Harry helped Brooklyn out of his car, pulling her up gently, trying not to hurt her stomach.
"You okay?" He asked, flinching when Brooklyn groaned in pain.
"Fine," she said. "It just twinges."
Harry gave Brooklyn a look, but linked his fingers with hers and walked towards the diner. It was relatively busy, it always was after school.
Brooklyn spotted Ben behind the counter talking to someone with their back to them. Ben smiled and waved at Brooklyn.
"Don't go and talk to people," Harry muttered and rolled his eyes when Brooklyn pulled him over to her manager. "Of course she goes and talks to people."
"Brooke! How are you?" Ben asked.
"Alive," Brooklyn said with a laugh.
"Real funny, Brooklyn," Harry said sarcastically.
"Shut up," Brooklyn said. "I'm okay, the doctor said I wasn't allowed back to work yet."
"That's fine, take all the time you need," Ben smiled. "My brother said he'd help out until you were back." Ben gestured to the guy they had yet to see.
"How wonderful, lets go, babe-"
"Josh?" Brooklyn asked, cutting Harry off. Josh turned to the side and Harry tensed. "Y-you two are brothers?"
"Yeah," Ben said. "You guys are in the same year, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Harry said stiffly and pulled Brooklyn closed to him.
Ben frowned, noticing the tension. "Is everything okay?"
"Your brother," Harry spat, "tried-"
"Harry," Brooklyn whispered. "Leave it. It's over."
"He tried to force himself on my girlfriend," Harry said.
"Don't turn it around," Josh snapped. "She's a little flirt, she had it coming-"
"I did not!" Brooklyn gasped.
"Looks like you've just recovered from the last time we had a little chat," Harry growled. "Wouldn't want to go through that again, would you?"
"You're the one who beat him up?" Ben snapped, narrowing his eyes at Harry.
"Guys, let's not cause a scene," Oscar said, walking up beside Brooklyn. He caught eyes with Harry, he seemed almost cautious around him.
"I'm sorry, Ben," Brooklyn said. "He's going to stay away from Josh-"
"Only if the little scumbag stays away from you-"
"For you, Brooke, I'll let your... friend, stay here today, but I never want him in here again," Ben said sternly.
"Harry, go take a seat," Oscar said calmly.
"You know each other?" Brooklyn asked, looking between Harry and Oscar.
"Lets go, babe," Harry muttered and pulled Brooklyn over to a booth in the corner of the diner.
"How do you know Oscar?" Brooklyn questioned.
"I don't know him as well as I'd like," Harry muttered. "He's hiding something."
"I'm sure he's not-"
"He is. We know all about him, but he just won't admit it," Harry said and caught eyes with Oscar.
"We?" Brooklyn asked and frowned. "Harry... does he know something about the crash? He was there when it happened-"
"Shh," Harry said as Oscar walked over to their table to take their order.
"I'll talk," Oscar said quietly, "I'll tell you what you want to know."
"I thought you didn't know what we were talking about," Harry said and raised an eyebrow.
"Come on, you knew I was lying."
"What's changed your mind?" Harry asked.
"Brooke."
"Me?" Brooklyn gasped.
"You've already been caught in the middle and I don't want anyone innocent getting hurt anymore than they have already," Oscar said. "I'm sorry about the crash, Brooke."
Brooklyn frowned. "You being there wasn't just a coincidence, was it?"
Oscar looked at Harry. "I finish at 11, can I speak to you after?"
"We'll be expecting you at our house after," Harry nodded. "If you mess us about anymore we won't be happy."
"You'll get the truth. The whole truth."
Harry regarded Oscar with a look and then picked up the menu. "What do you want, babe?"
Brooklyn looked between the two guys. "I'm so confused."
*
"No," Harry said dismissively. "Not happening."
"Harry!" Brooklyn groaned. "Let me be there!"
"I said no."
"You don't get to make that decision!"
"I think you'll find I do," Harry shrugged.
"If he knows something about the crash then I'm involved!" Brooklyn said. "For once don't be stubborn!"
"Me? Stubborn?" Harry said. "What about you!"
"Harry," Brooklyn snapped.
"Food," Violet called as she walked over to Harry and Brooklyn and placed their food in front of them. Violet raised an eyebrow at Brooklyn and smirked. "Enjoy."
Brooklyn narrowed her eyes at Violet when she discreetly made a rude hand gesture.
"It's a little weird how much your friends like discussing our sex life," Harry said as he ate a chip.
"Don't change the conversation!" Brooklyn said.
Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, you can be there when Oscar comes."
Brooklyn smiled triumphantly.
"But if I tell you to leave the room or do something then you do it," Harry said.
Brooklyn pursed her lips. "Fine."
"Did we just manage to agree on something?" Harry wondered.
"I wouldn't get used to it," Brooklyn said and couldn't help but laugh.
"Would you count that as an argument?" Harry asked and stole Brooklyn's milkshake and took a sip.
"Why?"
"Because if it was an argument then according to your friends then I'd be having a great time tonight."
"Harry!" Brooklyn gasped. "God, you know you don't have to listen into my conversations!"
"I won't be able to for my longer," Harry said and tapped his head. "You're getting good at blocking me out."
"Getting you out of my head doesn't help when you and your super dog hearing can hear what I'm saying from across the room."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "Super dog hearing?"
Brooklyn shrugged her shoulders and took a bite of her burger. "I still think what you are is completely insane," Brooklyn said. "And I do not like it whatsoever."
"I'm not a dog."
"Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I remember you growing fur and your hands and feet turning into paws," Brooklyn said. "Or did I imagine it all? I really wish I did-"
"I'm not a dog," Harry said sternly.
Brooklyn rolled her eyes. "Whatever you are, I don't really want to hear about it."
"You're going to accept it one day," Harry shrugged.
"Why, because we're mates?" Brooklyn questioned. "Do you think that will change my mind about what I think about you?"
"Yes."
"You can make me feel things, Harry, feel all these... things, but you won't affect my mind."
"It won't be intentional," Harry said surely, "but it will happen."
*
"I thought we were going to study at my house," Brooklyn said when they passed the turning for her road.
"We can, but if you go back to your house then your staying there and I won't come and get you later when Oscar comes," Harry said, slowing the car down.
"Your house is fine," Brooklyn said and Harry changed gears and slammed his foot onto the accelerator. "This speed however is not!"
Harry glanced at Brooklyn. "I'd never hurt you, Brooklyn, this speed is fine."
"You can't control the car going this fast," Brooklyn argued. "I barely ever make it to fourth gear let alone fifth!"
"Fourth?" Harry questioned. "Really?"
"Slow the damn car," Brooklyn said. "I'm not messing around, Harry. Slow the hell down!"
Harry sighed and eased off the gas.
"I'd very much appreciate it if you stick to the 30 speed limit," Brooklyn snapped. "I don't feel like having another tree in my stomach!"
"Babe, I would never put you at risk," Harry said.
"I told you I didn't want to drive far, I thought you'd realise I wouldn't want to go super fast as well," Brooklyn muttered.
"Hey," Harry said and placed his hand on Brooklyn's leg, sending sparks running through her.
"Both hands on the wheel," Brooklyn said and slapped Harry's hand away.
"I'm sorry," Harry said.
"You what?"
"You heard me," Harry said and gave Brooklyn a look. "I'll stick to the speed limit. I promise."
Brooklyn nodded. "Good. Thank you."
"Are you still pissed at me?" Harry wondered as he pulled up to his house.
"Do you even have to ask?" Brooklyn said and opened the car door.
"I didn't think," Harry said and swiftly got out of the car and walked round to help Brooklyn who winced as she tried to stand. "Oi." He cupped Brooklyn's cheeks. "I'm sorry."
"You've already apologised," Brooklyn said.
"I'm shocked that I've apologised twice. Don't be pissed at me, babe."
Brooklyn sighed. "Whatever, its fine."
"Don't be all passive aggressive to me."
"I'm not!"
"You are, I apologised, what else am I meant to say!" Harry snapped.
"Nothing, it's fine," Brooklyn said and stepped back.
"Brooklyn-"
"I said it's fine!"
"But it's clearly fucking isn't!"
"Don't yell at me! You have no reason to get angry! You're the one who was driving recklessly! Not me!"
"And I said I was sorry! It was stupid, I didn't think properly," Harry snapped. "You're the one who's saying you're fine when you're still pissed!"
"And now we're both pissed!" Brooklyn said. "Funny how that works out, isn't it!"
"Babe-"
"Don't babe me!" Brooklyn huffed.
"Don't cut me off," Harry said. "Come on, let's just get inside."
"No, actually, I think I do want to go home," Brooklyn said.
"Seriously?" Harry said. "After begging to be here when Oscar comes later? Don't be ridiculous, let's go inside, you want to know what's going on, you're too curious not too."
"No, I don't care about Oscar anymore. Take me home."
"Brooklyn," Harry sighed. "You're being fucking ridiculous, come inside."
"Kiddies, no arguing! It's ruining my calm vibe!" Kal called as he opened the front door to the house and poked his head out. "We don't really want to hear your argument, our heightened hearing doesn't just go away!"
"Fuck off, Kal!" Harry called.
"Can you at least whisper?"
"Go!" Harry yelled.
"Jheeze, grumpy," Kal muttered. "How does Brooke even argue with you? You just yell-"
"Kal! Fuck off before I hurt you!" Harry shouted.
"Point proven!" Kal whispered and retreated back into the house.
Harry narrowed his eyes and slammed his car door. "Inside, lets go."
"No."
"You're being fucking ridiculous. I'm not taking you home, so either stand out here or get in the fucking house."
"I'm being ridiculous?" Brooklyn gasped. "You're angry that I'm angry because YOU drove recklessly and we could've had an accident! Another accident! I have every right to be annoyed at you!"
"But I fucking apologised!"
"So you've fucking said!" Brooklyn exclaimed. "You can shout and yell all you want, but you don't scare me, Harry! Like you've said, you won't ever hurt me. Your words don't scare me. You can't make me back down just because you raise your voice!"
"Oh I wish I fucking could," Harry growled. "Why did I get stuck with a mate who wants to argue and fight back with everything I do!"
"That's not my fault! You're a controlling ass!" Brooklyn said. "If you're so pissed that you're 'stuck with me' then just forget about me! Leave me the hell alone and let me get on with my life! A normal life!"
"Why would I want to forget about you?" Harry snapped. "I don't know why you can't seem to wrap your head around this but I can't forget about you! I'm always thinking about you! You drive me fucking crazy, Brooklyn, and sometimes I can't tell if it's in a good or bad way!"
Brooklyn opened her mouth to say something but nothing came out. "I... You..."
"I can't ever leave you alone."
"This bond is so much stronger for you than it is me, isn't it?" Brooklyn said.
Harry nodded stiffly. "For now, yes."
"I don't want it to get stronger," Brooklyn said, "because even now I want to kiss you."
"Go inside and that will happen," Harry said and raised his eyebrow.
"I'm not going inside, not just because you told me to," Brooklyn said and and grabbed Harry's collar and pulled him close enough so she could crash her lips to his.
Harry wrapped his arms around Brooklyn and held her close. Their lips moved in sync and they were letting out their frustrations. Brooklyn moaned quietly and felt herself get pushed up against Harry's car. She held onto Harry for support, her fingernails digging into his biceps.
"Harry," Brooklyn whispered. "We- Jesus Mary and Joseph!" Brooklyn yelled in fright when there was a crash of thunder and she pulled away from Harry. "I... er-" Brooklyn flinched when she heard another crash and she grabbed onto Harry's shirt. "Um... inside, that sounds like a good idea."
Harry nodded and wrapped his arm round Brooklyn just as there was a flash of lightening and rain started to fall. "C'mon, lets go," Harry said and the two of them walked up to his house.
Brooklyn pushed her slightly damp hair from her face and looked up at Harry awkwardly when they were inside. "Um... lets go upstairs," she coughed.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked. "The thunder-"
"I'm fine," Brooklyn said and turned on her heel and made her way towards the stairs.
"Would you like to continue where we left off?" Harry wondered when they got to his room. He tilted Brooklyn's chin and and kissed her softly.
"No," Brooklyn said, forcing herself to step back from Harry. "We're not going to do any... touching of any kind! We're going to sit, and study, and only talk about studying. Just studying. Okay?"
"Since when did you want to study so much?"
"Since I didn't want to get distracted by touching you," Brooklyn muttered and sat down on Harry's bed. "I'm still mad at you."
"Oh come on," Harry sighed. "Seriously-"
"Studying!" Brooklyn said sternly. "Now the next word I want to hear out of your mouth better be in French, okay?"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Oui."