PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

lxiii. bitchachos be like

"Why are we not going?"

"Do you want to?"

"I don't know, but I do want to hang out with your dad again. We didn't get to finish our game the last time." Charlie smiles suggestively, tilting her head forward to examine Harry's face as they walk side by side along the pavement.

Liam and Sophia walk hand in hand, leading the way to their destination. Two pairs wearing long thick coats over their jackets or sweaters, beanies on their heads to combat the nipping cold. The moon hides behind the overcast, distinguishing the night from day -- though the morning is similarly dark considering the clustering of heavy clouds overtime.

"Okay. I'll think about it." Harry was thinking about her meeting the rest of his family some other time and place where Derek is not present. But he realizes by doing so, he's allowing his brother to influence his decisions again.

They continue walking silently, linking their arms together and whispering with each other if they have to. They have the smiles of two old married couple, thinking back to the days when they were still young and stupid. His free hand comes to grab Charlie's head to steady her as he plants a kiss on her forehead. She smiles up at him, enamored by the way he subtly show his feelings for her. With every touch and gentle kiss, she feels the respect, importance and love. She leans in to his shoulder, the smell of his cologne wafting to her nostrils...comforting and lulling her into oblivion -- numb to the world and saturated in the presence of her only love.

She is pulled to awareness by the glaring neon signs and heart-thumping music inside an establishment, an old pub just before the outskirt of town. It looks like a giant old and worn carton box, taped with giant stickers and adorned with glitters in the form of posters and Christmas lights -- a trying hard attempt to lure patrons in. By the looks of it, the attempt is successful. Whatever party is ongoing, it's already in full swing.

"I hope you, guys, are ready for some shots." Sophia chants in a sing-song tune, dancing her way inside while dragging Liam with her.

Liam only shrugs about it when he turns around just to look at the engaged couple behind them.

"You know you don't have to drink if you don't want to." Harry informs Charlie as a reminder of her not fond of liquors comes to mind, a tentative smile on his face.

A ludicrous look on her face, she says "Are you crazy? Of course I will."

"Wait --" Harry cuts himself off when Charlie quickly slips inside the pub grinning like an excited party girl.

-----

She doesn't order for an alcoholic drink. She couldn't. Harry laughs at her false bravery earlier as she takes a sip of her juice through the straw. Amused and finding her even lovelier than ever.

He keeps on staring from across the table. Lights in different colors under the dim room strike a different glow on her skin, making her stand out like a sparkling gem.

"What?" She questions after gulping the drink in. Her fingers drum on the surface of the table, falling in to the rhythm of the music.

"You're beautiful." Harry tells her honestly, stupid smile on his face.

They have to talk relatively louder for them to hear each other over the music.

"Hmm." She hums, nodding though she doesn't entirely believe him. "Don't let the darkness of this place fool you."

"Maybe that's it." He shrugs his shoulders matter-of-factly. "I've been living in the dark this whole time and you're the only thing I find beautiful in this God-forsaken place."