Page 17 of Spellbound and Gagged

"We need to get out of here," Juno said, grabbing Thaddeus's hand and pulling him to his feet. "Come on, I think I know a way to fix this."

They ran down the hallway hand in hand, Thaddeus's lovesick botanical admirers in hot pursuit. Despite the absurdity of the situation, Thaddeus felt a thrill with Juno's hand in his, and in the way she turned back to flash him a grin full of exhilaration and mischief.

They burst into Juno's laboratory, slamming the door shut behind them just as the first vine reached them. Juno quickly cast a sealing charm on the door, muffling the sounds of disappointed plants on the other side.

"That should hold them for now," she said, turning to face Thaddeus. "Now, let's see if we can't brew an antidote for your admirers."

As they worked side by side, mixing ingredients and trading theories, Thaddeus was struck by how natural it felt. It was like no time had passed since their student days, when they'd spent countless hours experimenting together in this very lab.

"You know," Juno said as she stirred their concoction, "this reminds me of that time in our fifth year when we accidentally turned Professor Silvergaze's beard into a patch of singing sunflowers."

Thaddeus chuckled at the memory. "I'd almost forgotten about that. He was furious until the sunflowers started serenading him with his favorite opera."

Juno's laugh joined his, the sound filling the laboratory with a pleasant hum. "We made a good team back then," she said, her eyes meeting his.

"We still do," Thaddeus replied, holding her gaze. The words hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. "Hey, I'm sorry that I took the last of the orchid."

"You won it fair and square," she said with a small, resigned sigh.

"And I'm sorry I let the hurt between us fester for so long." He reached down to hold her hand.

"Thaddeus," she said, her eyes wide with shock.

"Juno, I—"

The moment was broken by a loud bang from the door, followed by the sound of splintering wood. The plants had grown impatient.

"I think that's our cue," Juno said, pulling away from him and quickly pouring the antidote into a vial. "Ready to face your admirers one last time?"

Thaddeus nodded, taking a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be."

They opened the door together, immediately engulfed by a wave of grasping vines and amorous flora. Juno raised the vial triumphantly.

"All right, you overgrown bouquets!" she called out. "Party's over!"

She uncorked the vial, releasing a fine mist that settled over the plants. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the vines began to retreat. The plants drooped, looking almost sheepish as they slunk back to their pots and planters.

As the last of the foliage cleared, Thaddeus and Juno were left standing in the hallway, disheveled and breathless. They looked at each other, taking in their ridiculous appearances—Thaddeus covered in glittering dust, Juno with just a hint of green still tinting her skin—and burst into laughter.

"Well," Thaddeus said when he could finally catch his breath, "I suppose we're even now. You with your impromptu makeover, me with my plant harem."

Juno grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I don't know, Thaddeus. I think you still owe me for saving you from a fate worse than death. Imagine if the mandrakes had caught up to you."

Thaddeus shuddered at the thought. "I suppose I do owe you a debt of gratitude," he admitted. "Perhaps I could make it up to you over dinner? Once you've returned to your natural color completely, of course."

A hint of vulnerability showing through her usual confident demeanor. "I'd like that," she said.

He reached out, gently taking Juno's hand in his again. "You know," he said, his voice low, "that hint of green really does suit you. It brings out your eyes."

Juno's cheeks darkened to a deeper shade, but she didn't pull away. "And you," she replied, reaching up to brush someglittering dust from his cheek, "look like you've been kissed by starlight."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world around them faded away. Thaddeus leaned in, drawn by an irresistible force. Juno tilted her face up, her eyes fluttering closed.

He kissed her again, needing to feel her soft body against him again. But before they could get carried away and wound up trysting in her lab, it was important that she knew how he felt about her. How he had always felt about her.

"Juno, I—"

And then, with a sudden pop, Thaddeus felt his voice vanish. His eyes widened in surprise, his hand flying to his throat.

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