In the new flat

[clumsy_auror]

*The door swings open, and Nymphadora feels herself being pulled forward, Bernard's hands clasped tightly around hers. She's grinning from ear to ear.*

Can I open 'em yet?

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard pulls her to the center of the living room, also grinning madly.*

Not just yet.

*He looks around the room one more time, biting his lip, then kisses her impulsively.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She laughs, kissing him back, her eyes still screwed tightly shut. She looks to be on the verge of stamping her foot.*

Come on! Please?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

All right. *He squeezes her hands* Go ahead.

[clumsy_auror]

*She cracks one eye open first, and then the other, and then she just stares.

It's beautiful, even devoid of furniture and homey knick-knacks. The large open living room, painted a heavy buttercream colour, is graced on the near wall by a fireplace with a simple oak mantle. The room fades into the dining room, the far two walls a deep red. Tall windows line the space all the way around, letting the mid-morning light spill onto the warm wood floor.*

Oh.

Oh.

*She doesn't seem terribly capable of saying much more.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's grin fades to a soft smile as he watches her look, and he walks behind her, slipping his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.*

Welcome home.

[clumsy_auror]

*Turning around in his arms, she hugs him tightly, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.*

I love you.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He grins again, and suddenly remembers the advice Roland gave him.

Never ask a question unless you already know the answer to it.*

So, it's all right?

[clumsy_auror]

It's more than all right, Bernard. It's brilliant, and you and everyone else did an incredible job.

*She gazes around the room, one arm still tight around his waist, shaking her head in disbelief.

After a moment, she bounces slightly on the balls of her feet, and kisses his cheek once more.*

I think I might explode a little, now. That all right?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He laughs*

Well, don't get any entrails on the walls. Paint's barely dry.

[clumsy_auror]

*Smacking him on the stomach, she laughs and ducks out from under his arm.*

Fine, fine, whatever, if you insist.

*she peers into the kitchen, biting her lip excitedly*

Show me the rest?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He takes her hand, lacing their fingers together, and pulls her into the kitchen fully.

It's separated from the dining room by an island, and the entire kitchen is done in provençale colors. The range, at first glance, looks old-fashioned, with its chrome-and-yellow-lacqueur finish and European-style multiple ovens and warming drawers. There's a chrome hood and fan above it.

It's, to put it mildly, the kind of range that says you're not fucking around.

The rest of the room is all yellows and blues and terracotta tiles, and is full of storage space and spare lines.*

[clumsy_auror]

Wow. Golly.

*She looks ar the range, running a hand over it, and blinks*

...I didn't know ovens came with more than one drawer.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard just stares at here, wide eyed, shaking his head.*

It's a wonder you never starved to death.

[clumsy_auror]

Well.

*she shrugs, a bit self-conscious, and grins*

Instant magical meals, and all. Just wave your wand, no water needed, even, and you're done.

That's about the extent of my house-holdy spells. Mum's much better at that sort of thing than I am.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He leans against the counter and cocks an eyebrow challengingly.*

Well.

We'll start slow. You won't need spells at all to cook in this kitchen.

*A grin*

Although, a few spells to help with the dishes won't go amiss, I'm sure.

[clumsy_auror]

Oh, most definitely. I'm getting better at those sorts of spells. I only end up having to mend half the plates in a batch, now, when I wash them.

*She shouldn't look proud. But she does.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*A long sigh.*

Well.

I'll duck and cover.

[clumsy_auror]

*cheerfully, as she opens cupboard doors to peek inside*

Probably best, in the long run.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He puts an arm around her waist and kisses her neck lightly.*

I didn't fill the cupboards with anything yet, obviously. Thought we'd get stuff from outside.

Also, I didn't know what you'd want. I mean, I made an appalling list of implements, but...

[clumsy_auror]

I'm not picky. We'll get what we need. And in this case, you're definitely more cut out to know what we need than I am.

I could get Crowley to help me pick things out, too. I've got a feeling he'd greatly relish the opportunity to spend other people's money.

*She grins, drifting towards the hall door, still looking around at the bright kitchen and into the dining room beyond.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard very nearly chokes, and rolls his eyes, blowing a breath out, as she walks away.*

...Yeah. And the Bar is inclined to get you pretty much anything you want.

*He doesn't mention that the Bar is less inclined to get him things at this particular moment in time.

She thinks he should just get on with it already.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She throws a grin over her shoulder at him.*

Well, I s'pose that is your salary, in a way. So that's good. But I can help pay for things, too. Aurors don't make a terribly high salary, but we do all right.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard snerks. If that's his salary...

Christ. He spent it all in one go. And then some.*

If you want to, it's up to you. Some of the stuff I had in mind isn't exactly cheap, because I knew the Bar would pay. So.

You could think of it as a housewarming gift.

[clumsy_auror]

I know. And I do.

*She leans up to kiss him, smiling crookedly.*

You have to allow me my modern-liberated-woman sensibilities. But we'll work it all out. I'm perfectly happy to let the Bar help us out, if she wants to.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He tangles his fingers in her hair and kisses her cheek, smiling back*

I'd never try to stop you from being a 'modern-liberated-woman'. I'm from 1974, not 1904, and you're the sort of woman that women from my time dreamed their daughters would be. You're strong, independent, driven, and terrified of the kitchen.

It's one of the things I love most about you.