Enoch O'Connor X Reader

Chapter 8: Magnetism

I reluctantly walk back to the parlor and the children all flock from Enoch- who is both beet red with embarrassment, anger and love- to me. Miss Peregrine leans against the wall, watching us as we head to our own rooms. They don't cease to pester me until I'm in my room, having to close the door right in their curious little faces.

I let my body flop onto my semi-comfortable mattress, a slight creaking noise emanating from the core of it as I bob up and down. I sigh heavily, processing all that just happened and everything that is going to happen. Without a doubt, the children wouldn't just drop such an event the next morning, oh no; it'd be bound to be talked about for at least two more weeks. I bring my hands up from my sides and onto my face, sighing heavily, but smiling all the while. I can't help but chuckle at the recollection of the looks on everyone's​ faces when it happened, especially Enoch's.

Right. Enoch.

Everything in me just wants to be with him, but I know if Miss P ever found out I was in his quarters past our allotted sleeping time, it would not be good for the both of us. I changed into my nightgown and attempted to sleep, but was met with no tiredness. I just wanted so badly to be with him, to talk to him; I wonder if the availability of the opportunity made it more desirable. Tossing and turning with at least a thousand sheep counted, I decided that taking the risk of being caught was better than this horrible feeling of loneliness, even though I was only a few doors away from him.

It seemed as though everybody had either fallen asleep or were doing their own quiet sneaking about, such as Emma and Jake often do. I wonder if the headmistress would have the same punishment inflicted upon them if she discovered their late-night rendevous.

I silently (for the most part) sneak to Enoch's room. He looks up from his desk as I enter his room, his face focused at first, but then relaxing when he realized who had come to pay him a visit.

"Oh, hello," he said, getting up from his chair to greet me. "What a surprise to see you here."

"I just thought I'd stop by," I look to the left slightly, then back at him, grinning. "I wasn't able to sleep."

"It's alright, stay here as long as you'd like. I enjoy your company," he said, setting up his bed a little neater that I might make myself comfortable there. "But... How are we to be sure Miss P won't find out? Quite the risk move you're pulling there."

"Yeah, I know.. I figured we could talk softly as to not wake the others."

"Ah, yeah, I see."

The next few moments were slightly awkward, so I shifted my body slightly on his bed so I was sitting up straighter, the absence of squeaks and creaks slightly odd to me. I clear my throat somewhat quietly and gesture towards his workbench where he sat back down.

"So, what're you working on?"

"Oh, yes! Come here, let me demonstrate. I'm testing out how well flying things fare under my command."

With that, he picked up a small deceased sparrow and placed what seemed to be a mouse heart in its chest. It slowly reanimated, taking a look at its surroundings with its half-crushed skull. Enoch made it do a loop-the-loop and a figure eight in mid-air, which I responded with a quiet-as-can-be clap and "Hooray! That's impressive!".

He blushed a tad and said, "Thank you.. I have been practicing."

"You know, Enoch," I whispered to him, placing my head against his shoulder and wrapping my arms around him. "I think you underestimate yourself."

He chuckles, hugging me back. "Oh, really? What do you mean?"

"I dunno, I think you doubt yourself a little. Sometimes, if you believe in yourself instead of thinking, 'dammit, I'm gonna fail again', you can truly improve your chances of success," I speak softly, pulling away slightly, but my arms are still entwined with his. "Like you did just now. I could see that you were thinking to yourself, 'I won't screw up this time.' And you didn't!"

He smiles. "I suppose you're right." Enoch places his hand on my cheek, pushing back a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I could see where this was going. Miss P could try all she wants, but as far as I know, love is more powerful than any magnet on Earth; drawing us closer together until our lips are pressed against each other's. It feels so inexplainably wonderful, and I didn't want it to stop, but alas; the human body needs oxygen to function properly. We pull apart, but are pulled back together by the same force that did it in the first place.

Suddenly, I find myself in the same situation I was in just the other day; he above me, I pinned down, but this time on a bed instead of a desk. Still passionately kissing, I can't help but get slightly excited at how this could escalate. Enoch somehow must have been able to tell what I'd been thinking, for he asks, "Do you.. Uh.. Do you wanna.."

I nod, biting my lip. "I'd very much like that."