I have often dreamed of a far-off place

Sixth Year Gryffindor transfer, previously homeschooled. After a lifetime spent waiting, I've finally found my adventure.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Now why would you say that if you’re going to make me wait an hour for them.

…oh. Oh. That’s— I mean— Oh! That’s… is that good? That’s… probably good, right? I’m sorry. This is a lame reaction. I just— that’s, uh… that’s what Sander’s been helping with. Lots of… quality time together, I bet. Fun. Sounds fun. Peppermint tea central.

Yeah? Well. Don’t forget this Sunday. I’m taking you on a date. Our first, unless you count that spectacular making out sesh we had after I asked you to be my girlfriend, which you definitely should, because I would like that precedent to be set for all future dates.

[an-unknown-chloe]

Patience is a virtue. Besides, aren't some things worth waiting for? But, here. You can have an air kiss to tide you over.

Well.... it's not bad? And I definitely won't be on the front lines or anything, so that part's pretty great. We don't really have time for peppermint tea, though, unfortunately, and I keep suggesting that we set up a weekly tea date, but you know Sander's too busy to allow himself basic bodily functions, let alone a moment of pleasure. Still, I haven't given up hope yet. 

Really? A real date? That's-- oh, goodness, I'm almost willing to kiss you now just for that, almost. What are we going to do? We won't have a lot of time, but I think it's going to be a sunny, beautiful day, and now that I've kissed you at midnight, I think I really should practice kissing you in the sunshine, just maybe.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

I really missed you, too. I think I missed you more than Sander, which is kind of a big deal, not that you’re allowed to tell him that.

I’m fine. I’m better, now that I’m here. When I was at home I felt… too comfortable. I mean, it was kind of… it was kind of almost nice, being the only child for a little while, because that’s literally never happened before, but when I knew that everyone else was here, working their asses off… I’m just glad I’m here now. Whatever.

How are you? How many heart transplants have you done so far? A lot?

[an-unknown-chloe]

I'm sorry it's less comfortable than at home, but... I'm really glad you're here, Lorcan. Like, you will be getting heart-stoppingly good kisses kind of glad.

Actually, I was placed in Research & Development. Your girlfriend is smart.

And it's sorta kinda fun, a lot of the time. I mean, it's also exhausting a lot of the time, and they yell at us when we get things wrong, but... all things considered, it's not so bad. And we get Sundays off to pretend like we're normal people again, although sometimes I forget to do that. It's just really easy to get caught up in all this stuff, you know?

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

…I… I told you, remember? I told you I wasn’t going to be a glass slipper guy and you said you wanted me anyway, and now you’re back to thinking I’m some… Chloe, come on. I’m… I like you. And I should’ve written you, obviously, of course I should’ve, but I really like you and I don’t know how to make a romantic gesture or else I would do that to show you how much I like you but you just… you need to trust me on this. lease. I like you. A lot. And I’m here now. And if you don’t want to kiss me for an hour, fine, but I’m not going to leave and then come back in an hour, I’m going to stay here. So you know. That I don’t just want to be around you when you want to kiss me. I want to be around you all the time.

[an-unknown-chloe]

I know you don't want to be with me just to kiss me. I know that. You wouldn't be here trying to understand my hysterical girl ranting if you didn't.

I really missed you, you know. Which is silly, maybe, but I did. How.... how are you? Are you okay? I feel like everything's changing so fast and I don't know which way to breathe anymore and-- Are you okay?

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

…wh-what?

Who… who said anything about being stupid, I— Are you mad at me? Listen, okay, I know I sort of dropped off the grid there, but I had to go home, I told you Sander wasn’t letting me enlist, but I’m back now, because, you know, who listens to their brothers anyway, so— so— you don’t… have to be mad at me. Anymore. And we can do that whole kissing breathless thing. Cause that sounds nice.

[an-unknown-chloe]

You were supposed to come back with the glass slipper. We danced and had the big romantic kiss, but then it was midnight, and you left, but you were supposed to come back with the glass slipper, so I would know that it wasn't just a dream, and that the pumpkin really is a carriage, and I don't know if I'm mad at you or myself or those-- those stupid fairy tales and--

And I don't want to kiss you right now. Well, I do, but I'm not going to. Maybe in an hour.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

….Ch-Chloe! H-Hey! It’s… you look… you… um.

….I’m… er. I’m back.

[an-unknown-chloe]

Lorcan. H-hi. Hi, I... wow, I had, okay, I had plans for this conversation, there's a speech, I wrote it down, and it did not include fantasies of running into your arms and kissing you and breathless and wow, okay, get a hold of yourself, Chloe, it's just the lighting--

I am not going to be your stupid Cinderella.

[lorcan-the-great-and-powerf-blog]

Ugh, okay, c'mon.

Like the house elves really had anything better to do. I mean, I’m assuming that they got sent away over here, because I have never met a house elf that prides themselves on making the driest meats and the limpest salads.

Or are they just supposed to be making the food this awful. I don’t get it. Aren’t we, like, prize pigs now? Shouldn’t we be getting fattened up for slaughter?

[an-unknown-chloe]

................................Hi.

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

I guess I’m pretty oblivious. But…well, you have Lorcan now. So. 

Sometimes. But sometimes I think the way I’m seeing the world is exactly the way I’m supposed to see it. Blurry and out of focus and all. 

I can too know it. Cinderella - at least, the way she’s usually thought of - wasn’t very brave. She just kind of sat around and waited for a fairy godmother to come and make her wishes come true, and a prince to come and carry her off, and that’s no you. You’re brave and bold and alive. Heck, you’re only here in the first place because you didn’t want to sit around and wait for life to happen to you. 

Yeah, well…I don’t think…I mean…well, for one thing, I thought I found my true love, and that turned out to be a total bust. And for another thing…I don’t know many princes who get teased and made fun of as much as I do. Did. Before the war, you know. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

Yes, I have Lorcan now. Except sometimes I worry that he was all make-believe, too.

I just didn't think love would be this hard, you know?

Which is silly, because love is the most powerful force in the world. Of course it's going to sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless and aching sometimes. Of course it's going to hurt and make you so dizzy you don't know whether you're flying or falling anymore. But I still think it's worth it. And I think, for the record, that you should try again someday, when you feel ready. When you meet the right girl. Because you're amazing, Sander, you are, and the best princes have flaws and struggles and secrets so deep that it's hard to whisper them even in the dark. That's why the Beast was always my favorite, you know. He's the most human. He's real. And you're real, too, you're one of the most genuine people I've ever met, and I just-- I just think it would be really unfortunate if you let yourself believe that you aren't a Prince anymore, that you aren't capable of being Prince Charming and happily-ever-after and everything to someone. That's-- that's all.

And anyone who teases you is clearly just jealous of your hair, obviously.

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

You really thought that?

I’m not much of an advocate for pretending to be happy. I think it’s pretty silly on its own right. If you’re just pretending to be happy, I think a lot of times that closes you off from being actually happy. But maybe it wasn’t a mistake, anyway. Maybe she was just making her own happy ending. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with that, either, you know?

Hey Chloe? You’re not a stupid Cinderella. And I’m definitely not a Prince Charming. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

Um, yes, I really thought that. How could I not? I kind of thought it was a little embarrassingly obvious, actually, but apparently not...

Sometimes I feel like all I've ever known is make-believe. The fairy-tales and the imaginary friends and the stories in my head... And there was happiness there, too, I think, but.... I don't know. I don't know. It gets blurry when I think about it too long. Do you ever feel like you just can't get reality to come into focus? Like you're looking at it through a camera you can't adjust, no matter how much you fiddle with the buttons?

Hey, Sander? You can't possibly know that. But thank you for saying it anyway.

And I have absolutely no doubts in the universe that you are someone's Prince Charming. And I would know. I've read a lot of fairy-tales.

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

Umm, I don’t know where to get peppermint tea…but we can drink, and pretend it’s peppermint tea, and pretend that’s truth serum. 

I don’t think he does, but hey, feel free to remind him. But I mean…I’m not anything special, really. I’m not like Lorcan. Everyone just gravitates toward him like he’s his own sun, you know? Not that it bothers me, really. I’m content to just be left by myself whenever, it’s fine. Gives me time to work on my projects and stuff. 

You know, I’ve always wondered whether Cinderella left her shoe there on purpose. So the prince could find her, you know? 

You had a crush on me? That’s crazy. There’s nothing to have a crush over. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

You are so silly sometimes, in all the best ways.

And of course I had a crush on you. You were pretty much the stereotypical storybook Prince Charming, come to life. Kind, sweet, charming, great smile, and you brought me tea, which is a sure sign that you're a good provider.

So would that make Cinderella smart or stupid? I mean, she left him a clue, but maybe-- maybe he would have found her anyway. If he was really meant to be her Prince, he would have found her anyway, right? And what if he's not her Prince? What if she left a clue for him, and she's not even supposed to be his Princess? What if they're all wrong for each other, but now there's this whole romantic glass slipper business, and they can't just not pretend to live happily-ever-after, because that would just look silly, wouldn't it?

I need Lorcan to come back and tell me I'm not a stupid Cinderella.

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

Yeah, well, I guess what people forget when it comes to guys like Lorcan is that Prince Charming is charming, not sincere. 

I’m sorry he’s doing that to you. You deserve a lot better than that. When I see him, I’ll tell him that. You deserve a real fairy tale. The best one. 

And it’s okay, I don’t mind. Secret time? I kinda like that you think I’m adorable.

[an-unknown-chloe]

Oh, I love secret time! Can we have peppermint tea and pretend it's truth serum?

You're so sweet, Sander. I hope your brother knows how very lucky he is to have you. Not that he's not wonderful in his own ways, but... I don't know, your kindness and-- and loyalty have always amazed me.

You know the real fairy tales had horrible endings? Suicides and deaths and happily-never-afters? I've always wanted to believe a Disney ending was in store for me, but I guess maybe that's a little silly, isn't it? Or maybe it's not, maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle. The Prince gives Cinderella her glass slipper in the end, but maybe there has to be a lot of smelly pumpkins in the middle. I hate pumpkins. And promises.

Secret time? I had the biggest crush on you the night I met you.

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

Oh, thank Godric. 

You think I’m adorable? 

Umm, I mean…yeah, yeah, he’s probably just busy. I’m sure he’ll be back around. Probably. He would be way dumber than I know he is to let you go. 

He promised he wouldn’t enlist. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

...........Yes? Oh, goodness, that's an insulting thing to say to a boy, isn't it? I promise I meant it in a good way, and that I think you're a very manly adorable.

Oh. Well, he shouldn't have made a promise that he wasn't intending to keep. And you're right, I'm sure he'll show his face soon, and wow us with stories of his marvelous and daring exploits.

I just thought my fairytale would feel different, you know?

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

Yeah, that wind. Such a, umm…you know. Such a jerk. 

Oh, you haven’t seen him either, huh? I know he’s around here somewhere but he must be hiding from me because he knows I’m going to kill him when I find him. I…well, to tell the truth, I don’t know what to say about Lorcan. He hasn’t historically been the most reliable but…I dunno. 

Oh, yeah! Great! It’s great. You’re great. I mean it’s great. The chapstick, I mean. It’s…great. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

I--I didn't really see anything, you know. So you don't have to be nervous around me, even if it is kind of adorable.

It's... a difficult time for everyone right now. I'm sure he just needs some space and time to process everything, and-- and it'll all work out in the end. He'll come back to us when he's ready, I'm sure of it.

And that's great; I'm glad you like it. You were right about it being the best flavor.

Wait, why are you going to kill Lorcan when you find him? Did you two have another fight?

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

You brought me a chapstick? 

That’s really nice. Especially with all the flying. General Songsteel thinks the greater surface area of my lips make them more susceptible to getting wind chapped so…

Umm…so, I heard about you and Lorcan. I, umm…congratulations. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

Well, that's very inconsiderate of the wind.

Oh. Thank you. But does it still count if you haven't seen him since the night he kissed you? Wait, no, that's a stupid question, ignore that. Um. Anyway, how are you doing, Sander? Oh, goodness, no, that's a stupid question, too. 

...........Do you like the chapstick?

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

[legendary-lysander]

Oh, geez, Chloe…umm, don’t look, let me get a towel or something…oh God. 

Hi. Umm…hi. Hi. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

Um, yes, a towel would be-- yes. You're dripping. On the floor. And of course I'm not looking.

Um. H-hi.

I just wanted to bring you a chapstick, in return for the one you gave me. I can just.... leave it here, or...?

[legendary-lysander]

Huh?

How long have I been in the shower? 

[an-unknown-chloe]

I, um, I'm not exactly sure, but it's generally a good idea to get out before the pruny raisin process starts.

[fuckyeahleightonmeester]

[adrianvanbeautiful-blog]

I wonder if any of the other institutes had to resort to this.

[adrianvanbeautiful-blog]

Only because there are an infinitesimal amount of reasons to justify.  Hm, yeah, perspective can be funny like that, huh?

I got drafted in as a Foot Soldier. Apparently they didn’t buy my story of being too mentally unstable to be much of help. Anyways, please, please, please tell me you’re a nurse, or I just might lose all hope of goodness in this world. 

[an-unknown-chloe]

Sex is very important to you, isn't it?

Oh, dear, I'm not a nurse, but please don't give up on the world just yet. I'm sure there will be lots of talented people there to help you, should you ever need it. They put me in Research & Weapons Development, which I feel a little guilty about actually finding kind of fun.

But... Foot Soldier. Wow. That's... are you nervous?