Tony (ohthecleverness) wrote in hallowed_times, @ 2013-04-05 15:57:00 |
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Entry tags: | !solo, anthony goldstein |
Who: Anthony Goldstein & a NPC
When: Friday Morning
Where: His lady friend Gemma’s flat in Hogsmeade
Summary: [Solo] A request that might be asking too much
Rating: T for adult situations
Turning off the water and stepping out of the shower Tony grabbed one of the towels hanging from a hook on the wall. Wrapping it around his waist, he used another to dry his hair before stepping out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom to get dressed. He had brought just a small duffle with him to Gemma’s filled with clothes for the week and he quickly packed that up. He would be heading back to Hogwarts later that morning after spending the break in Hogsmeade. Most of it spent in Gemma’s bed with occasional breaks to find food though they usually stayed in to eat only venturing out to a restaurant twice the entire time he was there.
It was an interesting and fun relationship that both kept free from labels or at least tried to. Tony appreciated that she never tried to lay claim to him or got possessive, in return he refrained from having sex with other people without telling her. In truth even with the time in between their visits he had no desire to be with anyone else. Still, in his mind he refused to think of himself as her boyfriend, there were too many rules that went along with that title and he wanted freedom. He enjoyed being able to flirt with whomever he wanted without having to deal with jealousy.
After dressing he grabbed his bag and dropped it by the front door before heading into the small kitchen and dining area to join Gemma for breakfast. Waiting for him at the table was a fried egg sandwich and a cup of coffee already fixed to his liking. He smiled and thanked her as he brought the mug to his lips and took a sip. He was two bites into his sandwich, when Gemma finally spoke. Choking on what was in his mouth Tony wasn’t sure he heard her correctly but was unable to ask for clarification until he took a large gulp of his coffee to force the food the rest of the way down. “Huh?” He wasn’t eloquent in the least but she’d have to forgive him since he had just been choking and if he heard her correctly it was her fault for just tossing that out there.
“I want a baby.” He stared at her, mouth agape as she sat there calmly, watching him and not reacting at all. “You? You want a baby? Who’s baby?” Tony’s brow furrowed and he felt like he was having a conversation with Luna Lovegood, nothing was making any sort of logical sense.
She shot him a pointed look that he returned with one of his own. “You can’t be saying what I think you’re saying. Shouldn’t marriage come before babies? You and I,” he motioned between then, “You and I aren’t like that. I can’t get married!”
Gemma brought her hands up, covering her face for a moment before placing them on her lap. “No, I’m not asking you to marry me. I don’t want to get married again, Jamie was my soulmate and I wouldn’t try to replicate what we had.” Tony sat quietly, the remainder of his food growing cold. He was confused, Gemma didn’t often bring up her late husband, they had of course spoken about him and his pictures graced every room in the flat. He knew that losing her Muggleborn husband to Death Eaters affected her greatly. He also knew he was a distraction for her, part of the reason he knew she wouldn’t allow herself to get overly attached to him. Taking a deep, slow breath she continued, “I was pregnant when it happened, I had just found out and was trying to figure out how to tell him when they came for him, they said he resisted but I don’t believe that, I think it was an excuse.” She looked so sad and frail in the moment that Tony couldn’t stop himself. He moved around the table and kneeled at her side. He offered her his hand in support and when she took it he gave a gentle squeeze. He could guess what happened next but she continued her story with a shake of her head. “They said it was the stress, that I could try again.” With his free hand Tony rubbed her back as she let out a shuddering breath.
“A year later and you walked into my life. You charmed me right from the beginning. A bit of fun I told myself and it has been.” She ran her fingers through his hair, scratching lightly at his scalp. “But...” Tony prompted her when he could hear the silent but in her voice. “But this isn’t destined to last forever, you’re finishing school and will be starting your life and I’m here.”
Tony’s confusion had not been satisfied, the pieces still weren’t fitting together for him. “So you want to have a baby with me even though you seem to think I’m leaving and this, what we have is over?” Things weren’t adding up.
“Sort of, a little but no.”
Tony chuckled, that so did not clear anything up for him.
“I want a baby, for me to raise. I like you, you’re intelligent, kind, sometimes even witty.” She laughed but he could see her eyes were glistening. “I want a child, I just need your help in conceiving it.”
“I...” Tony paused, the words dying in his mouth. How could he tell her he wasn’t anywhere ready to have a child, he didn’t know if he ever would want to.
“Shh...” Gemma placed her finger over his lips, not wanting to hear what she thought he would say. “I am prepared to raise the baby on my own. You can have as much or as little to do with us. I won’t ask for anything, no money or even your name, I will love the child enough for two parents.”
Stunned Tony lost his balance and fell from his knees to his butt on the floor. This was not how he was expecting breakfast to go, not at all. Could he do it? Could he be a father? A good father?
“I want you to think about it. Please don’t decide right away, take a week or two, I need to you really think about this. For me. Please.” Gemma’s voice dragged him out of his head she she grasped both his hands in hers and stood, pulling him up from the floor. His head seemed to nod on its own accord, he was unsure why his head was moving at all. He would think about her request, it would be the only thing he would think on. Once standing he reached for his coffee, now cold and drained it into his mouth. No that wouldn’t do, he needed something stronger. He pulled Gemma into his arms and pressed his lips against hers before stepping back. “I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later right? Right. Kay bye.” He moved to the door, picking up his bag before walked out and closing the door quietly behind him. As he walked into the bright morning sunshine he hoped the Hogs Head was open, he definitely needed a drink.