atelophobic

closed starter - lo & thea ( @theacresswell​ )

Lo gave Thea a cup of water, “Here, drink this,” she said to her, before going to get some food and water for her dog and Thea’s cat. Lo wasn’t exactly sure how to process all this. Lo hated that she was thinking about her siblings at a time like this. They were safe, they were safe from all this, from her, all the way in Canada. She thought maybe it was because everyone was checking on their loved ones. “I have something in the oven for food, do you need anything else. Did you get a hold of the people you need to?”

“Thanks,” Thea commented with a soft smile, still very much shaken up by the events that had transpired earlier that day. “I’m good. Well, not good but you know, good for anything else,” she tried to rephrase. Everything was a mess. There was a moment when she lost focus before apparating out of the festival when Thea let her guard down for a few seconds. She could hear the screams of desparation. People’s dying thoughts. Death eater’s thoughts. All in those few seconds. Her guard had been incredibly high since they’d gotten back because of it. “Yeah. Willow and Nathaniel are safe, thank Merlin.”

“Ouch. You always know how to make me feel special, don’t you?” he clutched his chest as though she’d struck an arrow through it, a light chuckle on his lips as Thea took the churros from him. Caleb raised his eyebrows slightly as she lay out some of her plan onto the table, figuring she’d been thinking about it but not realizing just how vivid the thoughts had been in her mind. “I feel like I should be incredibly nervous and maybe even concerned that you have been taking so much care in making sure you send me to my watery fate today,” he chuckled. “Good job the UK has had some decent weather, otherwise you’d need to strike me with a drying spell shortly after to avoid me getting a cold,” Caleb added playfully.

“You’ve got enough people in your life that compliment you, I don’t think I need to be one of them,” Thea teased. She was a little jealous, to have so many people that loved you so dearly like that was something she could dream of in her own little fantasy but she’d never let on about that to anyone. “No need to be so concerned dear brother, you’ll be just fine. Pretty sure you can’t get hurt on those things,” she commented, though in her planning Thea hadn’t actually looked up dunk tank injuries. She only wanted him to have the shock of entering the cold water. “Hey, I’m not that awful of a person. I’ll let you drip for a while and then warm you up good as new.”

“I’m just saying, maybe I should’ve gotten sober like two weeks earlier than I did. Because as fun as a one-year-sober party is, a combined sober birthday and actual birthday would be amazing.” Erin laughed. “Even if they were a few days apart. Week long party, who doesn’t want that?”

“You’ve got it all wrong– it’s the same logic as having Christmas and your birthday at the same time,” Thea began to reply. “If there’s a big enough gap then you’ll get double the presents that you would if you had them combined– people say it doesn’t matter if they’re close together but it really does.”

“Got any time to spend with your favorite brother? I even brought you some churros if you needed some convincing,” Caleb chuckled softly, holding out the paper cone with the fried dough inside. “Have you been having a good time? I think I saw a dunk tank earlier and I’m kind of surprised you haven’t figured out a way to get me to participate in that.”

@theacresswell

“You say favourite like I have any choice in the matter,” Thea rolled her eyes at him. “But I’ll take the churros since you have them spare,” she said, taking the bag and biting into the fried dough stick, sprinkling cinnamon sugar all over her dress. “Oh trust me, I’ve been scheming since the second I saw it. I’m perfecting my plan– not going to do anything until I’ve perfected it though but you’ll know the second it’s been put into action. You won’t be leaving here tonight until you’ve been dunked into that thing. I’m wondering if you’ve made any enemies here that would like to have a go but honestly you are way too nice to have any and all the criminals you put away once upon a time are in the states so looks like it’s just me who’ll have to aim well.”

“I’m just sorry I ran a little late, babe,” Ingrid easily slipped into the role and played along, taking Thea’s outstretched hand and following it to the woman’s side. She pressed an affectionate kiss to Thea’s shoulder before matching the glare directed at the man. “I suggest you get out of here immediately or we’ll be forced to show you what kind of magic we’re capable of,” she threatened, more than happy to actually follow through on that in this case.

Thea leaned her head into Ingrid’s as she kissed her shoulder, closing her eyes briefly to cement the illusion, so grateful that the random stranger she’d picked in this case wasn’t homophobic and was willing to play the part. Thea kept her free hand on her wand watching the man intently until he backed off, retreating to the door of the pub. The moment she heard the door slam shut she unravelled herself from the other and exhaled deeply. “Thank you,” she said, taking her hands and smiled gratefully. “I am now going to buy you whatever you want for however long you’re here, ‘kay?”

It’d been a while since he’d been back here. Music had kept him far away, not that he minded because it’d had given him many experiences he would never have had any other way and sometimes being away from home was far easier than being close. Still, along with the slight anxiety he felt about the area, there was an ache in his chest too at the familiarity. It was funny how easily memories could flood your brain and play out in your vision when you passed places you knew. He was doing just that when someone seemed to be attempting to either get his attention or get around him, he wasn’t quite sure. “I’m sorry, am I in your way?” He questioned, the coffee he’d been cupping lifting up to his lips. 

Thea could sense a great deal of things going on in the other’s brain – too many to decipher individually – so she figured while he was distracted that she’d see how long she could stand in waiting to get into the shop he was blocking. She looked at her watch. “Thirty four seconds I’ve been standing here and you’ve only just noticed me. You must be really distracted or do you just love the sight of scrolls?”

“Oh? You’re withholding a ghastly drink that I could pick up at practically any of the bars I choose? What a convincing argument you make.” Came Nathaniel’s droll sarcasm. “Nothing of any interest to you happened with Malfoy. Just because of that truth serum, I don’t know why you would think one comment would change everything. Besides, the only thing I intend to spill this evening is that drink straight onto a plant. It looks hideous.”

“I know, very convincing indeed. Unfortunately this was the only thing they were serving so it’s this alcohol or nothing,” Thea commented. “You sure about that? He was giving you some ‘I wanna fuck you’ stares earlier that you missed which were interesting. Or maybe they were just death stares. I don’t know with that guy,” she said. Maybe it was time to get to know considering their recent confessions. “Maybe don’t pour that on a plant... I feel like it would kill it.”

“I wouldn’t get too close if I were you,” Florence noticed someone who’d approached the carrier that contained a fantastic beast inside. “What’s in there can seem pretty cute, but it could bite a finger off if it wanted to,” she warned gently, knowing it would be their own fault if something happened but she didn’t want to risk it all the same.

“Is it bad I kind of want to put it to the test?” Thea asked, her fingers lingering near the cage. “I feel like that’s something you say so we don’t bother the creatures rather than them bothering us.”

“Is this guy bothering you?” Ingrid came up to the other, overhearing the conversation. She hadn’t been eavesdropping intentionally, but it got to a point where it was too loud for her to ignore. “I’m sure you’re more than capable of handling this situation on your own but I just thought I’d make sure.”

@theacresswell

Thea’s ears pricked up as she heard someone behind her, already a little on edge with the interaction that was happening in the bar with the guy who hadn’t stopped trying to buy her drinks. What made it worse was that she could read his thoughts– and Merlin she felt sick. So she took this opportunity to try and help herself out of it. “Oh hey Lottie. See? I told you my girlfriend was coming to meet me here,” she said, looking back at the woman who’d approached her with gratitude in her eyes if she could play along as she reached her hand back for the other to grab. “Can you piss off now before we both hex you?” Thea changed her tone, her eyes glazing back over with rage as she looked to the man again.

“Ever heard of those singing val-o-grams?” he brought up with the expectation that her question would be answered by it. “You know damn well who I’d be spending it with, but it overlaps with one of the most important days in Merle and Piper’s lives and nobody is allowed to interfere with that. Not even the boyfriend,” Caleb chuckled, having known his place even when he had just been the brother’s friend too. The Merle and Piper traditions had been instilled for as long as the two women had been friends and it was common knowledge to leave them to it. Their bond came before anyone else and that was just a fact. He had always found it endearing and enviable that they had such a strong friendship. “I get it, yeah. Think about all the half-priced chocolates on the fifteenth though– that’s got to be some sort of a plus, right?” Caleb snorted at the thought. “Alright, but don’t let me stop you if there is anyone you’ve got your eye on. I know I’m the cliché protective older brother but that’s just my job. One I happen to be very good at actually.”

“Ah, yeah. Of course he’d be doing that,” she nodded. “Not even the boyfriend? You can’t work out like a custody schedule or something?” Thea joked lightly. “I keep seeing them laughing and eating at all the stalls so I think they’re probably having a good time without you, sorry to disappoint.” She did feel bad that he didn’t have his partner in crime for these situations when Merle was with her own, but Thea was just glad to give him some company. “Just think about how sad you look going to the store and buying heart shaped boxes of chocolates looking rough the morning after– is it really worth it?” she questioned. “Nah, I promise you’re not stopping me. I’d be the first to let you know if you’re killing the vibe by stepping all over it.” Thea raised her eyebrows at him, “Are you now? And who told you that, hm?”

“Far too much if I’m being quite honest,” Lo replied. “There’s just so much to try that I haven’t yet. No, I’ll come with you, I mean, I honestly just came to be with you, maybe bug Caleb a bit. Plus, red’s not my color,” she joked. “Why don’t we find something to take home and stuff and have a little movie marathon, there’s gotta be some movie type snack around here somewhere.”

“Thought so,” she chuckled once. “Maybe get it and take it home for the next couple of days or something? I don’t wanna be holding back your hair tonight,” she suggested in a joking tone. “You came here to bug my brother? Well, that’s exactly what I came here to do. In fact I was asked to do it by his girlfriend. And you also look great in red, I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Thea nudged her lightly. “Sure. I think I saw some cinnamon popcorn by the stage if that floats your boat.”

closed starter - lo & thea ( @theacresswell​ )

“Hey best friend,” she said with a smiled, jumping next to Thea to match pace with her. “I just saw a stand with all these different cupcakes, want to come with me to check it out? Maybe cheer you up a little?” she asked, she knew that Thea had been a bit weird since the gossip witches forced her to have Auggie’s secret exposed. Lo had tried not to bring it up, waiting for Thea to talk about it, as Lo figured it must’ve been hard, and if she was being honest, Lo would’ve done the same thing.

“Hey Lo,” Thea smiled half convincingly as she took a sip of her drink. “You seem way too energetic tonight, how much sugar have you eaten exactly?” she asked with a smile on her lips. “Sure. But then I kinda wanna go back. All these couples and love are dragging me down and I just want to get in bed and watch a movie. You can stay though, obviously,” she told her.

“I’m meant to be catching up with Joe later, but currently he’s a little busy rehearsing something,” Caleb admitted with a chuckle. “I’m never going to turn your company down, Thea– you should know me better than that,” he scoffed as though offended, taking the drink his sister had given him with a nod of thanks. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather be hitting on some singles out here instead of talking to your boring ol’ brother?” he asked as he clinked the side of his drink with Thea’s in a casual ‘cheers’ motion.

“Rehearsing something?” she asked, a confused look on her face. “I know, I know. I do know you better than that, I’m just giving you the chance if you wanted to spend it with someone else who would enjoy the holiday more, that’s all,” Thea told him with a shrug. “Nah. I hate this capitalist grab of a holiday. There’s nothing like commercialised love, am I right?” she laughed softly, clinking her glass with Caleb’s and taking a quick drink before examining his face. “You’re really not the right audience for that speech and if I hooked up with anyone I’d end up spewing the same thing, so no, I will not be hitting on anyone tonight.”