#mxrlcne

     “ fuck--i’m sorry. and i get the feeling that i am really going to regret this, but uh, got a friend that i need to check in on, “ he explained suddenly to the man. then, a nod of his head, “ raincheck, yeah? “ standing up from the bar stool, he breathed in a heavy sigh as he began to walk over to where marlene sat by herself. stuffing his hands in his pockets, he tried to think to himself how best to open up the conversation. but, in the end, it seemed that his tendency to simply have no bullshit won over. “ what’s goin’ on, mckinnon? yer not tryin’ to cockblock me for once, “ he pointed out, “ ya sick or somethin’? “

   sighing, he pressed lips back against her own as he desperately tried to push thoughts to the back of his mind. actions seemed to whisper--distract me--as hands wandered to skin that was already bare from their earlier encounter. he could only hope that she wouldn’t pick up on the heavy thoughts that currently burdened his mind. but, knowing the woman that currently shared his bed, she easily would and wouldn’t hesitate to comment on it either.

she shuffles the papers around her desk without paying much attention to their contents. keeping half an eye on her partner, studying her closely. she has been doing that for weeks --- trying to put her finger on what’s different. what has changed. but she’s not going to let marlene know that. yet. so she shifts into one of her usual sour looks, that contrasts so heavily with the smug half smirk that so often lingers on cruel lips. heavily lidded eyes quickly change their focus from their papers to her partner, and they gain that sharp ( almost penetrating ) quality that she is infamous for. “ so why’d you do it? “ she asks, and her head tilts to the side on cue, a hand placing itself underneath her jaw. genuine interest hides behind pitch black irises, but her gaze remains dull, unwavering. refusing to reveal anything besides a seemingly depthless darkness, an emptiness that you could very well drown in. “ i assumed that you would have gotten bored of the flint boy sooner. never saw much potential in that one. “ she says, her voice chilly, lacking investment. seemingly not giving a single fuck. but right below indifferent words, there’s something else. something that has been brewing for a while now. suspicion. doubt. a loss of trust.

@macdvnald @mxrlcne

there’s a slow laziness to his walk as he enters the ministry of magic, hands dug deep into the pockets of his jeans, shoulders hunched a little forward. a stench of cigarette smoke surrounds him ( not entirely unusual, but it has been a while since he came in smelling like he has smoked an entire box of cigarettes. seeing how he has been trying to quit, and all ). dark circles line his eyes, and there’s almost a sickly quality to him. he doesn’t look quite well. yet, there’s still half a smile ( more of a smirk, than anything ) playing on his lips as he saunters down the corridors of the ministry. but when he spots her, it fades. instead, it is replaced by a far colder look, darkness slipping into eyes that are usually so warm, so inviting, almost always playful. all of that disappears, when he looks at her. “ mckinnon, “ he says. very matter of fact. he gives her a quick nod, which is seemingly the extent of his courtesy. really, he shouldn’t be too surprised to see her at the ministry. after all, they both work there. them running into each other was bound to happen... eventually. he’s just about to continue past her, when he stops himself. “are you happy? i.... read about you in the papers,” he says, voice lowered, barely audible. his tone is curt, a little harsh. all politeness washed away. he doesn’t know what answer he’s expecting. what answer he wants. james has little room for forgiveness when it comes to those who’ve picked the wrong side, especially when it’s a former mate --- it’s a betrayal that cuts so deep that it never quite heals.

       in a few quick strides, he had caught up with her and grabbed onto her arm to stop her from what seemed to be a retreat. “ not avoiding me, are you, marl? “ he spoke, leaning down closer to her ear for her to hear.