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dantezabini:

“Most things I do piss him off,” Dante replied, rolling his eyes again. Truthfully, Dante did a lot of the things he did mainly to annoy his father. He thought it was only fair considering everything Dorian had done to him over the years, plus he found it amusing to see how far he could push him. 

“Oh yeah I did, a couple of years ago. I want to get more but I haven’t decided what to get yet,” he said, pulling off his shirt. He turned his back to her, using his left had to point at the stag tattoo on his right shoulder. “My patronus is a stag,” he explained, turning his head slightly to glance at her over his shoulder. “What do you think?”

Eris grinned with a small chuckle. “I’m very proud.” she teased. It was true in any case. If he was getting upset over long hair and a tattoo she had no sympathy for him. Their father deserved a lot worse.

“We should get one together.” Eris suggested. She watched as he raised his shirt over his head, her eyes straying down to his chest for a few seconds longer than she should have. She looked at the tattoo of the stag, her hand reaching up to trace it slightly. “It’s beautiful. I love it.” she said, smiling at him.

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dantezabini:

“Good,” he said with an approving nod and a quick grin. In Dante’s opinion, anything that annoyed their parents was a good idea, even the little things.

Dante rolled his eyes but let her teasing slide, more interested in hearing about what she had been up to recently than teasing her back. “Mm, definitely a good decision,” he agreed when she spoke about joining the ballet troupe. While he enjoyed hearing about everything she had done over the years he couldn’t help but feel both sad and annoyed that he had missed it all, through no fault of his own.

He laughed at her dating tales, smiling fondly at his sister. “Wise move.” He shrugged slightly when he asked about his life. “Not a lot of any interest. I didn’t have any sightseeing to do or ballet troupes to join,” he said with a small smile. “It’s been.. fine. Hogwarts was just the same as you remember it. Dad’s just the same as you remember him, I’m taller than him now though. I think that annoys him even more than my tattoo. He’s been pushing me to marry, other stuff too but I just avoid him as much as possible which makes it hard for him to tell me to do anything. And he works way more since you two left so he’s rarely home anyway. It’s not so bad,” he finished with a shrug, quite sure this was the most he had talked in one go in a long time.

Eris listened attentively as he talked. He could have been talking about the weather and she would have been engaged. It was almost strange how much she’d missed simply talking to him. She was both angry and sad they had missed out on so much time together. She’d already made up her mind that she wouldn’t go back to Paris. The twins would figure something out. Maybe they could just live out in this treehouse.

Eris laughed about their dad. She hadn’t missed him at all. And anything that annoyed him  was great “I bet that pissed him off. Wait a second, you got a tattoo?” she raised her eyebrows “Show me!” she said excitedly. 

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dantezabini:”

“You’re so small,” he replied with a small laugh, looking down at her with a smile. He had been taller than her when they last saw each but had missed his big growth spurt, even if her height hadn’t changed she now seemed so tiny to him. He couldn’t help his grin when she mentioned his hair, nodding slightly. “My hair pisses Dad off immensely, he comments on it as often as he can.”

“I know,��� he said softly, “So did I. I can’t believe you’re here.” He looked down at her again, almost as though he couldn’t believe his eyes. He had spent everyday for five years wondering when he would see her again, it felt surreal that she was finally here. “Come in, tell me absolutely everything you’ve done over the years. Even if you said it in your letters, tell me again.” He pulled away, taking her hand instead as he lead her back into the treehouse and sat down on the floor.

Eris laughed with him. She hadn’t grown at all since she’d last seen him. “Of course he does.” she said of their dad. “I pissed Mum off a lot with my clothing choices.” It was their own way of silently rebelling against their parents. 

She held his hand tightly, following him into the back of the treehouse and sat with him. “Absolutely everything? Like when I woke up, went to the bathroom..” she trailed off, teasing him. “Beauxbaxtons was interesting. Everyone there looks like they were sculpted from clay. But overall not too different from Hogwarts. Same cliques shit. I joined the Parisian ballet troupe. Half because I wanted to and half to get away from Mum. And it was obviously the best decision ever because it meant I could come here and see you.” She said, smiling warmly at him.

“Mum kept trying to set me up with suitors, and since I couldn’t outright refuse them I just made sure our “dates” went horrible enough that none of them wanted to marry me.” She grinned proudly. “I did a lot of sightseeing - again, partly because I wanted to and partly so I could get out of the house.” She sighed softly “What about you?

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dantezabini

Dozens of questions raced through Dante’s head as he waited for his sister, each one worrying him more than the last. He refused to believe that things would be awkward between them not only because it would mean their parents had won, but also because it would break his heart. Even when she wasn’t by his side Eris was always what kept him going. 

Dante was still drumming his fingers lightly on the wall when he heard his name being called out. And just like he had hoped, he still recognised her voice instantly. It had changed slightly but he still knew straight away that it was Eris. He pushed off the wall and took the few step to the door, pushing it open to wait for his twin. “Eris,” he replied once he spotted her, a grin spreading over his face and all worries forgotten. 

He bent down and held out a hand to help her as she reached the top, taking every moment in carefully. He hugged her back tightly, his eyes shutting as he rested his head on top of hers. “Hey there, Rosa,” he murmured back, kissing the top of her head. His worries all seemed so stupid now. He didn’t feel in anyway awkward or unsure, he felt whole again. In just these few seconds Dante was already the happiest he had been since he saw her last. “Merlin, I’ve missed you,” he whispered gruffly. 

Eris teared up slightly at the sound of her nickname. Dante was the only person in the world who called her Rosa. “I’ve missed you so much.” She murmured, holding him as if she was afraid to let go. All her anxieties melted away, and it felt as though a part of her soul had returned to her. Being apart from her twin had felt unnatural, and now it was like the world made sense again.

After a moment, she pulled away slightly, if only so that she could see his face. “You’re so tall” she said, laughing lightly “And your hair:” She moved her hand to run her fingers through a lock. There were so many things she wanted to say, she didn’t know where to begin. “I thought about you every day. I wasn’t allowed to talk about you but Mum couldn’t stop me thinking. Where you were.. what you were doing.. If you were safe...”

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dantezabini:

When you’ve spent fifteen years with someone quite literally at your side almost every second of the day, it was quite a shock to suddenly have them taken away. When his parents had first told the twins that they were going to separate them Dante had assumed they would still see each other. If not often at least for special occasions— Christmas, their birthday, even pureblood events. But the years went by and the closest Dante had come to seeing his sister was a few pictures she had sent over the year. He never stopped asking to see Eris (despite the punishment it got) but he was never allowed.

The house he lived in had never really been a home but now it was even worse, now it was like a prison. So, Dante acted out and stayed at home as little as he could, avoiding his Father by any means necessary. And if he couldn’t avoid him, annoying him instead. 

Now though, things were finally starting to look up. For the first time in years he was finally going to see his twin again. Dante got to the tree house much too early, refusing to be late in case she had to leave before he got there.  He leaned against a wall in the treehouse, tapping his fingers by his side while he waited for her. For the first time in his life he felt almost nervous at the prospect of seeing Eris.

A nervous energy filled Eris as she walked to the treehouse. It had been so long, what if everything was different now? What if he didn’t show up? What if it was too weird? Her heart thudded in her chest as she approached the treehouse. At first, she thought she was the first to show up. But then she could see movement in the treehouse.

“Dante?” she called his name like a prayer on her lips. Anytime she’d said his name back when she was with her mother it had gotten her into trouble. To say it now was a joy and a relief. As she got closer she knew that it was him up there and not some random kid who’d taken over their treehouse in their absence.

Eris climbed up, her lips breaking out into a smile when she saw him. He was much taller than her, and his hair was a little longer. But it was him, and Eris could barely contain her joy. “Tay” she whispered, and without further warning embraced him tightly

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It was 5 years ago that her mother and father had decided that Eris and Dante needed to be separated. They were, in her parents’ eyes, too close. It was toxic, unhealthy, disgusting. Eris still remembered all the words they’d used. So Eris would move with her mother, and Dante would stay with his father. 

They moved to France, and Eris attended Beauxbaxtons for her final years of school. A country she loved became one she loathed. It didn’t matter what friends she made. She felt entirely alone. The few letter exchanges the twins were allowed became a small comfort, and they used their own little language so that Amira and Dorian wouldn’t catch on.

It was only when her mother fell ill, and Eris’ ballet troupe was to perform in London, that she found her chance. She slipped away after the show and found herself walking back to their old secret treehouse, where she’d told Dante she would meet him.

@dantezabini

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“We’ll figure it out, one step at a time, we’ve got time now,” He promised her as he took her hand in his and the touch was so familiar that for the first time in months Bertram felt home. How simple, a simple touch could carry so much weight for him in his heart. “I understand, I wish it was different, but knowing you answered, it makes me glad I didn’t give up and kept writing the letters,” He said softly as he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, and he couldn’t help but chuckle a little. “We’re tied together, the red string of fate, have you heard of it?” He asked has moved her hand to his lips, not kissing it, just feeling her warmth, her touch. It’d been too long. Far too long.

“We do, we can figure it out.” Eris agreed, smiling softly at him. She looked down at her hand in his - it had been strange to miss something so simple as this touch, but it meant everything to her. She nodded “An Asian belief, that soulmates are tied together by an invisible red string.” she remembered. “The string may stretch, but it never breaks. It is kind of fitting” She said softly, closing her eyes as he touched her lips with his hand. It’d been far too long since she’d felt his warmth against her skin.

an unexpected reunion

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“Trust me that last thing I want is space or time, I’ve had enough of it and missed enough as is,” He said as he took a step closer to her. He wanted to touch her, cup her face in her hands, make sure it was real. “Well, we’re sharing that much, I also feel it’s very much like a dream… I’m not going anywhere but I do need to know where to go from here…” He said as he motioned for her to move with him as he sat on the couch. 

“I… I want to be a part of this, and I don’t know where we stand, you and me I mean,” He said as he hesitated, “But I don’t want to miss anything when it comes to the baby, and I want to help in any way I can… I don’t want to be a block away, I’d like to stay somewhere together, or at least if it’s okay with you I’d like to see if there’s any open apartments here and be just a couple floors away…” He said as he ran his hand up and down the back of the couch, he always fiddled whenever he was nervous. “I want to be here, for both of you, you know my life has been yours since I met you Eris, that hasn’t changed, and going to Seattle was to better myself to make enough money so I could give you the life you deserve, that both of you deserve,” He said as he looked at her, his eyes sincere. 

Eris followed him to the couch, taking a seat beside him, sitting only a few inches apart. She listened to him intently and when he finished she instinctively reached out her hand and placed it over his. “I don’t know where we stand either, but I do know that I want you here, with me - with us. You could stay here, if you wanted. I want you close too... for the baby, and well.. for me.”

She bit her lip “I thought about you every day Bertram. I read all your letters. I would sometimes read them aloud so that the baby would almost get to know you I guess. And I know I never sent any replies but that doesn’t mean I didn’t write them. I replied to all your letters, I just never had the courage to send them.” she sighed softly “My heart has always been yours Bertram, and that’s never going to change”

an unexpected reunion

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“It’s the least I could do. Mom said to never show up empty handed to anyone’s home,” He said as he smiled sheepishly at her as she stepped out of the way and he walked inside. Bertram had never been to the Zabini Manor but he imagined it was a lot larger than this, this felt so much like… Eris. Not grand, but elegant, not with a crazy amount of decor but decorated enough where it was her in every detail. What would the apartment look like if he had stayed? If he lived here? Would it be them? Him? Some parts her, some parts him? He couldn’t help but wonder, and the thought left a stinging pain in his chest as he set down the bag of sweets in the kitchen counter. 

“I… I honestly don’t know what to say… Or do here,” Bertram said as he stood awkwardly in the apartment, his hands fiddling with the bottom of his shirt. “I’m not sure how I… fit in, anymore,” He admitted as he looked at her, he hoped he didn’t look as lost as he felt. “I am back, I’m not going anywhere this time, that much I can promise, no matter how much we fight or disagree, I’m not…” He said stopping, I’m not my father, he thought. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Eris closed the door behind him and followed him inside. Looking at him standing in her flat left her feeling equal parts sad and happy. Every day he was away she wondered if she’d done the right thing by not telling him. She wondered what the last six months would have looked like had he been here with her, how much easier the whole pregnancy would have been having him by her side.

She bit her lip as he spoke, waiting for the ‘I can’t do this’ to come out, but it never did. “It’s a lot to take in. I don’t... I wouldn’t blame you if you needed time, or space.” she said softly. She rested a hand on her stomach, mostly to stop herself from fiddling with her fingers. “I’ve missed you so much. Seeing you here... it feels like a dream. I’m worried any second I’m going to wake up and you’ll be gone.”

an unexpected reunion

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

The rest of his shift was a blur, a lot of paperwork, meeting people, and seeing his new office. Once he had changed into his regular clothes, taking Eris’ address out of his pocket before he headed out that way. He was very muggle about things like this, walking over rather than just apparating, and either way he needed that time to think. It had been almost six months exactly since he left, and the last thing he thought he’d be coming back to was to was a pregnant Eris. He thought he would have to face her eventually, patch things up after the explosive fight that lead to him leaving so abruptly, but he had apologized in letters that went unanswered, maybe she was too upset. Knowing Eris, though, she probably was just avoiding telling him about the pregnancy, as she said, he would have come without hesitation. He understood her motives, but it still got him angry whenever he thought of all the time he had missed. 

Still, they had to see where things went, he didn’t want her to think he was just here or with her because of the baby, their baby. It was still a shock, it sounded surreal. He hadn’t quite fully processed it yet, it felt like a dream, one of those odd ones. And yet, here he was, knocking at her door not knowing what to expect of the future he had planned out when he returned. 

“Hey,” He said softly as she opened the door, those dark locks of hers draping over her shoulder, framing her beautiful face, making his heart skip a beat. How could she still be so beautiful? Usually people remembered people better than they were in their mind, more beautiful than they were, when they missed them, and yet, Eris was somehow more beautiful than he had remembered in those months away. “I… I didn’t know what you liked anymore so…” He said as he raised a bag of different sweets and savory things. “Yeah…”

Even though she was expecting his arrival, Eris’ heart thudded in her chest as she opened the door. “Hi” She said and smiled, looking up at him, resisting the urge to embrace him immediately. She’d missed him so much - there’d never been any question of moving on because there was no one else for her. And even after all this time he still gave her butterflies.

Eris glanced at the bag of treats “Hormones have my taste buds all over the place, but I see some things in there I like. Thankyou.” she said. She realised she was still standing in the door way, “Oh uhh come in.” She moved to the side to let him in. “

an unexpected reunion

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On this time I can make it right With one more try Can we start again?

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“I understand, don’t worry,” Bertram said with a soft smile in her direction, and he did. As much as he hated it, he did. 

Bertram nodded once, taking the paper with a touched look on his face. “I wouldn’t miss it, we have a lot of catching up to do,” He said as he put the paper in his pocket. “Be safe… Please.”

Eris smiled softly back at him, a warmth in her chest she hadn’t felt in quite some time. “I will. I’ll see you later Bertram.” she said and made her way to the door. With a final look at Bertram, she headed off back home.

~~~

Once home, Eris had tried to process everything that had happened. She went to her bedside table, pulling out two bundles of letters. One was all the letters that Bertram had sent her, The other, was all the replies she’d written but never sent. Her heart felt heavy. Life had torn them away from each other. Now they had been given the chance to reconnect, and Eris viewed the future with uncertainty. What if things were too awkward? What if there was too much hurt to move past?

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and she left the bundles on the bedside table. Heading downstairs, she approached the door with excitement and anxiety. If there was a chance they could be together again, like a family, she had to take it. She opened the door.

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“Still… I would’ve liked to known sooner,” He mumbled knowing she was right, and it was caring and selfless, which was how she’d always been with him. And he loved her for it and there was no point in arguing now, it had already happened. 

“Well I’m here, whatever you need,” He said softly as she took his hand and placed it on her stomach. His eyes were filled with wonder, and tears stung them as he caressed her belly and smiled softly. His heart ached in the most wonderful way, filled with love and worry and expectations. “Hi there little one, your mom’s a butt who didn’t let me come see you earlier, but I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere, and I promise, I’ll teach you all the things mommy says are dangerous,” He said with a smirk as he looked up at her. “Just don’t tell her I did,” He whispered as he kissed her stomach and sat back up. “C’mon, you’ve… you’re all good to go home.”

“I know, and for what it’s worth I am sorry.” Eris said earnestly. It had broken her heart not tell him, just as it had broken her heart to let him go. But there was no easy option. 

She watched as he touched her stomach, giving him a soft smile. Her baby was going to grow up with a mother and father and for that alone she was happy. She laughed lightly as he talked about teaching the baby dangerous things. To see Bertram so joyous, was a beautiful thing. 

Eris looked from her stomach to Bertram. “Yeah I should.” She agreed. She stood up from the bed, taking a pen and paper from her bedside table and scribbling something down. “Here” she said, handing the paper to him. “That’s where I’m current;y staying if you want yo visit after your shift.”

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bertram-healer-of-hearts

The words finally came out and Bertram looked up at her, confusion and hurt in his eyes. “I guessed as much when I saw you… I know how long I was away, and it doesn’t take a genius to figure it out, not to mention figuring out time of conception is part of what I do,” He said as he looked into her eyes. “Why… why didn’t you tell me? I would have been back as soon as I knew, been here for all of it, not just… now… Not that I want to impose, but if it… I’m… It’s half of me too, Merlin Eris… You’re pregnant!” He said as he moved back on his chair and ran a hand through his dark curls. “Oh shit… I’m going to be a dad, shit I AM one already, sort of… I’d like to, be here for you and him, I mean, or her, I don’t know,” He said quietly as he looked away, his cheeks heating up.

“W-where are you living? How have you been? I mean there’s so many questions I don’t know where to start… C-can I?” He asked as he moved his hand towards her belly, hesitant and shy but he wanted to feel her and their child so much. This… this was not what he imagined this would be like.

Eris knew this was coming, and she swallowed. “Exactly. I found out 3 months after you’d left. You would have dropped everything and come back, which would mean giving up your opportunity to be a doctor. I mean, look at you - I heard what Flennigan said. You’re like one of the youngest doctors here. You would have missed that. I couldn’t do that to you Bertram. It’s your dream.” 

She smiled slightly at his excitement. “Of course I want you to be part of this. It’s as much yours as it’s mine.” She looked down at her hands. “I’ve got an apartment, Dante lives close too. But yeah... it’s been tough... without you.” She nodded at his question. “Yes, of course you can.” She said, taking his hand and placing it on her stomach. 

an unexpected reunion

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

“If you want me to put you in better hands, I’ll understand,” Flennigan said as he took Eris’ chart from Bertram and looked between the two. “I promise he isn’t bad though, how about you finish up here while I go… somewhere,” He said as he waved his hand and winked at Bertram on his way out and took Selina with him, shushing her protests as he closed the door behind them.

“So..” Bertram said awkwardly as he pulled a chair close to where Eris sat and sat in it. “You’ve… grown since I last saw you,” He said, mentally slapping himself. “Sorry that was… of poor taste… Uhm… Is it… I… I don’t know where to start, Merlin has a really sick sense of humor…” He said as he looked at her stomach, his hand fiddling on his lap, as his eyes looked back at her face. “H-how are you? I mean besides… Pregnant… Oh god, I’m going to be sick…” He said as he leaned his head between his hands on his lap, completely bent over. 

Eris chuckled awkwardly as he began to make light conversation, and in a very Bertram manner, probably would have offended her had she not known him. But before she could even respond he was bent over. “Hey, I’m the one who’s supposed to have the nausea.” she said jokingly, trying to lighten the mood. She hoped he wasn’t going to actually be sick - it would probably set her off as well.

She sat up properly, one hand on her swollen belly. “I’ve been uh... alright. Although the whole pregnant thing has been my main priority.” She fiddled with her hands awkwardly “There’s no... easy way to say this. So I’m just going to come right out and say it.” she started, taking a deep breath. “The baby... It’s yours Bertram.”

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bertram-healer-of-hearts:

Bertram just stared like a fool, his heart racing almost as fast as his head was. She was… She was pregnant? With who? Since when? Was she really pregnant or was this a joke? It wasn’t his, was it? 

And just like that Bertram began counting back weeks and months in his head looking down at his hand as he used his fingers to count and looked back at the chart. 

Approximately six months.

Yeah, those eggs were definitely coming back for seconds. 

Flennigan meanwhile chuckled, unaware of the crisis Bertram was in just a few steps behind him. “Well that’s common, just try to rest, lay down as much as possible, try to get that brother of yours to do everything for you, right now is the time to be pampered as much as possible,” He said as he moved his wand over Eris’ stomach. “As for going home, you should be good to go soon, everything looks normal, are you sleeping well?”

“Healer Aubrey, are you alright?” Selina asked as she put a hand up against his forehead as he snapped out of his trance.

“Hm? Oh! OH! YEAH! I’m fine,” He said as he looked at the green eyes of the woman who was touching his face as if to check his temperature.

Flennigan as this point looked up at Bertram and Selina. “Dear, stop touching the boy all over, we know you’re all excited about a new younger hot boss but try to keep it on your own time,” Flennigan teased, making the younger healer blush and step back. “Are you alright, my boy? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost, or worse.”

Bertram who was completely unaware of everything that was happening around him had come to two conclusions at this point. Either a) Eris had cheated on him while he was still here, or b) That child inside Eris was his.

“I’m fine,” He croaked out, swallowing back those damn eggs that kept fighting back. “Miss Zabini, pleasure,” He said as he stepped forward and smiled at her.

“HA! Pleasure, that’s what lands all of them in this place, isn’t it?” Flennigan joked as he put his wand away. “I promise, he’s a lot better healer than he looks right now, first day back on the job hits us all, don’t you think?” He said as he pat Bertram on the back.

“Right, sorry,” Bertram said a she looked at the chart. “Right so everything looks good, good weight, good size, development is going well, seems like you’re both… perfectly healthy, which is good, and you come in every other week, which is great, because so many things can happen and… Uh…” He said looking up at her from beneath his curls. 

Damn.

He loved her still, didn’t he? Those big round eyes filled with much surprise as his, perfectly shaped lips, a rounder face probably due to the pregnancy, but she was glowing, and he couldn’t help but stare and feel those pesky butterflies in his stomach all over again. 

At this point Eris just wanted to tell Flennigan to shut the fuck up. When they’d first met, his odd sense of humour had been endearing. Now it was just fucking annoying. The hormones maybe. She nearly glared daggers as Selina touched Bertram’s forehead. How dare she put her hands on Eris’- 

But Bertram wasn’t hers anymore. She’d let him go.

She watched as he stepped forward, the gears in his head turning. Surely he knew, hence his reaction. Sure Bertram has his moments where he could be a little slow on the uptake, but this wasn’t too hard too figure out.

Unless he thought she’d cheated on him. Or moved on incredibly quickly. Neither of which were true. 

Eris forced a smile, nodding as he ‘introduced’ himself to her, and watched him ramble on. Her smile became genuine then - she’d missed this. Missed his adorable little ramblings when he was awkward or embarrassed. 

His hair was a little longer, just as she liked it. But other than that he looked completely the same. Sun-kissed skin, freckles like stars, the softest of smiles. She’d never stopped loving him, even if he’d probably moved on. After all she never replied to his letters - well, never sent any. How could she? If she told him she was pregnant he would have dropped everything to be with her again. And she knew he couldn’t miss the opportunity he’d been given. It just didn’t feel right sending letters when she was keeping something from him. So she never sent the letters back. Sometimes, when she was alone, she would read them aloud, talking to her baby. 

“That’s... good” she managed to get out, biting her lip. “I’m glad everything’s in.. order.” She didn’t know what to say. It’s not like they could discuss anything in front of the others.

an unexpected reunion