Drive » Haylor AU

18 - All I Ask

"All I ask is if this is my last night with you, hold me like I'm more than just a friend" ~Adele

It was already dark by the time the New York City skyline came into view. I gazed out of the window in awe as we came closer, and knew that this city would never fail to amaze me. The lights were very bright in the skyscrapers, but I wouldn't want it any other way.

I shot Harry a grin as he turned off the radio and played Empire State of Mind on his phone, making both of us sing along.

"Where am I taking you, Princess?", Harry asked as we entered Manhattan.

"The North-East corner of Central Park. I'm pretty much right there."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Well, fuck. Talk about a dream flat."

"Flat?" What the hell was a flat?

"Oh, right," he chuckled, "forgot you were American. It's British for apartment."

"Oh, okay."

I averted my eyes back put the window, watching as the city whizzed past us. Raindrops had started to fall onto the pavement, blurring the lights in the buildings we passed. I admired Harry for not turning aggressive as I noted the chaos on the streets of Manhattan. It wasn't a secret that driving here was absolute hell, even this late, but Harry seemed calm as ever.

When we reached Central Park, it was pouring. I navigated Harry to my apartment buliding and fondly noted the wonder in his eyes as he looked up at my building.

"Holy shit." He gaped between me and the building. "This is where you live?"

I nodded with a smile. "Most of the time, yes."

"That's fucking sick."

I laughed a little, before getting my wallet out of the center console and flipping through the bills.

"Here's your $10,000," I said holding the wad of bills out to Harry.

Harry just stared at it, as if he was nervous to touch it. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. That was the deal."

He nodded, before slowly reaching his hand out and grabbing the money carefully. I watched as he put it securely in his wallet, before stashing it in his bag.

I knew that we were both just trying to avoid the inevitable goodbye that stood before us, but I didn't want to be the one to initiate it. It was silent for a couple moments.

"Soo... I guess this is it?" He looked over at me and gave me a small smile.

I smiled back. "I guess." I paused. "Where are you going now?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't know. I'll try and get a cheap motel somewhere, I think. I just hope I don't crash the damn car with the amount of rain coming down."

Suddenly, I perked up. "You could spend the night here if you want."

"Wait, really?" Harry seemed genuinely surprised.

"Don't act so shocked! It's Saturday night so my parents will most definitely be out until 2am or so. You can crash at my place and then leave for LA tomorrow morning. Hopefully the rain will have stopped by then."

He thought for a moment. "Are you sure that's okay? I really don't want to intrude."

A smile made it's way to my face. "Of course."

"Sounds good."

He reached over to the back seat and grabbed our bags, tossing mine onto my lap as he sat back up.