Red [h. styles]

Nine

9

"Alexander Hamilton!" Jena sang loudly, Harry harmonizing with her. The two stumbled into the apartment, a few drinks in each of them, trying to sing while walking.

"That was amazing," Jena said wistfully, "thank you so much for taking me!"

"Of course," Harry twirled her around the living room, leading her in a waltz to music only he could hear.

"I'm so dizzy!" Jena shrieked, spinning away from Harry amidst his laughter.

Jena collapsed on the couch, running her hands through her hair and effectively ruining her curls.

Harry put on 10 Things I Hate About You per Jena's request, the two curling up on the couch together.

Harry didn't try anything, simply resting his arm around her, and Jena was grateful. She was too tired to really think about anything.

When the movie finished, Jena stood, aiming to grab her bag.

"Where are you going?" Harry asked.

"I'm getting my things and heading home. My furniture has probably arrived at my apartment by now, and I should set it up sooner rather than later." Jena explained, trying to ignore his puppy eyes.

"You can't leave," Harry protested, "you haven't answered my question yet!"

"What question...?" Jena trailed off.

Harry was watching her expectantly, and suddenly Jena knew what he was waiting for. She sat back down on the couch, sighing.

"Answer mine first?" She pleaded. Harry nodded, and Jena bit her lip, thinking about how to phrase the thing she wished to ask.

"Harry," she started hesitantly, "do you think monsters are born or created?"

"Created, and you?" Harry answered confidently.

Jena adjusted herself, not meeting Harry's eyes. "I think it's a mixture of both. No child is born a monster, it's the things they experience that shape who they become. But some people go through horrible things and emerge as a good person. So I think that some people are born with the frameworks to become a monster, traces in their genetic code that would turn them evil if they went through a traumatic event."

"Why are you telling me this?" Harry asked softly.

"Because I think I'm one of those people. I'm fine now, but I have trust issues beyond belief and the rumors people spread about celebrities are colossal." Jena said quietly. "I don't want you to end up dating a monster. You deserve an angel, not the devil in disguise."

"But what if I quite like the disguise?" Harry questioned, sitting next to Jena.

"And if I can't keep it up?" The words were barely audible, and Harry kissed Jena lightly before answering.

"Then I'll learn to love the devil. They say gingers have no souls, you know. That they'll descend into hell, and being around one is like playing with fire. But I've never been able to stay away from red."

"You're a masterpiece," Jena uttered, and Harry's lips turned up slightly.

"So are you, darling."

"My edges are jagged," Jena argued, "you'll get cut."

"You're worth the pain." Harry assured her.

"You're such a poetic sap," Jena muttered, grabbing his tie and pulling his lips to hers.

"You don't seem to be complaining," he gasped, but she brought him back in for more.

"So do I get my answer now?" Harry asked, inhaling sharply when she started nibbling on his ear.

"You'll get it in the morning," Jenna assured him, "right now, all I want to hear from your lips is my name."

"I'm cool with that," Harry moaned.

"That sounds suspiciously unlike my name," Jena teased, scraping her teeth across his collarbone.

"Red," Harry whimpered, his head thrown back so she could suck on his Adam's apple.

"Better," Jena purred, leaving a mark right under one of his swallow tattoos. "Shall we move this party to the bedroom?"