⎯⎯ 𝐚𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟗

𝕳arry had been overwhelmed lately.

Life hadn't been going as smoothly as he'd expected, his studio hours had somehow turned into a 24/7 brainstorming session and the fact that he felt so out of touch from the outside world from the things that really mattered from Darlene, wasn't helping at all.

He was supposed to be home five days ago.

But his lack of motivation was catching up and the album, though now resembled a somewhat cute pop filler, was pathetically falling apart.

He just has no idea what to do anymore.

Even calls with Darlene haven't been as frequent anymore, when she was awake he wasn't or he was too busy to call and when he was awake she was a million miles away sleeping alone in a cold bed wishing she could just say fuck it and board the next flight to LA but she couldn't, it just wasn't on the cards for them.

It's another day at the studio, Harry lounges on the couch drinking tea at 2 pm because that is what life has come to now.

He sighs shaking his head as he rips off the page from the brown diary resting on his lap and throws it at the opposite end of the dark leather sofa.

He throws his head back staring up at the ceiling with squinted eyes, trying to find a way to get out of the slump he's found himself in again.

The door opens and in comes Jeffery followed by Kid — both of them had gone off to get lunch while Harry stayed back not quite in the mood for being nice to anyone who recognised him when all he really wanted to do was rip his hair out.

He doesn't have to turn to know they've entered, their loud mumblings being enough to warn him about their presence.

"Harry, you've got a visitor", Kid announces in an amused, happy tone.

The sleepy brunet immediately pushes up to his feet and smooths out his rumpled white t-shirt turning to greet whoever it was they'd brought in with them but the second his eyes meet her nervous ones he freezes.

Jeff steps aside letting him view her completely.

She stands near the door with her favourite black sling bag hanging over her right shoulder, her hair up in a messy ponytail some golden strands falling out and framing her face as she smiles at him, nervous and tired.

He laughs out a happy, joyful unexpected laugh and walks over to her in big strides.

He pulls her into his chest, burying his face in her hair inhaling the strawberry scent of her signature shampoo.

She loops her arms around his torso tightly holding on to him as if a something as simple as a breeze could blow him away, far far away from her.

"You're here", he mutters shocked and unbelieving at the sight of her in his Los Angeles studio.

"I missed you", she mumbles back, the only explanation needed for such a spontaneous decision.

Harry pulls back, still holding her in his arms and looks down at her.

"You flew out to LA because you missed me?".

Darlene bites down on her lip, quietly shaking her head.

"I know I'm insane. I just woke up yesterday and couldn't bear not actually seeing you so . . . . here I am", she smiles anxiously.

"Here you fucking are", he whispers out in disbelief and kisses her sweetly, honey and love and infatuation and admiration pouring out of his mouth into hers.

Her lips feel soft, the featherlight touch of a familiar memory. A loving reminder of home, a perfect muse.

She exhales separating her lips from his and steps back, still smiling.

"Darlene, we got lunch in case you wanted some. There's plenty here for all of us", Kid speaks up gaining her attention and she laughs quietly.

"I'm starving, thank you".

Jeff silently watches her with Harry, innumerable opinions form in his head but he doesn't voice them out because the smile on Harry's face is enough to silence those thoughts.

And so, with a patient hand he introduces himself noting the surprise in her face wondering what exactly in the world had Harry told her about him and the management for her to react this way.

"Hi. I'm Jeff, Harry's manager. Nice to meet you".

She accepts his hand with a grin, "Darlene. Nice to meet you too".

Harry smiles gratefully at his friend then turns to Darlene.

"Where are your bags? I'll drive you to my house after lunch".

She blinks, "Oh, uhm. I'm staying at a hotel. I don't think staying with you would be the best idea".

He scrunches up his brows, "Why not?".

"Harry, people see things. And this is LA, we need to be careful".

"She's right".

Harry shoots a hurt look Jeff's way, the latter watching Darlene clock in his reaction with an uncomfortable shift of her feet.

"It's fine, really—"

"No. It's not fine. I want you to stay with me. You're my girlfriend for God's sake I don't care what anyone else has to say about that".

"Harry, no. We'll have dinner together tonight. It really is fine".

Harry purses his lips.

"Okay but I'm choosing the restaurant", he responds humorously.

Darlene inhales sharply.

And that is when Jeff realises a little too soon that he is not the only one worrying about the public.

"We're getting takeout. I'll come to your house", she admits quietly.

Harry chokes down on the sleep deprivation induced irritation boiling over the surface of his never ending frustration.

"You're kidding me, right? I haven't seen you in two months and you're not going to stay with me. You're not even gonna go out to dinner with me. What the fuck, Darlene?".

She rears back, confused as to why he's reacting the way he is.

"I came here for you. But that doesn't mean I'm just gonna parade around announcing our relationship to the world, I can't handle that kind of pressure. At least not right now".

He rakes a hand through his hair, "And how is me having dinner with you 'announcing our relationship to the public'? I just want to spend time with you. Wandering, eating out", he reaches for her hands.

She stares up at him in conflict.

"Your fans have already started speculating. Last thing we need is one of them tweeting about you having dinner with me. In LA. When you're supposed to be working".

"Friends have dinners", he hushes in a tone that suggests he's somewhere between tearing up and yelling for god knows what reason.

She pulls her hands from his, glancing down as she chews on her bottom lip.

"No, they don't. Not like this".

Darlene glances around refusing to meet his hurtful gaze.

It feels weird, fighting with him this way. They've never been so at each other's throats before, it's like they just needed to touch for an angering flame to ignite, one that dares to burn them down if they don't back away.

If they don't push away, a thousand million miles away.

"I'm really tired, I think I'm gonna go rest at the hotel for a while. See you at dinner", is all she says before pushing up on her toes and pressing a kiss to his cheek smiling politely at the two other men watching them with sympathetic expressions.

And just like that, she leaves.

***
boy do i miss writing consistently </3