Together in Darkness- Moved to AO3

Chapter 2

A/N Please leave comments of how you think the story line can progress. Y/N is written as male here, but you can change it to your perspective when reading.

Sofia's POV

I caught Y/N staring at me across the room. When our eyes met, I blushed and turned away smiling at my friend trying to zone back in on the conversation. When I looked back up Dove and Y/N were heading towards the kitchen, and I mentally kicked myself for not going over to introduce myself. I had seen photos of Dove with Y/N and Thomas hanging out or her cheering them on at football games, and she had told me a lot about him too. We both knew I was low key crushing on Y/N big time. I was shaken from my own thoughts at the sound of glass breaking and everyone rushing outside to see what was going on. Just as I got to the kitchen to go outside, I felt someone touch my arm. I turned around and saw Dove looking at me with a scared look in her eyes.

"Stay in here Sof, Y/N has gone to see what's wrong" she said as she put down the drink she was holding. I wanted to go and see what the commotion was all about, but I could tell Dove was worried, so I stayed with her and put my arm round her shoulder and gave her a small reassuring squeeze. Me and Dove had been best friends ever since we were younger. Our mums were best friends and we spent every weekend together. She was like a little sister to me.

Some people started to make their way back to the main living room and carried on chatting with their friends, but I slowly made my way to the garden door with Dove to see what was going on. It was then that I saw what was causing all the drama. Or rather, who it was. Y/N had put himself between Thomas and Ryan. Doves jackass ex- boyfriend with emphasis on the jackass part. I never liked him and from what I can tell, neither did Y/N. Dove always used to say how they never got on and it was really awkward being around them both. I thought once they had broken up, we wouldn't see any more of Ryan, but he seemed to take great enjoyment out of constantly picking fights with Y/N and Thomas. I could hear Y/N trying to keep everything civil, asking Ryan to leave but he just didn't take the hint and he kept trying to wind up Thomas. It was working, I could see Cameron and Harry struggling to hold him back as Ryan goaded him even more asking him to fight him. I turned to look at Y/N just as he started talking again, only catching what he was saying at the last second.

"That would just end badly for you, so unless you're into getting your ass kicked in front of everyone, I'd suggest you go now" he shrugged, and I couldn't help but hold back a quiet laugh as he looked at me out the corner of his eye. Even when he's trying to stop a fight, he's still funny. Everyone else was quietly trying not to laugh too and even then, Thomas got cocky too.

"Any time, any place pal. You just say the word" he said with a smirk on his face. This was very quickly wiped clean off his face when Ryan punched him in the face. Everyone gasped, and I felt Dove tense and heard her softly scream inwards. She was shaking, and I let her go to help Cameron clean up Thomas. God, can they not just enjoy this night together without Ryan ruining it for everyone?

I saw Y/Ns face turn serious as he tensed up. He grabbed Ryan by the collar and said something to him quietly and pushed him away. I thought that would be the end of it, but Ryan clearly wasn't done with his show.

"I thought you of all people could do with some entertainment that's all" he snickered. "I mean it's not like you have any fun in your own life with that abomination of a brother at home, do you?" he said to Y/N. Everyone went quiet as I saw the colour drain from Y/Ns face and before Ryan could even step back, Y/N had punched him in the face, sending him to the floor. There was a horrible crunch noise as Y/Ns' fist hit Ryan's nose. He had definitely broken it. I hate violence, but I couldn't help but feel a little smug that Y/N had hit him, he deserved it. Once Ryan had got up and left, everyone started to go back to what they were doing. Cameron went to check on Thomas and Dove and I watched as Y/N started to walk down the garden towards the hammock at the bottom with an unreadable expression on his face.

So, I followed him down there.

He stood at the edge of the small stream that ran along the bottom of the garden, the moonlight reflecting off the water and lighting his face. Every girl in town practically drooled over how handsome he was. I remember seeing him at another friends party last year and he looked so different. Still 'weak at the knees' handsome but he had this smile that was so contagious. He and Thomas have always been best friends; like me and Dove they are like family to each other. I remember once, they came into our all girls school with a few of their friends and started running in and out of the classrooms shouting as a prank. I thought it was typical boys being boys and being immature. But even then, I looked at him as he ran passed and I saw this big cheeky grin across his face and his piercing blue eyes looking mischievous. God, I blushed so much when he smiled in my direction, Dove laughed at me so much.

That felt like so long ago now though. Looking at him now, he looked...lost. His face was still perfect in every way possible, but in the place of that heart- warming smile, was a frown. He looked like he was deep in thought and I just stood back and watched him for a few moments, admiring how perfect he looked. The trees rustled in the wind and I shivered in the breeze, shaking myself out of my haze, suddenly very aware of how creeped out Y/N would be if he saw me stood here staring at him like a stalker. I took a deep breath and started to walk closer to him.

"Penny for your thoughts" I said as I came up next to him. He turned his head to look at me, brows furrowed, and I saw the pain he was trying to hide in his eyes.

"uh...wha- hey, sorry I was miles away there. Just calming down that's all" he stumbled over his words a little, scratching the back of his neck.

Is he nervous? He. Is. So. Cute.

"Well if it makes any difference, I thought you were pretty great back there" I smiled at him and put my hand on his arm. "I'm Sofia, Doves friend".

He smiled at me warmly, a small dimple becoming visible on the side of his smile.

"Thanks, I don't usually like to start fights but that guy just really gets under my skin. I'm Y/N, Doves other friend" he said and winked at me, and I laughed at his little joke.  I looked down and realised that my hand was still on his arm. I felt myself going red as I quickly pulled my hand away and cleared my throat.

"I don't think you really started it, you just finished it. Ryan is a jerk. I never liked him even when they were dating so I really wouldn't worry about hurting him. I have more compassion in my little finger than he does in his entire body" I said with a huff.
Then I heard it. That laugh. It made my heart jump at the sound of it.

"Wow and I thought I hated him. Doesn't sound like he has a fan in you" he laughed, and I couldn't help but join him. I walked over to the hammock and sat down, my feet not reaching the floor, so I couldn't swing it.

"Wanna sit?" I asked quietly, suddenly feeling very nervous. I looked up at him and saw that any signs of laughter had already disappeared from his face. Instead, there was that look again. I miss his smile already. I look down at my lap and give myself a mental telling off. Stop it Sofia, you don't even know him, how can you miss his smile? Ugh, but look at him, I feel my heart sink at the sadness in his eyes.

I wanted to know why he looked so lost. What was taking his smile away from him?