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[clumsy_auror]

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

Comments

[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.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He rubs her back slowly, eyes shut, and shivers, yawning.*

Fuck.

Don't wanna sleep.

[clumsy_auror]

Don't have to. And I've no plans to go anywhere, so I can pretend to be amusing, for you.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He laughs at that.*

Oh, by all means. You can pretend all you like, but we both know you're about as thrilling as mashed potatoes.

[clumsy_auror]

Actually I'm fairly sure that mashed potatoes have quite a lot on me, at the moment.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He rolls them over onto their sides and kisses her.*

Silly witch.

[clumsy_auror]

*She smiles against his lips, nosing his cheek a little

Her grin fades after a moment.*

'M glad Faith came when she did.

Not sure what I'd have done to him otherwise.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I know. So am I.

(I'd do it all over again)

You shouldn't have his death on your conscience. He's not worth it.

[clumsy_auror]

No, he's not. I know he's not.

But if either of you had been really hurt...

I don't care. I'd have done it.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He cups her cheek.*

I know.

I wouldn't have stopped you.

But I would have had to punish you.

[clumsy_auror]

I know.

*She drops her head back onto his chest.*

Can we stop talking about this now?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*His brow furrows, and he pulls her closer.*

I'm sorry.