Contentment

Title: Contentment

Author: acoustics1220

Format & Word Count: Ficlet, 903 words; 4,203 characters (no spaces); 5,121 characters (with spaces)

Rating: G

Warning: Cavity inducing fluff =D

Summary: The breeze was refreshing and entreating. He hoped this would last forever.

Author's Note: Many thanks to the_lone_jen, chibitoaster, and thebouncingball; the first two for so kindly offering to read a ship they're not accustomed to, and to the latter for being my first buddy in shipping HHr. All errors are my own. Also, you can find me at acoustics1220 [over at Livejournal].

*

The creaking whistle of the swing carried softly through the air, drifting past his ears as a breeze skimmed along his skin.

He absently rubbed his palm against his pants pocket and looked around the small playground, tilting his head thoughtfully as he surveyed the well-used children's equipment.

A corner of his mouth tilted up in a half grin and his eyes lit up as he turned to the person walking towards him. The crackle of leaves under her feet made him smile. His black fringe ruffled by an upward breeze and he blinked behind trim spectacles. He smiled again to his companion.

“I like this one,” and he leaned forward, placing his hands on the fence while overlooking the play area within. He pointed with his chin towards the equipment and turned to look at Hermione.

She silently surveyed the white fence surrounding the unkempt playground and turned inquisitive eyes to Harry, lips pulled up in a smile as she rubbed her protruding belly. Walking closer to the fence and passing Harry she nodded once; slipping a hand into his own which had been hanging loosely at his side. He looked down at their joined hands before looking back up at her, subtle curiosity and familiarity etched in his features before walking slowly with her to the gate. She raised the hook and released her hold on his hand as she walked into the fenced in playground. He followed her steps and pulled it closed behind him.

Hermione inclined her head toward the swing-set and looked over her shoulder at Harry, eyes gleaming as Harry waited expectantly.

She turned back towards the swings and started walking around the set. “You haven't done proper research, Harry. The appearance of a playground is important, but that's not nearly enough. You know my habits; this requires hands-on testing.”

As she walked, she wound her way through the individual swings and ran a hand down the chain of one before reaching the opposite end of the swing-set and leaning against the post as she eyed a particularly well-used blue seat. She raised her eyes to meet Harry's and grinned. “I think you should test the swing, Harry.” She nodded sagely before continuing. “Give it a go, yes?” She turned to look at the slide and pursed her lips sympathetically before grinning wryly, “I think you might be too big for the slide over there, but…I think this could hold you.” And with that, Hermione reached out and pulled at the chain of the swing closest and shook it in her hand, causing the clinking of the individual links to echo loudly in the space around them.

A breeze teased Harry's shirt and pulled at a few stray locks of Hermione's tied-back hair.

Harry blinked and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and propped his hands on his hips smartly, looking at Hermione and alternately, the swing. He tilted his head to the side slightly and raised a brow inquiringly. “Research, eh?” he took a step, and then another before clasping hands at the small of his back as he made his ways towards Hermione, and the swings. Her brows lifted and he turned his head towards the seat, and then back to Hermione before leaning forward enough to be only an inch or two from her lips.

“This is why I have you around. Always the smart one, you are.” He smiled appreciatively and kissed her swiftly - holding her lips for a few short moments before pulling away and making a show of scrutinizing the seat of the swing hanging in front of him. “I suppose this one will have to do…” he muttered skeptically. He gave the swing a critical eye before situating himself in front of it and plopping down in the blue rubber saddle.

He gave Hermione a sidelong smile before pushing at the ground and lifting his feet after propelling himself backwards. He kicked out and tightened his fingers around the chains and watched Hermione as he continued to move first forwards, then backwards, all the while blowing at his untidy fringe as strands made their way into his eyes. Harry looked up towards the sky and kept his eyes on a single cloud as it bobbed in his vision and he smiled, letting a chuckle escape his lips as he felt the light swooping in his stomach as he bobbed in the air. It's not like flying, but a baby can't tell the difference. He pursed his lips feeling amazement well up in his chest before he grinned and let his head fall forward in time to see his shoes causing the dirt to stir. He felt his smile widen as he looked at his wife.

**

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