020

        chapter song; when will i see you again by shakka (atmrac remix)

        A soft, warm wind blew against my skin. I sat on the back porch, leaning back and using my arms to hold me up.

        As I sat there, total silence as usual, I tried to steer myself away from thoughts that would come in and never rest until I closed my eyes. Even then, I had trouble getting rid of the unwanted company of my memories.

        I glanced behind me, through the glass being able to see Harry setting up his computer. He frowned and carelessly tossed around papers.

        I wished for once he'd show some other emotion. He was so distant and independent. Never once has he shown he needs me, which he clearly doesn't, but I've shown it many times that without him I'd be easily dead.

        The sky was bright, and as I glared up at it, I felt a strand of my hair blow into my face. I reached to move it away from my cheek, and in that instant something slick and warm began to move around my bare feet.

        Out of impulse, I snapped my head down and let my leg go numb the second I saw what was slithering up my leg.

        "Oh my God!" I shrieked, watching the pale brown snake with dark spots on it pause from my sudden reaction.

        From the many things I know about snakes, I know that the ones existing in Brazil are various dangerous ones. I've never came in contact with any before, but this one was pretty long and its thickness was great enough to terrify just about anyone.

        Never agitate a snake, I read once. They can hear you by their skin and muscles that carry out sound waves. I whimpered as it began to slither further up my leg, menacingly threatening me by its movements. 

        I hesitated to scream again. It was much closer up my leg now, and I knew that if I was bit, the results could be quite fatal. 

        Frantically, I glanced behind me to see Harry plugging some wires into the wall. His side was facing me, which was good enough to get his attention. I bit my bottom lip, wincing as the creature reached my thigh.

        Its beady, golden eyes absentmindedly stalked its surroundings as I frantically thought of ways to get it off me without agitating it. I could be quick, but it would have a much greater chance of biting me through my jeans.

        I parted my lips as a shaky exhale shook my body. I eyed the thing as it kept slithering around my legs, which I tried with all my might to keep still. There wasn't anything near me that I could use as a tong to remove it from my legs, nothing that could constrict it.

        The small whimper of Harry's name barely made its way through my lips. He was my last resort, or I'd have to wait for minutes until it'd slither off me. I turned my head once more, looking at the door and the distance it was from me. It was when I noticed that the door was cracked open, and if I was just loud enough I'd be able to get Harry's attention.

        Harry was turned with his back to me now, going through some bag of equipment. At times like these, I'd wish he was eyeing me down or following my every move. Guess I under appreciate his job sometimes.

        "Harry," I called slowly, wincing as the snake bolted in a quick movement across my left hip. It was getting closer and closer. Whether I start to cry or start to lose my mind over terror, I don't know which will occur first. But I got an answer once the slick skin of the animal was grazed against the skin of my hip. I felt the tears prickle my eyes.

        I turned again. Harry was to his side again, leaning over his desk and clicking a few icons on the now turned on computer. His eyebrows furrowed in concentration, obviously being oblivious to what was happening right outside.

        My eyes peeked at the slithering snake, hearing it hiss to itself. I whimpered and frantically called for Harry's name again as loud as I possibly could in this circumstance that required much silence.

        "Harry."

        At this, I felt sudden relief when Harry turned his head. His angered expression softened for two seconds as he examined my red, hot face, and my teary eyes. I was going mad with fear because of the thing that was currently traveling on me.

        He leaned away from the computer, standing up straight and stalking towards the back door. As he moved pretty casually, I shook my head frantically and nudged my head in the direction of my legs. Harry was outside now, green eyes slowly tearing from my face as he saw the deadly creature.

        The way he reacted, without emotion, was suddenly now comforting. He wasn't fearing the thing, which made me happy because he was somewhat going to take care of the situation. Besides it being his job, however, I felt completely helpless and a little useless.

        He slowly moved around us, making as much distance from the snake and I as he could. Once he was in front of me, the snake facing away from him, he knelt down and placed his index finger to his plump, pink lips.

        I sniffled softly and nodded. Again, his eyebrows began to furrow in concentration, his lips pressed together in a thin line. He moved on his knees closer, my feet just between both of his parted knees. As he went to reach for the snake, I whimpered out, "Be careful, Harry." I rather not have a venom injected into Harry, slowly leading to his death, and neither do I want to be the one on the other side of that.

        Harry paused and peeked up at me. "I'll be fine. Just stay quiet."

        I thought it was pretty easy to cooperate with his demands. Harry carefully leaned forward again, slowly attempting to shorten the distance between his hands and the snake before he has to reach for it in a flash.

        My breath hitched in my throat when Harry, mind-blowingly fast, snatched the snake by its head and the middle. Mouth parted and eyes widened, I watched as he furiously clamped the angry snake's mouth shut, his thumb on the head.

        It wiggled in his grip as he stood up from me and walked further into the yard. There, he held it down to the ground with his hand, quickly replacing his hand with his foot, and in a quick flash he kicked the reptile a few feet away from us.

        As if nothing happened, he stalked back towards me. I inhaled sharply when he wrapped his hands around each my wrists, pulling me up from the porch. I stared up at him, widened eyes and my lack of speech prominent and heavy.

        His pale green eyes bore into mine, one of his hands slipping from my wrist and his finger wiping the tear that had just escaped my left eye. "I hate it when you cry," he said lowly, angrily frowning, "It angers me. But unlike anything else, it angers me the most."

        My silence allowed him to continue. "So, don't do it. And keep smirking like the little smart ass you are." I inhaled deeply again, watching his face and his clenched jaw. His flawless, defined jaw. The skin across his face, freshly shaven and the smell of his peaceful cologne. "Do you want to cook something?" 

        All fear was slowly pushed away by a little smile that curved one side of my mouth, followed by a small chuckle. "Are you...are you being nice to me?" I softly asked, hopeful that maybe he was actually trying to avoid arguing. 

        He rolled his eyes in pure irritation. "Stab me and burn me alive, before I'd ever be kind."

        I laughed breathlessly while I peered up at him. "Harry...you're being nice."

        "No, it's actually pity."

        "Okay, yeah right." I snorted, shaking my head and slipping my hands away from his wrist. "And I'd love to eat right now."

        I turned away and casually walked towards the back door, certain he was following behind. Harry spat, "I'll make something. I'm sure you have no idea what to do with a pan and some ingredients."

        My eyebrows rose as I turned on my heel. "How do you even know that I can't cook?"

        "I pay attention. You made a bowl of cereal for four days straight." He commented dryly, beginning to walk past me. A small smile curved into my lips out of contentment. If I could keep up this Harry, then I think I might actually be able to stay in a room with him. Hopefully this little mood he's got going on is present more. 

        The kitchen was filled with plates clinking and both of us moving around to get ingredients. It was still eleven in the morning, and we decided on making breakfast. Harry was quiet for the most part, doing the work himself as I sat in a stool and watched him. I watched his tatted biceps flex, his clenched jaw move slightly every so often, and the movement of big hands. 

        He did most with ease. And I hated to admit he was fascinating to watch.

        "Catalina," he called, snapping me from my thoughts. I peered up at him as he said, "Do something useful rather than stare at me." His voice was huskier than before.

        I blushed furiously, feeling the heat rise from my neck to my face. I looked away, down at the shiny marbled surface of the island. I then stood up and attempted to make use of myself rather than stay there, blushing like an idiot while he clearly knew I was embarrassed.

        There was an unbattered bowl of eggs. I reached for it and began to mix them, seconds later receiving a look of annoyance from Harry. I gazed up at him, frowning. "What?"

        "That's not how you fucking do it." He shook his head.

        In that second, I realized Harry was a thing for doing things "the right way" or perfecting certain things alike to my father. Maybe the fact that he was practically raised in my father's light made him insanely similar. Yet, different in many more ways, which makes me wonder further.

        I pretended not be offended, the goal of keeping this kind of Harry around still present, and so I laughed at myself. "Then how do you suppose I do it?"

        Harry stalked around to my side, his body behind mine as he quickly grabbed the fork I was using. His hand was placed over mine, tightening my own grip around the fork as the other took the bowl away from me. I felt the heat of his body radiate off to mine, sealing me in a tolerable air. 

        He slightly tilted the bowl, beginning to move my hand with his. I smiled to myself at the way he's acting. What is strange is that I can only really find amusement in his anger for something so little. His temper is so short, that it is at times irritating. It irks me to no end, but when he's like this....this type of annoyance...somehow, it's different.

        "Like that," he rasped out.

        "Okay," I tried not to sound amused.

        "Are you fucking laughing?"

        Too late for trying. I shook my head and bit my bottom lip. After a few seconds, his head leaned down and I felt his warm breath against my skin. He whispered into my ear, "What's so funny, Catalina?"

        "Nothing, Harry." I grinned, my teeth showing as I stared down at our hands working together. We continued, my mind drifting off to his promise. That he'd never lose his self-control. That he will never give in to his own writhing lust. He will never fall for anything, and his control and endurance could last him his lifetime.

        Right now, in this kitchen, I stopped grinning and realized how bad I want him to lose his self control. How bad I want him to be like this more often. Even though he's still angry and being ridiculous. I want him to be fair and somewhat amusing. When he's not abusing his power and trying to dominate over everything I say.

        How bad I want him to crack. The way it feels to be here with him while he angrily tries to teach me how to bat eggs the correct way -- to no avail, feels different than when I wanted to hit him for being so cruel to me. As expected. But I yearn to see him differently. Acting different even if its the slightest bit.

        I didn't notice he moved away from me and the bowl was no longer in my grip. Harry was over on the stove, turning up the stove to pre-heat it.

        When he turned back around, he found me watching me.

        "So, why didn't you actually kill the snake?" I blurted out of nowhere.

        Harry made his way towards the fridge, saying, "I actually like animals. I won't murder them when they don't have the mental ability people do. That's why I hate people. And I can kill them just fine."

        I frowned slightly. "And you never...ever think, what if your life was different?" 

        He chuckled dryly, shaking his head in almost shame. "I don't think I'd want any other life. Everything happened like it was supposed to. You'd want a different one?" 

        Of course I would choose to live somewhat like normal people do. Harry slammed the fridge door closed and walked back towards the island as I pondered. But, I never actually thought in detail the way I'd feel about it.

        I shook my head. "I actually...I don't know. There are certain things that just wouldn't feel right."

        "Exactly," he said lowly as he poured the mixture into the pan, his back to mine. "I'd pick being alone and not having to deal with others over any life, any day."

        Although it was sad to hear, I can't help but kind of see where he's coming from. Even when he's just talking like this to me, it feels good. Because he's not barking at me like a mad dog, he's not making me feel inferior to him in anyway. He's being fair and casual. A large contrast, but I can't help but begin to adore this side of him.

        He then turned around and focused his eyes at me. "Are you done trying to interrogate me?"

        "I'm not sure," I remarked with my lips tempted to curve into a smirk.

        "You're not funny." He snapped.

        I laughed loudly at this. "Oh!? That's like telling an old woman to run faster than an Olympic medalist! It makes no sense, Mr. I'm-Always-Angry-As-Hell!"

        Harry clenched his jaw, "Go fucking take a nap or something."

        note// absolutelyy loved writing this chapter. thank you for reading and your votes.

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