PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

v. it's complicated

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

Harry stands behind the door while pocketing his hands, taking few deep breaths as he waits for someone to open the door for him after he rang the bell twice.

His eyes casted down on the silvery hue of his mother's concrete doorstep, eyes furrowing as he studied the distance between his boots and the white door. Taking in the illuminating light that bleeds from inside the house to the spot where he stood, his head snaps once the door gradually opens.

Harry sighs at the sight of the incredulous features etched on his cousin's face. Liam has the door still held open but his arms are outstretched between the edge of the door and the doorframe, blocking Harry's entrance.

Liam raises his brows and cocks his head to show how much disbelief he has at the unsolicited visit from his cousin. It's not that he detests Harry's presence; he had just developed a disappointment about the fact that Harry only makes time to visit occasionally -- usually when he only remembers that he has other family who cares about him -- when he needs an escape from his high maintenance family from his father's side and his fairly demanding job. But these are only Liam's claims.

Harry wouldn't seem to disagree, though, even if he's able to read Liam's thoughts. He'd know that Liam is right and he wouldn't blame him for thinking that way.

It's been a matter of five seconds of exchanging tense gazes when Liam finally decides to break it up. He steps aside with a quiet groan and shake of the head as if he has no choice. Harry takes it as his cue to step forward and gets inside the threshold. The tension between the two cousins is still evident as they subconsciously challenge each other of who's going to cut the silence first.

But Harry loses the game when he sighs and speaks first. "Mom?" He doesn't have to complete his statement for Liam to understand that he's looking for her.

"You know where." Liam snorts, crossing his arms upon his chest but Harry doesn't react violently at how cold his cousin is towards him.

He nods, darting his sight to the floor with a turn of the head as he stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jacket. Harry's steps are casually slow while making his way to the kitchen where he assumes her mother is lounging about.

The sound of metallic clanks doesn't even surprise him when he enters the room and sees his mother stirring something liquid in the pot, her back turned on him. The faint smoke evaporating from the pot and he smiles when the sweet aroma floats in the air, appealing his nostrils.

"Hey Mommy." He calls her and just like that, Anne turns on her heels to meet the green eyes of his son that she misses quite a lot. A bright smile creeps its way upon her cheeks and within a heartbeat, she's got her arms around Harry's shoulders, caging him in a tight hug as always.

The familiarity of home and comfort that comes with his mother's embrace makes him hum and bury his face in her shoulder, sniffing the mixed scent of her perfume and the food she was cooking.

The affection and care that underlies in her glistening eyes with unshed tears, the way her nose crinkles as she smiles at him showing adoration, the way her hand caresses his cheek before cupping his chin, the way she heaves a very contented sigh -- tells Harry just how much she misses her son and he knows that she treasures his visit. He is happy for doing so because admittedly, being with his mom is like his safe haven. The only thing that saddens him is that he has to say goodbye to her 'again' because of another business trip.

It already upsets his mom that she hardly ever sees him anymore, yet they are in the same city. How much more when he had to fly to another country for a tentative length of time?