Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: This ff uses the daily prompts created for the #Hyareth Week 2022.

Many thanks to Djcwrites and to my very efficient beta Coeurs_de_Coeurs.💜

Happy reading!❤️

Chapter III : Baby, Baby, I Need You Tonight

"Are you gonna do something about it?"

Gareth threw Daniel an empty look.

"What do you mean?"

His manager sighed wearily. "Are you gonna get your shit together?"

The unspoken question laid heavily between them.

No doubt Daniel had stayed by his side while Gareth plowed his way through hell, most probably as a favour to his grandmother.

And because, the first few times, Gareth had written his best music thought the midst of his grief and drunken stupor.

But the Smythe-Smiths' influence could only do so much as time flew, and his next album remained a vague, abstract idea... There didn't seem any point for Daniel to keep working for him if Gareth was not composing anything. And the ugly truth reared its face without any escape despite all his attempts. Was Gareth ever going to write music again?

"You could give an interview and explain how you've been and-"

"I'm not talking about her," Gareth warned in a low voice.

Truly, he wasn't. He wouldn't. He couldn't.

Every damn time, she crossed his mind, his chest was breaking, his heart dropping, his throat tightening. And even, even if he could, he was not using his sad sob story for business, neither would he use Hyacinth's name in any way.

Hyacinth.

His hands shaking, he caught his tumbler and swallowed its contents in a large gulp. The mere thought of her name hurt.

Because Gareth had fallen in love. And love, just as fame, had proved to be a fickle mistress.

And when he had needed Hyacinth to stand by him, she was gone.

"I think I would rather not have a father at all."

Her arms were holding his neck, as she tried to comfort him, pressing her delicious little body against his back.

And all he wanted was to move from the piano, throw her down and fit himself in-between her lovely legs.

"It's okay Hyacinth, it was a long time ago."

"Still," she nibbled at his neck, making him sigh in satisfaction.

Trust Hyacinth to always talk. She couldn't be quiet for a whole minute, which worked perfectly for Gareth. He hated silence with a passion, as it reminded him of past, sad years. A time when George had been sent away, and couldn't protect him from his father, who had decided Gareth wasn't meant to study further. He wasn't worth the investment, had sneered his father.

Funny how he still referred to the man as his father. But Gareth had never known any other fatherly figure, both his grandfathers were dead, as was his uncle Edward. Richard St. Clair was sadly the only father he had ever had. And Gareth definitely held him responsible for all his bad choices.

As her lips trailed on his nape, he put the pen down. Music could wait.

Kissing Hyacinth on the other hand...

He turned his head, his husky breath all over her jaw.

"Shall we put that mouth to better use?"

Hyacinth smiled, stepping back a bit. "Haven't I kissed you enough?"

"Sweetheart, it's never enough."

And it wasn't. Few things held as much appeal as kissing her whole body.

Gareth saw her biting her bottom lip, as she pondered her decisions. He lighty stroked her hands, hoping she would stay tonight.

But she never did. He could kiss her however much he wanted, he could lavish her neck and her mouth with his desire. Still, Hyacinth never stayed the night.

"I need you," he whispered in a soft murmur.

He could see her hesitation. He could feel how close she was to accepting. Yet she always rebuttoned her dress shirt and arose from his laps with a willful smile, ready to call a cab home.

Gareth was pretty sure he knew the reason. Hyacinth was still so young, behaving very much like a tomboy. She wasn't who most men would envision as their girlfriend. And even if she was, her wit and sharp tongue, not to mention her clever mind, frightened most men. Only a brave man, or a fool, one who thought he could keep up with her, would think to claim her. Of making her fall for him.

And in the light of her inexperience, he waited with as much patience as he could muster. He would wait for her, even if had never done so in the past. Because Hyacinth wasn't like his usual conquests. She was his friend, which was a first and definitely made her worth the wait. Especially since all he wanted was for her to feel ready, to trust him- he had more than enough experience for the both of them to handle the rest of the matter.

"And Gareth knew that on the day he would finally have her, all of her- he would die a happy man.

Oh, he was a mad man. Putting all his hopes and desires on such a young girl; almost a woman, still a child.

"Gareth..."

"Hyacinth-"

She made a face, fixing a point behind his shoulder.

"Gareth... I'm not... I mean-"

"I know," he started to say soothingly but she interrupted him with a frown stepping back even more.

"What do you mean, you know?"

"Well, obviously..."

His hands moved slowly in-between them, as he tried to put his suspicious thoughts into words.

"You haven't done this a lot."

"And you have, is that what you mean?"

He nodded slowly. This was a very fine line he was threading on. Hyacinth would have his head of he wasn't respectful enough. If he only so much as hinted at his desire to possess her. Even though it was the plain truth. Gareth was only a man.

"It's not the same with you," he finally answered.

The words surprised him too, but they were true nonetheless.

A soft smile crossed her features.

"Gareth..."

For a few seconds, Gareth wondered if there was more than simple fear behind her decisions to flee every night. He shuddered, swallowing heavily. Goodness, he hoped not.

"It's okay, I'll be gentle."

His fingers caught her wrists, traced patterns on her open palms. He would be.

He would kiss her, down her throat, her breasts, her hips, until he reached her-

"Gareth, I have- That is, I am-"

And finally he understood.

"Oh."

Hyacinth had reddened, her eyes not meeting his surprised glance. Were all the men blind? Were they all stupid to not have seen, not have fallen for this sweet girl? Was he stupid for wanting her so much?

As he kissed her goodbye, caressing his mouth with the tip of his tongue, Gareth couldn't quite believe it.

He had to have her. He had to.

Because, if indeed, she was a virgin, what better way to tie her to him?

He would teach her all he knew, give her such pleasure, she would be ruined for anyone else. He would make sure she never lacked for anything. She would be happy, and he would be too. As long as he had her. His better half, his only redeeming quality, the very girl his father had taunted him with.

A small smile etched on his face as he fell back on his bed. He didn't even bother with a drink, feeling quite exhilarated without the need for alcohol. Or even a smoke.

For once, life seemed to smile upon him. Gareth couldn't help but fear for the other shoe to drop. For it to go all wrong again.

He was pretty sure someone had written his story already, and it pretty much sucked shit.

But still, he hoped. He dared to hope he could have it all. He could have Hyacinth Bridgerton. Or he would die trying.

Hyacinth Bridgerton belonged with him. He needed her, and he needed her now.

"Hugh, you remember Gareth."

They shook their hands, Hugh's face grim.

"I normally don't bother with celebrities, but Daniel had called in a favour."

Gareth's arched a brow. "I normally don't bother with shrinks either but Daniel put a condition to remain in my employ..."

"Well, Freddie isn't exactly a shrink, St Clair," Hugh said as he turned slowly, preceding them to his brother's study.

"Is there a fancy flowered word for his work then? Helping scum like junkies and drunks?"

Daniel shot him a warning glare. "Behave Gareth."

He gave him a lop-sided grin. "I am on my best behaviour."

Although his hands tightened on his cane, Hugh ignored him, knocking on a heavily wooden door. "He awaits you. Just be nice enough, he's probably handled worse than you."

He nodded twice their way, before going back to the sitting room. "Sarah awaits me. She believes attending as many concertos as possible would be good for the baby."

Gareth's throat clenched painfully. Even Hugh, despite his injury, could find a woman to love him. Could father a child, and be invested into it even before its birth. Could be sure of his own bloody bloodline. Had been deemed worthy enough to have parents, two parents, and now had even a family.

Fuck. Was he so wretched a human being? Did he even care?

Daniel had seemed to catch on his distraught thoughts, his face somber as hepushed the door open.

"I believe you're Gareth St. Clair."

The voice was soothing, the calm eerie, as Gareth snorted. "I wouldn't be so sure to be honest."

Seated behind a plain wooden desk, Freddie Prentice smiled at him. "I believe we shall soon find out."