#conree

“Why don't you start by actually telling me why you called me here?” she suggested, her nose scrunching at his shorts. “Do you not do laundry?” 

He grabbed the shorts in frustration and tossed them to the side. “My clothes are not why I called you here Alex. Okay, that is one of the reasons but still, not the main point,” he took a deep breath before continuing, ''I kinda asked Bree on a date...and she may or may not have said yes. But I have no idea what to do because I didn't think she was gonna agree.” 

Alex stared at him for a moment before grinning excitedly. “Conner! That's amazing! Why on Earth did you think she wouldn't agree?” 

He shrugged in response. Self-doubt would've been the appropriate answer but he wasn't willing to hear a “fairy-godmother-worthy” lecture on self-love and confidence from his lookalike. As much as he appreciated and loved his sister, it just wouldn't help him. 

“I would've asked mom or Bob but they’re both on shifts right now and won't be back till tonight which is already when the date is.”

Alex could tell he was in a state of pure panic. “Alright then, you know Bree better than I do, what does she like?” she asked, looking at him before adding, “And for the sake of your poor carpet, please sit down. You're gonna wear a hole into it.” 

He sighed and complied, plopping onto his chair near his desk. He picked up a photo of Bree he had on his desk. Not like a creepy stalker photo. Just a picture they had taken in Germany. His thumb caressed the picture as the memories flooded through his mind. 

“She loves thrillers. Stuff like murder with a mix of mystery too. She also adores Sherlock holmes. Oh and movies and shows of similar concepts. She's opening up to fantasy though. Her favourite colour is purple and she enjoys music…” he trailed off, lost in thought. 

Alex couldn't help but smile. She loved seeing him happy and even in love. She was also grateful he called her for help. Her constant tasks in the Fairy Kingdom kept her on her toes so she was glad to have a break and hand the leadership role to Emeralda for a while. She would never admit to her brother how stressful the tasks actually were but despite the silent words between them, and unbeknownst to Alex, Conner had a feeling she was under a lot of burden. 

He snapped out of his day dream to see his sister rearranging his nightside table. “HEY-”

“It's filthy Conner. I'm pretty sure this sandwich has been here since you moved here.”

“It's fine Alex. And like I said, didn’t bring you here to critique my room!” 

“Alright alright. Look, you said she enjoys mystery, so why not incorporate some of those elements. Like-”

“A scavenger hunt!” they said in unison with a grin.

The next few hours were filled with extensive planning and communication. With of course a little help from magic too since such an idea wasn't going to work out in just less than 24 hours. Soon it was time for, as Conner put it, Operation Purple Flower.

                                ────────⊹⊱❧❦☙⊰⊹────────

Bree checked her phone and saw one notification from Conner.

                                                       Conner

[Conner]

Are you ready to go?

[You]     

yes

but where are you?

am I supposed to go somewhere?

[Conner]

Yes and no

You are going somewhere 

But I won't be telling you where just yet.

You'll see ;)

[You]

what?

so like a scavenger hunt?

well this is certainly different, but exciting

[Conner]

I shall neither confirm nor deny 

Anyways 

Let's begin shall we?

[You]

we shall 

[Conner]

Endless thoughts in countless phrases. 

Ages young and old wander these mazes. 

Knowledge abundant, joy a plenty-

Many use it as an escape from tyranny.

[You]

oh riddles!

fun

hmmm

this has to be a library

right?

Seen 

Bree took this as a yes. She smiled at her phone. This was different and quirky. She was also admittedly very excited. In fact, she was feeling a rush of emotions. The last time she felt something so exhilarating was when she joined the Bailey twins for their Land of Stories adventures. 

She made her way to the public library, which was not too far away from her house. She waited at the entrance to see what would happen next, tugging at her hair. She couldn't find her beanie, positive her sisters had taken it. She didn't like how empty her head felt but dealt with it for the time being. After a good 2 minutes, she went inside the quiet library. According to the time, it would close in 10 minutes so she had to act quickly. 

“If I was Conner Bailey, where would I want to go?” she thought back on Conner and his adventures. All were revolving around...magic...fairy tales! She made her way to the children's section and took out a book of fairy tales. 

As she flipped through the book, she couldn't help but laugh at some of the illustrations and how different the artists had depicted the people she met around a year ago. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a paper fluttering down gently to the ground. She looked at the page which contained the letter and in bold letters was the title :

                                                     Cinderella

‘Of course. The fairy godmother was their grandmother and now it's Alex.’ she thought, picking up the paper that had fallen. Written on the front was undoubtedly Conner’s handwriting :

To : Bree Campbell, Don’t open until you reach the final destination. P.s. if                               you aren't Bree, then scram kid. This isn't for you.

Bree laughed at the message and took a picture to send, informing Conner of her finds. 

                                                          Conner 

[You sent an image]

[You]

I see you

I'm guessing this isn't the only thing 

what's next?

[Conner]

Your journey is far from done

Only now has the fun begun

Many come yet few enjoy

I can't say I was a golden boy

But I'm pleased to say

Even I managed to stay the whole way

[You]

so… you weren't perfect at this

but you still survived?

oh

oh

oh

school! 

Seen 

This was possibly the first time Bree was happy she was left on read. Since, the situation called for it. She grinned and made her way to the school building. She frowned slightly when she saw the door open. The school was closed. She knew the janitors locked up the school after their night shift so the only thing she could come up with was that Conner wanted her to go inside. 

She entered the building, feeling a small amount of fear. The hallways were dark and almost eerie. She walked around aimlessly. Where did she need to go? She thought back of her and Conner at school. That's when it hit her.

Ms. York's english class. The very first proper class she had with Conner in 7th grade. She grinned in triumph, making her way to the classroom.

Flipping a switch and turning on the light, she looked around for her next clue point. She spotted it a few moments later on her old desk. A small model airplane. She took a snap and sent the new image to her date.

                                                          Conner 

[You sent an image]

[You]

okay this one was kinda cute

I'm pretty sure there's more though 

what's next?

[Conner]

A mother’s love, her intentions dear,

Stories the world didn’t want to hear

The story of a fated slipper of glass

At least the warmth in your stomach will last

[You]

these are getting challenging 

stories and slipper of glass makes me think fairy tale

but the only tale that has a prominent slipper made of glass is…

Cinderella!

of course

the Storybook Grill

you told me her step-mother owned the place!

Seen

She turned the lights back off and quietly made her way out of the school building, closing the large front door behind her before she left. Now she made her way to one of her favourite restaurants. 

Unlike the last two places she had just been to, Storybook Grill was bustling with life. She went inside and was instantly hit with the sounds and smells of the night. She could see Rosemary happily moving from table to table and her sister Petunia doing the same with visibly less enthusiasm. Their mother, Lady Iris, was standing by a table. The same table, Bree noted that she sat at the first time she came to the restaurant. 

She saw Iris’s eyes widen in glee as she gestured for Bree to come to her. Once she made her way there, Iris instructed her to sit down and that should be right back.

She came back a few moments later with a covered plate. Once she placed it on Bree’s table, she left her with the dish. Bree wasn't sure if she was supposed to open it and decided to ask Conner. 

                                                          Conner 

[You]

at the diner

Iris gave me a dish 

am I supposed to have dinner without you?

[Conner]

Just open the lid ;)

Seen 

She curiously took the lid covering the dish. On the silver platter, was a flower. A flower she knew very well. Her mother would enthusiastically tell her daughters of different flora due to her love of botany. Accompanying the flower was a note that was written as followed :

You're doing quite well Bree. Don't worry, you've only got one more place to go after this place.

She took what would be her final clue photo and sent it to Conner.

                                                          Conner 

[You sent an image]

[You]

purple orchids are my favorite

what's the final clue partner? 

[Conner]

Heal your weary bones and heart

Where new life is given, a wondrous start

For all of us, together, drifted past this time

memories of fondness woven into this rhyme

[You]

this might be the easiest one yet

the hospital 

I’m assuming it's Saint Andrew’s one?

Seen 

Getting up from the diner, she thanked Iris for the help and made the walk to the Children’s hospital. Playing by Conner’s rules, she went straight away to the ward where they had kept Conner’s fictional characters from his short stories. 

However she had to admit feeling quite confused when she opened the door. She was expecting to see Conner however she was met with yet another note. She saw the ‘open now’ at the front of the paper and didn’t waste any time opening it. 

You’re probably confused as to where I am. Well let’s just say I told a little white lie. Just the smallest one. I'm gonna need you to walk outside to the entrance lobby, take 23 steps in front, turn right, take 38 steps straight and well, fate will lead you from there :) ~ Conner 

Bree was baffled but shrugged. Following the instructions led her to the entrance of the Willow Crest Public Park. On the ground was something Bree spent hours trying to find, her purple beanie. 

“Wait what-” she bent down, attempting to grab her headwear. That’s when the strangest thing that evening happened. Her beanie moved by itself. She tilted her head in confusion but decided to follow it.

She ended up in a place she never remembered seeing. Her beanie made a turn and there was a flash of light. Bree covered her eyes for a second before going to the source of light. She came across a secluded clearing. Standing right in the middle was the teenager who started the whole goose chase.

Conner Johnathan Bailey 

Who she also noted, was holding her beanie. 

“I see you got my note.” he said with a cheeky grin. 

“Which one? I seem to remember three.” she joked, holding her hand out. He understood and passed her the beanie which she put on her head immediately.

“Much better.” she muttered.

“So,” he said, his fingers fidgeting, “what do you think?” 

He gestured around him and Bree looked around for the first time. There were fairy lights stringed across the hedges. The ground was scattered with flower petals and right in the middle was the dining table. Elegant yet magical. The centre piece was a simple glass vase and a minimalistic candle plus its holder. 

“It's amazing Conner! How on earth did you manage to pull this off?” she asked, turning to face him. He grinned, clearly proud of his accomplishment.

“It was not easy,” he admitted. “I had a ton of help. Alex helped me make the clues, and this place. Your sisters helped get your beanie and convince the janitor to hand them the keys and the library, hospital and school had the objects. I asked Iris to help out with everything in the diner and your mom told me  your favorite flower. Oh and your beanie moving was Alex and her wand. She just disappeared.”

Bree was in awe of how it all worked out. She gave Conner a hug. “This is the most fun I've had in a long while. Sure I was grounded for such a long time too, but seriously, this is incredible.” 

He beamed and led her to the table. He assisted her to her seat before sitting down himself. “The flower goes in the vase by the way.” she smiled and placed it in. 

“Now before we begin, I do believe you have a letter to read?”

She nodded, taking out the first destination’s prop. Opening it, she read out the letter in her hand.

Dear Breanne Campbell,

Yay! If you're reading this, it means you've reached the end of the little scavenger hunt. It also means you're sitting with future me so hello me! 

Anyways, I'm sure you've already noticed, I mean, you are Bree afterall. All the places you've been to have had some kind of significance. The library for the Land of Stories. The Cinderella story for Alex and Grandma. The school since we went to the same school. Of course, Ms. York’s english class being the first proper class together. The airplane to signify our first real adventure to Germany. It could also mean our trip to New York! The diner because...well we both know the owner is Ella’s step-mom. The flower being your favourite flower and color. The hospital for our time with my short-story characters. Oh and meeting Hero. the park, the place you're in right now, being the same place we battled with witches and Alex under a crazy curse. 

Ah the memories. Hopefully, there'll be some new ones. Now I don't mean to drag you into another life or death adventure, but I would like to spend more time with you. Only if it's okay with you and you aren't grounded of course. I've already asked your parents :)

If anyone was to ever ask me what would describe Bree Campbell, I would say a flower. Not because you are delicate or fragile. Because you are a survivor. You take on any challenge and manage to look fabulous doing it. Not to mention how calm you are in any situation. You can do anything, face any battle, any hardship and stay grounded. Just like a flower. 

So thank you Bree, for sticking with me through all these near insane adventures.  For being around through my weirdest thoughts and plans. Most of all, for accepting me and this crazy two-life fiasco. 

Thank you, for being the most amazing, unique purple flower and girlfriend a guy could ask for.

Conner Bailey

Bree was not someone who cries but she could feel tears in her eyes. She smiled at Conner and wiped her tears, so many emotions racing through her, all of which were good ones. 

“Conner, this is so touching. And sweet! Thank you.” she finally managed to say, her voice breaking ever so slightly. 

He seemed quite pleased with himself and bent down. “Now, as a thanks and sorry for dragging you around the neighbourhood, a toast to your heritage.” he announced, coming back up with two plates of food. Specifically that of the German cuisine. 

He poured them two glasses of lemonade and held his glass up. She mimicked his action as he said, “A toast to first dates.”

“To first dates.”

As the glasses clinked, a photo was taken from a certain hiding spot in the trees. Sitting at the top, out of the vision of the two lovebirds, was Alex Bailey. The half-fairy smiled to herself and went down, making her way back home to give them privacy for the rest of the date as she looked at the photo of her twin brother and close friend.

“Operation Purple Flower...was a success.”

                              ────────⊹⊱❧❦☙⊰⊹ ────────

exactly like Conner said, writing this fic was not easy. I wrote this one shot a long time ago, all the way back in August of 2021. And i’m not someone who writes fan fiction often, it’s just not my strong suit. You’ll find that Bree is not exactly very canon…actually none of them truly are canon and I apologise if that annoys anyone. Like i said, not my strong suit.

Anyways, I wanna just add, major credit and thanks to @introvertedwraith for helping with the riddles that Conner prepared. I could not have done it without her saving my ass lol. Also, the texting format…i swear it looks better on wattpad because it is extremely difficult to put it in tumblr lol.