sincerely, whisper.

He usually doesn't come home too late from work, but sometimes, Keith asks him to take the closing shift. Those days, he doesn't get home until well after the sun is down.

As soon as the door closed behind him, he'll make sure to find you and greet you with a kiss, like that's all he needs to melt away the stress of his long day. He'll leave lazy, short pecks on your lips, making sure to taste you throughly. His hands—which usually roam your waist and your ass with indecisiveness—will cup your jaw tenderly, holding you in place, gently tilting your head to deepen the kiss.

When he pulls away, he'll graze your cheek with his thumb and smile drowsily at you, whispering a soft "Hi", like he didn't just render you speechless in less than a minute.

Once in a while, Robin drag Steve into a dive bar, and then he'll come home a little tipsy—bordering on drunk—stumbling a little and laughing at nothing in particular.

Those days are secretly your favorite, because on those, he kisses you without burden, maybe even a little sloppily, but you find it endearing. He can't help but grin against your lips and chase after you when you part from him. His hands squeeze your hips playfully, almost like a little kid demanding attention.

And yeah, maybe the next morning he'll whine and complain that his head hurts, but it was worth it because it meant you got to baby him until he felt better.

Then there's the rare occasion where Steve comes home angry. Angry at a customer, angry at his parents, sometimes even angry at Dustin, God knows why. Those days are rough, not because he's snappy, but because he's fully closed off.

He'll shut the front door a bit too loudly and barely even acknowledge you before sighing and plopping down on the couch. And at first, you let him breathe, have a moment to calm down. Then you sit down next to him, letting him choose when to move closer. He chooses that same moment—like moth to a flame—and throws his arm around your shoulder, keeping you close to him.

He'll start with a kiss to the crown of your head, your cheek, then he'll shift and peck the corner of your mouth, before finally giving you a proper kiss. He'll lay you back, propping himself on his elbows and enveloping you with his broad frame, barely parting from you.

He'll give kisses like he's taking, taking your sweetness, taking your patience, your kindness. He'll take, and take from you, all night, until he can't even remember what he was mad about.

"Just wandering," shrugged Harry and moved down the long table. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just…wandering…" she mimicked him and looked up from under her lashes with a big smile. An infectious smile.

"Careful, people might think you're up to no good," Harry remarked. He stopped beside her and looked down at what she was working on. He was never a top student in Herbology so he had no idea what plants she was working with. As Herbology partners, that's why she always led and he followed.

"Well, are you going to tell me what you're doing here or not?" Remi asked him after another moment. She had finished slicing up a few green vines and moved them to the corner.

"I'm just trying to get away," Harry ultimately confessed. She hummed and moved onto her next cutting.

"Is it about the D.A.?"

Harry nodded.

"If you want to get away from all that for a while, I'm probably not your gal. I can and no doubt will talk your ears off," Remi said, offering him an apologetic smile for future incidents.

"I don't mind," he said easily. He never minded; she always had so much to say and people rarely bothered to listen to her.

"I'm just saying, there's probably a lot more sophisticated people you might want to hang out with if you're feeling low."

"Is this your way of telling me to get lost?"

Remi chuckled lightly. "I'm just trying to help you, Harry. You know I suck with words. I mean, I say too much and only 20% is viable. It's one of my many flaws that make me a less than desirable pureblood in the eyes of my family."

"That's not true. You're way better than all the pureblood lot here," Harry said immediately, and she blushed.

"You're always so nice to me…" she mumbled, intentionally diverting her gaze to the black stems she was cutting. It was very easy to slip away from reality when Harry was next to her, especially with his bright blue eyes. She, who was all but coherent and, in her opinion, competent. She was no Hermione Granger with brains, no Luna Lovegood with creativity, no Ginny Weasley with vibrance.

"Everyone deserves kindness, Rem. I think you and I of all people would know that," Harry said, bringing her out of her thoughts. He was smiling at her with his usual charm.

His life outside of Hogwarts with the Dursleys spoke for itself. Her life with her grandparents, specifically her grandmother, was nowhere near the "prim and proper" life most purebloods boasted. Remi hated it and wished nothing more than to live away from that life. Harry felt privileged to know what Remi's biggest wish was — to live in a muggle neighborhood. He told her about his many grim stories living in Little Whinging and yet she always found a way to see the bright side of living in such a "cutesy" neighborhood. Harry didn't see anything about the damn block in that kind of light but he never burst her bubble. Remi just wanted to explore and most of all be free of the cruelty. He understood that so, so much.

"Least when you try to help, people don't turn to run," Remi bobbed her head. It happened on various occasions. Many people referred to her as 'Remi the menace' because of how much of a klutz she could be.

Harry laughed quietly beside her.

"Don't laugh, you jerk," she jammed her elbow in his side.

"Ow! Okay, okay, sorry!" Harry rubbed his side for a moment. "It's just kind of funny, you know."

"Oh, yeah, hilarious," Remi rolled her eyes. "People call you" — she abruptly pointed at him with her knife without noticing Harry dodging the sharp end — "the Chosen one and I get called 'Remi, the menace'! How's that fair? I mean, sure, I do cause a few accidents here and there…" She waved the knife on her side, her gaze still not where it should be. "And, yeah, I should probably work on my pace and all but…a menace? Really?"

"Erm, Remi…" Harry gingerly lowered the knife in her hand back on the table.

"Oh, God!" Remi let it drop completely and groaned. "Okay, fine, the name fits!"

"I think it's a…lovely…nickname…"

Remi deadpanned him. "Shut up, Harry."

"Okay." Harry smiled to himself. He was already forgetting the stress of the D.A. "You never told me what you were working on."

Remi crossed her arms and looked at the plants around them. "Just something for myself. I like to have a collection of plants even when I'm away from home. Like you, I'm trying to escape the daunting thoughts of what we're doing."

"You know…you know I would completely understand if you stopped coming to the classes," Harry said, meeting her eye. "I know how big of a trouble it would be if your grandmother found out."

"Sawyer and I know exactly what we got ourselves into, Harry," Remi said. She knew she spoke on behalf of her and her cousin when she said that they didn't regret it one bit. "It's just surreal knowing why we're doing it. But there is no one else we would rather trust than you."

Harry flushed at her words.

"I know being the teacher is probably overwhelming you so…just remember that you're doing great." Remi reached for the discarded knife and resumed cutting. She could feel Harry's eyes watching her movements and feared she would forget how to cut and end up slicing her fingers.

"You're doing amazing too, you know."

She almost got her pinky then. She stopped cutting to look at him and thanked him. "But I know I have a long way to go. I almost got Hermione's ear during one of those practice rounds. And let's not forget I still haven't quite gotten my Patronus Charm working yet."

"That's a really advanced charm, Rem. You're not the only one who hasn't gotten yet but I know you will. You always do."

"I sure wish I had your confidence," Remi admitted with a chuckle. "I know that I'm not all that great of a witch, no matter how disappointing it is to my grandmother. I'm okay with it, honest. You don't always have to be nice about it."

Harry disagreed with her. "You're a good witch. I think a lot of it just comes from your family and that is something I get, trust me. But you are amazing."

Remi felt something warm creep up her neck and didn't dare look Harry in the eyes. If she did, she was a goner and since she was currently holding a knife in her hands she could not afford something like that to happen.

"Listen, if you want, we could practice together…if that makes you a little less nervous about things?"

For her own safety, Remi put down the knife altogether. "Like…alone?"

Harry nodded. He was aware of how his proposition may sound but he didn't have the courage to make it more clear. He could pick fights with Voldemort himself but he still wasn't brave enough to tell one of his best friends that he liked her.

-

Friday evening arrived, and you had agreed to meet outside the restaurant. Seeing Fred already waiting outside was what surprised you. Not only was he on time but he was also wearing a proper suit.

“Oh my God, look at you! All dapper in a suit!”, you said, unable to hide the amusement in your voice.

Fred wore a sharply tailored black pinstripe suit. The fabric hugged his frame just enough to look intentional, polished without feeling stiff. Paired with a light coloured shirt that refined the overall look. He looked unbelievably handsome.

It seemed Fred had been thinking the same thing, because his eyes swept over you before you could tease him any further. You were wearing a full-sleeved navy blue dress made of fine mesh, sheer and weightless, the fabric shimmering subtly under the lights.

“Me?” He waved a hand towards you with a grin “Look at you! All sparkly like you were dipped into fairy dust.”

You laughed, catching onto the sly reference to the Tinkerbell movies you’d once made him watch.

“Plus you made me promise to dress proper, remember? Going on about how we need to make it look like we belong in a fancy place like this.” Fred defended himself as you both entered the restaurant.

“Shh not everyone here has to hear you.’, you answered but honestly who cares if someone did hear.

“You look handsome that’s what I meant by the way.” You added, to clear it up.

Your compliment immediately made a smug smile appear on your best friend’s face. "People don't call me the better looking twin for nothing, y'know", he quipped making you roll your eyes.

"Don't make me regret complimenting you", you warned playfully.

"Never.", he grinned.

A waiter showed you two to your table, your heels clicking softly against the polished floor, the place really seemed nice and fancy.

Fred glanced down at your feet for a moment before looking back up at you.

“Merlin’s beard, you’re all dolled up tonight aren’t you. The dress, the heels...” He raised an eyebrow as you both settled in your seats.

 “Is Cedric showing up as well?” Fred continued teasing “Don’t tell me you called me here for ‘moral support’ while you flirt him up and make me suffer third-wheeling”.

See, it’s because you had a thing for Cedric up until he got together with Cho last semester, whatever feelings you had for him fizzled out.

“Oh my God— No! of course not”, you pretended to throw your clutch at him as he burst into laughter like it was the funniest thing ever.

“Relax, you know I’m just joking.” Fred had calmed down now from his laughing fit

“The heels look good.” He pointed out “You look pretty in them.” He smiled.

The compliment plus the charming smile combo had you feeling a bit giddy. “Thank you Freddie.”, you replied a bit embarrassed. “A fancy place deserves a fancy get up.”

“Can’t argue with that logic.” He answered cheekily.

You both then scanned your menu cards deciding on what to order. After fifteen minutes of careful consideration you each told the waiter your order.

It didn’t take mpre than a minute for you two to get straight into conversation. You gave Fred all the recent life updates, providing him with all the ‘girly’ gossip that he swore he had no interest in, which you all knew was a lie. And in return he told you just as crazy stories. justifying them as information sharing, totally not gossip.

You both were well thirty minutes into the conversation when the waiter brought up your orders. Plates set down in front of each of you. After politely thanking the waiter you picked up your fork.

You had ordered basil pasta. Everything seemed perfect.

First bite, the pasta was perfectly cooked, al dente.

Second bite, the butter sauce was creamy and rich.

Third bite something was wrong…

It hit you then, you hated Basil.

The first few mouthfuls were spent trying to convince yourself that you hadn’t made a catastrophic ordering mistake at a restaurant you’d been excited about for weeks. But the herbal taste lingered, the overpowering taste made you grimace.

You glanced over at Fred's plate as discreetly as you could.

A juicy looking steak that smelled absolutely amazing. You watched as Fred cut up a piece and ate it.

Soon he felt your stare, noticing your interest he immediately offered a taste.

“Here, try it” Fred offered.

And immediately without a second thought your hand reached out to take a piece Fred had just cut for himself, piercing the fork into the meat to try a bite. Not that he minded. He never had. On contrary to the popular known fact among your friend group that Fred didn’t particularly enjoy people poking around his plate, you were the only exception.

The moment you tasted the steak you realized that your ordering choice had been a terrible mistake.

It was cooked perfectly medium-well, exactly how you liked it. The meat was tender, coated in rich brown butter, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and beautifully sautéed vegetables.

You were so absorbed in tasting what could only be described as heaven that you failed to notice Fred watching you intently, a smirk threatening to break across his face.

"Delicious, isn’t it?", he asked.

You nodded silently, chewing while eyeing the horrendous basil induced pasta in front of you.

Mentally braving yourself to finish what you've ordered as Fred cut up his steak into little bite size pieces.

"Give it" He stated, effortlessly switching his plate with yours before you could protest, making the pasta his problem now.

"You know you hate basil" he reminded you.

You forgot that tiny detail about yourself and was amused that he hadn’t.

"And yet you let me order it?" you teased.

"Me telling you what to order?” he raised a brow, clearly amused “When has that worked before?" Fred grinned at your half-accusing tone.

Instead of telling him he’s right you chose to continue eating what was originally Fred's order.

Another bite in and it struck you.

"But this isn't rare" you said, more statement than question. “You basically eat your cow while its mooing” the teasing not stopping despite being the one with questionable ordering judgment.

“You like it well done,” he replied casually, twirling the pasta around his fork.

“And I’m happy to switch,” he added with a small smile before taking a bite.

"Thank you" you said a bit embarrassed not sure why this little act of kindness had your heart beating a bit faster. But was it really little? He did not have to do it. He could’ve easily ignored you or even suggested that you order again. Yet he didn’t.

You don’t know if it’s the fact that he looked all sharp in a suit, his tamed hair for once or if it was the quiet, tender way he took the lead, but something sparked deep in the pit of your stomach. A small, dangerous fire crackled to life. Had Fred always been this attractive or the lack of dating and romance in your life finally making you delusional enough to read into his kind gestures?

You mentally shook your head, forcing the thoughts away. You could not think about your best friend like that even if he was single. But was it really that big of a deal? No. absolutely not. Clearly It was time to get back on those godforsaken dating apps.

Thankfully Fred didn’t seem to catch on to your internal ramblings and continued the story about how Ron had asked him and George advice on his ongoing situation with Hermione.

“He could’ve literally asked anyone but you two”, you snorted.

“That’s what I thought! Amateur really.” He clicked his tongue, grinning.

-

You both neared the end of your meals when you remembered something, fishing out your phone from your clutch.

“This is the reel I was telling you about," You passed the phone to him for a better look. The video showed a couple getting engaged publically in a fancy restaurant such as the one you both were currently dining in.

“Did they really get free dessert because of the proposal?’ Fred asked, eyes still focused on the screen.

“that’s what I’m saying! Damn, wish we could get free dessert”. You dramatically sighed.

The cogs in Fred’s brain seemed to be turning as a mischievous grin appeared on his face.

"I mean we still can, got a ring?"

"Huh?" You were taken off guard by the sudden suggestion of such a bizarre arrangement.

"We can pretend to be madly in love and that I’m proposing tonight" He then pointed at the ring you were wearing.

You blinked, heat finding its way to your cheeks at the thought of being “madly in love” with Fred.

“Fred, are you sure?", you asked immediately concerned about how this might end.

"Come on! it'll be a fun story to tell at Christmas parties" Fred tried sounding convincing by wiggling his eyebrow.

You had taken part in the twins’ schemes from time to time and they had always made sure never to include you in any detentions in case of a prank failure. So what did you have to lose?

"What the hell why not" You agreed.

The next few moments passed in a blur. You took off the ring from your index finger handing it to Fred as he immediately got on one knee. You wish you could've asked for more time to prepare for the emotional overload because the second Fred got down on one knee, you forgot how to breathe.

“Play along, yeah?”, he whispered just for you to hear. Clearing his throat, he gently called out your name a bit louder to put on a show.

“I prayed that I wouldn’t mess this up” he began, his voice steady but soft “but seeing you right now in front of me, sparkling like a sapphire looking absolutely unreal. I think I’ve forgotten how to breathe" he lets out a nervous laugh, and you couldn’t tell whether it was rehearsed or genuinely Fred.

“You’re my best friend, seeing you beside me feels like a dream and I can’t believe how lucky I am to get to call you mine”, he paused, locking his eyes with you, unbearably tender “before I lose the ability to form any coherent sentences, I need to know if you’d do me the honour of spending your life with me?” He took a brief pause “Will you marry me?"

The intensity of his gaze made you grip the edge of the table with one hand just to steady yourself. You had to remind yourself, this wasn’t real. It was an act. A stupid plan for free dessert.

So why was your heart pounding like this?

Why did the answer spill out so eagerly?

"Yes! Yes– oh my god Fred" you covered your mouth, pressing the palm flat against your lips, sure the lipstick must've transferred with the pressure you applied.

Fred visibly relaxed and tensed all at once at your response. This was exactly what was supposed to happen, he was going to ask you to marry him for free dessert and you were going to say yes, for free dessert, then why did Fred's brain decide to compile a short montage of a married life with you in the split second you had yes said.

Fred blinked, brought back to reality by the sound of waiters and a few nearby diners applauding the “newly engaged” couple.

For a quick while his instincts told him to lean in for a kiss but his brain decided against it and settled for a hug instead.

You propped your chin onto his shoulder, thankful that Fred couldn’t see the absolute look of embarrassment on your face.

After the attention had fizzled out, you two had gotten back into your seats, there was silence thick and heavy between you both.

You lightly fanned your face with your hand

"Oh my god, I cannot believe we just did that." you blurted out to diffuse the awkward atmosphere.

"Yeah all that for free dessert" Fred tried to give a chuckle but it came out a bit extinguished and forced.

"My face is all warm from the intense attention our little act got us" you joked to farther calm yourself down.

"Oh honey I’m shaking" he pushed his hands towards you for you to look at his trembling hands.

You couldn't believe the boy you've known almost half your life was literally shaking at a joke he pulled. He had never been nervous about pulling a prank, this was an act hence like a prank wasn't it? It has got to be the same as pranking Filch back in your days at Hogwarts, then what gives?

You’re snapped out of your thoughts by Fred's voice "Quick act in love" he whispered grabbing your hand before the waitress came with the very thing that had you both in a heart racing condition.

The free dessert.

It was a cheese cake with a golden biscuit crust as its base, finished with a sweet berry compote on top.

"For the lovely couple, on the house" she smiled warmly at you both placing the plate in the middle, leaving you both.

Fred was still busy holding your hand. You both realized the fact as you raised your eyebrow at him.

"What? Can’t a man admire the rock he put on his wife's hand?" Fred joked tugging your hand gently for a closer inspection of your ring.

You laughed at his comment and corrected him "future wife, I’m your fiancée" Fred nodded dramatically.

“Ah yes, would you look at this solid rock, had to save months of income to buy this pretty thing" he added in to his joke and you couldn't help but laugh heartedly as you and him both knew you bought this ring a month ago when you dragged him to a thrift store.

"Aren’t you the charmer" you said as he gently let go of your hand, much to your dismay.

You took this moment to take out your phone from your clutch wanting to take a picture of this moment as a keepsake.

After a quick few clicks, when you were satisfied, you signaled Fred that he was finally allowed to eat the cake.

"Thank you." he said as he took a spoon pushing one towards you.

You were still examining the picture you took when one in particular caught your eye.

"Hey look, this one looks like a soft launch." you giggled holding the phone screen up to him.

Having explained the term to your best friend two days ago, he was quick to get what you had meant.

Fred smiled, his gaze lingered on the screen longer than necessary.

“Oh.”, he murmured more to himself than you.

“What?” you asked, concerned if you had said something inappropriate.

He shook his head “Nothing its just–” clearing his throat he gestured to the screen vaguely.

“It actually looks real, y’know like” he opened his mouth again to elaborate further but quickly shut it to prevent himself from over explaining and making the situation awkward. “Yeah.” He concluded, suddenly very interested in the chandelier hanging above.

The picture had focus on the cake but you could clearly see Fred's hands in the frame, clasped together on the table as he waited patiently. The dimmed lighting of the restaurant wrapped everything in a warm glow, serving as the perfect ambiance for a very textbook definition look of a perfect romantic dinner that looked fairly convincing.

You looked back at the screen once more.

Yeah. It did look real.

"You should post that on your Insta story.” Fred added “Watch people get mad figuring out who is the dashing bloke with such manly looking hands" quickly returning back to teasing which you were thankful for. So you laughed again finally picking up your spoon to try the sweet dessert.

"When I’m bored enough" you replied, the suggestion seeming too tempting.

One spoonful was all it took for you to completely forget about the little stunt you pulled.

“So worth it”, you replied with a mouthful “This tastes so good”

Fred smiled at you clicking his tongue in faux disappointment “So a little sweet treat is all it’ll take for you to sell your morals?”, he teased.

“Yup!”, you teased back earning a laugh from the redhead in front of you.

“Valid to be fair.” He agreed.

The cake was finished while you both settled back in your normal antics with each other, the awkward atmosphere soon dissipated covered up with both of your laughs and silly conversations.

-

The dinner was nicely wrapped up. The two of you stepped out of the restaurant, heart and stomach both full and content. It was nearing midnight and the cold night breeze swept passed you. The sheer fabric of a dress doing little to protect you from the midnight chill.

Fred noticed immediately. Without a second thought, he shrugged off his coat, gently draping it over your shoulders.

“There” his voice was gentle but firm “don’t want you to catch a cold now”

“Aren’t you quite the gentleman, Mr. Weasley” you teased softly “Thank you.”

“Well, you’re quite welcome Mrs. Weasley.” Fred grinned, sending you one of his signature winks.

“God, you’re so annoying.”, you scoffed.

“And yet you agreed to fake-marry me.” He shrugged, clearly enjoying how flustered you looked.

You both began walking side by side. Without a prior agreement to where to head but neither minding the aimless stroll down the quiet street.

After a few moments of comfortable silent Fred spoke up, “Can I tell you something crazy?”

“Everything you tell me is crazy.” You teased but couldn’t help smiling softly as you looked up at him, stopping to fully turn towards him now.

Fred studied you for a while. The wind tousling your hair, the way you held onto his oversized coat around yourself made Fred wish he hadn’t spent so long pushing these thoughts away. His gaze lingered on the ring on your finger. You were still wearing it on your left hand.

“I really want that picture to be real” he admitted.

“Huh?”

“Y’know.. me and you, a couple. A real one.”

“You mean that?”

He nodded quickly “Yeah. I just– I’m sorry I feel like an idiot for not asking you out earlier. Tonight made me realize how much time I’ve wasted trying to ignore these, these feelings” he waved his hands around vaguely, searching for the right words.

“And I know this is probably the worst way of asking someone out but–”

He scratched the back of his head, suddenly shy “I’d really love to propose to you for real one day

“But only after you’d said yes to a date first of course. A proposal can wait.”, Fred quickly added not wanting to spook you about a potential proposal so early on without even having you as his girlfriend.

“A first date would be more appropriate.” You replied, a shy smile forming on your lips.

“Good. I’d love that/.” A look of relief washed over him.

His gaze softened unbearably as his hand reached out to adjust his coat on you. The gesture so small yet so adorable.

“You look lovely tonight.” He said quietly, the close proximity making it easier for only you to hear.

You smiled and leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth.

Fred immediately smiled. The unexpected kiss making his cheeks a faint shade of pink.

“Thank you”, you whispered, absolutely in awe at how unexpectedly beautiful the night had turned out with your best friend sharing the same feelings you’d both tried so hard to bury.

“Are we going to be the same type of friends we had just spent the evening complaining about?”, you joked.

“Well, it’s about time we finally take our revenge by being absolutely smitten by each other”, Fred winked at you.

You giggled “So we annoy them by being lovey-dovey?”

“Absolutely.”, Fred smiled at you as he held you hand, fingers intertwined like that’s how it had always supposed to be with you two.

You both started walking again, steps in-sync, hand in hand.

“Well”, you sighed contently “At least we’d get to be unbearable together”

Fred laughed, leaning in a bit closer “Completely and utterly insufferable is what I’m aiming for”, he grinned like a little kid cooking up mischief.

The thought didn’t make you roll your eyes, it made you smile, heart warm and giddy.

Who knew a fake proposal for free dessert would leave you with something real after all?