Everything Waiting (PG; Charlie/Tonks)
Title: Everything Waiting
Word Count: 600 (not counting any of the song bits)
Characters: Charlie/Tonks
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: 7 - Concentric Ceilings at 7spells (xposted as individual drabbles at minorhp100 for the Lyrics challenge)
Authors Notes: These drabbles all run together into a story and were written with individual bits of song in mind (all of them by Josh Groban) but also for a larger idea found in this poem by Pablo Neruda:
That time was like never, and like always.
So we go there, where nothing is waiting;
we find everything waiting there. by Pablo Neruda
You're the one I've always thought of.
I don't know how, but I feel sheltered in your love.
You're where I belong.
“I’m sorry we had to do that, Tonks, but support staff is low right now.”
Tonks yawned and looked up at Gawain, giving him a bright smile she didn’t feel. “If you need help, I’m your girl. Twenty assignments in sixteen days…” She fluttered her hand nonchalantly as she laid her head back on the table.
“Why don’t you head home for some well-earned rest?”
This was her problem. While she wanted to go to her flat and sleep forever, she wanted to know if Charlie’s last words to her were true. “Come by anytime, Tonks. You are always welcome.”
Reach out to me
Call out my name
And I would bring you back again
Today
Charlie knew he needed options for dinner but he was loath to leave the apartment. He knew she was working and had even been by the Ministry a couple of times to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. Some might call it stalking but he preferred to think of it as keeping track of the girl he desired.
So now, it was either have some day-old noodles or go out for something substantial. It should be no contest. He opened the door to find her standing on the other side, blinking at him.
“Charlie? Am I home?”
And when you're with me if I close my eyes,
There are times I swear I feel like I can fly
For a moment in time.
When Tonks was especially tired, she didn’t dream. As she woke up, surrounded by sheets that smelled of burning fire and sweet smoke, she wondered if the memories of last night were reality and she’d been too tired to remember them all clearly.
“Charlie?”
He came to the door as she was rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Ready for breakfast?”
“Did we fly last night?” She waited for him to laugh.
“No, love, no flying. You fell asleep as you walked in the door.”
“Were you here?”
His smile wrapped around her as tightly as she knew his arms had.
And in this cruel and lonely world
I found one love
You're still you
After all
You're still you
The last three days were a blur of passion and fun. Charlie barely slept but she’d dozed quite a bit, making up for the last two weeks that she wouldn’t talk about except to say that she’d been working. Since that could mean anything, he hadn’t pushed her. Instead, he had made sure that she would come back to him the next time.
“You remember the words?” he asked as he helped her on with her robe. The three cleaning spells had finally gotten it clean enough to be seen in.
“Don’t worry. I won’t stand in the hallway again.”
Face the truth to realize
All that we could be.
Torn apart by rage and fear.
Hold onto what brought you here.
Don't let it go.
Never let go.
Tonks ruffled her pale silver hair, trying to get rid of the fear she felt in her heart. This last week had been another set of trials, coming one after another. She was losing her edge again.
“Tonks, go home. You’ve been here longer than me and I won’t have it,” Kingsley bellowed.
Instead of arguing, she threw him a grateful look and disappeared to his door. This time, she was awake enough to remember the words that would unlock the locking charms. Instead of calling out his name, she thought she’d try to surprise him with a quick kiss.
That I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
He stood at the window, staring out into the foggy night. “You smell like fire,” she chided as she slid her hands under his shirt. They were cool against the warmth of his stomach as she kissed his throat.
Their reflection was stark against the dark glass and he forgot to breath. No matter what she looked like on the outside, he knew that he would always see the same eyes, holding everything he needed.
“They called me to help with a rampaging dragon.” He bit back his confession. She wasn’t ready for the words of love yet. But soon…
Word Count: 600 (not counting any of the song bits)
Characters: Charlie/Tonks
Rating: PG-13
Challenge: 7 - Concentric Ceilings at 7spells (xposted as individual drabbles at minorhp100 for the Lyrics challenge)
Authors Notes: These drabbles all run together into a story and were written with individual bits of song in mind (all of them by Josh Groban) but also for a larger idea found in this poem by Pablo Neruda:
That time was like never, and like always.
So we go there, where nothing is waiting;
we find everything waiting there. by Pablo Neruda
You're the one I've always thought of.
I don't know how, but I feel sheltered in your love.
You're where I belong.
“I’m sorry we had to do that, Tonks, but support staff is low right now.”
Tonks yawned and looked up at Gawain, giving him a bright smile she didn’t feel. “If you need help, I’m your girl. Twenty assignments in sixteen days…” She fluttered her hand nonchalantly as she laid her head back on the table.
“Why don’t you head home for some well-earned rest?”
This was her problem. While she wanted to go to her flat and sleep forever, she wanted to know if Charlie’s last words to her were true. “Come by anytime, Tonks. You are always welcome.”
Reach out to me
Call out my name
And I would bring you back again
Today
Charlie knew he needed options for dinner but he was loath to leave the apartment. He knew she was working and had even been by the Ministry a couple of times to see if he could catch a glimpse of her. Some might call it stalking but he preferred to think of it as keeping track of the girl he desired.
So now, it was either have some day-old noodles or go out for something substantial. It should be no contest. He opened the door to find her standing on the other side, blinking at him.
“Charlie? Am I home?”
And when you're with me if I close my eyes,
There are times I swear I feel like I can fly
For a moment in time.
When Tonks was especially tired, she didn’t dream. As she woke up, surrounded by sheets that smelled of burning fire and sweet smoke, she wondered if the memories of last night were reality and she’d been too tired to remember them all clearly.
“Charlie?”
He came to the door as she was rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Ready for breakfast?”
“Did we fly last night?” She waited for him to laugh.
“No, love, no flying. You fell asleep as you walked in the door.”
“Were you here?”
His smile wrapped around her as tightly as she knew his arms had.
And in this cruel and lonely world
I found one love
You're still you
After all
You're still you
The last three days were a blur of passion and fun. Charlie barely slept but she’d dozed quite a bit, making up for the last two weeks that she wouldn’t talk about except to say that she’d been working. Since that could mean anything, he hadn’t pushed her. Instead, he had made sure that she would come back to him the next time.
“You remember the words?” he asked as he helped her on with her robe. The three cleaning spells had finally gotten it clean enough to be seen in.
“Don’t worry. I won’t stand in the hallway again.”
Face the truth to realize
All that we could be.
Torn apart by rage and fear.
Hold onto what brought you here.
Don't let it go.
Never let go.
Tonks ruffled her pale silver hair, trying to get rid of the fear she felt in her heart. This last week had been another set of trials, coming one after another. She was losing her edge again.
“Tonks, go home. You’ve been here longer than me and I won’t have it,” Kingsley bellowed.
Instead of arguing, she threw him a grateful look and disappeared to his door. This time, she was awake enough to remember the words that would unlock the locking charms. Instead of calling out his name, she thought she’d try to surprise him with a quick kiss.
That I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
He stood at the window, staring out into the foggy night. “You smell like fire,” she chided as she slid her hands under his shirt. They were cool against the warmth of his stomach as she kissed his throat.
Their reflection was stark against the dark glass and he forgot to breath. No matter what she looked like on the outside, he knew that he would always see the same eyes, holding everything he needed.
“They called me to help with a rampaging dragon.” He bit back his confession. She wasn’t ready for the words of love yet. But soon…