#instant connection

masterlist

Harry Castillo x f!reader

summary: stood up and fed up, you stay for one last drink. Only to meet a stranger who was just left behind as well. But in a night that was supposed to end in a disappointment, you might find something real.

wc:0.9k

A/N: too tired to focus anymore, so yes. A bit shorter.

You swirl the straw in your drink, watching the ice clink softly against the glass, something to focus on so you don't have to think about the message still burning in the back of your mind.

"Got back with my ex. I'm really sorry. You seemed great though."

You huff out a quiet humorless laugh, before sipping on the straw.

"Of course I did", you murmur under your breath. Seemed great. Not worth showing up for, though.

The bar isn't even bad. Dim light, wood tones and a low hum of conversations.

This bar is fitting for people leaning closer, where hands brush accidentally and where stories are told and laughter spills easily.

You should probably leave.

But then you would habe to go home. And then your phone would buzz, your best friend would ask how it went and you would have to explain that it didn't went well, again.

That something went wrong.

That you were apparently, once again, not enough to keep someone interested.

So you stay.

Take a sip.

And then-

"Is this seat taken?"

The voice pulls you out of your thoughts.

You glance up and for a second you forgot how to respond.

He is...well. Attractive feels like an understatement.

There is something tired in his expression.

You blink, realising you have taken too long to answer.

"Uh, no. Go ahead", you gesture to the empty seat across from you.

"Thanks"

"You are waiting for someone?"

You let out a mall laugh, shaking your head. "Was"

He hums softly, taking a sip of his own drink. "Yeah, same."

You glance at him again, a little more curious this time. "Really?"

"Really", he pauses, then adds. "She left mid date"

"Ouch"

"Guess, I wasn't as charming as advertised."

"At least she showed up", you say.

That earns you a look and you lift your phone, tilting it it towards him just enough for him to see the message. "Mine bailed five minutes ago. Apparently is ex is more compelling."

"Brutal"

"And here I was thinking this one might be decent."

"Big mistake. Expectations get you everytime."

"Let me guess, your date wasn't what you expected?"

He huffs out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "No, she was exactly what I expected. That was apparently the problem."

"How so?"

He hesitated for a second, like he was debating how much to say to a stranger.

"I was set up by this agency 'Adore'. My date was supposed to be funny, smart, great job."

"That doesn’t sound terrible."

"It's not. It just felt like...checking boxes instead of actually getting to know ger besides those."

"Well, I kinda get that. My best friend set me up. Went on and on how amazing he is. Caring, emotional stable, not a misogynist."

He snorts softly at that.

"Hey! Don't laugh. The bar is low these days."

"Apparently"

"It's practically underground."

That actually gets a real smile out if him. It softens his entire face.

For a moment, you just look at each other.

"Harry", he says after a beat, extending his hand across the table.

You blink for a moment but take it.

"Nice to meet you, Harry."

"So, what is the reason you are still here and not already on your way home after his message?"

"I just didn't want to waste it.", you swirl the straw in your drink.

"Sure", he says. Clearly unconvinced.

You sigh. "Okay,fine. I also didn't feel like going home and explaining to my best friend that her "perfect guy" ditched me for his ex."

"Fair enough."

"So, why are you still here?" You asked tilting your head slightly.

"Didn't feel like going back...home."

You just nod, not pushing forward.

"You know how hilarious it is that we are still here?"

His lips twitch.

"Okay", you say, sitting up a bit straighter.

"Let's try something."

He raises an eyebrow. "What kind of something?"

"A redo."

"A redo?"

"We both had terrible dates...so let's just pretend this is the real one."

Okay, speaking it out loud sounds kinda crazy.

" and how exactly does that work?", he asks.

"Well", you say, leaning forward slightly, resting your chin on your hand "for starters. Hi. I'm on time, emotionally available and not secretly in love with my ex."

That earns a chuckle from him.

"Impressive. That already puts you ahead of a lot of people."

"Your turn"

He leans forward as well, mirroring your position.

"Hi. I'm not going to leave halfway through and actually I want to be here."

"Wow, the bar really is in hell."

"Deep in hell."

You both laugh.

"So, Harry. What so you do when you're not surviving terrible dates?"

He smirks slightly. "Depends. Are you asking for the polite or honest answer?"

"Honest."

"Work too much."

"And you?"

"Complaining to my best friend and making questionable dating choices."

"Solid routine."

"Very"

"Can I be honest again? I'm kind of glad she left. Otherwise I wouldn't be sitting with you."

"Yeah, same."

"Hey", Harry says softly.

"Yes?"

"Want to get another drink?"

"Sure, I think I do."

Amd for the first time that evening, you are exactly where you want to be.

Hi sweetheart. Oh I love those two fics. Hmmm. Ok. Yes, I do have some that I think you’ll like.

You Come Beating Like Moth's Wings by supernope (E, 81K) I read this fic years ago and still think of it now and then. I just love the idea of the two of them meeting randomly while traveling and deciding to continue to travel together. It’s like the perfect gap year dream.

You Always Make Me Smile by champagneboyband (E, 60K, WIP) Yes, I’m including a WIP on my list. This could be because the hope that someday it will be updated gives me the will to live, or just because even as a WIP this fic has everything I love. The characters are multi-faceted, the sexual chemistry is off the charts, the background story is complex enough to give the story numerous possibilities for angst and everything else. (And it’s now been deleted, so it shall forever remain a WIP. Link is to a download)

Change My Needs by zarah5 (M, 13K) as said a million times before, everything Zarah writes is gold. This is one of her lesser known fics, but I still love it and reading it makes me want to fall in love all over again.

six feet beneath the moon by starseas (NR, 25K) Ugh I wish I could remember more of this besides that I loved it. My notes simply say “Beautiful. Dreamy” (thanks old me, super helpful). But I do think my dim memory is that it will fit in with these others and, at the very least, that it’s a very well written fic!

I’ll be Your Love Tonight by @dinosaursmate (E, 20K) 90s AU. There’s something about this fic that just feels slow and dreamy. I’ve read t a few times and I just love how they fall into each other and keep extending the night because they don’t want to part ways.

I No Longer Feel I Have To Be James Dean by justletmegohome (E, 36K) I really need to read this one again, because it’s been years, but my notes are the time said that it was was wonderful and I loved how well their instant connection worked.

i can be the motor (you be the gasoline) by @kiwikero (E, 8K) As I said before, this author is always a great read. Loved the set up of this one and I could have happily read multiple chapters of these characters!

maybe by momentofclarity / @gaycousinlarry (GA, 2K) I adore this short little fic. It’s gentle and moving and makes me feel so much. This author writes beautifully. Always. But not nearly often enough.

Whoever, However by Brooklyn_Babylon / @twopoppies (E, 9K) This one is mine, but I think it fits your request:

Louis could feel his heart rate pick up as he positioned the camera and Harry slowly stood up. They both knew what came next –– it had been clearly outlined in the advert Harry answered. The studio Louis worked for was filming a new series of camboy videos. Louis’ job was to make it look like amateur porn –– sweaty, sensual, dirty –– but well lit and edited. He was an artist, thank you very much.

––

Or: Louis has a much better day at work than he’d expected.

A Red-Dusted Planet by onewasturning (E, 38K) This one is so dreamy and sexy and this is one of those fics where the the smut (especially in the final scenes) is so emotional and revealing and I just really love this fic.

Three Days Underwater by theteapirate (E, 10K) AU based on the film Weekend, directed by Andrew Haigh. This is really a beautifully written fic but I’m warning you, it’s got an open ending so if you can’t deal with that, don’t read it. But if you can….wow, it’s lovely.

Coup de Foudre by angelwarm (M, 15K) The characters (particularly Louis) are pretty OOC, but god this fic is gorgeous. After I read it I just sat there not knowing what to do with myself. It’s sad and hopeful and just gorgeously written.

And then the two you mentioned:

These Roads We Stumble Down by onewasturning (E, 18K) I adore this author’s writing and I’ve read this particular one multiple times. It’s just a little melancholy and very sexy and one of those fics that reminds me why I can read about the same two people falling in love 46372 times and never tire of it.