You held the cigarette awkwardly between two fingers, the cigarette the wrong way. Theo stared. He blinked. He laughed.

“You’re really hopeless,” he muttered, that stupid smirk plastered on his face. “Merlin.”

“I’ve never done this before,” you said defensively, giving him a little glare.

“That’s evident.”

He moved behind you, without saying a word. His knees brushed the back of your leg, and you could feel the heat of his skin through the back of your shirt. His hand reached around yours, correcting your grip. Exactly like he did. You could smell the faintest smell of mint but also smoke.

He guided you quietly. “Like this,” he said, guiding your hand up to your mouth. “Don’t inhale too deeply- just a bit.”

You took a small drag. Immediately coughing.

He snorted, shaking his head. He rested his chin on your shoulder, the small smile still on his lips. “Try again, slower this time,” he said quietly.

His fingers braced yours once more. You breathed in.

It burned, but it wasn’t horrible. His hand stayed for a moment too long.

“Don’t hold it for too long, just enough to feel it,” he uttered.

You exhaled, smoke curling from your mouth, drifting through the air.

The silence settled. Warm, but thick.

“See? Not that difficult.” His voice was still quiet. He still didn’t move from behind you.

You two had been like this for ages. You were sure it didn’t mean anything. Unless it did?