tilden toots

“No, I- I-” Her words faltered and she shook her head ever so slightly. The faintest of movements, her gaze not leaving the spot on the wall. “I’m not hungry,” She whispered, she hadn’t had an appetite since she’d heard the words. He’s dead. 

However, as Tilden continued to speak, Winnie found herself turning towards her friend at his confession. “Oh, Denny,” She murmured hoarsely, tears flooding in her eyes. “I’m so sorry.” One trembling hand reached out to take his, the girl lacing their fingers together. “I’m sorry you know how it feels.” She wouldn’t wish this pain on anyone.

“you need to eat something. even if it’s just nibbling.” he said quietly. he knew how important it was to eat when you were upset. “i know you don’t want to but you have to. i’m sorry.” he said quietly.  he gave her hand a small squeeze and moved to lean against her. “it’s okay. i... i’m learning to deal with it. it takes time but having a support group helps. you have the biggest support group here winnie. anna, benjy, daisy, me, hugo, forest, fi, gwen, blaise, the rest of your family. we’ve all got your back and will help you through this. i promise.” he said quietly, running his thumb over the top of her hand. a stray tear ran down his cheek but he used his free hand to wipe it away. “i love you wins. i hope you know that.” 

“That was a lot of stumbling over your words, Denny,” Winnie mused, arching her eyebrows. “Are you sure about that?” As he spot about her brother, she pulled a face. “I know, I’m just… always worried about him you know?”

“yeah, yeah.” he said, nodding his head. “i just. i don’t know where we stand and its weird.”he said. tilden was so awkward with relationships. he didn’t want to ruin things because daisy deserved the world. “you worry about everyone. that’s your problem.” he said quietly. “you don’t need to worry about everyone and everything.” 

“Really?” Benjy asked, his voice earnest. Ever since Forest’s return, he had been wondering about whether or not the other student might like him back. He was so hard to read, and Benjy’s attempt to ask him out had landed them as dates only as friends. “I just-just want him to-to be happy,” he admitted softly. He couldn’t imagine anyone getting a chance with Forest and not wanting it. “It’s nothing-nothing you don’t-don’t deserve.”

“yes.” he said, nodding his head. tilden wasn’t sure how much he was allowed to tell benjy. forest spoke about him a lot. it was very cute. he hoped he didn’t talk about daisy that much. it would have been awkward. “that’s so cute. you make him happy. i hope you know that.” he said. “you’re so sweet benj.” 

“So do you,” Juliet pointed out with grin. “Kind of like a date? Tilden! You gotta clarify this shit dude. I’m glad you asked her but please, date the girl. For my own sanity. You two would be super cute together, and one of us has to have a stable relationship.”

“i don’t know how.” he said, looking at her. “i don’t want to make things awkward because it’s been going so well recently. i... don’t want to ruin it.” he said, looking at her. “i mean... i’m not sure it would be a good idea. i mean what if i screw up?” 

Damiar’s eyes widened at the mention of their loss, it had been a pretty scary day and Claire had scared him ever since, if not before then. She could be a touch captain, but he still thought she was a pretty great person. “That is not a fun memory, we have really got to win this next match.” His smile returned at the mention of Hugo again. “He does, especially in what he chose for himself. He looks amazing.”

“oh we really do have to win.” he said, laughing slightly and shaking his head. “she’s so scary when she gets angry. we’ll be fine though. we have to win. we’re good enough to do that.” he said, grinning. “oh you should get back to hugo then.” he said. “i probably need to find daisy. i’ll see you later, okay?” 

|| @finestra-starters·

Winnie’s hands trembled as one clasped around the mug of tea that had gone cold, the other resting against her chin. Her eyes stung with tears as she stared blankly at the wall in front of her, just as she’d done for the past twenty four hours. Ever since she’d heard those fateful words. Emrys Abbott is dead. The girl had screamed until her voice was hoarse, she didn’t want to believe it. Part of her still hoped he’d come running into the great hall, throw his arms around her and tell her it was a mistake. But he didn’t. 

He’s gone, he’s gone, he’s gone. The words repeated in her head like a mantra, reminding her of the loss. She’d not been particularly old enough to understand the pain when she was younger, but now, now she felt it - the unbearable pain of her brother being gone. He’d always tried to protect her, and Winnie had sensed something had been wrong just before he’d left the dance. She’d let him go when she should have pushed harder for information, when she should have followed him. Maybe then, he would still be here.

She didn’t even register someone approaching her, her focus remained on the spot on the wall, lips barely moving as she croaked, "I’m sorry, but I wish to be left alone right now.”

tilden knew the sting of death all too well. it was still fresh in his memory even though it had been months since his mother had died. every time someone else died it made him remember his mother and how painful death could be. tilden had been extremely worried about winnie, but had given her space thus far given sometimes being alone was just what a person needed. 

“wins, you’ve had enough alone time.” he said, moving to sit next to her. “i brought you some cookies.” he said quietly, holding them out to her. “i know how you feel. i’ve only told daisy but my mum... she died over the summer.” he said, looking away. “so i know how it feels to lose someone. i’m here if you need anything. even if it’s just a distraction.” 

“He did?” Benjy asked, a smile tugging widely at his lips. “It’s just-it’s just as friends, but I-I really just-I really like him, Tilden,” he sighed, a content look stretching across his face as he spoke. “You’re-you’re very-very lucky,” Benjy said. “Daisy is-she’s one of the best-best people I know.” He paused, considering. “So are-so are you, though. You’re both-both lucky.”

“yes. it’s all he has been talking about for days.” he said, grinning at him. “i think he really likes you too. he’s just-just nervous because of what happened with remus and him.” he said. forest was scared of being dumped and heartbroken again, not that he expected benjy to do that. “daisy is one of the best people. she’s so kind and thoughtful.” he said, smiling as he thought about her. “thank you. that means a lot benjy. you are so kind.” 

“Thank you, you look great,” She admitted, cheeks colouring faintly at the compliment. “Daisy? Are, uh, you two a thing then?” While part of her would always like Tilden, she really did hope he was moving on, for his sake. He deserved to be happy. “I’m, yeah, I am. Though I think if I bother Emrys anymore he may loose it.”

"thanks wins." he said, smiling brightly at her. "oh not a thing. not officially or anything. i uh. i um just friends." he said. they hadn't discussed going further with things. he just enjoyed her company and liked her a lot. "emyrs has always been that way. don't worry about him."

“Well, I try,” She joked with a grin, “I’m having a fairly good time yeah. I even managed to drag Bertie out of the depths of his dorm to come along, well, along with Celia’s help, but still. That feels like a miracle on it’s own.” She grinned as she swayed to the music, turning to face him with raised eyebrows. “Also, did I see you bring Daisy?”

"that's amazing. i'm glad you're having a great time. you deserve to have fun." he said. tilden was always glad when jules was having fun and helping other people. "oh... yes. we came together. i guess it's kind of like a date? but i don't really know. i managed to work up the courage to ask her."

Daisy felt oddly nervous, but she wasn’t sure why. She and Tilden had gone to the festival together and had practically spent the entirety of winter break together, but this felt…different, somehow. Maybe it was the dress and the day, but she was far more excited than usual as she walked out of the Ravenclaw common room, using one hand to hold her dress up so she could walk through. Her smile widened at his reaction as she reached out with her free hand to take the rose. “And you look fantastic.” With one hand rested against his, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Now I’m ready.”

tilden’s cheeks turned pink and he grinned at her. “let’s go!” he said, gently linking their fingers together to head to the great hall. the walk to the great hall didn’t take that long and soon they entered. “wow. it looks amazing in here.” he said, looking around. “what would you like to do first? i think at some point we need to get pictures to commemorate the day.” he said. 

Damiar was glad to be back in his normal clothing, just the underwear had been so odd. It wasn’t his style to just be showing off practically his whole body, but he had done it for Claire. “She can be pretty convincing,” Damiar laughed as he met up with his friend. “And kind of scary.” He admitted, half jokingly. “Thank you, I’m glad people are liking the fedora. Hugo helped me pick it out.”

“i mean yeah i guess.” he said. claire hadn’t been able to convince him to do it. he didn’t want to go out there and make a fool of himself. he already did that on a daily basis. “oh that i know from when we lost the quidditch match.” he said, shaking his head. “aw that’s cute. hugo has good style.” 

“Yeah? You think?” he said, glad the other seemed so confident about his abilities even if he wasn’t. “I just want everything to go well, you know? It’s hard doing this alone, I should probably like, ask other people to help. Form a band.” he chuckled. 

“i know so!” he said, grinning at him. tilden had full faith in hugo and his abilities.. “it will go well. you’re going to be amazing. oh yesssss. you should totally make a band. that could be so much fun!” 

closed to @tillitoots

Benjy smiled widely at Tilden, having misplaced Forest in the crowd momentarily. “Tilden!” he exclaimed happily, giggling a little as he stumbled slightly into his friend. “I haven’t-haven’t seen you all-all night, but I just-I’ve been having-having such a good time. Are you and-you and Daisy having-having fun? You two would-would make such a-a cute couple,” he rambled.

“benjy!” he said, moving to make sure the other didn’t fall. “i’m so glad you’re having a great time. forest seemed excited that your two were going together.” he admitted. forest really seemed to like benjy, which tilden thought was adorable. “yes! it’s been a lot of fun. she looked amazing during the fashion show and her dress looks amazing now. i um thanks.” he said, blushing at benjy’s comment. 

|| @tillitoots·

Chewing at her lower lip, Winnie frowned at the dance floor, her eyes continuously searching for her brother. She was still worried about him, even if he’d told her not to be – something didn’t seem quite right. Spotting a familiar face, Winnie was grateful for a temporary distraction. “Denny! How are you enjoying the dance?” She asked, forcing a smile to her lips.

“wins.” he said, smiling softly at her. “your dress is amazing.” he said, taking another glance at her dress. “i’m having a lot of fun. i came with daisy.” he said, his cheeks turning slightly pink in color as he said this. “are you having a good time?”