Title: No More
Rating: G
Genre: Romance
Length: 667
Pairing: Neville/Ron
Note: For
gestaltrose. The prompt was 'I don't want to say I'm just a friend.'
Ron threw his thick robes on and shook red hair out of his eyes. It was very cold out. Neville searched in the closet for his.
"Remember to, er, you know," Ron said awkwardly, grinning lopsidedly. Despite his words Neville knew what he meant. It was all he had been thinking about for the past three days, ever since Mrs Weasley had invited Ron and his 'roommate' over for dinner. He was sick of being just a roommate.
"No," Neville protested, finally locating his coat. He avoided Ron's gaze by slipping it over his head. "You haven't told anyone about us."
Ron's eyes narrowed. "It's not the right time," he answered stiffly. Neville shook his head wearily.
"That's what you said two years ago, when we moved in together. I'm sorry Ron, but I can't deal with it anymore. I love you and I, well, I don't want to say I'm just a friend."
Ron blinked at him and Neville realized what he'd just said. Was he serious? He sure felt that way. But it sounded like he was leaving Ron if Ron didn't shape up. Neville licked his lips, ignoring how the other man watched its movement. He was serious.
"I love you too," Ron said pitifully, closing the distance between them and kissing him. Neville opened his mouth and their tongues rolled together, but Neville wasn't interested. It suddenly hit him. It was a never ending circle. Two years was plenty time to find the right time, and that wasn't counting the time they'd been together before Ron moved in.
Neville pulled away, eyes darting away from Ron's. "I want to talk."
Quickly, Ron looked down at his watch. "But we will be late." He headed to the floo powder and grabbed a pinch.
"I don't want to go."
Ron's shoulders sagged and he turned to look at Neville. He pouted his lips. "Neville," he whined, padding across the worn carpet to trail kisses down his neck. Neville sighed. It wasn't going to work. He didn't often bring up this subject but whenever he did Ron tried to distract him. It usually worked, but not this time.
Neville shoved him away gently and took a deep breath. He was going to say it, spill himself raw. But Ron held his hand up. "Okay, I get it." He scowled and walked back to the fireplace. "You can come if you want." He gave Neville a sad smile. "I'd rather you come."
Neville let out his breath and headed over to Ron. They would talk after the dinner.
A headache and cough to get the ashes out later, they walked across the lawn. Neville still found it weird that the Weasleys had placed a fireplace outside by the shed. It was two and a half years after the war; they could take down their safety precautions.
Ron knocked on the door and Neville made sure to stay a few feet away from him, mostly because he was mad at Ron but also because it hurt to stand close to him. Ron was going to tell him that he hadn't meant to tell anyone about them and Neville was going to have to break them apart. He didn't want to but he also didn't want to stay how they were.
Mrs Weasley opened the door with a wide smile and gestured them in. Ron didn't move though. He chewed on his lip and looked at Neville out of the corner of his eyes. "Mum," he started, gaze settling on the wooden door, "this is Neville."
She gave a little laugh. "Yes, I know who he is, dear."
"My boyfriend." Ron gulped and Neville was so stunned he just stood there, blinking. Finally it registered and his limbs gained movement. Forgetting Mrs Weasley was there, he launched across the distance and engulfed Ron in a hug. Ron's face turned bright red and he mumbled, "Don't you dare leave me."
Neville nodded eagerly and pulled Ron in for a kiss.