AN: I JUST REALIZED I NEVER MADE A HUGH X READER STORY! OR A HORACE ONE! THESE SMALL BEANS NEED LOVE TOOOOO! SO, ENJOYYYYYY!
Also, I made it movie version for the plot and book age to make ages less awkward I guess. (Some people were commenting about that so I changed it, doesn't effect the plot at all)

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A small gust of wind swept over the tiny island of Cairnholm. The usual gust that blew over at precisely 2:37 in the afternoon. Boring. That's all this island was. Boring. Nothing unusual happened. Ever. And the majority of this island got their memories wiped clean at reset. This meant only ten of the residents here remembered a damn thing from the previous September third, 1943. Yeah, life was pretty damn boring here.

Your thoughts were interrupted by a ball hitting you. It took you a minute to comprehend what had happened. But, by the time you did, Hugh and Millard had run over to see if you were alright.

"Are you okay Y/n?" Millard questioned.

"Yeah, I'm fine." After you said you were okay, Millard ran off to retrieve their ball, which had gotten stuck high in one of the topiary bushes.

"I'm going to get Emma! Be right back!" And with that, Millard scurried off in search of Emma.

This left only you and Hugh.

"Are you sure you're alright? It seemed like a pretty hard blow.... you might have a bruise." He reached up and lightly touched the spot on your head where the ball hit you. The butterflies in your stomach quickly came to life when he touched your forehead.

"I-I'm sure... it wasn't that strong of a kick. And it's alright if it bruises." You quickly stated, pulling your head back from the warm touch of Hugh's hand. He watched, looking rather puzzled, as you stood up and hurried inside.

Once safely inside and away from your crush, you slowly made your way upstairs. You were stupid. Stupid for liking someone who was made for someone else. Fiona. Clearly, the two had much more in common. They both liked each other. Hell, even their peculiarities went together. What could you do? Control water. What was the point of that? It isn't useful. There needs to be water nearby in order for you to use it. It was pretty damn pointless.

You sat in your room until supper. And when you were called down, you slowly made your way to the table, suddenly not liking your seat at all. It use to be fine. Next to Claire and Hugh. But you slowly started hating the seat more and more as you realized you and Hugh were only ever going to be merely friends.

You took your seat and noted the fact that Hugh was completely ignoring Fiona. Strange. But what was even stranger was when you sat down. You were patiently waiting for the last few children to arrive at the table when suddenly a hand grabbed yours and entwined fingers. You looked over, butterflies fluttering like mad in the pit of your stomach. Hugh was holding your hand and acting as though he didn't notice. He just continued the conversation with Millard about their game, still convinced he had won.

Once the other children had arrived and taken their seats, it seemed clear that Hugh had no intentions of releasing his grip. So you did it instead. As much as you hated to. You were still convinced he liked Fiona. Maybe the two were just fighting. And he was attempting to make her jealous. Yes, that was most definitely the situation. You ate supper in silence.

After supper, Olive and Enoch were in charge of dishes and clean up. So you headed upstairs. Upon arriving at your bedroom door, you noticed one off thing. You window that leads to the roof, a general spot you'd go to think, was wide open. Perhaps you just left it open earlier. But when you were closing the window, a voice startled you.

"Y/n Smith." It was Hugh. He was sitting on the roof looking out at the sky. You jumped when you heard his voice.

"Hugh Apiston! You nearly gave me a heart attack!" You said, reopening the window. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I want to talk to you." He stated plainly. "But in order for us to have a proper conversation, you need to be out here." You slowly climbed onto the roof as sat on the windowsill.

"Go on..." you said slowly.

"Come on Y/n, I won't bite. And all my bees are out sleeping. They really don't like when I snore, you know." You laughed a bit at his remark but remained on the windowsill.

"I'm ok right here, thank you."

"Fine then." He made his way onto the windowsill and sat next to you. It was a small window and your shoulders were squished together.

"Hugh, there's not enough room." You said, sliding off of the window and onto the roof. He slumped down next to you, still making contact with your shoulder. You moved over slightly.

"Why have you been acting like this lately?" Hugh asked.

"Acting like what?..."

"You've been acting... not yourself. You use to always talk to me, but now you leave every chance you get. I'm surprised you didn't slam the window shut and draw the curtains."

"I've just been... feeling off lately... that's all, tired I suppose."

"I think we both know that you are lying. Now, would you like to tell me the truth." You shook your head. "So you ARE lying." He exclaimed.

You stayed quiet and looked down. No way in hell you were going to tell the truth. But plans changed when Hugh's hand cupped your chin and turned you to look at him. His lips brushed against yours and his arm snaked around your waist. It was barely anything, but it was enough to make your face turn a deep crimson color and the butterflies start dancing.

"So, you're sure there isn't anything you want to tell me?" He asked, his arm staying around your waist. You looked down. But then you realized what you wanted to tell him.

"Stop it." You said, pulling away from him. You pushed his arm away and moved back onto the windowsill. He looked at you, the same puzzled look etched across his face as it did earlier.

"W-what are you talk-"

"I'm talking about everything you are doing. I don't think Fiona would like you doing any of this. So please, just stop." You said this as simply as possible, trying to not sound pained.

"Why do you think that?" He sounded a bit hurt.

"Come on Hugh. Everyone knows it has been, and always will be, you and Fiona. It's quite obvious. You two are constantly with one another. Even your peculiarities go together!" You were mad. He seemed to be toying with your feelings, and you didn't like it.

"First of all, you are jumping to conclusions. Whoever said me and Fiona were a thing? Sure, we're good friends and all... but I don't have a-a love interest of any sort." The word was spat out like poison his tongue. "And second of all, Y/n, I like you.... a lot. Like, I don't think I've ever liked someone as much as you. You're special, and not just because you're peculiar. Because you're smart, pretty, funny, and I would love it if you would be my girlfriend. But if you don't feel the same way, I completely understand and I am sorry."

"Hugh, I-I didn't know you... is that true?" Your face was burning up, but the blanket of darkness kept it hidden. He nodded. "I feel terrible now... and I'm sorry."

"So is that a yes?" He asked cautiously. You nodded and gave him a hug. He returned the favor and you smiled, pulling away you looked at him.

"Want to head inside? It's pretty cold out here." He nodded and you went to the window. "It's locked." You said, trying to shimmy the door open.

"How?" He was next to you trying to open it as well. You started laughing.

"I think it locked behind me when I closed it." You said between laughs.

"Why is this funny?" He asked, cracking a smile.

"Because," you pointed to the window a few ways away, "we have to go through Millard's window now." You covered your mouth, stifling another laugh. You knew Millard was going to make mention of the fact he was on the roof with you. He rolled his head back, but slowly started walking towards the open window, you trailing behind.

Once at the window, Hugh jumped through and Millard let out a small scream.

"It's just me, mate, relax." You heard Millard angrily say something to him, then Hugh started laughing. You jumped through the window and both of them jumped. You laughed, shook your head, and walked out. Then you heard Millard ask Hugh something.

"So you finally confronted her?" He asked. But you didn't hear the answer, you were too busy trying to wrap your head around everything that had just happened. Hugh Apiston was your boyfriend.

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Hey! I published! Yay! I wanted to get this out while I am working on a request, so I hoped you enjoyed! And if you did, it would mean a lot to me if you'd drop a like! Thanks❤️

Very Peculiarly Yours,
Mrs. Nullings