Closed Dilemma

[Nixon Mercury]

The only thought circling around Nixon's mind as he left the great hall, was that he shouldn't have spoken to Liam. Instead he should have waited and given himself a real chance to get over his feelings before so much as thinking of approaching him again, to avoid the jealous sinking in his chest and the contrasting flutter of butterflies in his stomach that made him feel sick. The embarrassed flush creeping up on his face as he stepped into the entrance hall didn't help this either, and Nixon headed outside for some fresh air wanting to first calm down, and then second, pretend like this reaction he was having didn't happen in the first place. Talking to Liam again meant keeping his cool and playing polite like everything was okay, and he did not want to be around Liam if he couldn't reassure himself acting normal was possible. With a hand placed on his stomach and a quick pace to his steps, Nixon searched around the school grounds for a spot he could sit down for a while and gather his composure. This search led him to the great lawn, and he promptly sat underneath one of the many trees, using the shade it provided to cool down a little as he took deep breaths. Eventually he would calm down and be able to process his thoughts before deciding what he should do next.​

 

[Tristan Collins]

Sometimes Tristan liked to be alone, and he often went on a walk outside the castle when that sort of mood came over him. The breakup with October had annoyed him, and it was just one of many things that were going wrong this year. Tristan wasn't happy that Vivian was dating someone else now, even though he knew that had been his idea from the start. He knew he couldn't say anything about it, he would just have to hold his tongue. But he also wanted to have some fun, to flirt and make some new connections. He had been dating October for a while, and now that he was free, he intended to have a bit of fun before committing himself again. So as he passed Nixon Mercury sitting underneath a tree, Tristan paused and glanced at him. He'd met the kid a few years ago when he delivered a rose to him, but he definitely hadn't been as cute back then as he was now. Tristan tilted his head to the side slightly, giving the boy a charming smile. "Hey Nixon, out here all by yourself too?" He asked, glancing around. "Everything okay? You look a little pink." He gestured to his own face to show the boy what he meant, an amused smile on his face.

 

[Nixon Mercury]

Already tickled pink with his heart beating quickly in his chest over chatting to Liam, the last thing Nixon needed was interacting with another good looking boy. But it seemed the universe had it out for him when he heard a voice greeting him and he looked to the source to see none other than Tristan Collins, a prefect from his house. Nixon blushed further as he remembered thinking Tristan was cute when he delivered a rose to him in a previous year, and if it weren't for Liam taking over his mind, he was sure the mere thought Tristan was cute would have developed into a proper crush. Though he hardly had the capacity to consider that in too much detail when his mind was elsewhere and the older boy could tell he was flustered enough to comment on the increasingly vivid pink colour to his face. Desperate to cover it up, Nixon shrugged in response to the first question and moved to adjust his hair as he tried to answer the second, all while attempting to deflect the conversation over to Tristan. "I'm fine, it's just that you're so pretty I can't help but turn pink sometimes." He said, wanting to brush off his feelings and sound nonchalant, but probably failing miserably. He was trying to cover up his reaction to being around Liam again with the comment but it also wasn't a lie. After all he did have eyes and anyone who did would think Tristan was good looking, this fact just was not the sole cause for him being so flustered.​

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan wasn't sure if Nixon would welcome his company right now, and was prepared to walk on after a short exchange. But the boy's words made his eyebrows rise slightly, and it definitely made Tristan more interested in the boy and talking to him. He did need a new partner for the yule ball, and this comment implied that Nixon was up for at least some flirting, which was always fun. Tristan laughed softly, and then took a seat next to the boy underneath the tree. He looked over at him, leaning against the tree casually. "That's a good line, can I steal it sometime?" He asked, amused. "I'm flattered to have such a reaction on you by simply walking past. Do you always blush this easily?" He paused, smirking slightly. "That could be interesting..."

 

[Nixon Mercury]

Nixon had to admit he was a little surprised by Tristan's reaction to his words. He mostly expected Tristan to insult him before leaving him alone, rather than join him by sitting down nearby, but he was welcoming of the company and relieved that he could bury his feelings for Liam for another day while chatting to someone he thought was cute. Moving his hands away from his face as Tristan spoke, Nixon began to feel a little more comfortable with the interaction now that he was confident his crush on Liam wasn't able to be figured out. Being seen chatting to Tristan, or rather flirting with him was more acceptable in Nixon's opinion and something he was not desperate to keep a secret like his other feelings. He nodded at Tristan's comment if he could use the line in the future, then looked out to the lawn with a small smile on his face at the question of whether he blushed easily. Blushing wasn't exactly something he could control and he had no idea if he was the kind of person to blush at the drop of a hat but he was willing to leave that up to Tristan to decide. "That's something you'll have to find out." He said, glancing back over to the prefect.​

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan couldn't quite believe his luck. He'd only just been broken up with, and here was someone who was clearly at least somewhat interested in him. Tristan wasn't in the mood for anything serious, but he also didn't want to be dateless at any of the Hogwarts events in the future. Especially the yule ball. Besides, there was something fun and exciting about flirting with someone new. They had talked a handful of times before, but Tristan hadn't realized how cute Nixon was back then. Now, he was definitely looking nice. Tristan didn't think he could date anyone younger than a fourth year, but that meant Nixon was fine. At least for some flirting and possibly a date. He laughed at Nixon's reply, liking the boy more and more. "I'll take you up on that." He said with a smile. "Maybe at the yule ball? See if my dancing does the trick?'

 

[Nixon Mercury]

If Tristan interacting with him at all was the opposite of what Nixon had expected, what happened next was entirely out of the realm of possibilities for him, the Hufflepuff never thinking someone older and more popular than he would ever be could be interested in him enough to suggest a date, or at least a dance at a school event. The night of the yule ball was one Nixon knew would be taken up with his duties as the photographer for the yearbook, where he never usually planned to have fun himself as he knew most of his time would be spent taking photos of every other student that was having fun. But as he looked away from Tristan and back out to the lawn surrounding them again, he considered if it was a possibility. This would be a chance to finally have fun himself at an event for the first time in a while, and also for him to potentially make Liam jealous which was an opportunity he reveled in. Soon enough he returned his gaze to the other boy and nodded, thinking he had found a compromise that allowed him to agree to Tristan's suggestion. "I'm all for a dance or two, if you don't mind me spending some time taking photos for the yearbook." He responded. "I can make sure the photos of you are the best you've ever seen." Nixon added shortly afterwards, thinking this would be enough for Tristan to agree to him being absent for part of the night.​

 

[Tristan Collins]

Tristan had never been very shy or nervous about asking people out, but he did hope Nixon wouldn't refuse. It would be one more bad thing to add to the pile, and it would be pretty embarrassing to be turned down by a fourth year. But if he was reading Nixon's body language right, he had the feeling the boy would definitely not outright refuse. That confidence waned slightly as Nixon took his time to think about it, and Tristan had to force himself to wait quietly for an answer. Finally, the boy talked, revealing the issue. Tristan had known the boy worked at the yearbook or the paper or something like that, but he hadn't really thought of the dance coming in the way of that. He shrugged, smiling. "That's fine." He said, laughing softly as the boy added that the photos of him would be the best he'd ever seen. "A dance or two would be wonderful, and maybe we could hang out a little more after the dance is over." He added, shrugging. "That evening, I mean." He said, not wanting Nixon to think he was committing to anything long term. "We'll show up together, dance, and then you get time for your yearbook stuff. Sound good?"

 

[Nixon Mercury]

Tristan seemed completely happy allowing Nixon to leave their date after a little while to take photos for the yearbook, and this caused him to smile. It was a nice thought to know he could balance the responsibilities he had with having fun for himself, and he intended to make the most of it on the night. Hopefully it would turn out great and Nixon could use the experience as a basis for yule ball dates in future years, assuming Tristan wouldn't be the only person that was happy to let him leave after a dance. Nodding at Tristan's suggestion they show up together and spend a little time dancing before the Accio responsibilities got in the way, Nixon agreed wholeheartedly. "That sounds great, we'll meet outside and walk in together." He confirmed. He didn't quite realize in the moment, but as he thought more about the yule ball date with Tristan, considering what kind of outfit he should put together that would also allow him to walk around and take photos, among other things the night entailed, Nixon was forgetting entirely about Liam and how flustered he had been over his crush minutes earlier. It seemed with someone else to think about Liam was the last thing on Nixon's mind. Not worrying about hiding his unrequited crush on Liam felt freeing and he couldn't wait to continue on this Tristan tangent to see where it led.​