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J uno marched towards the sprawling greenhouse complex of Grimm Mawr Academy, her arms laden with color-coded planners and self-inking quills. The early morning mist clung to the glass panels, creating an ethereal glow as sunlight filtered through. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the task ahead. She wasn't pleased that Principal Malachai had assigned additional duties to the staff in preparation for Brewfest. Reorganizing the greenhouse was a daunting job on its own, but doing it with Thaddeus? That was a challenge of epic proportions.

"I know what you're up to, Malachai," she muttered under her breath as she approached the entrance. "About as subtle as a dragon in a china shop."

As she opened the heavy glass door, Thaddeus turned at the sound of her entrance.

"Runeheart," he nodded curtly.

"Shadowspire," Juno returned, matching his cool tone. "Shall we get started?"

And so began the most awkward greenhouse reorganization in the history of Grimm Mawr Academy. They worked in tense silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves or the scratch of quill on parchment as they made notes. Juno was hyperaware of Thaddeus's every movement—the way he pruned each plant, the careful notes he made in his planner, the way his robes stretched across his shoulders when he reached for a high shelf.

Not that she was looking.

"Your venomous foxglove is encroaching on my soothing sage section," Juno pointed out, exasperation coloring her voice as she tried to focus on the task at hand.

Thaddeus didn't even look up from his pruning. "Perhaps your sage isn't as soothing as you think if it can't handle a little competition."

Juno bristled. "Competition? Is that what you call it when your overly aggressive plants try to strangle everything in sight? Your foxglove already bullied my chamomile into wilting."

"Some of us prefer plants that don't wilt at the first sign of adversity," Thaddeus retorted, eyeing Juno's artfully overgrown embracing ivy with disdain.

"There's a difference between strength and bullying," Juno shot back. "But I wouldn't expect you to understand the nuances of nurturing."

Thaddeus's eyes flashed. "And I wouldn't expect you to grasp the importance of discipline and structure in cultivation. Your whispering willows are positively feral."

As they worked, the silence grew heavier between bouts of bickering. Finally, Juno couldn't stand it anymore.

"So," she said, attempting a casual tone, "what was it like? The rain forests of South America?"

Thaddeus looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "It was... intense," he said after a moment. "Beautiful and dangerous in equal measure. The magical flora there has evolved defenses you wouldn't believe."

"Like what?" Juno asked, genuinely curious despite herself.

"There was a species of snap-dragon that actually breathed fire when threatened," Thaddeus said, his voice warming with enthusiasm. "And a canopy vine that could alter your memories if you touched it without the proper protection. I spent three months just documenting its effects."

"That sounds fascinating," Juno admitted. "And terrifying."

"What about you?" Thaddeus asked, his eyes meeting hers. "What have you been working on these past few years?"

"I developed a new approach to cultivating empathic herbs," Juno said, unable to keep the pride from her voice. "They can attune to a specific person's emotional state and tailor their healing properties accordingly. It's been particularly effective for trauma victims."

"That's... impressive," Thaddeus said, and Juno was surprised to hear genuine admiration in his voice. "You always did have a gift for understanding the emotional side of herbology."

Their bickering escalated as they worked their way through the greenhouse. Juno felt like she was back in their student days, when their debates would often lead to... other activities. Much more exciting activities that usually involved significantly less clothing and considerably more physical contact.

Not that she was thinking about that. At all.

As they reached for the same harmonizing hollyhock, their hands brushed. Juno jerked back as if stung, a jolt of electricity shooting up her arm. Thaddeus too withdrew his hand quickly, his usually stoic expression flickering for just a moment.

"Perhaps we should discuss the proper placement for plants with complementary magical properties," Thaddeus said, his voice oddly strained.

"Oh, now you want to discuss things?" Juno couldn't keep the sarcasm from her voice. "I thought you preferred to rule your plants with an iron fist."

"And I suppose you'd rather sing lullabies to them and hope for the best?" Thaddeus shot back.

"The whispering willows need some extra encouragement," Juno said defensively. "They're sensitive."

"Yes, your famous nurturing approach." Was it her imagination, or was there a hint of fondness in his voice?

"Plants respond to love and care. They're not soldiers to be drilled into submission."

"And yet, my 'soldiers' seem to be holding their own well." He nodded towards his section of the greenhouse, where his pruned plants stood in perfect formation.

Their debate grew more heated as they backed into a corner of the greenhouse she hadn't paid much attention to before. Juno, gesticulating wildly to emphasize a point about symbiotic magical relationships, pushed aside a curtain of vines.

"Yes, well," Juno sniffed, "some of us prefer our plants to have a little personality."

A ghost of a smile played at the corners of Thaddeus's mouth. "Is that what you call it when your embracing ivy tries to strangle unsuspecting visitors?"

Despite herself, Juno smiled. "They're just enthusiastic huggers. Not everyone appreciates a good cuddle like they do."

The moment the words left her mouth, Juno wished she could take them back. Cuddles? Really?

But Thaddeus didn't laugh or scoff. Instead, his eyes darkened, his gaze intensifying in a way that made Juno's breath catch. "I seem to recall you being fond of a good cuddle yourself, once upon a time."

And suddenly, the world stopped.

Behind the vines was a small, hidden alcove. Sunlight filtered through stained glass, casting colorful shadows over a weathered stone bench. The air was thick with the heady scent of night-blooming jasmine.

Juno's breath caught in her throat as recognition dawned. From the sharp intake of breath behind her, she knew Thaddeus had realized it too.

"Is this...?" she breathed, her eyes wide.

Thaddeus cleared his throat. "It appears so."

This alcove was where they had shared their first kiss as students. It was here, surrounded by the intoxicating scent of magical flora, that their rivalry had first blossomed into something more.

Memories flooded Juno's mind unbidden. The nervous excitement as they'd snuck away from a school dance. The way Thaddeus's eyes had shone in the moonlight filtering through the stained glass. The softness of his lips against hers, tentative at first, then growing in confidence. The feeling that her whole world had shifted on its axis in that moment.

They stood in awkward silence, years of shared history hanging heavy between them. Juno absently reached out to touch a nearby plant, needing something to do with her hands, anything to break the tension.

"Careful," Thaddeus warned, a second too late. "That's a—"

The plant burst into a fit of giggles, its petals quivering with mirth. A giggling geranium, sensitive to the slightest touch and highly contagious in its laughter.

Before Juno knew what was happening, a chuckle escaped her lips. She clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. The laughter bubbled up, impossible to contain. To her amazement, a deep, rich laugh joined hers. Thaddeus, his usual composure completely shattered, was doubled over in mirth.

Their laughter, mingled with the geranium's high-pitched giggling, echoed through the greenhouse. Juno clutched her sides, tears streaming down her face. Every time she thought she had herself under control, she'd catch Thaddeus's eye and dissolve into giggles again.

As their laughter finally began to subside, Juno realized they were standing closer than they had in years. For a moment, it was as if no time had passed at all.

Thaddeus reached out, almost unconsciously, to brush a leaf from Juno's hair. His hand lingered for a fraction of a second too long, his fingers just grazing her cheek. Juno's breath caught in her throat, her skin tingling where he'd touched her.

"Juno," he said, her name a prayer on his lips.

And then he was kissing her, and her world narrowed to the feeling of his lips on hers, his hand in her hair, his body pressed against hers. She melted into him, her arms winding around his neck as she kissed him back with all the pent-up passion of years apart.

It was everything she remembered and so much more. Thaddeus kissed like he did everything else—with intensity. His tongue swept into her mouth, and Juno moaned, pressing closer, needing more.

Thaddeus wasted no time, pressing Juno against the cool stone wall of the alcove. His lips found hers again, and Juno lost herself in the kiss. It was different here, more urgent, as if the years of tension between them had finally reached their breaking point.

Juno's hands roamed over Thaddeus's broad shoulders, down his chest, feeling the solid heat of him beneath his robes. He groaned into her mouth, his own hands sliding down to her hips, pulling her closer.

"Juno," he breathed against her neck, pressing hot kisses along her jaw. "Do you have any idea how long I've wanted this? Wanted you?"

She gasped as he nipped at her earlobe. "Probably about as long as I've wanted you," she managed to say, her voice breathy and unfamiliar to her own ears.

That was all the encouragement Thaddeus needed. He crashed his lips to hers again, his kisses growing more heated, more demanding. Juno matched his passion, her fingers tangling in his hair as she pressed herself closer.

They were so lost in each other that neither noticed the rustling of leaves around them, the way the night-blooming jasmine glowed brighter, its scent growing more intoxicating by the second.

It wasn't until a vine snaked its way around Thaddeus's ankle, nearly tripping him, that they broke apart.

"What in the name of—" Thaddeus started, looking down at the offending plant.

Juno laughed at his indignant expression. "I think," she said, gently untangling the vine, "that the embracing ivy might be a bit jealous."

Thaddeus's eyebrow arched. "Jealous? Of what, exactly?"

"Well," Juno said, "it is called 'embracing' ivy. And right now, you're embracing something else entirely."

A slow smile spread across Thaddeus's face. "Am I now?" he said, his voice low and full of promise. "I think we need to go somewhere more private."

Before Juno could respond, Thaddeus had scooped her up, eliciting a surprised squeak from her. He carried her to the stone bench in the center of the alcove, setting her down gently before joining her.

"Now then," he said, his eyes never leaving hers, "where were we?"

Juno's witty retort died on her lips as Thaddeus leaned in, capturing her mouth in a searing kiss. She melted into him, all thoughts of jealous plants and professional rivalries forgotten. Thaddeus's hands were everywhere, exploring every inch of her body, his touch sending shivers down her spine. His lips traced a path down her jawline, trailing hot kisses along her throat and collarbone before finding a way back up to her waiting mouth. Their tongues tangled together, dancing and teasing one another as they became lost in sensation after sensation.

It felt like coming home after a long journey away—familiar yet exhilarating all at once. As he teased her lips with his tongue, she reciprocated eagerly, her hands finding their way under his robes, exploring the hard planes of his stomach. She gasped when he trailed hot kisses down her neck, sucking gently on the sensitive skin there. Her head fell back in pleasure as he nipped at her earlobe, sending waves of delight coursing through her body. She could feel his hardness against her abdomen—a clear indication that he was just as eager as she was. She wanted nothing more than to feel his skin on hers, to lose herself completely in him.

They flung off each other's robes and fumbled with each other's clothes until they were naked. Thaddeus muttered a spell, and the rock bench turned into a feather bed just like he had done for them all those years ago. Before he could lay her down on it, she sank to her knees that were cushioned by a fluffy pillow that had also magically appeared. Sliding her hand over his thick cock, Juno leaned in and ran her tongue up his thigh. His hardness twitched, and he groaned helplessly as she took him into her mouth. Her hands moved up his powerful thighs, caressing his skin as she took more and more of him inside her mouth, loving the feel of his length sliding against her tongue. Her lips massaged him gently, teasing and tormenting while she used her hand to stroke him in time with her movements.

Thaddeus's hips jerked forward as Juno took him deeper, her tongue swirling around his shaft in a perfect rhythm. He let out a needy moan that sent wetness through her core. His fingers tangled in her hair, urging her on, pulling gently at the strands as he lost himself to the pleasure she was giving him.

As his moans increased in volume, she looked up at him with hooded eyes, seeing the lust and desire painted all over his face. The look on his face gave her courage to take him deeper still until he couldn't take it anymore. His thighs trembled under her touch as he bucked into her mouth with a ragged cry. She kept sucking and stroking until he came with a loud grunt, filling her mouth and making her taste him fully. She savored every drop before swallowing it eagerly, loving the way he tasted of strength and passion mixed with magic. Satisfied by the taste of him, Juno slowly got to her feet, slithering up his body. When he tossed her on the bed, she shrieked in delight. Her shriek turned into a delighted moan when he buried his face between her legs and used his talented tongue to probe her fast and deep.

Her fingers clawed at the sheets beneath her as he coaxed a series of sighs and moans from her. Every lick, every suck, was building up a crescendo of pleasure within her, and she could feel herself nearing the brink.

His hands roamed over her body. He slipped his fingers between her folds to rub against her swollen bud. Juno arched her back, a guttural sound escaping her throat as he applied just the right amount of pressure.

"Thaddeus, I can't take much more."

Her words seemed to spur him on, and he increased his pace, his tongue flicking against her in a way that was both delicate and demanding.

She cried out as her orgasm built, a wave of pure pleasure washing over her. Thaddeus's name spilled from her lips as she reached her peak, her body wracked with shuddering tremors.

As Juno's climax subsided, Thaddeus moved up her body, kissing as he went. He cupped her breasts. She moaned as his rough palms brushed against her sensitive nipples. His cock teased the apex of her thighs, and he sucked on one nipple until she cried out his again. He rolled the other one between his thumb and forefinger.

"You are so damned sexy, and I want you so much," he said, licking a circle around her nipple.

She saw stars, and her pussy pulsed with need.

When he went back to sucking on her breasts, she clamped her legs around his waist. She could just feel the tip of him tickling through her wet folds.

"Fuck me," she moaned, writhing to get him to slip inside her.

"Say it again," he said, moving just enough so the tip of his cock got wet. It was not nearly enough. His kissed up to her neck, sucking gently while he still caressed her breasts.

"Fuck me," she demanded, raising her hips to his.

Thaddeus slid into her with one smooth motion, filling her completely. She cried out again, a guttural sound of pure pleasure and need. She pulled his hair, demanding his kiss. Their skin slapped together wetly with every thrust as they devoured each other's mouths. She loved the pounding drive of his cock in her pussy, and she clenched around him with each thrust.

Why, oh, why had they let a stupid argument take this perfection from them? When he had come back to the academy, she should have jumped his bones then and there. She had missed out on his epic lovemaking for years.

"Yes!" she screamed, and clamped down around him as she fell apart.

He chuckled darkly and continued to drive into her. Their hips slapped together, his tongue tracing circles around her earlobe while he growled low in his chest. The scent of sweat and magic filled the air of their secret hideaway. His teeth grazed her earlobe, and a sharp intake of breath left her mouth. He groaned into her neck. Their breaths mingled in the still air as they found their rhythm together, forcing one another deeper over the edge into ecstasy.

His lips moved to her jaw, nibbling and sucking gently, leaving behind a trail of kisses as he pumped into her. She could feel him getting closer, readying for release from the way he thrust harder and deeper into her with each push.

Juno cried out his name, begging for more as he slid in and out of her tight core. His groans of pleasure filled the air as he shuddered inside her, his body tense with the force of his release. Juno gasped, clinging to Thaddeus as she came again. The waves of pleasure crashed over her, drowning her in ecstasy. She screamed his name, her body convulsing against him as every ounce of tension left her. He collapsed onto her, their tangled limbs forming an intimate knot.

They lay there, panting heavily, hearts racing in tandem. The afterglow washed over her, and for a moment, she simply basked in it. As the intensity faded away, they rested in each other's arms, panting heavily and trying to regain their breath. Juno's mind was filled with a whirlwind of emotions.

This would change everything.

Juno traced lazy patterns on Thaddeus's chest, a sobering thought passing through her mind. Maybe she had been too hasty in her judgment five years ago. Maybe she could have gone with him and still built her career. The International Botanical Guild had chapters all over the world. She could have worked in South America for a few years, then returned to Grimm Mawr with him.

But it wasn't just about her career, was it? It was about her home, her roots, her sense of belonging. She had been afraid—afraid of change, afraid of the unknown, afraid of losing herself in his shadow.

The competing scents of jasmine, sage, and Thaddeus's cologne created a heady mixture that made her feel slightly drunk.

"We should probably head back," Thaddeus said, though he made no move to get up. "The school will be locked up soon."

Juno propped herself up on an elbow, looking down at him. In the luminescent glow of the moonlight filtering through the stained glass, he looked younger, more relaxed than she'd seen him in years. "Probably," she agreed. "But I'm rather comfortable right here."

Thaddeus smiled, reaching up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "As am I. But I'd rather not explain to Principal Malachai why we're sleeping in the greenhouse."

The thought of Malachai's knowing smirk was enough to motivate Juno into action. She sat up, stretching languidly. "I suppose you're right. Though I have to say, this wasn't quite how I expected our greenhouse reorganization to go."

Thaddeus chuckled, the sound sending a pleasant heat through Juno's chest. "No? And here I thought this was your plan all along. Lure me into a secluded alcove, seduce me with your embracing ivy..."

Juno swatted his arm playfully. "Oh yes, because I'm known for my powers of seduction. The siren of the greenhouse, that's me."

"You underestimate yourself," Thaddeus said. After they got dressed and emerged from their hidden alcove, a sudden commotion from the main greenhouse area broke through their bubble of intimacy. Voices echoed, growing louder as they approached.

"Quick," Thaddeus whispered, pulling Juno behind a large shielding shrub.

They watched as a group of students, led by Professor Plumeria, entered the greenhouse. The students were chattering excitedly about a night-blooming rare plant.

"This is why I called you all here," Professor Plumeria was saying. "The moonlight orchid only blooms once a year, and it's happening tonight."

The moonlight orchid was crucial for her Brewfest project. She'd been planning to harvest its nectar tonight. How could she have forgotten that?

She glanced at Thaddeus, seeing the same realization in his eyes. This rare bloom was vital for both their projects.

As the students gathered around the orchid, Juno felt her heart sink. There wouldn't be enough nectar for both her and Thaddeus's experiments with the students taking samples.

Once the students had left, Juno rushed towards the moonlight orchid, Thaddeus hot on her heels.

"I need that nectar," Juno said, reaching for the delicate bloom.

Thaddeus's hand shot out, grasping her wrist. "Not so fast. That nectar is essential for my defensive potion."

Juno yanked her hand away, glaring at him. "And it's crucial for my nurturing elixir. You can't possibly think you have more right to it than I do."

"Can't I?" Thaddeus retorted, his voice cold. "My project has been in development for months. I've put everything into this. I need it for my Brewfest potion. The department head position means a lot to me."

"And you think it means any less to me?" Juno shot back, hurt and anger bubbling up inside her. "Or have you forgotten how hard I've worked for this, just like you forgot about us when you chose your career over our relationship?"

She hadn't meant to bring that up, but it had bubbled to the surface and all the mind-blowing sex in the world hadn't been enough to stop it.

Thaddeus recoiled as if she'd slapped him. "That's not fair, Juno. You know it was more complicated than that."

"Was it?" Juno challenged, old pain resurging. "Because from where I stood, it seemed pretty simple. You got that offer, and suddenly, I didn't fit into your grand plans anymore."

"You could have come with me." Thaddeus's composure cracked, revealing the hurt underneath. "But you chose to stay here, to pursue your own path."

"Because this is where I belonged." Juno gestured around the greenhouse. "This is my home. These plants, this academy... I couldn't just leave it all behind."

"I couldn't wait to leave it all behind."

"Leave me behind, you mean," she muttered.

"No. Never you."

They stood in tense silence, years of unresolved feelings hanging heavy between them. The moonlight orchid glowed proudly, oblivious to the drama unfolding around it. Juno noticed how the bloom's center pulsed with an ethereal blue light, its magical energy concentrated in the handful of precious nectar droplets at its heart. The bloom itself was surrounded by delicate pollen spores that danced in the air, catching the moonlight in tiny shimmering clouds.

"The pollen," she found herself saying. "It has similar properties to the nectar, doesn't it?"

Thaddeus nodded slowly. "Yes, but it's far less potent. You'd need at least three times the quantity to achieve the same effect."

"But it could work," Juno pressed. "In theory."

"In theory, yes. But there's barely enough pollen here, and it would take weeks to cultivate enough for—"

"That's not what I asked," Juno cut him off. She wasn't going to let him dismiss the possibility so easily. Not when she could smell the answer literally floating in the air around them.

Finally, Thaddeus spoke, his voice low and controlled. "So where does that leave us now? Fighting over plant nectar like freshmen?"

"We could split it," Juno suggested, not taking her eyes off the flower.

Thaddeus scoffed. "There's barely enough for one project after the students took their samples. Splitting it would render it useless for both of us."

"So what do you suggest?" Juno challenged. "A duel for it?"

"If necessary," Thaddeus replied, his hand moving towards his wand.

"You can't be serious."

"Deadly serious," Thaddeus said, his expression grim. "The academy needs a strong department head like me."

"That's dragonshit and you know it."

In a flash, both had drawn their wands, pointing them at each other. The greenhouse fell silent, save for the rustle of leaves stirred by their magical standoff.

"Is this really what we've come to?" Juno asked.

For a tense moment, neither moved. Then, simultaneously, they both lowered their wands.

"This is ridiculous," Thaddeus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We're supposed to be setting an example for our students, not acting like them."

"So what do we do?" Juno asked, gesturing to the orchid. "We both need it, and there's not enough to share."

"Flip a coin?" Thaddeus suggested, a hint of the playfulness they had shared creeping back into his voice.

Despite herself, Juno nodded. "A magical coin toss to decide the fate of our careers. Why not?"

As Thaddeus conjured a coin, Juno stared at it solemnly. The physical connection they had just rekindled had been incredible, but their professional rivalry remained unresolved. Their bodies knew how to harmonize perfectly, but their ambitions were still pulling them in opposite directions. Were they destined to always choose career over love?

The coin spun in the air, glinting in the moonlight that filtered through the greenhouse glass. Juno called out, "Heads." The coin clattered to the ground, spinning for what felt like an eternity before finally coming to rest.

Tails.

She wanted to slap Thaddeus's triumphant smirk off his face. Juno's shoulders slumped, a wave of disappointment washing over her. She watched, sulking, as Thaddeus carefully extracted the precious nectar from the moonlight orchid. Her mind raced, trying to come up with alternative solutions for her Brewfest project. Without this key ingredient, she'd have to rethink her entire approach.

"Don't look so glum," Thaddeus said. "Grimm Mawr Academy is all but assured to win Brewfest now."

Thaddeus capped the vial of nectar, tucking it safely into his robes. He turned to Juno, challenge in his stance. For a moment, they stood in silence, the weight of their rivalry and their recent intimate encounter hanging heavy between them.

Then, without warning, Thaddeus closed the distance between them. His hand gripped her waist, and before Juno could react, he pressed his lips to hers in a hard, fast kiss.

Just as quickly as it began, the kiss ended. Thaddeus pulled back, a smirk playing at his lips. "Something to remember me by while you're reworking your entire project," he said, his voice low and taunting.

And then he was gone, striding out of the greenhouse with the vial of moonlight orchid nectar safely in his possession, leaving Juno standing alone among the plants, her lips still burning from his kiss.

"Fuck you," she spluttered out. Too late for anyone but the giggling geranium to respond.