mo plants mo probs | alora, esther, alfie

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Early February 
Friday nights were spent a little differently these days. While Alfie was more than happy with getting legless at the pub a couple of doors down from his flat, he quite enjoyed the simplicity of drinking at home. It was definitely cheaper, considering he and his mates were heavy drinkers. It also beat having to worry about bumping into students from his previous years teaching at the bar…that happened more often than he wanted to admit.

This evening Alfie was spending a spontaneous night in with Alora hovered over Herbology journals. For lovers of plants and herbs it was the perfect way to spend a cozy evening inside..accompanied by wine, charcuterie board, and smooth jazz playing in the background on a scratchy record. Somehow the pair managed to get past the awkwardness of sleeping together months ago but Alfie couldn’t help but notice certain glances they’d give each other. As much as he denied it to himself, he knew himself better then that. It was easier to push it aside when he relied on the paycheck. Alora had become a great friend in the process as well, so it was easy to push things aside. It wasn’t often he met pretty woman who were into plants as much as him so he preferred to keep her close while she could use his help.

Since Esther hadn’t returned home yet for the day, he figured she got stuck at the school late for a meeting or something, so he wasn’t expecting her to be home anytime soon now that he’d been drinking for a good minute.

As Alfie glanced away from one of the tattered journals he’d been dissecting, he perched his glasses on his nose as his focus shifted to Aloras glass. ”-Looks like you could use a refill” the bottle sloshed comically in command, filling the empty space of her wine glass. They were both on the sofa probably looking a bit too cozy.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Alora Astor was definitely sitting a little too close and cosy on Alfie O Callaghan's couch. It wasn't a bad night all things considered. She could definitely think of worse ways to spend her time. Since they'd slept together at the start of the academic year, they had put that mostly behind them and became good friends. They had similar hobbies. Similar ways they liked to spend their time. Similar ideas of a good time. They got on well. He had helped her in the Greenhouses on more than one dark evening or weekend and had a good time doing it; she had helped him when he had needed when the favour was to be repaid. They had fallen into an easy companionship, but it didn't mean the spark between them had been entirely quelled.

There were still cheeky exchanges, still some flirty comments here and there. To deny the draw they had would be near impossible.

Although she had firmly squared those wants away in a box, for now, Alora just tried to enjoy his company. She'd really had any friends like this before. People who were genuinely interested in similar things and actually wanted to have discussions on topics. Even better it was done over Wine and Charcuterie in front of a comfortable fire. In the presence of an attractive man.

Still shook at her luck, she gave him a slight grin in reply. "Most definitely please.." tilting her glass in his direction she frowned, and looked back to the study she had been reading, still holding her glass aloft. Her own glasses sat on her head, but vanity stopped her from wearing them most of the time when she was around Alfie. Instead, she squinted to try and make out the numbers on the paper in front of her, wondering how easy it would be to reproduce the study and actually get proper concrete results. Maybe she would propose it as something to do next weekend with her Herbology Ally. Despite her vanity of not wearing her glasses, she was surprisingly dressed down for the evening; wearing simple jeans and a knit sweater with some comfy socks. Legs curled up under her, she was wondering how long their snacks in front of them might last before she betrayed herself and suggested getting fish and chips. Or a Pizza. Or even both.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[Esther Garnet]

“Merlin’s beard, you won’t believe the day I’ve had!" Esther entered the apartment in a whirlwind, calling out to Alfie from the hallway where she stopped and began removing her outer layers one by one; her scarf, coat and satchel, hanging them all by the doorway before moving down towards the living area. What had started as a regular day had progressed in a series of blunders in the hospital wing - scenarios varying from an unusual number of inpatients to general understaffing, and at one point, a particularly incompetent student nurse knocked over an entire cabinet of potions that had only just been prepared! This resulted in Esther having to stay back for multiple hours on top of her shift - on a Friday night, mind you! She was ready for a drink, that was for sure.

The blonde made her way into the apartment, rounding straight into the kitchen without giving the living room in her peripheral even a slight trace of a glance. She opened the fridge and grabbed for an open bottle of wine and a glass, and continued on her rant. “I swear, some of these students are absolute duds. If I fall ill in another few years and come face to face with one of them at St Mungos I’d probably drop dead on the spot, save myself the time and suffering...” she mused with her back to them as she poured herself a very generous helping of the vino, topping it up to the point where she essentially had to slurp the top off the rim just to ensure it wouldn’t spill anywhere.

Closing the fridge door, she finally turned around, clocking not one… but two bodies lounging on the couch. Her expression had turned in a matter of moments from frustration from work, to relief from home time, to now being an odd mix of puzzlement and concern masked with a vague amusement at the scene before her.

Alora? …Sat comfortably in her spot on the couch?

Wine?! Jazz records??! Charcuterie???!!

“Oh, hey Alora…” Esther offered, her sentence ending in a slight upwards inflection so it almost sounded like a question. Her eyes darted from Alfie, to Alora and then back to Alfie again. Is that my brie?? She wondered to herself, brows arching faintly.

The scene before her certainly looked like a date of sorts. And it would make sense because of all this time Alfie had been spending at the school lately ‘helping the Herbology Professor out.’ Why hadn’t she figured this out already?

“What’s this? The inaugural Plant Nerds Anonymous meeting?” she joked, wine in hand. Maybe she should have dropped into the Hog’s Head instead…

alfie edward o'callaghan Alora Veda Astor 

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

The front door swung open and Alfie immediately heard Esthers voice ranting about her hellish day. It was quite apparent she couldn’t see Alfie and Alora perched cozy on the sofa, so a part of him felt secondhand embarrassment for his best friend already. More because there was an unknown visitor in their presence. Alfie took a gulp of his wine and put on an easy going smile as he set the glass down. Alfie froze with an awkward smile. Eyes falling on the look on Esthers face as she entered the living area, asking if it were a Plant Nerds Anonymous meeting.

Alfie nodded with a laugh because…that was good, considering. ”Hey Esther” Alfie greeted, ”Long day?” he asked, already knowing the answer. ”Here, have some wine…” he offered, summoning a glass and filling it to the brim as he normally would. Hopefully she wouldn’t notice the Brie..

Slowly, he could feel something in the room shifting. There was something about having the two ladies in the same room that felt forbidden. Alfie reserved certain parts of himself for both of them, so he could feel the tension growing. He hoped that neither of the ladies would pick up on his discomfort, especially Esther, since she probably wouldn’t have a problem with pointing it out. ”Soo it looks like you’re already acquainted..” he stated as his eyes shifted to both females, unsure where his attention was supposed to go.

Alora Veda Astor
Esther Garnet

[Alora Veda Astor]

When the door swung open, Alora wasn't initially all that shocked. Slightly uncomfortable yes, but not shocked. Alfie had told her that he had a roommate of course, but she hadn't been expecting Esther from work. The pair had been hanging out at work more often and venturing out for coffee as needed. Likely the closest she had to a girlfriend in the castle, and yet she had never cottoned on to it. Alfie had a friend staying with him again, a roommate. Esther had been originally staying with an old friend in the village, and assumedly had moved in on a more permanent basis. Never had she put two and two together. As her brain began to process, she was able to school her agape face into something more socially acceptable.

"Oh. Esther, I didn't expect this." forcing a slightly tight small, she shifted on the couch. Now she was consciously leaning slightly further away from Alfie, a lot less obviously cosy. Feeling more and more awkward by the moment. Her body stiffened some more, now on higher alert, much less relaxed. Esther opened with a joke, and she countered with a quiet laugh and a nod "Actually that's pretty much what it is yeah" It was dorky and likely some sort of dig, but it was true. The dorks had been discussing Herbology. Over wine and cheese, and with a comfortable ambience yes, but the dorkiness was true all the same.

As she felt Alfie shift awkwardly on the couch beside him, she nodded again "Yeah, we work together. Up at the castle." she added as if they all needed clarification. Feeling an idiot with her misstep, her cheeks flared and she tried to backpedal "I Mean obvious. Duh. I didn't know you guys were roommates.." the more she spoke the more she felt to be digging herself into a hole. Instead, she decided to clam up, setting her wine down and sitting on her hands instead. Her brain was already in a comfortable fuzziness already, she didn't need to pile more alcohol in on top of that.

alfie edward o'callaghan
Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

Well this was very interesting indeed. The fact that the pair were both acting very uncomfortably in her presence said enough to Esther to confirm her initial suspicions about what was really going on here. She felt a slight reaction in her gut twisting her stomach into a knot. That kind of physical sensation wasn’t recognizable by the blonde. Maybe she was a tad bit miffed at Alfie for not bothering to tell her that he was having this kind of company tonight - that could have saved them from a lot of awkwardness, but in true Esther fashion, she managed to maintain a relatively nonchalant demeanour.

Alora confirmed to Alfie that they knew each other from work and Esther nodded. “Yeah, duh,” she directed back at him, echoing the red head. It was very clear that they were all very surprised by this revelation of mutual knowingness, but Alfie should have known better. It was a connection that he was in the position to make more than the two women were. “I’m surprised Alfie didn’t mention me -” she admitted, and that strange feeling in the pit of her stomach resurfaced again fleetingly before passing just as quick as it came. Esther caught herself and attempted to shift the mood to a more relaxed one “ - or that you hadn’t noticed this old relic.” She pointed to a framed photo that sat on a bookcase behind Alora and shrugged comically before adding “Ilvermorny Winter Ball. Those two kids spiked their punch.”

alfie edward o'callaghan Alora Veda Astor

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

”No shit. Huh. I’m a fuckin idiot.” he marveled out loud, suddenly having a bit of an epiphany. Hell, if he knew the two knew each other in any form, he probably wouldn’t have invited Alora over for a hermits night in. Especially if he knew how awkward it was going to be once he had to face Esther. He knew he fucked up. Alfie felt bad for making it weird for Alora, mostly, he knew Esther would get over it after a couple of glasses.

Alfie’s eyes shifted from both ladies and he shrugged at Esthers comment, feigning nonchalance. Dear Merlin, he couldn’t believe Esther would shove the picture from high school in Alora’s face. His eyes widened and intensely narrowed at the blonde in a ‘oh really’ fashion. He shrugged again, at loss for words in his lazy inebriated stay. ”It never really came up..” he insisted quickly, his shifty eyes definitely made him look guilty. Alfie felt like he was suddenly putting out two fires at once. He finished the wine that was in his glass, unsure if he should drink anymore…or else he may spiral into some sort of ‘word vomit’ storm and no one would want that.

Ruffling a hand through his curls, ”It’s no big deal…” Alfie insisted, ”You’re welcome to join us if you want. Everyone is welcome at Plant Nerds Anonymous. Green thumbs and brown thumbs alike...” he told Esther solemnly before turning to Alora with a smile to gauge how she was feeling.

Well..this cozy evening in had surely turned to a very uncomfy time at a records pace.

Alora Veda Astor
Esther Garnet

[Alora Veda Astor]

"No, he didn't..." Alora began rather awkwardly, looking to Esther. But she didn't really get a chance to say much else before Esther pulled a frame off a shelf and started shoving it under her nose. Blindsighted, she let it be shoved into her hands, and looked down at it wide-eyed, as Esther explained what it was. With a silent nod, she let her eyes sit on the image for a moment. She wasn't quite sure what to say in response. Unable to put her finger on what it made her feel, or why it was a negative emotion; instead she stayed quiet. Eventually, she set the frame to the side when the moment passed and decided not to look at it again.

Shifting her weight where she sat, she moved slightly to further the distance between herself and Alfie. She wasn't quite sure why, but now their cosy night in as friends had quickly soured and was now much less of a good time.

Unpleasantly, she sat and clutched the stem of her empty wine glass, Alfie never had gotten to refill it. For a moment she wondered if she should lean forward and just fill it herself. In that split second; a memory crossed her mind about the last time she had gotten that drunk with Alfie. Yes her mind had been comfortably fuzzy this evening, verging on sloppy; but the last time they'd gotten that drunk had ended in them going home together. She held on to the image of Alfie, in a state of nakedness in her bed, for longer than she'd ever admit. It made colour rise in her cheeks, noticeably so. Maybe Esther had entered at just the right time.

Trying to downplay it, she followed Alfie's lead, and nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. I'm not really sure it's your thing but we were just discussing how feasible it would be to repeat this experiment on flutterby bushes in the Hogwarts Greenhouses with some variables and see how different the outcomes would be..." Playing it cool seemed to be the only way she could go forward. Downplay whatever weird feeling was rising in her abdomen.

alfie edward o'callaghan
Esther Garnet

[Esther Garnet]

It was absolutely excruciating standing there witnessing these two fumble around being all awkward. It made her wonder if Alfie wished Esther hadn’t come home tonight. She felt like she was some annoying little sister cramping his style and ruining his date or something…

Her pointing out the picture over on the other side of the room was meant to be a bit of a laugh to lighten the mood, but for some reason it just made the tone turn even more sour. From where Esther was still standing just by the kitchen, she clocked Alfie’s eyes narrowing in at her for gesturing over at the picture, and her lips tugged into a smirk that countered his ‘oh really’ expression with a ‘yes really’ one. Now Alora was holding the frame in her hands, and it didn’t seem like she was too amused. So that kinda backfired on the Veela.

Eventually the pair were kinda sorta inadvertently inviting her to join them, but it was pretty evident to the blonde at least that they didn’t really want her there. Between Alfie implying she was a brown thumb, and Alora stating it probably wasn’t Esther’s thing. But Esther was a well respected Healer head of the Hospital Wing in one of the world’s most revered magical schools of all time. She’d had to obtain Outstanding grades in Herbology (and other subjects!) to even pursue the career. She had to employ a firm knowledge of Herbology and the medicinal uses of plants in her day to day job. - Just because she didn’t walk around with her nose stuck in some grubby old journals twenty four seven talking in jargon like a dork and fussing over an unnecessary amount of silly house plants didn’t mean she couldn’t keep up with an academic conversation. But that aside, she supposed Alora was right because that didn't exactly sound like Esther’s idea of a fun Friday night. Especially not when sprinkled with intense awkwardness and the feeling of having walked into something she shouldn’t have.

“Ummmmm…” Esther folded her arms in front of her, pursing her lips as if to consider the invitation with great thought, but she knew Alfie knew her well enough to detect that her expression was sarcastic at best. “Nah. Actually, I was thinking of heading out and catching up with a friend,” she lied. But then the lie quickly turned into an idea that she was about to act on. “Thanks though,” she added with a curt nod to them both.

Esther rounded her way back to the kitchen after basically downing her entire wine in one go and dropped the empty glass onto the kitchen bench. “Anyway, sorry for interrupting,” she offered, because it wasn’t like this was her home to just barge into whenever she liked, right? Like that couch wasn't calling to her? “Have fun and don’t wait up!”

Heading back down the hallway, she left the flat. As the door shut behind her, she leaned her back up against it for a moment to pause. She breathed in the cool air through a sharp inhale and felt relieved for the break in tension. Well it was no question that Esther needed a drink, a comfy spot to unwind and some gentle conversation now even more than she did when she had arrived home in the first place. So she began to head over to the Hog’s Head and she knew just who to call.

(Esther out!)
Alora Veda Astor alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie watched in silent horror as the look on Esthers face changed. He knew that something he or Alora had said had struck a nerve, she was playing it off cool. Hell, a part of her wanted to insist that she stayed, but he also couldn't bare the situation getting any more awkward.

As the door shut behind Esther, Alfie remained frozen on the sofa for a couple of seconds as he heard her footsteps outside the door get further. Swallowing, hard, he finished the contents of his glass before turning to Alora. "That...was awkward." he stated. The awkwardness of the situation was starting to sink in. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I honestly didn't think it was a big deal. We've been best friends since high school and we reunited after Ilvermorny moved to Hogwarts a few years ago...recently she came back after a couple of years hiatus and I offered her a place to crash but its been great having her back so we've moved her back into her old room." Alfie felt himself rambling and sharing away too much. After a brief silence his hazel eyes darted to the wine and he refilled both of their glasses.

If Alora decided to leave, he wouldn't have blamed her. Fuck. He hated apologizing. It was just something he had to suck up and do. Especially to Esther. He'd worry about Esther tomorrow when she returned. 

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

Esther had really set Alora on edge in a way she hadn't really expected. As Alfie went on to explain she lived here too, it made even less sense to her. She felt intruded on and she didn't like it in the least. Logically, of course, it was ridiculous. This was Esther's home, and she was the intruder, and yet her and Alfie's cosy night in had been ripped apart for no comprehensible reason at all. As Esther made her apologies and left, Alora tried to feign it off and act nonplussed but the feeling settling in her chest unnerved her, and the fact she couldn't put her finger on why made her feel even worse. Offering a small smile she waved her up, promising a text, or that they'd chat at work.

As the door closed behind her, she likely visibly deflated, and the tension left her just slightly. She hoped it wasn't too obvious, or make Alfie feel any more awkward than it already was. Eventually, she brought herself to look him in the eye now, but the snug moment they had been sharing had for sure passed. "It's alright. I'm just surprised. I never realised is all, now I feel silly." Feeling like she'd held the gaze of his hazel eyes just slightly too long for it to be counted 'normal', she glanced towards her glass of wine and moved to refill it. She wasn't sure if continuing to drink was a good idea, or whether it would help reignite the moment, but she did it instead for something to do. "It makes sense." her tone was quiet as she avoided his gaze, wondering if she should refill he glass too. She wanted to wonder out loud why it was awkward. But then acknowledging the elephant in the room was something that wasn't likely to solve anything really. If anything, it made her feel worse that he felt like he had to explain himself to her. Instead, she nibbled on her lip, suppressing a sheepish smile. "It's alright"

Something in her was telling her to leave, and yet. Being this close to him, even if it wasn't quite so close as she had been, reignited something else in her. Something she'd been subduing for quite a while now. Glancing at him from her peripheral, she set her glass aside and moved to unclip her copper locks from the twist in the claw clip keeping it in check. In a swift motion, she had shaken her hair loose around her shoulders for no good reason at all, and then she fidgeted with the clip, half looking at him "Do you want me to leave...or do you want another glass of wine..." She wasn't quite sure if they would slip back into the comfort they had sat in earlier, but something in her low tone was obviously hopeful, almost quietly suggestive. It felt like hours passed as she waited to gauge his mood in response.

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie was thinking about Esther. He hoped that she wasn't too pissed at him or upset. She didn't seem particularly fond having an unannounced visitor. Maybe she had a hard day at work. Teenagers weren't his favorite.

Ruffling his hair, Alfie sighed, still running through the scene that just happened through his head. "That was awkward...don't feel silly." he assured her as his expression softened.

The wine was creeping up on him. He noticed the look on Alora's face and felt that same feeling the first night he met her, after he learned she wasn't an old lady.

Alfie frowned and shook his head when she asked if he wanted her to leave. "No, quite the opposite actually. You should stay." he told her honestly, knowing that it could be taken several ways, but the copper headed beauty could take it however she wished. His gaze fell on her and broke it to take a long drink of wine, more to prevent himself from kissing her to break the tension.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

"No, quite the opposite actually. You should stay."

The worry in Alora's stomach just about jumped with joy. Though flipping about like a pancake didn't really help too much. The butterflies in her tummy went into hyperdrive and all but lifted her off the couch. Had he heard the suggestion in her voice? Had he wanted to, perhaps? After a moment of hesitation, she mulled over his answer and brushed her fingers through her red locks, loosening them out a little further. Eventually, she slowly nodded in acknowledgment of what he had said. She wasn't quite sure what to say in response, but all the same it was good to be wanted. If that's what that was. She hoped he wasn't simply trying to prove a point to Esther or something.

For a moment, she worried that's exactly what it was. Maybe he had girls here often; had Esther seemed surprised to see somebody, or had she seemed surprised that it was Alora? That was difficult to deconstruct, especially when she had the guts of a bottle of wine on board; and yet in some small part of her mind, she found herself not caring.

It wasn't often she got a chance to be this close to Alfie, and she decided to take it. The wine fuelled fuzz in her brain may make a poor judgment in situations like this, but she decided to ignore the conscious side of her mind and allowed the fuzz to make the decisions for once. She'd let it steer before, and since then she'd kept her guard up, and yet, she found she had much more fun when she let herself go with it. Slowly enough she pulled herself up off of the couch and moved to the record player in the corner. With her wand she had stopped it playing when Esther had entered originally, and now she set it going again manually, busying herself for a second before she moved to the fridge and pulled out a fresh bottle of white. Humming along she moved across the room and hummed along with the tune 'Then the world discovers as my book ends, How to make two lovers of friends'. An old song, but a classic all the same. After a second she was standing behind the couch, leaning in to him, likely just a little too close for it to be socially acceptable, but then again they were alone now. Speaking quietly in his ear she grinned and jigged the bottle.


"Go on then, hold up your glass" the smile was almost evident in the softness of her voice. She found herself biting her lip as she waited for his response. Everything was riding on this, just waiting for his reaction, his next move to see how the rest of the night was going to go. She was close enough that if she just dipped her head just slightly, she could kiss him on his neck, just below his ear like she knew he had at least liked somewhat before. It took ridiculous amounts of self control not to, of course, but she just about pulled it off. Still, it didn't stop her holding her breath as she waited for him to oblige so she could refill his glass. 

alfie edward o'callaghan

[alfie edward o'callaghan]

Alfie was still thinking about Esther. He hoped that she was okay as he wondered where she went so quickly to evade the awkward situation. Alfie knew Esther long enough to know she wasn’t happy with the encounter, but he pushed that thought aside for now, deciding he’d worry about the Esther situation when he saw her again..hopefully tomorrow. 

The wine was flowing and Alora was looking at him with the most sultry smile as she asked him to raise his glass. Alfie obliged, meeting her heated gaze. He tilted his glass, ”Thank you.” he swallowed, feeling the tension in the room slowly fade away. No words were needed, their eye contact was more valuable than a thousand words in that moment. His world was fuzzy but he was surprisingly comfortable after such an awkward moment.

As the old record scratched Frank Sinatras cozy hit about friends becoming lovers, he took a deep drink of wine, unsure if the universe was giving him signs. Alfie's gaze fell to Alora with a pleasant smile. Setting down his wine glass on the side table, Alfie swayed playfully to the music as he pulled Alora into his arms, dipping her to the music. Without thinking twice, he leaned forward to kiss her passionately.

Alora Veda Astor

[Alora Veda Astor]

While he had obliged and held his glass up, he hadn't exactly said anything in response or leaned back into her as she spoke in his ear from behind. Alora dutifully filled his glass, before feeling her heart hitch in her throat as he leaned forward, actually away from her once she was done. Straightening up, she watched him move into actually standing off the couch, and for a moment, she steadied herself before moving to pick up her own now full glass. Maybe it was better he hadn't given in to her not-so-subtle hints. It was better to leave things as friends, probably. Even if it did hurt her heart and dim the light that had been growing there for him.

But as she met his gaze, the way he stared at her lit a spark again.

Holding his hazel gaze with her own well-matched amber eyes, she was unaware of the creeping heat that flushed over her; pinking her cheeks like she was sixteen and sitting on the edge of a game of spin the bottle in the common room. Eventually, she forced herself to break away as she grew acutely aware of the darkening of her complexion. It was fairly dangerous territory they danced around. Once she had looked away, she started to move around to where he stood in front of the couch with determination; it was easier to have something to focus on. Except there was one key difference, this time she was heading to curl herself up on the armchair to the side of the couch they had been sharing. Putting a little distance between them was better to cool things down, and break the tension-right?

At least that's what she was busy telling herself when she had been strongly yanked away from that thought, and pulled into his warm body. The high pitch yelp that escaped her was out of pure surprise. She barely had time to set down her glass of wine before he started swaying with her in time to the music. That had been unexpected, to say the least. And yet, not unwelcome. Feeling herself melt into him, she nuzzled into his chest, moving likely out of time to the slow jazz tune she smiled to herself. This was not how she thought the evening would go after Esther had wedged her way right in the middle of them. Settling against the warmth of his old man button-down, she gave a quiet laugh, before breaking into a fit of warm genuine giggles as Alfie actually dipped her in time to the music. He could dance too. He was getting more perfect by the moment, merlin damn it. It was becoming more impossible not to find herself utterly head over heels in love with him. A part of her was warning her against all this; this is how it had gone the first time. The time her heart had been utterly shattered by an American. She had vowed never to find herself here again, and yet she found something quieting down that thought; instead letting herself just go with it.

And then he kissed her and she found herself utterly melting.

That little part of her began to scream and panic, telling her to get the hell out of there. To pump the breaks and ask what the hell was going on with them; what were they doing hanging out so much, doing cute little couple things, staring down each other with flirty banter; without any label or physical touch. There was a spark between them of course, more like a bonfire on Alora's side of course; but it was hard to know if Alfie felt just the same in return, as deeply as she did, or was this just a little bit of fun for him. Nothing to be taken seriously. She could do that, right? As she returned his kiss, hungrily, she found herself mentally agreeing. Yeah sure. That's what she could make this; some fun. If Alfie wanted it that was. After a moment of her lips brushing against his, she straightened herself up with all the gracefulness of an elephant, and caught herself by standing out, and going under her arm in a spin with another quiet laugh. Still, they touched, but now there was less pressure to it, they could see where things would go now. Of course, she had wanted to step back in and resume her position with her face pressed into his chest, but she needed to feel this out for just a moment first. Stepping out of the slow spin, her head fell back on her shoulders, finally meeting his gaze and she hesitated, as if almost asking permission on what to do next.

alfie edward o'callaghan