A/N: This is written for the Word Count challenge which had to feature a fic that was 350 words long with the prompts Cygnus Black, yellow and the first quote of the fic. Enjoy.

)o(

"I like it when you hold my hand."

Druella's voice beside him was quiet and slightly hesitant, but it drew Cygnus' gaze from the overreaching oak tree in the yard. He titled his head to the girl beside him her sapphire eyes hidden behind her lashes and her yellow hair flowing in the wind. He was not was ignoring her, but he simply had nothing to say. It was easier to examine other things. He knew he did not need to talk just to fill the silence with pointless rabble.

Cygnus nodded slowly his gaze rotating under his square frames to look down at their hands restring on the metal frame. There was not even an inch between them. Her nails were perfectly manicured, her skin looked soft and tempting, but he glanced back up at Druella's pink cheeks.

"I know that is not all that matters. Our family lines, connections and suitableness matter but when we enter a room hand in hand..." she trailed off a little though it seemed more an endearing action rather than meekness. "It has to make things either. It has to mean something."

Cygnus was a little surprised by her words- not what they were but what they meant and that they were expressed. He and Druella had been engaged for a month. Their courting and their partnership had been orchestrated by their families, but neither teenager had disagreed; they had been dutiful and expressed pleasure at a proper match. Of course, he had Druella had conversed a little and said that they were happy with the other, though any further feelings went unsaid.

However, Cygnus knew how he felt. Looking at Druella's smooth flawless skin, her silky yellow hair and her tight curves hidden under her robes, of course Cygnus found her attractive. Of course he wanted to touch her hand. He wanted to touch more than that, but that was inappropriate, especially to air such thoughts to a proper lady when she was not yet his wife.

So, instead of saying anything, Cygnus' lips twisted upwards as he reached for her hand.