Stare Like You'll Stay [h.s.]

Chapter 5: Limbs lost to a dead weight stake

Past - February 2015 - Osaka, Japan - Harry's POV

The ringing in my ears and the spots in my vision had yet to go away by the time we were piled into the Sprinter, making our way deep into Osaka's city limits. After fighting our way through the airport with fans on our heels, photographers setting their camera flashes off every second, and loud shouts for autographs and photos engulfing us, the jetlag I was feeling in my body had reached a point I never thought possible.

Closing my eyes and leaning my head back in the seat, all I could hear was the sound of the tires rolling against the concrete and the subtle murmurs of Paul speaking on the phone, a type of silence I had been searching for since we landed.

All of the lads were silent, either with their eyes closed or eyes trained on their mobile devices, a common feeling of exhaustion filling the car.

"You alright?" She spoke softly to me, her shaky hand reaching for mine and linking them together in my lap. Opening my eyes slightly, I lean my head in her direction, placing a small kiss on the top of her head.

I could be on the verge of sleep deprivation or just frankly, in a terrible mood, and she somehow found a way to bring me back around, always worrying about me before herself.

"'m jus'tired, love. We'll be at the 'otel soon." Rubbing my thumb over the top of her hand that is linked with mine in efforts to calm her, it's easy to tell in her eyes that all of the chaos in the airport was something she was expecting, but was hoping wouldn't happen.

I can feel her absentmindedly begin to play with the rings on my fingers, particular the silver rose ring that never leaves my finger. Feeling rather foolish for giving it to me, stating that she didn't know what to get the 'man who has everything,' the ring might just be one of the best gifts I have ever received.

"I've never been to Japan before. Maybe we could have a look around at some point." Her soft voice filled my ears again, a gleam in her eyes that was soon extinguished by the time our eyes locked at each other.

Whether she was running on a full night's sleep or no sleep at all, Rachel was always eager and excited to explore the new places we visited while on the road, something I always wished I was able to give her.

"Maybe there'll be some time." I tried to reassure her, but the small shrug she gave before leaning her head on my shoulder told me that she would again be exploring another city in the world alone. 

Present - March 2017 - Los Angeles, CA - Harry's POV

Opening up the door to the black SUV, I nearly fell over when I saw her sitting there. Expecting her to be halfway home to London by now, I could tell by her tense posture and the chewing on the inside of her lips that she was thinking the exact same thing.

"Mornin'." I spoke to both of them as I shut the car door and it took off a moment later. By the time I had my seatbelt on, Jeff was talking our ears off about the upcoming album shoot we were doing today, only getting in little gasps of air in efforts to fill the car with so much of his voice that the tension radiating off us all wouldn't have any space to exist.

Sitting in between us, she kept her hands in her lap, her arms tense as she tried her best to not let them brush against mine during the bumpy car ride.

She wouldn't look at me and barely even acknowledged my presence, her attention focused on her sore and cut up fingers in front of her. The sight of it pained me and caused a lump to form in the back of my throat.

"Harry, did you hear what I said?" Looking back at Jeff, all I could do was nod at him as he continued to talk and I continued to not listen, my mind only focused on her hands and the fact that every time we hit a bump in a road and our arms brushed, she scooted a little farther away from me.