A/N: Written for 'The painfully bad and/or awkward kisses challenge' by Alarice Tey.
Ronald, What Have You Done?!
'This is nice, isn't it?' said Ron, reaching across the table to hold Hermione's hand. Not looking, Hermione took her hand away to brush some hair out of her eyes.
Ron sighed. They were on their first real date since the war ended, and it wasn't going well.
First off, Ron had woken up with a cold. He tried not to aggravate it, but it simply was not going away.
Second, Hermione seemed distracted, and barely talked. She was probably worried about her parents, who were still in Australia under the names Wendell and Monica Wilkins. Hermione's being quiet resulted in Ron rambling to fill the silence.
Thirdly, they were at a Muggle restaurant, which meant Hermione would have to pay. A good gentleman should always pay, Ron thought. He drummed his fingers on the table.
'One small steak, well-done, a chicken salad, and a bacon burger,' said the waiter, putting their food on the table and jerking Ron out of his doze. He lunged across the table for his steak, accidentally upsetting Hermione's salad dressing onto her skirt.
'Ronald, what have you done?!' she yelped, leaping up and blotting at the stain.
'I'm sorry, I'm sorry!' he cried, handing her his napkin. She accepted it, wetting it with a little water and dabbing at her skirt. When she was convinced the stain would not come out without proper washing, she flopped back down in a huff. She didn't speak to him while they ate, and although he knew she wasn't too angry, he still felt ashamed.
Amazingly, the couple got through the dinner without another mishap, and when they had paid the bill, Ron said, 'Would you like to go for a walk? There's a lovely beach nearby.'
Hermione smiled. 'Alright.' As they stood up, Hermione dropped her napkin. Both reached down to pick it up, knocking heads.
'Ouch!' Ron yelled, straightening up and clutching his head.
'Ron!' Hermione snatched up the napkin and dropped it on the table, and they walked out of the restaurant, still rubbing their heads.
They walked down to the beach. Hermione took off her shoes and held them in her hand as she walked in the still-warm sand. Suddenly, she turned around and faced Ron.
'I do love you. You know that, right Ron?' she said, searching his face for an answer.
'Even though I spilled dressing on your skirt?' he chuckled.
'Yes,' she giggled.
'And even though I bumped heads with you?'
'Even then.' She leaned in for a kiss. Finally, Ron thought. It was looking good, until -
'ACHOO!' Ron sneezed just as she opened her mouth. She clamped it closed again.
'Ew!' Hermione shrieked, spitting onto the sand. She wiped her mouth over and over again. Then she looked at Ron with a pained expression.
'Ron,' she started sharply, and he groaned inside. 'You are obviously sick, so go home, please.' With that, she turned on the spot and Apparated back home.
Ron grumbled to himself. He never could catch a break.