This is so lovely and thought-provoking. The characterisations are wonderful: Millicent with the giant chip on her shoulder and a world of hurt hiding behind her clenched fists, Aberforth with his world-weary cynicism and yet the refusal to be wise which shows he's not as resigned as it might appear (which is so in character for him and makes me clutch my heart with Aberforth love). I love how they think of each other, especially his recognition of the innocence in her youth no matter how angry and jaded. His thoughts about age and ageing at all were a joy to read.
I love how each of their POV sections in the story ended with that defiant 'to hell' declaration. It just works so beautifully. Despite the contrasts here, Aberforth recognises his own defiance in Millicent, scarred knuckles and all, and I think that's what attracts him in the first place. So we see that regardless of gap in years, they have common ground, too; they're both on fire in their own way. It makes this seemingly random pairing and attraction make beautiful sense.
I love how each of their POV sections in the story ended with that defiant 'to hell' declaration. It just works so beautifully. Despite the contrasts here, Aberforth recognises his own defiance in Millicent, scarred knuckles and all, and I think that's what attracts him in the first place. So we see that regardless of gap in years, they have common ground, too; they're both on fire in their own way. It makes this seemingly random pairing and attraction make beautiful sense.