word count: 7.4k
warnings: none!
summary: yuji and (y/n) are keeping a secret from the others... yuji loves to be pampered by her.
more info: tooth rotting fluff, crushing, friends to lovers
for stef <3
___
Itadori Yuji wasnât one for keeping secrets. For one, he believed they often caused more harm than good. So unless it was a surprise party, he had no interest in them. Even if Nobara swore it was a particularly juicy piece of information, Yuji had no problem covering his ears with his hands and walking in the other direction. And for two, well, he just wasnât that great at keeping them, and after a few accidental slips, heâd decided to keep himself secret free.
Of course, the dirty little secret he had of his own didnât count. But it wasnât like any harm could come of it⊠he was pretty sure⊠so long as (y/l/n) (y/n) didnât let it slip either.
âSo whaddya say?â Nobaraâs unusually chipper voice drew Itadori back to the present conversation with the tell-tale hum of a boy that hadnât listened to a thing sheâd said.
Megumi briefly rolls his eyes, (y/n) lets out a short giggle that she quickly stifles behind her hand, and Nobara places her hands on her hips as she turns towards the pink haired sorcerer with a frown.
âDo you want to go see that movie tonight or not?â She asks him pointedly, as if she hadnât spent the last few minutes coming up with a whole plan for picking up snacks and sneaking them into the theater.
âOh!â Realization dawns on Yuji in the form of a bright grin, but Nobaraâs hope is quickly deflated when he shakes his head. âNo, I canât, sorryâÂ
Before the redhead could strangle him for getting her hopes up with his stupid smile, Megumiâs backing out too, and her attention is quickly swiveled towards (y/n), who had suspiciously kept her expression behind her hand.
âSorry, Nobara,â She lowers her hand to reveal her frown. âI canât tonight either. But maybe this weekend?â She tries to compromise, but it appears Nobara was already defeated by the sting of a triple rejection.
âFine, whatever, this weekend,â She mumbles, hoping a pouty lip would be the final straw to convince her friends. When no one moves, her expression returns to its usual resting bitch face and she turns to leave. âBut if the groupchat is as dead as your energy later, then Iâm going with Maki instead!â She hollers.
That was close, Yuji thought to himself as the group dispersed and he hurriedly made his way down the hall. Luckily this time, Nobara didnât shake him down to interrogate him into telling her what better things he could have to do for the evening. God, that couldâve gotten embarrassing.
After a quick stop by his dorm to change out of his uniform, Yuji made sure the halls were clear before he booked it across the building, moving as fast as he could while keeping his steps as quiet as possible, before he slid to a stop in front of her door.
With two quick but rhythmic knocks, her door slid open, and (y/n) peeked out, eyeing both directions of the hall around Yuji to make sure no one was around to see her let him in.
âYouâre sure no one followed you?â She whispers, finally meeting his eyes.
Yuji shook his head confidently. Her lips broke into a grin so wide that the corners of her eyes crinkled.
âWell then get in here already!â She says with hushed excitement, grabbing him by the front of his tee shirt and pulling him inside, closing the door behind him in one swift movement.
Yuji seats himself at the end of her bed while she grabs her phone off her desk, scrolling through an abundance of spotify playlists before settling on just the right one.
âIâm so glad weâre finally doing thisâ She tells him, effectively turning his cheeks pink.
âYeah, me tooâ He agrees, hoping his nerves arenât too obvious in his voice.
âIâve been dying to show you what I just got for christmasâ She adds, practically skipping into the bathroom to retrieve a decently sized plastic basket full of products Yuji canât even recognize. She has to carry it over to him with both hands, and he knows he should probably be intimidated by what theyâre about to do, but he doesnât.
As (y/n) drags him into her tiny bathroom to set up the array of items, she lists off each one as she shows him. Hydrating mask, lip mask, eyelash serum, somehow it all sounds relaxing and terrifying all at once, but he trusts her, so he nods along to each one. She seems delighted enough just to show off her little collection of products, so Yujiâs determined to match her excitement.
Truthfully, Yuji had never touched anything like this. Sometimes he moisturized his hands when they got dry in the colder seasons, but he wouldnât say he knew a thing about skincare. And yet, one afternoon while walking with (y/n) from one class to another, he found himself getting carried away telling her how he was trying to take better care of himself and he wanted to establish a proper skincare routine. Before he knew it he was agreeing to being pampered by her- on the condition that it remained secret.
Now remember, one of Yujiâs very few rules of life included the simple act of not keeping secrets. But that day heâd agreed to her condition without a moment of hesitation. He could understand why she didnât want the others knowing that she was going to give him special treatment, seeing as Nobara had been begging to give everyone makeovers since sheâd arrived at Jujutsu Technical College.
While heâs not disappointed in his plan for the afternoon, Yuji does feel incredibly out of place in her bathroom. The dorms were small enough, and the bathrooms barely had room for one person to move around comfortably. But (y/n) doesnât seem crowded at all as she rummages through the couple of drawers next to him.
With a grin she retrieves what sheâd been looking for- two fluffy headbands held proudly in her hand.
âI got one for you too,â She tells him, bashfully avoiding his eyes as she extends one out to him. âYouâll want to keep your hair back, the mask can get really stickyâÂ
Yuji examines the soft baby pink material as if heâd never seen a headband before. Heâs pretty sure he knows how to use it, but just in case, he watches as (y/n) slides hers on first. Itâs not until he sees the ears on top that he checks his again, delighting in the matching cat ears before he pulls it around his neck and puts it on.
âThanks!â He beams at both of their reflections in her mirror. He wishes he could take a picture of them, just to have a picture of the two of them wearing the matching accessory, but he knows he canât risk the others seeing, so for now he settles on memorizing the image.
âYouâre welcome,â (y/n) bites the inside of her cheek to keep her grin from getting too goofy, and quickly redirects their attention to the first item on the agenda. âYouâve really never done a face mask before?âÂ
âNope,â Yuji shakes his head, leaning into the counter as he waits for her direction. âIs it going to hurt?âÂ
âNo!â (y/n) giggles, before beckoning him to hold his hand out as she uncapped the product. âItâll feel nice, here, put a little on,â She instructs, squeezing a dollop of green onto his fingers. She laughs again at his reaction to the color, but he doesnât question her as he right away rubs it onto his nose.
He had the right idea, but from the way he messily spread it over the bridge of his nose, she could tell he was going to struggle with the application.
âNo no, youâre getting it everywh- oh my god donât put it in your nose!â She squeals as she smacks his hand away, quickly stepping into his space and taking over.
Honestly, Yuji wasnât trying to get her to do it for him, but as soon as she gently grabs his jaw in one hand while the other is carefully swiping the excess cream off of the tip of his nose, he decides right then and there to surrender.
âI didnât know, Iâve never done itâ He whines, a bit more dramatically than necessary.
âIt shows,â She laughs quietly before reaching for the product again to pump more onto her own fingers. âI can just do it for you, if you want?â She offers.
Yuji smiles and nods gratefully, his heart doing a victory dance in his chest.
âOnly if you donât mindâ He tells her, already sitting himself down on her toilet seat so she didnât have to reach up to his face. (y/n) fights the urge to roll her eyes at his swiftness in letting her take over.
âI donât mind,â She shrugs, getting to work applying a generous amount of lime green mask to his cheeks first. âItâs relaxing to me, actuallyâÂ
âReally?âÂ
âMhm,â She nodded along, focused on keeping the application even. âI wouldâve loved having a sibling or a cousin or something to do this stuff with,â She tells him. âI know Nobara would⊠but⊠sheâs so intense about it sometimes,â She admits, and Yuji hums in agreement. Nobara was the most passionate person heâd ever met, and it was her greatest strength, but it did freak him out from time to time. âNot like usâÂ
The murmured comment sits on his mind longer than it should have. Not like us, sheâd said, filling his insides with the fuzzy, familiar feeling of having something with her that the others didnât. This was all his, and sheâd said so herself. They couldnât possibly understand them the way they understood each other. Â
Not like us. Not like us. Not like us.
Yuji closes his eyes when her careful fingers spread the mask up the bridge of his nose before she gets started on covering his forehead.
âYou do this stuff all the time though?â He asks when thereâs too long of pause since heâd last heard her voice.
Not that he could forget what it sounded like, no never, most of Yujiâs day was spent waiting for her to speak, just so he could listen. Whether she was arguing with Gojo about a ridiculous lesson plan or going on about a conspiracy theory just to get their lunch table riled up, if (y/n) was talking, Yuji had his mouth shut and his ears wide open. He liked hearing the things she had to say, he liked the way she said them.
And he was learning now that he especially liked when he was the only one she was speaking to, and that if she was standing close, her voice came out in soft murmurs, cautious of the short space between them, and gentle on his ears as it barely echoed off the ceramic tiled walls.
âMaybe not all the time,â She hums thoughtfully. âBut I do it when I can, I try to keep up with it anywaysâÂ
âWell it feels really niceâ Yuji mumbled, almost getting sleepy as he grew used to the feeling of her warm fingers spreading the cooling cream on his skin. (y/n) giggles again, breathy and amused as she watches his shoulders droop downwards.
âDonât fall asleep on the toilet, Yuji,â She scolds him, but itâs hardly threatening when itâs between strings of giggles as he lazily opens his eyes to look at her. âYouâll make a mess if you fall and hit your head on the counterâÂ
âIâd clean it upâ He mumbles back in defeat.
âWhat if you were concussed?âÂ
â... Iâd clean it up laterâÂ
She laughs at his antics just as sheâs making her final touches near his temple, spreading the green cream just so, making sure none of it would get stuck to his eyebrow. With an affirmative nod of her head she steps back to assess her work. Â
As sticky, creamy, and unfamiliar as the mask feels, Yujiâs currently grateful that itâs there to cover the way his face heats up under her direct gaze. Heâs always thought that sheâs had the softest eyes- doe-like, and sweet, and easy to gaze into- but with every ounce of her attention directly on his face, Yuji starts to sweat a little bit.
His intentions of becoming closer friends through a night of pampering was starting to backfire, and instead the little crush heâd been hiding was now festering. Bubbling and smoking just under the thinly veiled surface of his restraint.
âYouâre all set,â She beams at him, which he easily returns. âTry not to touch it while I do mine, okay? Itâs gotta sit for a whileâÂ
Yuji drops his hand just as heâs about to swipe off a generous streak of cream from his cheek, smiling innocently as (y/n) gives him a warning look before she turns towards her mirror to apply her own mask.
âSerious question, if I eat it, while I throw up?âÂ
(y/n) pauses mid-smear on her cheek, turning back to Yuji and sweeping her eyes over him to assess if he was actually serious about eating face cream. He did know it wasnât guacamole⊠right? She didnât need to tell him that⊠right?
âIf you eat it, Iâll be plucking your eyebrows after mineâ She settles on a friendly threat. Â
Yujiâs lips pinch and she gets back to work on her mask, certain sheâd done the trick to keep him sitting still.
âWell that sounds horrifying,â He mumbles. âBut Iâm inâÂ
(y/n) scoffs out of amusement, still focused on her reflection.
âYou want me to pluck your eyebrows?âÂ
âIf youâre doing it, then sure,â Yuji shrugs, not thinking twice about agreeing to it. âIt wouldnât be a complete spa night otherwiseâ He adds with a grin that she can see from the corner of her eye.
âWell, if you really wantâŠâ She mumbles, doubling down her focus on applying her mask.
A part of her had been hoping he wasnât agreeing to all this pampering just to please her, she hoped he wasnât dreading the night going forward. But if he hated it⊠he wouldnât be signing himself up for eyebrow plucking⊠right?
It only takes a few more minutes for her to complete her own mask- she was much faster at applying it to her own face, Yuji noticed.
He also noticed that somehow, she made a face of lime green paste look good. Â Which just wasnât fair.
When Yuji tries to pinpoint when exactly these feelings for her began, his mind becomes a blurry haze of every moment heâs ever shared with her- and honestly, it could have sparked from any one of them. It tricks him into thinking maybe heâd just⊠always had feelings for her.
Itâs easy being around her, Yuji finds- even though sometimes she leans close enough to show him a video on her phone and it nearly sends him into cardiac arrest- thereâs nothing but ease and relaxation in his muscles when sheâs around him. He doesnât worry about saying the wrong thing- even if she giggles and shakes her head at some of his questions- he basks in her delight until it becomes his own.
Twenty minutes flies by when theyâre laughing at memes or talking about the last week of training, and soon theyâre scrubbing off the green mask that feels a little crustier than it had when they put it in.
Yuji groans into the bottom of the sink for the ump-teenth time as he scrubs viciously at a part of his jaw where the hardened cream refused to wash off. (y/n) canât help but stifle a laugh into the warm washcloth sheâs using to pat her face dry, but she canât leave him hanging, so she politely taps his shoulder to get the boy to give up on washing it off with his hands.
âLet me helpâ She offers, shoulders still shaking just slightly with her amusement. Â
Yuji pouts with frustration when he stands up from the sink, water dripping down his face and all over his shirt, it really is a miracle he didnât manage to clean up the last of the mask seeing as he got water everywhere in his attempts.
The pout melts away as soon as (y/nâs) stepping closer and gently wiping her washcloth against the resilient speck of green, making it look easy as it glides away under the soft cloth. She gets it right away, but the tips of her fingers on her free hand still hover over his chin, ready to stabilize his head if he wouldâve required another, rougher swipe of the cloth.
âDid ya get it?â Yuji asks hesitantly, unable to read the expression on her face.
But sheâs smiling and stepping back in a momentâs notice.
âYep!â Thereâs a short, tight sounding laugh that follows. Itâs not like her usual laughter, it sticks out like a sore thumb for someone as attentive as Yuji to pick up on, and he does, but he doesnât say anything. âHere, I have a dry washcloth for youâ Sheâs quick to hand him the towel, and even quicker to stop him when he roughly drags the fabric over his face.
Yuji doesnât catch half the things sheâs saying when she snatches the pink cloth from his hands and tells him to sit his ass down before he destroys his pores. He doesnât think twice before jokingly asking her what pores are, which sends her on another lecture. Itâs hard to focus on what sheâs explaining when sheâs so delicately patting his face and neck dry of every last waterdrop. Heâs too busy fighting the urge to close his eyes and melt under the featherlight touch of her palm against his shoulder to give too much of a crap about pores.
Surprisingly, heâs never fallen asleep on the toilet before, but he thinks he could if he sat here and let her pamper him all night.
â... Yuji? Did you hear anything I just said?âÂ
It takes a few blinks for his vision to focus on her again- her brow is raised and her hands are on her hips now, sheâd definitely caught him zoning out. He hopes playing dumb does the trick.
âOf course,â He nods confidently. âPores swell when theyâre wet and thatâs badâÂ
She giggles and rolls her eyes, so he knows his educated guess wasnât as educated as he thought, but if he got her to laugh heâd take the slight tinge of embarrassment for the greater good of bringing her joy.
God, it was like every minute spent with her only left him craving more.
âSure,â She drawls out the word in disbelief, but she doesnât scold him for not paying attention. It would prove to be too difficult when heâs looking at her with the brightest eyes sheâs ever seen. She wouldâve believed he was hanging onto every word had he not opened his mouth. âSo, what next?âÂ
Yuji peeks at the remaining tubes and bottles on the counter. He has no clue what heâs looking at of course, and this is obvious when his helpless expression turns back towards her. To make it easier, (y/n) scoops up two smaller bottles, offering them both for him to choose from.
âWhich is which?â He asks, hooking his finger under his chin as he studies each product with skeptical eyes.
âOne is for your eyelashes, and the other is for your lips,â (y/n) explains, tilting each towards him as she does. âWe can do both, or neither, up to youâÂ
âWill it hurt if it gets in my eyes?â He asks, eyes noticeably widened, and she chuckles as she shakes her head.
âNot at all, itâs super easy,â She assures. âI can show you, if you want?âÂ
Yuji nods, and thatâs how he finds himself standing just a few inches away from her as she leans into the mirror with the small applicator brush in her fingers. She could remind him that sheâs using the mirror for a reason, and he didnât need to stand so close⊠but honestly, he smelled nice, and she wasnât uncomfortable with his close proximity. In fact, it was actually sort of comforting.
âSee?â She hums, brushing the applicator through her lashes over one eye a couple times to make sure all of the serum was evenly spread, before leaning back from the mirror and turning towards him. âSuper easy. Like mascaraâÂ
âIâve never told anyone this⊠butâŠâ Yuji lets out a heavy sigh, and her brows pinch together as she awaits his confession. â... Iâve never worn mascaraâÂ
âYuji,â She whines with a roll of her eyes, letting out her own sigh, although hers was filled with humored frustration. âShut up,â She finishes weakly when heâs grinning at his own jest. âHere, do you want to try?âÂ
âAlrightâ He takes the tube out of her hand and experimentally pulls the applicator out. Â
His curiosity is almost adorable as he holds it close to study it, even though thereâs not much to see. Itâs just a little blue bruh with a clear liquid coated over it. This stuff really makes your lashes grow? He looks back to (y/n), studying her just as closely, until her face starts to turn rosy and sheâs looking at him expectantly. He supposes her eyelashes do look long and pretty⊠but didnât they always look like that? Could this stuff really be so good it manages to make an angel like her look prettier?
She has to clear her throat to relieve the nervous tension settling over her the longer he stares at her like this.
âUh- um, Yuji?âÂ
âYeah?â His response seems genuine enough, and (y/nâs) eyes flicker between his and the eyelash serum. âOh!â And just as genuine as before, he realizes that her prompts are because heâs been standing and staring for too long. âMy bad,â He apologizes sheepishly, before scooting close to her, the brush extended towards the eye that she hadnât applied the magic pretty serum to yet.
When she realizes what heâs about to do, her eyes widen and she finds herself grabbing his wrist to halt him on instinct.
âWait, what are you-?âÂ
âI thought you wanted me to do the other one?â He answers her question before she could even finish asking it, and she blinks wildly at him. Had she not been clear? âDo you not want me to?â Yuji asks, already lowering his hand.
âNo, itâs- I donâtâŠâ Her head is shaking as she tries to find a way to explain that sheâd offered him the product for himself, but sheâs backtracking rather quickly as she slowly loosens her hold before pulling her hand away altogether. âYou⊠you can, if you wantâÂ
She tells him quietly. It feels like a silly thing to ask him to do, especially when sheâs just demonstrated how to use the product moments prior, but now that the offer was on the table, she also wasnât interested in turning it down.
âOkay,â His smile softens as he tilts the brush towards her face again. âI promise not to poke your eye outâÂ
With a giggle she has to focus to keep her gaze tilted up at the ceiling so he can follow through on his promise. Itâs more difficult than sheâs ever thought before, keeping her eyes wide open and focused on anything but the boy in front of her. Yuji takes great care in steadily swiping the brush up through her lashes, working slowly from the outside in. With how long it takes him, her eye should be watering, but somehow it stays dry, and she doesnât blink over the applicator.
âYou do this every day?â Yuji mumbled, re-steadying the small brush in his fingers as he got closer to the inner part of her eye. Â
(y/n) hardly manages a soft hum of affirmation. She can feel his free hand ghosting under her jaw, as though to keep her in position, however her head is perfectly still and his hold is unnecessary. Still, his palm waits there. Sheâs never felt such a buzz of nervous energy from a lack of a touch.
Yuji finishes up with a smile before popping the brush back into the tube. He looks like he wants to say something, so she finds herself waiting in silence while she blinks until her eyes feel normal again, but that winds them both up in a minute of no words being exchanged.
This time, itâs not uncomfortable.
âYour turn?â (y/n) offers softly, reaching for the serum in his hand. Yuji nods, lets her take it, and blinks his eyes excessively to make sure he wouldnât feel the need to while she was doing her thing. âYou should sit againâ She prompts with a gentle push to his shoulder. It was too awkward of a reach, and would be much easier if he lowered as much of his height as possible.
âRightâ He mumbles, backing up to sit down on the toilet seat once more. He does his best to keep his eyes focused upwards, and wide open, to make it as easy as possible for her. But what he isnât expecting is to feel her knees pressing against his as she gets closer, and on instinct he spreads his legs a little wider so she could easily slide into the space. Â
He has to keep his grip on his own knees, pressing his fingers into the material of his pants to keep from reaching out to her. The urge to hold onto her waist- the back of her thighs- pull her closer- is so strong that he gulps.
âAre you nervous having someone get this close to your eyes?â (y/n) mumbles, noticing the shift in his energy. Yuji swallows again before speaking.
âNo- no, itâs alright, go aheadâ His voice is as gentle as it is sure, so (y/n) nods back at him, and makes sure the brush is coated with a decent amount of serum before she gets to work.
He knows heâs supposed to keep his gaze upwards, but with her standing so close, leaning in so close, it was hard to keep his eyes from shifting away from the boring tiled ceiling to the much more intriguing sight before him.
âStay still,â (y/n) murmurs under her breath. Sheâs so damn close to him he can feel her cool breath against his cheek. He manages to follow the instruction for a few more seconds, but soon enough the tips of her fingers are pressed under his chin and sheâs clicking her tongue in reprimand.
His own fingers flex against his knees, his grip tightening, much like the invisible force around his heart.
Yuji wishes he could close his eyes until it was over, but that would be counterproductive. That said, (y/n) finishes one eye quicker than he had done for her, and sheâs sliding a little to the right in order to do the other one.
âYou think Sukuna would like a little special treatment, too?â She teases quietly, her thumb affectionately swiping over the marking under his eye. Yuji barely gets to revel in the feeling before the mark is opening up and a vermillion eye is glaring up at her.
âTry it brat and you wonât have hands to do your silly little makeoversâÂ
She giggles at the threat. Sukuna may have intimidated her in the past, but itâs hard to feel fear while doing some self care. Yuji still rolls his eyes and smacks his hand against his own face as punishment. Unfortunately itâs not only a punishment for the curse living inside of him, and he winces a bit from the harsh smack.
âIâll take that as a no thank youâ (y/n) hums as she finishes up with his other eye, smiling faintly at her work before stepping back. Yuji gives her a sheepish smile, before batting his eyelashes theatrically. It does the trick in getting her to laugh.
âWell heâs missing out,â He says, the implication behind the surface level of his words making him bashful, and he finds himself averting his gaze. âI feel prettier alreadyâÂ
It draws another laugh out of her, sharp and surprised, and she continues to giggle behind smiling, sealed lips as she carefully slides the lash serum back into itâs perfect spot in her organizer.
If she were braver, it wouldâve been easy to tell him that he didnât need any sort of serums or masks to be pretty. But just the thought makes her face feel warm, and she has a feeling that even if she tried to say such a thing, sheâd butcher the words with a stutter.
So instead, she uncaps the small set of tweezers in her organizer, and turns her focus to the bathroom mirror in order to get to work on her eyebrows. Yuji watches curiously as she begins to pluck tiny, near invisible hairs off of her face, all without a twitch or flinch.
Sheâs so focused on working with her reflection that heâs able to stare at her as freely as he wants, and it only takes a minute or two for him to get lost in a sea of mushy thoughts that get his heartbeat going. Before he knows it heâs practically melting.
âYou still want me to do yours?âÂ
âHm?â His eyes shift around a bit before they land on hers, already watching him, waiting for a proper answer. Â
âYour eyebrows,â (y/n) clarifies, raising the tweezers and pinching them for emphasis. âIâm done. So, if you still wanted, I can do yoursâÂ
âOh, right, yeah,â He breaks into a smile thatâs so characteristically him itâs hard not to smile back. âIs it going to hurt?âÂ
âIt really shouldnât,â She chuckles, considering heâs gone through worse pain than a little tweezing would provide. Losing a hand comes to mind, but she doesnât voice it. âBut I can stop if it becomes too uncomfortableâÂ
Yuji nods in understanding, and straightens up his posture, ready to brave through whatever this eyebrow plucking would bring. He squares his jaw, clenches his fists, and prepares himself for the worst. (y/n) presses her lips together tightly to keep her laughter from spilling out, but the stifled giggle is still audible.
âCâmon, this is a bad angle for me to do this,â She beckons him to follow her out of the small bathroom, trying to ignore how cutely he wore the expression of confusion.
Maybe it was the forced proximity getting to her head, but it was starting to feel like the little crush sheâd been harboring for her friend was becoming too much to bear. Â She was a jujutsu sorcerer damnit, she shouldnât be reduced to fits of blushing and giggling she was stronger than that, wasnât she?Â
âAlrightyâ Yuji follows her into the larger space of her bedroom without a second thought.
Maybe it wasnât a question of her strength, but his. (y/n) wondered to herself what it was about the sheer delight that overcame her whenever he was around that seemed unavoidable. Was it her feelings for him that made her insides feel weak, or was it simply Itadori Yuji himself that was so delightful she couldnât help the way she felt and behaved?
Or maybe she was trying too hard to find a way to excuse the butterflies only he could release in her tummy.
Sheâs careful with the tweezers in her hand as she climbs onto her bed, sliding into the very middle of it before patting the space in front of her to invite Yuji to do the same.
Now, Yuji wasnât some kind of private, conservative guy. Heâd been in beds other than his own. Megumiâs and Nobaraâs had been made available to him countless times. Whether it was a study session or a movie night, he never felt uncomfortable when being allowed into someone elseâs bed. Hell, he often made himself right at home in their sheets. He even got a smack on the head from Nobara once for getting too cuddly with one of her plushies!Â
So why now did he feel some reluctance in following (y/nâs) silent command?
âYouâre allowed in the bed, Yuji,â As if reading her thoughts, she provides some comfort with the offer. Thereâs even a little smile on her face, as if she wanted to tease him for hesitating. âTrust me, itâll be way more comfortable to do this here than keeping you sat on the toiletâÂ
It seems to do the trick, because he sets his knee on the mattress as he crawls on, and sits criss-cross directly in front of her. Itâs the first time heâs been in her bed, he realizes, so maybe that would explain his nerves.
(y/nâs) got a skeptical look on her face, her eyes wandering over his face as she maneuvers around, trying to find the right way to bend her legs, until eventually she huffs and turns to grab one of her pillows from the headboard.
âJust lay down, Iâll do âem that way,â She decides, placing the pillow just in front of her criss-crossed legs. She gives it a pat the same way sheâd patted the bed, prompting him to rest his head. âItâd be easier than destroying my postureâ She explains.
Yuji nodded his head, and started to turn around so he could lay back, but his movements are agonizingly slow. Heâs still unsure about being in her space, it seems, but sheâs not sure how else to make him feel comfortable. So when he finally lays his head down on her pillow and looks up at her, awaiting further instruction, she smiles comfortingly.
âAlright, just relax your face, Iâll try not to take too long,â
Yuji shuts his eyes and lets out a small breath, trying to do his best to relax as sheâd asked him. But itâs hard when she leans in closer and the sweet smell of her shampoo invaded his nose. The tip of her finger merely grazes over his left eyebrow, but the sensation is electric. He has to fight the shiver that nearly shoots down his spine.
âAnd just tell me if it stings too muchâ She adds in a murmur, before he feels the first pluck of the tweezers.
âI think I can thug it out, (y/n),â He teases, once heâs actually felt the sensation of the plucking and realizes itâs not that bad at all. âIâm tough, you knowâ
(y/n) giggles, quiet and sweet, as she continues on with her work. She shapes the top of his brow with no complaint or lag. He figures she must be pretty used to doing this, if sheâs able to speed right through the process.
âOh yeah,â She hums, cautious of her volume when her face is hovering right over his. Sheâs appreciative that Yujiâs kept his eyes closed for this process, because she doesnât think she could bear having him staring up at her when sheâs this close. âThe toughestâ She finishes in a whisper.
Yujiâs shoulders shake when he chuckles, and she pauses with the tweezer for a moment when his brows move along with his smile.
âAre you patronizing me?â He asks, peeking an eye open, only to be met with her free palm covering his eyes as she leans back in to continue working on his eyebrows.
âI would never,â She assures in the same tone, laughing quietly to herself when Yujiâs mouth drops into an offended gape. âNow hush, youâre making it hard to focusâÂ
Her tone was playfully scolding, but itâs an empty threat.
âAm I that distracting?â
âIncredibly,â (y/n) huffs, and itâs meant to be teasing, but thereâs just a little too much truth to her tone. âYou talk too muchâ She throws the excuse out there quickly, hoping he wouldnât pick up on the shift in her tone.
Yuji shrugs his shoulders, and with how close she is to him, sheâs able to watch his lips curl into a cute smile. She canât help but mirror it, even if he canât see.
âCanât help it. I like talkinâ to youâÂ
Now sheâs certain that sheâll keep her hand over his eyes, because thereâs no way sheâs going to risk him seeing the way her face heats up with color. If she put a thermometer in her mouth, itâd malfunction, sheâs sure.
Yujiâs heart may have been going haywire, but thereâs not an ounce of uncertainty in his words. He means it, and she knows it.
Thereâs a pause, the both of them remaining silent while she freezes in her ministrations. She squeezes the tweezers together a few times as she lets the comment really settle in her mind.
âI like talking to you too,âÂ
It really shouldnât be a difficult thing to say. For one, because itâs the truth. And for a second thing, because thereâs nothing strange about friends getting along with one another. But for some reason, she holds her breath after she says it, and her heart is pounding in her ears.
âTodayâs been a lot of fun, actuallyâ It takes some effort to talk through the lump in her throat, but she feels the need to tell him anyway.
His smile turns into a grin, and (y/n) has to go back to working on his eyebrows in order to distract herself from it.
âIt has,â Yuji agrees. âItâs very relaxing. I want to do this all the time nowâÂ
âIâm not sure youâre ready for that,â (y/n) muses. âYou did try to eat the maskâ She reminds.
âGuess Iâll just have to keep on getting your help then,â Yuji replies, his tone lighting with hope. (y/n) scoffs to herself. âWhat?â He asks innocently. âI thought you liked pampering me?âÂ
âI thought I told you you were talking too muchâ She chides, moving onto the space between his brows. Without thinking, she brought her other hand upwards so she could use her thumb to gently brush away the stray hairs from his face.
His eyes are on hers in a momentâs notice, his grin returning.
âI thought you liked talking to meâ He said.
She has half a mind to smack her hand over his face again- because as predicted, sheâs rendered speechless when sheâs leaning so close and heâs looking right at her. But the larger problem now is that sheâs completely frozen, staring back at him with wide eyes, like heâd just caught her doing something she wasnât supposed to be.
âI do,â She mumbles, barely conscious of her own voice. She was too distracted, her eyes shifting between his brown ones. âYou have a little hazel in your eyesâ Again, she finds herself speaking without caution, or much awareness at all.
His eyes crinkle at the corners as he smiles up at her, amused by her quiet commentary. He longs to hear more, to tell her to keep talking, but he worries that heâll ruin the atmosphere, and startle her into covering his face again.
âI always thought you had the prettiest eyesâ He said it as quietly as he could. As he thought she might, she did startle. Her eyes go wide and her- now perfectly shaped- brows draw together in a slight knot.
A beat passes before sheâs able to reply.
And even then, it's only a barely there, â...really?âÂ
âYeah, really,â Yuji answers without missing another beat. âSometimes I look at âem too long and forget where I amâÂ
A surprised, breathless little laugh escapes her. If she wasnât a blushing wreck before, she certainly was now. She tries to continue tweezing away at his eyebrows⊠but it seems like his eyes insist on holding contact with hers, and she canât exactly pluck eyebrows without looking.
And again, sheâs reduced to a mumbled, âR-really?âÂ
âMhmâ Yuji hums, his point proven as he gets lost staring up at her. He looks like he has something more to say, but soon enough his eyes are glazed over and heâs got a dopey smile on his face.
That smile is quickly reflected back at him as her insides start to melt to a point of no return.
âI didnât⊠uh- I- I didnât know thatâ She stammered, and normally sheâd feel embarrassed for stuttering over her words too much, but with the bigger picture forming, stuttering was at the bottom of her list for reasons why she was growing bashful.
âMhm,â Yuji hums again, this one a little more dazed than the last. He blinks a few times to cure his tunnel vision. âSometimes I had to bite my tongue so I wouldnât tell you thatâÂ
She chuckles, similarly biting down on her bottom lip until she found her voice again.
âWhy wouldnât you want to tell me that?â She asks softly, brows pinching again with curiosity.
âWell, uh, yâknowâŠâ Yuji trails off, barely shrugging his shoulders. âDidnât want to say something weird and mess up our friendshipâÂ
At this point, her curiosity was getting the best of her, so with a tilt of her head and a bolder disposition, she gave him a knowing smile.
âSo why say something now?âÂ
âCouldnât help itâ He replies right away, and (y/n) has to purse her lips from grinning too much.
Her eyes flicker away from his, only to glance up at his lips. Sheâs looking at him upside down, so for a brief moment Yuji thinks sheâs staring at his chin, and he wonders if some of that green mask is still stuck there. But then he catches the way her lips part and it dawns on him- oh.
It happens all at once and agonizingly slow. She leans further over him, bringing her face down closer to his. One of her hands firmly clutches the small set of tweezers, while the other relaxes, fingertips gently brushing over his cheekbone, thumb resting against his temple. Yuji canât decide whether he wants to watch it happen with wide eyes, or close them and give into the moment. They end up falling shut on their own accord as soon as her lips brush over his- before sheâs even actually kissed him.
She hovers there for a brief moment, her lips ghosting his, the tip of her nose grazing his chin, and her mind running wild. Should she have asked him if this was okay first? Was she making this huge leap of faith over one compliment? Sure, it was the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to her but if she kissed him right now, like this, would she come to regret it-?Â
Her thoughts are calmed when Yuji tilts his head back, bringing his lips to meet hers in a kiss that pushes every last doubt out of her mind, until itâs gone blank. Every thought that doesnât surround him is completely lost.
Needless to say thereâs no second thought when she kisses him back. Her fingers press softly into the skin of his cheek as though to keep him still- just as she had before when applying the eyelash serum. Yuji never could have imagined his silly daydreams from that moment would play out in reality just twenty minutes later.
When they part, and Yuji drops his head properly back into her pillow, (y/n) doesnât go far. With her eyes still shut and her touch unmoving, she leans down one more time to steal another, quicker kiss, before she finally sits up and glances down at him again.
Heâs already looking at her, his lips stretching so wide that his grin nearly split his face. It was a grin she was familiar with, but it still made her light up with a shared joy.
She giggles at him, before steadying her tweezers in her fingers and going right back to the previous task at hand.
âCouldnât help itâ She mumbles his words back to him, and Yuji laughs as he shuts his eyes, relaxing once more as she evened out his eyebrows.
He reaches his hand back, gently laying it against her bent knee and giving it an affectionate squeeze. He didnât say anything, and neither did she, but they didnât have to. Not until they finished their night of pampering and made plans for a proper date later in the week.
this was so exciting and beautiful to read, a masterpiece without a doubt. đ€
Tulips
Pairings: Sirius Black x Fem!Reader, Remus Lupin x Fem!Reader
Summary âż After finding out Remus Lupin has found himself a girlfriend, a devastated Y/n L/n asks Sirius Black to help her get over him. Except Sirius has feelings for her.
Warnings âż Language, unrequited love, angst, kissing, jealousy, reader wearing lipgloss and a dress, mentions of anxiety. If there's more let me know!
Word Count âż 20.3k
A/N đ This was my first ever series, but I've decided to repost it as a oneshot!
Your affection for Remus had begun almost from the moment you met him. For nearly five years, you found yourself quietly drawn to him. How could you not be? His tranquil and caring nature had eased your anxieties countless times. His unwavering loyalty to both his friends and his studies never ceased to amaze you. The bravery he exhibited each month, whether he acknowledged it or not, left you in awe. With Remus, you always felt secure, as if nothing could disturb your sense of safety.
Monday nights marked your routine study sessions with Remus, a tradition since the start of sixth year. Arriving promptly at his dorm, you were met with unsettling moans seeping from beneath the door, causing your stomach to plummet. Frozen in shock, you raced through possible explanations, with Sirius seeming the most plausible culprit. Surely, Remus wouldn't forget your study night, and the thought of another girl seemed inconceivable. As you turned around, anxiety coursing through your veins, you collided with Sirius, tears welling up in your eyes.
"Please tell me itâs James in there." You pleaded, the desperation clear in both your tone and your expression, causing Sirius' heart to sink. Knowing James was at practice, he couldn't bring himself to shatter your hope. Instead, he grasped your hand firmly and practically pulled you towards your dormitory. Despite the chaos of emotions, Sirius made sure to shield you with his own body, warding off any prying eyes curious about the tears streaming down your cheeks.
"Are any of your roommates here?" Sirius inquired as he halted in front of your dormitory door.
"No, Lily is staying the night at your dorm with James, and I think Marlene is staying with Dorcas." You responded, your voice tinged with sadness as you used your sleeve to dab at the tears staining your cheeks. Leading the way inside, you guided Sirius into your room, where he realized it was his first time seeing your personal space. Until now, you and Remus had been inseparable, leaving no room for Sirius to spend time alone with you.
He found himself a tad nervous, the proximity to you unnerving him in the best possible way. As he stood in your dormitory, the faint scent of your favorite perfume lingering in the air, Sirius couldn't help but feel a flutter in his stomach. It was an unfamiliar sensation, being so close to you without the familiar presence of Remus nearby.
"It wasnât James and Lily in there, was it?" Sirius turned to you, his expression filled with concern as he observed you sitting on your bed, visibly holding back tears, awaiting his response.
"No, angel." He replied softly, his voice tinged with empathy as he moved to sit beside you. A sigh escaped his lips as he settled onto your bed. Sirius knew James's schedule all too well, and he was certain that James was still down at the Quidditch pitch, far from the dorm.
Everything about your side of the room was perfectly you. Your desk was adorned with stacks of books, polaroids capturing cherished memories with friends pinned to the wall, and one of Remusâ sweaters casually draped over the back of your chair. Yet, amidst the familiar sights, a small glass vase seized his attention. Within it, a single red tulip, a gift he had given you a few weeks earlier.
As he strolled around Black Lake with the boys, he stumbled upon the patch of flowers, and instantly, he knew it was meant for you. Knowing how much you adored flowers, often doodling them in the margins of your Potions notes while seated beside him, he couldn't resist picking it. James, catching sight of the flower, declared that Lily deserved an entire bouquet.Â
You werenât taken aback when James Potter interrupted your study session with Lily by presenting her with a stunning bouquet of flowers. However, what did catch you off guard was Sirius' gesture: placing a single red flower delicately on top of your open book and sending you a playful wink.
"âMâlady." He had murmured, and at that moment, your cheeks ignited with a warmth you had never felt before.
Lily filled the remainder of your study session with talk of how a red tulip symbolized a declaration of love while you simply laughed in response.
Sirius glanced over at you, noticing the tear-filled gaze fixed upon your hands as you sat on the bed. He hesitated, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "I didnât know you had feelings for him." he finally admitted, his tone tinged with surprise.
You offered a soft laugh tinged with a hint of sadness. "I guess that means Iâm good at hiding it then. Itâs been a good couple of years now. Probably started the very first day I met him, honestly," you confessed, a bittersweet smile gracing your lips.
"Iâm sorry, angel." Sirius expressed, his voice laced with genuine remorse.
A gentle shake of your head followed. "You donât have to be sorry," you reassured him, your voice carrying a tone of acceptance intertwined with a hint of resignation.
"I couldâve given you a heads up," Sirius grimaced as your head whipped up to look over at him, the gravity of his words sinking in. "Heâs been seeing this girl for weeks. Heâs going to ask her out soon."
"Sirius-" you began, your voice carrying a mixture of surprise and concern.
"Iâm telling you this not to be mean, but so youâre not blindsided when it happens." Sirius continued his tone earnest yet tinged with regret.
This time, you remained silent, your gaze drifting over to the polaroid displayed prominently on your bedside table. In the photo, you and Remus sat beneath a tree, his arm wrapped around you in a protective embrace while your head rested gently on his shoulder. The memory of that day flooded back â discussing a book, laughter filling the air, and Lily insisting on capturing the moment in a photograph.Â
At the end of the day, with a knowing smile, she handed you the polaroid. The setting sun cast a beautiful glow upon the photo when you held it in your hand.
"Câmere," Sirius demanded softly, his voice a gentle command meant to pull you away from the intensity of the picture. He positioned himself against the headboard, arms open wide for you to find solace in. Without hesitation, you crawled into his embrace, nestling against his side. His arms enveloped you, offering comfort and warmth as he planted a tender kiss atop your head.
"What can I do?" Sirius inquired quietly, his gaze fixed on the tears tracing down your cheeks and staining his shirt.
"Help me get over him. Please." You pleaded, the vulnerability in your voice bared as you sought comfort and support from him.
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"Where the hell have you been? You nearly missed breakfast!" James exclaimed, his eyes scanning over your disheveled appearanceâyour hair in disarray and your clothes creased. It was a rare sight to see you, typically impeccably put together and five minutes ahead of everyone else, arriving late and looking rumpled. He chose not to mention the dark circles under your eyes or the absence of your usual cheery smile. He knew better than to bring that up.
Upon sensing Remus's scrutinizing gaze, you cleared your throat nervously and averted your eyes, unwilling to let him figure out that he was the cause of your disheveled appearance.
âRough night.â That was simply put. In fact, last night had been incredibly rough, leaving you worse for wear this dreary morning. Cuddling with Sirius comforted you for so long before you were back to crying your heart out. He was kind enough to hold you the entire time, and eventually, you had both fallen asleep. There had been no discussion on what you meant last night about having him help you get over Remus. You didnât know what you had meant by it either.
You grimaced as the memory flooded back, choosing to sit beside Sirius instead. He wouldnât admit it in front of the boys, but he was well prepared to knock one of them over if they tried to sit next to him. After the trying night you'd endured, he made it a point to ensure you felt at ease and understood that he was there for you should you need anything. Normally, you occupied the seat next to Remus, with Sirius seated beside James and Peter. However, given the circumstances, he understood that you wouldn't feel comfortable sitting next to Remus that morning.
James' gaze darted between the two of you, noting the departure from your usual seating arrangement. He stole a quick glance at Remus, who seemed intent on studying you. "Hmm. Why is it that Sirius has been quiet all breakfast, and now you are too?" he quipped, breaking the silence.
"Sod off, mate." Sirius grumbled, pushing a steaming cup of tea toward you. Despite the gruff remark, he offered you a sweet smile before returning his attention to his meal. Even though the gesture was minimal, it made you want to burst into tears. The fact that he remembered your favorite tea and how you liked it meant more to you than words could express. Remus, however, frowned at the cup of tea sitting in front of you, his expression troubled.
âWhat? I canât make conversation this beautiful morning?â Jamesâs tone was still incredibly upbeat, unlike those around him. Peter hummed in agreement, his mouth full of cereal and unable to respond properly.
"It's storming." Remus mumbled, his gaze still fixed on you, sensing that something was amiss as you avoided meeting his eyes. Usually, you sat next to him, cheerily chatting about another book you had read together.
"Are you implying a storm isn't beautiful? Because I happen to think-"
"James, let's just have a quiet breakfast this Tuesday morning." Sirius interjected, surprising James with the interruption. James opened his mouth to protest, but the seriousness in Sirius's expression halted him mid-sentence. Sirius's deliberate interruption was aimed at signaling to Remus that he had missed your study night. It served its purpose, prompting Remus to acknowledge the missed study date.
"Oh, fuck. Y/n, Iâm so sorry! Last night, our study night, I totally forgot," Remus blurted out, his words rushed and filled with regret as he watched your reaction. You simply shrugged and sipped your tea, avoiding direct eye contact with him. You kept your gaze fixed on your plate, knowing that meeting Remus's eyes would likely trigger another wave of tears.
"No big deal." You replied casually.
"Uh," Remus furrowed his eyebrows, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion as he searched your face for any sign of distress. However, your demeanor remained inscrutable, your face a mask of blankness. "Are you sure? I know you really wanted to study this week with your exam coming up-"
You finally met Remus's gaze, sitting up a bit straighter, "I was able to study, Remus, it's fine."
"You were? But uh-" Remus scrambled for words, uncertain how to navigate this tense exchange. He couldn't recall a time when you sounded so curt with him before.
"Sirius helped me." You interjected, your voice steady but tinged with an underlying tension.
James sputtered out a laugh, his gaze darting between you and Sirius. "He helped you study? Willingly?"
In reality, studying hadn't been the main agenda of the night. Before drifting off to sleep, you had hastily handed Sirius your flashcards from the nightstand, however, your pounding headache from crying rendered you unable to focus properly during his quizzing. So, technically, he did help you study, albeit minimally.
Peter raised his eyebrows, his tone laced with curiosity, "Is that where you were all last night? Studying?"
You squirmed uneasily at Peter's implication. Sirius shot James and Peter a sharp glance, silently urging them to stop talking.
Remus's lips parted in surprise as he shifted his gaze from Sirius to you. "He stayed the night with you?" His tone carried a hint of displeasure that didn't escape Sirius's notice. Despite himself, a slight sense of satisfaction flickered within Sirius at Remus's reaction.
Before anyone could respond, a pretty Ravenclaw leaned over Remus, enveloping him in a hug as she rested her head against his shoulder. "Rem, I thought you were going to try and sit with me this morning." She murmured.
Your body tensed at the sight of her; she was the girl from last night. A surge of jealousy, unlike anything you had ever experienced before, washed over you, catching you off guard. Your appetite vanished.
"Uh, sorry. I had to work on some things this morning and got a bit distracted." Remus's response came with a hint of discomfort, his apology tinged with unease. As you observed the exchange, you couldn't quite determine if his discomfort arose from her presence or the attention their interaction garnered. Quietly, you wished it leaned more towards the former.
Her lips formed a pretty pout, âHm.â
James unabashedly observed the pair while taking a bite of his toast. "You know, Remus, if you ever need relationship advice, Iâm here," he remarked, his tone teasing. Remus scowled in response, clearly unamused, while the girl giggled and tightened her grip around him, seemingly unfazed by James's comment.
You stole a glance at Sirius, momentarily tuning out the conversation to observe his reaction to the scene unfolding before you. Sensing the unease gnawing at your stomach, you instinctively reached for Siriusâ hand, which rested on his thigh. As soon as your fingers brushed against his, he responded by intertwining them with yours, his eyes meeting yours in silent understanding.
"Do you want to go?" he whispered softly, squeezing your hand in reassurance. Unable to trust your voice, you simply nodded in response. He released your hand momentarily, a fleeting disappointment washing over you until you watched as he effortlessly grabbed your bag and slung it over his shoulder. With a tender gesture, he reached for a muffin, noticing that you had hardly eaten.
Then, extending his hand towards you, he silently offered his support. Amidst James's lively conversation with the Ravenclaw girl and Remus's contemplative gaze, Peter looked on with a puzzled expression as Sirius extended his hand to you, a silent invitation to leave the discomfort behind.
"You donât have to hold my bag." You mumbled, rising to your feet to face him, intertwining your fingers once more. Despite the awareness of the eyes fixed upon the two of you, your focus remained solely on Sirius.
"I wanted to, angel." Sirius replied softly, meeting your gaze with warmth. The genuine smile that graced your face was the first of the morning, and Sirius felt as if he had won the lottery.
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"Y/n." His voice sliced through the air, causing you to freeze mid-sentence. But deep down, what had you truly expected? That he wouldnât approach you while you were quietly engrossed in your book in the common room? Your plan of avoiding him for as long as possible wasnât unfolding as smoothly as you had hoped.
"Hi, Rem.â You responded softly, offering a genuine smile. Despite the ache that lingered from witnessing him with the Ravenclaw girl at breakfast, you couldnât deny the bond you shared. After all, he was still your best friend. You couldnât fault him for getting a girlfriend, no matter how much it hurt.
Remus settled into the armchair opposite you, his expression earnest. "I didnât really get to talk to you much this morning," he began, his tone gentle.
You offered a nonchalant shrug, hoping to conceal the nervousness. "Oh. I mean, I wasnât in much of a mood for chatting," you replied, attempting to maintain a façade of composure, though inwardly, you were anything but.
"Is everything alright? Is this about missing last night? I promise that I didnât mean to, truly," Remus continued, his sincerity evident. Leaning forward, his eyes bore into yours, practically pleading for your forgiveness. Despite your resolve, his sincerity tugged at your heartstrings, and you found yourself wavering.
"Iâm not upset about you missing our study night; I understand that things come up." You reassured him as though you were anything truly fine. There was a squeeze in your heart at remembering Remus with another girl, a stark reminder that she wasn't you.
Remus visibly relaxed at your words. "We could reschedule it?" he suggested, his tone hopeful.
A heavy silence settled between you. How were you supposed to tell him that you didn't want to reschedule? That you weren't ready to spend time alone with him right now? Being around him now, knowing you had no chance, felt like a punch to the gut.
"There you guys are!" Jamesâ voice carried throughout the common room, effectively gaining more attention than he had probably intended. Sirius stood right beside him, his gaze already fixed on you. Peter was notably absent, likely engrossed in his studies elsewhere. Nevertheless, you welcomed the distraction.
James huffed as if he had been greatly inconvenienced. "We have been looking everywhere for you guys."
You couldn't help but laugh, "You didnât think to check the common room first?"
"Y/n, please. Donât be ridiculous." James quipped as he dropped into the armchair beside Remus. Remus's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer before he sighed and turned his attention to James. Soon enough, they were engrossed in their own conversation.
Sirius settled into the spot next to you, casually draping an arm over the back of the couch just behind your shoulders. As you leaned into his side and offered him a smile, he felt his cheeks flush with warmth. Your affectionate gestures toward him had always been present, but after last night, they seemed to intensify.
Your proximity never failed to make his heart skip a beat, and his stomach flutter. Despite his confidence in hiding his involuntary reactions to you, lately, it seemed more challenging for him to do so.
He greets you with the softest smile, his eyes reflecting warmth. "Hi, angel," he murmurs gently. Sirius had always affectionately called you angel, a term that secretly held a special place in your heart, one of your favorite things about him.
"Hi." You respond, a matching smile adorning your features, mirroring the comfort in his presence.
"I never got to thank you for last night." You admit, your tone filled with gratitude.
Shaking his head modestly, he insists, "You donât have to thank me."
"It made me feel better having you there with me, so of course I want to thank you." You express earnestly, your appreciation evident in your words.
Sirius leans in, his breath tickling your ear as he whispers, "We still gotta talk about what you meant last night. By asking me to help you get over him."
Feeling a flush of embarrassment, you sputter out a response, "Iâm not entirely sure what I meant. I figured you would know how to go about that."
"Why would I know how to go about that?" Sirius questions, genuine curiosity coloring his tone.
Shrugging, you admit, "I donât know. I just thought you might have. You have way more experience with relationships than I do."
Sirius snorts, a wry grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "I wouldnât call them relationships." he remarks, his mind briefly wandering through the array of flings he'd had in the past few years. None of them had left a lasting impression on him, none of them had made him feel the way you did.
You shrug, a hint of vulnerability in your expression. "Itâs more experience than I have.â
Your voices remain hushed, a deliberate attempt to avoid drawing the attention of James and Remus. Yet, the intimate proximity between you and Sirius could easily spark curiosity on its own. You're practically nestled against his side, his warm breath brushing against your ear as he whispers. To any onlooker, it would seem as though you were lovers, exchanging sweet nothings in a quiet moment of intimacy.
He takes a moment to collect his thoughts, acutely aware of the gravity of his next question. He understands that the answer could severely hurt his feelings, "Are you in love with him?"
Your reaction is swift; you turn to him so abruptly that your noses nearly brush against each other. Sirius silently begs you to linger closer, but you withdraw just enough to maintain a respectable distance. He watches intently as you steal a glance at Remus, your bottom lip caught between your teeth in contemplation.
"No. But, honestly, it probably wouldnât take much for me to fall in love with him." You confess, your words hanging in the air like a weight. Sirius needs a moment to recover, the impact of your admission hitting him harder than he had anticipated, despite mentally preparing himself for it.
You turn back to him, anguish evident in your voice, "How are you supposed to get over someone youâre nearly in love with?" Sirius hears the devastation in your tone, wishing he could convey that he genuinely comprehends that sentiment. However, delving into such explanations would only invite more questions, and that's the last thing he needs right now.
"I donât know, angel." He responds simply, observing as you anxiously pick at your nails.
A quiet lull envelops you both before you speak up again, "I donât think spending all my time with him helps. Maybe I should distance myself a little bit."
"Youâre welcome to spend all that time with me instead." Sirius offers, wrapping his arm around your shoulders and pulling you closer to his side. As you relax into his embrace, you rest your head on his shoulder. For a few precious minutes, you both sit in silence, lost in your own thoughts.
Remus glances over at you, nearly doing a double-take at the display of affection. You have closed your eyes, seemingly oblivious to Remus' stare, but Sirius him. For a brief, tense moment, Remus and Sirius lock eyes, but then James regains Remus' attention.
âSirius?â You ask, the weariness evident in your voice.
âYeah?â
âRemember when you told James to get over Lily that he needed to get under someone else?â Sirius immediately senses the direction of the conversation, and a pang of regret twinges in his chest.
âYes.â
âDo you think that really works?â You inquire, your tone tinged with uncertainty and a hint of desperation.
âFor some people, maybe.â Sirius replies cautiously. He wants to admit that such tactics havenât proven successful for him and probably never will.
You pull away to look at him, your eyes reflecting a mixture of hope and uncertainty, âWould you help me find someone?â
"Thereâs no way in hell Iâm doing that." Sirius responds firmly, his tone leaving little room for negotiation. But before you can protest, he interjects, "Iâll be your distraction."
"How exactly?" Your voice tinged with uncertainty, unsure of what he means.
"However, you need me. I know Iâm not the best study partner, but Iâll run through your flashcards with you whenever you need to study," Sirius offers, his voice softening as he glances from you to Remus. âI know you guys would talk about books a lot, so Iâll read whatever book youâre reading just to discuss it with you. Whatever you want me to do, Y/n, Iâll do it.â
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âYou and Y/n were cozy on that couch,â James comments casually, his gaze fixed on the ceiling from where he's sprawled out on his bed. Sirius glances over his shoulder at him, pausing his furious writing at the desk where he's been hunched over for the last twenty minutes.
âHm. I guess so.â Sirius replies nonchalantly, but his voiceâs a subtle tension.
âAre you sure this is a good idea?â James' tone carries a note of genuine concern, and Sirius immediately feels the weight of his friend's apprehension settling over the room like a heavy blanket.
âWorking on my homework? Yeah, itâs probably my best one yet.â Sirius responds, his tone strained as he tries to maintain composure.
âAbout comforting the girl you love because sheâs in love with your best mate.â James continues, his words cutting through the air like a knife. Sirius freezes, the quill leaving a streak of ink across the paper as his thoughts whirl.
He refuses to turn around and face James, not wanting to see the pitying look he knows will be on his friend's face. Instead, he runs his hand through his hair in frustration, his emotions simmering beneath the surface.
âSurprised you figured it out.â Sirius grumbles, his voice laced with a mixture of defensiveness and resignation. He doesnât want to confront the truth about your feelings for Remus. The mere thought of you falling in love with someone other than him ignites a pang of jealousy in his chest.
He wants to correct James, to insist that you arenât in love with Remus, but it feels futile. The reality is too close for comfort, and he can't shake the feeling of impending loss.
âAbout your feelings? Or hers?â James questions, his head leaning back against his headboard as he studies Sirius, his expression searching.
Sirius climbs onto his bed, letting out a sigh of frustration once his head hits his pillow, the weight of the conversation heavy on his mind. âBoth,â he admits, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
âI didnât notice until today with Y/n. She looked devastated when Adeline was all over Remus. On the other hand, Iâve known youâve had feelings for her for years. The things you do for her, you wouldnât do for anyone else.â James observes, his tone tinged with a mix of understanding and concern.
Sirius doesnât know what to say in response, but deep down, he knows James is right. Heâs always treated you differently, gone the extra mile for you in ways he wouldn't for anyone else. He had just hoped it wasnât so obvious.
James sighs loudly, the weight of the situation hanging heavy in the air, âYou gotta be careful, mate. Youâre gonna get your feelings hurt.â
âIâd rather my feelings be hurt than hers.â Sirius responds earnestly, his voice carrying a hint of determination.
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It was official. Remus Lupin and Adeline Reyes were officially dating. The news didnât come as a surprise; Remus had been bringing her around more often lately. She seamlessly integrated herself into your group dynamic, joining you all at breakfast some mornings and effortlessly engaging in conversation as if she had been there for years. Adeline adeptly kept pace with Siriusâ quick quips and could outwit James with a witty comeback. She was quick to include Peter whenever James unintentionally overshadowed him in conversation and was always eager to discuss the next book you planned to read.
It was horrifically frustrating.
You wanted to dislike her, but deep down, you knew it was just jealousy clouding your judgment. Adeline was undeniably genuine and sweet; you could easily envision yourself becoming good friends with her. However, every time she affectionately pressed her lips to Remusâ cheeks or leaned into his side, it felt like a sharp pang reminding you of your own feelings and the heartwrenching situation you found yourself in.
It left a bitter taste in your mouth. Just a few weeks ago, that was your spot, and you were blissfully unaware of his feelings for another girl. You felt foolish, caught off guard. Was it all in your head? Had you merely romanticized every interaction with him? Built up a scenario that never truly existed?
"Y/n, this is the third time you've spaced out. Are you alright?" Lily's concerned voice broke through your thoughts as she settled beside you on the bed. Despite James's insistence on a get-together downstairs, you found your mind drifting elsewhere. It had been a couple of weeks since Remus and Adeline declared their relationship, and ever since then, your thoughts had been in turmoil.
You shrugged, "I'm okay. I just don't think I'm up for a party tonight."
"You haven't seemed in the party mood for weeks." Marlene remarked, her attention fixed on her reflection as she applied lip gloss. Sensing something amiss, she pivoted abruptly to face you.
"Is this about Remus and Adeline?" Lily's direct question made your stomach plummet.
"I, uhâno." You stammered, feeling as startled as you looked by her inquiry.
"Godric, you're a horrible liar." Marlene remarked, tossing the tube of sparkly gloss onto her bed before striding over to her trunk and flinging it open. "It's okay to miss your best friend. You two are practically glued to each other's sides. I'm sure it's odd not spending as much time with him anymore."
Lily observed the subtle shift in your demeanor as Marlene spoke, although Marlene herself was entirely engrossed in rummaging through her clothes until she emitted a satisfied hum.
Shoving a floral sundress into your hands, Marlene declared, "Here, you're not wearing your uniform tonight. Wearing something cute will make you feel better." Your fingers traced over the silky material, white with colorful flowers scattered across it. Marlene observed as you held up the dress, eyeing the spaghetti straps and milkmaid top with uncertainty.
"It's winter, Marlene." You pointed out your tone laced with practicality.
"We're inside. But if you do get cold, Iâm sure Sirius would gladly warm you up." Marlene chirped, grinning at your surprised expression.
"Sirius is not going to warm me up." You grumbled as you stood up and headed to the bathroom with the dress in hand. With the door shut, you changed out of your uniform. You had to admit, the dress was pretty. Maybe Marlene was right; wearing something cute would boost your confidence and mood.
"Are you sure? You two have been awfully cozy lately!" Lily's laughter laced her tone as she called through the door. You slipped the dress on, then twisted in front of the mirror to assess how it looked. Concluding that you liked it, you also appreciated how it made you feel slightly brighter. It reminded you of a summer spent in Italy with your parents, where you practically lived in sundresses.
You turn open the door and twirl for the girls, who squeal in appreciation. Marlene snatches the lip gloss she had tossed aside, grabbing at your cheeks to dot some on your lips.
"We havenât been cozy. Weâre just acting like friends do." You mumble, your words slightly muffled from your cheeks being squished.
âBullshit! You never snuggled Peter, never did with James before he got himself a girlfriend,â Marlene turned to wink at Lily. âHonestly, you never did with Remus either. But you and Sirius have been all over each other.â
âWe have not!â You deny it, looking to Lily for support. But she only leans back on her hands and sends you a smug smile.
"The other day, I walked into the common room with James, and you were practically asleep on Siriusâ lap while he read to you.â Lily grins.
âHe was reading to you? Thatâs the cutest thing I have ever heard. Thatâs your love language right there!â Marlene's gasp was filled with awe, and you didn't know how to respond. Because you had indeed fallen asleep on his lap while Sirius twirled a strand of your hair between his fingers absentmindedly as he read Pride and Prejudice to you. You hardly comprehended the story, too focused on Siriusâ voice and his gentle touch. It was the first time in weeks that you hadnât thought of Remus.
âIt was the sweetest thing Iâve ever seen Sirius do.â Lily agreed, nodding in approval. âIâm telling you, he has feelings for you. Iâve thought so ever since 5th year. He pretty much confirmed it when he gave you that red tulip.â
âA declaration of love!â Marlene practically sang, her excitement contagious.
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As you reached the bottom step with Marlene and Lily, you let out a sigh. The common room was bustling, with students scattered everywhere, making the air feel stuffy and warm. You briefly pondered what Jamesâ definition of a get-together was, because this felt more like a full-blown party.
âJames said he invited hardly anyone.â You muttered to Lily, who nodded in agreement.
âHeâs a social butterfly, you never know with him.â Lily replied with a shrug, craning her neck to spot James amidst the crowd. She eventually spotted him near the fireplace, engaged in lively conversation with Sirius and a few other members of the Quidditch team. You allowed Lily to lead you through the throng of people, observing the lively atmosphere around you. Marlene had already disappeared into the crowd, no doubt on a mission to find Dorcas.
You can hear him before you see him: Siriusâ hearty laugh resonates over the music and the crowdâs chatter. It's a remarkable sound, drawing attention effortlessly. And there he is, standing tall next to James by the fireplace, a drink held casually in one hand while the other gestures animatedly as he converses with the guy beside him. Clad in a simple black T-shirt, Sirius exudes a captivating charm, and you can't help but admire how good he looks in the flickering firelight.
Though you'd never admit it aloud, Lily had been onto something. You and Sirius had been spending an increasing amount of time together. True to his word, Sirius had been a genuine distraction from your heartache. The activities you once shared with Remus were gradually being replaced by moments with Sirius.
It was no longer Remus, who you sat next to in the morning. No longer Remus, who you reviewed your flashcards with. No longer Remus, who would sit with you next to Black Lake and chat about your latest book. And no longer Remus, who would hold your hand to calm your anxiety every time you had to speak up in front of the class.
But it wasnât like you had asked Sirius to do any of these things. It was Sirius who had started it, not in an attempt to replace what you had with Remus, but to remind you that he was there for you. That he would do anything to make you feel loved. Sirius wasnât doing any of this because he felt obligated. He did it because he wanted you to know that you werenât alone and that he didnât plan on leaving any time soon.
But there were things that Sirius did that Remus had never done. Every morning, a cup of your favorite tea awaited at your spot next to him. He carried one of your scrunchies in his bag because you could never keep track of them, even offering to tie your hair up for you. Each time he walked around Black Lake, he brought you back a red tulip, which you tucked into the vase on your desk next to the others. You were building up quite the collection.Â
Sirius bursts into laughter, but his mirth is interrupted by James' boisterous greeting. The sudden volume jerks your attention away from Sirius, and you find yourself facing Lily, who offers a halfhearted protest as James envelops her in a bear hug. You brace yourself as James turns his attention to you, lifting you up despite your protests about your dress. After he sets you down, a moment of imbalance is quickly rectified as you feel an arm slip around your waist, steadying you against someone's chest.
"He's had a few too many." Sirius whispers into your ear, his breath sending shivers down your spine. You lean into his embrace, relishing the warmth and familiarity of his touch before turning around to face him.
With your palms pressed against his chest, you offer him a warm smile. "Hi."
He still holds onto his drink, but his pointer finger slips under the strap of your dress, giving it a gentle tug. "This is cute," he murmurs, his voice now hushed compared to the near shouting from a minute ago. His eyes meet yours, and you feel a wave of warmth spread through you. No one has ever looked at you the way he's looking at you right now.
"Thank you." You reply softly, surprised at the tenderness in your own voice. But you know he hears you as he smiles before turning back to the conversation he was having with a few other guys.
Pushing down your disappointment, you adjust the straps of your dress and take a breath, scanning the room for someone else to chat with. However, Sirius surprises you by wrapping his arm around your waist and pulling you gently into his side. He continues to talk, his voice much quieter this time, but the three subtle squeezes let you know he's still there if you need him.
Lily catches your eye and mouths, "I told you so."
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You hadn't intended to eavesdrop, it was just a coincidence that you found yourself in the vicinity at that moment.Â
"You know, everyone thought you and Y/n were gonna get together." Peter remarks, nudging Remus in the side. Remus turns to him, likely taken aback. From your vantage point, you can't see their faces, but you recognize their silhouettes. They're seated together on one of the couches, engaged in quiet conversation amid the lively atmosphere of the party. You had briefly slipped away from Sirius to grab a drink, but now you're starting to regret your decision.
"Y/n and I?" Remus's response is laced with surprise, confirming your suspicions. You stand frozen, a few feet away from the couch, feeling your stomach plummet.Â
"Yeah, I think most people thought you already were. I mean, you guys spent so much time together." Peter continues, oblivious to the impact of his words. You try to avoid lingering on the past tense word.
"No, never," Remus hastily interjects. âI donât think I could think of Y/n like that.â His words landed like a heavy blow to your chest. You feel a pang of disappointment and hurt ripple through you, sitting heavy in your stomach. With tears threatening to spill from your eyes, you pivot on your heel and stride purposefully toward your dormitory.
As you navigate through the bustling crowd, your lips utter excuse me, and I need to get through in a mechanical cadence. Each step feels heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of Remus's words and the shattered illusions they bring.
Finally, the door to your dormitory swings shut behind you with a resounding thud, the noise a stark contrast to the chaos of the party below. Alone in the silence of your room, you confront the raw emotions swirling within you, grappling with the harsh reality of unrequited feelings.
Tears blur your vision so severely that you nearly trip over your shoes in your haste to remove them. With trembling hands, you toss the covers over your body, seeking refuge in the soft embrace of your bed. You bury your face into the welcoming embrace of your pillow, heedless of the inevitable mascara stains that will be left behind. A strangled sob escapes your lips, muffled by the sanctuary of your pillow, as you grapple with the overwhelming wave of emotions crashing over you.
The noise of the party downstairs serves as a comforting cloak, allowing you to release your emotions freely and without judgment.
The abruptness with which Remus shut down any possibility of harboring feelings for you cuts deep, like a dagger to the heart. The ache in your chest feels all-consuming, a relentless reminder that you will never be with him. Despite the rational part of your mind knowing that his affection for Adeline precludes any possibility of reciprocating your feelings, the emotional turmoil still wreaks havoc on your fragile heart.
In the solitude of your room, you allow yourself to cry. With each passing moment, the ache in your chest deepens.
"Y/n? Oh, Godric." Lily exclaims, rushing to your side with concern etched across her features. She gathers your hair away from your tear-streaked face, her eyes taking in the sight before her: cheeks flushed and blotchy, mascara-tinged tears tracing down your cheeks, your hair in disarray. She had sensed something amiss when she spotted you hurrying up the stairs, but the depth of your distress caught her off guard.
"Y/n, what can I do? Do you want a glass of water? Can I, uh..." Lily's voice trembles with worry as she looks around the room, searching for anything that might bring you comfort. She's witnessed your tears before, but never like this, leaving her feeling utterly helpless.
"I don't need water. Can you..." Your voice breaks, choked with emotion, making it difficult to articulate your thoughts.
Lily watches as you clutch your pillow tighter, waiting for your next words. "Can I what?" She prompts gently.
"I just need..." You falter, another sob escaping your lips. "Sirius. I need Sirius."
Without hesitation, Lily nods, determined to find Sirius and bring him to your side. As she exits your dorm, you sink deeper into your pillow, allowing the tears to flow freely. Your mind races with questions, grappling with how to face Remus again and feign normalcy.
You're not completely taken aback by his words; the past few weeks have allowed you to gradually accept that Remus may not share your feelings. Yet, processing this realization privately was less painful than hearing his firm denial of any possibility of reciprocation. Perhaps there's a tinge of sorrow in acknowledging this truth, as it signifies a shift in your relationship with Remusâone that might never be quite the same again. Accepting this reality proves to be a bitter pill to swallow.
"Angel," Your body instinctively relaxes at the soothing sound of Siriusâs voice. The pillow is gently drawn from your grip, revealing Siriusâ concerned face as it comes into view. "What can I do? What do you need?" he asks, his tone brimming with genuine concern and care.
Kneeling by the side of your bed, his eyes brim with concern, evoking emotion that threatens to overwhelm you once more. You lie on your side, facing him, your makeup smudged and your eyes swollen from tears. Despite your disheveled appearance, he finds you the most beautiful girl in the world.
"Hold on." He murmurs softly before disappearing into your bathroom. The sound of running water fills the silence, a gentle reminder of his comforting presence. Moments later, he returns with a damp cloth in hand, his touch gentle yet firm as he kneels before you. With tender care, he cradles your jaw, his movements deliberate as he gently wipes away the remnants of makeup from your face, his actions speaking volumes of his unwavering support and affection.
"All clean," he whispers softly, discarding the cloth onto the ground with the intention of dealing with it later. "What do you need?"
"You." You sniffle, tugging gently at his hand to convey your desire for him to join you in bed. Without hesitation, Sirius kicks off his shoes and slips under the covers beside you. With a tender gesture, he reaches out, his hand gently brushing the hair away from your face as he settles in beside you. Your faces hover mere inches apart, a tantalizing proximity that he tries to distract from by focusing on the simple task of brushing your hair away, the urge to kiss you tugging at the corners of his mind.
"Iâm sorry, I didnât mean to pull you away from the party." You murmur apologetically, your gaze meeting his. His eyes snap to yours, a flicker of offense crossing his features.
"I would drop anything for you." He responds earnestly, his sincerity shining through in his words, leaving no room for doubt. A sharp inhale escapes your lips as you stare back at him, the weight of his commitment settling between you.
"What happened, angel?" he asks gently, his eyes reflecting a hint of guilt for prying. As your eyes well up with tears once more, Sirius feels a pang of remorse for pressing the matter. He's about to apologize and suggest forgetting about it when you offer an answer, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"I overheard Peter and Remus." You confess, your voice trembling with vulnerability. Sirius forces down the surge of jealousy that threatens to consume him at the mention of Remus.Â
"Peter told him that everyone thought he and I would get together." You continue, your words hanging in the air, heavy with disappointment and hurt. Sirius listens attentively, his heart aching for the pain etched in your voice.
"Remus told him that he couldnât ever see me like that." You reveal, your voice wavering with emotion. "I know itâs stupid since he has a girlfriend, but-" You pause to draw in a shuddering breath, and Sirius gently brushes away the tears that cascade down your cheeks and over the bridge of your nose.
"It hurt," you confess, the rawness of your emotions laid bare. "That heâs never once seen me the way I have always seen him. Weâve always been just friends, and it sucks." Each word carries the weight of your longing and disappointment.
Sirius sighs, his voice tinged with empathy, "I love Remus, I do, but he can be blind sometimes. So in his head and down on himself that he misses whatâs in front of him. And he truly missed out on the most perfect girl there is. But I promise you that there is a guy out there who will recognize what an angel you are, and he wonât ever let you go."
Your eyes well up with tears again, and Sirius starts to panic that he said something wrong. But then you're wrapping your arms around his waist and pressing your head into the crook of his neck.
Your voice is muffled as you speak, "Please stay here with me tonight?"
"Whatever you want, angel." Sirius responds tenderly, pressing a kiss to the top of your head, knowing there is no way heâd ever be able to deny you.
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James looks bewildered. "You arenât going to sit with us?" he asks, confusion evident in his voice.
You stand behind your typical spot, observing the boys' reactions as they stare at you as though you've just delivered the worst news imaginable. For years, ever since you had met the boys, you had been sitting with them every day. This spot held a sense of familiarity and comfort, a symbol of your friendship with them. Thus, your decision to sit with the girls today comes as a major surprise.
Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas occupy seats further down the table. While they would occasionally join your circle, especially after Lily and James got together, Lily had once confided in you that she valued having space and prioritizing her friendships, too; she didnât want to spend all her time with James. To everyone's surprise, James had been okay with this arrangement and had even agreed.
âIâm going to sit down the table with the girls. Youâll still be able to see me; we can wave at each other!â You offer James a hopeful smile, but he shakes his head, letting out a dramatic sigh.
Pointing his fork in your direction, James asserts, âItâs not the same, and you know it.â
âSit with us, I feel like I hardly see you.â Remus protests and your stomach sinks as you make eye contact with him. Ever since you overheard Remus tell Peter he didnât have feelings for you, you had been finding every excuse possible to avoid him.
Itâs been a week since the party, and you can now admit that you've successfully avoided any alone time with Remus. By now, it's clear he senses something amiss. Every time he tries to approach you, you have an excuse ready for why you can't study together again or why you can't chat. What's worse is that it's only him you're avoiding. You still engage in normal chats with Peter in the common room and banter back and forth with James as usual. And Sirius, well, you hardly leave his side. Wherever you go, Sirius isn't far away, a constant presence by your side.
Not only that, but it seemed as if you couldn't get enough of each otherâcuddled up on the common room couch, shoulder to shoulder during meals, and always side by side while walking to Black Lake. Sirius and you were growing increasingly closer with each passing day.
It was driving Remus crazy.
He looks at you pleadingly, his expression betraying the torment of seeing you drift away from him. You know his distress can't stem solely from your decision to sit with the girls. He started pulling away first, you think bitterly.
"Just wanted to spend some time with the girls, switch things up." You explain with a casual shrug, feeling a sense of awkwardness creeping over you as you shift on your feet. Remus wears a disappointed expression, while James and Peter appear to have already moved on, engaged in a bickering match over who gets the last orange.
"You've been switching things up quite a bit lately." Remus grumbles under his breath, his voice barely audible over the morning chatter in the dinning hall. Only Adeline catches his words as she pulls away to glance at his face, startled by the bitterness in his tone. Unaware of her scrutiny, Remus remains fixated on you, his expression betraying a mixture of longing and frustration.
"Okay, well, Iâll catch you guys later." You announce with a smile, and at that moment, Sirius glances up at you. He wants to tell you how much he'll miss you. Every morning, he eagerly anticipates the sight of your smile, the way you playfully bump your shoulder into his once you take your spot beside him. Your laughter and sweet smile are the highlights of his morning routine.
He'd gladly join you for breakfast with the girls if you asked.
To everyone's surprise, you sling your arms around Sirius' shoulders and tilt your head forward, looking at him from the side. Caught off guard, Sirius freezes in your embrace, trying desperately not to read too much into your unexpected touch.
"I'll wait for you so we can walk to class together. I'll miss you." You whisper, your lips pressing gently onto his cheek. A faint pink sheen of your lipgloss remains on his skin in the shape of your lips, a subtle reminder of your affection.
Before he can respond, you're already pulling away, leaving Sirius to watch you walk back to the girls. His cheeks flush, his mouth slightly parted in surprise. Remus narrows his eyes at the mark you've left behind while Adeline observes the interaction between Sirius and Remus, sensing Remus's agitation.
James lets out a low whistle. "She'll miss you, will she?" he remarks, his tone laced with amusement and curiosity.
âOh fuck off, mate.â Sirius grumbles before taking a sip of his tea to try and hide his smile.
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You sigh, slumping down in your chair, "I donât think I can handle another flashcard."
Sirius glances up from across the table, finding you lost in contemplation as you stare out the window. It's midday, and the sun's gentle rays illuminate the library, casting a warm glow despite the lingering chill outside. You both share the longing to step into the crisp air outdoors, yet Sirius remained steadfast in his commitment to assisting you with your studies.
"Do you wanna take a break?" Sirius asks, his gaze meeting yours as you glance up from the pile of books and notes spread out before you. Your lips press together, betraying the weight of your internal debate about whether you can afford to step away from your tasks.
"Come on, we can go for a walk." He encourages, his tone gentle yet persuasive as he begins to gather his belongings, preparing to pack his bag.
You concede, âA quick walk.â
The fresh air and the warmth of the sun against your skin felt rejuvenating after spending hours cooped up in the library. Your body ached, and your brain felt numb from the relentless studying. The only thing that kept you going was Sirius, who would slip you pieces of chocolate every time you answered a question correctly. Without him, you would have abandoned your studies hours ago.
As you walk, both of you are enveloped in a quiet tranquility, lost in your own thoughts. It's a comfortable silence, where neither of you feels compelled to fill the gaps with conversation. Instead, you simply bump into each other occasionally, exchanging shy smiles that speak volumes without a single word being uttered.
"Where are you taking me, Black?" You finally inquire, noting the direction as you pass Black Lake. You stroll leisurely, savoring the symphony of birdsong in the trees and the distant chatter of other students gradually fading into the background. Leaves shudder in response to the gentle breeze, prompting you to wrap your robes tighter around your body. Winter is approaching, and the biting chill in the air serves as a stark reminder of the season's impending arrival.
Sirius smiles in response, his expression warm and inviting, "Somewhere I think you'll like."
"Have I been there before?" You cast a glance at him, observing his wind-blown hair, cheeks flushed pink from the cold, and his bottom lip gently caught between his teeth.
"I hope not." He responds honestly, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. The possibility lingers, given that the boys are familiar with this field as well. The mere thought of Remus bringing you here tightens his chest. After all, you and Remus often took walks together, so it wouldn't be too surprising if he had.
Would Remus have brought you here, though? Sirius contemplates quietly. He's never heard you mention it, but he knows you would have. You've always cherished exploring the castle and eagerly shared your discoveries with the boys.
Sirius is startled when you suddenly gasp, excitement laced in your tone, "Oh my Godric. Is that a field of tulips?"
Sirius feels his heart swell at the excitement in your voice. Before he can respond, you stride ahead of him, drawn to the swath of red flowers like a magnet. He remains where he stands, content to watch you as you explore the vibrant field.
A pang of longing washes over him as he wishes he had Lily's muggle camera. This moment would undoubtedly be captured and proudly displayed above his desk among his collection of Polaroids.
"C'mere!" You call out excitedly, your hand extended towards him. Sirius grins, his heart lightening at your enthusiasm as he walks over to join you. Once he reaches you, he gladly grasps your hand, feeling a rush of warmth at the connection.
You lead him further into the field, your laughter carrying on the gentle breeze. Finally, you drop into the middle of the sea of tulips, tugging him along with you, and for a moment, the world feels suspended in the beauty of the moment.
Tilting your head towards the sun, you sigh happily. "I didnât know this was here," you remark, your voice filled with wonder.
"Found it with the boys a couple of weeks ago." Sirius responds, his fingers idly twirling a blade of grass he plucked from the ground.
"Did you pick the tulips you gave me from here?" You inquire, your voice soft with curiosity. Sirius nods in response, a faint blush gracing his cheeks as he recalls the memory. He's relieved that your eyes are still closed, blissfully unaware of his flustered state.
For a few minutes, a comfortable silence settles between you both, allowing the tranquility of the moment to envelop you like a warm embrace.
"Can I tell you something?" You ask, tilting your head back down to look at him, your gaze soft yet curious.
"Anything," Sirius replies, his voice filled with warmth and genuine interest.
"I've never been given flowers before. Whenever you give me a tulip, it's the highlight of my day." You admit softly, shifting so you're sitting with your legs crossed, a vulnerable honesty coloring your words.
"You've never been given flowers? Ever?" Sirius questions, his surprise evident in his tone and expression. You shake your head in response, confirming his disbelief.
He can't even fathom it. How could no one ever have given you flowers before? How does the girl who constantly doodles flowers on her notes never receive them? The thought perplexes him, stirring a mix of incredulity and a newfound determination to ensure you receive the appreciation you deserve.
"Guess I'll be making up for that then." Sirius decides, his voice showing determination as he sends you a devastating smile. Your stomach flutters at the sight.
"Sirius." you say softly, drawing his attention.
"What, angel?" He responds, his tone gentle and attentive.
"Thank you. For being by my side through everything." You express with sincerity, your voice filled with gratitude.Â
In the past few weeks, Sirius has been a constant presence by your side. Whenever Remus kissed Adeline, Sirius would offer a comforting touch, silently understanding your feelings. He'd weave silly stories to divert your attention from Adeline's flirtations with Remus, ensuring you never felt alone for even a moment.
He grins in response, "There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
âNowhere else, huh?â Your tone is teasing, and Sirius merely rolls his eyes at you, a playful glint dancing in his eyes. You observe him as he picks tulips one by one, gradually assembling a bundle in his hand. Watching him put together a bouquet that you know he will give you fills you with a sense of anticipation. Everything about sitting in a field of flowers with Sirius makes you feel lightheaded as if you're caught in a blissful dream.
Come to think of it, lately, every time Sirius did something for you, it left you feeling dizzy.
"You know it's true. I ditched Hogsmeade this weekend to spend time with you in the library." Sirius says, a hint of amusement in his voice as he recalls the decision.
"That's true, but I did advise you against it. I doubt a day in the library is much of a weekend highlight for you." You reply, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"If you think seeing you surrounded by a field of flowers isn't a weekend highlight, then you're sorely mistaken. Easily a monthly highlight for me." Sirius adds, his eyes sparkling with fondness as he gazes at you amidst the scenic beauty.
âYou flirt.â You giggle, your laughter echoing in the tranquil atmosphere, before reclining on the grass and shutting your eyes.
Sirius' features soften at your playful remark. "Only for my favorite girl," he responds tenderly, his voice carrying warmth and affection as he watches over you.
What started as a short walk stretched into two hours spent in the flower field, immersed in conversation and selecting the loveliest blooms together. By the end, Sirius presented you with a bundle of tulips in various hues. Upon entering your dorm room with the flowers in hand, Lily's gasp was so pronounced that it startled you.
âTell me that Sirius got you those.â
"He picked them for me." You beam, offering the bouquet to Lily for her admiration. "I mean, I helped too, but it was mostly him.â
âWho knew that he was such a romantic?â Marlene gushed, sitting next to Lily on her bed to take a peek.
âI told you heâs into you! Look at these flowers!â Lily cried out, flopping back onto her bed with the flowers pressed into her chest. Marlene laughs from beside her.
You rolled your eyes affectionately, âWe're just friends.â Marlene scoffs.
"No, you're not. That little stunt at breakfast you pulled this morning. Hugging him from behind and kissing him? Definitely not platonic." Marlene remarks, her tone teasing yet observant. Embarrassment floods through you; you hadn't planned on being so affectionate with Sirius; it just happened. You're grateful Sirius didn't bring it up; you probably would have collapsed if he had.Â
"I just kissed his cheek!" you defend, feeling a blush rise to your cheeks.
Lily grins mischievously. "You should've seen how he looked at you when you walked away."
"Totally lovesick!" Marlene exclaims, adding her enthusiastic agreement to Lily's observation.
"Both of you are being ridiculous. He doesnât have feelings for me, and even if he did, I need to get over Remus first." Taking the bouquet from Lily, you stride toward your desk to add them to your glass jar full of other flowers. You're almost out of the room. Soon youâll have to pluck out the ones that are dropping, but you donât have the heart to do it yet.
The girls were fully aware of the situation. You explained to them why you were so upset the morning after the party. There was no way you could have pretended like something wasnât wrong. With Sirius sleeping in your bed and your swollen eyes, there was no hiding anything.
"First?" Lily's voice carries a hint of excitement, exchanging a giddy look with Marlene.
You pivot, leaning against your desk. "What?"
"You said first. Like once you get over Remus, you could see yourself being with Sirius."
"No, I didn't." You protest, embarrassment flooding your stomach.
Marlene's grin widens mischievously as she exchanges a knowing glance with Lily. "Oh, but you did. We both heard you."
A nervous laugh escapes your lips as you playfully roll your eyes, "Oh, fuck off, guys.âÂ
Your friends continue to tease you, their laughter filling the room. Perhaps you were starting to form feelings for Sirius, but you preferred to keep them close to your heart, away from the probing eyes of Lily and Marlene, who always seemed to pick up on every subtle shift in your emotions.
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âThere you are! I was worried sick!â James exclaims as Sirius opens the door to the dorm. Remus glances up from his book, while Peter remains focused on his homework, unfazed by James' dramatics. Sirius, lost in memories of his afternoon with you, barely registers James' words as he flops onto his bed, a goofy smile lingering on his lips.
It's only when James tosses his pillow at Sirius that he snaps back to reality.
âOi! What was that for?â Sirius protests, finally acknowledging James' presence with a bemused expression.
âYouâre ignoring me!â James accuses, crossing his arms.
Sirius stammers, âI wasnât! I was just-â
James interrupts, a mischievous glint in his eyes, âDaydreaming about Y/n? What did you two get up to anyways?â
Remus stiffens, lowering his book to look at Sirius, âYou were with Y/n today?â
Sirius sits back up and exchanges a tense glance with Remus, âYeah, I was.â
He turns to James, âHelped her study a bit.â He neglects to mention the flower field, wanting to keep that memory to himself. Plus, he knows the boys will tease them every chance they get.
James stares at Sirius, incredulity flashing across his face. "That's all? Sounds boring. Should've come to Hogsmeade with us."
Sirius is about to respond when Remus interjects, his tone betraying a hint of disbelief. "I'm sorry. You turned down Hogsmeade to study? With Y/n?" His eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
Sirius shrugs, his tone nonchalant. "No need, mate. I've got her."
Remus furrows his brow, considering Sirius's response. "I can still ask her, give her another option," he suggests casually, but there's an undertone of something that Sirius can't quite decipher.
Sirius tenses, meeting Remus's gaze head-on. He's unsure if Remus is hinting at something deeper or if he's simply offering another study option. Nevertheless, Sirius feels a pang of reluctance at the thought of giving up his time with you, even for studying.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
Peter huffed, practically slamming himself on the couch next to you, his frustration evident in the way he dropped onto the couch. âRemus and Adeline are getting on my last nerve.â
James glanced up from where he was sitting across from you, his attention momentarily diverted from the game of cards. His eyebrows raised in curiosity as he observed Peter's demeanor. "They makinâ out in the dorm again?" he questioned, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
You turn your head to hide your reaction, your stomach churning with familiar discomfort. After nearly two months of their relationship, you still felt uneasy hearing about them together, effectively reminding you of your lingering feelings for Remus.
It would be a lie to say that your feelings for Remus hadnât changed. In fact, you were beginning to notice a subtle shift in your perspective, a gradual easing of the discomfort that once swarmed your chest at the sight of him and Adeline together. That twinge of jealousy you used to feel when looking at them was easing up, instead being replaced by a dull ache in your chest.
You found yourself increasingly preoccupied with thoughts of Sirius, his image and the memories of your time together occupying your mind more frequently than before. You caught yourself smiling at the little moments you shared, replaying conversations and gestures, finding comfort in the warmth of his presence even when he wasn't around.
Peter shook his head against the cushion, his expression irritated. "No, theyâre bickering. They've been at it for nearly twenty minutes. Couldnât get a damn thing done on this essay.â
James wore a look of surprise as he arched his eyebrow, âTheyâre fighting?â
Peter looked away from the fire to glance over at James blankly, âNo, bickering. Thereâs a difference.â His tone is matter-of-fact and laced with frustration.
âWeâll be quiet, Peter. Work on your essay.â You promise, sending the blond boy a soft smile.
Jamesâ lips curve in a mischievous grin, eyes lit up with amusement, âGuess all relationships have to come out of the honeymoon phase.â He quips, tone playful with satisfaction. Peter sighs, tipping his head back onto the headrest of the couch like he canât take anymore.
âJames, itâs your turn.â You call, the gentle tap of your pointer finger against the cards catches his attention. His eyes flicker down to the cards sprawled between you both before glancing back up at you.
âDid you at least appreciate my pun?â He asks, a hopeful upturn of his lips present.
âIt was wonderful.â You affirm, voice soft as if youâre telling a young child that their artwork is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen.
Jamesâs face lights up with a satisfied smile, and his voice is full of teasing gratitude, âThank you, Y/n. I knew you would have my back.â
âWhat does she have your back about?â Siriusâ voice cuts through the air, his sudden appearance causing you and James to glance over at him. Peter opens one eye as Sirius sits on the couch next to him.
James stares at the cards while debating his next move, âShe appreciates me for who I am. Maybe you should take some notes from her.âÂ
Sirius hardly hears James. Instead, his eyes flicker over to you. He finds himself entranced by the subtle movements of your features, the way your eyebrows furrow in playful impatience as you await James to decide. The glow from the fire is dancing over your face, and he has the urge to reach out and touch your cheek, tracing over where the heat has touched. You look gorgeous like this, drenched in the soft light of the fire and so at ease. The words are at the tip of his tongue, but he swallows them down.
As your eyes meet his, a gentle smile graces your lips, and Sirius feels his stomach flip and heart stutter. Youâre looking at him with so much warmth that you could rival the fire next to you, and he knows he never wants to forget the way youâre looking at him.
Amidst the crackle of the fire and the soft murmurs of the surrounding conversations, itâs then that Sirius is struck by the sudden realization that sends shockwaves throughout his entire body. He is hit with the truth that heâs been avoiding for ages; he is entirely and desperately in love with you.
Sirius grapples with a fact that feels almost suffocating in its intensity. His gaze falls to his lap, the reality of his situation weighing heavily upon him. Heâs in love with a girl who holds feelings for someone else. Not just someone else, but Remus. His best mate, who, as of lately, has shown increasing concern about the nature of your relationship with Sirius. The way he pinches his brows together when you laugh at a joke Sirius makes, the subtle shifts in his demeanor whenever you show Sirius affection- itâs all Sirius can focus on. Remus sees you in a different light, and itâs making Sirius uneasy.
And so, he sits in silence, grappling with the truth that heâs fallen for a girl that will never be his.
âSirius,â You say softly, your hand gently resting atop his, hoping to bring him back from his thoughts. His eyes dart up to meet yours, and you smile softly. âYou okay? Youâre quiet.â
No, he isnât.Â
But instead, he offers a reassuring smile and squeezes your hand, âIâm okay, angel. Just tired.â
âNot too tired to lose to me in cards, are you?â James interjects, sporting a cocky grin and cracking his knuckles in intimidation. âIâm tired of playing with Y/n. She wins every time.â
Sirius laughs, hauling himself off the couch to sit beside you both before shuffling the cards.
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âY/n.â You startle at Remusâ voice, nearly spilling your cup of tea down your front. He sends you a soft smile, sitting beside you on the couch. You set your tea on the table next to you. Sitting up and shifting your legs to the side and underneath you, you make room for him. The way you were stretched out before hardly allowed him any room.
âRem.â You greet him, sending him a gentle smile. The corners of his mouth lift at the nickname; he hasnât heard it for a while.
He leans back against the couch, gaze firm on you, âHow was your day?â His voice is gentle and soothing. His voice was always one of your favorite things about him, always a source of comfort to you.
âItâs been alright, not too much to say about it,â Your left shoulder lifts up into a shrug, and you rest your right arm against the couch to prop your head up. Bodies both facing each other. âHow was yours?â
âJames nearly singed off my eyebrows in potions,â He says amusedly. Heâs got bags under his, and his body seems tired. You cringe when you remember the full moon was just a few days ago.
âNot entirely surprising,â You remark with a laugh, mind trailing to all the times James had proved himself not the best partner. As much as you loved James, his tendency to get distracted had cost you during classes plenty of times before.Â
âHowâs Adeline?â You ask politely, the words coming out with practiced ease despite the uncomfortable feeling in your stomach. Remusâs smile falters, and he lets out a sigh, gaze drifting away from you.
âI donât know.â He admits, hand coming up to run through his hair. He wonât meet your eye.
âYou donât know?â Your brow is quirks in curiosity, and genuine concern is etched onto your features. Memories of Peter complaining about the two bickering flickers back from a week ago.
âSheâs not happy,â Remus confesses, his tone is heavy with resignation. âDisappearing for a couple days doesnât exactly make me boyfriend of the year.â
You nod sympathetically. You understand, if you were in the dark about your boyfriendâs whereabouts for a couple days, you would be upset as well.
âAre you going to tell her?â You asked gently. It felt weird to talk to Remus again after going nearly two months without much interaction. All your time used to be spent with Remus, but Sirius seems to have taken that spot nowadays.
His gaze meets yours as he nervously bites at his bottom lip, he seems apprehensive,âI donât know if she could handle it.â
âRem,â You begin, voice soft and resolute, a reflection of the support you have always offered him. Despite the change in your relationship, your commitment to being there for him remains. âShe deserves to know, especially if the two of you want to be together.â
His brows are pinched tightly together as he wrings his hands together, âWhat if she doesnât take it well? What if she tells-â
You interject gently, âYouâve been dating two months, you should have a feel for how she would react.âÂ
He meets your eye with an uncertainty, âY/n.â
âYeah?â You respond, voice quiet.
âI donât know if I can tell her. I donât think it will be as easy as telling you was.â
âYou shouldnât compare her to me.â
âBut I do.â Remus whispers, the gravity of his admission catching you off guard. His shoulders are hunched over as he rests his elbows on his knees, hands still nervously wringing together as he looks over at you.
Your breath is caught in your throat. You break eye contact to clear your throat, shifting uneasily on the couch.
âAdeline is your girlfriend, and Iâm just your friend. You really shouldnât compare us, Rem. If you want to be with Adeline, you should really think about telling her.â You murmur, truth stinging as it leaves your mouth.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
Marlene sighs, her voice laced with playful incredulity, "Sometimes I wonder how James Potter managed to get you." Sirius barks out a laugh from his spot across from you, his amusement echoing around the room. Lily's mischievous grin widens as she shoots a playful wink at Marlene, enjoying the banter.
"I'm a damn catch, McKinnon!" James retorts dramatically, pulling Lily even closer into his side, the affection between them palpable. Lily leans up to press a kiss on Jamesâ jaw, a tender moment amidst the playful teasing.
"That lapdance you just gave your girlfriend? Horrific." Marlene shakes her head with exaggerated disdain, her expression a mix of amusement and mock disgust.
"If you didn't wanna see it, then you wouldn't have dared me to do it," James fires back with a smirk, the competitive edge still in his tone.
You're all gathered in a circle, indulging in a juvenile game of truth or dare. The boys took charge, rearranging the furniture into a circle so everyone could sit comfortably.
Marlene had insisted upon it, likely hoping to be roped into a dare that would bring her closer to Dorcas.Â
You're seated on one of the couches beside Lily, with James on her other side and Peter beside him. Adeline occupies the space to Peterâs left, seated next to Remus on one of the smaller couches. Sirius has claimed an armchair for himself. Marlene and Dorcas are cozied up in another armchair, much to Marlene's delight over the seating arrangement.
While Remus had yet to tell Adeline about his lycanthropy, he was attempting to make amends with her. You sent him a sweet smile and thumbs up when you saw them walking in together. It was clearly tense between the two, but that was to be expected.
Amidst the laughter and playful exchanges, you had failed to notice the tension simmering between Sirius and Remus, evident in the disgruntled glances they exchanged at being seated next to each other.
James turns to you with a devious grin, âMy sweet Y/n, you will be picking dare.â
âExcuse me? You canât pick for me!â You retort, sending James an incredulous look.
âBut I have the best dare for you!â James insists, leaning closer with a mischievous glint in his eye.
âNo.â You refuse, shaking your head slightly.
âY/n, please.â He pleads, attempting to send you puppy dog eyes. Marlene snorts from beside you.
Lily sighs, âY/n, do the dare. He will beg you all night.â You roll your eyes, letting out a sigh that immediately lets James know you have given in.
âKiss the person you are most attracted to in this room.â Your stomach sinks like a stone, regretting your lack of resistance to James. The group around you comes alive with oohs, except for Remus and Sirius, who sit uneasily, their expressions displaying discomfort.
âAbsolutely not. I canât!â Sirius feels sick. Youâre refusing because you canât kiss Remus- that has to be it.Â
âSorry, canât back out now! Make your way over to the lucky guy.â James sounds far too cheery to be sorry.
The tension in the air becomes palpable as everyone awaits your decision. You draw in a deep breath, summoning your courage before rising to your feet and crossing the room toward him. The anticipation is almost tangible as your friends murmur excitedly, their eyes fixed on you.
You come to a sudden halt, feeling your knees bump against his as he instinctively sits straighter in his chair. Sensing your approach, he spreads his thighs slightly, silently inviting you to take the space between them. His demeanor shifts, a mix of anticipation and apprehension evident in his expression.
"Might make it easier if you sit in his lap." Marlene suggests with a mischievous grin, earning a pointed glare from you over your shoulder.
"You can, angel," he murmurs sweetly, reaching out to gently grasp your hand, his touch reassuring and electric.Â
You let out a shaky sigh, feeling a rush of nerves as you ease yourself into his lap, your knees sinking into the cushion and your thighs naturally bracketing his. Ignoring the whistles and playful comments that ring out from your friends, you focus on the warmth of his body beneath you, the steady rhythm of his breath, and the way his hands hover uncertainly before settling lightly on your hips.
"We're waiting!" James calls out, amusement laced in his tone, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Feeling a rush of determination, you gently bring your hand to his cheek, the warmth of his skin sending a shiver down your spine and lowering your head towards his. He's quick to meet you, his breath mingling with yours, noses bumping softly in a moment of sweet anticipation.
He's patient, his breath mingling with yours as he waits for you to make the first move. With a tender touch, you tilt your face closer, feeling the gentle brush of your lips against his in the softest kiss. For a fleeting moment, you both linger there, foreheads pressed together, lost in the momentâs intimacy.
âTell me this isnât because you couldnât kiss him.â His voice is raspy, filled with longing, sending your mind spiraling. His voice is quiet, ensuring that no one will hear him but you.
âYouâre the only one I thought of.â You admit softly, hoping you donât sound nearly as wrecked as you feel.
Sirius surges forward, his lips meeting yours with a passion that catches you off guard, causing a surprised moan to settle in your throat, lost in the whirlwind of sensations and emotions. Your friends' whistles and hollers fade into the background, overshadowed by the intensity of your focus on Sirius.
Your fingers weave through his hair, a silent plea to draw him closer, to merge the space between you. His hand glides from your hip, settling tenderly against your cheek, his thumb tracing gentle circles across your skin. When you roll your hips involuntarily, Sirius lets out a tortured groan and your blood simmers.
"Okay, okay! We've seen enough!" James hollers, his voice breaking you both out of the moment. As James's voice echoes through the air, you part from Sirius, the gravity of what you have both just done settles in. Your chests heave in unison, lips swollen from kisses and cheeks flushed.
Frozen, you and Sirius sit there, stunned, oblivious to the teasing of your friends. The air crackles with tension as you both lock gazes, the desire to lean in and kiss him again overwhelming you.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
Your mind remains frazzled in the aftermath of kissing Sirius. No matter how much you attempt to push it away, it's as though your body stubbornly clings to the memory of his lips upon yours, as if you're still nestled in his lap, feeling the gentle pressure of his hands on your hips. Both of you exchanged shy smiles as you gently slid off his lap, yet inside, your stomach churned with disappointment at the prospect of returning to your previous seat. Truthfully, you wanted to linger longer, to settle beneath his arm, and remain close to him.
In all honesty, Remus didn't even flicker into your thoughts when James issued his dare. The realization of this truth sends a shiver down your spine. When had Sirius managed to steal the place in your thoughts that Remus had held for so long?
Perhaps it was in the way he had cared for you like no one else ever had.
The sight of a steaming cup of tea, reliably waiting for you in your designated spot at the table. Even when he could have been enjoying himself in Hogsmeade, he chose to stay behind and help you study, just because you mentioned not having Remus to study with. And the simple yet heartfelt gesture of presenting you with fresh tulips just because you mentioned you had never gotten flowers before.
How had you moved on from Remus without even noticing? Perhaps that subtle ache in your chest whenever you glanced at Remus and Adeline stemmed from the change in friendship between you both. Maybe those tear-filled initial weeks spent with Sirius comforting you were a form of grieving the relationship that could never be with Remus.Â
While Sirius helped you to get over Remus, he had been gently guiding you toward developing feelings for him instead without even realizing it.
After watching your kiss with Sirius, Remus withdrew from the game entirely. The memory of your intimate moment with Sirius replayed incessantly in his mind, each repetition adding to the sting in his chest. In a fleeting moment of vulnerability, he had allowed himself to entertain the hope that it might have been him you chose to kiss. However, the presence of Adeline at his side swiftly extinguished that flicker of optimism, leaving him feeling profoundly disappointed and conflicted with himself.
The sight of Sirius enveloping you in his arms, and the undeniable chemistry between the two of you, stirred a thick feeling of dread in his stomach.
Each soft kiss, each exchanged glance, seemed to intensify the bitter pang of jealousy gnawing at his insides. It was as though a veil had been lifted, revealing a reality he had been trying to denyâthe depth of his feelings for you. And the realization that he might lose you for good.
"Remus! Truth or dare?" Dorcas inquired, her eyes alight with mischief.
Remus let out a resigned sigh; he wasn't particularly in the mood to deal with a dare.
"Truth," he replied, hoping for a relatively simple question.
Dorcas wasted no time in posing her question, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Who was your first big crush?"
The simplicity of the question drew an immediate protest from James. "Lame!" he squawked, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction. "Ask him something better."
Marlene swiftly came to Dorcas's defense, her voice laced with defiance. "Back off, James," she retorted sharply. "She can ask whatever the hell she wants,â She bit out before turning to Dorcas. âGreat question, love." Her words sounded entirely lovesick.
"Uh, my first big crush was Y/n." Remus confessed, his gaze darting toward you, eager to gauge your reaction amidst the tension. However, he failed to notice the subtle tensing of Adeline beside him, her expression morphing into one of disbelief as his words hung in the air.
Your brows furrowed, a mixture of confusion and frustration etched across your features as you processed Remus's unexpected admission. The weight of his words lingered, casting a palpable awkwardness over the group as you responded with an unimpressed look.
Sirius felt a surge of nausea rising within him, his gaze narrowing at Remus before anxiously darting over to you, waiting with bated breath to see how you would react to Remus's unexpected confession. Each second felt like an eternity as he searched for any sign of your thoughts or emotions, his heart pounding in his chest with a mixture of dread and anticipation.
As he watched your expression carefully, Sirius couldn't help but wonder what you were thinking. Were you filled with hope at his confession? Did you still want him?
âThatâs not funny, Rem.â You retort, sending him an entirely unimpressed look.
âIâm not joking.â He insists, his voice has a hint of vulnerability in it. Adeline sends him an incredulous look, but his eyes are solely trained on you.
âThatâs bullshit.â You countered, your voice laced with frustration as you pushed back. The tension between you and Remus was palpable, your friends watching both of you carefully. Unsure if they should intervene or not.
âItâs not. Started fourth year, I liked you for years.â Remus confesses, hand tugging through his hair in frustration.
âYou said you would never have feelings for me.â Your brows are pinched in disbelief, your voice filled with hurt and frustration.
Remus looks entirely confused, âWhat are you talking about?â
âWith Peter! At the party like a month ago.â You exclaim, memory fresh in your mind. While your feelings for Remus may have faded, the pain from his words hadnât.
Remus shakes his head slowly, eyes searching yours for understanding, âI never said that, love.â
âYou did. You told Peter, âI donât think I could ever think about Y/n like that.ââ You reiterated, your voice tinged with disappointment as Remusâs expression faltered, his own words echoing back to him.
âYou didnât hear the rest then.â He says, his voice filled with regret and desperation for you to understand.
Your frustration has bubbled to the surface, âOh, great. So glad I didnât stay to hear you continue about how awful it is that everyone thought we would end up together.â Your words are a mixture of sarcasm and hurt
"Y/n, I-" Remus began, his voice trailing off as you cut him off with a sharp interruption.
"Do you know what that feels like? To hear your best friend talk about you with so much disgust?" you demanded, the hurt evident in your voice as you confronted him head-on.
"I wasnât disgusted!" Remus protested, his own frustration rising to meet yours. "You didnât hear the rest!" he insisted, his tone tinged with desperation as he struggled to convey his side of the story.
"What else did you say?" It was Adeline who broke the tense silence, her voice cutting through the air like a knife. Remus's gaze shifted to her, startled by her sudden interjection. Her expression was one of disbelief, her brows furrowed and her arms crossed tightly over her chest, a silent testament to her own confusion and dismay at the unfolding situation.
"I said I didnât think I could think about you like that because of-" Remus's voice faltered, his words hanging in the charged air. You leaned forward, your frustration palpable as you awaited his explanation, your gaze unwavering as you demanded clarity.
"Because of what, Remus?" You pressed, the tension thickening with each passing moment. Remus's eyes darted briefly to Sirius, a flicker of hesitation betraying his inner turmoil, but you caught the movement.
Sensing the rising tension, you glanced over at Sirius, who watches Remus with a tense look. His expression carried a silent message. Urging Remus to choose his words carefully.
âDonât you fucking dare.â Sirius grits out, his voice laced with a raw edge of warning. Remus's uncertainty is evident as he grapples with what heâs just implied.
âDo you still have feelings for her?â Adeline's voice trembles with devastation as she poses the question, her heart laid bare in the vulnerability of the moment. Sirius's reaction is immediate; he stands up abruptly, his movements tense with unspoken frustration as he strides towards the stairs, refusing to linger for Remus's response.
âSirius.â You call out desperately, rising to your feet swiftly to intercept him. He starts heading for his dorm, but you gently grab his wrist and guide him toward yours instead. Without a word, he follows your lead until you reach your door, both of you stepping inside quietly.
Sirius doesnât utter a word, his silence filling the space between you as he leans back against your door. His head tilts upward, his gaze fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers in its expanse.Â
You step closer, closing the distance between you, your footsteps echoing softly in the quiet room. With a gentle touch, you place your hand on his cheek, a tender gesture designed to draw his attention back to you. You find yourself more preoccupied with Sirius than the recent events downstairs. Dealing with the situation involving Remus can wait; at this moment, your main concern is resolving things with Sirius.
He lets out a sigh, the weight of his emotions palpable as he drops his gaze from the ceiling to meet yours. "I'm sorry," he murmurs, his voice laced with a mixture of remorse and vulnerability.
You can't help but laugh incredulously at his apology, the sound carrying a blend of surprise and amusement. "What are you sorry for?" You inquire, your tone gentle yet tinged with curiosity, as you search his eyes for the answer.
He sighs, âThat you found out this way.â
âAbout what?â You both know that you already know the answer but that you just want him to say it.
âAbout Remusâs feelings for you, about my feelings for you.â Sirius admits, his voice soft as he swallows harshly.
You take a deliberate step closer to him, closing the gap between you with a sense of purpose. "And what are your feelings for me?" you repeat, your tone carrying a playful lilt, a silent challenge lingering in your words, daring him to bare his heart to you.
"Y/n," he pleads softly, his hands instinctively finding their place on your hips, drawing you closer to him just an inch. âRemus pretty much spelled it out, didnât he?â
"I donât want to hear it from Remus, I want to hear it from you.â You assert, your voice tinged with determination as you press closer to him. His eyes flit down to the diminishing space between your bodies.
He sighs, a soft exhalation laden with unspoken emotions, âYou drive me crazy.â He confesses, shaking his head in gentle disbelief. A grin spreads across your face, your heart lightening at the familiar banter between you.
"Yeah? Is that all?" you tease, a playful glint in your eyes as your arms rise to encircle his neck, drawing him closer.
His gaze softens, a hint of vulnerability shining through as he meets your eyes. "Iâm crazy about you, have been since the moment I met you." He confesses, his voice filled with sincerity and warmth.
His words ignite a flutter of excitement in the pit of your stomach, a giddiness that bubbles up from within. Unable to contain the surge of emotions, you rise onto your toes, closing the gap between you as your lips meet his in a gentle kiss. He lets out a surprised hum, circling his arms around your waist and hauling you into him.
He pulls back slightly, resting his forehead on yours, his expression tinged with uncertainty, "Y/n,â He murmurs, his voice laced with apprehension, âI canât do this if you still want Remus.â
You pull back slightly, creating a small space between you yet maintaining the intimacy of your connection as you gaze into his eyes. "Do you think I would have followed you if I still wanted Remus?" You inquire softly, your voice imbued with sincerity.
"I meant every word when I told you that you were the only one I thought of for Jamesâ dare." You continue, your words carrying a gentle reassurance, seeking to dispel any lingering doubts or insecurities that may linger between you.
"I want you, Sirius." You whisper earnestly, your voice soft yet resolute, laying bare your desires and intentions as you seek clarity and connection with him.
The smile he gives you is radiant, brimming with unabridged happiness, illuminating his features with an undeniable warmth that reflects the depth of his emotions.
"I've been dreaming of you saying that for ages." You squeal with uncontainable delight as he dips down and scoops you up, your legs instinctively circling his waist. Together, you embark on a journey towards your bed, his steps sure and purposeful, each movement imbued with a sense of anticipation and excitement.
He settles onto the bed, seating you gently in his lap, and you can't help but giggle uncontrollably, the sound filling the room with infectious joy as you revel in the sheer exhilaration of the moment shared between you.
As you lean down and press your lips onto his, he exhales softly, as if shedding all his worries, finding true peace in the gentle brush of your lips against his. He's never encountered a feeling of rightness as profound as this throughout his life. He is completely done for.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
Lily and Marlene didn't return to the dorm last night. After the awkward end to your game of truth or dare, you assumed they were giving you some space. And frankly, you were grateful for it.Â
You weren't eager to delve into the topic of Remus confessing his past feelings for you. Although he didn't explicitly reveal whether or not those feelings still lingered, the reactions from both Adeline and Sirius served as a telling response.
You knew that a conversation with Remus was inevitable. Yet nervousness gnawed at you. What if there was no salvaging what remained of your friendship? Despite the awkwardness of the past few months, the desire to keep him in your life persisted, making the conversation all the more important.
The night unfolded with you and Sirius intertwined, lost in stolen kisses and hushed conversations within the dimly lit dorm. You had never felt so content in your whole life. Being with Sirius felt like a breath of fresh air. There were no lingering doubts about his feelings; his actions spoke volumes, leaving no room for uncertainty. Reflecting on the past, you couldn't help but wonder how you had ever been so blind to his affections.
âYou almost ready mâlove?â Sirius called, casting a glance your way as he deftly tied his tie in front of your mirror.
His endearment sent a flutter through your heart. It felt as though the kiss with Sirius last night had unleashed a torrent of emotions, flooding your senses with newfound intensity. It sent a thrill through your body, yet you felt somewhat disheartened as well. How had you managed to overlook Sirius for so long? He had been there all along, yet you found yourself pining over Remus, who had seemed indifferent to your feelings.
"Yeah, whenever youâre ready." You offered a soft smile as you slipped on your final shoe, steadying yourself with a gentle grip on the bedpost.
You stood up, making your way over to Sirius who met you halfway, placing his hands on your hips. You wrapped around your arms around his neck, pulling yourself closer to him. He smiled down as you, tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear before putting his hand back to your hip.
You rose to your full height, crossing the distance to Sirius, who advanced to meet you halfway, his hands finding their place on your hips. You encircled your arms around his neck, drawing yourself nearer to him. He smiled warmly down at you, delicately tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear before returning his hand to your hip.
"How do you want to go about this?" Sirius asked his brow furrowing with a hint of unease, his gaze searching yours for guidance.
Your brow pinched in confusion, "Go about what? Us?" For a brief moment, the idea crossed your mind â did Sirius want to go back to the way things were before? However, that thought evaporated as quickly as it appeared when you recalled the firmness of his embrace, the intensity in his gaze fixed upon you.
He nodded, his expression softening with concern. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I understand things might be tense with Remus, and I donât want to make it harder for you."
"You know what I want?" Sirius tightened his embrace, prompting you to elaborate. "I want you to treat me like Iâm yours, show everyone that weâre together. I couldn't care less about what anyone thinks." Both of you understood that anyone referred to Remus. Sirius remained silent, his gaze fixed on you, his expression indecipherable.
Your expression shifted to one of uncertainty, your brows furrowing slightly as you sought clarification. "We're together, right?" You asked, your voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability, searching his eyes for confirmation.Â
Sirius's smile radiated such genuine warmth that a flutter of attraction danced in your stomach, âYeah, baby. Weâre together.â He couldn't fathom that he held you, his dream girl, in his arms, asking him if the two of you were together. It took him a moment to fully grasp the reality of the moment.Â
He continued, âDonât think that Iâm not going to properly ask you to be mine, though, because I will. I promise.â
Unable to resist, you leaned in, capturing his lips with your own. Instantly, he responded, returning the kiss with equal fervor and intention.
With a reluctant sigh, you pulled away, your fingers lingering against his cheek as you whispered, "We need to get to breakfast."
"I think I can starve." Sirius shrugged nonchalantly, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes as he leaned down to capture your lips once more.
You couldn't help but giggle, gently pushing him away, "Stop it, we gotta go. Weâre going to be late." You insisted, a hint of laughter dancing in your voice as you playfully nudged him towards the door, the lingering taste of his kiss still tingling on your lips.
As you entered the common room, a wave of surprise washed over you at the sight of all your friends gathered, comfortably sprawled across the couches and armchairs. You slowed to a stop, catching Sirius off guard as he turned to follow your gaze, his eyes widening in surprise as they landed on the familiar faces of your friends.
"We wanted to make sure you two were okay after last night," Lily paused, her gaze piercing as she shot a pointed glare at Remus, who visibly shrank into the couch cushions. He appeared exhausted as if he hadn't slept all night, and you couldn't help but notice Adeline's absence beside him.Â
"But it looks like everything is good?" Lily continued, her voice hopeful as her eyes dropped down to where your hand intertwined with Sirius'.
"Everything's fine," you affirm, offering a soft smile as Sirius squeezes your hand reassuringly. "But I need to talk to you, Rem. Alone.â You add, your tone gentle yet firm, conveying the importance of the coming conversation.
Sirius is the first to break the tense silence, shifting slightly while the others remain rooted in place, their eyes flitting between Remus and you. The atmosphere feels charged with unease, and you can sense the weight of Lily's unspoken words lingering in the air, knowing full well she gave Remus a piece of her mind the moment you left last night.
Before he can move away, you pull him back, your hand gently tugging him closer as you press your lips to his. A surprised sound escapes him before his hands come up to hold your cheeks. Remus clenches his jaw, unable to watch as you both melt into each other.Â
James lets out a low, appreciative whistle, and Lily suppresses a smile behind her hand. Peter and Dorcas avert their gaze shyly while Marlene beams at the sight of Sirius melting into you. It's evident that they're all on Team Sirius.
As you both draw back, your gazes locked in mutual adoration, Sirius places another swift kiss on your lips. "I'll have your tea waiting for you," he promises softly.
A bright smile spreads across your face. "Thank you," you reply, your voice filled with warmth and gratitude.
As Sirius finally draws back, the others follow suit. James is already by his best friend's side, chatting animatedly. Lily and Marlene exchange knowing grins with you, silently promising a conversation later. Meanwhile, Peter and Dorcas trail behind, engaging in casual conversation as they meander along.
You sigh, bracing yourself for what promises to be an awkward conversation, and then take a seat beside Remus on the couch. The tension in the air is palpable, amplified by the near emptiness of the common room. Remus sits up straight, stealing a glance in your direction, his demeanor reflecting the unease of the moment.
âAre you okay?â Remus looks mildly surprised, that wasnât the first thing he expected you to ask.
He clears his throat nervously, âUh, Iâve been better, honestly. Are you?âÂ
He observes as you gracefully draw your legs onto the couch, tucking them underneath you. Finally, you meet his gaze, and he's momentarily taken aback by your beauty. A pang of regret hits him like a wave â he wishes he had confronted his feelings for you earlier. Perhaps then, it would have been him sharing kisses with you instead of watching you with his best mate.
"I'm good." Remus watches as you absentmindedly bring your fingers up to brush against your lips, a lovesick expression softening your features. You appear momentarily lost in thought, a dazed quality to your gaze.Â
Clearing your throat, you shake off your thoughts, "But I'm disappointed about last night. What on hell was that?"
"Y/n," Remus's voice quivered with sincerity as he addressed you, his eyes reflecting the remorse weighing heavily upon him. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to upset you." He whispered, the words thick with sincerity..Â
You sighed, the weight of your frustration and disappointment lacing your tone, "And Adeline?" Remus looked startled. In the wake of you rushing to follow Sirius, Adeline had bravely broached the subject of his feelings towards you. Caught off guard, Remus found himself grappling for words, acutely aware of his friends' scrutinizing gazes, which bore a mixture of astonishment and disapproval. His hesitation was a silent confession to Adeline, who gathered her belongings swiftly, her departure punctuating the air with an unspoken disappointment. In the ensuing silence, Remus remained rooted, torn between pursuing you and granting you the space he sensed you needed. Regrettably, the thought of going after Adeline hadn't even crossed his mind amidst the dread sitting heavy in his stomach. Remus understood he had messed up, and the weight of his mistake hung heavy upon him.
âShe left. I donât blame her, I hurt her. Who gets a girlfriend when they have feelings for someone else?â A laugh escaped Remus, laden with incredulity.Â
His words prompted you to avert your gaze, a subtle gesture betraying the unease settling in the pit of your stomach. The acknowledgment that his feelings for you still lingered left you with an odd feeling in the pit of your stomach.
Silence settles between you both, and it's excruciatingly awkward.
âIâm falling in love with Sirius,â You blurt out, nervously stealing a glance at him, eager to gauge his reaction. âI just, I need you to know that thereâs no way anything couldâve happened between us. A couple months ago it wouldâve been entirely different. But I was devastated, Rem. Do you know how hard it was for me to watch you be with Adeline? How much that hurt? And then you just admit you have feelings in front of everyone no less, like it wasnât a big deal. In front of your girlfriend, who clearly cares so much about you. I donât understand.â
"Dorcas askedâ" He began, his voice sounded shaky.
"But you could've passed, or chosen to say another old crush's name!" Your interjection cut through the air, sharp and pointed.
"But there wasn't anyone else." He countered, his words tinged with a hint of desperation.
"Remus." His name hung in the air, heavy with frustration. You sent him with a glare heavy with irritation, and the intensity of your gaze churned a nauseating knot in his stomach.
"I was jealous, okay? To see Sirius hold you and kiss you like I have always wanted was awful. I couldnât get you out of my head, and then Dorcas asked, and I just said your name."
"Godric, Rem!" You huffed, frustration coloring your tone. "If you had just told me months ago, we couldâve avoided this entire mess." Remus opened his mouth to speak, but you interjected, your words tumbling out with raw emotion. "But at the same time? Iâm so grateful that you didnât tell me, and that Sirius was there, because then I wouldâve missed out on a guy who was never afraid to show me that I was his first choice.â
Remus remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on his intertwined fingers. You sat tense on the couch beside him, the air heavy with unresolved tension.
Remusâ eyes are filled with tears when he turns to you, âI know thereâs no chance for us anymore, but Y/n, I donât want to lose you as my best friend. Not having you around the last couple months have been hard. I miss you, and I understand if youâre not ready for that or donât even want to be my friend. But Y/n, I will do anything to make this up to you.â
 You felt a lump form in your throat, a wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm you. With a harsh sigh, you turned to Remus, your gaze a mixture of hurt and determination.
"Our friendship won't be fixed right away," you admitted, the words weighted with the frustration that had been simmering beneath the surface. "I'm still frustrated with you." You confessed, your voice tinged with the raw honesty of your emotions.
âY/n, Iâll do everything to make it up to you. I know everything wonât go back to the way it was, but I just want to be your friend.â His words carry genuine remorse, and you crack.
âRemus, come here.â You extended your arms toward him and Remus engulfs you in his embrace, his fervor nearly knocking you off balance.
You're both holding onto each other tightly, finding comfort in having each other back. A few tears escape your eyes, tracing silent paths down your cheeks as you find solace in the warmth of his embrace.
"I missed you too." You mumble softly into his chest, your words muffled by the fabric of his shirt.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
The familiar ease you once shared with Remus doesn't return immediately, but both of you are committed to rebuilding your friendship, to rediscovering that ease and comfort your relationship used to provide. But the effort that is being made means the world to you.Â
And so it begins with catching up on reading together. You sit beside Remus on the plush couch, matching copies of a book cradled in your hands as you both immerse yourselves in its pages. Nearby, Marlene and Lily are nestled by the crackling fire, engaged in animated conversation about Marlene's impending decision to finally ask Dorcas out. Peter lounges lazily in an armchair, a contented smile playing on his lips as he indulges in chocolates, his attention drifting between the gossip and the flickering flames.
Sirius's laughter rings out, drawing your gaze toward him like a magnet. You shift your focus to the common room entrance, where Sirius and James have just arrived, their hair still damp from their post-practice showers.
You sit up straighter, a subtle movement, that draws Remus's attention to you. Following your gaze, Remus's eyes shift in the direction of Sirius, who is in the midst of a hearty laugh spurred on by James's joke. However, as Sirius turns and locks eyes with you, his laughter fades into a tender smile, his expression melting into one of affection and adoration. James catches sight of Lily across the room and wastes no time in making his way over to her, his trademark mischievous grin already in place.
"James!" Lily cries out, her voice a mixture of exasperation and amusement, as she dodges away from the curly-headed boy who is shaking his dripping wet hair over her. Marlene's laughter fills the air, and Dorcas grins from beside her. Despite Lily's attempts to escape, James encircles his arms around her waist, drawing her back against his chest, his satifsfied grin matching her infectious laughter.Â
âI canât stand you, James Potter.â Lily sighs, leaning back against James and shaking her head disapprovingly.
Sirius laughs, watching Lily pretend to be annoyed with James, before settling into the seat beside you, a comfortable familiarity enveloping the space between you. When he leans in to press a gentle kiss against your lips, you instinctively lean into his touch, savoring the warmth of his affection. Remus's gaze momentarily drifts away, a subtle pang of jealousy tugging at his chest as he watches the way you lean into his best mate.
In truth, Remus found himself uncertain of his standing with Sirius. Him and Remus were limited in their interactions lately, both boys feeling tense around the other. Unbeknownst to you, Remus flinched involuntarily every time Sirius drew near to you, displaying his lingering feelings for you. Sirius, though not proud of it, found himself grappling with a twinge of possessiveness whenever Remus was close to you.Â
Sirius pulled back slightly, a warm smile gracing his features as he met your gaze, "Hi, m'love." He murmured softly, his voice laced with affection and tenderness.
You couldn't help but return his grin, feeling a rush of warmth at his endearing greeting, "Hi." You replied, your voice filled with warmth and fondness, mirroring the affection reflected in his eyes.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" Sirius's voice broke the silence, his arm casually draping around your shoulder, drawing you into his side. Your book lay forgotten as his presence captivated your attention.
"Just some studying." You replied, the thought of books and lectures suddenly fading into insignificance.
Sirius leaned in closer, his lips grazing against your ear as he whispered, "I wanna take you somewhere tomorrow." The words stirred memories of a few months ago when you were seated on this very couch with him, grappling with the heartache of trying to move on from Remus.
"Will this be a date?" You asked, unable to contain the excitement bubbling in your voice.
"Yes, angel." Sirius replied, his words soft and tender as he pressed a gentle kiss to your temple. A radiant grin spread across your face as you reached for your book once more, the anticipation of the upcoming date dancing in your thoughts.
.·ă.·ăâ·.·â«Â·ă·ă.
Almost a week slips by before you and Sirius manage to carve out time for a long-awaited date. As Sirius leads you on a walk, your heart swells with emotion when you realize he's taking you to the tulip field. Despite the lingering chill in the air, the sight of the vibrant flowers and the sun's gentle rays reflecting off Black Lake fills you with warmth.
"You're such a romantic." You giggle, leaning into Sirius even more. He responds with a bashful smile, his cheeks tinged pink. You're not sure if it's from the cold or your teasing.
"I didn't know if it would be a good place for a date or not." He admits, his cheeks coloring with embarrassment. He had spent the last week agonizing over where to take you. When he ranted to Peter about it, Peter simply shrugged and suggested Hogsmeade. Sirius had scoffed, his tone teasing yet earnest, telling him he better step it up if he wanted to impress a girl.
"Sirius, this is the cutest spot for a date. Plus, it has meaning to us." You tell him sincerely, and Sirius feels his heart flutter at the term us. He wonders if he'll ever get over the fact that he has his dream girl in his arms, looking at him the same way he looks at you.
As you draw closer, the perfumed air carries the unmistakable scent of spring, and the gentle buzzing of bumblebees near the flowers fills your ears. The sounds evoke a sense of nostalgia, transporting you back to your childhood days spent playing in the garden.
"Merlin, I was so stressed about it. I've never planned a date before. I mean, I've gone on dates, but I've never felt this determined to impress someone as much as I have with you," he sighs as if releasing all of his pent-up stress. "I even asked Peter where I should take you."
"Did you? Well, I think this is perfect." You grin, withdrawing your hand from his to lay out the blanket. The thought of crushing tulips under the blanket makes you cringe, so you search for a barren patch to place it over. With care, you shake out the blanket, letting it flutter gracefully before plopping onto it.
Leaning back on your palms, you watch Sirius, who remains standing where you left him, your copy of Pride and Prejudice in his hands. A soft smile graces his lips as he gazes at you as if you're everything he's ever dreamed of.
"Are you going to join me or just stare?" You question, patting the spot next to you invitingly.
"I quite like staring at you." He grins, sending you his famous smile.Â
He sits down next to you before laying back and allowing the sun to settle on his skin. The warmth of the rays feels comforting, especially after the last couple of days filled with rain. The melodic songs of birds in the surrounding trees and the sound of your gentle movements create a soothing ambiance, putting him at ease.
You shift, settling onto your back, your eyes tracing the patterns of the soft clouds as they leisurely drift across the vast expanse of the sky. The birds' playful chirps and flutters among the trees add to the serene atmosphere. Sirius follows suit, adjusting his position to face you. As he watches you, he's captivated by the delicate play of sunlight on your features, accentuated by the colorful tulips that bloom around you, adding a vibrant backdrop to the tranquil scene.
He can hardly believe that he's lying next to the girl of his dreams, the one he's thought of for years, yearning for even a moment of her attention. Memories flood back countless times when he watched you with Remus from afar, consumed by jealousy for the time Remus got to spend with you. He would have given anything for just a few minutes alone with you to share a moment that belonged solely to the two of you.
"I talked to Remus earlier today." You remark, his nose crinkling slightly with an involuntary pang of jealousy at the mention of his friend's name. It's become almost instinctual by now.Â
"He apologized to Adeline," You start, your expression thoughtful. "He mentioned it started off rough, but in the end, she forgave him, and they wished each other the best."
He hums, âThatâs good.â
You giggle, âThatâs all?â
Sirius hums softly, propping himself up on his elbow as he gazes down at you. "I'm glad they've found that closure," he murmurs, his tone laced with a hint of distraction.
Feeling his unwavering focus, you gently divert your attention from the sky to meet his gaze. His eyes are locked onto yours with such intensity that it causes a flutter in your chest, leaving your breath caught in your throat.Â
He lifts his hands, delicately brushing his thumb against your bottom lip. A small, involuntary sound escapes you, and Sirius responds with a devastating smile, a hint of playfulness dancing in his eyes.
"I don't want to talk about anyone else but us." He whispers, his voice filled with sincerity. His gaze softens as his fingers trace gently across your cheeks, his hand coming to rest on your face, his thumb tenderly brushing against your jawline.
"What about us in particular?" You inquire, the words escaping in a breathless whisper. Your heart quickens its pace, a rhythmic drumming echoing the intensity of the moment, a sensation that always accompanies Sirius's proximity. The air feels charged with anticipation, every nerve tingling with the electricity of his presence.
"I can't get enough of you," he confesses, leaning in to press a soft kiss against your cheek. "How you never leave my mind," he adds, tenderly planting a kiss on your other cheek.
"How you make my heart flip every time I look at you." His lips brush against your forehead before he leans down to rest his against yours. Your eyes flutter closed at his proximity, your body nearly buzzing from the giddiness and anticipation coursing through your veins.
"How my heart is entirely yours." His voice trembles slightly, revealing the depth of his emotions as he utters those heartfelt words, âAnd that I am hopelessly in love with you.â
Your eyes widen, catching his apprehensive gaze, his nerves evident as he awaits your reaction to his confession Without hesitation, you thread your fingers through his hair and gently pull him down to you, closing the distance between your lips and his in a sweet, affirming kiss.
Sirius lets out a moan, his thumb continuing to brush over your cheek as he deepens the kiss. The warmth of his lips against yours is accompanied by a gentle exploration, each movement conveying a depth of emotion and desire that leaves you breathless. The air is charged with an electric intensity, and in that moment, it feels like time stands still, allowing you to savor the overwhelming connection and longing between you.
You pull away just slightly, your voice trembling with emotion as you gaze into his eyes. In the hushed intimacy of the moment, surrounded by the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds, you utter those three profound words, "I am so in love with you. "
Sirius lets out a disbelieving laugh, his smile widening as euphoria bubbles within him. Without hesitation, he leans in, his lips meeting yours in a fervent and intense kiss that elicits a desperate moan from your lips. You've never experienced a kiss like this before, filled with such raw passion that it feels like every nerve in your body is set ablaze as if you could melt into him right there and then.
"Please be mine." Sirius pleads, his voice laced with longing and vulnerability against your lips.Â
A tender smile graces your lips as you respond, your voice soft and filled with affection, "I'm already yours."
While nestled in the field of tulips, Sirius confesses to you that the very first tulip he gifted you was, in fact, a declaration of his love.
because bakugou katsuki is a jerk but he's also unfortunately your soulmate.
a/n: the LARGELY requested part two! honestly, i'd be willing to write more parts if people wanted :)
this part ended up being more about the girls and y/ns friendship but i couldn't help myself - if you guys want some fluff with bakugou for future parts, just let me know!
pairing: bakugou katsuki x f!reader
part one.
âYouâre hiding something from us.â
Thereâs a beat of silence, then another, then another and when finally, you realize you should say something, you blink, sputtering out a barely believable; âno iâm not.â
Mina and Jirou glance at each other, then behind them at the rest of the girls, and you feel a layer of sweat build up when you realize all of your female classmates are here, surrounding you, demanding an answer. And youâve never really been all that good at lying before, itâs how Bakugou was able to figure out the whole âiâm your soulmate thingâ rather quickly and it had only taken him as long as it had because, well, it was Bakugou.
So, to put it bluntly, youâre screwed.
âCome on, Y/N,â Mina laughs, âthat wasnât even remotely believable.â
You know itâs written across your face, your eyes wide and your lips parted and youâre sure you look like quite the picture in that moment surrounded by every single female student in your class, a group of girls you considered your friends but were feeling considerably more like your interrogators in that moment.Â
But you have to at least try.
âIâm not hiding anything,â you repeat, this time taking special care to make sure your voice is even and somewhat believable. âIâm just⊠tired. Itâs been throwing my balance off. Sorry guys.â
You really are because you have been weird recently and you were hiding things (even if you were desperate for them not to know that) so the sincerity was there and it seems to be enough because they all glance at each other, frowning, and you can literally see the determination fade as Momo speaks up first.
âYou have been leaving to train a lot,â she agrees with a solemn nod. âItâs no wonder youâre so tired. But you should still try to get some rest, donât push yourself so hard.â
You let out a breath of relief, trying not to let it show as some of the girls shuffle back to walk away, untilâ
âWait, that reminds me!â
Itâs Jirou who calls it out and you feel yourself freeze.
âShe hasnât been training!â
Eyes widening, you turn to look at Jirou. Sheâs grinning your way, her figure pointed in your direction, clearly pleased sheâd caught you in your lie.
âJirou,â Uraraka calls out, confused. âWhat are youââ
âTwo nights ago when she left to go training, I followed her, thinking we could train together⊠she wasnât there.â
They gasp. Literally gasp.
âNow that you mention it,â Froppy nods, finger held to her chin in thought. âI havenât actually seen her in the gym very often⊠nor does she look particularly like a person whoâs just trained when she comes back.â
Their eyes fall on you and you take a step back.
âY/Nââ
And then you just run.
-
âI canât believe she just ran!â
âI know!â
âGuys, Iâm sure she had her reasons.â
âWho?â
Minaâs lips are left parted at the sound of Kirishimaâs voice, all the girls turning to face him in the living room where heâs sat with the rest of the class.
âY/N,â Mina explains with a huff, falling into the couch dramatically. âSheâs been ditching us constantly and always leaving right after we return from class with some excuse. When we tried to ask her about it today, she lied and then when we caught on to her lie, she ran! Literally just bolting down the hallway before we could even blink.â
Kirishima frowns, glancing over to Denki on his left.
âThat doesnât sound like Y/N,â Deku calls out from across the room, head tilted in curiosity. âEspecially to lie to you guys.â
âI know!â Mina calls out, throwing her hands up in exasperation.Â
âLike I said,â Uraraka speaks up, trying to remain calm. âIâm sure she has her reasons. Maybe somethingâs wrongâŠâ
âYou think she could be in danger?â Shoto asks, quirking a brow.Â
Uraraka shrugs; âI donât know⊠I hope not.â
Everyone falls silent, worried expressions plastered on their faces.
âWait, Kirishima⊠bro.â Denki calls, reaching to shake Kirishima aggressively, to which the red-haired boy swats his hands away, shaking his head.
âWhat?â
âHasnât Bakubro been disappearing a lot too?â
All the girls straighten out.
Kirishima just shakes his head; âBakugou is always disappearing. You know he doesnât like hanging with us a lot.â
âNo, Denkiâs right,â Sero nods, âeven if he isnât hanging with us, heâs usually in his room or in the gym. Recently, he just completely disappears.â
âI guess youâre rightâŠâ Kirishima frowns.
âWait,â Jirou calls out, âwhat are you saying? That Bakugou is disappearing with Y/N?â
âThatâs crazy,â Mina brushes off. âIâve never even seen the two talk to each other unless theyâre forced toâwait.â
Everyone's eyes snap to hers, wide.
âWhat?â
âYou donât think⊠no. Itâs not possible.â
âOh my god,â Denki cries out suddenly, leaning forward with a manic look in his eyes. âBakubro is hurting Y/N!â
âWaitââ
âNo way!â Kirishima calls out, turning to Denki. âBakugou is a lot of things, but he would never hurt somebody intentionally. Especially not a girl. Thatâs not manly. Right, Midoriya?â
âRight,â Deku nods confidently, before pausing; âI think?â
âHey!â
âGuys, no!â Mina cuts in, shaking her hands widely before her. âThatâs not what I meant.â
âOkayâŠâ Momo nods, âthen what?â
She leans in, pausing for dramatic effect. âHe could be⊠her soulmate!â
Thereâs silence, then, âno way.â
Minaâs face falls; âwhy not?â
âBakugou? Having a soulmate?â Jirou snorts, âI doubt that.â
âEverybody has one!â
âOkay, the odds of him actually caring about his soulmate are slim to none,â Froppy offers in response.
âYeah,â Deku nods, âI've never once seen Kacchan show interest in his soulmate like⊠ever.â
Kirishima shakes his head; âeven I have to admit thatâs so not manly.â
Everyone shuffles around agreements but Mina is quick to argue; âhave any of you guys ever seen Bakugouâs soulmate mark?â Slowly, one by one, all glancing at each other, the guys shake their heads. Mina then turns to the girls. âOkay, have any of you ever seen Y/Nâs? Cause sheâs never shown or told me.â
The girls all shake their heads.
âSo how can you really know?â Mina raises a brow, âI mean, Y/N is always so secretive about her mark. She refuses to tell me.â
-
âBakugou, we haveââ
âKatsuki.â
Coming to a sharp halt, lips left parted, you blink up at Bakugou.
With a grin, Bakugou gently shuts your mouth with a hand to your jaw, laughing lightly; âsay Katsuki. Thatâs my name.â
You can feel your cheeks warm, profusely, and a burst of heat flood through you as you pull yourself from his touch, avoiding his gaze. âKatsuki,â you oblige with a huff and a pout. âWe have a problem.â
âYes?â Bakugou asks, raising a brow your way as he lowers the weightâs heâd been lifting.
âThe girls are onto us!â
Bakugou just stares down at you. âWhat does that mean?â
Exasperated at his obliviousness, you huff, stretching your hands out before you for emphasis as you stare up at him, wide-eyed. âThey know Iâve been disappearing after class a lot. I tried to tell them I was training, which I guess we usually are but Jirou caught on to that being a lie too and now theyâre onto us!â
Bakugou just blinks. âBut what do you mean onto us?â
You let out a cry; âKatsuki! Theyâre gonna know weâre soulmates!â
âSo?â
Pressing a hand to your face, you canât believe your situation. Not only were the girls onto you, they knew you were lying, which made you feel awful and if they found out that youâd been spending all your time with Bakugou⊠well that was bound to bring up more questions. Questions you wouldnât be able to avoid. Questions that would ultimately lead to them finding out Bakugou was your soulmate.
A hand gently reaches for your wrists, pulling your hands away from your face as Bakugou crouches to meet your eyes directly.Â
âWhy is it such a big deal?â He asks gently, an odd tone that youâre still not used to hearing from Bakugou yet. His face remains neutral but thereâs patience lingering in his eyes as he waits for you to explain why youâre so upset.
And you do. Your lips part and the words are at the tip of your tongue until, suddenly, you canât say anything.
Nothing leaves your lips.
âY/N?â
âIâŠââ
âYou donât want them to know?â
Blinking, you bite your lip. âItâs not that, itâs justâŠâ But again, you canât find the words.
âYou donât trust them?â
âOf course I do,â you argue instantly, âtheyâre my best friends.â
âOkayâŠâ he says slowly, and then his face twists, âare you⊠embarrassed of me?â
Meeting his gaze, you frown. â...No,â you whisper, and you mean the words.
âThen whatâs the problem?â
âIâŠâ Shoulders falling, you frown. âNothing⊠I guess.â
âSo,â he says, âlet them find out!â
Sputtering, you lean back; âitâs not like youâve told Kirishima or any of the other guys!â
âItâs none of their business,â Bakugou shrugs, letting go of your wrists to set his hand on your head. âBut if it makes you feel better, I'll tell them.â
You find yourself silent with disbelief once again, Bakugouâs words echoing in your mind paired with the look in his eyes. Just staring down at you.
Looking at you.
Like youâre his whole world.
-
âIâm sorry.â
They blink at you.
âIâm sorry about running away yesterday.â
Another blink.
âAnd I'm sorry Iâve been lying to you guys for the past few weeks.â
Slowly, all the girls glance at each other, trying to gauge the situation, before Uraraka is the first to speak up.
âItâs okay,â she assures with a smile, setting her hand on your shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. âWe appreciate you apologizing. We were just worried.â
âWe wanna make sure youâre okay,â Jirou adds, smiling shyly at you.Â
You take a look at all of their faces, seeing the sincerity staring back at you, before settling on Mina who still has a hint of hurt in her eyes but thereâs also hope.
Well, here goes nothing.
âBakugouâs my soulmate.â
Silence echoes, once again, before.
âWhat?â
âI knew it!â
âBakugou!?â
Thereâs a mix of words, gasps of disbelief and shouts of question thrown out at you as all the girls rush towards you, swarming you, desperate for answers.
You laugh a little at their reaction, and that catches their attention.
âY/N?â Mina asks, confused.
âIâve been sneaking off to see him,â you explain to her, meeting her gaze, before letting your gaze drift. âI didnât say anything because Iâm still adjusting to it myself and I still donât know how to feel about it. But I realized it isnât fair to lie to you guys like that and that I want you guys to know because you matter so much to me.â
âY/NâŠâ Uraraka mumbles, tears welling in her eyes.
Her expression mimics many of the other girls before suddenly thereâs a body slamming against your own, arms wrapping tightly around your waist as you stumble back, trying to catch your footing.
âOh. My. God!â Mina screams, you wincing at the sheer volume, as she pulls back, grinning brightly at you. âYou have to tell us everything!â
-
The next morning, youâre sitting at the island in the kitchen eating breakfast, chatting to Mina, Jirou and Kirishima. The rest of the students trickle by, some making breakfast, some in the living room, all in their own conversations, until suddenly it all stops.
It takes you a moment to realize Kirishima, Mina and Jirou are no longer listening to you, head turned to their right and following their gaze, curious, you blink when you realize itâs Bakugou theyâre staring at. Itâs not like heâs doing anything particularly odd, nothing except for the fact that his gaze is directed on you and heâs heading straight for you and then suddenly, heâs right in front of you.
His gaze drifts from you, to your plate, back to you; âwho made you that?â
âNobody,â you say slowly, still stunned. âI made it.â
Heâs grabbing the plate before you can say anything else, pressing a kiss to your forehead that has your cheeks burning before turning and making his way to the fridge.
âIâll make you something better,â is all he says in explanation.
Your gaze slowly drifts from him to Mina and Jirou who are grinning widely at you, before thereâs the shout of;
âDid Bakubro just kiss Y/N?!â
âAnd offer to make her breakfast!â
âWait,â Kirishima suddenly calls after Sero and Denki, turning to Mina and Jirou, âwhy are two grinning!?â
âAll the girls are!â Deku exclaims, pointing at Uraraka and Froppy in front of him.
âYou guys knew?â
âOf course,â Mina grins, sending a wink Kirishimaâs way before shrugging. âIsnât that right, Bakugou? You and Y/N are soulmates!â
Everyone expects him to ignore her or tell her to shut up, but instead, he pauses in what heâd been doing (cracking an egg for you), turning his head over his shoulders to meet your gaze before smirking.Â
Summary: It's Katsuki's 25th birthday. After celebrating and cleaning up, you take him on a trip down memory lane.
Pairing: Bakugo x f!reader
Contains: established relationship, implied childhood friends to lovers, reader takes a bath with bakugo but nothing nsfw, foofy foofy fluff
wc: 1.2k
Katsuki made sure everyone at the party knew he was forced to be here and didn't like this shit at all, but you knew that was far from the truth. Standing with a glass of wine in your hand, you couldn't help but grin at him as he sat with his friends, Sero's arm slung around his shoulders. He was smiling unawares. He was totally enjoying this.Â
Everyone had agreed to hold Katsuki's birthday party at his parents' house, given they had an enormous backyard. Mitsuki had cooked an amazing dinner while you and Mina decorated the backyard, leaving the boys to get the cake. It was supposed to be a surprise for Katsuki, but of course, he had to go and say he already remembered it was his birthday. It was just like him. You couldn't count the number of birthdays you tried to surprise him. He even acted like he was confused, but you knew better.
After the party, you and Katsuki stayed back to help with cleaning up. You dumped the plastic plates in a trash bag and then helped Mitsuki wash the dishes while the birthday boy removed the decorations in the back.Â
"Are you sure you guys don't want to stay?" Mitsuki asked one last time as you two stood in the doorway.Â
"No, ma," Katsuki said, "It's been a long night. Gonna go home and sleep."
"You can do that here, too," Mitsuki insisted.
"We won't fit in my old bed, you know that too," he sighed.Â
"Alright, then. Good night." Mitsuki pulled you in a hug and gave Bakugo's cheek a smooch despite his protests.Â
As soon as you entered the apartment, you took off your heels, kept the food Mitsuki had packed for you and joined Katsuki in the bathroom. He stood shirtless in the bathroom, brushing his teeth as the bathtub filled with warm water. You stood in front of him, grabbing a wipe to remove the makeup from your face. He rinsed his mouth and took the wipe from you, tilting your face towards him as he gently cleaned your face.Â
You guys undressed, stepping into the shower cubicle, big enough for two. Katsuki sat on the step stool, and you shampooed his hair for him, followed by cleaning his back while he scrubbed the rest of his body. He did the same for you afterwards, massaging your shower products into your hair and washing your back while whispering sweet nothings in your ear, planting an occasional kiss to your neck.Â
You joined him in the tub after that, your head on top of his chest while his fingers brushed through your wet hair, his eyes closed, "Did you enjoy the party, 'Suki?"
"A little," he replied. You could feel his voice reverberate in his chest.Â
"Just a little?"
"Very little," he opened his eyes, looking at you with a smile, which told you he did enjoy the party. You shifted to kiss him, working your way around his jaw and onto his face. He caught your lips in a lazy kiss, his hand tracing up and down your spine. It was getting very late, and Katsuki had to go to work in the morning.Â
In the bedroom, he sat on the bed as you did his skin care for him, patting serums and moisturisers onto his skin. He crawled under the covers once you were done, resting his head against the headboard as he watched you do your skincare in front of the mirror. You caught his eye in the mirror and glanced back, "Don't go to sleep. There's something I want to give you, birthday boy."
"Okay," he replied, his crimson gaze following you as you left the room. He fought to stay awake as his eyes slowly shut.Â
"You're falling asleep," your voice brought him back to his senses.Â
"I'm not," he retorted.Â
You smiled and sat beside him, slipping under the blanket. You handed him a photo album. He took it from you, looking down at it. It had a beige leather cover with a heart engraved on the front. Inside the heart was a word in italics:Â Us.Â
He opened the album and was greeted by a picture of him and you as toddlers, only two years old. A smile danced on his lips as he looked down at the picture. You were crying in it because he had snipped one of your pigtails while he sat on the floor with a pair of scissors, a gleeful grin on his face. Under the picture, written in your handwriting was, 'I'm not sure which one of the adults left you alone with a scissor, but I'm still mad you cut off my cutesy hair.'
"Heh, I was a fucking hair stylist!" Bakugo exclaimed, all his sleep gone.Â
"Hair stylist, my ass. You just cut off a huge section of my hair."Â
He turned the page to see more baby pictures of you two, with a picture of you guys standing in your elementary school uniforms on the next page. You were grinning at the camera while Bakugo pouted, looking like he'd stab someone with the stick in his hand. He found your commentary under the pictures hilarious, 'My boyfie does not like school.'
The album brought back so many special memories he had with you. His fingers stopped over a page with a picture of you wearing a crown made of different flowers while he stood beside you, little ears dusting pink, 'He decided to marry me when we were six.'
"Where did you get that picture from?" He groaned, running a hand down his face in embarrassment, "I don't even remember anyone taking a picture of us!"
"Well, my father had it," You smiled, glancing up at him. He still blushed like he did when he was six.Â
He flipped through each page with you, smiling at the wholesome ones and scoffing at the embarrassing ones, each turn of the page a reminder of the constant and unwavering support you gave him to this day. In this album you made him, he took a trip through his middle and high school days he spent with you. You also put a picture of him receiving his award for making it to the top two, 'Proud of you, Dyanamight- your #1 fan.'
There was a picture of your guys' engagement and wedding. He shook his head and laughed at them, blinking away the tears that were starting to form. How far he had come with you. The last picture was a fresh one. It was from the party. He was looking at you as you stuffed your mouth with the cake, 'Happy 25th birthday, Katsuki.' Mitsuki was the one hopping around with a polaroid camera. He was sure you got it from her.
"Thank you, y/n," he said, looking to his side to see you had fallen asleep on his shoulder, your mouth ajar.Â
His hand searched for his phone under the pillow. He opened the camera app, switching to the front camera. He snapped a picture and stared at it for the longest time. It was beautiful, with the bedside lamps casting a golden hue around you two. He found it adorable how your cheek was mushed on his shoulder with your mouth open. He'd get it printed on his way to work and put it in the album.Â
He'd slowly stick more pictures in it over time. When pages would run out, he'd add more pages because he still had infinite memories waiting to be made with you. Â
Can we get a longer fit on meeting Sukuna's dadđ„č
I tried đ€đ€
âNo,â he was judging the woman tying the obi on your waist, âNo no no, youâre doing this all wrong woman, move..â You wanted to laugh at the situation, especially when she started talking to him in her mother tongue and he answered back just as snappy leaving her speechless.
You smiled looking down, shaking your head, âI didnât know you knew more than one language Sukuna.â You looked in the mirror, he was focused, face angled down, you could feel his hands moving, the rustling of the fabric was soft. It was a small shop that hadnât changed much, its traditional sliding shoji doors, the classic wooden and simple decor, the snappy lady at the front desk scribbling away in her book. All the fabric that was on display or folded away in their respective boxes. Oddly enough it felt like you belonged here in this moment, you looked over your shoulder, Sukuna had stepped back looking at you through the mirror, his eyes fell and met your eyes over your shoulder as you smiled at him. There was a faint tug at his lips, âcharming.â You broke out into a grin at his single word before he settled your debt much to your dismay and pleasure as soon as you learned how much the fancy fabrics wouldâve cost.
He helped you into his car, a classic black Mercedes S-class, it wasnât his first choice but his mom beat his safety into him, snapping that if he wanted to risk his life in a flattened down Italian sports car or some useless motorbike he would have to buy it himself. When he had saved up the money to buy his motorbike on his own, his father had sat him down, âRyomen, listen to me. I would never try to control your life, but I will tell you this, your life is not always lived for just you. On your little bike you could risk your life all you want, but think of the day you meet a fine young lady and want to take her out. It takes one rain, one slide, one bad driver to not only hurt you, but someone you care about deeply.â He smacked his boys back with a heavy hand, âNow, save your money, Iâll let you think about your choices a little longer, donât tell your mother Iâm doing this but considering you have worked hard enough to prove your dedication to this dream of yours.â He gave Sukuna the keys to one of the Sedans, âDonât tell your mother.â He gave Sukuna a serious look, âIâm serious, you know how she gets it.â Sukuna smiled with a nod, âI really appreciate this, Iâll take the time to think over what you said.â
Of course the first thing he did was go see you in his car, the thought always lingered in the back of his head when you awed over his car. Would he ever put your life at risk for one of his dreams?
âYou okay?â Your hand covered his fingers that were tapping away on the middle console, he looked over at you before looking at the road, he nodded, ââm alright.â His hand stilled under yours turning to hold your fingers in his hand. In his head he was thinking of those American cars where the front seat was built as a single row, he wouldâve pulled you into his side if he couldâve. âReady?â You looked up at him with a small smile, âIâm ready.â It was a lie, you were nervous and it only got worse when he pulled into the Shinden-Zukuri.
He sat you in his room throwing his shirt over your face as he changed so you wouldnât see him. You sat there nervous but with a small smile on your lips wanting to giggle at his little âGive me some privacy pervert.â When he was the one that brought you into his room after you had said you could wait outside his room.
It all played out well, he brought you to the room where his dad could usually be found drinking tea and unwinding after a long day.
When the doors opened and you saw a larger more profound version of Sukuna you froze. He was a handsome man, square jaw, cold calculating eyes, his hair was a paler pink thanks to the greying hairs. He had a bit of scruff, his eyes were a bit paler with age, his brows dropped in judgement, the choko in his hand was minuscule, his robe was partly open exposing more chest, as he sat there. The thought passed through your head, âif thatâs what Sukuna was born to be, I WILL marry him..â it took less than 10 seconds for you to grow a little girl crush on his dad, until Sukuna cleared his throat. Signalling you as he said he would, you snapped back to reality bowing and introducing yourself in the most respectful and put together way you could, your inner child was squealing in delight but you were nervous now. You didnât see the exchanged looks between Sukuna and his father, until the elder let out a rumble of laughter, âStand up girl, and then sit. You are an interesting character.â Sukuna wanted to laugh, your practice had flown out the window, at least you had remembered enough to not insult his father.
The three of you sat there, âWell then Y/n,â He looked down at you, a smug look on his face, âI must say you must be quite the character to catch this young manâs attention, Iâm interested in how you became involved with him, of course thatâs a story my wife would like to hear also Iâm sure.â Your eyes widened, âI-â you swallowed as you looked at Sukuna who looked blankly at the table, âItâs an interesting story so I'd love to share with both you and your wife Sukuna-san.â He smiled bigger, âSukuna-san? Iâm sure if my son is presenting to you he must have other intentions so get comfortable, call me Ryomen.â You looked at Sukuna almost in disbelief, âYou have the same..?â The elder laughed, âHeâs my only son, of course heâd have my name. Branded him the day he was born, thatâs my boy and everyone needs to know it.â You smiled at how his dad seemed to be enjoying himself so openly, you were more confused than ever still when Sukuna spoke with a smile and sigh as he nodded, âMy father Sukuna Ryomen, The Man of two faces.â
Soon conversation fell into Ryomen Senior telling you stories of how his little Ryo was a destructive boy. Going as far as to send one of the servants to bring a book which made Sukuna sulk and frown slightly. It was a large leather album, the elder opened the book showing you realistic hand painted pictures and photos of Sukuna as a child, more often than not with bandaids and scrapes, âHis mother never liked to put her hands on him, so she found another form of discipline. He loathed standing still considering he was an active child. So when he would cause trouble or get himself hurt with his actions, even getting into fights. She would bring him home, stand him right outside in the garden and have someone come and paint his picture forcing him to stand there scowling for hours.â You were flipping through the book Aawwing and cooing, his father watched proud when youâd ask about certain pictures that had no caption. His answers were lively and entertaining, voice getting louder when heâd begin his stories leaving Sukuna slightly embarrassed at his past. âLook at that boy, embarrassed, it just means it worked to break his bad habits.â He laughed and quickly stopped when he heard the door behind him open. He sat up cleaning his throat. âOh? We have a guest?â Your eyes moved up the lady's beautiful kimono, she was more filled out in a beautiful manner, her hair was long and dark, her eyes a vibrant red. She was beautiful, you looked at his father thinking in the war of genes he proved to be dominant. âMom.â Sukuna locked eyes with her as he moved to sit by her husband who was now sitting in a more appropriate manner pulling his robes a little tiger, âThis is L/n Y/n.â She looked away from him, staring at you intently, you locked eyes with her you almost felt vulnerable under her stare until she closed her eyes with a soft smile, âIt is very nice to me the young lady that has my son huffing at his phone when he gets no messages.â You broke into a grin turning to look at Sukuna who was giving his mom a look and you started to laugh, âHere I thought you didnât like when I bothered you so much.â âI-â hsi mom cut him off, âIâll tell you a story, there was a week during the summer when we left for Kyoto. That poor boy was constantly laid over the table or floor just staring at his phone tapping it off and on to see if anything happened. He even persisted in checking to make sure we had paid for cell service many times. I had become worried he became involved with drugs or something worse until I peeked over his shoulder one day and saw he was continuously refreshing a conversation with a girlâ she gave you a look of disbelief, âa girl! Do you know how much disbelief I was in to see my little Ryo was talking to a girl and more importantly patiently waiting for a message? I was astounded, I tried to see a name or picture but he locked his phone, sighed and laid his heâd on the table and scared me, with his little âI know you're looking. It wa just something I couldnât believe, so I knew he either had to bring someone home, or he was just going to leave one day in the middle of the night and Iâd have to track him and his little loose woman down and beat the sense into the both of them before dragging him home weather he liked it or not.â Your smile was there but the blank look in your eyes was fear, âah, I understand entirely, my father is the same way.â She smiled again, âWell, Iâm glad youâre the former and not the latter, you seem like a very lovely girl y/n. You can call me Akira, there are too many Sukunaâs here as it is.â
ïżŒShe turned to look at her husband who had an elbow propped on the table, chin resting on his fist while he stared at her, there was a small smug smile on his face, his eyes were lidded, thatâs the same look youâd caught on your Sukunaâs face on occasion. You turned to look at him. He was making a face at his parents when his mom brought her hand to hold his dads face. That face was the same face one of your friends had made when the both of you had unintentionally recreated the scene once. You smiled nudging his hand under the table was yours, he looked at you with that same face before he shook his head, his fingers slowly taking yours in a soft hold, his thumb ran over your knuckles and you did your nest to squeeze your hands, oblivious to the way his dadâs eye brows rose motioning to the both of you with his eyes, his wife turned her head slightly. The serene smile on your face was rare for a lady to have around her son considering how much of a brute or cold he could be, what pulled their attention more was the soft look in their son's eyes matching the small smile pulling at his lips. They looked at each other, the silent conversation between the two in an exchange of looks and small head tilts, until his mother let out a hushed laugh. Your both turned to her becoming flustered when you had seen both of his parents were staring at the both of you, âoh-Iâm sorry-â you were about to apologise for falling silent until she waved you off mid sentence, âItâs alright, but my husband here was telling me before I walked in you were going to share the story of how the two you became involved.â
You looked at Sukuna with a grin, âItâs simple really, It was our last year of junior high and during the end of the school year festival, some of the students were running booths to raise money for a school trip before we were let out for break. My friend's father runs a small pet store so we set up a goldfish toss, and everything was going great, kids, adults, couples, everyone loved being able to win a prize to take home.â You sighed, eyes looking away âThen came Satoru Gojo. He's not troubled, just spoiled in my opinion. My dad says the same, he says no one corrected that boy or put hands on him when he was growing up and it shows.â Sukunaâs dad chuckled, âI agree.â You smiled at him, âWell he came along with his friends, his friends were polite when they took their turns, but Gojo,â you made a face staring down at the table, and empty cup, âHe kept leaning over the counter and I kept telling him to lean back because it was literally a flimsy folding table, and he didnât listen and kept leaning further trying to score a fish bowl to take one home but heâs as coordinated as a bat in broad daylight. Just as my friend signalled a teacher the table flipped he tumbled over and knocked into me, we both fell into the table where the fish bowls were and everything came crashing down,â his mother gave a sympathetic look and his father was looking at him pick pick at his nails, âMy friend and I rushed to find a decent broken bowl and try to get as many fish as we could back into the water Gojo and his friends ran off when the teacher didnât do anything because heâs SaToRu GoJoâ you shook your head in a sassy way, âIt was Terrible and my dads a modest man so I kinda grew up wearing longer skirts and it was a struggle trying to not get wet and save fish and my friend turned to me âMaybe we should just leave them? It might not be too bad?â I wanted to cry because I donât like the thought of someone or something losing its life as the consequence of some idiots actions, then came Sukuna jumping over the table mumbling something and picking up gold fish left and right throwing them into the bowl we managed to find and I was so grateful, I offered him any of the prizes or fish prizes ended up taking all 13 fish and paid as if he played 13 times even though I persisted it was enough that he had helped but he walked off fish in hand. Just waving me off.â You missed the way his parents shared a look, âSince our booth was broken we just cleaned up and went off to enjoy the rest of the festival. Until the end of the day when I had to take the folding table back to the teachers who had let us use it. I came across Gojo and Sukuna in a standoff in the shoe locker room and I turned a deaf ear to convo after some things were said I kept walking after seeing Sukuna land a punch right on Gojoâs face, I was satisfied seeing it happen and told myself âI won't say anything, that priss deserves what he got.â I turned in the table and made my way out of School just to see Sukuna walking down the school path and I screamed âHey!â I didnât know his name, he was kinda scary, and he just stopped. Itâs funny because I could physically see him sigh before he half turned to look back, and asked âWHatâ kinda intimidating but I managed to catch up and thank him for his help and he just shrugged, and we kinda walked- no I walked you followed me.â Sukuna cut you off, âfine fine he walked and I followed him to the bus stop and we waited for the last bus in silence, I asked what he was gonna do with thirteen goldfish, he stayed quiet, then the bus came. I got on first and he didnât, I turned around to ask him and he had a stupid smirk on his face, âIâm gonna feed them to the Koi.â The bus door closed, I felt my face drop, and he just started laughing. Anyways, after that, I kinda just kept pestering him, saying hi and trying to talk to him after that day to the point he just accepted I wasnât leaving him alone. Now that I think about it, he never actually asked me to be his significant other, it just kinda fell into place.â
You finally looked up at his parents, they were nodding, his mom staring at you with a soft smile, his dad more curious âSo, how hard did you punch him?â He turned to his son who cracked a smile. âHe had a bruise for the next week and a half.â His dad laughed, clapping his hands, stopping and clearing his throat when his wife gave him a look. âRyo, Iâll leave you to talk to your boy, Y/n will you accompany me?â She stood and you rushed to stand, âI will.â You looked at Sukuna who rolled his eyes letting his head fall to the side with a lopsided smile, before he locked eyes with you, you could almost hear him say âgo, youâll be alright.â So you went, following his mother out onto the engawa into the cool air. You both walked in silence as the crickets and frogs started their symphony. You looked over the garden, zen ponds, zen gardens, lush greenery and plants. You stepped down following her through the zen garden to a red bridge. There were three Islands in the large pond connected by bridges, âMy SukunaâŠâ She trailed off, âHe has strong character and a difficult heart, heâs complex in ways no one is able to understand, a bundle of twine no one has found the patience to untangle. Somehow you managed to find a single end and pull it free to see heâs not the bundle of twine, but a gold thread.â You were nodding along, not entirely sure until you made it to one of the islands. âWe have a koi pond, but this isnât it. Take a look.â In your head as you knelt to look closer your brain screamed, âSheâs gonna PUSH US IN AND KILL US.â Still you looked at your reflection, it was hard to see without the sun's light, so you pulled out your phone and turned on your flashlight. Looking harder until you saw the flash of colour. âI thought it wasnât a koi pond?â You asked and she hummed, âItâs not.â You watched as she knelt beside you, she pulled a sleeve up moving her hand into the water and you watched as a light lit up, the bundle of Gold moving in the water caught you by surprise, âThose are-â she cut you off, âThe goldfish he brought home that day. He didnât tell us where he got them from, or why, he only showed up and asked if he could use the empty pond. Of course we allowed it, it was interesting to watch him empty the fish into the pond, watching him struggle to find a decent food, putting lights into the pond and planting this tree to keep the birds from so easily diving into the water to snatch them up. Theyâre the original thirteen you know, the others he freely released into the bigger pond.â
You looked up at his mother with a soft smile, she smiled at you, the crinkles by her eyes made it genuine. âGET OFF OF ME OLD MAN!â You heard the struggle behind you and you both turned back to look, there was the elder Ryomen hugging his son in a bone crushing hug, the younger trying to escape, âLet! Me! Go!â You watched as he squirmed with every word until you heard âAlright squirt.â Your Sukuna tumbled unto the water while his dad stood taller, arms crossed over his chest with a burly laugh. You watched as Sukuna sat up in the water, dripping sleeve smacking him in the face as he tried to push his hair back. You laughed with his mom as you both approached. She moved to her husband's side, smacking his chest and scolding him. They watched how you kicked off your shoes getting ankle deep in the water to help Sukuna stand despite his protests and telling you to stay out of the water. How you took his face in one hand pulling him closer when he leaned unto your hand, taking the handkerchief tucked between your body and obi before gently wiping his face, âRyomen Sukuna you are one of the most complex men Iâve ever met.â A grin grew on his face as his hands came up to grab your wrists, âYou love it.â
âRYOMEN.â You flinched at Sukunaâs dads voice, Sukuna tensed up and smiled at you, âYou got me into a lot of trouble you know.â You tilted your head, âYeah?â He leaned in close whispering, âhe got onto my ass about never asking you to actually be mine.â You smiled and laughed, âSo will you?â You hummed, the smile on your face made your eyes squinty, âI dunno, not to sure I wanna be Y/n Sukuna.â He gave you a look and you closed your eyes shaking your head with a smile, âYouâre such a brat.â You pulled him closer and kissed his cheek, âYou love it, but yes, I will.â
â summary: when you transferred to U.A., you didn't anticipate slipping on a pair of chopsticks in the middle of the crowded cafeteria during your first week. however, what was more surprising was the unexpected fall for the boy who gracefully caught you.
â pairing: shouto todoroki x fem!reader
â genre: fluff, strangers to friends to lovers
â word count: 13.1k
â warnings & tags: sfw, female pronouns are used, usage of y/n l/n, Class 1-A are now third-year students aka 18+, swearing, the usual U.A. chaos, reader has a Quirk, misunderstandings, some training violence, minor injuries, mentions and discussions of insecurities, aizawa briefly belittles the reader as a form of motivation, beginnings of a panic attack but it's cut short, there is one instance of the reader appearing to be âflushedâ in regards to a fever, since this is my first bnha fic some characters might be ooc? | please kindly let me know if I missed any tags!
â author's note: AHHHH HERE IT IS! I've been working on this for almost a year now and I am so excited to finally share it with all of you. Honestly, I didn't think I would ever finish this story, but I kept slowly chipping away at it thanks in part to the encouragement from @andypantsx3, @missrosegold, and @getstarried. Special thanks to @pikatsum for beta-reading this for me! Thank you girls. This is for youđ«¶đ»
The cafeteria at U.A. High School was a pretty chaotic environment, you quickly learned within your first week after transferring from another Hero Course in the countryside. There were multiple things that could and would happen after the famous students had gotten some much-needed nutrients in their systems.
It was only three days into the school year and nothing had happened just yet, but in the U.A. world, that something was overdue.
The first chaotic event of the year that everyone had been anxiouslyâor in some cases, excitinglyâwaiting for happened on Thursday.
The day started off average; you got to school with three minutes to spare, which was a new record, but you had forgotten your pencil pouch in your dorm room, so you had to borrow some pencils from a girl who sat in front of you; Mina Ashido.
âThank you,â you whispered as you took the pastel pink utensil from her. There was even a cute little fluffy puffball at the end in exchange for an eraser. Good thing you had an eraser in your bag.
âNo problem! I gotcha!â She physically lit up and gave you a bright smile before turning back to focus on the blackboard.
You somehow managed to get through your morning classes running on the four hours of sleep you got the night before. You were cutting it quite close to passing out at your desk during calculus class, but you were saved by the lunch bell.
As soon as you stepped foot into the hallway, you were wrapped up in the faint, delicious scent of your favorite food coming from the cafeteria. Your mouth instantly watered, and you made a mad dash for the source of the delicious scent.
âHey!â a sharp voice made you freeze in your steps. You glanced over your shoulder to find Tenya Iida, Class 3-Aâs representative, glaring at you. The light reflecting off his glasses made him appear more threatening than he really was, but regardless, you still found yourself shying away from his harsh glare and rapid-moving hands. As they passed by, some students gave you apologetic smiles while others were not shy about openly staring at the scene before them, wondering what you possibly could have done to induce the wrath of the student representative. âThere is to be no running in the halls!â You cowered some more at his brisk and overly formal tone.
Geez, what a stuck-up, you thought to yourself.
âMy apologies, Iida.â You respond with a bow. He accepted your apology with a curt nod before he continued on his way to the cafeteria.
You waited for him to pass before rising from your bow. âWow, he makes it feel like I broke the law or something.â You mused aloud.
âDonât take it personally,â a comforting voice said from behind you. You turned to find Momo Yaoyorozu, Ochako Uraraka, and Tsuyu Asui standing before you. Ochako gave you a slight wave in greeting. âIida can be quite demanding,â Yaoyorozu reassured you.
âThank you.â
Tsuyu regarded you with gentle onyx eyes. âItâs L/N, right?â
You smiled, happy that she remembered your name from roll call. âY-yeah! Iâm Y/N L/N.â You introduced yourself. âI, um, already know who you guys are.â You suddenly felt shy, and you bashfully rubbed the back of your neck out of nervous habit.
Before your transfer was finalized, you did extensive research into your future schoolâs history and future classmates. Thankfullyâor unfortunately, depending on how you look at itâa lot of information is public knowledge; the various attacks on the school in the year leading up to and the conclusion of the War between the Paranormal Liberation Front and the Heroes, not to mention the various televised sports festivals, and the fact that the members of Class 1-A are practically household names even before their graduation.
The girls invited you to sit with them in the cafeteria. You had been keeping to yourself the first few days of school, choosing to observe from afar the already established social circles and friend groups. You had waited for an invitation to join one of said groups, and here was your opportunity.
The four of you made small talk as you made your way through the lunch line and to the table. Right away, Asui told you to call her by her given name. You told them about your life growing up in the countrysideâwith you and Uraraka bonding over your shared reason for becoming Pro Heroesâabout the friends you had, embarrassingly funny stories from your junior high days, and eventually what led you to transfer to U.A.
âWell, this is the best Hero Course in the country!â you all laughed. âBut to be frank, the only teacher at my old academy who could handle my Quirk retired, and none of the other academies within the prefecture had the resources to help me advance. Plus, my mentor is an U.A. alumnus, so naturally, the only other choice was U.A.â
Yaoyorozu hummed. âIt is a shame about your mentor retiring, but that is what led you to transfer to U.A., and for that, I am grateful.â The class vice representative regarded you kindly. âI am a firm believer of things happening for a reason, and your transfer doesnât change that.â
Uraraka nodded her agreement. âMomoâs right. U.A. is a place where anybody can make a difference, and I think you will find success here.â
You were rendered speechless. The tips of your ears turned red as your classmates regarded you with so much hope and sincerity in their eyes. âUh . . . I,â you bashfully scratched the back of your head. Not knowing how to respond, you instead reached for the small bottle of milk on your lunch tray and brought it to your lips.
However, before you could take a sip, a BOOM erupted from the front of the cafeteria, accompanied by a gruff voice yelling, âDonât walk in front of me, Icy-Hot!â You reflexively jolted at the loud noises and lost your grip on the glass, spilling the half-full bottle all over the front of your uniform.
âShit,â you exclaimed as you instinctually rose from your seat, only to quickly sit down again when the liquid started to fall to the floor. The girls gasped and were quick to hand you all the napkins in the vicinity.
âAre you okay, Y/N?â Asui asked as she watched you pat down your sodden skirt.
âYeah, Iâm okay.â You waved off her concern as you continued to wipe away the remaining liquid. The napkins managed to soak up most of it, but your skirt was still damp. If you didnât change skirts, you were going to smell of milk for the rest of the day, and you didnât want to start off the school year with a reputation for smelling vile. âIâm going to go back to the dorm really quickly and change into a clean uniform. Please let Mr. Snipe know that I will be late for class.â
âDo you want us to accompany you?â Yaoyorozu asked. She began to rise from her seat, but you stopped her.
âNo, no. Iâm okay, really.â You gave her what you hoped to be a reassuring grin instead of a grimace. âThank you for offering, Yaoyorozu, but Iâll be fine.â Before your classmates could respond, you stood from the table and made your way to the exit.
Great, this is just great, you thought as you walked, not really paying attention to where you were going. As soon as I make some friends, I make a fool of myself.
Unbeknownst to you, there was an obstacle in the aisle directly ahead. You were too distracted by your growing inner turmoil to notice the pair of metal chopsticks lying on the ground before you until your foot made contact and slipped out from under you.
It all happened so fast that you couldnât even react.
Time froze as you became weightless, and you felt your body become briefly suspended in the air. Before you could react and rotate your body to prevent yourself from violently banging your head on the tiled floor, gravity took hold and yanked you back down toward the ground. You squeezed your eyes shut, not wanting to witness your classmatesâ reactions to your misfortune.
Great, now Iâm gonna embarrass myself in front of the entire school. Fuck you, chopsticks.
You prepared yourself for the pain of hitting the hard floor but were shocked when you were suddenly wrapped in a chilled warmth. You did slam into a hard surface, but this didnât feel like the cold tile you expected.
âAre you all right?â a voice asked from above. You opened your eyes, only to find yourself captivated by a beautiful graphite and turquoise gaze. Your mouth opened to respond to the inquiry, but you couldnât speak. This strange yet calming gaze hypnotized you, causing the rest of the world to fade into a buzzing silence. You watched as the perfect eyebrows of the owner of those magical eyes furrowed downward at your prolonged silence, the action momentarily drawing your attention.
With your attention span no longer zeroed in on the heterochromatic gaze, the world around you suddenly slammed back into your senses at full force. The volume of your fellow classmatesâ conversations was deafening at first, but your ears grew accustomed once again to zone them out and focus on the person before you.
It took about thirty seconds for the entirety of your current predicament to register within your brain.
You were hanging about ten centimeters off the ground. The only thing keeping you upright and injury-free was Shouto Todorokiâs firm grip on your wrist.
âUm, hello?â the dual-haired teenager once again drew your attention to him. His grip slightly tightened before he tugged you up onto your feet.
âI think you broke her, Icy-Hot.â A rough voice drawled from your peripheral.
The intrusion of the other voice is what finally brought you out of your stunned silence. âNo, Iâm okay. Not broken.â
âDid you hit your head?â Todoroki inquired. He steadied you on your feet but didnât release your wrist from his hold. Katsuki Bakugou was standing off to the side, trying to appear like he wasnât involved with either one of you.
âI-I donât think so.â As you reached down to brush yourself off, you caught a whiff of the unflattering scent of old milk emitting from your clothes. You held back your gag and turned to face Todoroki and Bakugou. âIâm sorry to rush, but I really do need to go.â You gave a quick bow. âThank you for catching me, Todoroki. Bye!â
The two boys watched you sprint away like a bat out of hell. âTâfuck is her problem,â Bakugou muttered. âFuckinâ extra makinâ me late for lunch.â
Todoroki didnât respond to his classmateâs remarks. His lips pursed together as he watched you nearly run into a couple of first years before you disappeared around a corner, out of sight.
âDonâ even think âbout it, Icy-Hot.â Bakugou drawled from beside him. Todoroki cocked an eyebrow, the only sign of emotion on his otherwise indifferent expression. âGettinâ involved with âhat extra will ruin your precious bloodline.â
You tried to forget about the cafeteria incident, but the embarrassing ordeal refused to secede from the forefront of your mind. As you lay in bed that night, your thoughts ran a hundred kilometers a minute, antagonizing and overanalyzing every second of what had happened.
As the night dragged on, your thoughts shifted from the overall event to one single individual: Shouto Todoroki. You knew who he was, of course. You didnât grow up underneath a rock. Yet, you werenât prepared for how much more handsome he was in person than on the news or in photos.
You overanalyzed everything he did in the brief two minutes you were blessed to be in his company, every word he said, and every brief flash of emotion that showed in his heterochromatic eyes. Todoroki had tried to approach you after training in Ground Beta once you had returned from the dorms, but you avoided him, not wanting to face him again so soon after the embarrassing first meeting.
By Sunday, you had begun to forget about your embarrassing cafeteria incident. Your newfound friends didnât bring up the spilled milk, and thankfully, they didnât see you slip on the chopsticks and fall into Shouto Todorokiâs muscular arms. You breathed a sigh of relief when you found out that last part. You didnât want them to think you were a total klutz.
Todoroki may think otherwise.
As you were rounding the corner to walk back up the stairs to head back to your dorm room, Todoroki happened to be walking down. You both turned at the same time and walked straight into each other.
He wasnât fazed by the sudden collision; however, you were taken completely off guard. No matter how strong you may be, suddenly walking into about a hundred kilos of pure muscle would make anyone stumble. While he remained steadily standing, you, on the other hand, fell back onto your ass.
It took about three seconds for the two of you to comprehend what the hell had just happened. You groaned out when pain flashed across your backside.
âMy apologies, I did not see you.â Todoroki said as he offered you a hand. You begrudgingly accepted his assistance, face heating as your super handsome classmate helped you to your feet for the second time in a week.
âThank you,â you bowed your head to him. You brushed away some dust from your sweatpants, finding yourself too shy to look back up.
You felt a firm, yet gentle hand land on your shoulder. You jerked your head upwards to meet Todorokiâs captivating gaze. âAre you injured?â His heterochromatic eyes searched you for any injury, and they glimmered with relief when he found none.
âNo, Iâm okay,â you reassured the male. âI may be a little bruised in the morning, but I will be fine.â Not to mention my bruised ego.
Todoroki hummed in acknowledgment, his hand still resting on your shoulder. His eyes were hyper-fixated on you, leaving you to feel bare under his intense gaze.
You shifted your weight back and forth as the silence between you dragged on for a couple more seconds. âUm, Iââ You cleared your throat. âI should be on my way now. Got things to study, you know.â You told him with an awkward laugh.
You moved to step around him when it became obvious he wasnât going to move. Your movements are what must have shaken him out of his stupor, with him bashfully stepping to the side to allow you access to the stairway.
âRight.â He said as you walked by. âTake care, Y/N.â You startled at his sudden usage of your given name, but nevertheless, you felt oddly relieved. You smiled shyly and bid him goodbye. Nothing else was said between the two of you, but you felt his eyes on you as you walked up the stairs.
I hope he likes cinnamon; you thought as you peered into the oven.
To be fair, you should have considered that before laboring for over two hours making kinako cinnamon cookies from scratchâwhich absolutely failed. Therefore, as a last resort, you were forced to run to the store and buy a box mix.
The he in question?
Shouto Todoroki.
It had been several days since your embarrassing first interaction with the dual-haired male and forty-five hours since your second, literal, run-inânot that you were keeping track, of course.
You wanted to do something nice for him as a way to apologize for your newfound clumsiness and thank him for his assistance in both instances. Your calligraphy skills were not . . . up to par, so to say, by any means, so a handmade thank-you card was off the table, and you highly doubt Todoroki was a flower guy. Not to mention his affluent background, so buying him a gift or offering to take him out to dinner was nullâand way too straightforward for two people who were barely even acquaintances.
Therefore, you were left with only one option: homemade cookies.
Besides, all the old aunties back home always said the quickest way to win anyone over was through food.
âOoooh, something smells amazing!â someone exclaimed from the stairway. Smiling slyly to yourself, you turned away from the oven to the new arrival.
You hadnât interacted much with Rikido Sato save for the casual good morning greetings and thanking him for the delicious red velvet cupcake he baked for you as a welcoming gift to U.A.
âThanks,â you said, grinning at the male.
The combined low mutterings of more approaching classmates brought your and Satoâs attention to the doorway where Mina Ashido, Eijirou Kirishima, Denki Kaminari, and Hanta Sero were entering the dorm.
âWoah something smells fantastic!â Kaminari said, gazing into the kitchen in hopes of spotting the source of the delicious scent.
âYeah, it does!â Kirishima agreed.
âOh my gosh, what is it?â Ashido asked as she walked over. Her eyes lit up when she spotted you. âL/N! Did you make something?â
âI did.â You confirmed with a slight nod. âIâm making kinako cinnamon cookies.â
âOooooh, yummy!â the pinkette exclaimed as she bounced over to peer into the oven. Your other classmates quickly joined her, all of them staring into the soft, golden light of the oven with stars in their eyes.
âThey look so good!â Kaminari was practically drooling at the tawny treats. At that moment, the timer went off with a soft ting! You politely shooed your classmates back as you pulled a hand towel over your hands.
âStep back, everyone,â you warned as you opened the oven door. âTheyâre going to be hot.â You carefully reached in and grabbed the cooking tray, cautiously sliding it off the rack and fully into your cloth-covered hands. Despite taking precautions, you hissed as the hot aluminum seeped through the towel and made contact with your flesh. As quickly as you could without dropping the pan of cookies, you turned and set it down on the kitchen island.
âThese look delicious!â
âWoah, man, they look amazing!â
âI bet they taste as scrumptious as they loââ
You zoned out the boysâ compliments as you moved to the sink and turned on the tap.
âL/N, are you okay?â Ashido asked as she followed you. Her question caught the other's attention, and they, too, turned to watch you quizzingly.
âYes, Iâm fine.â Your response ended with a wince as your skin made contact with the cool water.
âHere, let me see,â Ashido gestured to your hand. With your permission, she took your wrist with gentle fingers and held it up for you both to inspect. Your skin was reddened slightly, but it wasnât anything serious. You let out a sigh of relief. âItâs not serious, thankfully, but we should still put some burn cream on it just in case,â Ashido advised as she turned off the tap.
You nodded your head again and followed the pink-haired girl as she went to retrieve the first-aid kit. Before you walked too far from the kitchen, you shouted over your shoulder to your classmates, âPlease donât eat the cookies, boys! They are still hot and are for someone special!â
There was a noticeable delay in response to your warning. After a pregnant pause, there was a muffled, âokamph!â in response. You were about to turn around and make sure that they werenât eating your treats, but Ashido calling your name changed your plans.
âLetâs fix you up, yeah?â She said as you both entered the girls' bathroom. Ashido gestured for you to sit on the counter while she dug through the first-aid kit for burn cream.
âThank you, Ashido,â you said a few moments later as she lightly applied the cream to the worst of the reddening. Your skin wasnât blistering, which was a good sign, but it was beginning to ache.
âNo problem,â she replied. She began to gently rub the cream into your skin, mindful of the sore spots. She beamed at you as she said, âAnd you can just call me Mina. We are friends!â
You smiled at her. âOkay, Mina.â The two of you were silent for a couple of minutes as Mina continued to dress your burns.
âSo,â she started, breaking the silence. âWho did you make the cookies for?â
You sharply inhaled. âW-what? What do you mean?â You tried to play it off by playing dumb, but Mina gave you an are you kidding me look.
âDonât play that game with me, girl.â She scolded you. âSo, tell me, who is this âspecial someoneâ?â
You let out a heavy sigh, dropping your shoulders in defeat. âOne of our classmates. . .â You trailed off, turning away from the pinkette, and absentmindedly twirling a strand of hair around your finger.
Minaâs eyes lit up and her eyebrows shot up to her hairline. âOh my God, seriously?!?â She squealed. You turned to face her again. âGirl, you absolutely gotta tell me! Who is it?!â She went to grab ahold of your hands but stopped herself when she remembered your injury. âSorry.â
âItâs okay.â You said. âBut, um, Iââ You hesitated, searching for the right words, but you couldnât find them. âIâm sorry, but I canât.â You said, barely above a whisper, turning away from your classmate once more in embarrassment.
Mina leaned back, taken by surprise by your change of tone. She studied you for a few seconds, her expression falling when she saw the look on your face; the clenching of your jaw.
âItâs okay, girl,â she reassured you. She set the roll of bandages down on the counter as she finished wrapping your hand. âYou donât have to tell me who your crush is if you donât want to.â
You whipped back around to face her, eyes wide. âC-crush?!â you stammered out. âW-what?! I donât have a crush! I never said I did.â you explained.
âYeah, sure,â Mina smirked at you, her eyes sparkling with mischief. âYou wouldnât of baked cookies for them if you didnât like them.â
âUm, because Iâm nice?â you asked with a lilt in your voice. Mina does have a point, though, you thought.
Mina laughed. âYeah, sure. Letâs go with that.â
A couple of minutes later, you and the pinkette exited the bathroom, laughing over something Mina had said. Your hand had been expertly wrapped and treated with some burn cream. Your injury didnât even hurt anymore, but you were still going to check in tomorrow with Recovery Girl as a precaution.
As you rounded the corner to go back into the kitchen, you stopped dead in your tracks as your eyes fell to the now-empty pan where twenty cookies sat not even ten minutes ago. Mina stopped next to you, and you could see her giving you a questionable look, but you didnâtâcouldnâtâacknowledge her. You just stared blankly at the pan, trying to process what you were seeing.
What the hell? you thought.
âAh, man,â a voice drawled out. You slowly turned towards the source; Denki Kaminari. He was lounging against the counter as he rubbed his stomach for emphasis. âThose cinnamon kinako cookies were delicious!â Your brain blanked out when you heard that, the organ pathetically trying to comprehend and respond to the current situation.
âYouâre telling me!â Kirishima piped up from beside the blond. Sero and Sato voiced their agreement from where they were seated on the couches. âThey really hit the spot after the day I had.â The redhead noticed you and Mina. âHey, guys, welcome back!â he greeted with a wave, a broad smile overtaking his features. âHowâs your hand?â
You did not formulate an answer right away, your brain still processing the crumbled remains of your cookies. Your delay didnât go unnoticed by the others, but before they could question it, Mina came to your rescue.
âItâs okay! Y/N is alright, nothing major.â She informed them. Kirishimaâs gaze left you to focus on the pinkette by your side, but Kaminariâs remained transfixed on your blank expression.
âOh, well, thatâs great to hear! I was worriedââ
âBut you should be ashamed!â Mina cut the redhead off, tone sharp as a blade. âAll of you.â
âWhatâ?â
âMina, whyâ?â
Kirishima and Kaminari spoke at once, their voices clashing, but the pinkette interrupted them once more.
âY/N didnât make those cookies for you.â She said. âShe made them for someone special, yet you guys ate them even after she told you not to.â She just about bit the last part out. The boys gaped at Mina, her scolding catching them by surprise.
âIs that true?â Sato asked, rising from the couch to approach you. Everyone fixated their attention on you, waiting for a response.
You hesitated at the sudden limelight, and also in shyness. When you originally set out to bake the kinako cookies for Todoroki, you didnât expect them to 1.) burn your hand and 2.) for them to be eaten by others. Even though you were upset, you didnât want the others to be ashamed or scolded. But they did eat them after I told them not to, you thought, pondering your next move.
After a few moments, you squared your shoulders and steadily said, âYes. I . . . made them for somebody.â At your words, the roomâs atmosphere soured. The boysâ shoulders slumped as they realized their mistake.
âShoot, L/N, Iâm sorry,â Kaminari said, stepping forward to gently grab your uninjured hand and bow.
âYeah,â Kirishima added, scratching the back of his neck and looking away slightly. âThat wasnât really manly of us.â
Sato came to stand in front of you next to Kaminari, who still had a gentle hold of your hand. âIâll be more than happy to remake the cookies for you.â He said. âIf you want that, of course.â
You smiled, though it was closed-lipped. âThank you, Sato, but not today.â He bowed his head.
Suddenly, the front doors slammed open, startling the six of you. You all watched, shell-shackedâyou did, at leastâas a fuming Bakugou stepped inside, loudly exclaiming, âI had âhat dumbass villain handled! Damn Sidekick extra jusâ had to step ân andââ He noticed your little group gaping at him. âThe hell âre ya fools lookinâ at?â As the words left his mouth, the other two members of the infamous U.A. trio entered as well.
âKacchan,â Izuku Midoriya said, trying to placate the explosive male. âHe was just trying to . . .â The rest of his sentence fizzled into the background as the entirety of your attention span landed on Shouto Todoroki.
It had already been well-established that the youngest Todoroki son was even more handsome in person, but seeing him in his Hero costume did things to you. Your mouth almost dropped open to gawk at his god-like appearance, but you clenched your jaw tightly shut to avoid that catastrophe. Despite that, you were pretty positive your eyes were as wide as saucers, greedily taking every inch of him in as if it were the last time you would see him.
I should sue him for the cost of my medical bills when I develop heart palpitations, you thought.
âShut the hell up, ya stupid nerd.â Bakugou snapped at a sputtering Midoriya, drawing your attention once more. You could practically see the steam coming out of his ears.
âIs he always this angry?â you asked under your breath; half-serious, half-rhetorical.
âOh, yeah,â Mina confirmed, voice just as low.
Sero snickered from his post next to Sato. âYou get used to it after a while,â he reassured you.
One of Kirishimaâs blinding smiles makes its appearance once again. âKatsukiâs always been passionate about, well, everything.â He told you, not bothering to lower his voice. âItâs who he is. We love him regardless.â
Sato chimed in with, âPlatonically.â The boys snickered and Mina rolled her eyes, yet there was a small smile playing on her lips.
âEven though his sour attitude can be harsh and lowkey over the top,â Kaminari began, eyes shining with mischief. âIt sure makes him fun to mess with!â Your companions groaned in exasperation and started to voice their reservations.
âNo, Denki. Leave him beââ Mina urged him.
âAwe, come on, man. Donâtââ
âHeyy~ Katsuki,â Kaminari crooned, rocking back on his heels as the pale blondâs attention zeroed in on him. Kirishima and Sato facepalmed. âWhy have trouble catching a âdumbass villainâ?â he teased. âBad day? Your head not in the game?â The hair on your arms rose to attention as an electric charge swept the room, putting everyone on edge. Kaminariâs baiting also drew the attention of the explosive maleâs companions. Your eyes briefly met captivating graphite and turquoise, eliciting a sharp gasp to leave your lungs.
âYouâre gonna regret the day you were born, dumbass!â Bakugou bellowed, pointing an accusatory finger at the electric blond, snapping your attention from the hypnotizing gaze. You fully expected him to charge the male, already taking a cautionary step back, but instead of explosions ripping apart the building, Bakugou grunted and moved towards the showers.
Mina turned to the blond and shouted, âNow why did you do that, Denki? You know better than to rile Katsuki up like that!â
Kirishima dragged a large hand down his face before running it through his unruly red locks. âIâll go check on him,â he announced before jogging after the sandy-blond. You were at a loss for words as you continued to watch your classmates scold a shit-grinning Kaminari, not even the tiniest bit remorseful for his teasing of Bakugou.
âPlease donât take Kacchanâs rashness to heart.â A new voice piped up. You turned to meet the electric green gaze of none other than Izuku Midoriya, the new generationâs proclaimed Symbol of Peace. âIâm s-sorry, I donât think we have properly met. Iâve been in and out of campus latelyâwith missions and such.â He practically skipped over to stand in front of you. He smiled brightly as he gently took your hands in his large, calloused ones. âIâm Izuku Midoriya. Iâm so happy you are here at U.A.!â he excitedly exclaimed, lightly squeezing your entwined hands. You couldnât hide your wince and small gasp of pain as Midoriya unknowingly squeezed your burns. The green-haired male let go of your hands so fast as if he was the one burned instead of you, eyes growing wide. âOh my gosh, are you okay?!â he asked, noticing the bandages wrapped tightly around your hand. Midoriyaâs frenzy caught the other's attention, and all eyes were on you yet again.
The tips of your ears grew hot at the unwavering attention from the Heroes-in-trainingâespecially from a certain icy-hot male who made your heart falter in its beating. âY-yeah, Iâm f-fine.â You stuttered as you met each of your classmate's gazes, trying to reassure them of your stability.
âWhat happened?â Todoroki inquired, eyes hawkishly zeroed in on your face.
âU-um, well . . .â you trailed off, words fading from your brain as you slightly cowered under his unwavering attention. âIââ
âShe burned herself while baking kinako cookies,â Sero spoke for you, having caught onto your growing anxiousness. You didnât miss Todorokiâs eyes narrowing at the black-haired maleâs words. Sato and Kaminari made noises of agreement, the blond absentmindedly rubbing his stomach in content.
Midoriyaâs eyes shined. âReally? You did?!â He looked behind you to the kitchen, eyes searching for the aforementioned treats. âWhere are they?â he asked when he didnât spot any, only a plate littered with crumbs. He turned his attention back to you. You opened your mouth to answer, but a wave of shame overcame you as your eyes once again met those of the one you had made the cookies for.
Mina noticed your hesitation, giving you a knowing look as she answered for you. âThe three idiots to your left ate them all,â she said with a little bite to her words, glaring daggers at the culprits. âAfter they were specifically told not to.â She reaffirmed. The boys shuddered at the reminder of their disobedience. The pinkette turned her attention back to the green-haired and dual-haired males. âI patched her up, though. The burns are minor.â
Midoriya nodded his head in understanding. âYou should still see Recovery Girl,â he instructed, unashamedly expressing his concern for someone he had just properly met. âAt least let her take a look at it.â
âIâm going to stop by to see her in the morning,â you reassured him, words coming back now that your mind was a little clear. His shoulders slumped in relief.
âYou should rest, Y/N.â Todorokiâs searing gaze trailed over your form, calculating eyes searching for any additional outward signs of injury or discomfort. âAfter suffering an injury, no matter how insignificant, rest is important.â He softly chided.
âR-right.â You stammered out, at a loss for how else to respond to your handsome classmate's concern other than compliance. A wave of exhaustion washed over you at that moment. Your feet stumbled as you became lightheaded for a split second. You noticed the dual-haired male take a step towards you, catching onto your sudden exhaustion, but you quickly rightened yourself. âThank you, Todoroki.â Youâre not exactly sure why you thanked him, or what for. His concern, perhaps? He subtly nodded as you turned from the small group, breathlessly mumbling some sort of farewell and something about retiring to your room for the rest of the day.
The others muttered their goodbyes as you made your way to the stairwell.
As you walked up the stairs, head hung low, your throat began to burn and your vision began to blur with tears. The first one fell when you reached your floor, quickly followed by a couple more. You wiped them away, sniffing, as you made your way to your door. You didnât react to the sudden presence next to you and the weight draped around your shoulders.
Mina didnât say anything, only traced comforting circles into your back as tears flowed freely down your cheeks.
The next day, you and your classmates were gathered outside Gym Gamma for an impromptu training session. You were surprised that Class 3-A still regularly trained together, but in your defense, that assumption came from someone who didnât have many options when it came to sparing partners up until your transferâa major shortcoming in retrospect.
âToday we are working on âlast standâ combat.â Mr. Aizawa drawled in his natural I Donât Give A Fuck tone. âClose-quarter combat in which a violent assailant has obtained the upper hand and corners you in an attempt to defeat you.â He proceeded to explain the instructions of the training exercise and pair the students into groups of four who would take turns being the Heroes and the assailants.
âMidoriya will be with Jirou.â Mr. Aizawa intoned, briefly glancing at the two students to confirm they heard. âTodoroki will be with L/N.â Your muscles stiffened when you heard that. Your heart began to race as you watched the red-and-white-haired male make his way over to you.
âH-hi,â you greeted him, giving a soft smile.
âHello,â he said, politely inclining his head. âI look forward to working with you.â
âSame here.â You said before facing forward once more as the first group began their round. You and Todoroki observed the match in silence, with you paying extra attention to your classmatesâ movements and taking mental notes of how they incorporated their Quirks into hand-to-hand combat.
The sound of approaching footsteps drew your attention. Expecting the new additions to be Ochako and Asui, you turned to greet them with a warm smile but paused when instead of your friends, Midoriya and Kyoka Jirou were standing next to you, both with warm expressions on their faces.
âHi!â Midoriya greeted with a wide smile and a small wave. âIâm excited for this training exercise! Itâs going to be so cool to see everyoneâs improvement with hand-to-hand combat over the break! And any new moves! Or Quirk Awakenings! Orââ You had a hard time keeping up with what he was saying as it turned into a stuttering rant as he went on about each individualâs Quirk.
The rumors were true regarding his ramblings, you mused to yourself, wondering how long he could go on for before a small hand on his shoulder made him take pause.
âMidoriya,â Jirou intoned. âCalm down.â His cheeks flushed a bright red. He began laughing nervously while absentmindedly rubbing the back of his neck.
âS-sorry,â he said, shyfully.
âItâs okay,â you reassured him. âI agree with your stance, though. Observing others' skills is an effective way to improve your own. Get an idea or two.â You turned your attention back to the ongoing training, taking mental notes of your classmatesâ fighting stances and their defensive moves, trying to get a better understanding of the why behind them. You pulled a small item from your jacket pocket, absentmindedly rubbing it between your thumb and forefinger. The movement caught Midoriyaâs attention.
âWhat is that?â he asked, green eyes alight with curiosity.
âWhat? This?â You held up your good luck charm; a small, pink parrot keychain from a popular cartoon series you had won years ago at one of your hometownâs summer festivals. It was lucky because at the moment, while little you were trying to win, your Quirk had manifested. âItâs my good luck charm,â you explained the pink parrotâs value to you.
âOh, cool!â Midoriya exclaimed. âYou know, I used to have a good luck charmâit was my super rare exclusive All Might trading card! First edition!â His eyes shined as he reminisced. âI would bring it with me everywhere! Even Kacchanââ
âDeku,â drawled a low voice from the other side of your gathered class. The temperature fell as Bakugouâs vermillion eyes narrowed onto Midoriya. âDonât say another word.â
âHeâs such a fanboy.â Jirou chuckled, fondness seeping into her voice. Midoriya smiled sheepishly, not bothering even to try to deny the label. You spent the time until your groupâs turn getting to know the two, quickly finding out that you and Jirou share the same taste in music; vowing to swap playlists after class. You were so caught up in your conversation that you almost forgot about Todoroki's presence, if not for the awareness of a body next to you. His chilled warmth seeped into your muscles, causing you to relax one moment, and tense up another.
âAre you all right?â he softly inquired, spying your tensed posture.
âYeah, Iâm good.â You replied, softly smiling but it didnât reach your eyes. âJust a lilâ nervous, is all.â
Todoroki frowned slightly, not understanding how you could be experiencing anxiousness. âWhâ?â
âOh yeah!â Midoriya suddenly interjected. âThis is going to be your first time demonstrating your Quirk, huh?â he asked you. âOr at least this is gonna be the first time I will see it. What is it again? Objectânoâum, yeah, anyway I bet it is awesome!â His eyes still shined with his enthusiasm and curiosity. âSometime you gotta let me ask you about it! I have so many! Does it work like Ochakoâs Zero Gravity? Or Yaoyorozuâs Creation?â
You couldnât help but give a small laugh at his eagerness. You had never met someone as enthusiastic about Quirks as Izuku Midoriya. It was kind of refreshing to interact with someone as passionate as he was.
âKind of,â you began, silently pondering over what you know of the brunetteâs Quirk and comparing it to your own. âOchako and I have the same limitations when it comes to the weight of an object, but besides that, our Quirks are different.â Your Quirk was object manipulation; you could telepathically manipulate objects within a certain range. To you, your Quirk wasnât all thatâwasnât anything unique by any meansâbut to others, you were seen as a powerful goddess. âTo be honest, Iâm lacking in hand-to-hand combat skills.â You sheepishly smiled.
âReally?â Midoriya asked, blinking in shock. âI thought your previous school would have prepared you for all types of situations.â Jirou nodded her agreement with the green-haired male. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Shouto continue to observe you with a calculating expression on his face.
âUnfortunately, no.â You shrugged. âTheir curriculum was more focused on improving the individualâs Quirk than learning how to fight without it.â
âOh, wow,â Jirou said. âThat could put you at a great disadvantage down the line.â
You nodded. âYeah, I know. Thatâs whyââ You were cut off by Mr. Aizawa calling for your group to begin your training round. âWelp, this is it, I guess.â You chuckled nervously.
Midoriya gave you a reassuring smile. âYouâll do great!â he said, giving you a thumbs-up accompanied by a warm smile.
âDo your best,â Jirou added before moving towards the training pitch.
You started to follow, but a cool hand on your shoulder made you pause, shivering softly. You turned to find Todoroki giving you an expectant look. âYouâll do fine,â he said, confidently. He looked as if he put his entire faith in you. âIâll be by your side the entire time.â
You felt a surge of confidence fill you at his words. You gave him a determined look. âRight,â you said. âWe got this.â
You swear up and down his eyes twinkled when he looked at you, but it could have been a trick of the light. âYou got this.â He replied, softly. The two of you walked into the pitch together, side by side.
The training went . . . not terrible, but it could have been better on your end.
Todoroki, Midoriya, and Jirou were amazing. Even without using their Quirks, they each were a force to be reckoned with. You were captivated by how swiftly they movedâas if they were ballerinas performing Danse des Petits Cygnes.
You werenât on the same level as them and the rest of Class 3-A. You knew that, and you acknowledged it, but to see and be confronted by it so bluntly in person made you feel a whole other level of embarrassment and shame. You werenât weak by any means, you could hold your own in a fight for some time, but not like your classmates couldâand had.
Perhaps that is what separates you from your classmates. They have battle experience. Hell, they fought in a fucking war for crying out loud while you were on the other side of the country, guarding civilian shelters. You were fortunate not to see much bloodshed, but maybe that brought you to a disadvantage against these future Heroes surrounding you.
The horn had sounded as Jirou pinned you in the dirt for the sixth time, signaling the end of the round. You heard the sounds of Midoriya and Todorokiâs scuffling come to a halt from somewhere off to your left as Jirou lifted herself off of you. She offered you a hand as you began to rise from the ground. You accepted her extended hand with a grimace as the muscles in your back burned.
âNice work.â Mr. Aizawa said as the four of you approached. âYou performed adequately,â he addressed Jirou, Todoroki, and Midoriya. He turned to you. âYou, not so much.â
You flinched as the words landed home. Damn, you thought, but heâs not wrong. You had naively allowed yourself to believe that Eraserhead wouldnât call out your inferiority, at least in front of others. Then again, he was Eraserheadâinfamous for his bluntness and apathy.
âYour skills are greatly lacking in hand-to-hand combat,â he continued. âI havenât seen somebody so physically inadequate since your classmates were first years. Coming from another Hero Course, especially one with its reputation, itâs to be expected that youâre not up to par with your new classmates, but I didnât think it would be this bad.â As he spoke, he never broke eye contact with you, scrutinizing you. Even with one eye, his unrelenting gaze made you feel as if he could see every minuscule detail about you. âBased on the performance I saw today, it was a mistake to put you in this class.â
You heard a gasp from one of your classmates; its owner unknown. You gulped down your shame and remained silent. You had a feeling Aizawa wasnât finished with you.
âFrom here on out, I expect you to train harder and push yourself further than anyone else. Extra training, extra classesâanything that will make you catch up.â His eye narrowed. âIf I do not see substantial improvement in one month, you will be expelled. No exceptions.â
Your eyes widened, but your shock did not stop you from replying. âYes, sir.â You said, keeping your tone neutral as you mulled over his words. Although extreme, I understand the reason for Mr. Aizawaâs methods, you thought. Heâs right though. Iâm far from even scrapping the level these guys are on. I need to be more disciplined and work even harder if I want to stand on equal ground with my classmates. Resolve made, you promised, âI will go Plus Ultra!â
âYaass, Y/N!â Mina cheered. âWoohoo!â
Aizawa didnât say anything else to you, promptly dismissing the class. Midoriya praised your performance and commented on his wish to sit down and talk in-depth with you regarding your Quirk. You promptly accepted his request, telling him you would let him know when you were free. He smiled before walking off to join Iida and Ochako.
âIf it means anything,â a voice suddenly intoned from behind you. You spun around, having not sensed the person's approach. You werenât all that surprised to find Todoroki there, softly regarding you. âI think you did well.â
You scoffed but smiled softly. âThank you, but you donât have to patronize me. I have a lot of work to do if I want to catch up.â
âYou will,â he declared, before quickly clarifying, âCatch up. Especially with my help.â
You furrowed your brows. âExcuse me?â
âShould I repeat myself?â he inquired, his heterochromatic eyes swimming in mirth. âI will assist you in your training and classes.â
You didnât respond right away, regarding him with suspicion. You waited for him to name a condition for his help, but when he offered none, you relaxed. âThank you, Todoroki.â You inclined your head. âI greatly appreciate it.â
âShouto,â he corrected.
You blinked at him, taken aback. âWhat?â
âShouto,â he reiterated. âYou may call me Shouto. We are friends, are we not?â
You gaped at him for a moment, processing his words. âYe-yeah!â you said a little too loudly. âWe are friends, Shouto.â
The small smile that graced his lips lit up your entire world and caused your heart to speed up, pounding almost painfully against your ribcage. âMeet me here tomorrow after class.â He instructed.
âTomorrow.â You repeated in confirmation.
His smile grew a little wider. âSee you then, Y/N.â He said before turning on his heel and strolling away. You watched him go in a daze, in disbelief of what just occurred.
âOooooooo, Y/Nâs gotta date!â
You shrieked at the sudden voice and spun around for a second time to find Mina standing there, hunched over laughing at your reaction.
âMina!â you shrieked, placing a hand over your heart. âYou scared the shit outta me!â
She continued to laugh. âSorry,â she said once her laughter died down. âYou were so entranced with Todoroki that you didnât even realize I was here!â
âOh, yeah right.â You responded, playfully rolling your eyes. The two of you began to walk to the dorm. âI wasnât entranced with him.â
The pinkette gave you a look of disbelief, an eyebrow raised. âYeah, sure,â she retorted. âYou can lie to yourself all you want, but you ainât lying to me.â
You scoffed but didnât attempt to refute her claims. You put your hands in your pockets and looked to the ground, lost in thought. Mina didnât say anything else, allowing you both to walk in silence.
The next afternoon, you met Shouto at the training grounds outside Gym Gamma for your first tutored training session. He regarded you kindly as you slowly approached, suddenly feeling quite bashful.
âThank you for offering to do this, Shouto.â You said when you arrived. âIt really means a lot. I donât know how Iâm going to repay you.â
âThereâs no need for repayment.â He softly responded. âI volunteered to assist you. Therefore, no repayment of any sort is necessary.â
âAre you sure?â you asked. âI donât want to inconvenience youââ
His soft call of your name made your next words die in your throat. âI assure you, this is fine.â He said. âYour company and attention are substantial enough.â You felt your face warm at his admission. Shouto gestured towards the training pit. âShall we begin?â
He started by teaching you some stretches that are supposed to help decrease sudden muscle spasms and strengthen them. Afterward, he had you show him the little knowledge you had of hand-to-hand combat to gain an idea of where you stand in regard to U.A. training. Once you had demonstrated the few kicks and different styles of punching you knew, you turned to judge Shoutoâs impression.
Your breath caught at what you saw.
His handsome features remained stoically blank for the most part, but the pursing of his lips and slight furrowing of his brows spoke a different tale. He grumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot like they didnât prepare you at all, but you werenât one hundred percent sure.
âShouto?â you inquired, voice slightly uneven as your mouth formed the syllables of his name. âIs everything alright?â
His beautiful eyes snapped to yours, and once again you were frozen by the intensity with which he looked at you. His gaze was calculating, and you could just about see the cogs turning in his brain as he silently regarded you. A couple long moments later, his lips parted on an exhale and he finally addressed you.
âWe have a lot of work to do.â He declared. âBut we already knew that.â You slowly nodded your head, curious as to where he would be going with this conversation. âThankfully, youâre not completely helpless,â he intoned dryly. âEven though you donât have many skills regarding physical, non-Quirk combat, I have identified several places where we can start, correct, and then build on.â
You steadied yourself, resolve firmer than ever before. You declared, âIâm ready.â
Shouto gave a quick, but detailed, overview of his plans for your âtraining tutoringâ, you referred to your sessions as. He was going to teach you everything he thought you should knowâwhich was everything he knewâin order to successfully become a Hero people could rely on.
The two of you began by improving your physique. You joined him on his early morning run along with Midoriya and Bakugou, who welcomed you with contrasting fervor. When you met for your afternoon training, you would run five kilometers before learning various grades of combat moves, and then concluding your time together by sparring.
It was established early on that neither of you would use your Quirks during your tutoring as the two of you were well-adapted to your respective Quirksâand the strict rules regarding their usage.
For the next several weeks, you worked tirelessly on your training, and your dedication and hard work paid off. At your end-of-the-month assessment, Aizawa was pleased by your rapid and exceptional improvement and announced you could stay at U.A. He also informed you that it was never his intention to expel you in the first place, but nevertheless, he was impressed by your efforts.
You and Shouto continued to grow closer as time went by. You still had your training tutoring sessions in the afternoons, and you became a regular on his early morning runs. You even hung out outside of class and training; preparing pre-workout meals and drinks together, and various study sessions at all hours of the day and night. Once, you even packed him a small canister of his favorite brand of soba noodles for lunch one of the weekends he was interning at his fatherâs Agency. When he came back to the dorm after his shift, he made a beeline for you and promptly informed you that from then on out, you would be solely responsible for packing his lunches.
âNow why would I do that?â you implored. You crossed your arms, awaiting his response. âAre you gonna pay me?â
Shouto slowly blinked at you in the way a cat would. âWhy would I compensate you for an action you chose to do?â
You had no retort for that.
As you spent more time together, you noticed some changes. Shouto would stare at you for seemingly no reason, and whenever you called him out on it, he feigned innocence. He also sought you out more often, insisting on walking to your next class or to and from the dorm by your side. He even began to occupy you on your shopping runs, dutifully holding your bags for you. And whenever you would thank or compliment him, his whole demeanor would light up as if Aphrodite herself had shown favor towards him.
You werenât any better, though.
If Shouto would do so much as even blink in your general direction, your heart would soar and butterflies would take flight in your stomach. At first, you brushed it off as nerves for being the subject of the Shouto Todorokiâs attention, but you were in denial, not wanting to admit what was actually occurring. Looking back, you realized that deep down, you had known all along what was happening, but at the time, you werenât ready to admit itâto yourself and him.
Regardless of your rebuttals and lack of admission, you were falling for your dual-haired classmate, hard and fast, and there wasnât anything you could do about it.
3 months later . . .
âY/N! Itâs starting! Youâre gonna miss it!â Ochako shouted from the couches, the other girls of Class 3-A surrounding her, all dressed in comfortable loungewear. It was the class's annual Girlâs Movie Night, which was held every couple of months. Tooru told you earlier that week that they would like to have it more often, like once a month, but given their hectic and ever-changing schedules, the girls had to settle for every few months. They took turns who got to pick out the movie. It was Minaâs turn this time. True to her nature, she selected an early 2000s chick flick set in the States.
âHold on, wait for me!â you hollered back as you finished pouring the freshly popped popcorn into a large bowl, a few kernels spilling out as you whirled on your heels to sprint into the living area. You nearly tripped over Jirouâs legs as you practically threw yourself towards the last remaining free spot on the couch.
âAh, sorry!â you exclaimed as you settled yourself into the cushions, checking over Jirou and your popcorn bowl. âDid I miss anything?â
âNo, itâs just starting,â Momo said, taking a sip from her cup of tea as the opening credits began to roll.
âOoh, this is one of my all-time favorite movies!â Mina squealed next to you. âHave you ever seen it before?â she asked.
You hummed, acknowledging her question. You thought hard, trying to recall if youâve ever seen the characters on the screen before. âIâm not sure,â you said. âI donât think so.â
The pinkette gasped aloud and theatrically placed a hand on her chest, sprawling backward. âY/N! You wound me!â
Across the room, Tooru piped up from her spot next to Asui. âHow could you not have?! Itâs only one of the greatest movies ever made!â
âOh, Iâm not so sure about that,â Ochako interjected. âGonna have to disagree.â You expected them to start arguing back and forth over what is truly the greatest movie ever made, like your friends back home would have done, but they donât. Mina stuck her tongue out at Ochako before turning back to the movie.
You all watched the movie in relative silence, save for the light background noise of popcorn moving around in a bowl and slurping from a now-empty straw. It was nice, peaceful; a well-deserved and appreciated respite from the grinding hustle of being Pro-Heroes-in-training.
âJust confess already!â Jirou shouted at the screen as the main character allowed another opportunity for them to confess their feelings for their classmate slip through their fingers. âGosh!â A corner of your mouth curled at her irritation. A few grumbles of agreement sounded from the others as the movie continued playing.
You had to stifle your laughter as the main characters continued to pine after one another, completely oblivious to the otherâs growing feelings. I canât believe there are actually people in the world who are like them, you silently mused. Itâs so obvious they like each other. I canât believe they donât see it.
âUgh, the anticipation and pining is killing me!â Tooru cried out, her slippers moving frantically in the air as she kicked her legs.
Asui raised a brow. âI thought youâve seen this movie before?â
âWell, yeah, I have,â the invisible female said. âBut the suspense still gets to me!â
âIt is quite intense.â Ochako agreed. âI hope they confess soon. It hurts to see them think the other doesnât return their feelings.â
âI donât understand how they cannot.â You admitted, shrugging your shoulders. The girls turned to look at you as you continued, âI mean, theyâre so obvious.â
âYeah, itâs kinda annoying at this point,â Jirou mumbled.
Mina snickered. âY/N, as if youâre one to talk.â
You gave her a questioning look, eyebrows furrowing. âWhat do you mean by that?â
âOh, come on. Youâre so obvious, too, with your crushââ
You cut her off, âI do not have a crush.â
âYou have a crush?â Asui asked. You and Mina responded at the same time.
âNo, I donât.â
âYes, she does.â
âWhat is this about?â Momo inquired, reaching for the remote and pausing the movie.
âNothiââ you began but was swiftly interrupted by the pinkette next to you.
âY/N has a crush on Todoroki!â
The girls gasped and gapped at you, eyes wide.
âI do not!â You said, face burning as you tried to mitigate the situation. âWeâre not like that!â
âOh my.â You thought you heard Momo say under her breath, but you couldnât really hear since Tooru started shrieking with glee.
âYou guys would be the cutest couple!â she exclaimed, jumping up from her spot on the couch and racing over to pull you into a tight embrace.
âI mean, it does make sense given they spend so much time together.â Ochako mused, a finger on her chin as she considered the situation.
Asui jumped on the bandwagon with, âOh they are definitely into each other.â
âOne hundred percent,â Mina agreed.
âGirl, you gotta spill the tea!â Tooru exclaimed as she pulled away. âTell us everything!â The others voiced their agreement.
âI do admit, I am curious as to how this relationship came to be,â Momo vocalized, setting her tea cup down onto its saucer. âThat is if the two of you have gotten that far into your companionship.â
You blinked at the midnight-black-haired woman, shock clouding your brain for a moment as you processed her words. âUm, n-no. We arenât in any type of r-romantic relationship.â You clarified, but immediately you could tell certain people thought your answer was complete horse poop. âWe arenât!â
âRegardless, you guys are pretty close,â Ochako interjected. âIâve seen the way you look at him.â
Jirou nodded in agreement. âAnd all the extra training you do together.â
âThe early morning runs,â Asui added.
âOkay, okay,â you threw your hands up in a placating manner. âI understand what you guys are trying to get at, but youâre wrong.â
Mina came to stand beside you, giving you a knowing look. âGirl, Y/N,â she began. âYou can try with all your might to deny it, but itâs obvious what is really going on between you and Shouto.â She placed a delicate hand on your shoulder. âAnd I know you know it, too.â
You stared at the pinkette, pondering her and the otherâs words. You wanted to continue denying what they were saying, but you were getting tired of denying your feelings to yourself. You slumped your shoulders, the tension leaving your body as you resolved to come clean with the truthâto yourself and your friends, besides a certain dual-haired male. âAlright, fine.â You let out a heavy sigh, mentally preparing yourself for their reaction to your next statement. âI like him a little.â You confessed, looking at the floor, too afraid to meet any of their gazes.
The room was dead silent for two breaths before Mina erupted in choking laughter. ââA littleâ? Yeah RIGHT!â She laughed so hard that tears began to stream down her pink cheeks. After she managed to calm down a bit, she turned to face you fully, laying a hand on your knee. âGirl, youâre lying to yourself.â She told you, tone light yet serious. âWe have all seen the way you look at Shoutoââ the others nod in confirmation. ââand your eyes tell it all.â
You flinched as embarrassment flooded you. âIs it really that obvious?â you asked. You turned to the others to gauge their reactions. âAm I?â They all nodded.
âDefinitely.â
âFor sure.â
âWe could see it from a mile away.â
You gasped. âOh my,â you covered your face with your hands. âDo you think Shouto knows?â
âI doubt so,â Momo said. âShouto is quite intelligent and a formidable force to be reckoned with, but as Iâm sure youâre aware, his experience and understanding of social concepts and cues are fairly limited.â
âIn other words,â Jirou interjected. âHeâs none the wiser.â
You released a sigh of relief. At least he doesnât think Iâm a psycho stalker or something.
âHey, give him some credit, guys,â Ochako remarked. âTodorokiâs more aware than heâs given credit for.â
âMoving on,â Mina said. âHave you thought about confessing your feelings to him?â
You crossed your arms over your chest, shamefully looking away. âNo. . .â
âWhat?!â
âReally?!â Tooru shouted. âBut heâs so hot!â The sleeves of her shirt crossed in front of her. âI would do anything to be his girlfriend.â
You laughed. âWhile you are correct about his handsomeness, I donât even know where I would begin or how I would confess.â
âYour feelings are valid, Y/N,â Asui assured you. âConfessing oneâs feelings for another is a life-changing occurrence.â
âYou gotta do it before graduation in a couple months, though,â Ochako added. âIf not, then you may never get another chance to do so.â
âWhy do you say that?â you asked. âAs Pros, wouldnât we work together often? Why does it need to be before we graduate and turn Pro?â
âPossibly, but with our chosen line of work, there is always a possibility. . .â she trailed off with a grimace.
You understood immediately. âOh.â
âAlthough rare in the line of duty, it does happen.â Momo said. âI wouldnât worry about that though, but I agree with Ochako.â
âPlus,â Mina began, mischief glowing in her eyes. âIf the two of you get together before you make your Pro Hero debut to the world, you wouldnât have to worry about him falling in love with some random civilian he rescues on the street or another Pro.â
You nodded. âYou have a point.â
âEither way, I think it will all work out in the end,â Ochako said, her cheeks widening with her smile. âI think perhaps Shouto returns your feelings, and just simply doesnât know what to do about them or how to address them, therefore you should tell him.â The other girls voiced their agreement.
âYeah, it doesnât have to be some big romantic gesture or anything,â Jirou said.
âJust be honest with him, Y/N,â Asui said.
âYeah, girl,â Mina added, giving you a warm smile when you met her gaze. âYou got this. Besides, he canât reject you. Youâre too hot for that.â
You squared your shoulders as a burst of confidence filled you thanks to the encouragement you received from your friends. âOkay, I will!â you loudly announced. âI will confess my feelings to him!â
The others cheered as you all held up your lemon water in a faux toast. In your happiness, none of you noticed the shadows shift in the stairwell and the soft noise of retreating footsteps on the wood.
You were screwed.
âHow am I gonna tell him!?â you mewled aloud a couple of days later in the cafeteria. You dramatically slumped your forehead on the tabletop, mentally kicking yourself for allowing the girls to convince you that confessing your crush would be an easy endeavor. You felt a reassuring pat on your shoulder. Groaning, you lifted your head from the table to shoot puppy eyes at Ochako. âOchako, help me!â you cried. âHow do I confess?â
The brunette gave you a sheepish smile. âI donât know, Y/N.â She professed, her eyes apologetic. âProclaiming one's love for another isnât really my strong suit.â
âAinât that the truth,â Asui mumbled under her breath before taking a sip of her drink, receiving a glare in response.
âY/N, sweetie,â Mina cooed from your other side. âI think youâre overthinking it a little. It shouldnât be but so hard. Just be honest with him!â
âBut that is hard!â you said, waving your hands in the air. âI canât just walk up to him and say, âhey, Shouto, I think youâre really hot and amazing. Wanna go out with me?ââ
âSure you can,â Momo intoned, trying to reassure you. âMaybe not in those exact words, but when the time comes, you will know what to say.â
âI hope so,â you sighed, slumping your shoulders. âI hope so.â
As time passed, you found that you did not, in fact, know what to say when the time came to confess your feelings to Shouto Todoroki. Whenever you were near him, you became tongue-tied and could barely speak without becoming a stuttering mess. During each interaction, Shouto would give you a long, confused look, his eyebrows drawn downwards as he watched you struggle for words. He wouldnât comment on it, bless him, but he mustâve thought you to be a total weirdo.
Yet, he still accompanied you on the walk back to the dorm every day after classes ended, and he insisted on continuing your training sessions every weekend after he finished his shift at Endeavorâs Agency. The two of you grew closer, to your absolute delight, and yet you still hadnât managed to work up the courage to confess your feelings to him.
Until one day . . .
You were sitting in homeroom during free period, chatting with Midoriya about the latest episode of the rebooted All Might: The Mightiest Man TV series.
âIâm telling you, Midoriya,â you said. âIt doesnât matter how much the animation and special effects have improved, the original will always be better than the reboot.â You crossed your arms and lounged back in your chair, waiting for the forest green-haired male to start sputtering his counterargument. âYou canât change my mind. I will die on this hill.â
âAre you seriously sayinâ?â
A call of your name from a familiar tenor drew your attention. You turned towards the source to meet a pair of heterochromatic eyes. Shouto was making his way to your desk, coming to a stop right in front of you. You had to tilt your head back in order to maintain eye contact. After a moment, he turned his attention to Midoriya next to you. âPardon me, Midoriya, but I need to speak to Y/N in private.â
You and Midoriya gaped at the dual-haired male for a good twenty seconds before you slowly rose from your seat. âO-okay.â You turned to face your green-haired companion. You hoped your eyes were conveying your inner panic as you said, âMidoriya, Iâll be back.â
All he could do was nod as he watched you follow behind Shouto, wondering why you looked so panicked to go with the male. Maybe you were constipated.
As Shouto led you toward the classroom door, Ochako and Mina shot you curious glances. When you met their gazes, they gave you a reassuring smile and a thumbs up, respectfully.
âGood luck, girl!â Mina whisper-shouted.
âYou got this, Y/N,â Ochako said. You tried to match her comforting smile with your own, but it didnât reach your eyes.
You followed behind the dual-haired male, silently wondering what was going on. Once you were outside the classroom, he led you down the hallway to a little corner nook bathed in the golden light of the afternoon.
âShouto, is everything okay?â you asked, anxiously shifting from one foot to the other. âIs something wrong?â At your inquiry, he finally came to a stop in front of a set of windows and turned to face you.
âYes, everything is fine.â He reassured you. âI have something Iâd like to discuss with you.â
You blinked. âOkay,â you said. âShoot.â
Shouto likewise paused at your usage of unfamiliar slang but didnât comment on it. âUm,â he started, but drifted off, not finishing the thought. He opened his mouth only to shut it again after a moment or two without making a sound. You furrowed your brows as you continued to watch him struggle for words.
âUm, Sho?â you prodded. He didnât respond, however, still thinking over his next words. Shouto never hesitates, you thought with a mixture of wonderment and anxiety. Is something bothering him? you thought with growing concern. You felt your heart come to a skittering stop as another horrifying conclusion came to mind; am I the problem?
âI overheard you and the other girlsâ conversation on Movie Night,â he confessed at last, interrupting your spiraling train of thought. He bashfully looked away as if he was ashamed.
âOh, okay?â you responded, absentmindedly going through the events of the night in question. Your heartbeat began to calm down to a normal rate. âWhat conversation?â You couldnât think of anything in particular and were about to ask him to elaborate before the realization hit you like a freight train.
âI like him a little.â
âOkay, I will! I will confess my feelings to him!â
âYeah, girl, you got this. Besides, he canât reject you. Youâre too hot for that.â
Oooohhhhh.
Fuck.
Maybe he didnât hear that particular part of the conversation! You tried to reassure yourself as you waited for Shouto to answer your question. Your heart rate picked back up as panic began to settle in. We were there for several hours. There is so much he couldâveâ
âYou have an admiration going on.â You hate to admit you gawked at him for a couple of seconds before his formal wording translated into modern speech. You have a crush.
FUCK!
âOh my God, I am so sorry!â you rushed out, trying to save face and whatever friendship you had with Shouto. You felt your cheeks burn. âPlease, just forget you ever heard that!â
Shouto snapped his head to you as your words registered in his brain. âWhy would I do that?â he asked after a moment. âWe live in the same building with shared living space, barely anything is not overheard by another.â
Oh God, how much did he overhear?
âBesides,â he continued. âAt our age, it is completely natural for one to harbor feelings for another.â
You blinked at him as his words registered, your cheeks now tingling due to the burn. Gosh, he sounds like a grandpa giving the birds and the bees talk.
âItâitâs j-just,â you stammered. âI-I-Iââ You let out a harsh breath in frustration when your words continued to fail you. Shouto raised a brow before his eyes narrowed. Your heart sank when you saw that.
Oh great, heâs annoyed!
âAre you all right?â he asked before moving so he was right in front of you. You squeaked at the sudden warmth of his body heat as he placed a hand on your forehead. âDo you feel ill? You feel warm, and your face looks to be flushed with some perspiration gathering on your forehead.â His eyes frantically looked you up and down as he examined you for any further signs of sickness. âI should get you to Recovery Girl.â
âN-no!â you exclaimed when he went to sweep you off your feet. âSh-Shouto, IâIâm fine, really. Iâm n-not s-sick.â
âOh?â Shouto blinked in confusion and, adorably, subtly tilted his head to the side. âThen why are you so febrile? And you are stuttering?â
âItâs not because I am sick. Iâm just em-embarrassed.â You whispered the last part, and you couldnât help but look away from Shouto in shame.
âEmbarrassed? Why are you embarrassed, Y/N?â You shut your mouth, refusing to speak. Shouto sensed your hesitation. The light slowly left his heterochromatic eyes and he bashfully looked away from you. âIs . . . is it because you donât want to be seen with me?â he asked. âFor fear that your crush will see us together and not return your affection?â
You let out a gasp in surprise. âWhat? No!â You are quick to reassure himâyour actual crushâof your intentions. âThatâs not it at all!â
Shouto met your gaze again. His eyes lit up with what looked like . . . anticipation? Hope? You werenât sure, but your heart began to race in trepidation. âThen what is it?â
âI like you,â you blurted out. You shut your eyes and covered your face with your hands, trying to hide from your drowning embarrassment. âLike, not even a little bit, but, like, really, really like you.â You whispered from behind your hands.
There was no immediate response from the dual-haired male. You didnât dare to remove your hands from your face to check if he was still standing in front of you.
He probably didnât hear me. You internally slapped yourself upside the head.
Before you could react, Shouto was carefully removing your hands from your face. His touch was gentle, like he was afraid you would crack and break under his fingertips. âWhy are you hiding from me?â he whispered. Your breath caught in your throat as you stared wide-eyed at him.
âIâI.â Despite your efforts, words werenât able to come out of your mouth.
âYou should never feel like you need to hide,â he continued. He let out an airy tsk before he reached his hand up and gently tucked a piece of stray hair behind your ear. You felt your face heat up even more at the action. âEspecially from me.â
What.
âW-what?â you voiced aloud. You blinked a couple times, trying to bring your brain back from the brink of short-circuiting.
Shouto chuckled lowly, moving impossibly closer into your space. âI think you need to get your hearing checked out, love.â
You blinked some more. âWhat?â
âHave I broken you?â he asked, the corner of his perfect lips turning up at the thought. âFirst you forget your words, and now you have lost your hearing. . .â he trailed off as he continued to stare intently into your eyes.
What is he playing at. . .? you wondered as you blankly stared at him.
The two of you stood there and took each other in for quite a while. In reality, it mustnât have been for very longâat most a minute and a halfâbut to you, it felt like hours. You were so close you could see the light reflecting in his heterochromatic eyes and the small streaks of gray in the turquoise-colored one.
âI . . . like you, too,â Shouto suddenly confessed, violently snapping you out of the daze his proximity causes. âI have harbored feelings for you for some time now.â
WHAT!?
âYou . . . do?â you asked, skeptical. You were hesitant to believe his words in fear that this whole thing was some sick prank. Butâ
No. Shouto isnât that type of person, you thought. He barely understands humor as it is, so he must be telling the truth.
âI do,â he confirmed.
âOh, um.â You fumbled again for words, embarrassment flooding your entire system once more. You licked your dry lips, missing the way Shoutoâs eyes locked onto the movement. âCool.â
Shouto blinked at you, one of his perfect eyebrows raising. âCool?â he repeated with a sly smile overcoming his lips.
âMhm.â You dumbly nodded. âCool.â You paused before muttering a small, âDitto.â
He chuckled again, subtly moving the tiniest bit closer to you. He was just about crowding you into the corner at this point. âDitto, huh?â He mumbled under his breath with a widening smirk playing at his lips. âI think I have broken you, dear.â
You grinned. âPerhaps.â Shouto chuckled again before falling silent. The two of you stared at the other, lost in each otherâs gazes.
âCan I kiss you?â He spoke on an exhale, his deep voice somehow even deeper. Before you could internally flip the fuck out and fully comprehend what was happening, you were already nodding. That was all the confirmation Shouto needed before he brought your lips in for a sensual kiss. Fireworks exploded behind your eyelids as you relaxed into him.
You smiled into the kiss. Thank you, chopsticks.
The next day, you and Shouto walked into the classroom holding hands. Everyone collectively stopped what they were doing to openly gape at the two of you as Shouto, always the gentleman, escorted you to your seat. The shocked silence lasted all but three seconds before Mina and Tooru let out ear-piercing shrieks and practically tackled you.
âOh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!â Mina was shouting meanwhile Tooru was holding onto you so tight to the point that she was nearly crushing you into her invisible body.
âAHHHH, I knew this was gonna happen!â she exclaimed before somehow pulling you in closer.
âCanât . . . breathe.â You wheezed out before your boyfriend pulled you away from the two fangirls and protectively held you to his chest.
âI would be grateful if you didnât crush my girlfriend to death, Tooru.â He intoned in his naturally dry tenor. His statement only made them freak out even more.
âAh! Look at the two love birds!â Ochako swooned.
âFuckinâ disgustinâ,â grumbled a deep voice from somewhere in the back of the room.
Before you could turn to shoot Bakugou a death glare, Shouto was already clapping back. âWhat, are you jealous, Bakugou?â
The desks which had surrounded the blond a moment prior were blown to shiverines.
âIâLL END YOU!â
Fin.
â extras: snapshot 1, snapshot 2, fic tag
No plagiarizing, re-uploading, translating, or copying of any kind or on any platform of my writing or inserted into any type of AI generator. Do not recommend my work on TikTok. Do not repost on YouTube.
prompt: being the same age as Aang, mostly the avatar has it perks considering you two are polar opposites
đ àŸàżitâs dead ass funny seeing two 12 years argue who sheds more, momo or appa. Katara would have to pull you off of Aang before you slap this little Mr clean head ass boy.
đ àŸàżfor shits and giggles, you have definitely got launched in the air. You were begging Aang to just launch you in the air. Because you always dreamed of it since you met this airbender.
đ àŸàżAang is pretty much protective of you if you canât bend. So if you are a non bender, you better believe this boy makes sure you are by his side at all times of the traveling. Even after he finishes the Hundred year war. Heâs the avatar, of course thereâs still petty ass people after him.
đ àŸàżnow if you werenât a non bender and had a bending skill of some sort, he is still protective of you. You could be a master at bending, and this dude will still make sure you are behind him in danger. You two are such a powerful duo when bending, now a good trio is you, toph, and Aang at all once.
đ àŸàżyou two are basically platonic soulmates who are always found by each other. Like that one time you went to go shopping at a market, and Aang followed you secretly since itâs his job to protect you at all time. Or that one time you lost Aang in the crowd and he immediately found you by your voice in an instant.
đ àŸàżâIâm gonna kill that assholeâŠâ âplease donât.â Those words basically describes your friendship with Aang. Literally after Aang got his grow spurt and he was taller than you, you better believe this now wise boy would put you on his shoulder to drag you away from fights.
đ àŸàżyou are the chaos in the peace and he is the peace within the chaos. You two are two peas in a pond, yin & yang. You have your moments where itâs the opposite sometimes. But whereâs the fun when you create the problems whilst Aang has to drag you away from causing more problems.
đ àŸàżsmack his headâŠhe dares you. He knows you do it for jokes. But this boy is tired of having red hand marks on his head and feeling the painful burn.. if you did one more time, he is actually putting you in rock time out. You could try to get out. But this airbender is making sure he is having a kick out of this.
đ àŸàżwhen training with Aang, he tries to go easy on while you donât. Of course you care about Aang deeply like he does for you, but you ainât no pussy. You literally used chi blocking on him cause he hesitated blasting you away with his airbending. At the end you had to smack his head for trying to not blast you. And of course he still didnât learn his listen as he just dodges.
đ àŸàżAang is very affectionate person, everyone knows that. So of course he is holding your hand, waist if you allow it, wrap his arm around your shoulder. He might not be that much of a touchy person, but it feels nice to have the person thatâs like his other half by him.
đ àŸàżcuddles is a must if you or him have a bad day. Yes you once snored while trying to move away from the airbender in your sleep. Aang wasnât letting that happen at all cause he pulled you to his chest as he falls asleep.
đ àŸàżrandom arguments with Aang is also a must as you two argue over the most stupidest things ever. Say for example, your favorite book was gone. So you accused Aang of using it for something actually dumb. Aang got offended as he dramatically gasp and blamed you instead for being so dense for not keeping up with your stuff. And thatâs where you would tackle him and start hitting his head. Mostly smacking his bald head cause itâs funnyđ
đ àŸàżI can see you trying to ignore Aang for something petty, and Aang is not having it as communication is key. He will literally pick you up over his shoulder and put you down so he can talk to you face to face. Heâs serious about you, so of course heâs not letting you be this petty.
đ àŸàżyk how Aang had his hair grown out, yeah you actually liked it grown out like that. It was cute and you told him that in confidence. At first he thought you were lying so you can make fun of it. But when he saw how you kept playing with his hair. He actually was thinking about keep his hair grown out like this. His darkish brown hair was suiting on him. Heâd actually fall asleep with his head on you as you play with it.
đ àŸàżAang will never forget the moment he almost went avatar state for you. All because you wanted to be reckless and almost died. A fire nation soldier tried to burn you alive, but you were quick to dodge it. While for Aang, he didnât get a clear view to see if you dodged it or not. So this manâs tattoos glowed scared and worried. Mostly angry if you died as he was about to burn the solider. Kyoshi was telling him to. But that all stopped when you grabbed his shoulder. Aang stops to look at you and hug you tightly, his heart went back to normal sped.
đ àŸàżto end this off, you guys are practically platonic soulmates who are made to be by each otherâs side. Aang agrees and you, you just nod while you stuff your face in food. And Aang eats calmly compared to you. So if you choke on your food, he is smacking the shit out of your back worried if you actually choke on your food.
Aang: All life is sacred. I cannot, and will not, compromise my values. I mustn't take even just one life. Even if it's a monster's life, my philosophy â my culture's philosophy â is to avoid taking life at all costs. As much as you'll try to drill it in me, it's not who I am. I'm not going to kill the a single living creature, not even the Fire Lord.
It was a sunny Friday morning on the Jujutsu high school campus, where the four friends were on their break happily chatting about different youth topics.
Everything seemed to be going completely normal until the young y/h notices her close friend Satoru somewhat distracted and not with his smiling and joking personality.
Clearly noticing that lack of spark in his best friend, he decided to gently ask.
-"Gojo, what has you so distracted this morning? Usually you would have already made at least 3 different jokes" And the young woman was not lying, it was normal to see Gojo joke or chatter about something or simply laugh loudly, so finding him in That state was very strange.
After y/n had asked that question, Geto nodded agreeing with the young woman and said
- "It's true, what's happening with you?"
Gojo, who was absorbed in his thoughts moments ago, now faced the expectant gaze of his friends.
Scratching his hair nervously, he understands that it is time to declare what has kept him so silent.
-"You see, it's something about my father, he said something so stupid - he says trying to control his bad mood as he remembers - "he said I should take my girlfriend to my family's celebration this weekend"
As soon as you heard Gojo and girlfriend in the same sentence you feel a little disappointed, since you always felt something for your best friend, the white-haired one, but you never did anything to confess it, because everyone knew about the reputation of a womanizer that he has and you didn't want to ruin the friendship you've had since They were kids.
Shoko noticing your small disappointment (she was the only one to whom you had confessed your feelings for the young man of the Gojo clan) decides to ask to lighten the situation.
-"We could have the honor of knowing who the unfortunate one is, who is "Does your girlfriend call? Because as far as I know you've never had a girlfriend and the one that lasted a day and a half doesn't count" the young woman accused with a smile on her face.
At this question you and Suguru smile in attendance, although your smile was incomparable to that of Geto who was ready to laugh at the situation.
Gojo scratches his hair again more nervously and avoids your gaze
- "Well there's the problem (he sighs ready to give his statement) he thinks that you and I are a couple"
The black-haired man and the brunette burst out laughing but instead you You are completely reflected, on the one side you felt happy because you always wanted to have a relationship with the young man, but on the other sidd you are scared that the mere thought of being in a relationship with you is what has Gojo so disappointed.
So without thinking much you ask the white haired boy.
-"And what did you say to your father?" If you analyzed it a little, you would notice the desperation in your tone.
The three young people were waiting for the sky-blue eye's response.
-"I told him if I would take you to the party this weekend," he says, already showing his smile.
-"WHAT!? Did you go crazy Satoru? Are you lying to your father" and you couldn't blame his father since you and Gojo were inseparable and several times they have confused you with being a couple, but this time it was different, very different.
-"Don't worry, y/n, we just have to pretend that we are a couple for this weekend and everything will be fine," said the white-haired man, trying to reassure you. He is the same again, downplaying the matter, you respond
- "But it's totally different, plus it was just once to get those free sweets on Valentine's Day!!"
Shoko and Geto only exchanged funny and expectant glances because they both knew things and understood where this whole thing would lead.
-"Pleeaase Y/n just for this weekend" Gojo said in a pleading tone.
You decided that you would ignore your feelings, although that would cost you dearly later, or at least that's what you thought, and you would help your friend this time.
You sigh exhausted and nod saying
- "It's okay Toru, you win"
The white-haired boy smiles and jumps to hug you, which caught you quite off guard and a small blush that you tried to hide appeared on your face.
"Then get ready because tomorrow at eight pm I will have to pick you up to go to the party"
You nod and when you were going to answer the bell rings indicating that they should go back to class, the two sorcerers get up and say goodbye, leaving them alone.
Shoko, who notices your sadness no matter how much you try to hide it, says
- "Everything will be fine Y/n, it's just a party and maybe you won't even meet his father, you already know what their relationship is like"
if you knew that and that wasn't it. What worries you so much, but that you didn't want to hurt yourself by playing with your feelings, you felt like you were deceiving yourself.
You sigh and nod
- "It's just a party, what could go wrong?"
You clearly had no idea what that Saturday night would bring you.
This is probably the best thing I've read in months, just beautiful.
đ€
Little Lies
Pairing: Sirius Black x Fem! Reader
Summary: James asks Sirius and Y/n to pretend to date after he blurts out they are to Lily.
Word Count: 11.4k
Warnings: smut 18+, male masturbation, oral fem receiving, fingering, unprotected sex (pls be so careful!), reader wears a bikini top, and jealousy
A/N đ Hope you all enjoy this; it's been my baby for a while!
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âI may have severely fucked up.â James sighs, his features tight with guilt as he stands before you. His chest is heaving like he has run all the way to youâitâs a likely theory.
Remus glances up from beside you; the two of you had been buried in your homework in the common room when James came racing in. Heâs disappointed that James has disrupted the productive atmosphere. Thereâs no way that you or Remus will be continuing to work on your essays.
His admission doesnât surprise you; James has come to you countless times seeking assistance after making a mistake. Being best friends since you were born, youâve grown accustomed to being the one to untangle his messes.
Your parents were best friends, which meant that you and James were also raised to be. There wasnât a memory that you could recall that James wasnât in. It ended up working; to both of your mumâs excitement, you and James were inseparable. As the levelheaded one between you, you often found yourself trailing after James, tasked with picking up the pieces.
It was in the aftermath of pranks spiraling out of control, times when he impulsively voiced things he really shouldnât have, or instances when he procrastinated excessively on his work, inevitably turning to you for help with his essays. Surprisingly, itâs become almost amusing to you, a reliable routine in your friendship.
You undeniably held the title of James Potterâs best friend.
Your eyes narrow skeptically, folding your arms over your chest, âDefine severely.â
His demeanor turns sheepish as he nervously rubs the back of his neck, his gaze drifting away from you. He looks incredibly uncomfortable, âI donât think youâre going to like it.â
âYouâre not starting off strong.â You snark, an amused smile finding its way onto your lips. Remus chuckles next to you.
âY/n.â James sighs, his expression urging you to stop your teasing.
âJames.â You mimic.
He shoots you a glare, eyes narrowed in mock irritation, âLily and I were chatting, like really chatting,â He begins, sighing obnoxiously as he settles into the chair opposite you, his expression a grimace. âShe told me why she hasnât taken me seriously when I flirt with her.â
You pause, confusion etching into your features, âAnd where exactly did you severely fuck up?â
"She thought we were a couple." He says, his hands gesturing wildly between the two of you, his expression a mix of incredulity and amusement. "Can you believe that? You and me?â
You can believe that, actually. You and James have been mistaken for a couple more times than you can count. Even your parents were convinced the two of you would end up together. While you had told them it wasnât going to happen, you were convinced they were still holding out hope.
You furrow your brows as you watch him a tad uneasy, âOkay, and where did you severely fuck up in this?â
âI panicked, okay?â James looks guilty when he blurts this out. He nearly shouts it, and Remus hushes him. âShe said it wasnât fair for me to flirt with her because of you. She didnât want your feelings to be hurt and wouldnât listen when I said we were just friends. And I panicked.â
âMate, get to the bloody point.â Remus huffs out, tired of James dragging out the story. Nothing bothered Remus more than when James or Sirius took an eternity to get to the point of their story.
âI told her youâre dating Sirius.â James grimaces, shifting nervously.
âWhat?â You hiss, your palms smacking onto the table, causing James to flinch, âHave you taken too many hits to the head? James, we are not dating!â
James protests, panicking, "But Lily doesn't know that! If you two could just pretend-"
"No, absolutely not! That is going too far." You snap, sending James a frustrated look, while Remus is chuckling to himself next to you.
"Y/n, please. This could be it! My chance with Lily!" James pleads. Heâs desperate to try and salvage the plan he had put all his hopes on.
"Starting your new relationship with a lie, are we?" You snap, massaging at your temples. Most of the stress is from spending too many hours studying, but James is undoubtedly making it worse.
James shrugs, a mischievous smirk starting to form, "Well, not really. You and Sirius already flirt a lot. Itâs not that far off from the truth."
James was well aware of your feelings for Sirius; he had watched how you nervously stumbled over your words the first day you met Sirius. He had never seen you like that before, eyes lit up with inflation at first glance.
While he occasionally teased you about it, he understood that what you felt for Sirius was deeper than just a crush. Though you would never admit it out loud.
Your frustration grows, "It absolutely is far off from the truth. Lily probably didnât even believe you! There's no evidence for her to believe the idea that we are together.â You cry, disbelief evident in your voice. James's casual attitude only adds to your frustration. He doesnât seem bothered in the slightest.
Remus interjects, an amused scoff escaping him, âThere's evidence to believe it."
"Are you joking?" You deadpan, your voice full of incredulity. Remus sends you a teasing smirk. He considers how Sirius flirts with you more than anyone else, but he doesnât want to deal with Sirius furious at him.
Ever since you met Sirius, you have had a crush on him. Realistically, you knew it was pointless; Sirius had a fan club of admirers. So, you counted yourself lucky that you were one of his closest friends. Being his friend was manageable, and quite honestly, kept your expectations in check.
But Sirius acting like he had feelings for you? You wouldnât handle that well.
James interjects, "Lily believed it. She even said she wasn't surprised."
"But she thought you and I were together?" You ask, sarcasm dripping from every word.
Your tone was snippier than you intended, but you could feel the stress building. The mere thought of pretending to be with Sirius made you feel nauseous.
"She might've just been jealous, wanting to know if you had feelings for James before she finally goes for him." Remus says casually, and James' eyes light up in excitement.
James is positively giddy as he leans forward, âYou think she was jealous?â
"Does Sirius even know?" You interrupt, catching James's eye. He glances at Remus, clearly hoping to hear more about Lilyâs supposed jealousy.
James shakes his head, and you scoff, opening your mouth to enlighten James on why you think this is a bad idea. Before you can say anything, Remus cuts you off, âHereâs your chance to tell him.â
You glance up to see Sirius walking through the library, and you resist letting out a lovesick sigh at how effortlessly handsome he is.
Your stomach plummets at the sight of a stunning girl effortlessly chatting with him. His laughter rings out, causing unease to settle in your stomach.
If he was close enough, you probably wouldâve tried to eavesdrop.
Despite not knowing her name, you know sheâs a Gryffindor; youâve seen her in the common room. James nudges you, and when you glance at him, he sends you a knowing look.
"Glad to see you guys are having study dates without Peter and me." Sirius calls, settling into the seat next to James and patting him on the shoulder in greeting.
Relief washes over you as you notice that the girl who was with him a second ago is long gone. He glances over at you, and pauses in surprise at your disgruntled expression, "You okay?"
Remus chuckles at the question, finding the harsh look you shoot James hilarious. Itâs clear that heâs finding this entire situation entertaining.
âAsk James about what he told Lily.â You say, voice strained with irritation. James sends Sirius a nervous smile, and Sirius looks at him oddly.
"What'd you do?"
Sirius asks, his eyes darting back to you, taking note of your frustrated expression. Your stomach tightens with nerves, scared of Siriusâ reaction. Remus leans back in his chair, excited to see how this will all play out.
"Lily and I were talking today," James sighs, "and she wouldn't stop going on about how she thinks Y/n is in love with me and that it's not fair for me to flirt with her because I could be hurting her."
"She thinks I'm in love with you?" You shriek, oblivious to the barely visible flinch on Sirius' face at James' words. Remus catches it, his grin getting bigger.
James ignores you, âAnyways, I said that itâs not a problem because you and Y/n are dating.â James finishes cautiously, his gaze locked on Sirius, curious for his reaction. Your breath is caught in your throat, your eyes fixed intently on Sirius, awaiting his reaction as well.
"You told Lily that Y/n's my girl?" Sirius inquires casually, causing your stomach to somersault at his words. You force yourself to focus on James instead of the warmth creeping into your skin.
"I panicked, and that's what came out. So, if you guys could pretend you're madly in love, that would be great!" James claps his hands together, and you feel the urge to wack him. You're prepared to snap at him, to explain why asking this of you both isnât right.
But then Sirius shrugs, "Sure, shouldn't be too hard, right, sweet girl?" He says, and your legs feel like jelly.
You're floundering, not having expected Sirius to agree. Heâs never maintained a steady relationship, so pretending that heâs dating you is a big ask. His agreement sends your mind spiraling with different scenarios. For a brief second, you wonder if he agrees so easily because he has feelings for you. But you quickly shut down that thought.
Youâre delusional. You truly are.
"Sure, that shouldn't be too bad." You agree, hoping you appear casual about this.
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"I need you two to amp it up. Lily is eating breakfast with us today." James directs, causing you to glance up from your breakfast, disbelief etched into your features. He takes a bite of bacon and casually observes you as though his request is perfectly normal.
"We've switched spots, is that not enough for you?" You ask sarcastically, and Remus shakes his head, wearing an entertained smile as he continues eating breakfast. He can tell you're panicking about pretending to be with Sirius; itâs painfully obvious to everyone at the table.
You're usually seated between James and Peter, but when you attempted to slide into the seat this morning, James slammed his hand down on the seat and instructed you to sit next to your boyfriend, wearing a smug smile. Peter snorted softly but quickly replaced it with a sympathetic smile, silently apologizing for his reaction.
"I mean, we all know Sirius is into PDA, and you look terrified to even be sitting next to him." Peter points out, and you find yourself scrabbling.
Were you two supposed to be super affectionate? Would Sirius find it weird if you initiated it? Questions are flooding your mind leaving you feeling overwhelmed.
"I am not terrified. I just donât know how to act." You insist.
"Act like youâre in love with him; it shouldnât be too hard, right?" James quips, earning a glare from you. He responds with a playful wink.
"The boys are right. You need to sit closer to me.â Sirius declares as his arm slips around your waist, pulling you closer to him. You squeak his name in surprise, flustered at how easily he moves you. The boys chuckle at your bewildered expression, finding your embarrassment hilarious.
You feel disappointed when he releases you. Even more so when he doesn't pull you flush against him. Instead, your shoulder to shoulder, the distance between you both feeling more pronounced than ever.
"I'm still waiting on the PDA." Remus says with a playful smirk; his eyes are full of mischief when you glance at him.
You elbow Remus in the side, and he playfully nudges you back, causing you to bump into Sirius' side. Sirius surprises you by wrapping his arm around you, keeping you against him while playfully calling out, "Oi, back off, mate." Being pressed against his side causes warmth to spread through you as you lean further into him.
James watches as Sirius's cheeks flush, a soft smile on his face as he gazes down at you. You appear flustered but content, being so close to him, and James can't help but grin at the two of you.
"We're not going to be all over each other." You say, attempting to distract yourself from the fact that youâre pushed up against Sirius.
"Why not?" James leans forward with a grin, clearly finding everything about this entertaining. âThat is what most couples do. Plus, Sirius openly flirts with everyone. But he wonât kiss his own girlfriend? Itâs not believable.â
âMerlin, we should have talked about this last night.â You mumble under your breath, and Sirius chuckles beside you. He's entirely at ease. It doesnât seem like he has any worries about pretending to be your boyfriend. With that observation, you try not to let your worries spiral out of control.
"Listen, we can do whatever you're comfortable with. If you don't want to kiss, then we don't have to," Sirius tells you gently, "but it would be sort of odd for us not to be somewhat affectionate."
The last thing he wants to do is make you feel uncomfortable. But there's a rush of exhilaration at the thought of holding you close and calling you pet names that were once off-limits. And the thought of possibly kissing you?
Surviving that would be inconceivable for him.
"You're right," You nod. âLet's just start off slow. It will be weird if we're all over each other today when we didnât even sit together yesterday."
"Yeah, yeah! Flirt, be a little touchy, throw some cute pet names in here, will you, Sirius?" James calls out with great enthusiasm. You send him a look that you hope he understands as shut the fuck up. He doesnât acknowledge your discomfort. Instead, he makes a heart shape with his hands, which adds to your annoyance.
Sirius presses a quick kiss to your temple, âFuck off, mate. I know how to flirt with my girlfriend, right baby?â You freeze, your eyes widening in disbelief, while the boys laugh at your reaction. How exactly were you supposed to survive this?
You fall into a comfortable silence, happy to enjoy your breakfast as James issues his warnings to the boys, ensuring they behave themselves. Remus, with a subtle eye roll, acknowledges James's words while Peter nods emphatically in agreement. While, Sirius simply outlines every embarrassing memory he plans to share with Lily.
âY/n, get your man in check.â James complains in mock irritation, throwing a grape at Sirius, who dodges it.
"Good morning." Lily greets quietly. You all turn to see her approaching, her expression a mix of embarrassment and hesitance, as if she's debating whether to turn around and go to her usual spot down the table.
James abruptly stands up, his hip thumping into the table. He stifles a wince, trying to maintain his composure as he greets Lily, who tries unsuccessfully to suppress a smile at his reaction. Remus cringes and turns back to his breakfast, unable to look at James.
"Y'ready for this?" Sirius leans in, his voice lowered to a hushed tone meant only for you, effectively pulling you away from eavesdropping on James and Lily's conversation. You glance up at him, surprised to find youâre a mere inches away from him.
You're so close that you could individually count each of his eyelashes if you wanted.
You still feel the warmth of his breath mingling with yours, creating an intimate connection between the both of you.
It feels like a magnetic pull draws you closer, tempting you to tilt your head forward and touch his lips with yours. The urge to kiss him is so strong that it nearly knocks the breath from your lungs.
You clear your throat, attempting to push the thought from your mind. "I think so. We're newly dating, so don't go overboard with it." You remind him, a gentle smile playing on your lips.
âWhen have I ever gone overboard with anything in my life?â The smile he gives you is teasing, and it makes your heart pound to have him this close, his eyes sparkling as he smiles at you.
You hum softly in response, âI can think of quite a few times.â
His voice carries a flirtatious tone, âCan you?â
âGood morning, Lily.â Peter's gentle voice steals your attention away from Sirius. Disappointment and longing settle in his stomach as he watches you pull away and turn to greet Lily, that sweet smile now directed at her.
Lily settles between Peter and James. For a quick second, you feel a pang of jealousy because that's your spot. But when you notice James's pink cheeks and flustered expression, you forget all about it. All you want for James is for him to be happy, and having Lily near seems to do just that.
Breakfast goes smoothly. Lily fits seamlessly into your group, and you can tell it makes James giddy. He doesn't even mind not getting to talk to Lily much. He simply enjoys seeing the girl he's so hopelessly infatuated with getting along so well with his best friends.
You and Sirius aren't acting much differently than you normally do, just sitting close to each other and chatting. However, when Lily turns to you and Sirius, a wave of nervousness washes over you.
âI was so excited to hear you guys were together!â
"Oh yeah? So you can finally go for James with a clear conscience?" Sirius grins, teasing Lily, who looks thoroughly embarrassed. You nudge Sirius in the side, and he responds by giving your hip a gentle squeeze. James sends Sirius an incredulous look, which he pointedly ignores. While Remus and Peter chuckle at the playful banter.
Lily tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and clears her throat; her cheeks tinged with a hint of pink. "Uh, no, just that you two have obviously had feelings for each other for years. Everyone knew."
You're at a loss for words. Is that really what people thought? Clearly, they read you right, but you werenât sure what to think about Sirius having feelings for you. Maybe he did, or maybe they were mistaking it for how he constantly flirted with you. But that was just how Sirius was; it didnât necessarily mean he had romantic feelings for you.
"Haven't gotten her out of my head since the day I met her." Sirius says casually, his right elbow resting on the table as he pops a piece of bacon into his mouth. His other arm remains securely wrapped around your waist, holding you close to his side with a gentle yet firm embrace.
You look at him in shock, your eyes widening at his unexpected confession. Even the boys look slightly startled at Sirius' words, their eyes darting between you and him.
âThatâs so sweet.â Lily says softly, her eyes glowing with genuine happiness as she sends you a warm smile. The sight tugs at your heartstrings but also stirs up guilt in the pit of your stomach. Lying always made you feel uneasy like a weight was pressing down on your chest.
"Sirius, I can't believe you thought that sheâ" Lily begins, her voice trailing off as James interjects, his interruption tinged with a hint of urgency.
"Okay, love! I think I should walk you to class, don't y' think?" James stands up from the table, extending his hand towards Lily.
Lily looks slightly confused, but she takes his hand nonetheless. As they walk away, James glances back and sends a wink in Sirius' direction. Your attention immediately shifts to Sirius, curiosity written all over your face as youâre about to ask about Lily's interrupted comment.
Sirius cuts you off before you can ask, shaking his head with a gentle smile and flushed cheeks, "Don't even bother asking; Iâm not telling you what she was talking about.â
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Youâre curled up next to Peter on the common room couch, both of you chatting quietly together. For the last twenty minutes, he has been feeding you details about the Ravenclaw girl he has a crush on. He's sworn you to secrecy. Hoping for your advice on asking her out without enduring the teasing of the rest of the Marauders. Your gasp of excitement nearly gives away the secret, but you quickly compose yourself, offering a reassuring smile to Peter.
"Who is she?" You ask, excitement laced in your voice, but Peter sends you an apprehensive look.
"I'm going to keep that to myself. Your squeal almost let the boys know.." He teases, though his tone also carries a note of seriousness.
A laugh escapes you, "I promise when youâre ready to tell me Iâll be so careful about keeping it a secret."
"Oi! Are you two sharing secrets over there?" James calls out, his voice immensely curious. Heâs sat with his back to the flickering flames, his palms flat against the floor as he leans back on them. Peter tenses beside you, but you maintain an easy smile. Remus and Sirius are lounging in the armchairs nearby, their attention piqued by the exchange.
"All my deepest darkest secrets." You tease, flashing James a grin. He furrows his brow and sits up, clearly riled up by your response.
âY/n, as your best friend, I better know all these secrets.â James lips are pouted, his expression tinged with a hint of concern, as if he's genuinely worried that you and Peter are sharing secrets that he doesnât know.
James has always been fiercely protective of your friendship. Despite being close to the boys, your bond with James was stronger. There was nothing that the two of you didn't confide in each other; he honestly did know all your secrets.
âYou do.â You smile reassuringly, and James's expression breaks into a satisfied grin.
The boys continue their soft conversation by the crackling fire, the warm glow casting flickering shadows across the room, while you and Peter sit in comfortable silence. Both of you are lost in thought as you relax in the cozy atmosphere.
After stifling a good five yawns, you glance at the time and decide it's probably best to head to your room, the quiet of the common room signaling just how late it had gotten.
You inch closer to Peter, before finding the courage to lean over and envelop him in a friendly hug, your arms wrapping around his shoulders.
He's momentarily taken aback, his body tenses at your touch, but soon he relaxes, reciprocating by wrapping you in his arms. It's a gesture that feels somewhat out of character for you, but after he trusted you with his secret, it seems like the most natural thing to do, a silent affirmation of support for him.
"I think I'm going to go to bed." You tell him softly, "But I promise we'll talk more tomorrow."
âIâd like that.â He smiles at you as you pull away. You grab your bag and make your way in the direction of the stairs.
âGoodnight boys!â You call out softly over your shoulder before disappearing up the stairs. Sirius watches you go, his gaze lingering on your figure, his thoughts full of you long after you've left the room.
Ever since you moved to hug Peter, his eyes have been on you, curiosity and jealousy settling in his stomach.
"Why the hell did you get a hug?" Sirius asks, his tone laced with bitterness as his gaze shifts to Peter, who appears taken aback by Siriusâ sudden question. Remus and James exchange amused glances, before they refocus their attention on Peter, waiting expectantly for an explanation to ease the tension.
âI donât know, she just hugged me.â Peter squirms uncomfortably in his seat, his confidence quickly dwindling as he's put on the spot.
Sirius nods slowly, his lips pursing in contemplation. His carefully measured tone betrays the longing and a hint of possessiveness that he struggles to conceal, "What were you guys talking about over there?"
Remus interjects with a teasing tone, "Careful, Pads. You sound jealous." A playful glint dances in his eyes as he notices Sirius' furrowed brows and the discontent on his face.
âHeâs got the boyfriend role down.â James quips, and Sirius sends them both a glare.
âIâm not jealous,â Sirius repeats quite grumpily. âI just donât understand why Peter got a hug, and we didnât.â
James barks out a laugh while Remus shakes his head, a chuckle escaping him in sheer disbelief.
"You're jealous because you have feelings for her." James states matter-of-factly.
Sirius begins to shake his head in denial, but Remus promptly interjects, his voice firm and unwavering, "âHaven't gotten her out of my head since the day I met her.â What the fuck was that then?â Remus repeats Siriusâ words from the other day, perfectly mimicking his tone.
James bursts into laughter, the sound hearty and infectious, while Peter offers a small smile, observing Sirius as he struggles to respond.
âNot to mention, youâve been staring Peter down ever since Y/n touched him.â Remus remarks while Sirius gazes blankly at him, his expression unreadable as he nervously chews on his bottom lip.
âYou really have.â Peter adds with a grimace.
âYou like her, mate.â Remus concludes, his words carrying a sense of finality that lingers in the air.
Sirius sighs heavily.
The conversation weighs heavily on him as he sinks down in the armchair, his brow furrowed in deep thought. The boysâ words replay in his mind. He was jealous, and he did like you. He already knew all of this. But he had always been cautious around you, mindful of the unspoken boundaries because of your friendship with James. A nagging worry in the back of his mind that James would be against any relationship between the two of you. James was his greatest friend, and he worried he could lose him if he attempted to go for you. The idea of James being unfazed by a romantic relationship between you and Sirius threw him off balance. It vastly differed from the scenarios he had envisioned, where James would react with fierce anger upon learning of Sirius' affection for you. The realization left Sirius feeling torn. Did that mean he could actually go for you?
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As the air is warm and balmy, birdsong emanating from the trees while the leaves rustle in the gentle breeze. The sun casts everything in a golden haze, letting you know summer is near. The boys are certain of their decision: today is the perfect day to spend at the lake.
Laughter and chatter echo across the shimmering waters as the boys swim around the lake, reaching where youâre draped over a soft towel next to Lily. You have been trading gossip back and forth for the last couple of hours. Itâs refreshing since usually youâre glued to the boysâ sides. You were constantly in the company of at least one of the four.
You feel a twinge of regret in your chest, realizing you haven't made an effort to have a close friendship with the girls. And you really should have. It wasn't a deliberate choice; James had always been your go-to person. Then, when you met the boys, you naturally formed close bonds with them, too. The thought of branching out and making more friends never really crossed your mind.
Though you value your friendships with the boys, you decide you desperately need to spend more time with the girls. The possibility of James and Lily getting together has you hopeful.
âYou realize Sirius canât take his eyes off you, right?â You choose to remain silent, only giving a shrug, fully aware that Sirius is merely pretending to be in love with you. To his credit, he's played the part convincingly throughout the entire week. There have been moments when you've found yourself questioning the authenticity of his actions, wondering whether his affection is genuine or merely his acting skills.
For someone who hasnât had much practice with relationships, he possessed an innate ability to treat you like you were the only girl in his world. Whether it was a reassuring hand on your lower back as you maneuvered through the crowded halls, a tender kiss planted on your forehead when you parted ways, or the subtle exchange of flirty smiles whenever your eyes met across the room.
Sirius' laughter drifts over from the lake, reaching your ears, and a subconscious smile graces your lips. Lily must have seen your reaction, âMerlin, you really like him, donât you?â
It was driving you to the brink of obsession. If this was the experience of being Sirius' girl, you wanted it more than before.
Despite your efforts to contain it, a sigh slips from your lips, "Yeah, I really do."
Confessing this feels uncomfortable. You've never talked to anyone about the depth of your feelings for Sirius, and now you're doing so under the guise of a fake relationship. You had come close to telling James, but you really didnât need to. He had an uncanny ability to read you like an open book. Guilt churns in your stomach once more as you think about lying to Lily. What will her reaction be when you reveal that you and Sirius were never actually together?
The silence lingers for a few moments before you gently break it, "What were you about to say at breakfast the other day? Before James interrupted?"
Lily's expression shifts from confusion to excitement, her eyes lighting up, âOh, in Charms! I finally wrangled it out of Sirius that he had feelings for you. But he insisted that nothing was ever going to happen because you didnât like him back.â
It feels like you've been plunged into a tub of cold water. Your mind goes momentarily blank, a surge of disbelief flooding your senses as you struggle to comprehend Lily's words. Your body freezes in place, grappling with what this could possibly mean. Thereâs no possible way you heard her correctly.
âWhat? When was this?â Your voice escapes breathless and startled, yet Lily appears oblivious to it.
âJust a couple of weeks ago! Iâm so glad he finally told you how he felt.â Lily smiles sweetly before laying back on her towel. If she notices youâre in a state of shock, she doesnât say anything.
You hear a whistle, and no surprise, your best friend throws himself between you and Lily, âDonât you two look pretty!â
Lily gasps as James leans down, playfully pressing his lips against her cheek, his hair dripping water onto her. Though she protests, you both can tell she doesn't truly mind it.
As James and Lily become wrapped up in their own world, you find yourself drifting back to the conversation from a moment ago. Your mind spins, still muddled by Lily's words. Sirius had feelings for you. Why hadn't he spoken up? Did he not want anything to come of it?
Your heart nearly stops when Sirius drops down and hovers over you, his hands propping him up on either side of your head. You barely register that he's shirtless and above you just before icy water cascades from his hair onto your skin. A startled cry escapes you as the cold droplets trickle down your cheeks, tracing a chilling path along your neck and chest.
âSirius Black!â You had intended to sound angry, but laughter slips past your lips, betraying your emotions. Sirius grins at your reaction, his eyes trailing down from your eyes to shamelessly check out the bikini top you have on.
The boys had been teasing him relentlessly after witnessing how he practically fell to his knees when you walked into the common room wearing a bikini top and tiny denim shorts. You were oblivious to his gaze, heading straight for Lily and conversing about who knows what.
He couldn't tear his eyes away from you all day.
He feigns ignorance as you whine at him, responding with a sweet smile instead, âWhat, sweet girl?â
"Get off!" You squeal, though your tone lacks any real irritation. Deep down, youâre secretly enjoying having him so close, enveloping you in his presence.
âWhatever you want, sweet girl.â He mutters as he rolls off of you, repositioning himself so he's sitting behind you. With a gentle tap on your shoulder, he prompts you to sit up, then guides you until your back hits his chest. Once you're settled, he loosely wraps his arms around your shoulders before placing a kiss on your head.
Remus catches your eye as he and Peter make their way to their towels. Unlike Sirius and James, they hadn't hurried over to you and Lily. Instead, they took their time, chatting lazily while the sun warmed their skin. Remus sends you a sly, suggestive glance, and you respond by narrowing your eyes at him playfully.
Sirius and Remus engage in their own conversation, their voices blending into the background as Peter gestures for you to follow him. Sirius protests lightly, his eyes following you as you pull away from him to walk down to the lake with Peter.
You're gone for no more than twenty minutes, offering Peter advice on establishing a friendship with the girl he likes, perhaps making it easier for him to ask her out in the future.
Despite Remus' attempts to draw him back into the conversation, Sirius remains preoccupied, his gaze fixed on you until you eventually return and settle onto the towel beside him, seeking the familiar comfort of his presence. Only then does Sirius relax, draping his arm around you protectively.
He despises the twinge of jealousy that creeps in every time Peter has you to himself.
âMate, youâre fucked.â Remus chuckles, and you assume it's due to something amusing said during their conversation. Sirius simply rolls his eyes and playfully extends his middle finger in Remus' direction, a gesture of mock annoyance that elicits a smirk from both of them.
The rest of the afternoon is spent wrapped up in Sirius as you chat with your friends and bask in the sun.
You spend the remainder of the afternoon draped over Sirius, basking in the warmth of the sun as you chat with your friends. It's been a while since you've felt so at ease.
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After lounging by the lake all afternoon, the thought of cleaning up for a party you had little interest in attending felt like an unnecessary chore. However, after an hour of James' persistent pleading, you eventually gave in and agreed to go. You were confused about why he insisted on your presence, especially when he'd be busy spending the evening with Lily. You couldn't help but think you could have been snug in bed with a good book instead.
âHow long do you think it will take before they get together?â You turn to Remus, who is leaning against the wall next to you. He wasn't thrilled about coming tonight, either. The full moon was approaching, and he could already feel the effects beginning to take hold.
You scan the bustling room, eager to catch a glimpse of James and determine Lily's proximity. Impatience simmers within you as you wait for them to get together. Their relationship seems overdue, and youâre desperate for it to happen, bringing an end to the relationship you and Sirius are forced to maintain. Though being Sirius' girlfriend has its perks, the artificiality of the situation weighs on your conscience.
After a lazy afternoon enveloped in Sirius' arms, you had returned to your room feeling unsettled. The comfort of being held by Sirius felt genuine, yet it was all fake, and that realization deeply unsettles you. The longer this relationship goes on, the more you worry about your heart being left in pieces at the end.
âProbably any day now. Why? You arenât having fun being Siriusâ girl?â Remus asks, casting a knowing smirk in your direction. You huff and give him a playful nudge, causing his drink to slosh around in his cup. He chuckles in response, amused by your reaction.
"It's not that, and you know it." You respond, frustration evident in your tone.
Remus turns towards you, a genuine smile on his face this time, "You guys are doing quite the job of looking infatuated with each other."
You shoot him a warning look, sensing where the conversation is headed.
But Remus persists, his gaze steady, "You should consider telling him how you feel."
You scoff. "Absolutely not."
"Why not? What have you got to lose?"
You meet his gaze, incredulous, "Our friendship, for starters."
Remus shakes his head, "Do you really think Sirius would end your friendship? I doubt you could get rid of him if you tried."
You meet Remus's gaze, your brow furrowed with uncertainty, "Okay, maybe he wouldn't end our friendship. But things would definitely get awkward, and who knows where it could lead."
Remus offers a small smile, "Or it could go well. You could end up together."
You remain silent, the weight of Remus's words sinking in as you contemplate the idea of confessing your feelings to Sirius. Your stomach churns with anxiety at the mere thought of opening up to him. The fear of rejection and the potential fallout from confessing weighs heavy on your chest.
But Lily had shared with you that Sirius had opened up about his feelings for you. Maybe there was a possibility that confessing your own feelings might not be as far-fetched as you had assumed. Maybe being with Sirius wasn't entirely out of reach.
Remus observes the slight furrow in your brow as you chew on your bottom lip, a clear indication of your spiraling thoughts. The dim light of the common room highlights the unease on your face. "Do you want a drink?" He offers, his voice gentle and reassuring.
You pause, considering his offer, grateful for the distraction, "Yes, please." You respond with a small smile, the tension in your shoulders easing slightly.
As Remus leaves to fetch you a drink, you're left alone with your thoughts, the chatter and laughter of the crowded common room serving as a backdrop to your contemplation. Your eyes wander over the sea of bodies, each occupied with their own conversations and activities, creating a lively yet chaotic atmosphere.
âY/n, hi!â You startle as Max Townsend stands beside you, his sudden presence catching you off guard. You recall being partners in Charms a couple of weeks ago, but beyond that, your interactions had been limited.
"Hey, Max." You greet with a soft smile, noticing how his shoulders relax slightly at your acknowledgment. He settles against the wall, his posture casual yet attentive, as if genuinely interested in chatting with you.
"I know we havenât talked much since Charms, but Iâve been meaning to catch up with you." Max says, his voice earnest as he breaks the silence between you.
You're surprised by his remark, "You have?" You ask, genuine curiosity coloring your tone.
"Yeah! I enjoyed spending time with you." Max admits, his voice slightly shaky as he offers you a shy smile. You notice the faint blush coloring his cheeks, a sign of nervousness.
"I enjoyed spending time with you too! I donât think I could have passed the last exam without your help." You respond sincerely, returning his smile with warmth. His face lights up at your words, visibly relieved.
He regains some confidence and continues, "Actually, Y/n, I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade sometime?"
Your smile falters, and you feel a pang of guilt. You have the excuse of having a boyfriend, at least. It makes things a little easier for you. For a second, you debate if you should say yes, go on a date, and move past your feelings for Sirius. But then you think about Lilyâs words and how he might possibly like you back. Not only that but youâre supposed to be in a relationship right now.
You can't bring yourself to say yes; truth be told, you don't really want to, anyway.
"Thatâs really sweet of you to ask. But Iâm dating Sirius." You reply though the words feel heavy on your tongue, wishing they were true.
Max looks taken aback, "Sirius Black?"
"Yes." You confirm, feeling a wave of discomfort wash over you; turning someone down is always an awkward and uncomfortable experience.
Max shakes his head, looking confused, "I didnât know Sirius-"
"You didnât know what, Townsend?" Sirius looks hard at him, slipping his arm around your waist and handing you a drink. "Here, baby, Rem said you wanted a drink."
You thank him quietly, settling into his side with ease. Glancing up at him, you notice Sirius isn't looking at you; his gaze is fixed on Max. His jaw clenches tightly, and his usual friendly smile is absent. The message to Max is clear: back off, she's mine.
Max looks uneasy, eyes darting from you to Sirius, âUh, I didnât know you and Y/n were together.â
âAnd why were you talking about that?â
âUh,â Max looks at you briefly, his expression tinged with panic. He lets out a sigh, reminiscent of a child caught in the act and resigned to confessing. âI asked her out.â
Sirius' entire body tenses, his tone laced with mock curiosity, âDid you?â
He feels sick at the thought of you going on a date with another guy. Images flash through his mind â Max holding your hand on a walk through Hogsmeade, flirting with you over dinner, and the possibility of him kissing you goodnight before you head back through the portrait at the end of the night.
A surge of intense emotion floods him, an overwhelming desire to lash out, to throw a punch and convey the unmistakable message that you are off-limits.
But then the reality hits him: you're not off limits. You're perfectly single, and maybe you actually wanted to go out with Max. The realization sinks in, gnawing at him from the inside, intensifying the ache in his chest.
âBut look, man, I didnât know she was your girl! Honest.â
"Max, it's okay. Really." You interject gently, offering him a reassuring smile. Max nods frantically, clearly relieved, before hurrying off in the opposite direction and disappearing into the crowd of Gryffindors.
âWhat the hell was that?â You turn to Sirius, but he refuses to meet your gaze. Instead, he drops his arm from your waist and leans back against the wall, taking a long sip from his drink, his expression unreadable
âPlaying the part of your boyfriend. You should go find James, he was looking for you.â His mutterings reach your ears, and your stomach clenches with irritation as hurt flashes over your features. He's never shut down before you, and it hurts your feelings deeply.
You donât bother saying anything; instead, you scoff and walk away. Siriusâs eyes follow you the second you leave, watching as you walk away with a heavy feeling settling in his stomach.
Maybe he did need to express his feelings to you. There might be a chance that you felt the same way. And if you didn't, at least he would know and could attempt to move on from you.
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âI think you need to check on Sirius.â James murmurs into your ear as you stand in the common room, waiting for Lily to join you. You're flanked by the boys, but Sirius is conspicuously absent.
You glance over at him, confused, âWhy? Is he not coming down?â
âHe bailed, said he isnât feeling good.â
âHe isnât coming to Hogsmeade with us?â You all had meticulously planned your trip to Hogsmeade during the lake outing yesterday, discussing the shops you wanted to visit and the Butterbeer you couldn't wait to taste.
âOh,â You mutter, âIâll check on him and catch up with you guys then.â
You still harbor concern for his well-being, a lingering sense of care that remains despite the the frustration you feel about last night. You ascend the stairs, faintly catching Peter's inquiry about your destination and James' response that you won't be joining them anymore. You contemplate turning around, half-tempted to inquire with James about his statement, but decided against it, choosing not to waste your energy.
You're so deeply immersed in your thoughts as you walk through the hall that you don't even notice the sound at first.
The muffled noise filtering through the boys' dorm door catches your attention, causing you to pause in front of the door. You briefly entertain the idea that Sirius might be genuinely unwell, but skepticism lingers in your mind. The persistent groans don't quite fit the pattern of someone who's just sick.
You were on the verge of turning around, genuinely considering it, until you caught a muffled moan that distinctly sounded like your name.
You pause, questioning the authenticity of what you just heard, wondering if it was a figment of your imagination or if you truly heard your name. But then you hear it, âFuck, Y/n. Feels so good.â
Your legs turn to jelly, the words coursing through your veins like an electric shock, leaving you feeling stunned and breathless.
Without a second thought or even a plan forming in your mind, you find yourself knocking on the door. Inside, you hear a muffled curse followed by shuffling before Sirius swings the door open nearly a minute later, clad only in pajama pants. His hair is tousled, his cheeks flushed, and he's breathing heavily. The surprise on his face is evident as he takes in your unexpected presence.
âWhat were you just doing?â Your words spill out more confrontationally than you intended, catching Sirius off guard. The surprise flickers across his face, evident in how his eyebrows knit together and his eyes widen slightly.
âUh, I-â He glances back into his room, searching for a believable excuse among his belongings. Flustered, he struggles to come up with a convincing lie.
"Sirius," You press, and his eyes flicker back to you. He appears guilty, aware that you've caught on. "I just heard you." You add, your tone that is firm but not accusatory.
âMerlin, Y/n. Iâm sorry I-â He stammers, his heart sinking into the pit of his stomach at the mere thought of you possibly feeling disgusted with him or worse, refusing to remain his friend because of what heâs just done.
âWhat were you thinking about?â You ask instead, taking a deliberate step closer to him. The room feels charged with tension, and you can sense Sirius's unease. His breath hitches as your presence draws nearer, his eyes flickering with a mix of apprehension and anticipation.
He glances over your shoulder, his gaze flicking to the empty hallway outside before he answers, âYou.â
âMe?â You take a tentative step closer, your voice barely a whisper compared to before, its tone huskier, laden with curiosity and perhaps a hint of intrigue. You fix him with a daring look, a glint of challenge in your eye, as if silently daring him to take action.
He remains silent, his gaze fixed on you for a fleeting moment before he takes action, grabbing your hand and pulling you into the dorm without a word.
As soon as the door shuts, he presses you against the door, his movements swift and urgent. You let out a gasp in surprise, feeling the sudden shift in atmosphere as Sirius's intensity envelops you. His eyes, usually filled with mischief, now bore into yours with a mixture of seriousness and vulnerability.
âY/n. Why did you knock on the door?â
You donât answer at first, your eyes locked with his for a few heartbeats before you let out a sigh, âBecause I heard you say my name, and now I know you want me the same way that Iâve always wanted you.â
Sirius doesnât hesitate, his lips meeting yours with a sense of urgency that sends a shiver down your spine. The moment his touch connects with yours, you exhale softly, feeling the warmth of his lips against yours. With gentle pressure, you draw him closer, your arms wrapping around his shoulders while Siriusâ embrace envelops you, pulling you closer as if he never wants to let go.
He initiates with a tender kiss on your lips, then gently nibbles on your bottom lip, eliciting a gasp. Seizing the opportunity of your parted lips, he intensifies the kiss, pressing forcefully into your mouth. Sirius kisses you as if each moment is the first and last time, molding you into pliancy. You willingly surrender, allowing him to kiss you into a state of blissful oblivion.
As he withdraws, a soft whimper escapes your lips in protest. He casts a questioning glance your way as he lifts the hem of your shirt, and you respond with a nod of affirmation. Slowly, he peels it off of you and lets it drop at your feet. Shamelessly, he admires your breasts and how they sit so pretty in your black bra. For a moment, the thought of apologizing for the simple garment crosses your mind, but the way his gaze lingers on you halts any inclination to do so.
He leans down, pressing kisses and nipping at the exposed skin on your neck and trailing his way down to your chest. It steals your breath away, prompting you to weave your fingers through his hair as you tilt your head back, reveling in the sensation. He's murmuring praises against your skin, ranting about how beautiful you are, how sweet your moans are, and how you drive him crazy. Your heart pounds within your chest, and for an instant, you fear its thunderous rhythm might betray you, considering how near he stands.
âTake it off.â In a hushed tone, you speak, prompting Sirius's gaze to swiftly rise and lock with yours.
He encircles you with his arms, quickly undoing your bra, and you deftly push the straps down, allowing the garment to cascade down, unveiling your skin. Swiftly, you toss it into the growing pile that appears to be taking shape by the door.
Sirius gazes intently, his bottom lip captured between his teeth, and a subtle furrow forms between his eyebrows, âFucking hell, yâhave the prettiest tits Iâve ever seen.â
Before you can utter a word, his mouth is on your breasts. Pressing the softest kisses onto your nipple before gently biting it, causing your breath to hitch. He bends down, mirroring the gesture with the other one.
His hands, possessively grip at your hips, act as anchors, momentarily keeping you in place. However, a growing restlessness takes hold, and you start to squirm, a subtle plea for more of his attention. Silently comprehending your unspoken desire, he wordlessly responds. A gentle tug on your hand is all the communication needed, and without a moment's hesitation, you obediently follow his lead.
Guiding you, he directs you to settle onto his bed, a silent request you readily heed. Your legs dangle over the edge of the bed as you rely on your elbows to bear all your weight.
Sirius kneels in front of you, easily slipping off both of your shoes and tossing them to the side. He reaches up, hooking his fingers into the waistband of your skirt before tugging it down and off of your legs. Youâre left in a pair of gray panties that easily show how soaked you are for him.
He pushes on your knees until your legs are completely spread for him, and he can get a clear view of your soaked underwear. A hushed curse escapes his lips, the words slipping out quietly as his gaze lingers on you.
âYouâre fucking stunning. I donât know what I did to deserve this. To deserve you.â You bask in his words, your body thrumming with warmth and delight as his sweet sentiments wash over you.
He glances up at you, and he nearly loses it right then and there. Youâre watching him through hooded eyes, your pupils dilated wide, a silent reflection of your anticipation and desire. He doubts he could ever erase the image of the way you're gazing at him, etching it into his memory with the fervent wish to witness it for the rest of his days.
He caresses his hands along your thighs, fingers gently squeezing and kneading with each pass. Occasionally, he leans down, planting tender kisses on your sensitive skin, each one a whispered promise of affection. The closer he gets to your core, the more you squirm and let out soft whimpers.
âCan I take your panties off?â He asks, glancing up at you from between your thighs. The pad of his thumb brushes against your clit, and you jolt in surprise.
A gasp escapes your lips as you're overtaken by the sensation, yet swiftly, you find yourself nodding frantically in response, âPlease.â
Overrun with desperation, Sirius pulls at them with such fervor that they nearly tear as he tugs them off. You can't help but giggle at his fervor, amused by his frantic actions and the unmistakable look of pure desire written across his face. He wouldn't be surprised if he was drooling, staring the sight of your glistening pussy.
âI want to be inside of you.â He declares, standing up from the floor, leaning over you to firmly grasp your jaw before capturing your lips in a heady, intoxicating kiss. The moan that escapes you sounds so foreign, so unlike yourself, that it catches you by surprise, leaving you momentarily taken aback. You don't bother vying for dominance, allowing him to take control of the kiss. He withdraws from you leaving your chest heaving and breaths coming in ragged gasps.
âTake your pants off.â You demand, reaching desperately for the band of his pajamas to shove them off. Sirius beats you to the task, swiftly shoving them off himself in a display of impatience.
âSirius.â Drool pools in your mouth at the sight of him. Long, thick, and pretty. Your lips part slightly, and you look up at Sirius in surprise, caught off guard by him. For a fleeting moment, you sit there, eyes locked, contemplating whether you'll be able to take him or not. Heâs bigger than anyone you have ever been with before.
Sirius doesnât let you stare for too long before his fingers are sliding through your soaked folds and brushing over your clit. Whimpers and moans tumble past your lips as Sirius rubs firm circles over you to get you adjusted before dipping down and pressing two fingers into you. A cry escapes you at the intrusion, and your hand instinctively reaches down to grip his bicep firmly.
Sirius startles you by leaning down and pressing the softest kiss to your clit, before licking you the bundle of nerves softly. Your body tenses with pleasure, hands gripping the sheets beneath you.
âIâve always wanted to taste you.â He confesses a surge of heat courses through your body, igniting every nerve ending as you absorb his words. He doesnât waste another second before leaning down and gently sucking on your clit.
"Please don't stop." You plead softly, and Sirius complies, continuing with unwavering determination. He nips and sucks, licking through your folds and holding your thighs open for him. His fingers continue to slide in and out of you; the sounds youâre making are obscene.
Youâre struck by the thojught that this doesn't compare to any other times that youâve been eaten out. But maybe it's not just his technique that feels good; it might be the fact that its Sirius whoâs between your legs.
Your thighs tremble, and a euphoric sensation begins to build up in your stomach, making it feel like you are floating on a delightful high.
âSirius, I need you.â You gasp sharply, your fingers instinctively tugging on his hair, signaling for him to ease up. You wanted to come together for your first time, as cheesy as it may have been.
As he rises to his feet, your eyes meet, and contagious, goofy smiles spread across both of your faces. In this shared moment, a mutual understanding passes between youâacknowledging the absurdity of the situation yet reveling in the fact that there's nowhere else you'd rather be.
You watch as he wraps his hand around himself, dragging his hand up and down a few times. He whispers for you to scoot back until your head rests against the pillow, and with a gentle nod, you comply. He follows suit, settling on his haunches before you, creating a comforting, intimate space between you both.
âYâready?â He asks in a hushed tone, leaning in to hover over you, and at that moment, a rush of memories floods your mind, reminiscent of yesterday by the lake. You're convinced you must look rather pathetic with the speed of your nod, but Sirius only responds with a sweet smile.
With a grip on his cock, he slides the tip through your slick, both of you sucking in a breath at the sensation. He gently pushes at your entrance. Sirius steals a glance up at you, silently seeking reassurance, and you respond with a simple nod and a warm smile, letting him know that everything is perfect. Sirius catches you off guard as he leans down, tenderly pressing the gentlest of kisses to your lips, a gesture filled with unexpected sweetness.
His gaze shifts, watching as he pushes his cock inside of you, letting out a string of curses as your pussy grips him tight, pulling him deeper inside.
âFuck,â Gritting his teeth, he squeezes his eyes shut, breathing deeply through his nose, determined to regain control and prevent himself from losing composure. Heâs sitting fully inside you, and he has to take a breather because you feel better than he could have ever imagined. The last thing he wants is for this to end as soon as it begins.
His voice sounds utterly shattered, âYouâre so wet, fuck.â
You entwine your fingers in his hair, feeling the soft strands between your fingertips as you pull him closer, urging him to meet your lips with his own. The anticipation builds as his warm breath mingles with yours, creating an intimate connection before the gentle press of his lips against yours. Parting your lips, you deepen the kiss, and Sirius eagerly reciprocated.
âSirius. Fuck me, please.â You exhale softly against his lips, and Sirius responds with a low, guttural groan of longing and desire.
He doesnât waste any time before dragging his cock along the sensitive walls of your pussy, before thrusting back into you, âGod, your pussy feels incredible.â The cry that escapes you resonates loudly in the room, and you're immensely grateful that everyone is out at Hogsmeade. The absence of others allows you the freedom to be as uninhibited as you are, knowing that the full dorms would never afford you the same level of privacy and volume.
âFeels so good.â You gasp, head rolling to the side, your cheek resting against the pillows. Siriusâ hands rest against the back of your thighs, holding your legs against your chest, giving a clear view of the way his cock is so seamlessly slipping inside of you.
He watches you, transfixed on the way your brows pinch together in pleasure, lips parting to let moans slip past. It's as if a dam has burst within Sirius, an unstoppable torrent of words and emotions pouring forth as he finds himself unable to contain everything he's been holding back.
âFuck, you sound sâpretty, sweet girl,â The groan that leaves his lips is downright sinful. âThought about this pretty pussy all day. Pretended to be sick just to get off to the thought of you.â
âSirius.â You whine, reaching out to thread your fingers through his hair and pull him down to you. Youâre soaked and aching, desperate for Sirius to fuck you faster. However, much to your disappointment, he remains insistent on maintaining a slow, teasing pace.
âPictured, tugging that fucking bikini top down. Watching your tits bounce while I fuck you. Fuck, cumming all over them.â The whine that escapes you feels pathetic, and under different circumstances, you would've been embarrassed by it. However, given the situation you're in, embarrassment takes a backseat.
âI know, baby. I know.â He complies, adjusting his position so that his right arm supports him above you while his left hand gently traces your skin. Brushing over your nipples, trailing up and over your tits, before placing his hand loosely around the base of your throat.
âYouâre fucking perfect,â He grunts, admiring how ruined you look for him. Your mascara smudged beneath your eyes from tears, and your lips swollen from his earlier kisses. He loved seeing you like this. Being the one to ruin you, to smudge your makeup and bring you to tears. âTaking my cock sâwell.â
Youâre incoherent, begging for Sirius to go harder, to fuck you faster. Hands pawing at his ass, desperately trying to bring him closer.
His hand squeezes your throat gently, âTell me you want me to fuck you harder. Câmon love, wanna hear you beg for it.â
A smug grin tugs on Siriusâ lips as he watches you struggling to form words. Youâre getting close if the way youâre squeezing him so tight and rolling your hips is any indicator.
But then a desperate, needy whine with the words he so badly wants to hear slips past your lips. Babbling about needing his cock and wanting him to ruin you. The second he hears your pleas, he thrusts into you harder, setting a brutal new pace that has you crying for him.
âIâll give you anything you ask for, mâlove.â He speaks so sincerely that you feel a surge of emotions welling up inside, an overwhelming urge threatening to bring tears to your eyes.
Overcome with your emotions, you reach for Siriusâ hand and interlace them together before Sirius presses your clasped hands into the sheets. His headboard thumps against the wall rhythmically.
âNeed you to fill me up. Please.â You plead desperately, and Sirius curses, his voice rough and strained.
âShit, thatâs my girl. Want me to fill you with my cum?â It's the praise that pushes you over the edge. Your back arches, pressing your breasts into Siriusâ chest and your legs tremble.
âDoing so good fâme.â Heâs close behind you. Your tight, wet walls clenching around him is what does it for him.
âFuck, baby. Gonna cum. Fuck.â Sirius moans, burying his head in the crook of your neck as his hips stutter and you cry out at the feeling of his warm cum filling you up. You clench his hand tightly, your nails likely leaving imprints on his skin. A sob escapes your lips, and your fingers weave through his hair, a desperate attempt to draw him closer.
You both remain entwined, lost in each other's embrace as you gradually come down from the euphoric highs. The room resonates with the sound of your intertwined breaths, each one heavy and labored. Your body feels utterly slack, every muscle loosened, and you're so relaxed that you could easily doze off at any moment.
Sirius presses a couple of tender kisses against your neck, eliciting a satisfied hum from you. When he withdraws from you, a wince escapes you as you feel the separation, and Siriusâ eyes dart up to you in concern.
âYâokay, sweet girl?â
âIâm okay, just sore.â You grace him with a sweet smile, and Sirius leans in, gently pressing a tender kiss to your forehead.
âGonna get a towel, one second.â He assures you, rising from the bed and disappearing into the bathroom. You listen to the faucet running and the faint sounds of the cupboard opening and closing. Lying back, you gaze up at the ceiling, absently nibbling on your thumbnail until a smile breaks across your face at the thought of what just happened.
âHere, love.â Sirius says, sitting on the edge of the bed holding a washcloth in his hand. Heâs got a fresh pair of pajama pants on, you didnât even notice him grab clothes from his trunk, too lost in your thoughts.
Sirius gently grips your ankle, encouraging you to spread your legs. His breath hitches at the sight of his cum dripping out of you and onto his sheets, desperately hoping to see this sight again. He murmurs a curse under his breath, his touch gentle as he delicately uses the warm washcloth to clean between your thighs.
âThere.â He whispers softly before aiding you to sit up. As you glance over, you notice the t-shirt and pajama pants laid out beside him, meant for you. Your heart swells with warmth as he assists you in slipping it over your head. With a grateful smile, you slide into the pajama pants. Meanwhile, Sirius utters evanesco to fix the sheets up, before joining you in bed.
âCâmere.â He beckons to you, sinking into the pillows, and you nestle against him, finding solace as you rest your head on his chest.
In the silence, you both relish the comfort of each other's embrace, enveloped in a cocoon of intimacy. Lost in contemplation, your mind wanders, grappling with what just happened and what that meant for the both of you.
"That wasn't just a one-time thing, was it?" You inquire, the hopefulness evident in your tone.
"No," Sirius responds, tilting your chin so you can meet his gaze. "I want you to be mine, for real this time."
The fluttering butterflies that dance through your stomach are overwhelming as you absorb his words. A lovesick grin spreads across your lips, unable to contain the rush of emotions coursing through you, âThen I'm all yours."
You settle back into Sirius, and his arms hold you against him. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest beneath your head lull you into a serene state, the sound of his steady heartbeat serving as a soothing lullaby that guides you into a peaceful sleep.
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"I'm sorry, so you asked us to fake it not for Lily, but for Sirius and I to get together?" You gaze at James, confused, knitting your brows, while he sits opposite you at the table. Remus and Sirius are absorbed in their own conversation, and Peter is having breakfast with the girl he harbors a crush on. Despite their current status as friends, Peter seems overjoyed nonetheless.
James grins, casting you a smug look. "I mean, Lily genuinely thought you and I were a thing. At first, it really was because Lily thought we were together, but then I realized that this was the perfect way to get you and Sirius together.â
âJames! So you lied to us?â You huff in disbelief.
James shrugs nonchalantly, his demeanor radiating an air of casual indifference, âYou already knew I lied to Lily; whatâs the difference?â
You sigh softly, "That's true, but what about you and Lily? Are you two getting together?"
James smiles, âWeâll get there eventually. This was more about you and Sirius. And before you start, yes, Iâll tell her the truth.â He sends you a pointed look, and you chuckle, already preparing to remind him to come clean to Lily.
"You're certifiably insane." You tease, exhaling a laugh.
âWell, it worked, didnât it? You got the guy.â James watches with delight as a lovesick smile effortlessly graces your face before you steal a glance at Sirius.
"Oh, hey. Pick up your clothes next time you're napping with Sirius," He remarks casually, but the emphasis on the word napping lets you know that he's fully aware there was more happening than just sleep. "My shoe got tangled in your bra."