#verboten

Harry was talking to some of his friends and Y/N had been introduced to everyone. To be honest, she was still scared shitless. It reminded her that she was indeed young when people spoke of babysitters and kids in college but she didn’t feel genuine discomfort until this woman showed up late, putting a halt to her gradual comfort.

Apparently, she used to work with Harry a while back. Her name was Angela and she had shaken her hand loosely, asking her what her name was because she ‘forgot’. Harry had given her a slight look but other than that welcomed her into their home, where said woman had been watching her every move.

The rest of Harry’s friends had actually been lovely. Complimenting her food, asking her genuine questions about herself, her likes and trying to get to know her. She was comfortable with Sarah, Mitch’s wife, and Charlotte along with her wife Victoria, seeing as they told her how much happier Harry had seemed since she came into the picture.

She’d been showered in compliments and it was obvious he’d warned everyone of her nerves, the rest of them doing their best to try and make her feel welcomed into their little group despite being quite a few years younger. It was obviously intimidating knowing that there were definitely some preconceived notions that had been or were currently being squashed.

Harry’d done little to hide his affections, pulling her into his side, kissing her cheek, talking her up with that fond look on his face she was so used to seeing privately. It had been so relieving to see he truly wasn’t embarrassed of her in the slightest, instead showcasing his true feelings. Everyone had been so receptive, but Y/N could see the slight grimace on the latecomer’s face as she sipped her wine.

It had been Y/N’s goal to keep herself from being alone with her, unliking the way she looked at both her and Harry himself. She may be young, but she wasn’t stupid. The woman was well aware of the look in the other’s eye, the admiration in a way that was far too inappropriate for her taste.

There was no question that Harry hadn’t slept with this woman- he had given her the names he could remember because she was nosy to a fault, even if it was to her own detriment- and perhaps that was the issue.

She’d lost out a successful, handsome man to a woman she deemed unworthy. But that wasn’t Y/N’s problem!

Her goal had almost been safe, but when Sarah excused herself to the restroom, the glaring woman found her way in the kitchen where Y/N was topping off her wine, the muffled noise of the party in the dining and living areas making her aware that they were alone.

“I didn’t think you could drink.” Angela chuckled, looking at the glass in her hand. “Such a young little thing. I know it’s probably not the best tasting when you first try it, but as you get older it will grow on you.”

Y/N knew the tone. Framing it as friendly, she was taking a dig at her for her age.

“Oh, I’ve been drinking for a couple of years now. Even worked at a liquor store. I’m pretty well versed in it.” She smiled, trying to make it look genuine. Was it a stretch? Yes.

She’d worked in a liquor store for all but 4 weeks, but the woman didn’t need to know that.

“Is there anything I can get you while you’re in here?” Y/N was going to play hostess, trying her best not to step on toes. Even if they were trying to step on her own.

“Oh, no. I know my way around. I’ve been here a few times before.” The way she said it, Y/N knew her game. If she wasn’t well versed in Harry’s history, she may have bristled, but managed to keep her composure. “I was very surprised to hear Harry had moved on from his wife. They were just so in love. He had been adamant he wasn’t going to get serious with anyone again.” She hummed, pinning Y/N with a look.

“Ex.” Y/N chirped. “She’s been his ex for a while. Appearances can be deceiving, I’m sure.” Taking a sip of her wine, she pursed her lips at the dry wine. Harry liked this one more than she did. “I know, he told me about his past. I’m pretty well versed in it.”

“Yes, I do know that. My daughter is friends with Lia.”

Well, shit.

This was news to Y/N. That must mean Angela was the mother of someone she had met in passing, and even more so, she had been exposed to whatever narrative Lia and her old friend group were trying to spill. The gold digger, the purposefully fucking Lia over, that this had been her plan the whole time, whatever else they were saying. That information did happen to upset her.

“Oh. Well, that’s nice.” What else was she supposed to say about it?

“It’s not so nice for Lia.” The woman’s voice lowered. “I have to admit that I feel for you. I know that this isn’t a nice situation to be in, but I do have to warn you that you shouldn’t get too comfortable. It’s disappointing.” Arms crossing over her chest, she placed her wine glass down.

“Pardon?” Y/N bristled visibly this time, not at all liking this woman’s tone. The condescending, the act as if she was just a little kid standing her, like she was disciplining one of her children.

“I’m just warning you- You, this whole thing, It’s a phase. Men like Harry need real women. You are a little girl playing dress up. I know you had a few years on Lia, but it's disgusting to see you go so far and sink to the lows of taking advantage of a vulnerable man still hurting after his breakup.” Angela said sternly. “I need to give you some advice.” She took a step closer to Y/N, making her hand tighten on the stem of her wine glass. Her teeth hurt from how hard she was clenching her jaw, irritation running through her like an inky black mess.

“I’d end it now. Take whatever little gifts he’s given you, the trip he took you on, and get out now. It’s only ruining both of your reputations. He’s going through a midlife crisis, obviously, with his daughter moving out-”

“We’ve been together before she moved out.” Y/N said lowly. “And disrespectfully, I’m not going to end my relationship with a man I love because a few people aren’t happy with it.” It infuriated her. “You are not my mother, nor am I friends with your daughter. You’ve no authority over me. I need to remind you that you are a guest in my home, and coming in here to disrespect me is not something I’m comfortable with.”

“Your home? Please.” Angela barked out a laugh. “Your stuff may reside here, but this isn’t your home. It’s Harry’s house. He owns it, he owned it with his wife and child, and his little phase of fucking around with young sluts is going to end. He’ll either get back together with his wife, or he’ll realize he needs someone a little more mature and break it off with you. You’ve got dollar signs in your eyes and you need to understand that this money is going to dry up once he kicks you to the curb. I’m giving you advice you need to hear.”

Y/N was shocked at the audacity of this woman. The gall. To come to her and call her a phase, a slut, a gold digger. It stung worse than she could let her show, knowing that was her feared perception, but even more so to be confronted by it.

“I am not with him for money. I’ve not taken a single cent from him, nor will I.” She spit. “And by mature, do you mean you, Angela?” Y/N let out a sharp laugh. “He had plenty of time to go to you if he wanted you, but he didn’t. He didn’t see you as anything more than a friend, obviously, considering he invited you over to meet me. He’s not confused, he’s not upset, he is a grown man who makes his own decisions. Just because I’m younger than him doesn’t mean I’m some sort of crisis treatment. He loves me, and I love him. I’m sorry that your little fantasy of sinking your claws into him isn’t working out- but I’m not going anywhere.”

“Listen, you little bitch. He’s going to stop thinking with his dick sooner or later, and I’ll-” She had approached with dark eyes, getting closer to Y/N than she was comfortable with and poking her pointy little nail into her shoulder when a throat cleared from the side of the room. All the redness from the woman’s frustrated face drained, a pale sheet washing over her skin.

“What were you about to say?” Sarah asked, her arms crossed as she walked into the room. At the silent opening and closing of the other woman’s mouth, She shook her head as she made her way to Y/N’s side. “I’ve only met you a few times, Angie- but this is a side of you that you’ve seemed to hide pretty well. It’s a good thing too, quite ugly.” She uncrossed her arms and placed a hand on Y/N’s shaky back, shoulders squared.

“If you really think she’s some young girl who’s young enough to take advantage of a grown man, you’ve got your priorities messed up. Harry’s never been more in love than this, and I’ve seen him in all phases since Uni. I know he isn’t going to love to hear about this, though.”

“I- I was just trying to avoid heartbreak for both of them!” Angela was desperately trying to save face, knowing now that someone in Harry’s very inner circle was aware of her real intentions. Not only that, but she saw the way she had blatantly disrespected Y/N in her own house. She’d been watching from the side for a bit, but as soon as she saw her get in her face it had been the time to step in.

“I highly doubt that. If you’ll excuse us.”

Sarah took Y/N by the wrist and gently tugged her towards the bathroom, knowing that this adrenaline was going to wear off. It was no fun crying in front of someone you were trying to prove a point in front of, and she wasn’t about to let her sit there and take more from the rude woman who couldn’t accept reality.

The door was pushed in and Y/N turned from her, bracing herself on the counter. The older woman didn’t say anything at first, letting her gather her bearings as she shakily inhaled and exhaled, her arms trembling slightly. It broke her heart.

It had been apparent that she was nervous from the first moment she met her, but the love between her and Harry had been so glaringly obvious that it was hard to keep any reservations she may have had about an age gap or how they’d met.

Harry could barely keep his hands off, he talked about her like the sun rose for her and looked at her as if she hung the moon. Y/N had looked at him the same way, leaning into him and touching him naturally, like her hands were meant to be there. She wasn’t flashy, she didn’t wear a bunch of new jewelry, she didn’t tote around designer that Harry bought her. She’d worn a classy little dress and a single heart pendant around her neck, a pearl choker the only other accessory. Their interactions were so full of warmth, it made a lot more sense to her.

Harry had always been a romantic. When his ex had gotten pregnant, he had done his best to romanticize it, finally getting to have a family he’d had no shame about saying he wanted the whole time he knew her. He’d stepped up, tried his best to love his wife and be the best father. He’d glowed while being on dad duty, but she had to admit that her reaction around his ex had paled in comparison to how he looked at Y/N. Not to discredit any past love he may have had, but it seemed a lot more intense now. Real, raw. She watched his eyes trained on her as she walked around and how he never looked away as she spoke, how he opened his arm for her and she fell into it like a well rehearsed scene.

Of course she’d had her own reservations when Mitch had told her about it. Even when she met with Harry and he had been all smiles, telling her about how much he adored the woman. She’d seemed too good to be true and Sarah could admit she wondered what exactly could be clouding Harry’s judgment, but  upon meeting her and seeing them interact? It was glaringly obvious that this was real for both of them.

“Y/N?” Sarah murmured, placing her hand on her arm. “Are you alright?”

Her eyes were burning as a few tears dripped down her cheeks. Despite her best efforts to keep it bottled up, it was pointless. Not when her biggest fears had been brought up.

Realistically she knew none of that was true. She wasn’t a phase, she wasn’t a gold digger and Harry loved her. She loved him. Nothing that the woman had said was true, but it still hurt to hear those things verbalized.

“Y-Yeah.” A wince passed her as her voice cracked. “I am. I just…” She sniffled, looking down at the green marble counter top.  “It’s a lot of the stuff I was scared people would say and I hate that people are so mean about the fact that we’re in love. Especially because Harry seemed h-happy to see this woman and all she wanted to do is warn me away.”

That wasn’t fair. If Y/N wasn’t in a good head space, it could have potentially ruined their relationship. It wasn’t fair to her, or to Harry. Maybe this would end in flames, but it was up to them and only them to figure out. They didn’t need any outside sources trying to infiltrate them.

“I know.” Sarah’s voice was full of sympathy. “She’s a right bitch, isn’t she? Don’t know where she gets off on saying those things.” Y/N didn’t know either. She was angry that she said that, embarrassed that she was crying, upset that she was letting one of the very people she had tried to promise herself not to care about ruin her first get together with Harry’s friends as she tried to integrate herself into his life properly- it just sucked. It could get worse, though, and it did when a knock sounded at the door.

“Y/N? You alright?” Harry’s voice sounded through the door. He’d not seen her for a little bit and it wasn’t like her to wander off from him for a long period of time. It was blissful to have her attached to his side. The man loved feeling needed and adored, and Y/N ticked every single one of his boxes.

He hadn’t expected for Sarah to open up the door, catching him slightly off guard as he looked from her to Y/N. He couldn’t see her face fully but her shoulders were moving a little. Was it a laugh? “Are we having gossip time already? I-” His words paused and dried up in his mouth the moment she turned to look at him.

Her eyes red and glassy and a few tear marks falling down her cheek, he knew what his girl looked like when she was crying and his stomach immediately dropped. “Hey- Hey, Y/N? What’s happened?” His voice dropped to a hushed concern, slipping past Sarah gently and finding his lover against the sink.

“Angela is a wretched bitch, that’s what happened.” Sarah huffed, closing the door and crossing her arms. “I know Y/N doesn’t want to disturb the peace, but she said some awful things about her and your relationship. Put her hand on her and tried to intimidate her.”

Sarah knew she was tattling but Harry needed to know the truth and she could tell Y/N wasn’t the type to try and inconvenience him with something like that. “I’m going to go tell her to get lost, but I think she needs you right now.”

Harry’s body was tense as he heard the cause of his love’s tears, getting closer to her and pulling her body into his arms as he sent a thankful look towards Sarah for helping out. He did have some amazing friends- even if one had apparently missed the mark.

He was shocked, really.

Angela had always been more than kind and helpful to him. Someone he could rely on. It hurt knowing that she had upset Y/N when he had warned everyone to go easy because of her nerves. As soon as the door closed, he gently cupped her face and started to thumb away tears. “Tell me. What did she say?”

Y/N’s lip trembled before she pulled it into her mouth, eyes rolling up to the ceiling to try and prohibit the others from falling. It wasn’t that she was uncomfortable crying in front of Harry, but she didn’t want to cry about this at all.

“It wasn’t anything I didn’t know that people thought.” She started, fingers curling over the collar of his shirt.  “But she was going on about how m’just a phase and you’re going through something. How it’s not fair of me to take advantage of a vulnerable man and the money’s gonna dry up eventually. That you’re going to go back to your wife or get tired of having someone young and find someone more mature and capable.” She scoffed the last bit.

“Turns out, she has been waiting for her chance with you. Her daughter is friends with Lia and that whole group, saying I planned this the whole time to get set for life with money a-and…” She took a shuddering breath, trying not to let the little sob in her chest out. “I’m just a little girl playing dress up.”

Harry could feel the hot anger rising in his stomach. All he’d tried to fucking do was get her more comfortable with his friends. He’d tried to plan a nice night where she could see that they didn’t think of her as those things, that she’d have a safe spot with him and his mates but fucks sake.

This was the exact opposite.

It wasn’t like it was really his fault and rationally, he knew he had no way of knowing this would happen. He’d never imagined Angela to ever be rude, let alone cruel to someone he so obviously and fully loved. It was a hell of a shock, but he couldn’t help but feel a bit responsible. Y/N was always going to get more blowback about this than he was.

It didn’t make sense to him, not fully. They were both adults, consenting and capable of making their own decisions.

Yes, there was an age gap. Yes, the way they met was unconventional and yes, it hurt his daughter’s feelings, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t so wrong.

How could something that felt like it was filling the missing piece of him be so wrong, so taboo to others?

It wasn’t their fucking business. For once in his life he was being selfish about his happiness, finding a woman he truly loved and worshiped, and he’d be damned if someone tried to take that away from him.

“I’m so sorry.” He said quietly, pulling her in and kissing the softness of her hair. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t know she’d do that. I never expected… I’d never have knowingly invited someone who wanted to hurt your feelings. All I wanted was for you to meet my friends and feel comfortable with them.”

And one of his misjudgements had made that go to shit.

“It isn’t your fault, Harry.” Y/N sighed, sniffling as she took his hands from her face so she could wipe off with one of the tissues on the counter. “It’s something I’m going to have to deal with. It took me off guard, hearing it from her. I wasn’t expecting it tonight but… I know you’d never willingly put me in that position.” She felt his arms wrap around her waist as she faced the mirror.

“I know what I signed up for when I decided to date you. You’re worth every cruel thing she said to me but… I just wasn’t expecting it tonight. My guard was down, I think.” His face nuzzled into her neck, kissing the soft flesh of her throat as he tried to calm himself down.

He was furious.

Y/N, even sniffly and teary eyed, was rational and mature about this when he sure as fuck didn’t want to be. He wanted to yell, to kick her out himself, to tell her that she was no friend of his if she felt comfortable enough to try and ruin their relationship. Who was she to come into the kitchen that they shared as a couple and try to make her uncomfortable?

He should have known from the first misstep of ‘forgetting her name’ that she would cause trouble, but he’d genuinely thought the best of her.  He’d have to make sure people knew just how unacceptable he found this.

But he didn’t want to embarrass Y/N any more than she already was. Her body was still shaking slightly in his arms, eyes peering from his spot in her neck to watch her dab at the tears near her waterline. Thankfully there had been minimal damage to her makeup and if she took another moment, it wouldn’t be too obvious that she cried. But she shouldn’t have had a single tear to begin with.

“I know I can’t protect you from everything, but I really wish I could.” He said after a quiet moment. “I know you’re dealing with the shorter end of the stick. People assume a lot of you. But one thing I can tell you is that you are the best thing in my life. You aren’t a little girl, you’re a woman. A woman I love and adore and plan to cherish for the rest of my life. Eventually it will die down. People will get used to it, and we both know no one’s immune to the gossip train, but we’re going to be very boring to them in just a little while.” He turned her around, taking the tissue from her hand and continuing her clean up for her.

“I didn't know she was like that. That she was into me at all. It didn’t matter either way, but I hope you know I’m not keeping her in my life. Not when she was cruel to you.” He huffed. “And putting a hand on you… she’s lucky I won’t press a charge. But if you want, I can tell Sarah to tell Victoria about what happened. She’s a massive gossip and half the town will know of her being thrown out of my house.” A tiny mischievous smile rose on his lips, making her laugh.

“Yes.” She peeped. Maybe a person better than her would feign disinterest in that sort of thing, but it would be nice to see some sort of karma for the people trying to ruin her life all because she fell in love.

“I’m not going to let them get to me. I’m in love with you, I love our relationship, I adore my life here and I’m not about to let the yummy mummy’s who are jealous of this, or the other people who think they know what’s happening make me feel uncomfortable.”

The only person who had a right to be upset was Lia, and Y/N wasn’t going to hold that against her. She knew that it was fucked up but there was little she could do about it now. Harry was her love.

Lips pressed against hers quickly, shocking her a little bit. It didn’t take long for her to melt into the kiss, though, leaning into it as he gave soft, repetitive pecks to her slightly swollen mouth. His fingers curled around the back of her neck and the side of her cheek, moving from her mouth to kiss over her nose and forehead, the onslaught of kissing making her erupt into giggles before they, too, were silenced by his lips yet again. Melting into him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself lean into his strong body, keeping her up with his arms alone before pulling their lips apart to take her for a proper hug.

“I love you.” He mumbled into her hair. “More than anything. I’m sorry this happened, but m’gonna make sure we’re around people who support us.” Like his mum. That was a whole other story, but she really did like the fact he was so happy. Sarah, Mitch, Charlotte, Victoria, everyone else here was so supportive now that they’d met her and seen their love firsthand. Anyone who had an issues with them could get fucked, if Harry had a say in it.

What would they do when Y/N fell pregnant? Being honest, that was a goal of his. He couldn’t stand on anyone disrespecting her now, let alone when she was the mother of his child. “Let’s get you relaxed and then we’ll go back out there, yeah? People wanted to know about the trip and the museums we went to.”