Playing It Safe {Fred Weasley x Reader}

{20}

-- Edited --

I was finally allowed to attend to classes and meals normally, without an escort. But having two Weasley's as your best friends meant that I had one wherever I went anyways. The days felt shorter and the year started moving along rather fast. Whispers of the final task were traded in the hallways and students were betting on who the winning champion would be.

Fred had been acting like he was previously, when I was hanging around with Oliver. Except this time there was no Oliver. He was constantly grabbing my hands and playing with my hair. Or he would rest his head on my shoulder and kiss my cheek. We weren't together, and I made sure to remind him that, but he still wouldn't stop, and I couldn't bring myself to make him.

That's why when he pulled me away into an empty hallway or into a dark corner of a staircase to share stolen kisses, I didn't object.

It was dinner in the great hall, and the twins entered, nearly ten minutes late. George fell into the seat besides Lee, and Fred sloppily slid into the seat beside me, with a kiss to the cheek and a bunch of sad looking F/Fs in his tight grip.

"For you, M'lady," he said grandly with a little bow and I laughed, taking the flowers.

"What for?" I questioned.

He shrugs and smiles.

"For being you. And for being gorgeous, by the way." He winks. I blush automatically.

"Merlin you two are sickening," George groans, while Lee pretends to throw up on his plate. Katie just wiggles her eyebrows at me. I shrug. Dinner carries on with lighthearted chatter, and Fred and George making everyone laugh until their chests hurt, of course. By the time we made our way up to the Gryffindor tower I was tired, but also surprisingly full and happy for once.

I feel a gentle tug on my hand and turn to see Fred guiding me away from the group.

"Fred," I say knowingly, but I smile, nonetheless. He just grins. He pulls us behind a tapestry where a hidden alcove lies, a small window providing a sliver of moonlight. Merlin, he looked handsome like this, all happy and gentle, his hair slightly askew from George throwing grapes across the table at him.

"Yes?" He answers, hands already around my waist.

"I'm tired," I say, but then he starts kissing my neck and my mind blanks.

"You don't sound very convinced about that, Love," He mutters into my skin. I can practically feel his smirk as he trails his lips up to my jaw. I hold back a sigh. "I'm tired too." He states, pulling away to look at me. I stare up into his beautiful brown eyes. 

"You want to go to bed?" Fred murmurs, tracing my cheek with his fingers.

"...No" I reply, turning my face and kissing his hand. He smiles softly, and bends down, nose brushing mine before connecting our lips.

Although these excursions have been limited, our lips were now familiar with each other's. He never rushed me, and I never rushed him. Our mouths took the time to relearn each other's tentatively, softly, as if the moment could slip away at any time. Which it could. I knew that this arrangement couldn't last forever. I knew that. And I told myself to stop, to let go. That I was hurting him by holding on. I was giving him false hope because I knew what he wanted: a real relationship. And I couldn't give him that, not now. Maybe not ever.

But Merlin, I was weak. I just wanted him.

I blink when he pulls away.

"Are you okay? You're kissing like your mind is somewhere else," Fred says, fingers already tracing my face again. I sigh, closing my eyes and leaning into his touch.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just thinking about OWLs" I cringe internally at my quick excuse. He laughs softly.

"If you're things about schoolwork while you're kissing me then I must be doing something terribly wrong," He smiles, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

I lean into it, my body already humming in response, but he pulls away too soon.

"What are you really thinking about?" His eyes question me and I can see a hint of concern on his face. I could not, would not, let him be worried or feel pitiful for me.