RP: Happy Birthday

[rar_neville]

Date: 03 March 1999
Characters: Neville Longbottom, Pansy Parkinson
Location: Edinburgh, Moor Hall
Status: Private
Summary: Neville and Pansy explore Edinburgh on her birthday.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[rar_neville]

"It doesn't work that way and you know it, so don't patronize me, Pansy. It wasn't a good time or a good place for it. And you were talking, so I wanted to give you the right sort of attention." He was careful moving the umbrella but he crossed his own arms, mimicking her posture.

"I was perfectly fine once I had that weird minute, or however long it was, to get myself settled. Like I said, it's your birthday, and I want to do things you want to do. Whether that's here or back in Hogsmeade, I really don't have a preference. If it's an emotional day that's catching up to you, then let's get you home where you can relax without me around to upset you and make you angry."

Neville sighed, "Look, I know I'm rubbish at this. I really don't understand what I'm supposed to do half the time but I'm not going to pretend to be something I'm not, Pansy. I'm not the sort of bloke that's ever going to be comfortable grabbing a girl and giving her a heated snog in front of an audience. A quick kiss here and there or a snog in an out of the way alcove or a quiet corner, sure. If you're looking for someone who's going to snatch you up and kiss you senseless regardless of where we are, I'm not the bloke for you. You don't strike me as being that sort of girl, either. So what is this really about? Is it tied up with these questions about Ginny, about what I want, and about supposedly not looking for any clarification of what we have? Because it doesn't feel like you're content, Pansy. It feels like you're looking for an excuse to back off. If that's what you want, then just say it."

Neville uncrossed his arms and folded up the umbrella, giving himself a moment to think about how to say what needed to be said. "If dating me isn't working for you Pansy, just tell me. I was really -- and I mean this sincerely -- enjoying myself, but if it isn't working for you, that's okay. Sometimes things don't work."

[rar_pansy]

She stared at him, her mouth open and her fists clenching. "You're not rubbish at this, damn it. You're so far from it; everything is planned and perfect and you say the right things and leave me flowers and take me to dinner and ask about my day and- Merlin! I can't measure up to that."

Pansy looked up at him. "That's not what I want- the snogging in public, I mean. I'm sorry if I implied otherwise, but I don't want to look like two randy teenagers who can't keep their hands off each other."

She clenched her teeth as he spoke of her not enjoying dating him. "I told you I'd be honest. I don't need clarification, I don't want it. If you clarify things, you'll just realize you don't want me. Trust me, I'm far too selfish for that just yet."

"I'm a cow, remember? I don't need to spare your feelings. If I wanted out I'd not be here. Why can't you accept that? I asked what you wanted because I don't want to be your bloody rebound from Ginny, okay?" She was breathing hard, and she knew her voice was louder then it should be. Maybe it was all her- she couldn't talk to Draco without fighting, and now she couldn't seem to talk to Neville without being emotional, either.

"I was just trying to be flirty, Neville, pulling you back here and telling you to kiss me. Not create some huge issue. I guess you might as well take me home, since it seems I've mucked it all up, anyway."

[rar_neville]

"The hell you don't! You read something and you think about how it might help my parents. You ask about my day and you make me laugh and smile more than I think I have in years. Merlin, Pansy you kiss like a bloody Succubus. I can barely think when you kiss me. I can barely think when I think about kissing you. How can you possibly think you can't measure up to what I do? I feel like I've hardly done anything in comparison to you!"

Neville released a deep breath. "Good. Because I feel like a randy teenager who can't keep his hands off of you sometimes but I'm trying hard not to make that sort of mistake. We can't build on randy, Pansy. I may not know exactly what I want yet, but I do know I don't want something that's only about randy bits, that's not going to work for me. I can't help feeling randy sometimes but I can help how I deal with it, and that's not for public display."

She told him she was too selfish to give him up yet and that she didn't want him realizing... and talking again about Ginny and... Neville finally got it.

Neville leaned the umbrella against the brick and wrapped his arms around her, "Shhhh. It's okay Pansy. I'm scared too." He held her tightly. "I'm scared too," he repeated feeling the tension in her body and trying to will it away.

[rar_pansy]

She smiled sadly. "A Succubus? Oh Neville, that's why I started to fancy you. You say the strangest but sweetest things." She shook her head. "You gave me a chance, and if that was all you ever did, Neville, it would be enough."

Pansy laughed a little when he talked about being randy- it was much better this way, the blunt and slightly awkward Neville. "I know the feeling," she said, looking up at him.

Then, he was hugging her, and it did feel better. She saw the flick of understanding in his eyes just before he held her, and was thrilled that he finally seemed to hear what she was saying. Or, more likely, she was able to communicate it well enough for him to understand.

"I told you I'm difficult. You'll go and spoil me and then I'll be even worse," she said into his chest. Pulling away, she wiped at her eyes. "See? Difficult. And a bloody mess. I blame the movie. How's a girl supposed to stay level headed after something like that?"

[rar_neville]

Neville fumbled in the pocket of his coat for a moment before extracting a handkerchief to hand to her. "Sorry about my language. I got a little carried away." He nodded, "It was an emotional movie. What do you say we try something different? Not stay here, but not take you home yet, either?"

[rar_pansy]

"Sure, I could do that," she smiled, taking the hankie from him. "Sorry, I got makeup on it," she blushed. "I'll clean in later."

She looked up at him and placed a soft kiss on his jaw. "You're wonderful, really. I want to be here with you, or anywhere, even. Just sitting and snuggling on a couch would be fine. I just like you."

[rar_neville]

"It's okay, Pansy," he kissed her temple lightly and smiled when she kissed his jaw. "Snuggling is good. I have an idea. And I just like you, too."

They found a quiet alley not too far ahead where Neville was able to Disapparate the two of them. Neville had barely made sure she was steady on her feet when there was a soft noise close by. "Is Master Neville needing anything?"

"Good afternoon, Tibbs. Is Gran home?" He didn't think so, she said she was dining with Professor McGonagall today, but he thought it best to ask.

"No, Master Neville. Mistress is being gone," the elf said.

"This is Miss Pansy, Tibbs. It is her birthday today. I thought I would show her the orchids. We'll have a pitcher of juice, if you don't mind and I'll call you if you're needed." Neville watched him wink out of sight and turned back to Pansy. "Welcome to my greenhouse, Pansy."

[rar_pansy]

"Hello, Tibbs," Pansy greeted, bending down and extending her hand. The elf gave her an odd look, but shook her offered hand slowly, as if sizing her up.

Shrugging at Neville, she watched as the elf disappeared. "Oh my," she said, turning around and taking in the walls of flowers, the numerous scents, the gorgeous colors...

"It's gorgeous, Neville. These are all yours? I mean, you've grown all of them?"

[rar_neville]

"Let me help you with your coat, Pansy. I'm sorry it's humid in here but most of the orchids need it." There were zones where it wasn't so humid but this one was warmish and damp.

"My grandfather used to let me help him. Some of these are really old and his, others are ones I've grown myself." He took off his own coat and hung it by hers. "Would you like a tour? If you're tired, we can have some juice and relax where it's a little more comfortable."

[rar_pansy]

"I'd love a tour," she smiled. "I'm not tired."

"It feels wonderful in here. I think I like the humidity after being cold today. It's not a bad change." She slid up next to him and took his hand, wanting very much to kiss him now that they were no longer in the middle of a busy street. She wet her lips, giving him a small smile. "All right," she said softly. "Show me the super impressive ones," she winked.

[rar_neville]

"What do you consider super impressive? The really pretty ones or the interesting ones or the ones that are hard to grow?" He squeezed her hand. She wet her lips and he groaned a little. "You know, I have no issue with grabbing you and kissing you in here. You keep looking at me like that I'll prove it," he winked back, pretty sure she wanted to be kissed.

[rar_pansy]

"Hmm." She tapped her chin, looking around. "Either one works. Maybe the hard ones to grow. But I wouldn't worry about explaining them to me in depth, you have first had knowledge of my rather pathetic Herbology theory skills. Maybe I might pay more attention with you teaching, though."

"Is that right? Well, by all means," she said putting her arms out as if to tell him to go right ahead. "Who am I to stop you?"

[rar_neville]

"They're spread out all over the greenhouse, because they need different environmental conditions, but I'll show you." He thought all the plants were impressive but he enjoyed the variety.

Neville drew her in to him and caressed her cheek, "I don't like being at odds with you, you know." He dropped his head and kissed her forehead, the corner of her eye, then the corner of her mouth before finally kissing her lips. Neville loved the way she felt in his arms and the way she fit against him all soft curves.

[rar_pansy]

"Of course they are, I can tell that already. Really, I mean it."

"Mmm," she sighed happily. "I don't like it, either. I'm sorry I got all weird. Just a little messed up, I guess."

She laced her fingers into his hair as he kissed her, twirling a strand around her finger and pressing herself closer to him. She remembered what he said about kissing her, and smiled into his lips.

[rar_neville]

"I'm sorry, too. Casablanca was wonderful but it left me a little scrambled. There were all these feelings that needed somewhere to go."

Neville moaned a little as she tugged a bit on his hair, twisting it on her finger and she pressed herself closer. At first he helped by lifting her up against him a bit but he was starting to get hard and didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so he kissed her once more and gently released her. "Come on, there's a nice place for snuggling. We'll do the tour later," he said with a smile. He didn't want to make it all about the randy bits but that didn't mean he wanted to ignore them either.