day 19 - fake dating kiss (Gramander)
When the moment comes, Newt isn’t prepared for it, to the irony of all the preparations they did. It had been fine up until now—holding hands, sitting closely together, light touches to the shoulders and arms.
But then the conversations diverge onto different topics and everyone breaks off into their own discussions and Percival sits back with a sigh before turning to him. Their eyes meet and Newt prides himself in not immediately glancing away as per his tendency.
Percival smiles something soft, asks how he’s doing.
“I-I’m good,” Newt replies, and he means it despite having been conscious of everything for the last couple hours lest he blow their cover.
Fingers brush at his nape and Percival's gentle eyes roam over him, and if Newt didn’t know any better he’d think this were genuine affection. Percival's acting is quite remarkable, he thinks.
The next words catch him completely, embarrassingly off-guard.
“May I kiss you?”
“Of course,” Newt blurts out, then panics a little.
He needn't even ask, really, considering their appearance to others, although it's polite that he did; this is—it’s expected of them.
Even before his (fake) boyfriend nears, Newt squeezes his eyes shut and it seems years before he can sense the heat of his presence and tickle of a breath on his lips. And—
There’s a light pressure against his cheek, then the presence draws back. In shock, Newt's eyes snap open and then he nearly chokes at Percival's face right there in front of him.
“Maybe don’t look so nervous next time,” Percival whispers, teasing, then moves away.
Right.
(A moment later, Newt doesn’t deny the slight twinge of disappointment.)