Sweet Creature * {h.s | AU}

TWENTY

You were scrolling through instagram, looking at the life of others and wondering if everyone suddenly had a photographer following them around. You came across a photo of your old friend who is happily in a relationship now. They were at a grocery shop, "Who took these photos? Do they just say 'hey, let's have a photo shoot in the grocery store, fuck classic wedding photos, I'm gonna spend a lot of time here anyways why don't I just make something out of it'?"

Harry chuckled as he waltzed his way to the fridge, "hey, sweet bun, did you finish the ice cream?"

You looked up from your phone, squinting your eyes at the distant, trying to remember, "Don't know. Don't remember, but maybe?"

Harry sighed and shut the fridge's door, "really in a mood for ice cream now," he walked back to the couch and lay his head on your lap. You were still staring at that photo and he suddenly sprung up. "Hey why don't we go grocery shopping?"

"Now? They're about to close, it's late."

"That's why we have to go, like, now!"

You rolled your eyes at him but smiled, "Harry, maybe tomorrow morning."

He pouted and started tugging on your arms like a child as he whined, "C'mon now, bunny, I really need that ice cream."

You stared at him for a while before sighing, "Fine. But only because I wanted ice cream too."

"Sure, sweetie, you tell yourself whatever you want to hear but one thing I know for sure is that I bought you with my charm." He threw you a wink before getting up and heading towards the door.

"There's so many flavors to choose from," Harry gasped as he scanned through all the pints of ice cream that was kept behind glass doors. His eyes widened in awe as he goes through every single pint of ice cream, still in a dilemma of all the flavors. It was like taking a kid out, but you love that about him. How he remains so innocent and pure despite how the world has torn him down in the past.

The cashier was ringing up the last thing you both bought. You looked at the monitor and turned to Harry in realization, "I thought we were just getting ice cream?"

Harry pulled a smug face and threw his arms in the air, "Behold the wonders of the grocery store!"

The cashier giggled as you both banter about whose fault it was for the results of all these unwanted things, "you two are cute."

You both were singing along to the songs he had in his car, sometimes locking eye contact as if you were acting out a musical. You felt your phone vibrating in your pocket, you reached for it as Harry turned down the volume.

"Hello?" You spoke softly into the phone. You heard sobbing and some machine beeping noise in the background.

"Oh, sunshine," It was Lizzy. You haven't heard from both of them after you took a few weeks off from Wally. He said you were too "over-whelmed with work" and "deserved a break". Her voice was weak, as if she was just crying. "Wally, he-"She was not able to finish the sentence but you somehow knew what was going on.

Your hand clasped your mouth as you turned away from Harry to face the window, "When?"

"It's been an hour now, I had to calm myself first before I could make the call."

"I'm sorry, Lizzy. Do you want me to drop by?" you asked, trying to keep yourself together so that you wouldn't freak her out.

"No, it's alright, darling. It's pretty late now. I'll inform you about the funeral," Lizzy broke into sobs again, "I'm sorry, it's just too much to handle, I think I'm gonna go."

"Okay Liz, please take care of yourself, I'll see you tomorrow."

You hung up and leaned your head against the window. You could feel Harry's gaze on you, "Everything alright bunny? Who was that?" You didn't say a word. Your shoulders started to shake as sounds of sadness came out from your mouth. Harry pulled up on the side of the road and unbuckled his seatbelt.

He pulled you by the shoulders gently, motioning you to lean in for a hug as you lay your head on his shoulders. You continued to weep for a while before you collected yourself and wiped away your tears. Harry was searching for you in your eyes, confused by the sudden transition, but he was patience still.

"Wally, he-"you looked away, "he passed away." His shoulders slumped as your tears found its way back out again, he pulled you in for another hug.

Wally has always been like a father to you. Taking care of you like no others. Opened you up to the wonders of books. Provided you a safe sanctuary to stay away from the horrendous world. He had no child, and he has always loved you as his own. He once said if the world has more of you to offer, it wouldn't be as dull as it is today. You were informed about his heart disease when he was sent into the hospital after he fainted. Lizzy was heart-broken of course, and so were you, but you gave everyone hope and cheered them up, telling them that Wally still has a whole lot of years to live. But it was just a mere two years.

You screamed out into the streets when there was barely any cars left. You decided to get out of the car for a breath of fresh air a few minutes ago. You were still screaming, still sobbing, still searching for a way to end the pain. Your legs finally gave in as you plopped down, sitting on the ground as you tried to lessen the ache in your heart. You were devastated, and seeing you like this as he could do nothing to help, pained him even more. All he could do was to cuddle you in his arms, holding his world in his hands as it shatters to pieces.