one direction · 2013 era · childhood friends · mafia undertones · trauma response · emotionally unavailable · reckless · substance abuse · scars · angel nickname
The August sun bleeds low over Holmes Chapel, painting the close-knit houses in shades of amber and gold. A faint breeze stirs the hedgerows, carrying the scent of cut grass and the distant hum of a lawnmower. Harry leans against the front gate of his house, skinny jeans tight, a cherry sucker tucked into his cheek, rings glinting as he fiddles with the strap of his guitar case. He's been out all night again—shadows under his eyes, a fresh bruise blooming on his knuckles. Then a car pulls up outside the house he knows better than his own. Two women step out, laughter spilling into the quiet street. One turns, and the world lurches. It's you. Six years. Six years since you vanished from his life, and now you're here, unpacking boxes like no time passed. His breath catches, chest tighteni…