crosswalks and crossed hearts [ h.s. + l.p. ]

Chapter 1

x

Waking up late wasn't on Liam's to-do list, so when he checked the time and realized he was already twenty minutes late for work, he panicked. It's happened before, but usually he would have been there by this time, or on his way, or at least called in to say he was running late. Which he hadn't done, either. So when he called his boss and told him he was running late and would be in as soon as possible, his boss muttered a complaint on the other side of the line about not being on time while replying a tired and very impatient hurry, back.

It's not like his job is really important. It shouldn't even count as a job, really, more like doing chores for the manager of a record company. Which is basically what he did. He ran errands and made calls and picked up his stupid coffees and, well, it wasn't the job he meant to apply for, but they gave him the next closest thing. He's not complaining, he'll take whatever's got him in the company, and as long as he's getting paid for it he'll keep his complaining to a minimum.

He was on his journey to rush through a shower, get in a quit shave and dig for clean, appropriate clothes. Ending up with a red flannel and dark jeans had to be okay. He's worn it before, and it's not like he has a uniform or dress code - it's just not his day.

The fact that he was running out the door without a belt and forgetting his wallet and phone, also wasn't on his to-do list, so he sighed and ran back inside and looking for the things he needed, then running back out the door and locking it on the way.

When he walked in his boss' office with his oh-so-specialty, weird tasting coffee, he sighed in relief. It had only taken him 25 minutes to get ready and 10 minutes to get here with his stupid coffee. Which had made record time for being late.

"You're here! Thank god, Liam. I've been waiting around for hours!" His boss, Jeremy, was an overreacter, Liam had adapted to it, of course. But it still annoys him with an itch when he tells such dramatic versions of things.

"I got your coffee." Is all he says as he sets it on the desk, and making the way to his office. He's surprised he even has an office because, well, he spends about 15% of his time in the room. Mainly because he's always on duty for Jeremy - you know, basically being his bitch, and all.

"Ah! Thank you! I haven't made a list yet so you can just -". He gets cut off by the phone ringing and Liam is already answering it before the second ring as Jeremy walks away. It's the receptionist.

"Hey, Liam. I have a list for you since I know for a fact Jeremy didn't make one. So you've got some stuff to do today."

He says okay and that he'll be right down, before explaining the same to Jeremy.

And when he sees his list, he sighs. Such easy, yet ridiculous things. They're running a record company not a McDonald's restaurant. He knew the list would keep him busy for the day, so he didn't argue.

He also didn't mind when the receptionist, Mary, kept him at her desk longer than he needed to be. She was a gossiper. She just loved to talk and talk and well, Liam didn't care that much, he would listen, which made Mary like Liam, because it was like she had someone to talk to when he thought it would have been more like talking to a brick wall.

She wasn't that old, just in her late twenties. She apparently went to school with Louis, which is how he got the job. Louis had put in a good word for him when he found out Mary worked in the same building. He still thanks Louis for that even though they're not dating anymore, he's still got a job and hasn't fallen off the wagon so he's good in the long run.

But Liam hates, hates when Mary brings up Louis as if they were still dating. She does it so often, and it's not like she does it on purpose, she forgets sometimes because they've dated for years, and she likes to tell stories of when they were in high school, but Liam just doesn't care because it's been two months since they broke up and he's pretty much long over it, and apparently so is Louis because now he's got a fit, tall girlfriend.

And that's a usual day of work.

And of course on his way to the grocery store after work, he almost hits head-on with another car because some asshole didn't signal, and it would have been the perfect excuse for a new car anyways, but Liam honks the horn back and the guy flips him off.

He knows it's not his day, he just wants it to be over with already. Get his shopping done, get home, cook, eat, sleep, and quite frankly, repeat.

While he's pulling into the lot, thinking, this day couldn't get any worse, could it? But well, he really should have even regret thinking it because the next ten minutes consist of some asshole stealing his parking spot and then locking his own keys in his car.

And really, he just never has luck on his side, so he's calling Niall to help him unlock it because he's just fucking magic and Niall insists it's because he's Irish, and it's always that isn't it?

So while Liam is doing his shopping he has Niall trailing behind him, telling Liam to buy him this and that and please, you're my best mate! And Liam just isn't one to say no. Thankfully, Niall drives behind Liam to help unpack the groceries and stays for supper before he falls asleep on the couch.

Liam makes a note to have Zayn come pick up Niall. Liam takes a quick shower before finding Niall just about to walk out the door shouting, "Later Leemo!"

And okay, at least he doesn't have to call Zayn, but he's left with a curious Niall who is now standing on his porch looking at Liam, and Liam is walking over because what?

And then he sees Harry at the bottom of his porch, looking unsure and giving Liam a glance that probably says "please" and Liam just can't say no.

Liam nods and Harry walks up, passing Niall and Niall takes a step back inside, because of course he does.

"Alright, so who are you?"

Before either Harry or Liam can introduce him, Niall has started back up again. He's always been protective over Liam and sometimes it's not for the best.

"What, you not gonna talk? You sellin' drugs? You sellin' drugs, mate?"

And Liam sighs, unintentionally loud but it catches Niall's attention.

"What?"

"He's not selling drugs, Niall. Christ."

"Who is he, then?"

"My name is Harry, and unfortunately I'm still in the room."

Liam wishes this had never happened because he'd rather keep Harry for himself.

x