Twenty-One
TWENTY-ONE
REV
The air is heavy with the scent of pine, and there’s the distant murmur of a stream as I make my way to the clearing where Hades and I have often sought refuge from the world. It’s a place of solace, and our secret haven nestled deep within the forest that’s a short distance from Belfast.
I’ve always found comfort in the familiarity of the towering trees and the gentle rustling of leaves, but today, there’s a nervous energy in my step.
I clutch the small velvet box in my pocket. Its weight is both a comfort and a reminder of the gravity of my actions. I proposed to Harley, and her smile and the tearful joy in her eyes are still vivid in my memory, playing over and over like a cherished reel. Now comes the hard part—telling Hades.
I know he won’t be angry. Well, maybe a bit upset that I didn’t tell him first. But I wanted Harley to say yes before I told anyone else. Deep down, I was afraid she’d say no. The fear of her walking away had been racing through my thoughts right up until the moment she accepted my proposal.
Hades is already there when I arrive, leaning against our favourite oak tree, lost in his thoughts. He looks up as I approach, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, I wonder if he already knows. We’ve always had this uncanny ability to sense each other’s emotions, even from a distance.
He’s dressed in his cut, dark jeans, and a white tee that looks like it’s seen better days. His hair isn’t as long as mine, but it’s tied into a bun at the back of his head.
“Brother, you look like a man with something on his mind,” he greets me with a smile.
I chuckle, trying to ease the tension in my own chest.
“You could say that,” I reply, taking a seat on the moss-covered ground opposite him.
The sunlight filters through the canopy and casts dappled shadows that dance around us. There’s a moment of silence, the kind that’s comfortable between brothers, but today it feels charged with anticipation. I take a deep breath, and the scent of earth and pine grounds me.
“I’ve done something, Hades,” I begin, my voice steady, despite the nerves. “Something significant. I know you’re going to be angry, but I needed to do it on my own.”
Hades raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Oh? Do tell.”
I pull the box from my pocket, holding it out for him to see. The sight of it makes my heart race, the reality of my decision settling in. “I proposed to Harley,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
For a moment, there’s silence. Hades stares at the box, then at me.
“You what?” His tone is filled with surprise, and shock is clearly written all over his face.
“I asked Harley to marry me,” I repeat, more confidently this time. “And she said yes.”
Hades is silent, processing the information. I can see the gears turning in his mind, the way they always do when he’s thinking deeply. Finally, he lets out a long breath, and a bright smile spreads across his face.
“Hadrian, that’s… that’s incredible. Congratulations.”
The relief that floods through me is almost overwhelming. I hadn’t realised how much I’d been dreading this moment, fearing his disapproval or, worse, his indifference. But Hades, as always, surprises me.
He stands and pulls me into a tight embrace, clapping me on the back. “I’m genuinely happy for you. Harley’s a wonderful woman, and you deserve every bit of happiness together.”
“Thank you,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “That means more to me than you know.”
We sit back down, and Hades looks at me, his expression turning serious. “Why didn’t you tell me you were planning this? Maybe I could’ve helped.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t tell anyone, not even Monster. I wanted it to be a surprise, something just between Harley and me. It felt right that way.”
Hades nods, understanding in his eyes. “I get that. Some moments need to be just for the two of you. But you know you can always count on me, right? For anything.”
“I know,” I reply, feeling a warmth spread through me. “And I’m grateful for that, mate. Truly.”
He leans back against the tree with a thoughtful look on his face. “So, how did you do it? The proposal, I mean.”
I smile, the memory bringing a rush of joy to me.
“I asked her last night while we were at the Giant’s Causeway. We’d spent the day wandering along the coast.” I shake my head when I think about Harley smiling at the bairns playing on the rocks. I never saw myself becoming a father, but at that moment, I knew I wanted her to be the mother of my children. “Anyway, we were sitting looking out at the ocean, you know how much Harley loves the water, and I just knew the time was right. I got down on one knee and asked her to be my wife.”
Hades grins, shaking his head in amazement. “You romantic shite. That sounds perfect. I’m glad she said yes.”
“She did,” I respond with a grin, the reality still sinking in. “She actually said yes.”
We sit in companionable silence for a while longer, the enormity of what I’ve done hanging in the air between us.
Hades is the first to speak. “You’re really in love with her, aren’t you?”
“I am,” I admit without any hesitation. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Hades looks at me, his gaze piercing. “Then you’ve made the right choice. Love like that doesn’t come around often, Hadrian. When it does, you have to hold onto it with everything you’ve got.”
I nod, the truth of his words resonating deep within me. “I intend to, brother. I intend to.”
There’s a rustle in the bushes nearby, and immediately alert, we both turn to see a deer moving gracefully through the undergrowth. It pauses for a moment, looking at us with its dark, liquid eyes, before bounding away into the trees.
“Do you remember the forest we used to run to when Dad was in one of his moods?” Hades asks, a nostalgic smile on his lips. “We’d pretend it was our kingdom, and we were the rulers.”
I laugh, the memories flooding back. “How could I forget? You were always the fearless leader, and I was your loyal second-in-command.”
“We did have some good times,” Hades says, his smile fading slightly. “Things were simpler then.”
“They were,” I agree, a hint of melancholy in my voice. “But we’ve grown and become who we were meant to be, haven’t we? And now with Dad dead, we can live our lives free of his shadow.”
Hades looks at me with a serious expression. “You’re about to start a whole new chapter, Hadrian. A life with Harley. Are you ready for that?”
I think about it for a moment, the future stretching out before me like an uncharted path. “I am,” I reply, with confidence in my voice.
He claps me on the shoulder, his touch reassuring. “Then you’re going to be just fine. Both of you.”
We sit talking about the future for a while longer. It’s peaceful here. A perfect place to reflect on the past and contemplate what’s to come.
When we finally stand to leave, Hades turns to me, a mischievous glint in his eye. “So, when is the wedding? Have you set a date yet?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Not yet. We’ve only just got engaged. Give us a little time to figure things out.”
He grins, clearly enjoying the moment. “Fair enough. But don’t take too long. I’m looking forward to celebrating with you both.”
“We won’t,” I promise. “I’ll make sure you’re the first to know. You’ll have to find a lovely lass to bring along as your date.”
“Oh, I’m not the kind who settles down, but I might invite a few pretty lassies to keep me occupied.” I know he’s joking, but I would like to see my brother fall in love. I want him to find happiness and settle down.
Ever since Harley agreed to marry me, everything seems brighter, more vibrant, as if the world itself is celebrating with me. I feel a sense of peace, of contentment.
As we’re making our way back to our bikes, Hades stops and looks at me, his expression serious once more. “Rev, I’m proud of you. For everything. You’ve come a long way, and I know you’ll make Harley incredibly happy.”
“Thank you, mate,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude. “That means a lot to me.”
We embrace once more, and then he’s gone, striding ahead towards his bike. I watch him go, feeling a swell of affection for my brother. He’s always been there for me, through thick and thin, and I know he always will.
I take one last look at the forest, our secret haven, and turn to follow him. There’s a new chapter waiting to be written, and I’m ready to meet it head-on.