Already Home

I say that we're right in the heart of it A love only we understand I will bend every light in this city And make sure they're shining on you

[lucy-chamberlain]

"Tempting." She hummed, before the conversation turned serious. "And I don’t regret it either. I’d do it over and over again if it meant keeping you safe." She added, gaze dropping to their hands. "I know, and I love you for the thought but you needed to do this for yourself. Plus I don’t quite think you could pull of our medical robes." She teased, bopping his nose playfully. "I miss my brothers and I probably always will, but I realised something last night. And that was that Moon Island isn’t home, nor family estate because I never felt safe and secure within them. But with you, I can’t help but feel those things. You are my home, my family and so long as I have you then I don’t need anything else." She replied, a smile remained upon her lips as she retuned the kiss. Hoping the gesture would convey her emotions better than her words ever could. 

After several moments, the witch slowly pulled back resting her forehead against his.”I hate to be the responsible one but we do have class soon, friends to make and notes to take.. You know the drill.” The witch pouted, the urge to remain in the dorm for the duration of the day not quite enough to surpass her need to explore the campus. 

[nathan-parrish]

"It's more than tempting," he flashed her a cheeky grin. "Look at us, eh? We can't do anything without arguing over who's keeping who safe and who's doing what. Everything I've done in the past few months has been for you. Just to keep you safe. I would die a million times over if it meant giving you this opportunity, this new life. You deserve it, and I'm just lucky enough to be living it with you. That's what we should focus on." It was rare for Nathan to be so philosophical about their lives, but when he was his words were usually weighed heavily before being spoken. Just like his promises. "Oh, please. I can easily pull those medical robes off... you." Fantasy after fantasy played out in his mind, yet he stayed quiet. Now was not the time, though he had an inkling that she already knew. "Good," he replied quietly after gathering his thoughts. "That's the way it's going to be from now on." Nathan cherished every second their lips worked together, a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he allowed himself to lose his train of thoughts in honour of her. It was in these moments that he was fully at rest, doing what he loved, being with who he loved.

"But that sounds like so much work," Nathan grumbled as their lips parted. Even after months of making out and being together, his eyes were always filled with surprise every time they pulled away from each other. Each moment a neverending moment of surprise and hope, feelings that only she could give him. "I guess you're right, though. Just don't go meeting any hot guys otherwise I'll crack out the silent treatment. You're only allowed ugly male friends. I'm the hot one remember." He leant up and placed a kiss to her forehead then rummaged through a nearby box to find his favourite flannel shirt to wear. He had no intention of making new friends, he didn't want that. Not after those closest to him betrayed him.

[lucy-chamberlain]

"Good. Because that makes two of us. I’ll take Jerry over 50 shades any day." She replied with a all knowing smile. "We did what we had to, to protect one another. We had too." Lucy shrugged, and quickly dropped his gaze as she felt her anxiety return. She hated what she had done to her family, but at the end of the day Nathan’s life was just as important as her brothers. And that was all that kept her afloat in a pool of guilt. Pulling her new phone from her pocket, she smiled some. "I’m not stupid, I made sure to cover our tracks. And if they do show up, then we’ll deal with it when the time comes. You didn’t take me away Nate, I came on my own free will." She added, choosing to ignore his last words. That was one subject she couldn’t handle. "But you’re right. For now let’s forget all of that and just focus on getting through these first few weeks. Deal?" The witch answered, squeezing his hand tight. 

[nathan-parrish]

"What about fifty shades of Jerry?" Nathan retorted with a wiggle of his eyebrows. He then nodded, sobering a little. "We did what we had to. For us." Though Nathan was finally happy that they could be together without fear of death and that they were away from the danger, he found it difficult to quell the guilt that bubbled in his stomach. He was the reason she was no longer around her family. It didn't matter for him, he had no one to stay behind for, but she was a different matter altogether. The one thing that made her who she was in her entirety was that she would never give up on her family, yet here she was sitting beside him because Nathan couldn't handle the direction in which the war was heading. A direction that would have ended with one or both of them dead. "I never called you stupid," he frowned. "You know I'm just looking out for you. It took you long enough to convince me not to change my major just so we could have classes together." After a moment, he nodded again. The subject could be brought up on a day that wasn't meant to be fun for them. "If it makes you feel any better, though, you're my family. You're all I need." Returning the squeeze of his hand, Nathan slipped his free hand up against her neck and leaned in, placing a small but loving kiss against her lips, the desire to go to class slowly slipping away.

[lucy-chamberlain]

"Drop the smirk asswipe." Lucy quipped, throwing the tube back at him as she mirrored his expression. "Is that a challenge? Because you know I love a good challenge..” She replied, knocking his shoulder with hers as he sat next to her. Having successfully dressed herself without further distractions, she dragged a hand through her waves and turned to look at him. “Okay, Dad.” She said with a laugh. “Look it’s going to be fine okay. I have my phone and I promise to text you if anything goes a miss, alright?” She smiled some, raising a hand to cup his check in reassurance. “Seriously?” The witch groaned. “Again with the brothers thing. You do realise sooner or later I am going to have to call Dominic.”

[nathan-parrish]

"You can't tell me what to do," he laughed as he caught the tube. Once settled beside her, he placed a hand on her back, smiling the only way he could around her. "Believe it or not, I'm not into the whole daddy play thing." After a pause, Nathan nodded. He knew he was being over-protective but he couldn't help it, not when it came to Lucy. "We ran, Luce. We broke coven law and we ran. You can't blame me for being worried that they'll come after us. We're lucky we're not charred to a crisp right now." He then reached up and enveloped her hand in his, tugging it away from his cheek so he could see her clearly. "I know you hate me bringing it up, but really? I have to. People can track numbers, you know. What happens if they turn up here? They'll kill me for taking you away."

[lucy-chamberlain]

"Last I remember, you’ve already done that Parrish." Lucy countered, feigning hurt as she failed to catch the flying tube of toothpaste that collided with her shoulder. "—Just shush and get ready Jerry. And you’d be surprised, I’m pretty sure I could hold out longer than you.” She added confidently, as she sat on the end of the bed to pull on her boots.

[nathan-parrish]

"Yeah I did," Nathan smirked to himself as his fingers glided through his hair, tugging the strands into a style that he liked. "I am getting ready!" With a final flourish, the male washed his hands then went back into their shared room. He took a seat beside Lucy and grabbed his socks from the floor. "Please, you can't deny what I have." Playful banter was all well and good for them, but underneath Nathan couldn't help but be paranoid about their looming separation what with their daily classes and whatnot. "Make sure you take your phone and don't tell anyone you're a witch. Don't do magic and -" glancing to his left, he frowned a little. "Don't contact your brothers."

[lucy-chamberlain]

"And there is such a thing as the internet where you can watch these finale’s on demand..” She drawled sarcastically, rolling her eyes at the face she knew he was puling despite having not looked at him. “Motion declined. Maybe had you actually got off your ass and helped last night, you might have been in luck. Oh well.” Lucy said, pulling on a plain tee and she shot him an I told you so look. 

[nathan-parrish]

"Screw you, Chamberlain. A man's gotta watch what a man wants to watch." He stepped into the doorway between the bedroom and bathroom and tossed a small toothpaste tube at her then followed it up with a sarcastic thumbs up. "Babe, you know you won't deny that motion for long. I mean... look at me," he winked. He then went back into the bathroom and began working on his bedhead hair.

[lucy-chamberlain]

"I heard you the first time you know.." Lucy replied, stepping out of the bathroom as she searched for a presentable shirt. "Bathroom cabinet, third shelf. We unpacked it yesterday, along with the rest of your hair products. Which you would have remembered had you not been too busy watching television, to notice.”

[nathan-parrish]

Nathan made a face and grumbled at her reply. "It was Arrow's season finale!" he retorted like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He then followed her instructions and found his hair gel where it had been placed the night before. "Also, I vote this to be a no shirt dorm. Yep. Motion passed." 

[nathan-parrish]

"LUCY!" Nathan yelled as he searched his room then her bags, everything had been mixed in when they moved away for college and now he couldn't find what he needed. "Where the hell is my hair gel?!"

[dylns-obrien]

[nathan-parrish]

Nate and Lucy's first day at college.

[luphomoidal-blog]

"Not giving a shit can be healthy every now and then." She skipped a little bit through the grass, smiling at the opportunity to just live alongside her friend for the first time in a long time. "Yeah?" She grinned. "Remember the time the branch broke off and hit me in the head?" She remembered it like it was yesterday… more or less. IT was a bit fuzzy with the knock to the head. 

[nathan-parrish]

"I suppose so," Nathan grinned. He then laughed, unable to contain the secret any longer. "Right, so I have a confession to make. That branch didn't snap by itself. I may or may not have accidentally caused it to snap. You were teasing me and I got a little mad and then that happened, but I was a kid and didn't want to believe that it was my fault." His hands went into his pockets as he walked side by side with her. "Do you not remember how I followed you around for like a week after that offering you aspirin? Yeah, that wasn't me being a best friend. That was my guilty conscience. I was so convinced that I almost killed you... my bad?" 

[readytoerupt-blog]

"Just… don’t let go… Tell me a joke… Just something… normal."

[nathan-parrish]

"I can do that, but I should warn you. I haven't showered for two days now," Nathan smiled, continuing to hold her. He then searched his brain for one of the worst jokes he could think of. "A dyslexic man walks into a bra."

[calientevastalia]

"That’s exactly what I’m saying, if you can find someone that is having issues towards being in Bricket Wood and is slowly having their link as an ally getting weak find a way to make them feel it would be more comfortable to stand by us. We don’t need to attack, we need to show the monster James is and what he did to Maria, increase our number and then take him down. We will act wisely."

[nathan-parrish]

"I think I know of someone, but it's not going to be easy. I have... I have something to tell you. I've been secretly seeing Lucy Gardner, but I think I can use what we have to convince her to join us. There's... feelings involved now. I know you're probably going to punish me for this, and I guess I'll accept that, but I couldn't stop myself just like you can't stop being a third of the trinity. Just... don't kick me out. I need to be here."

[lucy-chamberlain]

“I know, she will be missed by many.” Lucy replied, resting a hand on his shoulder as she gave it a small reassuring squeeze. It pained her to see how much the death of his dear friend had affected him, and still affected him. Though everyone grieved in their own way, she worried not letting go would do him more harm than good. A light scarlet flushed her cheeks as he spoke up once again. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me, she was an important part of your life I know that. She made you a better person and I hate that that has been stripped from you, from both of you. But I’m also grateful she won’t be subject to this war anymore, that wherever she is she’s safe and happy and watching over us all. Watching over you.” She said, watching him closely as she continued. “So maybe you have changed. But war does that to people Nate, thinking we wouldn’t change would just be ignorance. And you shouldn’t hate him, I mean yes he does some idiotic things at times, but the real Nathan Myers is still there. He just stepped into the next room momentarily.” The witch replied, leaning forward to place a brief kiss to his shoulder from where she sat. “Besides— things are changing. People are starting to doubt James after his last move. Hell I— I worry about him. So.. I’m going to ask Francis to organise a meeting with Castalia for me. You might have Maria back now, but it doesn’t mean she won’t want revenge. Hopefully I can get in before she throws out any such orders. And I shouldn’t have a problem doing so now that I no longer have a babysitter anymore.” She shrugged, leaning her head against his shoulder so that she wouldn’t bear witness to the shift in his expression, she knew was coming. “I know.” She nodded, tilting her head as she stared across at him. “But is it enough?” She whispered, staring at the window opposite them. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting shadows over the street and Lucy couldn’t help but feel the worry deep within her gut rear its ugly head. She knew things were changing, that the war would only get worse, could only get worse. Most of all she knew her feelings for Nathan would only grow too, and that scared her more than most. He wanted her brother dead for his kidnapping of Maria, and despite everything she knew one day she would have to make a choice. To stand with him or against him.

 “It didn’t matter, it doesn’t matter.” She replied, hands fidgeting in her lap. “You have to know you could never scare me, not in that way anyway.. “Lucy nodded meekly at his question, her hand moving to her neck as she could almost feel the pressure on her airways once again.  “It was just something I thought I had forgotten.” She shrugged, swallowing loudly. “I could leave.. If I was a cruel, emotionless person I would. Luckily for you I’m quite the opposite.” Lucy winked, opening the door as she stepped out. “Hold that thought.” She murmured, returning several long minutes later with a pizza box in hand. “I very nearly forgot I ordered this..” She mumbled to herself, placing the box on his desk before moving towards him. Without permission Lucy slipped into his lap, her arms instantaneously wrapping around his neck as she remained incapable of shaking a smile from her face. For a long while she hadn’t felt content or happy even. She was feeling lost, buried beneath a mountain of stress, worry and fear, but in that moment none of it seemed to matter. “Now, where were we?” She asked, her eyes smiling back at him as she absent-mindedly raked a hand through his hair.

[nathan-parrish]

Nathan shook his head. He couldn't help but think that Esme would be ashamed of the man he had become. He was fueled by anger, hatred and revenge. Then there was the whole situation with Chris. He had been so wrapped up in how he felt for Lucy that he had let his purpose slip through his fingers. In trying to give himself a little happiness he had lost his way. A small shake moved his head as he avoided the gaze of the brown irises that were focused on his face. He wanted to see Esme for one last time, to apologise, to explain, but he knew that messing with the spirits is a lethal thing to do, but then... Adina. She was a voodoo witch, maybe she could help. With a tug forming in the pit of his stomach, Nathan finally made himself look at the Bricket Wood member. "You think she's watching over me? I like to think she's up there making Jesus run like fifty miles every day in a bid to keep him fit or something," he shrugged. It wasn't like his faith was based on solid ground, he didn't even know if he believed in God, but he had to think that Esme was somewhere nice like heaven; she deserved that. "Callie said she didn't even recognise me. I grew up with her, and if she can't even see me in what I've become then yes, I do have to hate myself. I've let everything go haywire. I just don't know what to do anymore. I don't even know if I actually belong in my home. Most people know that I was having doubts. I wouldn't blame them all if I was dubbed a traitor and killed because of it. You seem to be the only one who thinks I'm still me." As Lucy kissed his shoulder, he turned his head and placed on atop of hers in return, leaving his arm dangling over her legs as he rested against her side. "Lucy... you do realise that your brother won't just stop at Maria? We have her back, but what next? Who's he going to go after now? Who's he going to kill?" He slowly shut his eyes for a moment, he knew his next words were going to make her angry, but he needed to say them. "There's a place for you at my side... in Adrasteia. We could - we could be together, out in the open, and not have to worry about being burned at the stake because we'd be together fighting on the same side for the same cause. I don't want more people to die and neither do you, and you must have to know that following James is only going to lead to more death... maybe even yours." Nathan's hand shook visibly on top of her knee so he removed it and folded his arms, hiding both hands under them. "Nothing is ever enough, but you taught me that we have to make do with what we have otherwise we're just going to be stuck, scared to do anything, so we have to make it enough for ourselves. I don't want to be your enemy anymore and you now know how I feel. I'm not hiding it from you anymore. So... think about it, at least? Because you know I'm going to die protecting you, and we both know that, at the end of the day, one of us is going to have to go against the other and I can't - I could never hurt you. This war is going to change that."

"I don't? I guess I'm not as tough as I thought I was then if I can't even scare someone." The warlock watched her closely, the hand to neck action only causing the concern within him to rear it's head once more. She was acting off and he didn't like it. It was like she wasn't telling him something - but what he had no idea. "I know you're the -" He raised an eyebrow and watched as Lucy disappeared. However, his mind couldn't help but doubt she wouldn't return. They had expressed their feelings, maybe she was as scared as he was and just ran. He wouldn't hold it against her... much. Just as he was about to collapse backwards with a sigh, she walked back in with his favourite food. "Luce...?" He could only watch on in silence as amazement filled him from the inside out. As she settled into his form, he held the female close, breathing in her scent. God, it was intoxicating. He reached up and slipped a few strands of hair behind Lucy's ear as he continued to stare at her with wonder glinting in his eyes. Saying his true feelings was liberating on top of being scary, and in that moment, he would never have had in any other way. "Just... just wait a moment, let's not... let's not rush," he practically whispered into the air as he cupped her smooth cheek. He knew this could only lead to heartache, but much like it was with Hayley, the bit inbetween the start and the finish was what made it worth it... even if what he had with his ex was now ruined, he couldn't help but have the blind hope that this time would be different. "I missed this."

[fayewillow]

"No.. there’s a dead body in the basement," she frowned, not believing she could smell something so far away. 

[nathan-parrish]

"Ha, good -" Nathan raised an eyebrow slowly. "Seriously? You're not joking, are you...?"

[castaliavaliente-deactivated201]

"I don’t see how popcorn is enough reason to be dying for, though…"

[nathan-parrish]

"Food is life, duh."

[jasonsharman-blog]

"A guy running into a tree is more funny than a naked guy? You really need to rethink your priorities in life. Somethin’ is just missin’ from your everyday if that’s funnier than that."

[nathan-parrish]

"Considering I'd rather look at naked women, yes. Anything is funnier than a naked guy. There's plenty missing, but watching a guy's dick swing back and forth is not one of those things."

[luphomoidal-blog]

Calliope rolled her eyes. “Don’t put words in my mouth, Myers. I just miss it, that’s all.” She thought about his words, continuing to follow him without question. “Disasters are my favorite.” She smiled over to him. “So, what’s the first stop on this… hunt thing?” 

[nathan-parrish]

"Those are my own words, Callie. I thought of them all by myself. I get it, though. I've been so caught up in something that I forgot to pay attention to the rest of my life, but hey, since I've been cut out of that something I have plenty of time to goof off and just not give a shit." As they walked, Nathan rested his elbow on the smaller blonde's shoulders and grinned. "Do you remember that tree swing that we built when we were about eight? The one that I fell off and broke my wrist in three places? That's first on our tour."

[readytoerupt-blog]

Maria fell into him, weakly. “I thought the same thing…”

[nathan-parrish]

He held her tightly, like a brother would do to a younger sibling. "What can I do? Maria, I'm so sorry."