The sea is calm, with just faint ripples hitting the side of the yacht every few minutes. You're standing by the railing of the bow, sun on your skin, hair all messy from the breeze, still laughing at something I said five minutes ago. I can’t stop looking at you. Six months, and even now, I can hardly believe you're real. I’ve been on a hundred boats, in a hundred places, but today feels different because you're here.

I catch you by the waist when you walk over where I'm sat on the edge of a lounger, pulling you between my knees. “Look absolutely stunning today, sweetheart,” I hum, tracing my fingers along your hip. “Although, you look stunning everyday, so it's not much of a surprise.”

I give you a light pinch when you roll your eyes, simply smiling as I guide you down onto my lap and press a kiss to your shoulder. Then your jaw. Then your cheek. Then your lips. Slow, easy, like the world’s stopped spinning just for a minute.

That’s when my phone buzzes. I ignore it. Then it buzzes again. And again. And again.

I sigh, reluctantly pulling back and giving your forehead an apologetic kiss. “Sorry, love. Give me a second.”

I grab my phone off the side table and see Jeff's name, making my stomach drop. He never calls four times unless it’s something serious. I stand up and step toward the railing, thumb sliding across the screen to answer. "Yeah?"

He’s speaking fast, words tumbling over each other. I can barely even make out half of it.

“Woah, slow down,” I say, frowning. “What happened?”

There’s a pause, and then...

“What do you mean photos?” My voice is low.

I can hear him sigh on the other end. “Paparazzi. From the water. They got shots of you and her on the yacht. Already online, already trending. Kissing, laughing, whole thing.”

My chest tightens as I speak. “You’re kidding. We're in the middle of the damn ocean.”

“Wish I was. It’s everywhere, Harry. They’re saying you’ve got some mystery woman with you, people arguing about who she is, the usual mess.” He hesitates before continuing. “You know what the reaction’s gonna be, right?”

“Yeah,” I mutter with a light scoff. “I know exactly what it’ll be.”

He sighs again. “It’s not you I’m worried about. It’s her. You know how cruel people get online, how fast they twist things. I’ve already seen some of the comments. People saying things about her, about her body, about-"

“Don’t,” I interrupt. “Don’t say it.”

I know what Jeff is talking about, and it makes me livid. You're a curvier girl, which isn't even close to being a bad thing, but people aren't used to seeing me with someone like you. They're used to seeing me with size double zero models. Therefore, even though we've been less than private, they've just always assumed we're friends because 'Why would Harry Styles date a girl with curves?'

It's bullshit.

“Harry, we’ll handle it,” Jeff says softly. “We always do.”

“No, this is different,” I breathe. “I don’t care what people say about me. Never have. But her? She’s not used to this. She doesn’t deserve it. She- Jeff, I can't mess this one up. I can't."

He’s quiet for a moment. “Alright. Tell me what you want me to do.”

I turn over my shoulder, looking through the windows of the cabin to see you fixing us some drinks. Not yet aware of the unfolding online chaos. My heart hurts at the thought of your reaction, knowing how much you've worried about this since day one.

“Nothing,” I say finally. “We go about our business as a public couple. They can deal with it, or go to hell for all I care."

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

There’s a long pause, then Jeff sighs. “Alright. Have a good night, then."

I hang up, the sound of the ocean suddenly louder than before. My chest is tight, heart pounding like I’ve just come off stage. I stare out at the horizon for a long minute before I head inside.

I come up behind you, arms wrapping around your midsection and pressing a kiss to your temple.

“Hey,” I whisper. “I need to tell you something that's happened, but I want you to know that no matter what, you've got me. Okay? I'm not going anywhere."