Seeing everything in Color | Toby & Lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie had been invited to the Valentine's Day ball by special invitation of Gilderoy Lockhart Jr. himself. She wasn’t sure if she was going to go, she didn’t usually go to these types of things, but, she didn’t want to be rude and turn down a personal invitation. Not to mention she had several hundred dresses that weren’t being used and just hanging in her closet at home. Having her mother send her one was no trouble at all. So she came. And Gilderoy found her almost instantly and asked her to dance. She obliged and was spun around the room with him until the song ended. He had kept her in conversation for a few additional moments before another called for his attention. Lusie nodded politely, not at all bothered by sharing the host of the evening, who she’d barely just say she was friends with. Once Gilderoy left, Lusie was left standing on her own, looking around for a familiar face in the sea of masks. The princess had decided not to wear one. She didn’t like the idea of hiding herself.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Toby wasn't sure why he was here. Kinsey had convinced him show up and not be such a party pooper, but now that he was standing in a sea of people wearing masks, this was just...weird. Toby didn't like masks, he barely liked parties, and small talk was just painful. Eventually Kinsey was pulled away from him for a dance with Joe Fontaine, which didn't bother him because she actually seemed like she wanted to dance with him. Toby found himself awkwardly standing with his hands in his pockets until he took a seat. He didn't mean to be such a wallflower, but he was trying to decide if he was going to stay or not. Toby wondered where Lusie was, he really wanted to see her, but he didn't want to be in her way...

Actually, right as he thought about her, it was as if she appeared out of thin air. She was dancing with someone - that someone being none other than Gilderoy Lockhart. Toby tried to come off as nonchalant as he watched Gilderoy smoothly spin her around the dance floor, but it was incredibly hard. Toby was suddenly filled with overwhelming jealousy, which was weird for him, because he wasn't a possessive individual in the slightest. But he knew that he liked her, it was becoming more and more apparent daily, hell, by the minute. There was a pang deep down in his stomach which caused his jaw clench and his eyes tore down to the floor to look at something else...twiddling his fingers...

When the song ended after a lifetime, his eyes darted around the room awkwardly before pushing himself up from his chair and deciding to march up to Lusie who was now standing alone. This was his time. He approached Lusie from behind, placing a hand on her shoulder before retracting it back. Toby swallowed before speaking. "Hey Lusie," he greeted her, slightly awkward as he met her eyes. It looked like he had something on his mind. "May I have a word with you?" he asked her politely, already beating himself up inside at his demeanor, he felt himself starting to go into overdrive.

@lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie didn’t mind mind standing around on her own, she didn’t expect anyone else to come and ask her to dance, but maybe she’d find a friend to talk to eventually. For now though, it was fun to look around and watch everyone else. But when she heard a familiar voice approach her from behind, a smile overtook her face. Until he asked if he could have a word with her. Oh. Was everything okay? "Sure Toby. What’s on your mind?” she asked, turning her attention to him. She couldn’t help but noticed how nice he looked dressed up like this. She had actually said it out loud, she told Ed that she liked Toby, and since that moment, it had felt very real.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Lusie greeted him with a smile, Toby smiled back, face going red hot with the ears following. His eyes dropped to her dress, "You look very nice." he said, swallowing, that wasn't all he wanted to tell her. This was already going downhill, fast. Merlin. Toby looked her in the eye, something Iliana Krum had taught him not too long ago. His mouth opened, "I--uh-" he stammered, panic suddenly sinking in as he matched her gaze again. His stomach flipped upside down, causing his mouth to go dry and heartbeat to accelerate intensely. After rehearsing this in front of the mirror so many times, he should have had it down! Nope. Having Lusie Windsor in front of him, people all around, it made things so much more surreal. He tried, again. He chuckled, trying to brush off the awkward and failing, "I wanted to tell you, I--" he was starting to get it out when someone brushed past them suddenly, bumping into him to get passed.


@lusie

[Deleted]

the first thing that he could say when she turned around to face him was that she looked nice. Lusie tried to keep her cheeks from going red at the thought. She normally would simply say thank you and move on if someone complimented her, but this was different. This was Toby. And Toby was... different. Ugh, she hated this. She hated the butterflies in her stomach and she hated feeling like a dork around someone who was one of her best friends. "Toby it's okay, you can talk to me..." she insisted. Toby seemed to have something to say but was having a hard time getting it out. She tried not to get her hopes up, but she couldn't help it. Her hopeless-romantic heart wondered if this was going to be that conversation. No, it couldn't be. Lusie looked at him patiently while he gathered his thought. He told her that he wanted to tell her...something, just as another student made his way through the crowd and bumped into him, sending him towards Lusie a little. Lusie reached her arm out to steady him, holding onto his arm lightly. "You okay?" she asked, looking back at the guy who bumped into him. "That wasn't very nice..." she added. Though it was fairly crowded in here. "We can step into the entrance hall, if you want?" she offered. He seemed like there was something on his mind and Lusie wanted him to be comfortable if they were going to talk.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

When Toby staggered slightly toward her and felt Lusie grab his arm to steady him he let out another nervous laugh. This was spiraling downwards. Luckily, Lusie recommended going into the Entrance Hall. That would buy him a little time, not much. His heart was beating out of his chest as they walked side by side toward the tall doors, the cool air of the night greeting his warm face. He wasn't sure if it was refreshing or not in this moment of panic. But in a mixture of panic, he was excited to get it over with.

Toby felt guilty for being so awkward, but Lusie was being so understanding which solidified the way he felt about her. "I'm sorry, Lusie.. I wanted to tell you-uh-" he stammered, laughing awkwardly because he felt like he was talking in circles. Toby was starting to panic. The color was drained from his face, mouth slacking open before shutting again, he let out a sound but no words. Not English, at least. Toby met her gaze, and then, it happened...like a horrible case of word vomit. Toby looked her in the eye to show that he was serious, eye contact wasn't always the easiest with awkward people. "I think I'm falling in love with you." he blurted out quickly, his eyes widening to caramel saucers once the sentiment past his lips.

That wasn't how he wanted to say it, but the statement was honest. Truthfully, he wasn't sure how he was going to tell her, it was a tricky conversation he was dreading. What if he'd have to avoid the royal family afterwards out of embarrassment? His stomach dropped to the floor as his palms went sweaty, he couldn't believe he had just done that.

@lusie

[Deleted]

He was falling in love with her... Her eyes widened probably as much as his did when she said those words out loud. Wow. That was incredibly brave of him and exactly what she wanted to hear, but had basically never thought she would. Lusie had only barely managed to say the words herself to her brother, and even then she danced around the subject rather than come out and say it for as long as she could until Edmund got confused and she, in a very Toby-like fashion, came right out and said it. Lusie wasn't sure how much time had passed since he said the words, she was lost in her own head, but when she looked up and saw him still wide eyed and nervous, her heart started beating so loudly she could hear it.

As a smile started to form on her lips Lusie Windsor stepped forward, leaned up onto her tip toes and pressed her lips against those of her Ravenclaw friend...er... friendly friend? Oh gosh what was she doing?! Too late now. With her hand still on his arm the young Princess had finally had her first kiss. "I think I am too..." she whispered.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Toby’s first instinct when faced with silence after saying such a brave statement would normally be to flee the scene and hide. Today, the silence was a little different though.. He felt the awkward tension between them, but there was an emotional layer added there. It was a welcomed feeling though. Especially when she smiled at him, it sent his insides to melt into complete goo. That was a good thing, right? When Lusie stepped toward him, standing on her tip toes, his hands fell to her waist naturally to hold her close. Their lips meshed softly and he smiled against them, welcoming the kiss eagerly. Her words following were even better. There was an amazing rush going through him now, he was suddenly overflowing with happiness and desire.

”Wow.” he breathed in disbelief, completely awestruck,  a bright red hue heating his cheeks. The best part was he didn’t feel the need to hide the awkward cheeks, or being himself with Lusie. That was a wonderfully comforting feeling. He smiled down at her and cupped her face sweetly, leaning down to kiss her this time. It wasn’t heated, it was purely out of adoration and affection that he was yearning to share with her. ”I’ve wanted to do that for what feels like forever...” he confessed to her, suddenly feeling so much better after getting what was on his mind out. And just like that, he felt like he was walking on clouds...

@lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie was dreaming, right? This sort of thing happened in the romance books that she used to read before she got into History, surely. They weren’t really here kissing in the entrance hall, were they? He confessed that he had wanted to kiss her since forever and she giggled, she couldn’t exactly say the same, since she only really started liking him in that way a few weeks ago, but she knew what he meant. And she agreed with the sentiment behind the comment. “Me too.” she decided. “I uh, I’ve never done that before.” she told him. She wasn’t sure if he knew or not that she hadn’t kissed anyone before, or that she had never dated anyone before, unless you counted the time Gilderoy Lockhart Jr interrupted her tea, but she didn’t, that couldn’t have been a date.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Toby had a slight tinge of guilt in his gut when she said that he was her first kiss, only because he wished he could say the same. Toby jumped the gun with his first kiss because he felt like he wasn’t experienced enough...Iliana Krum did the honors this year in exchange for tutoring in charms. They had become great friends because of it and Toby had gained a bit of confidence in the process. Only, kissing Lusie was different. There were feelings attached...feelings he could barely comprehend, but they were certainly there. He was honored to be her first kiss, he wished he could have told her the same.

Now that their feelings were finally put out there, and confirmed mutual, it was time for the next step. His hands dropped from her sides and he tried to catch her gaze without getting awkward.  ”I’m really not sure what to do next to be honest...” he laughed with an awkward smile, the blood rushing to his cheeks. He really hoped that he wasn't dreaming or something. ”Would you like to go steady with me?” Toby asked her, unable to hide a chuckle at how it sounded. Merlin, he couldn't have chosen a dorkier term but he truly did like Lusie and the idea if she was for it.


@lusie

[Deleted]

He didn’t comment on his being her first kiss and she was kind of glad that he didn’t. She felt weird about bringing it up. Maybe it made her look dumb. Maybe it made her seem childish and immature. Maybe he wanted someone who was more experienced. But then he surprised her completely and asked her to go steady with him. Those words brought an even bigger smile to her face. “Yeah I do.” She admitted, laying a little bit too. She thought she did at least, but she wasn’t entirely sure what it meant. Did that mean he was her boyfriend? What did a relationship entail? “Were you planning on doing this tonight or was this an impulsive thing?” She asked

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Toby couldn't believe that he had just asked one of his best friends to go steady with him. There was a great feeling of excitement and adrenaline filling him. When she told him 'yes', his smile grew wider as his heart leapt out of his chest. Everything was going fantastic. Toby couldn't hide the happiness from his face, "Yes! Really?" he asked in dorky disbelief, caramel brown eyes widening, and laughing again. What a rollercoaster of emotions... His face was still draining red but he was much more comfortable now with where the conversation was heading. A bashful smile slowly crept onto his boyish features, "I'm not sure what 'going steady' really entails but I'm sure we can figure something that works for us." he told her, unconcerned on the label itself, Toby was just happy that the feelings were out there now. What a relief that was.

When Lusie asked if confessing how he felt today was planned, he chuckled while shaking his head back and forth, "That wasn't planned at all." Toby told her honestly, still laughing. Well, it was nice to know his execution wasn't too sloppy if she was asking. He smiled, "I'm going to be completely honest....when I saw you dance with Gilderoy, there was a part of me that got a weird mixed feeling of...I hate to say it...jealousy...and nervousness, but right then I knew I had to tell you how I feel." Toby told her, feeling like he was being too honest. Truthfully, Toby had no problem with Gilderoy, he was a good guy in his book, he just didn't want to give him the opportunity to sweep his princess off her feet. Toby bit down on his bottom lip out of nervous habit before he slowly reached for her hand, lacing her fingers within his own, simply loving the security it provided in that moment.

@lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie nodded when he asked for confirmation and then shook her head when he said that he didn’t know what going steady really meant. “neither do I. But we’ll figure it out.” she agreed. It was. kind of weird now. Lusie had never thought she’d be the girl with the boyfriend but now here she was: a girl with a boyfriend. She had a boyfriend. What would her brothers think?!

Toby started to explain that he hadn’t planned this and just decided to tell her how he felt when he saw her dancing with Gilderoy. “You shouldn’t get jealous of Gilderoy Lockhart Jr. He's just a big flirt. I don’t fancy him at all.” She assured him. She turned her head and looked back into the dance, “would you like to dance, Toby?”

tobias charles watkins
(You can end it )

[tobias charles watkins]

Valentines Ball, 2025

Toby felt a little silly after confessing the Gilderoy part to Lusie, but they were best friends, so he didn't have to hide the truth from her. It felt nice being able to be honest about it. Toby really did like Lusie a lot. Truthfully, it was a sudden realization but she was easy to adore when she was so sweet. He would do his best to treat her right and keep her happy. Toby smiled bashfully when she reassured him that Gilderoy was just a flirt and he had nothing to worry about, he wasn't fishing for her to say that, but there was something truly reassuring hearing it come out of her mouth. Lusie wasn't the type to just say those kind of things to make him feel better - Merlin, he hoped not! 

When the princess asked if he wanted to dance, he looked over a t the ball and back at her with a solid nod. There was nothing he wanted more in that moment. "I would love to dance with you, Lusie." he confessed, offering her a slow smile and finding her hand. Toby laced fingers with her and pulled her playfully toward the festivities. This night couldn't get any better.

--The End--

@lusie