adventdrabbles | DEC 10: Things are whole again. (Neville/Charlie)

Title: Things are made whole again.
Fandom: Harry Potter.
Pairing: Neville/Charlie
Rating: PG-13
WC: 900

After convincing Hermione and Ginny that the so-called fight between Charlie and Neville had been nothing but a misunderstanding, Charlie finally learned where Neville was hiding. He had refused to explain the details, which made them suspicious, but they relented at last. Charlie was grateful. He did not have the patience to sit around when Neville was out there hurting.

The Victorian Inn was decorated to the T. Holiday tinsel shimmered from every bannister, warm fairy lights glowed in soft clusters, and faint carols drifted through the halls. Charlie rented a room immediately. He did not know which room Neville was in, and the staff certainly would not reveal it, so he made a plan: sit in the lobby during evening drinks and wait.

It worked. Three long hours later, Neville appeared at the bottom of the stairs, heading toward the snacks table with a glass already in hand. The innkeepers encouraged everyone to mingle, and Charlie prayed Neville had followed at least that rule.

Slowly, Charlie approached him and lifted the bottle.

"Top-up?" he asked.

Neville hesitated, then nodded. "Half, please."

Charlie poured. Neville did not step back.

"What are you doing here?" Neville asked.

"I have been looking for you."

"How did you find me?"

"That is not important," Charlie said quietly. "I need you to understand something."

"It is all right." Neville's voice wavered. "I overreacted. I know you have had a past. I did not think you still kept in touch with..."

"I do not keep in touch with anyone," Charlie cut in, low and sharp. "Just come with me."

"Where?"

"To my room."

"You have a room here?"

Charlie smiled. "Of course. How else would I have found you?"

Neville stared at him for a long moment, then gave a slight nod. Something in Charlie's face must have convinced him to listen.

Inside the room, Charlie handed him the note. Neville unfolded it. "'For us, when we are ready.'" He looked up. "What is this?"

"That was under the toys," Charlie said. "The box you found. It's for you, from me. We don't have to do any of that, but I thought maybe you would like to try. Only if you were comfortable."

"Is that what you are into?" Neville asked.

Charlie shrugged. "I do not know. I have thought about it. My past relationships were not..."

"Long?" Neville supplied.

"We all have a past," Charlie said. "I do not ask you questions about Nott and why he still sends you a birthday card every year." His ears burned. He knew he was blushing.

"You are jealous of Theo?"

Charlie groaned. "This is not about him. This is about you and me. The gift is for us. For someday. If we ever want to explore. My point is that you misunderstood and ran away."

Charlie had spent all day trying to stay calm, but the mix of fear and frustration finally broke loose. He realised something unpleasant. It was not only that he wanted Neville back. He was also angry, furious that Neville had not trusted him.

Neville swallowed and put the note down.

Charlie waited.

And the silence between them felt like it might decide everything.

Neville's face softened. His breath shook. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Charlie's shoulders.

"I am sorry," Neville whispered into his neck. "I am so, so sorry. I should have talked to you. I should have trusted you."

Charlie froze for a second, the anger still bright behind his ribs. But Neville held on, trembling, and Charlie felt the truth of it.

Slowly, he let out a breath and rested a hand on Neville's back.

When they stepped apart, Neville still had his hands on Charlie's arms. He looked a bit unsure, like he was not sure what the rules were now, but he did not move away. Charlie watched him for a moment, taking in the familiar face that had been avoiding him for a whole day.

Charlie lifted a hand and tipped Neville's chin up. It was a small gesture, nothing dramatic, but Neville's breath hitched as he felt it.

Charlie leaned down and kissed him.

It was a simple kiss. Neville kissed him back right away, almost too fast, like he had been waiting for it without knowing. His fingers curled around the fabric of Charlie's shirt, steadying himself.

Charlie let out a quiet hum against his mouth, not meaning to, and kissed him again. This one was slower. Neville relaxed into it, his shoulders dropping. No big emotion, no magic moment, just two people who had been stressed and stubborn and finally paused long enough to touch each other.

Neville pulled back a little, only enough to breathe. He looked at Charlie's mouth, then at his eyes, then away again.

"I did not handle things well," he said. It was plain and honest.

Charlie shrugged. "Neither did I."

Neville let out a small laugh under his breath, tired but real. "You came all the way here."

"You ran all the way here," Charlie said.

Neville huffed, almost a smile. He looked up at Charlie again, and this time there was something steady in his expression.

"Can we try again?" Neville asked.

Charlie nodded. "Of course, you think I am just going to break up with you because you freaked out?"

He leaned in and kissed him once more. Neville met him halfway, less tense now, more sure. This time, Neville smiled against his mouth.