Two Pieces

"Something's Different"

"I don't need Liam's permission to punish you," Harry said.

"Go ahead, throw me around, it won't change anything," Sofia insisted.

"You're right," Harry said, sitting on her bed, "Throwing you around probably won't change anything."

He sighed deeply, he knew what she was used to when it came to her father. And that's not what he wanted to do here. He didn't want to throw her around, he wanted her to know how worried he had been. He wasn't doing this because he was angry. Okay, yes he was angry. But he didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to just react. He wanted her to know he cared, and that she couldn't just get away with putting herself in danger.

She needed consequences, and for a girl like Sofia that meant she needed a little bit of humility, and pain. She was used to physical pain, he knew that. But he wanted her to know that pain didn't always come from a place of anger or frustration, but from caring so deeply about someone that you made sure they followed the rules. She wasn't a child, but Harry knew that she needed to be treated like one sometimes. She had lost so much of her childhood, and this was something she missed out on. Consequences to bad behavior.

"Take off your jeans, Sofia," Harry said, his voice stern and quiet. He was using the voice she often brought up. He knew the voice. He used it before. She knew the voice. It was a voice that told her that he was now in charge.

Harry watched as she froze. She saw the fear flash in her eyes. He knew what she was thinking. He was going to hurt her. He was going to do something to drive fear into her so deep that she would never disobey him again. But that wasn't what he was going to do. He knew that, he just needed her to know that. He needed her to trust him.

"You can't do this," Sofia said, glancing around the room. He was scaring her. He didn't want that. That's the last thing he wanted. He stood up, and she took a step back. He froze, and looked at her carefully.

"I need you to trust me," he said, he kept his voice hard and stern, but there was a sincerity to it, and a hope in it, "Do you trust me?"

The relief that rushed through Harry when she nodded her head was all he needed.

He had guessed a long time ago that there was submissive part of Sofia that was desperate to trust someone. But when she nodded, he realized how right he was. She trusted him, and so he needed to be very careful with how he did this.

They were stepping into unchartered territory. But, Harry had assumed they would get here eventually. She saw the way her eyes flashed when he got bossy, he saw how she baited him. She needed someone to take control, even if she didn't fully realize it yet.

She needed someone to show her that handing over control wasn't a bad thing. She needed someone to trust enough to hand over herself too. She needed this. He knew it, and she would know it too.

Harry's full being snapped into the state of mind he needed to be in. Harry was dominating by nature, he was born that way. He liked control, he liked to get his way, and he liked controlling others. It used to out of anger and spite, but now it was just out of caring.

He knew that the way he handled himself made him dominating, and he knew that there were woman in the world that got off on that. But, this wasn't about that. Or those women. This was about Sofia. He was about to show her he could be exactly what she needed, even if she didn't know it yet.

He sat back down on the bed. His eyes were stern, and his posture lifted. He was in charge. He knew it, and he knew that she knew it too.

"Take off your jeans Sofia, and then bend over my lap," his voice left no room for error.

Those were his directions, and she was going to follow them. She said she trusted him, and now he needed her to prove it. He watched as she bit her lip. She was struggling with letting go. He knew she would. She was about to do something she never had before, she was about to let go of everything she ever thought made her her.
She was born to be wild and the boss. She grew up thinking that was the only way she could be respected or loved. If she wasn't the boss, if she wasn't in charge, she was nothing. If she wasn't calling the shots, and playing the games, she didn't matter. He was going to show her that that wasn't the truth.

She could let go of that part of her, and be vulnerable and submissive and she would still hold all the power. And he would still care and respect her afterwards. Maybe even more then he had before.




***


"I'm loosing my patience," Harry growled, because he was in charge. And he was going to do this, and she was going to let him. But it wouldn't take all night, Harry didn't want to drag this out.

"Do I need to come over there and help you?" he asked, his voice hard, "Or are you going to follow directions? Don't make this worse."

He watched as Sofia stepped towards him. It was his voice. It was his demeanor. She was submitting to him. Not because he scared her, or because she felt she had to. Because she wanted to, because she trusted him.

Sofia could fight him on this, he knew that. If at any point she didn't want this to happen or need this to happen, she could fight. He wouldn't force her to do anything she didn't want to do. He was dominating, but he wasn't an asshole.

She could easily put up a fight, and probably win. She
could easily tell him to fuck off and call Liam. So when she took that step, he knew that somewhere in her being she wanted and needed this too. He was about to unpeel another layer of who Sofia was. And if he guessed, if it was any other guy, it would be a layer that would never come down.

She slipped off her jeans and Harry pointedly looked away. He didn't want her to think this was about something other then consequence. He didn't want to scare her.

Eventually, he hoped it would be about more then this. But for right now, he had to do this the right way. This wasn't about sex, or seeing her in her underwear. This was about showing her that her behavior wasn't acceptable and it wouldn't be tolerated. It was about showing her how much he cared.

He knew he had the power right now, and he wasn't going to take advantage of that. What he wanted her to know, and what he hoped to explain eventually was that she also had the power. Being submissive meant you held all the power, because if that trust broke, it was over. She had to trust him to do right by her, and he would.

But if at anytime she didn't trust him, she held all the cards to make it stop.

"Let's go," he said, pointing to his lap. She stumbled a bit, so he helped her over his lap. He gripped her tightly so she wouldn't fall. And she let him.

"If you want to act like a child, Sofia" Harry growled,
"I have no problem punishing you like one. Keep you hands down, if you reach back, I will have to restrain you."

He heard her gasp as he pulled her underwear down. And as his hand his her ass, she gasped again. He knew it hurt, that was the point. So he started to hit her again, keeping a rhythm and speed that he knew would make an impact.

"I was worried sick about you," he barked as he continued to smack her, "It's not okay to leave people feeling like that. It's not okay to break rules. It's not okay to sneak out and do something dangerous. You know it would kill me if something happen to you, it would kill all of us..."

He smacked her particular hard to emphasize that point.

"So, if this is what it takes to get you to understand that your behavior isn't okay, this what we'll do. Each and every time you decide that you want to break rules, and do things your way. That's fine, you do that. Just know that you will find yourself right over my lap, just like this."

She cried out as he hit her. He knew she was uncomfortable, and embarrassed, but he continued. He could imagine that the sting of his hand was beginning to build, and make an impression. As he hit her thigh, her hand flew back. He expected this, so he was quick to grab it before she could cover herself.

"No," he barked at her, "Hands down –"

"Harry please," Sofia hissed.

She was still hissing at him, so clearly he hadn't made his point yet. But he would. He could hear the tears, and he knew from the tone in her voice that she was hoping the tears would give her an advantage. But she was wrong, he wasn't going to be manipulated by her. This would be over when he said it was. But he also knew she needed to hear him care, not just lecture.

"You can grab my leg if it helps," he said, keeping his voice stern, but a little gentler, "But do not reach back again."

Harry watched as her hand went back down in front of her, and he felt her wrap it around his legs. She was listening, she was obeying.

He began to smack her again, and she started to squirm. He stopped lecturing, because he wanted to make his point with his hand. But at no point did she try to get up, or fight him. She was taking it, and taking it well.

She was giving herself over to him, and allowing it to happen. Which meant, that she knew she deserved it. Harry heard her cry out, as he hit her thigh. His point was being made, he was just waiting for her to surrender completely.

"It hurts!" she cried out, he could hear the tears, there were more. She wasn't using them to her advantage anymore. She was vulnerable, and embarrassed, and uncomfortable.

"It's supposed to," he answered, his voice still hard, "Pain is a natural deterrent. When children reach for a fire and get burned, they usually never go back to the fire again. This is supposed to help you to remember that you shouldn't break my rules. If you do, there will be consequences. Ones you don't like."

"Okay! I get it!" Sofia cried out, and this time her hand flew back and he wasn't ready for it.

"No, Sofia," Harry barked, it seemed to come natural to him, "If you got it, your hand would be on the floor. Because you would be following my directions."

"Please Harry," she cried out, a sob rushing through her. She touched his arm with her hand.

Harry knew what she wanted before she said it. She needed to feel compassion from him too. She needed to know that even though he was hurting her, he cared about her. That was the point. He laced his fingers threw hers, holding it to her back.

Maybe to some it looked like he was restraining her, but he knew it was the intimacy she needed in the moment. He needed it too. She relaxed when he grabbed her hand, submitting to his will again.

He hit her several more times, and soon she was like Jell-O, melting into him.


***


"I'm sorry!" she cried out. That was it. That was the sign he made his point. He could hear the regret in her voice. She was being sincere, he knew that because of the way she said it, and the way her body was.

She had let go of any resistance she had in her body. She had completely let herself go to him, and to what he wanted. And that's when he stopped. He let go of her hand, and allowed her to catch her breath as she lay over him.

"You can get up when you're ready," he said, his voice quiet. Sofia pushed herself off him quickly, and he looked away again so he didn't see her naked as she pulled her underwear up.

When he looked at her, she had moved away from him. She was embarrassed, he knew that. That was part of the point. She was putting on shorts, as he quietly stood up.

"Are you okay?" he asked. He didn't have to, he knew she was. She was embarrassed, and her ass probably felt like it was on fire. But she was okay.

"I'm fine," Sofia said, wiping her eyes, "You made your point. I'm sorry."

"Sofia –" Harry said, he wanted to talk about this.

"You can go," she sniffled out, she wasn't looking at him. He expected this too. He didn't want to push her, he had pushed her far enough tonight. She did something she probably never expected she would do, and he knew it was going to take her awhile to wrap her head around that.

"I don't want to leave you alone if your upset," Harry said quietly. If this were a normal situation, he would stay. And probably reward her for taking it so well. But this wasn't normal, and this wasn't that. That would have to wait. This was new territory for him too.

"Just go," Sofia cried out, turning away from him,
"Please just go and leave me alone."

"I'll be in my room, if you need me," Harry said, "Breakfast tomorrow. You're to be up by 9 o'clock."
He didn't try and touch her, because that might push her away. But he did make sure that she could come get him if she needed, and that she wasn't going to avoid him. She would be at breakfast, and this would be discussed. He'd allow her the night, but that was it. He left the room quietly, leaving her crying silently.

Sofia didn't know what came over her. Yes, it hurt. Yes, she was embarrassed. But the tears were from so much more then that. She felt like Harry had just reached out and pulled out a side of her she didn't even know she had. It was like he had guessed every move and thought she had, and was one step ahead. He knew her better then she knew herself. And a part of her hated that, a bigger part of her was scared, and then there was the part of her that wanted to know what else he could figure out and pull out of her.

She didn't make him leave because she was scared or angry. Or because she was embarrassed and hurt. She made him leave because she wanted more of him, right then and there. She had never trusted someone like that, or wanted someone like that. Maybe it was twisted, maybe other people wouldn't understand it. But everything he had just done and said made her want more of him. It didn't help that he had totally turned her on too. She could listen to his voice like that all day everyday. That freaked her out. She wasn't used to being the one being turned on, she was used to the other way around.

She was in trouble, and she knew it. But a part of her didn't care. Even though she had been told to have feelings like that, and give up control was dangerous, she didn't care. If giving Harry control meant feeling like this, she'd give him everything.

And that terrified her. And excited her.

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. Harry left her alone, like she asked him too. At least that's what she thought. He came back to her room a few hours later, after she was asleep. That's how she wound up under her blankets instead of lying on top of them.

Of course he wasn't going to let her be alone. He just knew better then to let her know that.


***


Sofia was nervous as she walked towards the kitchen. She wasn't sure she was ready to see him, but a part of her just wanted to be around him again. She almost needed to see him.

Harry was sitting at the table with his coffee and newspaper when she stepped in. He looked up at her, as she looked away from him. She didn't say anything, moving from foot to foot. She glanced at the plate of food he had put out for her, and the chair she was supposed to sit in. She looked weary and nervous and embarrassed.

Harry expected all of that. She needed him to take the reigns on this one, and that's what he was going to do.

"Sit, Sofia," he said, he voice calm and back to normal, "You're working it up in your head that it's going to hurt more then it is."

She didn't say anything, but glanced up at him flustered. How did he know what she was thinking.

"Sit," Harry repeated, "And see for yourself that it's not going to be that bad."

Sofia quietly pulled out the chair, and sat down. He was right, it didn't hurt as much as she thought it would. It was uncomfortable, but bearable. She didn't say anything, staring at the table. Harry stared at her, and wondered if she was going to look at him, but realized that she wouldn't until he made her.

"You're embarrassed," he said, putting his coffee cup down. She looked over at him, eyes wide. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. He knew what she was feeling, and was throwing it in her face so she couldn't
avoid it.

"Good," he said, nodding, "You should be."

Her nostrils flared in frustration.

"Not because of the spanking," Harry continued, "But because of your behavior. And how it made me feel. That should embarrass you."

"I'm sorry," Sofia said, her voice quiet but sincere. She hated that she made him feel like that last night.

"Thank you," he said, "I appreciate that. But, it was taken care of last night, and I don't want it to ruin the rest of our time."

"Okay," Sofia said, her voice quiet again, as she shifted in her seat.

"But make no mistake, Sofia," Harry said, "I meant what I said last night. You will find yourself over my knee from now on if I find it necessary."

Her cheeks flushed red, but she nodded. That was what he needed to see. In one night, they had gone from being complicated friends, to having a very clear dominating, submissive relationship.

He knew that last night changed everything. He knew from here on out, all he would have to do is give her a look, and she would know that he meant business. And she was agreeing to it. With that nod, she wasn't fighting this, even though.

Again, at this kitchen table she could throw it all out the window. But she didn't, she was stepping into this with him. He felt relief rush over him. He felt like Sofia and him were less complicated now. They crossed a line together last night, and maybe it wasn't something anyone else would understand. But, he didn't need anyone else to understand it. As long as they were on the same page, Harry was okay. Although, he wondered if she felt they were less complicated.

"Have you done that before?" Sofia asked, her voice a little more confident, which Harry was grateful for. He hated soft speaking Sofia, it was so unlike her.

"Done what?" he asked, looking at her as he cocked his head. He needed her to say it. If they were going to be honest and open, she needed to let the embarrassment go.

"You know what," she said, frustrated.

"Spanked somebody?" Harry asked, "You can say the word, you know. You participated in the act, Sofia."

"Fine," Sofia spat out, amusing Harry, "Have you spanked someone before?"

"Not in that context," Harry said, standing up and putting his cup in the sink.

"What does that mean?" Sofia asked, looking over at him, "You either have or haven't."

"Are you sure you want to know this?" Harry asked.

"I think we're a little past keeping things, don't you?" Sofia snapped, "I mean I was naked over your lap last night."

Harry bit back a smile. There she was. He knew it wouldn't take long for her to snap out of it.

"Good point," Harry said, "And yes I have. But not because of behavior."

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked, blinking a few times.

"I've spanked girls during sex," Harry said bluntly, causing Sofia to choke on her own breath.

"What?" Sofia asked, her voice giving away her shock and her curiosity.

"You weren't wrong when you said that I liked to dominate girls, Sofia," Harry said, raising his eyebrows, "And that's what I enjoy in the bedroom. When a girl doesn't do what I say or what I ask, there are consequences."

"You're kidding," Sofia said.

"No, I'm not," Harry said, shaking his head. He wasn't embarrassed about his wants or needs. And he was pretty sure if he were honest with her, she would get over her embarrassment too. He knew that she was turned on last night, he wouldn't ever say that. She would tell him when she was ready. But he knew.

"Girls enjoy that?" Sofia snapped, "Getting beaten?"

"I didn't beat you, Sofia," Harry sighed, rolling his eyes, "And I don't beat them. It's good to know your flare for dramatics is still the same. But you would be surprised at how close the line is to pleasure and pain. Some girls do enjoy that."

He was looking at her. And she knew that he knew. She would never admit it, but she was curious as to what he was talking about.

"So, you've never just spanked someone?" she asked, changing the subject, "You know, without the sex?"

"No," Harry said, shaking his head, "I've never cared enough about someone and what they were doing to spank them. Especially if it didn't affect my orgasms."

Sofia's jaw dropped at how blunt he was being. This was a side to Harry she hadn't seen before. A side to him she was pretty sure she drew out last night. And a side to him she didn't ever want to go away.

"You should eat," Harry said, pointing to her plate, and changing the subject. He didn't want last night to haunt them all weekend. It happened. It would probably happen again. But for now, they needed to move on.

She turned back around, and picked up the toast in front of her. She bit into it, but Harry could see that her mind wasn't with breakfast, but wandering. He wanted to know what she was thinking, but he also wanted her to come to him with it. He washed the dishes in the sink, and let her mind wander in peace. He was being very careful.

He didn't even hear her as she got up and placed her plate in the sink. She was standing so close to him that they were touching. He turned so that he was looking at her, and she was looking at him. She wanted to ask him something, he could tell.

"Yes?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her.

"You kept saying that there would be consequences," Sofia said, "So I'm just wondering how long you've waited to do that."

"To spank you," Harry clarified, "Use the words, Sofia. No one's hear but us. There's no room for embarrassment."

"Okay," Sofia said, "I'll try again. How long have you been wanting to spank me, Harry?"

There was a teasing in her voice. One that made him want to pin her against the counter and fuck her right there. But he couldn't, not yet. If he ran into this without any thought, he would loose her. He had to do this the right way. She had to see that he could be exactly what she wanted and needed, and not get anything in return for it.
Including, but especially sex.

"I've wanted you over my knee from the minute I moved in," he answered.

His voice and eyes gave away just how much he wanted her, and she knew it. She just didn't understand why he wouldn't take her. What game was he playing?

It wasn't a game to Harry, though. It was him making the biggest decision of his life. To finally do something the right way, with someone he cared about.

Yeah, he wanted fuck her. But he wanted to love her more. So, no he wouldn't throw her against the counter like he wanted to, but that didn't mean he couldn't tease her right back.




***


"You're too wound up," Harry aid, as he leaned against the wall watching her, "Loosen your shoulders a bit."

"I've been doing this since I was 13," Sofia snapped at him, he could practically hear her eyes roll, "I know how to shoot a gun!"

So, she pulled the trigger and missed the target completely. Harry bit back the laugh he wanted to let out.
He came up behind her grabbing her hip with one hand and her arm without another, "Loosen up."

His voice was soft, and his body pressed against hers. She strangled back the moan and the scream she wanted to let go of at the same time. She let him reposition her, his grip still tight.

"Try again," he said.

She shot. And she hit the target.

"See?" Harry said, stepping back, "Told you."

"Fuck off," she hissed, putting the gun down and turning toward him. He smirked at her widely.

"Did you tell Liam?" Sofia asked, biting her lip.

"No," Harry answered, "I don't think it's anyone's business about what we do, until we want to tell them. Plus, I didn't think you'd want him to know."

"I just figured you'd want to let him know that you took charge," Sofia said quietly.

"I don't need him to know," Harry said, "But I think he assumed something happened."

"I don't –"

"My goal isn't to step all over you, Sofia. Or embarrass you. That wasn't the point of last night, and it isn't what I want from here on out. What happens between you and me is just that. Between you and me."

"Something's different, isn't it?" Sofia asked, her voice was quiet and vulnerable.

"Yes," Harry answered honestly, "But we don't have to figure it all out right now. Let it be, Sof. Let last night be. And get out of your own head. You're thinking too much. Stop."

"I'm always in my head, I'm always thinking," Sofia argued.

"I know," Harry answered, "I think that's part of the problem. You always have to have a game plan, or a goal. Or a strategy. Life isn't about that. Sometimes you just have to see where it goes."

He was talking about life in general, but Sofia knew that he was actually talking about them. Without saying it, they were admitting that a line was crossed last night. She didn't know where it would lead, and he didn't either. But there was something between them that they couldn't deny anymore.

There was a level of intimacy between them that she would never have with anyone else. She knew that, and it scared her. And he knew it scared her, that's why he was treading so softly and choosing his words carefully. One wrong move, and he would drive her away. Sofia wasn't fearless, he knew that. And last night, was a step toward her biggest fear. He knew that too.

"Have you heard from Zayn or Niall?" she asked, she was changing the subject. And that was okay. He was going to take this at her pace.

"Not yet," Harry said, "I'm sure we'll hear something when there's something to hear."

"I just hope I wasn't wrong about her," Sofia said, "I don't think I could take another dead end when it comes to The Suns."

"I know. But we're gonna figure this out, we'll get them."
"Yeah, but I hope we do it before it's too late or this get's any messier."

"Sofia, you did your part," Harry said, "Let us take it from here."

Harry put the gun away, telling her that her time at the shooting range was up. She was too in her head anyway, her training wasn't getting too far today. She followed him out of the gun range, not saying a word. They didn't need to speak constantly, they were perfectly comfortable in silence. Something Sofia never thought she'd be, comfortable in silence.

She climbed into the car next to him as Harry put the car in drive. He flipped on the radio, she knew he was doing it for her sake.

"So, what's going on with you and Em?" Harry asked, not taking his eyes off the road.

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked.

"I mean, it took me a bit to get past the frustration of you hitting on her boyfriend to realize that her story was bullshit. So, what's really going on?"

"How do you always know?" Sofia asked, her voice exasperated. Harry smirked, before shrugging.

"It's a gift," he said.

"We're just disagreeing on things," Sofia said, not able to tell him the truth.

"Things like what?" Harry asked.

"She thinks I make selfish decisions, that I don't think about other people or their feelings," Sofia said, quietly, "Guess that doesn't surprise you."

"No," Harry said, "It doesn't."

Sofia couldn't help but be hurt and offended by his words. She looked out the window, so he couldn't see how they affected her. But he knew anyway.

"But, I think you're trying," Harry said, "I think you're trying to be less selfish and thinking about other people more. I think that's what matters."

Sofia saw Isaac go through her head. If Harry were right, she would end it with Isaac right now. If she were less selfish and thought about other people, that's what she would do. But she couldn't and she wouldn't. There was something about Isaac that kept her holding on. Maybe it was her way of rebelling. Maybe it's because he understood her in ways no one else could. But, mostly it's because he was barrier. Sofia always needed a way to show people that she was still pushing them away. And Isaac was that for her. A way to keep her family at a distance, without them knowing.

"How'd you and Emily meet anyway? And Katie?" Harry asked.

"Em's parents and mine were friends," Sofia answered,

"We've known each other since we were babies. We met Katie when we started school."

"They seem like they're good friends," Harry said.

"Yeah, they are," Sofia admitted, "Probably better then I deserve."

"I think that's your problem, Sofia," Harry said quietly. Sofia glanced over at him confused.

"You think you deserve anything good. Or love. Or friendship," Harry said, "And I don't get it. I don't get why you think you wouldn't deserve the absolute best."

"I guess it's because I was always told I didn't need it," Sofia said, shrugging, "And then being told that so much, I decided I didn't want it either. And that just made push everyone away. So, I didn't deserve it."

"And now?" Harry asked.

"And now, I'm just trying to figure out what it means to want it. It's like trying to re-wire my brain. I was told one thing my entire life, and now I'm being told the opposite."

"I could see how that could be confusing, and frustrating," Harry said.

"I still want his approval, you know?" Sofia said, her voice quiet. And Harry knew that they were talking about her father.

"He's dead, but I still want his approval," she said again, "How fucked up is that?"

Harry didn't say anything, because he didn't have any words that would make her feel better. He appreciated when she opened up about her father, because he knew that there was still so much baggage in her when it came to him. Harry didn't want to push her to talk about it, knowing that if he just listened when she did talk, eventually she would talk about it all. So, he didn't say anything. Instead he just reached over, and grabbed her hand.

"What are we doing for dinner?" she asked, changing the subject again, but she still held onto his hand.

"I figured we could order in," Harry said, looking over at her for approval.

"Awesome," Sofia said, "Because I really wanted –"

"I really wanted –"

"Sushi," they both said at the same time. And then they both burst out laughing.


***


"You're kidding me," Harry said, as Sofia came next to the pool with a small bong and a bottle of whiskey.

"It's for me, you don't have to join," Sofia said, with a teasing smile.

"If Liam knew –"

"Liam knows that I drink and that I smoke, hell he's done it with me. I'm in my own home, I'm not out. I'm with you, what's the worst that could happen?"

She cocked her head at him with a grin, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Wanna pay a game? She asked.

"What kind of game?"

"Truth, or drink," she answered, moving towards him and then swimming backwards.

"That sounds like it could get dangerous," Harry said, but he picked up the bottle and took a swig.

"I'll go first," she answered.

"What's your favorite animal?" she asked

"Cat," Harry answered quickly, "Yours?"

"I like dogs," Sofia said, "We had one when we were little. Simba. He was the best. Broke my heart when he died."

"What's your favorite holiday?" Harry asked.

"Christmas Eve," Sofia answered, "Who's your favorite housemate?"

Harry paused, looking at her. She had a cheeky smile on your face.

"That's not fair," Harry answered.

"If you can't answer, you have to drink," Sofia reminded him, pointing at the bottle.

"Louis," Harry said.

"I knew it," Sofia said, laughing, "You love him."

"Who's yours?" Harry asked. Now it was her turn to pause. She looked like a million things were crossing her mind.

"I guess I'll drink," she said, Harry laughed as he handed her the bottle. But he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"Do you miss Holmes Chapel?" Sofia asked.

"No," Harry answered, "Not really."

"What about Gemma?" Sofia asked.

"That's a second question," Harry pointed out, and Sofia narrowed her eyes at him. He took a long drink out of the
bottle.

"Yeah," he answered, quietly, "I miss her. What was your first kiss like?"

Sofia stopped. Isaac. Isaac was her first kiss. Years ago. At some stupid boy girl party. But she couldn't tell Harry that.

"Sloppy," she answered, with a laugh.

"Didn't know what he was doing, huh?" Harry asked, laughed.

"I don't think either of us did," Sofia answered, "What about you? Did you know what you were doing your first kiss?"

"Absolutely not," Harry said, with a giant smile, "But it was fun. Got to touch her breasts too."

"Gross," Sofia sniffed, before reaching for the bong.

"Ever shot gunned?" she asked, looking at him.

"Yes," Harry said, with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Wanna shot gun with me?" she asked.

"Yes," Harry answered, the alcohol getting to him.

His answers came easy. He watched as Sofia lit the bong, and inhaled the smoke. He moved closer to her, and she moved her head towards his. She placed her arms around his shoulders, and her face was so close it was almost touching. She didn't put her lips to his, but they were so close he could almost feel them. He wanted to feel them. He opened his mouth, so she could blow smoke into his. She didn't let go as she exhaled. He gripped her hips hard, because watching her blow smoke in that tiny bathing was probably the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

"You're turn," she whispered. He swallowed hard.

"You're beautiful," he said quietly. He couldn't help himself. "Do you know how beautiful you are?"

Sofia bit down on her lip hard, as she gazed into his eyes.

"People have told me all my life," Sofia said, "Sometimes I get sick of being the pretty face. There's more to me then my face and body, you know?"

"Yeah, I do know." Harry answered. He watched as she took a long sip out of the bottle, before she handed it to him. He used the opportunity to put some distance between them. If he didn't, he didn't know what he was going to do.

"I know there's more to you then your face and body, so much more," he said as he moved back.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" Sofia asked, looking away from him, and changing the subject again,
"Like a real one?"

"I mean, when I was a kid," Harry shrugged, "But that's not really real, is it?"

"Did you love her?" Sofia asked, and watched as he took a swig of the alcohol instead of answering. He couldn't answer that. That was too close to home right now.

"What was your first time like?" Harry asked.

Since she had brought it up, he was just going to go there. Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe he just wanted to know. He could feel the jealously in himself, and tried to push it down as he prepared himself for her answer.

What he wasn't prepared for was her taking another drink. She swam away, from him as she asked her next question.

"What did you want to be when you were little?" she asked, she was smiling at him. She was picturing a little Harry Styles, and she couldn't help but smile.

"I don't really know," Harry said, trying to keep cool about her not answering his question, "I just knew I didn't want to be my dad. For a while there, I thought maybe I'd run a bar or something. Guess I kind of am now, anyway."

"I don't think you're like your dad," Sofia said quietly. His heart swelled at her words, "I don't think you'll ever have to worry about that."

"If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?" Harry asked.

He wasn't really changing the subjects. They were talking about their fathers anyway. He knew her answer. But maybe with some alcohol in her, he could get something out of her.

Sofia took the bottle of whiskey from him, and took a long gulp. Harry was upset, he thought she would answer. She wanted to play this game; the least she could do was answer his questions.

"My dad," she said quietly, after the bottle left her lips.

"What would you say?" Harry asked.

"I don't know," Sofia said, taking another gulp, "I guess it's good thing he's dead, huh?"
Harry didn't say anything.

"What about you? Who'd you have dinner with?" Sofia asked, as Harry took the bottle out of her hands gently. He took a sip, and then handed it back to her.

"My mom," Harry answered, "I'd tell her that Gemma and I made it without her. That even after everything she did or didn't do to fuck us up, we survived."

"I hate that term," Sofia said, "I survived. I'm surviving. I don't want to survive anymore."

"What do you want?" Harry asked.

"I want to live."

Sofia began to put the bottle to her lips again, but Harry stopped her.

"I think we've had enough, don't you?" Harry asked.

"Yeah," Sofia agreed quietly, putting the bottle down by the side of the pool.

"Swim with me," Harry said, pulling her out into the pool.

"It's probably dangerous to swim drunk," Sofia said, with a smirk, "You were right about this being dangerous."

"Who cares?" Harry said, shrugging. She raised her eyebrows at him. Harry was being a little less responsible tonight. She liked that.

"Who are you and what have you done to the responsible, no fun, Harry Styles?"

"You got him drunk," Harry answered, "Besides I thought you said you wanted to live," and then before she could stop him, he grabbed her and threw her up in the air, causing her to shriek and laugh.

"You're dead," she said, as she came up gasping for air, "I'm going to kill you."

"So kill me," he said quickly, with a smirk.


***


The next day Sofia was lounging on the couch, watching re-runs of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, and tapping on her phone.

"This show is trash," Harry said, walking in. He moved Sofia's feet so he could sit down, and she promptly put them back on top of him.

"It's fun to watch though," she replied, not looking up from her phone.

"So I was thinking we could go out tonight," Harry said, taking the remote and changing the channel. Sofia glanced up from her phone in surprise.

"Go out?" Sofia asked.

"Yeah, you know, get some dinner," Harry said shrugging, "Check on the club."

"Danielle would be devastated if she knew how much we have eaten out while she's been gone," Sofia snorted.

"What she doesn't know won't kill her."

Sofia opened her mouth to say something, but there was a knock at the front door. Harry sighed frustrated, because shoving Sofia's legs off of him, making her laugh and going to the door.

"Hi!" she heard Caroline's say. Sofia sat up a little straighter.

"Caroline," Harry greeted, "Did I know you were coming over?"

"No," she said, stepping in the door and waving at Sofia. Sofia waved back with a fake smile, before standing up and walking towards the stairs.

"I thought I'd just check on you two," Caroline said, "I know you don't cook, so I brought over some pastries. Plus, I wanted to see how the babysitting was going."

Sofia cringed at the words from the top of the steps. She hated that Caroline was reducing her to a child. She didn't stop to listen to the conversation. She stomped to her room, and closed the door quite loudly.

Sofia switched on her stereo loudly, because she didn't want to know. She didn't want to know what Caroline and Harry were saying; she didn't want to know what they were doing. She hated the feeling she got in her stomach when she saw them together, and she hated the feeling when she got when it came to Harry. She didn't want to feel this way. It made her feel vulnerable. And vulnerable was dangerous.

Yes, she was attracted to him. But that was it right? You could be attracted to someone and not have to go any further then that. Last night was in her head, it was confusing her. He was confusing her. She had never thought this much about one person.

She just needed to stop. She needed to get him out of her head, because she would never be able to have that with anyone. Not with Harry, not with Isaac, not with anyone. She had to stop hoping that she would. Yes, maybe Harry was there and maybe he was different. But, she wasn't. Not really. She was still in this life where loving someone or having feelings for someone or depending or trusting someone was the most dangerous thing you could do. She had to remember that. She couldn't let this go any further then what is was now.

There was a knock at her door, and Harry came in. He didn't say anything as he turned down her stereo.

"Just because you don't like her," Harry said, "Doesn't mean you have to be rude."

"Excuse me?" Sofia spat at him, narrowing her eyes.

"I don't like rudeness, Sofia," Harry snapped, "You didn't have to storm out of the room, and slam the door, and turn up your music. You don't have to act like a child."

"I'm confused, am I child or not?" Sofia hissed, "Because half the time you seem dead set on treating me like one, and the other half you want me to act like an adult. So why don't you fucking tell me what you want?"

"Don't curse at me," Harry said. He's eyes were hard as he took a step toward her, "If you want to discuss something, then we can do that. I'm always up for talking to you, about whatever is going on in your head. But, if you talk to me like that, it won't be a discussion at all. And it won't be something you like. Do you
understand me?"

Sofia couldn't help herself. She loved that voice. And how bossy he was. And there was a part of her that just didn't want to disappoint him, she wanted to please him. But there was a bigger part of her that told her this was getting too dangerous.

"Fine," she answered, turning from him.

"What is the matter with you?" Harry asked, "Besides not liking Caroline?"

"There's nothing the matter," Sofia shrugged.

"Don't do that!" Harry insisted, walking up to her, "Don't push me away!"

"I don't know how else to do things!" Sofia screeched, shoving him back, "I'm not used to this! As crazy, and weird, and world turning as this has been for all of you, it's been just as bad for me!"

"I know that you are still struggling," Harry said quietly, "But you don't have to."

"Everything about this house, and the people in it, and you," Sofia said, her voice breaking, "Is going against everything I've ever been told. I'm not supposed to care. I'm not supposed to think this much. Or feel this much. Don't you get it? I was never supposed to be this girl."

"I know," Harry said, nodding, "But it's okay. It's okay to have feelings. And it's okay to struggle. And it's okay to care. All of those things are okay."

"And if it interrupts how well I do my job? Will it be okay then?" Sofia snapped, "Because if I was doing my job right, I would've picked up something about that girl with the tattoo. And maybe we wouldn't be here now. So, are you still going to be okay with me being that girl if it takes a toll on how well I do my job?"

"Sofia, are you asking me if we'll still care if you maybe aren't as good at your job as you were?" Harry asked.

"How could you still care? If I can't do what I'm supposed to do?" Sofia snapped.

"Sofia, no one cares about you because you do your job the right way! That's not why we love you, or why we care about you. You could fail 10 million jobs, and we would all still care. You are not your job, Sofia. That's not why people appreciate you. It's not why we love you."

"I'm just confused, I'm trying to figure this all out," Sofia said, quietly.

"I know, and I also know that you will figure it out," Harry said.

This is why he wouldn't sleep with her. This is why they had to stay friends. Because she was confused enough.
Everything she thought she knew about herself and her family was changing. He didn't want to add on to that confusion. He wanted to be with her. He couldn't deny that. But she wasn't ready. He didn't know if she'd ever be ready. But, he couldn't do that to her right now. He couldn't add another confusing element.

She was struggling with just being his friend, and being attracted to him. He couldn't imagine how she'd snap when she realized she had actual feelings for him. That's why he had to do this the right way.

"For the record," Harry said, "I don't think it has to be one way or the other. I think you can have a family, and feelings, and friends. And still be amazing at your job. I think you both, Sofia. You just have to think you can have both."

Sofia didn't say anything as she thought about his words. That was the thing about Harry; he always seemed to know what she needed to hear even if she didn't know she needed to hear it. He always seemed to know what she wanted and needed, even if she didn't know it. He was always one step ahead.

"Maybe we'll just stay in tonight," Harry suggested, "Watch a movie or something."

He was trying to un blur the lines. But asking her to dinner and the club, he was trying to blur the lines, and he realized in this moment that she wasn't ready for that.

She needed him to be her friend, and she had handed him over control. He had to protect that, and not take advantage of it. So, he was unblurring the lines. They would be friends. Maybe not the type of friends that anyone got. But, if it made sense to them. And if she was okay with what they were. He was too.

He just needed her to be okay, and feel safe, and to work through her issues. And he'd be there while she did, making it less confusing and easy as he could. He knew what she needed, and he'd give it to her.

He had been selfish all his life when it came to woman, taking what he wanted and never thinking twice. But with her, it would kill him to be selfish. Because if he was selfish, he would lose her. And he couldn't take the thought of that.

He wasn't quite sure what Sofia meant to him yet, but he knew that he was far past denying his feelings. He was pretty sure he was falling in love with her. Even if she wasn't falling in love with him, that was okay. Because falling in love with Sofia Payne, was the best feeling he had felt in his life.

"A movie's good," Sofia said, snapping him out of his thoughts, "Thanks."

She smiled at him. Her voice was less panicked. She seemed like she was talking herself down. Or maybe he had talked her down. It didn't matter. As long as she was smiling, he was okay.



***

So much for not blurring the lines, Harry thought to himself, with his arms wrapped around a sleeping Sofia. He wasn't quite sure how they wound up wrapped around each other on the couch. But he wasn't going to fight it either. She was pressed tightly to his chest, and he could feel her breath on him. He had never slept this much with a girl without actually sleeping with her. He had know idea that not having sex could feel this good.
His phone buzzed, and he carefully reached around her to pick it up.

"Hello?" he whispered.

"Harry, it's me," Liam barked over the phone, "Why the hell are you whispering?"

"Your sister is asleep," Harry whispered again.

"Is she with you?" Liam asked, Harry could hear the tension in his voice.

"It's not like that, Liam," Harry said, "We fell asleep on the couch."

"Yeah, well," Liam said, "You gotta wake her up and you gotta get the hell outta town. Zayn and Niall couldn't get Chelsea to cooperate. So, they took her."

"They what?!" Harry barked, startling Sofia out of her sleep.

"Yeah, it's not going to be long before The Suns realize that one of their prostitutes didn't come home. And once they realize who, who knows what they'll do. Danny is on his way with a car, you and Sofia need to head out of town now."

"Where are we going?" Harry asked, sitting up, as Sofia sat up with him.

"Mountain house," Liam said, "It's more secluded and has more security."

"Got it," Harry said, standing up off the couch.

"Harry?" Liam asked.

"Yeah?"

"Don't let anything happen to my sister," Liam said.

"Never," Harry answered, before saying goodbye and hanging up. Sofia looked a little crazed, and her hair was a mess.

"What's going on?" she asked

"We gotta get out of town now," Harry said, "Go pack a bag, Danny will be here any second."

"Now?" Sofia said, looking at the clock. It was 1 in the morning.

"Yeah, now," Harry said before going to a closet to start packing up weapons.

"I'll pack your bag too," Sofia said, before running up the stairs.

Sofia was good at packing at the last minute. She was good at throwing things into a bag so they could survive at one of the other houses for a few days. It wasn't the first time she had to do this, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

But, she was surprised at how easily she found things for Harry to wear. She knew the shirts he liked, and the pants. She knew where his bathing suit was. And most of his bathroom stuff was in her room; from all the times he stayed with her. It was strange to her how easily packing for someone else came. But she was done with both their bags in less then 10 minutes.

"You ready?" Danny asked, as Sofia stepped out of the house into the night air.

"Did you see anything on your way here?" Sofia asked.

"Nope, we're good, for now," Danny said, opening the door to the car so Sofia could slip in the backseat.

"Everyone else?" Sofia asked

"They're on lock down," Harry said, jumping into the front seat of the car, "They'll be okay."

Danny slammed the door shut behind her, and Sofia watched as he put the security code in for the house.

"It's going to be okay, Sof," Harry said, looking back at her.

"I'm not scared," Sofia said, "I'm not scared when I'm with you."

She reached up and touched his cheek gently, giving him a reassuring smile.

That was it, that was the moment Harry knew.

He could tell by the way his skin tingled at her touch, and his heart pounded at her words. He could tell because he just wanted her to smile like that forever. He wasn't just falling in love with her, he had fallen.

Looking back, if he had to pin point the moment he knew he loved her. It was right then.