SnitchSeeker.com - Courtyard and Brick Wall

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- - Courtyard and Brick Wall (https://www.snitchseeker.com/leaky-cauldron/courtyard-and-brick-wall-118020/)

SPOILER!!: Hart's heart! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoe (Post 12587023)

Dafydd regarded him with exaggerated solemnity, though the amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth rather undermined the effect.

"Good. I would hate to learn that the public has been receiving even a fraction of what I was assured was mine exclusively." His expression softened as his gaze settled on Hartley. "Your heart included."

The declaration about the moon and stars earned a quieter smile. Even after all their years together, Hartley still possessed an uncanny ability to say such things with complete sincerity, as though Dafydd's worth were an indisputable fact rather than a matter of opinion.

"You realise statements like that are precisely how you ended up trapped beneath my rapidly expanding ego," he pointed out. His thumb brushed affectionately across Hartley's knuckles. "Although, for what it's worth, I consider myself rather fortunate that you chose to fall into it with me."

Three years. It was difficult to reconcile the number with how naturally Hartley had woven himself into every part of Dafydd's life. There were moments when their wedding seemed like yesterday and others when he could scarcely recall what home had felt like before it included Hart's laughter, his relentless enthusiasm, and the unmistakable evidence of his latest project scattered across some previously tidy surface.

Dafydd narrowed his eyes at the mysterious smile and animated eyebrows. "That sounds remarkably like a threat disguised as flirtation." He leaned back slightly, studying his husband with theatrical suspicion. "How many secrets are we discussing? And, more importantly, do any of them involve international travel or objects you were specifically advised you not to touch?"

The teasing left his features as Hartley spoke, replaced by something gentler and infinitely more sincere. His gaze lingered on Hartley for a quiet moment before he added, ardently, "I know. And I hope you know the same is true for me. I would make that choice every single day."

His fingers threaded easily through Hartley's when the other man turned his hand, tightening around them at the squeeze. "Lots more time," Daf repeated, as though committing the promise carefully to memory. "Good. I fully intend to hold you to that." He lifted their joined hands and pressed a brief kiss against Hartley’s knuckles.

Mhmm.

Try as you might, hubby, to hide behind seriousness, you failed! Not only because of those full, twitching lips of yours say otherwise. Hartley tried not to stare at them, by the way. It was yet another feature of Daf’s that he greatly admired. As for the words coming out of that mouth… he honestly could have melted. His person was always so thoughtful, always knew just what to say to mess with his head and heart. “Pfft. That’s something you would never have to ever worry about.” From the inception of them meeting, Hart knew that Daf was someone special, not like the others who he had let stick around to pass his time. And the moment he had realised this, he had done whatever it took to ensure he won the other man over.

Thankfully his goofiness hadn’t been a deal breaker.

Hart shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m sure you realised I like being trapped by you.” Saying this, he felt a great surge of love for Darydd. He peered down at his knuckles, at Daf’s thumb. That soft touch made him feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside. “I think I should say I’m the fortunate one because you caught me. You made me the happiest guy in the world when you did.” And he was still the happiest since other than being together, they had built a life together.

Hartley wiggled his eyebrows playfully at the ultimate look of ‘suspicion’. “Threat? Never. Flirtation? Always, babe.” Then he almost cackles diabolically. Almost. Because the question! Man, that question had some truth to it! Clearly his other half knew him too well. “That I will neither confirm nor deny, Daf! You’ll just have to wait and see.” He tried to pull the most mysterious look ever. Heads up, Hart failed spectacularly!

Was this moment unfolding in heaven? Because every second of it was pure perfection. “You,’’ Hart began, completely and playfully accusing Daf. “Are going to make me melt in front of all these people.” Forget about their lunch, he was going to melt into dessert! Ice cream, perhaps. He shook his head to pull himself together. "We'd better get to eating before we constantly have to reheat all this food." He didn't want it all to get dried out.

Dafydd caught the way Hartley's attention lingered and, naturally, chose to make absolutely no mention of it. The temptation to call him out was certainly there, but watching Hart attempt subtlety was far more entertaining. "Good," he said, simple but sincere. "Because I've grown rather accustomed to being the only person entitled to all of that." His gaze flicked knowingly over Hartley. "The heart, the goofiness, the staring when you think you’re being discreet. All of it." There. He had lasted almost an entire minute.

His brow rose at Hartley's claim of enjoying being trapped. "Dangerous thing to admit to your husband." The words were dry, but the smile beneath them was unmistakable. Dafydd let his thumb make one more slow pass over Hartley's knuckles before stilling.

"And I think we're going to have to agree that fortune was rather evenly distributed." He tilted his head. "You make me happy too, Hart. Ridiculously so, actually." There was a brief pause before his mouth curved. "You can bask in that admission for the next five minutes. After that, I reserve the right to deny ever saying anything so sentimental."

The eyebrow-wiggling immediately restored the playful suspicion to Dafydd's expression. "Flirtation always. Yes, that sounds about right." He watched the attempted air of mystery unfold and somehow managed not to laugh for all of two seconds. "And you cannot say 'neither confirm nor deny' while looking like a child who's just hidden something behind his back and expect me not to assume the worst." His eyes narrowed further. "Entirely your fault."

The accusation had Dafydd pressing one hand lightly against his chest. "I'm making you melt?" he repeated, as though the notion were completely unreasonable. His gaze moved pointedly over his husband before returning to his face, amusement brightening it. "If a few nice words and a kiss to the hand are enough to reduce you to a puddle in the middle of the Leaky Cauldron, I'm afraid that sounds like a personal vulnerability rather than something I can reasonably be blamed for."

Still, Hartley had a point about the food. Dafydd looked toward the spread and gave a resigned hum. "Fine. Food first, before you start accusing me of ruining dinner through excessive affection." He reluctantly withdrew his hand and reached for his cutlery, though his eyes remained on Hartley for another moment.

"But I'm warning you now: eating does not mean I've forgotten whatever suspicious things you’ve apparently planned." His lips twitched. "I can eat and interrogate you at the same time. Marriage has made me very efficient."

For Jess/Emma ^_^

After a hard day at work, Aurora needed something to eat, and she couldn’t think of anywhere better to do that than seated outside of the Leaky Cauldron. It was getting cooler outside, but it was still nice enough where she could enjoy the outdoors. She always preferred to be outside whenever it was possible.

As she ate, she noticed that she still had some soil on her hands that she had somehow missed. Oops. She had thought she had gotten it all off. That was just one of the things that happened when you worked with plants, and Aurora was so thankful that she had the opportunity to get the experience in while making money to pay for university.

That in itself was a lot to think about.

Did she want to stay in the UK? Or did she want to go somewhere else? That was something she kept thinking about. There were so many options open, paths she could take. And she didn’t know which one was the right one. All she knew was that she wanted to be a Herbologist.

Not wanting to dwell on that to the point where she gave herself a headache, Aurora instead turned her thoughts to what she was going to tell Nyle about next. There was always so much to talk to him about, and she was beyond happy to be able to do that. To have him back. She never wanted to go months without talking to him again, she’d miss him too much. She needed her best friend.