andromedhs:
*✧ - with: @badgepuff
Gently, Andromeda pooled the liquid into her cup, keeping her focus on the bowl as best she could, trying not to ruin the table cloth underneath that would have no doubt been expensive. “Just like my family.” She replied almost reflexively, stunned the words had come out of her mouth as quickly as they had done. Looking to Ted she blinked once then cracked a smile. “I like it, but it tastes better with a bittle of giggle water in it.” Expertly, Andromeda picked up one of the tall glass bottles and topped up her glass before passing it towards Ted on the table. “Makes it a bit sweeter I find, plus the little titter you get after sipping it always makes it worth it.” It had been an experiment Adrasteia had been conducting at Hogwarts that had given her the idea to start using it in the Black family’s famed cocktail, a favourite secret addition of her’s and her best friend’s at events.
It was strange seeing Ted at events such as these. Andromeda was always happy to see him but he felt odd here, a piece of a puzzle that didn’t fit or a little bird she longed to open a window to allow to fly free. Ted Tonks was too pure to be around the people in this room, she was only glad he had company to stop him from drowning amongst them. “Yes I’ve been reading. It’s terrible, poor man. I’m only glad the flowers reached him and far more from what I’ve been reading. Work has been busy as you might imagine, I’ve barley come up for air since that night, I’ve essentially been cut off from the rest of the world.” The tension between them was an odd one, as if they were forbidden from even looking at one another let alone touching. Andromeda had never been ashamed to be around Ted, though it felt as though he was perhaps now concious of being around her.
“Would you like to go outside?” Andromeda asked suddenly. “I could do with a cigarette and a break from all this.”
Just like my family. That came unexpectedly to Ted. His head shot up in a shocked stupor. Speechless, his jaw fell slack, and any counter he could’ve envisioned never came to fruition. He could only offer a lopsided smile in response. It seemed her astonishment was as clear as his, maybe even more so, but neither of them dwelled on it for long. Ted was glad of it. He followed her word, inquisitive eyes watching as she poured a fresh addition into the cocktail medley. Still holding his own close, Ted accepted the drink. He took a deliberately large sip, sampling the flavour like he had done before, only this time he discovered something much sweeter, just as she said. It lessened the severity of its bitter aftertaste, therefore allowing for a better enjoyment altogether. He would make a note of that for the next event he had to attend. Never too fond of giggle water, he wouldn’t have thought to add it. Though, he’d be the first to admit there were never much that needed added to, especially where his choice of beverage was concerned. “It’s good.” Ted affirmed. He opened his mouth to speak then, but a trickle of laughter escaped instead. “It’s- it’s fantastic. Y’ might’uve jus’ saved my nigh’.” He set the glass down on the table, offering it back to her. “Not sure I can be done wi’ all th’ gigglin’, mind y’. I migh’ be at risk of seemin’ unprofessional. ” He added playfully.
The support for Benjy warmed Ted’s heart. People had been giving their condolences since the night happened, more and more coming forward as time went on. In a way, he was even more thankful for it, because it had meant that everything else had been forgotten. Mostly. And there was no part of Ted that wanted to relive that night more than he already did. Not when he still felt the pain beneath his fingernails. Not when he swore that every time he looked down in the shower, it was still circling down the drain. He remembered enough for everyone else. “Yeah, I know 'ow tha’ feels.” He sympathized, his head hanging low in thought. But at least they were working toward something. Doing good. At the end of the day, that’s what made it worth it. “Comes wi’ th’ job, don’t it? Jus’ one’uve th’ things we ‘ave t’ live wi’.”
He felt a sudden pang in his chest. While usually he wouldn’t hesitate in giving his answer, things were different. Ted had become more aware of the impact their relationship had. It was a frightening realization that there was something deeper to it. Something he’d been willingly blind to. Something bigger than the both of them. It plagued him and his thoughts. Now, especially now, there was a significant risk of them being seen together. He couldn’t challenge that, no matter how much he wanted to. Wanting nothing more than to take a walk outside with Andromeda. Just talking. Being in her company. Away from everything and everyone. He knew it wasn’t as simple as that. It couldn’t be. With a deep sorrow behind his eyes, Ted finally looked to her and smiled. A dismal, pained smile. “I don’t think tha’ would be a good idea.”
