Rules: List the first line(s) of your last twenty stories. See if you find any patterns. Tag ten authors to pass it along.
Tagged by @kimmycup
Tagging: @thedumbestavenger and anyone else who sees this and wants to have a go!
Starting from Oldest:
20. “I picked these for you.”
19. Hawke was blindsided by the Arishok’s attack, he had no idea how much damage had been done this time.
18. Hawke had gotten used to always being near Fenris, if not touching him in some way, be it armoured shoulders brushing or curled up in the armchair in front of the mansion’s fireplace.
17. Fenris was still sitting in front of his door.
16. Hawke hadn’t felt so at peace as he currently was since that treasured period of time inbetween Fenris returning to him and the city burning.
15. Someone was shaking him, not too harshly as to add to the pain radiating from his head but not as gently as they could be.
14. “There’s been another surge.”
13. Sirius hadn’t expected the joke about Snivellus and his house disappearing but Remus had a habit, fortunate or unfortunate he didn’t know, of surprising him.
12. Fenris hadn’t put much thought to how little he touched people beyond fighting.
11. “Feckin’ hallways always popping up where you least expect them.”
10. “ Merlin, hurry up! We’re going to be late to our own feast!”
9. Over the years, visiting Ealdor at the start of the winter season had become tradition for Arthur and Merlin.
8. Something was off.
7. There was ichor and blood dripping onto his kitchen floor.
6. It had been eight days since Magnus had received a letter, through means that Alec was not entirely sure about, and left that evening through a portal with only a promise to be back before their anniversary weekend.
5. Sirius sighed, tipping his head back in the ‘Head Boy’ chair that James would kick him out of imminently when he stopped awkwardly flirting with Lily.
4. The ringing of the phone was torture.
3. Cass took a deep breath and raised her fist for the third time.
2. The visiting hours had been over for half an hour and she still couldn’t bring herself to move.
This last one is from my current WIP called Weary Of Stars which is what I’m mostly always talking about on this blog but I can’t say much more about the plot or anything. But I am always around to chat about the characters!
1. “Roman? What are you- Cassie? What? Why are you here?”
So apparently I either start with super short sentences or a paragraph sized paragraph. Go figure. This was really fun so give it a go!
Let me know if you want to know more about any of them or ask any questions about them! <3
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Cass took a deep breath and raised her fist for the third time. The brown door in front of her was just like her own, without the decorative wreath anyway, so why was she having such difficulties actually knocking on it. Sure, it had some weird scratches dotted about, scuff marks at the bottom from being kicked open but she kicked open her own door often enough when she was laden with groceries. She was being silly and she knew it. Another deep breath. The resounding knock was pathetically quiet yet the lock clicked instantly.
“Can I help you?” A rough voice asked, belonging to the darkest green eyes she’d ever seen.
“Uh. Hi.”
The woman furrowed her brow, tucking a strand of blonde hair out of her face and eyes darting away.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” Cass smiled; she tried not to be deterred when the woman didn’t smile back, she was clearly shy or she just hated people and Cass was ruining her evening and her holiday and oh god. “Sorry- were you waiting at the door or something? I just- sorry, that’s stupid, of course you weren’t.”
“I heard you outside.”
Cass felt her face fall, her voice aghast as she swore under her breath. “Sorry, I must seem like some sort of stalker. Oh man that makes me sound like even more of a stalker. I’ll stop now. I live next door! On the right.”
The woman opened the door a little wider in order to poke her head out to look at the house Cass was pointing to. “Right.”
“I’m Cassiopeia Roston. I moved in last month.” Cass stuck her hand out, a little surprised when the woman actually took it, her skin slightly rough and her grip firm.
“Nova.”
“Lovely to meet you, Nova.”
Cass looked down at their joined hands, grinning widely before realising she’d been holding on for a beat too long and Nova had loosened grip to try and pull away. She let go quickly and Nova dropped her gaze to the floor but didn’t retreat into her house.
“Can I help with something?” Nova asked.
“Oh yeah, no. I mean no. Well, maybe? It’s christmas.” Cass wanted to kick herself, she settled for pinching her arm. “My dads are away this year so I’m sort of on my own?” She smiled sheepishly.
Nova nodded for her to continue.
“And, wow now I’m saying this it’s so rude, sorry. But I haven’t really seen anyone visit? So I thought maybe you were lonely too? I don’t even know if you celebrate christmas. Anyway! Did you want to maybe come over to celebrate with me? On Christmas Day?”
“Oh.”
Cass shook her head frantically, backing away a step and trying to wave it away. “Sorry, I’m sorry. Nevermind. This was a stupid idea. I’ll leave you be, sorry again.”
“Yes.” Nova blurted out; Cass stopped mid-wave. “Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Oh. I look forward to it. I’ll see you then.”
Nova nodded and then the door was closed. Cass looked at the door for another few seconds before turning back to her own house, huffing a laugh at herself. Christmas Day was going to be good.
_________
The lounge was lit up in soft, warm golds from the strung up fairy-lights. The star on the top of the small tree was gold as well and so was some of the tinsel. But that was where the organised decoration theme ended, it had barely begun if she was honest with herself and was definitely not recognisable to anyone outside of her and her dads. She loved the random array of handmade decorations, collected from her childhood by her dads, and the mismatch coloured tinsel round around stairway bannisters, the scented candles dotted about on safe surfaces, the thinly linked to christmas ocean themed decorations her Pa brought home from work every year. There was a running joke between her and Dad over whether they were made by Pa or he stole them from his co-workers. The mystery had yet to be solved. The house was a mess of christmas fueled cheer. She loved it. But she’d never had reason to think about it from an outside point of view. Until now, that was. Nova was due over any time and Cass couldn’t help worrying about how she’d explain the rubber octopus and duck taped together under a sprig of mistletoe, or the paper clip stars hanging in a row on the window sill in the kitchen. The food was cooking, hopefully cooked for early afternoon. There was wine and a couple of beers in case that was more to Nova’s tastes. Vegetarian alternatives to the meat based foods as well.
She startled as the doorbell rang throughout the house. She grabbed the less garish christmas jumper, pulling it on over her head as she ran down the stairs, and opened the door, smiling as best she could with the ball of anxiety in her stomach. Nova raised an eyebrow at her briefly before seeming to catch herself and switched to a hesitant smile. Her blonde hair was brushed back into an over the shoulder braid but a couple of stray strands framed her face. She was wearing a pair of light blue jeans and a jumper with a huddle of penguins under a candy cane. She looked adorable. Cass wanted to take a photo and sent it in to replace the current definition of adorable.
“Hi.” Nova let go of a covered plate with one hand to awkwardly wave.
“Hi.” Cass breathed out, mentally shaking herself to actually host properly. “Happy holidays! Come in, it’s chilly out here.”
She stepped back to let Nova through, the faint scent of vanilla followed the woman who stopped just in the hallway to slip out of her shoes. Cass looked down at her own feet as she closed the door to check she hadn’t put socks with holes on. It wasn’t obvious whether the fluffy purple socks were better or worse than socks with holes. She waved Nova into the kitchen where the plate was carefully placed on a free counter.
“I made biscuits.” Nova stuck her hands in her pockets and swayed onto her toes then back. “I used to ice them with my sister when we were young so I thought maybe…”
“That sounds fun, I’ve got plenty of baking and decorating things so we could do them before dinner?” Cass started filling the kettle. “Did you want a drink? I have like three kinds of tea and a jar of coffee or I have hot chocolate powder, I think anyway. Maybe. I can look?”
“Coffee is fine.”
“Right. Cool. Sugar? Milk? I have red and green milk too. I don’t really know why, something my dads did so I do, I guess? Sorry, I’ve not let you answer.”
“One sugar, a bit of milk. Thanks.”
Cass looked up, happily surprised to see Nova smiling shyly at her. “No worries.”
Nova turned away to look at the photos and post it notes stuck to the fridge. “Are these your dads? You mentioned they’re on holiday, right?”
“Yeah, they’ve gone to Greece to see an old friend.” She leaned over Nova’s shoulder to point at one of the photos in particular. “That’s Dad and that’s Pa, and that’s little me when I was like six, I think?”
“You’re cute.” Nova tensed and Cass stepped away, not wanting to make her anymore uncomfortable.
Nova didn’t say anything else so she took it as a cue to finish up the drinks and hand the mug over to her guest who raised a knowing eyebrow at the colourful doodle on the side of the mug but didn’t ask about it. Cass felt her cheeks flush a little and turned away, leading them to the lounge to sit down. She had some christmas music playing softly in the background.
“I like the decorations.” Nova said, taking a slow walk round the room to admire them all up close.
“Thanks. They’re a bit...eclectic.”
“Did you make some of these?”
Cass nodded then realised Nova wasn’t facing her and answered out loud.
“What do you do for work? Marine biology or something?”
“No, though I see why you’d think that. I just work at a cafe in town. My Pa’s family is pretty old and well off so...I work because I like to. My Pa does too.”
“Ah. Right.”
“What about you?”
“Odd jobs here and there.”
Nova sat down on the sofa next to her, it wasn’t the biggest of sofas so they ended up closer than Cass had expected. Legs gently pressed together.
“Happy Christmas, Nova.” Cass said quietly, cradling the mug in her lap, fingers protesting tapping the sides silently to avoid burning.
“Happy Christmas, Cassiopeia.”
“Call me Cass.”
“Okay, Cass. Thank you.”
She met Nova’s smile with her own, already blaming the warmth in her chest on the unsipped tea.
The visiting hours had been over for half an hour and she still couldn’t bring herself to move. Couldn’t bring herself to look away from Cass’ rising and falling chest. The last time she’d looked away, Cass had been shot. She’d been so careful. So, so careful. Had kept to every recommended procedure. Hadn’t let anything slip, even to Cass. It wasn’t right. Cass’ hand in hers was cold. Always cold. Rarely warm even when she wore gloves indoors. But they were always moving. Tapping on the side of a mug, lifting Nova’s own fingers one by one then all over again, waving her hands around as she told her about her day at work. She was so still now. So quiet. Someone was walking down the corridor, light footsteps. One of the nurses. Even with the knowledge that there was an armed guard stationed on the other side of the closed door she couldn’t help wanting the comfort of something to defend Cass if it came to it. If he found her.
There was a muffled conversation then a knock on the door. They didn’t wait for a response, instead coming in with a sympathetic smile ready on their tired face. Nova tightened her grip on Cass’ hand and blinked wearily at the nurse.
“I’m sorry but visiting hours are over. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.” Her voice was genuinely sympathetic, kind.
“Is- she’s...we’re...is there no way I could stay?”
Nova watched the nurse wince at her rough voice, the not-so-subtle look over to take in her wrecked hair and clothes; her stomach chose that moment to sound its displeasure.
“In special circumstances married partners can stay the night but…” The nurse looked at their joined hands then back to her. “Why don’t you go to the canteen, grab some food for yourself and I’ll see what I can do?”
“I...thank you.”
The nurse nodded, smiling again before closing the door behind her. Nova sought out the clock in the room, it was later than she’d realised. They must have been busy with other patients to only just be checking for errant visitors.
“She’s right, you know, you need to eat.”
“Cass.” Nova spun in her seat, leaning half over the bed to brush stray curls out of Cass’ eyes with her free hand, letting her fingers linger and searching her face for any signs of pain. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got shot and then doped up on a lot of meds.” There was a slight slur to her words, a slowed gap as she thought about what she wanted to say. But she was awake. Speaking. Smiling softly. Squeezing her hand.
“I’m sorry.” Nova whispered, pulling back as the wall of guilt fell on her again. “I’m so sorry. This shouldn’t- you shouldn’t have- this is my fault.”
She started to pull her hand away as well only to stop at Cass’ stern reprimand. “If you let go of me right now, I may actually sit on you in that chair.”
“Sorry.”
“I don’t blame you, Nova. I don’t exactly remember what happened or why it happened but I know that I don’t hold you responsible, I never will.” Cass was holding her hostage with her determined gaze, refusing to back down, thumb jerkily running over the back of her hand in comfort.
Nova laughed wetly, brushing away the tears that were trying their best to fall. “I blame myself. You should blame me. I lied to you and I thought I was doing it to protect you but it just made it worse. I shouldn’t have-”
“Stop it. For fucks sake, Nova. Shut your damned mouth. I’d forgive you instantly even if I did blame you. I can’t make you forgive yourself but I can damn well try to make you believe that you shouldn’t. Whatever you did, you did because you wanted to help.” There was a fire in Cass’ eyes, flaming away in the hard line of her brow, the tight line of her lips. “I’ve been through worse than being shot.”
Nova’s gaze flicked to the side of Cass’ face that was marked by the scars from the childhood fire, they covered her entire left side from the top of her head to her toes. “It should have been me.”
“Bullshit.” Cass ground out through gritted teeth, Nova ducked her head.
They sat in silence for a few minutes until Nova realised she should probably call the nurse back to tell her Cass was awake. She pressed the call button and they waited. Nova refused to meet Cass’ eyes even when she helped her drink some water, Cass politely chose not to push it. The nurse refused to let Nova stay without going to eat first and how could she refuse when Cass used her drained reserves of energy to gently kiss her hand before letting go. When she returned, handing the guard outside the coffee he’d requested with a thanks, the nurse was just leaving.
“How is she?” Nova asked, hiding the muffin she’d brought to share behind her back in case the nurse objected.
“I’m right here, you know.” Cass called, put out.
The nurse grinned and reached out to pat Nova’s shoulder. She flinched away. “She’s going to be fine. Some rest and we need to keep her for observation but no complications so far.”
Nova nodded, ignoring Cass’ ‘I told you I’d be fine’. “Did you find out if I can stay?”
At that Cass’ smile hardened into one Nova knew all too well, the nurse just laughed. “Yes. You can stay, you have your wife to thank for that. She can really put up an argument.”
“Indeed.” Nova looked over the nurse’s shoulder to raise an eyebrow at Cass who stuck her tongue out.
“I’ll leave you two be. Press the button if you need anything, someone will be around.”
They echoed their thanks as the door was closed once more. Nova watched as some of the tension quickly left Cass’ shoulders, knowing that Cass was watching for the same in her. She dropped the muffin bag onto the bed and took her seat in the uncomfortable chair, their hands meeting halfway. Cass sighed and closed her eyes, head tipped back against the pillows.
