Award Winner
Authors note :This fic was inspired by the lines "It was always you," but they didn't make their way into the fic. Oops. But this is the longest fic I've ever written. So I hope y'all like it :D
Summary : New to the music industry you make fast friends with global super star musician Harry Styles and create a close bond. Leaving you wanting more. Unsure of how he feels for you.
Word Count : 4.6K
Warnings : Fluff, Fluff, Fluff, Simp Harry if we're being honest, drug use well mention I guess, Drinking, slight angst if you squint, self concious reader, I think that's it.
Waiting in line to get onto the red carpet is always the most nerve wracking part of the night. The anxiety and pressure built to the top. Heart beating a mile a minute and trying not to let the worry show on your face. The second you step onto the carpet the cameras snap at lightning speed. Flashes blinding you as frenzied hungry photographers yell at you to 'look at me look at me!' 'give me a smile honey!' 'over here over here' coming from all directions. A smile plastered across your face and the mantra of 'don't fall, don't fall, don't fall,' repeating over and over in your head. A small voice eating at you telling you that you're not supposed to be here. You're not good enough to be here. There's someone out there that deserves to be here more.
The walk down the corridor of cameras is done in a flash but feels like hours all at the same time. Taking in a deep breath as you make your way through a back passage way to get to the stairs of the event. Heels clicking with the roars of the crowd creating a white noise. Your hands wringing in front of you. Pulling and twisting your fingers as you get closer to the roars of the people. Opening the doors you are thrusted into the theatre of an award shows. Shown to your seat by a small woman wearing a headset. She motions to your place card and you sit. Looking at the cards sat on wither side of you. A unknown name on your right and the lovely Harry Styles on your left. The table empty besides yourself with the other tables around you filling slowly. You sip at your glass of water before the seat next to you is filled. You look over at your friend and give a smile.
"Harry!" You smile and he raises arms to hug you. His long arms wrap around you and you find calmness in his embrace. The pressure of his hold grounding you and relaxing your heartrate for the seconds of the hug. He pulls away, his hands not leaving your arms. Dancing down to your elbow and hold your forearms in his grasp.
"I am so grateful I am sitting next to you," His smile wide an his hands clammy. "I don't think I could make it if I didn't have my drinking buddy," he chuckles. You throw your head back in a laugh. Remembering your last encounter at a Met Gala after party hiding in a corner taking shots and laughing all night. His hands touching and grabbing at you in the way he does all his friends. A very touchy drunk he is.
"Let's maybe not drink that much in front of the cameras tonight," you wink at him. "We can save that for the after parties," He squeezes his hands and releases his hold on you.
"Yes of course," he sits back in his chair. "How was the carpet?" he asks. You shrug.
"It was okay I guess," your hands finding each other and twisting your rings. "Was over in a flash but seemed to last an eternity," his hands come to cover yours. Grasping your fingers in his.
"I get it honey," he nods. "I think over the years it's just become part of the job but I still get this voice in my head that calls me a dumbass and tells me all sorts of names," he smiles shyly.
"Yeah, kinda like that. I just feel like I'm not supposed to be here," the two of you sit in silence before someone sits next to you and you quickly pull your hands from him.
"Hi," they speak quietly to you as an artist you recognize sits next to you, along with someone you assume is their date. You give the both of them a wave. As the table settles in you direct your eyes to the stage. As the show progresses and awards are given you and Harry share small conversations exchanged. Mostly about the winners and the show itself. As the category for "Album of the Year," Comes up your eyes lock on Harrys. One of the many awards that he has been nominated for and the last one left for him to win. His hand quickly grasps yours and squeezes your fingers in his. His rings cold against your skin.
"You got this," you whisper. "Four for four right?" you smile at him. His face is displayed across the screen as you wait for the announcement to be made. His face settled into a frown, eyebrows furrowed in anticipation.
"Harry Styles!" The announcer yells. The crowd uproars and you stand to your feet. Pulling him up to stand along with you.
"I told you!" you scream. His arms wrap around you again. "I knew it." you whisper to him as his head settles into your neck. He pulls back from you.
"I am so glad I get to have you here with me here for this," The smile on his face filling your heart. The same smile displayed on your face. To the point where your face hurts. He turns to walk to the stage. Holding your hand out with him as he walks away. He pulls you back quickly leaving a kiss on your cheek before he makes his way to the stage. shaking hands and giving hug on his route to the podium.
"Thank you so so much," is what he starts with. Standing behind the mic with the award in his hands. "Thank you to everyone here who made this possible. To all of you working so hard to make this show run and make this evening possible. Thank you to my amazing team who helps me create beautiful art. And a wonderful thank you to my peers and amazing nominees who deserve this award as much as I do. And most of all thank you to my amazing, wonderful and absolutely stunning fans who make living my life possible. Thank you Thank you Thank you," He raises the award above his head and the crowd screams as he thrusts the gold encrusted gramophone into the air.
He waltzes his way back to stage with a closed smile on his face. The trophy is taken from him before it makes it to the table to be engraves and places with his others. He slots himself next to you.
"Bloody hell," He sighs. "I can't believe that just happened," the smile still on his face.
"I can," you say smugly. "You deserve it," he grabs your hand and the two of you sit like that for the rest of the show.
As the night concludes you and Harry make your way through the waves of people. His hands not leaving your body in fear of losing you in the crowd. His fingers entwined in yours or his hand placed on the small of your back while he guides you towards the cars. Stopping occasionally to small talk and except congratulations from others.
Your driver comes into view.
"I'll see you at Abbeys?" you ask as you drift towards your driver. Referring to the club that one of the many After parties will be.
"Of course love," he winks and turns to find his own car. Your driver, Philip, opens your door and you step in. Pulling your dress in behind you.
"Thank you," you voice to the man before he closes the door. The worlds instantly becoming quieter. Still hearing the hum of the screams outside the black suburban. The roars amplified again as Philip gets into the car and closes the door behind himself.
“To the hotel?” He asks.
“Yes. Outfit change then to Abbeys,” you smile at him.
“Sounds like a plan,” he shifts the car into drive and you wined through the streets to get to the hotel. Pulling up to the hotel you hop out of the car and are ushered up to your room by your manager and friend Raini.
“Okay so we have a few options for you. I know you liked the green dress but my in at Gucci found a beautiful floor length back sheer dress that I think would suit you so well?” She states but comes out as a question.
“No harm in trying it on,” you shrug. The two of you get on the elevator.
“Awesome,” she nods. Then there’s a lil of silence. “So Harry?” She asks. You look at her curiously.
“What about Harry?” You question back.
“When did you two get close?” She has a smug but curious look on her face.
“The after party for The Met,” you shrug. “We talk a. It here and there but nothing crazy,”
“Nothing crazy,” she laughs. “You two were making eyes at each other all night and were constantly holding hands and shit!”
“Whatever we were not,” you smile as the elevator rings and you step off at your floor. Walking quickly to your room where your trusted hair and makeup artist was waiting to give you a whole new look.
“You so were!” Raini yells after you. You shake your head. A smile still on your lips. As you open the door your makeup artist screams your name.
“You did not tell me that you and Harry were an item!” You roll your eyes and turn around. Glaring at Raini. She holds her hands up defensively.
“I didn’t say a thing she did that all on her own,” you turn back to Daisy.
“What?” She asks. Perplexed.
“We are not a thing. He’s just my friend,” she gives you a look as you spin around so she can unzip you from your gown.
“Pretty touchy for just friends,”
“Well we are just friends so whatever,” you respond as the dress drops off you. You step out of it and walk to the dresses in their bags hung up on the roll away hanger. You pull the black dress out and unzip the bag. Raini helps you get it on zipping you into the gown. The fabric digging into your sides. Wrapping into your ribcage and pushing the air out of your lungs. The sleeves are itchy and you can just FEEL it all over your body. It’s a beautiful dress but you can’t breathe.
“I don’t think so Raini,” you wheeze out pulling at the cups of the dress. “I know beauty is pain but I can’t be beautiful passed out,” you laugh. She nods.
“It’s definitely not our usual style,” she clicks her tongue. “Let’s try the red and then we can do the green if you don’t like the red okay?” She speaks quickly as she unzips you and moves to get the red dress. You drape the dress across the hotel room bed when there’s a knock at the door. You and Raini look at each other. “You expecting someone?” She asks and you shake your head. She moves to the door and you grab the red dress from her and slip into it and Daisy comes behind you to tie you into the corset back dress.
You hear Raini and a man exchanging words before she comes back into the main part of the room holding a HUGE bouquet. Roses and babies breath exploding out of a large crystal vase. Your jaw drops. You reach out and pluck the card tucked into the flowers. You read aloud.
“For the most beautiful woman at the Grammies deserves a beautiful bouquet,” no name. You look up at Raini and she shrugs.
“The guy who delivered them said he doesn’t know who sent them,” you flip the card over. There’s no name anywhere. You flip it back and forth a few times willing a name to show up.
“It’s not gonna change,” Raini laughs. Daisy chuckles with her. You drop the card down into the bed.
“What the fuck?” Is all you say.
“I don’t know man,” Raini starts. “I think the red looks good though!” She fluffs the ends of the short dress out.
“I like it a lot too!” You sigh as you twirl and the ends fluff out. “I think this is it!” You nod. Daisy guides you to the chair. She strips you of your heavy makeup and applies a light Smokey eye to your lids. High lights your cheeks and adds lots of blush. Just how you like it. She paints your lips a pinky red and finishes with falsies. You look refreshed. Raini’s phone rings and you pop out of the chair.
“Ready she asks?” You nod grabbing your phone off the desk and shoving into the small studded black clutch and follow her out the door.
You arrive at the party. Still in the back of the car. Waiting for Philip to open the door for you. As you get out you thank him. Your security is not far behind you as you walk along the street. The occasional paparazzi and fans here and there as you make your way to the club. The entrance is packed with press and cameras. You walk into the barricaded lines. Weaving through people as you work your way closer to the door. Cameras flashing and people screaming. You wave at the flood of people and are barely catching what they’re screaming at you.
“Are you and Harry together?”
“How long have you been with Harry?”
“Is your next album about Harry?”
“Is Love on the Loose about Harry?” They scream in reference to your most recent single. You ignore the questions but your heart is racing. Did everyone think you were with him? That was your first public sighting together. Why would it be jumped all the way to 100 so fast? You glide your way through the clumps of people and straight to the bar. You order a very strong drink and try to look for familiar faces in the crowd but you don't see anyone you know well enough to approach.
You sip at your drink. Standing in a rather empty area of the club. Being relatively new to the music industry you don't know what to do or how to act among the A list musicians. People you grew up admiring and looking up to. So you sit and watch. You can then hear the screams and yelling of the fans and people outside over the pounding of the music. You can see the entrance as the man who caused such an earth shaking reaction from the people on the other side of the walls comes into the building. Of course it's Harry. You doubt they asked him about you because he's a man so he doesn't get tied down to questions as shallow as 'who are you dating and why he's still single.' You watches as he is stopped by troves of people shaking his hands and patting him on the back. His eyes scan the crowd jumping from person to person. Looking for someone or something. You settle back into the bar and find a seat on a tall stool. You turn to the sound of your name and see a recognizable face.
"Charlie!" you exclaim as you reach out to the man. His arms wrap around your back in a tight hug. He pulls back. He hops onto the stool next to you and you fall into nice conversation with the one and only Charlie Puth. The only other musician outside of your team that you have had the pleasure to work with.
"I wasn't expecting to see you here!" he yells. Trying to be heard over the bass pulsing through your bodies.
"I know! I usually stick to the Beverley Hills house parties but I thought this could be kinda fun to," You shrug. You take a long drink of your beverage while be talks.
"I don't usually come to these things! I like to go home and chill with a box of pizza after those shows," he shrugs. "But I figured I should have a bit of human interaction before I lock myself in my studio for a bit. Gotta make those deadlines," you smile at him as he talks.
"I get that, My manager likes to make sure I get seen. Need a little more exposure," you explain as you stir the ice cubes in your drink around. He nods along. "Especially with my next album coming out soon,"
"Yes!" he yells and smacks his hand down on the bar. "Are you gonna give me a sneak peak of that or do I have to wait with everyone else?" he smirks. His scarred eyebrow raised questioningly. You shake your head with a shy smile.
"You can come by the studio anytime. I always need another listening ear to help me out," the smile on his face gets bigger.
"I will count you to that," He then finally orders a drink and raises it to toast. "To you," he taps it against yours. "I have to go find some people but I'll see you around," he gives you a quick side hug and disappears into the sea of people.
"See you," you yell out to him and turn back to the bar. As you finish off your drink a shot glass full of an amber liquid is placed in front of you. You look to your right where the hand that placed the glass in front of you. Attached to that hand is Harry.
"Hey drinking buddy," He smiles. Lifting the shot up and gesturing for him to grab yours. The smile on your face so big you can already feel the ache in your cheeks.
"Hey four time Grammy winner," you greet him and slam the shot back. He drops himself into the stool next to you.
"Glad I found you. I was beginning to think you ditched me," he laughs. You respond with a shake of your head.
"I could never!" You play with the now empty shot glass in your hands. rolling it on its sides and spinning it around. He gestures to the bar tender for two more and looks at you. His cheeks rosy and pupils wide.
"Are you high Styles?" you ask with a laugh. His eyebrows shoot up he brings his finger to his lips in a shushing motion, and the two of you burst into a fit of laughter. You laugh with him until your stomach hurts. The alcohol in your system making the situation far funnier than it really is. As two more shots are placed in front of you Harry turns to grab one and your knees end up bumping. He looks down at your legs before he adjusts himself so your legs are slotted between his. The shimmery maroon suit almost the same color as your dress.
"We almost match," he looks at you proud.
"Almost," you laugh. He pushed your shot towards you and swallows his down quickly and you follow suit. "I think that's a good start," you laugh slamming the glass down onto the bar.
"So how was your first Grammys award show?" he asks. Squeezing your legs between his. Your body flushes at the simple contact.
"I had a lot of fun. It was amazing to see you wipe the floor!" he just smiles in response. Shaking his head shyly. "Seriously Harry that was amazing, I am so happy that I was there to experience it with you," you reach out to him and grab his hand from where it was laying in his lap. His hands fidgeting with his rings.
"Thank you," your name leaves his mouth with a sigh. "I really am happy that you were there with me. And Hey!" he looks at you with wide eyes. "Next year it will be you," he says with a mischief laugh.
"Whatever," you say jokingly and throw his hands back into his lap.
"No seriously. You're the next big thing. You're gonna fly past me and become the worlds biggest star. I just know it," His fingers finding your knee and rubbing back and forth comfortingly. You let out a shaky breath at the contact. His skin warm against your own.
"I don't think so Harry but I'm thankful. That you think I could do that," you reach out to his leg and run your finger along the scratchy fabric of his sparkling suit in the same pattern he is yours. Your heart is racing a mile a minute. Your breath is shallow and you can't seem to focus.
"I believe it," He whispers your name. "I know it, okay," he nods. He moves his hands up and grasps your chin between his thumb and index finger. Your heart skips. Then all you can hear is the blood pumping through your veins. "I can see it. In you. In your eyes. I can hear it. In your music. You are amazing," his eyes not leaving yours for a second. You blink slowly and tell yourself to breath. You open your mouth to talk but nothing comes out. You don't know what to say. Your brain shut off. "I may be drunk," your heart stops. "But everything I said is completely true," he smiles. Your finger begins to draw shapes on his leg again.
"I really appreciate you Harry," is all you can get out.
"I mean it yea?" you nod. "I really do," he orders you more drinks and the two of you make it further back into the corner where the DJ booth and stage are. He had convinced you to do karaoke with him. Were they doing karaoke? No, No they were not.
"Harry how are we going to do karaoke when that's not an option they have ever had!" you yell at the back of his head as you wined through the people. His hand was grasping yours as you trailed behind him.
"Charm love!" He says as you approach the stage. "Good old British charm he says as he looks down at you. He takes a step or two up the stairs and begins to talk to the DJ. You can't quite hear what they're saying, but they are both smiling genuinely. After a few minutes they're eyes shoot down to you.
Harry looks steps up to the DJ booth and waves down the DJ.
"Hey man I love what you're doing up here!" he practically screams. "Really amazing!" The DJ nods along with his words.
"Thank you man! Thanks a lot!" He reaches over to shake Harrys hand. "I'm Jordan nice to meet you!"
"Harry pleased to meet you," he emphasizes the last word. He looks down at you. "You see that beautiful woman down there in that stunning red dress," he motions down to you. The DJ looks at you with a smile and nods.
"Yes sir," He nods at you.
"I would really love to serenade her," he laughs jokingly. "And I was wondering if you could help me out with that?" the DJ smiles even harder and nods.
"I'm sure I can work something out," he says as he reaches down and grabs a mic from the stand. Handing it over to Harry. Harry looks back at you and raises his eyebrows at you. Your jaw drops. "You know what you wanna sing man?" He asks Harry nods his head. Telling the DJ and dropping down to the floor with you.
His smile the biggest you've ever seen.
"You did it!" You exclaim. He then hands a mic to you. Raising the two mics as the music lulls. The DJ begins.
"For your listening pleasure for one night and one night only," he announces your name. "And Harry Styles!" You listen patiently. familiar melody plays over head. A smile bursts across your face. His eyes meet yours and he brings the mic up to his face.
"Don't go breaking my heart," Harrys voice floods the speakers. Reaching out grab your hand.
"I couldn't if I tried," you sing back at him. Swaying with him as he dances.
"Oh honey if I get restless," He raises your intertwined hands and spins you around.
"Baby you're not that kind," You flare out arms stretched.
"Don't go breaking my heart," The smile he has painted on his lips in enough to erupt a fire in your stomach.
"You take the weight off of me," you two continue dancing around each other.
"Oh honey when you knock on my door," He comes up closer to you.
"Ooh, I gave you my key," he smiles as he gets up in your face. You scrunch your nose and give him a joking glare. Still smiling. The night goes swimmingly. You sing quite a few more songs and drink a lot more drinks. Before the two of you find yourself heading out to your cars. Harry guiding you to your car. He motions for Philip to stay in the car while he opens your door for you. You try climb in without falling and succeed landing on the seat with a huff.
"Did you get my flowers?" He asks as you turn to him. Your breath halts in your throat.
"The flowers?" you asked. Shocked.
"Yeah, the roses?"
"Yeah I got the roses," He leans over and grabs the seat belts and moves to buckle you in. He smells of vanilla and alcohol. Maybe some weed too. "I hope they were good. I know you'd like something more colorful but I feel roses are more traditional," he shrugs as he drops himself down onto his feet again.
"I think they were perfect," Your cheeks hurt because of the permanent smile attached to your face. "You didn't leave your name?" you question him.
"I forgot," he laughs and steps back. Hand attaching to the door. "I had an amazing night tonight. It was, the best night I have had in a long time," You nod in agreement.
"Me too," your hands are playing with the latch on your clutch. "I think that we should do something like this sometime," you look up at him. He is shuffling his feet on the ground.
"I would like that," he says meekly. "And I know this wasn't technically a date but I'd really like to kiss you he says quietly as he steps closer to you. You widen your eyes and slowly nod your head. He smiles. "I wanna hear you say it please," he's so close you can feel his breath on your face. Fanning across your lips.
"I would like it very much if you would kiss me," you whisper back. Your voice almost inaudible. As the word kiss leaves your mouth he attaches his lips to yours. You reach out to grab him and you feel the seatbelt hold you back. His hands find your face and he pushes you back against the seat. You lose count of the seconds your bodies are meshed together. He pulls back and looks at you with a smile. His thumb moving to graze your lips.
"Have a good night Ms." he lets your last name fall off his lips. "I hope to see you soon yeah?" he grabs the door and starts to close it.
"Definitely," the door closes and you roll down the window. He waves at you as Philip pulls out of the parking by the street. You wave your hand at him an his comes up to the same.
"Soon!" he yells as you pull away.
"Yes!" you shout back. Closing up the window you look up at Philip.
"Home Ms?" He asks. A smirk on his face.
"Yes Philip. Home," you smile at him.
