Harry looked down at his phone while he walked out of the sound booth. He had just gotten the last song for his album down to be mastered and he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He was so proud of this one. He wanted it to be his first single. He'd have to talk to Jeff about that.

His phone buzzed, another call from that number. He'd gotten several in the last week, including one late last night. He was not in the habit of answering unknown callers, but he felt a strong compulsion to pick it up.

"Lo," he ventured.

But he heard nothing but soft breaths. The cadence of them felt familiar. His eyebrows shot up, "Alysia?" he breathed. He heard a deep inhalation and the line went dead.

Harry wondered what had changed. He looked through his call log and saw that he had 5 calls from the number this week. Before these calls, he had not heard from her in almost 6 months. Whenever he had tried to reach her, she had shut him out, going so far as to change her phone number. His only contact with her had been Maureen, who continually encouraged him to not give up. Most of the songs going on the album were a result of that. The whole of his first album on his own was a love letter to Alysia. He hoped she heard it, heard them echo in every line, the calls seemed to imply she was ready to listen. He saved the number as sunshine? and slipped his phone into his pocket before walking into the bright LA light.

Alysia put her phone down and swallowed. Harry had finally answered. She was surprised really. She had expected him to let it go to voicemail, her aim, so she could listen to his voice, even if it was only to be told to leave a message. Ever since her date with Jonah all she could think about was Harry. She had previously been able to confine him to her voluptuous imagination. He felt safer there and she was willing to admit that he would always be her sexual touchstone. Alysia had put him away, out of her mind, for so long, that now that she had begun to think of him again, it had consumed her. She thought about how they first met, his smirk and clear intent. She thought about days at the studio and nights on the roof. His goofy smile and focused attention.

He was more than her sexual touchstone. Hearing his voice confirmed it. How did he know it was her?

He sounded pleased. Maybe he hadn't moved on?

Days later she walked into their townhouse and barely had time to drop her gym bag by the shoe bucket before she was accosted by a Maureen who was bouncing on her tip toes.

"Guess what, guess what?" she enthused.

"What?' Alysia laughed.

"I got tickets to James Corden tomorrow night!!! AHHH!!!" her excitement boiled over.
James Corden, they were all big fans. Alysia had avoided the Late Late Show for the last few months, for obvious reasons. But, Maureen looked so hopeful.
"That's great Maureen, who's on?"
"Chris Pratt!! And some big secret special guest! Who do you think it will be?" Maureen looked like she had just opened her wonka bar to a Golden Ticket.
Alysia thought for a minute, and felt the blood drain from her face, "do you, do you think it's Harry?" She whispered.
Maureen looked at Alysia and placed her deceptively strong hands on her shoulders, "do you want it to be?"
Did she?

Jeff walked into the green room of the Late Late Show with a jaunty step. Conniving was fun, well conniving for good anyway.
He had just gotten off the phone with Maureen and Alysia was coming with her. She had said her younger sister had looked terrified but hopeful about the mystery guest at their taping being Harry.
There was the man himself, toying with the guitar he was still afraid to play on his lap. Jeff had been trying for ages to get him to play, especially at a gig like this. Him with a guitar would probably melt Alysia's panties.
Everything was set to go. James was in on it, Alysia and Maureen were sitting front and center and Harry had been kept busy all yesterday and today by James filming sketches and the like. The drunk movie retellings he and Chris Pratt had filmed were going to bring down the house. If anyone remembered anything but Harry pouring his heart out to his girl. Jeff was so excited for his best friend and surrogate little brother. Harry had been doing so well, but there was a piece missing. His new habit of rubbing over his newest chest tattoo, including the AM Harry tried to pass off as 1D nostalgia was hard to ignore. The boy was lonely, and completely uninterested in anyone who was not a 23 year old fitness trainer/Baby sister of the year. Jeff had given up trying to set him up 2 weeks ago when Harry had called him a cunt, walked out of his house, and refused to answer his phone for two days.
"Hey buddy, you feel ready?" Jeff plopped down next to where Harry was signing a picture for the wall.
"Erm...yeah, as I'll ever be. Is different to sit in these rooms by yourself. The boys were always a great distraction," Harry pinched at his lower lip.
"You nervous about the song," Jeff suggested.
"A bit, just really exposed ya know. Most of the time, meanings a bit more obscure, but, I want her to hear it and know. If she wants me, I'm hers," he said looking his frienager in the eye.
Jeff nodded, "think she won't be able to miss it, Harry," he said, clapping him on the back. Sometimes he forgot how young Harry really was, just 23 too.
At that moment, James came in.
"Right, I'm really excited for this one mate, interview first, then song. Any topics off limits, you sick of Dunkirk or Holo or hair questions yet?"
"All I'm sick of is your horrible jokes about my sexual proclivities, you twat!" Harry joked.
"Come on, it's not a real interview if I don't refer to your cock size or cougar thirst," James giggled.
"Shut up, you wanker!" But Harry was laughing too,and Jeff watched the nerves drain out of him.

In the audience, the nerves were going full force, and Alysia was sure she was going to shake something lose if she could not stop jostling her legs. The girl next to her had already given her a murderous look, but she couldn't seem to calm down. Harry, Harry, Harry, Harry played on constant repeat, like some stupid jingle from her childhood. She hoped he really was the mystery guest, or all this freaking out would be for nothing. Please let it be for nothing, please let it be something.

When James came out, Maureen was radiating excitement and they cracked up together and gave a little cheer for Chris Pratt and then it happened.
"My next guest is already a huge star, and he is about to go supernova as he is starring in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk this month and dropping his first single off his first solo album called 'Sunburn' right here tonight." Alysia stopped breathing, "he's also a great mate and the best kisser I've ever had the pleasure of, please put your hands together for Mr. Harry. Styles." James began the thunderous applause that was soon eclipsed by the screams.

Alysia could hear none of this over her own heart. She gripped Maureen's hand and opened her teary eyes and saw him for the first time in 6 months. His Hair had grown out a bit and he had the longer portion up in a top knot. His skin was clear and his brow was smooth, lips pink, but not the red they turned after kissing. He looked so good, and just as he was their first night together, he was wearing a silky black shirt, this one with a tiny white print, and tight black jeans. She loved to look at him, he still felt like hers. she tracked his movements over to James couch. There were lots of peals of laughter around her and she was sure the interview was wonderful, she could see that Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana had fallen under his spell, but she couldn't tell you what was said.
Until James asked one question, "So, what's this album about then, Harold?"
Harry pinched his lower lip and leaned forward lacing his fingers together. "It's about the journey my life has taken over the last year and a half, especially these last 6 months or so."
"Some of these songs are doozies, I felt myself tearing up. You alright mate?" James cocked his head to the side.
Harrry laughed, "yes, James, I'm alright. The album, the songs are about loving something, someone, so much that too much or not enough is painful. That's why I named it Sunburn. Everybody loves a day at the beach, but if you're not careful, even that can go bad."
Harry spoke with emotion, and the collective breath of the auditorium was held.
"Well, sounds like we are all excited to hear more from 'sunburn' and we are in luck, because after the break we will do just that," James said into the camera before walking around the desk to hug Harry and talk into his hair.
A stool was produced and a microphone stand complete with a green band on the end.
And then Harry took his place.
"This song is called 'worthy' I just finished it the other day, but it's my favorite track and I really wanted to share it," he looked around the auditorium, focusing on those in the mid range. A guitar sounded from behind him, and Alysia wondered why he wasn't playing himself. The tune was sweet and mournful and she guessed by the title that it was about her, and then Harry opened his mouth and removed all doubt.

'I thought I was a diamond,

Guess I'm just a rock

Tried to give you a place to stand

Turns out I'm just a man

Tried to be yours

Said, you don't think I can

Tried to be worthy

But you don't think I am'

While scanning the crowd after the first verse, Harry saw her, sitting in the front row in her emerald dress, a vision of yesterday. He nearly lost his breath like he was 17 again, but his experience carried him through, but his eyes didn't stray from hers again.

'Worthy, baby,

What pieces do you need

I'll cut away each layer

I'm not afraid to bleed

Stand at your altar

My heart in my hand

What sacrifice is acceptable

So I can be your man'

Alysia shook her head, he couldn't think that. He was her man. She's the one who thought she wasn't worthy. He smiled at her and picked up the tune again

'Offered you the best of me

All the gold I have

You say it won't last

Looks more like brass

Tried to shine myself new

Reflect your bright light

You say it's a pointless task

A tiger can't change his stripes'

Alysia stood up and the audience refocused its attention on her for a moment.

'Worthy, baby,

What pieces do you need

I'll cut away each layer

I'm not afraid to bleed

Stand at your altar

My heart in my hand

What sacrifice is acceptable

So I can be your man'

Harry took the microphone off the stand and stood up, walking toward her place 30 feet from him.

'Some things you take for granted

Day turns to night

Basked in the glow of the sun

Now the sun is gone, its forever night

How do I move on

If I can't see how to make it right'

When he reached her he took her hand. At this point, Alysia was blatantly sobbing and trying to pull him up.

'Worthy, baby,

What pieces do you need

I'll cut away each layer

I'm not afraid to bleed

Stand at your altar

My heart in my hand

What sacrifice is acceptable

So I can be your man.'

When he finished, Harry had tears in his eyes, and he stared at Alysia.
"Sunshine?" He asked, and she jumped into his arms.

"Yes!"

Worthy written by Fallon Romano and T. Otero