Twenty Seconds of Courage [Liam]

[pandora evelyn hearth]

Twenty seconds of insane courage. That's what Adam had said. A quote from a pretty fantastic film but it was true. It was all she needed. Twenty seconds to put her heart on her sleeve. Twenty seconds to throw caution to the wind. Twenty seconds to probably make a complete and utter fool out of herself but.. she didn't care. Maybe it was the alcohol talking? Okay. So it was most definitely the alcohol talking. She wasn't drunk - thank God - but the few swigs of rum had made her less nervous. With any luck, if it all went horribly wrong, she could blame it on the alcohol. Yes. That was a good idea. Blame it on the alcohol. And Adam. Because it was his fault too. He'd given her this bloody insane idea.

So now she was making her way to his office. Praying he was there but at the same time he wasn't. She'd made a deal with herself. She had to tell him tonight. If not? She knew she never would. Her hands fumbled with the cuffs of her leather jacket. Nerves filled her with each step. Of course they did. Each step meant a step closer to her having to reveal her feelings. Feelings she thought had died. But... He'd done something. Taken her shattered heart and repaired it. Made her feel again. Feel something toward him. Even if he shot her down, she would thank him. Thank him for mending her. At least now she knew she could open her heart to someone else.

And then it was in sight. That door looked terrifying to her now. Once so inviting - she'd always been welcome if she'd needed a question answered. But now? The witch felt her heart pounding in her chest. She was pretty sure it'd be audible to even a human. Maybe she'd just turn around. Sprint back to her dorm. Hades had given her a pretty evil look when she left without him. Then again, the dog was a traitor. She'd bet a lot of money that he was currently curled up on Aria's bed. Pan shook her head. No. No backing out now.

Stepping up to the door, she placed her hand on the handle and turned it. She couldn't knock. If she did, she'd bolt. No. This was the only way to do it. Pushing open the door she stepped inside. Liam was there. How she hoped he hadn't but it was too late now. Far too late. And as she looked at him she realised just how naïve she had been. He was handsome, perfect in every way and she adored him. She always would. No matter what the outcome of tonight. Liam Redferne would forever have a place in her heart. Come on, Panny, twenty seconds of insane courage, remember? You can do this. Just. Speak. For Christ sake's woman, you haven't been hexed! What seemed like an eternity for the woman wasn't even a second. She'd had her mental argument by the time she'd shut the door behind her.

Facing Liam, she cleared her throat slightly and spoke. Twenty seconds of insane, reckless courage. "Liam. I'm not going to beat around the bush with this. I'm just not that kind of girl. What you said, what I said earlier made me realise something. Something I think I've felt for a short while. The thing is, I like you, Liam. And I'm not talking the sense that I like my other friends. No. I'm here to tell you that I've pretty much fallen for you, Liam" she stopped. There it was. Out in the open. And God did she want to just run out of the room but she stood her ground. Pandora Hearth was not weak.

Outfit: Clicky!
Tagged: Liam! 
Notes: You can do it Panny!
Credit: Chloe!

[liam redferne]

Boils Curse
Causes the target’s skin to erupt with large painful boils of various sizes of which have been known to burst creating more pain and general discomfort as well as oozing foul smelling pus.
Icantation: Cutis putrescat

1/4
Accurate definition of the Boils Curse. However, the incantation written is the incorrect. It should be ‘Aestuat’ also, for full marks you should’ve stated the consequences if casted wrong and the counter-charm.

Blinding Spell
Blinds the target temporarily
Icantation: Sencsorio clausas: oculos

2/4
Once again, good definition and you've got the incantation correct this time. Yet, you fail to gain full marks because you didn’t include the counter-charm and the consequences of performing the spell wrong again.

Overall marks: 13/40

[/color]

Liam shook his head as he finished marking the test. This particular student didn’t even manage to receive half marks. He had stated numerous times that in order to receive full marks they had to include the counter-charm and the consequences of performing the curse or hex wrong. Was that so hard to remember? Perhaps it was. Unfortunately, this student was going to have to redo their test on Skin Curses and Sensory Hexes which was probably going to make them dislike Liam a considerable amount more. What a shame it was that this Redferne didn’t really care.
Marking tests- even for Liam- was extremely boring but it helped get his mind off things. If he focused on the mundane task then thoughts wouldn’t turn to the stupid and very inappropriate comment he had made to a student earlier on. Well, it had taken his mind off it until now at least.

Adorable. That’s what he had said out load to Pandora for some crazy reason he didn’t quite understand. Yes, okay, he couldn’t lie to himself that the word adorable had been lingering in his mind since she was pouting over being muted previously but he should’ve kept his thoughts separate from the words that spilt from his mouth. Calling a student adorable was inappropriate. Unprofessional.
He couldn’t deny that he cared for Pandora, of course he did, not only was she his student but, as he had been training her to control her shield and helped her with other areas of magic she became…more than any other student. A friend? Yes, maybe that’s what it was and he supposed people did call their friends adorable…didn’t they? But at the end of the day, he had to bear in mind that he was her teacher also.
However, he couldn't stop his mind from going back to what she had said earlier “It was amusing. And it amused you.. It's nice when you're happy” It was nice when he was happy? She cared whether or not he was happy? The idea confused him but what confused him more was that he seemed to feel the same way. Liam liked seeing a smile on her beautiful face. Especially after her heart had been broken by a man that claimed he loved her...and it was strange, he seemed to...open up a bit more when in her presence. He seemed to act like he would with his family when around her. He felt...happy- yes- he supposed that was as good as a word to use than any other. And the idea of her in pain made him feel concerned, the thought of her crying made him worried, the thought of her being scared made him want to protect her but all these were on a different level to how he felt about his family. It was as if it hit deeper. Like a pebble causing ripples through calm waters as it fell down, deep into the dark depths below.
For once Liam Redferne didn't know how to explain something. The way he was around her was different and the feelings he felt were alien to him. All of this unknown territory...he was sure he wouldn't be able to find the answer of what it was through book and yes, it did frustrate him slightly. This sorcerer didn't like not knowing things. It made him uneasy, on edge...scared?
Not knowing took away his control, his power to change, prevent or encourage a situation or movement. Not knowing what was happening now meant that he didn't know what to do next and to him that was as good as being one step behind and he'd much rather be a step ahead. Always.

When the door to his office opened he was slightly taken by surprise. More so as the very student who occupied his thoughts- Pandora- came inside and closed the door behind her "Pandora?" He stood and moved around to the front of his desk, facing her with a common impassive expression that was often found on the eldest Redferne's face. What exactly was happening? He had no idea. All he knew was that she looked nervous...was something wrong? As always, he'd be there to help her if there was.
After clearing her throat she spoke and the words that sounded on his ears took him completely off guard.
"I've pretty much fallen for you, Liam"
This was bad, wasn't it? A student liking a teacher more than just a friend? Well, it should be bad. He should've felt alarmed by the idea. But he didn't and something was clicking together in his head but he refused to acknowledge it. All he did was stand there, looking at her, into the depths of her periwinkle blue orbs. She unsure, scared...this confession meant so much to her and here he was, just standing there unable to form any words.
Take a moment. Think.
But what was he meant to say? Why couldn't he think of anything to say? Because he knew what he should say was very different to what he wanted to say. That was it wasn't it? Liam never really saw her in this light before or at least, he turned away from it but now when it was all but shining in his face, blinding him, he realized...he had to acknowledge it now. Fallen. That was the word she used and suddenly it felt like an awfully familiar feeling. The definition of falling was to move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level. A sudden uncontrollable descent. Her words only just made him realize that he had started that descent the moment he helped her control her Shield.
Liam opened his mouth as if to say something for a moment but it soon closed when words still failed to form. He found his gaze lowering slightly, away from her face, to the ground as he thought what could he possibly say to her because his realization didn't help him at all. Even though he felt this way...he couldn't act on it. He couldn't encourage it. Couldn't or shouldn't? The two very different words seemed to merge right now.

"I don't know what to say." He answered honestly with a small frown as his lifted his cool blue gaze to hers once again. Strangely, his voice didn't sound as confident as it usually did. It reflected his uncertainty, his confusion, his slight conflict. Maybe it was because a small part of him wanted to show her some...vulnerability and just the thought of the word made Liam internally shiver but Pandora seemed to have a habit of bringing out many ideas and emotions he didn't think he'd ever think or feel.
He paused and cleared his throat "Honestly, what do you want me to say?"[/color] Liam asked.
"Honestly." He felt the need to repeat because whatever she said next, he would reply to accordingly. If she told him to forget what she said? He wouldn't, but he could certainly pretend to. If she asked for him for to be honest? Liam thought about it for a moment. If she asked...he would be honest with her. Tell her. To hell with the unprofessional-ism. He couldn't lie to those he cared about...it felt too wrong, and Pandora was now no exception to this feeling. Liam would tell her and then he'd figure out what to do about it afterwards.
But, it would all depend on the answer she gave him. If she wanted him to lie, he would withold everything he just came to realize. The truth? He would give it her without hesitation.

[/color][/center][/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

Tagged: Pan!
Notes: Liam is all confused and idk asjdkkwaloktj
Lyrics: I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All by Mayday Parade
Credit: Chloe!

[pandora evelyn hearth]

That single word - her name - was enough to draw her out of her mental argument. She had heard the word hundreds of times from his lips but now she realised her feelings? It was almost as if that singular word sent an entire shockwave through her body. Butterflies settled in her stomach but she had to focus on what she was going to say or she'd never say it. And, well, she bloody well needed to say what was on her mind. Before he found another girl. Before Esta weaved her way in. Jealousy surged through her at that thought. And that incredibly protective instinct that followed gave her the strength to speak. The strength to tell him just how she felt.

Her eyes landed on him and she saw that familiar mask. She didn't know whether she adored it, because it was still Liam and she adored him, or she wanted to break that mask again. See him smiling, again. She'd bloody told him that she liked to see him happy earlier. Earlier. When she had convinced herself that Liam Redferne was her friend. And now she realised it was so much more than that. Weeks worth of memories flooded her head. The things that she'd said and done. It would be obvious to any onlooker that she'd been flirting. Not that she saw it at the time.

And then she said it. Her twenty seconds were up. Her eyes flicked to his face to see the shock register there. Slight anger hit her though it struck so deep down she was positive it wouldn't register on her face. She hoped. He was handsome, kind, so incredibly sweet and he didn't even realise. Why should it be a shock that someone had fallen for him? Because he was incredibly modest? Or was it because the words had come from her lips. She watched the man lost for words. His eyes flicked downward. And then the wave of pure panic hit her.

What had she done? 

A hand went through her platinum curls. She could have kicked herself. Heck. She could have done a lot worse than just kick herself. She'd been so stupid. Of course he didn't return her feelings. She'd just been clinging on to an invisible shred of hope. Hope. She internally sneered. That word was so connected to her name but it was something the witch just kept losing. Hope in love. Hope in life.

She managed to rein in her emotions by the time her teacher looked up. He was frowning as he spoke. A bad sign. Didn't people normally smile if someone they liked returned those feelings? She tried to stay strong and stop herself from running. She noticed the confidence was lost in his voice. Of course she did. She'd fallen for the over-confident, cocky voice as it always brought a grin to her face. But Liam was always confident. And she'd gone and destroyed it. It was her turn to look at the ground. She couldn't bear to look at him anymore. It hurt.

He spoke again and only when he repeated that one word did she realise. He was being truthful. He wanted the question. The question she'd been terrified to say. Her heart began to pound once again. Slowly, she met his gaze. "I want to know" her words were soft, the air of confidence was lost "Liam, if there's any chance that you return my feelings, I want to know. If there isn't? Forget I said anything. I'll try to just go on as normal but.." she faltered slightly. Why did she have to spend those twenty seconds of courage. "But, I don't think I could"

It was said. Her heart was on her sleeve and she prayed he wouldn't hurt it. But she braced herself for the rejection. The witch was so focused on receiving that rejection. She couldn't possibly think of the other possibility. Even entertaining those ideas would mean she'd be crushed when - if - he rejected her.

Outfit: Clicky!
Tagged: Liam! 
Notes: She's so adorable. He's so adorable. Liaadoorraa ;_;
Credit: Chloe!

[liam redferne]

“Yes. I do…” Was that it? Was that all he had to say?
But what else was he supposed to say?
This was serious though, wasn’t it? As Liam looked at her, she was crumbling in front of his eyes, she was trying her best keep herself together but he could see. Pandora had been well-known for her confidence, her bravery, her recklessness but for a while now that had been shattered. Everyone who knew her previously could see it. Right now though, on top of it all Pandora was scared. Terrified. Liam had never seen her liked this before, she had spilled her feelings, opened herself up...and she was scared that he’d hurt her? The thought was enough to make him approach her, without really thinking. All he knew was he couldn’t just stand there as she looked at him like that, with a look that was possibly enough to break him. He stopped though; a foot away he stopped himself and stood there, closer to her, within touching distance if he dared. She needed to hear, she deserved to hear more than ‘Yes. I do…’ and he would give it her no matter how difficult he found to get a grasp on the feelings let alone speak of them.
“I didn’t really…realize myself- until just now when you confessed…I don’t know Pan, I really don’t know what to say or do. You said you had fallen and…it’s like I’ve fallen myself and landed somewhere unknown to me. I’m not used to this…these mess of feelings are completely unfamiliar ground.” He tried to explain but it came out unstructured. As big as a mess he felt on the inside.

As she looked down to the floor, Liam tried to catch her gaze again. He didn't want to see her like this, he wanted to see a smile from her, even if it was the smallest smile that would brighten her face ever so slightly. "Hey."

[/color] With only a slight moment of hesitance he gently, lightly, crooked his finger underneath her chin and guided her face upwards, so that she was looking at him before brushing a stray strand of her soft white gold hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.
"You're crumbling...please don't?
What are you so scared of?
I wouldn't hurt you, not like that. I wouldn't see you hurt like that again. I care about you Pan and it's...different than how I've ever really cared about another person. I wish I could explain it to you but I don't know how...just...do you understand?" Because he didn't, not really. He hoped that maybe she did however. He hoped she knew what he was saying, how big this was to him too, what he was trying to say but couldn't piece together a solid enough sentence to tell her.
"Pandora, I like you more too? I've fallen and even though I cannot fathom all these feelings...in all honesty, I don't really understand who could not fall for you."[/color] He admitted.

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Tagged: Pan!
Notes: Oh, the feels!
Lyrics: I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All by Mayday Parade
Credit: Chloe!

[pandora evelyn hearth]

Maybe she'd just go off somewhere to curl up and die. Yes. That seemed good. Maybe even leave Northvale briefly. Clear her head. These were the thoughts running through the witch's head as she braced herself for the rejection. So many different outcomes played in her head. Him being polite, saying no. That was the first but then they got worse. Worse to the point of him laughing. Telling her that no one would fall for the young witch again.

And then he spoke. Those three little words. She could hardly believe them. Maybe she was dreaming. It couldn't be possible, could it? Did he really return her feelings? Feel for her as she did to him? She watched him carefully, almost wary, as he approached her. If one was to look at the witch right now it would be like a deer caught in the headlines. Not sure whether to stay or to bolt. But.. She stayed. And she listened.

His words stirred something deep.inside her. Happiness came back just a little but it hadn't quite bubbled to the surface. The witch was still bracing herself. For what? She wasn't even sure. All she knew is that the fear of rejection was starting to leave but a new fear came. One that would be harder to iradicate. A fear of being hurt. Again. She'd given her heart to someone once before and she was terrified. Terrified it might happen again. Her eyes dropped. Praying he wouldn't see the panic, but, her eyes always showed her emotions. It was something she was unable to control.

He spoke again. And as she felt him gently touch her chin with his finger, she looked up. Meeting his gaze. He then tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. A strand she hadn't really realised had fallen in front of her face. As he continued to speak, she listened. He realised her fear and also the reason why she was so scared. He didn't want her to crumble. At that, she tried. She tried to find some shred of herself still inside of her. Not this wreck of a girl. At his question she nodded just a little. She thought that she understood.

His final words made just a little bit of herself come back. A small smile settled on her lips. And then it hit her. The true force of everything he had said. He liked her too. This brilliant, wonderful, perfect man liked her. Her. And now he was the one who was unsure. Her fear had done this, and she didn't want that. She wanted him to smile. "I don't know what to say.. I never saw this as an outcome.. I prepared myself for rejection but- you haven't- and yes, I'm scared. I'm fucking terrified. But. This fear - I can handle it. Because it's better than the pain I would have felt if you'd said no" she paused briefly. Okay. Now she was rambling.

A small chuckle left her lips. She stepped forward ever so slightly, placing a hand on his cheek. "I guess, what I'm trying to say is I'm.. happy. I had braced myself for a rejection but I didn't get one. And.. You don't realise just how much that means to me" her words were spoken softly. He was so close to her. As she finished speaking she realised. And then. Well. She acted on something she'd wanted to do for quite a while. She leaned in. Her heart thumped in her chest but she ignored it. Maybe she did have just five seconds of courage left over. And with that, her lips touched his.

Outfit: Clicky!
Tagged: Liam! 
Notes: Feels have killed me.
Credit: Chloe!

[liam redferne]

Liam liked seeing that small smile that had finally settled on her lips and as he looked her in her eyes, he could see the realization forming there and a flicker of…happiness? She was happy, relieved with his answer but fear also lingered. When Pandora spoke, Liam’s expression softened slightly when he heard verbal confirmation that she hadn’t expected him to return her feelings. She thought he was going to reject her and if he had, for whatever, insane reason he would’ve wounded her deeply. Was that really how much he meant to her? The idea made something inside of him twist.

A small, light, chuckle was enough to pull the corners of Liam’s lips up into his own small smile. As she stepped forward, closing more of the distance between them and placed a warm hand across his cheek he couldn’t deny the effect just that small touch from this young woman had on him. Liam had thought it before- how beautiful she was- but he never allowed himself to linger on the idea. But now? He looked down at her from his height and god, she was gorgeous. Yes, he knew she had Siren blood running through her veins but in his eyes a Siren’s beauty could easily be dimmed by an awful personality. Pandora’s looks were not what managed to win him over in the past few months.
I'm.. happy. I had braced myself for a rejection but I didn't get one. And.. You don't realize just how much that means to me.

Before he could say anything in response to her words, she leaned in to him and her soft lips touched his with a kiss. And after the initial slight surprise what did Liam do? He abandoned all other thoughts and kissed back her back- his mind registering a deliciously sweet taste on her lips.
For a moment, Liam forgot that he was a teacher and Pandora was a student, he forgot that he was a Redferne and the past that family name came with, forgot all sense and logic. Right now, Liam was just a man, a man that was sharing a moment, a kiss with the beautiful young woman in front of him that had managed to burrow her way past his defenses.
His heart seemed to be beating faster, as his hands went to her hips and although he found that they wanted to roam her body, he kept them there but he didn’t- couldn’t refrain from deepening their kiss and tasting more of the sweet taste he picked up the flavor of vanilla…and cinnamon. The sweet spices of Rum.
She had been drinking. It shouldn't have come as a surprise to him. Of course she had been drinking. It was a well-known fact that Pandora Hearth consumed alcohol excessively. But, she hadn't drank enough to become drunk and lose all senses. He would've seen that previously. A small part of him did wonder though, if she only felt this way towards him because of the heartbreak she had received a few weeks ago. A rebound, he believed it was called. But...by the way she looked at him, her words...it didn't feel like she was substituting so perhaps it was just the unfamiliar ground talking.

He was enjoying it, savoring the feeling of their mouths together in the rum flavored kiss but, despite letting his self-control slip for a moment letting feelings rule his senses, sense always returned. His right hand still raised to her face, cupped her chin for a moment during the kiss before slowly, softly, breaking against the protest of his body.
"That was...unexpected." He breathed as he captured her periwinkle gaze once again and found him chuckling, slightly breathlessly.

Tagged: Pan!
Notes: Nothing like a sleep-deprived post after an all-nighter.
Lyrics: I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing At All by Mayday Parade
Credit: Chloe!

[pandora evelyn hearth]

A beautiful, frightening wave went through her as a smile appeared on his face. It took one moment. One moment of pure recklessness to step forward and close the gap between them. For her lips to touch his. She'd ignored the voice in her head. The small, well - almost non-existant - part of her that actually contained some level of sanity. It was screaming at her. In protest. But Pandora didn't care. For the first time in weeks, she felt normal. She felt like herself. Her glorious old self.

And for a moment she panicked. What if he didn't want this? He may have admitted something that made her practically euphoric but.. what if he didn't want the relationship? He was the deputy head after all. Being with a student. What if the risk was too much for him? It would get him fired. Her expelled. But then he began to kiss her back. His lips moved with hers and all of her thoughts just left her. Her heart, in seconds, pieced itself together. Each shattered piece managing to come together. The underlying hurt that she always felt just dissipated. This wonderful man had managed to get rid of the heartbreak. He'd cured her. Almost as easily as he had when he used the vulnera coirent charm.

His hands went to her hips and the hand that was on his cheek moved. She wrapped her arms around his neck. And then he deepened the kiss. She could of - in fact, she slightly did - just melt against him. This kiss. It made the young witch's heart flutter. For her to feel almost weightless. But then she realised. He could probably taste the alcohol on her lips. The drink that had given her the courage to confess. She prayed he wouldn't think less of her.

There were too many people that said she drunk too much. In fact. It angered her. Yes. When she first came to the school, she did drink. But now? The only times she really went to the Gateway was when she was working. The witch pushed these thoughts away. The man was obviously not deterred from the taste of the rum on her lips. Now that just made her happiness increase.

His hand cupped her chin before he broke off the kiss. She wasn't entirely happy to have his lips leave her but at least now she could let in well needed air. At his words, her eyes met his and she laughed. God, his chuckle was just beautiful. She adored the sound already. A smile spread across her face. "I'm sorry, I just, have been wanting to do that for a while" she told him. Her arms were still around his neck and she was reluctant to move.

She then thought about what she had said and realised her first two words had been a total lie. She wasn't sorry. She wasn't sorry at all. A soft smirk played on her lips as she let herself gently kiss him briefly. "Well. Honestly? I don't think I'm sorry one bit" these feelings almost overwhelmed her. She felt so happy. Euphoric. Just.. Perfect. For the first time in a while, the witch felt like she'd come back. And she felt that she could take on the world.

Outfit: Clicky!
Tagged: Liam! 
Notes: Welcome back, happy Pan
Credit: Chloe!