#nora;ben

The bouquet was made up of a beautiful array of colourful geraniums, and Ben examined them one last time before entering the store - making sure none of them had accidentally been damaged, that there weren’t any broken stems and the like. Once he was satisfied, he nodded and pushed the door of Madame Malkin’s open. 

He felt nervous, for reasons he couldn’t quite place. His thoughts raced as he went inside; what if she didn’t like the flowers? What if she didn’t like flowers at all? 

He steeled himself with a deep breath, and that was when he saw her. She hadn’t noticed him, yet - too focused on her work - and Ben just watched her for a moment. A fond half-smile tugged at his lips. 

“Nora,” He greeted, his voice soft so as not to startle her, “For you.” 

Ben held out the flowers and tried to gauge her reaction. It was his thank you for everything she’d done for Briar - the dresses, and (more recently) for keeping her safe.

It was also his answer to the kiss they’d shared. His own way of saying that he wanted it to happen again, if she did.

“I... erm. I hope you like them.” 

A breath of fresh air, a warm blanket on a winter's eve, a decidedly complex puzzle he wants to work day and night to figure out.

Everything is new, tentative, and Ben is not great at feelings - but he knows there's something there. And he wants to put in the work to find it.

who: Ben and Nora ( @xavecamour​ )

Ben let himself into his home and stumbled across the threshold, panting to catch his breath.

He’d sprinted all the way here the minute it was safe. 

Ben had left Briar with Nora, had told her to Apparate out of London until he let them know that it was safe. He’d sent a fire message as soon as the dust had settled; he needed to hold his daughter in his arms, needed to know that she was safe. 

His heart ached with the uncertainty. He needed to know that Nora was safe, too. He wouldn’t know what to do with himself if something happened to not only Briar, but her, as well. 

“Hello?” he called out. The house was dark and awfully quiet. His mind raced as he considered every possible thing that might have gone wrong. What if they’d been intercepted, and kidnapped, and - 

Two individuals set foot in the room - 

“Oh, thank Merlin,” he breathed out, rushing over to take Briar from Nora’s arms. “Thank you.” 

Briar began to cry, alarmed by her father’s agitated state. Ben shushed her gently and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, looking again to her protector.

“Seriously. I cannot thank you enough, Nora.”

His voice cracked as he spoke, fragile and tired.