THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
CHAPTER THREE
February, Final
"Here."
It was more forceful than she had intended, but at least Rose could finally bid farewell to the most troublesome thing of the month… except that she slapped the box of chocolate onto James' face instead of his outstretched hands.
"S-Sorry."
James rolled his eyes at her as he rubbed his nose gingerly with a hand. "What are you so flustered about?" He shook the box near his ear with his other hand. "Obligatory chocolate? I'm surprised—I thought you've always hated me."
"Shut up. Besides, you'd get lots from the girls in your year, anyway."
"Oh?" James smirked, leaning in closer to Rose's face. "Don't tell me you're actually… jealous?"
It took every ounce of Rose's willpower to stop herself from pushing her cousin away, refusing to give James the satisfaction at her reactions. "Please," she snorted, averting her gaze from those mischievous eyes to regain her composure. "Who says I can't give friendship chocolates on Valentine's Day? Must it always be from a lover or crush? Aren't you thinking too highly of yourself?"
James continued to close in on Rose, the tip of his nose brushing against hers… so near that she could taste the faint sweetness of pumpkin juice from his breath. Was this what he truly looked like, a mature sixteen-year-old young man? Was the usually playful, childish James that she thought she knew merely a façade?
"I've been looking forward to your 'friendship' chocolate, Rosie," James' soft voice sent shivers down the girl's spine—in a pleasant way, of course. "At least yours isn't spiked with love potions."
"B-But they aren't handmade or anything… Just bought them through owl mails…" Rose gripped the hem of her jumper, trying to silence the heart beating wildly against her chest. This is bad—this is all wrong! Her mind kept screaming at her to get away from James' advancement, yet her body told her otherwise. She felt as if she was melting into James' embrace, longing for his touch…
"No, this isn't right." Rose shook her head and pushed James away. "We're cousins. We can't do this."
James raised an eyebrow. "What are you thinking?" he laughed, flicking a finger lightly on Rose's forehead. "Something naughty?"
Rose was unamused. "…Not funny."
James was still smiling; it was the same tender, caring face he gave her back on the Hogwarts Express. The same look that made her uneasy, squeamish… but desiring for more. She wanted him to love her as much as she did towards him.
"We're both thinking the same thing," James said, his eyes boring into Rose's. "It's all written on your face. You've always been easy to read, like an open book."
"But—" Rose tried to protest, only for her lips to be sealed by James'. Not quite the kiss she had imagined, especially when it was from the last person on her mind.
James smirked, triumphant. "You don't need an excuse to love someone, you know."
And they kissed again, among tangled scarfs and playful cuddles.
Prompt:
[FFnet] THC | [Y2R1] Short | Non-canon Romantic Pairing: Rose Weasley/James S. Potter
