Uptown Boy (Narry Storan)

25. Titanic

Surprise update!! (Only because it's pretty short and sort of a filler-ish :) but it'll be filled with narry fluff ;)

// Wednesday night //

HS

I switch off my car engine, staring at the car workshop ahead of me. The shutters are already half way down, but there is a warm ray of light shining from the inside.

I breathe deeply, trying to find my damn mind before finally pushing myself out of my car and making my way into the workshop.

I crouch down, ducking under the shutters and stepping into the workshop. My eyes scan the area, immediately spotting his head of dirty blonde hair at the back, standing under a car that has been raised overhead. He busies himself by fiddling with some car parts that I have no clue about. He has his earphones plucked into his ears, and knowing him, it's probably some Eagles or Fleetwood Mac song.

"Hey Harry." Someone taps me on my shoulder, startling me slightly.

I spin around in my spot, breathing a soft sigh of relief as I see Ed. He chuckles softly, giving me a pat on my back.

"Y'alright mate." He grins. I smile, nodding.

"Yeah. Why are you guys still open? It's close to 9." I say.

"Yeah, well, your lover boy over there refuses to leave until he finishes his job with the car so I'm just accompanying him till he's done." He tells me. I smile lightly, nodding in understanding.

"I can stay if you want."

"If you just wanted to be alone with him you could just say so, mate." He jokes. I breathe out a short laugh.

"Just tryna help you out." I grin. He chuckles, giving me a pat on my back.

"Right. Thanks then. I'll see ya around yeah." I nod, pulling him into a short hug.

"Niall!" Ed calls. He doesn't respond, probably too lost in his music.

"Eh whatever. Just let him know I'm taking off yeah?"

"Sure. See you around." With a last wave, he's ducking under the shutters and stalking off.

I turn my attention back to Niall, before I'm squeezing through cars to get to him. I lean myself against one of the counters, patiently waiting for him to notice me.

His face is greased in certain areas, his skin that's not covered by his tank top is glistening in sweat, his fringe that's flopped over his forehead is clumped with perspiration and his cheeks are flushed red from all the work he has been doing. I watch as he constantly reaches for tools in his tool box, before using them to fix something in the engine of the car, before putting it right back, brows furrowed as he concentrates on his work. How can he still be so utterly handsome at a time like this— covered in grease and sweat.

He side eyes me slightly before glancing back to the car. "Ed, could you pass me the ratchet and vise grip please? And shine some light here for me? I can't see shit."

I stay quiet, one, because I have no idea what he's talking about, and two, it's funny. An amused smile threatens to creep onto my face.

"Ed, you could really be more of a help-" He suddenly turns around, glances up at me before he jumps up in shock, bumping his forehead against a part of a car.

I chuckle softly. "Holy shit, Harry. What the hell?" He breathes out, tugging the earphones off his ears.

"Hi." I greet with a small smile. "Ed has gone home."