TWO GHOSTS

You peeked around the corner from the corridor, spotting Harry settling his suitcase down by your couch. You offered your couch since he hadn't made arrangements for a flat. As he reeled off his jumper, you stared from a distance. He looked a bit different, more mature. You even noticed he had added a few more tattoos inked onto his skin. Even if you were excited to see him, something felt different.

Harry glanced over, catching you.

You quickly walk into the living room. You stood by him, "Settled in?"

Harry nodded, "Thanks again (Y/N)." He inched closer, "How about we catch up, yea? We'll go to your favorite dessert shop." He smiled lightly, "My treat."

"Sorry, I made plans with Tyler--"

Harry frowned, catching you off guard.

"Tyler? My brother?" Harry looked upset now, "How long have ya been hanging with him?"

"Well, not long after you had left--"

"I don't want that for you."

You couldn't read him like you used to. Harry was serious, it was almost scary. He sighed, "(Y/N), Tyler is a trouble-maker babe. He'll get you stuck into a mess you can't clean up." He continued, "He may seem innocent but once he gets comfortable, he'll drag you down a dangerous path." Harry brushed his hand through his hair, "Where are you two going?"

"I'm not sure--"

Harry looked a little annoyed, "He hasn't told you? Where is he?" He walked past you, pulling out his phone.

You didn't understand Harry's obsession with Tyler. Tyler never did put you in harm's way, and Harry had never warned you about Tyler--so why now?

Harry looked at you, "He's not answering his phone." He hesitated, "I'm coming with you two."

You couldn't help but grin, "You're such a dad."

Harry paused, until you finally saw him smile. He finally relaxed, "You're right. I should know you won't get into any trouble." Harry repeatedly hit his phone against his palm as he thought for a moment, "You make smart decisions...just don't listen to anything he has to say...and be safe."

. . .

It was night now. You're walking toward a building Tyler had told you to meet him. As you walk closer toward the random building, Harry's words rushed into your head. Harry spoke about his brother as if he were a criminal, as if he was going to end up in prison with even more tattoos than what he already had. You were nervous to see Tyler again because of the way Harry had spoke.

You paused in front of the building, unsure where to go. It looked abandon, the only place where lights didn't expand from.

"(Y/N)!" You heard your name being shout from above.

You look up, finding Tyler on the roof waving his arms. He called to you from above, "C'mon up, the ladder is on the side."

You called back, "You're insane." A laugh escaped you.

He joked, "I can't hear ya." He gestured you to come up.

Without thinking, you ran to the side of the building. You climbed up the long ladder, avoiding to look down. Tyler helped you onto the roof, holding onto your arms. You were finally on top with him, feeling the brisk wind brushing past your body. Tyler smiled at you, "Are you afraid of heights?"

"I'm afraid of falling." You say nervously.

You felt his hand touch yours, "I wouldn't let that happen." He says gently.

After getting comfortable, you were both sitting close to the edge. Just close enough to see the lights of the city. Tyler's jacket was draped over your shoulders, keeping you warm. He was drinking from a water bottle, his eyes adjusted toward the city lights. You say softly, "Do you and Harry get along?"

Tyler glanced at you before avoiding eye contact again, "No."

"Why not?"

Tyler mumbled, "He says I'm trouble, but I just want to feel alive, y'know?" He looked at you. His green eyes gleamed, "Harry has it easy. He can make money with music, make an easy career. He's smart too. Me? I'm..." It sounded like he tasted poison, "I'm a delinquent low-life dimwit."

"Don't say that about yourself."

Tyler grinned at you, "Am I wrong?"

"Extremely wrong."

He looked at you before turning his body so he was sitting in front of you, "How would you describe me?" Tyler's long hair flew with the wind as he locked eyes with you.

You say softly, "A masterpiece."

You saw Tyler's shoulders relax, his eyes flashed. You continued, "You're a risk-taking masterpiece full of color."

Tyler stared at you. He was in awe. You and him made eye contact for a while until he abruptly collided his lips with yours. You felt his hand cup your cheek, his body leaning in more. Before your body dropped with his on top, you pulled away and quickly got up onto your feet.


"Shit, I'm sorry," He repeated as you handed him his jacket without saying a word. You made your way toward the ladder, hearing Tyler repeat his apology over and over again. Tyler grabbed your hand, "Please, (Y/N), look at me."

You didn't,

"I should head back." You slipped your hand away from his.

As you headed down the ladder, you can hear Tyler causing a commotion from on the roof. He was twisting his bottle, grunting to himself. You can hear him cursing under his breath, "You fucking idiot." He told himself.

You walked back into your apartment, straight into your room. You didn't say hello to Harry who spotted you in an obvious state of distress. You threw yourself onto the bed. A faint knock made you stuff your face into your pillow. Harry's voice asked from the other side of the door, "(Y/N), babe, are you okay?" when you didn't reply, he added in, "Do you want to talk about it?"

You didn't reply. You stuffed the pillow under your chin for support, staring at the wall. You heard the door slowly open. A figure sat on the edge of the bed. Harry asked, "Did Tyler do something to you? What's wrong love, tell me."

You hesitate before facing him. He spotted the tears forming in your eyes and quickly moved closer to you.

You whimpered, "He kissed me."

Harry looked away, trying to hide whatever emotion. He looked back at you, his jaw tightening from anger, "I'll fucking--"

"No, Harry, I..." You bit your lower lip, "I liked it."

Harry paused, "What?"

"I...I liked it. And I hate that I liked it because the feelings I have for him are romantic and its scary."

Again, you couldn't read him. Harry slowly got up from the edge of the bed, not saying a word. His back was faced toward you, so what was he thinking? Harry finally turned to you, "No."

You were taken back, "What?"

"No." He stood by the door, "I've known you for years, you've never interacted with Tyler until I left. Doesn't that say something? He looks like me, so maybe--you have feelings for me?"

"Harry--"

"No." He said again, "I like you." He cursed under his breath before covering his mouth. He looked at you again, "No, you know what? I do. I like you. I'm not letting my brother take you away from me. He can do whatever he wants, I don't care. But he won't take you--anything but you." He sat on the edge of your bed again, "I don't want you to neglect me, I want to be here with you. I came back for you."

You tripped over your own words, "Harry--you can't just say this out of nowhere--"

"Why not? This is the perfect time, (Y/N). My brother isn't good for you, but I am. I know I've been gone for a while and my brother has been keeping you company--but I'm back. And I'm here to stay."

Notes