Jealousy
Neville clenched his jaw. He was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the great hall, surrounded by some of his friends. He could hear them talking, but it was all sort of muffled.
Because who he was really paying attention to, was sitting on the other side of the room.
Mike was talking with Silene and Malcolm Baddock, although it was more Silene that was talking to them, and Mike clinging on to Malcolm.
Neville couldn’t stand it. Last year, it was him Mike had been clinging on to like that. He didn’t know what had changed. They were still great friends, but physically Mike kept his distance. Neville didn’t mind at first, but soon found himself missing the other boys touch.
All that to say, Neville was in a bad mood.
Their first class was potions, but Neville wasn’t paying much attention. He could only look at Mike with a cold look in his eyes, Mike, who was sitting next to Silene, felt his eyes burn through his soul. It made him very anxious for what was to come.
After potions, and a healthy dose of Snape’s sneers, they had a free period. Mike, who wanted to know what was up with Neville, stopped him after they exited the classroom.
“Neville! Wait up!” He said, before pulling the taller boy’s arm. Neville turned around to look at him. “What’s the matter, Mike?” He asked, in a tone that did anything but match the cold look from earlier. “I um- I was wondering what that was about earlier.” Neville had a confused frown on his face. “What.. what was about?” Mike looked him in the eyes. “That stare! I could feel you staring at me the ENTIRE lesson!” Neville looked away absently. “What stare.” Mike sighed. “You know what stare! But if you don’t want to tell me, that’s your problem.” Neville looked at him, a little confused. “What is there to tell?” Mike frowned. “Nevermind, Neville.” He said as he walked off.
This went on for a few days, Mike would ask Neville what was up with him, but Neville said nothing.
Until today. Mike went through his usual spiel of trying to get answers out of Neville, but today Neville seemed… different. Mike shrugged it off, and decided to ask him again.
“Neville, would you please just tell me what’s been up with you for the last few days?! Its driving me crazy!” Neville, who had been looking away, finally met Mike’s eyes.
The next thing Mike knew, the other had him pinned to the wall. Mike turned red at the realization of how close they were. “No. You’re driving ME crazy.” Neville, who was also beet red, grunted.
“W-what do you mean??” Mike asked, too embarrassed to look Neville in the eye. “You’ve been asking me what my problem is, but I should be the one asking you! You used to be clingy with me! But recently I’ve only seen you cling to Malcolm!” Mike was taken aback. Still not looking at Neville, he muttered “W-what are you talking about?” Neville wasn’t amused. “Mike.” Neville gently lifted Mike’s chin to face him. “Look at me when I’m talking to you..” When Mike did just that, he noticed that he wasn’t the only one blushing. Neville was beet red and flustered beyond belief. “I- Mike I- I want you to… um.. I want you to…” Mike finally got it.
“You’re jealous?” Mike couldn’t help but smile a little. Maybe a little too much. “What?! I- I never said that!” Neville quickly answered. But he wasn’t denying it. Mike’s smile turned a little smug. “You know, if you wanted me to touch you more, you should’ve just said so..” He said, and with a rush of confidence, he slipped his hands under the others robes, and onto the others back. All Neville could do was let out a surprised whimper and cover his mouth in surprise. Mike laughed at his response.
“Cute..” Mike mouthed as Neville buried his head in the others shoulder. “N-not like that!! What are you even d-doing?!” He yelled. Mike pulled his hands back from under Neville’s robes. “Sorry, Neville..” He said, followed by a mischievous chuckle. He wasn’t sorry at all.
Neville didn’t seem to move, though Mike didn’t mind. He wrapped his arms around the other, pulling him into a tight hug.
He had also missed the others touch.