Hearts in Disarray

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo's stride carried a tension that was uncharacteristic of his usually laid-back gait as he made his way toward the camp's lake, the site chosen for clarity and perhaps, absolution. Each step seemed to echo with the remnants of that heated night, a symphony of memories that played over in his mind like a song stuck on repeat. The raw spontaneity of their encounter had been a thrill, a surge of adrenaline that he hadn't anticipated, and the fallout was a complexity he was unprepared for. The evening air breeze did little to soothe the tightness coiling within him, a tangle of anticipation and the nagging weight of the uncertainty that hung between them.

As the lake's tranquil expanse came into view, Theo ran a hand through his hair, a nervous habit that betrayed his composed facade. He wondered, not for the first time, what Asher expected from him, what he expected from himself. There was an inexplicable gravity to this meeting, a silent acknowledgement that whatever transpired could very well set the course for whatever it was that simmered between them. The thought should have been suffocating, yet there was a part of him that craved the reckoning. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the warmth of the night on his skin, and exhaled slowly. Whatever came next, he was resolute in one thing: he would face it head-on, with the same charm and resolve that had drawn Asher to him in the first place. It was time to see if that same charm could navigate the delicate dance of what lay ahead.

@ Asher Harrington

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher would never admit that there had never been a time before in her life when she had been as humiliated as she had been that day with Theo and Evelyn. She had hid it well, concealed her emotions with expertise, but that did nothing to soothe the feeling in her stomach that she had been taken for a fool and had paid for the consequences. She was angry but more than that, she was hurt and being hurt was an emotion that she was unfamiliar with. After all, people like her didn't get hurt. No one could touch her. She always kept her feelings and emotions close to her chest. She was incomparable when it came to matters of the heart. She could be cold and hard to read and her entire life, that had been the subject of most of her praise. She was calculating, brilliant and focused. There was no time for emotions.

But Theo had waltzed in with his charming smile and his relaxed demeanor and challenged all of that. Now she found herself second guessing her thoughts and her feelings and worst of all, her actions. She didn't regret what she had told Evelyn but she would have preferred never to have had the encounter to begin with. There was a small bit of shame that lingered and while that was hard to shake, it wasn't enough to make her feel regret. 

After everything was said and done, Asher had told Theo where they stood. If he wanted to change things, the ball was in his court. And if he didn't, she could walk away, and walking away was something she excelled at. No one had ever accused her of being sentimental after all. But here she was, willing to at least hear him out though she was unsure what was to come out of it. When she spotted him by the lake, she felt a heaviness in her chest that was more apparent with every step she took. This was not something she was going to find pleasant but she walked anyway, When she reached him, she stood by her side and turned to face him only slightly. "Hey."

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo's eyes locked onto Asher as she approached, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him. "Hey," he echoed back, his voice surprisingly steady despite the turmoil brewing inside him. In her presence, the chaotic puzzle of his thoughts began to align, sharpening into a clearer picture. He realized then, with a clarity that surprised him, that what he felt went beyond the thrill of the chase or the satisfaction of a conquest. Asher, with her complex layers and guarded heart, had become something so much more.

He took a measured breath, his gaze not leaving her. "I know things got... complicated," he began, his usual flair for words feeling somewhat inadequate under her scrutinizing gaze. "And I'm not great at this — at facing stuff head-on. But here I am, doing just that." He paused, running a hand through his hair again. "I can't change what happened, and I won't make excuses. But I want you to know, it wasn't just... nothing. It meant something, at least to me." His words felt like a plunge into unknown waters; uncharted territory for someone who usually kept things light and unattached. He searched her face for a sign, an indication of how his admission landed. The risk of vulnerability, of opening up to potential rejection, was a gamble. But for the first time, Theo found himself hoping for something more than the fleeting thrill of the moment — he hoped for a chance.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Contrary to popular belief, Asher was not a fan of confrontation. She enjoyed when things ran smoothly and when there was harmony in her surroundings. She didn't like to get into arguments and she didn't like calling people's attention. She preferred tranquility but her job rarely led her to sit back and allow others to make the touch calls so she often made a choice. She would deal with her responsibilities and her obligations and leave the feelings and sentiments she had for her personal life aside. She wouldn't admit that she ran from confrontation in her personal life but it was true. So naturally, the last place Asher wanted to be at, was that moment. She was uncomfortable but she had taken a deep breath and just wanted to get it over with.

"Complicated doesn't begin to describe it," she said. "They got messy. They got dirty. I know you have a past but I don't want your past wrapping itself around your body as though it is the present. I like you, Theo. That night was special to me and it was honest. But I don't want to be with someone that surprises me and keeps me wondering at what point their dirty laundry is going to sneak up on me. So why don't you start from the beginning and tell me everything about you. We can start there, can't we?"

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo nodded, absorbing her words, feeling their weight settle over him. He sensed the fragility of the moment, the precipice on which they both stood. "You're right, Asher. It's been messy, and I'm... I'm sorry for my part in that," he said, his voice laced with sincerity. He took a step closer, not to invade her space but to bridge the chasm that seemed to have formed between them. "Starting from the beginning, huh?" he mused, a half-smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, not out of humor but as a reflex to mask the nervousness that was starting to gnaw at him. "Well, my life's been a series of foster homes, run-ins with trouble, and finding out I'm the son of Hermes. I've always lived in the moment, never looking too far ahead. I guess it's made me good at avoiding stuff... feelings, mostly."

He paused, searching for the right words. "But with you, it's different. I can't just slide past it or charm my way out. What happened between us, it wasn't part of some plan. It caught me off guard because I... I didn't expect to feel something real. And that scares me, Asher, more than any monster I've faced at camp." He took a deep breath, a rare display of vulnerability peeking through his typically carefree facade. "I've got baggage, more than I'd like to admit. And I get it if that's... if that's too much. But I also know that I don't want to keep guessing with you. I want to be someone you don't have to second-guess. Someone whose dirty laundry... well, it's out in the open, and it's not going to sneak up on you." Theo's eyes held hers, steady and earnest. "So, here I am, no excuses, no running. Just me, wanting to be better. For you, and maybe a little for myself too."

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher sighed. She was expected to come here and have him say something that would annoy her and then it would be all too easy to walk away. But he was making it harder and she couldn't find it in herself to walk away at that moment. She bit the inside of her cheeks and then turned to look at him. She understood what he meant and she even sympathize with him. It wasn't easy to show emotions and feelings, especially when one was always on survival mode. Still, she knew that what he said was true and so there was not much to do or say but just listen.

"I don't blame you for hiding your emotions," she said. "I understand that better than anyone. I don't care that you have a past. Everyone does. What bothered me was that you didn't tell me. I don't like to be blindsided. I want to know everything so that when it comes up, I'm prepared. You made me feel like an idiot, Theo, and that is not something I can tolerate."

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo listened, each of her words carving into him with a stark clarity. He watched her face, the play of emotions that she tried to mask, but which he could now read all too well. "I never wanted to make you feel like that," he said softly, his tone earnest, reflecting the regret he felt over the outcome. "I've been so used to keeping things to myself, playing it cool, that I didn't realize how selfish I was being. It was wrong of me not to trust you with my past, to not give you the choice to handle it or walk away." He shifted his weight slightly, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm used to being the guy who doesn't get caught up, who doesn't get involved. But with you, Asher, it's different. I want to be involved. I want to be the kind of person you can rely on, not someone who leaves you guessing or feeling exposed."

He hesitated for a moment, choosing his next words carefully. "I understand if you need time, or if you want to keep your distance. I'll respect that. But I also want you to know that I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. I want to be open with you, about everything. No more surprises, no more secrets. Just me, as I am, with all my flaws and mistakes." He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of release with his confession, a lightening of a burden he hadn't fully realized he'd been carrying. "I can't change the past, but I can work on the future. And I hope... I hope that future includes you, Asher. In whatever way you're willing to have me." His voice was steady, but his heart was pounding, laying his feelings out in the open, vulnerable to whatever her response might be. This was new territory for him, a place where charm and wit couldn't shield him. He was just Theo, raw and honest, hoping for a chance to make things right.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher knew what her father would say. He would place a calming hand on her shoulder and tell her to be more open and more understanding. "Don't be so harsh to judge, sweetie. People make mistakes." She knew deep down that he was right. Her father always had this air of charm and compassion around him. He always knew what to say and when to say it. He had a way with words that made people around him feel at ease. She hadn't inherited that trait. She had always felt very different from her father. He had emotional intelligence that she didn't and she wondered if that was something she had inherited from her mother. She took a deep breath, battling with opposing view in her head. 

"A part of me wants to walk away," she said. "Part of me wants to close the door on this chapter and pretend it didn't happen but I am realizing that I also can't do that so easily because the other part of me will always look back and wonder." She exhaled, getting closer to Theo. She felt this weird sensation on her chest that she couldn't describe and anyone else would have recognized it immediately as nerves. "We can try again and I can be more understanding and I guess, you can be more patient because I will always want to run. It's nothing personal. It is just the way I deal with feelings but I am willing to work on it. I just need you to be honest with me."

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo's heart skipped a beat as Asher spoke, her words threading through the fabric of his fears and hopes. He could see the internal struggle in her eyes, the war between her instinct to flee and the part of her that yearned to stay. "I understand," he replied, his voice a low, steady murmur. "Walking away, it's easy, it's safe. I've done it more times than I care to admit. But this," he gestured faintly between them, "it's worth the risk, worth trying for." As she stepped closer, the gap between them diminishing, Theo could feel a shift in the air, a subtle realignment of their mutual apprehensions into something that resembled a beginning.

He reached out, tentatively, as if to bridge the last of the distance between them with a physical affirmation of his commitment. "I'll be honest with you, Asher. No more secrets, no more running. And I'll be patient, as patient as you need me to be." His hand hovered, not quite touching hers, before he gently took it. "I want this to work, not just as a fleeting moment but something real, something lasting. I'll do whatever it takes to make that happen." The words hung in the air, a promise laid bare, stripped of any pretense. Theo felt a new sensation stirring within him, unfamiliar yet invigorating—a sense of purpose, of something genuine and profound taking root. "I don't want to be just another chapter in your story, Asher. I want to be part of the story you keep writing, the one you don't want to close." His eyes held hers, unwavering, the space between them nearly gone as he waited for her response.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

It was easy to run. She had done it all her life, even if she didn't want to admit it. Even if, doing so implied a sense of cowardice. However, as much as it was instinct for her to run, Asher also wanted to stay. She wanted to see this through. She wanted to see what the future held and she was excited about the unknown. She wanted Theo in her life and she wanted to see where this would lead to. She was scared and she felt vulnerable but somehow that didn't seem to outweigh the desire to see where this would lead. That was something that was quite unusual for her.

She smiled and Theo closed the gap between them. She got closer still and gently, placed her hands over his cheeks. She kissed him softly. Her lips pressed against his and she could taste the sweetness of his mouth. She closed her eyes and the kiss seemed to last an eternity. When she let go, she looked at him. Her eyes were fixated on his and she drew a gentle breath. "Promise me that no matter what happens, if we have a fight, if we disagree, we can always talk about it. That we will always talk about it. I don't want to just walk away."

Edited January 8 by Asher Harrington

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo felt a surge of relief and warmth wash over him as Asher closed the distance, her touch gentle against his cheeks, her kiss soft yet filled with a promise of something more profound. Her kiss removed the uncertainty that had plagued him, grounding him in the reality of the moment – a moment where possibilities began to blossom. As they parted, he gazed into her eyes, seeing not just the guarded Asher he had first met, but someone willing to take a leap of faith with him. "I promise," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, charged with the weight of his commitment. "We'll talk, no matter what. I won't walk away, and I won't let you walk away either, not without trying to fix it first."

He held her gaze, a depth of feeling swirling in his eyes, then impulsively, he pulled her back toward him. Their second kiss was different – it was charged, passionate, a fervent affirmation of the connection they were forging. As their lips met with an intensity that mirrored their emotions, Theo felt a jolt of exhilaration, a confirmation that this was where he was meant to be. His hands gently rested on her waist, drawing her closer, deepening the kiss as if to seal the promises they had just made. Breaking the kiss, Theo rested his forehead against hers, breathing in the moment. "I want this, Asher. I want us. And I'm ready to face whatever comes our way, together."

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher took a deep breath. They had kissed and they had spoken and she could feel herself slowly relax. It wasn't easy for her to let people in or trust them. Even at work it had been an issue, as she regarded her judgement above everyone else's. But she had to learn to be more open and she had to learn to rely on the people around her. She took a deep breath and looked at Theo. He pressed his forehead against hers and Asher was ever so grateful she wasn't shaking from the entire ordeal. "We'll talk," she said, more as a statement than an open ended question. "It won't always be easy though so be patient with me." She took a deep breath as she pulled away from their closeness and kissed him on the cheek. "What do you want to do now?"

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo felt a profound sense of contentment wash over him as Asher accepted his promise and made her own. Her admission, her request for patience, was a testament to the depth of what was unfolding between them. "I'll be as patient as it takes," he replied, a soft smile playing on his lips. "And I'm ready for the tough talks, the rough patches. We'll get through them, together." His words were not just promises but a commitment to the journey they were embarking on.

As she pulled away, leaving a kiss on his cheek, a sense of normalcy returned, grounding him back in the moment. "Well," he said, thinking for a moment, "how about we just take a walk? Nothing too intense, just a chance to talk more, be together." He offered her his hand, a gesture of partnership and equality. "I think a walk around the lake would be perfect. It's peaceful, and we can enjoy the night. Plus," he added with a playful twinkle in his eye, "I get to spend more time with you." Theo realized that with Asher, every moment, every interaction, was an opportunity to learn more about her, to deepen their connection. The simplicity of a walk, the tranquility of their surroundings, it was all they needed to continue building on the foundation they had just set.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher had no real guidance when it came to relationships. Her mother had left when they were young and her father never bothered to date after that. She had no sense of what constituted a healthy relationship. How they were supposed to communicate. How they were supposed to act around each other and what meant to be committed. She knew the basics. But then again, everyone had their own idea of romance and things of the sort. She was terrified and for a moment she wondered if she was up for it. If she was capable enough of such things. After all, there was a reason why she had always opted to be alone. She liked Theo. She dared say she liked him more than she intended to. And that was the terrifying part. Because what if she got used to him and his presence and then he walked away? What if she got so comfortable in his embrace that when he left, it left her heart shattered. She wondered who she could talk to about this. The only person she had ever confided on was her brother and she doubted he truly understood her sentiments. "A walk sounds nice. Why don't you tell me about you? Share things you have never shared before."

[Theodore Thatcher]

As they began their walk around the serene lake, Theo felt a sense of ease envelop him. Asher's request to share untold parts of himself sparked a mixture of excitement and apprehension. He glanced at her, taking in her expectant look, and decided to delve into a memory that was quintessentially him, yet something he rarely shared.

"You know, my life's been a series of dodging trouble and finding new ones," he started, his voice light but tinged with introspection. "But there's this one time, back when I was about twelve, that really sticks out." He chuckled, recalling the mischief. "I had this crazy idea to 'liberate' all the pets from a local pet store. I thought, 'Hey, these creatures deserve freedom just like I do.' So, one night, I snuck in, and, well, let's just say the town had a bit of a zoo on the loose the next morning." He shook his head, still amused by his younger self's antics. "Cats in trees, dogs chasing mailmen, hamsters rolling down the streets in their balls... It was chaos!"

Theo glanced at Asher, his eyes twinkling with the mischief of the memory. "So, yeah, that morning was quite a spectacle. You should've seen the look on the store owner's face – a mix of horror and disbelief. And me? I was watching it all from a distance, feeling like the mastermind of the greatest heist. Well, until I got caught, that is." He laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that echoed in the stillness of the night. "The police found it less amusing, obviously. But the thrill of that night, the adrenaline rush of pulling off something so absurd – it was classic Theo."

His smile was infectious, and he gave Asher a playful nudge. "That's the kind of stuff that made my childhood... interesting, to say the least. Always on the run, always plotting some crazy scheme. It wasn't just about causing trouble; it was about feeling alive, feeling free in my own way." He shrugged, a casual gesture that belied the wildness of his younger days. "I guess that's a part of who I am – always looking for the next adventure, the next challenge. Keeps life interesting, don't you think? But enough about me, it's your turn! What was little Asher like?" he teased. 

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher chuckled for a moment as Theo spoke, though there was a pressing question that lingered about her mind over everything else. She found his story amusing and very on character but she couldn't help but think about all the consequences and series of events that came out of that one heist. "What were you planning to do with all the free animals? I mean, I suppose in the store or at the zoo they are somewhat taken care of, but out there in the wild- Where you going to take them somewhere?" Asher thought it was very interesting how Theo talked about that feeling of wanting to be alive. To feel the rush and adrenaline of doing something he wasn't supposed to. Asher had never truly felt that. She never broke the rules but she never felt a need to do so either. She followed instructions and did what was expected of her and she was okay with that. It made her feel important and extraordinary whenever she achieved what was laid out in front of her.

"I was not like that. I always did what I was told. I took all kinds of lessons, I focused on school, I did my chores. After it was clear that my brother wasn't exactly going to follow in my father's footsteps, I took on the role to be the son he wanted. Plus, I think that kept his mind off my mother. He never quite got over her. I guess you could say I was always just perfect. I was serious and didn't care much for childish things. I had to grow up fast. Someone had to take care of my brother and look after my father. But I didn't think of it as a burden. I had everything I could want. I don't know if that makes sense to you."

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo listened intently to Asher's recounting of her childhood, a stark contrast to his own. "I guess my plan wasn't that far ahead," he admitted with a slight shrug, a rueful grin on his face. "I didn't think about what would happen to them afterward. I just wanted to break the chains, you know? Make a statement. But you're right, it was more complicated than I realized at the time." He paused, pondering the simplicity of his younger mindset compared to the complexities he understood now.

He turned his gaze back to Asher as she shared her own experiences, finding a deep respect for the sense of duty and maturity she had shouldered from such a young age. "It makes perfect sense," he replied sincerely. "You stepped up when you needed to, took on responsibilities most kids wouldn't even think about. It's admirable, Asher. And I get it, in a way. We both had to grow up fast, just in different worlds, with different challenges." Theo's voice carried a tone of understanding and appreciation for the paths they had both walked, so different yet leading them to this shared moment.

Theo's eyes reflected a mix of emotions as they continued their walk - amusement, respect, and a growing sense of connection to Asher's story. "You know, it's funny how different our childhoods were, yet here we are, walking the same path now. It's like two completely different journeys leading to the same destination." He chuckled softly, finding irony in the thought. "I think it's pretty cool, actually. We've both learned a lot along the way, and now we get to share that with each other." Theo's expression softened as he looked out over the lake, feeling a sense of peace and rightness in this moment with Asher, despite their contrasting pasts.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher wasn't one to believe in destiny. At least not in the way that romance made it out to be. That whole things about crossing paths with the one that you were meant to be with sounded very unlikely. Like one was not in charge or their journey but merely did went through life feeling no real sense of purpose until something happened to them. She was not like that. She always took control and she always did something because standing eerily by seemed to be what had eventually killed her father. Asher was afraid that if she slowed down, allowed herself to think, to fill, it would kill her too. She had never told anyone that and quite honestly, she wasn't even sure she knew how to explain it. "Do you ever wish that we were someone else? That we weren't who we are now and we had simply been born normal? I always wondered what it was like to have a family that was whole."

[Theodore Thatcher]

Theo paused, his gaze lingering on the sunset painting the sky in hues of gold and pink, reflecting on Asher's question with a contemplative silence. The tranquil scene before them seemed to mirror the quiet introspection he felt. "Sometimes, yeah," he finally said, his voice low and thoughtful, eyes still fixed on the fading light. "I've wondered what it would be like to have a 'normal' life, to not always be on the move, to have a steady place to call home." He turned to Asher, his expression a mix of resignation and acceptance. "But then, I think about all the things I've experienced, the adventures, the challenges... they've shaped me, made me who I am. Sure, it's been tough, and I've had my share of wishing for something different, something easier. But if I were someone else, I wouldn't have met you, wouldn't have had this moment right now." He smiled softly, the warmth in his eyes conveying a sincerity that words alone could not. "Our pasts, as chaotic as they were, led us here, to each other. And I can't help but think that maybe, just maybe, it was all worth it."

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher turned to look at the lake. It was different from the lakes in Central Park. Everything here was different from New York. She often split her time between the city and camp but for some reason, none of those ever quite made her feel at home. Her townhouse did feel like the place she grew up but that building was like it was surrounded by a wall that made it feel out of reach to the outside world. It was her sanctuary. Still, the lake felt peaceful and she realized then, it had never felt that way before. "What do you think you're going to do once you have to leave camp? Do you ever feel strange to know there will be a time when we can't come back?"

[Theodore Thatcher]

As the last of the sun's glow faded, casting long shadows across the tranquil water, Theo felt a blend of melancholy and contentment stir within him. He gazed at the soft ripples on the lake's surface, considering Asher's question, feeling the weight of a future that was all too uncertain. "It does feel strange, thinking about leaving all this behind," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and realism. "Camp has been more than just a place; it's been a part of who I am. But I guess, like everything else, it’s meant to be a chapter. Not the whole story." He paused, his gaze drifting back to Asher, appreciating her presence beside him, a reminder of the connections that made the impending departure bittersweet.

"I think about it sometimes, what life outside will be like. It’s a mix of excitement for the new adventures and a bit of dread for the unknown. I want to carry forward the lessons I've learned here, the openness, the bravery. Maybe find a way to blend the spirit of camp with the rest of the world waiting out there." He chuckled softly, trying to mask the uncertainty with a hint of optimism. "But no matter where we end up, I believe the bonds we've built here won't just disappear. They're too strong, too important. And hey," he added, giving Asher a gentle, reassuring smile, "we’ll always have the memories, right? More importantly....maybe even each other? Plus, the world outside isn't going anywhere. Maybe it's our turn to make it feel a bit more like camp." His words carried a hope that they both could find a way to navigate the transition, maintaining the essence of what had brought them together, even as the chapter at camp closed. "Perhaps we should start to head back though, it is going to get pretty dark soon." As he said this he reached out his hand to take hers and lead them wherever the future and fate had in mind.

[Asher Harrington Rare Rare]

Asher hadn't thought much about what a future without camp would be like. She knew it was bound to happen. She was getting older and at some point, she had to leave that behind. But it wasn't something that weighed on her mind like it should. It would be something she would deal with when the time came, not before. She turned to look at Theo and nodded. She wasn't one to get overly sentimental, so she wasn't sure what to say. She just smiled and extended her hand to grab his. "Let's go," she said softly.

 

(END)