Chapter Text
The last thing anyone expected was for Olly wood and Phoenix Egglton to become friends.
Olly was the class clown of Year 11 at Lutterworth college . He could make an entire classroom laugh with a single comment and somehow managed to get away with jokes that should have earned him detention. Teachers sighed whenever he raised his hand because they never knew whether they were about to hear a brilliant answer or a ridiculous joke.
Phoenix was the opposite.
Quiet. Reserved. The sort of person who always sat near the window, always daydreaming , pen in his hands. Most people knew his name, but few actually knew him.
They'd spent five years in the same school barely speaking.
That changed because of a science project.
"Right," their teacher announced. "Pairs have already been assigned."
Olly glanced at the list and groaned dramatically.
"Miss, are you trying to punish Phoenix?"
The class laughed.
Phoenix looked up from his desk, expression unreadable.
"Why?" the teacher asked.
"Because he's stuck with me."
More laughter.
To Olly's surprise, Phoenix's mouth twitched slightly.
A tiny smile.
For some reason, that stayed in Olly's mind all day.
---
The project lasted six weeks.
At first, most conversations were awkward. Olly talked enough for both of them while Phoenix answered with single words.
But slowly things changed.
Olly discovered Phoenix was funny—just quietly funny. The kind of person who delivered one perfectly timed comment that left you laughing for minutes.
Phoenix discovered that Olly wasn't always performing for attention. Behind the jokes was someone kind, someone who noticed when people were having a bad day.
One afternoon they stayed late in the library to finish research.
"Do you ever stop talking?" Phoenix asked.
Olly placed a hand dramatically over his heart.
"That is the meanest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"You'll survive."
"I won't."
"You will."
Olly laughed.
Phoenix smiled.
And suddenly neither of them looked away.
The moment lasted only seconds, but it felt longer.
Much longer.
-———————————————
As winter approached, they started spending time together outside the project.
Walking home.
Studying after school.
Sharing chips from the corner shop.
For the first time, Phoenix found himself looking forward to school mornings.
For the first time, Olly sometimes forgot to be the funniest person in the room.
One rainy Friday, they sat beneath the covered bike shelter after school, waiting for the weather to calm down.
The playground was empty.
Phoenix stared out at the rain.
"Can I tell you something?" he asked quietly.
Olly nodded.
"I don't really like talking to people."
"That isn't exactly breaking news."
Phoenix rolled his eyes.
"I mean... most conversations make me tired."
Olly's grin softened.
"But not ours?"
Phoenix looked at him.
"No. Not ours."
For once, Olly didn't have a joke ready.
His heart was beating far too fast.
————————————————————
A week later came the Year 11 winter dance.
Olly spent the entire evening pretending not to be nervous.
Phoenix spent the entire evening pretending not to notice.
Eventually they escaped the crowded hall and found themselves outside beneath strings of lights hanging over the courtyard.
The music echoed faintly through the doors.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Then Olly laughed nervously.
"This is probably a terrible idea."
"What is?"
"This."
Phoenix's breath caught.
"I like you."
The words hung in the cold air.
"I've liked you for ages."
Phoenix stared at him.
Then, to Olly's amazement, he smiled.
A real smile.
The kind reserved for people who mattered.
"Good," Phoenix said softly.
"Because I like you too."
The relief hit Olly so hard he almost laughed.
Instead, they stood together beneath the lights, both smiling like idiots.
And for the first time, the quiet boy and the class clown didn't feel like opposites at all.
They felt perfect
So perfect that Phoenix moved closer and put a hand around Olly’s waist
They both stood in silence for a moment before Olly relaxed into Phoenix’s grip
Olly leaned in
“Your such a weirdo.” Olly remarked quietly
Phoenix let out a small chuckle before planting a small kiss on Olly’s lips
Olly smiled softly before returning it with more passion while pulling Phoenix closer if it was even possible.
They both pulled away breathlessly.
“Fuck…” Phoenix managed to get out his face flushed and pupils dilated.
“Fuck indeed.” Olly said smiling while moving away much to Phoenixes liking.
“Wanna head to mine?” Olly’s eyes looking at him expectantly.
Phoenix reluctantly agreed and the two boys headed off to Olly’s house.
As they arrived Olly opened the door and Phoenix stepped inside and took off his shoes and coat the same as Olly
“Nice house.”
“Thanks.”
“Mmh”
Silence fell until Olly lead him upstairs and they went to the bedroom where he sat down waiting for him to join.As Phoenix did Olly immediately asked if he could kiss him again
“Oh! Uhh Okay” Phoenix replied a little shocked
Olly immediately pressed his lips to his neck sucking and biting at his sensitive spots making Phoenix hold back a couple groans
“You make such beautiful noises” Olly murmured against his neck
“Thanks i guess..”
“You okay?” Olly asked his protective instincts kicking in as Phoenix stayed silent
“Yeah..im-im fine Olly” he replied a little quieter