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slytherin-puffskein · 5 years

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twelve ways to fall in love with you.

the signs as moments falling in love | requests closed

from @cinnamonriko:

scorpio: It was when I found myself wanting to tell you things I didn’t share with anyone else. You had sat there expectantly, and openly- like you’d wait all day if you had to. And when I told you you didn’t leave, you understood.

- - -

signs completed: capricorn - scorpio

- - -

Usually, Barnaby Lee found himself enjoying Valentine’s Day. The cute dates, the kisses, the gifts, what else could be better than an entire day solely dedicated to spoiling your significant other? Literally nothing, at least to his eyes. However, this day was now reduced to nothing as he was officially single. Four months thrown down the drain, with no consideration nor apologies. He couldn’t boast over the fact that he had easily gotten over it, however, because it would have been a lie. It had been hard, perilous even, but he had managed to claw his way out of all these unpleasant feelings and get back on his daily routine. He was healing. Slowly, but surely.

He knew of this pain, and promised himself to help whoever experiencing it. And so, when it came to his knowledge that Laurent King was dealing with the same emotional storm, he just had to intervene. As soon as he had received the news he had showed up at his apartment, his shoulder ready for him to cry on and his ears free to listen to every woes. The first night had been long. Painful, even. Murphy McNully, this single name kept slipping out of Laurent’s lips, decorated with uneven sobs and choked back words the redhead didn’t dare to add. Barnaby couldn’t blame him: most of it was probably too personal to talk about. He was his best friend, but there were still many things he didn’t, couldn’t know yet.

“I don’t understand.” Laurent had sniffled, his face buried in the crook of his neck while the TV was playing in front of them. “I don’t understand at all...”

“It’s ok, Laurent. I’m here... I’m here”

He couldn’t help but scoff at that memory. I’m here. As if that was a good way to comfort him. Words wouldn’t have been sufficient at that very moment, so he had resorted to listen at last. My parents never bothered about my advice, why would he? And what kind of advice do I have anyway, me who got dumped only a few months ago? Talk about a bad joke.

Days became weeks, weeks became months, and now was their first Valentine’s Day without a partner to share it with. No cute dates to go on, no compliments to give out, no kisses to offer. It definitely put a weight on their hearts, threatening to crush it when least expected.

But Barnaby had a plan.

- - -

Laurent had his entire evening planned out: a well deserved glass of wine along with a bunch of good movies to watch, all of this preceding a long, warm bubble bath. What else could possibly top this? Nothing, absolutely nothing.

A wistful voice crept in his mind anyway. You damn fool, you know there is much more enjoyable than this. Remember your first Valentine’s Day with Murphy? You two had so much fun. A candlelit dinner in your favourite restaurant followed by a romantic stargazing session. What happened once you guys got back home was a lot of fun as well-- He immediately cut off his thoughts, gently slapping his cheek and mentally cursing himself. Shut up, shut up! Who said Valentine’s Day was for couples anyway, huh? I’ll enjoy it with my own damn self! He wasn’t convinced, however.

He had slipped into his most comfortable pyjamas and was choosing which movie to watch as his doorbell suddenly rang, prompting him to almost jump in fear. Bewilderment reading itself on his face he approached the door and checked into the peep hole, his muscles relaxing as soon as he recognized Barnaby’s face. A question reigned in his mind still: what is he doing there? Soon enough the door creaked open, and Laurent was greeting Barnaby inside.

It didn’t take long before he started swarming him with questions: What are you doing here? Everything alright? It’s so cold outside, why are you only wearing that coat? Barnaby only had that damn smile etched on his face, however, and despite Lau’s frustration due to not having any decent answers, he couldn’t help but feel a delightful flutter in his chest.

As he removed his coat, Barnaby finally decided to explain himself: “I assumed you wouldn’t like to spend the evening alone.” He admitted, red blossoming over his cheeks. “So I decided to keep you company... and...” A pause, and then he shook his head. I can’t lie to him. “Well... I... I didn’t want to spend the evening alone. As for you, I dunno, but I had hoped- well not hoped, I didn’t hope you were sad, more like--” And he was stumbling with his words again. For a reason yet unknown to him it always occurred when he was near Laurent.

Before he could try and come up with a decent sentence, Laurent was speaking: “I... I must say, I didn’t really like the thought of being alone as well.” The redhead confessed. “I mean, y’know what day it is... brings back memories.” And he trailed off, once again avoiding to reveal any more information to Barnaby. He knew it was unfair to keep so much from his friend, but... he wasn’t ready to bare himself just yet. He wasn’t ready to fully let go of his relationship with Murphy. Would he ever be? He had no idea. I loved him so much... and now it’s all reduced to dust.

Suddenly, he felt Barnaby’s hand land on his shoulder, and words clung to his throat as they found themselves unable to make their way out. He could only stare at his smile. “Well, I guess it’s your lucky day, then!” Barnaby exclaimed. “I’ll chase away these bad memories, let’s enjoy this evening together!” And suddenly his gaze landed towards Laurent’s bedroom. “What were you planning to do?”

Laurent immediately guessed what Barnaby was thinking about, and a smile finally curved his lips. “Movie night. I know for a fact that you...”

“... Love them.” Barnaby completed. “Yes! How about we check a few of them out, hm?” A glint of excitement passed through his eyes.

“Let’s.” Lau replied at last. Maybe tonight won’t be so bad after all.

- - -

It turned out that Barnaby had another trick up his sleeve, and it revealed itself in the form of a box he pulled out of his bag. “Ta-da! I stopped by your favourite donut shop and got us a few things! What’s better than movies? Movies and donuts! You’ll thank me later~”

“We should make this a tradition.” Laurent commented as they both sat down on his bed. “I’m sure I’ll enjoy this more than I am supposed to.”

He was already smiling and giggling, and the sparkles usually inhabiting his eyes had come back at last. That sight proved itself to be a real comfort to Barnaby, the fondness with which he was staring at his friend only confirming it. For once, Laurent wasn’t thinking about Murphy and their disastrous breakup. He was focusing on the present, filled with good movies and donu-- his face fell as Barnaby opened the box.

Green, matcha glazed donuts were part of the mix. Otherwise known as Murphy McNully’s favourites. It took a few seconds for Laurent to snap back into reality and realize that Barnaby has been calling out his name with worry decorating his features. Laurent blinked one, two times. “Ah, sorry, I... I spaced out, I guess.” His gaze swiftly drifted away from the donuts. “Matcha flavour was Murphy... Murphy’s favourite. His favourite colour is green, of course it had to be his...” He trailed off, unable to continue. His heart threatened to squeeze itself in his chest and eventually blow up, his brain was assaulted with thunders of painful memories, his hands felt cold... and suddenly he was looking at Barnaby again.

Barnaby, who looked as if he had just learned he had accidentally committed the world’s biggest crime. “I’m sorry!” He blurted out. “I-I didn’t know, I didn’t mean to, I--”

Luckily enough Laurent was quick to interrupt him. Giggles even punctuated his words. “It’s fine, Barnaby. You didn’t know...” Without a warning he suddenly reached for his hand, their fingers slowly intertwining together. “Thank you. Really. These strawberry glazed ones look super tasty...”

That was sufficient to appease Barnaby, and Laurent felt better as well. As soon as their fingers linked together he has been feeling lighter, in fact. Let’s watch a movie, now. Let’s watch a movie and forget about our shitty relationships. Memories of Barnaby’s breakup with his ex girlfriend suddenly rushed through him, and he saw himself in that same bedroom a few months ago, comforting a tearful Barnaby. Man, the turntables. Now he’s the one comforting me... is he still sad about his breakup? It’s Valentine’s Day after all. He must feel melancholic... however he feels, I’ll give him support. He deserves it.

With that in mind he squeezed his hand, and he chose a movie at last.

“Are you sure a romantic movie is what you need?” Has been Barnaby’s first question.

“I’ll be fine, Barnaby. How about you?” You always ask about me. Let me ask about you.

Barnaby nodded, stuffing a donut in his mouth and then replying: “Yup!”

Laurent jokingly smacked Barnaby’s arm, laughing. “You’re so gross, swallow before speaking!” How ironic, since he has been eating a donut and talking as well.

- - -

Curled up against Barnaby as he would always do when watching TV with him, countless thoughts swirled inside of Laurent’s mind thus preventing him to properly enjoy the movie. He couldn’t make out whatever the actors were saying, and suddenly, as they reached the middle of the movie Laurent reached for the remote and hit the ‘pause’ button. Silence greeted them, and Barnaby stared at Lau with confusion. “Everything alright...?”

A nod, and then some more silence before Laurent finally spoke up: “I was so in love with him.” His voice was down to a murmur, but he knew Barnaby would hear it anyway.

And he did. “I know.”

“I just... it all happened so fast. One day I was madly in love, and the other he breaks up with me. He told me it wasn’t my fault, he--” He suddenly stopped speaking, and locked his gaze with Barnaby’s.

Time froze as they both tried to decipher what messages the other’s eyes contained. Neither of them managed to find anything, and it was probably better this way. For Laurent, at least, for he had figured out he wanted to talk to Barnaby. Not simply look at him, talk. He wanted to tell him about his relationship, and hopefully let go at once.

A last look in Barnaby’s eyes was enough to convince Laurent, for what he saw revealed everything: he was ready to listen to him. He was ready to try to understand. He was ready to sit for hours if it were to take that much time. And so, he started speaking. He poured out his heart. He told him about how great his relationship with Murphy had felt, but also how the impression everything would go wrong had kept gnawing at him. He had tried to deny it for as long as he could, but it eventually hit him straight on the face as their breakup finally occurred. He was too much. Too much his opposite. Murphy liked calculations and percentages, Laurent liked spur of the moment actions and carelessness. Water and fire don’t mix, and the same could be said about Laurent King and Murphy McNully.

He had expected it, yes, but it devastated him anyway. He had thought he would have been enough. He had thought it would have been alright. He had loved Murphy for the way he was, but Murphy had failed doing the same. “But can I blame him?” Laurent suddenly said. “I’m... I’m so... so me, and I’m so different than him... but still, I... I guess it is selfish of me to say this, but... I had wished I would have been good enough for him. Turned out I wasn’t. Probably will never be...”

Silence. He didn’t know how to express himself anymore, so he had resorted to shutting himself up. Barnaby, however, had loads to say as he held him closer, his arms curling around his waist in a comforting embrace. “I know how you feel...” These words felt like a punch to Laurent. Really? How would he know? Wasn’t his past relationship ideal? Wasn’t their breakup mutual? Yes, he had cried... but everyone cries during breakups at some point. You cry because you’re missing a part of yourself. It’s like someone removed a limb of yours: it hurts, so you cry.

He stared as Barnaby chewed on his bottom lip. “I didn’t tell you everything about my own breakup. I... I didn’t live up to my own expectations either. I told you we agreed on breaking up... but it was mostly because I was disappointed with myself. Because...” He held back his breath, as if he was struggling with to find the right words. As a sign of support Laurent reached for his hand. “I figured out I might like guys more instead of girls. You know I like boys as well as girls, but I never told you what caused that realization. It was kissing her while thinking of how it would feel if she were a boy... I supposed I fell out of love, and it made me feel like the world’s worst asshole”

Confessions, confessions, they came one after the other. Sometimes from Lau, sometimes from Barnaby, sometimes both telling them at the same time. Revisiting these old memories hurt, but also relieved them of a huge weight that has been pressing on their shoulders. When they finished speaking they felt good. They felt light.

And Barnaby understood how Laurent felt.

And Laurent understood how Barnaby felt.

“I must admit, I miss being in a relationship.” Laurent shyly confessed as he hit ‘play’ on the remote.

“Me too... I miss cuddling someone.”

“I miss kissing someone. It feels so... heavenly.”

“It feels perfect with the right person.”

And they were now looking at each other. Barnaby’s eyes flicked to Laurent’s lips. Laurent’s eyes flicked to Barnaby’s lips. “Wanna... wanna try it out?” The words slipped out of the redhead’s mouth. “Just to pretend we actually had some action during Valentine’s Day.” He added with a giggle to lighten the atmosphere.

A blush brightly coloured Barnaby’s cheeks for a moment, and Laurent was quick to fear that he had fucked up. There you go, now he’s going to think I’m a pervert.

However, against all expectations, Barnaby nodded. “Y-Yes...” He stammered a little before speaking again: “I’d love to... I’ll be able to brag that I kissed the prettiest guy on Valentine’s Day.”

Laurent’s eyes widened at that claim, but he realized that Barnaby probably wasn’t even aware he had said this out loud. Instead of discussing this he remained silent and allowed Barnaby to inch closer. His arms tightened their grip around Laurent’s waist, and a gasp of surprise threatened to fall off his lips. Instead, he cupped Barnaby’s face and smiled teasingly. “You seem pretty eager.”

A blush blossomed over his friend’s features, and he stumbled with his words a little before finally coming up with a coherent sentence: “A-Are you ok with this, Lau? Kisses should... mean something.”

Laurent’s reply came without a moment of hesitation. “And what would this one mean for you? To me, it would be... moving on, I guess. Get into another chapter and leave Murphy behind for once. How about you?”

Silence lingered in the air as Barnaby didn’t answer, and what he had planned to reply shall remain a mystery as Laurent suddenly tugged on his shirt’s collar to pull him into a kiss. Immediately, a wave of comfort came to wash over the both of them as they curved into each other’s body, living the kiss at it’s fullest.

Neither of them wished to pull away.

- - -

The next morning, Laurent woke up to Barnaby’s steady heartbeat. He had fallen asleep on his chest, and donut crumbs were all over it. A quick look at his friend was all it took to confirm that he was still sleeping. After a few seconds of hesitation, he decided to not pull away. He even closed his eyes.

Following their kiss, they had focused back on the movie. Little words have been said, as if both of them had mulled over what had just happened. Had it been a mistake? Would they regret it? Laurent had feared how he would feel the next morning. But at this very moment, as he was curled up against Barnaby, absolutely no regret came to seize him.

I told him everything. I told him about my fears, my insecurities, the downsides of my relationship with Murphy. I told him everything I had feared revealing, and his reaction? Complete understanding. He even admitted stuff to me as well. It felt so... so right. So perfect. Just like him.

And the kiss. It had it’s hold on his mind still. Suddenly, Barnaby moved a little, and pulled Laurent closer while still sleeping. The redhead’s heart threatened to leap off his chest, and that was when he knew.

I like him.

I’m so screwed.

#my writing #barnalau #barnaby lee #lau king #barnaby lee x mc #barnaby x mc #hphm barnaby

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