r e g r e t s a b o u t t h a t

Merle was a little surprised to be brought into a hug by the other, but that didn’t stop her from reciprocating it fully as she squeezed him back, glad to see him in one piece after worrying so much about Piper that she hadn’t even considered that her other friends were also in danger. “I will always be up for a hug, Nick. Especially after all of this,” she sighed. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay. I was coming in to check up on you, actually. I texted you this morning and you didn’t answer, and I dug myself into a hole so knew it would be easier just to see you in person to stop me from ruminating.” 

“Well although that is good to know, I will ask next time rather then just going for it.” He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly for a moment, wondering where the hug came from given he wasn’t really much of an affectionate person for those he hadn’t known for years. “Oh shoot.” Nicholas commented, rummaging under the desk and seeing that she did in fact message him, “Sorry, I sort of put it behind there when restocking this morning and then just didn’t check it. I don’t know, putting my phone away seems like a nice way to escape right now.” He chuckled. “But thank you for coming to check on me and as you can see, I’m in one piece.”

“Addicted?” Sam echoed with a laugh, her eyes panning down to the tub in his hands. “Should I be worried about how often you frequent here? Do they membership cards or something?” she wondered in amusement. “That’s fair. I wasn’t going to judge you either way, but that’s absolutely fair. I immediately had to watch Bongo Cat covers to feel any sort of okay again,” the brunette admitted with another brief chuckle. “I am though, yeah thanks. I got stuck with a customer and she was really sweet. Joe kept wanting to come to my rescue but I told him he would be more useful at the Ministry. And you? You were locked in a bookstore, right?”

"You showed me the ways of Wizarding World ice cream and now I can’t seem to get enough of their odd, but surprisingly delicious flavors.” Nicholas hummed in content, putting another spoonful into his mouth and letting the frozen dessert melt onto his tongue. “Oh I wish they do membership cards, but then I think I’d worry how fast I’d get those ten stamps.” Nicholas’ expression changed for a second, confused of the others words. “I’m sorry, did you say Bongo Cat? What’s a Bongo Cat?” He couldn’t help but ask, wondering if it was as strange as it sounded. “Of course he wanted to play hero, maybe I should buy him a cape, though knowing him he’d manage to fit it into his wardrobe somehow and make it work.” He tutted softly. “But yeah, I was locked in probably one of the best places for me. Though I did think it to be in rather poor taste to just find a quiet corner and to curl up and read until the whole thing blew over.”

“What? I need something to do, I can’t just sit here,” Jonah said, shelving some new books. he was freaking out. This was not a situation that a recently recovered addict should be in. If he didn’t shelve books, his hands would be shaking and he’d be jonesing for a fix, “And it’s not like there’s much else we can do.”

@nicholcsxbennet​​

“And I wasn’t going to stop you.” Nicholas commented, finding it hard to sit still himself and wondering if Jonah had any jobs for him to do, or if he wanted any help. “I was just wondering if you wanted some help in restocking shelves, giving myself some purpose rather then taking a corner and being antisocial with a book.”

Samantha: There's worse places to be. And it's good to know you're safe too. At least you can read to pass the time away, right?

Samantha: First ever? Well let's hope it's your last

[a minute later]

Samantha: Like in the way that they never strike again! Not that something happens to you! Dang it I never know how to phrase things 🤦🏽‍♀️

Nicholas: I guess you're right, I should know from experience that animals are a very good form of therapy in tough situations and you're surrounded by them.

Nicholas: You're right, I can put myself in my own fictional world and hope that when I come out of it, this is all over.

ALEXIS: Nicholas? Please tell me that you're anywhere but at work right now.

NICHOLAS: Unfortunately I would be unable to tell you that given that's exactly where I am right now.

Merle: it's not like it doesn't happen though. we've had attacks three times since i moved here. this was bound to happen at some point

Merle: no, no. let's not think about that. the aurors and hitwizards know what they're doing

Merle: terrorists with magic, yep

NICHOLAS: Three times? But you haven't even been here that long, that's-... that's terrible.

NICHOLAS: I have faith in them, but I also know how a lot of these things unfold and I don't want to remain too optimistic.

Samantha: I'm at work but I'm okay. The new lockdown features are doing their job so far

Samantha: Where are you? Are you with your sister?

Nicholas: Good, that's good. I'm glad that you're safe, even if you're stuck at work.

Nicholas: Unfortunately not. I'm also at work, though I suppose there are worse places to be then being locked in a shop full of books.

Merle: really really unfortunate. i'm so sorry nick

Merle: oh thank merlin you're with other people. i didn't want you to be alone for this

Merle: no one knows. intimidation? to show that they still run the wizarding world.

Nicholas: It's okay, it's not like any of us knew this was going to happen.

Nicholas: No, no, I'm with people. Thank goodness, let's hope all goes well though, I don't want to try and explain any of this to my family.

Trixie: I think so

Trixie: It's some sort of lockdown I believe. Diagon Alley is under attack

Trixie: Are you safe?

Nicholas: I guessed as much given that's where I am right now. Occupational hazard I guess.

Nicholas: They sound as terrible as I've heard them to be.

Merle: nick. oh merlin i forgot you worked on diagon

Merle: are you safe?? are you with anyone else??

Merle: they're loud and the most awful people who wreak havoc on innocent people. i have never hated people more

Merle: piper is also locked down a few shops away

Nicholas: I do, which is rather unfortunate on this day.

Nicholas: I'm as safe as you can in this situation, I guess. I'm with people, Jonah and some customers.

Nicholas: So this is who the Death Eaters are, huh? They are- loud.

Nicholas: Sam? Is everything okay where you are? Are you safe?

Nicholas: Trix, what's going on? I've been told I'm not allowed to leave work and it's loud outside.

Nicholas: People look scared in here and...

“Okay that was one time and it was a fake charity not a cult,” Sam corrected lightheartedly, although they had definitely scammed her of some money. They had her sold on helping animals in peril with a signature, only to receive bills for suspicious amounts for several months. “So you tell me you’re not going to try some of the Fortescue originals? Boo, Nico– how boring of you,” she couldn’t resist jesting in response. “I guess I’ll forgive you because you’re making sure I don’t eat ice cream alone though,” Samantha then laughed, starting their journey towards the ice cream shop.

Nicholas tried his best to hold back a smile as the other spoke, “And how do you know it wasn’t a cult disguised as a fake charity? They were very persistent after all.” He chuckled, “Though I can’t say I blame you, they used dirty tactics and sob stories and you’ve got a big, kind heart. It could only happen to the best of us.” He pointed out, knowing that he probably would have been the same if he had heard about the horrors of tortured animals. “I have already been tricked into trying Bertie Bott’s in bean flavour, I don’t intend to make that mistake in what is supposed to be a frozen treat. However, I may be convinced to go for an original if there is Butterbeer flavour.” He told the other. “I’m not sure what is in that stuff, but it’s delicious and I can’t seem to get enough of it.” It had turned into a self indulgent treat and guilty pleasure of his from his first sip. “Yes, because eating ice cream alone is truly a sad sight and I shan’t subject you to that kind of peril.”

“I’ll let her know,” Merle smiled softly at him, able to feel the tension coming from him even though they weren’t standing particularly close. “Ah, yes. Good point. If I’m here they probably won’t try to set you up since you’re busy. But you can walk me around the event and I’ll give my opinion on the girls who are there- see if any deserve you,” she chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “Okay, that’s our next lesson then. It’s a way of travelling around using fireplaces– the safest of the wizard travelling methods.” A few years ago, Merle would have never used Floo to travel around but since the accident, apparating was completely and utterly off the table and would never be on it again. “That way you can show up at our place at any time, though I’d prefer if you called first.”

“Exactly. You’re my saving grace tonight, truly. I’m eternally grateful and probably owe you a hundred coffee’s for this.” He told the other with a smile that spoke just how thankful he was for Merle coming with him tonight, it did ease his worries slightly to have a friend with him. “It’s not just-... It’s not only girls I’m interested in. I should probably let you know, one of the reasons why my family is so eager to set me up with one. They’re scared I’ll fall in love with a man.” He explained to the other, knowing that if his dad were still here then he wouldn’t have cared, he was pretty sure if his mother was present enough in his life too that she also wouldn’t. But his grandmother and uncle weren’t shy on voicing their opinions on his love life. “Fireplaces? I’m guessing they aren’t lit when people do this?” He asked, thinking he would have gotten used to the Wizarding World by now, but clearly not. “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely let you know if I’m stopping by, I’d hate to show up unannounced.”