But between the drinks and subtle things...
“Boss, you better get going,” Diane called as she sailed into his room. She was waving her wand, doing locking charms, and whisking the papers out from his hands and into a neat pile on his desk.
“I was reading those, you know,” Edward growled, annoyed at the interruption.
Diane paid him no mind as she pulled him out of his chair and set a bouquet of red roses on his desk. “I know. I also know that Pansy hates being made waiting, that you owe her for New Years, and that you pay me to make sure you are on time for everything.”
As expected whenever his family was brought up, his expression turned dark and he started grumbling to himself. Diane again ignored his curses on New Year and family obligations, and handed him a finger of scotch as she busied setting the rest of his office straight.
“Now, boss,” she admonished. “You can’t be headed out to see Pansy with your face scrunched up like that. As much as I don’t like you, I need you alive to pay me. I don’t fancy a job change at the moment.”
“Are you telling me that you’ve finally stopped looking for another job?” Edward asked, trying to get his mind off of unpleasant thoughts. Pansy would indeed curse him if he showed up in a piss after demanding she make time on Valentine’s Day.
“I stopped looking a long time ago,” she answered, helping herself to a finger of scotch as well. She winked and clinked her glass against his. “I am merely fielding offers that come in at this point. I say I get an average of about two a week.”
Unlike other men who would normally be jealous, Edward looked pleased--after all, he was a man who enjoyed being the person who has what everyone else wants. “And how long until you leverage those offers into making me give you a raise?” he asked.
“Depends on when the next time you piss me off is,” she replied, downing her glass. She smiled at him and stood and straightened her dress. “Ready to go, boss?”
“Wait, wait, hold on. We’re only having one drink? What’s your hurry?” He eyed her critically. “Red pumps? Long earrings? A manicure? What’s going on? Does the illustrious Diane have a date?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled him into a standing position. “And what if I do?” she asked, shoving the bouquet of roses and his cloak in his hands. “You don’t think I can get a date on Valentine’s Day?”
Edward cleared his throat as the petite female stood bristling with her hands on her hips. “No, not that. I just don’t like it when you have a social life. It could distract you. I don’t pay for you to get distracted.”
“Go. Now. Before I kill you. And before Pansy raises you from the dead to kill you again,” she said with clenched teeth and narrowed eyes. “And I’ll be collecting on that raise starting next payday, thank you very much.”
Edward smirked as he watched her turn on her heels and stalk out of his office. She even accentuated it all with a dramatic door slam. “I think I’m rubbing off on her,” he mused, before adjusting his cloak and apparating away.
***
Bizet played softly in the background as Pansy slid one of her diamond earrings through the hole in her lobe, pausing to admire the way the diamond caught and played in the light. For all that he was an insufferable arse, Edward did have impeccable taste. He knew she had to be coaxed into wearing red -- no doubt that was the reason he’d chosen the color in the first place. But it was Valentino, and the material felt heavenly against her bare skin.
Let the bastard think he’d won with her acquiescence. She could have wrung him dry if she wished.
The heavy bell sounded from the front of the manor, and her lips twitched. Blue eyes flickered to the clock on her dressing table. Seven p.m. precisely. He knew her well.
Edward stood at the foot of the grand staircase as he waited for Pansy to make an entrance. It didn’t matter how many times they met or he picked her up, she always insisted on doing so. Not that he minded watching a beautiful woman walking towards him.
“Darling,” Edward greeted, kissing her softly on each cheek. “Stunning. But then, that’s no surprise. I do have spectacular taste.”
One dark brow rose as she returned his greeting. “Are you saying I need diamonds to be stunning, Edward?”
“No, I meant red Valentino dresses, obviously,” he said with a straight face, presenting her with the bouquet of flowers. At her death glare, he shot a tiny smile at her. “The diamonds are just icing.”
Pansy gave a non-committal hum and inhaled the delicate floral scent of the bouquet. “Careful, or you’ll find yourself without companionship for the evening.” She handed the flowers to Maxwell, leaving their care to her elf.
“I only jest because both of us know the truth,” he consoled, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. “Besides, do you honestly think I would let you get away so easily?”
“Who says you have the power to ‘let’ me do anything?” she countered, squeezing his arm.
“You do when you humor me,” he answered, taking her cloak from Maxwell and draping it across her shoulders. “No man could ever force you to do something you didn’t want to do. Trust me, I know.”
“I must admit, I am intrigued by your invitation after a few months of the silent treatment.” Pansy fastened her cloak with red-tipped fingers, then retook Edward’s offered arm. “Where are we to tonight?”
“You must know, Pansy, that it was not a voluntary silent treatment. Only a brood of mad horses or conniving siblings could keep me from you,” Edward said darkly. He shook his head to clear the thoughts away. “But for tonight, we have a lovely evening of wining, dining, and dancing planned to make up for my absence of these past few months. Does that sound acceptable, milady?”
She gave a faux-pensive hum and said, “I suppose,” though her lips twitched upwards as she glanced up at him. “And I suppose I forgive you for your negligence. But don’t test me further, darling.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I like to live life dangerously, but not recklessly,” he said soothingly. He kissed her on the temple before apparating them away.
***
Heels clicked on the polished marble as Pansy led Edward back towards the study. She hadn’t gone out in far too long, not since running into Lysander and Julian in Italy. Well, she had gone out, of course; she traveled to France quite frequently, but she hadn’t spent an evening on the town in far too long.
She envied Astoria, with her Unspeakable warming her bed. It had been far too long.
The elves had laid a fire, which was crackling in the fireplace as they entered the warm room. Once it had been her father’s domain, and while it was still used as a study, she had put her own imprints on the interior, creating a beautiful juxtaposition between feminine and masculine. It suited her.
“Cragganmore?” She glanced over her shoulder at Edward. “Or would you prefer the Tyrconnell tonight?”
“Tyrconnell. I had a glass of Cragganmore before Diane kicked me out of the office earlier this evening,” he answered settling himself on the loveseat. “Speaking of Diane, do you know she had a date tonight?”
“I did. She owled for my opinion on the restaurant he was taking her to in Lyon.” Pulling the crystal stopper free from its position, she poured two fingers of the whiskey into the waiting tumblers. “I take it you didn’t.”
“No. Why would I? I have enough people to keep tabs on, much less her. I pay her to not have a social life instead of gallivanting around downtown London on a work night. Do you know how much I’ve invested her?” he bit out, knowing full well he was being irrational.
Pansy rolled her eyes and pushed the tumbler into his slack hand. “She’s in Paris, darling, not London, and you’re being an unreasonable arse. Shut up and drink your scotch.”
“Paris, London, doesn’t change the fact that it’s a work night. But I suppose I can reserve judgment to see how hungover she is tomorrow,” he answered, dismissing the topic. “So, darling Pansy, are we finally going to talk about why I haven’t seen you in the social column of the Daily Prophet for the past few months?”
She settled down onto the setee beside him. “I’m overseeing renovations at Azay-le-Rideau. I’ve been spending most of my time in Paris.” Freedom from parole meetings at the Ministry had freed up her schedule insurmountably; she had more time than she knew what to do with.
“Renovations? That’s all? I’d imagine you’d would still have time for other activities,” he stated, giving her an inquiring look.
Pansy fixed him with a look of her own and took a sip of her scotch. “I have,” she said after her first sip. “I’ve been traveling as well. Had a lovely time at Lake Como, if you must know.”
Her answer was acceptable, but Edward knew it was in no way a full answer. He was the one at fault for leaving her to face her demons alone for the past few months, so he felt as he had no room to argue. So instead of arguing with her, he pulled the prickly brunette back into his side and wordlessly pressed a kiss into her temple.
She sniffed and let herself relax into his side. Were it an evening with Astoria, she’d be more likely to discuss what was truly plaguing her -- one Romeo Lysander Montague -- but Astoria, Edward was not, and she had no wish to pontificate on romantic troubles with her faux corbeau.
“Well, love, whatever it is, I’m glad it left you alone long enough to join me today,” he said, tracing random patterns onto Pansy’s shoulder that wasn’t tucked into him. “You’ll let me know if I need to go have someone killed, right? Or tortured. I prefer the former usually for security reasons, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She let her head rest on Edward’s shoulder, eyes sliding shut. “As of now, murder is not required. I shall let you know if that situation changes.”
“Promise, darling?” Edward asked, lifting her chin with a finger as to force her to look into his eyes.
Her eyes met his, flashing momentarily. “Would I lie to you?”
“No, but you might omit,” he said, allowing a small smile to escape to show that he only meant the best for her. “Certainly, you can’t deny that?”
Pansy sniffed, but her lips curled after a pregnant pause. “I won’t. But only for tonight. I’ll deny it to my dying breath tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise,” he answered, releasing her chin. “So, what do you say, darling? Was Valentine’s Day all you hoped it to be? Did I make up for New Years?”
“I had hoped to spend tonight with someone tall, dark, and handsome.” She smirked up at him. “I suppose your company has sufficed instead.”
Edward released a low chuckle. “Any last requests before I make sure you’re tipsy and tucked in?”
“None you can fulfill, I’m afraid.”
“And I thought I could do anything,” Edward lamented as he topped off their glasses. He shot Pansy a small but honest grin as he raised his glass towards her. “Until the next holiday?”
Pansy’s lips curled, and she raised her glass to clink against his. “Until then, darling.”
Summary: Edward and Pansy enjoy one another's company on Valentine's Day.
“I was reading those, you know,” Edward growled, annoyed at the interruption.
Diane paid him no mind as she pulled him out of his chair and set a bouquet of red roses on his desk. “I know. I also know that Pansy hates being made waiting, that you owe her for New Years, and that you pay me to make sure you are on time for everything.”
As expected whenever his family was brought up, his expression turned dark and he started grumbling to himself. Diane again ignored his curses on New Year and family obligations, and handed him a finger of scotch as she busied setting the rest of his office straight.
“Now, boss,” she admonished. “You can’t be headed out to see Pansy with your face scrunched up like that. As much as I don’t like you, I need you alive to pay me. I don’t fancy a job change at the moment.”
“Are you telling me that you’ve finally stopped looking for another job?” Edward asked, trying to get his mind off of unpleasant thoughts. Pansy would indeed curse him if he showed up in a piss after demanding she make time on Valentine’s Day.
“I stopped looking a long time ago,” she answered, helping herself to a finger of scotch as well. She winked and clinked her glass against his. “I am merely fielding offers that come in at this point. I say I get an average of about two a week.”
Unlike other men who would normally be jealous, Edward looked pleased--after all, he was a man who enjoyed being the person who has what everyone else wants. “And how long until you leverage those offers into making me give you a raise?” he asked.
“Depends on when the next time you piss me off is,” she replied, downing her glass. She smiled at him and stood and straightened her dress. “Ready to go, boss?”
“Wait, wait, hold on. We’re only having one drink? What’s your hurry?” He eyed her critically. “Red pumps? Long earrings? A manicure? What’s going on? Does the illustrious Diane have a date?”
She rolled her eyes and pulled him into a standing position. “And what if I do?” she asked, shoving the bouquet of roses and his cloak in his hands. “You don’t think I can get a date on Valentine’s Day?”
Edward cleared his throat as the petite female stood bristling with her hands on her hips. “No, not that. I just don’t like it when you have a social life. It could distract you. I don’t pay for you to get distracted.”
“Go. Now. Before I kill you. And before Pansy raises you from the dead to kill you again,” she said with clenched teeth and narrowed eyes. “And I’ll be collecting on that raise starting next payday, thank you very much.”
Edward smirked as he watched her turn on her heels and stalk out of his office. She even accentuated it all with a dramatic door slam. “I think I’m rubbing off on her,” he mused, before adjusting his cloak and apparating away.
***
Bizet played softly in the background as Pansy slid one of her diamond earrings through the hole in her lobe, pausing to admire the way the diamond caught and played in the light. For all that he was an insufferable arse, Edward did have impeccable taste. He knew she had to be coaxed into wearing red -- no doubt that was the reason he’d chosen the color in the first place. But it was Valentino, and the material felt heavenly against her bare skin.
Let the bastard think he’d won with her acquiescence. She could have wrung him dry if she wished.
The heavy bell sounded from the front of the manor, and her lips twitched. Blue eyes flickered to the clock on her dressing table. Seven p.m. precisely. He knew her well.
Edward stood at the foot of the grand staircase as he waited for Pansy to make an entrance. It didn’t matter how many times they met or he picked her up, she always insisted on doing so. Not that he minded watching a beautiful woman walking towards him.
“Darling,” Edward greeted, kissing her softly on each cheek. “Stunning. But then, that’s no surprise. I do have spectacular taste.”
One dark brow rose as she returned his greeting. “Are you saying I need diamonds to be stunning, Edward?”
“No, I meant red Valentino dresses, obviously,” he said with a straight face, presenting her with the bouquet of flowers. At her death glare, he shot a tiny smile at her. “The diamonds are just icing.”
Pansy gave a non-committal hum and inhaled the delicate floral scent of the bouquet. “Careful, or you’ll find yourself without companionship for the evening.” She handed the flowers to Maxwell, leaving their care to her elf.
“I only jest because both of us know the truth,” he consoled, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm. “Besides, do you honestly think I would let you get away so easily?”
“Who says you have the power to ‘let’ me do anything?” she countered, squeezing his arm.
“You do when you humor me,” he answered, taking her cloak from Maxwell and draping it across her shoulders. “No man could ever force you to do something you didn’t want to do. Trust me, I know.”
“I must admit, I am intrigued by your invitation after a few months of the silent treatment.” Pansy fastened her cloak with red-tipped fingers, then retook Edward’s offered arm. “Where are we to tonight?”
“You must know, Pansy, that it was not a voluntary silent treatment. Only a brood of mad horses or conniving siblings could keep me from you,” Edward said darkly. He shook his head to clear the thoughts away. “But for tonight, we have a lovely evening of wining, dining, and dancing planned to make up for my absence of these past few months. Does that sound acceptable, milady?”
She gave a faux-pensive hum and said, “I suppose,” though her lips twitched upwards as she glanced up at him. “And I suppose I forgive you for your negligence. But don’t test me further, darling.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I like to live life dangerously, but not recklessly,” he said soothingly. He kissed her on the temple before apparating them away.
***
Heels clicked on the polished marble as Pansy led Edward back towards the study. She hadn’t gone out in far too long, not since running into Lysander and Julian in Italy. Well, she had gone out, of course; she traveled to France quite frequently, but she hadn’t spent an evening on the town in far too long.
She envied Astoria, with her Unspeakable warming her bed. It had been far too long.
The elves had laid a fire, which was crackling in the fireplace as they entered the warm room. Once it had been her father’s domain, and while it was still used as a study, she had put her own imprints on the interior, creating a beautiful juxtaposition between feminine and masculine. It suited her.
“Cragganmore?” She glanced over her shoulder at Edward. “Or would you prefer the Tyrconnell tonight?”
“Tyrconnell. I had a glass of Cragganmore before Diane kicked me out of the office earlier this evening,” he answered settling himself on the loveseat. “Speaking of Diane, do you know she had a date tonight?”
“I did. She owled for my opinion on the restaurant he was taking her to in Lyon.” Pulling the crystal stopper free from its position, she poured two fingers of the whiskey into the waiting tumblers. “I take it you didn’t.”
“No. Why would I? I have enough people to keep tabs on, much less her. I pay her to not have a social life instead of gallivanting around downtown London on a work night. Do you know how much I’ve invested her?” he bit out, knowing full well he was being irrational.
Pansy rolled her eyes and pushed the tumbler into his slack hand. “She’s in Paris, darling, not London, and you’re being an unreasonable arse. Shut up and drink your scotch.”
“Paris, London, doesn’t change the fact that it’s a work night. But I suppose I can reserve judgment to see how hungover she is tomorrow,” he answered, dismissing the topic. “So, darling Pansy, are we finally going to talk about why I haven’t seen you in the social column of the Daily Prophet for the past few months?”
She settled down onto the setee beside him. “I’m overseeing renovations at Azay-le-Rideau. I’ve been spending most of my time in Paris.” Freedom from parole meetings at the Ministry had freed up her schedule insurmountably; she had more time than she knew what to do with.
“Renovations? That’s all? I’d imagine you’d would still have time for other activities,” he stated, giving her an inquiring look.
Pansy fixed him with a look of her own and took a sip of her scotch. “I have,” she said after her first sip. “I’ve been traveling as well. Had a lovely time at Lake Como, if you must know.”
Her answer was acceptable, but Edward knew it was in no way a full answer. He was the one at fault for leaving her to face her demons alone for the past few months, so he felt as he had no room to argue. So instead of arguing with her, he pulled the prickly brunette back into his side and wordlessly pressed a kiss into her temple.
She sniffed and let herself relax into his side. Were it an evening with Astoria, she’d be more likely to discuss what was truly plaguing her -- one Romeo Lysander Montague -- but Astoria, Edward was not, and she had no wish to pontificate on romantic troubles with her faux corbeau.
“Well, love, whatever it is, I’m glad it left you alone long enough to join me today,” he said, tracing random patterns onto Pansy’s shoulder that wasn’t tucked into him. “You’ll let me know if I need to go have someone killed, right? Or tortured. I prefer the former usually for security reasons, but for you, I’ll make an exception.”
“You say the sweetest things.” She let her head rest on Edward’s shoulder, eyes sliding shut. “As of now, murder is not required. I shall let you know if that situation changes.”
“Promise, darling?” Edward asked, lifting her chin with a finger as to force her to look into his eyes.
Her eyes met his, flashing momentarily. “Would I lie to you?”
“No, but you might omit,” he said, allowing a small smile to escape to show that he only meant the best for her. “Certainly, you can’t deny that?”
Pansy sniffed, but her lips curled after a pregnant pause. “I won’t. But only for tonight. I’ll deny it to my dying breath tomorrow.”
“I wouldn’t expect otherwise,” he answered, releasing her chin. “So, what do you say, darling? Was Valentine’s Day all you hoped it to be? Did I make up for New Years?”
“I had hoped to spend tonight with someone tall, dark, and handsome.” She smirked up at him. “I suppose your company has sufficed instead.”
Edward released a low chuckle. “Any last requests before I make sure you’re tipsy and tucked in?”
“None you can fulfill, I’m afraid.”
“And I thought I could do anything,” Edward lamented as he topped off their glasses. He shot Pansy a small but honest grin as he raised his glass towards her. “Until the next holiday?”
Pansy’s lips curled, and she raised her glass to clink against his. “Until then, darling.”
Summary: Edward and Pansy enjoy one another's company on Valentine's Day.