#at least i can somewhat laugh about it now. when i was deep in e.d. land myself as a teen i wanted to be thinspo so bad

[robinsnest2111]

...and another metaphorical punch 🙃 at least it's kinda funny and ironic this time lmao

[girlonthemoon9]

Just Forget the World (E.D.) Pt. 11

:: Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9, Part 10 ::

Master List

Summary: Stella’s world changed the moment she met Ethan on a beach in Australia, but she’ll never know just how much. Life became more vibrant and to say the least, entertaining. But, with the dramatic and fun loving boy came frustrations and complications. Can they be overcome or will the rare turbulent waves finally drag them down?

Word count: 4,163

** 2 Weeks Later **

I was covered in what felt like dust and sweat. I had just finished packing the last moving box and placing it in its respective corner of the small apartment. I walked over to the living room chair to sit down. I looked down at the white fabric and then at myself before rethinking and sitting on the floor.

I pulled out my phone to see texts from Grayson and Bryant...still nothing from Ethan. I hadn’t heard from Ethan since the day I left him there on his one man island of a heart.

The first week I’d gotten back was difficult to say the least. My mind ran with thoughts of him and I wanted to call, just to hear his voice on the other end. Every time I would pick up my phone to send a message or look through the contacts to call him, I would get up and pack a box.

I had been planning on moving into a downtown LA loft before I left on my trip, so my focus on my return was to get everything ready so that I could start over when the place was painted. I didn’t live far from LA, only about 45 minutes south, in Orange County, right near the ocean. But with the success of my lifestyle blog and the subsequent business it had created, I found myself driving up to the large city often. So, before my trip, I found a beautiful loft apartment with large warehouse-style ceilings and rustic exposed brick. My favorite part was the amount of windows that allowed for not only an amazing amount of light to come through, but, it also gave the most breath taking view of Los Angeles and Hollywood in the background. I was in love with it the moment I stepped inside.

Plus it would be nice to not be as far away from Gray and Bryant now that they were back in town.

They had changed their flight and came home only 5 days after I had left. Grayson had called me the day after they got back and told me everything, “Yeah, the people who we were renting the house from told us that the neighbors finally complained enough that it would be better if we found a new place to stay.” I guess after I had left, word from @DolanExposed must have gotten around because girls were showing up in packs to the house again. “We just decided it would be better come home, between that and Ethan not really seeming to be present.” 

I thought about his last comment about Ethan and felt a small pang of guilt, thinking that I had ruined part of their trip. But then I came to my senses and remembered I can’t blame myself.

“Are you talking to Sella?” I heard his familiar voice whispering in the background of the phone. Grayson must have covered the phone and responded because I could hear the sound of something shuffling over the phone and muffled conversation before he returned.

We talked for awhile about how the trip had been after I left, how the flight home was and about how I would be moving. Gray said that he and Bryant would be happy to help me move everything once I was ready and I was so grateful to have them in my life.

A few days later, the time had come, moving day. Gray and Bryant had showed up early with coffee and breakfast and I was more than excited. Not just for the food, but to be reunited with my two friends. 

The knock at the door echoed through the packed up living space as I walked over to open it. The moment I saw them standing there, I jumped up and down like a little girl, hoping from foot to foot. They laughed at the squeal the escaped me and brought me into a big hug. I hadn’t been this happy in what felt like a life time. That was until I saw a very familiar silhouette just down the hall.

“Grayson Bailey...” I said looking at him stonily in a low whisper.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything Stella. Bryant and I were talking about it this morning. We thought it would be easier if we had as many people help as we could.” The color raising up his cheeks.

“You know how I feel. This hasn’t been easy on me.”

“It hasn’t been easy on him either...”

There was a small silence between us as Bryant brought the food into the apartment and placed it on the counter.

“Look Stell, he promised to keep his distance and to stay out of your way. He’s just here to help.”

I took a moment to process his words as I looked down the hall toward the guy that had broken my heart. It hurt to see him, but I found myself fighting the butterflies in my chest at the sight of him. Yes, I was working on forgiveness like Bryant had asked, but that doesn’t mean I was ready. Although, it seemed as though my heart was trying to.

“Fine.” I responded while still keeping my eyes on Ethan. “He’s only here because we can use his strength. Nothing more.” I turned from them as I made my way back into the kitchen, head feeling fuzzy. Gray turned around in the doorway and waved Ethan to him.

“How’d she take it? I knew I shouldn’t have come to help.” Ethan whispered to his brother.

“She’s fine. She knows that it’s logical to have all the help she can and I told her that you would be on your best behavior...right Ethan?”

Ethan looked down at his feet, “Of course.” His heart hurt when he saw her open the door. All the feelings he’d been fighting coming right back to the surface. She looked beautiful he thought, as the sun filled the room she occupied. He knew it was going to be torture being so close to her and not being able to even say ‘Hi’ but he knew he needed to help. He was willing to go through the heartache knowing that he deserved it after what he’d done.

After breakfast we began loading boxes into our cars before putting the rest into the moving truck. I didn’t want to admit it but, having Ethan there really did help. By lunch time we had almost everything in the truck, the only thing left was the couch. I watched as Ethan and Grayson carried it down the stairs, out the front door and up the ramp into the back of the truck.

“Gray, it’s slipping on my end.”

“Give it a second, we’ve almost got it in.”

Just like that, I watched as my couch fell out of Ethan’s hands. I could see his face turn red as he quickly inhaled a lung full of air and held it. Grayson’s face was shocked and scared not knowing how it had happened and if his brother was hurt. Ethan walked out of the truck and I could see a small stream of red liquid rolling down his left leg. He was bleeding.

“Shit Ethan, you’re bleeding. Come with me, I have the first aid kit up there.” I directed him as I reached my arm out to him instinctively. The maternal part of me kicking in, pushing my current feelings toward him to the back of my mind.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about it Stella.” His deep voice said. It was the first time we’d spoken all day and his reluctance to my help agitated me.

“Ethan Grant, come with me, I’m going to fix it.” The stern tone in my voice forcing him to comply. 

‘You’re going to “fix it”? Are you sure you’re just talking about his leg?’

I grabbed his wrist and basically dragged his muscular, sweaty body back up to the apartment as Bryant and Gray finished putting the couch away. His skin was hot under my grasp and the electricity was radiating through my body from our point of contact.

It seemed that no matter how angry I was at him, my body didn’t care. I’d never experienced anything like this, such a strong connection with someone. The guys in my past never had this effect. Once I was done with them, there was no longer a connection. But with Ethan, it seemed never ending.

We made it to my kitchen and he hopped up onto the island tabletop. I grabbed the first aid kit and stood in front of him getting out everything I needed. I could tell that he was doing his best to look everywhere but at me, but there were moments when I could feel him watching my every move.

I pulled out the peroxide and a towel, “This might sting.” I put the peroxide on the towel and then slowly lowered it to the gash on his leg. Instantly his body reacted and I could hear the hiss that fell from his lips. I continued to dab the towel to his leg and then bent down to lightly blow on the areas affected, trying my best to sooth the pain. 

‘Ironic...’

The gash was larger than it looked, but it wouldn’t need stitches. It was times like these where I was glad that I’d taken those medical response classes in school. Once I knew the cut was clean and disinfected, I began to place the bandage on his shin.

Ethan cleared his throat and spoke softly, “Thanks Stella.”

“For what?” I responded, not thinking as I focused on what I was doing, not looking at him.

“For this.” He motioned to his leg and the medical supplies on the table. “I appreciate it...I appreciate you.” The last part was merely a whisper of words, but I heard them clearly.

My body began to heat up at his words. ‘I appreciate you’. It made my mind spin. Did he appreciate me before? Or was this a new revelation from me leaving him half way around the world? 

It was quiet for a long moment before I finally looked up at him. Our eyes met and for a moment it reminded me of the first time I’d seen them. They were bright and reflecting green through the brown I was used to, but behind them I could see his pain. My heart wanted to cry out for him, to hold him and make it better. But, I couldn’t, I wouldn’t. 

“You were bleeding. I wasn’t going to let you bleed on my things.” I tried to joke his comments away to deflect what he’d said. I smirked up at him and he sighed.

“Sure Stella, wouldn’t want to bleed on your boxes.” He mumbled in response.

‘Shit!’

The new loft was somewhat put together now. The boys had done a great job of getting everything in the correct rooms. I sat down on the living-room couch and pulled out my journal to write. I’d started writing again to try and figure out my feelings and thoughts that seemed to consume me. They had started to subside, but being around Ethan today made them run around chaotically.

Journal Entry 25 Today was a mixture of emotions. Moving was brilliant. It feels amazing to be in a new space and start over. But, seeing Ethan today was hard. I miss him terribly. My heart doesn’t know what it wants. It sides with my brain knowing that we’re no good together, but at the same time it wants nothing more than to hold him. Feel his skin on mine, his lips on my lips. I want to think that things could be different now that we’re back in LA, but at the end of the day, he still doesn’t know how to deal with his feelings. And if that’s the case, what stops him from doing the same thing again?

He seems so broken. The bags under his eyes seem like they’ve only gotten darker and deeper. I’ve never seen him disheveled, but thats exactly how he looks. He looks broken, I can feel it. Does that give me hope into thinking things could be different? I don’t know. But I know that I feel like part of me is missing. I can still feel the energy that doesn’t seem to subside when we’re in the same room, the fire that runs through me when our skin makes contact. 

Just when I thought things were getting better, this sexy brown haired boy walks back into my life. A heart I want so badly to call my own, but I can’t when he isn’t willing to give it to me like I was willing to give mine. 

Where do I even go from here?

Only love can hurt like this...

The next two weeks were quite. Gray came over on multiple occasions to help unpack and make this place feel like home. It was nice...until I realized that I had to follow behind him and move things to the spots that I wanted them to be in. He must have noticed because he stopped what he was doing, “Stella, I swear, if you move one more damn thing I’ve unpacked, I WILL...” he stopped to think of his threat, “I don’t know what I’ll do, but I will do SOMETHING!” I couldn’t help the hysterical laughter that fell from my lips as he held a ceramic pineapple in the air as he spoke.

Gray and I spent a lot of time together, it was great, but there were moments when I could see so much of his brother in his face. It broke me a little every time.

Once everything was unpacked and the place finally felt like home, Grayson and Bryant came over. We’d ordered pizza and watched movies and celebrated my new home. I curled up into Gray’s side as we watched some old 80′s throwback movie that Bryant had picked. It was so comforting to still have them in my life, but as I sat there on the couch with Grayson’s arm around me, it reminded me of a similar night in Australia. The arm was different, but so familiar. I closed my eyes and remembered that time, making my heart swell. 

It was so hard to move on from Ethan because I’d loved him more than I’d wanted to admit. It didn’t make it any better that one of my best friends was his identical twin.

I got up from the couch and walked over to the fridge, “You guys want a drink? I have some beers.” They looked up and nodded their heads in acceptance. I brought out the cold bottles and placed them on the living-room table. 

One turned to two, two turned into many and soon the table was strewn with empty bottles as the three of us laughed until we were crying.

“So how have you actually been Stell?” Bryant slurred ever so slightly.

I thought for a moment. ‘Do I tell them the truth? Or do I just continue to pretend like I’ve moved on?’

I decided to go with the truth with a hint of a lie, more to convince myself than to convince them. “I’m doing better than I’d thought I would. It hurts some times, I mean, I loved him.” Both boys stop drinking their beers and looked at me with wide eyes. I’d never said the words out loud to anyone and I think if I hadn’t been drinking, the words would have been left unsaid.

Grayson choked back the beer he held in his mouth, “You loved him? Are you sure? ‘Cuz he’s dumb as shit.” He laughed at his own words, making the rest of us laugh.

I couldn’t help the heat that found its way to my face. I wasn’t sure if it was from the alcohol or if it was for the unsaid words that were finally spoken. Truthfully, it was probably both.

“Gray, you’re oblivious. Anyone looking at them could tell she was in love with his dumbass. Hell, he even knew. You’re blind as shit boy.” Bryant laughed, taking a swig of his beer.

‘If he could see how I felt, why did it seem that in so little words he was saying he didn’t think Ethan loved me?’ My drunken mind ran. ‘Thats because he didn’t “love” you. If he had, don’t you think he would have said something? Or one of the boys would have said something? Exactly. They didn’t, because he doesn’t’

Gray and Bryant pushed each other around jokingly as I pulled my beer to my mouth and took a long sip. “Yeah, well his dumbass must think I’m stupid because he sent those flowers today.” I said nonchalantly as I pointed my beer toward the beautiful bouquet of white and pink roses and white daisies.

The door had rung and I walked over to open it for whoever was on the other side, thinking it would be Grayson or Bryant coming over early. A delivery man stood in front of me holding a large bouquet of flowers in front of him. 

“I’m sorry, you might have the wrong apartment.” I said embarrassed. I didn’t know anyone who would send me flowers. Half of my friends didn’t know my new address yet and those who did weren’t the type to send flowers. “Are you Stella?” I nodded slowly. “Then I have the right place.” The delivery man smiled as he handed over the flowers to a very baffled me.

I took them slowly, thanked him and cautiously closed the door. I walked over to the kitchen island and set them down. They were beautiful and I’m sure WAY to expensive. I looked around them until I found a small envelope. I opened it and found a hand written note:

‘Stella,     Congrats on the new place. Grayson said you’ve finally finished and unpacked the last box! You are officially moved in now. I’m sorry that we’re in a place in which I can’t celebrate that accomplishment with you, but I hope these brighten the space around you. I hope that one day things will be different, until then, I’ll celebrate your accomplishments from afar.

-Ethan’

I didn’t know what to do, I was shaking. I braced my back against the wall and slowly slid down it until I felt myself sitting on the floor. Hot, heavy tears flooded my eyes and ran down my cheeks. I didn’t know how to process what he’d done and what he’d written. Was this a friendly gesture or one saying “I love you and I’m sorry.” I wanted it to be the latter, but I couldn’t be sure and I didn’t want to hold hope for something I wasn’t sure was there. 

I was more confused now than I had ever been. What was he doing? He knew how to play games, was this just another one of them? Or was this him being venerable? I wasn’t sure he knew how to be.

After a few minutes of crying, I chose not to dwell on it, not allowing his words to consume my thoughts. I got up and placed the letter into my journal and moved on with my day.

Now I sat on the couch giving the flowers my attention for the second time today. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say the boys got whiplash from how fast they’d turned their heads toward where I’d pointed. Both of their jaws fell to the floor when they saw them.

“Woah...” Bryant said, the word on the breath that’d escaped him.

“He-he..., Ethan sent those?” Gray asked with confusion visible on his face.

I could feel my brows knit together as I processed his question, “Yeah, why?”

Gray shook his confused thoughts from his head quickly and returned to his normal carefree look, “No reason really. He just hasn’t really mentioned you much since you left.” He paused a moment as if trying to decide if he wanted to continue, “I mean no offense, but it just seemed like he’d moved on, like he didn’t care anymore. Then he does that...I guess I was wrong?”

“Bro, have you not looked at your brother recently? He’s been trying to get over her. When was the last time he slept? He’s been locked up in his room playing Fortnite and if he’d not there, he’s off with some random gir-...” Bryant quickly caught his words before he finished. The look on Grayson’s face toward him was deadly.

There it was, confirmed in that moment, Ethan had moved on. He was just playing his silly fucking games. I was livid. I was sick of being played by him. I was sick of hurting over him. I was sick of crying over him. I was sick of HIM! I got up quickly and handed my phone over to Bryant, “Here, record this for me?” I asked in the sweetest voice I could muster, though I’m sure it sounded slightly psychotic. Bryant shot Gray on eyebrow as he raised the phone and began to record me. 

“If he can move on and start seeing other people so quickly, then these don’t mean shit...” I pointed to the flowers on the counter, “and he obviously doesn’t give a shit...” I said as I walked over to the flowers, picked them up, “and neither do I.” I said as I threw the flowers to the ground. I was flooded with a strange sense of relief as I watched the bundle explode on the ground. I picked up a rose slowly and stood back up with it in my hand, “Time to update my Tinder.” I winked as Bryant stopped recording. Both boys sat there quietly with slight smirks on their faces.

Once I got back to the couch, phone in hand, Grayson looked at me, “What are you going to do with the video?”

“You’ll see.” I couldn’t help the conviction in my voice as I did my dirty work. Before I knew it, I’d posted it to my twitter. I knew that once it was there, it would find its way to him. The Dolan fandom was quick and before I could even blink, it’d been retweeted hundreds of times. 

Your move Dolan.

Journal Entry 26 I hope my smile can distract you I hope my fists can fight for two So it never has to show And you'll never know I hope my love can blind you I hope my arms can bind you So you'll never have to see What we've grown to be One may think we're alright But we need pills to sleep at night We need lies to make it through the day We're not okay

One may think we're doing fine But if I had to lay it on the line We're losing ground with every passing day We're not okay

But that's one thing I would never That's one thing I would never say to you

The next morning was a blur. My little tweet had flown around social media. It was no longer just on twitter, it was on Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr. And much to my surprise, the response was better then I’d thought. Many of the tweets and replies were telling me to stay strong. 

One even said, @Stella I don’t know what happened, but he’s obviously stupid. Go get your makeover and show him what a mistake he made. Go get you a new MAN.

I giggled to myself as I read that. They were right, I needed to get out of this slump I was in, I needed to put my best foot forward. I wanted him to eat his words. I wanted my happiness to eat him alive and the only way to get back at someone is to show them they didn’t get to you in the first place.

Stella: Grayson! Beach day? Invite whoever. Stella is back and ready to kill it!

GrayOnThe🌙:Even E?

Stella: I don’t care anymore. The beach is a public place. 💁🏼‍♀️

GrayOnThe🌙: Thats my girl! Let’s do it. I’ll swing by your place in an hour and we’ll cruise down to Laguna! I’ll call Bryant and my buddy David (he’s newly single, so it might be nice for him to get out too). BEACH DAY!🙌🏼

I went to my room and put on my cutest black bikini under my short-shorts and a little bit of makeup while blasting my music. This was it, time to move on. If he was going to, then so was I. 

What better way to fix a broken heart then to find someone to mend it for the time being. Right? Probably not, but I was doing what I wanted with reckless abandon. 

A/N: So Ethan is going out with random girls? Way to spill that one Bryant! And Stella seems to be on a war path. Will it end up going well or will it prove to be more problematic? She’s going to be spending time with a newly single David. Will Ethan go to the beach with them? If he does, how will this go down? Even I’m ready to see what’s next.

xoxo, GirlOnTheMoon

Taglist: @spiffydolan @lonelystr @kerilives @dopefreshdolan @beaatf @kobeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[333kaylynn]

love life, let go / e.d.

Word Count: 1234

Idek, im bored and i was listening to a song with this name and i just came up with this. It aint the greatest ik ik!

////

You had no clue what to do with your life anymore. You were 18 and you already seemed to have a mid-life crisis. You were going to be graduating high school in less than a month and you still hadn't decided what to do with yourself. Life was a huge mess and you were so stressed out about it all.

"Have you decided where you want to go yet, y/n?" Your friends had been bugging you about this for, what seems like, ages. You knew they just wanted whats best for you and they wanted to make sure you didn't end up homeless. But you couldn't stand the pressure of college and growing up. In fact, the entire concept of growing up had horrified you in a way even yourself couldn't understand.

"No, and could you stop asking already. I'll figure it out when the time comes." You stated, resting your head on your hand and pulling your already slightly knotted hair. You were sick of it, sick of people telling you when and where you should do things, how to do them, whatever it may be.

"The time has come. You have a month to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life." y/f/n states, sighing in despair as they realize that whatever they say isn't going to work.

"I want to sleep." You mumble, looking up slightly at your friend sitting across from you.

"You can't just sleep for the rest of your life, y/n." Your friend simply just roles his/her eyes and sighs once again.

You were afraid your friends were slowly giving up on you. Not just in the situation right now, but overall. You truly believed your life was crumbling into little pieces and that's why you couldn't get yourself to let go of your childhood. These are the people you grew up with. The people you shared your first kiss with, your first sip of alcohol, your first experiences of a lot of things. And that's something you believed would be too hard for you to let go. So you're holding on for dear life. Onto the memories.

"I know what you're thinking. You want to hold onto this. You don't want to grow up. None of us do, but that's just life y/n. You have to learn to live with it." You listen to the statement, thinking it over and over, completely forgetting to answer your friend "Okay, y/n, there's a party tomorrow night at Ethan's - and before you say no! I'm forcing you. You need a night out. I'll help you find an outfit. Just let loose. I'll pick you up tomorrow."

This party was on your list of things you did not want to do. It's not like you didn't enjoy the drinks, the games, the fun. You did, a lot actually. But you knew this party wasn't just a regular high school party. It's a party that would commemorate our high school life. This is what we'll be ending on.

-

The party was tonight. You still didn't want to go, but the choice wasn't yours. You knew you'd have to get up and act as if this is something you wanted to do, even though literally anyone would be able to tell you didn't. 

y/f/n was just trying to make you forget about everything, of course, but the knowing this party was a celebration of leaving just made going even worse than it already was. 

y/f/n arrived at your house at around 6, as the party would be starting at 8. They brought a bag of stuff, probably clothes and makeup because they knew you well enough to know you’d have trouble picking an outfit for yourself. 

“Put this on.” y/f/n says, handing you a bralette and a see-through body suit, as well as a pair of shorts. 

“I’m not planning on getting screwed, y/f/n.” You say, shocked at the outfit you were handed. You normally never wear stuff like this, in fact, you never had. You were suprised your friend chose this outfit, especially for you.

"Come on, THE Ethan and Grayson are throwing this party. You've gotta find at least one guy to mingle with!" Your friend says, winking and nudging you as you laugh and walk into the closet to get changed.

The outfit fit quite good, it really showed off your body in a way that was bound to attract attention. Suprisingly you liked it a lot.

"You look fantastic! Oh my god, queeennn!!!" y/f/n squeals, clapping her hands and pointing at your bed to sit down so she/he can do your makeup.

"You know I still don't want to go, right?" You say, closing your eyes as y/f/n puts eyeshadow on your lids.

You were having a great time getting all dolled up with your best friend, but you knew once you actually got there you'd just get sad again.

"I know, but I'm still making you." Y/f/n says, finishing the last bit of your makeup.

-

You two arrived at the party about 30 minutes after it had started. The twins' house was packed to an extreme. You already saw a few people who seemed to be pretty wasted. Most people were inside dancing, if not they were in the backyard or in the pool.

You lost y/f/n pretty quick, they immediately started dancing and told you to "go get lit." Getting "lit" was something you thought wouldn't happen tonight. You decided to go look around the twins house, just to see what was up. After you finished discovering where everything was, you went out to the backyard. You saw Ethan playing beer pong with a few other people, he bounced the ball and made in, resulting in everyone cheering for him and laughing. You went to the grass and sat down while smiling. You enjoyed the fact everyone was having so much fun, you liked seeing the people you grew up with being so happy, even if you weren't.

"Hey, what's up?" You hear a deep voice say from up above you.

You looked up to see Ethan in his swimsuit, tilting his head at the sight of you.

"Oh nothing." You sigh, looking at him in the eyes to make sure you didn't accidentally sneak a peak at his abs. (Although you realllllyyy wanted to)

"Have fun and stop moping around!" Ethan says, pulling you up.

"I'd rather not." You say, plopping back down on the ground.

"What's making you such a party pooper?" Ethan asks, taking a seat next to you.

You explained it all to him, hoping he'd at least somewhat understand what was going on with you. It was something that was hard to explain and even harder for people to understand.

"I know you're going to miss this, we all are. That's why Gray and I threw this party. We wanted everyone to be together again, having fun and not stressing over finals and stuff. We didn't throw it for people to be sad. So I'm going to make sure this is the damn near best party you've ever been to. I promise. Now come with me."

And Ethan kept his promise and did exactly that. This party was the best night of your life.

[akaanonymouth]

Berena/ Holby City World Book Day Snippet

“Enough!” Serena throws up her hands. “This madness has to stop!” She jams her hat firmly on her head and stalks to the lift, the stuffed cat jammed firmly under her armpit. “It’d be quicker if you used the broom!” Fletch calls, ensuring the doors are closing before she can fly back out and hit him with it. Ignoring the almost frightened looks she is garnering from people she passes, she steadfastly makes her way to Keller, all the while muttering furiously. Sacha, sitting by the desk, gets to his feet slowly, hands outstretched. “Please, Ms. Campbell, I didn’t mean it. Don’t turn me into anything… unnatural, like!” he pleads, high pitched and trembling. Serena comes to a dead stop, and looks him up and down darkly. “Rather large for a hobbit, aren’t we, Mr. Levy?” “Gamgee,” he corrects, smiling rakishly. “And my mother said I could be anything I want.” Serena almost loses herself in the banter, but her mood is too established to be overcome even by a six foot halfling. “Have you seen Ms. Wolfe?” Sacha’s eyebrows raise. “Yes. I found her on the second turn. Won a Dairy Milk. Haven’t had any luck since, though. So I’m not giving any clues, if that’s what you’re after,” Serena almost growls. Since when,” she says, too measured, too calm, “does dressing up as a character mean embodying it so completely? I mean, you don’t see me flying about the place, cackling spells left right and centre; this is still a hospital,” Sacha opens his mouth, promptly closes it again as Serena’s face dares him to even try. She pinches the bridge of her nose. “I waded through half a ward full of Hogwarts wannabes down on E.D., AAU sent me on a wild goose chase, quite literally, I might add, thanks to the wonderful patient dressed as Peter Rabbit who brought a real life Jemima Puddleduck with him, Darwin… Well, does embodying an evil queen really constitute dressing up for Ms. Naylor, or just a well overdue coming out? Anyway, the Italian is quite the infuriating riddler, too – it seems the same person that explained World Book Day to Bernie, also explained it to him – and so…” she takes a deep, fortifying breath, and bestows a sickly, false smile upon Sacha, who has backed up a few paces. “I am still none the wiser as to where, exactly, Wally is, and, as you can probably tell, entirely unamused that the entire hospital has somehow become an embodiment of a bloody activity illustration!” “Maybe it would have been easier if you used your broom!” he chuckles, the humour almost literally melting from his face under Serena’s acerbic eyebrows.

He nods placatingly, his lips moving for a few seconds before forming words again. “You know, not all ice queens are evil, just… umm, just an aside,” he adds, quickly. “And you might want to cast your…umm, net, your net!… A bit wider. Think outside the box,” Serena’s arms cross almost violently. “Mr. Levy, apparently I need to spell it out to you, I am not in the mood. Where. Is. Bernie?” The Wally, Serena’s mind supplies, and she rolls her eyes at herself, at the fact that, even when she’s exasperating, Bernie can still slip past her facades and make her smile, even if not entirely happily. She feels a hand on her arm, and turns her head slowly. “Follow me,” Essie smiles, and Serena arches an eyebrow. Sacha barely contains a snort as Serena takes in Essie’s deep red cloak, the hood pulled up over her plait, the apron and the basket hanging at her waist. “Obviously,” Serena mutters, rolling her eyes.

They reach paediatrics to find as many beds and chairs as possible gathered around the windows, and other patients, carers and nurses navigating the mesh of machines and wires to find a space. “What-” Serena breaks off as a youngster squeals and points through the window, only for the various gasps of delight to melt away into disappointment. “The building opposite is empty, being demolished soon,” Essie explains. “This morning, the builders dressed up as Harry Potter characters, did a bit of a skit from a cherry picker. Kids were delighted. Some of them can’t leave, and can’t dress up themselves for various reasons,” Serena softens as she watches everyone staring avidly out of the window. She frowns minutely. “This morning? So, what are they doing now?” “Ah,” Essie smiles. “They’re looking for our big bad Wolfe, currently known as Wally.” Serena, thoroughly confused as well as exasperated again, sighs. “Oh, don’t you start. Simple sentences, please, for a simple mind, it’s been a long day.” “Ms. Wolfe went out for a break earlier, and a couple of kids spotted her. Started betting that so-and-so couldn’t find Wally, too. The nurses offered up prizes. Gave the kids something fun to do. The ones that could leave the ward came looking on Darwin, Rossini riddled them to Keller, Sacha found them, they found Bernie, and since then, every half hour or so, she pops up in one of the windows of the building opposite, in various shapes and sizes. She didn’t want to do it all round the hospital, said it wasn’t fair on the kids that couldn’t leave the ward. So,” Essie shrugs, beaming. “There she is,” Serena’s hand moves to her chest as she takes in the children, pointing and whispering and poking each other excitedly. “Yes,” she says, wonderingly. “There she is,”

Serena marches determinedly up to the builders, thankful that some of them, at least, are still dressed up, so that they don’t look at her as though she’s completely batty. At least, until she opens her mouth. “Fifth floor, third window, please, quick as you can,” she stands in front of the cherry picker, hands on hips, tapping her foot expectantly. “‘Scuse me?” one asks, a blonde fringe poking out from underneath his hard hat. “I need you to take me up to the fifth floor, third window in from the right, the one without the glass,” she explains, patiently. He looks between her, the machine, the window, her again. “Couldn’t ya just fly up, Professor?” he grins. “Very droll, haven’t heard that once today. And there are other literary witches outside the Harry Potter universe, you know,” she huffs, somewhat indignantly. He smiles, shakes his head. “Sorry, darlin’, no can do. It’s not really allowed,” “Oh, come now, Mr. Malfoy,” she drawls, hooking her arm in his, oozing charm. “Slytherins aren’t ones for cow-towing to petty regulations, are they? I won’t tell if you don’t. I really need to find Wally, or Wanda, or whatever the stripy hero is calling herself. She’s rather a big deal around here. Besides,” she squeezes his arm, breaths deeply enough to draw his attention to the pendant dangling tantalisingly on her chest. “You wouldn’t want your father to hear about this, would you?” He barks a laugh, untangling himself from her, and has a quick word with a couple of other men who have been watching their interaction with some amusement. “Alright,” he relents, unlocking the cage and ushering her in. “But if my father does hear about this, it’s your guts I’m offering him for garters, capiche?” She winks at him, and holds on to her hat as the wind picks up around the second floor. “What Professor did you have me down as, anyway?” she asks, a glint in her eye. He gulps and looks desperately up. “Let’s Obliviate it,” he says, hopefully, and she laughs, the final tendrils of the days annoyances flying away. The ascent is excruciatingly slow, but finally, they reach the fifth floor. Serena turns to face the hospital, an exaggerated frown on her face. She holds her hands up in the universal “Where?” sign, and after some jostling and earnestly searching faces, they start pointing frantically. Serena turns slowly, moves closer to the window as a red bobble hat comes poking up from the sill. When Bernie’s head follows, she is momentarily taken aback at coming face to face, quite literally mere inches apart, with Serena. “Bloody hell!” she exclaims, and leans out of the window to look around. “Contrary to the apparently universal belief, my preferred mode of transport is not a broomstick,” Serena remarks, drily. Bernie blushes, but recovers quickly. “Well no,” she says, smirking. “Go big or go home; good motto,” she gestures to the cherry picker. Serena arches a brow. “I wore out the broom flying around the entire hospital looking for you,”

Bernie laughs, and Draco Malfoy hangs over the edge to hide his silent chuckles. He pulls out his wand and starts entertaining the onlookers with some intricate, clumsy movements. “Well,” Bernie laughs more gently now, holding her arms out in surrender. “Here I am. What can I do you for, Meg on the Moon?” Serena’s quite forgotten why, exactly, she was so intently searching for Bernie; knows she can’t hide the fact, as Bernie’s eyes are sparkling and a smile just clinging to the corners of her mouth. So she ducks her head, smiles disarmingly. “Treasure,” she breathes. Then, more loudly, with a nonchalant quirk of her shoulders, before Bernie’s eyes widen impossibly. “I found you. I heard there’s a prize. And you know how I love a good prize.” They’re vaguely aware of Builder-Malfoy’s movements, of very distant yells and cheers as he riles up the crowd of spectators. “Sacha ate the chocolate,” Bernie whispers, her tone light and playful, laced with undertones. “And wine would have been unethical, illegal, cruel…” “A good prize, Ms. Wolfe,” Serena repeats, stepping as close as she can to the to the edge of the cage. “I don’t fly, not even for chocolate. Not even for Shiraz,” Her face is full of challenge, and Bernie’s be-striped chest rises and falls visibly faster. They see Builder-Malfoy’s wand waving dangerously over them, then jabbing at the air above them quite insistently. Bernie’s lashes flutter, her teeth worrying her bottom lip until she releases it, excruciatingly slowly. “Nope,” she says finally, a smile spreading lazily over her entire face, holding out her arms. Serena leans into them, her own coming up to reach out. “Seems I was all out of Protego charms.” They pull each other close, and capture adoring laughter in a kiss.