When I'm With You

“Eh. I dunno. The guy I like….. doesn’t even see me that way so….”

“Well he sounds like real dud then.” 

“I guess. I’m not very good at this…. girly thing”

“Well, it’s not too late to learn. Also men are stupid, put lipstick on and they think you’ve spent 3 hours on your face.”

As they walked alongside each other, Ted had to stop himself from reaching out to grab her hand, instead shoving his hands in his pockets awkwardly. 

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time, inviting her out. He’d heard Benjy in his head, egging him forward, but really what did Ted know about girls? Especially girls like this– beautiful, smart, and terribly out of his league. 

“So uh…” He searched for anything to fill the silence. “How was your day?”

Androemda walk beside him needing take to quick steps to keep up with his long strides. She watched as he shoved his hands into his pockets and for a brief moment she thought about taking it in her’s. The thought making her heart drop a bit, her family would never. This had seemed like a good idea at the time. 

“I don’t even wear lipstick Andy….. nor have a reason to”

“You don’t need a reason, it’s just fun.” 

“Am I even putting this thing on right?”

“Looks perfect Alice, keep it better color on you.” 

Benjy&Andromeda

“Oh bloody hell don’t say it all pervy like that.” He says with a laugh, adjusting the button on his trench coat sleeve. “She’s grieving her husband-or pissed at him or some combo of the two.” He remembers with a pang just a few months ago when he’d put Cleona, willingly, in a similar position. Benjy clears his throat.

“Though I suppose if she tries to shag me that’d make her a pretty big suspect, wouldnit?” 

He rubs his face, tired, and feeling his own stuble sighs and remembers. He taps his face twice with his wand, growing a thick, itchy beard.

“You think this’ll be enough? Should I add glasses? Fucking glamour spells. Your kid would have me beat-thats what I need, another Tonks besting me.”

“I don’t say things pervy you think things pervy this a you problem, not a me problem. As per usual.” Andy rolled her eyes as she spoke. 

“I suppose it would.” There was almost a smile on her face as she agreed but it was still work hours. 

Tedromeda 1967

Be cool, Be cool, Be cool. 

He could barely believe that she had said yes– hell, he could barely believe that he had suggested it. Shirking off their rounds, what was he thinking? Clearly not straight because the last several months he’d been clouded by the look in her eyes and her easy laugh– it’d been so simple to just talk to her. She really listened, and Ted– who had trouble being talkative at the best of times– kept going and going and going, just for a rare chance to make her smile or see her laugh. 

He was late though, and he’d found himself scurrying down the halls, feeling utterly moronic– what was going to happen? 

He had no idea but he was desperate to find out. 

“Hi, Andy.” He cleared his throat, his hand immediately going up to fiddle with his hair. “I- um, I’m really glad your here… D’you want to go on a walk?” As if that hadn’t been his very intention from the beginning. 

The way he said name, it had filled her dreams the night before. Though she’d never admit it. The fact that she’d dreams about Ted Tonks the last three nights, it was embarrassing in a ways she hadn’t even unpacked. Yet she knew there was no ignoring it. That smile, how he played with his hair nervously. 

He was a tad late but that floated away when she saw him smiling down at her. 

The voice of her mother nagged in the back of her head, she should have said no to this. It would have been fair easier to just say no. Yet here she was, maybe it was the rebellious streak her parent’s scorned so much or perhaps she really was changing her mind. Ted was nothing like they said. He was kind, and funny. The time they spent together on prefect rounds provided those two fact to be true at the very least. 

His lanky shadow paraded towards her and Andromeda felt herself smiling already. How could one person do that to someone else? How could just his silly walk make her beam. A strange warmth circling her chest, the closer he came. 

“Hi, Tonks.” The fondness in her voice was so unfamiliar Andromeda forgot herself. For now she’d just be here.