A troll swaggered into the room, exuding an unmistakable aura of confidence. His skin was a vibrant shade of orchid, shimmering under the soft lighting, while his hair—a captivating, bright yellow—stood tall and rebellious, as if sculpted by an entire bottle of hair gel. The room seemed to dim slightly in comparison to his flamboyant presence.
With a wide, toothy grin that could charm anyone, he disregarded the startled expressions of those around him. In a bold move, he wrapped his voluminous hair around Harmony's waist, pulling her closer as if letting everyone know that she was his.
"Sugar Pie, I've been searching high and low for you!" he exclaims, feigning concern with a dramatic flair. "I was starting to worry you might be intentionally avoiding me." His eyes spark with poorly disguised irritation as he continues, "How about we indulge ourselves at that trendy new restaurant down the street? We could even sneak in for a little adventure if you're feeling daring. After all, who could possibly hold it against us?"
He flashes a charming grin, his teeth bright and captivating against the warm glow of the room. Striking a confident pose, he adds with a playful smirk, "I must say, I do consider myself to be quite devilishly handsome."
Harmony's face contorted in revulsion as she forcefully pushed herself away from Ethan, creating distance between them. Her piercing glare could have frozen fire as she swung her ponytail, a slick cascade of hair, to swat him away like an annoying fly.
"What are you doing here, Ethan?" she snapped, her voice sharp and resolute. "I thought I made it abundantly clear—we're done, finished, over!" As she spoke, her hair settled back into its sleek ponytail, emphasizing the finality in her tone.
Ethan sauntered over with an air of confidence, trying to gently caress her face. "Oh, come on, Sugar Pie! You don't really mean that," he coaxed, leaning in closer. "Those pesky reporters are just getting to you. You know I'm the one for you."
But before he could touch her, she swiftly pulled away, her eyes blazing with frustration as she slapped his hand aside. "No, Ethan! I'm serious! We're over!" she retorted, her voice rising in exasperation. "You cheated on me, remember?!" The weight of her words hung in the air, and gasps erupted from the small crowd of onlookers, who were now fully aware of the shocking revelation that had just unfolded before them.
Ethan let out a derisive scoff, his defiance evident in the set of his jaw. "And you left me at the altar, remember?" he shot back, his voice dripping with mock sorrow,eliciting gasps of disbelief from the stunned onlookers as they stared at Harmony. He pressed a hand dramatically against his chest, feigning a heartache that was both theatrical and ironic, as if the sting of betrayal lingered painfully just beneath the surface.
Ethan felt his irritation simmering beneath the surface as he watched Harmony stubbornly turn him down. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "Angel cakes," he said softly, attempting to soften the moment, "you know it was just a meaningless distraction. There's really no reason to dwell on it anymore."
Despite his efforts to coax her into understanding, Harmony's expression twisted in disgust as she shook her head emphatically, her disappointment palpable in the air between them.
Harmony stood her ground, determination etched across her face. "It's over, Ethan. We're done. Leave now," she insisted, her voice steady as she turned away, trying to put distance between them. But Ethan, desperation flickering in his eyes, reached out and seized her wrist with a grip that felt like iron, eliciting a sharp gasp from her.
"Ow! Let go of me!" Harmony cried, twisting and jerking in an attempt to free herself from his tight hold, a mix of frustration and fear surging within her.
Ethan's voice thundered with a mix of anger and incredulity as he glared at her, his fists clenching at his sides. "You're not going anywhere," he challenged, his words sharp and forceful. "Are you really going to throw away everything we've worked so hard for over just one mistake?" His eyes searched hers, hoping to find a flicker of doubt in her resolve.
Ethan tightened his grip on Harmony, drawing her closer to him, when suddenly, a strong hand clamped down on his wrist like a vice. Floyd surged forward, placing himself squarely between them, his expression a storm of fury. With a low, menacing tone that carried the weight of his anger, he said, "Let her go," his piercing gaze fixed intently on Ethan, challenging him to defy the command.
Ethan let out a derisive scoff, yanking his arm away from Floyd's tight grip. His eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips as he sneered, "I see what's happening here—you're choosing him over me." He rubbed his wrist, where the pressure had left a faint mark, his expression a mix of disdain and disbelief. "Do you truly think he'll ever love you as much as I do?"
Ethan took a deep breath, attempting to ease the oppressive atmosphere that surrounded them. He cracked a cocky smirk, but Floyd's unyielding gaze cut through the pretense, revealing the weight of their conversation. "You know the only one for you is me," Ethan suggested, his voice steady despite the storm brewing in Floyd's eyes. The air felt thick with unspoken words, and the tension hung heavily between them, refusing to dissipate.
Harmony's voice was steady, yet resolute as she confronted Ethan. "No, Ethan. I am tired of being a pawn in your game and of having my life dictated by your whims. I'm not walking away from you for someone else—unlike you, I refuse to be that superficial. Floyd was merely..." She paused, searching for the right words, the weight of her emotions hanging in the air between them.
Ethan interrupted her with an abruptness that made the air in the room feel tense. A sharp, mocking laugh escaped his lips, echoing off the walls as he fixed her with an incredulous gaze. "Floyd? Seriously? Isn't he the one who walked out on you without a second thought?" His voice dripped with derision. "Oh, Angel Pie, do you honestly believe he'd ever choose to stick around?"
He leaned a little closer, his tone condescending, as if he relished every word. "Unlike him, I have no intention of disappearing on you." The smugness in his expression was unmistakable, as if he savored the idea of being her steadfast choice. "Now that we've cleared that up, why don't we get to planning our wedding?" He said this with an air of expectation, as if he fully anticipated her to yield to his demands once more, just like before.
"No, Ethan!" she exclaimed with a resolute tone, her eyes blazing with determination. "Our wedding is canceled. I've realized that I don't need you, Floyd, or anyone else who brings pain into my life. I refuse to stand by those who hurt me. From this moment on, as far as I'm concerned, we are nothing but strangers—mere faces in a crowd, and I choose to move on without you."
With a sense of finality, she yanked the gaudy ring from her finger, its glittering surface flickering in the light before she hurled it at his face. "Here, take it back!" she spat, her voice thick with anger. "And take this too!" She stormed across the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, as she reached her dressing table, anguish and determination etched on her features.
With a surge of emotion, she snatched the photo of the two of them from the table. In a fit of frustration, she launched it at the wall beside him. The glass frame slammed against the surface, splintering into a cascade of twinkling shards that rained down onto the floor, reflecting fragments of their past like a shattered memory.
With an air of nonchalance, he proclaimed, "Take all the time you need to think it over. But just remember, you belong to me and no one else," his voice dripped with authority. He strode out of the room with purposeful strides, completely unfazed by the emotional storm he had left in his wake.
Harmony, feeling a heavy weight in her chest, reluctantly turned to face the group, only to be met with a sea of shocked and disgusted expressions that spoke volumes of their disapproval. Each face was etched with disbelief, as if they couldn't comprehend how someone could assert such ownership over another.
Harmony let out a weary sigh, her fingers threading through her hair as she cradled her head in her hands. Memories washed over her like a tide, and she finally spoke, her voice tinged with disbelief. "That was Ethan. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that I once called him my partner. Yet, in those dark moments when I felt utterly alone, he was the one who stood by my side, offering a glimmer of hope when I thought there was none."
Branch stepped closer, his expression softening as he gently took hold of her wrist, his touch both comforting and protective. "You don't need to explain yourself, Harmony," he said, his voice steady and warm. "I'm sure that any one of us would have reacted the same way if we were in your shoes." His aim was to reassure her, to let her know she wasn't alone in her feelings.
The sunlight danced across the delicate earring dangling from Harmony's right ear, casting a soft glow that immediately drew Poppy's gaze. "That earring is absolutely stunning!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "It reminds me so much of Floyd's. Did you both get them from the same shop or something?" Poppy's voice trailed off as she caught a glimpse of the sudden shift in Harmony's expression, a mix of surprise and something unspoken flashing across her face.
Harmony's voice wavered, a mix of disbelief and emotion surfacing. "You still have that?" Her eyes fixed on the matching black earring glinting in Floyd's left ear, the light catching its smooth surface and reflecting memories long past.
Floyd met her gaze with a gentle intensity, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Yes," he replied, his voice low and tender. "It was one of the few things I held onto to remember you by." His words hung in the air, heavy with nostalgia and unspoken feelings.
"It was my grandmother's earring set, passed down to me just before she passed away," Harmony explained, her voice catching with emotion. Her disbelief washed over her as she gazed at him, realizing that he had held onto a cherished part of her family all these years. The weight of the connection between them suddenly felt more profound, intertwining memories of love and loss.
Harmony shook her head, her brow furrowed in concentration as she fought to regain her focus. "It's too late," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she deliberately avoided Floyd's intense gaze, feeling the weight of his longing. The air between them felt heavy with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.
"What we had is over," she continued, a hint of sadness lacing her tone. "No matter what you do or say, I can't change my mind."
Understanding that Floyd and Harmony craved a moment of privacy, Floyd's brothers and Poppy tip-toed out of the room, their footsteps barely making a sound on the floor. As they prepared to leave, Branch hesitated for a brief moment, turning back to offer Floyd and Harmony a warm, reassuring squeeze on their shoulders.
His gesture was meant to convey support and comfort. After sharing that silent bond, he joined his brothers and Poppy, gently closing the door behind him. The soft click of the latch echoed in the now quiet space, granting the couple the solitude they desperately needed to connect without interruption.
As Floyd neared Harmony, he hesitated for a moment before gently taking her hand, hoping to draw her attention away from the ground and make her meet his gaze. However, she kept her eyes averted, the flicker of emotion on her face carefully hidden from him.
"There goes my heart beating
'cause you are the reason
I'm losing my sleep
Please come back now."
With tender care, he takes her hand and places it over his chest, where his heart beats steadily beneath the fabric. His voice, soft and warm, shatters the silence that hangs heavily between them. As he serenades her, every word is laced with an earnest longing, a heartfelt plea to mend the wounds he has inflicted.
"There goes my mind racing,
And you are the reason
That I'm still breathing
I'm hopeless now,"
As his voice filled the air with a haunting melody, the bustling world around them began to vanish, replaced by a serene tranquility. The noise of life faded into oblivion, and in that moment, it felt as though only the two of them existed, enveloped in a cocoon of music and intimacy.
"I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
Oh, cause I need you to see
That you are the reason,"
His heartfelt lyrics resonated with a solemn promise, pouring out the depths of his love and profound remorse. With her eyes tightly shut, Harmony turned her gaze away, allowing a single tear to glide down her cheek like a delicate raindrop. Tenderly, Floyd reached up, his fingers gently brushing against her skin to wipe it away, his heart aching with a flood of emotions that seemed almost too overwhelming to bear.
Harmony slowly opened her eyes, the sunlight filtering through the curtains and casting a warm glow across the room. As she turned to meet his gaze, a flutter of uncertainty danced in her chest. Despite his steady presence, her thoughts lingered elsewhere, drifting through tangled memories.
His voice, low and soothing, began to weave through the air, gently chipping away at the fortifications she had so carefully constructed around her heart. The silence that hung between them felt heavy, yet his words had the power to dissolve it, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.
"There goes my hands shaking,
And you are the reason
My heart keeps bleeding
I need you now, oh,"
Her voice trembled with hesitation, each note imbued with deep emotion as she gently sang back. The melody was bittersweet, woven with threads of longing and vulnerability, revealing her struggle to open up about her true feelings for Floyd.
Yet, beneath the surface of her guarded demeanor, an overwhelming urge surged within her—the desperate need to unburden the pain she had carefully concealed, hidden behind the fortress of her heart.
"If I could turn back the clock,
I'd make sure the light defeated the dark
I'd spend every hour, of every day, oh
Keeping you safe, oh,"
The music wrapped around them like a warm embrace, captivating their senses and drawing them deeper into the melody. As the notes cascaded through the air, the bustling world around them faded into a distant blur, leaving only the two of them suspended in a moment that felt both timeless and fragile.
Floyd, feeling an overwhelming urge to connect with Harmony, tenderly cupped her face in his hands, searching her eyes for a flicker of understanding. However, she instinctively recoiled from his touch, turning her back to him in a swift motion that spoke volumes.
The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, thick and heavy, as a silent exchange of emotions pulsed in the space they once shared. Each heartbeat resonated with the weight of their feelings, highlighting the chasm of uncertainty that lay between them.
"I'd climb every mountain
And swim every ocean
Just to be with you
And fix what I've broken
Oh, cause I need you to see
That you are the reason,"
Tears cascaded down his cheeks, glistening like droplets of crystal under the dim light as he called out, his voice trembling with raw emotion. He reached for her, his hands trembling slightly, and gently turned her to face him, lifting her chin so that their eyes could lock. His tear-filled gaze mirrored the depth of his feelings, a silent plea for understanding.
Around them, the world faded into a blur as the two trolls swayed together, their movements lacking rhythm but brimming with passion. Each step they took revealed unspoken vulnerabilities, as if they were dancing to a melody only they could hear—baring their souls in an intimate moment that transcended their surroundings.
"I don't want to fight no more."
Harmony's soothing yet resonant voice fills the air as she sings the opening line, perfectly in tune with Floyd. Together, they glide across the room, their movements flawlessly synchronized, as if choreographed by an unseen force.
Each delicate twirl is accompanied by a flowing response, showcasing not just their skill but their deep understanding of one another. Their vibrant connection radiates through every gesture, emphasizing the extraordinary partnership they share as they become a single entity lost in the music.
"I don't want to hide no more,"
With a hauntingly beautiful melody, he sings, his head slowly bowing until their foreheads gently touch, bringing them closer together. Their hair interweaves like delicate strands of silk, creating a complex tapestry of color that seems to blend into one. In that moment, the boundaries between him and her dissolve, and they become deeply entwined in a shared sorrow that binds them together, an unspoken connection forged in grief and longing.
"You are,"
She delivered her line to him, breathless and trembling with anticipation. The air between them crackled with tension, charged with electricity as their eyes locked in an unyielding gaze. The weight of their unspoken words hung heavily around them, enveloping them like a thick, impenetrable fog.
With every fleeting second, the intensity of their connection deepened, pulling them irresistibly closer in a slow, intoxicating dance of desire and longing. As she wrapped up her previous thought, an undeniable urge surged within her to keep going.
Her voice, barely a whisper, flowed from her lips with a fervor that resonated in the stillness of the room, igniting a fire of unexpressed passion that echoed against the walls.
"I don't want to cry no more; come back, I need you to hold me,"
As their eyes meet, an intense wave of sorrow washes over them, binding their hearts in a silent struggle. The profound ache of lost love hangs in the air, intertwined with the sharp sting of betrayal that lingers like a bitter aftertaste. Shadows of pain dance across their faces, and the weight of their unspoken emotions presses heavily upon their chests.
Each sorrowful gaze tells a story, revealing an ocean of grief that words could never adequately capture, as they stand together in the aftermath of their shattered connection.
"That you are the reason
A little closer now, just a little closer now
Come a little closer, I need you to hold me tonight"
As the vibrant colors of the scene gradually dissolve, the lovers stand suspended in time, entwined in a passionate embrace that speaks volumes of their devotion. Floyd's warm forehead rests gently against hers, creating a perfect bond of intimacy. Her delicate hand lies firmly over his steady heartbeat, feeling the rhythm of his love; it reverberates through her entire being.
The world around them blurs into a distant memory, rendered insignificant in the face of their powerful connection. The air is thick with the palpable intensity of their love—a fierce, unyielding force that feels both eternal and transcendent, wrapping them in a cocoon of affection that defies the passage of time.
Harmony summoned her courage, finally breaking free from Floyd's tight grip. As she stepped back, she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself, creating a protective barrier against the overwhelming emotions swirling within her.
With a heavy heart, she felt the walls she had carefully constructed begin to rise again, fortifying herself against the weight of his presence. "It's over, Floyd," she pleaded, her voice trembling with a mix of sorrow and determination. "Please, just go."
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, he stood frozen, torn between urging her to hear him out and begging for her forgiveness. The pain reflected in her eyes was palpable, a deep well of sorrow that cut him to the core.
Each fleeting moment felt agonizing as he struggled to find the right words. He couldn't bear the sight of the hurt he had caused, like a shadow dimming the once vibrant beauty of her gaze. The weight of his regret pressed heavily on him, leaving him with no choice but to confront the tumult within himself.
Floyd squeezed his eyes shut, feeling the weight of despair settle over him like a heavy blanket. He balled his fists tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white with tension. "I'll leave for now," he said, his voice wavering with emotion. "But Harmony, please know that I will do everything in my power to earn back your forgiveness—and, if I'm lucky, your love."
With a heavy heart, he turned away, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the stillness of the room. The door clicked shut behind him with a finality that left a cold void in the air. On the other side, faint sobs broke the silence, a haunting reminder of a heart shattered yet again.
A/N
Hello my wonderful readers! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Before anyone brings out the pitch forks and torches just know that our boy Floyd won't get off that easily as I never liked stories where the MC is instantly forgiven by the FL no matter what he did to her. I am new to slow burns though so it might not be a complete slow burn, just Floyd having to beg for forgiveness and Harmony not trusting him at first.
That being said the song in this chapter played a big part in the scene between Floyd and Harmony as the portion of the song about fixing what is broken and such is sung by Floyd not Harmony so it's more of him pleading forgiveness through song rather then a true love ballad.
As always I love all of you and I hope you stay strong during these trying times! Any and all constructive criticism, comments, or questions are welcome!