Who: Lena and Terry What: a conversation nearly 3 years in the making Where: England When: March, 2016 Status: Backdated | Incomplete
When the announcement of the Ministry falling rang out to the alleyways of the Slums, it was hard for Terry to see what they had accomplished in the aftermath. Logically, he knew what to expect. It wasn't the first time he had lived through a battle. Death was inevitable, and war is a terrible, tragic thing, but to have gone for so long, and lost so many, even outside of direct fighting, his mindset wouldn't allow him the sweet relief of winning, even if he desperately tried to convince himself otherwise. He waited. Waited until the bodies were cleared, the fires put out, people reunited with those they were worried lost. Terry waited himself for someone in particular, who thankfully, kept her side of their bargain. She survived, just like he did.
Eventually, in the wake of sadness and loss, happiness and celebration broke through. At least for a lot of Magical London as the good aurors and government types flocked to the Ministry, cleaning out the last bit of remaining rubbish to lay down the foundations of what they had wanted for so long. Even then, Terry still felt... nothing. Well, nothing aside from what he always felt, and that was making him bloody miserable. Claustrophobic, even. It's what led to him telling Lena that he was leaving. Or really, had to leave, otherwise face the consequences he couldn't entirely control. He wasn't sure what exactly he expected from her, but was still relieved when she said she would accompany him. He wasn't entirely surprised when they landed in Portugal.
New, fresh air. The ocean right ahead of him. Terry took months to find strength in himself to face his demons, eventually taking on intensive therapy in the city as well as a mixture of necessary medication. He built a motorcycle in the lean-to next to their small house for nearly a year. He kept... a handle on feelings that were bubbling inside. The one time they kissed he knew for sure how deep the rabbit hole went between the two of them, and was determined to give her the best version of himself he could manage, even if the best version still wasn't all that great. It wasn't until he felt fully in control of himself and with a healthy regimen and coping mechanisms that he suggested returning home. He had tracked down several different properties in his price range, though none of them close to London. Not yet. He'd magically commute. It wasn't that hard.
He had wanted to see everything first, which led them to a small hotel in Pluckley. Two places here tomorrow, and another two in another city the next day. But his mind wasn't on that as he returned from a walk, tossing a plastic bag filled with junk food to Lena as he closed and locked the door behind him.
Shrugging off his coat he sat on the bed quietly, waiting until she had rooted her way through the items and made her selections, a small smirk gracing Terry's features as he watched. Well, until she noticed.
"I would have understood if you wanted to go stay with Benji or other family while I did this, you know." Reaching forward, he grabbed himself a bag of crisps, looking over the metallic paper quietly. He had other things on his mind, but words were difficult. But he really needed to get it out before tomorrow. A part of him though, wondered if she could already sense his heightened state. "But I'm glad you... didn't. Makes this all easier."