She
leads me through moonlight
Only to burn me with the sun
She's
taken my heart
But she doesn't know what she's done
Patrick Swayze
Later that night, Bill was having difficulty sleeping. He tossed and turned for what felt like hours and hours before getting up and walking down to the kitchen. Careful not to wake anyone else, he walked as quietly as possible through the big, dark house. Once he was done the stairs, he made his way into the kitchen. There, he conjured a cup of hot tea and sat at the table.
He knew full well why he couldn't sleep, but for the life of him he couldn't understand it. He shouldn't be thinking that way, wasn't right or fair. But he couldn't get her out of his mind. She was like an itch he couldn't scratch, an ache that wouldn't go away. Why couldn't he stop thinking about Aysia?
She hasn't been back in my life for even a week and look at what she's done to me! Just because I fancied her the tiniest bit in seventh year doesn't mean anything now…does it? I mean, I'm happily engaged to a great girl. I love Fleur, I do. So why do I keep thinking about Aysia, wondering what she doing, who she's with? Why did I keep getting jealous when Charlie started flirting with her during the chess tournament Friday night? The thoughts just kept coming, not slowing down one bit. "Oy," he muttered to himself and put his head on the table.
There was a noise from the living room, and Bill picked his head up. It was his mother, coming down for something. "Good night, Mum," he told her.
Mrs. Weasley bit back a scream and jumped back at the sound of her son's voice. "Oh my, Bill dear, right start you gave me," she told him and walked toward the table, conjuring her own cup of tea. "What are you doing down here so late at night?"
"Nothing, Mum, just couldn't sleep."
"Any reason?" she asked him, although she was sure she knew the answer. No one could read her children the way she could and she saw his face tonight. Especially when he was around Aysia.
"Well, I have this friend at work, right? He's engaged to a really great girl, but a girl he used to be in love with and lost before he told her is now back in his life. So, now he's not sure of what to do. He doesn't want to hurt his fiancée, but he's not sure if she the one for him anymore," he told her. He loved his mother, and needed advice, but wasn't ready to let her know everything just yet.
Molly suppressed a smile and sat down next to her son. "I'm not sure I can help you friend, dear. But he should consider everyone's feelings before doing anything. His heart will tell him the right decision. Tell him everything will work itself out for the best, and not to do anything rash," she said and patted his arm.
He smiled at her, "Thanks, Mum, I'll let him know."
She finished her tea and kissed his cheek. "Don't stay up too much longer, Bill dear, you'll be exhausted tomorrow," she told him and stood.
"I won't Mum," he said.
"Well, good night, dear. See you in the morning," she said and traipsed back up the stairs and to her room.
It's not like I can give her what she deserves. I mean, look at me, I'm damn near a werewolf for heavens sake! She's out of my league. Merlin, I'm starting to sound like Remus!
Bill sighed and leaned his head back, closing his eyes. He had hoped his mother would give him something to go off of, but instead she warned him not to do anything he would regret. He sighed again.
At the sound of someone clearing their throat, he opened his eyes and glanced to the doorway. As if to make matters worse, there was Aysia, looking back at him. She looked beautiful in the moonlight, dressed in her matching pants and tank top pajamas, her hair slightly tousseled. She offered him a smile and came a little closer.
"Hi," she said and stopped in front of him. She couldn't help but notice the way he looked sitting there in the moonlight, in nothing but a pair of pajama pants, his hair hanging loosely, free of it's pony tail.
He smiled back at her. "Guess I'm not the only one who can't sleep tonight," he said. "Pull up a chair."
She moved closer and sat beside him. "Why can't you sleep?" she asked him. "Does it have to do with our conversation earlier?"
He shook his head. "No, it doesn't. It's something completely different, actually."
"Anything I can help you with?" she asked.
"No, not really. It's one of those things you have to sort out for yourself."
"Oh, well, if you change your mind, let me know," she offered.
"I will," he told her. "So, why can't you sleep?"
"New surrounding," she replied quickly. If I told you the real reason you'd jump out of that chair and hurry back to your room. If you knew it was you that kept me awake, I would die of embarrassment.
"Well, don't worry too much. The shadows in this house are pretty friendly and I know for a fact there are no monsters lurking about anywhere," he told her.
She laughed and playfully punched his shoulder. "Thanks for the reassurance, I feel much safer going back up to bed now," she said and stood up.
"I think I'm going to go back to bed myself," he said and stood with her.
She walked closer to him and gave him a warm hug. She smelled of honeysuckle and rain, simple and light. He hugged her back and she stepped away. As she turned to walk away, Bill did something he never thought he would do. He caught her hand in his, wrapped the other around her neck, and kissed her gently and softly. When their lips met, he felt her tense. He leaned away ever so slightly and looked into her eyes. He could see confusion, but there was something else…could it be longing?
Aysia was confused, this is what she wanted, but why did it feel so wrong? Before she could say anything Bill kissed her again, this time harder and more passionate. As the fireworks exploded within her, she lost all thought and he could feel the tension start leave her body. He pulled back again and began to trail kissed over her jaw. He felt her shiver as his lips reached her ear and lifted a hand to the back of his head. They separated for a moment to catch their breath before she brought her lips to his and he nibbled gently on her bottom lip before kissing her again. He released her hand and his arms found their way around her waist as she moved so that she was leaning against the table.
Suddenly, Bill came to his senses and abruptly pulled his head back. Aysia let out a frustrated sigh.
"Aysia, I … we can't do this," he panted, trying to catch his breath.
"Why not?" she replied equally out of breath.
"Because … I … you … we … can't" He could feel her warm breath on his cheek and he was finding it increasingly difficult to think with her so close. "Just give me some time to think about this, Aysia, please?" he asked, his voice strained.
She nodded and stepped around him. As he watched her walk away from him, back to her bed, he wanted to call out to her, but he stopped himself. He needed time think before anything else happened. He sighed and made his way back up to his bed. Once he got there, he laid down, but didn't fall asleep until just before the sun came up. Try as he might, he couldn't stop feeling as if he had betrayed not only Aysia and Fleur, but himself as well.
Aysia couldn't believe what happened down in the Weasley kitchen. She was laying under the covers of her bed, her body turned to look out of the window. She sighed, thinking about it.
Bloody Hell, why did I kiss him back? Why? Because I've been in love with him since I was seventeen? I shouldn't have, look at the way he acted. He couldn't get away from me fast enough. And what about the whole 'time to think' bit? I just wish I wasn't so confused! Damn it, Bill Weasley, why do you do this to me?
She buried her face into her pillow and sighed again. There was nothing to be done now. What's done is done and nothing could change that. She didn't think she would even if she could. She rolled back over on her side and fell into a fitful, restless sleep.
(WC: 1,446)