Not The Same as It was- Part 10*
Sorry its been a bit. Life has been crazy.
WARNINGS: big confessions, talks of weight and power, a bit of angst, kissing, cute fluff
3.8k words
read the rest of the series here
You wanted to go to the airport to surprise Harry coming home, but he was being picked up in a company car, and you didn’t want to risk word getting back. Instead, you baked him cupcakes and iced them.
When you were done, you were about to take Donald for a walk when the front door opened. “Hello, beautiful? I’m home.”
“I think he’s talking to you,” you said to Donald, unclipping his leash. “Hey. You’re early,” you said, walking over to him.
“Flight was actually on time and my bags came out right away,” he put his arms around you. “I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too.” Harry gave you a kiss. Before it could get superheated, you pulled back. “I was going to take Donald for his walk. Be back soon?”
“I can do that, baby. Don’t worry about it.”
“Nonsense. You just got in. I’ll be back in a jif,” you said, reclipping his leash.
Harry gave the dog and you a kiss before you headed out. You took a quick walk, let Donald do his business, and then headed back.
When you got back to Harry’s place, he was walking through his house in a towel, having just got out of the shower and eating a cupcake. You freed Donald and then swallowed, roaming your eyes across his wet chest.
Harry chuckled. “Forgot how cute it is when you get tongue-tied around me.”
“I’m not… tongue-tied,” you kicked your shoes off. “I, uh.”
He smirked. “You-?”
“Breakfast?”
“You’re breakfast?” Harry asked.
“No. Uh, do you want some breakfast?”
“I can make my own, baby. Don’t worry about it.” He grabbed his suitcase and took it to the laundry room.
“I’m gonna make us breakfast.” You hurried over to the fridge and got out eggs and the ingredients you needed.
As you made breakfast, Harry finished his laundry and put on a pair of sweatpants.
You plated the food, not looking at him. “So, what did you learn at training?”
“I learned that you look so sexy in my shirts.”
“Harry…”
“What?” He asked, biting into his toast. “I did.”
You rolled your eyes. “Did you pay attention to the training at all? Or do I have to send you away again?”
Harry dug through his backpack and took out a folder. He pulled out pages of notes. “I paid attention.”
You looked at the highlighted bullet points, the notes in the margins. You smiled. “I’m proud of you. You’re gonna be an even better boss.”
Harry smiled. “What do I get for being a good boy?”
You raised an eyebrow at him. “For doing your job?”
“You promised me kisses,” he said, puckering his lips.
You giggled and gave him two pecks. “Eat.”
“That’s it?”
“You’ll get more if you finish your breakfast.” Harry shoved the eggs and toast into his mouth so quickly you thought he was going to choke. “Slow down there, big boy.”
Harry swallowed his last bite and took a sip of coffee. When he finished, he put his plate in the sink and then turned around and puckered his lips. “I was gone for 52 hours. You owe me 50 more kisses.”
You shook your head and giggled. “You drive me insane.”
“Back at ya, babe,” Harry kissed your neck. “Now, pay up.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When you both returned to the office, Harry was very lovey with you. He called you into his office twice just to give you a kiss.
“We have to set up for the meeting. Come on,” you said, taking his hand.
When you arrived in the meeting room, Harry went over his notes. You set up the papers on the desk. He kept sneaking glances at you.
As the people piled in, you took your seat and opened up your laptop to take notes. Harry got right into it. He was in the zone.
At one point, Harry said. “Can you hand me that, honey?”
Your eyes got wide and he cleared his throat. “The honey you brought me in today. I want to sample it when we’re done here. But, for now, can I have that paper?”
You handed him the paper with shaky hands. Throughout the rest of the meeting, you were on edge hoping he wouldn’t slip up again. You didn’t look at him the rest of the time.
As everyone left, you gathered up the papers and folders. Harry sighed as he helped. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok. I don’t think anyone caught it,” you shrugged.
“Do you think my excuse was believable?” He scratched the back of his head.
You chuckled. “I don’t know, but no one said anything, so…,” you shrugged.
“I’m so so sorry, babe,” he said.
“It’s ok. You just-. Why do you think I call you Harry all the time for this exact reason?” You said.
“I just thought you weren't comfortable with pet names,” Harry shrugged.
“No,” you shook your head and walked over to him after you were done cleaning up. “I just know I would slip up. Sorry.”
“No! Don’t be sorry. I’m the one who needs to apologize,” he said, holding onto your hips. Harry pulled you close and gave you a kiss. “We should get back to work, hmm?”
You nodded. “Yeah. We should.”
“Hey, listen. I want to take you on a real date again, not that I didn’t enjoy our last one, just we should get out more,” Harry chuckled.
“I agree. I’m free on Saturday.”
“Perfect. I’ll pick you up at 6?” He asked.
“Sounds good.” Harry gave you a peck before you both went back to your desks.
The rest of the day went smoothly and no one seemed to notice the two of you. Everything was fine until the next morning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Harry!” You got up from your desk and went into his office. Normally, you’d knock, but this was urgent. “Did you get the same email I did?”
“Uhh. Not sure. I’ve been tied up. Let me check.” He clicked over to his email and his eyes got wide. “Shit.”
“Yeah.”
“Shit.”
“I know."
“(Y/N), I’m sorry,” he said.
“Don’t panic yet. HR just wants to talk to us. They didn’t say we were fired right?” You said, breathing heavy.
“Right.”
Harry cleared his throat and straightened his suit jacket. “I guess we should go, then.”
“Ok.”
You both walked down to HR quietly. Luckily, no one paid attention. Harry knocked and you were told to come in. When you stepped inside the office, you weren’t expecting to see Carissa sitting there with a smirk on her face.
"What's going on?” you asked.
“Miss (Y/L/N). Mr. Styles. Please take a seat,” the rep that the two of you talked to said.
You both sat down and she spoke. “Miss Young here brought me some footage that I find interesting,” the rep, Stacy, said.
She pressed the screen of a phone and turned it around to show you two. It was of the two of you in the conference room. The word “babe” was heard and then your kiss and touches were seen as well.
You wanted to cry. Carissa filming you was such an invasion of privacy.
“That's an invasion of privacy!” Harry said. “I want this deleted immediately.”
“While it is an invasion of privacy, it is also evidence,” Stacy said. “But, because you both signed the appropriate paperwork and technically the kiss was private, your jobs are saved for now.”
You let out a sigh.
“What do you mean for now?” Harry asked.
“Well, since you went against the PDA rule, I have to give you both an infraction,” the rep explained. “If this happens again, you can both be terminated.”
“But, that’s not fair!” Harry said.
“There is another option,” she said.
“Let’s hear it.”
“You come clean about your relationship with your coworkers. It’s the sneaking around that there’s a problem with. We want to be transparent here,” Stacy said.
Harry looked at you. You couldn’t even speak. Your eyes were tearing up.
He turned to Stacy. “Can we get back to you on that?”
“Sure,” she said. She could see how upset you were. “And Miss Young?”
“Yes?” She asked with a smile.
“An infraction for you too for invasion of privacy and having your phone out at work,” Stacy said.
You had to bite your lip in order to stop laughing. Harry looked worried. “Stacy, can we speak to you please without an audience?”
She told Carissa to return to work. When he knew the coast was clear, Harry turned to Stacy. “I want her out of my department.”
“Mr. Styles-.”
“No! She has harassed me and (Y/N) enough. She only did this because I turned her down and she thinks that she’ll break us up and that she’ll somehow have a chance with me,” he said. “I don’t want her to be fired, but she can't work under me anymore.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” she said. Stacy ushered the both of you out.
Harry pulled you into a hallway. “Come here. Are you ok?”
You sniffled. “Why is she so vindictive?”
“I know. We know how she is. I’m sorry,” he kissed your forehead. You pulled away.
“Maybe it’d be best if I transferred too,” you sniffled.
“(Y/N), no! No no no no no! Please don’t. Please God no. I’d be lost without you.”
“Harry… I can’t have them know about us,” a tear fell down your cheek.
“And why not?”
You wiped your face. “You think they bully me now? It’d be so much worse. They’d accuse you of favoritism. I just can’t have them mean again. It’s just getting calm around here.”
“I’d protect you. I’ve had a talk with them about their behavior. One nasty word and they’re out. Believe me. They’re aware,” Harry said.
You shook your head. “I think it’d just be easier for everyone if we weren’t together anymore.”
You walked away and wiped your tears. “(Y/N), WAIT!” Harry speed-walked to catch up with you. “Who would it be easier for? Huh? Not me. Not at all. I’d be so depressed. Would you really be happy?”
You wiped your tears and whispered, “We don’t have a choice.”
“What are you talking about?” He grabbed your arm. “Of course we do. It’s our choice.”
You sniffled, looking into his eyes. “I’m scared.”
“Please, don’t break up with me. We’ll figure this out. Baby, please,” he pleaded.
You wiped your snots. “I need this job.”
“You’re not going to lose this job. I need you (Y/N),” he said. “And I need you here. I love you.”
Your eyes got wide. “What?”
“I love you,” Harry repeated.
“You don’t love me.” You shook your head.
“I’m pretty sure I do,” he chuckled.
“You’re just saying that so I stay.”
“(Y/N), Jesus Christ. I love you so fucking much. I have for a while. And it’s ok if you don't feel the same way, and I’m not just saying that. It’s how I feel. If you still don't want to go public, I get it, but I’m in this for the long haul,” Harry said out of breath.
You just looked at him, turned around, and walked back to your desk. You didn’t believe him. He was just saying that so you stayed.
When you sat down, you tried not to cry. You focused on your work, putting together the notes from the meeting. Harry had returned to his desk shortly after you. He didn’t say anything and gave you space.
You dreaded having to go to his office to give him the notes. You left them on his desk. “Thank you (Y/N). Can I please speak with you?”
You stopped and nodded. You closed the door and then sat down in one of the chairs. You looked down at your lap. “Would you like to say anything first?” Harry asked.
You sighed. “I don’t want you throwing around words just because you think they’ll make me stay.”
Harry shook his head. “I don’t throw those words out willy-nilly. I truly mean them. I would never say them if I didn’t. I promise you. I don’t lie to you.” He walked around from his desk and grabbed your hands. “Baby, (Y/N). I truly love you. I love you a lot.”
“But, why?”
“Why do I love you?” Harry asked, rubbing your hand.
“Yeah.”
“Well, where do I start?” Harry blew out a breath. “You’re beautiful. You’re funny. You’re smart. You’re hardworking. You love Donald like he’s your own…. You make me happy. Whenever I’m with you, I feel like I could walk on the clouds. When I’m away from you, I’m so sad. I’m always smiling when I’m with you. You make me a better person. What’s not to love?”
You looked down at your hands and shrugged. “There are some things.”
“Like what? Give me five reasons not to love you,” Harry said.
“It could blow up our careers,” you said.
“It won’t, but if it somehow did, we’d be ok. We’d go somewhere else. Point invalid. Try again.”
You smiled slightly. Harry winked.
You thought. “I come with a lot of baggage.”
“We’ve talked about this. I am willing to carry it all with you. Hop on my back. Let’s go for the ride,” he said. “Next.”
“I can’t cook,” you chuckled.
“And that’s a reason not to love someone?” Harry asked. “Baby, that’s just stupid.”
“Society doesn’t think we belong together,” you shrugged.
“Fuck society,” Harry said. “Literally. Fuck ‘em all. One more. C’mon. Let me hear it.”
“I’m not…skinny,” you swallowed.
Harry sighed, putting his hands up to his face. He wanted to scream. When he looked back over at you, you were still looking down at the ground. Harry picked your chin up. “Who wants to be skinny?”
“You’re built,” you said.
“I like the adrenaline. I do it because I like working out, but damn, do I like myself some brownies,” he said.
You chuckled.
Harry leaned back and folded his arms. “You’re trying really hard to come up with reasons for me not to love you. There’s not much you could do, besides maybe murder, that wouldn't make me love you,” he said.
You blew out a breath. “I won’t survive it if you break my heart.”
“Baby,” he said, leaning forward, cupping your face in his hands. “Who said anything about breaking your heart?”
“I’m always preparing for the worst,” you said.
“Start preparing for the best. You deserve to,” Harry replied. “I plan on holding your heart and mending it. Never breaking it. If I do, you can slap me right across the face.”
You smirked.
“There’s that beautiful smile,” he said. “Can I have a kiss?” You leaned forward and gave him a kiss. He hummed. “Thank you.”
You took his hand and squeezed it. “We can go public.”
Harry’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Only if you’re sure.”
You nodded. “I’m sure.”
“How sure?”
“Sure enough to say that I love you too,” you swallowed.
Harry’s mouth opened in a gasp. “You love me?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Why?” he hummed, smirking.
You rolled your eyes and smirked. “Because… you make me feel safe and pretty. You have the best dog. I’m happy when I’m around you too and sad when I’m not. You work really hard. You make me feel giddy. And you’re kind of cute, you know.”
“Kind of?” Harry scrunched up his face.
You giggled. “You’re really cute. Very handsome.”
Harry smiled. “Well, thank you.” He pulled you in by your hips and kissed you. This was a longer kiss than the first one. You only pulled away when someone knocked on the door.
You pulled apart. “Come in,” Harry said.
“Hey, boss,” Bob said. “The buyer wants a 20 percent discount because some of the products was scuffed.”
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Is a replacement being sent?”
“We offered that, but they want the discount.”
“Have you seen a picture of the product?” Harry asked.
“No.”
“Ask for a picture for proof. If it’s really scuffed we’ll give them a 15 percent discount and coupons for the future,” Harry said. “If they don’t agree to that, come back to me.”
“Right. Thanks boss.”
“Anytime.”
When Bob left, he turned back to you. You bit your bottom lip and giggled.
“What’re you giggling at? Huh?” Harry asked.
“You’re just really hot when you’re in boss mode,” you shrugged.
“Yeah? Just then?”
You shook your head. “No.”
“No?” He raised an eyebrow. “When else am I hot?”
“All the time.”
“All the time, huh?” Harry smirked. His hands wrapped around your waist, and squeezed your butt cheeks.
When he lifted you up, you squealed. “Harry!” He placed you on his desk and kissed you. “Har, someone is going to see,” you said as he peppered kisses down your lips to your neck.
“So, let them. We love each other, right?” He smiled. “Unless you just said that to try to get a promotion. But that won’t work. Not on me.”
You giggled and shook your head. “I don’t need a promotion.”
“No? Just love me then?” He smiled.
You pulled on his jacket lapel. “I do. Very much.”
Harry smiled before crashing his mouth to yours. He cupped your face as the two of you made out. One of his hands moved to your thigh and Harry kissed you with so much force that you laid back on his desk. Harry stood in between your legs, gripped the back of your neck, and kissed you hard.
He moaned into your mouth. You wrapped your legs around him and pulled him close. Harry pulled away and kissed your neck. “My baby, hmm?”
“Uh huh,” you breathed heavily.
“I just love you so much,” he said.
You tilted your head and kissed his lips. “I love you too, but we really should get back to work."
“I won’t tell, if you don’t,” Harry said.
You giggled. “Harry, I’m serious.”
He stood up and pulled you up with him. You straightened out your skirt.
“Remember our second date when I was going to tell you something, but then Donald interrupted us?”
“Yeah.”
His face turned red.
“What?” You asked, straightening out his tie.
“I was going to tell you something dirty,” he said.
“Yeah?” You raised an eyebrow. “What was it?”
Harry licked his lips. “I was going to say that I want to do naughty things to you on this desk.”
You swallowed. “Oh. Really?”
“Really,” he smirked.
“Maybe one day,” you tapped his cheek and slipped off the desk.
Harry’s mouth hung open. “What?”
You stopped at the entrance of his doorway. “We have work to do.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That Friday was the day you were going public. All morning you were shaking. Harry stopped and bought you your favorite breakfast and flowers and kept giving you forehead kisses. “It’s going to be alright, my love. I promise.”
You ate breakfast with a lump in your throat. When you got to the office, you started to gag from anxiety. You went to the bathroom to calm yourself down, splashing water on your face and shaking out the nerves.
When it was time for the announcement, you made your way into the conference room. Harry sat at the front of it and stood when you walked in. He pulled out your chair and you thanked him, sitting down.
Stacy from HR came into the room and your heart rate picked up. You started bouncing your leg. Harry put his hand on it to calm it. He looked at you. “Breathe,” he mouthed.
You took a breath in through your nose and then out through your mouth. Harry squeezed your leg and then put his hands back in his lap when Stacy cleared her throat.
“Thank you everyone for coming to this meeting on short notice. Mr. Styles would like to address you all. Please give him your full attention,” she said, sitting down with her clipboard.
Harry stood up, ran a hand down his tie and another through his hair. “H-hi, everyone. Um… so,” he blew out a breath. “I called you all here today because I wanted to tell you,” Harry looked over at you. You were looking down at the desk, your stomach in knots. He turned back to the crowd. “(Y/N) and I… are a couple.”
There were a few gasps and murmurs, but the thing that stood out to you the most was a cackle. Carissa. She slapped her hand on the table. “Guys, he’s obviously joking. I mean, come on.”
“I think it’s obvious," Bob said.
“It is?” Harry asked.
He chuckled. “Don’t act like I didn’t almost catch you two, multiple times.” Both of your faces turned red. “You’ve been smitten with her since the day you started. It was written all over your face.”
Harry smiled. “Well…”
“I think it’s cute,” Susan said. “An office romance. It’s like a book come to life,” she sighed dreamily.
You couldn’t help but smile at that. A few other coworkers offered up their congratulations and support.
Carissa stood up quickly. “This is just wrong. It’s all wrong,” she said.
“I beg your pardon?” Harry asked.
She let out a huff. “Look at the two of you! There’s no way you work.”
“What’s that mean?” Harry folded his arms.
“I- well, you know what I mean,” she replied.
“I’d love it if you told the whole room,” Harry said.
She started to get teary-eyed and then sat down. Stacy asked if you wanted to say anything. “The day Harry walked in here, changed my life forever. I was going to end it all, but he saved me. I’m proud to be his girlfriend.”
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” you replied as you sat down. A few people aww’d.
“Alright. Now that that is out of the way,” Stacy said, standing up. “There are a few staffing changes. Carissa… you’re moving to janitorial staff. There’s an immediate opening. And that’s it. Have a great day, everyone.” Stacy tapped her clipboard and walked out of the room.
Carissa had her mouth hung open. “But…”
Harry had to stop himself from laughing. You cringed and grabbed Harry’s hand. You walked out and left your empty water bottle on the table. “You can recycle this for me, Car, right?”
She grumbled as you both walked out of the conference room, trying not to laugh.
When you were back at your desks, Harry cupped your face and kissed you. “I’m so glad that went well.”
“Me too.”
“Tomorrow… we’re having a big celebration. The best date yet, ok?” Harry asked.
“Deal.”
He kissed you again before returning to work. You’ve never felt freer.
~~~~~~
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