Lionheart

It’s you. Since the moment I met you. It’s you at 2 in the morning or 4 in the afternoon. It’s you when I’m sleeping and studying and eating and laughing. You are everywhere and you are everything.

[addiexsmith]

finnmarshall:

He couldn’t quite silence the sigh that inadvertently escaped him. He knew he’d regret it the moment it happened. Addie was sure to have caught it and the blonde was hardly known for not prying when it came to him. She noticed just about everything. Just about… His thoughts wandered a moment. “Which one gets me off the hook here?” He mumbled as he tipped back his bottle once more, knowing she’d rather him have fun than just tag along. So, for her sake, he put on a more chipper attitude. “Oh, fun of course. You know me, all about that party life.” He was so lame, why did she even bother with him anymore? He cleared his throat in an attempt to rid himself of the unexpected thought. Thankfully, Addie was preoccupied with changing. And Finn made a bit of a face when she emerged, something like amusement and disbelief. “You’re joking, right?”

Eyes roll once more at his comment. “Nice try, Marshall, but I know you better than that.” Still, for the moment she drops it, just pleased he’s willing to come with her. Addie raises an eyebrow at his reaction to her dress before she lets her face fall. “You don’t like it?” With wide eyes she feigns as though his words have hurt her wondering if she should maybe have chosen acting as her major instead of architecture. “My grandma chose it for me and she’s always had good taste... I guess I’ll just have to pick something else.” And at that her little act fell through, shooting him a smirk as she quickly whipped off the dress only to throw it in her face as she dodged around behind her door again ready to try on the next set of clothes she’d laid out.

[addiexsmith]

finnmarshall:

If only he had the courage to do or even say something. But Finn had never really been known for that - being bold and courageous and putting himself out there. Nope, he was much the opposite. Certainly if it weren’t for Addie, he’d be just another lonely geek in the engineering department. No one to laugh at his lame jokes or indulge his excitable nerd-ness. Perhaps he should show more enthusiasm. As much as he wasn’t the social butterfly like her, she brought out a side of him rarely seen by anyone else. And at least he got out of his apartment and classrooms because of her. She’d say he should be thanking her. He would, if he didn’t suspect she might pick another guy over him for the evening, again. “I’m already here aren’t I?” He wasn’t really making a good case so he just shut his mouth with another drink when it was returned to him. “Two actual minutes, or an Addison two minutes?” He teased.

“But there’s being here to have fun and just being here, which one is it Marshall?” He questions how long she’d actually take, showing just how well he knew her when any past boyfriend had just grunted and gone back to their xbox. “Just two minutes.” Eyes roll, keeping up her little charade as she riffled through the pile of clothes on her bed before pulling out a dress she had no intention of wearing. If memory served it had been a gift from her grandmother who was determined to believe that she was still twelve and liked wearing things with frills and bows. Ducking behind her wardrobe door to change, Addie emerged in it with a dramatic ta-dah. “I think this is the one- don’t you?”

[finnmarshall-blog]

As they had discussed - at the ungodly hour that Addison had shown up at his door the night before - Finn and Addie had done a movie and popcorn at his place before parting ways to get ready for the latter part of the evening. A party. All Addie’s idea of course, as she had promised. It didn’t take him long to begrudgingly prepare himself before heading to her apartment. He let himself in as he always did - announcing his arrival and grabbing a beer from the fridge before he made his way down the hall to her room. No doubt she was still in the midst of getting ready herself. Finn wasn’t nearly as sociable and popular as she was. But it was mostly how he knew the night would go and no psychological pep talk ever seemed to help when he saw her with another guy. “Hey, so where is this party anyway?” He asked as he made himself comfortable at the foot of her bed.

[addiexsmith]

The afternoon had been spent easily in his company, one of her favourite places to be no matter where it took place. Everything was just better with Finn by her side, he tempered her short-temperedness slightly and brought out the softer, nicer side of her. If she was being honest with herself, it was the version of her she probably liked most and one no one else had ever been successful in coaxing out. They’d said their goodbyes and she’d made her way back to her apartment to get a head start on getting ready. Except the blonde had no intention of making the scenario go quickly when he inevitably showed up, despite already having a good idea of what she’d wear. The truth was she enjoyed the little charade too much. So when she heard him come in she threw the outfit she had her eye on to one side and grabbed another handful of clothes to try. A grin was on her face at his question, not missing his lack of enthusiasm. “It’s at Casper’s. But you don’t have to come if it’s going to bum you out.” Walking over she plucked the bottle from his hand to take a drink before handing it back. “I’ll be two minutes.” A blatant lie, as they both knew.

[finnmarshall-blog]

Now that was something he could agree with. The two of them just seemed to perpetuate instances such as these. They always had. Playing these games, chasing each other in circles. Round and round they went. But it never stopped. They were practically inseparable since they were kids. Their lives were rich with history, intersected more times than they could even count anymore at this point. Impossible to keep score but he was certain that Addison would claim she was winning. “Well, I must have learned a thing or two from you.” He gave her the cheesiest grin, one both exuberant and devious since he had taken a slight shot at her still. Then she yawned and Finn was suddenly reminded of the hour and fact he’d been woken up, yawning in return. “You’ve got some catching up to do.”

[addiexsmith]

There’s an attempt to playfully narrow her eyes at his comment but instead she just ends up rolling them. “I should hope so, Marshall.” While there were a lot of aspects of herself she wasn’t always proud of, there were the odd ones that she though might benefit him. Her stubbornness wasn’t always a bad thing. The blonde gives him a wry smile at his next words, a curse of her now ex mumbled under her breath for denying her sleep. Settling down once more, Addie tucked herself in to Finn’s side, resting her head on his chest. She could have gone home, perhaps it would have been better if she did, but there was such comfort lying there like that she found herself drifting off already. Maybe she should have been considering why she found it so easy to fall asleep in his arms, why it felt so right, but any considerations were drowned out by her need to sleep.

[finnmarshall-blog]

“Started? I feel like this has been ongoing for eons.” He teased with a chuckle, having had these impromptu little attacks countless times in all the years that they’ve known one another. A sideways glance alerted him to the subtle frown that had formed in the span of his absence. He ruefully wondered if he were the cause for that. Why? “Hey!” Finn protested of her quite literal ribbing. “Right, what was I thinking? Must be just tired.” Considering it was just after four in the morning. “Oh, so that’s how it’s going to be. And she says I fight dirty,” he shook his head, tutting her mockingly but grinning the entire time. “Bring it on.” He’d eat his words later.

[addiexsmith]

“Well you’ve just added more fuel to the fire then.” Not that she’d ever been one to need anyone else to fan the flames that had run through her veins since birth. There’d always been so much feistiness contained in her small form that it was a miracle Finn could stand to be around her for long. But they’d managed years now, which was perhaps why he was the only one who got to see more of her than anyone else. The blonde snorted softly, the grin on her friend’s face doing little to convince her of his words. “You do fight dirty. I just usually do it better.” To her surprise, Addie found herself fighting a yawn, even Finn’s company not enough to stave off the basic need for sleep. “Maybe we should get some sleep, we’ve got a big day tomorrow if we follow my plan.”

[finnmarshall-blog]

Addison could barely protest through her giggling. And for Finn, it was music to his ears, mirrored in his own laughter. He was left with a goofy grin on his face when she did ultimately give in. “It’s the only way I can win with you,” he contested of the little blonde, features softening somewhat. That was until he realized he was lingering there too long. He let go of her wrists and moved aside, pulling the blanket tighter around himself, like some sort of shield. He’d use being cold as an excuse. He was anything but actually cold, however. “So, movie night later? Or are you going to drag me out?”

[addiexsmith]

Her laughter subsided but the grin it had put on her face stayed there after. “Well you might have won this time but we both know that you’ve just started a war.” The loss of him to close to her bothered it more than it should have, especially the way he tugged the blanket around him, causing a small frown to form on her brow. Usually she knew his thoughts better than her own but this time she was struggling to get a read on him. Any attempt she made was pushed to one side at his question, elbow digging playfully into his ribs. “Hey, I never drag you anywhere.” Laughing slightly she knew that wasn’t necessarily true. “I haven’t decided yet. Maybe both.” There’s a grin that speaks of trouble sent his way as the blonde shrugs her shoulders.

[finnmarshall-blog]

“Oh, right.” Finn said with a sarcastic edge to his tone. Two could play at this game. He wasn’t having any of that. Not from her, no way. Besides, she was at a disadvantage beyond just their obvious size difference. He wasn’t nearly as ticklish as she was. Still, there were a few spots she knew of that sometimes got him giggling and squirming away. The brunette only grinned at her in amusement after his little attack. He didn’t even have a chance to react when she launched herself on top of him and pinned him, finding one of those few spots along his ribs again. “Hey!” Finn giggled, grabbing for her wrists to cease her movements. “Nothing I can do, huh?” He flipped her over and pinned her wrists above her head before blowing a big raspberry on her neck. “Looks like there’s nothing you can do now, Smith.”

[addiexsmith]

Her grin only grew wider at the reaction she provoked in him but her triumph for short lived. She’d known she was done for the minute he grabbed he wrists but ti didn’t stop the little squeak of surprise at the speed in which he flipped her over and had her pinned. Laughter bubbled from her lips as his lips made contact with her neck in the way that only he could, head tilted back as he did. The blonde attempted to protest but any conviction in her tone was lost in the giggles coming from her. “Stop it.” Wriggling underneath him, she tried tugging her hands before twisting away. The whole thing was reminiscent of the two of them as kids and it was the perfect distraction from the event of earlier that night. Finn could always be counted on to give her exactly what she needed. “I give, I give. You fight to dirty for me, Marshall.” But there was a glint in her eye that would tell him she’d get him back when he least expected it.

[finnmarshall-blog]

It wasn’t often that Finn got the chance to really be face-to-face with Addie anymore, not since he’d surpassed her height as kids and they’d entered into the awkward stages of adolescence. When things started changing for them in different ways and he’d discovered his likeness of girls was focused onto one in particular - the one he’d always known. But he’d always known her, and that was something he just automatically deemed an impassible object. Besides, her likeness of boys extended to those that weren’t him. Jerks, even. Being unable to deal with such heavy atmosphere created at such an hour, he’d resorted to then trying to amuse and otherwise occupy her instead. He chuckled and squirmed at her retaliation. “Oh, you think I can’t handle myself, Smith?” He poked her again, this time wiggling his finger ever so slightly to elicit more of a reaction from her, perhaps a growl or giggle even.

[addiexsmith]

 “No, I know you can’t handle yourself.”  There was a grin of satisfaction given at the reaction her retaliation got but she barely had time to relish the small victory before Finn was launching his second attack. Gasping slightly, the blonde swatted his hand away, narrowing her eyes at him. “If you’re not gonna play fair...” She purposely let her words trail off ominously before moving quickly. Addie rose to her knees before trying to push her friend over onto his back again with the intention of swinging her leg over and pinning him down. It took a little bit of effort considering her small stature but her determination and the element of surprise won out and before long she was in her desired place. Looking down at him with a smug little smirk, Addie couldn’t help but rub it in. “I’m not gonna play fair either and there’s nothing you can do about it.” Without wasting a second her fingers met his ribs once more as she grinned widely, making the most of the upper hand while it lasted.

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn shifted, rolling onto his side. It wasn’t so much a sore subject as he hadn’t really had any particularly bad dating experiences. Just ones that didn’t work it. But it was a moot point since he’d already met her long ago. “You’re like every supportive alcoholic aunt giving me those lines,” he joked once more with a poke to her side. Humor was always a shared defense between them. “I know.” Finn wasn’t generally self-depreciating and he hadn’t meant to be as such. He just didn’t know how to tell her that he didn’t want to date anyone ·other than her·.

[addiexsmith]

For once they were eye to eye, lying down eradicating the usually huge height difference between them. For a heartbeat she let her gaze flicker over his face, taking in his features with an almost uncharacteristic softness as her fondness for him showed. They'd both changed so much in the time they'd known each other but she maybe hadn't given him enough credit in her mind with how much he'd grown up. The gaze was broken as soon as he poked her side, her wriggling away from the contact with a giggle. "Hey come on, don't start something you can't finish, Marshall." Though they both knew she was the one who'd come off worse with her ticklishness, she couldn't help but jab her finger into his side too. 

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn sighed softly. He should have known by now that he wouldn’t be getting back to sleep, at least not right away. Addie needed time to unwind from whatever it was that happened. “I guess not,” he agreed halfheartedly, if only to appease. He didn’t ·really· intend on putting himself out there more. That meant less time he could potentially spend with her. “I don’t think I’m very good at dating.”

[addiexsmith]

There was a little bit of guilt felt for the way she'd pressed him when she heard the halfhearted quality in his reply. Maybe it was a bit of a sore subject for him and she should have tread more carefully but then again, nothing was usually of limits for the two of them. Frowning slightly she shook her head. "No, you just haven't met the right person yet." After a moments pause she scoffed at her own cliche. "God, I sound like a bad chick flick. But I mean it, there's nothing wrong with you."

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn chortled at her remark. He’d learned long ago that Addie was set in her ways. He didn’t consider her a mean person. Abrasive, perhaps but he loved her fighting spirit. Unless they were arguing and then he cursed how headstrong she could be. Eventually he’d relent because there was no winning with her. It wasn’t long before they’d both end up apologizing though - they also couldn’t stay mad at each other. But if there was one person he wouldn’t mind fighting with and losing to time and time again for the rest of his life, it was Addison. ··I already have.·· “I have my whole life to date after college too, you know,” he protested in an attempt to get her off of his case.

[addiexsmith]

"Ok, fine, point taken." And maybe there was a little sigh of relief that he had no intention of dating any time soon. She knew that it would happen eventually, and had happened in the past, but it terrified her that one day he might find some girl who he loved enough to put Addie second for once. It might have been selfish of her to hope it never happened but in all the boyfriends and flings she'd had, never once had Finn been anything but her number one priority. The blonde guessed if she really wanted what was best for him and him to be happy, which she did, then she should play the encouraging friend and help him find someone. "But it wouldn't do you any harm to get out there a little more."

[finnmarshall-blog]

“Well I’ve had years of practice,” he said, half-joking. He was, after all, raised by parents who wanted a kind, respectful young man - which he became. And then there was also Addie he followed around like a puppy, always. Doing anything and everything to make her smile or laugh or just feel okay, especially when things didn’t seem to be. She was as much his rock as he was hers though. “Like I have the time for anyone else.” It was an excuse, of course. One of many he’d made off-the-cuff at different times. He ·had· dated. Not a whole lot, but there were a few notable girls. None of them had been right. ·None of them were Addison.· Finn was rather busy though so the excuse wasn’t exactly untrue, however, if he really wanted to he could make more time and he knew it. He just didn’t want to.

[addiexsmith]

"Shame none of it ever rubbed off on me." There was a little laugh given to match his half joking with her own but she couldn't help but feel like maybe she'd be an nicer person if she had adopted some of her friend's traits. Raised by a single mom, she'd been brought up believing that she didn't need a man in her life - maybe why she always chose ones who were so easily disposable, and by extension the blonde had taught herself that she didn't really need anyone but herself. Except Finn, he was that exception. "Oh come on, you just need to find someone you want to make time for." Though Addison couldn't say what she'd do if that actually happened.

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn adored that smile of hers, the more sincere, softer side of her that only he really truly experienced since they’d known each other forever. Sure he got her feisty side as well but it was the late night, quiet, bonding moments that he held close to his chest. For he didn’t get her all to himself these days. They weren’t kids anymore after all. “So I can be trained! That’s one problem solved,” he chuckled lightly. There were some lines he wouldn’t cross but those same lines, however, he ·wanted· to cross. But he wasn’t like any of the guys she dated. She’d never think of him that way. “Ugh,” he groaned and draped the blanket over her entire little frame. Finn secretly loved how small she was, and how she fit nestled into his side or chest.

[addiexsmith]

"You don't need trained, you're perfect just the way you are." While everyone else was treated to her candidness which verged into bluntness more often than not, there were very few people who were given such honesty about something personal to her. Addie might but blunt and not hold back but her feelings and emotions were something usually kept to herself, except never with Finn. Sighing in contentment, the blonde snuggled closer despite now having a blanket, enjoying the comfort and feeling so relaxed in her friend's arms. He was just always so thoughtful - something that had regrettably never rubbed off on her. "You need to get yourself a girl, can't have you wasting all this on me." She tried to say the words lightly but there was no denying the bitter taste in her mouth at the thought of him with someone else. But she was a mess and he deserved more than that.

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn grinned triumphantly, albeit still rather weary. His own hair was tousled but he hardly cared. Addison had seen him all manner of ways throughout the years. Finn laughed at her protest, stating all things he knew to be absolutely true about her. “But you love me so you would,” he commented. “Plus, I wouldn’t go away either.” He tensed momentarily at the sudden feeling of her against him but he immediately relaxed, finding comfort in it. He was also tired and as such, crawled back across the mattress, pulling Addison along with him to lay tucked at his side. “You’re lucky I don’t have an early class tomorrow,” he murmured.

[addiexsmith]

A soft smile rested on her lips at his assumption and if anyone else dared to say that she felt such a fondness for them they'd have been met with a glare. With Finn it was undeniable, they'd known each other so long, their lives so interwoven, it was impossible to even pretend that she didn't care about him. "I think you're ok." She laughed softly. "So I've taught you a thing or two then, huh?" Addison tries not to let it bother her that he tenses when she leans against him but she can't help but wonder if this casual comfort has suddenly began to cross a line for him. But any worries are brushed away as soon as they're settled, her fitting perfectly into his side and instantly comfortable, something she'd never managed to achieve with anyone else. "Good thing I'm not in either because you know I'd make you get up with me."

[finnmarshall-blog]

“Yeah, screw ·Ross·,” Finn subsequently spat. “Hey, in my defense it’s four o'clock in the morning and I ·was· asleep. -And he turned out to be a dick anyway.” The brunette replied and recoiled with a grin of amusement by her punch. It wasn’t malicious nor very forceful but then they’d done this before so he anticipated some retaliation. She was far smaller than himself as well, making it all the more comical. He caught himself staring as her hand went through her hair and he looked away when her gaze moved over him. “Oh, well, you’d let me in. Plus, I know you wouldn’t go away,” he teased to mask the slight awkwardness he suddenly felt. He was only in his boxers beneath the blanket he had clutched around himself. But he’d always let her in no matter what. She knew that.

[addiexsmith]

"Ok fine, you win this one." It wasn't often that she conceded defeat and even this time it was accompanied by a roll of her eyes. Frowning slightly at the way his gaze moved away from hers, Addison joined in with the teasing in an attempt to diffuse whatever was going on in his mind. "Oh you think so? We both know how grumpy I am when my sleep is disturbed." If she was short tempered at the best of times when deprived off sleep she was outright angry. With a tilt of her head and a grin on her face she agreed with his later statement. "True, I am stubborn." Tiredness was kicking in again and she shifted so her side was lined up with his, resting her head on his shoulder.

[finnmarshall-blog]

Finn merely rolled his eyes at her dismissal. He would have protested that she owed him an explanation having woken him up but they’d been through this routine more than a few times and he knew what was coming. He shut the door behind the petite blonde and followed her back over to his bed and settled down beside her, features still addled with sleep. “Uh huh,” he replied to her declaration of being done. He knew who with, the latest asshole Finn couldn’t care to really remember the name of. “Well, good riddance to - what was his name again?”

[addiexsmith]

"Ross." A mock scowl marred her features briefly before her fist met his arm with none of its usual force. "You promised you'd try with this one. Being nice means knowing their name." It was a familiar argument though her tone was teasing rather than annoyed, one that cropped up each time she introduced a new boy but she couldn't bring herself to start it this time over a boy she no longer cared about. Heaving a sigh Addie ran a hand through her sleep tousled hair before finally taking in her friend's appearance. "I'm sorry I woke you. I don't know why you let me in any more." There was a jokiness to it but she knew there was no hiding the more vulnerable undertone to it from him.

[finnmarshall-blog]

It was far too late for anyone to be at his dorm. Then again, no one came to his dorm except for Addison and if it was this late that meant there was something wrong. With a groan, Finn rolled out of bed, glimpsing the bright red 4:02AM on his digital clock. “I’m comin’, I’m comin’!” He exclaimed with a bit of tired annoyance, having been so rudely roused at such an awful hour. He’d only gone to sleep two and a half hours prior. He didn’t bother to pull on his pants, having just brought his entire blanket along with him as it was still wrapped around him. “Hey Addie,” he greeted with a yawn as he unlatched and opened his door. “What happened?”

[addiexsmith]

There was a little huff in reply to his question followed swiftly by a bitter muttering of "Don't ask." Addie went into his room without hesitation, it was something she'd done hundreds of times before over the years so she quickly made herself at home on his bed with little shame. "I'm done." He knew her well enough that the blunt statement didn't require any more elaboration but she couldn't help herself with him, she'd always given him the whole truth - whatever was on her mind- while everyone else got dry or blunt answers. "He's just so-" With a wave of her hand Addie let her friend fill in the blank "And I can't any more."