#omilyn

~

Moving near the ocean was probably the best thing she had done ever since graduating high school. Everyone had told her it was foolish to want to own a cafe. They said it wouldn’t pay well and wasn’t a good enough career to have especially when she was such a talented artist and occasional writer. But she had proved them all wrong. Over the past four years her little cafe, Moon & Stars Cafe, had gained a lot of traction. Not many cafes allowed pets and in their thanks customers left little positive messages and pictures of their pets that she pinned on a giant board behind the counter. It was hard at first but now that she had staff it was a lot simpler.

As the gulls circled high above she found herself closing her eyes, smiling at the sounds of their screams. She then removed her shoes and wandered near the edge of the water looking for any pretty stones, sea glass, or shells she could add to the little glass jars that decorated the cafe. Her warm blonde hair fluttered around her ears, the salt spray making it curl more than normal. She would have to work the knots out before she got to work. Amberlyn giggled and let out a squeal when a crab tried to pinch her toe and jumped away before making her way back up the beach towards the town.

~

There was a young man she didn’t know sitting on the steps up the dunes, deep in thought. “Hello there!” She greeted him. “Enjoying the sight?”

He lifted his head and she fought back a gasp. He had a few long scars across his face, one of his ocean blue eyes covered with a misty haze. He laughed bitterly, running a hand through his golden hair. “I’m enjoying it the best I can, I guess it’s a beautiful view.”

“You guess? The ocean is always beautiful.” She gently retorted, finding his cynicism odd.

He leaned back on his elbows studying her a moment before responding. “It kind of becomes the same old thing when all you have seen is rolling waves for four years straight. The sea isn’t always sparkling and warm darling. It’s cold and vicious. It rages and storms. The sea is unpredictable. And I like to know what’s coming next, so pardon, if I don’t find it as enjoyable.”

“I’m sorry?”

~

Ominis sighed at the puzzled and slightly hurt look on her bright and innocent face. He had come here to be alone and to wallow in his grief alone.

The vast and endlessness of the ocean made him feel small when he watched it long enough. It reminded him of the things he couldn’t control, the things he didn’t want to remember. But the wind that ruffled his hair, the taste of salt in the air also was calming. It reminded him of the only real home he had had, one he lost.

He hadn’t expected anyone to approach him or much less say anything.

She was still talking and he fought a groan. He just wanted some peace.

“Yes the ocean is unpredictable, but isn’t that the fun of it? Facing the unknown? You can just sail across the sea and start a new life. There are endless possibilities, you just have to learn to ride the waves into a new sunrise.” She smiled, nervously tucking a curl behind her ear.

How could she be so positive? Couldn’t she see that he wanted solace?

The ocean didn’t promise salvation. Not for him, not anymore.

Instead of asking why she was friendly like he wondered, he gave a short cynical laugh. “The ocean is good at making people think they can escape their lives. But it doesn’t work that way.”

She tilted her head, her expression softening. She could tell that the scars weren’t just on the surface, but that he had some deep emotional wounds as well. She wanted to offer some comfort to ease the quiet pain in his eyes. She didn’t want to press him though so she offered the simple honesty she always enjoyed. “I suppose it doesn’t solve everything. But it did for me. Coming here gave me a new chance for life. Perhaps you’ll find something here too. And it’s a space to breathe. Walking the beach always helps me think. I hope you find that as well.”

Ominis just stared past her still, out at the ocean as he considered her words. He wanted to believe her words, that new chances were possible. But it seemed like everything for him was hopeless. The waves crashing on the shore echoed the storm he felt inside.

“Some things are just gone,” he muttered. “There are things you can’t get back no matter how hard you try.”

Alyn’s heart ached at the raw pain in his voice. She could sense that this young man had endured so much already in his young life, probably tragedies beyond everyday lives. Even though he was pushing her away she wanted to offer some comfort and hope.

“You might be surprised. Some things have a way of coming back to you but just not in the way you expect, or maybe you don’t need those things back. Sometimes we need something new.”

He frowned at her. She had no idea what she was talking about. She didn’t understand the depth of his pain. How could she think that she could offer him comfort? But oddly her words were comforting. Oddly he didn’t find her incredibly annoying as he thought he would.

“Maybe,” he said gruffly.

“You’re new around here aren’t you? I haven’t seen you around here before.”

He rolled his eyes. “WOW, are you always this observant?”

“I try to be, you never know when you might miss something or someone important.” She sighed looking down at her watch, “Well I have to get going now but if you ever want to make a friend or get good food my cafe isn’t too far from here. It’s called Moon & Stars in case you ever want to stop in. I am always willing to listen.”

Ominis’s eyes flicked back to her, mild awe on his face. Why was she still being so nice to him? “I’ll think about it.” he found himself saying. “Thanks for the offer.”

“Any time, have a good day. I’m Amberlyn by the way.”

“Ominis.”

“Well have a good day, Ominis.” Amberlyn gave a small smile and wave and then hurried up the beach and away.

~~

Ominis hadn’t always been bitter. He hadn’t always been scarred. But life wasn’t as kind to him as most. Watching the churning waves on the beach reminded him of the days he spent under and on them. In a giant ship, a submarine, or hovering over the waters in a helicopter before dropping into the frigid waters below. A navy seal didn’t have the time to admire the beauty around them, they had to remain focused on the task at hand, to lock in on their target and fire before the enemy saw them first.

He hadn’t always wanted to be a navy seal, he just wanted a simple job,simple rank. Maybe as an engineer, something where he didn’t have to fight. It was just meant to be an escape from his family, a job that took him away from their abuse, and provided money, food, and a roof over his head. And he was protected. Yet while in training when they discovered what an amazing shot he was he was moved up, a sniper for the seals. Part of discrete missions going into some of the toughest places in the world.

He had seen more death and destruction than most 22 year old men could imagine. It was all he had ever known and now he was here, stuck in a civilian city living at a logistics base. At least he still had a job. After an accident of explosive shrapnel to the face he only had the use of one eye even though they had worked hard to save the other one. He could no longer shoot for them. So he’d been offered an honorable discharge, but he feared having to go back to his family and begged for anything they had. His family were all he had to go to and they would want him back. As long as they knew he was still in the Navy they would think he was still fighting and leave him be.

But did he know how to be normal? No he didn’t. He didn’t know what to do with himself when he wasn’t working, when he wasn’t shooting. Logistics was boring but what he had. America was also unfamiliar to him. Try going from being in an uptight English school your life, to the strict rules of the Navy to the carefree and laidback land where no one cared how they carried themselves. He was also very alone.

Ominis found himself thinking of the strangely positive girl as he watched the waves. He found himself wondering if the ocean could be beautiful. If he was really safe here, miles across the waters from them. If he could finally find the peace and healing that he was hoping for. Here in Norfolk Virginia, under a warm sun that promised a bright beginning. Perhaps she was right; perhaps the waters here that shone with an odd beauty would wash away his past, bring him something new while carrying the old away. He couldn’t get his innocence back, no but he could retrain himself to not think about those things anymore- the things he was ashamed of.

~~

It was later in the evening and Amberlyn was busy working hard when she saw him enter, his pale skin a bit pink from the sun. Val who was helping her serve a customer caught on to how her attention shifted from her customer to the door when it swung open.

“So is that lemon boy?” Val asked her green eyes sparkling with amusement, her pink bob bouncing on her shoulders.

“His name isn’t lemon boy Val,” Alyn sighed, returning her attention back to serving another customer. “His name is Ominis.”

Val shook her head, watching as Ominis took a seat at a table in a corner. “I think lemon boy is far more fitting don’t you Cal?” she said, turning her gaze to her boyfriend who was sitting at the counter booth so he could visit with her as she worked.

Callan thought for a moment, brushing a piece of black hair away from his equally dark eyes. “Hmm, blonde and bitter. I guess lemon boy could fit.”

Val chortled in victory, “See I told you.”

Cal hummed for a second, his eyebrows cinching in thought “You said his name was Ominis?”

She didn’t get to answer however because a flock of people entered all at once, laughing and talking amongst themselves. The squad normally came this day of the week to catch up and Amberlyn knew they would want all the tea and Val was not the type to keep anything to herself. She was grateful to have made great friends here but sometimes their overwhelming presence made the introvert feel drained. But she loved them and she couldn’t help but smile and wave back at Jo.

They consisted of Val’s best friend Cassie, who was studying cosmetology; Alex, her boyfriend; and his brother Alvin, both popular football players. Alvin’s girlfriend Matty the botanist was also part of the group, along with the law students, Damien, Sebastian, Alejandro, and Jaimsen. Jo and Poppy who worked at the local zoo, and Jo’s boyfriend Silas was an artistic medical student.

Val went to art school when she wasn’t working at the cafe. Tori was also a law student though, she was leaning more towards officer work then the others. They all took turns helping at the cafe though. Silas and Val helped decorate and design advertisements, Poppy and Matty contributed all the plants and Jo helped plan how to make the place pet friendly. Cassie helped her find the cute aprons and just always look her best, and Jaimsen and Alvin loved helping bake new recipes.

~~

After she briefly said hello to them she let Val and Tori serve their other friends as she went over to Ominis where he sat gazing out towards the sea again.

“Hello again Ominis.” She greeted him.

He startled a bit at her voice but quickly regained his composure, turning towards her.

“Hello.”

She pulled out a pen and a notebook from her apron. “What can I get for you?”

He hesitated for a moment before saying gruffly. “Uhh, a black coffee.”

She raised an eyebrow in surprise. “No cream or sugar?”

“I like it strong,” he said simply.

“Okay then, one black coffee coming up.” She turned back to the counter where she took her time brewing it, finding herself stealing glances at him. He was so stoic and closed off. Yet sometimes she got a glance of something in his eyes, a longing and a searching for hope.

When she returned to the table he was surprised to find her not only sliding a steaming cup of black coffee onto the table in front of him but also a slice of strawberry cheesecake.

“I only asked for a coffee,” he began to protest, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Don’t worry you don’t have to pay,” she assured him. “It’s on the house. I thought you could do with something sweet in your life,” she said with a soft smile. “You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to.”

Amberlyn could feel his eyes on her as she walked away. She hoped the move wasn’t too forward of her. They just had a bunch of extra sweets thanks to Jaimsen and Alvin. It couldn’t hurt. Besides, if he didn’t want it he didn’t have to eat it. But sweets always cheered her up and she thought he could do with a bit of cheer.

As she visited with the others their conversation often drifted into the background as she thought about him. Where had he come from? How could she help him feel comfortable?

Her attention was snapped back when Cassie waved her hand in front of her face. “Alyn, girl you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine.”

Johanna and Tori exchanged a look.

“Okay then,” said Poppy. “What did Silas just say?”

“Uhhhh…”

Val groaned. “He was saying that with your artistic talent you could have a career if you wanted.”

“Yeah, your doodles are great but they would look so much better if they weren’t on a napkin.” Matty chimed in, leaning her head against Alvin’s shoulder as he gently rubbed her back.

“What’s wrong with writing on napkins?” Alejandro piped up suddenly, sharp green eyes flicking up from where he had been very invested in writing something on a small piece of notepaper.

“Nothing Ale,” Silas said, patting him on the back. “Just that with her artistic talent it should be recognized more. Put out into the world. Just like your poetry should be. It’s good.”

Val’s eyes widened and she leaned forward on her elbows. “You write poems?”

Alejandro straightened, a small smirk playing on his lips. “Yeah I do, I like to think they’re good,” he said modestly.

“Can I read one?”

He nodded without hesitation, voice calm and confident. “Sure, I don’t mind.”

“Like that one?” Cassie asked, pointing to the paper Ale had now covered with his hand.

Alejandro met her gaze with a smile, eyes sparkling. “Oh exactly like that one.”

Jaimsen leaned across the table and snatched it up, waving it in the air. “I’m gonna read it!”

Ale went to leap up but stopped when Alex put a large steady hand on his shoulder. “Chill mate, we just want to hear it. Let him read it, you can read us one another time.”

As Jaimsen began to read, Alyn’s eyes drifted back to Ominis. He had begun to eat his shortcake, and a small smirk twinged his lips as he listened to their conversation.

When Jaimsen had finished reading it the cafe was dead silent for a moment. The poem was clearly about Val, speaking of cherry blossom hair with tenderness . Ale stood, his chest rising with pride, and gave a small nod of apology at Cal who was slightly glaring at him. “Yeah, it’s about her. Now you all know. I’m not ashamed of it either.”

Ale then calmly made his exit, confident but a bit nervous of Val’s reaction.

Jo went after him.

Val had a little twinge of pink on her cheeks, a bit flustered from his romantic prose.

“Always knew he was a simp. At least he’s a cute one.”

“Yeah,” Callan agreed with a sigh, his frown changing into a slight blissful look.

“What?” Val exclaimed.

“What?!” Callan echoed, ears burning.

~~

Ominis found himself lingering late into the evening, listening to the comfortable buzz of the cafe girl’s friends laughing and catching up with each other. He felt out of place but he also didn’t want to leave. He no longer had crew mates to visit with, and he hated how quiet his apartment could be at night. One of the men’s voices comforted him more than the others, oddly familiar.

The plate that held the cheesecake was now empty, and his coffee no longer tasted as good as it had when all he had was bland and bitter food for months. Military rations and the hospital food on the ship weren’t sweet. He had only recently gotten back into the swing of eating normally again. He felt deeply touched by her act of kindness, making something twinge inside him he hadn’t felt in a long time.

Ominis looked up when she approached, her soft amber eyes seeming to see right through him as she softly smiled, sending that strange sense of warmth through him again.

“Hey Ominis, would you like any more coffee?” she asked, her voice gentle and cautious.

“I’m fine,” he said a little more gruffly than he would have liked. “I was about to go anyway.”

She just smiled again, and quietly began to pick up his dishes.

“I uhh…thank you for the cheesecake. That was…nice.” he managed to call after her as she began to walk away.

She paused and looked back, “Of course. And my offer still stands, you know, if you ever want to talk.”

“I’ll consider it.” And for the first time in a long while Ominis found himself smiling.

~~

For the next few weeks when he wasn’t working Ominis found himself back at Moon & Stars cafe, always ordering a black coffee and ending up getting a cheesecake on the house. Always sitting at the corner table that looked out toward the ocean, finding it more beautiful daily.

He wanted to visit with her more, and perhaps her friends. But he hadn’t been around people much, at least not in normal conversation for years, so he didn’t feel worthy. He didn’t feel like he was as talented or funny as them, that he had nothing to contribute.

But little by little though her quiet presence began to crack through his walls, sometimes a gentle brush of fingers as she patted a cafe cat that had crawled into his lap, a smiley face or some other doodle she had drawn on a napkin (all of which he kept), or a simple joke shared.

He would occasionally share a bit of gossip that he overheard after he heard her mulling over something with her friends about what had been happening in town. Sometimes she got him to share a bit about himself, a favorite song, a hobby, books. Eventually he told her about the Navy and the scar that haunted him. How he struggled to fit into normal society when all he knew was war.

Amberlyn would take her breaks with him, and in those quiet moments he found the highlights of his days. Her gentle persistence paid off and he found himself beginning to feel at home there.

One day when he entered the cafe he caught a glance of someone he hadn’t expected to see that day. It wasn’t the normal day for her friends to be there. These days were just for them. He had always made sure of it. Did he miss something? Was it the wrong day of the week-?

He stiffened when he heard his laughing voice call his name, “Yo Ominis! Is that you?” Sebastian Sallow unwrapped his arm from around the tall blonde at his side, his brown eyes sparkling with excitement. “It IS you!!” He clapped the man on the back. “D look, it’s my old school pal, Ominis. The one I’ve told you so much about.”

Hopefully not too much… Ominis thought to himself as the short brunette hurried over.

Sebastian let out a whistle, crossing his arms and looking up at him. “Well you shot up.” He then gaped at where Ominis’s sleeve was slightly rolled up.

“Wow, and muscled up too. Where have you been buddy?”

Ominis rolled his eyes and fought a groan and as he went to speak, someone spoke for him.

“He’s been in the Navy.”

…

⋆˚⋆⌜ Dynamics ⌟⋆˚⋆

The only one who'd understand. Recognition of each other's complexities. Mutual respect. Quiet support. Nevertheless, push and pull of varying intensity. Something from their Pinterest board:

Their bond unfolds slowly, built on trust (since Scriptorium, Alyn always sided with Ominis*) and, much later, subtle expressions of affection. They find common ground in shared struggles (family issues among them*) and the guilt and grief lingering after the events of the fifth year.

Alyn has a knack for finding the right words to soften Ominis' sharp edges and gently coax him into vulnerability. Though both are reserved in their own ways, they provide each other a sense of safety and understanding. (exceptions in Conflicts below)

Alyn is more open with affection—small, casual touches like brushing her hand against his (or her knee against his, because yes, she would; she’s, lost, traumatised and overcaffeinated teen). She completes his notes sometimes, drawing schemes from the board for him, describes things that catch her attention in and out of the class—all this happens naturally and easily.

Ominis is more reserved but deeply enjoys her presence and is grateful for her small gestures of help and appreciation. At first, he starts to subconsciously lean just a little closer than necessary during conversations. Over months time, he becomes braver about returning her gestures—a hand brushing hers deliberately, his voice softens noticeably when he speaks to her.

⋆˚⋆⌜ Time together ⌟⋆˚⋆

✨Studying: Since around the end of the fifth year, they often sit together at classes, at the library, or meet in common areas of the castle. Ominis becomes attuned to Alyn's steps, her scent, her presence. He’s startled to realise one day the sound of her voice reading aloud calms him.

✨Spells and Dueling Practice: Ominis’ magic is powerful, and his wand never misses. Alyn learns new spells quickly, and is excellent in explaining. Their training sessions are focused yet competitive and somewhat playful, filled with mutual encouragement and a bit of teasing. Alyn would brush the dust from a shattered dummy off his shoulder, and Ominis, whether he admitted it or not, would think that if the entire castle crumbled into dust around him, he wouldn’t mind—as long as it meant she’d be this close again, brushing it away with her hand.

✨Walks: Both enjoy long walks through the castle or by Black Lake. In the sixth year, they always visit Hogsmeade together. Sometimes they are just walking or sitting in silence. They don't normally talk in big emotional outbursts but instead share small, meaningful pieces of themselves over time.

⋆˚⋆⌜ Conflicts ⌟⋆˚⋆

They feel connection because they understand each other’s pain and offer emotional safety, but that very depth makes them vulnerable to fear, mistakes, and misunderstandings.

⚡️Curiosity vs protectiveness: Alyn is still new to the magical world. It makes her eager to learn everything—seemingly dangerous or not—out of wonder, fascination, and a desire to understand and catch up. Ominis, however, sees such curiosity as naivety and feels an urge to protect her, especially from anything risky. Alyn grows frustrated when she feels he’s infantilising her.

✨ Resolution: Alyn may prove her curiosity is tempered by caution, reassuring Ominis that she won’t put herself recklessly in harm’s way. Ominis, in turn, may learn to trust her judgment while remaining a protective figure she can rely on.

⚡️Miscommunication: Both Ominis and Alyn struggle with communication. Ominis often needs time alone to process his thoughts, but Alyn interprets his silence as distance or blame and tries to pull him out of it. If she doesn't succeed, she can rapidly go to 'Oh, it's now me not talking to you.'

✨ Resolution: They need to compromise—Alyn has to learns to give Ominis the time he needs, trusting that he will come back to her. Ominis, in turn, has to learn to communicate when he needs space instead of leaving her guessing.

⚡️SeBaStIaN isn’t even at school during their sixth year. But, whenever he’s brought up, Ominis subtly redirects or shuts the topic down, even though he's not as mad at him as he used to be and still considers him a friend. Among other feelings, Ominis is unsettled by the thought of Alyn reconnecting with Sebastian and leaving him behind. Again. His worry isn’t just jealousy (though it is that too). He fears Sebastian might pull her into something dark and dangerous. Again.

Ominis might: a) Withdraw—not to punish Alyn, but to protect himself emotionally. b) Overcompensate—offer her small gestures of affection, lingering touches, or closeness during homework sessions as a subconscious reassurance of their bond. c) Act stupid and say something he'll regret.

Alyn, in turn, gets irritated by his lack of trust, and such an attack on her judgment.

✨ Resolution: Alyn may reassure Ominis that she was never anything more than friends with Sebastian, and that she’s not under anyone’s influence. Ominis needs to learn to differentiate between jealousy and genuine worry and to communicate his fears in a healthier way.

⋆˚⋆⌜ Apologies ⌟⋆˚⋆

Ominis apologises after angry outbursts, guilt-ridden over losing control—something he fears makes him like his family. His apologies are slow and a bit awkward but deeply sincere. Alyn, on the other hand, apologises gently when she feels she’s misunderstood his intentions or pushed too hard.

Some of these 👆🏻bring them to this 👇🏻

⋆ Christmas 1891 ⋆

...and the aftermath. The second half of the sixth year.

Extra overcompensating for his insecurities while being not entirely sober, Ominis actually kissed Alyn. It happened after an argument following the Christmas party, but as Christmas magic would have it, that time both sides felt heard and satisfied. Eventually, they found themselves sitting together on the windowsill, sharing a quiet conversation. Aaand the first kiss happened.

Afterwards, Ominis apologised so many times they almost had another argument. Alyn reassured him that he didn’t need to apologise—that she didn’t mind them trying this new relationship. But of course, they have to make sure no one finds out.

And here the 'Shades' story begins