Unlikely (H.S.)

thirty

~Harry~

I blinked my eyes open, squinting against the morning light streaming in through the window. For a second, I was disoriented, the unfamiliar sensation of warmth pressing against me making my head spin. But then I remembered: Harper. She was still here, asleep beside me.

A slow smile spread across my face as I looked down at her. She was curled up close, one hand resting lightly on my chest, her face softened in sleep, the hint of a smile on her lips even now.

God, she looks so peaceful.

She's perfect...

Every detail of her seemed etched into my mind; the strands of her hair spilling over the pillow, the slow, steady rise and fall of her breathing, the way her brow relaxed completely. Just the sight of her here, wrapped up in the sheets next to me, filled me with a sense of happiness I'd never quite felt before. Something deep and reassuring, like I was exactly where I needed to be.

I need her...

Carefully, I tried to keep still, not wanting to disturb her, just letting myself take in the moment. The morning light cast a soft glow around her, illuminating her features in this ethereal way that made my chest ache. I didn't want to move, didn't want to miss a single second of this. After a few minutes, she stirred, her fingers pressing lightly against my chest as her eyes fluttered open. For a moment, she looked hazy with sleep, a little dazed, but then her gaze focused on me, and she smiled—a small, warm smile that made everything around us seem softer.

"Mmm, good mornin'," she murmured, her voice low and warm with sleep, eyes still closed, a smile ghosting her lips.

"Mornin' beautiful," I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her cheek, tracing the softness of her skin. I couldn't help but feel a little in awe of her, lying here next to me, so completely herself, so completely at ease. "Did you sleep okay?"

She nodded, her eyes slowly opening and her gaze drifting over my face, like she was still half in a dream. "Yeah, really well." A tiny laugh escaped her, her eyes crinkling in a way that made my heart skip. "Better than I thought I would."

"Yeah?" I laughed softly, my thumb tracing light circles on her cheek. "Honestly, I didn't think I'd be able to sleep with you here... Not that you'd keep me up," I added quickly, grinning as her eyebrow arched in a playful way, "just... I don't know. It's different... having you here. But, like, in a good way."

She shifted, propping herself up on her elbow as she looked at me, her eyes soft and full of that warmth I'd come to adore.

"It does feel different, though... At least, not in a bad way." Her fingers traced a gentle path across my shoulder, her voice softening even more. "It feels... comfortable, I suppose. Like I could get used to it."

The sincerity in her voice made my heart swell, and without thinking, I caught her hand, pressing a soft kiss to her fingertips.

"Me too," I murmured, barely recognizing the sound of my own voice. There was a vulnerability to it, like I was admitting more than I meant to, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

We lay there for a moment, letting the quiet settle around us, both of us wrapped up in something unspoken, something that felt bigger than either of us. After a few quiet minutes, she nudged me gently, her lips curving into a teasing smile.

"Are you hungry? Or are we just going to stay here and stare at each other all morning?"

I chuckled, pulling her a little closer. "I'm quite content just basking in your beauty, if I'm being honest. But I suppose, breakfast could entice me out of this bed. Though, fair warning, my pancake recipe may knock your socks off," I said with mock pride. "And before you ask, yes, you may use my recipe on your channel, you're welcome in advance."