Phoebe Zabini

Xander reached out and took her hand without a second thought, meaning to lead the way inside when it registered to his brain what he’d just done. His eyes fell to their hands and he awkwardly let go. “Oh, uh, sorry, force of habit?” It felt like they’d been broken up too long for that but they’d dated so long. He cleared his throat before stepping forward and holding open the door. “What are you drinking tonight?”

The warmth that she felt, that was then taken away all too soon, was shocking. Phoebe curled her hands into her jacket pocket when he let go of her, unwilling to lose the warmth he’d left, and continued walking inside. She tried to shake it off, but the laugh felt forced. “It’s totally fine. How could I ever be upset with you.” Phoebe took the opportunity that he couldn’t see her face to pull herself together. When they got to the bar, she was happy again. She hoped. “Uhm, maybe firewhiskey tonight? What do you think?”

“Yeah, me either. I’ve been mostly staying at home lately.” He admitted, he barely left the house unless it was for work these days. “Same.” Xander took a last breath from his cigarette before vanishing the remains. “Well, since we both ended up here, let me buy you a drink?”

“Hey, nothing wrong with that.” Phoebe smiled, “Staying at home might be what you need some days. I’ve had a couple of good nights in.” She nodded her head eagerly. “I would love one.” Phoebe hadn’t been aware of how much she’d been wanting to see him.

Hayley gave a shudder at the idea of someone proposing. “No, no. Just a bunch of my friends are getting married and or having babies, so I guess it’s on my mind.” She shrugged. “I haven’t even been on a proper date in forever and I’m happy with that.”

“Yeah, same. Although, don’t know if i’m happy about it. I’m not upset about it either thought, so all is good.” She snorted. “Marriage does seem pretty permanent though.”

“Hi.” Xander couldn’t stop the automatic smile when he saw her. “I didn’t know you were out tonight, or I would have found you sooner. How are you?”

“I wasn’t really planning on it, but,” Phoebe shrugged. She hadn’t felt like being a lone tonight. She hadn’t planned on seeing him either. “I’m good. You know the drill. Wake up, work, sleep.” She laughed, “Nothing new.” She felt like that what was he wanted to hear.

“Yeah…. I think something’s wrong with me at this point.” He swung his arm around, dropping it to rub at his shoulder with his other hand. “Or maybe I’ve just fallen off so many times I’m immune.”

“No, I think it’s the first one. I think it’s combined version of the two.” She put some gummy worms in her mouth. “I think you’ve fallen so many times that your bones don’t feel the same. Yeah that’s it.”

YJ pulled a face at her. “Fine, I’ll stop complaining. For now. But I make no promises that I won’t start again.” He joked. “Well, yeah, and we can easily cover everything with magic but it would still ruin my vibe.”

“The vibe is yours to make.” Phoebe laughed. She’d learned that growing up. “So as long as we keep the vibe going it’ll work. Now come here. Come look at these stars, they’re so bright.” The telescope was set up right outside of the firelight.

“I always judge people.” He watched her with a raised brown before shaking his head. “I don’t have to be drunk or have a drink in my hand to do that. It’s a part of my daily routine.”

“Yeah, but not like out loud and with other people.” She huffed and turned around to face the crowd instead of the bar. “What’s got you so grumpy tonight?”

YJ looked suspiciously at the sky. “It might rain.” He countered, before shrugging, “It’s fine, I just need to get better at this whole roasting marshmallows thing. I guess stick it in the middle and get distracted is not the best tactic.”

“Don’t be a downer.” Phoebe smirked. “And even if it does rain, you forget magic exists. I feel like there’s gotta be a spell for everlasting fire.”

Xander laughed, “Hey, that’s just as important of a skill, you’ll get much further in life since you can read people like books.” He pulled a face. “Nothing, work sucks, my boss continues to be useless, and I’m still fantasizing about just running back to France and hiding out there.”

“Again?” Phoebe laughed, “Come on. It’s boring around here when you’re in France. Plus, wizarding neighborhoods are cooler around here. And when are you going to get a new job?” She laughed. “You’re always complaining about it.”

Dylan snorted. “You might have for the healing program the first time around, but no one knew I was going to muggle med school except the guy I’m seeing.” He leaned back in his seat, shaking his head at her question. “No. I wouldn’t be going back through all of this if it was. The science and everything behind it is different.

Phoebe made a noncommittal sound, “I don’t know, I feel like I was referencing all school, ever, forever, all of it.” Phoebe shrugged, “I hate school. How long do you have to do it for?”