Work Text:
The Way That I Long to Touch You
Blaise sat at his desk, trying his damnedest to ignore the constant pings and vibrations sounding off in the drawer to his right.
He was incredibly skeptical of the new Muggle technology Theo insisted they adopt as soon as it was introduced to the Wizarding World after the Second War, but he also had to admit that he'd grown quite fond of it.
Owls seemed incredibly archaic in comparison to the ease with which he could communicate with his friends. Which also meant that those same friends were now akin to chittering little insects trying to keep up with every facet of his life.
He absently rubbed at his eyebrow, suddenly feeling another round of kinship with Draco and his disdain for how often Pansy and Theo blew up their group chat. Not that Blaise would ever admit that to the Malfoy heir.
He knew what those notifications would be about.
He didn't even need three guesses to know that it would be Pansy and Theo trying to hound him into some kind of date. Now that the two of them were happily riding off into the sunset with their own Gryffindors, they were determined to find the perfect match for him. Blaise had hoped they'd be as dogged with Draco, but Pansy simply smirked the one time he thought to ask and cryptically replied that their blond friend was next.
Blaise shuddered at the thought. Good luck to whoever decided to actually deal with Draco's obnoxious arse.
He leaned back in his plush leather office chair with a sigh, letting his head fall back until he was mindlessly gazing at the ceiling. He brought his hands up to lace over his stomach, hoping the semi-relaxed position would give him the brief peace of mind he was looking for.
He tried to let his thoughts turn into a blank slate — just a vast sea of nothing for him to float on as all of his neuroses and concerns about his future slipped away from him. He was not the founder of his own publicity firm, with Pansy has his best recruit. He was not the son of a woman responsible for several mysteriously explained deaths, who proceeded to teach him how he could move through the shadows of the wizarding world. And he was most certainly not the icy, mercurial teen of his youth, who used his carefully woven persona to keep to the edges of his house's social hierarchy.
He was simply Blaise, a man of means with the resources to shape his life however he wanted. He was…
Absolutely about to lose his shit if his phone didn't stop buzzing every five fucking seconds with a new notification.
With a growl, he yanked open the desk drawer, rolling his eyes upon seeing how right he was about Pansy and Theo having nothing better to do with their lives.
A group chat called:rich as shit with: Draco, Pansy, Theo 
Today
Received Message from:Theo
okay, so hear me out. 10:15
Received Message from:Draco
Do I have to? 10:20
Received Message from:Theo
yes, because for once, i'm not pestering you. 10:21
my sights have been readjusted to our favorite media mogul, blaise 😈 10:22
Received Message from:Draco
You all have fun with that. 10:22
Red says hi, by the way. 10:22
Reactions: 💚 2
Received Message from:Pansy
several things 10:23
1, i am PERCHED for your plan, theo. whatever it is, yes. 10:24
2, i swear to fucking god, draco, you better not be a fucking sleaze and hit on gin during your interview with her. 10:23
and 3, should we create a separate chat for this? i don't need blaise ruining things. 10:24
Received Message from:Draco
Pansy, my parents may have been bigoted arseholes, but they didn't raise a fucking cad. I'm painfully aware of the fact that Gin's off-limits. 10:24
I know how to behave during this little mutual interview you set up. 10:25
Also, just text Theo directly, if you must. Not getting involved in Zabini's love life 👋 10:25
Received Message from:Pansy
i have my eye on you, malfoy 10:26
10:26
Received Message from:Theo
i'll side-chat you in a moment, pans. 10:27
i just want to let the record show that I was the one who came up with this brilliant plan and i already have the perfect person in mind. 10:27
Received Message from:Pansy
enough of being a little tease. you know potter's the only one who puts up with that from you. 10:28
what's your idea? 10:28
Received Message from:Theo
i think we should set blaise up on a blind date. 10:28
i'll reveal my thoughts to you directly, pans, but i think it'll be fun for him. 10:29
Sent Message: 
10:45 
i don't trust either of u idiots when it comes to setting me up w/ someone. 10:46
besides, who would u all even find to date me? 10:46
malfoy's playing the long game w/ gin and she's the only person i would've considered. again. 10:47
Received Message from: Theo 
10:48
oh, blaise. my sweet, sweet blaise. your uncle theo has it all taken care of. 10:49
Reactions: 🙅🏿♂️
Sent Message: gross @ the thought of u being even REMOTELY related to me. it's bad enough i decided to be friends w/ u 10:50
Received Message from:Pansy
okay, so theo texted me with who he wanted to set you up with and i honestly love this for you. 10:50
i think you two would balance each other if it worked out tbh. 10:51
Sent Message: cool, now i have even LESS confidence in wvr scheme u idiots came up with 10:51
Received Message from:Theo
at least give it a shot!!!! 😤 10:52
if you don't like her, then we'll think of something else. 10:53
or just wait until gin breaks up with that american and then we can bother the shit out of draco 😈 10:53
Sent Message: 😑 i will CONSIDER it, but only bc u both know how much i love to bother the shit out of draco 😏 10:54
Reactions: 😂 2
Sent Message: 
10:54
Reactions: 😏 2
Received Message from:Draco
Fuck all of you 😑 11:00
Reactions: 🤣 3
Type a message 
* * * * * * * * * *
Luna took a deep breath, trying to concentrate on feeling her magic run throughout her body. She wiggled her toes, flexed her palms, and imagined that her body pulsed with each eight-count exhale.
She let the ambient noise around her simply ebb and flow in small waves, always appreciative of the fact that her instructor kept the lighting dim at the end of each yoga session. She ignored the nagging thought in her mind that her practice of yoga seemed a little too on the nose for someone who had been christened "Loony Lovegood" by her peers. And yet again tried to focus on the mental clarity she felt at the end of her session.
Her magic seemed to flow through her more easily after one of her thrice weekly classes, giving her the much needed balance to be more attune to the inherent magicks that floated around her. And, in her humble opinion, it also helped her out on her research expeditions.
If she was feeling stressed, she could practice her breathing. If she needed to change her perspective, a quick sun salutation at the beginning of each morning seemed to clear out all the cobwebs; taking any wrackspurts with them. It also helped her realize that, in the grand scheme of things, she was simply one person out of billions and that, sometimes, even magic couldn't get her out of every situation.
As the music began to fade away, she continued to lay still in her corpse pose, enjoying how her spine seemed to sink into her mat. She secretly loved feeling as though she could slip through her cushioned mat into some unknown, mysterious world. Muggles were unable to sink too deep into the earth's layers lest they get hurt, but Luna always wondered if there were bits of magic that were yet to be discovered the closer one got to the center of the planet.
Another toe wiggle and she let her eyes flutter open, giving them a moment to acclimate to the slivers of light that were beginning to peek through the room's windows.
She sat up and crossed her legs, letting her braid fall off her shoulder as she began to root around in her messenger bag. Her hand brushed over her wand, something she was desperate to tuck back into her hair, but still smiled when she felt a slight buzz surge through her fingertips.
But her brows furrowed when she felt another buzz, then another, followed by a flurry of them as her phone began notifying her of whatever conversation she missed while in her quiet space.
A group chat called:witchin’ & bitchin’ with: Ginny, Hermione, Pansy
Today
Pansy Parkinson added Theodore Nott to the chat.
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
why do i feel like i'm in the wrong place? 12:32
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
this is only temporary, you idiot. 12:33
it's easier to add you here and then remove you when we're done. 12:34
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
do i want to know what it is you two are plotting? 12:34
i mean planning? 😇 12:35
Received Message from:🦁 Hermione 📚
I get the sense that one of us is gonna have to be the adult in this chat and I hate that it's always me 😩 12:35
Received Message from: ✨ Theodore ✨ 
12:36
Reactions: 🤣 2
and i send that with love, granger. because of you, my boyfriend didn't die at age 11 because he's a fucking idiot (lovingly). 12:37
Reactions: 😂 3
it's bad enough that he's even more reckless now that he knows he can abuse my job as a Healer 🙃 12:37
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
every day i'm amazed by the fact that our world decided to let a literal child be our jesus equivalent. 12:38
really puts fudge being MoM for so long into perspective, y'know? 12:39
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
hermione for MoM 2k20 tbh. 12:40
Reactions: 💯 3
could you imagine how much shit she'd get done? 12:40
Received Message from:🦁 Hermione 📚
Shhh… 12:41
It's part of my newest 10 year plan, but I haven't admitted that to Ron yet. 12:42
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
you can't just drop something like that on him lmao 😂 12:42
you know he's gonna go all in on campaigning the minute you tell him. 12:43
12:44
Reactions: 😂 3
like this will literally be him as he tries to coordinate your campaign schedule and learn about your political rivals. the man's unhinged when it comes to strategy. 12:45
Received Message from:🦁 Hermione 📚
Why do you think I started dating him? 12:46
12:46
10 year plan, babes. 10 year plan 😏 12:47
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
hermione's playing 4d chess with the entire wizarding world. 12:47
and we were over here scared of a man who got killed by too much love. 12:48
Reactions: 😂 4
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
ANYWAY. 12:48
i added theo here temporarily for a reason. 12:49
Sent Message: Could you imagine if we could actually play something in the fourth dimension? 13:00
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
PERFECT TIMING 🥰 13:01
hi lulu 💙 how was yoga? 13:01
Sent Message: Very lovely, as always ☺️ Although I'm rather confused as to why Pansy added you to the chat, Theodore. 13:02
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
theo and i were thinking, lu… 13:02
we know that there's someone in our little blended circle that you've been wanting to get to know better and we thought it'd be fun to play matchmaker 👀 13:03
Reactions: 👀 2
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
WHAT 13:04
LUNA PERSEPHONE LOVEGOOD 13:04
I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS 🥺 13:05
Sent Message: We are, Ginny 🥰 13:05
Theodore only found out recently because he had me hang out with him while you were away for a game 😅 13:06
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
she's leaving out the fact that she had too much wine and her face got all red every time i even mentioned his NAME 🤭 13:06
Received Message from: 🦅 Ginny 🧹 
13:07
Reactions: 🤣 3
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
our little ravenclaw has a crush on a certain slytherin friend of ours that may or may not have been your ex, gin. 13:08
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
omggggggg 13:08
i'm so fucking here for this 13:09
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
RIGHT 13:09
Received Message from:🦁 Hermione 📚
As long as you don't torture Blaise, I'm also on board. 13:10
I can see the vibes. 13:10
Sent Message: I hope they're good vibes 😅 13:11
Reactions: 💯 4
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
always, lulu 💙 13:11
Type a message 
Luna fidgeted with the end of her braid, whatever tranquility she had been feeling slowly seeping away at the thought of being set up on a date with Blaise. She quickly left the yoga studio, the strap of her bag clutched tightly in her hands as she tried to find an unobtrusive spot to Apparate in.
After five minutes, she stumbled onto the comfort of her sofa, her wand now tucked into her hair like the safety blanket it was.
She brought her knees up to her chest, wondering if whatever plan Theodore and Pansy were concocting was for the best.
It was true that she liked Blaise and thought him to be very attractive in a variety of ways.
He was handsome in a conventional sense. His face was proportional in a way that reminded Luna of the sculptural masters — sharp lines across his cheeks and jaw, but a softness around his eyes and lips that seemed almost too perfect to be real. That it was impossible for someone to have such opposites on one part of his person.
Practically poreless skin the shade of a deep, rich ochre, but looked as though it had the smoothness of those brilliant marble statues. The joy that radiated from him whenever she was lucky enough to see him smile made the magic in her body crackle and tingle. Like it knew that this was someone that could enhance what was already there. Could make her feel more in tune with how she could wield the power within her veins.
But his intelligence and foresight was what left her awe-struck.
His mind worked in ways that always spiked her curiosity. Made her want to dig deeper when no one else wanted to. Made her want to give him every second of her day if it meant getting one step closer to understanding and unraveling the secrets held within him.
Luna could sense the heat burning her cheeks before it traveled lower and radiated in her sternum — an ache that was spurred on by her respect and adoration for him. Then it ran down her spine, giving her gooseflesh in the process as it finally settled in her core.
Her blush only grew fiercer as she tried to ignore the fact that if she did end up dating Blaise, it would mean experiencing a lot of new things. But she was an adult, she supposed, and it was perfectly normal for adults to experience those things.
She knew all her friends had.
She just didn't know if they knew that this was uncharted territory for her.
Before her intrusive thoughts could weave any more self-doubt, her phone buzzed, yanking her out of her rabbit hole.
Whatsapp chat with: ✨ Theodore ✨
Today
Received Message:so what do you think, lulu? 13:25
Sent Message: About you being added to the girls' group chat? 13:26
I think it's fun to have you in there ☺️ 13:26
Received Message:no, love, i mean about setting you up with blaise. 13:27
i know how you feel about him and it's okay to try things out. 13:27
Sent Message: I know, Theodore, but what if I'm not ready for a relationship? 13:28
Received Message:what do you mean? 13:28
of course you're ready 💙 13:29
you're a successful researcher, so he wouldn't have to worry about you only wanting him for his money. 13:29
you're smart, because said researcher, so he'd always feel challenged by you. 13:30
and you're fit as hell, lulu. he'd be a fucking idiot to at least not see that. 13:30
Sent Message: 😅 I appreciate all of the compliments, but that's not what I'm worried about. 13:31
Received Message:then what's the problem? 13:31
Sent Message: What if Blaise is expecting, you know, someone who's more…experienced? 😅 13:32
Received Message:don't you dare move. 13:32
i'm coming over. 13:33
Type a message
As soon as Luna finished reading the text, Theo was already in her living room, flopping down next to her before placing an arm across her back.
"Lulu, you know you don't have to do anything just because you'd be going on a date with him."
She could feel his head gently thunk against hers. She nodded and bit down on her lip.
"I know, but it's not fair to expect someone to deal with the things that I need to work through." She sighed, then maneuvered herself until her head was on a pillow in Theo's lap. Luna let her hands rest on her stomach as he began gently undoing her braid. "When you've been known as 'Loony Lovegood' for most of your school career, it can be very difficult to get others to think otherwise."
"True, but it's also not fair to yourself to limit yourself based off of that." Theo absently ran a hand through the ends of her hair. "Everyone in our group likes you. Even Draco, and we both know how much of a twat he can be."
Luna giggled at that, allowing herself to focus on the conversation. "I suppose you're right." She let her eyes flick up to her friend's face. "Then you don't think Blaise would mind?"
Theo met her gaze and gave her a warm smile. "If he's the Blaise I know he is, it wouldn't bother him at all."
* * * * * * * * * *
He was not going to pace.
Pacing impatiently was what Malfoy did because the man was brought up with a severe misunderstanding of the word "no."
No, instead, Blaise was going to stick to being patently unaffected by the hustle and bustle going on around him at the International Portkey terminal within the Ministry. He, apparently, had all of his items organized ahead of time by Theo and Pansy. The latter insisting that she double checked what the former had packed to make sure the items within actually made sense for what he was about to do.
He still didn't have the answer to that, but that was…fine, he supposed. He could be spontaneous without needing to account for every possible what-if scenario to ensure that he had some means of getting himself out of what was sure to be a sticky situation.
And he could also be okay with the fact that this blind date was more like a blind vacation as his mystery date claimed that she wanted to be with someone who was "open to the experience." Whatever the fuck that meant. When he asked Theo, his friend smiled and advised that the woman they were setting him up with had quite the career and she wanted to know right away that she was going to be with someone who could handle her line of work.
Which meant that Blaise was forcing himself to be cautiously optimistic in an attempt to tamper down on the natural scepticism trying to force its way through.
He took another glance to his left, watching as people scurried about when he was tapped on his shoulder.
"Blaise?"
He started for a moment, knowing that he knew that voice, but he couldn't quite remember who it belonged to. He turned and glanced down to see large, cerulean eyes and corn silk-colored waves brought together in a slightly messy plait; her wand somehow woven in between the strands.
"Hello, Lovegood. Are you going on vacation somewhere?"
He tilted his head the slightest bit when he noticed how the tops of her cheeks flushed a pale pink. She began picking at the end of her braid before responding.
"Oh, no, I'm not really going on a vacation. I'm here to meet with someone that's going to be joining me on one of my trips."
Blaise regarded her, trying to remember what it is she did for a living. He knew she had gotten close to Theo in the time that their friend group merged for good, but she seemed to always flutter in his periphery.
"Interesting. Did you need help finding them?"
"It's funny you say that because I already have." She gave him a small smile, her eyes softening in the way that reminded him of the dreamy look she often had during their school days.
"Where are they?"
"I'm looking at him."
His eyes went wide and he mentally cursed himself for stepping back in astonishment. That was incredibly poor form and something Draco's dumbarse would've done.
"Me?" Blaise asked, dumbly pointing at himself. "You're my blind date?"
"That's correct. Theodore and Pansy thought it would be nice for the two of us to get to know one another."
He narrowed his eyes, quickly scanning Lovegood to see if there was any ulterior motive belying her words. Not that he could ever imagine her having either the subterfuge or the wherewithal to deceive him in such a manner. But the younger woman looked guileless as she stood there, hitching her bag higher up her shoulder as she placed her hands behind her back.
Blaise rubbed his eyebrow and sighed. This was Luna bloody Lovegood. She wasn't there because she wanted his money or the notoriety that came with his name. She wasn't even trying to pull what he liked to call the Anaïs Zabini Special.
She was there because, for whatever reason that he was sure to find out, the woman before him probably liked him.
He glanced at Lovegood once more. "So. Theo mentioned something about you taking me on one of your trips. I think I should be allowed to know what that means before I proceed any further."
Lovegood slowly nodded, her flush spreading to her ears. "I think that's only fair, Blaise. I'm not sure how much you know about me, but I'm a researcher. Specifically magizoology." Her cadence started to subtly speed up as she grew more confident in talking about her career. "You'd be surprised to know that there's not many of us who are passionate about the field. The only other researcher in Europe is Newt Scamander's nephew, Rolf, who is a very lovely person, by the way. But it's expected of me to travel to different countries to follow up on the tips we get."
"And that's all well and good, but what, exactly, are we to be doing?"
Blaise held back a chuckle as the pink tint travelled down her neck.
"Right!" she squeaked. "Well, I recently got a tip that there might be a new species of mermaid down in the U.S. state of Florida and I thought it might be nice to have you come along for that since we could also enjoy the beach and go swimming." She rocked back and forth on her heels. "It seemed like a nice destination for a date."
He leaned against the wall next to them and crossed his arms over his chest. "So would I be helping you in your research?"
"Just a little bit, if that's alright with you. I can handle most of the more serious stuff, but I'm sure Theodore told you that I would like it if any future partner of mine could appreciate the kind of work I do." She tucked an errant bit of hair back into her braid. "Despite what you may remember of me from our time at school, I'm well aware of the fact that there's more out there besides wrackspurts and the like." Lovegood paused again and furrowed her brow as though she had more to say, but was contemplating whether she should vocalize it.
"Just say it," Blaise prodded, nudging her with an elbow.
"Well, I know that I just mentioned wrackspurts, and I know very well how most don't think they're real, but it's honestly fascinating seeing how many Draco has whenever he's near Ginny."
Fuck, Blaise thought before exploding into a full belly laugh; his mind having painted the picture of what Draco's reaction would've been to hearing Lovegood's words.
When he focused back in on the blonde in front of him, though, she was beaming; a quiet, comfortable happiness presenting itself in a way that he'd never seen from her. He could feel the heat blooming on his own cheeks and he hoped that she didn't notice it. At least, not until he could get a better feel for how much she liked him; if she truly did at all.
Blaise cleared his throat and motioned to the terminal awaiting them.
"Well, I'm here and I'm intrigued, so let's see if we can find you your mermaid."
* * * * * * * * * *
If someone would've told Blaise that one day, he'd be enjoying a ride in a Muggle vehicle called a Volkswagen Bus, he would've thought it was a bit strange, but he also would've supposed that experiencing other forms of Muggle transport was bound to happen.
And if you told him that he was going to enjoy it and the vehicle was to be driven by one Luna Lovegood, he might've suggested you check out a head Healer at St. Mungo's.
But if you then told him that not only was he going to enjoy himself, but he was also going to enjoy the Muggle music she had filling the air around them, from a band that felt like one her mum must've been in, then he might've considered how well put together his mental faculties were.
Because he must be going mental.
It was the only way to explain how he liked the way Luna matched the tune's winding vocals as she sang along about a landslide of some kind. It was the only reasonable way to make sense of the fact that her round, rose-tinted sunglasses felt perfectly suited to the essence of her being. And it was, really, the only way for Blaise to explain that the little smiles she gave him as they drove along the Seven Mile Bridge down into what she claimed was "Middle Key" made his heart beat just the tiniest bit faster.
She had rolled down the windows, advising that it was one of the few times that the state of Florida wasn't hotter than Merlin's taint (his words, not hers), and she wanted to smell the sea breeze as they drove.
She giggled when they exited the parking lot of the house MACUSA had set up to be an informal kind of headquarters for their local Auror branch down in North Miami Beach. Said she was used to the reactions she got when people saw that she was a much better driver than they were expecting, so he needn't worry about offending her.
"I think Harry's a bit miffed at me because I have an international license and he still gets flustered when trying to start a car."
Blaise chuckled then, now used to the little non-sequiturs she was fond of peppering in to the peaceful gaps in their conversation. He had been content to listen, for the most part.
He felt the pang of loss when she mentioned how she was inspired to pursue something in the magical sciences after witnessing the death of her mother. While it was true that he never really got to know his biological father, he was still young enough to remember the first time his mother held him close to her, a faint smile on her lips as she explained that his father wouldn't be coming home anymore. He supposed that he would one day feel that way about his mother. That sense of actually knowing what it was like to lose a parent he had the time to nurture a relationship with.
He absently played with the signet ring on his right ring finger when she regaled him with stories about her time at school. His ring serving as the only distraction to prevent him from making a note to have Pansy destroy the careers of every single arsehole who had the audacity to pull childish stunts on Luna because she wasn't "conventional" in a Ravenclaw sense; whatever the fuck that meant.
It was that thought that forced him into a bout of quiet contemplation out of sheer necessity. He stared out the window, watching as the early afternoon sun made the clear blue waters below shimmer, made it easy to spot which areas were deeper seas due to their opacity.
"I've heard Muggles used to actually jump off the old version of this bridge and into the water for fun."
"What?"
Luna tilted her head and smiled, as though her statement was obvious and not at all a relatively strange admission considering how high up they seemed to be.
"It's true," she continued, ignoring his disbelief, before pointing to their right; calling attention to what looked like a rickety wooden version of the concrete they were driving on. "One of the Aurors in Miami is a Muggleborn and he said that his mum and uncle used to do it when they were kids. Didn't even bother them that there could be a school of hammerhead sharks hovering nearby."
"And here I thought we were strange for engaging with dragons," Blaise murmured.
She beamed at him once more, then nodded her head to the phone in the cup holder. "Aren't you going to see what that's all about?"
He raised a brow, then heard it. The insistent chimes of what was sure to be that insufferable group chat going off, firmly lead by Theo and Pansy's nosy arses.
A group chat called:rich as shit with: Draco, Pansy, Theo
Today
Received Message from:Theo
can confirm that the snake and the raven are in the states. 12:15
i repeat: the snake and the raven are in the states. 12:15
Received Message from:Pansy
yes, yes, excellent. 12:16
do we know where they're going exactly? i know lovegood said she was taking him somewhere warm. 12:16
Received Message from:Theo
lulu mentioned something about mermaids in florida. 12:16
Received Message from:Draco
Anything else? Red says that Lovegood doesn't answer her phone when she's driving and she's "dying for some goss." 12:17
Reactions: 👀 2
She made me type that out word for word. 12:17
Reactions: 😂 2
Received Message from:Pansy
what the fuck is 'driving'? 12:18
is that something muggles do? 12:18
Received Message from:Theo
remember that time harry tried to have a double date with you and nev and we got in that little box and he nearly ran into a street lamp? 12:19
THAT'S driving, pans. 12:19
Received Message from:Pansy
THAT'S DRIVING? 12:20
Reactions: 🤣 2
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND PUTTING BLAISE IN THAT HELL ON WHEELS WITH LOVEGOOD? 12:20
Reactions: 🤣 2
Received Message from:Draco
For what it's worth, Gin says that she's been in a car with Lovegood before and she wasn't actually fearful for her life. 12:21
Supposedly, that means Lovegood is, well, good at driving. 12:21
Received Message from: Pansy 
12:22
who are you and what the fuck have you done with draco? 12:22
Received Message from:Draco
Oh, I'm sorry, do you all WANT me to go back to being a bigoted little shite? Or am I allowed to become a mature adult? 12:23
Received Message from:Theo
quick, ask him questions that only the real draco would know. 12:23
Received Message from:Pansy
what's your full name? 12:24
Received Message from:Draco
…are you fucking serious? 12:24
…Draco Lucius Malfoy 12:25
Reactions: ✅ 2
Received Message from:Theo
what's your favorite quidditch team? 12:25
Received Message from:Draco
The team I currently play for: the Falmouth Falcons. 12:25
Reactions: ✅ 2
Received Message from:Pansy
what's red's full name? 12:26
Received Message from:Draco
Ginevra Molly Weasley 12:26
Reactions: ✅ 2
Received Message from:Theo
what's her birthday? 12:27
Received Message from:Draco
August 11 12:27
Reactions: ✅ 2
Received Message from:Pansy
okay, he's the real one. 12:28
Sent Message: u idiots do realize that ANYONE can look up that info considering it's listed on their team rosters. 12:28
Received Message from:Theo
yes, but the real draco would say them without needing to look them up. 12:29
look at how quickly he replied!! 😏 12:29
Received Message from:Draco
I'm going to let you all bother Zabini now that I've embarassed myself enough for one day. 12:30
12:31
Reactions: 😂 3
Sent Message: and seeing that you all doubt luna, she's as good of a driver as gin is claiming her to be. 12:31
Received Message from:Theo
oh, so it's LUNA now? 12:32
12:32
Received Message from:Pansy
i'll believe it when i see it. 12:33
Sent Message: suit urself. i'm having a delightful time enjoying the sun and the calming tones of luna singing along to a group she called fleetwood mac. 12:33
Reactions: 😏 2
Received Message from:Theo
lulu's really not holding back, i see 🥹 12:34
Sent Message: what's that supposed to mean? 12:34
Received Message from:Theo
lu only sings along if she feels comfortable around someone 😏 12:34
Reactions: 😳 1
Type a message
When he glanced up from his phone to see Luna blissfully unaware, still singing along, only now to a song about being on the edge of seventeen, Blaise was grateful for her focus on the road.
He was grateful for the distraction it provided her because he didn't know what to do with himself as he sat there with the knowledge that, yes; Luna Lovegood did, in fact, like him. Because now he also had to sit with the fact that in the two or so hours that he'd spent with her thus far, chatting about everything and anything as the sun warmed their skin, that he was actually entertaining the idea of taking his vacation date with her seriously.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was precariously close to dinner by the time Luna pulled up into what Blaise learned was a "camping lot". Something she said Muggles were fond of using whenever they wanted to experience the wilderness with their much larger vehicles that Blaise was convinced had to involve some kind of magic because how could something akin to a bus fit so many things.
But then Luna set up their simple two person tent, large enough to fool curious Muggles, and he was reminded that no; he and his date were actually made of magic as he stepped inside a rather spacious set up.
She seemed to be prepared for everything.
Two beds had been set up for their convenience to their left, while a workstation, complete with a desk, chair, and a cork board behind it all, was stationed on their right. With a wave of Luna's wand, a topographical map of the region and some spare bits of parchment pinned themselves to the board, and a pile of zoology books, both magical and Muggle, neatly stacked up on one corner of Luna's desk. Pens, notebooks, and other various research accoutrements joined the pile and Blaise yet again realized that everything he thought he knew about Luna Lovegood must've been through the filter of her peers.
Because how could anyone say that there was a dash of lunacy in her when everything she was intending to work on was so clearly laid out, had been so carefully researched for its reliability in an attempt to minimize wasted time?
And the more Blaise thought about it, weren't the odd and unfamiliar creatures the Lovegoods claimed to have such thorough knowledge about simply magical fauna that the world were hesitant to recognize? A kind of wizarding cryptid in the way Muggles considered the large selkie that had made its home in Loch Ness.
As they continued their stroll through the tent, another flick of Luna's wrist made a love seat spring to life in front of a modest camping oven, already lit and emitting just enough heat to make the air comfortable.
"If you go past the area where our beds are, you'll find a short hallway that leads to a bathroom. Loo and shower should be in there, just let me know when you plan on using either so I know not to disturb you." She set her opened bag on the small kitchen table she'd set up near the sofa. "I'm used to being by myself, so I wasn't sure how well another bed would fit in here. But I'd say it worked out rather well, don't you think?"
"It looks great," Blaise croaked before clearing his throat. "Sorry. Yes, it's a nice little set up you have here, Luna." He gave her a small smile at the pink flush that bloomed on her cheeks at his words. She really was rather, well, lovely, as she stood there in her denim coveralls, her lilac work boots covered in damp sand, with stray curled bits of hair clinging to her hairline like a halo.
"Have you ever been to Florida before?"
He stared at her, too entranced by how easily she moved through the space; her hands absently twisting her waves into a top knot held together by her wand. It was a blessing that her back was turned to him as she asked, because right at that moment, a single trail of sweat was blazing a path between her shoulder blades and fucking Merlin. What was going on with him?
Blaise shook his head. This had to be attributed to the fact that he was well aware of Luna's interest in him. It had to be.
But he also knew something about that was absolute bullshit because it didn't explain the errant thought running through his mind.
Something about needing to find out where that trail of sweat was going to end, which was immediately followed by the fact that he was sure to see Luna Lovegood in a bathing suit because she was researching bloody mermaids, and was it getting too warm in their tent? Maybe the camping oven was too warm? Yes, that was exactly it. Just that blasted camping oven making everything feel sweltering and bloody fucking hell, maybe he needed to sit down.
He plopped down on the love seat and leaned back, only to be met with Luna's face hovering about a foot away from his as she looked on in concern.
"Did you need some water? I know it can be tough to adjust to a warmer climate coming from England."
Blaise nodded his head, desperately trying to regain some semblance of his sanity back, while also trying to remind himself that Luna wasn't doing anything special. She wasn't actively trying to seduce him. She was acting as she normally would, save for the odd moment when she would turn varying shades of pink at the smallest compliment from him.
And maybe, as Blaise suddenly realized, he might actually like that about her.
* * * * * * * * * *
A group chat called:rich as shit with: Draco, Pansy, Theo
Today
Sent Message: 
15:21
Reactions: 😂 3
Received Message from:Theo
oh no 15:30
Received Message from:Pansy
what do you mean 'oh no'? 15:31
i thought everything was going great? 15:31
Received Message from:Draco
I think you idiots broke Blaise lmao 😂 15:32
Sent Message: fuck u, malfoy. 15:33
Reactions: 😂 3
n bc i know she's there w/ u, tell gin 'fuck u' too 😡 15:33
Received Message from:Draco
Slander me all you want, Zabini, but I will NOT tolerate you saying that to my future girlfriend 🤬 15:34
Received Message from:Theo
i knew lu teaching us about manifesting was gonna get you one day, draco 🥹 15:34
Received Message from:Pansy
you might wanna manifest a break up for red first lmaoooo 15:35
Received Message from:Draco
I don't know why you're letting me distract you when Zabini is clearly losing his shit down in Florida. 15:35
Sent Message: fuck u again for reminding them 15:36
Reactions: 😂 3
Received Message from:Draco
Someone has to keep you honest 😏 15:36
Gin says she'll also forgive your transgressions, Zabini, for the sake of Luna. And that you should be grateful that she's in such a generous mood. 15:37
Reactions: 😂 2
Received Message from:Theo
ok, but most importantly 15:37
do we need to rescue you, blaise? 15:38
Sent Message: no, i'm an adult. i know how to handle myself 15:38
Received Message from:Pansy
then why are you sweating? 15:39
Sent Message: 
15:40
Reactions: 🤣 3
*she's 15:40
Received Message from:Theo
THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO TELL YOU, ARSEHOLE 15:40
but also, tell me everything 15:41
Sent Message: she's not trying to do anything to me n how does that even WORK? 15:41
like she's treating me as though i'm just a guest n why do i find that so appealing holy shit 15:42
Reactions: 🤣 3
Received Message from:Pansy
idk 🤷♀️ probs the same reason why draco is fucking insufferable about his crush on red. 15:43
Received Message from:Draco
It is NOT a crush. Crushes are for children. 15:43
Received Message from:Theo
draco, we've gone over this. hell, your THERAPIST has gone over this. 15:44
Reactions: 😂 2
you can still wank to someone and have a crush on them. it's cool. 15:45
Reactions: 😂 2
it's what i did before i got with harry. 15:45
Reactions: 🤢
Received Message from:Draco
I hate it when you remind me of the fact that you're actually dating him. 15:45
It's bad enough I have to be nice to Gin's brother. I don't need to be reminded of the fact that the idiot who nearly killed me is the love of your life. 15:46
Received Message from:Pansy
you're just mad that weasley beat you in wizard's chess. 15:46
Reactions: 😂 2
and that potter's a savior, or something. 15:47
Received Message from:Theo
…we got distracted again 😫 15:47
Reactions: 👀
blaise, just take a deep breath and don't change a thing about how you behave around lulu. 15:48
she likes you for YOU and she wouldn't want you to change something about yourself because you're having a crisis over the fact that she's not falling over herself to fuck you. 15:48
Sent Message: i am NOT having a 'crisis' 15:49
Received Message from:Pansy
and denial is a river in egypt. 15:49
just calm down, blaise. take things one step at a time. 15:50
she's not some puzzle for you to solve, so maybe, idk, give your brain a break for once and see what'll happen if you just let yourself experience your vacation date with lovegood. 15:51
Reactions: 😳
Type a message
Blaise set his phone down and tried to think about how, exactly, he could "turn off his brain," as Pansy put it. Which was defeating the entire purpose of that exercise, but then he noticed the glass of ice water Luna had set on the small coffee table in front of him and figured taking a sip from it was a good place to start.
He could hear her puttering around in the background, obviously either unbothered or oblivious to the effect her continued normalcy seemed to have on him.
After five minutes that felt like five hours, she folded herself up on the opposite side of the love seat, her work boots gone to reveal toe-socked feet that she wiggled upon finding just the right spot for her bum. She handed him another beverage, this time a cup of tea in an unlidded insulated mug and he took a slow, grateful sip.
"Everything alright?" she asked, quirking her head to the side, allowing a loose strand to fall out of her top knot.
His hands itched to swirl it back into place, but he resolved to grip his mug to tamper down on the sudden urge.
"I think so," Blaise murmured as he debated on whether he should inundate his date with all the questions still floating around in his mind.
"In my opinion, you look rather unsettled, so I hope I haven't done anything to offend you. I know seeing how much I bring with me on a scouting expedition can look like quite a lot."
He rushed to place his mug on the table at her words, now wanting to immediately correct them.
"It's not you, Luna, I promise. Or, at least, I think it's not you." He chanced a glance at her and smirked at the bemused smile she was giving him.
"Is this one of those 'it's not you, it's me' situations? Because I promise you that I can handle rejection, Blaise."
Upon hearing those words, he scrubbed his face with a hand then groaned, his thoughts flitting back to curse every idiot that ever made Luna feel like she wasn't worth serious consideration.
"Yes, it's a 'it's not you, it's me' situations, but I don't think I want to reject you."
"Oh?" She straightened her back and placed her mug next to his.
"I just…or you are…" He made eye contact with her this time, noting how much wider her eyes had gotten after lifting her brows in anticipation. "You are very different from —"
"So I've been told," she cut in with an airy tone.
"Yes, but I need you to understand that I'm not used to being around people like you."
Luna's eyes narrowed then and Blaise knew he needed to move quickly before he said something that he would probably regret.
"You are straight-forward enough that I don't need to guess what you're thinking because you'll simply tell me. You're not friendly to people because you've been convinced into thinking that their friendship will pay off in the long run. And you seem to have a complete disregard for what others think of you to the point where I'm concerned if you're even a real person and —"
"I am a real person, Blaise," she stated with a laugh. She laid a hand on top of his, her slim fingers doing their best to cover up as much of his hand as possible. "And I find Ginny and Pansy to be very straight-forward too, so I don't know what makes me so different." Luna furrowed her brows and cast her gaze down in thought. "Like I said, I can handle rejection, so if you don't like me then —"
She was cut off by a pair of warm hands cupping her flushed, glistening cheeks before guiding her to those beautifully soft lips that she only dared to think about when she knew she was truly alone in her flat.
Luna let out a small gasp at the sudden movement and she figured Blaise must've mistaken her surprise for something else because he let one of his hands glide down to the nape of her neck, angling her so he could gently explore more of her.
She wasn't exactly sure if this was how one's first kiss was supposed to go, but from what she'd been told by Ginny and Theo, it shouldn't be too messy and it shouldn't be too rough; unless she was into that kind of thing. Seeing as this was a new experience and all, Luna supposed that maybe she could experiment with varying degrees of roughness once she found someone she was comfortable with, but, for now, the softness was divine and she couldn't believe that this was happening.
And then he broke away, chuckling once he took stock of her shuttered eyes and slightly parted lips, still in their assumed position.
He smiled, bright and carefree and Luna thought she was going to melt into a puddle the longer he looked at her like that.
"I know you're a real person, Luna. And I think I'm beginning to like you. Very much."
"Really?" she whispered, her heart hammering against her rib cage as wrackspurts made everything in her brain go fuzzy in the best way possible. "That was my first kiss." Heat radiated throughout her entire body the moment those words left her lips and she wished her hair was down so she could hide behind it.
"Really?"
She chanced a peek through her slightly parted fingers, not quite knowing when her hands covered up her face, but grateful for the cover they provided all the same. The disbelief on Blaise's face was what she expected and she mournfully nodded her head. Then she watched as his face flickered through myriad emotions — shock, contemplation, shock yet again, another bit of contemplation, before settling on a kind of shyness that was supremely endearing to her.
"I hope it was at least a good experience."
The tension she didn't know she had been holding slipped away when she nodded again, smiling just as shyly in return.
And then he smirked and Luna knew that she was in the best kind of trouble.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I think it's only right that we practice this new skill of yours some more. Providing you're amenable to the task."
She giggled, finding the overly formal way he presented kissing her again as entirely ludicrous, but also perfect for what she knew of whatever it was that was now happening between them.
Another nod and Luna promptly forgot about the world around them.
* * * * * * * * * *
A group chat called:witchin’ & bitchin’ with: Ginny, Hermione, Pansy
Today
Sent Message: Hello everyone, I thought you would all be interested in knowing that Blaise and I kissed 🥰 19:02
Reactions: 🥳 4
Received Message from: ✨ Theodore ✨ 
19:15
Received Message from: 🦅 Ginny 🧹 
19:16
Received Message from: 🌺 Pansy 🌺 
19:16
Received Message from: 🦁 Hermione 📚 
19:17
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
tell us everything, how are you feeling? what's going on now? 19:18
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
my baby's all grown up and doing things!! 🥹 19:18
Sent Message: It's very strange, to be honest. 19:19
It almost feels like I'm dreaming and I don't know if I'm going to suddenly wake up and realize this was all going on in my head. 19:20
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
…yeah, blaise'll do that to a girl 😅 19:20
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
i still can't believe you broke up with him. 19:21
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
it was very fun while it lasted, but i think he needs someone who can match his energy a bit more. 19:21
Sent Message: And you all think that I would match his energy? 19:22
Reactions: 💯 4
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
100%, lulu 19:22
it's very big brain, but also very chill energy. 19:23
Reactions: 💯 4
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
which is not to be confused with type-a, you have too much time on your hands energy 👀 19:23
Received Message from: 🦁 Hermione 📚 
19:24
Reactions: 😂 4
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
and i will still support your efforts to reform our world, madame minister 🫡 19:24
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
ok ok ok 19:25
back to luna 19:25
how's blaise holding up? 19:26
Sent Message: He's taking a shower now and then we're going to have dinner. I wanted to start early tomorrow since I know there will be less Muggles out and about in the early morning. 19:26
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
can confirm re: shower. 19:27
he hasn't panic-texted us again either, so i think he's finally letting whatever happens, happen. 19:27
Sent Message: He panic-texted you? 😱 19:28
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
don't worry, lu. 19:28
it was mostly him cursing us out because he realized that he fancies you 🤭 19:29
Received Message from:🦅 Ginny 🧹
if it makes you feel any better, he also told me to fuck off via draco 😂 19:29
Sent Message: 😅😳 So it was a good thing that he panic-texted you all? 19:30
Received Message from:✨ Theodore ✨
it was honestly the best-case scenario, all things considered. 19:30
you know shit's getting interesting if blaise is freaking out. 19:31
Sent Message: So should I do anything differently? 🤔🧐 19:31
Received Message from:🌺 Pansy 🌺
no, lu. just keep doing what you normally do and you'll be fine. 19:32
we promise 🫰 19:32
Type a message
The next morning felt less like morning and just an extension of the previous night.
Luna had gotten them up well before the sun began to crest over the horizon and Blaise thought his date was lucky that he enjoyed kissing her senseless because he was less than thrilled.
But there he was, on her little motorized boat, said motor making a dull buzz as they slowly navigated through what Luna had called a "mangrove forest". He wasn't entirely familiar with what that meant, but she seemed to know her way well enough and, as she did on their drive down, she peppered their lackadaisical trek with random bits of conversation.
"Did you know that these forests are often used as nurseries for young marine life?"
"Like what?" Blaise gave her a sideways glance, wondering if they would actually need to use their wands to ward off anything other than the insects that kept running into the ward they had already cast.
"Small fish, sometimes frogs or toads, and, depending on where the mangrove is located, certain types of predatory animals."
"So what you're saying is, stay out of the water." He wearily glanced down at the taupe-colored waters, slightly brackish and opaque in certain areas.
"It's not all that bad. Most of them want to leave you alone. They're more scared of us then we are of them."
Blaise scoffed. "You're only saying that because you work with animals all the time."
"You might be right," Luna replied with a giggle. "But I have to say that I would rather deal with an alligator or a shark than a dragon." She shuddered as she brought the boat closer to the roots of a clump of trees. "I don't understand why so many magical animals are more aggressive. I hope to see if there's biological differences one day."
He nodded, not entirely sure what she meant by "alligator" or "biology", but he could tell that she was incredibly passionate and he smiled at her all the same.
They paused and she tied a rope around one of the exposed roots, clearly anticipating seeing something that may have been a new discovery, even if it wasn't her elusive mermaid.
She placed a finger to her pink lips and he nodded, implicitly understanding her request. She slipped her wand out of her braid and let her phone float in front of her, steadying it as though it had become attached to her wand.
Luna crept closer to a larger tree, its trunk a stark contrast against the Lumos she had him cast. In even starker contrast was a large creature clinging to the wood, unaware of the two wizarding folk observing it with curiosity.
Its body was oblong, but almost felt arachnid-like in nature. It was entirely a kind of mud brown, blending in to its scenery if there wasn't a faint glow cast upon it. The carapace of the creature shone, and as Luna tilted her head, she let out a soft gasp once she saw the distinct eight legs.
"I think I found something!" She did her best to keep her volume at sotto voce, but Blaise could hear the sheer excitement wanting to explode through.
She tapped her phone's screen several times in quick succession, taking multiple photos of whatever kind of arachnid they had stumbled upon.
Satisfied with her documentation, she waved her hand behind her — a signal to step back so they could still observe the creature without scaring it away.
Luna pocketed her phone and waved her wand again, allowing for her murmured words to be transcribed onto her notebook. Then another wave to gather measurements that were just as swiftly documented.
"What do you think it is?" Blaise asked, resting his chin on the top of her head as he looked over her notes.
She tapped the tip of her wand against her thigh, slightly hunched over as she contemplated everything she could clearly see.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure. Remember how I said that it was common for animals to use these forests as nurseries?" She felt her cheeks warm as Blaise nodded against her head. "Well, I was curious if there could be a kind of newer kind of acromantula that used this space to hatch their young. I'm not for certain, but I'll have to double check with some of the materials I brought with me. Florida is known for having very interesting wildlife."
As she untied the boat and scuttled it away from their first stop, she kept up their stream of conversation, telling him about the last few trips she had been on — exploring cenotes in Mexico for selkies, going deep into the bamboo forests of Japan for kappas, working with First Nations guides in the Great Bear Rainforest of western Canada for the thunderbirds Ilvermorny named one of their Houses after.
The creamy pinks and purples of dawn had since come and gone by the time they returned to their camping spot and Luna was thrilled to see what she called "Key deer" sniffing around their site.
She pulled out a bag of crisps and sprinkled them in a trail away from their tent; off-handedly mentioning that the deer really shouldn't be fed, but she always carried some crisps with her just in case.
Once inside, Blaise left her to her own devices, choosing to take yet another shower to rinse off the sweat and grime that had so easily accumulated on him in their short journey.
When he walked out fifteen minutes later, a towel slung around his hips, he let out a low chuckle at the sight of Luna's forehead against her desk, books opened around her and the photos that she had taken that morning scattered about. He took a step forward and stopped in his tracks at the closed-mouth scream she let out.
"Are you alright there?"
"No," came the forlorn reply.
Blaise strolled over to her desk and leaned against one side. "May I ask why?"
"It wasn't a new type of acromantula."
He crouched down until he could crane his neck to see her face. "Then what was it?"
"A mangrove tree crab. It's a non-magical creature that's native to Florida and tends to rest on tree trunks in mangrove forests." She plopped a hand on a book next to him and he pulled it down, noting with a smirk that she was, indeed, correct about the kind of marine life that they had stumbled upon.
Blaise placed the book back on her desk and took her hand, then pressed a kiss to her palm. "You can't win them all." He smiled when she turned her head to face him, which turned into a loud cackle at the way her face turned bright red when she realized that he was only in a towel.
"Blaise!" she shrieked.
"What?" he replied, leaning back until his bum rested on the floor, his towel carefully arraigned to hide the necessary parts. "You do realize that if we go swimming that you'll see me without a shirt on, right?"
"I…I know that!" Luna shot back, her hands immediately covering up her still-reddened face. "It's just that, you know, it's very different considering that, you know, we've kissed and we both fancy each other and —"
He chuckled again at the even louder shriek she let out when he pulled her into his lap. He almost felt bad about teasing her so much, but that guilt was always overridden by how lovely she looked whenever that pink or crimson hue tinted the high points of her face.
"Last time I checked, we're both adults, correct?"
"We are…" Her eyes had narrowed as she stared at him, a tawny brown brow quirked in suspicion.
"Then it would be reasonable to assume that we're allowed to indulge in the things adults do, right?"
Luna sighed and placed a hand on his chest. "You have very sound logic, Blaise, but I'm not interested in rushing into sleeping with you just because we're both attracted to each other." She held up the hand that had been resting on him. "I'm not saying that I would be against it, but, well, I want to make sure that I'm ready, as it were."
She kissed his cheek when she noticed the deep flush her words prompted.
"I'd like to with you, but I only just had my first kiss last night. I'd appreciate it if you could give me a bit of time." Blaise opened his mouth to speak, hoping to reassure her before Luna decided to continue. "I'm thinking the last night of our trip should suffice."
Blaise let his jaw drop before he scrambled to recompose himself. "Are you serious?"
She stood with one fluid motion and walked over to the trunk at the foot of her bed.
"Of course I am. I'm technically working and I don't enjoy wasting precious research time."
He eyed her from his continued seated position. "Are you sure you're not related to Granger?"
Luna paused and he laughed when he realized that she was seriously considering his question.
"I don't think I am." She continued her task of pulling out her change of clothes. "I'd like to think that I have a better work life balance than she does. But it's easy for people to forget that I was sorted into Ravenclaw for a reason." Luna then held up what Blaise quickly noticed was a bikini. "So I'm very studious and enjoy my work, but I'm not impulsive in the way Gryffindors are." She nodded her head towards the entrance of the tent. "And I don't know about you, Blaise, but I think it's time we had some fun, hm?"
* * * * * * * * * *
thetrueprince 
316 likes
thetrueprince No mermaids yet, but she doesn't seem to mind 🐬🌊 View all 52 comments April 21, 2014
A group chat called:rich as shit with: Draco, Pansy, Theo
Today
Received Message from:
Theo
14:16
yes, yes. all according to plan 😏 14:16
14:17
Received Message from:Pansy
theo, darling, do you think we missed our calling as matchmakers? 14:18
Received Message from:Theo
no because it's only enjoyable when we actually KNOW the people involved. 14:18
i wouldn't care as much if i had to deal with total strangers. 14:18
Received Message from:Pansy
you're right. it's so much more fun driving blaise up a fucking wall lmaooo 😂 14:19
Reactions: 😂 2
Received Message from:Draco
On second thought, you might be on to something about it being more fun when we know the people involved. 14:19
Reactions: 💯 2
Sent Message: just u fucking wait, malfoy. 14:20
u kno pansy is already planning on how she can convince gin to do something that'll force your hand. 14:20
Reactions: 👀
Received Message from:Draco
Pansy doesn't have enough subterfuge to manipulate Red in that way. 14:21
Besides, Gin would catch on if Pansy even tried. 14:21
Received Message from:Theo
you act like we don't understand teamwork, draco. 14:22
who said anything about pansy plotting on her own? 14:22
Reactions: 😏 2
Received Message from:Draco
…fuck 14:23
Will you idiots at least warn me before you plot my demise by siccing Red on me? 14:23
14:24
Reactions: 😂 3
Sent Message: but i thought you WANTED her, malfoy? 14:24
don't tell me ur 2 much of a sad sack to handle her now? 14:25
Reactions: 🖕😂 3
Received Message from:Draco
Fuck you, Zabini. I can handle Gin 😤 14:25
I just take pride in my efforts. 14:26
Received Message from:Theo
okay, enough of your pissing contest. 14:26
back to blaise posting about lulu on his socials. what's going on there? 👀 14:27
Sent Message: she fucking scheduled when she wants to sleep w/ me 😫 14:28
Reactions: 😂 3
Received Message from:Pansy
LMAOOOO 😂😂😂 14:28
Received Message from:Draco
Gin says that's very "on brand" for Luna. 14:29
Received Message from:Theo
1000% lmao 😂 14:29
Sent Message: when i asked her if she was related 2 granger, she said no bc she has a better work life balance 14:30
Reactions: 😂 3
Received Message from:Pansy
i'm fucking screaming omg 😂😂 14:31
Received Message from:Theo
okay, but where is the lie? 14:31
lu takes her work very seriously, but she always makes a point to enjoy the places she travels to. 14:32
so once she's done for the day, she'll reserve the rest of her time for play 😉 14:32
Sent Message: i mean, she did say that ppl always forget that she was in ravenclaw n that DOES seem to track for that lot 14:33
Received Message from:Draco
Gin can confirm. She said that Luna seems flightly, but that's only because people thought she was making shit up. 14:33
Reactions: 💯
Sent Message: i'll also state 4 u heathens now that just bc she's planned this out doesn't mean that i'm giving u all any details. 14:34
Reactions: 😭 2
my mother raised me better than that. 14:35
Received Message from:Pansy
you're no fun. 14:35
Received Message from:Draco
Actually, no, I'm with Blaise on this one. I don't need details about the aforementioned dick appointment. 14:36
Reactions: 😂 3
Sent Message: ur FINALLY speaking sense, Draco 😌 14:36
Received Message from:Draco
me 🤝 Blaise respecting privacy 14:37
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Blaise tucked his phone back into the bag Luna had brought for them and gulped down some of the water that was within arm's reach.
His fingers looked pruny and he was content to observe the blonde from the shore as she dipped in and out of the temperate ocean waves.
He allowed himself a laugh as he ran his hand along the length of his neck, still somehow trying to figure out how he had slipped so easily into the routine they had created over the last few days.
She'd get him up at the crack of dawn by peppering soft kisses all over his face and he'd pull her into his embrace; taking a moment to inhale the scent of her shampoo and sunscreen — lavender, eucalyptus, neroli, aloe, and some kind of vaguely tropical blend that he knew had to be that sunscreen part.
But she'd only tolerate his avoidance for five minutes before insisting they get out of bed. He'd make them coffee and breakfast while she did her sun salutations as a way to focus her mind on the day's tasks.
She preferred to conduct her research during the early morning hours, when there seemed to be a changing of the guard with the wildlife around them. Predators shifted, prey came out of hiding, and the world came into bloom.
Blaise had already been endeared to her after the first mistaken identity mishap, but he became even more besotted when he saw how absolutely fearless Luna was when exploring.
Her knowledge was vast and he had learned more about zoology, both magical and Muggle, than he had in any of his years of schooling. She didn't care how big or small the creature was. Each one held a deep respect in her eyes. She explained that they all had a role in their respective ecosystems, that they were all meant to fulfill some kind of natural destiny that humans could only hope to understand.
Pansy had told him to not view Luna as a puzzle, but Blaise felt like that he just had to think of the lithe blonde as a different kind of puzzle. She wasn't a conundrum that was stumping him, that he needed to figure out so he knew how to take advantage of it.
She was the kind of puzzle that was meant to stimulate him. She was meant to keep him on his toes, could be reconfigured in a multitude of ways and would still keep him guessing. And he had a feeling that he would enjoy spending the rest of his life figuring out her multitude of facets.
Before Blaise knew it, Luna was flopping down onto her towel beside him, wringing her hair out before casting a Drying Charm.
"What are you thinking about?" she lightly asked.
"You."
"Only good things, I hope."
He cast his gaze in her direction and noticed how she was playing with the edges of her towel, her toes wiggling into the sand just beyond where said towel ended.
"After these last few days, I don't think I could ever think negatively about you."
"I'm sure you'll find something," Luna murmured, her eyes unable to meet his.
"If I did, it would only be because I was running off of what I assumed to be true about you."
Blaise reached over and stilled the hand that was now making shallow swirls in the sand. He gently yanked, prompting her to straddle his lap. She blew a stray strand away from her face and he smiled, just as gently tucking it behind her ear.
"Then what do you believe to be true now?" she whispered.
He kissed her right temple. "That you've been severely underestimated by our world."
A kiss to the tip of her nose. "That you put your entire heart into everything you do. There's no halfway with you."
Another to her jaw. "That your patience and understanding is an ever-flowing fountain that others could only wish to emulate."
A lingering kiss to her left cheek. "That you're the most beautiful woman I've ever encountered."
Then a final, careful, hopeful kiss on her slightly opened lips. "And, if you'd allow me, I think I might be able to fall in love with you, Luna Lovegood."
* * * * * * * * *
Their skin was already warm from their afternoon in the sun — her shoulders a faint pink, his cheeks smattered with the tiniest of freckles.
She laughed when he merged their beds together, announcing that it was about damn time for them to do this. Her fall onto the new bed felt like falling into an abyss, but Luna wasn't entirely certain that it was a bad thing. She knew that Blaise would be there to keep her aloft, would help her find her way back home.
He rolled her onto her stomach, his fingers skimming across the planes of her back as she gazed at him.
Luna let out a sharp breath at the feeling of her bikini top being undone; the strings slowly pulled as Blaise maintained his eye contact with her.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered, his lips brushing against her slightly burnt shoulder.
He glanced up to see her nod, her eyes glassy, but her smile bright and just as warm their glistening skin.
"I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't trust you," she whispered back, her own lips ghosting the tops of his knuckles.
He leaned forward, understanding just how much her words meant after years of having people torment her for deviating from whatever asinine norm their society had set out. And when his lips met hers, he hoped she could sense the promise there. The promise that he wouldn't just see her as an easy lay, or that she was a temporary diversion that he could discard as easily as he discarded his opponent's chess pieces.
But to think that would would be dishonest and disrespectful to her. Would be a gross insult to the way she allowed him to invade her life and join her in her life's work.
And as Blaise turned her back over, a large hand engulfing one of her humble and perfect breasts, he knew he hadn't lied to her about the ease with which he could fall in love with her.
Luna arched into his touch, the rest of her skin flushing to match the already sun kissed parts.
"Relax, Lu," he murmured against her neck, keeping his hand in place until she got used to the new sensations coursing through her.
He could feel the rise and fall of her chest, how she slowed down her breathing to focus on the current moment.
"It's okay to be nervous," Blaise continued before nibbling on her ear lobe. "Just tell me when you feel uncomfortable and we'll stop. No harm, no foul."
"Okay," Luna replied, her breath coming out with a slight shudder.
"Would it help if I talk you through everything?"
"I think so."
"As the lady wishes." Blaise moved the hand that had been on her breast further down, creating a gentle pressure on her stomach in another attempt to steady her. "I plan on going lower, teasing you with my fingers until you come." He smirked when he heard her breath hitch. "I want to see you glow with pleasure before we even think about getting me off. How does that sound?"
"Okay…"
"But?" Another teasing nip at her ear.
"Well, I just…" Luna trailed off again, her blush the deepest red Blaise had ever seen and he let out a snicker. "It's just that I've heard about women resting their back against their partner's chest while they're both seated and I liked how that sounded and — oh!"
Her cry of surprise was muffled by the sound of Blaise rearranging them to the position Luna described, his hands immediately going back to her chest and stomach to steady her. He leaned forward, noting how her eyes fluttered shut at the feeling of his breath against her neck.
"Better?"
"Mm-hmm!" she quickly replied with a nod. Luna took another steadying breath and shimmied as though she were trying to melt into Blaise.
He brushed her hair over her right shoulder and rested his chin on her left. "I'm here for you, Lu. Remember: don't force yourself to do anything you don't want to do." His right hand ran lower, grazing her inner thighs, her lower abdomen, and just under the waistband of her bikini bottoms.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. "You're my lovely moon goddess." Blaise smiled at the whimper Luna let out, using the opportunity to drop his hand down to the apex of her thighs, cupping her as he pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.
He lazily ran his hand up and down, somewhat curious to see how Luna would react to being teased. She rolled her hips back and he groaned, suddenly becoming very aware of the effect she had on him. A loud gasp flew out of her lips and the hand still on her chest felt her nipples harden despite the warmth containing them. He rolled one in between his fingers; soft, careful, tender.
Another whimper and Blaise let his middle finger press against her entrance over the fabric of her swimsuit.
"You're doing great, little moon."
"I am?" Her breathing had become strained and he could feel how much her heart fluttered thanks to his touch.
He nodded, then kissed behind her ear. "So, so good. Are you ready for more?"
"Please."
Tentative fingers dipped below the elastic, meeting the light blonde thatch waiting underneath. Lower still and he ran a finger along the length of her slick opening.
Luna sharply sucked in another breath, then sobbed; her head dropping back to Blaise's right shoulder.
"My sweet, sweet goddess." He latched his lips onto her fully exposed neck and sucked. "I can't believe all of this is for me," he continued before plunging his middle finger into her waiting heat.
He kept his finger there, enjoying how she softly pulsed around him, her arousal fully evident. He made to move, but stopped when he noticed the subtle way Luna had begun rolling her hips. Blaise grinned and added another finger, then kissed her neck once more at the moan she let out in reply.
"That's right, little moon. Take what you want. You look divine fucking my fingers."
Her attention shifted to him, finally making eye contact with him of her own accord. "Do I?"
He removed her hand from her breast, using it to angle her head until he could give her a searing kiss. "You look incredible, Lu. I'm going to add one more thing and you let me know if you like it, okay?"
"Okay." She fervently nodded, only to have another moan gurgle out of her throat at the feeling of Blaise using his thumb to swipe against her clit.
He swallowed her moans with additional kisses, barely coming up for air as he continued his ministrations.
Luna felt like her body was his to play with and he was creating a complete symphony with every brush of his fingers against her hot skin, with every kiss upon her swollen lips. The warmth and yearning she had always felt in her core whenever she thought about him had been amplified by his touch, and she wasn't sure if the feverish sensation she felt was from her mild sunburn or if it was from the increasing tension pooling in her lower abdomen.
She was panting, her mind unable to focus on anything but the magic and pure, unabashed lust coursing through her. Her nerve endings were singing and it felt like she wasn't close enough to Blaise. She didn't entirely know when her knees had raised to give him better access, nor did she know when her bottoms had been removed, but her prior embarrassment at her wanton need had been carelessly tossed aside in favor of enjoying how he made her feel.
Luna bit her lip and raised a hand, groping around until she could latch onto the back of his neck. Her whines grew louder, each keen echoing throughout the tent.
"Take a deep breath and relax, my moon goddess." But the strain in Blaise's voice only spurred her on; thrilled by this new knowledge.
He wanted her. He wanted her so badly that he could hardly stand it. He wanted her as badly as she had wanted him. And there he was, matching her desperate pants, his fingers taking her to the height of bliss, all while murmuring words of encouragement.
So it was only right that the totality of this knowledge sent her over the edge. With one last cry, she exploded; a full galaxy flickering behind her eyelids as her body gave way to its needs.
With a shudder, she collapsed in on herself, curling around his hand and shivering at his continued petting. She raised her face, instinctively seeking his lips out like a flower seeking the sun. He finally removed his hand and wrapped his arms around her, helping her slowly come back down to Earth, come back down to him.
Time slowed down once more, and their movements felt like they were swimming through molasses. Each sensual caress continued their explorations and Luna hummed her enjoyment after what felt like a lifetime's worth of kisses.
"Feeling good?" Blaise asked as a check in.
"Mm-hmm."
He kissed her nose in response.
"Ready for more?"
"My body feels like jelly."
He snickered and used his thumb to press down on her lower lip. "It's supposed to, little moon."
"Oh," she stated dumbly. "I guess you're right, then." Luna cuddled up against his chest. "What else did you have in mind?"
"Well," Blaise began, drawling the word, "I figured that I could let you try riding me. Thought it would make you feel more comfortable to be the one in control."
"Oh." Luna drew out the expression, her eyes going wide in recognition of what Blaise was proposing. "Would that be okay with you?"
"Luna, darling, my cock is yours to command and it's currently taking all of me to not rush you."
"Really?" She scrambled away from him and giggled at the visible strain present in his swim trunks and on his face. "Oh," she primly proclaimed again, her cheeks burning at the sight of Blaise trying to keep ahold of his control. "Well, if you're here for me to command, then I suppose we ought to start by removing your swimsuit."
Luna grabbed the wand by her bedside and waved it, immediately Vanishing the tight cloth separating her and Blaise. She smugly smiled at the groan he let out, before eyeing his erect cock with interest.
"Now that I've seen one in real life, is it normal to think that penises are very weird?"
Blaise let out a bark of laughter, firm in the belief that if there was ever a woman who was going to say that to him, it was going to be Luna.
She frowned at his continued laughter. "Did I say something wrong? Because you have to know that I'm not wrong in my assertion."
He scrubbed his face to try to calm down. "No, you're right, Lu. They are very strange, objectively speaking."
"I'm glad you see things my way," she replied, giving him a wide grin as she crawled back into his lap. "I can just lower myself on top, right?"
Blaise gave her a curt nod. "I can help get you settled."
Before she could think on it further, Luna rose up to her knees and aligned herself over the tip of his cock. She gripped onto the metal bedframe behind her, appreciative of Blaise's instinct to grip her hips just as firmly.
"Easy now, Lu." He watched her face contort in concentration, her hair shifting to curtain her cheeks. "Take a deep breath." She nodded her understanding and he let out a hiss the minute he nudged against her entrance. "Fuck, little moon. You're doing great. A little bit at a time."
He pulled her close when she cried out, murmuring continued praises into her hair as she adjusted to the feeling of him inside her. She lifted her head up, errant tears sneaking out of the outer corners of her eyes.
"Keep taking those deep breaths. It'll get better once you start moving."
"It fucking better," she hissed, rolling her eyes when he snickered at her rare use of an expletive.
"Oh ye of little faith you have in me, moon goddess," he countered before gripping onto her bum and rolling her hips towards him.
Luna shot him a glare after letting out a moan. "You're lucky I think you're handsome because your smugness is not very fair right now."
Blaise captured her lips with his in a bid to distract her from any additional discomfort. "Think you can take it from here?"
"If I have any questions, I'll be sure to let you know."
Her feigned irritation spurred on another chuckle, but it didn't last long as she crashed her lips onto his, bringing her arms away from the bedframe to wrap around his neck.
He was surprised by the fact that she allowed him to keep up the steady, but lethargic pace he had set. She pressed her chest into his, changing her angle to give him the freedom to go deeper. He spread the sides of her bum to give himself better purchase and somewhere within all of that he was struck by the thought that he could do this with her, forever.
Blaise really, actually, earnestly could see himself wrapped up in her in every imaginable way, sharing every intimate moment he possibly could with her.
"Don't stop," Luna whispered against his lips, breaking his reverie.
He steadied her chin in his hand and gave her a quick peck. "Wasn't planning on it, but I do think I'm gonna come soon, sweetheart. Is that alright with you?"
She bit her lip and he moaned at the sight, letting his head fall back after she nodded her head.
"Fuck, little moon. I can't wait to do this with you back home." He could hear her whimpers muffled against his neck, enjoying the way she sucked on the soft skin there. "I'm gonna spread you out on my bed and taste every part of you until you're begging me to stop."
"Blaise, please!" Luna cried out and the wall he had carefully erected, had maintained almost his entire life because it felt like the only way he could survive, crumbled in her arms.
He groaned, releasing himself entirely until they were both heaving ragged breaths, gripping onto each other since it was all they could think to do to keep themselves upright.
After a moment, Luna nuzzled her nose into the crook of his neck with a satisfied hum.
"Thank you," she murmured as her fingers drew lazy circles all over his back.
"It was honestly the proper way to genuflect in the presence of my moon goddess." He laughed at the feeling of her stilling in his arms. "And because I can feel you blushing, I'll reiterate my words: you are mine now and you are a little moon goddess."
"Am I really?" she mumbled, her words soft, uncertain, and so unlike the surety he had been hearing from her, even during her moments of embarrassment.
Blaise cradled her face with both hands and pressed a fleeting kiss to her lips. "Until you get bored of me, Luna, I don't think I could leave your side."
He smiled at the beatific grin she gave him, any remaining tension slipping away when she threw her arms around his neck.
"I was hoping you'd say that, but actually hearing it is better than I was expecting."
* * * * * * * * * *
lovelymoon 
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lovelymoon I think my new research assistant is happy to be back home 😂🥰 View all 63 comments April 26, 2014
A group chat called:wwhpd? with: Ron, Pansy, Gin…
Today
Received Message from:Theo
11:15
🚨 WAKE UP, BABES. NEW COUPLE ALERT 🚨 21:36
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Received Message from:Pansy
11:17
Received Message from:Ginny
🥹 i love everything about this. 11:17
Reactions: 💯 6
Received Message from:Harry
oh thank merlin. 11:18
theo can finally shut up about this now. 11:19
Received Message from:Theo
wow, ok, RUDE 😠😒 11:19
i'll remember that for our anniversary, mr potter 11:20
Reactions: 😂🥺 8
11:20
Received Message from:Ron
you really brought this upon yourself, mate 😂 11:21
Received Message from:Draco
If any of you bring this up, I will firmly deny this, but, I actually agree with Weasley. 11:21
Reactions: 😲 9
Received Message from:Ginny
quick, someone take a screenshot before he deletes the text!!! 11:22
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Received Message from:Hermione
I may or may not have noted it for posterity. 11:22
Again, I can neither confirm nor deny 👀 11:23
Received Message from:Ron
can also neither confirm nor deny that we're getting this moment framed 👀 11:23
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Received Message from:Neville
11:24
Reactions: 🤣 7
Received Message from:Draco
Is it really growth if I can't be arsed to use his actual name? 🤔 11:24
Received Message from:Pansy
ok enough of this 11:25
where's luna or blaise? we need the details! 11:25
Received Message from:🌙 Luna 💙
I'm not sure what you all are expecting? 😅 11:26
Sent Message: these heathens wanna kno if we had sex, little moon. 11:26
Received Message from:🌙 Luna 💙
Oh, is that all? I thought it was obvious that we did ☺️ 11:27
Reactions: 😂👀 9
Received Message from:Theo
11:27
Received Message from:Draco
I thought we agreed on no oversharing, Zabini? 11:28
Sent Message: shhh… I'm letting lu have this bc she's sitting across the sofa from me n u should see how cute she looks rn 🥹 11:29
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Received Message from:Draco
Fucking simp. 11:29
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Sent Message: pot, meet kettle, malfoy. 11:30
11:31
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Received Message from:Draco
I'm letting this slide. 11:31
For now 😒 11:32
Received Message from:Ginny
you can't just be all mysterious with this shit and then NOT say what you're referring to. 11:32
it, like, breaks the basic rules of the chat 11:33
Received Message from:Neville
Secrets secrets are no fun, unless you share with everyone tbh 👀 11:34
Received Message from:Pansy
i'll tell you later, nev 😏 11:34
Received Message from:Neville
Love you, flower 😘 11:35
Reactions: 🤢🥰 2
Received Message from:Draco
Why do you all have THE most obnoxious pet names for each other? 11:35
Received Message from:Theo
just you wait, draco. 11:36
give yourself a month of dating someone and you'll have your own gross pet names for each other 😏 11:36
Received Message from:Ginny
cackling at the idea of draco coming up with a pet name for someone. 11:37
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Received Message from:Pansy
11:38
don't worry, gin. draco's next 😏 11:38
Received Message from:Ginny
11:39
Reactions: 😂 8
Received Message from:Hermione
SO i take it that the blind date went well, overall? 11:40
Received Message from:🌙 Luna 💙
Well, I didn't find any mermaids, but I think the trade-off was rather nice 🥰 11:40
Sent Message: don't worry, lu. we'll set up another trip next month so u can try again 😌 11:41
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Received Message from:🌙 Luna 💙
If anyone else would like to join us, I can easily make the tent larger and ensure that the rooms are soundproof 🫡 11:41
Reactions: 😂 8
Received Message from:Pansy
if blaise is paying, i'm in 😏 11:42
Reactions: 💯 8
Sent Message: …😑 u all r lucky i like my new girlfriend so much to put up w/ ur collective bullshit 11:43
Reactions: 🤣 9
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