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Charlie's POV
The next day I spent most of the morning in the hotel room by myself while Harry went to the gym then did some last minute touches at the gallery. Around lunch time I got bored so I just got dressed and went out to get some food then stopped by the gallery to bring him some. He was supposed to come back to eat with me, but he texted me saying that he was going to be a little longer than he thought so I thought I would just bring lunch to him.
The whole gallery had changed a lot since yesterday and all of the paintings were finally up but there was still a curtain over the final piece which he was apparently going to reveal later tonight at the opening. Everything looked fit for a cocktail party and the atmosphere was already amazing so I couldn't imagine what it would be like during the actual party with the lights shining on each piece.
"Charlie? What are you doing here?"
I looked over and smiled softly when I saw Harry walking over with some paint on his hands and a little bit on his face as well.
"I brought you some food. Why are you covered in paint?" I asked.
"Oh, one of the interns messed up one of the canvases so I had to fix it. That's why I had to stay. Thank you for bringing food though. I'm starving." He said as he took the food and immediately started to eat it as he went over to the curators desk to have a place to sit.
"I figured you would be too busy to eat and I didn't want you to get sick later." I said as I followed him over and sat on the desk. "This place works great by the way."
"Thanks. It turned out just how I wanted it." He smiled. "I might be here a little too late to go back and get dressed so would you be willing to bring my suit here an hour before the opening?" He asked.
"Of course." I smile softly. "You should really clean up that paint though. I'll find something to get it off."
I got off the desk then walked over to the bathroom to get a wet paper towel with soap and another without so I could clean the soap off. I walked back over to Harry and stood in front of him, having him look up at me as I started to gently wash the paint from his face. I was so focused on what I was doing that I didn't see his hands reach out to grab my legs, letting out a small squeak of surprise as he suddenly pulled me onto his lap so I was straddling him. My cheeks flush from the position we found ourselves in.
"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to hide my nerves but my voice shook a little.
"Nothing." He smiled sweetly, but his actions were anything but sweet. He leaned in closer and my breath caught in my throat as he placed a soft kiss right on my sweet spot which only he had ever been allowed to find. My heart rate picked up and I found myself gripping onto his shoulders as he gently nipped on the skin, but thankfully I managed to find the will power to push him back.
"I can't... I have to go. I'll bring your suit." I said as I got up then left before he could say anything.
Harry's POV
"Charlie, wait." I said, but of course she ignored me and left the building.
A deep sigh fell from my lips as I put my head in my hands and rubbed my face. I knew it was a bad idea to do that but I couldn't help myself. She was just being so sweet and adorable that I couldn't help but pull her in and kiss her sun kissed skin. I thought we were making progress but it was obvious that she was still afraid of trusting me like that again and it killed me knowing that it was my own damn fault that she was like this.
I ended up only eating half the food she brought before giving the rest to the intern who had been sick since the accident happened with the painting despite how much I assured her that it was okay. She thankfully ate and I went back to work finishing up the mistake she made. They were lucky that they had my paints at a shop in town otherwise I would have had to scrap the piece all together.
It soon came time for Charlie ro bring my suit and I was almost nervous that she had flat out left and went back home, but a few minutes later she came walking through the door in her full outfit looking beautiful as ever. There was an awkward interaction between us as she handed over the suit and I took it then watched her go off to get a drink from the minibar. A small sigh fell from my lips and I reluctantly went into the bathroom to get ready. By the time I finished there were already a few people arriving and I grabbed myself a drink to calm my nerves. Unfortunately I was soon being asked questions by the art enthusiasts who came to see my work and was unable to talk to Charlie much, but eventually I was able to break away from them just before my speech and immediately went over to her as she was about to leave.
"Charlie, just wait. Please. Just stay until after the last one is revealed. It's really important." I begged as I grabbed her hand to keep her from moving.
"Harry, I-"
"Please?" I asked again.
She sighed then nodded and I kissed her cheek quickly before heading up onto the small stage that was set up next to the last piece that was just big enough for me to stand on. I took a deep breath before finally getting into the speech.
Charlie's POV
I stood at the back of the crowd as I watched him start his speech by thanking everyone for coming, but it was when he began to explain that each of the paintings told a piece of a story that my focus locked in on his words.
"-It's a story about love and heartbreak. Two kids meeting for the first time, becoming friends, then growing into something more. It's about breaking the heart of the one you love, and trying everything you can to fix it..."
His gaze found mine as he said the word 'love' and I could feel it all sinking in. Now that I thought more about it I realized that each one of his paintings reminded me of a memory we shared together. A beautiful lake painting, an abstract that felt like heartache to me which must have represented the night he left.
"This is my story... The night I made love to her and she told me she loved me, but instead of telling her that I felt the same way I ran because I was scared that I would lose her in the end..."
The painting of a girl who was asleep came to mind as he said that and I knew that he must have done it shortly after I fell asleep that night.
"-and this final painting represents the night of my senior prom. The night that I left my girlfriend at the time to be with the one I truly loved instead... She looked so beautiful in that red dress and I never got the chance to tell her that..."
He pulled the curtain away and I saw a beautiful painting of a girl in a red dress that looked exactly like the one I had worn the night of prom. She was running towards the eiffel tower in Paris, a place I had always wanted to visit. Harry knew that.
I suddenly felt like I couldn't breathe and stepped outside into the rain that had started some time during the party. There was no way that he loved me.
"Charlie! Please wait." I heard him call before he grabbed onto my hand and turned me to face him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I know it was stupid for me to run from my feelings, but they haven't gone away and I'm ready now, Charlie. I just hope that you are. God, I just love you so damn much and I want to be with y-"
Before he could say anything else I cupped his cheeks and pulled his lips to mine in a passionate kiss which he immediately returned. His hands grabbed onto my waist and the next thing I knew my back was to the wall of the building and his hands were against the wall behind me as he blocked me in. The kiss was intense, but absolutely perfect because the rain was falling down on us and we had both talked about wanting a kiss in the rain when we were younger.
Harry was the first one to pull away and he looked down at me for a moment, bringing his hand to my cheek as he kissed me again but this time it was a softer kiss. I welcomed the gentle kiss and moved my hands down to his sides to pull his body against mine.
"Let's get out of here." He mumbled against my lips.
"But your party isn't over yet." I said, though I had no problem with leaving at all.
"I did everything I needed to do. Tony can take care of the rest." He said, referring to the curator.
I nodded slightly, allowing him to hail down a cab that took us back to the hotel. The whole ride we stole glances at each other, both of us itching to be alone at the moment. When we finally got to the hotel he paid for the ride then pulled me inside to the elevator where we thankfully got into an empty one.
The second the doors closed I was against the wall once more with his lips on my neck, kissing and sucking on my skin which caused soft moans to fall from my lips as I ran my fingers through his hair. He let out a hum of appreciation at the action and it wasn't until the doors opened that he pulled back, grabbing my hand once more as we rushed to our room.
Within seconds of opening the door our clothes were coming off and our lips were furiously moving together in sync. Before I could even process what was happening we were on the bed and he kissed my neck a little then pulled back, confusing me when he just stared at me.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing... I just want to do this right this time. We have all the time in the world so let's take this slow. I want you to remember this and truly enjoy it." He said softly as he brushed some hair from my face.
"Okay.." I whispered, watching him lean down as he placed his lips on mine.
As he promised this one was much more gentle and meaningful, his hands gently caressing my body in such a simple yet pleasurable way.
I soon found myself in a state of absolute bliss as he finally placed one last kiss on my lips before rolling off me. Both of us took a moment to catch our breaths, letting everything sink in for a moment before he finally spoke up.
"I love you, Charlie."
I looked over to find him staring back at me with such love and honesty in his eyes. I couldn't help but lean over and kiss him one more time.
"I love you, too."

Notes