Harv stared out over the endless rolling hills under the midday sun. After a long morning of dodging his family's questions and making last minute plans for tomorrow; it was nice to sit alone in the fields watching the goats graze in silence. Or rather, rest his eyes a bit under the guise of working and try not to think of the acidic pain growing in his stomach. Within twenty-four hours, his vague anxieties toward the wedding were starting to take a tangible shape, and he didn't like it. It was harder to ignore something that wasn't hiding in the shadows.
He could hear footsteps, human ones, maybe one of his brothers was hoping to sneak up on him. Then he caught a whiff of lavender and- oh no. He opened an eye and realized Finn really had no concept of personal space; his face nearly an inch away. How was he able to sneak up on him that quick? No one in his warrior class had been able to catch him off guard like this, not even the teachers.
Finn leaned back with a wide smile showing off some ridiculous costume that was kind of hard to stare at. The goats seemed fascinated by it at least, the way what looked like tiny scales reflected the sun off his tunic. He was holding a basket behind him, his shoulders up in a meek attempt at shy vulnerability.
"Hello darling." This was bad, this was really bad. Finn shouldn't be calling him things like that.
"What are you doing here?" Harv gripped his crook to steady his resolve. It didn't matter how sweet Finn acted towards him, he needed to turn the blond away. Even if he had to be a tad mean to do it.
"Looking for you." Finn hummed and then presented the basket toward him with pride. "What do you think?"
"About what?" The question took the wind out of Finn's sails for a moment. He looked into the basket, and lifted a pink glass bottle slightly with a frown, before putting it back.
"About taking a break for a little while. It's a nice day and I figured, well..." Finn took a step closer. "Maybe I should return the favor before it's too late."
"I can't do that Finn." He was at work, and he wasn't quite sure what exactly Finn was referring to.
"I thought you would say that." Finn frowned and reached for something in the basket.
"Listen, Finn-"
"At least have a drink with me. One drink and I'll listen to whatever you have to say." One of the goats had climbed up the steep hill and dared to take a nibble at the edge of Finn's sparkly tunic. "Hey!" Finn turned and tried to wrench his clothes from the determined goat's maw. "Let go!" Really, heels were no place for the soft grass, all they did was sink deep into the earth.
"Finn, careful!" Harv watched as the fabric tore and Finn fumbled backwards. His arm swung wildly about, the basket went flying, but there was nothing to catch Finn in time. His head smacked against a rock at the base of the tree with a deafening crack. "FINN!" The blonde moaned weakly, still somewhat conscious. Harv dropped his crook in the grass and shooed the curious animals away. Literally anything he knew about first aid left his brain the moment a small trickle of blood seeped out from behind Finn's head. The meat pies he brought lay crushed in the grass next to a shattered pink bottle and a deep red one still intact. A label, loosely attached to the base of the bottle read 'Use in case of-' and Harv couldn't be bothered to sound out the rest. This was definitely an 'in case of' kind of situation. He popped open the bottle, and poured the cool liquid in the corner of Finn's mouth. Finn swallowed the drink weakly and turned his head to the side with a sputter.
Right, you're not supposed to give unconscious people food or drink. What was he thinking!? He threw the bottle into the grass. What was he supposed to do next? Check a pulse? Breathing?
Thankful Finn opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the discarded bottles.
"Harvey, what happened?" He tried to sit up too soon and swooned at a sudden wave of dizziness. Harv caught him before he could hit the rock a second time.
"You tripped. Are you okay? You didn't breathe in any of that stuff did you?"
"What stuff? What are you-" Finn's hand traced the source of the ache in his head. Just a scratch, maybe a bruise, but he would be fine as soon as he could shake the pain that radiated from it.
"I don't know what was in the bottles you brought." Finn's eyes widened at the destroyed lunch.
"You gave that to me!?" Finn looked back at him more fearful than Harv had ever seen.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to do."
"Which one?" Finn pleaded. Harv looked at the bottles, both clearing as red liquid soaked into the grass. They both looked the same.
"I'm not sure. It said 'use' on it." Finn curled up, placing his forehead square against Harv's chest and tried to choke back some sort of cry. "Are you alright?" Finn pulled away, and blinked back a few tears with steely resolve. The next thing he knew there was a hand gripping the front of his shirt, another at the back of his head tangled around his dreads and a pair of determined lips smashed against his. It was a short, clumsy sort of kiss, Finn missed most of Harv's bottom lip. Finn pulled back, readjusted the angle of his face and dove back in. This time, he was able to meet his target. A light nibble at his bottom lip and soon Harv felt the tip of Finn's tongue lick at his own.
It must have been wine in the bottle, judging by the taste.
Finn seemed pretty eager to share what little wine he had, though his motions were slow, deliberate. Harv could feel Finn's temperature increase through his clothes, under the sparkles, the fabric was surprisingly thin. He was breathing shallower now, less needy. Harv followed him down into the grass as he tried to lay Finn down gently on a more comfortable surface. Though it was kind of hard to move with a whole person clinging to his front. Finn pulled away for a few breaths, his eyes darker, and he moved to place a few pliant kisses against Harv's neck. One of Finn's legs had come up to hook around Harv's hip to lift up his lower back as he nibbled as his ear and jawline.
"I..." Finn paused; his voice ghosted against the shell of Harv's ear. "I don't know what to do." He sounded so unsure, so vulnerable. It was enough to get Harv to pull away. Finn was looking up at him surrounded by wild grass, face and neck flushed, waiting for Harv to say something. "You have to tell me what to do, I-" Finn's hands unwound from Harv's hair and traced a slow firm path down his neck and shoulders. "I've never gotten this far."
What was he doing!?
"Finn, I'm so sorry." Guilt hit him like a bucket of ice water. Finn's lips were puffy from him reciprocating whatever this was. Which shouldn't have happened at all, let alone progressed to the point they were both breathless. Harv's heart was running a mile a minute and Finn was still looking to him for answers. The more anxious Harv felt, the more Finn looked like something was breaking in front of him. Harv sat up, checked his surroundings, they were still alone. "This is all my fault."
"No, it's not Harvey." Finn tried to urge Harv back down. "What do you really think of me?" He couldn't do much to move him, other than pull himself closer to Harv. That leg, those hips, they were dangerously close to pulling Finn toward something Harv couldn't excuse away. Something Harv himself, really didn't want to address at the moment. He broke away from Finn's hold. "Please, I have to know."
"Finn... I'm getting married tomorrow." The blond was sitting up, but Harv couldn't bear to look at him anymore. It was hard enough to push Finn away when he was acting like it was all some funny joke Harv just wasn't getting. He wouldn't be able to stomach watching someone's heart break by his own hand. "It doesn't matter what I think of you, this... this can't happen again."
"It does matter." Finn shouldn't be standing too quickly, but he was certainly trying to make an effort. "Can you at least tell me if the way you feel has changed? Even a little bit?"
"...no..." Harv left Finn alone atop the hill.
This wasn't going the way Finn had wanted at all and watching Harv walk away this time made him feel like a knife was twisting in his chest. It shouldn't feel this painful to be told no. There was still plenty of time to ruin the wedding, and other strategies he could try, but... He kinda liked having Harv close to him. He wouldn't be able to do that if he did something that hurt Harv on purpose. Something about the warrior was pulling at this desire to shelter and pamper something. It was powerful and terrifying all at the same time and all the more frustrating that Harv seemingly felt nothing in return.
Some love potion, all it did was make Harv hesitate a fraction of a second before abandoning Finn again. This wouldn't have happened if his mother hadn't snuck the potion in his bag without asking him. He wouldn't have been caught off guard and distracted then. Wouldn't have felt pressured to kiss Harv in hopes he'd get even an ounce of the potion in his system. Then he could have said the right things to make Harv like him instead of babbling about things Harv had no business knowing. Things Harv didn't care about apparently. He couldn't keep sitting in the grass feeling sorry for himself.
He had a job to do.
This hill was visible from the sheep farm across the road. It wasn't uncommon for the herds to graze at the same time. If Audrey was doing her job like she was supposed to, she should have seen everything. If he could muster up enough entitlement, he should be able to make her feel like their relationship was in danger. When confronted, Harv wouldn't be able to lie, and that should be that. He just need to shake off this funk he was in, no need to be misty eyed and morose about accepting that Harv wouldn't want to talk to him ever again.
Finn smacked both of his cheeks with his hands.
He collected the things that weren't soiled by the spilled food and made his way back down the hill toward the other farm. Audrey was there, as expected, but she was facing the other way. Her shoulders tensed as he approached. He coughed to get her attention, loudly, she didn't turn around.
"Excuse me!" Finn crossed his arms. Didn't she know who she was talking to? Or rather, not talking to.
"Private property." Audrey grumbled and pointed to a sign nailed to a tree. "Go away."
"Jealous, are we?" Finn fixed his hair. It was a good thing he hit the back of his head; he couldn't show weakness here. Audrey glanced over her shoulder unimpressed and then returned to watching her flock.
"No." How rude!
"Well, you should be." Finn bit his lip. "Harv kissed me."
"Okay."
"Okay?" Finn was simply beside himself. How could she be so disinterested in what her own fiancé was doing? She should be plucking daisy petals, and writing little love notes for his lunches and any other number of things Harv deserved. He was losing focus again. "Is that all you have to say?"
"Keep him entertained for me." Audrey shrugged.
"If you care so little about him, just break off the engagement already!" Really, did he have to do everything himself? They clearly didn't like each other before. Now it was just ridiculous.
"I proposed to Harv because I knew he wouldn't touch me." She said icily. "So, unless you know of another man in town looking for a Lavender Marriage, the engagement stands." That wasn't the story he'd heard. Who had originally spun the tale of a fairytale wedding? Harv constantly looked uncomfortable discussing the topic, Audrey couldn't be bothered to lie. It was plain as day to anyone that saw them, they were both settling.
"...does he know?"
"Does who know?"
"Does Harv know." Did he know that the woman he was marrying was just looking for a meal ticket? There was no amount of feigned fidelity would change that or make him fit the role he was trying to force himself into. They were both forcing themselves to do something that didn't make them happy.
"It was his idea." Then, did that mean, Harv started the rumors? This whole thing was giving him a headache. Then again, he had just hit his head pretty good.
"If you don't break off the engagement, something terrible will happen." His mother did not take failure well. Especially when it came to the goatherders. She shrugged again, and kept watching her sheep. It was like trying to intimidate a wall or gelatin. He couldn't let this happen. He absolutely couldn't allow these two passively doom themselves like this, it was ridiculous.
You have to tell me what to do...
It would be nice if Harv could go five minutes without that moment playing over again. He had things that needed to get done today. Granted, it didn't take his full concentration to muck out the goat's pens or smelt iron for the smithy. It was just, extremely uncomfortable to keep up a neutral mask while his mind kept wandering to... that.
"Hey." Harv startled, nearly spilling molten iron on himself instead of in the mold. He set the red hot implements aside and looked up at his brother standing in the doorway. "Hoping I was someone else?" Rhodri asked.
"No." Harv said. He shouldn't feel disappointed, he shouldn't keep expecting Finn to pop up again after telling him to go away so many times.
"God, you are so full of it." Rhodri looked behind him. "Ain't that right blondie?" Rhodri laughed when he saw Harv perk up to look over his shoulder. "You're so transparent! And a bad liar," Rhodri looked at his brother with reserved pity, "mom and dad are starting to worry." Well if it doesn't rain, it pours.
"Why are they worrying!?" The point of this whole thing was so they wouldn't worry. They had been so happy yesterday too.
"Because you look like you wanna throw yourself in the ocean." Rhodri said. "Especially the last few days." Rhodri was small, but he was definitely standing in the doorway on purpose. It would be difficult for Harv to casually brush off the topic and move to the next task without physically moving Rhodri. "You gonna tell me what's really going on with you and that blonde I saw talking to Audrey?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Harv looked behind him, the window was too small to climb through and evening was just around the corner. If he played his cards right, he could make a graceful exit for dinner.
"About this tall, was wearing your clothes this morning, that blonde." Rhodri held his hand up to his chin. "Absolutely dripping in money judging by the accent. You planning on telling me why someone like that is trying to follow you around like a lost puppy? Because they seem plenty eager to talk about it with anyone that is willing to listen."
"All I did was save them." He honestly didn't know why Finn was so insistent on following him around, even after Harv had explained to him that he definitely wasn't in love with Harv. It was just temporary. It would go away and- Well now that he thought about it, Finn never outwardly said anything about 'love' exactly. He just constantly craved Harv's company and physically contact. Which most people didn't ask of him, at least, not so directly. Was that the sort of thing that would fade with time, or... If it wasn't for the furnace in the room, he would have felt his face grow warm.
"No, you didn't. Something else happened!" Rhodri looked up to the sky for patience. "If you want me to be able to lie for you, because again you're bad at it, I have to know what I'm lying about." Of course his brother wouldn't be satisfied with nothing answers, it was just... This wasn't exactly something he'd been the most comfortable thinking about, let alone planning on talking to someone about directly. Especially his own family. But Rhodri was good at keeping secrets, this wasn't the kind of thing that he'd hold over someone's head. Besides, he needed someone else's take on this, because he was honestly starting to feel like he was going mad.
"Nothing happened, really, but..." Maybe God would be merciful and strike him down where he stood. Rhodri wasn't letting anything go beyond his notice right now, he might as well be on trial. "Finn wanted something to happen though, a lot, a... romantic kind of something. I've been trying to get him to come to his senses without, well, hurting him." He'd botched that up quite nicely. In the last twenty-four hours Finn had gained a concussion and a broken heart and here they were talking about it behind his back like busy bodies. It was Harv's worst nightmare inflicted on someone else. He felt awful.
"Was he not paying enough?"
"RHODRI!"
"What?" Rhodri shrugged. "Did you not think to ask for a reward? You could have had a sack of gold for saving his life." Harv knew for a fact that his brother was implying something else, he just had no proof of it. "Which reminds me, does the wedding have a price? I think we could make bank if we hold it for ransom; someone seems very upset by the prospect of sharing."
"Rhodri, don't joke about those kinds of things."
"Who said I'm joking?" Rhodri shook his head. "Blondie offered three thousand gold if I talked you into ditching your fiancé." That was the price of a castle!
"Rhodri, you didn't." His brother looked at him smugly.
"I didn't make any promises. After all; there's mom and dad to consider, the dowry, any presents people wanted to send." Rhodri counted on his fingers as he went. "Not to mention emotional damages, Audrey would be 'devastated'. I think we could at least get five kay if we drag our feet with the response, but I want to make sure you get a fair cut. " Harv stormed up to his brother. This was a new low, even for him.
"How could you lie to him like that?" They absolutely would not extort someone with a broken heart. False hope like that was more painful than any rejection. "Dad won't accept a single cent and if he figures out who it's coming from- He can't figure out Finn was ever here. Ever. For goodness sakes Rhodri the money probably isn't even real." He pushed around Rhodri, fueled more by anger than fear now.
"Where are you going?" Rhodri asked as he watched his brother storm off.
"To put an end to this."
