I was tagged by @gortashsrighthand for this cutesy lil post for V-Day!
Share the most cheesily romantic line you've ever written, or the most over-the-top VP you've done, or anything that suits your fancy (as long as it's earnestly and unabashedly cornball).
Now I am not a corny writer whatsoever, but I think I might have SOMETHING in the vault that counts... hopefully. I wrote a Halsin one-shot in the summer of 2025 and it might be the only "cheesy" thing in my folder T_T Without further ado, an excerpt from "This Bear of Mine"
“Up late again, my heart?” Halsin’s voice rumbled low against her ear, carrying the calm weight of earth, of rivers, and of ancient trees.
She turned slowly in his embrace, his arms loosening just enough to let her move before closing around her again, stronger this time. Her own arms slid around his broad frame, fingers curling against the thin fabric of his nightshirt. Laying her head against his chest, she listened. His heartbeat, a deep, steady rhythm that reminded her of the music of her home.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she murmured, her voice soft, almost carried away by the night breeze. “The stars were too beautiful to ignore tonight. And…” She tilted her head just enough to glance into his soft hazel eyes. Her gray eyes shining in the starlight. “I missed you.”
His arms tightened around her, as if to shield her from every stray worry that dared linger in her thoughts. He bent his head, pressing a kiss to the crown of her hair, lingering there as he breathed her in.
“You need not lose rest to the night, Sienna,” he said softly, the words rumbling against her ear like thunder in the distance. “I am here now. Whatever stirs your heart, let it be eased. You are safe. Always.”
His hand rose to cradle the back of her head, his thumb brushing through her curls with infinite care. “No shadow, no storm will ever reach you while I draw breath."
Did this fit the prompt?? Who knows... but tags to @dapperpossum @echoechowhiskey @saylofwaterdeep and @akelan
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Tensions between Shinigami and Hollows had always been high, but lately, skirmishes were becoming something more — precise, deliberate, and dangerous. Izumi Tsunayashiro, a promising young Shinigami from one of the lesser noble families, had taken a special interest in these conflicts. Or rather... in one specific Hollow.
They called him Two.
No one knew if it was a name, a rank, or a mockery of the Espada. But he was powerful, evasive, and above all — mesmerizing.
---
Izumi stood atop the Sokyoku Hill, staring into the sky as the wind ruffled her haori. She had seen him again last night — in the Human World, standing over a destroyed spirit gate, his mask half-shattered, the moonlight glinting off it like silver.
She remembered the way he turned his head, as if aware of her watching. As if daring her to challenge him.
“Thinking about him again?” a voice drawled behind her.
Izumi turned. Uriel, 4th Division Lieutenant, leaned against the railing with a smirk.
“You know he’s dangerous. He’s not some... rogue soul with a heart of gold.”
“I don’t care,” Izumi said quietly, eyes still on the sky. “He’s strong. And I want to fight him again.”
---
In the outskirts of Hueco Mundo, Two prowled the edge of the endless sands. Near him, sat Omori, a brutish Adjuchas with more brawn than brains.
“She’ll come again,” Two said softly, more to himself than anyone.
“The Shinigami girl?” Omori growled. “Why not just kill her?”
Two’s skeletal grin stretched across the mask that still clung to his jaw.
“Because she’s fun.”
---
Meanwhile in Seireitei, the Gotei 13 prepared for war. Captain Arariel of Squad 9 had received troubling reports of new Hollow mutations emerging in Karakura Town. Alongside her, Roxas, a prodigious substitute soul reaper, sharpened his zanpakuto with near-religious focus.
“Why is it always that town?” Roxas grumbled.
Because Karakura was the battleground. The place where souls crossed, where fates collided. And tonight... Izumi was going there.
Without permission.
---
Izumi flash-stepped across rooftops, her black blade humming with spiritual pressure. She sensed him before she saw him — the unmistakable aura of Hollow merged with something darker. Two stood in the center of a ruined street, hands in his pockets, a smile curving beneath his mask.
“You came again.”
“I always will,” Izumi said, drawing her blade.
Their clash was instant. Sparks flew, concrete cracked, and the air trembled with their reiatsu. Izumi was fast, but Two moved like water — his claws slipping past her guard, his cero charging without warning. They danced — a rhythm of blade and instinct, chaos and control.
And when they paused, chest heaving, he stepped close — too close.
“You’re not like the others,” Two said, voice low. “You don’t hate me.”
“I should,” Izumi whispered. “But I don’t.”
---
Suddenly, the sky tore open — a garganta — and through it, stepped Indra, a Vasto Lorde draped in shadows. With him, came Fruck, a strange Hollow with a twisted mask and even stranger laughter.
“The girl’s heart betrays her people,” Indra said. “She should die.”
But Two stepped between them.
“No.”
“You would protect a Shinigami?” Indra sneered.
“I would protect her.”
From above, Roxas, Arariel, and Uriel arrived in a flash of light. The battlefield exploded into chaos. Shinigami versus Hollows. Light versus shadow. And at the center — Izumi and Two, both trapped between worlds.
---
“You could come with me,” Two said, blood staining his white jawbone. “Leave Soul Society. Be free.”
Izumi stared at him. Around them, the world burned.
“I can’t,” she said. “But I can’t kill you either.”
He stepped back, sorrow hidden behind that eternal grin.
“Then we meet again... in war.”
And with that, he vanished into the garganta, leaving Izumi alone in the wreckage — heart torn, blade trembling.
You rolled your eyes as you scurried around the house. Bella had let Edward in while your dad was out. It wasn't that you didn't like Edward, you just, well no you just didn't like him.
He was too perfect, too sure of everything he did, and he always looked at you like he knew everything you knew. Speaking of he was doing that now.
"Ding! Ding! My creep radar is going off! Stop staring." You snapped as you shoved some belongings into your bag.
"Y/n could you be nicer to Edward? He didn't do anything." Bella snapped at you as she grabbed his pale hand.
Shivering you glared at them. You loved your sister but she never used her head. Glancing at the door you hoped it would swing open.
You'd called the Black's home phone earlier, before Charlie had left and asked to come over. Billy tried to make an excuse but when you told him you didn't want to be home with Edward Cullen around he told you he'd send Jacob over.
You hadn't seen Jacob since, well, since Bella came home with her head busted open. An accident you were assured but it was hard to believe the story you'd been given.
Glancing at your phone you took in the time. It'd been an hour since Jake was supposed to be here.
"Y/n you really should stay here." Bella urged her arms around Edwards waist.
"No thanks." You grumbled grabbing your bag and walking to the front door.
You heard Bella push away from Edward as she chased you.
"Y/n please!" She begged, you ignored her.
"Y/n!" She snapped grabbing your arm.
You yanked your arm out of her hold and glared at her.
"I'm going to Jacob's. Unless you have a good reason, don't stop me." You growled as you faced her.
"He- you can't be serious!" She raged grabbing your arm again.
"You're not going!" Rolling your eyes you pried her hands away and pushed her back.
"What are you? My mom?" You teased humorlessly, she glared at you angrily.
She went to say something but you heard a car pull up behind you.
"Bella!" You hissed but the male was beside her in seconds.
"What is it? Are you alright?" He asked and then glared at Jacob behind you.
"Y/n is trying to go to his house." She told him with a snarl on her lips.
"I know." He whispered kissing her hair.
"Guys?" Jacob's voice was bolder now.
"And I'm going!" You left no room for argument as you turned around but yelped when a cold hand wrapped around your wrist.
"Bella asked you not to go." You heard him say but blood rushed through your ears muffling his voice.
You heard a car door slam behind you but you were already swinging. In rage you'd turned around and slapped Edward. Your blood was pulsing in your veins making you light headed.
"Don't. Touch. Me." You seethed backing away.
You felt Jacob's hand on yours, much warmer than Edwards.
"Come on." He muttered pulling you to the car.
"Y/n!" Bella shrieked but you were already opening the door to Jacob's car.
He'd already gotten in and started the vehicle when you closed your door. Bella rushed up and started pounding on the window angrily.
"Don't make me tell dad!" She roared and you gave her a bored look.
She could tell Charlie but then she'd have to admit, one she let her boyfriend over while he wasn't home and two that she tried to stop you from visiting a friend.
You heard Jacob huff humorlessly as he pulled away from the house and down the road. Glancing to the side you witnessed Bella scream in anger, and Edward rushing to her side to calm her down in the sideview mirror.
Glancing back at Jacob you saw his grip on the wheel and winced. His knuckles were pale white in comparison to his tan skin.
"Jake you can loosen up now you know?" You whispered reaching over and putting your hand on his.
He kept his eyes on the road but nodded and you felt his grip relax.
"Thanks for picking me up. I know you've been feeling sick." You murmured and he nodded.
He still hadn't looked at you since he showed up and you began to fidget. Maybe you pissed him off? Maybe he was friends with Edward? No, he didn't seem to like him either. Did he still feel sick? Was he annoyed?
Your mind raced for a while before he pulled into the drive way of his house. Finally he turned to look at you.
Glancing up you suddenly felt your breath leave your lungs. His eyes were so pretty and he was more attractive than last time you saw him. Smiling softly you began to pick at your fingers. He seemed to be in a daze for a moment before his voice came out in a hushed whisper.
"It's you." He seemed to be trying to catch his breath.
"It's me?" You asked as you reached forward.
"Are you sure you're okay?" You asked pressing your hand to his forehead. His eyes fluttered closed.
"Yeah." His voice was quiet.
"Okay." You nodded before turning to open the door. It was still locked.
"Okay change of plans." He chuckled finally seeming to come out of his daze.
"Oh?" You asked your brows quirking in inquiry.
"We're going to my friends' house." He stated pulling back out. You raised your hands in surrender jokingly.
"As long as I don't have to deal with Cullen I'm good." You giggled.
He seemed to snort at that, like you'd just told him an inside joke.
"Understandable. Speaking of that was pretty badass what you did. Slapping the lee- Edward like that!" He grinned turning to you for a second.
Smiling you nodded.
"Yeah I guess. He's been there all morning and was beginning to piss me off." You groaned leaning back.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner. I got a little caught up." He apologized and you shook your head.
"You're fine. The timing was amazing actually." You smiled pushing your hair back.
He nodded taking a left turn. You sighed before turning to roll down your window. It wasn't hot out but you were. The wind rushed in your hair fluttering all around cooling you down.
"So what friends house are we visiting?" You asked after a few moments.
"Sam's. The others should already be there." He shrugged.
You raised your eyebrows before shrugging yourself.
About five minutes later you glanced over at him.
"Okay. How long will it take?" You asked and he turned to smirk at your question.
"Depends on whether or not I'm following the law." Your jaw dropped and you swatted his arm.
"That's so not funny!" You giggled despite yourself.
"Excuse me I'm hilarious!" He argued making a right and then pulling into a drive way.
Stopping the vehicle he shut it off and unbuckled himself.
"Come on. I'd like to introduce you to everyone." He smiled before hopping out of the car.
You shook your head before stepping out of the vehicle.
"And who would these friends happen to be?" You asked slinging your bag over your shoulder and slamming the door shut.
Jacob went to answer but three boys were already jumping off of the porch and towards you.
"Hey Jac- oooh who's the girl? Is she single?" One of them smirked as he gave you a once over.
You looked him up. You looked him down. Then you looked him in the eye.
"For you? The answer is no. I'm definitely taken." You smiled before taking your place next to Jacob.
"So you're going to introduce me, yeah?" You smiled tucking your phone into your back pocket.
"Oh. Right." Jacob jumped before starting the introductions.
"Y/n these are my friends, Paul," he pointed to the male who'd just flirted with you, "Embry, and Quil."
You remembered Embry and Quil, but you could tell they'd cut their hair too.
"Right okay. I'm y/n. I'm here because my sister has her creepy boyfriend over." You nodded holding your hand out.
Embry smiled, grabbing your hand and then to your surprise pulling you into a hug.
"Nice to see you again, Baby Swan." He laughed.
You huffed but hugged him back.
"You too, Call." When he let you go you fanned yourself jokingly.
"You didn't tell me you got so hot!" Your voice was light as you giggled.
Jacob growled seemingly irritated all of the sudden and you turned around.
"You good?" You inquired.
"I'd check your forehead but I'm pretty sure you'd be burning up either way." That seemed to get a chuckle out of the entire group.
"Let's just get inside." Jacob groaned grabbing your hand.
You rolled your eyes and shrugged at the boys as you went inside.
"Jacob- oh who's this?" A woman asked stepping in to greet you.
Looking at her you felt your eyes widen. One side of her face was scarred down to her neck, maybe her shoulder.
"Oh this is y/n. My you know what." Jacob responded, your hand still in his as he gestured at you with the other.
"Oh. You haven't told her yet then?" She asked her hands resting on her hips.
"Well no. I'm going to but I wanted to talk to Sam first." Glancing at him you yanked on his hand.
"Tell me what?" Your brows furrowed in confusion.
"I think it's easier to show you... But like I said I have to talk to Sam." He said squeezing your hand softly.
"Right. Okay. Would this have anything to do with your disappearing act?" You huffed running your hand through your hair and looking at him expectingly.
Jacob seemed to tense at the accusation but nodded.
"Jacob. I was told you were here." A male voice came from behind you and you jumped.
"Holy shit!" You leapt into Jacob's chest before looking back. The man was tall and looked at you, seemingly surprised by your reaction.
"Oh. Sorry. I'm Sam?" The man apologized walking over to the woman you'd just met kind of.
"And I'm Emily. Sorry for the late introductions." The woman, Emily, smiled at you.
"Uh I'm y/n?" You whispered slowly releasing Jacob's neck.
Everyone laughed and you flushed.
"Sam this is y/n Swan. Bella's sister." That seemed to cause some tension.
"Does she know?" Sam glanced at you his eyes scrutinizing.
"Not yet." Jacob replied his fingers squeezing yours comfortingly.
"And the Cullen's?" Sam inquired eyebrows raised.
"Don't like her here." Jacob almost snarled.
"Bella?" Another question from Sam.
"Pissed." Jacob smirked at that one.
"Uhm-" you tried to intervene but shied away when Sam glared at you almost.
Jacob didn't seem to like that because he pulled you in front of him, resting his head on yours.
"She isn't a leech lover, Sam." Jacob assured.
Biting your lip you raised a hand lightly, like you would in school.
"Is anyone going to explain to me what's going on?" Emily laughed joyfully before smacking Sam on the arm.
"Come on. We should let Jacob explain." Sam sighed but smiled none the less.
"Okay. This is a little weird. I'd definitely like an explanation." You laughed trying to look up.
"Right my bad. Mind if we take a walk?" Jacob asked grabbing your hand again.
"Not at all. Unless you plan to bury me alive, or kill me. Then yes." You giggled and he snorted again.
"Right okay, then let's go."
He led you out into the backyard and towards the woods. You very nearly tripped on the way in, and probably would have fallen face first if Jake hadn't caught you.
"Thanks." You muttered brushing your pants off.
"The klutziness must run in the family?" He smiled lightly at you and you nodded.
"Probably." You agreed taking his hand again.
A few minutes later you tugged him back and asked "How far are we going?"
He seemed to think about it for a moment before turning to face you.
"We can do it here." He shrugged and then his eyes widened when he saw your blush.
"Talk! I mean talk!" That caused you to burst into laughter.
"Yeah okay that makes me feel a lot better." You snorted.
He seemed to smile at you adoringly.
"Do you trust me?" He asked as he shrugged his jacket off.
You nodded taking it from him.
"Of course I do."
"Okay. I'm going to ask you to turn around, and try not to freak out." He smiled nervously and you nodded turning around.
"I'll try."
A few moments later you heard a fwoosh! and then some rustling.
Turning around you yelped. A rust colored wolf was now in front of you.
"Motherfucker. Jake?" You asked clutching the jacket to your chest.
The wolf nodded walking towards you slowly. Taking a deep breath you held a hand out. The wolf pressed his forehead to it.
"Oh. Oh you're soft!" You giggled brushing his fur back.
The wolf shook lightly at that and you heard a slight purr in his chest.
"Okay. So you can turn into a really big dog. That is definitely new." You breathed out.
"I'm going to turn around now. You, you change back and redress." You blushed before turning your back to him.
Maybe that isn't what most people would do, you should never turn your back on a predator but for some reason it made you feel safer knowing Jacob was a big dog.
You heard some shuffling and grunting before it went quiet. Before you could turn around you felt arms wrap around your waist and a face in the crook of your neck.
"I'm glad you didn't scream." Jacob muttered and you laughed.
"I don't think it would have changed the fact you turned into a wolf, but I feel like there's more you need to tell me." You smiled turning in his arms to face him.
"So spill." You demanded half heartedly.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking down into yours.
"I'm yours." He said. Two simple words. It explained everything he felt. Just two words for so many emotions.
"I don't get it?" You tilted your head.
"I imprinted on you. I'm yours. No matter what it is you want from me. A lover, a brother, a friend. I'm yours to have." He whispered before grabbing your hands and kissing them.
You flushed heavily. You'd been crushing on him since you could talk.
"I- you're saying that if I asked you out right now you'd say yes?" You asked unbelieving.
"Yep." He sighed smiling softly.
"Holy shit. Then who am I kidding. You're my boyfriend now. No backing out." You shook your head at him before hugging him tightly.
At first he seemed at a loss for words but then he held you in his arms.
"Okay now I'm really glad you didn't freak out." He chuckled.
Then you jumped.
"Wait! Earlier you and Sam said something about Bella and the Cullen's and leeches. What was that about?" You interrogated.
His face scrunched up at the mention of the Cullen's but you wanted answers.
"The Cullen's are what we call the 'cold ones' or I guess vampires. They live here as 'vegetarians'. Bella is head over heels for the blood sucker Edward though." He explained a growl rumbling in his chest.
"Wait. You're telling me my sister has been spending the night with a fucking vampire!" You shrieked.
Jacob winced at your volume but nodded.
"Oh my god! My sister is crazy!" You groaned face planting into Jacob's chest.
"To be fair you just made a werewolf your boyfriend. Maybe that runs in the family too." That made you perk up.
"Take me home." You smiled mischievously as you grabbed his hand.
Pulling into your driveway you noted that Edward's car was still there but that Charlie's wasn't.
"Come with me." You chirped stepping out of the vehicle.
Walking up to the door with Jacob's hand in yours you burst into the house.
"Bella! I'm home!" You heard Bella stomp down the stairs, probably hoping to tear into you but she stopped when she saw Jake.
"Get out, Jake." She glowered.
You waved her off.
"Where is Edward?" You asked raising a brow.
"Right here." He seemed to be aggravated and that made you smile.
"I came home for two reasons. One I wanted to get a change of clothes and two to tell you that MY BOYFRIEND IS COOLER THAN YOURS!" You grinned as you grabbed Jacob's hand and ran past Edward and Bella and into your room.
Grabbing a random pair of jeans and a shirt you tossed them into a bag with your charger and other over night items.
You jumped when Bella started pounding on the door.
"Y/n what the hell are you going on about? What boyfriend!? Y/n?" You giggled before turning to Jacob.
"How quickly can you jump out of the window?" Smirking at you he opened the window.
"Let's find out?" He grinned opening his arms to you.
Unlocking the door you leaped into Jake's arms before he jumped out of the window. You heard Bella bust into the room and swear but you were too busy laughing as Jacob tossed you into the passenger seat.
Peeling out of the driveway you both were laughing hysterically.
Glancing at him you smiled and he grinned at you. You couldn't remember the last time you'd felt so happy but you sure as hell weren't going to let it go.
"I'm yours, too." You smiled reaching over to hold his hand.
At first he looked confused but then he took your hand and kissed your knuckles.
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(Please bear with me; I've had writers block for months and can't get out so this might suck 😭🤚) (should i make this a series?)
Prompt: "there is no simple love story. If it's simple, it isn't love. If it's love, it'll get complicated." (I found this on Google, idk where it's from or who said it) (gif isn't mine, it's by @slytherinnpride)
Hermione ran through the conversion over and over in her head, trying to figure out if there was something else she could've said to convince Ron to stay.
She tried to find any proof that would dispute his claims, that he was just jealous and insecure and wearing the horcrux only made it worse.
But the more she thought, the more she came to realize it's more complicated than it seems. What she and Harry have is unique, sure, and not many people could understand. But was it really something more?
She couldn't think of a time that Harry seemed interested in her as anything more than a friend. But then again, she wasn't the best judge.
Was there a time where she thought of him as more? Was her decision to stay with him on the hunt made out of loyalty or something else? How would she even go about sifting through these thoughts and feelings?
She could feel Harry's stare boring into her back. Could practically hear the words he wanted to say before he even said them.
"You can leave." He said, just as she thought he would. "I know you miss your parents."
She shook her head. "No. I'm not leaving you." She said, and she didn't even have to think about it. Just as she knew he would say that, she knew she could never leave him.
She still stood facing the entrance to the tent, her back to Harry. She bit her nails, something she picked up while on the run, probably from stress.
"Is- does what he said hold any merit?" She asked slowly, nervously.
"He's always been jealous and insecure, Mione. And he was wearing the amulet, so he probably couldn't fight off those thoughts." He said.
'That wasn't an answer.' She thought. But she didn't say it aloud. Because if she's being honest, does she want to know the answer? She doesn't even know how to answer that question herself, how could she expect Harry to know the answer?
She tried to think of the advice her mom or Professor McGonagall would give her. She really wishes she could ask them right about now. But she feels like she knows them well enough to know what they'd say.
They'd probably turn the question on her, something cryptic, along the lines of: "what do you want the answer to be?"
Well, she doesn't know. She wishes that things were less complicated. That love was less complicated.
-------------------------------------------
The question didn't get any easier to answer over the next few weeks they spent alone.
They'd hardly even spoken to each other, the question hanging between them traitorously.
Harry knew that Ron had a thing for Hermione, and knowing this is why he never made a move on Hermione himself. He'd always just shoved those feelings to the back of his mind, doing his best to ignore them.
He didn't know how to answer Hermione, because truthfully, it did have some merit. Some. He would never go behind Ron's back like that, but he does have feelings for Hermione.
And Hermione, well, she didn't know what to feel.
She knew it was only bothering her because it has some truth. Otherwise, why would she still be thinking about it? If she certainly didn't feel that way about Harry, she would've written it off a long time ago instead of spending weeks on end torturing herself.
So, would that then mean that she does have feelings for Harry? Why does it have to be so hard? Is she only thinking so much about it because she doesn't want to hurt Ron?
Well, of course she doesn't want to hurt him. But would he be able to get over it if she and Harry ended up together?
She knows Harry would be respectful and move on, but Ron...
Perhaps it truly was the horcrux making him so angry and jealous. Maybe he would be okay if she and Harry started seeing each other.
But does she want that? Does she want to be with Harry? Does he even see her that way?
God, why did Ron have to bring it up right in the middle of a war? Their minds are already muddled enough, how could anyone expect someone to be able to sort through their feelings in this state?
But why was she making it so complicated? Her and Harry have never been complicated. It's always been rather simple: Hermione and Harry.
If they were to date and things were to end, she knows they would be alright after a while. But why would they end? She can't think of a single time where he left her hanging. And she has never left his side before, certainly not when he needed her.
It wouldn't take much to cross that invisible line. One small step, and they'd be out of the friend zone.
Had they always teetered on that line? So close to becoming something more, but never actually taking it that one step further?
Perhaps that's why Ron was so insecure. Maybe that's why no one was ever surprised by a new rumor between them. Maybe everyone else saw it before they did.
So was there something there?
-----------------------------------------------
The radio played softly in the background, but neither Harry nor Hermione paid it any mind.
Harry sat in one of their chairs by the table, hands in his pockets, staring ahead but not really looking at anything.
Hermione sat on the steps next to the wireless radio, with the amulet around her neck, lost in thought.
The only sound besides the song playing was the harsh wind whipping at the tent, the entrance flapping despite being zipped shut.
Harry couldn't stand the stilted air between them. Couldn't stand Hermione being so sad all the time. And what's worse is he can't do anything about it.
Hermione was thinking of this herself. About the tension between them, where there used to be none. It used to be so easy, but now they walked on eggshells around each other, and she hates it. Harry's always stressed, always tense, and she can never tell if he's angry or sad. Maybe both.
She'd faintly registered him moving, but didn't expect him to stop right in front of her.
She looked up at him confused, brows furrowed. He said nothing as he held out his hands, urging her to take them. She silently complied, and allowed him to pull her to her feet.
He reached around her neck and unclasped the amulet, allowing it to fall from her neck into his hands. He reached around her and set it on the table next to the radio, turning the volume up before he straightened.
Wordlessly, he pulled her towards the middle of the tent. He started swaying, pushing and pulling at her arms until she realized what he was doing. That he was trying to get her to dance.
She smiled a little at that, allowing him to spin and sway them as the song picked up.
~Hey little train, wait for me
I once was blind but now I see
Have you left a seat for me?
Is that such a stretch of the imagination?
~Hey little train, wait for me
Was held in chains but now I'm free
I'm hanging in there don't you see
In this process of elimination
~Hey little train, we're jumping on
The train that goes to the kingdom
We're happy Ma, we're having fun (ooh, children)
It's beyond my wildest expectation (ooh, children)
Eventually, they slowed to a gentle sway as the song faded. She laid her chin on his shoulder, and he leaned his head against hers.
After a few moments, she pulled away slightly, just far enough so she could see his face.
She could see the unasked question in his eyes. She could see that he was leaving that door open should she decide to cross their invisible line.
She went to step away, she wanted to for a split second. But just before she did, a little voice in the back of her mind whispered: 'why not?'
And, why shouldn't she? Why aren't they together? Ron isn't there with them, because he left. He left them when they needed him most. But Harry's never left her, she's always been able to count on him, and she knows she'll always be able to. Ron isn't here, so why is she still tip-toeing around his feelings? Why is she pushing Harry away and ignoring her feelings?
She knows love is complicated, but with Harry it doesn't have to be. She knows things will get complicated once word gets out, and she knows it'll get complicated when Ron finds out. But it doesn't have to be complicated with Harry.
It only took her a second to decide, despite her feeling like it took minutes to sort through those thoughts.
She stepped towards him again, cupping his face in her hands. He pulled her close, holding her by her waist. He leaned his forehead against hers, and neither said anything for a few moments.
"Why haven't we, Harry?" She whispered.
He knew what she was asking, he always knows what she means. "I don't know." He responded softly.
She pulled back just enough to look in his eyes. She looked for any hint of doubt, or trepidation, or hesitation. She found none. She saw hope, anticipation, affection, and dare she say, love?
She hoped he saw the same emotions reflected in her eyes, because she wasn't sure she could put them into words.
She decided words weren't needed, that she was done waiting. She pulled him towards her and kissed him.
It isn't anything like she would have expected, it's gentle and soft, and he's kissing her like she's the only girl in the world. She feels precious and loved, and she doesn't know how she went so long without kissing him before.
When they pulled away, she couldn't stop smiling. Frankly, neither could he.
Yeah, she could get used to the simplicity of them, of just being Harry and Hermione.
