"Smitten my arse." Talbott huffed leaning over some papers spread on the library table. It was late in the night, silence registering clearly, every breath taken amplifying within the thin walls. This had been his dilemma for the past month, time in which he acted more distant towards Talia, remarks cold and harsh. The fact that Tonks kept teasing him on the subject did little to improve him mood.
Throwing his head back, a heavy sigh left his lips "Arse is right." Groaning, he tried to relax as he massaged his temples, headache pounding. He had been trying to work on some healing potions, make them better, however he was coming out empty handed, something was missing and he couldn't risk brewing a batch and getting it wrong, not with the limited resources at the camp.
He couldn't believe the thought crossed his mind more than once, but he needed Talia, a second pair of eyes wouldn't hurt. Where would he even start, with what apology? He had been rushing her, leaving without her, ignoring her altogether and while all that appeared to have quenched Jasper's tyranny for the time being, Talia did not appreciate it in the slightest.
Around this hour she would have been next to him inside the small library, eyes scanning muggle books, lifting them from time to time to analyse his work. Whenever he would as much as squint at her, Talia would finally set everything aside and pour herself over the parchments alongside him. Once his behaviour changed since he was adamant not to get too close, she would visit, give him space yet it was as if whatever she tried, nothing pleased him.
Talia then changed her tactics, just dropped by to bring him sandwiched or fruits whenever he skipped lunch. It was when she stopped coming altogether that he realised her presence was not as bad as he was trying to make it sound.
Putting aside the books used, he picked up his own notebooks and papers, heading to the dormitory. Like every night, the curtain was drawn, light from her lamp shining through. If he said nothing, she also remained silent. That night was no different, he couldn't bring himself to casually strike up a conversation.
It was late anyway, sleep being more important even if the weekend dawned on them, meaning there would be more hours in the day for researching and reading.
It took him a while to drift off, the pain licking his temples still burning, yet he managed to ignore it after some time. Covering his face with the pillow, all lights drowned, darkness overtaking him. Sleep finally came, however it was not in the sense he needed.
Dread clawed at his senses, darkness feeling as if it was sticking to his skin, invading him. There were screams being heard, sometimes as if a person was right in front of him, other times distant, howling through the thick air "Talbott." Jumping, he cut through the empty air as something touched him "Talbott." Panic erupted in his chest, heart beat wild, dark serpent marks marring skins "Talbott, wake up."
His eyes shot open, chest heaving, both hands being pinned above his head, Talia hovering over him. Taking a deep breath, he swallowed hard, feeling as if he had ran a marathon. Slowly long fingers unravelled from his wrists, Talia sitting up "Did I hit you?"
"No, I evaded it." Lowering his gaze from her, he just nodded sitting upright, cradling his head in the palm of his hands, breaths still uneven. Although hesitant, she reached out to him, finger tips grazing his hair. She jumped slightly when he grabbed her hand in one swift motion, however after a long exhale, Talbott remained in the same position, her hand being cradled by his. Slowly as to not startle him she pulled away, him letting her. There was absolutely no reason for her to comfort him, not with how he acted.
Stiffening he felt her sliding behind him on the bed, gently pulling him on her lap "Don't Talia." As she cradled his head at her chest, she rocked him slightly as she ran a palm up and down his back.
"You can Obliviate me if you truly see fit but I'm not leaving you alone tonight." Wrapping his arms around her waist, stopping all his protest he contemplated how he would deal with such a predicament. Of course it would be easy to erase her memories with a flick of his wrist and then what? Would he use the charm on himself to forget a stranger whom he treated wrong still go out of her way to ensure he was alright? No, not a stranger, his partner.
"I'm sorry." She hushed him slowly, hands wrapped around him, hair tickling his face "No, let me say it."
"Not now." Her voice was dimmed and she kept hushing him, arms trying to contain him whole if she could. Protest died slowly on his lips, breaths evening out eventually as she hummed softly a tune foreign to his ears, strong heartbeat steady singing in his ear.
"I see Death Eaters in my nightmares." Last tune left her lips as he shifted, looking up at her, her still gently stroking his hair. He wanted to tell her more that very moment, confess all the pain trapped inside and he knew she would listen to him, yet he couldn't, instead taking a different approach "Aren't you mad at me?"
Her focus shifted, eyes travelling to the wall in front of her for a moment. Looking back into his eyes, she closed the space between them, placing a soft kiss against his forehead, startled stare gazing at her as he slowly got up, lifting his head from her embrace "Now is not the time." Slowly his arms let her go, a reluctant gesture on his behalf "I won't speak of tonight, ever. You're safe with me."
Talbott froze in his retreat, insecurities surfacing by the dozen, suffocating him "I wish I could say the same." Pale fingers tips traced his hand, taking hold of it.
"Do you see any immediate danger?" smiling softly at his head shake made him relax slightly "Come back." Extending her arms out, he eventually went between her legs, back pressed against her chest, heart beating faster for different reasons.
"I'm too heavy." Trying to get up only made her pull him back, a huff leaving his mouth as he collided with her. Wrapping her arms around him, her cheek pressed against his, at that very moment Talbott being certain that she could feel the agitation in his chest "You're impossible."
Extending her left hand, a soft spoken chant brought before him flickers of light, like small fireflies dancing in the palm of her hands, glancing at her he tired his utmost best not to turn all the way given the closeness.
"You're wandless." Laughter bubbled in her chest as the makeshift fireflies continues to move around in unknown patterns.
"That's what you call it? We all are if we practice, magic is within us after all." Straightening her back against the wooden bed plank, he also positioned himself better as she spun for him stories of distant lands with golden sunsets in a hushed voice. Lights dancing before him brought forth fields of luscious green grass drowned in silver moonlight where lovers danced waking up fireflies, swarms of warm lights joining them.
He couldn't recall when sleep made his lids feel heavy calling him in a deep slumber, soothing voice reaching the back of his head.
When morning came he looked around surprised, Talia not even in sight. How she managed to get out of bed without waking him up was a mystery in itself, he usually was a light sleeper. On his desk a hot cup of coffee waited, by that alone he knew she had to have been in the room, not long ago. Close to it, a small glass bottle with dancing embers sat on top of a handwritten note "For all the nights drowned in darkness."
Sitting on the edge of the bed his mind wandered, how bad would it be to actually give her more to work with? Would it be so wrong to place a bit of trust in her hands?
Rushing to get dressed, he headed out of the room, searching in the kitchen. The early weekend morning showed him an empty space, sunshine making its way through the small windows. Inside the dining room, a few of the camp inhabitants were there, turning to look at him "Have any of you seen Talia Hayes?" a few head shakes was not what he wanted to see, however he quickly thanked them, running to the library, leaving behind confused stares.
Once more silence was all he met, everything being in the same place as he remembered. He woke up Tonks and Amy who of course had no idea where she was. Rubbing her eyes, Tonks half yawned, half tried to speak "What did she finally run off?" seeing him stare at the ground with that lost expression woke her up entirely "Oi Winger, don't get your knickers in a knot, Talia wouldn't."
But what if that line was actually true? What if after a month of him being so distant and cold, she finally decided enough is enough? What if the previous night alongside the message on his desk were actually a goodbye?
"I still haven't searched everywhere." He ignored Tonks calling back to him. Talia hasn't left the camp since they last went for drinks together, but then again what's to say she wouldn't? It wasn't like he owned her, he didn't always tell her where he was going, but he had a predictable pattern.
Not in the medical room.
Not on the training grounds.
Not in any of the study rooms.
Stepping outside of the camp, he took in the crowd of people walking about, eyes searching for her auburn hair. What did Talia like to do? Running his hands through his hair he realised that was not knowledge he possessed. Talbott didn't invest time in getting to know his partner.
What if she actually took last night's confession about Death Eaters as a burden onto herself and went looking for trouble? Or research him and his family?
All thoughts collided inside his ripe mind, scenarios both plausible and ridiculous surfacing as he made his way to Diagon Alley, which appeared more crowded than usual. Taking in the atmosphere the realisation soon came as he stared at hearts and cheer all around "Great, Valentine's day." Maybe she had a boyfriend, someone from another school that she attended and came to see her in the weekend? Not like she had to tell him that.
Suddenly he felt like a fool for coming all that way, she had no reason to relate to him her whereabouts, partner or not. Turning back he kept berating himself for even feeling the way he did and it wasn't even because he wasn't used to feeling as he did. But at the back of his head other ideas formed, some of them louder than others.
Upon opening the heavy wooden door to the camp, red and pink were the first things he saw, Tonks pointing a finger at Talbott. A small thank you left Talia's lips before she made her way to him "Morning, I figured you would sleep in for once." She kept watching the anger latching onto his face, smile fading slightly.
"I thought you left." The confession took them both by surprise, Talbott staring at her with wide eyes, her forehead creasing however since it was out, the damage was done. Rubbing the back on his head, stare lingering at the ground "I haven't been the best partner lately, I would have understood if you had."
"Permission to touch?" a shy nod was provided after he ensured no one was in sight. Talia's hands brought him closer in a hug, one he did not answer to, but did not pull back from either "I had to pick up a parcel and get bread since there isn't any. I'm not going anywhere, but you will make it up for being a twat." Rolling his eyes he waited for her demand "Today is Valentine's day so we're going out on a date." Letting him go she smirked "Dress up mister Winger, I have plans."
"Great, dating." and how did he manage to go back to last name basis "Aren't you even going to ask if I want to go on a date with you?"
Raising her brows she indulged him "Fair enough, do you not want to go on a date with me?"
He did not expect that, he figured she would tell him there is no choice on the matter "It's not that." Taking a small breath in he rearranged his thoughts "I don't really do dates." Even if her brows were raised, Talia managed to cock one up even higher "But I'll try it, for you." her eyes softened as she smiled. At least he did this right.