Pairing: Beckett Harrington x Emma Carlyle (F!MC)
Book: The Elementalists (early in book one)
Word Count: ~ 700
Rating/Warnings: general, no warnings (grumpy/sunshine)
A/N: This is part of my Detention series at the beginning of TE1 and my Stolen Moments: brushing hair back series.
Synopsis: Emma tracks down a particularly mischievous book, while Beckett gets caught in their path.
Emma's brow knitted together in determination, her gaze narrowing on a particular mischievous edition of The Enchanted Pixie Scrolls. She tiptoed through the stacks, trying to hide in the shadows. No matter how quiet or how stealthy she was, the book swooped and twirled in the air, taunting her at every turn. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought there were actual pixies inside, laughing at her dismay. The thought lingered a moment as she considered it...it couldn't be, could it?
She shook her head, turning her attention back to her quest. It didn't really matter. The end result was the same; she needed to reshelve that book before she could leave detention for the day. Her gaze swept over the space. "Now, where did you go?"
Airy giggles floated behind her, the corner of the hard cover poking her in the back. She spun quickly, lunging toward the book. Her fingers brushed against the book's cool leather spine, but it fluttered away. "Get back here!"
She dodged left and right, avoiding other books and students, tracking the elusive book through the library. A playful smirk pulled at her lips. She shouldn't. It probably wouldn't even work... but what if it did?
Too late to turn back now.
With careful consideration, she leaped forward, a quick spell slipping from her lips as the floating books in the aisle came together, creating something resembling floating stairs. She tried not to waste time thinking about Beckett's horror if he saw her stepping on books. He was already wound so tight it might push him too far.
Each book shifted under her weight, her stride wobbling under the uneven stairs; however, she was too far committed to give up now.
She lept up one more level, then jumped forward, extending her arm just as the book attempted to flit away again. "Oh, no, you don't!" This time her efforts were rewarded, and her hand clasped around the hard front cover of the book. Emma's added weight caused the book to drop...fast. Emma struggled to hold onto the book as it fought to be free. She quickly mumbled a spell, the air swirling around them, slowing but not stopping their descent.
"Watch it!" Beckett growled, trying to step to the side, but it was too late.
Emma and the book landed with a thud right on top of one Becket Harrington, his now trademark grumpy scowl growing.
"I got the book!" Emma declared proudly, lying across his chest. Her bright eyes filled with her accomplishment as her gaze met his, not noticing how close they were.
"Good for you."
"Oh, don't pretend you're not at least a little bit impressed."
"You seem to be congratulating yourself sufficiently already."
Emma rolled her eyes as she eased herself off of him. "You don't need to say it. Your cute flushing freckled cheeks tell me all I need to know."
Despite his protest, the color only grew deeper at her words.
Emma ran her hand over his broad shoulders and chest, smoothing his blazer as he stood beside her. "There, all better. Not a hair out of—" Her words paused as she noticed a stray strand of his brown hair hanging over his forehead. Her fingers gathered the offending lock, brushing it back over his head. His hair was softer than she expected. Her fingers lingered, raking gingerly through his silky hair.
His eyes closed as he leaned into her touch. The frown on his face softened, giving way to something she might even consider a smile. The pair drifted closer, their faces only a breath away.
"Emma," her name slipped from his lips as his eyes met hers. He leaned forward, closing the gap until something smacked against their chests.
The book, still clutched in Emma's free hand, flapped between them, breaking the moment.
Beckett cleared his throat. "We should get that back where it belongs before—"
Emma cut him off before he could continue his thought. "—before you break your no-kissing rule and have to admit you like me." Her brow rose playfully.
She expected him to protest, his ears reddening, betraying his words, but he didn't. He paused before her. His cool grey eyes filled with rare openness. With careful precision, his long fingers gathered a loose curl of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. "Just returning the favor."
Without another word, he turned. "This way," he directed, leading them to where the book belonged.
Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little bit of silliness! 💖
