The Weekend (Narry)

ocht déag

"And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey."
'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' movie adaptation, written by Robert Gordon

"Look who's awake."

"I was on the phone."

Niall gasps dramatically. "People actually want to talk to you?"

"Shut up." Harry grumbles, walking further into the kitchen and sitting across the breakfast bar, across from Niall. He yawns loudly, and Niall gives him a look.

"Wanna help?" He offers as he slices fruits.

"Sure." Harry nods, sliding up to lean on the counter. Niall hands him butter and a knife.

"Make toast."

"I know how to cook, you know. You don't have to put me on toast duty."

"Ah, but I want to put you on toast duty." Niall grins, going back to slicing strawberries. "What do you usually make for breakfast?"

Harry puts slices of bread into the toaster on the counter. "When it's just me, I don't eat breakfast. If Louis is home, I'll find a recipe on Pinterest to make."

"Is he not home often, then?"

"Well, he used to never be home- back when he was an intern, right? But now, because he's head of neurosurgery, he's home more." Harry taps his fingers on the counter, waiting for the toast to pop.

"You didn't answer my question."

"Hmm?"

"I asked if he wasn't home a lot." Niall says, putting the strawberries into a wooden bowl. He turns to head for the refrigerator.

"Oh," Harry pauses. "He's home as often as he can be. It's not like I never see him."

"Harry." Niall stops and looks at him.

"No," he says. "He's not."

Niall seems satisfied with that answer and continues pulling ingredients out of the fridge. The toast pops up, and Harry grabs it to butter. They're quiet for a while, as Niall begins making what Harry thinks are pancakes, but what he's putting in them is different than at home, so Harry isn't quite sure. It's a couple minutes before Niall speaks up again. "Is that why you want kids?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've got to be lonely at home. Is that why you want kids?" Niall asks again.

"I'm not stuck at home all day, for your information. I have a job too."

"Well, what do you do?"

"I'm an event planner."

Niall giggles- he giggles. "You throw parties for the inept. That's very Harry."

"Thanks. I think."

"What else do you do while your husband is at work?" Niall asks, and Harry can hear the condescension in his voice.

"Fuck the pool boy."

"Oh, you're so funny." Niall teases, and Harry laughs.

"I like walking around town, I guess. I usually visit with my mom or something." Harry says as he watches Niall start another pan on the stove. "I'll go out to lunch with my friends."

"Ohp, Tourist has mates." Niall grins, still teasing. "They single?"

Harry gives him a look. "Married, actually. To each other."

"I bet they have a baby too."

Harry can feel his face reddening. "She's five."

"Hanging out with couples strapped with children. Also very Harry."

"Someone once told me that you make friends with who you want to be." Harry recites, and Niall pauses to look at him.

"Who told you that? You're therapist?"

"I don't have a therapist."

"Oh honey..." Niall gives him a sad look. "You should start considering one."

"It was this woman I met on the plane here." Harry continues, ignoring Niall's antics.

"You sure do have a knack for listening to the advice of strangers." Niall deadpans, and Harry rolls his eyes.

"I would consider you a friend at this point, if I'm honest." He tells him. "Not a stranger."

"Oh, so we're going to be friends now?"

Harry huffs, taking out the next pieces of toast and buttering them. "No, I guess not."