The City (Joe Sugg/ ThatcherJoe Fanfiction)

Chapter 18

Riley's POV

"This is absolutely breathtaking," I say as I stare in awe out of the side of the pod. There were a few other people in our pod on the London eye including a Japanese couple. "すごいね! (Isn't it awesome!)" I say excitedly to them.

This is such a different way to see the city. All the hustle and bustle is minuscule. Seeming insignificant in proportion to the scale of the many buildings. Little ant people scurry across streets. Weaving between the matchbox cars, dodging mini bicycles.

The sun is beginning to set on the horizon. Casting pink and orange shadows across the wintry sky. Just when I think it couldn't possibly get any more stunning small flakes of snow begin to fall from the sky.

"Harry, it's snowing!" I shriek, jumping up and down like a small child on Christmas morning.

Harry laughs and joins me at the side of the pod. We are about three quarters of the way into the ride and I have spent the entire time staring out at the streets of London.

I see him glance at his watch in the corner of my eye.

"Hey, didn't that girl say your party thing is at eight?" he asks. Pulling my attention away from the gorgeous landscape.

"Uhh, yeah. What time is it?"

"Quarter to eight."

"Shit," I curse, "I still have to get the tube back home. Zoe might murder me if I'm late. Wanna tag along? She won't kill me if I have company."

Harry grins, "Sure!"

As soon as we reach the ground Harry and I rush off to catch the tube back to the apartment. 

I am already late and Zoe is going to be pissed. I'm supposed to be her 'arm candy'.

When we arrive back at the apartment everything is rather quiet for a party. I suppose it's a Christmas party but you'd at least expect some Christmas carols.

As we walk into the living room Zoe claps excitedly. "We were just about to play never have I ever! Are you two going to join in?" 

I glance around the small room where a group of people sat in a circle all staring expectantly at me. All of the furniture has been pushed up against the walls to make room for them to all sit.

I glance at Harry who just shrugs.

"Uhh, sure." I say, slipping off my jacket and sitting down beside Joe. Harry sits beside me and the game begins.

It starts out pretty innocent and funny.

"Never have I ever rode a kangaroo.", "Never have I ever been to Zimbabwe." and, "Never have I ever cooked a full meal" were just a few.

But all of a sudden they started getting more personal and the one thing I had prayed would not come up came out of the mouth of a person three places over from me.

"Never have I ever self-harmed."

My mind flickers to the faded scars on my left wrist as it is gripped by someone. Before I can think I am being hauled to my feet and out of the room.

"Don't think about it, please." begs the voice of the person who is dragging me as far away from the lounge as possible.

"Joe?" I mumble.

He shushes me as he leads me to my room and locks the door behind him.

"I was really hoping no one would say that." he admits, sitting me down on the bed, "None of them know. I promise." he says, sitting beside me and stroking my hair.

We sit there for a couple of minutes in complete silence. To be honest I had stopped thinking about the game and was more concentrated on the fact that I was sitting on my bed in my locked room with Joe Sugg, perhaps the cutest human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.

"What are you thinking about?" I mumble, glancing up at him.

I see his cheeks flush slightly.

"N-nothing." he lies, staring at his lap like it is suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

Without thinking I rest my hand on his thigh, "Don't lie to me Joseph." I mutter, shifting awkwardly to face him.

He shifts his gaze to meet mine and his breath catches slightly. I chuckle, never have I had the effect on anyone. He always acts so confident but right now he seems as far from it as possible.

"Joe?" I breathe, pulling myself up onto my knees to equal his height. "Kiss me?" I ask.

He gulps and his lips part slightly as I watch him debate his answer.

He reaches up and cups my chin in his hand before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.

This is the first time he has kissed me since the incident in the bathroom a couple of weeks ago and it is absolutely amazing. His lips are soft and tender as they move against my own.

It ends too soon as there is a knock at the door.

"Riley? Joe? Are you guys in there?" It's Marcus.

"Yeah, we'll be out in a minute." Joe calls.

"Okay." Marcus says and we listen as he walks back down the hallway.

"Riley?"

"Yeah?"

I look at Joe who is back to looking nervous and flustered. He gently rubs the back of his neck with the palm of his hand before looking me square in the eye.

"Will you- erm, would you like to be my girlfriend?" he asks quietly. His eyes flitting back to his lap.

I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him in tight. "I would love to." I mumble into his shoulder.

I really like this shy Joe. He's even more adorable than usual.

"Now, we'd better get back out there before Zoe goes ape-shit."

A/N

The response to the last chapter was absolutely fab!! Love you guys soooo much <3
Jiley are official now!! Who's excited??

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