"Tell me a story," Victoire murmurs, curling against his side.
Teddy looks up from his notes from work, brows raised. "Aren't you a little old for stories?" he teases, setting the notes on the table and leaning back, one arm wrapping around her lithe body.
"You're never too old for a good story."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Who says I have any good stories to tell?"
"Because you're Teddy Lupin," she answers, as though this is enough of an explanation.
"And you're Victoire Weasley. Now that we know each others' names..."
With a mock pout, she playfully shoves him. "Don't get smart with me, mister," she warns.
"Would you prefer I get dumb?"
He likes the way she blushes, the color transforming her skin into berries and cream. Teddy cranes his neck, kissing the patch of pink over her cheeks.
"Are you going to tell me a story or not?"
"Fine. Once upon a time-"
"Cliche," she says with a dramatic yawn.
"Do you want a story or not?"
Trying to look contrite and failing hopelessly, Victoire sinks back against him, lips curling into a grin. "Go on."
"Once upon a time, there was a girl named Victoire who wanted to hear a story."
"Was she pretty?"
"The most beautiful girl in the world, actually," Teddy confirms with a nod. "Are you going to keep interrupting?"
"Sorry." Victoire presses her lips into a tight line, using her fingers to gesture zipping them.
"Her boyfriend Teddy couldn't think of a story because he had other things on his mind," he continues, his heart beginning to hammer in his chest. "If she would have asked him what he was thinking about, he would have lied and said work, but there was something even more important. So he began speaking to her, pretending to tell her and story until he could get to a good enough point to ask her to marry him."
Victoire draws back, eyes searching his face as though she can't quite believe what she's heard. For several seconds, she's silent. Then, "Did Victoire say yes?"
Teddy grins. "I'm not sure yet. See, this story is a collaboration, and I'm waiting for the other author to add to it."
With a laugh, Victoire presses a soft kiss to his neck. "She said yes," she murmurs. "And they lived happily ever after."
"Now you're the one being cliche."