fine line

𝚝𝚠𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚢-𝚜𝚒𝚡

August 2016

"So, Harry, it's been three months since the release of your second album, Fine Line. The response has been, I mean, huge, and global, too. When can we expect tour dates?" Nick Grimshaw flashes Harry a wide grin, knowing Harry will inevitably find a way to skirt around a real answer to this question.

"Nothing's been confirmed yet," Harry says, and Nick shakes his head, still smiling. Harry can practically see the thought bubble above him: There it is. "Obviously I'd love to go back on tour. I love getting to see everyone."

Nick is nodding now. "There's been a lot of speculation in the past few years on your relationship with one Taylor Swift, and on Monday she posted a picture of herself kissing Niall Horan's cheek on Instagram, which a lot of people have taken as a confirmation of them dating. What do you have to say about the rumors?"

Harry laughs awkwardly. "Which ones?" he asks to deflect. This is a planted question, mostly for mutual promo for all three of them, and he's had to answer a lot of questions about Taylor before. Now, though, with both of them in committed relationships, it's all the more uncomfortable.

"You decide," Nick answers easily, as any practiced interviewer would, but he's also giving Harry an out.

"Taylor is one of my best friends, and so is Niall. I'm really happy for them." It's the most true thing he thinks he's ever said about Taylor in an interview. The thought almost makes him sick. You're so close, he reminds himself. So close to being free. He really is; way closer than he's ever been. So close he can taste it.

"No bad blood there, then?" Nick says, already laughing at his own joke. Harry smiles despite himself and shakes his head adamantly.

"No! Of course not."

"Well, there you have it, everyone. Harry, thank you so much, it's always a pleasure to have you on the show."

"Pleasure to be here," Harry says honestly. Nick introduces whatever song is playing next, something by Sabrina Carpenter. When they take off their headphones, Nick is the first to break the silence.

"So, big day coming up, huh?"

Harry nods slowly, pressing his lips together. "It kind of feels like a birthday, you know? I'll wake up and it'll feel like nothing changed, but at the same time, everything will be different."

"Yeah. You and hubby have plans?"

Harry laughs and doesn't correct Nick, knowing he's just playing. "No. Not yet, anyway. Quiet night in, probably."

Nick wiggles his eyebrows. "Quiet, huh?"

"Hush, you." Harry walks out of the booth with Nick following behind him. "How about you? When are you tying the knot?"

Nick shrugs, looking very chill about it. "Dunno. Whenever we decide to, I suppose."

"I'll expect my invitation in the mail, of course," Harry teases, but he's really only half joking. He'd probably be honestly offended if he wasn't invited to Nick's wedding.

"Louis already demanded one, so it's only fair," Nick muses. Harry's PA waves to him and motions out the doors. Harry nods and turns to Nick to say goodbye.

"Farewell, Nicholas," Harry says sagely, holding out a hand. Nick looks down at it for a minute before laughing loudly.

"You're a goof," Nick says, taking Harry's hand and pulling him into a hug. "For the record, I expect an invitation to your wedding, too."

Harry can feel the blush that settles over his cheeks as he breaks away from Nick and starts towards the doors. "I wouldn't hold your breath for that."

***