The Me You Can't See (H.S)

40

Harry's POV:

She'd fallen asleep, I don't know how long ago but I haven't moved from my spot since. I just stare at her while the clock ticks by afraid that she'll wake up the same way I found her earlier. I don't think I've ever been so frightened as I was staring at the woman I love crying in complete and utter fear as she remained bolted to her bed.

And then what she told me in the bathroom. The world truly has been cruel to her, the one woman that truly doesn't deserve it. I couldn't breathe when the words left her mouth and I could feel the rush of emotion coursing through me at the thought of Haven as a child.

I wish I could take her pain away, I wish I could make it so that none of that ever happened and I would gladly take her spot if she'd never have to feel that type of pain again.

My eyes burn once again and despite every bone in my body telling me to stay here I need some fresh air. I scribble a couple of words down letting her know I stepped outside if she happens to wake up though I'm hopeful she doesn't.

My feet carry me before I can even comprehend that I've left when I'm suddenly hit with the cold air across my face. Why her? Out of everyone in the world, why her, why anyone?

I pace back and forth down the length of the sidewalk as I try to get those images out of my head. But it's not the made-up memory of her as a child but the memory of her face now that releases the floodgates. There's now reasoning behind the look I could never quite figure out.

My body slumps down until I sit on the sidewalk with my face between my hands while I think about her. After months of noticing the faint pain behind her eyes, I've finally got an answer to my question. But why did the answer have to be that?

Believe me, I'm immensely proud and grateful that she shared that with me, but fuck if it didn't shred me apart as I watched her sob in my arms. I didn't think I could feel so completely broken by something that didn't happen to me.

I wanted to kill her father and when the sadness died down, only the rage remained. What type of person could do that? What type of person could be so selfish? What type of person?

My body shakes with tears that flow freely down my face, my fingers pulling at the root of my hair. To know she went through that alone when she shouldn't have gone through it at all grinds my already broken pieces into dust.

She doesn't see it, and I realized that after today. She doesn't see how beautiful, amazing, strong, and brave she is. She thinks she's tainted but she couldn't be more perfect. They say there's no such thing, but believe me when I say there is. . .and it's her. Mark my words, I'll prove it to her, even if it's the last thing I do.

I wipe my tears with my sleeves, suck back the emotion and return to the strong man she needs me to be right now before I head back in. I tried my best not to cry despite the few tears that managed to fall regardless of my efforts not to because I know she would have forgotten about herself if she knew how I felt. . .that's just who she is. But she needed to put herself first and now I know what I need to do.

Entering her dark house once more, she thankfully remains asleep on the couch, covered in the blanket I'd draped over her. I walk over after locking the door to sit on the edge of the couch, "I'm so sorry my love." I feather a touch down her cheek.

I didn't lie when I said I was in awe of her existence, because I wholeheartedly am and when I look at her I see the life I always dreamt of, the life that I didn't think was possible until her. I've said it before and I'll say it again. . .I didn't know it could feel this way, I didn't know this type of feeling existed. I think to myself that I couldn't possibly love her more than I do, but time and time again that is proven to be false. I love her more today than I did yesterday, but never nearly as much as I will tomorrow.

She's so beautiful. . .and she's all mine. How did that happen?

"I got so lucky with you, didn't I? My beautiful girl." I push her hair out of the way.

She begins to stir, taking in a deep breath through her nose as her eyes open slowly. "H?" she questions, smacking her lips together in a sleepy haze.

"I'm here baby." I tell her, placing my hand on her cheek.

She grabs onto it and brings it to her lips, kissing me softly. "Come to bed." she whines still hardly awake.

"Baby there's no room." I chuckle nudging my head towards to couch.

"Yes there is." she pouts and scoots over until she's halfway into the couch, pulling me down with her.

"Ok, ok. I'm coming." I laugh as I take my spot up beside her on the couch.

I pull her into me until our noses just barely touch and her sleepy eyes stare into mine. They are no longer red but the puffiness still remains and I press a kiss onto her soft pink lips. "I love you." she whispers when we pull away.

"I love you too Sunny. So fucking much." I nuzzle closer to her.

She smiles giddily with her eyes closed and leans forward to kiss me 3 more times. "I'll never get tired of hearing that." Good, I really hope I'll never have to stop saying it, I think to myself.

"Go back to sleep. I'll be here the whole time." I assure her once more and she nods in response before scooting over until we couldn't possibly be any closer. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Goodnight baby." she mumbles out before falling back to sleep and like clockwork, my stomach flutters at her words.

"Goodnight my love."

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A/N:

Hey my lovelies,

Chapter 40 is in Harry's POV and I hope you really like it. It's really short and I know that, but hopefully further chapters from his POV will be a little longer. If you enjoyed this chapter let me know and don't forget to leave me a comment and vote.

I also wanted to say that we're almost at 3K reads which I mean. . .fucking WOWWWW! Thank you so much and I love you all.

I hope you're staying safe and I'm sending you all my fucking love.

*forehead kiss*

-O