Capture (A Liam AU)

Two

I groan loudly slamming my fists against the cool metal of the lift doors. Behind me I can hear another door open as I try to regain my composure. "Emma?"

I smile at Harry as he stands halfway inside his apartment, halfway outside, as if he is unsure if he wants to come out and greet me. I probably wouldn't want to come greet the crazy new neighbor who was assaulting the doors of the elevator.

"Sorry. I've just been having a chat with one of our neighbors." I apologize as I make my way back down the hallway towards Harry. He smiles as I come closer.

"3Q?" Harry asks. I look up at him confused for a moment then it registers. 3Q, Payne's apartment number.

"How'd you know?" I asked humorously. Harry pushes his door open gesturing me inside, I follow his lead. His apartment is clean and modern looking with large pieces of art hanging around the walls. The overall layout of the place was mirrored to mine. I scan the room as he moves to the kitchen without me, my eyes land on the enormous flat screen mounted on his wall and the sheer number of DVD's standing in cases around it. It suits him I think, which is ironic since I've only known him for an hour now.

"I like your place." I say genuinely as I admire his painting of a sunset hanging on the wall closest to me. "You a big movie buff?"

"I am. Love them, all kinds. If I was any better at it I'd be an actor, but I'm terrible so instead I watch." Harry smiles, his humor dripping with self deprecation, I laugh realizing I already like him so much. "So, you met Payne?" He adds.

"Yea, he sure lives up to his name doesn't he?" I joke making Harry laugh as he puts a cup of coffee on the table in front of me next to a sugar cup and a small pitcher of cream. I smile reaching out and doctoring my coffee to my liking as he sips on his own.

"Yea, he is kind of rough around the edges." Harry adds.

"Has he lived here long?" I ask.

"Erm, about 4 year's maybe. He was here when I moved in too so I'm not positive when he originally got here." Harry explained.

"He seems like a grade A douchebag if you ask me." I snarl making Harry laugh again.

"Yea he is a bad boy." Harry agreed. "What were you two arguing about anyway?"

"He stole twenty dollars from me!" I exclaim.

"Really?" Harry frowns. "Hang on, how does that happen?"

"He came to drop off my mail, it was left in his box I suppose, and he was in his bike messenger uniform so I paid him, and he won't give it back." I explain dramatically.

Harry looks at me for a moment, silently processing the story before his lips curl up into a large smile. "Maybe I should deliver your mail to you if you are going to tip your neighbors that well!"

"It isn't funny." I scoff shoving Harry's shoulder. Except it is, and suddenly I find myself laughing, hard. Both Harry and I laugh completely in hysterics over the whole stupid situation. It really is stupid. "I am such an idiot!"

Harry shakes his head still laughing with a big smile. "No you're not, he is absolutely to blame, just don't let him take your money next time."

The minutes melt into hours and I spend the rest of my afternoon over at Harry's talking about everything from neighbors (Helen on 4F is the sweetest but has about 94 cats, Jeff on 1D is 70 and the grumpiest man ever) to jobs and everything in between.

I sigh checking my watch for the first time since I'd been here. "It's 6:48!" I exclaim.

Harry checks his own watch. "6:47." He smiles correcting me as I roll my eyes.