Chapter 6
She immediately missed the hot water as she shut it off. If she stayed any longer, Harley's skin would have turned wrinkly. Steam left the bathroom wet with condensation. She wrapped a towel around her body and stepped out of the shower. She had scrubbed herself clean. She shaved her legs, washed her hair and brushed her teeth. She did not want to stink for her date with Bob. Sometimes, she wonders what she smells like to him. Bob has heightened senses and she wonders if smell was one of them. The Thunderbolts dealt with Bob’s powers first hand. He has superhuman strength, super speed, flight, energy and reality manipulation, psionic powers, and who knows what else. He's powerful. He's probably immortal. Bob was still trying to understand his power, he was still trying to understand his limits. But there are moments where he is holding back. Like he is trying not to hurt anyone. Every time he sparred with guys, Harley could tell he was holding back.
Can he die? Was he immortal?, Harley thought.
That thought scared Harley. Bob’s immortality scared her. She would grow old and die, and Bob could possibly be still living. She did not want Bob to be alone, watching his loved ones die. No, it's probably not that. He is just invulnerable or something. Harley tried to reassure herself. She shook those thoughts. She had to get ready.
Harley dried her hair using a spell. Quick and easy, but she used a curling iron to curl the ends a bit. She puts on a bit of blush and lipstick, nothing too fancy. She unraveled her towel and stood naked in front of her mirror. She immediately noticed the scar on her inner right thigh. She had another one on her back shoulder. It didn't heal properly. She got the scars on the battlefield fighting Thanos and his army. At the time, she was under prepared. She sighed, grabbing a bra and underwear. Putting them on, she reaches down and touches her scar.
It could have been worse.
She also slipped on her dress, pantyhose, and heels. She looks at herself in the mirror again. Yelena was right. Cute but sexy. Immediately feeling a bit better about herself.
She looks at the time. It's 5:40 pm. She began putting on her jewelry. Putting on the pair of earrings and necklace. Simple, minimalist, and gold. Harley's mom gave her the necklace before she died, it was a small pentacle that was charmed. A protection charm. It was something to remember her by. She cherished it. Harley considered it as her good luck charm. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door snapping her from her thoughts. He’s a few minutes early.
She went to the door. She paused, not wanting to seem eager. She took a big breath. Harley had butterflies in her stomach. She had to calm herself. She had to remind herself it was just Bob. She opened the door.
“Hey”
“Hey”
Bob wore a nice white dress shirt with a black blazer jacket. Black slacks and nice leather shoes. His dress shirt was unbuttoned from the top, so Harley could see a bit of skin. He wears a plain silver ring on pointer finger that Harley has never seen before until today. It suited him-
Oh. Harley was right about Bob cutting his hair soon. His hair was cut, the ends of his hair curled a bit around his ears. Still longish, but neat. Looks quite good actually, Harley thought.
“You look very handsome”, Harley said.
“Thanks. You look beautiful”, he said blushing.
It was Harley's turn to blush. She could feel herself getting red. Face felt warm. The butterflies in her stomach didn't go away. If anything, the feeling got stronger.
“Thanks”, she said, trying to play it cool.
“I got you something”, Bob said. He held out his hand, he was holding a bouquet of flowers. She grabbed the flowers. Their hands lingered for a bit. Red and pink roses were her favorite. Even when they die, they still have a use to her in her spell work. She noticed there was a little note attached to the roses. It read: To Harley. Love, Robert. There was a little heart next to her name. Her eyes lingered to his name.
“Thank you”, She said, smelling the roses.
“We should be going”, he said, still smiling.
Harley quickly grabbed her purse. She stepped out of her room, closing the door. She did not realize that she left Yelena’s jacket. Was that too eager?, she thought. She shook those thoughts. Bob just looked at her. He grabbed her hand and led the way. They walked through the hallways, making their way to the elevator. As they walk, Harley could see John walk towards them, tablet in his hand. John gets closer, but stops when he sees them in their nice clothes holding hands.
“You two… Alexi owes me 100 bucks”, John said. He immediately regretted it, closing his mouth with his hand. Harley was flabbergasted. They placed bets on whether or not they would get together. Harley stared at him. She was angry. She found it annoying, but she wasn't gonna let this ruin her date. Harley let it go, but she would talk to them both about it later. “Look, don't look at me like that. I was rooting for you… both of you”, he added. He raised his hands up in defeat.
“Uh thank you, I think”, Bob said. He wasn’t sure if he should get offended or not. Harley didn't say anything.
“Have fun, but not too much fun”, he said winking to Bob. John tried lightening the mood. Bob just made a confused face and looked at Harley. Harley wanted to kill John.
“You're annoying. You know that, John.”
“Relax a little, Harley. I'm just messing with you. Look, just don't do anything stupid”, John said seriously. He walked away from the couple, probably went to collect his money.
Harley and Bob made it to the elevator. They stood there in silence as they made their way to the ground floor. Harely looked at the numbers of floors as they descended. A few moments passed, Bob broke the silence.
“John means well… in his own fucked up way. He's a dick but he cares. He just doesn't know how to show it.”
Harley looks at Bob. Trying to find reason in his words. Harley still has doubts about John. But maybe Bob is right, John is trying.
We all are trying. We all deserve a second chance…
The elevator dinged. They walked outside of the building. They stood there for a couple of minutes as Bob hailed a taxi. One finally stopped for the couple. He opened the door for Harley. They both get in, sitting close to one another. Bob gave the driver directions where to go. They rode in silence. The only noise to be heard came from the light jazz music that was playing in the taxi and the city noise. After 15 minutes, they arrived at the restaurant. It was a small Peruvian restaurant that Harley loved. They entered the restaurant and were seated quickly. Bob asked for a table with the most privacy. They were seated at the very corner, away from the other customers. He pulled Harley’s chair for her and then took his seat. After a few moments, a waiter came up to them. He poured red wine into two cups and left.
“How did you know I like this restaurant?”
“Bucky told me. He knows about us. In fact, he was the one who encouraged me to take you out. He gave me a whole speech, actually. Told me that if I break your heart, Sam and him would kick my ass”, Bob said. He looked at Harley.
“Oh, Bucky means that”, she said grinning.
“Better be on their good side then”, he said smiling. He takes a sip of his wine. Harley does the same.
“Wow, that’s really good”, Bob said. Harley took note of that for later, so she can buy him a bottle. They both look at the menu. Looking at their options.
The waiter came, took down their order and left. Harley's phone suddenly chimed. She got a message from Yelena. Harley read the message to Bob.
“Yelena texted me. She said she took everyone out to drink at The Dead Rabbit. She wants to do an escape room later and told us not to wait for them. We have the tower to ourselves. She put a winking emoji at the end”, Harley said.
“That's not going to end well. They're gonna kill each other”, Bob said, turning a bit red. He was trying to change the subject.
“Yeah, they are…”
They talk some more. They talked about their plans, their goals, their dreams. Harley wanted to eventually buy a piece of land for herself. A farm. Somewhere quiet, peaceful, safe. Somewhere to call her own. A place for her father to settle down and retire. A place where she can raise her future children. Maybe start a covenant of her own.
“I can help you raise chickens”, Bob said, taking another sip of wine.
“Would you like that?”
“Of course I would. I can do the heavy lifting. I wouldn't mind, Harley.”
She smiled at the thought of Bob raising chickens. It sounded ridiculous to her, someone who can level cities wanted to settle down with her to live a quiet life. It sounded too good to be true. She wouldn't mind that. She wanted him to be close to her, and wanted him to spend his days with her. They could create a little slice of paradise. Her smile vanished.
“Val would never let that happen.”
Bob frowned. Valentina was always a constant presence in Bob's life ever since he became super. Always judging. Always outspoken. Always there, always watching. Never truly leaving him alone. Harley could see the frustration in his face. He looked so tired of it. Tired of Valentina meddling in his life.
“She doesn't own me. I am my own person, Harley”, he said, looking at her. “I could be with whoever I want, wherever I want. I don't want her interfering in my life. Especially my love life.”
“I get it”, Harley said, reassuring Bob. She let Bob vent his feelings and frustrations. She grabbed his hand. She touches the ring that Bob wears. She could feel the cold metal under her thumb. He just gives her a silent thanks. She lets go.
“Harley, I- want to be with you. I want to raise chickens with you. Sounds very cliché, I know. We can be happy, just you and me. I like you a lot”, Bob said gently.
“I like you too”, Harley said.
“I would like for us to be together. Would you like that?”
“Yeah. Yes. I would like that, Bob.”
And with that, they were finally on the same page. No more dancing around this topic. They were finally together. They were finally honest with each other. Harley was going to say something when their food arrived. Plates filled with delicious food enter their view. They ate and continued talking. Continued planning their life. Planning their little slice of paradise.