Harry

The insides of his eyelids turned a bright red as the morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of his bedroom. The redness dimmed as he scrunched his eyes more tightly closed. He kicked his sheets aside as he stretched out his long limbs. His toes flexed and his fingers slid back up against his headboard. He rolled over onto his stomach with a grunt, wishing the sun would sleep in like he wanted to. The thought of getting darker curtains, to replace the sheer ones that came with the place, entered his mind briefly, like it did most mornings. Though he quickly dismissed it, reminding himself he didn't need to decorate. This was just a home away from home. A pit stop. A place for him to rest and catch up on writing between tours.

He reluctantly rolled out of bed when he heard the front door bell ring. His bare feet padded against the the faux stone flooring of the main hall. He didn't bother looking through the small peep hole or even the stacked square windows that lined the sides of the door. He turned the lock and squinted against the light as he swung the door open.

"Ugh! God, Harry! What have I told you about answering the door naked?" Liam shielded his face with his free hand, the other holding a to-go tray of four large coffees. Harry stepped aside, allowing him in.

"Uh, do it?" Harry responded with sleepy sarcasm and a low, gravelly voice as he rubbed a hand over his face.

Liam sighed in exasperation, "Right. One of these days, you're going to wish you put on pants before opening the door."

Liam, with a satchel strapped across his body, lead the way as they moved toward the living room.

"Well that day's not today." Harry replied with a cheeky smile. "Clothes are so restrictive. They cut off circulation and I need to keep my creative juices flowing."

"Ew, do me a favor and keep the flowing juice talk to a minimum while you're wandering around commando."

"No promises." Harry stated with a smirk as he plopped down on one of the two large, tan couches. After gaining a glare from Liam, he rolled his eyes before grabbing a square pillow to place in his lap.

"I noticed the rent sign's gone from next door. Finally getting neighbors are you?" Liam asked as he sat down on the couch opposite Harry, pulling out a well used notebook from his bag and setting the coffees on the table between them.

"It appears that way." Was Harry's simple response. He pulled out his own worn notebook from a side table. It was leather bound with countless scribbles covering the outside. Soon the two young men were engrossed in exchanging of lyric ideas.

A couple hours and a double dose of caffeine later, both were satisfied with their work.

"Right then, I'll see you tomorrow night at Niall's cook out?" Liam asked as he stood, stowing his notebook back in his bag.

"Yeah I'll be there. And don't worry, I'll wear pants." Harry joked with a small chuckle.

"You better." Liam said through his own laugh. "The only kabobs I want to see tomorrow are the ones on the grill."

Later that afternoon, Harry decided to go for a swim. He grabbed a towel and slung it over his shoulder as he walked out to the pool deck. The floorboards were warm beneath his feet and the sun warmed every bit of revealed skin on his body. He had enjoyed not having to share the pool for the first couple months of the summer, the surrounding fence and foliage allowed him all the privacy he needed for swimming in the buff. It was such a freeing feeling. He wasn't thrilled that he'd most likely have to give it up now that he was getting neighbors. He absently wondered why he hadn't thought to just buy out the other side of the duplex. But it was too late now. Best to get in some naked swim time before the new tenants actually showed up. He tossed his towel onto a lounger and dove smoothly into the deep end of the pool, letting the cool water caress every bit of skin the sun had just warmed.

A/N: Just a note, this is set in southern California. Harry is 25 and One Direction is gearing up for their comeback after the hiatus.

DCMurphy