deck the halls | kinsey

[Deleted]

December, 2024

Sometimes free periods between classes were a bit of a drag. As much as Joe liked a break from his studies in the middle of the day, most days he didn't want to spend that free time wisely. Such as, studying. Luckily, he had his secret weapon, Kinsey, today. The pair were on their way to hit some books in Library before Arithmancy class, but it seemed that the universe had other plans...

As Joe and Kinsey hopped off the revolving staircases, Joe couldn't help but notice a mistletoe hung high above the empty corridors arch down the hallway.  There was no one around, since everybody was in class, so this could be a great time to use the Christmas hack to his advantage. Joe had liked Kinsey since he day he met her, but he wouldn't go around telling her, or anyone else that, especially since he was sure the feeling wasn't mutual. Only because she was so hung up on that stupid Riley kid.

A part of him barely noticed himself doing it, but he turned to Kinsey with a smile, before tugging her lightly by the hand in the opposite direction of the Library and toward the dazzling mistletoe. "Heeey, did you see that?" Joe asked with a laugh, his expression flickered into a face that was best described as mixture of mischievous excitement. There was something up his sleeve for sure. Joe wasn't going to point out the mistletoe right away, he wanted to see if Kinsey would notice it first, and see how she reacted, he didn't want to steal a kiss from her.

@kinsey

    

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Deleted]

Studying was something Kinsey always enjoyed. It wasn't just the fact that she liked learning things, but she also enjoyed teaching others. That was one reason she was happily making her way with Joe to the library. She enjoyed explaining things to him. He obviously wanted to do well in class and she was more than willing to help him. Besides that, Joe had a gift for lifting her mood. He made her laugh and smile ... and blush, but she was starting to get used to him a little bit, she thought. Then again, just when she thought she was getting comfortable he often found some way to make her blush ridiculously. 

They were on their way to the library when Joe suddenly stopped, grinning at her and pulling her away from the library. Kinsey gave him a quizzical look, not sure what was going on, but also curious to find out. "See what?" she asked, not even trying to look around as she followed him easily. For all she knew, Joe was just making something up to try and distract her. She wasn't going to let him get away with that. If he was actually talking about something, she was sure that he'd tell her what. He was clearly excited about something and Kinsey couldn't help but smile back. She laughed, "Were are you taking me, Joe?" A part of her hoped he had something fun planned, that he was trying to surprise her in some way and that studying had all been a ruse. She liked spending time with Joe, more than she even realized. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

December, 2024

Luckily, Kinsey easily took the bait and willingly tagged along beside Joe, seemingly down for whatever came their way. When she asked where he was taking her, a light laugh slipped passed his lips and he shook his head from side to side. She was so clueless. The mistletoe was practically right under her nose. Well, more like above her head, but it was disgustingly adorable. The smile couldn't be hidden from his face.

After about five swift steps, they were standing directly under the mistletoe in the empty corridor. Joe wordlessly stared upwards at the mistletoe, pointing a single finger upwards to gesture at the mistletoe above, his lips slowly curling into a charming boyish smirk. "Heh. Well...won't ya look at that.." Joe nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders at Kinsey, as if he weren't up to anything at all, no big deal.. Joe stepped toward Kinsey, refraining from grabbing her by the waist and kissing her right there. "Hm. Would hate to break a Christmas tradition..." he started, but he wanted to keep it lighthearted, he knew how Kinsey was. Joe truly enjoyed making her awkward, but he'd want her to be comfortable if they were going to swap spit. Joe sighed, "So, are you going to kiss me or am I going to have to lie to my journal?" Joe stated, trying to keep a straight face at his stupid joke. There was no way in hell Joe ever had the time or emotional capacity to keep a journal.

@kinsey

    

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Deleted]

Joe merely laughed when Kinsey asked where he was taking her and Kinsey wasn't really too surprised. Joe liked surprising her, he definitely enjoyed doing things to make her blush too. She wondered if maybe he was about to do something like that again, but she was also curious. He was walking purposefully, pulling her along until suddenly he stopped and then looked up. 

Curiously, Kinsey looked up as well, her eyes widening as a slow, small blush crept onto her cheeks. Mistletoe. Joe pulled her under mistletoe? She didn't even know that they did mistletoe in the corridors. Had she really been that oblivious for years, or was this all because of the Americans and their presence here? Joe stepped closer to Kinsey and her eyes flickered from the sprig of mistletoe to the guy standing in front of her. Joe wanted to kiss her? Well, sure he'd hinted as much several times, but she always thought he was just saying that to make her blush, since she knew he loved making her blush. Still, the fact that he pulled her here meant that he did want it to happen, probably. She was confusing herself. 

She smiled when he mentioned not wanting to break a Christmas tradition, glancing down to his lips for a second before he sighed and spoke again. Kinsey swallowed, feeling a little nervous. "Are ... you really going to make me start it?" she asked, taking a brave step forward. What? It was Christmas tradition, like Joe said. Apart from that ... maybe Joe could help her. Maybe he'd be able to help her really move past Riley. She knew what she was doing now, watching him in class and remembering that kiss the other night that he apologized for, wasn't healthy. Could Joe help her move on, maybe? 

@joseph

[Deleted]

December, 2024

Kinseys answer almost surprised Joe. She questioned him if he was going to make her start the kiss or not. He smiled. A part of him had gotten so used to her getting all awkward and changing the subject at all of his advances, he wasn't expecting her to give in that easily. Today was obviously different. Apparently, mistletoes were the ultimate Christmas hack. He'd have to remember this for future reference, because he'd never kissed anyone under a mistletoe before today. 

When Kinsey glanced at his lips, he smiled almost self consciously, but she took a step toward him, closing the distance between them. Joe took her last statement as a formal invitation, one hand rested on the small of Kinseys waist, while the other tilted her chin upwards as he leaned inward, "I'll start it.." he let out a breathy laugh, before their lips met.  Joe pressed his lips against Kinseys hungrily, instantly overflown with fervent desire as he pulled Kinsey closer. Their lips clashed and Joe found was already finding himself trying to deepen the kiss in the empty corridor.

@kinsey

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Deleted]

Kinsey wasn't entirely sure what she was doing. Other than Riley, she'd never kissed any guy. She knew Joe. She liked him, thought he was fun and appreciated how nice he was to her. He was also really cute and for some reason paid a bunch of attention to her. It was flattering. He could make her smile more than most people could, which was something she definitely appreciated. The next thing she knew, his hand was on her waist, his other hand pulling her closer and then Joe was kissing her. 

She ... liked it. Joe's kiss wasn't slow and careful, the way she remembered Riley's, but a part of Kinsey liked that. Kinsey didn't know exactly why, and she wasn't trying to figure it out. She let him kiss her, not really reacting at all at first, but Joe was already pulling her close, kissing her more intensely. Kinsey stiffened slightly, turning her face to end the kiss, but she didn't try to pull herself out of his arms or anything. She didn't even step away from him. "Joe," she whispered, a little breathless even after just a few seconds. She didn't know how to convey what she wanted to. She didn't want to hurt him or lead him on in any way. She wasn't sure if she should kiss him back, but there was a part of her that really wanted to. Especially since she was trying to move on from Riley. Maybe kissing Joe would help ... if she could get herself to kiss him back

@joseph

[Deleted]

December, 2024

It was actually happening.. Well, kind of. The initial peck was okay, but Kinsey barely reacted to him after that, suddenly stiffening up like a wooden board when he tried to deepen the kiss any further. She then turned her face to the side, breathing his name. Her tone made it sound like she was filled with uncertainty about something, but she didn't break free from his arms. Joe loosened his grip from her to allow her to step away if she wanted, but he didn't step back.

His lips tore away from hers, "What's wrong?" Joe frowned, unable to hide the undeniably concerned look on his face. He didn't want to push her to do anything she didn't want to do. Joe swallowed, trying his best to ease the situation a bit. He could already feel things getting potentially awkward. They were still inches from each others lips, but his eyes flickered to make soft eye contact with her, "You didn't have to say 'yes' just be polite, Kinsey." he told her with a laugh. Getting the feeling like maybe she just didn't know how to tell someone 'no'.

@kinsey

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Deleted]

Joe didn't try to pull her back in for a kiss when she pulled back, only further convincing Kinsey that he cared about her, or at least that he respected her enough to care about her wishes. "I don't ... want to hurt you," she muttered, his lips only inches from hers. "I think ... I," Kinsey hesitated for a second, not sure if she wanted to actually say this. Once she did, she couldn't take it back. "I like you more than I thought," she muttered, breaking her eye contact with him momentarily, a little embarrassed that she actually said that, but they were so close that her eyes almost automatically returned to his, a small blush creeping onto her cheeks. Then he told her she didn't have to say yes to be polite. Kinsey laughed softly, "I ... want to, but I'm not good at this." Silently, Kinsey begged him to help her, to ease her into this. She leaned closer the tiniest bit to show that she meant it. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

December, 2024

Her next sentiment had him a bit baffled. Joe was pretty sure he knew what she meant when she told him that she didn't want to 'hurt' him, but it still caused him to scoff slightly, refraining the urge to roll his eyes. "You aren't going to hurt me." Joe stated, completely sure of himself. His heart wasn't made of glass. A girl rejecting him wasn't going to hurt his feelings - or end his world. The sun would always shine another day. But then she continued...the look in her eyes caused Joe to fall silent, his expression faltering slightly. He listened to Kinsey explain that she liked him more than she originally thought. That caught him off guard, but it was a pleasant surprise. The look on Joe's face was taken aback, but only for a second. "Wait. Really?" he asked, a eyebrow quirking in her direction, but he was smiling.  

Joe didn't hesitate for her to answer his question, only because he knew that would probably make her more awkward.  His hand brushed a strand of hair from her face, his expression softened, "I like you too, Kinsey. Like, a lot... But I get it.." He was referring to Riley, even he didn't have to explain that to her. They already had a very long conversation about that mess, but it didn't stop Joe from liking her. Why was it that he went for the girls that weren't emotionally available? Every time.

When she told him that she wasn't good at 'these things', Joe laughed, "You're perfect, stop it." he reassured her, an attempt to make her feel more comfortable. She stepped closer to him again, tilting her head upwards to look at him with a careful look. This time, his hands cupped her face, drawing her closer to press his lips gently  against hers, this time there wasn't any sense of urgency like before.   Slow and steady would win her over, and maybe some sweet talk. Joe pulled away, but his lips were still inches from hers. "I have wanted to do that for what feels like forever." he breathed, finding Kinseys lips absolutely intoxicating in that moment.

@kinsey

MADE BY VEL OF GS + ADOXOGRAPHY 2.0

[Deleted]

Joe started out answering her exactly the way that Kinsey expected, telling her that she wouldn't hurt him. Kinsey wasn't sure if he was right about that, but she wasn't about to argue with him. At least, not right here and now. He looked surprised at her admission and Kinsey gave a breath of laughter through her nose. He asked "really" but didn't give her a chance to answer. He played with her hair, telling her that he liked her a lot, but that he understood. Kinsey nodded slightly, not really wanting to talk about that either. He knew she was still struggling with Riley, but he still wanted to kiss her. She was a little surprised that he would still want to kiss her, knowing all that, but Kinsey didn't pull away from him. 

She blushed when Joe told her that she was perfect, shaking her head a little. "I'm definitely not," she argued seconds before he brought her in for another kiss. This kiss was different. More ... thoughtful maybe? Kinsey didn't know exactly what it was, but she liked it. Maybe Joe really could help her move on. A large part of her really wanted him to. She wanted to stop missing Riley, to be able to move on with her life, but deep down she knew she didn't want that. He pulled her attention back to him when he paused the kiss, telling her that he'd wanted to kiss her for a longer time. Kinsey smiled, before leaning in on her own to kiss him softly. It felt so different to kiss Joe. She wondered if she'd ever be able to get used to it, if she'd let herself.

@joseph

[Deleted]

Kinsey disagreed with his ‘perfect’ comment before they kissed a second time, but Joe was going to take a second to react to that. He enjoyed the feeling of her lips against his when she kissed him back, it was something that he anticipated for a while. A part of him didn’t think it would ever happen since she was so hung up over Riley Fudge. Joe couldn’t hide the smirk from his face, ”Yeah, you’re probably right...” he nodded with a serious tone, agreeing with her teasingly, but it was meant to be taken out of jest.

Joe smiled more genuinely before saying anything else. ”Even then your imperfections are what make you perfect, Kinsey. Not to sound too cheesy or anything, but it’s true.” Joe told her, his hands dropping from her waist and dangling at his sides. Joe took a step back to give her personal space, as much as he’d like to snog her in the empty corridor, he knew that Kinsey had more class than to do that. Unlike most girls he encountered, he wanted to respect her boundaries.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey definitely appreciated the fact that Joe wasn't trying to persuade her into a passionate kiss or anything. She liked this calm and gentle kiss and wasn't entirely sure if she was ready to handle anything more than that. She prolonged the kiss a little bit more than she expected to and then pulled away and sighed softly, her eyes still closed. It was a nice feeling, to know that Joe wanted to kiss her. When he spoke again, her eyes opened and her jaw dropped in surprise. He was ... he had to be teasing her right now, didn't he? She couldn't decide if she should smile or glare at him and waited a moment to see if he was going to say anything else. 

He was still smiling at her, continuing to say that her imperfections made her perfect before letting her go and stepping back a little. Kinsey smiled, impressed by his chivalry. "Well, thank you," she said slowly, not quite sure what else to say. "And ... thanks for the kiss. I really did like it," she admitted, blushing the tiniest bit as she said so. She leaned forward and gave him a tight hug. "Thank you for everything," Kinsey added with feeling. Joe was doing a lot to add to her self-confidence right now and Kinsey really appreciated that fact. He was so good to her.

@joseph

[Deleted]

Joe was a bit taken aback when Kinsey thanked him for the kiss. It took everything in him not to throw an overly flirtatious comment back at her. He settled with a warm smile, "Anytime." he laughed, glad that she could at least talk about the kiss without getting too awkward. Okay, he couldn't contain himself - obviously - it was Joe! The corners of his lips curled upwards into a hint of a mischievous smile, "You know where to find me." The Slytherin joked with a sing song voice, nudging her playfully. Hey, maybe making jokes about the kiss would make her more comfortable too. Joe would definitely kiss Kinsey again, and with more feeling, if she allowed him to. 

As they started down the hallway, toward the Library, Joe turned to Kinsey. "Thanks for being so cool, Kinsey. Becoming friends with you here has definitely made Hogwarts a lot easier." Joe admitted, trying not too sound too cheesy. He remembered the first day bumping into her at the library, she mentioned that making new friends would probably make his experience here would be a lot easier. She was right. Although at the time she probably didn't realize that friend would be her. 

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Joe was being so sweet. Kinsey was a little surprised that he wasn't teasing her a lot after their kiss, but she was pleased by that as well. As much as she was coming to like Joe, it was still new. She smiled when he said that she knew where to find him. That was true, though Kinsey couldn't really see herself searching him out and asking him to kiss her, much less initiate the kiss herself. If he kissed her ... well, she was supposed to be getting over Riley after all. That didn't make it easier, despite the fact that she did truly like Joe. 

They were walking away from the mistletoe when Joe turned to her and thanked her. Kinsey felt her cheeks turn a light pink, but she wasn't blushing as much as she normally did with him at least. She smiled at his words, nodding. "No, thank you Joe. You can't imagine how much you've helped me with everything. I ... needed your help." Her eyes widened slightly at her own words. She'd just meant to say that she appreciated his friendship, just like he did, but instead she was revealing how much of a help he was. It was more than a little embarrassing, but she meant it. Joe was helping her find her confidence, helping her at least try to move past her feelings for Riley. She needed him and she still did. 

@joseph

[Deleted]

Joe wasn't really prepared for this heart to heart with Kinsey in the empty corridor, but he was glad that it happened. As much as Joe really liked Kinsey, he was okay with being her friend too. If some day she decided to get over Riley and give him a chance, he'd take it, but that was very unlikely. He noticed the way they looked at each other. A tiny part of him was a little jealous, then he realized that they were truly the unlucky ones... Joe was glad that his parents weren't Pureblood elitists. They didn't care who their kids dated as long as they didn't get anyone knocked up. Pretty fair deal there.

As Kinsey told Joe how much he had helped her, his smile went uncharacteristically bashful. Somehow he had helped Kinsey and he didn't even know it. That was actually pretty cool. It was nice to feel like he did something good, for once. "Really?" Joe asked in slight disbelief, but he grinned ever so slightly. Joe gave her a hug, squeezing her and releasing. "I'm glad I could help you." he gave her a slight nod, surprisingly borderline awkward. Probably one of the first times in his life. Joe was never good at expressing feelings, but he tried when other people truly put forth the effort. Kinsey was definitely worth a shot, she was a sensitive girl. Joe wasn't sure if he should continue the sentimental moment, but he wanted to say it. Kinsey deserved to know and she deserved to feel special. "It's not fair that you're not appreciated nearly as much as you should be, Kinsey.. You're a beautiful, kind, and smart girl. Any guy that has the chance to be with you should be worshipping the ground that you walk on." he told her, referring again to Riley. Joe didn't like to use his name much only because he felt like it easily triggered her. Plus, he was freaking tired of talking about Riley-Freaking-Fudge anyways.

@kinsey