Timeless [ A Harry Styles OU ] {1/2}

seven

Harry is frowning grumpily at his phone for the fifth time today, eyebrows pushed together in concentration as he tries to find more from the simple texts that Rhea had sent him this morning. His fingers hover over the glowing keyboard aimlessly, trying to figure out what else he can say. Technically speaking, he doesn't really need her. Aaliyah's been a pro all day, setting the band up with a nice lunch at a popular restaurant and getting everything confirmed for soundcheck in two days. She even emailed Harry his itinerary for his visit with the hospital for tomorrow early. She'd barely broken a sweat, flashing Harry a timid smile in the morning and was in her element after that. She reminded Harry starkly of a younger Rhea.

But even Aaliyah's competence wasn't enough to distract him from the lack of Rhea's presence. It wasn't just Harry who had noticed it. Every member of the crew had asked for Rhea today in one way or another, whether it was for a technical question or something else. Rhea had a playful manner, one that made the daily motions of life on tour not so robotic. Her warmth and personality reached every member of the crew and it was one of the reasons Harry wanted her to join him on tour again. She was a likable person, simply put, and she was even better at her job.

Harry sighs and locks his phone, tucking it into his pocket and pushing the bandana he has wrapped in his hair up to get the brown locks away from tickling his forehead. He wants to work out, but it's so hot in Arizona that going out for a run is out of the question. He knows he can easily talk Jeff into coming with him to a nearby gym that Aaliyah would find for them in a blink of an eye, but he's rooted to his spot on stage.

He misses her. She's only been gone a few hours and he feels the extent of her absence so deeply that it's effectively put him into a sour mood. Harry had learned this lesson the hard way after the hiatus. He'd been so used to having Rhea around that he took it for granted. When she was gone, he felt like he just wandered aimlessly through the motions of his work. But when she was here, it was a whole other level.

Harry lets out a long sigh, leaning back against Mitch's guitar amp. He sits there for a few seconds more before he sees Jeff waving him over from across the venue. He pulls his phone out once more while walking over there, hoping the homescreen displays a message from her.