As One

Long Night

This chapter contains mature content.

Lila had fallen into bed and nearly moaned at how comfortable Fred's mattress was. She noted briefly before settling in that it really was a decently large bed, with plenty of space for the two of them. No squishing required, she thought, even if that's precisely what she wanted.

"Good night, Lila." George called from the doorway, and she looked over to him, pulling the blanket up around her body.

"Good night, George." She said back, settling her head back into the pillow as he turned off the light and shut the door.

She had her back turned to him, but she felt Fred slide into bed on the other side, "Now you're not going to hog the blankets all night, are you?" He asked her teasingly in the dark.

She smiled, eyes shut, and murmured, "No promises," 

Lila tried to shut her eyes and fall asleep, but she was acutely aware of the weight of Fred's body on the mattress beside her. Her body was stiff as a board as she listened to the sound of his breathing, staring straight ahead at the wall. 

"Fred," She spoke up quietly "Isn't this a bit weird, us sleeping in the same bed?"

Fred rolled over onto his side and propped his head up on his elbow, facing Lila's still-turned back, "Do you think it's weird, Lila?" His voice was a low murmur, "I'm sure you've slept with Ron before. Or Harry. You all used to go on camping trips together, didn't you?"

Lila's cheeks flushed at the sound of his lowered voice, and she was glad to be facing away from him, "Sharing a sleeping bag in a tent with all four of us together is right different from being in bed with one of them alone."

"So that's what makes this so odd, then? Us being alone?" 

A shiver ran up her spine as he said alone. Laying there with him in the dark felt so undeniably intimate, he might as well have run a finger along her bare skin, the way his words affected her. There was a warmth pooling in her belly as she thought about how much she'd like that, him touching her.

"It's not just that." She said, her nerves on edge.

"What is it, then?" He askes, and his words seemed barely louder than a whisper.

"What? Do you often have your brother's school friends in your bed wearing your underwear?" Her voice was hushed, and she found her body tensing as she thought of the reply. Hermione had said they'd been getting around--

"Not my brother's school friends, no." His voice sounded closer this time, like he'd shifted nearer to her.

"I'd wager the strangest part about this situation is the fact that there's a gorgeous woman in my bed," Her breath caught in her throat, "And we're only sleeping."

She felt her stomach flip, and she turned her body to face him. Sure enough, he had gotten closer. She was close enough to feel the warmth of his breath on her face, and her skin buzzed with awareness.

"Neither of us are asleep." She whispered, her eyes drifting from his gaze to his lips briefly.

"I don't see us doing anything else though either, do you?" Even in the dark she could see his eyes glimmering mischievously.

"Fred..." She started, her voice barely escaping her lips.

"Yes, Lila?" He loved the way she'd said his name, and the muscles in his hands felt tense as he longed to touch her.

"Didn't you promise to be a perfect gentleman tonight?" She asked, trying to keep the shake from her voice knowing she wished he wouldn't be.

He looked at her face, the gentle slope of her body under George's t-shirt, "I don't have to be."