Astrid Todd

Damien liked sleep. He enjoyed the escape that came with not having to worry about the media. His job, or even what the people around him thought. When Astrid poked his cheek, he reluctantly released the blissful clutches of sleep, coming back to the here and now with all that he was escaping coming back to him. “Thanks, Doll. I love you too.” He gave her a half smile. “You know I’m not goin’ back to sleep when you’re awake and on top of me, right? Not gonna happen. Unless you fall asleep first then maybe I’ll go back to sleep.” 

“That’s what I might have been hoping for?” Astrid said with an innocent smile. “I am sorry for waking you though. But, since you’re up now, maybe you and I could go off the grid for the day? Or even the whole weekend starting now? No cellphones. No internet- which I know now that I say it out loud sounds sort of horror movie-ish, but instead of going to some creepy cabin in the woods to be slaughtered, we could spend the whole time, right here, in this bed? With a cake I bought and didn’t make? Even though there is some half baked cookies that I didn’t manage to completely kill downstairs. Or we can do something else? Anything else. If there is something you really wanted to do? I just want to make your birthday special is all, but now that I’m thinking about it, maybe I went about it the wrong way and should have just let you sleep in and surprised you with off the grid birthday sex and blanket forts when you woke up... Sorry. You’d think after four years, I’d get better at the whole girlfriend surprising boyfriend thing but nope.”

“Yeah you have a little bit of catching up to do, but it’s possible. I mean look at me, I’m a regent in my thirties where there are much older witches that aspire to it. So anything is possible if you work hard and you know your shit. Because to this day I still don’t know why I’m best suited for the job of regent. But here we are.” Even though Natalia knew that she had no bias against Hedge Witches, she would but others before herself and it was very rare that she made selfish choices. “I’m pretty sure if Chloe and I wrestle I’m going to get distracted and it’s going to turn hot instead of educational. I can handle a black eye, but I am not going to be doing that whole whatever Chloe went through that I’m still not happy about. Yes, I mean I can teach you all the tips and tricks and save you the psychological trauma of learning like a Burgess.” 

“That’s true. Just wait. A year from now I’m going to be doing magic like nobody’s business,” She said confidently. Partially because she knew she was insanely determined and would more than likely stay up all night practicing until Damien forced her to come to bed. That and she needed this. She needed the fresh start. She knew being a witch wouldn’t chase away her demons, but she hoped it would at least stop her from constantly being reminded of them every time she looked in the mirror and that maybe, just maybe, this body of hers might finally feel like her and not like it belonged to a complete stranger. “In that case, it looks like we’ve got a deal. I’ll train you to be a badass street fighter and you’ll teach me to be a kickass witch,” Astrid grinned, holding out her hand towards Nat so that they could shake on it. “And I can take trauma, but honestly, whatever way you want to teach me works for me.”

“So people say. I kind of like it as long as I’m not the Regent of the Burgess Coven, then it’s not so bad.” Nat laughed. “I mean…I’m not a slow learner. And I don’t particularly want to be beat up. I know what happened with Chloe when she first joined the gang so I’m definitely not looking for that kind of thing. My instincts would kick in and fire would appear.” Nat had to agree, maybe even biasedly so that she’d be even more deadly. “Of course you will be. Being a witch there’s so much you can do. So much harm to cause. And I grew up focused on how to go on the offense and defense if needed with spells and abilities.” 

“I think I’d want to do that. Be a Coven Leader someday. Probably won’t be able to happen for a while though, huh?” Astrid mused. She hadn’t wanted to be a gang leader given everything that had happened to her, but she sort of liked the idea of having a coven of her own one day. “Then you might want to get your girl to train you instead. Either that or get really good at ducking,” Astrid teased. “And I mean it wouldn’t be as bad as when Chloe first joined. I was talking more about a scratch here or there or all of your muscles being sore. Maybe a black eye in the worst case scenario. Your girl on the other hand might honestly be a masochist when it comes to taking a beating. Welp, I guess I’m lucky to have you to help me quickly get up the learning curve, then huh?”

“Well, first off you’re not a street rat. And second, you comfort me. I’ve always been drawn to smart, kick-ass, sweet strong women. Hell you inspire me to keep going every day. A hundred-plus years without Kala, each day seemed more and more empty. But I have a bright spot named Astrid making me laugh and giving me a kick in the ass when I need it. So, of course, I merged you right on into my life and my family. And I’d do it all again any day of the week.” He nodded when she mentioned his ring. I’ve been a man of few words for so long. So I get it. Not talking, not knowing what to say. I hear so much of what people don’t say every day that at some point I just acclimated to Everything I could possibly say turning into silence.” He chuckled a little. “You know Hale would probably have a lot to say about us.” 

“Am too. I grew up on the streets, didn’t I? And I did what now? How? I mean I am known for my ass whoopings, but you’ve always been the more positive and uplifting one out of the two of us. You’re sort of my rock, Keanu Montague. And I get it. It’s why we get along. I can talk with my fists any day of the week, but the second I have to express something with my words, it’s like my mind goes blank and an incoherent string of dialog comes pouring out. Probably something along the lines of how we’re a pair of dysfunctional messes who use each other to avoid dealing with emotional baggage and take in comfort in the ability to completely understand each other even in complete silence. I may not have a psych degree, but who needs that when you’re fluent in celebrity egos and Reality TV?”

“You’re my sister of course I’m going to speed here to make sure you’re okay. But at least this time I had a reason to speed. If being a nymph sucked, I can only imagine that being a witch might be marginally better, and yeah, I get that. I’m no witch, but if you need anything, you know I’m always going to do what I can, find someone or whatever I need to do to help.” 

“That’s true. I love you, Sis. You and your speed demon ways. And yeah... It is marginally better. But, I also feel guilty that it is? I mean I made Damien this and here I am running away from it at the first chance I get? I know I didn’t mean to change species, but I’m also not mad about it? If anything, I feel more me than I have in a really long time. But, still... It’s like no matter what I do, I can’t win? One way or another, the guilt is still there for something I didn’t even have a say in becoming to begin with? And thanks, Nightwing. But, I’ve got it covered. No need to go all mom mode on me just this once,” She promised the other.

“Hey babe? Pst, babe?” Astrid whispered, lightly poking Damien’s sleeping cheek. But, the second the clock struck midnight, she practically threw herself on top of him as she sang, “Happy Birthday, Kal-El! I know you’ll probably want to go back to sleep, but I wanted to be the first person to wish you a happy birthday and get to tell you how much I love you,” She told him with a bright smile. She knew with everything going on recently in the media, he might not be in the mood to really celebrate, but she at least wanted to make sure he knew how loved he was. Especially since his birthday was her favorite day out of the whole year.

“Well I did just drive here at speeds that are definitely illegal. So it makes sense to me. You know, you’re going to be a badass witch just like you were a badass nymph. I can’t offer any spell help but I’m here for you, Astrid. Whatever you need.” 

“I didn’t ask you to do that, but like you aren’t a speed demon on a daily basis,” Astrid said, the corner of her lips tilting up ever so slightly as she turned to look over at her sister. “I know... Just like I was a badass human. If there is one thing I excel at, it’s being adaptable. And thanks, Jae. It will be good. I think? I never really wanted to be a nymph. It felt like a curse more than anything. While being a witch? I don’t know. It might suck, but at least I chose it in a way, you know?”

“I think I’m going to need to double check over that friendship contract because…I definitely would never agree to owning rats. Eventually that emptiness would catch up with you though,” he pointed out, wrapping an arm around her and giving her a gentle squeeze. “I’ve been the hold it together type for so long. I don’t know if I truly know how. I’ve been mom and dad for Hale and had to lock up my emotions so I could care for him. I had to be kind of dad and grandpa for SJ and lock up the sadness over losing a daughter-in-law. And over having my son deal with losing his sight. I’ve become a pro at just keeping things inside.” 

“Sure, you did. I mean I’m pretty much as Street Rat as they come and you took me in. You should have known, I’d bring friends,” She joked. “And I don’t know. I’ve been running from it for the past how many years and it hasn’t caught up with me yet?” Astrid said, giving Key a small shrug, despite knowing what he meant. “I know you have. I may not have known you for 400 years, but doesn’t mean I don’t know you. And it doesn’t mean I didn’t noticed when you finally felt like you could take off the ring you used to wear around your neck. But, I never asked about because... I think there are just somethings that are almost impossible to say out loud or maybe unnecessary? Like with my shit, I just... I wouldn’t even know what words to use if I tried? You’re a pro keeping things inside and I’m a pro at getting lost at the bottom of a bottle. It’s why we work.”

“It is pretty ominous but it’s kind of comforting that maybe they’ll protect me too. And by extension to me, the ones I love too.” Nat nodded in agreement. “You actually have an advantage there. You have something similar to attach it to. Anytime you need help you know I’m always here for you. You know that’s a lesson I’d like to have. Learning to fight. I’m great with defensive spells and fighting with my magic but fighting without any magic, which I sometimes have to do because once a month I have no magic.” Nat knew how secretive and how uninclusive witches could be. “I can get you a copy of mine. Just don’t tell any Burgess family members that I shared okay? Becasue they’ll honestly shit a brick and also want to kill you for having it. Yes, pronunciation is key. Because there’s no telling how your spell will backfire if you pronounce it wrong.” 

“Sounds like you were kinda made for it then, huh? Being the Regent? Probably why they picked you. I’m glad it’s not me though. No offense,” Astrid said with a small smile. “Yeah? I think so too. That and I’ve always been a quick learner. I have great survival instincts, I guess? And I mean I could teach you, if you want? We could be each other’s Yodas or something? As long as you’re cool with taking a beating that is cause and, you can ask Chloe, I’m definitely not as patience or calm as you as a teacher,” She admitted, flashing the other as innocent of a look as she could muster. “Really? Yeah. You’ve got it. Cross my heart and hope to die and all that. And I mean they wouldn’t be the first who’ve tried. Probably not the last either. And now with magic, who knows. Think I can be an even deadlier weapon as a witch than I was a nymph?”

“Grumpy. How many people do I have to murder to change your mind?” he asked seriously. A former inmate! Inmate? You are so rude, you know that?” he asked with a grin, shaking his head. “She could be whoever she wanted to be. Not a fan though. I don’t want to roleplay a scenario where she’s a fan of me. That’s not sexy to me.” 

“You know you’re talking to the girl whose cut people down without blinking an eye before right? Back when she was a nymph and a human? Murder isn’t really going to change my mind,” Astrid pointed out with a shrug. “Yeah, but you love it,” She laughed, giving him a playful nudge as she did. “So being adored doesn’t sexually turn you on. Interesting. Follow up question- do you like being tied up? Because I’m kinda getting a likes to handcuffed and roughed up a bit by his 5′3 lady vibes from you now.”

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“You’re a good person now, so what do you mean it’s hard to believe you could be anything? I didn’t want to hangout with anyone. It wasn’t anything against you I was in kind of a bad place. Yeah I can be a good friend but how can I be a good parent when I had a shit comparison to them. I love my kids but I can’t help but think that Chloe and Lily’s mom knew that I’d never be a good parent which is why she never told me I was the dad to two amazing daughters. I wouldn’t even have had to be in their lives as their dad. But I always think about that. But now I’ve got three daughters and a son. I never thought I’d have any of it and I hope I don’t fuck it up. I hope we do become semi functioning people. Despite or fucked up pasts.” 

“I don’t know if I’d say good. I’m mean I am a person technically, but sometimes I don’t... exactly feel like I am? Sometimes I feel like I’m not exactly here or like I could float away and no one would notice that the girl inside of this body was even gone as long as I physically here? So, yeah. It’s hard to believe I can be anything? A boss, a girlfriend, a sister, a wife, a mother? I guess sometimes I feel like I’m just a big fraud. It’s cool, man. It’s not the first time a friend didn’t want to hangout with me. It’s actually sort of my thing? I have knack for forcing myself onto people and forcing them to love me. Maybe. Or maybe it had nothing to do with you? Maybe she was just trying to save face or cling onto her marriage? Or maybe we’re just broken. Maybe we are two shitty people who are products of two shitty environments. But, we’re not alone and for some reason people still love us and for some reason we haven’t given up yet. We’re still trying. So, maybe instead of trying to be a good dad, you try just to be dad? I mean that’s all I ever wanted when it came to mine. I didn’t care if he was some saint or if he showed up at all of my ‘soccer games’ or whatever normal kids do. I just needed him there. He used to tell me it was the two of us against the world. Back when him and my mom split and he took me and she took Jae. But, he lied. He let the power go to his head and got his ass thrown to jail and... I think a part of me will always wonder what would have happened if he had just stayed? So maybe you missed out. But, you didn’t know about them back then. You do now. So be the guy sticks around and you’ll already have a trillion times better off kid then I ever was. Promise.”

“You know we should go shopping one day. So we can get you more heels. And probably practice walking in them. And you’re right I might have to do it all sober but we can still have fun. Do you know what you’re wearing to the actual show?” 

“Yeah no. I’m good. I like my stripper heels. They’re thick and chunky, look great on a pole, can do some real damage in a fight, and the heel like never snaps. What more could you want in a shoe that was designed oppress us and make it harder to escape? And nope. Probably a pantsuit though minus the blouse. You?”

“I used to do that too. But I healed far too quickly for the result I actually wanted. See I don’t know if they see the good in me or if they just think there’s good in me. Half the time I’m not even sure they really know me well enough to be able to tell. I don’t even know myself well enough to tell to be honest. I feel just like the beast I see myself as if I’m being honest.” 

“You say that, but I know a thing or two that could cause some real damage or at least a good scar on a wolf. Just saying... And I probably shouldn’t be encouraging this, should I? Whoops... And I get it. I like the me that’s angry. I like giving into it. I like feeling... unstoppable? I shouldn’t, but I do. And maybe they don’t, but then again, do you really need to know some completely to find their existence beautiful?”

“You know if you punch them no one’s gonna go back to the game right? But sure get as punchy as you want. I’ve seen it once so long ago that I don’t remember much besides the sexual scene. Yeah he was a ghost that’s the point of ghost. What did you think he was?” he wondered. “You know I’ve always wondered how. I mean I could give it a few guesses to be honest. But I’d need to test those theories on you though,” he said wearing a nearly sheepish smirk. Damien frowned. “No, of course not. You are the best thing in my life. Why would I ever wanna rewind and never have met you? Yeah I mean don’t get me wrong, we get along but I don’t think I’m any of their close friends or that they consider me a close friend.” He shrugged. “Okay. I can live with that. And no, I am not biased. I am telling you the honest truth. You could be a model. Yeah as long as we both live and I figured we’d be up in heaven together. Yes one day I figured that’d be the next step lil Damiens and Astrids runnin’ ‘round. Do you? Want all that?” 

“I feel like a few might? Like Jae and Gigi and other morally questionable people. Actually now that I think about it, our set has a lot of them. I don’t know? Human? I honestly never gave much thought to the movie before. I mean there could have been another person who was the ghost or it could be like a metaphorically ghost of their relationship? Romcoms aren’t really my thing. And okay there, Kal. I love you and I’m down for most if not anything, but pottery sex? I mean isn’t that going to get messy? And what happens when the clay starts to harden over our hands?” She asked, thinking way too hard about it then she probably should have. “And I don’t know. I didn’t think I was the um... the best thing in your life. I figured I was more of a thing and probably not one worth dying over? And I think more people love you then you think. I know I do. And you are too bias and no I can’t. I’m way to short among like a hundred other things. And I mean... of course I want that. I don’t think I’m getting into heaven though. So, we might need to lower our standards our bit to maybe purgatory? And as for kids, I mean, I want that too, but... I don’t really know how that would work, you know, logistically?”