Fade {Harry Styles}

chapter 7

** Previously in Fade **

A loud knock just barely drew Marcel’s thoughts from the clouds. He lazily peeled himself from the bed and snatched his large glasses. It was still a forced habit, wearing glasses. And he still hated them as much as the very first day.

Who wanted to talk to him now?

He padded his way to the door. The day was abnormally cold and Marcel was for once glad he was wearing long sleeves and a sweater vest. He never imagined that very thought would cross his mind.

His fingers fumbled with the latch and he creaked the door open.

What awaited outside the threshold was something Marcel would have never expected if he was given a thousand guesses.

His eyes widened at the sight of the blonde boy awaiting in the hallway.

"Hello, Marcel.” The familiar voice spoke.

 *    *    *

Marcel's jaw plummeted in absolute shock. 

"Liam?"

The other lad had propped himself against the doorway, beaming uncontrollably."Leeroy, actually." Marcel's eyes had nearly bulged out of their sockets at the sight of Liam in ripped jean shorts that didn't reach the caps of his knees, a crewneck that looked as if it was from the 90's, pink striped leg warmers, and a pink headband wrapped around his fake blonde hair -- oh goodness, the hair.

And just like that, Marcel was laughing. It wasn't a chuckle -- no not even close. The laugh that wracked through Marcel's body was one that shook his entire frame, doubled him over at the center, and brought salty tears to his eyes. 

"Oh, God! You look ridiculous!" He burst through ragged breaths. Liam raised a bushy eye brow at his fellow bandmate who was also absurdly dressed. "As do you." He chuckled, taking in Marcel's outfit as well. 

All though Marcel had gotten used to seeing himself in things such as wool vests, bow ties, and button up shirts that covered the entire length of his arms, Liam was not presented with the opportunity. The sight of the boy who had lived in tight jeans and v-necks wearing nearly the complete opposite was purely odd.

Liam's facial expression didn't stray from amused as he strode through the door. An environment so different from what he had pictured, and he liked the one in front of his eyes better than the one he had painted in his head. 

For some reason, Liam had thought his beloved Harry had been dumped off with absolutely nothing, and he half expected to find Harry huddled in an alley, freezing and starved. Liam was a worrier. Instead, he found a man with large glasses and slicked hair living in a cozy little apartment. Of course he was more than delighted. Modest! had left a lot of details out of their short explanation of Marcel's whereabouts. It often made Liam wonder why he ever agreed it was a good idea to send Harry off in disguise in the first place. But seeing the genuine smile pressed to Marcel's dimpled cheeks had him backtracking so fast his mind was tripping.

"I didn't expect to see you any time soon." Marcel voiced, closing the door behind his guest. "I just got done talking to Zayn, he said management''s been..." He trailed off, searching for a liable word. 

"A bitch." Liam spoke up. Marcel was surprised by his foul swearing; he must have felt very strong about the subject in order to use such language. "Yeah, but I don't want to talk about that right now, mate." Liam clasped his hands together, spinning on his heels in order to smile heartily at Marcel. "How are things here? Everything going alright?"