The prompts are: "My ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn't look like I've spent the last few years failing to get over them", and "All I want is you".

Warnings: cursing

You had dreaded this moment for what felt like most of your life.

You had met your ex in school, and together you had been the perfect example of what some called 'high school sweethearts'.

The two of you had been madly in love with each other, until you separated to go to different universities.

It had been hell for the both of you, or so you had thought until he had one day posted a picture on social media on which he and his new girlfriend looked happier than you had ever seen him.

It had hurt you so much, and due to the importance of your studies and your heartbreak you had decided not to commit to anyone in the near future.

It wasn't that your ex had been the love of your life, but you had loved and were now missing the relationship you had had, the bond of care and commitment you had had.

You had had interests in other boys while in your relationship, but you had obviously never acted on it because you respected your ex far too much.

One of those people had been Aethelred, and even though your crush had stayed and even intensified over the years you had been angry that even though the odds had been high that you would never have to see him again he went to the same university as you did, endangering your oath to stay chaste for the foreseeable future.

It wasn't that he was after you, but you had drunkenly flirted at parties, and your feelings for him had only grown stronger.

That he was studying at the university you had chosen as well didn't help either, especially since you saw him quite frequently.

The friends you had chosen were quickly friends with Aethelred as well, integrating him into your group of friends.

You still had a soft spot for him, but you lived well with seeing him nearly every day.

When your ex's wedding invitation arrived you were with two people out of your group of friends, Aethelred being one of them.

You had talked to him about your ex and your relationship with him, and he had seemed nearly angry when you had told him about the pictures, and how you felt about them.

You didn't think it was because Aethelred liked you romantically, but you had been growing up together and if you had a crush on him he could have one on you too, that didn't mean either of you had to act on it.

The way you had been staring at the envelope in your hands had Aethelred standing beside you in what felt like seconds, asking about your well-being.

You had handed him the envelope wordlessly, and he had read it, before looking at you.

"My ex just invited me to their wedding and I need you to be my date so it doesn't look like I've spent the last few years failing to get over them", you said out of the blue, and you didn't even know if you wanted it.

Neither did you know if you wanted to go there or decline, or if Aethelred was the right person to bring, but you wanted your ex to see that you were over him, and with Aethelred he would think your relationship hadn't meant all that much to you, and maybe that you had had your eyes on the tall dark haired englishman all along.

It was mean of you, you knew that, but you felt like you needed it, to get some closure.

Aethelred only nodded at you silently, studying you.

"I'll be your date", he answered as you ticked off the box 'plus one', and that was all the words you lost about the invitation and your ex.

When the day of the wedding came Aethelred picked you up, and when he did you had to stop and stare at him.

He was wearing a suit, you had only seen that at your graduation, and he had grown older and more built, making you bite your lip out of sheer attraction to him.

You were holding onto Aethelred's arm when you got there, and the look you got from your ex was worth coming there.

You had made sure to look your best and you were with Aethelred, two things that you were sure he noticed too.

Aethelred saw how his old classmate was looking at you and how you put up a facade, and his face went blank for the rest of the celebration.

You noticed, but didn't say anything about it.

It seemed strange to you, especially since he had agreed to it in the first place, knowing fully well why you had chosen him, but seeing him hurt hurt you as well.

You stayed as long as necessary before he asked you to leave, which the two of you did, not saying a word during the whole drive home.

When you reached your apartment he got out of the car as well and brought you to your doorstep, still not saying a single word.

Opening your door you couldn't take it any longer.

"What is it?", you asked angrily, looking up at him with a hurt and annoyed expression.

Aethelred looked back at you, mirroring your expression perfectly.

"You used me", he stated angrily, to which you nodded in defeat.

"You knew that from the moment I asked you to come", you answered as you closed the door again, turning to face him.

You were feeling guilty, you didn't want to be the asshole, but you had made the decision long ago and had wanted to take Aethelred with you, with the slight hope of the two of you maybe confessing your feelings for each other, which now sounded ridiculous.

You had your pact with yourself, but you had always wanted Aethelred.

You never talked much, but you felt strongly towards him, something you couldn't deny any longer.

Aethelred was staring at you, nodding in a constant but small motion.

"You used me, and that hurts", he said and you were taken aback by the idea that you had hurt Aethelred by showing him off.

"It hurts because I had this slight shimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, you feel the way I feel towards you and that's why you asked me, but that obviously isn't the case", he glared at you and though you couldn't swear on it you saw his eyes water.

"I have liked you for years now and I thought you might notice, but you were too focused on yourself and what you lost to see what you already have", he continued, and your breath caught in your throat.

This was exactly what you had wished for in the most horrible way imaginable, but he finally confessed to you.

"I...", you began, but you didn't know what to say.

"I never thought that you would... I mean I've always... you're the only one that I look at in that way", you stuttered before finally getting a grip.

Aethelred looked at you in confusion, his anger having ebbed down completely.

"What do you mean I'm the only one?", he asked you, and you felt your heart race as you looked into his eyes.

"All I want is you", you stated, and a shiver ran down your spine as you saw the way Aethelred was looking at you, a mix of confusion and disbelief visibile on his face.

"That's not... you're not over him!", he said loudly, to which you shook your head.

"No, I am! I'm not over the fact that I got hurt, but I'm certainly over him!", you yelled back, before quieting back down.

"I've always... you were always the best option for me. That's why I never talked to you in school, I was just too attracted to you! And when that asshole broke up with me I swore to myself not to get hurt again like that, and that's why I continued to keep away from you! I don't want to be so attracted to you, and I tried everything, but I just am, and I can't do anything against that", you stopped talking to look at Aethelred, he looked as hurt and shocked as you felt.

"I know I'm egoistic, but I can't help it, and I'm sorry", you added before you kept silent.

Aethelred was silent too, the two of you standing there facing each other, in shock and awe at the same time.

"You love me, just as much as I've loved you the whole time, and you never said anything", he stated, and you nodded.

"You didn't say anything either", you said, raising an eyebrow.

"You looked like you were still grieving", he told you and you chuckled, which brought a smile on his face as well.

You had been talking past each other over so many years that you didn't know what to say now.

When he moved towards you, taking your face in his hands and kissing you a wide smile broke out on your faces.

"Please go out with me. I don't want to force you but I'd really like that", he said softly and you nodded softly, smiling at him.

"I'd like that", you told him, and you meant it.

You had been scared to get hurt again, the whole time not wanting to realize that Aethelred was worth that risk.

But in the future you would see that your fear had been absolutely unreasonable, and you were more than happy about that.