If I could fly (BOOK 2)

Stage lights

The last note rang through the arena and Harry barely remembered bowing.

The lights were still bright, the crowd still roaring, but his focus had already shifted. He handed off his mic, took out his in ears, heaving, adrenaline buzzing through his veins as his eyes scanned the wings of the stage.

And then he saw them.

Y/N stood just beyond the curtain, Darcy tucked securely in her arms, eyes bright with pride. The sight of them hit him harder than the noise ever could.

Harry didn't slow down.

He crossed the space quickly, weaving past crew and cables, and stopped right in front of them. Before he touched Y/N-before he even said her name-he leaned down toward Darcy.

"There you are," he murmured, voice still rough from singing. His knuckles brushed gently along her tiny cheek. "Did you hear that, love? Daddy did that for you."

Darcy blinked up at him, wide-eyed and curious.
Harry smiled softly, forehead resting against hers for a brief second. "I missed you," he whispered. "I'm right here now. Always."

Then he straightened and reached for Y/N, pulling her into him like he'd been holding himself together by sheer will until this exact moment. He kissed her-warm, breathless, still charged from the stage lights.

"You were unbelievable," she whispered against his mouth.

"You were watching," he replied, forehead pressed to hers.

"Always."

Behind them, Niall cleared his throat loudly. "Alright, sentimental hour's over. Hand over the baby."

Harry blinked. "What?"

Liam stepped in smoothly, already in logistics mode. "Second van. We'll take Darcy."

Louis grinned. "You're welcome."

Zayn simply held his arms out toward Darcy, calm and ready.

Y/N hesitated for half a second, then handed her over carefully. Zayn cradled Darcy with ease, adjusting her gently until she settled.

"Go," he said quietly, nodding toward Harry.

Harry didn't argue.

⸻

The van door slid shut behind them and the noise finally fell away.

Harry didn't wait. He pulled Y/N across the seat and into his lap, kissing her again-slower this time, deeper, months of restraint pouring into the contact. His lips traced along her jaw, then her neck, lingering there until she gasped softly.

"I've been thinking about this all night," he murmured against her skin.

She laughed breathlessly. "Just all night?"

"Since you told me," he admitted.

His hands slid along her back, pulling her close but stopping there, grounding instead of rushing.

"We'll still take it slow," he added quietly.

"I know," she said, fingers threading through his hair. "I want to."

He rested his forehead against her collarbone, breathing her in.

"I missed you so much," he whispered.

⸻

The second van was chaos.

Darcy cried-full volume, dramatic, unstoppable.

Niall froze mid-bottle prep. "Why is she yelling at me?"

Louis bounced her awkwardly. "You're holding her wrong."