(Untitled)

[the_woodpecker]

It's later than he'd like, but he knew it would be. Dinner's warm in the oven, still, but another half hour and he'll just make her a plate and put it all away in the fridge

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

The front door opens quietly, and there's a thump as 'Dora drops her bag onto the floor.

"Bernard?" she calls softly. "Still awake?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Could be," she agrees. "Might not, though."

[the_woodpecker]

"I talked to Archie."

This is the hard part.

"I can't think of anyone in-bar with anything in particular against me." A pause, as he breathes again. "Except Patrick Bateman."

[clumsy_auror]

Her face, already paler than normal, loses its color entirely. "That bloke who tried to-- in the--"

[the_woodpecker]

He nods, then rushes in. "I mean, it could have been anyone, it could be Blodwen trying to fuck with me, but I saw him a few weeks ago, and he winked at me--"

[clumsy_auror]

Holding out a hand to quiet him, Nymphadora shakes her head and takes a deep breath. "We don't know. Not for sure. And a wink, I mean it's not exactly conclusive evidence, is it."

[the_woodpecker]

"Exactly." He twitches and rubs his eye, biting his lip. "But I thought you should know."

[clumsy_auror]

"'Course."

She's more nervous than she's letting on, and the anxiety's knotting up her stomach, but Nymphadora kisses Bernard's cheek and then reaches for her plate.

Doesn't have much of an appetite left, though.

[the_woodpecker]

...Which is why he asked her to start eating before. At least she got something down.

"I've reminded Sunny to be wary of strangers. She already knows, but. It's good to be sure."

His hands pleat the red upholstery in between his fingers as he stares at nothing at all.

[clumsy_auror]

A faint grimace, as 'Dora swallows another bite. She's known all along that Bernard's more afraid of Bateman than he'll really say, but maybe, thinks Nymphadora, it's worse even than she suspected.

"It's gonna be okay, love."

[the_woodpecker]

His eyes dart to hers, and then away, furtive.

"I know."

[clumsy_auror]

A short, humorless laugh. "No, you don't."

[the_woodpecker]

"And neither do you." He stands, convulsively, pressing the heels of his hands to his eyes.

[clumsy_auror]

Silently Nymphadora picks at her food, knowing she's got to eat regardless.

[the_woodpecker]

"...Dream would never let anything happen to him," he murmurs after a moment from behind his hands.

He knows it, to his bones. But something like that is hard to believe unless you see it.

[clumsy_auror]

"No, I don't think he would." She smiles wryly. "But I could still do without the tension in the meantime."