Bridges (Seb)

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Yes, Victoire was in the Ministers office and yes, she was sitting in the Ministers chair. Ever seen they had lost Reynold and DW in one month, things at the Ministries head offices had been crazy. Seb and Victoire were running the show while the ministry was all in a fuss about getting a new Minister in Office. Victoire was sure they'd asked Seb, she would have, but either they hadn't asked him yet or he denied the idea because there was no movement in that direction. In that, it seemed like no one wanted to step up to the plate.

Well, no one except Victoire.

She hadn't told Sebastian about her plan yet, but she was going to do that today. She wanted his full support as well and if she became Minister she'd want him to stay in his position, or move up to Senior Undersecretary.... either way, they made a great team and she wasn't about to let him leave her all alone in there. Not after all that they had been through together--professionally and personally.

But, here she was in the Ministers office going through a stack of files that had been placed on the desk previous to Reynolds death. It had been what, a month? Less? And no one had been able to have a second to come in here and look at things, organize things. So here she was, one hand in her hair and the other flipping pages....

@sebastian

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Things had been crazy in Sebastian's life as of late. First the death of Minister Shacklebolt, a coworker and friend of Sebastian's. Then the death of DW. It had become clear that things were not well in the wizarding world. Then Cain had been promoted to Minister and it was really obvious they were headed for a bad place. And when Cain had been murdered? Chaos. Complete and utter chaos.

Though through it all there had been a small beacon of light.

Victoire Weasley. The Junior Assistant to the Minister. Seb had worked very closely with her in the last few months and they had actually gotten... closer than intended. Things weren't necessarily awkward between the two of them now, but there was still that tension. The urge Seb got to be close to her whenever they were in the same room, it was overwhelming. So it took a little bit of mustering up some strength as he stood outside of the Minister's office, where he knew Victoire to be. He took a deep breath and stepped inside.

Upon entering, his eyes immediately found the blonde behind the desk. He blinked for a moment, standing there and watching her. His mouth fell open slightly. She was beautiful... and she looked even better behind the desk. Sebastian admired her work ethic, and how she seemed to sort of be stepping up to the plate during all of the chaos. He closed the door behind him and stood just in front of it. He honestly didn't want to bridge the gap between them any more for fear of wanting to kiss her.

"The desk suits you," he finally spoke.

@victoire

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Victoire didn't look up until Seb spoke, and she found her cheeks feeling warm. "Thanks, Seb," she said in a quiet voice. She resisted the urge to go to him, or to even bite her lip while looking up at him. She felt the insane pull that always happened between the two of them, especially when they were alone. But they were in the ministers office. As if their... relationship or whatever it was wasn't inappropriate enough. "Do you... I've just been going through things. Trying to organize for whenever our office gets back in shape," she found herself chuckle as she spoke of he madness that was happening in their office.

She sighed, sitting up a little straighter in the chair. "You've been hard at work. I feel like we really haven't had a chance to talk since... you know," since the Minister they worked with died. Now that had been able to speak, of course, but it was all business. No Sebastian and Victoire time was able to slip through the cracks as they worked the last few weeks. They had the entire ministry on their shoulders.

@sebastian

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When she finally looked up at him, Sebastian was once again taken aback at just how much he was attracted to Victoire Weasley. Sure, he admired her impeccable work ethic but look at her. How could anyone not feel that way about her? He realized very briefly as he stared at her, fighting back the urge to cross the room to her, that he had never thought of if there had been anyone in her life before him. It didn't matter. He had to remind himself that what they had shared was a mistake... no matter how much he had enjoyed it and wanted it to occur again. Right here in the Minister's office.

But that would be extremely inappropriate.

Sebastian let in a little sigh at her words and raised his eyebrows, trying to stay professional. "Yes," was all he could manage to say for a moment. He looked around the office, quickly realizing that she had not meant what she had thought he meant. He gave a little cough. "Ahem, yes. Things have been quite busy." He avoided her eyes for a moment, looking for any sort of way out of his own mind. But the only way he could manage that was to follow his instincts and right now that was not an option.

"You've been quite hard at work yourself, Miss Weasley," he continued. "You really know how to lead," he nodded at her once. Sebastian really did admire the way she seemed to keep herseld together through all of the chaos. To be honest the only reason he had even remotely stayed together was because of her. She was an inspiration.

The world could use a leader like her.

@victoire

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She hated when he avoided eye contact with her, but she completely understood why. Every time they lost eye contact and made it again it was just that much harder. It would be easier to just keep talking eye to eye, wouldn't it? No, none of it would be easier. As long as they were in the same room that tension would be in the air, that spirit of rebellion welling up inside her. That urge to forget her dreams for just another hour or so...

Nope, nope, nope.

"Being the eldest cousin of many, I kind of had to learn that early," and it was true. Aside from Teddy, who counted as a cousin in most ways, Victoire was the oldest meaning that she had a lot on her shoulders. She learned from a young age that she needed to be a good example. To lead them. She was grateful for the experience just like she was grateful that they had been so busy. The two of them may have made a lot more of a mess of their friendship if they hadn't been so busy...

"And what are you working on, sir?" she asked, placing both hands on the desk and slowly pushing herself to stand. She stayed behind it, however. For now.

@sebastian

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Sebastian had always had a thing for women in power. He had always seen potential in Victoire; potential for her to be something greater than she was and she was proving him right by taking the position as Minister. He had believed from the very moment she stepped into the Ministry as Shacklebolt's assistant that she would be going places... and he had always had a feeling it would be where she now sat. The Minister's desk.

When Victoire mentioned her family, Sebastian looking down and chuckled. He knew the family she came from was large and that many of them even worked in the Ministry. That particular thought disturbed Seb just a little bit... that perhaps one of her uncles could walk in needing her assistance at any moment. It was unnerving. He didn't know what it was like to come from such a large family, but he knew how important family was. And how you didn't come between family.

As Victoire began to stand up, Sebastian bit his bottom lip and let his eyes linger on her for a moment longer than they really should have. He averted his eyes quickly to shove all thoughts not pertaining to work out of his mind. "Um," his brow furrowed as he looked down at his feet again, trying to think of something to say. "Just, uh... just trying to keep the press out of our hair." He looked back up and forced a small smile, hoping it was convincing enough. To be honest, he had other people on that job... but he had at least appointed them to do that, right? Honestly, he couldn't remember what had brought him to her office... Aside from just the pull he felt toward her. Looking down again, Seb let out a small breath.

"Miss Weas - Victoire," Sebastian sounded exhausted as he corrected himself in saying her name. At last, he looked up at her and made eye contact... managing to keep it this time but the look on his face was one of pure seriousness, a look that one wore right before they were about to bare their soul to someone. Which was not something Sebastian Rockefellar did often. "I don't believe I can go on pretending I don't have feelings around you anymore."

@victoire

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The tension between the two of them was palpable. She didn't want it to be there, really. She wanted this to be a serious, business conversation- oh, who was she kidding? Sebastian was one of her friends and they rarely talked about anything seriously for too long. They got all their work done, sure, but they didn't have to do it with a straight face.

As he mentioned trying to keep the press out of her hair, she nodded, but didn't respond. Surely their little... relationship was the exact opposite of getting the press out of her hair. Either way, she wasn't going to stop coming around from behind her desk to approach him.

When he stopped himself to say her first name, she stopped moving, looking up at him with a raised eyebrow and possible pleading eyes. His face grew serious, and so did hers.

The confession was a little shocking, even though it shouldn't have been. She waited a moment before nodding once and continuing her walk toward him. "I... I understand. I've been having the same problem, really," she confessed as she stopped a few inches away from him.

"But I'm the Minister of Magic now," she said, but she didn't take a step back. She was glued to the spot.

@sebastian

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Sebastian had always had a rule against relationships with coworkers. In fact, he hardly had any friends from the Ministry - any people that moved past acquaintances. The fact that he had gotten so close with Victoire was fate on its own, it had to be. He had had to work so closely with her under Kinglsey and Cain that the two had had no choice but to get on and Victoire was so kind, so charming... something about her just drew him to her. Seb couldn't ignore it anymore.

As Victoire moved toward him, Seb felt that pull again. The pull to bridge the gap between them and envelop her in his arms. The thought of her uncles or anyone walking in slowing fading away in his mind. Suddenly, even this much closer, all there was was Victoire. Nothing else. And she was having the same feelings? Sebastian felt something ignite in him; a spark. He wanted to kiss her again as he stared at her lips when she stopped moving toward him.

"But I'm the Minister of Magic now."

Of course. Her job was much different now... she had a real position of power. She wasn't just his coworker anymore. She was his boss. Sebastian watched her in silence for a moment, his eyes almost pleading her to continue forward toward him. He found even himself rooted to the spot where he stood... afraid to move. "Right," he said, his breath hitching a bit at the end. "Of course. I understand." He nodded. Of course he knew that they couldn't continue that relationship anymore. It was impossible. A Minister sleeping with their employee? Sebastian was certain it had never been done. "The last thing I would ever want to do is... is tarnish your reputation, Miss Weasley." And he was back to formalities just as quickly as they had left.

@victoire

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Vic kept her eyes on his during those moments of silence and could almost hear his plea for her to move forward. Then he spoke about understanding and not wanting to tarnish her reputation. She nodded once, not realizing that she had been holding her breath for quite some time. She let out a long shaky breath and then took one more step forward, "maybe here's not the place. I mean," she was regretting it even as she was saying it but she couldn't deny that jolt of excitement that was burning in her lungs, "I mean there has to be safer places to... spend time together?" her voice was a whisper now and her feet moved involuntarily closer to him.

She knew what was coming over her, of course she did. It was hard to be alone, to feel lonely, even when you were the Minster of Magic. Sebastian was right there. He was charming, brave, handsome and mature which were all things she wanted in a guy. Not that she really thought much about it, but she couldn't find anything wrong with him. Other than the fact that she was his boss.

@sebastian

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At Victoire's words, Sebastian's eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected those words at all. His mouth opened slightly to speak but nothing came out. Now he so badly wanted to leave, to go somewhere else with Victoire. Some place they could be alone but... he knew that that just couldn't happen. Not only was he her emloyee now but she was the Minister and she had so much on her plate now that he didn't want to add to it.

"Victoire," he said her voice slowly, quietly. "I care a great deal for you." Sebastian began to slowly bridge the gap between them until he was standing only a foot away from her, looking down at her. "And it cuts me like a knife to have to deny any time spent with you outside of work but... we cannot." He said it all slowly, letting the words sink in not only for her but for himself. "You're the Minister now. We go anywhere together without your guard and it will make the front page of Witch Weekly," he added the last bit lightheartedly.

Sebastian stared into Victoire's grey eyes in silence again but being so close now, he felt that pull toward her stronger than it had ever been. And slowly he raised his right hand to her face and gently pushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. He had never wanted to be closer to her than he did right now.

But he couldn't.

@victoire

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Victoire knew that her twenty-two was showing, and she didn't want that. She was an adult. No, she was the Minister of Magic. SHe sighed, crossing her arms over her chest as he said her name. She bit her lip, surprised by the sudden liquid brimming her eyes as he said that he cared a great deal for her.

Then he brought up the guard and her heart stopped beating. The guard. Teddy. That was exactly was she needed to snap out of this. "You're right," she said, pulling her wand out as he slowly raised his hand to her face and played at her hair. With a flick of her wrist the window curtains were closed.

She placed a hand on his shoulder, lifting to her toes to gently plant a kiss on his lips. It was hard to keep it short, but she did. She pulled away again and smiled at him. "Now, let's stop fussing over this and run a country. What do you say?"

@sebastian

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A part of Sebastian had been hoping that maybe Victoire would tell him he is wrong and convince him to not end things; he so badly did not want it to end. But they were coworkers... she was his boss. It was all fun when they were still working for the same guy but now... it was inappropriate. It couldn't go on. Seb's hand lingered by her ear a moment until she flicked her wand and the curtains closed. Then he returned his hand to his side, regrettably.

Victoire placed a hand on his shoulder and Seb thought for sure, this was the moment... she was going to tell him that he was wrong and things were going to continue. His mouth was open only the slightest bit and then her lips met with his and just as quick as it had happened, it was over. This wasn't the moment, and things really were done between them. Seb would have been lying if he said he wasn't hurt by it, that he wanted that kiss to last longer but... this was the right thing to do.

It was hard not to smile when Victoire smiled, so Seb easily returned one. He chuckled a little at her words. "That sounds like a great idea," he said softly, still keeping the professional tone about him. Perhaps something good would come out of this. Seb had to stay positive.

@victoire

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She was glad that he smiled back, and even chuckled. They were going to be okay, and that was important to her. He was too important to her, both in her professional life and out, that she wasn't planning on losing him just because they had something once upon a time. She nodded, "All right then, Sir. Run along now and get those reports or something," she joked, taking a step back and flicking her wand again to open the curtains once more and letting the door swing open.

"I'll see you for our meeting with the Law Enforcement this afternoon." She couldn't deny that her heart was sinking as she spoke, but she tried to ignore it. He, no doubt, saw the strange pain in her eyes even though she was smiling. She kept her eyes on him, hoping he would leave so she could be alone to... deal with this. To get closure for herself.

And to think of how she was going to avoid ever having to tell Teddy about this.

@sebastian (le end, me thinks)