"You rented out a hotel venue? Louis what the hell?"

"Hey," Liam says sternly. "Don't be like that. We wanted to surprise you. It's just that room with all the big round tables, with the dancefloor-"

"This isn't for a wedding reception guys, I'm turning nineteen."

"That is a big deal," Lou smirks. "Lots of presents, loads of alcohol and wild birthday sex."

I wave him off and turn to Niall who just returns me a goofy grin.

"Don't give me that look, you're in on this too."

"Hope you like cake. I test tasted a few just for you."

Of course he did.

"Lighten up," Liam slings his arm around my neck and Louis narrows his eyes. "It's going to be lit."

He winks and Louis bursts into laughter as he praises his boyfriend. "Good one babe."

"God, you spend too much time together. What if someone sees that my teacher showed up to my birthday party? You idiots! You invited half the school."

"Oh," Niall drops his sandwich back onto his napkin. "You're right. I didn't really think of that."

"Luckily I did," Liam interrupts. "I booked you a room. Zayn can just chill until you're ready to crash."

"My boyfriend is so brilliant," Louis boasts.

I just roll my eyes, thankful Liam has a functioning brain.

"He's just going to be locked in his room for hours?"

"I'm sure he'll find something to do."

My friends are stupid. Stupid and irrational but I love them and I wouldn't trade them for the world.

...

It's a frenzy of sweaty bodies grinding and deep bass booming through the speakers. It's me making my hips sway to the rhythm and taking shots with Louis.

My movements grow sloppy and Niall shouts something drunkenly, laughing until he's red in the face. I'm not sure what was said but in the moment it's the most hilarious thing I've ever heard and I double over in laughter.

The music vibrates within my body and my brain buzzes. I don't think I've ever been this wasted.

My movements turn sloppy and I grow incredibly hard as I watch a random couple get handsy.

There's a sheen of sweat on my bare chest and it pools at my hairline. I'm fully aware that I'm a complete mess and my feet grow clumsy. I run into a warm body. He turns around and smiles, his soft chocolate brown eyes meeting mine, the corners of his eyes crinkling.

"L-liam," I slur. "I need to get out of here."

It's suddenly all too much, the music deafening, the heat stifling.

"We can open presents tomorrow." He smells like alcohol but he's seemingly sober, grabbing my clammy hand and pulling me into the hallway.

"Okay," my heavy eyelids close but open again when the elevator dings.

"I brought up some cake earlier. Zayn didn't seemed too bothered by this, he was watching some crime show."

I smile stupidly as he knocks on the door. My ears are ringing and the sensitivity makes me cover them. It seems like forever before he opens the door.

He bites back a grin and thanks Liam, tugging me into the room.

"You're so pretty," I giggle.

"Thank you," he chuckles.

"I can't believe you're m...my boyfriend."

"Tongue tied?"

He helps me out on my jeans with a sigh because I keep fumbling with the zipper. I nearly topple over as I lose my balance but he places his hand on the small of my back, steadying me.

I kiss him rather sloppily, my wet tongue lapping over his tan skin. His lips are sweet like vanilla buttercream. It occurs to me that I didn't even have a slice of cake but I can chase the taste on his lips.

He doesn't seem to mind that I'm sweaty and smell like vodka and peach schnapps. He smells slightly of tobacco but I'm too faded to realize its because he's had a smoke. He smells musky and sweet all at once, like wood sap and black orchid.

I'm so drunk it reminds me of my first trip to London. It's opulence and grandeur and an old gentleman's club.

It's redolent of something I can't grasp in my drunken state but I'm itching to feel him. I'm hoping his body will help me remember.

I grapple at his jeans but he glides my hand away.

"Harry," he whispers.

His voice is so quiet in comparison to the party that I have to strain to hear him.

a mere

whisper

getting lost

in a dark

unfamiliar

room

"I need you," I whimper.

"I know babe. I know," his fingers massage my scalp and I let out a content purr. It makes my body tingle and I don't want him to stop. "I don't want this right now Harry, not like this. You're too drunk."

I nod, my head heavy.

"I'll still be here in the morning, okay?"

He's being reasonable but my lip quivers and I shed drunken tears nonetheless.

"Oh baby, don't cry."

His arms wrap around me and he hushes me and presses a gentle kiss to my warm cheek.

My body feels like fire, fondness spreading through my abdomen.

I'm doting on him, craving his affection like a kid craves candy.

But he's so tender I can't help myself.

"I've got you babe."

I've got you beb. I've got you, I've got you, I've-

He places me on the bed and my head hits the pillow with a thunk.

His body slips under the covers beside me, his fingers lacing with mine.

and my heart

s

t

u

t

t

e

r

s

more than my words

...

I register everything as my eyes snap open and I sit up in bed, my head pouding.

The bitter taste of cheap alcohol sticks to my tongue and I groan. My body is terribly sore and there's a dull ache in my neck.

Zayn's touch lingers on my skin but the sheets are rumpled, the bed empty beside me.

My eyes finally adjust to the burning bright light and squint to focus on the clock.

The sound of the door closing startles me and I land on the floor with a loud thump.

I'm met with light laughter and tan skin. Deliciously tan skin and jet black hair. I drink him in, supposing it's more pleasant to be drunk on perfectly sculptured cheekbones and chiseled abs than some cheap drink Lou passes me.

My eyes are glued to his full pink lips. I want to kiss them over and over until my own lips are swollen, as red as a candied cherry atop a mixed drink.

It takes me ages to realize why he left to begin with, my gaze falling to the present he's holding.

"The pit of my stomach is warm. I feel all fuzzy," I smile.

He gives me a pill and a glass of water which I gladly chug down, my throat dry.

"I want a particular present today."

"I'm sure you do," he grins. "Open this one first. I can open you up later."

My cheeks flush as laughter bubbles out of me.

"Have I ever told you that you have a beautiful laugh?"

"You have now."

I rip into the wrapping paper, tearing off the bow and placing it on Zayn's head.

"So cute," I coo.

"I hate you," he jokes and tucks a curl behind my ear. "You need a shower too."

"You're a meanie," I pout.

But he isn't because I expect a Fuji but it's a vintage one step with retro stripes. And it's fucking perfect.

"Shall we snap a few photos?"

We take a bunch, our cheeks presses together, our lips locked, our tongues poking out.

"I'll help you shower and then we can work on your second gift."

A/N: drunk Hazza is so fucking cute