PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xx. wut?

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

"I was really apprehensive about coming here at first. Like the whole concept of being under the care of an orphanage didn't settle well for me." Charlie continues to share her tale to Harry as the pair sit on the bench over the hill, a tall oak tree shading them against the harsh glare of sunlight, overlooking the small lake at the back of the home. The melodious sound of little children laughing with one another as they entertain themselves with various games plays in the background.

Harry's heart sank to the tips of his toes the instance Charlie told him that she lost her parents through a fateful car accident. He attempted to hold her hand, or wrap her around in his arms; any gesture at all to show his sympathy, but the smile that Charlie forced on her face made him decide against it.

Harry understands that it's Charlie's exceptional way of coping with her loss, even though it's clear as day how that terrible mishap broke her, she still smiles. Anyway, four years have already passed -- she claimed earlier. But Harry knows that the famous saying, 'time heals all wounds' doesn't apply to every situation. Charlie's still scarred.

Same is true with him and to his eldest brothers who couldn't seem to forgive and forget their father's mistake, his infeditilty which resulted to Harry's birth. Years have passed, so many things have changed, but the bitter taste of Harry's existence still hangs on Derek and Terrence's tongues.

"It was then decided that I should be put on a foster home, since I was already sixteen at the time." Charlie's hand rubs her lap, covered by the thick, rough texture of her jeans. She takes in a deep breath and smiles. "But then, I insisted to stay here with all the other kids that were a lot younger than me. I helped Martha on taking care of them."

Martha, the kind lady on her fifties, who had the smile of a genuine gentleness, Harry remembers. She is the one in charge of the home. Harry thinks of how difficult that must be for her petite size to tend to every child in the home, considering each one has different personality but equally as hyper as the other. He commends her though, because the stress of it all doesn't seem to affect her. At least, that's what he observed on the outside. For a moment, he thought Charlie's sunny disposition might have been influenced by Martha; but it'd always be a possibility that it's the other way around.

"I worked for Lisa's diner every weekend for the two years that I was staying here." She tells him with a huge smile plastered on her face. Realization dawns on Harry about the special relationship between Charlie and Lisa, brought about by the blonde girl working for the older lady. "Just to help...with the bills. It was really hard because support is hard to come by to the home."

That explains the small envelope Charlie tried to secretly hand to Martha, but Harry's stealthy gaze caught the brief action. Charlie is still helping the home even until now.

Harry smiles as he adds another bullet to his things-I-like-about-Charlie list. Let's just say he has that list, although to Harry's conscious being, that list does not exist.

"Wait, but Hank..." He trails off as he allows the question regarding Charlie's grandfather to hang in the air. Charlie shows her understanding as she nods before her gaze drops momentarily to her lap, and then she looks back up just to let her eyes wander the vast scenery that hides behind the building.

The sun is already starting to dip to the horizon, mixture of red-yellow-orange light glows and bleeds to the ground. The birds on the skyline form a wide-open 'V' as they fly in liberty and in synchrony.

She watches as three orphans stand by the dock, flicking stones to the waters and cackling at the distinct, funny sound that the actions produce.