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harrysgoldrush · 4 years

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chapter 2: styles v vegan contract

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part 1

Y/N Y/LN.

In her final year of law school and already planning on getting her LLM in Environmental Law and Politics. A true force to be reckoned with. Tom had told him that much the moment he closed the office door behind him.

Tom’s office was one of the bigger advisor’s offices on campus, with his desk pushed up against the left wall furthest from the door with two mismatched embroidered chairs that he had stolen from the Tisch School of Arts last year. A giant bookcase covered the whole back wall with books sitting on top of each neatly organized row. The right side of his office was occupied by a worn leather couch that had only fit through the narrow door by some miracle. There was a coffee table with some of the school’s different magazines and newspapers and a small black fridge that always had sodas and Tom’s leftovers.

Harry could imagine her taking naps on that sofa, falling asleep as she plotted her next protest, asking Tom for advice while he answered emails. She wouldn’t even knock, she’d make a beeline to the fridge to grab water. Except she hated those bottles. What did she do instead? Maybe she would finish Tom’s salad for him, his wife always brought him one for lunch and he only ever ate the “exciting” parts before he tucked it away in that fridge.

“Harry, she’s in two of your classes this semester,” Tom had laughed, setting his reading glasses down on his desk as he sat back down. “Your Public and Private Governance Seminar and International Trade and Investment Law and Policy Seminar. Those are small classes, I’m surprised you two haven’t met before.”

Sinking in his chair, he held his back closely as he defended, “We have met before. Last week at Sloan Energy.”

“Ah,” Tom hummed, clearly entertained at Harry’s reaction. Scooting his chair closer, he closed his laptop so he could look directly at him. “She’s been leading that protest for a while now, I think it will be six weeks this Friday.”

“Is there any way to stop her?”

“From protesting for Green Energy? No.” Taking a deep breath, he rubbed at his neck and added hesitantly, “I suppose you could always talk to her? She’s reasonable enough, she just switched advisors this semester because she wanted to make Mark’s workload lighter; he’s semi-retired now.”

Tom went on to check in with Harry about his internship and how his classes were going so far but Harry could hardly focus, feeling himself drift towards the question of the hour: how could he convince her to move the protest?

From the short interaction he had had with Y/N and Tom’s high praise, he was beginning to think that he was Sloan Energy’s last hope. Why else would they turn to him, an intern, when they had a whole team of more than qualified lawyers? And why had Tom thrown him to the wolves, knowing that another student was leading a whole movement against the company?

Before he could ask, Tom was standing up and shaking his hand. “You’ll have to keep me updated on Sloan Energy and the protests. I’m eager to hear what happens.”

“Yeah, Tom I will. And thanks again for telling me about the internship.”

Tom was quiet for a minute, his smile frozen and his eyes narrowing before he nodded. “Of course, Harry. Jeff Azoff is an old student of mine. When he reached out about looking to hire students, I immediately thought of you. Pays a lot more than that paralegal you’ve been working for since your first year here.”

As Harry was leaving the office, he was surprised to see a new blue bin right next to Tom’s trash can. A single plastic salad bowl sat in it, still dripping water as if it had just been rinsed clean.

“Is this new?”

“It was a gift, actually. Just got it last week.”

The first thing Harry did after his meeting was text Sarah and Mitch, asking what they knew of Y/N Y/LN. Walking briskly down the hallway, Harry’s searches on Instagram and Facebook proved to be a waste of time. Twitter was useless, with only a few pictures of protests with faces blurred and no mention of her. As he waited for the elevator, Harry opened a new note on his phone and began to type down everything he knew.

Studies Environmental Law

No social media.

Protests when not in class

In my governance and policy seminars

Meeting tonight????

Throughout his Financial Regulation seminar, Harry could hardly focus as their guest speaker outlined the history of finance regulation in the US, wondering how he had never noticed her in his classes. In the sea of sleek and professionally dressed law students, she was like a rainbow colored rocky shore. The only thing standing between him and a guaranteed job after graduation was a strangely dressed classmate.

As soon as they were dismissed, Harry unlocked his phone, relieved to see that Mitch knew her pretty well, having dated her old roommate last year.

She was always really weird about showers. Her and Katie got into this huge fight at the end of the year because Katie had bought a Keurig and I guess that’s bad for the environment. When Y/N got mad about it, Katie locked herself in the bathroom and ran the shower for an hour. By the time she came out of the shower, Y/N had moved out.

Definitely weird.

Sarah had had class with her before and seemed annoyed at Mitch’s response.

It’s called being environmentally friendly, Rowland. Y/N has been practicing zero-waste since high school. She’s not weird, she’s thoughtful. My first year when I was dehydrated, she took me to the hospital and went to all of my classes for me to take notes. If I wouldn’t be risking arrest and my degree, I’d be protesting with her. She’s a better person than both of you combined. If she wasn’t so busy, she’d be top of our year easily. Why are you asking about her, Harry?

Ignoring her question, Harry put his phone away and kept walking, though he wasn’t entirely sure where to go. He hadn’t been able to convince Tom to give him her schedule although he could probably ask Jeff. And what was that meeting later tonight? Was it with Sloan Energy? Was that why they weren’t expected at the office today?

He wasn’t complaining, in fact he was beyond thankful to have a night to catch up with his studies and term papers, knowing he wouldn’t be getting much sleep either way.

Deciding to get a coffee to keep him warm while he plotted, Harry ducked into the Starbucks across the street and stood in line, making awkward eye contact at an old professor of his who was sitting with a much younger woman. Looking away quickly, his eyes landed on a basket with a sign that said ‘Reusable Cups $3.99’.

Suddenly, he felt inspired.

Pulling his phone out again, he quickly typed into his search engine ‘is coffee or tea better for earth?’ with a surprising yet logical result. Grabbing two of the reusable coffee cups, Harry smiled widely at the barista.

“Um, just one coffee black. And whatever your healthiest hot tea is.”

Soon, Harry was walking briskly towards Sloan Energy, hoping Y/N wasn’t at her meeting yet. He had only seen her a few hours ago with her bright colors and worn fabrics but as he got closer to the building, it felt like it had been years since he heard her familiar voice, thanking the small gathering around her through her red and white megaphone. The hot drinks in his hand had managed to only spill minimally on the frantic trip across The Village, surviving the packed subway and crowds of tourists.

She was easier to spot now that he knew where to look. The crowd was smaller than it had been the day before, with a few slowly easing out of the group to get somewhere warmer. As Harry made his way to her, he was glad he didn’t have his internship today; he blended in much better with his dark jeans and black zip tie shirt with NYU School of Law embroidered on the chest.

He waited as she informed the group of tomorrow’s meeting times before approaching. It was just them now. Y/N didn’t seem too surprised to see him as she lowered her megaphone and walked towards him, one eyebrow raised as she took in the two white reusable cups in his gloved hands.

“What is this?”

“Green tea,” Holding it out to her, he pulled it back just as quickly and examined the two cups before holding out the other one. “This one’s green tea. Thought you might be cold.”

“No, I meant why are you bringing me a drink?” When he didn’t respond, she asked with a cautious smile, “Did you poison it or something?”

Shaking his head, Harry glanced towards the main doors of Sloan Energy as she took the drink from him, taking a sip before humming. “It's good. Thanks. Harry, right?”

“Yeah. Harry Styles.”

Looping her free hand through the wrist strap of the horn, she wrapped her bare hands around the warm mug as she looked up at him. “Well can I help you, Harry Styles? Or do you just like to watch?”

“Do you want to maybe grab a drink?” He asked, feeling colder with every second he stood under her cautious gaze.

“Besides the one you just gave me?” Smiling, she glanced at the watch on her wrist that looked more like a piece of wood before she cleared her throat and took another sip of her tea. “I have a meeting in an hour so I probably shouldn’t be drinking yet.”

Harry could feel his shoulders droop unintentionally and watched as her eyes widen before she added quickly, “But I’m starving. Have you eaten today?”

She had taken them to a vegan place only a few minutes away, leading them to a table without hesitation, leading Harry to believe she had probably been here a few times before. He was beginning to notice how attentive Y/N was, from the corner of his eye he could see her casually observing him as he read the menu above the counter.

“Hope you don’t mind vegan, I always come here when I’m in the area.” She suddenly apologized as she dug through her backpack, taking out a much smaller back with her name sewn into it. “Their fries are really good, they’re air fried. The salads are pretty good too.”

They were quiet, with her eating her guacamole burger as he used the bamboo utensils she had handed him once he sat down with his salad.

“Don’t worry, they’re clean.” She had explained when he gave her a curious look. They’re safer than actual utensils, they last long. Better for the earth than those plastic things they give out here. Don’t even get me started on the metal stuff.”

The bag she had pulled out of her backpack had turned out to be a pouch with handkerchiefs, bamboo straws and bamboo utensils. The clinking he had heard earlier in her bag turned out to be mason jars.

“So, you just bring those with you everywhere?”

“Pretty much. I’m just doing my part to lower our carbon footprint. I bring my own containers and utensils mostly. Some places around here are getting better. Chloe, the manager, uses plates that are made of recycled materials and then recycles them again when they’re used.”

Nodding, Harry stabbed at his salad thoughtfully. “So why are you protesting Sloan? No offense, but don’t you have better things to do? Like study?”

“Why do you intern there? Aren’t there less morally corrupt businesses you could work for?”

“They’re one of the most successful energy companies on the East Coast--” He began but her sharp laugh was back, cutting him off quickly.

“And one of the most environmentally harmful energy companies in the US. It’s 2019, who uses coal anymore?”

“It’s not that harmful to the environment, it’s a natural resource.” He was glad he had paid attention to his Oil and Gas seminar last week. He only hoped she hadn’t. “Mining and burning the coal doesn’t harm the surrounding earth.”

“Uh, ever heard of global warming? They’re burning fossil fuels that are destroying the atmosphere. It’s not just cows.” She had been paying attention. Finishing off her sandwich, she took her final sip of her tea and looked at him expectantly.

“What?”

“Just say that they’re paying you a shit ton of money to intern. You don’t need to defend them to me, I’m not going to change my opinion until they change their system.”

Sighing, Harry nodded, not knowing what else to say.

“Are you going to tell me why you’re here then?”

He set down her bamboo fork, a sign of defeat. He hadn’t prepared as much as he should have.

“I need you to move your protest.”

“Because?”

“If I get you to move your protest from their front doors, they’ll give me an actual job on their legal team once I pass the bar.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t expected that, her voice laced with pity and uncertainty.

“Yeah.”

After an excruciatingly long pause, she nodded. “Okay.”

“What?” Harry was more than surprised as he watched her shrug and wipe at her hands with the dark red cloth she had laid over her lap when she had started eating.

“I’ll do it.”

“But?”

“I have conditions. Obviously. Do you have any paper?”

He shook his head and watched her begin to dig through her backpack. “What? Are you drawing up a contract or something?”

“Yep,” Pulling out a pen and an old flyer for one of the first protests with the words ‘recycled paper’ stamped on it, Harry watched as she began to write messily on the black back side of it. It was bright yellow and her pen ink was a dark blue, her handwriting long and looped which he found fitting. “Today’s the twenty-fifth right?”

When he hummed in agreement, she continued. “Okay. This contract is between Y/N Y/LN and Harry Styles. Y/N Y/LN has agreed to move her protest permanently from outside of Sloan Energy on the understanding that Harry Styles will educate himself on eco-friendly behavior and practices zero-waste to the best of his ability. Styles must also make an effort to change Sloan Energy from inside, beginning with recycling bins within the building. Once he is hired, Styles is expected to push for green energy. How does that sound?”

“That sounds like I’m doing a lot more than you.”

“Do you want them to hire you or not? I’m doing you multiple favors here, Styles.”

“Can I read it over and get back to you?”

She nodded before quickly scribbling something at the bottom of the contract. After she slid it across the table, he realized it was her number.

“So we can meet outside of my protesting hours should you Don’t think your bosses would be too happy to see you fraternizing with the enemy.” She was smiling now, one full of mischief that made him feel like she was letting him in on a big secret. Harry couldn’t help but smile back, not quite sure what he might be agreeing on.

As she packed up, Harry was tempted to ask her where she was headed, but she beat him to it; it was like she could read his mind. “Don’t follow me this time, okay? Twice in one day should be enough for you, my own apartment is lucky to see me once.”

He didn’t see a point in disagreeing with the girl as she left the small café. Looking around, it was as if all of the charm of the room had vanished with her, the pink walls now looking faded, the table sticky, the chair uncomfortable cold.

By the time he got home, it had only gotten colder. His roommate, Ed, was an aspiring musician who had decided tonight was the perfect night to hold a private concert in the shower, his only audience being the last of their cold water. Shivering, Harry simply changed into warmer clothes and sat at his desk, putting on an old rock station before he got to work.

Jeff had asked him yesterday to begin looking into Energy Law and he had a paper due in two days that he had yet to start. Choosing to begin on the latter, Harry got to work, cranking out three pages before he remembered the folded up flyer in his coat pocket. Deciding now was as good as ever to stretch his legs, he walked back to the living room to grab it from the coat rack, his eyes tracing over her handwriting that reminded him of kindergarten teacher.

Adding her number, he typed out a short text and paused for a moment. If he texted her, that was it. He’d be agreeing to do whatever it is she laid out in this contract of theirs. Still, if he wanted the job, he knew he had to at least try.

hey, it’s harry. how was that secret meeting of urs?

Returning to his desk, Harry was surprised when his phone pinged. He didn’t take her for a quick responder. His smile fell when he saw it was a text from Jeff. He never texts, he was an email addict. He had a template for almost anything.

What the hell did you do, Styles? Y/N Y/LN just left the office. Moving the protest to washington square.

Before he could respond, his phone pinged again, her contact name flashing at the top of the screen.

have you decided when you want to meet to sign the contract? :)

tags: @berrynarrybanana @brwnskin-bunnyteeth @harry-is-my-medicine @detroitkiwis @theresthingsthatwellneverknow @fromyourstrulyh @cassiopeiaskies @ggaayyyong @mortumnoctis

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lavidademarimar · 6 years

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~ Masterlist ~

Elena was stood at the bus stop where Tom would arrive. She wore a yellow sundress and sunglasses that took up half her face. As the bus pulled over, she got giddy, and started looking for him. She found him quickly, a bit disoriented, with his mobile in hand.

“Oi! Glynn-Carney!” Elena shouted.

Tom’s head shot up in Elena’s direction, he flashed her the biggest smile he could, ran over to her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. They hugged for a while. Elena couldn’t believe how attached she felt to him already. Tom felt like a friend she hadn’t seen in years.

“Did you make it okay? Was everything the way it should have been?” Elena asked, smiling.

“Yeah, I had no problem. Love, I’m starving and craving a pint, please feed me.”

“That’s exactly the attitude we need. Let’s go to mine to drop off your things and then let’s go eat our feelings because we will get drunk and then I’ll sober you up.”

“Mate, are you flirting with me?” Tom winked.

Elena laughed. “Do you really think that I would go for you? I would obviously go for Harry,” Elena scoffed and started walking down the street.

Tom shook his head and followed her. Jack was playing with fire.

After eating burgers and starting on the pints, Tom and Elena headed to Place du Luxembourg, where they’d meet her friends to drink. Elena had told Tom that this was a regular occurrence when the sun was out, and every young professional who wanted to network and meet people was usually there. It was all part of the Brussels bubble.

Carlos was sceptical of Tom when he met him, but he soon relaxed when he saw he was a good lad. Andres was also with them with his girlfriend Valerie, who lives with him, and Andrea, one of Elena’s co-workers and her best friend in Brussels.

“Another round on me?” Tom asked.

The group agreed and clapped for Tom, who laughed and left. They all turned to Elena, who was waiting for it.

“Okay, if the Scot is like this one, I could be more open to this new boyfriend you have,” said Carlos.

“They’re a bit different but Tom is his best best friend. I think that says a lot, no?”

“Still doubtful,” said Andres.

Elena took their apprehension lightly because she knew they were just looking out for her. That school group was like a big, dysfunctional family, and Carlos and Andres were the closest thing she had to an older and younger brother, respectively.

“I, for one, can’t wait to meet him. He seems super intense and super into you,” said Andrea, sipping the last bits of her beer.

“Oi! Elena!” Tom called her to help with the beer but Andres volunteered instead, to show how they wouldn’t be total idiots this weekend.

The group scattered at about 10 pm, and Tom and Elena went to get fries and more beer before calling it a night. They were in Place Jourdan, a quiet but busy atmosphere, because the famous Maison Antoine fries were there.

“Mate, how are these fries so good?” Tom asked, devouring the fries with Samourai sauce.

“Witchcraft,” said Elena, tipsy.

Tom stared at her and knew it was now or never.

“Why are you playing hard to get so stubbornly?”

Elena figured the topic would come up at some point, better now that she was drunk. If she said anything stupid, she’d apologise tomorrow and blame it on the beer.

“I’m not a monster. I just... have some intimacy issues that are my fault only and he’s…so…bloody…keen, mate,” Elena slurred those last words to create impact, but Tom just found her amusing. “I mean, I would have to be mad not to be all over him because he’s fucking gorgeous, is totally smitten with me, and is a fantastic fuck, but we’re going at two different speeds with this. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“Well, there were bits in what you just said that I really didn’t need to know, but I understand. Jack’s very intense in general with everything he sets his eyes on. It’s why he’s where he is. He was the only one of his class to graduate with a full-time serious non-internship job, it’s why he got transferred to Shanghai, it’s why he’s living with us instead of by himself when he has the money to do it. He’s always been a long-term lad.”

“He said he was living with you because he’d blown up his savings in Shanghai,” said Elena suspiciously.

Tom laughed. “He’s bloody frugal. He travelled through South-East Asia for two months before moving back to London and he called it blowing up his savings. Mate, those countries are bloody cheap, yeah? He didn’t blow up anything; he may have dented his savings, but I would strongly doubt that.”

Elena laughed. “You really are the best mate he could have ever asked for.”

Tom shrugged and smiled. “Jack’s my boy. I love him to bits. Now, how the fuck are you going to sober me up because I need to be dashing at 9 am tomorrow.”

“Kebab and water, let’s go,” Elena stood up.

Tom followed her and Elena grabbed his arm and wrapped hers around it.

“I don’t want to continue drinking more water. I’m going to be sick,” Tom was pouting.

“One more glass, then shower, then bed,” said Elena gulping her fifth glass of water. She grabbed her phone and opened Jack’s chat. “Come on, let’s show him how sad we are without him.”

Tom smiled at her and turned to the camera and put on a pout. Elena beamed. She texted ‘We miss you! Tom is a whiny bitch who’s going to be hungover tomorrow if he doesn’t listen to me’.

Her phone vibrated with a reply.

“He’s been probably waiting all day to hear from us,” Tom shook his head and headed into Elena’s room.

Jack: He looks done for. Doesn’t he have a meeting early tomorrow? Yer a bad influence. Elena: Hey, if the lad can’t hold his beer, it’s not my problem. Jack: hahaha that is a problem. Elena: How was your day? Jack: uneventful. Had a late work day and got home to Harry covering one of the windows with a sheet so he could paint without distractions. Elena: you should stop overthinking everything Harry does. He’s your flatmate. You need to learn to live with him and his personality. Jack: haha I like that ye separated the two. Yer right. Yer right. Elena: why don’t you work out to blow off steam? Jack: I should shag ye to blow off steam. Elena: lmao Shakespeare, I don’t think Skype sex has the same effect that punching an actual man in the face. Jack: Skype sex is awful compared to the real thing. Elena: I know. Jack: when could I go? Elena: we just got back, Jack. I’m only just getting my workload back. When you come, I want to take some days off. I can’t take them after being gone for two weeks. Jack: how about I go a weekend? Harmless. Ye don’t have to take days off, we don’t leave yer room, and then we plan a longer trip. Elena: tempting. I need to sleep. Goodnight xx Jack: Goodnight x

Tom's firm was looking into creating alliances with Brussels post-Brexit, and had sent Tom's charm and hard wits to captivate his audience before the tough negotiations began between partners. This was also a test to see if he was a solid investment or not. Having just finished his LLM, Tom knew he had to make an impression. Elena had no doubt that Tom had swept the room off its feet as she waited for Tom outside the building he had the meeting. She was fidgety, playing with her hands.

Tom came out with a smile on his face. "Oi!"

"I'm guessing the meeting went well?"

Tom lifted Elena and spun her around. "It went bloody amazing, mate! I was in charge of that shit. We have to celebrate."

"Your wish is my command. Our plan is: eat, go home and rest a bit, then pregame with Andie and we're going partying."

"Solid. Let's do it."

To say the night was going to be different was an understatement. Elena had drunk a bottle of wine by herself and was electric. The Massive Party Spotify playlist blasted out of Elena’s room. Andrea arrived half a bottle into the pregame and caught up quickly. Carlos saw the girls getting ready and shook his head. "I wish you good luck. You're going to need it. Don't let her lose her mobile." and left for a date. Tom laughed nervously.

The first stop was a club in the City Centre.

"Watch your things, there's loads of pickpockets here," warned Andrea as they walked in.

Shots of tequila ensued. Elena and Andrea followed the music with their hips and soon enough, they were surrounded by vultures. Tom got in between the girls and started dancing with them to shoo the men off. He was drunk, but he was on duty.

When one man tried to cut him off, Elena stopped him. "We don't want to dance with you. We're together."

"Well, you can be with me," the man smiled.

"I think it's pretty obvious that we have a thing for blondes," Elena smiled and kissed Tom in the corner of his mouth and then Andrea did the same.

"Yeah, mate, back off. They're taken," said Tom, wrapping his arms around the girls' waists.

Fortunately, he did leave.

“Ugh, I hate having to do that shit,” said Elena, “But I do have a thing for blondes,” she giggled. 

After a few hours there, they got bored and ended up in a salsa bar. The team was so drunk at this point that they didn't care they were making fools of themselves with their wannabe dancing.

"This is the only place in Brussels where people don't automatically think I'm a good dancer because I can move my hips," she yelled in Tom's ear and laughed.

It was 5 am when they left.

“This is so much fuuuuuuuuun!!!!!” Andrea screamed running barefoot in the street while Tom and Elena laughed at her.

The three of them landed on Elena’s bed with a thud.

Tom awoke by the sound of cooking in the kitchen. His limbs were mixed with Elena and Andrea's. The girls were spooning. He slid off quietly and went to the sink to splash cold water on his face and opened the door. Carlos looked at him and laughed.

“I guess I should have warned you a bit more. Coffee?” Carlos was making pancakes.

“Oh god, that’d be amazing, mate. Thanks,” said Tom, sitting on a chair so everything would stop spinning.

He poured Tom a cup of black coffee. “How do you drink it?”

“I’ll do that, mate. Don’t worry,” he stood up again slowly to fetch milk and sugar.

“Did Andrea come back with you guys last night?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Trying to see how many pancakes I have to make,” said Carlos.

“Mate, that’s so kind of you,” said Tom.

“Yes. But, it’s also kind of part of our agreement. Elena makes our food for the week with the condition that I take care of the weekends if we’re both in.”

“What? That’s an amazing arrangement. You are aware you won, right?”

“I am aware I won. Besides, there’s no arrangement for desserts, and she loves baking.”

“Mate, you’re a bloody role model. Cheers to you.”

“Thanks, man.”

“So… what about this Jack person? He’s your best friend, no? What’s his deal with Elena?”

Tom laughed. “I figured this would happen sooner or later.”

“Sooner, because she’ll tell me off if she hears me.”

“Mate, I know it seems strange and that they’re mental, but I’ve never seen my mate like that. He was absolutely head over heels for Elena. I understand it, obviously, because she’s great, but I never imagined it would be that intense, that quickly.”

Carlos was trying to decide if he was satisfied with that answer. “I don’t know.”

“I understand.”

“No, dude, I don’t think you do. Jack’s your friend from university, no? I’ve known Elena since 2006. I’ve seen the parade of morons. One right after another. And we’ve always taken care of her, and lately she was making sound choices again, but she goes away for two weeks and now she’s dating some guy that she knows nothing about? I don’t know. She’s like my sister. You have to see where I’m coming from.”

Tom nodded. “I do see where you’re coming from, and I can see why you would suspect, but just give him a chance, yeah? He’s a great lad. If you don’t think he’s worthy, then she’ll dump him and it’ll be a funny story later. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Carlos laughed. “I think you’re a good guy.”

“Thanks, mate. I appreciate it. Now, should I wake up these women? I’m starving.”

"Ellie, Andie, wake up. Brekkie's done," Tom's voice was soft.

The girls groaned. They were rough. Really rough.

Carlos laughed as soon as he saw them leave Elena's bedroom.

"I take it was a fun night," he said.

"You had better made all the bacon we had," said Elena, looking disgusting, honestly. Her mascara smeared, her hair, greasy, and in a bun.

"I did. Sit. Eat."

The group ate slowly, trying to savour the food and not get sick afterwards, but it would prove to be a challenge.

Elena had mysterious bruises in her legs and Andrea's feet were filthy. They agreed that a shower could do them good. Andrea used Elena's and Ellie went to Carlos'.

Tom had, unsurprisingly, texts from Jack.

Jack: how was last night? 

Jack: bloody hell I saw her Instagram stories. How bad was it? 

Jack: should I be worried? 

Jack: should I just try to forget her?

 Jack: this is unhealthy.  

Jack: I'm losing my bloody mind.

Tom rang Jack.

"Hey," Jack sounded defeated.

"Mate, you have got to stop. It is unhealthy, but because you're not keeping it together. You knew this would be difficult. She has a life here. Nothing bad happened last night. We partied and the three of us collapsed on her bed at 5 am. She could have had any guy last night and she turned them all down. Give her a break and stop pushing her. You're going to end up driving her away."

A heavy sigh was heard on the other end. "Yer right."

"Of course I'm bloody right. We have to talk when I get back, but you have to trust me when I tell you that you need to stop pushing so much," Tom said, shaking his head, concerned.

Andrea turned off the water.

"Mate, I've to go before it gets suspicious. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Aye, all right," Jack said.

Andrea, Tom, and Elena, all showered, were lied on Elena's bed watching Casablanca.

"This is such a bloody amazing film," said Elena.

"A great way to do hungover Saturdays," said Andrea.

"After we're done, would you like to get some air? Walk around?" asked Tom.

Andrea and Elena looked at each other and nodded.

"Nothing too extreme, though," said Elena.

"Maybe walk around and settle in a park somewhere?" asked Andrea.

"That sounds pretty good," said Tom as he reached for his mobile, "Selfie to prove we made it."

Elena and Andrea turned and smiled.

"You can send that to Jack so he sees the people I've slept with this weekend," said Elena, half-joking, half-serious.

Andrea laughed and Tom shook his head. Elena knew Jack as well as he knew her.

"I'll leave it in my Instagram," said Tom. He tagged the girls and captioned it 'Barely alive in Brussels thanks to these two. #DidISalsaLastNight'

His phone vibrated immediately. He immediately assumed it was Jack, but he was surprised.

Harry: Mate. Harry: Mate, who's the fit bird that's with you and Elena?

Tom shook his head. He knew where this would go.

Tom: Elena's best friend here. Her name is Andrea. Harry: I am going to Brussels next week. I need to meet her. Tom: Mate, please don't come before Jack. Are you mental? Harry: Shit, you're right. When's he going? Tom: I think late next week? You can ask him. Harry: I don't want to get punched on a Saturday. I'm rough as fuck. Tom: Don't be a wanker then. Wait for him to come. Harry: What's she like? Tom: She's well cool, mate. I like her a lot. Harry: Are you going to take her from me? Tom: See you tomorrow, Harold.

Harry kept texting Tom during the day, and Tom ignored him.

Tom and Elena were stood waiting for the bus that would take Tom to the airport.

“When will you come visit?” Tom asked.

Elena shrugged.

“So, you’re not going to come to London until you and Jack have figured out what the fuck you’ll be doing?”

Elena shrugged. “Can you see me going to London and not seeing him and just visiting you?”

“Well, you’re my mate, so yeah. Harry and Fionn would love to see you too,” Tom hit her playfully on the shoulder.

“Do you know your friend?”

Silence.

The bus parked and its doors opened.

Tom turned to Elena and smiled. “Mate, I’ve absolutely loved this weekend. Please, think about coming soon. I have to get you pissed now and run barefoot on the streets of London,” Tom smiled the most genuine smile ever and Elena’s heart melted. He was a cutie.

“Enough with your charm! Go away!” Elena pushed him away. Tom laughed and came closer for a hug.

“See you soon then?” Tom kissed her cheek, grabbed his bag and got on the bus. She smiled and waved.

Tom made his way into the flat and Harry and Jack were waiting for him. They stood up quickly and Tom groaned.

“Let me at least go to the loo,” said Tom, shaking his head.

“A brew, mate?” asked Harry.

“Make it a beer if you are going to harass me,” said Tom as he closed the bathroom door.

“A beer sounds nice. Jack, you want one?” asked Harry as he made his way to the refrigerator and took out two beers.

“Aye, please,” said Jack.

Tom came back to the living room/kitchen area wearing black shorts and a white t-shirt. “All right. We’ll start with you because I have more information.” “What did she say?” asked Jack, almost in pain.

“She did admit she had some intimacy issues, but she said she likes you. You just need to realise that you’re not going at the same speed. Back off a bit. You said you wanted to try long-distance, so bloody try long-distance, not ‘ohmygodIneedtoseeyounowimmediatelywhencanIgo’, because you’re going to drive her off. I invited her to come here and she doesn’t want to until you two have reached some sort of balance, whatever she meant by that.”

“Maybe she’s not as into me as I am her,” Jack sighed.

“Well, mate, that’s obvious,” Harry laughed.

Jack punched him in the shoulder. “Why are ye here again?”

Harry smiled. “Elena’s fit friend.”

Jack rolled his eyes at Harry.

“She said you’re gorgeous, smitten with her, and -this is a direct quote-, a fantastic fuck, but-.”

Harry jumped on Jack. “That’s my boy! Well done, my good sir!”

Jack laughed nervously and loosened up a bit. “So, back off a bit. Should I cancel the ticket?”

“No, mate, I don’t think you have to. That’s in two weeks, no?”

“Ten days.”

“Well, I’m thinking that if you play your cards right starting today, when you go you’ll have the desired effect.”

“Okay. So I back off.”

“You back off, just a wee bit, mate. Let her miss you. Let her come to you.”

“Okay. I can do that.”

“Mate, if this goes well, you can fantastically fuck her brains out when you go. It’s a win-win,” Harry smiled.

Tom turned to Harry. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

“Does she have a boyfriend?”

“No.”

“Great, because Harry Styles is going to be her boyfriend. What’s she like?”

“I told you, mate. She’s well cool. She’s our age, younger than Elena. They work together in DG CONNECT. Real easygoing, sharp brain. I don’t know if she’ll go for you.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Harry faked indignation.

“Well, you two decided to set your eyes on women smarter than you, eh? Deal with the consequences.”

“I’m going to go to Brussels to sweep that girl off her feet,” Harry said confidently.

“If ye go to Brussels before I do, Harry, I swear to god…” Jack couldn’t even finish the sentence.

“Relax, mate. I’m your boy, yeah? If anything, I need you to go first, so you can meet her and start throwing compliments my way as I know you can,” Harry smiled at that last bit.

Jack laughed and shook his head.

“Lads, I’m starving. Pizza?”

“Mate, I’ve left the game recording. Want to watch it?” Harry asked.

They agreed.

NEXT: All bets are off

#jack lowden #jack lowden imagine #jack lowden fanfiction #jack lowden x oc #jack lowden x ofc #special guests:#tom glynn carney #and #harry styles #dunkirk cast imagine

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