it's always darkest

       “Okay so, what are the Halloween plans?” Dusk asked him as she sat at the edge of her bed, covered in old Halloween costumes as well as some bags of ones she had picked up for all the kids based on their requests. The new job really was making things a whole lot easier on her and so she’d been excited to be able to get each one of them what they wanted without needing to question if she could pull it together from the thrift store.

        “Are we taking the kids trick or treating and letting Aiden go to that thing with his friends?” she asked, Aiden’s band having a gig at a high school party, one that Dusk had to assume would have drinking but having some trust that Aiden had seen what happened to his father and wouldn’t participate. “Because you know, we could always tell him if he wants to go he has to take the kids first so I can dress up as a sexy witch and we can have our own fun?”

        Their...celebration after graduation had been hard but Dusk had needed Cassidy there, would have felt hurt if he hadn’t been, if the one kiss between her and Gray had been enough to keep Cassidy from something that was truly momentous for Dusk and for their son, so much more Dusk could do now to take care of him, to not feel like she was just barely keeping her head above water. It hadn’t been the time to resolve things though, and while it had hurt Cassidy’s sobriety meant he couldn’t come to the party after Aiden had assured her that, while staying with his father that night, Cassidy had only been proud of her.

         Still, they needed to discuss things, to deal with the fact that perhaps Dusk’s own insecurities with the other mother of his twins had caused her to say some hurtful things, to deal with the fact that at the time Cassidy had no hold over her so being upset that she’d been trying to find happiness was perhaps unfair. Neither of them had handled the situation well but Dusk simply hoped that not handling it well didn’t meant it was unfixable, she loved Cassidy, she knew it, no one else would ever be him and she knew it would either get fixed or she would grow old alone.

          Fortunately, Cassidy at least wanted to talk about things, had told her he would be coming over while Aiden looked after the kids, the young man having arrived at the trailer with his own hopefulness for his father. He was the only one of the kids that really knew something bad must have happened, though he didn’t know what had transpired with his Uncle he did know it probably had to do with him since Gray had also been missing in his mothers life since his dad had come back. Things had just started to get good with Aiden and Cassidy and he didn’t want to feel like his Dad was just abandoning them again, he had hope.

            Dusk had it too as she waited in her home for Cassidy to arrive, resisting the urge to pour herself a bottle of wine and instead settling on a sparkling water with a pomegranate flavour to it, can in her hand covered in golden rings. She just...she just wanted them to be happy again, it was all that was on her mind when she finally heard the doorbell, placing the drink down and taking a knowing breath. While the rest of her life didn’t quite hinge on how this discussion went she knew it would have a shifting factor, she just...needed to control the anger of the wolf inside.

         In moments the door swung open before Cassidy, Dusk standing there in worn vintage jeans and, as per usual, a low cut body suit, the C necklace that had hung between her cleavage since she had shown up at his trailer still remaining there. She loved him, she hoped he saw it.

Dusk was family since she and Cassidy started hanging out and then dated, she just fitted so well in the Bolton clan, as it has always meant to happen. Even when they stop, she was still the mother of his nephew and after he turned she became a guide to live with his condition, so every time he had a bad or weird night he turned to Dusk for guidance. “Even if I don’t might the idea of snowing, I have to agree that I’m not ready for it.” He offered a smile and looked at the menu trying to figure out what he was going to have “Things are always awkward when it comes to my brother. And I guess things have been good, the bar is a little slow but it always is after summer.”

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          “Freeze my arse off out there in the woods,” she chuckled with the opposing lone wolf. Sure, they weren’t in any sort of real pack but she, Gray, Dan and Aiden did sort of have their own little group, they stayed with each other on the moons and even with Grayson having taken a trip away for a while Dusk knew that they’d remain their own little gang, protecting each other every full moon. Plus Aiden needed Dan so he didn’t look like a loser who spent the full moon with his Mum once a month.

        “Oh come on, it’s worth the wait,” Dusk insisted, heeled ankle boots shifting in line for the truck style cafe. The vehicle had pulled up early on in the Autumn season, serving a variety of pumpkin and apple based coffees, some candy ones too, all to fit the general falling of the leaves and the Halloween decorations that were going up everywhere. Dusk had already been four times, she felt like she could not get enough of the sweet caramel apple coffee.

“I know you didn’t, but I know I did.”  It should have been him, not his brother that planned her party.  The man took a breath as he nodded in agreement.  Cassidy knew they were in an awkward situation, which could get sticky given there were children involved.  He was sure Aiden had a lot of questions and was confused when he started noticing his dad not coming around anymore.  The warlock swallowed thickly as he nodded, “We can be a family, I want us to be one.”  Right now, was not the proper time to get into the conversation, but he didn’t want her going to the party thinking that what they have was broken.  Because dammit, they waited too long as is not to get what they truly wanted.  And she was all he wanted, he wanted to spend the rest of his life making it up to her for being so foolish in their youth.

“Me dramatic?”  He lightly chuckled, “I’ve been told I have a flare for the dramatics.”  Cassidy teased, hoping to lighten the situation between them.  “The only good thing I want is you,” he admitted.  At her next words, he shook his head.  When he wasn’t working, he was spending time with the children and the idea of going back to school seemed too much at the moment.  Not when things might start falling back into place.  Cassidy felt the needed to focus on his family, which included her.

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          Dusk didn’t really mind that it was Dan who planned her something, if it couldn’t be a family thing at home then she was glad Dan still turned it into something and since Dan was the oldest she understood he felt a lot of responsibility to handle things that were perhaps not being handled. As for the statement about them and the kids Dusk nodded softly, “but...right now.” Because right now she was aware it was too hard for him. “I know right now you’re handling however you feel about what I did and that’s fine. Like I said, for me it’s you, Cassidy, I don’t mind waiting longer because I know it’s you.” Before she’d been unsure, thought waiting for him had meant she missed out on better things but she hadn’t, she knew that now.

           “Sometimes, it’s endearing usually,” she assured him, the usually pretty important because sometimes it really hindered things, obviously with his addiction and all. Dusk did want to push it though, that he should go back, because even if he couldn’t get what he had dreamed for either he could get...something. “Are you sure you think I’m a good thing?” she asked instead, looking down at her coffee cup. It was hard to keep the mood flowing, to keep it light when so much with bubbling beneath the surface. “You don’t need to answer that, I just...I’m glad you came, I’m glad the kids came, I should bother Aiden to drive me home.”

“Sounds like someone’s in celebration mode,” Jorie points out with a grin, nodding approvingly.  “Good for you, sugar, treat yourself.”

She dusts her hands off, wiping her palms against the apron on her thighs before folding her arms loosely over her chest and leaning back against the counter.  “Me?  Heavens, no.  The head baker here’s a friend of mine.  I own the restaurant down the street; we trade favors now and then.”  Jorie nods back toward the box she’d brought.  “Borrowed some of their jars, just returning them.  Anyway, so what’s the occasion?”  

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          “Exactly, celebration mode all month, I’ve been in Mom mode for sixteen years so, the adjustment is temporary but nice,” she chuckled, something endearing about women confident enough to immediately give other people nicknames. 

Little did Cassidy know what was on Dusk’s mind, the silence between them felt eerie.  Before the recent drama between them, the silence never bothered him.  The two could bask in the love they had for each other, but this felt different.  Thankfully, they reached their destination giving a reprieve for Cassidy as they ordered their drinks and could settle down and talk a little.

Cassidy’s eyes lowered, the man did not know what to say to her about her comment.  There really was no excuse besides he was still hurt and could not concentrate on throwing her a party.  And that did not seem like an adequate explanation.  “I’m sorry,” he murmured.  It was all he could say on the matter.  The man knew he screwed up once again, he just hoped the two could work it out.  “Of course, I understand.  Dusk, I know I keep fucking up.  And,” he paused as he took in a breath.  “I’m sorry.  Tonight is about you and that’s what we should focus on.  You deserve everything this world has to offer and you truly are an inspiration.”

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         “I didn’t say you had fucked anything up,” she insisted because that wasn’t what she was trying to get across. “I just...we both wouldn’t want to hurt the kids. Today, I know, was different,” she assured him. Coming to this, well, even if her and Cassidy were still nothing but exes and co-parents to one another Dusk would have expected him to come and figured he’d bring the kids. “But I don’t want to act like a family if you don’t feel like we can be one right now,” Dusk tried to keep the words soft because she really didn’t want them to sound like an accusation, it was about caring for the kids as best they could. Dusk didn’t want them ending up fucked up the way it felt like she and Cassidy were.

Cassidy laced their fingers as they headed in the direction of the cafe, things felt better for them but there still was this air of tension between them.  Today was not the day for them to discuss it, because it was her special day and everything needed to revolve around her and all her accomplishments and it was his goal to do so.  “I always knew you had it in you,” he softly stated.  Dusk was not only absolutely gorgeous, probably the most beautiful person he ever laid his eyes on…inside and out.  But she was highly intelligent and with the drive could do wonders beyond her dreams.  “Who needs perfect, seems boring.”  He commented with a soft smile.  “Oh, I am sure you are.  You deserve it.”

The walk took awhile, not too long given it was a small town.  But, enough to wear you out.  As they reached the cafe, he held the door open for her and they headed inside to order their drinks.  Per usual, Cassidy ordered his black coffee with none of the baked goods and waited for Dusk to make her order.  Once they did, they settled down at a table and he smiled at her.  “I really hope you enjoy what Dan planned, sorry I can’t come tonight.  But, maybe we can do something with just us and the kids as a celebration.”

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         Dusk didn’t respond when he said he always knew she had it in her, maybe he had deep down but Dusk still remembered their fights when she’d finally dropped out of school. He’d left before her but Dusk had stayed, hoping to finish, but it was too hard, the bullying hurt too much, she cried too much and she was so afraid of losing Aiden. He’d been angry though, they’d both been angry about so much. They were sixteen and it had been hard but that never meant their own words had been forgettable, she’d heard them in her head every time she failed a test and had to start over, every time she missed a class because she needed to take care of Aiden when he was sick. So Dusk simply allowed a silence to fall over them as they walked, she didn’t want to fight, or get into the more complex nature of things, she just wanted to have a good day.

             Dusk ordered some coffee caramel concoction, holding it with some of the caramel falling over the edge and dripping onto her fingers, the young mother licking it off once they sat. “It’s fine, I figured when Dan offered to throw it that we weren’t doing anything otherwise he’d have suggested something at your Mum’s,” she answered, aware that Dan’s offer was likely a secondary choice to Cassidy not being ready to see her, otherwise it would have been a family thing with everyone. “Maybe, once we talk, I obviously don’t want to confuse the kids, if Aiden’s confused I’m sure it’s worse for them,” Dusk acknowledged.

“Of course! It should always be celebrated no matter how big or small.” Life was short and it was just sad when people didn’t take advantage of the time and the moments they were given. Plus, she heard that Dusk had become a mother which was no easy job. Her job was a constant reminder of that and so she strived to live her life to the fullest and not let things overtake her mind and energy as much as possible. Placing an order at the kiosk, she looked over to them and shrugged still undecided what she will do with her time. 

“I might go to a vineyard and just indulge in a lot of nice wine and food. There’s a bed and breakfast on the property if you’re interested in tagging along.” Elina was just going to go solo, but another person would always be welcomed. 

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           “Well exactly, two years and it’ll be Aiden too,” she acknowledged, letting out a heavy breath. That really was hard to acknowledge, that she had a child who was two years off graduating high school and going to college. “Not sure exactly what he intends to do but I don’t want to rush him on it, right now he and Cassidy have just been playing music in the garage, I doubt much’ll come of that though.”

Celestin would regret indulging in his sweet tooth later. But he would live with that decision. Besides, he liked the scones from the bakery. He was going to get some of those too. He headed inside, travel tea mug in hand. He wasn’t expecting a cookie to appear in front of him. “Ah,” Celestin said, clearly surprised. “Oh, thanks. They look delicious.”

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         Dusk continued to hold the tray out to him, waiting for the man to take one from it. “I am being generous today, to myself mostly which is why I need to share these so I don’t keep them all to myself,” Dusk explained with a gentle bemused lilt to her tone.

“Well honey, it’s the moisture in the brown sugar, real butter, and a high temperature, short bakin’ time.” Jorie replies matter-of-factly without missing a beat, as though the woman speaking to her has just asked a question as basic as the sum of two and four.  

Maneuvering past to set a box of miniature mason-jars on the counter, the blond turns to regard her with a pleasant smile.  She waves a hand politely to decline the offered cookie, however.  “You’re sweet, but no thank you.  You know, if you like those, you ought to try their lemon-meringue cookies.  But how’s your willpower?”  Leaning in, she adds conspiratorially, “Because those things are dangerous…”  

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           “Oh I have no will power today,” Dusk responded with a grin on her face. “I’ve decided today there is no need for it.” The woman’s share about why the cookies were so soft went right over her head, Win probably would have understood it, the boy practically her little brother but had been to culinary school and always made the best baked goods. It did feel a bit like betraying him coming there but she didn’t want Win to simply indulge her because she was a bit greedy.

Her reaction confused him, maybe he was just seeing things, but she seemed a little hostile, was it something that he said? He didn’t think that he said anything wrong, but maybe he was wrong, “You don’t need to apologize, you didn’t do anything wrong,” he had a feeling that it wasn’t an sincere apology and was sarcasm, but just in case it wasn’t, he decided to assure her anyway, “Going by the choices on the table, I can see that you have a really good taste,” he said with a small smile. He wasn’t sure what he would order that day, maybe cupcakes, those were his favorites.

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         It had been sarcasm, which partially only solidified a bit of Dusk’s perception when he told her she didn’t need to apologise. She did, of course, but for how rude she was being, and yet she wouldn’t. “Trying everything,” she stated when he offered that she had good taste, like she had to fight him on it because she’d already decided in her head he was rude, even as he tried to show that he hadn’t been. “You can have something if you want to see,” she offered of what remained amongst her things beyond the cookies she had already offered he’d declined.

ELSA WAS UNSURE where this conversation would lead, but she was following the flow. ❛ Blood. ❜ To be clear, she asked what kind of things she likes… Currently she only craved for blood. Adjusting on her new life not so long as vampire was hard, and there are moments, everything was overwhelmed to her.

           “I don’t think that comes baked...,” Dusk rolled off, not sure if more than synthetic blood developed for drinking existed. That would be fun if they did though and her eyes glanced over at the case to see if there was. If there was Dusk couldn’t spot it. “Guessing you came in to get a gift for someone then?” Since why else would someone who only wanted blood come into a bakery.

         IF IT WAS on the time she was ‘alive’ she’d appreciate more the baked goods and things. It was a tasteful and delicious the cookie but it wasn’t as delicious as blood. Blood is something she craves almost every day. ❛ I supposed we could say in that way. ❜ Vary the 'menu’ never hurts anyone. The vampire posed a ghost smile, that didn’t seem so weird on her, considering she almost never smile, except for work. At the moment she was relaxing a bit, fidgeting discreetly the edge of leather jacket, a sign of anxiety when she’s dealing with people outside from work.

“Oh congrats on both graduating and the promotion! That must be so exciting.” Elina recalled all the exciting milestones she achieved. From graduating undergrad, to passing the MCAT, and completing med school. Any achievement in education ought to be celebrated in her opinion no matter how old one may be or no matter how long it took. That was personal accomplish and it was something that people should be proud of for completing. “Life is short, I am always a large proponent of splurging whenever one can.” Especially when it was within reason. Who didn’t love a sugar rush? “I’m doing alright. Have a few days off from work which I’m looking very forward too.”

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            All of Elina’s achievements, if listed, probably would have made Dusk feel quite small. It wasn’t like she’d ever thought she would be a genius or anything but she also hadn’t imagined graduating in her thirties. She’d assumed Cassidy would be the one to go to college really, he’d get a degree, get a good job and they’d never have to worry. This was the first time in a while Dusk felt like she didn’t have to monitor her money with a fine toothed comb. “I am pretty excited yeah, it’s nice to feel like I got to accomplish something, took a while but what can you do, life happens.”

Although, Cassidy knew without a shadow of the doubt they would work things out.  It did not make things any less painful, because they were not able to address the issues at hand.  Instead, they were placed in this awkward dance of trying not to offend the other and treading lightly with one another.  Hearing she loved him did bring a soft smile upon his lips.

Coffee felt good, it was something they can enjoy and for them to talk a little.  Even if he wasn’t sure what they would discuss.  When they finally reached a destination point, Cassidy nodded.  “Are they at Wicked Brew?”  He questioned curiously. “Uh, shall we try to walk there?  Or should I call someone to come get us?”  He questioned.  The nice thing about living in a small town with family, you often could call for a ride or just walk.

Unable to stop himself, Cassidy reached for her hand and lightly squeezed it.  “I really am proud of you.”

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        “We can walk,” Dusk agreed, ready to reach down and pull off her heels so that it was a bit easier to wander along the small towns paths or lawns but when Cassidy reached for her hand she didn’t want her movement to be seen as a gesture that was brushing off his own and so she took it, feeling his soft squeeze and having some relief. Part of her wanted to cry, to say it meant so much he’d shown up, that she needed him home, and everything else that felt like it was built up in her heart but Dusk resisted.

Niklaus enjoyed the outdoors, even if the sun was still a pain to both his eyes and his skin. Other vampires and witches he talked to told him as long as he wore his ring, he was fine. That any burning he felt was all in his head. Twisting the ring on his finger, he had to remind himself that he was fine. If he was going to burst into flames it would have happened already. After all, he had been sitting in the shade for nearly twenty minutes as he picked at his lunch.

He looked up as a cookie was held out to him. The face of the woman lookd familar, but he couldn’t recall her name. “Why does it has a lime on it?” He asked, confused about what kind of cookie it could be.

          Dusk had no idea who the child before her was, sure that he had to be at least ten years her junior. So when his tone come out she took it as the rudeness of a college kid, of someone who had yet to experience the world. “I mean, there is no lime on it, it’s a sugar cookie, I’m not even sure there is actual lime in it so much as an assortment of lime flavouring,” she chuckled.