27 Jan 2021, 03:58
A Christmas Gathering
@William DuboisElzabeth wasnt sure if she should have taken that as a complement or not. As she watched his eyes wonder she figured he meant no harm, though she wasnt exactly sure if he ever did.
"I suppose I am lucky my parents are allowing me to take the break as it is." She knew William and his family treasured education, it still came as a surprise though that they weren't allowing him to sleep in.
Her eyes drifted back to the décor, smiling gently. "I hope it's not too much . . . or too little." She let out the end of her sentence a little quieter, frowning. Her mom glanced back at them, leaving her task of baking the traditional turkey for just a moment.
The idea of her parents getting to hear their conversations made Elz uncomfortable. As much as she loved them, she knew they would be asking her handfuls of questions later and she didn't feel like answering them.
"Let me show you my room." Elzabeth gestured for him to follow her upstairs, backing next to the tree. Mark glanced back, the all too familiar weary look on his face.
"The door stays open, all the way open. You know the rules about boys" He told her. The very thing he was insinuating made her cheeks turn a deep red, this was the first time she would have to use that rule, considering it was the first time a boy had been over to see her.
"Daaaad." Elzabeth sighed, biting her cheek. Just one moment without something embarrassing coming out of either of her parents mouths would be a miracle.
E. Gillan
31 Jan 2021, 22:03
A Christmas Gathering
William chuckled after her comment. She might feel lucky, but the young Slytherin really did like the courses he was following even in the break. From what he had quickly learned, he probably was the only one.
He still let his eyes roam the room, responding to her second comment. Her frown had the boy looking over his shoulder. A second before she looked away, he caught Elzabeth's mom eyes on them. He turned back to his friend before whispering, " Neither, it's just different. I like it." His hazel eyes met those of his friend. He smiled a hesitant smile, hoping to ease the discomfort he could see on her face.
" Let me show you my room."
William nodded, quickly eating the last grape he had in his hand before following her. Just after they reach the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, Elza's father called out, "The door stays open, all the way open. You know the rules about boys." William's cheek turned rosy at the thought. Not that he would ever try and do...that, whatever he had implied. It made the Slytherin chuckled nervously as her friend sighed in embarrassment.
He ducked his head thinking about what the man had implied. His cheeks heated up again. No, he could never love Elzabeth like that. She was beautiful and kind, but she wasn't right for him. No girl, in fact, would ever be. He raised his head, pink still coloring his cheek and said with a slight smile, "Don't worry sir."
William quickly took Elzabeth's hand after his short answer and began to climb the stairs.
@Elzabeth Gillan
He still let his eyes roam the room, responding to her second comment. Her frown had the boy looking over his shoulder. A second before she looked away, he caught Elzabeth's mom eyes on them. He turned back to his friend before whispering, " Neither, it's just different. I like it." His hazel eyes met those of his friend. He smiled a hesitant smile, hoping to ease the discomfort he could see on her face.
" Let me show you my room."
William nodded, quickly eating the last grape he had in his hand before following her. Just after they reach the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, Elza's father called out, "The door stays open, all the way open. You know the rules about boys." William's cheek turned rosy at the thought. Not that he would ever try and do...that, whatever he had implied. It made the Slytherin chuckled nervously as her friend sighed in embarrassment.
He ducked his head thinking about what the man had implied. His cheeks heated up again. No, he could never love Elzabeth like that. She was beautiful and kind, but she wasn't right for him. No girl, in fact, would ever be. He raised his head, pink still coloring his cheek and said with a slight smile, "Don't worry sir."
William quickly took Elzabeth's hand after his short answer and began to climb the stairs.
@Elzabeth Gillan
2 Feb 2021, 04:32
A Christmas Gathering
@William Dubois
Williams hand felt warm in hers. . . it was nice. Elzabeth hid behind her blush as she walked up the stairs, her hand still latched to his as they passed the wall of photos. Most of them had been taken when she was little, there were a few of her Grandmother back in Ireland where the hills seemed to roll on forever. Sometimes Elzabeth dreamed she was back there, no worries in her head but the innocent ones only children could come up with.
One of them was framed in a special dark wood, showing a family photo they had done just before she turned six. She hated that photo, her hair was thrown up in two pigtails and her face red and blotchy from when she had been crying not but ten seconds after it was taken. She had high hopes they would take another photo soon so she wouldn't have to be embarrassed every time she looked over.
The stairs opened to another hallway, this one divided by three doors. Two of them were bedrooms, the other was a bathroom which was clear since the door was wide open. She led him into the door on the right, her eyes quickly skimming the surroundings to make sure there wasn't a mess she had forgotten to clean.
Her room wasnt big by any means but it was hers and that's all that mattered. Her bed sat to the left, it was only a twin with two pillows and a large assortment of plush animals she never had the heart to get rid of. Most of the time they sat on her floor but she had mannaged to display them neatly for William. Just off to her bed was a desk and a window.
She had a few knickknacks thrown on the desk but it was mostly covered in books, some of them untouched since their arrival. For Holiday sakes she had thrown a string of Christmas lights on her shelf, bringing only a little pop of color to her mess.
Elzabeth let his hand go, sitting in a blue striped beanbag by her wardrobe. "Sorry if it's a mess." She apologized, gesturing with her hands. "You're free to look around if you want." She was pretty sure he was going to have questions and she wouldn't blame him.
Her eyes fell onto a nightlight sitting on her desk. She pulled it from the wall a long time ago but it was a little embarrassing imagining what he would think if he saw it.
E. Gillan
6 Feb 2021, 03:53
A Christmas Gathering
William clutched Elzabeth's hand as they climbed up the stairs. Photos of a young blond girl, probably his friend, and an older lady filled the walls. As fast as they were going, William couldn't even take the time to analyze the photos. He could only glance at the family photo, a grin flashing on his face, before they were in the new hallway.
Only three doors peppered the hall, the only one open showing a clean bathroom. From what he had seen on the first floor, he assumed both closed doors were bedroom. While he quickly gathered that, he still wavered at the sight. He was used to halls containing at least six to seven rooms, though he should've expected this. He'd learned it quickly in Hogwarts, not everyone is as rich as he is.
The small pause he took passed in a second. He was lead to the door on the right. It opened to a small but cozy bedroom. Another whiplash struck William as he scanned the furniture in the room. Elzabeth seemed at ease and that's all that mattered. Even though he couldn't imagine sleeping in a bed this small. The stuffed animal sitting on said bed made him smile softly and the small nightlight barely caught his attention, but made him chuckle.
Elzabeth's apologies fell on deaf ears as he continued to scan the room. The books seemed a little dusty, their unuse mostly brought forth by the fairy lights. However, to William's untrained eye, they still gave off a pleasant holiday feeling to the room.
He turned to his friend, finding her lounging on a beanbag, and joined her sitting cross-legged on the floor. With a soft chuckle he said, " Your room is cute. Smaller than mine, but cozier." He took a breath, casting one last look around him before continuing, " About the rule... Your father really doesn't need to worry. " He stopped, gathering the courage he didn't feel before telling her. Only his nanny knew, but the blush on Elza's face told him he really needed to tell her.
Only three doors peppered the hall, the only one open showing a clean bathroom. From what he had seen on the first floor, he assumed both closed doors were bedroom. While he quickly gathered that, he still wavered at the sight. He was used to halls containing at least six to seven rooms, though he should've expected this. He'd learned it quickly in Hogwarts, not everyone is as rich as he is.
The small pause he took passed in a second. He was lead to the door on the right. It opened to a small but cozy bedroom. Another whiplash struck William as he scanned the furniture in the room. Elzabeth seemed at ease and that's all that mattered. Even though he couldn't imagine sleeping in a bed this small. The stuffed animal sitting on said bed made him smile softly and the small nightlight barely caught his attention, but made him chuckle.
Elzabeth's apologies fell on deaf ears as he continued to scan the room. The books seemed a little dusty, their unuse mostly brought forth by the fairy lights. However, to William's untrained eye, they still gave off a pleasant holiday feeling to the room.
He turned to his friend, finding her lounging on a beanbag, and joined her sitting cross-legged on the floor. With a soft chuckle he said, " Your room is cute. Smaller than mine, but cozier." He took a breath, casting one last look around him before continuing, " About the rule... Your father really doesn't need to worry. " He stopped, gathering the courage he didn't feel before telling her. Only his nanny knew, but the blush on Elza's face told him he really needed to tell her.
Reducio
@Elzabeth Gillan
7 Feb 2021, 21:03
A Christmas Gathering
@William DuboisElzabeth tilted her head to the side, tucking a piece of her hair back behind her ears. "He worries about things a lot." Especially since his line of work required him to see the worst case scenario in everything.
"He's apart of the magical law enforcement which means he sees the worst of the worst. He can be a little protective over the ones he loves sometimes. That also means I've never gone out anywhere without an adult present, I cant even go into the ice cream shop in Diagonally while he stands in line for my books."
That was a whole argument at the beginning of the year, she felt she disserved more freedom like the other children in her grade but her father gave her the age old response that stopped the begging right in its tracks. "It's not that I don't trust you, It's that I dont trust others."
Theres not much you can say after that, she just has to suck it up and stand there. She still loved him though, no matter how much he got on her nerves. Her eyes looked back at William, a small smile taking over her face in an attempt to ease the tension.
E. Gillan
11 Feb 2021, 02:27
A Christmas Gathering
William nodded pensively at Elzabeth's next words. Of course he'd worry. If the muggle world was dangerous, he couldn't fathom what the magical world was really like. It's not like Hogwarts really represented the whole magical community after all.
While she explained her father's job, William hummed in agreement. The Slytherin himself had been on the receiving end of a worried parent, or nanny in his case. He understood how protective people could be of their loved one. He knew how overbearing they could get, but couldn't sympathise with her desire for freedom. For him, having someone by your side when in potentially dangerous situation was something he cherished. To each their own he guessed with a soft huff.
William cleared his throat, " My parents worry too. When I leave the house, there's always someone watching me, but it definitely makes me feel safer. I know my parents standing, my standing. They are not much into politics, but their wealth still makes me a worthy target. It's something I've known all my life." He chuckled, " I can't understand how you feel, but you must know better, no?"
He breathed out. His little speech had thrown him completely out of what he really meant to say, but it felt good. It wasn't something he discussed with anyone. He didn't even think it would come to this topic, but it felt liberating.
With a swish of his hand, he picked back up, " But I... didn't really mean it that way. " He gulped, " It was more about the boys, and what was implied. He doesn't need to worry, because I'm gay." He lifted his eyes which had wandered down to his lap, meeting Elzabeth's face.
@Elzabeth Gillan
While she explained her father's job, William hummed in agreement. The Slytherin himself had been on the receiving end of a worried parent, or nanny in his case. He understood how protective people could be of their loved one. He knew how overbearing they could get, but couldn't sympathise with her desire for freedom. For him, having someone by your side when in potentially dangerous situation was something he cherished. To each their own he guessed with a soft huff.
William cleared his throat, " My parents worry too. When I leave the house, there's always someone watching me, but it definitely makes me feel safer. I know my parents standing, my standing. They are not much into politics, but their wealth still makes me a worthy target. It's something I've known all my life." He chuckled, " I can't understand how you feel, but you must know better, no?"
He breathed out. His little speech had thrown him completely out of what he really meant to say, but it felt good. It wasn't something he discussed with anyone. He didn't even think it would come to this topic, but it felt liberating.
With a swish of his hand, he picked back up, " But I... didn't really mean it that way. " He gulped, " It was more about the boys, and what was implied. He doesn't need to worry, because I'm gay." He lifted his eyes which had wandered down to his lap, meeting Elzabeth's face.
@Elzabeth Gillan
15 Feb 2021, 19:38
A Christmas Gathering
@William Dubois
Elzabeth's eyes widened, she had to hold back the gasp out of fear he would take it the wrong way. "T-That's amazing!" She knew enough about other people who were gay to know there was nothing wrong with it. She liked William a lot, and appreciated him as a friend, the people he found attractive was not going to change that by any means.
"I feel honored you were comfortable enough to tell me." She smiled. That couldn't have been easy, she knew how it felt to want to tell someone something they may hold against you. Elzabeth got up from her seat and reached out, bringing William into a gentle hug.
It didn't occur to her that it might have been awkward on his half, she just wanted to clearly get across the message that nothing had changed between them. When she let him go and stepped back her mind wandered to his parents. Surely they would be supportive of their son no matter what?
"Who all knows? If you don't mind me asking?" Elzabeth didn't want to pry but she was curious if he had come to this conclusion with the help of his Nanny or on his own.
E. Gillan
22 Feb 2021, 01:30
A Christmas Gathering
@Elzabeth Gillan
William met her eyes as they widened. Steeling himself, he kept looking through them, finding it easier to stay. A shuddering breath passed his lips. His heart hammered inside his chest, and for maybe the first time his hands shook. He looked back down at them, whishing for them to stop trembling.
He couldn't think of how waiting for a reaction could be more agonizing then actually saying it, but it did. A word, that's all it took to say it. The word, that had been as easy to say as his name. He'd even had already had a chance to come out. However, the confidence he had built up was crumbling bit by bit each passing moment.
The stuttered response from his friend came only a few second after his declaration. It felt like an eternity. Elzabeth sounded unsure to his ear. The message was positive though, that had to mean something. The hesitance still clouded his mind to the point where he couldn't look at her anymore. He clutched his hands, willing them again to stop shaking. He lowered his gaze a second.
The smile she send him warmed him, allowing a smile of his own. It was small at the beginning, but as she spoke it got bigger and brighter. While he didn't really get why she would feel honoured, he was glad she accepted his confession. As soon as the words of her father had rung through his ears, he knew he had to tell her, someone of thrust.
William frowned softly as she got up, his question answered as soon as she hugged him. He stiffened, a gasp flying past his lips at the contact. However, he soon melted into the hug, even going as far as squeezing his friend a little bit. This action melted away the rest of his doubts, and he muttered a soft "thank you" as they parted.
Her question took a little time to register, but he answered quickly after, "No, not at all. My nanny knows. He is the first one I've came out to in fact. You are the only other one to know. I will probably tell my parents as soon as I can catch them for more than a few seconds." He breathed out, "Thank you again... "
William met her eyes as they widened. Steeling himself, he kept looking through them, finding it easier to stay. A shuddering breath passed his lips. His heart hammered inside his chest, and for maybe the first time his hands shook. He looked back down at them, whishing for them to stop trembling.
He couldn't think of how waiting for a reaction could be more agonizing then actually saying it, but it did. A word, that's all it took to say it. The word, that had been as easy to say as his name. He'd even had already had a chance to come out. However, the confidence he had built up was crumbling bit by bit each passing moment.
The stuttered response from his friend came only a few second after his declaration. It felt like an eternity. Elzabeth sounded unsure to his ear. The message was positive though, that had to mean something. The hesitance still clouded his mind to the point where he couldn't look at her anymore. He clutched his hands, willing them again to stop shaking. He lowered his gaze a second.
The smile she send him warmed him, allowing a smile of his own. It was small at the beginning, but as she spoke it got bigger and brighter. While he didn't really get why she would feel honoured, he was glad she accepted his confession. As soon as the words of her father had rung through his ears, he knew he had to tell her, someone of thrust.
William frowned softly as she got up, his question answered as soon as she hugged him. He stiffened, a gasp flying past his lips at the contact. However, he soon melted into the hug, even going as far as squeezing his friend a little bit. This action melted away the rest of his doubts, and he muttered a soft "thank you" as they parted.
Her question took a little time to register, but he answered quickly after, "No, not at all. My nanny knows. He is the first one I've came out to in fact. You are the only other one to know. I will probably tell my parents as soon as I can catch them for more than a few seconds." He breathed out, "Thank you again... "
4 Mar 2021, 04:36
A Christmas Gathering
@William DuboisElzabeth smiled, leaning away from him. "I support you, without hesitation William." She nodded. It was unexpected news, sure, but that didn't change anything. She didn't know his parents and so she couldn't guess how they would respond but she hopped they would understand.
"On that note." Elzabeth smiled almost mischievously. "Is there anyone you have your eyes on?" She wanted to know if he had any crushes beyond just the attractive older kids, surely there was someone that had caught his eyes.
Unfortunately she didn't have many classes with William so her guess was as good as anyone else's.
"Another Slytherin perhaps?" Elzabeth whispered, tapping her finger against her bottom lip. It was hard to put him with another house, there was too many possibilities, especially since each of the houses mixed classes so there was no telling.
Suddenly she stopped, looking at him. "I don't want to impose though, you don't have to tell me if you dont want to!" It was also entirely possible he didn't have a crush and she was looking way too deep into this, so she decided maybe her best move would be to shut up and let him talk before she dug herself further down that hole.
E. Gillan
15 Mar 2021, 20:35
A Christmas Gathering
Her full support meant more to William than he would ever admit. Confidence in his identity had been growing by the second as they hugged. He was not a cuddly person per say, but it ignited a spark in his heart. With a few words and an embrace, Elzabeth had unknowingly reinforced his wish to say it to his parents. Her last affirmation as she leaned back brought a smile to his features.
The next one though only brought a tinge of red. Of course, someone had caught his eyes. Figure skaters mostly, and some people from his house piqued his interest. Did he talk, or know any of them? Not at all. When he noticed the smile of his friend, he recoiled in embarrassment, picture of that cute Canadian skater flashing before his eyes.
As she pondered, over the House of whoever might have caught his eye, William came back to his senses. She wasn’t wrong in proposing the member of the green and silver house. One indeed had caught his eyes more than the others. He didn’t know the name of the boy, but he always thought he seemed kind. Beautiful too, not unlike the skater that probably started William’s questioning.
"I don't want to impose though; you don't have to tell me if you dont want to!"
Immediately after she said that the Slytherin shook his head, firing back, “You are imposing a little, but it’s okay. I’ve always thought skaters were beautiful, to answer your question. Slytherin’s too to be honest.” He chuckled before continuing, “Since we are on the subject, what about you?” A twinkle light up in his eyes as he asked her the question.
@Elzabeth Gillan
OOC: So sorry for the delay, I had a crazy week.
The next one though only brought a tinge of red. Of course, someone had caught his eyes. Figure skaters mostly, and some people from his house piqued his interest. Did he talk, or know any of them? Not at all. When he noticed the smile of his friend, he recoiled in embarrassment, picture of that cute Canadian skater flashing before his eyes.
As she pondered, over the House of whoever might have caught his eye, William came back to his senses. She wasn’t wrong in proposing the member of the green and silver house. One indeed had caught his eyes more than the others. He didn’t know the name of the boy, but he always thought he seemed kind. Beautiful too, not unlike the skater that probably started William’s questioning.
"I don't want to impose though; you don't have to tell me if you dont want to!"
Immediately after she said that the Slytherin shook his head, firing back, “You are imposing a little, but it’s okay. I’ve always thought skaters were beautiful, to answer your question. Slytherin’s too to be honest.” He chuckled before continuing, “Since we are on the subject, what about you?” A twinkle light up in his eyes as he asked her the question.
@Elzabeth Gillan
OOC: So sorry for the delay, I had a crazy week.