Work Text:
(Harry’s POV)
To say that Harry Lewis was angry would be an understatement.
No, Harry was disgusted.
He was disgusted with the way the rest of the Sidemen weren’t putting in any effort in the video, having already all but sacked it off immediately upon arrival.
He was even more disgusted with the way everyone was insulting Vik’s hosting skills. To his face.
Vik had tried his best to make the video work, tried his best to keep everything moving despite the unforeseen roadblocks that appeared earlier. Everyone knew that Vik wasn’t built for hosting, but it didn’t mean they couldn’t not put any effort in because of it.
Harry felt like he was the only one really trying, and so therefore he tried his best to keep the morale up: other than him, JJ and Tobi are the only other two who didn’t cause a scene, Tobi quietly working away in the corner while Ethan and Simon bitched, and JJ diligently getting things in order while Josh flapped about making jokes. It didn’t take long for Josh to get in the groove and accept the shoot for what it was (a chance to relax and to spend time with his friends), however across the room, Ethan and Simon continued to bitch, about Vik and about the shoot, loud enough that Vik could hear it from where he was stood with the blue team.
Harry clenched his fists, scowling in the direction of his friends, noting the way Vik’s shoulders pulled taut with tension, the way his jaw clenched, the way his eyes turned dark and fearful, the ways he’s getting overwhelmed and I don’t know how to fix it.
Then, JJ motioned to Vik, a gentle smile on his face. ‘Come here, bro.’ Vik went willingly, a little confused, though his face brightened considerably when JJ brought him in for a hug. ‘I got you,’ JJ said. He whispered something into Vik’s ear, something so quiet even Harry didn’t hear it, but Vik laughed, and Harry could see from Vik’s face that it meant the world, whatever it was JJ had said, that it meant the world that JJ had hugged him, that JJ had noticed his dilemma.
It was rare that JJ picked up on social cues, on emotional dips his friends had throughout the day, in the first place – though when it came to Vik, JJ was the first one to notice.
Second only to me, Harry thought smugly.
‘The set is really cool, you know?’ Harry complimented Vik. ‘Probably one of my favourites.’
Josh joined in on the praise, as did JJ, the older men clocking onto what Harry was trying to do. He gave them a grateful look over Vik’s head – they responded with a discreet wink in Harry’s direction.
Right. That’s my team sorted.
What the fuck am I supposed to do about the others?
As it turned out, Simon grew bored of the bitching and settled into his role alongside Tobi, urging Ethan to help out where possible, even if it was because ‘let’s just get this fucking video over with, lads. Let’s lock in.’
Ethan was the problem, Harry realised grimly. Ethan was always the problem. He’d been a real pain, pun most definitely intended.
Harry watched while Vik wandered over to the red team, probably thinking enough time had passed for everyone to calm down and get into video mode, however upon reaching them, Ethan loudly said, ‘I’m gonna punch you in the fucking face.’
‘W-what?’ Vik asked, laughing a little, but the shock on his face spoke volumes, as did his fearful step back.
The shock on Simon’s face spoke volumes too.
Harry paused in his chopping, not taking his eyes off of Ethan.
(It wasn’t the first time that Ethan had threatened Vik today).
‘Fuck off,’ Ethan snapped, angrily picking up a spoon and stirring something. Mulled wine. He’s drunk. Fuck. ‘Fuck off or I’ll hit you.’
Harry slammed down his knife and marched on over, grabbing Ethan’s arm and marching him off the set and out of the view of the cameras.
‘Do you have to be such a cunt to him?’ Harry demanded, shoving Ethan’s shoulder. ‘He’s trying his best! The least you can do is actually put some effort into the video! It’s not his fault the guest judges pulled out at the last minute!’
‘How am I being a cunt?’ Ethan shouted back. ‘He’s shit at hosting, and he’s shit at planning videos. Why are we wasting our time doing this fucking video when we could be doing something we actually want to do?’
‘Enough, Ethan,’ Harry snapped. ‘You’re acting like a five-year-old. It’s not like we’re asking a lot from you right now. Cook a meal with your friends, do a few challenges, and then go home. It’s not difficult.’
‘The vibes are dead, bro,’ Ethan snapped back. ‘The vibes are so shit and no one wants to be here.’
‘No one wants to be here because you’re bringing the mood down,’ Harry corrected. ‘You’ve insulted Vik since the moment we arrived on location, you’ve bitched about everything, you’re in a foul mood, and now you’re trying to get yourself as drunk as possible which won’t help.’ Harry took a breath. ‘You’re making people uncomfortable, especially Vik. You’re upsetting him, so stop it.’
‘He can deal with a few jokes, Bog,’ Ethan said, rolling his eyes, laughing.
‘They’re not jokes, though, are they?’ Harry said. ‘You’re insulting him, to his face, in front of his friends, and in front of the people he works with. Now stop being such a cunt and put some fucking effort into the video!’
‘If he’s got a problem, he can tell me to stop,’ Ethan retorted. ‘It ain’t that hard.’
‘And you know full well he won’t call you out on it because he hates confrontation of any kind – and if you were any sort of friend you’d know that,’ Harry yelled.
Ethan scoffed, rolling his eyes again.
‘Don’t roll your fucking eyes at me,’ Harry said, raising an eyebrow. The anger burning in his veins fizzled out to a cold, despondent sadness. ‘Is it really that hard to be nice to one of your best friends?’
Without a word Ethan stormed back over to the red team and quietly worked away, chopping and stirring shit, meanwhile Harry went back over to the blue team, pleased by the supportive nod Josh sent his direction while the man schooled JJ on next steps for the recipe.
Across the way, Ethan downed mulled wine, one glass after the other, his face getting progressively redder as time went on.
Vik hovered anxiously by the table in the middle, seemingly unsure of where he should go, unsure of where he was welcome.
He’s always welcome with us. He’s always welcome with me.
He should never feel like he isn’t.
‘Hey, Vikkstar,’ Harry called. ‘Come and have some mulled wine, my friend. I’ve just finished making it.’
The man happily came over and tried some, responding well to the conversation Harry tried to engage him in. Harry let out a calming breath when Vik’s shoulders fell, when his face loosened, losing that taut look, glad that he was smiling and laughing.
Josh and JJ included the other man too, allowing Vik to take shelter with them while Ethan was so volatile.
Harry kept sneaking glances at the angry man on the other team in between chopping and cooking and cleaning. Ethan ranted quietly to Simon, who frowned, who’s frown only deepened as the seconds ticked by. Simon said something back; Ethan only grew angrier. Even from across the room Harry could see how much he was vibrating from it, from the sheer intensity of it.
Harry stopped what he was doing and watched closely, catching Simon’s eye from across the room, who looked at Harry a little confused, a little afraid, and shrugged his shoulders as if to say, I don’t know. What the fuck do I do with him?
‘Excuse me, boys. I’ll be back in a minute,’ Harry said. He wiped his hands in his apron and walked over to the red team, determined, furious.
Ethan made to down another glass of mulled wine.
‘That’s enough now,’ Harry scolded, snatching the cup from him. ‘Enough. That’s enough, Ethan.’
‘Oi, give it back!’ Ethan slurred, horribly off balance, and if it wasn’t for Simon grabbing his arm Ethan would have been on the floor.
(Part of Harry wished that Simon had let him fall. Part of him wished he’d hit the floor and embarrassed himself).
Silence befell the entire set, and Harry could feel every eye in the room on them.
‘You’re fucking pissed,’ Harry said. ‘You’re of no use to us in this state.’ Making a decision, Harry grabbed Ethan and marched him off set, despite his drunken raving and moaning and threats. He handed him over to the crew, pushing him to the first person he came across. ‘Can someone make sure he gets home? And it might be worth someone giving Faith a heads up about his foul mood.’
It might be worth it for Faith if she re-evaluates what she wants in a husband because getting pissed the day before the wedding is a red flag if I’ve ever seen one.
Ethan was quickly escorted out, and it was like the whole room had taken a sigh of relief. It was like everyone could breathe again.
‘Wow, the mood’s relaxed now,’ Tobi said, glancing around the room.
‘That’s because Ethan’s not here,’ Simon said, a joke, but also serious.
Every one laughed, even the camera crew, although it took a little longer for Vik to relax, his hands all jittery and all over the place no matter how much Harry tried to talk to him, to make him more at ease.
‘Hey, Vik, you fancy joining the red team?’ Tobi called. ‘We’re a man down and we could use a hand over here.’
Vik’s eyes lit up like a homing beacon. ‘Okay!’
He joined the red team and helped them cook, slipping into routine with ease, and Harry was pleased to note that Simon and Tobi were joking around with Vik, including him in a way they hadn’t been earlier.
His hands aren’t shaking anymore. He isn’t scared anymore.
Thank fuck for that.
Simon said something just out of earshot, and Vik laughed. Loudly. Jovially.
Harry sighed in relief, smiling to himself at the sight of pure happiness on Vik’s face.
‘You did good,’ Josh said to Harry, bumping his shoulder. ‘You should be proud of yourself.’
‘Vik didn’t deserve Ethan’s attitude,’ Harry replied shortly. ‘It’s not his fault that things have gone wrong – it was beyond his control.’
‘We know,’ Josh said. ‘Ethan was out of line. Way, way out of line. Even if he is stressed about his big day tomorrow.’
Then why didn’t you say anything?
‘You think he’s okay?’ JJ asked, joining in on the conversation.
‘I don’t give a fuck right now,’ Harry said, rather aggressively chopping something up. ‘He threatened to assault Vik, multiple times. I couldn’t give a fuck about Ethan.’
I have half a mind to not even show up to his wedding – but I want to be there for Faith. I want to be there for Olive.
And despite it all, I want to be there for Ethan.
Even if, sometimes, he doesn’t deserve my support.
Harry calmed down after a while, and the blue team were back to their usual shenanigans of lighting shit on fire, burning recipes, and burning each other (not necessarily in that order).
The last-minute guest judges arrived, and the shoot ended on a high, despite Ethan’s abrupt departure, and once the cameras were off and the shoot wrapped, Vik approached Harry, reaching for him, and Harry reached for him in return. He hugged Vik, held him still, and allowed him to breath.
And breathe Vik did, slowly, deeply, leaning more and more of his weight against Harry whilst hiding his face against Harry’s chest.
Harry was more than willing to bear the weight for him while he gathered himself. ‘You okay?’ Harry asked.
‘Think so,’ he said, his voice muffled. ‘Thanks for, well… thanks for earlier.’
‘Anytime,’ Harry said. ‘You didn’t deserve that.’
They broke apart, though Harry kept a hand on Vik’s shoulder.
‘I don’t think I want to host videos anymore,’ Vik admitted quietly, staring at the floor, his cheeks reddened by, what, shame? Fear? ‘Every time I do, something goes wrong and people aren’t happy.’
Sorrow gnawed away at Harry’s insides. ‘If this is about Ethan, ignore him,’ Harry said sternly, gently. ‘He was way out of line today – and everyone agrees with me.’
‘Before that, though. No one wanted to be here. You were the only one who actually tried,’ Vik implored, the most upset Harry had ever seen him.
Harry grabbed Vik’s arm. ‘We all wanted to be here. It was Ethan who brought the mood down, not you. This wasn’t your fault. Nothing that went wrong here today was your fault, you hear me?’
Vik nodded, but he still looked unsure of himself, looked like he was out of place even when he was right where he should be.
I’m gonna fucking kill Ethan if Faith doesn’t get there first.
Vik hugged Harry once again, and Harry let him, hugging him back with all the love he could muster.
‘I love you,’ Vik said quietly, his voice muffled by Harry’s jumper.
Harry ruffled Vik’s hair fondly. ‘I love you too, Stonker.’
They headed their separate ways and Harry cussed Ethan out the entire way home, berating the man for his abrasive attitude – because even if Ethan was simply having a bad day, even if he was stressed about getting married tomorrow, he didn’t have the right to take his aggression and stress out on Vik in the way he did.
And Vik would never forget how volatile Ethan could be, Harry knew.
Vik would never forget what Ethan said to him.
Later that night, Harry lay wide awake staring at his bedroom ceiling in the dark, and he couldn’t help but think it was the beginning of the end for Vik and Ethan’s friendship.