020. CINEMA // POPSICLE

"A popsicle before dinner? Really?"

Rory stared at the man in her doorway with a confused look smacked across her face. "What are you doing here?"

"We made plans for dinner." Harry held up the plastic bag of take-out food in his hand. "We discussed it this morning, Bambi. Don't tell me you already forgot."

"I didn't forget," she said, a slight hint of defence laced in her tone. "I just didn't think you were serious."

"Why not?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. I assumed it was your version of I'll call you later. You know, the line you give someone the morning after but never mean?"

"Are you trying to tell me that someone has been stupid enough not to call you the next day?"

"No. I'm the one that doesn't do the calling."

Harry grinned. "That's my girl."

That's my girl. The words replayed in her mind like it was on a constant loop. That's my girl. Each time it repeated, butterflies fluttered in her stomach. That's my girl.

"Rory?" His voice pulled her back into reality.

She blinked. "Yeah?"

"Are you going to let me inside? Or are you still trying to decide if I was serious this morning about saying I would bring over dinner?" He glanced down at the bag. "Because this pasta smells amazing, and I'm starving, Bambi."

Stepping aside to let him enter her apartment, she looked down at her clothes and popsicle in hand. "Now I feel underdressed. And sticky."

"Was that really going to be your dinner tonight?"

Finishing off the last of her popsicle, she rolled her eyes and muttered, "Maybe," under her breath and tossed the stick into the garbage.

Harry pulled her in for a kiss, savouring the taste of her treat that lingered behind in her mouth.

The kiss broke. Harry kept himself close, running his tongue across her stained red lips. "Delicious," he murmured. "What flavour was that?"

"Cherry."

He hummed a sound of approval. "I'll have to put those on my shopping list."

"They come in a value pack," she said, unsure of why she was rambling on in the first place. "Different flavours."

"Really?"

Rory nodded.

"Any other facts I should know?"

"Not that I can think of."

One fact did come to mind. She was glad as all hell she didn't try the blue raspberry flavour tonight. Otherwise, she would have stood in front of him with a blue tongue, looking like she had just sucked off a smurf.

He smiled. "Well, alright then. How about you go make yourself less sticky, and I'll set everything up for us."

"Okay," she whispered, "What should I wear?"

Harry placed the bag on the counter and began pulling out the containers of food. "What do you mean?"

"Most of my clothes are in the laundry, so I only have a small selection to pick from."

"Wear whatever you want, Bambi," he said, giving her a shrug. "You can wear that... or a garbage bag... or a ball gown. There's no dress code for dinner."

Rory responded with a nod before disappearing from the kitchen and to her room. Shutting her bedroom door, she leaned against the wood, attempting to gain control of her shaky breath.

What the fuck is he doing here? The voice in her head shrieked. He's not supposed to be here. Definitely NOT supposed to fucking be here!

Focus, Rory. You can find something to wear and freak out at the same time.

Right. I can do this. I can totally do this. Coaching herself through it, Rory tapped her fingers against her bare thighs - instantly reminded of the stickiness of popsicle juice that lingered on her skin. But first, wash your hands.

After scrubbing her hands clean and wiping her mouth to ensure no cherry popsicle stain remained on her lips, Rory returned to her closet. She wasn't kidding when she said she had nothing to wear. The giant pile of laundry in the corner of her room had been put off for weeks - she would be lucky to find a clean shirt without holes in it.

Harry was right about one thing - it didn't matter what she wore. That wasn't what he was here for.

Stop overthinking this. You know why he's here, the voice in her head sneered.

He brought dinner.

Don't be an idiot, Rory. He's just here to fuck you, the voice spat. You might as well go out naked and save the both of you some time.

Rummaging through her clothes, Rory tried her best to ignore the voice. It didn't matter if he was here for sex. She wasn't going to give in. She had her rules. One's that she intended to stick by. Just because she broke them last night didn't mean that would ever happen again.

It was a one-time thing.

It wasn't her fault if Harry wanted more. He should have known better if that was the case. At least she would get some free food out of it.

But did he want more?

Pathetic.

I'm not pathetic.

You are. Look at you freaking out over what he thinks—trying on ten different shirts to impress him.

Rory looked down at the items in her hand. I'm just trying to find something clean to wear.

Bullshit. You're nothing more than a girl for him to fuck. That's all he thinks about when he sees you. An easy, fuckable whore, the voice continued to taunt. How fast did it take to get down on your knees for your boss?

The longer the voice in her head spoke with its venomous tone, Rory knew she had lost to it.

Aw, pathetic little girl. Did you think he would ever like you?

The voice was cruel. But knowing it came from her mind was even worse.

You will never be that type of girl to him, Rory. You're always going to be the whore that-

Tossing her clothes onto the bed in a frustrated huff, Rory left her bedroom without changing. It didn't matter what she wore. After saying what she needed to Harry, she was sure he would go. And knowing that was all she needed to storm down the hall and into the living room. Opening her mouth to speak, Rory fell silent at the sight in front of her. 

It wasn't the containers of take-out food that took her by surprise. She already knew he had brought those. It was the candles and bottle of wine - one she knew was expensive because it was far out of her drinking budget and the kind she stole from the liquor store.

What caught her eye the most was the tiny vase placed in the middle of the table, filled not with flowers but with cherry lollipops.

Hearing his footsteps approaching from behind, Rory turned her head and spotted the two glasses in his hand.

Placing a quick kiss on her lips, he whispered, "You look beautiful."

"I didn't change." Typical men. Not noticing when-

"I can see that." Harry placed the two glasses on the table and took a seat. "It doesn't change the fact that you look beautiful, Bambi."

Ignoring the feeling in her chest caused by his words, she asked, "Where did you get the candle from?"

"I brought it. I know it's a bit corny, but I thought it would be a nice touch."

Nice touch. Oh, please.

It is a nice touch.

Yeah, a nice touch to trick your pathetic little mind into thinking any of this is real. You know what you are to him, and-

Rory cut off the voice in her head the only way she knew. By blurting out her feelings in a panicked, "I'm not having sex with you!"

"I don't know what you thought this was," he gestured to the spread on the table, "But this is for eating. Not for sex."

"No, I know that. I meant just because we slept together last night doesn't mean we are tonight. We said last night was a one-time thing, and I want to stick to that-"

"Rory."

"You are still my boss, and just because I broke my rule once doesn't mean I will keep breaking it-"

"Rory."

"So, if that's what you came for, I understand if you wanna go. We can forget this happened. I won't hold it against you if-"

"Rory!"

Her eyes widened as she fell silent, only managing to respond with a weak, "Yes?"

"Sit." Harry motioned to the spot beside him on the couch and waited until she settled before continuing, "I think we need to work on your understanding of what it means when someone asks you for dinner. This is the second time you have misunderstood."

"I'm just confused. Why do you keep asking me out?"

"Because I want to spend time with you."

"But why."

"I told you the other night," his hand reached forward, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, "I enjoy your company, Rory. I'm also quite shocked by the revelation, but it's true. Your charms - let's call them - have worked on me."

Harry filled the two glasses of wine and handed one to Rory while keeping the other for himself. As he opened his mouth to speak, he stopped and watched her chug back the entire glass of liquid in one swing.

"Nervous?"

She licked her lips. "A bit."

"Let me try and ease your mind then, Bambi. There is no hidden agenda when I ask you to have dinner with me. I know where you stand with your rules, and I respect that." He refilled her glass. "And I understand last night was a one-time thing. I know how to sit through a dinner with a beautiful girl I find charming and enjoy her company. Surprisingly, Bambi, I do have some self-control."

"Then why do you keep kissing me?"

"It's my way of showing affection, I guess. But I apologize if it bothers you or I didn't ask first."

"It's okay." She took a deep breath and said honestly, "I don't mind it."

"You don't?"

Rory took a large sip from her glass. "No, I don't."

"Well, that's a relief, Bambi. I find these lips of yours quite addicting."

Noticing how close the two had become, Rory could feel her heart thumping madly in her chest - a feeling she was quickly starting to hate. She didn't know what it was about him, but the way he spoke made her want to believe him, that what he said wasn't some ploy to get her laying on her back on the mattress. Maybe it was the wine in her system. Or maybe she was stupid. But she didn't care.

Closing the remaining gap between them, she kissed him.

If she thought the feeling in her chest was terrible, it turned into an uncontrollable nightmare when he raised his hand to cup her cheek and kissed her back.

She let out a pathetic whimper as he pulled away.

"We should eat before the food gets cold." He smiled, placing a kiss on the tip of her nose. "We'll continue this after, okay?"

Rory nodded. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until he reminded her of the food in front of them. It smelled amazing, and it didn't take long before she dug into her dish.

"You need to get a new table, Bambi."

"Why?" she asked, looking over her shoulder. "What's wrong with it?"

"Are you serious? It's broken."

"No, it's not!"

Harry rolled his eyes. "It's on a slant. I was worried I would put a napkin down and the entire thing would collapse."

Not wanting to argue over defending her handiwork over fixing the table, Rory changed the topic. "What are the lollipops for?" she asked, pointing to the small vase filled with the treat.

"You said you don't like flowers." Noting her confused look, he added, "You told me when I picked you up for our first date."

"No, I know. I'm just..." her voice trailed off. "You remembered that?"

"Of course I did. I also learned my lesson about showing up empty-handed. But since you don't like a staple item of date nights, I had to get creative."

Rory couldn't tell what was more surprising.

The fact that Harry thought of doing something like that in the first place.

Or the fact that it made her chest flutter with uncontrollable butterflies.

Either way, the poor Bambi was in trouble. And she knew it.

The next handful of nights kept Rory on her toes and not in the usual panicked way she expected. Instead, she was surprised every time there was a knock at her door to find Harry with a bag of take-out food or ingredients to make dinner.

"Why are you always surprised when I arrive, Bambi?"

She shrugged. "I just expect you to give up."

"Give up on what?"

"The whole not having sex thing." Rory crossed her arms over her chest.

Harry stepped forward, a playful smirk crossing his lips as he tucked two fingers under her chin. "I thought you were a smart girl, Bambi."

"I am!" she snapped, unsure of where the remark came from but feeling the need to defend herself nonetheless.

"Then you should remember what I told you the other night." He leaned towards her. "I know where you stand with your rules, and I respect that. I know you don't trust my intentions completely,"

She didn't interject because he was right.

"But I'm willing to wait and prove myself to you, Bambi. No matter how long it takes."

"What if it takes weeks?"

"Then it takes weeks."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Months?"

"Then it takes months."

"Years?"

Harry brushed his lips against hers. "Then it takes years, Bambi."

"I highly fucking doubt that you would last years without having sex."

"If that's what it takes to earn your trust, then so be it," he answered genuinely. After a quick kiss, Harry disappeared into the kitchen with the bag of dinner supplies in hand. "What are we watching tonight?"

Rory leaned her frame against the doorway. "There's an episode of Bachelor in Love."

"Oh, good. I was worried you would have watched it without me."

If Rory had heard him say something like that a week ago, she would have thought he was being sarcastic. But from the moment she put it on one night, Harry was hooked. He was turning into a bigger fan of reality television than she was.

"I feel bad you're always doing all the work for dinner."

"You could always help, Bambi."

"I don't feel that bad," she teased, joining his side. "But, what can I do, chef?"

"How about you wash the vegetables and do some chopping?"

"That's quite the task. Are you sure you want me this close to you with a knife?"

Harry captured her lips in a kiss. "I love it when you talk dirty, Bambi. But there's no time for fooling around in the kitchen. I run a tight ship."

"Yes, Sir," she purred, stealing a quick kiss before grabbing her vegetables and getting to work.

This was how their nights went whenever she didn't have work. Harry would show up with food made or ingredients for cooking. They would watch a movie or Bachelor in Love if it were on. And then he would kiss her goodnight and leave.

The more it happened, the more Rory became used to their routine. And the idea of having a routine in the first place was starting to become less of a terrifying thought.

She was even starting to believe he wasn't just doing all of this to fuck her.

It was more than that. Much more. 

Rory started believing Harry. 

That was her first mistake. 

yes the title is a reference to cinema by harry styles and yes you should listen to it rn.