Penny Haywood Imagines

Better Late than Never - Part 3

"I can't believe you take care of that many creatures, (Y/N). It's amazing!" Penny said, impressed with the way you interacted with the creatures under your care. You had spent a couple of hours with the blonde at this point, showing her the range of creatures you saw on a near daily basis.

"Well it's surprisingly not that tough," you chuckled as she continued to stare in all as you fed your Hippogriff. "Sure they're technically under my care but they're free to roam about the Reserve as they wish. They mostly take care of themselves to be honest. I just come up to check on them whenever I have the time. I mostly just make sure they're all still healthy and give them a treat whenever I'm here. Helps earn some brownie points with them, actually," you joked as you stroked your Hippogriff.

"You might think that, (Y/N), but I can see how they trust you. Every single one of them. You even managed to get close to an Abraxan to trust you and that Hippogriff was loyal enough to you that it was ready to attack me when it thought I was a threat," Penny couldn't help but sound amazed when she saw how even the creatures known for being proud and aloof couldn't help but ask for your affection. You blushed slightly at her compliments, heart beating slightly faster than before, gaze dropping to the ground.

"I just took care of Beau and Rubin the way you treated me when we first became friends," you whispered quietly, ears turning red at your confession. Penny raised her brow in confusion, allowing you to continue with your explanation. "I guess I just felt like they're pride was more to hide their fear and discomfort of being in a new environment when they were first brought to the Reserve. So when I first met them, I just started to feed them from a distance and slowly spent more and more time with them after they were here for a while. I guess I just wanted to give them their space to feel comfortable here. That way, they'd be more open to me once they were settled down."

"I kind of get it, I guess. You wanted them to feel more comfortable in their new home because then it'd make them more open to having a new friend here." You nodded at Penny's interpretation of your words, glad that you were actually making sense to her. "But I don't see what that has to do with me and you being friends."

"When we first became friends, you were the most popular girl in our year and I was the most infamous. I mean we still are, but back then in our First Year, I was a lot more conscious about it. People would say things about me and my family as if they knew us, when all they knew was our last name. Other than Rowan, I was suspicious of anyone who said they were interested in being my friend. Most just wanted to find out more about me and my family, about Jacob's disappearance. They just wanted more gossip to spread throughout the school. And it's kinda embarrassing to say this but... I thought you were doing the same thing when we first met, that you were just being nice to me so I would open up to you," you confessed, eyes avoiding Penny's gaze.

You felt guilty for even thinking such a thing back then. Sure you hadn't known Penny back then, but after actually getting to know her, you'd realise she was the last person in the world who would've befriended you with ulterior motives.

You quickly continued on, "But then you gave me my space. You were still friendly and you were always there for me when I needed you. You took the time to get to know me. You didn't bring up anything related to Jacob or my family or the Cursed Vaults unless I came to you regarding them first. You moved at my pace because you knew that I was scared and I guess that helped a lot. And it still does. You became one of my best friends."

Penny's eyes widened. You smiled at her softly. You knew from her expression that she hadn't known how much she meant to you. The truth is, she still didn't, but the conversation you just had definitely gave her a better idea of how you felt about her, though it did leave out the part that made your heart beat faster whenever you saw her, or how you got a little more clumsy whenever she was around you or how you would stutter slightly when you bumped into her around the hallways.

"It wasn't that tough, Hero. You're worth a lot more than the time it took for you to open up to me." This time it was Penny who was trying to hide the blush creeping up to her cheeks.

You both walked on in silence, not really knowing how to carry on with the conversation. You didn't mind it though. Silence or conversation, rain or shine, everything just seemed easy with Penny. It was as if nothing could bring your mood down when she was next to you.

"Hey (Y/N), we've been walking for a while now. Where are you taking me?"

"There's one more creature I want you to meet. I think she'll be your favourite," you explained. "I've been meaning to introduce you to her for awhile now, actually but I couldn't really find a good time with all the Petrification Curse and your troubles with Beatrice. I figured today was a good day to do it."

Penny clung onto your arm as you entered the Dark Forest habitat. She told you a couple of years ago about her discomfort with darkness, how she was just one of those kids that never quite got over that fear. You smiled as she held onto you, glad that she didn't just find comfort in you, but also that she trusted you enough to follow you into the Dark Forest without hesitation.

"What creature are we meeting this time?" Penny asked, hands still holding onto you gently.

The sounds of twigs snapping and gentle trotting caused Penny to jump slightly. You held her hand gently and reassured her, "Don't worry, she wouldn't hurt a fly."