Who: Lex Yaxley and Micah Savage What: Trying to be grown-ups and talking about things on their minds. When: January 10, 2000 Where: Their cottage. Warnings: None!
Micah leaned back against the counter, using a dish rag to dry off a plate, looking thoughtful as Lex cleared the table from dinner. “So I’ve been talking to Maddie,” he started, eyes forward, tone casual. Heart quickening. Someone who knew him as well as Lex did would know he wasn’t as cool as he was trying to appear. Especially not on the topic of his estranged twin sister.
Lex raised an eyebrow as she put the leftovers away. She knew it wasn't quite as simple as that. She gave him a look as she went to the cupboard and pulled out the whiskey, pouring two fingers into a glass before passing it to Micah. "And?"
“And...it’s awkward,” he admitted slowly, taking the glass without actually drinking anything in it. “But it’s been good. I think. I dunno. I think we both want to...not have this constant underlying animosity, as it were.” Now he took a sip. “We’re planning to go flying once the friendly is over. For want of something to do that we both enjoy.”
Lex closed the distance and wrapped her arms around him. “It makes sense that it’s awkward I reckon. I mean things like that take time.” To be honest,the same was probably true about her and Ernie. It would take time to rebuild that relationship. “ flying is good. I mean you can’t really go wrong with that.”
He rested his chin on top of her head and set his glass down so he could use both arms to hug Lex in return. Her presence was comforting, her hugs even more so. “Yeah. They do. So it’s. Something, at least.” Micah paused, pulling his lips back into a tiny grimace. “I think I insulted her, though. Accidentally.”
Lex's face mirrored Micah's with a grimace of her own. "I'm all too familiar with how that can happen." She reached up on her toes and brushed her lips against his. "But the important thing is that you're talking, right?
“It’s a start,” he agreed, and planted another kiss on her lips for good measure. “It’s better than we have been,” Micah added more confidently. “So that counts for something.”
"One step at a time, right?" Lex said, giving him an encouraging smile. She leaned up to run her fingers through his hair. "I'm proud of you. I know it's not easy to try and change the way things have been."
He smiled. “It’s not. Speaking of one step at a time, though - ” Micah raised an eyebrow down at Lex. “Someone’s medical leave is almost up. How are you feeling? Ready to get back out there?”
Lex chuckled and poked him gently in the side. "You know I've been ready to go back out there since the day I got out of Mungo's. And Pye's not given me a date yet, it's still just wait and see." She was hopeful though. She'd been allowed to start up some of her normal activities and she'd been going out jogging in the morning again - despite the winter weather. "After sitting on my arse for a month though, it's not going to be pretty when I come back."
“I do know that,” he admitted with a grin. “You wouldn’t be my Lex if you weren’t always itching to get back on the pitch the moment we step off.” Just one of the many things he loved about her. “Soon, though. Before you know it. And the whole team’ll be banging on now that we’re all back together. No more time to lounge around on the couch, though. And I think I’m officially stepping back as your manservant.” Micah teased. Not that he minded doing anything Lex wanted or needed, but there’d be no excuses anymore. She could get her own beer from the cooling cabinet just like the rest of the plebeians.
"Awww, but you look so cute in an apron," Lex teased, sliding her hands under Micah's shirt as she grinned against his chest. Even now, after they'd been married for awhile, it still made her heart swell to hear Micah call her 'my Lex'. "And you have to admit - there are benefits to being practically bedridden."
Micah scoffed loftily. “Excuse you. I look cute all the time.” He shivered slightly at Lex’s cold hands on his skin, but mostly ignored it and settled into their embrace more. “For you.” He kissed her on the nose. “I’m glad you’re all healed up, babes. You really…” Micah paused, thinking how to word how worried he’d been about the prospect of Lex sinking firmly into depression’s grasp. “Had me concerned for a little while there. It’s good to see you acting like yourself again.”
Lex laughed as she hugged Micah tighter. "Not all the time. Sometimes you look cute, occasionally adorable, and then the rest of the time you're just so sexy I want to rip your clothes off," she teased.
Micah's concern sobered her up a bit and she focused her gaze on his chest, playing with his shirt. "I… it's a lot to take in. I mean, after what happened to George, being told "wait and see" I mean.. Fuck, the way they were talking, I wasn't sure I'd ever come back." Nothing was set in stone yet, but Healer Pye was hopeful which made Lex hopeful, though she tried not to get her hopes up. "And it sucked to have this whole weeklong birthday bash planned with Jupes and then not be able to take part in it. I almost cancelled the whole thing, but you only turn thirty once."
And it had turned out better than expected. The quieter days were more enjoyable for her and well, her mother had been pleased by her behavior at the Macmillan party. "Getting lectured by the Dragon that is Elspeth Macfusty puts things in perspective, too. I'm not ready to give up quidditch, but if I have to, well, I've started making lists of other things I could do that wouldn't drive me mental."
“Such as?” Micah prompted, absently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Not that he really wanted to think about Lex changing careers, what with how much she loved Quidditch, and how long they’d been basically a package deal. He didn’t let that show on his face, though, and instead tried to focus on the swelling of pride he felt towards Lex for taking a mature approach towards her injury instead of fixating on it and imagining the worst.
"Well, I could always coach or something… that would allow me to stay with the game. Telling you to run more laps. Then there's my father's business.. Breeding Aethonans. Or racing them, though I reckon it's doubtful there would be a healer who'd let me ride if I couldn't play quid. Those were the top two choices. I'd be shite at a desk job or Ministry job and I'm not nearly as good at what comes with being an owner as my mother…"
She shrugged and smiled up at him. "You got any better ideas?"
“You’d be a good coach. You have the instinct, the experience, the knowledge. Competitive but you treat your team well because they’re family.” Micah rattled off the reasons Lex would do well in that position from off the top of his head. “And you’d be the place you love the most. I don’t know that you’d be happy off the pitch. Not permanently, anyway.” He added gently.
She blushed at the compliment and brushed her lips against his. "You're probably right, but hopefully that day is still a ways off."
She gave him a look. "How do you know me so well?"
“Oh, absolutely,” Micah hurried to echo, and smiled into the kiss. The smile refused to disappear, and only grew wider at her question. “Same way you know me as well as you do, I reckon.”
"Probably why we work so well together," she said, tightening her arms around him. "I couldn't survive this without you, you know.."
“You will never have to,” he promised firmly, and rested his chin on the top of Lex’s head. She fit so perfectly in his arms. “And more than me, you have the whole team there for you, too.” He said, stroking Lex’s hair softly. Montrose took care of their own.
She nodded, looking up at him with a grin. "I'm a lucky girl."
She gave him a final kiss before pulling back and moving to put the dishes away. "And you know you're welcome to invite Maddie here anytime if you want."
He smiled back down at her. “You make me so happy, love.”
Micah finished off his drink before resuming their post-dinner tidy-up. “I was thinking about that, actually. Having some people over. It’s been a few weeks since your thirtieth and you’ve been on the mend, might be nice to do something with friends? Maybe dinner or something?”
"Aye, I wouldn't mind. I mean… well, reckon I'm not really in the mood for a big to-do until Pye clears me to drink and fly again, but I'm not opposed for having some friends over. Unless they expect us to cook - in which case that's probably not the best idea…" she teased.
“Low-key, of course,” he agreed quickly. “That’s what I meant. Just an evening with friends. And Maddie.” Micah wasn’t sure how to categorize his sister, but didn’t dwell on it long because he was soon snickering at the idea of them actually cooking. “Either we’ll do a potluck or we’ll order from our regular place. I’m not trying to poison anyone.”
It might end up being a tad awkward with Maddie, but it was worth the effort, Lex was certain about that. "That would be good."
She brightened. "We could ask Georgi to cook. His food is brilliant."
Micah’s face immediately mirrored hers. “Yes. Good. Perfect.” He put away a dish in the cabinet and started in for the collection of mugs that had grown near the sink that they’d finally washed. “So that’s me, you, Maddie, Georgi. Angus, of course. Lennox, if he’d like to. Kal, if you’d like? ” He glanced over at Lex thoughtfully. “Anyone else? That seems a good size, to keep it small.”
Lex climbed up on the counter to reach the upper cabinets. She could use magic, but it was more fun this way. She took the cups as Micah passed them, putting them up in the cupboard. "Yes to Kal, and make sure we give Lennox an out if he wants. I think that's a good size or else it'll end up being half of Scotland before we know it."
“And I don’t even think that’s an exaggeration,” he agreed with a laugh, and handed her the next mug.