✓ 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙣' 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩 ━━ Harry Styles

o6. europe here we come

chapter six
"europe here we come"

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Croke Park, Dublin  ━━ 2014

THE ROAR of the crowd at Croke Park was deafening. Aisling stood backstage, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. This wasn't just another show – this was Dublin. Home turf.

"I love playing for Dublin." Niall appeared beside her, practically vibrating with energy.

Aisling took a deep breath. "It's a bit surreal, isn't it? Being back home, but like this."

Niall nodded, his eyes shining. "Wait till you get out there. The Irish crowds are something else."

As if on cue, the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage... Aisling Horan!"

The crowd's cheers doubled in volume. Aisling stepped out onto the stage, the bright lights momentarily blinding her. As her eyes adjusted, she saw a sea of faces, many holding signs with her name.

"Hello, Dublin!" she called out, her voice steady despite her nerves. "It's good to be home!"

The response was electric. As Aisling launched into her set, she felt a connection with the audience unlike anything she'd experienced before. These weren't just fans – these were her people. When she started playing "Echoes of You," the crowd sang along, word for word.

Midway through her set, Aisling paused to catch her breath. "You know," she said into the mic, "a few months ago, I was playing in pubs back home in Mullingar. Now I'm here, with all of you. It's beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you for believing in me."

The crowd's cheers were so loud, Aisling felt them in her chest. As she finished her last song, she felt tears pricking at her eyes. This was more than just a homecoming – it was a triumph.

Backstage, she was immediately engulfed in a group hug by One Direction.

"That was incredible, Ash!" Liam exclaimed.

"You had them in the palm of your hand," Louis added, grinning.

As the boys prepared for their own set, Harry lingered behind. "You were amazing out there," he said softly. "Listen, I was thinking... maybe we could work on that song together tomorrow? Before the show?"

Aisling felt a flutter in her stomach. "Yeah, I'd like that."

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The next day, Aisling found herself in a quiet corner of the arena, sitting cross-legged on the floor with Harry. Their guitars were propped against the wall, and sheets of paper covered in scribbled lyrics surrounded them.

"So, I was thinking," Harry said, running a hand through his curls, "what if we change the bridge to something like this?" He sang a few lines, his voice low and melodic.

Aisling felt goosebumps rise on her arms. "That's perfect," she breathed. "It fits so well with the theme of the song."

They worked for hours, lost in the process of creation. As they put the finishing touches on the song, Aisling realized how close they were sitting. She could see the flecks of gold in Harry's green eyes, could feel the warmth radiating from him.

"I think," Harry said softly, "this might be something special."

Aisling wasn't sure if he was talking about the song or something else entirely.

The moment was broken by a knock at the door. "Aisling?" It was Armani, her stylist. "Time for your fitting, honey!"

As Aisling gathered her things, Harry caught her hand. "We should perform this together sometime," he said. "When it's ready."

Aisling nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."

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The rest of the Dublin shows flew by quicker than expected. Aisling found herself recognized on the streets, stopped for autographs and selfies. It was a strange feeling, being a celebrity in the city where she'd once been just another aspiring musician.

On their last night in Dublin, the entire tour crew gathered for a party at a local pub. As Aisling sipped her Guinness, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Tulip, the tour photographer, grinning at her.

"Got something to show you," Tulip said, pulling out her camera. She flipped through a series of photos – Aisling on stage, lost in the music; Aisling and Harry, heads bent together over their guitars; Aisling laughing with the crew backstage.

"Tulip, these are amazing," Aisling said, marveling at the candid moments captured.

"They tell a story," Tulip replied. "Your story. From nervous newcomer to confident performer. It's been incredible to watch."

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