don't call me that

9: Claiming

One Saturday evening, nearing the end of January and the worst of winter (and even closer, Harry's birthday), Louis invited everyone over to his flat to celebrate absolutely nothing. Maybe it was because Harry and I were together or maybe it was because Niall had finally landed a job at Nando's; either way Lou promised me microwaveable cups of macaroni and I was in.

Although the pressure of midterms had officially blown over, the workload of school was truly upon us and I fell asleep on the couch before many of the others. When I woke up, hours later, Harry's head was in my lap, and he was sleeping deeply.

Rubbing my eyes, squinting at the dim light cast by the TV, I glanced around at the one o'clock living room. Louis was curled up on the rug, Xbox controller still held loosely in his hand. As I watched him, he twitched and mumbled something like 'get the ball, H'.

Jade was curled up on my other side, almost disappeared under a blanket. On her other side, interestingly enough, was Niall. I'd noticed them hating each other a little less lately, especially after we began practically living at his and Harry's apartment.

Sleepily mulling over possible names that would suit their curly blue-eyed children, I cuddled farther back into the couch and began to drift off. Only seconds later, Harry began squirming.

"Sorry H," I whispered, thinking I woke him.

His eyelashes fluttered open and he looked up at me with a sleepy grin. "Hi."

I pushed the curls off his forehead. "Go back to sleep, baby. It's hardly two am." Harry breathed out a sign into my stomach and sat up.

"I'm hungry," he informed me.

"Go get something to eat," I said right back. "What do you think I am, your personal slave?" Harry wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh, stop that."

He giggled and I could see the screen reflected in his smiling eyes. "I mean, you are a waitress," he said, like I should've known. "And you did serve me that one time I came into Paul's. You didn't give me any ketchup."

"Oh right, back when you were annoying," I said fondly, pushing Harry's hopeful face away from mine. "Oh wait." Harry pouted.

"Is there any of your Mac n cheese left?" he asked, suddenly distracted. He started to get up and I desperately grabbed the sleeve of his sweatshirt, trying to keep him from the kitchen without waking the others.

"Don't you dare touch my macaroni," I hissed, feeling my body being dragged from the couch as Harry stumbled away from me. "H, I swear to god-"

"Don't use the lords name in vain," Harry teased, pulling away from me and tiptoeing straight to the cupboard, where I hid many of my favorite foods so Harry wouldn't eat them when he came over to my flat.

I groaned in exasperation, then flinched when Liam half-opened his eyes at the noise. "Sorry." Piling my blanket on top of Jade, I scampered into the kitchen after Harry. He already had one of my pasta cups in the microwave, a victorious grin on his face.

I scowled. "Fine. But make me one, too."

Harry and I sat side by side on the countertop, steaming cheesy cups in hand, watching everyone else sleep. I had to check twice to be sure, but in my absence Jade had begun to use Niall's shoulder as a pillow.

Harry saw me looking. "You've noticed that too!"

I nodded thoughtfully. "She'd never go for him on her own, though. Especially after Evan. And it's not like she and Niall got off to the best start."

"Niall wouldn't initiate it either," Harry agreed softly. "I think he likes her, but he's shy."

We sat in silence for a good minute, then Harry turned to me with wide eyes and a sneaky grin at the same time that I had an idea. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Harry demanded, then bit his lip like he remembered to be quieter.