always and forever

⎡ 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕣 ⎦

     I frowned, swatting Nicolai's fingers away from my cheek as he continuously poked it.

    "Poke. Poke. Poke," Nicolai grinned, clearly amusing himself. I tried to focus on my book although it was hard seeing as I had a particular person beside me poking my cheek every ten seconds. Bryn peered over towards us, grinning.

    "See, this is how I feel when you do it," she snickered. My head shot up, eyes wide.

    "I am so sorry," I groaned, "this is getting painful." Bryn laughed.

    "Oh, I know." Nicolai, completely oblivious started poking twice as fast.

    "You have really soft cheeks, you know that right, princess?" I gaped at him. He must have seen the shock register on my face before I could hide it. A small smile played on his lips.

    "P-princess? Also, c-could you please s-stop doing that," I stuttered, internally cursing my ability to actually hold a proper conversation with anyone other than Bryn. Nicolai stopped poking my cheek as he heard the stutter. I sighed, lowering my book, shooting a quick glance at him. He looked confused. A few loose strands of chocolate fell in front of his eyes which he quickly moved. 

     "What happened to the woman who I literally fell for not more than ten minutes ago?" he asked, generally curious, "Miss Fierce n' Feisty was real fun." I tried to control the heat in my cheeks as he cupped my face gently and squished my cheeks. 

     "I- I uh I don't r-really-" he cut me off, crouching in front of me although we were pretty much the same height. I swallowed dryly, wishing for more than anything I could speak to him without seeming to die out of every conversation. 

    "Remember I told you I'd bring out the real you?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak without squeaking like the little rubber duck Bryn's sister often used to throw at anyone who got too close when she wasn't in the mood. Nicolai's voice cut me out of my fond memories of Bryn being attacked by a little yellow squeak, "well, first thing's first, princess, we're getting rid of that stutter." I frowned. It wasn't like the stutter was intentional or could it be fixed in a minute.

    I was just about to protest when Nicolai snatched my book, throwing it into his bag decisively. I stood up, furious. Nicolai laughed gently as if this was a daily occurrence for him. Bryn sighed.

    "Clearly you weren't listening to her 'feisty' speech the last time you stole her book," she teased. Nicolai thrust his closed fist to his heart. 

    "Oh, but I didn't steal it! I returned it to the fair maiden-" Bryn snorted dryly.

    "She kicked you until you fell then re-took it." Nicolai grinned.

    "I have a feeling it will be harder to get this time." I frowned, realising every time I took a step towards him that he would take at least two back.

    "G-give that back!" I began, reaching my arm out for his bag. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly before signalling me to sit down. 

    "Try talking to me without stuttering, princess," he grinned. I cast my eyes away from his, not trusting myself being so close to him. I tried focusing on my tightly interlocked fingers and gathering up the courage to speak to Nicolai. I opened my mouth to speak when he cut me off incredulously. 

    "You're reading Harry Potter? Whatever for? Isn't it meant for kids?" My head snapped right up.

    "Oh here we go," Bryn chuckled. He did not just say that did he? Glancing at his confused expression, I cracked my knuckles.