(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

They've cleaned up from supper, and Sunny's in bed; Bernard is on his third story of the evening, trying to get her to wind down enough to sleep.

Nymphadora, on the other hand, is stretched out on the couch, her feet propped up, and a mug of tea at hand.

She's ostensibly reading, but mostly she's just thinking.

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"No. And if I ever figure out who the fuck spelled her to be able to read..."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know. I cannot figure that one out, for the life of me."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Can't have been Anthy." His grin fades. "She'd have said."

[clumsy_auror]

So does hers. "Yes, she would've."

Nymphadora goes quiet, waiting.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

She waits a long time. He lies there, just thinking and breathing and holding her close.





"Gonna have to talk to her."

[clumsy_auror]

Softly, "Think that'd be good."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A long sigh.

"Gonna talk to Simon, too. Find out what happened."

[clumsy_auror]

She nods, and after another moment, half-turns to look at him; her belly's too large, now, for them to lie face-to-face on the couch.

Just... looking.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Bernard looks back, no trace of a smile left on his face.

[clumsy_auror]

"It'll be okay."

Nymphadora reaches over, her thumb stroking lightly over his cheekbone.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes slip closed, and his hand comes up to cover hers.

"I know. I just don't know what to think. Of my behavior and hers."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well." A tiny sigh. "What you and she have done in the past... neither of you can change that, now. You'll just have to start fresh, from now."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

A slow nod.


"...She never used to be scared of me."

[clumsy_auror]

"I know. And that..." Nymphadora pauses, choosing her words carefully. "She's just like a bunch of others in the bar, now. With that fear, you hold a lot of power over her."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes are still closed.

"Had to. After what she did."

Keep telling yourself that.

[clumsy_auror]

"Might be time to let that go."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Whispered, "What if she does it again?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Then she does it again, whether you choose to give her another chance, or not."

She turns her head a bit further, and presses a kiss to his cheek.

"Forgiving her wouldn't just be for her benefit, you know."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His eyes open at that.

"She apologized."

A hand lifts to her cheek.

"That helps."

[clumsy_auror]

"It does." Grey eyes look intently into blue, reading.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And blue eyes look back steadily.

(ses beaux yeux)

"If I didn't remember how bad it was for you, I wouldn't be half so angry."

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora's voice is slow and clear. "But I'm fine, now."

She's not angry. Just reminding.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And he breaks her gaze.

"I'm not."

[clumsy_auror]

Her face falls. "Love--"

She twists a little, trying to get her arms around him properly.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And his arm's securely around her hip. "Christ, don't fall off the couch."