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[clumsy_auror]

*A muffled curse sounds from the direction of the closet, and a few moments later Nymphadora emerges, wearing a pear of cropped knit pants, a tank top, and a mournful expression.

She's holding her favourite jeans in her hand.*

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

*Nymphadora doesn't want to visualise it, but she can't not.

She's not sure what to say.

So she just holds him.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He's got no idea what to say, he's so lost.

So, he lets her.*

[clumsy_auror]

*After a little while, she speaks, a bit tentatively.*

I-- I know you have to discipline, in this job. And you should.

But just... just bear in mind that there's room for mercy, too.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*His eyes slide shut, hands clenching in her shirt.*

I didn't kill him.

[clumsy_auror]

I know.

*She rocks him back and forth a little, still rubbing his back.*

I love you, Bernard.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I love you, too.

*He lifts his head to look at her, pale, eyes reddened.*

I can understand grey areas.

I can understand doing the wrong thing for the right reason.

But I can't be expected to understand this.

[clumsy_auror]

*She shakes her head, slowly.*

No.

I don't either.

Some things you just can't.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

I don't even know how to punish something like this.

I mean.

You knock somebody out, you spend a night or two in the cells.

This is...

*He trails off, unable to express it.*

[clumsy_auror]

*She shakes her head.*

Can you imagine what that would've been like, in Diagon Alley?

A massacre.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*And his eyes are shut again, an arm thrown over them.*

Can you imagine if word had gotten out about the baby?

[clumsy_auror]

...Yeah.

*she swallows hard*

I can.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*His voice breaks.*

Me too.

[clumsy_auror]

*She holds him tighter, kissing his cheek.*

But it's okay. It's okay.

*Her hand finds his and presses it to her abdomen, reassuring him.*

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He moves his arm so he can look at her, his thumb circling on her belly.

After a moment, he half-smiles.*

There's a baby in there.

[clumsy_auror]

*Her eyes soften, and she matches his smile.*

I know. Kinda weird still, isn't it?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He laughs.*

Bizarre.

*After a moment, he leans in to kiss her, murmuring against her lips.*

I love you.

[clumsy_auror]

I love you too.

*Nymphadora kisses him back, her hand drifting up to cup his cheek.

After a moment she pulls back to speak, but a soft sound from down the hall gives her pause.*

She's up.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He sighs.*

Okay.

Time to put my bullshit face on.



I love the kid, but my nerves are shot.

[clumsy_auror]

Oh bloody hell I know, mine too.

*She takes his hand and tugs on it, standing and pulling him up with her.*

C'mon, I promised her bubbles outside today. Magic ones.

My bribery knows no shame.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

...That little--

I promised her sugar cookies.

With pink icing.

Pink.

[clumsy_auror]

*she snickers a little*

Suck it up, love, she's got us but good. You'll live.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Augh.

Pink icing.

*He stomps out of the bedroom, calling out,*

Rise and shine, minion of evil, the jig is up--

[clumsy_auror]

*Laughing harder, Nymphadora follows him down the hall.

Maybe today she'll be okay.


One has to hope.*