Several hours later the four of you were all swept up in the midst of hair and make-up. Niall, in a rare moment of flashiness, booked him and Emmy a suite in the hotel you'd be staying at, so all of you had been camped out in the huge living area of their room since you had arrived from the airport. It had started with some shared lunch but as the bottles of champagne started arriving, you'd ended up staying.

Eventually a hair and make-up team made their way to the room to start prepping you all for the awards evening. You'd never been pampered like this before, as you'd never had a reason to get someone else to do it for you, but you had to admit you felt really excited by the prospect.

Harry and Niall introduced you to the head of the prep team, a lovely women called Lou who the boys had known since forever, who had also brought a little assistant in the form of her gorgeous daughter Lux.

During one of the breaks from being pampered while yours and Emmy's nails were drying, you all sat around chatting, "So a nice little couples break for all of you then?" Lou asked.

You jolted slightly at her use of the plural, a little bit of champagne sloshing down the side of your glass. Harry had also noticed and had looked up from where he'd been sitting on the floor playing with Lux. His eyes shifted worriedly from you to Lou and back again.

"Oh um, we're not, I mean me and Harry aren't...um..."

"Yeah no, uh, we're not a couple," Harry finished for you. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. You could swear there was a hint of sadness in the droop of his shoulders.

Emmy and Niall chose this point to just stay quiet and find the carpet suddenly very interesting.

"Oh! Sorry my bad, guess I just read the vibe wrong!" Lou laughed.

You felt some of the awkward tension fade away as everyone joined in with the small laughter. Luckily the conversation moved on quickly but you couldn't ignore the thump of your heart in your chest, did you and Harry really seem like a couple?

Eventually Emmy whisked the boys away so that you and her could have some girly privacy, but she also claimed that they were only allowed to see them once they were fully ready for the night, "It's basically the same as it being bad luck if the groom sees the bride on the wedding day!" She had said.

Before you knew it you were back in your own room standing in front of the full length mirror zipping your dress up. It was a beautiful dress made of silk and satin that fell to the floor and pooled at your feet. You had to admit it was quite simple, but since this was your first awards show you wanted to wear something that made you feel confident and pretty, which this dress certainly did. And anyways, it might be simple, but you were sure it would also be effective. Especially for Harry, a part of your subconscious reminded you.

The memory of that night when Harry had told you red was definitely your colour played through your mind. Your fingertips trailed over the corner of your mouth and cheek as you felt the ghost of his lips there. You couldn't help the shiver that ran across your spine at the thought of his touch that night, the look in his eyes and the way he spoke in that hushed, slow tone...

Stop it, you scolded yourself. There was no time to be thinking of these memories right now, they only served as a reminder of what could've been.

You'd opted for simple gold jewellery; a dainty bracelet and long, thin dangly earrings. Lou had fashioned your hair into a relaxed low bun with some wavy strands that framed your face to show off the high neckline of the dress. The bun was secured by a stunning gold hair slide that had little leaves and gems along it that matched the golden leaves on your shoes. You felt beautiful.

A knock at the door broke you out of your thoughts, "One sec!" You called out as you gathered your things together.

Harry stood outside of your door, heart pounding. He had conjured up countless images of how wonderful he knew you would look tonight, but nothing could have prepared him for when you opened the door.

"Ready to go? Oh Harry, what did we say about matching!" You laughed when you took in his appearance. His body was clad in a black suit that had vertical red lines running the length of it, and you tried to not get too distracted by how unbelievable he looked.

Harry was speechless. He'd hardly heard what you had said since he was so spellbound by the beauty that stood before him. You looked glorious; your make-up accented all your features perfectly, making your round eyes bigger and brighter, your lips even plumper and your skin to literally glow. And that dress, holy fucking shit, it fit your body like a glove and Harry instantly wanted it to be on the floor of his bedroom even if it was his favourite colour on you.

"What? Do I look okay?" Harry realised he'd been stood there, mouth agape, for minutes now and quickly pulled himself together at your question.

"Sorry love," he leant in then, placing a hand with a feather touch on your waist to place a kiss to your cheek in greeting. You even smelt unreal, he thought with a mental groan, "You look absolutely unbelievable...I...yeah, wow, just wow," he had stepped back now and just openly admired you.

A blush evaded your cheeks. You'd hope for some sort of reaction from Harry, but this? This was way more than you'd been expecting and you couldn't help the huge grin that spread across your face, "Thank you, Harry."

"And as for the matching...well I had this on before you did," he said stubbornly, but with a jokey glint in his eye.

"Oh really?" You replied sarcastically, "But you were the one who said red was definitely my colour so..." you longed out your last word with a playful wiggle of your eyebrows.

"True I did, and I certainly wasn't wrong," his voice lowered an octave as he finished his sentence, eyes trailing slowly along your body yet again, and your throat went dry as you tried to swallow, trying to ignore the very obvious fact that friends did not flirt like this.

He held out his elbow to you, "Shall we?"

After a deep breath, you nodded with a smile and took his arm.

◇

"Hi mate, Harry Styles, and I've got an extra guest too," Harry spoke to the attendee who was checking names against his clipboard.

"Ah yes part of the Eroda Music group?"

"Yep, that's the one," Harry confirmed.

After highlighting the paper and speaking into his ear piece briefly the attendee started to explain the procedure, "Okay so, part of your group are already waiting up ahead so if you and your girlfriend want to just follow round to the left you'll see them."

You quickly slid you arm from Harry's, "Oh, no, I'm not his girlfriend," you said a little awkwardly.

Harry frowned at the loss of your arm in his but recovered quickly and gave the man a short smile.

"Oh I'm sorry Mr Styles! I just assumed -"

"It's fine, no harm done," he spoke with a finality to his tone and quickly gestured for you to walk ahead.

During your walk to meet everyone else it was quiet. That was now the second time someone had just 'assumed' you and Harry were together, and you weren't quite sure what to make of it.

Luckily, you saw everyone up ahead and the slight tension evaporated. Emmy gave you a huge smile and waved vigorously to join her and Niall.

Her dress looked even more amazing on and paired with her hair in soft waves and pretty pink lips, she looked radiant, and you made sure to tell her so, as she said similar to you when you hugged. Niall looked amazing too; he had on a grey suit with horizontal and vertical white lines giving it a sort of checkered look. He also had on some glasses which you'd never seen him wear before.

"Since when were you blind?" You questioned with a smirk.

"Since I realised how good I look in glasses," his reply was speedy, and you couldn't help but laugh since it was clear he had been waiting for someone to say something.

"Fucking hell mate, what are you like," Harry said with a chuckle. Most of the frown had disappeared from his face, but the laughter didn't quite reach his eyes. You couldn't help the sinking feeling in your stomach, he'd clearly been put out by the attendees comment.

"Well I think they look very sexy," said Emmy then as she reached up to straighten the glasses, placing a kiss on his cheek after.

You swear you saw Niall's chest puff out slightly at her comment. He wrapped an arm around her waist and whispered something in her ear, and judging by Emmy's reaction it was definitely something naughty.

You turned away from the moment, as you couldn't help the wistful contraction of your heart. Luckily, some sort of commotion started happening in your little holding area.

"What's going on?" You asked.

"Oh they're just getting everyone ready for their walk on the red carpet. I think the lesser known artists are going first, then anyone who's here from management, so that'll include you and Harry and then I think Niall and me are going last," Emmy explained.

You nodded in understanding. Hopefully by going with the management group, the cameras wouldn't be as crazy since there was only a few of you and ultimately the paps would want pictures of the musicians more than anyone else.

"Hey, you'll be fine!" Emmy must've noticed the slight worry on your face and gave your hip a little squeeze in reassurance.

Before you knew it you were being led towards the red carpet with a few others. Harry seemed quietly confident, obviously having done this before, but it only relaxed you a little bit since there was clearly something building between you both what with these awkward comments.

The closer you got, the louder the noise became. Shouting and just a general buzz of talk combined with the constant flashes and clicks suddenly made your stomach turn.

"Harry..."

He turned at your voice, and immediately knew how you must be feeling. Harry was by your side in an instant, "Don't let me go."

His green eyes filled with an unreadable expression at your request, "Never."

And with a nod, you grabbed his arm and followed him out into the sea of noise and light.

◇

The next ten minutes went by in an absolute blur. Your cheeks has begun to hurt from constantly smiling, but once you'd gotten used to the blinding lights and shouting, you felt a lot less nervous. It helped that hardly anyone had thrown out the awkward questions of your little stint in the gossip magazines from a few months ago, as clearly that wasn't done in more sophisticated settings. Of course, it also helped by having Harry at your side as he had kept his promise, and hadn't strayed from you at all.

As you were reaching the end of the carpet, the shouts had turned from both of your names, to just yours. You didn't take much notice, only trying to aim your smile in the general direction of the shouts, but Harry understood what they wanted.

"They want a picture of just you, love," he said quietly with what could only be described as a proud smile.

You eye widened, "Really?"

He nodded, "This is your moment just as it is mine," Harry's words made you flashback to that night of Niall's album party yet again, when he'd spoken the exact same words.

"Okay," you breathed, smiling a genuine smile for him.

And then, mustering all the courage you had and keeping your chin high, you faced the crowd all vying for your attention.

When you walked away after a minute or so, conscious of not taking up too much time, Harry was waiting in the wings for you.

"Oh my god that was such a rush!" You cried when you saw him. He opened his arms and you gave him a big hug, but pulled away quickly when the noise suddenly increased tenfold.

No surprise, but Niall and Emmy had just reached the end of the carpet and everyone was going absolutely crazy. It was nothing compared to the shouts you'd had, but you were glad as even just from your viewpoint, the noise was deafening - you didn't know how Emmy had gotten used to it.

You smiled at your best friend as you watched, when she turned and caught your eye and started to beckon you and Harry towards her.

"C'mon," Harry said with a smirk, and grabbing your hand he led you back out so the four of you could have a group picture together.

And then it was all over, and you were being ushered away from the end of the carpet into the huge theatre where you'd watch the award ceremony.

Glasses of champagne were being handed out and you took one and drank it gratefully, having not noticed how thirsty you actually were. You took your seats and settled in for what you knew was going to be an incredible show.

Countless performances and awards later, and even an incredible win for Niall with Favourite Pop Song for No Judgement in which Harry had given Niall a celebratory crotch grab, the after party had finally started. The theatre had been quite warm, and with the constant reminder of Harry sat just next to you, you were glad to be in the open club where the after party was being held.

It was an incredible room; a stage took up one side of the room with a live band, the ceiling was made up from geometric 3D triangle panes, silver glittery stools and tables were dotted around the place, and the whole room was thrown into blue, purple and orange lighting. It was one of the coolest events you'd been too.

Eventually the room started to fill, with everyone wanting a chance to be spotted at one of the biggest after parties of the year. You felt much more comfortable being in this type of environment; chatting and meeting new people was much more your forte rather than posing.

As nights like this usually do, it went by in a blur of new faces, drinks and dancing. Ed Sheeran was here, and he joined the little group that had formed during the night which made up of you, Harry, Emmy, Niall, his band and a few other famous faces that came and went including Lizzo, Ariana Grande and James Corden.

With the help of the alcohol, you didn't feel too intimated by all these huge names, and was quick to be reminded that they were just normal people at the end of the day from how lovely and down to earth they were. You'd had a super long chat with Lizzo about her appearance in Made in Chelsea several years ago and how much she loved visiting London.

In the early hours of the morning you felt yourself begin to tire, and took a seat slightly away from the crowd to rest your feet. As gorgeous as your shoes were, you wished you'd had the chance to break them in.

"Cecelia," Harry's voice made you look up, "there's someone I'd like you to meet."

You took his outstretched hand and stood, curiosity prominent in your mind at who this person would be.

The question was quickly answered when you found yourself stood in front of none other than the legend herself, Stevie Nicks.

"Hello darling, you must be Cecelia," she smiled at you warmly and embraced you softly.

You were completely starstruck, "Hi," you breathed out. Harry chuckled as he met your gaze from over her shoulder and you mouthed a 'holy shit' to him.

Stevie released you then, "Have you had a good night? I remember the after party back when I used to win these awards and couldn't help but come along tonight." She admitted with a glint in her eye that suggested she was reliving those memories.

"It's been incredible, I can't believe how lucky I am to be honest," you admitted somewhat shyly.

"Told you she was a humble one," Harry quipped in a kind tone.

She nodded in agreement, and you felt your cheeks warm, "Hope you've only heard the good stuff," you joked.

"Of course, I've never heard Harry sing his praises as much as he did with you," she said with a wink, and now it was Harry's turn to blush, "and just between me and you," she leant nearer to you then, but kept her voice the same pitch so Harry would ultimately hear, "you'd make a wonderful couple."

Now you were both left slightly flustered, as this was now the third time in one day when people had likened you to a couple. Clearly the universe was determined to mock you today. Or maybe it was Phoebe's Daniel up in heaven reminding you that you needed to stop wasting time and just get together. Alright I get it jeez, you thought.

The three of you continued to chat for a while, when Stevie was beckoned away to some of her other friends.

"So when were you gonna tell me that you are all chummy with the Stevie Nicks?!" You exclaimed once she was out of earshot.

"When I was in London about five years ago I went to a Fleetwood Mac concert with my sister and let's just say I have some good connections," he said with a little smirk.

"Well, consider me blown away," you said with a light laugh before a yawn escaped your lips.

"Tired?"

"Mhm," you mumbled with a nod, "It's hard being a celebrity."

Harry laughed at that, and your heart clenched watching his eyes crinkle and dimple pop, "C'mon then, I'm ready to go as well."

You made you way around the room saying goodbye to everyone. Niall and Emmy were nowhere to be seen and you guessed they'd either already gone up to act on whatever cheeky comment Niall had said earlier, or they were both absolutely hammered.

As you left the building the evening air hit your skin and you shivered.

"Cold?" Harry asked. And before you'd even answered he was removing his suit jacket and draping it over your shoulders.

His unique smell engulfed you instantly and for some reason it made a lump rise in your throat. The simple action was something that hadn't happened in so long and you hadn't realised how much you'd missed him in these easy moments.

You cleared your throat, "Thanks, H, even matches my dress."

"You definitely look better in it than I do," and he spoke so quietly, you ended up convincing yourself that he hadn't said what you'd initially thought.

The hotel was right nearby so after a quick car journey you and Harry were stood in the elevator riding up to your level of the hotel. You stood shoulder to shoulder, and you couldn't help but lean you head down onto his shoulder as another yawn passed your lips. You knew it was a bit of a risky move, since you seemed to always second guess even the most innocent of affections when it came to Harry.

Harry's heart surged at the cute moment and all he could hear was the blood pounding in his ears. For the first time in a while, you were both alone, a happy level of tipsy and Harry couldn't help but think about how much he'd missed these simple, easy moments with you.

The doors of the elevator opened and you both walked out into the empty corridor. For some reason, it felt as though you were walking to something important, a conversation that needed to happen.

"Can't believe we got the couple comment three times today," you said with a slightly nervous laugh, thinking that the best way to get it out in the open was to make a joke about it.

Both none the wiser of course, but each comment had been bouncing around your brains all day, both of you feeling unsure of whether to mention it, or just act like it meant nothing even though you both knew it definitely meant something.

"Yeah I know, sorry about that," Harry replied, fiddling with the rings on his slender fingers as you walked slowly down the corridor.

"Oh no don't apologise, suppose there are worse things people could say," you mused with a little smile as you looked over at him, now copying his fiddling but with the long cuffs of his suit jacket.

"Very true Cecelia."

The silence was uncharacteristically bumbling and weird as you carried on walking slowly, and you couldn't ignore the feeling of something brewing below it. So much had happened today and you didn't even know what to think of it all, but one thing you did know for certain is that this precious moment of privacy with Harry wouldn't last forever.

"Right, here we are," his voice broke you out of your thoughts. You'd arrived at your rooms which were conveniently opposite each other just like they had been when you'd stayed in the Hamptons.

"I honestly can't thank you enough for today Harry, it's been wonderful."

"No need to thank me," he smoothly ran his hand down your arm and grabbed your hand to bring it up to his lips. You just about managed to keep looking into his eyes as he placed a chaste kiss on your knuckles, "Good night my love."

You only mustered a smile as you opened your door and slipped inside your room. Instantly you leant back against the closed door and tried to steady your breathing. Since everything seemed to be a sign at the moment, surely him calling you my love was the biggest one of them all? That wasn't a term of endearment you'd use for a friend.

"Oh his jacket," you muttered softly to yourself. You laid it on the chair in your room, placed your jewellery and clutch nearby, and sat on the end of the bed and stared at it.

Going to give the jacket back now would be the perfect excuse to see him again, and maybe, just maybe you could pluck up those twenty seconds of bravery you'd nearly used when you'd spoken at work. You gnawed at your bottom lip and ran you hands along the soft linen of the sheets beside you, deep in thought.

Across the way Harry paced back and forth in his own room. He'd slipped up yet again by calling you his love and he couldn't help but recall your face when you'd been stood in front of the elevator when he'd thought he'd said all the wrong things then.

But your face had held none of that tonight.

If anything it held the opposite; it held hope and love.

Deciding that it was now or never, you stood, grabbed the jacket and stood by the door. After three deep breaths you turned the door handle.

And standing there, fist raised ready to knock was Harry.

omg CLIFFHANGER MWAHAHA

gonna try and keep this authors note short lol but I have one question - what do you think will happen next?

below are all four of their outfits, Cecy's is the red and Emmy's is the blue/green one just incase you were unsure :)

hope you enjoyed the super long chapter, I just had so much I wanted to get in hahaha also I tried my best with researching/assuming what a red carpet situation would be like so hope it seems realistic to you guys!

thank you always for the reads, comments and votes, keep them up as it's such a huge motivator and the more votes, the sooner I'll update ;)

lots of love,

kait x

((how peng are those SHOES ^^ FUCK ME UP also imagine harry in that suit but now with slightly shorter hair and more buttons of his shirt/jacket undone *swoons*))