"The Candor sings the praises of the truth, but they never tell you how much it costs."

Declan chuckled at her reply, looking to the glass that she had snatched from him, and had grace enough to look embarrassed about it. Her question brought his attention back to her face, a more serious expression coming in to replace his previous one. There was something in the look she gave him that offered additional confidence in their arrangement, which he hadn't been expecting. It was comforting somehow, though, so of course he nodded his assent.

"You're welcome here whenever you want," he assured her, cradling her cheek just long enough for him to press a kiss to her forehead. His hand moved to give her upper arm a squeeze as he pulled away, and Declan took a glance at the time.

If they wanted to do this right, they had to become used to spending casual time, just the two of them. And it was getting to that point in the night where they could either awkwardly aim directly for sleep, or could linger and talk and attempt to make their way over more naturally. It would give him a bit of time to feel entirely himself again.

"If you want anything from the kitchen, you're welcome to it. Or I can make something. Do you want me to grab you something to sleep in?"

The night passed comfortably, and Declan gave her a change of clothes to wear as pajamas - which she had little intention of returning. He gave her a tour, she excitedly insisted they make cocoa. And then they recounted the year. Nothing too horribly adorable, of course. Mostly, they talked about all of the stupid things they saw students get into, comparing them to their own school antics. Dom showed off her skills by listing off her horde of cousins at rapid fire, while Declan showed off by naming as many different types of drinks that came to him off of the top of his head.

Between the laughs, the memories, the cocoa, and the newfound snuggling, the night moved on. Curled up next to each other, fingers interlocked, the two friends relishing in the company they had provided each other.

Light spread across the room and Dom let out a long breath, rolling over. Declan was breathing carefully, one of his arms draped across her, the other still grasping her fingers. She reached out and brushed her fingertips against his jaw with a fond look. The idea of bringing him coffee struck her and she slipped out from his grasp, trying very carefully not to upset the bed so as to leave Declan's sleep undisturbed.

Her feet hit the ground and she glanced over at his bedside table, grabbing the mugs that had once upon a time held their hot chocolate, and she snuck out of his room towards the kitchen, straightening up once she was out of earshot of him. She felt oddly comfortable moving about his apartment, as though she belonged there. It didn't try too hard to be anything, and naturally gave off a sort of homey atmosphere.

The night had done tons for her. The itching feeling that she was going to ruin it all had been soothed every time she had made him laugh, every time she had him invested in a story of hers, every time that comfortable silence settled over them. There was a longing in both of them, she could feel it, but they had fallen asleep, curled up, close, happy. If Dom Weasley could experience a sweet, healthy night like that once, and be happy with it, she could be do it all over again. Maybe she could do this whole relationship thing.

She dropped the mugs into the sink and filled them with soapy water before looking through his cabinets, in search of coffee.

There was a sudden tapping at the window and she flinched, looking up. An old, wind-battered eagle was tapping its beak against the glass. She sighed and hurried over, opening the window. The owl hopped forward and held out its leg for her. She pulled the letter from its leg and attempted to give it a little pet, but the thing ducked out from her and lept out the window, immediately taking flight.

She moved to set the letter aside for Declan, but took pause. It was her name scrawled across the envelope.

Something wasn't right.

She unfolded the envelope and slipped the parchment out, her heart plummeting almost as soon as her eyes fell on the parchment.

She glanced down the hall, towards Declan's room. She closed her eyes, leaning back against the wall, her head lifted upwards as her arm dropped. Of course. But what choice did she have? She didn't, did she?

She had told Declan that this would happen.

She didn't have time to change. She retrieved her purse, shoving her dress into it as she transfigured her heels into flats. She scrawled out a note and left it on the counter : I'm so. so. sorry. Please. Trust me.

She couldn't go back into Declan's room. She would want to kiss him, and she might wake him, and how could she explain this? And if she saw him, kissed him, she would crumple and this would be so much harder.

So with a miserable look, Dom snuck out of Declan's apartment, hoping to return soon, the note crumpled in her hand, its words echoing in her head as she apparated.

I have Lily. Tell anyone, and you're both done. Come find us. xoxoxo Roxi.