blood traitor

Rose smiled a bit but didn’t say anything else. A part of her hoped that Landon would never get tired of her but another part of her was terrified of the possibility that he wouldn’t.

She looked at Landon as he talked about happy endings. She knew that with the war coming the odds of everyone getting out of this alive, healthy and unscathed were slim to none. People were going to get hurt, people were going to have scars and people were going to die. That was inevitable so if there was something that made you happy you should cling to it and never let go. She stayed quiet as Landon continued the story of the lyre. “That doesn’t sound much happier but I suppose for him it might have been. He stayed faithful to his wife and probably after not too long he joined her in the Underworld.” She said softly before debating if she should say her next comment. “Do you think you’ll get a happy ending? After the war and all of this?”

In the moments between her comments and those final questions, Landon spoke, offering a simple response about the story. “Told you it wasn’t much better. But, yeah, does continue to show is love, like how strong it is.” Then he went quiet again, giving the girl curled up beside him enough time to ask him about the future and the possibility of a happy ending for himself. It wasn’t a difficult question for him to answer, already having thought about it. Landon shook his head softly. “I never really saw myself as a happy ending sort of guy.” With his life being composed of the stresses of Blair and the judgments that came with her actions, happy wasn’t really a long lasting feeling for him. He was more the one with glimpses of it but it never really stuck. “I guess I just see it more for other people. I’d rather my friends be happy. They’d make better use of it.”

supernovafp-blog

Nova considered his suggestion, scrunching up her nose. “Er, I don’t know, doctors always seemed too distant for me. Maybe I’ll just be the friend who gives pep talks?” Plus doctors always seemed to mean that the person couldn’t do it on their own. Friends could just offer help when it might make things easier, like some of Nova’s friends had done. She laughed wryly at his words. “I know what you mean. Hopefully the potion will help.”

Nova chuckled at the sort of the things that improved Landon’s day. “Definitely. It’s the little things that make up a day.” Nova thought for a moment. She didn’t even know what sorts of things made her day. She nodded slowly, shrugging. “That makes sense. I’m just bad at talking about myself, I think. Compliments make me want to change the subject too quickly.”

hogwartslivingbreathingbice-blog

“Think you’re already that. We can always go ‘head and give you an official title for it. Pep Talk Friend Nova. Bit of a mouthful,” Landon said with a weak laugh. With eyes cast to the ground, he continued to trudge forward, beginning to make his way down a set of stairs towards the basement. “Yeah, definitely should. Just hoping after all this that stock I think I have is still there.”

Landon nodded his head. “Yeah, I don’t blame you. Do the same thing. I mean, there’s probably some compliments I’d take but, really, don’t like how they sort of put this attention on me.” With his sister and the headlines in the prophet, Landon got enough of that as is.

#c:nova

“Anytime.” Colin replied with another wink. It should’ve felt strange to be encouraging his roommate towards a girl he had shagged just a few nights prior. But they were both good friends of his and Colin was willing to do just about anything to assist in his roommate’s love life, if that was what he wanted. He shrugged at Landon’s question, pausing for a few moments before answering. “It’s been steady, I suppose. Nothing too serious. Just a bit of fun, here and there.”

#i literally stared at this for 5 min trying to think of more #this was all Landon was giving me lol #c:colin

“Is it just me or are you beginning to sound a bit like James?” Landon joked, cracking a smile at mention of their other roommate.

thevarsitylife

#fashion #inspo

Rose smiled a bit a soft hum slipping past her lips as Landon’s hand moved along her arm. She felt content and electrified all at the same time and it was a strange feeling. “You’re a fast learner Mister Rosier. It’s probably not best to argue with me.” She teased before looking up at Landon. “Though if it’s not something you want I needn’t do it.”

Rose watched Landon’s face as he tried to figure out what he wanted to say to her. Her eyes were slowly scanning his face as he talked before moving up to the stars. “They were so close to the happy ending they both so craved though.” She pouted a bit before looking at Landon again a small smile on her lips. “Though I suppose if he loved her so much he couldn’t keep his eyes off her- going from the Underworld to the surface would have felt like an eternity.” She said softly before glancing at the stars again when he said there was another version of the story. “I’d love to hear the other stories!” She smiled as she lifted her hand off his leg and began to trace the shape of the star. “Scorned women is probably as bad as it gets though. We women don’t really fancy being scorned.” She giggled.

“I think I can live with having my sweaters fixed,” Landon chuckled softly. “But promise, if I ever I don’t want it or whatever, I’ll let you know.”

Landon finally looked away from the stars, turning his head in towards hers, just getting a glimpse of her still nestled in beside him. “I think also, the story’s also saying that they weren’t meant to have that happy ending. Everyone wants one but not every one of us gets one. It’s just how fate works out. It doesn’t always make sense.” It was something that he knew that he, and many of them, would have to come to turns with as they started to enter the war. How life was now, he didn’t know how many of his classmates would get happy endings. Endings, those were guaranteed to happen. “Alright, I’ll tell you the other one but like I said it’s only a little better.” Getting ready, Landon licked his lips and turned to look back at the constellation. “According to Ovid, after losing Eurydice, Orpheus kept turning down all these women, rejecting their offers to get married. To get back at him, they all teams up and went after him with stones and spears. He managed to calm them at first, playing his lyre, but then there were just so many of them that their anger drowned out the sound of the music. They ended up stabbing him with their spears.” He took a breath, then pointed up at the stars. “The muses then put his lyre up in the sky.”

supernovafp-blog

Nova shrugged, questioning his judgment but accepting his decision. “Okay, if you’re sure. Though, we’ve all had ‘worse than this’, but it doesn’t mean you’re fine.” Nova paused, cracking a smile. “Hey, that was good. I’m going to have to use that again.”

She nodded slowly, catching on. “That’s actually pretty great. I think the little things are the things that make someones day.” She smirked, doubtful he could even see it in his current state. “Even if it’s a hangover potion your roommate brings you.” She looked over at him and beamed back. “It’s just strange. How do you react? Am I supposed to agree, or isn’t that arrogant?”

Landon smiled softly, listening to her small moment of self-reflection. “It was good. Ever look into like motivational speaking. That or a therapist. Doctor Nova,” Landon said, nodding his head. “I’m not fine, but I’m fine. I’ll manage.” The words felt true to a lot of how he was feeling lately, not strictly to hangovers.

“Yeah, like if you just stop and think about the small things of your day that make you happy. Food. Talking to friends. Hearing a good joke in the common room.” Landon paused to think about it, not too sure about compliments. His knowledge in that territory was lacking. All he had was his own personal feelings towards them. “I don’t think it’s arrogant if you’re humble about it. Agreeing is just being confident. It’s if you go on bragging that I think it starts getting into that arrogance sort of thing.”

#c:nova

Rose rolled her eyes a bit as she gently squeezed his hand. “You’re clearly a much better dueler than you thought.” She said softly taking another step towards Landon. “And I’ll bet you that you’ll win one more.” She smiled up at him before hearing her name being called to go duel again. “I could say the same for you. I like you much better when you’re not talking shite about yourself.” She grinned as she looked up at him. She knew she had to go to the next duel lest she loses by forfeit. “I’m being called to go up again so I just wanted to say thank you again for believing in me.” She said softly before quickly hugging him. As she was letting go she got on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before running back into the Great Hall for her next duel.

“I still wouldn’t consider it talking shite exactly. I just- I know who I am and what I’m capable of. It’s just the truth,” he said, shrugging his shoulders. Landon wasn’t sure if Rose would believe him. Even if he didn’t agree with her, it was nice to have someone there, being supportive even though they didn’t have to be. “Go on,” he said, jerking his head towards the door just before she stepped forward, giving him a quick hug. He hardly had a second to hug her back before it ended. The kiss to his cheek, that he hadn’t been able to respond to, too stunned. Landon could only respond by watching her turn, a smile on his face.

Rose smiled a bit before glancing up at Landon. She hadn’t even considered asking him if it was alright for her to curl up next to him. She was just so used to cuddling with her friends and family she forgot about other people’s personal space. “It’s probably best to fix the holes now then.” She grinned deciding that if Landon had a problem with her curling up next to him he would have said something. “You know so that come next winter you won’t have to worry much about the holes in your sweaters.”

A small pout appeared on her lips when Landon’s hand slipped out of hers. She was on the verge of moving away from Landon- taking his letting go as him saying he was uncomfortable -until he slid his arm around her shoulders. She gladly curled closer to Landon, drawing her legs closer to her body. One hand rested in her lap, her other- the one that had been holding his hand -rested on his leg. She listened to the story before moving her eyes from the stars to Landon. “That started off as a really nice story… you know up until Orpheus ruined it by looking back and losing the love of his life forever.” She smiled at him before looking up at the stars again. “Don’t any of these stories have a happy ending? You know something to look forwards to? To give people hope?”

“I don’t think that I’m going to win any argument with this, so, yeah, alright,” Landon said with a small nod, his hand on her arm absentmindedly sliding up and down in small movements.

He still had his eyes trained towards the sky, looking between the different stars of the constellation. The story played out in his head, imagined images. After a little bit, he finally spoke, his voice quiet, careful as he tired to transfer thoughts to words. “I think it’s easy to be mad at him. If you pause and think about it though, it wasn’t so much that he looked back at her but that he had to. They were right there and he was just so excited to have her back after all that heartache. He loved her. He couldn’t wait. His love just sort of... blinded him, you know?” Still contemplating it, his eyebrows were drawn together, focused on the shape of the starry lyre. “The Greeks liked their tragedies. If it helps, there’s another version of the constellation’s story. A few actually. It’s not exactly happy either, but it’s less bad. Does involved scorned women and spears.”

hogwartslivingbreathingbice-blog

Colin watched with curiosity as his roommate fidgeted across from him, obviously uncomfortable with the subject. They’ve had thousands of conversations before about the random-est of subjects, but Colin never really found the chance, or need, to inquire about Landon’s love life. “Understandable.” He nodded silently, a grin curling at his lips. “I don’t think anyone is in the position to start anything, nowadays. However, there’s nothing wrong with just being friends.” He replied with a wink.

“Don’t really think that’s quite my style,” Landon said, his words coming with a nervous laugh. “But thanks for the tip.” Finally feeling a bit relaxed, the focus of the conversation seeming to be getting away from him, he dropped his hand back down to rest along the arm of the chair. “What about you? How’s your love life, or whatever, been going?”

#c:colin

“Oh I don’t believe that, now that you’ve won all your duels you’re the one to beat mister.” She grinned at him before looked at the ground again. As his hand met hers their fingers linked together easily- like they’d been doing this forever. “Look who’s talking.” She responded a blush spreading across her cheeks as he told her he believed in her. “Thank you though, that really means a lot.” She gave him a small smile before looking at the ground again.

“That streak won’t last long. I’ll lose one eventually. Probably put a few galleons on me losing that next one.” To him, he wasn’t being negative. What he was saying was just how it was. Landon knew he wasn’t the best at magic, certainly not the best at dueling, nor should he have been. He was okay with that. “Just being honest.” His eyes shifted to their linked hands. It felt natural, not awkward like he might’ve assumed. “I’m just glad I could help. It’s not fun seeing you so down on yourself.” Just before he returned his hand to his side, Landon’s thumb brushed across the back of her hand.

OWL ⇄ Landon and Abigail

Abigail: I haven't sent any letters, let alone any to you. You must have me mistaken with someone else.

Landon: Abigail? That's who's name was at the bottom. Your owl is pretty nice, by the way. Unless, it's not your owls and the school's or something.

#c:abigail

Rose giggled a bit as Landon asked her if she thought he should have won all the duels that he had. “I dunno maybe you’ve just pretending to be a terrible dueler all this time and now that we’re using it practically you’re awesome?” She teased him, taking a few steps towards him as she did. Her teasing smile faltered before she shook her head. “Thanks Landon, but I’m not all that great. Again, look at all the duels I’ve lost.” She shrugged unable to stop herself from berating her poor dueling in her last few battles.

“Trust me,” Landon started, already continuing the shaking motion of his head, a chuckle to his words, “I’ve never been pretending. Practical magic, eh. Everything else is a bit better.” When her smile faltered, Landon looked down to the ground, listening to her. While she might have believed her words, he didn’t. Reaching forward, he took Rose’s hand and looked up at her, eyes catching hers. “Hey, what did I say? C’mon, stop being down on yourself.” There was a pause before he offered, “I believe in you.”

painterliest

concept: i collect stars and keep them alive in my pockets. on rainy days they warm my fingers. they whisper up to me “you are special, too, you shine just as brightly as us”

#inspo

Rose smiled before gently squeezing Landon’s hand as she moved a little closer to him. She was getting comfortable enough with him that her need to cuddle was starting to surface. “They are really comfy. I’d offer you one of mine but I dunno if it would fit you…” She smiled at him before resting her head on his shoulder. “She’d probably make you a burgundy sweater with a golden L. Everyone’s first sweater is always their house colours.” She smiled before shifting jut enough so that she could look up at Landon. “You know I’m not near as good as Gran but I could try to fix the holes in your sweaters if you’d like…”

Rose smiled a bit as Landon began defending her and Slytherin House. She knew he came from a long line of Slytherins and briefly wondered if his family had been much like her own- angry and trying to get his House changed since he’d ended up in Gryffindor. “Thank you.” She said softly before nuzzling closer to Landon unsure of what else to say or do. She followed Landon’s finger to the new constellation- her position of being half curled into him helping her find the constellation much quicker than before. “Okay I see it. What’s the story?”

“You don’t need to offer me yours,” Landon chuckled, the smile that the laughter placed on his face only widening when Rose moved closer, head to his shoulder. As she shifted, he brought his gaze to her- blinking at how near they were to each other now- pressing his lips together in thought before responding. “I sort of like the thumb holes. The other ones could use some patches, though. But, like, it’s not anything urgent. I mean, look, it’s already April.”

With her thank you, personally, he didn’t feel like it was something that needed to be thanked. It was a nice gesture but what he said was more how it ought to be, or how people ought to see it. Landon was just stating what he knew was true. So he didn’t answer with a direct ‘you’re welcome’; he just squeezed her hand a bit tighter before letting go. The disjoint only lasted a second before he muttered a quick, “Hold on,” and shifted to move his arm up, over her shoulder so they could get more comfortable in their position. Once settled, he began the next story. “Alright, well, Orpheus was this really great musician. His music charmed everything: people, trees, nymphs. He had ended up marrying a nymph named Eurydice but she died. Orpheus, not willing to let her go, ended up going to the Underworld to try and get her back, using his lyre to charm Hades. It worked, but only on one condition. Orpheus could take Eurydice back so long as he didn’t look back, not until they were out of the Underworld.” Landon paused, licking his lips before finishing the story. “Together, they made it nearly all the way back up but the end, something made Orpheus look back. Eurydice had to return, forever.”

supernovafp-blog

Nova watched Landon out of the corner of her eye; she was probably worrying too much, but he seemed really messed up. “I know you’re not okay okay, but are you okay enough to walk this far, or should I just get it and bring it back to you?”

“Oh, that’s nice of you. Even though you might not be able to make it on your own,” she joked, though it might have been true. The hangovers were a big part of the reason Nova preferred not to get completely sloshed every party. She looked over at Landon as he spoke and instantly felt terrible. “No, you’re fine! I’m just…not used to compliments, I guess.” She paused awkwardly. “Thank you, though.”