Series Masterlist

Series Masterlist

Series Summary: Gemma is definitely Cassidy James' favourite Styles family member, considering they are best friends and all. And especially considering that Harry Styles is Gemma's smug and self-centered younger brother. Her life isn't perfect, and neither is she, but she hates how everyone thinks Harry is. Because she knows that's not the case.

Author's Note: This is my first OC fanfic, and first best friend's brother trope. It is based on events of "real life" Harry, except Gemma is only 2 years older (and Cassidy is only 1 year older). Some dates and events may be changed for the storyline, but I will be adding details of actual shows, which may have links to YouTube videos for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it!

PLEASE NOTE: The "present" begins in December 2019, and there are flashbacks which are italicized.

Series Warnings: Some explicit language, angst, mentions/recounts of domestic abuse, alcoholic parent, unplanned pregnancy, single mom, alcohol consumption, anxiety attack, smut- intercourse using condom

^ will be updated as needed

Chapters

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2 - coming next

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Dad’s Bestfriend Masterlist

*= smut/ += fluff

(In Order):

Who You Belong To*

Warm And Full *

Middle Of The Night+

Whipped*

Dad’s Bestfriend Universe

He was staring at her in a way no one had in her entire life. She couldn’t read anything in his eyes - not surprise, not fear, not malicious intent - nothing. At Silver Wolf Preserve National Forest, hikers and day visitors are warned to stay on the marked trails. This huge oasis of natural wilderness is like a dream come true for Y/N, the newest stationed forest range officer. A trained survivalist, she can identify species of birds, reptiles, mammals, and plants from sight alone. She knows how to build a fire, climb a tree, make a shelter from only what the forest can provide, and forage for food. As much confidence as she has in herself, she knows the forest, mountains, and wildlife are due respect. That's why when she hears a cry of distress from what appears to be a stray pup, she ignores the procedure and heads out to inspect in off limits territory without wasting valuable time to call in reinforcement, suspecting poachers. What she stumbles upon instead unveils an unexplored depth of the forest under the full moon, one she never would've imagined.

A/N: This fic is co-written by @fkinavocado & @gurugirl, hence @avocadoguru. Make sure to follow us both here and on wattpad as to be notified for updates!

Warnings & themes: 18+ (please NO minors!!!), smut, werewolf x human reader, slow burn, angst, alternate universe (wolfrry, werewolf!harry, alpha!harry, ranger!y/n)

Masterlist:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Our Story

Summary: YN and Harry have known each other since 2010 when YN's brother Louis is put in a band with Harry and three other boys when they auditioned for The X Factor. From the very beginning, YN and Harry were always close, and as time went on feelings grew deeper. This is YN and Harry's story.

2012:

YN in This Is Us YN appears in clips in One Direction: This Is Us.

2015:

Never Have I Ever One Direction are guests on The Jonathan Ross Show, where they play a game of ‘Never Have I Ever’ and Harry gets embarrassed in front of his girlfriend's brother and bandmate.

2019:

Louis Tomlinson on Zach Sang Show Louis discusses a small part of YN and Harry's relationship on a talk show.

2022:

Zane Lowe Interview Zane Lowe joins Harry to discuss his new album ‘Harry’s House’ and YN is mentioned.

watermelonsugacry's masterlist

Harry Styles

YN and Harry have known each other since 2010 when they were put in a band together called One Direction. Since the band split up, YN and Harry have kept in close contact, may or may not have grown deeper feelings for one another and have continued to help each other create music. This is their story.

Sectioned in timeline order

YN’s Albums & Series Playlist)

YN’s Guitars

1dbandmember!yn's Eras

YN’s Hair Evolution

YN’s Tattoos

YN’s Instagram Overview

It's A New Life

YN is over the moon when she hears that her childhood best friend was able to get an audition to compete on the X-Factor. But what happens when she learns about a surprise and a curly headed lad that can change her life? (5.2k)

Take A Chance

As the judges deliberate who to bring back, Nicole doesn't hold back from wanting to add another member. (1.3k)

Red Bikini

YN and the boys speak up about what their management wants her to wear for the WMYB music video.

Stereo Hearts

Insight to how the solo covers went for the Up All Night tour.

Help From An Older Brother

Louis has been rooting for YN and Harry to get together since day 1.

Wonderful Christmastime

YN and Harry during Christmas time over the years.

iGo One Direction

Scenes from when the band did the infamous iCarly episode.

Subtle Actions

Things YN and Harry did that made people belive they were secretly dating while still in the band.

Helping Hands

The rest of the 1d boys help Harry and YN get away with a lot of stuff.

YN's Featurette

Snippets of YN moments in This Is Us.

Nonstop

The band’s exhausted at the airport and when they all decide to take a nap, YN uses Harry as a human pillow.

Wandering Eyes

Moments where YN and Harry looked at each other with hearts in their eyes.

It's Not That Simple

YN and Harry being oblivious idiots and lie to their mums on the set of filming their new music video, Story of My Life (2.3k)

Publicist

YN’s character in the Best Song Ever music video.

Risky

Moments where YN and Harry get a little too touchy on stage.

Contagious

YN takes care of Harry when he has the stomach flu.

Jealousy Jealousy

A few moments where YN and Harry were jealous of one another and fans noticed.

Almost

Moments where YN and Harry could have had their first kiss together while still in the band.

LM Discography

Songs YN helped write and produce for Little Mix over the years.

Try That

A little friendly competition between YN and Zayn.

Beanie

YN surely isn't jealous of Harry dating Taylor Swift.

English Love Affair

YN’s PR stunt with the drummer of 5SOS.

MOVE

The story of how YN and her boyfriend (and future fiancé) met.

Mirroring

Mirroring moment between Harry and YN over the years.

Stockholm Syndrome

The origin story of the song and its growth since then (3.1k)

A Race To The Brits

One of the times Harry realizes he's falling for YN is at the 2014 Brits Awards (1.9k)

Little Sister

Times where the boys were protective over YN on stage.

Secret Songs

Some love songs YN secretly wrote and sold over the years.

Movies

YN’s date in the Night Changes music video.

Graceful

Times when YN fell on stage.

Sentimental

YN comforts Harry after they perform at Wembly Stadium.

Brasil!

Harry keeps his promise in showing her his latest tattoo.

White T-Shirt

Harry gives his sweater to YN after a water fight on stage.

Huddle

YN may have overreacted to her bandmates' helping intentions.

Beauty

Bits of YN in the Steal My Girl music video.

Distracted

A peak into Harry and YN’s stage interactions.

Heels

YN has an injury but that doesn't hold her back from being on stage.

I Have Never

The band plays a game of never have I ever on the Ellen Show.

Annoying

"YN being done with the rest of the boys for 8 min straight"

Adjustments

Harry acts like a gentleman when helping YN when she needs to fix her dress on the red carpet.

Tweak

YN and the boys explaining her thick accent on Chatty Allen.

Carpool Karaoke

Highlights from the band driving around with James for the Late Late Show segment.

Dodgeball

Highlights of YN on the Late Late Show dodgeball game video.

Tattoo Roulette

One Direction participate in one of the craziest games ever played on the Late Late Show.

Save Your Tears

When YN met Abel and Harry isn't too happy about their friendship.

Jamaica (ongoing series)

After almost a year into One Direction's hiatus, Harry craves being in the studio again to make some music. After inviting his best friend and former band member, YN, onto his team, they spend the next two months in Jamaica as they make an album, uncover hidden feelings, and explore uncharted territories.

Written like Behind the Album

Spill Your Guts (mini mini blurb) pt.2

YN would rather eat the nasty food.

Kiddos

YN’s relationship with the 1d kids

The Met

YN and Harry attending the 2018 & 2019 Met Galas from the perspective of YoutTube videos.

Writing Fine Line (ongoing series)

After having helped Harry with HS1, he has invited YN back again to Malibu to help make Fine Line.

Written like Behind the Album

A Feisty Little Thing

The time when YN had an interview with Howard Stern and was not having any of it.

Pronunciation

Moments with YN’s thick accent.

Casual

What YN is like on Instagram Live.

Bardcore

YN reacts to the medieval version of Watermelon Sugar.

My DMs!

A video YN posted of her and Harry singing Juice by Lizzo.

Side to Side

A tiktok YN did during quarantine showing how she practices in her tour heels.

Building Harry's House (ongoing series)

With the world knowing of their once secret relationship, Harry and YN navigate life together as an official couple and everything that comes with it.

Written like Behind the Album

Secret's Out

The 1d boys reaction to finding out YN and Harry are a couple.

TPWK

The making of the music video with YN.

Bus Ride

YN's cameo in Don't Worry Darling.

Donuts

YN surprises Harry while he's filming Don't Worry Darling. (3.2k)

The Grammys 2021

Harry’s first Grammys with his girlfriend 1dbandmember!yn. Both nominated and both winners. (3.5k)

HARRYCHELLA N.1

It's Harry’s first night performing for Coachella and he doesn't tell YN who his surprise guests are. (3.1k)

HARRYCHELLA N.2

It's Harry’s second night performing for Coachella and he finally reveals to YN who his surprise guest is. (2.5k)

Zane Lowe Interview

Interview bit where 1dbandmember!reader is mentioned.

Superior Guitarist

Harry's asked in a interview who's the better guitarist: Mitch or YN?

Liam’s Podcast

YN’s reaction to Liam’s unsavory comments about her.

Paps

How YN deals with rude paparazzi.

Family

There's a familiar face in the crowd of Harry's Love On Tour show in Dublin. (1.8k)

Amsterdam

Harry does what a fan's sign says.

It's A Classic

Harry and YN receive a nostalgic 1d shirt from fans.

Tits

YN distracts Harry while he's taking an ice bath with talking about a certain body part of his.

34+35

YN changes a certain word when performing on stage.

Medicine

Who is YN to deny her fans' demands to cover one of Harry’s unreleased songs?

Venice Film Festival

YN is Harry's date to the Don't Worry Darling premiere. (3k)

Or Is It?

YN says one of Harry's iconic phrases during her show.

Wasted Time

A morning with a love sick YN and Harry.

Cake

YN wants to take a bite out of Harry's bum.

YN LN: Same Interview, The Sixth Year | Vanity Fair

YN’s growth since she became a solo artist.

Summer Nights

Harry brings out his Sandy to sing with him for HARRYWEEN 2022.

Pink and Blue Forever

YN’s Instagram post for Fine Line's 3rd birthday.

Forevermore

After 12 years of knowing each other, YN and Harry finally tie the knot on their anniversary on England.

Waiting Room

YN’s One Night Only for her third album.

Happy Wife, Happy Life

Instagram blurb about how YN and Harry's marriage was announced.

GRAMMYS 2023

+ instagram pics blurb

Hights from the first award show that YN and Harry attended as a married couple.

The Queen's Secret Ch. 11

Summary: The Queen gets confirmation of what she’s known already but it doesn't make her feel as happy as she’d hoped. She and Harry struggle to stay apart - their moments together are far too fleeting as of late. Gertrude and Edgar still suspect something.

Warning: Angst, mentions of depression, lying

The Queen's Secret Masterlist

Chapter 10*

Chapter 11

Gertrude woke early as she normally did. Lately, sometimes, she took the opportunity to check Harry’s phone. She hadn’t been convinced that he was faithful or that he hadn’t been seeing the Queen when he wasn’t supposed to. Looking over her shoulder she quickly brought his phone upward to see that he’d gotten a message at 11:57pm. From John Gabriel. John was a Duke and worked with Harry from time-to-time.

With a sigh she unlocked his phone and went through a few apps and found nothing out of the ordinary. She was hesitant to click on the message from John because once she did that it wouldn’t show up as a new, unread message and Harry might be on to her for going through his phone. Harry’s settings on his phone made it so that there would be no preview to the message and suddenly Gertrude had the idea to quickly change his settings and then change it back before he noticed. So she could at least see the first part of the text in his notifications window. Just to make sure it was actually from John.

Just as she’d changed his settings Harry began to move as he was starting to wake up.

Gertrude quickly placed the phone back down and left the bedroom before Harry woke up fully. She hadn’t gotten what she was looking for and unfortunately she’d updated the message preview settings on his phone, which he might notice. She hoped he didn’t, but it was too late now. She’d have to play dumb if he realized his settings had been tampered with.

Harry did notice. When he looked at his phone after sitting up and stretching in bed, he saw the preview of the message right there.

From John Gabriel: I love you.

He looked around the room and felt himself panic slightly. How had this happened? His wife could have seen. He opened the messages app up and sleepily smiled for a moment at the sweet message. But he wondered what made her text him so late when it was part of their rules to only text during hours they would get the message so that something like this wouldn’t happen. He texted her back quickly,

From Prince Harry: I love you too.

And then he deleted the texts.

Gertrude didn’t seem upset when Harry went into the kitchen with her. She was making coffee and speaking with the nanny about the kid’s schedules for the day.

“Morning.” Harry’s first words of the day came out in a rasp as both Gertrude and Sally turned to see the handsome Prince.

Harry kept a close eye on Gertrude to see if there was the possibility that she saw the text. He was also a bit perplexed by the sudden settings change. He’d need to redo his password in case it was Gertrude who’d done it. He hated that he couldn’t trust her, but why would he trust her when she shouldn’t trust him? He’d lied to Gertrude and fallen in love with another woman. Of course trust would be an issue between them.

“How did you sleep?” Gertrude asked as she sat at the table with Harry.

“Fine. How about you?” He sipped from the mug of coffee that Gertrude handed him and watched her. He noticed her look down at her hands and then flit her eyes back up to his. He couldn’t be sure but it seemed as though she was nervous about something.

“Fine as well. I’m a bit busy today. Sally will be here until 6 this evening with the kids and I’ve given instructions to Luz to make dinner. I have a few appointments at the castle. What are your plans for the day?” Gertrude tapped her fingers on the wood tabletop and watched Harry. Now they were both carefully watching the other for any sign of knowing what the other was up to.

Harry quickly decided to bring up John Gabriel, as a cover in a way, “I have a few appointments as well. A last-minute meeting came up with John. He texted me late last night. Nothing too important, just some decisions about the budget for construction of the new library, last minute changes I guess.”

Gertrude perked up at the name. She hadn’t gotten to look at the text or even see the preview of the message but this could be likely. Though, she still had her doubts, she didn’t have a choice but to accept what he told her. She nodded.

When Gertrude left Harry promptly changed his password and adjusted his settings back to how they had been.

He had a feeling deep down that Gertrude had tampered with his phone. Which meant she would have seen the preview of the text that read I love you from John. He knew she wouldn’t confront him about it because going through his phone would also be a betrayal. And Harry had a response for her made up in his mind if Gertrude were to confront him about it. But he wouldn’t say anything unless she brought it up.

When the Queen saw Harry’s response she sighed in relief. She’d been a little too reckless in sending that text so late like she had. It sat in his phone all night. She regretted it the following morning when she woke up but seeing that Harry texted her back she felt better. She needed to get ahold of her emotions. It was difficult. She just wanted to be with him night and day and at that moment she didn’t know the next time that she’d be able to see him. To touch him. The idea of not seeing his smile crushed her. She brushed her teeth and splayed a hand over her tummy and felt her eyes prick with tears. She was sad. Very sad. Her husband was already gone for the morning, off to visit a nearby merchant to have lunch.

Instead of moping and going back to bed like she wanted, the Queen dressed herself and pulled her hair up and went to the castle library. She walked around amongst the old shelves and looked for something new to read. She had a conference call to attend after lunch, but otherwise her day was empty. She wanted to find a good book to get her mind off of her problems.

It was depressing to her that she’d devolved into a cheater. A liar. A faker. It wasn’t ever meant to be this way. She was supposed to be a good Queen. She was meant to love her husband and support him in everything he did. And even if she never loved Edgar, she should have upheld her oath, her promise to be a good wife. It was true that she never did love him. She enjoyed him. She liked him enough. Until Harry came into the picture. He showed her what it was like to be loved and to be cherished. It came so easily to her to fall for the Prince. Too easily.

“Queen Y/n. How are you?” Gertrude suddenly spoke from behind the Queen. Y/n turned to see the Princess and smiled.

“I’m well. How are you Princess Gertrude?” She clasped a book in her hand, not sure which book she’d grabbed from the shelf and watched Gertrude.

“Very well. Thank you. I have some meetings at the castle today and stopped here at the library. I love this old library. Harry mentioned that a new one is being built in Manon. Do you know where it will be located?” Gertrude was curious about the Queen. She really didn’t know what to think. Part of her thought that she was just imagining that Harry was smitten by Y/n. It was hard not to imagine it. They’d had sex at least a dozen times from their sessions and the Queen was young and pretty and smart. And even with the protocols in place, Gertrude couldn’t help but feel like anything could have happened behind closed doors. But another part of Gertrude felt like she wasn’t imagining it, because of all of those things.

“I don’t know much about it, to be honest. I believe it’s going to be built near the square so anyone in Manon can access it. I could be wrong, though. Is Harry on the board for that construction?” Y/n did know actually. Here she went again, lying through her teeth. This wasn’t a project that the Queen was supposed to be too privy on, but she happened to know very well where it was going to be built and when. She even knew some of the budget details as she and Harry had spoken about it.

“Yes. He is the head of the board for the library. He hasn’t told me much regarding it so I wondered if you did. I do look forward to it being built. It would be wonderful to have a local library to bring the kids. I’d bring them here to the castle but it’s such a different atmosphere in the castle.” Gertrude smiled. She’d arrived to the castle a little early. She enjoyed walking through the library and smelling all the old books. The library was immaculate and ornate. It used to be one of her favorite places to come before she had children.

When Gertrude excused herself the Queen felt herself relax again. She felt awful. Completely ashamed. What a sorry excuse for a Queen she was.

The gala was tomorrow night. The Queen had been fitted for her dress and it looked just lovely on her. But she didn’t feel lovely. She was sad, anxious, lacking sleep, and constantly trying to hide her tears. The week without seeing Harry was torture. She hadn’t realized how hard it would get. She thought it would get easier but it got worse.

She’d had all morning to herself and had been in between tears and laughter when she took another pregnancy test and it was positive. She texted Harry but he’d yet to respond. She knew he was busy today. She already knew she was pregnant, and Harry had no doubts either. But now it was confirmed. Her emotions were all over the place and simply uncontrollable.

She was elated that she knew now, without a doubt, that she was pregnant. But she was sad because she missed the man who’d helped make her that way. It was a confusing morning overall for her. She sat in her tub and cried her eyes out, sobbing at the unfortunate circumstance – loving a man who was married to another. Who already had children. But then she’d begin to laugh when she found that she was being silly and felt she should be happy because she’d soon be a mother. She was happy. But she was sad also.

The new book that she’d picked was old and difficult to follow but it did a good job of keeping her occupied. She needed to reread paragraphs a couple of times to really understand the meaning at times. It was a good distraction for her. Sitting on her balcony, overlooking the courtyard and feeling the cool air around her was sobering. Reading on her balcony seemed to be the only time, as of late, that she could keep her emotions in check. Maybe it was the book. Maybe it was the cold air. Either way, she tried to allow herself time for reading on her balcony every day. For her sanity.

When Harry finally texted her back, nearly three hours later, she felt herself wither again, a slow spiral into depression. The book now long forgotten, as her lover had finally contacted her. It wasn’t healthy. She could recognize that.

From Prince Harry: We will find time tomorrow to see one another at the gala, my love. I need to kiss your pregnant belly once again in greeting to our child-to-be. I miss you more than I can describe.

His words were sweet and hopeful. It should have made her smile but instead his words brought her sorrow as she clenched her chest over her heart. She didn’t know how they’d find time at the gala. It seemed impossible. Everything seemed impossible. Nothing was going to be easy for them. The Queen crawled into bed and cried herself to sleep, not bothering to text Harry back. She had lost her grip on happiness again.

When Gertrude and Harry arrived at the castle for the gala they’d been arguing. Harry had seemed to start it. He hadn’t heard from Y/n since he responded to her after she told him about her pregnancy test. Nothing. He texted her again and it was silence from her end. It had him worried, in a bad mood and so he picked a fight with Gertrude. He was desperate to see the Queen. His sour mood would only be corrected if he could see her.

Nearly the entire kingdom was in attendance. The gala was for the fundraising of Manon infrastructure and to add a new wing to the hospital. Everyone was dressed to the nines. Tables were spread out in the ballroom with the seating arrangements totally up to the guests. There was live entertainment, gourmet food, an open bar, and all for a good cause. It was expensive to buy a seat but it would be worth it. The gala would surely bring in enough money to begin work on the hospital and update the streets surrounding the town center. It was something that had been needed for a few years.

Harry and Gertrude sat with a couple who they considered to be their friends. Harry forced a smile and looked around the room for his lover. He didn’t see her just yet.

“Please go and get me a drink. Red wine, a blend maybe.” Gertrude said to Harry. She was upset with him. He had not been nice to her all morning and had even snapped at Colin when he asked Harry to read to him when the nanny arrived. She barely wanted to look at him in that moment. Having him fetch drinks would give her space to breathe. She was worried that he was on to her for changing the settings in his phone.

Harry happily left the table. He needed air. From Gertrude. His head was on a swivel as he approached the bar. He hoped to see Y/n. He was feeling shaky and nervous that she was going to start shutting him out again. Or maybe something had happened with the King? Or maybe she fell ill? He didn’t know what the reason was for her sudden silence was but his stomach was in knots over it.

He ordered a glass of red wine for his wife and a bourbon on the rocks for himself. Then he sat at an empty table nearby and waited for his drinks, keeping an eye on the bartender as well as looking around the room in search for his love. The drinks didn’t take as long to put together as Harry had hoped. He was up and back at the bar within a few minutes grabbing the drinks.

With both hands occupied he very, very slowly made his way back to Gertrude. He took the long way, going around the perimeter of the room. Gertrude wasn’t looking in his direction at all so she wasn’t aware of the way Harry was clearly stalling to get back to her.

When a small commotion happened behind him he turned. There were a few people clapping and standing suddenly. The King and Queen had entered the room. Harry stopped. She was breathtaking. She always was but something about her in that moment had Harry nearly falling to his knees. He was stuck in motion as he observed her movements and her smile. It was a forced smile. She was not happy. Not really. She looked beautiful and no one would know that the smile she painted on her face was fake. Harry could see it, though.

When the King and Queen took their seats at the head of the room Harry noticed that Edgar seemed to be scolding her. He wondered if the king knew she was pregnant. Wondered if she’d told anyone other than Harry. And then she suddenly lifted her head and it was as if her gaze was drawn to her lover by magnet.

Harry smiled weakly and kept his eyes on hers and he saw her smile back at him before looking down to her lap. He turned finally to make his way back to his seat.

The gala was as expected. The entertainment was a good distraction, the silent auction brought in even more money for the fundraiser. Harry and Gertrude barely spoke to or looked at one another.

When Gertrude got up to use the bathroom Harry got up to make his way near the Queen. He hoped maybe she’d see him and she’d make an excuse to get up from her seat. It worked. When Y/n noticed Harry near the doorway that led to the small hallway for the servers she got up to stretch her legs. Edgar was deep in conversation.

Harry ducked into the hallway when he noticed the Queen was coming and she quickly made her way to him.

There was nowhere for them to hide or to be in private. The hallway was highly trafficked by the kitchen staff coming and going. But they still had their moment together.

“Harry. Hi.” She said when she stood before him. She wanted to put her arms around his neck and pull him down for a kiss but she refrained.

Harry smiled gently, “Hi. How are you feeling?” He didn’t want to immediately bring up how he’d been very upset and in a bad mood after she didn’t respond to him. His nerves settled once the Queen’s eyes were on his and they could speak.

“I’m… okay. I’m just very upset. I hate this.” She looked down and closed her eyes. She felt better standing before Harry. It made her feel whole. It’s like all the small cracks that began to run through her body in the absence of his presence were suddenly filled and pasted back together again. His voice and his gaze were healing.

“I know exactly how you feel. I can’t breathe when you’re not with me. I miss you.” His whispers were low and the Queen looked up at him, holding back any tears that might fall down her face.

She swallowed and nodded. They both knew. They both felt it.

“I’m sorry I didn’t text you back I was so sad. I didn’t know how to respond and I just needed to cry. But it’s because I miss you and I don’t know when we can be together again, and that just will not do. I need more.” She confided.

Harry was taken aback. He hadn’t expected her to pour herself out like that. She tended to be more reserved with her feelings. And especially as they were stood in a public hallway with other people around.

“I know. It does hurt. All I want is to be with you. I’ve been in a very bad mood all day because I’ve missed you so much.” He nodded as he spoke and looked around to make sure that no one was eyeing them.

“It’s terrible. And I haven’t told anyone yet. I just need a little more time to pull myself together and then I’ll tell Edgar. You’re the only one who knows.” She graced him with her beautiful gaze and Harry was close to losing it and just taking her face in his hands and pressing his mouth to hers in a searing kiss that no one would mistake for friendly.

“I love you. So much.” He didn’t know what else to say. They needed to get back before they were caught by the King or Gertrude.

Y/n put her fingers into his for a brief moment, “I love you too, Harry. With everything I am,” and then left him in the hallway, her perfume lingering in the air behind her.

Harry leaned his head back onto the wall behind him and closed his eyes. These small meetings weren’t enough. Nothing was enough. He felt like he could die without her. His heart shriveling the moment she walked away. He needed her near to feel okay. To feel whole. But at least he knew her heart was still his. That notion allowed him to put a smile on his face and walk back to the table to his wife.

The announcement of the Queen’s pregnancy was a big to-do. A gathering of friends and colleagues and important people of the Kingdom was planned for a celebration of sorts.

Everyone congratulated the Queen and King on the pregnancy and Harry felt the sting of insignificance. He was the father, but no one could know it. He was the man that the Queen was in love with, the man who loved her with all of his heart. But no one would ever know. The celebration was modest and jovial. Except that the Queen and the Prince were not able to feel the joy of the celebration the way they had wanted to. They didn’t get to sit together, or hug, or even speak to one another. The King and Gertrude had kept a close watch that their spouses would not wander off with the other.

Harry’s mood had been rotten. Gertrude was not dumb. And the Queen was constantly crying and Edgar noticed. They both felt trapped, suffocated, imprisoned. It should have been a happy occasion but Y/n could barely feign a smile and would not touch her food. Harry wanted to comfort her and make her eat. He watched as she folded inward and kept her head down for most of the celebration.

And others also noticed the Queen’s sadness as well. They wouldn’t speak of it openly, but whispers were bound to start. The usually composed and well-kept Queen was clearly upset and not enjoying the occasion as she should have.

Two weeks of not seeing one another at all was brutally painful. They did continue to text and send the occasional picture. A call a day.

When the Queen went to the doctor for her checkup everything was as it should be. She was healthy and the first person she told about her appointment was Harry. They both felt warm longing whenever they were engaged in a text exchange or on a call with one another. Harry had begun taking quick trips to the market so he could call the Queen at certain times of the day when he knew she was alone. Hearing her voice was becoming mandatory.

Slowly, Harry began resenting Gertrude. It was a slow build up that he hadn’t recognized before but he was sure that she knew something and the phone incident all those weeks ago had him keeping a close eye on her. She never brought it up but he knew she had at least changed the settings on his phone.

He also knew she didn’t deserve his resentment, his coldness, his anger. Had she really done anything so wrong? She was concerned that her husband was stepping out on her and she was not wrong. Her intuition was spot-on. Harry just didn’t like being caught, didn’t like being questioned or doubted. But it was inevitable because he had slowly began to keep himself away from Gertrude more and more.

And Gertrude did blame herself. She knew that he needed more than she wanted to give over the last few years. But now she felt it might be too late to try and allow him in more. Give him more of the things he so desired in a partner. But she’d gotten so comfortable with how they had settled into their routine. And now she feared he was drifting from her for good. She feared it was too late.

It had been weeks since she’d had sex with Harry. Typically he tried to engage her, he’d make the move and Gertrude would give in and wind up enjoying it. But now that Harry wasn’t engaging, wasn’t trying to have sex with her she felt the need in herself to try and make the first move. She’d showered and shaved and talked herself up. She was going to try. Make an effort.

But when she got to her bedroom, Harry was not there. Normally he was already in bed with a book or his cellphone in hand as he waited for her. But the bed was still made and her husband was not in the room.

She went into the hallway and found that little Peter’s door was cracked open and there was a light on. She peeked into the room and saw her husband and her youngest son lying together on the small twin bed, both fast asleep with the small lamp illuminating their faces. Peter would grow up to look just like Harry, she was sure of it.

She backed away and went into the master bedroom where she fell asleep in their large king-sized bed all by herself. This was her penance for keeping her sweet husband at arm’s length for so long. She knew there might be no going back.

Harry woke the following morning in Peter’s bed. His original plan was to sleep in bed with his wife like he normally would but then when he realized Gertrude was taking an extra-long time in the bathroom he wondered if she was gearing up to have sex. He doubted it, because she rarely wanted it, but he also felt disgusted at the idea and so he went to get some water and to get his mind on right. He noticed that Peter’s door was open and his little boy was sitting in bed not asleep still.

It was the perfect excuse and the best way to avoid having sex with Gertrude if that’s what she intended. It also meant he got to cuddle with his youngest boy and fall asleep with him in his arms. That might have been the best night’s sleep Harry had had in over a month. It would soon become a tradition, with Harry switching off from each child to escape his wife and the way he resented her mere presence.

Every morning he texted the Queen that he loved her and every morning she responded by telling him she loved him back. But this morning, the morning he woke up well rested from Peter’s bed the Queen responded differently. It had Harry’s mood soaring and his dimples unable to be hidden.

To Prince Harry: Edgar leaves in three days. I have a plan.

Ch 12*

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