hariana drabbles

044

– Her [7/?]

Harry and Ariana remain friends after their breakup. Harry's been in relationships after Ariana while she hasn't, or so he thought.

The one where Harry is a little shocked to hear that Ariana's been in a secret relationship for a while now and is eager to know who the new guy is.

-:-:-:-

Harry hasn't moved for the last hour. He hasn't so much as flinched when the thundering hit of the drum beat itched the back of his neck, or when a sudden riff off the lead guitar caught him off guard. He didn't blink as he watched Michael strut across the stage; he was hard to miss as the stage lights hit the ornate golden design of his black suit jacket. But it didn't stay on for long, and soon the jacket was thrown off, as well as the black t-shirt that he had on underneath.

Ariana, on the other hand, couldn't keep still. She knows all the words to Michael's songs; she sings along; doesn't care for Harry who's nearby and can hear her god-sent voice ringing in her ear even during quieter moments of his set. She knows how to move, when to join in the chorus of waving arms in the sea of people watching. Although the two are watching Michael from behind the stage, Harry figures Ariana would fit better in the front row.

Harry finds himself watching her instead. His mind starts to wander as he watches her glass eyes twinkle with shameless adoration for the man who isn't him. Harry wonders if she's ever looked at him like this when he was onstage. He tries to imagine himself performing, glancing behind him, and seeing her sing and cheer for him. He wonders about the moments where she did that offstage, in private.

Did she ever stare at him like he's staring at her now?

Harry doesn't understand what she sees in Michael, anyway.

Sure, Michael can sing– so can he. Michael's got stage presence– Harry and his pocket full of jokes has that too. Michael's in a band– Harry's always been in a band.

As Harry ticks off similarities between himself and Michael, he's cut off by an insanely high-pitched note, coming from Michael who finished the song he'd been singing.

Okay, so Michael can sing high notes– well he's got a range too... give or take some.

Harry notices some other things about Michael. His sense of fashion reminds him a lot of a more recluse David Bowie. His voice– range alone– reminds him of Freddie Mercury, and the way he commands the stage, the band reminds him of Queen. He hears their influences in his music, he notices some other things this Michael guy reminds him of and starts to realize that these are all things Ariana loves.

He looks at her as she drinks from her bottle of water and pulls a face, you're so predictable, he thinks to himself as he shakes his head.

Ariana turns to him, cheeks puffed with water as she lowers her bottle and swallows. "Hey, you alright?" She asks him, on the edge of screaming because of the background noise.

Harry merely nods, shrugging. He looks away from Ariana, feeling as if he's been caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. His cheeks feel hot. He feels her staring.

A commotion not too far from them starts and draws their attentions away from each other. Michael had run backstage for a towel, and to freshen up while an intermission plays; the next set is being set up. When Michael spots Ariana, he excuses the makeup artist working on him and makes his way to her.

Harry forces himself to stomach his discomfort as Michael holds her face in his hands while he leans down to kiss her. He's had to deal with this since dinner.