Respite - HS

How Big How Blue How Beautiful.

Harry Styles

For the next twenty minutes Felix and I play on the playground while Audrey and Serena continue talking. I try not to let what Felix brought up when I sat down with him distract me from giving him my full attention.

The crunch in the wood chips snaps my focus towards the two sniffling girls walking our way. Immediately I'm up on my feet reaching out for Audrey. I hug her to me as tight as I can and she peeps out a tiny laugh. I can feel Serena's eyes on us as I unabashedly check over her entire body making sure she's alright.

"H, I'm okay, let me go." Audrey giggles out as I bring her back into my chest and run my hand down her hair.

Kissing the top of her head I reluctantly let her go and turn to face Serena. Her gaze on me is undeniably soft. She sends me a weak smile and clears her throat.

"Can we talk H?"

I trace my eyes over her figure, although she still looks tired I can see patching things up with Audrey has lifted her spirits.

"Course we can Seri."

I turn back towards Audrey but she's bent down speaking softly with Felix. She looks up at me and shyly smiles.

"Can I take him back to mine? He can help me at the store for a little while." She asks keeping her tone light.

My chest fizzles with warmth. "Y-yeah. Yes. Course you can." I stumble over my words nodding my head. I watch as Audrey flits her eyes over in Serena's direction and it hits me that I didn't even think twice about not asking if Serena was also okay with it.

Serena chats with Felix, letting him know she'll see him in a little and that he'd be staying with Auntie for the rest of the afternoon. I tangle my fingers with Audrey's and bend down to kiss her sweetly. I watch as a blush rises on her cheeks quickly afterwards and a warm sense of pride rises in me.

"You alright sun?" I mumble to her.

She just kisses me in response.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Serena and I lap around the park three times before she finally starts to talk.

"Felix has been quiet."

I glance at her as I walk, "Has he?"

Felix has been anything but quiet with me.

"I think he f-feels like I'll yell at him if he does anything." Her voice cracking with emotion and I stop walking.

"What have I done H?"

I collect Serena in my arms as she breaks down in another wave of tears. "You did what you thought you had to love." I whisper back, my own voice wavering.

"I don't know why I didn't tell you."

"There was a lot you didn't tell me."

She looks at me with a shameful gaze.

"I thought it would hurt you too much. And I was scared to jinx it."

"Serena. If I was anything but happy for you, you'd have every right to smack me. I am so excited for you lovie. I promise. I can't deny it stings, but that has nothing to do with you. I was honestly more upset you didn't feel like you could talk to me about."

She sniffles, "I was so selfish though. I am so sorry about everything I said. You are nothing like your dad Harry. There was so much going on and I felt like this," she motions around town, "this was the only thing I had left and it was the only good thing I could control in my life."