frank.

frank longbottom. not that i want to be a god or a hero. just change into a tree, grow for ages, not hurt anyone.

[frnklylongbottom]

WHERE: The Tonks Residence WHO: @nevercallmeteddy​

Frank knocked on the door and took a step back from Ted’s doorstep, glancing around the quiet, domestic street. Alice had given him the push to go out, in the end. The weather was too bad for a hike - English summers couldn’t be helped, it seemed. He had ended up pacing around the house, a bundle of nervous energy and barely contained exhaustion. Then he’d almost lost it at Neville, over something small. They’d both agreed that he needed a break. So: here he was. He’d been meaning to check in on Ted anyway. He knew what things had been like for Ted last time, a muggleborn with a family-in-law like the Blacks. The incident at the May Day festival had probably scared him as much as anyone else. The door swung open and Frank turned back, nodding his head. “Alright, mate?” 

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

—

The guilt of leaving her son had always ben something Alice had struggled with. She would love nothing more than being with son all of the time. But Alice also loved her job, and had finally managed to find  good balance with her son and work. But when Neville pouted, and moaned about it, it did make her feel guilty. Luckily, she knew Frank understood too. Alice could just hope that as her son got older, he would understand. She had every intention of telling him everything when he was old enough. Hopefully, they’d be able to manage and make their son feel loved until he was old eough to understand.

“Mmmm. I love Grandma’s peanut cookies. They are the best” She mused, a smile on her face. “You better convince Grandma to make Mommy some too” Because she adored those cookies and would be very jealouf if she didn’t get any. Alice just grinned, happy that Neville seemed okay with going now. That made he feel better. As much as she felt bad about leaving her son, knowing h was feeling happy to go, made it a little bit easier.

Alice laughed, watching her two favourite people  from her place on the bed. “I’ll go shower…..” She murmured, getting herself up too, and smiling at them. “Then I can take over from you”

*

“I’ll bring some home for you Mum!” Neville shouted over Frank’s shoulder, bold as anything. “Enjoy your shower love!” Frank called, “I don’t have much hair, won’t take me long to get ready.” He brought Neville into his room and set him down amongst the dinosaur toys and fake wands littering the floor. They almost ignored this room in the clean ups. Neville had a unique talent for pulling out every toy in the room in five minutes flat. Thankfully, he couldn’t reach his clothes on his own yet. Frank helped Neville to pick out some clothes - a blue jumper, and cute little tan trousers - ruffled his curls to bring them back to life and strapped on his little shoes. He grabbed Neville a juice and a yoghurt to tide him over for proper breakfast at his Granny’s, rooting around in the fridge while he waited for his wife’s soft footsteps echoing down their hall.

Frank through his head back over his shoulder. “There you are - you look beautiful.”

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aliceinaxuxrland​:

Alice honestly did not want to let go off her husband. It wasn’t that she was not a brave person. She was. But, things like this scared her. They reminded her of the times where she’d worried about her infant child. He had been innocent, and was still in so much danger. Things hadn’t changed. If the death eaters and Voldemort were actually back, then her son was going to be in danger again. Alice would do everything she could to make sure he would be safe. It had to be easier than last time. But she wouldn’t even begin to let herself think that. Right now, they needed to focus on now, and get back home to Neville. They could think about everything else later.

Alice sighed, sliding her hand into Frank’s. She wanted to have some contact with him, even though she knew it was not practical. She sighed, using her other hand to brush her sweaty hair out of the way. She knew Frank was right. One of them had to stay here, even though she wanted them both to go. She wasn’t going to leave Frank though. She knew Neville was safe, or as safe as he could be. “Fuck our job….” She grumbled quietly, shaking her head. “We both stay…. if something happened to you…..” She’d never forgive herself if somethingh happened to Frank and she wasn’t there to help him.

*

Frank had been serious. He had been determined. He would have done it alone, would have found another Auror, trawled the streets for suspicious behaviour or poked at mud and leaves beneath that eerie green glow. He would have been reassured that Alice and Neville were safe and together. That if everything went to shit - if he died - they could be happy. They could go on, no matter how hard it was. He had thought those thoughts more than once during the war. It had been hard when Neville was a baby, to think of him growing up without him, never throwing a ball or going on a hike or climbing a tree but he had told himself that a mother was more important. Now that their son had a personality, Alice’s eyes and Frank’s hair - well, if anything it was harder. He was glad Alice wanted to stay. Even if it was selfish.

“We both stay then. C’mon, we should go to the sign. We’ll see what we can do, head back to the office for a debrief and get back to Nev once the street is clear.” 

[frnklylongbottom]

missx-alectocarrow​:

Alecto was bored to tears.  She’d gotten her hopes up during the May Day weekend that things were starting to become more interesting, but it had already been a few days with nothing, not even the hint of something yet to come.  The only thing that had really changed was that Aurors were sniffing around, clearly scrambling to try to stay on good terms with the public opinion.  Alecto had decided to keep herself in sight, hoping that if she stayed front and center, she wouldn’t draw any further suspicion.  Truthfully, she’d let her excitement get the best of her during the Morsmordre, and needed to make sure that she didn’t let herself slip up again.  As far as anyone else was concerned, save for the select few close to her, she was just as horrified by the events as everyone else had been.  Usually, she was left alone to drink her tea as she quietly took in her surroundings, and she was shocked enough when Frank Longbottom approached, having the audacity to ask to sit with her that she nodded, “Fine.”  Alecto gestured for him to take a seat, eyes bright.  “Not on babysitting duty today, I see?”

* 

Frank took Alecto in, in all her perfectly pristine glory. A particularly snobby angel - except for in her attitude to small children, and probably puppies and muggleborns too. He took a seat and offered her a lazy grin. “It’s not exactly babysitting when it’s your own son.” He caught the eye of a waiter, and waved him over. “Coffee please, two sugars, lots of milk.” Frank turned back to Alecto, “besides, he’s being minded. Can’t say I mind the peace. I couldn’t bring him in here - way too many ornaments. Do you want children, Alecto?”

[frnklylongbottom]

WHO: @miss-alectoxcarrow WHERE: madame puddifoots, hogsmede WHEN: the days following the morsmorde attack

Frank was good with people. People trusted Frank, they opened up to Frank. He had relied on that throughout his career in the Auror office, had built his reputation on it. It was no surprise then that after the events of May Day Frank had been asked to do some check ups. There were plenty of pureblood elites who had long been flagged as ‘suspicious’ - but the ministry had to walk a fine line. They were almost universally the sort of people who would complain - and follow through with their complaint - if they felt harassed by an Auror. Frank wasn’t to question, just to probe. In public, where no wrong ideas could be taken. He had spotted Alecto Carrow at Madame Puddifoots more than once, and his luck appeared to be holding out today. “Hi, Miss Carrow. How are you doing this afternoon? D’you mind if I sit with you, get a coffee?”

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

–

If she was at all honest with herself Alice just wanted to get out of here. She wanted to find her husband, and then just get home to their son. Herding people around, and being an auror was really the last thing that she actual wanted to do. She adored her job, and loved being an auror. But, if the death eaters were back, then her son was in danger. She just wanted to protect little Neville. And Alice also knew that if anything happened to Augusta, then she’d never forgive herself. Augusta was a like a mother to Alice, and she was terrified that something might have happened to both of them. But she distracted herself with trying to calm people down. That was all she could do for now.

But then she heard Frank’s voice, and her head shot up. She hadn’t worried about him, knowing her husband could handle himself. And if he had been hurt then she knew someone would have found her. “Frank!” Her arms were around him, as she practically jumped into his arms once he was close eough. She might not have worried about him, but she did feel some relief when she knew he was okay. “I think so…. I sent her a patronus. Told her not to answer the door. She sent one back….” So that meant they were okay right? “We need to go home….”

–

Frank gave Alice a tight squeeze, buried his face in the top of her head. He didn’t want to let her go. Alice was at least as able as he was in  –well, in almost anything. That hadn’t stopped the anxiety rising in his chest. He had known that he had left her on Diagon Alley with Amelia, in the opposite direction to that familiar, chaos-inducing sign. That knowledge hadn’t helped either. Still, the crowd around them was close to panic. He needed to act, and that meant letting go. He took one deep breath, took in the smell of her shampoo. Neville was safe. Mum knew what had happened. Time to calm down. Frank released her from his grip.

“We...” He shook his head and surveyed the scene. Able to think clearer now, his Auror instincts were kicking in. They had a duty, one that had pushed them through the war. They had worked through that first year, when Neville’s life was so immediately at risk. Pushed on without sleep. Pushed on without seeing each other. Pushed on with little time for unpacking what they did and saw. He knew already that they weren’t going to stop now. “You know we can’t both go home. One of us has to stay, do our job.”

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

—

“But people frown a me when I kiss you at work…” Alice mused with a little laugh. Not that that stopped her, and she’d actually done a lot more than just kissing at work. Alice just smiled as she snuggled back against Frank’s side, with Neville in the middle. As much as she missed time with just Frank, Alice actually adored morning times like this, with her two favourtie people in the world. She couldn’t imagine waking up an other way. Her longbottoms were her entire world, and she loved them with her entire heart.

Alice laughed, but a guilty pang filled her heart. Alice was aware that Neville did spend an awful lot of time at his Grandma. She knew Augusta adored him, but she did wish they could both be around a little more. Even with Alice working part time, time was tight. “Psh. You love being at Grandma’s. She lets you do what you want” Alice pointed out, ticking her little boy’s tummy, and jut grinning.

She raised an eyebrow, looking between her son and husband. To be honest, as much as she was looking forward to a date with just Frank, part of her was just tempted say they’d forget it, and spend the day with Neville too. But she knew she’d enjoy the time with Frank, so she just had to stay strong.

“I think if Neville is very careful he can bring his wand. But no duelling with Grandma. I don’t think she’d like that….”

—

Frank recognized the guilt on Alice’s face. He couldn’t help but smile at it. Neville didn’t really know, of course. He was too small to be purposefully manipulative  —for now — but it certainly felt that way. He was getting good at negotiating, though. A little spoiled too, maybe. A little brother or sister would cure him of that, Frank was sure, though he didn’t have any personal experience. Still, it was another one to add to the mental list of arguments for expanding their family. 

“Yeah, Gran definitely doesn’t like duelling. And if you ask nice maybe she’ll make you some of her peanut cookies.” Frank wiggled his eyebrows at his son and Neville’s face lit up with genuine happiness at the thought. “Sounds good, eh?” 

“When do we go?” Neville asked, wide-eyed. Frank felt his own stomach rumble and met Alice’s eyes. It was a shame to leave bed, but getting ready took far longer with one extra body  —especially one that wanted to do everything by himself, even the things he couldn’t.

“I think we’ll go as soon as we’re ready.” Frank decided, leaning over Neville to peck his wife on the lips, then swinging his legs out of the bed, standing up. He turned back around and offered a cheeky grin to his little family. Frank picked Neville out of the bed and turned him upside down, arms around his waist in a bear hug. “Time to go get dressed you little monster!” He called, as the little boy broke into hysterical giggles.

[frnklylongbottom]

opheliaborgin​:

WHERE: Diagon Alley WHO: Ophelia & OPEN

Ophelia would have been lying if she’d said that she hadn’t missed the way that the Morsmordre Charm lit up the night sky. Sure she’d had nothing to do with this one, and it had crossed her mind to go in search of who was behind it, but instead she was content with watching the panic around her on Diagon Alley. 

Minding her own as she looked ahead, she suddenly became aware of another stopping just next to her. Assuming they would move on, Ophelia remained silent for a moment before eventually feeling as though they were expecting her to say something. 

“Don’t mind me…  If it’s chaos you’re looking for, you’ll need to keep heading in that direction.” She said with a half hearted wave of her hand in the direction of the far end of the Alley.

— 

Frank wasn’t in his right mind. He needed to find Alice. He needed to check in on his son. He was an Auror, an experienced Auror. He should have been calm, collected, directing the crowd and searching for the person who did this. And yet the skull made his stomach heave. The year Frank had spent in terror, the year when his infant son had been a target. He had shouted towards the crowd, half-heartedly following protocol: stay in place. remain calm. wait for instructions. 

He couldn’t go on like this. He needed to breathe. Frank stopped in his tracks, closed his eyes and filled his lungs. He counted to five. That was when he noticed Ophelia.

Fear hadn’t quite stolen Frank’s authority. He looked Ophelia over with all of the scrutiny of an Auror. She was too calm for the situation. “I’m looking for my wife, actually. What are you doing? It’s time to head home.”

[frnklylongbottom]

gretacatch​:

❀

       “Oh, that’s more than alright.” Greta assured with a nod, her gaze briefly skirting toward Neville as well so that he knew it was welcomed. “He is accustomed to it, survived the Hufflepuff girls dorms so I think he can just about survive anything.” It was terribly hard to imagine anyone outmatching a bunch of young girls in terms of bestowing the creature with attention.  

Noticing that the young boy wasn’t perhaps comfortable, she let him come around on his own terms and directed most of her upbeat conversation to Frank. “I have the grave misfortune of saying I have tried everything Honeydukes has to offer at least once, including cockroach clusters. It’s a hard pass on my end as well. I am a dedicated sugar quills consumer.” With a chuckle, her gaze skirted about the scenery as they walked. Taking it all in with a broad, nostalgic grin. 

—

Greta was a few years younger than Frank, but when he considered it he could almost picture her in her early years at Hogwarts, as he had been doing his OWLs and then his NEWTs, in her school uniform and little yellow tie. “That bad eh?” He smiled, “In the Gryffindor boy’s dorms you’d have to be crazy to get into your bed without checking it for booby traps first.” Frank was pretty sure he’d spent all seven years mildly sleep deprived. Not that Auror training or the war or Neville had given him much sleep after graduation either.

“Sugar quills are excellent as well. I’ll have to pick a few up to take home I think.” Neville seemed to forget his shyness as the purple and glass door came into view, breaking free from his father’s side to run up to it. How Honeydukes kept the glass on the door so shiny with all of the sticky-fingered children mauling it on the daily, Frank wouldn’t know. The apartment he and Alice occupied currently was never free of handprints. “Anything else I should avoid? Or try, actually, if you’ve tried it all?” He asked, keeping his relaxed pace. The door was too heavy for Neville to enter himself, and as long as he was in view and out of the way of passers-by, he could wait for them to catch up. 

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

—

Her whole relationship with Frank had been so fast. It had felt like a non-stop rollar coaster the whole time. But Alice would never change it for the world. She adored Frank, and couldn’t imagine her life having gone any different. The war had changed everything though, and really put their relationship on a course that she had never imagined it would go on. When shed been little she’d imagined falling in love, and having a lovely wedding, and just generally happy time. It hadn’t gone that way, but in the end of it all, she still had Frank, and that was what mattered to her. Frank had been her rock, both in her personal and work life. She wouldn’t have gotten through the last few years without him. So, however much she wished that maybe it had played out different, she was still so grateful that she got to call him hers.

“Two months? Seriosuly? Gosh. We’re so lame.” Alice laughed, shaking her head, as she snuggled closer to him. “Im surprised I even remember what you look like….” She teased, a smile coming onto her face as she heard the familar foot prints of Neville. She rolled over, sitting up, so that she could catch Neville as he jumped into thier bed. “Good morning my angel” She murmured, pulling him in close for a hug. She shuffled back, so she could lean against the head board. “How do you feel about spending the day with grandma?”

—

Frank laughed, “At least you get to see me at work.” He was disappointed to feel Alice leave his side, but he shifted himself up the bed to be prepared for the little bundle of energy heading their way. Just as Frank had expected, Neville threw himself full force onto the bed where Alice scooped him into a hug. As she leaned back, Neville nestled in between them and Frank squeezed his shoulders, “Morning kiddo.” 

Neville heaved a sigh, a five year old bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders. “Grandma again? But I was just there all week!” He threw himself back against the headboard. Frank tried to suppress a smile at the melodrama. Weren’t children supposed to start this a little later? 

“You can bring Mr. Bear today,” Frank tried to sweeten the deal, poking Neville in the side with a little grin. 

“Can I bring my wand?” Neville narrowed his eyes and put his pudgy little hands under his chin. The toy wand he had gotten for Christmas was still among his favourites. It shot little sparks of coloured light and Neville loved little “duals” with anyone who would give him the time of day. 

“What do you think Mum?” Frank glanced up at his wife, voice wry, “If Neville’s very careful and doesn’t point at Grandma, is he able to bring his wand?”

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

Where: Diagon Alley, about 20 minutes after the mark appeared

Who: Alice and Open

Alice was frightened. This was her worst nightmare really. There had been many nights when she’d spoken to Frank about this, about her worries that it would all happen again. He’d very nearly convinced her to relax, that things would be okay. But then this happened. And she was frightened. She’d immediately sent a patronus to Augusta, telling her what had happened, and to stay indoors, and not open the door to anyone. They’d be back soon, but she needed to help. She was an auror, and it was in her very being to help.

And so her wand was out as she wondered down the alley, trying to keep people moving, and keep calm. “Please try to stay calm, and leave as soon as you can. The floo’s in the leaky are open…..” She murmured, as she walked. The sooner people were gone the better, and then maybe she could go too

—

Frank had never been brave, no matter how good he’d become at faking it in the face of terror. Every dreadful thought he’d had, every nightmare about what could happen to his little family, flashed through his mind. Every reassurance he’d offered Alice that the war was over, that they were safe. All hollow now, when evidence otherwise hung above their heads and Alice was god knows where and Neville was 50 miles away. He knew he needed to put these thoughts aside and do his duty, calm the crowd,  find the source of the chaos and make sure there was no broken body beneath it — yet he couldn’t. Not without finding his wife. One of them needed to go home tonight. 

There she was, across the street, doing her duty like the hero she was while he stood there, as wild eyed and frantic as any civilian, wand in hand, more of a hindrance than a help to the efforts to restore calm to the crowd. “Alice!” He moved towards her rapidly, but the mere sight of her focused him and as he moved to her side, he dropped his voice to a low whisper. “Have you spoken to mum? Is Neville safe?”

[frnklylongbottom]

miss-alectoxcarrow​:

Alecto was walking through the streets of Hogsmede, absolutely minding her own business when someone ran straight into her.  Sighing, she prepared to give them a verbal lashing, but when she looked down and realized that it was a child, she decided against it.  Little brat.  “Keep your sticky fingers away from my robes, kid”, she muttered, taking a step back and crossing her arms.  Children really were vile little creatures, even the pureblood ones.  Unconcerned with whether the child was lost or not, Alecto was about to turn away when Frank caught up to his son.  “Mhm, I can see that.  It doesn’t look like he needs any sugar, though.”  Her eyes flashed from Frank to Neville and back again, more scrutinizing than unkind.  “Looks like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”

—

Alecto Carrow was always an absolute pleasure. Mean to small children, as well as adults. She likely kicked puppies in her free time. He slung an arm protectively around Neville’s shoulders, squeezed him a little. Frank thought of himself as a mostly relaxed person. Friendly. Easy going. That was less true when it came to Neville, probably a result of the year of constant vigilance against the threat to his infant son’s life. Yeah, probably that. Alecto wasn’t actually a threat too. He forced his body to relax. “You should see him on a sugar high. It’s something else.” He looked down fondly. “I am sorry though, you’re okay aren’t you?”

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

—-

Alice really would not get tired of waking up next to Frank. It was funny because she couldn’t quite put a time on when things changed. She couldn’t pinpoint a time when she’d seen him as her entire world, and not just a friend. But, she couldn’t imagine her life without him now. Frank, and Neville were her whole world, and she couldn’t imagine life without them. She was just glad that the world was better now, and they could actually have a pretty lovely life together. “Mmm?” She asked, not moving from her position. She was loving getting to wake up like this. She missed little moments like this when it was just the two of them. She’d never regret Neville, but she did miss moments like this.

“I can’t remember the last time we had a date” The woman mused with a little laugh. She missed that too, but that was what came with having a little boy. “But… brunch sounds good….” She mused with a little smile. “I’m sure Nev would love to spend the morning with grandma”

—

Everything had been a whirlwind with Alice and Frank. It wasn’t that he had any regrets, exactly, but it had happened dizzyingly fast. As a teenager, Frank had believed that life was wide open. That choices were open ended. He had expected, without ever thinking it, that he would have time to deliberate. To carve his life exactly how he wanted it. He had underestimated the impact of culture, of current events  —the war. He had underestimated the impact of personal relationships  —falling in love had been stronger, headier than he expected, almost involuntary  —and he had underestimated the chance of things going off plan. Frank had spent much of his twenties reacting, to the war, to Alice, to Neville. It was exciting to get the opportunity to slow things down. Frank had always been inclined to a leisurely pace.

“It has been...two months,” He narrowed his eyes in concentration, “and thirteen days. Would you believe it?” Frank let out a little laugh. “Nev will enjoy it because we are still the bosses around here. Whatever he seems to think at the minute.” As if on cue, Frank heard little footsteps outside their door.

[frnklylongbottom]

gretacatch​:

           Something about Hogsmeade is always particularly nostalgic, like it’s her first time all over again. Eyes as round as a full moon, darting from shop to shop with yellow and black scarf tassels trailing behind her movements. The young woman was admittedly daydreaming a bit to herself, back to a simpler time, when she had near been toppled over by an excitable Neville Longbottom. Her amber gaze fell down onto him, only to immediately bark out a loud carefree laugh. “Oh there’s no harm at all, I am sturdier than I look.” She offered a warm smile, doing a bit of a melodramatic turn about for full effect. “No harm, no foul. Though if you’re really the least bit bent out of shape over it, the two of you could repay me with company. I was actually on my way to Honeydukes as well.” Sugar Quills. A life necessity in her eyes. 

She patted the pocket of her coat, a mustard color tuft of fur just barely peeked over the careful stitching. “Gouda is a big fan of Cockroach Clusters, I think we might be their biggest costumers in that particular market.” 

—

Neville’s eyes widened comically at the sight of Greta’s pygmy puff and Frank couldn’t contain his grin. “What’d’you say Nev? Do you think we could do with some company on our way to Honeydukes?” He turned his smiling face to Greta. “Be warned, he’s going to want to touch it before we part ways. But you’re welcome to come and join us.” He took Neville’s hand to slow him down and began the walk in the direction of the shop. “I’m a simple toffee man myself, but Neville likes the chocolate frogs. He likes real frogs too, mind.” He glanced down at the little boy, who appeared to have gone quite shy. 

“Cockroach clusters are a no from me though, I tried them on a dare once. It did not go well for me.” Hogwarts seemed a long way away now. No one had dared him to eat something gross in at least four years. 

[frnklylongbottom]

who: open where: hogsmede

Father-son bonding days usually took place far from any town or village. Frank liked to bring Neville to the woods, on a little hike, or a swim. Out sailing, or down to the beach to pick through the rock pools. Little adventures. His mum had suggested Hogsmede. Get that boy some sweets, she had scolded, in the way that only she could scold about something as nice as sweets. They could have gone to Diagon Alley, but Frank spent enough time on those narrow cobbled streets and at least here they could get some sweets, a warm drink and he could walk Neville up towards Hogwarts. A little nostalgia for Frank, a little glimpse of the future for his son. Neville ran ahead, little limbs everywhere. He had none of his mother’s grace, Frank thought fondly until — “Slow down Nev! Watch where you’re going!” He was too late. Neville had crashed face first into someone’s thigh. Frank slow jogged to catch up, put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Really sorry about that, he’s just excited about Honeydukes.”

[frnklylongbottom]

aliceinaxuxrland​:

—

Alice practically melted into his side, snuggling closer if that were even possible. They rarely got time like this. Usually one or the other of them had to wake up early for work. And on days when they could lie in, they were usually joined by their little boy. Not that Alice would complain. She adored having cuddles with her son. But she would admit that she did miss getting to cuddle her husband by himself. So, she was appreciating this morning very much. Even if she did have a headache. “Oh fudge. That thought is even worse. I don’t want him to ever be that old “ She loved her little boy just the age he was, and would be rather content if he didn’t grow anmymore.

Alice just sighed contently, tangling her legs through his as she shifted slightly, so that she could see him properly. She smiled. It still amazed her that he was hers, and despite everything they’d made things work. Life hadn’t thrown them a easy hand, but they’d come out stronger, and she couldn’t be happier. “Mmm. Your mum cooking for us sounds like the best idea you’ve ever had”

—

Frank looked at her, a long leisurely gaze, taking in all of her. Sometimes he thought he loved her best like this, her beautiful hair just slightly askew, her cheeks morning flushed. The pure humanity of the scrap of makeup under her eyes. It’s time. The thought came to him with a conviction he hadn’t really been prepared for, the realization of an idea he had been toying with for weeks. “I have a better idea...” He let his voice trail off, ran his nails along Alice’s bare back. “I think we should let mum make breakfast for Nev, and we should go get brunch. When was the last time we had a date, just the two of us?” 

He raised his eyebrow at her. They both knew that most of the alone time they got now was in work, and that had it’s own risks. Augusta wouldn’t mind taking her grandson one extra morning this week, surely.

[moderncitadels]

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