petals fall, but thorns remain

“I’m not sure I’d use the word happy, I mean, I’m only acknowledging your existence because no one else is here and my brain is going to bleed from boredom.” She teased tilting her head as she caught the male’s gaze with an amused smirk.

Evan rolled his eyes at her comment, though a small smirk still played on his lips. “Whatever you need to tell yourself to feel comfortable, Rubes.” 

An amused grin tugged at her lips. “You think rather highly of yourself Rosier, not that I’m disagreeing.” She teased with a wink. “True but there will be others.”

A smirk grew on his lips at her comment and he nodded. “You don’t get far in life if you don’t.” He commented. “I suppose there will be.” He nodded again, slowly. “We’ll just have to be a bit more selective.” 

“Name me one.” She said raising a brow with a smirk. “Yes, you make a fair point but we could always join in and have some fun once they’ve all started fighting amongst themselves.” 

“Well, that one’s easy -- any time your in my presence taking in my good looks warrants a happy face.” He said, tongued running across his lips as he failed to hold back a smile. “I suppose we could. It would be interesting. I quite like mine a little less worn out, though.” 

“I just couldn’t see a situation where I would need a happy face.” She joked with a smirk. “That I can believe,” Ruby stated meeting his gaze. Nodding, she agreed with the male. “I was considering that myself, either way, it works in our favour.” 

A quiet chuckle left the wizard’s lip at her comment. “I could think of a handful.” He nodded at the witch’s further comment. “Definitely. If they want to pick at each other without having to lift a finger, then by all means.” He said, pausing a moment before speaking again. “Although, that takes a little fun out of it.” 

“Funnily enough that’s not the first time I’ve been told that,” Ruby replied with a shrug. “Oh that’s a shame, I thought it suited your sunny persona.” She replied tutting. “Don’t get me started on that bullshit. There’s a reason we have magic it helps separate us from those pathetic muggles but I suppose it’s been a laugh watching the Ministry completely muck their investigation up. I mean, have you seen some of the people they’ve been questioning?”

“And you didn’t take the advice?” Evan asked, a smile curling on his lips. “I might be radiant, but I’m not quite that delicate.” He licked his lips, concentrating on the brunette’s words. “They’re still beneath us, even in this bubble.” The wizard assured her. “But yes, I’ve heard they’ve got some mudbloods in for questioning. Almost wondered if they were playing for our team.” He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall. “Either that or the Ministry are more incompetent than we could have ever imagined.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, this is my happy face.” She joked meeting the male’s gaze, raising a brow of her own. “Easily done. I’ve never claimed to an expert. So, buttercup, what’s got under your skin?”

“Your happy face might need a bit of work, I’m afraid.” Evan replied. “That pet name, for one.” He said, though his lip curled up slightly in amusement. “Aside from that, it’s rather boring around here without magic. Especially as these Ministry idiots seems utterly incompetent.” Which was ultimately good, but they'd stopped the flow of magic in the town to conduct a completely redundant investigation.

“Well someone’s a little touchy, aren’t they? What’s got your knickers in a twist?” Xavier snickered knowing exactly what he was doing but still enjoying it as he tried to get a rise out of the other. “I don’t think I said anything that wasn’t true.”

“And someone’s a little mouthy.” Evan rolled his eyes. It was clear that the blond wasn’t capable of telling when was a good time to stop talking. The time had long passed. “Then I don’t think you’ve had quite enough sense beaten into you.” The wizard’s fist swung towards the blond, making contact with the same cheek as before.