blue salt

a soluble feeling

A few days after Italy, they played their show in Singapore. It was a long 13 hour flight, and the band had no energy for exploring the city once they arrived. It was checking into their hotel, finding a pub, and then driving the 2 minutes from there to soundcheck.

Harry was tired. No. He was exhausted.

The show was great, however and he danced on stage just like it was every other night. But right after the show, they left for France, having thirteen days between this and their leg in Australia. Harry suggested he go home for those two weeks, but Jeff insisted on Harry coming with them to France.

"I'm going to get my ring back, you know," Harry says, starring across at Sarah who's reading the newspaper, holding it in front of her head.

"You know the news in Australia is really funny. Can you believe kangaroos exist there just like a rabbit would in England," she says pulling her sunglasses down on her face, successfully having changed the subject.

"Where did you get that from," Harry reaches over, prying the newspaper from her hold.

"Found one lying in the airport, someone must've dropped it coming off their flight from Melbourne," she pauses. "And anyway that was rude," she grabs it back.

Once Sarah has her newspaper again, she leans on a sleeping Mitch, melting into his side and comfortably resting her head on his shoulder. He's sound asleep, both earbuds in and head tilted back. Sarah smiles lightly and gives a sigh of contentment.

Harry can't help but smile along with her.

They both are so lucky. Having a person who is as in love with you as you are with them? Harry tried to imagine it. Putting himself in that scenario. He smiles softly, twisting one of his rings around his finger. It was fun playing with the thought, but it was unrealistic for someone like him.

He stares absently out the window of the private jet.

He loved to daydream what he didn't have.

He was just too busy. Even if he could find it, he wouldn't get to keep it for very long. People change and life keeps going and that's how the world works.

Harry looks up, snapping out of his fantasy. Jeff is fast asleep to his left. Sarah too seems to have fallen asleep, attached to Mitch's side, both leaning into the embrace.

Everyone else on the jet is asleep or close to being. Harry settles into his seat, popping both earbuds in, letting the sweet hum of Bon Iver take him as well.

~

Sweat.

The water from the sink taps against the porcelain.

A heavy beat pulses in the background, bass lifted by speakers that seem to carry through the mansion, even into the red lit bathroom.

"Yeah," she sighs, biting on her bottom lip as Harry leaves cherry red bruises along her neck.

She's sitting on top of the sink, the back of her head leaning against the mirror for support, eyelids fluttering shut as he works another bruise under her jaw, finding his way back to her lips.

Her legs are wrapped loosely around his waist, keeping him close on her. Anyone could walk in and Harry wouldn't mind if they did. He wonders how he looks, hovering over her.

"Did I mention I may have a mild public places kink," she says, panting into the air. It's like she read his mind.

She shifts, lifting her head from the mirror, looking up for eye contact, just to make sure they're still on the same page.