Two Degrees of Separation

Chapter 26: I Win

Author's Note: Oh my GOD I can't believe this story is over. Please let me know if you would like to see any more of Scarry Styling, or any other crossovers! :) Thanks for reading. I really enjoyed writing this one.

Chapter 26: I Win

"Harry Styles! Harry Styles! Please, over here!" Harry smiled at a lonely looking reporter with friendly eyes. Harry always looked for neglected reporters in the crowd at these events. He knew their job was stressful enough without the pressure of not getting enough interviews.

"Hi there," Harry greeted, warmly.

"Congratulations on your nominations tonight," the reporter offered. Harry smiled and bowed his head, thankfully.

"Thank you. For a musician this night is just like Christmas and your birthday all wrapped up into one, so I am very excited to be here."

"We see that you're walking the carpet alone. Do you have something to tell us?" The reporter asked, looking slightly nervous.

"Do I have something to tell you? Oh, yes. Of course... it's heartbreaking news, actually," Harry answered, rubbing the back of his neck. The reporter shifted on his feet, looking sad for him already. "My boyfriend's manager said he had to stay with his own Grammy-nominated group tonight, so my arm candy is somewhere over there," Harry pointed towards the long line of celebrities posing for photos, laughing. The reporter's face broke into a smile.

"So, you're excited for him too, I'd imagine?"

"Oh, yeah. I think I'm always more excited for him than I am for myself. I love when other people acknowledge Scott's talents."

Harry found himself eyeing the crowd, searching for his boyfriend on the carpet for the remainder of the interview. He thanked the reporter and was ushered to begin taking photos. He stood alone, placing his hands in his pockets and trying to appear to want to be there.

The Christmas tour had gone amazingly well. Harry had attended every show, and remained backstage, like a good listener, for crying out loud.

There was a small commotion and Harry could swear he could hear Scott's name being called. He tried to continue to focus on the cameras in front of him, but he was startled when Scott was pretty much hurled in his direction by his manager. Harry reached out his arms, instinctively, and Scott laughed as he shifted in his grasp, pecking him on the cheek as the cameras flashed, and people screamed for him to "do that again!"

"Sorry, incoming," Scott laughed, snaking an arm around Harry's waist and smiling at the cameras.

"Haven't I told you? Don't ever be sorry for being close to me," Harry replied, smiling wider before grabbing Scott's face, kissing his lips quickly and innocently.

"I had posters of like, half of these artists on my wall when I was younger. I like to think I just always had good taste in music," Dua Lipa announced. "Here are the nominees for Album of the Year."

Harry smiled and grabbed Scott's hand. Scott squeezed his fingers, and gave him a soft smile.

"And the Grammy goes to... Harry Styles!"

Harry leaned in for a kiss and stood up from his seat, feeling like he was dreaming. He allowed his feet to take him to the stage, unable to think.

"Wow. Thank you," Harry started, and looked into the crowd for Scott. He only continued once he had found his target, making eye contact with his favorite blue ones. "I am extremely thankful for the Grammys. In fact, I owe this award show for the best year of my life. One year and one week ago, I started to get to know someone who has easily become the most important person in the world to me. That set off an incredible chain of events. Some of my best writing, performing, and living has occurred because of that. I have made countless mistakes and countless gains because of it. So, I thank you, the Grammy awards, and to Scott Hoying, for giving me the best year of my life. Here's to many more with you, my love." Harry held the award towards his boyfriend, took a bow, and exited the stage I order to avoid breaking down in tears.

He looked down at the award in disbelief. The icing on the cake of a perfect year. He held it to his chest one final time, before locating the table of the other trophies waiting to be engraved. He scanned the awards on the table, before locating the one he needed, with a little piece of paper, scrawled with some handwritten letters.

2021 Pop Duo/Group Performance: Dreams (Pentatonix)

He smiled as he placed his award next to theirs, and prepared himself for the countless interviews he would have to do now.

For the first time in a long time, Harry felt a sense of calm and comfort that had been missing since he had departed from One Direction. A void was filled where he had been feeling alone. He was truly content with the way in which he was living his life. It felt good to feel truly devoted to something, to feel so trusting and downright loved.

Harry had something to live for, someone to adore, who loved him even at his worst. He had someone honest and beautiful, who had taught him to accept this without questioning it, to accept this perfect hand that he had been dealt without worrying about it being ripped away.

Harry reached into his pocket, fidgeting with the small gold band that lay there, smirking to himself and thankful that he hadn't lost it.

"Ready to go?" Scott asked, as the crowd slowly began to filter out of the ballroom. Harry turned to him, a nervous smile lighting up his features.

"Ready. But can we go home? I'm not feeling up to a party," Harry replied.

"You okay?" Scott asked, cocking his head to the side with concern.

"Yeah, fine. Just want to spend the evening with you."

Scott smiled and placed an arm around Harry's waist.

Harry left his phone on the nightstand once they got home. It flickered and buzzed, ignored for hours, as notifications scrolled in.

Mitch Grassi (12:04): Well?! What did he say?!

Liam Payne (12:15): You better record it.

Mitch Grassi (12:47): Harry Styles, answer me now.

Louis Tomlinson (1:03): Will it be Hoying-Styles? Styles-Hoying? Just Styles? Just Hoying? I advise against Harry Hoying. That sounds pretty awful. Scott Styles... now there's a nice use of alliteration...

Mitch Grassi (1:05): Am I gonna be a best man or what?!

Kirstie Maldonado (1:12): Should we be toasting to you guys yet?

Mitch Grassi (1:22): Boy, I'm gonna kill you if you leave me hanging for much longer...

Harry rolled over in bed, reaching for the screaming device, and laughed to himself as he scrolled through his messages.

He thought for a moment, his phone resting on his chest as he pondered how to answer them. He looked down at the taller man, who was curled up to his side, sleeping soundly. He looked handsome, a slight smile still gracing his features.

Perfect, Harry thought, raising his phone above the man next to him as the soft sound of a camera shutter filled the room.

He typed in 7 names, effectively creating a group chat. Then, he pressed send.

Across town, Pentatonix opened their phones at the same time, grouping together at an afterparty. A photo of their fifth member glowed back at them, sleeping peacefully, with his hands curled up near his face.

On his finger lay a new, golden ring.

Harry Styles (2:03): I win.