies exploded in her stomach and she looked away quickly and back out of the window.

The sun shone bright on the car as the headed north, Harry driving stoically, Augustine resting with her head against the window. She couldn't help but feel excited for their time in Paris, but for now, she just had to slog through the long car journey.

a/n

short chapter this time! the last one took ages to write so i tried to make this one shorter. i included the bit about the song because i remembered harry's favourite song used to be that in the 1d days. 50 reads for the next part! xx