"Latibule"

a hiding place; a place of safety and comfort

4 May 1997

Fleur had become more clingy recently. The way she immediately crawled into Athena's arms the moment she came home. Didn't matter where Athena was; in her office, on the couch with her friends or in their bed. All she wanted was just her wife.

Athena will never deny that after learning her lesson once. Fleur's mood swings were unpredictable nowadays—she was over the moon one second and grumpy the next.

"My love?" A soft hum was what she received from her distracted wife. "You okay? You feel different."

"What do you mean?" Fleur cluelessly asked, watching the Quidditch match in the Bulgarian league—Viktor is playing. The two of them promised to watch every single one of their matches, whenever they could and give notes to one another about their plays or even their teammates.

"I don't know. But it is like you changed slightly?" Fleur cussed at the projection, Athena laughing at her as she snacked and turned to her wife, confused "But are you okay?"

"I am perfect, my Darling," Fleur purred, placing kisses on Athena's neck and slowly, so slowly moving up to her jaw. Her wife instinctively tilted her head to give her space but Fleur's attention was back to the match after hearing the commentators. Athena let out a deep sigh, pulling Fleur into her body as they continued to watch the match that had been going on for two hours and snacking with Athena refilling it more often because Fleur had been tired and it was the off-season.

"My breasts are sore though."

Athena chuckled softly to herself, pressing kisses on Fleur's hair and her hands went to feel her wife's boobs with no shame. The Veela slapped them away and started laughing at her wife, covering her chest as she slipped away from the touchy hands. Her foot pressed onto Athena's stomach after making a great distance, staying at the end of the sofa.

The Brunette placed a couple of kisses on Fleur's shin and slowly moved up to her knee. Fleur let out a deep sigh and smiled at her wife when she noticed her eyes, asking for permission. The silent acknowledgement let Athena shift her wife and she was on her knees. The soft carpet tinkled her legs.

"You have been more tensed than I am."

"I am just tired."

"You want a massage?"

"What are you offering?"

"Anything you ask for, I will offer."

"How about just a cuddle?"

"Here or in bed?"

"Here is good, I am too lazy to move," Fleur muttered, opening her arms for her wife to climb into. Athena was careful, remembering that Fleur's boobs are sore for some reason but her wife had a suspicion of her current state. Might have to talk to her mother-in-law about it.

— | —

"You're different," Camille stated before taking off her glasses and rubbing the bridge of her nose. Fleur awkwardly smiled and placed lunch on the coffee table, remembering that her wife saying the exact same thing. "You okay?"

"It may be because I am pregnant?"

Camille jumped from her seat, slamming her hands on the desk. Her eyes sparkled with the biggest smile on her face. Fleur laughed as she sat down on the sofa, the way her mother-in-law sprinted to sit beside her only made her smile even more. The older woman waved her hands around and asked for permission which she received but Fleur was just confused. A cold hand was placed on her stomach as Camille told her to relax. 

If the Auclairs focused enough, they could feel a new life. That was how they have been like their friends' pregnancy test—it is faint and at the same time, similar to its mother, that is why Athena didn't sense it.

"You're pregnant," Camille breathed. She wanted to congratulate Fleur but the Mother-in-law could see the turmoil in her eyes. They always dreamed about this moment and nothing could have prepared Fleur for this.  "Fleur, Darling, what's happening?"

Fleur had longed to see Athena's reaction, to share the excitement and dreams of their future child. But for now, she had to wait.  

"Athena has a very dangerous job."

"Yes, I know. I was working when I had all of them."

"Were you benched?"

"I was."

"But she isn't the one pregnant, she can't know. She cannot be distracted—"

"Darling, darling," Camille whispered, taking her hands and brushing a strand of hair from Fleur's face. "You need to calm down. I am sure you know stress is never good for the little one."

"But Athena."

"We will worry about my daughter later. If you don't want to tell her now, then don't. But you have to know that Athena will find out sooner or later. Your wife will be pissed but will understand. She is not an idiot to not know her job was as dangerous as it was in my time."

"That does not make me feel better, Mother."

"You little shit."

Fleur laughed, the tension she felt was gone, raising her hands in mock surrender before reminding her that she was pregnant so no more stupid hitting and Camille scoffed, in disbelief that she just used the 'I am pregnant card'. Apolline opened the door, offended that her best friend was the one her daughter visited.

"Excuse me? Why are you visiting her and not your mother?!"

"Because I need to check something." Apolline crossed her arms, her foot tapping the ground rapidly and waiting for a reason. Camille laughed, dragging her best friend over to see beside her.

"Like what? You're pregnant?"

Fleur opened her mouth before closing it quickly before Camille burst out laughing while her best friend just sat there, not knowing what to say. The younger Veela had to properly tell her so her mother would confirm that she would be expecting a grandchild.

Apolline's eyes widened in shock before a broad grin spread across her face. She leapt from her spot, enveloping her daughter in a tight embrace. They laughed and cried together, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.

"Does Athena know?" Fleur took a deep breath and shook her head. Her mother took her hands and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She squeezed her hand reassuringly. "It's okay, baby. When the time is right, you'll both be able to share in this beautiful moment together."

"Also, my daughter is too oblivious about pregnancies," Camille stated, a quick change in emotions, finally eating the lunch Fleur brought and Apolline was jealous. As always, she came prepared and took out another box of lunch from her bag. Both Veelas turned to Camille, forcing her to go back to her statement. "You are married to the youngest child who is never surrounded by pregnant women."

"Oh my god, will my wife be like my father?"

"I believe she would be like her father."

"Lucian was trying so hard to make you comfortable," Apolline laughed, remembering once he carried Camille out of an event and all the way home because she said her feet hurt. Lucian thought his wife just wanted to relax at home and get a personal massage but a chair would do just fine. "And I think Athena knows that you are here."

"How would she know?" Fleur muttered, finishing up her lunch and thinking about heading over to her wife's office as soon as she can. But her mothers slowed her down and begged her to take her time.

"She and Margaret are close so naturally, any family or friends of Athena, she will get informed," Camille explained.

"Don't worry about her, just take your time. Athena is probably busy training the trainees."

"Oh, she is still training them?"

"We decided that the Aurors needed to get better remember? So Chloe got Athena training them, to get stronger but they only pisses her off." Camille laughed in response, she just assumed someone had taken over the job now. Fleur let out a deep sigh, finally learning the reason why her wife was always grumpy when she got home. "I will send you recipes that will be good for the baby."

"Oh, I will send some too, get Athena to do all the work and don't stress. Leave it to Athena."

"But—"

"She loves you with all her heart so anything you ask, she will get it done for you."

"Did you not realise? Your wife's love language is acts of service first before gift giving."

"The only reason gift-giving is in her traits is because I have spoiled her to the max."

"It is a miracle that the Ashryver-Auclair's funds still exist."

Camille laughed and helped Fleur up. Apolline joked that she was not far along yet. Fleur realised that everyone would be taking care of her to the fullest. But right now, it will be just Apolline and Camilles, her mothers.

— | —

Fleur, the beauty she is, walked into the Bureau with all the air of grace, gliding across the bullpen. Giving her breathtaking beautiful smiles to her friends and anyone who greeted her. Her In-laws are always so happy with her, that Juliette lets her nephews have their moments with their sister-in-law before talking to her for a moment.

The Aunt wanted to ask if she was okay but Fleur said she would tell her later. From that, Juliette knew she might be pregnant because she, compared to Athena, was surrounded by a pregnant sister and a lot of pregnant friends.

Vanessa was never happier to see her niece. She hogged her for quite some time before Juliette took her away so Fleur could see her wife.

Athena heard the knocks but she could already feel her wife coming, the moment she stepped foot into the Bureau. The new feeling among the stagnant ones in the same office every single day is a good change.

"Come in," Athena voiced, letting out a deep sigh afterwards.

"Bonjour ma Cherie."

Athena smiled before rubbing her temple, annoyed at her paperwork, "Ma Amour, how was lunch with my mother?"

"It was good. Did you have lunch?"

"I did but not very much."

"Thena..."

"Do not worry about me, I am okay."

Fleur hummed, stalking over to her wife and Athena pushed her chair out because she knew her wife too well. The part-veela made herself very comfortable on Athena's lap and her wife pushed her face into her very sore breasts. Fleur winced a little before running her hands through her hair.

"How about you? Are you okay? Boobs still sore?"

"I just got hit in the chest, that is all."

"By bludger?" Athena sucked in her breath before laughing, "At least you would not have concussions but I will be careful."

'By the gods, you are so dumb despite being the smartest in the room.'

Fleur thought to herself, trying her best not to laugh or even to let out a soft chuckle. She wasn't sure if Athena knew or not. The woman kept track of her period just so they could get freaky but now she is just letting the cycle go. Maybe because she isn't clear how the 'mating' ways of the Veelas but she is very clueless.

Athena wondered if she should go home the moment the clock hit six or finish up her work so she could relax for a while. Since most of the work she needs to give Chloe is not due anytime soon.

"Can you come home early?"

"Sure, why?"

"I want to take you to dinner with my team."

"After all this time?" Athena teased, looking up at her wife and finding those beautiful eyes already staring back at her. Fleur rolled her eyes after that shit-eating smirk appeared. Athena let out a soft confirmation that she would see her home. "Do you perhaps want to watch me torture the aurors?"

"Why not?" Fleur laughed and got off her wife's lap, waiting for her to tidy up the desk.

"Audrey! Spacial awareness!"

The poor woman let out a soft 'sorry' as she got up, retreated to where Fleur was watching and let out a long guttural groan as she sat on the cold marbled floor.

"Are you good?"

"Your wife's training is getting more and more painful."

Audrey received a shrug in response from her best friend, they knew exactly why the training was difficult. Even if the Deatheaters have no business in France, precautions are taken just because Athena is here. Her being anywhere in France is a danger to them however if she was compromised, they can take care of themselves.

"Can you help to ease her?" Atlas panted for dear life as he fell to the floor. Fleur panicked, trying to catch him before he hit his head. He only laughed in response since he caught himself being dramatic. "My twin is terrifying."

"I am taking her to dinner and we will see how the night goes. It will be a long night," Fleur laughed when she caught a glimpse of Damon's face as she said, "because we are having dinner with my teammates."

"And have her as dessert, please," Audrey begged, her sweaty forehead on Fleur's shoulder and slightly shaking her. Her best friend laughed which caught Athena's attention and Atlas crawled to hide behind his sister-in-law, his arm hooked around her waist and clinging to her for dear life. Damon let out a long groan as he sat down and stretched his legs.

One small smile from Fleur made Athena's glare go away and to everyone's relief, they thanked her in their heads or mouthed it to the Veela.

"Fifteen minutes break. Go."

Athena heads toward Chloe and Ines while Fleur turns to look at Atlas, patting his arm and laughing as she hears his whinings. Audrey had her head on her lap, her face pressed into Fleur's stomach. The Veela contemplated if she should tell these two about her pregnancy but a glance at her wife decided that she shouldn't. As much as she loved her wife, she loved her family too much to put them in unnecessary danger.

What if Fleur told Athena? Would that guarantee that she will always come home to her?

A pang of guilt felt heavy in her heart. It would have been great to tell the news to all her friends and family but for the sake of their safety, she will hold that guilt. At least her mother and mother-in-law knew, her heart was a little lighter for them. 

— | —