sincerely-yours-odette

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"You're always very friendly," Odette retorted with a fond smile. The comment about her knowing everyone made her laugh. "A lot of people, maybe, but not everyone... and besides, I meant anyone I know well." She was nodding along to Felix's list, but found herself turning back to her companion at his question. It was something in his expression, some far off sadness that tugged at her heartstrings. Odette spared a glance to the pair again, her head tilting as she considered them. "I think it would be hard for many people not to be attracted to Atticus... but that's not what Maxwell's face is telling me."

"Always." Odette couldn't help but join in on Felix's laughter as he gathered her meaning, nodding as she did. "Of course I do. There's no better way to loosen up after all... and besides, Hayden may have a stick up his ass by most people's standards but he's not dead."

"Very friendly tonight it seems." He said, stretching with a sigh. Considering her question, he pursed his lips. "Well...yes. You know everyone, love." He reminded with an impish smile. Sitting up a bit with much effort, he glanced around the ballroom. He pointed out a few, rambling off names. Then his sight landed on Maxwell and Atticus. "D'you suppose he fancies him?" He asked softly. "Maxwell...with Atticus I mean."

"Being gorgeous helps immensely." He conspired. The idea of what Odette was implying, made Felix burst into delighted giggles. "You mean they have sex? I can't even imagine Hayden having sex with anyone, let alone out little Ava."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Damn. You finally get laid and suddenly you become an anarchist, huh?"

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Quite a few? Someone's popular," Odette mused with a wink before casting a glance over at Maxwell where he stood sharing a drink with Atticus. "With anyone I know?" It was as subtle as she could dare to be, since it felt a bit mean to ask outright in Felix's drunken state. She turned back to him as he spoke about Ava and Hayden though, fondness taking hold of her expression even in the midst of the amusement. "She's perfect for him. Dutiful, strong-willed, loyal, opinionated, bold--and gorgeous, which never hurts." She nudged Felix's side as she leaned in almost conspiratorially, the cheekiness returning to her grin. "Well of course he's mellowed out. Ava's volunteered for... 'stress relief.'"

"Mmm..." He hummed sleepily. "I'll do just that, love. I think I've quite a few dances to get to." At Odette's suggestion, Felix's vision went hazy. Imagining plush couches galore. "He is pretty whipped for her, isn't he?" The very idea of Hayden being whipped for anyone made Felix so insanely happy he giggled like a madman for a few moments. "She's good for him, I'd say. He's mellowed quite a bit. He doesn't glare at me in disapproval so much anymore."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

Odette cast an amused glance down at Felix. Poor thing was drunk as a skunk, but in that very endearing way at least. "Maybe not the most advisable venture in that case. But do grab me for a dance later if you regain your sea legs," she joked. The question about the couch was unexpected and she had to truly hold back a laugh at the innocent wonder on his face. "Oh, don't give up so quickly. You just have to convince Ava to ask for you and then you'll probably find one in every room of the Institute. My poor brother couldn't deny her anything if he tried, even if he'll try to deny that fact till he's blue in the face."

Felix blinked out at the mass of dancers with a little curl to the side of his mouth. "Maybe later..." He murmured. "Right now I sort of feel like jelly." Laughing a little at himself, he ran a hand over the couch with fascination and appreciation. "D'you reckon Hayden would be open to getting some of these for the Institute?" He considered that a moment, then shook his head. "Nah...probably not."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Hello yourself cutie," Odette replied, perching herself on the arm of the couch beside Felix. "I'm surprised you're not dancing the night away."

Lounging on a Puffy Couch

Felix was pleasantly buzzed as he lounged on one of Magnus' luxurious couches. As someone approached, he glanced up with a sunny smile. "Hullo, love."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

The walk up the drive was lovely, even despite the cold. Everyone seemed to naturally gather into pairings or small groups amongst themselves, idly chatting as they finally came in view of the house. And it was gorgeous, to be fair. Andromeda in particular was excitedly beaming. "I see what you meant about it seeming quite removed from Chicago," Andromeda said to Gwaine, still taking the details of the building in.

As Ava ran up and opened the door, Odette couldn't help but laugh a little bit--both at the fact that she had that almost childlike excitement spilling forth, and at the fact that Hayden was playing the obedient boyfriend for the sake of Ava's absolute happiness. It was adorable, and Odette rejoiced in the fact that she knew Hayden's loving heart had remained for someone beyond her. "He's so whipped," she whispered to Finn as Ava pulled Hayden inside.

Andromeda blushed a bit--or a bit more than her chill-burned cheeks already allowed--allowing Gwaine to take her navy trench coat and scarf. Ash and Ember had been removing theirs already, but happily handed them off to Gwaine since he would know the lay of the land better than them.

Clara held back a laugh at the clear exasperation on Casper's face as he spoke. She was half convinced that Gendry might even be doing this for the sake of tradition in some odd way, but if it led to that oddly cute frustration from Casper, she'd welcome the tradition. She was called out of that line of thinking as he looked at her though, and found herself smiling in a more mischievious fashion as she walked over to him. "I suppose I could join you," she said, nearly up to the same step as him. "But I bet you I'll find it first!" And then she took off up the staircase in an all out sprint, laughing all the way.

Odette leaned into Finn's side as he spoke, mirroring his smile. "Mad house or fun house? I think both might be applicable," she noted as Casper and Clara disappeared upstairs in a faded flutter of laughter. "Not that either is a bad thing in this instance. I think it's fitting for this group we've gathered."

Andromeda looked up from her inspection of the decor in the entry hall as Gwaine spoke, taking his hand and following him into the kitchen.

Ash and Ember walked alongside Taryn, with all three looking around in an almost dazed sort of wonder. "You can say that again," Ash replied. Ember added on, "Nothing like this in Chicago normally."

Odette's laughter returned at the enthusiastic hug that Gendry gave Hayden, and she fully ducked her head into Finn's shoulder to try to muffle it until she heard her name again. She looked up then, smiling and waving her greeting to Gendry along with the others.

She joined Finn on his path to the dining table, leaning over to whisper to Hayden as they passed him. "Well played, H."

Andromeda pitched in by passing out the filled cups of punch as Gwaine prepared them.

Ember looked up at Gendry. "Is there anything else we can help with?"

Ash meanwhile seemed to keep their kinship with Taryn for the moment, leaning into whisper as Andromeda passed them their punch. "Down the hatch? Or are we savoring it?" She mused.

Christmas Day Magic

Ava linked her arm through Hayden’s as they headed up the driveway of Gendry’s home. It was a long drive, lined with trees that all had lanterns in them just waiting to be lit once it got dark. And the house at the end looked more like it belonged in the English countryside than the outskirts of Chicago. It was large and grand, made of buttery coloured stone and yet something about it looked homey. But maybe that was just her familiarity with it.

She heard Cameron whistle somewhere behind her when the house came into view. It was easily the biggest group they’d had going to Gendry’s for Christmas Day. She couldn’t help but smile at it. How their little family was growing. Pulling in partners and parabatais. Turning her head she smiled up at Hayden as they crunched over the snow.

As they reached the front steps she untangled herself from him, bounding up to the front door excitedly. I was a large wooden thing and currently sported a suitably sized wreath of evergreens and red berry’s. Placing her hand against the smooth surface she heard the click as it recognised her and unlocked. Turning back she took Hayden’s hand and pulled him inside, sparing a bright smile for Odette as she did.

“He’s lost the Christmas pudding,” Casper greeted them, walking into the entrance hall just as the door was closing behind them. Ava couldn’t help but laugh.

“Again?” Gwaine asked from where he was taking Andromeda’s coat. “That’s the third year in a row,” he commented. “Do you want me to pop your coats away too?” He continued, turning to Ember and Ash. Cameron joined to help him collect everyone else’s and hang them up under the stairs in a coat cupboard big enough to walk into.

“Well to be exact he can’t find the cupboard he put it in. It’s gone missing,” Casper noted, now starting to make his way up the grand staircase. “I’ve check everywhere downstairs, took me most of the bloody day yesterday. I’m off the try upstairs but I’m giving up in a hour cause I’m not missing everything for a bloody pudding. You wanna come?” This last question was directed at Clara.

“Welcome to the mad house,” Finn leaned down to whisper to Odette with a fond smile. Christmas at Gendry’s was his favourite. Homely, relaxed and more often than not just a little chaotic. The only thing missing was his parents and uncle.

“Come on, I bet there’s something hot and mulled to drink waiting for us,” Gwaine said walking back to Andromeda and then carrying on in the direction of the kitchen.

“I’ve never seen a place like this,” Taryn comment to Ash as they made their way through the house.

The kitchen was a large Victorian looking one. With a long wooden table down the middle of it, flag stone floor and a high ceiling. At the far end was a large range with Gendry stood at it stirring a giant pot of nonalcoholic mulled punch. He turned when he heard the group enter the kitchen, a beaming grin on his face. “Merry Christmas!” He said, abandoning the spoon which quickly disappeared into the dark red liquid, and hurried to greet his guests.

Ava did a little run to met him, giving him a massive hug. “Merry Christmas Gendry,” more hugs were exchanged with the ones who already knew him and then the introductions started. “This is Hayden,” Ava said gentle nudging him forward. Gendry was a hugger when it came to friends and if they were here today that’s what they were. Even if he’d never met them before. And so everyone got a hug. “And this is Odette, Andromeda, Ember, Ash, Taryn and Cameron,” Ava continued.

“Well welcome, welcome, one and all,” Gendry said, still smiling. “Who’s for punch?” He offered.

“Definitely me,” Finn said, seating himself at the large table. Gwaine went over to help pass out the cups, while Ava set to making some bucksfizz for those who wanted.

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"It's transfer proof, for your sake. At least... once it dries down," she explained, finishing up the last stroke of her fresh application before placing a red kiss imprint on Finn's cheek just below his mask. "Couldn't resist doing that though."

"Does that mean I'm also now wearing red lipstick?"

[sincerely-yours-odette]

Odette mirrored the smile from Ava. "I think you might be right. He is a real gentleman, isn't he?"

Ava laughed, giving Odette a beaming smile, "Funny, I was just thinking the same about you. Though I have a feeling Finn will definitely beat me to it,"

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Oh no you don't," Odette replied, catching Hayden's arm and tugging him towards the middle of the room. "You're dancing with me whether you like it or not."

“No.” He said before the question was even asked.

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Because if he doesn't marry you soon, I might have to," Odette replied, fanning herself at the sight of Ava.

"And why is that?"

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"The red lipstick is an absolute must if you ask me."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

Odette couldn't help but laugh a bit at the sight of poor Theo having been so easily disarmed. "That's bound to be a bit of an ego hit," she mused as she walked over from the corner. "But if you want to take a break from both of us kicking your ass, we'll allow it."

He got up after Taryn had moved, mumbling a sheepish sort of apology before he left the training room.

That only made Odette laugh again. "Poor thing. I hope he doesn't take it to heart. I think Cullen said his specialty lied more in ranged combat."

@ training room of the Institute

"Clearly dagger work is not you forte," she said after managing to completely disarm them.

[sincerely-yours-odette]

[sincerely-yours-odette]

Odette laughed a bit, a soft sound as she leaned into his touch. "Do you have a book of all the right things to say? It's uncanny, I must say," she teased, beaming up at him. Finn was truly already a master in comforting her, which was rather a feat in itself. "I could say the same about you, you know. My very own knight in shining sweatpants." She laughed again at her joke. "I love you so much."

His comment deepened the blush forming on her cheeks, because she was suddenly so very conscious of the fact that this wasn't some dream. It was real, and it was Finn. And that truth was just the thing she'd been wanting for so long. She shivered at the feel of his hands against her bare skin, heat being ignited in their wake. And for once she was almost certainly out of her element in some sense. Because this wasn't some spiteful conquest or a night of entertainment. This was the man she was in love with, who was in love with her. It was so unlike her to ever be flustered like this anymore, but her torso was a swarm of butterflies in terms of her nerves. So she allowed Finn to gently guide her, savoring in the feeling of his touch and his lips against her neck. When the backs of her knees hit the edge of the bed she gasped a bit, betraying her lack of composure even despite her initiating it all. "Might have to pinch me again," she mused, a callback to their initial confession in the hallway. "Or do something else to convince me I'm not dreaming."

His hand came up to cup her cheek at the question. He felt tears there and brushed them away with his thumb as he spoke. "You didn't do anything because you don't need to do anything to deserve me. You will never need to," he gave her a gentle smile. "You are wonderful Odette and you deserve love simply because you are you," And his love was something he would give her freely. Always.

The way she pulled him closer by his waistband, the slight brush of her fingers against his skin there, had his stomach muscles tightening. Reflexively his hands on her waisted tightened a fraction too. They bunched the fabric of her top a little and he suddenly needed to feel her skin under his hands instead. He smiled against her neck at her comment on not having a audience. "Thank the Angel for that," he murmured before pressing another kiss to her neck. His hands let go just long enough to run up under her top. Retaking their position on her waist without the barrier of the fabric. He turned them round and back her towards his bed.

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Well, you know most of it already. But I can give you a breakdown on all of the people if it's more helpful. They're all nice though."

"Don't be silly, you met Taryn, and that's a good reason to extend your trip. I like her, she seems feisty," Odette noted with a playful wiggle of her shoulders. "Hmm, if his brother is to be believed, we both were fairly obvious to everyone but each other."

"One I hope you'll catch me up on now so I'm not feeling completely lost in my own home," he joked.

Cameron wrapped her up in a big hug in return. He really had missed her. "Well I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner," the original plan had been for just a year away but then he'd met his now parabatai and it had been extended to two. "I would have enjoyed watching you fawning over this Finn I think," he teased.

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"That's okay. I'll be there for whatever it may be." And Odette meant that with every fiber of her being. Because her first duty on this earth was to support Hayden, and now she might be able to do that with his heaviest responsibility. That meant a lot to her. She listened to him intently, knowing that he was finally offloading at least in some ways and she was taking it seriously. She frowned a bit at the notion of something building, but she couldn't pretend that she didn't understand what he meant. Especially with the abrupt end to Magnus' party last night. That didn't bode well in the slightest. And each new recruit brought the feeling that it was some sort of reinforcement for an unspoken war. And maybe it was. "Well, if something is happening, it's good to have the extra help. We can take it in stride, H. Because anyone looking to act against us would go through hell and high water to do so. We're strong."

The fact that he was joking with her brightened her mood considerably, and she hugged him close again. "I'm very respectable, I'll have you know. How else could I scoop up such a gentleman," she teased squeezing his shoulders. She pulled back just slightly to look at Hayden again. "It's nice to see you happy though, I mean that. We all need a little happy lately."

He raised a brow at that. He didn't think Odette could ever help herself if a situation presented itself for her to be outraged by. But, he'd give her the benefit of the doubt, as he often did. On so many things. "There's a lot more to it. Than just going to meetings." He cautioned her. But the idea of having someone to share the misery with him seemed sort of comforting in a way. And Hayden never really accepted comfort very easily. "I just pulled Jamie and Kwan off active duty. Jace and Alec still aren't getting along. And something is going on with Felix and Bo. Plus all these new transfers I just...I don't know. Trying to make sense of it all. It just feels like something is stewing and I don't know what it is. But I have a really bad feeling its being aimed at us." It did feel good to get all of that off his chest. To confide it in someone. "I think it started in New York. Now it's just moving from Institute to Institute. Now all the nephilim are feeling caged and needing to get out and for some reason there's something about Chicago that seems to be drawing them here. It's not like we don't have the room. We do. It's more than that." He didn't know quite how to explain it though. This rising unease with each new transfer. Adding to his list of people he needed to care for and protect. He didn't mind it. Not really. He only feared he wouldn't be able to protect them all. "I don't know."

Hayden grimaced. Not because he didn't like the idea of Ava being that important to him. He liked it a lot actually. He'd had such affection for her from the very beginning though he'd never told Odette so. But he imagined she would have picked up on it. He was never quite as cold to her. Not quite as harsh. She got away with a lot of things no one else did. And while it felt like maybe he'd been wrong in that, he also kind of liked that it manifested in that way. Laughing a little at her assessment of him, he couldn't help but smile, bumping his shoulder against hers. "Thanks sis. You aren't so bad yourself. Though...now you've done it. You might actually be turning into a respectable sort. What with morals and the like."

[sincerely-yours-odette]

"Hey, I did do my best to keep you updated, but you've missed a bit of a rollercoaster lately."

Odette hugged Cameron then, laughing a bit. "You have no idea how much I needed your input in the last year too, but I think I did pretty well for myself even without your expertise," she pointed out as she pulled away with a grin.

@ the Institute

"A lot can change in two years it seems,"