unconditionally -- gavin

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

There was something soothing about her job, now that she had really and truly settled into it. True, it was a bit peculiar, admittedly, to find such solace in performing a spell and completely wiping someone's mind of a memory forever, but solace she still found.  Maybe it was the quiet place she had to go into, the concentration on picking the right memory to pluck from their mind and cast into the wind.  It could have been any number of things, really.  But time and time again, Sura found that she was rarely happier than she was at work, doing her job, doing what she had worked so hard for.

On the other hand, since she had left school, she had much less of a social life than she had ever imagined she would.  Not only was she wildly busy with work, able to be called out into the field at even the most ungodly hours (had no one ever heard of a temporary holding spell and a sleeping draught?), her friends from school were also just as busy, if not more so.  It was easy to socialize with the people she worked with, but she dearly missed those she had spent so much time with at school, the people she got into mischief with, the people she snuck around the castle with at the most obscure hours to find a snack or steal a kiss.  The people that she had grown up with, that had been her family for seven years, had been all but torn from her life by adult hood.

One found themselves frustrated by such things.

Sura stretched out her arms over her head as she stood, watching the Healers usher off the twentieth of her Obliviation subjects for the evening.  A bit of a brawl had broken out at Barberus Bragge after a Quidditch game when some fans got into a heated argument over the better team.  And by some fans, as she quickly learned when she arrived, they meant well over two hundred people haphazardly flinging hexes everywhere, with absolutely no regard for who they struck.  De-goddamn-lightful.  Once the Ministry officials had managed to get the whole thing under control, she had been able to get to work: wiping their memories of all faces involved so that there would be no future related incidents.  And as it turned out, it was not easy to check for and wipe that many little memories from the brain.  Thankfully, by the fifth patient, she'd gotten a feel for what she was looking for.

"You can head home, Haughton," came the voice of her supervisor, a sentence that was not unwelcome.  She was admittedly exhausted by the work, and it was only six in the evening.  She was dying for a coffee or a tea.  "There's only a handful left, and we've called everyone we have in, so it'll be done before we can even find you another patient.  Rest up for Monday, kiddo."  She smiled and nodded, stretching her arm across her chest.  "Thanks, will do.  Have a good weekend, sir."  And with that the older wizard disappeared back into the crowd.  Sura shouldered her bag and turned, squeezing her way through the crowd and into the empty hallways of the stadium buildings.

And just like that, there was a voice, a familiar voice that made her heart nearly leap out of her chest in joy.  It was a voice she hadn't heard in far too long.  Her head turned this way and that, looking for the source.  Sura's lips turned up into a massive smile when her eyes fell on the face of Gavin Dewhurst, now a bonafide professional Quidditch player.  He was chatting with some teammates, it seemed, or maybe they were fans.  Either way, she simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak with someone that had become one of her best friends and confidantes in her final year of school.

As the other men left, Sura cocked her head.  "Gavin Dewhurst," she breathed, her smile growing a little more.  "Imagine seeing you here."

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: unconditional - katy perry
words: 681
notes: i had inspiration :3

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
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[/i] so much as he didn't want to be living that life anymore. Didn't want this mark on his arm. Didn't want the little blonde fiance that he had at home planning out every detail of her dream wedding. Didn't want to have to be doing...what he was doing outside of this pitch. The boys on his team were grand, the winning streak the team seemed to have taken on since he had joined was great, the flying to and from press events was much better than the actual events themselves. He just liked being on the broom...escaping. Given that he was a public figure now, he didn't get to do very much of that otherwise. At least he spent nearly all of his day, training on the field. Running, running drills, working with the team members until they knew one another inside and out. They needed to be able to predict one anothers movements. He and Kariana had always had a very strict training regime back at school that they had kept up even whenever it wasn't Quidditch season, and that helped...but that wasn't anything like this. He had no social life, he was always with the team. They ate, drank and pissed together. Their coach insisted on being with another teammate. Keeping them close, whether they liked it or not. It was like their own little world. Couldn't even give interviews by themselves. So getting off of the pitch and returning to his tent alone, was always a small little joy.

Most of the time, he couldn't even bring himself to shower or change before he was heading for the tent, Adam dragging behind him and picking up the things he did manage to drop. He never had been shy about his body and by the time he reached his tent, he was usually half dressed, or less. There was a shower in the tent, and alone time was precious now. Even more so since he was going to be married soon...and never be alone again. They had been told to avoid the side of the pitch, since it wasn't even their home pitch...well, It was Gavin's home pitch in a way. He didn't come to Austria anymore if he could help it. He didn't care about a little riot, he could swing a mean punch. He was in better shape now than he had ever been in his life, and Adam's whole job was to keep him safe. They had been weaving between confused guests and Ministry officials for twenty minutes now, making his way to his tent the long way, killing time, enjoying the air whenever he spotted a ghost. Or it should have been, the familiar face that he had been meaning to get into touch with for such a long time now and just...hadn't ever gotten around to it. Sura had been his savior for most of seventh year, always a welcome distraction and even though she looked, knackered, he couldn't help himself. “Well, what do we have here?” She knew he was here, he did play for her team after all...but work had a way of making people forget things. At least, he was assuming from her standard issue robes that she was working. Ministry. Go figure. Another thing they fell on opposite sides of.

"Gavin Dewhurst," He hadn't felt a real smile in so long, he had almost forgotten what they even felt like, the way it stretched his face. All of his teeth showing as he moved in her direction, tossing a glove over his shoulder for Adam to catch. “The one and only,” of course, now that was a real thing, given that his name had been in those sports periodicals for months now. Merlin he had missed her, hadn't even realized how much until he was closer, his body bending to scoop her up in his arms, hug crushing her as he spun her around. "Imagine seeing you here." “She jokes!” He lowered her to her feet once more, still beaming as he pinched at her robes, “and you, what is all of this? You a real upholding member of society now?” he breathed, still overheated from the match “A real job and everything...who would have guessed”

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is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 760
outfit: Quidditch pants, undershirt
tags: Sura
song: My Fault - Imagine Dragons
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

Seeing Gavin again was something like a drug, in a way.  As Sura watched the biggest, most beautiful smile spread over Gavin's face, her heart nearly sang in the joy of it.  How much had she missed him, to the point where she didn't even realize the extent until now, with him standing not more than a few feet away from her.  Gavin had been one of her very best friends in seventh year.  Whether it had been a quick stealing away in the night to relieve some stress, or lounging somewhere in the castle in an overstuffed chair quizzing one another on their shared subjects, interjecting questions with a combination of silly and serious questions, they had grown together, an altogether unlikely pair that just seemed to get along.  He had been one of the best people in her life, really.  But the adult life had a way of complicating things, making it harder to keep in contact, even harder to ever manage to see anyone in person.

That was what they meant when people said that sometimes life got in the way.

“Well, what do we have here?”  Sura grinned and gestured down to what she suddenly was acutely aware were the plainest robes she'd ever worn in her life, and Merlin, where did all that dust come from?  As Gavin walked toward her, the smile still plastered on his lips, she couldn't help but let a small squeal of delight escape from her lips before throwing her arms around his neck as he scooped her up.  She laughed as he spun the pair of them in circles, burying her face in the crook of his neck.  How had she ever let this boy disappear from her life?

As he put her down, she gave him the once over.  “And you, what is all of this? You a real upholding member of society now?  A real job and everything...who would have guessed”  Sura wrinkled her nose up at him, giving him a shrug.  "I know, righ'?  I have a fancy desk and everything.  Make a solid living making people forget things."  She brushed his hand off her robes, knowing full well he was teasing her about her attire.  Not that she could blame him.  "Work robes aren't flattering.  Not all of us have the luxury of showing off the goods at work."  She cocked her head, grinning.  "As if you weren't already disciplined, apparently Kestreal isn't hurting you at all."  Sura reached out and raised his arm to one side.  "And flex?"

Sura reached up to the bun that she had messily secured all of her hair in when she'd arrived on scene, letting it fall down past her shoulders, shaking out the tangles.  At least she didn't smell like work.  She rain a hair through the tresses as she glanced over Gavin's shoulder, one corner of her lips turning up into a little smirk.  "Who's the kid, and why does he look like he thinks I'm going to assault you?"  Merlin, had she gone into the wrong industry - how nice would it be to have someone at her beck and call?  Her hands moved to undo the buttons of her robe in the warmth of the hallway, revealing a red camisole and a pair of jeans.  At least she didn't look like she'd given up on looking decent outside of work.

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: unconditional - katy perry
notes: oh my god i missed this boy.

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/b] Fancy desk. That was not what he would have expected, though, the part about making people forget things was ironic to him, given that he was one of the very few people that knew about her little gift. He wanted to know what was going on with that, now that he was thinking about it, but it was hardly the place to ask, what with people on every side of them, taking pictures and muttering about the game. No doubt her face was going to be all over headlines in the morning. Or sooner perhaps. "Work robes aren't flattering. Not all of us have the luxury of showing off the goods at work." He beamed again, spreading his arms out, his Professional Uniform only half on now, the rest of his gear piled in the arms of the hired man serving as his 'body guard' but the jist of it was passed on. “You like it? Not too form fitting? I wouldn't want you to think I was slutty...” He winked a little too pointedly for an engaged man, and quickly caught himself. "As if you weren't already disciplined, apparently Kestreal isn't hurting you at all. And flex?" She certainly didn't have to ask him twice, his arm curling and flexing impressively. He had always worked out, far more than was sane...but this was something else entirely. He was forced to get over his potion abuse from 7th year, and had managed to gain all of his weight back and then some, bulked up...but not in a bad way, at least he didn't think so. Few people could chide him like that and It be alright, she just so happened to be one of them.

"Who's the kid, and why does he look like he thinks I'm going to assault you?" He twisted to see who she was meaning, sure enough he didn't seem happy to be holding so much sweaty gear,”Adam?” He laughed “You're not on my list of approved contacts, yet anyway” how had he excluded her, had they really lost contact that much? “Don't mind him, he's lethal...but harmless. Harmless enough” he shrugged, hoping that it wouldn't bother her that he was watching, he was hardly the only one. He turned back just in time to catch the red, and his brow lifted, impressed. “Already stripping?” he leaned in to say softly, didn't want the press hearing. “I didn't even have to ask this time!”

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is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 585
outfit: Quidditch pants, undershirt
tags: Sura
song: My Fault - Imagine Dragons
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

The smile that spread across Gavin's face as she complimented him took her breath away in all the very best ways.  He was always so handsome, so, well, breath-taking, when he was happy.  Perhaps it was because you didn't always really get to see him smile, really smile.  You had to know him, what to say, what to do.  She liked very much that she knew him that way.  “You like it? Not too form fitting? I wouldn't want you to think I was slutty...”  It was now Sura's turn to grin, her nose wrinkling up as she giggled.  "Nah, I'd never think you were slutty.  Except maybe those times we...  Like, maybe..."  Sura's finger drew ticks in the air, her eyebrows knitting together in exaggerated thought. She dropped her voice so only Gavin could hear her words, a wicked smirk on her lips. "Y'know I've actually lost count, but they were all with me so I can excuse it." 

Sura cocked her head and fanned her face as Gavin flexed his arms, a peal of laughter rolling up and out of her lips.  "Oh yes, that is quite impressive, I am a fan."  She sighed, wrapping her arms around herself in a hug while her lips were still turned up into a smile.  There was a certain lightness that Gavin made her feel, like the worst, most awful things in her life were a little less awful.  They didn't disappear, but his presence soothed her altogether.  He made her feel like things were manageable, and that was something she had missed about him.  Merlin, the list of things she had missed about him was just growing by the minute.  Why had they left it so long to see one another?

Sura broke into another grin as Gavin looked over his shoulder and named her would-be assailant.  "Adam," she echoed, nodding her head slowly.  "This is good, I prefer to know the names of the wizards that are preparing to hex me into last month," she giggled, running her fingers through her hair again.  Adam did not look at all pleased with the situation.  She wasn't sure whether it because he really was concerned that she was an insane fan that wanted to profess her love to Gavin and then stab him in the gut when he didn't return them, or whether it was because he was holding what she imagined to be very sweaty Quidditch gear.  Either way, he could do with cracking a smile.  “You're not on my list of approved contacts, yet anyway.”  She stood on her toes to peer over Gavin's shoulder.  "Yeh hear that, Adam?  I'm on the list now!  How exciting is tha'?  Sura Haughton, pleasure."  A bright smile was plastered on her lips as she chirped, before turning back to Gavin.  “Don't mind him, he's lethal...but harmless. Harmless enough.”  She raised an eyebrow, swatting Gavin in the arm.  "Oh, yeah, that makes me feel better.  Lethal but harmless, mmhm.  If he gets me, you won't even have me around to wipe the memory of me getting splattered into the ground by some awful hex."  She gave him a small smile again, wrinkling her nose.  Sarcasm had always been a bit of a second language for them.  "Nah, I don' mind him.  Merlin knows half of my job is having relatives and friends breathing down my neck while I try to wipe someone's head properly."

“Already stripping?  I didn't even have to ask this time!”  Sura laughed, glancing around at the people milling about them.  She could guarantee that there would be some kind of media crawling about the area, and she wouldn't be surprised if she saw her face in a paper tomorrow.  Not that she cared - seeing Gavin was worth any rumours anyone could come up with.  She reached up and put her arms around his neck, pulling him in for another hug as she smiled brightly.  "Just can't help myself, I suppose..." she breathed into his ear.  "I guess traditionally I made you ask, but I'll let you have it the easy road this once."  She laughed again, as if he'd said something that she'd found all too funny, releasing her arms from his neck.  Sura shrugged her shoulders and gave another contented sigh.  It was so lovely to see him.

"You know I really have missed you, you prat."  Sura dropped her voice yet again as the corners of her lips turned up.  "We should catch up.  I can make you dinner some time and you can give me a reason to clean my flat up and I can introduce you to my dog and bore you to death with stories about the shit that people pull that I called to deal with, and you can tell me about your life and your house and your travels..."  Sura gave another shrug.  "I'm basically free.  Starting like..."  Sura looked down at her watch quickly.  "Fifteen minutes ago."

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: you before me - hoobastank
notes: i just want to squeeeeeze them

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/b] Gavin grinned, “But a good Slutty, right?” He knew it was, she'd said so previously in so many words, but of course there were the other times that neither had had the breath to say anything at all, those were always the better times. "Y'know I've actually lost count, but they were all with me so I can excuse it." He almost wished that he could whisk her around and lead her right back to his tent, for old reasons or not. He was engaged, very publicly, something that she had known before nearly anybody else so it was impossible, even without the press here and the event that had brought her out there...it wouldn't go over well with the fans. Even if he just wanted to talk to her privately, she was too pretty, too successful apparently, she would be noticed. Already had been. By more than just Adam. "Oh yes, that is quite impressive, I am a fan." “And you weren't before?” He side eye'd her. Of course she was. He missed this, light conversation. No matter how flippant and pointless. He didn't get to have conversations like this anymore. Everything had gotten so serious...so quickly.

He was just going to have to make it an iron point to see her more often. Being what he was now...he couldn't exactly just go traipsing into the Ministry whenever he wanted to but he could owl her, he did have a rather good one. He had hands, enough down time to scribble out a letter, could shout one down from practice to have Adam transcribe and send to her if he needed to...he had been putting it off without even thinking. Without even noticing it. She wasn't the sort of person that he had ever meant to cast aside....and yet somehow he had. "Adam,This is good, I prefer to know the names of the wizards that are preparing to hex me into last month," He nodded, Adam could hear them, he knew that he could but he wasn't saying anything. Just shifting his weight from one foot to the other uncomfortably, making a little too much effort into looking out into the crowd as if he were assessing 'threats' than looking at the woman talking about him. No doubt he thought that she was pretty. Sura had that draw to her, pretty from the inside out. Even more so because she had the patience to let him find that out on his own. "Yeh hear that, Adam? I'm on the list now! How exciting is tha'? Sura Haughton, pleasure." He glanced back as she shouted, he always thought it was funny whenever her accent came out. Usually whenever she was heated about something or another, apparently whenever she was surprised and happy too.

Sure Sura, shout your name for all of the fans to note and stalk. He was going to have to lend her his body guard....maybe he was getting too arrogant. She could handle herself. "Oh, yeah, that makes me feel better. Lethal but harmless, mmhm. If he gets me, you won't even have me around to wipe the memory of me getting splattered into the ground by some awful hex." “Pretty sure 'lethal but harmless' applies to you too,” he winked, "Nah, I don' mind him. Merlin knows half of my job is having relatives and friends breathing down my neck while I try to wipe someone's head properly." “Miserable. And you chose this job? Over other things?” He shook his head, he knew memory had to be easy or her...but given her other gifts...things he didn't think were appropriate to bring into conversation like this, at least, if nothing else any rumors that were spurred from this meeting, he wouldn't care about. He was perfectly alright with being as tied to her as anybody wanted to assume...Lucinda might not be, but that was a whole other issue.

"Just can't help myself, I suppose..."Gavin's arms banded around her lower back as hers were flung around his neck, his cheeks hurt. He couldn't even remember the last time he had smiled, for any reason whatsoever. "I guess traditionally I made you ask, but I'll let you have it the easy road this once." If only, if only. At least the breathing was easier to handle than her purring with as close as she was at this moment. "You know I really have missed you, you prat." “Feeling's mutual slag,” "We should catch up. and you can tell me about your life and your house and your travels..." He should tell her no. She could see too much. She was distracted, what if she saw something she wasn't supposed to, given who she worked for, the mark so hidden on his arm....the things that he was being asked to do, who their new leader was, any of that would damn them both. Put giant red X's on their backs, and then some. He'd met some rather nasty people lately he didn't want coming anywhere near her. She had always been something good in his life, something detached, string free...but he didn't think he could tell her no about anything. Not anymore. "I'm basically free. Starting like...Fifteen minutes ago." “That would be great,” he leaned in slightly, “anything but french food.” he made a slightly sickened expression. Lucinda was a good enough cook...but only french. He couldn't handle any more bread, there was too much oil in all of it. “I've just got to clean up, I'm sure you've noticed I stink after that CRUSHING DEFEAT” he shouted the last words in the direction of the crowd, much to the random cheers of people passing by, and their fight song started anew in the distance, “and shake the tail, of course.” He nodded back to Adam, like that was ever possible. “You might not have meant now, but I mean now, and I need a lot of food, and ale...no wine. Too french.”

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 1007
outfit: Quidditch pants, undershirt
tags: Sura
song: My Fault - Imagine Dragons
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

“But a good Slutty, right?”  Her grin matched Gavin's in the most wicked of ways.  That man.  "Oh, always, pet," she purred, wagging her eyebrows quickly before Merlin-knew-who could catch her.  She and Gavin had always had an easy, flirtatious banter.  This was their natural state, the way things always had been between them.  And although both of them knew it, no one outside of that really did.  Now that Gavin was so high profile, they'd have to behave, just a little better than usual.  Not to mention she wouldn't want to get him in trouble with the Missus-to-be.  “And you weren't before?”  She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as her nose.  "Just as much as you were of me, darling," Sura fired back under her breath, a giggle escaping from between her lips.

She glanced at Gavin as she teased Adam.  He looked rather bemused about the whole thing, and although Sura wasn't concerned all so much about Adam, or anyone else, it was nice to know that she wasn't overstepping or causing Gavin any concern.  Really, they'd lost touch for long enough that she had no idea what his new life was like, what his worries were.  She imagined some of them were the same as when they'd last seen one another at graduation, but life had certainly thrown more of them his way.  It had done so for Sura, after all.  And being that Gavin was in a position that the spotlight was always on him, scrutinizing him, he must have to watch his steps carefully.  It was hardly three or four days that she could go without seeing her friend's face on a tabloid or in the sports section.  Wedding planning this, league grudge matches that...  “Pretty sure 'lethal but harmless' applies to you too.”  Sura chuckled and shrugged her shoulders.  "Ahh well, perks of being a sass-mouthed but well-raised Irish lady, I suppose."

Sura was all too pleased to see the smile on Gavin's face yet again.  Merlin knew he probably didn't have much time on his hands, or so Sura imagined.  Then again, perhaps his life wasn't as busy as she thought it was?  It was all possible, she supposed.  “That would be great, anything but french food.”  Sura's hand flew to her mouth to stifle the choking snort of a laugh that escaped from her lips.  The look on his face was absolutely pitiful.  Lucinda must only cook the foods that remind her of home, or perhaps they were all she knew how to cook...  Either way, it appeared that Gavin was so sick of the cuisine that he was ready to do something drastic, like set his pantry on fire.

“I've just got to clean up, I'm sure you've noticed I stink after that CRUSHING DEFEAT!”  Sura grinned and raised her hands to her mouth to answer the howling with a whoop of her own.  "You really know how to get them riled up, you instigator," she laughed, the index finger on her right hand poking into his chest playfully. “And shake the tail, of course.”  She cocked one eyebrow as she glanced over Gavin's shoulder at Adam.  "Well you'll either just need to do that or tell him he isn't invited, but that I will bring him a plate on the porch if he refuses to accept being shaken off.  He's got to be able to trust his pretty charge in the hands of a Ministry lady, wouldn't he?"  There was a nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that he wouldn't.  None the less, she wanted the time with Gavin to catch up, and Gavin alone, so that they could speak freely and catch up properly.

“You might not have meant now, but I mean now, and I need a lot of food, and ale...no wine. Too french.”  Sura's eyebrows raised in surprise, although it was certainly a pleasant turn of events.  More than pleasant.  Her lips immediately revealed her teeth in a near face-splitting grin.  "Of course, Gavin, you're welcome over any day, any time.  Good news, I don't cook French.  So we'll have a nice roast and the fixings, hmm?  And I always have plenty of ale stocked, pet."  Sura reached into her robes to fish out some spare paper and a quill.  She handed them to Gavin and raised an eyebrow as if to suggest that he needed to follow along.  "You know what, I should be getting your autograph for my nephew.  He'll never forgive me if I tell him I ran into you and didn't get an autograph for him."  Her smile was large and bright as she leaned in and offered her shoulder.  "86 Firesprat Lane," she said under her breath, so no one else would be able to hear but the two of them.  "It's in Alzubra Alley, the only flat above the little ice cream shop just around the corner from Olivanders.  You can Apparate or take the Floo.  Call it an hour or so?  That makes it around 5 o'clock when you arrive, and you can stay as long as you'd like."  She stood back and accepted the quill and paper from his hands, tucking the quill back in her robe and fawning at the piece of parchment.  "That's just so lovely, thank you so much.  He'll love it."

Sura took Gavin's hands into her own and pressed the parchment back into his palm.  She smiled innocently and batted her lashes before leaning in to give him another hug.  "I'm so glad I ran into you.  Can't wait to catch up and chat on our own terms, sans tail and media," she whispered into his ear.  "Now go shower and then come keep me company.  I've got some dinner to prepare in the meantime."  Giving him a squeeze, she released him from her arms and nodded with a smile.  "See you around soon, then?  And Adam, it was a pleasure," she added with a grin and a wink.

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: you before me - hoobastank
notes: if this works okay for you, we can continue the thread with some dinner and bonding?

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
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[/i] Gavin grinned, feeling his breathing finally starting to even out as his hands lifted up over his head, stretching out his lungs and helping to speed up the process. He did, it was a learned process. He had always been very careful about his reputation – monitoring it, making sure he was 'polling' favorably, or at least as much as he could think. This was on a whole other level, he had a press manager who told him what he was and wasn't supposed to do in public, whenever it was a good time to go out publicly with his fiance and get that back out in the papers – when he was supposed to stay home. How to fix something if he fucked it up too much. It was a bit tedious – but in moments like where he was a little more free – it all seems like it was alright. Growing up – dreaming about having this exact job he had known what all was involved – but knowing and living it were of course two very different things.

Gavin's hand dropped whenever she poked at his chest and he tried to knock it away, exhaling forcefully with the sudden movement. "Well you'll either just need to do that or tell him he isn't invited, but that I will bring him a plate on the porch if he refuses to accept being shaken off. He's got to be able to trust his pretty charge in the hands of a Ministry lady, wouldn't he?" Oh that was a good point. He glanced over his shoulder to see if Adam would go for it, and of course he still had the same neutral – slightly tired expression on his face as before. He couldn't want to be standing there, holding all of that stuff. He had to want to go. Grinning he shrugged and turned back to Sura. “Wet mop, that one” really, Adam wasn't all that bad. He was good company on long rides. Which, Gavin thought really said something about people. Though – he might just be fond of the man because on more than one occasion – he had dunked Gavin into a large tub of water – or forced him to puke up potion whenever this whole season had started. Before he was clean. He might pay him, he might just be a 'body guard' but he was more than that.

"Of course, Gavin, you're welcome over any day, any time. Good news, I don't cook French. So we'll have a nice roast and the fixings, hmm? And I always have plenty of ale stocked, pet." She said roast and he could feel his mouth starting to water. Good old fashioned Irish, gravy, stew vegetables...it was more than a lot appealing. Of course she had ale, he should have known that she wasn't going to disappoint. "You know what, I should be getting your autograph for my nephew. He'll never forgive me if I tell him I ran into you and didn't get an autograph for him." It shouldn't have been weird – he supposed that he thought it felt strange that she didn't see him often enough for him to have already sent stuff to her nephew, and at this sort of event...which meant that he really had been away for too long. "86 Firesprat Lane, It's in Alzubra Alley, the only flat above the little ice cream shop just around the corner from Olivanders. You can Apparate or take the Floo. Call it an hour or so? That makes it around 5 o'clock when you arrive, and you can stay as long as you'd like." Oh. Well he felt like a heel. Grinning, he scribbled his name onto the paper with the pen he almost always had on his person – and made the mental note to bring her something for her nephew because there was no way that signature was legible. "That's just so lovely, thank you so much. He'll love it." Jumper. At the very least. Something he could at least put his name on. Something that wasn't going to be sweat stained but he nodded anyway, letting her know that he heard what she said. "I'm so glad I ran into you. Can't wait to catch up and chat on our own terms, sans tail and media," He really had missed her voice in his ear. "Now go shower and then come keep me company. I've got some dinner to prepare in the meantime." He grinned even wider. "See you around soon, then? And Adam, it was a pleasure,"

Gavin took his time – watching her leave, signing those things thrust at him now that there was no longer a person in his direct vicinity and Adam started to herd him toward his tent where the shower was, signing things along the way, jumping and shouting at those singing his team's song and knowing that he would be missed at the bar in a few hours. Though – he didn't think that anybody was going to blame him for missing out on bar beer and bar fights for the company of a woman. They didn't need to know it wasn't his soon to be wife...or who it was. Either way he was looking forward to it. Ducking inside of his tent whenever he was there and he was stripped long before he actually reached the shower – the water still cold and refreshing whenever he got inside. The scented water moving over him and soothing the sore muscles from the game, grime and flecks of grass and green paint washing from his skin. He knew Adam would be changing at well – no matter how he explained it, he doubted that he was going to be able to shake him. Apart from holidays – Adam hadn't even ever asked for a personal day. Though – he sort of thought that the man might just want some roast too.

Pulling clothing onto his person he slapped Adam on the back far harder than he should, watching carefully – unspoken question between the two of them and a very subtle shake of Adam's head to signal that no – he wouldn't be going alone and Gavin didn't push the issue. Though – he almost felt like he should explain what Sura meant to him but he didn't even think that he could have put it into words, much less in the short trip it would have been to get to Sura's place. There was a fireplace in the manager's office that he could get to. Rather than trying to fly on a night like this. Adjusting his watch on his wrist he and Adam pushed through the people rather slowly to get back to the office – and in the distance and somehow, above all of the rest of the yelling he could see/hear the rest of his team shouting on their way out of the arena, singing just as loud as anybody else – very much involved with their fans. Whatever. He had roast waiting. Stepping into the fireplace and dropping the greenish powder he stated firmly her address – landing in Sura's apartment – only to be shoved out of the way by an Adam following a few seconds later.

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 1231
outfit:This Now
tags: Sura
Notes: I really am the worst.
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

Sura couldn't help but pause to glance behind her to look back at her friend.  He was now busied with signing the various items that were being thrust towards him with a breathless bit of banter.  One of the female fans may have been crying, although it was hard to tell from here.  Although she would heartily protest that it was hardly a logical or appropriate reaction -- Gavin was just a regular young Wizard, albeit extremely handsome and an incredible Quidditch player -- perhaps she was biased.  She knew him so well at this point, that the only reason she could see herself crying when she met him was if something horrible or wonderful had happened.  The life of a celebrity, she supposed.

As Gavin was ushered away by Adam from the crowd of adoring fans, Sura continued on her way.  She did have an entire meal to prepare, after all.  Without breaking her stride, she exhaled lightly and Apparated home.  As she popped into her living room, she threw her robe over the coat rack.  She wondered briefly what it would like to have such a level of fame.  Certainly in her position with the Ministry, there was come media coverage, the occasional newspaper article or interview, but you would never see her face in the tabloids or hear her name on the overexcited breath of a young witch or wizard.  She snorted, realizing that now that she'd been seen talking to and hugging Gavin, she probably would see her face in a tabloid after all.  It wasn't a dream that she'd particularly wanted realized for herself, but if it meant having her friend back in her life, she was willing to accept the consequence.

A flick of her wand sent music wafting through the air from the radio, a favourite station of hers that played only instrumental versions of songs, popular or otherwise.  It was more background noise than anything, just to help pass the time.  Sura reached down to give Tonka a soft rub between the ears as she made her way to her bedroom to take a quick shower and change her clothes.  The last thing she needed or wanted was to smell or look like work this evening.

Fifteen minutes later, she emerged, feeling markedly better than she had when her shift had ended.  She still had a solid forty minutes before Gavin arrived, which was plenty of time for her to make their meal.  Padding into the kitchen barefoot, she hummed along to the song on the radio.  A flick of her wand sent several utensils, cutting boards, and ingredients whizzing through the air around her, beginning the preparation for their meal.  Sura bent down to thumb through several of her larger bottles of ale, pulling a bottle of Guinness to cook with, and an English Porter for consumption throughout the evening.  The latter was placed in the refrigerator to chill, and then Sura rummaged through a drawer for a cork screw to get into the Guinness.  Already the air was heavy perfumed with various spices and simmering vegetables.  She watched with a bemused smile on her face as the roast was carefully lowered into the pan, followed by more vegetables.  Having gotten the bottle uncorked, she poured a generous amount of Guinness into the pan and over the meat, opting to save some for the gravy.  Taking a single swig for herself, she put it down onto the counter and got to setting the table.  Had to pay some respect to her Irish heritage, hadn't she?

It was about ten minutes before Gavin was supposed to arrive that Sura pulled the bottle of Porter from the cooler to pour herself a glass.  She sipped it thoughtfully as she bent down to scoop Tonka up, planting a kiss on the top of the little dog's head.  Sura cocked her head to the side as she examined her apartment.  It was certainly clean as a whistle.  Not the fanciest home in the world, but it was certainly to her tastes, exactly what she wanted it to be, and all around spoke to her personality.  She wondered what Gavin would think of it.

And as if on cue, Gavin and Adam (not particularly a surprise) stumbled into her living room with a crack-whoosh!  She stood frozen, her eyes slightly widened as a very amused smile came onto her face.  Adam had nearly shoved his way in front of Gavin, as if he expected Sura to be waiting with a burlap sack to kidnap his charge and take him away somewhere.  Tonka snuffled in her arms, staring at the pair with a curiosity she was sure was absolutely burning.  "Evening, boys," she breathed with a grin, cocking her head as she took a sip of her ale.  "Might I take your coats?  Offer you a refreshment?  Offer a promise that I do not intend to stun and kidnap Gavin and take him to a remote shack in Scandinavia so I can keep him all to myself?"  She raised an eyebrow playfully, her lips turning up into an amused smirk.  This was certainly going to be an interesting evening.

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: american kids - kenny chesney
the apartment: Living room Kitchen Kitchen counter Bathroom Bedroom
wearing: This

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/i] get the sweat off of him. He knew, logically, that it was alright, he smelled normal and his clothing was clean. Was just about all he could think about as he pulled the scarf from his neck, righting himself from the ungraceful stoop he had been shoved into. The jacket was near pointless, given that he hadn't even had to go outside yet, but on the off chance that he was going to have to. Though, he didn't need it here, and everything smelled wonderful. He couldn't remember the last time he had had something cooked for him. It was mostly pub food, fast salads during down time in practice, back at school...that had to be the last time. Merlin knew that his mother didn't ever cook for him, she wasn't the type. He didn't even know if Lucinda was the type to cook, he'd never been home long enough to figure it out. Sura though, with that Irish blood...he was just trusting in her talents.

He reached backward, smacking Adam in the chest to both keep him upright and admonish him for shoving him in the first place. Also, a warning to stay back just a little. It was a strange relationship, the two of them. He had been recommended for Gavin by a family friend, and while they did have a very good working relationship, Gavin liked him, he had a sick sense of morbid humor one didn't find very often. Adam rolled his eyes, but said nothing and waited for Gavin to get four steps into the apartment before stepping forward again. Gavin didn't hurry toward the kitchen, he moved slowly into the space, taking in the surroundings, his fingers trailing along the back of her couch as he looked over the various decorations she had chosen. He had been in her dorm before, but there was only so much personalization that one could do in a dorm shared by at least five other people. Everything about this place felt comfortable, just like Sura was to him. "Evening, boys," Gavin's head snapped in her direction, smiling as soon as he saw her. “How did I know that you were going to have an annoyingly tiny dog?” His words were absent any malice, not that he wanted to volunteer to pet the thing. He didn't have any objection to animals, they just never seemed to like him much. For whatever reason, people seemed to like him well enough. Most of them anyway. "Might I take your coats? Offer you a refreshment? Offer a promise that I do not intend to stun and kidnap Gavin and take him to a remote shack in Scandinavia so I can keep him all to myself?" “oh, but I like Scandinavia.” he turned to see Adam as he spoke, unzipping his jacket and removing it from his person to drape over that tiny little thing in her arms for no real reason, it was nice watching Adam get all angsty. He didn't much like being teased, and nearly everybody who came to visit Gavin, ended up teasing him. “Oh come on, surely there are worse threats than being kidnapped by a woman who looks like that and cooks for me?” he poked just a little further, pleased whenever Adam's shoulders slumped and he widened his stance.

“That's just about as good as it's going to get,” He turned back to Sura as he was speaking. Lifting both his jacket and the tiny thing from her hands and put them both on the couch, his arms wrapping around her person once more, placing a kiss to her forehead. It was just, indescribably nice to be around somebody that he liked again, somebody he didn't have to playact for in any way. Somebody who knew a truth about his life. His hands shifted to her shoulders, bracing her as he stooped to take a drink out of the glass in her hand without bothering to ask before nodding, “Yeah, that...I'll have more of that” a little more suggestive than he had meant for it to be, but it had been a long while. “Kitchen's this way? I'm starved.” He moved forward, sidestepping her and pulling the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows. “Maybe something for the watch dog. If you like.”

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 862
outfit:This Now
tags: Sura
Notes:Hope this is long enough, wasn't certain on the layout of the apartment
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

It really was quite a comical scene, the two of them stumbling into her apartment.  Adam looked positively prepared to straight up murder anyone that jumped out of the shadows, despite the fact that Gavin was actively trying to soothe the other man enough that he could actually make his way into her home.  The smile that appeared on Gavin's face warmed her from the inside out, sending her heart into a happy little hum.  How on earth had they gone so long without seeing one another on a regular basis.  There was something about Gavin that she couldn't put her finger on, but he was almost certainly one of her favourite people to spend time with.

“How did I know that you were going to have an annoyingly tiny dog?”  It was Sura's turn to grin, laughter spilling from her lips as she gave Tonka a little wiggle in her arms.  "Oh come now, how could you not love this little face?"  As if on cue, the little dog gave a little chirp in agreement, eyes still fixed on Gavin and Adam.  She couldn't say she blamed the pup.  It was a rather curious sight, Adam and Gavin.  One was so strung up that she thought he might burst at the seams, and the other was so instantly settled and calm that it nearly seeped from his pores.  "See?  Tonka loves you already," she said with a wink as the dog cocked its head.

Sura snorted as Gavin made an equally smart-arsed remark in reply to her own, "Oh, but I like Scandinavia.”  She raised her eyebrows, gesturing to Gavin with her glass.  "See, now, it's not necessarily a kidnapping, especially if he agrees to go.  Willingly, that's the key word here."  She took another swig of ale from the glass, a cheerful smile planted on her lips.  This was something that she missed, the easy, sarcastic, witty banter that she and Gavin shared.  They had the same sense of humour, and had gotten to know each other well enough that there was an unspoken understanding of each other, when to be serious and when to be silly.

She accepted Gavin's coat, Tonka giving a little wiggle to poke a tiny wet nose out from underneath it to survey the scene.  “Oh come on, surely there are worse threats than being kidnapped by a woman who looks like that and cooks for me?”  Sura glanced over at Adam, shrugging her shoulders.  "I mean, he's got a point," she teased.  "You should see me when I get to cleaning.  And don't get me started on drinking."  Sura bit her lip, choking down the temptation to continue.  She shouldn't be teasing the poor man, he was just doing his job after all.  Obviously it was going to take some time to earn his trust, but she was going to have to do just that if she wanted to see Gavin more often.

Allowing Gavin to lift the jacket and dog from her arms, she smiled warmly as she looked up into his face.  His arms slid around her and pulled her in close as her arms did the same.  Sura's eyes closed as Gavin's lips pressed against her forehead, the corners of her lips still turned up.  She inhaled, the smell of soap and cologne that was so wholly Gavin practically intoxicating her at first exposure.  As they pulled away, Gavin lowered his head to sip from her glass, which she tipped towards his mouth obligingly.  “Yeah, that...I'll have more of that,” he said, practically a step away from purring.  Sura grinned, wiggling her eyebrows playfully at him.  It was nice to really be themselves, away from the public eye.  "Of course, pet.  I'm fully stocked."  She took another sip herself, watching as Gavin stepped aside to survey the room.  “Kitchen's this way? I'm starved.  Maybe something for the watch dog.  If you like.”  "Just through that arch there, Gavin.  Glasses are above the sink, ale is in the icebox.  Roast should just about be done."  She turned to Adam, a warm smile on your lips.  "Can I interest you in anything, Adam?  I've got ale, wine, water, juice, anything you'd like.  My home is yours tonight, so please make yourself comfortable."

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: unsteady - x ambassadors
the apartment: Living room, Kitchen, Kitchen counter, Bathroom, Bedroom, Main layout (with main furniture)
wearing: This

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[/i] then they would be appeased, then they wouldn't bother him so damn much. They just thought that it was weird that he hung around all of the time and didn't take advantage of the free booze or any other number of substances offered to him on a daily basis. It was a good thing that he was so discrete. Had been so very highly recommended by a family friend. Truthfully, it had ended up being a wonderful deal.

"I mean, he's got a point,You should see me when I get to cleaning. And don't get me started on drinking." Gavin paused on his route to the kitchen, turning to walk backward as he grinned at the both of them “Oh, there's more to this domestic bliss act? Sura, we should play house more often.” It was nice to pretend that he wasn't a part of the life that he was actually a part of, Sura had always been a wonderful, easy break from all of it. Just far enough removed from his hum drum, and yet still a part of his world. "Of course, pet. I'm fully stocked." Oh, Pet was it? He was her pet now? He grinned as he turned back around, it did look like the little yip yap was well taken care of. No responsibilities, he could imagine how nice that must have been. There it was, tugging at the back of his brain, the idea that he should just run away from it all, and avoid. Hole up in this apartment until Sura kicked him out, she had yet to get sick of him yet. Or to vent, food was clearly needed. Distraction. He knew if he had been here for a little while longer, that everything would be better.

"Just through that arch there, Gavin. Glasses are above the sink, ale is in the icebox. Roast should just about be done." Well. He didn't know anything about roast, or what to do with it besides eat it, the rest of it, the was his business now. Drinking, he was still getting used to it. Though he pulled the icebox open and reached for a glass at the same time, propping the door open with his foot and took the bottle he assumed at the ale and let the door fall shut behind him. "Can I interest you in anything, Adam? I've got ale, wine, water, juice, anything you'd like. My home is yours tonight, so please make yourself comfortable." "I don't think he's ever comfortable,” he called, pouring himself a glass, and lifting it over his head so Adam could see it, waiting to see if he wanted anything, but as per usual, he said nothing. Did nothing. Stood there so stoic. Which he always found amusing because he was smaller than he was, but that meant nothing in terms of lethalness. He had learned that the hard way. Putting the ale back in the ice box he moved back into the living room, draping his arm around Sura's shoulders, clinking his glass against hers. “He rarely talks, even at home. But – and he doesn't know this yet – but he talks in his sleep. Quotes Hamlet, of all things...just over and over.” he winked at Adam, and then gestured in the direction of her stairs “Those look like a nightmare. What happens if you're hung over, or sleepy, have you ever fallen?” he doubted it, things like that just didn't happen to her. “Other than the death stairs, though, this place is lovely”
[/blockquote][/div][/font][/ul][/font]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 691
outfit:This Now
tags: Sura
Notes: sorry its short
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

She grinned as Gavin sent a teasing jibe her way.  “Oh, there's more to this domestic bliss act? Sura, we should play house more often.”  Shaking her head, she shrugged her shoulders.  "Oh, of course.  I cook, I clean, I keep cups full, and have you seen these hips.  I'd be a wonderful little wife, you can guarantee that."  She giggled and wrinkled her nose, giving her hips a little wiggle as she took another sip of ale.  "Gavin, pet, you know you're welcome here any time you'd like to play house."  Sura brought her glass to her lips again as she gave Gavin a little shrug.  She imagined that at this point, Adam must have become privy to the knowledge something had gone on between Gavin and herself.  Their relationship had become unexpectedly complicated after a pesky vision about his fiancee-to-be, but it had turned out to be for the best - they ended up becoming closer than they'd ever expected to.  Gavin knew things about her that very few other people did.

Sura surveyed Adam quietly, cocking her head to one side as Gavin rummaged through the kitchen for a glass and the ale.  He was unassuming, but clearly he knew what he was doing physically and magically - he wouldn't be assigned to protect Gavin if he weren't.  It was almost enough to make her shudder, thinking about what he was capable of.  She wondered quietly if he'd had to do anything to protect Gavin past shuffling him through crowds of adoring fans, or the occasionally obsessive female.  It certainly wouldn't be something you'd see in the news.  Perhaps she would have to ask Gavin, if they got any time alone.  She wanted to hear about his life.  How things had changed since they left school.

"I don't think he's ever comfortable,” came Gavin's voice, snapping her out of her stupor.  She smiled, head still cocked as she looked at the man before her.  Gavin was probably right, he couldn't ever be really all that comfortable, not when he always had to be on his guard.  The idea alone was enough to make her a little uncomfortable.  Sura turned her head to meet Gavin's gaze as his arm settled around her shoulders, tucking her into his side.  She gave him a smile before turning back to look at Adam, her head resting on Gavin's shoulder as her free arm settled on his hip.  “He rarely talks, even at home. But – and he doesn't know this yet – but he talks in his sleep. Quotes Hamlet, of all things...just over and over.”  Sura cocked an eyebrow, touching her glass to Gavin's.  "Hamlet," she repeated, nodding her head.  "At least he's got some cultured taste, then."  Sura gave Adam another smile and a wink.  "Well, comfortable or not, if he's here, he's eating.  Because that is a big roast, and as much as I know you can eat, Gavin, I am but a little girl."  Her accent dripped off her lips as she took another sip of ale, smile still on her lips.

Sura grinned as Gavin gestured towards the stairs to her bedroom.  “Those look like a nightmare. What happens if you're hung over, or sleepy, have you ever fallen?”  She gave him a small jab in the ribs, as if to chastise him.  "Gavin, don't jinx it!  I haven't fallen yet, and I've been in all those states up those stairs!"  She chuckled to herself, shaking her head.  "Nah, I've charmed them.  You fall on them, it catches you and places you ever so gently right back on the step.  Haven't had to test that feature yet, so I can't be sure it's worked, but I mean that's what's supposed to happen."

“Other than the death stairs, though, this place is lovely.”  Sura gave him a wide smile, watching Tonka skitter across the floor after a ball.  "Thank you, Gavin.  I'm quite happy here.  The balcony is lovely when it's warm out.  The whole place is just enough space for me."  She heard a bell go off into the kitchen, and looked over her shoulder.  "That'll be the roast, then," she said, giving Gavin's side a squeeze before turning to walk to the kitchen.  "Why don't you go upstairs and finish the tour yourself, and when you come down, dinner should be ready to go."

Sura drained her glass and walked towards the kitchen, flicking her wand as she passed the oven.  The roast pan drifted out of the compartment and onto a rack on the counter as she pulled the bottle of ale from the icebox.  Another flick of her wand sent the roast potatoes and the vegetables to be placed on separate plates, drifting towards the counter to their serving dishes.  Sura placed the bottle of ale on the table they would be eating on, three places set in case Adam decided to join them.  She wouldn't be surprised if he didn't, but she wouldn't mind if he did, either.  As she made her way back to the living room, Gavin was making his way back down the stairs.  "Dinner is ready if you are, Gav," she said with a wide smile.

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - .- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

for: gavin
music: unsteady - x ambassadors
notes: sorry it took me so long!  another semester of school is OVER!  i love you!
the apartment: Living room, Kitchen, Kitchen counter, Bathroom, Bedroom, Main layout (with main furniture)
wearing: This

[Gavin Dewhurst]

on the warmest night
(YOU'RE THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT)
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[/i] Well she did make it sound so very nice, but if that was all that he had as a requirement, he did have a fiance at home with his ring on her finger that could, in theory, make him very happy. She was a perfectly lovely creature, his fiance, but, as Sura knew better than just about anybody else in his life, she just wasn't what he wanted. "Gavin, pet, you know you're welcome here any time you'd like to play house." She kept talking to him like that and she just might take her up on that offer. Talking the way she did. The fact that he had never had to force his attraction to her did help things as well. Physically speaking, things were starting to get uncomfortable at home. What very little time that he did spend there. This was a more needed mental break than he had expected. Yes, he probably should have told Lucinda that he was coming here in the first place, but he hadn't...he would just have to deal with that a little later.

"Hamlet," “Mm, Hamlet” he echoed for a third time as their glasses clinked together – indulging in a long drink as they both stared at Adam, who unsurprisingly was staring right back. He was, slightly surprised that the man hadn't done a full sweep of the entire apartment the moment that they had arrived. "At least he's got some cultured taste, then." Still nothing. A girl like Sura was winking at him and Adam didn't budge. There was something wrong with him, clearly. Maybe he swung the other way on that particular issue. He should ask him that, at some point. Maybe, he was just that good at his job, which if that was the case, maybe Gavin needed to give him another raise. Wouldn't be too much of an issue. He made a mental note to file that away again for later. "Well, comfortable or not, if he's here, he's eating. Because that is a big roast, and as much as I know you can eat, Gavin, I am but a little girl." Gavin's smile broke over his whole face, if he turned down that sort of home cooking, then he might need to get his head checked. “You hungry Adam?” He shuffled in the man's basic direction, smiling even more broadly as Adam finally rolled his eyes at his taunting. Irrationally amused at such a simple action. "Gavin, don't jinx it! I haven't fallen yet, and I've been in all those states up those stairs!" All states? He was tempted to ask her just exactly what sorts of states she was in, but that was opening up a whole other line of questioning he likely shouldn't be asking. "Nah, I've charmed them. You fall on them, it catches you and places you ever so gently right back on the step. Haven't had to test that feature yet, so I can't be sure it's worked, but I mean that's what's supposed to happen." What? Oh this was a sham, “Cheating, what you mean to say, is that,” he paused to take a drink “You're a cheater, who doesn't trust her own feet”

"That'll be the roast, then," As if on cue, both his and Adam's stomach grumbled at the same time. Loudly, and Gavin's arm shot out in front of him, beaming with a finger pointed in the direction of his body guard, watching mirthfully as Adam diverted his gaze up to the loft, trying to distract himself, clearly. Though the why of it all seemed rather silly. "Why don't you go upstairs and finish the tour yourself, and when you come down, dinner should be ready to go." “Trusting me alone in your bedroom? Why Sura, I'm a promised man,” he spoke over his shoulder, but he was moving anyway – and Adam of course was right on his heels as he took up the stairs two at a time, his large feet only having a modest issue with the smaller space – head ducking as he moved to the loft area. Really, it was rather nice. She had a good eye, for finding this place and really making it her own. Now that he had seen it, he couldn't imagine her living any other way. He yanked open a drawer for absolutely no reason – socks, of course it was socks, just to make her think of him later whenever he was forced to close it, and for good measure, whenever he was coming back down the stairs, he slipped on purpose...and was redirected with both a stern expression from his body guard and the charm that Sura had in place – she was always an intelligent one after all. Constantly impressing him. Regardless of circumstance.

"Dinner is ready if you are, Gav," Always, he was always ready for food. Moving toward the plates she had set out for them he pointed to an open space for Adam – who he was sure was going to wait until they were both halfway finished to join them – pretending like he wasn't actually hungry. Rubbish. Taking a seat he wasted next to no time – he was always ravenous after a game. Even more so one that they won, and they always won. So....With his mouth still full, Gavin pointed with his fork at the roast and groaned obnoxiously. Fully worth the fat content. Speaking of, he needed to get more to drink. Spinning out of his seat for more ale he spoke over his shoulder, “So, that's not really the line of work I had pictured you going into Sura, what happened?”

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is it my fault, is it my fault
(WE'VE BEEN MISSING EACH OTHER)

[/b][/font] 973
outfit:This Now
tags: Sura
Notes:Hope this is long enough, wasn't certain on the layout of the apartment
credit: gabs of a different color; @ caution 2.0[/ul][/font][/font][/div]

[Sura Haughton]

Come just as you are to me, don't need apologies.
i'll take your bad days with your good.

She watched Adam intently, her lips pursed, the corners turned up in a little smile.  He was so focused.  She couldn't blame him -- it was his job, after all, to make sure that his pretty little ward made it from A to B and back again in one collective piece.  Even though Gavin so clearly trusted her not to murder him, Adam did not.  But it was his job, the same way it was hers to wipe the memory of anyone who might harbour even a shred of memory of the magical world that shouldn't.  She wondered if Adam would settle down tonight at all.  Sura was inclined to say no, but it sure was nice to dream.

“You hungry Adam?”  Sura grinned, taking another sip from her cup.  "He had better be.  I make a damn good roast, if you'll pardon me boasting about myself."  She reached over and patted Gavin's stomach.  "That and we can't have you getting pudgy, now can we?  You'll never be as aerodynamic if you eat the whole thing."  Sura laughed, wiggling her eyebrows at Gavin.  She had missed being able to tease someone so freely.  There was no doubt that he would send something right back for her, but that wasn't ever a bad thing.  It was part of their friendship, part of the thing that made them exactly who they were.  And while "who they were" was a concept that had been fluid over the years, they were never anything that she didn't like.  And now that she had him back in her life, she had no intention of letting them drift again.

“Cheating, what you mean to say, is that, you're a cheater, who doesn't trust her own feet.”  Sura snorted, wagging a finger at Adam.  "I," she said, matter-of-factly, "Am simply a young Irish woman that likes two things: alcohol, and keeping her face intact as it is."  She grinned, flicking him in the chest.  "This glory before you is Merlin-given, and I know that they're good at St. Everdines, but they are not this good."  She laughed at her own excessive vanity.  It was a hyperbole, her description, but she did like her nose very much, and she doubted they could set it back exactly as it sat on her face now.

Sura glanced over her shoulder as the two men ascended up into her loft.  “Trusting me alone in your bedroom? Why Sura, I'm a promised man.”  Sura grinned and shook her head as she organized the chaos in her kitchen.  "Well, Gavin, you caught me.  But if you ask me to, I shant tarnish your pure virtue. "  She snorted as she peeked around the corner and up into the loft.  "Knickers are in the top left drawer, so behave yourself."  The comment was followed by a whooping laugh, her nose wrinkled up as she laughed straight from her belly.  On one hand, he was right, no matter how much the two of them joked about it.  He was a promised man.  She had a terrible feeling he wasn't a happily promised man, but he was promised nonetheless.  And to top it off, he was a high profile young man.  It was doubtful that Adam would ever say anything -- he was likely Gavin's man, through and through -- but there was a reason they spoke in hushed tones at the stadium.  That being said, she didn't know any other way to be with Gavin.  That was the way that they were, the way they always had been.  It might be selfish, but she didn't want it to change.

When her dinner plate was set, she placed her elbows on the table and folded her hands, resting her chin on them.  A smile was set on her lips as Gavin stacked his plate with food.  There was no doubt in her mind that he would be back for at least seconds.  She grinned as he groaned at her roast, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear before tucking into her own plate.  “So, that's not really the line of work I had pictured you going into Sura, what happened?”  Sura chewed thoughtfully on a piece of roast, her fork tracing designs in the air as she pondered.  "Honestly, I came upon it by accident.  After school, I was doing some charm work for some local businesses, a guy from the Ministry started chatting me up about it, and before I knew it I had an interview."  She shrugged, taking a swig of her ale.  "Turns out the focus of the job helps keep my head in check," she said nonchalantly, giving him a small shrug.  There was no way he didn't remember that.  "How's the megastar engaged life?"

All your insecurities, all the dirty laundry?
never made me blink one time.

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for: gavin
music: hold on to jane -- the thornbirds
notes: i am a bucket of suck.  i'm sorry and i love you and i'm done my masters so i have lots of time meow. <3