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"Whatcha doing out here? Its late you know." Harry had found Liz sitting at the Auradon dock. Her legs dangling over the water as she looked out across the water.
"Hey.. Yeah sorry. I didnt realize how late it got." Shed shake her head, her mind clearly elsewhere. Harry and Liz had only confessed their love for eachother a few days ago. Liz was really unsure what the next steps should be for her.
"Liz. What's wrong?" Harry would put his hand over hers. Hed look over her nails, so clearly done with the perfect mix of primarily red and black accents. Harry knew about Liz's passion for cosmetology. If anything hes the one who got her passion going as Uma needed help with her hair and makeup. He knew it was both a passion and a coping mechanism for her. But these nails were different, Harry could tell she hadnt designed them.
"These nails.. who made them?" He'd raise her hand gently to her field of view. Watching as her head slowly tilted down.
"Oh.. Evie made them. We've been working together on a fashion show collab." Her voice was close to monotone, Harry started to worry.
"Love." Hed scoot closer to her. Gently bringing her head to his shoulder. He rubbed the side of her arm slowly. "Whats going on?" Hed turn, kissing the top of her head.
Shed shake her head softly. "I.. I dont know." Harry felt her hand start to tremble.
"Shh. Alright. Tell me when it started."
"Uh.. I dont know. Probably around prom-ish?"
"Yeah? Is this about what they said about me?"
"N-no. I mean, I'm obviously still upset. But it's not that. I know youre not insecure about that. So why should I be."
"There you go. Thats good thinking." Hed pause, thinking of another question. "Are you doing something im not aware of that may be upsetting you?" Shed shake her head. "Hm. When has it gotten the worst?"
"When something good happens..." Liz would sigh.
"Oh love. I think I understand." Liz would finally look over to Harry, confusion covering her face.
"What? How?"
Harry would sigh. He hated having to explain Liz's emotions to her. He almost felt like he was mansplaining to her. "You feel like you dont deserve this. Is that right?"
Liz would pause. Prom, the dress, all their dates, even the collaboration with Evie. Crap, he was right. "Oh.. oh my god.." Liz would immediately stand. Immediately starting to pace the dock. Shed mumble to herself about the situation, about how stupid she must be if she was feeling this way, and how-
"Liz. Hey." She hadnt noticed that Harry had gotten up. Much less that he was in her face holding her cheeks. She let her eyes connect with his, not realizing how much her breathing had picked up compared to how slow Harry was breathing.
"S-sorry. What?"
Harry would sigh. His thumbs slowly rubbing circles on her cheeks. "I said you should slow down. I can tell youre being hard on yourself." Hed look over to the water, the waves and how slow they were.
"Let's jump." Harry would say softly.
"What?"
"The waves are slow. And the cold water will help regulate your system. Plus, you need practice."
"Harry... i.. I dont know.. its cold and-"
"There's no pressure. And we can go back to the dorm right now if you'd like."
Liz would pause, before leaning her head into Harry. Resting it against his chest as he pulled her closer, one of his hands staying on her cheek as the other wrapped around her waist.
"Why... why do I have to be like this." Liz would mumble. Tears starting to roll down her cheeks.
"Hey.. hey. Dont say that. Its okay to have problems. And it's okay to feel bad love." Harry would talk softly. Whispering into her ear as he stroked her cheek. It felt nice to have her close in a time like this. Harry had taken a few classes on mental health and how to help where you can. He had learned that most surrer in silence, thinking themselves as a nuisance. He was glad Liz showed her pain to him. Knowing he would only try and help.
"I wanna do it." Shed whisper.
"Do what?" Harry would look down to her, tilting her face up to his. But Liz wouldnt respond, only looking out to the water. "Yeah? You sure?" Harry would be confirmed by a soft nod. Hed smile softly, letting the both of them pry off their clothes. Leaving them in undergarments.
"Ready?" Harry would offer her his hand. Liz would take his hand immediately, showing no sign of hesitation. "3.. 2.. 1.." then they ran. Down the dock and jumping into the water.
The cold shattering of the water felt good, it also woke them up very quickly. Harry was glad that the bottom wasnt far as he knew Liz was still learning how to swim. He watched over her carefully. Watching her come back to the surface and take a deep breath.
"Better?" Harrys smile was bright as he swam over to her.
"Yeah.. that was nice." Liz was treading water enough to stay afloat, but he saw that she was losing steam, her adrenaline was slowly dieing.
"Wanna go home?" Liz would nod. Harry would swim over to her. Offering to pick her up and take her to shore. Shed immediately cling to him, her chest pressing into his. As Harry carried Liz out of the water they both felt a small burst of wind, sending shivers down their spines.
"Cmon. Its freezing out here. And when we get back I'll get a hot shower going." Liz would quickly dress herself, watching Harry do the same.
"Let me do it. I wanna do something for you."
"As much as id love that, I think if you stay out like this for much longer you'll get a cold. How about while I'm in the shower you order food. Okay?"
Liz would huff playfully. He was right, and he knew how horrible she was with people. She knew the phone call was a test, helping her get better with her socializing skills.
"Fine. Fine." Liz would take Harrys hand, running to their dorm.