—author's note: this was requested by my precious.The prompt was: The first hug after not seeing each other for a long period of time. The kind of hug that lasts longer than it should for "just friends", one filled with poorly hidden mutual pining, where no one wants to be the one to let go first.

—warning(s): none, gender neutral!reader (pronouns aren't used).

—word count: 484

When you're small, you paint a beautiful world for yourself to live in. You know how you're going to be when you grow upー happy and content with loving people surrounding you. That is how it is supposed to be. And maybe that is why it hurts so much when it isn't.

No one however told the children of Hogwarts what was to come, about the war that would flip their life over. Some ran away, some hid with their families, some stayed to fight.

Volunteering to work for the order was something you didn't think even twice about before doing. Being young and full of passion, you never thought about the worse consequences of battle. And neither did Fred or George. Signing up with Dumbledore was one of the first things you all did after graduating. Yet none of you had expected to end up with different missions.

It had physically ached you to part from your best friends for a month long mission. Fred didn't want to say goodbye, it had been obvious. Getting cross when you accepted, his jaw set as you packed up, helping stillー the way he got worked up before you finally left. Holding your hand, running his thumb across your knuckles whispering, "come back safe". You were aware there was no way he could know whether you were safe once you left and you weren't sure what to say to console him. Even then, you thought against telling him what you felt for himー you didn't want to leave him with conflicting emotions.

Standing outside his apartment, you wondered what his reaction would be on seeing you. You had already met George at the shopー he told you Fred had taken a day off. Shaking yourself, you brought your hand to the door, knocking twice. There was some shuffling before the eye on the door wriggled furiously and it opened to reveal Fred. You didn't even have a second to say anything before his arms were around you, clutching you close.

After the initial surprise wore off, you wrapped your arms about his torso sighing as he buried his face in your neck. You didn't know how much time passed; neither of you made a move to pull away. He smelt nice, comforting like... home. Being so near him after a monthー you didn't realise just how much you had missed him... how much you loved him. His soft hair tickling against your shoulder, you wanted to memorise that moment forever.

It felt like an eternity after which Fred spoke softly near your ear.

"I've missed you, I... I've been worried."

"I've missed you too Freddie," you said, your throat heavy, still making no move to shift from your position. "I love you so much..."

You heard a nervous snort before he said, almost too carefully, "I love you too."

And in that moment, it felt enough.

—lmk what you think!