Waves PV Isaac Dou closed

[quote]"That's really impressive. I like writing too, but, well, I write songs and poems here and there," says Virgil, blushing, as he takes a good look at Isaac, watching the laugh that still lingers in his face, imagining what his singing voice might sound like, as he's playing the guitar. The thought feels complete, but he wonders what type of song Isaac likes to play. Honestly, he likes a bit of rock and metal, those with heavy lyrics that basically scream 'f society', but he's a sucker for slow songs every once in a while.

Virgil continues, smiling to him, "Come to think of it, I can see you playing the guitar. Maybe one day you can play for me, and we can sing together," He blushes a little with the suggestion, hoping he doesn't sound too eager or annoying. Virgil adds in a heartbeat, sounding so embarrassingly awkward. "I-If you want, of course! I get it i-if you don't like singing in front of others, I-I don't really like it either, but yeah," He coughs, looking away, "I'll shut up. It was a stupid idea anyway..."

Virgil bites his lips, looking down, playing with his fingers, shaking his shoulders, avoiding eye contact. Merlin, you're so stupid...

“Come to think of it, I can see you playing the guitar. Maybe one day you can play for me, and we can sing together.”  Virgil seems embarrassed by what he said, continuing to speak quietly. Isaac can’t exactly pinpoint why he would be embarrassed, because he honestly thinks it’s a great idea. 

Isaac lets out a small gasp and grabs onto Virgil’s arm. “Dude, I’d love to play together!” Isaac has never played with another person, he’s self-taught, but playing with Virgil seems like a lot of fun. And besides, Isaac always wanted to play with someone besides himself. 

“And it’s not stupid,” Isaac said firmly, moving his hold from Virgil’s arm to his hand. “Please, could you try to stop doubting yourself so much?” Isaac falters. He didn’t want to make things awkward. “I hope that doesn’t come off rude, sorry if that did, I  just think you’re really smart and have a lot of good things to say.” Isaac turns away and unconsciously starts to rub circles into Virgil’s hand with his thumb, something his mom used to do when Isaac was younger. 

“I think you’re a good friend. Definitely one of the first I’ve had that’s really okay with what I am.” Isaac glances at Virgil and smiles. “I really appreciate it.”

[quote]The boy's words and touch make Virgil stop breathing for a second. He should be used to people touching him by now, but he just can't; Isaac's hands suddenly touching his makes him freeze, shocked, as his stomach grows cold and his cheeks burn intensely. It's a common reaction, his brain tells him once questions bubble in his head ask why he's blushing more than usual. Then it proceeds to remind him of how he reacted when Adlai grabbed his hand that one time, or when she hugged him. It's common, Virgil repeats, very common...

Despite telling himself that, he blushes even harder once Isaac starts to rub circles in his hand, to which Virgil bites his lower lip, wondering if the other knows what he's doing. He doesn't mind the touching or anything like that, it's just... New. (And nice, but he's ignoring that for now, thank you!) Isaac then glances at him and smiles, calling him a good friend, and he doesn't know what to say. There are a lot of things that dance in his head, a lot of confused, troubled thoughts here and there. A mess, really.

Virgil then realizes, eyes analyzing the boy next to him, that Isaac's smile is really charming. Funny enough, this realization makes his heart spin in his chest. Uh, what was that?! He almost yells at himself. In order to save himself for more embarrassment, Virgil only says, "I-I'll try to stop d-doubting myself, ok?" He coughs, looking the other way, "And y-you're a g-good friend too..."

Isaac gives a short squeeze to Virgil’s hand. “Thanks. I like having friends.” 

Friends. Isaac hadn’t used that word to describe someone in so long. The last time he had a friend he was seven. She was ten. She and Isaac would play all the time, playing hide-and-seek, walking along the small river that bordered his neighborhood. But then, her mom found out she was hanging out with the “horrid vampire kid” from next door (the words left a sour taste in his mouth). They moved away almost a week later. 

Isaac lets go if Virgil’s hand and spins himself to the side, laying his head on Virgil’s lap. “Hi,” he says, suppressing his laughter. He waves a hand in front of Virgil’s face. “I’m going to lay here now.

Despite Isaac’s lack of social interaction over the years, he thinks it’s fun getting to finally participate in all he missed out on. Joking with friends, being in an actual school, eating in a place where everyone gathered together. Like a community. He likes having that. And Virgil. He’s easy to talk to. He makes Isaac feel less like an outsider. 

“Wanna play with my hair?” Isaac teases, hand covering the smile on his face. 

[quote]When Isaac, suppressing a burst of laughter, with that same shiny smile to his face lays his head on Virgil's lap, the boy feels like he's about to explode. His heart misses a beat, and Virgil looks away, not wanting to look back at the other, feeling his face burn hard, probably the same color as the Gryffindor emblem.

Then he hears Isaac's teasing voice, asking if he wants to play with his hair, to which Virgil, still looking away, thank you very much, lets out an awkward laugh, and his eyes go back to the other's pale face. Now Isaac is covering his smile, which makes Virgil pout without even noticing. The anxiety inside of him tells him to get up and hide in the Slytherin common room, and he's about to do that if not for the new, unknown quiet voice that tells him to go forward.

"Fine..." mumbles Virgil, running his fingers through the boy's dark strands, as he bites his lower lips and darts his eyes away, staring at the other students and at the sky, anywhere but Isaac's face for some reason. Ignoring his fluttering heart and what that all means, Virgil starts to hum to himself, keeping his mind busy.

Isaac didn’t actually think Virgil would do it. So, it comes as a shock when he feels fingers threading through his hair, gentle and delicate. He jumps, more harshly than he should for what the action was. He was used to always starting physical touch. He wasn’t as used to receiving it. 

Isaac drags his hands across his face. “Oh,” he says dumbly. “I’m sorry.”

Although Isaac loves his mom, they aren't exactly close.  He can’t even remember the last time she hugged him. It was always him, latching onto her leg as a little kid, never failing to try again even after she shook him off.

She might not be very attentive, but Isaac wouldn’t peg her as Neglectful. She provided for him, she made small talk, and she loved him in her own way. Isaac just thinks he reminds her too much of his dad. She always seemed so sad anytime she looked into his eyes. When he asked what was wrong, she just turned away and smiled (it always looked so forced). Said, “Oh, nothing. You just  look so much like your father.” Isaac will never know if that’s true. But he’s okay. It’s not like he’s known any other way of living. 

It’s things like this that make him question what life would be like if he wasn’t what he is. It’s the thing that makes him jump when his friend just does what Isaac asked him too. It’s hard to get used to something you were never used to in the first place. 

[quote]Virgil moves back at Isaac's sudden jump, raising his hands, looking like he's trying to look innocent of some crime he did commit. He stays like this for a while, unsure of what to do or say, eyes glued to Isaac as the other apologizes, running his hands across his face. Biting his lower lips, Virgil plays with the edge of his dark robe, frowning as he wonders if he did something wrong.

Maybe Isaac had been joking and didn't want him to do that... He concludes ashamed, hoping the boy doesn't think he's weird or stupid for not understanding a simple joke. To be honest, a few years ago, he used to not get jokes like that, teasing, which often leads to him getting hurt due to his cousins' silly jokes. Thankfully, (a very frustrated) Trent Armitage took the time to explain to him what sarcasm is.

Merlin, I'm so stupid. His anxiety doesn't let the thought go unnoticed in his head, telling him to get up and hide from Isaac forever, but his body feels too heavy, for some reason. He doubts the other can even hear him when, looking in another direction, hands busy, Virgil lets out, weakly, "Sorry..."

“No, it’s okay, really,” Isaac says, moving off of Virgil’s legs and sitting his arms down on the grass beside them, turning to lay on his stomach. “It’s just—“ Isaac waves his hand, struggling to find words. “I’m not very used to people actually being physically comfortable with me?” He turns to face Virgil. He doesn’t know why he’s sharing this. 

“It’s sort of foreign, I guess. My mom is kinda bad in the ‘Hug Your Kid’ department so,” Isaac says, making air quotes. “Sorry I jumped. I just wasn’t  expecting it. I mean, even though I did ask.

“I think the best way to explain it is: I’m used to starting things. Just, never getting it back.” 

Isaac looks up and points a finger at Virgil, smiling slightly. “Don’t think that it’s a bad thing though. Really, I like experiencing new things.” He moves his finger and taps it against Virgil’s leg. “So, yeah. Don’t beat yourself up, it’s fine.”

And Isaac really means it. He didn’t start because of any trauma related thing, or because he was mad. He considers himself lucky to have never gone through anything scarring. He wants Virgil to know it was okay. He was just surprised, and it’s as simple as that. 

[quote]He nods to Isaac's words, an almost unnoticeable furrow in his eyebrows, trying to understand what the boy means, but he quite can't.

Virgil was born in a very warm and touchy family; it's impossible to go out with any of them and not be crushed in a hug at least five times. Whenever he visits them, he's already expecting a lot of hugging, kisses and people attacking his cheeks (especially aunt Naomi, who loved to squish his face). Though he's not the most comfortable with touching people that aren't a part of his family, he's starting to slowly (very slowly) to get more used to it.

"Well, guess I'll have to hug you until you get used to it..." The words slip out before he can think properly about what he's saying. Once he realizes what he's said, Virgil, eyes wide, cover his mouth, as if that would make Isaac ignore his words. Stupid, stupid, stupid! "I-I mean..." He blushes, running his hands through his hair, a weak and, Merlin, so awkward laugh escapes his lips as the boy darts his eyes away, not wanting to see Isaac's expression. "I-If you want, of course, I mean, no, nevermind, uh, ignore me, please!"

Isaac laughs. “Yeah, you can hug me more. Just, warn me before you do.” Isaac wouldn’t admit it, but he thinks it’s sort of endearing that Virgil cares so much. “I have to get a little comfortable with it first, but I think it’s okay.”

He thinks it’s a little funny that Virgil got so flustered, but he appreciates that Virgil is willing to help him. He appreciates having a friend. 

“Are you doing anything important these next few days?” Isaac prompts, steering away from the previous conversation. “Got any big tests, plans, homework?” Isaac, for all it’s worth, is struggling in his schoolwork. He can never seem to meet what the professors are looking for. He wonders if Virgil’s doing any better than he is. 

“I think I’m going to fail all my homework,” Isaac sighs, pulling at the grass. “Everything makes sense to me, it does, I just have no idea how to properly answer the questions.” And he knows it’s ridiculous. He loves  writing but doesn’t know what the hell he’s doing when it comes to the assignments. He really wishes schoolwork came better to him.