Feeling the tingling feel of the tears sliding down his cheek, Harley reached a hand to his eyes and wiped away his tears.
Penelope suddenly appeared at the end of the corridor, walking towards him. He quickly wiped off his tears before standing up almost immediately.
“Oh. Still awake Harley?” She asked as she stopped right in front of him, instantly noticing his slightly wet eyelashes.
“Oh yeah I.. was just checking on Hope.” He smiled slightly as he pointed at the door behind him. “She uh.. we didn’t meet after we completed our duty, so I just wanted to see her… but she’s asleep.”
“Oh.” She nodded slowly as she watched him slightly avoid her eyes. “I came to see her too. Since she is asleep, I’ll sleep next to her. I really just wanted to sleep next to her.” Penelope chuckled as she shrugged her shoulders, getting Harley to force on a smile and nod his head in agreement.
“Okay.” He nodded. “I’ll go back now… goodnight.” He smiled and waved slightly as Penelope waved back before he turned from her and walked towards his room.
A frown made its way to Penelope’s lips as she watched Harley leave and disappear at a corner. She turned to the door and opened it, only to reveal a Hope who seemed to have just jumped into bed.
“I can see you’re wide awake.” She pointed out as Hope sighed out and sat up.
“I am now.” She frowned as she watched Penelope walk closer. “did you want anything?”
“I came to check up on you since you weren’t around nearly half of the entire day.” She sighed out as she threw herself onto the bed, stretching out her limbs as a yawn escaped her lips. “plus on top of that, Harley was a bit edgy today. He seemed happy about something and a bit sad about something. He didn’t tell me what it was so I didn’t ask. Then so suddenly I find him at your doorstep.” She explains as Hope glanced away, shoving the strands around her face to her ear.
“was he… normal or sad?” Hope asked hesitantly as she glanced down at her sister facing the ceiling, with her long dark brown hair spread across the bed.
“I think you could guess.” Penelope said as she sat up and glanced down at the love bites on her sister’s neck and shoulders. “I might not know what’s going on between you two but I have a hunch. Something serious happened between you two and Ace as caused a much bigger issue.” She explained and Hope bit onto her lower lip as she glanced down at her fingers. “I can tell that you mated with Ace. He bit you all over and it’s obvious he’s trying to make a statement to Harley.”
Hope remained silent as she kept her eyes to her fingers as she laced and unlaced them continuously.
“What happened between you and Harley?” Penelope asked in curiosity with a soft voice, not wanting to sound too demanding even though she was just dying to hear it.
“well…” she cleared her throat as she pressed her lips together. “we… well it got cold in the warehouse and Harley offered to heat me up like always, but this time it was more uncomfortable, but I managed to ignore it, so did he.” She sighed out shakily as she felt her cheeks warm up. “we went out and he began talking about how if he kissed me, I would love him…”
“And then?” Penelope asked with wide eyes as she stared at Hope who fidgeted with the words.
“He kissed me. For demonstration but I felt more uncomfortable and stopped it.” She said only to have Penelope squirrel in excitement.
“Harley kissed you!?” she gasped in shock. “that’s… that’s so unexpected of him but also a good thing… well I mean, that is if you love him.”
“that’s the problem.” Hope groaned out in nervousness. “I’m only uncomfortable around him now.”
“he seems to like you a lot than I thought.” Penelope chuckled as she shrugged her shoulders. “he was even crying by the door after he got out of the room. Now I know why, he’s like that…” she nodded slowly as Hope frowned deeply, feeling the nagging feeling of guilt eat at her from within. “I shouldn’t ask but… why Ace?” she asked so suddenly, taking Hope aback as she stared at her sister who seemed concerned. Hope glanced away in shame and bit onto her lower lip a little harshly.
“When I went to Acest place it was just to clear out my head from what happened between me and Harley. I felt awkward and wanted to get my mind off of it.” She explained as she glanced up at her sister who still stared at her. “he then kissed me just to run things from my mind but it didn’t work the first time until he kissed me again. Then things escalated from there and I discovered that I wasn’t being fair to Harley a little too late after I regained my senses.” She sighed out, running a hand through her hair. “I pretended to sleep when he walked in because I was too afraid to face him with the marks… I knew he’d notice since I’m pink all over… I don’t even know how I can face him…”
“at least tell him you’re sorry.” Penelope suggested as she reached over to her sister’s arm and placed her hand on top of Hope’s hand, softly massaging Hope’s knuckles with her thumb. “as much as I know Harley, this won’t be enough to force him to give up.”
“You think he won’t be mad?” Hope asked with a deep frown. “so why do I feel like he’s reached his limit?” she asked with a rusty voice as she gazed down at her palm. “I’ve never made Harley cry before… so this is the first time he’s ever cried because of me. Plus, Harley never cries often unless he thinks about his sister. That only means I must have really pushed him hard.”
“whatever the case-,” Penelope started as she smiled slightly. “Say sorry and I know Harley will understand.”