Word Count: 443
"Where have you been?" Rosmerta's lips purse, and her eyes narrow ever so slightly in a clear how dare you keep me waiting way.
"Uh… France," Kingsley answers, hoping his smile is enough.
She softens. At least she understands that he's doing his best. Since the war ended and he was made Minister, Kingsley has just been trying his best and hoping everything works out. Some days are better than others, but Rosmerta has been so wonderfully patient with him.
He stands at her side, holding her hand as he looks ahead at the little seaside cottage. "It's really ours," he says, incredulous.
It isn't much. Two bedrooms, one bath, and a cozy kitchen that opens onto the living room. Half of it has been overtaken by green ivy, and the other half is a little weathered from the sun and wind, but it is perfect. They are far away from London, in his case, and from Hogsmeade, in hers.
In the back of his mind, Kingsley knows he should be terrified. This is such a big step, and maybe there's a lot that can go wrong.
But he isn't afraid. Rosmerta's hand is in his, and he feels so anchored. Nothing could make him turn and run from this moment.
Rosmerta leans in, resting her head against his shoulder. "Not having second thoughts, are you?" she asks.
He chuckles, but the tremble is clear in the sound. It's funny, really. He's faced certain death so many times over the past couple of years. How many Death Eaters has he dueled? There were nights where he was so sure he wouldn't live to see another dawn, days when the odds were stacked against him in the most hopeless way.
It didn't matter. Bht this? He knows that commitment isn't the issue. He's been in love with the barmaid for as long as he can remember, and he's always known she's the one for him. Still, it's such a big change, and maybe there's a part of him that is afraid.
Kingsley smiles. It doesn't matter that he's trembling and uncertain. Rosmerta is everything to him.
"Not at all," he says before scooping her easily into his arms.
Rosmerta squeals, squirming though her heart is clearly not in the protest. "Put me down!" she says, giggling like a giddy schoolgirl.
"Nope. Gotta carry you over the threshold."
She playfully smacks his shoulder lightly. "That's only if we've just gotten married."
Kingsley pauses, pretending to consider for a moment. Grinning, he shrugs. "We'll get to that one day."
For now, all he cares about is this moment and being able to share it with her.