10. The Essentials – Égoïste - Chanel (Selfish)
Characters : Ron/HermioneWord count: 268
Behind the Burrow, summer of the seventh year
For seven years, words have come out of her mouth with sharp reproach. They have made him do things his mother would frown upon.
In their first year, he stretched his hand to grasp the last cookie. He chewed it with his mouth open so Harry would laugh and she would look at them with disgust.
In their second year, he asked her if Harry and he could be allowed to keep things to themselves so he could turn her away.
In their fourth year, he spoke hastily and he shouted: he asked her why Harry and he should share her with some other bloke so she would give him a truthful answer. He learned from Ginny that he made her cry.
In their sixth year, he snapped that Harry never asks anything from him so she would shut up already.
And on the verge of their seventh year, she still mouthes the words.
"You're acting so selfish, Ron," she said a few minutes ago, with fire in her eyes.
He almost cried with frustration. He hissed, "You're bloody unfair, Hermione. Don't you understand I think about you first?"
He did not add Harry's name this time. That left her silent.
He is laying on his back under the massive oak, his head on her lap. Her hand ruffles his hair. He is relishing the moment where a simple touch of her hand is enough to make him feel cherished. His lips still tingle from the kiss they shared.
Scolding words will certainly come. He opens his eyes: he deserves it this time. He is soaking in her affection, without even giving back. Does she know how much she is giving to him and how he wishes to give her everything he has? Does she know he fears it will never be enough for what she deserves?
But Hermione says nothing. She is smiling.
Ron is waiting for words that will never be spoken again.
Thank you for reading.