Insane House Competition: RabastanAndromeda
365 Prompts Challenge: only characters from one era
Showtime, "Only Us": only two characters
Happy Newt Year: midnight, write about a kiss
Sticker Challenge: emerald, hope
Word Count: 509
"Do you ever sleep?"
Rabastan's deep, soothing voice draws Andromeda out of her thoughts. Her attention shifts from the book she's been staring at for the past hour or so to the dark haired boy before her.
"Nightmares," she answers simply.
He studies her for a moment before sitting in the chair across from her. Andromeda isn't used to having company this late, and she usually hates to be interrupted. The Slytherin common room is always so peaceful at night when there is no one else around. Still, somehow, she realizes she doesn't mind too much. Rabastan has always been pleasant enough to her.
"What sort of nightmares?" he asks.
She shrugs. "I never remember them.I just wake in a cold sweat, and my heart pounds, and…"
Andromeda trails off, shuddering. She doesn't know what she's so afraid. There's supposed to be meanings in dreams, but hers are nothing but blurs and chaos. There is nothing to learn from them.
Rabastan studies for her a moment. She waits for him to laugh at her. After all, how pathetic does a person have to be to be afraid of something they can't name? After a few seconds of silence, however, he climbs to his feet and closes the distance between them, sitting beside her on the couch. His hand rests on hers.
Andromeda stares down at their hands, a small flutter tickling her stomach. She swallows dryly. Why does this feel so natural? She's always preferred to be by herself. Still, there is something so comforting about his gentle touch.
"I can be your teddy bear," he says, and though is tone is light and joking, his dark eyes hold no humor. "I'll chase away your nightmares."
She laughs softly. "My hero."
"I can only hope."
Before she can think of anything to say, he leans in. Their lips meet in a quick, sweet kiss. Andromeda pulls away, the soft fluttering increasing tenfold.
"Maybe I didn't read the signs right," Rabastan murmurs. "I hope you didn't mind that."
"It was nice, actually," she assures him, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Rabastan pulls her close, and his lips find hers again. This time, there is nothing gentle about the kiss. Though it is still tender and not demanding, she can taste the passion on his tongue. When they break apart this time, she feels almost disappointed.
"That…" She clears her throat, smoothing her hands over her blouse. "That should be enough to give me pleasant dreams."
Rabastan offers a polite bow of his head. "Then my job here is done."
He starts to rise, but Andromeda catches his wrist. "I wouldn't mind if you stayed a little longer," she says quietly. "I like your company."
The boy relaxes against the couch again, a satisfied grin on his face. "Good."
She no longer needs her book to distract her from whatever demons are in her dreams. As she leans against Rabastan, listening to his steady breath, she feels at peace for the first time in what feels like forever.