Wishing for More - Peri X Reader

Chapter 5: Secrets in Starlight

Y/N's POV:

I hadn't felt this light in ages. After the whirlwind of emotions over the past few days, I was desperate for a break, and today, I finally had one. Hazel and I had planned a hangout, and with Peri joining us, it felt like a perfect opportunity to introduce him to Hazel properly. (Even tho Hazel already kinda knows Peri)

The afternoon sun was warm as we walked to the park, a familiar spot where Hazel and I had spent countless hours together. This time, though, Peri's presence added a new energy, something exciting and a little unpredictable.

Hazel was already waiting for us by the swings, her bright smile making me feel instantly at ease. When she saw Peri with me, her eyes widened slightly, but she quickly covered it with a grin.

"Hey, Y/N! And Peri, right? Glad you could join us," Hazel said, her tone casual but curious.

"Thanks for letting me crash your hangout," Peri replied smoothly, his voice warm and charming. "Y/N told me a lot about you."

Hazel raised an eyebrow playfully. "All good things, I hope?"

"Only the best," Peri said, flashing that smile of his that made my heart skip a beat.

We found a spot under a large oak tree and sat down, the conversation flowing easily. Peri and Hazel hit it off quickly, laughing about shared interests and teasing each other like old friends. It was a relief to see them getting along so well, and I found myself relaxing more than I had in days.

As we talked, I noticed Peri subtly guiding the conversation back to me, asking questions that made Hazel share stories about our past adventures. I couldn't help but feel a flutter of something warm in my chest every time he looked at me with that knowing smile.

At one point, Hazel leaned back, her gaze shifting between Peri and me. "So, Peri, what's your story? You're new in town, right? How come we haven't met before?"

I stiffened slightly, the reality of our situation crashing back in. Peri hesitated just a fraction before answering, his expression calm but guarded.

"Yeah, I've been around for a bit, but I've mostly kept to myself," Peri said, his tone light but carefully neutral. "I guess I was just waiting for the right people to come along."

Hazel nodded, seeming to accept his answer, but there was a flicker of suspicion in her eyes. She wasn't one to push, though, and soon enough, we were back to laughing and joking like before.

After a while, Hazel suggested we grab some ice cream from the nearby stand. As we made our way there, she pulled me aside, letting Peri walk ahead.

"Y/N" she whispered, her tone more serious now. "Peri's great, but... I don't know. There's something different about him, don't you think?" - Hazel got suspicious, „he seems a little odd to be a human, riiight? But why did Cosmo and Wanda bring a fairy in Y/N world? It doesn't make any sense..." Hazel thought to herself.

My heart pounded in my chest. Hazel had always been sharp, and it was only a matter of time before she picked up on the strangeness of Peri's presence in my life. I forced a smile, trying to sound nonchalant.

"Different how?"

Hazel shrugged, glancing at him as he walked ahead of us. "I'm not sure. He's just... I don't know, there's something he's not telling us. But it's probably nothing. But you know, you can tell me anything."

I nodded, my stomach twisting with guilt. Hazel didn't know how right she was, but I couldn't tell her the truth—not yet.

We caught up to Peri, who turned around with a smile as we reached the ice cream stand. "What's the verdict? Chocolate or vanilla?"