#favfic

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The sunlight filtered through the classroom windows; the day had started for everyone, except for Todd, who looked a mess.

The fraternity's small party had ended much later than planned. The music, the alcohol, and a couple of girls whose names he didn't even remember had only served to distract him momentarily from the emptiness he carried inside.

When he entered the classroom, he walked with slow steps, as if he didn't want to be there. A pounding headache drilled his temples, and his mouth was so dry it was hard to swallow. It was clear his body was paying the price for the party.

He slumped into the last seat in the most remote corner and closed his eyes for a moment, hiding behind a pair of sunglasses. But not even the darkness of the glasses saved him from the headache when all the classroom lights turned on at once.

A low groan escaped his lips. Annoyed, he took off his sunglasses, revealing the obvious dark circles under his eyes, and rubbed the bridge of his nose as if it could relieve the pressure he felt. He was so absorbed in his discomfort that he didn't even notice the Social Psychology professor had already arrived and was placing his notes on the podium.

A constant murmur filled the classroom until, suddenly, amid all the noise, he distinguished your voice. Like a magnet, his eyes searched for you in the crowd entering the room.

Without realizing it, a slight smile planted itself on his lips, and there you were. Wearing a black blouse that accentuated your figure in a way only he knew how to appreciate; the short skirt left your legs exposed, and Todd couldn't stop the memory from hitting him hard: you beneath him, in his room, moaning his name against his ear, your leg being caressed until he placed it on his waist, pulling you closer to him.

He tensed in his seat and straightened up abruptly, as if that movement could catch your attention, make your eyes meet his.

He had left an empty space beside him, a gesture that seemed innocent but was coldly calculated.You didn't even look at him.Your gaze scanned the middle rows, stopping next to an empty seat, right beside the new guy.

"Is this taken?" you asked, in a neutral voice that sounded like betrayal to Todd.

He looked up, his blue eyes showing surprise, but upon recognizing you, it was as if he became more aware of his surroundings.

"No, of course not. Go ahead, have a seat" his voice was deep but undoubtedly had strong traces of kindness. A smile formed on his face as he moved his backpack aside. "I'm Rhett, Rhett Abbott, by the way" he added, extending his hand to you.

You looked at him for a moment, a bit puzzled by the gesture, but then a shy smile appeared on your lips and you accepted his hand.

"Nice to meet you, Rhett" you replied, and after that, neither of you said anything.

Rhett tried to keep up with the professor; he really tried. His brow was constantly furrowed, showing his frustration. His clumsy notes scattered across his notebook betrayed his attempt to concentrate.

At one point, when the professor turned towards the board, it was enough for Rhett to give up. He leaned towards you.

"My family has a ranch in Wyoming. They've raised cattle for generations..." he mentioned quietly, playing with his pen.

"I heard you transferred" you murmur, trying to pay attention to both the class and Rhett.

"How did you know?" he asked, confused, and you couldn't deny it made you blush for a few seconds.

"Well, you're not someone who goes unnoticed" Rhett laughed softly while nodding, and you felt relieved.

"This university offers a better graduate program in Business Administration. I want to run the family business..." you simply nodded. "I'm glad I found you here. That way I wouldn't have to search the whole campus to thank you for helping me."

You smiled unintentionally, murmuring a "it was nothing."

From the back of the classroom, Todd watched every detail. Not only was the new guy sitting next to you, but he was also making you smile like that. And every time your mouth curved in response to something the cowboy said, Todd felt a cold tension building in his jaw. His fingers drummed on the surface of his seat with a strange impatience, as if it could stabilize him.

When class ended, you calmly gathered your things and stepped out into the hallway with Rhett.

Within seconds, the hallway seemed to empty around you. And there was Todd, waiting for you, as if by chance.

"Well" he commented with that fake smile he managed to hide behind so well in front of others, "how quickly you're adapting to... rural life" he said with disgust while looking at you.

Rhett barely glanced at him. His attention focused on you, with a slight shake of his head.

"I hope to see you in the next class" his tone was respectful, and that smile lodged itself in your memory. Without adding more, he walked away, leaving a heavy silence between Todd and you.

The hallway seemed to narrow. The scent of Todd's expensive cologne made your skin prickle, and you just knew; you didn't need to see him, you knew he was close.

"Can we talk?" he asked, his voice lower and rougher than usual; that usual arrogance had diminished to nothing.

"Not now. I'm busy" you replied, looking away from him.You knew it wasn't true; it was a silly excuse. And he knew it too.

Todd took a step towards you, and then another, closing off your escape route. Before your mind could tell your feet to step back, he already had you cornered against the cold wall.

His arm rested next to your head. His body was too close, invading your personal space. This wasn't the usual arrogant and controlling Todd. This was a different Todd. His eyes, which usually reflected superiority, had a different glint, almost vulnerable.

"Please..." he whispered, and his breath, which smelled of mint and coffee from the vending machine, brushed your cheek "Let's talk. Really."

It was almost a plea.

His lips approached yours, barely grazing them, testing a territory he himself had marked as forbidden. And you, against all your will and pride, broke. Something inside you gave way, and in an act of pure need, you sought his lips in a desperate kiss.

Todd responded immediately. A stifled moan escaped his throat as his hands slid from the wall to your waist, squeezing tightly; he massaged the muscles of your back through the fabric of your blouse with that familiarity.

He broke the kiss abruptly, breathing heavily in front of you, his forehead resting against yours.

"The party on Friday..." he murmured, his voice hoarse. "...at KNA... I want you to go."

He had never asked you before. Your dynamic had always been clear: he organized, he showed up, and you were just there. It was a given, one of the many rules he himself had imposed.

Him asking, saying it like that, so needy, made something in your chest stir in a way you didn't recognize.Seeing him like that, begging you in that way, was so disconcerting.

"Why?" you managed to whisper. "You never cared before if I went or not"

He closed his eyes for a second, as if fighting with himself.

"I just... want you to be there. Okay?"

The question sounded like a plea. Before you could answer, the sound of a door closing at the end of the hallway made him step back. And it only took a second to look at him; once again, the Todd you knew was back as he walked away as if you meant nothing.

It’s about time I finally rec’d this fic. I really enjoyed this! I see why it’s such an iconic fic in the fandom. 

The story showed great character development, for both Harry and Louis. Louis was a pretentious, stuck up corporate bozo at the start, but grew into a wonderful character. 

“Because I would rather go alone to every event for the rest of my life than pay the ghost of Mick Jagger’s youth to pretend to tolerate me”  

“Do you like golf?” “I f*ck old men for a living. Of course I love golf” 

“What’s with the all white trend?” “Babe, it’s not like you’re going to get your period”

“Invisible, inexplicable heat, like the shock of an electrical fire o the remnants of a lightning storm in humidity”

Although it says in the beginning it’s incomplete, it’s actually fully finished with an epilogue and everything, so don’t let that stop you! 

This was an amazing book, I definitely recommend it and understand why it’s so famous! Go read it!