taming mr.tomlinson [larry stylinson] ✔️

17.

By the time Monday came, Harry was already feeling sick to his stomach at the thought of being confronted by Louis. What if the man was so angry that he'd try to get Harry fired? Then Harry would no longer be able to see his students anymore, he'd have to work at a corner store, and some part of his brain would somehow convince him to grow a beard while being there. He wouldn't be able to live that kind of life.

"Harry, are you feeling alright?" Ashton asked as the two of them walked inside of the school building together, and this time he was eating a chocolate chip cookie. "You have that look in your eye."

"What look? I don't have a look. Wow, isn't it really hot outside today? I feel like I was about to melt out there," responded Harry nervously, his eyes darting from left to right as he clutched onto his black bag and walked slightly faster.

"It's always hot, Harry."

Right, thought Harry timorously. We live in Florida. He nonchalantly began to itch his arm again, one of his indications that something terrible would happen within his hours of being here, and pursed his lips so that he wouldn't whine. "I'll speak to you later, okay? I need a few minutes to myself, if that's alright."

He didn't even give Ashton a chance to reply before he was walking hurriedly down the hall and pushing himself into his own classroom; immediately locking the door just in case someone decided to come inside. He would be safe here until further notice—Well, until first period started and the students had to come inside, but he just meant in general. Maybe Louis had forgotten about what happened over the weekend and wouldn't try to speak to Harry today. Have some optimism.

"Good morning, Harry."

Fuck. "Da—Louis, hi. Good morning, I was just looking for you." It was an obvious lie, but Harry kind of hoped for his statement to make Louis stop glaring at him through his black rimmed glasses with those piercing blue eyes...it didn't.

"Were you?" Louis inquired rancorously, leaning back in Harry's black chair with his hands folded in his lap as he watched the curly haired man move cautiously inside of the classroom while trying to avoid eye contact. "From how it looks, it seems like you were trying to avoid speaking to me."

Maybe because you always look so intimidating, thought Harry as he caught a glimpse of Louis' outfit, which made his breath hitch because the man left three buttons unbuttoned so that the top of his tattoo would show. Harry should tell him to button it up before Principal Plowser did, but he really enjoyed the way the ink looked across his tan skin. Frankly, he enjoyed everything on Louis, but then again he wouldn't mind if certain things were off—

"Avoid speaking to you? That's completely barbaric," responded Harry, thwarting his attention to the watch around his wrist before humming. "Wow, first period is about to start in 28 minutes, so how about you go prepare your lesson and I'll—"

"Come here, sweetheart." Louis demanded, though his tone was tender. Harry wanted to tell the man that he was quite fine standing at least two feet away, but he knew that there was no use un arguing with Louis. He swallowed thickly and walked over to Louis, who swiftly stood up from the chair and dusted himself off. "This will be quick. I promise."

The man grabbed onto Harry's tie and tugged on it so that they were now eye level, then he licked his lips and grinned; distinctly finding Harry's anxious attitude amusing.

This reminded Harry of his dream, except he was much more bold in it, and he wasn't sweating there like he was now. Was Louis going to punch him in the face and tell him that he shouldn't listen in on people's conversations? If so, Harry would like for Louis to do it softly so that he wouldn't suffer from a broken nose.