By the Sea [H.S. AU] ✓

5.

They laid in each other's arms. The comfort and warmth radiating off the make shift fire built from the little dry wood they found was nothing compared to how they felt near each other. The wood witnessed Delilah crumbling, crying, cursing. While she consoled in Harry, the wood watched and held its own tears at bay. Her calls into the darkness, her ragged hand through her head -  who wouldn't weep at that sorrowful affair. 

But, like the wood, the memories and the pain were burning away. Delilah saw some light - not only in her future but also peeking over the horizon. Harry reminded her that it was okay not to feel okay. We all feel tired sometimes. Sometimes that mental fatigue can take the worst toll on us but it's those sometimes we are tested and we build ourselves and we become stronger. 

The darkness in her mind no longer scared Delilah, instead it made her more curious. She wanted it to now challenge her, she wanted to defeat it. 

And to say that Harry was proud of her new outlook on life would be an understatement. As the beautiful hearted girl laid between his legs as they both looked down towards the ocean, his hand caressed her hair. He wished he was courageous enough to talk to her sooner. He wished he could get rid of her pain sooner. It hurt Harry that Delilah's fatigue will never go forever. If he could cure her, make her happy unconditionally - he would. But this was something she had to live with as well as most of the world's population. He knew he wouldn't physically be there every time but he hoped she knew that he would always be there - in her heart.

"Morning is on its way." She whispered, leaning her head back further into his shoulder.

"Mmm." Harry responded, his hand moving down to caress her upper arm, attempting to sooth her as much as possible under the coat that somehow managed to cover and comfort the whole of her body. "How are you feeling?" His voice was as quiet as hers, making her smile.

"Warm." Delilah said, rubbing her eyes gently.

"That's good." He smiled as he kissed the crown of her head.

"Thank you, Harry." Her soft voice became audible as she yawned a small yawn. Moving closer to Harry, she snuggled herself into his chest, leaning against him by her side. She looked up at him, watching his eyes search hers, a goofy smile not leaving his lips.

"For what?" He asked.

"For everything." She said honestly, "I don't think I'd be here without you." Her pout caused Harry's heart to ache.

"Well, you are." He whispered, "That's all that matters." 

"But honestly," She sat up, moving a knee on either side of his waist so she was sitting on his lap - straddling him, "Thank you."

"It's all good." He kept his voice at a whispered as the two youths gazed upon each other. 

"I want to kiss you." She suddenly said, getting lost in the evergreen eyes that watched her lips perfectly form her words.

"You really want to romanticise this?" He winced, brushing the stray hair out of her face, "You're just tired, beautiful."

"Will I ever see you again?" She asked.

"Probably not." He honestly responded.

"Then I want to kiss you." Delilah smiled weakly, looking down to their hands that were slowly intertwining. When she looked up, Harry was inches closer, leaning in. Shutting her eyes tightly, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and doubts but once she felt his warm breath fanning against her lips, it all stopped. There was only one goal in mind and that was to seal this.

Their lips locked like two jigsaw puzzles, the image was clearer now. The motion was soft and sweet, nothing was rushed, nothing was forced. He wanted her to remember this moment so she can realise life isn't so bad but he was also wishing that he didn't have to leave tonight. Harry raised his hands to her cheek, bringing her closer to him. Her lips were like the clouds of heaven, he wanted to return. However, as soon as he felt her hips unconsciously moving, he leaned back before resting his head against hers. It took a moment for the two to catch their breath again but they did it. And it'd be an understatement to say it was utterly beautiful.

"No, not further." Harry said once he finally caught his breath, "I want this to be special for you for the right reasons."

"Okay. At least I got to do that." Delilah smiled, remaining there as she closed her eyes, living in the moment.

"You can do it again." She heard Harry say, causing her to giggle.

"You dork." Was all she needed to say before opening her eyes to see him glowing in the dark. Looking back, she  noticed the fire was going out and to stay warm, they needed more wood, "Mm, shall I get some more wood?"

"Go for it." Harry smiled as she got off his lap, moving the coat off his body.

"Stay here." She whispered, turning and running into the darkness. Finding dry wood in a place like a beach is known to be difficult and this one was no different. After settling with some marram grass and twigs that must have been washed away for months, Delilah returned back to where she left Harry but he was no where to be found.

No coat. No imprint in the sand. No footprints. 

The fire had gone out cold and Delilah was starting to get frightened. Harry was a comfort mechanism for her that night, how could he leave her like that?

"Harry?" She called into the sunrise, turning around herself manically, calling out his name. He was no where to be seen. He was gone. "Harry!" She screamed but only the wind howled back.

The wind rushed through her being and pushed her back onto the ground where she had laid. Wrapping around her, cocooning her in its embrace, the wind held her still. She wasn't captured, she wasn't held hostage, she was welcomed. This brought a sudden warmth within her, despite the freezing nature of the world around her.

Delilah was no longer frightened, she was at home.