Two days had passed before Gwen finally decided to leave the comfort of her hut. She had holed herself in there when the morning after the attack from the mermaids, she found that her limbs were painfully sore. Dark purple bruises had been scattered around her calves and thighs, all the way up to her hips where you could clearly see where Venus' fin had wrapped around her. Gwen was horrified when she saw the marks on her body and decided to hide herself away in her hut. Not that she had much of a choice. Her limbs were so sore she could barely stand without grimacing.

Though holing herself up in her hut hadn't been so terrible. She spent her days sleeping the pain away and giving her body the much rest it needed, and when she wasn't sleeping she entertained herself with making flower crowns out of leaves, branches, and daises Harry had brought to her when he'd come see her. He'd watch her make the crowns while he spoke to her about the most random things or they'd simply sit there in comfortable silence. Gwen didn't mind it much, she liked being around Harry even if they weren't doing anything eventful.

But today, she was forcing herself out of bed now that her bruises had faded enough not to draw so much attention and her body was no longer sore. The fact that Harry had also delivered the news that Tristan kept asking for her might also be the reason she was drawing herself away from her comfort. She hadn't seen or spoken to the boy in two days and she had seen the worried look on his face when he saw Gwen at the lake. She wanted to assure him she was alright.

So, with her hair tied up with the white ribbon she still had, she opened the door of her hut and stepped out into the bright sunny day. Her eyes squinted the moment the light hit her eyes and she had to use her hand to shield them from it, needing some time to get used to the sudden brightness. She blinked and blinked, before dropping her hand and looking down both ways of camp. A few lost boys had been walking by when she came out and had now slowed down to watch her out of curiosity, their whispers faltering when Gwen made eye contact with them. Unsurely and hesitantly, she raised her hand again and gave them a small wave along with a tight smile. They stared at her a moment longer then nodded their head in a half-hearted gesture to acknowledge her before they turned their backs and continued on their way.

Clasping her hands together in front of her stomach, she trudged through camp and threaded through the various huts surrounding hers until she was approaching the middle of the small village. She noticed a crowd gathered on the floor, and after catching sight of Tristan's light brown messy hair, she moved towards them. The leaves crackling under her feet drew their attention and one of the boys looked up, nudging the boy next to him in the arm when he saw Gwen. The boy turned his head around and Gwen recognized him to be one of Harry's close friends- Will.

"Oh Gwenevieve," He said as he stood up on his feet. His eyes crinkling in the corners as he gave Gwen a genuine smile. "Hi. How are you feeling?"

Gwen's face twisted in confusion at his question and Will was quick to elaborate. "Harry told us you were a bit beaten up after the other day and that you were resting. Are you feeling better?"

"Oh." She blinked in surprise that he was actually asking her how she felt. She knew Peter didn't like her, along with some of the other lost boys so she had assumed Will hadn't liked her as well. "I feel better, yes. Thank you for asking."

"Sure." He nodded and raised an eyebrow at her when he noticed Gwen looking around. "Harry isn't here. In case you're looking for him."

"Where is he?"

"He went into the forest with Peter and Earl. He should be back soon."

Gwen nodded at the news and glanced over at Tristan just as he looked up from the drawing in the dirt. His eyes widened when he saw her and he dropped the stick, jumping to his feet with excitement. "Gwen!" He shouted happily and ran over to her. He flung his body into hers, wrapping his small arms around her waist as he hugged her tightly. Gwen winced at the contact, but still returned his hug by tightening her own arms around his shoulders.

"Hey sweetie." She patted his back and he drew back enough to tilt his head up at her. His blue eyes wide with happiness. "Heard you missed me." She teased and tapped his chin with her forefinger.

"I did." He admitted sheepishly, chubby cheeks splotching red. "A-are you okay?" He frowned and pulled his arms back, as if remembering that she had been attacked and he was afraid to hurt her. "Harry said your body hurt."

"I'm better, don't worry." She quickly assured him, silently noting to herself to tell Harry not to be so honest with Tristan. He was only a child; he didn't need to worry about her. "What have you been up to with out me?"

Tristan instantly slumped at her question and he frowned, his lower lip curling into a pout. "Nothing. I've made slingshots, and drew in the dirt. It's been boring without you." He sighed sadly and Gwen frowned at the look on his face, immediately wanting to get rid of it. She was a kid pleaser, no doubt if she would have had children in the future she would have been the pushover parent.

She fell into a squat in front of him until they were eye level with one another and ruffled his brown hair. "Well, I'm back now. So why don't you and I go have some fun?"

His blue eyes lit up and a wide smile split across his face. "Really? What kind of fun?"

"Whatever you want."

He jumped once in excitement and clapped his hands. "Can we have another swim lesson?"

Gwen faltered at his question, knowing that if she gave him another swim lesson that meant she would have to return to the lake. And she had been avoiding it the last two days, afraid that she'd find Venus there or the mermaid would appear and attack her in the middle of her swimming. She knew she'd have to return eventually, she hadn't bathed since that day and if she were being honest with herself, she felt disgusting.

Pressing her lips together, she relented and nodded at Tristan. "Sure, if you'd like to."

"I do!" He said eagerly and Gwen smiled, standing back up as she shook her head in amusement. Seeing Tristan happy was all she wanted so she would suck it up and go to the lake if she needed to.

"Alright, let's go." She told him and he grasped her hand immediately while Gwen turned to glance at Will who was now seated back on the floor, playing a game in the dirt with a few other lost boys. "Hey Will?" He looked up at her. "Let Harry know I'll be at the lake with Tristan to give him a swim lesson."

Will pressed his lips together and tilted his head. "Are you sure that's a good idea?..."

No, she thought honestly but forced a smile on her face. "We'll be fine."

Will stared a moment longer but then reluctantly nodded. "Okay, I'll let him know."

"Thanks Will." She smiled at him then finally allowed Tristan to pull her along until they were walking in the forest. He was practically skipping in joy as he babbled about Earl and Peter making him build more slingshots. Gwen was only half listening to him, muttering words like 'oh yeah?' 'really?' and 'oh wow', along the way. Her nerves were distracting her the closer they got to the lake and she felt her hands sweating in anticipation. Especially when they reached the edge of the trees and stepped out into the rocketing flooring of the lake.

She almost expected to find Venus sitting on the rock that was in the middle of the water, but the relief she felt when she saw absolutely nothing but the lake itself, was immense. Gwen let out a deep breath, watching as Tristan released her hand and ran to the edge of the lake. She called for him to wait and be careful as he sat himself down and stuck his feet in the water. Moving to the edge of the water herself, she stared down at it in hesitation. Her eyes were searching the dark blue lake, trying to see if she'd catch a fin or red hair floating beneath the surface. But after staring at the water for some time, and not seeing anything but the water itself, she gave in and sat herself down next to Tristan. Cautiously she hung her legs in the water, breathing in deeply when it soothed the bruises still on her legs.

Tristan, being the smart boy he was, noticed this. "Are you still hurt Gwen?" He asked in a small worried voice and she shook her head, smiling at him as she slipped her body into the water. She stood in the shallow end and reached her hands out to beckon Tristan in.

"No I'm alright. It feels good." She commented as Tristan slipped himself in the water. He was so short for his age that even being in the shallow end left the water stopping just below his chin. He stood on his tip toes and hurriedly moved to stand beside Gwen. "Okay, how about we practice that floating?"

Tristan practically sneered at her suggestion and Gwen laughed as he begrudgingly moved to float on his back. That was how they started their lessons, and after he had done it over ten times with out sinking, Gwen ushered him to swim laps across the shallow end of the lake. He listened, and though his strokes weren't perfect and he ran out of breath quickly, Gwen noticed that he was definitely improving. He listened to Gwen when she made suggestions and guided him into moving his arms in a certain motion as he swam. He always did as she said and though he was finally getting the hang of it, Gwen noticed that he often stopped mid lap to wipe his face and take large deep breaths.

"Okay, I think you're done for today." She told him when he had stopped again in the middle of his seventh lap. He was breathing hard and he looked tired. "Go back to camp and get some rest. You did good today." She smiled at him and he didn't protest this time, moving to climb out of the lake.

Once Tristan was out of the water and shivering as he hugged himself, he looked down at Gwen in confusion when he saw she was still in the water. "Aren't you coming with me?"

"No, I need to bathe." She told him and he frowned. She knew what he was thinking. "I'll be fine by myself, Tristan."

"But the mermaids. They could come back." He was practically whining and Gwen pushed the thoughts that were agreeing with him away. She refused to be afraid of Venus and she wasn't going to let the fear of her returning keep her from coming to the lake.

"She won't, Harry banished her." She told him as if that would actually stop her. If she was smart, she'd listen though. "I'll be alright. I won't be long, anyways."

Tristan hesitated before he nodded and bid Gwen a goodbye before he skipped his way out into the forest. She sighed once he was out of sight, her eyes darting to the water of the lake. A part of her knew she was being overly cautious but she didn't know what to expect when it came to Venus. Would she listen to Harry and stay away? Or would she risk coming back just so she could finish what she had started? Better yet, would she send another mermaid to do the job for her?

Gwen pursed her lips and shook off the thought, deciding she was only wasting time over thinking it. She wanted to bathe quickly and go back to camp where she knew for a fact it was safe. So she hurriedly shrugged her gown off over her head, along with her undergarments and ringed the water out from them before placing them at the edge of the lake. Pulling her ribbon out from her hair and tossing it next to her clothes she didn't waste anymore time. She instantly dunked her whole head beneath the water and massaged her scalp as she held her breath. She didn't get the chance to get coconut butter this time around so only washing off with water would just have to do.

Minutes later after scrubbing her body and hair clean, Gwen stepped out of the lake nude. She plucked her gown, knickers, and bra off the floor and pulled them back on her body. She tucked her ribbon into her bra, wringing her wet hair out over one shoulder, she then tossed it behind her back and spared one last glance at the lake. She had done it. She bathed alone with out Venus showing up.

Smiling in relief to herself, Gwen turned and headed back out into the forest to go back to camp. Her eyes scanned her surroundings as she walked there, noticing the light from the sun setting peeking in through the trees. It momentarily blinded her but she didn't care. She thought it looked pretty. Serene. It warmed her wet skin and dried the ends of her damp hair. She felt really content for the first time in the last two days.

Yet, that moment lasted for a mere five seconds before a hand clamped over her mouth. Fear spiked through her veins and her eyes widened just as an arm wrapped around her waist and dragged her back. She barely had time to even react before she was turned and pushed up against a tree, gasping into the hand that currently covered her mouth as the bark dug into her front. Her head connected with the rest of her body then and she lifted her hand, trying to reach behind her so she could punch the person who was holding her down. She felt a hot breath on her neck and she squirmed, turning her head abruptly and catching gazes with forest green eyes.

"Hawwy?" She said into his palm and he released her mouth when he realized she was trying to talk. The moment he let her go she whirled around and smacked him hard against the chest. "Bloody hell! What is the matter with you? I thought you were a pirate!"

Harry blocked her hits and a wide amused smile was playing on his lips, eyes shining from the sunset hitting them. "Clearly, I'm not." She moved to hit him again but he caught her wrist. "Calm down princess, I only wanted to play with you."

She wretched her wrist out of his hand and huffed in annoyance. "You frightened me."

He grinned wider and fingered a wet strand of her hair. "M'sorry, love." He murmured and leaned closer to her until her back was pressed into the tree. "Will told me you went to the lake. I was worried so I came looking for you."

"I was just on my way back." She told him more softly, her irritation disintegrating the more he played with her hair. He hummed at her words and bent his head until their lips were just inches apart, making Gwen's heart automatically speed up. It always did whenever he was close to her.

"Did you bathe?" He asked as he stared down at her chest when he saw water droplets sliding down her skin and disappearing beneath the top of her gown. Harry's eyes steadily moved further down her body and he felt his length harden when he saw how her now short gown clung to the top of her thighs and the rest of her body. Her curves were very visible and her thin bra did little to shield what was currently cupped under it. By the way he could see her erect nipples, it was clear she was either cold or turned on just like Harry was.

"Yes." Gwen responded and swallowed thickly when she recognized the look in Harry's eyes. It was the same one he had from a few nights ago when she had snuck into his hut. "Why else did you come looking for me?"

"I missed you." He told her honestly, leaning forward and brushing his lips against hers.

"You missed me, or my body?" She joked, tilting her head up and smiling teasingly. Harry chuckled and shook his head, brushing her wet hair back until it was away from her smooth face.

"Both. I won't lie to you. I miss both." He said lowly, barely pressing his lips against Gwen's and pulling back just a fraction. His eyelashes fluttered as he raised his gaze to meet Gwen's. "May I kiss you?"

"You may." She mumbled, already reaching up to connect their mouths. The moment they were, Harry cupped her cheek with one hand while he held her hip in the other. Their lips moved in sync gently, his tongue poking out to lick her bottom lip. Gwen shivered when he did that and she moaned quietly into his mouth, the action giving him access to the inside of hers. He eagerly but carefully slipped his tongue in her mouth, slowly caressing hers with his. She never knew how much she would like being kissed like this but she wasn't going to deny that she enjoyed it very much. It made her skin crawl with heat and she felt her lower stomach flutter with arousal.

Feeling brave, she raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck as she drew him closer to her. Their breaths were turning into pants and the kiss was turning frantic. Desperate, and needy. Yet it was just as amazing as all the others, the only difference was that right now, she wanted more. So she pressed her body close to Harry's, grinding her hips up against his and he groaned into her mouth. She wanted him to do something, anything to her to give her some relief. Her hormones were going wild and she needed him to tame them.

And since Harry was becoming so in tune with Gwen that he was now able to frequently tell what she was thinking, he slid his hand on her hip further down. Down to her upper thighs where he lightly dragged his fingers upward. He played with the hem of her short gown; Gwen didn't know whether it was to tease her or if he was hesitating but either way it was driving her nuts.

"Harry," she whimpered as she pulled her lips away from his. Forcing her eyes open, she looked him in the eye and fiddled with the hair at the nape of his neck. "Harry, touch me."

Harry heard her loud and clear but still, he froze at her words. His eyes were widened and his finger played with the hem of her gown. He so badly wanted to touch her alright, but he was inexperienced. He had no fucking idea what to do. How to properly please her. He never stayed home long enough to explore with girls and he hardly remembered the stories his friends had shared with him over their own experiences. And though he had thought about touching her plenty of times whenever he got himself off, he was nervous now.

"I don't know how." He admitted and Gwen smiled up at him softly, leaning forward to gently kiss his lips. She reached down between them and grabbed the hand that was still fiddling with her gown, carefully dragging it up beneath the fabric. She stopped once his hand was resting right over her core and she bit her lip when she felt the heat of his palm. Releasing his hand, she placed her own back around his neck.

"Do what feels right to you." She told him before sealing their mouths together again. She took control this time, standing on her toes as she held the back of his head and slipped her tongue into his mouth. She kissed him with everything she had and Harry was groaning in pleasure. He kissed her back forcefully, pushing his body closer to her. He didn't think too much about it as he cupped her core and Gwen gasped against his mouth. He took it as a good sign and slide his palm over her knickers, moving his hand up to the hem. He paused for a moment to gauge her reaction and when she didn't protest, he slipped his hand beneath the fabric.

Unsurely, his slid his fingers over her folds and felt Gwen shiver against him. She felt so unfamiliar to him so at first, his fingers moved around to merely explore. They moved down slowly, where he felt her entrance then back up her folds. His fingers brushed a particular spot where he reached the top of her slit and Gwen instantly shuddered and pressed her core further into his hand. Getting the hint that she liked being touched there specifically, Harry began to move his fingers in slow up and down motions over the swollen nub.

Gwen moaned into his mouth and pulled her lips away, dropping her head back against the tree as she blinked up at Harry. Her hazel eyes were lust filled and Harry's hard length strained his pants more. "Circles, move them in circles."

Listening to her, Harry did exactly that and Gwen's mouth fell agape. A low moan erupted from her chest and her hands wrapped around his neck lightly pulled at his hair. The action sent a wave of arousal to shoot down to his groin and he grunted, moving his fingers in quicker circles. He could feel her slick, wet, and warm against his fingers and Harry wanted nothing more than to tear her knickers off so he could see his own hand moving against her. But they were in the middle of the forest, where just about any one of the boys could find them. The thought was both exhilarating and embarrassing but knowing they were just small boys, he didn't dare take her knickers off and opted for watching her face instead. The way her eyes fluttered and her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Moans leaving her mouth one after the other. Her porcelain skin flushed a light pink and her chest moving up and down rapidly. Harry loved it, loved watching her like this. He was positive he would climax at just seeing her like this alone.

He licked his lips and bit down into them as he sped his fingers up, while Gwen began to squirm. She hitched one leg up against Harry's hip, the action causing her gown to lift higher up her body. Harry's gaze darted to her exposed skin and he couldn't help but moan when he saw the curve of her bum. Bending his head, he pressed his mouth into her neck and sucked, smoothing his tongue over the spot. He reached behind her and cupped her bum with one hand, pushing her forward into his other hand as he sped the movement of his fingers. Gwen gasped, breathing hard next to Harry's ear. By the way her breaths were coming out short and her moans were uncontrollable, he knew she was about to lose it.

So when he reversed the motion of his fingers, he wasn't surprised to hear Gwen choke on a gasp before she moaned his name quietly into his ear. "Harry." Her thigh against his hip tightened and she thrusted her hips against his hand, bucking them back and forth as she rode out her orgasm. Harry was so enamored by the whole thing he was staring at her in a daze. He wanted to do it again just so he could watch her lose herself like this repeatedly. Because it was official; he was addicted.

Slipping his hand out from her knickers, he let Gwen cling to him as she tried to catch her breath. Staring up at him with lulled eyes, she watched Harry raise his fingers up to his face. Her cheeks reddened when she saw him look at his fingers with curiosity before his gaze flickers to Gwen's. He held her gaze as he slowly slipped his fingers into his mouth and sucked her juices off of them. Gwen blushed so deeply and her heart was pounding in her ears. She didn't know whether to feel embarrassed that he licked off her wetness or embarrassed over the fact that she liked watching him do it.

His eyelashes fluttered for a moment, as if the taste was so good he was about to climax himself. Which Harry nearly did, because well it was. Looking at her wetness on his hand made him curious as to what she would taste like and now he knew. But, of course, now he only wanted more.

Opening his eyes, he released his fingers with a plop and bent his head to place a soft kiss on Gwen's nose. "You taste so good." He told her and he grinned at her red cheeks. "At least now I know where to go if I ever get too thirsty."

Her mouth dropped in horror and she slapped his arm, but a loud laugh erupted from her mouth. "Harry!"

He wiggled his eyebrows. "Scream it love."

"You're filthy." She shook her head but she was laughing as she shoved him back away from her. Harry was grinning at her widely and she stepped forward, catching Harry off guard when she quickly stood on her toes to kiss him deeply. She pulled away before he had time to return it. "But I like you, anyways."

"I like you too." He told her softly and she giggled, moving away from him. Harry followed her with his eyes, watching as she walked backwards and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She's so beautiful, he thought to himself. She got even more beautiful everyday. He didn't understand it.

"Race ya to camp?" She asked him, arching her eyebrow at him and already moving in the direction of camp.

Harry raised his eyebrows at her and shook his head. "Now that wouldn't be fair. You're still sore. I'd win."

She narrowed her eyes at him and smirked. "We'll see about that." She sung and began to turn around when she paused. "Winner gets whatever they want from the other!" She calls behind her before she takes off into a sprint. Harry's mouth drops and he instantly breaks out into a run. There was no way he was letting her win.

After all, what he wanted was her.

* * * * * * * *

Hii I know it's been awhile, sorry for the wait but hopefully this chapter made up for it ;)

It should be easier now for me to update because I actually planned out all the events that are going to be happening in each chapter! I'm so excited for you guys to see what I've got planned :)

Questions:

Smut? How'd I do?

What are your theories about what might happen in the future?

Vote + comment! I'll update again soon. Thanks for reading <3