Scarfed
Invite after invite, declination after declination. Charlie is absolutely bristling. It’s almost time for the spring ball and people won’t stop asking Thandi to go with them. Some of them are bold enough to ask while he’s present!
Thandi sees him getting angry, stewing in it, barely biting back words. She pets his head. He’s grown even more fiercely protective of her since winter break, where their friendship grew more companionable and less…babysitting.
He still cries, of course, but it doesn’t stop him from acting as much. It almost makes her laugh, actually.
But Charlie isn’t laughing when he jogs back to Thandi, their scarves clutched in his hands. It’s nippy out, and he doesn’t want her to get sick, and of course someone approached while he dashed off.
Dean. Why is it always Dean?
“I was actually wondering if you wanted to go to the dance together?”
“Dean, I’m sorry, but–oh! Charlie!”
The silver and green scarf loops round her neck and he plants a big kiss on her cheek, hugging her. She smiles at him and Dean raises his brows. “Ah. Hey, little buddy, how are ya?”
“Get fucked,” Charlie mumbles, eyeing him. He’s wearing the blue stripes of Ravenclaw.
“Er. Well, think about it, Thandi.”
“I’m actually going with Charlie,” she laughs. “Which…isn’t really a surprise, is it?”
Charlie gives Dean a smirk as he clings to Thandi. Mission accomplished. As Dean walks away, Charlie nuzzles Thandi. It makes her face hot now, to have him happily shower her with affection and save her from any more nuisance.
“Keep that on, Thandi, so everyone knows you’re mine. You’re stuck alone! I’ll make sure of it.”
She giggles and nods. “Okay. Class now?”
“Yes!” He relieves her of her books and dashes ahead, stopping to look back and wait for her. His grin is adorable.