Chapter 4

By: BoltOfHonor

The sun had barely begun to set, casting the Burrow in a soft, golden light, when Molly caught sight of Kingsley walking up the path towards the house. His tall figure moved with the same effortless grace that always seemed to set her heart racing, his dark robes billowing slightly in the evening breeze. There was something about the way he carried himself—calm, commanding, but never arrogant—that drew her in, and tonight was no different.

Molly stood at the kitchen window, her hands busy with the evening's dinner preparations, but her mind was entirely elsewhere. She couldn't stop thinking about the last time Kingsley had been here. The quiet moments they'd shared when the rest of the house had gone to bed, the way his hands had felt against her skin, and how easily everything had fallen into place. It had been exciting, almost dangerously so, but there was something deeper about it too—something that felt... right.

A soft chuckle from behind her brought her out of her thoughts.

"Expecting someone?" Arthur asked, his voice warm and teasing.

Molly turned, raising an eyebrow as she caught the amused twinkle in his eye. "Well, we do have company tonight," she said, trying to sound casual, though the smile playing at the corner of her lips betrayed her.

Arthur laughed, standing from his chair and crossing the kitchen to place a quick kiss on her cheek. "I think I'll leave the two of you to it. I've got some work in the shed to finish up before dark."

Molly gave him a grateful look, appreciating his understanding more than words could express. It was moments like these that reminded her why she had fallen in love with Arthur all those years ago—his easygoing nature, his unwavering support, and the quiet, unspoken bond they shared, even when their lives took unexpected turns.

"Thank you, Arthur," she said softly, watching as he grabbed his coat and headed out the door, giving her a quick wave before disappearing toward the garden.

She turned back to the kitchen, her heart racing as she heard the faint knock at the front door. Taking a deep breath, she wiped her hands on her apron and made her way to the hallway, opening the door to find Kingsley standing there, his usual calm smile in place.

"Molly," he greeted, his deep voice sending a familiar shiver down her spine. "Good evening."

"Kingsley," she replied, her voice softer than she'd intended. "Come in."

He stepped into the house, ducking slightly to avoid the low doorframe, his presence filling the small space with a warmth that seemed to make everything else fade away. Molly closed the door behind him, her pulse quickening as their eyes met.

There was a tension between them tonight, more charged than usual. The last time they had been together, it had been impulsive, unexpected—a moment stolen in the quiet of the night. But tonight... tonight felt different. More deliberate. As if the space between them had already been claimed, even before they spoke a word.

"How's Arthur?" Kingsley asked, glancing around the familiar surroundings with an air of ease.

Molly smiled, leaning against the doorframe. "He's fine. He's outside in his shed. Left us to... catch up."

Kingsley raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Very considerate of him."

They stood there for a moment, the unspoken understanding between them thickening the air, until Molly finally stepped forward, reaching out to take his hand. "Come into the kitchen. I've just finished making tea."

Kingsley followed her through the cozy hall into the kitchen, his large frame making the space feel smaller, more intimate. He moved with the same effortless confidence, and Molly found herself watching him, her heart fluttering as he settled into one of the chairs at the kitchen table.

She poured the tea, her hands trembling slightly as she set the cups down in front of him. Kingsley's gaze never left her, and the weight of it made her pulse quicken even more. The tension in the room had shifted again—subtle, but undeniable—and Molly could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she sat down across from him.

"Kingsley," she began, her voice low, almost tentative. "About last time..."

He looked at her, his expression unreadable, but his eyes softened. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about it."

Molly's breath caught in her throat, her fingers tightening around the teacup. "Neither have I."

There was a pause, the air thick with the unsaid, until Kingsley leaned forward, his deep voice breaking the silence. "Molly, you know how much I respect you—how much I care for you. But if this... if what we've started is something you're unsure about, I'll—"

"I'm not," she cut him off, her voice firmer now. "I'm not unsure. I just... I want to make sure you're okay with it. With us."

Kingsley's expression softened, and he reached across the table to take her hand in his. "Molly, there's no question in my mind. I'm here because I want to be. And because I want you."

Her heart skipped a beat, the weight of his words settling over her like a warm blanket. She hadn't realized how much she had needed to hear it, how much his reassurance had mattered.

"I want you too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Kingsley smiled, his thumb brushing gently over the back of her hand. "Then that's all that matters."

Molly felt warmth spread through her, melting the last of her hesitation. The way he looked at her—steady, sure, and full of understanding—made everything seem so simple, so right. She rose from her seat, her fingers still entwined with his, and stepped closer, her heart beating a little faster as the space between them disappeared.

Kingsley's other hand moved to her waist, pulling her gently against him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, everything in the world seemed to pause. Molly felt her breath hitch as his face leaned down, his lips hovering just above hers, teasing the distance between them.

And then, without thinking, she closed the gap, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, tentative, but then Kingsley deepened it, his hand tightening on her waist, pulling her closer still. Molly's arms wrapped around his neck, her body melting into his warmth as the tension that had been building between them for weeks finally found its release.

His lips were warm, commanding, and she responded eagerly, her fingers caressing his bald held. His hat had fallen to the floor as soon as their kiss started. The kitchen around them seemed to vanish, leaving only the heat of their kiss, the gentle pressure of his hands guiding her against him. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. It felt like her whole body was alive.

But before they could lose themselves completely in the moment, the front door swung open with a loud bang, followed by the unmistakable sound of boots clattering against the floor.

"Mum?" a familiar voice called out, far too loud for the otherwise quiet house. "Kingsley? Are you two in here?"

Molly froze, pulling back from Kingsley's kiss just as Bill Weasley burst into the kitchen, his face alight with excitement. His long hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and his dragonhide boots tracked dirt across the floor, but none of it seemed to matter to him as his eyes landed on Kingsley, a grin spreading across his face.

"There he is!" Bill exclaimed, clearly unbothered by the fact that he'd interrupted something. "Kingsley, mate, I didn't know you'd be stopping by tonight!"

Molly blinked, her cheeks flushing as she hurriedly stepped away from Kingsley, smoothing her apron and trying to regain her composure. "Bill! Don't you ever knock?"

Bill just laughed, completely oblivious to the awkwardness of the situation. "Oh, come on, Mum. You know I don't stand on ceremony with you lot. Besides, I've been looking forward to catching up with Kingsley. Thought I'd drop by before dinner."

Kingsley, for his part, remained perfectly calm, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Bill," he greeted, his voice as steady as ever, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Good to see you."

Bill clapped him on the back with enthusiasm, completely unaware of the tension in the room. "Good to see you too! You know, I was telling Fleur just the other day, you've got to come over to Shell Cottage sometime for a drink. You've been too busy lately."

Kingsley raised an eyebrow, his arm still casually resting on the back of one of the kitchen chairs. "I'll have to take you up on that."

Molly, meanwhile, tried to mask her exasperation as she busied herself with the teacups, her heart still pounding from the kiss they'd just shared. She shot a pointed glance at Bill, who either didn't notice or chose to ignore it.

"Bill," Molly said, her tone sharper than usual. "A little tact wouldn't go amiss, you know."

Bill turned to her, blinking as if he'd only just realized the situation. His eyes flicked between her and Kingsley, and then a slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Oh," he said, the realization dawning on him. "Ohhh. Right. Sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt... whatever was going on here."

Kingsley chuckled softly, but Molly narrowed her eyes at her eldest son. "I swear, William Arthur Weasley, you have all the subtlety of a Hippogriff in a china shop."

Bill threw his hands up in mock surrender, still grinning. "Hey, I'm all for it! Kingsley's a good bloke. Fleur thinks so too." He winked, leaning casually against the doorframe. "Besides, it's not like it's a secret. Well, not to me, anyway."

Molly sighed, shaking her head. "You've known for—"

"A while," Bill interrupted, crossing his arms over his chest. "I mean, come on, Mum. It's not like you're great at hiding things. You've been a lot happier lately. And Dad's been whistling more."

Molly's cheeks flushed again, and she shot a quick glance at Kingsley, who seemed completely unruffled by the whole exchange. Bill's lack of tact was legendary, but his heart was always in the right place.

"Well, I'm glad you approve," Molly said dryly, reaching for the kettle to busy her hands. "But next time, could you give us a bit more warning before barging in?"

Bill leaned against the doorframe, his grin widening. "Sure, Mum. But you might want to think about finding somewhere a bit more private than the living room. Some of my brothers might not be as awesome as I am about all this."

Molly nearly dropped the kettle, her eyes widening. "Bill!"

Kingsley raised an amused eyebrow, folding his arms across his chest, watching the exchange with a calm smile.

"What?" Bill asked, holding up his hands in mock innocence. "I'm just saying, if George walked in instead of me, you'd never hear the end of it. And Merlin help you if it was Ron—he'd probably move into Hermione's flat and never come back."

Molly's cheeks flushed deep crimson, and she set the kettle down with a bit more force than necessary. "Bill Weasley, I swear—"

"Relax, Mum." Bill chuckled, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "You know I don't care. I just think a bit of discretion might save you some awkward family dinners."

Molly shook her head, trying to stifle a smile. "Honestly, I don't know where you get this cheekiness from."

Bill shrugged, flashing her a mischievous grin. "I'm a Weasley. It's in the blood."

Kingsley, who had been silently enjoying the show, finally chimed in. "I'll keep that in mind next time, Bill. Perhaps a more discreet location would indeed be... advisable."

Bill shot him a playful wink. "See? Kingsley gets it."

Molly rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. I'll take your advice under consideration, Mr. Discretion."

Bill beamed, pushing off from the doorframe. "Glad to be of service, Mum. Anyway, I'll leave you two to... whatever this is. Just remember, I'm not the only one living nearby. Keep that in mind, yeah?"

Molly opened her mouth to scold him again, but before she could say anything, Bill had already ducked out of the kitchen, his laughter trailing behind him as he made his way outside.

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George leaned against the counter, crossing his arms as he sized Kingsley up. "Or maybe... you just can't resist Mum."

Molly shot George a warning look, but it did nothing to stifle his grin. Kingsley raised an eyebrow, knowing better than to engage too deeply with George's teasing. "I'd be lying if I said the company wasn't a draw," he replied smoothly, hoping to steer the conversation into safer territory.

But George wasn't one to let things go that easily. He smirked, casting a glance at Molly. "You know, Kingsley, you're not the first man to come around for Mum's famous roast. But I've got to say, you're definitely the most... dignified."

Molly huffed, rolling her eyes. "George, go help your brother set the table before I send you to bed without dinner."

George laughed, pushing himself off the counter with a mock salute. "Alright, alright. Just don't leave me out of any juicy details, yeah?"