New Beginnings
Scarlets POV:
My legs burn at the speed at which Theo drags me out into the halls of the dungeons. He is insisting that we need a quiet place to talk. Alone. “Th-” I start but he cuts me off with a ‘sush’ as he continues to pull me along.
Theo leads me through the castle, outside to our spot on the side of the black lake. As we make our way towards the there is this eare of awkward silence. The kiss that me and Theo shared left a lot unsaid. Where does this put us? Is there even an us? Is this something that I have all made up in my head?
Once we are at the lake Theo sits down, casually pulling a cigarette out of his trouser pocket. Placing the stick in between his lips and lightning it every so skillfully with the tip of his wand. The embers of the cigarette glowing with his inhale, before they die out with his exhale. The action was truly mesmerizing.
The sense of unease has me hesitating before I decide to sit down. I can feel the warmth radiating off of him. Why didn't I grab another blanket before we came outside? Oh right, he wouldn't tell me where we were going.
I pull my skirt down some to cover more of my legs. At this movement, I catch Theos' eyes raking over my thighs before they snap back to the lake with his jaw set.
Theo must have been able to sense my discomfort, because he takes off his jumper and hands it over to me. I’m immediately surrounded by his scent. Lime, violets and tobacco. A blush creeped to my cheeks. After I put it on he holds the cigarette out for me. “Thank you.” I breathe out grabbing it from him taking my own inhale.
It's not unusual for Theo to sense what I need without me asking for something. After an awkward silence filled with the ruffeling of clothes and the whooshing of the lake, is when I finally gain enough courage to open my mouth. “Theo.”
He waits a second before giving in and slowly turning his head towards me, but not meeting my eyes. His normally sea green eyes are dimmed with occlusion. I swallow anxiety. “What did he say to you? Adrian. O-on the pitch?”
Theos eyes harden as he seemingly relives the moment from earlier.. “It doesn't matter.” He muttered, turning his head back towards the lake. “Theodore Nott. Look at me. Dammit.” I cursed, grabbing the sides of his face, forcing him to look at me.
There was a pause, as if he was trying to find the right words. “It doesn't matter, Scarlet. He was being disgusting and an areshole.” His eyes soften, searching my face I am desperately holding on to as he waits for me to continue.
Taking my time, I let go of his face and reach for the stick that is lying limply between his long fingers. I take a long inhale from the cigarette and slowly release the smoke from my lungs, before I look back at him again. “I chose you Theo.” A weak smile pulling at my mouth. He is still staring at me.
Confusion seems to be littered over his face. “He told me to choose. You or him.” “I remember.” Theo mumbles staring directly into my eyes. “I chose you Theo. Adrian- He wasn't a good boyfriend anyways. You're my best friend.” I explained grabbing his hand and giving it a squeeze.
We sit in silence, just staring at the water, watching the mermaids come to the surface in the moonlight. A breeze passes through us and I can feel goose pimples breaking out over my pale legs.
While we sit here I still can't understand why he was so upset about Adrian? He’s been with plenty of girls over the years and I’ve never been that upset about any of them. Okay -- outwardly, upset towards him.
I built up the courage to ask him the question that has been bubbling in my head for days and take a shuddering breath. “Why were you ignoring me this week?” There's silence and I swear I can hear him gulp. “I wasn’t ignoring you.”
“Yes you were. You didn’t talk to me in any of our classes. No witty banter, no teasing remarks. You wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. I’ve never been that cold to you.” I say sadly, tugging the sleeves of his jumper to attempt to trap the heat inside..
I can see guilt riddled on his face. “I just didn't like the way he talked to you. Scar, you would get upset anytime any of us would bring it up, so I just figured it would be better if I just kept my distance.”
It was a good lie, I'll give him that. But there is something more. I can sense it. He’s still occluding. And hard. “You’re lying.” I say staring at him with narrowed eyes.
I can feel anger start to replace the nervousness within me. He’s never lied to me before. At least not like this.
“Why are you lying to me Theo? I can tell that you’re occluding.” I exclaimed a bit angrier than I meant to but I kept going. “You have always hated Adrian. Ever since I first told you about us dating. I-I’ve never been this cold to you. Not even when you are sleeping your way through the entire bloody school!”
His head snaps to me, his eyes darken. “I do not sleep my way through the entire school.” He defended angrily.
I scoff, rolling my eyes at him. I can name at least 5 girls from the start of term that he’s slept with, or at least tried to. I've been unfortunate enough to catch him on multiple occasions in hidden alcoves near classrooms or even in the bloody common room!
My reaction must have caused something to spark inside of him because I can see him fighting with himself. Fighting off the anger that is trying to explode out of him. Theo turns to face me, his green eyes bore into mine. “You want to know why I occlude Scarlet?” He pauses. Deep, ragged breaths are exhaling through his nose and his face is getting redder with anger? Annoyance?
I wait impatiently for him to continue. Besides my better judgment, I try to exacerbate it. “Yes, Theo. tel-”
He cuts me off “You want to know why I occlude? Because, I'm drowning in this pathetic, all-consuming love for you. It's embarrassing how desperate I've become. Pucey is a stain, a leech clinging to someone as magnificent as you. He doesn't deserve a single glance, a single touch from your delicate hands! You deserve the universe, Scarlet! You radiate beauty, kindness. It drives me insane – watching that arrogant arse treat you like garbage! Every time his hand brushes your thigh, or he touches you, I fantasize about ripping his arm from his body. I get the dark urge to Avada him for even daring to touch you! The very thought of him hurting you? Emotionally or physically… it-it tears me apart. But through all this fury, one truth burns brighter than all – I love you. I love you with a fire that consumes me.”
He’s breathing heavily now. He looks at me with such intensity I don’t know what to say. It’s all I have wanted him to say for the last two years and now everything I have wanted to say back to him is stuck in my throat, unable to break free.
“I am in love with you, Scarlet Johnson. I have been in love with you since Draco first introduced us on the train to Hogwarts. I have loved you from the first time you smiled at me, the first time you corrected me in potions, the firs-“ I threw myself at him. Arms wrapping around his neck and kissing him a little harder than I should have.
“I love you too Theo.” I breathe, opening my doors fully.
Theo POV:
“I love you too Theo.”
I don't comprehend what's happening until her hands are playing with the hair on the back of my neck. Before she decides to let go, changing her mind I wrap my arms around her small frame and bring her to straddle my lap letting my hands wander under the wool of my jumper she's wearing.
I need to feel her, touch her everywhere she will let me. She lets out a quiet moan into my mouth. It's the sweetest sound I have ever heard and I start to harden. She starts grinding down on me. “Fuck” I moan and have to pull away. I can already tell that I will not last long now that I have her hand on me and the first time she sees me come undone will not be from just making out with her on this bloody blanket outside.
My walls have fallen down completely, allowing myself to feel every moment with her clearly. Looking into her eyes she has also opened her doors and her eyes are the prettiest green I have ever seen.
“I love you Theo.” I almost come just from those words alone. She leans back in to continue kissing me, but I have to stop her. Her face immediately saddens and I start to panic.
“Oh, I’m sorry” she stammers, embarrassed, as she removes her arms from around me to help push herself off of me.
She thinks I don't want this? “No.” I say grabbing her arms stopping her from getting up. “I just--” How do I say this without completely embarrassing myself? “Stay with me tonight. Before everything goes to shite.” Her face suddenly changed.
“I have a perfect place for us to go.” She is smiling wildly as she makes to stand, but before I let her up, I catch her lips with mine one more time.