#heartandhallows

[lovesspell]

Location: Outside of Linden's Place Starter for @hearthandhallows

The sun was starting to set as Alex slowed their car into park across the street from the house. It was like the closer they got, the tighter their chest felt. It was a mix of emotions and they felt guilty for the lingering excitement. The chance to set eyes on them again, the chance to hear their voice. Something that seemed impossible or so many years. Alex had been back for a few weeks, hiding in the shadows. He went to work, went back home, wash rinse and repeat. He didn't take any walks through town unless it was late or very early. He didn't want to risk shocking Linden in public or worse, running into Eve and having them scream so loud at him that the sound barriers broke. But Alex could only wait so long before giving in.

They had been trying to get out of the car for over 30 minutes. hands gripping the wheel as they tried to think about what to say. But they knew in the end it didn't matter what they said, nothing could make up for the distance. Nothing could repair what they had broken. But it didn't mean they couldn't try.

Their legs felt heavy as they got out of the car, the distance between them and the door feeling like it went on for days but before they knew it they were standing in the doorway. One more hesitation and they were ringing the doorbell. They took a deep breath. There was no going back now.

The door opened and suddenly all of that time and distance closed like the slamming of a door and there in front of them was the person who had made a home in their heart and never left. They couldn't speak at first, the sight of them so overpowering it knocked the wind out of them, but with a little help from magic, they re-grounded, a slightly smile growing despite themselves. "Hi, Sunbeam."

[lovesspell]

Location: Xander's Trailer Starter for @hearthandhallows

"So, after some research, I think Storm from X-Men might be my favorite superhero. I mean come on, there's no competition. She is so badass." Xander came back out from the trailer with two cold drinks, having set up some lawn chairs and rigged a tv to play out there. He had started calling it his "porch" which always made him laugh. If he was going to learn about all things nerdy with Felix, he wanted Felix to also learn about the things he liked which is why they were sat watching a Chicago Cubs game while enjoying what little sun the day was offering. "You following along yet or what?" He pointed at the TV before handing a drink to Felix. "Best part of a game, bases loaded, 2 outs, Pitcher is 3 and 2, which means he's thrown 3 balls and 2 strikes, one way or another this pitch is gonna define this inning. Any of that make sense?"

[lovesspell]

Location: On the Road/Seahawks game

Starter for @hearthandhallows

"I can't believe we're actually doing this." Xander laughed as he pulled onto the highway that would take them to Kingdome for the Seahawks game. Xander had only been able to go to a few games last year so he was excited to be going so early in the season. He had saved up to buy tickets for a couple of games and was hoping to bring as many different people as he could with him. When Theo had agreed, he was excited to spend more time with him, finding that when they were together it was easy for Xander to have fun. "You sure you ready for this?" He drummed his hands against the steering wheel in excitement. "I mean they've kind of grown on me even though I've always been a bears fan but, I hope they kick the broncos ass."

[lovesspell]

The sun was rising on the horizon on a breezy day in Cardinal Hill....

Eve thought about using the spare key to get into Linden's place, to set up balloons and jump on their bed as they had for dozens of birthdays when they were on the younger side. But it was set to be a busy Monday morning at The Ceramic Cup and they had already said they would be off the next day so they could celebrate fully with Linden tonight. So they sat the gift box in front of the door, putting a protection charm over it so that no animals or passerby could disturb it. So that it could not be seen by anyone but Linden. They brushed their fingers along the envelope of the card they had attached to the box and smiled. "Happy Birthday, LR."

The Card reads:

To my dearest Linden, on your 40th Birthday, Birthdays can be hard and a bleak reminder of all the life behind us. But what a gift it is to still breathe this air, to still share this earthly plane with you. It often felt like I was wading through the murkiness of life until you came along with your light and your stupid jokes and endless love. I know sometimes we turn our noses up at the sentimental but I want you to know clearly just how dear you are to me. Just how much your friendship has kept me afloat, kept me clear and kept me full of love. That's not easy to do these days, but you, my dear one, have done that for me from the moment we met. You are a gift to this world, a gift to the people who love you. A gift to all of the families you welcome in and tend to. A gift to the animals who get to know both your grit and your gentleness. I know that sometimes the world can feel lonely but I hope you know that I am always with you. I will always hold your hand, I will always crack a beer open with you, I will always, always be in your corner. You are in my heart forever. Sorry to say you're stuck with me. I'll see you soon and I'll bring some Linden's Lunch from the cafe for you this afternoon. I love you. In this life and every other. All my love, Eve

Contents of the gift box:

Twelve Moons by Mary Oliver. One of Eve's favorite poetry books.

Two necklaces meant to be together and power the other. The gold chain is of a linden flower, the other an emerald pendant, the birthstone for May births.

A small bouquet of linden flowers.

Homemade biscoff cookies. Compliments of the Ceramic Cup pasty chefs.

@hearthandhallows

[lovesspell]

Location: Breaking Glass Bar Starter for @hearthandhallows

"You're in my seat, Hampton," Carter said before they were even looking at each other, hoping to be as annoying as possible from the get. The Hampton's and Crane's had always seemed to have a lot in common, especially their money. When it came to Charles, Carter had gone through many waves of his life in seeing Charles as both friend and foe, though the latter was mostly made up in his mind. It was easy for Carter to feel that way about anyone but perhaps it was because he recognized in Charles something he hated to recognize in himself. Maybe if he was a man who could talk about his feelings, it would be something the two would bond over, but even the thought of that kind of conversation made his skin crawl. It would never happen. "So I think that means the first round is on you. But if you carry me home drunk again, I do think my wife fully reserves the right to kick your ass. I think she'd enjoy it too."

Carter patted Charles back as a greeting before sliding into a chair next to him. "Lucky for you, I'm in a good mood. I might even let you have two drinks with me tonight. Before you scare away all of the other better company of course." He ordered his drink and leaned against the bar, trying to release some of the tension from the day as he stretched his neck a bit. "You still working these days or spending your time trying to look as good as me?"

[lovesspell]

Location: Xander's Apartment Starter for @hearthandhallows

Xander took a moment, even taking another bite of cake before he said anything. He thought about messing with them and making a sarcastic joke before telling the truth but from the way Felix had presented the cake, he felt like it was only right to take it seriously. "That seriously may be the best cake I've ever had, Felix. And I'm not just saying that to say that. Like," he paused and took another big bite both to prove his point and because he had been craving it almost immediately after his last bite. "The guys at the firehouse would go wild for something like this." He finally sat back and put his fork down, patting his stomach gently. "Thanks for that, needed something good after a day like today. Hey, I got something I need your nerdy opinion on though," he told them. Xander didn't always consider himself the smartest person. He didn't want to be but he knew he could probably read more and fill his life with more culture. He at least was interested in music but beyond that most of his hobbies were related to fitness or maintenance related work.

He got up from the chair in his living room to retrieve something from his bedroom. "I figure I should try to I don't know, read more, see what's going on out there. And like, comic books count, right? But I bought these at some yard sale recently, no idea if they're worth it," he told Felix and set the comic books down on the table. "Uh I think one is like X-Men and the other two are something called Watchmen. You ever heard of it? I don't know, my younger brother was always into this more than me."

[lovesspell]

Location: Eve's House (after bday dinner) Starter for @hearthandhallows

"There we go, can't have the little one rocking anymore than they need to." Eve had arranged the furniture on the back porch so Linden could put their legs up before sitting next to them with a content sigh. "What a night, I had so much fun," they admitted, resting their head on Linden's shoulder as they closed their eyes and let the day wash over them. The vinyl Linden had given them was playing sweetly from the living room and Eve felt truly happy. It was overwhelming really. So much of the past six months had felt tense, uncertain and the carnival hadn't helped at all but tonight, surrounded by the people they love, being celebrated by them...it meant everything. "41, Jesus, you better hurry up and get out here or I'm gonna wither away by the time you're born," they joked, talking to Linden's stomach before looking back at their best friend. "Thank you for the best day ever and the best treats. I have never had so much caramel in my life and I could not be happier." They leaned over and pressed a kiss to the side of Linden's head. "Thanks for making this day so special."

[lovesspell]

Location: Palacios Household Starter for @hearthandhallows

"Hey! Why does he get to taste the food first. You're going soft, Mami. Un gringo come antes de tu hijo?"He said it with more dramatics than he needed to and narrowly avoided the swat of his mother's hand as she tried to wave him on, clearly more focused on what Dante thought about her pozole. He didn't huff for much longer though, not having it in him to be jealous of his good friend, especially a friend who was far away from his own home. Luis was at least capable of having empathy even though he didn't express it verbally. "She gave you all the good pieces of meat," he grumbled as they finally sat at the table with their bowls. "But I guess we should enjoy it before Hector comes back from practice and demolishes it all. I swear I wasn't that much of a vacuum when I was in high school."