AN: hello again, faithful readers! again, I greatly appreciate your patience with me during my exam period. 2 more to go and then I'll be done with undergrad! here's chapter 7. can't wait to hear your thoughts.
He wouldn't let her finish and he wouldn't even look at her. Damn him, Parker thought. Why wouldn't he just listen? Well if that's the way you want it, baby, then that's the way it's gonna be. She grabbed her jacket off the chair by the bedroom door and strode out, slamming the front door behind her as she answered her still buzzing phone. She really did not want to talk to Hardison right now, but she had to, and not just because if she didn't answer, he'd turn on her GPS tracker.
"What, Hardison?"
"Whoa there, pretty lady, somone put some extra attitude in your Fruit Loops this morning?"
"I just…" She sighed. "Sorry. What's up?" She tried to sound cheerful.
"That's more like it! I was hoping we could hang out today. I've barely seen you this week."
She was about to say no, but she thought for a second about everything that had happened and then replied.
"Actually, that's a good idea. Wanna meet me for doughnuts?"
She could practically hear Hardison's face lighting up through the phone.
"That sounds perfect, babe. See you soon."
Parker didn't know much about breaking up with someone, so she'd just tried to explain to Hardison that while she was very fond of pretzels, they didn't whet her appetite like they used to. Now she was looking for something more substantial than a snack food, something like a burger or a steak. She wasn't really sure what type of food to compare Eliot to. His kiss had tasted more like chocolate or spice, but that was something Hardison definitely didn't need to know. When Hardison realized that Parker was breaking up with him, he did his best to brush it off, but he couldn't hide the hurt in his eyes. She assured him that she wasn't going anywhere, wasn't leaving the team, was still his friend, but she never said a word about Eliot. She didn't know if there was anything to tell. She hoped there would be, someday. She was going to do her damndest to convince Eliot to give it a shot, at least. She wanted to watch him cook, listen to him sing, and wake up safe in his arms every morning. She wanted to see that look in his eyes, the look that saw nothing but her. She wanted to kiss him. She wanted to always be the one who held him tight, because she was the only one who could see when he needed it. And she needed him, she'd realized. Needed him in an almost painful way that she'd never needed anyone before. Parker had seen the fickleness of fate; she knew how quickly someone could just be gone. So she'd fight for Eliot. With everything she had.
AN (part 2): I bloody hate breaking up with people, especially when that person is more emotionally invested in the relationship and you sincerely want to keep being friends, because you inevitably break their heart a little and that look is about the most painful look in the world to be on the receiving end of. true life: the first time I broke up with someone I was so anxious and upset about hurting him that the emotional stress weakened my immune system and I got the flu. only time I've had the flu in the last 10 years or so. anyway, I tried to go easy on Hardison, but sorry if there's not enough detail for your liking in that particular section. use your imaginations. much love to you all.