i saw an angel [sync/open]

[Onzy]

It had been ages since he had taken his guitar and just sang his heart out. Today was the perfect day for that, his heart aching slightly. Ever since he had discovered Harad in the park it had made everything a lot worse for him. Now, instead of it being a test, his distance meant peace for Harad. He tried his best, but somehow he had fallen head over heels for this girl and she seemed to know it. Andrew couldn't help but feel guilty about not passing the area earlier and saving Harad from a cruel fate. There was just so much that he thought he could have done and none of it could have been more than just theories. Sadly though, he didn't know what to do. Approach her, and it scared her. Leave her alone, and it killed him.

Settling into an empty pasture, he sat against a tree trunk on an abandoned hay bale. The guitar in his hand was weathered with years of use, each scratch and mark a different story to tell. He tuned it with an experts ear, and then he started strumming random chords waiting for a strong to pop into his head. Soon he had the right one and he started playing the intro. This time, all his pain and longing went into the music, playing it out and drawing it from his heart.

My life is brilliant.

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I'm sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won't lose no sleep on that,
'Cause I've got a plan.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.

Everything he sang came out smooth and unbroken. All of it came from the one place that was still uncorrupted in him. His heart.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
F*cking high,
And I don't think that I'll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it's time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

He played the last chords and set down the guitar, knowing that he couldn't play any more until the melancholy had gone away. It never went away completely, it just numbed to a dull ache making life bearable for him.

[Sync]

Harad felt more alive than she had in weeks as she and Seren flew over the jump, the large mare landing with a quiet thump and snorting her pleasure. The Olympic level mare tossed her cranium and then slowed from her canter to a walk and an eventual halt. Harad smiled, patting her neck fondly. ”You did well today beautiful. We’ll go again in a couple days.” She could feel the mare’s breathing a little too harsh than it should be, signifying that she was still quite unfit after disuse for a few months of being out of work. Opening the arena, she rode the mare out and back toward the barns. The walk back was pleasant, the weather slowly warming up after the harsh winter months of British weather. The sun was actually out today, which was a bonus in anyone’s book. And it wasn’t raining. Seren moved with lazy grace that the Warmblood always resorted to whenever outside of competition. Harad chuckled as her large audits flopped randomly upon her crown, not even bothering to listen for strange sounds that may occur. Her owner had always said that you’d be hard pushed to find another equine as laid back as Seren was.

The pair entered the barn almost silently, Harad dismounting quickly and leading the mare into her stall beside Angharad’s other mare. Tirion whinnied her greeting to her companions, her palomino cranium appearing over the door. ”Hey pretty girl. I’ll take you out to the pastures as soon as I’ve untacked Seren and fed her.” She promised the Haflinger mare. With that, she began to untack Seren and then threw on her sweat sheet. Returning her tack to the tack room and then appearing with Seren’s feed, she waited patiently for the mare to finish while grooming Tirion needlessly. The mare was already spotless, just loved a little pampering. A crash of an overturned bucket alerted Harad that Seren had finished her food, causing the girl to chuckle lightly as she slipped a head collar onto Tirion and made it into a makeshift bridle. She then placed a head collar on Seren and led both mares from the stall before vaulting onto Tirion’s back and grinning as the little mare picked up in an energetic walk. Seren loped lazily beside them, obviously not bothered about going to the pastures as Tirion was.

Harad’s head cocked to the side curiously as she heard music along the pastures. Tirion gave a slight snort, unsure of the noise, but Seren offered no reaction what so ever. Harad rolled her eyes, but continued toward her pasture, her curiosity growing into confusion when it got louder the closer she got to her own pasture. The source was eventually revealed when she arrived just in time to see Andrew putting down his guitar. Raising a brow, she applauded him with a grin as she and the mares came to a stop. ”That was beautiful.” She praised him softly, dismounting Tirion and opening the gate to the pasture. She set Tirion free first, the petite mare eyeing Andrew curiously before settling to graze. As Seren was set free, the mare failed to acknowledge the other human in the pasture and immediately began grazing. ”But why exactly are you sat in my pasture?” She asked him, cocking her hip and placing a hand on it while still looking at him curiously. She still had a smile on her lips though, undoubtedly pleased to see him. She found herself becoming more and more taken with the male as each day passed. It probably started with him turning out to be her knight in shining armour. Harad was unable to suppress the delicate shudder that took over when she thought back to that night.

[Onzy]

Andrew jumped slightly at the vocals behind him, already knowing who they belonged to. There was something about that voice that made him feel warm inside, like his heart was going to catch fire and he was unstoppable. It was voice that blocked out his problems and made him know who he was. Who he truly was. I didn't realise it was your pasture, he said quietly, already getting up and edging towards the gate. Was this what he wanted? To run every time he saw her because he didn't know how she felt about him. That was hardly the life he sought. He knew the stories that circulated at the College about him. He was the one that would easily play a girl if she bored him, but there was something about Harad that he wanted to protect. He loved her. It was as easy as that.

So, how have you been? he asked her, trying to make the situation less awkward. He didn't feel into the tension, hoping that it would just pass. Andrew had various things since he had found Harad in the park, one of which had been driving to see her father. Well, kill him was the more accurate description, but he hadn't gotten that far. He sat a block away from the house, anger and repulsion rolling through his body and in the end it was the thought of Harad that had made him turn the car around and head back to the College. Andrew didn't want to sleep with her, he just wanted to be around her. That was enough for him.

I feel another song coming on, he said softly, a smile firmly in place. Propping his leg on the hay bale, he started playing different chords, weaving them into a soft melody of his own. It sounded better on the piano, but in the middle of the paddock, he hardly had a piano available to him.

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

This time he was singing for Harad. He had picked a song that he knew would probably give meaning to her situation, and his for that matter. He looked at her as he sang, his usually dark and cold eyes, warm and caring.

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

He played the last haunting chord, looking at Harad more intently. His guitar hung limply from his hand, hoping that he hadn't done something stupid.

[Sync]

She couldn’t help her features crumpling slightly when she noticed him trying to make his exit. Ever since that night, he’d avoided her like the plague. She had put it down to him seeing her as dirty, impure, due to what happened. It had made herself retreat back into her shell, only today had she really felt normal. And the day that she, Bella and Ieuan got Seren and Tirion back. Other than that, Harad had barely communicated with anyone. Kian and Ieuan when she was forced, or Clary and Ruthie if she felt up to it. Crossing her arms protectively over her chest, she looked surprised when he spoke up again. His question made her pause. ”Ummm..” She offered quietly, her brow creasing when she tried to find something to finish the statement. ”Surviving.” She concluded finally, regarding him carefully as he moved that little bit closer.

As he spoke again, she rose a brow. She watched his next actions closely, amusement slowly beginning to creep back into her expression. She had been trying to be hostile toward him, as if giving the effect that she didn’t care if he stayed or left. In reality, she wanted him very much to stay right where he was. She’d had enough of him avoiding her, especially now that she recognised her feelings toward him. A grin crossed her lips when she recognised the opening chords to the song, one of her favourites. Her grin dimmed when she realised the meaning of the song. It was being addressed to her, their situation. Shifting uncomfortably, she didn’t know what to feel as she looked down at her feet. Sensing his eyes on her, she looked up to meet them and was surprised to see the warmth in them. Sure, he’d never looked at her coldly. But, there was never this much emotion in them before. A small smile began to play on her lips, almost bashful as he continued to sing.

As soon as he stopped playing, she moved closer to him. His intent gaze made her blush, but she didn’t stop until she was right in front of him. Fighting the urge of what she actually wanted to do, she took a deep breath and parted her lips to ask a question that had been bothering her so much. ”Why have you been avoiding me?” Her vocals come out in a hesitant, almost whisper, her eyes filled with slight pain but mostly curiosity. She needed to know that she wasn’t dirty in his eyes. She sure did feel it herself. Chewing on her lip nervously as she awaited his answer, she couldn’t stop the tears from springing to her eyes as she realised that he could reject her, causing her to recoil visibly. Forcing herself to stay in front of him until he’d answered; she wiped away her tears furiously. No more weaknesses. Her mind chanted to her, her head lifting slightly to give herself a small air of confidence.

[Onzy]

Andrew was surprised when she moved forwards, standing in front of him. It was something that he had been wishing for for a while, that he could have her this close to him. It also scared him, but there was nothing that would make him move now. He also thought about she was thinking. He only saw her as the most beautiful creature in his eyes. She was absolutely gorgeous, but he couldn't stand rejection from her. So instead having to be faced with it, he had avoided her. Something he regretted deeply now.

Oh Ang. I was being stupid. I couldn't stand your rejection, so instead I avoided it, he started answering her question, almost hesitant in his answer. She deserved to know the truth. I find you beautiful. I find myself drawn to you and it hurts to be apart from you. I love you Ang. I have since I first met you, he carried on, ducking his head. He never used her nickname of Harad, always Ang, the reasons he would explain to her sometime. He hated that he avoided her, he regretted it deeply.

[Sync]

Her expression grew disbelieving as he spoke, her mind automatically recalling stories she’d heard about him. When she looked up to see his expression though, all negative thoughts flew out of her mind. He was telling only the truth, which made her smile shyly. She could feel her cheeks heating up further, especially when he told her that he loved her. Stepping forward closer, she chuckled softly as he ducked his head. Reaching out to lift his head gently, she smiled at him before reaching up to press her lips tenderly to his. Though slightly surprised by her actions, she couldn’t deny that it felt right.

Stepping back, she was surprised to still feel confidence running through her veins. Smiling up at him, she cleared her throat slightly. ”I thought you were avoiding me because you were disgusted,” She holds up her hand to make sure that he doesn’t interrupt. ”But now I know the real reason, I feel better in myself. Like a weight has been lifted.” She smiled more brightly at him. ”I was confused by my feelings for you. Unsure whether you were just using me for a bit of fun, or if you were serious. I felt exactly the same. Or I thought I did. After the.. well you know, I realised that my feelings for you were more than that.” As she speaks, Harad had taken his hand and squeezing it gently. ”I love you Andrew, I think I always kind of did but I was just confused.” Her smile had become a little more shy now, her blush returning in full force but she never lost eye contact with him.

[Onzy]

Andrew's eyes flew open in surprise as she stepped closer to him and kissed him softly. His expression turned to awe as she pulled away, and he touched his lips that were still tingling slightly. He hadn't expected it from her, but it meant that he didn't have to worry about her feelings for him. It meant that she felt the same about him. He doubted he had ever been happier, even upping the moment when Bella had come out of a coma. He listened to her intently, opening his mouth to speak before noticing her 'keep quiet' gesture. He did so, keeping his peace. Andrew felt elated at finally having heard the words that he wanted. She loved him, and that was all that mattered.

Noticing her blush, he hesitantly reached out to her, swiping the pad of his thumb along her cheek. He was trying to put together words in his mind that would make sense, his thoughts more jumbled than he could ever imagine. I know I am like four years older than you, or well almost, but I know that I need you in my life. You were never dirty in my eyes. You could never be that. What happened wasn't your fault. I just know, that now, the future seems a lot more brighter with you in it, he told her, his vocals bordering on a whisper. There was warmth and love in his voice, his eyes were filled with adoration, and he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.

One question. How are we going to tell your brother? After all, I don't think that I am his favourite person, he carried on with a grin. He would probably receive the same treatment from Kian that he had given the male when Kian and Bella had announced their relationship. He seemed to have himself in deep, knowing that when he had said those binding words he had made an unspoken promise to protect Harad from all evil, including her father, no matter what it took from him.

[Sync]

Giving a small sigh of contentment when she felt his thumb run along her cheeks, she smiled at him gently. She allowed his words to wash over her, her eyes alight with both sadness as he spoke of what happened as well as love. ”Age is just a number.” She whispered back, her eyes sparkling with amusement. ”Plus, I’m a lot more mature than yourself.” She teased him lightly, sighing contently when he kissed her knuckles gently.

”You aren’t going to tell my brother, I am.” Her vocals had a slight warning in them, especially having heard stories of Kian’s reactions to Jace and Ruthie. ”And you’re right, you’re not his favourite person.” Her vocals again, were serious. Though she was smiling this time. Pulling away from him, she glanced over to where Tirion was watching her closely, dancing nervously on the spot as she debated whether going to her mistress. Harad smiled. ”Come here baby.” She called just loud enough for Tirion to hear.

The palomino mare trotted eagerly over to her mistress, all while eyeing Andrew suspiciously. ”Kian’s approval isn’t all you’ll be needing.” Her words were accompanied with a grin. Tirion was almost glaring at him, annoyed that Harad’s attention wasn’t completely hers. The girl placed a hand under her Haflinger’s mane, scratching gently to calm her. ”She can be quite selfish, so you have competition now. Seren, luckily, doesn’t give a damn. I doubt she’s even noticed you.” Harad gestured to the large mare who had lowered herself down to roll, and seemingly given up half way through it and flopped onto her side lazily.

[Onzy]

Andrew rolled his eyes when she teased, although he knew what she said was probably true. He was more mature in other ways, though he wouldn't admit it to her, especially after what she had gone through. That was something he would show her when she was ready, and unlike other guys he knew, he would give her space, and he hoped he would have the patience to do so. Unlike Bella, his patience wasn't the best thing he had, and if Harad didn't fascinate him so, he probably would have given up a long time ago. A long time, being a week for him. His twin would have been willing to wait a year for Kian, which in his eyes had been ridiculous. Alexi disagreed, but ever since their blind friend had discovered Clary, he was a helpless romantic.

Andrew laughed softly as she warned him off. Not that Andrew couldn't stand his own, he really didn't want a confrontation with Kian. He really didn't need it, and Bella would blame him naturally. Okay, okay, but I'm going with when you tell hinm, he told her, grinning. Like hell would he not be there when Harad told her brother. After all, if he wasn't, it would just look bad. He did like the last remaining tatters of his reputation to remain in tact. He pressed his lips to her forehead tenderly, a smooth action, one that felt so right to him. Harad belonged to him and no one else. She was the girl that took his breath away every time he saw her, every time she looked at him through those bright eyes. He knew her pain and hurt that she had suffered, and he was going to protect her.

Andrew raised an eyebrow when she called her one mare over. He wasn't a big fan of horses, but he would make an effort. After all, most of his weekends had been spent at a showground, carrying Bella's things. Now, his sister was happily hacking and not competing, though nobody was really supposed to know about her secret habit after the last scare. Greetings Tirion, he said, pulling an apple from his back pack. He offered it to the mare, more as a bribe than anything else. There was so much he actually had to learn about Harad, but he was a willing student.