"And just where do you think you're going?" Elio heard his mother's voice call after him just as he attempted to slip out the door unseen. He swore that woman had some charm placed on him so she would always know where he was.
He stiffened with a grimace on his face. Great. Elio was hoping he could sneak out to be with Annie so he could spend more time with the girl without his mother harping on him. It would appear his hopes were in vain.
The sound of footsteps echoing through the grand hallway got louder and louder as Aria Nott approached. She gasped. "Are you wearing cologne? And holding flowers?"
"Yes," he said with a clenched jaw because he really didn't want to have this conversation with his mum.
"Oh, Merlin, you've showered a-and you've shaved. And you've combed your hair! Elio, you're wearing a suit. What has gotten into you?" Then, she gasped as if remembering what happened exactly one week ago. "You're going to see that girl, aren't you?"
Elio's lips thinned before he nodded. "Yes and I'm already cutting it close to being late so if you don't mind—"
"Oh, no you don't, Elio Lorenzo Nott! You are not going anywhere until you tell me and your father everything." She grabbed him by his collar and dragged him to the large living room at the end of the hall. "I was promised that I would know everything and you have told me nothing!"
"But Mummy, I'm going to be late—"
"Then you should have thought of that when you decided to ignore all of my questions this week." He scowled as she called out for his father before sitting him down on the couch. The bouquet of roses—white, just like the garden he had danced with her in—was getting more of a beating than he wanted. He gently caressed the stems and tried to smooth them out the best he could. It took forever to find one he liked. Being in the middle of winter didn't exactly make for good flowers. Most of these were buds that hadn't quite bloomed but he didn't care. He couldn't imagine not showing up to their first date without white roses and so he'd found the best one he could under the circumstances.
Theodore Nott walked into the room with a bored look on his face. "Cara mia, it's a Friday evening. Why are we interrogating our son like he's a teenager again? I think he's old enough to go out without us doing this."
Thank you, Dad, Elio wanted to say but it would only annoy his mum so he didn't. Instead, he just listened to his mother fret about the room. It was quite comical. Sometimes she could be a little bit too protective of her only child.
"Theodore!" His mum hissed. "Your son said only last week that he wanted to marry this girl we've never met and you don't want to know anything?"
"No," his father said bluntly. Elio tried to hide his smirk but it didn't work.
"Well, I do!" She began poking his chest harshly with his finger, which just made his father's arrogant grin match his own. "Tell me everything."
Elio frowned as he stared at the clock on the wall but he conceded. "Well, her name is Annie—"
"Annie what?"
"I don't know, I didn't ask her."
His mother groaned. "Alright. How old is she?"
"I don't know."
"Did you ask her anything about herself?" His mother's sharp eyes felt like they were piercing him while his father's gaze was unreadably stoic.
Elio groaned and looked back at the clock. He was now over twenty minutes late, which was starting to physically pain him. The idea of Annie thinking that he stood her up was unbearable but if he didn't satisfy his mother's many questions, he wouldn't be going at all. And it may be dramatic but he would rather die than go another night without seeing Annie. Did she need a roommate? Because he was more than happy to move in.
"Of course I did, Mummy. Just not the basic stuff." He could tell she was about to go off on him so he sighed. "Our conversation was just flowing so well that we didn't get to things like last names or ages. We were too busy connecting about other things." And connecting their lips but he wasn't about to say that. And he certainly wasn't going to say that he had connected other parts.
Elio had to admit: he had been obsessing over their night together far too much. It was probably creepy. Creepy as in he hadn't washed the shirt he'd used to wipe her clean because he kept smelling it. Yeah, creepy...
Every time he closed his eyes, he pictured Annie. Annie with her mouth open in pleasure as she watched him pleasure himself to the mere image of her. Annie's eyes rolling back into her head as his fingers entered her. Annie moaning while he devoured the taste of her...
Fuck. He shouldn't have thought those things in front of his fucking parents.
"Please, Mum," he begged, looking back at the clock. "I'm late now and I don't want to ruin anything between us. I really like this girl."
"Aria, let the poor boy go so I can spend the night with you," his father said.
"Fine! But you better be back here at a reasonable time and you better invite her over so I can meet her and ask her the questions you apparently can't."
Elio jumped up, the bouquet still clutched in his hands. "Of course, Mummy. I'll invite her to dinner next week."
He didn't waste another second before apparating to 12 Grimmauld Place. He recognized the townhome immediately, having gone to it every day for the past several days in case he got a glimpse of her early. Again, probably creepy of him, but this was practically the only thing he could think about all week. And Annie seemed to find the last creepy thing he did a little endearing so he was going to take his chances.
Elio ran up to the front door and knocked frantically. "Annie? Annie, darling, are you there?" He couldn't wait any longer. His heart felt like it might pound through his chest if he waited another moment without seeing her.
When Annie opened the door, she was so beautiful it took his breath away. Her brown hair was hanging naturally around her face in very loose waves while her face had little makeup on it, just some gloss that highlighted her natural beauty. But that was when he noticed her lips were in a firm pout and her dark eyes were looking at him coldly.
"You're late," she said in a hard voice that almost startled him. There was definitely a certain darkness behind her words, one had hadn't recognized in her before. Annie tightened the dark sweater around her small frame before walking down the entry hall, not waiting for him. Elio quickly followed, cursing himself and his parents for not being here on time.
"I know, topolina. I'm sorry but—"
Annie fixated on him with a dark glare. Where have I seen that glare before? He definitely recognized the cold terror that coursed through his veins but from where? Ah, he was probably just seeing things. "I don't want your excuses."
Elio frowned. "I know I have no excuse for being late but my mother wouldn't let me go until—" But he cut himself off because she was right. It was his fault for being late. He should have communicated with his mother earlier or insisted that she let him go. Instead, there he was in the townhome half an hour later than he should have been with a piss-poor excuse. So Elio just said, "You're right. I'm sorry, darling. It was disrespectful to you and I regret it wholly. I understand if you want me to go."
Annie looked back at him with a stoic face. Again, he recognized that expression but he didn't know why. Was it just because her walls were back up again? No, that didn't seem quite right but he couldn't put his finger on it so Elio dropped the thought.
But when her eyes dropped to the bundle of white roses in his hands—the ones that were a little too beaten for his liking—she softened. "Are those for me?" she whispered in a breaking voice before looking into his eyes with seas of darkness that were glistening with unshed tears. His heart shattered at the sight of them.
"Yes," he whispered back, looking dejectedly at the roses that were wilting from an hour without water. He knew he fucked them up but he hadn't known they'd make her cry. "I know they haven't fully bloomed and they don't look very good. I can get you more, I just—"
"No," Annie choked out. One of her hands went up to cover her mouth while the other reached out. Whether it was for him or the flowers, he didn't know. "No. They're perfect."
He set the flowers on a nearby table before rushing over to her and wrapping her in his arms. She felt so right there, nestling herself right against his chest while he gently stroked her waist. "What's wrong, topolina? Why are you crying?"
"I don't know. I... I thought you weren't going to come."
He felt like his heart was being devoured by a basilisk. She thought he was standing her up. Of course she was hurt. This was about more than just anger over him being late. This was about fear he wouldn't be there at all.
"I'll always be here, topolina. Maybe not on time—" she giggled and he couldn't help but crack a smile. "—But I'll be here. Not even a memory charm could make me forget you."
Her arms tightened around him. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm acting like this."
"I do. Because I was an asshole and hurt your feelings," he said simply.
Annie pulled back slightly and shook her head. "No. You weren't even that late. I think... I think I was just scared you weren't coming at all."
He smirked down at her before tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. He wished she wore it up more only so he could see her pretty face without a curtain for her to hide behind. "You know we can fix your fears by moving in together."
Her eyes widened. "Move in together?" she squeaked.
He chuckled deeply and kissed her forehead. "Then I would always be with you and always be on time for date nights."
"You'd actually want to live with me?"
"I want all of it with you, mia topolina. A house, a wedding, a family. All of it." She stiffened in his arms and he laughed even harder. "Not right now, love. I'm just laying all of my cards on the table so nothing is a surprise. I love you. I want a life with you."
Even her hair couldn't hide the small smile that spread on Annie's face. "You sure know how to sweet talk a girl."
He swayed with her slowly in the empty hallway, music humming in his head. It was like every time he was with her, a symphony played inside his mind. "Do you really think so? I thought I was doing a terrible job at it."
She giggled and began to dance back with him. "You know that's not true. You're..." But then the laughter left her face and another wall came back up. "You're good with ladies. Everyone knows it."
He frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You're Elio Nott, aren't you?" He nodded. "Well, everyone knows about you. They say you've... lost your way. That you're a bit of a playboy."
Elio stopped dancing as he felt his heart drop to his feet. This was his biggest fear: that his reputation and past would ruin the best thing he's ever had. That the stupid decisions he made in the name of loneliness would drive away the one person who made him feel like he belonged somewhere. "I see," he muttered, stepping away so he could prepare himself for the inevitable.
But to his surprise, Annie stepped forward and grabbed his hands. "You say you love me. Do you mean it?"
"More than anything," he whispered. "Loving you is like breathing." He stared into her eyes, desperate for her to believe him. I love you. I know it's soon but I love you, Annie, and I would do anything for you to believe me. An odd feeling came over him, like his mind was being basked in light and warmth for a brief moment while Annie studied him. Then, the feeling left and she kissed his hand.
"I believe you. I... I believe you love me."
He grabbed onto her hands and held them tightly. "I would do anything to undo it all. Believe me. I just didn't think I would ever be worthy of a connection like this. I didn't think anyone was capable of loving me."
She cupped his cheek and smiled softly. The expression was faint and soft but so utterly Annie. Quiet yet radiant in her own way. "I understand. I didn't think anyone would ever love me."
Elio scoffed. "I can't imagine that ever being true. Someone was bound to notice you." He looked down at her and took in all of her pretty features. The stars in her eyes, the matching constellations in her freckles, her soft lips. His eyes flashed over to the bouquet on the table before widening with realization. "You're... you're like a rose. Hidden in the back of the bush but the most beautiful one of all of them. Someone was bound to get past the thorns eventually. I'm just lucky it's me."
Her face fell and for a moment, he wondered if he said something wrong. He thought he was being quite the poet but maybe he was a terrible poet. "What... what did you call me?"
Elio frowned. "A rose? Sorry, do you not like—"
But he was cut off by the wonderful sensation of Annie wrapping her arms around his neck and placing her lips on his. He immediately responded, one arm snaking around her waist while the other buried instead in her waves. Her sweater was so soft against his fingers, just like her lips. He wondered what it would feel like to have it come off so he could feel more of her.
No. Your hormones can fucking wait. And Elio realized with a little shock that he would wait. He would wait a decade and then some because she. Was. Worth it. She was worth a hell of a lot more than that too. He really did love her.
Elio wasn't used to not getting what he wanted. His parents spoiled him when he was younger and his popularity at school meant that everyone worshipped him. Women begged to be with him, men were constantly asking to spend time with him. Waiting for things he wanted wasn't exactly a familiar concept. And yet there he was, willing to wait forever as long as it meant she stayed with him.
Because he was fucking in love with her.
Sometimes, he couldn't believe it. He, Elio Nott, was in love with the most wonderful woman on the planet. "I love you," he whispered into his mouth as his tongue dove into her mouth with renewed vigor. "I fucking love you."
She placed her hands on his face just as he bent down to pick her up and push her against the nearest wall. "I love you. I love you. I love you."
Only this time, a small voice whispered back, "I love you too."
Elio pulled back, his arms practically shaking. He gently set Annie down because although she was quite possibly the lightest person on the planet and he had very large muscles to hold her with, his body felt so weak that he didn't trust himself not to drop her. "W-what?" Damn it. He was stuttering again. Elio had always had a large ego and it was almost as if Annie shredded it with her sweet smile and studying eyes.
Her lips turned upward as her eyes softened. "I love you, Elio."
There was a beat of silence while Elio just stared into Annie's eyes. Then, he wrapped his arms around her waist and swung her into the air in joyful circles. "You love me!" he exclaimed. He couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face. "You really love me?"
Annie giggled and tucked her head into his neck, probably to prevent herself from getting too dizzy. "Yes, Elio. I love you."
He finally stopped swinging her around to look her in the eye. "I could die a happy man right now."
The corners of her lips turned upward. "Please don't. It would be a shame to lose you when I've just found you."
He laughed and pulled her closer. "You're right, topolina. How could I be so foolish?"
"We are all fools in love."
Elio tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear before he whispered, "Well then. Consider me a fucking jester because I am desperately in love."
She kissed his cheek. "Then I supposed there are two jesters."
"You're amazing. Have I told you you're amazing?"
"Once or twice."
Elio grinned. Things with Annie just felt so natural. He didn't feel the need to pretend to be someone he wasn't. He didn't feel the need to pretend to be confident or impress her. What was it that his father had said? Be yourself. The right woman will want you as you are. And the thing was, he felt like Annie did want him as he was. She knew his past and didn't turn him away. She saw all of his flaws and still embraced him, crumpled roses and all.
"Well then, have I told you that I love you?"
Annie blushed. Despite the fact that he had said it many times, she always seemed to blush when he said those three little words. Perhaps it was, to both of them, a love like this—one that was as natural as breathing—didn't feel real. And yet there they were, standing in the bloody entryway of all places, dancing together with goofy grins on their faces.
"Perhaps a few times."
Elio leaned in and whispered, "Let me tell you again. I love you, Annie darling."
"I love you too, Elio Nott." And to hear that, to hear his name spoken in such a soft way, was everything.
Hypothetically speaking of course: if the next chapter were to, theoretically, be a spicy chapter, would you guys want it from Elio or Annie's POV? Purely hypothetical, though. ;)
Have a good weekend my luvs! xx