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Tweak says, "Candle Jack..."

Astoria Greengrass (absoluteastoria) wrote in irreparable,
@ 2011-02-09 17:05:00

Entry tags:

astoria greengrass, draco malfoy, plot shot 2011

Who: Astoria and Draco
When: night, Wednesday February 9
Where: Some restaurant... somewhere...
What: Date
Rating: TBA

It had been ages since Draco and Astoria had been able to have a proper date. Even now, sitting in the middle of some fancy restaurant that Draco had picked out, Astoria wasn't quite sure that it could be called a proper date. Yes, they were out in public. That didn't mean that the date mentality was quite... there. It had been a bit quiet so far and it didn't seem like the usual casual rapport was there between them.

"So - how has your mother been? I'm sorry I haven't been able to be at home with her more." And it was true. Astoria was tired of working all the time. She missed being able to spend time with not only Draco, but Narcissa as well. Their kittens too.

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obsequious
2011-02-14 05:56 am UTC (link)

Draco was nervous. There was a small, black, velvet box burning a hole in his pocket. He hated that he was nervous, as it made him feel weak. He hadn't felt this nervous about anything in... well, it'd been a long time. And even now as he looked across the table at Astoria, his palms were sweaty. He'd been quiet and pale--even more so than normal. He tore his eyes from her face to look at the wine glass as he reached for it.

"She's well." He said, his throat nearly cracking. "She's been attending some meetings for some charity function or another, I never can tell what she's up to."

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	absoluteastoria 2011-02-14 07:06 am UTC (link)
	Astoria nodded, biting at her lower lip. Was he being quiet because of how little she had been around? Perhaps he was annoyed with her. She normally wasn't the sort to question herself, but she found Draco brought out the oddest things in her. This was one of those moments. "I'm glad she's getting along." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

obsequious
2011-02-14 07:16 am UTC (link)

He did miss her. Terribly. But that wasn't why he was being quiet. Draco didn't want anything to go wrong--he wanted tonight to be absolutely perfect for his proposal. And so far everything was just as brilliant as he could imagine... though something wasn't right. The air between them was... stale. He was surprised he was conscious enough to notice through the blinding fear he felt.

"She is. She misses tea with you, though."

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	absoluteastoria 2011-02-14 04:19 pm UTC (link)
	"I miss it too... and I miss being able to spend more time with you." Astoria admitted, using the excuse of her drink to pause. She sipped at it, watching Draco all the while. "Hopefully work should lighten up - eventually -" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	obsequious 2011-02-16 02:36 am UTC (link)
	"Hopefully, yes." Draco said, though his tone was so distracted, it wasn't clear if he'd actually processed anything she'd just said. He lifted his drink for a sip as well. "...How is work?" He asked. He wanted her to be happy, and to work if she wanted to. But he missed her. He was torn. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 03:21 am UTC (link)

Astoria wasn't sure if she should take the distracted tone as simply the result of something she didn't know about or if she should take it as a sign of trouble. Between him being quiet and her feeling distanced due to her work hours, it was turning out to be a less than romantic dinner.

"It's - fine, I suppose. Strenuous. I'm lucky to work for a place that has a basic waiting list to get work done at, but - the eyes get tired after awhile." It was taking the passion out of painting, really. Staring at a piece and trying to do intricate detail touch-ups took a toll, let alone when one did it for a full day without too many breaks. "My boss is still a bit sore with me for the unexpected time off. She understands, but she's still less than thrilled..."

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	obsequious 2011-02-16 06:08 am UTC (link)
	Draco nodded. "I imagine it must have been hard for her." He said, in response to the unexpected time off. He lowered one hand under the table to hold over the pulsing, red-hot ring box in his pocket. It was distracting, nerve-wracking. He couldn't help but wonder if this was too soon. Would she say yes? No? What if things went wrong? What if it wasn't perfect? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 06:15 am UTC (link)

Hard for her boss? Astoria was slowly running herself ragged to keep her job, but Draco was making small talk about how her boss was valid in being upset over Astoria taking time off when her sister had been held hostage? "It likely was."

"Um, Draco, I hate to do this - but I'm really rather tired. What do you say we call it an early night and go home?" And he wasn't going to be getting anything intimate - or even a cuddle.

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obsequious
2011-02-16 04:45 pm UTC (link)

That definitely caught Draco's attention. His eyes snapped back into focus and his face fell considerably. "Oh." He said, then swallowed rather audibly. It was obvious that he was incredibly disappointed. "All right. Let me settle the bill, and we'll go." They hadn't actually finished their meal, but Draco could have something sent to the manor, or the Elves could make them something.

He called over the waiter and explained they were leaving, settled things out, and then stood, holding out a hand to help her up.

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absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 05:10 pm UTC (link)

Astoria felt an immediate sense of guilt at his reaction, but something about him being distracted and seemingly taking her boss' side - right after not reacting at all to her growing dislike of her job - had Astoria worried and angry. Was he getting sick of her? Was there another girl? She trusted him enough to tell her if it was either, which made the questions popping up in her mind all the more unwelcome. She knew it wasn't that.

She took his offered hand and walked with him to the apparition spot before finally saying something. "What has you so distracted tonight?" She needed to know.

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obsequious
2011-02-16 07:50 pm UTC (link)

Draco held onto her hand as they walked out of the restaurant and down the alley--it was heated, so they didn't need to pull on their coats. He paused once they reached the alley's end, and turned to face her, trying to think of something other than the ring box in his pocket.

"Work. I'm just a bit distracted tonight, I'm sorry." He sighed, and squeezed her hand. "Let me make it up to you, all right? Dessert in the kitchen? I've got a tiramisu in the icebox." He turned his hand around and threaded his fingers through hers.

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absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 07:57 pm UTC (link)

"You don't need to make it up to me. I'm tired, you're distracted. I thought this part of a relationship wasn't supposed to happen for another ten years or so, when everything falls into a rut, but it just happens sometimes I suppose." Her tone was slightly joking, even if she didn't feel very jovial.

"But as you basically said, I can't leave my boss in a lurch." Astoria shrugged, trying to keep herself from showing her feelings on the subject. "We can do something another time, perhaps when we're both mentally here."

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obsequious
2011-02-16 08:50 pm UTC (link)

"But I will. I'll make it up to you, I've just got... things on my mind." Draco attempted to explain, sahking his head and squeezing her hand. "We're not in a rut yet. I promise." He said, stepping a half step closer to her.

"No, I... is that what I said?" He added, then paused. "I didn't mean that. Let's... let's talk about it at home over tiramisu, all right?" Draco said, giving her hand a little tug. Then, without warning, he apparated them both straight into the manor's kitchen. A couple of House Elves jumped at the shock of the crack, and scuttled out of sight.

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absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 11:20 pm UTC (link)

Astoria was a little shocked herself at the side-along apparition without warning, but it only made her smile when it came right down to it. It was a rather good way to prove they weren't in a rut. She moved in to a near hug, putting her arms over his shoulders in an almost-hug.

"Yes, you said you understood why my boss was sore about me missing all that work." Astoria gave him a tiny shove in one of his shoulders as she pulled back rather abruptly from the near embrace. "And then I suggested we leave."

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obsequious
2011-02-16 11:29 pm UTC (link)

Draco gave a slight frown, and shook his head. "I'm sure that's not what I meant, I just... I've been so very busy at work, and my mind wasn't in it." Now that he'd sort of made up his mind that he wasn't going to propose tonight he felt a bit more relaxed. His arms draped down and around her waist, pulling her in as if they were slow dancing.

"What do you think about... about stopping working for your boss? I mean, you don't have to work if you don't want to."

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absoluteastoria
2011-02-16 11:38 pm UTC (link)

"Then we'll have to do it another night when your mind... is." Astoria let him pull her in and smiled, though didn't return the embrace quite yet. She wasn't mad - or even annoyed. She was just stunned at his suggestion.

"I... I'm not in it with you for the money. I don't want you to think I am for even a moment. I - haven't really wanted to a lot lately. I'd rather be here, spending time with you. I could go to part time or -" She trailed off, frowning.

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obsequious
2011-02-17 12:21 am UTC (link)

"Good." Draco leaned over and planted a kiss against her cheek. His arms tightened a little around her waist.

"...No. I don't think that. I could never think that." Draco said, running one hand up and down her back, gently. "If part-time work would make you happy, then that's what you should do. Whatever you want to do, Love. I'd love to have you around more, if you want. I can work from home more, and we can spend more time together."

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absoluteastoria
2011-02-17 12:33 am UTC (link)

"I think being with you, even if we're just sitting about reading or watching the kittens play, isn't even a comparison to staring at the same painting for 5 to 8 hours straight to the point where it goes blurry. I love you, Draco. Of course it would make me happier to spend more time with you."

Astoria finally returned the embrace, leaning against him a little as she hugged him. Maybe - just maybe - a little cuddling wouldn't be completely out of line.

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obsequious
2011-02-17 12:51 am UTC (link)

Draco's arms tightened around her even more, pulling her body against his. He leaned in, tipping his head to the side and bringing his lips down to pluck a kiss from hers. It was brief; he knew that she was still upset with him, but he was going to win her out. He knew he would.

"Then cut back your hours. See if you like staying at home more. Just for a trial." He said, lifting his hand to tuck hair behind her ear.

"Let me get us some dessert. We can talk more about the logistics. What you want, what you need."

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	absoluteastoria 2011-02-17 01:02 am UTC (link)
	"How about we get dessert in the bedroom? And not like that. Just cuddling... and kittens. I think I'd like to change in my pyjamas and be relaxed when we talk about logistics." Astoria smiled and moved to leave the room and Draco. "If you don't object." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	obsequious 2011-02-17 01:10 am UTC (link)
	Draco gave a little laugh. "All right. No dessert like that." He kissed her cheek once more before letting her go. "No objections. Go get the bed warm. I'll be right up." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	absoluteastoria 2011-02-17 01:19 am UTC (link)
	With a rather large grin on her face, Astoria took off for upstairs to do just that. (Reply to this) (Parent)