Put some records on while I pour [Rose]

So really I'd better scurry
(Beautiful please don't hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more
(Put some records on while I pour)

The sound of tinkling glasses and of ice against metal filled the apartment as Add set up his drink cart for the night. The smell of citrus still clung to his hands from cutting up the limes for his drinks. He put the lid on the ice bucket and crouched down to make sure he had a bottle of Glenfiddich Scotch for her; he’d splurged a little bit, jut for Rose. In just a few minutes, she would hopefully knock on his door. The last time he saw her was not a happy occasion, in fact it was arguably one of the darkest memories of his life. His opinion of Rose was not lowered, but he could not look at her the same way after what happened that night; she’d taken someone’s life and he would have given anything to have spared her of that, he’d have even done it himself if she’d let him. Now, Rose was tarnished in a way and she wasn’t this unblemished being that Add had always thought of her as. He wouldn’t have been surprised if she decided to stay home and never leave her apartment after that, but she’d been adamant; she’d be there tonight no matter what. The idea of that made Add feel better about the situation and less worried about her.

Despite the cold, Add was ambling around his apartment shirtless, clad only in a dark pair of jeans. He’d been so busy cooking dinner, letting it simmer, arranging her gift and showering that he hadn’t yet picked out a shirt yet. He’d narrowed down his selections and hung them on the hooks behind his bedroom door, but hadn’t had the presence of mind or the time to go choose one. With his bare feet he plodded over the dark, lacquered piece of furniture that stood off to side in his living room and squatted to make sure that everything was in order. It was a large apothecary case that had bought for Rose to furnish her new potions shop. It was outfitted with dozens of differently shaped bottles of varying sizes that she could use as display or to sell them to her customers. His favorite, that he hoped that she wouldn’t sell, was the black bottle in the shape of a rose.

Add stood and reached for the sheet that he’d draped over the arm of the couch and unfolded it, throwing it over the case so she wouldn’t see it right when she walked in. He ran a hand through hair that was still damp from the shower and walked over to the kitchen to stir the Beef Burgundy. It had been cooking for hours and while it was fairly easy, was time consuming and he thought was just fancy enough for Christmastime dinner between friends. The aroma that emanated from the Dutch oven was heavenly, the beef, wine, onions and other vegetables all coming together into a perfect blend. He wasn’t a huge cook, but the recipe was pretty straight forward and he’d been a good hand at potions. He figured cooking couldn’t be that much different; it wasn’t as if he’d attempted to bake, that would have been a veritable disaster. He’d asked Rose to bring something if she had a sweet tooth. He personally didn’t have a preference either way.

Settling the cover back on the pot, Add stepped away from the stove and walked over to the small window in the kitchen that looked over the street. It was supposed to snow over the weekend, but so far he hadn’t seen a single flake. He hated the snow, abhorred the cold and really just hated winter in general. He always became much more surly as soon as his favorite season, fall ended. Being as the end of December heralded the official start of winter, he wasn’t exactly in the best spirits that night, but he knew that seeing Rose would cheer him up; or, so he hoped. Addreig strolled back into the living room and slipped into his bedroom, grabbing any random shirt off of its hanger and draping it over his arm. He threw it over the arm of the couch and sat down, waiting for Rose to arrive.

Addreig. Rosaline strolled away from the alley that she had just apparated to, her heels clicking against the pavement. Thankfully, it had yet to begin snowing. Regardless, she hurried along; pulling her cloak more tightly against herself as she did. It was rather cold, after all, what with the dress that she was wearing. Hopefully Addreig would like it.

She couldn't help but wonder how her friend would greet her. The last time that they had seen each other had been a most unhappy occasion. She did not regret what she had done, but part of her did regret allowing Addreig to see that side of her: the rage-filled monster that dwelled beneath her porcelain skin. There existed that part of her that wanted to destroy everything that dared to stand in her way, and it had escaped when Bloodworth had dared to threaten her family.

Memories flashed in her mind: the way her lips had curled into a snarl, and her hand had moved the knife. Her soul had been torn in those moments. Of course, she was not stupid enough to leave without covering her tracks. Any and all information that the auror had gathered on her family was taken and destroyed. Any ties to herself or her family to Bloodworth had been taken care of. She had even had the presence of mind to leave evidence that would lead to the arrest of Miss Amelia Husher: Bloodworth's "slightly unhinged" ex-fiancee. After all, it was a fact that, in most murder cases, it is usually someone that the victim is or was close to who is first suspected. She would be the perfect murderess for the Daily Prophet articles that were sure to follow.

Taking a deep breath, Rosaline stood in front of Addreig's door for a moment before knocking. "Hello. It's me."

Add was so restless sitting there on the couch waiting for her, he crossed and uncrossed his legs, reached over and fluffed the throw pillows, ran his hands through his hair and had almost drew blood by biting the inside of his mouth. He was growing more and more nervous to see her face after what he felt was too long a time to have gone without them spending time together. He felt he had to protect her from whatever dark thoughts or guilt was plaguing her. He couldn’t even imagine what she must be going through after what had happened, especially given how much of a wreck he’d been in the days following.  He wasn’t able to sleep, he’d tossed and turned and stayed up many a night, hoping that she was all right and wanting to have his arms around her. Despite what she’d done, he felt that somehow he loved her more deeply now because he’d seen her at her most vulnerable.

He was shocked out of his deep musings by a knock at the door and stood almost too quickly, his eagerness to see her getting to him. He almost ran to the door and at first peeked through the peephole before he heard her voice and then threw it open. Without a word, he grabbed her gently by the wrist and pulled her into a tight embrace and with one lanky arm closed the door behind her. He left his arm looped about her waist and led her further into his apartment. Add drew his wand out of his back pocket and muttered “incendio”, pointing his wand at the fireplace. Flames crackled into life within the brick fireplace and filled the living room with warmth and light. He turned his attention back to her and while he stood facing her, he reached up to the clasp of her cloak and unfastened it for her. Then, he felt even more warmth flushing into his face as he saw what she was wearing underneath.

“What am I thinking? I didn’t even say hello.” He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Hello Rose, Happy Christmas.”

He’d never been one for the holiday, preferring not to celebrate any at all, but it was an excuse to see her. Add slid the cloak off of her slight shoulders and strolled over to his coat rack, hanging it among his coats and cloaks. He then walked over to the drink cart and went about making himself a drink. He dropped some ice cubes into a glass, added a few shots of gin and pour in some tonic water. Then he squeezed in copious amounts of lime juice from about five slices. He didn’t want to make anything for Rose yet, lest she think he had the wrong intention for the night. She had the tendency to assume the worst with him when it came to women and he had the feeling that if she had a drink pressed into her hand first thing, she might make such an assumption of how his treatment of her.

“H-how are you feeling?” He said, feeling suddenly that he very much needed such a strong drink. He took a long swig of it and took a few tentative steps toward her as if he was afraid she would break at this question. “I have to bring it up, I can’t ignore it, Rose…”

Truth be told, Rosaline held very little guilt about what she had done. In fact, her only real worry about the situation was what sort of an impression she had left upon Addreig. He and her grandfather were the only two people who knew of what she had done, as she had confided in Sampson afterward; assuring him that she had covered her tracks and that the blame would go to someone else. Her grandfather had seemed almost... proud of her, for what she had done.

The night that it had happened, Addreig had been so supportive of her. He had helped her clean up and destroy and plant evidence. She really only felt guilty for that: his part in it. She was perfectly fine with the actual act, but somehow she felt ashamed for dragging him into it. Somehow, he still seemed to love her and care for her. He had allowed her to spend the night in his flat; in his bed, even. Of course, nothing had happened. She remained "pure," at least in one aspect of her life.

Before Rosaline knew it, the door had opened and she was pulled inside to her friend's embrace. Her cheeks flushed a little when she had realized that he was not wearing a shirt, but she quickly put that thought aside. He was being awfully affectionate. He must think that she had been a mess, this whole time after the event. It probably wouldn't occur to him that she had no remorse. Bloodworth was a plague on wizarding society, and a threat to her family. She had done what she had to in order to protect her own.

With a small smile, she allowed him to remove her cloak and noted the coloring in his cheeks. So, he did still have some feelings for her? She had thought that perhaps seeing her in such a state had killed any romantic or sexual thoughts abut her for him. In all honesty, she wasn't surprised that she had been wrong. His loyalty seemed to know no bounds. A part of her was grateful.

"Happy Christmas, Addreig.." Her smile widened a little at his small token of affection. She watched as he walked to the drink cart after he had hung her cloak, and she quietly observed before speaking again. "I am fine. Thank you. However, I would like a drink if you are willing to make me one?"

So, she was going to act as if he hadn’t brought anything up. He could deal with that; in fact, he didn’t blame her for ignoring the subject. He had only asked out of deep concern for her wellbeing. He may be thought of as a callous ass to just about everyone else, Rose made him melt and he could never think about being anything but affectionate and loving toward her. Even when he didn’t have feelings for her, he’d always had a soft spot for her which had grown exponentially since that night. Sleeping so near to her and waking up next to her had touched his heart in such a deep and special way that went beyond the little crush he used to have for her in school. He’d slipped out of bed as soon as he’d woken up that morning and slid the covers back over her, quietly making his exit into the living room without waking her. He knew that if he’d stayed next to her, it would have broken his heart to see her lying there looking so innocent and peaceful when her actions had been otherwise the night before.

“I just thought I’d ask  - I figured it would be…callous of me if I didn’t.” He explained, absentmindedly turned his glass in his fingers. “Oh, yes, of course…”

Add went over to the cart again and selected a whisky glass, bending to gently pick up the unopened bottle of Glenfiddich. It was a nice Scotch and he’d bought it just for her, being more of a gin and vodka person himself. He would drink the whisky if she refused to take it home with her, but it certainly was not going to waste; it was a very expensive bottle and he was a cheap man. He opened the bottle and poured a generous amount into the glass straight, just how she liked it. He put the cap back on the bottle and walked over to her, his arm outstretched and glass in hand.

“I hope this is to your liking, I wasn’t sure what country of origin you preferred so I went with Scotch.”

"No, it is quite alright. I appreciate your concern." Rosaline offered Addreig a smile, stepping closer to him as he went on to make her drink. She did her best to keep her eyes on his hands rather than his bare torso. It wasn't often that she saw a man in any state of undress. "I bought you a Christmas gift, but it is at my flat. It was a little.. large to carry with me." Brushing a lock of hair back behind her ear, she watched his hands as he prepared her Scotch.

He knew her. He really, really knew her. Most people guessed that she enjoyed a nice Champagne or Pinot Noir. In reality, she would choose a nice bottle of expensive whiskey any day of the week. Most people thought of her as a tame, polite, pretty girl. In reality, she was an independent woman with a bit of an anger problem. Unfortunately, Addreig had had to witness this rage inside of her. She hoped that his image of her was not too damaged.

Rose's smile brightened a little when he handed her the glass, and she took a small sip. Mmmh. Delicious. "It is wonderful. Thank you." Taking another sip, she looked around for a moment before her gaze returned to him. "So, what are your plans for this holiday season? On top of my family's Christmas Ball, I am apparently expected at the Regan New Years Eve Ball... Admittedly, I am looking forward to the band that they have booked. I'm supposed to be going with your brother, though. So, at least I won't have to worry about everyone gossiping, again, about how I haven't gotten a beau."

...Maybe she shouldn't have shared that bit?