#cassvarian

Last entry for Cassarian month! The theme is Winter Romance. I'm pretty proud of this one. I tried to draw colors from their various outfits but they looked weird and much too dark so they're more derived from them. And there's a real background, what a rarity!

Waylaid on a Spring Evening

-a post Kindred Spirits one shot-

Read it here on AO3!

A scene for a one-shot I'm editing that's a follow up to Kindred Spirits. I'll link the fic here when it gets posted.

Chapter 13

Read it here on AO3

A short entry for week one. I'll be posting them all together here on Ao3.

Spring Showers

Varian tended to lose track of things. Of course, this wasn’t his fault, his mind was just too busy. Too full. It rarely stopped so mundane things like appointments and the time didn’t occupy a particularly important place in his thoughts. He kept a small planner and was meticulous in adding reminders to it but all the notes in the world wouldn’t help him if he forgot something as important as setting an alarm. Or making sure the car had gas in it the previous night.

At least he had been precise in his preparations the night before. His notes and thesis papers had been laid out, his nicest clothes had been ready, breakfast would’ve been skipped anyway with the anxious, wobbly feeling in his stomach. He was going to cement his doctorate. Today would be the day if he could just get there in time. He pulled his tie, loosening it against the heat of his neck. Even though the morning was cool it was bright and a flat out run across the campus grounds was uncomfortably warm. The peril of changing seasons, he supposed.

The wind bit at his face despite the morning sunshine. The clouds were patchy, with the airy feeling of spring rain in the air. The morning felt indecisive around him, all the better for Varian that he was so focused. The stalwart feeling sharpened his confidence.

No one else was in any kind of hurry. He’d nearly bowled over several students as they bunched up together in the cool morning. The ancient man from the academics building had nearly gone flying when Varian passed through the building as a shortcut. He’d paused briefly to make sure the professor was all right but a few seconds was all he’d spared.

He rounded a corner of the science building, unslowing as he skidded across the concrete. He didn’t have time to stop as his brain registered the body in his path. He didn’t even have time to swerve away from the girl before he plowed into her. Her forehead smashed into his nose and Varian yelped as they went down, her arms flailing around him in surprise. The papers went flying.

“No no no no!” Varian wiped at his nose and blinked away tears. No blood, so it wasn’t as broken as it felt. He lunged his upper body after the papers, scrabbling after them before the breeze could take hold. “Sorry! I’m so late and I just wasn’t- Oh, my notes!” Dimly Varian was aware that she had bumped her own nose against his chin.

“s’okay, “ she said, muffled by her hand over her face. Her free hand shot out, grabbing a chart as it fluttered. The wind was picking up.

“Is your face okay?” That was all of them. Relief swept over Varian as he tucked the papers into one of his folders and looked down. Unamused hazel eyes were staring up at him over the curve of the girl’s hand.

Up at him. Oh. He glanced further down. Of course, he was still draped over her legs awkwardly. A self conscious smile crept onto his face and he pushed himself up carefully. “I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. My face, and the rest of me will live,” she said, holding a hand up to ask for assistance. As Varian pulled her up his eyes traveled over her dark hair as the breeze tossed it and something pattered against their joined hands. She was pretty. “I know you. The chemistry guy, right? I’m Cassandra.” She shook his hand where she held it and gingerly pulled her hand away from her face. A faint bluish tinge stretched across the bridge of her nose and Varian winced. That was his fault.

“Chemistry guy.”

“It’s what I’m calling you until you tell me your name.” Her voice lilted, an unidentifiable undercurrent in the tone. Varian wasn’t sure what it implied but the way she was looking up at him expectantly was disarming. His tongue caught over his voice.

“Oh. I’m...my name is Varian.”

“Varian. You should probably put on the brakes when you come to blind corners. Not everyone is as tough as I am.” She shifted the strap of her bag, her eyes drifting away from him. A raindrop caught her face and she blinked rapidly as she glanced up. “You were in a hurry, though, right?” The pat pat of more drops sounded faintly from the concrete.

Varian tucked his papers against his chest, frowning as he followed her glance toward the sky. “Yes! I overslept a- OH! My presentation!”

The rain was beginning to fall in earnest, now, as Cassandra held up a finger. The urgency of moments before drove Varian into anxious fidgeting as she dug one hand into her bag. He would have happily waited for her any other time, but even a pretty girl wasn't enough to derail his morning further. “I really have to go, I’m sorry!”

“I know, but here! Your stuff will get soaked.” A grin graced her face and she pulled out a small umbrella. She held it out insistently. Varian shook his head. He could feel the wetness soaking into his hair and Cassandra’s curls were frizzing.

“But you’ll-“

“I’m done for the day. I’ll hang out in the student center coffee shop and wait for you to bring it back.” She shook it at him, and when he hesitated again she rolled her eyes. No wasn’t an option she was giving him. She pushed the button on the handle and the canopy spread with a fwoof before she pushed it into his hands. “Good luck, nerd! You can buy me something hot while you tell me about it.”

A flutter beat erratically in Varian’s chest. “I’d like that!” He called, watching Cassandra smile and lift her bag over her head. It did nothing to shield her and Varian watched her jog away into the thickening sunburst, her dark hair bouncing among the bright drops.

You can find this collection here on AO3!

Excitement radiated from Varian, his energy palpable in the muffled atmosphere of the car. Cassandra could feel it. She smiled to herself, watching from the corner of her eye the way he straightened in his seat as the road brought them out of the thick trees and the scenery opened up around them. “There it is! You can see the orchards!” He pointed, his eyes lighting up like a kid trick or treating a rich neighborhood. She followed his gaze to the farm that was nestled in between the rolling hills. A small stand of trees stood between their path and the house, and beyond stretched fields dotted with orange and green.

“You were right, it is pretty.”

“I haven’t gotten to come since I’ve been in school, but Mom always insisted that we come before Halloween.” His fingers drummed against the wheel impatiently as they turned and parked in the gravel lot. There were some kids nearby, other families that had come at the last minute. Varian took a deep breath of the air as he got out of the car. Even to Cassandra it felt different than the city she was used to. “A pumpkin to carve and an apple each for the drive home. That’s what we always got. You know, I never really thought about what a tradition this was until we didn’t get to go anymore…”

“Thanks for bringing me this time.” Cassandra rounded the car and sidled up next to him, her arm finding its way around the small curve of his waist. His hand found hers against his hip and he pressed them together. The look on his face was wistful. Was he thinking of his childhood? His mother and her passing? Whatever it was it was bound to bring him down and they couldn’t have that. Not when he’d told her he wanted to do something festive together. Cassanda grinned and bumped their hips together. “I bet I can find a bigger pumpkin than you.”

“All the really good ones are probably gone.”

“I didn’t say good, I said bigger!” She broke away from him, turning to blow him a kiss. As she’d hoped, his cheeks colored against the autumn air and he took the bait.

“Seriously? I am way more experienced at this than you are, there’s no way.”

“No?” She turned her back on him, making a showing of pushing up her sleeve as if she were wearing a watch. “Hm. Then I guess you won’t object to a time limit.”

“Yeah, that won’t be a problem,” he said. He brushed past her, flipping her hair with his fingertips before he broke into a run. Rocks flew as he crashed across the gravel. “Five minutes!”

“Are you seriously trying to get a head start?” Cassandra wanted him to be happy today, truly, but seeing him already ahead of her caught at her competitive spirit. His laughter drifted back to her tauntingly as she sprinted after him.

——

Evening came earlier and earlier. Varian sat on the hood of the car, the gold of dusk pulling the brown streaks out from the black of his hair. A styrofoam cup of cider sat forgotten beside him, long cooled. He was staring as he turned a red and yellow apple in his hands. His eyes were blank but heaviness weighed in the lines of his mouth. He’d been quiet for a while.

Cassandra leaned against the side of the car, letting him take his time. Even good memories could be hard to process. She knew this, so she waited and busied herself with her phone. They’d ended up with three pumpkins: a big one they’d both spotted from opposite sides, and two smaller ones they’d picked out at a more leisurely pace. She took a picture on her phone, touching the toe of her boot to the big one for scale.

Varian sniffed. It might have been the dryness of the air but she doubted it. His shoulders were hunched slightly and he was still turning the Apple. Cassandra took another picture, her boyfriend silhouetted against the glaring colors of the sky.

“I’m glad we came.” So he was breaking the silence first. She’d thought he would, when he felt up to it. Pocketing her phone, Cassandra moved next to him. He was at the perfect height for her to slide her arms around his hips and press her cheek against his arm.

“I am too.” A moment of silence settled over them and Varian leaned gently back against her. The Apple was bruised where his thumb worked against it.

The way their relationship had grown had been slow and cautiously paced but once in a while there were moments like this one: raw and heavy. They were moments that assured Cassandra that what was between them was strong and lasting. She wanted to comfort him and that he trusted her with a vulnerability like this...it said a lot. Sooner than she expected, Varian sighed and straightened. “This was harder than I thought it would be. Not entirely but...now that we’re done. It’s weird.”

“Is it the leaving part?”

“I think so.” The sigh that left him seemed to take something with it and he stretched his legs out before hopping down. “She always told me endings were her least favorite thing. Mom, I mean. I get that now.”

“I don’t mind them. It means you get to start something new.” Cassandra reached for his face and kissed his cheek, smiling gently at the summer freckles still peppering his face. His hands found her arms and squeezed affectionately before he turned to pick up the large pumpkin. “New traditions are fun. Like racing for pumpkins,” she said.

“Or making an Apple pie when we get home?”

“We’ll attempt it. You’re better at food than me.” The concession was worth it as Varian smiled smugly. He was proud of his baking skills and Cassandra saw no downside to that. Still, she rolled her eyes good naturedly and opened the back door for him.

“Oh.”

“What- oh.” They both stared at the baskets piled into the back seat, all of them filled with various colored apples. They’d bought some but in their fun they hadn’t been counting. There was no room for the pumpkins. Cassandra laughed and picked up the smaller ones from the gravel. “Guess I’ll be holding these.”

“What are we going to do with so many…?” Varian laughed softly, the huff of his voice sounding like it had risen from somewhere deep down. It sounded difficult, but his face lightened. “We could both make pies.”

“Mine wouldn’t be edible.”

“Oh come on, Cassie, you just need to practice. I’ll help you!”

“No, Varian.” Cooking lessons were an old argument between them, one that was never more than teasing. Cassandra lifted her chin stubbornly and strutted to her side of the car.

“I’m not giving you a choice. It’s pie night.” He passed her the larger pumpkin and settled into his seat, a grin finally splitting his face. Cassandra felt her heart lift at the sight but she dropped her head back and groaned. She would give in after wheedling some cocoa out of him in exchange. Give and take was how they worked.

Chapter Twelve

Read it here on AO3!