Paparazzi (Actor Mark and Damien x Harmony OC)

Chapter 4: Toodles

A few weeks passed since that night and unfortunately as the two men feared, the papers did keep coming. Thankfully though, as more time went on, it seemed the articles began to grow fewer and fewer. Photographs were reused and headlines reworded in slightly different ways. All in all, it wasn't nearly as much to worry over.

"Ha! Look at that. What did I tell you? It's becoming old news. They've got nothing more to say but "potential girlfriend" and that's it. People are getting tired of seeing the same old thing just dressed up a little different each time," Mark mocked, throwing the latest paper onto the coffee table at Damien's home.

He and Harmony were spending time at Damien's home on this lovely spring day. Celine was away on a trip and William was on duty for the time being.

"I hate to say it, goodness knows your ego's large enough, but I guess you were right about that much, Mark," Damien chuckled.

"Wasn't I? Now we can put this all behind us and continue as we always have. I for one have grown rather tired of seeing myself in the papers," Mark commented.

"Agreed," Harmony laughed.

"Anyone care for a stroll in the park this afternoon?" Mark suggested.

"Absolutely! That sounds delightful. Will you come, Damien?" Harmony asked.

"Unfortunately, I am needed elsewhere this afternoon. But I'm sure Mark alone will be more than enough to keep you entertained," Damien said, standing from his chair.

"Why thank you, Dames~ I am, as they call, a multiple trick pony," Mark replied.

"Then perhaps we can go out for dinner tonight? All three of us?" Harmony suggested.

"I don't see why not. Sounds delightful," Damien said.

"You can bet I'll be there," Mark added.

Mark and Harmony wished Damien goodbye and walked hand in hand to the park. It was a peaceful day which Mark believed called for a peaceful stroll. The flowers were in bloom and the birds chirping their merry tunes. The air smelled sweet and the sound of leaves gently rustling about in the trees from the breeze was a calming sound.

Harmony sighed and said, "I love taking strolls in the park, don't you?"

Mark nodded and replied, "It's a shame we don't do it more often."

"It is, but in honesty, I believe the scarcity of such lovely activities make them all the more special and anticipated," Harmony said.

"Once again, I have to agree," Mark said.

Harmony's eyes were surveying the beauty of the park all around her, distracted by the loveliness that spring began to bring. Mark's eyes however, were on a beauty of an entirely different source. He caught himself staring... and try as he might to avert his eyes, he found himself captured in a trance. It wasn't all too difficult to do so inconspicuously about it as he noticed Harmony's gaze was distracted around her, so he let himself take pleasure in enjoying her breathtaking beauty.

     She was currently interested in a bed of flowers by a large tree. She walked off the path and kneeled down to enjoy their fragrance. Mark always thought she looked prettier under the golden light of the sun. It was as if she too was a flower that relished under its light and opened up like the delicate petals of the flora. He could only imagine how much more enchanting she'd look if her wings were let free to spread out behind her. It saddened him that something so simple and something so natural was a luxury that she did not have. He found himself at times wishing for a world where she could be who she was without fear.