Just another Cup of Tea // Larry au

It's a Metaphor

Harry's Mansion 26/8/14

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As soon as he texted this so called 'Plumber', Harry set a timer to see just how long he would be. Another thing he learned from his work is that precision is everything. If this man shows up late then its clear that he cant be trusted, let alone trusted with a sink.

The seconds ticked away like hours, each click reminding Harry that the man was a second closer to being late. Who would even be showing up? He had watched the Simpsons (once - it was on before Downton Abbey and was probably the worse half an hour of Harry's life) and what he gathered was that they were middle aged bald men with stubby fingers and a beer belly.

Harry grimaced as he imagined a grubby, dirty old man in his home, tainting all of his furniture. It would hardly make a scratch on his bank account if he had to repurchase everything but it was such a hassel calling the interior decorater - I mean what is the difference between drapes and curtains anyway? Harry scowled at the thought of going through that again. He hadnt thought it wouldve been too hard, just pick a chair here and a sofa there but no that wouldnt go with the colour scheme and thats hideous.

A knock on the door interupted Harry's spoilt thoughts and seeing as Harry was now worked up and angry, it didnt help that 'Louis' had come five minutes before he had anticipated. In all honesty, Harry had been looking forward to letting out his anger by yelling at the plumber but obviously nothing was going Harry's way this morning.

After a minute or so of waiting, the door rung again and Harry realised that the maid wasnt going to get it because of her heart or whatever the fuck her excuse was. He made a point of groaning as he slowly trod to the door to answer it despite nobody was there to see him exaggerate his movements.

The solid oak door was swung open by Harry with a fixed glare and a sour expression but was not met by a balding middle aged man, instead in was a young man (probaby in his twenties but Harry wasnt too good at estimating ages) with fluffy brown hair and a smile. Harry kept his monotone face but moved slightly out of the way, indicating for Louis to enter his home and ignoring the plumber's awed expression at the interior of the billionaire's residence.

"Quite a place you've got here" Louis chuckled and just before Harry was going to make a snide comment about how the potted plant was probably worth more that the plumber himself, Louis walked over to the kitchen without invitiation.

He walked up to the sink where the spotless glass was still stood on the counter top and moved it slightly before ducking down to look at the pipes, inspecting the area. Louis jeans rode down slightly, revealing the top of his boxes and making Harry quickly avert his eyes. Harry coughed awkwardly and tried to concentrate on the work Louis was doing, not daring to leave incase he tried to steal anything.

Almost twenty minutes went by of Louis trying to adjust the pipes and Harry watching him like a hawk before Louis reversed out of his position of under the sink and stood up, brushing dust bunnies off his jeans. Harry tried to refrain snapping at him for getting dirt all over the floor when his maid wasnt in but instead made a mangled hissing sound which caused Louis to look up in suprise and confusion. They both stood next to eachother, eyeing the other up and waiting for the other to talk until Louis finally broke the silence.

"Um, the pipes are pretty messed up. I've fiddled around with them a bit but I need to bring some special tools in tommorow if thats all cool?" Louis asked, jotting something down on a little notepad that he had fished out of his pocket a minute or two ago.

Harry frowned and squinted his eyes, trying work out if the man was just dragging out the job to get paid more after seeing how rich Harry was. After seeing nothing but honesty in his eyes, he pursed his lips and nodded stiffly.

"Before I go on the road again, is it okay if I have a cup of Tea?"

Harry's eyes widened and he clenched his fists slightly then unclenched them when he remembered that he needed this man to come back and yelling at him probably wouldnt ensure that. How was it his mother used to make tea again? He silently cursed himself, envisioning the headlines of the papers ;

'BILLIONAIRE HARRY STYLES BANKRUPTS BUISNESSES BUT CANT MAKE TEA!'

"I can't um..." Harry trailed off, trying to convince himself that he didnt sound as weak as he was hearing. Louis' eyes widened slightly as he realised what Harry meant then nodded. Harry despised how ignorant this man made him feel, his hatred for him growing.

"I'll show you how?" Louis offered then walked over to the kettle without waiting for a reply, turned it on, then got out two mugs from a clear glass cabinet. Harry watched silently, arms crossed with a cold exterior. Seconds later, Louis got out two little brown sacks (tea bags maybe?) and put one in each mug then poured some of the kettle water in. He then got out the tea bags and poured a little milk in then handed Harry a mug expectantly.

Harry took a sip, the familiar taste of tea flooding his mouth. They both stood there awkwardly as they finished their tea ; Harry not thinking to offer him a seat and Louis too nervous to ask. As soon as they finished Harry went to stand next to the door, signalling Louis to leave.

"I'll be back tommorow" Louis stated then briskly left, not hiding the fact he was glad to leave.

Harry did not reply ; just shut the door and walked into the living room. This man made him feel like he was ignorant and Harry did not like it one bit.

Little did Harry know, Louis was in his car driving away thinking the exact same thing.

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