(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

[young_tmriddle]

Yes, Sunny, bite higher next time. Fine girl you're raising there. I like the way she thinks.*

*He winks at Tonks.*

Where shall I help you to, Bernard?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Um. Couch is fine.

*The walk to the Staff Wing has drained the color from his face again.*

[clumsy_auror]

*Anxiously, Nymphadora watches as Tom carefully helps Bernard down onto the couch. Still carrying Sunny, she hurries into the kitchen and comes back a moment later with a glass of water.*

Here, love.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

*He drinks the water.*

You know there's no telling what else he got.

[young_tmriddle]

I can find out. If it's necessary.

[clumsy_auror]

*Sunny is unnaturally quiet, clinging to Dora's shirt and looking at Bernard with wide eyes. Dora rubs her back and sits next to Bernard on the couch.*

We'll worry about that soon enough. He's not going anywhere at the moment.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

No.

Tim and I'll handle his punishment.

*He glances over and sees Sunny's shocked, scared gaze on him, and holds out his arms.*

S'all right, munchkin. Come here.

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

She does so, quickly, clinging to him.

"Ber'd no leave. Ber'd no leave. No Heav'n. Sunny need Ber'd. God no need Ber'd. Sunny need Ber'd. Ber'd no leave."

[clumsy_auror]

*She looks stricken, and wraps her arms around them both.*

Oh, no, no no no, lovely. He's okay. It got a bit scary for a moment but I'm not letting anything happen to either of you, all right? Because I need the both of you too, very badly.

[young_tmriddle]

*Tom puts one hand on Tonks' shoulder again, and he pats Sunny on the back with the other. After a moment, that hand moves to pat Bernard's arm.*

I'll let myself out. Owl me if you need anything.

*He does so, quietly leaving the flat.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard nods at Tom over Nymphadora's and Sunny's heads, bowing his own head to kiss them both as soon as Tom closes the door.*

We're okay. We're okay.

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

She just clings. "Sunny need Ber'd. God no have. Sunny need."

[clumsy_auror]

*She nods, leaning her head against Bernard's.*

I'm sorry. I shouldn've have left you, he'd never have tried if I hadn't.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He shakes his head, eyes sliding shut.*

No, you can't be there every second. You couldn't have known he'd be that bold.

*He's rubbing Sunny's back and rocking her a little, trying to get her to calm down.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She doesn't answer, but her arms tighten around them.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard slowly leans back until they're all three lying on the couch, Sunny on his chest, Nymphadora half on him.*

You okay?

[clumsy_auror]

*Mindful of Sunny, Nymphadora nods hesitantly.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He can feel the hesitation, and he turns his head to look at her as Sunny sniffles and fusses on his chest, then reluctantly yawns.

He rubs her back again, briefly considering putting her down for a nap, but he doesn't know if he can deal with the protestations.

Also, he doesn't mind holding them both for a while longer.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She keeps her voice low as Sunny drifts off.*

I'm sorry. I just. I know what it feels like, and...

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Somehow, he pulls her closer, still a little pale, still more than a little shaken.*

Yeah?

[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.