Niall woke up the next morning completely on his side, curled into a ball on the couch - a blanket draped over him and tucked in around him. Niall lifted his head up slightly to glance around the room through his sleep foggy eyes. No Harry. Dropping his head back to the couch and letting his brain wake up; noticing a piece of paper on the floor, Niall reached out inching it towards himself with the very tips of his fingers. Rolling over onto his back, Niall lifted the note up to read it.
Went out for a run. Be back in about an hour. It’s 8:05 when I wrote this.
By the way, let’s never sleep sitting up like that. I’ve got a proper back and neck ache now ;)
-H
Niall smiled and looked at the clock on the wall. 8:10. Harry had just snuck out. How did Niall not wake up when Harry got up off the couch or even rustled around the house? Niall sat up looking around at the mess of pillows and random clothing items scattered around the room. After a few more minutes of blinking and running his hand through his hair, Niall finally got up and stumbled to the kitchen. His stomach was having a right fit. Niall was in no mood to actually cook anything so he settled for some cereal. Finding one of Harry’s blue mixing bowls, Niall poured probably half of the box of cereal into the bowl and fished the milk out of Harry’s fridge. Eating happily and hoping Harry decided to end his run early and come back.
After basically inhaling his cereal and rinsing his bowl out but leaving it in the sink, Niall looked at the clock on the microwave. 8:25. Seriously? Niall felt really wound up and did not want to sit down and just veg on the couch. Smelling like a mix of sweat, body spray plus alcohol and Harry, Niall decided to just call a car and go home to shower. Stuffing his phone in his hip pocket and sitting down on the couch to slip his shoes back on; Niall clicked the TV off even though it was on mute. Picking the note up off the couch and taking it over to the island counter and flipping it over and scribbling out a note for Harry.
I headed home. Need a shower. I owe you a box of cereal.
My back and neck feel fine. I dunno what you did :p
-N
Niall snatched up his suit coat off the island counter, where he left it the night before and left Harry’s house. Once home, Niall took a really long shower letting the steam fill up his bathroom. Once dried off, Niall slipped into some boxers and headed to his kitchen to order some food; picking up his blackberry off of counter to call. Thirty minutes later Niall is walking to his couch arms full of food. Forty minutes later, Niall is passed out on his couch, remote in hand and football on the TV. The remote falling to the ground startles Niall awake. Grabbing for his iPhone to check the time, Niall comes up short. No iPhone within reach. That’s odd. Sitting up to look around the area for the phone, Niall still cannot see it.
Pulling himself up off the couch and looking all around the couch before retracing his steps through the kitchen. Only his blackberry is on the counter. Heading to his bedroom, thinking his phone would have to be in his trousers pockets from last night that were on his bathroom floor. Still no luck. Catching the time on his alarm clock. 18:23.
“The hell…?” Niall sighed to himself.
Did he seriously sleep all day? It looksed that way. Annoyed with himself for losing his phone and sleeping all day, Niall stomped off to the kitchen to use his blackberry to text Harry to see if he left it at his house.
Niall:
Is my phone there?
Niall stared at the blackberry. No response. He knew that Harry was sometimes slow to respond. Walking to the living room to clean up his mess on the coffee table to occupy himself while he waited for a response. Ten minutes have passed and still no response. Niall can’t help it if he can be impatient sometimes.
Niall:
Hey… did I leave my phone there?
Niall:
Dude…
Niall:
Seriously
Niall:
What the fuck man
Niall:
Answer your texts
Niall sunk into his couch and decided to watch some random TV show while waiting for a response. Twenty minutes later and still no response. Fine then, Niall thought to himself.
Niall:
I’m coming over to get my phone.
Niall pulled on the first pair of jeans he could find on his floor and the grey sweatshirt that’s on his bed. Slipping his white Supras on as he calls for a car to run him over to Harry’s really quick. Surprisingly, the traffic through London was not as bad as it usually is so the ride only took about twenty minutes. Not in the mood to deal with common pleasantries, Niall knocked softly on the front door as he opened it. Hoping to just be in and out, Niall headed straight for the living room almost positive that his phone was in the couch at this point. Niall got ready to announce his arrival as he turned into the open kitchen and living room he stopped, hands in pocket. Harry is sitting on the couch. He is not alone. There is someone in his lap, hunched over. And what do you know, one of those Alien shows on the TV.
Niall knows what this looks like. Niall is positive that he is going to punch a hole in Harry’s wall right now. Niall feels slightly grossed out with himself for even feeling remotely jealous right now. Him and Harry are the farthest things from “exclusive” or any resemblance of a relationship that would warrant these feelings. They are friends. Actually it’s way more than friends. Not even brothers. All five of them are on a whole other level of connection. There are no words for it. It’s natural for them to all have actual romantic relationships with other people. That is what Harry is doing, trying to have a normal experience for his age. Niall shook his head at himself, still annoyingly frustrated with himself. He is just jealous that Harry is not spending time with him. Or wanting another blow job from him. Stop it. Seriously, why are you even thinking about that? Niall pressed his hand to forehead.
The other person sat up. Liam. Liam. Liam. It’s Liam. It’s Liam. Liam. Liam. Liam. It.Is.Liam. Niall felt his lips part and jaw fall heavy as Liam’s name kept running through his head trying to process this scene before him. Liam. Harry lifted his arm up and slid it around Liam’s shoulders pulling him into his side. That’s Liam. Niall could see Liam wiping something from his face and lean into Harry, pressing his face into Harry’s neck and sigh. Fucking Harry and Liam. Seriously. Right now? Niall turned on the spot and left, forgetting all about his phone. At least he had his blackberry for now. Niall turned his blackberry off as soon as he finished ordering a pizza. He did not want to talk to anyone tonight.
At this point, it’s not like it’s all that shocking considering everything he has seen and been a part of. But he just thought Harry was calming down a bit and the “newness” of all of them was starting to ware off. And just maybe Harry felt closer to Niall than the others. Clearly not. They are all fair game for him as they are for each other. Alright. That’s how it is. Niall already knew that. But as of late, it’s not feeling like an all for one and one for all situation like usual. Niall flicked on some movie and kicked his shoes off across the room, hitting the wall and leaving a scuff. Whatever. At least he had a few days off before he had to be back to work for the iTunes festival.
iTunes festival came and went in a blur. What should have been a relatively basic day for them turned into an actual storm of emotions and stress. The first single from the new album was leaked. As well as the Music Video. The fan base was in an uproar. They were getting fantastic and brilliant feedback. But they were not part of the buildup of the release. It just happened. Done and over before they knew it even happened. It was a little bit of a letdown but it was done and over with so there was no point in dwelling on it. Niall did what he was told to do by management, call a couple radio stations and talk about the leak and the single. Then warm up for the performance and then perform. Do what they do best basically. No problem. Niall was happy to have something to keep him busy. Easier to avoid Harry and Liam.
Niall was also aware of how Liam and Harry were picking up on it. Oh well. Niall knew he was being a complete miserable twat. But it happens, Niall shrugged to himself. But to be fair, Liam was having a hard time as well since Daniele and him broke up. So Niall kept to himself and just went with the flow of things. He felt slightly bad about not being there one-hundred percent for Liam, but he did have Harry and Zayn who refused to leave him alone, ever. Liam did not need Niall right now. Harry kept trying to catch his attention or start up a conversation but Niall somehow always found a way to be distracted or needed elsewhere. He could see the look of confusion and frustration run across Harry’s face every time - sometimes, Niall thought he saw hurt or disappointment mixed into Harry’s eyes at Niall’s rejections. But he refused to overthink it because Harry and Liam.
Niall also found his iPhone laying on one of the tables in the dressing room with a sticky note on it that said, “Sorry I did not answer my texts. -H”
It was late. Niall was not all that sure why they had to take a late flight to Germany since they did not have that much going on earlier in the day, but alas, they were booked for a later flight. More than happy to just get to the hotel and relax, maybe watch some TV and then crash. He knew that they had a long day tomorrow, what with the signing and what would inevitably feel like never ending cycle of interviews. Finally out of his shoes and jeans, Niall flopped backwards onto the bed, enjoying the hum of the TV warming up and popping on. And then he heard it. The knock on his door. Soft, but still undoubtedly there. Niall opens his eyes and stares at the celling, seriously considering just ignoring whoever it is. But Niall can’t do that because of his curiosity as to who and what they want so he rolled off the bed and pulled open the door.
Harry. It’s Harry. Of course it would be Harry. Niall does not shut the door. But he does not close it either. Harry ran his white sock adorned foot against the door frame.
“Hi.” Harry said meekly, looking Niall in the eye.
“Hi…” Niall responded emotionless.
“Can I come in for a bit?” Harry asked weakly.
Niall stepped aside, opening the door wider knowing he was not going to refuse Harry right now. Harry stepped in slowly, nodding and smiling at Niall equally as weak as his words. Niall let the door fall shut on its own. Niall followed Harry into the room, who was now standing slightly awkwardly in the middle of the room. Niall jumped back onto his bed.
“What d’you want?” Niall asked more harsh than he meant too.
Harry’s brow furrowed as he sat down in the arm chair near the window.
“The soap in my room smells funny…” Harry paused. “And the pillows aren’t… soft... enough.” Harry trailed off.
Niall blinked a few times, slowly.
“That’s what you wanted? To tell me that? Harry I don’t-“ Niall started but Harry cut him off.
“Uhm… I just wanted to know… what’s up with you?” Harry said slower than he usually does.
Niall starred at him. Here we go. Niall took a deep breath.
“Thanks for getting my phone back t’me by the way.” Niall started.
Harry nodded his head slowly, watching Niall now. Niall continued on.
“Alright. I’m sure you saw the texts… I did drop by your place t’get my phone. But I saw you… with Liam. I knocked and everything. I didn’t mean t’see anything. But I did.” Niall exhaled the rest of the air in his lungs.
It was Harry’s turn to stare at Niall now.
“Ok?” Harry drew out slowly. “I don’t understand how that has anything to do with what’s going on with you…” Harry stopped and squinted his eyes at Niall. “Wait… what do you mean you didn’t see anything? There was nothing to see?” Harry’s upper lip twitched.
Niall leaned forward on the bed in shock at Harry’s words.
“Uh yeah… I walked in on Liam sucking you off while you watched your stupid alien show.” Niall spat out.
Harry looked like a kitten that just got bopped on the nose for just trying to cuddle. Niall felt his stomach do a back flip at that look. He can’t stand when Harry has that look. Especially if he is the cause of it.
“Sucked me off… Liam… what? What?” Harry mumbled confused.
“Yeah… I saw him in your lap… then you two were all touchy and such after…” Niall pressed the topic.
Harry looked at the ground, eyes wide, confusion still all over his face. Niall felt the heat on the back of his neck now.
“I get that weird stuff happens between friends here and there. But really Harry? You had me on my knees the night before. And then Liam the next night?” Niall huffed.
Harry looked up at Niall, an amused look on his face. Oh great, Harry thinks this is funny. Niall wanted to kick Harry out of this room right now. Harry scooted forward in the arm chair a little bit.
“Uh… No… Wow. No… That’s not what was going on…” Harry shakes his hair out. “That was the day that Danni and Liam broke up. He just turned up at my door. Kind of in shock?” Harry said, a hint of empathetic pain in his voice.
“Oh…” Niall forces himself to say.
“Yeah… I guess I was closest to where he was after it happened? I did not ask. I got him to tell me what happened and then he just started crying… didn’t stop for a good couple hours. My phone was in the kitchen and I refused to leave his side. He was clinging to me…” Harry practically sobbed out.
Niall felt his face turning red out of embarrassment for his words and accusations as well as his heart clenching realizing just how immature and terrible he was being as a friend.
“I just held him until he fell asleep…” Harry said softly but strained, closing his eyes for a moment and sniffing.
“M’such a wanker. M’so sorry Haz. I had no idea… what was I thinkin’… I had no right to say those things… what the fuck is m’problem…” Niall strings thoughts out.
Harry shook his head again.
“It’s fine. At least now I know what has been bugging you. And you were jealous.” Harry said delightfully.
“No…” Niall said defensively.
“Were too…” Harry smirked.
Niall leaned back against the headboard of the bed, crossing his arms over his chest. Harry slipped out of the arm chair and threw his body onto the bed.
“You were.” Harry suppressed a giggle.
Niall moved to kick at Harry’s leg but Harry caught Niall by the ankle and yanked him down the bed a little bit.
“Jealous is not a bad look on you.” Harry said curiously low.
Niall refused to give into Harry right now. Harry rolled up into his knees, pulling Niall harder now - causing the duvet and pillows to be pulled down with Niall making a mess of the bedding.
“Fuck off.” Niall laughed out as he grabbed at the headboard of the bed but falling short.
Harry got ahold of Niall’s calves now and pulled him harder until Niall was practically sitting on Harry’s bent knees, legs splayed out to the sides, Harry’s hands still holding onto Niall’s legs. Niall stopped fighting against Harry now and just looked up at him. Harry was looking down at him. Niall could not read Harry right now. Neither of them was moving. Or breathing. Niall could feel the hair on his arms and legs stand on end. The room felt funny now. Maybe the TV was sending out some strong electromagnetic pulses that might end up giving them some kind of wonky cancer? Niall shook his head slightly, as if trying to shake the thoughts out of his head.
Harry removed his hands from Niall’s legs and leaned backwards slightly. Niall sat up at the same moment, still watching Harry who was watching back with that intense stare that only Harry can pull off. He is not sure why he did it, but he did - Niall arched up, quickly tangling his fingers in Harry’s messy curls and crashing his lips to Harry’s, pulling Harry into him hard. Harry fell forward at Niall’s pull, planting his hands on each side of Niall’s sides. All Niall can feel is a clash of teeth, lips and tongue at the moment. Harry shifted between his legs, pressing his hips forward into Niall’s hips now. Niall could feel Harry’s erection hard against his own.
Harry managed to get one of his hands between their bodies and into Niall’s briefs; wrapping his clammy hand around Niall’s already pleasantly hard cock. Niall gasped onto Harry’s lips at the contact. He was not expecting that honestly. Harry pulled his hand upwards slowly along Niall’s length so slow it was almost painfully too much sensation. Harry was walking a fine line here with the amount of friction he was allowing with his hand. Niall never knew how good it could feel despite how uncomfortable it was at the same time. Thank goodness for Harry’s anxious, sweaty palms to begin with.
Niall slipped his hands into the waist band of Harry’s lounge pants, tugging Harry against him more. Harry dropped onto his elbows, slipping his fingers into Niall’s hair and tugging slightly as he bit down on Niall’s bottom lip still dragging his hand against Niall’s length. Niall pulled away suddenly and took a deep breath before tightly digging his fingers into Harry’s hot skin and rolling them over so he was hovering over Harry now. Harry’s hair was scattered all over the pillow and around his head like a halo, eyes wide in surprise with a hungry smile on his face. Niall leaned down, catching Harry’s lip in his mouth; his hands pressed down tightly over Harry’s wrists now. Harry did not struggle under him.
Harry lifted his head up off the pillow, biting gently at Niall’s jaw line. Niall tilted his head to the side allowing Harry to suck at his neck and collar bones. Retuning to Niall’s lips, Harry kissed at them equally as gently before dropping his head back onto the pillow.
“This was not my intention when I knocked on your door…” Harry cocked his eye brow.
Niall did not move.
“This was the last thing on my mind when I saw you when I opened my door.” Niall smiled down at Harry.
Niall dropped his lips back to Harry’s, licking into his mouth greedily now. Harry arched up into Niall, starting to rut against Niall’s achingly hard cock. Niall released one of Harry’s wrists and set it on Harry’s hip, pressing them down. Harry whined… or moaned into Niall’s mouth. The vibrations from Harry’s whine-moan tickled Niall’s lips and went straight to his cock causing him to grind against Harry now. Harry pulled his legs up against Niall’s sides tightly, slowly rocking against Niall’s movements. Harry started to work Niall’s shirt off with his one free hand. Niall leaned back suddenly, ripping his shirt off and then roughly pulling Harry’s off.
Niall yanked Harry’s lounge bottoms down to his mid-thighs - exposing Harry’s erection. Spitting into his hand and taking Harry’s cock into his hand and stroking up and down with a flick of the wrist. Harry melted back into the bed, arms out to his sides slightly, fingers digging into the messy bedding. Harry managed to open his eyes and look up at Niall, who was sucking on his lips, eyes flicking between his hand and Harry’s face. Every time Niall moved, even in the slightest, he could feel himself leak slick against his briefs. He was so wound up and edgy. He had not had a release since the night he was with Harry. Harry clasped his fingers around Niall’s wrist, stopping his movements on his cock and just looked up at him - his eyes startling clear and wide.
“Niall… Please…” Harry moaned out - his voice raspy.
Niall was not all that sure what Harry was asking him for. Swallowing hard, Niall removed his hand from Harry’s cock, setting it against his own clothed erection now. Harry squirmed on the bed and against Niall as he swallowed hard this time and inhaled slowly, holding his breath for a moment before exhaling slowly, still looking up at Niall, his eyes full of want. Need. Now. You. Niall knew what Harry was asking for now.
“I’ve… I’ve never…” Niall shook his head.
“Me either… not with a guy…” Harry said calmly, eyes wide open, unblinking.
“You sure you want to do this?” Niall asked as his voice cracked.
“Yes.” Harry said firmly and clear, eyes glimmering in the light from the small table lamp.
Niall forced himself to breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
“Do you want too?” Harry asked nervously.
“Yes.” Niall blurted out before actually thinking about it. Of course he wanted too. “I just don’t know what m’doing…” Niall shared his concern.
“Neither do I… but I imagine it’s not too different from what we already know how to do… and we can just go with it?” Harry said supportively.
Niall nodded.
“Do you have any condoms?” Harry asked.
Niall knew he had some just in case lurking in his bag somewhere. Niall moved off of the bed and rummaged through his bag finding a handful of condoms and luckily, some lube. Excitedly holding them up to show Harry who was kicking his lounge bottoms off. Harry smiled and waved Niall back to the bed. Niall jumped back up onto the bed dropping the condoms and lube onto the bed next to him and looking at Harry again.
“Well take your pants off…” Harry said with an eager amused smile on his face.
Niall flipped backwards onto the bed, wiggling out of his briefs and dropping them to the floor. Sitting back up quickly to find Harry sitting up now. Harry pulled Niall to him by the neck, falling into kissing him again. Niall braced himself on the bed on all four, crawling up Harry slowly as Harry laid back down. Harry hooked his feet around Niall’s legs, grinding upwards. Niall ran his hand down Harry’s side slowly, stopping at his hip, hesitating a moment before slipping his hand between them and against Harry’s inner thigh. Adjusting his position a little bit, not breaking his lips from Harry’s - forcing Harry to spread his legs even more. Niall pressed his finger slowly against Harry’s tight ring of muscles. Harry’s breath hitched ever so slightly.
Niall started to run his finger tip gently in a circle, waiting for Harry to relax completely. Harry was radiating heat all over now. Niall felt a heat wave roll down his body. Slowly pressing his index finger into Harry’s tight hole, Niall pressed his forehead against Harry’s listening to his breathing. Pulling his finger back out slowly Harry sighed impatiently.
“Come on Niall…” Harry said shakily.
Niall laughed lightly at Harry’s words.
“So eager.” Niall teased.
Harry flushed red and closed his eyes with a silly grin on his face. Niall pressed a second finger in, slightly scissoring his fingers now. Harry’s eyes popped open and he smiled at Niall, pleased. Niall began to move his finger in Harry in a motion that motioned to come hither. Harry squirmed at the sensation, a broken moan falling from his lips. Niall worked his fingers in and out slowly a few more times before stopping and pulling back and looking at Harry.
“More… or?” Niall asked unsure.
Harry shook his head.
“I’m ready.” Harry said confidently.
Niall sat up on his heels, snatching up a condom and tearing it open excitedly. Pumping his fist over himself a few times before rolling the condom on, Harry watching intently, also stroking himself. Niall could not really believe they were going to do this or that Harry was spread out before him, every part of him exposed and waiting. Picking up the lube and popping the cap open, Niall looked at Harry.
“How much?” Niall asked quietly.
Harry shrugged.
“Just put some on you and me and let’s see…” Harry responded.
Niall did as Harry suggested and set the bottle on the side table. Holding the base of his cock, Niall leaned forward. Setting his other hand flat on the bed next to Harry’s shoulder and adjusting his knees between Harry’s legs. Setting his the head of his cock at Harry’s opening, Niall looked up at Harry slowly, suddenly aware of how hard his heart was pounding.
“Are you sure?” Niall asked softly, his voice raspy now.
Harry took a deep breath, nodding his head.
“Yea-“ Harry cleared his throat softly. “Yes.” Harry panted.
Niall could hear his pulse in his ears now. He could feel his pulse in his fingers tips and cock. Swallowing hard, his mouth slightly dry. This is happening. This is really happening. We are going to do this. We are really going to do this. I’m going to fuck Harry. Okay. Okay. Okay. Niall nodded once and pressed his hips forward slowly, the head of his cock pressing passed Harry’s threshold. Harry closed his eyes tightly as he arched upwards slightly, not breathing. Niall stopped moving when he was fully in. Harry exhaled finally and opened his eyes. There was no visible green anymore. Pupils were blow wide. Harry’s lips were a delicious shade of red and swollen now, parted slightly, starring in awe up at Niall. It took all of Niall’s self-control to not pull out and slam back into Harry. Wanting to hear Harry moan badly.
“Are you okay?” Fell out of Niall’s mouth.
“Yes. God yes.” Harry whimpered.
Niall started to pull out, just as slow as he pushed in. Dropping down to his forearms, Niall stopped pulling out just before the head of his cock came out. Harry hooked his arms under Niall’s, setting his hands on Niall’s upper back. Niall pressed his head into the crook of Harry’s neck, trying to control his movements so he did not hurt Harry. After a few slower, controlled movements, where Harry was silent, Harry stated to rock his hips with Niall’s movements.
“Okay. Fuck me now?” Harry exhaled.
Niall lifted up from Harry’s neck and looked down at him.
“You sure?” Niall asked apprehensively.
Harry nodded eagerly, still grinding on Niall. Niall nodded his head back, cocking one eye brow. Leaning back and grabbing Harry’s legs and setting them on his shoulders, Niall leaned back down. Harry smiled that obscene smile up at Niall.
“That’s more like it.” Harry said with a filthy implication.
Niall could not stop himself from laughing now. Harry pressed his head back into the pillow while Niall laughed. Slightly panting now.
“Woah… what?” Niall asked, confused.
“When you laugh… your cock moves…” Harry giggled out, smiling with his eyes.
Niall burst into laughter again, not even thinking about that. Harry pressed his head back into the pillow again, eyes shut tight, still smiling, chest rising and falling quicker. Niall got a hold of his laughter and started thrusting again, a bit harder and faster now. Harry opened his eyes again and nodded up at Niall. Niall could tell that he had Harry basically bent in half under him, that thought alone sent a spark down his spin causing him to start to pound into Harry now. Harry dug his fingers into Niall’s biceps. Niall would be lying to himself if the sound of his thighs slapping against Harry’s arse was not sending his mind into a frenzy and making his cock pulse even harder deep in Harry.
Every time Niall thrust into Harry, a low moan mixed grunt rumbled in Harry’s chest. There was no way Niall was going to last much longer if Harry kept making those noises.
“Oh fuck Haz…” Niall moaned out.
Harry hummed slowly. Niall gasped and dropped his mouth to Harry’s neck; biting down on Harry’s neck as he jack-hammer thrusted into Harry. Harry scratched his blunt nails down Niall’s arms moaning louder than expected. Niall slipped his hand between their bodies, gripping Harry’s cock in his hand and stroking him in sync with his thrusts, his bicep tight.
“Keep doing that.” Harry panted.
Niall lost himself at Harry’s raw voice. Grunting hard onto Harry’s lips as he slammed into Harry with each pulse of his orgasm.
“Oh!” Harry moaned faintly.
Harry clenched hard around Niall’s now sensitive cock as he came; spilling over Niall’s hand and all over their lower torsos. Niall pulled his hand out from between them and planted it flat next to Harry’s head, smearing Harry’s come on the bedding. Harry dropped his legs from Niall’s shoulders. Resting his head on Harry’s shoulder, Niall just listened to them breathing, waiting to stop feeling light-headed and seeing stars. Harry pressed his cheek to the side of Niall’s head, slightly kissing his hair and the air.
“I’m going to pull out okay?” Niall warned.
“‘Kay.” Harry purred.
Niall pushed himself up onto his hands and pulled his hips up and backwards, his cock slipping free from Harry. Niall shivered at the sensation, as did Harry. Niall pulled the condom off and tossed it into the bin near the TV stand. Collapsing onto the bed next to Harry who looked to have melted into the bed, eye lids heavy and a blissed smile on his face. Harry turned his head to look at Niall.
“Now that is how you give your virginity to someone.” Harry said cockily.
Niall is so tired that the punch-drunk giggling overwhelms him and he can’t stop laughing.