New York [harry styles au]

26

26.
I'm not going to lie and pretend that everything went back to normal upon Harry's return because it didn't. The future was just as turbulent as the past, we just didn't know it yet. Regardless of this, Beatrix's birthday became a beautiful day for me and that was the only thing to matter.

"Harry!" Angelina screamed with delight from the side of us and Harry hesitantly detached his lips from mine to face her. She nearly threw him back with her arms as she pulled him into a deep hug and I couldn't stop myself from laughing giddily.

Soon enough, Beatrix and Smith had made their way over. It wasn't long before Beatrix's eyes welled up with tears and Harry was trying to console her. Smith threw his arm over my shoulders and pecked a small kiss onto my cheek in celebration before joining her and taking her outside for fresh air. Then, it was just Harry and I again. I searched for Angelina to find her back on the dance floor.

"I'll go and get us a drink, what do you want?" Harry whispered into my ear, making me look back at him and catch his dark eyes.

"You're not going anywhere else?" I ask, panic flooding my veins, before mentally slapping myself.

"Winona, I'm not going anywhere now. I'm here, with you."

"I'll come with you." I say and he smiles with a chuckle, his warm hand finding mine and clutching it like he was afraid to let go.

His hand led my body towards the bar where there was a small space, I hadn't realised just how busy the bar was until that moment. My head was spinning with elation. He perched onto the bar stool, knowing that he would have to wait a small while to be served, before his fingers gripped my waist and gently pulled me between his knees. They stayed at my waist, drawing circles, as my hands fell onto his shoulders and began playing with his hair. Young adults danced around us to the music, many of them were intoxicated or heavily drugged, some looked like zombies.

"So," Harry said, and I turned to gaze at him again. "what have you done for the past month?"

"Harry, don't say it like that."

"Say what?"

"Month. It sounds so long." His finger reaches up to softly caress my bottom lip.

"Imagine how long it felt being trapped in a cell all day for a month." He gave a small laugh.

"I didn't know if you wanted to talk about it."

"No, I don't really."

"Are you sure?"

"Nothing bad happened to me. It was just boring, I guess. Because it was a short sentence, I was kept in a small cell and only allowed out one time a day for fresh air." He explained, "Made friends with a police officer called Bob though, he was a nice guy."

I laughed. "Only Harry Styles would get arrested and become friends with a police officer."

"You know it." He chuckled and we peered into each other's eyes for a sentimental moment.

"I'm so happy you're back."

"I'm so happy to be back, back here in your arms again." He briefly looked away, distracted by a couple dancing near us.

"Did they find anything out about Jonathan?" I ask and his eyes snap back to mine before he shakes his head.

"He's good at being secretive, I don't think they will ever find out about his business. It's tricky because if they do, I'm back in the can too. Remember that." His demure had changed and he suddenly looked defeated, nothing like his previous heroic entrance.