The Moment | hs au

The Nights

"Do you think cats know what we say?" Harry asked innocently while petting Peanut. He's laying out on the couch, Peanut nestled between his legs.

"I think so." Margo responds, looking up from her computer screen.

"It's New Years Eve, Margo, we gotta do something."

"I'm not busy or anything." Margo responds sarcastically with a small chuckle.

"I mean, we could go to Times Square tonight."

"We'd have to leave now to get a good spot." Margo says with no interest of getting up from her comfy chair.

"Okay." Harry says and stands up abruptly. He stalks over the kitchen counter where his jacket is laid and shoves his arms in. He throws his hair back into a warm beanie and stuffs a scarf around his neck, finally putting on a pair of thin gloves.

"Harry, you can't be serious."

"I'm very serious." He responds, muffled through the scarf.

"I can't believe you." Margo suddenly stands up to go out on a sweater and thicker pants. She comes back wearing mid-calf boots as well. She tugs a coat on with a hat, gloves, and a scarf.

"What are we even doing?" Margo asks, unbelieving.

"We're gonna see the ball drop." Harry says again through his scarf.

"It's probably freezing."

"We can cuddle after."

"You dork."

"You love me." He turns to call up the elevator.

"Whatever you say." Margo laughs. She pulls her camera strap around her shoulder and holds it firmly in front of her.

The elevator creaks and complains but still safely takes them to the ground floor.

The snow on the pavement swirls around their boots as they walk. Of course, the city is bursting at the seams with tourists. They wouldn't be able to find a taxi even if they offer end an obscene amount of money. Margo and Harry hold hands casually, Margo thinks it's for the sake of avoiding frostbite while Harry has other thoughts.

They walk mostly in silence, passing each block a little slower than he last. They are traveling to the heart of the city, after all. The crowds get thicker as they go on.

"This may not have been a great idea on my part." Harry admits.

"Well, we're here. The sun is already going down." Margo responds, having to just about shout over the gentle roar of the thousands of people crammed in Times Square. They're by no means close to the action, but they are close enough to have a view of the everything going on. Sadly, they are too far from the stage to watch the performers and hear the music.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in." The voice that sends a surge of hatred through Margo's bones is immediately behind her. In fury and shock, both her and Harry turn around and come face to facelift not only Liam Payne, but Monica as well.

"Look who went back to the cheater." Margo says back bitterly, seeing that Monica and Liam are holding hands.

"Look who turned out to be cheating too." Monica snaps, eyeing Harry.

"Uh no. I was loyal to this asshole until I found out he was—well—an asshole." Margo says, unfolding her hand from Harry and taking a step towards the terrible two.

"Whatever, you just lie, lie, lie. I'm sure Harry's used to it by now." Monica says. Both Liam and Harry have remained silent this whole time, letting the cats play.

"Excuse you? You calling me a liar? I'd love it if you could point out a single time I've lied to you." Margo crosses her arms, knowing for a fact she doesn't make it a habit to lie.

"Maybe not to me, but my daddy's a police officer, I'm sure your friend would love to hear about your criminal record." Monica says with a smug look on her face. Margo feels Harry stiffen behind her.

"My what?"

"You heard me, criminal record." She seems proud of herself, "Do I need to spell it out for you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, I've never even got a parking ticket in my life." Margo says but she knows it's not the truth, she's just hoping her white lie will be undetected.

"M-U-R-D-E-R." She says slowly, "Daddy found your files after you so graciously kicked me out into the street."

"Was that before or after you called me a 'bitch?'"

"She didn't deny it. Caught yah." She blows a kiss. Margo is livid. She just hopes Harry believes her white lie.

"What gives you the right—"

Harry interrupts, "That's enough, go on before I do something about it." He takes in front of Margo, but all she wants to do now is cry. The memories of that night come surging back in full force. Elizabeth...

"What you gonna do, mate?" Liam's familiar but venomous voice calls out to Harry. He might've been scared, but Harry stands a good foot above Liam and has more muscle to show for it. Margo sees Liam retreat back a step or two.

"Go on." Harry repeats, louder this time. He shoos them away after they each send threatening glances over to Margo.

When Harry turns around, the only thing left he finds of Margo are her frozen tears on the icy pavement.