"Hello to you too," his deep voice replied. He was dressed in a casual pair of crimson robes, along with a black jumper and dark wash jeans. He had picked up quite the muggle fashion taste after transitioning with Hermione back and forth between communities. He had also improved his English. "Is everything alright? I vas vorried." She sighed and walked into his open arms, the familiar embrace soothing her frayed nerves.
"It has been a long, long week," she admitted. He kissed her forehead and eyed her suspiciously.
"No Veritaserum this time, right?" He asked hesitantly. She couldn't contain the laugh that escaped her, carting the bottle of Firewhiskey off to the kitchen. Last time he had come over, they had not seen each other in three months. He had been visiting his parents in Bulgaria, while she had been deep in vampire regulations. When he had returned, they had drank their weight in liquor at the Ragglin Pub down the road before coming back to her flat. There, Hermione drunkenly challenged him to a game of "truth or truth" which consisted of downing veritaserum and having a way too serious conversation about their feelings. They had both admitted to not being in love with the other and agreed it was still acceptable to sleep together from time to time.
No time like the present. They had shagged themselves into exhaustion, the sun rising as they had drifted off to sleep.
When they awoke that morning, the potion had worn off, and Viktor had been furious with her. After much discussion, they soon realized that perhaps noncommittal sex from time to time wasn't all that horrible. In fact, it could be..beneficial.
"No Veritaserum, I promise," she smiled. He visibly relaxed, kicking off his trainers and throwing his robes on the loveseat near the fireplace. "Unless you're back to being in love with me?" He laughed, shaking his head and settled into her favorite chaise.
"No Mia," he sighed, "although my parents both vish it were so. They send their love and ask vhy you haven't visited."
She sighed, pouring them both doubles. She heard the doorbell ring and rushed outside to see Wayne driving away. Finally!
She set up their takeout on the coffee table, while thinking of Mister and Mrs. Krum. His parents were absolutely delightful, and she missed them terribly. She vocalized this to Viktor as she set up his pork cutlets.
"I'm just so busy, Vik. I barely have time to do anything."
"Yes, like eat I see. Have you been skipping lunch again?" His dark eyes bore into hers, his brows furrowed in agitation.
"I may have skipped a few here and there. But you know how I get, I.."
"No Mia!" he exclaimed. "You promised you vould start taking care of yourself. Do I have to yell at Potter again?"
"You bloody won't," she warned, angrily cutting into her meal. She took a sip of her Firewhiskey and stared sheepishly back at him. "I know, I'm bad. I've been overworked. I had an awful week. I promise to eat more, and sleep more. Let's just not bicker over it. It's not why I asked you over for takeout."
He relaxed and eyed her suspiciously. When it finally dawned on him, he laughed heartily, taking a full gulp of Firewhiskey.
"So it was that kind of week?" He smirked knowingly.
"Yes," she huffed. "I hired Draco Malfoy today as an Unspeakable. I've heard so much shit in the last eight hours I want to scream."
"Vell, he vas nothing but a prick to you Mia," he said carefully. "But, if you think he is a great match for your projects, then who are we to judge?"
"Finally, the voice of reason!" She sighed before stealing a dumpling off of his plate. "He's different now. Pleasant actually. Not sure if it is because I'm technically his boss or because he is actually a reasonable human now. Only time will tell."
"I heard he vas better," Viktor added. Since when did he finish all of that food? "He ran into Mattius last week, who had nothing but good things to say."
"How is Mattius? I haven't seen him in some time." Mattius was Viktor's best mate. He was a childhood friend who had avoided all things Quidditch and became a financial analyst in the muggle world. His wife, Elena, had become a Healer at BERLIN INFIRMARY, a magical hospital specializing in dark magical curses. She also worked shifts in the local muggle hospital as an ER physician. Hermione had been thinking about adding her to the Lycanthropy project for some time now. She definitely needed to phone her once Draco had gotten started.
"He is vell. He of course, sends his love," Viktor replied, stretching out on the couch. "Elena too. Since I'm back in town, we'll schedule dinner with them soon?"
"Yes, perfect," Hermione agreed. "Although I do need to speak with Elena about work things."
"Of course you do," he sighed, moving over on the sofa and gesturing beside him. He waved his wand and sent all of the takeout neatly into the garbage pail across the room. She grabbed her tumbler of firewhiskey and moved to sit beside him, his arm tucking her into his side. He sighed contently, brushing aside her mop of hair to expose her neck. His fingers danced along the skin there, and she felt herself sink further into the couch and his warmth. "Vhy have you been stressing so much, Mia? You know it von't do any good."
"It's not that I plan on it Vik," she murmured. She sipped her firewhiskey, feeling the gentle warmth of the alcohol rekindle her body. "I just want to do a good job."
"And you have!" He shouted exasperated. "All of your work vill not matter vhen you burn yourself out. You aren't just hurting yourself vhen you stress. People need you to be taken care of. Potter, the Veasleys, me," he added. "Ve all care about you in some way, and vant you be healthy and happy."
"I appreciate it, really I do," she sighed. "I just get caught up sometimes."
"Have you been dating?" He asked, tugging on a rogue curl that had twisted around his finger.
"Define dating," she mumbled.
"Hey! Ve talked about this. You need someone who will take care of you. Yes I know you are an independent woman," he huffed as she began interrupting him. "Not in the barbaric sense. But you need someone you can depend on, mentally, emotionally, physically," he said tugging roughly on the curl. "I failed you as a partner, and I know I vill be unable to ever give you that. Our schedules never matched up, ve vent veeks without seeing each other. That is unhealthy," he stressed. She nodded into his shoulder, settling down. "You deserve someone who vill give you all of it. You are beautiful, kind, and deserving of someone who will take care of you vhen you cannot care for you."
"It's not like I have a line outside," she said. "Being the youngest Minister, although extremely rewarding, has this major setback. I think every Minister has been married with two generations of grandchildren by the time they took off. Minus Kingsley," she added. "When I date, are they seeing Hermione Granger? War heroine? Or Minister? It's very stressful," she finished lamely.
"And now you know vhy I've only seriously dated you," he chuckled. "It vill not be easy for you. I know you vant a normal life, you just need some patience." He took a large gulp of his drink and settled back into the couch.
"I'm doomed," she whined.
"You are not. Your energies are otherwise spent," he said squeezing her arm. "Speaking of energies spent, you look exhausted. I'm going to use the loo then start us a hot bath. Ve vill continue this conversation in there."
"I just took a shower," she resisted.
"But not a bath." With no room to argue Hermione nodded, lost in her thoughts. He kissed her forehead again, before walking off towards the bathroom, his heavy footsteps familiar across the dark wooden floors. She sighed deeply, the weight of the week and the loneliness that had been hovering in the dark corner of her mind weighing her down. She heard the toilet flush followed by the start of the water running in the bathtub. She drowned the rest of the firewhiskey and headed towards the peace awaiting her.
Viktor smiled when she walked in, holding out his hands to grasp hers. He reached for the hem of her shirt, his eyes seeking hers for permission. She smiled, lifting her arms straight in the air, allowing him to peel her shirt off her frame. He tossed it behind his shoulder, the garment landing softly into her laundry bin. He bent down on one knee, dragging his hands from her waist to her bottoms, tugging them down smoothly. He turned to the medicine cabinet, grabbing the bottle of honey bubble bath and poured a generous amount into the steaming water. Hermione slipped out of her bra and panties before grabbing hold of Viktor's hand and sinking in.
"Good?" He asked, shrugging off his jumper. Hermione surveyed him appreciatively, mumbling a "yes" as he continued to undress. His broad shoulders were still as defined as ever, especially since preseason friendlies had begun. A soft dusting of brown hair covered his chest and trailed more noticeably into the waistband of his briefs. He had a particularly ugly scar across his left shoulder from a bludger that had left its mark. His abdomen was split into six neat muscles that rippled under the skin as he shimmied out of his bottoms. Viktor Krum was every woman's dream man, and yet here he was casually undressing to jump in a bubble bath with her. He sighed audibly and grabbed her feet, placing them gently on his thighs beneath the water's surface.
"I do miss our Friday night ritual," he admitted, working the tension out of the pads of her feet. She hadn't even realized they'd been aching.
"I do too. But we are both damned to loneliness." She slipped deeper into the bath, the water covering the tops of her shoulders. He laughed, flicking the surface water into her direction.
"Ve know that is not true. Our agreement remains," he said, rubbing his hands over her calves. She was putty in his hands.
"I highly doubt you will succumb to the institution that is marriage, Vik."
"If ve are both still single in two years time then I will be," he countered. They had agreed that if they were both single on Hermione's thirty fifth birthday, they would marry and start a family. A silly agreement made the night they had decided to officially end their romantic relationship.
"Sure."
"Ve vill se," he teased, his brown eyes shining brightly at her. "Everything vill be OK one way or another."
"I know. I'm scared I'll never feel so comfortable with someone as I have you."
"Mia," he chided softly. "Vith that attitude, you'll get nowhere. Ve are the exception and very unique. Most lovers have never been who ve are and seen vhat we've seen. You are comfortable with Potter and Veasley, the difference being you have sex vith me," he smiled, laughing softly. "You vill love again. Until you do, I vill be here for you first as your best friend. And vhatever else you need me to be in the meantime."
"You're right, I'm just sulking and had too much firewhiskey," she said, rubbing her foot against him.
"Yes and yes," he smiled. They stayed like that for some time, with Hermione casting warming charms on the water every few minutes to keep it warm. Viktor had his head against the marble tile, his face relaxed as he soaked. Hermione mimicked him, leaning her head back against the cool tile. She hadn't felt this peaceful all week.
"Do you feel better?"
"A little," she admitted. "We need to go for a run in the morning." He groaned wiggling his toes on either side of her thighs.
"Vhy must you torture me? I'm not made to run, I'm made to fly," he complained.
"You need more of it," she laughed. "I thought I saw a little pudge when you hopped in." He gasped, clearly affronted.
"I do not have pudge!" He said defiantly.
"I dunno," she smiled. "I might need a closer look."
He immediately smiled, standing in the tub proudly. He hopped out, wrapping the towel around his waist. He gestured for her to follow, and she rinsed the suds off her body before stepping out. He wrapped the towel around her, giving her bum a soft pat. She snorted, hugging the towel to her body to encase the glorious heat. Viktor gave her bare shoulder a kiss before heading towards her bedroom.
Hermione stared at herself in the mirror, her eyes glazed from the Firewhiskey. She felt her heart start racing and walked into her bedroom.
Viktor laid contentedly on what had been his side of the bed. She laughed, shaking her head and hopped onto her side. Any other normal person would clearly have major issues with what was about to happen. But neither of them had ever been that normal. The cold sheets sharply contrasted the fire running through her veins.
"Come here," he murmured. She nestled into him, his body even warmer than hers. "Vhen was the last time you vere taken care of?" He asked quietly. One hand cradled her head, the other spread flat against her soft stomach.
"Months," she groaned embarrassed.
"That vill not do," he scolded. His hand cupped her breast, kneading it carefully. "Ve vill fix that." He moved and was over her instantly, his body nestled between her legs. She felt his hard length against her center, but he was never one to rush these things.
The simple weight of a man on hers was both comforting and highly erotic. He cupped her head and touched his lips down to hers, years of practice electrifying her instantly. His hands trailed down to her hips, pulling her tighter against him. She groaned and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She had always loved them.
Viktor looked into her eyes, his own reflecting the lust she surely felt. His hand moved from her hip down, and she spread her legs in anticipation of his touch. Almost reverently, he ran his hand from her bellybutton to her bare hot center. He looked up and Hermione nodded before he pushed a digit inside of her. She couldn't help the moan that escaped her; it had been even longer since she touched herself.
"Mia," he moaned softly, taking his fingers from her and sucking them. He looked incredible, his eyes dark as he tasted her. He slipped two fingers back inside, working her slowly while his other hand found the tiny bundle of pleasure and began rubbing slowly.
"Fuck." She rolled her hips into his hands, earning a deep groan from him. "I'm not going to last."
"Don't hold back," he urged huskily. "I'm yours to use tonight." She moaned as he worked her body in perfect synchronization. He knew exactly what pace to use to get her there in short time. She felt the tightening of her core start, and out of nowhere, an orgasm ripped through her body.
"Fuck, fuck!" she cried out.
"That is the point love," he laughed. He sucked his fingers dry, his eyes closing in delight. "You taste so fucking good Mia."
"Hmm," she sighed, knowing he was only getting started. Viktor grabbed her hips and nudged her legs open before pressing himself against her center. He slid in slowly, stretching her to capacity and groaning audibly. She had missed this feeling of familiarity and fullness. He paused for a minute, allowing her to get comfortable before moving slowly within her. A low hum escaped him as he increased the tempo, her body squeezing tightly around him.
"You feel so fucking good," he growled, pulling her closer. His lips crashed onto hers and she gasped into his mouth, her body trembling with each stroke he made. "I vant you to cum again for me, Mia. Can you do that?" He begged. She took him in, this beautiful man, fucking her like he had never had her before. He threw her legs over his shoulders and reached down to rub her clit, causing her to see stars and explode around him. She cried out as he rode her wave of pleasure with her. His strokes became erratic, and with a low moan he spent himself inside of her.
Hermione reached up, wiping his forehead of sweat as he collapsed beside her. She wandlessly cleaned them, their bodies drying instantly before snuggling into his side. Viktor sighed, squeezing her tightly.
"How do you feel?" He asked hoarsely.
"Much much better," she sighed contently.
"So much better that ve don't have to run in the morning?" He asked playfully. She laughed and attempted to pinch the skin near his bellybutton.
"My second assessment indicates no pudge," she teased. "You are free to skip this run."
"Oh good, I vas so vorried," he snorted. "I'm right to say you vill be going still?"
"Of course. I have ten kilometres every Saturday. It's how I fight my own pudge!"
"Right," he said disbelieving. "Vhatever you say."
"Mmhmm." She could feel her eyes grow heavy, the orgasms and firewhiskey catching up to her at last.
"Goodnight Vik," she said. She vaguely heard a goodnight followed by his soft snores as he drifted off to sleep.
I do hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. For those who are anti Viktor, I apologize! I was tired of the Ron/Hermione post Battle saga. My thought is that Hermione is perfect at everything..except relationships. Being a young successful woman is hard in this modern world, and I feel like she may have struggled with this quite a bit. I also felt like Viktor was a perfect match as he too was bombarded by fangirls his whole professional life. What better way to pair them as each other's first loves.
No worries though, the evolution of Malfoy is in progress.
Looking forward to your reviews. Have a great Labor Day weekend for all of my fellow Patriots!
Xx MistAccio613