Strings of Fate

Cam 18- Damsels and debts I'm still just standing stunned in Harry's arms hiding my face when | feel his hand stroke down my hair and over my spine stopping midway down my back and | swear my knees buckle. Harry whispers in my ear.

“I'm happy to stay like this as long as you like and I'll probably regret telling you this but he left.” Harry's voice is teasing but gentle like he’s trying to rileup but isn’t completely convinced that it’s the right thing to do. | stay for a half second longer, take a deep breath, then step away away from Harry who lets his arms fall to his sides. | stare at him, not quite sure how to explain what just happened. Do | even need to explain? It felt pretty self explanatory. My family sucks, Simon is an asshole and | was desperate. He happened to be there and | knew he would be willing to help. But why did | asshe would be the one to help me? Just because he was the only one here? Or was there another reason? | suppose | trusted him. enough to know that he wouldn't ditchor make things worse, and | have to admit | was actually pretty angry when Simon insulted him, even though I've been guilty of similar thoughts about Incubi. Maybe | should try to go a little easier on him. After this can | really continue to argue that we aren't friends? Not quite sure that I'm ready to answer the probably inevitable questions that Harry is going. to cup with, | swap back to my customer service bravado.

“Well that was an adventure. | didn’t know you were such a good actor.” | compliment him. See, I'm being nicer. | can totally do this, although it might take a while forto fight my automatic reaction which at this point is to say something snarky or insulting to him and walk away. Harry narrows his eyes at me.

“That was... actually nice of you to say. Usually you would just insist that I'm great at manipulating people or something.” He considers for a moment before grinning at me, his smile makes him look even more attractive than usual and | have to force myself not to stare and maybe swoon.

“Does this mean you're finally coming round? Are you willing to admit we're meant to be together? You said as much to the dingbat.” He asks hopefully. | can’t help but snort out a laugh at his nicknfor Simon. I'm going to have to start calling him dingbat too. It’s strangely satisfying.

1/4 Cam 18- Damsels and debts “Don’t get carried away. | was just trying to get him to leavealone. You know that. I'm not admitting to anything of the type...” | trail off then sigh.

“I WILL admit that | owe you one though. Thanks for your help.” I tell him gratefully. Now most people when you thank them, they respond with ‘no problem’ or ‘your welcome’ or even “it was my pleasure. But not Harry. Nope, when | admit to him that | owe him, | instantly realise that | have made a huge mistake when the biggest smirk crosses his face. Shit.

“Aaah, a favour. One boon from the damsel in distress. Whatever shall | claim?” He asks tically, hand over his heart and fluttering his fingers. Pretending that he is flustered as he contemplates his decision.

“Well, | might have a FEW ideas.” He straightens up, dropping his queen act and swapping back to his usual flirtatious self. He winks at me. | glare back. Why am | more comfortable with his inappropriate commentary than | am when he’s being helpful? Maybe because it’s easy to turn him down when he’s being inappropriate and much harder to sass back at him when he says something that’s actually genuine.

“I am telling you right now | am not sleeping with you.” I tell him flatly. Harry rolls his eyes.

“As if | need to use a favour for that. No, when you decide to get in bed withit won't be because | had to bribe you. Although I think it’s interesting that sex is the only thing you're worried | might ask for.” He points out.

| flush red and turn away, heading back behind the bar. I start counting the till but honestly | just need to put a barrier between us and | need something to do so | have another option other than staring at him.

“Avoiding the question. Okay then. Well I'll try a different line of questioning. Why don’t | find out what exactly you WOULD do in exchange for this favour. Hmm, what about a drink, would you givea free drink?” He asks, leaning his elbows onto the bar. | shrug.

“Sure, do you want a drink?” | offer. Harry shakes his head.

“Not right now, no. What about a hug?” He suggests.

“I suppose so, although that hardly seems like much of a prize. | hugged you like two minutes ago.” | point out.

Harry laughs.

2/4 Cam 18- Damsels and debts “You're right, | should aim for something more unattainable. What about dinner?” he asks. | pause then try to play my hesitation off with a casual shrug.

“I suppose | could buy you dinner.” | agree.

“I meant I'd take you to dinner. But it’s good to know.” He sighs deeply..

“What about a kiss?” He tries. | narrow my eyes.

“You're really pushing it.” | warn him.

“You didn’t say no.” He points out. | sigh.

“Is that what you want, Harry?” | ask, suddenly exhausted.

“Always, but it’s not what I'm going to ask for. | want a chance to spend twith you, outside of this bar | mean.” He explains, almost a little sad.

“So you want to go to dinner then?” | clarify. He shakes his head in refusal.

“No, | want you to choose to go on a date with me. | would hate it if you resentedbecause you feel tricked into it.” He explains. Oh, well... alright then.

“What do you want then?” | ask, kind of confused. He wants to spend twithbut doesn’t want to ask for a date? “You walk to and from work, right?” He confirms. | nod.

“Yeah, | live pretty close so | don’t usually bother bringing my car. Too many drunk idiots. hang around in bars.” Yeah | know I'm the one giving them the booze, but I'm not responsible for their stupid decisions, and neither is my car.

“I thought so. In that case, | was you to letwalk you hfrom now on.” He enunciates each word clearly and slowly, like he’s concerned he is going to mess up his request somehow. I look up at him in confusion.

3/4 Cam 18- Damsels and debts “Huh? How is that a reward? Isn't it just extra work for you?” | point out. Harry shrugs.

“It's a few minutes longer before | have to say goodbye every night. Besides, you clearly have sa stalker in the form of mr dingbat. If he turns up at your place, wouldn't it be better if I'm with you?” He points out. | stare.

“I suppose... but this still doesn’t seem like a reward for you.” | say reluctantly. What is he planning? Is he thinking he can convinceto invite him into my home? That I'll be more accepting of his advances outside of work? Harry just smiles at me.

“Regardless, it's what | want. Will you allow it?” He persists. | suppose | trust him enough to know where | live. If he turns up or annoystoo much I could ask Ryann to intervene, and he could be using this chance to aim for something more intimate, but he’s chosen something that will actually helptoo. | can’t think of any reason to refuse him.

“Alright.” | agree, a little reluctantly. Harry beams atand stands up straight.

“Wonderful. In that case, are you ready to go?”