Love and Debate
(Or the one in which Amy and Ian are that argumentative couple in high school government class)

After he asks her out on a sunny midwinter day, it's as though everyone expects their behavior to shift on a seismic level.

Sure, they hold hands in public now- the mark of any flourishing high school relationship apart from making out against lockers (she had to agree to draw the line somewhere... however reluctantly), but what more do they want from them?

And it doesn't help in matters (at least, according to everyone but the two of them) that their government class continues to be as contentious as ever. The class itself is made up of a fairly opinionated lot, but throw in Amy's strong opinions, and Ian's desire to argue with her for the sake of arguing ("it's how I show love", he tells her teasingly after one such session, which had rapidly been followed by a frenzied kissing session), and it's always guaranteed to be a blowout. This causes their fellow classmates to doubt whether their relationship even exists after the every dispute on capital punishment or affirmative action. Girls give her sympathetic looks after class, and guys tell him pityingly, "tough luck bro", much to their joint confusion.

But today, Mrs. Wellesley's third period AP US Government and Politics class seems oddly calm, even as everyone in the class holds their breath for the next "debate" to occur.

Now however, she smiles softly when his fingertips brush across her hand and catch hold underneath the table, and she curls her fingers around his, warmth engulfing not only her hand, but somehow her entire body. It's a giddy sensation- she knows it's ridiculous (really, they're just holding hands), but she can't help as her lips curl upwards in a full-fledged grin. And what truly completes her already overflowing cup of delight is when she turns slightly to see a similarly (at least, she assumes) dopey grin adorning his face.

"... and based on this, do we think that the electoral college has its merits, or is it merely a safety net that has failed to do its duty?" Mrs. Wellesley finishes her spiel and looks expectantly at her class.

It's as though their bubble has been burst in one clear shot- their clasped hands break apart in an instant, shooting into the air like twin missiles, and in the process, they both accidentally knock elbows against each other- painfully hard.

"Shit!" He winces, rubbing at the point of contact on his arm.

She's quieter, but far less considerate in her word choice: "Fuck," she hisses, mirroring his actions as the whole class bursts into laughter.

Mrs. Wellesley sighs a long-suffering sigh, even though her eyes twinkle at the sight of the couple and her two favorite students.

"Let's just save ourselves the trouble and have Ian and Amy go at it at the same time, shall we?"


This was just an idea I thought of on the fly... I think this is the sort of cute stuff I'd have wanted to see in high school :)

Anyway, this is just a series of snippets I'm doing because I really want to get writing again, and if anyone has headcanons of any sort, let me know! I just might write them.