1am
The day after the Tower
It had been less than 24 hours, but Gideon felt like he had been through three weeks of events. His exhaustion was warranted. To think that he was enjoying the carnival less than 8 hours ago was mind boggling.
Finding out the three students had been taken, Gideon aged ten years in a matter of seconds. Thinking about the torture they endured, hearing the screams, seeing the scars and knowing that they would not only be dealing with physical ones weighed him down. They didn’t deserve this.
While he knew there were bigger forces at play, he couldn’t help but blame himself for this major lapse in security. All the crazy magic issues they had experienced, thinking they were left behind by Nick, when in actuality it was his spy’s continuing his work. Putting fear in the students, parents, ministry and staff was a good plan. Although, getting Nick out of Azkaban would never happen.
After the events of the tower had concluded, Thayer was dead and the three tortured, exhausted girls were brought to the hospital wing. Once they were settled, both Ruby and Gideon left them in the capable hands of Rose so that the parents could be contacted. Those were the hardest owls he had ever written. It was only a matter of time before the parents descended, expecting answers, to which they had none.
The event of the last seven months would play on repeat in his head, trying to piece together the why’s and how’s. Maybe, after some rest and a good meal he would have some answers.
With the castle quiet, all the students locked in their houses, Aurors patrolling the halls and staff retired to their chambers, Gideon had only one place he wanted to be. In all the mayhem, there was one person he hadn’t laid eyes on, which was driving him crazy. Even while getting Rae, Maevie and Everleigh settled in the wing, he had missed seeing Rose.
Word had reached him about Rose catching the second spy in the Great Hall. While he was thrilled that the second spy had been arrested, thinking about her in harm's way brought a cold, tight feeling to his chest. He liked Rose. A lot. He needed to set eyes on her, see for himself that she was safe and sound after the danger that had fallen on the castle.
Heading to the Hospital Wing came with two benefits. One, he would see Rose. And two, she could help patch up the wound on his upper left bicep. The bleeding had mostly stopped, but with every arm movement the gash would open and start bleeding again. The sleeve of his white shirt stained an ugly garish crimson.
The closer he got to the wing, the more frantic he felt. His heart beat in his chest louder with ever step closer. Surely the constant thud would wake the sleeping patients. Walking into the wing, he didn’t see Rose at first. Not in the ward or the apothecary, his mind went to some rather dark places worrying where she might be. Her office door was open, inside empty like the first two places he had looked.
The sound of a cupboard closing came from the storage room, just off the greenhouse. His head whipped around, looking into the darkened room, soft glowing Lumos Orbs floating near the ceiling giving off a warm glow. His feet took him quickly through the door of the greenhouse, just as Rose was leaving the storage room.
Setting eyes on her, finally, allowed a large exhale to leave his lungs. Letting go of a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His stormy blue eyes quickly roamed over every inch of her, cataloging any injuries, thankfully finding none.
As his feet took him closer, his worried eyes focused on her face, not able to look away. He had known for some time that he had feelings for the woman, but seeing her here. Alive, whole and unscathed, made him realize just how much his feelings of friendship had morphed into more.
“Rose.” Left his lips on a whisper. The simple word filled with relief and longing. Finally within arms reach he took her face in his hands, searching her eyes to see what emotions were there. “You’re ok? Please tell me that you and the kids are alright?”
The question came out in a pained rasp, needing her reassurance that she was ok.
Adrenaline was a hell of a thing. Even when you were dead tired, it could keep you going until all responsibilities were done. The bad thing, however, was that when you were in charge of the Hospital Wing and some children had been tortured by a lunatic… Did you ever get a chance to sit down? Honestly, Roisin wasn’t even sure if she’d have a chance to do that, not to mention climb into bed.
Or eat. When was the last time she’d had food?
Like a ghost, running on the last bit of adrenaline she had, Rose glanced over at Everleigh again when she heard the girl whimper and roll over in her bed. Standing still momentarily, just to make sure the Ravenclaw went back to sleep, she shook her head. The poor girl had already woken up a couple of times in the past hour, struggling to stay asleep.
Rose had given her extra calming draught in hopes it would help, and so far it seemed it might.
The redhead continued on the way into the storage room. How long did Rose have to remain awake for? Honestly she had no damn clue. She had a feeling that the second she laid down and closed her eyes, someone would need something. And while Tindlewick could help with making sure they had enough blankets and water, there was only so much the house elf could do.
She set the folded blankets, freshly cleaned, on the shelf with the sheets, and shut the cabinet door. Maybe soon… maybe…
Rose turned and began leaving the room, the floating lumos orbs softly showing her the way to the door.
“Rose.”
The whisper made its way to her ears before she even registered that Gideon was there, placing his hands on either side of her face, so he could look her over. Relief would be one word she could use for how she was feeling in that moment. His hands on her face, him standing so close to her, she wanted to collapse into his arms.
It’s not that Rose was weak; it was the realization that the situation had been incredibly dangerous and that she hadn’t taken even a second to stop and think about herself. And she managed a nod, only a nod, the weariness beginning to set in. She hadn’t thought about herself; she’d thought about her children, about the students, about making sure that everyone had what they needed.
She closed her blue eyes, and nodded, then leaned her forehead against his, breathing in his scent for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. Finally, she could respond.
“Yeah,” she said, opening her eyes and looking into his eyes. “I’m okay, the kids are good, they’re with Maddox tonight.”
powerplay of Everleigh approved by player
Gideon knew his feelings had changed. It had been slow, building daily with the sidelong glances, subtle graze of their hands while passing in the halls. When he realized his eyes sought her out whenever in the same room. The gut feeling when she was near, just knowing she was around. Even with Elizabeth, it hadn’t been like this. Maybe because his first marriage was arranged and love came in time with friendship and a mutual understanding.
This was different.
They were safe. Not just Rose, but Fiona and Evander. He knew the littles had a lot of people watching over them, but knowing that everyone was safe and well had a wave of relief and exhaustion running through his body.
Their foreheads leaning against each other, his hands running up and down her arms, he just needed to feel her. Know that she was there and safe. Gideon lifted his head, his hands gliding up her arms, over her shoulders and up her neck. Cradling her face in his hand, Gideon brought her face up, studying her face, looking for the truth that she was in fact here and ok.
Shutting his eyes, he pressed a kiss to her forehead, staying there for a few beats, just breathing her in.
A twinge of pain brought him out of the haze she put him under. The wince clear on his face, with an intake of breath hissed through his teeth. His arm bringing him back to the hear and now, the pain ramping back up now that he knew she was safe.
“Shit, sorry,” he stepped back, running his right hand over his face. “I could use some patching up if you’re up for it?”
The gash on his left bicep had reopened, a trickle of blood running down his arm. he angled his arm towards her, raising his right hand to lift the material away from the wound. In the muggle world, it would take quite a few stitches to close. Thankfully, with magic, a needle and strong would not be needed... Hopefully.
The paths that Gideon’s hands traveled on her arms warmed under his touch. She felt a warmth settling in her chest, spreading throughout her body as she focused on nothing else besides his touch. He was grounding her, and somehow refilling her energy meter. Just this would help her push through until everyone was okay, until she really could take a break. Maybe an extended break. At least one day where she never left her bed.
As she looked at Gideon, she couldn’t help but to think about his lips on hers. It seemed almost like he would kiss her on the lips. But he didn’t. Instead, his lips found her forehead and he gently kissed her there. She wanted to melt.
Gideon winced, and Rose furrowed her brow out of concern. She watched as he stepped back, away from her slightly so that he could show her his wound.
“I could use some patching up if you’re up for it?”
Concern filled her face as she looked at the gash on his arm, now seeing the red staining his white shirt. It was a nasty gash, one that would definitely need to be cleaned as well before closing up.
“Come on,” she said after a moment, taking his hand in hers. She led him out of the storage room, through the greenhouse, and into her office where she led him to the dark couch. She pushed down on his shoulders gently so he’d sit down, and then sat down next to him.
After looking at it for a moment, she grabbed her wand. “Tergeo Sanitas,” she said softly, the wound looking much better after just a moment.
“What happened?” she asked Gideon, then cast another charm. “Vulnera Sanentur.”
A moment later, the gash was closed up and the only remnants of the injury was the blood on his white shirt. “Pain gone?” she asked, her eyes moving from his arm up to his blue eyes.
Her eyes, full of concern and utter exhaustion, bore into his. Taking him by the hand, Gideon was glad that he wasn’t being taken to the same ward as the girls from the tower. They needed their rest. Instead, Rose took him to her office and pushed him down onto her large leather couch. He sat, with a thud, relaxing immediately on the soft sofa.
Gideon relaxed his head back as Rose got to work cleaning the wound. She worked diligently, paying close attention to the gash, allowing him to focus in on her. The soft slope of her nose, the way her brow furrowed while she concentrated on the task at hand. Her lips, pursed as she cleaned the wound and began the task of knitting the skin back together.
His eyes stayed focused on her lips. It might be the exhaustion, but all he could think about was, if they were as soft as they looked.
“What happened?”
His eyes darted back up to hers. Caught in the act of staring. A lock of hair fell into her face, Gideon’s right hand moved up to tuck it behind her ear. Not able to resist the urge to touch her again. Her blue eyes drew him in. Not until her eyes focused again on his arm did he find the ability to speak again. Clearing his throat, Gideon finally spoke."Thayer. He got a shot off before Maddox took him out. Could have been a lot worse. Nothing compared to what the girls went through. The screams. Little Maevie’s burns. When we got up there, Ever was seconds away from throwing herself out the window.”
He shook his head. Voice trailing off. There would be time to relive the nightmare, right now that wasn’t what he wanted to do.
“Pain gone?” Looking down at his now healed arm he nodded his head. “Yes, thank you. Right as rain. Would you mind if I use your bathroom? I’d like to wash up a bit.” He said, holding out his filthy hands. Strained in blood and dirt, he wanted all evidence of the night gone.
((All PP approved by Rose))
Gideon was quiet while she worked. Rose’s thoughts were going a mile a minute, while she also thanked her lucky stars that he was okay, that she was okay, and that her kids were okay. Maddox was okay. Everyone that she cared about was okay. The poor girls…
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and she smiled slightly at the touch, despite the situation.
"Thayer. He got a shot off before Maddox took him out. Could have been a lot worse. Nothing compared to what the girls went through. The screams. Little Maevie’s burns. When we got up there, Ever was seconds away from throwing herself out the window.”
A frown graced her face, nodding a bit about the state of the girls and how he had gotten injured. It’d been a close call, to be honest. And she was just so grateful that the only one who had lost his life was Thayer. Rose had wanted to do more to Farrow in the Great Hall, however he needed to answer for his crimes and hopefully he would snitch on others that were working with them.
Things were never that easy though.
Gideon affirmed that his pain was gone and Rose managed a slight smile, despite her thoughts moving back to the children who would be spending the night in the Wing.
“...Would you mind if I use your bathroom? I’d like to wash up a bit.”
Rose looked at his hands, wanting to touch them despite the dirt and dried blood coating them. She nodded and motioned to one of the doors in the office. “Please, help yourself,” she said. “Hand towels are in the cabinet.”
As he made his way into the bathroom, Rose stood up and stretched, then made her way back into the patient ward. She sighed as she walked around the girls’ beds. They were physically, for the most part, okay. But mentally? There was no mending that.
After ensuring all three girls were sleeping soundly, the head nurse made her way back into her office. Instead of returning to the couch where she’d been moments ago, she walked to one of the cabinets behind her desk. She opened the door and pulled out a bottle of amber liquor. She considered a couple of glasses, probably should have grabbed them anyways, but after the night they’d had…
With the whiskey in hand, Rose went back to the couch and set the bottle down on the table in front of her. She’d wait to open it until Gideon was back. She closed her eyes and sighed softly as she leaned back on the couch.
Gideon knew he should go back to his quarters. Have some tea, take a shower and pass out. What he SHOULD do and what he WANTED to do were vastly different things it turned out.
Alone, in the small bathroom that connected to Rose’s office, Gideon grabbed a washcloth and went to work cleaning himself up. Washing his hands in the sink, the water ran red, then pink before it finally ran clear. He used some of her soap, a smile coming to his face when he realized it smelled like her. Taking a long whiff, his smile grew. It was quintessentially her, sweet and floral with a hint of vanilla.
Taking off his white button up shirt, he took in the state of himself in the mirror. White tank undershirt was still clean, but his skin was dirty, smeared with blood and grime. He took the time to wipe his arms, face and neck down. The white washcloth a new shade of reddish brown when he was done. Rinsing it out, he then ran it over his head, getting his hair wet, but feeling a thousand times better when he was done.
Not bothering to put his ruined shirt back on, Gideon walked out of the bathroom and found Rose there waiting for him. She was beautiful, sitting on the sofa, there in the dim light. Sitting on the table was one of his favorites, Johnny Walker Red Label Scotch Whisky. No glasses, the bottle unopened. Taking a seat next to her, close enough to touch, but not making contact, Gideon picked up the bottle with his left hand, then tossed it deftly to his right.
“Johnnie Walker Red. Did you know it’s made from a blend of 35 different whiskeys? Notes of cinnamon and black pepper. Leaves a trail of spice as it flows over your tongue.”
Gideon took a long pull of the drink, straight from the bottle. Never taking his eyes off hers. Handing the bottle over to Rose, he wondered if she would take a drink. He wouldn't fault her if she passed. The spicy liquid wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
The bathroom door opened and Gideon emerged, without his stained white shirt. Her eyes quickly took in his exposed shoulders, biting her lip because despite everything else she was feeling – the pure exhaustion, the worry, the hunger (she still hadn’t eaten) – she was still a woman with eyes.
He sat down, and she could smell her soap on him. Rose couldn’t help but to smile at the thought of him smelling like her. He was close enough to touch, but not touching, and he picked up the bottle of whiskey she had set down on the table.
“Johnnie Walker Red. Did you know it’s made from a blend of 35 different whiskeys? Notes of cinnamon and black pepper. Leaves a trail of spice as it flows over your tongue.”
Rose did not know that, so she shook her head. She was a simple girl who usually drank to forget, not to savor. She’d had whiskey before, and when she saw this bottle she thought that he might like it. It had cost plenty, that’s for sure.
He opened it and took a long pull. She watched as he drank, their eyes meeting. The liquor would be much appreciated and would help both of them relax after the stressful night they’d had. He handed the bottle over to Rose and she licked her lips, thinking about what he’d said just before putting the neck of the bottle to her lips and drinking.
After drinking roughly the amount of a proper shot, Rose set the bottle down on the table and could feel the trail of spice he had mentioned on her tongue.
She licked her lips again, thinking about his lips on hers, his tongue…
The warmth from the whiskey already wrapped her in a hug, causing a light blush to color her cheeks. Any last bit of stress she’d been feeling was quickly washed away and replaced with all thoughts of him. “The man at the shop said it was a good one… I suppose he was right,” she said with a slight smirk as she looked at Gideon.
She wanted to touch him. His hair was wet, she noticed, and his face and neck and arms were slightly damp. In the dim lighting, she found herself feeling more comfortable than she had in a long time, and it was because of his presence.
Watching the liquid leave the bottle and the movement of her neck as she swallowed. No cough, no choke. She could hold her liquor. A quality he respected as the co-owner of a well known bar.
As she set the bottle down, he savored the silence for the first time all night. Gideon moved forward to take another drink, needing something to do with his hands. There were other things he wanted to do with them, but it had been a long time since he’d entertained the thought. He corked the bottle and carefully set it on the table.
Resting his arms on his knees, he sat angled so Rose remained in his periphery. He didn't move his body, only his head, turning his neck to take in her beauty. His hair, still wet from the cleanup, fell into his face.
The tension was thick in the room, the chemistry crackling between them. It was a losing battle, and Gideon was a betting man. If he had to wager, she was just as attracted to him as he was to her. Without conscious thought, his body angled further toward her. His leg bumped her knee.
Slowly, his hand reached out and took hers. If she had wanted to pull away, she’d had time. She didn't.
His fingers twined with hers. Loving the soft feeling of her skin on his. The skin on his hand heating up to feverish levels. His eyes went to hers, gauging her reaction. His other hand, itched to join in. Running his hand up her other arm slowly. Covered in far too much fabric, the Hospital wing uniform was required, but why so many layers? His right hand still entwined with hers while the left finally met skin at the nape of her neck.
They had been dancing around each other for months. Playing the subtle game of attraction. He didn’t want to be subtle anymore.
Using their connection, Gideon pulled Rose forward and met her halfway. Letting go of her hand, he now used both hands to hold her face still. Searching her eyes one last time, he moved in swiftly, pressing his lips to hers.
For a brief second he didn’t move, and then his mind caught up to his body and his lips were moving. Angling her face just right to deepen the kiss, Gideon was hooked.
((Power Play approved by Rose))
He was angled towards her, and Rose was dying to touch him. Every time they touched, which was usually just their hands brushing or him tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she felt an electric current through her entire body. And while they were adults and could easily make time for other things, up until this point they had been flirting, and nothing more.
Rose knew he was a widower, so she considered the ball always in his court. It was something she’d never said to him outloud, but thought that her actions made clear.
As they sat there, silence enveloping them for a few beats, Rose began considering making the first move. He moved and his leg bumped her knee. That small contact sent warmth to her knee. Her damn knee.
Rose bit her lip, her hand in her lap, trying to act cool despite how badly she wanted him…
The touch of his hand on hers drew her attention. Her eyes moved down to their hands, noting how large his were compared to hers. She didn’t pull away, she didn’t break contact. She’d wanted this ever since she first met him when she first started at Hogwarts in the fall.
Her eyes met his, her breath catching in her throat slightly. She felt his other hand run up her arm, over the thick fabric of her uniform. She wished she would have thought to remove at least the outer most layer, but… it was what it was.
His hand touching her neck warmed her up, to the point where the uniform was almost too hot. She felt her cheeks grow warm as he pulled her closer, placing both of his hands on either side of her face.
Her heart thudded in her chest, she could barely sit still. Until his lips finally met hers. Slow is how the kiss began, as the two of them got used to the sensation, but then deepened.
His lips felt just how she had imagined they would, and he tasted of the whiskey they had been drinking. Her hands, now free, pulled him closer to her. Now that the line had been crossed, and it was clear that they were on the same page, Rose couldn’t get close enough to him. She wanted to feel all of him.
It was almost as if her skies had opened up. And he was making her melt.
Just as he expected, she responded with equal enthusiasm. Pulling him closer, she deepened the kiss, he wasn’t complaining. His hands found their way into her hair. His fingers getting caught in the messy bun on top of her head. Pulling away from her lips, an absolute travesty, he found the pins holding her hair up and pulled them out, tossing them across the room.
Running his hands through the curly free locks, he groaned, “God I love your hair.” He was ravenous now, not going back to her lips… yet. His tongue licked up the side of her neck, stopping at her ear he bit playfully. His hands had worked their way down to the outer layer of her uniform. A white lab coat with pockets for days. One word, the point was made. “Off.”
As the coat came off, the white uniform dress was left, leaving her arms free. More places for his hands to roam. Not sure how it happened, she was lowered onto the couch, Gideon hovering over her. His lips finding hers again, like magnets pulling them together. Lips melded together, hands touching and caressing. Things were going farther than he anticipated, but he wasn’t complaining.
And then the scream rang out.
Gideon sat up quickly, heart hammering, breaths coming in hard pants. “Everleigh.” Was all he said. That scream would haunt his dreams.
Gideon had gone out to help coax the 2nd year Ravenclaw back to sleep, but left Rose to her job, returning to her office to wait. He was utterly exhausted. Barely keeping his eyes open, he heard her soft footsteps coming back to her office. He was laying back on the sofa. His head resting on a pillow, long legs resting over the armrest. It wasn’t the most comfortable place to lay his head, but after the war, he knew it could be a lot worse.
As Rose came back into the room he smiled. The light from the ward shining behind her like a halo. Gods she was gorgeous. Beckoning her over with a crook of his finger, he opened his arms for her to lay with him on the couch. It would be a tight space, but maybe they could get a couple hours of sleep wrapped up in each other's arms.
((Approved by Rose))
His lips left hers and Rose almost panicked. But his hands were in her hair, fumbling with the pins she had hastily used to put her hair up when the girls arrived in the wing. When he got them out, he tossed them, and her hair – which she usually wore straight, but was naturally curly – fell around her shoulders.
His groan sent chills down her spine, as did his tongue on her neck. He bit at her earlobe and Rose sucked in a breath, whimpering a little bit.
A moment later, the outer layer of her uniform, her white lab coat, was discarded and she felt a bit better. She leaned back, pulling him on top of her as they resumed kissing. Rose felt unstoppable; she needed him and she was going to have him.
Except she didn’t.
A scream rang out, and Gideon sat up, the distance between them suddenly feeling like miles. She knew who it was before he even said the girl’s name.
Rose followed Gideon out of her office, gathering her hair with one hand in an attempt to make it look less messy. Her thoughts were hardly on her job, even as Everleigh was calmed and he wandered back to her office. She ached to be with him, but she had work to do.
Once Everleigh had been given more calming draught and was quieted down again, well on her way to sleep, Rose made her way back into her office. When she saw Gideon there, laying on her couch, she saw just how tired the man was.
Which made her realize how tired she was.
Despite what she wanted to do, Rose joined him on the couch. His arms wrapped around her as she settled there, her eyes closed.
“I don’t think I realized how tired I am,” she mumbled, dying for more kissing and more touching but not having the energy for either.
And she still hadn’t eaten.
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