Written for the Hogwarts' OTP War: (Trope) "Friends" having to share a bed.

Word count: 813

you and me, babe, we'll be fabulous

"There's only one bed," Hermione noted out loud with some discomfiture. It was a big bed, granted, but still. It was just one bed. I didn't sign up for this, she thought with some panic as she watched Ron practically collapse on the bed, dropping his bag by the left side.

"What's the matter? It's not like it's the first time we share, you know," Ron said. "Besides, they said this was the only room left, and I don't know about you, but I don't really feel like trying for another hotel right now."

As she sat down next to him gingerly, Hermione nodded absently. "I suppose you're right," she sighed, biting her lips. Drifting, her eyes found Ron. He had his eyes closed, and he looked so relaxed and peaceful like this—so handsome—that Hermione's heart twanged in her chest.

She should be used to these feelings by now, and yet they always seemed to be able to take her by surprise.

Hermione had been half in love with Ron Weasley for what felt like most of her life—which, considering how long they had known each other, wasn't that far from the truth—and nothing felt more devastating than to know her love wasn't requited.

Still, it meant she was unable to resist him for anything, so when he had asked for company on his road trip, Hermione had told him that she didn't have anything better to do. It wasn't exactly a lie, per se, but considering the knowing looks Harry and Ginny had sent her when she had answered much too quickly, her crush wasn't as discreet as she thought it was.

"You're staring," Ron said, and his voice dragged her out of her musing suddenly.

"I'm not," Hermione lied, fighting to control the rise of her blush and avoiding his eyes.

"I'm sure," Ron smirked, before standing up. What he was doing didn't register until he had taken off his shoes and shirt and was unbuttoning his pants, and Hermione squealed as she whirled around.

"You do realize this is nothing you haven't seen before, right?" Ron said teasingly. "I mean, we did spend a week at the beach together."

Hermione wasn't sure where Ron had found this confidence, but she wasn't sure she liked it very much (it was a lie: she loved it).

"Well, this is different," she stated mulishly.

"How so?"

"Well, we've never slept together before," Hermione blurted out, immediately wishing the ground could swallow her up. This was why she usually didn't leave her books.

Ron laughed. "Relax, Hermione, your virtue is safe with me. But if it bothers you that much, I can always sleep on the ground," he added kindly.

"Of course not! If anyone has to sleep on the ground, it should be me! For God's sakes, you just spent the whole day driving, you deserve a proper rest," she replied, incensed.

Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm not letting you sleep on the ground, Hermione. My family would never forgive me—can you imagine what Mum would say if she found out?"

Hermione shivered. She loved Molly, but Ron was right. He'd never hear the end of it if Hermione slept on the ground and he in the bad. "I guess we could share then," she sighed, steeling herself.

"Great. Now I'm going to take a shower, so pick a side in the meantime?"

Hermione didn't mean to, but she fell asleep as she waited for Ron to return from the bathroom. She didn't notice the awfully fond smile he wore on his lips when he stumbled out of the bathroom, skin still wet in places, and saw her half undressed and sprawled on the right side of the bed.

She didn't notice the way he tucked her in and softly brushed her hair out of her face before sighing deeply. She didn't hear the way he said her name, or the heartbreaking "I wish," that left his lips just before he turned off the lights and joined her in sleep.

She did notice this though: when she woke up, she was warm and pressed against a body that seemed to support her perfectly, and Ron's hair was nuzzled against her neck. It was heaven, and it was hell, and she didn't want to leave this moment ever again.

But eventually, Ron's breathing pattern changed, and he drew back a little.

"Hi," Hermione said, suddenly at a loss for words.

"Hi," Ron replied, voice sounding rough with sleep.

She wanted to kiss him then, more than she had ever wanted to before. He looked… there weren't words for the way he looked at her right then, and so, with courage Hermione didn't think she'd ever have, she leaned in and closed the few inches between their faces.

And Ron kissed her back.