(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

*The door opens, and Tom walks in, Bernard leaning heavily against him. Nymphadora follows close behind, Sunny in her arms.*

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah.

*She doesn't look as though she particularly wants to talk about that, though.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He worries his lip between his teeth, increasingly upset, and trying to hide it.*

Okay.

[clumsy_auror]

*a deep breath*

You're gonna feel light-headed for a little while. Should be fine in an hour or so.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Okay.

*He looks terribly young for a man who's about to turn twenty-nine in a week.

He looks down at Sunny and half-smiles*

She's asleep.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora looks down at their daughter and tenderly brushes a wisp of hair out of her eyes.*

Exhausted. Adrenaline crash.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He closes his eyes and nods.*

I know how she feels.

She was screaming in my head.

[clumsy_auror]

*A wince, and she curls closer, almost wrapping herself around Bernard and Sunny.

Like a shield.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard notices, and kisses the crown of her head.*

I love you.

[clumsy_auror]

I love you too.

*Her eyes squeeze shut.*

Please be okay.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I'm all right. I promise.

*A shaky breath.*

I'm sorry I scared you.

[clumsy_auror]

No, it's okay. Wasn't you. I'm okay.

*She's breathing a little hard, her eyes still closed.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He bends his head a little till they're face to face.*

Look at me.

[clumsy_auror]

*She lifts her eyes to his.*

What?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*His arm that's around her lifts, his fingers tangling in her hair.*

She's asleep.

You can be upset if you need to.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora looks at him for a long moment.*

Yeah, she is.

But you're not.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He bites his lip, face crumpling just a little bit, then pulls her to him and kisses her firmly.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She brings her hand up to the side of his face, not pulling away for several moments.*



We should maybe put her to bed.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He nods.*

Um.

Can you take her?

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah.

*Nymphadora gently eases Sunny away from Bernard, resting the toddler in the crook of her arm.

She stands and walks down the hall to Sunny's room, laying her gently down and pulling out her pajamas.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard slowly sits up, eyes closed, head in his hands.

After a few moments, he stands and makes his way, one hand always on a wall, down the hallway. He watches Nymphadora undress their daughter, leaning against the doorjamb.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora manages to pull on Sunny's pajamas without waking her, places Jemma within reach, and tucks the blanket around the toddler.

She knows Sunny won't sleep through the night.

Turning back to Bernard, she wraps an arm around his waist and walks him down the hall.*

C'mon.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He doesn't protest.

When they reach their bed, he flops down on it.*

Fuck.

Had no idea how draining something like that can be.

[clumsy_auror]

*A short laugh.*

Yeah. Yeah, it is.

*She starts unbuttoning his shirt.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Once the shirt is unbuttoned, he grabs her hands and pulls her on top of him, arms wrapping around her tight.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She laughs a little again, more genuinely this time.

Her arms wrap around him in turn, and she presses a kiss to his chest.*