Synopsis: Y/N meets a boxer with bruises and a big heart
Y/N was an introvert and she always had been.
This didn't mean she hated socialising but she wasn't one for late nights out and partying until midnight when she could be in bed with a movie and a book in hand.
She had a close group of friends who were definitely more sociable than she was. They were tall, pretty and constantly received numerous glances from men as they walked into different places.
Hayley and Marlin were Y/N's best friends. They were always begging Y/N to come with them on nights out and join them whenever they'd meet up with new people so Y/N wouldn't miss out.
Hayley was half Chinese and a sweetheart. She majored in fashion, which her parents weren't entirely happy with, but she now had an apprenticeships at a rising fashion company. Y/N rarely ever saw her in a bad outfit and she would always turn to her for fashion advice when needed.
Marlin was the first person Y/N had met after moving to London for University. She was fiery but loving to the people she loved and never failed to make Y/N laugh during her lowest moments.
Y/N felt lucky to have friends like Marlin and Hayley who understood her well and were always there for her in the toughest of times.
"Come on Y/N, you have to come with us - it'll be fun!" Marlin whined from her place on Y/N's bed.
Marlin and Hayley were trying to persuade Y/N to come with them to a boxing event happening in town. Y/N didn't like big crowds or the sound of people constantly yelling and screaming so she wasn't so sure it would be something she'd enjoy.
"Fun? Are you sure about that?" Y/N responded, rolling her eyes as her friends continuously begged her to come out with them.
"What's the harm in coming? If things get bad or you're not enjoying yourself we can leave but at least give it a try." Hayley smiled, filing down her nails as she got prepared for the evening.
"None of us even like boxing," Y/N huffed, "I don't understand why we have to go."
"We don't have to go," Marlin smirked, "But who doesn't want to see hot ass men going at it with each other."
Y/N looked at her friends who were practically begging her to come with them to the event. Her brain was screaming at her to just say no but Y/N decided on listening to her gut.
"Fine." She stands, Marlin punching the air with her fist and Hayley grinning with delight, "but I don't want to stay for too long."
"Okay grandma," Marlin jokes, "I promise we'll get you back here in time for bed but in the mean time, go and put on a sexy little number and get ready to watch some fine ass men get all hot and sweaty!"
Y/N giggles at Marlin's antics and walks to her wardrobe to find an appropriate outfit to wear. She wanted something comfortable and not too out of her comfort zone, considering she was already putting herself out there by joining her friends at a boxing event.
She decided on a cute black dress with lace trims and some black high top converse. She put on a white, denim jacket over the top to cover herself up a little and threw her hair up into a low bun with a few lose bits of hair to make it more casual. She placed a belt around the middle of her waist to add a little something to the outfit before walking out to her two friends who were waiting in the living room for her.
"Well you look hot as fuck." Marlin states when she sees Y/N walk out.
Y/N blushes at her words before rolling her eyes and grabbing her back on the sofa, "Let's go you two." She says and let's them lead the way to the event.
Y/N's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and a bubble of anxiety started to form in the pit of her stomach the further they walked. She noticed that they were in the downtown area of London and that was a place she didn't exactly like being.
Marlin and Hayley lead her to the front door where a bouncer was stood outside. Hayley pulled out the tickets for the event and the bouncer immediately let them through.
"W-Where are we going?" Y/N spoke up, noticing the many steps they needed to take to get to where they needed to be. "I-Is this an underground fight?" Y/N's eyes widened when she realised what was going on. "I-Isn't this illegal?"
"Ssshh, Y/N it's fine! It's not like we're taking part in the fight." Marlin tried to ease her worries but she knew her best friend was quite anxious most times.
"W-Where did you guys even get these tickets?" Y/N could hear the faint sounds of cheering the closer they got to the venue.
"Friend of a friend." Hayley spoke, her voice echoing against the walls.
They eventually reached their destination and Y/N's eyes darted around the place as she took in the crowds of people gathering to see the fight.
Dozens of sweaty men, shouting at each other across the hall as a boxing ring separated the two sides. Y/N followed Marlin and Hayley as they dragged her through the crowd to three empty seats close to the front of the ring.
They sat down together with Y/N sat on the end and Marlin sat beside her, "W-who are we rooting for?" She leaned over to speak to Marlin.
"No clue but I hear Styles is pretty hot." Marlin chews on the mint piece of gum she pulled out from her small purse she bought with her. She craned her neck to try and see what was going on as she spoke to Y/N.
Y/N seemed to realise that Marlin and Hayley didn't seem to know all that much about what was going on so she sat back and tried to sit still and not let the anxiety overcome her.
Eventually, the crowd started to cheer when the boxing referee came up in a white shirt and a whistle around his neck. The lights focused in on the ring and he grabs the microphone dangling from above.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen!" His cockney accent speaks through the microphone and the crowd cheers.
Y/N zones out of the rest of his speech but focuses on the names of the boxers who were about to enter the ring, "In this corner, Malakai Stephens!" Y/N looked confused as the majority of people booed as he walked on the stage, she assumed the crowd was split in two depending on what side they were on.
"And in this corner, the undefeated, knockout Harry Styles!" Y/N's eyes widened and the desire to cover her ears overcame her when the entire room went wild as the so-called Harry Styles came into the ring.
Y/N kept her gaze on him as he removed his black robe. She noticed his arm covered in tattoos, his chest littered with little, ink drawings and sketches. Her eyes looked up to get a look at his face but an overwhelming sense of embarrassment came over when she had come into direct eye contact with him, his dark green eyes piercing into hers.
She bit her lip and looked down at her lap, her fingers fiddling as she tried not to meet his gaze again. "Fuck me isn't he just the sexiest man you've actually seen?" Marlin asks Y/N, her words making her giggle.
She looked back up to the ring thinking Harry would no longer be looking at her but she was surprised to see his eyes still staring directly at her. She noticed his trainer yelling at him to try and get his attention and their eye contact broke as he looked to the small, middle aged man yelling advice at him.
The bell went off and the two went at each other. Y/N hated violence so this wasn't something she exactly enjoyed watching but she couldn't help but focus on Harry and flinch every time he got punched by his opponent.
However, Y/N didn't have to worry so much considering Harry's opponent was barely getting any punches in with the way Harry was fighting. He moved diligently and had a tactic behind every move he made, no wonder over half the crowd were on his team.
Y/N was so invested in the game that she didn't notice the hand on her knee until she felt a squeeze and looked down to see a chubby, dirty hand gripping her thigh. "Hey, g-get off me!" She attempted to push him away but he didn't seem to hear her so she raised her voice a little higher, "G-Get your hand off my leg!" She exclaimed, catching Marlin's attention.
She looked up at the man who was smirking down at her, his breath reeked of alcohol and his teeth were practically rotten. "You know you like it." He said, his voice gruff.
"What's going on Y/N?" Marlin pulled Y/N closer and Hayley was now turning to look at the commotion.
"H-he was grabbing my leg." She told her, tears in her eyes when she looked down and saw the red fingerprints on her skin from how tight he was gripping onto her leg.
"I did no such thing." The man said, his tone anything but convincing.
"N-No he did M-Marlin, he touched my leg, see!" She points to the marks on her skin.
"She's lying the little bitch she-"
"Don't call my friend a bitch!" Marlin spat, guarding Y/N away from him.
"My hand accidentally brushed against her and she's making it into a big deal-"
"What's going on here?" A new presence interrupted the man's spurt of anger.
They all looked to see a member of security. He looked down at Y/N who was pretty taken aback by everything that had gone in within the last five minutes and how quickly things escalated.
"That disgusting excuse of a man touched my friend." Marlin explained.
The security guard seemed to ignore Marlin's words as his eyes focused on Y/N, "I've been asked to take you to the back room." He says.
"W-What?" Y/N looked worriedly at Marlin and then back to the member of security.
"Don't ask questions, follow me." He motions his head to the direction he wanted to take her.
"Hell no, she's not leaving or going anywhere with you." Marlin said, her overprotectiveness making an appearance.
"She's got no choice, I've been asked from someone higher up and, if I were you, I'd follow those orders or I can't imagine you leaving in a pretty state young lady." He warns, not an ounce of playfulness or mischief in his tone.
Marlin opened her mouth to argue something back but Y/N interrupted her before she could say anything, "It's alright Marlin, I'll go with him." Y/N stands.
"Wha- Y/N this is bullshit! He should be taking that guy not you." Marlin argues.
"You heard what he said, you'll get into trouble if I don't go. It'll be fine." Y/N tried to be confident and persuasive but she faltered a bit. She was truly terrified as to where she was going but she didn't have the confidence or attitude Marlin and Hayley had to fight him off.
"Follow me." The security guard told her and she followed him through the crowd, Marlin's voice still in ear shot as she tried to get Y/N to come back.
Y/N followed the security guard to a big, metal door. He entered a code and walked through the dull corridors, "W-who asked you to g-get me?" Y/N asked, her voice small.
"Styles." The security man spoke.
Y/N's eyes widen in disbelief at what he had just said, "Y-You mean Styles a-as in the fighter?"
The security man chuckled, "There's only one Styles madam." He said as he lead her to another door. "Now my best piece of advice is to not spoke unless you've been spoken to, he's very short tempered so I wouldn't do anything that'll make him snap easily."
"What makes him snap easily?" Y/N looked up at him.
The security guard scoffs, "Everything." He says, before opening the door to let her into the room.
"H-Hello?" Y/N could hear rustling before the sound of a locker closing.
She took further steps to figure out who was in here and where the sound came from. "Did he touch you?" A voice came from no where, making her jump.
She released a tiny gasp and turned around only to bump into the man who had invited her here for a reason unknown to her, "W-What?"
"Did that man touch you?" His green eyes pierced into hers, an angry look covering his bruised features. "I won't ask you again baby, answer me."
Y/N's lips parted, "Y-Yes," She croaked, "He touched me."
Something seemed to flash behind Harry's eyes as she confesses to what he had asked. "Are you okay?" He questions, scanning her body for any signs of bruises.
"I-I'm fine." She replies immediately after witnessing his impatience beforehand.
"What's this then?" He holds up her wrist in front of her and she notices the bruises from the man's fingertips that had been wrapped around her wrist. "You shouldn't lie to me baby."
"I-I didn't even know that was there," She shook her head, "Why am I here?"
Harry ignores her as he pulls her with him to another part of the room where he has a first aid kit laid out. Some of the bandages were already bloody from when he stitched himself up after the fight. He took the ice compress that wasn't as cold anymore and placed it on the forming bruises on her small wrist.
"No one should touch such fragile skin." Harry murmured yet she heard it clear as day.
"I-I need to go back to her friends." She tries to take her wrist out of his grip.
"Hey, hey, calm down there little lion. I'm not going to hurt you." He cracks a smile. "What's a kitten like you doing in a place like this hm?"
"My friends invited me," She spoke.
"Ah the two girls I saw you with." He says, his gaze focused on her. "You seem like the type who needs to be wrapped up in a blanket with a nice mug of tea, not surrounded by sweaty, gross men."
Y/N pictured the image in her head and longed to be In the exact place he had described, "W-Why are you helping me?"
Harry looked away from her and back down at her wrist, "No one should harm such an innocent kitten." He accidentally presses a little too hard on the bruise causing Y/N to wince slightly. Harry coos and kisses the place he harmed, "Sorry baby."
It was the third time he had said that nickname to her and she couldn't help but let a bright crimson blush cover her face. "You're too cute." He whispers, throwing the now melted ice away.
"W-What about you?" She furrows her brows.
"What about me?" He was crouched down in front of her as she sat on a stool.
"Your face, you got hit quite a bit back there." She says, her eyes scanning over the bruises and cuts on his face.
"Nothing I'm not use to." He murmurs.
"You'll get an infection if you don't fix up those cuts. H-Here let me do it." She grabs some of the gauze and disinfectant to clean up the cuts.
She hesitates, looking into his eyes, her breath shallow, as she pushes his hair back and applies the dampened gauze to his cuts. He winces slightly at the contact but the two never cease eye contact as she continues to treat his wounds.
"No ones ever done this for me before." He tells her.
"I-It's only fair I help you after you helped me." She tries to avoid eye contact with him in fear she'll embarrass herself again.
"You're very pretty," He grins a boyish grin.
Y/N pauses her movements and finally looks at him, "Why did you bring me back here?" She asks, wanting to know of his true motives.
Harry furrows his eyebrows, "I saw you in the crowd and that man was touching you. I wanted to see if you were okay."
"That's all?" She says, she never really knew the true colours when it came to men and the words they spoke - it was hard to trust them these days.
"That is all." He confirms, easing her worries slightly.
She continues to treat his wounds before looking at the clock on the wall behind him and noticing just how late it was, "O-Oh no, I need to get back to my friends." She dropped everything, "They must be so worried."
"I very much doubt that." Harry chuckled, "My friend Niall's probably taking great care of them."
"I should get back to them anyway, I-I need to get home."
"Oh yes, it's past little bunny's bed time." He smirks, before his expression switches into something serious, "You're not afraid of me are you?"
"I-I don't know you, I've always been scared of the unknown." She admits, it seemed like the kindest way of saying that she was a little afraid of him.
"Is that your way of saying you want to get to know me?" The same smirk appears on his face again.
"W-What- I-I-"
Harry snickers, "Calm down baby," He whispers as she gets all flustered from his words, "I would say I'm joking but I'm not."
For some reason, this made Y/N giggle, the sound bringing a warmth over Harry as he mentally decided that he'd want to hear that sound for as long as he could. He watches as she releases a big yawn and rubs her eye with the back of her hand.
He inwardly sighs, his shoulders dropping, "I'll take you back to your friends."
"T-Thank you." She murmurs, before blurting out, "Harry?" He hums and turns to look at her, "I-I do want to get to know you."
A huge grin cracks on Harry's face, wincing slightly from the tinge of pain from the cut on his lip, "Well, my name is Harry Styles, it's very nice to meet you baby."
Y/N giggles, "Y/N Y/l/N, it's lovely to meet you Harry."
- A month later -
"Harry!" Y/N gasps when she watches him get hit pretty bad by his opponent.
Harry calls time out as he rushes to his corner of the ring and tries to get his eye to stop throbbing, "Y/N get up here!" Puck, Harry's manager, called her over.
She rushes up to Harry and climbs under the ropes of the ring, "Hey love, what's wrong?" She cups his cheeks and sees his eye bruising up.
"It hurts." He pouts, "My eye's hurting." He sounded so exhausted.
"Can someone get me an ice pack?" She calls and immediately people were rushing to get what she asked, "You're so close Harry, one more hit and I know you can beat him."
Harry groans when she puts the ice pack on his eye, "Wanna go home with you baby." He mumbles into her chest.
Y/N smiles, "You will but I know you can do it."
Harry nods, "Kissy?" He pouts his lips, Y/N plants a kiss on his lips before leaning forward and whispering into his ear.
"You can do it daddy." She pulls back and sees the big grin on Harry's face.
He jumps from his spot and rolls his shoulders back, "Let's get this over with." He mutters, glaring at his opponent.
Safe to say Harry did win that night and so did Y/N.