ocean eyes [ l.s ]

~2~

Harry was frantically scanning through his whole contact list in his head for any acquaintances that would be of age and willing to lie that they're his family. He was coming up with none so far and his anxiety grew, making him chew at the corners of his lips nervously. He was positive that Robin would come up with some rather sadistic ways to punish him. Military school, maybe? Instead of boarding school. Harry was staring off into space, absent-mindedly pulling his bottom lip between his index finger and thumb when he suddenly felt a nudge to his side. He turned his attention to the person next to him and grazed his teeth over the corner of his mouth nervously.

"Dude, you look baked..." they stated.

Well that's just great, innit.

"Like a cake," Harry replied distractedly, making the whole bus full of people burst out with laughter. Yeah, he was quite the popular one.

That's when the bus stopped and the door got pulled open. They were taken in to the station and put sitting in a line. Harry sat at the end of it and tried to put off having to call his parents for as long as he could. Much to his disappointment, the line moved on pretty quick.

Finally, it was Harry's turn. He dialed his mum's number slowly. She answered almost momentarily, as if she'd know he'd call.

"Hello?"

"Hi, mum. Um, I was at a friend's house and now I'm sort of at the police station... " Harry said awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

He heard his mother sigh.

"Yeah. Jack's parents called. Said you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm coming."

"Uh, mum...? Could you- could you not, like, tell Robin? Please? Unless he knows already..."

His mum was quiet for an excruciatingly long moment.

"Yeah. Don't worry honey, Robin's asleep. I'm coming."

Harry sighed in relief and hung up.

He didn't know what he owed Jack for asking his parents to do that for him. And he was in no place to be doing anyone any favours anyway, since it was Jack's house that got trashed. But Harry was so grateful. So for now, he decided to type out a message.

your parents saved my arse and I've a hunch it's your doing. I guess I just wanted to say, thank you. means a lot. hope you're not in too much trouble.

His phone buzzed in his hand almost instantly after pressing send.

's okay. I'm sad you're leaving, it's the least I could do. My parents are trying to find the person who invited all the strangers and we're trying to get everyone's names. I'm not in too much trouble.

Harry smiled, he was glad. Good. He typed and that's when his mum arrived.

**

The ride home was a bit awkward. His mum kept throwing glances at him while driving. Also, he was feeling the munchies coming in.

"Can we drive to McDonald's?" he blurted out.

Anne snapped her head his way and her mouth was hanging open.

"Harry, are you high??" she squinted in the darkness of the car, trying to see his eyes better.

"Mm... maybe?" Harry replied innocently with a sheepish grin.

Anne sighed and made a u-turn. Harry realised she was actually driving to McDonald's.

A wide smile spread across his face as he looked at his mother, revealing a dimple.

"I love you."

"You're just saying that 'cause you're under the influence," Anne stated, reversing into a parking space and stopping the engine. She looked at him for a long moment and suddenly they both dissolved into laughter. "I can't believe I just picked you up from a police station while you were high and they said nothing. And now we're here."

"Yeah. Surreal. Can we go now? 'm famished," Harry stepped out of the car and headed to the restaurant, Anne following behind.

Once inside, his mother once again looked at him incredulously as he was stating out his order.

"Can I please get a big mac, two double cheese burgers and then an oreo mcflurry, please? And a coke. Oh. Extra fries!" he looked at his mum with a sheepish grin "I love fries. And a milkshake too, please! Sorry, did you want anything?"

Anne shook her head slowly and hid a smile. "You're eating for the two of us."

A wide grin spread across Harry's face, "I'm a growing organism."

It was a warm night and Anne drove them to their favourite park they often visited when Harry and Gemma were little. They sat on the hood of the car, Harry eating his food and Anne looking at the stars.

They were there a couple of hours, the sun was starting to rise slowly.

"Remember that family trip to Spain? You and Gemma were like fish in the pool. I couldn't get you out and your fingers and toes were all wrinkly, like prunes, when you finally did get tired of playing."

"Happy times," Harry replied, smiling fondly. They'd been remembering old times and didn't even notice the time.

"We should head back," Harry said, shivering slightly. He'd sobered up and now he just wanted the comforting warmth and softness of his bed.

"Yeah, you're right. Robin will be waking up soon and we wouldn't want to have to explain our little adventures to him, would we?"

Harry got in the car, buckling up and appreciating the warmth inside. Anne started the car and headed home.

"Mum? I really am sorry, about everything. My behaviour. And tonight. But I'm glad we did this, I've really missed spending one-on-one time with you."

"If you're trying to worm your way out of going to boarding school by being fake nice to me, it's not working." Anne teased.

"Damn it." Harry muttered, feigning disappointment, but then his expression changed and he looked at his mother seriously "No, genuinely. I love you. And I've missed us. And I'm going on Monday."

Anne nodded. "I love you too, Haz. It's going to be okay."

"But I won't be working at Robin's firm." Harry finished. And they both laughed a little.

A/N: yeah, so it's a filler. but I kinda like it. I really liked writing the part with his mum. let me know what you think x