Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

7 - Misery loves you

When he has calmed down enough, Harry dries his tears and squares his shoulders. He decides, as he shrugs his backpack and duffle bag on, that tonight is the last time he's going to shed tears over his misfortune of having the Tilley family as his guardians. From now on, Harry is free from their clutches and he'll make sure that the life he has only dreamt of will be a reality.

After a quick, almost tasteless, dinner of cheeseburger and fries at McDonald's, Harry makes himself comfortable on the steps leading to Liam's apartment building. He glances at his watch as he sits down on the cold cement, reading 8:45 in the evening. Harry counts in his head the hours that he'll be waiting for Liam to arrive - almost 13 hours. He shudders, horrified.

Harry thinks of calling Niall for help but remembers his stunning lack of mobile phone and trashes that idea with a frustrated exhale. He slouches further on his frigidly cold seat, a frustrated frown settling over his features. He resigns to braving the harsh weather and closes his eyes to try and get some sleep when an unfamiliar voice calls out to him.

"Mate, what in the bloody hell are you doing out in this cold?"

Harry turns to face the voice and sees a vaguely familiar face. He struggles to place a name to the bloke's features. "Erm."

"Are you waiting for someone who lives in this building?"

"I'm waiting for Liam Payne, actually," Harry admits, shivering. He stands up, dropping his backpack on the ground.

The bloke smiles kindly. "Well, I'm sure my boss wouldn't mind if I let you wait the night inside the building instead of freezing your arse off outside."

With a start, Harry realizes that the man standing infront of him is the middle-aged security guard that Liam greeted earlier. Harry sighs, relieved beyond words. It seems as though his luck is not all that non-existent.

"Would that be alright?" he questions, hesitant about taking up the offer. He doesn't want to antagonize his blooming friendship with Liam.

"Liam would prefer it if I let you in, I reckon," the guard replies. He waves Harry in. "Come now, lad."

Grateful, Harry grabs both of his bags and heads inside the warm lobby of the apartment building. The guard shows him the waiting area and tells him to get settled on the couch. Harry does what he's told, curling up on top of the soft cushions and within minutes his weary consciousness submits into slumber.

The smell of coffee and pancakes wake Harry up the next day. He opens both of his eyes and sees a cup of coffee and a paperbag on top of the coffee table infront of him. He sits up, yawns and looks around, spotting Liam with his back to Harry, his phone pressed to his ear. Harry waits for the lad to finish his call.

Turning around, Liam notices Harry is awake and grins. He says goodbye to his friend on the phone and greets the younger man. "Good morning, Harry."

"Good morning, Liam."

"How was your sleep?"

"It was good."

Liam chuckles, sliding next to Harry on the couch. He pats the cushion fondly. "I knew this sofa is a winner," he says with a laugh. Then, he gestures to the things on top of the coffee table. "I bought you brekkie."

Harry glances at the food and wants to decline but his stomach grumbles loudly in protest. "T-Thanks."

Watching Harry devour the food, Liam feels warmth in his chest for this young boy, who looks as if he has been through hell and back but has survived. "Will told me he found you on the steps of the building last night. You weren't planning on sleeping there, were you?"

By now, the pancakes are gone and Harry's coffee is halfway there as well. "I was planning to, actually."

Liam's jaw drops. "Last night was one of the coldest nights ever, mate!"

"I didn't want to trouble you," Harry shrugs. He gulps down the rest of his coffee.

Liam sighs. He stands up and takes the empty wrappings of Harry's breakfast. He throws them away before leading Harry upstairs. He unlocks the flat that Harry will occupy.

"Here," Liam says. He looks around the small space and imagines the curly-haired lad living in it. He doesn't know this boy's story, but he's glad that in this obvious time of despair for Harry, he is able to help in his own way. "No more sleeping on cold cement, alright Harry?"

Harry chuckles softly, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. He is finally starting a new chapter of his life. Here, right in this moment, he's making something out of his, previously worthless, life. He vows to work hard and build something good for himself. From this day forth, Harry Styles will not merely exist but also live and enjoy the temporary life that he's been given.

"A bed sounds much better, Liam."