Authors Notes:

You guys probably hate me but seee, there's a chapter and I'm very proud of myself. Please comment me your thoughts about this and I'll make sure to post another update.

~*~

Flashing lights and the sound of loud music booming out of the room made him hope that tonight it'll be something different. 

Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening the door on his side and getting out of his car. He was instantly greeted by a lot of congratulations and cheers by people around him but he ignored it and decided to head straight in the club.

Upon entering the room, he tried to spot for his manager/friend Ben. Ben had told him earlier that he should come to the after party after successfully defending his title and defeating Frankie Simmons for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Harry knew he shouldn't be attending but resting because his body was heavily bruised. It's no secret that injuries are common in mixed martial arts. Minor cuts and lacerations are commonplace in an MMA fight. However, the injuries don't stop there–more severe injuries like fractures, ligament tears, and head injuries are also common. Harry was pretty damn lucky for only getting a few minor injuries with his hand.

Although MMA and UFC fighters do wear gloves, they don't necessarily protect the hands from all injuries. Broken fingers, ligament tears, and jammed fingers are all common hand injuries and Harry had experienced them at some point in his career.

Jammed fingers and minor ligament tears and fractures can often heal without the need for surgery. So Harry was very thankful that in his previous fights, he never had to have a major surgery.

But it was still a pain in the ass but he has to suck it up until it completely heals on its own. Tom has placed a cast over his elbow to immobilize the area and prevent Harry from moving it. Harry hated the damn thing and it was making him uncomfortable but Tom had warned him that he'll take him to a physical therapist if he removes it so Harry was stuck with a damn cast.

Harry's opponent Frankie wasn't as lucky though.

MMA and UFC fighters do not wear any protective head gear, and are therefore susceptible to head injuries. Though fighters are not allowed to strike another fighter's head or face with a 12-6 (straight up-and-down) elbow, or hit the top or back of another fighter's head and neck, other head and neck hits are still allowed.

Harry was able to hit Frankie a few times and he already recognized the signs of a concussion on him but he wasn't allowed to stop the fight or he'll lose. He was being subtle at motioning for the referees to check on Frankie because he doesn't want to continue hitting him which could lead to permanent brain damage.

If this was another fighter, Harry wouldn't care if he sends him to the emergency room because that was the nature of the sport. It was brutal, bloody and sometimes deadly and people who get in it are supposed to be ready to face the consequence of an abrupt death. But Harry knew Frankie and he met his wife and kids so he didn't want him to die or develop a degenerative brain disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which was common for someone who receives repetitive head trauma.

After believing Harry, the referee paused the fight to check and after confirming, they immediately finished the match and hailed Harry as the winner.

Harry had already made a name in the world of MMA fighting 4 years ago after a short career in professional boxing. Harry didn't really want to remember those days so he just focused on the present. 

"There's our champion!" A cheerful voice shouted from Harry's right and he shook his head and plastered an all too fake smile before greeting Ben.

Ben was wearing a suit and a pair of sun glasses which Harry found to be amusing because the room was already dark and the only light came from the strobe lights which is slowly making Harry's head ache.

A lot of people who heard Ben looked in their direction and cheered before going back in whatever business they were doing. To be honest, Harry doesn't even know who this people are but he doesn't care because he's not planning on sticking around.

Ben quickly engulfed Harry in a hug and Harry just stood their awkwardly and patted Ben's back with his other hand which was not in a cast.

"I'm so glad you could make it Harry."

"Well yeah, this is supposed to be my party right?" 

Ben laughed loudly and placed his arm around Harry's shoulder.

"I want you to meet some people." 

He pulled Harry to the other side of the room where a group of people was seated and recognized some of them as part of the UFC Organization. He had met them but he doesn't really remember their names nor care. 

"Harry Styles, pleasure to finally see you with a shirt on and not looking deadly." A middle aged woman spoke after Ben had introduced him to them. 

"Pleasures all mine." Harry replied with a smirk.

Harry didn't want to be here but they are practically the reason why Harry has a career so he has to deal with fake compliments and pleasantries. Ben had told him it was important that Harry was on their good side to benefit in the future and upcoming fights.

 "I watched your fight back there boy and if the referee didn't end the match then you would've destroyed Simmons. Would have loved seeing that." Another man spoke while he laughed.

Harry wanted to punch him so bad because that's all they wanted to see. Not caring about other people's life if it ended or not because they were only there for the entertainment. Times like this makes Harry wonder why he's still here but Ben's knowing look makes him stay.

"We're absolutely happy that you made the after party but I have to take our Harry here to meet some major fans." Ben happily said before gesturing to another group somewhere around the room.

Harry didn't really care but he really wanted to just leave and go home.

Ben then pulled him towards another crowd and started introducing him but he paid them no attention. Unlike earlier which consist of being part of a big organization, these people were just random rich ones who happens to afford the luxury of being here.

"Um Ben, I'll just go get some drinks yeah?" Harry told him as he pointed at the bar.

Ben gave him a nod and went back to whoever was he speaking so Harry left.

He was stopped by a few people but Harry didn't talk to them. He wasn't really in the mood to be socializing. He just wanted to get drunk, go home and sleep.

When he arrived at the bar, he ordered a mojito and the bartender was trying so hard not to make a face. Harry knew bartenders hated making those drinks but Harry never really cared so he waited until his drink was done.

A random lad approached him and started talking about Harry's fight, a girl joined them and plastered herself to Harry's side, obviously flirting but Harry still ignored them.

He didn't listen to the conversation they had and took a glass of whatever alcohol was being served and drank it. The bitter taste making him cringe but welcoming it because he wanted to just get rid of the thought of being surrounded by a lot of people but still feeling so damn alone.

He wants to snap at the girl that he was gay but she probably already knew because Harry wasn't in the closet. He was very much out but Ben had told him that he should not personally broadcast it because sometimes it causes some problems. There are quite a few MMA fighters who didn't want to fight Harry not because they were afraid but because he was gay. The UFC Organization wasn't sexist because they opened the gates for female fighters but it was silently homophobic before. Harry knew they proved them wrong after they doubted him at the start and they pretty much respected him now. Now there was already a few openly gay fighters who broke the stereotype and it never causes much of an issue unlike in the Boxing federation. It was one of the reasons Harry left professional boxing, most people are old homophobic dicks who cry out in rage when Harry wins.

"Harry!"

Harry heard his name being called several times but he didn't even look at them but even in the middle of nowhere he would recognize that voice so he quickly drank his mojito and turn towards his friend.

"Nick!" Harry greeted him.

Harry felt at ease knowing he had someone here that he knew and trust. Nick was a nurse and he met Harry a few years back when Harry got his nose checked after breaking it at a fight. Nick flirted at him nonstop and Harry found it very amusing so he got his number and they have few casual sex but it ended after Nick found a boyfriend and they were still together now but they remained friends because there wasn't any emotional attachment between them, just plain friends with benefits. Harry nor Nick became too close friends that the thought of being together now disgust them.

"I've been looking everywhere for you mate." Nick was about to give him a hug but he noticed the girl who was still rubbing her tits at Harry's side. The random lad has already left after being purposely ignored by Harry so he was just stuck with her.

Nick looked at Harry with his eyebrows raised and Harry sighed. He looked at him in return and gestured for him to make her go away.

Nick laughed because he already knew what Harry was trying to say just by that look.

"Excuse me little girl, but maybe you're already pass your bedtime so move along and go home." Nick smirked.

The girl looked at him as if questioning who he was and if he was important.

"Little girl? I'm 30 you asshole." She snaps.

Harry and Nick burst out laughing because they would never have guessed her true age which wasn't any better because he was 6 years older than Harry.

"Oops my bad, sorry about that grandma." Nick added still laughing loudly. He just couldn't stop.

She might have gotten deeply offended by that remark so she instantly slapped Harry at the face and left.

"I didn't even say anything!" Harry said still laughing and not even caring is she had hit him.

Laughter slowly died down and Harry just ordered a few shots and looked back at his friend.

"My my, are you getting a little old Harry. You should shave your face because it keeps attracting a lot of cougars lately." Nick said after downing his shot.

"She wasn't that old Nick." Harry replied after drinking his own.

Now that he had Nick by his side, he was more confident on getting hammered because he trust him to take care of him when he gets carried away.

"She also doesn't have a dick Harold." Nick added with a waggle of his brows.

"I'm aware." Harry snorted.

"You should probably get a phone so that I wouldn't have such a hard time locating you."

Harry shook his head and turns to the bartender when he called his name for his order. Harry didn't own a phone because he just didn't want one. He also doesn't have any social media accounts because he thought it was just pointless. 

People would contact him through Ben and Ben will then report it to Harry.

Besides, Harry knew that when he gets a phone or a social media account, he'll just end up stalking someone and he promised himself that he wouldn't. So any form of contact was erased from him and Harry became a secluded person. It was really fucking sad and when Harry starts thinking about it, he turns to his favorite friend, alcohol.

So it became shots after shot and Harry was getting a bit light headed but he was giving no other care as he and Nick danced, jumping and swaying through the music. A lot of people dared to dance with him but he pushed them away because he didn't want some random people grinding on him. Harry always wanted to release a lot of pent up energy on his body but he was always refusing to any willing person. Because the truth was, he never wanted any other else.

But when he gets drunk, he knew his body and his mind was too weak to resist and he would pounce on anyone but tonight was different because he was trying to find anyone who resembles him for even a tiny bit of detail.

"Harry you're drunk." Nick insisted as he dragged Harry away from the crowd and pulled him to the side when he left him to get some water.

Harry stayed still as he leaned on the wall and looked at the people around. His arm which was wrapped in a cast was getting itchy and irritable and he wanted to rip it off. He was deciding against it because the uncomfortableness is much more bearable than getting to visit a physical therapist.

Nick returned after a few minutes and handed Harry some water.

"How about I take you home Harry." Nick suggested and Harry just nodded in return.

They exited the room and Nick helped Harry get inside the passenger car while he sat on the drivers seat.

Harry leaned his head on the window and stared outside as Nick drove him home. 

"I miss him." Harry suddenly sighed after a few minutes of silence in the car.

Nick didn't say anything because Harry has always mention a him but never a name. It was quite devastating for Nick to see Harry like this but he never knew the reason because Harry never tells anyone what happened.

They have been friends for years but Nick knew little about Harry's life because he was just not sharing anything and it had brought several arguments but Nick just decided it wasn't worth fighting about. If Harry decides to share it to him, he'll listen but right now he couldn't do much but help Harry forget who this person that caused him to hurt this much.

Nick kind of hated that person even without completely knowing him.

So the drive into Harry's house was quiet. Nick knew Harry has been silently crying without even looking and it wasn't even the first time he did. He was like this every time he gets drunk and Nick drives him back home.

Nick wanted so badly to fix Harry but Harry doesn't want to be fix, he just wanted 'him'.

Authors Notes:

I have few knowledge in MMA fighting but google helps. So thankssss google. What do you guys think of this chapter?