Gemma B.E. Higgs (travellingstar) wrote in lazarustheic, @ 2017-03-16 23:01:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: siobhan davies, retired character: gemma higgs |
who ? Gemma Higgs & Siobhan Davies
when ? Thursday 16 March, midday
where ? Muggle cafe near St. Mungo's
what ? lunch and catching up
warnings/rating ? low
status ? completed in gdocs
It felt like it had been forever since she'd last seen Siobhan - it probably hadn't been quite as long as she thought but she still jumped at the chance for lunch and catching up with her. Not being able to remember how long Siobhan had for her lunch break Gemma had chosen a cafe that wasn't too far from St. Mungo's. Never having spent a great deal of time in London though she wasn't entirely sure if the food was actually any good; the place looked nice at least, and Gemma said as much to her friend as they walked inside. "If the food turns out to be shit, I promise to make it up to you somehow," she said in a low voice so as not to be overheard by any staff. They grabbed a table that wasn't too close to any other customers allowing them to be able to talk semi-freely should anything magical come up in conversation. "Now since I asked you out it's my treat and I'll happily order you anything you want." -- She had enough time to have a relaxed lunch with Gemma, but Siobhan wasn't unappreciative of the closeness to St. Mungo's that the cafe Gemma chose had. She laughed at the promise that Gemma gave as they sat down. "I'm sure that it will be lovely," she told her. "Maybe just something simple like a nice sandwich or a soup and salad." Siobhan was slowly getting better at having lunches and not feeling like she had to count every bite or worry about how many times she needed to run around the neighborhood after work. She was always going to struggle, she knew, but she felt peaceful for the first time in a long time. She wasn't sure how long that peace would last, though. There was a considerable amount of anxiety that she had presently because she didn't want to keep things from Gemma. She'd been seeing Higgs for a while now, with her husband, and Gemma didn't know that. It wasn't fair to keep such an important thing from her. Siobhan wasn't sure how she was going to react or if she would understand, but she wanted to try. It was only fair to give Gemma the opportunity to react however she saw fit. Now if she could just muster up the courage to say it. They ordered their food and Siobhan tried to figure out how to even approach it. When was the right time to come clean about something like the situation she was in? Once the waiter had left them alone, she glanced at Gemma. "Gemma, Max and I are seeing someone," she said, swallowing. "Both of us. A boyfriend." There was more to it than that, yes, but Siobhan was sure that Gemma would lead her into a lot of those so she paused and let her eyes meet her friend's. -- Gemma thought she sensed that there was something bothering Siobhan, though she didn't have a clue as to what, and chalked it up as simply being worried in general about her friend rather than there being a problem of any kind. Of course to then be told that her friend and husband were seeing someone, together, was not what she'd been expecting at all and she couldn't help but be momentarily stunned into silence. Although she wasn't sure whether that was due to the polyamorous nature of the relationship or discovering that straightlaced Max Davies was... well, she didn't know whether this revelation meant he was gay or bisexual - and that was possibly beside the point right now. "That's... nice?" she said. Gemma ran her hand through her hair as she cringed at how that sounded. "Sorry, that sounded horrible. I mean, it is nice. I'm just... well... surprised that's all." -- Siobhan couldn't help the little laugh that slipped out. She'd been so nervous that Gemma would judge her and when she didn't really judge, the nervous feeling transformed into the nervous laughter instead. "Well, yes, it was kind of a surprise to us as well," she admitted. Shaking her head and trying to decide what part was best to tell Gemma now, she paused her comments when the waiter brought them their drinks. She thanked him and once he was gone again, looked up at Gemma as she stirred her water. "Max is gay," she said. It was said quietly and said in a way that likely told Gemma that Siobhan was trusting her with something that she hadn't told a great deal of people. "We still love each other, but physically I'm not what does it for him. I don't want a divorce, neither does he. I know it's not really conventional, and we didn't expect this relationship to happen the way it did, but this other man, well, he's wonderful. He makes us both very happy. And that other man is part of the reason I'm telling you all of this, Gemma." Drawing in a breath that she hoped would calm her nerves a little, she let her eyes meet her friend's. "We're dating your brother," she finally said. "Terence," she added because there was no need to have any weird confusion even though she was fairly certain there wouldn't be. -- "I..." She'd started to comment that she could imagine what a surprise it was but the waiter had interrupted to bring their drinks. Well, that answered the unasked question of what Max's sexuality was. It certainly wasn't something that bothered her at all given her own sexuality and the way some people treated it. Gemma had been about to say that she didn't care and actually thought it was pretty amazing and brave that they were staying married and figuring it all out. Which is what she would've said had Siobhan not spoken so soon after she'd paused for a breath. The very first thing that popped to mind, when Siobhan had said it was her brother, was that it sure explained a lot as to why her brother had been reluctant about sharing details about his new relationship. Now that she'd heard about it she didn't blame him a bit for wanting to keep quiet about it until he was sure. "Uh, wow, full of surprising information today, huh?" she joked nervously, still trying to wrap her head around it. "Though I see why it was a surprise for you both." Gemma slowly sipped the fruity non-alcoholic drink she ordered - anything that would allow a moment of trying to organise her thoughts more coherently. "It's a lot to take in..." -- Siobhan nodded. She knew it was a lot to take in. It was for her as well. Surely Gemma would need time to process all the information that she'd just been given. Max being gay was plenty a surprise, the pair of them dating someone together added to that, throwing Higgs into the mix could, very likely, tip the entire thing on its head. "I would have told you sooner but I ā we ā were all trying to figure it all out," she explained. "It's still very new and there are a lot of things that none of us really understand or are certain about and we just wanted to give ourselves some time to really get used to it ourselves before we started telling people. But you're one of my closest friends and I thought that it was important that I not keep something like dating your brother from you." She wondered if she should have let Higgs be the one to tell Gemma, but she wasn't sure either way would have made the situation any easier on anyone involved. "I don't want you to be angry with me for not telling you," she said. "Or for dating Terence in the first place. Or for how confusing all of this is. I will, though, understand if you are. Or if you need some time to process it all. It'sā¦ a lot. Trust me, I know." -- "I'm not angry at all for you not telling," she said with a reassuring smile. Gemma had decided to start with reassuring her of that because how could she be angry with her friend for that when she'd told her brother weeks ago that she was okay with waiting until he was ready to talk. "Besides I'd be a hypocrite if I got angry about that when I told Tens I was fine with waiting when he told me he was dating but didn't want to talk about it." There were questions floating about her mind that she wanted to ask she just didn't know which to ask first. Not that she wanted any details. It was, she supposed, as much to reassure herself that it was all okay and maybe partly to be able to let Siobhan talk about it. "I think it might take a little time to process. However... well, I guess I want to assure you that I'm not upset about it at all, not for not telling and not because you're dating my brother either," she finally said. "It's funny, it feels like I've got a million questions to ask and the only one I can think of right now is to ask if you're happy." -- The reassurance and the soft smile that Gemma gave made Siobhan feel considerably better. "Thank you," she said. It meant a great deal to her that Gemma wasn't angry with her. She certainly didn't want to ruin the friendship that she had with her. "Oh, of course. I don't expect you to be entirely accepting or onboard or even very 'yay' about the whole thing, you know," she assured her. "It's a lot. All of it is, really. I guess, honestly, I just wanted you to know so I didn't feel like there was this massive elephant in the room that I was trying to keep secret. It's relieving, really, just knowing that you know, even if you need time to process the information." Not having to worry about what she said was a marvelous thing, really. The question that Gemma settled on made Siobhan smile. "I am happy," she said. "I love Max and I know that this is hard for him. I know that being honest was hard for him. He tried to spare my feelings for so long and while that wasn't exactly easy to get through or to accept, I think we're in a better place now. Higgs had a hand in that," she admitted. "He's really become a very good friend, all things aside. He's been there for me and for Max when we needed him. It was easy to fall for him, for both of us." She smiled again at the thought of Higgs and of Max. Both men meant a great deal to her and it was clear in the expression on her face. "Must be a Higgs trait, being awesome," she murmured, looking at Gemma again. -- "I don't think I'll have any trouble accepting it. I mean, it might not be traditional according to society's standards but I guess all I really care about is that you're all happy - that you're all sure about what you're all wanting from it. And I'm glad that you felt that you could tell me, really I am," she responded. Then she couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head. "Not that you need any advice or encouragement from a friend who's been perpetually single by her own choosing." They were momentarily interrupted when the waiter brought out their meals. Thanking him she turned her attention back to Siobhan and smiled at her. "I'm glad that you're happy, and that you've been able to work through it all. I can't imagine what that must've been for you both... for you all." Gemma really couldn't imagine what that must've been like for them but as she studied her friend a little she could tell she meant it when she'd said she was happy; and knowing that her brother seemed happy... well, that was enough for her to try and be accepting of the relationship, for their sakes at least. "He's always been great like that," she said with a soft smile, before taking a bite out of the chicken and avocado toastie she'd ordered. Higgs had always been there when she'd needed someone to talk to. "Careful, or I might start getting a big head with compliments like that." -- No, it certainly wasn't according to society's traditional standards. That was an understatement if there ever was one. She was happy, though. She hoped that Max and Higgs were as well and thought they were. She felt better about the way things were now and she hoped that they would continue on happily the way they had been going. Higgs brought something to their relationship that was invaluable and she didn't want to lose that or him and she doubted very much that Max did either. "I think we all are very happy," she said. "And I wanted to tell you because you're my friend and because I don't want this to be something that has to be kept secret from those that I care about. I know it's still early on, but it's important to me that you know for not only myself but for Higgs as well." "It certainly wasn't easy," Siobhan agreed once the waiter had gone again. "We're in a better place now, though," she nodded. She couldn't keep from smiling when Gemma mentioned she'd get a big head with the compliments. "Well, maybe you deserve to do that," she pointed out. "So, now that I've gotten the elephant out of the room, how have you been, Gemma? What have you been getting yourself into?" -- "I can only imagine how hard it must be even telling people you care about and not knowing how they'll react," she commented. "So I really appreciate you telling me, even if it would've been nice for my brother to be able to tell me. Though I guess it does save him the trouble of trying to figure out when to do that." Gemma smiled. "That's great. I've always thought the two of you were great together, even though I guess I still don't really know Max as well as I know you. So I'm glad you're both in a good place now." Though in light of the new relationship Gemma thought she ought to make a more concerted effort in trying to get to know him better. Gemma chuckled when Siobhan said that she maybe deserved all the compliments. "I've been pretty well, despite all this talk about players and performance enhancing drugs," she replied. "You mean outside of Quidditch? Not much really..." -- Siobhan nodded. "Yes," she said. "It isn't the most common sort of situation and I worry that a lot of people will think me silly for staying with Max. I love him, though. I don't see what is so silly about that. He loves me, too. It really is just something that we're working through the way that is best for us. I do worry about what people might say or do, but more for Max. I don't want him to feel like he is a bad person for something that is beyond his control." He didn't ask to be attracted to who he was attracted to and she thought it unfair to be condemned for such a thing. "I don't think I could go on without Max in my life in some capacity. I wouldn't want to. We were missing something, though," she said, nodding. "I can admit that. And Higgs, well, he brings something to the table that we were missing. It feels like the right fit." It wasn't solely about the sex, though that was lovely, but he brought something into their relationship that Siobhan didn't want to let go of. She truly cared for the man and the more time they spent together, both alone and with Max, the more feelings she felt for him. "That mess is silly," she said, shaking her head. "Seems like an uproar over craziness." She was surprised to hear that Gemma didn't have more going on outside of Quidditch, though. "No dating dilemmas you want to talk about?" she laughed. "I can't be the only one with a strange love life." -- "There's definitely nothing silly about that," she commented. Anyone who couldn't see how much those two loved and cared for each other was an idiot. Just because Max had a different sexuality didn't make that love mean anything less than what it did. "That's understandable though. I reckon though that as long as he has his friends and those he cares about there for him it'll be okay." "Well, I really hope it works out for you all," she said with a smile. Not just because she didn't want to see anyone upset over things maybe not working out but because she really wanted her friend and brother to be happy. "You all definitely deserve to be happy." Gemma nodded in agreement. "It's definitely a mess, and I feel bad for Arran. His team is finally doing well and The Prophet decided to say it's all due to drugs, which is a load of bullshit," she said. Gemma gave a slightly sheepish smile at that question. She didn't know that it was quite a dilemma just yet, and certainly wasn't one at all if comparing it to Siobhan's. "There's maybe something, I guess... I just don't know yet." -- She nodded. She could understand why Gemma felt bad for her brother. "People just like making anything good into something bad. If you're doing well, they want to shoot you down. It's in human nature. Absolutely ridiculous if you ask me." She would have spoken more on that, but Gemma said that there was 'maybe something' going on romantically with her and that caught Siobhan's attention. "You don't know yet?" she asked. "That sounds juicy. Care to explain?" -- "It's such a bullshit mess because even when it gets proven that they haven't taken anything there's still going to be that mark against them during what should've been a great season for them," she said. It was the same for any of the top teams, including the Falcons, but she felt particularly bad for her brother since it was the first time the Cannons were doing really well in the League and it wasn't fair to have that tainted by something they hadn't even done. "Now we should probably find a safer topic to talk about before my mood about all that starts ruining our lunch," she commented. Gemma chuckled and shook her head. "I think it's far from being anywhere near juicy," she said, a smile still on her lips. "It's not complicated or anything. I just haven't ever done anything except casual once off dates and now... I guess I'm just trying to figure out what I want if it's what I want, y'know?" -- Siobhan frowned. What Gemma was saying was very true. Regardless of how the situation ended up, there was always going to be that mark and the wondering from those who'd seen the papers. Sometimes fiction did more damage than truth, unfortunately. "Right," she said, nodding. "Something much happier because I want you to be in a good mood," she smiled. "Because we both deserve a good mood, I think." She grinned at Gemma's response and listened as she talked about the situation and her uncertainty. "Well, sometimes figuring things out can be fun," she said. "Don't rush yourself," she added. "If it's meant to be something spectacular, it will be." -- "Oh, we both definitely deserve a good mood. No doubt," she said agreeing with Siobhan's statement. Not just because the scandal business was a rotten thing but as she and her brother agreed a while back, everyone deserved happiness; and right now that included being in a good mood rather than focusing on the bad. "Well, the not figuring things out has been pretty fun so far," she joked, a knowing smirk teasing at the corners of her mouth. Still as great as it was it wasn't just sex that kept drawing her to Adrian - not that she could put her finger on what it was or even really to what extent her feelings were, but she knew she liked him. "I won't, promise," she said softly. "Still kind of need to figure things out before the whole moving forward part." -- Siobhan nodded. "Well, at least you're having fun while you figure out that part," she said. Picking up her glass from the table, she held it in a little toast. "To figuring things out and forgetting the bad shit," she said, winking at Gemma. If they could live off of that sentiment, all would be right with the world. |