ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘴𝘦 & 𝘋𝘰𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘴

♛♛♛

Julius was driving at just over 100 miles, which was provoking Hazel to just about pass out.

The speed was crazy, just fast enough for Hazel to vomit all over his otherwise spotless car.

Thankfully, Hazel would gratefully lean back in her seat and swallow down the lump in her throat whenever they came to a halt at a red light—well, the red lights Julius hadn't sped through.

"Juls, are you sure going this fast is necessary?"

Hazel's gaze raced back and forth between him and the road. As she watched him zigzag between cars, her gaze was frantic and heavy, the kind of swerving that involved his car being an inch away from touching the other cars but never actually doing so.

Julius rolled his eyes dismissively and gave her a look that said, "Does it look like I give a fly".

"Can't you get in trouble?" She mumbled, sinking down into the cool leather seat as they neared an open bridge.

He chuckled. A dark chuckle, almost amused. Hazel cast a glance to her left and caught a glimpse of his dimples just as his cheeks and lips returned to their customary straight lines of nothingness.

"No." He responded strongly, easily rounding a corner. The girl watched the way his muscles flexed as he manoeuvred the car with awe.

The ink-covered golden skin underneath had bulging muscles beneath it, which tensed with each movement of his hand.

"What's wrong?" Julius asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at her. Hearing the low buzz in his voice, she shook out of her daze and returned to reality.

"Oh, nothing." She shrugged and returned her gaze to the window, desperately attempting to ignore the tingling sensation in her stomach, which she had come to refer to as butterflies.

And it appears to be one of the benefits you experience when you have a romantic attraction to someone. You could say Hazel had done some research.

A lake could be seen through the window. On both sides of the lake, it was surrounded by woodlands. The lake was covered with lily pads with small petals and some that were just plain, as well as the reflection of the sunlight on it.

When the vehicle came to a halt, Hazel realised he had brought them to the location.

Julius exited the car first, but before she could exist, he had opened the door for her.

Hazel fought the want to smile at the gesture. Climbing out with the help of his hand, Hazel felt the door close behind her as she dusted off her jeans.

"Wow." She said, looking around with a little extra enthusiasm. Don't get her wrong, she likes it, maybe even loves it—but she was expecting something bigger.

Although, whatever Julius had to offer her she would instantly take. The fact they were hanging out meant the world to her, random lake or not.

"This isn't it." He stated with his eyes piercing the side of hers. She snapped her head away from the lake and to him, puckering her lips with confusion.

"Then—

She cut herself off as he turned around with his hand in hers, leading them off into the woods.

A funny feeling grew in her stomach. No, it wasn't the feeling that Julius, her best friend, was going to murder her in the woods like those horror movies. No, it was the feeling of them being alone, completely. Away from humanity and into the woods.

But then she shook her head. Why on earth would she think that? They're just friends. Only friends. Best friends.

"Hey, Juls?"

Now that Hazel came up beside him, he only turned his head a fraction to show that he was listening.

"Those tattoos...do they have a meaning?"

They went farther into the woods as they walked. Hazel did nothing except stare at him, waiting for a response. However, her clumsy and unobservant self had tripped over a fallen tree branch, forcing her to fly to her next injury.

But, thank God for the big man next to her who effortlessly grasped her waist before she landed in a pile of...elephant poop? Hazel didn't know.

Looking up into his soulless eyes, he shared an amused gaze with her, while her face was flushed red with humiliation.

"Yes, they do." He replied, a glint in the grey pits. She let out a breath and nodded. Julius slowly brought her back onto her feet, keeping his arm lightly around her waist so she wouldn't collapse.

"Okay?" He asked quietly, too quietly. Luckily she could hear him, somehow she could, especially over all the obnoxious crickets and birds that chirped like their lives depended on it.

"All good Juls. Thank you." She grinned sheepishly and gestured for him to keep leading the way.

The two walked another few minutes in silence. Up until they reached a slim walking trail. Hoping onto it, they walked down the trail that had long, high length trees hovering over the sides.

Julius took a step further, a 6ft black gate stood in front of them, which he opened and creaked open with one hand.

With one step forwards, Hazel took two steps back. The view in front of her had left her speechless.

It was a field. White Roses and purple Lillies, yellow Sunflowers, and white Daffodils adorn an extremely large field. And many, many more flowers she couldn't name.

As Hazel absently walked forward, taking a step into the field conveyed in flowers and trimmed green grass, she noticed white blurs of fur scurrying around the felid. They seemed to be running every couple of seconds and it took only a few seconds after to realise that they were bunnies.

"Oh my goodness, Julius!" She squealed, running up to the closest bunny and taking the ball of white into her embrace.

"Oh, this is the happiest day of my life," Hazel muttered while hugging the bunny to her chest. She turned her head over her shoulder, only to see Julius leant up against the gate, smoking.

She held back an eye roll that wanted to convey. His grey eyes that were illuminated by the golden sun glow gazed right through her and into her soul.

She smiled lightly at him, her soul completely content. Hazel surrendered her body to the grass and flowers as she let the rabbit go.

The flowers in her surroundings seemed to have implanted her a thought. To show how extremely thankful she was to him, she'd have to gift him something.

There were many flowers in her sight. All different colours, sizes, smells and types. Though, the simple deep red Rose was what had her hand reaching out to pick.

It was a perfect Rose. Perfectly sprung and developed, the colour was a deep red, crimson almost. She stood with the flower in her hand, keeping both her hands behind her back and slowly walked up to the man.

Julius appeared to be out of place. He didn't look like he belonged here, not because of his hard exterior or the wave of intimidation and authority he carried.

He was big. Muscular, towering, and all-around a giant. Clothed in black too, he just simply doesn't fit in with the colourful and bright area.

Yet, he also didn't fit with her. Because that was all she was. Colourful and bright.

The difference? Hazel had some darkness in her too. A sadness if you must.

Julius was watching her with predatory eyes, and she felt exhilarated with each step—no, jump—she took. A beaming smile and pink-tinged cheeks.

As the tips of her shoes touched his, she tilted her head up and up, and up. Until she got her head close enough to his gaze.

"I have something for you." She expressed.

Without taking his eyes off of her, he dropped the cigarette and stepped on it. He nodded up once, motioning her to continue.

Blushing, she held out her hand and presented him the Rose. "A bit cheesy, but I didn't have anything else."

Hazel's heart raced and she didn't know why. It was unnecessary. Completely unnecessary.

But the more he stared at it and then looked back at her, she felt her palms get clammy.

"If you don't like it, I can just...put it back?" She winced, looking back to the stem she picked it out from.

Julius took a step forward, leaning off of the constructed barrier behind him. Instead of looking into his eyes, she gazed at his broad shoulders. She was too anxious to look into his eyes right now.

The Rose in front of her body grazed his torso. His hand passed over to hers, the one that held the red Rose, and ever so slowly, she looked into his eyes.

His stormy dark eyes twinkled with a sheen, the silver shone beautifully, and it made Hazel's heart melt into an unfathomable puddle.

"It's perfect."

Those words flew from his mouth gradually and clearly. As if he had rehearsed it again and again until it was perfect. And don't get her started on his voice, how utterly deep and soft it was.

"Is it?" She questioned his response with a cock of her head. Smiling, she watched him take the Rose from her hold and hold the stem between his fingertips.

"Yes."

Hazel's smile widened as he seemed genuinely serious and content. Sighing, she took a step back and was about to turn around to go back into the almost fantasy looking scheme, but a hand had stopped her before she could.

Frowning, she turned her head over her shoulder and looked up, and up, until reaching his eyes.

They held some sort of hesitance, physically not showing it but Hazel could see, she could see how he hesitated. And for a moment he shook his head, releasing her hand and stepping back as his phone rang.

Hazel watched him slip his hand into his pocket, take out the black phone and answer it with a harsh and cold "what".

Breathing out a strong breath, she turned and floundered back into the sea of flowers. Melting into it as three bunnies directly hopped their way to her.

For a while Julius was on the phone, Hazel kept checking behind her to see if he was. He didn't talk unless necessary and when he did, it was nothing but a low hum, low enough to not hear his words though deep enough to know he was talking.

There were jolts of sparks flying in the pits of Hazel's stomach every time her eyes met his grey ones. His gaze never wavered, they always held hers, up until she couldn't endure it any longer.

It was like a never-ending staring competition.

Hazel was lying down in the grass by the time Julius had finished his conversation, knowing well enough now that it was his work.

The darkness of his shadow frowned upon her frame until it was removed and the scent of him was then beside her body.

Opening her eyes, she turned her head to the right side and saw the man before her. Due to the sun lowering, his body sank deep into the newly darkened grass.

His legs were stretched out evenly, and he was leaning against a tree with very few branches or leaves. She shifted her sight away from his lower half and onto his upper half.

Chin tilted to the sky, his gaze lingered on the birds that flew past in a V-shaped form, chirping and readying for the night to come. She was mesmerised by the sight of how truly calm and enticingly beautiful he was.

But like always, her viewing was always struck to be caught. His gaze lingered down, his cold eyes finding hers open and on him. She smiled, for once not blushing from being caught.

She slowly rose from the grass and placed her weight closer to him, resting her head on his strong, thick thigh.

"Thank you for bringing me here," Hazel whispered, returning her gaze to the sky as its colour faded. Shifting to a darker blue, approaching midnight black.

When she looked back at him, he was already looking at her. His hand came to her temple, gently tucking a strand of red hair behind her ear.

"Are you feeling better?" He asked her, searching her gaze for any sign of discomfort. Hazel nodded once, lightly.

Most definitely. She wanted to say. Especially with you here. She again wished, she could say.

"Lots." She breathed out, dipping her bottom lip into her mouth unintentionally. Julius nodded, still looking into her eyes.

"You know, Juls, you're probably the only person who's ever cared for me like this in a long time. The last time I was looked after was by my sister when I had a terrible flu."

Hazel grimaced as she remembered the excruciating pain she went through for a few days. Her older sister had looked after her for those remaining days, feeding her, tending to her care. Whenever her sister acted like a mother to her, she felt like a princess.

Julius, on the other hand, was a different story. This was a new kind of comfort, a sense of security. A protective and sensitive aspect.

"How long ago?" He asked her with a tinge of gentleness. His thumb brushed alongside her jaw, running up and down the smooth skin.

"Three years ago it was. I thankfully haven't been sick since." She smiled. Hazel looked down at his hand that was curved around her neck, the hand caressing her skin at a feather-like touch.

She paid attention to the feel of his thumb moving along her skin, the pattern was so calming she might've just fallen asleep on the spot. Though, curiosity had stopped her from doing so.

Those scars on his body, she was curious as to how he got them.

It reminded her of those soldiers who went to war and came back with endless stories, each scar and wound holding a story of their own.

"Juls, can I ask you a question?"

He glanced at her and nodded numbly.

She decided that she wanted to face him when asking this question. So, she turned her body over so that now she was lying on her stomach, forearms lying on his thigh as she gleamed up at him.

Julius leaned back, his legs spreading wider as he took her in with patience.

Hazel took his hand, which was lying next to her forearms on his thigh, with confidence. She decided to ask this question in a different way, perhaps even making it an annual thing.

"This scar right here," She tapped her finger delicately on the long slit that lined along his knuckles. "What's his story?"

His eyes went down towards it, his eyes narrowing the slightest inch before it was returned to her gaze, emotionless.

"His?" He questioned blandly. She nodded encouragingly. "Yes. I'm just curious." Hazel shrugged but then immediately looked at him with wide eyes and unknowingly, her hand tightened around his.

"Of course, you don't have to tell me," She hurried out. "If you're not comfortable or..." She gave his hand a light squeeze and tilted her head as she watched his lips curve up the slightest.

"My uncle had made me cut myself," He told coldly, his voice never showing anything other than darkness.

Hazel's hand tensed with his, her eyes snapped to his as her lips parted with shock. She one hundred per cent didn't expect that.

He continued nonetheless.

"Because I knocked on his door too many times, begging for food that he hadn't provided me in roughly 14 days, 6 hours, 5 minutes, and 32 seconds."

Hazel let out a loud gasp. Her hand left his as they went to cover her mouth.

She couldn't comprehend the cruelty of the story. "How old were you at the time?" She whispered the words, knowing full well that this was bound to make her cry.

"Seven."

"Oh, Juls." Her words fell softly as she lifted herself up and immediately flung her arms up and engulfed him in a hug.

Julius was stiff and tense. But only for a moment.

Then one of his strong, tatted arms slowly wrapped around her waist. She sighs as she buries her face in his chest, attempting to comfort him for something he didn't need.

It had been a long time, a very long time. And those memories were buried so deep within that they were nearly hard to surface.

As a result, if hugging him made her feel better, he let her do so. Because, while his nonexistent pain didn't need to be comforted, the ache in his heart did.

Not that either knew that.

"You deserve better, Juls. You're a good person. Well, to me you are." She lifted her head away from his chest, facing him now.

Their faces were so close to each other the tips of their noses almost touched. Hazel smiled when she saw his expressionless face, now having an idea why he was the way he is.

Something had driven her to lean forward, her head cocked to one side as her lips brushed against his cheek and then slowly pressed down.

Hazel had given him a kiss on the cheek. Pulling away softly but quickly. She flushed a bright cherry red, embarrassed but also enthralled by the sensation of her lips against his smooth skin.

She peered into his eyes for a split second before looking over his features to see whether he was uncomfortable. By the way his jaw was clamped tightly into a ball and his hold on her waist had also tightened, she guessed he was.

"Oh, goodness. I'm so sorry—"

A cool hand landed under her chin, the hand lifting her head to meet his eyes. They were filled with nothing, an emotionless empty grey.

But, beneath the sliver held a twinkle. Maybe it was a reflection from the new stars above them or it was just a trick of her eyes at the moment, but she was so sure there was a sparkle.

Slowly, he tilted her head to one side, slowly grazing his lips over her cheek, pushing them down onto her flushed cheek.

Hazel had no doubt that he could feel the heat in her cheeks since she could feel it herself. Against her skin, his lips were cool and plump, and the sensation was almost soothing.

However, his lips left as quick as they lingered. Hazel reopened her eyes, oblivious to the fact that she had closed them. His fingers slid from her chin, causing her to become cold once more, and her gaze was drawn to him in an instant.

"There," He began. His thumb came to the spot he had just pecked lightly, he ran it over the flesh delicately while staring depths into her eyes.

"Now we're even." He whispered lowly. His head was lowered slightly, just enough to meet her eyes from his point of view. Hazel gulped lightly, her mind feeling light-headed.

Slowly, she began to smile again. A light, almost drunk-ish smile. She pulled away before she could word anything else, she resumed out of his embrace and went back to her previous position—resting her head on his lap.

Neither Julius nor Hazel spoke again, Hazel counted the stars above her in her head, at some point she even gave names to her favourite ones.

And maybe she was starting to get delirious due to her eyes fluttering in and out of consciousness, but she was sure enough that there was a hand brushing her curtain bangs away from her eyes.

A hand that was not hers.

But as he proceeded to glide his fingertips across her skin, she eventually fell asleep—not before hearing his phone ring, a torment to her ears, and him picking it up almost instantly, cursing the person for risking the wake of the girl.