Finn-ished Don't Be Koi PV Finn

F I N N E G A Nx⳧xC O N N E R

☙ Don't Be Koi, 16th of August 2023 ❧

Finnegan blinked groggily, the sleep not yet shaken from his eyes. He had been tossing and turning all night, not just in anticipation of his birthday, but in the promise he had made himself. George had warned him not too wait too long and after many days together with June over at his house, he had finally mustered the courage to tell her his secret. He'd even figured out a way to tell her, but one question yet remained.

When?

He hadn't expected to be ambushed by an enthusiastic hug the moment he'd entered the kitchen, but the sound of June's voice immediately brought a smile to his face. "Thanks, you nearly gave me a heart attack though," he laughed as he wrapped an arm around her in return. He couldn't tell who smelled of shampoo more, but he was glad he got to hug her for a happy reason for once.

One by one, the other family members slowly trickled into the dining room adjourning the kitchen. First of them was Rose, her hair tousled from sleep, holding a large, rolled up bit of paper wrapped with a very pink ribbon tightly to her chest. "Morning mum, Hey June, happy birthday Finn" She gave him a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before taking up the chair opposite her brother. Finnegan couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the greedy look in her eyes while she took stock of the sugary breakfast. When it came to sweets at least, they were quite alike.

Two more guests had joined a few days before, Arthur Conner, Finnegan's uncle and his teenage son, Cai. While Arthur possessed only a passing resemblance to his younger brother Owen, Cai looked a great deal like a taller, more grown-up version of Finnegan. Though he had slightly darker, almost black hair and long, lanky limbs, one would be forgiven for mistaking them as brothers. Cai was at least a head taller, but the playful, brotherly way the teen and Finn interacted betrayed an easy relationship that went years back.

His uncle settled for a hug and firm pat on the back while his cousin ruffled his hair and elbowed into his side. "I think you've grown," Cai grinned.

"Really?" Finnegan said. He sounded hopeful.

"Yeah, 'bout half an inch." Cai smirked, easily dodging the playful punch Finnegan had thrown at him. "You gotta work on that hook..."

"Boys, settle down please," Caitlyn called from the kitchen. Cai gracefully slunk into the nearest chair, his hand already reaching into his pocket for the distraction of his smartphone before Arthur told him off.

Finnegan impatiently scanned the room for his father so he could start tearing into his presents. Among the small pile of gifts, one neat package in particular stood, wrapped with a unique touch and care that he figured must have been from June.

Finally his dad sauntered into the room, carrying perhaps the biggest box of them all in his hands. "Happy birthday to you..." he began singing, his voice low and rather out of tune. Smiling from ear to ear his mother joined in, balancing a chocolate cake with candles on a large plate. Rose and Cai were the best singers by a mile, though the adults overpowered them until they got to the hoorays. Blushing, Finnegan muttered several thanks and looked to his mum and dad for approval to start digging into his cards and presents.

The first gift was from Rose who had made him a card and a comical drawing of a broomstick taking the place of a keeper on a football pitch. She'd written "For Funny" in big, colorful letters across the the top. The joke was clearly lost on everyone except the two of them, but that didn't matter. From his cousin and uncle he got new shin guards which were unlikely to see much use considering he played a different sport now, but they couldn't have known. Aside from his immediate family, everyone had been told he'd gone off to some special private school out in the country. Perhaps he could still use them during Quidditch practice though.

His parents gifted him some new clothes which, though he was a little embarassed to need them, he was quite thankful for. Soon, almost none of the pancakes and whipped cream was left and his pile of present had shrunk down to the final gift.

The contents of the neatly wrapped present must've greatly confused his uncle who seemed to think it was shoe polish. Cai made no comment, too distracted as he was by his phone under the table. Finnegan however, was overjoyed and just about managed avoiding the words "broom" and "quidditch" as he thanked June. By all accounts it was the most expensive gift he'd been given, though he was somewhat relieved that no one at the table except for him and June would be able to tell. "Thank you so much," he gave her a quick hug before gingerly setting the kit aside. He could hardly wait until he'd get to use it back at Hogwarts.

Once breakfast and tea had finished the family headed out to an aquarium not far out of town. For once there was ample space in the backseat because his uncle took Rose with him. Still, he had the distinct sense that June really hated being in cars. "Thanks again," he whispered. "Now you're definitely going to lose when we get back and race."

---

The aquarium was a whirlwind of colors and movement. Huge tanks adorned with coral and marine flora housed schools of fish that darted between hiding spots. Tunnels made of reinforced glass allowed visitors to walk through massive tanks, surrounded by rays, sharks, and various other species of fish swimming happily all around them. The luminous, ethereal beauty of the jellyfish in their dedicated exhibit mesmerized Finnegan for a good while, their pulsating movements synchronized in some mysterious dance.

Rose was excitedly pointing out different species, claiming she'd seen some of them during their family vacation to the coast. Cai and Arthur, on the other hand, were engrossed in a touchscreen kiosk, challenging each other in a quiz on marine biology.

With a jolt, Finnegan realized the moment had arrived. On the way there he had already been thinking about putting it off, to maybe wait until his uncle and cousin had left again, but part of him knew that if he waited any longer it would just get harder.

"June," he tugged at her sleeve and gently pulled her aside. They passed a tank filled with Koi and he waved for her to keep following him down a flight of stairs into a small room. Caustic light played upon the walls in pale shades of blue and green. "I know it's not your birthday but," he cast a nervous glance over his shoulder, making sure once more that they were truly alone, except for the fish. "There's something I've been meaning to give- well, to tell... uh, anyway." He stuffed his hand into his pocket, rummaged around for a moment and fished out a very creased, folded bit of paper. "Here, it's- well, just open it I guess."

He took a step back, like he was preparing to flee. The quiet bubbling of the water tanks filled the silence before he spoke up again. "Remember that blustery day in the courtyard? We went to the owlery, remember? I never told you but, I was drawing you then, I thought you might like to have it, it's not my best though, it's a bit smudged and all..." He resorted to stuffing his hands into his pockets again.

"Oh, there's something on the other side too..."

Reducio

Loot: One charcoal drawing of June sitting in the courtyard. The drawing is a bit smeared in places, but the resemblance to the real June is obvious. The drawing is signed by Finnegan and on the reverse the following is written: "I love you" next to a little drawing of a heart.

Stamina 10 ✶ Evasion 10 ✶ Strength 2 ✶ Wisdom 3 ✶ Arcane Power 5 ✶ Accuracy 10

F I N N E G A Nx⳧xC O N N E R

☙ Don't Be Koi, 16th of August 2023 ❧

Love was a strong word, on that at least they could agree. It was why he'd written it down instead of saying it out loud.

Jubilant acceptance or outright rejection were the only outcomes he had considered. For days now, they had kept him up at night, his mind unable to decide which one was more likely. But what he hadn't entertained at all was the response June actually gave, which was... what exactly? Indecision? Like he had just asked her if she liked chocolate or vanilla ice cream better and she couldn't quite make up her mind.

She stood frozen like a statue, muttered an apology, eventually said something about understanding his sentiment. He didn't know what that word meant, but it didn't matter because everything before it was a lie anyway. She didn't understand at all! Everything about her stiff response told him that now was the very first time June even considered the possibility that he liked her. Which meant she hadn't noticed any of his advances, any of his efforts to get closer to her, so how could she claim to understand?

The next few things she said went in one ear and out the other, except for the very last bit.

"Thank you for telling me."

His sheepish stare broke and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Thank you for telling me? Was that it? She might just as well have said 'thank you for your order' or 'thank you for shopping with us' considering the timidity with which she thanked him. Thank you for your message, Finn, I understand your sentiment.

Yeah right.

He didn't know whether to laugh or cry at her stiff, measured answer so his face settled on an indecipherable neutrality. With all his might, he forced his shoulders into a seemingly careless shrug and somehow managed to conjure a faint smile in return. "Okay," he said, doing his utmost best to keep his voice calm and cool.

He turned around then, feigning interest in the fish tank before him and pretended to be reading the information plaque next to it. It read:

Reducio

Originating from Eastern Asia, the vibrant Koi fish have long been revered as symbols of love, perseverance, and friendship. In Japanese culture, the Koi fish represents courage and the ability to overcome life's challenges.

Koi are also believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Their journey upstream is seen as a metaphor for overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals.

Legend has it that if a Koi successfully swims upstream and leaps over the Dragon Gate waterfall, it transforms into a dragon, signifying rebirth and a new beginning.

Nothing much of it really registered, except the very last bit. A new beginning. "I'm going to go back upstairs," he said to the fish tank, though his words obviously weren't intended for the fish. Without another word, he went back up the stairs and walked down the nearest corridor, taking random turns this way and that until he was certain that he had put enough distance between himself and June.

Only when he came to a halt did he notice he'd walked into the aquarium's adjourning cafe. His dazed mind spotted the sign leading to the toilets and kicked his limbs back into action. At last he barged into the men's restroom, found an unoccupied stall and locked the door behind him.

What had just happened?

Being told no would have hurt, but it would have been a clear answer at least. Clarity, the very thing he'd sought, had been robbed from him and now he was stuck in some strange no-man's land, a desert of indecision. In many ways it was worse than where he had been before telling her. Back then at least he had had some hope. Now, he didn't know what to think or feel anymore except that he wanted to be as far away from her as humanely possible. He buried his face into his hands and slowly ran his fingers through his hair.

What now?

For a long while he tried to steady himself, taking deep breaths, expelling any and all thoughts about June from his mind. All he had to do was stay cool, to keep a straight face and pretend nothing had changed. With a bit of luck she wouldn't notice the difference anyway and they could both forget about this embarrassing ordeal altogether. He clenched and unclenched his fists until he'd purged all the excess, buzzing energy coursing through his veins.

By the time he had headed back out of the stall and splashed some water in his face, he had made up his mind: he wasn't going to allow any emotions in. Not now, not for the next hour, not until they day was over and June had gone back home.

Put it away, pretend it didn't happen, he kept telling himself. He needed a distraction, something or someone to cling to until this day was over.

He made his way back to his family and joined up with Cai who took him to seeing some squids. Thank god for squids, the creepy tentacled beasts had never been more interesting to him.

Stamina 10 ✶ Evasion 10 ✶ Strength 2 ✶ Wisdom 3 ✶ Arcane Power 5 ✶ Accuracy 10