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"I would beg to differ. I have read your books after all." Raphael pointed out and whilst he was no writer, he had read enough to know a good piece of writing when he had one in his hands. "And no, I am not a writer but you love it and I love seeing you happy. Plus it will be a good bonding experience therefore everyone wins." Raphael answered with a little chuckle. "I will not get offended, no. I will rather enjoy watching that genius mind of yours work. I don't have the attachment to writing like you do but I believe this could be fun."

"I'm a great writer but I'm not as almighty as you seem to be painting me out to be," Dominique responded with a soft laugh. Although it was certainly a nice stroke to her ego to know he valued her opinions on these sorts of things so much. It meant a lot to her. It always had. And looking down to meet his gaze and see him looking at her like that... it was worth all they'd gone through to lead up to this moment. "I didn't realize that writing together was something you were interested in," her eyes gleaming at the new revelation. "You'd want me to pick your work apart? You wouldn't get offended?"

[rcphceltousscint]

A soft humming sound left Raphael when Dominique's fingers found their way through his hair and he let his eyes follow her features, smiling at the way the blonde explained her concerns about the story. "I see. Hopefully that will rectify that the further you get but if anyone would know that something doesn't quite slot in place the way it ought to then it would be you." And he had no doubt that even if it was fixed further down the line, that there had to be something a little off about the writing for Dominique to notice it in the first place. "I'm not much of a writer, but perhaps we should write something together. If only to see you change my work and get endlessly frustrated at me." He added with a chuckle.

"And you need to point it out too," she laughed softly as he adjusted himself to further address the situation. Dominique let out a gentle sigh, letting her book rest on her stomach as she let herself look at him. One of her hands absentmindedly reached out to tangle in his hair as she thought about what she'd been pondering now that Raphael had asked her about it. "i think the author's forgotten the character's motives– it just feels out of character for him to forget about why he started the journey in the first place. I don't see why he'd stray off for this... side quest I suppose," she was now picking the book up again and waving it around a bit, pointing to the page with a rather calm and collected frustration. "I really hope he recognizes this in the next few chapters otherwise this is going to be a very unsatisfying ending."

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"Hardly." Raphael scoffed when the woman insinuated that Dominique didn't allow him to do certain things. "I keep myself on a tight leash because I know how to behave appropriately. Besides, beautiful though you are, there is nothing you could give me that would be worth hurting her for." Nor ruining what they were currently developing. He'd felt the repercussions of that once before. Raphael knew he'd be a fool to do that a second time, and, as attractive as he had pointed out the girl was, she couldn't hold a candle to Dominique in his eyes.

"Friendly capacity– of course, of course. I can behave," she insisted to him with a playful roll of her eyes. "That partner of yours is keeping you on a tight leash however, aren't they?" Laurel remarked with an exhale and a laugh. Despite her jokes, she still admired the man's loyalty.

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SABRINA CARPENTER & GAVIN LEATHERWOOD Sabrina Carpenter - Skin

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"Once my brain notices something, I can't unsee it." Or unhear it in this case he supposed. Raphael set his book down to one side and twisted to turn to face Dominique, still half draped across her lap. One hand was idly stroking the top of her thigh in a gentle, rhythmic pattern. "And just what is this character like and what should be changed about it?" He was genuinely curious about how she saw what it was she was reading. "I'm interested to hear your professional opinion."

"So you're keeping tabs?" her instinct always to deflect, blinking up from her page when he'd cut through the silence to call her out. Dominique had been enveloped by the comfort of their quiet intimacy, she was enjoying spending the day in lazily plopped onto her couch and just enjoying each other's presence as they did their own things. "I guess I got lost in thought," she considered with a light hum. "I began to rewrite what I think this character should be doing and I let myself forget I was actually reading," Dom then admitted, looking back at the page to find the words she'd left off on.

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"Oh entirely. Especially so because it is you." Raphael spoke a little too perkily. His expression turned into what could only be described as a cheshire cat grin when she relented. "I'm sorry? What was that? I'm not sure I heard you correctly. You might have to be a bit louder."

"Are you really going to be this fussy over a 'please'?" she grumbled, rolling her eyes at him initially but having to weigh out her options. "But okay fine– Raphael, could you please give me a hand with this?" Alessandra put emphasis on the word to an almost childish degre

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"In a friendly capacity, of course not. I am not a complete cad." Raphael pointed out, wanting to make it clear even if it hadn't been intended that their interaction was to be a certain type. With the developments with Dominique, he didn't want to give her any reason to believe he wouldn't be true to his word.

"I prefer not to but if the situation calls for it i can play the part," she shrugged back when he pointed out how she didn't seem like the type. "And it seems like you're not totally opposed to getting to know one another considering you haven't left yet."

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"You know, I don't think I've ever heard anything quite as sad as that." Raphael stated. "But then I remember its you I'm talking to and suddenly it makes perfect sense." The man continued with what one would probably have perceived as a charming smile even if his words were anything but. "But I understand."

"If you don't already know that this is not how that works, you are in the wrong building. Paperwork is how this place stays standing," Theo replied, "I'm being dead serious. I count them every day and record how they many and how many I snip off - because I have permission to - and I record it all here," he explained, holding up the book, "So you can see why I'm not going to just cut out the middle man."

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"That almost sounds like you're asking for my help..." Raphael spoke smoothly, a smirk playing over his features as the flowing cursive stopped and he set his quill back in the ink pot. "Though I'm yet to hear you actually ask properly."

@alessandramacnair

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"I'm fairly certain you've been on that same page for the past five to ten minutes." Raphael finally spoke up in the quiet of the room that was only broken by the sound of soft instrumental music being played in the background. He was comfortably stretched out on Dominique's couch, a socked foot half hanging off the side whilst his head was perched against her lap. They'd been enjoying one anothers company like this for a good while now, neither one speak but that wasn't necessarily needed. His eyes strayed from his own book to look up over the top of his glasses, head tilting back slightly. "Something on your mind?"

@dcminiquesweasley

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"Can you now? You don't seem the type to just behave." Raphael surmised, the humour still playing over his features. "If you can accept that though, I am sure we could find a way to enjoy one another's company anyway."

"I can behave myself if that's what you're afraid of," Laurel replied when he made the comment about what type of friend she had in mind. "And that's fair enough."

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"Hm... interesting take on my personality." Raphael answered lightly, a smirk on his face. "Perhaps I am exactly as self-involved as people think." He offered up the corners of his lips tilting up further. "And I have always been polite, now you are just being rude."

"You're not as self-involved as you seem to like to lead people to believe," Alessandra shrugged back with softened features. "Thanking me too? You've gotten so polite and gentlemanly these days," she couldn't resist teasing.

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"I suppose, but I more appreciate the storytelling than the actual ghosts themselves. And yes, I am from Beauxbatons. They have their own ghosts of course who are more than happy to tell you all their stories. In fact quite a few are very egocentric." Raphael gave to the woman in answer.

"If you've got any suggestions I'm happy to hear them," Willow shrugged back with a casual smile. "You really love your paranormal though, don't you? Did you go to Hogwarts? Or should I assume by the accent you went to Beauxbatons? If it's the latter I'm curious, are there ghosts roaming the halls there like there is in Hogwarts? I'm sure you could've asked them so many question."

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"Is that so? I wonder what gives you that impression." He was curious as to what she saw in him because Alessandra had startling foresight really considering how little he felt he gave away. "I am aware. So thank you."

"While I don't totally doubt that... I don't think that the possibility of you changing your mindset on that a little is totally out of the cards either," she shrugged at him with a little smile on her lips. "Yeah, soak it up while you can. You know I don't just throw those around. Especially not around you," Alessandra added playfully.

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"I think that it's good to explore something outside your usual interests. I enjoy books and what is a ghost tour if not a form of audio book really." He said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"A ghost tour?" Willow quirked a brow at that. "Certainly sounds interesting. Is that usually your sort of thing? I can't say I've ever thought to go on one of those but it certainly sounds interesting."

[rcphceltousscint]

It was not the first time that Raphael had been surprised by just how much of an impact he could have on the blonde. On anyone in fact but he'd never really seen himself as someone who could be that kind of man and encourage that kind of emotion. His talents tended to lie elsewhere but it moved him to know he could have such a positive influence on someone. And for that someone to be a person he regarded so highly too. "For you to be wanting that from me in the first place is quite the change in affection towards me." Raphael admitted given how Dominique had spent so long sneering at him when he'd come to England. He had actually began to doubt his abilities to sway her opinions of him. Of course, that had started out with different intentions to what he had now. Now they were more genuine and less to simply satisfy himself.

"Well..." Raphael began in gentle response. "Let's not put too much pressure on what the expectations for this ought to be, but perhaps we can start by clarifying that I'll be seeing no one else whilst we explore this and I would hope for the same from you." Not that Dominique was the type to do such a thing, it just felt right to confirm on both sides if they were going for clarity.

"Maybe so," she nodded, "But it doesn't make me any less grateful. Whether you planned to or not, you inspired me. And that means a lot to me so, I just wanted you to know that," Dominique elaborated with a shrug. When Raphael mentioned the possibility of having upset her, she shook her head with a laugh, "I was disappointed, sure. But honestly it was for the better. As much as I would've enjoyed that... I think everything happened the way it was supposed to," she assured. If anything it was a great show of his own character and how things had changed with him. Or at least it gave that impression.

"I'm afraid you're giving me far too much credit here, Raphael," her expression having shifted into one of pure surprise. Dominique never thought she'd hear anyone say that to her, let alone him of all people. After the way he'd left her feeling in the past, it was enough to render her stunned. "I just... I really like who I am with you and I want to explore more of that. If we just want to keep it casual that's fine and I get it but all I ask is that we make that clear from the get-go," she clarified.

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"Unlike you, apparently." Raphael responded back with quick wit, a smirk playing across his lips despite his words however. "Indeed. I think the thought was... unexpected." Not that he wasn't considerate but creating a scent that reminded him specifically of Dominique... well he supposed that was taking it to another level. "I believe she was catching up with one of her family members so I agreed to do the drinks run in the meantime."

"Spoken for? They grow up so fast," Alessandra teased, convinced that this was the first time she'd ever seen the other man with this particular demeanor. He looked happy but on such a peaceful level. "Well received? You're very welcome, Raph," she beamed. "So I take it the lucky lady isn't too far away if you're keeping an eye on those drinks?"