A/N: Based on the song Corduroy Dreams by Rex Orange County.
words: 363 (sorry it's so short I've been really busy)
Fred’s eyes danced over your face, memorising every detail. The sunlight filtering through the window shone in his eyes, giving them a honey coloured glow. He held you in his arms whilst gently playing with your hair, the fabric of the futon couch soft beneath you.
“Just stay here. I don’t want to get up.” Fred pleaded sleepily, it was a sunny Friday afternoon in the gryffindor common room and all he wanted to do was cuddle.
“We have to study.” You said halfheartedly wanting nothing more than to stay right where you were in his arms. He ran his fingers through your hair seemingly entranced by your eyes. All Fred could think about was y/n. She was captivating.
“Just promise you’ll stay for a while.” For a moment there you half believed that had a double meaning, just from the way he said it.
“You know I love you right?” Fred whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear. A sudden soft melancholy overtook you, the knowledge that every moment is temporary. This relationship would always change although you wanted to stay sixteen, carefree, happy and frozen in the sunshine forever.
“I love you too Freddie, till the end of time.” You smiled back gazing at his rosy, freckled cheeks and slightly lopsided grin, committing every inch of his smiling face to memory. You tried to fight the negative thoughts back but what would the future hold? Would Fred always be yours? Would this love last? How much longer did you really have together in the sunshine?
He leaned forward and pressed a small kiss to your temple. Smiling at the warmth of your skin and that soft y/n smell he didn’t know how to describe.
Little did you know Fred was thinking the same thing though he seemed carefree. No matter how much you love someone sometimes you have to let them go. He searched your eyes desperately for a sign of hope, the future or maybe just you. All he knew for sure was that whatever fate had in for you, good or bad, you loved each other and at the moment that was more than enough.
This is a long one you guys! A Fred Weasley Reader Insert I hope you enjoy. As I’ve started writing I’m beginning to see a lot of them follow the same patterns so please do send in requests so I can write something a bit different :) If you want a part two I would be more than happy to oblige
I sat down at my desk once more. Clearing away the papers and notes the never-ending week had collected. The small lamp cast a heavenly glow scattered through the leaves of my plants. Quietly I opened my draw pulling out my notebook filled with letters I would never send. Turning to the next empty page I intended to spill every last moment into. The movement of the pen ales the headache growing deep in my mind and I lose myself entirely in the act of it. Not particularly caring for the words I write. Just knowing that all day I waited keeping them safe for this moment finally letting them free. Outside of my bedroom I hear him move, speaking to someone I assume to be George or one of his other siblings. Animated and joyous. The thought brings a smile to my lips. They laugh together over something small I imagine.
Finally finished with my letter I close the notebook placing it back in its spot. I settle myself turning off the light as I go to join my friends. George opens his arms wide offering me a hug which Angelina joins in. They tell us of their most recent trip and of how warm Greece was this time of year.
“And we have a little surprise.” George says wiggling his eyebrows gleefully. Angelina breaks into a dazzling smile showing me and Fred her left hand where a sweet diamond ring sits on her finger. Now I envelope the two of them into a hug which Fred joins us. Squeezing all of us together.
“Knew you could do it mate.” Fred says clapping his brother on the back giving George a proud look.
“Let me see the ring Ang.” I say holding my hand to her which she eagerly abides placing her hand dramatically into mine. I see the love in her face when she gazes at George as I look at the ring.
“Yes, Angelina we must see the ring!” Fred adds in a comical tone standing next to me taking in the engagement ring.
“It’s beautiful, you did well George.”
“Did you ever doubt me?” He adds planting a kiss on Angelina’s cheek.
“Never.” She responds.
Me and Fred send each other a look which says god this is grossly adorable. Angelina and George are in their own little bubble just staring at each other.
“I think this calls for champagne don’t you Fred.” I say.
“Absolutely couldn’t think of a more appropriate occasion! We’ll just pop to the Muggle shop and get some.” Fred adds grabbing my hand and my bag as we make a swift exit out of the front door. The cold night doesn’t mask the strange look taking over Fred's face. I’m not sure why but he looks sad.
“Did you know he was going to propose?” I ask him.
For a moment he doesn’t respond but he does look down at me leaving a pregnant pause between the two of us.
“I didn’t know he when he was going to do it but I had an idea it would be soon. I actually helped him pick out the ring a few months ago.” he looks away, “I can see that look on your face don’t worry I am happy for them. It’s just strange. It’s very grown up of him.” he looks back at me and continues without any probing, “It’s stupid but me and George always moved at the same pace. I feel like I’m falling behind a little. Do you ever feel like maybe there’s something wrong with us?” he asks.
“Because we aren’t engaged?”
“Well more because we’re single, you know Ron and Hermione have moved in together. Harry and Ginny are only not engaged because they want to wait but they’re practically married. They’re all younger than us. It’s like everyone we know has found someone they want to be with. But here we are buying celebratory champagne for a happy couple.” He says turning the corner to walk down the next street.
“I don’t think that’s wrong of us Fred. If you worried about not being lovable.” I look up at him, “Then you don’t need to worry, I haven’t met someone who didn’t love you.” I’m thankful for the dark as I feel a blush grow on my cheeks.
“Are you keeping count.” He laughs leaving another pause before continuing, “You don’t have anything to worry about it either. You are extremely lovable.”
Even though it’s cold out tonight I begin to sweat under my jumper. Thankfully we approach the shop so the conversation of love disperses into the wind.
“Now how happy would you say we are for the happy couple, £7.50 happy or £20 happy?” I ask holding up the two bottles. Fred pretends to read the labels before choosing the cheaper bottle.
“I love them both but I don’t love them enough to spend £20 on sparkling wine. Did you want some snacks while we’re here?” He asks.
“Yeah, I’ll just grab some stuff on the way to the till.”
With an armful of appropriate snacks and drinks we wander back to the house. Opening up the bag of cheese puffs to eat on the walk.
“When was the last time you went on a date?” Fred asks out of nowhere.
“Oh, uh it was a month ago with that muggle who worked as a chef.”
“You went on a few dates with him didn’t you. He was alright. Why didn’t it go any further?” He asks tentatively.
“Well, he just didn’t feel right. He was constantly talking about himself and just didn’t do it for me sexually to be honest.” I say popping a cheese puff into my mouth. This causes Fred to laugh so loud I’m worried we’re disturbing people who live in the houses we pass.
“Poor guy, since we’re being honest, I did hate that twat.” This time I laugh and whack his chest. “What he was always judging me and he laughed when he saw me making breakfast! Also, the way he looked at you made my skin crawl.” He adds.
“How did he look at me?” I shriek with laughter.
“Like he was always thinking about sex. By the sounds of it he was always thinking about having bad sex with you. And that moustache only made it worse.”
“What about you how long has it been for you?” I ask.
“What since I had bad sex or had a date?” he responds with a laugh, “It’s been a long time, I just haven’t found anyone I’m interested in spending time with.”
“You don’t have to tell me about the sex the ladies you bring home aren’t quiet.” I add.
“You little perv.” Fred laughs.
When we get back into the house, we hear music playing from the living room where George and Angelina are dancing together. Holding each other close with content smiles playing on their lips mouthing the words to an old muggle song that plays on our record player. For a moment me and Fred just stand there watching them. I can’t tell you what he’s thinking but I know what’s running through my mind. The longing to be held in such a loving way. To have someone look at you like that and to look at someone like that. Looking up at Fred I see that he is now looking at me. Something tugs inside my chest. He places a hand on the small of my back and for just a second I think he’s going to ask me to dance with him, the image of that intimacy brings a blush to my face. Instead, he guides me into the kitchen where we drop the snacks on the counter. While I source our second-hand champagne flutes, last used on the opening of the joke shop, Fred pops the sparkling wine. We pour out four glasses in silence.
George and Angelina walk into the kitchen taking a glass each. George lifts his glass toward us and we do the same, then he tips it toward Angelina who intertwines her arm with his.
“To love.” George says.
“To love.” Angelina mirrors.
Fred and I look to each other, with a cheeky grin on his face he links his arm with mine. With his skin touching mine a strange feeling once again tugs inside me as we drink.
We finish off the two bottles of sparkling wine, with the aid of the bubbles and the alcohol I do end up dancing with Fred. He takes my hand and rests another on the small of my back which still burning from the last time his hand rested there. I was so close I could smell his apple shampoo and his aftershave. Sometime late in the night George and Angelina went back to their home but me and Fred kept dancing. My head leant against his chest with just his cotton t shirt keeping me from his skin but I still could hear his heart thud. His hands made their way up the back of my shirt so he explored my bare skin. Drawing his fingers to follow my spine. I didn’t stop him. When I looked up at him, he was once again looking at me. In a way I’d never seen him look before. My hands slid up to secure themselves around his neck and his still danced under my shirt.
We stopped dancing. Minutes passed and we just stood there. Hearts racing and bodies pressed together. Slightly breathless and definitely reddening. The last song on the record played out so we no longer had music it was just the two of us holding each other with the song of our hearts beating. Fred slowly brought his face down to mine so our noses brushed against each other. My eyes fluttered closed. Just as we were about to kiss the home phone rang. My eyes opened and the spell had broken. With the shrill ring of the phone dragging us out of the moment Fred and I looked at each other again. Not with the yearning that there was before but with confusion. I was the first to step away making it to the phone just before it rang out.
It was someone Fred had given his number to on a night out. I passed the phone to him walking back to my room like dog with its tail between his legs. When I close the door, I press my forehead against it panting. I can hear him talk on the phone for a few minutes when he hangs up, I assume he’ll go to bed but what I didn’t expect was for him to walk up to my door and to just stand there. His shadow dancing with mine. Once again, I hear him breathing. I feel his name at the tip of my tongue and I almost let myself say it.
Instead, he says mine.
In a breath I open my door. He is waiting for me with lips parted. I’m unsure of what he’s going to do and I think he is too. Like something completely out of his control brought him to my door.
“How was she?” I ask.
But he doesn’t answer. He steps toward me closing the space between us again. His hands find their way to my face and he leaves them there. Searching my face for an answer to a question he has yet to ask. But I feel it. Deep inside me I hear the question and I know the answer. I place my hand on his cheek too his face hot. This time I bring my face up to his letting our noses brush together for a moment. This is all it takes for him to kiss me. Fiery with the taste of champagne still on his lips. His hands explore me in the way they had only began to do a moment ago. Mine begin to do the same to him. My hands running up his shirt to feel his chest and his heart beating beneath it. Before I know what happening we’re both shirtless and I’m perched on my dresser while he kisses every inch of bare skin.
We both lose any control we had earlier in the night after we’ve made our way to the bed still panting and touching one another. I learn why the ladies he brings home always make so much noise and I’m so thankful I didn’t keep dating the muggle.
After we just lay there in bed staring up at the ceiling. I turn my head to look at Fred who once more is still looking at me. As ridiculous as it sounds considering what we’ve just done I feel very aware that I’m naked next to Fred. A shyness takes over me and I have to resist sitting up and getting under the covers. Fred sensing my mood change leans over his side of the bed picking up his t-shirt that lay on the floor and gives it to me to wear. After I’ve put it on, he suggests we get under the duvet considering how cold it gets at night in this house. I don’t ask him if he wants to go back to his bed and he doesn’t offer. I lay my head on his bare chest and his hand draws circles along my back once more.
I fall into sleep easily next to Fred who’s steady breathing I eventually match.
The morning sun lights up my room and I lie in Fred’s arms recounting the night before. Already panicked about how to talk to him now. This wasn’t some guy I was dating and I wasn’t some girl he brought back from a club. We live together.
He shifts stretching and yawning opening his eyes. He smiles in a way that makes me want to not worry about what’ll happen because of last night. He tugs me closer into his chest and plants a kiss onto the top of my head. I melt into his touch and sigh contently.
“So that was...” I trail off already annoyed that I started the conversation.
“Really good.” He answers.
“Yes, I have to agree with you there.”
We just lay there together for a while both now aware of the closeness and the familiarity of it all. I don’t prompt him for more conversation about what had happened last night out of fear that he’ll dismiss it as a onetime thing. Well aware that the feeling tugging inside my chest wasn’t anything new. Knowing that a few steps away from me in my desk are letters all addressed to Fred telling all him all the things I couldn’t say. If this didn’t even mean anything to him how could I live in this house with him without breaking my heart every time I see him or think about him.
“Would you want to go on a date with me?” He asks me.
I turn my head to look up at him from his chest and he looks nervous. Biting his lip and playing with his hair with his free hand.
“Yes. Absolutely let's do that.” I answer.
Then my alarm goes off signalling I have work in an hour and a half. I sigh and peel myself away from Fred with frustrated look.
“I have to get ready.”
“I knew it was coming don’t worry, I have some shop manager stuff to do today anyway so it’s for the best. I mean I never thought I’d be able to leave you naked in bed.” He jokes.
“You’ve thought about me naked.” I blush as I stand up from the bed wrapping myself in a dressing gown.
“Well, we’ve known each other a long time and you are the most beautiful girl I’ve met so yes. And if I hadn’t, I probably would’ve just gone to sleep last night instead of just waiting for you to open the door. And to be honest -“ He gets cut off by the house phone ringing. He groans pulling on his boxers and plodding out of the room over to the house phone.
I follow him out in need of a cup of coffee. I mime to him to ask he wants one which he does so I go into the kitchen to boil the kettle.
“Oh Hayley, I didn’t expect you to call again.” I hear him say until the kettle drowns it out.
After the coffee is made Fred makes his way into the kitchen with a guilty look on his face. He kisses me thanking me for the drink insisting that he’ll make breakfast while I shower and get dressed for work. After I’m dressed, I make my way to the kitchen, where Fred looks proudly at the plate, he’s dished up with a glass of orange juice and a rose from the neighbour's garden complementing the chocolate sauce smiley face he’s drawn over my pancake.
“Why that muggle ever laughed at your culinary skills I’ll never know.” I joke sliding into my seat next to Fred.
“About other people...” he starts, “So Hayley the girl from last night phoned again and she asked me if...”
“If?”
“If I wanted to go on a date with her.”
“And do you?”
Fred shakes his head, “No I don’t which I did tell her but it brings me to something I did want to talk to you about.”
“What’s that?” I ask taking a bite of my pancakes.
“I know last night, before we,” he gestures between the two of us, “which by the way was incredible, we talked about the both of us being single and I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I didn’t sleep with you because I’m scared about being alone. I did it because it felt right. Whatever this is between us it feels right to me.”
“It feels right to me too.” I add holding his hand in mine.
“Great, so how do you feel about a date tonight?”
“Tonight, works perfectly for me.” I say smiling at him but my second alarm goes off to let me know I have to leave for work so I kiss Fred before I go.
The work days go quickly which I’m thankful for. On the entire walk back to the house I’m smiling like a love sick teenager. When I arrive home, Fred hasn’t yet made it back from work so I draw myself a bath to relax. While I’m relaxing in the lavender scented bath, I hear Fred call to let me know he’s home. I unlock the bathroom door and shout back to him. He opens the door peaking his head in like he’s not sure if he’s allowed to look.
“How was work?” I ask him.
“Agonising.” he answers in a strained tone.
“Why?” I laugh.
“Well, I spent all day thinking about you obviously.” he walks into the bathroom leaning down to kiss me.
“So, what’s the plan for our date tonight?” I ask.
“That’s a surprise.” He says kissing me again.
After I’ve finished getting ready, I find myself standing outside Fred’s door feeling once again overcome with shyness. I’d spent the entire day not thinking about what it all meant between me and Fred, I was focused on how it felt last being with him and letting every desire I have for him take over. It was all instinct and I’m not particularly good on acting on it. What if he doesn’t like the dress I’m wearing. Or what if we start dating and it all ends terribly leaving me without all my friends. Or what if-
“See it’s very unnerving standing outside someone’s door isn’t it.” I hear Fred say from inside his room.
“How does it feel for you being on the other side of it?” I respond.
“Still pretty nerve wracking.” He laughs still not opening the door.
“Fred.” I say and he says my name back to me. “We aren’t making a mistake, are we?” I ask.
“Mistake?” he says swinging open the door with fear taking over his eyes, “Why would we be making a mistake.” He asks looking down at me.
“Well, if we start dating it's not the same as starting out with someone from the first date. I know you better than I know anyone. I mean we live together Fred. Where are we starting from? What are we to each other?”
He takes my hand and leads me further into his room so there’s not much space between us, “We are two people who have always cared for each other. You are one of my dearest friends and I think that’s what dating is right? That’s why I never make it onto a date because why would I when I have someone like you, someone I trust with everything. Every time I’d bring a girl home and it got to the talking, I wasn’t interested in it because I would always keep thinking of you. About something that would make you laugh. So, it may make it all a bit more complicated because I think about you all the time as it is but I want to do this. I can’t tell you where we’re starting because I don’t know where we stand but I’m willing to figure it out if you are.”
“Okay Freddie. We can figure it out together.”
He breathes a sigh of relief pulling me in for a hug, squeezing me tight.
Summary: You’re a prefect, and you spend most of your time reprimanding Fred Weasley and his brother. What happens when you get locked in a room with the infamous Fred Weasley?
Warnings: None :)
Requested by @imboredsueme. Hope you enjoy :)
A/N: Requests are open! Send em’ in!
“Weasley!” you screech, noticing the first year student clutching a never ending bloody nose.
You soon track down the two Weasley twins, clutching several “Nosebleed Nougats” (or whatever you call them) in their hands.
“Haven’t I told you”, you pause to snatch the sweets out of George’s hands, “that these are not permitted here?”
Fred, being much taller than you, leans down, his chocolate brown eyes narrowing at you. “Oh, Y/N, you’ve told us thousands of times already. But despite that”, his eyes lower to meet your shining prefect badge, “fancy badge of yours, we really don’t care what you have to say.”
Your face turns red with anger and little bit of shyness of having Fred Weasley so close to you. Wordlessly, you grab the rest of the candies from Fred’s hands and saunter off, not noticing the oldest twin’s gentle gaze following your retreating body.
Although this gaze only lasts a few seconds, the younger twin notices it, plans formulating in his mind.
You want to scream with frustration as you chuck the offending sweets in the trash. Why in Merlin’s name did he have to be so damn aggravating…
It’s not that you dislike Fred Weasley, with his gentle eyes, a humorous smile that lights up any room… You just dislike his attitude towards prefects, and especially towards you.
So how did you fall so hard for him?
Shaking off your thoughts, you head to the Great Hall for dinner.
“Rough day?” your friend asks, eyes drifting over to Fred, who’s making a huge ruckus at another table.
You sigh. “You have no idea.”
Picking up your goblet of pumpkin juice, you take a greedy sip, noticing a slight taste difference. You shrug it off, it’s probably just sweeter today.
Dinner goes by rather quickly, and before you can head back to your dorm, another prefect rushes over to you.
“Hey, Y/N. I think Fred and George are setting up pranks in the prefect’s bathroom. Blimey, I have no idea how they got in there in the first place…”
You scowl. “I’ll take care of it. You can get some rest.”
The prefect gives you a thankful nod before heading back to their dorm. You stomp to the bathroom, very annoyed.
You mutter the password and as soon as the door opens, you begin to look around. The room is empty and quiet, that is, until the door shuts behind you.
Deciding there is nothing out of the ordinary, you try to leave, but the door won’t budge. You take out your wand and try every unlocking spell, but none seem to work.
“Oh ha-ha”, you yell at nothing in particular. “Very funny. Now let me out, or I’ll have to report you!”
Silence answers you and you groan. You slump against the wall, trying to formulate a plan out.
A few minutes later, you see the door open, and before you can thank your savior, Fred Weasley stumbles in, and the door shuts indefinitely behind him.
He looks around briefly and tries to leave, but the door has shut behind him as well.
“What are you doing here, Weasley?” you ask, and he jumps. He apparently didn’t see you.
“George told me we were planting pranks in here.”
You look at him with a confused glance. Fred Weasley did not tell the truth straight up that often.
He seems somewhat confused at what came out of his mouth, but ignores it as he tries to unlock the door.
“Tried it. Nothing works.”
“Hey! Instead of unlocking it, why don’t you two get to know each other?” a familiar voice comes through the door.
Fred grits his teeth. “George, I swear to Merlin…”
The threat doesn’t seem to have effect as George seems to have left.
Fred groans deeply before slumping against the wall somewhat next to you.
The two of you sit in silence before you decide to break the ice.
“You know, Fred, how come we’ve never gotten along?”
He looks surprised by the question before answering immediately. “Because despite your stuck up nature, you’re very intriguing.”
Fred realizes what he’s saying before covering his mouth.
You look at him, confusion on your face. “Thank-thanks?”
“You think I’m intriguing?” you ask.
“Absolutely. I think you’re pretty too.”
You both choke on your spit.
“Fred, what’s going on?”
His eyes narrow, and you swear he mumbles “George” under his breath.
“Y/N, do you secretly like me?” he asks suddenly, catching you off guard.
Before you can think, you confidently say “Yes.”
Fred grins. “I think our dear Georgie spiked our drinks with veritaserum and locked us in here together.”
You’re red with anger and embarrassment again. Did you just admit you liked the very person that annoyed you to no end?
“Well, then, do you like me, Fred?” you retaliate, slightly hopeful.
He smiles before confidently saying “yes.”
“And, I didn’t need a potion to say it”, he says, quickly closing the gap between you two.
As you kiss the man you never thought you would, you can’t help but feel how soft his lips are, how smooth his red locks are, how safe you feel in his presence.
“Alright, I think that’s enough bonding now”, George interrupts with a disgusted look on his face.
You break apart hesitantly and before either you or Fred can say anything, you raise your wand.
“Petrificus totalus.”
George’s body goes rigid before slumping to the ground.
Fred’s loud laugh resonates in the bathroom. “See, you’re intriguing.”
You laugh as well. “Oh hush”, you say before melding your lips on his once more.
Once the spell wore off, the two of you would have to thank the younger Weasley twin.
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A Fred Weasley X Reader sort of au but mainly just no mention of magic so call it what you like. The morning after a party where Fred’s big prank (which you may or may not have found funny at the time) has broken the house warming gift your mum gave you. Word count: 1234
I didn’t know much but I knew I was absolutely furious with Fred Weasley. He had done it again. Ruined a party with a childish prank. He could be so childish sometimes. It wasn’t just the party with all our friends and new neighbours who saw how childish we both were I’ll admit. But the vase my mum had given me when I moved into my bungalow. It wasn’t much but it was important to me. Something that told me my mum was happy for me and Freddie. Now I had to clean up the mess.
A broken vase, stained carpet and a cupboard door hanging from its hinges. How did things get this out of hand? Frustration bubbled up within me as I picked up the empty cans and glass bottles. Of course, I would be left to clean it up. How could I expect any less? When I woke in the morning crusty eyed and cotton mouthed, and he wasn’t there. Just a pint of water and a pack of pain killers on the bed side table. Nothing worse than waking up in an empty bed. I ran my hand across the dent he left, still warm. Still smelling of his cologne and shampoo. He shared the bed with me but as soon as he was met with the consequences of his actions he had gone. Still I felt more upset that he wasn’t there than the fact he’d left me the mess to clean up.
I filled bin bag after bin bag with rubbish. Empty bottles and takeaway carton. Kicking the cans around with my fluffy slippers. Feeling like a frustrated child. After I had emptied all the crap from the house. I felt a little lighter. Finally, a cleaner house. But now I could see a burn mark on the mustard curtains. A large brown mark stood proudly on the cream carpet. And a toilet that wouldn’t seem to flush. How was I going to fix that? I had to fight the urge to phone my Nan begging for her sacred cleaning knowledge she refused to share with mum. As the thought ran across my mind my phone began to buzz in my back pocket. Mum. Great. I let it ring out. She can’t know how much of mess this all is. Hauling the old vacuum from its cupboard I spot the carefully wrapped remnants of the housewarming gift. I plonk the vacuum down on the kitchen floor and inspect the remains.
Looking at it now I see I could glue it back together. To be honest I always thought it was an ugly vase, something outdated and a bit of an eyesore. For some reason that why I liked it so much. It used to sit in the kitchen when my Mum had owned it. She joked that one day I could give it to my daughter so the ugly vase could live with someone else. Large shards of china scattered on the kitchen counter. Last night it seemed like such a big deal but looking at it now, slightly hungover, I see it as more of a nuisance. Just as I go to brush it into the bin the door opens. Turning I see Fred slumping in through the doorway. Wearing mismatching shoes and my old PE jumper which just hit his midriff and the arms barely grazing his forearm. He looked ridiculous. The closer he got I saw he was wearing his painting joggers riddled with holes and splashes of colours. In his hand a large bag and on his face utter embarrassment and shame.
I couldn’t help but smile at him. Partly at the thought of him leaving the house like this but also because as annoyed as I was right now, I can’t think of one reason to stay angry at him. Manoeuvring himself around the dining table he carefully emptied his bag. Carpet cleaner, wood polish, disinfectant and a myriad of cleaning supplies. Then he brings something out with such caution I too find myself hoping it doesn’t break.
“I know it’s not the same as the one your mum gave you. But -“ he paused to look at me, saying my name softly, “I thought maybe I could give you a housewarming gift.” He smiled crookedly.
“Fred we’ve lived here for almost -“ I protested.
“Not the point love I’m clearly trying to do something sentimental. To make up for being a massive twat.” He laughed, “So, where was I before you so impatiently interrupted. I thought I’d get you a housewarming gift. I didn’t have time to wrap it, but the man was nice enough to wrap it in paper for me.” Like it was as breakable as an egg he handed it too me.
Laughing at him I began to unwrap it, noting the st peters hospice receipt hanging out of the bag. In my hand was the ugliest of ugly vases. Too many colours and a garish pattern. Something that would look entirely out of place in the bungalow. My heart swelled. I looked up at Fred and I knew that this man is everything I ever wanted. Despite how annoying he can be. I felt a blush creep up my neck. Like it did when he first asked me out, when he first kissed me and when he asked me to be his girlfriend. Even after all these years he could still make me blush. Something I found awfully embarrassing, but I could see Freddie’s face soften. His hand brushes the tangled hair out of my face.
“It’s perfect.” I say in a low whisper placing it down carefully. Then I turn to put the old vase in the bin. A small laugh escaping my lips as I turn to look at him again with that proud look on his face.
“Fred you know we have all most of this cleaning stuff in the cupboard, right?”
“Well yeah,” he squirms because he doesn’t know we do, “but you can never have too many, right?” he chuckles, “Now, do you want breakfast before we tidy up or lunch after we’ve finished? My treat. We can go anywhere you want.” He said wrapping his arms around my waist placing kisses along my jaw and neck.
I hum, “You know all the right words don’t you Freddie.”
“I do, did you see what I wrote on the bottom of the pot?” He asked. Causing me to giggle again. With two hand he took the vase and turned it so we could see the bottom. Where he had written our initials like two teenagers branding a tree. Under the initials he had scrawled 4 EVA. This time his grin was small and sweet. A smile he only shared with me. I placed my hand over his and put the vase down. We were just stood there holding hands and gazing at each other. Now both of us were blushing. Was he asking without really asking? Because he didn’t really need to ask. I couldn’t picture my life without this man. Or without his chaotic family.
“Love you Freddie.” I say in a hushed tone.
“Love you too.” He says. Just as we edge closer noses brushing the door swings open again. Where all his brothers and Ginny stand with even more cleaning equipment. “Oh yeah, I called in some back up.” He grinned.
