𝐄𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋 | g. w

36. andromeda

Andromeda Tonks welcomes me with open arms when the twins return to her cottage with me in tow, explaining our situation. She smiles at me kindly, a clear show of empathy across her face.

"You're welcome to stay however long you need, dear."

I return her smile, grateful for the safety of her home, but hoping I won't need to stay here longer than a few days.

"Thank you so much for your kindness Mrs Tonks, I hope it won't be a bother."

"Oh nonsense! It's no problem. Besides, if I've managed living under the same roof as these two for however long it's been now, I'm sure it will be fine." She grins at the twins, who fake offence. I catch George sending me a wink, to which I feel a blush creeping up my neck. "Oh, and call me Andromeda dear."

"Again, thank you", I feel my heart swell with the notion of all the good people in my life. Despite the raging war, I know I have people in my corner, friends and family whom I trust never to abandon me.

(...)

"What's on your mind love? I can hear your thinking from a mile away."

After settling in the quaint little house that is Andromeda Tonks' home, I've made to share a bedroom with George. It's something we haven't done since before we got into our relationship, and in a weird sort of way it feels good. Normal. I've always been comfortable around him, but it wasn't until we got together for real that I started fearing what would happen once we got into a similar situation to this. Would it be strange, would it feel weird or would it be uncomfortable sharing a bed with him now that he's my boyfriend?

I guess I was scared our whole dynamic would change, which inevitably — it did. It had to, because we were no longer just friends, and there were feelings that made sharing a bed a completely new and uncharted territory.

Despite this, I find myself worrying about a lot more than just the notion of sleeping in the same bed as him.

"I was thinking about Archie", I frown. "How I just left him there. Even when he begged me not to go, I abandoned him, George. He's my best friend, and it was so easy for me to leave."

I feel the familiar sting of tears gathering in my eyes, my stomach heavy with dread.

"You did what you thought was best, love. Sure, it was stupid and reckless", he smiles, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he joins me in bed, his toned upper body on display. In any normal circumstance, I would be admiring him, but I just can't help but think about how I made the choice to leave one of my closest friends alone in the woods. "But you're not a bad person for
it. I'm sure Archie knew, deep down, he wouldn't be able to make you stay. It's okay, he'll be fine."

I feel a tear slip down my chin. "You didn't see the look on his face, George. He was devastated. I don't think he'll ever be able we to forgive me for it. In fact, I might never forgive myself."

"Hey—", he whispers, grabbing at my chin and forcing me to look at him properly. "None of that. Of course he'll forgive you. There's nothing to forgive. He'll understand why you did what you did. Now—I think I know a way to get your mind off it for at least a while." He grins, pressing a chase kiss to the corner of my mouth. Only a second or two goes by before I grasp at him, pulling his mouth to mine once more. He obliges by meeting my tongue with his, his touch igniting a fire inside me I never thought could possibly come alive like this.

He moans against my lips, "you'll be the death of me, Mia Rune."

Pressing my hands against his bare chest to make sure this is all actually happening, that it's real, I can't help but feel like I've never known feelings could be this strong for another person. It's indescribable, and it makes me tremble at the mere thought of having him even closer to me.

"I—", I whisper against his skin, nearly completely out of breath already. "I-I never knew it could be like this."

"What?" He smiles against my lips, before moving to press equally demanding kisses against the side of my neck.

"Loving someone. I never knew I could feel this strongly for someone else. It drives me mad just thinking about you."

"You're absolutely mesmerising, my love. You have no idea how much I love you. How much I want you."

I let out a string of moans I would be embarrassed to hear coming from my own mouth at any other time, but right now, all I care about is this. This moment right here.

"George", I don't want to waste another second not being skin-to-skin with the man I love so much. I lift my arms up and George gets the hint immediately, tugging my shirt over my head, leaving me in nothing but my knickers. "I want you."

His whole face changes, and his eyes go a darker shade of brown, his pupils dilating. "You sure?" he asks.

"Yes. Please, George. I want you. I want this." I start to grind against him, straddling him. "I want you to make love to me."

He smiles that smile that will always make me warm inside. The smile that is one of the many things about him that made me fall in love in the first place.

"As you wish." Smirking, he reaches for the zipper of his trousers and I can't help but wish this is what it will always be like. Him and me. Together.

—-

A/N: Finally we're getting to the juicy part! The wait is over! We continue in the next chapter.