Different 23 (Patreon)

word count: 2.2K

Harry stepped into his immunology class, one of the final courses of his curriculum. Dread had been his companion since day one, yet he'd procrastinated until the eleventh hour to enroll. The room buzzed with a palpable sense of unease, each student mirroring his sentiments of apprehension.

Alone among his friends in the class, Harry sat in the center of the room, his laptop emerging from his backpack as required by the demanding medical school entrance exam. Just as he settled in, a touch on his shoulder startled him.

"Hi!" Ivy's voice cut through the air, surprising Harry as she settled into the seat next to him. Her smile was warm as she pulled out her iPad and work materials. "Fancy meeting you here."

"Hey! What are you doing here?" he asked, curious about Ivy's unexpected appearance. Harry couldn't hide his surprise.

"Class? This is immunology, right?" Ivy asked, pausing from putting on her glasses.

"Yes," Harry replied, a touch unsure as he settled into his seat. "Did you transfer here? I thought you were attending school in Colorado."

"I did," Ivy confirmed with a smile, "but I thought it would be best to come here. Plus, it's nice to have a friend." Her words caught Harry off guard, a realization that Y/N had been right all along as the professor entered the room.

The class had been a struggle for Harry. The rapid pace left him feeling like he was drowning, unable to keep up with the doctor's lecture. It was as if they were speaking a different language altogether. As soon as the class ended, Harry wasted no time in making his exit.

He didn't wait for Ivy, leaving the room before she could utter a word. It wasn't just the overwhelming studying load that pushed him out; he was eager to meet Y/N. To his surprise, she was waiting for him outside the building.

"Hi," Y/N greeted him with a smile as he approached her. Admiration filled her eyes as she took in his natural beauty. He wore sweatpants and a simple t-shirt under a long coat, a simple yet attractive combination. Without hesitation, Harry wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in the crook of her neck. "What happened?" Y/N asked softly, feeling his grip tighten around her. Her hands instinctively began to caress his broad back and run through his hair.

"Shitty day," Harry mumbled, his frustration palpable. "I hate that class," he added, his doubts about his path in medicine creeping in. He knew immunology wasn't going to be a one-time ordeal.

"What? But it's what you've always wanted," Y/N responded, understanding his frustration but determined to be his support. "It's just one tough class. Tomorrow will be a new day."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore," Harry said, seeking solace in her comforting touch. "Let's go to your house," he suggested, "and watch a movie or something."

Y/N nodded, understanding his need for a distraction from the stress of the day. "That sounds like a plan," she replied, her voice gentle as she continued to soothe him with her touch.

"Harry!" Ivy's voice cut through the air as she exited the building. "Are you alright?" Her concern seemed genuine, but Y/N couldn't shake off the discomfort that settled in her chest. "Oh, hi, Y/N," Ivy greeted her with a too-friendly smile.

"Hey," Y/N replied, her discomfort evident. She could practically feel the tension crackling between them. Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that Ivy had her sights set on her boyfriend, and it made her uneasy. She was sure of it.

"I'm fine," Harry replied quickly, trying to dismiss Ivy from his thoughts. He knew that Y/N didn't like her, but there were more important things than their rivalry.

"Did Harry tell you the news?" Ivy asked Y/N, her voice dripping with a fake sweetness that made Y/N tense up instantly.

"What?" Y/N asked, her heart sinking at the thought of what Ivy might say next.

"I transferred here," Ivy announced with a smirk, as if she knew the effect her words would have on Y/N. "So, I'll be hanging out with all of you more often."

Y/N nodded, her unease growing by the second. She didn't know what to say or do. The warning she had received about Ivy echoed in her mind, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. She had finally found stability with Harry, and now everything seemed to be threatened by the presence of an old flame.

Y/N forced a polite smile, though her mind was racing with worry. "That's... great," she managed to say, though the word felt like a lie on her tongue.

Harry glanced between Ivy and Y/N, sensing the tension in the air. He could feel Y/N's discomfort radiating off her, and it made his stomach twist with unease. "Yeah, it's good to have you here," he said, trying to sound welcoming.

Ivy seemed oblivious to the tension, her attention solely on Harry. "I can't wait to catch up with you, Harry," she said, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation.

Harry shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flickering to Y/N for a moment. He could see the worry and apprehension in her expression, and it only made him feel more conflicted. He didn't want to upset Y/N, but he also didn't want to be rude to Ivy.

"Well. We were just leaving," Harry said to Ivy, a polite smile on his lips. He didn't want to cancel her plans with Y/N, and  he knew they needed some quality time together.

Y/N nodded, her eyes meeting Harry's with a silent understanding. "Yeah, we'll catch up later, Ivy," she said, her tone polite but distant.

Ivy felt a pang of jealousy as she watched Harry and Y/N walk away together, leaving her behind. She had always harbored feelings for Harry, and seeing him so close to Y/N stirred up a mix of envy and frustration.

"Sure, no problem. See you around," Ivy forced a smile, her voice betraying a hint of bitterness.

Without another word, they made their way to Y/N's house, the cool evening air providing a refreshing change from the intensity of the class. Once inside, Y/N led Harry to the cozy living room, where they settled on the plush couch.

Harry let out a sigh of relief as he sank into the cushions, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting off his shoulders. Y/N joined him, sitting close enough that their sides touched, a comforting warmth spreading between them.

As they scrolled through the list of movies, Harry couldn't help but steal glances at Y/N. Her presence alone brought a sense of calmness and comfort that he desperately needed. He admired the way her eyes sparkled in the dim light, her hair falling in gentle waves around her face.

"Anything in particular you want to watch?" Y/N asked, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

Harry shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Not really. Anything that doesn't require too much thinking," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Y/N chuckled softly, her laughter like music to Harry's ears. "Got it. How about a classic rom-com?" she suggested, scrolling through the options.

"Sounds perfect," Harry agreed, leaning back against the cushions and letting himself relax for the first time that day.

As 50 first dates played on the screen, they found themselves laughing at the cheesy jokes and predictable plot twists. Harry felt the tension in his muscles slowly melting away, replaced by a sense of contentment that only Y/N's presence could bring.

At one point, Y/N shifted closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. Harry wrapped an arm around her, pulling her even closer until she was nestled against his side. The warmth of her body against his sent a shiver of pleasure down his spine, and he couldn't resist pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes meeting his with a tenderness that took his breath away. In that moment, surrounded by the soft glow of the TV screen and the warmth of each other's presence, Harry knew that everything was going to be okay.

With a contented sigh, Harry leaned in and captured her lips in a tender kiss. It was a moment of pure bliss, a reminder of the love that they shared.

Y/N melted into the kiss, her heart fluttering in her chest as she wrapped her arms around Harry's neck. The world around them seemed to fade away as they lost themselves in each other. The softness of his lips against hers, the warmth of his embrace, it was everything she had ever wanted.

Harry deepened the kiss, his hand gently cupping her cheek as he poured all of his love and passion into the tender embrace. He couldn't get enough of her, the way she tasted like strawberries and felt so perfect in his arms. It was a moment of pure intimacy, a silent promise of forever.

As they finally pulled away, their foreheads resting against each other, Harry couldn't help but smile. "I love you," he whispered, his voice filled with all the emotions he couldn't put into words.

Y/N's heart swelled with happiness as she looked into his eyes, her own filled with love and adoration. "I love you more" she whispered back, her voice barely above a breath.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped up in each other's arms, lost in the comfort and safety of their love. Eventually, they both sighed contentedly, reluctant to move but knowing they had to.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, glancing at the clock and realizing how late it was getting. With classes looming the next day, they needed something quick and satisfying.

"A bit. What are you in the mood for?" Harry replied, following her into the kitchen.

"I was thinking either a stir fry or we could order in," Y/N suggested, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I won't be offended if you opt for takeout. I understand if you don't trust my cooking skills," she teased, rifling through the drawers to find the stash of takeout menus.

"I trust you," Harry said with a warm smile as he lounged on the couch.

"Well, that makes one of us," he added with a chuckle as Y/N returned with a stack of menus. After some back and forth, they settled on Thai food for the night.

"Do you have any dirty laundry?" she asked, after hanging up with the restaurant.

Harry had been staying with her more often lately, packing just a small backpack with random clothes each time. He'd often tell himself he was going to leave in the morning, but Y/N would convince him to stay with her irresistible pout. And, truth be told, he was a bit of a sucker for it.

"You aren't going to do my laundry!" Harry protested, feeling a blush creep up his neck.

"It's just clothes! Plus, the machine does all the work," Y/N replied with a casual shrug, unfazed by his embarrassment. She retrieved her basket from the bathroom. "Where are they?"

Harry shook his head, trying to hide his embarrassment, and quickly went into the bedroom to gather the small pile of clothes. He deposited them into her basket, feeling a mix of awkwardness and gratitude.

"See? That wasn't hard," Y/N teased gently.

Harry accepted the teasing with a small smile of his own. "What are you doing?" she asked, surprised when he took the basket from her with a smile.

"I'll be doing the laundry," he declared, feeling a sudden determination to take care of this task for her.

"Are you sure?" Y/N questioned, a hint of amusement in her voice as she followed him to the laundry room.

Harry nodded, determined now to do something for her. "Plus, it gives me a chance to appreciate these," he added, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he pulled out a red thong from the pile of clothes, a reminder of a particularly memorable day.

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SERIOUS QUESTION: WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ADD MORE PICTURES INTO THE CHAPTERS? let me know in the comments!