InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I'm a time bomb, baby"

Alice (inadvertently) wrote in expresslogs,
@ 2012-09-18 18:44:00

Entry tags:

alice longbottom, {neville longbottom

Lunch!
Characters: Neville, Alice
When: Tuesday afternoon
Location: a pizza place in Shanghai
Warnings/Rating: None anticipated
Summary: Alice has lunch with her son
Status: Complete

Alice hadn’t been sure what to make of Neville. While she hadn’t wanted to push to spend time with him if he wasn’t comfortable, she was afraid now she was erring on the side of standoffish, and that was absolutely the wrong way to go. With the news of Harry being going -- again -- Alice had decided maybe she should push, just a little. At least put an offer out there. If he didn’t want to, she’d understand, but … she did want to.

When they’d finally agreed on a type of good to go for, she did have to wonder just how it had even been introduced to him. Through friends, maybe? She couldn’t see Augusta doing it. Well, maybe it would come up in the course of things.

Dressing to blend in to the crowds, Alice smoothed her hands down her plain pink tee-shirt before ensuring her wand was tucked into the pocket of her black jeans. She made sure the shirt was covering it, then she reached for the cash she’d gotten by borrowing one of the cards. She hoped it was enough. If not, well, she could discretely duplicate some of it and no one would be the wiser.

With a contented smile on her lips, Alice headed out to meet her son so they could go to lunch.

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inadvertently
2012-09-20 11:30 am UTC (link)

"What?" She replied innocently, her brows elevating as she regarded him. "It's all true. Whoever steals your heart is fine by myself and your father. If he were here, he'd tell you the same thing." There was a flicker of sadness behind her eyes, briefly, but it passed. It was probably cruel to wish this on Frank anyway, even if he had been here before.

"I know her family," Alice confirmed. "Know of, anyway, more than really know, per se. But I don't think anyone is unaware of her family." Her brow furrowed a little, and she wondered if maybe people just didn't know. Or if maybe he had kids later than the point they were taken from. Or maybe they were just conditioned not to spill people's futures, so ... didn't.

"I'm sure you have someone," Alice replied softly. "Someone lovely and perfect for you," she continued with a squeeze to his hand.

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not_nobody
2012-09-20 02:44 pm UTC (link)

"I'm not really the type that brings in all the ladies, mum," he said shyly, shoving his hands back into his pockets. Girls didn't hate him, but he was more the type that had more girl friends than girlfriends.

"But yeah, okay, whatever. But...if I don't find the perfect girl, that's okay too, right? You wouldn't be...disappointed? You wouldn't think I was a...well, a failure?"

He couldn't even meet her eyes as he spoke the words. He just...wanted to know that even if he didn't...that it was still...well...it would still be okay.

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inadvertently
2012-09-20 10:20 pm UTC (link)

“Some people are late bloomers,” she replied staunchly. “From what I heard, anyway, it doesn’t seem like you had much time to be dating around. Your father and I didn’t really meet until after school,” she continued. “There’s certainly no rush. Better to be slow and steady and find what you need than rush something that won’t be a good fit for you. And if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t.” She glanced up to him with a smile and a little shrug. She very nearly joked that if he found the perfect bloke instead, that was all right before deciding it might come off the wrong way, and she wasn’t interested in instilling any doubts in him.

“Not everyone is set to be half a pair. Some people have to gather up all the stray cats,” she added, nudging his side lightly. “Whoever you are, however you are, you’re my son and I love you.”

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not_nobody
2012-09-20 11:55 pm UTC (link)

That was what Neville needed to hear, and it brought a soft smile to his face. He just needed to know that whatever happened, whoever he ended up with, it was okay. That his mom, whether she was there in his future or not, was happy with him. Tears came to his eyes, and he wiped them away furiously, before looking more closely at the menus that had been given to them.

"Thanks," he said softly. "Thanks, mum."

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inadvertently
2012-09-21 12:36 am UTC (link)

It couldn't have been easy, and Alice studied him, wondering if he would have turned out different if she and Frank had been there to raise him. Well, of course he would have, but fundamentally ... he was who he was. They simply would have helped to bring him out, to his potential, more than Augusta had.

No matter. There wasn't anything she could do about the past. About what was, what had been. There was just the future. Their time on the train and whatever they chose to make of it.

"No thanks required," she assured him quietly before she turned her attention to her own menu. They'd have their meal here, and then get some stuff for the train. Maybe have a regular pizza party to celebrate their temporary freedom, and all their second chances.

[wrap?]

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	not_nobody 2012-09-21 12:42 am UTC (link)
	[OOC: sure!] (Reply to this) (Parent)

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