#harryxyou

Getting a partner, however, was the tricky bit. Most of them want to go all the way and have sex before they even get to know each other and the rest either take her for granted or have this kink about it, they like the thought of fucking a 'treasure' that no one's ever had or touched before.

Either way, she usually ends up losing interest in the relationship quickly. It seems the right man to spend the rest of her life with was a rare find. She didn't know if it was possible or if her expectations were too high. Or perhaps, being picky was the problem.

Eventually, she accepted it would take time for her to find someone. A time that she was willing and able to give. And right now, it was just a waiting game. To meet the guy whose arm she'd want to loop with hers for the rest of her life and create a beautiful life together in the process.

Just as Y/N was nodding off to sleep, a series of notifications on her phone rudely interrupted her sleep. Furrowing her brows, she sat up and lifted the device from her bedside table.

The screen lit up and showed who was texting her. It was her best friend, Harry. She slid her finger across the screen and a mess of messages appeared.

Harry Hi! *drunk selfie* So are we playing Scrabble tomorrow? I miss you and want to see you

Y/N If you still remember tomorrow and want to, sure.

Harry Sweet. Whatcha up to?

Y/N At home. About to go to sleep

Harry Oh sorry. You were probably sleeping

Y/N You're fine. I only just got into bed.

Harry What are you wearing, love?

Y/N Don't make me block you

Harry Ow ;( Why?

Y/N I'm too sober to have this conversation with you.

Harry *picture of him and Y/N* Look at us all cute, drunk out of our minds.

Y/N Very cute. Goodnight, Harry.

Harry Hey, one more question before you dooooooze

Y/N Go on.

Harry What are you wearing?

“Idiot.” She rolled her eyes and chuckled to herself. With a few quick button presses, Y/N replied with a picture of her in her silk pyjamas, and then sent an audio message: “I'm fully clothed, in bed, covered with my duvet, about to sleep and dream of ways to torture you.”

She puts her phone down so she can actually catch up on her rest. Just as her head hits the pillow again, she gets another message from Harry. Pouting, she swiftly opens the message and swipes up the audio.

“Aww, you'll dream of me?”

For some reason, Y/N can hear a smug smirk in his voice and decides to just ignore it. Putting her phone on silent and plopping it back down on her bedside table, Y/N yawns and snuggles deeper under the covers.

Just as her eyelids begin to shut for good, something within her is stirring that makes it hard for her to sleep. Y/N feels hot all of a sudden, making her shimmy and pull the duvet up further.

What had happened in those final moments of her text conversation with Harry, who was now busy scrolling through pictures of the two together and rereading their texts? Well, it seemed it's woken up a side of her she wasn't too familiar with. Resting her hand on the front of her silk shorts, Y/N could feel she was wet and aching for some touch.

“For fuck sake.” She cursed and closed her eyes. Why now? She thinks as she pulls her hand away, afraid to do anything. She knows why, but doesn't want to admit it.

It's because of Harry. His ridiculous flirting skills have managed to push a few buttons. This has never happened before. Why is he suddenly affecting her? She blames his goofy but heartfelt selfie. God, those hazel eyes looked perfect paired with that signature golden brown fluffy mop of hair, the stupid look on his face and the two fingers up in the air.

Y/N can't deny she is attracted to Harry. What wasn't to be attracted to? When it came to his personality, she was rather fond. He has always been sensitive, goofy and yet extremely smart and serious when needed. And, of course, she couldn't forget to mention how lucky he is. That boy was drop-dead gorgeous. From his curly locks to his biceps, she can go on and on and on about what she liked about him.

His looks definitely played a factor in his reputation with women and it was no surprise their friendship became somewhat of a hot topic with his fans. If only they knew the truth. There was nothing going on between the two other than a strong friendship.

Harry is an absolute gentleman to her. He took care of her in a way that set her standards very high when it comes to men, maybe that's why she still hasn't found a man. However, the sexual tension that had been building up lately between the two was another story.

It was no secret that Harry is a good kisser. The amount of stories she has heard made her feel a twinge of jealousy every time. She remembered thinking how nice it would be to feel what his lips were like on hers, how soft they would be and how they would taste. He's always bragging about the tongue action that gets women all hot and bothered. Then, she wondered how good he would be using his mouth elsewhere and- No. She can't think like this. Stop. It's creepy and weird. So just, stop.

Then, her phone beeps again in her hand, indicating another message coming from Harry. A rush of warmth spread through her stomach and Y/N noticed she was tense again. Biting down on her bottom lip, she opened the message.

Harry *drunk selfie on the side of his bed* I'm home, goodnight love

She stares at the picture, her stomach dropping. Heat swells through her body and the feeling overwhelms her, making her squirm against the soft sheets. Swallowing, she holds the phone up higher and glares at the picture intensely, the area between her legs clenching. It's not as if he looks amazing. No. He looks grumpy, his brows furrowed and a blank stare in his eyes. He just looks so cute, kissable even.

“Enough.” She whispers under her breath and shoves the device back down onto the nightstand. She gets up and goes to the bathroom, turning the faucet and splashing cold water all over her burning skin.

Tomorrow is going to be interesting. Seeing him after her fantasies of him invading her thoughts would be an interesting development. Hopefully, it will fizzle away quickly and everything will go back to normal. Y/N thinks, getting back into bed and fixing her pillows just so. With a drawn-out sigh, she puts out the lights and shuts her eyes. ***

In the morning, there was only one thought running through Y/N's mind, and that was seeing Harry. Even after she woke up, went about her day, she couldn't wait to text him to see if he even remembered the arrangement for her to come over and play Scrabble.

With each message sent, she left an expectant eye trained on her screen, waiting for the three little dots to bubble up and indicate a response. Meanwhile, she paced back and forth between her couch and the kitchenette, tidying up without knowing why. Everything was already spotless. She straightened pillows, fluffed rugs, sorted candles, and shuffled trinkets, anything to distract herself and keep from pestering Harry.

After a few hours of constant upkeep, she finally gets a response.

Harry Sorry I missed your messages, kinda had a wild night lol Are we still playing tonight? I have wine, you got the Scrabble?

Y/N We're playing but the question is... will you be in a fit state for it ;)

Harry Ha-ha. Funny.

Y/N Always. See you later. X

Harry See you. I'll leave the front door open for you. Byeeeee

And that was it. The brief conversation between the two fuelled her emotions. On one hand, she was completely thrilled to be seeing her best friend again. To be in his presence and enjoy a wonderful game night is very exciting.

On the other hand, she felt a wave of dread overcome her, her heart racing at the thought. She brushed it off. Ignored it. Why should she be dreading seeing one of her best friends? That's absurd.

Scrapping her plan of getting all dolled up to go visit him, Y/N finds herself only comfortable enough to get changed into leggings and a t-shirt. Although Harry has seen her in her casual attire, she is feeling oddly self-conscious right now. She doesn't know why and it's getting rather irritating.

He is her best friend for God's sake! If anything, she should be feeling as comfortable and confident around him as possible because he will always accept her for the way she is.

Shaking her head, she gets ready to make her way to his house. Despite it being 3 pm, Y/N grabs a bottle of her favourite white and puts it in her bag and with that, she is out the door.

Upon arrival, she reaches for the door and opens it. Peering around the door frame, she manages to catch sight of Harry stepping out of his bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.

He is humming under his breath as he tousles his damp curls with the towel. Strolling across the room to his bedroom, he disappears behind the door.

“Hey, Harry!” She calls out to him as she enters. Smiling brightly, she drops her bag on his countertop.

“Hey.” He calls back. “Give me a sec. I'll be out in a minute.”

Y/N nods, despite him not being able to see it, and makes her way to his sofa, taking her usual spot at one end. Closing her eyes, she rests her head back and takes a deep breath. She already feels exhausted from the many random things she has done throughout the day.

“Do you want to eat first or play first?” Harry finally walks into the living room, wearing a grey sweatsuit.

Peeking through an eyelid, Y/N says. “I'm not hungry. It's still early“ while her inner-self cheered at his appearance, making her giddy.

With a nod, Harry pulled two glasses from the kitchen cabinet placing them on the coffee table. Sliding down next to her, he opened the bottle and poured their drinks. While he set up the board game, she relaxed and casually looked him over. He looked gorgeous as ever, and always put together even if he was barely dressed.

Green eyes flicking up to catch her gaze, Harry chuckles softly before asking. “Nervous?”

“Huh? Why would I be nervous?” Her mouth corners turn up, her heart fluttering.

“Last time we played you weren't very happy.” He shrugged, reminding her how he completely beat her at the game.

“Right. But this time, I'm going to beat you.” She confidently nods and picks up a bag of letters. Harry leans over with a smug smirk on his face as he pulls his own bag.

“Hmm, so confident.” He snorts, lining up his tiles.

“Mhm.” Y/N straightens out her tiles.

Quirking a brow, Harry wonders “Famous last words?”

With a sharp nod and a cheeky smile, she places her first tiles down on the Scrabble board. “Nah, you're going down.”

Harry chokes on his drink and starts coughing, his eyes burning a hole into hers. Staring back, Y/N raised a curious brow. Once he could speak again, he cleared his throat and let out a hearty laugh.

“Alright, so what if I am?” Harry's thick accent cut through as a deep dimpled grin blossomed on his face. She found her heart rate increasing and had to look away, willing her red cheeks to go away.

Swallowing, she began her game. The opening word of DOUBLE wasn't too promising for Y/N, seeing that that was her highest scoring word but she wasn't giving up just yet.

Over the first few minutes, they managed to put down a few good words and Y/N was ahead with a more than decent lead.

“Shit.” Harry breathed, leaning forward to assess his words. His eyes flickered around the board before sighing and ruffling his tousled mop. “I'm fucked.”

Y/N chuckles and rolls her eyes, taking another sip from her glass. Glancing over to Harry who was deep in thought, Y/N reached up and scratched the nape of her neck with one hand, her gaze drifting around the room. As she turned to face him again, she was caught off guard when their eyes immediately locked. Her heart stuttered.

Tearing her eyes away from his gaze, Y/N shifted uncomfortably, then decided to lean forward to select a letter at random. As she placed it on the board, she looks at him once more to find that the corner of his mouth curled upwards.

'Shit' she thought, Harry wasn't playing fair. Surely, he knew that looking at her like that made her drop focus. Attempting to save her dignity, she bit her bottom lip, suppressing a shy smile before raising an eyebrow.

“Is this your strategy to beat me?” Y/N challenged. “Suck me into your sexiness and take my turn? How lame.”

Harry spluttered, taken aback by her comment. He didn't really know how to respond, seeing his best friend make an unashamedly flirtatious comment for the first time. Looking away, he fiddled with his hoop earring.

“Wait. Was that... was that supposed to fluster me, Y/N?” He playfully scoffed. As Harry turned to look at her, he was surprised to find an amused grin playing on her lips. He thought he would find at least a small glint of guilt in her eyes for her playfulness, and was surprised when he didn't find anything other than playful curiosity.

Y/N crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, it looks like I've got the upper hand now.”

“You wish.” Harry stared back at her for a moment longer, a playful glimmer in his eyes. A mischievous smirk curled up on the corner of his lips. She was aware that the lighthearted banter had led to a bit more, making her senses go crazy.

Y/N decided it's best to end the conversation there and start her round. Scanning the board, she's looking for a spot to place her letters. Wanting to lean a bit into their flirty banter from before, she decides to continue their tension with a bit of teasing.

Sifting her hand into her bag, she pulls out a few letters. Placing them onto the centre of the board where they intersect, she spells out 'erotic' and draws four points from the tile rack.

Erotic was an interesting word to play, for sure. Especially when it's put into the context of the new sexual tension between the two. So far, Harry has been trying to fluster her with his smouldering looks and cheeky grins, but Y/N is unrelenting. She takes pride in her willingness to fight back against the flirting and his attempts to get her distracted.

She sits back in satisfaction, proud at what she has accomplished. Glancing over to Harry, she felt herself swell with self-pride to see his face light up with surprise, making him actually speechless for a change.

Clearing his throat, Harry gathers himself and sits up. “Hmm.” he hummed, rolling the idea around in his head. With a smug grin, Y/N could tell he's thinking of a response; a comeback. After a few seconds of consideration, he moved his body forward and added three letters to the word. Using the letters he had received on the double letter area, he spelled out 'climax' using the c of her word.

A slight shiver went down Y/N's back at the addition to the word. Laughing and rolling her eyes, she fished out a few letters and added another word. Subtly shifting a little closer to him, she placed her letters down on the right-hand side of his spelling, close to his hand. After putting down her 'desire', she snatched her eyes away from the scrabble board and fixed her stare on him.

Both of them stay awfully silent while their bodies are almost touching. Y/N is tense, trying hard not to breathe too heavily. Meanwhile, Harry was in complete silence, not knowing what to say or do. He is aware of the tension between the two of them but he also wants to respect Y/N's boundaries and maybe tone down his feelings a bit. There's an inevitable tension and she's showing no sign of easing off. Harry was only further proven by her gentle voice in his ear.

“Now whose turn is it?”

Unable to meet her eyes just yet, he focuses on the dizzying words on the board and releases a slow, staggered breath. It was so hard not to put his arm around her, tug her in close and inhale her beautiful scent. Or run his hands along her arms, giving them a gentle squeeze, he craved the touch so badly. He finally took a breath and peered down at his letters, trying not to get too distracted by the growing sexual tension.

Y/N couldn't deny the feeling of warmth that had settled in her stomach since their game began, the warmth that made her tingle between her legs. She felt tempted to reach out and touch him, make contact and hopefully send a good buzz all the way down to his lower body.

Harry's fingers fiddle through his letters, barely paying attention to the little pieces in front of him. His eyes glance at Y/N, then move back to the Scrabble board. He thinks of his next word to play, something that is a little more suggestive.

“Umm...” Harry holds up a little tile, rubbing his fingertip over the surface as he thinks, his dimples pushing into his cheeks. Then, they sink right back out. He shakes his head and returns to sifting through the multiple letters in his bag.

Throwing one piece back into the depths of the bag, his index finger picks up another tile. The corner of his mouth turns up and he is finally confident with what he wants to spell out on the Scrabble board, so he gets to work. He needs an outlet from the fluttering of his chest when she's this close.

Quickly placing down the letters, he spells out the word 'horny'. Biting down on his bottom lip, he feels satisfied by the suggestiveness of his word and glances at Y/N.

Pursing her lips, Y/N tilts her head and gives a disbelieving smile. Harry looks taken aback by her quiet response.

“What? Did I read the room wrong?” He chuckles nervously, brows furrowing.

Looking at his face, she has to bite back a grin. She can read the mixed emotions all over his face. He's afraid to scare her away and reveal his true feelings, especially after the intense game of teasing. He's right. But she's also very pleased with the growing tension.

With a cheeky chuckle, she shakes her head. “No, I guess you read the room correctly.” Biting her lip, she quickly leans forward, adding letters next to his word on the right to spell out the word, 'Fuck'. Harry looks from her to the board, biting back a smirk.

“Is this your way of suggesting we play strip Scrabble? Should I get ready to lose my pants?” he jokes, nudging her shoulder, fighting the urge to break his boundaries. Not able to cope, Y/N just lets out a forced chuckle.

“Shut up, H.” Her voice broke. All she wanted was to feel his hands on her and bury herself into his chest.

Neither of them is paying attention to the score or to the other's gaze, they just lock their eyes together and absorb the heat, trying to predict what happens next. Harry didn't know what to say, nor did he think Y/N would, yet again, follow suit and gently lean forward.

After breaking from their little intimate session, Y/N looks at the board, wondering what their next move should be. She has to admit, these last few moves were very suggestive, and she is slowly catching Harry's point of wanting to touch her and have some alone time.

“Are you going to be mad at me if I do this?” Y/N muttered.

“Do what?”

Staring at him, Y/N ignores the thought and puts her tiles in a new spot. Only this time, she's adding all the letters remaining in her tile bag. There is no going back now, considering the board was almost completely filled up now.

She spells out the word 'wet' next to her first word. Shooting Harry a nonchalant, calm expression and staring at him for a reaction, she saw his reaction immediately. His eyes dropped to the board, then shot back up to her face. Heat, lust, and want flashed across his eyes.

An amused, surprised noise escapes his throat, then his lips tilt up into a shit-eating grin. “For real?”

“Yeah.” Y/N laughs in a rush. “I guess my dirty mind kicked in.”

“Your dirty mind, huh?” A glint of excitement flashes through his eyes and he begins to eye her body up and down. He can't deny the growing urge to touch every inch of her but he can't break her boundaries. Trying to erase those thoughts, Harry grins playfully, then adds a few of his own letters alongside her tiles to play a different word even though he knows he already lost the game.

Giving her a mischievous look, he reveals the word 'boner' and Y/N inhales sharply. They sit in silence for a moment, then Y/N cracks and breaks the silence.

“Oh fuck.” She laughs, the deep seated sensation between her legs not fading. Her eyes scan down to Harry's crotch, attempting to see if what he said is true. It's getting increasingly obvious that Y/N and Harry aren't actually playing a game anymore. Harry places his hands on his lap, covering his crotch from her wandering eyes. He laughs nervously, avoiding her gaze.

“I'm sorry.” He mutters, afraid of her response and of what she thinks.

Y/N bites her lip, unsure of how to respond. He waited anxiously for her reaction. One thing was for certain, the sexual tension has grown to unimaginable levels, the game forgotten. Finally, she glances back up at him, and she couldn't keep herself in control any longer.

Leaning closer, Y/N rests her forehead on his. He is taken aback, not moving a muscle. Shutting her eyes, she leans in to kiss him. Their lips connect and they close their eyes, relishing the moment. After a couple of seconds, they pull back, not sure whether that was the right decision. Her insides tell her to keep going, to taste him more. So with half a mind, her arm reaches forward to grab his shirt, wanting him closer and craving the touch. She looks up at his face and goes in for a much longer, sensual kiss as she straddles his lap.

For a moment, Harry looks at her questioningly before diving back in. Pushing his tongue into her mouth, it deepens the kiss as they feel electricity course through their bodies. His arms make their way down her sides and he squeezes her thighs as she unconsciously grinds on him. One of his hands run up her back, gripping her hair lightly while the other hand grips her waist. A quiet moan escapes Y/N's throat at his grip on her, further adding fuel to his fire. He gives a low growl before breaking the kiss and trailing his lips down her jaw to her neck, leaving love bites down her skin.

“God, you're killing me, Y/N. Do you know that?” He groans into her, making her giggle a bit. Harry's heart burst with joy when he heard her laugh, she's the only person who could make him happy. He pulls back and grins at her then leans back in, kissing her sweetly and lifting her up. Y/N grips his shirt tightly, not wanting to be apart from him. Placing her on her back, he carefully gets on top of her, supporting his weight so he doesn't squish her, and his hands started roaming her body. Suddenly, she pushes him off of her a little and sits back up, feeling dizzy and wanting to gain her composure. Their hearts beat in synchrony and their breaths were heavy.

Harry is concerned by her quick push back, worry in his eyes. “I'm sorry, did I do anything wrong?”

“Are you kidding? That was great. I just... I..” Stuttering over her words, Y/N can't help but giggle as she ruffles her hair and leans against the throw pillow behind her. Harry is now assured that she is okay. Leaning forward, he kisses the side of her head, trying to soothe her so she'd be comfortable enough to tell him. “I want more.” She finally utters.

There was a beat of stunned silence. He shakes his head as his lips curve up into a small smirk. She mimics his expression. Lifting her chin up with his fingers, she meets his gaze. Both of them look down at her plump, red, and wet lips. Then he captures her lips with his, but not with so much restraint as before. He kisses her more passionately, hands cupping her face as he tasted her, kissed her harder, swiped his tongue against hers.

“Are you absolutely sure, Y/N? There's no going back from this.” He breathes against her lips.

Looking into his soft eyes, she can't think about anything else but him and his touch. Deep down, she always knew there was more. As she tilts her head to the side, she bites her lip and runs her hands through his hair. The feeling is a sweet relief, it is exactly how it looked and felt, just like in her dreams.

“I know. I think I've always known it was you. You're too captivating. You make me crazy.” She chuckles, blushing. “Also..” Placing her hands on his chest, she continues. “If I wasn't interested, I wouldn't be doing all this right now.” Y/N breathes, making him grin from ear to ear.

“What about waiting until marriage though? Are you sure you want to do this?”

Giggling, Y/N nods her head and bites her lip, wanting more. “Screw that.”

A shocked expression flickers across his face. Shrugging his shoulders, he leans closer. Y/N's breath hitches as Harry gently pushes her back down on the sofa, propping his forearms on either side of her head to support his weight, and placing his legs between hers. They felt each other's breath as their chests rise and fall with each in-take, anticipating what would happen next.

“Is this okay? Are you really sure, because once we start, I won't be able to stop.” His face inches closer, scanning every inch of her expression, her beautiful eyes and lips before stopping halfway.

Giving him a quick kiss, she nods and runs a hand through his hair again, then bites her lip while gazing at his seductive eyes. Her body trembles with excitement and nervousness. Trying to catch her breath, her mind is drowning in lust. She's just happy that they're alone and, after many years of dreaming about this day, the second it is finally here she is loving it.

“I'm very sure. In fact, why don't we go somewhere more...comfortable?” She whispers into his ear. Dizzy and sweating, Harry feels the bulge in his pants tightening, pressing against the fabric of his boxers as he smirks in agreement. Hastily lifting her in his arms, he crashes his lips to hers, missing their intoxicating touch.

Without pausing for thought, Y/N wraps her legs around Harry's waist as he supports her with his strong arms and makes his way towards his bedroom. Tossing her on the bed, she yelps playfully.

“Are you okay?” Harry's worried face appears in front of her. Shocked and caught off guard, Y/N bites back a smile as she pulls his shirt to collide his lips with hers again. She found herself breathing hard, unable to control it. He pulled back, meeting her eyes.

Y/N sat up slightly, reached down, and began slowly pulling Harry's shirt up his torso. The material bunched up under his arms and she broke the kiss, to slip the material off. With her pulse increasing as the intimacy heightened, she raked her eyes up his smooth, lightly bronzed, chest and torso. It was a beautiful sight. Pulling her eyes back up to his gorgeous eyes, his darkened with desire as he raised his brows in question. Instead of replying, Y/N pushed lightly on his chest, telling him without words to lie back on the bed. With his gaze never leaving hers, he lay back and waited.

Keeping the eye contact, Y/N pushed herself up and straddles over Harry's lap. His hands automatically came to rest on her thighs, the touch sending bolts of energy through her. Harry was such a tease and the way he touched her and glanced up at her was enough to get her off right there. All it would take is one little touch.

With excitement, Y/N pulls her own shirt over her head, exposing her bra for the first time to him. Of course, he had seen her in a bikini before. But the lace see-through fabric of her bra is completely different and it gets him wild. Harry watches carefully as Y/N bites her lip and leans down. Connecting their lips, she can feel his erection pressing against her.

Straddling his hips to meet his arousal, she begins to run her hands down his arms, squeezing firmly and drawing a low sound from his lips. Her body rubs up against Harry's erection and he gives a deep, low groan. Not once breaking the kiss, their hunger intensified for one another.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Y/N presses her chest up against his and his hand slowly roams around to grab her ass, giving it a soft squeeze, making her moan. His hands then reach a bit up, sticking his thumbs into the waistband of her leggings and pulling the fabric over her ass. Y/N arches her hips a bit, allowing her leggings to come off a little further.

Harry lets his hands roam up her back as Y/N nibbles on his bottom lip, slowly grinding her sex into his. His hand nudges against her thigh, motioning for her to get off of him so he can take the leggings all the way down her legs. He slides the fabric down Y/N's thighs and knees and her leggings pool at her ankles. Seeing her bare legs, he can tell just how wet she is right now. She hastily kicks off the leggings, letting them fall to the floor.

Watching her closely, his eyes scan her body, taking in the full view. She can't deny how happy she is to see Harry admiring her, appreciating what he sees, loving all of her. It's exactly what she wanted, a man to worship her, to feel loved. And Harry makes her feel those exact things and so much more.

Pushing his hips up, he quickly gets rid of his own sweatpants before he guides her back to straddle him again. One of Harry's large hands glides along Y/N's thighs to her hips before snaking around to her lower back, where he applies a slight pressure, encouraging her to grind against him.

“You're going to be the end of me.” Harry chuckles, bucking up slightly to meet her grinding hips. The feeling drives her wild as the fabric of his boxers brushes up against her lace panties.

“Harry.” Y/N moans, letting herself move in sync with Harry's perfect thrusts. Feeling Y/N's wetness seeping through her panties and onto his boxers, the friction building between their heat is burning, and he needs more of her. But he wants her to set the pace. His lips part and their eyes stay locked together. Their heart rates are picking up and their movement speeds up. The slow build was like a torture, but Harry looks so damn gorgeous and lustful, making it worth it.

“We're really doing this.” Y/N whispers out with a giggle.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

“Yes.” She mumbles, smiling. Y/N pushes herself up a bit, hands bracing on his chest, and spreads her legs a bit more so she can angle her center more. Then she slowly grinds into him. His teeth capture his lip and his eyes shift to take in the movement of their bodies. Harry's hands leave Y/N's hips and he grasps her ass, holding her as she rides him. Grinding harder and faster, Y/N is enjoying the sweet sensation it's giving her. Little sounds leave her mouth as she swivels her hips.

Sitting up and pressing her chest into his, Harry grabs her hips tighter and pulls her down, bucking his hips up for friction and creating a delicious burn. Looking up to her face, she has the hottest expression he has ever seen. If she keeps staring at him like that, he thinks he might burst. There is no way he's going to last much longer, which is why he needs to take care of her first.

Slowing down the pace, Harry slides his fingers up her back and takes a hold of her bra clasp. “May I?” He asks in a hoarse voice. A light glaze shines in his eyes as he keeps the eye contact with her.

“Yes.” Y/N smiles, nuzzling her face into his. Leaning down, she carefully kisses him before sitting back. “I want you so much, Harry.” She admits, to his surprise.

“Oh fuck.” Harry swears, bucking his hips up for friction. Groaning and rubbing his erection as well as he undoes the clasp of her bra and it loosens around her body. Slowly slipping it off, the fabric slides down her arms, exposing her breasts. Harry stops breathing for a moment, admiring the view and absolutely loving it.

“You're absolutely gorgeous, Y/N. I couldn't get you off my mind if I tried.” He confesses, meeting her gaze, causing the girl to blush immensely. Moving his hands up her sides and sliding them up her stomach to her boobs, her mind begins to race as she feels herself getting more and more wet.

Harry's calloused fingertips brush over her hardened nipples, his lustful eyes still gazing into hers as her jaw goes slack. Grinding her hips faster and moving them to a steady rhythm, the both of them pant as their desire grows, aching for more. Throwing her head back with a moan, Harry's lips suddenly latch on to one of her soft nipples. Her hand cups the back of his head, her fingers running through his hair as she sucks.

“Harry, I need you, please.” She whimpers, begging him. The desperate tone of her voice makes Harry shudder, a familiar hot tightness coiling inside him, threatening to unravel as she rides him. He is swift to lay her down on his soft bed, her head on his pillow, then gets back to her breasts, sliding a hand down to her panties. Harry kisses a trail of butterfly kisses down her body, leaving marks down her abdomen as he does so. Her fingers go back to grasping his hair and pulling lightly as he makes it to the top of her panties.

“Can I take these off?” Harry pants, yanking the waistband a bit. He slips his fingers inside and gently strokes her pubic bone over her panties, teasing her. Y/N eagerly nods her head, pulling his hair slightly and guiding him lower. He bites his lip and tugs her underwear down her thighs as she helps kick them off. The sight before Harry made his jaw drop, leaving him breathless.

Y/N is incredibly wet, her fluids are dripping down her thighs, no hair blocking the way for him. Harry inhales sharply, running his finger through her folds and collecting her juice. Raising his hand to her face, he shows her. Feeling incredibly timid all of a sudden, she blushes and squeezes her legs shut.

“Hush now. You're perfect, so beautiful and bare for me.” Harry insists and peppers her knees with kisses. She parts her legs a bit wider for Harry. “Good girl, Y/N.”

Licking his lips, Harry traces his thumbs up her inner thighs and kisses her exposed clit. A spark flows through her body as Harry closes his eyes, getting lost in the exquisite taste of her arousal. The feeling is completely new to Y/N, she's not sure how to respond or what to do. At the same time, everything he does feels so good. Harry licks over her folds, running his tongue from the bottom to the tip. Her hands turn into fists, tugging at his brown hair as she draws a sharp breath.

A little too shy to make any noises as Harry teases Y/N's clit with the tip of his tongue. Her legs start to shake and she quickly covers her mouth with her hand as she lets out a needy moan. Harry grasps her wrist, pulling it away from her mouth.

“Don't be afraid. I want to hear you.” The thought of Y/N covering her mouth or muffling her sounds and keeping quiet bothers him a bit. Y/N lets out a little gasp and nods quickly. Without breaking eye contact, Harry presses his flattened tongue against her clit and licks until Y/N's vision starts to swim.

“Harry.” Y/N moans as Harry flattens his tongue, licking up her slit while he inserts a finger.

“Keep telling me how you feel. It's incredibly sexy.”

“Feels... Incredible.” She manages to get out before she squeezes her eyes shut. Harry responds by wrapping his lips around her clit and sucking gently. Inserting a second finger, he curls them against her G-spot while he twirls and flicks his tongue quickly.

“Y-yes.” Y/N cries out when Harry discovers her sweetest spot. Harry smirks and presses his fingers deeper while he continues using his mouth.

Keeping up with the swift motions of his tongue, his nose rubbing her clit a bit, Y/N's toes begin to curl and her heels dig into his mattress. Harry can't help but let out a low growl as the girl in front of him moans at a high pitch.

“H-Harry.” She whimpers between quick pants. Her stomach suddenly tightens as a ball of warmth spreads, soon making her go weak in the legs. Flicking his eyes up to watch her orgasm, he lets the heat spiral through her. His thrusts slow down as her insides pulsate, and he gets dizzy, feeling pretty smug. It feels like an explosion between her legs, so Y/N can't stop herself from grinding on his face to prolong her pleasure.

“See how gorgeous you are when you come for me?” Harry breathes after she catches her breath, gazing deep into her eyes and rubbing soft circles on her clit with his middle and pointerfinger.

His eyes were soft, but dark with lust, the expression in them shifting slightly as she stared at him. She could see his hardened nipples and defining tent of his boxers. Still on cloud nine, her cheeks feel hot and her body is radiating immense pleasure.

She wants to initiate the next move but she simply doesn't know where to start. Instead, Harry decides for her. Getting rid of his last piece of clothing, Y/N watches closely as he reveals his completely naked self. He kicks off his boxers and climbs back on the bed, hovering over her.

“What do you want to do next?” He asks in between kisses. Biting her lip in nervousness, she places her hands on his chest and kisses him.

“I don't know. Do you want me to return the favour?” She suggests with a sheepish smile, but Harry shakes his head.

“I want you to feel good. No favours you need to return unless you really want to.” He returns her offer with a gentle smile. She feels herself blush as his words run through her.

“Do you think...” She pauses and Harry swallows hard at the sound of her timid voice. “Do you want to try it?”

For a moment Harry is confused before her words begin to sink in. She wasn't very specific but there was no need for that. With his heart about to jump out of his throat, he understands right away and nods.

His eyes catch hers, and they smile in relief, happy to enjoy each other. Her mind runs wild as he kneels up for a moment to retrieve a condom from his nightstand. When he does so, her eyes run down his abs and back to his dark gaze. He tears the foil and puts the condom on his erection, the sight of him doing it making her want him even more.

“Are you absolutely sure?” He wonders, adjusting her on the bed so they're both comfortable. Swallowing hard, she nods, wanting this to happen. He asks her over and over to make sure she's sure of what she wants. She admits she's a bit nervous to do this for the first time, but she's 100% positive she wants to go through with this.

“Tell me to stop and I will, I promise.” Positioning himself, Y/N feels his breath on her lips as she gives him an enthusiastic nod. Smiling down at her, Harry pushes into her tight hole, going at a very slow and gentle speed so he doesn't hurt her. She was nervous, but his touch and actions helped keep her calm. He pushes his hips forward slightly, making Y/N whimper. Reaching up to caress his cheek with a sigh, the intimate contact giving him the strength to push into her as carefully as possible.

Being incredibly gentle with her, he hovers over her, eyes looking deeply into hers and soft sounds coming from his mouth, staying like that for a long time. Burying himself deep within her, Harry is completely still for a moment. The feeling of fullness and the sudden pressure is the best she's ever had. Finally able to fully relax, Y/N presses her lips against Harry's.

“You can move.” She breathes, to his great joy. The feeling of the heat of her pussy enveloping his erection sent a shiver down his spine. Gradually sliding out slowly, she feels her body moving in rhythm. Inch by inch, he eases himself back into her with a low hiss.

Harry clenches the sheets beneath them as he slowly builds his pace to a smooth rocking, groaning with her when his cock hits the end of her, causing little electric sparks up her spine. Harry sits up and grabs hold of her hips, her arms flying up to cover her chest in the process.

“Jesus, your pussy's so tight, feels so good.” Harry comments in a strained voice as he holds her hips tighter and guides her to rock into his thrusts. Y/N moves her arms back down, her hands trying to find something to grip as her walls clench tightly, making Harry thrust a bit harder. Squeezing the sheets, Y/N moans again.

“H-Harry. Oh! Please, faster.” Picking up the speed, Harry begins to shake as he pumps his hips harder. She rolls her head back, mouth wide open as the sweet build of an orgasm starts to rise in the pit of her stomach.

Grasping her hips tighter, he's practically spilling out all kinds of wonderful things as she cries out again and again. The lust takes over, sending overwhelming waves of pleasure through her body.

His hand reaches down to rub her clit. Biting on her lip, her walls convulse and her breathing becomes heavy. They both stop breathing altogether when she arches her back sharply, getting in on their rhythm, pounding harder into her core. The warmth keeps building, coursing through her veins and through every cell.

“Oh, Harry. I'm gonna...”

“I know, baby.” He interjects as she writhes beneath him. Hitting that sacred spot inside her with each thrust, she doesn't think she'll be able to hold it in much longer. She wraps her legs around his waist, creating a deeper angle. It's absolutely amazing. She never wants it to end. Her toes curl and her eyelids flutter, taking it all in.

“I can't... Harry.” She exclaims breathlessly, and then screams out, repeating his name.

“You can, Y/N. Look at me. Let go and come for me.” Hearing his raspy voice and the sound of flesh hitting flesh, combined with the sound of his encouraging words drives her even more crazy, almost at the edge. She knows she'll fall down into a complete state of bliss any minute now. Grinding her hips harder, holding on for dear life and digging her nails into his back. She's squeezing him with her walls, everything seemed to melt together into an incredible cocktail of pleasure as she shouts out his name and comes on his cock. He keeps fucking her, keeping her orgasm going even after it came to an end.

When she regains the control over her body, she lowers her legs from around his body.

“Oh, Harry, that was amazing.” A lazy smile spreads across his face and their eyes lock, the both of them panting from her height.

“Do you want to try another position?” He inquires, leaving Y/N with a curious yet excited look on her face. Y/N nods with a faint “Yeah.” and the corners of his mouth tilt upward. With that, he pulls out, an unexplainable sense of emptiness filling Y/N, and she watches as he pushes her onto her stomach, taking a hold of her legs. Harry nuzzles his face into her neck, whispering sweet praises in her ear as he eases her into their next position.

Leaning up on her hands, he raises her onto her knees and steadies her position. He lines his cock up with her entrance from behind. Harry rubs the tip between her folds, he easily glides into her. Kissing her shoulders and down her spine, he doesn't hold back this time and she didn't mind because his wilder thrusts felt unbelievable, not to mention the sounds he kept making. Pounding his hips up against her ass with determination, his curses get louder and his moans turn into the most beautiful sounds she's ever heard. He's close. Y/N knows it.

“Y/N.” He manages in between hot pants and deep groans.

“Yes?” She asks.

“Where do you want me to...” She only had to think about it for half a second and nearly moaned at the mere thought.

“Keep going.” A fierce thud echoes through the room, matching Harry's skin slapping against hers as he rubs her clit once again and gives his final thrusts. Harry tightens his grip and Y/N can feel every muscle in his body get tense as he fills the condom. He's still for a moment, the throbbing of his cock noticeable inside of her.

Leaning up over her, he wraps his arms around her waist and her chin, tilting her head up towards him for a breathtaking kiss. Their tongues slow dance as Harry pulls out, carefully sitting the girl on the bed.

Harry leaves the room to his ensuite to toss the condom and clean up. He brings a damp washcloth and wipes her down, cleaning up the clear mess between her legs. Getting to her chest, he is gently and thoroughly meticulous. Doing everything as painstakingly slow as possible, Y/N closes her eyes in serenity.

While being touched so delicately, she lets out a small sigh and places her hand on his. Bringing her knuckles up to his soft lips, a faint smile plays upon his gorgeous lips. The intensity and lust in Harry's eyes are nowhere to be found, only adoration lingers now. He dresses himself in a clean pair of boxers and turns around to speak up.

“You're staying right?” He questions, slightly chewing his lip as Y/N makes direct eye contact, the thought of staying and sleeping beside him becoming increasingly tempting.

“I'd love to.” She responds hazily, the sleep already starting to take over her body. Harry chuckles at her clear exhaustion.

“I'll get you a shirt and a pair of boxers then. If you want.” He stutters in a nervous way, his confidence fading into a shy demeanor all over again.

“That would be great, thank you.” Sitting up on the bed, she watches as he opens the bottom drawer of his wardrobe, pulling out an oversized Rolling Stones t-shirt and a pair of plain black boxers. Harry hands the garments to her and heads out of the room.

She throws his Rolling Stones shirt over her frame and glances down, making a mental note to take this shirt home tomorrow. After slipping on the boxers, she lets out a heavy sigh, crawling into the bed and plumping the pillows behind her back, getting ready to put in her best effort to stay awake until Harry returned.

Entering the room with two mugs in his hands and a cautious expression, he can't help but smile at the sight of her body so carefully protected by his bedding. The overwhelming joy floods his body as he sits down next to her, gently handing her a mug, full of tea. A sincere smile spreads across her face as she accepts the mug, sipping the warm liquid and pulling the bedsheets up higher.

“Thank you. Do you usually bring tea after sex?” She jokes, Harry letting out a light-hearted giggle and grinning before replying.

“I just thought it could help you relax, or calm you down.” The honesty in his voice catching her off guard for a moment as she quickly recovers.

“Relax or calm me down?” Raising his eyebrows, he nods slowly.

“I know how intense and strong the emotions that are inside of you can get. I wanted you to have a tea that would help soothe your mind know you.” He explains, placing his hand on top of hers, rubbing circles as she nods. Placing the hot tea down on the nightstand, she turns back to him with wide eyes.

“That means a lot, thank you.” She whispers, pressing her lips to his ever so gently. The cup of tea feels like a confirmation that she made the right choice to give herself to Harry. He cares for her, makes her feel cherished and comfortable. That's a great thing in Y/N's opinion.

Snuggling up closer to Harry, they sip their hot tea. Harry asks her if she's feeling alright, to which Y/N answers that she feels fantastic, and Harry can't help but think back to the few hours ago when they danced around eachother, making his heart ache. He kisses the top of her head and caresses her face as he stares into her eyes.

“What are you thinking about?” He voices, cupping her face in his large hands.

“About how I wanna do all of that again with you.” She blurts out innocently, making the man laugh for the umpteenth time tonight and making her wish he would keep laughing forever.

“You're not the only one.” He says, setting his empty mug of tea next to hers. All of that tension, all of the stolen glances and awkward moments leading up to what happened tonight felt completely worth it. They both got some stress out and finally found the right times. Being held by the best person in the world, Y/N finds it easy to shut her mind down. Everything is good and she believes their friendship has grown into something far deeper. Maybe she finally found love, she thought before she surrendered to her heavy eyelids and drifted off, pressed against Harry's warm skin.

Lucas cut in, his voice sharp. "Think you're being clever, do you? Breaking up something real like that? Well, here's the truth—Harry's head wasn't turned at all. You're just causing drama for the sake of it."

Sophia’s calm façade cracked slightly as she glanced around at the glares from the group. “Why are you all acting like I’ve committed a crime? It’s a game.”

“No, it’s people’s feelings,” Chloe spat. “But you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Meanwhile, Harry moved toward Y/N, who was still seated on the bench, her face pale but composed. He crouched down in front of her, his hands hovering as if unsure whether to touch her.

“Y/N,” he said softly, his voice thick with regret. “I swear to you, this wasn’t what I wanted. I told her I didn’t—”

“I know,” Y/N interrupted, her voice steady but quiet. She looked at him, her eyes filled with shock rather than anger. “I know it wasn’t you. I’m not mad at you.”

His shoulders sagged in relief, but guilt still lingered in his expression. “You believe me?”

“I do,” she whispered. “I just… I didn’t see this coming. I don’t even know what to think right now.”

Harry nodded, his hands finally reaching for hers. “We’ll figure it out, okay? I’m not giving up on us.”

Their conversation was cut short by Chloe’s sharp voice. “Oi, Sophia, if you think you’re getting away with this, think again!”

The group had fully turned against Sophia now. Even Max, who often stayed out of the drama, shook his head. “You crossed a line, Sophia. There’s no coming back from this.”

Ian’s voice cut through the chaos in his usual dry tone. “Well, Sophia’s big move didn’t quite land the way she thought it would. It’s like trying to light a sparkler in a hurricane—good luck with that, love.”

Sophia, realizing she was completely outnumbered, huffed and walked off toward the villa, her heels clicking sharply against the stone.

The group began to disperse, but the damage had been done. Y/N was left sitting by the fire pit, Harry by her side, both of them processing the night’s events. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his voice low.

“You’re not leaving. I won’t let that happen.”

Y/N gave him a small smile, though her eyes still betrayed her nerves. “Let’s just see what tomorrow brings.”

The makeup room hummed with quiet activity as the girls trickled in one by one. Chloe immediately grabbed Y/N's hand and guided her to the chair in front of the mirror. "Sit, babe. You need to take a breath for a second."

Amber grabbed a tissue from the counter and handed it to Y/N, her tone soft but firm. “You’ve been holding it together all night. You don’t have to do that here.”

Y/N tried to muster a smile, but the lump in her throat made it impossible. The moment she looked up at the girls—Chloe, Amber, and the others all standing around her, their faces full of concern—it hit her like a wave. Everything. The recoupling, Sophia’s betrayal, the looming uncertainty about her place in the villa. It was too much.

“I—” Her voice cracked, and she looked down, shaking her head. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not,” Chloe said gently, crouching beside her. “And that’s okay. We’re here for you.”

At that, Y/N’s walls crumbled. Tears spilled over her cheeks as she finally let herself feel everything. Chloe wrapped her arms around her, holding her tightly while Amber rubbed her back.

“I just… I don’t understand,” Y/N sobbed. “I might be leaving tomorrow, and it’s just—it’s too much.”

“She’s a snake, that’s why,” Amber said firmly. “She doesn’t care about anyone but herself, and we all see it. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Exactly,” Chloe agreed. “You’re not leaving, okay? We won’t let that happen.”

Lila piped up from across the room, her tone warm. “You’re one of the strongest girls here, Y/N. Everyone knows it. And Harry? He’s mad about you. Don’t let Sophia’s petty little game make you doubt that.”

“She’s jealous,” Amber added. “That’s all this is. She’s jealous of you, your connection with Harry, everything. And if she thinks this stunt is going to get her what she wants, she’s in for a rude awakening.”

Y/N sniffled, dabbing at her eyes with the tissue. “It’s just… overwhelming, you know? I didn’t expect any of this.”

“We know,” Chloe said softly. “But you’re not alone, babe. We’ve got you.”

The girls nodded in unison, each offering words of comfort and solidarity. The energy in the room shifted, transforming it into a safe space where Y/N could release her emotions without judgment.

“Thanks, guys,” Y/N said finally, her voice still shaky but steadier than before. “I don’t know what I’d do without you lot.”

As Y/N finished wiping her eyes, her soft smile still lingering, the door to the makeup room creaked open. The girls instinctively straightened, their chatter halting as Sophia walked in, arm-in-arm with Georgia. The room’s atmosphere shifted in an instant, the warmth replaced by a chill of unease.

Chloe raised an eyebrow, muttering under her breath, “Oh, here we go…”

Sophia’s confident smirk didn’t waver as she glanced around the room. Her gaze settled on Y/N for a fraction longer than necessary, and the tension became palpable. Georgia, whose posture mirrored Sophia’s smugness, leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, her expression unreadable but clearly siding with her newfound ally.

Amber let out a low scoff, folding her arms. “Guess snakes travel in pairs now.”

Sophia’s smirk widened. “Don’t stop on our account, girls. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

Chloe took a deliberate step forward, her chin raised. “Friends? You’re joking, right? Because the last time I checked, friends don’t throw each other under the bus for a lad.”

“Ah, Chloe.” Sophia’s tone was mock-sweet, her smile sharp. “Always the loudest in the room, aren’t you?”

“Better than being the most desperate,” Chloe shot back without missing a beat.

Georgia, stepping further into the room, chuckled dryly. “You lot are acting like Sophia’s the villain when she’s just doing what the game’s about. Recoupling, yeah? Isn’t that the point?”

Amber stood up, her glare cutting through the tension. “There’s a difference between playing the game and playing dirty, Georgia. But I wouldn’t expect you to know the difference.”

Sophia raised a hand, feigning innocence. “Alright, let’s not make this a whole thing. I came in to grab my gloss, not to start World War Three.”

Her gaze flicked to Y/N again, this time sharper. “You alright, Y/N? Looked like you were having a little moment there.”

Y/N didn’t flinch. She sat a little straighter, her expression calm despite the anger bubbling beneath her surface. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

The girls around her bristled, ready to jump in, but Y/N’s steady demeanor seemed to hold them back. It was Chloe who finally broke the silence.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve walking in here after the shit you’ve pulled, Sophia.”

Sophia rolled her eyes, grabbing her gloss from the counter. “Oh, give it a rest, Chloe. You’d do the same if you were in my shoes.”

“Thing is, I’d never be in your shoes,” Chloe snapped. “Because I’ve got a thing called loyalty.”

Sophia let out a low laugh, linking her arm with Georgia’s again as she turned toward the door. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, babe.”

As the pair left the room, Georgia glanced back with a smirk. “Have fun licking your wounds.”

The door closed behind them, leaving the room heavy with silence.

Amber exhaled sharply. “I swear, if looks could kill…”

Chloe turned to Y/N, her voice softer now. “You okay, babe?”

Y/N nodded, her hands gripping the edge of the counter. “Yeah. Let them have their moment. It won’t last.”

Amber stepped closer, placing a hand on Y/N’s shoulder. “Damn right it won’t. We’ve got your back.”

Y/N looked at her reflection in the mirror, her resolve hardening. “Good,” she said, her voice steady. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Well, well, well. Looks like things in the villa have hit boiling point, and we’re not just talking about the Spanish sun. Sophia and Georgia, arm-in-arm, marching into the makeup room like two villains in a budget action movie? Iconic. But let’s be honest—Y/N’s calm clap-back was the real power move here”

The villa had a strange, tense quietness about it as the Islanders wound down for the night. The usual chatter and laughter had been replaced with hushed whispers and awkward glances. In the shared bathroom, Harry stood at the sink, brushing his teeth with slow, deliberate motions. His mind raced, replaying the chaos of the evening, especially the image of Y/N's face when Sophia made her bold move.

He spat into the sink, rinsing his mouth as he leaned on the counter, staring at his reflection. The weight of the drama was heavy on his chest, but there was only one thought in his mind: he couldn’t let Sophia dictate his actions—or his feelings.

Walking into the dimly lit bedroom, Harry spotted the bed he now technically shared with Sophia. She was already lying there, her hair fanned out over the pillow and a coy smile on her lips as she propped herself up on one elbow.

“Hey,” she greeted softly, her tone intentionally sweet. “Finally decided to join me?”

Harry didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he reached for the pillow beside her, tugging it out from under the covers.

“What are you doing?” Sophia asked, her voice sharper now, but still attempting to stay light.

Harry straightened up, clutching the pillow in his hand. His jaw tightened as he looked down at her. “I’m sleeping somewhere else tonight.”

Sophia’s smile faltered, and she sat up fully. “Harry, come on. We’ve got to share this bed. It’s part of the rules.”

“I’m not breaking any rules by sleeping somewhere else,” he replied calmly but firmly. “And let’s not pretend this situation is normal, Sophia.”

Sophia tilted her head, her tone shifting to one of mock innocence. “You’re acting like I forced you into something. This is what the game is about—recoupling. If Y/N can’t handle it—”

Harry cut her off, his voice low but filled with warning. “Don’t bring her into this. Y/N’s not the problem here, Sophia.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t push further.

Across the room, Chloe gave Y/N a look of encouragement, whispering, "Go after him."

Without hesitating, Y/N threw back the covers, slipped on her slippers, and quietly followed Harry out of the room. The dimly lit hallway led her to the common room, where she found him lying on the long couch, his arm draped over his eyes.

She stopped in the doorway, hesitating for just a moment. The sight of him there—alone, clearly grappling with everything that had happened—made her chest ache.

“Harry,” she said softly, stepping into the room.

He shifted slightly, lowering his arm to look at her. “Hey” His voice was low, almost a whisper.

She walked closer, her bare feet padding softly against the floor. “Why are you out here?”

Harry let out a small sigh, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. “I couldn’t stay in there. Not with her.” He paused, meeting her eyes. “I just… I couldn’t.”

Y/N bit her lip, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her pajama top. “You didn’t have to leave your bed, Harry. It’s your spot now. You shouldn’t have to—”

“I’m not staying in a bed with someone I don’t want to be with,” he interrupted firmly. His gaze softened as he looked at her. “I’m not giving her what she wants, Y/N. She can choose me, but she can’t make me care.”

Her heart fluttered at his words, but she quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on the overwhelming guilt and sadness she felt for him. Without thinking, she sat down on the edge of the couch beside him.

“You didn’t deserve any of this,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I hate that this is happening.”

Harry reached out, his hand brushing against hers. “You think I care about any of it? The only thing I care about is you.”

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. The room felt heavy with unspoken words, but Y/N didn’t want to ruin the moment by overthinking it.

“Come here,” Harry said softly, pulling her gently toward him.

His free hand came up to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering as his fingers brushed against her cheek. “Nothing’s going to go wrong,” he murmured. “Not with us.”

His words were simple, but the sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. Y/N searched his face, looking for any trace of doubt, but all she found was a steady, unwavering gaze that seemed to anchor her in place.

“You say that,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, “but I’m scared, Harry. What if—”

Harry cut her off by leaning closer, his forehead resting against hers. “Stop,” he said softly. “Stop doubting this. Stop doubting me.”

Y/N closed her eyes, breathing in the familiar scent of him—fresh and warm, comforting in a way that made her feel safe.

“Every time I look at you,” Harry continued, his voice a low rumble, “I know exactly what I want. You. It’s always been you.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but it quickly deepened as Harry’s hand moved to the small of her back, pulling her closer.

Y/N melted into him, her fingers threading through his hair as their kiss grew more fervent, more desperate. It was as if all the tension and uncertainty of the day had boiled over, leaving nothing but raw emotion in its wake.

Harry's lips trailed down her neck, each kiss sending electric shivers down her spine. Y/N's fingers dug into his shoulders as he found that sensitive spot just below her ear, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. The world seemed to fade away until there was nothing but the heat between them, the way his hands traced fire across her skin, and the intoxicating rhythm of their hearts beating in sync.

"You drive me crazy," Harry whispered against her skin, his voice rough with desire. His hands tangled in her hair as he claimed her lips again in a kiss that made her toes curl and her mind go beautifully blank. In that moment, all the drama of the villa melted away—there was only this, only them, wrapped up in each other on the common room couch.

-----------------------------

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He sighed, running a hand through his hair, tugging slightly as if that would somehow untangle the mess in his mind. Sophia’s laugh from the garden echoed faintly through the villa, and his stomach churned. He liked her energy, her confidence. But the guilt that came with thinking about her when Y/N’s face kept flashing in his mind was unbearable.

And Y/N… She was everything he wanted. Except he didn’t know if she wanted him in the same way. Not really. Her guardedness, her hesitance in showing her feelings publicly, gnawed at him. It felt like she was holding back, and it made him question everything. Was she scared? Or just not as into him as he was into her?

He leaned back against the headboard, eyes closing briefly as he exhaled deeply. It was strange—he felt drained in a way he couldn’t fully explain. Being in this villa, surrounded by people constantly, was supposed to be exciting, fun, and carefree. Instead, it felt like he was carrying the weight of two different versions of himself: the one who wanted to let go and the one who couldn’t stop thinking about what he might lose if he did.

The door creaked open softly, and Harry glanced up to see Sophia stepping in. Her small smile was warm but carried a hint of curiosity. She walked toward him slowly, hands clasped behind her back.

“Thought I’d find you in here,” she said, her voice light but purposeful. “Everyone’s outside. It’s a bit of a vibe.”

Harry forced a smile. “Needed some space.”

Sophia tilted her head, her eyes scanning his face. “Heavy day?”

“You could say that,” he replied, leaning back against the headboard.

Sophia took a step closer, perching on the bed opposite him. “Well, if you’re looking for something to take your mind off it, I was thinking… maybe you’d want to sleep outside with me tonight?”

Her tone was casual, but her intent was clear. The corners of her mouth lifted in an inviting smile as she waited for his response.

Harry’s heart skipped a beat. He knew this moment was coming; he’d felt it brewing all day. And yet, faced with it, the words caught in his throat. Finally, he managed a smile, soft but apologetic, and shook his head.

“I appreciate the offer,” he started, his tone careful. “But I think I’m going to stay in here tonight. ”

The change in Sophia’s expression was subtle but sharp. Her smile faltered, her eyes narrowing just slightly. “With Y/N?” she repeated, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Harry nodded, feeling the weight of his decision in the air between them. “Yeah. I just… I need to sort things out with her.”

Sophia’s posture stiffened, and she let out a dry laugh. “Wow. So, after everything today, you’re still chasing her?”

“It’s not about chasing,” Harry said quickly, his voice firm but not unkind. “It’s about what feels right. And I owe it to her—to us—to figure that out.”

Sophia crossed her arms, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “You know what, Harry? Maybe you should figure it out. Because right now, it feels like you’re just stringing people along.”

Harry flinched at her words but didn’t argue. Instead, he exhaled deeply. “I’m sorry if it feels that way. That’s not my intention, Sophia. I think you’re amazing. But my head’s a mess, and I can’t give you what you deserve while I’m still working out what I want.”

Sophia stood, her movements sharp. “Right. Well, good luck figuring it out. Hope she’s worth it.”

Without another word, she turned and walked out, leaving Harry alone once again. He leaned forward, running his hands through his hair and letting out a long, frustrated sigh.

“Great job, Harry,” he muttered to himself. “One more bridge burned.”

“Ah, poor Harry. Torn between two beauties and about as decisive as a toddler choosing an ice cream flavour. Don’t worry, mate, I’m sure this will definitely work out well for you. Or not.”

Y/N stepped in softly, already dressed in her pyjamas: an oversized shirt and comfortable shorts. Her face was bare, her hair tied loosely back, and a slight crease of uncertainty lined her brow. She wasn’t sure how to approach Harry, especially after the game earlier and everything that followed.

Harry was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling, though his gaze flickered toward her briefly as she entered. He didn’t say anything, and neither did she. The lights were still on, casting a warm glow across the room, highlighting the neatly made beds of those who hadn’t yet retired for the night.

Y/N moved to her side of the bed, placing her water bottle on the nightstand before sitting down. The mattress dipped slightly under her weight as she uncapped the bottle and took one last sip. For a moment, she simply sat there, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her shirt.

Then, without a word, she slid under the covers, turning onto her side to face the wall. She curled up slightly, pulling the duvet up to her shoulders, her breathing slow and steady as she stared into the soft light of the room.

Harry shifted, lying on his side but with his back to her. He had hoped she might say something, even something small—an olive branch, a sign that she wanted to bridge the gap between them. But her quiet, distant demeanor said otherwise.

He exhaled silently, the weight of the day pressing heavier on him now that they were so close yet felt so far apart.

The unspoken tension hung between them like a thread stretched taut, fragile and fraying at the edges.

The tension in the room shifted suddenly as Harry felt her arms wrap around his torso from behind. The warmth of her embrace caught him off guard, making him still for a moment. Her cold feet brushed against his thigh, sending a sharp contrast through his skin, and he shivered involuntarily.

Her breath, soft and warm, tickled the nape of his neck, and before he could even process what was happening, she pressed a gentle kiss just under his ear. The sensation sent a jolt through him, her touch tender yet charged with unspoken emotion. Her arms tightened around him as if she didn’t want him slipping away—not tonight.

Harry’s heart raced, his mind struggling to catch up with his body’s reaction. It was intimate, more than he expected, and far more than he thought she’d allow herself to give after the events of the day.

His hand instinctively moved to hers, resting over the warmth of her grip. His fingers intertwined with hers for a brief moment, grounding him in the moment.

He turned his head slightly, his voice soft. “Y/N?”

She didn’t answer, only pressing closer, her face near his shoulder.

Harry exhaled, letting himself relax into the moment before gently shifting. Slowly, he turned around to face her, their eyes meeting in the dimly lit room. Her face was close, her expression vulnerable, a mix of hesitation and longing.

For a moment, they simply looked at each other, no words exchanged but everything they needed to say hanging in the space between them. Harry’s hand moved up to brush a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering against her cheek.

“Is this real?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N didn’t answer with words. Instead, she leaned in, her forehead resting lightly against his, her breaths mingling with his. It was intimate, unguarded, and for the first time in days, it felt like they were finally on the same page—even if they hadn’t spoken a word.

Y/N’s voice was barely audible as she whispered, her lips close to his ear. “I don’t want to argue or fight anymore.”

Harry felt his chest tighten at the vulnerability in her tone. He nodded, his own voice soft but firm. “Neither do I. I hate conflict. Especially with you.”

She hesitated, her fingers brushing against his chest as if gathering courage. Her heartbeat seemed to echo in her ears, but she pressed on. “I like you, Harry. Too much to let anyone snatch you away in three days—not when we haven’t even given ourselves a proper chance.”

Her words hung in the air, raw and unfiltered. Harry’s lips curved into a smile, small but genuine, as he searched her eyes for any trace of doubt. “Do you really feel something for me?” he asked, his voice tinged with hope.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips despite her nerves. “Do you seriously doubt it?”

Harry didn’t respond immediately, his silence speaking volumes. Y/N’s gaze softened as she scooted closer, the space between them disappearing. Her hand rested lightly against his cheek, grounding him in the moment.

“I don’t ever want you to hesitate, Harry,” she murmured, her tone gentle but resolute. “Not about me. Not about us.”

Her words hit him like a wave, washing away the doubts and confusion he’d been wrestling with. Harry’s hand covered hers, pressing it against his cheek as he leaned into her touch. His eyes searched hers, seeing nothing but sincerity and determination.

“I won’t,” he promised quietly, the weight of her words settling in his chest. “Not anymore.”

Y/N’s lips curved into a soft smile, and for the first time in what felt like days, the tension between them seemed to dissolve. She rested her forehead against his, their breaths mingling in the shared quiet of the room.

The sound of laughter and footsteps signaled the return of the other Islanders, their chatter filling the shared bedroom as they trickled in to wind down for the night. Harry glanced toward the door, his eyes darting back to Y/N’s as a cheeky grin tugged at his lips. Without a word, he grabbed the edge of the duvet and pulled it up over both their heads, creating a cocoon of privacy amidst the chaos.

“Real subtle, Harry,” Y/N whispered, her voice laced with amusement as she stifled a giggle.

“Just trying to save us from the peanut gallery,” Harry muttered, though there was a playful twinkle in his eyes.

The muffled voices of the Islanders grew louder, and it didn’t take long before Lucas clocked the huddle under the duvet.

“Oh, what’s all this then?” Lucas called out, his tone dripping with mischief. He let out a loud wolf whistle, drawing attention from the rest of the room. “Harry and Y/N, hiding away like two lovebirds under there!”

Before either of them could respond, Lucas threw himself dramatically onto the lump beneath the duvet. The impact caused Harry to groan in mock annoyance, and Y/N couldn’t hold back her laughter.

“Get off, you prat!” Harry protested, his voice muffled by the blanket as he shoved at Lucas’s weight.

“Oi, don’t mind me!” Lucas teased, sprawling over them with exaggerated effort. “Just making sure you’re not sneaking off to the Hideaway without telling us.”

The room erupted into laughter, and Amber chimed in, “Lucas, leave ’em alone! Let them have their moment, for God’s sake.”

“Moment? They’re about to suffocate under there!” Lucas quipped, finally rolling off and collapsing onto his own bed with a cheeky grin.

Harry threw back the duvet just enough to glare at Lucas. “You’re lucky I don’t kick you out of this room, mate.”

“Love you too, pal,” Lucas replied with a wink, settling in and pulling his own duvet over himself.

Y/N shook her head, still giggling as she turned back to Harry. “You’re surrounded by absolute children.”

Harry sighed dramatically but smiled. “Tell me about it.”

Underneath the playful banter and teasing, there was a sense of ease that hadn’t been there earlier. Even in the chaos of the shared room, Harry and Y/N felt like they’d carved out a little space for themselves.

The morning sun poured into the villa, bathing the kitchen in a golden glow. The smell of sizzling eggs and toast wafted through the air as Islanders milled about, still in their pyjamas and nursing mugs of tea. Y/N was leaning against the counter, a relaxed smile on her face as she watched Harry flip a pancake with surprising precision.

“You’re getting the hang of it,” she teased, nudging him lightly with her elbow.

“Hang of it? I’m basically a Michelin-star chef,” Harry quipped, sliding the pancake onto a plate and passing it to her. “There you go, princess.”

The others in the kitchen exchanged knowing looks, their grins growing as Harry reached to brush flour off Y/N’s cheek.

“Oh, they’re insufferable,” Amber groaned, though she couldn’t hide her amusement.

“Leave them alone,” Lucas chimed in, pouring milk into his tea. “They’re in their honeymoon phase.”

Chloe smirked as she leaned against the counter next to Y/N. “Alright, lovebirds, enough showing off. Y/N, come have a chat with me.”

Y/N raised a brow, momentarily hesitant to leave Harry’s side, but Chloe was already pulling her by the arm toward the seating area. She shot Harry a look over her shoulder, and he gave her a playful wink before turning back to the stove.

“Alright,” Y/N said as they sat down, “what’s all this about?”

Chloe’s eyes sparkled with excitement, leaning in conspiratorially. “Okay, so… Lucas.”

Y/N’s brows shot up. “Lucas?”

“Lucas,” Chloe repeated, her voice dropping to a whisper even though the kitchen wasn’t far. “We had a bit of a moment last night. Well, not just a moment—a proper chat. He was sweet, funny… cheeky as always, but he said some things that had me thinking.”

Y/N leaned forward, intrigued. “Go on.”

Chloe grinned. “He said he’d been watching me in the challenges, and he thinks I’m the ‘dark horse’ of the villa. Can you believe that? And then—get this—he said he couldn’t stop looking at me during that Pilates session yesterday.”

Y/N’s eyes widened, and she clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh. “No way! What did you say?”

“I told him to behave himself, obviously,” Chloe said with a dramatic eye roll, though her cheeks flushed. “But… it felt good, you know? Like, maybe he actually sees me. Not just as the ‘fun one,’ but as someone he’d be serious about.”

Y/N smiled warmly, placing a hand on Chloe’s arm. “You deserve that, Chlo. If he’s making you feel good and treating you right, then I say go for it.”

Chloe bit her lip, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Yeah, but you know me. I don’t want to get carried away and end up hurt.”

“Take your time,” Y/N advised. “Feel it out, but don’t let fear stop you. You’re amazing, and if Lucas doesn’t realise that, he’s not worth your energy.”

Chloe smiled, squeezing Y/N’s hand. “Thanks, babe. You’re a good egg, you know that?”

Y/N chuckled. “I try.”

Harry carried a tray of scrambled eggs, toast, and a couple of plates over to where Y/N was lounging by the outdoor table. Her legs were tucked underneath her, the morning sun making her skin glow. He set the tray down with a flourish.

“Breakfast, madam,” he said with a cheeky grin.

Y/N smiled, sitting up. “Thanks, chef. You didn’t spit in it, did you?”

“Only a little,” he teased, grabbing a slice of toast for himself before retreating to sit on the bean bag beside Lucas.

As Lucas muttered something about the game last night and nudged Harry, he suddenly froze. “Ah, crap,” Harry muttered, slapping his hand against his forehead.

“What now?” Lucas asked, raising a brow.

“Left the smoothies on the counter,” Harry groaned, already pushing himself up. “Be back in a sec.”

As Harry disappeared into the villa, Sophia sauntered across the garden and, with all the grace of a lion claiming its territory, plopped herself onto the bean bag Harry had just vacated.

“Morning,” she said with a saccharine smile, turning her attention directly to Y/N.

Y/N glanced up from her plate, her smile fading slightly. “Morning.”

Sophia leaned back, playing with her hair as she tilted her head. “So… I have to ask,” she started, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “What did you say to Harry last night to make him change his mind?”

Y/N paused mid-chew, swallowing before setting her fork down deliberately. “Not sure what you mean,” she said calmly.

Sophia smirked. “Oh, come on. You must’ve said something. I mean, he was all over me one second, then suddenly he’s acting like I’ve got the plague. Gotta give you credit, though—you work fast.”

Y/N leaned back in her seat, her gaze steady. “I don’t need to convince anyone to do anything, Sophia. If Harry made a choice, it’s because it’s what he wanted. Maybe that’s something you should think about.”

Sophia laughed lightly, brushing imaginary lint off her shorts. “Oh, I’m not mad. I’m actually amused. Just watching you claw to keep him when you’re usually so… what’s the word? Aloof?”

Y/N’s jaw tightened, but her voice remained calm. “It’s not about clawing. When you’re confident in a connection, you don’t have to fight for it. Guess that’s why you’re so interested in what’s going on.”

The subtle jab didn’t go unnoticed. Sophia’s smile faltered for a moment before she leaned forward, her tone dropping. “You’re cute when you’re defensive. But let’s not pretend, yeah? Harry’s got options. And three days isn’t a lot of time to lock anything down. I’d be careful if I were you.”

Y/N stared at her for a moment, then smiled sweetly. “Thanks for the advice, but I think I’ll be fine. And by the way, if Harry has options, so do I.”

Before Sophia could retort, Harry returned, holding two smoothies in his hands. He stopped short, glancing between the two of them, sensing the tension. “What’s going on here?”

Sophia stood, her grin back in place as she brushed past him. “Nothing at all. Just girl talk.”

Harry frowned, watching her walk away before turning to Y/N. “Everything alright?”

Y/N smiled, taking one of the smoothies from him. “Perfect. Thanks for breakfast.”

Harry hesitated, glancing back toward Sophia before sitting beside Y/N. “She didn’t say anything, did she?”

Y/N shook her head, sipping her smoothie. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Harry’s lips quirked into a small smile as he watched her. “You’re something else, you know that?”

“And don’t you forget it,” she said, nudging him with her shoulder.

....

-> part 8

let me know if you want to get tagged!

Her eyes flicked up briefly, catching the way his hand moved across the desk, the strength in the veins of his forearms as he gestured toward the board. His sleeves were rolled up, exposing tanned skin, and Y/N had to force her gaze away before anyone noticed.

What bothered her most was how unaware he seemed of the effect he had. There was no smirk, no glance her way, no sign that he even remembered her as more than just another student. But that didn’t stop the feeling that coiled in her stomach every time they were in the same room.

When the class ended, Y/N was quick to gather her things, eager to escape the charged air of the lecture hall. She was almost at the door when she heard his voice again.

“Miss Y/L/N.”

She froze, heart racing. Slowly, she turned around, her hands clutching her bag strap a little too tightly. “Yes, Professor?”

Harry stood at the front of the room, still sorting through papers, but his tone was casual, indifferent even. “I’d like to discuss your last paper, if you have a moment.”

There was nothing strange about the request, nothing inappropriate about it. But her stomach twisted all the same.

She nodded and walked back down the aisle, each step heavier than the last. By the time she reached his desk, the room was empty, leaving only the two of them. Harry’s attention seemed to be fixed on the papers in front of him, his brow furrowed in concentration.

He looked up only briefly, his gaze flicking to hers before returning to the papers. “You’ve written well,” he began, his voice as measured as ever. “But I can tell your focus has been... divided lately.”

Y/N’s heart stuttered. Was it a critique? Or something else? She licked her lips nervously. “I’m sorry, I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

Harry hummed softly, almost as if in thought, his eyes still on the paper. “Understandable,” he said, flipping a page. “But I’d hate to see your potential go unrealized.”

The statement hung between them, strangely intimate for what should have been a routine discussion. There was no accusation in his tone, nothing that suggested he had noticed more than just her academic performance. And yet, Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that his words carried weight beyond their surface.

“I’ll do better,” she said, though her voice was softer than she intended.

Harry finally looked up again, his eyes meeting hers with a steady gaze that sent a chill down her spine. For a moment, she wondered if she was imagining it—the tension, the unspoken things between them. He seemed so composed, so unaffected, while her own heart raced in her chest.

“I’m sure you will,” he replied simply, his tone polite, neutral.

And just like that, the moment passed. Whatever she thought she might have seen in his gaze was gone, leaving her feeling foolish for reading too much into it. He turned his attention back to the papers, clearly dismissing her, and she let out a quiet breath, relieved and yet disappointed at the same time.

“Thank you, Professor,” she said softly before turning to leave, feeling his presence like a shadow behind her.

As she walked out of the room, her mind raced with questions. Had she misread him all along? Or was there something hidden beneath his calm exterior, something darker that he kept carefully veiled? She couldn’t be sure.

All she knew was that whatever it was between them—it was far from over.

Y/N’s footsteps echoed in the empty hallway, her mind buzzing with the memory of Harry’s gaze. She should have felt relieved that he hadn’t called her out for anything too specific, yet that brief exchange had left her unsettled.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts. She fished it out of her pocket, glancing at the screen: a message from her best friend, Liv.

"How was class? Any more moments with Mr. Unattainable?" Liv had a knack for teasing her about Harry, ever since Y/N had once, in a moment of weakness, mentioned how attractive he was.

Y/N rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "Class was fine. No, stop exaggerating," she typed back quickly, though her fingers hesitated. There was no way she was about to confess how his voice had almost made her heart stop when he’d called her name.

The truth was, she didn’t understand it herself. She had no reason to be so affected by him—he was her professor, after all. Yet, ever since that first class, there had been something about Harry Styles that lingered with her long after the lecture ended. The quiet control he exuded, the way his words dripped with intellect and confidence, how he seemed perfectly oblivious to how his presence could command a room without effort.

She let out a frustrated sigh, tucking her phone away. This was ridiculous. She wasn’t some schoolgirl with a crush on her teacher. But she couldn’t deny the fact that when she thought about Harry, it wasn’t just admiration for his mind or his teaching methods. There was a physical awareness too, something magnetic that made her pulse quicken whenever he was near.

By the time Y/N made it to the campus café, her mind was still spinning with thoughts she shouldn’t be having. She grabbed a coffee, needing the warmth and caffeine to shake the lingering unease from her bones.

As she settled into a corner booth, opening her laptop to review her notes, her gaze kept drifting toward the window. She didn’t expect to see anyone familiar, but every once in a while, her thoughts circled back to him.

Was it wrong? Was it really just in her head? That gaze earlier—it had felt like something. Or was she reading too much into it, twisting normal interactions into something they weren’t? It didn’t help that Liv’s constant teasing about “Professor Dreamy” had planted ideas in her head she couldn’t quite shake.

Just then, a shadow moved across her table, and Y/N’s heart lurched into her throat. She looked up, eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Harry Styles stood before her, his expression unreadable.

"Mind if I join you?" His voice was smooth, yet his tone made it sound like more of a statement than a question.

Y/N’s pulse stuttered as she nodded, forcing herself to appear calm, even as her mind raced. What was he doing here? It was a large campus—he could’ve gone anywhere—but here he was, sliding into the seat across from her with an ease that both unsettled and intrigued her.

Harry set his coffee down and leaned back in the chair, his presence overwhelming even in this casual setting. His eyes, a deep shade of green, flicked to her laptop briefly before returning to hers, as if assessing something.

“You looked like you were in deep thought,” he remarked, a faint smile playing at the edge of his lips. It was a subtle observation, but his gaze lingered a fraction longer than necessary, making her feel exposed.

Y/N cleared her throat, trying to gather her thoughts. “Just catching up on notes,” she said, forcing a smile. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”

Harry’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but there was something about the way he leaned forward slightly that made her heart skip. “I frequent this place often,” he said simply. “Though I don’t usually run into my students outside of class.”

There it was again—that carefully controlled neutrality in his tone. She couldn’t tell if he was making small talk or implying something deeper. It was maddening.

“I guess it’s a coincidence,” Y/N replied, trying to keep her voice steady. But she could feel it—the undercurrent of tension pulling them closer, threading through the seemingly innocent conversation.

Harry raised an eyebrow, watching her with a quiet intensity. “Do you believe in coincidences?”

His question hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Y/N opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. There was something about the way he was looking at her—like he was testing her, challenging her to acknowledge the unspoken tension that had been simmering ever since that first glance in class.

Before she could formulate an answer, Harry’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it briefly, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face before he stood.

“Another time, perhaps,” he said smoothly, gathering his things. “I’ll see you in class, Miss Y/L/N.”

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Y/N sitting alone, her heart pounding and her mind whirling with questions. The conversation had been brief, but it was enough to set her on edge.

What did he mean by coincidences? Was there more to that question than she realized?

Y/N stared at the empty seat across from her, frustration and curiosity churning inside her. She had no idea what game Harry Styles was playing, or if there was even a game at all.

But something told her this wasn’t the last time their paths would cross outside the lecture hall.

Y/N sat in her apartment that evening, nervously adjusting her costume in front of the mirror. She and Liv had been planning to attend a Halloween party on campus for weeks, and Y/N had finally settled on a daring outfit: a sleek, black cat costume that hugged her curves in all the right places. The fitted bodysuit clung to her figure, the fabric shimmering slightly under the light, with a daringly low neckline that accentuated her collarbone and added a touch of allure.

The suit left her legs bare, the material stopping just below her hips, showcasing her smooth, toned thighs. She wore black heels that elongated her legs, making them appear endless and adding a sultry confidence to her stride. Each step felt powerful, her high heels clicking against the floor, a stark contrast to the soft fabric of her costume.

To complete the look, she adorned herself with a pair of playful cat ears and a thin tail that swayed behind her, giving her a playful edge. Y/N could see herself in the mirror, her reflection bold and unashamed. She felt good in her skin, caught up in the thrill of the night ahead—one filled with dancing, laughter, and maybe a little mischief.

The thought of running into Harry flickered briefly in her mind, but she brushed it aside, determined to enjoy the party without overthinking her attire. Tonight was about having fun and celebrating, not getting tangled up in complicated feelings.

“Are you ready yet?” Liv called from the living room, her voice slightly slurred from the pre-party drinks. “We’re going to be late!”

“Almost!” Y/N called back, taking one last look at herself. She felt powerful and fierce, ready to own the night.

“C’mon, I need you to approve of my costume!” Liv barged into the room, wearing a bright, revealing witch outfit complete with a feathered hat. She spun around dramatically, her long hair swaying. “What do you think? Am I hot or what?”

Y/N laughed, the tension easing a bit. “You look amazing! Just don’t make me drag you home” Referring to the multiple times that she had to carry her across campus back to their apartment.

Liv winked, grabbing her bag and tossing Y/N a mischievous grin. “No promises! Now let’s go, I want to dance!”

As they made their way to the party, the campus buzzed with excitement. Halloween decorations adorned the buildings, and students in various costumes milled about, laughter and music echoing in the cool night air. Y/N felt a thrill run through her as they approached the venue, a popular fraternity house that was known for its raucous parties.

On the way, they decided to take a shortcut through a quieter part of campus. That’s when Y/N spotted him.

Harry Styles emerged from the gym, a towel draped around his neck and wearing a loose fitted tank top that showcased his toned arms. His hair was slightly damp, and he looked effortlessly handsome—exuding the same confidence that had captivated her in class. Y/N’s heart skipped a beat, her earlier bravado instantly replaced by embarrassment.

“Shit, is that—?” Liv started, her voice slurring slightly as she squinted in the dim light.

Before Y/N could stop her, Liv straightened, her playful demeanor shining through the haze of her tipsiness. “Hey, Professor Styles!” she called out, a cheeky grin plastered on her face.

Y/N felt her cheeks heat up as Harry turned his gaze toward them, eyebrows raising in surprise. “Liv, Y/N,” he greeted, his tone friendly yet laced with curiosity. His eyes flickered over their costumes, and Y/N couldn’t tell if he was amused or shocked.

“Looks like you two are ready for a big night,” he said, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

Y/N could feel her stomach twist with embarrassment, acutely aware of the way she was dressed. She glanced at Liv, who was practically bouncing on her feet, clearly emboldened by the drinks she’d had. “Yeah, just heading to the party! You should come by and join us!” Liv said, her words spilling out a little too quickly.

“Liv!” Y/N hissed, mortified. This was not the conversation she had envisioned. The last thing she wanted was for Harry to see her friend flirting like this.

Harry chuckled, the sound low and rich, and Y/N felt a mix of relief and frustration at the way it sent warmth through her. “I appreciate the invite, but I think I’ll pass,” he replied, his gaze still locked on Y/N, as if trying to gauge her reaction.

“C’mon, it’ll be fun! You could let loose for one night,” Liv pressed, tilting her head with a playful smile, completely oblivious to Y/N’s discomfort. “Besides, we’d love to see you in a costume!”

Harry shook his head, laughter dancing in his eyes. “I think I’m better off here, thanks. Maybe next year?”

Y/N felt like she might combust. Next year? As if they’d still be in the same orbit then. “Uh, right. Maybe,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, you should really think about it,” Liv chimed in, clearly enjoying the banter. She nudged Y/N, a teasing sparkle in her eyes. “I mean, we’re all just trying to have a little fun, right?”

Harry’s gaze flicked back to Y/N, his expression softening slightly. “You’re right, fun is important. Just make sure you’re safe tonight.”

Y/N swallowed hard, struggling to keep her composure. The concern in his voice felt personal, like he genuinely cared about their well-being. “We will,” she promised, forcing a smile despite the heat flooding her cheeks.

“Well, I’ll leave you to your night. Enjoy yourselves,” he said, taking a step back.

As he turned to walk away, Liv leaned into Y/N, her eyes wide with excitement. “Did you see that? He was totally checking you out!”

“What? No!” Y/N protested, though her heart raced at the thought. “He was just being polite.”

“Polite? He was practically undressing you with his eyes! Come on, don’t act like you didn’t feel that!” Liv giggled, already pulling Y/N toward the party.

Y/N tried to shake off the feeling, but as they walked away, she glanced back at Harry, who was now disappearing into the shadows of the campus. The look he had given her lingered in her mind, an intoxicating blend of desire and danger.

The party loomed ahead, pulsing with music and laughter, but Y/N couldn’t shake the feeling that this night was just the beginning.

As Y/N and Liv stepped into the party, the pulse of music hit them like a wave, vibrant and intoxicating. The room was filled with bodies dancing under dim, flickering lights, laughter and cheers blending into a thrilling cacophony. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and Y/N felt herself being swept away, the earlier embarrassment fading as she embraced the night.

“Let’s get some drinks!” Liv shouted over the music, her eyes sparkling with excitement. They made their way to the makeshift bar, where red solo cups overflowed with punch and various alcoholic concoctions.

Y/N poured herself a drink, the sweet taste sliding down her throat with a comforting burn. She felt the warmth of the alcohol spreading through her, loosening her nerves. Maybe this was what she needed—a distraction, a chance to dance, to forget for a while.

As they moved through the crowd, Liv grabbed Y/N's hand and led her to the center of the room, where bodies swayed and mingled. The rhythm of the music thrummed through Y/N, and she found herself letting go, the beat pulling her into the moment.

But even as she danced, her mind kept drifting back to Harry. The way he had looked at her, the flicker of interest in his eyes—it made her heart race and her skin tingle in ways she didn’t fully understand. The tension between them was electric, but the reality of their roles—the professor and the student—loomed over her like a dark cloud.

She needed to shake off those thoughts. Just for tonight.

As if the universe was listening, a guy approached her, a confident grin spreading across his face. He wore a pirate costume, complete with a ruffled shirt and an eye patch that gave him a playful charm. “What’s a pretty cat like you doing here all alone?” he asked, leaning in slightly, his voice a low drawl.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, suppressing a smile. “Not alone, I’m with my friend,” she gestured to Liv, who was laughing with a group nearby, completely engrossed in her own conversation.

“Well, I’m glad you’re not alone,” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I’m Shawn, by the way.”

“Y/N,” she replied, a hint of flirtation in her voice. “So, you’re a pirate, huh? Got any treasure to share?”

Shawn chuckled, stepping closer, the heat between them palpable. “Oh, I’ve got plenty of treasure. Just depends on what you’re looking for.” He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “What are you in the mood for tonight?”

Y/N felt a spark of excitement, a welcome distraction from her thoughts of Harry. She wanted to forget the lingering glances and the magnetic pull she felt toward him. “I’m looking for something fun,” she replied, her confidence bolstered by the drink.

“Fun, huh? I can definitely help with that,” Shawn said, his gaze lingering on her legs, appreciation evident in his eyes. “Why don’t we grab a drink and see where the night takes us?”

Y/N hesitated for just a moment, then nodded, eager for the distraction. She needed to step away from her complex feelings and embrace the night. “Sure, let’s do it.”

They made their way back to the bar, Shawn’s easy charm making her laugh as he recounted silly stories about past Halloween parties. She found herself genuinely enjoying his company, the flirtation light and carefree, a pleasant contrast to the weight of her feelings for Harry.

As the night went on, they danced and shared drinks, the music enveloping them in a cocoon of excitement. Y/N allowed herself to get lost in the moment, to revel in the attention Shawn offered her. It was fun, thrilling even, to flirt with someone who wasn’t complicated or off-limits.

Yet, even in the midst of the revelry, she felt that familiar twinge in her chest, a reminder of Harry's presence and the tension that crackled between them. The deeper she got into her flirtation with Shawn, the more she realized she was trying to fill a void that Harry had created—one that was proving harder to ignore than she had anticipated

-> part 2

----------

“Y/N,” he started, his voice soft but steady. “Can we talk?”

Ah, Harry. The king of timing. Nothing like waiting until the absolute worst moment to finally address the elephant in the villa

She didn’t respond immediately, finishing with her make-up wipe before tossing it into the bin. Finally, she turned to face him, arms crossed. “Talk about what, Harry?”

He took a tentative step forward. “About today. About… everything.”

Y/N raised an eyebrow, her expression guarded. “Now you want to talk? After ignoring me all day?”

Harry winced, running a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t ignoring you. I just… I didn’t know how to approach you.”

“Approach me?” she repeated, her tone sharp. “Harry, you’re my partner. We’re supposed to be in this together. And yet, you’re off entertaining Sophia while I’m left wondering where we stand.”

“It wasn’t like that,” he said quickly, his voice rising slightly. “She asked me to go on the date. I didn’t have a choice.”

“And after the date?” Y/N shot back. “Did you have a choice then? Because you chose not to come talk to me. You chose to avoid me, Harry.”

He sighed, his shoulders sagging. “You’re right. I should’ve come to you. I should’ve explained everything, but I was… scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Of making things worse,” he admitted. “I knew you were upset, and I thought if I gave you space, it might help. Clearly, I was wrong.”

Y/N’s gaze softened slightly, though her stance remained firm. “You can’t just shut me out, Harry. That’s not how this works. If we’re going to survive in here, we need to communicate. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

He nodded, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them. “You’re right. I messed up, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel ignored or unimportant because you’re not. You’re the only one I care about in here, Y/N.”

Her eyes searched his, looking for any sign of insincerity but finding none. Slowly, her arms uncrossed, and she let out a sigh. “Do you like her, Harry?” she asked suddenly, her tone firm. “And I mean be straight with me. No bullshit.”

Harry froze, his eyes darting away as he hesitated. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted after a long pause. “I like spending time with you, Y/N. But I… I guess I just want to keep my options open for now.”

“Ah, the classic ‘keep my options open.’ Translation: I like you but not enough to close the shop.”

Her expression faltered for a moment, the bluntness of his words cutting deeper than she expected. She straightened, her walls going up again. “Right. Well, thanks for being honest, I suppose,” she said, her voice quieter but edged with hurt. “But don’t expect me to wait around while you figure out your options, Harry. I’m not a backup plan.”

“Backup plan? Y/N isn’t even the plan—she’s the main event, Harry!”

Harry’s face fell. “Y/N, it’s not like that—”

“Then what is it like?” she interrupted, meeting his gaze with a steely resolve. “Because right now, it feels like I’m the one doing all the work to keep this going. And if you’re not all in, maybe we’re wasting our time.”

Harry opened his mouth to respond but faltered, unable to find the right words. Y/N shook her head, turning back to the mirror. “You know where I stand. Prove to me that I’m wrong about you, Harry. Otherwise, don’t bother.”

For the first time that day, Harry didn’t know what to say.

The next morning, Y/N and Chloe were sprawled out on yoga mats on the villa terrace, catching their breath after finishing a Pilates YouTube video. The sun bathed the terrace in a warm glow, and the faint sound of birds chirping added to the calmness of the scene. Y/N wiped her forehead with a towel, her expression distant.

“Nothing like a bit of Pilates to stretch the legs and spill the tea.”

Chloe noticed immediately. “Alright, spill. You’ve been quiet all morning. What’s going on?”

Y/N sighed, sitting up and crossing her legs. “It’s Harry,” she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. “Last night, we had a chat. I asked him straight up if he liked Sophia, and do you know what he said?”

Chloe raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“He said he wants to keep his options open,” Y/N said, her voice cracking slightly. “I mean, what am I supposed to do with that? I feel like an idiot for even caring at this point.”

Chloe sat up, her face serious. “Y/N, listen to me. You cannot let him see you sweat. If he wants to keep his options open, fine. Let him. But you need to act like you couldn’t care less about him or Sophia.”

Y/N frowned. “Easier said than done. I don’t know if I can just switch off how I feel.”

“You don’t have to switch it off,” Chloe said, her tone firm but encouraging. “You just have to fake it for now. Trust me, guys like Harry hate feeling like they don’t have control. If you act unbothered, it’ll throw him off completely. And in the meantime, you’ll give yourself space to figure out what you actually want.”

“Chloe, handing out advice like smoothies. And she’s not wrong. Nothing shakes a lad like a girl who’s unbothered.”

Y/N bit her lip, considering Chloe’s words. “So, what? Just pretend like I don’t care?”

Chloe nodded. “Exactly. Smile, laugh, chat with everyone else, and don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing you upset. Time will do the rest.”

A small smile broke through Y/N’s conflicted expression. “You make it sound so easy.”

“It’s not,” Chloe admitted with a grin. “You’ve got this.”

Y/N took a deep breath, the weight on her chest feeling slightly lighter. “Alright. Let’s see how unbothered I can be.”

Chloe laughed, nudging her playfully. “That’s the spirit. Now, how about we reward ourselves with a smoothie?”

Harry stood at the kitchen counter, his hands wrapped around a steaming mug of tea. The morning sun streamed through the villa’s glass doors, casting a warm glow over the open-plan space. Lucas joined him, rubbing sleep from his eyes and grabbing a mug from the cupboard.

“Nothing like a cuppa first thing,” Lucas muttered, pouring hot water into his mug. He turned, leaning against the counter, and nodded toward the terrace where Y/N and Chloe were mid-stretch, their workout mats rolled out on the tiled floor. “Well, they’re looking pretty good this morning, aren’t they?”

Harry chuckled, taking a sip of his tea. “Yeah, they’re putting in the work, that’s for sure.”

Lucas tilted his head, watching Chloe as she effortlessly moved through a set of lunges. “Chloe’s got some legs on her, mate. Proper strong. Bet she could kick a ball further than me.”

Harry snorted. “Wouldn’t be hard. Your kick’s shocking.”

Lucas smirked but didn’t argue, his eyes still on Chloe. “Fair play, though. She’s got this, like, natural confidence about her. Proper attractive, you know?”

Harry raised an eyebrow, hiding a grin behind his mug. “You’ve got it bad, haven’t you?”

“What can I say?” Lucas replied with a shrug, setting his mug down. “Anyway, enough about me. Did you sort things out with Y/N last night?”

Harry’s smile faltered, and he stared into his tea as if the answers might be swirling in the cup. “We talked,” he said slowly.

Lucas’s eyebrows shot up. “And? What happened?”

“She’s not happy, mate,” Harry admitted, leaning against the counter. “Asked me straight up if I liked Sophia. Told her I wanted to keep my options open.”

Lucas groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “Oh, Harry. Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s the truth,” Harry said defensively. “I don’t want to lead her on if I’m not sure.”

“Right, but you’re not exactly making it easy for yourself, are you?” Lucas countered. “Y/N’s not the type to just sit around and wait for you to make up your mind. If anything, she’ll use this as fuel to move on.”

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know. Chloe’s probably in her ear right now, telling her to forget about me.”

Lucas glanced back at the terrace, where Chloe and Y/N were laughing between stretches. “If she’s smart, she’ll listen. Chloe doesn’t mess about.”

Harry’s jaw tightened as he looked out at Y/N. She was glowing in the morning light, her hair pulled back and her smile wide as she joked with Chloe. “I just… I don’t know what to do, mate. I like her, but Sophia… she’s got this vibe, you know? Makes me wonder what else is out there.”

Lucas shook his head. “You’re playing with fire. If you’re not careful, you’re going to lose Y/N and not even get a chance with Sophia. Girls talk, mate. And no one likes a bloke who can’t make up his mind.”

Harry didn’t respond, his eyes fixed on Y/N as she stretched her arms above her head. The thought of her pulling away, of her laughter directed at someone else, left a sour taste in his mouth. He took another sip of tea, trying to shake the feeling.

“You’ve got to figure it out, Harry,” Lucas said, his tone serious. “Because right now, you’re playing a game you might not win.”

The sun blazed down on the villa as the Islanders gathered on the lawn, coffee cups in hand and nerves bubbling under the surface. In the center of the garden stood a brightly colored spinning wheel, its glossy paint glinting in the sunlight like a harbinger of chaos. The air hummed with a mix of anticipation and dread.

Y/N adjusted her sunglasses, leaning back lazily as Chloe leaned closer.

“I’m telling you now, this game is going to start World War Three,” Chloe muttered, her tone low but laced with amusement.

Y/N let out a small laugh, though her stomach was already knotting. Across the lawn, Harry was lounging on the beanbags, his body sprawled out casually as Sophia leaned in close, whispering something in his ear that made him grin.

“It’s 10 a.m., and the Islanders are already sweating. Not from the heat, though—oh no. This morning, we’ve gifted them a little something we like to call Lips Don’t Lie. Because nothing says ‘good morning’ like breaking hearts before brunch!”

“Here’s the deal: spin the wheel, land on ‘Snog,’ ‘Spill,’ or ‘Steal.’ Kiss someone, confess your darkest secret, or swipe a kiss from another Islander’s partner. Oh, and there’s a lovely stack of truths in those envelopes, just in case things weren’t messy enough.”

“Alright, Y/N,” Lucas called out with a cheeky grin. “You’re up first!”

The group erupted into chants, and Y/N stood, her shoulders squared as she approached the wheel. The handle felt cold under her fingertips as she spun it sharply, the clattering sound making her heart race.

It landed on ‘Spill.’

“Easy one to start with,” Chloe teased.

Lucas, practically vibrating with excitement, grabbed an envelope. “Alright, Y/N,” he said, his grin devilish. “If you had to recouple with someone other than Harry, who would it be?”

The crowd fell silent, all eyes on Y/N. She felt Harry’s gaze burning into her, but she kept her expression cool.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully, dragging it out. “Hmm… Lucas,” she said finally, turning to him with a sly smile. “You always know how to make me laugh.”

Laughter rippled through the group as Lucas dramatically clutched his chest. “My dream finally comes true.”

“Y/N keeping it light and breezy. But don’t worry, Harry—Lucas is just here for the bants. Or is he?”

Harry’s jaw clenched, his mug of tea now forgotten on the table beside him.

“Your turn, mate!” Callum called, his grin wide.

Harry stood, brushing off invisible lint from his shorts before giving the wheel a forceful spin. When it landed on ‘Snog,’ the group erupted with cheers and whistles.

Sophia’s eyes lit up before Harry even moved. Without a moment’s hesitation, he crossed the garden and kissed her, slow enough to make the others holler in delight.

Y/N felt Chloe nudge her hard. “Don’t react,” Chloe hissed. “He’s doing it to get a rise out of you.”

Y/N tilted her head, feigning indifference. “Couldn’t care less,” she said smoothly, though her nails dug into her palms.

“Oh, Harry. If this were chess, you’d be playing checkers. Y/N? Ice cold.”

Sophia’s turn was next, and the wheel landed on ‘Spill.’ She sauntered over to the stack of envelopes, picking one like it held her winning lottery numbers.

Tom read aloud, “Sophia, who do you think is your biggest competition in the villa?”

Sophia smirked, her gaze drifting lazily over the girls before landing squarely on Y/N.

“Y/N,” she said confidently. “She’s stunning, and, let’s face it, everyone seems to fancy her.”

The group erupted with laughter and gasps, while Y/N shot Sophia a sweet, unfazed smile. “Aw, thanks, babe,” she said lightly.

“Sophia, dishing out backhanded compliments like cocktails. But let’s be honest, she’s right. Y/N’s still the main event.”

Max spun the wheel next, landing on ‘Snog.’ Without missing a beat, he turned to Y/N. “Sorry, Harry,” he said with a mischievous grin before kissing her, lingering just long enough to turn the group rowdy.

When Y/N sat back down, Chloe clapped her on the back. “Legend.”

Harry’s expression didn’t flinch, but his eyes burned into Y/N’s as she casually sipped her water.

Finally, Tom pulled an envelope from the truth pile, holding it up dramatically. “Time for a big one!” he announced.

The group quieted as Tom read aloud, “One Islander confessed: ‘I still think about kissing Y/N.’”

The garden froze.

Amber’s mouth dropped. “Who said that?!”

The boys erupted into teasing accusations, whistles flying as Lucas turned to Harry with a smirk. “C’mon, mate. You’ve got guilty written all over your face.”

Harry’s jaw tightened as he glared at Lucas. “Didn’t hear my name, did you?”

“Oh, Harry. Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt, and your face says it all.”

Chloe leaned into Y/N’s ear, whispering, “You’ve got him rattled.”

Y/N shrugged, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “Not my problem.”

“Whew, what a morning! Secrets revealed, kisses stolen, and Harry’s mood hitting boiling point. And we haven’t even had lunch yet. Buckle up, folks—this villa’s about to erupt.”

The villa was quiet after the chaos of the game, with most of the Islanders scattered in their own corners, trying to digest the truths and dares that had been laid bare. Y/N was perched on the edge of the terrace, her foot tapping against the ground as her mind replayed every moment of the game—Harry’s snog with Sophia, the truth bomb about someone still thinking of kissing her, and the way Harry’s eyes had burned into her the entire time.

She heard footsteps approaching and sighed. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was.

“Not now, Harry,” she muttered, her tone tired but edged with annoyance.

“Yeah, well, I think now’s the perfect time,” Harry said, his voice low but charged. He moved closer, stopping just a step behind her.

Y/N whipped around, her frustration spilling over. “What do you want, Harry? Haven’t you had enough fun for one day?”

His jaw tensed. “I came to talk because clearly, we need to. But if you’re going to start throwing digs, I can walk right back out.”

“Oh, how generous of you,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “Do you want a medal for gracing me with your presence after ignoring me all day? Or is this just damage control because you know how bad you looked out there?”

Harry’s brows knitted together, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “You’re acting like I’m the only one who played the game! What about you? Max kissed you, and you didn’t seem too bothered about that.”

“Don’t you dare,” Y/N said, stepping closer as her voice dropped dangerously. “Max kissed me because you made it very clear where you stand today. I didn’t ask for it, but I wasn’t about to stop him just to protect your fragile ego.”

“Fragile ego?” Harry repeated, his voice rising. “Do you even hear yourself right now? You’re the one who’s been sulking and throwing me daggers all day, acting like I’ve done something unforgivable when all I did was follow the rules of a stupid game!”

“Stupid game?” she fired back, her tone cutting. “So kissing Sophia—grabbing her like you couldn’t wait to get your hands on her—that was just for the rules? Funny how you didn’t hesitate even for a second.”

Harry took a step closer, their faces now inches apart. “And what about you, huh? Smiling and laughing with Max like you were enjoying every second of it? Don’t act like you’re above playing games, Y/N.”

Her heart was pounding, her anger mixing with something else entirely—something she didn’t want to name. “You don’t get it, do you?” she said, her voice breaking slightly. “I didn’t want to play any games. I just wanted to feel like you cared. Like I wasn’t just… replaceable.”

Harry’s expression softened for a moment, but the tension between them was still thick. “You’re not replaceable,” he said, his voice quieter but no less intense. “You think I don’t care about you? I can’t even look at you without losing my head, Y/N. And yeah, I messed up today, but don’t for a second think that means I don’t want you.”

She blinked, caught off guard by the rawness in his voice. “Then why—”

Before she could finish, Harry reached out, cupping her face in his hands and pulling her into a kiss. It wasn’t soft or tentative—it was full of all the anger, frustration, and desire that had been constructing between them.

For a second, she resisted, her hands pushing lightly against his chest, but then she gave in, gripping his shirt as she kissed him back with equal intensity.

The world seemed to blur around them, the only sounds their ragged breaths and the faint hum of the villa in the distance. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing hard, their foreheads resting against each other.

“That’s why,” Harry said, his voice rough.

Y/N swallowed, her emotions a whirlwind. “This doesn’t fix anything,” she whispered, though her hands were still clutching his shirt.

“I know,” he replied, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “But it’s the truth.”

She pulled back slightly, her eyes searching his. “Then prove it, Harry. Because I’m not doing this halfway.”

He nodded, his gaze steady. “I will.”

As the distant chatter of the other Islanders drifted toward them, Y/N stepped back, her walls slowly rebuilding. “Good,” she said quietly before turning and walking back inside, leaving Harry standing there, watching her go.

“Well, if we were playing ‘Lips Don’t Lie,’ those two just failed spectacularly. But will Harry make good on his promise, or is Y/N setting herself up for more heartbreak? Stay tuned, folks. It’s about to get messy.”

-> part 7

let me know if you want to get tagged!

She reached up, brushing a stray curl from his forehead, and that was all it took. His eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep but locking onto her immediately. A slow, lazy smile spread across his face.

“Mornin’,” he murmured, voice thick and gravelly.

Y/N felt her heart stutter in her chest. “Morning.”

Harry exhaled deeply, stretching slightly but keeping her close. “You stayed.”

Her lips twitched. “You think I was gonna leave you after everything?”

His hand slid up her back, fingertips tracing light patterns against her skin. “Would’ve chased after you if you did.”

She laughed softly, but there was something deeper behind her smile—something warm and real.

The moment was too perfect to ruin with words, so she didn’t say anything, just nestled closer, pressing her cheek to his chest as his arms tightened around her.

For a while, they just lay there, wrapped up in the quiet of the morning, pretending the rest of the villa didn’t exist.

But, of course, the villa always found a way to interrupt.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Lucas muttered as he sat up on the other couch, rubbing his face. “Some of us were tryna sleep without being blinded by all this romance, yeah?”

Y/N let out a small laugh, burying her face in Harry’s chest as he threw a pillow at Lucas. “You’re just bitter ‘cause no one wants to cuddle you, mate.”

Lucas smirked. “Oh, don’t worry about me, bro. I was plenty warm last night.”

Before anyone could question him, another phone buzzed, followed by a loud, high-pitched gasp.

All heads turned toward the villa entrance, where Sophia stood, holding her phone in both hands. A smug smile played on her lips as she looked around at the Islanders, letting the suspense build.

Then, in the most dramatic voice possible, she read aloud:

"Islanders, it’s time for a dumping. The girl with the most votes at the end of today… will be leaving the villa immediately."

The room went silent.

Y/N’s stomach clenched.

Harry’s grip on her tightened.

Ian’s voice, as always, broke the tension:

"Welp, looks like somebody’s about to get their suitcase packed. But the real question is… will they be walking out alone?"

The tension in the villa was unbearable. Even as the sun shone brightly over the terrace, an ominous weight lingered in the air, pressing down on all of them. Conversations were quieter, laughter forced. No one wanted to say it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing—someone was leaving today.

And it could be Y/N.

She sat on the sun lounger, legs curled up beneath her, staring at the infinity pool without really seeing it. Her stomach churned with nerves, a mixture of dread and helplessness settling deep in her bones.

Harry sat beside her, knee bouncing restlessly. He hadn’t let her out of his sight all morning, his protective energy tangible, even in the silence.

“Talk to me,” he finally said, voice low. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Y/N exhaled, rubbing her arms. “I don’t know. Just… thinking.”

“About what?”

“About how quickly everything can change,” she admitted. “Yesterday, we were happy. And now—” She swallowed hard. “I might be leaving.”

Harry’s jaw clenched. “No. Don’t say that.”

She turned her head to him, giving a sad smile. “We don’t know what’s going to happen, Harry. I have to be realistic.”

His brows furrowed, frustration flickering across his features. “Realistic?” He shook his head. “Sod being realistic. We’ve got something real, don’t we?”

“Yeah,” she whispered. “We do.”

“Then let’s focus on that.” His fingers brushed against hers, gentle but firm. “No matter what happens, we’re in this together.”

Y/N wanted to believe him. She did believe him. But the fear was still there, gnawing at her, whispering worst-case scenarios in her ear.

Before she could say anything, Chloe appeared, marching towards them with determination. “Right, enough moping. We’re not sitting around acting like she’s already gone.”

Harry smirked slightly. “That was dramatic.”

Chloe shot him a look. “Not as dramatic as you pouting like a lovesick puppy all morning.”

Y/N laughed under her breath, and Chloe grinned, pleased. “See? That’s better. No more doom and gloom. Until we get a text, we’re carrying on as normal.”

Harry nodded, squeezing Y/N’s hand. “She’s right.”

Y/N took a deep breath, pushing away the nerves. Normal. Okay. I can do normal.

She wasn’t going to let this day be ruined by fear. Not yet.

Because for now, she was still here. And she wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

The villa was still buzzing with nervous energy, but that didn’t stop production from throwing in another challenge—because why let them sit in peace when they could stir the pot instead?

The Islanders stood in their swimsuits by the pool, the sun beating down on them as the challenge setup was revealed. A giant inflatable heart sat in the middle of the garden, with a runway leading up to it. Next to it, a podium with a very smug-looking Callum, who cleared his throat before reading out the rules.

"Alright, Islanders, it’s time for a challenge that’s guaranteed to get pulses racing. Welcome to… ‘The Heat Is On!’”

The group cheered, but Y/N could already sense the impending chaos.

"Here’s how it works: Each of you will take turns pulling a card that gives you a steamy dare to complete. It could be a kiss, a sexy dance, or even revealing a juicy secret about someone in the villa. But be warned—some of these dares might land you in very hot water. Now, let’s get to it, shall we?”

Lucas immediately rubbed his hands together. “Oh, this is gonna be a madness.”

The girls took their seats on the benches while the boys stood in front of them, ready for the first dare.

Callum reached into the bowl first and pulled out a card, chuckling before her read it out loud.

"Chloe, give a lap dance to the person you fancy the most in the villa."

Chloe’s face lit up, and she immediately turned to Lucas. “Right, sit down, you.”

The Islanders erupted into cheers as Lucas plopped onto the chair, spreading his arms out smugly. “Go on then, don’t be shy.”

Chloe strutted toward him, rolling her shoulders back as she flicked her hair dramatically. The second the music kicked in, she moved, swaying her hips before dropping low between his legs. Lucas’ mouth fell open, his hands gripping his knees as Chloe ran her hands over his chest before whispering something in his ear that made his jaw go slack.

“Oi, that’s enough of that,” Callum laughed. “Get a room, you two!”

Lucas, clearly flustered, stood up, grabbed Chloe’s face, and kissed her full on the lips, pulling her close as the villa erupted in cheers.

Ian’s voice boomed through the speakers. “Well, well, well! Didn’t need a dare for that, did ya, Lucas?”

Chloe grinned as she walked back to the bench, and Y/N nudged her. “That was something.”

“Babe, I don’t do things by halves.”

Next up Callum, pulled a card and smirked before reading it aloud.

"Harry — Kiss the last person you had a dirty dream about."

The boys started hollering immediately, and Y/N felt her stomach drop as Callum handed the card to Harry.

“Oh, this is easy,” Lucas teased. “We all know who he’s picking.”

Harry shot him a warning look before turning toward Y/N. His eyes met hers, and her breath hitched.

Before she could react, Harry stepped forward, closing the distance between them. He reached for her waist, his fingers curling against her skin as he leaned in. The world blurred around her as his lips met hers—soft at first, almost teasing, before he deepened it, making her head spin.

Y/N melted into him, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as the cheers around them turned into a distant hum.

“Okay, okay, we get it, you fancy each other!” Amber laughed, clapping her hands.

Harry pulled away slowly, his forehead resting against Y/N’s for just a second before he stepped back. His hand lingered at her waist, his thumb brushing over her skin, and she shivered at the feeling.

Ian's voice cut in: “And here I was thinking he might pick Callum. Shocked, really.”

Callum turned to the group, barely able to contain his excitement. “Alright. The next dare is… Sophia, give the steamiest lap dance to the Islander you fancy the most.”

The villa exploded with shouts and laughter.

The reaction was instant.

“Oh, this is mad,” Callum wheezed.

Lucas howled with laughter. “This is about to be painful.”

All eyes flickered to Sophia, who plastered on a smug expression, even though everyone could see the wheels turning in her head.

For a second, she hesitated—because this was risky.

But then she flipped her hair over her shoulder, squared her shoulders, and strutted over to Harry.

Y/N, sitting cross-legged on the daybed, tensed, but she didn’t react. She didn’t need to. Because as soon as Sophia got close, Harry leaned back slightly, arms crossing over his chest.

When Sophia placed her hands on his shoulders, Harry let out a sharp laugh.

“Nah,” he said flatly, shaking his head. “I’m good, babe.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

Sophia froze.

The reaction from the villa was immediate—Lucas literally choked on his drink, Callum smacked his own forehead, and Amber was laughing.

Y/N felt her stomach flip at the sheer rejection on Sophia’s face.

But to her credit, Sophia recovered quickly, forcing a tight smile. “Alright,” she said breezily, flicking her hair back. “No worries.”

Then, in an attempt to save face, she turned to Callum instead.

The moment she moved towards him, Callum’s hands shot up defensively. “Nope! Keep me out of this.”

Ian’s voice cut through the villa speakers.

"Well, well, well… talk about a lap dance going horribly wrong. That’s two strikes, Sophia. Might want to cut your losses before you get a third."

Sophia forced a laugh, waving it off like she wasn’t absolutely mortified, before settling for Tom—who, to his credit, let it happen, but not without pulling the most awkward, stiff-body reaction ever.

The moment the dare was over, Sophia practically ran back to her seat.

The villa was still losing it, but Y/N couldn’t even enjoy it because all she could think about was the way Harry had shut it down instantly.

And when her eyes flickered to him, he was already looking at her.

His gaze was steady, like he wanted her to know—

There was never a choice.

It was always her.

Callum, still laughing from the madness of the game, held up his hands. “Right, right—that’s it, game over!” he announced, still grinning. “You lot need to start getting ready for tonight, and something tells me this is gonna be a big one.”

The energy shifted instantly. The challenge had been fun, full of shocking kisses, brutal rejections, and wild dares, but now? Now, the reality of the night ahead settled in.

Y/N barely heard the chatter around her as everyone began moving toward the villa. She felt the warmth of Harry’s hand brush against hers, lingering for just a second longer than necessary before he pulled away.

“Buzzing for the ceremony?” Lucas teased, slinging an arm around Chloe as they made their way inside.

Chloe rolled her eyes. “Buzzing? I feel ill, mate.”

Amber groaned. “I hate the waiting. Why do they always drag it out? Just tell us who’s getting dumped and put us out of our misery.”

“No one’s getting dumped yet,” Tom said, adjusting his mic pack. “Voting’s still gotta happen.”

Y/N swallowed hard, but Chloe, ever in tune with her emotions, gave her a reassuring nudge. “Come on, babe,” she murmured. “Let’s get ready.”

As they stepped into the dressing room, the villa’s buzzing energy dulled into something heavier, something more uncertain.

The fun was over.

Tonight, everything was about to change.

The villa was alive with the sounds of everyone getting ready—hairdryers whirring, perfume being spritzed, the occasional burst of laughter or nervous chatter—but somehow, Y/N and Harry had managed to steal a moment away from it all.

She stood on the balcony just outside the dressing room, the warm evening air brushing against her skin as she stared out at the softly lit garden. Everything felt different tonight.

She didn’t hear Harry approach until his arms wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her back against his chest. “You alright?” he murmured, his lips brushing lightly against the shell of her ear.

Y/N exhaled, her hands instinctively resting over his. “I don’t know,” she admitted. “I feel… uneasy and I don’t know if I’m ready for it.”

Harry turned her gently so she was facing him. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. “I know what you mean,” he said, searching her eyes. “But I don’t want you overthinking tonight, alright? No matter what happens, I’ve got you.”

She let out a small, almost disbelieving laugh. “You say that, but—”

Harry cut her off by cupping her face, his thumb tracing softly along her jaw. “I mean it,” he said firmly. “I’m done letting things come between us. No games, no doubts. Just you and me, yeah?”

Y/N felt her heart squeeze, overwhelmed by the intensity in his gaze. The way he looked at her—as if she was the only thing that mattered in the world—made her chest ache.

She nodded, barely able to find her voice. “Yeah,” she whispered.

Harry smiled, slow and warm, before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her lips. It wasn’t rushed or desperate like before—this was something deeper, something that felt like a promise.

Y/N melted into him, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as he deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down to rest on her hips. For a moment, the tension of the night ahead didn’t exist—there was only this, only them.

When they finally pulled apart, Harry rested his forehead against hers, exhaling softly. “Let’s go knock ‘em dead, yeah?”

Y/N smiled, feeling lighter than she had in days. “Yeah.”

Hand in hand, they stepped back inside, ready to face whatever came next.

The Islanders gathered around the firepit, the usual playful atmosphere nowhere to be found. Tension crackled in the air, heavy and suffocating. Everyone was on edge, shifting uncomfortably in their seats as they exchanged glances.

Y/N sat beside Chloe, her fingers laced tightly in her lap to keep from fidgeting. Harry stood behind her, his arms crossed, his jaw set as he scanned the group. Something felt off tonight.

The firelight flickered across their faces as the familiar voice of Ian Sterling broke through the silence, addressing the viewers at home.

"Tonight, our Islanders are about to learn their fate. The public has been voting, and let me tell ya… it’s about to get spicy. Some will be safe, but for one unlucky soul, their time in the villa is up. Let’s see who’s about to get a one-way ticket back to reality, shall we?"

The Islanders barely had a second to process that before a phone dinged.

The group froze.

Sophia, sitting with her legs crossed confidently, reached for her phone. She smirked as she read aloud:

"Islanders, the public has been voting for the most compatible couple. The results are in. The couples with the fewest votes are now vulnerable. The least compatible individual will be dumped from the villa tonight."

Gasps rippled through the group, and Y/N felt her stomach drop.

Lucas raked a hand through his hair. “Bloody hell…”

Another phone dinged.

This time, it was Amber’s. She inhaled sharply before reading:

"The following couples are safe and will remain in the villa:"

Everyone held their breath.

"Chloe and Lucas."

A wave of relief passed over them as Chloe clutched Lucas’s arm. He kissed her cheek, and they both exhaled.

"Max and Amber."

Amber clapped a hand over her heart, while Max let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head.

"Tom and Georgia."

Tom squeezed Georgia’s leg, while she simply smirked, looking entirely too self-satisfied.

The silence stretched unbearably before Amber continued.

"That means the remaining Islanders are at risk of being dumped."

Harry, Y/N, Sophia, and Callum.

Y/N’s ears rang as the reality of the situation crashed down on her. She felt Chloe grip her hand tightly.

Another phone dinged.

This time, it was in Y/N’s lap. Her stomach turned to stone.

Her fingers trembled as she picked it up, swallowing past the lump in her throat before reading the words aloud.

"The individual with the least amount of votes and therefore the next Islander to be dumped from the villa is…"

The pause was excruciating.

She forced herself to look up, meeting Harry’s intense gaze. His green eyes burned into hers, filled with something between desperation and defiance.

She inhaled sharply, then read the name.

The moment Y/N read the text, it was as if the world around her had gone silent. The words hung in the air like a death sentence.

"The individual with the least amount of votes and therefore the next Islander to be dumped from the villa is… Y/N."

For a second, no one moved. No one breathed.

Then—

"What?!" Chloe’s voice rang out, breaking the stillness like glass shattering.

The firepit erupted into chaos.

Chloe was on her feet instantly, eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you having a laugh?!"

Lucas swore under his breath. "Nah, this is bollocks."

Amber blinked rapidly, as if trying to process what she’d just heard. Even Callum, who had been sitting stiffly, let out a breath of frustration. "This don’t make any sense."

But Y/N barely heard them. Her vision blurred.

Her stomach twisted painfully as the realization hit her like a freight train.

This was it. Her time was up.

Harry was already looking at her. His jaw was clenched, his hands in fists at his sides, as though he was physically restraining himself from doing something reckless.

She exhaled shakily, gripping onto his shirt.

“I don’t want to leave you alone,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

It was the first thing she’d said since the text.

Harry turned to face her, his movements sharp, deliberate. He cupped her face between his hands like he needed to anchor her, to make sure she heard him properly.

"Then don’t."

Her eyes flickered up to his, wide with confusion. “What?”

His expression softened, but his voice was firm, unwavering.

"If you go, I go."

The words hit her like lightning to the chest.

The group erupted around them—gasps, exclamations, Chloe muttering, "Oh my God," under her breath. Lucas dragged a hand over his face, looking like he was witnessing actual madness.

"But you—" Y/N started, but he cut her off.

"I’m leaving with you," Harry said, as if it were the simplest decision in the world.

Sophia scoffed, folding her arms. “Oh, give me a break.”

Amber turned to her with a withering look. "Sophia, do us all a favor and shut up for once."

Harry didn’t even acknowledge them. His eyes never left Y/N’s.

“Tell me I’m wrong,” he said softly, challenging her. “Tell me I’m making a mistake, and I’ll stay.”

Y/N stared at him, stunned. Her heart was slamming against her ribs, her thoughts a mess.

This wasn’t how she thought things would go. She was meant to leave alone.

Not with him.

Her throat tightened. Everything in her was screaming at her to take his hand and just run.

Chloe let out a short, breathless laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. “Oh, this is proper Love Island history, this.”

And then—

Ian’s voice, as smug as ever, echoed through the speakers:

"Well, well, well… Looks like someone’s about to leave this villa, but they sure as hell won’t be walking out alone."

A shrill ping rang through the tense air, pulling everyone’s attention back to Y/N’s phone.

Her hands trembled as she unlocked it, the final blow already expected.

She swallowed hard before reading aloud, her voice barely steady:

"Y/N, pack your bags, say your goodbyes and leave the villa . #EndOfTheRoad #GoodbyesAreHard"

A fresh wave of emotions crashed over her.

This was it.

The villa was silent except for the sound of a few sniffles. The girls looked devastated, Chloe shaking her head like she still couldn’t believe this was happening. The boys looked pissed off, like they were seconds away from flipping the firepit over.

But it was Harry’s reaction that hit her the most.

His grip tightened around her hand—firm, certain. Like there was no force on this Earth that could pull him away from her.

She exhaled, nodding. "Let’s go."

And so they did.

The walk back to the villa was heavy, silent. Everyone trailed behind them, watching as Y/N led the way into the bedroom.

Chloe was the first to throw her arms around her. "I can't believe this," she murmured into her hair, her voice thick with emotion.

Y/N held on tight, soaking in every last second. "I love you."

Chloe let out a watery laugh. "Not me cryin' like a little bitch."

The other girls followed suit. But Y/N wasn’t paying them any mind.

Because when she turned around, Harry was packing.

His suitcase was open, his clothes being thrown in haphazardly.

It took a moment for her to process. And then it hit her.

She stepped toward him, eyes wide. "Harry, are you—"

He didn’t even look up. "Course I am."

Before she could react, another voice cut through the room.

"Are you actually serious?"

Sophia.

Y/N tensed as she turned, watching as Sophia pushed through the doorway. The rest of the group instinctively moved aside, giving her space.

Harry finally looked up, unimpressed. “What do you want?”

Sophia folded her arms tightly, her expression unreadable. But the way her fingers dug into her own skin gave her away—she was desperate.

"You leaving puts me in danger," she blurted out. "I could get dumped next!"

Harry let out a bitter laugh. "That's not my problem."

Sophia stepped closer, lowering her voice like she thought it would make a difference. "You never even gave me a chance, Harry. Not a real one. And now you're just—just throwing away everything we could've had for her?" She threw a sharp glare toward Y/N.

Harry stilled.

And then, he looked her straight in the eyes. Cold, unwavering.

"I never wanted to know you, Sophia," he said simply. "There was no need."

Sophia sucked in a sharp breath, as if he had physically hit her.

"And before you start blaming everyone else," he continued, stepping around her, "just remember—this is all on you."

He slung his bag over his shoulder and reached for Y/N’s suitcase, pulling it up as well before looking back at her.

"Ready?"

Y/N nodded, her chest tight, emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Harry took her hand again, leading her through the villa one last time.

By the front door of the villa, the Islanders gathered, forming a tight circle around Y/N and Harry.

It was bittersweet—every tear, every whispered goodbye.

Chloe was the first to wrap her arms around Y/N again, holding on like she never wanted to let go. “These are happy tears,” she sniffled, pulling back just enough to look Y/N in the eyes. “Because you found what you came here for, babe. And that’s love.”

Y/N smiled, eyes glossy. “I really did.”

Lucas turned to Harry, gripping his shoulders before pulling him into a proper hug. “You’re doin’ the right thing, mate,” he murmured, patting his back. “Proud of you.”

Harry nodded, swallowing thickly. No words were needed.

One by one, they hugged, laughed softly through the tears, whispered their last words to Y/N and Harry before pulling back.

All except for Sophia and Georgia.

They stood off to the side, watching with unreadable expressions, but neither said a word.

Harry didn’t spare them a glance.

With one final deep breath, he turned to Y/N and offered his hand.

She took it without hesitation.

And together—with smiles on their faces, hands intertwined, and hearts steady—they walked out of the villa.

----

Her mind raced, torn between the logical part of her that screamed how dangerous it could be, and the part that was undeniably drawn to the possibility of being closer to him. Extra credit would certainly help her grade, and the idea of being handpicked by Harry only fueled her curiosity—and something darker she didn’t want to name.

Just then, the door opened, and Harry walked in, effortlessly commanding the attention of the room as usual. His eyes swept across the sea of faces before settling briefly on hers, making Y/N's heart skip. He took his time setting down his books, before turning to address the class, his voice steady and calm.

“Before we begin today, I have an announcement from the department,” Harry started, his eyes scanning the room. “We’re looking for a grading assistant for this semester. It’s a chance to earn extra credit for my class.” His gaze lingered on Y/N for just a moment, almost too brief to catch, but enough to send her heart racing. “If you’re interested, you’ll need to submit an application and include a few sample essays you’ve written.”

The room buzzed with murmurs again, the offer clearly piquing everyone’s interest.

“The position will involve helping with grading papers, organizing research projects, and assisting with administrative work,” Harry continued, his tone professional but with a subtle undercurrent that Y/N couldn't ignore. “I’ll be reviewing applications personally, and selection will be based on your academic performance and attention to detail. Consider it a part-time job, in a way.”

Y/N’s thoughts swirled. This wasn’t just an opportunity for extra credit; it was an official position under him, one that would place her in his orbit, closer than she ever had been before. Her fingers tightened around her pen. She could feel the weight of his words, the subtle implication beneath the surface.

“Applications are due by Friday,” Harry added, glancing around the room. “If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.”

Y/N’s pulse quickened. He hadn’t looked at her again, but she could feel his presence more acutely than ever. The challenge was there, unspoken but clear.

The class proceeded as normal, with Harry diving into the day’s lecture, his voice washing over her like a steady rhythm. But Y/N barely heard the words. Her mind was too preoccupied with the idea of applying for the position. It wasn’t just about the extra credit anymore. The idea of being around him more—alone—was intoxicating. Even dangerous.

And when the class ended, as students began filing out, Y/N stayed in her seat, her mind racing through possibilities.

Suddenly, Harry was standing beside her, his presence casting a shadow over her desk. “Y/N,” he said softly, his voice calm, yet holding that same edge of control that always sent her pulse racing.

Her eyes darted up, meeting his. “Yes, Professor?”

“I assume you’ll be submitting an application for the assistant position?” His words were smooth, casual, but there was something in his tone that hinted at a deeper meaning, something unspoken between them.

Y/N hesitated, her throat tight. “I’m… considering it.”

Harry’s lips twitched slightly, forming a hint of a smirk. “Good,” he murmured, his voice dropping just a fraction, making her pulse quicken. “I think you’d be an… interesting candidate.”

His eyes lingered on hers for a moment, long enough to make her feel like she was standing at the edge of something dangerous. Something thrilling.

Without another word, he straightened up, his smirk fading into a more professional expression. “If you have any questions, you know where to find me.”

And with that, he walked away, leaving Y/N staring after him, her thoughts more tangled than ever. The idea of applying had shifted from a simple extra credit opportunity to something much more—something charged, daring, and impossible to resist.

As she gathered her things, her mind whirled with the possibilities. This could change everything. And Y/N wasn’t sure if she was ready for what that might mean.

But one thing was certain—she was no longer just a student in his class. Something between them had shifted.

And it was only a matter of time before it all unraveled.

Harry sat in his office, a stack of applications spread across his desk. The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds, casting faint lines of light over the papers in front of him. He wasn’t surprised that only a handful of students had applied for the assistant position. It was expected, really—grading papers and handling tedious tasks wasn’t exactly appealing to most students.

What didn’t surprise him either was that most of the applicants were women. He was well aware of the effect he had, though he tried not to let it cloud his judgment. The glances, the lingering stares in the hallways, the way some of them tried a little too hard to impress during class discussions—he noticed it all.

Harry wasn’t blind to his own charm, his natural attractiveness. It was something he had learned to wield carefully over the years. He had always maintained a strict line between professionalism and personal attraction, but he couldn’t deny that the attention was there. He could feel it every time he walked into a room. And it wasn’t just the students. Colleagues, too, were not immune to his magnetic pull.

As he leafed through the stack of applications, he glanced over the names. A few of them were promising, academically speaking, but none that truly stood out—until the last one caught his eye.

Y/N.

He felt a faint stir of anticipation in his chest as he pulled her application to the top of the pile. She had been the last to apply, barely making the deadline. But her timing didn’t bother him; in fact, it intrigued him. Why so last minute? he wondered, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He flipped through the pages of her essays, scanning over the familiar handwriting.

She had always been sharp in class, quick to pick up on the nuances of the material he taught. But beyond her academic performance, there was something about her that had caught his attention early on. Something he couldn’t quite place but felt simmering beneath the surface whenever she was around.

As he began reading through her essays, he couldn’t help but be impressed. Her thoughts were meticulously organized, her analysis deep and thorough. Each sentence seemed to carry a weight of consideration, as if she was writing not just to impress, but to challenge herself—and maybe him. Her perspective was bold, even daring in parts, pushing the boundaries of the topics he’d assigned.

Harry leaned back in his chair, his eyes lingering on the pages. He wasn’t the only one reading the applications; other professors in the department had weighed in on the candidates, and Y/N had garnered favorable comments from them as well. Her work spoke for itself—she was undoubtedly qualified.

But there was more to it. He couldn’t ignore the way she had looked at him during class, the quiet curiosity in her eyes whenever she thought he wasn’t paying attention. He had felt the tension between them—unspoken but palpable. It was a delicate line they both walked, a line that could easily blur if either of them let it.

And now, with her application in his hands, the possibility of crossing that line seemed more real than ever.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at his door. He straightened, pulling his expression into something neutral. “Come in.”

Professor Adams, one of his colleagues in the literature department, stepped into the office, a casual smile on his face. “Any luck with the applications?”

Harry nodded, leaning forward to gather the papers into a neat stack. “A few promising ones.”

Adams glanced at the pile, his eyes landing on Y/N’s name before flicking back to Harry. “I read over her work,” he said with a knowing smile. “She’s sharp. One of the best in your class, isn’t she?”

Harry kept his face neutral, though he could feel the unspoken question behind Adams’ words. “She is,” he replied simply, placing her application at the top of the pile. “I’ll need to make a decision soon.”

Adams lingered for a moment, then gave a nod. “Good luck with that,” he said lightly before turning and leaving the office.

Once the door clicked shut, Harry let out a slow breath, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of Y/N’s application. He had no doubt she was the right candidate for the position. But offering her the job would mean more than just an academic arrangement. It would mean proximity—hours spent alone in his office, reviewing papers, discussing assignments, their interactions no longer limited to the confines of a classroom.

It was a dangerous game, and Harry knew it. But there was something about Y/N, something that made the risk worth considering.

He glanced back down at her essays, his eyes tracing the words she’d written. There was a challenge hidden in her work, a spark that mirrored the tension he felt whenever they locked eyes.

Harry leaned back in his chair once more, the faintest smile playing at his lips.

Maybe it was time to see just how far that spark could go.

The next day, Y/N sat in class, trying her best to focus on the lecture. Her mind had been racing ever since she submitted her application for the assistant position. Part of her had felt a thrill, knowing it would put her closer to him, while the other part screamed at the idea of stepping into something so dangerous. She hadn’t even told Liv—she wasn’t sure she could explain why she wanted it so badly.

Harry’s deep voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her attention back to the front of the room. He was going over a passage from a novel they had been studying, his tone steady and commanding, as usual. But today, Y/N found herself watching him more closely, the way his fingers casually flicked through the pages of the book, the way his eyes scanned the room, as if always observing but never giving too much away.

When the class finally came to an end, students began packing up their things, but Y/N remained in her seat, her nerves buzzing. Harry hadn’t said anything about the assistant position yet, and she wondered if he would just send an email or announce it in class. She was halfway out of her seat when she heard his voice.

“Y/N,” Harry said, his tone soft but commanding enough to stop her in her tracks.

Her heart raced as she looked up. “Yes, Professor?”

Harry’s eyes held hers for a moment, the intensity of his gaze making her pulse quicken. “Could you stop by my office after class? I’d like to discuss something with you.”

She swallowed, her nerves tightening in her chest. “Of course.”

As the rest of the students filed out of the room, Y/N packed her things slowly, trying to calm the storm of emotions that swirled in her head. When she finally walked toward his office, her heart was pounding in her ears. There was no turning back now.

When she arrived, Harry’s door was slightly ajar. She hesitated for a moment before knocking softly.

“Come in,” his voice called.

She pushed the door open and stepped inside. His office was neat, the shelves lined with books that were meticulously organized. Harry sat behind his desk, leaning back in his chair, his gaze calm and unreadable.

“Take a seat,” he said, gesturing to the chair across from him.

Y/N sat down, her fingers clutching her bag on her lap as she tried to steady her breath. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and the silence between them was heavy with anticipation.

Harry took his time, leaning forward slightly as he folded his hands on the desk in front of him. “I’ve reviewed all the applications for the assistant position,” he began, his voice even. “And I’ve made my decision.”

Y/N’s heart hammered in her chest. She forced herself to meet his gaze, her breath catching when she saw the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I’d like to offer you the position,” Harry said, his voice low, yet filled with meaning.

She blinked, stunned for a moment as his words sank in. “Me?” she breathed, feeling her pulse quicken. She wasn’t sure if she was surprised or if she had somehow expected this all along.

Harry nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. “Your essays were the strongest, and you’ve demonstrated a consistent level of dedication in class.” He paused for a beat, his eyes flickering with something darker as they held hers. “I believe you’ll be an excellent fit.”

Y/N’s mind raced. She could feel the weight of his words, the way he seemed to choose them so carefully, and the way the air between them seemed to thicken with every passing second.

“Thank you, Professor,” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper. “I—I won’t let you down.”

Harry’s smirk deepened, almost imperceptibly. “I’m sure you won’t.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them building, unspoken but undeniable. Y/N felt like she was standing at the edge of something far more dangerous than she had ever anticipated. There was a magnetic pull in the air, something dark and thrilling, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that accepting this job would change everything between them.

“There’s no need to rush into the workload right away,” Harry continued, his voice returning to its professional tone. “We’ll meet tomorrow after class to discuss the details of your responsibilities.”

Y/N nodded, trying to steady her breath. “I’ll be there.”

Harry’s gaze lingered on hers for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. “Good. I’ll see you then.”

She stood up, her legs feeling weak as she gathered her things and turned toward the door. But before she could step out, Harry’s voice stopped her once again.

“Y/N,” he said, his tone softer this time.

She turned back, her heart racing.

“You’ve earned this,” he said, his eyes locking with hers in a way that made her pulse spike. “But remember—this is still a job. Keep that in mind.”

Y/N swallowed, nodding quickly. “I will, Professor.”

With one last glance, she left his office, the door closing softly behind her. As she walked down the hallway, her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. She had gotten the job, but something about the way he had spoken to her, the way his eyes had lingered on hers, left her with a sinking feeling in her chest.

The job, Y/N soon learned, was more involved than she had anticipated. As Harry’s assistant, her primary responsibility was to help with grading papers and assignments, offering feedback to students on their work. It was mostly routine—reading through essays, checking for grammar and structure, and making sure students followed the guidelines. Occasionally, she would also organize notes for Harry, compiling reading lists for future lectures, or researching topics for upcoming classes. It wasn’t difficult, but it was time-consuming, especially since Harry had high standards, expecting thoroughness in every task she performed.

She spent a few hours each day in his office, reviewing stacks of essays while Harry worked at his desk. Sometimes they spoke casually, but for the most part, they worked in comfortable silence, the air always carrying an unspoken tension.

A few days had passed, and Y/N found herself once again in Harry’s office, the evening sun casting long shadows through the window. They had been working for hours, trying to get through the final batch of essays that needed grading. The deadline to upload grades was fast approaching, and the pressure to finish was beginning to weigh on them both.

Y/N glanced at the clock. It was already past 8 p.m., and her stomach growled in protest. She hadn’t eaten since lunch, and the fatigue of the day was starting to catch up with her.

Harry, sitting across from her, stretched his arms behind his head and leaned back in his chair, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. “Are you hungry?” he asked, the casualness of his tone surprising her.

She blinked, a little caught off guard. “A bit,” she admitted, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I didn’t realize how late it was.”

Harry gave a small smile, his eyes softening slightly. “Neither did I. We’ve been at this for hours.”

He stood up, walking over to the window to glance outside before turning back to her. “We’ll be here a while longer if we want to meet the deadline,” he said, almost apologetically. “How about I order us some dinner? My treat.”

Y/N hesitated for a moment. The idea of staying in his office late into the night, alone, felt like walking a tightrope she wasn’t sure she could balance on. But they were both committed to finishing the work on time, and the rational part of her knew there was no harm in it.

“Sure,” she said finally, offering him a small smile. “That sounds good.”

Harry nodded, pulling out his phone. “Any preferences?”

“Anything’s fine,” she replied, feeling the growing anticipation in the pit of her stomach.

He placed the order quickly, opting for something simple—a couple of salads and sandwiches from a nearby diner. Once the food was ordered, he settled back into his seat across from her, his eyes lingering on her just a moment longer than necessary before turning back to the essays.

They worked in silence again, the quiet hum of the office broken only by the occasional sound of paper rustling or the tapping of keys as Harry entered grades into the system. Y/N’s focus drifted, her thoughts flitting between the work in front of her and the growing awareness of his presence, just a few feet away. She could smell the faint hint of his cologne, fresh but with an edge of something darker, more intoxicating. Every movement he made seemed deliberate, controlled, and it only heightened the tension that lingered between them.

A knock at the door broke the quiet, and Harry stood to answer it, retrieving the bags of food. He placed them on his desk, opening one and handing her a salad.

“Thanks,” she said softly, taking it from him. She realized just how hungry she was when the smell hit her, making her stomach growl again. She picked up her fork, eating a few bites in silence while Harry did the same, the weight of the day beginning to settle in.

“You’ve been doing good work,” Harry said after a while, his voice softer now, almost conversational. “I wasn’t wrong in picking you for this.”

Y/N looked up, meeting his gaze across the desk. There was something different in his tone, something that sent a shiver down her spine. She swallowed, unsure of how to respond. “Thank you,” she said, her voice steady despite the flutter in her chest. “I’m glad you think so.”

Harry leaned back in his chair, studying her for a moment. “I do. You’ve impressed me.”

The way he said it made her heart skip a beat. It wasn’t just the words, but the way his eyes lingered on her, the unspoken tension that hummed between them.

Y/N took a breath, focusing on her food to ground herself. She had known, ever since she took this job, that it would put her closer to him, but she hadn’t expected it to feel like this—this quiet, dangerous pull that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

After they finished their dinner, the conversation faded back into silence as they returned to their work. But the air in the room felt heavier now, charged with something neither of them acknowledged.

As the clock edged closer to midnight, Harry glanced at the screen of his computer, frowning slightly. “We’re nearly there,” he muttered, his eyes scanning the final few grades that needed to be uploaded.

As Y/N adjusted her posture in the chair, her shirt tugged slightly, revealing more of her neck and the soft line of her collarbone. Harry noticed without wanting to—his eyes drawn by the simple movement, a quiet shift that made his breath hitch for just a moment. She was dressed casually, but it was impossible to ignore the way her top hugged her form, accentuating the delicate curve of her chest and the smooth, bare skin of her shoulders. He tried to focus on the work at hand, but his mind wandered.

Against his better judgment.

He glanced at her again, the way her legs stretched out before her, her skirt riding up just slightly. The smooth length of her legs, accentuated by the heels she wore, seemed to go on forever. A part of him wanted to look away, to refocus, but another part—the darker, more primal part—couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have her here, in this office, bent over his desk. His hands gripping her waist, her breathy whispers filling the air.

His fingers tightened around the papers he was pretending to focus on, his jaw clenching slightly. He couldn’t think like this. Not now, not when she was sitting just feet away, oblivious to the thoughts that ran rampant through his head. He had always prided himself on control, on maintaining a professional distance. But Y/N—she made it harder to keep those boundaries intact.

"That should be the last of them," Y/N's voice broke through his thoughts, casual and unaware. She glanced up, pushing her hair back as she stretched again, completely innocent in her movements, though they felt like a test of his willpower.

He didn’t look up this time, knowing that if he did, he might not be able to stop himself from staring. He could feel the weight of her presence, like an invisible pull that was slowly unraveling the restraint he had so carefully built.

There was a pause, the room falling into a tense silence.

Harry risked a glance at her, but quickly looked away again, unable to stop his thoughts from returning to the image of her body against his desk, her breathless gasps mixing with the sound of papers fluttering to the ground.

Focus. He needed to focus.

Y/N leaned forward, scanning over the last page of an essay. Her hair fell slightly over her shoulder, catching Harry’s attention as it framed her face. She seemed so focused, so unaware of the effect she had on him. He had been watching her all evening—small glances, trying to keep his thoughts in check. But it was harder tonight. The dim light of the office cast soft shadows across her skin, and the quiet made every subtle movement between them feel amplified.

“You’ve got a good eye for this,” Harry said, his voice low, deeper than he intended. “I can see why your writing’s so strong.”

Y/N smiled at the compliment, looking up from her paper to meet his gaze. "Thanks," she murmured, her voice softer than usual, as if the weight of the night had settled on her too.

For a moment, they just looked at each other. Harry hadn’t meant for it to linger, hadn’t intended for the silence to stretch out the way it did. But something unspoken passed between them, something that had been building slowly, night after night, moment after moment. He could see it in her eyes—the way her gaze dropped briefly to his mouth before flicking back up to meet his.

He wanted her.

He knew it.

But he couldn’t.

Not here. Not now. Not ever.

“Y/N—” Harry began, his voice quiet, but the words failed him. He didn’t know what he was going to say, what excuse he would make to put some distance between them before it was too late.

But Y/N stood up suddenly, moving around the desk until she was standing closer, her body mere inches from his. The soft scent of her perfume filled the space between them, intoxicating him, making it harder to keep his resolve. Her eyes flicked down again—more deliberate this time—lingering on his lips before moving back up.

Harry’s heart raced, pounding in his chest as she stepped closer. She shouldn’t be this close. They shouldn’t be this close.

“Do you want me to go?” Y/N asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her words hanging in the air like a dangerous offer.

Harry’s breath caught in his throat. Yes, he should tell her to leave. He should say it right now, before he did something they couldn’t undo. But the words wouldn’t come. Instead, he found himself frozen, his body betraying him, wanting her more than he should.

When she didn’t get an answer, Y/N took a step closer, her hand brushing lightly against the desk beside him, her fingers grazing the papers they had been grading. The simple touch felt electrifying, and Harry’s resolve slipped further away.

“Harry,” she whispered, and the sound of his name on her lips broke whatever thread of control he had left.

In one swift movement, he was out of his chair, closing the space between them. His hands found her waist, not roughly, but with a firmness that spoke of his struggle—of how long he had fought this, how much he had wanted to keep his distance. Her body pressed against his, soft and warm, and every breath he took seemed to carry her scent, filling his lungs with something he couldn’t escape.

For a moment, neither of them moved. They were so close now, close enough that he could feel the heat of her skin through her shirt, the faint rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. His eyes searched hers, looking for hesitation, but all he saw was the same hunger, the same desperate pull that had been gnawing at him.

His hand slid up, brushing lightly along her side until his fingers found her jaw, his thumb resting just beneath her chin. He tilted her face up, his breath mixing with hers in the space between them. He could feel her pulse beneath his thumb, quick and erratic, mirroring his own.

And then, with a soft exhale, Harry leaned down and kissed her.

It was slow at first, tentative—a soft press of lips that sent a shockwave through both of them. But the restraint didn’t last long. The moment her mouth opened slightly against his, the kiss deepened, growing more intense, more desperate.

Y/N’s hands moved up to his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt as if she needed something to hold onto, something to ground her. But Harry was already lost, his other hand slipping into her hair, pulling her closer, pressing her body tighter against his.

It was dangerous, reckless, and every rational part of Harry’s brain screamed at him to stop, to pull back before this went any further. But he couldn’t. Not now, not after wanting this for so long.

The kiss grew hungrier, their bodies pressing against each other as the tension between them finally broke, spilling over in a rush of need and desire.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their lips swollen, their bodies still close, unwilling to let go.

----

-> part IV

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