sunflower vol. 6, for you
harry and elyse have been friends their whole life, but harry catches feelings and decides to write a song about her.
our baby girl
harry and juliette are high school sweethearts. juliette ends up pregnant but her mom is unsupportive. together, they decide to take on life at a young age, but it’s okay because they have each other.
harry x y/n
i'll always take care of you <gang leader! harry au>
y/n shows up bruised and beaten at harry's doorstep. he's quick to take care of her and tend to her wounds.
summary: Harry and Elyse have been friends their whole life, but Harry catches feelings and decides to write a song about her.
word count: 2.3k
warnings: none, just 2 thousand words of harry being a complete softie😁
Harry’s hand rubbed up and down her arm soothingly. Elyse was tucked into his side, breathing evenly.
“Tea?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No tea,” after a pause she added, “Old lovers hippie music.”
Harry’s brow furrowed. “Huh?”
“For your song. You said you were stuck for lyrics after ‘She plays songs I’ve never heard’ and I think ‘Old lovers hippie music’ is cute. It goes with the song.” Quickly after she added, “only if you want to of course,”
Harry grinned. The way she cared and tried to help made his heart fuzzy. He started humming the tune, “She plays songs I’ve never heard, old lovers hippie music… Pretends not to know the words. Sound good?”
gang leader!harry au
summary: Y/N shows up bruised and beaten at Harry's doorstep. He's quick to take care of her and tend to her wounds.
word count: 1k
warnings: wounds? gang? not sure if those are warnings
Y/N knocked on Harry’s door pathetically. She was clutching her side, and her knocks were so weak she was sure he wouldn’t hear them.
She was supposed to meet Harry at his house in one piece, and technically she still was in one piece, but she sure as hell didn’t feel like she was.
A group of guys had jumped her, punching and kicking her with so much force and hatred she was sure she had done something she wasn’t aware of. Her ribs hurt like hell, and she was sure she was concussed. One of the guys had stepped on her hand, and she was sure that was broken too.
Y/N knocked again, and this time Harry opened it. The look on his face immediately changed, from happiness to concern in a matter of seconds once he took in her current status. The side of her face was scraped, her hand was red and slightly swollen, her whole legs were scraped and bloody, and the side of her shirt was ripped.
“Fuck Harry- it hurts,” she whimpered.
“Y/N- what the hell happened? Come inside!” He pulled her inside carefully and shut the door quickly.
Hissing in pain, she sat down on his couch and watched as he crouched in front of her.
“How long have you gone like this? Why did you even walk here?”
“You know I always walk if the train isn’t available, and since it’s late it wasn’t. A-nd like 5 minutes? I don’t know,”
“What- What even happened?”
She swallowed, “Some guys jumped me. They hit me so bad Harry, it hurts so much,”
Harry wiped the tears that escaped her eyes. “Hey, I’m gonna take care of you okay?”
She nodded as she burst into tears, burying her face in his chest to the best of her ability.
Harry’s heart hurt for her, and he wanted to hurt himself for the pain he’d caused her. He knows the reason this happened was because of him. The other gang probably found out how close Harry and Y/N were and decided to hurt her, to teach Harry a lesson.
“Hey, shh you’re gonna be okay. Tell me who did this to you. Hey,” After she said nothing, he pulled her face out of his chest and cupped it carefully. “Tell me. Who did this? What did they look like?”
“I- I don’t know! They were covered for the most part, but they had these jackets with a snake on the back. All of them did,” she started crying again, “Harry, please- fuck it hurts,”
“I know love, I know. Come on, let's get you cleaned up.” He picked her up bridal style and walked to the bathroom where he set her down on the counter.
“What hurts the most?”
“M-my hand and my rib,”
Harry looked at both places. There were already bruises forming on her side, and it was also scraped. Her hand though, it was just swollen and red.
“What happened to your hand?”
“One of them stepped on it,”
Harry’s eyes flashed anger which he quickly covered, since he didn’t want to scare Y/N. But the second he got his hands on those guys, he’d do way more than just kick them.
“I don’t think it’s broken. Just really bruised. Can you feel your fingers?”
She nodded and then proceeded to try to close her hand. She couldn’t do it all the way, but it wasn’t an awful lot of pain.
Harry nodded, “I’m just gonna bandage it up. Then I’ll take care of the rest.”
In silence, Harry cleaned her hand lightly. He put some cream on it that made it tingle slightly before putting the bandage on.
Then, he moved on to the places that would take slightly more work.
He cleaned her rib with an alcohol pad, earning whimpers from her that broke his heart, and then he bandaged that up too.
“Does it hurt when I press on it?” Harry started to lightly press on the bandage, but he couldn’t get far before she pushed his hand away. “Yes yes! Stop it!”
“It's probably fractured. It’ll take a bit to heal,”
She said nothing, and he didn’t push it.
***
After 30 painfully long minutes, Harry was done. He came to the conclusion she had only broken one of her ribs, and that everything else was just badly bruised.
“Do you want to go to the hospital?”
She shook her head, “I just wanna stay here with you,” she mumbled.
Harry didn’t mind that, one because he loved being with her, and second because he knew exactly how to take care of her. When he joined the gang, he took online classes on medicine. Nothing serious, just the basics so he could be able to take care of things like this. Because of that, he knew she was in good hands.
He kissed her temple, “Alright. I’ll fix up the guest room for you,”
“But you’ll sleep there too, right?”
His face softened, “Of course. I just want it to be your space.” He smiled at her and then picked her up again.
He walked to the guest bedroom and laid her on the bed carefully. “I washed the sheets two days ago. All clean just for you.” He said.
“Do you want some tea? Something to eat?”
She shook her head. “Please just lay with me, I’m so scared,” She whispered as she tugged at his shirt.
Harry immediately laid by her, “I will get those guys. And they’re gonna be so fucking sorry for doing this to you.”
She sighed, “I hate that you do this. This whole gang thing. I get that you only hurt people who deserve it but it's so dangerous. You could get killed.”
“I could get killed even if I wasn’t in the gang,” He murmured into her hair.
“But the risk is much bigger when you're in it.”
He sighed. “I know petal. But I’m safe, and I always will be. For you, I’ll never let anything happen to myself. Why don’t you get some rest? You’re gonna feel much better in the morning.”
“I love you. You're so stubborn, but I love you so much.”
“I love you. You’re everything to me. Nothing is going to happen to you here, alright? As long as I’m with you, nothing will ever happen to you. I got you Y/N. I always will.”
summary: Harry and Juliette are high school sweethearts. Juliette ends up pregnant but her mom is unsupportive. Together, they decide to take on life at a young age, but it’s okay because they have each other.
word count: 2.2k
warnings: implications of smut
ps: *** means time skip to a completely different scene, - means time skip to a later time in the same scene
“Gorgeous, my beautiful girl,” Harry pressed kisses to Juliette's cheeks.
She laughed softly, pressing her hands to his chest and pushing him up slightly so she could see him. “You, are everything to me.” She said.
“My love. Italy.”
She tilted her head, “Italy?”
“Mhm. That's where we're going to live. As soon as I get enough money, I'm taking us to Italy.”
“We.” she murmured, “As soon as we get more money, we can move to Italy. ‘M never gonna let you pay for anything on your own,”
“Who payed for tonight's ice cream?” He teased.
Juliette groaned and slapped his chest lightly. “That's different.”
He kissed her, “You don't worry about anything. We'll figure it out. We have loads of time.”
She smiled and pushed Harry off her. Now, they were both laying on the floor, looking up at the stars. “I love this.” She whispered.
“I do too.” Harry reached over and took her hand in his.
“Do you think they'll find out?”
He hummed in confusion.
“That we sneaked out.”
“I don't think so. My parents are out on a date, and your mom is a very heavy sleeper. They won't find out. And if they do, it's alright.”
She sighed. “It won't be.”
“I know she hates me, petal. But you’ve chosen to not care, so don’t worry. Alright?”
“I know that. It just bothers me so much. I mean, you’re great! And she doesn’t even want to try and meet you. She just doesn’t care at all. She decided she doesn’t like you and that’s it. End of story. She won’t even let me talk about you.”
Harry turned on his side to face her. “Look at it this way. At least she didn’t force you to break up with me.”
She sighed, “you’re right, but still. I want a life time with you and it’s hard not having her approval. I mean, I’m not going to leave you because she’s stupid, never, but she’s my mom you know? I wish she would try to get to know you.”
“I get that. I do. But lovie, if she doesn’t like me now, she never will. And I’m sorry for saying this, but your mom has been shit to me for a long time and I don’t know if I can just.. forget that and form a relationship with her. If she changed her mind about me.”
“You wouldn’t give her a chance?”
“No, of course I would. What I’m saying is that I wouldn’t just click with her right away. It would take time.”
“Oh. That’s okay. I get that,”
He nodded, “but lets stop talking about this. Lets look at the stars.”
And they did. They looked at the stars until the clouds covered them, then, they headed home.
***
“I- I’ve never done this Harry,”
“It’s alright,” he murmured. “Do you want to?”
“I do! I just don’t know how,”
“Just follow my lead alright?”
She nodded, and let Harry press his lips to hers again. He gently put his hand behind her neck and held her waist with the other one. His lips lightly grazed the side of her mouth, kissing her cheek in the process, and then moved back to her lips.
She kissed him back, trying to copy his movements. Her hands stayed in her lap as she didn’t know what to do with them and didn’t want to seem more inexperienced than she already did.
Harry’s tongue gently prodded her lips open, and she accepted, opening her mouth slightly for him. His tongue gently explored her mouth, and after getting the hint she timidly ran her own along his. Harry sucked gently on it, pecking her lips a couple more times before opening them again, sucking on her bottom lip gently.
He bit her lip softly, not to startle her. She let out a small hum which could’ve been mistaken for a moan and returned the favor by sucking on Harry’s lip. Harry squeezed her waist once, a way of telling her he enjoyed what she did.
Minutes later, Harry pulled away. “And you say you haven’t done that before?”
She blushed, “I haven’t,”
“Well, you were amazing. Now I wanna make out with you every night,” he teased.
She groaned, blushing deeper. She grabbed Harry’s shirt and pulled them both down onto the mattress. “I hate you.”
“You didn’t seem to hate me a few seconds ago when my tongue was down your thro-”
“Harry!” She hit her chest, hiding her face in his chest and laughing in embarrassment.
He laughed and kissed her forehead, “okay okay, I’m sorry,”
“Good night H.”
“Good night my darling girl,” he kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.
***
“Your parents aren’t here right?”
He chuckled, “I told you they aren’t already.”
She blushed, “okay.”
Harry continued kissing down her body. His lips left tender kisses down her stomach, all the way to her belly button.
“Can I take this off?” He motioned to her shirt.
“Yeah.. that’s alright.”
“Tell me if you want me to stop okay? Please let me know.”
She smiled fondly, “I will.”
Harry removed her shirt. He set it by the bed incase she wanted it back and then took off her bra.
“God, you’re absolutely perfect Juliette,”
“Harry…”
-
“That was amazing.”
She nodded. “It was. It so was. I’m so happy we did it together for our first time.”
“I am too. You’re perfect,” he kissed her cheek.
“I love you so much Harry,”
He kissed her forehead. “My gorgeous girl.”
***
Juliette was on the verge of tears. No, on the verge of a panic attack. She had missed her period a week ago, and she still hadn’t gotten it. She decided not to tell Harry about it yet, not until she was sure.
The timer on her phone beeped, indicating the test was done. With shaky hands, she picked it up. The test was positive.
She fell to her knees, sobbing. What was she supposed to do?
She was 17, her boyfriend had just turned 18, and her mother would be furious. Like, livid.
She figured she should tell Harry first and then find a way to deal with her mom. Nervously, she dialed his number.
“Harry.”
“Hey love. You okay?”
Your voice was shaky, “please, come over. Mom’s at church right now so please hurry.”
“Okay okay I’m coming, are you alright?”
“No, please hurry Harry.”
-
“Lovie, hey are you alright? Why are you crying?” Harry pulled her to his chest.
“Ha-rry, I need to tell you- you somethin-g,” her voice shook with sobs and Harry’s heart broke for her.
“Anything love. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
“I’m pregnant.” She whispered.
Harry’s hand stopped rubbing her back.
“What?”
“I’m pregnant. I guess the condom broke or something I don’t know- I just know I took a test and it was positive!” She stepped away from Harry, sobbing.
“Okay, okay hey- look at me,” Harry cupped her face. “I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But we have to make a decision okay? We can keep it, or you could have an abortion. I’m okay with either alright? It’s your body.”
“I- I can’t get an abortion, I’m underage and my mom won’t sign anything,”
“I’m 18. I can sign it for you okay? Is that what you want to do? Have an abortion?”
Juliette stammered. When she suspected she was pregnant, she was ready to get an abortion. But now that she knows she can, she’s not so sure.
“What do you want?”
“I want anything you want love. It’s your body, you can make this decision and I’ll support you. I understand if you want to have an abortion, we’re young and it’s scary. But, to be honest I also think we could have this baby. I have money, I’m already planning on moving out too. My mom could help aswell, if you want her to. But it’s up to you.”
A baby. You and Harry, living alone with a baby. The thought was.. probably the cutest thing you’ve thought about in a while.
“We have time to think don’t we? There’s a limit to having an abortion. I can’t be that far along, so we can wait a bit. Try to see what our lives would be like with a baby. Is that okay?”
“Yes. That’s okay pretty. We can do that if you want to. So no abortion yet?”
She shook her head. “And we won’t tell our parents either. Not yet. Not until we’re sure we’re keeping it.”
Harry nodded. He was on board with her idea, she was right. It was better they kept it a secret, and since they had time they could try to prepare, see if they could handle a kid on their own. He knew Juliette was mostly scared for what her mother would say, they both knew she wouldn’t be supportive.
But deep down, Harry knew they could do this. They could have a baby, and he was sure of that.
***
It had been two and a half months since Harry and Juliette found out they were pregnant. In a way that wasn’t too obvious to their parents, they started spending more time together in Harry’s new apartment to see how things would be if they had this baby.
Soon enough, they realized that this is what they wanted. They planned to have kids in the future anyways, so why not start now if they got the chance already? They had the resources, and they knew they could care for this baby. Harry planned to go to college later, so he’d be home all the time.
Juliette planned to go to college as soon as she graduated high school, but she decided to go to an online school. This way, both of them would be home.
A week ago, they had decided to tell their parents.
Anne was shocked, but overall happy and supportive. She even told them they could stay with her if they wanted to, and that she’d be there for anything they needed.
Juliette’s mom on the other hand, had been an absolute monster to her.
“Hey love, how was it?”
Juliette ran to him, burying her face in his chest. Harry immediately wrapped her arms around her, rubbing her hair with one.
“She was horrible! Horrible Harry! She- she kicked me out and- and she said horrible things and she hit me-”
“She what?”
“She hit me.” Juliette pulled away from his chest, showing him the red bruise forming on the side of her face.
Harry’s body language immediately changed and Juliette could tell how his eyes went from caring to enraged.
He grabbed her face lightly, “She slapped you,” he said softly. “I can’t believe she slapped you. That fucking bitch I swear I’ll-”
“Nothing. You won’t do anything. We’re done with her. I’ll find a place to stay as soon as I get my clothes-”
“What are you talking about?”
“What do you mean? She kicked me out.”
“I know that, I mean what do you mean you’ll find a place to stay? You’re staying here. With me,”
Juliette’s eyes lit up. “Really? You’ll have me?”
“Of course! We’re living together. We’ll just start now. It’ll be perfect,”
Her eyes watered with happy tears as she kissed his lips repeatedly. “Oh god Harry I love you so much,”
“I love you too. I’m so sorry she acted like that, she’s horrible. She doesn’t deserve a daughter like you and she certainly doesn’t deserve to have a grandchild. Tomorrow we’ll go together while she’s at work and we’ll get all your clothes. Okay?”
“Yes. Yes that’s okay. But..”
“Yeah?”
“Is it okay if we bring my dog? I can’t bear to leave him alone there,”
“Of course love. Of course we’ll bring him,”
“Okay,” she murmured. She hugged him tight. “We’ll be okay.”
“Yes, yes we will.”
***
“That’s it baby, that’s it! One more push, I know you can do this. Just one more,” He kissed her forehead tenderly.
Juliette squeezed his hand, probably too hard, but Harry didn’t care. “Harry it hurts I can’t- Oh god!” She pushed one last time and cries filled the room.
“You did it, you did it baby. It’s okay now, shh,” Harry kissed her forehead and her lips.
“Are they okay?”
“Yes, it’s a beautiful baby girl. Perfectly healthy too, looks just like you two.” The doctor smiled, “We’re just gonna clean her up and give her to you alright?”
“Alright,” she whispered. Juliette looked at Harry, “A girl!” She grinned. “Our baby girl.”
Harry nodded, “our beautiful girl.” He couldn’t stop smiling, he was grinning so hard.
“Here you go,” the doctor set the baby girl on Juliette’s chest.
“Oh she’s perfect, she’s so perfect,” Harry whispered.
“She is. She has your eyes,”
“And your nose. God she’s the cutest baby I’ve seen,”
“Mara. Mara Styles.”
Harry grinned. “Mara Elizabeth Styles. Our girl.”
Harry brushed his finger against her and she quickly gripped it. His eyes widened, filling with happy tears instantly.
“She loves you.”
“I love her, I love her so much,” he pressed a light kiss to her forehead and then to Juliette’s.
“I love you both so much.”
“I love you too,” she murmured, puckering her lips up for a kiss.
Harry pressed his lips to hers, letting them linger there for a bit.
“My girls,”
In that moment, they new that they’d be perfectly fine.
summary: Harry and Elyse have been friends their whole life, but Harry catches feelings and decides to write a song about her.
word count: 2.3k
warnings: none, just 2 thousand words of harry being a complete softie😁
Harry's hand rubbed up and down her arm soothingly. Elyse was tucked into his side, breathing evenly.
“Tea?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No tea,” after a pause she added, “Old lovers hippie music.”
Harry’s brow furrowed. “Huh?”
“For your song. You said you were stuck for lyrics after ‘She plays songs I've never heard’ and I think ‘Old lovers hippie music’ is cute. It goes with the song.” Quickly after she added, “only if you want to of course,”
Harry grinned. The way she cared and tried to help made his heart fuzzy. He started humming the tune, “She plays songs I've never heard, old lovers hippie music… Pretends not to know the words. Sound good?”
Harry was in the middle of writing his next album, Fine Line. He already had most of the songs written, and was only missing three. One of those was Canyon Moon, which he had already partially written.
She smiled, “Amazing. But my favorite is still To Be So Lonely.” she teased.
He groaned, “You just like that one line.”
She laughed, “I love having an excuse to call you an arrogant son of a bitch!”
He rolled his eyes, “I know your favorite is Lights Up.” He murmured.
She let out a thoughtful sigh. “It makes me think. I mean, do I really know who I am?”
He hummed, “Do you?”
“I don't know! That's why it makes me think.”
He chuckled, “It's just a line of lyrics. Don't look so deep into it, petal.”
“It's good lyrics. I will look into it if it's good, I love thinking.”
“I know you do, but remember not to over think, alright? Doesn’t do you any good,”
She groaned, “Okay, dad.”
Elyse sat up and stretched. “I do want tea, actually.” she smiled. “Lets go make it,”
She got off the bed and grabbed Harry's arm. “Harryyyy come on, don't be difficult,” she pulled his arm, but Harry didn't budge one bit.
“Do you really think you can pull me off this bed?”
“Actually, yes.”
He laughed, “Do it.”
“Fine,” Elyse quickly realized she let her stubbornness get the best of her, because there was no way she could pull Harry off the bed on her own. She pulled and pulled, but Harry didn’t move. Not even an inch.
She grumbled and climbed back into the bed. She tried to push him off instead, and that seemed to work because a few seconds later Harry was rubbing his head and groaning on the floor.
She grinned triumphantly, “Did it.”
“Ouch!” He said while getting off the floor.
She giggled, “you challenged me!”
He grumbled and threw her over his shoulder.
She gasped, “H! Put me down!”
“Hmm, no you deserve it.”
She could practically hear the smirk on his face as he walked down the stairs.
“I hate you.”
“Oh do you?” Harry threw her on the couch and started tickling her.
“Harry stop it!” She couldn't stop laughing as her hands tried to push Harry's away, but he was too strong.
“Take it back and I’ll stop.”
“Fine, fine I don't hate you!” She breathed heavily through her laughter, calming down once Harry stopped his tickle attack.
He grinned. “Dummy. Come on, let’s go make tea.”
She laughed a bit more while following him.
“Peach? Chamomile? Which do you want?”
She nodded her head towards his left hand, where he was holding the peach pack.
“Do you want cookies?”
Harry nodded while heating up the water for the tea. Elyse pulled out cookies from the cabinet and served them on a plate. Everything was done in silence, the kind they loved. Knowing they didn't have to talk to each other all the time in order to feel comfortable or wanted was their favorite feeling.
Once their tea was done, they headed over to the living room.
“Wanna know something weird?”
“How weird?”
“Like, my ex wants to get back with me weird.”
Elyse stopped blowing on her tea and glanced at Harry. “Who?”
“Camille. She called while you were napping.”
“Oh.”
He nodded slightly.
“Well what did you say?”
“What do you mean? Of course I said no.”
Elyse felt a wave of relief crash through her. “That's good. It ended for a reason.”
He nodded. “That's what I told her. I don’t get why people keep on getting back together, relationships end for a reason you know?”
“Well I mean, I think some things don't count. Like long distance. If one of them moves back I think it's good to get back together. That is if that was the only reason.”
“Well yeah, but me and her weren't long distance. We just didn't work.”
“I know. Was she mad?”
He shook her head. “She said she understood. I told her about the voice message too.”
“The one in Cherry?”
He nodded, “She wasn't mad. She said it was cool actually,”
Elyse chuckled. “Who wouldn't find a song written about them nice?”
“Guess so.”
***
“Two sugars, splash of cream,” he murmured as he set the cup down in front of her.
She smiled, “thanks.”
“So how is the family album coming along?”
She sighed. “Definitely have to add more rules for families with kids to the website. The toddler won't stop running around, and the baby wouldn't stop crying. She had to breastfeed it twice during our session, and I get that, but it's frustrating since I had to wait for her to finish so I could continue. The toddler almost broke my camera, so that was great too.”
“That sucks.”
“It does. I told them we could continue another day, but to please feed the baby before. She seemed a bit mad when I mentioned it but understanding in the end. As for the toddler, thankfully the pictures with him were done today. Next Friday I'll take the ones of the parents as well as some with the baby.”
Harry smiled, “and next year you'll be taking the ones of me on tour.”
She blushed, “I can't believe you want me to do that for you,”
“I wouldn't ask anyone else.”
***
I nwed tp pee
Harry stared at the text for a couple seconds. Why did he need to know she needed to pee?
You alright? He texted back.
She was supposed to come over 2 hours ago, but she never did. He figured she was too tired or got busy with something else, but never asked.
Think I perd thy bed
Harry's brow furrowed. Her texts were misspelled, and what she was telling him didn't make sense. Was she drunk? He thought. If she was, she hadn't been this drunk in a while.
After a few moments of his mind coming up with crazy scenarios of her dying or being in danger, he grabbed his keys and drove to her place.
“Elyse? Petal, open the door,” he knocked gently but loud enough for her to hear.
He heard a mumble come from inside, but nothing followed after. He was about to call her, when he remembered she gave him a key months ago. He ran back to his car and quickly got it.
“Oh, Ellie,” Once inside, he could see why didn’t come over. She was wrapped up in so many blankets he could barely make out the shape of her small body.
He walked over to her and gently peeled off the blankets from her face. “Hey petal, feeling alright?”
She shook her head and whispered, “I think I peed the bed Harry,”
His heart broke for her. He could practically feel the heat radiating off of her. “That's alright. Why don't you go pee and take a shower while I change the sheets for you?”
“Don't wanna be a burden,”
“You're never a burden Ellie,” he helped her get up and walk to the bathroom. “Call me if you need anything alright? I'll be right outside.”
She nodded and watched him go.
Harry quickly changed the sheets, putting the other ones in the washing machine. He walked over to her kitchen and sighed in relief when he found a bottle of medicine. He also got a thermometer, even though he was sure she had a fever.
“Doing okay in there?” he asked.
He could barely hear her answer through the closed door, but managed to understand her few words. “Please help me get dressed,”
“Coming,” he murmured.
Realizing neither of them remembered to get clothes for her to wear once she was done, he grabbed a pair of undies and a big hoodie from her closet for her to wear.
“I'm gonna walk in, is that okay?”
“Yes,”
Harry nodded and walked inside. “Alright,” he said, mostly to himself.
Elyse was just standing in the shower, arms covering her boobs but not in an attempt to cover herself. She was instead trying to warm herself up.
Harry dried her body with her towel and then helped her step into her clothing. “Shouldn't have washed your hair, petal,” he whispered, as he grabbed her hairbrush.
“Didn't know that,”
“It's alright. I'll brush it and you'll be okay. Here, let's go sit on the bed so you're more comfortable. I already changed the sheets.”
She nodded silently and followed him. Harry had her sit between his legs, her back to his chest, as he ran the brush through her hair carefully.
He’d never brushed a girl’s hair, but he'd seen Elyse do it and he knew it hurt her sometimes when it was too knotted. With that in mind, he was extra careful. He only brushed small sections at once, and made sure to hold her hair so she couldn't feel pain in case he pulled it on accident.
“There you go. All done,”
“You brushed it?” her voice was crackly and quiet, an evident sign she was sick.
“I did brush it,”
“Oh, didn't feel it. You were really gentle,”
He smiled, “I tried.”
“Thank you,”
“I'm gonna take your temperature alright?”
She hummed.
Harry sighed, she'd never been this sick. “Open up,” he said gently. She did, and he put the thermometer under her tongue.
After a few seconds it beeped, and just as Harry suspected, she had a fever.
“Fever of 100.1,” he mumbled. “It's okay, you'll be better soon. Take this,” he took the medicine bottle he’d placed on the nightstand and served some in the small measuring cup.
Elyse shook her head, “ew,”
“I know it's yucky, but it'll make you feel better alright? Here you go,”
Elyse grimaced, but drank the medicine anyways. “No more,”
Harry nodded, “no more. You can lay down now.” He helped her lay down and tucked her in.
“Don't go,” she grabbed onto his arm when he turned away.
“‘M not going anywhere, petal. I'm just gonna go wash this cup okay? I'll be back in no time,”
She nodded and reluctantly let go.
Harry washed the cup as quickly as he could and came back to her.
“Lay,” she said. And so he did. He layed, because in that moment, he realized he’d do absolutely anything for her.
Elyse quickly cuddled into his embrace, falling asleep instantly.
And in that moment, he realized he was in love with his best friend.
***
“Elyse, we have to talk. Please?”
She blinked. “We’ve been talking for an hour.”
“No I mean- I have something to say.”
Confusedly, she nodded. “Well go ahead then.”
After realizing he was in love with her, he couldn't keep it in. It was eating him alive, every time he saw her. She had to know. And if she didn't like him back, at least he knew.
“Okay. Uhm. Well, I wrote a song. I want you to listen to it.”
She smiled, “Of course! I love listening to them,”
Harry nodded nervously and pressed play on his phone. The song started, and he watched her reactions intensely.
Sunflower
Sunflower
My eyes, want you more than a melody
Let me inside
Wish I could get to know you
While Elyse smiled to the melody, Harry fidgeted with his fingers. Would she realize the song was about her?
I've got your face
Hung up high in the gallery
I love this shade
(Sunflower, sunflower)
“Sunflowers, my favorite,” she murmured, careful not to speak too loudly and somehow disturb the song.
Yes, yes they are your favorite! That's why the song is called that, it's about you! His thoughts screamed at him.
I couldn't want you any more
Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor
I couldn't want you any more tonight
(Tonight, tonight, tonight)
I couldn't want you any more
Kids in the kitchen listen to dance hall
I couldn't want you any more tonight
“That's beautiful, I want to do that,” she said.
As the song ended, she smiled. “I loved the ending. The noises and your screams really go with it. And the song was beautiful.”
Harry nodded slightly. She didn't realize. “I'm glad you did. I named it after your favorite flower.”
“I could tell!” she smiled, “on purpose or did it just go with it?”
“On purpose, Elyse.”
“Well, now I can say it's about me,” she teased.
Harry didn't say anything, but his expression said enough.
“It's not about me, is it?” she said nervously.
“It is about you. I'm in love with you Elyse, and I needed to tell you somehow.”
“So you wrote a song about me?”
“I did. Are you mad?”
“Mad? No! Of course not!”
“Then…”
“Harry I-”
“If you don't like me back, that's okay. I get it, you're not forced to like me. We've been friends for years and i totally get if-”
Elyse shut him up with her lips on his. “Shut up,” she whispered. “You’re rambling,” she grinned, “for no reason because I love you too.”
Both of them were grinning so big, they'd probably get smile lines ahead of time.
Does this mean we're dating now?” Harry couldn't contain his smile.
“It does.”
Harry kissed her once more, but this time, they weren't friends anymore. They were boyfriend and girlfriend, and that was more than he could ever want.
