AN: First and foremost, dear readers, apologies for the delayed update, I am aiming for once a week. But I had and have several six-day work weeks in January and February. Fingers crossed on updating every ten or so days for now and then getting back to normal come March. It's a rough sketch as to where it's supposed to be going at this point. I'd planned it to be a short five-chapter story. But I am overflowing with ideas. I don't think, I'll be done with just ten chapters even. Maybe fifteen? Let's see!
His mighty Gryff looked confused. He could clearly read the contemplation on her face. She could never win with him on these mental spars he so hated but yet loved playing.
Depended on both the person and the purpose. He was still unsure how he felt when he did it with his little Bell, but he couldn't help himself. He never was able to. It was the only way to keep himself from doing what he'd wanted to do these past few years.
Especially the last two years when she'd been rumored to be the next chaser to be selected for the Harpies alongside her friend Alicia Spinnet. Admittedly, as much as he loved Quidditch, the uniform didn't do anything for him. But seeing her pictures in the sports editorial in her muggle wear did bother him. A lot.
His two favorite hobbies, quidditch, and Bell, meshed together in one with her very immodest muggle clothing that drove his imagination wild. Yeah, it had been a hard two years. Especially since he knew how much she wanted him.
When he had stopped denying and accepted the attraction he felt toward her, he'd looked for other distractions.
And keeping her annoyed was an easy distraction and a sure way from acting on what he wanted to do to her, with her. But even that was now fueling his lust, instead of containing it.
Too soon, Flint. He couldn't go all the way just yet. He'd almost started it right now, but he had to rein it in.
She wasn't ready. Not at this moment, at least. She had to be disturbed by all that had transpired today back in Britain.
And while he didn't want her to think of him to be some knight in shining armor. As he hadn't saved her for the light side, but only because she belonged to him. Still, that didn't mean wanted to traumatize her by tainting their first time together with this ownership of her hanging over their heads. Oh, she was his, no doubt about it. But only because she had wanted to be his for so long, not because some lunatic dictated it.
No one comes between us Bell. Ever.
Yet, only her fear of him could keep her in line and help him secure his plans.
What a fucking mess! He didn't want her to be afraid. But it would help them live through this war.
He looked at her, focusing back on their conversation, still coveting her answer. Maybe he could find a better solution to their predicament of opposing morals depending on how she answered.
Most people were so easy to read. And she was one of them. She could never lie to save her life, but he still wanted her to try.
If she attempted to be dishonest, perhaps he could punish her for being so naughty, show her who had the upper hand here.
As her lips parted to answer him, he almost perked up eager to hear what she had to say. And he almost deflated at her next words.
"You brought me to America."
True, he had. But why was she stating something so mundane and obvious? How disappointing.
Bell I expected better from you.
He narrowed his eyes at her, wondering what she aimed at, by stating something so irrelevant to the reality of the situation they found themselves in and what he had done for her. Until it struck him. She wasn't lying, she'd answered the question of what, but not why.
"And why do you think I did that Katie?" He asked eagerly as he moved his face closer to hers. Tell me.
"Are we playing twenty questions now Flint? Didn't know you were into mundane muggle party games."
A diversion? Clever, clever Bell, evading his tactics like a pro. He knew she had watched him intensely, but it always tickled him funny when he realized, how closely she had seen and understood him. He knew it wasn't easy for the lions to stand the snakes, let alone spend enough time to truly understand them.
But she had tried. For him, she had. For that alone he wanted the throw in the towel and snog the lights out of her. But he wanted her for far longer than the inevitable death that would soon follow if he allowed for any of her crazy heroic ideas to pass under his nose.
Still, he was gratified to see that she understood him. To an extent. He doubted her romantic rose-colored glasses would ever completely wither away where he was concerned. But she'd gotten close enough to know him far better than anyone else.
She was trying to give as good as she got. A fine attempt indeed, but she'd never master the skill of verbal manipulation. She was too good for any of that.
Don't worry Bell, I'll take care of you. Always.
Sex was not on the table for now. But perhaps a kiss wouldn't be amiss. A touch on the lips to seal the deal.
You're mine. I'm yours. The world doesn't matter Katie. Just you and me, here.
Alive and loved. The happiness could wait.
"I'd be delighted to play this muggle game with you. By any chance, does it include removal of your clothing articles?"
At the reddening of her cheeks, yeah, he definitely couldn't resist that kiss. So he finally touched his ugly mouth to hers. It was a surprisingly soft mouth given what she had just gone through.
And as she sighed into his kiss, he realized what a fool he had been, trying to resist this for so long.
He was done for. And despite her tears, she pulled his head even closer, silently asking for more of him. He doubted she even knew it, given her unpracticed moves.
And yet it was his best because it was her. As they pulled away, his eyes centered on her swollen lips.
"Why?" She whispered as her wet eyes locked with his. He knew what she was asking, she wanted to know why he'd waited so long when they both knew how willing she'd been for so long.
Turnabout was fair play Bell. He could convince her it was because she was his property.
Or he could tell her the truth. At least the more palatable version of it.