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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

[clumsy_auror]

*Her shoulders droop.*

'S okay. I'm sorry too.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He just holds her for a moment, biting his lip and staring into space.*

You know, I won't be upset if you get upset. Please don't wait till I'm asleep. I want to be here for you.

*He half-smiles wryly*

Then again, if you don't feel upset at all, it's all moot.

[clumsy_auror]

*A quiet harrumph.*

'Course I'm upset. He fucking attacked you.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He laughs*

I know he did.

*After a moment, he sobers, unnerved.*

I think he rifled by everything. Didn't really pause, but. I don't think there's much he missed.

[clumsy_auror]

He may have touched it all.

*She kisses his cheek softly.*

But he didn't take it.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No.

*He shifts and doesn't meet her eyes.*

Ever since I read about the Dementor's Kiss, I-- And now, seeing Barty's reaction--

It's a horrible thing to do to someone. Even Barty.

[clumsy_auror]

*Silence, for a moment.*



I know. I hate it.

And yet I practically taunted him with it, just now.

*She looks a little ill.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I know. I heard.

*His thumb strokes across her cheek.*

It's because you love us. And you were angry and scared.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora falls silent, and buries her face in his shoulder.





After a few moments, her shoulders start to shake.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard doesn't shush her or say anything comforting.

He just holds her as tight as he can for as long as she needs him to.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She doesn't really make any noise.

Her back hitches now and again, and she doesn't look up.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*After a while, he turns his head to kiss her cheek and whisper in her ear.*

I love you.

[clumsy_auror]

've you too.

*She takes a deep, ragged breath.*

Sorry. I feel stupid, now.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Why?

[clumsy_auror]

'Cause it happened to you and now you're the one comforting me.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

...But I'm all right, and you're not. How is that wrong?

[clumsy_auror]

It's all kinds of wrong because it happened to you and because I'm an Auror and this sort of thing is where I'm supposed to be okay, and I haven't been lately. Not by a long shot.

*There's a slightly hysterical tinge to her voice.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He pulls back to look her in the eyes.*

Yes, it happened to me, and no, you haven't been all right lately, but that's because all these things are happening to families like us, and it's never been this close to home before.

[clumsy_auror]

*She hiccups a little and carries on as though he hasn't spoken.*

And I'm selfish because I won't give you and Sunny up because I need you even though I know you'd both be safer without me--

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No! And fuck you for saying that. We need you too.

*And only now does the stress start to catch up to him, his eyes beginning to shine.*

I love you and she loves you and didn't you even notice that you called me your husband out there?

[clumsy_auror]

*Her face falls again, and she clenches her hand in the back of his shirt.*

...Did I?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He just nods, one tear slipping out of his eye to wet the blanket.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora takes a deep, shuddering breath, and she pulls him close against her.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard buries his face in her hair, then trails his mouth along her cheek till his lips find hers.*

[clumsy_auror]

*For a moment she just lets herself be kissed, and then she reacts, tilting her head just so and splaying her hand on the small of his back.

He's okay.

He's okay.*