The Beast (Harry Styles)

Chapter Twenty-Two

Reunited at last!

Has it been so long, or is time just fast?

No matter what, it doesn't matter;

For when you're in love, separation means a heart can be scattered. . .

~.~

"It hasn't even been twenty-four hours since you last seen each other!" Cobbs exclaimed looking at Harry and I held in an embrace.

I just let out a small laugh and cuddled closer into Harry's chest as his arms tightened around my torso.

"Oh, hush you!" Mrs. Potter reprimanded Cobbs lightheartedly. She playfully hit his arm and smiled towards Harry and I. "If you had a loving bone in your body, you would know how they feel."

"I do have a loving bone, and it is the fiery passion for the well-being of our master, thank you very much!" Cobbs defended himself.

They continued to bicker and argue with no real purpose, but that didn't matter to me. All I heard was the beating of Harry's heart, the consistent and calming thump of blood pumping through his veins, keeping him alive. I listened to him sigh, his chest slowly rise and fall against my cheek, and I couldn't help but sigh contently.  Harry's arm rubbed my back before he began to pull away. 

"No one told me anything, and I was worried sick," I explained to Harry meeting his eyes. 

"It wasn't something easily explained," Harry responded. He turned his gaze away from mine. "I know you trust me, and I am forever grateful for that; I haven't been quite as accepting." Biting his lip, Harry seemed to be deciding his words carefully. "It's not that I don't trust you specifically, but I'm afraid my nature has been warped to not trust anyone."

"I understand," I reassured him, rubbing his arm and smiling even though he couldn't see. "Our past haunts us like a ghost who won't move onto a light brighter than the one the mortal sun gives off. It holds us into this purgatory and leads us more often than not towards a hell."

"But I think I'm ready to tell you the truth," Harry furrowed his eyebrows like he was fighting the words inside. "All of it." 

"If you're not ready--" I began, but Harry cut me off and looked at me.

"I'm ready."

~.~

Seated on Harry's bed, I awaited him to come back in the room. He said there was something he had to get in order to explain "everything."

Part of me, the part I assumed to be my heart, sang in happiness to finally figure out the enigma of Harry. Another part, the more rational part I assumed was my brain, recognized that this wasn't a light concept: Harry was entrusting his innermost secrets and darkest time in me.

As the two parts of myself collided and infused their very different perceptions, they balanced the contrasting forces inside to create the calm countenance I held. As exciting as it was to finally understand Harry, there was also an apprehension. 

If he wasn't the person I had known him to be--more so, imagined him to be--what would I do? What if I didn't want to know the truth?

Did I want to know?

Of course I did; the nerves were just messing with my mind. But I couldn't fight the urge somewhere within my soul telling me to heed the warning: 

Princes may live in castles, but so do Beasts.

~.~

As Adeline stays waiting, 

Every minute becomes more frustrating;

They say the truth will set you free,

But will it? You'll find out in chapter twenty-three. . .