Work Text:
Water droplets flew up with each step. They soaked into the thin fabric of her boots, sending a chill up her body.
She shuddered it out, pulling her sweater tightly around herself. The slow shivers became a constant as she circled around the lamppost. Her eyes flitted about as she glanced around the overhanging shadows.
Whatever it was, or rather whoever, hadn’t made it yet. She didn’t bother to look at the time-- it wasn’t late just yet. At least she could recall that she had made it early if many minutes hadn’t already passed.
This was where they always met at this hour. The rare nights where they would unanimously agree to seek each other out always took place at the same time.
The wet pavement squelched under her soles, filling the silent midnight. The noise made her cringe uneasily. She continued her restless pacing despite it and searched through the impenetrable darkness.
Hanging around the soft light was the best bet. Making herself known. She flicked her hair back with a quick movement of her head and glanced off.
Footsteps came from the general vicinity she had looked towards. She squared her shoulders back and put her hands on her hips as she stepped onto the rough boundary of the faded light. Her eyes widened as she stepped forward, only a flutter of hesitation as the profile of the other person came into view.
She ignored the cold and sighed out as she stepped deeper into the shadows. The man came forward, hands in his sweater pockets. He promptly took them out as he walked towards her, a dashing smile outlined itself on his lips. His face, though shrouded with a thin veil of darkness, was something she yearned to see.
Flighty feelings overcame her as she threw her arms around him. She pulled him tightly to herself and buried her face into his shoulder with a smile creasing her own lips. A relieved sigh escaped her as he returned the embrace, pressing the side of his head to her’s. He huffed and held tighter to her, then pulled back to cup his hand around her cheek.
He was warm. His palm was warm, a comforting reminder of home. He rubbed his thumb slowly against her cheek in dragging motions. She leaned into his hand, sliding her hand down his arm to close it over his hand. Her fingers curled tightly around the back of his hand. She squeezed his shoulder and closed the distance between them gladly, knowing that he’d keep her from getting cold.
She tilted her head back slightly and brushed her lips lightly over his. He parted his lips and smirked as he grabbed her waist and pulled her closer.
She tilted her head slightly and rubbed her lips together tentatively. “Work keeps you away from me so much.” Her voice came out as a small whisper as she put her hands on his shoulders. She trailed them down and grabbed the folds of his sweater, drawing him closer with a subtle pull. They were a breath away from one another.
She leaned forward again and barely grazed her lips against his. She gave a little smile and continued, “I guess I shouldn’t talk, should I?”
His hands grasped her waist, etching a shuddery sigh from her. “Let’s not waste our time, just leave it be.” He breathed out and continued to hold onto her. She slid her hands back up, this time sliding one up his neck. He smirked as she ruffled the edge of his hair with her fingers.
“Of course.”
Her breathing hitched as she grasped the back of his head and pressed her lips up to his. The moment she initiated it she could feel him leaning closer. Just further enough so he could encourage it. She pulled him closer, stepping back slowly to pull him under the lamppost with her.
Her shoes were still soaked, leaving her to shiver excessively. Trembling, she continued to take in every little moment that warmed her. She could feel the slight quiver of his bottom lip and the hot breath accompanying it as he barely parted from her.
He was all she could think about now. Long shifts kept them occupied, until offhandedly they’d both have their thoughts stolen by each other. The smallest things would bring up considerable memories that held a little bearing over whatever they had been distracted by.
But now? Now they were there. They were together.
She couldn’t imagine being anywhere else for the time being. So she pulled him close again, melting once his soft lips were against hers again.
It made up for the drag of a day she had.
Reluctantly, she slipped away from the kiss and opened her eyes, then twirled her finger around a longer piece of his hair. She stared up at him with dreamy eyes and smiled easily as they met each other’s gaze.
She could get lost in his eyes.
She tilted her head, then wrapped her arms around him again. He rubbed his thumbs against her waist, then stole a quick peck from her. She gave a light laugh as she shook her head and brought her hand up to brush his hair back. He smiled weakly as she did, then grabbed her hand and brought it to his mouth. He graced the back of it with a small kiss and closed his eyes, smiling as he did so.
“You wanna know something, Vanora?”
She looked up at him and smiled.
“What?”
“We should get away some time. Maybe go on a trip?”
They both knew they couldn’t do that.
She took in a deep breath. “Where would we go?” A wary smile forced its way onto her face. There theoretically wouldn’t be any harm in fantasizing, aside from the melancholy that would join the ideas once they had finished speaking on it. The sinking feelings would start, the ones that were a strict reminder of how far they could take this.
Not too far, or else they’d be hurting each other.
His eyes lit up in his tired state. The look alone was reminding her of how she had gotten involved with him. That beautiful, dreamy look that would appear on his face when he had moments of idealistic optimism.
“Maybe near the ocean,” He brought one of his hands up and took her chin between his thumb and finger gently, “You and I would be able to lay in the warm sand and listen to the crashing waves all day. Just us.” He lifted her chin up and gave her a pleasant smile. He didn’t fail to make her heart skip a beat.
She didn’t want to keep pretending like she wouldn’t be able to do anything with him. She wanted to throw caution to the wind and set a date then and there.
She opened her mouth, but was quickly drowned out over the shrill call of her phone. It was enough to snap her back to a cold reality.
His eyes immediately were clouded over with disappointment. They looked like a stormy afternoon as she hesitantly pulled it out and answered with little regard to the caller. She put the phone up to her ear, frowning when he dropped his hand from her chin.The voice on the other line rang in her ear. A male voice, one that was commanding, had called.
“Vanora, you need to get down here now!” Her job. The one thing she had to keep her focus on.
She stared at Draco, watching as he glanced at the phone. Her hand tightened around it as the creeping worry of him being able to hear the conversation became imminently nerve wracking. She swallowed, then nodded firmly.
“Send me the details. I’ll be there.” She replied cooly in an attempt to hide her nervousness. Her voice was deadpan as she waited for a response.
It didn’t come. He had hung up.
This wouldn’t last forever. Him and her, they couldn’t last together. It wasn’t going to keep her from holding out though.
She hoped he wouldn’t find out. She pocketed the phone and gave him a light grimace as she reached for his hand. He held it out to her, curling his fingers around hers once she took it.
The night could keep their secret at the very least.
He squeezed her hand, making her shudder guilty as his tone changed.
“Do… You have to go so soon?”
She smiled dryly. It would help soothe the blow.
“A detective never sleeps.” His expression became increasingly worried. He pulled her close with his other hand that still rested on her waist, then cleared his throat. Slowly, he nodded and tried to conceal his expression with a quavering smile.
“Of course…” He spoke carefully now and directed his eyes down. The flicker of his eyes was enough for her to deduce the wide extent of his disappointment. She rubbed her thumb against the side of his hand and leaned over. She planted a gentle kiss on his lips and continued to hold her grimace with emotions that had begun to mirror his.
He pressed forward and drew her back in. He couldn’t let go just yet.
If anything, she wasn’t going to complain. She grabbed his shoulder and deepened the kiss, closing her eyes tightly as her face finally warmed. A phantom shiver rolled up her back as she grabbed his shoulder and held onto him. Neither bothered to break away for a breath or to say anything else. It’d only steal time away from them.
To her surprise, he parted first. His lips lingered against hers, contemplating whether he’d go back. He tentatively parted his own lips after a second and stepped back. A low, soft chuckle came from deep in his chest. She opened her eyes just as he slipped his hand away from her waist. It left her missing his touch even if he still held onto her hand with a tight grip. She clasped her other hand around his hand, holding onto it tightly.
She smiled at him and let out a dejected sigh.
“Someday I’m sure we’ll be able to take a vacation…”
He nodded slowly.
“Perhaps. For now though, please be safe…” He squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to lose you.” She pursed her lips and furrowed her brows at his phrasing but still smiled at him.
“Always and forever.” He released her hand first. She slipped them away and immediately buried them into her sweater pockets. It was a temporary remedy to keep her hands warm now that she couldn’t hold his.
Without saying any proper goodbyes she turned around and briskly walked away from him. Her heart couldn’t take seeing that look in his eyes again that would beg her to stay.
She couldn’t keep falling for him.