August 29th, 1893 Mdash; North Bartonburg, Hogsmeade
Bronwyn Moony

Nearly a month in their new flat and Dory still wasn't quite used to the changes. He liked having her nearer, that much he knew, but there was a distance that remained that he couldn't quite name. (Or, he could have if he allowed himself to consider their last serious conversation for more than a few minutes, but Dory was adamantly ignoring the way they left that night.) Dory was likely trying too hard now, as he always ensured to check in on whether or not she needed space or if the furnishings were to her liking. But, he wanted her to be happy.

He needed her to be happy.

It was with that thought in mind that he picked up a small bouquet of flowers (one that could be easily disguised as a simple desire to spruce his place up) and her favorite dinner from the pub on his way home. One of her clients had gone into labor nearly two days before and, last he heard, the babe had yet to be delivered. Winnie would be exhausted when she finally made it home, in need of a good meal and rest. Having her meal arranged for her, her bedroom warmed with a fire, and a stiff glass of whiskey already poured, was the least he could do for her. Especially after all the changes she'd made for him.

After charming the meal to stay warm, Dory retrieved his latest adventure novel and leaned back on the arm chair to wait for her.

---

Dory was so deeply absorbed into his detective story that when the fireplace finally roared with life he just about jumped out of his skin. He did, however, immediately close it and moved to his feet to briefly embrace her. (She was right - she was in need of a bath.) "I had a feeling." He answered with a short chuckle as he stepped back to allow her space.

"I have dinner for you too once you're out. Did the mother pull through alright?"

---

"I hope she'll be alright." Dory murmured as he helped her undress. He'd undressed her countless times over the years, but his actions were not usually this selfless. There was usually a heavier passion involved, a fire threatening to set them both ablaze with desire. This, though, was soft and considerate, much like how he imagined a husband would act towards his tired wife.

(Not that they were married or ever would be, but perhaps, just this once, he could pretend.)

With her ties undone, Dory then moved to her hair and began removing the pins and ribbons holding it from her face. "Yeah, not a problem. I'll go get it as you get in." He placed a kiss atop her head and stepped back to allow her space.

---

Dory had been prepared to make a quick retreat once she was settled. He'd known her long enough now to understand her need to recover after assisting with a difficult labor. It was always after she had enough time to rest and reset her mind that she was willing to share space again. And so for her to ask him to join her felt like a step in a new direction. A promise of potential.

"Yeah, sure." Dory nodded. He didn't typically enjoy bathing so late in the evening, but if it meant spending time with her he wasn't about to pass it up. "Do you want some time first or-?"

---

Snacks, right. Dory quickly ran through his mental inventory of the food presently in the house for ideas of what to bring her. The meal sitting warm on the table was too messy to eat in the tub, not to mention that it was a meal and she had specifically asked for snacks. They had some fruit - clementines, he thought - and nuts at least. There was also some cheese that might still be alright.

Stepping towards the edge of the tub, Dory stooped to kiss the top of her wet head and smiled. "I'll be right back with them." It wouldn't take him long, or so he hoped.

In the end, it took him no time at all to assemble the tray of fruit, nuts and cheese for her. He also remembered to grab her glass of whiskey before heading back to her. "I hope you haven't perished in the few minutes I was gone," he teased lightly. Once he handed over the tray Dory began to work on removing his clothes. "Do you have any other clients due soon or will you be able to rest for a day or two?"

---

"I can always stand to hear it again," he teased as he removed his last layers and tapped her shoulders for her to inch forward. There was plenty of room to sit opposite her too, but he missed having her near these last few days. Even if they still went separate bedrooms after this Dory would be content to have sat with her for a short while.

Once in the tub, Dory sighed at the warm water and ran his hands gently down her arms. "I'll be sure to be quiet in the morning." He usually was, especially when he knew she was still sleeping, but he made the promise all the same. "Think you'll be home for dinner tomorrow?"

---

"I'd imagine so," he chuckled. Dory had had his fair share of rough times over the course of his career that prevented him from resting for long, but rarely as long as Winnie had experienced these past few days. Even if she could sleep through whatever noises he made whilst getting ready for work, Dory still thought it wise to be as quiet as possible. If only so that she'd provide the same consideration if the situation were reversed. Because, unlike Winnie, Dory wasn't capable of sleeping through much regardless of how tired he was.

He continued massaging her arms and shoulders, taking care to linger on any spots he felt a knot. "My days were quiet. Hatchitt assigned one of the new guys to be on call so there wasn't much action to be had." Truthfully, Dory felt incredibly bored in his career these days. There were the exciting cases, of course, but so much of what he did was assisting young children's accidental bursts and it had long since become more rote than it once was. "I'm hoping something happens up at the farm with the equipment so I can get out of the office for a bit." It'd been years since they had any major catastrophe with their farmer inventor, and still Dory remained hopeful he might get a creative streak once more.

---

Dory shook his head. Starting over in a new department was a miserable prospect, and one he'd ignore for as long as humanly possible. Ideally, Hatchitt would be promoted soon and then Dory could step up into the squadron leader role (and then be granted the ability to assign himself only the interesting cases) but there'd been no mention of any such moves happening.

"I'm too old to start over." Dory explained as he kneaded the spot that had made her wince. "It's just a slump. I'll be content again soon." Hopefully that same feeling would spread into the other aspects of his life, too, and Dory wouldn't continue to be haunted by the ring in his dresser drawer. "No promises on not getting hurt, you never know what those kids will do. You, on the other hand, need to stop working yourself into the ground."

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