Dating

[jandjsalmon]

Characters: Flora Carrow and Matt Stebbins
Rating: PG13
Summary: A DATE!

Flora stood in her closet, wide-eyed and a bit wary of what exactly to wear.

"You've already been to dinner with him," Hestia pointed out helpfully, stepping inside and perusing the clothing options. Pulling a pantsuit out. "How about this?"

Flora nodded, turning and picking a matching handbag out of her collection. "Dinner was lovely. I'm still afraid I'll bore him to death."

Hestia snorted. "Not bloody likely. Hurry up and finish getting ready. He'll be here at any moment."

Flora hurried to get dressed, her soft tone catching her twin's attention. "Don't tease him, Hes, or I'll owl Page and tell him you've a mad crush on him."

Hestia was still laughing as she answered the door. "Oh well hello, you must be Matthew."

Matt's eyebrows raised at the witch opened the door wide. She was the mirror image of Flora but something was off about her. "You must be Hestia," he returned smoothly.

"I am," Hestia confirmed, hooking her arm through his as she brought him inside. "While we wait for Flora, maybe you can tell me how you're friends with Page."

Matt's smile curled into an amused smirk. "That's right, Flora did say you fancied him. We've been mates since we were kids. Shared a dorm at Hogwarts too."

Her eyes went wide and she stomped her foot. "I most certainly do not fancy him! Not not not! Ohh, I'm going to get her for this."

Flora laughed as she started down the stairs, having heard Hestia's tirade. "What is that quote about protesting to much. Hello, Matthew, I do hope Hes has been behaving."

"Absolutely. Though you know, if she talks about Grant as much as he talks about her then it's a wonder they haven't got up to something in the closets of the Legal department at the Ministry," he teased, stepping forward to kiss Flora's cheek and to hand her the flowers he'd brought with him. "You look beautiful, by the way."

"The flowers are wonderful." She made a show of looking him over. "You look very handsome, Matthew. I may have to hex every woman we see tonight, well except for Hes here who I'm sure will be plotting aforementioned closet mischief."

Hestia huffed, took the flowers and stomped off to put them in water. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do, you two."

"We're not going anywhere with closets so I think we're fairly safe," he called after her before grinning at the right twin. "Are you ready to go? I'd like to get to the watching you hex witches thing."

She chuckled. "I'm ready when you are. I may change my mind and drag you off somewhere where I won't have to spend the evening hexing women for looking at my date. There would be closets I fear and that gets us into Hes territory. Wouldn't want to run across her and Page, would we?"

"Now wouldn't that be the way to ruin a good night. We're far to old to be snogging girls in the same room anymore," he winked. "Besides, I'd be afraid he'd not be able to tell the difference between you two and try to get handsy with you."

"Oh I think Hes would school him quite quickly," Flora said cheerily. "And I'd have to hex him. Blokes need permission before getting handsy with me after all."

"Do they? I'll have to remember that," Matt said with a laugh, holding his arms out for her. "Shall we go then?"

She stepped into his arms, looking up at him with a little smile. "You have permission, just in case you were wondering."

"I was!" He grinned cheekily before Apparating them to the restaurant. "Nice to know that I'm less likely to be smacked when I kiss you good night. Can I help you with your coat?" he asked, gesturing to the check girl behind the counter of the cloakroom.

She turned so he could pull off her coat, winking playfully at him where no one else could see her being so improper in public. "Yes, please. Did you have plans, Matthew?"

"For after dinner or for getting handsy?" he asked deviously. "Because either way my lips are sealed."

Grinning, Flora waited until he'd given their coats to the attendant and tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. "Well, can I try to bribe it out of you?"

His crooked smile said it all. "You can try to do a lot of things, Flora, but as a member of the Press I'm expected to be at least a little discrete. You might have to wait to find out but I assure you that it'll be worth the wait."

"Can we skip dinner then?" she teased.

Matt's mouth dropped into an amused 'o' and he very nearly took her up on her offer. "Why, Miss Carrow, that was a bit forward now wasn't it? I suppose I don't need to ask you if we get to consider this our second or third date."

"Third," she said with what most would deem a smirk. "I think I like your reactions when I'm not as perfectly proper as I should be."

"Let it never be said that I'm a stickler for proper behaviour. If I was I'd've been a professor like my father and his father and his father before him. Besides, I like you just the way you are," he said after they were seated and their drink orders were taken.

"Oh now I can see you in tweed with an adorable bow tie." Flora peeked over the top of her menu. "I really like that you aren't out to change me, Matthew."

"A bow tie? Really?" He asked, making a face before laughing at the image. "You must have met my dad. You're not stalking me are you? Using your connections at the ministry to peek at my embarassing relatives?"

"Oh yes, I know everything." She wiggled her eyebrows playfully. "What I can't find out, Hes can."

"I'm sure you're a daunting duo. You know, I have connections too," he said, his eyes twinkling. "And not just the ministry kind. We media people know everything about everyone."

"Do you now?" She leaned over the tale a bit, smiling sweetly. "Do tell."

"Oh, if I told you then I'd have to hide you in my basement or something... I don't think I could kill you if I tried," he grinned, explaining why he changed the familiar expression.

She smirked. "I'd reply with I'd like to keep you in the dungeon..."

"I knew you Slytherin girls were devious I just didn't know you were that depraved," Matt laughed.

Looking like a prefect lady, her hands in her lap and back straight, Flora smiled her sweetest and most innocent looking smile and yet her tone was full of promise. "That's just one of my secrets, Matthew."

Matt just shook his head and grinned.

The chatted about anything and everything through dinner. When asked if they wanted dessert, Flora looked to Matt for the answer.

Matt shook his head and asked for the bill. Once the waiter was gone he explained, "I was thinking icecream and then a walk around the park. That work for you?"

"Sounds perfect."

Grinning, Matt signed the vault slip and then helped her get her coat. "You're not going to be too cold are you?" he asked softly as they stepped out into the darkness, snow lightly falling and then melting once it hit the ground.

"If I am I know you're gentlemanly enough to keep me warm." She really couldn't resist egging him on. "Hold me close and all that, right?"

"I'm still counting on that owl to my mother telling her how wonderful I am. I certainly have no qualms about being a gentleman," he said the a chuckle, remembering something else about their first time together. "Oh, did they come tell you about your mugger? The Ministry I mean."

"They did. He was a repeat offender and will be cooling his heels in Azkaban for a long time. You saved a lot of women problems, Matthew."

He had the modesty enough to duck his head a bit at that. "I didn't do it for them," he said softly, making sure her hand was tucked in tightly in his own as they walked. "Um.. maybe ice cream wasn't the best idea tonight."

"Ice cream is always a good idea," she said, stepping closer to him. "Especially if we find a fireplace to eat it in front of, yeah?"

"I'm pretty sure Shilo was making home-made ice cream tonight. We could go home to see if it's ready or not," he offered, the corner of his mouth lifting when he realized he'd never offered to bring a woman home before.

"I've don't actually go home with men often, I really don't. I'm saying yes, if I am being confusing."

"That was the most convoluted 'yes' I've ever heard, but I'm glad you said it at all. Would it help your comfort level if I promised to keep my hands to myself?" he asked, meaning every word but hoping it ended up not being a condition for the evening.

"Oh I hope you don't," she said slyly.

"Is this more of your ultra-devious behaviour, Miss Carrow?" he asked, stopping them in the middle of the park to wrap his arms around her.

She snuggled against his chest. "This definitely is."

"It's also good for Apparition. Can I?" he whispered into her hair as he held her.

"Yes. I trust you."

Matt pulled his wand and in a blink the pair were standing in the entrance way of Matt's family home. "Welcome to my home," he said almost bashfully.

He hadn't been kidding. The few relationships he'd had before had been kept strangely separate from his home life. This was the place he'd shared with his parents and sisters before they'd moved to America. It was where his grandparents had lived before they'd died when he was a child. The very fact that he didn't even feel nervous about having her there with him should have set off alarm bells but they didn't because he was so concerned that she'd find his home pleasing.

Flora looked around the entrance way, smiling quickly at the homey look and feel of his home. "It's lovely, Matthew."

"It's not like yours... but it's home," he said, quietly pleased that she seemed to approve. He took her cloak and handed it along with his own to one of the elves. Shilo must still be working in the kitchen. "We've owned the house and all the land round about for generations. It's not exactly a manor but it has stables and out buildings and things."

"It feels like a place you don't have to be dressed for tea to step out of your bedroom. I bet it was wonderful growing up here."

"It was," he agreed, pulling her back gently toward him as he walked her into the sitting room with his chin on her shoulder. "I don't spend much time here anymore though. I should though, I miss it."

She could hear how much he did miss it in his tone, he sounded so wistful. "Well, why don't we see about making that change then?"

"Rather than kipping at the station?" Matt asked. "Won't the world fall apart if I'm not there to report it?"

She smiled up at him. "I'm sure they'd call the moment you were needed. I think I could find a way to distract you into staying."

"Does that mean I get to chain you up in my dungeons?" he asked with a sly grin.

"I'd have to see the dungeons first," she quipped.

"You've found me out," he said with a laugh. "There isn't any."

"We'll have to make do then," she said, being forward enough to run her hand up the front of his shirt lightly and then settling it on his shoulder. "Sound like a plan?"

Matt nodded and rested his hand on her hips. "Does this mean that I have to wait to kiss you until we figure out where to attach the chains," he asked cheekily, happy that she fit comfortably in his arms.

"Not in the least. I wouldn't mind if you kissed me now, or we could curl up over there in front of the fire and then you can kiss me. Your choice really."

He didn't answer but instead leaned forward to kiss her. The fireplace erupted in flame and when he pulled back he gave her a wry smile. "How about both, Floradora? I don't like choices."

"I like having everything too so that is a perfect plan." Flora kissed him lightly as she held him close and backed slowly across the room towards the fireplace.

He let her pull him down on the soft sofa and made no short work of sliding his hands into her hair as he kissed her back. Right then he was willing to give her everything she asked for. "You're beautiful," he murmured breathlessly, tasting her perfect lips again and again.

"You make me feel beautiful," she replied, nipping at his bottom lip, testing the waters as to how far he was willing to go tonight.

Matt didn't want to rush her, but the more he kissed her the more heated it became. Flora was being just as handsy and since she'd given him permission at the beginning of their date Matt wasn't holding back, sliding his hands under her blouse to caress the soft skin of her back.

Flora groaned, sliding her hands under the hem of his shirt and lifted it a bit, waiting for some indication if she was being too forward or not.

His skin felt on fire where she touched him - the kind of fire you didn't want to put out. Without realizing it, he moved up her skin until his finger-tips hit silk and he smiled against her lips as he palmed her breast. "Is that okay?" he murmured, his mouth moving up her jawline to her ear.

"It is more than okay," she replied huskily, making quick work of the buttons of his black shirt. "Is this okay?"

He had to work to keep the growl from erupting from deep in his throat when he felt her nails against his chest. "Definitely. It's definitely okay."

"Oh good because I really don't want to stop." She arched into his hand, looking up at him through her lashes. "I hope that's okay too."

"It is. I was pretty much considering shagging you right here... unless you have a problem with that idea," he ground out, shrugging out of his shirt completely and letting it hit the floor. His fingers moved swiftly to return the favour and took a sharp intake of air when her creamy white skin was exposed.

She ran a finger down his bare chest lightly, just enough for her nail to be felt. "For round one."

Matt grinned, lifting his hand to cup her cheek as he kissed her. "I'm game for as much as you'll give me," he whispered against her skin before capturing her breath again.

"I think I'm not able to deny you much, Matthew," she whispered, putting herself out there a bit more than usual.

"I'll have to remember not to take advantage of that then," he murmured, Accioing a soft blanket from where it lay on the sofa and spreading it out on the floor before laying her back.

Flora moaned, her hands sliding down his bare chest with the lightest of touches.

Matt lowered his mouth to her neck, his fingers mapping her porcelain skin. He tugged at the buttons on her trousers and grinned as he slid them off by spreading his hands down her perfect hips.

Lifting her hips, Flora ran her fingers through his hair, waiting to see just what he would do.

His mouth pressed soft kisses across her abdomen, using his teeth to divest her of her knickers. Kneeling before her, Matt nuzzled her groin, kissing and licking the soft skin there, moving down as he looked up at her through his long lashes as though to ask permission. He knew some witches weren't keen on this type of pleasure but if there was one thing he wanted most at that moment it was to taste her.

Her hands guided him closer as she nodded, not wanting him to stop. Her breath hitched as she whispered his name.

Breathing deeply, Matt began by flicking his tongue against her, relishing in how she jumped against his ministrations. Sliding a finger inside her, his rhythm matched his touch and her hips began to buck against him. He couldn't keep the growl deep in his throat from erupting. This was amazing.

Flora gasped, in a very, very good way, her back arching as she cried out softly, her hands tightening in Matt's hair.

He grinned against her soft skin without ceasing his own movements. He could feel her losing control and he loved that, wanting her cries to cascade around them as she got louder and louder. He could feel her hit her peak and it pleased him more than he could describe that she called his name as she climaxed. Without thinking, he slid up her body, kissing her through her cries and thrust himself inside to ride out her orgasm with her.

She cried out over and over, calling his name, her hands running lightly over his shoulders, arms and back as she tried to touch him everywhere, trying to show how good it felt since she apparently couldn't speak coherently.

Matt licked her neck, biting down slightly as he came. His grip on her hips tightened and he thought his entire world was going to explode. "Fuck, Flora!" he breathed out almost in agony but an agony so good that he almost welcomed it.

Resting his forehead against hers, Matt tried to steady his breathing all the while giving her an almost sheepish grin.

Flora grinned tiredly, happily sprawled out on the blanket. "You're amazing, Matthew."

"Wait until I love you on my bed rather than on the sitting room floor," Matt said with teasing modesty. He'd moved himself beside her and snuggly wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her against the full length of his body. "That will show you amazing."

"Sounds like an excellent plan," she said, cuddling as close as she could. "Can we rest here for a bit first?"

"Of course we can," he murmured, lifting the edge of the blanket below them so it covered their bodies as well. "I think I'd be willing to do just about anything you asked, Floradora."

"I'll remind you of that if I ever drag you off shopping for hand bags," she teased sleepily.

He was certain that even that wouldn't frighten him away but didn't say as much only pressing a soft kiss to her head before following her into a peaceful sleep right there in front of the fireplace.