XXX

“I know it isn’t your fault.” Alastor said quietly. “I know that. I don’t mean to make you feel bad, that is the last thing I want, Luciana. Apparently, I’m the jealous type.” He said with a small smile. “And you do not need to take responsibility for that. That is my issue, okay?”

“I know.” Alastor said sharply, not meaning to sound so defensive. He took Luci’s hand with a frown. “I just can’t help the way I feel when I- when I think of you with… them.”

Alastor felt a flare of jealousy at Luci’s words and grit his teeth, knowing there was no way she hadn’t felt it too. He wasn’t stupid, he knew she had slept with other people before him, but that didn’t seem to stop it from hurting. Just the thought of her with somebody else made his whole body tense, he realized his fists were clenched at his side and relaxed his hands. “I will.” He said quietly. “You’ll be the first… and only person to know.”

Alastor laughed lightly. “Believe me, Luci, I know that, and you know that isn’t why I hold back.” He sighed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “As strange as it sounds to have ‘sex in a public place’ as a goal, I’ll get there, one day.”

Alastor couldn’t help his grin. “It isn’t intentional, but if you like it then I’m certainly not complaining.”

“Sorry.” Alastor mumbled as he broke the kiss. “I couldn’t resist.”

Alastor knew Luci would be able to feel the surge of happiness caused by her words so he didn’t say anything, instead he gently ran his hand up her body, letting his fingers tangle in the hair at the base of her neck as he tilted her head upwards before leaning in to kiss her.

“Okay.” Alastor said quietly, biting down on his bottom lip to suppress another smile. He snaked an arm around Luci’s waist, holding her against him. “Where did you say the books were?”

Alastor smiled, feeling a little self-conscious. “I, uh- I don’t know what to say to that.” He admitted.

“I’m not lying.” Alastor pulled Luci closer and kissed her head gently. “I don’t think you’re special because of your Veela blood. I think you’re special in spite of it.”

“Merlin knows why.” Alastor said quietly, he shot her a small smile to let her know he was half joking. “I already know what I’m getting into, Luci. You aren’t going to scare me away.”

Alastor sighed. “We can research a different topic. It doesn’t have to be Veelas.” He took Luci’s hands. “This goes both ways, I let you in too. Neither of us could afford to lose the other, that’s how this works now, okay? So nothing I read is every going to change the way I think of you. That’s a promise.”