#they would have probably gotten mad if I brought that in my carryon

[gayabeilles]

walking out of the airport like

[atlafan]

Take it Slow - Part Thirty-One

a/n: okay this is my first shot at a harry:y/n fic, and it will be multiple parts. y/n had a bad experience with an ex over a year ago, and finally accepts her coworker and good friend Niall’s invitation to go on a blind date with his friend Harry.

Warnings: Fluff.

Masterpost (all previous parts can be found in the masterpost)

You and Harry agreed he would move in after you got back from England. You spent most of the week helping him pack up some of the easier things he didn’t need every day. That way you wouldn’t have to do much when you got back.

You rummaged through your closet pulling out as many options for outfits you thought you’d need for your trip. You had one really big luggage bag you’d be able to get most of everything into. You decided to use your backpack as a carryon. You kept your travel toothbrush and a spare pair of clothes in there. Harry had a large luggage bag and a backpack as well.

“Think you have everything ya need? We gotta get up pretty early tomorrow.” He asks, sipping on his coffee Friday morning.

“Yup! Everything’ll be good to go. I’m leaving work around three today too. I’m hoping to go to bed early.”

“Same here. We’ll need to be up at like three in the morning, order the uber and all that. International security takes a little bit longer. Got your passport?”

“Yes, it’s on my dresser ready to go.”

“Perfect.” He kisses you on the cheek. You look down at your watch.

“Well, I better go to work. See you this afternoon.” You kiss him goodbye, and head out the door.

You were thankful it wasn’t snowing, and there were no storms in the forecast. Sarah and Rachel agreed to help take turns watching your place while you were gone, and you were so grateful for them. Niall was only working a half day today. He was taking a red eye to Ireland that night.

“Excited?” He asks, coming into your office.

“So excited! It’s going to be so much fun.”

“Won’t be weird celebrating Christmas?”

“Not at all! I’m excited to see what traditions his family has.”

“It’s quaint, quiet. Very cozy.”

“Nice change of pace from my family.”

Niall makes sure to hug you before he leaves. You wish each other safe flights. The clock moves agonizingly slow. You just want to get home to Harry. He was smart enough to just take all of Friday off. When it finally hit 2:50, you dipped out.

When you got home, Harry was making some lunch. You loved your little chef so much.

“Whatcha making?” You ask kissing him on the cheek.

“PB and J’s, sound good?”

“Sounds perfect, thank you.”

You both sit on the couch with your sandwiches, and watch a little TV.

“How was work?”

“So boring, half the office wasn’t there. Niall left at like noon, so the rest of the day just dragged on. Happy I’m home now.”

“Doesn’t your work usually have like a holiday party or somethin’?”

“Yeah, they usually do it at the end of January. It’s a lot of fun, they have it at this hotel with a big ballroom. Open bar too.”

“That’ll be fun.” He smiles. “I secretly love staying in hotels. Feels like a mini holiday.”

“We’re staying in a hotel when we go to London?”

“Actually, we’re staying at my flat.” You give him a confused look.

“You…have your own place in London?”

“I sublet it. I had done a lot work there a few years ago when I was traveling. I took the opportunity to make some money. I mostly use it on Air BnB. It’s nice to have the few times I go home. Since there are a few weeks I go home in the summer, it was just more cost effective to have my own place.”

“How do you run an Air BnB if you’re not there?”

“My sister lives in London too, so I give her a cut to help take care of things.”

“Oh nice! I’m really excited to meet her, and your mum.”

“They’re excited too.”

//

Your alarm goes off a little after two in the morning. You wipe away the sleep from your eyes, and take a really quick shower. You put on some leggings and a sweatshirt. Harry has a pair of sweats on as well, and a long sleeve shirt. You both wheel your luggage down, and he puts it into the uber. You hold his hand the entire way to the airport.

He prints both of your tickets, and sets your luggage up to be checked. He hands you your ticket, and your eyes pop out of your head.

“Harry?” You tug on his jacket.

“Yeah, love?”

“Why does this say first class? I only paid you for a commercial flight.”

“I always fly first class on these long flights. Trust me, it’s worth it.”

“But Harry…this is too expensive.”

“I had the miles babe, it’s not a big deal. C’mon, we need to go through security.”

You both get through security quickly, and head to your gate to wait. You wanted to be mad at him. You really didn’t like when he would pull these fast moves over you. When he puts his arm around you, and pulls you closer to him, you forget you’re upset. You’re too tired to even care at this point. You rest your head on his shoulder.

“What time will we get there?”

“Let’s see, if we actually take off at six? We’ll get there about eleven.”

“That’s good, we’ll still practically have the whole day.”

“Yup. I’m rentin’ a car for us too. That way we can scoot in and out when we like.”

“You think of everything, don’t you?” He chuckles.

Your flight is ready to board, and your jaw drops at the nice seats. You had never done something so extravagant.

“You want the window seat, love?” He asks, putting a carry on overhead.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. If I sit on the aisle, I can stretch my legs out easier.” You kiss him on the cheek and sit down.

You remember the dream you had a few weeks ago of being married and pregnant, traveling with Harry. Your mind wandered to how often you may end up taking this trip with him.

A stewardess comes around with hot towels and mimosas making you giggle. You buckle yourself in, and watch as Harry takes his glasses and a new book out. You take your headphones out, and plug them into the jack in the arm rest. He watches you scroll the countless movies and television shows available.

“Oh hell yeah.”

“What?”

“They have HBO on here, I can finally watch the second season of Big Little Lies.”

“You’re going to watch the whole season on this flight?”

“Probably, I am a pro at binging, or did you forget?” Harry giggles.

The flight attendants go through the safety procedures, and prepare for takeoff. You hold Harry’s hand as you take off. You switch your screen to see what music was available.

“Thought you were goin’ t’watch TV, love.”

“I will in a little while. I feel like I’m gonna drift off, and I don’t wanna miss anything. Think I’m just going to listen to music for a little while.” You smile. He takes your hand and kisses it.

“Here, I’ll grab you a blanket.” He moves to put his hand up to ask for one, but you stop him.

“Brought my own.” You reach for your backpack, and take out your baby blankets. You drape one over your legs, and keep the other bunched up at your stomach to hold onto.

“Never seen those before.”

“I keep them in a box under my bed for safe keeping. They’re not in the best shape, but I don’t like traveling long distance without them. They’re for comfort. I brought a small blanket for you too.” You pull out a fleece blanket and put it in his lap.

“Thanks. Had ‘em for a long time?”

“Yup, they’re my, um, baby blankets.” He smiles at you. “What?” Your cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

“Every time I think you couldn’t possibly get cuter, you go and do somethin’ like this.” He kisses your cheek. “Ya comfy, baby girl?” You smile.

“Very.”

You put your ear buds in and scroll through the music options. You settle on The Weeknd, and put it on shuffle. You take out your neck pillow, and get even more comfortable. You close your eyes and sigh quietly. Harry smirks at your music choice, unsure of how you could fall asleep to that kind of music, but he doesn’t question you on it.

He dives into his book, and slowly feels his eyes start to droop. Just as he feels like he’s going to fall asleep, a stewardess comes up to him.

“Sir, would you like anything to drink?”

“Coffee would be great love, and a couple of waters. She’ll be thirsty when she wakes up.”

“Of course.” She hands him the drinks and he puts them in the cup holders. “Here are the papers to fill out for your meals later. If you just want to leave them in the pocket when you’re done, I’ll come ‘round to pick ‘em up.”

“Sure thing, thanks.”

Harry looks over at you, and you look completely passed out. Your face was slightly scrunched, the way you always looked when you were having a dream. You made a slightly distressed noise.

“Oh no.” Harry knew you well enough to know by now that you were most likely having a bad dream, if not a nightmare.

He gently strokes your cheek to try to soothe you. Your breathing steadies, and a slight smile forms on your lips. Your eyes flutter open, and you look over to him through your lashes.

“Ya alright?” He coos.

“Can we snuggle?” You say still half asleep.

“Mhm.”

Harry puts your tray table down so he can stick the drinks on there. Then he lifts up the arm rest so you can scoot closer to him. He puts an arm around you while you nuzzle into his chest. He puts his book in his lap, and drifts off into sleep with you.

You wake up a couple of hours later with your head in Harry’s lap. He was watching TV, nibbling on some potato chips. His other hand was stroking the top of your head. You sit up slowly, and kiss him on the cheek.

“Hey, sleepy head.” You giggle.

“Hi.” You stretch. “Think I’m gonna use the bathroom.” He gets up so you can get out. The bathrooms were much nicer in first class.

When you sit back down you guzzle down the water he had gotten for you earlier. He passes you a small bag of chips.

“Got you a bag of crisps. Should be comin’ ‘round with a meal soon.”

“Crisps?” You giggle. “You’re going full Brit on me this week?”

“Very funny.” He sticks his tongue out at you.

About a half hour later, the stewardess comes around with two continental breakfasts. Harry passes you yours.

“You ordered kosher meals?”

“Yeah, they have to make ‘em fresh.”

“Smart.”

“Only a couple more hours now.” He gives your hand a squeeze.

You and Harry watch the same movie for the remainder of the flight. When you get off the plane you both use the bathroom. You brush your teeth and change into some jeans and a nicer top. You wanted to make a good first impression. Harry changed into some jeans as well. He grabs your luggage, and leads you to the rental car area.

Once you both are settled, you get into the car, accidentally opening the driver’s side, and laughing when you see the steering wheel.

“Wrong side, love.”

“Whoops! I’m all turned around.” You get in on the correct side. “Harry?”

“Yeah?”

“Am I allowed to drive here?” He chuckles.

“Course.”

“Would you let me try it out at some point during the week? It’ll be cool to say I drove on the opposite side of the road.”

“We can definitely do that. We’ll find a nice parking lot for ya to practice in.”

You gaze out the window as you take in the sights around you. He steals glances of your reactions, and smiles to himself. About an hour and half later, you come close to where his mother lives. He takes his phone out to call her.

“Hi mum, yeah, we’re about twenty minutes away. Sorry, I forgot to call when we landed. Airport was hectic. Alright, see ya soon.” He puts his phone back down. “She’s got a nice lunch ready for us, you’ll love it.”

“I can’t wait.”

Harry pulls up to a small/medium sized house.

“This is beautiful.”

“S’not where I grew up. Mum moved here once I went to uni. Still feels like home though.” He takes the luggage out of the trunk, and you both wheel them up the walkway. Harry opens the door. You both take your shoes off, and leave the luggage in the front hall.

“Harry?! That you?” Anne peaks out through the kitchen. “My baby!” She runs over to him, and gives him a big hug and kiss.

“Hi mum.” He smiles. “Mum, this is my girlfriend, Y/N.” You smile shyly.

“Hello, love.” She gives you a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Same to you, you have a lovely home.”

“Oh thanks, Harry, your sister should be here any minute. If you want the larger bedroom, I suggest you bring your things upstairs.” She looks at you. “Y/N, come to the kitchen with me while Harry does the heavy liftin’” She winks at you.

You follow her to the kitchen and see a spread of salad fixings and bread.

“Can I get you anythin’ to drink?”

“Just some water would be great, thank you.” She gets a glass and fills it with water for you. You smile as you take it.

“So, you’re the beautiful young lady my son keeps gushing about?” You blush. “He calls me once a week you know? Part of our rule for him not livin’ here anymore. He speaks so fondly of you, dear.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.” You wondered when Harry actually called his mother, because he never did it around you. Maybe when he was at work?

“I didn’t think he would ever meet someone he really loved, let alone liked.” She laughs. Harry walks back in, and sits down at the island with you.

“Oi, I hear ya talkin’, nice things to say about your only son.”

“Sorry Harry, you know how you are.” She grabs two plates. “Please, make up your plates, no need to wait for Gem, you both look famished from the flight.”

You each pile up your plates with salad. You hear someone come in through the door.

“Harry!” Gemma exclaims. He puts his plate down to give his older sister a hug.

“This is m’girlfriend, Y/N.”

“So great to meet you.” She gives you a hug. “Heard wonderful things. Don’t know why you’d wanna give this idiot the time of day, but I suppose someone had to.” She rustles Harry’s hair.

You enjoyed your lunch with the group, it was nice to see Harry interact with his family. They asked you all sorts of questions about your work and family. You listened to stories about Harry and Gemma when they were younger.

“Gem, is your boyfriend comin’ over on Christmas?” Harry asks.

“No, he’s on business right now. I’ll be leavin’ here after we do gifts to meet up with him.”

You were excited to give Harry’s mom and sister the small gifts you had picked up a couple of weeks ago. You also couldn’t wait to see the look on Harry’s face when he opens the box for the watch he’s been wanting.

“So, Y/N, does your family do anything for Christmas?” Anne asks.

“When we were younger we would wait until Christmas to do all of our Hanukkah gifts. And it was an easy day for our whole family to get together. But once we all got older and moved out, we stopped getting together. My brother and sister both have non-jewish significant others, so they spend the day with their families. We usually get together for one of the days during Hanukkah.”

“I saw some of the pictures on Facebook, can’t believe you got Harry to sit on your uncle’s knee, wish I could’ve seen that.” Gemma laughs.

“I’ll have you know, it was an initiation into her family.” He sticks his tongue out at her.

“Harry, I was thinkin’ we could all go out to eat tonight since we’ll be cookin’ a bunch tomorrow and the day after.” Anne says.

“Sounds good to me, can we go to that curry place?”

“Definitely.”

“We’ve talked your ears off, why don’t you kids go unpack a bit and relax.”

You, Harry, and Gemma all head upstairs.

“Took the bedroom with the ensuite by the way.” Harry smirks. “Snooze ya lose.” She rolls her eyes at him.

“Happy to give you two your privacy.”  You giggle and go into the room with Harry. He closes the door.

“Are you allowed to have the door closed when you have a girl in here?”

“Think it’ll be fine as long as m’sister doesn’t rat us out.” He kisses the top of your head.

You unpack your bathroom toiletries, and some of the clothes you plan to wear while in Anne’s house. Harry lays back on the bed, and waits for you to finish. You sit down next to him.

“This is a nice room. Does she often have guests?”

“Sometimes. Gem comes to visit every other weekend.”

“You’re good children.”

“My mum did a lot for us growin’ up.”

“Is your dad in the picture at all?”

“Oh sure, saw him just about every weekend growin’ up. He lives far from here now, so we won’t see him. But I plan to give him a call on Christmas.”

“Didn’t you say you had a stepdad?”

“I do..did. He passed away not too long ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“S’alright, he was a great guy.”

“I don’t wanna fall asleep. I’m nervous I won’t be able to sleep tonight if we nap.”

“Wanna go for a walk? I can show ya the neighborhood.”

“That’d be great.”

“It’s a bit chilly, so we’ll need to bundle up.”

You leave the room. Harry knocks on Gemma’s door, and invites her to come along. The three of you tell Anne you’ll be back soon. The two point out different homes to you. The architecture was exquisite.

“Have ya ever been to England before?”

“No, it’s my first time.”

“Oh how excitin’!”

“She’s been to the Middle East though, Israel.” Harry chimes in.

“Holy shit! That’s so cool. When’d you do that?”

“My senior year of college, I went on a birthright trip.”

Gemma asks you all sorts of questions about the trip, and you show her a few photos on your phone. You liked Gemma, she was nice and friendly. Her and Harry also seemed pretty close. It reminded you of how you were with your brother. But Harry and Gemma acted more like best friends, probably since they’re so close in age.

//

The restaurant Anne took you to was perfect. It was nice, but not too fancy. You greatly enjoyed watching her scold Harry and Gemma for offering to pay. When you all get back to the house you decide to play a card game before bed. You and Harry turn in early since you both were still tired from all the traveling.

You do your nightly routine, and put on a t-shirt and pajama pants. Harry slides into bed with just a pair of boxers on. He raises an eyebrow at you as you join him in the comfy bed.

“You’re awfully covered up.”

“I didn’t know how cold it would be, plus I didn’t want you thinking we were going to get into any funny business at your mother’s house.”

“So I’m not going to see an ounce of your skin for the next three days?”

“You can see plenty of my skin.” You hold your arm out to him and giggle. “You know I’m lucky me neck has completely healed up.”

“That’ll change once we’re in London, same goes for the rest of ya.” He kisses you on the lips, and turns over.

You wrap yourself around him to spoon him, a leg going between his. You both sigh and fall asleep pretty easily.

//

The next morning you and Harry get up to take a shower. You shower together, but no funny business. Other than a few soft kisses, of course. You dry your hair, and put on a pair of jeans and a sweater. Harry does the same. You both go downstairs and see that Anne and Gemma have put together a small breakfast of beans on toast.

“Um, do you we have any plain toast?” Harry asks.

“Of course! We also have jam and butter.” Anne says. “I was thinkin’ we could all decorate the Christmas tree after breakfast. Y/N, would you feel comfortable in helpin’?”

“Sure! I’d be happy to.”

After breakfast you all go into the living room to decorate the tree. Harry and Gemma reminisce over different ornaments from their childhood. You help put different lights around the tree, and Harry plugs it in.

“Oh that’ll look just lovely when the sun sets.” Anne beams. “Thank you kids.” She wraps her arms around Harry. “I’m so happy you’re here.”

“Me too mum.”

“What do you all usually do on Christmas eve?” You ask.

“We have dinner, and then we take a drive to look at all the lights around town. Some people really do up their houses.” Gemma explains. “Then we come back and get into our pj’s and watch holiday movies and sip on hot cocoa.”

“Do you like Christmas movies, Y/N?” Anne asks.

“Oh sure, my siblings and I used to watch The Grinch every year on Christmas Eve. The one with Jim Carey.”

“We’ll just have to add that to the list then won’t we?”

“Then on Christmas morning we all have this big breakfast, and open presents. Some friends usually come to visit for dinner, and that’s about it.” Gemma finishes.

“That all sounds wonderful.”

//

After dinner, Anne drives the three of you around the neighborhood. Gemma was right, a lot of people really go all out with their lights. Harry keeps his fingers intertwined with yours for the whole drive. When you get back you were happy you brought a festive pair of pj’s, even if they were Hanukkah themed.

Gemma made everyone hot chocolate as you all got settled in the living room. You started off watching A Year Without A Santa Clause, and all of those stop motion classics.

“Hey look, The Grinch is on Netflix, shall we watch that next?” Anne asks.

“We don’t have to watch it if you all don’t want to.” You say.

“Nonsense, it’ll be a new tradition.”

“Mum, Y/N said she’d make us all potato pancakes tomorrow with breakfast. They’re really good. Do we have everything we need?”

“Yes, I have an abundance of potatoes.”

“Mm, homemade potato pancakes, what a treat.” Gemma says.

Anne flips on The Grinch and you feel a nostalgic excitement take over. Harry pulls you closer to him on the couch, and you snuggle in. You try really hard to stifle some of your laughs. But you can’t help it, you think the movie is hilarious. Harry knew it was bound to happen, you started laughing so hard you cried when the Grinch burps in a random guy’s face on the street. You were trying to be quiet about it, but it just made it funnier. Harry, Anne, and Gemma all laugh along from your infectious laughter.

You had only been there for a couple of days, but you loved his family so much already.

[carry-on-kissing-snowbaz]

What Do You Want? (COC Day 17)

Day 17: WLW 

Woo-hoo! I’ve been looking forward to this fic prompt. I hope you enjoy this eighth year fic about Fiona and Ebb. @carryon-countdown

My other COC fics can be found here: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Word Count: 2244

Ebb

Ebb shook out her chin length blonde hair and chuckled as she watched Fiona smack Nico with her cauldron. It was a large and heavy thing and Ebb could almost feel how much it hurt her brother, his matching blue eyes wincing with every hit. He must have done something to piss Fiona off; Ebb had noticed he had the tendency to do so, and to do it often. And while it made her sad for Fiona, it was always fun to watch the consequences play out.

Fiona drifted over towards Ebb and sat down, glaring at Nico hard enough that he didn’t try to join them.

“Cigarette?” she asked Ebb, pulling one out for herself.

Ebb shook her head.

“No thanks,” she said.

Fiona snorted.

“You’re such a fucking straight-edge Ebb,” she kicked off her docs and sunk her sock covered feet into the grass, “When are you going to loosen up a little and take what you want?”

Ebb’s gaze flickered over Fiona’s face.

The problem was that Ebb wanted Fiona and she knew she could never have what she wanted. Fiona was her brother’s girlfriend, on and off sure but still, his girlfriend. And he was Ebb’s twin brother. You couldn’t just make a move on your twin brother’s girlfriend. Besides, Fiona would probably never think of Ebb that way. She was a famous Pitch and a dangerous one at that and Ebb was, well, she might be powerful but she wasn’t much else.

“I don’t know,” Ebb said, “Probably when I graduate.”

Fiona rolled her eyes.

“You don’t have to listen to your parents Ebb, not forever at least.”

Ebb snorted.

“You think it’s stupid for me to waste my power too,” she said.

Fiona eyed her. There was something in her expression that made Ebb’s heart flutter a little bit.

“I don’t think you’re stupid,” Fiona muttered, “Maybe I’m just jealous. My sister is more powerful than me and I’d do anything to be just like her.”

Ebb shrugged.

“She has a goal in mind for her power,” she said, “I don’t. I just want a cozy farm. Maybe I’ll...raise goats or something.”

Fiona raised an eyebrow and grinned at her.

“Goats eh?” she said.

Ebb nodded, blushing.

Something warm swept into Fiona’s grey eyes and she smiled one of her most dangerous smiles.

“I could get on with goats I think,” she said.

Fiona

She was done with Nico. This time she knew it for sure. He’d gone and cheated on her again and she wasn’t even mad this time, hadn’t been truly mad about his bullshit for a long time. She was just tired and altogether over him. It was better to be Nico’s friend than his girlfriend; she’d learned that the hard way.

It had been two weeks since the break up and she’d only just started to hang out with him again. He was fine with the situation, it seemed he too had come to his senses about their relationship. It was comfortable enough to hangout at lunch but Fiona suspected that was mostly due to Ebb. The girl who made Fiona’s heart flutter in ways it shouldn’t, given that she was her ex’s sister. Twin sister at that.

While Nico was setting plants on fire Ebb was helping Fiona study for her Political Science class. She was quizzing her on different vocabulary terms and concepts with Normal flash cards. She claimed they were more helpful than any sort of magic cheat would be though Fiona was a little skeptical about it.

“I don’t get it,” Fiona said.

Ebb looked up, confused.

“Don’t get what?” she asked.

Fiona frowned, not angry or passionate, but genuinely confused.

“Why do low magic people want to come to Watford? A half mage half fairy would probably struggle to pass most of their classes. Wouldn’t it just be a hassle? I just don’t see why this is such a political controversy.”

Ebb looked at her hand.

“Are you talking about that David fellow?”

Fiona nodded.

“He got brought up in class again today.”

Ebb pursed her lips and looked like she was really thinking about what she was going to say. When she got that faraway look in her bright blue eyes it always made Fiona shiver a bit. Nico could never make that expression, alternating between brooding and seducing. It was one of the reasons Fiona had developed a crush on Ebb.

“I don’t like that David much,” Ebb said, after a while, “I get this bad feeling from him, like he’s the power hungry type. But I agree with his platform.”

Fiona blinked in surprise.

“You do?” she asked, “I thought with you being so powerful and all that you’d be steadfast against it.”

Ebb sighed.

“But I don’t want all that power, do I? So if that’s the case, don’t you think it’s possible that someone with low magic might want to come here and get better?”

Fiona could see how it made sense.

“Yes but,” she paused, “The tax proposals would drain us dry.”

Ebb shook her head.

“No, they wouldn’t if everyone would just get on board,” she said, “Normal governments fund all sorts of education programs like that. It can work.”

Fiona felt a burst of warmth in her chest as she watched Ebb’s face twist with conviction. She loved the way that Ebb could get so passionate about things. Fiona was almost certain that she’d never cared about something as much as Ebb did. 

“I guess you’re right,” Fiona said.

Ebb’s gaze swung back to hers.

“You…agree with me?”

Fiona took a snapping bite of her licorice.

“Yeah,” Fiona said, “You made a good case for it.”

Ebb frowned.

“But you’re a Pitch. Isn’t it like, mandatory or something that you want to keep magic for the powerful and elite?”

Fiona snorted.

“Have I ever done something simply because my family expected it of me?”

Ebb smiled, her eyes warm.

“No,” she said, “You do what you want.”

Fiona’s eyes flickered over Ebb’s smiling mouth.

“Damn straight I do,” she said.

Ebb

Nico sat across from her in the dining hall, glaring at her. Ebb tried to ignore his staring but knew she would cave soon. It was almost like she could read her brother’s thoughts, feel the same things he felt, which meant she knew he was anxious to shake something out of her.

“What Nico?” she grumbled.

“You’re keeping something from me,” he said, “And it’s not fair.”

She looked up at him and was relieved to see that he was pouting. His silvery blonde hair was ruffled and messy, just the way he liked it and his blue eyes were irritated but not furious. She could deal with this level of Nico.

“What do you mean it’s not fair?” she asked.

He rolled his eyes.

“When I fell for that girl you had a crush on in third year I told you right away.”

“So?”

“So,” he said, “You’ve had the hots for Fiona for like, months now, and you haven’t said a word to me.”

Ebb’s mouth fell open and all the blood in her body rushed to her cheeks.

“I do not,” she said.

He crossed his arms over his chest.

“Yes you do,” he said, “And if you can’t even admit it to me then you’ll never have the guts to make a move.”

Ebb bit her lip.

“I’m sorry I just…I felt guilty. She’s your ex-girlfriend, more so than any of the other girls you’ve shagged. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

He shrugged.

“You’re a hell of a lot better for her than I am,” he said, “You’d be able to give her more than I ever could. All I’m good for is sex and cheap alcohol.”

Ebb winced.

“You don’t need to remind me.”

Nico huffed.

“Look Ebb,” he said, “Me and Fiona shouldn’t have ever tried to go out. We never really felt a burning passion for each other. We were just friends and we looked good together. Plus I pissed off her father.”

She glared.

“What’s your point?” 

He took her hand.

“She was just a high school girlfriend. It doesn’t have to be weird.”

“She dated my brother,” she said, flatly.

“We mostly fought,” he said, “So just don’t make it awkward. And for once in your life just go after what you want.”

She shook her head, twisting her hair around her finger tightly.

“She might not even be into girls,” she said.

He looked away.

“I’m not going to out her Ebb. But I say you just take a chance.”

Ebb clenched her jaw.

“It’s not so easy…this isn’t just some girl I want to snog a few times by the pitch. I want…to be her girlfriend.”

He shrugged.

“And I’ll support you through and through. But you’re the only one who can make the first move.”

Ebb thought about that and squeezed her nails into her palms until it hurt a little. 

“All right,” she said.

He grinned at her.

“All right,” he said.

Fiona

She was sitting on a hill, watching Ebb play with a stray cat. Ebb had asked her to hang out which wasn’t very strange but she’d been quiet the whole time, which was strange. Usually she liked to fill Fiona in on her classes or the girls she’d kissed that week.

Ebb had kissed a lot of girls.

And Fiona could see how. She was just as tall as her brother and her silvery blonde hair looked liked a crown around her face. Plus her blue eyes were as bright as the ocean. 

Fiona couldn’t help but feel a stab of jealousy whenever Ebb brought the other girls up. Which was stupid because it had been her own fault. She probably could have gone after Ebb and had her for however long Ebb usually stuck around for. But she’d gone after Nico instead, thinking his wild tendencies better suited her own. She’d been stupid to think that in the end, it just made them clash more, being as similar as they were. The more she’d gotten to know Ebb the more she’d wished she had asked her out instead of Nico.

It wasn’t common knowledge that Fiona was bi, but she didn’t hide it either, Sometimes she’d hoped that Ebb would figure it out and make a move. But then she’d scold herself for being so awful. Ebb would never do something like that to her brother.

It had been frustrating though since Fiona and Nico had broken up. Somehow, being single made it worse to watch Ebb flirt with girls on campus. And they ate it up, Ebb was just so damn likable and so attractive. Fiona wondered how many other girls Ebb had told about her dream of raising goats. Maybe it was one of her best pick up lines.

As much as she wanted Ebb, she didn’t want to be a fling, so she’d held back from making any moves of her own.

“What did you need to talk to me about?” Fiona asked.

She wondered if Nico had sent Ebb to tell her something for him. He did that, sometimes, when he was feeling especially cowardly.

Ebb’s face got tight and anxious.

“I uh, well I have a confession to make.”

Fiona lay back in the grass and closed her eyes.

“All right,” she said, “Get on with it.”

She didn’t move or flinch when Ebb settled beside her, their arms touching. They did this sort of thing all of the time.

“I just wanted you to know that I have it bad for you,” Ebb said, practically whispering, “Like real bad.”

Fiona’s eyes snapped open and she turned in the grass to look at Ebb.

“Are you serious?”

Ebb opened her eyes and nodded, head bouncing in the grass.

“Yeah,” she said, “And if you feel the same way well, I wondered if you’d want to be my girlfriend?”

Fiona couldn't believe what she was hearing. She’d always thought that if Ebb made a move on her it would be a fleeting one. She was the queen of hook ups. But now Ebb was asking for a full blown committed relationship. Excitement zipped through Fiona’s nerves and made her fidget.

“I um,” Fiona giggled, “Yeah. I do.”

Ebb’s eyes went wide.

“You do?” she asked, voice surprised.

Fiona leaned back down on the grass.

“Don’t act so surprised,” she said, “You’ve made out with half the girls in our class.”

Ebb nudged closer.

“But not with you,” she whispered.

Fiona closed the rest of the distance and kissed Ebb.

It was nothing like she’d expected it would be. There was none of the flirtation or teasing that usually accompanied Ebb’s conquests and not soft or anxious either, like she acted when it was just Fiona and Nico around. Ebb’s kisses were intense, deliberate, and demanding. Fiona couldn’t help but get pulled into the rhythm of it, twisting her hands into Ebb’s hair and pressing her back into the grass.

They broke apart, breath shaky.

“Nico is going to give us so much shit when he sees the grass stains,” Ebb said.

Fiona laughed.

“Believe it or not, I don’t really give a fuck.”

They laughed for a bit and then Natasha went back to kissing Ebb. Kissing her girlfriend she thought happily.

She was so happy Ebb had finally gone after what she wanted.