Let Your Good Heart Lead You Home (Zarry AU)

Part 5

After that night, work seems to be less of a bore, which is mostly thanks to Niall. He comes to Harry's desk regularly and sits on top of it, leaving the papers crumpled after talking Harry's ears off. Strangely enough, Harry doesn't really mind; he enjoys the easy company and the uneventful stories of a certain sports team's performance. The paper isn't a big deal, mostly discarded cartoons and notes from his boss.

One time Niall looked at one of them and promptly asked Harry if he was afraid he'd ever run out of ideas. His job was easy in comparison; there was always a match that needed discussing, constant developments that needed reporting. Harry merely shrugged and said it was the opposite, really. He could draw anything. He wasn't confined to sports. Niall shook his head in disbelief at that, told him ''You can't just draw anything, Harold. It's not that easy.''

Harry is reluctant to admit, but the nickname is starting to grow on him.

He rubs at his temples, focusing on the steady hum of his fridge. Niall was right, of course. Drawing anything isn't an option. Not when he has to take into consideration what the audience wants to see - that's where Niall's job is easier. It's not about what the readers want, but about relaying the right information. This is more difficult, although Harry's inclined to stick to the way he's been handling things. Lately he's found great pleasure in addressing certain issues; his recent cartoon on the cruelty going on in Seaworld sparked some interest here and there. If anything, he likes stirring things up. His boss told him it would be his own fault if they came for him, but Harry could see he was amused.

Irritation tugs at his temper, and Harry leaves the clean sheets of paper in favour of sitting on the couch and sifting through channels on TV. He skips right past the infomercials, choosing to settle on the 24/7 news channel broadcasting recent developments. The background music seems in stark contrast with the text; a soothing melody slapped on top of messages about murders, thefts and politicians battling each other in foreign countries.

What really churns his stomach and makes his blood boil is reading about a rapist being cleared of all charges, only because the young girl really did seem well-developed for her age. The injustice. His memory flashes back to that certain night; yelling, glass shattering, a fight. She's completely helpless. Harry blinks rapidly, already halfway up from his position before his mind is set on anything. But that's the thing. In cases like this, his mind is set for him. Maybe his mind isn't involved at all.

He sets up his laptop on his desk this time, staring past the open doors of the balcony before swiveling his chair and opening his browser. To his right, he can feel the faint breeze of a summer night, but it does nothing to cool him down, not when he's burning from the inside. Not when it's this intense, completely taking him over. He'll make sure to find the man.

He'll find him, and make him pay.

Sorry about the short chapter, again! The next one will be a bit longer :) It'll be up this Friday! Also I can't stress enough the importance of reading the warning in the beginning.

Laters xxx <3