Emmeline Vance (emmline) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2017-11-07 18:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log/thread, !network post, charlie weasley, emmeline vance |
WHO: Emmeline Vance & Charlie Weasley
WHERE: The Burrow
WHEN: 7 November [after this]
WHAT: Ending things.
RATING: PG-13 for mentioning sex.
STATUS: log; completed
Say something. Emmeline sat on the sofa, leaning against the armrest with her legs pulled up, her fingers drumming against her knee. Charlie was waiting for her to respond and Emmeline was trying to figure out what to say. It wasn’t completely unexpected. When this had started they both had trouble understanding what it was between them and it only became more complicated after Snow’s arrival. They had agreed to play it by ear, knowing that they each cared about someone and it’d be difficult for them not to run back to the other person. Emmeline felt Charlie’s arms around her and she wasn’t sure if she should shove him away or not. No, this wasn’t Charlie’s fault and it wasn’t Emmeline’s fault. They agree to always be honest with one another, to tell each other the truth. And the truth was that they were lonely the feelings they did have intensified because they were lonely. Charlie was always going to love Snow, and Emmeline was always going to love Stefan. Just as she was always going to love a certain Order Member that she still couldn’t bring herself to name. The only difference was that Charlie, even if he once told he he was getting closure, still had his chance now that Snow was here. Emmeline knew that going in and it wasn’t the ending of their relationship that kept her tongue-tied it was the worry of what would happen to their friendship. “I understand,” she finally said. “As difficult as it’s been for us to be honest this whole time, we’ve done a pretty good job of it. I can’t blame you for being honest.” She took his hand and squeezed it. “Where does that leave us now? I don’t want to stop being in your life, I don’t know if I can.” He and Snow had said 'goodbye.' They'd allowed themselves closure. Charlie had told himself it was for the best. He hadn't been able to have closure before her return because how could he? She was just gone. He'd tried to move on, and he had been coping, but that wasn't the same as a proper 'goodbye.' It'd been a story that had come to a stop without a satisfying ending. And he had been grateful that they'd been able to give one another closure. The trouble was that, even though they'd said 'goodbye' with the intent of regaining their friendship, it didn't put feelings to bed. Charlie knew they were still there. The feelings. But so were all of the reasons that he and Snow shouldn't have been together; with a few more added on for good measure. Moving forward was the healthy thing to do. But, healthy or not, his love for Snow was there and it wasn't going away. And maybe it wasn't going to. And that wasn't fair to Emmeline. Of course, Charlie loved Emmeline, too. She was even more complicated. She'd gone and come back to him. But they weren't on the same playing field, and really, he was beginning to be aware that the time for them was gone and past. At least in any sort of romantic way. He sat, his arm around her still, waiting for her to speak. It had taken a lot for him to own up to this but he felt like it was the right thing to do. He didn't want to lead her on. Not her. When she took his hand, threaded his fingers with hers, and returned the comforting squeeze. He couldn't smile but he gave her the same adoring look that was tailored made for her. "I don't want you to stop being in my life," he told her. It was Emmeline that knew him better than anyone else. He was pretty sure he knew her better than anyone else, too. They were cut from the same cloth with a generation apart. "I don't know what I'd do if you went." "We can be friends, still, can't we? I know people always say they want to, and then drift apart, but we can manage not to do that, can't we?" Emmeline nodded. "Of course we can still be friends. You're one of the few people that understand me, one of the few rocks I have in my life. I don't know what I'd be without you." Emmeline wasn't keen on finding out either, they were too much alike and sometimes it scared Emmeline whenever she saw Charlie spiral because it was like looking in a mirror and that terrified her. It was why their bond was so strong to begin with, because they knew each other so well that they knew how to pick the other person up. How many times have they done that for one another? Probably more than Emmeline can remember since Charlie had memories of the two of them that she didn't. "We won't drift apart," she replied with confidence. "We won't let that happen. I can understand if we might need a break, cool down but we'll have to promise each other to check in." Emmeline turned to face him. "We won't let the other person drift away, deal?" She repositioned herself and stretched out her hand to him. He gave the weakest of smiles to that statement. Charlie, himself, knew precisely what he'd be without Emmeline. He'd gone through it before. Only, those times were different, and their relationship now was of a different sort. He wouldn't have been upset about Emmeline's departure in the same way he had the previous two times. Those events were held with sadness at lost opportunity. If Emmeline were to leave again? It'd feel like a part of him was gone. He needed her. He then nodded his head. Charlie had no intention of allowing them to drift apart from his end. As long as she was in the same frame of mind, he considered that to be a good thing. His primary concern had been that she wouldn't be. He had doubted it, since he did know her so well, but that didn't stop the fear from being there. "No drifting away," he agreed, shifting to pull his knee up under him on the couch, and reached out to take her hand. He didn't shake it but instead just held it tight, giving her a vulnerable glance. This was a good thing, at least it would prove to be a good thing. Emmeline told herself this as she held his hand for a moment before pulling him to her for a hug. It hurt yes, but this was for the best. Their relationship hadn’t changed much when they started sleeping together, and surely they could go back to where it was before. Sex didn’t change them that much and this was what smart couples did. They stopped before any long lasting damage could be done. They both would be hurting, of course, but with her arms around him, she could feel that everything would be all right. There was no crying, but her eyes did glisten as she kissed his cheeks before pulling away. “Good. As long as we stick to that code, then we’ll both be okay.” After a beat she stood up, brushing her hands against her thighs and said. “I should probably go.” He dropped her hand and let his arms wrap around her, holding her against him for as long as she'd allow him to. He was thankful for the hug. It was a physical reminder that they were going to make it through this and that they still cared for one another. Hopefully, the good will between them wasn't going to just be for tonight, but would remain as they shifted back into the dynamic they'd previously had. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead, his hand moving to stroke her cheek gently as he gave her one last smile. "I have faith in us," he told her before pulling back enough to give her room to stand. He nodded his head in understanding before standing himself. His hands shifted to rest in his pockets. "I'll see you to the door." "Me too," she replied softly. As he stood up, offering to walk her to the door she nodded but remained silent. It was difficult to pinpoint where her mind was at the moment. What did she want? The feeling of leaving was certainly on her mind, but it couldn't be until the weekend. Perhaps she could send Lily a message when she got home and see if she'd be willing to find a spa, somewhere far away. All that could wait though, she knew it was her instinct to run but she wanted to give the time and consideration she and Charlie both deserved. When the door opened, she stepped out, her hand still on the door knob. There wasn't a silent longing last look. There was no walking away without looking back. Instead, Emmeline gave him a genuine kind smile and said, "I'll see you later, Charlie." |