CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The atmosphere enveloping Teddy and Aviana was undeniably charged with a mixture of tension and awkwardness, the weight of their unspoken words and feelings lingering in the air.

The holiday lights twinkled around them, but their surroundings faded into the background as Teddy and Aviana stood in their own little bubble, their emotions hanging heavily in the air. The usual merriment of the Weasley gathering seemed distant, replaced by the gravity of the situation.

Teddy and Aviana had made their way outside, seeking some privacy away from the prying ears of the gathering. However, despite their efforts to create a more intimate setting, the awkwardness remained. The words they both wanted to say remained stuck in their throats, their thoughts muddled by a mix of uncertainty and suppressed emotions.

Aviana grappled with her inner turmoil, desperately trying to keep her composure and prevent herself from becoming even more flustered than she already was. On the other hand, Teddy's emotional state was a complex tangle of confusion and conflicting feelings. He found himself struggling to find the right words, his thoughts swirling in a chaotic whirlwind of uncertainty and suppressed affection.

Teddy couldn't deny that the memory of Aviana's confession still caused him a fair amount of embarrassment. And yet, amid the tangle of his thoughts, there was one aspect that kept coming back to the forefront of his mind—Aviana's appearance. It was a strange thing for him to fixate on, but the image of her lingered.

What struck Teddy forcibly was the unique feeling he experienced upon witnessing Aviana's vulnerable side. Her usual composure and confidence slipped away, revealing a different side of her that he had never seen before. This unexpected display of vulnerability had a strange magnetic pull on him, stirring up a mixture of curiosity and... something more.

Over the past few months, Teddy had gotten to know Aviana's usual demeanour and the one thing that had consistently stood out was her unwavering composure. She had never shown any signs of being thrown off balance or becoming rattled. So, seeing this new, vulnerable side of her, Teddy found himself at a loss for words, grappling with the unexpected revelation before him.

Teddy had always perceived Aviana as the epitome of confidence and boldness. However, seeing her in this state, her poise faltering and showing a hint of vulnerability, it felt like a complete reversal of her typical persona. The contrast was striking, making this moment all the more uncanny for him.

In that moment, Teddy's perception shifted as he realized that Aviana was not immune to the vulnerabilities and complexities that come with being human. It was a sudden reminder that, underneath the exterior of confidence and bravado, she too was just as flawed and imperfect as any other person.

Caught up in his tangled thoughts, Teddy unwittingly focused his gaze upon Aviana, his stare becoming progressively more intense. Lost in the swirl of his emotions and observations, he remained unaware of the intensity with which he was looking at her.

The cold air that hung around them seemed to not even register in Teddy's perception, such was his intense focus on Aviana. His stare, despite its unwavering intensity, exuded a sense of determination and unwavering attention, as if the temperature had no power to affect his fixed gaze.

Aviana's voice cut through the tension, her words breaking the silence between them. She spoke firmly, her tone betraying a hint of nervousness, "Hey... if you keep staring at me like that, I might start thinking that confessing to you was a bad idea." The statement hung in the air, an attempt to lighten the atmosphere and address the obvious intensity of his gaze.

Teddy, caught off guard by her words, snapped out of his trance. He blinked a couple of times, the intensity in his gaze gradually fading as he registered her comment. A faint blush crept up his cheeks as he realized how fixated he had been staring. He chuckled softly, the sound filling the air between them.

"Sorry," he mumbled, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. "I didn't even realize I was doing that. It was just, a lot to take in."

As the words slipped out of Teddy's mouth, Aviana found herself feeling a tightness in the pit of her stomach. She regretted her statement instantly, wishing she could retract them back down her throat. A wave of self-consciousness washed over her, and she averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes.

Teddy felt the same sense of uneasiness and tightness within him, a bitter taste lingering on his tongue. He glanced at Aviana, noticing the change in her demeanour. They stood there in a moment of tense silence, both grappling with the weight of their previous words.

Teddy, unwilling to accept the weight of the previous words, shook his head vigorously, denying the implication of her statement. "No, Merlin no, Aviana," he repeated, a hint of desperation in his voice. He locked gazes with her, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and urgency.

Aviana let out a soft sigh, her face contorting into a puzzled expression as she tried to articulate her thoughts. "This..." she began, gesturing with her hands in a desperate attempt to convey the inexplicable feelings swirling within her. Her voice was laced with a hint of frustration as she continued, "I've never felt...or done this before. Fancying someone to the point where I find myself a complete mess." The emotions she had been grappling with for the past few months were finally verbalized, leaving her feeling vulnerable.

Teddy started to respond with a lighthearted remark, "Surely that's a joke," but the words faded on his tongue as his eyes met her hurt expression. He recognized the pain reflected in her eyes and immediately regretted his thoughtless remark.

Aviana continued, her voice faltering slightly as she posed her question, "My feelings... are they just a joke to you?"

Teddy silently reprimanded himself internally as he realized the predicament he had put himself in. He hadn't meant for his words to cast any doubt on Aviana's feelings for him, but his thoughtless response had done just that. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut, causing a pang of guilt to resonate through him.

Teddy quickly interjected, his words leaving his mouth in a rushed manner, "No, never." He shook his head for emphasis, his voice filled with urgency. "I would never think that—I meant as in..." He trailed off, his head bowed low in realization.

"I'm the most obstinate and dense person," he admitted sheepishly. "I just question why someone like you even finds me remotely, likeable." This confession exposed his own insecurities and doubts about himself, highlighting his struggle to understand Aviana's feelings for him.

Aviana's shoulders relaxed as a smile slowly tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Edward," she began softly, her tone laced with affection. "There are so many things about you that are likeable. If you'd like, I can name as many as I can."

Teddy found himself taken aback by her words, a mixture of surprise and hope flickering in his eyes. He couldn't help but feel a flutter in his chest at the thought of hearing her list the reasons she found him likeable.

He nodded in agreement, his heart pounding as he anticipated her words. He longed to hear her perspective, to understand what drew her to him despite his own perceived shortcomings.

"Please, go on," he managed to say, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.

Aviana's smile widened at his response, her eyes glimmering with a newfound determination to express the reasons behind her feelings. She took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze fixated on him with an intense look.

"Alright then," she began, her voice soft but resolute. "Where shall I start?"

"From the beginning," Teddy replied, his voice filled with eagerness. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on her face, wanting to hear everything she had to say.

Aviana chuckled softly at his eagerness, finding his eagerness endearing. She took a deep breath and began to recount the things she liked about him.

"Let's start with this," she began, her gaze meeting his directly. "I like the way you smile—genuine and effortless. It makes you look like you carry the sun in your heart."

Teddy felt his heart skip a beat as her words washed over him. He had never given much thought to his smile before, but hearing her describe it as "genuine and effortless" and that it made him look like he carried the sun in his heart, stirred something within him. He couldn't help but feel a little bashful under her admiring gaze.

Aviana continued, her voice warm with sincerity. "I like the sound of your laugh," she said with a fond smile. "It's unique and contagious, like a melody that refuses to leave my mind."

Teddy couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle at her description of his laugh. He had always been somewhat self-conscious about it, but hearing it being described as "unique and contagious" and a "melody" that she couldn't get out of her head made him feel strangely proud.

Aviana's gaze softened as she thought about more things she liked about him. "I like your determination," she continued, her tone filled with admiration. "The way you approach everything with such resolve and persistence, it's truly something I find captivating."

Teddy felt a wave of warmth wash over him as she mentioned his determination. He had always been someone who put a lot of effort into what he did, but hearing her describe it as "captivating" made him feel valued and seen in a new light. His heart swelled with a mixture of pride and a hint of vulnerability.

Aviana's words continued to flow, her expression growing more and more earnest. "I like your patience," she said, her voice filled with awe. "The way you handle even the most irritating situations with such calm and steadiness. It's like you have an endless reservoir of tolerance within you."

Teddy's breath caught in his throat as she spoke about his patience. He had never thought much about his ability to remain calm and steady, but hearing her describe it as an "endless reservoir" filled him with a sense of quiet strength. He felt a strange mix of comfort and humility in her admiration of this aspect of himself.

Aviana's eyes glimmered with affection as she went on, "I like your thoughtfulness." She continued, her voice filled with appreciation. "The way you remember the little things, the details of someone's life, it shows a depth of care and attention that's really endearing."

Teddy's heart skipped a beat as she mentioned his thoughtfulness. He had always believed that paying attention to details was just a natural part of him, but hearing her describe it as "endearing" made him realize how much it meant to her. The warmth in her eyes as she spoke filled him with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that his attentiveness to details was seen and appreciated by her.

Aviana teased, a playful look in her eyes, "I can keep going if you want."

Teddy's eyes widened, and a forced cough formed in his throat. He tried to maintain eye contact, but Aviana's boldness was becoming harder and harder to ignore.

"You are enjoying this," he grumbled, his face assuming a pout. In response, Aviana chuckled, clearly relishing the effect she was having on him.

Aviana leaned closer, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness as she whispered, "Only with you, Edward Lupin." With a gentle touch, she planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving him stunned yet yearning for more.

Just as Teddy attempted to respond, Aviana was already sauntering back inside, leaving him dazed. However, before disappearing completely, she paused, gently swaying on her feet.

With a smile, she sent him one final message, her voice melodic and filled with anticipation. "It's my turn to wait for you, Edward."