Chapter Text
Friday morning brought with it plenty of sunshine and cheer. Ronald was eager to see his lover again, and he spent the morning working in the vegetable gardens specifically because they were next to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. He’d be guaranteed to see Firenze as soon as he arrived. It nearly killed Ronald to have to wait for Firenze to seek him out, and he decided that after they talked about dating they’d talk about ways he might safely go into the forest to surprise his lover.
The day grew warmer as morning turned to afternoon, and Ronald hadn’t sneezed even once. He’d picked up his gardening hoe without cleaning the pollen dust off first, and his skin never itched or blotched. Halfway through the day he’d torn off his shirt and as he worked in the garden he slowly became coated in the lime green tree pollen from the neighboring forest. He’d cleaned himself not because he’d feared for his sinuses but because he didn’t want Firenze to see him so grungy. The magic of the rite truly did work as Firenze had said it would: his allergies were cured. He hoped the night wasn’t just about curing his ailment for Firenze. It had been the start of something wonderful for Ronald, and he was looking forward to seeing where they could take things
By half past three, Ronald was shredding the weeds in the gardens more than he was actually weeding . First years getting off the Hogwarts Express probably weren’t as anxious as he was in this moment. He really really needed Firenze to come. He’d been working with his back to the forest by now, no longer on watch for when Firenze would walk out of the tree line. Subsequently he almost missed Firenze’s approach, catching just the barest hint of the centaur’s shadow looming over him once he got close enough.
He spun around to confront him. “What in the blazing hell took you so long?” Ronald shouted, and before he could spare his action a second thought he was flinging himself into Firenze’s arms and kissing him. He really had meant to have more of a conversation, but the heat of the day mixed with the heat of his impatience called for action first. They could talk later.
Firenze’s eyes widened as a broad grin stretched across the male’s face. Ronald was swept up into Firenze’s arms and kissed with a fervor only equaled by his own. Minutes sped by, and Firenze leaned away slowly, looking Ronald in the eye. “Wizard, does this mean that you return my affections?”
Ronald cupped Firenze’s face in both of his hands, placed a quick kiss to his lips. “Yes. I am always saying ‘yes’ to you, aren’t I? Yes, I return your affections . I had my answer days ago, what took you so long?”
“I did promise to give you five days to contemplate what we exchanged during the ritual. I did not want to rush you,” Firenze stated.
“Yeah, well it wasn’t exactly a difficult decision to make. I want to see where things go between us. You’ve been my friend and companion these past few years, and Sunday night showed me how good things could be between us if we went a step further. Will you try with me, Firenze? Will you try dating me and seeing where we go from here?” Ronald’s gaze searched Firenze’s, desperately seeking an answer to possibly the most important question of his life.
Firenze didn’t make him wait long for his answer. “I told you before that I am yours. Do with me what you will, my love. I have wanted you for many nights, both as my companion and my lover.” They sealed their confessions with another kiss. Ronald wasn’t sure where they’d go from here, but as long as they went together he’d be happy.