Posted for the What's In A Name Challenge, but for everyone to read. Enjoy!
"Hey, Flora, how are you?" asked a familiar voice from behind me. Warm, rough hands covered my emerald green eyes. Normally, I would shriek in excitement when my boyfriend of two months greeted me in such a way. But today, I frowned, shrugged away from his touch and pivoted round to face him.
"Flora, huh? What's up with that?" I said, turning my nose up at him.
"It's just a little nickname, love." He laughed, trying to make a grab for me again. Swiftly, I danced out of his grabbing hands. Now it was his turn to frown.
"Come and give me a hug, Flora." He mock-ordered, his frown melting into a smirk.
"No, you know I hate nicknames, James." I reminded him, backing away from him. A let a playful smile grace my face to let him know that I was messing about with him.
"Yeah, but I reckon you'd really like this one." James reasoned, his smirk growing predatory. Slowly he stalked towards me.
"How come?" I questioned, trying to sound indifferent. On the inside, though, I was growing curious.
"Well you see…actually, you don't sound that bothered. I don't think I shall tell you." He sighed, matching my indifferent tone. I narrowed my eyes.
"Tell me, James. Please."I said through slightly gritted teeth.
"Nah, I won't bother. I think I'm gonna go now though. People to annoy, detentions to avoid…" he trailed off, winking at me. With a wave, he turned around as if to walk down the corridor. Oh no you don't.
Lurching forward, I grabbed his arm, and dragged him back towards me. He didn't protest. Our lips met at the exact same time, and he shifted me against the wall, eager for more. I complied, enjoying how his touch felt magical on my skin, but after thirty seconds or so, I wriggled away from him.
"Aww, babe, come back." He wined. I giggled, and once again glided out of reach.
"I don't think so. Tell me why you called me Flora or I'm not kissing you for a whole week." I said seriously. His jaw dropped open.
"You wouldn't do that to me." He growled. I raised my eyebrows.
"Oh yeah? Watch me." I smirked, turning away and walking down the corridor slowly. I was about ten steps away from him when he caved.
"Okay, okay, I'll tell you!" he exclaimed, sounding exasperated. Laughing, I skipped deftly back to his side, sending him my most dazzling grin. But instead of smiling back, James blushed. Yes, that's right- James Potter blushed.
"I've nicknamed you Flora after the Roman goddess of flowers and Spring. I just thought it was kinda fitting, considering you have a flower name. She was said to be very beautiful and so are you, so it's like having my own personal… goddess." He murmured, avoiding my eyes.
I was speechless. Throughout the years of his excessive asking me out, he had called me things like that. But it was only now, when he looked embarrassed and humble, that I truly believed he meant it.
"James…look at me." I whispered. Gently, I wound my arms around his neck, locking him to me. His gorgeous hazel eyes met mine, assessing me carefully.
"That was such a lovely thing to say." I breathed.
"It was only the truth, Lily. Trust me; there are no sugar-coated words around here. Everything I say to you, every compliment I pay you…is all real." He smiled, his strong and toned arms encircling my waist. His lips were inches from mine before I spoke the words that I knew he loved to here.
"I love you, James."
"I love you too…Flora." He winked, and went in for a kiss. I didn't refuse.
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