Stripper (Narry)

Eight

It's been a few days since Harry moved in with Niall and Harry hasn't shown his face at work. Zayn hasn't bothered to contact Harry since Niall punched him. Harry's thinking about going into work tonight and quitting his job. He's already changed all of his mothers medical information so the checks come to Niall's house instead of Zayn's and Zayn no longer has any access to it.

Harry knows that this is going to upset Zayn because it's what kept Harry near and close to Zayn. Harry's not really sure of what Zayn is capable of but he knows that he's going to have to be ready for whatever Zayn throws at him because he's not going to let Harry go that easy. When it comes to quitting his job, it goes through the assistant manager and Harry's grateful because he won't have to see the anger that's going to be on Zayn's face when he does quit.

Niall's setting out snacks and movies because Liam and Louis are coming over to catch up. They're going to know about Zayn and Niall punching him. They're gonna know about Harry's situation and Harry's okay with that because Liam and Louis are his friends too. They talk on the phone and keep in touch when Liam and Louis are taking their random vacations.

Niall finished setting everything out and throws himself onto the couch next to Harry. Niall looks up at Harry and smiles, connecting their lips. Harry's lips are soft and plump and the perfect shade of pink. Niall moves his head slightly and runs his tongue across Harry's bottom lip and Harry lets him in. Without disconnections their lips, Niall pulls Harry on his lap and keeps a tight grip on Harry's love handles, rubbing soft, gentle shapes into them. They don't hear someone walk in and jump when they hear that familiar Doncaster voice.

"Oi, no fucking when I'm here," Louis laughs.

"Lou let them be," Liam says, pulling Louis father into him, kissing him on the forehead.

Louis laughs and walks over to the pile of movies Niall has laid out on the floor. "So anything new?"

"Yeah fill us in," Liam smiles, shifting on the couch to face Niall and Harry.

"Well I moved in a few days ago," Harry shares proudly.

"Nice," Louis says as he puts in the movie he picked out from the pile, not even bothering to look at the name.

"Say, Niall, why is your hand all bruised?" Liam asks, staring at Niall's hand.

"Oh- I," Niall looks at Harry not really sure of Harry wants them to know. Harry smiles softly and nods his head letting Niall it's okay. "I punched Zayn."

"Zayn? The one that owns the strip club Harry works at Zayn?" Louis asks, sitting down on the couch, throwing his legs to rest in Liam's lap.

"Yeah," Niall says softly.

Liam furrows his eyebrows in confusion, "Why did you punch him?"

"It's kind of a long story. He's my step brother," Harry replies.

"We have time. Tell us if you want," Louis says with some eagerness in his voice. Louis loves gossip. He's ready to listen to it at any time of the day, he doesn't ever act on it though. He just likes to listen and pretend he's involved. It's harmful really, Liam finds it cute sometimes.

Harry takes a deep breathe and tells them everything. He tells them how Zayn came into his life, how Zayn talked Harry into stripping at his club. He tells them about all the nights a drunk Zayn would show up at Harry's door, asking him for a quick fuck or for a quick make out session, telling Harry that fact they're step brothers doesn't matter. He tells them how Zayn held Harry's mothers medical issues over his head if he didn't take the stripping job.

Liam and Louis listen and they feel for Harry. They don't like that Harry has to go through this. They like Harry, they like how happy he makes Niall, they like that Harry's a good friend and is always there when they need him. And Harry's grateful that they listen and show that they care and he's glad to have them in his life.

"So Zayn came to my front door and asked Niall to back off, Niall refused and Zayn started to run his mouth, so that's why Niall punched him. He punched him in the face," Harry finishes off the story.

"Damn, that's intense Harry. I'm sorry you went through that, but you have Niall and you have us if you need anything," Liam replies, giving Harry a soft smile.

"Thanks Liam," Harry says, returning the smile.

They finish their movie and order pizza because the snacks Niall had just weren't enough. They talked and talked till they were caught up on each other's lives and Liam and Louis had to leave and Harry had to go in and officially quit his job. Harry kissed Niall goodbye and told him he'd call when he was on his way home.

+

Harry's standing in front of his assistant manager, Caleb's door and he's really trying not to have second thoughts about quitting. He knows Niall will take care of him and his mother but he hates to put all of that on Niall. Harry's not really sure what to do with his life after he quits his job. He's never planned a life outside of stripping and he's scared. He's scared to be dependent on Niall, he's scared about having to find other job. He's thought about college though. He was the top student when he graduated, maybe college could be for him.

Harry's pacing outside the door trying to get rid of his nerves. He shouldn't be nervous about doing this because it's only Caleb. It's not Zayn he'll be talking to, although Caleb will have to tell Zayn that Harry quit and Harry's scared. He's been scared a lot lately he thinks. Of Zayn, of not making his own money, his mothers condition, Niall; when he punched Zayn.

Harry finally gets rid of his nerves long enough to stop pacing and knock on Caleb's door. It's silent for a second before he hears a voice telling him to come in. Harry opens the door slowly and walks over to the chair in front of Caleb's desk and sits down.

"Harry! What do I owe this visit?" Caleb asks, happy to see Harry.

Harry's hesitant before he speaks, "I- I'm quitting Caleb. I'm not going to strip here anymore."