After Dark

Chapter 1

(A/N: I'm just trying something with "After Dark", I don't know if it will be good or completely horrible, but I'm trying it. Bear with me here, because there's a lot of details I have to cover if I do this correctly. Some things from both "Dark" by H28 and "After" by imaginator1D may have to be changed to get the right setting and plot.)

*Harry's POV*

"Harry?" I hear from the bedroom as I look through the fridge. We have almost nothing in here. Tessa has to get the groceries before we run out of food to eat. I hear soft footsteps coming into the kitchen, followed by the beautiful blonde that I am happy to call mine.

"We have to go grocery shopping," Tessa tells me, pulling the piece of paper from the clip that is hanging on the fridge. Since when was that there? She never surprises me with her endless organization.

"We need eggs, milk, butter, bread. . ." she lists off, running her finger along the piece of paper. I suck in my bottom lip, fiddling with the piercing with my tongue. I pretend that I'm listening, but I really can't concentrate as I look at her.

Her hair is swiped up from her shoulders into a loose bun, small strands falling down to rest against her neck. She's wearing one of my shirts, which I know she likes to do. I can't complain, though. I like it, too. Something about her wearing my shirts seems more territorial, however that may sound. I want her to know that she's mine and only mine. She's wearing sweatpants, which aren't unusual, but they hide her legs. Her long, gorgeous legs. I have to stop checking her out and focus on her words.

"We need more coffee," Tessa adds. I can't help but smile at her obsession with coffee. She tries to tell me that it's the only thing that keeps her awake, but we both know that's not true.

"Will you come with me to Conner's?" she asks, looking at me for an answer. I quickly nod and move closer to her. I pick up the strands of hair on her neck and twirl them in my fingers, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. No matter how often I touch her skin, she always seems to like it.

"Alright," Tessa breathes. I still haven't said a word to her, but I guess I don't really need to.

"Harry," she groans.

"Yes, Baby?" I kiss her forehead, wrapping my arms around her waist.

"We have to get to the store before it closes."

"Oh." I huff, pouting my bottom lip. Conner's closes at 9pm, and it is 8:30 now. Fuck, I wish we have at least a little time to do what I want to, and no doubt what that she would let me. But, her schedule comes first. Without it, we probably wouldn't be getting by as easily, and I'm thankful that she's as organized as she is even though it gets annoying as hell sometimes.

"I'll go start the car," I tell her, giving another kiss on her cheek. I know she thinks it's strange that I'm doing nice things for her, but she makes me feel like a better person. I don't mind if it gets me into shit with other people like my friends. As long as I have her, I'll do anything for her. I really, truly love her. And I can't admit it easily, it scares me a lot.

I walk out the door, grabbing the keys and pulling a grey sweatshirt over my head. My black converse make hardly any noise as I walk down the hallway to the elevator.

Tessa likes these shoes. She's never told me, but every time she looks down at my feet, she gives a little smile. I'm trying to make it a habit to grab these shoes more often, but I've been wearing boots for so long, and it's easy enough to get cold feet during the winter wearing these converse.

I pull at the sleeves of my sweatshirt and grip the keys in my hand as I walk through the softly falling snow. I've never had a reason to wear a winter coat. I'm not outside long enough to even think about it, but it's in my mind now. It's just so damn cold outside.

As I climb inside my car, the keys are already finding their way to the ignition. I sit in the driver's seat while I wait for Tessa to come down from our apartment. I've noticed how she likes to get dressed up, even when it's somewhere as simple as the grocery store. Though, I'm sure she'll be dressed casually tonight, giving how late it is. Or, how late it is in her head.

I nod along to The Fray's "How to Save a Life". This is by far the one I hear all the time on the radio and at parties. It must be really popular to be played more than the others, but I think it sounds a lot like any other song of theirs. They do have good songs, whether it's embarrassing to admit it or not. I'm still working on letting Tessa know what I think of them. I still like the metal music I listen to, but The Fray has drilled it's way into me.

A smile takes my mouth as I watch Tessa walk from the apartment building. She's in jeans and a sweatshirt like mine, but she looks beautiful. Her hair is perfectly curled at the ends, just like it always is. I almost forget to turn the music down as I look at her.

She climbs in the car and rubs her hands together, placing them in front of the car vent that's blowing out hot air. "Thanks for heating up the car, Harry." The words fall sweetly from her lips. Fuck, I absolutely love the way she says my name.

"You're welcome," I reply, my voice lower than normal. Jesus, do you see what she does to me? I can see the small smirk on Tessa's face, she knows what I'm thinking.

"Getting a little hot in here, isn't it?" she says, tugging at the hem of her sweatshirt. I bite my lip, trying to focus on the road in front of me.

"No, I think it's cold, actually. Keep your sweatshirt on."

My knuckles are turning white as I grip the steering wheel harder. I know Tessa is getting more confident around me but she's becoming insatiable.

"I can take it off if I want," Tessa says. She's just teasing, I can tell, but it's so annoying when she does that. Why can't she understand that I'm trying to protect her when I tell her to do things?

Luckily Conner's isn't that far, and the drive is short enough to cut off our conversation before I wreck. I place my hand on Tessa's back as I walk her inside, her cheeks instantly flushing in the cold wind. I can't help but watch her pause as we just get inside. She shudders and rubs her hands on her arms, trying to warm herself. I pull her into my body and wrap my arm around her waist.

The longer we wander through the store, the more irritated I become. We were only supposed to get a few groceries, but we've made our way to the other part of Conner's, surrounded by meaningless junk. I'm about to ask Tessa if we can go back to the apartment when a soft voice comes from behind me.

"Harry?" I turn around to see one person I didn't expect to find in a million years. My hand reaches down to claim Tessa's as my stomach churns and my throat gets dry.

"Bo?" I croak.