moving i n {erik/open}

[potter]

Elliot shifted in her seat a little, feeling the after-meal cigarette craving. Her smoking she would admit had become something of a problem, now more so than ever. She had used to be a social smoker, only lighting up when she was around other people that did, but now she could reliably go through half a pack a day, sometimes a whole pack if she encountered a particularly stressful day. Elliot wasn't proud of it, but without her strict diet and exercise regime, she needed a crutch. And she did suppose that it wasn't as bad a vice as other things.

Elliot sipped her wine as Erik explained all about the young witch that he was going to try and get custody of in the muggle courts. She was faintly surprised at it, that was the last thing she had expected him to think about. Quite frankly she was floored, she already knew Erik to be a generous soul, but to go so far as adopt a girl... She was quiet a moment, not sure of what she should say. "Erik, that's... phenomenal," said Elliot, thinking of how much he would be able to change the girl's life for the better, "let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled a rather crooked smile, looking up and awkwardly running a hand through his hair. At her request, he wanted to run up and kiss her, or hug her at the very least. It was very kind of her. "Thank you," he replied, smiling sincerely. He'd never felt so much love for another person that he did for Nat. She was like his sister, but different than his lovely adopted sister in an odd way. He felt closer to the girl than he did anyone else at that point, and it was the strangest feeling in the world.

"That really means a lot," Erik added, his smile growing a bit more humble with each word. He was aware of the burning of his neck and ears, realizing he was probably blushing like crazy. Clearing his throat, he looked down at his feet. "To be honest, I was really afraid anyone who knew would judge me, telling me it wasn't my place to get involved, or some other shit like that," he admitted quietly.

[potter]

Elliot sipped her wine down until the last little inch that one wasn't supposed to drink. She didn't for a long while understand that until a more educated wine connoisseur had told her something about the off-chance of cork pieces making it into the glass. They apparently sank to the bottom. She set her now almost entirely empty glass aside. Elliot might have gone for a second glass, but she figured that it wasn't the best idea that night, she still had to go into work the next morning. One glass would be enough, though of course that left her hands and mouth unoccupied and intensified her cigarette craving.

Elliot smiled a bit when she saw that Erik was blushing, it was endearing in a way. "If it wasn't you place to get involved she wouldn't have ever been dropped off at your place," said Elliot with a bit of a shrug. Lately she had been uncertain of her beliefs, but if there was one thing that Elliot firmly believed in it was fate. Everything happened for a reason. Sometimes that reason might evade her, but that didn't change the way she felt.

[erikoliver]

Erik smiled, nodding slightly. "Exactly," he replied looking from his feet up to Elliot. She'd finished her wine, which probably meant she'd be leaving soon. Truthfully, he didn't really want her to go, but he knew she probably had work in the morning. He wasn't 100% certain of Auror's schedules, but he assumed they were early and long, given the importance of their job. He was really impressed by what Elliot had done with her life, thus far. She'd had a dream, and had done everything she could to reach it.

[potter]

After Erik's word an uncomfortable sort of silence settled into the flat. Perhaps it was just her, though Elliot took it as a cue that now would probably be her opportunity to go back to her own flat and try to get some sleep. "I, erm, probably should go," said Elliot, "thanks for dinner, I would've been stuck with takeout otherwise." She stood up and pushed in her chair. Wondering if she should say anything else. Surprisingly, she didn't want to go. Not just then. But she had other obligations, ones she simply could not ignore. Work was a priority, and she needed to be rested. "Keep what's left of the wine," said Elliot, "but it's best to finish it quickly, it's no good after a day or two after being opened."