GREEN (RL Harry Styles fanfic)

5. Vibrant

"You're not supposed to touch the sides!," I shouted as the buzzer rang out for the tenth time.

"The point is to perform the operation! I removed the wishbone, it was a success!," Harry yelled back.

"The point is to perform the operation without killing the patient! It buzzes, you lose your turn! You'd make a terrible doctor," I joked.

"I'd be a wonderful doctor! I've managed to keep you alive so far."

"So far?, Is it too late to request another caretaker?," I teased.

"Nope, you're stuck with me," Harry said tapping his index finger on my shoulder.

"Alright, I guess you'll do. I think I'm all done with operation though," I said yawning and stretching my arms above my head. It was now 3:30 AM and the night was certainly catching up to me.

"Okay, we can just relax if you want to," he said moving the game from between us and setting it atop the coffee table.

At the same time we each leaned back on the cushions on opposite ends. Harry smiled and I returned the gesture. We both sat in silence. I was processing the utter insanity of the night, and I assumed he was doing the same.

"So Liv, what do you do?," Harry asked, breaking the silence.

"You mean you haven't seen my Monopoly game?," I teased, not wanting to let it go. He raised his eyebrows and lifted a finger in the air as he opened his mouth to speak. Deciding it was best to let me have the last laugh, he closed it again curling his lips into a smirk. "I'm a fashion designer," I continued.

"Oh! Really?," Harry perked up at my answer. "What do you design?"

"Women's apparel and dresses," I replied unenthusiastically. My recent creative block was making it hard to love my job.

"That's quite a talent. I'd love to see your stuff." His accent seemed to get stronger the later we were awake. I repeated his pronunciation in my head trying to keep a straight face. 'I'd louve to see yer stoouf' echoed in my brain.

"Thanks. I'll be doing fashion week this fall. It'll be my first time showing in Paris." Speaking the words out loud reminded me of all the work I had yet to do. My forgotten anxiety rushing back to me.

"Hey, I may be on break then!," Harry said, his eyes widening and his face lighting up at the thought. "So how's your collection shaping up?"

My stomach twisted and I felt my chest tighten. I had been struggling with my collection for weeks, unable to find inspiration.

"Eh, it's not really. I just can't find the direction I want to go. My ideas are all over the place."

"So you just need one direction?," Harry said, his lips bursting into a wide grin. His eyes squinting closed as he slapped his own knee and began to laugh at his own joke.

I couldn't help but join in the laughter which only made Harry laugh harder. Each time we tried to compose ourselves we'd get a glimpse of the other and start laughing all over again. Finally after a few minutes I pulled myself together wiping the tears from my eyes and grabbing my side, now sore. I glanced over at Harry, carefully as to not start another laughing fit. He was quiet now, but still flushed from the lack of oxygen he was receiving while giggling.

"Can I ask you something?," I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah, sure," he answered still stifling a laugh.

"I hope this doesn't come out wrong, but were you surprised I didn't recognize you as Harry Styles?" I don't know why I wanted to know, I guess I just figured he was used to being recognized everywhere he went. I wondered if he was bothered by someone being oblivious to his fame.