The apprehension that had built up within herself dissipates at his response which was only explainable in a way that was so wholesome and entirely Ted. Tension leaving her whilst her heart welled, her shoulders started shaking with that in-between sensation of not knowing whether to laugh or cry at the sheer hilarousity that he was asking about her wellbeing when he was in direct line of fire. Typical, typical Ted. Sighing heavily and melting into their embrace, a sensation that she hadn’t had the opportunity of experiencing for a lengthy time (without anyone to blame but herself, surely), she was shocked at her reluctance when he stepped back. Without much of a moment for relapse, she was greeted by two dogs, one familiar, and one less. Of course Rosie had grown a ton, as when she last saw her, she was a babe. Stepping in, she awaited until the pups returned inside, she tried to collect herself while bending down during her reunion with Pamela. The sensation of guilt had settled in her stomach, still uncomfortable as if she should not be here, because of what she did. “Hi Pam, oi– now now. How are you? I’m sorry, don’t be mad. I’m sure Ted’s taken good care of you, yes?” She smiled sadly, not wanting to implicate anything despite the fact that the husky didn’t comprehend everything she was saying, because well. English.
“Of course I’m safe, but the better question is are you?” Giving him an all-over look, her eyes narrowed skeptically. She could put a bet on that fact that Ted was likely more worried about everyone else in the vicinity rather than himself, and then return home to find some gaping wound- she wouldn’t put it past him. “Don’t tell me that you’re fine, how are you actually feeling?”
She didn’t mean to be so blunt. She had half the mind to ease her personality back into this scenario, but for someone she’d known for such a long period, there was no need to have any false masking with their interactions- Ted would likely call her out on it if she did such a thing anyway. The dogs were still lingering about, and she found herself glancing back at Pamela often. “And I would like to apologize for showing up out of the blue. Owls are still shellshocked, and texts aren’t going through as far as I know,” Andromeda turned back to face Ted, unable to finish her sentence with that she was glad to see him alive and well, letting that remain unspoken. She didn’t know what he was up to, other than when his name would get dropped in conversations she’d overheard. His life could have entirely switched around in the time they’d been apart. He could’ve possibly moved and she’d be none the wiser. How does one apologize for dropping off the radar, yet still be selfish enough to wish she’d kept tabs on him? It was something that was not possible. The clean cut sever was nearly less painful than the routine others did, being an arm lengths apart but not maintaining the same relationship. Maybe they’d have the chance to talk about that one day, but it was still too early to determine if that would arise today.
“If you’re busy, I can stay briefly and show myself out,” allowing both of them the respectful option of letting her out without an uncomfortable scene. It wasn’t natural for her to be this guarded again around him, but the reversion was again, her fault. She would deserve whatever came her way. Moving around the home, she set her belongings to the side, where she’d always dump her jacket and book bag on the chair out of habit. “If you’re not busy, I wouldn’t mind a kettle of tea.”
It wad hard, the familiarity blanketing around her was nearly suffocating, but the time in between could not be erased.
Andromeda was the ocean. Beautiful. She looked calm like the ocean but could easily conjure up a storm, and yet nurtured more life than anyone could see. In many ways, Andromeda saved Ted when he was nothing but a shell of himself after so many years being yelled at and bullied. “I feel like I was run over by a truck, but I’m alive, and that alone is enough to make me feel like a million bucks, it’s nothing I can’t handle,” He reassured her with a small smile but a tired face. He really could use a nap right now, but he’d lose all sleep he had left for the chance to see her again, like this, once more.
How cruel, he thought as she entered the house. She moved about the house like it was hers, like she belonged here, and the house accepted her as if she was the missing puzzle piece it’d been missing. How cruel that to Ted it was what he knew so well, she walked in and placed her belongings where she always had and Ted couldn’t help but think of all the times she had done the same thing as they built a life. The truth weighed on him despite it being all in a small red box in the back of his closet. Even now he looked at her and his heart that he’d closed off in a box from loving more than he should rattled the cage and asked to be let out and scream about love and it’s splendor and yet he just chuckled as he walked into the kitchen and moved to put on a kettle. He hadn’t known how to make tea until Andromeda came into his life. Into his home. Into his heart. “I’m off work today and I have no plans, so I’m more than happy to catch up with you,” He said and he tried his best to sound like his heart wasn’t beating out of his chest and at the same time crumbling into pieces.
“It’s been a while,” He said as he looked for the different teas he owned. He didn’t like tea, but... even now he bought them, someone always came here and asked for it. Yet, he kept hers, her favorite, always stocked up just in case. “And... don’t apologize for coming, wherever I am, you’re always welcome,” He said and he didn’t intend for his voice to sound vulnerable and honest, he heard it between his words - wherever I am you have a home.
He clutched onto the counter as he turned to look at her, leaning back on the marble stone to keep himself from running to her, hugging her. His heart screamed, why? Why did you leave? Didn’t you think of the heart I had to mend when you left? Why did I need to be the understanding and bigger person? Why couldn’t you love me enough to stay? Why...? Why am I never enough? But he said nothing of the sort. “How have you been...? I...” I’ve missed you. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you again, but with the attack it sort of... derailed things, are you... feeling better?” He asked and he begged Merlin that she’d answer truthfully. That she wouldn’t show him the mask she often wore, he’d be able to see it and it’d break his heart even more to know he was no longer worthy of seeing who she truly was, but then again, time did that. Pushed people apart no matter how much they wanted to be together.