SEABROOK; Harry Styles

1

ONE

1 year earlier,

The engine sputtered once. Then twice. And then, with a final, defeated cough, the car came to a slow, jerking stop on the side of the narrow coastal road. Harry sat there for a moment, hands gripping the wheel as if hoping it would start again by sheer will. The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light across the rugged cliffs and the vast expanse of ocean beyond.

He sighed heavily, leaning back in his seat, staring out at the road ahead. This was the third time in a week that he'd found himself stuck in the middle of nowhere. He'd been on the road for hours, trying to clear his head, trying to escape the endless noise of his life. It hadn't been working.

The press, the cameras, the never-ending questions. Everything felt suffocating. So, he decided to take a break, to drive somewhere far away from it all. Somewhere quiet. Somewhere nobody knew him. But apparently, fate had a different plan.

Harry pushed open the door, the crisp sea breeze instantly hitting his face, and stepped out of the car. The sound of the waves crashing against the rocks below was soothing, and for the first time in weeks, he felt a little lighter.

The town, he could see, was just up the hill—a tiny speck of civilization nestled against the coastline. He'd passed a sign for it miles back, a place called Seabrook. He'd never heard of it, which was exactly what he needed. A quiet, out-of-the-way place where he could breathe.

He grabbed his backpack from the back seat, closed the car door, and started walking, leaving the car behind for now. The sun was beginning to dip lower, casting long shadows across the road. He didn't know how far the town was, but he didn't really care. Walking was something he rarely did—at least, not without an entourage or bodyguards trailing behind him. It felt good to be alone.

As he walked through the narrow streets of Seabrook, he couldn't help but notice how different everything felt. The houses were small and weathered, the paint peeling off in places from years of salt and wind. The streets were quiet, with only a few locals strolling around, enjoying the late afternoon sun. No paparazzi, no flashing cameras. No one trying to get a glimpse of the man they thought they knew.

He paused in front of a small, weathered café. The sign outside read "Coastal Café", and a few people sat on the small patio, sipping coffee and chatting softly. Harry hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door.

The bell above the door jingled as he stepped inside, and the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee filled the air. It was a humble place, the kind that didn't seem interested in impressing anyone. Just a simple, cozy café where people came to unwind.

A woman behind the counter looked up as he entered, her eyes flicking over him for just a moment before her gaze returned to the espresso machine. Harry wasn't used to being ignored—at least, not in this way. Usually, people recognized him instantly. But here, it seemed like he was just another face in the crowd. It felt... nice.

He walked up to the counter, leaning slightly on it. "Hi," he said, his voice rough from disuse. "Can I get a coffee?"

The woman looked at him again, this time with a faint smile. "Sure thing. What kind?"

"Black, please."

She nodded and turned to prepare his coffee. Harry watched her for a moment, noting how effortlessly she moved. There was a calmness about her, a serenity that made him feel strangely at ease.

"So," she said, glancing back at him as she worked. "You just passing through?"

He hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Yeah. Car broke down a few miles out. Thought I'd walk into town and see if I could find a place to stay for the night."

She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening a little. "You're in luck. Seabrook's small, but it's got a couple of good spots for a quiet night."

"Good," Harry replied, his voice softer. "That's exactly what I need."

She handed him his coffee, the warm cup a welcome comfort against the cool air. "You don't look like you're from around here," she said, leaning against the counter, studying him for a moment.

Harry chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "You could say I'm from... everywhere and nowhere at the same time."

She raised an eyebrow again, clearly intrigued but not pushing the point. "Sounds like you could use a break from the everywhere part."

He smiled, liking how she seemed to understand without needing to ask. "Yeah. Maybe that's exactly what I'm after."

The woman gave him a knowing look. "Well, you've definitely found the right place for it. If you're looking for peace and quiet, you won't get much better than this."

Harry took another sip, grateful for the simplicity of it all. "Perfect. I could use some peace."

The woman nodded, seeming satisfied with his answer. "Well, if you need anything else, just let me know. You're welcome to stay as long as you like."

Harry smiled again, genuinely grateful for the kindness. He didn't get that a lot these days.

"Thanks," he said, turning toward the door. "I think I'll take you up on that."

He stepped back out into the fading light of evening, the salty air of the ocean mingling with the scents of coffee and fresh bread. There was something about Seabrook that made him feel like he could breathe again. No cameras. No expectations. Just a small town by the sea, where no one cared who he was or what he did.

For the first time in a long while, Harry Styles felt like he could be Harry. Just Harry.

And for now, that was enough.

....

Hey guys! Hope you're all keeping well, I'm back with a Harry styles fanfic! Let's see how consistent I can stay with this one! Feel free to comment below!

Happy reading 💕

- SFW xx