DIANA NOLAN

"What Hogwarts House would sort me into?" Cillian questions. I glance aside, seeing his warm breath condensing in the cold air. A chuckle ripples from my throat because he is ... intrigued by the Wizarding World and I cannot blame him. I ponder his question while staring at his annoyingly handsome face. It is truly unfair how handsome he looks.
     "I am tied between Ravenclaw and Slytherin," I finally answer, sipping my cup of tea. We are seated on a bench in the park. Snow lays everywhere and the sun adds a comforting glow. His eyebrows rise while he nods as if he didn't expect that answer.
     "Which means I am both cunning and intelligent?" he questions. I pout my lips and shake my head at the word cunning. "I wouldn't describe you as cunning," I reason. "However, you are full of ambition." "Ah," he softly gasps, understanding why I chose him a Slytherin.
     "What House are you in?" he then questions. He glances aside to look me in the eyes. His gaze sends a warm feeling through my body. His attention sends a warm feeling through my body.
     "My friends put me into Gryffindor because they say I'm known for my bravery, courage, and determination," I say. Cillian nods along and says: "I understand why they sort you into Gryffindor. You are a gymnast for a reason." I send him a smile.
     "Did you enjoy the films?" I question, sipping my warm tea. He, too, takes a sip of his coffee before he answers. "I enjoyed them very much," he replies. "The story is surely interesting and I am planning on reading the books because it has me hooked." A smile graces my lips, loving how he enjoys these films.
     "Which means you will accompany me to the third film?" I continue questioning. "Perhaps we could call it a date," he speaks smoothly. Damn it that was smooth.
     "You are too smooth," I mutter, looking away. My heart elevates while he gently forces me to look at him with his finger under my chin. He gently forces me to look him in the eyes and I am sure my pupils dilate at the sight of him. "And you are too beautiful," he states. His words register in my head and blood rushes to my cheeks.
     "What do you wish for Christmas?" I question, more like a squeak. My cheeks are on fire, my heartbeat is beating out of control and his finger is still gripping my chin. "I don't want a lot for Christmas," he replies. "There is only one thing I need. I do not care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree." He closes the distance between our faces and my breath hitches. As if we are about to kiss for the very first time.
     "I just want you for my own," he whispers before his lips touch mine. His finger that gripped my chin changed into his hand cupping on my cheek. He wants me for his own. The corners of my mouth curve into a smile, smiling into the kiss. I completely forgot that we were kissing in public. I slowly pull away, looking him in the eyes. His eyes twinkle in the sunlight.
     "Did you just quote Mariah Carey?" I chuckle. Cillian leans in a presses a short kiss on my lips. "Yes," he smiles. "However, it is true nonetheless." "You are making me shy," I scold gently, hiding my face behind my hands.
"Don't hide such a pretty face," says Cillian, gently getting a hold of my hands and removing them. He sends me a bright smile. "There she is," he smiles. "You are adorable, I cannot," I say.

"I am sure the press will have something to talk about," Cillian mentions on our way back home. I focus on the road, focusing on where I need to place my crutches. "I mean, we did make out in public," I reason. A chuckle fills my ears and it is a pleasant sound to hear.
"It is true," he pauses. "And I would do it again." There goes my heartbeat, my normal breathing pattern and the blood rushes to my cheeks. Great. I cannot with this man, he is too smooth with this. And I hate how I react to it. Blushing and giggling.
He is smitten over you. My mother's words crossed my mind. I cannot breathe without you near. His confessing words cross my mind. Is he truly in love with me? Am I already in love with him? No, I am not yet. I cannot, I barely know him.
"What are you thinking about?" His gentle voice, with that Irish accent, pulls me back into reality. I hesitate to tell him about how in love he is with me. No, absolutely not. You will not tell him about it. "I was thinking of tonight. You know, my grandparents are coming over and four to six close friends of my parents," I lie, but it isn't an entire lie. I have been thinking about this since all eyes will be pointed at Cillian. "And how you and I will be the center of the attention," I mutter.
"Are you concerned about their thoughts of us?" he questions. "Well ... Uhm-" "We could tell them that we are dating," he suggests. "And they do not need to know that we haven't been on a date, however, we did kiss and I did meet the family before the first date." I smile at his words. However, we did kiss.
     "Okay," I smile. He is so adorable. "Are you a game player?" I then question. He tilts his head at the question, to which I decide to add: "Because we always play a few games after dinner. Those stereotypical family games." He nods as he understands. "I don't play that many games, but I am sure I mix in," he replies.

"Can I help, mama?" I question, hopping to one of the barstools. "If you wish to cut these vegetables, that would be great," she answers and shoves me a board full of vegetables.
"Can I assist you in something, Mrs Nolan?" A voice from behind me speaks. Soon, I feel his warm hands around my shoulders and I try to suppress a smile. "Please, call me Emma," my mother replies. "But I do not know for now, thank you Cillian." He nods before taking the stool right next to me.
     "Can I ask you something, Diana?" Cillian questions. The way my name rolls off his tongue sends shivers down my spine. "You just did," I reply and a chuckle ripples from my throat. I am sure he is rolling his eyes, I just feel it. "Never mind, then," he sighs, exaggerating and obviously teasing.
I lift my head from my work to look at him. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Please, what do you wish to question?" I question, meeting his eyes. Amusement flickers through his eyes before he averts his gaze. "No. You just blew it," he replies. My hands reach for his arm, shaking it. "Cillian," I whine. "I'm sorryy, tell me." He slowly turns his head to me, his eyes flicking aside before meeting my eyes. My eyes copy his movement. He was checking whether my mother was watching or not.
     His eyes flicker to my lips and back to my eyes as if he is demanding a kiss. He demands a kiss with only a look. Fuck, that is hot. He arches an eyebrow before checking whether my mother is watching. I open my mouth in shock, but I do obey his demand. I close the distance between our lips until they touch. It is short, but it doesn't fail to make me feel warm inside. "Good girl," he whispers, almost inaudible. It makes my heartbeat elevates as blood rushes to my cheeks.
"Now, what did you want to ask me?" I then question, distancing myself from him. I am sure he could see how red my cheeks are, so I turn to my cutting work.
     "At what age did you start gymnastics?" he questions. "At the age of four," I reply before lifting my head. "Because momma agreed on a sport since I had both swimming certificates. Soon they found out that I held quite some potential, so they lifted me to a higher level. From there I started competitions and started winning. Local competitions, to the Nationals and the Europeans ... I made it to the National team at the age of sixteen but I was too young for the Olympics and Athens would have been my first."
"Your time will come," Cillian reassures, placing his hand on my shoulder. I send him a faint smile, unsure of my future. "I truly hope so," I reply.
"I'll make sure to be at your side," he whispers near my ear, causing my heartbeat to elevate.

CILLIAN MURPHY

"And who is this handsome young man?" an old woman beams in my direction. I send her a warm smile and extend my hand. "Grandma, this is Cillian and we are-" "A couple," I interrupted, shaking her hand. "Yes, I am the lucky man to call her my girlfriend." The woman wraps both of her hands around my hand and sends me another wide smile. I ignore Diana's shocked expression as it does give me a small sense of satisfaction to call her my girlfriend. She is my lady.
"How wonderful!" she exclaims before she lets go of my hand and turns to Diana. "Are you well, Diana dear?" she questions with concern. I shift my gaze to Diana, seeing her face has withdrawn all blood. She is this pale that even I grow concerned. My eyebrows furrow in concern. I stride to her as I see her eyeballs roll back and catch her before she hits the floor. I gently lay her on the floor as her family gathers around us.
"Cillian, what happened?" Christopher's voice echoes through my mind as my stare is fixed on Diana's pale face. My heartbeat catches in my throat. Diana's eyes open as she gasps awake. My breath hitches before I cup her cheeks.
"You are well, mo ghràdh," I soothe. Fear flashes through her eyes before I notice she is not breathing. She seems to appear in some sort of shock. It is why I press my lips on hers until I notice her chest rising up and down. I pull away as I caress the side of her face.
"You are safe, my lady," I whisper. She bolts upright and throws her arms around my neck. She hides her face in the crook of my neck. My eyes shift to the eyes above us and nod. They take it as a sign to leave us to our moment. "What happened?" she questions. Her voice is trembling and she sounds ... vulnerable. I press her closer to me as I gently stroke her hair.
"I interrupted your sentence to tell your grandma that I was your boyfriend and ... your face went pale and before I knew it, you collapsed. I caught you and then you seemed to be in some kind of shock where you didn't breathe which is why I kissed you," I explain. She pulls away and her eyes meet mine. I see tears in the corners of her eyes and I cup her cheeks.
"You are alright now," I whisper. She sends me a faint smile and she places her hands on mine. "Thank you, Cillian," she whispers. "I was afraid that I triggered something because I said I was your boyfriend instead of dating," I admit. She shakes her head and takes my hands in hers. "I am sure that wasn't the case," she assures. "I kind of like that term, even though it is not official."
     "Because I know you like to be asked properly," I smile. She leans in and pecks my lips. "And remember that." She rises to her foot and hops through the room. "I am alright," she announces. I sit on the floor, thinking about how mesmerized I am with Diana. How weak I am for her. She is my weak spot.

I get to meet her other grandparents and a few of Chris' and Emma's friends. Diana lays on the couch and I sit next to her with my arm around her shoulder.
"And Chris, how is your latest movie?" Miles questions. A smile forms on my lips as I glance at Christopher. He nods, placing his glass of wine on the table. "We have finished filming," he answers before nudging his head in my direction. "There we have one of our co-stars." All eyes turn to me as I huff a smile.
"What role do you play, Cillian?" Elizabeth questions. My eyes flicker to Christopher, questioning what I can tell. He arches his eyebrow, leaving it up to me. Alright. "Unfortunately, I cannot tell much about my role," I answer with a smile before glancing down at Diana. She arches an eyebrow as the corner of her mouth curves into a smirk.
"Is that how you met?" Miles continues questioning. Both Diana and I avert our gaze and we point our fingers at each other. He nods. "How did you meet?" Our eyes meet for a moment as we smile. I nod toward her, allowing her to tell.
     "I visited my father in New Jersey because he was shooting a new film. I was wide awake and I sat in a restaurant, that turned out in a dance floor ... And ... then a man asked me to dance with him — her eyes met mine as I smiled — and later that day, I found out that he was a famous actor and we simply couldn't stay away from one another." She leaves out the greatest detail, which is that we aren't dating yet. However, they do not need to know.

After a pleasant dinner, I assist Emma with cleaning which means we are alone in the kitchen while everyone else is in the living room.
     "Do you enjoy your time here, Cillian?" Emma asks. I load the dish tray while I think of an answer. "I do," I reply. "I must thank you for your hospitality." She chuckles as she waves away my words.
     "You will soon be part of our family, there is no need to thank me," she reasons. Soon part of the family. My forehead creases and tilt my head. A laugh escapes her throat as if I said something hilarious.
     "You are adorable, Cillian," she laughs and wipes away her tears. "You don't see, do you? — I don't? — I can see the look in your eyes whenever you look at her. Your expression is ineffably warm and sweet. My dearest Cillian, I will tell you that you are smitten with Diana." She can tell? Fuck.
     "Is it that obvious?" I chuckle, shaking my head. Emma chuckles along, adding: "Men are oblivious when it comes to love." "Does Diana see it as well?" I then question, a knot forming in my stomach. "No — Thank God — she is as oblivious as you."

"Where do you wish me to lie?" I question softly. My eyes meet Diana's, who is already lying down in bed. She pats her hand on the empty spot on the bed, "next to me." I fail to suppress a smile as I place my pillow on the bed.
"I enjoyed today," she eventually says. She has her head on my chest while she faces the ceiling. I think back at the things we did together. "I couldn't agree more," I then reply. "However, the walk doesn't count as a date." She turns her head and arches an eyebrow.
"Says the very man who claims to be the lucky man to call me his girlfriend," she teases. "Well, they do not need to know," I laugh, causing her to laugh as well. Her laugh is a melody to my ears. I wish to listen and keep on listening.
     "I am a selfish man, Diana," I say when our laughter has died away. "I am selfish for wanting you for my own." "I do not think of it as selfish," she reasons. "More ... caring in a rather special way." She turns her head to look at me. I don't think she understands. "You don't understand, Diana," I whisper, pausing.
"I just want you for my own." And by that, I press my lips on hers.