Who: Dez and Adrian What: Discussion, Passion and Shared words... Where: Local pub When: Friday night, January 18, 2008 Rating: PG13 for mentions of sex
It was a darker and colder night and Dez felt she was at a loose end. Her flat held nothing but odd memories at the moment – a combination of fleeting pleasurable sighs from Roger and haunting realizations that she was alone once more. Sitting on the sofa, she hugged the pillow to her chest and looked around. It wasn't doing her any good to sit here – none at all. It was making her spiral further downward and Dez wasn't about to let that happen – not this time.
Deciding that there was nothing ventured, nothing gained, Dez knew she couldn't sit here all night. She couldn't let herself become that crazy cat lady part of her was dreading. Instead, she retreated to her bedroom and threw open her wardrobe. There was little in it but she wasn't going to go out dressed in her rattiest jeans and the multiple t-shirts she normally wore. Within moments, she found what she was looking for – the soft velvet pants her Mother had insisted that she buy. Paired with a softer than soft pale pink sweater that slid enticingly off one shoulder, a brush through her hair and a quick lick of gloss, Dez was ready to head out and test the world once more.
A few minutes later, Dez bounded out of her flat and off to the pub where she had originally met Roger. Settling herself at a seat, with a drink, Dez felt confident and better – even if she was again pulling out her notebook and planning to spend her night writing and making notes.
Adrian laughed as he parted from the group, turning briefly to lift a hand in farewell. They planned to move on to the nearby nightclub, but Adrian wasn't really in the mood to dance and pick up girls. Sure, he had a few one nighters under his belt, but currently his focus was on work rather than sex. The issue of the skulls and the Parkinson house was still causing a lot of head scratching and frustration, which was one of the reasons why he decided to temporarily join his colleagues in a short pub crawl.
Not quite prepared to cut his evening short, Adrian didn't head home immediately after parting from the group. Instead he decided to duck into a nearby pub for another couple of pints. Perhaps even to shoot some pool, but in general just to relax and let his frustrations go. Although he did need to think about how to handle his mother. She was just getting quite impossible over the whole Pansy thing.
Picking up a pint, Adrian turned to survey the room and look for a spare table when his eyes fell on a girl all by herself, scribbling furiously away in a notebook. Demelza Robins... who was all dressed up by the looks of it. Adrian snorted and rolled his eyes. He'd seen her rantings and ravings about Roger Davies and frankly had little sympathy. Any fool knew the Ravenclaw's reputation as a ladykiller, why did Dez Robins think she would be different. And now here she was, all alone and dressed up, he could see men noticing her and one even got to his feet to advance across towards her. With a grumble under his breath about stupid women, Adrian quickly walked over to Dez's table, cutting in front of her prospective suitor who looked rather taken aback. "Planning to gain some more experience for your novels?" Adrian asked as soon as he was by her table, Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the man who'd been approaching sit down with a glower.
Dez may have been beautiful in the eyes of the men in the pub, but Dez was completely oblivious to her effect. She wasn't there though to attract a man – she was there to feel good about herself. So Adrian's approach startled her. Those warm brown eyes broke from her writing when he startled her. Because it was Adrian and not some random stranger, she offered him a bright warm smile. It lit the bar with another wattage.
"Ah, Mr. Pucey, good evening," she said with delight in her tone, but his question puzzled her slightly. "Um, well sort of I suppose though it wasn't my intention. Mostly just getting some character sketch ideas more than personal experience. Really – I'm just getting out of the flat."
Unconsciously, she hiked up the shoulder of her sweater that was sliding down before offering adding, "And no, I'm not going to hit you up about answering my questions tonight." The sweater slid back down again, exposing that delicate pale skin of her shoulder, clearly untouched by sun.
If Adrian was a raw kid who got hot and bothered by girls then he might have been flustered, as it was, her bright smile caused his eyebrows to lift slightly and he smiled in return. "Well this is a change, since last time I was being issued with an imperious demand," he indicated the seat opposite. "May I?" she might not be here for 'experience' but there were definitely some men in the pub who would like to give it to her if he didn't stick around. It was just his Auror training and the respect towards women that his mother drilled into him, Adrian told himself as he waited for her permission to sit. This girl was naive and (relatively) innocent, she just didn't think about the dangers and so he couldn't just leave her.
"Help yourself," Dez said, gesturing at the chair beside her. She closed the notebook in front of her and covered it with her hand – as if she needed to protect it from prying eyes. Resting an elbow on the table, Dez lean against it and asked, "And why are you here tonight?" The question was light, but mentally she was trying to figure things out. His asking to sit rather surprised her. She had expected him to hightail it out of the pub instead of asking to be near her – she honestly had the impression that he didn't much care for her – not as a person and certainly not as a woman.
"Ironically enough, the same as you," Adrian said as he said down. He drank a mouthful of beer before continuing. "I was with a group of colleagues who headed off to a nightclub just now, I didn't really feel like getting my eardrums blasted so I came in here for a pint or two before returning home," he regarded her with with eyes that took in every nuance of her appearance and attitude. He certainly preferred her this way, rather than the over eager girl peppering him with questions or sulking like a child that he had encountered previously. Well, except for the time when she helped heal his injuries. "Sometimes living on your own gets a bit lonely, eh?"
The sweater's neckline slid down again and Dez forgot about it as she considered Adrian. Bluntly, as only Dez could, she said, "I'd never picture you as someone who gets lonely." She paused as she considered those words before adding, "Perhaps alone, but I guess I always thought you would be one to enjoy it – reveal in it for the most part."
Stopping again, Dez looked at him. Really, in comparison with Roger, there was nothing so handsome about him. He was more… more down to earth. Roger almost too good looking to be real. Adrian was different, but certainly too good looking to be sitting here talking with someone like her on a Friday night. "I'd have at least figured you as having a girlfriend, certainly not sitting here with someone like myself." There was no derision when talking about herself, merely a point of view that showed that she felt that she was not a beauty or prime date material.
"Just because I'm not out on the town every night doesn't mean I'm a hermit," Adrian was amused, especially considering he'd been squiring Pansy around town quite frequently of late. "Trouble is, a lot of the people I called friend back in my school days are... well, the war changed relationships," he said after a short pause and a frown. Many of the old Slytherin cronies he'd known had been on the side of Voldemort during the war and therefore if he did see them then he always had to be looking at them through an Auror's eyes. It didn't make for a good atmosphere to be chummy.
The mention of a girlfriend brought a grimace to his face as he was once again reminded of his mother's relentless matchmaking. "I don't have a girlfriend, although my mother would be over the moon if I had a fiancee," he rolled his eyes and a slightly bitter smile twisted his lips. However his short burst of self pity vanished quickly as he focused on her with that intent gaze, taking in the meaning behind the words she used for herself. "Your company isn't irksome when you're not nagging a man to death."
His words rang true and Dez mentally noted them down for use later on. Of course, things would have changed for him – making the choices that he did. It was interesting and part of her wanted to get into the discussion with him about his choices, but part of her sensed he might refuse to discuss such things with her – an annoying Gryffindor with a passion for nosy questions.
"Your Mother and mine would clearly get along like a house on fire," Dez said with a shake of her head. "What is it about Mothers and the desire to wed you off?" She gave him a commiserating smile, understanding just what he was about with that. Dez really had no idea that men faced the same issues that girls did.
His gaze though and weird compliment made her flush and reach for her drink. "I'm usually not such a pain in the arse, truly, but I'm sorry, regardless, for my past behavior. Clearly, I've not the best of judgement." She looked down at the glass before drinking a good portion of it, still blushing. It was little wonder she continually drove men away.
"In my case, my mother is anxious because Aurors are not known for their long life spans and I'm the last of the Pucey line, she swore an oath to my father that she would see it continued," Adrian shrugged, not particularly concerned about sharing that aspect of his life with her. "As for yours, I have no idea but perhaps she thinks you need protecting," he was only half teasing.
"Apology accepted. Clearly you've made some bad choices, but chalk it up to experience and don't make the same mistakes twice," he said bluntly, no syrupy sympathy in his tone as he offered up this advice. "Enthusiasm is a good thing, but you have to learn to rein it in otherwise you'll risk offending people as you found out," Adrian smiled wryly. "And for the record, I was not ignoring you, but your novel takes secondary place to my job and my family, both of which have been demanding my time of late. Never assume anything, Ms Robins," he grinned then, quite broadly and causing his face to light up with humour and mischief, showing that Adrian was not all sarcasm and arrogance.
"I do not need protecting!" Dez retorted hotly, leaning toward him in her vehemence. Her hand trembled slightly as it lay on top of her notebook. And perhaps her anger at her mother and frustration that the woman wouldn't listen to her was what made her continue, "Nor do I need coddling or watching over or married to be happy!"
She took a deep breath at his advice, letting her anger simmer for a moment before giving him a bit of a glare. Part of her was glaring because of his assumption that she needed his advice and part of it was that he dare attempt to charm her with that smile and humor which made him far more appealing than Roger's compliments. What she wanted to do, her anger still simmering in her at his assumptive advice, was lash out at him. Instead, she took a deep breath, offered him a bit of a sugary smile and said, "Of course Mr. Pucey. I'll keep that advice in mind at all times. You're quite right."
The anger was still there though, simmering and she knew she had to let it out. It really wasn't his fault. He was just being a man – infuriating, yes – but just trying to help. Deciding she just needed to have a moment to get over it, Dez stood abruptly. "I'll be back in a moment – just need to use the loo." Hips swaying, she strode from the table to the back room.
A few moments in there and a couple of deep breathes combined with a splash of cold water and Dez felt more like herself. The only problem was that someone had noticed her movement and was waiting for her outside the loo. The blonde with a slightly greasy smile leered as she appeared. "Hey there, can I interest you in a drink?" he asked, leaning over her.
Her vehement words took even Adrian aback, which was expressed physically by a slight backwards movement as well as surprise leaping into his eyes. However, the glare sent his way after his advice roused the urge to grin even more. A detached part of his mind noting that she was extremely pretty when flushed with anger and her eyes all sparkling and practically shooting out flames. The sugary words didn't fool Adrian for a second, so he just smirked as she left and then signaled for another beer. That was a far better reaction to him than acting like a whipped puppy or sulky baby.
He was finishing off his beer, leaning back on the seat when he saw the greaser approach Dez. Keeping her words about not needing to be coddled in mind, Adrian didn't immediately leap to her defense. If she wanted to be independent then she had to show she could deal with men like that. Of course, he did move closer... to get another beer, and watched from the corner of his eye. Independence or not, if the fellow got physical then Adrian would suppress him.
Puzzled for a moment, Dez turned to look around for whom the man was speaking to. It wasn't her – men just didn't randomly approach her – she knew well her assets or lack there of. It was just a fact – men thought of her as, well, actually they didn't think of her as far as Dez was concerned. When she didn't spot anyone, Dez looked up at him, saying, "Excuse me?"
Bracing a hand on the wall, in what he thought was a clever pose, he repeated his inquiry, "I'd like to purchase you a drink. Have a little chat, get to know one another." He gave her what could be considered a friendly smile – in the reptilian world.
Despite the fact that it was ever so momentarily flattering, Dez was not interested. He was not her idea of a date – much less a human. Adrian might annoy her from the beginning to the end of his existence, but he was leagues about this scum. "No thank you."
Adroitly she attempted to step around him, but didn't get far before his arm shot out to stop her. "Come along, pet, just a drink and a talk." He didn't get out further words, mostly because of the glare that Dez offered him. Her wand slid out into her hand and she pointed it at him.
"Don't make me hex you," she said in a quiet voice, annoyed with the creep. "Or collect my Auror boyfriend." She probably shouldn't have used Adrian in such a manner, but it was worth it to have the added weight of enforcement.
"Whoa, whoa, pet, no harm," the man said, stepping back and letting her pass.
Since she seemed to have the matter well in hand, Adrian - who hadn't heard her boyfriend comment but would have been amused rather than annoyed - simply collected his second beer and returned to the table before Dez returned. "Feeling better?" he asked when she arrived, making no mention of the scum that she'd chased away.
Annoyed now once more, but at least not at Adrian, Dez had missed his whole clever 'protection, but not protection' routine. She settled into her seat and finished the rest of her drink. Setting the glass back down, she focused her attention on Adrian before bluntly asking, "Tell me Mr. Pucey, would men think me attractive?" Despite the fact that the reptile had annoyed her, it had raised a question she wanted answered and who better than a man. Not that Adrian would think of her as anything other than [a] something to be protected or [b] needing endless advice, but at least he was masculine. It should give him some insight into the questions answer.
Adrian eyed her warily when she asked that question. The whole 'am I pretty' routine never really had a happy ending for the man who was asked, in fact the only question worse was the 'Does this outfit make me look fat' one. However, faint heart never made Head Auror so he suppressed the urge to run and gave her a frank look up and down. "Yes, I would say most men would, unless they were gay or their tastes ran to the overly endowed ladies, but on the whole you're an attractive woman, Ms Robins. Not incredibly beautiful, but attractive and pretty when you make an effort with your appearance," the words were said with as much bluntness as her question and no hesitation or hedging. Why in Merlin's name she didn't think she was attractive was a complete mystery. Men like Davies didn't shag ugly women and she was certainly gaining enough attention tonight.
A nod at him showed that Dez appreciated his honesty and understood that the bluntness was just that – meant to make sure that she understood he had nothing to lose or gain by pretty words – not like Roger. The real problem was that Dez couldn't see herself the way that others could – especially the way men could. But at least his words explained why the creep had done that… whatever it was. "Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Pucey, I appreciate the insight." Then she gave him a bit of a wry smile. "At least I can be sure that you're not attempting to talk me into your bed with such pretty words."
Leaning back in her chair, she said, "But, out of curiosity, what do you look for in a romantic companion. Just as a matter of research – nothing more I assure you." The question had burst into her mind and had to be asked – part of Dez's insatiable curiosity.
"No, I'm a cave man, I'd just toss you over my shoulder and carry you off, protesting or not," Adrian dead-panned before downing a third of his beer. He could charm and flirt when he wanted to, after all he was exceedingly charming to Pansy to keep her from whining at him and because she was the sort of girl who expected certain things, but it was actually pleasant to be with a woman who wasn't expecting to be wooed and coddled.
"If this goes in your book then I will throw you and your notebooks down a very deep well," he said after a short pause. One arm across the back of the chair, his eyes narrowing slightly, Adrian pursed his lips before speaking again. "I'd be lying if I said looks didn't factor into my choice, but I'm not gagging for some supermodel. I have little interest in women who only care about fashion and accessories, those interests are fine as long as there is a mind to go with the package. Intelligence and talent - at something at least - count for a lot, someone who doesn't nag or make unreasonable demands, who can accept that there'll be things I can't tell them," he shrugged then. "That about sums it up."
"How very old fashioned, clearly a Middle Ages man at heart," Dez stated with a snort of disdain at his words. Her words though, belied the pulse of pleasure that stirred in an unconscious spot of her mind where she was honest enough that she didn't want to be romanced – she wanted to be taken – dragged kicking and screaming into love.
"I don't put everything into a novel, you know, some questions are just for personal reasons," Dez retorted, but then silenced herself to listen to him. Interesting. Dez wondered just how many men thought the same way. When he finished, she nodded before speaking, "Thank you for that. It makes sense – a bit similar to what I look for in a relationship. As I certainly think that intelligence and wit count for more than empty flattery and dazzling good looks." She raised her hand and gave him a look that said he should not even consider bringing up Roger. "Though I have to admit that I think there is also something to be said for being able to have a good argument with someone and then still fall into bed with them later – passion, I suppose is a better term for it." Here she stopped and gave him a teasing wink and a grin.
He was learning that she was a lot more interesting than he had given her credit and Adrian's eyes gleamed with interest. Truth be told, he preferred passion over insipid courting. "Hate and love can often entwine," he agreed with a grin that was partially predatory - an unconscious expression as her words brought unbidden images to mind. He saw her sprawled on a bed, his bed, flushed and angry, naked and damp with sweat, but desire warring with the anger in her eyes, and Adrian felt an unexpected jolt of desire lance through him. His hand clenched on the handle of his glass as he reined in the sensation, firmly suppressing any further images but reminding himself that this woman annoyed him more than anything.
The fact that her thoughts – ever so briefly - followed his should have been enough of a warning, but she didn't realize that he would even consider her that way. "True enough," Dez said, "In fact, love and hate are really the same side of a coin, whereas indifference is the opposite." A jolt went through her as she realized she was far from indifferent to this man sitting beside her.
Shoving the shocking thought away, Dez turned bright red as she gestured to the waiter for another drink. Damn it, she didn't want to get herself into trouble with this one. He was far too… important. With a swig of the new drink, Dez felt calmed and the blush faded. She offered him a grin instead. "Clearly, you are looking for a model woman – passion, intelligence and good looks – and willing to put up with your annoying tendencies to give unwanted advice." There was a definite dig to her words and it made her grin broaden.
The dig had the mingled effect of irritating him and also making her more... interesting. Adrian mentally cursed his libido which clearly hadn't been getting a decent workout lately if it was taking an interest in Dez Robins. "Obviously I'm screwed then, since this paragon doesn't exist," he said, mentally kicking himself for using a word that was bringing more associated images to mind. Fuck. "But you're facing the same problem, Dez, since your ideal is close to mine except instead of putting up with advice, the man in question would have to be willing to put up with endless questions," he smirked then, digging right back at her.
Oh ho! So that was how he wanted to play. Dez smirked and leaned towards him ever so slightly. Something inside of her roared with delight at the chance and she lowered her voice to say, "Ah, but the things one can learn with questions – broaden one's knowledge, intrigue one's wit, entice one's passion." Dez felt secure now – feeling as though she was going to come out on top on what was clearly an intellectual debate. She was really unaware of how she was using her body as well. "But advice? I see no woman willing to sit there listen to such idiotic words from a man who has no clue."
Adrian leaned forward as well, grinning at her. "While it's true questions can broaden horizons, nagging persistent and whining questions will only irritate and lose the opportunity for knowledge to be gained," he countered. He wasn't just referring to Dez now, Pansy's constant nagging about her house came forcefully to mind. "Advice can be ignore or taken, that's the choice of the person it's given to, but to assume the advisor has no clue is a rash move and an ungrateful one to, since the advisor doesn't have to give the advice, they only do it to help the one being advised."
They were getting to be practically nose to nose. "But advice, constantly given whether well meaning or not, taken or ignored, often states that clearly the advisor feels they know more than the advisee, giving no thought nor care for the feelings or intents of the advisee," Dez retorted, feeling she was clearly far superior and grinning broadly. "And for the advisor to assume that the advisee needs advice shows only that they have a huge ego that they want stroked and nothing more." Her finger poked him in the chest, attempting to deflate the ego she felt he had.
He captured her hand and held it tightly, although not tight enough to hurt. "Perhaps if the advisee wasn't a stubborn mule who thinks that they know all then the advisor would not repeat themselves, since the advisor frankly doesn't give a rats arse if the advisee strokes his ego or not," Adrian replied with a grin that showed no sign of his ego deflating.
Knowing just why he was holding her hand, Dez tugged in an attempt to free herself. Damn him and his caveman tactics. "Then the advisor should not resort to caveman tactics in order to get his point across as it only smacks of his inability to successfully woo a woman through words instead of using endless streams of meaningless advice," Dez said hotly, annoyed at his grin, but at the same time refusing to back down. "It clearly shows he has something to learn and is not meant to be giving advice."
"If the advisee thinks this is about wooing then she needs to learn a lot more than the advisor," Adrian refused to let go of her hand and instead pulled her closer, his grin practically devilish now. "Besides, the advisor rather enjoys caveman tactics regardless since it gets the advisee all hot and bothered and off her high horse," whatever point they had been trying to make was getting lost in a game that was rapidly turning into more than just a discussion. "The advisor would also like to point out that his advice was correct and the advisee is just refusing to listen because she enjoys being bloody minded, which is just fine with the advisor, but he would like to remind her not to wail if she irritates people with her nagging."
Again Dez attempted to tug her hand away, bracing her feet against his chair in order to do so. When the attempt failed, Dez leaned in against him, hoping to loosen his grip and throw him off-balance. A part of her was warning that this was all starting to tread into dangerous territory, physically as well as mentally, but recklessly, she ignored it. "She would not have to irritate him with endless nagging, if he would just bloody well agree to do as she asked the first time and not put her off because he's off beating his breast with pleasure over having always the world's best advice in his own mind," Dez said as she scooted herself so that they were in incredibly intimate proximity. "And she does not enjoy being bloody minded and her high horse is rather enjoyable because it keeps her out of the realm of egotistical over bearing, far too masculine oafs!" Her breathing was now high as was the color on her cheeks, but every part of her was enjoying this.
Her attempts did nothing to get him to loosen his grip, but the glitter in Adrian's eyes was not all amusement now. The images that he'd suppressed before danced back into his brain, his libido demanding that he do precisely as he threatened earlier. "The advisor points out that she has proved his point because on that first meeting she peppered him with such persistent questions and was so over enthusiastic that she irritated him to the point of losing his temper and planted an erroneous view of her in his mind," there was a husky quality to his voice now, causing Adrian to speak with an unintentionally sexy rasp. "And if the advisee enjoys being on her high horse then she should not mope about being alone," his mouth were so close to hers now that they almost grazed against the soft lips pouting at him. However, just before temptation took over, Adrian pulled away abruptly and let her go, his expression turning to stoney neutrality. "Enough," he said with quiet firmness and reached for his pint. He was not going to lose control with Demelza Robins.
A part of her was noticing just exactly where his thoughts were going and every part of her body was hoping that he'd act – he was so close… And then it was gone. Wiped away and placed with his rigid control. Her hands shook with a combination of physical and mental frustration as she scooted herself back and took her drink. She nodded in agreement. "Of course Mr. Pucey," Dez said. She was quiet for a moment before finishing her drink.
With it gone, she gathered her notebook and stood, having reached a mental decision. "Thank you for an entertaining discussion, but I'm afraid I need to head for my flat," Dez said looking at him and then turning to swirl on her cloak before leaning back down to place her face on level with him. "And next time, you might consider just conceding the argument to me instead of taking the easy way out." She flicked him a smirk as she stood back up, pleased at having gotten in the last word.
His eyes narrowed then. "And you might want to be careful about how you act and who you challenge, Ms Robins. Besides, I have no desire to ranted about in your journal," it was a cruel reminder of her encounter with Davies and a flash of the Slytherin he was, which many forgot since Adrian wasn't half as bad as many of his House. But she had provoked him now as well as roused a swirl of unexpected lust which had shaken his core and even Adrian, controlled as he could be, wasn't completely immune to provocation and frustration. He also stood and bowed to her, a perfect bow that only an aristocrat could give before turning away.
Pleased to have gotten to him, despite the dig at her unprincipled reaction to Roger, Dez let him go without further comment. Oddly enough, Dez realized that he could have done whatever he wanted – up to and including dragging her off to bed – and she would have merely accepted it as what she was due, not blaming him in the slightest. The realization shocked her so much that she staggered slightly. "Oh Mr. Pucey," she whispered, clutching notebook tightly as she got herself together. "If only you knew." Dazed by her own thoughts, Dez hurried home before she got herself into more trouble.