The Styles Twins Prologue
"Ed!" Harry whined dragging his twins blankets from his body "You promised we wouldn't be late! Gemma's here! Get up" Harry tugged on his twins bare arm in an attempt to wake him up, the sleeping boy groaned giving a seemingly harmless push against his youngest brothers body, resulting in Harry tumbling to the floor banging his head against his old college desk. Harry's yelp of pain had Edward springing to his bare feet and crouching down beside his twins side cradling the younger lads face, frantically searching Harry's features for any harm.
" 'M fine," Harry huffed pushing his twins worried self away a cheeky grin spreading across his face "Knew it'd get you up" Harry smiled, his bright green eyes and dimpled cheeks making him look like a deranged frog.
"Harry" Edward warned lowly. The older boy had always had a protective instinct for his younger twin since a young age. Where ever Harry was, spreading joy to everyone's life with his cheeky grin and loving eyes, Edward wasn't far away, shadowing his other self, protecting him at what ever cost and looming over Harry from a far, Edward wasn't someone you'd like to mess with, especially when it came to his family, he'd never let someone who he thought of as a threat near Harry. Harry was the sun and Edward was the Reaper that wouldn't hesitate breaking a few bones of anyone who stepped out of line with Harry and himself, most times it was for Harry's sake. It's a wonder how he had been accepted into the University of Manchester, let alone any university. His record was horrible, several outburst towards peers and teachers, minor assault charges and a few run ins with the law. To be honest he was just as surprised as the rest of his family had been when they received the large envelope with his curriculum form and acceptance letter, Harry had gotten his as well and it wasn't a shock that he'd been accepted as well. Like Edward said ... Harry was the sun.
"Don't do that again," Edward settled Harry with a look, one of his many looks that meant he was serious, "I mean it Haz" Edward stood reaching for his twins arm and pulling him up to his feet.
"I'm sorry," Harry whispered staring away from the look Edward was giving, he'd always hated that look it was the second worst look he'd get given the Edward look and his mothers scolding look that all mothers possessed. "I just want to make a good impression for the university"
"You don't need to make a good impression on anyone, Harry," Edward furrowed his eyebrows, trying to steady his voice, knowing Harry always feared him when he raised his voice. Ridiculous, really because Edward would rather carve himself open then harm Harry. "They'll love you, everyone loves you" Edward tilted his brothers face towards him holding their gaze so Harry would understand.
"Not a good impression for me, for you, Edward" Harry beamed pushing his brother away before squawking as Edward lifted Harry from the ground and tossed him onto Harry's bed, straddling his younger brother as he cackled like a hyena. Edward leaned down a mischievous gleam in his green eyes.
"They'd have to have some nerve to not be impressed by my charm and I" Edward gleed. He may be serious but after all he is the Suns' brother so some of His sun rays, cheek and tongue attitude rubs off on Edward.
"Because being able to break an officers nose and dislocating his arm is so charming" Harry cackled, his cheeks starting to sting from the stretch of his smile and his eyes water at how hard he was laughing.
"It was a security gaurd and he wasn't doing his job!" Edward defended, his eye twitching at the memory of Harry having to witness Edward nearly tear a young training guards' arm out of his socket. But in Edwards defense the little cock sucker was practically forcing Harry into a date. He should have given up the moment Harry refused.
"The shit head shouldn't have even-"
"Harry, I told you to get Edward ten minutes ago! You're both a nuisance," Gemma groaned "Now, hurry up! I don't know how the two of you are going to get through university" She babbled giving the two of them a once over making sure the twins were no longer fooling around and getting dressed before she shut the door and shouted "If you're both not ready in twenty minutes, I'm taking your Audi, Edward and not helping you move into your dorms!" The boys rolled their eyes, knowing full well that Gemma wouldn't dare try to drive his car after Edward threatened to 'torch' her cat, Dusty. Edward would never hurt the poor kitten, it may be Gemma's but it was more Harry's than anyone else, plus he's not a sociopath!
Edward hummed around the room looking for a spare shirt, half of his and Harry's clothes were packed away in bags, He climbed the ladder of his childhood bunk bed, Harry had gotten the single bed across the room whilst Edward insisted on keeping the bunk bed, for sentimental reasons. He felt freely around the mattress before finding an article of clothing, a simple black tee, he threw the shirt to the lower bed before placing himself on the floor in a press-up position, doing a quick thirty push-ups with ease. From the other side of the room he heard Harry groan, feeling his eyes roll, Edward turned his head whilst on his nineteenth push-up giving Harry his best pointed look.
"Something wrong little brother?" Edward teased, controlling his breathing.
"You barely try and you're as fit as a bloody boxer! It's so stupid!" Harry huffed rolling on his back with an 'humph' and that was a clear sign something was bothering Harry and it wasn't Edwards exercise. Edward picked up the pace of his push-ups feeling a burn in his arms and lower torso. He jumped up pushing out a quick breath, as he regained his breathing he pulled the shirt on, discovering it was one of Harry's, it was much more tighter around the arms and not as loose around his waist.
"Well," Edward turned back around to his younger twin "Someones gotta keep us safe and considering I'm the oldest and " Edward stopped short, Harry was the nice one so what was he? He wasn't the mean one, he had a few friends around the village and his social skills were good. He was serious but not in a ball busting serious, well what ever he was, he was fine with it, right? "The most aggravated?" Edward frowned at his words. Harry's head popped up and his eyebrows raised in question.
"The most aggravated?" Harry asked in disbelief failing to hid the fond smirk that spread across his face.
"Well whatever I am, I've got to protect the both of us and exercise helps, but I know you're not upset about my exercise technique" he confronted moving forward to Harry's bed and flopping down besides him "So, you wanna tell me what's wrong?" Edward said, the both of them staring up at the ceiling, glow stars and planets stuck to it from their childhood.
"It's just," Harry sighed turning to look at the side of Edwards face "What if, we have the same problem we've had since we were young?" Harry said in a small voice, like he didn't want Edward to hear completely. Edward knew exactly what Harry's cryptic words meant, Harry was anxious about how Edwards behavior and temper would reflect on their next three years at university, he stayed silent Harry still had the same look on his face which meant he still needed to talk.
"What if, it gets worse. I don't mind it, truly. I know you do it because you're protecting me from other people, but" Harry's face contorted into one that looked as if he was battling with himself which if Edward would say something in retaliation, in a way he would be battling with himself but that's beside the point.
"What if, this time mum can't bail you out or I can't stop you or you get hurt?" Harry looked sad and fragile and Edward wanted to say something like "It's too early for this" but seeing his twin a little anxious and scared was by far the worse thing and he was right, it is too early for this.
"What then, Edward?" Harry looked back at his twin, the reflection of himself. Edward replied in a heart beat.
"I promise you, Harry" Edward looked at his younger self "I'll try to control it, but for now we need to get going other wise you won't get to show off the car around campus"
And just like that Edward was able to enlighten the mood.
Not always the serious one, Am I?
Harry smiled at that, it was a smile that had meaning to it, that meant that he was grateful to talk about this and get the answer he needed. His brother never failed him.
***
"How kind of you both to join us" Gemma shook her head as the two brothers opened the door to their back porch greeted by their impatient older sister and their mother barely holding it together, it was a surprise to the three siblings that their dear mother, Anne, hadn't completely burst into tears. Happy tear of course that all three of her children had completed their long years at high school and college and able to start university at one of the many schools located around England, it was just a shame that it had to be so far away from Cheshire. She was able to keep it together when Gemma had gone off to Manchester because she still had Edward, Harry and Robin but now it would just be Robin and herself, it was going to be difficult not having her lovely boys around but with the help of her recent husband, Robin, the boys and Gemma were sure she was in safe hands.
"Gemma, behave. Now boys come 'ere and let me get one last look at the two of you" Anne hummed motioning for her two boys to step closer.
"We're twins, just stare at Harry and you'll see a bit of me" Edward scoffed throwing himself in the porch seat, the nice Cheshire sky clear and bright, sun beaming down on the five members. He may just regret wearing this beanie.
He didn't like when his mother acted like this, sentimental and emotional, although Harry was more like their mother so he'd never hold it against her. Harry moved closer the moment Edward opened his mouth, wrapping his arms tightly around his mothers body, the two holding each other close. Anne squeezing her little Harry as if he would float away and never come back.
"Now, I want a picture of the three of you before you go" Edward groaned, the older twin was never very photogenic whilst Harry had his Facebook and Instagram filled with filtered photos of himself, friends and random black and white objects.
"Just a quick photo then we have to leave, okay everyone" Gemma looked around at her family, then loosing balance when Edward pulled her down to sit on his lap wrapping his arm around her waist as she shrieked and almost lost balance, Harry laughing from beside his two older siblings. Anne quickly got her camera out aiming it at her beloved children.
"Be careful you oaf!" Gemma laughed elbowing Edward in his abs making him grunted out laughs.
"Okay! Okay! Harry quick get in" Anne smiled waving her arms out as she focused the lens of her phone.
They settled down slightly. Edward still had Gemma on his lap as his older sister smiled big and bright towards their mother, Harry leaned down and placed his lips against his sisters cheek as Anne counted down.
"Three,"
"Two,"
Edward's mischievous smirk was replaced by a silly face, his features twisting into a goofy, lazy eyed, smile. His timing was perfect as Anne captured the photo. His mother groaned rolling her eyes, she should have expected that from her oldest son, the cheeky little shit.
"Edward," His mother scolded half-heartedly as Edward beamed up at his mother with his dimpled smile.
"Come on you three, before your mother regrets letting you two go" Robin smiled wrapping a comforting arm around his wife's shoulder. The three of the young adults smiled at their step-father, Robin. He had been so kind to their mother and them when Edward and Harry were growing up without their father, Des. The boys and Gemma never held anything against their biological father, Des was a great guy and father but after two years of their parents divorce Des slowly started drifting out of their lives and in came Robin Twist. Anne was extremly anxious about Robin meeting her kids, mainly nine-year-old Edward, but when the oldest boy took a liking to Robin, Anne just knew Robin was in for the long run. And here they are nine years later, sending off her boys to begin university. The three still keep in contact with Des but he is a very busy man, being CEO of a large law firm in London, they chat during the week days about how they are, what they're doing, just the usual small talk. In fact Gemma, Harry and Edward wouldn't be attending university without Des' help, Anne and Robin weren't poor but they did have a tight pocket but Des insisted on paying for all the kids schooling supplies and anything, including the twins Audi they got for being accepted into university, it was more Edwards because well, like everyone else Des was shocked and incredibly proud about Edward being accepted into the school.
The boys stood and hugged their mother, whispering sweet words or assurance that the two would keep safe and call constantly. Harry stood in front of Robin, accepting his step-fathers hand shake but pulling him in for a one arm hug. Harry was a cuddler, everyone knew that. He laughed as Robin scruffled Harry's beanie messing his curls.
"Edward, please promise you'll try your best not to get into too much trouble" Anne pleaded pulling away from her cuddle with her oldest son giving Edward that look that was filled with authority and soft demands. Edward looked over at Harry both the boys eyes meeting, Harry had a small smile, his eyes matched the same ones he had when he begged Edward to keep the promise. Edward nodded his head pulling his mother back in for another hug.
"I promise I'll try," Edward muffled in the crook of Anne's neck "But I won't hesitate to put someone in the hospital" Edward smiled cheekly against his mothers neck as Anne gave a quick smack on the back of his head.
"I love you" She whispered sweetly.
"Mmm, I love you too mum" Edward hummed back his face buried in her neck, it may seem weird that he took a long inhale of his mother's perfume savoring the scent, it'd be a while until he sees her again.
"Come on, Ed! Let's get going" Gemma yelled.
"I'm coming! Just give me a second, for Christ sakes!"
"Hey!" Robin scolded getting a firm hold on the boys neck rubbing the skin lightly, it was Robins way of affection when it came to Edward, because Harry was always friendly and cuddly Robin never had a problem with Harry's affection but with Edward it was always different. Robin treated Edward like a man because Edward was older and different.
"You're doing you family proud, the both of you are," Robin assured his step son, held out his hand, hard and firm, Edward squared his shoulders and accepted the gesture shaking just as firmly.
"Thanks, I'll do my best" Edward offered a small smile and his step father returned it, his cheeks rosy and light.
"You best get going, son" Robin said easily, Edward and Harry knew them leaving was a tiny bit hard for their mother and step father but they both knew they were making the proud, as well as their father, Des.
So both Harry and Edward moved into their Audi pushing boxes left and right to get a good seat as Gemma took the job of driving the small lorry leading the hour long drive up north to Manchester. Their mother and step father waving away in the rear view mirror.