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Verity ([info]veritas_amor) wrote in [info]strugglewithin,
@ 2008-12-21 21:01:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:*complete, caleb warrington, verity de luca

RP: Cat and Mouse
Date: 21 September 1997
Characters: Verity De Luca, Caleb Warrington
Location: Club Charybdis
Status: Private
Summary: Verity runs into Caleb.
Completion: Complete



She needed to be out around people. Verity had been mostly keeping to herself of late- the things that were starting to happen worried her, especially this new system of IDs, and so she was staying at home and spending time with her family. But lately she'd started...itching.

She'd been out of the social scene for almost two years. Sure, she'd been out with friends, she'd had fun. But she wanted to be herself again. Her old self.

It was time to get her mojo back.

So here she was, at Club Charybdis. She was dressed to kill in shoes with tiny, spiky heels and an even tinier red slip dress, and had been dancing ever since she walked in the door. There had been plenty of men willing to buy her drinks, and some of them were even cute.

Still, alcohol was not good for so much physical activity and she was now at the bar, bribing the bartender into selling her a bottle of water- something they didn't advertise they kept around. Taking it from him and downing about a quarter of the contents gratefully, she looked around the club for her next victim.

And her eyes landed on someone very familiar who seemed to be attempting to sneak toward the exit. A slightly feral smile crossed her face as she pushed off from the bar and headed for him, her long legs allowing her to catch up with him in nearly no time.

Stepping around in front of him, she grinned, stopping in his path.

"And just where are you going?"


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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 08:30 pm UTC (link)
Caleb had decided that it was a bad idea to come to this club almost from the moment he set foot in the door. He simply was not a club-type personality. One drink later, he was making his way from the door when she appeared out of nowhere.

He very nearly went for his wand.

"Verity! What are you doing here?"

Stupid question, Warrington he chided himself.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 08:35 pm UTC (link)
Verity chuckled when she saw him twitch as though he was considering going for his wand and put her hands on her hips. "Were you really going to hex little old me?" she teased.

It was sort of funny, seeing him here, both for reasons she preferred not to think about and simply because she didn't see him as the type that hung out in dark corners in clubs. Which was where they were, Verity having- well, cornered him.

"I needed to dance. So I came here, because there are always plenty of people to dance with. What brings you here?" she asked curiously.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 08:48 pm UTC (link)
"I needed to see something other than the Ministry and my flat." He shrugged his shoulders and wondered if it would be inexcusably rude to pick her up and move her bodily out of the way. She'd likely hex him silly. "I've seen and now I'm heading home."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 08:51 pm UTC (link)
Going home? Well, no, that just wouldn't do at all.

Pouting, Verity looked up at him. "Sure you've seen enough? You can't possibly be heading home yet." She grinned. "You should dance with me."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 09:03 pm UTC (link)
"Dancing?" He kept from shuffling his feet like an ickle firstie only through an act of will. "Um, you do remember the disaster that was the Yule Ball? That was my dancing on a good day."

What was it about her expression that made him revert to a stammering kid again? She was just a little thing. Surely he could take her if he needed to make a break for it.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 09:07 pm UTC (link)
She did remember the Yule Ball. It hadn't been long after they broke up, but then their breakup had been a rather amicable one, and even though she'd gone with Adrian she'd danced with Caleb once or twice.

"You weren't that bad," she assured him with another smile. "Besides, this is a completely different kind of dancing," she added, gesturing toward the dance floor. Very different.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 09:11 pm UTC (link)
He sighed. Why was he even fighting this? He knew he'd give in eventually. He always gave in to big eyed girls even if he knew better.

"Alright. But you're not allowed to make any comments about lack of rhythm or smashed toes."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 09:17 pm UTC (link)
She squealed happily. "Fabulous," she said, grabbing his hand and dragging him toward the dance floor. Besides, he could hardly smash her toes if they danced like she was planning on.

"It's not like you're uncoordinated or anything," she continued once they'd found a good spot, sort of in the middle of the crush of people but so that they had their own space.

Raising her arms above her head, she began moving her body to the rhythm of the music, hips swaying. When she realized he wasn't moving, she reached out and grabbed his hands, putting them on her hips. "Just follow me."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 09:34 pm UTC (link)
Verity's enthusiasm was both daunting and comfortable familiar. It was a strange combination. He just watched her until she grabbed his hands and placed them firmly on her hips. That, too, was strangely familiar even though dancing had not been something they had done during their brief relationship.

Forcing himself to relax a bit, he attempted to move with her. "I bet you don't get many arguments when you give orders like that, Miss Bossy."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 09:38 pm UTC (link)
Verity smirked as he finally started moving. He was still a bit hesitant and so she stepped closer, her arms going around his neck so that her body brushed against his a bit when they moved.

"Not usually, no. But then I've always been used to getting my way." And that was certainly true, although thankfully she'd never been a brat about it, due to her mother's good influence.

"There you go, see? Told you you could dance." After a moment she turned in his arms so that her back was to him, though she left one arm wrapped around his neck and his hands on her hips.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 10:12 pm UTC (link)
"If you say so." He still doubted that this was actually dancing, but he was not foolish enough to argue with her. When she turned in his arms, he eyed the top of her head. Was she trying to tease him?

Silly question. This was Verity. She made a career of teasing him. Fortunately two could play at that game.

He slid his arms around her waist, pulling her just a tad into his body. "This better?" he asked.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-21 10:15 pm UTC (link)
"I do say so." Really, how could he say he couldn't dance when he was driving her crazy with the way he'd pulled her back against him. His arms were heavy around her waist, the weight a comfortable one, and she pressed farther back into him as she continued to move to the music.

"Much," she said a bit breathessly, trying but not completely managing to keep her voice from sounding too husky. Hmm. Was he doing that on purpose?

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-21 10:22 pm UTC (link)
It was nice to know he could still put that note into her voice even though they were no longer anything but friends. He smiled smuggly, knowing that she would have elbowed him if she could see his expression.

It was only fair that if she got his blood moving by wearing that tiny dress that he returned the favor.

"Good."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 07:33 pm UTC (link)
Her breath was coming less easily, but she had passed caring about that a while ago, giving herself over to the rhythm of the music and the way Caleb felt moving against here. The beat drove her movements, her head falling back to rest against his shoulder.

"Think maybe you're a natural. Bet you just say you can't to get the ladies this close to you."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 07:50 pm UTC (link)
"No," he said, his voice a low rumble of sound underneath the roil of music, "but I will remember to use that excuse." He half-closed his eyes. This was easier than he thought it would be.

That was likely a function of who it was he was dancing with. Verity was familiar from the scent of her shampoo to the way she walked from years sharing a Common Room and a brief time of sharing more.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 07:54 pm UTC (link)
"You do that." The song changed then, to something slower, smoother, and she turned just as smoothly in his arms to face him, her arms going around his neck. She was pressed flush against him and she smiled.

"How are you with slow dancing? It's just as easy, I promise," she teased with a little wink, even while knowing that she probably shouldn't be here, probably shouldn't be flirting with him like this.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 08:14 pm UTC (link)
"I'm willing to give it a try." He shook his head at coy expression on her face. This one had always been trouble. But still he clasped his hands in the small of her back and moved with in something like a two-step with little formal form to it.

"What have you been up to lately, Verity?" he asked. He was tempted to ask her why there wasn't a jealous boyfriend storming over to them, but he refrained. It was hardly his business.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 08:19 pm UTC (link)
What had she been doing lately? She laughed a bit, shaking her head.

"I've just been working, and spending time with my family." Including Michaela, who had been a little brat this morning, demanding her toy and when she didn't get it pitching the loudest fit Verity had ever heard. No wonder they were called the 'Terrible Twos'. Even more shocking, though, was the fact that Verity had managed to calm her down, and that she still adored the little hellion.

"What about you? Where have you been hiding yourself?"

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 08:30 pm UTC (link)
Caleb shrugged. "Just working. Hit Wizard training consumes everything around a bloke." Sometimes he wished he could say more, but what part of his job wasn't dead boring was confidential. While there were no vows placed upon him like the Unspeakables had, it was still death to your career if you were known to talk out of turn.

"How is the little one? Did she survive her day at the Twin Weasleys' place?"

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 08:36 pm UTC (link)
"Don't work too hard," she said quietly, reaching up without thinking about it and smoothing out the furrow in his brow with her thumb.

She froze momentarily when he asked about Michaela, because it was just a tiny bit surreal, him asking about the little girl. "Um, she's just fine," she managed finally. "Survived, blew some things up. Pitched the fit from hell this morning."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 08:47 pm UTC (link)
He stared at her, puzzled by the way she touched his face. It was a rather intimate gesture.

"She sounds like a handful." He smiled slightly, his eyes still locked on hers. "Just like her big sister, I'm certain."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 08:51 pm UTC (link)
She drew her hand back quickly at the look on his face, looking down for a moment before returning her gaze to his and her hand to his shoulder.

Glad that he hadn't noticed her momentary lapse, she quirked an eyebrow at him. "Are you calling me a handful, Mister Warrington?"

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 08:56 pm UTC (link)
"Perhaps," he temporized, wideing his eyes in mock-fear. "But only if you don't intend to hex me. Otherwise I'm denying everything."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 09:03 pm UTC (link)
Verity grinned, chuckling a bit and tickling his side. "I'll hardly hex you. For one thing, I'd have to reveal just where I keep my wand in this dress."

"Besides, I seem to remember you being a bit of a handful yourself."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 09:32 pm UTC (link)
He trapped her hand against his side with his arm. "Now that's an interesting question. Where do you hide a wand in a dress like that?"

"Who? Me? You must be thinking of someone else. I am completely innocent."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 09:39 pm UTC (link)
Verity smirked up at him, her eyes a bit dangerous. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Innocent? You?" She snorted.

If he was innocent, she wouldn't be a mother to a two-year-old right now.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 09:57 pm UTC (link)
He actually would very much like to know the answer to that question. "There are varying degrees of innocent, you realize. I am totally innocent of things such as blowing up the potions lab or charming all the cushions in Ravenclaw tower to play random versions of the school song on nights before big exams." He smiled wickedly.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 09:58 pm UTC (link)
Verity slowly walked her fingers up his arm. "I can't think of quite a few things that you certainly aren't innocent of," she said quietly, smirking up at him.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 10:23 pm UTC (link)
"Yes," Caleb rumbled, "I am sure you can name a few." He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. "You were there, too."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 10:25 pm UTC (link)
"I was." She had proof of that, in the form of an utterly adorable two year old waiting on her at home.

And that should have made her sober a bit, take a step back, even if only figuratively. But instead she stayed where she was, enjoying the way his hand felt on her cheek.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 10:42 pm UTC (link)
"I am very tempted to ask you if you'd like to recreate a few of those not so innocent activities," Caleb confessed, letting his hand move from her cheek to her neck and along the line of her shoulder. She was still one of the prettiest witches he knew.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 10:47 pm UTC (link)
She shivered a bit when his hand brushed along her shoulder, eyes on his.

"If you did, I would be sorely tempted to accept," she said, "but part of me wonders if it would be a good idea."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 10:58 pm UTC (link)
"If you're wondering, Verity," he said, burying his disappointment as deeply as he could, "then I think that's my answer."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 11:01 pm UTC (link)
"No. It's not."

Because he couldn't know why she was wondering, her reasons for doubting, even though right now she was struggling with herself trying to decide if she should or not.

"If that was your answer...I wouldn't want to as much as I do."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 11:11 pm UTC (link)
He nodded slowly. He'd never known her to be so indecisive, but he was not one to push, not in this arena. "Okay. It's whatever you want, Ver."

The song was coming to an end. "Would you like a drink?" Maybe a simpler question would remove that conflicted light from her eyes.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-22 11:13 pm UTC (link)
She nodded slowly as the song wound to a close, her arms untangling themselves from his neck as she stepped back slightly. Maybe physical distance would help her figure this out.

"I would, thank you."

Surely there was no harm in one night. Especially since it had been so long.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-22 11:27 pm UTC (link)
He led her to a table and then went to get their order. Returning a few minutes later, he sat down beside her, his back to the wall and let his eyes idly scan the crowd before settling on her face.

"I didn't mean to do this to you," he said softly, reaching out in an echo of her earlier gesture to smooth the wrinkle between her brows. "You're thinking awfully hard. I hope you know there will be no hard feelings if you tell me to get lost."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-23 06:28 pm UTC (link)
Taking her drink, she nearly inhaled it as he reached over and smoothed out the line in her forehead. Sputtering only a little, she exhaled sharply.

"I hope you believe me when I say I don't want to tell you to get lost," she informed him quite seriously. "I just...don't make decisions as lightly as I used to is all. Can't, rather."

She looked back up at him. "There's no harm in one night, right?" she repeated, this time out loud.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-23 06:37 pm UTC (link)
"I don't think so, no." He watched her carefully. He certainly didn't want to walk away from an opportunity to be with her again and not only due to curiousity about how they would be now that they were both older and perhaps wiser.

"What do you want, Verity?"

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-23 06:40 pm UTC (link)
"You," she said almost immediately. Her want for him hadn't gone away over the years; had increased, if her reactions to him out on the dance floor had been any indication.

"What do you want?" she countered. By now she had made up her mind; she wasn't going to walk away from this. Not tonight.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-23 06:48 pm UTC (link)
He didn't know why Verity was the exception to his no sleeping with friends rule, but she was. Perhaps it was because that line had been crossed long ago.

Caleb lifted her hand to his lips and brushed a kiss on the back of her knuckles. "I would like to take you home."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-23 06:52 pm UTC (link)
She shivered at the brush of his lips, which just told her that this was the right decision. Her gaze locking on his, she smiled slowly.

"Then why are we still sitting here?"

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-23 07:06 pm UTC (link)
Standing, he pulled her to her feet. "That's an easy fix." He pulled her close for a moment, searching her face for any hesitation. Finding none, he smiled. "Let's go, beautiful."

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-23 07:10 pm UTC (link)
Her breath caught when he pulled her up and she just looked up at him for a moment. She couldn't remember the last time someone told her that- called her beautiful.

"Lead the way."

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-23 07:22 pm UTC (link)
He put his arm around her waist, tucking her into his side. Maybe there was more to this going to clubs thing than he had thought.

Caleb led her out of the club and into a quiet nook to apparate them back to his flat.

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[info]veritas_amor
2008-12-23 07:26 pm UTC (link)
If there was one thing Verity was good at, it was making the first move. She'd already done that by dragging him out to the dance floor, so there was really no reason for her not to continue the trend.

Almost as soon as they reappeared in his flat, she leaned up to kiss him soundly.

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[info]cowarrington
2008-12-23 07:50 pm UTC (link)
His eyes very nearly popped out of his head when all of a sudden he was being thoroughly kissed. He'd forgetten this about her.

Not that he was complaining at all, mind.

When they came up for air, he took a moment to spell the ferret staring at them from the back of the couch into his cage and to conjour a blanket to cover him, cage and all. Then he got down to the far more important business of kissing the beauty in his arms.

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