Forget Me Not (Zayn/Harry; Mpreg AU)

31 - Dry your eyes and start believing

Eclair starts barking as Harry's mobile phone loudly blares the marimba from its perch on top of the dining table. The little dog runs around in circles, weaving through the table's legs and then in between his owner's socked feet when Harry gets close enough to peek at his screen, biting his lower lip once he sees the caller ID. Instead of answering, Harry pulls out a chair and sits down, watching and waiting for the call to stop.

"I can't do it, bub," Harry mutters to Eclair as he picks him up. The pup whines and noses at Harry's cheek, obviously sensing that his owner is disappointed at himself for being so cowardly. "I don't know if I can face him with a smile and then, unfairly, start a countdown inside my head of when he'd leave again."

The screen of Harry's phone darkens when the call ends, but after just a few seconds, it lights up again with the arrival of a text message. Harry knows exactly who it is from. After all, there is only one person in his life right now, who is intent on seeing him. With a sigh, Harry puts Eclair down and picks up his phone, pressing his passcode to open his messages.

Nialler (Thursday • 20:22)
Haz, I'm sorry for constantly calling you. I just want to talk. It's been so long and I miss you always. Tomorrow, I have a gig @ Twist 'n Shout, 9pm. Please come see me, if you can.

Harry's hand shakes as he scrolls up to re-read some more of his friend's texts.

Nialler (Wednesday • 23:46)
G'night, Hazza. Hoping to see you soon, mate!

Nialler (Tuesday • 7:08)
Good morning, H. Want to get breakfast together? Mum says you liked the pancakes @ Alicia's. Let's get some today! My treat :)

Nialler (Monday • 23:23)
Haz?

Nialler (Monday • 13:20)
I want to see you

Nialler (Monday • 13:15)
I'm sorry

Nialler (Monday • 13:13)
When are you free, mate? Can we meet up? I

Ashamed because he hasn't replied to any of his mate's messages, Harry decides right then and there to stop being so stubborn. He resolves to change his approach to his bad luck in life. Like any other good thing that life has thrown at him, no matter how scant, Harry will grab on to Niall and never let go, especially now that he seems to be back in London for good and still, miraculously, wants Harry in his life, too. Hiding like this and licking his own wounds wouldn't help them heal, Harry surmises. Plus, with his child on the way, Harry needs all the love that he can get. He doesn't want his child to be deprived of affection and a family, much like him and his bleak childhood full of loneliness.

And with those thoughts in mind, Harry goes to bed with renewed purpose.

Friday evening finds Harry nervously loitering in front of a brightly lit nightclub situated in a narrow street, which is popular for their buzzling nightlife. He is dressed to the nines: a grey cotton shirt underneath a black and white striped blazer, black skinny jeans and his favorite chelsea boots, topping his clubbing attire is a lazily draped black scarf around his shoulders and his long hair down.

Twist 'n Shout, as it seems, is an old school disco club with an array of patrons from all walks of life. Harry watches as young adults, middle-aged businessmen and businesswomen, tattooed blokes and birds, and an assortment of other people enter the club with their energies through the roof with excitement. The entertainment here must be of such high quality that the club is packed to the brim within minutes of opening. So, without further ado, Harry squares his shoulder, takes a deep breath and steps inside to personally witness what the buzz is all about. Unfortunately, he soon finds that he still has to go down a set of stairs to really be inside Twist 'n Shout and does so. As he descends, the more he hears and feels the house beats in his bones. At the end of the stairs, he pushes a small nondescript door open and enters.