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Fresh faux leathered Mary Janes creak with her hurried steps across the warm cobblestone in Diagon Alley. The cooling charm woven in the thin paper material of the package against her chest provides slight respite. Oppressive summer heat weighs heavily on her shoulders, but the simple joy around her spreads infectiously. Luna flashes a quick smile at gaggling children who stare her sparkling bangles in her haste.
The lunch rush swarms thick as lines queue outside a few eateries. Down the way, she sees familiar Weasley hair at the right fork in the road but slows as she goes left into Horizont Ally. Sleepy silence greets her down the less busy lane.
A lizard tongue tickles her ear, breaking the quiet with a silly giggle. As she rubs her ear across her shoulder, she scoops her latest friend in her palm.
“Enough of that, Freckles,” she says.
If lizards could grin, then Freckles would, she’s sure. Mischievous green eyes glint bright amongst his obsidian and white speckled scales. His claws dig purchase in the thin material in her shirt, boarding on unpleasant pricks.
Breathless, but blissful, Luna lets her ears rest from the bustling city a block over. Simple and professional businesses gleam like beach glass. Pretty, but common beings. The one at the very end wears beige paint like a stick bug: desperately trying to blend in. However, just as she’s always note, it’s impossible when the name Nott Malfoy’s Architecture sings in simple gold hand lettering.
The bell signals her arrival and fresh cool air dances over her. Luna sighs in relief as she enjoys the dip in temperature. Freckles clings harder to her shirt, displeased with the cold.
Theo chuckles as he exits his front office. “Should I get him a sweater?”
Luna tilts her head, her hair falling onto her lizard. Freckles claws his way between her waves.
She blinks. “Perhaps a tea towel at least.”
Theo hums and grabs one from the tea and coffee nook he and Draco have set up for their customers. With deft steps, he crowds her space, but tenderly pries the lizard out of her hair. He swaddles her latest companion and rocks the Freckles like a baby. Her nose scrunches as she grins.
She stands on her tiptoes and brushes the corner of his mouth with a kiss. “I didn’t realize you’re the father.”
He rolls his eyes, but she feels the smile in his kiss. “Hush you,” he scolds, but there is zero bite. “You’re a day early.”
“Or maybe a day late.”
Theo laughs and it worms into her heart, the way he glows in the summer sun from the window. “Riddles so soon? I’m not sure if I have the time to decipher your dreams today.”
“The answer will come to you when you most need it,” she teases.
Her boyfriend hums but does not take the bait. His eyes fall to parcel in her hands. “Is that what you went to find?”
Luna laughs and leans back against a sofa arm in the waiting room. “No, if only. Invisible pixies provided an…unforeseen challenge,” she admits.
“Because you couldn’t see them.”
She scuffs her new shoe against the carpet. “I might have missed you a bit too much to focus well enough.”
In an instant, Theo is at her side and two fingers lift her chin. “Oh? Is that so?”
His cologne smells like fresh rain and she feels like she’s dipped into the most perfect pool. “Yes.”
Warm lips press against her forehead. “Let it be known that you are by more straightforward than anyone gives you credit for, love.”
She rests a cheek against his chest, curling to pet the lizard he cradles still like a baby. “That’s because you know how to listen.”
“Yes, but I am known for being a good listener.” he says, his voice rumbling under her ear.
They hold each other for a few breaths before Luna untangles them apart and switches the bundle in their hands. She gestures to him, squeezing Freckles’ tea towel with glee. “It’s for you.”
Theo smiles again, wide enough where his dimple pools on his chin. “I can see.”
The crinkling of the paper breaks the quiet of the office as he slowly slides the box out from the packaging. His brows go into his hairline for a moment before green eyes rove over her with burning warmth.
“These are my favorite chocolates. Only found on Majorca in that little shop,” he breathes. With a wobbly smile, he looks at her again. “You didn’t even go to Sweden, did you?”
Luna tucks a few wavy strands behind her hair and smiles. “No, I didn’t.”
“All because I joked that World Chocolate Day was my favorite holiday?”
“Happy Chocolate Day, Theo. You deserve your favorites.”
Strong arms wrap around her and his chin rests atop of her head. “You’re far too much, Luna.”
“Mmmm. Mum used to say that’s how I kept her on her toes.”
“My toes are quite fine the way they are now though, love.”
She tilts her head back. “Who knows, maybe a chocolate a day will keep the doctor away.”
He laughs and presses his mouth to hers again. “Even I know that’s not how that goes.”
“Two chocolates then?”
“Maybe all the chocolates, Luna.”
Her smile digs into her cheek, and she feels like she can fly. “I only brought the one box.”
He shrugs, happy hands kneading the small of her back. “I’m sure I can share a piece or two.”
“Only if you want to.”
“Dangerous words, witch. You know I’d eat the entire box if you let me.”
She kisses his nose. “Please do. That’s why I bought them for you.”
And when he kisses her later, tasting like cocoa and happiness, Luna hums in delight that she gets to taste the chocolates after all.