Larry Stylinson Oneshots

Counting Stars

Author:  inmyrosegarden

Summary :  Harry probably fell in love with Louis the time he looked into the audience and saw the other boy looking back at him fondly.

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There’s a boy in the pub, and Harry can see him clearly from the side of the stage he’s standing at.

He has light brown hair and he keeps toying with it. Whether it’s a sign that he’s uncomfortable, or whether it’s just a habit, is a mystery to Harry. But he’s intrigued and he’d love to know.

Harry wants to walk up to the boy and look into his eyes. He notices that the lad has a beautiful laugh that makes his eyes crinkle around the corners like he’s so happy with his life.

Harry smiles; he wants to hear experience the effect of that dazzling laughter up close.

“Styles! Have you plugged in the mic yet?” Dan, the pub owner, asked.

“Yes sir,” Harry replied, holing up the mic cable to prove that it was attached to the sound system. Before Dan could walk away, and before Harry could chicken out, he called out to him. “Dan!” he said loudly. He could feel the stares of multiple customers on his back, as anything over a whisper could be heard across the pub without difficulty. Harry unconsciously wondered if the boy with the beautiful laugh was looking at him too.

“What is it boy,” Dan rolled his eyes and walked over to Harry.

Harry gave him a cheeky smile. “I was just wondering if I could perform a song tonight?”

Dan blinked. “Since when the fuck d’you sing?”

“I don’t know I started when I was—“

“No, idiot, I didn’t actually want a response from you.” Dan rolled his eyes. “If I wanted you to sing I would be paying you to do it. And I am not paying you to do it. I’m paying you to pick up the shit that gets left on the tables.”

Harry laughed, accustomed to his boss’ banter. “No I want to do it for free. Please? Just one song?” He pouted, blinking his eyes innocently.

“Fine,” Dan sighed. “One song. And if you’re bad you’re fired. Understood?”

“Yes sir!” Harry stood up straight and saluted Dan.

“Go on then,” Dan chuckled and motioned towards the stage. “They’re waiting.”

“Yeah gimme a minute,” Harry said, sidetracked. “I’m gonna go find Niall to tell him I’m going first. Oh and I need to borrow his guitar.” Harry’s eyes brows furrowed. “Be right back!” and with that, he walked over to the bar where Niall was working.

When Niall saw Harry walking over, his expression became one filled of confusion. “Does Dan want me on early tonight?”

“Naw—hey actually. Basically, I’m kinda gonna perform a song first? And like, I was wondering if you mind me using your guitar? I know it’s last minute but I just—“

“Harry,” Niall smiled. “I’m so proud of you mate! Ahh! The world finally gets to hear your killer pipes!”

Harry blushed. “Well I mean, not killer or anything. Y’know, like maybe just average?”

Niall snorted. “Mhm, you keep thinking that. When the place goes mad, you’ll understand what I mean.” He reached under the counter and pulled out his guitar, which he then handed over to harry. “Tune it as you need to mate. I’ll be rooting for ya.”

“Thanks,” Harry mumbled, suddenly nervous. He never was the person to get up in front of people to sing. Sure he could do fine when it was just him and Niall, but the idea of singing in front of people he didn’t know scared him. Singing is such a beautiful thing that displays a person’s inner emotions and it shows raw passion. Harry didn’t know whether or not he was ready to share that with the rest of the world.