davies; ROGER (rgrd) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-10-08 20:20:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: daphne greengrass, character: roger davies |
who ? daphne greengrass and roger davies
when ? saturday night, 8th october
where ? daphne and astoria's flat
what ? cuddling, basically
status ? complete
Daphne had fully intended to go over to Roger's that day, but the migraine that she had was making it impossible. In the end, she'd ended up owling him, sending over her notebook that she'd finished the challenge in and giving him a message that she wasn't feeling up to par. She let him know she had a terrible migraine and that he should come over for a cuddle. She'd expected him to tell her straight away that he had something else to do, but he'd replied telling her to lift the wards on her flat so he could apparate to her room. She'd done as he asked because she did really want to see him. Especially if he was agreeing to cuddles.
She was sitting on her bed when he appeared, wearing one of the various t-shirts she'd lifted from her occasions at his place because it was comfortable and because she hadn't really expected to see him that day. The light from the lamp on her side table was irritating her migraine already, but she smiled despite the pain at the sight of him.
"Hello, you."
--
When Daphne had cancelled their plans for Saturday (which had hardly been any plans at all, since it had mostly involved ‘sit and write’ and Roger’s intention to just supply these plans with coffee) Roger had felt somewhat disappointed. He wasn’t quite sure why since the plan really had been basically not a plan at all. There was a great possibility that Roger felt disappointed because he had been looking forward to seeing Daphne, but it was easier to disregard that. Most of Roger’s Saturday then hadn’t been particularly eventful, even if he had gotten a shockingly large amount of ironing done.
By the time the second owl arrived in the late evening, Roger had settled down with a beer and a book (mostly because he had finished all of Daphne’s notebooks). He was surprised that the owl came with Daphne’s challenge-chapter, especially since it also came with a note telling Roger that Daphne wasn’t feeling well. The invite, well, Roger certainly told himself he considered turning it down, but it was a lie made very obvious by the fact that Roger owled back almost instantly telling Daphne to lift the wards so he wouldn’t have to make her let him in at the door.
Once the owl was sent, Roger didn’t spend a great deal of time before apparating to Daphne’s bedroom, giving her a grin when she greeted him. “Prolonged physical contact, Daph, not cuddling, we agreed on this,” he informed her sternly, but the effort was rather undermined by Roger crawling next to her in the bed.
--
Daphne smirked at his words, especially when he crawled into the bed beside her. "Aww, don't you want to have a nice cuddle?," she asked him, the smirk breaking out into a wide grin as he settled beside her. "Fine, a bout of prolonged physical contact, if that makes you feel better," she told him teasingly. She was glad he was there, regardless of whatever he wanted to call it.
"How're you?," she asked him. Despite the headache, she was curious about how he had spent the day when their time together had been cancelled. She'd gotten so used to spending every weekend with Roger that the thought of not having her time with him was very depressing.
--
Propping himself up against the pillows, Roger gave a small shake of his head when Daphne teased him before agreeing to refer to this as ‘prolonged physical contact’ as per Roger’s instructions. He had known the risks he was taking of telling her to call it that (mainly, her mockingly not doing so). “I did ironing,” he told her, reaching out to run a hand over Daphne’s stomach. “Lots and lots of ironing,” which really was basically the most exciting thing Roger had done all day.
If Roger had thought about it, he would’ve realised that normally (before Daphne) Saturday nights meant going out, especially if he had no other plans. Yet, today, Roger hadn’t even thought about it, mostly deciding to just do housework since he couldn’t fill his day with spending it with Daphne. “How bad’s your headache?” Roger asked tilting his head to look at Daphne as if somehow a piercing glance would tell him exactly how Daphne felt.
--
"Ironing?," she said, surprised that he hadn't gone out or at least done something fun for himself. Housework certainly wasn't what she'd expected his response to be. Now that he'd said it, the mental image of Roger with an ironing board and a pile of neatly pressed shirts fluttered into her head. She smirked but didn't comment further.
"It's not as bad as it was earlier," she told him, resting her head back against her pillows and sinking into a lying position rather than a sitting one. "I'm sorry that I canceled our plans," she said. "I was looking forward to all that coffee you promised."
--
“Yes,” Roger confirmed. “Ironing. I lead a very thrilling life,” he added more teasingly. In all fairness, Roger quite liked ironing. He tended to find it a rather calming activity, even if it really did leave him with a pile of neatly pressed shirts. Then again, he kind of needed neatly pressed shirts for work, which had been the reason why Roger had done the ironing in the first place. Of course, he probably could’ve used a spell, but there was something rather gratifying about doing the chores by hand. Except for the dishes, Roger was not a fan of doing the dishes by hand.
Watching Daphne slide down lower on the pillows, Roger moved his hand up to run the back of his fingers against Daphne’s forehead softly, giving a small sound that he didn’t even attempt to identify but suspected it might’ve been intended as comforting. “Well, since the coffee didn’t get drunk, it’ll just await you where it is,” he informed her. Glancing over at the table lamp, Roger frowned. “Do you want me to switch the light off?” He had no idea if it would help, but Roger guessed it might.
--
Daphne was sure that his life was a lot more interesting than just ironing. She suspected that he knew that as well. Either way, she smiled at him.
The gentleness of his fingertips against her forehead was a sweet gesture, as was that comforting little noise that he let escape him. She doubted he'd really intended to let it slip out, in all actuality. Regardless, she leaned into that touch and wanted more of it. His offer to turn off the lamp got a little nod. "Please?," she said. The light certainly didn't help much. At least it wasn't throbbing like it had been before. Potions could only do so much. "I'm glad you came," she told him.
--
After reaching over to switch the light off, Roger lowered himself on the bed so he could be face to face with Daphne, moving his hand so he could let his fingers run through her hair gently. It wasn’t a gesture Roger had much practice with and yet somehow it felt very easy when it came to Daphne. Roger didn’t know if it actually felt particularly helpful but she hadn’t pulled away, so he carried on. “How did you find writing the chapter?” He asked her softly, finding an odd level of intimacy in the two of them lying on her bed, clothed, in darkness, with only rays of street light peaking through the curtains.
--
The hand in her hair was soothing. Gentle and sweet. She was easily distracted by it and by his closeness. She curled into him almost instantly, slipping an arm over his middle. "I enjoyed it," she said. "I liked the challenge because it made it easier for me to sort out what really needed to be included and what didn't. I marked out a lot of useless things in the review," she admitted. "It was difficult, don't get me wrong, but I actually thought it was really fun." Before the headache had come, at least. Luckily, she had the piece almost completed by that time.
--
When Daphne moved in closer, Roger pressed a kiss against her forehead almost automatically, only really thinking about his actions after. He wasn’t quite sure how to explain to himself why he wanted to provide Daphne with at least some level of comfort, and perhaps more importantly, he also wasn’t sure why it didn’t feel in any way worrying. Mostly, it just felt quite nice, to lie there in the dark with her, his fingers running through her hair as he listened to her talk, giving a small nod as she explained what writing the chapter had been like.
“I’m glad it seemed useful,” Roger told Daphne truthfully. He hadn’t really known whether it would be, but it had seemed like a good idea. Having her confirm that she had enjoyed it was... nice. “Once I’ve read it, I can give you another challenge if you’d like?” Roger offered. He probably could think of one now, but it seemed more productive to wait until he’d read how this one had gone, even if Daphne seemed to think it had gone well. Roger didn’t really doubt her words, but reading the chapter would also allow him to see what she needed to improve.
--
The kiss was sweet, just as much as the touches were. It made her smile just having him close. It was becoming very easy to want to absorb every little bit of affection that Roger was willing to give her. It didn't matter if it was still strange that he was giving it, so long as he was. Such tiny moments were a new thing to her, especially with a man, but Daphne didn't think that she wanted it to stop anytime soon.
She nodded at his suggestion of another challenge. "I'd like that," she agreed. "You've made writing fun for me again," she said, her fingertips drawing random, small shapes against the fabric of his shirt. "Thank you for that."
--
It wasn’t that Roger thought the compliment was unnecessary, more that it wasn’t accurate. So he gave a small shake of his head, but did also shift in closer, legs tangling with Daphne’s. “I don’t think I did that,” he told Daphne honestly. “I think writing has always been fun for you,” he did, too. “And maybe I just reminded you of that,” which was still not something Roger believed to be true but he was happier to accept that. Daphne was too good of a writer for Roger to really take any credit at all. Or, certainly, he didn’t believe so at least.
“But you’re welcome,” Roger added giving Daphne a small smile. Leaning in closer, Roger pressed a kiss against her lips. One which was much softer and gentler than the kisses they usually shared, but also one that held no expectation of leading anywhere. The tenderness of it felt really quite nice and was thereafter promptly put away with the rest of the things Roger felt but didn’t particularly wish to acknowledge. “So,” he said once pulling back, but only just enough to be able to look at Daphne. “Now that you’ve done one chapter, when am I to expect the complete book?” He asked teasingly.
--
"Either way, thank you all the same." Daphne had always been a fan of writing and had somewhere fallen off the wagon. Roger had come along and given her a push right back onto it again and that deserved at least a little bit of gratitude.
She was pleased that he accepted the thank you and even more pleased by the little kiss he gave her. It was different than many of the kisses they usually shared, but it was lovely all the same. "At this rate, probably soon," she told him, grinning. "All of your help is going to get you a dedication if you keep it up. I'll be sure to be discrete and not share all the intimate details of our prolonged physical contact," she teased.
--
Roger gave a small laugh when Daphne assured him he’d get a dedication. He certainly didn’t expect one and mostly assumed she was joking in saying so, but it was a sweet thought, nonetheless. Mostly Roger just hoped his comments on Daphne’s work would actually be useful and help her write a whole piece of work. Roger certainly hoped it would, or rather, that she would, because her work deserved publishing, in his opinion (and Roger was confident that this was an opinion that would be shared by others if they read her work).
“Has anyone else read your work?” The thought provoked him to ask. Roger felt he didn’t actually know a great deal about Daphne’s experience of writing, apart from the fact that she had always enjoyed it, even as a kid. A feeling Roger honestly couldn’t even attempt to relate to, as he didn’t think he had ever felt like that about anything, as a kid or otherwise.
--
"I used to make up stories when I was younger and tell them to Astoria so I guess she's read them in some regard. This latest bit, though, no one but you." Which was a surprising realization and she hadn't really taken the time to consider what that meant. Even now she wasn't sure what that meant.
"I want Astoria to see the book once it's finished, of course, and my friends, but no one has seen it yet. I guess it's just so… raw? I don't know. I want it to be more polished before anyone really sees it." She wasn't sure she could explain why anyone didn't include him, but it didn't. She didn't feel uncomfortable spending time with Roger and she certainly didn't mind him reading her work. She couldn't explain any of that, though.
--
Roger had even less of a clue why Daphne showed him her work but didn’t feel ready to show it to anyone else. Yet, it also made sense. Roger had no idea why or how but it just did. So he nodded softly at her explanation. “We’ll get it more polished,” Roger told her because it was true. All of the comments he had made and then Daphne had implemented made the story and the writing more coherent and clearer. It took Roger a moment after he had said it to realise that he’d said ‘we’ rather than ‘you’, as if it somehow was a joint project, which it wasn’t, since it was Daphne’s writing.
“I like editing your work,” Roger said. “Especially when you use the comments I make and change things and they do sound better,” it was a very odd feeling for Roger, who had never really felt like he positively contributed to anything. As far as hobbies went, Roger felt this was a rather successful one. Even if he wasn’t sure whether that was referring to Daphne’s writing or Daphne herself.
--
She caught the fact that he'd said we'll instead of you'll but chose not to mention it. She couldn't deny that it sounded nice but she wasn't about to mention it because he would correct himself. Instead, she let it sit there in the air and smiled a little. "Yes," she agreed. "I don't doubt that."
She was pleased to hear that he enjoyed editing her work. She was worried that it was going to become more of a job for him than anything. Daphne didn't expect him to continue doing it forever. In truth, she was surprised he hadn't already tired of it. "Do they?," she asked, tilting her head up a little to better see his face in the semi darkness. "I worry about not editing things just right or following the suggestions well enough." She couldn't hide that she was happy that she was improving in his eyes.
--
“I wouldn’t carry on doing it if I didn’t feel like you use the comments,” Roger told Daphne honestly, and what he felt was also fairly. Roger wasn’t very good at enjoying doing things that seemed to have no progression. He did plenty of that in his job, so doing it outside it didn’t exactly seem like an appealing prospect. Daphne’s writing, though, Roger felt progressed a lot. And whilst he was happy to accept that there was a level of bias he felt towards it, Roger still thought he could tell when something was just good. And Daphne’s writing was certainly that. And it kept getting better.
Brushing another kiss against Daphne’s lips, Roger gave a small bite to her lower lip, but even that was still very gentle. “It’s your writing,” he told her after. “You can’t editing it wrong,” which Roger did believe. Most of his comments suggested expanding a point or offering more context to things. Roger had no interest in telling Daphne what to write, since he failed to see how that would be productive for either of them.
--
He had a very valid point. If she hadn't used his suggestions, there really wouldn't be a point in him continuing on giving them. The thought of not using something that he obviously put time and effort into wasn't something Daphne thought she'd feel comfortable with. She had her moments of being a less than stellar person but, for whatever reason, using someone didn't really fit into her wants. "True," she agreed. "And I wouldn't expect you to. I'd be a real bitch if I did that. Just let you comment and suggest improvement and blow you off. I wouldn't. Especially because you've really been helpful."
"I know it's mine, but I guess I just mean that I want you to be aware that I am listening and that I do appreciate the time that you're putting into this. I know you don't have to and I just want you to know that it really is helping me. I want to make sure that comes out in the writing so that you don't just get bored and throw in the towel." Daphne realized then that she was a little worried that if he did bore of her writing that maybe he'd bore of her. Perhaps quickly.
--
“I know you wouldn’t,” Roger confirmed brushing his hand over Daphne’s cheek, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. For one, Roger really didn’t think that Daphne would care for him to read her work and not comment on it. He supposed she could’ve just wanted him to say that it was good and leave it at that, but so far, it seemed that she was more than happy to accept Roger’s comments. And in turn, that was why Roger wrote them. It was still odd to think that Daphne found them helpful, but the proof was in the writing and Roger could tell it was improving. The knowledge that he was helping, and that she actually felt like he was, felt odd but not unpleasant.
When Daphne offered more assurances and a thanks, Roger smiled before giving a small shake of his head. “I can’t imagine it being boring,” he told her honestly. Logically Roger realised that there were plenty of ways in which he could find editing Daphne’s work boring but it honestly didn’t feel like it’d ever bore him. “Especially not when it’s attached to you,” Roger added more teasingly. Truth was, he really struggled to imagine being bored of Daphne, even more so than imagining getting bored with her writing. It seemed like something that was likely to happen to Roger, because it often did, but it genuinely just didn’t feel like that right now. That, too, was odd but not unpleasant.
--
Daphne returned the kiss and offered a little smile afterward. Slipping the hand that was behind him underneath the back of his shirt, she splayed her fingers out against his warm skin. "Good," she said. So long as he was aware, she felt better. His assurances that he didn't think her writing could be boring made her smile. The teasing widened that grin. "Careful," she told him, her tone just as teasing. "I'm going to start thinking you like me if you keep talking like that."
She leaned in to steal another little kiss, gentle as all the rest, and smiled against his lips. "Can you stay?," she asked.
--
Roger tilted his back, into her touch, offering a small laugh when Daphne told him he should be careful or she’d think he liked her. “I do like you,” he offered in return easily. As much as the whole thing was still unexpected and in many ways not quite what Roger had thought he’d feel comfortable with, he did like Daphne. And really, he was rather sure that he’d done plenty to imply as much, both in his actions and in what he said to her.
“I can stay,” he confirmed. The idea of leaving hadn’t even entered Roger’s mind, which was another one of those things that was easier not to consider, but it didn’t change the fact that he did want to stay. What was surprising, even to Roger, was that he really didn’t object to staying with Daphne even when sex was not involved. Then again, she had been the one to say that sex wasn’t really why she liked Roger, it was just a bonus. Roger wasn’t sure whether he should’ve been surprised to discover that he felt somewhat similarly. “Though,” he added with a small smirk as he ran a hand over Daphne’s arm and then side, settling it on her hip. “Asking me to stay, might make me think you like me, too,” he told her amused.
--
It was strange how such simple words felt like being wrapped up in a warm blanket. Daphne cuddled closer. He did plenty of things to make her sure that he at least didn't dislike her, but it still felt nice to hear it. Too nice for words.
Daphne was more than pleased when he agreed to stay and smiled at the response. "Good," she said, nodding and letting her fingers move back and forth against his back. She didn't want him to leave. His mention of the possibility of her liking him made her laugh. She kissed him again, nipping at his lower lip gently. "Good," she said again. "Because I do."
--
Roger grinned against Daphne’s lips, especially when she nibbled on one of his. This was nice. Like it actually felt nice and Roger liked it. It did also feel ridiculously intimate, the way they were lying close on her bed, soft touches and light kisses. “Do you want to sleep?” Roger asked Daphne gently. “It’ll probably help with the headache,” which was true. It wasn’t quite late yet, but Roger thought that if she’d been unwell most of the day, sleep would be helpful even if it would leave them waking up early in the morning.
Shifting, Roger pulled his hand back from Daphne but only long enough to pull his t-shirt off, before returning his hand to her hip, tucking on the hem of Daphne’s shirt. “Less clothes would also definitely help your headache,” he told, the serious tone mostly undermined by the smirk playing on Roger’s lips.
--
Daphne wasn't sure that she wanted to sleep because she was feeling better just being close to Roger. The thought of getting to snuggle into him, though, was definitely appealing. Even if it would have her waking up early, she could probably use the sleep. "Maybe a little nap, at least," she said, nodding.
When he slipped his shirt off, she smirked at him and his words. "Oh, is that so? Are you sure you're not just trying to steal your shirt back from me?," she asked even as she slipped the shirt off and tossed it aside. It mattered little if she was clothed or not. Astoria always knocked and Daphne had long ago gotten into the habit of latching her door anyway. "Better?," she asked. It likely was considering the fact that Daphne hadn't bothered with a bra. There had been no need.
--
“Yes,” Roger said when Daphne took her shirt off, it definitely was better, most things were, Roger was quickly discovering, when Daphne was at least partially naked. “And I’ve given up on the idea of salvaging my shirts,” he added as an afterthought. That was slightly less true, since Roger was going to have to ask for at least some of them back if they weren’t going to be volunteered, but as of right now, he was perfectly happy for Daphne to carry on hoarding them.
Running his fingers over Daphne’s now bare stomach, Roger moved in closer, lowering his hand again towards Daphne’s hip, this time so he could turn her over to her other side, before shifting in closer, Roger’s bare chest pressed against Daphne’s bare back and he wrapped his arm around her. Pressing his nose against Daphne’s hair, Roger then proceeded to leave a trail of kisses down the side of Daphne’s neck and shoulder. His thumb was stroking lightly against the soft skin beneath it. “A little nap,” he repeated her words. Roger doubted it wouldn’t just turn into proper sleep, but he was willing to pretend.
--
Daphne was sure that she'd end up giving some of his shirts back at some point. Others, she was positive that he may have lost forever. That was his fault, though, for buying comfortable shirts.
All thoughts of his shirts went out of her mind when he rolled her over onto her other side and settled in behind her. She smiled and let her fingertips slide over the arm he'd slid around her until she could lace her fingers through his. The little kisses to her neck and shoulder earned Roger a soft hum. "Mhm," she said, nodding only just a little as she closed her eyes. Sleep hadn't ever sounded as good as it did with Roger pressed close and his lips against her skin.