#just realised it’s my old signature because I started this so long ago lol

[siminiecricketart]

More running kids: Sadie and Carter my faves <33

[prettywordsyouleft]

The Cowboy - Part 13

Summary: Leaving the city for a rural area called Blayne seemed simple enough. Your task was to convince the people to agree with selling their land for a resort redevelopment. But once there, you soon realise that your city ways are entirely different to theirs. Winning their trust was going to take some effort, and when you start to fall for a local cowboy, you wonder if you really needed Blayne more than the city life after all.

Pairing: Jung Jaehyun x female reader

Genre: cowboy au / drama / romance / if you squint there’s some enemies to lovers up in here.

Warnings: Jung Jaehyun is a cowboy, need I say more? (a bit of angst and drama, and it sometimes might feel like you’re reading a Nicolas Sparks book, so I’m told lol)

Word count: 2450

Preview | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

“This is crazy!”

Glancing at Natalia next to you in the car as you neared the border for Blayne, you grinned. “I thought you grew up on farms?”

“The kind near the city. Nothing like this. There’s just a whole lot of land out here.”

“I would ask if you want me to turn around and take you back, but after travelling for this long, I want to just be done from being in this car.”

Laughing, Natalia craned her neck to use the side mirror. “I think the truck behind us might find that a little burdensome too.”

“I’m amazed that truck of his made it to the city and back.”

“Aren’t you glad Jaehyun came for you?” she wondered, and you couldn’t hide the genuine smile that spread out your lips immediately. “You’re smitten!”

“You’ve seen him. How could I not be?”

“Blayne’s livestock sure are made of fine specimens,” Natalia teased, and you laughed heartily.

“They do claim to have the best pigs in the nation, but I’m not so sure if that relates to all the men they have, Nat.”

“Well, the two I’ve seen…” She trailed off to kiss her fingers. “Total chef kiss.”

“Avery is single, too.”

“I never asked.”

“You didn’t need to. I could see the wheels turning from here.”

“Do you reckon he’d want a country Belle or-”

You grinned. “For Avery, I think he likes women in whatever way they come.”

“That doesn’t speak much for my chances.”

“Why not, Miss Natalia?” you chimed, and your best friend swatted your arm. “He didn’t even refer to me like that when I met him. Should I be sad?”

“Stop trying to snatch my cowboy away from me. You already have your own.”

Suddenly the truck signalled its horn behind you and you glanced up into the rear-mirror, noticing the indicator of the truck now on. Turning your attention to the side of the road, you couldn’t help but laugh at that gas station you had gone to all those months ago appearing again.

You didn’t need any gas, but it seemed Jaehyun’s truck needed the pit stop. Getting out of your vehicle, you noticed the smoke coming out from under the hood. Walking over to Jaehyun’s side, you gasped noisily. “Looks like it’s finally died on you.”

“She’s not dead,” he grumbled, running a hand through his hair agitatedly after popping the hood. “She needs water.”

“And a retirement,” Avery added on, leaning on the side of Jaehyun’s truck whilst shaking his head. “You and your stubborn ways.”

“I’m not giving up on her,” Jaehyun announced, and you frowned with the level of emotion you heard in his tone. He groaned. “Though, I think I might need to leave her here tonight so she doesn’t overheat further.”

Avery nodded. “I’ll go sort it out with Mick inside the station.”

Kicking the tire gently, Jaehyun turned to look over your shoulder, not quite meeting your eye. Stepping in and placing your hands on his hips, you shot him an encouraging smile. “We’ll come and pick your truck up tomorrow.”

“We?”

“Well, I’d offer to tow it, but my car won’t handle that. I’m sure Avery’s truck will, though.”

“I’m starting to feel nervous,” Jaehyun confessed, and you blinked curiously. “At your return. People are going to talk.”

“I hope they’ve been talking up a storm. And that they are still willing to talk even when I’m there. Nat and I will rely on that talk to get things moving.”

“You’re so certain about this,” he observed, and you nodded once. “Why?”

“Because this is my project. I invested a lot of my time and energy into Blayne and found the deficit too glaring to just forget about it all when your Dad ordered me to leave. Further, I can’t just stop loving you either. You and I still have a lot to discuss.”

Jaehyun nodded thoughtfully, his signature lopsided, dimpled grin appearing. “You’re a formidable woman, Miss Adaptable.”

You didn’t make a big fuss about sitting down for that chat right away once you were back in Blayne. There was a lot to be done, especially around your new residence. You weren’t staying on the Jung’s property this time, even though you wished nothing more than to wake up in your bedroom at the homestead.

Instead, you were the first guests since 1983 to inhabit the inn.

“You sure there’s no ghost stories associated with this place?” Natalia queried as you both ate breakfast in the kitchen a few days after your arrival.

Grinning at your best friend, you shrugged. “Who knows? But if there are any more co-inhabitants here with us, they ought to pick up a broom and give things a good sweep or dusting.”

“We’ve been clearing cobwebs for days. How is this town going to be a hub of change, Y/N?”

“Nothing worthwhile comes without any effort, Natty. This place is kind of charming if you put aside its outdated décor.”

“Charming, you say,” she mentioned, pointing to the dripping tap in the kitchen. Even if the room now sparkled as best as it could from your combined cleaning, you still had repairs that were pressing.

“It could be very charming,” another voice mentioned, and you grinned at Avery’s cheeky appearance. “Sorry for intruding. The back door’s always been easy enough to get in through.”

“So it’s not just your cousin who’s good with getting in and out of places they shouldn’t be.”

“Where do you think I learned it from?” Avery admitted with an easy laugh, and after sending Natalia a wink, he placed a toolbox up on the countertop. “Leaky tap, huh? I guess I ought to fix this for you before it drives you nuts.”

“Will you?!” Natalia asked, graciously smiling in his direction. “It’s not the only one needing repairs, admittedly.”

“It’s a good thing I ran down to the hardware store a town over for some new faucets then, isn’t it?”

“Where’s Jaehyun?”

As he looked for the right tool, Avery answered. “On the ranch.”

“He okay on his own?”

“Sure, if you call being in the company of my grouchy uncle after us leaving Blayne last week caused him to get behind in work, being okay.”

“I actually have to go see Mr Jung today,” you announced and smiled at the pair who stopped staring flirtatiously at each other to look in your direction. “It’s time to get things rolling, don’t you think?”

“Will you be okay?”

“If Jaehyun’s handling his father, then I think I’ll go assist him. I’m half at fault here.”

“I don’t agree entirely with that, Y/N.”

Natalia agreed with Avery. “You aren’t at fault at all.”

“There’s a lot of things I want answers to and a whole lot of information I will need to pass on to him now that I’m here to work on the redevelopment of Blayne for housing.”

“He has a temper.”

“That much I’m aware of already, Avery,” you replied with a grin, picking up your coffee and raising it in a gesture of farewell. “Nat, you stay here and help point out the areas for Avery to work on.”

“Sure, I can do that,” she answered and turned to mouth a thank you at you.

Chuckling as you stepped outside and over to your car, you stopped when you saw Dorothy crossing the road towards you.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Everyone said you were back, but I didn’t believe it until these eyes of mine saw it in person!”

Taking her hand fondly, you cocked your head to the side. “Did you truly think you could get rid of me that easily?! I have work to do here!”

“Are you staying in the inn, Y/N? I’ll make sure to send my Jacob over to help with anything you might need repairing. Lord only knows how that place is holding up.”

Pointing to the building you had just departed, you smiled. “Avery is inside fixing some taps already.”

“Really? Well, he didn’t wait long. I thought everyone was instructed to stay put until Old Jung stopped punishing his boy for bringing you back.”

“Is that how everyone is seeing it?”

“Did I speak out of turn?!” Dorothy asked with a gasp, and you shook your head firmly.

“Not at all, Dorothy. I’m grateful for what you just said. Do let everyone know it was June Jung who I called in regards to returning to Blayne about, however. She’s the one who let me and my best friend into the inn, after all.”

“June?! She’s never the type not to follow along with her husband’s word!”

Shaking your head again, you patted her lower arm. “There’s a lot to Mrs Jung that Blayne folk seem to not know about.”

Greeting June when you arrived at her home shortly after, you grinned brightly at her. She laughed. “I was worried after a few nights in that inn you might decide to leave.”

“It’s nothing like the homestead, but I can see with some effort put in how it can help with our plans.”

“He’s not exactly thrilled.”

You nodded. “I doubt your husband is.”

“But he is listening. I told him to wait for you in his office. He gruffly headed in there five minutes ago.”

“I won’t keep him waiting then,” you assured June, smiling again before taking the same pathway you had a couple of weeks ago.

Inhaling a deep breath, you pushed forward into the office, Mr Jung looking up at you. You smiled politely. “It’s nice to see you again. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m Y/N, Blayne’s new town building specialist.”

Mr Jung ignored the hand you held out to him and cleared his throat but didn’t answer. Deciding to take his silence as not a complete refusal, you sat down across from him and pulled out the proposal you had drafted up for this meeting. And without any hesitation, you launched into it.

He didn’t interrupt your speech, even picking up the copy of the plans you had placed on the table midway through and flicked to the page you were talking about. By the time you reached the end of your planned speech, you were a mixture of relief and curiosity.

You had no idea what Mr Jung was thinking.

Heaving out a breath when you were finally done, Mr Jung nodded softly. “Very well.”

“Is that all?” you asked, and Mr Jung stared over at you. His gaze didn’t make you uncomfortable, rather, vulnerable. It was as if he was trying to pick a way into your brain and figure everything out about you.

Sighing when he didn’t seem to find whatever it was, Mr Jung looked out the window. “My family has been here for generations.”

“I looked into it when initially setting up here,” you confirmed, and he smiled swiftly.

“I suppose you know about my wife then.”

“I do. I believe it’s why she’s been supportive of my stay here.”

“She tells me that you remind her of herself. I don’t entirely see it, though I’m aged and weathered now. My son, however, he’s young.”

“We don’t have to discuss Jaehyun if you are going to berate and accuse me of-”

“My son is the next generation of the Jung family line. He’ll inherit this ranch when I leave this earth, and I hope his children in the future continue to help Blayne remain a fair and happy community. When June and I found we couldn’t have any further children, where I come from a line of ten, I foolishly believed if I shaped Jaehyun from an early age to take on this place, we would continue a successful line. My parents entrusted this ranch to me, the only son. Perhaps if I had daughters too, I would have softened. But I only had one child, and I was too harsh.”

“Why did the fire happen, Mr Jung?” you asked softly, and the man rubbed at his face before leaning back in his chair.

“I told Jaehyun he couldn’t ever leave Blayne. That kid is something else. He always has been. He’s good with the cattle, he’s even better upon a horse. His school got him into rodeo early on, and I thought it would only shape him to have a competitive streak to help our ranch. The first time I saw him do a run, I knew there was more to his riding, though. But he was only twelve then. Teenage years would come, and I assumed he would choose new interests, or feel the weight of the work around the yard. Jaehyun didn’t let go of the barrels and would train even at night if he had to. He never failed to do his chores first, and I grew exasperated that I couldn’t find a way to stop him.”

“As a parent, shouldn’t you encourage his pursuits?” you pointed out, and Mr Jung nodded loosely.

“I was real proud of my boy. He had more trophies and rosettes in that bedroom of his than he had anything else. When he got scouted, he was beaming from ear to ear. I was selfish. We didn’t have anyone to take his spot here if he was going to be away. My father preached to me about how this ranch has been handled by Jung hands for decades. What you assume I did next is correct.”

“You took him out of barrel racing.”

“I thought it was for the best. And then he ran away from home. He caused trouble for a few families here with their kids following him. Avery was almost sent to boarding school because May was worried Jaehyun corrupted him. I had a township to maintain the peace with too. So I took the wrong approach with Jaehyun and cornered him further.”

“Why a fire, though?”

“I told him his only place on earth was Blayne. He said he wished Blayne would stop existing. I didn’t think he’d actually do anything about it. But he broke into the theatre that night, and the fire quickly took hold of our town.”

You merely sat there, trying to battle through Jaehyun’s past anguish and understanding the father who carried deep remorse for his actions.

Mr Jung noticed and smiled sadly. “I tried to take the blame. After all, I had driven my son to choose that path. But the people knew better. So my only approach to Jaehyun, who was racked with guilt, was to use that to hold him here. He’s never thought of leaving or doing anything else.”

Mr Jung stared at you with an indescribable expression. “Until you arrived, Y/N.”

_________________

Part 14

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[nad-zeta]

Arthur Doyle: Battle of the Flirts

Fandom: Ikemen Vampire

Pairings: Arthur Doyle x reader (Fem Bi reader)

Genre: Slice o life 

Warnings: Alcohol 

Words: 1650 

Comments: So this is my first ikevamp fic lol its probs ganna be shit cause you best know i didn't proof read before posting lol(˶◕‿◕˶✿) Thanx so much @zazax42​ for giving me the suggestion/idea! Hope yall enjoy it! 

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The week seemed to drag on and on, and you were overloaded with chores. You had finally finished doing all the housework for the day, and to be honest you were absolutely exhausted.

It was a miracle that you still had enough energy left to drag yourself up the stairs. Once you made it to your room, you threw yourself onto your bed. Vic hopped up onto the bed and looked at you with his big brown eyes. 

“You know you have caused me a the biggest headache today.” He gave a small whine as if to apologise for the trouble he had cause you, and you couldn't help but give the poor doggo a tired smile, there was no way you could stay mad at him, especially when he gave you such cute puppy dog eyes. 

“It’s alright Vic you are forgiven, just don’t do it again.” He wagged his tail and licked your face and proceeded to dash out of the room, probably to cause some more mischief, no doubt. 

You turned your head to look at you cupboard hanging open, you spotted the little black dress you had bought yourself a few weeks ago. Geez, how long has it been since you’ve been out with friends? Since arriving at the mansion it has been all work, thanks to a certain slave driving butler.

Your thoughts were interrupted, when the British writer entered your room. “You look positively exhausted love,” he looked down at you, with eyes filled to the brim with love and affection. 

You were dramatically sprawled out across your bed. “And whose fault would that be, my dearest Arthur.” 

Arthur gave you an apologetic smile as he flopped down on the bed beside you, “yes, well, I suppose I should apologise for Vic’s behaviour”. 

You propped yourself up on your elbows and narrowed your eyes at your lover. “You do realise I spent the whole afternoon picking up shredded pieces of Mozart’s sheet music off the lawn, not even to mention the fact that someone had to talk some sense into the grumpy musician, as he was insisting on giving your precious dog away in your absence. Plus Sabastian had a field day with taking all his frustrations out on me, for what Vic had done.”

Arthur then sat up and kissed you on your temple, “thank you love, for defending Vic’s honour, and I am terribly sorry I wasn’t here to help clean up and listen to Mozart’s and Sabastion’s whining. Although you must admit, angry Sabs is quite the amusing sight,” Arthur said with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

You cracked a little smile, “well, I suppose I got to see that big vein pop out of his forehead, hehe and also it was pretty funny to see how red Mozart got in his anger. I wish you could have seen it! I didn't think anyone could go redder than poor old Isaac, but after seeing Mozart so angry, I think he could give apple boy a run for his money.” Arthur chuckled at the thought of the angry butler and pianist, “It sounds like both you and I deserve a stiff drink for, the troublesome day we both had.” 

“More like two stiff drinks, for all the complaining I had to endure today,” you said with a bright smile as you gave Arthur a quick peck on the lips.

“Well, then hun, hows about we go to the bar for a drink or two, I’ll meet you at the main door in 30 minutes.” You smiled and quickly got dressed, you decided to wear that pretty black dress that has been hanging in your cupboard for weeks now.

After 30 minutes of changing and getting ready, you met Arthur by the front door. “Why, don’t you just look positively fetching, in that pretty black little number,” Arthur said while gently taking your hand in his and leading you out the entrance to the waiting carriage. 

“Right back at ya,” you chuckled while doing your awkward finger guns. 

The place was super lit, and it was amazing that you and Arthur managed to find two open seats at the bar. “Two whiskeys on the rock please.” 

You and Arthur sipped on your drinks and enjoyed the light banter that flowed between the two of you. Just as you were making a witty comeback to one of Arthur’s flirty comment, the bartender placed a drink down in front of you, “From the woman in the pink dress,” he said with a wink and a smile. 

“Ah I’m sorry about that Luv, it seems the women in his bar hasn’t received the news yet, that I am a taken man,” before Arthur could finish his comment the bartender corrected him, “Excuse me, sir, I think there has been a misunderstanding, this drink isn’t for you, it is actually meant for her,” he nodding in your direction with a smile.

You gave Arthur a bright smile, “ohoho, it’s for me, is it.” 

You burst out in laughter and said in a mocking voice, “it seems the women in this bar hasn’t received the news yet, that I am a taken woman.”

Arthur took a big sip of his drink, trying to mask his embarrassment. You eyed him curiously and gave him the biggest brightest smile. For a big old flirt, he certainly was cute, especially the way his ears would go all red as he blushed. 

He playfully put his hand over your mouth to muffle your laughing, “Okay okay, I get it, you’ve had your fun,” he gave you his signature smirk while still carrying remnants of the blush and embarrassment on his cheeks. You cradled Arthur’s cheeks in your hands, still wearing a big grin, “don’t be cross dear, you know I used to be quiet the flirt back in the day.” 

Arthur’s eyes lit up in curiosity, “is that so.” You kissed the tip of his nose and let go of his face, “jip, no man or woman could resist my charm,” you said as you gave him a flirty wink.

“Well my luv, I can most definitely see that, because you certainly are, a-dor-a-ble,” he said while giving you a little boop on the nose. “I’m not cute, I’m sexy,” you huffed out with a slight pout. 

“Of course you are sweetheart, you are most definitely the cutest fluffies woman in the whole world,” he said while patting your head and ruffling your hair. 

“Oooh I’ll show you cute Arthur Doyle!” You then pulled your lover into a headlock, ruffling his hair the same way he had ruffled yours moments ago. 

“Well then love, how’s about a friendly little wager”, you let go of him and narrowed your eyes, “I’m listening..”

“The one who can get the most women’s telephone numbers in the next hour wins,” Arthur said with the most playful glint in his eyes. 

“What’s the catch?” you asked eyeing him suspiciously

Arthur smirked at you and continued to explain the rules. “Loser has to pick up after Vic for 2 whole weeks and has to be the winner’s personal slave for the day,” 

You gave Arthur a challenging gaze and decided to raise the stakes slightly “Alright but, the loser also has to do the laundry for the next two weeks and has to change their name to Deez Nutz for the duration of the time.” 

Arthur thought for a second and then nodded “Alright, time starts NOW”

The two of you scattered into your own directions and started working your magic on every woman in the bar, no woman was safe.  It felt like mere seconds had passed, before the hour was up. You and Arthur regrouped at the bar and presented each other with the phone numbers that you managed to get. 

“I’ll go first luv,” the two of you counted all the scrap pieces of papers and napkins together, “let’s see if you can beat 5, luv, you know there is no shame in backing out of the bet now, although I will take great pleasure in calling you Deez Nutz for the next two weeks,” Arthur said with a triumphant smile. 

“No, no don’t worry about me old boy, I am quite confident I have this in the bag, I hope you like doing laundry.” You emptied out your purse and pockets of all the pieces of paper, you also showed Arthur’s your arms and hands as three women had written their phone numbers on them. 

“I… I can’t believe this,” Arthur looked at the stack of phone numbers in disbelief. “I believe that is 15, I win”, you playfully patted and ruffled Arthur’s hair. “Looks like we know who the cute one is and who the true sexy one is after all. I do believe, I warned you that I was quite the ladies lady back in the day,” you said while bursting into laughter. “Plus nothing screams sexy like this sexy black dress”, you said while tracing your hand over the curves of your body. Your black dress was perfect, conservative enough not to show too much, yet body-hugging enough to show off your every curve.  

Arthur simply hung his head in defeat. You couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him “Aww don’t be cross with me, love”, you gave him a little kiss on the cheek and gently took hold of one of his hands lacing your fingers with his “You know, even though I am a babe magnet, my heart will always belong to you, Deez Nutz,” you said while pushing your lips together trying to stifle a laugh. 

Arthur simply groaned and buried his face in is hands. This was most definitely going to be the longest 2 weeks of his life 

Turns out your horrible day want so horrible after all

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Lol hope yall enjoyed ✿◕ ‿ ◕✿

[pottercrew]

Study Pt 2

Hey guys! It’s been a while since I posted something for my Pottercrew Snippet Series and I apologise for that but here’s part 2 of Study.  (Right click on these links and open them in a new tab cause I’m crap at linking to open to a new tab lol) 

I hope you enjoy <3 They shared an awkward walk back to the eighth year common room and separated to grab the things they needed from their rooms. Harry couldn’t quite pinpoint how he felt, just that he needed to be as quick as possible to meet Malfoy in the common room. He huffed, why did his mouth have to speak before his brain thought about it? To ask Malfoy, of all people, if he wanted to study with him.

It wasn’t that he hated Malfoy, no it was quite the opposite, him and Malfoy, to everyone’s surprise and some horror, had come to some sort of unspoken truce. Maybe it was the pressure of their last year, what with their N.E.W.T.S, or maybe it was the fact that the war had changed things between them. Nothing too big, but something had just shifted, when Harry had seen Malfoy for the first day back two months ago, he was surprised at himself that he had felt nothing when he had looked at him, his mind had flashed to a skeletal terrified looking boy gazing horrified at him.

That had been the change, he no longer saw Malfoy as the same boy how had terrorised him and he back throughout their school years. Now, he just saw Draco Malfoy, blonde posh attractive smart Draco Malfoy who was trying to make amends.

Harry quickly grabbed the rolls of parchment strewn haphazardly across his desk and swore as he upended his open inkwell across the wooden surface and down it’s front right leg. Why had he left that open?

He cursed himself, then snatched his wand from his back pocket, cast a cleaning charm, and summoned his bag. Stuffing everything he needed to study, he cast one quick glance around the room, nodded once, and left, closing the door a bit too loudly behind him.

Out in the common room, Malfoy was standing with his back to Harry and looking out of one of the two large windows overlooking the forbidden forest. Harry keep his eyes on Malfoy’s back, refusing to look at the expanse of brown and green tree tops stretching to the horizon.

There was something about the way the light hit Malfoy’s hair and his face that had Harry pausing mid step, forgetting what he was about to say. Malfoy looked like he could quiet have easily been a moving painting painted by an artist long dead who aimed to capture an angel.

Harry had never seen anything like it. Since when did Malfoy look so beautiful and yet so handsome at the same time? He had always been beautiful, even Harry could admit that, what with his pointy features and aristocratic cheekbones. But here, he looked different.

Harry was snapped out of his thoughts when the portrait to the common room slammed open and two obviously drunk figures stumbled in. Dean and Seamus were laughing loudly, Dean holding onto an open bottle of firewhiskey in one hand and his other thrown around a much drunker looking Seamus.

Malfoy turned his head to look at them and they both tried to shush each other before Dean spoke

“Harry mate, can’t talk, got to escort this drunken chap to bed”

Seamus laughed loudly, “Chap when have you ever said chap. Oh hey Malfoy, got to talk to you about the charms work later” Seamus was slurring, and he pointed at Malfoy at every second word, sending his body tipping and swaying every which way.

Malfoy nodded, “Probably best if you do that tomorrow Finnegan, it looks like you’re about to throw up”

Dean laughed and grabbed Seamus by the hand “Come on you, let’s get you to bed”

Seamus looked at him “You can take me to bed anytime you want Thomas” Seamus purred and Harry had to stifle a laugh at the look at surprise on Dean’s face. It was common knowledge for Harry, Ron and Neville that Seamus had fancied Dean since third year, they all had to deal with his moaning about Ginny and any other girl Dean got with. None of them however, had felt they had the right to tell Dean.

Dean didn’t say anything, just looked at Harry and Malfoy mumbled a goodnight, and helped Seamus down the corridor towards the boys bathroom.

Harry turned back to face Malfoy to find him staring at him. “I don’t think it’s a good idea studying in here” Malfoy said, and Harry felt a slight panic that Malfoy might have changed his mind. “People are going to be stumbling in all night” He explained.

“Oh yeah, right” Harry said “How about the library?” Malfoy nodded at this and pulled the strap to his bag higher on his shoulder.

“Okay” He said and walked towards the portrait and swinging it open. Malfoy looked back at him as if expecting him not to follow but Harry did, the sudden realisation that he and Malfoy were going to be alone in the library making his throat dry. Merlin he hoped he didn’t put his foot in it.

Draco really didn't know why he had said yes to this, but here he was, sitting next to Potter, seeing the face he pulls when something confuses him, the slight wrinkle between his eyes, hand clenching slighting around his quill.

Draco would on no means, under no circumstances admit to liking the way Potter acted when he understood something, the small smile of triumph, the focused look in his eyes as he put his head down, almost too close to his quill, (Draco did have to hold in a snort when it did actually hit one of his lenses) and wrote sentences and sentences, seemingly on the roll.

Not only that, but somehow, in the few seconds they had separated to get their stuff, Potter had managed to spill what looked like an entire ink pot down the bottom of his blue shirt and to reasons that infuriated Malfoy, he found it charming. He didn’t say anything though, and the fact that Potter didn’t seem to notice it was there amused him greatly. 

He was utterly distracted and there was no cure for it other than kicking Potter out of the library, and that didn’t seem like an option. He ran his eyes over the dark shelves, wondering if Madam Pince was still here. He doubted it, he was never more grateful to Mcgonagall more than when she had told the small group of 8th years that the library was now open later just for them, their individual magical signatures allowing the doors to open and let them into both the normal section and the restricted section.

It seems now, that every teacher knew they had been through a war, they were given full access to the books that lay in there, knowing that nothing they would see would be as horrific as what they had witnessed during the fighting.

Potter let out a small sigh and Draco’s eyes bore into the top of his dark head then snapped down to his own parchment when Harry raised his head and threw his arms up in a stretch.

“I don’t think I’ve ever got so much work done in one session before” He yawned, pushing his fingers underneath his glasses and rubbing his eyes. “I think it’s probably because Hermione's  not here and I have space to think” He snorted, flopping his head back. Draco didn’t know what to say to that so he said nothing, just looked down at his own unfinished sentence and tried to remember how he was going to finish it.

“What are you specifying in?” Came Harry’s voice and Draco looked up again, from the upward tilt of Potter’s lips, this wasn’t the first time he asked. It took Draco’s brain a few seconds to catch up before he realised Potter was asking about which type of transfiguration he was choosing to specialise in, in his exams.

“What?” Draco winced at how dumb he sounded.

Potter just smiled and nodded his head towards Draco’s transfiguration parchment “What are you specifying in this year?”

“Conjuration” Draco answered.

“Really?” Potter asked, eyebrows raising “Impressive”

Draco felt heat rising on his ears and forced himself to roll his eyes “If you paid more attention in class you’d get it”

Potter looked sheepish before sending Draco a wide grin “Yeah, that’s true, I’m specialising in vanishment”

“Of course you are” Draco snorted and leaned back in his chair when Harry let out a laugh

“What does that mean?”   

“Didn’t you vanish a plane of glass when you were 9? Of course you’d do vanishment, you’d be a fool not to” At Potter’s look he carried on “It’s better to play to your strengths, I saw your untransfiguration at the beginning of the year. Let's just say you picked the right thing”.

Potter let out a bark of laughter and Draco was again relieved that they were alone. If this had been in the day, they definitely would have been kicked out by now.

Draco dragged his eyes away from Potter’s face and looked back at his work. It was no use, he'd have to re read the chapter to get back into the roll of writing this. He stood up.

“I need to go find a book”

Potter just picked his quill back up and started writing, “Okay, call me if you get lost”

Draco tried to hide his smile as Potter’s laugh floated after him. It would do no good for himself nor Potter’s ego to react to everything Potter did. Draco ran his eyes down the main aisle, taking in the pitch black corners of the library, shadows dancing along with the flickering of the candles. 

He did like the library at this time of night, although yes, it was different having Potter at the table with him, it wasn’t a bad different, more...less lonely. He shook his head, less lonely, what was he, a child?

Draco carried on to the aisle he knew housed the transfiguration tomes, and yes they were tomes written by long dead wizards and witches with out of date views, boring long script on nothing but theory, in tiny black inked text. Draco breathed in deeply, taking in the smell of old parchment, leather and mildew and sighing in contentment.

Although nothing could beat the smell of a potions lab, there was something comforting about the smell of old books, maybe it just reminded him of being in the manor’s library, sitting in his mother’s lap and hearing her voice as she read any book that Draco liked the colour of, normally ending up being long scripted accounts of wizarding laws going back centuries, but he never cared, just liked the sound of his mother’s voice.

He ran his fingers down the spines of numerous books as he walked, the feel of leather to velvet to paper to fur leading him forwards. He knew where the book was, having taken it out a few times in the past. He stopped, tipped the spine towards him to read the silver lettering on dull red leather before pulling it out fully. He scanned the index then shifted through the book to the chapter he needed, nodded, closed it and walked back to their table. 

Potter was bent over his parchment again, quill moving furiously and Draco got a thrill out of making him jump as he dropped the large book down onto the table.

“Prat” Potter said, and to Draco’s surprised looked guilty about it, “Sorry” Potter said, looking back down at his work.

“Whatever for?” Draco found himself saying as he sat back down. Why was Potter apologising to him for calling him a prat, like they haven’t been calling it each other for years?

“Nothing” Potter said too quickly and Draco snorted.

“Out with it Potter, not all of us have the amazing ability to figure out what you mean like Weasley and Granger”

Potter looked at him “I didn’t...I didn’t want to offend you” He mumbled, looking thoroughly embarrassed now.

“Why would you offend me Potter?” Draco asked, perplexed. What was wrong with Potter? But Draco had a small feeling he knew what it was, and he didn’t like it.

“It’s just” He took a deep breath before continuing “You just seemed different, in the common room and I didn’t want to upset-”

“You didn’t want to upset me” Draco cut in, “Why would you calling me a prat upset me? You are aware we have been calling each other it for years now Potter, unless someone has obliviated those particular memories?” he drawled. Part of him was furious that Potter would treat him with kiddie gloves, but another deeper part, was slightly happy that Potter had been worried enough about him or something to do with their acquaintanceship to censor himself.

“No” Potter shot out looking defensive before huffing slightly “I just, don’t want to fuck this up” He breathed.

“Fuck what up?” Draco asked.

Potter motioned between them “This...this truce or whatever”.

Draco felt his ears return to being red and had to look away. “Just don’t be weird”

“I wasn’t being weird” Potter said, but at Draco’s look he continued “Okay I was, but so were you!”

“What are you? Four?” Draco said raising his eyebrows but he could feel the smile on his lips.

“Maybe, still older than your mental age” Potter shot back. Draco tried to look offended but he had missed this, more than he realised and all he could do was smiled down at his parchment.

“Shut it Potter, we have work to do” Was all Draco said back, feeling a feeling of normalcy he had not felt in years.