Who: Oliver Wood and Summer Capper What: Oliver has a question When: [BACKDATED] Dec 20 Where: The Cottage Rating | Status: Low (Seriously?) | Incomplete. Will update when finished
Having been home for almost two months now, Oliver was still trying to wrap his head around everything. He knew that no one who was not on the island when they left knew what had happened. They had no idea that there was anything different about them. That some had dealt with insane things. That people, for a few days, were worried about being a werewolf for the rest of their lives. That friendships had shattered, others had formed out of nowhere, and they had suffered not being around those they cared about. For Oliver, it was not the missing his family that was the worst part. It was actually coming home. It was facing his family for the first time since the World Cup even though to the world he had been dealing with it for ages. It was worse than he had expected, but somehow he was not all that surprised. Summer had been the brightest light in his return. She made it less devastating to come home and realize that his father was still not talking to him. In fact, the had gotten it out of his sister that the last time they spoke for more than just a few words a day since the first loss, and only in front of Nan. While mum and Bri loved Summer (not to mention Nan threatening him if he ever lost such a beautiful girl), Dad never seemed to give a distinguishing nod or heart-shake. Bri reassured him that it was not because he disliked Summer, which was comforting. But the fact that it seemed his life had been nothing more than the stage-father dream he always lived in was a little upsetting. A glimpse of having that approval and it was snatched away.
But for once, Oliver didn’t focus on his father. Coming home, he focused on his career. Focused on a lot of talking with Padriag. With Miles. With Summer, even, about what he wanted to do with his life. Even a rather abrupt and blunt one with Callen. He focused on his Nan, who was getting up there in age. A sassy, quick woman with Oliver’s eyes and cheekbones, but the same round face everyone knew from his sister. She was not any less a brilliant woman than when she was younger, and she liked to make sure Summer was invited over for family dinners every Sunday with June. She was not happy with how her son was acting, but she did not feel the same about it. And she wanted to make sure the new members of the family felt that way. Oliver also focused on thinking about a future. He did a lot of it while not on the pitch. He had spent a lot of his spare time in November working on the basic parts of the small cottage’s expansion. He relied heavily on Mac, who was apparently a genius when it came to building. He made it look like it fit with the rest of the rustic look. It was beautiful, yes, but he figured with six more dogs running around and his near-obsessive need to work out, they needed at least a little extra room. So it was two small ones on the back side. The frame was finished in time to put wards up and protect it from the winter storms that could roll in at any time.
But, most importantly to him, he focused on Summer. He had his quidditch, his mother and nan, he had Bri and Mac. He had his friends, but that was nothing new to him. Summer was still new, or it felt it. And it was weird to know that this still felt exciting. Oliver had dated before, that was not unknown to the world and to Summer. But it always got boring quick, or he felt smothered. The only other person to ever get intimate with him had spent more time trying to pull him away from the pitch than supporting him. The other two were not so long-winded because it was more about his fame than his person. He was not some star-studded man who liked to have a fancy girl on his arm. His life was private and rather boring for the most part, and that wasn’t good enough for some. And the one that he thought might have been back in the day grew tired of his driven nature for his career. But Summer? Summer was different in every way. Her heart of gold and honesty was what caught him first. He had always seen her, talked to her, about the different events. He volunteered for every charity, even though he knew her asking was partially because of the name tagged on. He liked to talk to her a lot, or at least a lot for him. And it all just sparked from that, but what he hadn’t expected was that slippery slope he found himself on. The more he found out about her, the more he learned, the more he felt like there was never enough time with her. There was never a moment of feeling smothered or like she wanted to pull him away from his Quidditch. Even on the days starting on the island when he would roll over and realize he didn’t want to get up for that run just yet, it never felt like it was a bad thing. He never felt held back, and that’s when he knew.
His old man may have never been a source for good conversation, but Declan’s father Angus was. And Pop always told him to never let someone who makes you better leave. Never give them a reason to go anywhere. He was scared that she may wisen up and notice that there was maybe something not worth it after it all. He was forever convinced that she was forever too good for him, and he wanted to deserve her. And it led to talking with Nan one night after he swung by to help her with a few things around the house. She, of course, was shocked to hear that he was actually living with her. But after some time and a lot of “what ifs” thrown back and forth, the man left reassured about what he was doing. And that left him now with timing. He had the ring his Nan had given him for about two weeks now, but he hadn’t found the time. They were surrounded by boxes with Christmas decorations and a few of the dogs lazing about in the room. He was pulling out some of the wall hangings, thinking on how they they needed to save room downstairs for a nice-sized tree when he remembered something and let out a soft chuckle. He turned and looked over his shoulder at Summer with a small smile. “Nice dealing with these and no threat of being tangled in ‘em, yeah,” he asked lightly. “Not complaining, of course,” he added and handed her a set of lights,
*****
Home. It was strange, but it was good. Things had changed so much, at yet some things were the same, some things were logical, normal, and amazing. The concept of living with him wasn’t scary or strange here, she’d lived with him for a while on the Island, the added rooms to the Cottage were pretty normal. Everything felt oddly normal, good even.
Maybe it was to good to be true. Sometimes Summer thought it was all a dream but then she would see Oliver in the morning in the kitchen with the kettle on and it wouldn’t be a dream, it was just life. It was the two of them and a village of animal family members. That was just the way that things were. She loved it. Summer actually really loved her life.
They both had their own level of family problems. Summer had her sister and that was it, she didn’t talk to her father anymore but she did have her sister. Her sister knew everything. She knew how much she loved Oliver, he was her family in her mind. No matter what was going on, she always knew Oliver was there.
Christmas wasn’t always one of her favorite times but she liked seeing how happy Oliver got when he was look at the small things. He seemed to really enjoy the holiday and all the things that went with. Half the stuff that Summer had wasn’t just for her, it was more about other people.
Laughing as he brought up last Christmas she shrugged. “I don’t think that was so bad.” Summer told him as she picked up some stuffed polar bears in santa suits. “I actually kind of enjoyed it.”
~~~
For him, it was a time to be with the people you decided on as your family. Yes, he did have to see his father because Nan’s heart would break otherwise, but he used to spend a lot more time on the Eve and the actual Day of Christmas with his girls, a bit with George, and then with his family. This was no different. Last year, he had partially over extended himself on volunteering to find something fulfilling for it. He wanted to do the same this year, especially knowing that she did much of the same. Her kind heart was what started all of this, and he didn’t want to let it go. He wanted to do things she enjoyed, as well. It was very much one of his favorite holidays, seeing Nan and Pop decorate their little old cottage on the water. Seeing his sister and mum in the kitchen baking, or helping mum with the ham. It was something he wanted to share with Summer and June. Wanted them to be part of their family, even if it was not perfect. Hell, he was convinced his Nan would disown him if he lost her now. Take her side on whatever happened.
But she was also right that Oliver was always there. He wanted to always be there. When she commented on liking the insanity of the last holiday, he smirked sheepishly and gave a small laugh. “It did have it’s charm,” he replied. Yes, it was an awkward moment to be wrapped with her at the time, it definitely was more humourous now. How it was for a lot of that season. Not that he minded much, as it was a crazy path that led here. “Let’s hope these don’t grow a mind of their own, or at least pick a better tune to sing,” he added lightly before waving his wand to get the lights around the tree. He was simple with decorating. He did have his stockings and a tree. A wreath on the door and candles in the window, but aside from that it was pretty pet-friendly. In the cottage, it had to be at this point. Everything was charmed to not knock over, none of the flames would spread, and no poisonous plants were used to decorate, as much as he loved poinsettias.
He put his hand in his pockets briefly to thumb the box inside before calming his nerves again and removing them to grab something else to shift around before looking at the pandas. “Those are cute,” he commented with a smile as Alpha wandered by, sniffing somethings and joining Bolt and Fatty in the corner. “Nan wanted to make sure I made it clear you were invited over for the family dinner,” he informed her, shaking his head. “Don’t be surprised if she asks you about three more time between now and eve. She seems to think I’ll forget to ask you and June.” He emphasized the idea of it being a family thing to test that water. He had been throwing the word around a bit more in the last week to see if she minded it. Thus far, it seemed to be a perfectly normal thing for them, but he was still cautious. He had told Mac the night before he would become a hermit if Summer turned him down now.
~~~~
The memory of the lights were still playing in her mind, how nervous she’d been in that moment, how she’d really kind of enjoyed being stuck right next to him. At that point she’d worried about physical contact because it might seem awkward, now she knew she could take his hand at almost any moment and it was okay, she could wrap an arm around him anytime she wanted and there wasn’t any of the fear that had been there early on, there were still butterflies but they were the good kind. The warmth she got when she leaned against him while standing outside in the cold, the simple ability to kiss him when she wanted to. In a lot of ways Oliver made her more confident.
“I would go for a better song.” She agreed with a smile as she turned and looked at the large number of dogs hanging out. Bob lounged out dreaming occasionally opening an eye to see what was going on. Sometimes it was intense with so many animals but overall Summer just felt like it made the cottage more comfortable. She was well aware that most people would find it uncomfortable having that many around but she knew she and Oliver loved it.
Laughing she nodded. “I got an Owl this morning about it actually, June’s coming too, don’t worry.” She added quickly. Summer really liked his Nan. She always seemed to be there for Summer now and the truth was, was that Summer never had anyone like that in her life. It didn’t really matter how much she asked Summer, she’d always respond happily and with a smile. “We talked about some of the matches coming up and are trying to figure out which on we can get to easiest.” She said. Given he was now with the Falcons she needed it to be a day either he was playing the Magpies or ideally when the Magpie’s had a bye week and she could just go as a fan.
~~~
At her agreement, he smirked and nodded. He was not the most emotive at times, but for her it was easy to get the man to react. His eyes sparkled and never could leave her in a room. He had never been much of a fan when it came to being overly affectionate in public, but with Summer, it was an honour for him to have someone like her want to be in contact with him. Despite when she seemed to think, and what his newer mates at the Falcons seemed to force down his throat, he never really saw himself as the looker in the pair. She was forever too-good for him. Not because he was that hard on himself. Not anymore, anyway. It was so he could strive to always treat her that well. Strive to treat her better than the day before, because that was what he felt was the right thing to do. He was very old fashioned on his views. He felt, of course, that she was able to take care of herself, he never once questioned this. There was no doubt in his mind that she didn't need him to do it, but his heart was set on providing for her needs. He would always go above and beyond, and he was a sap of course.
Her comment about June going received a nod from the man. He liked her sister. She was not quite the same as Summer. She was a bit rougher around the edges at times. A bit less of the sweet angel his girlfriend was, but she was a good person. Once he got used to her, she was family too. “I'll let her know,” he replied softly. “I'm glad she's joining us,” he added in the same tone. Yes. June knew what today was. Or what it would be. He had asked her permission, of course. While he did not know the story (asked for the best really), Oliver knew her father was not in the picture. That being said, he needed to get the blessing from someone. June gave it wholeheartedly. Then told him if he broke Summer's heart, she'd kill him. Again.
Quidditch. Right. It had been a rough start with the Falcons. There was no love between Oliver and his teammate Marcus. And there were a few touch-and-go moments with other players aside from Mac. But after the month of standing his ground, even when Marcus had tried to bait a fight from the Keeper, things had settled. His voice raised now to stop pointless squabbles that were nothing more than overflowing testosterone with the team. Still, he had not been expecting to be approached by Padriag with the offer of being the captain. He had spent the better part of two days ago pondering it hard before accepting. The team would be informed in the morning, which was going to be… interesting. “Think the team will judge you for conflict of interest when we head to your pitch,” he teased lightly, putting down a box of ornaments and turning to look at her. Lord, help him, he didn't know if he could do this. But another silly thought crossed his mind, and a seemingly random laugh huffed out before he reached a hand out to pull her in for a hug. This time last year, the mere prospect of a date was ludicrous, he was too nervous. Half of the incidents between them had been, well, magic. Literally. In fact their first real date had started here, in this little cottage. Meeting the fuzzy family members and seeing her charming abode. That was why there was no dinner tonight, no fancy and over-the-top event. He thought about it. But that wasn't them. That wasn't her. He wanted it to be special. Private. Personal. And at a place that held a lot of meaning to them both.
When her body pressed to his, he smiled in her hair for a moment. “I can’t believe how lucky I am,” he muttered more to himself with another laugh. He stepped back a bit to look down at her slightly. Not being tall like his mates saa never a bad thing when it came to that. “You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.” He told her in a soft voice and his eyes looking a bit damp.
----
Shrugging, Summer wasn’t really sure what the team would think, overall she knew they were for the most part just happy for them. Summer was well aware of the problems with Alicia still and while she didn’t fully understand both sides of it, she knew that it was hard for both of them. Summer wasn’t blind, being naturally empathetic she’d noticed the strong changes in Alicia’s personality. Even after Oliver left the team. Whatever it was though, Summer tried not to get in the way. She was just glad that Straton still worked for the Magpies, Summer had seen Oliver’s former best friend in there more than not. Summer never really brought it up, or the changes in the team dynamic as of late, it wasn’t her place. She was just there to stay positive and help where she could.
“I think they’ll accept it.” She said smiling, “Besides I think they’d be surprised if it was any other way.” There was a lot more than just Quidditch involved with the team politics in any team, in any place but she knew the move was better for Oliver and she would always support what was best for the people she loved.
Summer wasn’t actually expecting him to move but his words she heard under his breath just made her smile. “I think we are both lucky.” She responded giving him a curious look as he told her she was the best thing to happen to him.
“Oliver?” She said noticing right away the damp look in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
~~
From his perspective, Alicia made it clear he was not welcome in her life. Maybe just for now, maybe forever, but he would not lay insult upon her once more by overstepping. He had, perhaps, overstated his devotion to her still, in that he would always be there. At times, he hated how much he had dragged Summer into this, as she worked with her still and was with him. She had been his angel through it all. She had given insight his mind overlooked. Made it easier to see how flaw in approaching this topic. Ultimately, she helped guide the shift in how he managed a lot. It was becoming a long list of ways this woman before him helped the man grow more than the 30 years without her.
“Considering Cait told me I need to stay in touch, I'm sure more than likely they wouldn't mind,” he replied. Honestly, the fact that the parting had been filled with positive thoughts helped a lot. His old family at the Magpies was one of the best, in his biased opinion, out there. But it was time to leave and grow. A surprising growth, indeed.
When she asked if he was okay, Oliver's heart seized for a moment before racing. She knew something was up, and it was no surprise, really. While he was not one to facial express much, the woman had gotten to know his eyes and the way his hands moved by now. And though the latter were still holding her lightly, the nerves were beginning to show. The man found his voice again, and replied with a smile. But first came a small, definite nod. “Just been thinking a lot lately.” His voice trailed for a moment, know all-too well Summer had watched the man ponder almost any time his life paused. “We have gone through a lot… in a short amount of time. The Cup, a nasty injury, my… father, amnesia, being dragged to nowhere. And the unco-” the rest of his sentence (uncomfortable bits of any relationship starting) was drowned out as the puppies the pair adopted on the island began yapping at each other. He paused, sighing from his nose and shaking his head out of amusement. Every damn time he tried talking.
“I think they're done. And I'm completely rambling now. I'm just saying, I never cared about life off the pitch, really. I never saw what next, or worried about 10 years down the road. It was never as important. You didn't try to change that or me. But you did, and I'm looking down the road. I want to be on your team.” His voice was straining in absolute terror right now as he worried she would politely say no. That it was all too soon. They were not ready or sure. But he was, he had never been more sure in his life about anything. Finally, he moved boss hands from her and put reached into his pocket where his grandmother's ring was and pulled out the box. Surprising himself that his knees had yet to give way, he knelt before her and took a deep breath and prayed she would not turn him down now before looking up at her, gray eyes locked on hers with a nervous smile like a school boy trying to hold hands.