ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘹

♛♛♛

Fairytales didn't exist in the world we lived in. Happiness was rare, sadness was evident, and feeling numb was what all anyone could feel.

You could be happy for a second, for a minute, for a moment.

But once reality hits, once life hits, all of that happiness drains.

For the entire day Hazel has been working, helping patients, stitching them up, cleaning wounds—you name it and Hazel's done it.

But for every single second of the day, every patient that passed and every time her mind got distracted, those distractions would be replaced with thoughts of Julius.

It was all she could think about. As if he were tattooed into her mind, scarred into her head.

Every motion he made that was both appealing and dreamily unsettling was replayed in her memory. The scar across his eyebrow arose her attention a little more each time she saw him.

Because of how low his voice was, the melody of his deep voice always soothed her. His words comforted her as well, even though they were unemotional but still utterly sweet, like sugar.

Hazel's crush was growing stronger, and judging by the number of books she'd read and movies she'd seen, she wasn't blind to the reality that she was falling in love.

Falling in love with her best friend.

Hazel was unsure of how he felt. Surely the almost kiss meant something? Or maybe she was just imagining him leaning in, she built a picture in her mind and it magically became reality.

But maybe she wasn't. Maybe he was leaning too, willingly.

Sighing, she brought the end of the pen to her mouth while she continued to be deep in thought.

Tonight her parents would be home, she knew this because they had mentioned it this morning. Which also meant that she would be bracing herself for a night of distracting yells and whispers and songs and—

"You've got one last patient for the night, Hazel."

Hazel looked up at the older woman, nodding and ordering to bring them in.

She rose up and turned around, adjusting her scrubs. She heard the door open and close as she was cleaning her hands.

When Hazel turned around, she had her comforting smile plastered across her mouth, ready to console whoever had been injured.

But the person who sat on the hospital bed, seemingly at ease, was the polar opposite of what Hazel had anticipated.

"Juls?" She walked over to him, casually strolling over to him and scrutinising his hard, stone-cold expression. His jaw was locked, and the muscle in his jaw ticked. He was upset.

"What's happened—

She gasped before her words could be finished. Immediately she rushed to his side and pulled her hand to his blood, soaked shirt.

"My goodness," In disbelief, Hazel shook her head and immediately got to work on his cut.

Julius didn't speak a word, aware of her distressed demeanour. Hazel cleaned the cut, inspected it in case it needed to be stitched.

It didn't.

She bandaged it and then cleaned around the wound.

"May I ask what happened this time?" She peered up at him, hesitant with her eyes.

"One of the men I fought snuck in a knife."

And then she gasped again. Her eyes watered helplessly and her hand instantly came to the wound.

"W-Why? Can't he get arrested or something? Gosh, I can't believe how much you get hurt, Julius. What happens when one day the injury is far worse than the normal cuts?"

The man was left speechless by Hazel's small panic vent. It was as if he was absorbing her concern for him, immersing himself in the care and the large teary eyes that was like that for him.

Hazel was abruptly grabbed by the hips and dragged onto his lap, where she reflexively wrapped her thighs around his torso.

Heat began to build up all throughout her body. It started in her legs and ran up her inner thighs and up her arms till it reached her heart, cheeks, and hands, which tingled with every fibre.

"What did I say last night, hm?" His words were firm but quiet. The dominant tone had her nearly kneeling to the floor, unsure why she was so submissive to his words.

"Not to worry about you," She mumbled, still, her hand lingered around his wound, making sure she wouldn't injure him more.

"Exactly." He said. Lifting her chin, his eyes intensely stared into hers and she felt her whole body melt.

"I didn't come here to worry you. I came because I trust you." His words were once again firm, this time it was also evident how sincere they were. As if trusting anyone was impossible to him, but somehow she managed for him to gain her trust.

She found herself nodding slowly, every word slowly swimming around her mind.

"Do you like the rain?" She changed the subject, not significantly but she was somewhat too disturbed to focus on his pain any longer. She was desperate to not cry.

So desperate.

"Sometimes." Hazel smiled at his response and nodded. "Me too."

Julius kept his grasp on her and stared into her eyes as if there was no tomorrow, and that Hazel was the only thing in this life worth seeing for the last time.

Every time he looked at her, it felt like that. It made her fall even harder. And she knew her feelings would erupt and splatter across the table like word vomit sooner or later.

"I'll be leaving again tomorrow."

Hazel was overrun by his words. The sadness that crept up into her chest and heart, the sigh that longed to escape her lips.

When they met, she knew he was only here for business; he didn't live here and only came here a few times for work. Or perhaps he was around because of Hazel.

"How long this time?" She ran her palms up his chest, feeling the muscle beneath her fingertips and the soft skin that beckoned her to embrace it.

All this confidence came out of nowhere, but she supposed it was just how comfortable she was around him now, especially because they were best friends.

"It's longer." He admitted, licking his matte lips moist. They glistened red, Hazel had to look away before she could embarrassingly lean in again.

She gave him a look. One that said, "tell me, I'll be fine." but Julius wasn't having it.

"When I'm back, I'll take you out again. We'll go for dinner, lunch, breakfast, whatever you want." He turned his head to one side, surveying her with silver eyes that somewhat softened in a way Hazel never thought they would be.

"Promise me." She said. Heart clenching in his bare hands.

He observed her for a while, his chest rising and falling halting for a brief moment before returning. His jaw stopped ticking, and his softened gaze went hard again as his grip tightened around her waist.

"I promise." He leant closer momentarily, his lips touching her cheek, before slowly sinking them down, leaving Hazel craving more.

She closed her eyes, taking in the kiss that was poured from his heart onto her cheek.

"You'll have to do one on both cheeks to secure the promise." She blurted out. Heat flooded to her cheeks but no shame was in her eyes. She meant every word.

Pulling back slightly, his lips tugged up the slightest bit and then he leaned back over to the other side, pressing those plump, cool lips onto her warm cheek.

When he drew back, his eyes glowed a lighter silver, and his pupils dilated as well. Her heartbeat was quicker, and her lips curved into a beaming smile. As she leaned her head against his chest, the smile made her cheeks pop with its red tinge, her eyes squinted at the sides, and her lips let out a small laugh.

"I'll miss you," She whispered. His lips went to her hair, grazing her ear too. "Won't be long." He assured her, though it didn't make her feel better. All she wanted to do was stay in his arms forever.

While still resting her head on his chest, she looked down at the time on his watch, being reminded it was the end of her shift.

"I'm finishing up now,"

Lifting her head, he caught her eyes and nodded as he stood easily, still with Hazel in his arms.

She giggled and clutched onto him tightly. "Are you going to put me down?"

Glancing at her once, he shook his head while opening the door. "No."

With that, he strode right out of the room with pure confidence and poise.

Walking right past the few coworkers left around, she ducked her head in between his shoulder and neck trying to stifle her laughter.

"I need to clock out," She whispered into his ear. As she talked, she could feel his hands tighten, and he didn't say anything but went towards the reception desk.

Hazel felt a twinge of pride as they walked past Elaine, who gazed at Hazel and him with total disbelief that quickly faded to an image of envy.

Julius lowered her to the ground, his hands still encircling her waist. She bowed and began writing down her completion time and signature.

She dropped the pen and turned in her position, where she was immediately greeted by piercing, silver eyes.

"Do you want to get dinner?" She asked, stepping forward, taking his hand and guiding them away from the gazes around them.

As they stepped outside, Hazel stopped as she felt Julius's hand tighten around hers. He took their hands, lifted them and spun Hazel around. She giggled softly and grinned, her face flushed.

"I'm going to cook for you." He gave her a look that made her smile wider. It wasn't anything specific; it was simply the look he gave her regularly. Although emotionless, there is a hint of warmth to the cold.

"Really? At your home?" She giddily glided her fingers through his, guiding him to her car.

"Mhm." He followed behind her, watching her short self become happier by the second.

"Yay! This is exciting, I've always wondered what your house looked like..."

Suddenly her steps halted, embarrassment filling her cheeks as she turned around to apologise.

"Not that I often think about what your home looks like," She rambled off and if it wasn't for Julius stepping forward, his smell engulfing her, she would've been saying much more to embarrass herself further.

"I know." He simply replied with a slight tilt of his head. "You can follow my car, yeah?"

She nodded and took her keys out of her tote bag. "Just don't go too fast," She looked up, giving him eyes that said she couldn't keep up with his fast driving if he did so.

"I won't." He assured, stepping to the side. She nodded and unlocked her car, sliding into the seat. Julius closed her door for her and then crossed the parking lot over to his car.

Hazel sunk back in her seat with a smile on her face. She was expecting the worst of the worst tonight. That was before Julius came along and managed to turn all of her assumptions into putty.

Yes, when she got home she'd have to go back to reality. But while she's out with Julius, in his home, eating dinner he made for her, she'll be completely blocked out of that reality and only living the dream of it.

His sports car's headlights switched on, and the sound of his car filled the parking lot, as well as her ears.

Hazel cranked up the music, drumming her fingers on the driving wheel in time, and followed Julius out onto the freeway.

He stood by his word. Never exceed the speed limit and kept as close as possible to her.

They drove for a few more minutes, the drive was roughly 30 minutes and his home seemed to be just outside of town.

Passing through a cluster of woods, through concealed residences and mailboxes, eventually arriving at a large home isolated off from the rest of the neighbourhood.

It was hidden a long way down the road, coming to a halt right at the end. The house was concealed by ebony gates that were narrow yet tall, with prickly spikes on the ends pointing to the sky.

Julius's hand emerged from the window, holding a little remote and pointing it straight towards the gates.

As they opened, Hazel looked in awe as lights flickered from the trees, casting little spotlights across the pathway leading through the gates.

From what Hazel could see, he drove straight through them, his elbow resting on the windowsill, as he sped past them at rapid speed.

She trailed after, circling the car around a water fountain that blasted a rainbow of colours into its pool.

She came to a halt behind him, cut the engine, and stepped out with her tote bag.

Julius exited his car at the same time, locking it and turned to face her.

"Okay?" He asked her once her feet were almost touching his. She smiled and nodded, eyes looking away from him and towards the building in white.

Wow.

It looked more like a mansion than a house.

Outside, there were decks at the very top of the building, with white railings to match the rest of the house. The entrance doors, like the large but short staircase going up to them, were white and roomy.

Julius took her hand in his and led the way to that particular staircase, stepping in front of her. With his broad shoulders shifting with each stride and his towering, imposing frame, he was sure to bring the entire world to its knees.

When they arrived at the front door, she discovered a digitally imprinted iPad on the wall. When he pressed it once, a keypad appeared, and she shifted next to him to watch him enter in a code.

"What's this?" She looked from the screen to him.

"Security."

The door unlocked and Julius lead her inside.

"Do you have a lot of enemies?" She tightened her hold on his hand as the room was dark. The area looked huge, which was scarier.

The door clicked shut behind them and before he turned the lights on, he answered. "Too many."

Her eyes widened as she gazed at the beautiful home. Polished marble surfaces, black and leather furnishings, and a grand staircase.

On his walls were works of art by some of the world's most famous artists, which stunned Hazel to the point where she went forward and gaped like a child on Christmas morning.

"Like it?" He approached her, adjusting the far too bright room. He dimmed it until it was just right for him, somewhere between low and high.

"Love it." She smiled. Her footsteps echoed softly throughout the house, they were cautious as if she was about to break them with each step.

"Come on, angel." He whispered lowly, taking her hand and leading her once again into another room.

They proceeded through a hallway before turning right into another darkened room. The lights were turned on, and a golden chandelier hung in the room's centre.

A spacious dark kitchen was situated on the right and a dining room table was far to the left of the space. Hazel and Julius parted ways as she walked over to the dining table and ran her fingertips across the oak, while Julius fired up the stove and rummaged through the refrigerator for ingredients.

"So beautiful," She whispered under her breath, glancing between walls, tables, chairs and everything.

"I've always loved big homes. Small ones make me feel too obscured." Turning to him, his eyes found hers from across the room.

"Obscured?" He questioned, taking an onion and beginning to cut it quite skilfully.

Sighing, she kept her head down as she sat across from him on a stool.

"My home makes me feel like I'm too small for the world. I feel like when I need to escape, there isn't a way out."

His movements stopped for a moment, his fingers clenching around the knife handle.

"Are they getting too much for you?" He asked and dropped all the chopped pieces of onion into a pan. Hazel fell silent for a minute, she kept her gaze down and stared hard at the floor.

"They're always too much, Juls."

As the words fell from her lips, he paused his motions. When she looked up at the same time, he had hardened his demeanour, but she only caught a glimpse of it before he turned around.

"Are they abusive?" As he chopped more ingredients, he swivelled his head around. Hazel's heart sank to her stomach, and she averted her gaze from his focused stare while her mind raced with thoughts.

"Not really." She muttered under her breath, shifting uncomfortably in her spot.

All preparation from the kitchen now completely stopped. Julius put down the knife and wiped his hands on a rag as he stormed around the kitchen, heading straight for her.

Already feeling the nerves prickle up her veins, she spun around on the stool and gasped as he caged her in with both arms.

"It's a yes or no question, Hazel." He tenderly gripped her chin, which didn't match the harsh stare he gave her—it made her feel uneasy, almost as if she were being interrogated for a crime.

Instead, she realised, he was being protective.

"Yes. My mothers only hit me twice. But that was it, it's not a daily occurrence." She tried to reassure him, not wanting him to be angry any further.

Well, she was wrong.

Glancing to his hands that fisted the marble stone countertop beside her, she placed her hands over his and gently rubbed at them.

"She hit you?" He repeated, tone a whisper but so dark—it was almost terrifying. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering, she nodded slowly while remaining eye contact with him.

"Fuck, Hazel," He shook his head and leaned back, creating space between them. Her thumbs hasn't stopped soothing him, and he hadn't removed his hand either.

"You've never reported this?" He looked at her with nothing but a slight crease between his brows told her he was concerned.

"Never. I don't want them to get in trouble, I know they drink for reasons it's their only escape."

He chuckled dryly which left her to innocently frown with confusion.

"Not an excuse, Hazel. They shouldn't hurt you. You shouldn't be living with alcoholics."

She breathed out a breath of frustration but couldn't help but leave her heart to beat wildly at the thought of someone caring. It truly made her feelings deepen more, all the more reason to fall for him.

"That's why I'm working all the time. I'm trying to save up so I can get out of there." She ran her fingers through her hair once, breathing a sigh and shaking her head after.

The silence was left in the kitchen. Other than the pan sizzling and the silent man's steps moving from one end of the kitchen to the other was all that could be heard. A background noise perhaps.

She couldn't tell whether he was angry or not. He didn't look at her once, his face expressionless. Now Hazel felt appalling.

Did she manage to scare him away? Was it too much for him, and did he want to leave and no longer be her friend? Her best friend?

Quietly, she watched him work around the kitchen. Despite everything that's happened, she was so blown away by how scrumptious his back view was.