THE CHAPTER BEFORE THIS [KINGDOMS] IS PRIVATE. PLEASE CHECK THE 'PRIVATE CHAPTERS' PART IN THE BEGINNING OF THE BOOK IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF HOW TO MAKE IT REAPPEAR :-)

chapter nine

N.J.H.
Harry's planning something. He's planning something huge and I hate my best friend for inviting him to LA.

"Is it to late to rip up his ticket?" I beg, "Please Louis?"

"Niall, you're about to curl up in a ball and cry because a man you have a crush on is flying with us on a free trip to Los Angeles. Do you realize how immature you sound at the moment?"

"I don't sound immature!"

"You're definitely acting like it."

"Look I'm sorry, I'm just a little worried..."

"About what? What in the world could possibly be worrying you? A sexy man is after you and wants to wreck your asshole."

"God," I cover my face in pure humiliation as Louis rolls his eyes.

"What do you want to watch?"

"Put on Family Guy please, beginning of season four."

"You're on season four? I'm on season 7," he brags, "get on my level."

"You know what Louis?" I say, "I'm calling Harry. I'm going to lunch with him, and I'm telling him my concerns."

He snorts and mutters, "Didn't even say anything about him..."

I knock his apple juice over onto the table before stomping away to the guest room to pick out a decent outfit.

•

"What are you doing then?"

I take my jacket out of the coat closet and put it on over my sweater,

"I'm meeting Harry at Liam's dad's café, he's working there, wanna come?"

"How long is Liam gonna be there?"

"'Till six he told me."

"Yeh, I'll go, could use some of that chocolate cake..."

"Just don't mess up this thing that Harry and I are doing, okay?" I plead him as I pick up TSBLFS (The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight) and TFiOS (The Fault in our Stars). They're the only two books I'm reading at the moment and something tells me that Harry is going to be late.

"Okay okay, I promise!" Louis says, "Now let's go, I'll let you drive my Range Rover!"

I'm sprinting downstairs by the time I hear 'Range'. Louis never lets me drive his cars; especially that car. (Which he took the initiative to name; Jacob III is the dreaded title it was given.) Louis must be in a pretty good mood if he's allowing me to drive his prized possession.

•

"That was the best drive I've ever taken in my life," I sigh happily while resting my hands on the steering wheel, "totally worth it."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it so much," Louis drawls, "because I'm driving home."

"Damn it," I sigh.

"Now come on, I think Harry should be here by now."

"Okay okay, alright relax."

We both get out of his car and approach the front of the bakery.

“Louis I’m freaking out,” i say quickly, pulling him  back from the front door, “What if he humiliates me? Ruins my life, oh I dunno--”

“Are you hearing the stupid shit coming out of your mouth?” he says firmly, “Niall Horan you’re actually scared of what Harry has to offer; he’s not the problem, you are.”

“I...I don’t understand.”

“Your contact with Harry has been 80% sexual, maybe that’s why you keep thinking he’s all about doing the dirty, and it’s scaring you away from him. What you need to do is stop being afraid and try to make this work.”

“Lou why do you want this to work so badly?”

He sighs and scratches the side of his neck,

“Because this could be so good for you, I mean, Tiffany just dumped you what two or three weeks ago? And Harry has been here for at least a month and a half chasing after you and waiting with open arms. You don’t feel it Niall?”

“Louis what if he has the wrong intentions?”

“Well young Niall, you won’t know unless you walk in there right fucking now and ask him.”

He’s right. He’s never been more correct in his life; the reason why I don’t trust Harry so much is because I’m letting myself build walls around him; so he can’t get in. Vulnerability is the only way I’m going to fall in love again. I open the door and I’m immediately greeted by an eager Liam.

“You have a piece of hunk waiting for you over there,” he whispers as I come up to the counter.

“Yeah I’m well aware Li,” I exhale, “I set up this date.”

“It’s a date? Finally getting yourself back out there?”

“Yeah, I guess I am.”

He pats me on the back and I smooth out my sweater. I don’t want to look like trash in front of him; ever. Harry is dressed in a black and blue flannel with his signature black skinny jeans, his appearance causing me feel ill per usual. He has a fixed gaze on me, his eyes never wandering from my body.

“So, you gonna go over there?”

“Huh--oh right...walking. I can walk.”

“Yeah, get to it boy.” Liam leans over the counter and smacks my head before I trot away from the safe zone. Harry is watching my every step as I slowly make my way to the table he is seated at. I clutch the two books I brought close to chest as I sit down in the chair across from him.

“Hey,” he says, a warm welcoming smile itching at the corners of his lips.

“Hi Harry,” I say, tapping my foot nervously, “How was your morning?”

“Lonely,” he confesses, “I kind of wish you could wake up next to me.”

My mouth drops slightly at his flattering comment. Though he made me flustered, I refocus and continue with my goal for the afternoon.

“Harry I’m not sure I feel comfortable with you coming to Los Angeles with Louis, Zayn and I.”

His demeanor changes as soon as I make my discomforts clear. Harry nods and sits up in his chair further,

“Can you tell me what these...discomforts are?”

“Well Harry it seems that a third of our conversations are about how you’re going to fuck me into oblivion; minus the cheesecake date. Also, I feel as if I’m only going to be a sex toy to you, even after I got to know you a little. It seems as if you’re attraction to me is only...visual. I’m not the same person outside that i am on the inside. I don’t feel comfortable because I’m just worried I guess...that once you figure me out you’ll want nothing to do with me.”

Harry studies me closely for minute or two, just gazing into my eyes.

“I’m sorry if I offended you or something…”

He only continues with his actions, ‘till he blinks and reaches to take my hand.

“I only respect you more Niall. I’m very happy you could tell me about your issues with my actions. I will admit, I can be a little overbearing and sexual at times and I should probably stop--”

“Well,” I say quickly, making sure he won't stop absolutely everything, “I’m only a little uncomfortable. Maybe just tone it down a little.”

Harry only smiles and continues to rub his large thumb over my knuckles,

“Do you want to know my first thoughts when I ran into you? Because they weren’t ‘damn that sexy man needs to be fucked like a wild man’.”

I giggle lightly and he joins me before continuing,

“I thought; Oh my god. I need to figure out who he is.”

I bit my lip and turn away to the table, but he tips my chin up so I can look dead into his green emerald eyes. No pressure, I mean it’s not like his eyes could burn me into ashes with one glance.

“My first thoughts were only about your clumsiness and how I desperately wanted to learn more about the boy that almost locked me in Marvel Studios for a night. You’re enticing my dear; you make me weak to my knees, and you’ve made me hate so many things since I met you.”

“What?!” I say mockingly, “Like what?!”

“Everything, because I can’t be with you. I despise thinking, and sleeping, and waking up in the morning. You’re not there and it depresses me to no end.”

“Why don’t you just make a shrine honoring me then?”

“And just why would I do that?”

“Because let’s face it, you can’t live without me.”

“Oh!” he leans into my face, “confident now are we?”

“Hey,” I counter, “It’s your fault for telling me about how you’re a feeble boy without me.”

“I’m younger than you y'know?” he smirks.

“Please,” I groan dramatically, “don’t remind me that I’m the submissive little bitch to a younger dom.”

“I’m just the one that takes charge more often, s’all.” he reassures me, “You won’t be my submissive little bitch for sure. Maybe kitten, or daddy’s girl?”

“Alright pull the reins Styles,” I stop him immediately, “I have daddy problems.”

“Oh,” he switches to Fragile Harry and reaches out to caress my shoulder, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Maybe one day, yeah?” I say, “This relationship is just blossoming. I need time.”

“Technically, since you haven’t said that you're gay to me yet, we’re not in a ‘relationship’ persay.”

“Whatever you wanker.”

He kisses my nose and I refrain from squealing like a teenage girl at a Justin Bieber concert as he pulls out a menu and starts pointing out good menu choices that I already know; because I technically live in this bakery.

•

“Niall where is my strawberry shampoo?! Did you use it as a lube last time you showered and got off?!” Louis screams from the couch as he rummages through his suitcase.

“No god Louis shut up! Zayn has ears!” I scream back. It’s early Tuesday morning (I don’t even think the sun is up) and our flight to Los Angeles leaves in three hours. In all honesty I have never been so tired in my life. I haven’t gotten a lot of sleep in the past three days, due to consecutive nightmares. Louis is pleading me to go to the doctor but I refuse, no matter how important it may be to do so.

Beyoncé’s new album (BEYONCÉ or whatever) is blasting (yes, at three am) as we pack and Louis is dancing (i.e. twerking) around the house, singing along. It’s essential that we don’t fall asleep or something mid-packing and the loud R&B music is really helping to that cause, as much as I hate to admit. The bass of ‘7/11’ is thumping in my ears as I stuff my phone charger in a pocket in my backpack.

“Hold that cup like alcohol, hold that cup like alcohol, hold that cup like alcohol don't you drop that alcohol, NEVER DROP THAT ALCOHOL!”

Louis literally drops on the ground and starts twerking deeply in front of an unexpecting Zayn, who literally drops his plate--which consisted of his breakfast--on the ground as he stares at one hundred percent of his boss's ass. Louis only jumps forward and dances into the kitchen as Zayn quickly begins to gather the things that fell from his hands.

My phone rings and I realize the ringtone immediately; Harry.

I pull it out of my pocket and read the text he sent me.

on my way, packed and ready. i miss you and can’t wait to see you. xox

I smile and text him back.

okay :-) i wanna see you too btw. xox

“Well well,” Louis is looking over my phone, “So you’re okay with this now?”

“Eh, yeah. I’m actually a little excited,” I confess happily, “he’s a pending adventure.”

The doorbell rings and I jump over the couch to greet Harry. I throw the door open and I’m hit with a blast of cold air.

“Ah!” I wrap my arms around myself and Harry shuts the door behind him quickly,

“Oh my god, are you okay?”

I look up and the sight of him makes my heart warm up instantly. Harry is wearing a long blue sweater, sweatpants, and his hair is in a bun that almost looks like one of those Tumblr girl buns.

“I like your hair,” I smile stupidly and he only chuckles, squeezing my waist,

“I like your face.” he says cheekily.

Soon the cars are pulling up to Louis’ front gate and we’re headed down to get inside. Louis and Zayn have one car, and Harry and I have another. I’m happy to be driving with Harry, but I’m planning on sleeping throughout the entire drive, and maybe the plane ride.

Once we’re on our way, I lean back and close my eyes, trying to drift off to sleep. When I feel Harry’s hand on my shoulder my eyes crack open, but he’s only leaning my body into his.

“I can assure you my chest is a better pillow than the seat.”

So I fall asleep on Harry’s chest, and he’s right; it’s much better than the car seat.