𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ✹ 𝐠. 𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐧

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐱𝐱 - 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Three years ago

It was finally the slither of time in the year where warmth hit Ireland, and the sun was making an infrequent but not unwelcome appearance upon Irish skies after days upon days of pouring downfalls. It was the Kavanagh family's third year living under Cork skies after their drastic change of scenery from bustling and busy Dublin. Johnny had settled easily and in no time was the it boy at school. He was big and strong and fast and not to mention terrifyingly good at rugby. He also had his friends, Gibsie being the best of them since the pair hadn't broken their promise made years ago.

Haven, on the other hand, was struggling a bit more. She was small and skinny with freckled cheeks and hair covering her face at all times. She was shy and awkward but found herself making flower crowns one day with a girl who pulled another girl's braids when she made fun of Haven for her thick accent from her homeland.

Haven didn't mind being popular or known, she cared about keeping her friends close and not making a fool of herself in front of Johnny's labrador-like friend who she held a crush on, one that didn't seem to disappear.
The Kavanagh family wanted to go somewhere different for summer vacation so they settled on County Kerry, just a couple hours away from Cork and it was the breath of fresh air everyone needed. Johnny begged and asked if he could bring Gibsie because he didn't want to be stuck for a week with only his 13 year old sister. He pleaded the case that his brain would melt from so much female interaction and not wanting to deal with a moody 15 year old, they gave in.

Haven was sandwiched between the door and Gibsie who was made to sit in the middle while the pair rowdily made obnoxious jokes which Haven would never admit she found funny.

Johnny finally decided to shut up and fall asleep, which was a relief for everyone because it meant the car was finally quiet. Edel and John, Haven's parents, stopped for gas on the way. The car was silent as Haven was still. She was very aware of how close Gibsie was to her and she didn't know it, but he was very aware too.

Haven yawned, suddenly hit with tiredness from countless sleepless nights building up to this trip. "Are ya tired?" Gibsie asked, tilting his head to the side so his unkempt sunshine hair flipped to the side, in response making Haven's heart flip. "A little bit" She replied quietly and the way the words sounded with her voice made him smile. It was small and barely perceptible, but Haven was proud he could get him to crack a smile.

"You could um...sleep on my shoulder if you'd like. So that your neck doesn't get sore and all" Gibsie offered trying to make his words sound as relaxed as possible but inside his heart was racing. Haven had changed. She was still as amazing as ever but physically, she'd changed. She hit the golden birthday, the one that brought many changes, and they were apparent. Slowly and surely she eased herself into different physical traits that made her look older.

Lately he seemed to look forward to those days he'd crash over at Johnny's house. Haven's presence seemed to linger in the air, even when she wasn't there. It could be one of her misplaced books or a hair tie or a pink glittery pen which only seemed to belong to her; Gibsie loved finding those things laying around because it reminded him she was there. And he wasn't sure how to deal with his growing feelings.

Haven weighed her options. Uncomfortable window or Gibsie's welcoming shoulder. Her heart raced and she felt heat in the tips of her ears. "If you don't mind..." She trailed. Gibsie scooted closer to her, making their knees brush sending a jolt of electricity up both of their bodies. Haven tentatively rested her head on his shoulder. In no time she fell asleep and her parents started driving again to their destination.

From this angle Gibsie could see everything. He noticed how peaceful she looked and almost younger. He noticed the little marks dusted on her neck. He noticed how she stirred in her sleep and moved her head closer to him. Gibsie found himself more smitten to Haven than he would ever admit. It was those feelings that seemed to burn like a candle, quietly but lighting up someone's whole soul.

Soon enough they got to County Kerry and to their surprise Gibsie had fallen asleep leaning on Haven's head. Their interactions during their stay were short and sweet: shared glances, small smiles, small talk and the occasional conversation. Haven loved to admire the way he smiled so brightly every time and she wished she was the one making him smile that way. Gibsie adored the way she moved around the kitchen when she was baking cookies every two days. Even if the house wasn't theirs she seemed to know where everything was and the satisfaction on her face when someone else said they were good was gorgeous.

Each time their hands brushed or their eyes met Haven felt something, she felt a spark. It was unspoken but real. She felt a shift when she returned back to Cork and waved him away and on her heart she would treasure those memories forever.

✹✹✹

author's note;
hi loves!  here's the little flashback I mentioned a couple chapters ago. I really love this chapter, there's not a lot of dialogue but I found it so wholesome to delve a bit into gibsie's and haven's story since they were just kids. alsooo I'm so sorry for the cliffhanger last chapter, pinky promise ch xxi will be the continuation.

also maybe perhaps I'm thinking about writing a joey fic, idk if you remember but last chapter there was a girl with joey that wasn't Aoife and she may or may not be his possible love interest. lmk what you guys think about that and I'll consider writing it!

thanks so much for reading and don't forget to vote and comment! 

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