✓ | PARAMOUR, sirius black

chapter five

Kaia glanced down at the parchment that Regulus had put in her hands. "I think this is a good idea," she responded with a gentle voice. After Kaia had divulged Sirius' living arrangements to Regulus, he had taken to visiting her regularly to seek advice.

Regulus puzzled over why he felt so relaxed and at ease around her, despite the multitude of concerns that weighed heavily on his mind. Upon graduation, he would become a Death Eater, entailing significant risks, which made it imprudent to develop emotional attachments.

"Out of all the subjects available, do you think that this one is the most suitable?" Regulus inquired, to which she nodded in affirmation.

"Trust me on this; I've taken the course, and Professor Kettleburn isn't a stickler for details. In fact, I'd say he's quite lenient. If you choose this subject, you'll likely score some extra house points for all the info you provide," she explained.

Regulus smiled and accepted the essay from her. "Thank you, Kaia," he said as he turned to leave. Kaia observed his departure, her eyebrows furrowed as she attempted to force a smile across her lips with her fingers.

Sirius, who had been observing from a distance, was smiling at her action. Sensing that his brother was out of sight, he took it as his cue to approach her.

"You don't need to force it, you know it will come naturally," Sirius spoke up, making her jump and lower her hands. She pivoted to face him, noticing that he was slightly taller than her.

She took a step back due to his close proximity and then coughed awkwardly. "Um, good afternoon, Black," she greeted with a hint of nervousness.

Sirius chuckled at her confusion and clarified," I mean, you can just call me Sirius. There's no need to be so formal."

"Oh," she responded quietly, nodding her head in understanding. "Right then, Sirius it is."

He ran his hand under his chin, smiling as he spoke. "As I mentioned before, it should come naturally to you," he said.

"Well, not for me," she replied with a hint of disappointment, shaking her head slightly.

"I know, I can tell." He chuckled and then spoke up suddenly, revealing that he had been observing her. "I've been watching you," he stated, causing her eyes to widen and her to take another step back.

Seeing her reaction, he hurriedly reassured her, "Wait, no, not in that way, Kaia."

She folded her arms and tilted her head quizzically at the younger male, asking," You know my name?"

In a playful attempt to elicit a reaction, he winked and replied, "Of course, I know everyone's names, especially the ladies."

Her response was a subtle raise of her left brow," Oh really now?"

His confidence was only fueled by her slightly curious expression," Yes, really. I take note of all the lovely ladies' names."

She met his playful advances with a blank stare, her expression completely neutral and betraying no emotions.

Inwardly, she silently observed his attempt at flirting, yet her face remained impassive, refusing to react or give him the desired response.

He stood there for a moment, not sure how to react to her neutral expression and unresponsive demeanour. He had been used to girls blushing and giggling at his charming demeanour, but Kaia was completely unphased by his advances.

Feeling a bit taken aback, he leaned against the wall next to her, trying to regain his composure. He couldn't help but glance at her from the corner of his eye, hoping to see even a hint of a reaction from her.

He then tried his signature smirk, the one that he knew had worked on countless girls before. But this time, Kaia remained indifferent, neither blushing nor batting an eyelash at his charm.

"You know, most girls usually swoon over this" He tried casually, still leaning against the wall and still looking at her from the corner of his eye.

"They tend to swoon and blush, and some even giggle" he continued, his smirk starting to fade at her continued emotionless expression.

"But you're just standing there, all calm and collected," He said, turning to face her now, his smirk completely replaced with a mild frown.

"Nothing, huh?" He muttered, his ego slightly bruised by her lack of reaction.

"Did you need something from me?" she inquired politely, genuinely perplexed as to why he was engaging in conversation with her.

He began," I wanted to just chat—"

But she interrupted him, asking pointedly," For what exactly?"

He placed his hands on his hips and then stated boldly, "Would you like to go on a date with me?"