InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Love is all you need."

• flower enthusiast rose knightley • (flowercrown) wrote in valesco,
@ 2016-05-21 22:27:00

Entry tags:

arista sykes, arthur griffiths, grail yates, greta catchlove, group, joaquín chambers, ludo bagman, peter fitzwilliams, rami dagworth, regan shacklebolt, rose knightley, scarlett rabnott

fitzwilliams/knightley wedding!

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MRS.

aftershocks
2016-05-23 03:21 am UTC (link)

He was quite sure that he hadn't let go of Rose's hand all evening. It was a bit juvenile, wasn't it? To insist on being tugged about, to keep a close grip on the woman you loved. Peter found no qualms with the required mingling that was happening throughout the evening, finding no need to do much of his own, though there were many friends in the vicinity that he was pleased to see. Everything was simply...right, and he was fine with that. More than fine.

But, there was a budding threat to this lengthy hand-lock they'd been in. Peter's eyebrows went high at the cause for disruption, and sent Rose a long, sideways glance before his eyes dropped down.

"One song," he said to Cole Rookwood, a finger on his free hand stiffly shaking. The almost four-year-old laughed loudly and shoved Peter in the leg.

"You're funny, Uncle Peter!"

Startled, because that was new, Peter lifted Rose's hand to pass his bride over to her godson.

"I'm not joking!" he tried to say with a straight face, but Cole's delight and urgency to get onto the dance floor couldn't be ignored. Peter smiled widely, crossing his arms and making a mocking show of checking his watch to time exactly how long he'd allow for this disruption.

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MR.

flowercrown
2016-05-23 07:19 pm UTC (link)

Rose may have been talking and playing with Cole Rookwood as they danced, but her eyes certainly stayed locked with Peter Fitzwilliams' while doing so. Was it right for him to torture his bride so, this way, on their wedding night? With her chest flushed, neck hot, and attention distracted, she didn't think so. But as she and her godson giggled, Rose eventually pulling him up into her arms to tickle her hand along his dashingly adorned stomach, she thought there could be very worse ways to be kept from the one you loved on a special night.

When the song was over, Rose insisted on another. Was it a bit of a game? Yes, of course; how else could she attempt to rile Peter up has he had riled her from here? Intent on keeping his focus, her eyes continued to never leave his, godsons and reception guests alike vying for attention.

With Cole skidding off back to his family's table, Rose was by Peter's side once more. Her chin low and eyes heavy-lidded, she reached for his hand.

"Come on," she said, and without indication or permission, tugged him forward and away from the dancing floor. One of the garden's employees, a friendly and excitable one that was the owner's son, had made it very clear that the little house Rose spent the day preparing and getting ready in was reserved for the bride while she was on the premise. That privilege extended into the night as well, didn't it? As she walked, Rose curled her palm in his so that her fingers could, lightly and teasingly, brush along the inner part of Peter's wrist.

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aftershocks
2016-05-24 05:02 am UTC (link)

If there was one thing Peter was acutely aware of when it came to Rose Knightley, is that she always knew what she was doing. He put on a show of being outraged at the second dance, earning a few pulled faces from the boy, but soon the act was over and he was reunited with Rose again. In a furtive trance he followed her, feigning to not have heard the clinking of glasses that signaled the guests' requests for a kiss from the bride and groom.

That would have to wait.

Peter recognized the house because he had been told not to go near there or else it would be bad luck! The order had made Peter want to burst down the doors at the time and he was feeling the same now, but for a different manner entirely. The door was shut behind them as quickly as it had opened, and he wasted no time in pressing Rose back against it with the sort of kiss he'd been aching all night for.

His hands gripped her face, moved into her hair. This had been--it was the best day of his life, she was the best part of his life, and he couldn't---they'd just been married and Peter still didn't think he'd ever be able to express to Rose what she meant to him. His fingers tugged through her hair before tracing down her arms and to her waist.

"I don't want to ruin your dress," he voiced with heated breath, thinking that perhaps the small couch would do better, if she got on top---

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flowercrown
2016-05-26 02:16 am UTC (link)

"I don't care," she husked, throwing her arms around Peter's neck as she crushed against him. Her legs already beginning to wrap around him, it was a very easy saunter over to the settee.

Of course, most if not all of her ensemble was charmed impervious against stains and tears (a special precaution for all things wedding, she had thought), but Rose wasn't about to stop what she was doing to waste precious time establishing that. Peter Fitzwilliams had gotten his wife proper and riled, stopping to respond to things that didn't matter in her mind, at the moment, seemed unnecessary.

And it was her wedding night, wasn't it? A happy night, one that truly surprised her how much she hadn't realized she wanted until it was happening. Their friends and family---- Peter. Now was not the time to think about anyone else but him. Breaking away, sparing her hands, with heavy breaths Rose reached down to pull apart the clasp of Peter's trousers. Her hair felt wild, she felt wild, and---

Her breath caught as she felt a great movement over her stomach. Surprised, for it hurt just a little, her hand flew, with Peter's hand in it, to her side. Rose's brow furrowed, her other hand steadying herself on the back of the settee. This was not a new feeling, in fact, it had begun to happen quite frequently and for a few times now just before she and Peter----

Lips forming into a wry smile, her shoulders dropped. "Your son, I think, believes we could be spending our time doing other things."

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aftershocks
2016-06-12 04:45 pm UTC (link)

Their son was already showing signs of inherited stubbornness and Peter was going to put a stop to that immediately. His gaze up at Rose was heavily shrouded with desire, underlined by vague annoyance. This little boy was not here yet to be making such orders, so Peter's hands under Rose's skirt moved higher up her thigh. He snapped the garter.

"He doesn't make the rules," Peter said solemnly, his other hand moving to keep Rose, his wife, in place.

It was their wedding night, wasn't it? Their son would have the rest of his life to make demands and have his parents yield to them. Not losing eye contact with Rose, looking almost as if they were about to go over a business contract, Peter's hands roamed to properly adjust what needed to be.

He risked a slight smirk.

"We'll simply have to go slow, as to not disturb his royal highness."

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TRIO

huracan
2016-05-23 05:25 am UTC (link)

“You have two left feet.”

“Shut it, no I don’t,” Joaquín muttered, brow furrowing at Regan Shacklebolt as she attempted to lead in this forced dance. How very amused her date must be at the sight, but Joaquín was determined to look unbothered by the whole ordeal.

“Are you in a rush?” Regan asked sweetly, tilting her head though he could tell that she too was only keeping herself on the dancefloor because of her annoyance with Rami and his secret-keeping. How long had he known that the two of them were breakfast/lunch/dinner squabblers? How long had he been with Regan and Joaquín had no idea! Their shared fury toward the tickled Unspeakable was all that kept them together until the song finished.

“If you must know,” he said, feeling a bit daring and twirling Regan out and back. She looked slightly impressed and Joaquín’s shoulders straightened. “I have a date.”

“Who would date you?” she squawked, and he rolled his eyes away.

“You’d be surprised,” he responded, taking a step back and performing an exaggerated bow to Regan as the song ended. She forced a curtsey and took his hand again to drag him back to the table. Was this how the rest of his life was going to be? “Don’t tell Dagworth.”

“Oh, don’t you worry,” Regan said as they neared their corner. “He won’t be getting anything from me tonight.”

Joaquín grinned, thinking that perhaps there was a glimmer of hope for Regan Shacklebolt. He sat back down and took a drink, watching as Regan primly sat beside Rami.

“I’ve found a new dance partner,” she announced, delicately unfolding her napkin to place it on her lap.

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>:3

extemporise
2016-05-23 11:48 pm UTC (link)

"That's good," Rami responded seriously in his seat. "Excellent dancing partners should do so together."

Face crafted exceedingly composed, except of course for the very subtle pleasure playing on the curled ends of his lips, Rami toyed his gaze between Regan and Joaquín respectively. He had known of their unique relationship for some years now, and upon that reveal, had been fully prepared for both their begrudging resistance of the fact. But, to be frank, Rami found he couldn't quite muster up fret or worry concerning how resentful they both were toward him at the moment; he was far too happy to have two people he cared very deeply about in the same place, at the same time, together. Even their combined powers, while certainly strong, couldn't ruin that.

He was also immensely amused to witness both his best friend and his girlfriend put on the poorest of polite faces with each other for his benefit, but he was sure they knew that.

Sitting back, Rami felt himself in an uncharacteristically good mood. But knowing it was important to not push the both of them too far, he truly tried his very best to contain it. As he reached for his drink, politely Regan handing hers as well, he thought about what else should be put out into the open, while they were all here. He should truly thank Peter further for providing this opportunity.

"Hestia Jones is Joaquín’s babysitter," he said, sipping from his glass as his eyes went back to dancing between them, "Regan's brother Kendrick was just recently promoted to head of children's ward at St. Mungo's."

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huracan
2016-05-23 11:56 pm UTC (link)

Joaquín had caught the exact moment that Regan had contemplated pouring her drink into Rami's lap. She held her poise, however, and took a quick drink before dropping it to the table (with only a little spill) and excusing herself to go and congratulate Melania Comstock on her recent engagement. Joaquín watched her go, taking a long drink of his own before placing it on the table as well.

His hands reached around the mug, fingertips pressing against each other. "You are in a lot of trouble."

He couldn't help his smirk, however, because as...difficult this all was to wrap his head around, it was interesting to see Rami in this new light.

"It's really weird how all this works," Joaquín said after a moment. He felt that perhaps he was handling all of these revelations a smidgen better than Regan because of his recent time spent with those who predicted fate, and how the most random of occurrences weren't so random at all.

"I mean, you've got two Ravenclaws ready to keep you in line for the rest of your days," he said with a knowing raise of his eyebrows. Joaquín leaned back into his seat to look out at the small crowd. "Could be worse I suppose."

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extemporise
2016-05-25 07:56 pm UTC (link)

Trouble? Keep him in line? Rami's smile furthered just a little more.

But he appreciated the sentiment, knowing the intent behind Joaquín's words to be honest and true. Did he share his friend's curious wonder at the contemplation of invisible strings pulling at all their lives? No, not at all, for Rami did not believe in them. Unlike Joaquín, his time spent with seers and higher magic had turned him resolute against the idea that the world was already decided for them. Self-made decision and free will were certainly... these were not the thoughts to be having at a wedding reception.

Rami looked back, catching the corner of his eye to ensure Regan continued to stay out of earshot. He supposed it wouldn't be a total shock if a part of her knew already, but... to ruin whatever kind of surprise was not ideal.

"I'm going to ask her to marry me," he said, simple as anything. His gaze returned to Joaquín, his eyes not by chance watching his friend carefully. As he spoke, his head tilted in an interested way. "I'm glad you can talk about a future with her in it."

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huracan
2016-06-12 04:58 pm UTC (link)

He apologized immediately for the face he pulled at the words, something of a mix of surprise, confusion and light horror because while he had just stated that Rami would have his duo of Ravenclaws at his side, Joaquín had not put together the fact that he himself would have Regan in his life forever, as well. He shook his head and sat back, staring at Rami now in a thoughtful manner. His oldest friend, his best friend, his son' godfather. This was a big, big step in his life, and Joaquín was glad to be a part of it.

Even if he was intent on marrying the loudmouth.

Joaquín lifted his glass in a toast to Rami, "Cheers, my friend."

Looking out toward the party he found Regan again, who was now engrossed in some story with quite the flair of gesticulations. He sighed, hoping that their children would take more after Rami and his quiet observant ways.

"I suppose I'll have to be a bit nicer in the future," he said, quickly taking a drink and avoiding Rami's gaze with the tickle of amusement that coursed through him at the thought of his encounters with Miss. Shacklebolt. Oy, he and Regan had some stories, that was for sure.

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GRAIL

quietflowers
2016-05-24 03:49 am UTC (link)

Scarlett pressed her forehead against Grail's, needing a moment to catch her breath. His lips were proving to be a masterful distraction from the whirl of emotions that were plaguing her tonight. She found immense joy in Rose's happiness, glad that her friend had found it in Peter. Scarlett was weary, her body aching from a rather grueling practice the day before. Her heart was heavy, unable to stop thinking about all that she wished to avoid...

She found herself wondering if she'd ever...this wasn't the place...

"We should go," she whispered against his lips. Home or back to the party, she wasn't sure. Scarlett's hands on Grail's shoulders shifted to rest at the back of his neck, in his hair, counteracting her idea of actually leaving the spot. They'd been wrapped up in the small, dark archway that led from the ceremony area to the reception, the sounds of tinkling glass in the wind.

Perhaps she truly didn't want to go. Scarlett had no place she'd rather be than in Grail's arms, and she let out a light breath before pushing forward to kiss him again.

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hell_or_glory
2016-05-25 11:45 pm UTC (link)

Grail couldn't remember a time where they had needed each other more than they had the last few weeks, and the unfortunate reality of the situation was they seemed to see each other less since moving in together. Their schedules were conflicting, what with him downstairs until the wee hours of the morning making sure things were running smoothly with the new hires, and her having to get up at the crack of dawn for practice. At least he found her sleeping, now, when he finally crawled into bed, all thanks to the sleeping potion he had picked up for her the other day.

The potion he had gotten from his brother, Sage, who he hadn't seen in almost a decade. He hadn't been able to concentrate on anything since that day, including Scarlett, which was a first. She was going through enough without having to play more guessing games when it came to what was going on in his head, but he also didn't know how the fuck he was supposed to explain to her that seeing Sage after all this time was like reopening every old wound that had begun to close since he met her.

Instead of telling her the full truth of his history with his brother, he had given her a very bare boned version – he told her that after their parents had been murdered, he had shut down, and that his sister had deemed him a danger to her and their younger brother because of his self-destructive tendancies, and his history of violence. It was...true, to an extent, but it once again left him wondering how many more lies he could feed her about his past before it finally caught up with him.

Because if there was one thing that running into Sage had proved, it was that you could never truly outrun your past.

He hummed in agreement at her suggestion, but made no moves to act upon it. Their best friends had just gotten married to each other, and here they were, hiding away in a dark corner, getting their fix of each other. He doubted Peter and Rose would even notice if they disappeared from the party, and yet he wasn't sure whether he was ready to go back to their flat just yet. Since he couldn't make up his mind, and didn't particularly feel like dealing with anyone finding them, he somehow managed to part from her. Cupping her face with one of his hands, be moved the pad of his thumb along her swollen bottom lip. He could still taste her lipstick.

"Let's take a walk," he said finally, using his other hand to reach for hers, intertwining their fingers so that he could lead her out of the archway, away from everything and everyone.

"I'm starting to think we never should have come back to England," he sighed, reaching up with his free hand to rub at his brow.

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quietflowers
2016-05-27 02:29 am UTC (link)

Scarlett had traversed the gardens about a week ago with Rose when her friend was in the final preparations for tonight. It had been a lovely day, it had helped ease some of her worries...she murmured to Grail that the fork on the road, to the left, would lead them to a lake, and she hoped that the serenity she'd experienced on its shores during the day also exuded at night.

"We could just...go," she said, her steps light, though her hand gripped Grail's. Scarlett could play anywhere, as she proved in Togo. They could sell the bar...Grail could use those funds up to start from the ground up of his own place, maybe she could even retire soon...maybe...she'd have to have good reasons...this could be one.

She looked up at her boyfriend and let out a breath. "I'd go anywhere with you."

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hell_or_glory
2016-05-29 05:21 am UTC (link)

He would have loved to take her up on that offer. It would have been so much easier, for them to just pack up their things and move as far away from their problems as they could; but Grail knew that while it was possible, it wouldn't really change anything. Being in a new place, it would be a good distraction, but for how long? Would it change the fact that her birth parents had given her away, but had kept another child? Would it change the fact that Grail's brother had resurfaced all this time? He hadn't seen Sage since that day in the apothecary, but he could barely think of anything else, lately. Just knowing he was in such a close proximity was driving him up the walls, because he didn't know what to do what that information.

"I don't think Dev or Rose would ever forgive me if I stole you away," he mused, looking down at her. Scarlett's best friends were practically family to her, just as Peter was to him. Once upon a time, Darren had been like a brother to him as well, but since he had abandoned his wife and children, the wizard had been as good as dead to Grail.

"Neither would your parents," he added cautiously, after a beat of hesitation.

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quietflowers
2016-05-30 12:56 am UTC (link)

Scarlett had moved under his arm and at his gentle rejection of her idea to flee she pressed the side of her face to his chest. Scarlett knew that she had too much in England to simply drop and go, but a happy life with Grail would be worth it. Not that...it wasn't that they weren't happy, it just seemed that...the forces of nature liked to test and poke and prod...

One arm wrapped around his waist as she looked out to the glistening lake. The moon illuminated the area and if she was in a better mood Scarlett would be moved to romance with how beautiful it all was. Instead, it made her think about how the night was nearing an end and that meant losing the step away from their reality. She sighed.

"I think you should talk to your brother," Scarlett said softly. She didn't think she could take her own advice, but Grail and Sage had a different history. They had a history. "I think it would be good for the both of you."

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ARISTA :*

soundedfury
2016-05-24 04:36 am UTC (link)

Artie Griffiths was not prone to giggling, but there he was, clutching his sides in near silent laughter save for his slight wheezing. He didn't think that popping the cork of a champagne bottle could be so hilarious, but maybe that was because this was the fourth bottle he and Arista had opened on their little venture out into the gardens. The weather was too nice to sit, the bride and groom had disappeared, so who would really miss the ice bucket of (ever-filling) bottles they'd swiped?

"You shoulda---seen--yer face!" Artie howled, finally teetering onto his side. He reached out in an attempt to pat his girlfriend's face in a tender manner, but missed and dropped his hand to the grass below. Artie couldn't even be sure where they were, but the sky was clear above them and the bushes of...some...pink flowers created a little grove that had been ideal for hiding away and stealing kisses.

Splayed quite gloriously on the grass now, Artie tried to take a few deep breaths to come down from his giggling fit. He brushed away tears that had crept out of his eyes, and patted the ground in search for Arista's hand. Or the bottle. Or the cork!

It had made such a POP sound! The thought made Artie's sides hurt again with new laughter and he rolled onto his side toward her, pushing his face into the grass. A voice in the very back of his head told him he was going to regret this in the morning.

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thegoldfinch
2016-06-10 08:44 am UTC (link)

What about her face? The fright the cork popping had given her disappeared within moments of his peals of laughter, and a few seconds later, that question too had vanished from her mind as she reached out to snag the bottle before Artie's wandering hands could get to it first. What number drink was this? They had abandoned glassware a little while ago, so it was a bit more difficult to keep count. Arista had a strict two-drink limit so as to be ladylike and such, so this… yes, surely this couldn't be more than… four.

That sounded correct.

Propping herself up on her elbow, Arista took a hearty swig. She wasn't even on her feet, but the feeling in her toes was decidedly tingly. Having been to many weddings in the last year, she was unsure about her feelings on the matter (particularly considering two of them had been her best friends), but the most important observation presently was that no other wedding had made her toes tingle so.

Only the morning would tell if that was a good or bad thing.

(Bad. Definitely bad.)

"It's a nice night," she decided aloud, placing the bottle down and following it shortly after her weight-bearing elbow gave out. Shifting slightly so she was on her back, she stared up at the starry sky. And though the two thoughts were no more related than her tingling toes and the warm, muggy spring air, she added with just as much solemnity, "and you have a nice face."

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soundedfury
2016-06-11 04:46 am UTC (link)

He smiled widely at her words, managing to get some grass in his mouth. "Oh, do I?"

Artie pushed himself up on his forearms to pull out the blades stuck to his lips. The movement made his head swish a bit as if his brain was floating in champagne, but his grin was there to stay. Arista liked his face. It shouldn't feel like a surprise, he supposed it wasn't seeing as she had kissed his face many times in the past few months, but that funny feeling a person got when they received a compliment burst in his chest and made him warm all over.

Shifting closer, pressing to her side, Artie looked down at Arista with a glazed but adoring stare.

"Your face makes me happy," he said with a nod, attempting to keep his tone as professional as hers. Artie waited a beat before planting his hand into the grass on the other side of her, hovering over Arista before lowering a gentle weight on top of her. His lips went to her cheek, trailing along her jaw. He had never felt so at ease with a person, he had never...

He murmured the words into her ear along with other things that made him happy. Her, her hair, her skin, her lips...

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WIFEY! :o

stinglikeabee
2016-05-29 02:23 pm UTC (link)

It was a strange thing, to be in public with Greta Catchlove. They had seen each other at events, and hadn't behaved like total strangers in front of other people – a kiss on the cheek, some back and forth banter and innocent flirting, but nothing that would give anyone reason to believe they were together. Tonight, she was with him. He didn't have to worry about her shooting him one of those high-browed looks of hers if he rested a hand against the small of her back – the ones that always resulted in him flashing his teeth at her with amusement, much to her chagrin - or leaning in close to whisper something into her ear, because he didn't have to pretend tonight.

It was liberating, but there was still an undeniable amount of tension that came along with taking her along as his date for the evening. For example, when someone had innocently asked them how long they had been together, Ludo had opened his mouth to say something, but found himself stumped by the answer, looking to Greta for help. She was far more creative than he was. He knew how long they had been 'non-exclusive' (it would be a year in August, actually...), but then there was the whole matter of them technically being husband and wife after a night of heavy drinking...

It would be a situation Ludo got himself into, being legally married to a woman before being her boyfriend. It had been almost 4 months - 4 months since they had said 'I do' in the city of Paris, in front of complete strangers. They barely spoke of it when they saw each other, mostly because neither of them necessarily knew what to do with the information. It was just...lingering there, hanging over their heads. Until now, they had never really gone on a true date, and Ludo tried to act as casual as possible when he asked if she wanted to accompany him to Peter and Rose's wedding. He was elated when she said yes, and he was sure it was obvious by the way he grinned, kissed her, and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes to carry her into his bedroom.

The band began to play a slow, beautiful waltz, and he looked over at his date, taking her in for the hundredth time that night. She looked lovely, sitting below the lights that were strung above them, and when she noticed him staring at her, he smiled before rising to his feet and offering her his hand.

"Dance with me," he requested, waiting for her to place her smaller hand in his before he lead her to the dance floor.

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Re: WIFEY! :o

minxery
2016-06-13 07:23 am UTC (link)

Was Ludo Bagman aware that he was a very overwhelming date?

To be fair, there were many things at play here: Greta could not remember the last time she had actually gone on a date, a public date, with him. So, it was very possible Ludo had always been this attentive, had always cut as nice (and distracting) a figure in his formalwear, and, despite her memory's insistence that he'd had a unibrow or wart or balding patch, had generally always looked so devastatingly attractive.

Not to mention the fact that here they were, attending a wedding, a secretly married couple themselves. Greta rather felt like she was walking on dragon eggshells as she simply did not want to bring it up, but also felt that it was somewhat ridiculous to not bring it up, since they were at a wedding and of course they were both thinking about it.

Well, she was thinking about it, at least, so he better have been, as well.

For a long time, Greta had believed she was looking for Ludo to prove that he knew he'd wronged her, that he'd changed as a person… but as time went on, and to any other person under any other circumstances, Ludo had proved himself for all intents and purposes, she still found herself struggling to get… closer. Struggling to feel secure. And then she had to face the fact that her hesitation really had nothing to do with Ludo, and everything to do with herself.

What was she afraid of? Losing her independence? Being vulnerable?

But as the better part of a year played back in her head, it seemed that Ludo had let her call all the shots, from defining the relationship to their public appearances. Even with this enormous, strange thing binding them together (literally, legally speaking), he'd asked nothing more of her than to be his date tonight.

(For what came after, she'd agree to a few more public outings, of this she was certain.)

Maybe she could…? Maybe it was time to…

Pressed closed against him on the dance floor, swaying together, Greta found it far easier to formulate thoughts when she wasn't looking directly at his handsome face, secretly thinking their whole saga would have been much less dramatic if he really did have a unibrow or wart or balding patch after all.

"Do the bride and groom ever actually stay for the wedding?" she wondered aloud with a little smirk, thinking of the weddings she had attended in the last year, all of which seemed to have a running theme. "It's always struck me as a rather expensive party to throw without attending."

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stinglikeabee
2016-06-13 08:15 am UTC (link)

He didn't understand where her question was coming from until he glanced around the room, noticing that Rose and Peter were nowhere to be found. The realization made him snicker, not even having noticed that the bride and groom had cut out on their own reception. He hadn't been to very many weddings, but he never expected being able to spend very much time with the happy couple, seeing how they always seemed too busy trying to greet all their guests and thank them for coming. Tonight, he hadn't even noticed the newlyweds slip away, since he had been engaged in conversation or distracted by his date for most of the evening.

"I think it's all just a ploy to keep the guests drunk and occupied," he mused humorously, keeping her close with his hands resting against the curves of her waist. He moved with her in rhythm to the song that was playing, resting his cheek against hers, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo, with an added aroma of whatever perfume she had spritzed on her neck that evening. It wasn't the same one she usually wore, and he knew this because it wasn't what he was used to smelling on his sheets even on nights she wasn't there with him.

He found it difficult to sleep now, when he had to travel for a game, and wasn't able to sleep in his own bed – or hers, for that matter. Ludo had never known a feeling quite like it before, to feel....homesick almost, when he knew she wasn't there. It was new, and it was almost jarring, to miss someone's presence so much that it actually affected him physically. But he missed her when she wasn't there.

Greta wasn't the only one who was afraid of feeling vulnerable.

He was quiet for a while, something that was rather uncharacteristic for Ludo Bagman, but before long he got up the nerve to ask the question that had been on the tip of his tongue throughout the entire bridge of the song that was playing.

"Was this...something you wanted?" He asked apprehensively, glad that she wasn't looking directly at him when the question was presented to her. They had never spoken about it before, but he suddenly felt guilty about possibly having denied her an expensive party to not attend, even if he wasn't the one she planned to not attend it with...but that was something he really didn't want to think about.

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minxery
2016-06-16 05:43 am UTC (link)

The question caught her off guard, a slight falter in the movement of her feet. She started to glance at him, wanting to see Ludo's expression, but their heads were so closely pressed together that she wasn't able to. Looking back over his shoulder, the answer didn't take long at all to think up of.

"Someday," said Greta, nodding slightly. "Yeah, I do."

Growing up, she might not have been the girl dreaming about tulle and flower arrangements and layered cakes (well, the cakes yes, but also birthday cakes, and Christmas cakes, and Easter cakes, and Day-Ending-in-Y cakes), not that there was anything wrong with that, but she still thought it was a lovely idea. Admittedly, being a late bloomer in every sense of the word, Greta had very much doubted if she would ever get married.

But if she did fall in love, the kind of love that would last a lifetime… of course she wanted this. Greta had been to many weddings over the years, perhaps a disproportionate amount for someone as young as she was, but it made sense. Come of age during wartime gave one a sense of urgency, but also a sense of caution, to always ensure loved ones knew they were exactly that.

Whatever else the circumstances of the marriage were, the thought that she hadn't toasted her love with a grand, celebratory party brimming with family and friends (that she'd of course stay for) was a sad one.

But Greta had truly meant 'someday,' as even though she could picture the big day now, it was a fuzzy picture, like a dream, and not a very good one based on the sinking feeling in her stomach whenever she thought about it. She simply wasn't ready to take that step in life—at least, she didn't think she was.

"What about you?" she asked curiously, finding it a little hard to picture Ludo Bagman picking place settings, or touring venues. Would he be the sort of fiancé to pass everything off to his bride-to-be? Yet she wasn't sure, because over the last few months, it didn't seem out of the question… for him to be that—attentive, was that the word? In a voice that was gently teasing, she added, "You know, I've heard a rumour that Ludo Bagman does enjoy the spotlight…"

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stinglikeabee
2016-06-16 10:31 am UTC (link)

He wasn't so much surprised by her answer, but it gave him something to think about. Over all the years he had known her, tracing back to when they had first been dating, he had never asked about what she had imagined her wedding day to be like...but he supposed it wasn't all too strange, considering most couples usually spoke about that sort of thing when they were getting ready to become engaged, not after they had already accidentally said I do.

Their predicament was almost laughable. Here they were, slow dancing at the reception of two friends who had just vowed to spend the rest of their lives together, whereas they had been married for months, and no one (with few exceptions) knew they had been seeing each other for the better part of a year.

"You journalists and your rumors," he quipped with a grin, reaching down to grab her hand, stepping back to give her a little twirl before bringing her back to him, keeping one hand in his as the other found its way back to her waist. He was able to look at her now, his face close to hers.

"You want the truth?" He asked rhetorically, but his brows raised all the same. He wanted to make sure she was ready for whatever it was he was about to say. In all honesty, he was stalling, because he wasn't entirely sure what the truth was anymore.

"I've never actually thought about whether I would have a wedding or not. I just-...I know don't want to end up alone, in the grand scheme of things." It was probably the most honest answer he could give her, and he suddenly felt very...exposed. As much as he wanted to tell her that he had always imagined himself getting married and having a family, he hadn't had time to think about any of that. When he was in Hogwarts, he had been so focused on living his dream as a professional athlete, and then he had been drafted right out of school. Only a few years after that, he had become the youngest captain in the league, and things just seemed to keep picking up speed from there. Now he was standing there, with his non-exclusive, ex-girlfriend wife, talking about whether or not they had ever imagined their own wedding day.

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