Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home (Zarry AU)

Part 3

Of course Liam is absolutely ecstatic. Harry invited him as soon as he arrived home; worn by the easy dismissal of his boss, but looking forward to the weekend. He sinks down onto his couch, the quiet hum of the fridge in the kitchen providing a calming buzz to his ears. There is an uneasiness crawling under his skin, something only brought on by the repeated unwillingness of other people to just be decent. Is it really that hard?

He often wishes for a magical tool that would erase all his troubles, but everyone knows magic isn't real. From what he's seen of the world, he can't bring himself to believe in anything. There is too much proof of the contrary. Some might call him bitter with his ''guilty until proven innocent'' mindset. At least he's not ignorant.

Slowly, he gets off his couch to retrieve his laptop from his bedroom. He sets it up on his small kitchen table, taking a refreshing beverage from his fridge and some of the leftover sushi from the night before. It's noon, but he can't be bothered to go outside for lunch; the temperature is steadily rising, and he'd rather go out at night, when it's cooling off again.

First he checks his e-mail, disappointment weighing heavy on his shoulders when he sees his sister still hasn't replied yet. Contact has been scarce ever since the incident, even if it's been ten years. Maybe some bonds cannot be mended. Harry proceeds with visiting his favourite websites, which mostly contain news and gossip from his area and the rest of the state. After that there's not much to do, so he shuts down his laptop and retrieves his cartoons from his case so he can finish them for the following days.

Harry is partly convinced he's only still hired because cartoonists seem hard to come by, but it's also a matter of opinion. Some might see quality in his work where he does not. After all, people tend to think the worst of themselves. Maybe his boss is just being difficult because he doesn't want Harry to become lazy. He ponders this as he slowly sees the cartoon come together, thinking about how much time and care goes into something so small.

''You are a tiny piece of art,'' Harry whispers, looking down at what he made and feeling the crawling under his skin ease, if only a bit. ''Not everyone appreciates you like I do, but that's okay.''

With a heavy sigh, he gets up from the kitchen chair to stretch his legs. There's an ache in his back that he ignores on his way to the small balcony attached to his bedroom. He can see the city under him, feel the sun and smell the fumes. It's far from ideal, but right now it will just have to do.

''One day you'll be out of here, Harry. Just you wait.'' 

Since this chapter is very short, I'll post the next one right away!