“She is... smart. Incredibly smart. I would harp on the fact that she’s bloody beautiful, but you’ve got eyes, don’t you? She’s -- fuck -- she’s just about the most competent person I know, too; in a room full ‘a children she’s the only one with her head on straight. Did you hear that fuckin’ inauguration speech? Could listen to her read the back of a cereal box and be entertained for -- uh, but that wasn’t the question, was it? She’s brilliant. She’s just a truly brilliant woman. Lucky to have been able to get to know her.”
Rabastan would absolutely do his best to carry Millicent around, but I figure she’d be too adamant against it for that to last very long. The only time he can do it without protest is when she falls asleep-- at her desk, or on the couch-- and he carries her to bed.
What is their favorite feature of their partner’s?
God, you’re making him pick just one? Millicent has got to be the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen; she’s like utter sunshine personified. His favorite physical feature has got to be her eyes, as cliche as that is. They’re bright, expressive, and intuitive; and they’re the deepest blue he’s ever seen.
What’s the first thing that changes when they realize they have feelings for the other?
He certainly puts more effort into grooming once he realizes he actually fancies her. They’re already pretending quite convincingly to be in a loving relationship, so I’d imagine his acting would get much better-- or much more awkward; it could go either way. But most of all, it’s the grooming. He actually cares what she thinks of him now.
Nicknames? & if so, how did they originate?
Oh god, no nicknames. I think if either of them tried to use a nickname on the other, they would just get a hard, questioning stare, and the cold shoulder for a little while. That’s not to say they wouldn’t use them on occasion just to piss the other off, though.
Who worries the most?
Millicent; she does have political office to worry about, after all. She has more to worry about than most people. Rabastan does his best to alleviate some of her stress when he can, though.
Who remembers what the other one always orders at a restaurant?
Surprisingly, Rabastan remembers. He’s made a habit of keeping track of little details about Millicent’s habits; it came in handy when they were pretending to be a couple for the press, and it’s just become habit ever since. He knows what she likes, what she’s allergic to, what wine she drinks with what meal-- everything.
Who tops?
It’s a battle for power between the both of them; it changes all the time. But more often than not, it’s Millicent-- and Rabastan’s not complaining.
Who initiates kisses?
They both do; once they come to terms with the fact that they truly do fancy each other, they can’t contain their affection when in private. They’re not very public people, but when they’re alone, it’s rare for Rab not to have lipstick on his face.
Who reaches for the other’s hand first?
They’re not the sort of people to hold hands in public, but it’s not rare that one of them will reach for the other’s hand under the table at a function, or when no one is looking. They both do it equally.
Who kisses the hardest?
They can both be surprisingly aggressive, but it’s ultimately Rabastan who leaves hickeys and splits lips. His favorite days are days when she has to wear a turtleneck or a scarf to work; hiding his hickeys is hard work.
Who wakes up first?
Millicent; she’s got work to do-- Rabastan has a tumultuous relationship with his alarm clock.
Big spoon/Little spoon?
Rabastan was born to be a big spoon, and Millicent seems to be the perfect height for spooning; a match made in spoon heaven.
Most common argument?
They argue about a lot of trivial things, but the biggest point of contention in their relationship is his continuing ties to the Death Eaters. There’s no doubt that his loyalties lie with Janus-- and with her-- but the lingering relationships with those on the other side are a point of contention.
Favorite non-sexual activity?
They’re a surprisingly active couple, and enjoy outdoorsy activities like hiking, exercising, generally anything that gets them out in the fresh air and away from the stresses of her job and the fallout of the election.
Who wants to stay in bed just a little longer?
Rabastan; he’s useless in the morning. That’s pretty much all there is to it.
Who says I love you first?
It’s an uphill battle for this one; they’re both remiss to be the first to say it, but at the end of the day, it’s Millicent. She’d probably say it in the heat of an argument, to get him to shut up-- because nothing will shut him up more easily than that sort of confession.
Who leaves little notes in the other’s one lunch?
Rabastan leaves her notes; he can only imagine how horribly stressful her job is, and it’s all he can do from the lower levels of the Ministry to reach out to her during the day. They’re not overly flowery, but they get the job done; and they’re surprisingly sweet by Rabastan’s standards.
Who tells their family/friends about their relationship first?
Millicent does; neither of them have a perfect relationship with their family, but Millicent’s is, undoubtedly, better than Rabastan’s. And he doesn’t really have that many friends to tell-- but we’re working on that.
What do their family/friends think of their relationship?
They all thought it was a joke, at first. The two of them seem so different, far too different to ever work. But their friends and family also know that neither of them are the type to toss around the idea of a relationship willy-nilly; and they also know that their personalities are so bloody strong that they’ll just have to deal with it eventually, because they’re there to stay.
Who is more likely to start dancing with the other?
Rabastan will sometimes put on music and tear her away from her work when it seems to be getting too stressful; she spends so much time hunched over her work, he knows that she needs to breathe just like the rest of them. He’ll pull her away from her desk, to the middle of the floor, and keep her there with a firm hand on the small of her back until she gives in.
Who cooks more/who is better at cooking?
Millicent, without a doubt. Rabastan once set a pan of eggs on fire. It was... very smoky.
Who comes up with cheesy pick up lines?
Rabastan. He is a guy, after all. He can’t be all cute notes and burned eggs all the time. Millicent shuts it down really quickly, though, so they never last long.
Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear during inappropriate times?
They both do, surprisingly. They both find the most inopportune moments to do so, for there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the other turn an obvious shade of crimson right in the middle of a public gathering or appearance. ( and there’s nothing like an embarrassing public boner to spice up a ministry dinner tbh )
Who needs more assurance?
I don’t think she really needs it, honestly, but Rabastan finds himself reassuring Millicent all the time. About his love for her, her competency as Minister, her place within Janus-- everything. She’s carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, and he wants to do everything he can to make that a little less.
What would be their theme song?
Wicked Game - Gemma Hayes
Who would sing to their child back to sleep?
They would take turns; believe it or not, they’re excellent parents. One wouldn’t think it, by just looking at them, but they’re wonderful with their child. Neither of them, too, ever thought that they would be wonderful parents, but as they sing their child to sleep, they’re proven wrong time and time again.
What do they do when they’re away from each other?
They’re fiercely independent people, they’re not the type to pine while away from each other. They write owls to each other, of course, but they’re confident enough in their relationship not to cling. And it makes the reunion all the sweeter, which is totally worth the time apart.
It’s an angry kiss- not the kind you’d expect from someone Alice’s size or demeanor. She’s tired of the talking, the arguing, the sound of two voices one-upping each other as if they’re climbing a ladder on which each rung is another point, another raise in pitch and volume. She turns away for a moment, wishing she would just shut the fuck up, but she never does. And perhaps it’s the fact that she makes valid points and Alice does not that really peeves her. Perhaps it’s the fact that Alice’s temper has colored her red, and made her hasty that makes her do it, simply because she doesn’t know what the hell else to do.
So she grabs her face, one hand slipping to the back of her neck, to shut her up with the force of her lips on Millicent’s, and the powerful feeling of her finger digging into the skin of the nape of her neck- and despite the fact that she’s a whole head shorter than the other woman. She’s on her toes, and for a moment she starts to enjoy the taste of frustration on Millicent’s lips; it’s salty, and it burns, but it can’t last forever.
When she pulls away, she wipes the lipstick from her mouth with the back of her hand and sighs. Perhaps it was the wrong thing to do, or perhaps it wasn’t. But she never speaks of it again.
