Tuni smiled up at him when he said he cared for her, too. Her smile was wide and almost beaming as her heart fluttered at the thought. It was starting out better than she'd ever expected it to. She'd been preparing herself for the chance that he might return her same affections but clearly he did. But there was a but. There was always a but.

She couldn't help the furrowing of her brow as he said that she shouldn't have to work. Hadn't he realized by now that she wasn't the sit around and be idle type. Cross stitch and painting or whatever else other proper young ladies did weren't things that interested her in the slightest. They were boring and Tuni was most definitely not a boring sort. Surely he knew that by now! She'd already told him she'd been working in her own way for several months. She'd told him all about the researching she'd been doing as a result of it all. Working was something she wanted to do. Especially at the museum. It was just the kind of place she belonged if she couldn't actually go and travel herself. She'd told him all of that.

But she waited before she spoke, listened to everything he had to say instead of interrupting him like she really wanted to. It almost took an act of biting down on her tongue physically not to interrupt him but he deserved a chance to speak the way she had.

"Rufus," she started simply, her gaze narrowed some, "If you haven't come to the realization that I want to work by now I don't know how else to get that across to you. I was out in this ridiculous fog alone because I fought with my father about my desire to work." She squeezed his hand then but brought her free hand up to gently brush his cheek. "I want to work," she said with a smile, "I know you want to provide and I know you will no matter what day it is that you finally can. But until then, why can't I help to support us. Because in the end, I really just want you."

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus would have had to be an idiot not to realize she wanted to work. He knew that well enough, since speaking with her in January he had learned as much. But that wasn't the issue. "I know -" He started, but he stopped himself, allowing her the chance to explain instead of just jumping in trying to explain his sentiments.

Her hand trailed across his stubbled cheek leaving something akin to a path of gentle fire. He wished the warm presence of her palm would simply remain there, so at peace with the action, with the comfort it brought. He brought his hand up to rest on her own, gently cupping it. It would be so simple to turn his cheek and press a kiss into that delicate hand, and the joy at her words at the simple realization that this might work (if only he could get over his pride) made him to do it. The knowledge that she wanted him, that he could allow himself the simple truth that he too wanted her, it made him feel as if he had won the World Cup single handedly. "And I you." The admission almost startled Rufus as he had not yet allowed himself to fully think it.

"But how can I ask you to take such a risk as that?" He kept his hand cupped around her own on his cheek. "I can't guarantee you a comfortable life. A life you deserve. I can't offer you security." As much as he wished he could that was the realistic truth to it. And he couldn't give up his life dream of playing quidditch either. That would come soon enough - but not yet. Time. Such a stubborn and troublesome thing.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni did leave her hand there on his cheek, especially when he had put his own hand over the top of hers. She quite enjoyed the rough feel of his stubble but also the warmth it presented. She appreciated his holding off and letting her talk, even if she wasn't all that enthused with his final response. She honestly didn't feel like she needed all of those comforts that she may be accustomed to. They obviously hadn't gotten her anywhere that she really wanted to be. And, when it came down to it, it was going to be hell to even get to that matrimony bliss she so desired. Her father was going to be a problem, like it or not. But if it came down to it, she had no issue with just running off with Rufus and eloping, her father be damned.

"I don't need all of those things," she answered simply, her thumb brushing along his cheek, "Honestly, Rufus, we can find our way through it as the time comes. Love conquers all, does it not?"

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

"You might feel that way now. But one day you may wish you had them." He was trying to remain practical about this. Despite it being against everything he really wanted. That was to say that the more she spoke the more he forgot about what it was he was trying to even accomplish in this conversation.

Love. Is that what this was? The word played through his mind and he knew that if it wasn't love it was very likely the beginning of it. He had been right earlier - friends didn't quite describe what they had become to each other. He smiled down at her, "Is that what this is?" His tone didn't indicate that he didn't feel that way too, just that he was surprised what it had turned into, that she was the person who could tell him just what it was he had been feeling.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni was blushing furiously now. She hadn't really meant to say the "l" word but there was nothing that could be done about it now. And in that moment, it seemed to fit. It did fit. It was just something she'd been trying to avoid because then it really meant a broken heart if it all came crashing down. Which was still very much a possibility no matter how they felt.

She let go of his hand and brought her other hand up to the other side of his face, gently cupping his face on either side as she stared right up into his own. "I think so," she said softly. And then, as bold as she'd been at the gala, she stood on her tip toes. But this time would be different. This time she kissed him on the lips instead of the cheek.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Even through the fog Rufus could see the redness of her cheeks but only for a moment as she cupped his face and kissed him. Rufus's arms encircled her waist and pulled her slightly closer, propriety be damned in that moment. He kissed her back for a moment before pulling back to look at her face and make sure she was okay. "Are you sure?" Not just to this, but to all of it.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Feeling his arms encircle her waist was perhaps the best thing Tuni had felt so far in her life. Their bodies pressed flush against one another as he kissed her back was something she'd never felt before. If there had been any doubts in her mind before, there certainly wasn't anymore because she wasn't quite sure she could stand to not have the feeling of him holding her in her life.

"Yes," she said with a confidence that was evident as her hands came down to encircle his neck, "But only if you are." Like she'd said in the beginning, she didn't want to pressure him even if she truly thought they could make it work.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

That one simple word was enough to make Rufus grin, her arms slipping behind his neck in a way that only felt natural. "We can make this work." He determined with a fierceness in his tone that indicated this was something that he would make sure, something he would fight for. He leaned down and kissed her delicately on the lips as if to reassure himself that she was still there, still in front of him.

"We should get you off the street." He admitted quietly as he pulled back, looking her in the eyes wondering if she knew just how much he didn't want to do that. But even with the fog it was still a risk and he wouldn't do anything that would risk Fortuna in any manner, physically or reputation wise.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Nope. Certainly no doubts. Not after he kissed her again. Tuni smiled up at him as he pulled back, quite liking the fierceness she heard in his voice. Clearly there would be nothing that would stop the two of them, not now that they'd both set their minds to it. And while she understood what he was saying, she couldn't help the pout that formed on her lips.

"But do we really need to head home?" she asked, clearly not at all liking the idea. Not now that they'd shared their first kiss.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus frowned down at her and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I think it may take us a while to find home." Although it was unclear if that was because of the fog or because he wanted nothing more than to take advantage of the fog and kiss her at least a hundred more times before they got her home. "But we don't have to take you home until you are ready. I'm sure your father would understand if you took shelter with my family if needed." His voice was gentle as he returned to their earlier conversation. There was nothing improper in that, he was sure. But he did know they would have to get her home at some point, even if it was the Bixby home.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni smiled up at him. He had a good point. Chances were they might not even find home. Who really knew what they would find. That was an adventure in itself, right? She had always wanted an adventure. "Well then," she said, still smiling as a hand came down to lace with his own once more. It really felt all the more better after the conversation they'd just had.

"Onto new adventures then," she ended up saying before kissing him once more, because, why not?

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Rufus smiled as she kissed him again. "On to new adventures." He agreed as he wrapped her hand in his again and began their slow path down the sidewalk, careful to keep the flower beds and fences in view.

It was funny how he could be so happy about a thing that he had been so convinced would be a bad thing only half an hour before. But as they walked he gave Fortuna's hand a squeeze to reassure himself that she really was there beside him and this really had happened.

"For what it's worth, I think you will be a wonderful curator." Rufus assured her changing the topic slightly. That was if her father allowed her. "If this is going to work though, you have to tell me if you no longer like working." He looked down at her seriously. Realizing that they were seriously discussing a life together. It seemed like such a natural conclusion that he could hardly believe he hadn't realized it until now. A life together. A life where he could court her, a life where he could marry her. Bloody hell, he was in deep.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni was happily surprised with the way everything had turned out. She'd prepared herself for the worst because that was the easiest way to do things. Get ready for heartache so that when it did come, it wouldn't hurt as bad. This, however, hadn't resulted in that and Rufus was even giving her hand a gentle squeeze as they walked along.

"Well, unless you plan on giving up your career in Quidditch and taking me on grand adventures all over the world, I doubt I'll tire of the museum," she answered with a light laugh, "But you really needn't worry about that. I planned on working there regardless of what happened with us." Which was the truth. If things hadn't worked out with him, she'd have given up on finding a husband and just focused on herself instead.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

"If you keep intriguing me with your stories of adventures, I may just do that." Rufus teased, although they both knew he likely wouldn't actually give up his career. He fully intended on playing until age (or, more realistically, injury) forced him to retire and then he supposed he'd coach as his father did. Or maybe work at the ministry, which seemed much less appealing, but he'd heard of numerous Quidditch players over the years who worked in his mother's department.

"I suppose it would be odd for me to admit, but I expected nothing else." Really ever since she had mentioned at the Gala that she was considering working at the museum he had expected it to be something that happened. He had never actually considered that it might have something to do with him - he gave Fortuna much too much credit for that.

The fences to his left stopped and Rufus looked down to see the edge of the sidewalk. If they went slightly to the right they should find a sign post. Rufus edged them that way until he almost walked into the sign. Squinting at it he could just barely make out the words. "Right. This way." Rufus directed taking them back toward the left and around the corner. "I should ask, where do you live?" He was leading them toward his parents' home, but perhaps he ought to at least see if they could find her own home.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni laughed again as he brought up her stories of adventures. She did know fully well that he wouldn't give up Quidditch until he had to. She was okay with that though. She knew he wouldn't ask her to give up any of her own passions so who was she to do it to him? They would be just fine though, especially if she got her job at the museum. She didn't really see why she wouldn't be able to get the job though. She was a smart woman and working as a curator was a perfectly respectable job for a young woman of her standing.

A bit of silence came over them as he worked to figure out just exactly where they were before turning to her and asking where she lived. "On Fairview," she answered simply enough, "We can probably head in that way if you'd like. I imagine it will take us some time to get there anyways." At least she hoped it would. If not, they could always loiter out front for a little while until she had actually went in. Maybe the fog wasn't as thick in all of Bartonburg yet and would be their saving grace.

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Fairview wasn’t terribly far from his parents’ home and they were on the right path to her home if that was the case. Rufus felt himself relax a little at the thought they weren’t actually as lost as he had thought they might be. Or even that Fortuna (her name in his thoughts still made him smile) had thought.

Her words made him chuckle, it sounded like the only noise on the street and made him feel a bit more confident. Rufus paused in his steps and turned to face Fortuna, clasping both hands. “Some time, huh?” He teased. “You act as if we are lost in the woods.” A playful smile lingered on his features as he leaned toward her, his eyes glancing at her lips. He wondered if she were thinking the same thing he was, if her hesitation to go home meandered along the lines of him rather than being upset with her father has he had first thought. Rufus looked for her askance, unwilling to take things too far too fast. But those lips tempted him with knowledge that he could kiss them, that he no longer had to remind himself of the impossibility of her affections. They could worry about reality tomorrow, but perhaps for this walk, perhaps they could cherish this victory they had found.

  

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BEE-utiful set!