Closed Plug and Play

[Alexis Kramer]

It was the day of the bake sale. Alexis had bought some cookies from Chante, two packs of seven-piece cookies. One was for her and the other for Xavier whom she would be meeting at that moment. She was now in the student lounge with her acoustic guitar and another present for Xavier. The Ravenclaw was not entirely sure if her boyfriend would like what she got him. She also had the same one in her room back at the tower. While waiting for the Hufflepuff to arrive, she strummed an acoustic version of a new song she had been practicing over the holidays. Students in the lounge turned to listen to her sing softly by the fireplace. It was already after lunch and some people hung out there for some downtime before their classes. Little did Alexis knew, the person she was waiting for was already there, listening to her little performance.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

As soon as Xavier had bought some cookies from Chante’s bake sale, he had contacted Alexis and they had agreed to meet up later that day. It was a surprise for his girlfriend, as he hadn’t told her that he had bought them. He wanted to see her eyes light up and her smile widen, it was the highlight of his day. So before he went to the lounge he stopped by the dorms to grab his guitar and sheet music, wanting to work on a couple of songs he had learned recently, just before returning to Hogwarts for the new year. When he arrived to the lounge, he settled on a sofa and waited for his girlfriend, strumming a few chords here and there and when she entered, Xavier was about to wave her over when he realised she had just started to play. With a soft smile he listened as the girl played, unable to tear his gaze away from her. When she was done, he went over to her with his stuff and said, "Alessia Cara? Great artist," he said, before giving her a quick kiss. He knew the lyrics had nothing to do with his relationship with Alexis and so had nothing to worry about. "I have a song of my own to play for you," he added a few moments later, momentarily forgetting about the cookies he’d bought, as he started playing.

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis just strummed the last chords of the song when her favorite person walked over to her with his guitar and what looked like to be some snacks. She knew a bright smile was already on her face just at the sight of him. She just nodded at his question, leaving no room for words as she met his lips in a quick kiss. She scooted over to make room for him. "She is, isn't she?" Moments later, Xavier said he had a song he'd play for her. Directing her full attention to the Puff, Alexis eagerly replied, "Let's hear it." Xavier singing and especially to her had always been her highlight of the day. The song, just what she sang, had nothing to do with what they had. In fact, it sounded like a response to the song she had just sung. Laughing softly, she enjoyed the song, recognizing some of its words. She slowly plucked her guitar along with him until the end of the song. "That sounded amazing.", she commented. "By the way, you saw Chante's bake sale?", she asked her boyfriend. This would be a way for her to give her cookie present to him.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

Xavier really enjoyed playing for and with Alexis, if he was having a bad day he knew if he just spent some time jamming with her his day would be that much better. He finished the last chord softly, glancing at Alexis with a smile. "Thanks," he said, "but it’s not as good as yours," he added with a wink. When the ravenclaw mentioned the bake sale his eyes widened a little and he nodded at her question, grabbing the cookies he’d bought and holding them behind his back so that it would be a surprise. "Oh yeah. I stopped by. She had some interesting choices." Chante had had a brilliant idea for sure, Xavier had to give her credit. "Here," he said, showing her the cookies. "These are for you." The sixth year wanted to see what her reaction would be.​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

They had been for more than two years now but Xavier never failed to make her blush whenever he complimented her like that. "Thanks, love." She loved calling him like that. He was bluntly honest and the Ravenclaw still had to get used to it, especially when she was on the receiving end. At the mention of the bake sale, Xav's eyes brightened, this prompted Alexis to turn around and picked up the bag she also prepared for him from beside the couch. "Her bake sale was a blast for sure. Many students love them." She turned around and showed him the cookies the same time he did his. "Oh!" She laughed in amusement. She accepted them with one hand, a bright smile on her face. "These are for you.", she handed him her gift. She also picked up the small bag that contained the pillow that she got him. "Along with this. I got this during the holidays for you.", she added. ​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

The sixth year smiled warmly at his girlfriend at her reaction and he had to smirk when he saw that she was blushing. That was cute. After over two years of being together, it gave him some satisfaction that he could still get such a reaction from her. "Yeah. I bet they loved the ones that disappear after three days," he said with a laugh, that had been a truly brilliant idea for sure. He had to raise his eyebrows when as soon as he gave her the cookies she too, did the same. "Would you look at that. Great minds think alike," he said, not bothering to finish the full phrase. He opened the wrapping paper and took a bite out of a biscuit, enjoying himself. "Ohmigodthesearesogood" he said with his mouth full before swallowing and dusting off the crumbs on his shirt. He looked at Alexis and the second gift in surprise, he hadn’t expected that at all. He smiled again though and when he noticed the details of the pillow he gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, sweetheart," he said. "Now I have to find something really great for you." ​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis laughed at her boyfriend's comment on the bake sale as well as on their gift exchange. "Although fools seldom differ.", she jokingly replied, completing the expression as she settled comfortably closer to him on the couch. She opened the paper to her cookies and took one for herself just as Xavier took a bit from his. She laughed even louder when he was talking with his mouth full of the cookies. "You missed a spot, love.", picking up a crumb that landed on his shoulder. She was about to take a bite from hers after she handed her other present to him when he bestowed another kiss on her cheek. With rose-colored cheeks, she took a small bite from her cookie before shaking her head at what he said, "You singing for me is always a great gift for me." She did not know why but he always affected her in a good way.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

When Alexis finished his phrase, he grinned at her. "I sort of expected you to complete the sentence," he chuckled, putting an arm on the sofa behind his girlfriend as she scooted closer to him. It was funny how they kept thinking about the exact same things he thought as Alexis took a cookie for herself as well. He glanced at his shoulder, only now noticing the crumb, and shook his head playfully as she flicked it off, grabbing her hand once she was done and intertwining his fingers with hers. Alexis complimenting him made Xavier never want to stop looking at her beautiful features. And she blushed again, which was a bonus. Without saying anything, the puff neared his face even closer to hers and lifted her chin a little, before he pressed his lips against hers gently. ​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis chuckled, giving him a playful wink as he wrapped an arm around her. "Just like how you complete the songs I usually sing." They had always been in sync. From their taste in music to the simple things that they would tell each other. This was again evident when they both gave each other cookies and now she was able to finish his sentence. Just after she moved to remove the crumbs from his shoulder, Xavier caught her hand, lacing their fingers together. It would seem that the rose color on her cheeks would stay for the remainder of the day. She finished her cookie when she felt his eyes on her. She looked up at him again, a questioning look but she knew her cheeks were blushing again. She knew this because of the knowing look and smile he was sporting at that moment. Shortly, he leaned it, lifted her chin and bridged the distance between their faces. Alexis' breath hitched, her heart also skipped a beat as she responded to his kiss. Xavier seemed to be getting bolder with their relationship which she was happy about. They had been going out for two years and personally, she could not ask for anything more.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

Xavier found Alexis so adorable, especially when he made her blush, and for some reason every time she blushed whenever he complimented her it seemed as though it was the first time her cheeks turned red. Though of course, it wasn’t, since they’d been together for at least two years. It was true, they always somehow, coincidentally finished each other’s sentences or songs. Music really did bring people together. He smiled when she responded to the kiss, and his heart skipped a beat. After a few minutes, though Xavier had lost somewhat the sense of time, he pulled away gently, resting his forehead on hers. "I love you," he muttered, closing his eyes as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She had the most wonderful effect on the hufflepuff and Xavier never wanted not to feel this way. With a jolt he realised he had admitted his true feelings to her for the first time and his heartbeat became quicker with this confession out in the open. ​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis smiled into the kiss, cheeks as rosy as the rose. Even the slightest blush caused by the Puff could be noticeable because of her complexion. Two years together never changed how their relationship was. They may have separate clubs and responsibilities, they still found a way into each other through music. Moments later, her boyfriend gently pulled away and let their foreheads touch. Not soon enough, Xavier uttered the words she never thought a boy would tell her. Blue eyes widened as she gazed at him. His eyes were closed as he tucked her hair. He looked content as he said those words. Her heartbeat quickened as her mind processed the words. Cupping his cheek with her hand, she gave him her sweetest smile. "I love you too." Her voice a whisper, her heartbeat fast against her chest.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

Xavier hadn’t really thought of what he said until he said it, but he knew for sure that he didn’t regret it at all. It was about time they exchanged the words; after all, even though they had been together for two years Xavier had never exactly thought of it before. He hadn’t thought nor expected his relationship with Alexis to be serious, but he was happy now with what had turned out. And he smiled at her as he thought this. He pulled her closer to him, gently placing a kiss on her forehead. Then, after a few minutes of them sitting like that in silence, he grabbed his guitar and began to strum the chords of the next song, softly beginning to hum along. Xavier thought he could sing a duet with Alexis.​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Alexis smiled, eyes closed at the touch of Xavier's lips on her forehead. Things turned out really great for the couple and she never thought they would be steady for this long. She was glad they just did. They could even be contented in sitting in silence and just be in each other's company. Shortly, Xavier strummed the next song to which she knew and grown to love. The moment she opened her mouth to sing the words, she realized that this was their first duet and with Xavier on the guitar, the experience was too precious to be passed by. She actually enjoyed singing together with her boyfriend, occasionally plucking on her own guitar to add more melody to the song.​

 

[Xavier Mackintosh]

One of the things that made Xavier happy was being with Alexis, but what was even better was to spend time and playing with her. It was pretty cool that they were both musical and it was something he would never be able to forget. Everything just seemed so perfect with her, so...easy. He smiled again at her, his gaze never leaving hers as they played their first duet ever. When they were finished, Xavier let the chords and voices fade before he suddenly recalled that the ball was soon and he needed to ask her, just for old times’ sake. He didn’t want to take it for granted that she would go with him, even if he could expect her to. "Lex," he said, realising that it was the first time in their two-year relationship that he had given her a nickname. "The Yule Ball is in a couple of weeks, and I was wondering if...you’re free to go with me." It dawned on the sixth year that it was getting easier to ask her out to things and this made him feel very relieved.​

 

[Alexis Kramer]

Xavier's voice, whether he was talking to her or singing, never failed to warm her heart. They seemed to fit together like two puzzle pieces. They only started as friends and surprised each other with their passion for music. Everything was comfortable. Perfect. With him, it was like home. She met his smile with one of her own, both of them lost in their own world as they sang together. The chords faded as their voices mellowed to a soft hum. She leaned on his shoulder in contentment when he called her by her nickname. It was a nickname she had when she was little but seemed to fade as she grew up. Now, Xavier would be the only one to call her that at her age of sixteen. He mentioned Yule Ball and asked her out like it was his first time to ask her. Deciding to play along, she laughed before leaning in to kiss his cheek, "I'd love to go to the Yule Ball with you, Xav." before adding in a whisper, "Though, a certain Puff has been my partner for the past two years in all school events." Before she cuddled in his arms again.

The couple spent the rest of the afternoon together until it was time for dinner. After putting away their guitars in a safe corner of the lounge, the couple went to the great hall, holding hands to enjoy dinner in either one of their house tables. Both sixth years were looking forward to the Yule Ball.​