tangodancer1x1:
Adira wasn’t sure what she believed of the universe, but there was one thing certain to her since she’d left the hallowed halls of Hogwarts–she was in hell. Ever since the death of her parents, the horrific sight that haunted her nightmares, she found herself merely a shell of the girl she once was. A once vibrant woman, someone with hopes and dreams and a warm heart found herself with one constant friend–fear. If the Blood Thieves had made it into her house once, slaughtered her parents, they could do it again. Would, likely, do it again. Towards the beginning of her time back at home, she’d tried talking to friends, but no one seemed to listen. The only liquid to touch her tongue was wine, wine that she knew had been unopened. She wouldn’t befall the same horrible fate as her parents.
The weeks had dragged on, and a skeleton seemed to take her place. She wandered the halls at night at the slightest sound and found very little rest. Part of her wondered if death were not a better option than this sort of living. It was a thought on her mind as she debated opening a bottle of wine, having gotten down a bit of bread despite her fears. She haunted the halls, making her way towards the wine cellar, when she heard a sound that almost made her screech. Almost. Someone, something, was in her house, and she pulled her wand out, thankful to be painfully sober for once.
The voice called her name, a voice she’d merely dreamed about these past few months. A face she’d begged whatever was above to let her see again, even if just once. “Xander?” she called out, her voice hoarser than she imagined. How long had it been since she’d actually called for someone in that way. And she ran. Ran towards it, not likely the tone that it took. Far more serious than a friendly greeting. Though she was weak–Merlin, weaker than she’d ever been–her feet almost slid across the marble flooring until she saw him, his hand grasping for hers and pulling her with him into the shadows. A small closet cupboard she never found use for, with little room for them, leaving them closer than she could remember them ever being. It happened in an instant, before she even had time to breathe.
She was skin and bones against him, a million questions on the tip of her tongue, and that’s when she heard the sounds. If his arrival had startled her, the next few terrified her. Pop. She flinched at the offending noise, but just the first of them. She’d known. She’d known they would come for her next, and aching fingers tugged herself closer, her breathing labored against his neck as she kept an ear out for the intruders. As the realization of what was happening, what likely would have been an ambush on her, dawned on her, her tight grip only grew tighter, lips brushing against the skin of his neck. She hadn’t been crazy; he’d obviously heard rumors if he’d come to her aide. Even with added measures by aurors to ‘look after’ her safety, she knew it wouldn’t be enough. And he–Merlin, was he the only other person who realized the level of danger she was in, or was he just the only person who cared enough? She should be dead, she still could die… There wasn’t enough thanks she would give Xander if she made it out of this alive.
with the first step inside the selwyn manor, xander’s concerns had been flooded with a single purpose: adira. primarily her safety. it was difficult to tell now if he felt more calm having her there within arms reach, or if the hovering presence of intruders set his worries even more aflame. the truth was that he was there to protect her. question was if he was still capable.
his fingers flexed against the skin of her waist before his grip tightened, drawing her protectively into him. it was a necessary action but one done with the clench of his jaw. on salazar, he’d drawn her into this space purely out of instinct, purely on hopes to stow her away, out of the sight of danger. but—
it appeared danger didn’t linger alone.
perhaps cold and calculating at times, there was no part of him that could ignore nor diminish the graze of her lips against his neck. his skin flushed at the very touch, heat creeping up inside him. worst of all, xander instantly wanted more. he wanted her lips to press harder. to meet his jaw. to whisper against his skin.
selfish.
with eyes closed in focus, xander urged his hands upward an inch. respectable. all the while, they stood listening to the sounds of footsteps scouring the manor. it felt odd, in times like this, to think back to hide as seek as children but that he did. a soft smile even dared to cross his lips as he replayed the memories over in his mind. this closet even... he’d hidden there at least a dozen times, always stowed away in wait of her.
it was a practice of war that no one would have anticipated. yet, standing there, xander could place the noises to her bedroom. it confirmed the worst while also allowing him a moment to speak.
“i’ve got you.” his hand fell upon her wrist, gently holding on as he focused first on maintaining her gaze. in case she held any doubt, xander was certain his eyes could assure her. this was real. he was real. “twenty seconds. let them search, get further and then we’ll go.’
“i’ll take you away. alright?”











