ᴀɴᴀʀᴄʜɪsᴛ sᴇʀɪᴇs | B. Barnes, S. Rogers, L. Laufeyson

Fireworks | 20 |

Kronos rolled his eyes, but said nothing. Arlian smiled, "Go get him Harlien."

They disappeared, and Harli placed the last food item in a basket and hoisted a black duffel bag over her shoulder.

She crawled out onto the fire escape again, and with a quick word, her wings appeared and she took off.

-

8:23 pm
July 4

She had just finished putting up the last decoration when Steve texted her.

Old Man
I'm five minutes away.

Pretty Bird
Oh, okay cool, I'll see you
soon then :D
Read

Not me being left on read by a man literally older than my grandfather I-

She took off, heading back towards the apartment building. A taxi was just pulling up to the curve when Harli slipped in the window, hurriedly putting a shirt back over her sports bra.

She threw herself onto the couch and turned on the TV without checking the channel.

Keys jingled outside the door then Steve walked in, placing a stack of papers on the dining room table/desk space.

"Hey." He gave her a tired smile.

"Hey."

"What're you watching?" He glanced at the TV and back to her.

"Um..." She looked at the TV, where a documentary about birds was playing, "A thing about birds, it's really interesting."

He nodded, stretching out his shoulders, "I'm gonna go shower- in the meantime, figure out what you want on your pizza and we can order when I get out."

Harli nodded, watching as he padded away into the bathroom.

-

He came out thirty minutes later, hair wet and cleanly shaven.

"You figure out what you want on your pizza?" He asked, drying his hair.

"Actually," Harli smiled, "I have a surprise for you."

Steve stopped, looking up at her suspiciously, "This wouldn't have anything to do with my birthday- would it? I told you I didn't want anything."

"I know- I know. But I did it anyway."

He opened his mouth, looking exasperated.

"I already did it- and it would be a shame if all my hard work went to waste." Harli pouted, ah yes, hit him with the guilt trip.

Steve closed his mouth, looking defeated.

"Fine. What is it?"

"You'll see, but I do need to blindfold you." She grabbed a blue bandanna she had in her pocket and held it out to him.

"I'm not wearing that."

"Yes you are."

"No-"

"I will put this on you by force, Steven." She threatened, her fingers starting to glow.

He heaved a sigh, and held a hand out for the blindfold.

"Actually this will be easier if we get on the fire escape first." He groaned, but crawled out the window with her, then placed the blindfold over his eyes.

Harli triple-checked it was tightened and he couldn't see, before wrapping her arms around him, "I'd suggest holding on."

"Wha-" And she took off.