Much Needed Downtime

[Ginny Weasly]

~Next Morning Cause I said so.~

Ginny awoke and softly slipped out of bed, leaving Xaver to lie there. She wasn't sure he was still asleep, nor did it matter. She changed her clothes, pulling on jeans and a longsleeved blue shirt before leaving the bedroom and going to the kitchen. Once there, she set about making food.

At the first smell of food, Cody stepped into the kitchen, still in his pajamas. He shuffled to a chair, mumbling a good morning as he pulled himself up. He watched Ginny for a long moment then, "Momma, will you teach me to fly like Daddy?"

Ginny smiled slightly, "Can't, angel. I don't know how."

Cody instantly scowled darkly, "You know everything, Momma."

"No, I'm afraid not baby." Ginny shook her head, "I know very little."

"You just don't want me to leave like Daddy did." Cody shot back, angrily, "You're scared I won't come back."

Ginny closed her eyes, turning and taking a deep breath. Yes, she was scared of that, but that didn't change the fact that she couldn't teach him what he wanted to know. She opened her mouth, but didn't get the chance to say anything.

"You just want me to be a baby forever, Momma! I hate you." Cody said, starting to cry. He was a spoiled kid, used to getting everything he wanted and not having to share it. It wasn't all Ginny's fault, her parents had the habit of never arguing with him, and giving him toys he wouldn't play with ever again. So when he didn't get what he wanted, he did what all three year olds do.

He threw a tantrum.

The words stung Ginny in a way that Cody wouldn't understand until he had children of his own. Her own eyes began to tear up, and she bit her lip, as Cody continued saying that he hated her.

"Go."

Cody stopped his yelling, suddenly scared at her lack of yelling and emotion, "Why?" he whined.

"Go, get out. I don't care if you got to your room or not. Just get out of the kitchen. Now." Ginny's voice was soft, trying to conceal the sadness. She began to cry and Cody, scared simply watched her. Ginny tried to convince herself that this was nothing to cry over.

[Xaver]

He was asleep.
Oddly enough, he had slept well during the night, curled up with Ginny. Free of nightmares, and free momentarily from torment, he'd slept pleasantly.
He stirred, a few moments after she had risen from beside him, squeezing his eyes shut against the strong morning light, then finally sighing when he heard the bedroom door open, and close, as she slipped out.

Xaver took his time waking up, rolling over, and out of bed, slipping into yesterday's jeans, and a fresh shirt, and smelling of the shower he'd taken before bed last night. Running a hand through his thick, onyx-colored hair, he padded, barefoot, to the door, and opened it, moving naturally soundlessly down the hallway..
'I hate you,' being the first words he heard.

"What's this?"

Xaver frowned, his arms dropping to his sides, as he rounded the corner.

The scene was upsetting.
Cody, frowning, whining a 'why'... And Ginny. Crying.

Xaver's heart lurched.

"To the living room, Cody. Now."

[Ginny Weasly]

Cody jumped when Xaver spoke, and he looked at his father for a moment, then to Ginny, then to Xaver. He went to speak, then thought better of it. He stood, inching pas Xaver through the doorway and into the living room.

Ginny stood still, her hands pressed to her face as Cody moved from the room. She said nothing, making almost no noise.

[Xaver]

Xaver watched Cody leave, his features set, his gaze following a little ways as he went toward the living room, before he looked to Ginny.
He went to her, slowly, tender concern and wonder written fiercely over his face. Xaver stopped, before her, his fingertips grazing her elbows.

-Love?-

[Ginny Weasly]

Ginny wiped at her eyes, not looking at him.
-I'm sorry. This is stupid to cry over. He's only a child throwing a tantrum.- She didn't trust herself to speak aloud.

Cody peeked around the cornor, not hearing any words. He wondered briefly how much trouble he was in.

[Xaver]

-Don't you be sorry..-

Xaver didn't seem to notice Cody - and, if he did, he paid no heed.
Instead, he drew closer to Ginny, running the fingertips of one hand over her shoulder, the fingers of his other hand curling, hooking beneath her chin, and gently lifting, willing her to look at him, even as he planted kisses over her eyes, and cheeks, and nose. Brushing away the tears.

-Crying is never stupid. You are allowed, you know..-

He tried a gentle smile, trying to reassure her.
Wanting to hold her.

Not sure what he could, or should, do..

[Ginny Weasly]

-But I shouldn't. Not in front of him.- Ginny frowned, angry at herself. She had always been strong in front of Cody, never giving into weakness if he could see her. She didn't want him getting scared or anything. She had always waited until she was alone to cry.

-I'm horrible at this parenting thing.- She thought, miserably. She knew it wasn't true, but that was how she felt at the moment.

[Xaver]

-And why not?-

Xaver looked at her, a little curiously.

-Why is it so wrong to show weakness before him?.. He needs to know that it's natural. Weakness is OK. You don't have to be all powerful - you know that, right?-

His gaze softened, but his frown deepened.

-And you are not horrible. You and horrible parenting is an oxymoron.-

[Ginny Weasly]

-I'm his mom. He has to know he's safe. How much protection can I be if I'm crying over meaningless things?- Ginny didn't look at him, adverting her eyes as much as she could.

Cody watched his parents from the doorway, suddenly feeling slightly guilty. His mom looked devestated. He wasn't able to red Xaver yet, but he had the feeling he wasn't too happy either.

[Xaver]

Xaver dropped his hand from her chin, and gently wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against him like she was delicate - as if he were afraid she'd break if he held her tighter.

-Love, he knows you are strong. You're no stone - you're alive. Alive enough to feel - and to hurt. And that's OK..-

He murmured to her softly, one arm remaining around her, the thumb of his other hand brushing away stray tears.
Xaver turned his head then, his eyes finding immediately, Cody's.

His facial expression never changed from that concerned tone, even as his hand dropped from her face, and he offered it to him.

[Ginny Weasly]

Cody froze as Xaver saw him, unsure of what to do. He eyed Xaver's hand with suspicion, unsure if this was a trick or not. He didn't want to get into more trouble, and he deffinetly didn';t want to make his mom cry again.

Ginny put her head on his shoulder, not seeing Cody. She wasn't angry at him, not even for him saying that he hated her. But hearing those words come from his mouth, that sweet voice, it had hurt her deeply.

[Xaver]

When she put her head on his shoulder, Xaver brought her close to him, and held her, though still very gently, grazing his fingertips over her back.
He looked at Cody curiously, but did not drop his hand, his offer, even when the boy didn't come.

-You think I would trick you...?-

[Ginny Weasly]

"I dunno..." Cody mummbled, feeling bad about that thought. He walked slowly into the room, not looking at Ginny.

Ginny closed her eyes, hearing Cody's voice and footsteps.

[Xaver]

Xaver looked at him. Curiously, at first, before his face, and hand, fell, his expression remaining remote.

-And why is that?-

[Ginny Weasly]

"Because some people are like that." Cody looked up, half scared, half defiant. "Some people will pretend to be your friend." He didn't have any experiance in the area, but he had watched it happen before.