Paperboy. (h.s. au)

43.

Harry stood in front of the mirror in my bedroom wrestling with his tie. He wore grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt with a tie around his neck.

He huffed. "I swear I know how to do this." He ripped it from his neck and threw it to the ground with a defeated sigh. He sat down and shoved a hand through his hair.

"I believe you." I smiled at his efforts. I wish I could help him, but I only know how to clip a tie to a shirt.

"I'll show you," he stood up and started up again. I rolled my eyes and laid on my back atop my creaky old bed.

The wedding was today, and harry had come over to get ready. After a meager breakfast of eggs and toast, we migrated to my bedroom to hash out Harry's tie situation because he needed practice and I wanted to lay down.

We leave in a few hours, but those hours were needed to prepare mentally and physically.

Harry has been walking on eggshells around my family today by trying to make everyone laugh with bad jokes and talking about random things. Frankly, it's working on David and me, but my mom is still a bit distracted. I wish I could do today for her. I can only imagine how hard this is going to be.

I'm excited, but mostly just to get dressed up with Harry and go somewhere. The other part that I'm only nervous about just happens to be the reason we get to do that.

For the majority of the morning, I'd been trying to decompress and relax. Harry makes this easier. His smile alone could tranquilize a grizzly bear. He understands my situation, so he doesn't talk more than he needs to and does little things like rub my back and keep a small distance. He's far too respectful to be selfish today.

"I think I've got i-" Harry is interrupted by my little brother.

"Rob, look!" David struts in, completely dressed for the occasion. I prop myself up on my elbows. He wears a little suit and looks as cute as a button. "Did it all by myself!" He exclaims proudly.

Harry hawks at him in astonishment. "Did you really?" He sees the tie perfectly knotted underneath the vest.

David nods and smiles, blushing a little.

I believe it. Different from Harry, David has been tying his necktie onto everything he could as practice. He wanted to show Harry that he could do it, and the fact that he's so amazed by it only makes David happier.

"Good job, kid. I'm not even able to do it yet!" Harry returns to the mirror and pretends to struggle far more than he needs to. David glances at me and I suppress a smile.

"Do...do you want help?" David asks quietly but excitedly.

Harry drops is arms to the side, and with a big sigh, he nods. "You're my only hope, Dave. I could use the help."

My brother's face lit up instantly and he steps up to Harry, who sits in the chair by the vanity. David's little hands take the tie from Harry's larger ones and he goes to work.

I notice the growing smile on my face at the moment, and watch the man I adore with the boy I adore.

"And...there!" David steps back with a smile he can't hide anymore. Harry stretches up and looks at his reflection with an impressed nod.

Looking down at David, he smiles. He squats down and balances on the balls of his feet with a hand extended out. "Thanks, man. I owe you one."