Certainty
It’s been a while since Charlie slept with Thandi. He’s adjusted to being separate, giving her space, letting her wander. He trusts her more than anything, and he’s not scared anymore.
Rather, he feels…more aware. Of her.
Especially now that they’re curled up on the couch together, and she has her hair all gathered up and out of the way in her bonnet. He always rests his head in the crook of her neck when they find each other, when they sit together, but in the relative quiet of the common room tonight…
No.
She’s been scared, lately. Of what, he’s not sure, but it feels like it has something to do with him. So if he pushes his luck and tries to cross boundaries, she’ll end up pushing him away. So, instead, he watches the screen of her spell phone over her shoulder. The small voices and swelling music seem to captivate her, and she presses so close to him.
He can feel her heartbeat as he holds her, the gentle warmth that comes with the calm rhythm of her breathing.
Sometimes he wishes he was still terrified so that they could sleep together every night, but…if things go as they ought…she would stay, and then they have the rest of their lives to just enjoy this.
Thandi glances back at him, pausing the movie. “Charlie…”
“Yes, dearest?” He winces, not intending to pull that on her tonight.
“Did I do…something wrong?”
What? “Of course not. You nearly never do. Why do you ask?”
“Lately…I…” She turns her face away, and he can feel her heart race. Ah.
“Do you miss me?”
Silence. She struggles as much as he had before. Instead of words, she leans back into him with a sigh, tilting her head to look into his eyes. She reaches up to play with his hair.
Her lips are right there. It would be so easy. But she isn’t ready.
Instead, he places a gentle kiss on her temple. “I think maybe you need some stronger charms.”
“S-stronger? How?” Oh, he loves this look. Wide-eyed, face red, nervous but excited. The kind of look she has only ever given him. It makes him smirk, and he noses her gently as he chuckles.
He adjusts her, and she squeaks in surprise. Adorable. His lips are on her neck, gently trailing up and down. She’s quiet at first, and then she lets out a sigh. It’s a sweet, cute noise.
It fuels the urge to push just a bit further. He pauses in his meandering over her skin and instead sucks gently on her. The shocked squeak and immediate hum of pleasure are exciting. He sucks just enough to leave a faint purpling of her skin, kissing the mark.
“That’s a far more advanced charm, dearest.”
“S-so it is, darling…so it is…”
Thandi reaches up to touch it. It’s still slick from his mouth. She swallows. “How often can I expect this charm? Will…will it make you…um.” Charlie laughs as she tries to stay in the confines of the language they used since they were kids, the firm denial he had from day one. It’s not really necessary anymore, but…it’s fun to play around with it.
Her struggle pulls her arms in to hug herself and he sighs. Still trying to do things on her own, still trying not to burden him with what she thought were only her problems.
So he kisses her neck again, giving her a small nip before finding another spot for him to tease. Her voice comes out again, and he could see her grasp on herself loosening. He kisses the spot and finds another. Thandi doesn’t seem to know what to do with her hands and grabs his legs, fingers digging into him.
He loves it.
Again, he kisses the newly formed bruise. “Whenever you need it, Thandi. Of course…it also makes sure that I’m with you. No one else. Never anyone else. How fortunate for me, though, that my favorite Ravenclaw is bound to me for life.” He nips again. “That, though…I’ll do as much as I can. You’re mine, after all.”
She seems satisfied. Her smile is priceless. Gorgeous. He’s so lucky to have her.
Aw, damnit, he can’t resist. He covers her in kisses, lightening the mood. She giggles and writhes in his arms. “Charlie! Charlie, oooh! That tickles!!” He doesn’t let up until she starts to run out of breath, sealing his win with a big, smacking kiss on her cheek. She giggles still, breathing hard, relaxing against him. As she should be.
“Don’t forget that I’m your home now, dearest. You’re mine. I’m yours. Shall we finish the movie?”
“Yes…can we lay down?”
“Of course.”
They pass the night tucked close around each other, rising with the sun and separating before anyone could come and find them.
Gods, he loves her.