Timeless - A Larry Stylinson FanFiction

Chapter 26

Niall strode nearly six paces ahead of Harry, hopping ever so whimsically over the drying mid-April puddles.

“Shame on you if you miss your footing,” Harry called out, seeking to match his chipper comrade’s excitement. “No lady’ll want to have a swing with you if you’ve gotten muddy trousers.”

“Oh poo Harry, always a wet blanket. Besides, my coordination is tip-top,” Niall laughed, bounding over a long stream of murky rainwater. “Just... watch... this,” he laughed, skipping over a string of three small puddles.

Harry quickened his pace, syncing steps with Niall upon arriving at Old Meadow Pond. From the top of the hill, the two young lads watched as a stream of lavishly dressed pairs entered under the intricate metal archway. Ladies and gentlemen strolled arm-in-arm, nodding in delight toward their peers, greeting them with airy smiles and good cheer.

Harry scanned the growing crowd for faces of familiarity, to none which matched his memory. He felt the relief in his fingertips, until of course Niall broke the oblivious silence that had settled.

“Phooey!” he belted out in an equal mix of frustration and uneasiness.

“What seems to be the-”

“Harry, can’t you see? Just look at all the pairs! Each man with a lovely dame on his arm. If we dare to enter dame-less, just what in the world will our peers think of us?” he paused, spinning on his heels to face him. “What will all the missesthink? They’ll believe us to be duds, and down the drain goes any chance of having a girl for the night!”

“Niall, you’re acting not a hair shy of preposterous now. I beg of you not to get so balled up over this,” Harry spoke longingly, laying a chilled hand upon Niall’s slouched shoulder.

“Well what are we to do without dames on our arms? I suppose you’ll just be my gal for the night then?” Niall retorted with a hint of sarcasm layered over obvious distress. He hooked his arm in Harry’s with forceful delight, laughing and skipping about. Harry stumbled alongside Niall for a moment before wriggling in utter discomfort. He won his arm free and his balance faltered, causing him to shuffle back with the force, footsteps permanently pressed in the soft earth fault of April showers.

Niall’s glee was soon washed to bewilderment as he watched Harry so anxiously pull away.

“Goodness, maybe not then,” he replied, attempting to console his visibly distressed friend. “I was just pulling your leg, mate.”

Harry felt bare. Exposed to the bone, like a book not meant to be read flung open for all to see.

“To God I hope you’re aware I meant that not to be serious,” Niall said, ending his words with lips parted as if he had much more to speak of.

Harry had by then bent down to a crouching position, using his long thumb to remove soft fragments of the malleable earth off his shoes, eyes averted from Niall, from anything.

Niall was beyond baffled, standing upright not four feet away. Harry rose to his feet once his shoes had been cleaned to satisfaction.

“We’re here to meet dear ladies, suit their fancy, have a good hop,” Niall reminded him, pointer finger outstretched knowingly. Harry allowed a stiff chuckle to bubble up from the base of his throat, giving Niall an affirmative nod. Soon enough both young men had regained their faded energy and skittered with joy down the rock tiled pathway.

They entered quickly, soon to slow their footsteps. Their eyes and hearts both instantly captured in the night’s enchanting glow of lanterns and lights. Tall glasses of champagne amidst were hit by the golden iridescence, creating sparkles in the lively air bubbles floating inside. Small wicker tables and mismatched wooden chairs were illuminated just so, set up in clusters under strung lanterns above.