Elixir of Truth (Bonnie/Harvey Drabble)

Written by Rhi and Stevie

Art by Stevie_Bones

In which peaceful afternoon is ruined when anger is pushed to the brink and research is taken a step too far. 

Harvey quickly swept his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose, giving a frustrated sigh as he stood in front of his bedroom mirror. The looking glass touched the dorm room floor and reflected Harvey’s full tall form as he paced in front of it. He had been in his room for over an hour now, leaving Bonnie alone in the labs when he said he’d meet her there. He knew that his father might be there to give her aid if she needed, but it was getting late and Henry Jekyll was no longer made for the night. He would retire to his apartment for the rest of the evening and continue his work early the next day.

Just as Harvey was about to head to the labs, Hyde had started chattering away in his head with malicious glee, dropping little phrases to catch Harvey’s attention. Harvey knew that Hyde was just doing this to get a rise out of him, and Harvey would do well to not listen to the ramblings of a lunatic, but Harvey had a mountain of questions for Hyde as of late, and if he wanted to talk, Harvey would gladly talk to him.

“So who is this James person you seem to be great friends with?” Harvey asked Hyde.

Hyde gave a chuckle and went silent.

“Don’t you go doing that again. Don’t get a tight jaw whenever I ask you a question.” Harvey said.

“Is that frustration I hear wavering in your voice Harvey?” Hyde teased. “It pains you not knowing things now, doesn’t it? I recall you liked remaining blissfully ignorant and happy. Why don’t you try being ignorant again, Harvey?”

“I’ve grown tired of your games, now answer my question.”

“Is that a backbone I see developing? What elixir did you whip up to get one of those?” Hyde snickered.

“Why was my father a target? Was it you who sought him out and you employed James to get him for you?” Harvey asked, confronting the mirror.

“That’s big boy business, Harvey. Afraid I can't share that with you. Why don't you go run and polish Bonnie’s boots. I’m sure she’s missing the ratty little boy she likes to walk all over.” Hyde grinned.

“Stop avoiding me!” Harvey yelled into the mirror.

“Would you like a confrontation, then?”

Harvey felt a chill run down his spine as he felt Hyde up front and center in his head, almost too close to the surface. The magic from the stone created a fence-like barrier in Harvey head, keeping Hyde from getting to the control center, and right now, Hyde was stalking the gates like a lion in a zoo. His voice was sharp and loud in Harvey’s ear drums, his heart pounding with that awful yet alluring familiar desire to let go.

Harvey stepped back from his mirror.

“I won't let you get to me.”

“I’m already in you, Harvey.” Hyde gave a crooked grin.

“You may be in my head, but you’ll never have me. I won't let you.”

“You sure? You may be growing a backbone, but you’re still weak, just like your father was weak. All it takes is one little slip up, and then you’ll be begging for me to take over. You’ll want to taste that carnal power that I can so graciously give to you! I’ve told you from day one, Harvey, I am here to help you. I can be your greatest friend and ally, if you just...allow me-”

“No. Never.”

At the sudden interruption and denial, Hyde went quiet, his own anger twisting and curling within him like a pit of writhing snakes.

“Then I will rot you from the inside out. I’ll fester inside you like a plague till you succumb to me. I’ll destroy every bit of goodness in your life till you’re left with only me. I’ll make your life unbearable till you can no longer stand it. You’ll want to run and hide, just like your father.”

“I’m not my father.”

“Oh Harvey. Put your glasses back on. Look in the mirror and lie to yourself again.” Hyde said.

Harvey put his glasses back on and stared at his reflection. His white doctor's coat hung on his frame perfectly, as if he was always meant to wear it. His hair was lightly tousled, and if it hadn't been for the scars and the glasses, he would have been an exact replica of his father in his youth.

Harvey looked himself up and down till he stared directly into his own eyes.

“I’ve lived with you almost my whole life, Hyde. We’re not strangers. I know the sound of your footsteps, I know the shape of your shadow, and I know what delights you. I’ve been exposed to your horrors for years and I am unfortunately accustomed to them. You may pull your tricks here and there, but I am your prison, and I’ll be your biggest downfall.”

Hyde gave an amused smirk, and it almost wavered for a second, but his grimace spread back across his face.

“Dear boy, my claws are embedded in everyone, not just you. I have no pattern, no distinction, no reason, and I can attack you from anywhere, not just inside your head.” Hyde said, suddenly becoming distracted.

Harvey felt his blood run cold as an ache pulled at his bones, his head throbbing slightly.

“What was that?” Harvey asked.

Hyde breathed in deeply, his pupils dilating. He thought for a moment and then gave Harvey a serious glare, his teeth glimmering with hunger and delight.

“You’ve left her alone too long.”

“What?” Harvey asked, that statement making him shiver, snapping him out of his heated trance.

“Curiosity killed the cat, you know.” Hyde said, his eyes wide and dancing about. “Silly girl doesnt know what she’s playing at.”

“Who are you talking about?” Harvey asked, fear wavering his voice again.

Hyde’s eyes focused once again on Harvey, his jaw tight and his eyes hot with ill intentions.

“Don’t you have boots to polish?”

Harvey’s blood ran cold.

Bonnie.

The labs were quiet, just how Bonnie liked them. No chattering students in the corridors, no one poking their noses through the door where they don’t belong - just peaceful quiet. It helped her tune out the buzzing in her head as her fingers spread across the notes before her, her eyes skimming over Jekyll’s scrawled journals and research in his office.

She had made a habit of spending her weekends in the lab, much to the chagrin of her parents that would much rather she spent her time in the company of her fiance. However, Kit was a gentleman and understanding to boot - he would never impose upon her or her work. So in the labs and Jekyll’s office she sat day and sometimes night, as always trying to connect the dots between Harvey’s mistake, experiments of scholars now long gone and current arcane understanding.

The process was long, slow and tested her patience at times, but since she began to branch into other arcane bonding like vampirism and curses, the writing board behind her was steadily becoming more and more weblike with strings trailing from note to note.

The sun had slowly begun to lower from it’s midday high, the light filtering through the window now a golden orange, when Bonnie broke away from the desk, standing to stretch and crack her neck. She sighed, frustration throbbing absently in the back of her mind as she turned to stare at her board, chewing her lip as she tried to skim over her thorough research to find a new lead, a link she missed perhaps. But alas nothing jumped out to her until she flicked her eyes to the locked draw of the heavy, oak desk.

She knew exactly what was hidden in there and exactly why it was under lock and key - after all, best no one else came across Hyde’s elixir. Harvey had already warned her not to mess around with it, though she couldn’t quite quite recall exactly what he said; that would imply she had been really listening. Still his voice did echo in her mind as she approached the desk, but she waved it away and shooed it back with that familiar buzz that she often did her best to ignore. After all, she was stuck in a dead end and that enticing green liquid was the only loose end she had yet to exhaust.

The pink tiefling quickly glanced around, the empty room and comforting silence only emboldening her as she ducked down to the locked draw and pulled out her tools. A brief glow of blue encompassed her hands as she transformed the reamer of her swiss army knife into a skeleton key that she swiftly slipped into the old lock. With a practiced ease, she twisted it into the lock, listening for the satisfying sound of metal weights clicking until she felt no resistance as she turned the key. The draw shifted as it unlocked and with a grin, Bonnie stood and pulled it open revealing a few personal notes of her teacher and there at the back, the vial of glowing green.

As her finger wrapped around it, she felt a thrill pulsed through her and her eyes glinted a bright blue for a breath - doing something forbidden was always exciting, especially when it promised new knowledge. Barely able to contain her smile, Bonnie returned to the desk and slipped the vial into a small wooden stand before pulling out a notebook and slipping on her goggles.

She examined the contents, the way the potion moved and glowed, it’s thickness and consistency as she moved the vial, flicking different lenses to magnify her vision as she did and jotting down everything she could find from just scrutinising it. But after an hour of investigation, Bonnie sighed and removed her goggles - it wasn’t enough.

Her eyes strayed back to the potion as her tongue flicked out to wet her lips, considering it for a moment before pushing away from the desk and stood with an aggravated growl, “No, it would upset him.”

“But wouldn’t you be able to understand more if you knew?” A voice whispered in a familiar accent.

“Yes, but at what cost?” She asked, glancing back at the elixir.

“Only you. But isn’t it worth it? To help him?”

As usual, Bonnie found it hard to argue with herself, turning her head to look at the window. Her reflection in the glass was faint - was that a hat on her head? - but she could see the smile stretching it’s mouth and it imitated her as she reached up to trace her fingers over her own pursed lips, a frown furrowing her brow.

A stillness washed over her for a moment before she deeply inhaled and removed her vest and blouse. Beneath she wore a cream chemise with a portrait neckline and small ruffles along the hem and a dark, brown corset that came up to her mid-bust. The bottom dipped beneath her skirts and gave her a pigeon-breasted silhouette. She then rolled her shoulders to relieve some of the nervous tension built in there before she went searching for a thermometer and stethoscope.

Ten minutes later, Bonnie was sitting at the desk, her equipment and pen at the ready, temperature checked and vial held tightly, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she drew it to her lips. A moment passed as goosebumps rose across her skin and a small smile pulled at the corners of her mouth before she parted her lips and swigged back the green elixir in one quick movement. The taste of iron hit her tongue and instantly her throat was on fire yet her teeth ached as if she had bit into ice.

She grimaced, pulling the vial away from her lips as she swallowed, that freezing burn travelling down her throat and she felt her body shake, the metallic taste lingering in her mouth. Her free hand in turn grasped her pen and she quickly scribbled down the taste and immediate effects of the potion, the way it scorched and froze her insides making her shiver with discomfort.

Quickly, she popped the thermometer beneath her tongue and closed her lips around it. After a minute she slipped it out and compared her increase in temperature with some interest before placing the stethoscope in her ears and placing the end against her chest. Her heart rate had dramatically increased but quickly slowed, as if she had only caught the end of it’s run and that had her glancing back at the potion. The slight physical response had been minimal on that first sip after all, so curiously, she drew the vial back to her mouth.

Meanwhile, Harvey raced from his dorm room and across campus, never stopping a moment till he got to the labs. Fear carried his feet through the doors and into the empty room, skidding to a halt as he scanned the tables and found no one. Sweat rolled down his forehead as he tried to catch his breath, spinning round and facing his fathers office, finding the door ajar, light peaking through. He bolted towards it, throwing open the door to find Bonnie at his fathers desk, a familiar vial in her hand, almost touching her lips.

“Bonnie!” Harvey yelled, running forward and snatching the vial from her hand. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

The tiefling gasped, shock causing her to recoil as best as she could in the seat, her blue eyes wide. “H-Harvey? I- I didn’t think you were here,” She stumbled over her words as her empty hand flexed.

“Is this what you do when I’m not around? Go through my fathers things and do the exact opposite of what I tell you to do? I told you not to touch this!” Harvey said, his face red from running and his progressing anger.

“No! No, this was the first time I tried it, but I just wanted to understand,” She implored as she carefully rose from the seat to stand. “I thought if I could, it would progress my research.”

Harvey scoffed as he went about the room, seeing if Bonnie had touched or messed with anything else as he went to grab the cork to the vial and put it back in the drawer. As he faced the desk, he saw the multi-tool he had given Bonnie for her birthday sticking out of the lock of the drawer that belonged to the elixir. He grabbed it and yanked it out with one angry sweep, throwing it on the desk and placing the vial back where it belonged. He slammed the drawer shut and faced Bonnie with one quick turn.

“You tried it?” He asked, stepping closer to her. “You saw what that elixir did to me and you just thought you’d play around with it and try to learn more about it? Bonnie, it’s not something to just tinker around with!”

Bonnie stood a little straighter, unused to the fury emanating from her friend but never one to back down as she pushed the chair under the desk, removing the only barrier between them. “Well, what do you suggest I do? We’ve already tried looking at both yours and your father’s medical states and they gave us no clues on how the arcana begins t’attach,” She snapped, “You want me to help, don’t you?”

“You should have waited for my father to be with you as you did this. I’m sure he would have strongly advised you against it, as would I.” Harvey said, glancing down at the notes Bonnie was taking as she drank the elixir. “Don’t help me by putting yourself in danger. If anyone is going to be a test subject, it's me. I can’t believe how foolish you were. That’s it. You’re not allowed in my father’s office without one of us present. Now get out.”

“Excuse me?” She growled, “You’re going to stand there and insult me and tell me I need supervision? That’s rich coming from the kid that started this whole thing!” Her voice rose, embarrassed rage turning her cheeks a rosy pink. “I absolutely refuse to be treated like a child when I’m the only one here who has actually made any progress in working out how to separate you from Hyde.”

And with a snarl she then jabbed him in the chest with her nail, “An’ if you tell me to ‘get out’ again, I promise you’ll regret it.”

Harvey snatched her wrist, pulling it away from his chest.

“I’m the child? You’re the one throwing a fit because you got caught doing something you weren't supposed to do.” Harvey said sharply. “I asked for your help, not your lead, Bonnie.”

Flexing her fingers, she stepped into his space and hissed, “Then try taking the lead.”

Harvey’s mouth tightened and he swung Bonnie out of his way, ignoring her yelp as he pulled out his fathers desk chair and sat her in it. He opened up a drawer, pulling out a tray and box of his father's supplies and tossing them on the desk. He pulled out a tourniquet and wrapped it around Bonnie’s upper arm, tying it tightly as she winced.

“Don’t move.” He said as he pulled out a needle, ready to take her blood.

Ruffled and a little shaken by his rough movements, Bonnie couldn’t help but search his eyes for a trace of bright green and when she saw nothing but that familiar hazel, a spark of interest ignited. So she swallowed down her biting words and instead nodded, trying to relax the muscles of her arm.

Harvey took Bonnie’s arm and felt her skin, searching for a vein close to the surface. A blue line caught his eye and he readied the needle, his eyes focusing as he pierced her skin, drawing her blood. As he did so, he looked from the needle, to Bonnie, then back at the needle, watching it fill up with crimson liquid.

“Why are you dressed like that?” He asked, his voice devoid of any lightheartedness.

Her eyes widened and her blush darkened, now painting the tips of her ears rouge, “I-I was checking my temperature earlier and my heart rate so…” She trailed off, glancing down at the needle in her arm.

Harvey watched her carefully, removing the needle and placing a cotton ball over the small red dot on her arm. He placed the needle on the tray and turned back to Bonnie, taking his hand and placing two fingers on her neck, finding her pulse. It wasn't hard for him to find as he applied pressure, looking over at the clock on the wall.

“It’s fast.” He said, looking back at her and removing the tourniquet. “Feel anything else?”

She swallowed, biting down on her bottom lip as his fingers pressed against her neck and she felt her chest grow warm. “No,” she murmured, trying desperately to ignore the loud beating of her heart. “Are you quite done?”

“No.” Harvey said, writing down some notes on a notepad. “Now be patient.”

Harvey finished his notes and turned back to Bonnie, taking her chin and tilting it up, holding up a finger in front of her face. Her pupils dilated slightly and she grit her teeth as she glanced past his finger to his face, tracing over the now hard edges, noting that there was still no green. He was actually angry.

“Follow my finger, please.” He said as he slowly moved it from side to side and Bonnie couldn’t help rolling her eyes but still did as he asked, her eyes focusing on his movement.

“Good.” He said flatly, reaching for his stethoscope.

He placed it in his ears and held the bell up.

“May I have a listen?” He asked, keeping up his professional bedside manners.

The tiefling recoiled slightly before hissing a curse under her breath, “Fine.” She sat stiffly against the back of the chair, turning her face away.

Harvey placed the cold bell of the stethoscope right below Bonnie’s collar bone.

“Breathe in for me.” He said softly.

Still refusing to look at him, she took in a deep breath, using it to try and calm herself down too.

“Good.” Harvey said. “ You’ll need to take that off.”

“Excuse me?” She tilted her head to glare at him, her eyes narrowed, “Take what off?”

“Your corset. I can’t get to your heart and your lungs through all that fabric and boning.” Harvey said. “Just trying to be thorough. Of course, you can say no.”

If looks could kill, Harvey would be dead and buried, as Bonnie turned to face him, her lips pulled back into an aggravated sneer. “Now you’re playing the professional, huh? Fine. Move.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him away so she could stand and undo the fastenings of her skirt. It fell swiftly revealing her drawers, a matching cream to her chemise, which was bunched up by the garter clips attached to the bottom of the corset that held up her stockings. She muttered a string of curses as she fumbled to undo her corset from the front and then unclip her stockings. With an exasperated growl she threw the article onto the desk and stepped out of her skirt that pooled around her ankles.

“Happy, Doctor?”

Harvey didn’t say anything. He took the bell and placed it back over her heart, then listening to it beat rapidly for a moment, moving it across and down till he was satisfied. He moved around behind her, gently taking her shoulder as he placed the bell at the middle of her back. He had her breathe a few more times till he removed the stethoscope and walked back to the desk to write down his note.

“No, I am not happy.” Harvey said. “I’m all done. You can dress again.”

His voice surprised her after those minutes of silence and she met his eye with a viciousness of her own. “Oh, you can sod off, you bastard. I’m not one of your wee patients and if I was that would have been some misconduct just there,” She snapped, folding her arms across her chest well aware she looked in a state - underdressed, hair ruffled and with stockings half down her calves.

Harvey took a seat on the edge of the desk, sighing as Bonnie cursed at him. He looked at her, his face still expressionless, but he felt a slight heat creep up the back of his neck that he justified to his frustration and still bubbling anger.

“I treated you as you deserved. You’re lucky I even cared enough to run these tests. You betrayed my trust here, Bonnie. Don’t spin this back on me. I won't allow it.” Harvey said.

For a moment, her anger faltered and hurt flashed across her face before she hid it away and instead drew out the Bonnie everyone expected; spoiled, bratty and unapologetic. “I get it. I didnae listen to your ‘oh-so-wise’ words of wisdom and now you’re pissed. But no way it’s just this that’s got under your skin, Harvey. You’re taking a bunch of shit out on me and don’t think I don’t notice,” Bonnie took a step closer and placed a hand under his chin to lift it up and glance at the collar. “You almost reminded me of him.”

Harvey looked up at Bonnie. His stern face now flickered with hurt, his eyes glistening with regret. He tried to speak but his words got caught in his throat till he was able to get out a shaky sob.

“All I’ll ever be is anyone but me.”

Bonnie swallowed the lump that rose in her throat before turning his face to look at her, “And whose fault is that, Harvey?”

“It’s mine.” Harvey said, staring at Bonnie as tears rolled down his face.

But instead of collapsing or crumbling, Harvey endured. His face drew back into a frustrated scowl, his brow deepening as he stood up abruptly, towering over Bonnie and stepping toward her, forcing her backward.

“It’s mine! My fault! No one but my own! Are you happy?” Harvey yelled, his voice booming through the office. “It’s mine!”

Bonnie felt out behind her as he crowded her backwards, her eyes wide yet as her hand met the wall and her back followed, she couldn’t help but smile slightly, “You know what? Yes, I am! Maybe if you actually let out your own anger for once you would nae get so easily riled, Lovelace.”

After Bonnie spoke, Harvey suddenly became distracted. Hyde was whispering to him, alluring him with thoughts he wanted to resist, but was finding it so hard to. As the thoughts swarmed Harvey, his eyes began to dance about, just as Hyde’s did before, and Harvey let out a pained gasp as he pulled away from Bonnie, stumbling backwards and holding his head.

“Stop, stop, stop.” Harvey winced in pain. “Quiet.”

He focused on his breathing, trying to calm down. He had broken out in a cold sweat, grabbing onto the cabinet behind him for stability.

“Harvey?” The sneer had fallen from her face, “Ah, shit.”

She followed after him. her voice now filled with regret and concern as she dipped into his line of sight. “Harvey, I’m sorry; I pushed too hard,” She reached her hand to his face, “Don’t let him rile you.”

“It feels like he’s trying to break in.” Harvey said, nearing the edge of a panic attack. “He won't shut up.”

Hyde was like a room full of voices muttering to Harvey all at once. It had never been this bad before. He just had to focus and calm down.

“I have to calm down.” Harvey said, the light of his collar flickering. “You should get my father.”

“Oh, yeah let me just go out dressed like this-” She snapped before she could stop herself, but to her credit cut herself off with a wince and took a breath to calm herself too. “Okay look, we can do this ourselves. Just keep your eyes on me for now, okay?” Her hand moved from his cheek down to his neck and her other hand held his shoulder to turn him fully toward her.

Harvey let Bonnie turn him and looked at her, her blues now softly looking at him, her touch gentle. He focused on her, breathing in and out. The evening sun was setting in the windows behind her, illuminating Bonnie in a golden hazy glow. He couldn’t help the flush of red that spread across his face as he stared at the pink tiefling.

Bonnie watched his flush travel down his neck and swallowed thickly, flicking her eyes back up to his and almost balking at how softly he was looking at her. She wet her lips subconsciously, her nerves leaving her slightly jittery as she then glanced at the collar. “Is this...uh, is this working?”

The collar stopped flickering and while Harvey’s heart beat rapidly, it was not out of anger. He felt his breathing steady, but when Bonnie spoke up, he realized how tenderly he had been looking at her and his blush deepened. He turned his head away, embarrassed.

“I’m fine now. Thank you.”

“Ah, right-” Bonnie flushed and took her hands from him, hovering awkwardly in front of him before turning away to move back towards the desk, reaching for the corset. Realisation dawned on her and she groaned loudly, slamming a hand on the table before glancing over at him. “I’m gonna need your help putting this back on.”

Harvey looked over and realized what Bonnie was referring to. He removed himself from the cabinet and slowly walked towards her, straightening out his vest and fixing his sleeves.

“Alright.” He said, going over to the desk and picking up the corset, holding it out to her.

She blushed before taking it and loosening the laces so she could place it against her chest and do up the front. Hesitantly she then turned to place a hand on the desk, but not before she gathered her hair and drew it over her shoulder. “Okay. Uh- if you’re not used to it, don’t worry about goin’ too tight…”

“It’s alright, I’ve tied up a corset before.” Harvey said, walking over and taking the laces in his hands. “I’m rather good at it.”

At that Bonnie let out a laugh, scoffing at him over her shoulder, “Oh, really? You know, I always took you for an ‘after marriage’ kinda guy.”

Harvey began pulling the laces from top to bottom, expertly tightening it just enough and having it still feel comfortable.

“And why is that, Bonnie?” Harvey asked, slight amusement to his voice.

She gasped as he tightened it, her hands gripping the desk for a moment before she smirked, “M’not sure, but maybe ‘cause I always thought you would be too pussy to actually get up the nerve.”

“I have plenty of nerve, Bonnie.” Harvey said, reaching the middle laces and giving them a firm tug. “Robyn allowed me to feel comfortable with myself. I wasn’t scared with her. She saw and understood my heart, and I understood hers. Loving her came naturally to me. I realized with her I’m quite passionate. I guess that’s why it hurt so bad when she left me. I thought that we were forever.”

Harvey finished tightening up Bonnie’s laces and tied them in a neat bow, his hands absentmindedly falling into routine and resting on Bonnie’s waist, until he realized what he was doing. He quickly pulled himself away, kneeling down and picking up Bonnie’s skirts.

“I think you can finish the rest. I'll just…be here with this when you need it.” He said, looking anywhere but at Bonnie.

Bonnie didn’t turn but instead let out a small, “Okay.” Her knuckle-white grip on the desk loosened and she flexed her hands as she inhaled deeply, trying to ignore how her face burned. In a whirl of hair, she spun round and quickly slid her stockings up her leg, grunting as she bent down in the corset to hike up her drawers and clip them in place. Once she was sure they were secure she coughed to get Harvey’s attention, still leaning against the desk.

He walked over and extended her skirt out to her, still avoiding looking at her.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she accepted it and stepped into it, holding on to him for a moment as she lost her balance slightly before slipping it back up to her waist, ignoring the ghosts of his touch there as she fastened the material.

Harvey let out a sigh as he turned toward the desk, collecting Bonnie's blood and his data.

“I felt it. When you drank the elixir. I felt it. It was like an aching pull at my bones and my head began hurting. I didn’t know what it was until Hyde said something. It was...strange. Did you feel anything when you drank it?” Harvey asked.

The tiefling turned, curiosity lighting in her eyes and she leaned over the desk to grab her notebook. “I wrote it down...but it was like I was on fire...but also like I was freezing at the same time. And the taste was...almost like...blood.”

“That’s exactly how I felt. Ice and then heat. Nothing happened for a few moments after I drank it, I was just left with that metallic taste in my mouth. Then my body went into shock and I passed out and Hyde took over. I don’t think that will happen to you. If something were, it would have happened by now. And you only took a small drink, yes?”

She frowned, reaching for a pen and adding his words to her notes. “Yeah, yeah it was just a swig. Nothing to fear though, he would never leave you to jump into me,” She muttered as she wrote.

“Why do you say that?” Harvey asked, turning back and finally looking at her.

“Well, because-” She looked up, meeting his gaze and swallowed, almost biting back her words, but she was nothing if not bluntly honest, “He suits you.”

“Pardon?” Harvey asked, his face twisting with confusion. “He suits me?”

“Have you looked in the mirror when you’re angry, Harvey?” Bonnie queried, her head tilting and her hair cascading down as she did, “Hmm...actually even if you did, you probably wouldn’t see it but-” Struggling to find the right words, she drummed her fingers at the desk before sighing and murmuring, “You’re alluring. Like, those emotions look good on you. And Hyde’s vain. He wants to look good.”

Harvey was rendered speechless for a moment. He didn’t know what to say to such a statement, especially from Bonnie.

“You...you like him?” Harvey asked, the words almost painful coming out. “You like me when I’m...him?”

Immediately Bonnie stood up straight, her bright blue eyes wide and round. “What?! No! No, that’s not what I meant! Ah, fuck, I always say the wrong thing!” She groaned, dragging her hand down her face. “It- Look...it’s not like…” She began to ring her hands, nervousness and embarrassment causing a deep red blush to blossom over her breast bone and dipping beneath her chemise. “I-I know what it seems like...I just meant that I find raw emotion is a good look for you.”

“Is this why you are always trying to pick a fight with me? Get me riled up? Its because you want to see me like...like that?” Harvey asked, looking more and more hurt by the second.

“No! That’s not-” She cut herself off, drawing back from where she had automatically reached out for him, “No...I...I just don’t like it when people are dishonest with their true feelings.” Bonnie moved away from him, placing the desk between them as she looked at the floor. “And I guess...I like it when people aren’t perfect and when they’re angry...and passionately furious...I think they look beautiful.”

“Well, I’m sure I made you quite a pretty picture today, then.” Harvey said, moving over to set what he was holding down on a desk. He had to pause and take a minute. He removed his glasses and focused on breathing.

“I wasnae try’na rile you, today, Harvey…” She sighed, sitting down again and burying her face in her hands. “I...I just wanted to help.”

Harvey looked over his shoulder, seeing Bonnie hiding her face away in her hands. He gave a sigh, looking down at the ground.

No more lies.

“I like you, Bonnie. I’ve always liked you. In ways, I think I even love you, but we aren't made to be together. I know that. I just...I just needed you to know that. Today has been… a lot, and I thought this could be the icing on the cake.” Harvey gave a quick smile, but it faded as he looked up at her. “I understand you want to help, and I hope by me saying this to you will help you understand where I’m coming from, and perhaps now that I’ve told you, Hyde will no longer taunt me with my own secrets. Well...now you know.”

Bonnie’s hand slipped from her face and she stared at him in shock, her jaw slack. “W-What?” She leaned against the chair back once again, fingers absently twisting the ring on her finger. “I...I had no idea, but…” She stuttered, struggling to even comprehend what he said, afterall why would anyone like her? Especially him. “W-Well...you’ve dodged a bullet really then...by falling for Robyn. I’m not relationship material.”

“You might not recall, but I did try and ask you out when we first met. I thought you were beautiful and witty and smart. Fierce too. But I think you misread the situation and dismissed me, so I took that as a “no”. I was disappointed to say the least, but content with being your friend. I liked that you didn’t treat me like a child or some fragile thing to protect. And in turn, my affections for you grew. And then I met Robyn and I had never been happier. I love her, with my whole heart, but she’s in danger by being with me with Hyde in my head. I never want to hurt her again. I dont want to subject you to the same dangers, but I know that you can take it. I’m sorry if I’m not making much sense, I just...don’t know how else to explain what I feel. You and Robyn are both in my heart. And I like having you both there.”

Bonnie could swear her face was on fire. Her heart was beating a mile a minute and suddenly her corset was far too tight. Of course she could remember their first meeting. It was a societal ball and Bonnie had been fishing for a chance to ask Faelynn to dance and just when she saw an opening, into view came this sweet, awkward brunette with a kind smile. She couldn’t remember if she’d even listened to him as over his shoulder Laurie swept in to whisk Faelynn onto the dance floor. So she’d dismissed him in frustration.

Thinking back, Bonnie couldn’t help but groan - embarrassed for both her past and present selves. “I’m...grateful you told me...and I’m-” She tried to find the words, her hands physically trying to convey them but instead kinda just grasping at air in front of her. “-sorry, that I turned you down.” Her face was now almost entirely the same colour as her eye makeup, and after a breath she dropped her head to the table, hiding it away from his eyes, very aware of how soft they were without his glasses on.

Harvey walked over to Bonnie and stood next to her, then kneeling down till he was level with her in the chair.

“You don’t have to be sorry. I know you love Faeylnn. I don’t expect you to feel anything for me, I just wanted you to know.” Harvey said.

Bonnie turned her head to look at him, chewing on her bottom lip before letting out a breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding. Stiffly, she moved back to sit in the chair, tucking some hair behind her ear and trying to straighten out the rest. “Well...uh...thank you. I-I think…” She muttered, looking anywhere else but at him.

“I apologize if that was a lot.” Harvey said, rubbing his palms against his knees. “Shall I give you a moment?”

“No-” She answered too quickly as she turned to face him before her eyes widened again, “I-I mean no. It’s okay. I...I overwhelmed you too, earlier...so I guess it’s fair.” Bonnie flicked her eyes away for a moment, her fingers returning to fiddle with her ring as she tried to calm her racing pulse.

Harvey saw Bonnie fiddling with her engagement ring. He reached out and placed a hand on her arm.

“Come. I’ll walk you back to your dorm. Maybe give you a scowl or two if it’ll cheer you up.” Harvey smirked. “I’ve never seen you so quiet, Bonnie.”

At that she couldn’t keep from letting out a small laugh, shrugging his hand off of her so she could give him a light shove. “Oh, shut up,” She smiled as she stood up, picking her blouse up off of the back of the chair, “Gimme a sec.”

With a few huffs, she managed to tuck her blouse into her skirt, hiking up the fabric so she could reach beneath and tug her blouse down - he’d seen her in only her undergarments so this was hardly embarrassing now. After that it only took her a moment to slip her vest jacket back on.

“Okay, I’m ready, but uh- should we sort out the blood sample? It’d be a wee bit better in a vial over a needle, right?”

“You’re right.” He smiled and walked over to where he had left the needle in the tray.

Harvey quickly placed the blood into a vial and placed it with the other samples his father kept within the lab.

“I’ll run tests on it tomorrow. You can join me if you’d like.” Harvey said, locking up the case and walking back over to Bonnie.

“I’d like that,” she nodded, having enough grace to look a tad shameful, “I’m sorry again. For not listening…”

“It’s alright. I’m sorry I got so angry with you. You were right, it was a bunch of things that got me frustrated, and I took it out on you. I’m sorry. I will now make sure I don’t get that angry again. I think Hyde almost was able to come out on his own despite the collar. Even if we don’t learn anything from your blood sample, we at least now know he can still get out if I'm not strong enough and lose focus.” Harvey said.

“Aye, that much is true...and worrying. You need to make sure you don’t bottle up too much,” she looked up at him, biting her lip for a moment, “I was once told that emotions that you keep inside can be poisonous an’ Hyde hardly needs more to use against you.”

“He’s quiet now. I think he’s upset. I don’t know if that's a good thing, or if I made things worse for myself. At least I have silence for now.” Harvey gave a smile at Bonnie before looking forward. “How’s that corset feeling?”

Her face exploded once more, the tips of her ears peeking bright red from between her pink locks. “Oh, you cheeky shit,” she growled with a feral grin, “Careful now, you don’t want me spreading ‘round how good you are at lacing up ladies.”

Harvey chuckled, glad to see Bonnie smile again.

“Trust me, there are plenty of rumors floating around about me on campus. That one is tame compared to the others.” Harvey said.

“Probably the least believable one too,” She snorted as she moved to pack some notes away in her bag, grabbing her multi-tool as she did, casting one last glance at the drawer with elixir before turning back to Harvey. “You’re hardly a casanova.”

“Mmm.” Harvey tilted his head and raised his brows. “Some things about me have to remain a mystery, I guess.”

Bonnie chuckled at that, hanging her bag over her shoulder before slipping her hands around his arm, “Sure, sure Prince Charming, now didn’t you offer to escort me?”

“I did, I did.” Harvey smiled and began walking out of the office with Bonnie.

He closed and locked the door and led Bonnie out of the building and walked with her out into the night, the street lamps their guiding light back to the dorms. As they walked, Harvey felt light and content, until a familiar voice creeped back into his ear, hissing with malice.

“You think you’re so clever, don’t you, boy? I made you bleed once. I’ll make you bleed again.”

Harvey flinched slightly at Hyde’s words whipping against his skull, sending a shiver of dread down his spine. He did his best to mask his fear in front of Bonnie. He just wanted them to exist in this moment together without anything to disturb them.

He’d worry about Hyde later.