PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

lxiv. i swear

They are just inches apart but Harry could feel the large rift between them and it only keeps getting deeper by the minute. Harry leads her down a narrow path between chest-high bushes and flower patches and Charlie follows quietly, only the slight sound of breathing and her footsteps can be heard from her.

He was only fifteen when he last scour this part of the town but he still memorizes its maze-like passages like the back of his hand. They can still hear the low humming of music from the pub a few meters away behind them, the bright lights illuminating from the small structure to the tops of the bushes. Harry smiles as the clouds over them clear just a portion of the night sky just enough to reveal the moon casting moonbeams to the surface of the earth.

There's one instance where Harry clears a branch on her way and he extends his hand for her to take so he can guide her through, but she only buries her hands deeper in her coat pockets. He couldn't help but feel being the slightest and dirtiest person in the world beneath the woman he loves. If only he had dreamt that this would one day happen, he would have never been stupid enough to play around with random girls. But he was a self-centered person back then. He didn't think of the consequences of his actions outside his work. Work was all that mattered to him and the satisfaction of the people who'd benefit from it.

Charlie, on the other hand, swallows hard as they go deeper into their unknown -- to her, in particular -- destination. It's not that he doesn't trust Harry. As a matter of fact, despite her reluctance of the dark stony path, she still continues to follow his lead...quietly putting her whole trust on him, tossing aside the earlier misunderstanding with him. She always knows she's ever safe with him in spite of what she just learned from that girl, Sable. There's no word from anyone that could scrap her love for him. She understands that what is in the past stays in the past. She's just unable to overcome how that certain girl was brazen enough to confront her of her fiancé's past. How dare she do that? Did she intend to wound her?

The narrow path leads to a wide clearing thereafter. The smell of cool winter grass wafts to their senses, kissing the exposed skin of their cheeks and painting them red. An involuntary smile blooms from Charlie's face and she takes another inhale of the fresh air. She takes note of the sound of water from a distance where most of the light comes from, reflection of the shining moon seen on the surface of the lake.

Harry observes her carefully and he attempts to take her hand in his, and this time, Charlie reveals one of her hands before extending it to her fiancé. He could feel the electrifying effect of her touch against his skin that sends a jolt of smile to his lips, lifting his heart up but is eventually dropped back down by the weight of the subject of their talk ahead of them. He could only grimace at the dumb reminder, wishing he could erase them from his track record...from his past.

A cylindrical pavilion is in sight, white paint chipping off of the four wooden pillars and the cone-shaped roof pointing the skyline. A small bench is perched right at the centre of the floor and facing the lake.

Harry feels the sudden and gentle squeeze of Charlie's hand, soft and endearing. His head turns to look at her and he smiles upon seeing the light that has returned to her eyes, washing away all his doubts for his self. He can see deliverance and forgiveness and love.

"Harry," she finally speaks once they make it in the pavilion, sitting on the bench before Harry does next to her. She looks up at the worn down ceiling, the light skipping through the cracks and to her face. She could only guess that this place has been standing for years already. "There's no need for this, really." A tight smile on her lips intending to assure him.

"No. I owe you an exp-"

"You owe me nothing." She softly retorts, her hand cups his cheek and he closes his eyes as Charlie strokes his cold skin with her warm fingers. "I overreacted. I don't care about what that girl said. I was just shocked that she'd be too upfront about it." She cuts the small distance between them by scooting closer to him, her other hand coming up to his face so that both hands are touching him.