Who: Alec Vaisey & Katie Bell What: Tired, confused, messed up... Where: Alec’s Flat When: Monday, July 3rd Rating: High Status: Complete
Katie didn’t waste any time getting ready once she’d told Alec she was coming. As soon as she closed her journal she hopped out of bed to pull on a cardigan and jeans and then went about leaving a note for Angelina. Only a short message, enough to let her know that she was okay, not to worry and that she would be back as soon as she could.
Normally a visit to Alec’s meant staying overnight and telling Ange that she’d be gone until morning would have been enough of a hint for her friend to figure out exactly where she’d be, but after the conversation she and Alec had just had… well, Katie wasn’t sure how long she’d be there this time. She’d been serious when she’d suggested they go back to how things had been in the beginning. She didn’t want to cut herself off from him- it was the last thing she wanted- but she couldn’t deny things had been easier for both of them back then.
Of course, things had been different in the beginning. The changes in the Ministry had been new and Harry’s death had been fresh in everybody’s mind. The group had a clear purpose and so many things hadn’t taken place to alter the path they were all taking in life. Katie hadn’t really given much thought to how long she’d be away back then, but now- now it felt like this might be her life indefinitely and she was more than conflicted over what to do with that.
One thing she did know though was that they needed to sort this. Katie didn’t like to think of herself as an overly emotional person, but when it came to Alec the extremes of her personality were always easily triggered. It was worse these days simply because of how infrequently they saw each other. The last time- not counting the night of the explosion- having been weeks ago, and even now, as she reached to pocket her wand and smooth down the mess of her hair, she could easily recall the way it had felt seeing him back then too.
The feeling almost materialized after that first uncomfortable tug as she disapparated and his familiar shape came into view. She could see that he'd been drinking- was drinking. He looked not just tired, but exhausted, and she fought back a frown at how her chest ached knowing how selfish she'd been to seek comfort from him when he'd spent the majority of the last forty eight hours tending to the wounded victims from two nights ago.
But oh how it was good to see him too! Katie felt torn. Part of her wanted to wait until he spoke, but another part of her wanted to rush over to him. To touch him. Kiss him. Tell him see was sorry for suggesting stupid things, for not giving him time, but instead her expression simply crumpled.