Ria

Introducing Darco to the art teacher & Daddy AU ♡

"I know I will be long dead before you read this..."

lowkey obsessed with this man…

Barty: Well y’know, me and Evan broke up

Regulus: Evan and I

James is falling apart. It's everything in him to hold himself together right now, here, in front of all his friends. All the people that need him to his happy, bubbly self. But he can't. He just... it's too much. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but instead it gets caught in his chest and then someone asks him, "hey James, you alright?" And of course he isn't, and that question, right now, breaks him.

The tears are spilling out of his eyes before he can do anything about them. His breathing is fast and shallow, and he can feel every muscle in his body tensing as he begins to tremble.

He looks around the room, everyone is looking at him. Sirius has dropped whatever he was doing and started moving towards him. It must have been Peter who spoke to him because he is closest. Remus is one step ahead of Sirius, and Lily, Mary, and Marlene have gotten up to rush over to him all together. But James can't take it. Not all of them. All week they have been telling him to cheer up. But he can't. He's been letting them down all week and especially now.

He moves his hands with too much effort to cover his face and as he turns to hide, he spies Regulus watching curiously. He is standing next to Evan and Pandora, and it looks like he just stopped talking mid-sentence. And James, oh James just wants him. Before he can think, because he cannot think, he is moving toward Regulus.

He nearly collides into him, except Regulus receives him with open arms. A softening really, as Regulus catches him. Regulus is surprised that James came to him since all of his friends are right there, and it takes him a moment to realize he needs to be comforting. Once it clicks, once Regulus wraps his arms around James, begins to stroke his back slowly and calmly whisper, "it's okay. Let it out. I've got you," James just sinks further into him and his tears become sobs. The weight Regulus wasn't ready for, but he would protect James with his life. And as everyone looks at him, he glared daggers at anyone who would dare say or doing anything more to take the focus off of James.

Sirius does try, in his effort to help. "Ja-" he starts but Regulus says pointedly, "just give him a minute," and then quickly changes his tone to comforting and soothing, in James ear, "take all the time you need. It's okay, I've got you." And James hugged him tighter, as the tension eased out of him.

Sirius: relax, Effie and Monty will understand. Besides, its only a small test, not like it's your NEWTS

James: no, Pads. Its not mum and dad I'm scared o-

Sirius: then who?

Regulus: *walks in*

James: *hides behind Remus*

Regulus: I can see you, amour. Oh, you got a C?

James: ...mhm maybe

Regulus: this is the subject you were struggling in, right? I'm so proud of you, cheri

it makes him nervous and he eventually confronts regulus about it once he can’t take it anymore; one sunday morning while they’re having brunch with sirius and remus.

it starts as a off-handed joke. “you know what’s homophobic? you having me make all the decorations and big decisions for the wedding!”

“i just want it to be like you’ve always dreamed”

“why can’t it be like you have always dreamed it too?”

“because i haven’t, i don’t have a dream wedding and don’t pretend with me, euphemia has sat me down and told me all about how you’d talk her ear off each time you attended a family or friend’s wedding, i know you want this”

“it’s just…” james deflates “this is our wedding, not my wedding”

“jamie…” regulus takes his hand “you know how… “ he throws a quick glance at sirius who is leaning comfortably against remus “our family doesn’t really marry for love, it’s just a mess of marriage contracts between too young pure-blood kids to keep the line going and for the longest time i was convinced that would be my future too. i don’t care about flower arrangements and appetisers, i’m just happy i get to marry you”

Make them behave slightly different around their crush (but not too different because we don't want to completely change their personality). For example, if they're very extrovert make them act shyer around their crush (and the complete opposite). Or if they're not really in touch with their feelings, make them be more open about them with their crush. If they usually are big brain proud people, make them act kinda stupid with their crush. If they're super tidy people, make them be more chaotic around their crush.

Make them slowly fall in love. Love at first sight is bullsh*t (just look how Romeo and Juliet ended). Readers are going to hook on relationships that take their time to be constructed. How long does it take to fall in love (and not just being physically attracted to someone)? If you want to write a healthy relationship give them scenes (or time) to know each other. I know it sounds weird, but make them live around their crush. Make them be vulnerable together, be real together, be sad, happy, stressed together. Make them talk about their feelings, about their past, about their worries. HOWEVER, this is NOT an excuse to make your characters be the "psychologist" and the "patient". If one of the characters has mental health issues, do not make their love interest to be "in charge" of it. If one of your characters has mental health issues and you want them to get better, make them go to therapy/psychologist/any mental healthcare professional.

Make those two (A and B) interact with other characters. As Passenger once said "Only miss the sun when it starts to snow". This is really simple and helpful because it makes you think "Why does A like B and not C or D?".

This may sound contradictory, but DON'T make them need each other, make them want each other. If they need each other, there's gonna be an attachment red flag. Tbh, I don't know how to explain this, but want > need.

Make them be honest with each other. Please, another red flag is lying, so don't make them lie. A relationship is built on honesty.

Make them have (at least) one thing in common. Could be based on personality, on politics, on taste, on goals... You decide! Maybe make both of your characters be interested in science, or the pursue of happiness, their music taste, an experience they shared...

This is a very personal choice, but try to avoid the enemies to lovers trope (unless you're Jane Austen). I just don't quite like when character A and B hate each other to the core (plus they insult or hit each other) and then it's expected from me to believe that they actually love each other. Maybe this would work with kids that at first hate each other then grow up, become friends and eventually lovers, but not with mature adults.