(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

*While Bernard brushes his teeth, Nymphadora settles herself in bed, book propped up on her knees.

The strap of her lemon-yellow tank top keeps sliding down her shoulder, and she absently pulls it back up.*

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard is gutted.*









S-she did?

[clumsy_auror]

*Another unsteady nod.*

And she asked me what her name was and I said, well, you've got lots of different names, haven't you, the Mug and Beaver Baby and Munchkin and Sunshine but they all mean you, but...

*Nymphadora's eyes fill with tears.*

She looked at me like her heart was breaking and said that her name was Elizabeth.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's face twists, and he swallows convulsively, his own eyes not entirely dry.*

Um.




*His voice breaks.*

S'a nice name.

[clumsy_auror]

It is.

*She buries her face in his neck, clinging to him.*


I don't know what to do.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*A short laugh*

Me neither.




She asked me, on Tuesday, if um. She wanted to know, in the event of your-- not coming back, would I 'get rid' of her.

I told her I never, ever would. I thought maybe it was okay after that. I don't know what to do besides that.

[clumsy_auror]

I don't know what I'd do if we had to-- to give her up. I can't even imagine us without her.

But she doesn't listen when I tell her that.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

But--

I mean.

Her parents are dead. What does she think, that she's gonna just pack up a suitcase and go there?

[clumsy_auror]

*She shrugs helplessly, wiping off her cheeks.*

I don't know.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I guess...

*Bernard lifts a hand to her cheek, brushing the last of the tears away, ignoring the brightness in his own.*

I-I guess. We just have to be here. You know? While you're on leave especially. See what we can do to make her feel secure.

[clumsy_auror]

*She nods, sniffling a bit.*

Just want her to know that she's ours, you know? That she'll always be a Baudelaire, that's part of her forever, but she belongs with us, now.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's just a matter of time. And being consistent. You know?

Because she does belong. Blood's only the most basic component of family.

[clumsy_auror]

Yeah.

*She bites her lip.*

Think it was my being gone that sent her over the edge.

Everyone leaves her.

But it hasn't sunk in that I came back.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard nods, not even bothering to deny it or sugar-coat it.*

But it will.

*He sighs*

It's when you go back to work that the real fight will begin, I think.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora buries her face in his chest.*

I can't not go back.

I won't be on active patrol, but--

I have to go back.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I know that.

She knows that.

But--

*His voice is hoarse, and he can't quite look in her eyes.*

She knows you might not come home, again, now. And she's angry and scared. I have never seen her lose it like she did on Tuesday afternoon, when we were waiting for word.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her face crumples.*





I don't want to hurt her.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I know you don't, and what she doesn't understand is that giving up your job hurts you. She's a baby. You remember being that little. The world revolves around her, and home, and things outside are distant. Most kids don't have to learn differently, and she just did.

[clumsy_auror]

*And there's a part of her that's flooded with relief at hearing those words, because Bernard understands, at least, and she thinks it might kill her if he didn't.

But her heart still breaks.*

I know.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard sighs and kisses her cheek and then her mouth.*

I love you. Both.

*A smile like a sunrise.*

All three of you.

We'll be all right.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her voice is muffled against his chest.*

Promise?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*One hand's under her chin, tipping her face up to look at him.*

Promise.

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora looks at him for a long moment, and then nods.*

I trust you.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Fuck, I hope so, by this point.

[clumsy_auror]

Oh hush.

*She kisses him for a long moment.*

You know I always have.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Stunningly, yes. For the longest time I couldn't figure out why. Figured it was my rakish good looks.