#kapashima

-

Harry blinked at the plastic phone being waved in his face demandingly, before glancing at his boyfriend, curled up on the couch.

"Uh...Pratik?" The indian boy glanced up from where he had been reading a book; and smiled breifly when he saw Harry's predicament.

He turned to the blonde toddler clutching the phone.

"Is it ringing, Penny?" He asked, setting his book down and moving to crouch beside the little girl.

Penny nodded solomnly, before shaking the phone at Harry again. Pratik glanced up at his boyfriend, amused by the confusion on his face.

"Answer it, Takashima; it's obviously for you." Harry blinked, looking between Penny's solomn blue eyes and Pratik's laughing ones; before sighing, and obediently taking the toy phone, holding it to his ear.

"...Hello?" Harry jumped suddenly, holding the phone away from his ear and wincing.

"It's your sister." He whispered to Penny; and the little girl nodded quickly, her eyes intense, while she climbed into Pratik's lap.

Harry's boyfriend just looked amused, as he lightly stroked Penny's hair.

"What does Sally want, Harry?" He asked, blinking innocently. Harry scowled at the other boy, before holding the phone to his ear again.

"Hi Sally." He offered mournfully; and proceeded to nod along to whatever imaginary-sally was saying, glancing back at Penny now and then.

He made a soft 'hmm'ing noise of interest, before looking back at Penny, surprised.

"Really?" He asked; and nodded at whatever imaginary-sally replied.

"Well, I guess that is rather serious." He offered, looking a little put-out; and Pratik tilted his head to the side, wondering what his boyfriend was up to now.

Harry just smirked at the look, before he crouched in front of Penny, meeting her gaze solomnly.

"Sally says you need a bath, Penny." He whispered, as if it was the most devestating piece of news he'd ever have to deliver; and Penny gasped, pressing her hands to her cheeks.

Pratik watched the toddler, amused, wondering when she'd become so dramatic.

He was assuming Wes and David were to blame.

Harry glanced at Pratik; before looking back at Penny.

"I tried reasoning with her; but there's no way for it to be helped. You need to be cleaned." He declared; and Penny pouted, before looking up at Pratik with beseaching eyes.

The indian boy just regarded her solomnly.

"You heard Harry; bath time." Penny's bottom lip quivered; and Pratik glanced at Harry, before ducking down to whisper in Penny's ear.

"If you're good, you can have bubbles." He whispered; and she gasped, before jumping off his lap to run for the stairs.

Pratik glanced back at his boyfriend, remembering the devious look in Harry's eye from earlier.

"What else did 'Sally' say?" He asked suspiciously; and Harry grinned briefly.

"She said that you're the one who has to get her in the tub, Kapoor." Pratik gaped at his boyfriend; because Penny never got into the bath without splashing half the water in the tub over whoever was helping her - before sniffing indignantly, and getting to his feet.

"Well then." He offered, brushing off his jeans absently, and looking down to mask his growing smile.

"You have to get her into bed after." Harry gaped as Pratik headed for the stairs; before chasing after him.

"Unfair, Kapoor!"

-

Pratik and Harry; Katie's. (AKA infraredphaeton's)

“I still don’t like it.” Pratik chuckled softly, glancing at his boyfriend – who was sat with his chin on Pratik’s shoulder, chest pressed to the smaller boy’s back – before he turned back to his guitar.

“She’s thirteen, Harry.” He murmured; but Harry just scowled.

“I don’t care. She’d spent most of the last four years at a boarding school for girls; why isn’t she still there now? Why does she have to go on a date?” Pratik laughed softly; while Blaine, sat between a particularly clingy Wes and David on the floor, turned to grin at him.

“It was going to happen at some point; at least she’s here, and not sneaking out of her school.” Harry’s eyes narrowed with the dapper boy’s words; and Pratik just rolled his eyes, plucking out the melody to ‘Don’t Worry’ – prompting a smile to cross Harry’s face. The Japanese boy dropped a kiss on the back on Pratik’s neck, smiling when he squeaked softly; before he lightly tugged on the smaller boy’s belt loops.

“I think these are mine, Kapoor.” He murmured; and Pratik flushed.

“Maybe you should stop leaving your clothes on the floor.” He mumbled; and Harry grinned, before turning his boyfriend’s face towards his with a finger, and lightly pressing his lips to his. Pratik smiled into the kiss; before Kurt came running down the stairs, and yanked Blaine to his feet.

“She’s coming down; get up.” He commanded; and the boys all exchanged a look, before obediently clambering to their feet, Harry keeping a hold of Pratik’s hand. Once they’d all been herded to the bottom of the stairs, Kurt seized a camera sat on the bannister of the staircase; before he called up the stairs.

“You can come down now!”

Megan came first.

As she was only seven, she’d be trick-or-treating with Holly; and was dressed appropriately, with cute butterfly wings and deely-bobbers on her head, already clutching her pillowcase in hand. The little girl posed dramatically for Kurt, giggling as he snapped pictures of her; but then she was tugged into place beside Holly.

And Felicity was coming down the stairs.

Harry hadn’t seen his other sister in almost a year; she’d been accepted into a boarding school in Washington State when she was nine, and often spent her summers there.

The Felicity he’d seen last Christmas had been annoying as hell, and had preferred reading to going out with friends.

The Felicity coming down the stairs was…well, for the first time, Harry was noticing she was a girl.

The kimono she was wearing as her costume had been altered to have a much more flowing skirt, swirling around her legs in lilac and silver. Her dark, usually straight hair had been curled and piled on top of her head, with a few wispy curls escaping to frame her face – which was fully made up, with thick eye-liner and soft pink lipstick.

The effect was intensified when she smiled shyly at her brother.

Harry wanted to lock her up in her room and have a go a Kurt for making her look so beautiful.

Pratik plucked out the melody for ‘Isn’t she Lovely’ on his guitar and everyone grinned; while the Indian boy just offered his boyfriend a reassuring look. Harry’s returning look was pained; and Pratik grinned before stretching up to press his lips to the Japanese boy’s cheek.

“Stop frowning.” He murmured; and rolled his eyes when Harry pouted, tugging him after his sisters to the door – just in time for the soft knock on the other side.

When Harry’s expression darkened, Pratik set his guitar down against the wall, and wrapped his arms around his waist.

“Be happy for her.” He commanded; and grinned, stretching up to press his lip against his boyfriend’s when the Japanese boy’s frown only increased. They broke apart when Holly opened the door; and Pratik snorted as Harry glared at the tall, dark-haired boy stood in the doorway, dressed in a rather cheesy representation of a vampire.

Felicity flushed as the boy grinned at her, before accepting the hand he held out for her to take.

Holly pressed a kiss to her eldest daughter’s head as she moved past her, laughing softly when she let out a soft, frustrated whine.

“Be good.” She told the girl, and Harry stepped forward, still glaring at the boy.

“Call me if you need me.” He stated shortly; and Flick rolled her eyes, before smiling as Pratik wrapped his arms around Harry’s waist, peering around the taller boy to smile at her. He carefully ignored the somewhat uncomfortable look her date was giving them.

“Have fun.” He murmured softly; and she kissed him on the forehead quickly, before letting herself be led off by the boy.

She shouted a quick ‘bye’ over her shoulder as she and the boy turned to walk down the street, and Pratik waved; while Harry just continued to frown. The Indian boy smiled up at his boyfriend.

“Come on; she won’t be back for another four hours. You promised me Disney films and making fun of the older trick-or-treaters.” Harry’s expression relaxed, and his lips quirked in a smile.

“I guess someone has to stop Wes and David from scaring five year olds for life.” He conceded; and Pratik laughed, before pulling Harry back into the living room, grinning at Holly and Megan as they headed for the door; and winking at the seven year old when she stuck her tongue out at him.

-

“Just fuck off, okay?!” The front door slammed shut, and Harry sat up from where he’d been dozing off with Pratik in time to see his sister run the length of the hallway and up the stairs. Wes and David stuck their heads in the living room as Pratik blinked sleepily up at his boyfriend.

Harry just frowned at him.

“Flick’s back already.” He murmured; and turned his attention back to the direction of the front door when there was the sound of someone pounding on it.

When he looked back at Pratik, his boyfriend’s eyes were much clearer.

“I’ll go talk to her; you deal with Robert.” The Indian boy murmured, getting to his feet; and Harry just nodded, kissing his boyfriend softly before padding toward the front door in socked feet, leaving Pratik to trek up the stairs.

He’d just reached Felicity’s door when he heard Harry take off the lock, and open the door.

He closed the teenage girl’s door on the sound of her date starting an argument with Harry.

Felicity had thrown herself onto her bed, her hair – which had come loose from the pins which had held it up – fanning around her head in dark curls. She was still in her costume, but her eyeliner was smudged, and had formed dark tear-tracks on her cheek.

Pratik approached her bed cautiously, perching on the edge.

He waited for a moment before speaking.

“What happened?” He asked softly; and her brown eyes, so like Harry’s, filled up with tears and she turned on her side to curl up in a ball, wrapping her arms around Pratik’s waist.

“I hate them.” She whispered; and Pratik frowned, reaching out to cautiously to stroke her hair.

“Who?” Her eyes darted up to meet his, before she buried her face in his leg.

“The people at the party.” She mumbled, voice muffled against Pratik’s jeans. The boy stayed quiet, letting her continue at her own pace; which she did.

She let out a soft, hiccupping sob, before starting to explain what had happened.

“I didn’t know there was going to be alcohol, I promise. And I didn’t have any; but Robert did. And then he started saying all these horrible things about you and Harry...and everyone else just laughed. They were all so mean. And when I told Robert I wanted to go, he said he wouldn’t take me home, so I started walking. But h-he followed me back, and he kept sh-shouting these horrible things about you and-and I just hate him. I hate him so much!” Felicity dissolved into sobs, and Pratik frowned, pulling her up so he could hug her properly, rubbing her back as he hummed ‘So Yesterday’.

“Laugh it off and let it go, when, when you wake up it will seem so yesterday, so yesterday. Haven’t you heard that I’m gonna be okay?”

Felicity stifled her sobs enough to mumble softly into Pratik’s chest, tightening her arms around her brother’s boyfriend.

“I’m just a bird that’s already flown away.” She rasped; and Pratik smiled, nodding against her hair.

“He’s a jerk.” He offered softly; and Flick giggled, before pulling back enough to wipe at her eyes.

“I look like a mess.” She mumbled; and giggled when Pratik rolled his eyes, humming ‘Isn’t she Lovely’, like he had earlier. Her giggles faded when the door to her bedroom opened, revealing Harry, Wes and David. Kurt and Blaine had left to go Trick-or-treating themselves an hour ago, and weren’t due back for at least another.

Pratik frowned when he saw the way Harry was shaking out his right hand. His boyfriend just smiled wryly when he saw the look.

“I did my duty as the older brother and punched the little bastard in the face.” He stated, tone a little smug; but Pratik just rolled his eyes, taking Harry’s hurt hand in both of his when the boy sat beside Flick’s bed, winking at his sister as he lowered himself down; and prompting her to giggle again.

Wes cracked his knuckles.

“I was somewhat less gentlemanly.” The Asian boy offered; and when Pratik and Flick frowned at him, Harry snorted, while David just grinned, hugging his heterosexual life-partner.

“He kicked him in the nads when he called Harry a bad word.” David stated happily; and Pratik shot Harry a concerned look, while the Japanese boy just rolled his eyes.

“I very possibly broke his nose; I may have deserved it.” Wes scowled, David matching his expression.

“He just banged on your door in a threatening manner while demanding to see your sister; he deserved it. Even if he didn’t that gave him the right to call you a bastard or something similar, not a fag.” Pratik flinched slightly at the word, squeezing Harry’s hand and continuing o frown at him; while Flick’s expression just darkened.

“I should has castrated him.” She stated shortly; and Wes and David just sniggered, prompted her to cross her arms defensively.

“What?”

Pratik slid off the bed, sitting with his back to the wall, and pulled Harry closer to him so the Japanese boy’s back was pressed to his chest; a reverse of what their positions had been earlier, before Flick had left for her party – minus Pratik’s guitar.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” He murmured, resting his chin on the taller boy’s shoulder; and Harry smiled, before turning to press his lips to Harry’s in a long, lingering kiss.

“I’ll be okay.” He stated with a grin; and Pratik rolled his eyes, before tightening his grip on his boyfriend, and turning his attention to the banter quickly starting between Flick and the ‘Tweedles’.

He missed the way Harry watched him, a half smile on his face.

Yeah.

Harry would be fine, so long as he could keep coming back to Pratik.

He pressed his lips to Pratik’s softly again.

“I love you, Kapoor.” He murmured softly, and Pratik smiled at him, before kissing him back.

“I love you too, Takashima.”

--

And there we have it; Halloween themed Kapashima. It was cute, ne? And you liked Felicity?

--

“U-um...Pratik?” Pratik glanced up from where he was sliding his sheet music into his folder, dark eyes surprised at the voice.

Terrance Cooper stood in from of him, nervously playing with the strap of his messenger bag.

Pratik had only spoken to the boy a couple of times since he’d started at university. Yes, they were both taking Music as a major – but Pratik had never a very social person; besides which Terrance himself always seemed nervous around Pratik - something which confused the Indian boy to no end.

Terrance nervously brushed some of his floppy, sandy hair from his eyes.

“I was wondering...well, uh, you probably know I’m not doing to well i-in....in theory...” Pratik nodded.

Yes, he had noticed Terrance wasn’t the best student in the theory lessons they shared. He was good on the keyboard, his chosen instrument – Pratik had paused during his own practice to listen to Terrance play more than once – but apart from being able to read notes off sheet music, his theory work was sadly lacking in all areas. His last few grades had left him with a down-trodden expression; and had left their professor with a frown.

Terrance took a deep breath, as if trying to gain courage from it; but Pratik beat him to it.

“Did you want help?” He asked softly; and the sandy-haired young man blinked in surprise, before nodding quickly. Pratik smiled briefly, before pulling his bag over his shoulder and taking out his phone.

“Do you want to give me your number? We can arrange a time for tutoring later.” He offered, and Terrance grinned, before rattling off his number; and flushing when Pratik grinned, and asked him to slow down. As he reeled off his number, much slower this time, Pratik chanced a glance up at him; and smiled briefly when he flushed and grinned back, before saving the number.

“So you’ll text me?” Terrance asked; a little eagerly, but Pratik brushed it off.

“Any way you want it.” He offered, returning the smile the other boy sent him, before he headed for the door.

He missed the little fist-pump Terrance did as he left.

-

Pratik was sat on the edge of his bed, tugging at the laces of his lilac converse, when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him back into a warm hug. He grinned briefly, as Harry rested his chin on his shoulder.

“Afternoon.” The Japanese boy offered; and Pratik turned to lightly press his lips to his cheek.

“Good afternoon.” He murmured in response; and Harry grinned, before sliding round to sit cross-legged beside his boyfriend, grin widening when Pratik rested his head on his shoulder.

“How was your day?” The smaller boy asked softly, smiling when Harry wrapped an arm around his waist. A soft sigh came from the Japanese boy.

“Ordinary. I missed you.” He turned to grin at Pratik; but the other boy just smiled to himself as he resumed working at his shoelaces.

“I miss you; I miss you so bad.” Harry rolled his eyes; before he smirked mischievously, and tackled Pratik back on the bed, grinning at the squeak it elicited from the smaller boy. Pratik scowled up at him; before stifling a gasp when Harry dropped his head to start pressing kisses along his neck. He swallowed thickly, and Harry grinned, before staring to question the boy beneath him.

“What about your day?” He asked between kisses; and Pratik’s eyes slipped closed as Harry began to work at a particularly sensitive patch of skin close to his collarbone.

“N-not bad. We had a test in theory.” A soft whimper left his lips unexpectedly when Harry pulled away; but the Japanese boy just smiled wickedly, eyes dancing. Pratik pouted; but then grinned when Harry ducked to press their lips together, releasing Pratik’s wrists where he’d pinned them when he’d tackled him, so the smaller boy could wrap his arms around his neck. Pratik hummed contentedly into the kiss, until they broke apart, and Harry turned his attention back to his neck.

“Boy in my class asked for help with the theory work; Terrance Cooper? He’s been having trouble.” Harry sat up quickly at the name, and frowned at his boyfriend.

“Terrance? Sandy hair, green eyes; a little shorter than me? Hot Terrance?” Pratik pouted – partially because Harry had stopped kissing him, and partially at him calling another boy hot – before he shrugged.

“I guess. I mean, I’m more into oriental types...” He trailed off, grinning at Harry; but the other boy refused to be swayed, still frowning. Pratik frowned back at him, before pushing himself up on his elbows.

“What’s wrong?” He asked; but Harry just shook his head, climbing off him to walk to the other side of their bedroom, grabbing a bottle of water from the top of the chest of drawers in the corner.

Harry hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“You know he’s gay, right?” He offered over his shoulder; and Pratik’s frown deepened.

Why did it matter? Yeah, he knew Terrance was gay; he was out and proud - kinda in the way Blaine had been in high school, Pratik remembered. But Pratik was dating Harry. Why did it matter if he tutored a boy who just happened to swing the same way he did?

“Yes.” Pratik murmured, continuing to frown at his boyfriend; and sighed when Harry didn’t turn around, getting to his feet and moving to stand behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist.

He hummed the chorus to ‘Songbird’ softly, and felt it when Harry relaxed slightly; and grinned when he switched to ‘All You Need Is Love’, and Harry laughed softly, turning in his arms. He smoothed his features and offered the taller boy a serious look.

“You know I love you, right?” He murmured; and Harry nodded. Pratik smiled at him, and stretched up on his tiptoes, pressing his lips to the Japanese boy’s in a soft, chaste kiss.

“So stop worrying.” He murmured; before dragging Harry back towards the bed, walking backwards with a slow grin spreading across his face. Harry arched an eyebrow at him; before tackling him onto the bed again, Pratik shrieking in laughter before it was muffled when Harry kissed him.

-

“So, dissonance is when notes form a harsh sound; like when Professor Jenkins presses the keys on the piano to get Hayley to stop talking. Okay?” Terrance nodded, tearing his eyes away from the Indian boy talking to him long enough to actually look at the section of the text book he was referring to. Pratik smiled at him briefly.

“I know. It’s confusing. But it’s pretty easy when you get used to it. So, the next one; what is a dominant?” Terrance shut his eyes thinking; and Pratik took the opportunity to watch him.

He’d been tutoring Terrance for a fortnight now; and all in all, things were going well. Admittedly, the other boy had trouble concentrating; he was easily distracted, and zoned out now and then, but apart from then he seemed eager to learn. He worked quickly through the tests Pratik gave him – although they weren’t always one hundred percent correct – and knew many of the more basic technical terms already; all he needed was help sorting them out.

Pratik’s phone vibrated in the pocket of his jeans, and he pulled it out, glancing at the screen; and grinned when he saw it was a text from Harry, opening it quickly.

Afternoon, Kapoor. :)

Still up for take out and Disney films?

I raided Klaine’s apartment; got all your favourites.

Come prepared for sing-along. ;)

Takashima xxx

Pratik tapped out a quick reply, before pulling his phone back in his pocket, and turning his attention back to Terrance, who had looked up nervously. Pratik smiled back at him; before frowning when the other boy looked nervous for a moment, glancing at the textbook, before meeting Pratik’s eyes again.

“Did you want to get coffee with me next week?” He blurted out; and looked panicked for a moment, before Pratik smiled; someone bemused, but still polite.

“When?” He asked; and Terrance grinned.

“Tuesday morning? At the Costa on campus?” Pratik nodded; before he was distracted by his phone again, and pulled it out.

“Sure. It’s a date.” He murmured, not really paying attention to what he was saying; before grinning at the message, and getting to his feet, grabbing his bag with a smile at Terrance.

“Keep practicing; I’ll see you on Tuesday?” Terrance nodded eagerly, and Pratik grinned at him, before turning and heading out the doors of the library, where he’d been tutoring the other boy. He buttoned his coat – bright red, a birthday present from Harry – as he walked; and grinned at the figure waiting for him when he reached the exit to the College. His pace picked up to a run; and Harry caught him with a laugh when he jumped him, pressing his lips to his.

“So. Disney? Take-out?” The Japanese boy offered with a grin when he dropped his boyfriend, linking their hands. Pratik grinned up at him; and hummed ‘A Whole New World’, causing Harry to laugh, pulling him into a one-armed hug.

“Aladdin first, then.” He murmured into his boyfriend’s hair.

-

They were half way through Mulan, the third film of the night, before Tuesday came up.

Harry lightly traced patterns on Pratik’s stomach where he was leaning back against Harry’s chest, causing him to smile briefly, as they watched Mushu controlling his straw puppet, sat on top of a black-and-white panda. Harry pressed his face into his boyfriend’s hair – strongly smelling of the thick, spicy, heady scent he always associated with Pratik.

“Do you want to get breakfast with me on Tuesday?” He murmured; and Pratik smiled – before he frowned.

“I can’t.” Harry turned his head, pressing his cheek to the top of Pratik’s head.

“More tutoring?” He asked, slightly irritated; he was starting to feel this other boy was taking up far too much of Pratik’s time. He wasn’t jealous; he just missed his boyfriend.

And Terrance had looked far too happy the last few times he’d left his and Pratik’s tutoring sessions.

...Okay, so maybe Harry was a little jealous.

Pratik shook his head under Harry’s cheek, eyes still fixed to the screen.

“Terrance wants to go out for coffee; just as friends, no tutoring.” Harry stiffened; and Pratik frowned, turning his head to look at his boyfriend.

“What is it?” Harry cleared his throat, avoiding Pratik’s eyes; before he let out a soft sigh.

“You don’t think you’re spending too much time with him?” He asked softly; and Pratik tilted his head.

“Do you think I’m spending too much time with him?” The Indian boy asked softly; and Harry shrugged helplessly.

“I don’t like the way he looks at you.” He whispered; and Pratik sighed, pausing the movie, before curling up against Harry’s chest, wrapping his arms around his waist.

He sang softly, voice muffled against Harry’s shirt, but still decipherable.

“No I won’t hesitate no more, no more, this is our fate, I’m yours...” Harry sighed, and shut his eyes, pressing his face into Pratik’s hair.

“I just-I miss you. I feel like I rarely see you anymore. And I don’t like the idea of this boy stealing all your time.” Pratik smiled against his boyfriend’s chest.

“I love you, I love you, I love you like never before. And nothing is going to change that, Takashima. But if you want me to stop tutoring him...” Harry shook his head quickly, lifting Pratik’s head with a finger to look him in the eyes.

“It’s fine. I know he needs the help; and I know how much you would have appreciated a tutor at Dalton – I can tell you see yourself in him at points.” Pratik smiled briefly, before poking Harry in the chest.

“I had a tutor. He was just an oblivious anglophiliac who almost stalked the only British guy in our class.” Harry blinked at his boyfriend, tilting his head to the side with a frown.

“Someone else tutored you?” He asked; and laughed when Pratik smacked him on the shoulder, before slumping against him and looking back at the television, pressing play on the remote.

“You’re a jerk, Takashima.” He muttered; and Harry grinned, kissing the top of his head.

“You love it, Kapoor.” Pratik just snorted.

-

“You’re such a jerk sometimes, Takashima.” Pratik yanked off his scarf, throwing it on the couch, before shrugging off his coat and throwing it the same way. Harry stood at the door, scowling at him.

“What? Because I don’t want some other guy perving on my boyfriend?” Pratik shot him a withering look, before heading towards the kitchen.

“He was just being nice. He said hello, for God’s sake! That was it. We spoke about yesterday’s test, and that was it. You did not have to spend the whole time glaring at him!” He snapped, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and opening the lid with a sharp twist. Harry just frowned at him.

“Could you seriously not tell he was flirting with you? Are you that oblivious?” Pratik rolled his eyes, pushing past the taller boy on the way to the living room.

“Don’t talk to me about oblivious.” He muttered; and Harry’s eyes narrowed.

“What is that supposed to mean?” The look Pratik offered him was frustrated.

“Why are we even having this conversation? You shouldn’t have acted like that, Harry. It was unfair.” Harry just continued to watch his boyfriend, ignoring the part of his brain screaming at him to just suck it up and apologise.

“He was flirting with you, Pratik. Did you think I was just going to stand there and let another guy throw himself at my boyfriend?” Pratik turned on him sharply.

“Why does it matter? I’m not interested in him; even if he was flirting, it’s not going to affect the way I feel about you.” The laugh Pratik choked out was bitter; and Harry would later reflect that it was then that he really should have stopped, apologised, because Pratik only ever sounded like that when he was close to tears.

“Unless, of course, you doubt the way I feel about you. Is that your problem?” Harry remained silent, leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest; and Pratik pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes, letting out a slow breath.

“When is it going to get across to you that I’m not going to run off with the first other guy who is interested, Harry?” Pratik’s voice was soft, and Harry ran his fingers through his hair; but didn’t respond. Pratik dropped his hands, and gave Harry a serious look.

“Do you want me to stop tutoring him? Will that make you happy?” Harry hesitated; before he shook his head. Pratik’s expression twisted, and he nodded, mostly to himself; before he grabbed his coat and scarf, leaving the water bottle on the side table.

“Fine. I’m going to stay at Liam’s for a couple of days; call me when you know what you want.” Pratik shrugged his coat on as he walked out of the door, slamming it behind him.

And Harry slid down to sit on the floor, pressing his face to his knees as the first of the tears came.

-

Pratik sniffled softly where he was curled up on Liam’s couch, swamped by one of the larger boy’s sweatshirts, Lee and Jim sat on either side of him.

“I just don’t get it.” He mumbled; and Jim chuckled, pulling Pratik closer to him via an arm around the smaller boy’s shoulders.

“It’s just Kitten having an insecure moment, Tiki. He’ll wake up soon enough and apologise.” Pratik shook his head lightly; but managed to force a smile when Liam walked into the room, handing the silently weeping boy a mug of hot chocolate. Liam stood in front of the trio for a moment, nervously rubbing the back of his neck; before he sighed heavily.

“Look, I know this might be bad timing, but does Harry have anyone with him at the moment? He’s probably just as torn up as you are Pratik.” Lee glared at the standing boy, while Pratik just sniffled, rubbing at an eye with the back of his hand.

“I called Ben after I left; he’s probably there by now.” Jim and Lee exchanged a look over Pratik’s head; before Jim wrapped both his arms around the smaller boy.

“You really love him, don’t you Tiki?” Pratik snorted, before humming ‘Obvious’; only for more tears to well up in his eyes as he realised the only person who’d really appreciate what he was saying was the person he was fighting with. Lee got to his feet, beginning to pace restlessly; and the others just watched him.

“Should I go talk to him?” He asked abruptly, turning to look at Jim; before he frowned, and began pacing again.

“Nah, he’s got Ben. Fuck.” The pacing boy stuck his hands in his hair; and Jim got to his feet, moving to wrap his arms around Lee’s waist.

“Don’t fret, sweet thing. I’m sure Tiki won’t mind if we go have a chat with Kitten?” Jim turned his head to look at the guitarist; who just shrugged from where he was staring into his hot chocolate.

“Kurt and Blaine will be here soon.” He said; what he didn’t say was how much he hated the idea of Harry only having Ben, when he was probably hurting just as much a Pratik.

Nor did he say how much it hurt to watch the way Jim and Lee interacted, when really, he should have Harry there to be mushy and disgusting with.

Lee and Jim exchanged a look, before nodding quickly at each other. Jim released his boyfriend as he moved to crouch in front of the distracted Indian boy.

“Do you want us to get you some clothes, Tiki?” He asked softly; and Pratik shook his head quickly.

“If-if I get clothes...” He trailed off; but Liam, stood behind him, nodded, reaching out to rest a hand on his shoulder.

“If you get stuff that means this is serious; and that it’s not going to be resolved quickly.” Pratik just ducked his head; and as Jim and Lee left, he sang softly to himself.

“What are we doing? I am too in love with you...”

-

They didn’t see each other at all on Monday.

Their fight had been on Sunday; Pratik had convinced Harry to take him out to buy a new pair of floral converse he’s had his eyes on for a while, and because Harry could never resist his boyfriend’s pout, he’d said yes.

They’d run into Terrance outside the music store; and Harry had instantly grabbed Pratik’s hand when he’d seen the was the other boy was watching him, staring him down.

He’d very nearly hit Terrance more than once that day; and Harry wasn’t a generally violent person.

But those people who did see them the day after – namely their professors, the people in their classes, and Lee and Jim when they visited each of them in the afternoon – couldn’t help but notice the shadows under Pratik’s eyes, and the way he’d retreated back into speaking through song-lyrics.

He’d been doing so well since he and Harry had started going out.

Harry had barely succeeded in paying attention in his lecture; and he’d flinched every time someone had called his name.

But his mind had been reeling all day; and after Jim and Lee had left, while Ben was trying to scare up something to eat, he picked up his phone.

And, for the first time in...well, ever, he scrolled to E in his contacts.

-

Pratik turned his coffee cup absently in his hands as Terrance continued to talk enthusiastically opposite him, lightly tapping out chords on the polystyrene. At a break in the other boy’s chatter, he glanced up, cutting into the conversation.

“Can I ask something?” His voice was rough after all the crying he’d done last night; he’d called Ben before he went to sleep, to check up on his – hopefully still – boyfriend.

Hearing how he’d barely slept had almost broken Pratik’s heart.

Finding out that he’d refused Ben’s offer to sit up and watch Doctor Who with him had finished the job.

But his eyes were surprisingly clear as he watched the boy across the table, trying to see what Harry had.

He noted the way Terrance was leaning further forward than strictly necessary; and if he was brutally honest, it had been unnecessary for the other boy to touch his arm when he’d turned up.

The enthusiasm in his eyes was also a little un-nerving.

Terrance nodded quickly, a grin spreading across his features; while Pratik turned his eyes back to his coffee.

“You know we’re just friends, right?” He asked softly; and glanced up in time to see Terrance’s smile fade, and his eyes turn unsure.

“Uh...” Pratik cut in again.

“Because I have a boyfriend. Harry. I love Harry.” Terrance’s expression dropped; before he latched onto something.

“B-but you’re fighting.” He whispered; and Pratik shut his eyes, running a hand through his hair.

Harry had been right.

And Pratik felt like an idiot.

“Look, Terrance...” He glanced up at the boy, and his eyes were hard; no room for argument.

“I love Harry. So, so much. Yes, we’re fighting at the moment, but I fully intend for things to be sorted by the end of the day. I don’t want to have to stop helping you; you’re a nice guy. A good friend. But I love Harry. He’s my boyfriend; he has been for over two years. And I don’t see that changing for a long time.” Terrance watched Pratik, the words sinking in; before he offered Pratik a nervous smile.

“He’s a lucky guy.” The sandy-haired boy murmured; and Pratik smiled wistfully.

“If you could see the way he loves me...” He murmured; before he shut his eyes again, sighing softly before he got to his feet, taking his coffee with him.

“I’ll see you in class, Terrance.” He offered, a half smile turning up the corner of his lips, before he headed for the door.

He ignored the familiar black beanie he saw in the corner of the room.

After all, whoever that was, he was sat next to someone with pretty obvious ginger hair.

And since when did Harry hang out with Eric of all people?

-

“I could always just blow him up; no more competition, problem solved, fight over.” Harry threw Eric an irritated look, before looking back at the table where Terrance and Pratik were sat.

If anyone was honest, Harry looked awful. There were purple, bruise-like circles beneath his eyes – which were blood-shot – and his usual neat style had been replaced by one of Pratik’s less vibrant hoodies – a soft grey one which still smelt like the Indian boy – and a pair of baggy jeans he was pretty sure would give Kurt a heart attack. There wasn’t a badge in sight; which, in itself, had worried Eric when he’s first arrived at the Japanese boy’s apartment more than any of the other stuff.

“Seriously, it wouldn’t take much. Or I could boil him alive in acid. That would be fun.” The look Harry shot him was a little frightened – though the ‘lithe’ counter tenor noted the interested gleam in his eye with relish – but then he turned back to the table his boyfriend was sat at, frowning at the little speaker he held in his hand.

“Are you sure you bugged the right table? Because this doesn’t sound like Pratik.” Eric frowned, and leaned around Harry, looking at the table he’d attached the tiny microphone to with the help of a waitress he knew; before his frown faded, and he hissed softly.

“This is always so much easier when there is a reservation system in play.” He muttered; and Harry rolled his eyes, before almost throwing the speaker at the other boy.

“You’re hopeless.” He snapped; and Ben, sat across the table, frowned at Harry.

“Why are you even doing this, Harry? The way things are going, if what you’re scared of does happen, you’re just going to end up hurt; not that I believe for a second that Pratik would leave you.” Harry frowned at him friend, before looking back at the table Pratik had been sat at; only to see his boyfriend leaving.

He blinked in surprise; before ducking his head when Terrance looked his way.

Too late, however, as the boy gathered up his things before approaching their table.

Harry stared at his hands, avoiding looking at the other boy when he reached their table; while Eric watched Terrance with a some-what manic gleam in his eyes.

Ben glanced at him, wishing Liam was there; he was pretty sure Eric was internally calculating how much acid it would take to boil the sandy-haired boy alive.

Terrance cleared his throat.

“Uh...Harry?” The Japanese boy glanced up; before flinching, and looking back at his hands.

Terrance smiled a little; if Harry was as torn up as he appeared after one fight, he was sure he was making the right choice.

“Um...I wanted to apologise. For...for flirting with Pratik. I’m pretty sure it’s my fault you’re fighting at the moment, and I’m sorry for that too. Just...I’ll back off, okay? You’re really lucky. He really loves you.” Harry smiled to himself, playing with the packets of sugar on the table.

“If you could see the way he loves me.” He mumbled; and Terrance blinked, surprised.

“Pratik said the same thing about you.” He offered; before he turned and walked out of the coffee shop, leaving Harry staring after him.

Ben threw Harry’s scarf to him as he jumped to his feet, pulling on his gloves quickly.

“Head back to your house first; it won’t hurt to check.” The British boy offered; and Harry smiled at him briefly, before walking quickly from the shop.

Ben stared after him for a moment; before Eric spoke up.

“It wouldn’t have taken much more than twelve litres, with a properly sized container. Or a kilogram of C4; that would have worked.” Ben offered the boy a slightly frightened look; but Eric just met his stare, gaze scarily intense.

“Now. English boy. Take me to Liam; I haven’t seen him in over forty eight hours, and I’m sure he’s quickly transforming into a mother hen by now.”

Ben just rolled his eyes, before pulling out his wallet.

-

Harry nearly crashed through the front door of his and Pratik’s apartment, hair messy from where he’d pulled off his beanie and run his fingers through it repeatedly; only to freeze when he saw to boy sat on the couch, legs pulled up to his chest.

He was still wearing the same lemon-yellow skinny jeans he’d been wearing; but instead of the sky-blue skirt he’d been wearing on Sunday, he was wearing a dark grey one that was obviously too large for him – one of Liam’s, most likely.

Pratik’s eyes were red when he looked up at his boyfriend.

“Darlin’ I’ve been waiting for you all my life.” He rasped, voice rough from tears.

Harry crossed the room in three strides, and pulled Pratik to his chest, hugging him tightly. The smaller boy wrapped his arms tightly around his boyfriend’s waist, his face pressed into Harry’s shirt.

“I’m so sorry. You were right.” He whispered; and Harry hugged him tighter.

“No, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have doubted you; I just...” Harry trailed off, and Pratik pulled him down onto the couch, curling up in his lap. He peered up at Harry, eyes round and still wet with tears.

“Tell me?” He whispered; and Harry shut his eyes, before dropping his head back.

He took a deep breath before replying.

“I just-I keep thinking that at some point, you’re going to figure out how much better you can do.” His voice was soft; and Pratik watched him for a moment, brow creasing in an absurdly endearing way; before he twisted to kneel on the couch, and press his lips to Harry’s. When he pulled away, Harry’s eyes opened, and met Pratik’s; and the Indian boy smiled softly, pressing his lips to his boyfriend’s forehead.

“What are we doing? I am too in love with you.” He murmured; and Harry shut his eyes again, before wrapping his arms around Pratik’s waist, and hugging him again, face pressed into Liam’s shirt – which already smelled like Pratik.

“I missed you so much.” He whispered; and Pratik smiled as he stroked his fingers down Harry’s back, humming to him softly as he felt the taller boy’s tears soak through his shirt.

“I missed you too, Takashima.” He murmured softly.

-

Hours later, after the expected making-out and whispered apologies, Harry and Pratik lay together on their bed, legs intertwined.

They were both still fully clothed – neither were feeling up to anything like that when they were still both so emotionally fragile – but the intimacy of the moment couldn’t be missed.

Not with the way their eyes were locked, and the way Pratik was holding one of Harry’s hands to his chest, over his heart.

“It’s yours, Takashima.” He murmured softly, a smile spreading across his face as he watched his boyfriend.

“A hundred guys could line up in front of me, and I’d turn them all away for you.” He breathed; and his smile widened as Harry adopted one of his own.

The Japanese boy wrapped an arm around Pratik’s neck, pulling him flush against his chest, pressing his face into the Indian boy’s hair.

“What did I ever do to deserve you, Kapoor?” He whispered; and Pratik smiled briefly.

“You were sat in my dorm room putting badges on your blazer at the start of our Freshman year; and instead of staring at my sisters, you looked at me.” Harry grinned, shutting his eyes and tightening his hold on Pratik.

“It was hard to look away.” He murmured; and Pratik bit his lip, glad the blush rising on his cheeks was hidden, while he softly hummed ‘What makes you Beautiful’; and chuckled when Harry groaned – because despite his love for all things British, he drew the line at One Direction.

They fell asleep like that; with Pratik’s face pressed to Harry’s chest - and Harry’s hand still over Pratik’s heart.

--

And so, there it is. This was 10 and a half pages on Microsoft Word...O.o

I hope you liked it, littlefallofrane. OTHER PEOPLE. SEND ME PROMPTS.