and there you stood, a proud smile on your face in front of the school. tonight was the night, the night where young poets got to raise their voice and make their thoughts known.
you were introducing the high schoolers, the mic you were using had a few dents but it was working so that's all you cared about. the podium was used for everything, assemblies, arm rests, even a table for lunch.
daveed was welcoming everyone in with rafael, he had warmed up to you; the weather did the opposite. it was winter, right before the break. rafael was staying home over the weeks like you two because things seemed to get bad and then worse, and then terrible. you were pretty sure it would be all online after the two weeks off, which would only propose bigger issue with space in the little house.
clyde and soccer liked the snow, their paws would freeze sometimes and that seemed like it hurt but other then that, it seemed like they were built for the snow.
two hands held your waist and slightly scared you, "just me." and voice you wake up to was right in your ear, "everyone is ready, we just gotta wheel this hunk 'a trash out on the stage." daveed walked around and met you face to face. "your makeup looks great."
a bold winter lip, you wanted to get a little fancy. daveed wore typical teacher clothes but added a tie, you wore a nice dress you always kept but never had a use.
"thanks, i like the trim." daveed had wanted to grow out the beard but after noticing the grey hairs he quickly cut it to stubble. "wanna help me bring this out?" you pointed to the stand and mic.
daveed nodded and helped you, there was parents and other students waiting in the auditorium. the place seemed packed but it was distanced, all completely sanitary.
the poets would keep their masks on right before they would start talking, then right after they would put it right back on.
"hello and welcome, take a seat, thank you." you paused, "i hope everyone is doing well, i know i am because of this amazing night," this lead into applause, you quickly glanced down at your notes. "before i introduce our first speaker i want to thank the creator if the poets society: rafael casal and daveed diggs, please, give them a round of applause..." the claps filled the room again, they were seated in the front row, they stood, waved, and sat back down. "now, let's begin, our first speaker is reginald little, grade nine!" he walked out and waved, he took the mic and headed to the middle.
"abel makkonen, grade twelve!"
"sean turner, grade eleven!"
"solána rowe, grade ten!"
"robyn fenty, grade twelve!"
words tumbled around the room and seemed to bounce off one another. everyone was so amazed by these kids and what they had to say, some were even brought to tears. the high school kids seemed as though they were adults, they were already wiser then most. their faces after the applause and the standing ovations seemed to bring a new light in, all their hard work was finally being recognized and loved. maybe they kept what they wanted to say to themselves even though they weren't alone, or maybe they wanted to scream their poem louder for everyone to hear; it doesn't matter.
nothing did, nothing mattered in that hour and a half. the poems seemed to wipe the film of structure off everyone's eyes, world was being seen in a different way right then and there. and these kids were only in their teens.
you looked over to see daveed, his smile wasn't wide where the corners of his eyes were wrinkling. the smile was simply his lips pulled back, everything was said through his eyes. they seemed to be looking at a painting that looked like a photograph. he watched these poets swing their arms around and grasp everyone's attention, he watched the kids he's taught with pure admiration, pure joy. as if he raised them all- and some he did. you could tell, he was proud.
when everything was over people lingered but eventually were kicked out, masks were adjusted and sanitization stunk the entire room. but, it was peaceful.
the snow was falling nicely, not with an intense wind. your arm wrapped around daveed's bicep, he kept you close. you were parked in the teachers parking lot so it was a small walk, most people had left by then so you both could walk in the middle of the road.
"y'know..." daveed's voice made you look at him, he was already looking at you. "you're perfect." his voice was low but deep, he wanted impact but only for you.
"daveed, stop..." you leaned into him and caught a smile.
"no really," he took one hand and spun you around slowly, "i mean- just look at you..." his eyes raked your frame, even through the layers of scarfs and trench coats you felt him undressing you with that warm stare.
"daveed, this is too much..." your gloved hands covered your face.
"nuh-uh, there will be no hiding, lady." he gently took your wrists and peeled them away, "no hiding."
"no hiding." you whispered.
he stepped closer, he studied you. "your face, it reminds me of the night sky." his hand cupped your cheek, "i could stare for hours and somehow never get bored, i'd find something new to remember all the time."
"my god," you exhaled and tried to crumple to the floor, the amount of attention was jarring and new.
"and your eyes, they light up like a match that was just flicked on the side of the box. i can see the fire you hold in you, you just need a little push to light up my world."
all you could do was stare at him, his smile was like before but he didn't seemed proud, you knew he was, the admiration was there but in a different way. there was love, and a little lust.
snow flakes were gathering on his beard and hair, you just knew it was the same for your head. his nose was a little pink, but it was muted.
"you're my person, sunshine." he stepped closer, one hand wrapped around your waist and the other cupped your cheek. in one swift motion you were dipped back and felt his lips on yours. they were chapped and you were starting to lose feeling in your toes but the second you connected, the fire he was talking about ran through your body.
he didn't want to pull away, his lips lingered on yours before your foreheads touched. his smile was wide again, with teeth. he quickly planted another on your lips before pulled away.
"let's make snow angels." you whispered and looked deep into his eyes.
"i fucking love you-" he fell on the parking lot and so did you, your hands held one another's while you laughed and created the angels.
your eyes never left each other's, his laugh was over powering your but you loved it. some snow landed on your tongue because your mouth was wide with a smile and let all the giggles out.
he rolled over and landed on top of you, you could feel his stomach jump with every laugh.
"you're gonna ruin your angel!" you laughed.
"are you okay?" he asked.
"ya, why?" you giggled at the weird question.
"then my angel is perfect." he whispered before sealing his lips on yours again.
~~
DAVEED'S POV
we got home and y/n was pretty tired so she headed to bed with the dogs, i wanted some tea and to watch the highlights before joining her.
as the kettle finished i poured a little cup and dunked my bag, my phone went off but i didn't care. i didn't need the school contacting me or a student needing help right now, i was high on love. i could feel my heart beat through my chest when i though if y/n.
"i'm gonna marry her someday..." i chuckled and flopped on the couch, the warriors won but i wanted to see what was going down. i was glad basketball was somewhat back, i missed it; and oakland.
i ended up checking my phone, it was from rafael.
cash: attached: 1 image
i opened it to see a slightly blurry picture of our snow angel making, right before i rolled on her. though the quality was terrible, i could see her smile crystal clear.