Business slowed and started again as the leaves changed from auburn golden hues to a crispy brown. Odile stared longingly out the window as the snow began to fall, missing her family once more as Christmas crept upon them. Fred joined her at her perch upon the bay window, pressing her body against his. She hummed in satisfaction as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling a blanket over her toes. They had begun a tradition at the end of the night, drinking mulled wine as they watched the people down below them living their lives. They saw young children running amok as their rather exhausted parents attempted to reign them in. Older couples shuffling along the cobblestones, clutching each other's arms, each one having eyes only for the other. The couple found themselves making up stories about the people they saw, why that man in the suit looked particularly perturbed, or why the lady in the long dress was smiling as wide as she was. Distractions helped.
The torture in the Reisinger mansion had taken quite a toll on the girl. She had developed a grey streak in her hair, one that seemed to mock her whenever she caught sight of it. Most nights, she woke up screaming, the forbidden curse still fresh in her mind. Fred would run in not long after, brushing the soaked hair from her forehead. He would rub soothing circles into her back, humming nonsensically, holding her as she cried. They'd found that alone time healing, their bodies pressed flush against each other, the closeness bringing some peace. While her physical wounds had healed, the emotional scars remained. She found herself staring at the mirror more and more often, her once curvy figure losing its form. Her nose had healed reasonably well, and she had joked to Fred that this was her karma from breaking his. He didn't seem to find that quite as funny as she did. She would scan her form after showers, the ghostly white scars on her hand still sending shivers up her spine. The bags under her eyes were heavier than ever before, but she didn't mind as much as she would've a few years ago. They showed strength, the strength she had to get up every morning and work through her trauma. She might have been bent, but she hadn't been broken.
"Where's your mind at love?" He murmured as she sighed, running a hand through her hair. She'd been growing it out unintentionally; hair that once fell to her waist now reached the dimples of her spine. She kept meaning to trim it, never actually following through.
"I'm just thinking about last Christmas; I wish we could go back." His heart ached for her, knowing how hard it must be to be separated from your entire family for so long. There was no safe way to floo, unfortunately, and both she and her family knew so. Even sending owls was a hazard, never knowing just who was watching the flight path. The minute she became involved with the Weasley's, her life was thrust into danger. It was a difficult pill for Fred to swallow, believing that he had put his love into the immediate crossfire. He knew that it was all his fault; had he just left her alone, she'd never have been involved. She would have graduated with everyone else rather than working her summer away, waiting for a mailed diploma.
"Penny, for your thoughts?" He glanced back at her when she spoke, eyeing him with a curious look. Finally, he sighed and tipped his head forward so that it was resting in her shoulder. She shuffled upwards so that the movement was more comfortable and held her breath, unsure of his answer.
"It's just… well, it's all my fault, right?" She sat up quickly, knocking his head off. Then, before he had even a moment to complain, she whirled around, fixing him with a narrowed glare.
"What is?" He sighed at her question, not exactly sure how to broach the topic. Well, the truth couldn't hurt, could it?
"Everything Odile. The fact you can't see your family, the fact that you're in constant danger. Merlin, even down to the fact you're working in a shop rather than doing something you're perhaps very passionate about. I've just ruined it all for you." He dropped his eyes from hers by the second word, afraid of the look on her face. The eyes that would agree with him, knowing the truth.
"Look at me, Fred. I mean it, look at me right now." He glanced up, fearing the expression awaiting him. But, instead, he was met with a gentle smile, her hand laced her fingers with his, moving her right one to cradle his cheek.
"Listen to me, loser," he chuckled at that, knowing her term of affection by now, "I chose this life the day I pushed you into that closet. I would not have it any other way, ok? You are my person, the reason I get up in the morning. Nothing is going to change that. I love our shop, I love my job, and most importantly, I love you." His breath caught in his throat as she returned the phrase he'd said so often. She'd never born the expression in that exact format, and he'd never really minded. He never thought it would be quite a big deal until this very moment.
"I love you, Fred Weasley," she repeated, pushing more emphasis into the phrase, "I have for a long while, and I wouldn't choose anything other than the life we have together. I want to walk down the aisle to you one day, Fred, and grow old with you. No Death Eater is going to change that." He blinked ever so slowly as if he didn't want to miss a moment. She let out a shaky breath once she finished speaking, searching his eyes for a semblance of agreement. He sat there for a moment, merely processing. She bit her lip, afraid of his response as the silence grew. Perhaps she had said too much too soon; maybe she'd frightened him off. Suddenly he lunged forward, grasping the back of her head as he pulled her into a searing kiss. She had no time to truly understand what had happened before she returned it, deepening the kiss.
It was passionate and needy. Two people trying to express a million feelings into one press of their lips. Emotions bloomed from their connection, a stream of light like electricity running from their heads to toes. A surging rush of sensation left them panting as they broke apart for a mere moment before being pulled back together as if by a magnetic force. The electricity rushed through them once more, Odile's mind going blank as she lived through feeling only. The firm pressure of his lips, brush of his hair against her hands. She pulled fistfuls of ginger hair tightly, climbing into his lap to pull him even closer.
Fred felt the fuzzy fabric of her cotton jumper from where his arms wrapped around her waist, wishing for the feeling of her smooth skin. He tugged at it gently, and she lifted her arms up, seemingly understanding his voiceless request. His arms circled her now bare waist, pulling her flush against his body. He began brushing his thumb at the base of her spine, causing shivers of pleasure in their wake. It wasn't long until she was yanking his shirt over his head; he broke the kiss for a millisecond to aid her before he was cupping her face in his hands. It was more than sexual attraction; it was desperation. The overwhelming need to feel each other, honest and bare. No secrets, no hiding, just two people stripped to their cores. She moaned wantonly into the kiss, and it took all his strength not to take her right there on the living room table.
He slowed down the pace slightly, rubbing small circles against her flushed cheeks with the pad of his thumb. She pulled back and stared at his dilated pupils, gasping for air. He pressed his lips against the palm of her hand, cradling her hand against his cheek. She blinked in surprise before tugging his face forward to meet hers, foreheads resting against one another. She placed a light kiss on his nose, giggling as he scrunched it in reply. She carded her hand through his hair, just staring into his eyes. He grinned dopily around her, and the sudden light in her heart was enough to push all unease or fear from her mind. All she wanted, all she ever had, was him. She smiled then, standing and dragging him with her. They reconnected once more as she led them to his bedroom, one body and one mind. She waved her hand as Fred's shaking fingers unbuckled her jeans, the door slamming shut with a resounding thud.
A/N: Everytime I post a new chapter I just keep thinking about how close we are to the end. I can't believe how far we've come, from blushing in the corridor to falling in love. Doing some re-writes on The Fate of Sun And Moon right now, I'll let you know when they're all posted. I've grown up a lot in the past 6 years, as has my ability to write. I'm trying to tie it in better with Take Flight, so there will be a bit more character development. I'll also post an update on said book, so if you're a returning reader, that will be the invite to re-read, se what's changed if you like.
Thank you to liveyourlife-Ria for following and favoriting! It's so appreciated. See y'all in the next one!