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[clumsy_auror]

Sunday lunch had been spent with the Tonkses, which was a nice change; it felt good to visit with her parents more often, and Nymphadora hoped that they could do so regularly now that Bernard was unbound.

Following the meal, Ted had gently shunted them out the door, saying that he and Sunny had plans for a cushion fort, and Andromeda and Anthony were hoping for a bit of a lie-down, and that 'Dora and Bernard would be in the way, anyhow, so why don't they go for a bit of a cuppa or an ice cream, or something.

It's one of those long August days, hot but with the promise of a chill towards evening, the death knell of a summer that's been one thing after another. She's quiet as they walk along, aimlessly passing through the streets of her parents' neighborhood.

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

Finally 'Dora laughs, though it's sort of rough around the edges. "I suppose that's true, isn't it."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I believe it is, yeah."

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora looks over at him, squinting a bit against the afternoon sun.

"I'm not trying to punish him, you know."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"I never said you were."

[clumsy_auror]

"No, I know."

Deliberately, she uncrosses her arms, and laces her fingers over her knee instead.

"Sorry. I'm just on edge."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"And so am I." He looks around the quiet park and grins mirthlessly. "It's hard to relax, on the outside."

[clumsy_auror]

"...What, you mean, out here in London?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. It's weird." He shivers a little in the warm air. "Guess the battle made me jumpy, is all."

[clumsy_auror]

"Yeah."

With one hand, Nymphadora tucks a heavy lock of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah, they'll do that."

She's lost count, now, how many there have been.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He looks over at her, then smiles a little.

"Time was, you'd never go out like this, though."

[clumsy_auror]

"No, I s'pose I wouldn't have."

She looks back, and gently bumps her knee against his.

"Feels pretty okay."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His arm slips around her again, and he leans his forehead against hers.

"Feels pretty good from over here, too."

[clumsy_auror]

Her hand goes to rest on his thigh, and 'Dora's small smile widens a bit. "So I guess not everything's gone to shit, then."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"No. Not everything." He kisses the tip of her nose.

[clumsy_auror]

"Plus there's the kids..."

Nymphadora settles her head against his shoulder, and pulls him closer into a half-hug.

"So maybe it's more like half shite, and half good stuff."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"So we break even, like most times," he grins. "Because there's always something."

[clumsy_auror]

A long sigh. "Yeah. There is. Guess it's good it's not boring, in any event."

For a moment she's quiet again, just listening to him breathe.

"D'you think Aziraphael will come home?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

His first instinct is to answer in the affirmative; because he needs to.

But Bernard stops. And thinks.

Answers honestly.

"No. Not for a while, at least."

[clumsy_auror]

"I don't think so, either. But I have to hope he'll come back someday."

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"Maybe you could write him a letter? See if he'll at least tell us where he is?"

[clumsy_auror]

A shake of her head. "He won't. But I'll write him. Just to remind him we're here."

Because mostly, Nymphadora's afraid he'll choose to just stay away. Or worse, forget.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

"All right."

They're quiet together for a moment. Bernard's head slips down to rest on her shoulder.

[clumsy_auror]

Their fingers thread loosely together, and Nymphadora tilts her head to kiss Bernard's forehead.

"Wanna go get some ice cream?"

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

He kisses her neck once, twice.

"Sure. But I reserve the right to kiss the hell out of you when we get back to the flat."

[clumsy_auror]

"Deal." A kiss to his cheek and then she stands and holds out her hand. "C'mon, then, they've got really good pistachio ice cream at the cafe just 'round the corner."