Breaking Slowly // h.s. au

Chapter Thirty Six

Chapter Thirty Five

*Elsie*

Songs-

Trouble- NeverShoutNever

Bloodstream- Ed Sheeran

I'm A Mess- Ed Sheeran

My fingers dance along with clothed spine. The fabric of his shirt soft against my fingers. The cold wraps itself around my hands and makes my skin ache slightly but the warmth from Harry makes it alright.

His lips are warm as they press against my forehead.

"We should go you're gonna turn into a Popsicle." Harry chuckles pulling away to look at my freezing form.

"B-but it's so beautiful." I whisper looking around the icy park with the fresh coat of snow. I don't understand how I'm so cold. Fat stores body heat. I should be warm. It's fucking science.

"Babe." He laughs running his hands up and down my arms, causing miniscule heat to spread on my skin, "Come on."

"I- I shouldn't be cold." I whisper looking down at the dead grass with tiny crystals of ice sticking to their yellowing strands.

"Why not love? Everyone gets cold. I'm cold." He cocks his head as his eyes trail over me.

"I guess you're right." I mumble shaking my head. He shouldn't have to deal with my problems.

He weaves his fingers with mine and leads me back the way we came.

"Not too much longer until we reach the car." His voice is gravely as a shiver rakes his skin and goose bumps appear.

My legs are shaking a bit as we reach the car, my knees knocking together slightly as I sit in the lifeless vehicle.

Harry slides into the driver's seat and rubs his hands together to summon the miniscule heat from friction. The sun is starting to set and the colors spill into the sky so beautifully- I wish I could save this moment forever. But no picture can capture the beauty of it and no moment can stay beautiful forever.

I smile in contentment now though. Because right now sitting here with Harry in this cold car with a beautiful sunset, I feel like this is my forever.

*****

"Ok- ok fine knock- knock." Harry says as his keys jingle and the door to his familiar apartment.

"Harry please not another-,"

"Nooo..." He whines, "This one is good I promise."

"Fine." I laugh holding my hands up in surrender, "Who's there?" I shake my head with an irrepressible smile.

"The cow goes." He says, his dimples popping.

Oh boy...

"The cow goes who..." I smile as he stands in front of me in all his glory.

"No silly the cow goes moo..." He strings out his words and all I can do is stifle a giggle at the nearly six foot tall curly haired giant in front of me who always is so noble and yet is here telling me knock- knock jokes.

I roll my eyes and turn to place my bag next to the couch. I bend down to unzip my combat boots and immediately feel Harry's presence behind me. I continue to take my off shoes but when I feel Harry's warm hand run from the back of my neck to the bottom of my spine.

"I quite like you in this position." Harry says gripping my hips and making me squirm.

"How do you manage that?" I ask shaking my head with a broad grin.