BURN BABY BURN.

[talie]

while the cold air had seemed to set emerson on fire, but it had helped natalie to calm down. she ran her hands down her shirt, evening it and pressing out any wrinkles before turning to face him. oh, i am pregnant, i just don't want anyone else to know. here, feel it kicking! she rolled her eyes. i'm not pregnant. don't you think i thought of that when i first started vomiting? madame pomfrey says it must be all of the stress i'm under. she shrugged. if i was pregnant, i would have told you, em, she looked at him. what was wrong with her tonight? why couldn't she muster up enough anger to scowl at him? why was she looking at him like this?

after she said those words: stress induced, i knew it was that. i have been stressed. my final year of school, quidditch season taking off, losing my innocence, fighting with you, the bloody ball! my mother constantly taking me out of school to buy this dress for this event or these shoes for that event, constantly nagging me about what a man looks for in a bride and how i'm not it. i'm bloody eighteen living in a time where people are dying for a cause every single day, i don't care about getting married by the time i graduate - i want to stay care free as long as i possibly can, and then i want to fight! then i'll give a shit about marriage and romance and fun, she realized she was rambling and that her hands had fallen at her sides into balled up fists. she shook her hands loose, and wiped the back of one across her wet cheeks.

merlin, did she need that rant. she took a deep breath. perhaps she hadn't been drugged, perhaps she wanted to be happy while she had the time to be. i'm sorry, she muttered. i think i feel better now.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

LOOK INTO MY EYES ,
see someone you don't recognise.

Suddenly missing his previous state of numbness where everything seemed unimportant or at least amusing he threw his arms up behind him in evident exasperation allowing the out of control limbs to slam heavily back to earth and jolt his mind clear for moment, pulling them back behind his head and wrapping his hands around the back of his hair. Highly tempted to start tugging at the soft tufts he whirled back on her, waiting for an explanation. As she began he almost felt his eyes boggle as his breathing became ragged an uneven, but as she continued it settled until he exclaimed in a violent outburst THAT WASN'T FUNNY! both anger and relief flooded his over worked brain but he still found to to process her words. Though he did have to admit her words were soothing him, there was still the niggling sensation in the back of his mind that required more answers. And you did mention that you had had... trailing off he gave her a meaningful look before forcing himself on sex, he knew it would just be like Natalie to go to the nurse and complain about vomiting and omit that important detail.

What do you have to be stressed about anyway? he flew at her but before he could breathe she was already answering with a stream of words that seemed not entirely enough for his liking, many suffered with situations like that in their final year, but hey, stress was a better explanation than a baby. As she continued her speech though he felt anger dissipate and the look in her eyes was enough to draw him over to her. With a light sigh he wrapped his arms around her small frame, hoping to calm her from the state she had worked herself up into. With a soothing voice he rested his head on hers, ignoring the dampness she was producing and deciding not to mention it. Come on Nat, you'll rant yourself into an early grave if you don't stop he tried to keep his tone light, but he couldn't help being slightly serious.

As she apologised he gave a low chuckle and shook his head. You don't need to apologize to me, I'm used to you.

[talie]

natalie laughed. hey, i don't rant that often. well, not that much about my own faults. usually just about yours, she was teasing now, before burying her face into his chest for a moment for that final bit of comfort. she removed her face after a moment, but didn't step back. she'd let him keep his arms there as long as he wanted and was able to. like your drinking! it looks like i'm not the only one stressed out.

she ran her hands up his arms, until her hands were cupping his shoulders. of course i told her i'd had sex, she said the final words of that sentence as if to say: i can say it, why can't you? you're supposed to be the one totally comfortable with sex - you certainly have enough of it. but she wasn't going to pick a fight with him now. not while he was being so good with her. the first thing i said to her was "i think i might be pregnant" of course that decrepit old woman had made natalie repeat the sentence until natalie was on the verge of yelling it. an embarrassing moment for her, no doubt about it.

i had myself a nice little check up, she shrugged, obviously being sarcastic. she gave me a bit of potion to settle my nerves and a bit of contraceptive. a stern talking to and a threat to write home. she frowned a bit, and looked down at the very limited amount of space between them. i don't look pregnant, do it? but she thought better of it. don't answer that.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

LOOK INTO MY EYES ,
see someone you don't recognise.

A low chuckle rolled from his chest once more at her words, mixing with her own higher laugh. Now you must be mistaken, I don't have any faults arrogance was such an easy facade to keep up, and though the effects of the alcohol had dimmed significantly they had not disappeared from the shock. Twirling a strand of hair around his finger he kept his chin pressed on her head as she buried her face in the soft wool of his chest. Dropping a kiss on the sweet smelling strands he allowed her to pull her face away and gave her a grin at her words. So you really don't believe that I just wanted to be a normal 22 year old for the night? With a questioning look he moved past, focusing on the more important words in the conversation.

The movement of her hands did little to distract him, but he smiled as he watched their progress none the less, feeling slightly shame as she spoke so freely about them. It was still such a new thing that he had almost choked on it, but to hear her say it he had to admit he felt foolish, like a boy who was ashamed of his first time or something. Yet her words chased away the final feeling of unease that lingered in the back of his mind. So he wasn't going to be a father, thank god, could you imagine? He'd forget it or try to teach it to fly at one month old or something equally irresponsible. Letting out a laugh at her words he couldn't help but try and imagine the situation in his head, no doubt Natalie would have been burning at this stage. I bet she loved that he mumbled against her forehead.

Listening to the diagnosis he allowed himself to relax, panic over, well except the threat to write home, he could only imagine what that little letter would earn Natalie from her overly strict parents, but what interested him more was the other gift and he raised his eyebrows at her and smirked. Contraception? really? how very responsible of the school nurse. Trying to wipe the cheeky smile of his face he shook his head, deciding against leaping at such bait. You look gorgeous as always Nat, just like you would if you were pregnant not that he was eager to see such a thing after tonight.

[talie]

natalie shook her head. i think it was more than just being a normal twenty two year old for the evening. she shrugged. i think, if you don't want to tell me, than you don't have to tell me.wow, my mood really has changed. say something mean, i kind of miss being a bitch, she joked.

oh, she loved it. i swear, she loves me for my honesty now. when she threatened to right home, she winked at me. winked! she laughed, closing her eyes and he kissed the top of her head. why are we being so nice? especially to each other. i mean last time we were together, i punched you. now, i'm kind of wanting to pop off some where and try this contraception, she looked up at him. after saying it she was sort of regretting it. after all, the last time they had been in this similar situation, they had ended up in a pretty ugly fight.

she let his final words float around in her head for a minute, and figured she would be fine doing whatever it was he wanted. damn bastard, made her swoon. but you may just be sweet talking me because you're drunk. she didn't really care. she supposed alcohol was a lot like veritaserum. it made you a little more honest.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

LOOK INTO MY EYES ,
see someone you don't recognise.

Hoping vainly that she'd let the subject drop he curled the edges of his lips slightly sheepishly, psychology had never been something he felt comfortable with ,the ability to decipher his mind should not be given to another, so as Natalie tried to pry something out of him that he wasn't sure existed he kept himself silent. Was there an underlying reason to his drinking? His friends had been in mortal danger before his eyes only a few nights ago, Natalie hadn't been speaking to him, he hadn't been able to shake the girl from Paris from his mind and above all, he was beginning to realize just how lonely his life was beginning. Ok so maybe something was amiss, but he didn't really feel like laying it all on the girl before him right now, so with a shrug he gave a dismissive answer. I suppose it's just the after effects of the other night his words shouldn't need any more explanation, she had been there when the fight broke out of course, standing on the sidelines as he had. Attempting another smile he answered with a shake of his head as he squeezed her tightly in his arms. I don't think so, I'm quite enjoying this side of you for now of course she wasn't that much of a nightmare all the time, but to admit that would be a great waste.

Letting out a laugh he conjured up the image, the old witch was an amusing little woman that was for sure, and to torture the seventh year girl was probably the highlight of her entire month. Before he retorted however her words floated up to him and he gave another slight shrug of his shoulders I'm thinking it's the alcohol with a teasing glint in his eyes he pressed his lips against her nose this time, bending his head to do so. At the mention of the contraception a wicked smile appeared on his face. Or maybe it's because I'm completely irresistible, that had to be the reason surely, she simply couldn't keep herself away, even unconsciously, after all, they had found each other in a bar twice in one month, each time in separate countries. That surely meant something. Letting her words dance around him he gave another small smirk, Emerson? Sweet talking? Never. I don't know what you're talking about, I'm not drunk it was a complete contradiction to his earlier statement and was proven wrong by his constant swaying.

[talie]

natalie had no time to frown as he mentioned the other night because as quickly as he had said it, he had lightened the mood once more. she laughed. i only gave you two options: sweet talking or drunk. and if you're claiming you're not drunk you're just sweet talking me. she bit her bottom lip as he kissed her nose. she could feel his body moving. he was swaying, rocking a little on the balls of his feet. you're full of it, em, you're wasted.

irresistible, eh? she ran her hands from their cupping position on his shoulders, to clasp behind his neck, her fingers playing with the short hair at the nape of his neck. you can be. almost as often as i can be. oh really? you like me like this? i think i'm sort of liking it, too. you'll have to come around more often. i obviously can't be like this around anyone else. she tilted her head upward to catch his eye. she propelled herself forward by standing on her toes, pressing her lips to his.

her lids fluttered shut, and she held rather tight to him. she was going to keep this going for as long as she could. every time things went well with them things would turn for the worst. he would break her heart and she would be frigid for awhile after. it was like everything that happened between them, was running along hills. ups then downs. sure, she hoped for the flat land of their relationship to come along, but for now she'd just keep them on this current hill.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

LOOK INTO MY EYES ,
see someone you don't recognise.

Glad that he had escaped a possible disaster, Emerson kept the slightly lopsided grin firmly on his face, though secretly he was screaming damn you woman as he caught him out in his slip up of words. Now if he were to continue the right way, he would certainly go down the sweet talk path, but if it were not for his drunken stupor would he even be talking to her like this? Or would he be his usually scathing self as he berated her for her sudden cold front towards him? Well maybe he didn't want to find out the answer, and he was almost certain Natalie didn't. So with a shrug he went for the easiest answer Let's just say I'm sweet talking you then, embarrassing, but innocent with a cocky smile he fought back another chuckle.

Hey didn't I just decide I was not drunk? Therefore wasted am I not, and you should go along with such a decision far too many words for one simple answer, but he was convinced that if he could produce an eloquent sentence than she would ignore the obvious signs that he was drunk and maybe think he was simply.. jittery? Did being jittery make you sway? Well it was the best shot he had. Tilting his head back down he listened to her drawl once more and this time paid more attention as her hands moved position, this time into one he recognized well and immediately resulted in a smile blazing to life on his lips. So it's settled, we're both irresistible, you're nicer without the slapping and... I think we should kiss now cockiness dripped from every syllable but it seemed she'd thought of the action ahead of him and all he had to do was move his head slightly to meet her halfway.

Resting his hands on his lower back he pressed his lips against hers, the familiar situation once more welcome as their mouth moved in sync against each other. There was something different about this though, by now one of them would have broken the hold and pulled away, worried about some insignificant thing or other, but maybe they had finally reached a place where they could comfortably be around each other life this.

[talie]

well, this was a situation she had never expected to experience. he under the influence and her taking charge. it was nice, though. doing little things like kissing and touching he'd give her control in, but there was no denying emerson enjoyed being the one with power in the relationship. that never bothered natalie. not much.

she pressed her forehead to his, the side of her nose to his, turning her head to kiss him from a new angle. the tip of her tongue traced the curve of his bottom lip, before parting his lips and exploring his mouth and caressing his tongue. her thought dragged while her mouth moved in counter actions to his, her eyes closed tight. once again, she was praying to that god she didn't believe in that her mother wouldn't turn around some corner and catch her here.

her parents had always liked emerson, which was one of those thing natalie wished they didn't. this sight would send her mother into an oh, emerson, dear! we've missed you! how long have you and natalie been seeing one another! and it would go on. she could feel a sort of hate for her mother and her mothers antics. she couldn't let it happen. so, she pulled away to catch her breath, stepping out of his arms and grasping his hand and tugging him into the nearest alley where she pushed him against the wall and let her lips find his in the dark.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

LOOK INTO MY EYES ,
see someone you don't recognise.

From sitting alone totally prepared to dive head first, and possibly drown, in a pint of strong lager, to standing in a dark alleyway with the girl he thought he had lost again.. forever, Emerson couldn't help feel slightly like the cat that got the cream. How could he not? With such a beauty in his arms and his mood elevated by intoxication the night had taken a turn for the better, that was for sure. Even the devastating events of the few nights previous at the ball had been banished from his thoughts by the touch of her lips against his.

Letting himself sink into the feeling of her diminutive body pressed up against him, the way her body fitted his completely and curved inwards to fill the holes he could not. Pressing the cool length of his forehead against his own, he peered curiously into the green orbs before him, taking a rare moment to actually look at the girl he had known for so long, properly. What he saw brought a smile to his face and he became eager for that next kiss that brought them into the alleyway without any explanation.

Allowing a light tickle to pull from his mouth and tickle her lips he closed the gap once more. Deepening the kiss in such a way that he hadn't felt since that fateful night in Paris. Delving through her parted lips, his tongue slid down the length of hers, exploring every bump in her own as he pulled the length of her body against his. It was becoming increasingly hard to behave himself around her.

[talie]

natalie let a trail of slow kisses along his jawline and down his neck., nibbling at the soft bit of flesh near the collar bone. she took a deep breath and rested her head in the crook of his neck, breathing softly against the flesh. she was raking her nails lightly against his chest, through his sweater. after she'd caught her breath, she licked at his neck and followed that trail of soft kisses back up to his mouth. her hands moved from their soft scratching at his chest to run through his hair.

she kissed his top lip, then his bottom. she kissed him full on, and ran the tip of her tongue along either lips before parting them. she let her tongue tangle with his, spelling out her name against his tongue: n-a-t-a-l-i-e. she followed the same routine in reverse. licking his lips and then kissing the pair, the bottom, and then the top. we can find somewhere else to go, if you'd like, she suggested. she had the entire night and most of tomorrow until she needed to be back at hogwarts. she didn't see a point in going home between now and then, she was perfectly capable of getting back to hogwarts on her own.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

He was about to exclaim in childish outrage as she removed the glass from between his fingers, though as soon as the smooth cold surface of the goblet was gone and the words firewhiskey were swimming through his mind and he was able to process them fully, the smile as back on his face and all thoughts of the smelly feet tasting wine was gone from his consciousness. As the fire of her mouth danced along the edge of his jawline he fought to keep his eyes open, to keep one sense about him that wasn't already given over to her. The brief pause that she allowed him did nothing to stop the lines of electricity running through his body and before he knew it he was catching her mouth once more with his own and exploring the warm wetness behind her lips.

Pulling her bottom lip with him with his teeth he broke the kiss, tilting his had down to bring her neck up to his mouth where he could be allowed free reign to trace a line of his own kisses along the skin. When she spoke he nipped the skin lightly, sucking on the sensitive flesh underneath her ear. A light chuckle was breathed against her skin at her words and though drunk he couldn't help spot the problem with those words. And spoil it? I'd rather not experience a repeat of what happened last time mumbling against her neck he gave her one more light kiss before pulling out to meet her line of sight. Not that you're not worth it he teased lightly.

[talie]

she laughed as he spoke, she kissed along his neck and face while his lips were too busy talking. i'm not saying we pop off to shag. she said, the tip of her tongue tracing his ear lobe. they could if they decided to, but that wasn't quite her reasoning. i'm just not feeling all that comfortable snogging in a dark alley where any frightening thing could arrive at any moment. like my mother. she growled against his flesh at the though, her teeth sinking into him, nibbling at him.

he lips found his again, but she needed to pull away to laugh again at the memories of their previous encounter. about that. i think we should make some sort of promise not to lose our tempers with each other like before. at least, not too terribly. i won't punch you next time, at least.

[EMERSON HUNTER AVERY]

With the body of one Natalie Flint pulled against him in a way that was becoming more intoxicating than the very alcohol that coursed through his body, Emerson was finding it increasingly hard to behave himself, to be the adult in this little relationship -or whatever it was- like he should have been all along. Everything about her just through away all his caution and drew him closer towards her, if he could have gripped the Slytherin girl any harder than he would, but there was no spare air between their bodies anymore. When she replied to his words he gave a light chuckle, trust Natalie to be thinking of her Mother in a moment like this. Ah I do love what a delicate flower you are he teased as she boldly threw out the word shag, though that was something he liked around her, she wasn't one of those 'make love' shmucks that seemed to think by engaging in sex with her meant he was tied to her for life. Girls like that were just hard to get rid of, especially when the papers had a nasty habit of recording your every whereabout.

The touch of her tongue on his eyes was admittedly distracting but he pushed conscious thought through and managed to speak. What's wrong Flint? Scared of a little adventure? with a teasing grin he nudged her forehead with his nose softly, regarding the alley around him, hey it was fun to let the moment take you some time, and he doubted anyone would worry themselves by two strangers kissing in an alley, unless they wanted a black eye and something pointy shoved between their rips. Which he would oblige.

The grown reverberated off his skin and brought a shiver through his body and he couldn't help but laugh as it fought to tickle his sense. I myself find your Mother delightful, how is she? he managed to keep his tone solemn as he enquired politely about the woman who sought to keep her daughter on a ball and chain for the rest of her days, or snug behind a Death Eaters mask. Yet as she mentioned their last argument his features slipped into a mask of puppy features and his eyes grew large and watery Yeah I don't appreciate when girls hit me pausing or thought a light flashed in his eyes and he finished with not out of bed anyway.

[talie]

natalie made a noise somewhere between a scoff of disgust and a snort of laughter. delicate flower my ass! she ran her tongue along her bottom lip, noticing how it had curved itself against her top lip in a smile. my mother is a witch. and not the fun kind either. oh, she's doing just fine. i swear she's part dementor - the more miserable i am the happier is. i'll be sure she knows you've missed her, it was used as a threat. emerson should know better than anyone that natalie's mother was sufficating. i suppose with my mentioning that you can expect an invitation to every dinner party she has for the next..well, until i'm married or she's dead.

the thought of this, somehow, heightened natalie's mood quite a bit. she'd gone from happy to a state of near giddy. she could feel her legs shaking in excitement. she kissed his chin, the curve between his chin and bottom lip, his bottom lip, and then her mouth was pressed hard against his. i'll be sure to remember not to hit you unless were sandwiched between a few sheets, she nodded, her mouth still pressed to his. she ran her hands up his chest and neck, until she was cupping either side of his face.