Strictly Professional.

The road so far had been smooth, not many bumps in the road -- figuratively or literally. Penny had just finished packing up all of her items and loading them on the crew bus. She was standing in the parking lot, looking at her phone and messaging her best friend about how they were going to Canada tomorrow and that poutine was in her near future.
"You texting your boyfriend?" She heard the familiar lazy voice calling from behind her, she turned around and gave him a smile and a shake of the head. "My imaginary boyfriend? Not right now." She joked, she had a serious boyfriend before leaving last year for the tour, but things didn't exactly work out as planned. She was entirely available at the moment, which made this even more difficult. The twenty two year old never dreamed this would be the life she was living. It was a constant whirlwind of chaos followed by screaming girls. She looked over at Harry and gave him a smirk, “So who is it you’re seeing this week? Are we feeling musical or is it models today?” She would bite back, the boys love life had not been private and while the girl always felt a twinge of jealously with each new rumored romance, she would never speak of it. Harry let out a weak laugh, leaning back against the bus and gave her a nod. No retort, no real laughs, no smile. Penny slid her phone into her pocket and placed her hand on his chin, picking it up some. “What’s wrong? I’m only joking..” She would say with an apologetic tone, realizing maybe for the first time that it was something that made him feel uncomfortable.
Harry’s shoulders would slump as he crossed his arms across his chest. His face pulling from her touch, “I’m tired of hearing that… I don’t want to hear it from you. The one person I can be my real self with… You don’t believe the things they say, do you?” He sounded as if he may be trying to set the record straight, Penny wasn’t sure why. She didn’t believe the things she read; she spent days and days with these boys and knew they were always taken out of context. “No, Harry no, not at all. I was just teasing, sorry… sore subject, eh?” She would try to pull a smile from his pouted lips. Harry would take her hands in his own, giving her a look that she hadn’t seen before. What had changed over the past couple months that she had missed? When did they start touching each other in this way? She blinked, her lips parted as they held each other’s gaze. “Good.” He spoke softly and certainly. “You want to ride with us? I could definitely be into a few hours of your company… plus I’m kind of thinking I want to do corn rows…” His voice had gotten some spirit back into it and his jokes were back, all was well with the world. Penny smiled, shaking her head as she snickered slightly. “Yes, you mean I get to ride on the big kid bus!?” She would ask with mocking excitement, even though she was very excited to spend time with Harry and also the other boys, they were all like a second family to her now. “That sounds lovely.” She would finally say, giving him her answer before his lips were pressed to her cheek in a lingering “friendly” peck. They held that pose for only seconds, but it felt like a lifetime. Like his lips lingering right above her skin had been going on for longer than she could count, would he kiss her on the lips this way? Was he thinking of it? She swallowed and he was standing up right again. “Damnit. I ruined the moment..” She thought to herself before he laced his fingers with her own and dragged her off towards the other bus, which was in fact a bit more luxurious.

--

Three hours in, two hours to go. Montreal was a favorite of Penny’s and she was stoked they would get a minute to rest once they’d gotten there, even if it was just a day. The raven haired girl sat on the couch while the lanky crooner sat on the floor, her knees on either side of his shoulders as she continued to braid his hair. Her hands were tired as all get out, but she was so close to being finished she couldn’t stop now. Harry turned his head to look up at the girl, giving her a smile before he spoke. “Since you’re being so kind, I’m pleased to tell you I’ll be buying you your favorite, poutine, as soon as we wake up tomorrow. Forget breakfast, straight to the chips and gravy.” He would bargain, knowing she had to be tired of braiding his hair. She gave him a glare, moving his head back to the position it had previously been in. “That’s wonderful babe, but if you keep moving I’m going to rip this pretty hair from your head.” She said with a devious smirk. She was ecstatic at the thought of enjoying her two favorite things, but she couldn’t let him know. She didn’t want to seem to eager. “Also, we should definitely get them delivered because I really don’t feel like being surrounded by paps and screaming girls, ya dig?” She would speak sweetly, knowing he was probably going to be okay with that plan because there was nothing more stressful then getting mauled when trying to get food.
“Very well, a nice intimate brekky of chips and gravy and just the two of us?” He would offer, keeping his head straight ahead as he spoke. She smiled, finishing up her last braid and then wrapping her arms around his shoulders, locking her fingers just above his chest. “Sounds beautiful.” She would give him a quick peck on the cheek before shoving him forward, “Go have a look then.” She added, smiling at how utterly ridiculous the boy looked. He would stand, the goofiest of grins on his face, as he looked for the closest mirror. “Oh, safe Penny. I look like a complete fool. You’ve done a great job.” He said jokingly, knowing that he looked silly, but he was a silly guy and it was something he could get away with.
“You’re taking that out before your next concert, just so it’s known.” She added, leaning back against the cushions and crossing her legs.
“Not a chance.” His grin was devilish as he walked back toward the couch, sprawling out and resting his head in her lap. “This is going to be your masterpiece, just you wait.”

She sighed, letting her hand rest on his chest. “You’re a mess Harry…”

Notes

Thanks for reading! Let me know how you like it and if you have any ideas? I love feedback. x