Title taken from Champagne - Sahara.  Warnings: Slight language and it definitely glorifies alcohol use.

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Cora had a hell of a time keeping the entire conversation with Violet Islington a secret for almost a month.  Sure, she’d told the important people in her life about the sale, how proud she had been that she’d sold one of her garments for nearly 200 galleons.  That had been cause enough for celebration, particularly to her great grandmother, but the pieces for a photo shoot… Cora decided to keep that bit to herself until she knew… for certain. 

Then, this week, she’d gotten her first request for collecting pieces.  It wasn’t a big deal, they just asked for two things to start, to get an idea, and Cora had agonized over the decision, finally caving to ask her great grandmother for help and the woman had been so shocked that it somehow leaked into her pride and they popped a bottle of champagne in the store! 

Of course, they got immediately back to work and most of the bottle remained in the glass, rather than in her stomach.  Ah well, she had a different plan entirely and there would be plenty of champagne later.  She wrote a rather cryptic owl to Thomas, inviting him over to her flat at 8 o’clock (she needed time to get ready, after all) and she wouldn’t take no for an answer!was 

She’d sent it quickly and discreetly under her great grandmother’s nose (she didn’t like the business owl handling personal post), but it was important enough that Cora saw the importance of breaking the rules and off Bidgy went with the letter.  She did, of course, finish her day, but it was on her way home that Cora really started to get excited. 

She stopped by the grocery on the way, picking up another bottle (or two) of champagne (the one from the shop had gone horridly flat – she’d checked before she dashed out of the back door, afraid she’d get wrangled into closing), and some fruit, bread, and cheese.  Over the past month Cora had gotten quite acquainted with Thomas’ tastes in such things and picked up what he liked.  She added in some biscuits and chocolate spread that she liked, plus these packs of candies where one would make your mouth icy, minty cold and the other would make it blazing, cinnamon hot (to get rid of either sensation, you just had to have two at a time). 

The best part was everything she got was easy to prepare so she could rush home and worry about her instead.  Sure, she’d dressed well for work, but this was something special.  She washed her hair, put on her favorite perfume, and made herself up.

It was important to be absolutely stunning when one had something to actually pop champagne about! 

It had been a rather uneventful day at work. He’d spent a good chunk of it cleaning out the back storage room while Severin ran the front. The letter had been well received, even if he’d had to wrestle it from his nosy Uncle, reminding the man that Thomas hadn’t given into the bachelor lifestyle completely. Thinking about Cora made butterflies flutter in his stomach, still, and he loved spending time with her.

If he also got nervous when things turned to more intimate times... it was because he was still learning. Not that he wasn’t an eager study, of course. Thomas wanted Cora to enjoy herself as much as he did. He’d been very happy to make her dinner and bring wine and desserts and shower her with little mementos.

After he’d finished cleaning the room, he’d gotten permission to leave the closing of the shop to his uncle. Thomas had showered quickly, shaved most of his face, and pulled on some fresh clothes. Then it was a quick pop down to a bakery, for some desserts for his girlfriend, and he picked up a bottle of wine. He wasn’t sure what exactly she had planned... but he wanted to be prepared for a little dessert, nonetheless.

When he apparated near the apartment, he teetered a little bit before catching his balance. He walked up to her door, knocking loudly. Thomas stepped back a little, biting his lower lip as he grinned, shifting the bottle of wine to his other hand as he waited.

He realized he’d under dressed when she opened the door. His mouth dropped open and his eyes took her in. “Tu es tres belle.” He grinned and looked up to her face, offering over the box of treats.

Posting from work: I'm a terrible person in need of a brain break

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Hearing the knock on the door, Cora's heart sped up.  It was a good feeling; she was excited that he was here and, after a quick glance at the clock on the wall, right on time.  She flicked her wand, banishing a stray pair of shoes she'd kicked off earlier and forgot about into the hall closet (she had cleaned, she wanted it to look like it!) before she made her way to the door. 

Swinging it open, she was just happy to see him.  The way his jaw dropped when she leaned against the door made her giggle and a flush rose to her cheeks.  "Merci," she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, much closer to her face than she would be on her flat feet and decided the next most appropriate thing to do would be give him a kiss on each cheek as she took the box from him.  "Je te trouve tres beau,"* she added, closing her fingers around the parcel, lingering by his left ear. 

She'd been practicing! 

With an impish grin, the blonde stepped back into the flat and ushered her boyfriend in as well.  "Hi," she added, "by the way," as she moved to open the box on the kitchen counter.  It was an open space, so he didn't have to follow her, and Cora motioned him to the couch.  The cheese, bread, and fruit she'd already set was on the coffee table - there might have even been a few grapes missing... for no particular reason. 

Pulling the tape off the box, Cora beamed.  "My favorite!" she announced, closing the lid and rushing around the counter to embrace him again.  "You know just how to make a girl happy, don't you?" she grinned, peppering him with tiny kisses.   

First the collecting process started?  Now pastries and wine? Divine!

*"I find you very handsome."

It was easy to return the traditional kiss. Thomas’s smile reached his eyes, almost hurting his cheeks as she spoke to him in a poor French accent. Still, it was the thought that counted. His free hand came out to hold her side, steadying her. His cheeks flushed. “Merci.” He followed after her into the flat, unable to wipe the smile away. She did that to him somehow... where he didn’t realize he could be so happy, and then there he was, happier than he had been five minutes before.

He had a photo of her back home, in the midst of a laugh as she twirled in some adorably cut dress. Thomas had taken it when they went for their last late night picnic, candles and wine and tent and all. Just looking at it made his heart skip a beat. If it also brought up memories of what they did while they enjoyed a glass of wine under the stars... that only made him blush and grin like an idiot.

Thomas was very thankful for having stumbled upon her when they had. And that he’d gotten fit for new robes. And that she’d come to Paris. Everything had fallen into place, eventually, and it felt... perfect.

“Hi.” He laughed and closed the door behind him, accepting the herding to the living room. He set the bottle of wine on the table, picking a grape up and popping it into his mouth. Thomas realized he should have waited, with the squeal and sudden barrage of affection. Another bubble of laughter slipped out as he tried not to choke, chewing the grape and swallowing before kissing her back, a little belated.

“I’m learning, anyway.” If he recalled correctly, he’d gotten a couple flavors he knew she loved. He picked up a couple more grapes, popping one in his mouth and offering her the other between thumb and forefinger. “What’s the celebration for?” A hand reached out and gently tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, thumb lingering to caress her cheek before he pulled back, sitting down on the sofa.

Not that Cora wasn't overly affectionate to begin with, but being so excited about her success was definitely not making her cool down.  It wasn't often that Violet Islington, who basically decided what was going to be fashionable for the next decade decided that your work was worth a first glance - let alone any exposure at all in her magazine. 

So, she didn't even spare a thought to the fact that she almost made him choke, laughing into his very late kiss.  When he spoke, though she knew he was talking about the pastries, she couldn't help but tug on the collar of his shirt and wrinkle her nose mischieviously, "That you are," she released the fabric and let her hand travel down to rest on his stomach before she took the grape he offered. 

She chewed a couple of times before swallowing and refocusing on his face as he asked about the celebration.

Well, that resurrected the energy that was under the surface and she became positively effervescent. "Do you remember," she started with enthusiasm while she sat on the couch next to him, "last month when I sold that lush cloak to Violet Islington for more galleons than I'd ever seen in my entire life?" 

Maybe not exactly true, but that wasn't the point.  She didn't even really stop for him to confirm he remembered or not, since that was also not really the point.  Cora curled her legs up under her and threw her arm around the sofa so she could face him, holding onto the back while she gesticulated with her free hand, "And she wanted to see some of my other pieces, so of course I showed her - you don't say no to Violet Islington - and she mentioned maybe doing a spread with my work.  I, of course, didn't say anything before because it could have just been a comment or something... but," she bit her lip and emitted a sound somewhere between a squeak and a squeal.  "Today..." She popped up from the couch and ran to the coat rack where her bag was hanging. 

She dug through the bag and came out with an official looking envelope.  It was addressed to Coralie Malkin and had the Runwitch seal on it.  She couldn't even believe it when she looked at it again.  Ah! She ran back to the couch and shoved it at him, "They are collecting my pieces! Over the next month or so - for a shoot," she continued to explain, before finally - almost out of breath and red cheeked, Cora blurted out: "I'm getting a spread! In Runwitch!"

An eyebrow shot up at the way she tugged on his shirt, glancing down at her hands and then at her face. He couldn’t help but grin, the area around his eyes wrinkling up as he chuckled. “I’ve an excellent professor.” Thomas wasn’t so dull that he couldn’t catch a bit of sarcasm and good-natured joking around.

Once on the couch, he straightened out his shirt, smoothing it down to his trousers before relaxing back, pursing his lips lightly to the side as he thought about her words. “Mmm...” It came to him suddenly and he made a noise of recollection, about to go into it when she continued.

His mouth closed and he smiled, turning towards her as well, leaning forward long enough to pick up a piece of cheese. She had probably seen as many galleons in her life quite a few times, but she was welcome to exaggerate. Thomas took a bite and listened as she got rather excited about this Violet Is... Ing... Well. This woman. “Mm-hm...” He responded through noise as he chewed, nodding his head slowly to show that he really was listening. Of course she showed off her craft when asked. Thomas understood that.

His tongue moved against his teeth, attempting to get some of the cheese off his molars when she squeakled. Eyes blinked as she shot up off the couch, watching as she ran around. Well. That was enthusiastic. Another grape was popped in his mouth before he settled back, crossing his leg over as one arm rested on the arm of the sofa and the other along the back of it. Of course, that was short lived when she came back.

Accepting the envelope, he turned it over and back again. What was a spread? Thomas swallowed and then grinned, knowing that whatever it was made Cora happy, which in turn made him happy. Looking up at her, he uncrossed his legs and scooted forward to the edge of the sofa. “That is fantastic!” Right? Runwitch was a fashion... thing. He’d listened to her bring it up before, had seen the magazine around her apartment.

Pushing himself up with a soft grunt, he licked his lips and grinned before wrapping her in a hug, twisting them gently. “Congratulations, Cora.” It sounded like something to be happy about. “We should... I don’t know, we should go somewhere. Get you something delicious to eat. What are you hungry for?” He pulled back and looked at her, hands resting on her hips.

It really was fantastic, wasn’t it?  Her cheeks hurt and the internal squeal of excitement could have popped her eardrums from inside of her head.  She was only 25 years old!  To get anything in Runwitch was a huge accomplishment.  She couldn’t really even put into words what this could do for her career, how it could push her out of just being a shop girl at Malkins.  She could run her own store – she could sell her clothes out of her great grandmother’s shop and create more…. the possibilities were a little overwhelming, but she also couldn’t get too far ahead of herself.

Fashion was an industry that was constantly changing and what she made could be popular one minute and then trash the next.  To get too far ahead was to get comfortable, and that was almost surely a way to walk straight into failure. 

She would focus, instead, on what was going on now and gladly accepted Thomas’ warm embrace.  She leaned her head onto his shoulder, still grinning like an idiot and closed her eyes.  “Thank you!” She gave him an extra squeeze before pulling away.

He said something about going out, getting something to eat.  Of course.  It was like his mind was made of food.  Giggling, Cora pursed her lips, thinking of what she might want to do.  Her plan had really been to just snack and then drink a bottle of champagne between them.  The prospect of going anywhere hadn’t really crossed her mind.  But now that the proposition was out there, Cora realized she was all dressed and could feasibly go anywhere….

Her eyes must have lit up because Cora knew her eyebrows went up and she smiled like she used to when she was very little and wanted something.  “We should go dancing!” she offered enthusiastically, “that would be so fun!”

Thomas had learned the more intricate parts of simple gestures with Cora. Or had started to learn, anyway. Like how a hug could feel more intimate than making out, sometimes. There were just times where you wanted to comfort each other in an intimate way that didn’t have to run you out of breath. Not that he minded the other situation either, it was just... this was nice. His hand had roamed up and down her back, gently comforting through the dress, accepting the final squeeze before pulling back.

He didn’t understand the trials and tribulations that went with her job. Or the threat of failure at almost every turn. He did know that she cared a ridiculous amount about her designing and that she was very good at it. Coralie was a determined young woman; it was another feature of her that he found attractive. Past the pretty face, it was the second thing that had really gripped him. That and her humor. So maybe third.

It was an aspect of her that would be attractive far beyond simple materialistic things. Though Thomas would be the first to admit that it didn’t take anything for Cora to be attractive. She was beautiful on her own.

The way her face lit up was a little disconcerting. His hands stayed at her side, holding her waist, watching as her entire faced morphed into a... he couldn’t quite pin the right word down in his head. What sort of food could she-

“We should go dancing!”

-oh. That wasn’t really food. He swallowed and licked his lips before he laughed, short lived. Thomas chewed softly on his lower lip before clearing his throat and glancing around. “Cora... I don’t really... I mean, if you want to, sure, but I’m not a fantastic dancer or anything. And I’m not dressed up enough to match you. But if you want to... sure, yeah, ok, pourquoi pas?”

Now he had butterflies in his stomach. He pulled back from her and sat down again, picking up a couple more grapes and enjoying them. “Do you know somewhere to go?”

He looked nervous.  She loved when he looked nervous.  It meant that she got to prove him wrong, or teach him something, and she loved that.  Her hopeful expression did not change as he fumbled over his words, chewing on his lip and avoiding eye contact.  She had to have a problem if she thought that was one of the cutest expressions he could possibly have. 

His concerns were typical though, and Cora just to keep smiling, reaching up to brush her fingers along his hairline before he pulled back to sit.  "You're adorable," she looked down at him with a bright smile and crawled up onto the couch next to him. 

"First," she giggled, "I'll be the only one dancing with you," she informed him, "And I like you anyway, even if you're terrible," she giggled and leaned over to grab a piece of cheese, nibbling on it as she looked over his outfit.
 
Sure, he wasn't as dressed up as her, but it probably wasn't a big deal.  After chewing and swallowing, Cora clicked her tongue.  "And no one is going to look at you," her smiled turned devious and she motioned to herself, wiggling in her seat, "when I'm with you."  Of course, if that didn't suit him, she frowned a little bit.  "We could always stop by the store first," she smiled, "I do have the keys..." she bit her lip and wrinkled her nose. 

She wouldn't want him to be uncomfortable, and she didn't mind doing a little dress-up if it would help.  Her great grandmother wouldn't even know.  She squeaked at his 'why not,' and threw herself into another hug with him. 

"This is going to be so fun!" she announced and reached over the table to grab a couple more pieces of cheese and a few grapes for good measure.  "If you need some liquid courage," she popped a grape in her mouth and held one up for him in the same manner as he did for her, "we can always pop the champagne I picked up..."

Thomas beamed a little. “I’m glad you think so.” He put an arm out across the back of the sofa, watching her as she settled down next to him. Talking about dancing, however, had him with second thoughts. He chewed absentmindedly on his lower lip. If Thomas rolled his eyes at her first comment, he sighed and shrugged it off. He looked at her eating cheese, tilting his head a bit before kissing her cheek.

It was nice of her to say; he didn’t expect much else from her, really. Was she really going to put him down before she got him out there? Cora wasn’t that kind of person. Thomas pursed his lips to the side and considered it all. Of course she would be his only dance partner, and he hoped she planned on dancing with only him too.

“You definitely are a looker.” He couldn’t help but get another good look, grinning as he took her in. If he had known... he would’ve worn something a little more appropriate. Thomas sat up a little straighter, shifting himself back further into the cushions. “Wouldn’t... that be bad? To borrow an outfit?” He rubbed the back of his head before shrugging. “If you don’t mind me dressed like this, then that’s... fine.”

The hug made it worth it. Well, partially worth it. He hugged her back and smiled, even if he wasn’t sure about her proclamation. It would be fun to be with her... Thomas leaned forward and accepted the grape, chewing on it as he listened to her offer. “Oh Merlin. Why didn’t you say you had champagne?” He laughed and then chewed, swallowing before he kissed her cheek. “Let’s have a glass at least to celebrate your wonderful news.” His hand rested on her thigh, squeezing it gently, encouragingly.

“And then maybe... go get this dancing thing out of the way.” Thomas pushed himself up, hovering over her for another peck. “Where is it? I’ll grab it!” He walked around the table and towards her kitchen after snagging a piece of cheese, popping it in for a bite.

Cora couldn’t help but preen just a little bit when he said she was a looker.  It had something that sounded like an old fashioned flair to the way he said it, but it suited him.  She wondered if he got that from his dad and brothers or if he’d spent too much time with his uncle and that’s where it came from.  Either way, she smiled and shimmied her shoulders with appreciation before returning the compliment, reaching to play with the collar of his shirt.  “It wouldn’t be a problem,” she deflected (not that she was sure… really…)  She’d probably be able to play it off to her grandmother…

Or just charge him… but well, she tilted her head to the side and rubbed the fabric between her fingers.  “I don’t mind you looking like this at all though,” she let her fingers brush against his neck before she pulled her hand away. 

She was happy though, when he perked right up at the mention of champagne.  Giggling, Cora shifted to let him kiss her cheek and grinned.  “What would a celebration be without champagne?” she picked him again, putting her hand over his before she let him get up, grinning at the third kiss in a series before they actually even got to the bottle.

Clearing her throat, Cora turned on the couch.  “It’s chilling,” she informed him and also pushed herself off of the couch, practically bouncing as she had an absolutely brilliant idea (in her opinion).  He didn’t seem keen at all on dancing, which made her a little bit sad, she had gotten her hopes up quite a bit about it – but maybe she could change his mind a little bit.  “The glasses are in the third cabinet, over the stovetop,” she added, making her way across the floor to the wireless. 

Flicking it on, she was pleased to that a recent hit (“Mermaid Milk”) by Snidget was relatively near the beginning.  The lyrics were a little strange, but there was a good beat.  She nodded her head, swishing her hips so the light fabric of her dress swirled around her upper thighs and Cora hummed along, doing a little turn to face the open kitchen again.  “Bring them in here?” she called after him.  If he didn’t want to go to dance, she’d bring it to him. 

She definitely had confidence. Thomas supposed it was her family’s shop, after all, so she probably had a lot of leeway with the stock. Especially after her most recent accomplishment. Even if he didn’t understand the complexities of what she had attained, he could still appreciate how important it was to her, and how that sort of thing reflected on her performance in her field.

He swallowed and smiled; he liked how she touched him, even if he was underdressed in comparison. It was the little things that made his stomach flip flop. The big things, too, of course... Those caused a lump in his throat on top of it all. Among other lumps. He really needed to stay focused right now. “Not as fun of one?” Champagne would be a good middle ground.

Third cabinet... His finger pointed them out as he counted in his head, one, two... three. Thomas pulled down two glasses, assuming he was pulling the right ones down. Once he had them in his hand, stems between his fingers, his other hand opened the fridge and pulled out the chilling bottle of champagne, nudging it closed again with his elbow. “Of course!” Now that he had... all of that...

Thomas stepped back into the living room, watching her dance with amusement on his face. “So what do you call that dance number?” He moved over and set the glasses down before focusing on the champagne bottle. “Would you like to do the honors?” Thomas half offered it to her; it was her night to celebrate, he didn’t want to take away the cork popping from her.

Plus he might have been a little worried about shooting it off somewhere, potentially breaking something. He had yet to realize why the music was on.

Cora grinned as she swiveled her hips a little more and shrugged while he approached.  The sight of a perspiring bottle was perhaps one of the most pleasing in the world right now, particularly being carried by a very handsome ginger man holding it.  He, of course, had to mention her dancing first and Cora rolled her eyes.  “Just warming up,” she grinned and hurried forward to accept the bottle. 

Clearing her throat, Cora lifted her chin and held the bottle in front of her, pointing the head toward the hallway, so if it flew it wouldn’t hit anything that was going to break.  “In celebration of my first magazine spread, here we go,” she winked at him and pressed her thumbs against the cork, squinting as she felt it moving out in the glass.

It didn’t matter how many times one opened a bottle, it was still nerve wracking and she took a deep breath as the cork finally released and flew across the hall with a resounding pop.  The pent up carbonation (was champagne carbonated?) frothed out in a light smoke and Cora immediately started to pour the liquid into the glasses. 

She put the bottle down on the coffee table and picked up the glasses, offering him his with a smile.  “To me,” she announced, and lifted the glass to take a drink.  “I’m so happy,” she breathed after she swallowed and sauntered back up to him, putting her free arm around his shoulder, swaying a little.  “If you don’t want to go out dancing…” Cora smiled, “we can always get takeaway and dance here?”

“It’s very... very nice.” Thomas cleared his throat in the midst of his sentence, eyes glancing down briefly before coming back up to her face, a friendly smile on his lips. Even if he couldn’t dance, he could appreciate someone else who was willing to do it. It seemed a girl thing to do. Female thing... since Cora was not a girl. His eyes stole a quick glance to the top of her dress. Definitely not... a girl...

He had a different reaction to her setting the bottle up for an attack. Thomas winced with her, bracing for the loud pop and checking himself for hits before he could breathe. He grinned and accepted the glass, clinking it gently with hers. “To you.” The customary sip was had before he grinned and ran his tongue over his lips. That was bubbly...

Once again her hips had his attention. Eyes fluttered back up to her face after a moment, his free arm wrapping lightly around her waist before he took a sip. Her offer had him at first disagreeing, head shaking as he started with a customary “No, Cora, if-” before he heard her entire offer. Thomas glanced over her face before smiling, kissing the corner of her lips. “I will go out dancing with you if you want.”

He took another sip of the champagne and chuckled. “But if you are encouraging staying in, I won’t object either. It’s your night, petite amie. You tell me what you want.” His hand around her waist gently rubbed her low back. “Je vis d’amour et d’eau douce. I am not picky.” Thomas winked at her before he gently toasted her glass again, encouraging her to drink, taking another sip of his.

 It was sweet how he suggested that he would do whatever she wanted.  It was definitely the right thing to say, whether it was desired or not.  He was a fairly easy person to read, not that it took a genius to know that it wasn’t exactly any man’s favorite thing to do: going out and dancing.  From what Cora knew, Thomas wasn’t exactly typical, but in some ways, he was as normal as they came. 

The idea of staying inside was starting to grow on her as well, particularly as he wrapped his arm around her waist.  Did she really want to share with a dance floor of people?  Humming appreciatively, Cora’s eyelids drooped as she lazily shifted her weight from one foot to the other.  “I love when you talk in French,” she informed him for probably the thousandth time since she had met him.  But, it was something that bore repeating, particularly if she wanted to become even halfway decent. 

It barely mattered that she really only understood the word love in the sentence, Cora liked it anyway.  It probably meant something wonderful, so she clinked her glass with his and tipped her head back, the champagne bubbles popping over her tongue. 

Licking her lips, Cora giggled and leaned up to kiss him.  “Let’s do that then,” she finally decided.  Since it was up to her, she’d take charge (it wouldn’t be the first time).  “We’ll refill these,” she tapped their glasses together again to accentuate the point, “turn the music up, and I’ll teach you a few things,” she winked and turned her back to him, pressing her hips back in a little circle before dancing forward to grab the bottle of champagne again. 

“Sound good?” she held up the bottle next to her face, grinning brightly before she topped off her glass, ready to the do same for him (who cared that they hadn’t even been emptied yet?).