milliways_bar | (no subject)

Here's someone else who's been in a good mood of late.

"Evening Mia," Draco beamed at her as he approached her table.

"Hello, Draco," she says, looking up from her cup. "Please, join me for some tea."

There's always another cup when Mia has tea and she's already pouring it for him.

"I met Tom last night. He was very kind to me."

Draco nodded, and sat down across from her. Considered kissing her on the cheek in greeting, but trying to show some restraint.

"Oh? Good, glad it went well then. Say anything in particular?" And he'll likely ask Tom of similar questions when he sees him at work.

"He told me I am like his wife."

And her smile is bright at the next part.

"And he said you are right to treat me like a queen and that you are worthy of my affection."

"He must really like you then. I've met Door a few times. She's very nice. So's her younger sister, Ingress. Sweet young girl."

Draco then smiled at her, "And I've told you that. You should be treated as such."

That's not the part she's beaming about.

"If you continue to do that, though, I may end up spoiled."

"Worried you'll be like me then?" Draco ruefully replied.

"And what's wrong? All right to maybe spoil you a little?" Charming smile.

"No, that's not it!" she automatically responds. "There's nothing wrong with it. I'm just not used to it. No matter how much others would want to, I simply never got used to it."

She's looking down at her teacup sheepishly.

"I don't think I can really stop you if you insist," she says.

And then she tilts her head up a little, her smile being one of happy resignation.

"No? But people looked up to you back home, right?"

Draco sipped some tea, and placed it down. He then leaned forward to place his hand under her chin to tilt her head back up to face him.

"Would you really want to stop me?" He softly asked.

She thinks about his question.

And nearly laughs.

"Well, perhaps just the lavish feasts. If you insist on bringing so many desserts every time, they will surely go to waste. But Draco, while feasts and broom rides and presents are all very nice, you don't need them to make me feel like a queen."

"Oh, well, maybe something more modest next time. I just thought it would be nice for a first date." He self-consciously replied.

His hand then came up to caress her cheek, and in a softer voice, "I know of other ways to treat you as one. Many ways." Slight implications? Probably.

Slight, but still implications. Enough for Mia to pick up on them.

She can tell that her heart is beating a little faster.

Her eyes aren't afraid, nor are they particularly confused, but they are rather timid.

"I've no doubt of that," she answers. "You have been doing a pretty good job so far, though."

It was a reassuring sign, but he could wait a bit longer. Though it was hard, after coming so close to being able to hold her for as long as he wanted to. It hurt to lose her.

"Cheers. I try," He simply replied, his grey eyes calmly gazing back at her. His hand continued to caress her cheek, and the tip of his thumb briefly slid across to land at the corner of her mouth. Then he lowered his hand again, and went back to drinking his tea.

No worries, Draco. You may have your chance yet before the night is out.

"What about you?" she asks. "How do I make you feel?"

She would kind of like to know.

Draco started to answer, "I... well, it's rather hard to sum up in a few words, or even phrases. You confuse me, make me ashamed of myself. Make me be willing to do whatever you wanted, and be happy for it. Protective of you, scared that you might change your mind... You complicate me, and yet I don't think I ever been this happy before either."

He always finds a way to surprise her.

It is a long moment before she speaks again.

"I think everything about us has had some sort of complication. Why, the very event that led to us meeting also hindered us at times."

He could probably figure out at this point that she's talking about Will.

Draco sighed, "Yes, but that should be behind us now. Even been able to have civil conversations of a sort with the man."

"You have?"

She can't completely hide the surprise in her voice.

"Yes," Draco then gently teased her, "I can be civil and polite when it's warranted or necessary."

Curse you, table! Curse you for being in the way!

Mia gets up from her side of the booth, goes over to Draco's side, puts her arms around his neck, and kisses him.

It's a short kiss, but still very sweet.

"Thank you. It's more than I ever asked you to do."

And she rests her head against his shoulder.

Draco was surprised by that, but pleased. He kissed back for as long as he could until she stopped. Slight disappointment at that, but her head resting on his shoulder made up for it.

He embraced her, and kissed the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair.

"I know... I suppose he's all right, but I still doubt we'd ever be friends really."

And his hand started stroking those dark curls of hers again, smoothing the strands away from her lovely face.

"You've still done more than I asked," she says.

More than she expected.

Perhaps this is part of what he was talking about before, how she can bring out his kindness.

"Not sure I'll be able to thank you enough for that."

Draco leaned down to nuzzle the top of her head gently, and murmured softly into her hair, "You're welcome to try if you like."

Mia likes being this close to Draco. Likes him nuzzling against her, as he has been doing since the date.

But everything is still so new.

She lifts her head up and gives a short sigh.

"Even with everything else considered, even though there is a lot we don't understand about each other yet, and even though we both have others that we care about, I believe I truly do love you, Draco Malfoy. And I'm not sure how far I'm willing to go with that just yet, but there is this."

And she kisses him again.

He understood, much as he wished for more. But even knowing this much, was enough for now. Knowing to expect more in the future.

"And I love you, Mia Ausa." He replied before they kissed again. He embraced her closely, his hand gently moving in circles around her back. And maybe his mouth parted slightly, hoping the kiss would deepen a little. Still being cautious with her, not wanting to scare her off by going too fast.

Mia pulls away slightly, only slightly, when his mouth parted.

"Sorry," she says, her mouth still so close to his that the words could almost be another kiss. "I'm-"

She feels properly embarassed.

"I'm not sure how."

Draco blinked with some surprise at that. Granted he was more experienced now, but he knew about kissing and snogging at school at least.

"Really? I can show you how if you want." he replied.

Well, Mia's not completely oblivious. She's just aware that there are some things you can learn about and some things you have to experience.

"You're more surprised than I thought you would be. I did tell you that you were my first kiss, so you know I never have."

Her head is resting on his shoulder again, her eyes looking up in his, a particularly violet shine to them.

"But I thought you would be a willing teacher."

Draco remarked a bit sheepish, "My apologies. I had forgotten..." His hand came up to touch her cheek, and his thumb lightly moved across her lips. He then went to stroke her hair some more.

"But I can be a very willing tutor. Just follow my lead," he smiled and leaned down to kiss her again. Gently encouraging with his lips, gentle tugs at her bottom lip.

Mia closes her eyes, lightly brushes her fingers against his jaw, and shyly parts her lips.

Draco will soon find out that Mia is a fast learner.

As fast as him if not quicker.

There was tentative moves with his tongue against hers, brief suckling and caressing. Though his embrace of her might have tightened a little. His eyes were closed as well, just reveling in this moment here with her. But still being slow and gentle.

Wow.

That's about all that's on Mia's mind right now.

When she finally pulls away for air, she's practically giggling like a schoolgirl with joy.

Well, Draco did pride himself on being a good kisser.

He chuckled a little, still stroking her hair.

"Quick study on every subject as well, aren't you?" He gently teased.

She's flushed by the kiss and his flattery.

"I do try, but I daresay you are biased in my favor."

"Probably, but does it matter?"

"Not really. Of all the objective things I can think of, kisses must be the least. Not that that's a bad thing, of course."

"Of course not. Kisses are very good."

There was a bit of a wicked grin as he couldn't help adding, "Not just on the lips either."

Mia may have been flushed before, but that's nothing compared to how red she
is now.

And how wide her eyes are.

"I don't believe I'm ready for that just yet, though."

She wasn't even sure that she was ready for that with Nash before coming here. Sure, she has her desires and fantasies, but thinking about it and doing it are two very different things.

"Give me time, and perhaps I will be," she says quietly.

The wickedness faded a little, and he looked apologetic.

"I know. Sorry, couldn't resist. It can wait. Have plenty of time to get know one another, right?"

She giggles at his reaction. She probably wouldn't admit it, but she likes that wicked glint of his.

"Right. Besides, it's better to take things slowly."

Surely he can apply that rule to what he was saying before.

Oh he certainly can, and has. Very good at drawing things out. And he knows a couple of people have taken interest when his grey eyes looked particularly wicked.

"Of course," he smiled back.

And now she just sits there in his arms.

Peaceful again, but it is a different kind of peaceful.

Solitary peace is nice, but peace with someone you care about is even better.