Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The next time Harley opened her eyes, a beautiful sight of a still sleeping Pammy greeted her.

She smiled to herself and took a moment to really look at her.

Harley studied how the light made her red hair shine, almost to a glow.

Speaking of glowing, her face looked relaxed and happy, even in her sleep.

Harley's grin grew at the thought that she’d kept the nightmares away.

Pammy shifted slightly in her sleep, turning her head towards her.

Harley continued to study her; watching her chest rise and fall evenly, the soft lines on her face, the tip of her nose that occasionally scrunched, and inevitably her eyes drifted to the small bumps on her face…

She felt the guilt start to build up, and did what she normally did when it happened, leaning in and gently kissing the tiny bumps in apology.

Thankfully, Harley didn’t wake her from the kiss, but as she pulled back to admire Pammy further, she studied the curves of Pammy’s lips and decided she didn’t get enough of them last night, leaning in once again to capture them softly once more.

A soft inhale from Pammy alerted her that she was starting to wake up.

Harley pulled back for a moment to watch her, before going back for another kiss.

This time Pammy reacted, albeit slowly, kissing her back.

Harley smiled into it, before pulling back to watch Pammy’s eyes flutter open.

At least, that’s what she had initially expected to happen.

Instead though, Pammy’s arms came wrapping around her, and her head leaned up to kiss her.

Harley instantly melted back into her.

They spent some more time waking up before Pammy’s alarm went off.

Harley went and got herself dressed and ready for brunch while Pammy did the same, watering her plants as well.

They made their way to Pauline’s, Harley wrapped around Pammy’s arm the entire way, happy to be close to her.

But the moment Pammy stepped in and saw Selina, she was instantly red.

Selina didn't even have to do anything- she just looked up and at her.

Harley grinned, watching the embarrassment color her face.

Pammy sat on the inside of the booth while Selina spent easily the first fifteen minutes relentlessly teasing her and making several lewd comments.

Out of thanks, Harley may have indulged Selina in a few of her questions about their night last night and the multitude of orgasms Pammy gave her.

The one where Pammy finally jumped into the conversation to stop it, was Selina was asking about a particular move from their one experience and Harley nearly let slip that indeed Pammy had used the exact move on her quite effectively.

As brunch was now practically finished, Harley went to use the restroom and took her time to let Selina and Pammy catch up.

Washing her hands, a small flash of anxiety hit her, an unkind voice forming in the back of her mind:

‘What if Pammy didn’t really have that good of a time?’

‘What if she’s telling her right now that maybe they just aren’t compatible?’

Harley desperately wanted to disagree with that small little voice in her head making her feel this way.

She sure didn’t get the idea Pammy didn’t have a good time and they felt rather compatible last night.

Harley realized her fear stemmed from the idea of Pammy wanting to leave her.

Her fear of being alone.

She took a deep breath before throwing on a smile and returning to the two women waiting for her.

Upon her return, she saw both women smiling.

Both were natural smiles, and not even a smirk coming from Selina, so it seemed like they had a pleasant conversation.

Pammy’s smile grew bigger upon seeing her though, and it calmed the thoughts in her mind.

Briefly.

The incredibly lewd comment from Selina as they left that turned Pammy back to a scarlet blush also helped.

On their walk back to their home, they decided to stop off at the local park and walk through it to extend their time since the weather was on the nicer side.

Harley had wrapped herself around Pammy’s arm once again, but it didn’t stop those unkind thoughts from permeating her brain again:

‘Say goodbye to little moments like these- you know what happens next.’

‘She’s going to either start distancing herself from you or she’s going to start acting different. Just like they all did.’

Harley’s grip on Pammy’s arm grew tighter as her thoughts antagonized her:

‘She thinks she loves you… but you-,’

“Everything okay?” Pammy asked her, cutting the thought off.

Harley didn’t answer right away, unsure exactly how to answer her.

There were a million ways to respond, but eventually she decided to ask, “Ya sure ya love me?”

Pammy answered her, sounding only slightly embarrassed, “I-I would have thought what happened last night would have provided several confirmations on th-that…”

Harley’s steps slowed, but she still refused to let go of Pammy’s arm, and it seemed to cause her to slow to a stop to face her.

“Where’s this coming from?” Pammy asked her back, her free hand coming slowly to touch her cheek.

Harley appreciated her slow movement, knowing Pammy had done it so she wouldn’t flinch.

She was certain that while her head was being particularly unkind to herself, she wouldn’t put it past her head to assume Pammy was going to slap her.

Like Jack might have.

The unkind voice came back:

‘Just because she said she loves you last night doesn’t mean she does now.’

Harley argued back to that mean voice, ‘She does! She does, she does, she… does. Right?’

“Like sure, sure?” Harley asked next.

She needed the confirmation, otherwise she’d lose this internal struggle.

“Yes. Positive.” Pammy answered instantly, and added in a sincere voice, “I love you.”

The unkind voice shouted instantly:

‘She’s just saying that. She doesn’t mean it.’

‘That’s not true!’ Harley shouted back inside her head before asking as tears formed, “Not just sayin’ it?”

“No, n-not just saying it. What’s wrong, Harls?” Pammy asked, now sounding a bit panicked herself, but the hand touching her cheek began rubbing it softly.

She needed to tell the truth.

Even if it meant Pammy was maybe weirded out or even upset by it.

“Nothin’… just,” Harley dry laughed, “kinda scared yer gonna start to distance yerself from me now that we…” Harley shook her head, refusing to finish her sentence out of a sense of odd shame that she was accusing her of something.

“Now that we…? Oh! What? N-No!” Pammy replied, sliding the hand that was on her cheek to the back of her head and gently pulling Harley into her and kissing the top of her head, “No chance of that.”

“Just kinda expect it at this point…” Harley sniffed a bit, trying to stop the tears.

“Why would you expect that f-from me?” Pammy asked worriedly.

“I… I don’t… I know deep down ya won’t, truly, but my head… isn’t always so kind.” Harley admitted, sniffling more and outright crying now.

Pammy continued to place kisses on Harley’s head in response.

“Trust your gut. I love you. I’m not g-going anywhere unless you w-want me to.” Pammy replied.

The unkind voice replied in her head:

'Your gut’s been wrong before…’

The voice wasn’t wrong, but... this time really did feel different.

“Everyone whose told me they loved me, slept with me, then either left, which,” Harley let out a deep sigh, “fine, whatever, breakups happen, or they... well, started actin’ different after. Like they got what they wanted n’ didn’t… maybe didn’t actually love me like I thought… like they thought they did.”

“Am I acting different…?” Pammy asked, sounding confused.

“No… that’s why…” Harley trailed off.

She didn’t want to finish accusing her of it.

It wasn’t fair- it wasn’t right.

“That’s why you th-think I’m going to distance myself f-from you…” Pammy answered in realization.

Harley nodded into her, her head tucked to Pammy’s chest, holding on tighter again out of fear that Pammy wasn’t going to like what she just said... what she insinuated.

“Daffodil, look at me?” Pammy asked gently.

Harley did as asked at the comforting nickname, the one where she knew everything would be okay when she heard it.

Harley lifted her head from Pammy's chest while tears steadily fell.

Pammy started cleaning them up with her free hand and asked gently once again, but with what Harley could tell was a healthy bit of fear in her voice, “Do you w-want me to go? Do you want to b-break up with me?”

Harley shook her head no aggressively, “No.” - ‘No way, nuh-uh, please don’t leave!’

Pammy gave a short breath of relief and replied, “I don’t want that either.”

A beat passed before Pammy started talking again, “Selina asked me if it was all w-worth it this morning.”

Pammy massaged the back of Harley’s head, her fingers tangling lightly in her hair and continued, “And at first I didn’t understand the question. B-But after everything we went through to get here? To get to this point? She asked if I would d-do it again, even if I couldn’t change anything, and I would.”

Harley looked at her intently, her tears having slowed to a stop as Pammy spoke.

“I would go through it again a-and again, if it meant being with you.” Pammy said, placing a lingering kiss on her forehead.

“Like a groundhog’s day situation?” Harley laughed out, a smile finally returning to her face.

“Sure, like a groundhog’s day situation.” Pammy answered, laughing with her.

“So, I’m not going to throw it all away. I-I’m… I’m in this for the long haul.” Pammy finished.

The long haul.

She hadn’t heard that before.

Pammy almost never lied to her- that had always remained a constant.

So hearing Pammy say that in such a serious tone- Harley took it at face value.

This was real.

This was going to be another long-term relationship; and maybe, if she was lucky, it’d be for life.

Harley’s lips were on Pammy’s quickly- sealing what she hoped was a promise with a kiss.

“Me too.” Harley whispered back before kissing her once again.

The pair walked back to their home after, with the unkind voice in Harley’s head now far quieter than before.

She knew it wouldn’t be gone for forever, but at least for now that voice had no ground to stand on as Pammy assuaged her fears.

—

TIme passed and Pammy continued to be there for her day after day.

One Sunday morning in the middle of February, Pammy had approached her while she was making them both some lunch.

“Daffodil…” Pammy called out.

“Yea, Pam-a-lamb?” Harley answered back, pouring out the tomato soup into two bowls.

“Can we t-talk? I promise nothing bad, I-I think.” Pammy continued.

“Course we can! I’m just finishin’ lunch fer us, we can sit n’ eat while we talk, maybe?” Harley replied, the small pit in her stomach growing at the terrifying statement, ‘can we talk’.

Pammy’s addition that she didn’t think it was anything bad, was slightly helpful, but it wasn’t enough to stop the alarm bells ringing in her head.

Harley served up the soups as Pammy sat down, before grabbing their grilled cheese sandwiches.

She sat down next to Pammy, but her appetite seemingly disappeared.

Pammy reached out with her hand to hold hers, the warm gesture both helping and hurting matters until Pammy said whatever it was she needed to.

“I-I just wanted to talk to you about what’s going to happen in about a week.” Pammy said.

Harley nodded, a bit confused, but willing to listen.

“Spring is… a v-very busy time for me. B-Both at work and here at home, as you m-might imagine.”

“Sure, that kinda makes sense.” Harley replied, wondering where this was going.

“So it means that I’m going to be working significantly more a-and won’t really be able to come visit you at the bar, or, um, have lunch, and will need to spend a lot more time in the lab, greenhouse, and garden.” Pammy continued to explain.

Harley understood now.

Pammy was trying to tell her she was going to be focusing on some more personal things and wouldn’t have as much time for her.

Harley nodded and asked, “So, not as much bar nights or lunch times… got it. But what ‘bout couch time at night, n’ we’ll still go out on dates n’ such, right?”

Pammy grimaced slightly, “I will certainly try m-my hardest, but spring is very time-consuming.”

“Oh…” Harley said, disappointed with her answer and letting go of Pammy’s hand, grabbing the first half of her grilled cheese and dipping it into the soup to distract herself.

‘Already starting to distance herself from you.’ The unkind voice in her head returned.

Pammy looked to be studying her before supplying, “I know that wasn’t what you wanted to hear, but I wanted to be truthful.”

Harley just continued to nod and put a small smile on her face.

“If at any point you need me though, you can always come to me. I will do my best to help in whatever way I can.” Pammy finished, looking at her intently.

Harley’s smile grew a bit wider at the addition, “Thanks Pammy. I will.”

Lunch continued after that, and time was still spent as they had been.

That very week though, things started to change.

It was small changes, though.

A few extra hours in the greenhouse here, one missed lunch, and one missed night of meeting her at the bar.

If this was the extent of it, Harley could certainly handle this!

The way Pammy had explained it, sitting her down and all, Harley thought they’d never see each other!

The following week after that though, Harley realized that what she thought was the original change, was only just a teaser to the misery that was the month of March.

Their routine went from waking up together, breakfast together, lunch together as much as possible, dinner together, and couch time, with Saturday dates, to waking up alone, breakfast alone as Pammy continued to work in her greenhouse, the very occasional lunch in Pammy’s office, then if Harley was lucky, she’d spend some time in the hammock in the greenhouse if that was where Pammy was working, and then eventually retire to bed- sometimes alone.

Lunches had gotten shorter as Pammy wasn’t able to keep up the conversation, and the nights Harley was able to spend in the greenhouse dwindled down to Pammy not being able to really chat because she needed to focus.

Even Selina’s birthday party, a joint one with Pammy because she had "no time to think about anything for herself" according to her, Pammy had only spent a total of an hour at the bar before heading back home.

Selina expected this though, letting Harley know that Pammy had always ignored her own birthday to care for plants.

It's why Selina always incorporated a little something for her during their shared parties.

That morning, Harley had even tried to make Pammy a special breakfast for her birthday, but Pammy spent the morning in the garden.

She did come out to eat eventually, but the pancakes she had made her were cold and she had to leave for work.

Later that evening she’d at least managed to convince Pammy to take a small break to give her the birthday present she’d gotten for her- a set of tea steepers shaped as if they were test tubes from her lab.

It wasn’t a very large gift as she was still trying to save up to pay her back, finally even paying her their previously agreed upon rent!

She received a genuine smile and a kiss for her present and it’d been a long enough time, that Harley quickly managed to get them both undressed and in bed in under five minutes.

The part she did not enjoy was when she returned to the greenhouse after.

Not that Pammy didn’t check to make sure Harley was okay for her to leave and it certainly wasn’t a quick retreat as soon as they were done, even giving her a goodnight kiss.

But Harley had missed her for the last few weeks and would have much rather fallen asleep in her arms instead.

Harley continued to make her attempts at small moments together, but it was now April and things were getting a bit too distant.

They were getting a bit distant.

Pammy had not only skipped their lunches this week, but last night, while she was finishing up in the bathroom, Harley returned to Pammy’s room to find that in just the few minutes she had left to get ready for bed, Pammy had fallen asleep.

She didn’t get her goodnight kiss that Pammy promised.

Harley felt distraught.

Feelings of sadness and frustration flooded her, and while she still leaned down to kiss the top of Pammy’s head for her goodnight kiss, she struggled to fall asleep for several hours.

Tossing and turning, her mind straying back to its unkind words:

‘She’s pulling away from you.’

‘She said she’d never distance herself from you, and yet this is your new normal.’

She finally fell asleep at some point, and awoke to Pammy’s alarm going off before the sun rose.

Pammy got up, placed a kiss on her head, and then got ready for her day.

It only served to make Harley more upset.

And now, here Harley was, at Noonan’s on Thursday, feeling absolutely miserable.

The guy attempting to chat her up, was getting on her nerves a bit.

Normally she could hide it, but she was irritated and frustrated at the sincere lack of Pammy at the bar.

Luckily, whoever he was here with pulled him away after a few more minutes of boring her to death.

Harley grumbled to herself, “Seriously, what the hell is it with these guys an’ crypto…”

“Hey Harley, kegs out for the Michelob, can you help restock that one?” Babs called out from the back, popping from the corner.

“Yea, sure, whatever…” Harley grumbled further, slamming the rag from her hand down into the bucket.

“Hey, woah… what’s with the attitude? I can do it if you really don’t want to- you just usually like doing it.” Babs replied back, calling her out as Harley continued into the back anyway.

Harley sighed heavily, “Nothin’.”

“Sure doesn’t seem it.” Babs countered.

“It’s nothin’…” Harley tried again.

“Right, and I totally believe you.” Babs responded sarcastically.

Harley ignored her and went over to the kegs, removing the tap from the old one on the wall, and lifting the barrel out of the way.

Babs continued to look at her oddly while she worked, however she said nothing.

That was until she was mid-lift on the replacement keg and Harley heard her ask, “Where’s Pam been lately?”

Harley instantly dropped the keg, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath, trying not to instantly lose it on her coworker and friend, who was playing a very dangerous game with her.

“Home. With her plants.” Harley answered gruffly, before once again lifting the heavy keg and getting it into place.

“Is that why you’re being a butt-head?” Babs asked.

Harley scoffed, “I am not!”

“Are too.” Babs replied.

“Be so fer real right now.” Harley said angrily back.

“I am. You literally looked like you want to take my head off just for asking where she was..” Babs responded, crossing her arms.

“It doesn’t matter, okay.” Harley replied turning back to the keg.

“I think it clearly does.” Babs replied.

Harley continued to get the tap to the keg ready while Babs added more, “You know I used to play soccer as a kid?”

“Cool.” Harley replied monotonely, then asked, “Where’s this goin’?”

“Just…” Babs sighed, then continued, “Both my parents went to my games, at first. I’d always look to the sidelines and there they were. Until the divorce.”

Harley instantly realized Babs was opening up about something and started to pay a bit more attention as she continued, “Then it was looking on opposite sidelines. Then only one of them started showing up. Then… one day, no one was there. Just had to wait until one of them picked me up from the game. I stopped playing after that last year.”

“Sorry… that super sucks.” Harley replied with genuine pity.

Babs shrugged and said, “Yea. It did. It got better eventually, but the point I was trying to make was that for you, Pammy is the one you’re hoping shows up at the sidelines for you.”

“She’s just, busy. An’ I get it. It’s spring, we talked… I jus’… I dunno.” Harley responded, shrugging herself.

“After spending the last few months where she was here all the time… it’s bound to make you feel a bit neglected.” Babs offered.

“She’s not... neglectin’ me. She still loves me. We still fu-,” Harley tried to respond, but Babs interjected, “LA, LA, LA, LA! Nope, I’m good, I get it!”

Harley snorted in a bit of laughter, teasing Babs lightly, “Prude.”

Babs rolled her eyes, and continued, “Anyway…” Babs put a hand on Harley’s shoulder, her look getting a bit more serious, “After a really long time of no one seeming to be there for you until she showed up, now that she’s not here as much, it’s okay to feel the way you are.”

Harley bristled a bit, until finally relenting and giving in, “I miss her…”

“I can tell. A lot of us can.” Babs replied consolingly.

Harley started tearing up, trying to hold it back, as she still had another hour before clocking out and didn't want the million questions of 'why are you crying?'

“Why don’t you tell her? I’m sure she’d care about how you’re feeling with everything.” Babs asked.

“It’s not fair to her.” Harley replied, shaking her head.

“Maybe it’s not fair of you to not tell her either.” Babs rebutted.

“How so?” Harley asked.

“Don’t you think that if you’re hurting, she’d want to know? That hiding how you’re feeling will only serve to cause more distance?” Babs asked back.

Harley simply stared at her in surprise.

“I’d call that pretty unfair, if you ask me.” Babs finished.

Harley continued to think about Babs’ words.

She thought, further about it and everything made sense- Babs was right, she needed to tell her before things got worse.

And things would definitely be worse in an hour because it would be all she could think about.

“I need to go.” Harley said, heading to her cubby to grab her jacket and keys.

“I figured, I’ll let Chuck know instead of Lisa!” Babs shouted back.

“Thanks!” Harley said, already halfway out the door.

Harley practically ran home.

It was late as she came into the house, locking the door shut behind her and swiftly making her way to the greenhouse, knowing she'd find Pammy there.

She barged in, tears streaming down her face, running right up to Pammy and hugging her tightly from behind to Pammy’s clear surprise.

“Daffodil?! What’s wrong, are y-you alright?” Pammy asked with serious concern.

Harley was still crying, un-answering, holding her tightly still.

She couldn’t- she just needed to let it out and hold her for a minute.

Pammy was trying to move, despite the tight grip Harley had on her, but once Harley realized that she was only trying to turn towards her, she loosened up just enough before tucking back in.

Pammy held her back after she had dropped whatever the metal item in her hand was and taking her gardening gloves off, tossing it all off to the side in order to do so.

Pammy whispered out in a sort of panicked voice, “Um… is this about how the jackfruit tree is doing…?”

Harley shook her head no and felt Pammy’s body slack slightly in relief.

But then she moved to cradle her head like she always did to comfort her as she cried, and Harley didn’t know if it helped or hindered the tears, considering it made her feel safe to cry a bit harder.

After a long while of Pammy holding her while she cried, when her tears appeared to slow, Pammy asked her softly, “Talk to me?”

“I miss ya…” Harley replied quietly.

“I haven’t gone anywhere, honey. I’ve been right here, or m-maybe at work...” Pammy answered, sounding confused.

Harley shook her head and tried to explain further, “I mean, I know, but… that’s all you’ve been.”

Harley nuzzled closer, “Ya haven’t come to see me at the bar in weeks… not since ya started yer spring routine.”

Pammy stayed silent and listened to her, continuing to hold her, which gave Harley the strength to keep expressing her feelings.

“N’ I know we talked ‘bout it, an’ ya warned me ‘bout how much time it was gonna take up in yer day, but that doesn't mean I don’t wanna see ya.” Harley continued.

“I lasted s’long as I could, but Pammy, I’m kinda scared…” Harley said as a new sob and her tears started up again.

“Scared? Why?” Pammy asked.

“I feel like we’re not as close anymore… like yer pullin’ away from me.” Harley answered through tears and clutching her tightly.

Pammy responded by kissing the top of her head, holding her just as tightly back, “I’m s-so sorry I’ve made you f-feel this way.”

“Let me finish up here and after we can t-talk? We can figure this out together?” She asked next, rubbing the small of Harley’s back and placing an additional kiss on her head.

Harley nodded and finally let go of Pammy after a brief hesitation.

She didn’t know how long finishing up would take and she was desperate for more time with her.

“Maybe make some chamomile tea while I finish? I promise I will be there very soon.” Pammy offered.

Harley eyed her warily at the mention of making tea- clearly something for her to do while she waited a longer time.

Pammy added shortly after her look of wariness, “The tea will still be warm by the time I come find you. I promise.”

Harley nodded once again and walked off towards the kitchen.

As she made the tea, she stood there, unsure how this conversation was about to go.

Plants were Pammy’s entire world- her life.

She would hope she was just as important to her, but she couldn’t ask her to choose her over them.

There had to be some sort of middle ground, even if it was just a few more meals together.

Or a guaranteed day together.

At worst, maybe a night on the couch for one hour.

No, two.

She didn’t think it’d be too much to ask, but all it reminded her of was Jack’s working hours and how focused he was on that to the point she finally recognized that she had been neglected.

She’d been a maid.

A servant.

She didn't think she was being treated like one by Pammy, considering she wasn't responsible for every chore, but the neglect in the last month alone felt reminiscent of her last dying relationship.

She poured the tea into a cup for Pammy, sniffling.

Harley wanted this one to last.

Forever, really.

The perfect life of living with her best friend seemed like it was fading and it made the tears worse as she sat on the couch, setting the cup down.

‘Stop. Yer only makin’ it worse fer yerself. Yer hurtin’ yer own feelin’s.’ Harley’s inner voice shouted at herself through the unkind voice’s words:

‘It’s over.’

‘She doesn’t love you anymore.’

‘Good luck finding anyone as good as her.’

Harley tried her best to just meditate for a bit, watching the steam rise from the cup, slowly dissipating.

‘She promised she’d come while it’s still warm. She hasn’t forgotten. She just needs to finish up.’ Harley thought, trying to keep calm as the steam rising up grew ever thinner.

For a moment, Harley thought about running back into the greenhouse and dragging her to the couch.

Her head felt like it was spinning.

She felt like she was spiraling.

Then finally Pammy appeared.

The cup was still steaming slightly, meaning she had kept her promise.

Pammy sat down next to her, actively making sure they were touching slightly, just as Harley preferred, and pulled a blanket over their laps.

“No tea for yourself?” Pammy asked, sounding a little worried.

Harley shook her head no and truthfully answered, “No, I’m not really all that thirsty.”

“Oh, well, um, th-thank you, then.” Pammy replied, grabbing her cup of tea and sipping on it.

“Are y-you ready to talk?” Pammy asked, sitting back a little further into the couch and offering an arm out for her to crawl in.

“I think I need a minute…” Harley responded, but still moving to curl up on her.

Harley needed some time to just cuddle her- to be held for a little bit.

The unkind voice always quieted a bit more when she found refuge in her arms.

Ever more so as Pammy gently played with her pigtails with her free hand as they sat together peacefully for several minutes.

Fuck, she’d missed this so badly.

“I really missed this.” Harley finally said, her voice breaking the relative silence, voicing her thoughts.

“Me too, Daffodil.” Pammy replied with Harley’s favorite nickname, as she sipped on her tea.

“What can I do for you to make it easier?” Pammy asked eventually, setting her tea cup down on the table.

Harley instantly bristled at that question.

Asking for what she wanted was her plan… but it was still not exactly easy for her as simply saying it.

“You can ask me for anything… I won’t get mad.” Pammy prompted her gently, wrapping her now free hand around her into a proper hold.

It helped.

Pammy would often remind her that she could tell her when she needed something from her and that it wouldn’t result in an argument.

That it wouldn’t result in physical violence.

It would be met with respect and love when it was with her.

It didn’t stop the fear that gripped her when she tried to do it anyway- with bad memories of trying to do the same with Jack finding their way back to her mind.

Harley tucked into her further, burying her head into the crook of her neck and tightened her arms around her- nervous to answer.

“I need more time with ya.” Harley finally said, her voice breaking with her request.

Pammy instantly gave her a kiss to her head for responding, then asked, “Do you want me at the bar more often? Or more at home stuff like this?”

“I… want us time.” Harley answered, still remaining tucked in her safe space, “I don’t wanna be workin’ when I get to see ya.”

Pammy didn’t say anything right away, so Harley voiced additional thoughts while she felt safe enough to do so, her voice leaking out her frustration, “It’s wake up, plants, eat, go to work with more plants, eat lunch, more plant work, then go home to yer plants, eat again, more plants, then wash up an’ sleep… I’m not even in the equation.”

Harley was more than upset, finally even telling Pammy, “Last night ya even missed my goodnight kiss… I found ya knocked out in bed already just a few minutes after I finished up in the bathroom.”

“Can I m-make it up to you now?” Pammy asked, cupping her jaw tenderly.

Harley nodded her yes into her and pulled out of her tuck.

Pammy closed the little distance there was between them, kissing her softly.

It wasn’t like Pammy hadn’t kissed her in a while, but it definitely felt a bit different than the small greetings or quick kisses in passing they’d shared.

It brought relief to Harley that there was still a spark to it.

“I’m very sorry I m-missed last night’s goodnight kiss. I’m sorry you haven’t been a p-part of the equation.” Pammy said after she pulled away.

“Spring is a d-difficult time for gardeners, especially me. I-I keep a lot of plants, but I d-didn’t mean to n-neglect you either.” Pammy continued, kissing her forehead before Harley re-tucked back into her.

“I didn’t realize how m-much time has really been passing. It’s been a bit of a s-stressful blur, to be honest.” Pammy sighed, leaning her head down onto Harley’s.

“Ya need to take breaks…” Harley said, her own training slipping out, but the message was still said with care.

“I can try… I will try. But some of my plants n-need me daily. There’s no getting around it this time of year.” Pammy answered.

“What about Saturdays then?” Harley asked suddenly.

The words had slipped out, but it was what she’d been thinking about before.

“What about them?” Pammy asked back.

“The one day ya take yer break.” Harley replied, unable to help but think to herself, ‘Please, please, please, say yes…’

Pammy didn’t sound so sure, “I can’t completely stop…”

“I’m not sayin’ completely. I’m askin’ fer all the time except what’s absolutely necessary that day.” Harley clarified.

She could understand the need to take care of some plants throughout the day or whatever was needed, but the rest of the extra time would be with her.

Even just a full afternoon would be enough.

Pammy sat with her there, as if in thought.

Harley didn’t know what else to say at first.

She knew they needed this though.

She needed her.

She wasn’t a plant, but their physical and emotional connection had waned relative to where they had started out.

And if she were a plant, she’d definitely be wilting by now.

Harley quietly added, “I might not be one o’ yer real plant daffodils, but I still need yer attention too.”

Pammy instantly replied, “Okay.”

“Okay?” Harley echoed back questioningly.

She wasn’t sure what that meant.

“Saturdays. For you and me. I’ll only water in the morning and anything my m-most temperamental plants need. The rest is time for us.” Pammy replied.

Harley almost couldn’t believe it- she was so damn happy to hear Pammy say that!

She pulled out of her tuck and looked at her with a large grin before kissing her.

Pammy was shifting slightly in their kiss, before Harley felt her arm under her legs.

Next thing she knew, Pammy was lifting her up, carrying her in her arms as the blanket fell off of them.

Harley gave a small squeak of surprise, breaking their kiss while Pammy was already on the move down the hall.

“Whatcha doin’?” Harley asked curiously, still brightly smiling, her arms now wrapped around Pammy’s neck for balance.

“Well,” Pammy replied, carefully managing to open the bathroom door and shutting it with her foot behind her, “I finished up for the night in the greenhouse and n-need to shower before bed.”

Harley replied, “Ooookay?”

So why carry her with her?

Pammy then stepped into the shower, still with Harley being held in her arms.

Harley looked at Pammy wildly confused, 'She wouldn't...'

Then Pammy finished, “F-Figured I should water my daffodil too.” before turning on the shower and spraying them both with water.

“AHH!” Harley squeaked out as she was hit with the initially cold water before burying her face into Pammy’s now also wet clothes, giggling madly.

She didn’t care that she was now soaked, she was just happy to be in this moment with her.

Pammy began to set her down very carefully in the shower, both of them being hit by the now warmer water, still laughing.

As soon as Harley had her footing, she grabbed the removable shower head and began spraying Pammy with it in retaliation.

Pammy tried to hide but Harley got her soaked from head to toe, ‘She said she wanted a shower!’

By the time Harley stopped spraying her, their clothes were dripping wet with water and they couldn’t stop laughing.

Harley returned the shower head to its spot and turned to face her, but as she did so, Pammy pulled her in to kiss her.

It was everything Harley needed.

She trusted Pammy to keep her word- her promise to spend Saturday with her and Harley was so damn excited, because that was only a day away!

The unkind voice whispered in the back of her mind:

‘Jack also made you promises.’

But with the way Pammy was kissing and holding her now, the voice was simply forgotten in the moment.

For now, she threw herself into the kiss with her, enjoying every ounce of it and more.

—

The following day Harley sat in her client meetings nervous and excited for tomorrow.

She prayed Pammy meant what she said, the unkind voice gnawing at her in the back of her mind:

‘Promises, promises. I’ll bet it was just something she agreed to do but she didn’t actually mean it.’

Harley shook herself out of it.

Pammy wasn’t Jack.

She didn’t lie to her.

But she did say she would try to take breaks… not that it would be a guarantee.

Harley carried the weight of anticipation and stress into Noonan’s with her, wishing Pammy would show up, but knowing that wasn’t what she'd promised at all.

She only promised Saturdays, and Harley told her she wanted more time with her when she wasn’t working too.

Harley almost wished she’d asked the other way around; she’d missed having her here with her.

Their relationship grew from Pammy being in her spot, sitting and talking with her.

Harley was staring at Pammy’s chair, empty- as if waiting for her.

But it was well past the time Pammy used to arrive and sit with her on Friday nights.

Harley gave up staring at her spot and turned her attention to her customers.

She only had about an hour left in her shift before she could head home and see if Pammy would keep her promise.

The door opened without any patrons leaving, and Harley looked over:

It was Pammy!

Instantly a giant smile grew on her face, and excitement flooded through her.

Nothing else mattered at that moment- not a damn thing.

Pammy was here!

She immediately bolted to her, hugging her and kissing her maybe just a bit too long for being on the clock.

But again, nothing mattered to her outside of Pammy being there with her right now.

She was so elated to see her, especially after Pammy assured her that this wasn’t because she couldn’t hang out with her tomorrow, and that this was just because.

Just because she loves her.

The unkind voice had nothing left to say to her the rest of the night.

Pammy even stayed to walk her home, and as they were exiting Babs, gave her a knowing look and smile before they turned away towards their home.

She clung onto Pammy’s arm the entire walk home, so utterly happy she was there with her.

She was even more surprised that as they came into the house, Pammy didn’t even turn towards the greenhouse!

She went to go get ready for bed along with her.

Harley was stunned.

She finished picking out and changing into her pajamas, before running back to Pammy’s room and jumping in, crawling right under the covers and into Pammy’s waiting arms.

Harley couldn’t help but kiss her over and over again.

Pammy pulled back from a kiss though and asked tentatively, “Daisy, I’m so s-sorry, but I’m really tired, w-would you m-mind if we j-just went to bed?”

Harley paused, looking at Pammy, and seeing her eyelids were quite heavy- she genuinely looked exhausted.

Then Harley realized Pammy probably thought she wanted to have sex with all of the affection she’d been giving her quite… enthusiastically.

She didn’t mind if they didn’t have sex, but she still wanted to be held.

Harley replied, “Can I still cuddle with ya?”

“Absolutely. I-I’d like that v-very much.” Pammy answered with relief in her voice.

Harley happily got situated and settled into her favorite spot on her, softly voicing her gratitude, “Thank ya fer comin’ to the bar tonight… ya didn’t hafta…”

“I know… I wanted to.” Pammy replied, barely managing to give Harley her goodnight kiss on her head- but succeeding anyway.

“G’night, Red. Love ya…” Harley whispered to her, noticing that Pammy was on the edge of sleep.

Pammy tried to reply back, but all that came out was “Lmph yuh, t-,”

Harley smiled anyway, knowing exactly what Pammy was trying to say and cuddled into her more, listening to her steady breathing and falling asleep in her happy place.

—

Harley was so warm, comfy, and secure…

And then Pammy’s alarm went off.

Harley groaned, hating the irritating noise of the sound that always pulled Pammy away from her.

She could feel Pammy moving to turn it off and she held onto her tighter, refusing to let her go.

“Harls, honey, I have to go w-water my sensitive plants…” Pammy whispered to her.

“Ngh.” Harley grunted and kept her hold on her.

It was Saturday.

Their day.

She promised!

Harley didn’t want her to leave the bed.

In fact, this was all she wanted- to just cuddle her all day.

“I’ll be back in a bit, but I have to go.” Pammy replied softly.

Harley couldn’t help but let out a large whine.

“You can either g-get up with me and out of the covers, or y-you can stay and cuddle me wh-when I return… but I really have to go now.” Pammy replied, peeling herself out of the bed and giving Harley a kiss on her head.

Harley let out an annoyed huff.

But Pammy still threw on her robe and left quickly.

The warmth of the spot where Pammy was on her grew cold, as did the bed.

‘Fuck it. I’d rather be up n’ outta bed with her than lay here alone n’ cold…’ Harley grumbled to herself, pushing the covers off and grabbing her own cover up, slipping on her fuzzy, red slippers.

She walked into the greenhouse and saw Pammy watering methodically.

Harley approached and reached out for a hug, encircling her arms around her.

It wasn’t more than two seconds of the attempt before Pammy instantly jumped a mile at her touch, dropping her watering can.

The water splattered everywhere, the loud clang on the ground echoed, and Pammy shouted out, “Shit!”

Harley instantly retreated back into herself, her heart pounding and tears forming.

It was too reminiscent of him for a moment- the loud banging, the quick movement, the shouted curse- it was too close for comfort.

Pammy spun around to see her.

‘She’s not gonna hurt ya. She was just scared.’ Harley thought to herself, trying to calm down, looking at Pammy’s hand to her chest, a bit of fear in her own face.

“Oh, Harls, I’m s-so s-sorry. I didn’t even hear y-you come in. I d-didn’t mean to shout or swear at you- I just didn’t even expect it. I’m very s-sorry.” Pammy said with a bit of a pant.

“I’m sorry too… I shoulda said somethin’ first…” Harley replied, sniffling a bit and leaning down to grab the watering can for Pammy, “I just didn’t wanna stay in bed without ya…”

Harley offered the can back to Pammy, who accepted it with gratitude saying, “Thank you. And I would’ve been back in just a little bit.”

“Just wanted as much time with ya today as possible.” Harley answered, looking down at her fuzzy red slippers, the tears still threatening, but not yet fallen.

She really hoped Pammy would let her stay instead of having her head back to bed without her.

Pammy replied, “Stay right here for a moment, okay?”

Harley nodded and Pammy walked off with her watering can.

When Pammy returned she faced her plants and turned her head back to her, lightly nodding her head to have Harley come over to her.

Harley smiled as she realized Pammy was inviting her to stay with her and hold her like she'd initially wanted.

Harley brought her arms around her waist, encircling her and leaning into her frame, resting her head on her back as she accompanied her throughout her watering responsibilities.

Pammy relaxed into her hold as well, and Harley decided that if this is what getting out of bed early meant, she figured she wouldn’t mind waking up early on Saturdays with her.

As soon as Pammy was done, they both returned to the bed as it was still early enough in the morning.

Harley wasted no time finding her spot on Pammy once again, and she was still exhausted, so in mere moments was out like a light.

A few hours later, Harley woke up to the morning light shining, not only tucked into Pammy, but that Pammy had curled up into her too.

Harley smiled, taking a few moments to enjoy their late morning.

Harley tried to move her left arm, but felt something a bit odd on it.

She looked down to see one of Pammy’s books somewhat open and the bookmark just barely keeping her page, threatening to fall out.

Harley slowly moved her arm to shake the bookmark back into the page a bit more.

Harley managed to get the bookmark to slide inside the book further and carefully extracted the book from between them, setting it to the side carefully while grabbing her phone.

Pammy shifted in her sleep turning slightly onto her back and the arm Harley was laying on pulled her back into her.

Harley quickly obliged, find her spot quickly before Pammy woke up from the adjustment.

Even in her sleep Pammy wanted to hold her.

That little tidbit of information made Harley smile, happily being held.

She opened her phone and started scrolling through her socials and maybe taking a few pictures.

Not that she would post without Pammy's permission.

Time passed, and the afternoon finally rolled in.

Normally Harley would have been upset that their day was passing by, and Pammy was sleeping it away, but she guessed that not only had Pammy not intended on falling asleep, but really, she desperately needed the sleep.

When she heard Pammy’s stomach start to growl, she looked up from her phone to see Pammy was awake!

“Mornin’ sleepy-head!” Harley said from her spot.

“What time is it?” Pammy asked, still groggy.

“A little past noon… ya slept in.” Harley replied, putting her phone off to the side.

Pammy sounded panicked as she responded, “I didn’t mean t-to sleep for so long on our day, I’m sorry Harley!”

“Don’t be!” Harley said happily.

This appeared to confuse Pammy based on the look on her face.

“Ya clearly needed the rest, n’ I still got to be cuddled into ya, so I’m pretty happy.” Harley explained further, leaning up to kiss her quickly.

“I also didn’t really have any plans ‘cept to cuddle ya all day- if ya let me.” Harley continued, pulling back from the kiss and smiling up at her.

“That’s all you want to do?” Pammy asked, double-checking with her.

“Honestly? Yea.” Harley replied with a tiny wiggle and squeeze to prove her point.

And then Harley remembered Pammy’s stomach growled and she was hungry herself…

“Oh! Maybe we can finally use my onions fer some guac?” Harley asked excitedly.

Pammy nodded in agreement with a smile on her face.

To Harley’s delight, they got ready and Pammy taught her how to harvest her onions properly.

Then spent the time making guac together too.

Harley expected Pammy to take a greenhouse break for her own flowers, but not once did Pammy leave her!

She spent the whole time with her, just as she promised.

The rest of the evening went by with them cuddling on the couch, watching a movie Harley had been hoping to see for a while.

As the movie came to a close, Harley was sad that their day was over.

She turned into Pammy, snuggling further as the credits rolled.

Pammy held her closer before sliding a hand to her side and giving a quick squeeze that tickled her a bit.

Harley jumped and squirmed briefly before looking up at her with a playful glare.

She was met with a just as playful smirk, that reminded her that maybe their night wasn’t quite over.

Once they were done extending their night together, Harley had forgotten that she was remotely sad it was time for bed altogether.

Blissed out and in her favorite spot feeling supported and loved, she began to dream of what they’d get up to next Saturday.

—

Harley was worried Pammy might falter in keeping up with their Saturdays, but over and over again, she’d spent their day together as promised.

No slip ups, no excuses, just happy Saturdays!

By summer, Saturdays were no longer their only main day together even.

The life with Pammy she remembered was slowly coming back to her and she couldn’t have been happier.

When the night of the Black Canary concert finally arrived, Harley surprised Pammy with a small gift of her own- earplugs!

The fact Pammy had never been to a big, rock concert didn’t really surprise Harley, considering they were loud and crowded.

So she wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible, even willing to head home early if needed.

She was just so damn happy to be there with her in general.

To Harley’s even greater surprise, Pammy not only stayed the entire time, but she seemed to be enjoying herself!

It was easily one of the best starts to her summer Harley had ever experienced.

Harley had also taken Pammy back to the roller rink for some additional roller skating lessons.

Harley figured that the best part about being a teacher was the bittersweet feeling of accomplishment and pride she got when Pammy was finally able to skate on her own.

Not exactly as gracefully as she could, but it was enough that it gave Harley the opportunity to really flex her skating skills at the rink now that she didn’t have to be right next her at all times.

It was especially helpful when teenagers tried making fun of her girl... so that she could secretly knock them down.

She had plenty of experience knocking people on skates around!

That experience seemed to have caught the attention of a small group of female skaters who had approached her one afternoon as they were taking off their skates, “Hi! We were watching you out there and you have some seriously good skating skills.”

“Oh, um… thanks!” Harley replied, sliding her regular shoes on.

“We wanted to know if you had ever thought about joining an adult women’s roller derby team?” one of the women asked.

‘Well that wasn’t what I expected…’ Harley instantly thought to herself, surprised by the question.

She didn’t even know what to say back right away.

“We could really use you on our team… your partner could join too if she wants…?” another, smaller woman of the group added.

Harley looked over at Pammy and Pammy looked at her- this time they both simply laughed.

“Me? No offense, but I know for a fact that it’s not me you want.” Pammy replied, still laughing it off.

The thought of Pammy trying to skate at a derby made Harley laugh, and Pammy’s reply sent a wave of relief through Harley- if anyone actually touched a hair on Pammy’s gorgeous, red head she’d probably try to kill them.

They'd at least not be able to walk anytime soon by the time she were done with them, at least.

“Thanks fer the offer, an’ fer includin’ her, but I’m not sure I really have the time…” Harley replied a bit nervously.

They’d just gotten back to spending more than just one day a week together and she had missed their time together dearly.

So adding more time apart just didn’t seem right to Harley.

“It’s pretty low commitment- just one practice night a week for two hours, or well less for you maybe cause uh, you seem fit and one of those hours is exercise, but games start up in a few weeks on Wednesday nights. They last an hour but some prep time and a short break between so about an hour and a half?” the assumed team captain answered.

“I… I appreciate the offer…” Harley replied, very unsure and still trying to turn them down gently.

The thought of skating again put adrenaline in her, but she loves Pammy more.

“Don’t answer right away. Take some time to think about it and let us know? Here’s our team’s email and website.” the captain stepped up, passing over a small card which Harley accepted.

She didn’t know what possessed her to take it… she even put it in her pocket instead of the trash.

‘Maybe down the line or next summer?’ Harley reasoned with herself.

Harley thought that would be it, but as she was cleaning up the dishes from their dinner, Pammy commented aloud, “So, today at the rink was fun.”

“It was!” Harley replied with a happy chirp, hoping that would be it and they could avoid the topic she knew was about to come up.

Pammy didn’t beat around the bush and asked, “So what made you turn them down?”

Harley’s tensed shoulders slacked, deciding not to lie and just answer her, “I just don’t have the time…”

“What do you mean? You no longer c-cover Clay’s Wednesday night shifts… you can make both the practices and games.” Pammy answered.

Harley knew she wasn’t trying to push, but that she was trying to understand.

“I guess… what about the time I spend with ya now?” Harley tentatively asked back, turning off the water and turning to look at her.

Harley didn’t want to let go of any extra time with her that she’d been getting lately.

“I can attend your games…” Pammy answered, stepping closer to her and offering her hand to hold, that Harley accepted, “Maybe we h-have dinner before as well… and don’t forget there will still be time for us together after you come home.”

“After those I’ll need a shower, then probably go to sleep.” Harley laughed dryly.

“I have no problem j-joining you, environmentally s-speaking, of course.” Pammy replied, turning a bit red at the suggestion, but sounding more than willing.

Harley snorted in genuine laughter this time, nodding emphatically, “Of course.”

Pammy closed the space between them, hugging her, “So… with all of th-that in mind… are you going to do it?”

It seemed like Pammy wanted her to do this.

That she wouldn’t have a problem if she spent more time doing things she enjoyed that maybe didn’t involve her.

It was a bit of new territory for Harley.

Harley sighed and put on a nervous smile, “Ya sure ya really don’t mind? We just got some more time together now that yer spring duties are over with…”

“I’m positive. I only want you to do it if you want to. If the reason is b-because you don’t really want to, then I’ll accept that, but if it’s because of m-me, then you should do it and I’ll be there to support you.” Pammy replied sounding earnest.

Now that Harley had Pammy’s support and even encouragement, Harley had agreed and turned her Wednesday nights into roller derby nights for the summer.

Harley didn’t have any of her old gear, as Jack had made her get rid of it a long time ago, so she went and bought them.

Pammy even came with her to help her pick out the best gear… that she could afford.

Which, Harley had come to realize, she had far more spending power than she thought.

With Pammy’s low rent and the sheer amount of work she did, she had a fair bit of cash left over.

It mostly went to her severe amount of debt, which would still take years to pay off, but thankfully, she was able to start a small savings account.

It wasn’t much, but she wanted to save up for a big gift for Pammy because she more than deserved it.

Her first night of practice with her new squad arrived after Pammy and her had a quick dinner together.

She was nervous- it’d been quite a few years.

But as she and the squad got to know each other, breaking the ice with a few warm-up games, Harley realized just how much she’d missed this part of her.

“Hey, have ya ever done the whip?!” Harley asked as they were taking a water break.

Several of the girls smiled back, and not five minutes later, they were lining up.

It was going so well!

Until it wasn’t.

Harley may have gotten a bit overexcited and whipped just a bit too hard.

Everyone crashed into each other, except for two girls who managed to scatter out in time.

Pain shot through Harley’s left ankle and from her cheek after getting a skate to her face when another girl fell next to her.

The girls all slowly got themselves back together, trying to stand up, some having a bit more trouble, like Harley.

It didn’t seem that the girls were all that upset, considering some of them were laughing as everyone spoke up to see if anyone was hurt.

She didn’t break her ankle, nor did it feel particularly sprained, but she definitely rolled it.

Harley had to take her skates off and attempted to limp home at the end of practice, but with an invite to the next practice still.

The only thing Harley worried about now was what she was going to tell Pammy to explain why she was hurt.

Harley came through the door to the house, icepack to her face, expecting Pammy to be in her greenhouse.

Instead she was there to greet her as she came around from the hallway and cut Harley’s plan to introduce the fact she was hurt gently.

The look of shock had Harley starting to say, “Hey, Red, soooo-,”

“Harls?!” Pammy instantly panicked, rushing up to her and checking her over.

Pammy had her sitting on the couch in moments, which honestly helped to alleviate the pain in her swollen ankle.

“What happened? Are you okay? Who hurt you?!” Pammy asked, sounding furious and looking a bit like she’d actually go hunt someone down.

‘Fuck, that’s attractive…’ was all Harley could think for a moment.

“Uhhhh well, don’t get mad…” Harley started again sheepishly once she was able to get past her previous thought.

Cause right now all she could think about was how hot Pammy looked right now… and the fact she was hurt because of herself.

“Well, practice was goin real well n’ all, an’ then we thought maybe we’d try out this whip move an’… I mighta whipped a lil’ too hard n’ we all crashed into each other. Big time.” Harley inevitably answered, still a bit embarrassed she caused the accident.

It seemed to calm Pammy down though- probably because she realized no one actively hurt her.

Pammy fetched some more ice packs for her, and took care of her injuries, with lots of kisses to make them feel better.

Over time, Harley came home with far less injuries from practice, but always with a smile on her face, especially after her first game.

They’d won by a three-point difference thanks to her quick thinking.

To celebrate, Harley took the team to Noonan’s for a free round of drinks on her and when she was done celebrating with her teammates, she had her own celebration with Pammy at home.

The nights they lost though, Harley felt like she’d let her squad down.

Everything felt just a little bit blue, but Pammy was always there to cheer her up with ice cream from the freezer and snuggles on the couch.

And maybe an ice-pack or two.

But now they were on a winning streak and they’d made it to the last few games of the summer season.

It was now the night of the quarter finals and the team decided to have dinner together to make a plan of attack.

When Harley asked if that was okay with Pammy, she got an odd response of “Of c-course! Yep! N-No p-problem.”

Pammy was making a bit of a weird face too, and she checked further by asking back, “Ya sure? I know havin’ dinner was important to makin’ this work…”

“Yes. I-I’m sure. Y-You have fun, daffodil.” Pammy replied.

With that Harley went to dinner with her squad, constantly thinking about that interaction.

It gave an odd vibe that Harley couldn’t quite figure out.

The more she thought about it, the more it felt like Pammy was hiding something from her.

The unkind voice that hadn’t been very vocal in a while returned with a whisper:

‘She’s cheating…’

‘No. She's not. Stop!’ Harley instantly fought back at the voice.

They’d been together for long enough for Harley to know that Pammy wouldn’t ever do that.

Not to her.

The unkind voice whispered back:

‘Fine, maybe not now, but maybe she’s falling out of love.’

“Hey Harley, you good?” Avery asked, looking at her with an odd look of concern and a forkful of spaghetti hanging in the air.

“Uh, yea! Yea, totally.” Harley replied, nodding aggressively and grabbing a sip of her soda.

“Sure.” Avery replied with heavy sarcasm, but eating her spaghetti anyway.

“Just… thinkin’ of Pammy.” Harley replied honestly.

Half the table groaned.

“We get it. You’ve got a girl. Congrats on being hot enough to land another hot woman.” Leslie countered.

Harley snorted in a bit of laughter, “Jealous much?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe… glad you’re at least off the market so the rest of us have a damn chance.” Leslie replied.

“I’m shocked.” Harley replied with just as much ribbing sarcasm Leslie deserved.

Leslie quickly grabbed a balloon she had in her apartment from the party, quickly rubbing it on her shirt and jabbing her pointer finger at Harley, giving her a quick jolt of static shock, “Ow!”

“Yea, now you really are… get your head in the game, we gotta win the quarter finals!” Leslie replied, settling back down.

Harley’s thoughts didn’t linger back on Pammy again until she started looking for her in the stands.

Babs point came flooding back to her as she really felt like a kid again, looking for her parents at one of her gymnastics meets, desperately hoping they would show up to watch.

She nearly felt a moment of that same disappointment when her parents never came... until she saw her fiery, red hair popping in through the doors and rushing to the stands.

She sat down and looked directly for her- the moment they locked eyes, Pammy beamed a bright smile directly at her with a tiny wave.

It made her heart jump straight to her throat, choking her up, but she still smiled back and waved her whole arm enthusiastically at her anyway, before she got a light elbow jab from Avery to get her back to focus.

That night, celebrating her quarter-finals win with Pammy, Harley felt like something had changed.

She wasn’t sure what, but she could feel it.

Two weeks later, Harley and her team won the final match, celebrating as they had at Noonan’s.

Harley was so, so happy, looking around at all of her new friends and of course, her amazing girlfriend surrounding her and celebrating together.

She’d never felt so lucky.

She wanted this.

Forever.

They'd had tiny conversations about building a potential future together, but it wasn't the conversation.

Selina had even pulled her into a friendly chat at the bar a few weeks back, asking how their relationship was.

Harley could only gush how much she loved Pammy… teasing Selina a little at all of the cutesy things she could talk about and making her roll her eyes and grumble, “God you both are such simps…”

When she asked her, “Would you think about marrying her?”

Harley didn’t even hesitate with her answer, “Yea.”

Selina’s eyebrows went up a bit, “That was fast…”

“Life with Pammy really ain’t somethin’ I’d turn down.” Harley shrugged, tossing over the rag she was wiping a spill at the bar down with.

“How long did it take for… well, you know… him?” Selina asked curiously.

“I wasn’t at the point in my life where I was ready. But when I finally was, we were a few years in. So I dunno if it really is the same, but I definitely hesitated with him. Not with her.” Harley replied after a moment.

Then Harley asked back, “Why?”

“Call me curious.” Selina said, casually sipping her drink.

“Curiosity killed the cat… but satisfaction brought it back. So tell me, ya dead or satisfied?” Harley asked laughing.

“Satisfied, thank you very much.” Selina replied, before their conversation moved on.

That conversation played in her mind often, hoping Selina’s question was perhaps something on Pammy’s mind too.

While they were lying in bed together, cuddled up and Harley was talking more about her match, that same thought was in the back of her mind.

“Thank ya fer tellin’ me to do it… I had really missed it.” Harley said, smiling up at Pammy.

“I’m glad you enjoyed doing it.” Pammy kissed the tip of her nose before asking, “Are you going to join them next year too?”

“Maybe,” Harley replied, looking directly at her with love in her eyes, “only if yer there to support me again?”

Harley hoped Pammy knew what that meant.

That not just next year, but every year after that.

Even if she wasn’t skating.

Pammy smiled back at her as she answered, “I plan on b-being here to support you- always.”

So maybe Pammy was thinking the same way she was.

Instead of exciting her, it brought warmth and comfort to Harley.

“Always… I’m lookin’ forward to that. I’ll be right here fer ya too.” Harley responded sleepily, yawning a bit and tucking into her for the night.

She hoped that’d be enough to tell Pammy she wanted her in her life.

She fell asleep dreaming of Pammy in her future.

—

The next day, Selina called her over to where she was sitting at the bar with Lisa nearby.

“Harley, I’m having an event hosted here at the bar the Saturday after next.” Selina announced.

“Oh, sweet!” Harley said excitedly.

“I need you to work it though…” Selina continued apologetically.

“Oh…” Harley let out, not exactly expecting that reply.

“Only because I trust you the most to not start fawning all over my model friends.” Selina added with a wry smile.

Lisa then added, “Clay has his dress rehearsal that night, Sharky is on vacation, and Babs said she had something for college that night, so...”

“It’s just… kinda Pammy an’ I’s one year of meetin’…” Harley started to say.

“Well, Pam is of course welcome to come to the event too.” Selina replied as if that were common knowledge.

Which was fair, considering Pammy had always been invited as far as Harley was aware, but whether or not she’d show up was the varying factor.

“She can keep you company while we’re closed beforehand if you’d like.” Lisa added.

Harley was still uncertain but appreciated Lisa’s concession of letting her still have some time with Pammy.

“What’s a better way to celebrate meeting than at the place you actually met?” Selina asked with a sigh.

Selina had a bit of a point!

However, it wasn’t just her day, so she’d need to ask Pammy if she’d be open to attending the event or wouldn’t mind her working.

“I still need to check with her to make sure she hasn’t planned anythin’.” Harley responded.

“Then by all means, call her.” Selina replied.

“Kinda on the clock here…” Harley replied, wishing she could’ve just pulled out her phone to talk to Pammy anyway.

Lisa sighed, “Only because I need an answer… call her.”

Lisa’s sigh didn’t sound as exasperated as usual.

Something felt… odd about it.

But Harley wasn’t about to give up a one time pass to talk to Pammy though!

Harley ignored the weird sigh and pulled out her phone, dialing quickly.

Only a few rings passed before Pammy answered, “Hi Daisy, everything okay?”

“Hi Buttacup! I’m peachy…hold on a sec.” Harley looked over at Lisa and then again towards the back to have a more private conversation.

Lisa nodded and stood up to cover the bar, so Harley made her way to the back.

“M’kay, I’m back, so Selina just asked if I could work the Saturday after next fer one of her events with her model friends… but I know it’s our one year meetin’. So I was wonderin’-,” Harley started to ask.

“Sounds good!” Pammy replied.

“Wait, really?” Harley questioned back.

“Y-Yep.” Pammy replied swiftly.

“Ya ain’t got any plans or nothin’ right? I just feel bad if ya maybe wanted-,” Harley started to apologize.

“N-Nope! N-No plans!” Pammy replied, once again swiftly.

“So ya wanna spend the night at the event…?” Harley asked, checking once more as Pammy being so swift to say yes to attend a Selina event was… rare.

“Yes. D-Don’t you?” Pammy asked back.

“Well, yea, I guess.” Harley replied, still confused by Pammy’s readiness to socialize.

“Then why not get paid?” Pammy continued.

“I mean…” Harley still wasn’t sure.

“And I’ll be there, right?” Pammy asked next.

“Yea… Lisa even said ya could come in early to hang out with me while we’re waiting for it to start.” Harley advised.

“Sounds wonderful. Just you and me, right?” Pammy asked, as if confirming they’d be alone.

Harley smiled and answered, “Yea, just you n’ me, Red.”

“Great!” Pammy replied sounding relieved.

“So, jus’ so I got it- ya want me to say yes to workin’ an’ we’ll spend our time together before the party?” Harley confirmed.

“As long as it would be okay w-with you?” Pammy asked tentatively.

“Sure! As long as yer there too.” Harley responded happily.

“I’ll be there.” Pammy affirmed confidently.

“Okay! Then I’ll say yes to workin’! Will ya come in later?” Harley asked eagerly.

“I’ll be there soon, I’m finishing up now.” Pammy replied knowingly.

With that, Harley hung up the call and returned to Lisa and Selina with her confirmation that she’d work.

Both of which gave her large smiles that Harley found odd, but she shrugged it off.

She had some work to do before Pammy arrived at the bar for the night anyway!

—

One year.

One year ago Harley’s life changed.

She’d met Pammy here at this bar and she couldn’t have been happier about it.

Harley remembered that only a year ago, she’d been trying to build a future with Jack.

Hoping that he’d propose to her within this next year.

Harley huffed a sarcastic laugh out, touching a hand to her cheek where Jack had slapped her for burning his pants a tiny bit.

She'd remembered that day vividly.

Now she was allowed to make tiny mistakes; she was allowed to just live in their home, with a partner that supported her.

It was just after six and the bar had closed to regular patrons when Pammy arrived to hang out while they waited for the party to get started.

She walked through the front doors saying, “Hey, Harls.”

“Pammy!” Harley replied, taking off and jumping into her arms as soon as she walked in.

Pammy hugged her back, but nearly stumbled in a slight panic.

Harley didn’t know what to make of her reaction, but maybe she just wasn’t ready for her to jump to her.

Harley pulled away from her hug, looking down at Pammy’s suit that fit her so well, and noticing how nice her hair looked with it.

She had dressed up too for the event, per Selina’s specifics being basically black tie, but Pammy looked so good…

“I missed ya… also, damn, ya look good!” Harley said, kissing her cheek.

“So do you, Daffodil.” Pammy replied with a kiss of her own.

“I’m gettin’ antsy fer this party! It sounds so good, I was surprised she wanted me to work it rather than attend…” Harley said after Pammy pulled away from her lips.

Selina made promises of fancy models, photographers, cocktail catering to her hearts content to bring home since no one would really eat, and even a magician!

“Selina trusts you the most…” Pammy replied.

“That’s true!” Harley replied happily.

A beat passed as they stood together at the bar entrance, with Harley free from any worry or need to rush off and serve another customer.

In fact, she could stand here with her for as long as she wanted!

Unless Pammy wanted to sit down, of course, because then she’d take her to-

Harley let out a tiny squeak and a brighter smile grew on her face.

She pulled Pammy to her spot at the bar and sat her down on the stool, “It was right here that I first saw ya sittin’ with Kitty…”

“It sure w-was…” Pammy replied, sounding a little choked up.

Harley felt the same wave of nostalgia and sentimental feelings flood in.

Pammy leaned in to kiss her again, which was just as Harley expected and wanted for that matter, and instead of just a small kiss, Harley deepened it.

They were alone anyway, so it wasn’t much of an issue of her being on the clock.

After the sentimental moment, Harley went and made them both mocktails to sip on as they waited for the party.

Harley sat down with Pammy at the bar and wondered aloud, “Wonder when Selina will get here with her party people… kinda hopin’ it doesn’t get too late fer ya.”

She didn’t want to stay that late either, considering she wanted to go home and hang out with her girlfriend instead of working tonight.

“I’m not sure… I also hope it’s not too late.” Pammy agreed, but Harley caught an oddly guilty look on her face.

Maybe she knew it wasn’t going to be a short shift.

In any case, they continued to sit and chat.

Until Harley got bored.

“I’m boredddddd.” Harley whined, sitting her head down on her arms at the bar top.

“Perhaps we can play a game while we wait?” Pammy offered.

What an excellent suggestion!

One that Harley was eager to take Pammy up on.

“Okay! Let’s do another go at darts! Mostly ‘cause cleanin’ up the pool table after takes longer.” Harley replied.

So they went, Harley handing Pammy the green-ended darts and taking red for herself.

They each got a couple of practice throws in before the game started.

“Wanna do bullseye questions again?” Harley asked as Pammy stepped up to throw her first round.

“Y-Yes!” Pammy accidentally shouted a bit.

Harley figured it was just a mix of excitement to play and Pammy’s stutter that caused the shout, so she opted to focus on the excitement.

Harley smiled brightly, lightly teasing, “Awfully eager there, tiger-lily.”

Pammy always seemed to really enjoy whenever Harley gave her a new nickname, especially one that was plant-based, and this time was no different as she watched her grow into her reddening blush.

Unlike a year ago, Pammy didn’t hide the effect it had on her, she just enjoyed it with a smile Harley couldn't get enough of.

Harley continued flirting with her as Pammy began to throw her darts at the line, “Though I think dandelioness fits ya a bit better if we’re choosin’ big cat plant names.”

Instant miss.

Pammy didn’t even get it on the board and barely in the direction of it either.

Harley grinned as her plan to tease her on purpose to get her to miss was working to perfection!

“Harls…” Pammy grumbled a bit, a tiny smile slipping out as she tried to admonish her despite Harley knowing she was enjoying the names, “I know what you’re t-trying to do…”

“I’ll bet. Looks like it’s workin’ too.” Harley replied, smirking at her.

“I d-don’t think you really n-need to considering I’m not that good to begin with.” Pammy replied, and Harley noticed her shoulders slacked and her tone grew strained, indicating some sort of disappointment.

Harley instantly reacted to Pammy’s mood shift, bringing her arms around her and kissing her cheek apologetically, “Sorry, I’ll stop n’ play fair. I promise. Only ‘cause it’s fer ya, though.”

Pammy gave her a small smile of thanks and Harley kept her word to stop teasing.

They each threw their respective darts with neither quite hitting the bullseye, and Harley continued to think about what she’d want to ask.

There were so many questions!

She wanted to theme it around tonight, and what meeting Pammy really meant to her.

Because it was everything.

Harley continued to think about how much she loved Pammy when she finally got her bullseye!

“Yes! Okay, Red, how much do ya love me?” Harley asked, knowing Pammy would answer her truthfully and just really wanting to hear her say it right now.

“Why would you waste your question? You know how much I love you…” Pammy replied, looking only a little embarrassed by her question.

“Well, if ya had to quantify it!” Harley asked, pulling her darts out from the board.

“I don’t know if I can.” Pammy replied.

“Try fer me? Please?” Harley begged with a tiny pout.

Pammy didn’t usually hold out on her, so it made Harley a bit nervous that she wasn’t answering her.

“W-Well, it’s not that I can’t reply to you, it’s j-just mathematically impossible to quantify infinity.” Pammy answered.

‘God damn, what a great fuckin’ answer. She’s so smart.’ Harley thought, instantly reacting with a giant smile replacing her pout, “That was a really great answer.”

Pammy looked directly into her eyes, as if she wanted to ask her a question back, but then she looked very nervous and stepped up to the line to shoot.

‘Maybe she wants to ask it back? Gotta get a bullseye first though!’ Harley figured, shrugging and watching along.

If anything, she planned to tell her exactly how she felt later tonight when they were home, where Pammy was more comfortable, and they wouldn’t possibly get interrupted by Selina’s arrival.

As they both made efforts to hit the bullseye for more questions, it seemed like Harley was going to get the only one.

Harley could see the frustration building up in Pammy, almost boiling over into an anger.

Her throws were becoming almost desperate and with a lot more force behind them.

Pammy threw her last dart for the round and-!

It was so close of a call that Harley skipped over along with her to judge if it truly hit the center ring.

“Aw, just shy Pammy! It was so, so close!” Harley said, just as disappointed.

She really wanted Pammy to get an opportunity!

If only to also calm her down a bit.

“Damn it!” Pammy sighed heavily as if keeping her anger at bay.

“S’okay, Red! You’ll get one soon!” Harley said, trying to be encouraging and rubbing her back in comfort.

“I just… r-really want to ask a question…” Pammy said, sounding relatively upset.

“An’ one day, ya will! Ya got that one our very first game!” Harley said, walking away and grabbing a seat to have a few sips of her drink before starting her turn.

“My freebie!” Pammy said, turning quickly back towards Harley.

“Yer freebie?” Harley asked, a bit confused at both the words she said and Pammy’s quick movement.

“Yes. F-For a rainy day!” Pammy said.

The words reminded Harley exactly of what Pammy was talking about!

It was the night Harley had worked up the courage to ask Pammy for her number, and she’d given Pammy a pass to ask her a question and Pammy had opted to save it for a rainy day!

“I ‘member now! But it’s not rainin’…” Harley said with a smirk, trying to poke fun at the word play.

“I can ask you anything… r-right?” Pammy asked, sounding slightly nervous.

“Ya’ve asked me a lotta questions since fer free though…” Harley said continuing to tease.

But she saw Pammy’s face completely fall, looking demoralized by the response, so Harley quickly changed gears, dropping the tease immediately and becoming sincere, “but sure, ask away Pamcakes!”

From looking demoralized to instantly freezing in place, Pammy appeared to pale a bit, and Harley wondered if she was okay or about to be sick!

“Pammy? Y’okay?” Harley said, getting up from her spot on the stool, abandoning their drinks and making her way over to her, starting to check her over, worried that if she was sick, she wasn’t sure what she was going to do.

She couldn’t leave and take her home, they wouldn’t have any coverage.

Maybe she could set her up in the back office?

If she was really ill, she guessed Lisa would make an exception because she wouldn’t want her to abandon the party, nor have Pammy interact with the guests.

Or perhaps she could rely on Selina to get her home safely for her…

“I… uh, y-yea. I just…” Pammy gave an odd laugh, “I remembered what I was going to use my freebie for… originally.”

“N’ what was that?” Harley asked, feeling her forehead, and feeling some slight warmth and clamminess, but nothing too concerning.

“Your number.” Pammy replied softly, looking at her with a smile just as soft as her voice.

Harley grinned, pulling her hand away at not finding a fever, “My number?”

Did Pammy really just say that if she hadn’t asked her for it, Pammy would have anyway?

“Yea, but you beat me to it.” Pammy answered with a grin of her own.

Harley snorted in laughter, “God, we were really dumb fer not noticin’ how into each other we were.”

In hindsight, everything felt so obvious.

But Harley was grateful they’d at least made it to where they were today.

Happy and in love.

“S-Speaking of, I-I-I w-wanted t-to…” Pammy stopped and swallowed nervously.

Harley stayed quiet, having learned the best way to help her was to let her try to finish her sentence at her own pace, but softly grabbed both of Pammy’s hands and held them in hers, lightly swinging them.

She watched as Pammy focused on the touch, moving her fingers to hold Harley’s hands back, and slowly starting to speak again, “I s-still can’t believe it’s been a year s-since we met.”

“Minus a few incidents, it’s been a really great year.” Harley replied truthfully with a smile.

Pamela smiled back, “Best year of my life.”

Harley’s smile brightened.

It may have been an incredibly tough year for her, with everything they'd been through, but she agreed that it was the best year of her life too.

“I mean it. You’re s-so important to me. I genuinely can’t imagine what my life would be like if Selina hadn’t forced me to come to this bar and meet you.” Pammy said.

Harley thought about the answer and she replied with a giggle, “Mmmmm ya’d probably be in yer lab at home, surrounded by plants still.”

“Probably,” Pammy laughed back, then said, “but it for s-sure wouldn’t be nearly as great as being here with you right now.”

“Awww…” Harley cooed happily, feeling herself turning a bit pink as her face warmed at Pammy's kind words.

“M-My life wouldn’t be as great without you in it…” Pammy continued, as Harley stood there with her, smiling at her.

Pammy’s tone changed as she said, “In fact, the th-thought of you not being in my life is t-terrifying.”

“I ain’t goin’ anywhere, Pam-a-lamb.” Harley replied, moving from holding her hands to wrapping her arms around her waist in a hug, but still looking up at her.

That was a promise.

She really had no plans of ever leaving her.

Pammy smiled at her response and she used one hand to hold her back and the other to gently tuck a stray piece of hair behind Harley’s ear and said, “I’ve thought a l-lot about what I want my future to look like, and n-no m-matter what direction I look, you’re th-there.”

Harley leaned into Pammy’s hand that had lingered from tucking her hair.

Harley’s smile was as wide as can be and the warmth in her cheeks growing more at Pammy’s such sweet words.

They were so wonderful and everything she ever wanted to hear.

She wasn’t sure what was bringing all of this on though.

Harley responded, “Yer talkin’ awfully sweet, Red…”

“I didn’t know wh-what question I w-was going to ask you instead b-back then, b-but n-now I’m absolutely c-certain about wh-what I want to ask y-you.” Pammy said, and Harley could see that she was starting to visibly shake a bit.

Pammy let go of Harley’s waist and cheek and for a moment, she was confused as to why she let her go and why she'd become so nervous...

And then it happened.

‘OH MY GOD.’ Was all Harley thought as Pammy got down on one knee.

“Pammy…?” Harley asked in a whisper, surprise completely taking her over now that she realized exactly what was happening.

“D-Doctor Harleen Quinzel… Harley… Harls… I-I love you, w-with all my heart. Infinitely.” Pammy continued.

“Oh my god… oh my god…” Harley whispered to herself, eyes brimming with tears already - ‘Is this real? Is this really happenin’?!’

“I-I want to s-spend the r-rest of my life with y-you…” Pammy spoke further, pulling out a small box from her pocket.

Harley covered her mouth with her hands and tears were beginning to fall.

There was no stopping those tears, and she didn’t want to.

She almost couldn’t believe it.

Pammy opened the box, but Harley didn’t look at what was inside, she knew it was a ring.

Instead she focused on Pammy's emerald eyes who never left her own, and watched as she swallowed and took a steadying breath, before finally asking her the question Harley had been absolutely longing for:

“Will you marry me?”

Harley didn’t even remotely hesitate to answer her.

It was all she wanted.

All she'd been dreaming about for weeks... maybe months at this point.

Spending the rest of her life with Pammy.

“YES!” Harley shouted her answer, no longer holding back and unable to keep herself from tackling Pammy to the ground and kissing her soundly.

“Yes?!” Pammy asked happily back, as if confirming her answer.

“Hell, yes!” Harley said, kissing her again.

“Fuck, yes!” Harley said after that kiss, then kissed her again.

“Abso-fuckin’-lutely I will!” Harley said after that kiss as well- then proceeded to kiss her even more.

How Pammy could think she’d say anything other than yes was beyond Harley.

She loved her with her whole heart.

Of course she would marry her!

As soon as they both had collected themselves, Pammy sat them both up, with Harley still settled on her lap, and offered her the ring.

Harley nodded cleaning up her tears with her right hand and giving Pammy her left while she carefully slipped it onto her ring finger, finishing off the action with a kiss to her knuckles.

“It’s fuckin’ perfect. Yer perfect.” Harley said, looking at the ring.

Though her tears were still making things quite a bit blurry to really appreciate it, she knew Pammy picked something gorgeous and thoughtful if the colors were anything to go by.

Harley looked back up at Pammy and kissing her again through both of their happy tears falling.

“That was a helluva question… all I asked ya fer was yer number, you asked fer my hand in marriage.” Harley murmured against her lips as they caught their breaths together, leaning their foreheads against the other’s.

Pammy didn’t answer her with words, instead she leaned back in to kiss her more and Harley was more than happy to oblige.

She was looking forward to kissing her even more in the future too.

“SURPRISE!”

Harley pulled away abruptly at the completely unexpected shout, jumping a bit in Pammy’s arms, looking to see who had shouted.

She’d completely forgotten she was at work.

‘Oh shit! The party! I’m workin’! Wait…’ - “What the hell?!” Harley said, laughing a bit, starting to get up, and helping Pammy do the same.

“Darling, it’s your surprise engagement party!” Selina responded as more and more people she recognized came into the bar through the back.

Surprise engagement party?!

So this was planned all along?!

“Were ya that confident I’d say yes?” Harley turned to Pammy with a giant, cocky grin.

“Not her- this was all me.” Selina replied instead, handing her a glass of champagne.

“Doesn’t exactly change the question though.” Harley said, still looking over at Pammy for an answer.

“I-I certainly hoped so.” Pammy answered as she was also handed a glass.

“Ya had nothin’ to worry ‘bout.” Harley replied, tucking into her side with an arm wrapping around her and kissing her cheek.

Now that Harley knew the original party was fake and that this party was really for them, she didn’t worry about needing to keep her work-appropriate distance.

Though if Lisa had actually tried to separate them just after getting engaged, Harley would’ve refused.

More and more people filed in and the party immediately began.

It wasn’t overly crowded, but the entire Noonan’s staff and a few of her other psych colleagues, as well as her entire roller derby team, and Pammy’s closest coworkers Alec and Linda were there to celebrate them.

Everyone came up to them with their congratulations and definite interest in the ring on her finger.

“It really is beautiful…” Harley said, taking a real moment to look at it for the first time that night.

It was actually gorgeous and so perfectly her style, double banded, with red and black stones that Harley would ask about later to learn more about her new ring.

“It’s one of a kind… like you.” Pammy replied softly in her ear as they hadn’t separated since Harley had attached herself.

‘Damn… this ring was truly made fer me!’ Harley thought, realizing that Pammy would have actively played a part in it’s design for it to be unique.

Now Harley also realized, she was going to need to save up to get Pammy a ring just as beautiful as hers.

She absolutely would though.

“Gonna have to get ya one too.” Harley replied, then asked, “What would ya want though?”

“I’m not sure… we can figure that ring out together?” Pammy asked.

“Yea… together.” Harley replied, tucking back into her fully.

They enjoyed the party, the little speeches a select few gave, and happily took comfort in simply being with each other the entire time.

Selina sneakily prompted Lisa to pull out the karaoke machine- which Pammy did not escape from.

But it didn’t seem like she wanted to either.

Harley didn’t abuse the fact that Pammy wouldn’t leave her side and only made them sing just a few times.

She let others sing more so she could enjoy the little moments of their engagement party.

Some of the moments felt surreal.

And maybe because everything felt like a surprise and it was just now hitting her.

But Harley looked around at all of the people celebrating.

Not just her, but her fiancée.

She had a fiancée!

Only one year ago, she’d only just met this shy, stunning woman, who was celebrating a work promotion, hoping to be her friend.

She thought it was rather funny that her first thought was her hope that she wasn’t celebrating an engagement… and now they were, but it was their engagement.

Pammy wanted to marry her.

No fighting to explain why they should, no stress about committing to each other…

Pammy didn’t hesitate to love her; she didn’t hesitate to show Harley how much she loved and respected her.

She didn’t hide, cheat, lie, scream, punch, slap, or berate her.

And as Harley thought how much had changed in a year, she couldn’t help but smile brightly at Pammy every time, to look at her with every ounce of love Harley felt in her heart and inevitably kiss her every chance she got.

Even after it all, Harley still couldn’t believe her luck- that she was going to spend the rest of her life with this gorgeous, smart, talented, and dedicated woman who makes her laugh; who makes her so happy.

Harley couldn’t wait to show Pammy just how much she loved her back, wondering what their future together would hold… but at least she knew for certain that she'd always have her best friend by her side.

Cheers! <3