#i love you because we are each others opposite

[cressidagrey]

Such A Mystery - Part 9

Pairing: Max Verstappen x Colette Leclerc (Original Character)

Summary:

Max Verstappen fell in love at the ripe old age of 12 and never looked back.

Colette Leclerc really regrets posting that particular Taylor Swift Lyric to her private Instagram account, because it made George Russell go insane.  

The rest of the world has absolutely no idea that the Dutch Lion and Charles Leclerc’s twin sister have been a couple for 15 years and are expecting a baby. 

Warnings: 

Pregnancy, Mention of multiple miscarriages, Pregnancy complications, George Russell Bashing (he's probably really nice in real life but in this, he's the bad guy, sorry), Jos Verstappen, We have apparently now reached the time where I also bash Ferrari. I am sure they are super nice in real life too. They are not in this.

Author Notes: Huge thanks to @llirawolf for holding my hand through this. Chapter 8 of...who knows.

It felt like forever. He knew it wasn't. It must have been minutes until the car door was ripped open and Charles slipped in right next to him.

It wasn’t until the doors were slammed shut behind Charles that Max dared to look at the Monégasque.

His heart skipped a beat at the sight. Charles was still in his racing suit just as him, the suit itself streaked with sweat.

The moment the car door closed, the car started riving.

"Merde," Charles cursed. Max could only agree. "I am sorry, that it took this long."

Max gave a sharp, jerky shake of his head. "You don’t have to apologize," he somehow managed to get the words out. "I’m just..." he trailed off, a shaky exhale escaping him. "How could you make it here so fast?" he asked, casting a quick glance in his friend’s direction.

Charles snorted. "Your press officer had a shouting match with Ferrari's,“ he said simply.

If Max wasn’t so focused on not completely losing it, he might’ve been amused with the mental image. But at the moment, he could only shake his head.

Next to him, Charles let out a sigh. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.

"No. You?" he gave back.

"I don't have a bad feeling," Charles said quietly. “Not worse than it has been for days at least.”

Twin Telepathy was apparently a thing as far as Charles and Colette were concerned. 

Quite frankly, till this day, it still weirded Max out. They just seemed to know when the other one wasn't feeling well. 95% of the time, they got sick at the same time. They communicated more easily with each other than with anyone else, and regardless of what game they played...they needed to be put on opposite teams, because otherwise nobody had a chance against them.

Max was well aware of Colette and Charles' strange connection. Even if he didn’t fully understand it. They both had some sort of sixth sense when it came to the other one, and it sometimes felt like they were talking in secret code.

"What’s it telling you right now?" he asked, his voice barely above a rough whisper.

Charles turned to him fully at that, and Max saw the way his eyes swept over him, taking in every aspect of his appearance.

Max could only imagine what Charles was seeing. He felt like a walking wreck, and there was no doubt his appearance was mirroring that.

"Colette is in pain," Charles finally said, his voice strangely quiet. "She’s scared."

That answer felt like somebody shoved a knife into Max’s stomach. He inhaled sharply, the breath catching in his throat. “Of course, she is,” he hissed through clenched teeth.

Charles seemed to sense what he was thinking, even without being telepathically connected through whatever the hell Colette and him had going on. The Monégasque reached out and took a firmer hold of his hand, the grip almost crushing.

"Don’t," Charles said firmly, his voice leaving no room for arguments. "Don’t go there. We’re gonna get to her as fast as we can."

There was a brief moment of silence, as Max tried to collect himself. He focused all his attention on the pressure of Charles' hand on his, and somehow, it actually helped.

"I feel so goddamn useless," he finally admitted, his voice rough with emotion. "I want to be with her."

"You want to try calling her before we are in the air?" Charles suggested.

That was not a bad idea, not at all. Max let out a low and slightly shaky exhale, swallowing hard. “Yeah,” he nodded. “Yeah, I…” he had to stop and clear his throat. “Yeah, I’ll try to call her.”

His hands were shaking when he pulled out his phone out of the backpack that somebody had handed off to him, already packed. Regardless of all the drama that had gone on in the RedBull garage during the year… if it really mattered, the people in there pulled off minor miracles.

Within minutes, his entire day - hell, his entire week - had been packed for him, with all the essentials of clothes and everything else he would need.

He had almost forgotten about the phone in his shaking hands, but now he just stared at the screen for a moment. His fingers were trembling so badly that just unlocking the phone was a challenge in itself.

Jimmy and Sassy were on his lockscreen...a picture that Colette had once sent him when he had been away for one of his races...the two of them laying on top of her on their couch...

Every other time Max saw the photo, it made his heart do a little funny jump. Now though, it made his chest ache. It felt like a sharp stabbing pain, and for a moment, he just sat there and stared at the picture.

Then he called her.

It rang. And it rang, and it rang again. With each passing second, that horrible knot in his stomach tightened a little more. With every ring of the bell, it got harder to breathe.

Finally, to Max’s immense and enormous relief, the line connected.

"Hey, Maxie. I put you on speaker," Victoria's voice came over the phone, sounding surprisingly calm.

A shiver of something resembling dread ran through Max, at the sound of Victoria’s voice. But he pushed past the feeling.

His thoughts were once again running wild - was it a bad sign that Colette wasn’t the one speaking to him? Or was he just overreacting..?

“Hey,” he forced the word out past the lump in his throat. "How are you feeling?" he asked, pleading for Colette's voice. Was it selfish that he just wanted to hear her tell him that everything was going to be okay?

"Better now," Colette's voice came, sounding slightly hoarse.

The words were like a shot of adrenaline, and for a moment, Max actually felt a little lightheaded. “Liefje.” He closed his eyes, just hearing her voice sending another wave of relief through him. “Are you okay? How is Bébé?”

"Bébé has decided that they would rather be born today, so I would suggest you hurry up," Victoria said drily.

"Seems like the kid already inherited Max's need for speed," Charles quipped. "How are you doing, Coco?"

"I'm good," Colette's voice replied, and Max could only imagine the eye-roll that was currently happening. He knew his girlfriend, and he had no doubt that she had been glaring at Victoria ever since the phone was put on speaker.

"Where are you?" she asked, her voice suddenly turning much softer. "You're coming, right?"

"Coming," he assured her, his heart aching. "We're coming, I promise."

"I know. I’m not worried." She sounded like she meant it, but Max could easily imagine the anxiety in her eyes.

"You'd better not worry," Charles said, and then added, "I’m keeping him from doing anything dumb."

Max shot Charles a dirty look at that, bt he swallowed down the annoyed protest and focused back on Colette instead. “Just…hold on a little longer, okay?”

"It's not like I can go anywhere else," Colette replied, her voice slightly amused. "I’ll keep our little speed demon in there a little lo...." She broke off and let out a quiet hiss of pain, her voice once again cut off by what Max suspected to be a particularly painful contraction.

“Colette,” he said sharply, all kinds of emotions washing over him, one by one. “Liefje, just…just breathe through it, okay?”

There was a second of panting, then, he heard her take a deep breath. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay,” she finally said. “Just…hurts like hell.”

He swallowed and clenched his free hand tightly into a fist, fighting against the urge to just jump out of the car and start running towards the airport.

Colette being in pain was not something he could deal with.

He heard her take a few more deep breaths, and he just sat there, waiting and listening and feeling absolutely useless.

"How long until you get here?" she asked after a moment, her voice breathless. He could see her in his mind, his sweet girl, sitting on the bed and clutching her belly as another contraction hit her.

"We're not even at the airport yet," he told her, and damn it, why were his eyes suddenly burning. "We’ll get there as soon as we can, okay? Just...hold on a little longer."

"What your dad said..." Colette said with a shaky voice.

"I know," he said simply, the grief raw in his voice. Neither of them were ever really going to get over the two babies they had lost. They had learnt to live with the pain, they had dealt with the heartbreak an grief...but it was always going to be scar for them.

"Max, if something…" she began, her voice a little wobbly. He could tell that she was crying, by the way her breathing got a little more hitched and ragged.

But she suddenly cut off and gasped, letting out an even breath. Another contraction..."Hey, nothing is gonna happen," he quickly said, trying to soothe her. "Nothing. I'll be there soon. I'll be there before you know, and our child will meet their parents. We will be fine, we will get through this. You, and me. Together."

"If something happens," Colette continues. "If..."

"No," he cut her off, the word coming out as a growl. "Nothing is gonna happen. You will not talk that way. You’re going to deliver a gorgeous and healthy baby, and I won’t hear anything else."

"Max..." she protested, but Max wasn’t having it.

"You’re not going anywhere," he said firmly, putting as much steel in his voice as he could. "You will be fine. Our baby will be fine, and I will be there soon and I will hold your hand and you can threaten to geld me and all of it will be okay. Just breathe.” 

He could hear the sound of her breathing, deep and even. She was trying to steady it, and Max gripped his phone tighter. He didn’t know if he was trying to hold himself together, or if he was trying to hold on to the sound of her voice.

The seconds ticked by, and then another contraction hit, and he heard her gasp out another ragged breath. Max felt like he was going to crawl out of his own skin. The idea of her in pain was like an invisible knife twisting a little deeper in his gut, each time.

"We need to go," Charles said suddenly. "We need to get into the plane." The car slowed down at that moment. "Coco, listen to me. I am going to be absolutely fucking furious with you if something happens to you," Charles told her fiercely. 

"Trust me," Colette’s voice said, sounding slightly tired. "I am very, very motivated to stay alive."

That was good. That was a good sign. If she was still being sarcastic and even a little bit cheeky…it was good.

"Just hold on," he told her again, the familiar feeling of helplessness seeping into his bones. "Just keep hanging on, for me. I love you."

“I love you too,” the words were as immediate and as fast as the sunrise each morning. "Hurry up, dammit."

"I’m trying," he replied, his voice hoarse. "I’m trying. We’re at the airport now. We’ll get there as fast as we can-" he had to stop, when he heard her let out another pained gasping sound, as another contraction clearly hit her hard.

“Goddamn,” he exclaimed, all of his muscles tense with the urge to do something. He wanted to help her, he wanted to be there to comfort her…but more than anything,  he was terrified of losing her. "Liefje, just keep breathing, okay? Breathe and stay calm."

"I’m trying to," her voice was breathless, and he knew that she was probably trying hard to fight the urge to cry out. Oh God, he hated that. He hated seeing her in pain, he loathed feeling this utterly useless.

"Go. Love you," she told him.

"I love you," he told her emphatically, wanting to say something more, but then Charles impatiently gestured at him to hurry up and get out of the car. "I...I’ll see you soon, okay? Just hang on, okay?"

"Yeah," he could tell that she was trying even harder to control her voice, trying to put on a calm and steady front for his benefit. "Just..." she cut off and let out a gasp, another contraction evidently hitting her hard. "...just hurry up before this baby decides to make their way out before you arrive, okay?"

"I will," he promised through gritted teeth. "I will, goddammit, I will, just…hang on."

He heard Colette’s pained panting, and each of her breaths was like a stab in the gut.He hated having to hang up on her

Everything in him rebelled at that. How could he, how could he possibly abandon her like that, how could he let her take on this pain and fear all by herself, without him there to hold her hand...but goddamnit, he had no choice.

He took a shuddering breath and pushed past the urge to scream, to slam his fist into something, anything. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from the desperate need to get to her, to overwhelming panic, to anger at the universe for forcing them apart and for putting her through this pain.

Into the plane they went…it was probably the shortest amount of time between entering a plane and taking off Max had ever experienced. 

Before too long they were up in the air, flying towards Nice.

The minutes ticked by, each one passing by like a century. Max would sit in restless agitation at his seat, his mind racing back and forth. Every thought and memory came back to Colette. He just wanted to be at her side, he just wanted everything to be okay…

And instead he would be stuck on this plane for 6 hours.

He would be stuck on this goddamn plane for six hours. Six hours, each one of them filled with the knowledge that the love of his life was giving birth to their child, and he was not there to support her, to hold her hand and reassure her that everything was okay.

It was driving him absolutely insane. He couldn’t take it, he just wanted to be there, with her. He could vividly picture her, sitting in the hospital bed and gripping the rails, her face screwed up in pain as she fought through another contraction. And he was not there to comfort her.

"Maman is with her. Your sister is with her. Lorenzo and Arthur too." Charles said at that moment. “We aren't there but everybody else is."

"How can you be this calm?" Max asked him, dragging a hand through sweat damp hair.

"Don't mistake calm for not being worried," Charles said evenly, his eyes tracking Max's restless pacing of the plane. "I am worried. For her, for you and for the little one. But freaking out isn't gonna do anyone any favours right now."

"I know,” Max said, his voice still strangled tight with stress. He just couldn't get any of the images out of his mind - her struggling and fighting her way through the pain, looking more vulnerable and pale than he had ever seen her...and he was not there.

“Besides, I shouted at Ferrari’s PR and got it out of my system, so currently, I am feeling quite calm.” Charles said darkly. “I imagine that’s going to change again when I am sure that Colette and the baby are alright.”

Max just stared at him. Charles had done what?

If there was a religion that Charles Leclerc believed in then it was Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc was their golden boy. Their Il Predestinato. There was no good-natured fobbing to be had about Ferrari regardless of what issues there had been had through the years, and there had been a lot.

Charles worshipped Ferrari like a malevolent goddess. He didn’t want to hear any criticism of his team and Max had given up on that a very long time ago. 

Charles and Colette both could be the most stubborn people Max had ever match. The only one who could match their stubbornness were each other. 

"You did what?" Max stared at him, utterly flabbergasted. Charles was an absolute Ferrari fan and loyal to the very core…why the hell would he yell at the PR people?

"Why...? What did they do?"

"They weren't even going to tell me that something was wrong with Colette," Charles said darkly. "I knew it. I knew that something was off. But they didn't say anything. It was one of Red Bull's PR Staff that got me out of the cooldown room. Ferrari wouldn't have said anything to me. Ferrari didn't want me to leave either. They wanted to debrief, they wanted me to give interviews,"

Max had to resist the urge to swear. He had been so focused on the fact that he was not with Colette that he hadn't even processed the fact that Ferrari had actually kept her labour a secret from Charles, simply to make him stay and do his goddamn job for them.

"You know that that is not normal, right?" he asked him drily. "I am not telling you that everything is perfect at Red Bull but Christian would never fucking stand for that."

"You know I never expected it," Charles told him, his mouth a thin hard line. "We are the drivers. We are the stars. But we come second. First and foremost, we are assets to the team. What Ferrari wants, Ferrari gets. We drive, we get podiums, we hold the trophies, and we smile for the cameras. Everything else comes second. It doesn’t matter to them. To them, only the trophies matter. "

"That's what they want," Max told him, anger seeping into his voice. "But that's not how it should be. Ferrari is wrong. If something is wrong with your loved ones, they have no right to keep it from you like that. Especially not for the sake of a goddamn interview."

"I know," Charles said, his lips thin with bitterness. "But there's not much I can do about it, is there? We may be the top drivers on the grid, but we drive the car that the teams give us. There's only so much that we can do when the team has power over pretty much every aspect of our career. And believe me, I am going to pay a fucking price for doing what I did. I just don't care at all. It's Colette," he said sharply. "I love all my siblings. I do. I love Lorenzo and Arthur. I would do everything for them. But they aren't my twin. They aren't the second half of me," Charles said simply. "Ferrari be damned."

Max hadn't thought that he was ever going to hear these words out of Charles' mouth but here they were.

"What the fuck did Jos say by the way? What did Coco mean?" Charles demanded.

"He gave an interview to Sky Sports," Max said, fury still embering deep in his gut.

"Of course he did." Charles said, not sounding surprised at all. "What did he say?"

"Confirmed the relationship...and the pregnancy," Max said clenching his teeth. "And if that wasn't enough...he made a...comment about how it had taken us long enough to have a baby."

There was a sharp indrawn breath as Charles absorbed that. "...What?" Charles said after a moment, his voice strangled. "...he made that comment in public? Are - are you serious?"

"I never told him about the two...miscarriages," Max said quietly. "I couldn't deal with whatever well meant advice he was going to have...but I...We lost two babies," Max said weakly. "My father went out there and confirmed our relationship and the pregnancy without talking to either of us. He just made that decision because it's "ridiculous" that we kept it a secret for so long. An it’s making me furious. This wasn't his decision to make. This was ours."

"Yes," Charles said, his jaw clenching. "It was. Your decision. Nobody else’s. He had absolutely no right to do that. Goddamn it, I have never liked that man, but I've never had the urge to punch him as much as I do this very moment."

"You and me both," Max said. The anger he was feeling would have been burning through him like a damn inferno if he hadn't been so worried about Colette.

"This should have come from us," Max repeated quietly. "Not from anybody else."

"It still can come from you," Charles said.

Max paused, looking up at him. "Are you saying we should..." he began uncertainly.

"You want to tell the entire world that you love my sister and that she is having your baby? You have an Instagram account and a phone with an internet connection," Charles said drily. "Tell them the truth. Your truth."

Max opened his mouth and then closed it again. Charles had a point. It was obvious what the news was going to be now if people had seen Jos's interview.

But he wanted to be the one to tell the world. He wanted it to be on his terms. He wanted it to be public but on his public terms. Not his father's.

"Are you ever going to ask my sister to marry you?" Charles asked him suddenly.

The question caught him completely off guard. "...What?" He said blankly, stunned by the change of the conversation.

"You gave her a ring when you were both 18 that you both insisted was only a promise ring," Charles said drily. "Are you ever going to replace it with the real thing?"

He thought back to that ring that still sat on Colette's finger to this day. A simply gold band with a tiny heart-shaped diamond.

He had given it to her in 2016, after his very first Grand Prix win in Spain. He had gone out and bought it that very same day to be exact.

He had bought Victoira a handbag the first time he had scored his championship points...but the first time he had won...he had bought Colette that ring.

"Apparently the baby is only going to have your surname too, because you have an agreement," Charles continued. "Do I actually want to know what that agreement was?"

"We were 18. Both our father's would have probably killed us, if we came to them and told them that we were engaged," Max said with a sigh. The Leclerc's had always been supportive of their relationship but Hervè Leclerc had very much thought that both Colette and him were far too young to get married. 

Jos on the other hand...Max didn't even want to imagine that screaming fit.  "So I gave her that ring and we agreed that..."

"You agreed that..." Charles repeated slowly, silently urging him to continue.

Max let out a deep sigh and dragged a hand through his already messy hair, mussing it up even more. "We agreed that we didn't really need a piece of paper to tell us what we already knew," he said simply. "Colette and I had been together for 6 years at that point, we already knew and accepted that we were going to be together for the rest of our lives. It was just a matter of when. So we decided that we didn't need a damn piece of paper to know that we were committed to each other. We already knew that, without a doubt," Max said simply. "It was a promise ring. To love and to cherish, till death us do part. One day we would do it properly, but till then...that ring was a promise."

Charles stared at him. "Let me get this straight. You have been married to my sister for 10 years?" he asked him sharply.

Max winced. Okay. Put like that, it sounded kinda bad. "We never had the actual wedding," he said sheepishly. "We both know it wasn't necessary for us, so...we kinda just...never got around to it."

"I mean, I did ask your father for her hand in marriage when it was clear that he wasn't going to be there...when we eventually did it properly...but...for us that ring was… It was more than enough," Max said quietly. "I knew damn well that I would be with her for the rest of my life. She knew it. We both knew it. And that ring was a symbol between us that sealed the deal. We both knew that it was going to be for forever and always. It was a promise. A promise to always stay by each other’s side. No matter how badly things fell apart around us. No matter how much the world wanted to tear us to apart. We were going to stay together, come hell or high water. We didn't need a paper to prove that to us or the rest of the world," Max said firmly.

Charles stared at him for a couple of long moments, processing this. Max was well aware that, from an outside perspective, it might sound weird. That they had been so young, but so utterly certain that they were going to spend their lives together.

But he and Colette had been together for years. And he had seen how strongly they had bonded over the years, seen what they had been able to deal with as a team, as one, and how they had come through every single thing that the life had thrown at them together.

"You two are utterly ridiculous," Charles finally said drily. "You didn't get engaged because as far as you two were concerned you already got married years ago."

Max winced a little bit and couldn't really refute it. If he were to be honest, he'd have admit it did sound utterly ridiculous, when Charles spelled it out like that.

But that just...that was how badly they had known right from the very beginning that this was it for them. They didn't need a piece of paper to tell them what they already knew.

"I'll ask her properly," he promised Charles. "I already got the ring. But Colette doesn't want to overshadow Lorenzo and Charlotte and I knew that she wasn't going to want to have a big party while pregnant so I figured I would just wait."

Charles was slightly taken aback by his words, before he gave a small smile. "She'll definitely say yes, you know," he said, the corner of his eyes crinkling with affection.

Max smiled in return. His heart ached with the thought of her. "I hope so," he said quietly, feeling like there was a hole in his chest where his heart was supposed to be. "I really, really hope so."

[iris-qt]

𝚜𝚕𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚗 𝚜𝚔𝚒 𝚛𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝

ᴘᴛ. ᴠ ᴛᴏ (ɴᴏᴛ ꜱᴏ) ꜱᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ ꜱᴀɴᴛᴀ - ꜰɪɴᴀʟᴇ

❆ ᴀᴄᴀᴅᴇᴍɪᴄ ʀɪᴠᴀʟꜱ | 10.0ᴋ

❆ ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ: ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴏᴅᴏʀᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ɢᴏɴᴇ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴄᴜʟᴍɪɴᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ᴠᴀᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀʟꜰᴏʏ'ꜱ ʟᴏᴅɢᴇ ᴅᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴡɪɴᴛᴇʀ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ. ᴡɪʟʟ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʀᴇᴛʀᴇᴀᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɴᴏᴡʏ ᴍᴏᴜɴᴛᴀɪɴꜱ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ʟᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇᴍ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇꜱꜱ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ?

❆ ᴀ/ɴ: ɪ ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴇᴀᴄʜ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴏɴᴇ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ꜱᴜᴘᴘᴏʀᴛᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ. ɪᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴꜱ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ!! ᴛʜɪꜱ ɪꜱ ᴅᴇᴅɪᴄᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴀʟʟ ᴏꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡʜᴏ ɪɴᴛᴇʀᴀᴄᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜɪꜱ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ, ᴀ ʙɪɢ ʙɪɢ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ. ᡣ𐭩

It was a late evening in the Slytherin common room, a week before winter break.

 A crackling fire illuminated the room as Theo lounged on a green velvet sofa, flipping through a book, while you scribbled furiously in your notebook at the opposite end of the room.

Mattheo strutted into the common room, his usual smirk plastered across his face, followed closely by Blaise who looked far too amused for Theo’s liking.

“You know,” Mattheo began, plopping himself into the chair between you and Theo, “I think it’s time we had a little chat.”

Theo groaned, not even bothering to look up. “Can’t you see we’re busy?”

“Busy ignoring each other? Very productive,” Mattheo quipped, glancing between you two. “But don’t worry. I’m about to change your lives.”

You shot him a glare. “If this is another one of your ridiculous schemes-”

“Oh, it is,” Blaise interrupted smoothly, flopping onto the sofa beside Theo. “And it’s brilliant.”

Mattheo leaned forward, his smirk widening. “You two ever wonder why we’ve been pushing you together so much lately?”

Theo snapped his book shut, narrowing his eyes. “Because you’re a meddling prat who has nothing better to do?”

“Accurate,” you added without looking up from your notes.

Mattheo held up a finger. “True, but not the full story.”

Blaise chuckled. “This is the good part.”

With a dramatic sigh, Mattheo leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. “See, here’s the thing. Your constant bickering? It’s been exhausting for the rest of us.”

You frowned, pen pausing midsentence. “Excuse me?”

Mattheo waved a hand. “You heard me. The snark, the eye rolling, the glares. It’s like watching a soap opera unfold. Minus the dramatic music and commercial breaks.”

Theo scowled. “We do not bicker that much.”

“Mate,” Blaise interjected, “you both argued for twenty minutes last week about whether the library smelled more like parchment or mildew.”

“It smells like parchment!” Theo defended, throwing up his hands.

“Exactly,” Mattheo said, pointing at him. “Proving my point. So, the gang and I decided to do something about it…for an end goal of course”

You crossed your arms, clearly unimpressed. “And what, exactly, is this end goal?”

Mattheo’s grin turned positively wicked. “We orchestrated this whole winter break thing.”

Theo blinked. “What whole thing?”

“A ski retreat to Malfoy’s family ski lodge!” Mattheo says as if it’s the brightest plan of the century.

Your jaw dropped. “You mean to tell me you’ve been meddling just so we wouldn’t annoy you?”

Mattheo held up his hands in mock innocence. “Not just that. It’s also been incredibly entertaining.”

Theo pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Oh, come on,” Blaise said, smirking. “It’s not like it didn’t work. You’ve been a lot less...murdery toward each other lately.”

You opened your mouth to retort but stopped, glancing at Theo. He looked just as caught off guard as you felt.

Mattheo leaned forward, lowering his voice conspiratorially. “Besides, you two needed this. You just didn’t know it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” you asked, narrowing your eyes.

Mattheo smirked, standing up and patting your shoulder. “You’ll figure it out. The mountains have a way of making people see things clearly.”

As Mattheo sauntered off, Blaise followed, throwing a parting shot over his shoulder. “Just don’t forget to thank us when you’re both madly in love by New Year’s.”

You and Theo exchanged a horrified look, protests overlapping.

“That’s not—” “We don’t—”

The silence that followed was almost comical.

Finally, you shook your head, muttering under your breath. “They’re insufferable.”

Theo huffed, grabbing his book again. “Tell me about it.”

But as he flipped a page, he couldn’t help glancing at you, a thought nagging at the back of his mind. 

Maybe, just maybe, the prats had a point.

…

The snow outside the Malfoy lodge sparkled under a pale winter sun as three elaborate, gleaming black carriages pulled up in a line, two days after break began. Each was pulled by magical thestrals, their skeletal wings casting eerie shadows across the snow. The group began piling out, each member showcasing a different level of winter preparation.

“Careful!” Pansy snapped as Mattheo practically vaulted out of the first carriage, sending a dusting of snow into her boots.

“It’s just snow,” Mattheo said, brushing nonexistent flakes off his jacket with exaggerated care. “Don’t be so dramatic.”

Pansy shot him a murderous glare. “These are Prada, you twit.”

From the second carriage, Blaise emerged with practiced grace, holding a flask. “Anyone want a warming charm? Or something stronger?”

“Why not both?” you said, stepping out behind him and rubbing your gloved hands together.

Just as you spoke, a loud whoosh echoed, and everyone turned to see a plume of green fire bursting from the lodge’s ornate outdoor Floo Powder station. Draco stepped out of the flames, his hair immaculate, brushing soot off his shoulders like it was routine.

Behind him, Theo stumbled out, coughing into his sleeve. He was covered head to toe in soot, his normally pristine coat streaked with black.

“Floo Powder,” Theo muttered darkly, shaking his fluffy brown hair out. “Never again.”

Mattheo grinned, barely holding back his laughter. “You look like you just crawled out of a chimney, mate. Should I find you a broom to match?”

You smirked, unable to resist. “You’re really going for that chimney sweep aesthetic, huh?”

Blaise raised his flask in a mock toast. “To arriving in style…or in Theo’s case, spectacular disgrace.”

Theo grumbled under his breath, attempting to clean his coat with a wandless spell, but your laughter made him pause. You were grinning at him, cheeks red from the cold, and for a split second, he forgot his irritation.

“Alright, you lot,” Draco said, stepping into the center of the group. “This isn’t a circus. Let’s go inside before someone else makes a fool of themselves.”

Mattheo elbowed Theo as they started up the snowy path. “Don’t worry, mate. You’ve already won that competition.”

Theo shot him a withering look but couldn’t help the faint tug of a smile. The lodge loomed ahead, and with it, the promise of a very long, and eventful week.

…

They arrived in the grand foyer of Malfoy’s extravagant ski lodge, all gleaming marble floors, enchanted chandeliers, and walls lined with enormous portraits of Malfoy ancestors. The lodge was gloriously decorated with sparkling enchanted candles and floating ornaments. The group huddled inside, shedding coats and scarves as Draco began assigning rooms.

“Welcome,” Draco announced, spreading his arms as if he’d built the place himself. “To the Malfoy Lodge. Please try not to ruin it.”

“Try not to ruin it?” Mattheo repeated, smirking. “Sounds like a challenge.”

Draco shot him a withering look. “It’s not.”

You glanced around, taking in the sheer grandeur of the place. “This isn’t a lodge…it’s a castle pretending to be cozy.”

“Impressive, isn’t it?” Theo drawled, brushing a bit of snow off his coat. “Bet you’ve never seen anything like it.”

You rolled your eyes. “Right, because I live under a bridge.”

“Enough,” Draco interrupted, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let’s get through room assignments so we can all move on with our lives.” He pulled out a parchment and began reading.

“Blaise, you’re in the east wing, Room 3A. Mattheo, 3B, next door. Pansy, you’ve got the west wing, Room 4C.”

“Alone?” Pansy asked, raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. “You don’t trust me with a room neighbor?”

“Let’s say I wouldn’t trust my worst enemies with you,” Draco replied smoothly, earning a round of muffled laughter.

Draco continued, ignoring the side chatter. “I’m in 2F. And Y/N...”

You perked up, expecting your name to be followed by your own luxurious solo room.

“You’re with Theo in 1D.”

“What?” you and Theo exclaimed simultaneously, voices overlapping in a mixture of outrage and disbelief.

Draco folded the parchment and tucked it into his pocket. “You heard me.”

“But there are literally a hundred rooms in this place,” you protested, gesturing wildly. “Why do I have to share one with him?”

“Yeah,” Theo agreed, his brows furrowing. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

Draco sighed, as if he’d been expecting this. “The decision is final. You’re both insufferable on your own, and frankly, I’m tired of your constant bickering. Maybe forced proximity again will teach you some manners.”

“Or one of us will murder the other,” Theo muttered under his breath.

You crossed your arms, glaring at Draco. “This is ridiculous. You’re punishing me for no reason.”

Draco smirked. “Oh, there’s a reason. The entirety of our 7 years at Hogwarts with you two was like listening to a pair of Howlers.”

“I mean, he’s got a point,” Blaise added lazily, earning a glare from both you and Theo.

Mattheo, ever the opportunist, grinned. “Don’t fight it, you two. Think of it as a bonding exercise.”

“Or a reality show,” Pansy quipped. “We can take bets on how long it takes before one of them snaps.”

You turned to Draco, desperate. “I’ll sleep on the floor! Or the couch! Or in a cupboard!”

Draco shook his head. “The wards on this lodge won’t allow it. Guests must sleep in their assigned rooms. Besides, there’s only one bed in 1D, and it’s big enough for two.”

Theo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

Draco didn’t bother to deny it. “Enjoy your stay.”

…

It’s the first morning of the trip, and the gang is gathered in the grand dining hall for breakfast, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal a picturesque snowy landscape. The chaos begins as they attempt to settle into their vacation routines.

You and Theo walk down shooting each other glares after a restless night in your shared room.

You claim his snoring kept you up, but really, it was the light weight of Theo’s hand that moved to grasp your own while he slept that kept your brain and heart spiraling all night.

Theo claims it was you muttering about homework in your sleep when really it was endless dreams about you that woke him up every few hours.

“Pass the coffee,” Pansy grumbled, rubbing her temples and squinting at the bright sunlight streaming through the windows. “Who thought waking up before noon on a holiday was a good idea?”

“Some of us like to experience daylight,” Blaise chimed in, helping himself to a stack of waffles.

Mattheo strolled in, already dressed for the slopes, and clapped his hands together. “Morning, peasants! Who’s ready for some wholesome outdoor bonding?”

“Define wholesome,” Blaise said, barely looking up from his paper as he sipped his espresso.

“The kind where Theo falls on his arse at least three times,” Mattheo replied with a smirk.

Theo, seated at the far end of the table, shot him a glare. “The only person falling today will be you, after I shove you off a ski lift.”

“Bold of you to assume you’ll be coordinated enough to manage that,” you quipped from beside him, not looking up from your plate.

Theo turned to you, his brow raised. “I’m sorry, did you even pack skis, or were you planning to sled down the mountain on sheer audacity?”

Before you could respond, Draco walked in, exuding his usual aristocratic confidence. “Can you all keep it down? You’re ruining the ambiance of my family lodge.”

“Your brooding ancestors ruin it, not us,” Blaise muttered under his breath, eyeing the various portraits of Malfoy’s old ancestors on the walls.

Draco ignored him, instead waving a hand toward a nearby (well paid and well treated) house elf, who instantly appeared with a tray of fresh pastries. “Right. Ground rules. No one burns anything down, no one embarrasses the Malfoy name in front of the other guests, and for Merlin’s sake, don’t let Mattheo near the fireplace.”

“That was one time,” Mattheo protested.

“It was last week,” Draco deadpanned.

You looked around, amused. “So, this is what the elite do on holiday? Bicker over breakfast?”

“Only when we’re stuck with you lot,” Theo muttered.

You gasped dramatically. “You’d be lost without me, Nott.”

“Lost?” Theo scoffed. “I’d be thriving.”

“Enough,” Draco snapped, clearly already regretting his decision to invite them. “Just be ready in twenty minutes. We’re hitting the slopes, and I expect some semblance of decorum.”

“Decorum?” Mattheo asked, feigning confusion. “Is that a new drink on the menu?”

Pansy snorted into her juice, while Draco pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why do I even bother?”

…

The group arrives at the base of the ski hill, where chaos quickly ensues.

Mattheo insists on leading the warm-ups, which somehow devolves into him challenging Blaise to a race. Blaise accepts with a smug grin, only to deliberately shove Mattheo into a snowbank halfway down.

Pansy, decked out in an overly glamorous ski outfit, refuses to actually ski and instead sets up a lounge chair to “supervise” from afar.

Draco attempts to maintain order but gets increasingly exasperated as your’s and Theo’s bickering escalates.

“You’re supposed to lean forward, not flail like a deranged Hippogriff!” Theo shouts as you wobble on your skis.

“Maybe I wouldn’t be flailing if my so-called instructor wasn’t a deranged Hippogriff,” you fire back.

“Merlin’s beard,” Draco mutters, watching you two with a mix of horror and resignation.

Meanwhile, Blaise sails effortlessly down the hill, turning gracefully to call out, “This is fun! You lot should try it without all the screaming!”

Mattheo, now dusting snow off his jacket, watches you and Theo with a knowing smirk. “You know,” he says to Pansy, “this trip might actually be worth it just for the entertainment value.”

“Agreed,” Pansy replies, snapping a moving photo of Theo glaring at you as you fall into a heap.

…

It was truly a picturesque ski slope surrounded by snow-covered trees and tall peaks. The crisp mountain air bit at your skin as a crowd of skiers zooms past, but you were struggling to keep your balance on the slope. Theo, perched at the top, watches with a smug smirk, clearly enjoying your distress.

You wobbled as you pushed yourself forward on the skis, trying to follow the basics Theo had explained, or, rather, mocked you for not knowing. Your knees bent awkwardly, and you nearly toppled over again, catching yourself just in time.

"Steady there," Theo called from the top, clearly amused. "Maybe next time try not to fall on your face. It’s not a good look."

You shot him a glare, balance once again betraying you as you slipped down a little too quickly. “Oh, please. You’re not even helping me!” you shot back, voice carrying over the soft wind.

Theo smirked, crossing his arms. "Helping you? I’m pretty sure I’ve helped enough already. You’re the one who insisted on trying to ski like a pro on your first day."

“I was just trying to keep up with you,” you muttered, half under your breath.

“Oh, so now you’re admitting you want to be like me?” Theo teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “I mean, who wouldn’t? Look at me.” He pulled off a smooth ski maneuver, ending with a pristine spray of snow, making sure you could see just how effortlessly he glided down the slope.

You grumbled under your breath, muttering something about him being insufferable. But just as you started to regain your footing, a tall, handsome wizard in sleek black ski gear suddenly appeared beside you, his charm radiating like he’d been born for the slopes.

“Need a hand?” he asked, giving you a warm smile that made you heat up a little, despite the cold.

Theo’s smirk faltered slightly, a spark of irritation flickering in his eyes as he watched the wizard approach.

“I’m fine,” you replied quickly, though you couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed, especially with Theo watching from above. You adjusted your ski poles, trying to keep your balance as the wizard gave you a once-over.

“Don’t worry, happens to the best of us.” The wizard grinned, offering you a hand. “I’m Callum, by the way. Been skiing since I could walk. You just need to loosen up a bit.”

Theo watched the interaction with narrowed eyes, irritation bubbling up in his chest, but he tried to keep his voice casual as he spoke.

“Callum, huh?” Theo called from above, his tone dripping with mild amusement. “I see you’re making new friends already, Y/N.”

You shot a glare in Theo’s direction, but your smile was warm as you turned back to Callum. “It’s fine, really. I’m just trying to figure this out on my own.”

Callum’s grin widened, clearly amused by your stubbornness. “Ah, the independent type. I like that.” He took a step back, giving you some space. “If you change your mind, I’ll be over there.”

You watched as Callum glided away. You shook it off quickly, focusing back on the task at hand.

Theo, still watching from his spot above, couldn’t resist the chance to poke fun. “Nice guy. Wonder if he’s always so...helpful.”

You rolled your eyes, but the irritation you’d seen in Theo’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed. “Don’t be a jerk, Theo.”

Theo smirked, though it was tinged with something less playful. “I’m not a jerk. Just saying, he looked a little too eager to help out a beautiful stranger.”

You huffed, cheeks warming. “Well, maybe I don’t mind help from someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Theo’s jaw tightened slightly, and his smirk faltered for just a second. “Yeah, well, I know what I’m doing too. You could’ve just asked me, you know.” He motioned to the slope below him, as if to emphasize his very important role in the situation.

“Maybe I don’t need help from a guy who’s too busy making fun of me,” you shot back, trying to keep your tone light, but there was a hint of challenge in your words.

Theo’s brow furrowed slightly, and he looked at you with something unspoken in his gaze. For a moment, the teasing fell away, and his voice was more serious when he spoke. “I’m not making fun of you, Y/N.”

“You sure?” you asked, skeptical, arms crossed. “Because it sure felt like you were.”

Theo exhaled sharply, pushing off from the top of the slope. “Fine. Look, I’m just trying to make this less...embarrassing for you.” He looked down, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “I guess I’m...not the best at helping, but I didn’t mean to-"

“Alright, alright,” you interrupted, a small smile tugging at your lips as you adjusted your stance again. “I get it. You’re just...a little jealous.”

Theo blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “What? No. I’m not jealous.”

“You sure?” you teased, smile widening. “Seems like you were a little bothered by Callum being so nice.”

Theo narrowed his eyes, his teasing smirk returning full force, though his voice was a little more strained now. “I’m not bothered. I’m just saying, if I were him, I’d be careful not to seem so desperate”

You laughed, finally gaining your balance as you turned back to the slope. “Well, I think Callum’s probably a better skier than you,” you called over your shoulder.

Theo’s eyes flashed with something unrecognizable, and he glided down the slope faster than before, catching up to you in just a few seconds. He pulled up alongside you, deliberately leaning in close. “You really think Callum’s a better skier than me?”

You raised an eyebrow. “You’re about to prove me wrong, aren’t you?”

Theo smirked, eyes glinting. “Damn right I am.”

…

The ski slope is quieter now, with most people off to lunch or exploring the lodge. The snow is fresh and untouched, the air crisp, and the distant sound of skis swishing down the hill fills the silence. 

Theo, looking slightly more serious than usual, positioned himself in front of you on the slope. His arms crossed, but there was a noticeable softness in his expression as he adjusted his ski poles.

He sighed dramatically as he looked down at you, as you were trying your best to stand upright on your skis. “I’ll teach you…but no more complaints when I make you do the actual stuff.”

You gave him an exaggerated smile. “I promise to keep the complaining to a minimum.”

“Famous last words,” Theo muttered under his breath, but he gave you a small, almost reluctant smile before motioning to the slope. “Okay, first thing’s first: keep your weight forward. Don’t lean back like you’re about to doze off.”

“Thanks, that’s really helpful.” you shot him a sarcastic grin.

Theo raised an eyebrow. “You asked for this.”

The Slytherin crew stood at the top of the hill, watching the whole interaction with varying degrees of amusement.

“Do you think she’ll make it down without damage?” Draco called down, watching as you wobbled awkwardly on your skis.

“Hard to say,” Mattheo teased, smirking. “Theo’s over there looking like he’s actually trying to teach her, but we all know how that goes.”

Blaise chuckled from where he was leaning against a nearby snowbank. “At least she’s got some determination. I’m just here for the inevitable faceplant.”

Mattheo grinned. “You really want to see that? I thought you were a supporter, Blaise.”

“I’m supportive of entertainment,” Blaise replied with a shrug. “And believe me, this is gonna be good.”

You shot them all an exasperated glare. “I can hear you, you know!”

“You’ll be fine,” Theo reassured you, though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than you. He pointed down the slope. “Alright, now push off with your poles and glide forward. Keep your knees bent, like this.” He demonstrated, bending his knees and effortlessly gliding down a few feet.

You followed, though your glide was a little less graceful. “I’m trying! This is hard, you know?”

Theo grinned. “I know. But I’m here to help.” He looked over his shoulder at his friends. “No laughing, alright?”

“We’re not laughing,” Draco replied innocently. “We’re just concerned for her safety.”

Ignoring them, Theo focused on you, walking alongside you as you practiced. “You’re doing better already,” he said, sounding genuinely impressed. “You’re standing up this time.”

“Yeah, but I’m barely moving,” you admitted with a huff.

Theo smirked. “Progress is progress.” He leaned in closer, his tone teasing but a little softer than usual. “Ready to try a bit of a turn?”

You bit your lip, suddenly unsure. “A turn? What if I…fall again?”

“You won’t,” Theo said, his confidence unwavering. “Just follow my lead. You don’t need to be perfect. Just keep your balance.”

You nodded, trying to trust him. As you pushed off again, you followed his movements, attempting a turn, but the slope was slicker than expected. Your skis slipped out from under you, and before you could react, you found yourself heading straight for Theo, arms flailing in a desperate attempt to regain control.

“Uh, Theo?!!” your voice was an alarmed squeak as you careened toward him.

Theo’s eyes widened just in time for him to brace himself. But it was too late. You crashed directly into him, sending you both tumbling into a soft snowbank with an exaggerated thud.

The sound of laughter echoed from above as Draco, Mattheo, Pansy, and Blaise all burst into chuckles.

“You two look adorable together!” Mattheo called down with a mischievous grin, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

Blaise raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe next time, Theo can teach her how to ski without turning every slope into a disaster zone.”

Theo lay sprawled out in the snow, you on top of him, both of them tangled up in skis and poles.

“Well, that went well,” Theo muttered, his voice muffled by the snow.

You groaned, half-laughing and half-sighing as you pushed off of him. “I think I might need a lesson in not crashing.”

Theo propped himself up on his elbows, giving you an exaggerated look of mock concern. “Nah, you’re doing fine. You only fell once.”

You raised an eyebrow at him. “Once? You’re being generous.”

“Alright, five times, but who's counting?” he replied, clearly trying to hide the smirk tugging at his lips.

You glared at him playfully, then threw a handful of snow at his face, watching as he blinked, startled.

Theo wiped his face and laughed, brushing off the snow. “Okay, I deserved that.” He then held out his hand, offering to help you up. “Let’s get you back on your feet, shall we?”

You took his hand with a mischievous grin. “Next time, you teach me on a less bumpy terrain.”

Theo snorted. “Deal. I’ll find a nice, flat field for you. Maybe one without any snow…or hills...or gravity.”

…

The group was gathered around the roaring fire in the lodge's cozy living room after a day on the slopes. Snow lightly dusted the enormous windows, and everyone was bundled in oversized sweaters, sipping on mugs of hot cocoa or mulled wine. Pansy stretched luxuriously on the fur-lined couch, a wicked gleam in her eye.

“Alright, I’m bored,” Pansy announced. “Time for a game. Truth or dare, anyone?”

Mattheo smirked, leaning forward eagerly. “Count me in. I live for chaos.”

Draco sighed, swirling his drink. “Do we have to? These games always end up with someone storming out.”

“Exactly why we’re doing it,” Pansy replied with a grin. “Come on, Theo, Y/N, Blaise. You in?”

Theo leaned back in his armchair, raising an eyebrow. “Do I have a choice?”

“Nope,” you said, smirking as you adjusted the blanket around your legs. “You’re playing.”

“Fine,” Blaise drawled, lounging with effortless elegance. “But if this turns into one of those embarrassing dare marathons, I’m out.”

Pansy clapped her hands. “Great! I’ll start. Mattheo, truth or dare?”

“Dare, obviously,” Mattheo said without hesitation.

Pansy grinned, her eyes glittering with mischief. “I dare you to serenade Draco with a romantic ballad.”

Mattheo’s face split into a devilish grin. “Oh, I’ve been waiting for this.” He grabbed a decorative candle holder from the table and used it as a makeshift microphone.

“Draco, oh Draco, my icy-hearted friend,” Mattheo began dramatically, earning an eye roll from Draco. “Your scowl is so sharp, it could make a dementor bend.”

Draco glared, but the rest of the group burst into laughter as Mattheo collapsed back into his seat with an exaggerated bow.

“Brilliant,” Blaise said, raising his glass in mock applause. “Your voice truly brings tears to my eyes. Mostly from the pain.”

“Your turn,” Pansy said, pointing at Mattheo.

Mattheo rubbed his hands together like a villain. “Y/N. Truth or dare?”

You narrowed your eyes, sensing trouble. “Truth.”

“Coward,” Theo muttered under his breath with a small grin.

Mattheo smirked. “Alright, Y/N, if you had to date someone in this room, who would it be?”

The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to you. You felt the heat rise to your cheeks and tried to play it off.

“Easy,” you said breezily. “Pansy. Obviously.”

Pansy laughed, throwing an arm around your shoulders. “Excellent choice, darling. You have impeccable taste.”

Theo, however, narrowed his eyes. “Coward’s answer,” he said, smirking slightly. “But whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“Your turn, Y/N,” Mattheo prompted, still grinning.

You thought for a moment before turning to Blaise. “Truth or dare?”

Blaise sighed. “Truth.”

“If you had to swap lives with one of us, who would it be and why?” you asked.

Blaise considered this for a moment, then gave a sly smile. “Draco, obviously. Purely for the wardrobe.”

Draco looked vaguely offended. “Is that all I am to you? A walking closet?”

“Yes,” Blaise said without hesitation. “A very expensive one.”

The group dissolved into laughter again, and Draco muttered something about “uncultured fools.”

Theo leaned forward, clearly enjoying the game despite himself. “Alright, my turn. Draco. Truth or dare?”

Draco sighed, resigned. “Dare.”

Theo grinned, the kind that spelled trouble. “I dare you to let Mattheo style your hair for the rest of the night.”

“No,” Draco said immediately.

“Dares are binding, Malfoy,” Pansy said smugly, pulling out her wand to transfigure a nearby cushion into a small mirror. “Rules are rules.”

Within minutes, Mattheo had turned Draco’s usually impeccable hair into a chaotic mess of spikes, braids, and a small ponytail sticking straight up. The group was in hysterics as Draco sat there, his dignity in shreds.

“Enjoy this moment,” Draco said coolly. “You’ll all regret it.”

“Oh, we’ll treasure it,” Blaise said, snapping a photo with a magical camera.

“Alright, Blaise,” Theo said, turning to him. “Truth or dare?”

Blaise raised an eyebrow. “Dare.”

Theo smirked. “I dare you to compliment everyone in the room sincerely.”

Blaise groaned. “Merlin, kill me now.”

He sighed dramatically, then started. “Fine. Pansy, you have excellent taste in fashion and an alarming knack for manipulation. Mattheo, you’re surprisingly loyal for someone with no impulse control. Draco, you’re...rich. Y/N, you’re stubborn in a good way. And Theo…” Blaise paused, clearly thinking hard. “You’re less insufferable than usual tonight.”

“Touching,” Theo said dryly. “Really, Blaise, I’m overwhelmed.”

The group laughed again as the game continued into the night, the fire crackling and the snow falling gently outside. It was chaotic, silly, and exactly the kind of thing that made their group unforgettable.

…

The Malfoy Ski Lodge’s grand dining room was buzzing with energy. The fire crackled in the hearth, and the snow outside fell gently, blanketing the landscape in a peaceful white layer. You, walk into the kitchen to refill your drink.

But as you were heading back with a glass of butterbeer, you overheard snippets of their conversation, and your heart sank.

"Come on, Theo," Mattheo was saying with a laugh. "You’re not fooling anyone. We all see how you look at her. You like her."

Theo’s voice came through, more defensive than usual. "I don’t know what you’re talking about." His tone was sharp, but there was an undertone of uncertainty.

“Oh, please, Theo,” Blaise added, clearly amused. “You’ve been all over her since we got here. Can’t even ski without looking like a lost puppy when she’s around.”

“I’m not a lost puppy,” Theo muttered, but the nervousness in his voice was clear. “She’s just…a friend. At most.”

You paused in your tracks, heart pounding. A friend? At most? You had no idea why, but for some reason, hearing Theo brush off the teasing stung more than it should’ve. You didn't want to be just a joke, or some passing distraction. Your stomach twisted, and before you could stop yourself, you grabbed your drink and quickly walked out of the room.

The cold air hit you as you stepped onto the balcony, the breathtaking view of the snowy mountain under a blanket of stars offering little comfort. You leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath, trying to calm your racing thoughts. The quiet of the night contrasted sharply with the loud emotions swirling inside you. You weren't sure what you had expected to hear, but it wasn’t that.

A few moments later, you heard the door behind you open and close softly. You didn’t need to turn around to know it was Theo…you could feel his presence, like a pull you couldn’t quite resist. His footsteps were hesitant at first, then more assured as he reached your side.

"Y/N," he said softly, his voice laced with guilt. "I didn’t mean for you to hear that."

You turned to face him, eyes holding a quiet hurt. “What did you expect me to think, Theo? You’re over there acting like it’s all a joke, and here I am trying to figure out what’s going on between us.”

Theo ran a hand through his hair, his usual confident demeanor faltering. "It’s not like that," he said quickly, his voice defensive. "I didn’t mean to brush you off, okay? I just-"

“You just what?” you interrupted, tone tinged with frustration. "Do you even know what you want from me? Because I sure as hell don’t. It feels like one minute you’re messing with me, and the next you’re being…" you paused, searching for the right word, “...sweet.”

Theo winced, taking a step closer, his eyes searching yours. "I know I’ve been a prat. I’ve been messing things up, and I don’t know how to fix it."

Your breath caught in your throat, the vulnerability in his voice surprising you. But you couldn’t quite shake the feeling that you weren't hearing everything. "Then what is it, Theo? Why is everything so…complicated?"

He looked down, his jaw clenched in thought. “Because I don’t know what I’m doing.” His voice lowered, becoming more vulnerable. “I’m scared. I’m scared of ruining things, Y/N. I don’t know how to handle…whatever this is between us.”

The words hung in the cold air between them, and for a long moment, neither of you spoke. The weight of his admission made your heart flutter. A mix of confusion, relief, and something you couldn’t quite name.

"You’re scared?" you asked softly, voice barely above a whisper. "Scared of what, exactly?"

Before Theo could answer, the door behind them swung open again, this time with Mattheo’s voice ringing out. "Oi, Theo! Y/N! You coming back inside? Stop standing out there in the freezing cold like bloody idiots."

Theo’s head jerked around, frustration flashing in his eyes. "Mattheo, seriously, not now." He shot him a pointed glare before turning back to you, his voice tense. "Can we talk about this later?"

You nodded, your own emotions a mix of uncertainty and something warmer, more hopeful. “Yeah, later.”

Theo hesitated for a moment before taking a step closer, his hand brushing against yours, a tentative touch. He looked at you, his eyes filled with something unspoken, then pulled away quickly, muttering a half-hearted apology.

"Sorry, I…" He sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I don’t know how to do this, Y/N."

You offered him a small smile. "It’s okay, Theo. We’ll figure it out."

Theo glanced at you one last time before reluctantly turning back toward the door. 

As he walked away, you stayed on the balcony for a beat longer, glancing out at the snowy mountains, thoughts swirling. You didn’t have all the answers, and neither did Theo. But something told you you guys were closer to figuring it out than you’d been before.

And maybe that was enough for now.

…

Early evening in the lodge grounds the next day, the sun was setting behind the snow-capped mountains, casting a soft orange glow across the snow-covered landscape. The cold air was sharp, but there was a sense of warmth among the group as they prepared for some lighthearted chaos. Laughter echoed through the crisp winter air as the whole Slytherin crew gathered outside for an epic snowball fight.

You and Theo are standing a few feet apart, half-watching, half-dreading the upcoming battle. Your breaths form little clouds in the cold air as you two survey the rest of the group, who are already clearly strategizing.

Mattheo, grinning like a mischievous Cheshire cat, turns to Blaise with a glint in his eye. “Alright, you take left, I’ll take right. Theo and Y/N are gonna be an easy target, so let’s give them a warm welcome."

Theo glances over at you, an eyebrow raised. "This is ridiculous. They’re ganging up on us."

You chuckle, shaking your head. "Well good, you deserve a little payback for the skiing fiasco."

Theo scoffs. "That was a day ago. I’m a changed man."

"Yeah, right," you tease. "And I’m a professional skier now."

Just then, Blaise and Mattheo hurl snowballs toward you both with expert precision. Theo quickly sidesteps, pushing you out of the way as one of the snowballs flies dangerously close to your face.

“Oi! Protect yourself, Nott!” Mattheo calls out, laughing.

Theo doesn’t even hesitate. He turns and blocks the snowball with his arm, the impact making a satisfying “thud” as it hits him. He looks back at you, while you stare at him with wide eyes.

"Er, what was that?" you say, more than a little amused. "I thought we were supposed to be enemies here."

Theo shrugs, looking somewhat embarrassed. “You’re not getting hit while I’m around.”

"Protective much?" you tease with a small grin. "It’s just snow, Theo."

The game progresses, with most of the snowballs missing their targets.

Pansy wrinkles her nose. "I refuse to partake in this childish nonsense. I have better things to do than get wet."

“Like what?” Draco calls over, still laughing. "You’ve been standing there for the past ten minutes looking like you’re waiting for something more dignified to do."

Pansy shoots him a scowl, but her lips twitch into a reluctant smile. “I’m waiting for the glorious victory of watching you two idiots get buried under snowballs.”

Meanwhile, Blaise and Mattheo charge again, launching a combined attack. The snowballs are coming at you both fast and furious, and Theo, ever the knight in shining armor, grabs you by the wrist and pulls you into the “fort” you two have hastily built out of snow.

“Are you going to help or just stand there looking helpless?” Theo says, his eyes flicking over to you as you laugh.

“Who says I’m helpless?” you retort, picking up a snowball and throwing it with all your might toward Blaise. It hits him square in the chest, and you pump your fist in victory.

“Killer shot!” Theo laughs, clearly impressed. But before he can throw another, Blaise ducks behind a snowbank, sticking his tongue out.

“Not bad, Y/L/N!” Mattheo calls. “But this is a real battle now.”

And just like that, you and Theo find yourselves in the heat of battle, dodging and throwing snowballs, laughing like kids. Theo makes a move to dodge a snowball from Mattheo, only for you to toss one of your own right in Theo’s face with a suppressed giggle.

“Look at that teamwork!” Draco shouts, throwing his hands up in mock awe. “Who would’ve thought?”

You snicker as Theo wipes snow from his face. "We make a good team, don’t we?"

He smirks. "I wouldn’t go that far. You did just hit me in the face with a snowball."

“I didn’t mean to!” you teasingly protest with a laugh. “It was the heat of the moment!”

Mattheo suddenly jumps out from behind a snowbank, sending an enormous snowball flying toward them. Without thinking, Theo jumps in front of you, taking the full brunt of the impact.

“Bloody hell, Nott!” Mattheo laughs. “You’re a real knight in shining armor.”

Theo, completely covered in snow, shoots Mattheo a dirty look. "This is why I don’t like you."

You can’t help but laugh, heart swelling with affection. “Taking a bullet for me yet again?”

Theo, now half-covered in snow, gives you a playful shrug. “Right, because a snowball equivocates a bullet”

But despite his words, there’s a softness in his eyes, something that makes your heart flutter. As the rest of the group continues to launch their attack, the two of you find yourselves working in sync, your movements becoming more fluid, more comfortable together.

The snowball fight rages on for a little longer, each side claiming small victories, but soon enough, you’re all laughing too hard to care about who’s winning. You and Theo find yourselves leaning against each other, gasping for breath, the cold air mingling with the warmth of your laughter.

“Alright, alright, I think we’ve had enough,” Draco calls out, raising his hand. “I’m freezing my arse off.”

Mattheo and Blaise look at each other and then back at you and Theo. “Yeah, I think we broke them,” Blaise jokes, eyeing the pair with amusement.

Theo turns to you, his expression softening. “So…partners in crime?”

You smile up at him, feeling a warmth you haven't felt all day. “I guess so.”

And for the first time, their teamwork feels effortless. The snowball fight might be over, but something new between them is just beginning.

…

The fire crackles softly in the grand stone fireplace of the lodge’s cozy library, casting a warm, flickering light across the room. The scent of aged wood and the faint, comforting smell of pine linger in the air. Thick rugs cover the stone floor, and large windows offer a breathtaking view of the dark snow-covered mountains outside. It's a peaceful, intimate setting: the perfect escape from the chaos of the group that evening.

You had slipped away from the others earlier, needing to recharge your social battery after days with your beloved friends. You were sitting by the window now, legs tucked beneath you, watching the snow drift gently to the ground. You felt a strange mix of contentment and nervous energy…like something was finally shifting, something you weren't sure you were ready for.

Theo, having spotted you earlier, couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight might be the night everything changed. He had tried to avoid it, but his thoughts had been consumed by you since he first met you in Potions in 1st year.

And now you were all in 7th…time flies.

 The banter, the teasing, even the pranking…none of it had been the real reason he kept coming back to you. It was something more, something he hadn���t fully understood until now.

He stepped quietly into the room and saw you. You looked peaceful there, face lit by the glow of the fire, and for a moment, Theo simply watched you, taking in the way the soft light made your eyes sparkle like they had that first day.

He couldn’t ignore it any longer. The weird mix of nerves and anticipation settled in his chest as he walked closer, not knowing what would come of this, but knowing he couldn’t stay silent forever.

“Y/N?” His voice was quieter than usual, careful, unsure.

You turned, a smile instantly forming on your face when you saw him. “Hey, Theo. Didn’t think anyone else would be here.”

A small, self-deprecating smile appeared on his face as he leaned against the wall. “Yeah, well, it’s just you and me. The gang’s off causing chaos somewhere else, I suppose.”

Your smile softened, and you patted the spot next to you on the window seat. “Wanna join me?”

Theo hesitated for a moment, and for the briefest second, his mind screamed at him to just stay away, to keep things light and simple. But that part of him was already fading, pushed aside by something else. Something bigger than the teasing or the distance he tried to keep between you two.

He nodded slowly, moving to sit next to you. He felt the warmth of your presence beside him, a comforting tension building in the space between them. For a moment, you two just sat in silence, the only sound the crackling fire.

“So…” you began after a while, looking at him with curiosity in your eyes. “What’s going on with you today, Theo? You’ve been…quieter.”

Theo let out a small laugh, his hand running through his hair. “Yeah, I guess I have. Just been thinking a lot.”

“About what?”

He turned his gaze toward you, eyes softer now. “About this trip, mostly. And about you.” He paused, his throat tightening a little at the admission. “Look, I know I’ve been a prat. And I’ve…messed with you more than I probably should’ve.”

You tilted your head slightly, eyes searching his face. “What are you talking about, Theo? You’ve always been a prat, it’s kind of your thing. And we’ve been having fun with it.”

Theo shifted closer, now visibly uncomfortable. “It’s not just that. It’s-” He stopped himself, taking a deep breath. His thoughts were racing, and he wasn’t sure how to say what he needed to say. “I didn’t know how to handle it. How to handle...you. The way I’ve felt.”

Your heart skipped a beat, breath catching in your throat. You had a feeling where this was going, but hearing it out loud made your pulse quicken.

“I didn’t want to mess things up,” Theo continued, his voice quieter now, more vulnerable than you had ever heard it. “I was scared that if I…admitted how I felt, I’d ruin everything. Ruin what we have.”

You swallowed, voice soft but steady. “What do you mean, Theo? What is it that you feel?”

Theo turned toward you, his eyes searching yours, the weight of his emotions heavy in the air between you two. His heart was racing, but he couldn’t pull away. “I don’t know what it is, but you’re all I can think about. The way you laugh, the way you challenge me, the way you always know how to get under my skin...it’s all too much, and it makes me feel like I’m going crazy...in the best way.”

Your breath caught in your throat as his words hit you. You couldn’t help but smile at how raw and honest he was being. But at the same time, there was a knot of nervousness in your stomach. You had known there was something more, but hearing him admit it was like stepping into new territory.

“I think I know what you mean,” you said, voice quiet but firm. You turned to face him more fully, hand subconsciously inching closer to his. “I’ve felt it too, Theo. I’ve been falling for you, even though I’ve tried not to. Even though you’ve made me madder than anyone else at times, I can’t stop thinking about you either.”

Theo’s eyes widened slightly, a look of disbelief crossing his face. “You’re serious?”

You nodded, a small, soft smile tugging at the corner of your lips. “I’m serious.” Your voice faltered, and your eyes dropped to your hands only millimeters apart. 

Theo, unable to contain the overwhelming mix of emotions inside him, reached for your hand. His fingers brushed against yours lightly at first, testing, feeling the softness of your skin. He didn’t want to rush this.

He didn’t want to mess it up.

But the urge to close the gap between them was undeniable.

Your eyes flickered up to his, and without thinking, you leaned in slightly, faces just inches apart now.

The world outside seemed to fade away, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, caught in this perfect, fragile moment.

Theo’s breath hitched, his hand moving to gently cup your cheek. He could feel your warmth, the delicate flutter of your breath against his skin. “I’m not going to mess this up,” he murmured, more to himself than to you, but his voice was full of intent.

And then, without another word, he closed the gap, his lips brushing against yours in a kiss that was tentative at first, as if you were both afraid of breaking something precious. But soon, it deepened, the kiss growing more confident, more urgent. His hands wrapped around your waist, pulling you closer, as if he needed to make sure you were real.

You kissed him back, hands finding his shirt, tugging him closer. Everything that had been building up between you two, all the teasing, the quiet moments, the laughter, it all poured into that kiss. It felt like the world had shifted, and there was no place else either of you would rather be than right there, in that moment.

When you finally pulled away, breathless and wide-eyed, Theo pulled you into an embrace, holding you tightly as if he were afraid to let go. You rested your head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, a sense of peace settling over you.

“I’m not going to let go,” Theo whispered into your hair, and you smiled softly against him.

“You don’t have to,” you whispered back. “I don’t want you to.”

And in that moment, everything seemed to fall into place.

…

Morning sunlight streams through the tall windows of the dining hall, casting a golden glow over the Slytherin group as they gather around the massive oak table, which is laden with a delicious spread of breakfast food: fluffy pancakes, buttery croissants, fresh fruit, and an assortment of wizarding teas and coffees.

You and Theo arrive a little later than the rest of the group, walking in together. There’s an unmistakable shift in your guys’ dynamic: your soft laughter at something Theo whispers to you, the way his hand lightly brushes your back as he pulls out a chair for you. 

The group notices immediately.

Mattheo, ever the observant instigator, leans back in his chair with a mischievous grin. “Well, well, look who decided to join us. And look who’s suddenly a gentleman. Theo, since when do you pull out chairs for people?”

Theo shoots him a half-hearted glare as he sits down beside you “Since now. Got a problem with it?”

“Not at all,” Mattheo smirks, raising his coffee mug in mock toast. “Just making sure we all take a moment to appreciate this rare transformation.”

Pansy narrows her eyes, a sly smile tugging at her lips. “You two are acting…different. Suspiciously different.”

Blaise, never one to miss an opportunity for a jab, points his fork at them. “Did you two chug a love potion last night, or was it just the stars aligning?”

You roll your eyes, though your cheeks faintly flush. “Oh, please. You lot are just shocked because Theo finally managed to act like a decent human being for once.”

Theo smirks, leaning back in his chair as he picks up his coffee. “You’re not wrong. It was a conscious decision to give you a break from my usual wit and charm.”

Draco, sitting at the head of the table, raises an eyebrow but remains silent, sipping his tea. His small smirk, however, gives him away.

Mattheo leans forward, eyes sparkling with amusement. “So what’s the story? Did Theo finally confess his undying love under the stars? Did you two make a pact to stop pretending you hate each other?”

You grin, playing along. “Actually, we wrote a peace treaty and shook hands. Very diplomatic.”

“Diplomatic, my arse,” Blaise snorted. “More like ‘I’ll teach you to ski if you teach me to snog.’ Am I right?”

Theo, unfazed by the teasing, casually drapes an arm over the back of your chair, earning a chorus of exaggerated gasps from the group.

“Merlin’s beard!” Pansy exclaims, clutching her heart dramatically. “Is that…affection I see? Theodore Nott, showing actual feelings? Someone write this down for the history books.”

You laugh, leaning into Theo’s side with a playful smile. “You lot are the worst.”

“And yet, you love us,” Mattheo quips. “Just not in the way you love Theo, apparently. Aw, look at you two, all cute and coupley now.”

Theo rolls his eyes but doesn’t bother denying it. Instead, he grabs a croissant and hands it to you, and you thank him with a soft smile.

The group erupts into laughter, their teasing filling the room. But there’s no malice in their words, just a sense of camaraderie and joy at seeing their friends happy.

As the conversation drifts to other topics, Theo leans close to you and whispers, “Think they’ll ever let us live this down?”

You smile, eyes sparkling. “Not a chance.”

Theo chuckles, brushing his hand against yours under the table, where no one else can see. “Worth it.”

You glance at him, heart swelling with warmth. “Definitely worth it.”

Your quiet exchange doesn’t go unnoticed by Pansy, who catches Mattheo’s eye. The two share a knowing smirk but decide, for now, to leave the new couple in peace. 

The teasing can wait. 

For the moment, the morning feels light and perfect, and everyone is exactly where they’re meant to be.

…

The morning is crisp and bright, with the snow sparkling under the golden sun. A few house-elves load trunks into the enchanted carriages lined up outside. The group stands together, bundled in coats and scarves, chatting and laughing one last time before departing.

You stood beside Theo, gloved hands tucked into the pockets of your coat. The week had flown by in a blur of snowy adventures, late-night games, and moments you hadn’t expected.

Especially with Theo.

You glanced at him, heart fluttering at the thought of everything that had changed between you two.

Mattheo broke the quiet moment by slinging an arm around Blaise. “Alright, admit it. This trip was genius. I deserve full credit for making this happen.”

“Genius?” Blaise scoffed, brushing snow off his jacket. “You spent half the trip plotting ways to embarrass Theo.”

“And look how well it worked out!” Mattheo gestured dramatically toward you and Theodore. “I mean, come on. Couple goals.”

Theo sighed but didn’t bother arguing. Instead, he smirked, looking down at you. “You see what I’ve had to deal with my whole life?”

You laughed, nudging him. “You poor boy.”

Pansy rolled her eyes. “Alright, lovebirds, save it for the ride home. Some of us are still processing the fact that Theodore Nott is no longer an emotionally stunted iceberg.”

“Touching, Pansy,” Theo replied dryly, earning a chorus of laughter.

Draco, ever the practical one, stepped forward. “Alright, everyone, let’s wrap this up. The carriages are ready, and I’d rather not spend another minute in this cold.”

You turned to the group, heart swelling with gratitude. “Thanks, guys. This week was…unexpectedly amazing.”

“Unexpectedly?” Blaise teased. “We’re delightful company, Y/N. Admit it.”

You grinned. “Fine. You’re all delightful. Even you, Theodore,” you tease with a small smirk.

Theo raised an eyebrow. “Even me?”

“Especially you,” you said softly, cheeks warming despite the cold.

Mattheo groaned dramatically. “Merlin, they’re already insufferable.”

The group shared a final laugh before starting their goodbyes. Hugs, handshakes, and promises to meet up soon were exchanged. Finally, it was just you and Theo standing by your guys’ carriage.

You glanced back at the lodge, the memories of the week rushing through your mind. “I’m going to miss this place.”

Theo stepped closer, his voice quiet. “I’m going to miss this too. But…I’m glad we figured things out. You and me.”

You looked up at him, smile soft. “Me too.”

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “You know, I wasn’t sure how this week would turn out. But now? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “Me neither.”

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead, before helping you into the carriage. As you settled in, the rest of the group waved from their own carriages, already shouting jokes and goodbyes as the thestrals began to pull them away.

Theo took your hand in his, fingers intertwining as the lodge disappeared behind you. The future might be uncertain, but for now, everything felt exactly right.

And as the carriage carried them down the snowy mountain road, you couldn’t help but smile, knowing this was just the beginning of your story.

…

Bonus Scene: Winter in Italy

For the last two days of winter break, you were invited to Theo’s family villa in Northern Italy, which lay nestled among snow-dusted hills. The villa’s ivy-covered walls framed a panoramic view of the sparkling lake and surrounding countryside, the winter air crisp and invigorating.

You stepped onto the villa’s terrace, gaze sweeping across the breathtaking view. The rolling hills were dusted with snow, glimmering under the fading light of the day. You shivered slightly, pulling your coat tighter around you as you took it all in.

“Cold?” Theo’s voice called gently from behind you. You turned to find him leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark sweater clinging to his broad shoulders. He held out a thick, woolen scarf.

“Maybe a little,” you admitted, smiling as you let him wrap the scarf snugly around your neck. His fingers lingered for a moment against your skin, and you felt your cheeks heat despite the chill in the air.

“You’re easy to read,” Theo teased, his lips quirking into a smirk.

“And you’re tragically overconfident,” you shot back, though your tone lacked any real bite.

He stepped closer, his presence intoxicatingly warm against the crisp air. “Come on,” he said, his voice lower. “I have something to show you.”

Theo led you down a winding path through the villa’s garden until you reached a secluded grove of olive trees. Fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft golden glow on the snow-covered ground. In the center was a plush blanket draped over the ground, surrounded by candles that flickered against the darkening sky.

Your breath caught. “Theo…this is…”

“Don’t make it weird,” he interrupted, but his usual sarcasm was softened by the way he watched your reaction with soft, expectant eyes. “I just thought you’d like it.”

You turned to him, a smile tugging at your lips. “I love it.”

You both settled on the blanket, the thick material insulating you from the cold ground. Theo pulled another blanket over your laps, and you nestled closer to him, head resting against his shoulder.

For a moment, the quiet was filled with the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of the villa. Then Theo shifted, his arm curling around your waist, pulling you closer.

“You’re warm,” you murmured, voice teasing.

He smirked. “And you’re terrible at compliments.”

You rolled your eyes, tilting your head up to look at him. “Fine. You’re warm and annoyingly good at planning perfect moments.”

“Annoyingly good?” he repeated, leaning closer.

Your breath hitched as his face hovered just inches from yours. “Don’t let it go to your head, Nott.”

“Too late,” he murmured, his voice a low rasp as his hand slid up to cradle your jaw.

Theo kissed you, the touch of his lips firm and deliberate, igniting a heat that chased away the winter chill. His other hand found your waist, pulling you flush against him as the kiss deepened. Your hands moved instinctively, tangling in his dark hair as you leaned into him.

When you finally pulled apart, both were breathing heavily, foreheads resting against each other.

“I thought you said not to make it weird,” you teased, voice barely above a whisper.

Theo chuckled, his thumb brushing against your cheek. “You make me do a lot of things I never thought I would.”

Your gaze softened, and you placed a hand on his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “Like admit you actually like me?”

“Something like that,” he said, his voice low and warm. “And maybe a little more.”

Before you could respond, he kissed you again, lips more insistent this time as he laid you back against the soft blanket. His hands skimmed your sides, stopping just short of improper as he hovered above you, his breath mingling with yours in the chilly air.

When you broke apart, your cheeks were flushed, fingers still tangled in his hair.

“Theo,” you began, voice shaky but sure.

“Yeah?” he replied, his tone teasing but his eyes betraying his seriousness.

“I think I might…” you hesitated, then smiled. “I think I might like you a little more than I should.”

Theo grinned, leaning down to press a kiss to your temple. “Good. Because I’m far past simply liking you, Y/N.”

As you lay together under the twinkling lights, wrapped in warmth despite the snow around you, you knew you wouldn’t forget this night.

Or the boy who had made it unforgettable.

Taglist: @lovrsm, @minhlajenni, @rafeluvrr, @mgchaser, @r6yven, @ahead-fullofdreams, @alwayslatetothefandoms, @whosyourgnomie, @froyofreya, @smut-anarchy, @babene-e, @nottinmyheart, @marikajhaha

(I'm so sorry if I missed anyone's request to be in this series taglist but ty to everyone! mwah :))

[dark-night-hero]

Imagine being Sung Jinwo's significant other, who was with him through thick and thin. Someone who was very close to his family and would often fill in the gaps in his life and family.

Imagine doing your normal routine in the mornjng into to look into the calendar and saw today's date marked up with a note that says parent teacher conference causing you to blink, still sleepy. First of all, you've graduated high-school and is a worker and a part-time hunter. Second, you don't have a child let alone a sibling that's going to scho- oh!

"Sung Jinwo!" You scream as soon as he picked up the phone. You heard a groan and a bit of shuffling before you heard a deep husky voice on the phone "Hmmm? Morning." Followed by a chuckle. "Did you just woke up?" He asked causing you to roll your eyes. "No." You lied with a pout. He knew you very well. "You should get ready, Jin-Ah's parent teacher conference meeting is in three hours." "I know, thats why I called you. I thought you were still asleep." "Come on now darling, I'm not a sleepyhead like you." He laughs.

Imagine Jinwo who was on the other side of the phone, just woke up and is now making his way into the kitchen, chuckling as he listen to your rebut with a smitten look on his face, after all, there was nothing he would trade for as long as your voice is what greeted him as he wake up in the morning. "Shall I pick you up at your place so we could go in there together?" "Nah, your house route is completely on the opposite direction of mine. Let's just meet on the school grounds okay?" "Alright." He replied with a smile on his face. "Well then I need to get going now." "Alright, you do take your time to get ready." He tease

"I love you" You heard him say as you almost ended the call due to this teasing. "I love you too." You replied with a small smile on your face. "See you later babe" "I told you not to call-" "Love you! bye!" "Sung Jinwo you punk!" Although you said that with such annoyance, there was a hind of happiness in your eyes that you cannot deny.

Imagine silently waiting for him at the school gates, playing on your phone with some random blocks game when you heard a familiar step coming close causing you to look up only for your eyes to squint as you try to get a grip of reality if your boyfriend was actually the one jogging right in front of you right now.

"Hi." He said with a cheeky grin on his lips as you stare at him wide eyes. "You- your hair." You utter as you reach out and touch his undercut, causing a shiver down his spine as you do. "Yeah I though a little hair cut wouldn't be so bad, my hair was getting long. Why? Does it not look good-?" "No. No Jinwo. You're... beautiful." You utter with a soft smile and proceeded to mess up his hair. "Funny, we used to be by each others height but now you're taller than me." You whispered. "What was that?" "Nothing, let's get going, its almost time."

Imagine noticing the stare and murmurs that the two of you were receiving ever since the two of you have gotten inside the building and eventually to the room where the meeting is about to be held. And to be honest, you honestly cannot blame the students for gossiping and looking at your way because even Jian-Ah was surprised to see her brother's new look upon seeing him. But the way the young adult, one who seemed to be in the same age as you and your lover, probably the sisters of the other students looked at Jinwo that makes you sigh.

Imagine, it was easy to see the changes that was happening with Jinwo. His growth spurt, this strength and abilities were slowly catching everyone's attention. In comparison to the Jinwo you have grown up with, there was this feeling of confusion and anxiety of not being able to keep up with him. You know you should be glad that he was no longer the weak he once was but at the same time, there was this fear of being left behind by him. But you knew for a fact that he would not leave you behind, that's why you fear that you would rather become a burden for hi- "Ouch!"

"You're thinking of something stupid again." "You bas-! That hurts!" You complain as you clutch your forehead, glaring at your lover who was slurping his ramen without care. "You deserve it for thinking about something stupid." "I- I'm not thinking of something stupid." You utter, looking away from him, down into your ramyeon. It's not stupid for what you are thinking was a fact, a truth that hurts to admit.

Imagine the way he slowly reach out and touch your forehead, caressing the spot where he had flicked you earlier. "Sorry, does it hurt?" When he said that with such lovely look on his face, how could you not soften? "No, I was over reacting." You smile gentle at him and lean on his touch. "Still, I'm sorry." "It's alright Jinwo."

"Thank you for bring me home-" You were cut off with a pair of lips. Wide eye, you cannot help but to be taken a back by your lover's action. Nevertheless you soon melt into the kiss and kissed him back, even hooking your arms around his neck, pulling him closer. "Thank you for staying by my side all those years." He said as the two of you pull away from each other but still close enough that your foreheads where touching. "I love you and only you. There will be no one else, okay?" "Okay." You chuckle and hug him. Right there was no use in being scared when it was obvious whom he loves. "I love you too."

[ⓒdark-night-hero] 2025°

: I want to write an angst, not sure if Jinwo would be a fit or a blue lock or Genshin character would be a nice victim.

[flutterbyoz]

It always surprises me, or maybe it doesn't given what the general TWD fandom can be like, that people are using the fact that The Ones Who Live is a love story as a reason to criticise the show.

The fact it is a love story was never hidden, it was never a secret or kept as a surprise, it's what the show was repeatedly promoted and advertised as. Andy, Danai and Scott never misled anyone into thinking it was going to be anything else, they were quite clear and pointed out that TOWL would be a love story every chance they got. So if someone saw any of the promo, interviews etc whether online or on TV and were going into this show expecting something else then I don't really know what to say other than they probably should have paid more attention.

The show was not aimed at or made for people who hate Richonne. I get that not everyone is a Richonne fan, to each their own for the most part, but when you watch their spin off, what else are you expecting other than a love story? Especially with Andy and Danai at the helm, it seems some people really don't understand the characters at all.

I know some people tuned in just to see what happened to Rick and that's great, the show isn't solely for Richonners but if the love story with his wife and love of his life annoys you so much that you can't continue watching your fave in their spin off and the feel the need to announce that you quit half way through then not only do I have to wonder why you hate their relationship so much but also say that you're purposefully ignoring a huge part of who Rick is and why he does what he does. I don't think you can fully understand and know Rick without his relationship with Michonne and how his love for her and hers for him shapes him into the man he is today. Without Michonne, Rick is a shell of himself, she is his entire world, she and their kids are his reason for everything so you're not going to get a Rick story without Michonne, because without Michonne there isn't really a Rick.

Had this been Rick and Daryl instead of Rick and Michonne, had they been the ones with the emotional scenes I can pretty much guarantee a large majority of the people who complained about Rick and Michonne would have no problem with Rick and Daryl. It's what a lot of them have been calling for since Rick was taken not to mention the people who are bitter that Richonne gets everything they have wanted for their ship for years.

Attacking a show because it is what it was promoted as and did exactly what it set out to do is more than a little bizarre to me but I suppose it's just another way to criticise and disregard Rick and Michonne's relationship and diminish Michonne's importance.

I know, if we see Richonne again, it's going to be another love story and those who complained before will most likely complain again but only one spin off has been the most successful, a hit for the franchise and for AMC, included on numerous best of lists, gained Emmy buzz, received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans alike, has multiple Saturn award nominations and given this franchise a new lease of life. I find it strange to watch a show knowing full well you're only doing so to find something to complain about and though those viewers are just a small percentage of TOWLs overall viewers they did the exact opposite of what they wanted to do. Instead of bringing the show down they're just raising it up even higher!

Nothing will stop this ship, everyone wants a piece of them, they draw everyone in even those who say they don't care or even like them together and that's the power or Richonne!

[bookskeepers]

it's simple, you think. after all, it has to be simple -- the way he controls his body, his movements, his form with so much precision. the way he vaults into the air, one arm up, tilting wherever the ball is. the way the smirk appears on his features when he spikes yet another one of the opponent's returns, the way he glances at where you're seated in the audience to make sure you witnessed his scoring.

your loving boyfriend, number 12 on the MSBY Jackals, makes volleyball look so easy. so easy, in fact, that you begin to think that maybe volleyball isn't that hard; that it's a sport anyone could be good at. even you!

it's this thought process that leads to your post-game activity: you and bokuto, squaring up against each other on opposite sides of a practice court, him holding the yellow-and-blue striped ball under one arm.

"i'll go easy on you," he promises, his voice carrying easily over the distance. you can still see the faint sheen of sweat from his game, and you wonder if perhaps this is unfair to him since he's probably tired out from his match.

your eyes follow his figure as he backs away until he's standing outside of the court lines. they follow as he tosses the ball up, backing up a few steps before running forward with a majestic leap and hitting it with what you think is all the power in his body.

it moves so fast you barely have time to lift your hands in front of your face, to protect your nose from the impact. the ball slams against your palms, leaving them red and stinging as it falls to the ground. you faintly hear bokuto's "oh no!" in the background accompanied by the patter of feet as he runs over to you.

"are you okay?!" he asks, panic evident in his tone as he takes your hands in his, inspecting your facial features for any sign of damage.

your face is fine, luckily saved by your instinct of covering it with your hands. the same can't be said for your faithful shields, though -- they're bright red, and even bokuto's gentle caress makes you wince.

"i accidentally did not go easy on you," bokuto confesses in a whisper. "i put 100% instead of, like, 25%! oh no, oh no, what if your hands are broken? what if you never want to play volleyball again?"

"ko," you manage to say between his constant concerned babble. "i'll be fine, i'll ice them at home."

he seems to calm slightly at this, before looking at you with tear-filled eyes. "but will you still want to try to play volleyball again? it made me so happy when you asked, because i really love volleyball and playing with you is a really fun concept, because i love you, and i love sharing the things i love with the people i love and--"

you silence his chatter with a soft kiss. "of course we can try playing volleyball again. i've got the best mentor in the world for it, right?"

bokuto's cheeks are dusted with a light pink as a smile breaks out on his features, replacing his previous look of worry and concern. "right!"

[ivivenus]

My Checklist for Helluva Boss Season 3!

This list consists of all my theories that I have for season 3. I've been seeing people share their predictions, so I wanted to share mine!

♡ Barbie Wire's reappearance: I have a strong inkling that Blitzø may run to her while he goes to Sloth to pick up Stolas's meds. I don't think Barbie would mention Blitzø almost getting executed but I would love it if it does.

♡ A Pro Choice Storyline: I want Millie to feel that she has the right to choose whether she wants to keep the baby or not and not let the pressure from society keep her from making a choice. I also want this storyline to align with Stella's backstory where it shows what's it like to have a child you don't want with a man you don't like.

♡ Verosika's Healing Journey: All I really want is for Verosika to at least go back to rehab to help her alcoholism. After Apology Tour and Mastermind, she seems to be doing slightly better.

♡ Tilla & Cash Buckzo Flashback: I have a theory that Blitzø and Barbie's parents are similar to Stolas & Stetlla, where Tilla stays for the kids, while Cash was abusive. I also want this to be a way to help Blitzø connect with Via, since they've never really interacted.

♡ Loona & Octavia Interaction: I want it to be opposite of Seeing Stars, where it's not a calm conversion. I just want to see Loona passionately open up to Via about having the first 17 years of her life with no parents in an adoption center while Via had the best childhood that anyone could wish for.

♡ More Fizzarolli: I just like the clown twink.

♡ The Divorce is Finalized: The divorce was initiated in S2E1 and by S2E4 Andrephelus was talking about compensation for Stella. Then S2E8, Stolas says that he won't dwell upon the divorce, and in S2E11 Andrephelus refers to Stolas as "horny ex husband" to Stella but as her "husband" during the trial. I don't think the divorce was ever finalized. With this I want Blitzø to find out what kind of wife Stella was to Stolas.

♡ Striker vs. Blitzø: I don't have a prediction on how this'll happen but I would love to see Blitzø get angry for Mastermind and Western Energy. I also want Striker to say something petty like "Didn't you say it was a transactional fucking?" (S1E5).

♡ Barbie joins IMP: I don't think she'll stay long but it would be cute to see Blitzø help his sister out.

♡ Stolas's Weight Gain: To me, I feel that Stolas struggles with body image and self confidence. Stella literally called him "scrawny" and a "twig" in S2E1, and I feel like his eating habits are not healthy. It's literally cereal and absinthe. I would love to see him try Blitzø's cooking and explore new food items where he gets a bit heavier (and his thighs get thicker).

♡ Moxxie & Stolas Interactions: They are great characters but I want them to have friends outside of their partners. Stolas can sing with Moxxie and they can eventually watch musicals together. I really just want them to have a friendship like Blitzø and Millie does.

♡ Stolitz Cheek & Forehead Kisses: I'm still not over the fact that Stolas was unaware that Blitzø kissed his cheek in Mastermind. Also, they've seen each other's holes already so they deserve to be soft with each other.

♡ Andrealphus Failure: I've had this theory since the end of Mastermind where hell would basically freeze over to an apocalyptic wasteland because Andrealphus doesn't know how to use the Grimoire or do any of Stolas's duties. It can be easily forgotten (because we don't see it really) that Stolas is like a tarot reader/astrologer and he curses the moon during the Harvest Moon Festival so that the farmers can grow crops. Andrealphus is a peacock that has ice powers do geometry.

♡ Octavia's 18th Birthday: After that Sinsmas fight, I don't think Andrealphus will just let Via have Stolas's possessions. He'll most likely do anything to get rid of her and keep the power. I can see him trying to marry her off to someone and Blitzø and Stolas find out. I would love to see Blitzø slip up and call Octavia his daughter when he's trying to save her. I can see this being the finale and Season 4 is the aftermath.

♡ Stolitz Conversation: Eventually, Stolas and Blitzø are going to have to finally talk all that happens between them. I really just want them both to apologize and Blitzø drops that he loves Stolas. I've been waiting for these two talk it out for three years!!

[retrokittytakeover]

"Mike can't say I love you because of his family!!"

Karen Wheeler, who has always asked and encouraged Mike to open up to her and always reminds him that she is there for him?

Ted Wheeler who despite not having much screentime does love and care for his family? Like did we not watch him take Karen and Holly to the fair in season 3? Did he not offer to comfort Mike in season one after wills "death"?

Milevens find any excuse other than the truth. He doesn't feel secure in the relationship because it's loveless. he's trying to be the "Perfect Boyfriend" (TM) but the relationship is not built on a real structure and he feels like a nobody next to her (as said in the van scene).

Literally what about that is healthy?

Let's not even bring up the fact that it's the opposite with will and he genuinely believes he is equal to will and that they are a TEAM and should stick by each other's sides forever.

[ofbrashfate]

Kevin was inspired when it came to Sophie. He felt guilt when it came to her; her accident now. Her fall was at the hands of him. And Kevin had to sit and wonder if this was a sign, if this was sign that our story, our love was over. Because each time Sophie and I had gotten close, all I did was bring her pain. And I hated myself for it. I wanted to be like my dad that redeemed himself with his own mistakes. The vows he gave to mom before his untimely death. And now as I sat besides the strawberry blonde’s hospital bed, I was hopeful with her answer; the ask about the time I was in the opposite position. The one attached to the bed, defeated, hopeless. My career, my football stardom gone. But as she echoed the words, I didn’t have the heart to lie. 

It was Sophie, my anchor the one who always believed I’d come into the man I was now. “ Yes, it was my dream..” A dream that was cut shot due to the accident, the leg, that was casted up in crutches for months and then my injury was the reason why I went into acting, but that was paused when I heard her quote about her favorite movie. “ You remember the party I made my parents throw me in order to impress you?” A princess Bride, the movie not quite my speed. But at the same time, you don’t deny love that came your way. I knew the moment I laid eyes on Sophie she was the one for me. Each time I doubted myself I thought about her; her reassuring gaze, her words of encouragement, and I felt it in my bones. She was who I belonged with. As Soft smile raised along my lips, “ Around the time we met, we were so young, but the second I saw you, I think I fell in love..” my birthday being the first time we sat on the carpet near each other, I did that party for her; I was lame now I know. But for Sophie I would’ve pulled out all the stops for her. I had nodded as I recalled that first date, now it was a toss up. “ We had a at home movie with my mom, and a mini golf date my mom had to be there, we were kids we had to be watched.” A laugh came through my parted lips now. Kevin felt like that boy, the school boy who met his match, and with Chaperones and all, he was content because of who he was with.

@ofbrashfate

{Given all the years I had known and loved Kevin, I could read him like a book. With that thought in mind, even though he was wearing a smile now, in response to my comment, I could see right through it... He was hurt and disappointed by my preference to take things slow between us. I know how a response like this typically goes between people... In most cases, it's a way to let the other person down gently, since they had no intentions of actually seeing where it went between the two of you. That wasn't the case here and now though. I meant what I said. Of course I still loved Kevin, and with that, I also knew how easy it would be to fall right back into a relationship with him again. He was my one great love, and I wanted to believe the two of us would be end game, before all is said and done. Even in knowing that, we had been down this path so many times before, and it always ended in heartbreak, so I needed to be smart this time around} Kevin... {I started to say when I saw his face drop, and the subject suddenly changed. I hate that I had hurt him, but I knew I wasn't ready to just jump back into a relationship with Kevin. That didn't mean I wouldn't be, over time, but for now, I had to do what I thought was best. Either way, as we started toward the exit of the cafeteria, I could see he was trying to put on a brave face. For now I let the subject drop. Sure, I wanted to say something to comfort him now, but at the same point, I didn't want to make matters worse between us. With that thought in mind, I remained silent as the two of us started toward the elevator. In noticing a sign saying it was temporarily closed for maintenance, I gave a nod toward the nearby staircase} Let's take the stairs... When they do maintenance on the elevators, it could last anywhere from ten minutes to a couple of hours, depending on the task at hand. {I said with a casual shrug as we started toward the staircase. I let Kevin take the lead. It was only a couple of floors up, so it wouldn't be a bad walk. Besides, a little cardio never hurt anyone, right? I justified as I followed Kevin up the staircase. My thought fixed on our conversation back in the cafeteria as we continued to ascend the staircase. I hated how uncomfortable I had made things between us now, and although I felt I was doing the right thing for us both, at the same point, I wanted Kevin to know that this wasn't me shooting him down. I still loved him, but the timing just didn't feel right for me now. Some day though, I knew in my heart that Kevin and I would find our way back to each other. I silently thought as we nearly reached our desired floor; briefly using my free hand to grip Kevin's shirt to stop him for a second so I could say what was on my heart} Kevin, this isn't a "no." I love you. I will always love you. That's not the problem, here. It's just the timing doesn't feel right for me now... {I started to say before adding in further reassurance} Just know that when it comes to us, it's never off the table. {My way of further reiterating that I wanted us to be "us" again, some day. I silently thought as I released my hand from his shirt, then proceeded to continue ascending the last couple of stairs that led us to our floor. I hadn't quite reached the top when my foot unknowingly found some water left on the floor. In one split second, I lost my balance, the tray of coffee flew out of my hands, and without being able to stop myself, I fell backwards; not so gracefully tumbling back down the staircase, before hitting the bottom with a thud} Ow... {I mumbled out as I felt my head pounding, my body filled with pain, and I laid still on the floor below me}

[grim-has-issues]

I have so much affection and aggression festering in my soul right now.

[sunnykeysmash]

[some-pers0n]

Every once in a while I think about the ship I've been obsessed over for close to two years now and feel like I'm ascending to another plane of reality. Like sometimes you just encounter a ship that hits every single mark and is perfect in every regard and you're left stunned how something like that can even exist

[missisjoker]

More incoherent ramblings below ))

I am rewatching the show, and now I am 99% sure ZYZ had the inferiority complex/prejudice against demons to the point of having a split personality (likely because he associated being the vessel of malevolent energy with being a demon, and since it went against his naturally peaceful nature, it caused the split)

Instead of going by his own demon name, Zhu Yan, he chose to go by Zhao Yanzhou, which is a human name of Baize Goddess's deceased brother. (Why he was so set on hiding his relationship with Baize Goddess from other demons? They all know BG is someone who - at least allegedly- protects Wilderness, so why? Why wear a mask while with Wen Xiao?)

He is fascinated by humans and exhibits care and compassion for them, while having zero problem murdering demons or letting demons suffer. For someone who claims to be open-minded, poised, elegant, and refined, this is strange, to say the least.

He literally talks with his demon-self later in the show. I know that the "demon" part was supposed to also represent the malevolent energy, but it is still, in it's core, HIS OWN DEMONIC SELF. And he disassociated himself from it to a point where they were on two opposite sides of the equation.

Now, enter the blood moon. It is very interesting that in at least 2 blood moons, ZYZ, who, through the malevolent energy, connects back to his primal demonic self, never once even tried to hurt Li Lun, but immediately killed Baize Goddess and blinded the dragon god. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Some could argue that he was lashing out because GB punished LL- but why would he lash out if he truly thought she was right in that punishment?

All that said, I am absolutely sure that the core conflict in the show is not, in fact, ZYZ vs Li Lun- it's Zhao Yanzhou vs Zhu Yan. Li Lun is just a stand-in for ZYZ's demonic self.

This, btw, also brings up the point that ZYC and ZYZ are, in fact, also foils to each other. Both struggle with control, immensely so, but where ZYZ refuses to let go and accept all parts of himself, ZYC lets go and is freed because of it - and that, in turn, propels him from being just an object of destiny to its active participant. (BTW, from what I've seen, ZYZ's conflict with Zhu Yan/himself is NOT, in fact, resolved by the end of the show- he gets on the right track- after ZYC turns into a demon himself- but in the end his change is driven by the outside force/destiny).

***

Which brings me back to Li Lun.

The underlying story is that of control - control of oneself, and control of destiny.

In the past generation, BY and YL were destined soulmates, but the destiny ended up sacrificing YL while "freezing" BY to a point he rejected his real self (demon) and turned into a human just to escape the pain. Literally, refusing to lose control > losing control > losing oneself.

In the current generation it rhymes- ZYZ's destiny of being the vessel for malevolent energy causes ZYC to "freeze" and almost lose himself (demon nightmares), and ZYC is absolutely struggling and attempting to keep control of himself- which again, forces him to be an object of destiny, BUT.

This time, ZYC meets a wild, untamed force that makes him lose control before the destiny reaches the breaking point.

LL physically forces ZYC to accept he can't control everything (by forcing him to meet his biggest fear, by taking control away from ZYC by choking him into submission, etc). And that, in turn, sets ZYC free from the confines of "destiny" and in the end, allows him to remain an active agent instead of an object. Accepting the loss of control > breaking free from the "destiny's control" > gaining control of oneself and one's destiny back.

LL is the driving force behing ZYC's transformation and a decisive reason behind ZYC propelling forward and evolving instead of simply repeating YLxBY scenario.

Which brings me to your tag about "Li Lun being ZYC's love rival". LL is a love rival alright, just not ZYC's.

IF we make parallels between ZYCxZYZ and ZYCxLL "situationships": one is a "destined soulmate turned enemy turned friend/soulmate" vs "accidental enemy turned frenemy, but, surprisingly, only ONE of them propels ZYC forward and makes him evolve in the true sense of word (albeit very violently). I read it as "destined ≠ best possible outcome".

This also is evident by Zhu Yan x Li Lun's relationship. I could argue they too, were destined. And yet, their destiny ended up being a tragedy (just like BYxYL's destiny).

I totally get why ZYZ is horrified of ZYCxLL being close or LL "taking" ZYC away from him / ZYC "turning" into LL - because it is actually a very real possibility, if given enough time + LL repenting and behaving well. ZYZ is doing to ZYC what he did to LL- trying to force ZYC into the "mold" of what ZYZ thinks a perfect human/demon should be, but ZYC is much more susceptible to choosing freedom and accepting himself as he is than ZYZ finds comfortable. And in return, ZYC easily proves that LL is not, in fact, completely evil and irredeemable like ZYZ claimed him to be by ... simply extending an offer of help and compassion. ZYZ is rightfully afraid that, if given enough time, LLxZYC would become drawn to each other.

(Aaaand, another point - ZYZ has no problem with having a second soulmate-type of relationship with Wen Xiao, but he can't even think of ZYC having any sort of connection with LL (and the other way around) aside from an absolutely hateful one - "I have it all while you have nothing")

On a lighter note, I absolutely adore your post about the one-braincell-trio's shenanigans in the brothel, because, CHAOS. We were absolutely robbed!

P.S. I have to admit that I am extremely biased against any sort of "pre-destined" relationship because I value choice, so my ramblings are coming from the lense of "accidental relationship is always more interesting, if not better, than destined one, if you dig deep enough".

let me kiss your brain, because, seriously, EVERY WORD in that post about LI Lun IS ON POINT!!!

Was Li Lun behaving like a murderous toddler throwing a temper tantrum? Yes! But he had some good reasons to do so!

Regardless of their "romantic" relationship, ZYZ and LL were first and foremost, friends, who spent 30k years together. Even though they disagreed and even though ZYZ always felt like being a demon wasn't good enough, he wanted to be human, LL still accepted that.

Did LL overreact by killing those people in the clinic? Yes. But, if I saw my people- including children- in cages, tortured, I'd probably snap too. Plus, it irked me to no end that ZYZ was too preoccupied with being outraged at Li Lun for killing guards instead of actually helping his fellow demons. "I will protect the Wilderness"- proceeds to do absolutely nothing crying over two killed torturers while LL does all the protecting.

Then ZYZ proceeded to touch the unknown burning thing and ended up mortally wounding Li Lun. And then sealed him in and deprived him of any choice. And did he go to talk to him after? Nope. No explanation, no "get well" card, nothing. Heck, I think even a shouting match would've been better.

Even if he never went to LL because he was spiraling into depression, that doesn't explain the whole "holier than thou" attitude he displayed throughout the show. Did LL kill humans? Yes, but so did ZYZ (example- that bureau guy whose heart he exploded to prove his point). And then had the audacity to taunt LL and call him names when in reality LL was right in most of his accusations- of ZYZ being a hypocrite, liar, traitor, etc. I'm sorry, but while LL is absolutely NOT free of fault, ZYZ has no right to pretend he is any better.

But the worst of all is that when he got a chance to make up with LL, he let his pettiness and anger get the best of him. He failed to say ONE SENTENCE (we will put your soul into a piece of wood and you will recultivate again in 100 years) that would've made a whole lot of difference, and in the end, he indirectly caused Ying Lei's, Li Lun's, and likely Bai Ju's deaths.

Literally, all they had to do to get LL to stop his antics and even become THEIR ally was for ZYZ to say "sorry I set you on perpetual fire, bro. I missed you". But the "hero demon" couldn't even do that...

If anything, Zhuo Yichen was the one who showed more compassion and kindness to Li Lun than his supposed friend ever did. No wonder Li Lun shifted his focus to him in the end.

It seems that ZYZ was inherently biased against being a demon and valued humans more than demons. Perhaps, it was because of him being the vessel of malicious energy, so he juxtaposed that unfair twist of fate onto all demons (as in, he would not be in that situation if he were a human). Perhaps, he also realized at some point that he could not have the same range of emotions as humans, so he perceived himself and other demons as less. And Li Lun was the personification of demon-ness and all that ZYZ hated about himself, and he couldn't overcome it. Plus, it seems that all demons have a problem with dealing with complex emotions like grief and rage; this is why, in the end, among all of them, ZYC is the most mature one even though he is only 24. If only ZYZ had one tenth of ZYC's maturity and compassion to his fellow demons, the whole story would've played out very, very differently.

And this is why I want to write fix it fics now

Thank you SO MUCH for your addition, especially for bringing up their very last chess match. It’s probably the only moment that makes me genuinely, fucking angry at Zhu Yan. I can even understand his reaction in the clinic—but this? He wanted to be human so badly that he put his pride above everything else, lmfao. How pathetic, how frustrating it was to see him so desperately refuse to call Li Lun his friend, refuse to say that he cared for him, that he didn’t want him dead, that he had a solution. It’s so sad that Li Lun was always open and clear about his grievances, he always used his words to explain why he’s angry.

I guess if Zhu Yan admitted that he cared for this unhinged one, it would show him in the bad light.

I don’t care; I don’t even think he "indirectly" caused Ying Lei’s death. He literally killed him, period. Xiao Zhuo and the rest of the gang were the ones who told Li Lun about the root thing, and the fact that we see Li Lun IMMEDIATELY stop struggling? He went, Oh… sure, I’ll go into the root, we can draw. (Also, if Zhu Yan cared for Li Lun, he would’ve put him in Cheng Huang’s sundial and grown him for 100 years as an apology for the pain. What is 100 years to a 30K-year-old demon? A mere blink.)

And YES, Xiao Zhuo was incredibly kind to Li Lun. Despite saying he never understood him and never would, we know damn well that’s not the case. Baby Zhuo Yichen spiraled into loneliness, bitterness, isolation, and hatred toward Zhu Yan and demons—until Wen Xiao’s words about snow eventually melting brought him back (the same way Xiao Zhuo’s words sobered Li Lun and left a mark on his soul). I’m forever grateful to our precious Zhuo Yichen for forming his own opinion about Li Lun. (Isn’t it fun that he never told the gang about his encounter with Li Lun by that river?) 

Zhu Yan’s hatred, his harsh words, never affected him. Zhuo Yichen understood Li Lun. His journey with Li Lun is one of the most fascinating and interesting. No wonder our director grabbed the two actors and put them in another series together — he’s one of us, a shipper.

I absolutely adore you pointing out Li Lun being everything Zhu Yan hated about himself. His harshness with his former friend comes from his self-pity and self-hatred.

His words, "Li Lun, you’re bitter I have everything, and you have nothing." Despite it being awfully annoying in the moment due to Zhu Yan literally not hearing what Li Lun was telling him, it made me think it’s Zhu Yan trying to convince himself.

And even worse, Li Lun is proud of being a demon. He loves the Wilderness, he loves his home, he loves his people. There’s nothing he loves more than being a demon. He even turned the human he liked the most into one as well.

Zhu Yan is not as broad minded as Wen Xiao claims him to be. He very clearly has his biases. Always thinking about Zhu Yan murdering Xiao Pagoda Ghost that played with them in Li Lun’s illusion. That was awfully cold blooded! 

They’re tragic, indeed, and my heart breaks for them both. However, it makes me incredibly happy that Zhu Yan learned from his experience with Li Lun and stood firmly by his new friends’ sides. And I’m happy Li Lun found one Zhuo Yichen and one little Ying Lei who cried for him and were kind to his pain.

[blatantprinterpropaganda]

i'm watching love mechanics (this is a mess. i love a mess) and the end of episode 3 is truly like. "hey guy i had drunk sex with once and am unreasonably interested in and keep following around and very openly hitting on. my girlfriend is cheating on me and i feel so betrayed rn. let me tell you, guy i keep kissing and flirting with while having a girlfriend, how much it hurts to know that my girlfriend is kissing and flirting with another guy. do you, guy who i secretly hope has feelings for me, know how shitty it is to watch the person you have feelings for be with someone else? this is so awful who would ever do that to a person 😔 anyway let's make out in the rain"

[darlenicy]

Has anyone ever considered Musa & Helia being a thing? I mean just THINK about it! They're both the artsy ones in their group: Helia with drawing and poetry and Musa with her music. They would complement each other so well characterwise too. Musa could turn Helia's poems into songs and they could write songs together. Musa's music could inspire Helia to draw and vice versa Musa could imagine stories from the pictures Helia drew and combine the feelings and emotions in songs too. There is so much going on with them. Helia is the introvert and Musa is definitely the extrovert who would make Helia get out of his shy comfort zone and Helia would calm Musa's temper. I have so many headcanons for them!

[tenwhiteandalusians]

pertaining to the idea of tenax’s band of strays i do think it’s touching that the kids are the ones who saved him and waited outside the door to make sure he’s okay. for all tenax claims to be harsh and cruel it’s a fine indicator of his character that the kids won’t rest without him and are there every time he’s in danger.

[rhymaes]

the 'I knew him first' vs 'I knew him fully' & all the ensuing gratifications and absences that mark the Xianle trio's understanding of Xie Lian opposed to Hua Cheng's. THAT is devastation baby!!!