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[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

aloneswan:

Emma raises her eyebrows at the laugh. Not because it isn’t funny – Emma for one definitely finds the idea of coercing petty thieves into volunteering is pretty funny, in a wry sort of way – but because she didn’t expect Brie to think it was funny too. And her brows only raise higher when the waitress comes back and Brie orders… well, basically the whole menu. 

Awesome. 

That means Emma doesn’t have to hold back either. Not that she would have, but she’s sure part of her would have felt a little guilty about racking up Brie’s bill. “I’ll take the same – with pancakes not waffles, eggs scrambled with cheddar and can I pass on my toast for extra hashbrowns?” Apparently, she can. Which is great! Hey, maybe getting roped into volunteering isn’t as bad as she thought it would be!

Order taken, Brie watches as Granny walks off. She wonders only briefly if it’s too late to order some cranberry juice as well, but decides she’ll ask when the woman reappears. For now, she sips at her tea, pausing to stir in another spoon of sugar as she watches the sheriff. She’s lived in the town for years and yet cannot remember a single time she’s sat down with the sheriff. More than that, they’re of an age, they should have been in school together, at least some - yet Brie cannot remember having any classes with her or seeing her in the halls. Strange.

Looking back at the notepad, Brie wonders if anyone else will be coming. She hopes so, there are so many people in the town who need assistance and while the sheriff already has had a good idea, they can use a ton more. Looking from the side of her eyes, she looks to see if anyone else is around, but Granny’s is surprisingly quiet. Great. With a sigh, she looks back up at the sheriff, a warm smile on her face, “so sheriff, how has everything been?” Perhaps if they wait, someone else will come.

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

He doesn't need to offer twice. As soon as the blanket opens, Brie is stepping into the cocoon, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest, head tilted so she could still meet his eyes. A content sigh rumbles in her own chest, the warmth and his scent surrounding her, relaxing her. His words wash over her, going further to sooth the jealous beast screaming inside. For her, this is heaven. The silky warmth of his skin against hers, his scent surrounding her - it all is perfect. Soothing. Possessive. For the moment the two in the kitchen don't matter. They're gone. No one is trying to peek under blankets or get her man naked.

It's just him and her. Two peas in a misshapen pod. A soft smile graces her lips, her fingers brush circles into the base of his spine, and she presses the softest of kisses against the beating heart under her ear. "I love you," she murmurs, barely loud enough to be heard. She's not even sure if he does. But it's the truth. Twisting and flowing throughout her blood. She loves him. It's so freeing saying the words, and as she steps back, Brie realizes she doesn't need him to say it or even feel it at this point. There's contentness where jealousy had boiled.

"Go get dressed," reluctantly her fingers slide free of his flesh and as she steps away, she carefully tucks the blanket around him. "I'm going to go entertain our guests." Soul soothed and eyes bright, Brie walks back into the kitchen, clapping her hands together. "Where were we?"

The Sky is Falling || Aubrie, Jefferson, Paige, Joseph

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

The burst of laughter that comes from within is loud and hearty, coming from the depths of her stomach. It shouldn't be funny, the thought of the sheriff forcing people to help, but it is. Threatening jail or worse unless they donated money or jumped into the frigid harbor is actually brilliant. Dragging her notebook to her, she begins jotting that down as the waitress brings a pot of coffee and two mugs. Not looking up from where she is writing down 'threaten the townfolk', Brie gives her order. "Thank Granny. I'll take the full breakfast, waffles not pancakes, two full orders of toast with butter and grape jam, eggs over easy, and two orders of bacon." She finally looks up with a smile, her pen taping against the paper. "And put whatever the sheriff wants on my tab."

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

It wouldn’t do to admit that she had been wandering the net at the rectory with thoughts of her lover on her mind, and so with a blush, Brie goes for lifting her hand instead. The urge to blurt out the truth is strong but somehow she manages to squash it. Perhaps it’s only because of the waitress stopping before their table, asking if she could get them anything. “A pot of coffee, for now,” she says with a smile to the woman before focusing on Emma once again. “I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you coming out, volunteering for this. I want to make this the best fundraiser the town has ever seen. And what better way than with the help of the town sheriff. ”

A pot of coffee. For now. That’s all Brie orders, and then the waitress is off leaving Emma feeling a bit underwhelmed. She was promised a free breakfast! Coffee was a good start, but Emma had other things in mind – pancakes, bacon, maple syrup! But as much as she wants to (like really wants to), she can’t say any of that. 

So instead, she bites her tongue (literally, to stop herself from saying something rude about starving the Sheriff) and nods her head. At least Brie is nice about it, like genuinely nice. And excited. And it is a good cause… even if Emma’s personal recovery from that freaking storm will require more than a polar bear contest. 

“Yeah, I can force people into helping.” Emma’s eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t expected herself to say that, but it wasn’t the worst idea…

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

It wouldn't do to admit that she had been wandering the net at the rectory with thoughts of her lover on her mind, and so with a blush, Brie goes for lifting her hand instead. The urge to blurt out the truth is strong but somehow she manages to squash it. Perhaps it's only because of the waitress stopping before their table, asking if she could get them anything. "A pot of coffee, for now," she says with a smile to the woman before focusing on Emma once again. "I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you coming out, volunteering for this. I want to make this the best fundraiser the town has ever seen. And what better way than with the help of the town sheriff. "

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

Brie laughs, standing from the seat she had just taken. Wrapped in an oversized jumper that she thinks might be Joseph’s or perhaps a past member of the clergy who had occupied the house before them, she looks even smaller than she normally does. Fashion hadn’t been on her mind though when she’d pulled the light gray wool from a closet, warmth had. Though as she struggles to free her petite hand from the voluminous sleeve, perhaps she should have given it a little thought. No bother, she’ll make due and enjoy her time while she does.

Starting with the sherif. “You did!” Almost skipping around the table from her joy that someone has shown up, Brie pulls out a chair for the sherif. “Breakfast is on me, of course,” she’s making her way back round the table as she speaks, “anything on the menu that you want.” Settling in her own chair, she opens one of the many folders she has brought and pulls out a golden yellow sheet of paper. On it, typed in neat script is the outline for her Polar Bear Plunge idea as well as some other thoughts on how the town can raise money for the those affected. “I was hoping that some others would show up, help with the planning, but even with the two of us, I’m sure we can make a huge difference.” Looking up, a large smile on her face, she can’t help but say, “oh I’m so glad you came. I was starting to worry no one would show.”

Oh, crap! Whatever it is that she’s shown up for, Emma’s positive she doesn’t want to be involved. But she can’t say that, obviously. How would that look? Town Sheriff refusing to take part in town events. But she also can’t lie, for whatever reason. Don’t get her wrong, she wants to, she just… feels this overwhelming desire to be honest. It’s confusing. And at the current moment completely inconvenient because she doesn’t want to hurt Aubrie’s feelings, but she also really just wants to get her food to go. Aubrie did also help her find Killian… technically, so in a way she sort of owes her…

Crap. 

“Well, I like free breakfast,” comes the only honest response she can muster. Whatever. After a stack of pancakes and some bacon, things will seem better. Following Brie’s lead, Emma takes the seat across from her. Polar Bear Plunge? Emma sighs, she better not have just volunteered herself to plunge in some freaking frozen water! 

Coffee. This is also going to require a ton of coffee. 

“Yeah, kind of unbelievable it’s just me,” Emma says, taking the paper from Aubrie to give it a closer look. Unbelievable, indeed. That out of all the charitable people in town it’d been her who walked into this. 

“It’s actually not a bad way to raise money,” she concedes, placing the paper back on the table. “What gave you the idea?”

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

She really tries to put on a smile for the teen as she truly is thrilled to have her there. With the closing of the shop, Brie had worried about when she would get to see Paige. Now she didn't have to worry. Closing the door behind the teen, she tells her why they've gathered. "We can use your brilliance on plotting and planning various fund raisers for the town. To help with the recovery from Fiona." They're joined in the entry by Jefferson and Joseph, the former finding yet another reason to admire and touch the priest. Or at least his blanket. "And yes," she continues, trying to push a frown down at the thought of losing her newfound love, "we have tossed around jumping into the harbor as a form of a Polar Bear Plunge."

All too soon; though maybe not soon enough; Jefferson is calling out for the teen (and his daughter) to join him in the kitchen. Brie isn't sure why she is overcome with such intense jealousy, nor why it feels like she can't gloss over it, she just knows that she is. Right now all she wants is to burrow into the arms of the priest and satisfy the green-eyed monster screaming within. She steps towards him, stopping a few inches from doing just that, and worrys her bottom lip. "I don't like him - or anyone for that matter - seeing any parts of you," her voice is low, the jealousy she has been feeling bubbling to the forefront as she's unable to do anything but tell the truth, "I'm afraid you'll like them seeing it more than me."

The Sky is Falling || Aubrie, Jefferson, Paige, Joseph

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Brie laughs, standing from the seat she had just taken. Wrapped in an oversized jumper that she thinks might be Joseph's or perhaps a past member of the clergy who had occupied the house before them, she looks even smaller than she normally does. Fashion hadn't been on her mind though when she'd pulled the light gray wool from a closet, warmth had. Though as she struggles to free her petite hand from the voluminous sleeve, perhaps she should have given it a little thought. No bother, she'll make due and enjoy her time while she does.

Starting with the sherif. "You did!" Almost skipping around the table from her joy that someone has shown up, Brie pulls out a chair for the sherif. "Breakfast is on me, of course," she's making her way back round the table as she speaks, "anything on the menu that you want." Settling in her own chair, she opens one of the many folders she has brought and pulls out a golden yellow sheet of paper. On it, typed in neat script is the outline for her Polar Bear Plunge idea as well as some other thoughts on how the town can raise money for the those affected. "I was hoping that some others would show up, help with the planning, but even with the two of us, I'm sure we can make a huge difference." Looking up, a large smile on her face, she can't help but say, "oh I'm so glad you came. I was starting to worry no one would show."

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

Recover Fiona || Aubrie Wooler and Emma Swan

Granny’s is near empty as Brie sets up the table by the front window. Sunlight is filtering through the large window and she cannot keep the large smile off her face as she sets out her legal pad and little sign announcing The Recover Fiona Organization. The name needed work, that she would wholly admit as she settled in the silver and red chair. It had since she’d typed up the flyers inviting anyone interested in attending the planning sessions to come to Granny’s this morning. So far, no one is there, but she knows that people will come. Or at least she hopes so. She’s fiddling with her pen when the door opens, a burst of cold air announcing the arrival of someone. “Hi!,” she says brightly, the smile on her face growing as she looks up, “I’m so glad you could make it!”

@aloneswan

Emma’s here for the coffee. And the pancakes. And maybe some bacon and eggs. All of this slathered in maple syrup and packed up to go. That’s the plan, anyway. She’s not being anti-social, she’s just eager to get to the station and check in on Robin. Not because she doesn’t trust him or anything, but because he’s new, and still getting the hang of things, and… because she doesn’t totally trust him. 

Man. She’s off her game lately. Not only has she been incapable of lying to other people, now it seems she can’t even lie to herself. Did she make an unconscious pact with herself to be more honest or something?

Anyway, she’s here for food. Quick in and out and off to work to distract herself from things and stuff and teach Robin how to shoot a gun! Definitely not avoiding anything! Except before she can make it to the counter, she’s met with a cheery Brie who is apparently very glad she made it. For what, she’s not sure, but Emma gets the distinct impression it’s not for breakfast that she’s talking about. 

“I did?” Emma asks, hand still on the door handle like she might leave at any moment, which she obviously can’t do, but that doesn’t make the impulse any less strong. She just really wants pancakes. 

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Startled by the knock, Brie forgets about the test sitting on the box on the counter and scrambles to her feet. Twisting the knob, she pulls it open to reveal the man her thoughts had just been on...which reminds her of the test she had just taken. Color draining from her face, she glances briefly to the plastic life detector before turning to bury her face; gently; in Joseph's chest, her arms wrapping loosely around his waist as she mumbles "Good morning..." her low voice trails off. Why in the world would she want to call him Rumple? Her brow twists in slight confusion as she pulls back, looking up at -her- the man. Clearing her throat, she finishes her greeting with a hesitant my love.

@macavoy-stiltskin

Whiter Shades of Pale || Aubrie Wooler and Father MacAvoy

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

Early the next morning, Brie stirs to the raging wind pounding against house and glass. In the little cocoon they have made in front of the fire, she is warm and content. Not used to waking up with someone, she is still surprised at how natural it feels to have Joseph spooned up behind her, the warmth of his breath

Early morning light is slipping through the heavy curtains when Brie stirs to the raging wind pounding against house and glass. She shivers as a particularly cold blast slips between the window frame, running across the two cocooned in front of the fire. Mumbling incoherently, she presses further into the arms wrapped around her from behind, seeking the warmth of the slumbering priest, but it’s no use.

She’s awake.

Waking with someone is new for Brie and yet it feels the most natural thing in the world. She fits perfectly in the intimacy of his embrace; a strong arm wrapped loosely around her small frame, one hand tangled in her hair, the other flat against her hip with a knee pressed between hers; and wants nothing more than to stay exactly where she is. The steady in and out of his breath plays against her cheek and she cannot keep a smile from her face.

Definitely perfect.

A girl could get used to the tenderness and affection the man slumbering behind her had bestowing upon her. The night before had been a combination of romantic and normalcy, eating together on the feather bed he had prepared, a multitude of pillows propped up behind them as she read from her favorite book, those long fingers of his brushing through her hair until she had succumb to the sleepiness he had enticed. Sometime in the middle of the night they had changed position, with Brie closer to the fire, the warmth heating her front while he heated her back. Slowly and carefully she rolls over, ever mindful of the healing bullet wound, and lifts a hand to brush hair from his face.

Cold – just as she suspected.

Brie resists the urge to smack the man for his selfless move and instead presses the softest of kisses against his mouth. Why did he have to be so perfect? Pulling back, she’s pleased to see that he hasn’t roused from her movement or kiss. Slipping from their nest, she pads barefoot to her bag, and with another glance towards the sleeping man, pulls the test free.

Scanning the directions again as she slips into the bathroom, she quietly follows them before sliding to the floor to wait. Back against the large tub, she pulls her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them before lying her cheek against the two. Her gaze wanders the room, looking everywhere but the test. She’s not sure the answer she’s waiting for, and she’s not entirely sure how Joseph will respond if it is positive. It all seems too much too quick, and yet – he’s the only person she could; and has; imagined having a child with. All too soon, she’ll have her answer.

For now, she sits in the bathroom listening to the howling wind.

@macavoy-stiltskin

Dark Ones don’t need to sleep, and for a long while Rumple lay awake watching Brie as she slumbered, enjoying her peaceful breathing. He wondered about what she dreamed as Brie, cursed memories, real memories, was he in them? He recalled his own dreams as Joseph.  How sleep had alluded him for reasons the priest hadn’t understood.  He couldn’t know it was part of the Dark One’s curse, but he had sensed it was a sort of darkness. The poor fool.  Afraid of his own shadow much like the spinner would have cowered at the feet of the Dark One, or anyone for that matter.  MacAvoy reminded him too much of his old self.  He wondered how Brie could have found him interesting.  Well, he could never understand why Belle had ever loved him either.   Eventually Rumple had fallen asleep himself, calmed by Brie’s presence, as always.  He hadn’t even woken when she had kissed him or brushed his hair out of his face.  What woke him was the chill left by her absence.  

He stretched, looking around and noticing the door to the bathroom closed and some sounds coming from within.  A quick wave of his hand caused the fire to roar back to life, going to work at warming the room once more.  He rose to peer outside.  It continued to snow despite there already being well over a foot, maybe two of snow.  It was quiet outside except for the occasional gusts of wind.  No cars, no snow blowers, just quiet.

He’d expected Brie to be out by now.  Concerned he stepped to the bathroom, tapping on the frame.  “Sweetheart?  Are you alright?”

@true-loves-kiss-opens-door​

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Brie chokes on her tea, the image of Joseph standing before his parishioners in nothing but the pair of boxer shorts he's currently rocking filling her mind. And causing her to frown. It's one thing for Jefferson; their friend; to look, admire, and perhaps ogle her man, but the rest of the town? Not bloody happening. He was fit and toned just perfectly and the thought that others might find what she has found stirs her jealousy. "Shorts would be a bad idea," she declares, frowning down at her sandwich. Suddenly her appetite has left her. Pushing the sandwich towards Joseph, Brie is saved from saying anything else as a knock is heard at the door. Sliding from her stool, Brie gestures towards the foyer. "I'll get it," brow crinkled, she quietly leaves the room. The thought that someone else might entice the priest, someone prettier and more interesting than herself, whom he connects with on a better level has a heavy pit in her stomach. They'd spoken briefly of this thing between them that first morning together, but that moment in the kitchen was the first that she's aware of anyone in town seeing the man under the collar. Brow still crinkled, she opens the door to the teen, forcing a smile on her face as she greets Paige. "Hi sweetie. Come on in - the guys are in the kitchen."

@hatterxtrick @macavoy-stiltskin @if-you-onlyknew

The Sky is Falling || Aubrie, Jefferson, Paige, Joseph

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We're Having a Party || Aubrie Wooler and Lena West

The brick building housing The Rabbit Hole is surprisingly non-descript as Brie walks towards it. Of course, she has never visited it during the day before so perhaps that was where some of the difference came to play. The flashing neon signs could not be seen as clearly with bright sunlight reflecting off white snow. She is carefully walking the cleared sidewalks, watching for any ice patches that may have formed overnight. Not for the first time she curses herself for wearing the high-heeled knee high boots with the short floral dress. Winter in Maine was not the time to make a fashion statement, but she had wanted to look professional and trendy as she spoke with the barkeep about hosting a post-plunge party.

It had nothing to do with the fact that there was a certain man she wanted to dress up for.

Not at all.

With leather covered hands, Brie grips the metal handle and pulls. Inside is dim with the music at a much bearable level than it had been on her first date with Joseph. With a smile, she stepped into the dimly lit room, her eyes adjusting to the space quickly. A few people are about, regulars who know the bar inside and out. Brie herself does not, and so she stands by the door for a moment, looking for someone on the staff to talk with. She wasn’t sure of the protocol for scheduling a party in the establishment – all she knew was they had good drinks and good food.

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Recover Fiona || Aubrie Wooler and Emma Swan

Granny’s is near empty as Brie sets up the table by the front window. Sunlight is filtering through the large window and she cannot keep the large smile off her face as she sets out her legal pad and little sign announcing The Recover Fiona Organization. The name needed work, that she would wholly admit as she settled in the silver and red chair. It had since she’d typed up the flyers inviting anyone interested in attending the planning sessions to come to Granny’s this morning. So far, no one is there, but she knows that people will come. Or at least she hopes so. She’s fiddling with her pen when the door opens, a burst of cold air announcing the arrival of someone. “Hi!,” she says brightly, the smile on her face growing as she looks up, “I’m so glad you could make it!”

@aloneswan

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Even though she knows she shouldn't, Brie cannot help but reach out to straighten the blanket from its spot around Joseph's neck. And if the back of her hand just happened to brush along his jaw, well so be it. Cheeks still warm, she returns his mouthed "good morning" with a smile and her own greeting before following him to the island. It's homey here with winter sunlight streaming into the yellow room and Brie cannot help but sigh happily as she settles onto her stool. That sigh quickly turns to a stunned chuckle as Jefferson tells Joseph he has a nice body. Not that she'll disagree, he does have a delectable body that she enjoys cuddling with just as much as she does nibbling on it, but she is surprised the other man had noticed. Weren't they supposed to be obtuse to that kind of thing? Unless...Brie lifts an eyebrow in contemplation as she looks at the younger man. Perhaps...well, that would be an idea to explore if Joseph and she ever got adventurous - and drunk enough - in their relationship.

Shaking her head, she turns back to the conversation, the blush a permanent feature to her cheeks now as her mind has fully taken residence in the gutter. "I was just telling Jefferson," she explains, gesturing towards the man with an empty hand, "that so many in the community aren't as lucky as I am in regards to recovering from Fiona. That lead me to thinking we should do a few charity events to raise money to help those devastated by Fiona." Picking up half her sandwich, she takes a small bite. As hungry as she is, she's watching the man beside her. He's delectable sure, but that didn't mean he couldn't put on some additional weight. If he was still hungry, she'd insist he eat the second half of hers. "That got me thinking that perhaps a Polar Bear Plunge would be a great idea for the residents. I was just going over some ideas with our friend about it."

The Sky is Falling || Aubrie, Jefferson, Paige, Joseph

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Eyes wide, Brie can only look from the chef to the priest. One is dressed comfortably in sweats and a t-shirt, the other is dressed...comfortably...in boxers and his birthday suit. Interesting these two men in her life. Though, she thinks, I wouldn't trade them for the world. Turning to her left she pulls free one of their many throws she had spent the morning washing, this one a vibrant sunset of reds, oranges, and golds and spun from the finest and softest wool she could find. "Joseph," by now her cheeks are as red as the deepest hue within the blanket and it's struggle to meet the gaze of either men.

"We have company."

Slipping from the chair, Brie shakes the throw out, the fabric rippling out from neat folds to cascading wool. Bashfully she finally lifts her eyes to the man she loves, her hand trembling slightly as she offers the cover.

The Sky is Falling || Aubrie, Jefferson, Paige, Joseph

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Early the next morning, Brie stirs to the raging wind pounding against house and glass. In the little cocoon they have made in front of the fire, she is warm and content. Not used to waking up with someone, she is still surprised at how natural it feels to have Joseph spooned up behind her, the warmth of his breath

 Early morning light is slipping through the heavy curtains when Brie stirs to the raging wind pounding against house and glass. She shivers as a particularly cold blast slips between the window frame, running across the two cocooned in front of the fire. Mumbling incoherently, she presses further into the arms wrapped around her from behind, seeking the warmth of the slumbering priest, but it’s no use.

She’s awake.

Waking with someone is new for Brie and yet it feels the most natural thing in the world. She fits perfectly in the intimacy of his embrace; a strong arm wrapped loosely around her small frame, one hand tangled in her hair, the other flat against her hip with a knee pressed between hers; and wants nothing more than to stay exactly where she is. The steady in and out of his breath plays against her cheek and she cannot keep a smile from her face.

Definitely perfect.

A girl could get used to the tenderness and affection the man slumbering behind her had bestowing upon her. The night before had been a combination of romantic and normalcy, eating together on the feather bed he had prepared, a multitude of pillows propped up behind them as she read from her favorite book, those long fingers of his brushing through her hair until she had succumb to the sleepiness he had enticed. Sometime in the middle of the night they had changed position, with Brie closer to the fire, the warmth heating her front while he heated her back. Slowly and carefully she rolls over, ever mindful of the healing bullet wound, and lifts a hand to brush hair from his face.

Cold – just as she suspected.

Brie resists the urge to smack the man for his selfless move and instead presses the softest of kisses against his mouth. Why did he have to be so perfect? Pulling back, she’s pleased to see that he hasn’t roused from her movement or kiss. Slipping from their nest, she pads barefoot to her bag, and with another glance towards the sleeping man, pulls the test free.

Scanning the directions again as she slips into the bathroom, she quietly follows them before sliding to the floor to wait. Back against the large tub, she pulls her knees to her chest and wraps her arms around them before lying her cheek against the two. Her gaze wanders the room, looking everywhere but the test. She’s not sure the answer she’s waiting for, and she’s not entirely sure how Joseph will respond if it is positive. It all seems too much too quick, and yet – he’s the only person she could; and has; imagined having a child with. All too soon, she’ll have her answer.

For now, she sits in the bathroom listening to the howling wind.

@macavoy-stiltskin

Whiter Shades of Pale || Aubrie Wooler and Father MacAvoy

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

There’s something about being in his arms that feels right and Brie can only wrap her own around his waist. The movement pulls her closer; front to front and heat to heat; and she has to sigh in contentment. He’s fine, he’s alive, and he’s right here with her breathing really against her face. His forehead is against hers, another calming touch, and she can almost forget that he had been shot just a few days before. “Dinner sounds wonderful,” voice low, a smile pulls across her face, “as does an evening in front of the fire.” As the electric goes out, she can only laugh as she nips a kiss. “Somehow you and me and firelight seems absolutely right. How about we make some sandwiches with some fruit and feed each other wrapped in blankets?”

With the deal struck, Rumple released Brie from his embrace but took her hand to guide her through the darkened hallway and stairs.  He didn’t need light to find his way, but Brie wasn’t familiar with the house.  

They made their way down to the kitchen were they had left the supplies for just this possibility.  Candles lit, they gracefully moved around together in the kitchen preparing the feast as Brie had recommended.  The house remained warm for now, but would be cooling off quickly without the electric thermostat able to run the boiler, so Rumple suggested they eat by the fireplace in the bedroom rather than the living room.  No need heating the whole house and then have to start a second fire upstairs later when it was time for bed.  

Rumple preceded Brie upstairs with supplies including her book and abandoned wine glass from the library while she finished up in the kitchen. The fire started easily, creating a cozy atmosphere, crackling softly and casting a warm glow.  He placed a few more candles in the darker corners of the room to even out the lighting.  Extra pillows, a featherbed, and blankets from one of the guest rooms were laid out a safe distance from the fire for a makeshift picnic. Pleased with his set up, he returned downstairs to escort Brie back up with the food.

Slipping up behind her he leaned over her shoulder admiring her features in the soft candle light. “Looks delicious.”  He spoke softly near her ear, his double meaning evident.  A gentle stroke of his finger over her arm was his only attempt to turn her toward him as he spoke.  “Have I thanked you?”

@true-loves-kiss-opens-door​

[true-loves-kiss-opens-door-blog]

Brie laughs, glad to hear that he’ll second her with the costumes. Somehow the idea just adds another level of absurdity and playfulness to the whole event. It’s exactly what it needs and she’s happy to know she’s not the only one thinking that way. Of course, the challenge would be finding something to fit with the weather. There was no point in freezing ones assets off in something skimpy or drowning in something that would only get bogged down in the water.

The music in the room is jolly, the aroma of bacon is filling the area, and Brie just feels relaxed. Setting her pen down, she watches her friend finish the sandwiches. “I have no idea,” she admits, “something conservative and warm perhaps. What about you? Up to dressing like the proverbial Polar Bear?”

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

The Sky is Falling! || Aubrie and Jefferson

Laughing Brie jots down jump and crosses out wade. His thought does make sense, which is exactly why she wanted to work with the other man on the event. “Paige would be wonderful at planning something like this. One of us should ask her if she wants to offer some ideas, maybe take some official photos of the event next time we see her.” As she is speaking, Brie is looking at the pad, writing these ideas down as well. “Perhaps someone is town is a DJ or has a band, can play some festive music for us as we’re going in.”

Music - band or dj

Professional photos

Food

Costumes

As she writes the last, Brie looks up at Jefferson with an innocent smile, “how do you feel about costumes?”

Going in sounded like doom to Jeff but all the more reason to jump straight in when the time came. It was an exhilarating thought. Jump off the safety of the harbor into the dark swirl of the frigid unknown. How would it feel to be enveloped in the clutches of hypothermia only to practically leap back out immediately? Rather exciting. “I’ll bet we’ll get several people willing to do it. It’s all about the atmosphere. Pumped up music with a DJ, get people hyped…” He nodded once at her next question and pointed the remainder of his bacon strip at her. “And costumes will only make it more absurd. Let’s do it.”

Recalling another recent discovery, the fact that somehow Paige ( @hatterxtrick​ ) had managed to get her digits on his phone (not to mention a slew of back and forth texting he didn’t recall at all but what else was new when he could barely remember the previous day anyway?). Grabbing his phone off the counter as the woman belted out her last chorus about Letting It Go, he pulled up his Contact list and scrolled down to the P’s only to find Paige wasn’t there. Oh right! The kid had several nicknames and she may have decided to be a Graceful thief and put that particular name into his phone. Whenever that had been. Shoving the accompanying disconcerted feeling over that away, he typed out a rapid text to “Grace/Paige/99″ as the contact read. He’d had to edit the name when he’d discovered it days ago just in case he forgot yet again something else.

Planning a party and need a photographer and youthful ideas. Interested? Come to the Rectory. Pink house. And proceeded to type in the address though how he’d remembered that was rather ridiculous considering he didn’t even know where he was going before he’d arrived at the house.

Setting the phone back down just as it turned to some silly jingle about finishing each others sandwiches, Jeff pulled open the bread bag and proceeded to put the BLTs together since Brie was writing. “What costume will you wear?” he asked conversationally as he tried to decide what he’d go for as well.

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Laughing Brie jots down jump and crosses out wade. His thought does make sense, which is exactly why she wanted to work with the other man on the event. "Paige would be wonderful at planning something like this. One of us should ask her if she wants to offer some ideas, maybe take some official photos of the event next time we see her." As she is speaking, Brie is looking at the pad, writing these ideas down as well. "Perhaps someone is town is a DJ or has a band, can play some festive music for us as we're going in."

Music - band or dj

Professional photos

Food

Costumes

As she writes the last, Brie looks up at Jefferson with an innocent smile, "how do you feel about costumes?"

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The Sky is Falling! || Aubrie and Jefferson

The blush that stains her cheeks gives away her answer even before she opens her mouth, “I think I could love him.” It feels strange to admit that to someone other than the man but there had always been some kind of weird connection with Jefferson, at least in the few weeks that she knew him. His comment though makes her realize exactly how wrong her relationship with the priest is, how it can never amount to anything more than it is. Sighing, Brie fiddles with one of the paperclips scattered about the table, “not that it matters. I could never tell him exactly how I care for him. He’s a priest and he’s already married.” Shaking her head, she drops the paperclips, “but enough of that, today is supposed to be fun.”

Picking up the phone he has set in front of her, Brie begins scrolling through the music available on the phone. Her eyebrow lifts as she finds the soundtrack to that Disney movie Frozen and she cannot resist tapping the Let It Go song. As the music flows from the tiny speaker she sets the phone down on the table with a smirk. If he had a problem with it, he shouldn’t have had it on his phone. “You are a bit young,” she finally says in response to his comment about jumping in, her eyes traveling the length of his lean frame, “to lose anything important, let alone a limb or something.”

Pulling the pad of paper to her, she begins jotting down his idea of jumping in. “We could perhaps talk to the Mayor, find out if we can post something on the community board in front of City Hall and see if we have any other partakers. I know I’ll jump, but it might be a little boring – and frigid – if it’s just the two of us.”

Jefferson raised an eyebrow at Brie’s talk about the priest. How disheartened she looks that she loves someone who is already ‘married.’ To respect her request to drop it, he hummed a quiet response as he went back to the bacon. Flipping one, then another, the pan continued to bubble. 

Why was it so hard to keep quiet? He was about to burst with another opinion, but he knew it wasn’t his business. 

Brie picked some kind of musical it seemed. Maybe she grabbed it on the internet, but it was really catchy after the singer got into it. Snow blowing on a mountain, a kingdom of isolation… It was rather depressing at first, but it seemed to pick up around ‘frozen fractals all around.’ Well, whatever, he figured. People will probably be there to throw money at whoever jumps in the near-frozen water. 

She said something about his age and he glanced over his shoulder at Brie nodding with the music. “You look pretty good yourself! But neither of us are going to stay in that water longer than it takes to get the hell out.” Chuckling over the idea of scrambling up a ladder and god, if he froze something important off, he’d probably die, but the bacon was soon on a plate. Setting it on the counter by his phone and in front of Brie, he added over the pealing voice: “Think your priest will jump in? Maybe he can… I don’t know, mention it in his sermon during mass.” Shrugging, he snatched a bacon strip off the plate and crunched his teeth into it. “I’ll ask Paige and it’ll go off with a bang.”

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The blush that stains her cheeks gives away her answer even before she opens her mouth, “I think I could love him.” It feels strange to admit that to someone other than the man but there had always been some kind of weird connection with Jefferson, at least in the few weeks that she knew him. His comment though makes her realize exactly how wrong her relationship with the priest is, how it can never amount to anything more than it is. Sighing, Brie fiddles with one of the paperclips scattered about the table, “not that it matters. I could never tell him exactly how I care for him. He’s a priest and he’s already married.” Shaking her head, she drops the paperclips, “but enough of that, today is supposed to be fun.”

Picking up the phone he has set in front of her, Brie begins scrolling through the music available on the phone. Her eyebrow lifts as she finds the soundtrack to that Disney movie Frozen and she cannot resist tapping the Let It Go song. As the music flows from the tiny speaker she sets the phone down on the table with a smirk. If he had a problem with it, he shouldn’t have had it on his phone. “You are a bit young,” she finally says in response to his comment about jumping in, her eyes traveling the length of his lean frame, “to lose anything important, let alone a limb or something.”

Pulling the pad of paper to her, she begins jotting down his idea of jumping in. “We could perhaps talk to the Mayor, find out if we can post something on the community board in front of City Hall and see if we have any other partakers. I know I’ll jump, but it might be a little boring – and frigid – if it’s just the two of us.”

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The Sky is Falling! || Aubrie and Jefferson

For the briefest of moments Brie’s eyes go wide. Does he honestly believe her? She had thought the whole borrowing from the zoo and the bear being completely harmless would alert him to the fact that she’s joking. Watching him, she tries to figure out what is going on in his head, but aside from a slight smirk, there’s nothing. The man would be an excellent poker player. “Well,” eyebrow raised, she leans forward, elbows resting on the table and her chin on top of her folded hands, “there’s no way round it, we’ll have to sacrifice the Priest. Shame really, I was starting to care about him a lot, but as you said, we want to raise money. Needs must and all that.”

And then he laughs.

Brie herself cannot stop the laughter that floods her body and as she gasps for breath, she says “thank God you were joking. I couldn’t tell at first.” It takes a few moments for her to get herself under control before she can continue. “Basically the idea is to raise money for you,” she gestures towards him, “or anyone who wants to participate, to jump into the harbor and stay for a specified amount of time. There’s a lot of different ideas how it works.”

Even after Brie explained what a polar bear dip was, Jeff chuckled again as he glanced over his shoulder at Brie. Her laughter was good to hear! It had been too long since he’d heard anyone actually happy and it was contagious. “There’s some truth to that isn’t there? You’re sweet on the priest.” He waggled his eyebrows at Brie teasingly, then turned back towards the stove. Bacon. In the pan. His stomach growled audibly in anticipation.

“I mean.” A slice of bacon was dropped with a splat into the pan. “I don’t really know the guy. Or you. But I feel like there’s something going on. You do live here rent free. Not that it’s any of my business. I don’t judge. I’m the last to judge on what people do.” Another two strips were flopped into the pan. It didn’t even cross Jeff’s mind of why he was even asking. He seemed unable to control his tongue. “Just curious…”

His mind was continuing along other paths without waiting for a response. He was on a roll! Wow! When had he been this energetic? Must be the present company. Being out of the Storybrooke jail, out of the snow storm, new ideas on the horizon! “Do you mind if I play some music? I have a beat in my head. I need something distracting.” 

Energy energy energy! “Coffee!” His eyes darted around for a coffee pot or a maker. “I don’t think I need any after all.” Quickly, he washed the bacon slime off his hands, dried them on his sweat pants and reached into his pocket for his phone. “What’dya like? Something that works with a polar bear fundraiser. Hmm. Ice Ice Baby? No. Too retro. Some Foreigner? Cold as Ice?” 

Setting the phone down in front of Brie, her words sunk in. “And…” He let out a whoosh of air. “Sounds bitterly cold. Staying in the harbor. Uh. I’m sort of fond of the idea of not losing body parts to the cold so why not just ask people to simply… jump? That’s worth a few bucks, right? I’d definitely jump. Love the idea.” 

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For the briefest of moments Brie’s eyes go wide. Does he honestly believe her? She had thought the whole borrowing from the zoo and the bear being completely harmless would alert him to the fact that she’s joking. Watching him, she tries to figure out what is going on in his head, but aside from a slight smirk, there’s nothing. The man would be an excellent poker player. “Well,” eyebrow raised, she leans forward, elbows resting on the table and her chin on top of her folded hands, “there’s no way round it, we’ll have to sacrifice the Priest. Shame really, I was starting to care about him a lot, but as you said, we want to raise money. Needs must and all that.”

And then he laughs.

Brie herself cannot stop the laughter that floods her body and as she gasps for breath, she says “thank God you were joking. I couldn’t tell at first.” It takes a few moments for her to get herself under control before she can continue. “Basically the idea is to raise money for you,” she gestures towards him, “or anyone who wants to participate, to jump into the harbor and stay for a specified amount of time. There’s a lot of different ideas how it works.”

true-loves-kiss-opens-door:

The Sky is Falling! || Aubrie and Jefferson

Brie cannot help the chuckle that slips from her as she looks at the man in wonderment. Honestly, when she had asked if he knew what a polar bear plunge was, she was expecting some comment along the lines of doesn’t everyone but it hadn’t come. Even she, the most socially inept person she has ever met knew what it was without the necessity of Google. It’s not as though the novels of far off places and Prince’s in disguise that she has her head buried in more often than not discuss jumping into freezing cold bodies of water for charity. Though the more she thinks about it, the funnier it would be. Now, however, she’s left with trying to explain the concept to someone else. His remarks about the polar bear has her laughing though she does her best to reign that response in, “well, we’d have to borrow the polar bear from a zoo in Boston but I’ve been assured that it’s completely harmless as long as it doesn’t have cubs to protect and is not on the starve day of the week,” she pauses here, waiting to see if Jefferson has a comeback.

Jefferson narrowed his eyes at Brie. He didn’t know her well, or actually not at all, but he was fairly certain he was being fucked with. Somehow, this was not at all what he’d expected to hear from the tiny wool shop owner. 

Leaning over the counter, he propped his chin up in his palm and a smirk crossed his face. “Excellent idea. Very creative. I’ll rent the truck, but we’ll have to do a ritualistic sacrifice so it doesn’t eat any small children. We do actually want to raise money, right?”

Unable to contain the laughter another moment, he righted himself from leaning and let out a loud, “Ha!” and grabbed the pan and the bacon and headed for the stove. Figuring out the knobs, he rotated a few until he found the proper burner.