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“yeah,” she said nodding, thinking about one specific time earlier in the term. “I mean, If they had just asked me, I probably would have agreed.” Since it had been a useful spell. “It just hurt a little bit, like most healing spells tend to do, and I just wasn’t expecting it.”
Emmaleigh looked down at their hands as Max asked about the forehead kiss thing. “Uh-huh,” she said nodding. “Not very often, Its only happened once this term, but I just don’t like it, you know?” When he asked about his name, Em hesitated for a moment, before answering, “His name is Michael, why?” Why did he want to know, what difference did it make if he knew him or not? “He knows it makes me uncomfortable, but, he says he’ll kiss me on my wedding day, or when ever he feels like.” She used her free hand to play with the charm bracelet that she habitually wore on her wrist. “He think that just because were good friends, and I wear this, he has the right to kiss me on the forehead or cheek.” Even though he made her uncomfortable, and they fought a lot, she was scared to push Michael away. He was the only one left at Hogwarts that she had known since her first year.
As Max began talking about the things that he didn’t like, Em found herself nodding. Those that thought they were better than anyone else certainly were annoying. Though, his next agervation made her grin. Letting her other hand rest on his she turned her grin on him and gave his hand a squeeze. “You mean like when someone comes out the lake and asks what you’re reading, and you have to spend the rest of the afternoon talking about quidditch, flying, magical creatures, and everything.“ It was funny that he felt that way, and that was exactly how they had gotten to know about each other. “But yeah, I know what you mean. Its annoying when people seem like they are trying to be as loud as possible.”
“It’s a welcome interruption.” She said before realsing how that statement could be taken. “Not that I want to stop talking, its just that I’m getting really hungry.” Reaching for the basket, she opened the top to reveal the food. “There’s some pumpkin pasties, cauldron cakes, cookies, a few different types of fruit, and a couple of sandwiches. I hope you like ham and cheese, that’s what the house elves made.” Setting the basket on the ottoman in front of them, she pulled out one of the sandwiches and began munching on it. It was just a simple sandwich, but she was so hungry that it seemed like the best sandwich she had ever eaten.
Ahhh, a healing spell. Hm. That was a little different. It wasn't like they had malicious intentions, then. They were trying to help! But Max knew it was still inconsiderate to perform magic on someone without even giving them a heads-up. "Ah, I understand. I'm sorry." But... it was good that they helped her, right?
As Emmaleigh spoke about Michael, Max let his face settle on a slight frown. He planned on kissing her on her wedding day? Or whenever he felt like it? That... sounded rude and possessive, and it made Max's stomach churn with anger. "Oh," he said again. He didn't answer why because he... didn't know what else to say on the matter. He wasn't one to say 'I don't like this' or 'this makes me mad,' so he settled for not saying anything about his feelings. "That's... definitely not good." Pause. Frown. "You shouldn't have to deal with that kind of thing... you should never let anyone make you feel uncomfortable like that, okay?" Emmaleigh deserved better treatment than that.
And that awkward moment was followed by even more. She was smiling at him, but... her point made him feel even more uncomfortable. "That's not quite what I mean," he said, letting a small smile play on his lips so she wouldn't pick up on his sadness. "That was different. I wanted to talk to you, and... I would have gone away if you had said I was interrupting you..." He didn't look at her while he spoke, wondering if he had initially been a nuisance to her. She felt like she had to spend the afternoon talking to him? "Isn't... there a difference between people being loud and annoying around you opposed to someone desiring to have a conversation with you?"
From Max's point of view, the situation at hand had gone from quite romantic to embarrassing. "I'm... sorry if I bothered you that day. I didn't mean to." Of course, good things had come from his bothering her, so... perhaps he shouldn't feel all that badly?
But he did.
Glad that she welcomed the interruption, Max gave a half-hearted smile at her basket of food. "Ham and cheese sounds perfect." Any food sounded perfect. As she reached for the basket, Max released Em's hand, then he followed suit and took his sandwich. He munched on it in silence, worrying that there were even more things he had done that bothered her.
Ahhh, a healing spell. Hm. That was a little different. It wasn't like they had malicious intentions, then. They were trying to help! But Max knew it was still inconsiderate to perform magic on someone without even giving them a heads-up. "Ah, I understand. I'm sorry." But... it was good that they helped her, right?
As Emmaleigh spoke about Michael, Max let his face settle on a slight frown. He planned on kissing her on her wedding day? Or whenever he felt like it? That... sounded rude and possessive, and it made Max's stomach churn with anger. "Oh," he said again. He didn't answer why because he... didn't know what else to say on the matter. He wasn't one to say 'I don't like this' or 'this makes me mad,' so he settled for not saying anything about his feelings. "That's... definitely not good." Pause. Frown. "You shouldn't have to deal with that kind of thing... you should never let anyone make you feel uncomfortable like that, okay?" Emmaleigh deserved better treatment than that.
And that awkward moment was followed by even more. She was smiling at him, but... her point made him feel even more uncomfortable. "That's not quite what I mean," he said, letting a small smile play on his lips so she wouldn't pick up on his sadness. "That was different. I wanted to talk to you, and... I would have gone away if you had said I was interrupting you..." He didn't look at her while he spoke, wondering if he had initially been a nuisance to her. She felt like she had to spend the afternoon talking to him? "Isn't... there a difference between people being loud and annoying around you opposed to someone desiring to have a conversation with you?"
From Max's point of view, the situation at hand had gone from quite romantic to embarrassing. "I'm... sorry if I bothered you that day. I didn't mean to." Of course, good things had come from his bothering her, so... perhaps he shouldn't feel all that badly?
But he did.
Glad that she welcomed the interruption, Max gave a half-hearted smile at her basket of food. "Ham and cheese sounds perfect." Any food sounded perfect. As she reached for the basket, Max released Em's hand, then he followed suit and took his sandwich. He munched on it in silence, worrying that there were even more things he had done that bothered her.
After telling him about Michael, Emmaleigh waited for Max’s reaction. “I know.” She said resting her head against him once more. “I just, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to tell him to stop.” Or get him to even listen for that matter. “I guess I just don’t know how to tell him no. Like when he just declared himself to be my boyfriend at the end of our first year. I tried telling him how uncomfortable I was, but he kept insisting until I agreed to give it a try. It was weird and I was uncomfortable with it the whole time, and we finally broke up in like late November of our second year.” She paused and sat up to take a sip of her tea. Instead of placing her head back on his shoulder, Em turned a bit to look at Max. “It took him nine months for him to notice I wasn’t comfortable and that I only saw him as a friend.” She looked back down at her tea in her hand, and rubbed her thumb across the body of the mug.
There was a smile on Max’s face, but well, his reaction seemed less than happy. She hadn’t meant to make him feel bad or anyting, and it upset her to seem him so worried about it. Setting her tea aside once more, she gave him a little poke in the side. “Maximus James,” she said to emphasize her point, “That was a joke. I’m glad you stopped by I really enjoyed getting to know you.” Would they even be sitting here together if he hadn’t seen her there and decided to stop? “And you,” she said holding his hand with both of hers, and looking him in the eye. “have permission to interrupt my day when ever you want.” He already interrupted all of her thoughts anyways.
She sat there studying Max as she ate her sandwich, wondering what had just happened between them. “Um, I’m sorry for making you feel bad.”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
After telling him about Michael, Emmaleigh waited for Max’s reaction. “I know.” She said resting her head against him once more. “I just, I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to tell him to stop.” Or get him to even listen for that matter. “I guess I just don’t know how to tell him no. Like when he just declared himself to be my boyfriend at the end of our first year. I tried telling him how uncomfortable I was, but he kept insisting until I agreed to give it a try. It was weird and I was uncomfortable with it the whole time, and we finally broke up in like late November of our second year.” She paused and sat up to take a sip of her tea. Instead of placing her head back on his shoulder, Em turned a bit to look at Max. “It took him nine months for him to notice I wasn’t comfortable and that I only saw him as a friend.” She looked back down at her tea in her hand, and rubbed her thumb across the body of the mug.
There was a smile on Max’s face, but well, his reaction seemed less than happy. She hadn’t meant to make him feel bad or anyting, and it upset her to seem him so worried about it. Setting her tea aside once more, she gave him a little poke in the side. “Maximus James,” she said to emphasize her point, “That was a joke. I’m glad you stopped by I really enjoyed getting to know you.” Would they even be sitting here together if he hadn’t seen her there and decided to stop? “And you,” she said holding his hand with both of hers, and looking him in the eye. “have permission to interrupt my day when ever you want.” He already interrupted all of her thoughts anyways.
She sat there studying Max as she ate her sandwich, wondering what had just happened between them. “Um, I’m sorry for making you feel bad.”
Okay, NOW Max was mad.
"He declared himself your boyfriend? Em, people can't just do that. If he respected you at all, he would have asked you first. Didn't he care about you or your feelings at all? ...And you're still friends with him?" His demeanor softened; now Max just looked sad for her. "Em, I can't say I blame him for being so blatantly wild about you, but unless those kind of feelings are reciprocated..." He trailed off, watching her with a frown. "He does know that you're not comfortable and only see him as a friend... but he still does it? Even now?"
Was this guy crazy?
Max unwrapped himself from his blanket cocoon to release Em's hand and put his arm behind her instead, bringing her closer to him. "I'm really sorry you're stuck in this situation. It sounds like... you two have been friends for a really long time, and I can't imagine it could be that simple to... place boundaries that have been stepped across for so long..." He was doing surprisingly well at being unbiased and viewing the situation from her perspective and knowing what she needed. He was just the outside opinion that would hopefully make her realize how bizarre her situation was. She was being extremely unfairly treated. "But you deserve better than that. Don't let him push you around, okay?" Max nuzzled his chin softly against Emmaleigh's soft hair and comfortingly squeezed her side.
Apparently his smile hadn't fooled her. When Em poked his side, he laughed involuntarily and gave her a real, yet still saddened smile. His face remained red while she spoke and he drew his gaze down to his knees as she lectured him. "I'm sorry," he spoke quietly again, but he met her eyes when she gave him permission to interrupt her whenever.
Oh.
He chuckled again, this time out of flattery. "And the same goes for you. I would actually be delighted if you interrupted me every day, all the time." Cue cheesy grin. He looked down at his hand in both of hers, tried to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across his entire face, and failed. "You are the best part of every day for me."
His arm no longer around Emmaleigh and his other hand released from both of hers, Max was surprised at how good his sandwich tasted. For such a basic sandwich, it was quite delicious. When Em spoke up, Max's face returned to a nice shade of red and he shook his head. "No, no. It's totally okay. I just... hate the thought of ever doing something to upset you. I never want to make you mad or... or hurt you in any way." Like that MICHAEL kid. "I dread the thought of ever being a reason for your sadness."
"He declared himself your boyfriend? Em, people can't just do that. If he respected you at all, he would have asked you first. Didn't he care about you or your feelings at all? ...And you're still friends with him?" His demeanor softened; now Max just looked sad for her. "Em, I can't say I blame him for being so blatantly wild about you, but unless those kind of feelings are reciprocated..." He trailed off, watching her with a frown. "He does know that you're not comfortable and only see him as a friend... but he still does it? Even now?"
Was this guy crazy?
Max unwrapped himself from his blanket cocoon to release Em's hand and put his arm behind her instead, bringing her closer to him. "I'm really sorry you're stuck in this situation. It sounds like... you two have been friends for a really long time, and I can't imagine it could be that simple to... place boundaries that have been stepped across for so long..." He was doing surprisingly well at being unbiased and viewing the situation from her perspective and knowing what she needed. He was just the outside opinion that would hopefully make her realize how bizarre her situation was. She was being extremely unfairly treated. "But you deserve better than that. Don't let him push you around, okay?" Max nuzzled his chin softly against Emmaleigh's soft hair and comfortingly squeezed her side.
Apparently his smile hadn't fooled her. When Em poked his side, he laughed involuntarily and gave her a real, yet still saddened smile. His face remained red while she spoke and he drew his gaze down to his knees as she lectured him. "I'm sorry," he spoke quietly again, but he met her eyes when she gave him permission to interrupt her whenever.
Oh.
He chuckled again, this time out of flattery. "And the same goes for you. I would actually be delighted if you interrupted me every day, all the time." Cue cheesy grin. He looked down at his hand in both of hers, tried to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across his entire face, and failed. "You are the best part of every day for me."
His arm no longer around Emmaleigh and his other hand released from both of hers, Max was surprised at how good his sandwich tasted. For such a basic sandwich, it was quite delicious. When Em spoke up, Max's face returned to a nice shade of red and he shook his head. "No, no. It's totally okay. I just... hate the thought of ever doing something to upset you. I never want to make you mad or... or hurt you in any way." Like that MICHAEL kid. "I dread the thought of ever being a reason for your sadness."
Em found herself nodding over and over again, just looking down at her hands. Her stomach was in knots talking about all this. She had done her best to forget everything about when her and Michael had dated, and here she was discussing it with Max. The only person that ever knew she had been uncomfortable was Brit, but they had only talked about it once while her and Michael were still together. And with Brit, Em never felt like she could tell her everything since Brit was also best friends with Michael. This was the first time she had really ever talked about any of this and been totally honest with them, and with herself.
When Max put his arm around her, Em let out a whimper. Throwing her arms around him and pressing her face into Max’s jumper she began to sob. Emmaleigh had never realized how uncomfortable Michael had made her feel, how much he had treated her as a possession. She snuggled more into Max, continuing to cry. She needed him, and all the things he had ever made her feel.
…
It was amazing how a good cry could help one feel better, well, a good cry and Max. And now he felt bad just because she was joking around. She sighed, not knowing what to say. When he told her she could interrupt him every day it put a grin on her face. “I might have to take you up on that.” When he said she was the best part of every day, she gave him a tight hug, and rested her head on his shoulder, a content smile on her face.
Finishing up her sandwich, Emmaleigh whipped her hands on her pants after she realized she had forgotten to grab some napkins. Wait, Max was worried about upsetting her, and making her sad? She gave a smile and said, “Then don’t ever change.” Because so far, everything he had done made her feel special.
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
Em found herself nodding over and over again, just looking down at her hands. Her stomach was in knots talking about all this. She had done her best to forget everything about when her and Michael had dated, and here she was discussing it with Max. The only person that ever knew she had been uncomfortable was Brit, but they had only talked about it once while her and Michael were still together. And with Brit, Em never felt like she could tell her everything since Brit was also best friends with Michael. This was the first time she had really ever talked about any of this and been totally honest with them, and with herself.
When Max put his arm around her, Em let out a whimper. Throwing her arms around him and pressing her face into Max’s jumper she began to sob. Emmaleigh had never realized how uncomfortable Michael had made her feel, how much he had treated her as a possession. She snuggled more into Max, continuing to cry. She needed him, and all the things he had ever made her feel.
…
It was amazing how a good cry could help one feel better, well, a good cry and Max. And now he felt bad just because she was joking around. She sighed, not knowing what to say. When he told her she could interrupt him every day it put a grin on her face. “I might have to take you up on that.” When he said she was the best part of every day, she gave him a tight hug, and rested her head on his shoulder, a content smile on her face.
Finishing up her sandwich, Emmaleigh whipped her hands on her pants after she realized she had forgotten to grab some napkins. Wait, Max was worried about upsetting her, and making her sad? She gave a smile and said, “Then don’t ever change.” Because so far, everything he had done made her feel special.
Shoot.
He made her cry.
"Oh, Em," he whispered, turning his body so he could fully wrap Emmaleigh in the biggest, warmest bear hug he could manage. He held her close, rubbed a hand slowly against her back, and murmured, "It's okay, Em, it's okay." He let her cry onto him, not minding if he was going to pull away and find that the shoulder of his jumper was drenched.
Trying to figure out the best way to go about calming her down, he gave her another tight squeeze before speaking, his chin resting on the back of her neck. "You are the most wonderful girl in the whole world, Emmaleigh Swynford," Max commented softly, a hand moving up to hold the back of her head. "It doesn't... sound like he's a good friend to you... and you deserve to have the best friends and the best people in your life. I know he has some importance in your life. He must, if he's been with you since your first year here. But... please know that you don't need someone in your life who makes you unhappy." He pulled back for a moment to look her in the eyes, a hand still lingering on her side as he used his other arm's sleeve to gently wipe away her tears.
"If... you're worried about needing him or being lonely if you push him away... please don't be. I... know we haven't known each other for years and years like you have him, but I want you to know that I will never take advantage of your kindness or," he wiped at another fallen tear with his sleeve "leave you or... make you feel unloved or unwanted or... or make you feel uncomfortable, I hope." He smiled slightly at that, knowing they did sometimes have awkward moments where they both became uncomfortable. But those were predominantly good kinds of discomfort - the kind where two people were learning more about each other and falling for each other with jitters over how they made each other feel.
"I know I'm not Michael and I can't make... the situation better, but I vow to always be here for you for comfort and encouragement. And I know it won't be easy and it might hurt a lot, but... you can make the situation better by... putting your foot down and standing up for yourself." He lifted his hand again to tuck her hair behind her ear, noting how heartbreaking it was to see her cry. "If you want. And... I could be there, too, if it would help you feel better about it," Max spoke cautiously, not wanting at all to imply that she couldn't handle it on her own. He knew she was brave and could handle herself just fine, but he also knew sometimes it helped to have a friend along for moral support.
"But no matter what happens, you'll always have me. Promise."
Max wasn't one to walk out on friendships. And something about this one... made him feel like they would, at the very least, be friends forever.
Once the topic had changed to the whole 'every day' talk, Max found himself grateful once again that she felt the same way. "Sounds good to me," he chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around Em in another warm embrace.
Even though Emmaleigh had started her sandwich before him, he was already done when she popped the last bite into her mouth. Smiling to himself, Max sipped at his tea - which was, unfortunately, lukewarm - and set it back down on the table when she spoke again. Ugh. She was the sweetest, wasn't she? He grinned, unable to hide it once more, and replied, "I don't plan on it. Not too much, at least, and not for the worse."
"Oh, Em," he whispered, turning his body so he could fully wrap Emmaleigh in the biggest, warmest bear hug he could manage. He held her close, rubbed a hand slowly against her back, and murmured, "It's okay, Em, it's okay." He let her cry onto him, not minding if he was going to pull away and find that the shoulder of his jumper was drenched.
Trying to figure out the best way to go about calming her down, he gave her another tight squeeze before speaking, his chin resting on the back of her neck. "You are the most wonderful girl in the whole world, Emmaleigh Swynford," Max commented softly, a hand moving up to hold the back of her head. "It doesn't... sound like he's a good friend to you... and you deserve to have the best friends and the best people in your life. I know he has some importance in your life. He must, if he's been with you since your first year here. But... please know that you don't need someone in your life who makes you unhappy." He pulled back for a moment to look her in the eyes, a hand still lingering on her side as he used his other arm's sleeve to gently wipe away her tears.
"If... you're worried about needing him or being lonely if you push him away... please don't be. I... know we haven't known each other for years and years like you have him, but I want you to know that I will never take advantage of your kindness or," he wiped at another fallen tear with his sleeve "leave you or... make you feel unloved or unwanted or... or make you feel uncomfortable, I hope." He smiled slightly at that, knowing they did sometimes have awkward moments where they both became uncomfortable. But those were predominantly good kinds of discomfort - the kind where two people were learning more about each other and falling for each other with jitters over how they made each other feel.
"I know I'm not Michael and I can't make... the situation better, but I vow to always be here for you for comfort and encouragement. And I know it won't be easy and it might hurt a lot, but... you can make the situation better by... putting your foot down and standing up for yourself." He lifted his hand again to tuck her hair behind her ear, noting how heartbreaking it was to see her cry. "If you want. And... I could be there, too, if it would help you feel better about it," Max spoke cautiously, not wanting at all to imply that she couldn't handle it on her own. He knew she was brave and could handle herself just fine, but he also knew sometimes it helped to have a friend along for moral support.
"But no matter what happens, you'll always have me. Promise."
Max wasn't one to walk out on friendships. And something about this one... made him feel like they would, at the very least, be friends forever.
Once the topic had changed to the whole 'every day' talk, Max found himself grateful once again that she felt the same way. "Sounds good to me," he chuckled softly, wrapping his arms around Em in another warm embrace.
Even though Emmaleigh had started her sandwich before him, he was already done when she popped the last bite into her mouth. Smiling to himself, Max sipped at his tea - which was, unfortunately, lukewarm - and set it back down on the table when she spoke again. Ugh. She was the sweetest, wasn't she? He grinned, unable to hide it once more, and replied, "I don't plan on it. Not too much, at least, and not for the worse."
When Max held her tight, Em nuzzled into his chest, and hugged him even tighter. She let out another body-racking sob as he began rubbing her back. As Max began speaking, she just let him fill her heart with all the beautiful, kind things he was saying to her. She could feel him wanting her to be happy. As Max began telling her that she needed to fill her life with people who were good to her Em nodded against him, and said “I know, I know,” between sobs. When Max pulled back from her, she looked up at him, tears still running down her face.
Of course she felt like she needed him. In all her time at Hogwarts, Michael had been the only the only one that had been some what constant. It seemed like every time she made a friend they were gone the next year. But she just couldn’t live with him walking all over her any more. Not when she had learned what it felt like to be truly loved by someone that didn’t try to force anything out of her. More tears fell down her face as Max told her that he would never leave her, and always make her feel wanted and loved. She found the hand that had just wiped away her tears, and gripped it tightly as she smiled weakly.
She breathed several ragged breaths as told her how she could make it better. Em nodded as she felt her lip quiver. She knew it was what she needed to do, but it was going to be so hard. As Max tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, Em reached up and held his hand against her face. She couldn’t manage an answer to Max’s offer to be there when she told Michael. As much as she would want him there, it was something she knew she would have to do herself, if only to keep things from getting out of hand. And she still hoped to avoid Michael for as long as possible.
When Max said she’d always have him, she wrapped her around him and choked, “Please don’t leave me. Promise me we’ll still be friends when we graduate. I need you in my life.” She couldn’t bear the thought of loosing him at the end of the term like she had lost so many friends. She leaned her head against him once more, as her breathing slowly returned to normal.
She wanted to sit here and be held by Max forever. He just made her feel so safe, and appreciated. She just felt like all her life she had been taken for granted, and she had finally found someone that cared about her. He was someone that didn’t try to pressure her into being someone she wasn’t.
When Max replied to her comment about not changing, Emmaleigh reached over and grabbed his hand. “Good, because I like you just the way you are.”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
When Max held her tight, Em nuzzled into his chest, and hugged him even tighter. She let out another body-racking sob as he began rubbing her back. As Max began speaking, she just let him fill her heart with all the beautiful, kind things he was saying to her. She could feel him wanting her to be happy. As Max began telling her that she needed to fill her life with people who were good to her Em nodded against him, and said “I know, I know,” between sobs. When Max pulled back from her, she looked up at him, tears still running down her face.
Of course she felt like she needed him. In all her time at Hogwarts, Michael had been the only the only one that had been some what constant. It seemed like every time she made a friend they were gone the next year. But she just couldn’t live with him walking all over her any more. Not when she had learned what it felt like to be truly loved by someone that didn’t try to force anything out of her. More tears fell down her face as Max told her that he would never leave her, and always make her feel wanted and loved. She found the hand that had just wiped away her tears, and gripped it tightly as she smiled weakly.
She breathed several ragged breaths as told her how she could make it better. Em nodded as she felt her lip quiver. She knew it was what she needed to do, but it was going to be so hard. As Max tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, Em reached up and held his hand against her face. She couldn’t manage an answer to Max’s offer to be there when she told Michael. As much as she would want him there, it was something she knew she would have to do herself, if only to keep things from getting out of hand. And she still hoped to avoid Michael for as long as possible.
When Max said she’d always have him, she wrapped her around him and choked, “Please don’t leave me. Promise me we’ll still be friends when we graduate. I need you in my life.” She couldn’t bear the thought of loosing him at the end of the term like she had lost so many friends. She leaned her head against him once more, as her breathing slowly returned to normal.
She wanted to sit here and be held by Max forever. He just made her feel so safe, and appreciated. She just felt like all her life she had been taken for granted, and she had finally found someone that cared about her. He was someone that didn’t try to pressure her into being someone she wasn’t.
When Max replied to her comment about not changing, Emmaleigh reached over and grabbed his hand. “Good, because I like you just the way you are.”
Wasn't it funny how their hands always seemed to find each other?
Holding her hand in both of his, Max gave it a squeeze, then wrapped his arms around her once more when Emmaleigh hugged him again. "I'll never leave you," he reiterated, smiling down at the end table behind her. "And..." he began, unsure of how to word his thoughts properly, "I have never once considered the possibility that we would not still be close and... see each other after we leave Hogwarts." And he hadn't. Actually, Max... well, nevermind. It didn't matter what Max had imagined for his future after school.
Even though she was definitely in it.
"I need you in mine, too," he murmured, finally releasing her from their hug, only to lace his fingers through hers.
I like you just the way you are. That... had probably been more of a casual comment than a deep statement, but it meant a lot to Max. To have someone still like him even though he was far from perfect, caused awkward situations, had problems opening up to people, and was generally just... ordinary? That was incredible, and he... almost couldn't even believe it. But he appreciated it all the same. "That's especially good, because I like you, too."
He smiled softly, glad the conversation was lightening up a bit. He turned his gaze to the food basket on the ottoman in front of them, looked to Emmaleigh, grinned, then reached for the basket. He dug inside, examining the contents, then pulled out a cauldron cake for himself. "Want anything else?" he offered, leaning the basket sideways so she could peek inside and take something if she wanted. Then, he set the basket back down, opened the packaging of his cauldron cake, and carefully plucked part of the cake off. He popped it into his mouth, chewed, then spontaneously took a finger full of the inner frosting and, with a mischievous smile, bopped it on Emmaleigh's nose.
Hehe.
He opened his mouth after swallowing, appearing shocked, then began to chuckle. "That's a good look for you, Em."
__________________
Last edited by feeheeheeny; 10-08-2012 at 04:34 PM.
Reason: fixing typos and such from a sleepy post
Wasn't it funny how their hands always seemed to find each other?
Holding her hand in both of his, Max gave it a squeeze, then wrapped his arms around her once more when Emmaleigh hugged him again. "I'll never leave you," he reiterated, smiling down at the end table behind her. "And..." he began, unsure of how to word his thoughts properly, "I have never once considered the possibility that we would not still be close and... see each other after we leave Hogwarts." And he hadn't. Actually, Max... well, nevermind. It didn't matter what Max had imagined for his future after school.
Even though she was definitely in it.
"I need you in mine, too," he murmured, finally releasing her from their hug, only to lace his fingers through hers.
I like you just the way you are. That... had probably been more of a casual comment than a deep statement, but it meant a lot to Max. To have someone still like him even though he was far from perfect, caused awkward situations, had problems opening up to people, and was generally just... ordinary? That was incredible, and he... almost couldn't even believe it. But he appreciated it all the same. "That's especially good, because I like you, too."
He smiled softly, glad the conversation was lightening up a bit. He turned his gaze to the food basket on the ottoman in front of them, looked to Emmaleigh, grinned, then reached for the basket. He dug inside, examining the contents, then pulled out a cauldron cake for himself. "Want anything else?" he offered, leaning the basket sideways so she could peek inside and take something if she wanted. Then, he set the basket back down, opened the packaging of his cauldron cake, and carefully plucked part of the cake off. He popped it into his mouth, chewed, then spontaneously took a finger full of the inner frosting and, with a mischievous smile, bopped it on Emmaleigh's nose.
Hehe.
He opened his mouth after swallowing, appearing shocked, then began to chuckle. "That's a good look for you, Em."
With her head against his chest, the last of Em’s tears fell silently down her cheeks and Max reassured her that he wouldn’t leave. That leaving Hogwarts wouldn’t be the end of their special friendship. When Max said he needed her in his life made her feel all warm inside. Sitting up, she held on tightly to the hand that he was holding, and used her other to wipe the remaining wetness off her face.
Redness crept into Em’s cheeks, and her tummy had butterflies as the realization of what they had just said to each other. They had been dancing around it all day, telling each other how much they couldn’t stop thinking of them, how much the other meant to them. They had said a great deal, but they hadn’t come right out and told each other that they liked them. Until now. She smiled up at Max, not sure what to say.
When Max turned his attention back to the food, she was relieved. “Yes please, I’m starving.” She reached in the basket, and pulled out a pumpkin pastie. Taking a bite, she watched Max as he carefully pulled a piece off of his to eat. When she saw him come at her with the cream, her eyes widened. “Hey, no fair!” she said, trying to look upset, and failing miserably. Reaching over to his cauldron cake, she scooped some of the stuff up, and smeared it on his nose. “There,” she said giggling, “Now we go together, a matching set. Now we both get to have sticky noses.” She said before popping her finger in her mouth to remove the cream that remained.
Nestling in beside him once more, Em took another bite of her pastie thinking. “Max,” she paused a moment before continuing. “On the train, you were telling Dylan you were sad because you were missing a friend.” The friend she had asked him about, and made him all uncomfortable. “You’ve never told me about them.” She was curious. Curious as to why someone that clearly meant a lot to Max had never been talked about in any of their long talks. Was he still too uncomfortable to talk about it?
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
Text Cut: So glad they're getting these talks out of the way. Haha.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy
With her head against his chest, the last of Em’s tears fell silently down her cheeks and Max reassured her that he wouldn’t leave. That leaving Hogwarts wouldn’t be the end of their special friendship. When Max said he needed her in his life made her feel all warm inside. Sitting up, she held on tightly to the hand that he was holding, and used her other to wipe the remaining wetness off her face.
Redness crept into Em’s cheeks, and her tummy had butterflies as the realization of what they had just said to each other. They had been dancing around it all day, telling each other how much they couldn’t stop thinking of them, how much the other meant to them. They had said a great deal, but they hadn’t come right out and told each other that they liked them. Until now. She smiled up at Max, not sure what to say.
When Max turned his attention back to the food, she was relieved. “Yes please, I’m starving.” She reached in the basket, and pulled out a pumpkin pastie. Taking a bite, she watched Max as he carefully pulled a piece off of his to eat. When she saw him come at her with the cream, her eyes widened. “Hey, no fair!” she said, trying to look upset, and failing miserably. Reaching over to his cauldron cake, she scooped some of the stuff up, and smeared it on his nose. “There,” she said giggling, “Now we go together, a matching set. Now we both get to have sticky noses.” She said before popping her finger in her mouth to remove the cream that remained.
Nestling in beside him once more, Em took another bite of her pastie thinking. “Max,” she paused a moment before continuing. “On the train, you were telling Dylan you were sad because you were missing a friend.” The friend she had asked him about, and made him all uncomfortable. “You’ve never told me about them.” She was curious. Curious as to why someone that clearly meant a lot to Max had never been talked about in any of their long talks. Was he still too uncomfortable to talk about it?
Popping another bit of the cake into his mouth, Max chewed, observing Emmaleigh as she ate her pumpkin pasty with a closed-mouth smile. He laughed at her reaction to his lighthearted action then squeezed his eyes shut as soon as she reached to take her own finger full of frosting, anticipating her rebuttal. He opened them when she was done, wrinkled his cream-covered nose at her, and replied with a grin, "Good. That's the way it should be." Like two peas in a pod.
Max let the frosting remain on his nose as she brought up a new topic, and he drew his eyes down toward the fireplace once more. Oh. Ellie. He... had never properly explained that situation, had he? That was long overdue.
"Y'know how I've mentioned... Ellie Stone? My best friend? Well, she graduated last year, and... it was my first time on the train without her there." He folded his hands in his lap, his eyes still focused on the fireplace, his thoughts in a far-away place. "We've been friends since my first term. Best friends since my second term, I'd say. Even when she met Treyen - you know Treyen Lockhart, her boyfriend, Hufflepuff Prefect and Head Boy? - we were still inseparable. I wasn't, y'know, any kind of threat to their relationship."
Even though Em didn't ask, Max felt compelled to add quietly, "Our friendship was never... romantic or anything." He paused. "It seems like she's always been crazy about Treyen." Max didn't blame her. He was a real-life prince charming, and who could resist a guy in a leadership position like that? He was a prefect and Head Boy.
Max was nothing compared to him.
"So... y'know, it was... hard. Being there without her. I actually never found a compartment - I wandered the corridors for awhile before finally settling on grabbing a bite to eat at the food trolley," he said, though he never actually did get to buy any sweets. "But it was okay. I'm... okay. S'weird - sometimes I'll enter the common room and look toward the chair she used to sit at and, just for a split second, I wonder why she isn't there." He finally looked to Emmaleigh, not realizing he had just been on a sort of autopilot mode of talking. That was unusual for him. When he met Em's gaze, he didn't need to force a smile - the bit of frosting on her nose made it genuine. "It's... not as big of a deal anymore. She still means a lot to me and she'll always be one of my best friends, but... we owl, and I get to see her over the holidays here soon." So that was nice.
"She's cool."
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Last edited by feeheeheeny; 10-09-2012 at 03:02 AM.
Text Cut: Because it will bug her until she knows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grangerfn1
Popping another bit of the cake into his mouth, Max chewed, observing Emmaleigh as she ate her pumpkin pasty with a closed-mouth smile. He laughed at her reaction to his lighthearted action then squeezed his eyes shut as soon as she reached to take her own finger full of frosting, anticipating her rebuttal. He opened them when she was done, wrinkled his cream-covered nose at her, and replied with a grin, "Good. That's the way it should be." Like two peas in a pod.
Max let the frosting remain on his nose as she brought up a new topic, and he drew his eyes down toward the fireplace once more. Oh. Ellie. He... had never properly explained that situation, had he? That was long overdue.
"Y'know how I've mentioned... Ellie Stone? My best friend? Well, she graduated last year, and... it was my first time on the train without her there." He folded his hands in his lap, his eyes still focused on the fireplace, his thoughts in a far-away place. "We've been friends since my first term. Best friends since my second term, I'd say. Even when she met Treyen - you know Treyen Lockhart, her boyfriend, Hufflepuff Prefect and Head Boy? - we were still inseparable. I wasn't, y'know, any kind of threat to their relationship."
Even though Em didn't ask, Max felt compelled to add quietly, "Our friendship was never... romantic or anything." He paused. "It seems like she's always been crazy about Treyen." Max didn't blame her. He was a real-life prince charming, and who could resist a guy in a leadership position like that? He was a prefect and Head Boy.
Max was nothing compared to him.
"So... y'know, it was... hard. Being there without her. I actually never found a compartment - I wandered the corridors for awhile before finally settling on grabbing a bite to eat at the food trolley," he said, though he never actually did get to buy any sweets. "But it was okay. I'm... okay. S'weird - sometimes I'll enter the common room and look toward the chair she used to sit at and, just for a split second, I wonder why she isn't there." He finally looked to Emmaleigh, not realizing he had just been on a sort of autopilot mode of talking. That was unusual for him. When he met Em's gaze, he didn't need to force a smile - the bit of frosting on her nose made it genuine. "It's... not as big of a deal anymore. She still means a lot to me and she'll always be one of my best friends, but... we owl, and I get to see her over the holidays here soon." So that was nice.
"She's cool."
“The way it should be.” She repeated, grinning at Max.
Ellie? She nodded against him, yeah he had mentioned her. As he talked, she noticed a slight shift in his tone. It was almost like she wasn’t there, like he was just voicing his thoughts or something. She gazed up at him, watching him as he talked. Max and Ellie had been friends for a long time, and she found herself feeling a little jealous. Jealous that she had gotten to spend so may years with Max as a friend. Treyen, yeah, she knew him, he had been her house prefect.
When Max said they had never been romantic, her tummy kinda tingled, and redness crept into her face. Was it selfish to be glad about that? But, why was he telling her this? Was it because she had told him about her and Michael? Or was it because he wanted her to know? His next comment coupled with something he had said earlier put another none too pleasant thought into her head. Was he telling her this because he had feelings for Ellie? She really wanted to ask about it, but she didn’t know how to ask, and didn’t want to interrupt.
And Max had been wondering the train because Ellie hadn’t been there? Was her absence partially to thank for his arrival in the food trolley? And she understood the feeling of not being able to find someone in the common room. Em had spent her entire third year looking for Brit in her usual seat. And Brit had only been there for two years. She couldn’t imagine looking for someone that had been there with her for six years.
Emmaleigh put a smile on her face when he looked down at her. “She sounds nice. I’m glad you don’t miss her as much, and that you’ll be getting to see her soon.”
She looked down and began fidgeting with the hem of her jumper, thinking, her stomach in a knot. “Did you, Um. Well, did you have feeling for her?”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
“The way it should be.” She repeated, grinning at Max.
Ellie? She nodded against him, yeah he had mentioned her. As he talked, she noticed a slight shift in his tone. It was almost like she wasn’t there, like he was just voicing his thoughts or something. She gazed up at him, watching him as he talked. Max and Ellie had been friends for a long time, and she found herself feeling a little jealous. Jealous that she had gotten to spend so may years with Max as a friend. Treyen, yeah, she knew him, he had been her house prefect.
When Max said they had never been romantic, her tummy kinda tingled, and redness crept into her face. Was it selfish to be glad about that? But, why was he telling her this? Was it because she had told him about her and Michael? Or was it because he wanted her to know? His next comment coupled with something he had said earlier put another none too pleasant thought into her head. Was he telling her this because he had feelings for Ellie? She really wanted to ask about it, but she didn’t know how to ask, and didn’t want to interrupt.
And Max had been wondering the train because Ellie hadn’t been there? Was her absence partially to thank for his arrival in the food trolley? And she understood the feeling of not being able to find someone in the common room. Em had spent her entire third year looking for Brit in her usual seat. And Brit had only been there for two years. She couldn’t imagine looking for someone that had been there with her for six years.
Emmaleigh put a smile on her face when he looked down at her. “She sounds nice. I’m glad you don’t miss her as much, and that you’ll be getting to see her soon.”
She looked down and began fidgeting with the hem of her jumper, thinking, her stomach in a knot. “Did you, Um. Well, did you have feeling for her?”
"Mmm, she is," Max replied, a small smile dancing on his lips. Most of the time. She could be a little bit of a pain, but he loved her all the same. "Me too." Just another couple of weeks, and they would be reunited! Though, it hadn't even been that long since he saw her. They had just seen each other a little over a month ago at Hogsmeade.
Max definitely noticed Emmaleigh's fidgeting leading up to her question, and he knew exactly what she was going to ask. "I did," he said, unfolding his hands to take one of hers. "I did. A long time ago. Back... when we first met, actually. I was just... a first year with a crush. Nothing came from it, of course, and I was okay with that. I was just happy to have her friendship." Did that make sense? Did people other than Max have that kind of thought process?
"But... y'know," he said, playing with Em's fingers as he spoke, "she liked Treyen. Last year, when Treyen left and Ellie and I were left to our own adventures, I realized... those feelings had gone away." Finally. "I... don't think of her like that, no. We're not... romantically compatible." Ellie would never see Max like that, and he knew she wouldn't have any kind if appreciation for his cheesy romanticism. "I think it was just one of those... 'she's my first, closest friend, she means a lot to me, I'm obviously in love with her' kind of childhood... things, and over time I could easily set those kind of feelings aside when I realized they would have meant nothing to her." In fact, Max was pretty sure Ellie still had no clue that he had ever liked her like that.
So... "They were just... those weird butterfly kind of feelings mixed with friendship. Looking back on it, I was blinded by what I thought was 'meant to be,'" he used his free hand to make quotation marks in the air, "when in reality, there's no way that would've worked out. She and I... are very different and have very different views on the world. She can be kind of... uptight and... well, let's put it this way - she hates reading and learning and... basically everything about this school, while I love everything about it. So while... two extreme opposites can attract in terms of friendship, we're just extremely incompatible in that sense."
He hadn't intended on talking this much about Ellie, but as he spoke, he knew how unhappy Em was. And he didn't like that, so he felt like he needed to explain further and make her realize that he was being sincere.
"I don't have any of those feelings for her anymore," he stated once more for emphasis. Then, impulsively, he moved his hand to Em's knee, squeezed it gently, and said, "For the record, these... feelings I have for you... feel much different and far more... real than they did with her." Max had never pictured a future with Ellie, but... "You make me happier than anyone ever has." Even more than Ellie, but he wasn't going to say that aloud. He was sure that somehow, somewhere, Ellie would feel those harsh words in the pit of her stomach.
"This feels right with every fiber of my being, being with you. I've never been more sure about anything."
"Mmm, she is," Max replied, a small smile dancing on his lips. Most of the time. She could be a little bit of a pain, but he loved her all the same. "Me too." Just another couple of weeks, and they would be reunited! Though, it hadn't even been that long since he saw her. They had just seen each other a little over a month ago at Hogsmeade.
Max definitely noticed Emmaleigh's fidgeting leading up to her question, and he knew exactly what she was going to ask. "I did," he said, unfolding his hands to take one of hers. "I did. A long time ago. Back... when we first met, actually. I was just... a first year with a crush. Nothing came from it, of course, and I was okay with that. I was just happy to have her friendship." Did that make sense? Did people other than Max have that kind of thought process?
"But... y'know," he said, playing with Em's fingers as he spoke, "she liked Treyen. Last year, when Treyen left and Ellie and I were left to our own adventures, I realized... those feelings had gone away." Finally. "I... don't think of her like that, no. We're not... romantically compatible." Ellie would never see Max like that, and he knew she wouldn't have any kind if appreciation for his cheesy romanticism. "I think it was just one of those... 'she's my first, closest friend, she means a lot to me, I'm obviously in love with her' kind of childhood... things, and over time I could easily set those kind of feelings aside when I realized they would have meant nothing to her." In fact, Max was pretty sure Ellie still had no clue that he had ever liked her like that.
So... "They were just... those weird butterfly kind of feelings mixed with friendship. Looking back on it, I was blinded by what I thought was 'meant to be,'" he used his free hand to make quotation marks in the air, "when in reality, there's no way that would've worked out. She and I... are very different and have very different views on the world. She can be kind of... uptight and... well, let's put it this way - she hates reading and learning and... basically everything about this school, while I love everything about it. So while... two extreme opposites can attract in terms of friendship, we're just extremely incompatible in that sense."
He hadn't intended on talking this much about Ellie, but as he spoke, he knew how unhappy Em was. And he didn't like that, so he felt like he needed to explain further and make her realize that he was being sincere.
"I don't have any of those feelings for her anymore," he stated once more for emphasis. Then, impulsively, he moved his hand to Em's knee, squeezed it gently, and said, "For the record, these... feelings I have for you... feel much different and far more... real than they did with her." Max had never pictured a future with Ellie, but... "You make me happier than anyone ever has." Even more than Ellie, but he wasn't going to say that aloud. He was sure that somehow, somewhere, Ellie would feel those harsh words in the pit of her stomach.
"This feels right with every fiber of my being, being with you. I've never been more sure about anything."
I did. Those two words made Em feel sick. She let Max take her hand, but she didn’t actually hold it. She was trying to process all the things he was saying. Did, long time ago. Did, as in past tense, as in not anymore? She listened quietly as he spoke, trying to make sense of everything, and sort out her feelings. He was a first year? That was a long time ago, but he only realized the feeling had gone a way last year? Was Treyen the only reason… And they weren’t romantically compatible? She bit her lip, as he described how and why he had felt the way he had.
Ellie hated reading. This made Emmaleigh look up and shift her gaze to one of the bookshelves that lined the walls. They were the one thing she didn’t specifically ask for in this room. They were there because she had asked the room for a comfortable setting, and to make it their room. Did the room know she would need those bookshelves? Need them to show her how perfectly they seemed to fit into each other’s lives. To show her that is wasn’t just Treyen keeping Max and Ellie apart.
She just sat there in the silence trying to sort out her feelings. He didn’t have feeling for her anymore, That’s what was important right? And then he moved his hand to her knee and telling her about how different and real his feeling for her were. Wiping off her nose, she suddenly threw her arms around him once more, and burred her face into his still damp jumper. She just held him like that for a minute, trying to keep from crying again. “Thank you. Thank you for being honest, and being the best person in this world.” Even though it hurt, she was glad to know he felt like he didn’t have to hide his past feeling for Ellie. “And I’m sorry if I hurt you talking about Michael, and I’m sorry you can’t be my first everything. That he took that away from you.”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
I did. Those two words made Em feel sick. She let Max take her hand, but she didn’t actually hold it. She was trying to process all the things he was saying. Did, long time ago. Did, as in past tense, as in not anymore? She listened quietly as he spoke, trying to make sense of everything, and sort out her feelings. He was a first year? That was a long time ago, but he only realized the feeling had gone a way last year? Was Treyen the only reason… And they weren’t romantically compatible? She bit her lip, as he described how and why he had felt the way he had.
Ellie hated reading. This made Emmaleigh look up and shift her gaze to one of the bookshelves that lined the walls. They were the one thing she didn’t specifically ask for in this room. They were there because she had asked the room for a comfortable setting, and to make it their room. Did the room know she would need those bookshelves? Need them to show her how perfectly they seemed to fit into each other’s lives. To show her that is wasn’t just Treyen keeping Max and Ellie apart.
She just sat there in the silence trying to sort out her feelings. He didn’t have feeling for her anymore, That’s what was important right? And then he moved his hand to her knee and telling her about how different and real his feeling for her were. Wiping off her nose, she suddenly threw her arms around him once more, and burred her face into his still damp jumper. She just held him like that for a minute, trying to keep from crying again. “Thank you. Thank you for being honest, and being the best person in this world.” Even though it hurt, she was glad to know he felt like he didn’t have to hide his past feeling for Ellie. “And I’m sorry if I hurt you talking about Michael, and I’m sorry you can’t be my first everything. That he took that away from you.”
Emmaleigh was still visibly upset and Max almost regretted opening up to her - until she almost knocked him over in a hug, and he couldn't help but smile. He tossed his cauldron cake on the table behind her, hugged her back, and brought up his own sleeve to wipe the frosting off his nose. He squeezed her tightly. "Don't say that," he laughed, shaking his head but still not pulling away from her just yet. "I'm not." She really needed to stop apologizing to him. He didn't see any reason for her to be sorry for anything. "No... no, you didn't. I just... I'm worried about you and your friendship with him. I want you to take care of yourself and not let anyone push you around. I'm sorry - you just... don't deserve that."
The last part of what she said made Max frown for a moment, and he was glad she couldn't see his reaction. He... wasn't going to be her firsts. But... that was okay, wasn't it? That was his own fault for not finding Emmaleigh sooner. "No, Em, don't be sorry." He hesitated, weighing the pros and cons of reassuring her that she would be his first everything, but he didn't want to make her feel bad for not allowing him the same honor. "It's really okay."
After a brief moment of silence, Max's heart rate sped up once more and he pulled back from their embrace. He laced his fingers through hers with one hand, used the other hand to smooth his hair down, and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Em," he said, looking from Emmaleigh to the fireplace, "do you believe in fairytales?" His voice was calm, but he appeared to be deep in thought. He hesitated for a long moment, gliding his hand along the top of his head again, smoothing his brown hair down. Then he looked to Emmaleigh with curious, interested eyes. "Not the kind of fairytales that usually end in sorrow - y'know, the played-up, whimsical kind, with things like... love at first sight, that instantaneous connection when you meet someone..." He wasn't looking at her now - his eyes were drawn back to fire before them. And he didn't give her time to comment. "Or happily ever after? Finding someone... you could spend the rest of your life with, and even through any trials and troubles that may come your way... you two are still happy together, till the end? D'you think that kind of stuff exists?"
Emmaleigh was still visibly upset and Max almost regretted opening up to her - until she almost knocked him over in a hug, and he couldn't help but smile. He tossed his cauldron cake on the table behind her, hugged her back, and brought up his own sleeve to wipe the frosting off his nose. He squeezed her tightly. "Don't say that," he laughed, shaking his head but still not pulling away from her just yet. "I'm not." She really needed to stop apologizing to him. He didn't see any reason for her to be sorry for anything. "No... no, you didn't. I just... I'm worried about you and your friendship with him. I want you to take care of yourself and not let anyone push you around. I'm sorry - you just... don't deserve that."
The last part of what she said made Max frown for a moment, and he was glad she couldn't see his reaction. He... wasn't going to be her firsts. But... that was okay, wasn't it? That was his own fault for not finding Emmaleigh sooner. "No, Em, don't be sorry." He hesitated, weighing the pros and cons of reassuring her that she would be his first everything, but he didn't want to make her feel bad for not allowing him the same honor. "It's really okay."
After a brief moment of silence, Max's heart rate sped up once more and he pulled back from their embrace. He laced his fingers through hers with one hand, used the other hand to smooth his hair down, and he awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Em," he said, looking from Emmaleigh to the fireplace, "do you believe in fairytales?" His voice was calm, but he appeared to be deep in thought. He hesitated for a long moment, gliding his hand along the top of his head again, smoothing his brown hair down. Then he looked to Emmaleigh with curious, interested eyes. "Not the kind of fairytales that usually end in sorrow - y'know, the played-up, whimsical kind, with things like... love at first sight, that instantaneous connection when you meet someone..." He wasn't looking at her now - his eyes were drawn back to fire before them. And he didn't give her time to comment. "Or happily ever after? Finding someone... you could spend the rest of your life with, and even through any trials and troubles that may come your way... you two are still happy together, till the end? D'you think that kind of stuff exists?"
She kept her face pressed into his jumper as she felt tears welling up in her eyes, It wasn’t okay. It wasn’t okay that no matter what happened in the future, she couldn’t give everything to someone she actually cared about. That no matter where she went in life it would always be Michael that had given her, her first kiss, and he had been her first “boyfriend.” Though, she hadn’t been an active participant in any of it.
Em was glad that she had gotten rid of the urge to cry by the time Max had pulled away from her. She was content to sit there holding his hand when he asked what seemed a strange question. She shrugged. “I’ve never thought about it, but I guess so. I mean, the unicorns and dragons are all real, so they must be based in some sort of truth.” She looked up at him, wondering where this was coming from. She listened as he asked about love at first sight. She looked down at their intertwined fingers. Happily ever after, happy together until the end, no matter what. “I, I think it must.” She said still looking at their hands. “I think it has to.”I think I've found it.
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
She kept her face pressed into his jumper as she felt tears welling up in her eyes, It wasn’t okay. It wasn’t okay that no matter what happened in the future, she couldn’t give everything to someone she actually cared about. That no matter where she went in life it would always be Michael that had given her, her first kiss, and he had been her first “boyfriend.” Though, she hadn’t been an active participant in any of it.
Em was glad that she had gotten rid of the urge to cry by the time Max had pulled away from her. She was content to sit there holding his hand when he asked what seemed a strange question. She shrugged. “I’ve never thought about it, but I guess so. I mean, the unicorns and dragons are all real, so they must be based in some sort of truth.” She looked up at him, wondering where this was coming from. She listened as he asked about love at first sight. She looked down at their intertwined fingers. Happily ever after, happy together until the end, no matter what. “I, I think it must.” She said still looking at their hands. “I think it has to.”I think I've found it.
Excellent. Max wasn't really sure what he would have said if she didn't believe in any of it. He supposed he would have tried to convince her. That... probably would have been awkward.
Making eye contact with Em once more, he smiled gently, giving her hand a squeeze. "I think it does, too. I always have, since I was a young boy. I always saw myself... with someone kindhearted... and sweet... intelligent... loyal..." He looked down at their hands while he spoke. "Someone who... I could tell anything to without fear of judgment. Someone who would make me feel important and valued as a person. Someone who... would think it's okay for a guy to show emotions and be sad and vulnerable sometimes." It seemed silly to point out, perhaps, but it was something that made him uneasy to think about. He tried to be strong as often as he could, but he couldn't deny that he was often much more sensitive than the average male. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing - he was far more in tune with both his emotions and the emotions of those around him - but it made it much harder for him to fit the 'manly' stereotype. He was certainly not the ideal man.
"I see all of that with you, Em," he told her gently, finally meeting her eyes. "Those feelings began from our first conversation, and fully blossomed that day at the lake - the day you lent me your book. You were so enchanting and... I was absolutely captivated by you." He looked deep into her crystal blue eyes, searching for some kind of... understanding from her. Did she know what was happening yet? "I was so astounded that I'd found a new friend who liked so many of the same things as me and... had the same kind of goals and thought processes and... just viewed life with so much passion and optimism." His mind was STILL blown that she was so incredible in every way possible, and his enthusiasm for the topic at hand(her) clearly made itself known through his tone and the smile on his face.
Pausing only for a moment to gather his thoughts, Max continued, "You make me a better person. Before I met you, I was... extremely insecure. All right, I still am," he admitted with flushed cheeks, not even needing to see her expression to know that she wouldn't have thought that had been fixed, "but you make me believe in myself and... want to do everything in my power to make the world a better place. For everyone, and for the both of us.
"...And I hope maybe... just maybe I might do some of those same things for you. I want to be loyal and compassionate and insightful and I want to... be there for you any time of day, any day of the week. I want... to make you feel like the most important, valued, appreciated... loved person in the whole world. I want to protect you, take care of you, and give you daily reminders of your radiant beauty. I want to be your ultimate encourager and biggest fan and... I want to be there for you whenever you need a hug, a hand to hold, or just someone to talk to, about anything and everything." He now held her hand in both of his. "I feel... like we can have our own fairytale. I want to show you the world and have fun adventures and... experience life to the fullest. Together."
Max paused again to take a few quiet, deep breaths, attempting to slow his heart rate. He gave Em a nervous smile, knowing she couldn't possibly be clueless at this point. But he had no idea how she was going to respond - he just had to take a leap of faith.
"I don't want to keep going through life without everyone knowing how truly special and important you are to me," he said with a soft grin. How... was he supposed to ask this? Max had no idea - he had never done this before. A few variations of one basic question sifting through his mind, he tried to settle on one. He turned his body so he was more directly facing her on the couch, took another slow breath, and inquired timidly, "Emmaleigh Aryn Swynford, will you make me the happiest guy in the world by being my girlfriend?"
Excellent. Max wasn't really sure what he would have said if she didn't believe in any of it. He supposed he would have tried to convince her. That... probably would have been awkward.
Making eye contact with Em once more, he smiled gently, giving her hand a squeeze. "I think it does, too. I always have, since I was a young boy. I always saw myself... with someone kindhearted... and sweet... intelligent... loyal..." He looked down at their hands while he spoke. "Someone who... I could tell anything to without fear of judgment. Someone who would make me feel important and valued as a person. Someone who... would think it's okay for a guy to show emotions and be sad and vulnerable sometimes." It seemed silly to point out, perhaps, but it was something that made him uneasy to think about. He tried to be strong as often as he could, but he couldn't deny that he was often much more sensitive than the average male. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing - he was far more in tune with both his emotions and the emotions of those around him - but it made it much harder for him to fit the 'manly' stereotype. He was certainly not the ideal man.
"I see all of that with you, Em," he told her gently, finally meeting her eyes. "Those feelings began from our first conversation, and fully blossomed that day at the lake - the day you lent me your book. You were so enchanting and... I was absolutely captivated by you." He looked deep into her crystal blue eyes, searching for some kind of... understanding from her. Did she know what was happening yet? "I was so astounded that I'd found a new friend who liked so many of the same things as me and... had the same kind of goals and thought processes and... just viewed life with so much passion and optimism." His mind was STILL blown that she was so incredible in every way possible, and his enthusiasm for the topic at hand(her) clearly made itself known through his tone and the smile on his face.
Pausing only for a moment to gather his thoughts, Max continued, "You make me a better person. Before I met you, I was... extremely insecure. All right, I still am," he admitted with flushed cheeks, not even needing to see her expression to know that she wouldn't have thought that had been fixed, "but you make me believe in myself and... want to do everything in my power to make the world a better place. For everyone, and for the both of us.
"...And I hope maybe... just maybe I might do some of those same things for you. I want to be loyal and compassionate and insightful and I want to... be there for you any time of day, any day of the week. I want... to make you feel like the most important, valued, appreciated... loved person in the whole world. I want to protect you, take care of you, and give you daily reminders of your radiant beauty. I want to be your ultimate encourager and biggest fan and... I want to be there for you whenever you need a hug, a hand to hold, or just someone to talk to, about anything and everything." He now held her hand in both of his. "I feel... like we can have our own fairytale. I want to show you the world and have fun adventures and... experience life to the fullest. Together."
Max paused again to take a few quiet, deep breaths, attempting to slow his heart rate. He gave Em a nervous smile, knowing she couldn't possibly be clueless at this point. But he had no idea how she was going to respond - he just had to take a leap of faith.
"I don't want to keep going through life without everyone knowing how truly special and important you are to me," he said with a soft grin. How... was he supposed to ask this? Max had no idea - he had never done this before. A few variations of one basic question sifting through his mind, he tried to settle on one. He turned his body so he was more directly facing her on the couch, took another slow breath, and inquired timidly, "Emmaleigh Aryn Swynford, will you make me the happiest guy in the world by being my girlfriend?"
Emmaleigh looked up from their hands, and found Max’s eyes. Where was he going with all this talk about fairytales? Was he talking about them? That had been all she could think about when he asked her, and it had given her butterflies. When he was saying how he saw himself with someone that wouldn’t judged him, valued him, and allowed him to be vulnerable, a small smile appeared on her face. Those were all things she had found in Max, and when he said he saw those things in her, the muscles of her stomach tightened.
Their first conversation, where their stomachs had brought them together. Where someone she had never spoken to had taken notice in her, and knew she hadn’t been at Hogwarts the year before. Where he had been able to comfort her with a simple hand hold, and where she had been so worried when he didn’t arrive on the platform right behind her. She had been so relieved to see him, and even though she had known others needed help, she wanted him to stay with her. Not because she needed help, but because even then, when they were practically strangers, she found comfort in his presence.
The lake, where they had gotten to know each other. Where they had learned that they had so much in common. Where she had opened up and told him about things in her life that not many people knew. Like why she was always reading the same books over and over, and what she had thought about doing after school. The day at the lake, where from that moment forward, all she had ever been able to think about was Max.
She gripped his hand, and redness started to creep into her face when he said she said him a better person, and that he wanted to make the world better for the both of us. And she made him believe in himself? He did that for her, and she found herself nodding when he said he hoped he could be those some thing for her. As he continued to speak, her butterflies feeling grew until it felt like a swarm, and she was getting all misty eyed.
Our own fairytale. together.how truly special and important you are to me. Will you make me the happiest guy in the world by being my girlfriend. Emmaleigh was speechless and couldn’t manage to say anything. Instead, she threw herself into his arms energetically, with enough force to knock him over. She nuzzled her face into his neck, and with tears running down her face, Em nodded over and over again. When she finally found her voice, all she could do was breathe, “Yes,” against his neck. “Yes.”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
Emmaleigh looked up from their hands, and found Max’s eyes. Where was he going with all this talk about fairytales? Was he talking about them? That had been all she could think about when he asked her, and it had given her butterflies. When he was saying how he saw himself with someone that wouldn’t judged him, valued him, and allowed him to be vulnerable, a small smile appeared on her face. Those were all things she had found in Max, and when he said he saw those things in her, the muscles of her stomach tightened.
Their first conversation, where their stomachs had brought them together. Where someone she had never spoken to had taken notice in her, and knew she hadn’t been at Hogwarts the year before. Where he had been able to comfort her with a simple hand hold, and where she had been so worried when he didn’t arrive on the platform right behind her. She had been so relieved to see him, and even though she had known others needed help, she wanted him to stay with her. Not because she needed help, but because even then, when they were practically strangers, she found comfort in his presence.
The lake, where they had gotten to know each other. Where they had learned that they had so much in common. Where she had opened up and told him about things in her life that not many people knew. Like why she was always reading the same books over and over, and what she had thought about doing after school. The day at the lake, where from that moment forward, all she had ever been able to think about was Max.
She gripped his hand, and redness started to creep into her face when he said she said him a better person, and that he wanted to make the world better for the both of us. And she made him believe in himself? He did that for her, and she found herself nodding when he said he hoped he could be those some thing for her. As he continued to speak, her butterflies feeling grew until it felt like a swarm, and she was getting all misty eyed.
Our own fairytale. together. how truly special and important you are to me. Will you make me the happiest guy in the world by being my girlfriend. Emmaleigh was speechless and couldn’t manage to say anything. Instead, she threw herself into his arms energetically, with enough force to knock him over. She nuzzled her face into his neck, and with tears running down her face, Em nodded over and over again. When she finally found her voice, all she could do was breathe, “Yes,” against his neck. “Yes.”
...
...
She wasn't saying anything. The tears in her eyes could have been good or bad: good, as in she loved everything he said and was going to say yes, or bad because she felt guilty that she was going to say no.
...But then she was HUGGING HIM? THAT WAS A GOOD SIGN, RIGHT? Having fallen over backward on the couch, Max still held Emmaleigh close, his eyebrows raised in anticipation.
And then she said it.
Yes.
Twice, actually. And both times his stomach lurched with such a surge of joy that he worried his intestines were about to explode.
"Yes?" he repeated aloud, the word sinking in. She was his GIRLFRIEND. And he was a... boyfriend???
Whoa.
"Really? That's... great! Really, really great," he stumbled over his words with laughter, absolutely frazzled by the situation at hand. What was supposed to happen now? He ran a hand through his hair, causing parts of it to stick up, his expression dumbfounded. "Thank you. For... saying yes. And... trusting me and... just being you." That was a good one.
Wait, was Emmaleigh still crying? He was suddenly aware of the moisture on his neck. "Em, please don't cry," he cooed, gently pulling her away from him so he could look her in the eyes. As he reached to wipe her face once more with the sleeve of his jumper, he told her, "That is the opposite of what I wanted." Even though he was pretty sure they were happy tears, so he didn't feel too bad.
Through his words, Max couldn't shake one prominent realization from his mind:
She wasn't saying anything. The tears in her eyes could have been good or bad: good, as in she loved everything he said and was going to say yes, or bad because she felt guilty that she was going to say no.
...But then she was HUGGING HIM? THAT WAS A GOOD SIGN, RIGHT? Having fallen over backward on the couch, Max still held Emmaleigh close, his eyebrows raised in anticipation.
And then she said it.
Yes.
Twice, actually. And both times his stomach lurched with such a surge of joy that he worried his intestines were about to explode.
"Yes?" he repeated aloud, the word sinking in. She was his GIRLFRIEND. And he was a... boyfriend???
Whoa.
"Really? That's... great! Really, really great," he stumbled over his words with laughter, absolutely frazzled by the situation at hand. What was supposed to happen now? He ran a hand through his hair, causing parts of it to stick up, his expression dumbfounded. "Thank you. For... saying yes. And... trusting me and... just being you." That was a good one.
Wait, was Emmaleigh still crying? He was suddenly aware of the moisture on his neck. "Em, please don't cry," he cooed, gently pulling her away from him so he could look her in the eyes. As he reached to wipe her face once more with the sleeve of his jumper, he told her, "That is the opposite of what I wanted." Even though he was pretty sure they were happy tears, so he didn't feel too bad.
Through his words, Max couldn't shake one prominent realization from his mind:
She was his.
“Yes,” she confirmed snuggling against his neck, “I can’t think of anything better in this world than having you as my boyfriend.” Emmaleigh smiled at his reaction, the way he was stumbling over words and everything. HE was her very special someone, and he was being adorable. “Yeah, really great,” she sighed.
What, No. Max was pushing her away because she was crying? Em gave him a pretend frowny face, before a small smile appeared as he dried her tear stained face once more. “I’m only crying because you made me so incredibly happy.” That, and it had been a very emotional day, with way too many conflicting emotions. But it had been perfect, and she wouldn't have changed any of it.
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
Originally Posted by Yourenodaisy;11230373[COLOR="DarkRed"
“Yes,” she confirmed snuggling against his neck, “I can’t think of anything better in this world than having you as my boyfriend.” Emmaleigh smiled at his reaction, the way he was stumbling over words and everything. HE was her very special someone, and he was being adorable. “Yeah, really great,” she sighed.
What, No. Max was pushing her away because she was crying? Em gave him a pretend frowny face, before a small smile appeared as he dried her tear stained face once more. “I’m only crying because you made me so incredibly happy.” That, and it had been a very emotional day, with way too many conflicting emotions. But it had been perfect, and she wouldn't have changed any of it.
[/COLOR]
If it wouldn't have been extremely dramatic for Max to pretend to melt into a puddle at Emmaleigh's words, he would have done so. She couldn't think of ANYTHING better? He could. She could... write a book and become famous or become the veterinarian for the Muggle Prime Minister's pets or... the Headmistress of this school, even. Surely there were plenty of things better than having Max as a companion.
Though, right now, he KNEW there was nothing better in the whole world for him than having Emmaleigh as a girlfriend. She was made for him. He just hoped she felt that strongly for him in return. What if some day she realized he wasn't as great as she seemed to think he was?
Stop that, Max. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
"And I hope I can always do that for you," he assured, pulling his sleeve away from her face and giving her a soft smile.
Max was suddenly aware that he had no idea what time it was. He didn't know how long they were out on the Quidditch pitch. He had no idea how long it took them to get up to the school, get food from the house elves, or reach the seventh floor. He also had no idea how long they had been in this safe haven. But that looming feeling - the kind where one just knows a day's adventure will be ending soon - reached the pit of Max's stomach. This day had to come to an end at some point, didn't it? And... Max needed to go tell Spike, Indy, Louisa, and everyone he could that he had a girlfriend.
He probably needed to send a letter to Ellie, too. She would be mad if she was the last to find out, but... it could also be entertaining to tell her in person.
But right now Em was still on him after knocking him over with a hug, and he didn't have the heart to suggest the end of their time together. Nor did he want to. So, instead, he resorted to simply smiling up into her enchanting blue eyes.
She was going to be the first one to say or do something, whether that meant continuing to sit or lay on the couch together, engage in further conversation, or... depart.
If it wouldn't have been extremely dramatic for Max to pretend to melt into a puddle at Emmaleigh's words, he would have done so. She couldn't think of ANYTHING better? He could. She could... write a book and become famous or become the veterinarian for the Muggle Prime Minister's pets or... the Headmistress of this school, even. Surely there were plenty of things better than having Max as a companion.
Though, right now, he KNEW there was nothing better in the whole world for him than having Emmaleigh as a girlfriend. She was made for him. He just hoped she felt that strongly for him in return. What if some day she realized he wasn't as great as she seemed to think he was?
Stop that, Max. This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.
"And I hope I can always do that for you," he assured, pulling his sleeve away from her face and giving her a soft smile.
Max was suddenly aware that he had no idea what time it was. He didn't know how long they were out on the Quidditch pitch. He had no idea how long it took them to get up to the school, get food from the house elves, or reach the seventh floor. He also had no idea how long they had been in this safe haven. But that looming feeling - the kind where one just knows a day's adventure will be ending soon - reached the pit of Max's stomach. This day had to come to an end at some point, didn't it? And... Max needed to go tell Spike, Indy, Louisa, and everyone he could that he had a girlfriend.
He probably needed to send a letter to Ellie, too. She would be mad if she was the last to find out, but... it could also be entertaining to tell her in person.
But right now Em was still on him after knocking him over with a hug, and he didn't have the heart to suggest the end of their time together. Nor did he want to. So, instead, he resorted to simply smiling up into her enchanting blue eyes.
She was going to be the first one to say or do something, whether that meant continuing to sit or lay on the couch together, engage in further conversation, or... depart.
“I’m sure that you will.” She said smiling down at him. “Though, I’m sure it will be difficult to be happier than I am now.” What with the flying, and the snuggly room, and the saying a lot of really beautiful things while asking her out, it would take quite a bit to make her happier than she was right now. “You’ve made today perfect.”
Emmaleigh peered down at him for a few moments, studying his handsome features, and wondering what he was thinking. As much as she wanted to settle back into the position she had been in, she forced herself up. Even though they weren’t doing anything improper, she was pretty sure they weren’t supposed to be sitting like that. Offering him a hand to sit up, her cheeks turned red as she said, “Sorry of knocking you over, I was, um, a little excited.”
The girl sat there a moment beside Max, just looking at the fire. Taking hold of his hand, she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Max, you said a lot of really beautiful things, and well, I want you to know I feel the same way. I’m not really good with my words, and I feel like I can’t accurately express what I’m feeling. But, these last few months, it’s like you found a hole in my life that I didn’t even know was there. You fit into it perfectly, like its Max shaped or something.” She paused and gathered her thoughts, watching the fire’s light flicker across the room.
“It’s like there’s this puzzle factory, and when they stamp out puzzles, the get sorted into two separate boxes. I was content to just sit there and mess around with it, fitting some pieces together to show some trees and just looking at all the pretty autumn colors on the rest of the pieces. I didn’t know what to do with it, it was just there. I think there are lots of people out there with the same puzzle, and some of their pieces would fit, but there would still be pieces missing, some that wouldn’t fit. But I think there is only one box that has all the missing pieces; the one that has the other half of the original puzzle.” She paused and looked up at him, curious to see his reaction to what she said next. “Does that make any sense?”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
“I’m sure that you will.” She said smiling down at him. “Though, I’m sure it will be difficult to be happier than I am now.” What with the flying, and the snuggly room, and the saying a lot of really beautiful things while asking her out, it would take quite a bit to make her happier than she was right now. “You’ve made today perfect.”
Emmaleigh peered down at him for a few moments, studying his handsome features, and wondering what he was thinking. As much as she wanted to settle back into the position she had been in, she forced herself up. Even though they weren’t doing anything improper, she was pretty sure they weren’t supposed to be sitting like that. Offering him a hand to sit up, her cheeks turned red as she said, “Sorry of knocking you over, I was, um, a little excited.”
The girl sat there a moment beside Max, just looking at the fire. Taking hold of his hand, she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Max, you said a lot of really beautiful things, and well, I want you to know I feel the same way. I’m not really good with my words, and I feel like I can’t accurately express what I’m feeling. But, these last few months, it’s like you found a hole in my life that I didn’t even know was there. You fit into it perfectly, like its Max shaped or something.” She paused and gathered her thoughts, watching the fire’s light flicker across the room.
“It’s like there’s this puzzle factory, and when they stamp out puzzles, the get sorted into two separate boxes. I was content to just sit there and mess around with it, fitting some pieces together to show some trees and just looking at all the pretty autumn colors on the rest of the pieces. I didn’t know what to do with it, it was just there. I think there are lots of people out there with the same puzzle, and some of their pieces would fit, but there would still be pieces missing, some that wouldn’t fit. But I think there is only one box that has all the missing pieces; the one that has the other half of the original puzzle.” She paused and looked up at him, curious to see his reaction to what she said next. “Does that make any sense?”
Max was probably a bit pathetic for not coming up with more creative replies, but he couldn't help that he felt exactly the way she continued to describe her feelings. Naturally, his grin broadened and he replied, "Me, too." But... wasn't their relationship going to filled with even more happy times? And, in theory, wouldn't the happy feelings from just being in the relationship PLUS the further happy times and memories to come equal even MORE joy?
It made sense to Max, so he said so. "I'll take that as a challenge, though. Just wait," he told her. He... didn't exactly have anything fun and exciting planned now, but he was sure he would come up with something.
Sitting up as Em did, Max smoothed out his hair once more and lifted his feet to rest on the ottoman in front of them. "No, no - you don't need to apologize to me for anything. Ever." He hadn't even minded that they had fallen in that position, really. It had been... both comfortable and a bit nerve-wracking(in the good way). And then... she started to talk about Max and the way she felt for him. Oh.
More butterflies.
Max tried to fight the smile that threatened to spread across his entire face, looking straight ahead at his fuzzy socks on the ottoman. She felt the same way he did? Probably not as strongly, though, he thought, but... Max-shaped. He rested one foot over the other at that as a nervous gesture and tightened his grip slightly on her hand. Her metaphor was wonderfully poetic and moving. He instinctively found himself surprised at such a clever, meaningful metaphor - but then he realized he should have expected nothing less from Em.
Her explanation was a tad confusing, though, and he found his eyebrows rising as she spoke, amused. She was the cutest, wasn't she? Max loved it when she went on her tangents. But then she said something about the the box that had the missing puzzle pieces and being the one perfect match for the original puzzle, and his face relaxed; he smiled. When she looked up at him, he tilted his head slightly upward to plant a light kiss on her forehead.
...That was an okay gesture, wasn't it?...
"It makes perfect sense, Em. I couldn't have said it better myself." Probably. "It's perfect - just like you are to me." He was SO painfully cheesy, but how could he help himself around her? Max was looking at her now, his expression saying nothing but you are the most wonderful person in the whole world. "You're my missing puzzle piece. It's still so, so... bizarre that it took us so long to find each other." He probably needed to stop bringing it up, but he couldn't get OVER it. THINGS WOULD BE SO MUCH DIFFERENT.
For better or worse, he wasn't quite sure.
All he knew was that life couldn't be any better right now.
Max was probably a bit pathetic for not coming up with more creative replies, but he couldn't help that he felt exactly the way she continued to describe her feelings. Naturally, his grin broadened and he replied, "Me, too." But... wasn't their relationship going to filled with even more happy times? And, in theory, wouldn't the happy feelings from just being in the relationship PLUS the further happy times and memories to come equal even MORE joy?
It made sense to Max, so he said so. "I'll take that as a challenge, though. Just wait," he told her. He... didn't exactly have anything fun and exciting planned now, but he was sure he would come up with something.
Sitting up as Em did, Max smoothed out his hair once more and lifted his feet to rest on the ottoman in front of them. "No, no - you don't need to apologize to me for anything. Ever." He hadn't even minded that they had fallen in that position, really. It had been... both comfortable and a bit nerve-wracking(in the good way). And then... she started to talk about Max and the way she felt for him. Oh.
More butterflies.
Max tried to fight the smile that threatened to spread across his entire face, looking straight ahead at his fuzzy socks on the ottoman. She felt the same way he did? Probably not as strongly, though, he thought, but... Max-shaped. He rested one foot over the other at that as a nervous gesture and tightened his grip slightly on her hand. Her metaphor was wonderfully poetic and moving. He instinctively found himself surprised at such a clever, meaningful metaphor - but then he realized he should have expected nothing less from Em.
Her explanation was a tad confusing, though, and he found his eyebrows rising as she spoke, amused. She was the cutest, wasn't she? Max loved it when she went on her tangents. But then she said something about the the box that had the missing puzzle pieces and being the one perfect match for the original puzzle, and his face relaxed; he smiled. When she looked up at him, he tilted his head slightly upward to plant a light kiss on her forehead.
...That was an okay gesture, wasn't it?...
"It makes perfect sense, Em. I couldn't have said it better myself." Probably. "It's perfect - just like you are to me." He was SO painfully cheesy, but how could he help himself around her? Max was looking at her now, his expression saying nothing but you are the most wonderful person in the whole world. "You're my missing puzzle piece. It's still so, so... bizarre that it took us so long to find each other." He probably needed to stop bringing it up, but he couldn't get OVER it. THINGS WOULD BE SO MUCH DIFFERENT.
For better or worse, he wasn't quite sure.
All he knew was that life couldn't be any better right now.
Emmaleigh grinned down at the boy. He was going to take it as a challenge to make her happier? “You’re amazing, you know that right? The most amazing person in the whole galaxy.” And he was hers.
She smiled to herself as she noticed Max smoothing down his hair again. He had done that what at least three times in the last little while, and that just meant that there would have to be a sneak attack soon. She shook her head when Max told her she didn’t have to ever apologize. “That’s a horrible thing to say. I mean, the whole tackling you thing isn’t that big of a deal, and it was quite enjoyable, but apologizing for things is important. I mean, we’re gonna have arguments in the future. There is no way around that, that’s what people do. We, I need to be able to apologize when things happen.” She said with a sigh. Emmaleigh hated to even think about getting angry and fighting with Max. It made her feel like a horrible person.
She appreciated his supportive hand squeezing while she was talking, even if it did make it way more difficult to form complete sentences. When he kissed her forehead, the muscles in her tummy contracted, and there was a slight tugging. She smiled up at him, when he said it, she was perfect. “I think our puzzle is probably a nice autumn landscape.” She yawned. It just seemed right somehow.
Pulling her feet up and tucking them under her, Emmaleigh shifted a bit to better lean against Max. Pulling the blanket that had been shoved aside as some point during their conversation across their laps, she snuggled into Max. “Its crazy to think of all the times we crossed paths, and never even said hello, but maybe we weren’t ready to meet each other. Maybe we needed to learn more about ourselves or something.” She yawned again, and closed her eyes. “You’re my favorite person, did you know that?”
__________________
So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
Emmaleigh grinned down at the boy. He was going to take it as a challenge to make her happier? “You’re amazing, you know that right? The most amazing person in the whole galaxy.” And he was hers.
She smiled to herself as she noticed Max smoothing down his hair again. He had done that what at least three times in the last little while, and that just meant that there would have to be a sneak attack soon. She shook her head when Max told her she didn’t have to ever apologize. “That’s a horrible thing to say. I mean, the whole tackling you thing isn’t that big of a deal, and it was quite enjoyable, but apologizing for things is important. I mean, we’re gonna have arguments in the future. There is no way around that, that’s what people do. We, I need to be able to apologize when things happen.” She said with a sigh. Emmaleigh hated to even think about getting angry and fighting with Max. It made her feel like a horrible person.
She appreciated his supportive hand squeezing while she was talking, even if it did make it way more difficult to form complete sentences. When he kissed her forehead, the muscles in her tummy contracted, and there was a slight tugging. She smiled up at him, when he said it, she was perfect. “I think our puzzle is probably a nice autumn landscape.” She yawned. It just seemed right somehow.
Pulling her feet up and tucking them under her, Emmaleigh shifted a bit to better lean against Max. Pulling the blanket that had been shoved aside as some point during their conversation across their laps, she snuggled into Max. “Its crazy to think of all the times we crossed paths, and never even said hello, but maybe we weren’t ready to meet each other. Maybe we needed to learn more about ourselves or something.” She yawned again, and closed her eyes. “You’re my favorite person, did you know that?”
Max's mouth dropped open and his eyebrows raised in pretend surprise once more. His expression was playful as he said, "The whooole galaxy? Boy. That's impressive. But... I must disagree with you..." He reached up to tuck a strand of ginger hair behind her ear. "Because you're the best in the whole universe. And, last time I checked, the universe held all the galaxies... so you beat everyone, everywhere. Even me. That's the way it should be." He nodded seriously up at her, his expression still subtly spirited and flirtatious.
And then she was lecturing on apologizing. Uh oh. A feeling of discomfort and general nausea struck the pit of his stomach. Arguments? They were really going to fight and have problems and sometimes be upset with each other?
Max very, very rarely got upset with anyone. He had a problem regarding anger - he rarely felt nor expressed it when he DID feel it. But he knew even the best relationships had problems sometimes, didn't they? Defeating those feuds was what made relationships grow stronger... right?
"Yeah," he murmured softly, still looking at his socks on the ottoman before them. "I guess you're right." She was right, probably, but... he still didn't like the thought of her ever needing to feel bad or apologize to him. "Not just you," he protested her stress on the 'I.' "Me too." Max was the ultimate people-pleaser, especially when it came to Emmaleigh, but... he was sure he was going to be the first to mess up somehow. It was bound to happen.
An autumn landscape? He beamed at that and bopped her on the nose with his finger when she yawned, a small attempt at keeping her from falling asleep on him. "Autumn is my favorite season, and we kind of... kindled our relationship in the midst of a beautiful autumn landscape, didn't we?" They had spent the majority of their friendship together outside, enjoying the peace and allure of nature. "I approve."
As Emmaleigh shifted her position, Max did, too - he released her hand and put his arm around her, letting her know she was certainly welcome to be that close to him. He absorbed her thoughts as she spoke. She did have a good point - he had noticed her plenty of times before, but he obviously hadn't been ready to start any kind of friendship.
It probably had something to do with Ellie.
"I'm sorry about that," he replied quietly. He felt like it was his fault that they hadn't gotten to know each other earlier. HE had been the one who wasn't ready, he was sure of it. "I'm... typically not one to go out of my way to meet new people. I like to just... let friendships form as they will. I don't like to force things, especially friendships. They feel more... genuine and... meaningful that way. Like that person came into my life at the right time, for the right reasons, all as part of some... greater purpose for my life. Does that make sense?" He thought it did, but he was more looking for her opinion on the matter. Was that a stupid philosophy?
When she yawned again, Max gave her side a couple light squeezes with the innocent intent of helping her stay awake. "You're not going to fall asleep on me, are you?" The professors probably wouldn't like that one. He was her favorite? That was another statement she had made that didn't make any sense to him, just like the galaxy one. "You don't have to say stuff like that just to... make me happy. What about your family?" They were favorites, too, right? "Can I... settle for sharing with them or something?" Priorities, he thought. Though he loved the thought of being her favorite, if he messed things up, he would be gone from her life, but her family would always be there. They should come first.
Then, after a moment, he smiled down at her and added, "But you're mine, too."
Max's mouth dropped open and his eyebrows raised in pretend surprise once more. His expression was playful as he said, "The whooole galaxy? Boy. That's impressive. But... I must disagree with you..." He reached up to tuck a strand of ginger hair behind her ear. "Because you're the best in the whole universe. And, last time I checked, the universe held all the galaxies... so you beat everyone, everywhere. Even me. That's the way it should be." He nodded seriously up at her, his expression still subtly spirited and flirtatious.
And then she was lecturing on apologizing. Uh oh. A feeling of discomfort and general nausea struck the pit of his stomach. Arguments? They were really going to fight and have problems and sometimes be upset with each other?
Max very, very rarely got upset with anyone. He had a problem regarding anger - he rarely felt nor expressed it when he DID feel it. But he knew even the best relationships had problems sometimes, didn't they? Defeating those feuds was what made relationships grow stronger... right?
"Yeah," he murmured softly, still looking at his socks on the ottoman before them. "I guess you're right." She was right, probably, but... he still didn't like the thought of her ever needing to feel bad or apologize to him. "Not just you," he protested her stress on the 'I.' "Me too." Max was the ultimate people-pleaser, especially when it came to Emmaleigh, but... he was sure he was going to be the first to mess up somehow. It was bound to happen.
An autumn landscape? He beamed at that and bopped her on the nose with his finger when she yawned, a small attempt at keeping her from falling asleep on him. "Autumn is my favorite season, and we kind of... kindled our relationship in the midst of a beautiful autumn landscape, didn't we?" They had spent the majority of their friendship together outside, enjoying the peace and allure of nature. "I approve."
As Emmaleigh shifted her position, Max did, too - he released her hand and put his arm around her, letting her know she was certainly welcome to be that close to him. He absorbed her thoughts as she spoke. She did have a good point - he had noticed her plenty of times before, but he obviously hadn't been ready to start any kind of friendship.
It probably had something to do with Ellie.
"I'm sorry about that," he replied quietly. He felt like it was his fault that they hadn't gotten to know each other earlier. HE had been the one who wasn't ready, he was sure of it. "I'm... typically not one to go out of my way to meet new people. I like to just... let friendships form as they will. I don't like to force things, especially friendships. They feel more... genuine and... meaningful that way. Like that person came into my life at the right time, for the right reasons, all as part of some... greater purpose for my life. Does that make sense?" He thought it did, but he was more looking for her opinion on the matter. Was that a stupid philosophy?
When she yawned again, Max gave her side a couple light squeezes with the innocent intent of helping her stay awake. "You're not going to fall asleep on me, are you?" The professors probably wouldn't like that one. He was her favorite? That was another statement she had made that didn't make any sense to him, just like the galaxy one. "You don't have to say stuff like that just to... make me happy. What about your family?" They were favorites, too, right? "Can I... settle for sharing with them or something?" Priorities, he thought. Though he loved the thought of being her favorite, if he messed things up, he would be gone from her life, but her family would always be there. They should come first.
Then, after a moment, he smiled down at her and added, "But you're mine, too."
She smiled down at Max as he tucked her hair behind her ear. The way he made her tummy feel, the way he made her feel, it was just amazing. When he started talking about the universe, and how she beat everyone everywhere, she couldn’t help but let out a giggle. “'But, everyone knows the population of the whole Universe is zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination'.” She grinned “Thank you.”
Great, she had made Max feel bad too. They were just talking about arguing, not actually doing it and she had made them both feel miserable. She reached for his hand “I’m,” sorry? No, not going to say it. “I really do hope that we never get angry with each other though.” It just seemed too much to ask for, being happy with each other all the time.
The bop on the nose made her smile. She had done that to one of the first years on the train when they were being dumb, but she was pretty sure this one meant something else, especially since he was smiling and agreeing with her. “It’s my favorite too. I like the way it smells, and how the air is nice and crisp. It’s nice jumper weather.” Everything about autumn was just so perfect.
She gave her head a little shake, “There’s nothing to be sorry about.” As Max talked, Em yawned, and found her eyelids getting heavy. “Makes perfect sense.” She agreed “And I’m kinda glad we weren’t friends before this year. It was bad enough missing the castle and classes and all when I was gone, but I didn’t really have people to miss. New Bern would have been way worse if I had known you. I would’ve missed you a lot.” The girl yawned once more as she thought about how much more she would have cried at New Bern if she had know him then.
“I’m trying not to, but it doesn’t really seem to be working. It’s just been a long day.” With the lack of sleep the night before, because she was so nervous about trying to fly again and so excited because they both had a whole day to spend together, coupled with the wide range of emotions and crying that had gone on during the afternoon, she was just completely worn out. She frowned and looked up at him. “I’m not just saying it, and family is different.” She said yawing again. “Family are people you’ve got to like. You’re different, I don’t have to like you; I just do.” She closed her eyes once more before adding, “That makes you special.” Hearing him say “you’re mine, too” a small smile appeared on her lips “Mmmh.”
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So many things are possible
just as long as you don't know they're impossible
She smiled down at Max as he tucked her hair behind her ear. The way he made her tummy feel, the way he made her feel, it was just amazing. When he started talking about the universe, and how she beat everyone everywhere, she couldn’t help but let out a giggle. “'But, everyone knows the population of the whole Universe is zero, and that any people you may meet from time to time are merely the products of a deranged imagination'.” She grinned “Thank you.”
Great, she had made Max feel bad too. They were just talking about arguing, not actually doing it and she had made them both feel miserable. She reached for his hand “I’m,” sorry? No, not going to say it. “I really do hope that we never get angry with each other though.” It just seemed too much to ask for, being happy with each other all the time.
The bop on the nose made her smile. She had done that to one of the first years on the train when they were being dumb, but she was pretty sure this one meant something else, especially since he was smiling and agreeing with her. “It’s my favorite too. I like the way it smells, and how the air is nice and crisp. It’s nice jumper weather.” Everything about autumn was just so perfect.
She gave her head a little shake, “There’s nothing to be sorry about.” As Max talked, Em yawned, and found her eyelids getting heavy. “Makes perfect sense.” She agreed “And I’m kinda glad we weren’t friends before this year. It was bad enough missing the castle and classes and all when I was gone, but I didn’t really have people to miss. New Bern would have been way worse if I had known you. I would’ve missed you a lot.” The girl yawned once more as she thought about how much more she would have cried at New Bern if she had know him then.
“I’m trying not to, but it doesn’t really seem to be working. It’s just been a long day.” With the lack of sleep the night before, because she was so nervous about trying to fly again and so excited because they both had a whole day to spend together, coupled with the wide range of emotions and crying that had gone on during the afternoon, she was just completely worn out. She frowned and looked up at him. “I’m not just saying it, and family is different.” She said yawing again. “Family are people you’ve got to like. You’re different, I don’t have to like you; I just do.” She closed her eyes once more before adding, “That makes you special.” Hearing him say “you’re mine, too” a small smile appeared on her lips “Mmmh.”
...What was she talking about? Max's nose instinctively wrinkled as she spoke out of suspicion. He... wasn't entirely sure WHY he was suspicious, but the way she spoke.. and the look in her eyes... was she quoting something? Wait. Universe? And the way it was phrased... ah, yes. It sounded very much like the book of hers he was still reading. He was pretty sure he had never heard that line, but... it had to have come from one of the books in the series. That AND his awareness of her undying love for the series brought him to one conclusion: "Hitchhiker's reference?" he inquired lightly, though he was sure he knew the answer.
When Em took his hand, Max's gaze dropped down to their hands together. Her words were reassuring enough, but... he still felt bad. "I don't think you'll ever make me angry. I don't... get angry." She had realized that by now, surely, but he wanted to remind her. "But I'll... try to always be as honest as possible so things get taken care of when they need to and... things don't end up bottled up and blown up at some point."
He was a natural feeling-hider. That could be a problem area and he knew that already. Hopefully by saying he would be better than that, he would actually open up and work at being completely honest with her.
Oh. That was a good point. Max hadn't thought about the fact that the past year and a half would have been excruciating without her here at Hogwarts with him. So... maybe everything did work out perfectly for a reason. And the way she had come back and they met first thing on the train? If that wasn't a stroke of fate, Max didn't know what was. "I would've missed you more, I bet." Cue a cheesy grin and a side-nudge.
This time when Em yawned, Max yawned with her. "It has been a long day. We can... probably go back to our respective common rooms soon, if you want. Need your rest." He didn't want to keep her there and be the reason for her sleep deprivation.
And he especially didn't want to end up falling asleep with her there. Well, he wouldn't have minded it, but it would be a bad idea, right? So, despite how cozy they were and how comforting Emmaleigh's company was, he had to be the tough one. He couldn't let them fall asleep.
When she explained her stance on the 'family' and 'favorite' situation, Max couldn't help but laugh softly. "Well thank you - I appreciate that," he grinned, looking down at her as she closed her eyes. Was she honestly trying to fall asleep on him? Was she... testing him or something? Or did she honestly just not mind what would happen if she fell asleep on him?
Though he knew it would be wiser to nudge her awake once more, Max decided to let her relax. Perhaps she wouldn't fall asleep, but... she just looked so peaceful. He couldn't bring himself to awaken such an angel for the time being.
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The Room 
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