Title: Gossip (5/13)

Author: Leigh Adams

Pairing:: Blaise Zabini/Daphne Greengrass

Prompt: never forgive, never forget

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 808

Summary: People were starting to talk. Who on earth could have tamed the infamous Mr. Zabini?

Author's Notes: Well, after nearly a year of lingering, I figured it was time to pick this table up again. Thanks for your patience! This is set in an AU where the Dark Lord won at the Battle of Hogwarts, in a world where things turned out quite differently.

"We have to end this."

"You said that last week," Blaise pointed out, one arm flung across the bed as he lay on his back. His dark gaze was full of mirth as he looked over at her, lips curling in a small, feral smirk. "Obviously I didn't listen."

Daphne crinkled her nose at his look and pushed herself into a sitting position. The thin sheet draped over her body fell to her waist, exposing her upper body to her lover's hungry gaze. "But you should," she said as she propped herself up against the headboard. "It's only a matter of time before we're found out. Too many people know-"

"Two people know," he corrected her. Blaise rolled over onto his stomach and slid across the bed to her. Pressing his lips to her hip, he rolled his eyes up to meet hers. "I wouldn't say there's much danger in that."

"Pansy, Draco, Astoria," she ticked off. "That's three, not two. And your reputation is hardly helping things."

"My reputation?" he queried, his tone amused. "And how, pray tell, is my reputation harming our arrangement?"

She gave him a hard look, failing to see the humor. "You're a rake with the morals of an alley cat, yet you've not taken another woman to bed in months," she replied. "It's all the gossip. Everyone's dying to know what woman could possibly tame the elusive Mr. Zabini."

"Did you take credit where credit is due?"

A soft 'smack' and the sound of laughter reverberated through the room as Daphne smacked his arm, eliciting amusement for her efforts. "Of course not," she sniffed. "I'm sure that would have gone over well, though. 'Oh yes, ladies, he's my dirty little secret. Don't tell my husband?' Because I'm sure that wouldn't have gotten the both of us killed."

"What are you trying to say, Daphne?" he asked, mien turning serious for a moment. Taking her hand, he pressed his lips to her palm and murmured, "Do you want me to take another lover?"

The idea of Blaise with another woman; kissing her, touching her, loving her as he did Daphne made her blood boil, and she was practically itching to hex whatever slag threw herself at her lover next. But they were already perilously close to the fire as it was, and certain… sacrifices were necessary.

"I don't want you to," she murmured, turning her face away from his deep gaze. She couldn't look into his eyes and do this; Merlin only knew, her resolve was tenuous at best where Blaise was concerned. "But…"

She trailed off, lost in her own thoughts, and a long moment passed before she spoke again.

"It might be best." Her voice was a whisper, and she squeezed her eyes shut to keep the threat of tears at bay. "Maybe people won't talk as much, and we'll be safer."

"We'll never be safe, love," he reminded her gently.

"I know."

With a sigh, he reached out and cupped her cheek, drawing her gaze back to meet his. His thumb brushed over her skin, wiping away the tears that were slowly starting to fall. "I am not a brave or noble man, Daphne," he said softly. "I'm a coward." She opened her mouth to protest, but was silenced when he placed one finger over her soft lips. "It's no secret. I've skirted taking the Mark for months, and I'm not a powerful-enough sort for the Dark Lord to bother coercing into service."

His lips found her stomach and began to trail kisses up her body, pausing when he reached her breasts to murmur, "But when I see you on his arm, I want to call him out and challenge him for the right to have you. I get tunnel vision around you, Daphne. I have since we were kids."

Daphne gave a soft, unladylike snort and ran her fingers over his head. "You'd be killed before you could draw your wand."

"And I'd never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me," he said, resting his chin on her stomach. "If this is the only way to keep you safe, then I'll do it."

"It's not the only way," she admitted, "but it's the easiest. Just promise me one thing?"

"Name it."

"You won't dally about with Joselyn Avery and forget me?"

Blaise couldn't help but laugh, and he shifted, drawing her into his side as they lay back down on the bed. "She might bite my head off after copulation. I'll make sure and steer clear."

"Good," she sniffed. "I loathe that slag."

"Enough about slags." Moving on top of her, his lips found hers as his hands parted her thighs. "I can think of more… pleasurable topics."

Daphne sighed when he slid into her, filling her with his length once more. "I like that idea."