ghost

“Perfect, I have already opened the tab and let the bartender know where he should send up when we can no longer walk,” Nesta grinned. “There’s nothing better than drinking away your problems.” While it was a sad thing to even consider, she truly wanted to forget all about the mess she was in at least for one night.

“You totally planned this ahead, didn’t you?” Avalon realized, chucking lightly. “I mean I’d argue that tending to dragons is better but sure, whatever you say,” she mentioned, the corners of her lips twitching upwards in amusement. “Let’s get this night started than, shall we? What are we shot-ing first?”

Michael nodded, “It did. Thank you. I know… I know this is hard for you. I really appreciate you doing it.”

“I know you have your own problems so I appreciate it nevertheless,” she patted Ava on her hand. “I fucked up. Multiple times. And now… Now I have to pretend like everything is fine even though my heart was shattered into billion pieces. So… Want to get drunk?”

“We all do. That’s life,” she shrugged back. Honestly helping out her best friend sounded worlds better than dealing with any of her own problems so she welcomed the distraction. “Ooh if that doesn’t sound familiar,” Avalon sympathized. At Nesta’s suggestion she let out a soft laugh, “I feel like it’s been a while since we got properly shit-faced together. Count me in.”

“Thanks for meeting me out of the blue, I could really use some company,” Nesta smiled and greeted her friend.

@avalcnmulciber​

“You know I’d go through hell and high water if you needed me to, right?” Avalon told the other with a tone that almost sounded aggressive. There was just very few people she cared for but when she cared for them, it was very strongly. “What’s the matter?”

Michael didn’t know how he felt when he saw them kiss. It was so different and yet so familiar at the same time. Fuzzy memories were becoming clearing and changing. He hadn’t known how this would work but now he did. Then he saw her turn and the memory he was watching became a little fuzzy too. He wanted to know what happened next but he wouldn’t force her, “Okay, sure. Are you gonna be okay?” He asked. 

“It’s nothing bad I think,” Michael watched his counterpart say after taking her hands. He wondered what that felt like. He couldn’t remember what that felt like or at least he wasn’t sure if he remembered, “I like you, a lot. More than a friend like. And I know that there’s family stuff and you have your reasons and me saying this could ruin us being friends but if I don’t I know I’ll regret it,” The teenager paused and looked at her in anticipation and a little fear, “Please say something.”

“Do you ever want kids?” Fred asked.

“Thanks, Ava, you’re the best,” she grinned at her friend. “We should some drinks, my treat.”

“Of course,” Ava said, deciding to try out a hug, since it felt appropriate and she wanted to do better when it came to showing affection. “You deserve nothing but the best.”

“Roxanne Avalon, that’s cute,” Fred replied with a slight laugh. “But sorry to disappoint, I think I’m far from having a child.”

“It is pretty damn cute, isn’t it?” she chuckled. “Oh that’s fine. I’m much better with dragon children than I am with human ones. So... I don’t think I’m ready to be an auntie or anything.”

“I’m sure it’ll be entertaining in multiple ways,” she muses. “How was the sanctuary in Romania? I’ve worked with that lot a couple of time but not enough to get a feel of how they handle things.

“They’re a great bunch,” Ava admitted. She missed them really. And thinking back to it now she was realizing just how much she did. “If you ever get stationed there you’ll have a great time. Food’s great too.”

Adeline thought about lying but her sister knew her better and the tears were obvious, “Wes uh… wrote me a letter. Thinks we should end things,” She sniffed, holding the letter out to her, “He thought that um… I just wouldn’t ever be finished here and maybe when he comes back we can talk but for now he doesn’t think we should write or talk anymore.”

“It wasn’t just replacing memories,” Michael said and then shrugged, “Nothing can be done about it now,” He wasn’t sure if he had forgiven her and he didn’t know how much an apology could do. This is what showing their memories was for. He needed to remember his real life and she needed to undo the damage as much as possible, “Yes,” He said, “I want to see it all, good and bad,” He said. After a moment, the memory shifted. They were a year or two older and in Hogsmeade. There was snow on the ground and Christmas decorations were being put up. They definitely seemed closer than they had been in earlier memories. His younger self seemed nervous and it was showing, “Ava I need to tell you something,” His mini-me said. 

“Say no more.” Working with dragons in any capacity isn’t the most ideal job a parent would want for their kid. Jo remembers the day exactly when she told her muggle parents she’d be chasing dragons for a living. “I’ll see if I can bring you along when I make my next rounds, nothing too crazy to start you back up again.” She stopped to think when the documentary was coming out. “I think it’s over the weekend. Dragon King is what it’s called. I’m not looking forward to all the oblivious people who are gonna rush into sanctuaries hoping to meet these people.”

“You’re a legend, thanks Jo,” she found herself smiling back. Ava didn’t smile much, at least not anymore. “Can’t say I’ve heard of it before just now, but I’ll have to give it a watch. Out of curiosity but also as research. I can’t promise I won’t try to find them to give them a piece of my mind – or worse – afterwards.”

“I think Roxanne might have claimed my first baby girl name, but will you be satisfied with a middle name?”

“I guess her getting dibs makes sense, being your sister and all,” Ava playfully pretended to struggle to agree to the terms, but in reality she couldn’t blame him. “Avalon could make for a good middle name. I’ll take it.”