(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]

'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.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*The kiss is slow, but searing, and Bernard sheds his unbuttoned shirt and pulls her as close as he can, shifting her leg over his hip and rolling on top of her so that she can't pull away.*

[clumsy_auror]

*He needn't worry. She doesn't want to pull away. It's been a few days, due to one stupid obstacle or another, and she wants this, badly.

Her hands roam over his torso hungrily, her hips pressing against his.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He's exhausted, physically and emotionally, and it certainly doesn't lift now. Rather, he pushes it aside to be dealt with later as they undress each other slowly, lips on every bit of newly exposed skin, hands clutching, claiming, reclaiming, proving they're both alive, well.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora and Bernard take their time, nothing rushed at all, just taking comfort in one another's presence.

Afterwards they lie together, talking a little more, and soon enough Sunny wakes with a bad dream, and together they go in to comfort her, and sit with her, and reassure her of their wellness, too.


Because that's what families do.*