RP: Things are Shaping Up to be...

[rar_padma]

Date: 12 August, 1999 | Evening
Characters: Kevin Entwhistle, Padma Patil
Location: Hogsmeade, and then to be determined
Status: Private
Summary: In which Padma treats Kevin (after a sort) to a touch of adventure.
Completion: Complete

Comments

[rar_kevin]

Kevin gave Padma a sad smile, knowing he didn't tell her about his father and not quite sure he wanted to. On the other hand he didn't want to hide things from her. They were on a date, which meant it could occur again. And go further. Did he really want to hide this from her and have her find out later? No he didn't.

"Yeah, my parents were really proud when he was accepted in training. It's a pity Dad didn't get to see him finish though." He let himself talk about his father a moment, only just a little. Even though he was nowhere as close to his father as Bradley was, he still missed him terribly. Especially now that he was becoming a man, and there was no one to guide him through this.

"I bet twins is a lot of work. We don't have any in the family, but Mum often said she wouldn't have minded if I had had a twin." Kevin chuckled, smiling at Padma.

"As for our parents knowing each other, it's possible. I'd have to ask her."

[rar_padma]

Padma felt terrible as some unfathomable expression coloured his gaze. It tore at her heart in the same way that his sad smile had. From the horrible sound of things, it seemed as though his father hadn't made it through the war. She had to suppress a shudder as she thought about it, and reckoned- not for the first time- how extraordinarily lucky she had been not to lose anyone in her family, nor have had them injured or have gone missing. Padma put her hand on top of the table and slowly slid it toward him until it was closed over the hand holding his water glass. No, she couldn't begin to imagine, but she felt like she needed to do something.

"Another Kevin," she asked incredulously, once it was was obvious he had moved on. "I'm having enough trouble with one of you. I think any more might bring about my absolute undoing." She grinned and gave his hand a squeeze. "If you can remember to, ask your mum if she knows Healer Gaurav Patil. He's the best... Then again, I may be slightly biased."

[rar_kevin]

Kevin chuckled and gave her a genuine smile, moving on completely from their topic about his family. "Me? Trouble?" he asked, squeezing her hand back. Not in a way of seeking support, but because he liked touching her. "How would I be your absolute undoing? I'm barely doing anything at all." Of course he knew he was flirting with her and every moment that passed made him feel more confident about his growing skill.

[rar_padma]

"You're breathing," she accused, trying to look more acutely flustered than he continued to make her, exaggerating it. "That's bad enough, for you. I mean, all I'm doing is sitting here, minding my business, and you keep being adorable. How in the world do you expect me to defend my honour against such a constant barrage of you?"

[rar_kevin]

Kevin blushed darkly and looked down at their hands a moment before he could answer. "No more than you." And it was true. She was lovely, beautiful, smart and yes, adorable when she tilted her head while talking to him.

[rar_padma]

Fortunately, or un- depending on one's perspective, their server came around asked them for their order. Padma decided to go the safe route and ordered the vegetable dinner, which she had had before, while Kevin deferred to her judgement. The server was able to help them pick a couple of the more fish based rolls for Kevin to try instead of all veggies. When the server left, Padma tore into the paper that wrapped her chopsticks and pulled them apart. Putting them into position in one hand, she reached out and snapped them playfully at her dining companion.

"Aren't they the best?" she said, looking down in delight at the simple sticks. "They're very clever for eating everything with."

[rar_kevin]

Kevin picked up his own and pulled them apart like Padma did, quirking his brow at them. No forks around. "Oh.." was all he said, knowing he was probably in a deep shit. He had never eaten anything with those.. sticks. "How do you use them?" Of course he prefered asking her, since she seemed to know how to manage them.

[rar_padma]

As though reading his mind, Padma said, "I hadn't a clue how to use these the first time I came. It was embarrassing, but I finally had to ask for a fork. The server came back some silverware and what I suppose you could call training-chopsticks? Here, I'll show you."

She got up and came around him, putting one of the sticks in the crook between his thumb and first finger. She had to lean over him a bit to get it just right. "Like you'd hold a quill to write," she said in a low voice. She slid the other a little further up, so that it rested along his index finger, just touching the end of his thumb.

"Now you just squeeze them together, like a pinch." She leaned in a little closer and whispered in his ear, "Not to worry. I bought a pair from here and charmed them to work they way they should. They're in my bag. Best to let the Muggles see you practice a bit at first. Merlin knows, I practiced for days at home in my room after my first visit."

[rar_kevin]

Her whisper in his ear made his blood rush through his body right towards.. Oh, I'm in so much trouble.. He bit his lower lip and tried to practice a little, looking at her from the corner of his eye before he turned his head slightly only to have his face much closer to hers than ever before.

Damn, they had known each other for 8 years and he had never noticed hos good she smelled before!

[rar_padma]

For the space of several breaths, Padma stood, transfixed by Kevin's gaze. He was far too close, or she was, and everything seemed to be conspiring tonight to make her want to kiss him. There was a the soft sound of someone clearing their voice behind them, and Padma stood up quickly. Their server had arrived with their first course, and she half-wondered if they might have a wizard on their kitchen staff.

She gave the server an embarrassed smile, but the man merely smiled knowingly in return and set their soups (with traditional wide spoons) and a bowl of leafy greens on both sides. Padma resumed her seat, still blushing brightly, and reached out, lifting her slightly shaking glass of water to her lips to take a drink. In a small voice she asked, "Right, so, ah, shall we eat?"

[rar_kevin]

Kevin felt very disappointed when the server came up and Padma went back to her seat. Of course it was just their first date, it was probably not recommended to kiss on a first date. What the hell did he know about dates anyway. He cleared his throat and smiled at the view of real spoons for the soup, looking over at Padma who's hands were shaking. "Are you alright?" he asked softly once the server was gone, reaching out of her free hand.

[rar_padma]

It was only with the touch of his hand against her that Padma realised just how jangled she felt. She gave him somewhat weak smile, and said in the same low voice, "I'm fine, I promise. It's just been an... absurdly long time since I've been on a date, and I would hate to bugger anything up by being a prat." She gave a small laugh. "Imagine, a Ravenclaw brought low by one small act of courtship. Rowena would have my badge if she knew."

[rar_kevin]

Kevin caressed her hand with the back of his fingers, smiling at her. So he really had that effect on her. It was real and even moreso since he felt all weird and smiley for no particular reason other than being near her. How did it go so far, so fast?

Maybe it had been there for a while. Sure there had been Cho back at school, but there was no denying that Padma had always been cute and sweet. Oh what a mess..

He tilted his head and brought her hand on his lips, kissing her fingertips very lightly, watching her for a reaction. "No, I'm pretty sure Rowena did date too. Being clever doesn't make us unable to feel. But we are all human.."

[rar_padma]

The way he was touching her hand sent a shiver down her spine. Immediately, a part of her brain, the one that tried to insulate her in case things got too out of hand too quickly- whatever the situation, good or bad-, began to rationalise that it was because it had been entirely too long since anyone had shown her that much tenderness. The dizzy feeling that had her head swimming so much was tempered by the thought, and she was able to take a rather clearing breath. That all got chucked out the window, however, when he lifted her hand and kissed it.

Fuck.The internal epithet coupled with the closeness of Kevin's gesture sent Padma into a small fit of giddy laughter. She tried to contain it, but then realised that it would only be worse if she did. Fortunately, it didn't last very long; the blush that radiated down her neck and almost to her shoulders, however, did. "Human," she murmured, echoing it and turning it over in her head. She looked at him, tearing her gaze away from her hand, and smiled faintly. "Yes, better human

[rar_kevin]

"I haven't really thought about that, but it would make a rather interesting article though." he told her with a smile, his hand still holding hers. Kevin's eyes were locked with hers as they just remained the way they were for a while before Kevin finally spoke up. "I'm happy to be here tonight." He didn't elaborate, he thought that this sentence said it all. He was extremely happy that she had said yes and that they got to talk a bit more about each other.

"Tell me more about you, Padma. We've spent 8 years in the same tower, but it feels like we barely know each other."