(p.s. Theo girlies rise up—you're about to slay the Draco girlies this chapter)

third person pov

' jealousy, jealousy '

When Theo arrived with his father in Venezuela it was early morning, the sun blazing heat that he could feel through the thin white button down, grateful for the short sleeves but he dealt with heat much better than the rest of the lot.

He took to secretly helping Elva move luggage in, losing his father in the process. Once finished he waltzed into the main hall which was brightly lit from the sheer ceilings, mindlessly fixing the belt over the black slacks before checking his watch—the time zone was always so confusing. Very suddenly, the sound of mixed boisterous laughter filled his ears.

He looked up and locked eyes with Narcissa, grumbling to himself with the knowledge he now had to greet everyone.

"Oh Theodore!" Narcissa Malfoy squealed, rushing toward him drunkenly and making his head fully turn up. "Your father said he lost you!"

"Took a tour of the island" he teased, gently hugging the woman and spotting a group of people he didn't wish to see watching him with scrutinizing eyes and looking more pompous than ever as their colorful jewels hung.

In a circle by the unused poker table stood both elder Malfoy's, Walburga Black, Theodore Nott Sr. and an older women he didn't recognize.

"That quick?! Impossible!" Narcissa gawked as she pulled back and held his arms, Walburga cutting in with a sharp voice.

"He's being sarcastic Narcissa—the boy doesn't know how to speak normally. It's a brain deficiency"

"Always the pleasure Walburga" he called over the mothers shoulder, rolling his eyes after.

Narcissa laughed it off, tugging him over to the adults but Walburga couldn't resist replying, "Wish I could say the same—have you seen my granddaughter? She seems to be avoiding me since I arrived an hour ago with Whitman"

Yeah, no wonder.

Theo didn't reply, jaw ticking in annoyance because the only thing he wanted to do was find Rose but instead here he was, suddenly feeling violent again.

"Theodore," Abraxas smiled before gesturing to the greying woman next to him, "This is Dahlia—old friend"

He slid his hands into his pockets, giving her a curt nod as his eyes wandered around to the mass of magical plants spread around.

"Nice to meet you' Theodore" Dahlia spoke with a thick Russian accent, giving away this was no old friend—someone all of their parents were obviously doing business with. Her fingers ran down his chest before he could suddenly jerk away with widened eyes, "He is very handsome"

"And a child" Theo cut in sharply as he dusted himself off as if she left a trace, suddenly having horrible flashbacks of women like this—the ones Narcissa and Miss Zabini always kept far from the boys. "Excuse me" he spat before dipping off quickly, swallowing down the bile in his throat.

When he made it out to the sandstone pool area he found Whitman and Draco leaning against the railing, next to the gate that connected to the wooden steps which lead onto the empty beach.

He hooked his arms around both boys neck, able to do so easily for the inch or two of height he had on them—they both jumped in surprise before relaxing.

"So...." Theo dragged out, "What are you two watching?"

Whitman replied first, "Trying to figure out how to get Ro out of the water before Walburga flips her lid"

"We have a formal lunch at that new restaurant in about an a hour and she hasn't got out of the ocean—" Draco continued on.

Whitman point to the small off figure of Rose who appeared to be spinning in a circle, "—She's apparently asking the birds for forgiveness"

"—Assaulted them with a tennis racket last week" Draco finished.

Theo's lips curled up with relief to have found her, ruffling both of their heads as he pulled back, getting aggravated grumbles in response. "See you boys'"

"Oi!" Draco called as Theo kicked his shoes off, "You can't go to the beach dressed like that"

"Yeah," Whitman grinned, knowing he would do it anyway. "You'll be covered in sand within five seconds"

"I'm going to get my woman and you two losers can stay here" Theo scoffed, opening the lock on the steel gate.

"She is not your woman." Whitman suddenly sounded cold.

Draco laughed dryly, "Not in any life"

"I think she would beg to disagree," Theo deadpanned before smiling wickedly as he pulled open the gate, "Oh wait—I know she'd disagree"

"Cocky bastard!" Whitman called after Theo as he started walking down the wooden steps without a care, only making the boy grin more because he knew that deep down they knew—she was his.

When Theo neared the shore he felt his soul relax and his bones call home, there she was in a oddly colored purple bathing suit, thigh deep in the water as birds flew around—hair pinned up with an odd looking clip.

"Hey!" Theo called, a teasing smirk playing on his lips as the water rushed over his ankles, uncaring about the pants he had on. "You seen a girl named Ro anywhere?"

Rose internally squealed, she knew he was near before he even arrived—feeling as he inched closer and closer from the house. Suddenly it was like the missing piece of herself came back, all the raging thoughts that never left were gone.

But she forced herself to keep calm, refrain from running over to him or showing just how truly excited she was.

Instead Rose turned with a sly grin, looking him over shamelessly. "Don't know," she called back, running her fingers through the waves that hit the back of her thighs. "Why don't you say screw her and come to me?"

"Can't do that," Theo rubbed the back of his neck, playing into her game and trying to discreetly gulp as his eyes fell down her body. "You see, she's pretty crazy"

Rose bit her lip to hold back a laugh, Theo moving closer through the water. "Is that so?"

"Very—it's one my favorite attributes"

"I wonder what'd she do if she saw you looking at me like that"

"Probably tie me up and never let me leave her side again," he paused with a few feet between them, smirking in a way that made Rose's heart pick up as their eyes met. It was almost overwhelming to see him in a place he reminded her of, the ocean. "Although—I think I'd be into it"

"What a lucky girl," Rose raised a brow before tipping her head back with a giggle.

"I try to tell her that but last time I did she hit me with a frying pan" Theo nodded with a serious look, laughing under his breath as she only giggled more.

Rose yelped a two birds flew by her, yelling an apology after them, fully believing they hated her for last weeks actions.

"What are you doing, love?" asks Theo, pushing a hand into his slacks pocket as another wave hit.

"Say...." Rose watched him with a glint in her eye that hadn't been there since they were last together, one that reminded Theo of the Northern Star. "You think in another life I could've been a bird?"

"I don't know" he shrugged with amusement, looking up briefly to watch the pelicans overhead. "What do you mean?"

"Like reincarnation Teddy!" Rose yelled with a dreamy sigh, stepping back from him and deeper into the water. "I believe in it!"

His lips twitched, shoulders rolling in relaxation. "Maybe so—maybe not"

"I think I could!" Rose spread her arms out with a deep breath, "Just fly around the world and exist!"

Theo sighed as she starts spinning slowly in a circle, her eyes screwing shut from the combination of salty water and warm sun. The edges of his face turn soft and although he feels the utmost lust for her body—he looks at it like poetry. There was a reason he was so open and vulnerable about loving her, doing so unashamedly and also doing right by her—he would never be embarrassed from the world knowing the ways he adored and cherished Rose.

Life always felt so heavy and draining, then she'd come around like the fresh spring rain in April and cleanse him of all the worries from the world, convincing him being in her presence was like a resurrection spell—always so full of energy and never lost her sense of play no matter how much childhood tried to strip it away.

Rose stilled her spinning, slowly dropping her arms down with a grin. "Say I could be a bird"

Theo shook his head, fighting a smile. "No"

"Say it!" She demanded, starting to move her arms around, inching closer to him.

"Don't you do it Ro," He warned as she looked to be preparing to run.

She giggled, taking off toward him and throwing her arms around his neck and Theo lifted her up with ease, rounding her legs over his waist.

"Say it" Rose whispered as their foreheads pressed together.

"I guess you could be a bird in another life," says Theo, smiling as he holds her up.

Their lips brush, both taking in a ragged breaths and seeming to sync up as the gravitational pull happens but neither of them give in—feeling their skin tingle where they touch.

"You'd be with me, right? Fly around the world together?"

He murmurs back, "I'd follow you anywhere."

Rose whispers again, "We're awfully cheesy—like all those couples we make fun of down at the pubs"

"Good thing we're supreme to the whole lot" his hands dig into her skin and she tips her head back, laughing as he spins them slightly but also a sinking happens in her stomach—wondering how much longer she could wait to feel his lips touch her own. It had happened once and ever since then she had been desperate to have the feeling again.

Instead Theo presses his lips to her jaw as a wave knocks into them, "You been good?"

"Better now," Rose retorts, her head falling back to him and Theo almost swears she's glowing. "Feel like a person again now that you're here"

"Yeah?" His brows lift up and smile stays, showing her the discreet dimples. "Need to ask you something"

"What?"

"Has Sirius reached out? Are you okay about it all? I didn't want to bring it up over a letter"

"You gonna ask me that while holding me up in the ocean?" Her eyes dart around the crashing waves before threading her hands onto the hair at the nape of his neck, "You're the only one whose brave enough to bring that up—no one's said a word about him"

"No one's asked you about it?" Theo's face drops to serious and Rose frowned, tugging on the roots of his hair to signal he needed to get rid of the 'sympathy eyes'.

"It's fine, Teddy."

He sighs and keeps one hand firm on her thigh while the other treks up her spine. "Well has he? Reached out? And are you okay?"

"You want do to this here? Holding me? Really?"

"Light as a featherweight, love."

Rose's lips twitched, "Well you know...it hurts that he doesn't want me or doesn't care to speak. Harry sent me a letter telling me everything Sirius has said to him though so it's fine, at least I know Sirius is okay somewhere"

"He's a damn fool for not treating you like you crafted the sun."

Smiling genuinely, she shrugged. "Eh, it's okay. I don't need him. You'll take care of me, won't you?"

"Always baby." Theo winked and Rose's face started to feel hot before his lips fell to her nose.

"Stop!" she laughed as he started kissing her face, "Take me to the house!"

"Fine" Theo grumbled playfully, using his hand to tuck her head into his neck. "I'll carry you—it'll be good for my legs"

She settled against him as he started to walk from the ocean, breathing in his familiar, intoxicating scent mixed with the tropical wind and the salty ocean—finally she could relax as the ache in her chest subsided. There was such a balancing out between them, Rose always had a childish air to herself but with him it could really come out and she could be wild and free because he was such a protector, making her feel so safe her inner child could bloom and the responsibilities from the world would fade—Rose never had to watch her back about him or worry about anyone harming her when he was near.

Theo was her religion, he was safe, thrilling, intoxicating and left her on edge while also holding her hand so she didn't fall. How someone could be so much at once she didn't know but if she could she would get down on her knees and pray to him like a god because that's what he was in her eyes. Someone she knew no one could ever compare to, held high up on a throne that not even the devil himself could beat.

They shared a obsessive, crazy, deep love—but it was perfect.

When Rose told him which room to take her to his brows pinched in confusion but stayed silent as he set her down on the black and white tiled floor of the place she was sleeping with Draco. Now he sat on the footstool at the end of the bed, arms over his knees, watching as she walked out of the closet with towels in hand.

"Isn't this Draco's room?"

Rose stilled as his eyes studied her like an open paged book, "Yes....all the other rooms just finished being worked on last night in preparation for you lot arriving so I had to stay with him"

"Out of fourteen rooms, only three were available?"

"Don't ask me" Rose shrugged and quickly avoided his eyes, "Blame Cissa for deciding they all needed to be redone"

Something was off, Rose never looked weary and was also incapable of lying to him—something happened.

She saw Theo bite his lip in concentration before he looked out of the balcony, appearing distant minded.

"I'll be in my own room tonight" Rose spluttered out quickly, "Walburga would have a fit if I stayed in here"

Theo eyes landed on her face, slowly raking over Rose from head to toe before he stood up. "I'm going to go shower and change while you do"

He dipped off toward the door, pausing as his fingers wrapped around the handle, taking note of how her breath hitched. "Do you have something to tell me? You seem....off. Like your guilty about something"

Yeah, she did in fact feel guilty.

Did Rose regret what happened?

No.

Did she wish there was a way they both could've been her first?

Yes.

"No Teddy," she laughed him off, "Just a little nervous about being around Walburga. It was nice being apart from her"

"Hey!" He scolded, "Don't worry about that cunt—I'm here and I won't put up with any shit on her end"

More guilt.

Fuck sake, she was so in love with him it was eating at her insides.

Rose nodded quickly, eyes starting to sting. "Okay"

"Glad you're fine" Theo smiled as he opened up the door, "Had me worried"

As soon as the wood closed Rose hurried to the bathroom, muttering under her breath. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."

Blaise and Miss Zabini arrived quickly, everyone shortly after heading out for lunch together. The restaurant itself was grand, doubled decked by the bay with glass walls incasing both levels, black and gold accents adding to contrast against the shiny white tiled floors—from the inside and out everything was simply lavish.

The second level patio provided a view of pristine boats docked at the bay, but none of the chatter from inside the restaurant could be heard due to the closed glass doors. At a long table sat all the different families, most of the adults toward one end with their pompous jewels reflecting light like the sun did over water. Rose was in between Theo and Whitman, the latter with an arm over her chair with Walburga infront of himself. Blaise, who unlike the other boys did not speak, was next to the grandmother, ignoring Draco in his ear as the boy rambled about the menu.

He was too busy staring at Rose as the wind blew through her long hair and she absentmindedly toyed with the rubies around her neck, clearly zoned out in the oblivion.

Finally Rose noticed his gaze and looked down at the white scoop neck dress, pulling it up and gaining a head shake in return from Blaise before he tapped his temple as a signal.

Begrudgingly, she pulled down the walls in her mind, letting Blaise speaking in her head. "It's not your marvelous chest I'm staring for"

He winced as she pushed into his head with force, "Then what is it?!"

Shoving the pain to the side, Blaise rubbed his forehead before leaning back into the seat, crossing his arms over the quarter unbuttoned shirt which showed off his tone chest—lips twisting into a smile. "Something happened, I don't know what but something definitely did"

Her eyes casted to the right side of the table where all the parents chattered, "Do you want to stay in my room with me? I'll tell you everything when the whole lot goes to bed"

"Definitely. Just don't tell mother—she'll get too many ideas and get too happy."

Rose's lips twitched as she looked down at the table, going back to zoning out until suddenly a glass of red wine was being placed in front of her and Whitman spoke up clearly to the waiter in all black.

"Do you have a vegetarian menu?"

"Yes sir" The waiter nodded curtly with a rich accent, posture perfected for the people he was serving. "We have a full one made"

Subconsciously Whitman's fingers grazed her shoulder, "Can I see it?"

"Of course sir" The waiter smiled politely, pulling a shiny metal card from his waist apron, running his thumb along the card before activating the magic inside—a large menu taking form.

"Thank you" says Whitman as he takes the menu away, the waiter quickly scurrying back inside the glass doors, leaving the boy to turn and find Rose smiling at him.

"Almost forgot about Rose's weird vegetarianism" mused Blaise, "Been what? Three years now?"

"Whit never forgets," she muttered, brushing her knuckles on his jaw before scooting her chair closer to his. It was almost impossible to miss the sudden disapproving glare Walburga sent the two as Whitman's fingers started purposely circling her shoulder.

"Let's see what they have for you" Whitman ignored Blaise whistling, eyes scanning the menu with Rose as he held it out on the table in front of them. "They have those wraps you like"

Walburga cut in quickly, "How many calorie's is that?"

Rose stiffened, sitting up straight and grasping Whitman's thigh as his eyes turned sharply to the woman, internally begging him to not say anything. "Uh...seven-hundred"

"That won't do," Walburga tipped her glass of gin at them, pushing the pointy sunglasses up into her ebony curls as Blaise stilled beside her. "You have to get your picture taken when we get back to the city for your birthday and Midsummers around the corner"

Whitman watched Rose's throat bob before speaking with disgust to the elder, "This is fucking ridiculous"

"Do you want her to starve? Would you be happy then?" Theo shot out as his hand hit the table.

"It's fine." Rose cut in, glaring at both the boys as she watched her Grandmothers mouth open and close. After, she glanced at the menu. "I'll just have a smoothie bowl instead"

Walburga smirked at the eye roll and anger from the boys, "And how many is that?"

"Two hundred" Rose painfully smiled with closed lips.

"Much better mí amore" Walburga hummed, looking back toward the adults and jumping into their conversation once more, all unaware of what just occurred.

Whitman turned in his seat to Rose, head shaking. "Ro, you can get what you want"

"Seriously." Theo added on, Rose recognizing the slight twitch to his jaw that meant he was thinking about strangling Walburga. "You don't have to—"

"Stop!" she whisper-yelled, glaring at Draco and Blaise as she spotted their moving mouths, clearly about to join in. Rose collected herself, folding her hands on her lap with a low-voice. "You'll just make it worse on me when I get home and I—I can't handle that again"

With mutters and tense faces the boys silenced themselves, lunch eventually presuming on briskly until all had finished their meals and were now busy drinking, Whitman spotting a baby being carried through the glass walls and speaking drunkenly to to his friends.

"Is it bad I want a kid right now?"

Narcissa choked on her vodka tonic, eyes growing wide as everyone started to tune in.

"I want a girl in the future" Theo's brows pinched together, soothing Rose's bouncing leg. "I feel like I'd be a good girl dad"

Yeah, he'd be really good.

The topic made Rose feel sick though, no one in the world but Walburga knew she was infertile.

"Agreed" Blaise chirped, drunkenly slamming his glass down. "I want girl and boy—plain and simple" he nudged Draco's shoulder, "What about you?"

Due to his alcohol consumption the blonde just smiled hazily, "A boy and three girls. No other way"

"Merlin!" Lucius blinked, "For Salazar sake son—that's a ton of kids..."

Miss Zabini laughed from next to Whitman, "Oh I say one is the way to go" she winked at Blaise, leaning up to look at Rose. "How many did you always used to say you wanted Rose?"

Theo laughed happily, "Three girls and two boys—she used to go on and on about what order she'd have them in and motherhood"

As if she was disgusted with Rose's bodily autonomy Walburga mumbled against the rim of her drink, "Like that'll happen"

Rose heard it though and she was sure Walburga meant for that to be the case, make her feel like a disappointment of a woman for something she couldn't control.

"Oh I remember" Narcissa giggled before taking note of how pale Rose had turned, "Rose honey—was there something wrong with the food?"

Everyone at once started to notice Rose's condition as she swallowed the bile in her throat and smiled anxiously at the mother, "I just don't want to talk about kids"

"Oh why not?" Narcissa questioned, "You used to love that—even two years ago"

"Probably for the best Narcissa" Theodore Nott Sr. added on, for once not speaking with an edge. "Your mother had awful complications with birth—took her life away trying to have you"

Rose's hand slammed down onto the table, shaking all the glasses as her unblinking eyes turned upon the man. "You say one more word and I'll take these rubies off my neck and slit your throat with them"

"I beg your pardon?" He recoiled back, "I was simply saying—"

"May I be excused?" Rose interrupted with a shaking voice as she stood up, gaining an annoyed nod from Walburga. She quickly walked off, hands sweaty and shaking just like her tone as she took deep breaths, walking through one of the glass doors.

"Sit down." Blaise demanded to the three boys attempting to stand up as he himself did so, "You're all too drunk to walk—I'll go"

Ignoring their protest Blaise made his way through the crowded restaurant and to the hallway of the bathrooms, knocking gently on the women's one before walking in and instantly locking the door as he saw Rose pacing.

"Hey...hey," Blaise grasped her wrist, voice more deep than usual from the alcohol. "What's wrong?"

"I just..." Rose trailed off with swallow breath, frantic eyes moving around as she patted her warming chest. "I just feel like I can't breath—at all"

"Okay" Blaise ran his hands down her arms, knowing how to handle this. "Just take some deep breath's with me"

Rose attempted to listen, sucking in a rush of air that only made everything feel worse. "I—I can't"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No" she murmured breathlessly, feeling more bile in her throat. "I think I'm going to be sick"

He didn't get time to react before Rose tore away from him and slammed open of the three stall doors open on the left side, kneeling down and instantly beginning to throw up. In a rush Blaise followed after and knelt by her side, twisting the ebony locks back as his hand glided down her spine.

"Let it all out"

And she did, Rose threw up every piece of food and acid in her stomach, refusing to look at him after. "I'm sorry" she muttered, eyes closing at the sting in her throat.

"Don't be" Blaise whispered softly and slumped fully down into the floor, grasping her chin and wiping off her lips with his sleeve.

"You're getting throw up on your shirt" Roses voice barely came out audibly as she scanned his face, letting him clean her up regardless.

"Don't care"

"But it's from Pierre—"

"Doesn't matter when it's you" He cut her off upon finishing, Rose nodding with a loving gaze as he guided her head to his chest. Sighing, he pulled her closer and soothed her hair down. "I don't know what's upset you but I'm here—always will be"

She tiredly wrapped an arm around his waist, "Love you Blaise"

"Always" Blaise promised, resting his chin on her head with a deep breath.

*

That afternoon the sun was hung higher up in the sky, Rose and Blaise had ditched everyone and taken to the stonewalled pool. Now Blaise was sat on the edge with his legs dangling in the water, Rose's arms across his lap as she stood in the swallow end—recalling every detail of what happened with Draco to him.

"And you took a potion after?" asks Blaise with a smirk.

"Of course" Rose rolled her eyes, pushing up her sunglasses.

Blaise cleared his throat as he spotted Theo rounding the pool, "Five o'clock—I repeat five o'clock. Not a drill..."

Rose's head whipped back to see him, eyes growing wide. "Blaise....he's walking eerily calm....wouldn't you say?"

"He looks ready to kill someone" Blaise whispered, straightening up quickly as Theo stopped next to him, smiling up at the brunette like a fool. "Hey Theo"

Theo payed no mind, crouching by the pools edge  and curling a finger at Rose. She hesitantly moved off of Blaise, Theo speaking with a furrowed brow as he waited. "I just had the weirdest vision when I walked past Draco's room"

Her heart started beating like a drum, "Oh?"

Theo looked at her unamused before grasping her chin with a dangerous voice. "Did you sleep with him?"

Blaise coughed, turning his head to the ground. "Say no"

Her throat bobbed, staring in his ocean eyes and watching the way his jaw ticked—from the way he was holding her and looking at her, there was no way to lie. "Yes"

The unmistakeable hurt flashed through his gaze before he laughed dryly, releasing her chin at once as he rubbed his jaw before starting to stand up.

"Theo it was the heat of the moment! I wasn't thinking! He—he just kissed me and well you know how teenagers are? They're always horny! Blame my hormones!" Rose's voice shook as he began walking away, "Draco—"

"Don't say his name!" Theo spat with such force Rose flinched and closed her mouth, nothing but anger on his face as he started walking away again.

Blaise sat with his mouth agape, "Why would you tell him?!"

"Blaise....go after him" Rose muttered with horror as she watched Theo start to disappear.

"Me?! I'm not getting bloody killed!" Blaise blinked but then Rose turned with pleading eyes, making him huff and start to stand up, pointing a finger down at her in frustration. "Fine but if I die because he let that raging monster out I blame you!"

"Just go!"

Blaise grumbled loudly, taking off in a run after the boy and through the house. He called Theo's names multiple times as they trekked up the stairs but Theo only continued on until finding Whitman and Draco laughing and talking in one of the vast halls upon the second floor by some odd artwork the Rosier kept pointing at.

Whitman spotted Theo first from behind Draco's back, realizing how angry he looked. "Theo?"

"Huh?" says Draco confusedly at the fact Whitman random interrupted the conversation before he felt a hand latch onto his arm and turn him around, Theo's fist coming straight down on his face instantly.

Whitman gasped right along with Blaise who halted a few feet away, looking at Theo who swiped his tongue over his teeth with a deep breath.

Draco fell into a bending position before standing up straight—holding onto his jaw, "What the fuck? What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Blaise flinched as Theo's hand wrapped around Draco's neck, quickly slamming the boy against the wall.

"You want to know my fucking problem?" Theo hissed, tightening his grip as Draco tries knock his hands off. He got right up in Draco's face, "You touch her again and I'll kill you with Walburga"

Draco managed to shoved his hand off for a split second, "Fuck off Theo—that's not funny"

Theo laughed maniacally, his hand coming back around Draco's neck, painfully digging his nails in. "You think I'm joking? Maybe I'll just put your hands in a little gift box"

Draco gasped for air, looking at him like a ghost. "You're a fucking psycho!"

"I thought you knew that already, huh?!" Theo gritted out, "Give me one good fucking reason I shouldn't beat you to a pulp until your mother's crying over your body!"

"I care about Rosie!" Draco spat back, sneering at Theo as his grip got tighter by the second.

Then suddenly, the hold loosened and Theo spoke calmly. "Tell me you love her then"

Draco went to shove Theo's hands but they stayed firm, "W—what? I have to say it but you don't?!"

The manic laughter came out once more, "I love her. I'm in love with her—I'll go scream at the top of this house if you want" Theo shoved him harshly, jaw clenching again. "Say it then! Tell me you love her and I'll leave you alone!"

Draco's eyes turned to the left, staying silent as ever.

"You're a fucking pussy!" Theo spat and dug his nails in so hard he broke skin, "And you never, ever deserved her. You treated Ro like garbage for years and years all because you're so fucking miserable!"

Whitman cut in worriedly, "Theo you're really angry—"

Too late.

Theo's fist came back down on Draco's face, this time relentless and so quick it gave the blonde no time to react, the sound of his nose breaking as Theo was taken over by a blinding rage—not even content when he saw blood collecting on his fist.

Blaise ran and tried tugging Theo away but failed miserably as the Nott shoved him back into the wall, still clutching Draco's shirt in his hand as he kept hitting him.

"Theo stop!" Whitman yelled, giving a nod to Blaise as they joined together and yanked him off of Draco, leaving the blonde to stumble and hold onto the wall. Theo jerked and jerked in their hold but it was useless, he was strong but Whitman having lycanthropy gave him a strength no regular human could have.

"Are you trying to kill him?! Look at you what you did!" Blaise struggled out, aching where Theos elbows kept hitting his ribs.

Draco clutched the wall tighter as blood covered his face, bent over slightly as he tried to make his head stop spinning. There was a reason he didn't even truly try to fight back, he deserved this in a way—unable to admit to them how he felt because he was terrified they'd tell Rose and then she'd run for the hills.

"You stay the fuck away from her!" Theo screamed before getting loose and shoving Draco by his shoulder against the wall. He pointed his finger in Draco's face, voice holding rage but going quieter and slow. "You stay the fuck away from her."

"Theo!" Whitman yanked him back but Theo shrugged the hold off roughly before dipping down the hall, chest rising and falling as he wiped his blood hand off on his shirt.

"What the...." Whitman muttered before grasping onto Draco, holding him steady. "What the fuck did you do to Ro?"

Blaise opened and closed his mouth in shock as he moved to the other side of Draco, watching the boy tilt his head back against the wall as blood streamed down. "He um...he slept with her"

The words reached his mind before ever truly settling in, taking a step back. "Excuse me?"

Draco grunted as he wiped his bloody nose which was definitely broken, "Oh don't tell me you're upset too"

"You don't ever think about how I might feel, do you?" Whitman tensed, shoving away the feeling deep in his gut as he scoffed and looked at Blaise. "Take him to Cissa, I'm going to make sure Ro's okay"

"I'm fucking fine!" Draco spat, stumbling into Blaise, too light-headed to think.

*

Around midnight Theo found himself finally leaving his room he had locked himself in as Rose had done, both getting food sent up to their separate spaces. His hand reached for her doorknob but hesitated for seconds upon seconds before opening the door up to reveal the darkened room, only light from the moon being shown in. Theo swallowed the lump in his throat as he spotted her sitting in the canopy bed, watching him intently as fresh air blew through the open balcony doors—making the curtains of the bed ripple.

Theo walked to the foot of the bed frame, leaning against the pole directly in front of her, crossing his arms.

"Why are you in the dark?"

His voice sounded hoarse and that hurt her for an inexplicable reason.

"Peaceful" she muttered back.

He nodded slightly, looking out through the balcony and at the ocean, breathing in the warmth. "I just...I get so angry" Theo trailed off, refusing to look at her. "What happened—what I did had to happen"

"You had to injure Draco? Get two mediwitches called here?" Rose muttered again, scared if she raised her voice it would crack.

Theo inhaled slowly, hands tightening around his arms. "I just lose control," Finally he turned his gaze to her, "But I don't regret beating his face in"

Rose nodded, "I'm not mad at you Teddy—I could never be mad at you" she folded her hands together, "I just didn't come see you because I thought you needed space since you were angry with me"

"I don't ever want space from you" Theo affirmed, muscles flexing as he fought the urge to hold her. "I'm not angry at you either I'm just...."

Hurt.

He shook his head, "We're friends, right?"

"Friends?" Rose whispered, hiding the crack to her voice.

Theo's eyes trailed down her face, swallowing another lump in his throat because this hurt to even say aloud. "Good friends...I mean—best friends?"

She inhaled sharply, looking up at him with round eyes that made his heart ache. "Just friends, right?"

His gaze quickly turned away, rubbing a hand over his mouth as he spoke quietly despite the physically pain from her agreeing. "Right."

Rose blinked away the water coating her eyes and stood up, heading for the open balcony doors because suddenly the room felt really small—as if everything was closing in on her at the idea that's all she was to him.

A friend.

She crossed her arms over her chest, standing in front of the opened double doors but didn't step out, breathing unevenly as the air hit her face.

Two hands grasped her shoulders and they created more than a burning feeling, it felt electrifying to have him touching her.

"I just need to know" Theo whispers hoarsely, bringing his chest against her back, pushing her hair onto one shoulder before he leaned down into her ear. "I need you to tell me something"

Her arms fell to her sides, inhaling sharply at the currents between them. "Anything"

Theo reaches down, threading his fingers through hers invertedly and nudging her head to the side with his nose, lips coming down right below her ear.

Immediately the touch made her crumble, head tipping back against his chest and knees weakening. Theo wrapped an arm around her waist, every so slowly kissing down her neck as he pulled her to be tightly against him.

Rose gasped quietly, running her fingers through his hair as he took the soft spot of her throat in between his teeth.

"Tell me baby," he rasped against her, gliding his hand up from her stomach. "Does his friendship make you feel like this?" his fingers found her throat, inching around. "Anyone for that matter"

"No" she whispered with heavy lust in her voice, Theo sucking harshly on her neck in annoyance at the small answer—grip tightening. She whimpered at the force, "No one ever makes me feel like you do"

"You mean that?" he asked breathily, fingers flexing on her neck.

"With every part of myself" Rose tugged on his curly hair, groaning at him marking his way down her neck. "You're the only one capable of this"

That was the truth.

Halting his attack on her neck, Theo pressed his lips back to her ear and took the lobe between his teeth—speaking over her groan. "I thought so"

Suddenly his hand around her throat was being used to spin her around, hands falling down to her thighs and hosting her up around his waist while leaving Rose breathless as her forehead dropped against his and her fingers grasped his cheeks.

Theo licked his lips as if hungry for her, both of them almost touching their mouths together—a tingling between them before his hands slips down her hips and onto her ass, teeth taking her bottom lip.

Rose moans softly and pulls at his hair, Theo sucking on her lip, flicking his tongue over her lips—repeating this over and over until he had memeorized the sound of her moaning so close to him and so out of breath. Seemingly he was dragging this out, doing everything other than kissing her as some form of punishment.

But then Rose forced her lips onto his and this time he was the one who groaned, relishing in finally kissing her after months and months of denial. Her hips lifted on their own accord, desperately grabbing at his face and hair as his tongue moved over her mouth before pushing in—meeting her own in battle for dominance.

Everything felt right in the world again and the way he was handling her was the perfect amount of loving and rough—forcing Rose to drown in the intoxication that was Theodore Nott.

Suddenly he pulled back and the hands he had on her ass painfully tightened, nipping at her bottom lip with a raspy tone as she breathlessly kept her forehead against his. "I'm going to kiss you until you forget what he felt like—" his hands dug in so hard she winced amongst a groan and knew there'd be bruises, looking at his eyes that had almost grown black from being so dilated. "And when you're ready..." Theo bit down on her lip, "I'm going to fuck you until he's nothing but a ghost in your mind"

Rose moaned at his words and everything else, nodding desperately as she tried to kiss him again, tugging on his hair in frustration when he didn't let her.

"You want that? Huh?" He panted against her mouth.

"It's all I want" Rose pleaded, her breath getting caught as he lifted a hand from underneath her and grasped the side of her neck, not holding back in the slightest as his lips crashed back to her own. He was going to kiss her all night, tease her in every possible way until she was begging for him and the only name that would be left in her mind was his.

________________________________

A/N: omg whose ready for the last few chapters of summer bliss before EXTREME ANGST comes in?? i decided to dedicate third year to building up relationships before I altered your brain chemistry with pain in fourth year and every year after that by tearing it all away 🤭 the book obvi is so long that I thought it was important to have the building and foundation showed

—this chapter was a roll coaster but Theo...is...so...hot. idc if he's possessive he has nothing to apologize for 🥰

—kinda sad that Draco didn't even try to fight back because he felt such self-loathing about not admitting he loved her but also SLAY THEO

—i hate Walburga Black she literally makes me wanna pull my hair out 😝

—anyways.....i giggle every time Theo punches someone

—THE ANGST WHEN HE ASKED ABOUT THEM BEING FRIENDS OMFG

MEMES BECAUSE YEAH:

me every time Theo and Rose have a loving moment:

rose when Theo asked why she stayed in Draco's room:

thinking about Whitman remembered her veggie menu:

Draco when he suddenly got punched out of no where:

Blaise and Whitman watching Theo absolutely beat Draco's ass:

Blaise when Rose straight up admitting to hooking up:

Whitman when no one can see how he feels:

thinking about Whitman comforting her all the while he's dying inside:

When Theo hoisted Rose up like it was nothing:

Realizing Rose did actually want a big family and Walburga won't let her tell anyone about her infertility:

"just friends, right?"  "right." :

xx bri