You took a deep breath, the very image of finding Percival fast sleep upon his desk was still playing upon your mind. It has now most definitely been burnt into your memory. One of the few positive ones that had emerged this time around.
It was still very early on and you had yet to make a decision on the course of action you were to take. You did not know what he thought of you, there were times that you wished that the skill of Legilimency was one that you possessed, instead of Occlumency. You could shield your mind, protect the very thoughts that lay within but not read another's mind to discover what you desperately wished to know.
You couldn't act in haste, try to force him to reveal his hand. You had tried once before, it had not ended well. It had been the first time around, in the years after his original death. You had acted foolishly, grief driving you to barrel your way into his life, his heart only to be met with confusion, anger and ultimately rejection. The rawness of the open wound at the core of your being drove you to act out upon discovery. It had ultimately left you broken and alone.
With hindsight, looking back upon those days, you found sympathy in the tragic circumstances. Most if they were like you, endlessly chasing the life that had once been yours would have acted the same way.
You swore to yourself, never again. You would never be that person again, you knew better after all this time. It had allowed you to grow and appreciate what you had been given. You had been given more time.
Each encounter was a new life, a new personality and a new set of rules to discover. For no two reincarnations were the same, they all wore the same face, possessed that wicked smile that took your breath away. At the end of the day, they were completely different men. With differing personalities to experience one way or another.
The one that came before, Tristan. He was truly gone. This truth was a hard pill to swallow but in the end, there was no other way but to accept it and move forward. For he had walked back into your life once more. This was a new beginning. With new chances, new opportunities. This always filled you with excitement and dread in equal doses as a question rose up. One that always did.
Would past memories find their way to the surface? Would he find you familiar?
For there had been occasions in the past, where slivers of memories slipped through into slumber. It had been an opening for you, into his life. A way back in. However, Percival gave nothing away. He held all his cards close to his chest. You would not give up but at the same time, you would not force a connection to form.
You would not hurt him, not now nor ever. Your beloved meant far too much to you to act selfishly. You had to think of his feelings as you walked each life with him. He was not always meant to be yours but you would forever remain his. His friend, his protector, his lover, his family through and through.
You smiled as you continued through the daily mountain of tasks, never complaining but enjoying just being part of his routine. It was a small role but it would be enough, even if he didn't let you all the way in. You would have other chances, other lifetimes to find your way back into his arms.
For now, that small moment would carry you through into the day that came after, and the one after that. Every small interaction warmed your heart, reminding you why you were here. Percival Graves was your reason for getting up each morning. He was your sun, even if you were never his.
No matter what came next, you would keep moving forward, for there was no going back. Not for you.
The day passed as quick as most did, in a blink of an eye. Scattered throughout were a few minor encounters. Small, tiny blink and you'd miss it moments. Interactions that to many would be nothing short of ordinary. The kind that most employees wandered into on an average workday, but to you, they were so much more than that.
You were watching him at his best, working to ensure the security of all those under his care. He was the protector of the wizarding population of America, charged with their unwavering safety in these most uncertain of times. You were there, watching it all unfold from within his department.
You softly smiled, as you sorted through the varying reports. Sorting them into piles of priority for tomorrow's meeting with the Madam President. Your working day was done but yet, you lingered on. Just making sure that you had completed the entirety of your workload to the letter. You did not want to disappoint Mr Graves. He was still your boss, regardless of what you felt.
You were lost in your own thoughts that you did not notice that his office door had opened, until the familiar sound of it being pulled closed brought you up and back to reality. You jumped, startled by the noise as you raised your gaze from your desk. Only to find your eyes locked with his. Your boss, one Mr Percival Graves. You had not expected this but then again, he was the first one to arrive and the last to leave each night.
There was a curiosity that lingered within his piercing stare, as if he was trying to understand the very sight before him. It was most interesting but at the same time, it sent a shiver down your spine. He cut an intimidating individual to say the very least but this had never truly bothered you. It drew you further in.
"Good evening Miss L/N"