blue (book one) - h.s. ✔️ watty's 2019

chapter 67

The bath soothes my muscles. I stare in awe as Harry splashes the water between us with his yellow, rubber ducky, eliciting a giggle from me.

He can be so innocent sometimes. Among the many different personas he carries, this is the most fragile. It only ever comes out when we are alone together. He looks as if he's in his own, little world splashing around with his lips pushed out. I'm more than aware of his troubled childhood - I wonder if this is a product of the trauma. But then again, I've seen Alex and several other men in my life behave the same way at times. Perhaps it's just a guy thing - a guy thing I never experience.

"You're so cute," I exclaim without thinking and for the first time in what feels like ever a light blush creeps up his cheeks. Harry never blushes. He's good at eliciting the heated response, but never showing one himself. That's how I know this is such a rare moment.

I squeal in response before I speak.

"You're blushing!"

He's in complete denial. Taking some of the bubbles into his hands he creates a mustache for the both of us placing it on both of our chins. He forms a hard face immediately getting rid of the blood in his face. How he has control of such an involuntary response is beyond my comprehension.

"I should grow a mustache," I say teasing him.

He cringes in disgust before wiping the cloud of bubbles from my face causing me to laugh.

"So, no mustache?" I question still quietly laughing.

"No mustache." His voice is stern and serious when he says this only making me laugh even more.

"Noted."

"It's your turn," I announce after I get over my fit of giggles. He closes his eyes waiting for me to pour the shampoo over his dark hair. Like a child, he puffs out his cheeks, full of air, causing me to smile lightly.

"Have you started?" he questions impatient before tasting a bit of the shampoo, face contorting in to a look of disgust.

"Harry, you can't talk! Now hold your breath," I command laughing at his idiocy.

Without warning I force his head below the water, quickly scrubbing away at his hair for the third time since we've been in here.

His long, hairy legs pop out of the water, knees first on both sides of me when I do this, and I can't hold the light laugh that escapes me at the funny sight. He's so tall.

He comes up on his own after a little bit, gasping for air and surely getting water all over the floor. He looks seriously bothered as he speaks though I know he's only kidding.

"Are you trying to kill me?" he shouts, serious in his native accent.

I only laugh at this as I begin to get out of the bath. Water puddles around me in the process. I silently groan to myself at the mess, but continue in my actions. Knowing Harry, this mess will still be here the next time I visit. I think I'm making him less and less self-sufficient. I should really ask someone about this - if anything, he should be growing more independent.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to work, Harry. I really can't be late again. I've used up every excuse in the book for you," I finish accusatory.

"Tell them you're sick!" he whines resting his arms on the edge of the tub, his chin on top. He looks adorable like this. His hair is completely matted to the sides of his head. His bottom lip is jutted out only slightly as he pleads for me to stay. I want so badly to just climb back in the tub with him and just exist together, but life's not that easy.

My parents are requiring the both of us to pay back at least half of the Iceland trip, which is completely understandable. Unlike Harry,
I'm just having a harder time obtaining the cash. No one really shows up to the small diner - most of my day is spent cleaning not waiting. I get next to no tips for a job that relies heavily on it.

"I'm sorry, Harry. I have to go," I say sternly, wrapping a towel around my body and another around my head.

"Will I see you tonight?" he asks hopeful. I turn around to look at him and he looks absolutely adorable with his bottom lip pushed out, long eyelashes fluttering playfully. He's too much!

"Yes," I finally breathe already thinking of a lie to tell Kate and Alex. She's going to be mad that I have to miss family night once again.

I'd do anything for the green-eyed boy. I only hope that he'd do the same.

My answer causes him to grin widely bringing out a child-like freedom that only comes when he's extremely happy about something. I leave to get dressed, but am stopped once he begs me for another kiss.

"Just one more, baby. I love the way you taste," he speaks voice low towards the end. It amazes me how he can go from this very innocent, guiltlessness boy to this seductive, immoral man.

I literally shiver at his words, goosebumps breaking out all over my skin and I silently curse him for having this effect on me. The bathroom is radiantly warm! I don't understand how this is even scientifically possible.

Did Harry just break science?

I lean down to kiss him lightly before cringing immediately.

"You taste like soap!" Running a hand over my mouth, I can't help but smile at him. He laughs loudly at my expense, splashing water around. He's such a dork. I hope that there comes a time when he's forever like this. When the dark past that plagues his heart is no longer existent; simply a figment of our imaginations. He deserves to be this happy daily. He's been through so much.