The Way Things Work

Chapter Fifty Five

"Really now?" You laughed as you lightly pushed Harry's chest.

"I swear!" He chuckled.

"Liar." You smiled as you shook your head and adverted your gaze to the floor. 

"I'm serious. I thought you were beautiful when I first saw you. I just didn't want to screw you up like I did angel." His last few words came out as a bare and coarse whisper. 

"Hey." You spoke quietly as you lifted his chin. "You did nothing to her. She hurt you because she knew you would never hurt her."

"I hurt you though."

"Maybe, but look where we are. Not then, now. You saved me."

"No, I didn't. Liam did." He said as he looked back down as a tear glistened on his cheek, being illuminated by the flames.

"What do you mean?"

"I was doing the CPR and everything but when Louis came in I was just-just so mad. I walked away from you and went after him. L-Liam is the one that helped you, not me."

"That's not true."

"Sam, look it i-"

"No. I mean he wasn't the one that sat in the hospital room talking to me and sharing his stories. He wasn't the one that panicked when I started to cry. And he most certainly is not the boy I fell in love with. That's you Harry, all you."

"H-How did you know I was talking to you?"

"I could hear you. I heard every word and every pep talk."

"R-Really?"

"Yeah." You smiled as you placed a small kiss on his cheek. "It meant the world to me that you stayed by my side the entire time."

"Well, I had to. You told the doctor you were my wife." He smirked.

"Maybe that's a hint." You winked as your thumb brushed his cheek, removing the tear.

"Well, I may have to take that hint." He smiled and returned the same cheeky wink.

"Maybe, Mr. Styles." You smiled small as your words grew quiet. You listened to the movement of the fire in silence. 

Harry moved his hand from your knee and slid it from your thigh to your lower back. A blaze sent a warm sensation to your cheeks as you looked into Harry's eyes. He coasted his other hand under your legs and moved you closer to him. He pressed forehead against your temple and intertwined your legs. His breath was light and shallow and he slowly whispered "I love you." into your ear. His arms enclosed around your waist as you drifted closer to him. His warmth literally radiated to your body as your hands sat in his lap. His nose rolled to your temple as his lips pecked your ear. You sat in the still air. All you could hear was his paced breathing, the whipping of the flames and your heart begin to race. You turned your head so that your noses collided. "I love you too." His lips slowed but eventually reached yours as the gap between you was closed. You moved your hands behind his back and pressed into him. After a few moments you pulled back and placed one last peck on his lips. You looked into his eyes as you yawned.

"Tired? You should be." He laughed. "It's almost two in the morning." He smiled as he pushed you backward gently letting your back fall to the ground. He positioned you facing him as he laid adjacent to you. Your hands traveled to his bare torso and his found their way snaked around your waist again. You slowly batted your eyes closed as Harry pulled you close to his barren chest and you fell into a peaceful sleep.