the rebel next door. [tag; aeric]

Well, this was fancy.

It was a frozen day. Snow covered the cracked pavement beneath her feet as long legs strode down the street, a light flutter of snowflakes landing happily in her long blonde hair. The Christmas festivities were over and Madeline had spent the past week nursing a nasty hangover. She'd gone from having no festive plans to attending a Christmas party every night. Her highlight had been the Trickett party where she'd accidentally kissed a world famous Quidditch player. Her cheeks flushed deeply pink as she walked further, her head bowed against the frigid wind.

The heels of her knee high boots beat out a steady rhythm, slipping occasionally as she stepped on a little bit of melted snow. She'd never been very good at picking out appropriate attire. Her short emerald green dress was probably testament to that fact. Her long legs were covered by a pair of thick black tights and she was wearing a snug coat and a cute floppy hat to keep her carefully constructed curls in place. Her pale hands were full of shopping bags. She'd been paid yesterday and she'd exchanged some of her galleons for Muggle currency and she'd hit the January sales. Hard.

Dublin was a fascinating city. Madeline had visited maybe once or twice before but never more than that. It was old but busy and lively. And everyone had such gorgeous accents. They made her own crisp, upper class British accent sound so silly. She was  half tempted to hang around and eavesdrop into people's conversations. It was so sexy. Maybe she needed an Irish boyfriend? That'd be great.

It was a little after two in the afternoon and it was already starting to darken outside. The heavy, snow laden clouds were squeezing out the weak sunlight and it wouldn't be too long before the fancy old iron street lights would be flickering back into life. She flicked her honey coloured eyes up to the sky with a frown, her various shopping bags clattering against her legs. She was cold. Frozen to the core. She could murder a cup of coffee or maybe a hot toddy…whatever that was. Her nanna swore by it.

Her purchases, however, weren't really that frivolous. Maddie had bought herself a bright pink fluffy covered hot water bottle because the dated and temperamental pipes in her dinky Parisian apartment tended to freeze up in winter. She'd bought some thermal socks, a new cake pan, some knives, another apron and light bulbs. Living on her own, she had to take charge and learn how to change light bulbs and hang shelves and not to scream when faced with a horrible spider. The tall blonde gave a yawn as she stopped to let a care trundle past, breaking into a gentle jog to cross the street.

She hadn't had lunch yet and she didn't feel like cooking so she was on the look out for a nice quite café somewhere that she could grab a sandwich. Maybe a coffee or read the newspaper. Maddie had one with her but it was a Parisian one. She very rarely bought British newspapers any more as she spent very little time here, except when she worked part time in Hogsmeade. Her pale fingers were turning red and sore due to the cold weather and she winced, finding herself unable to really keep grasping the handles. Freezing. Absolutely freezing.

Passing another window, she stopped abruptly, halting the flow of shoppers. Inside the window was a beautiful pair of sparkling diamond earrings. Not too  big, not too showy. She frowned. She hadn't gotten much for Christmas but that was fine, she wasn't a materialistic girl at all but there was a small part of her that missed having a boyfriend or at least someone to spoil her rotten. Jewellery as such a special gift. Madeline rarely wore any. She used to wear rings but since she was usually elbow deep in cake batter, the idea of one coming off her finger was terrifying. She admired the diamonds and then winced at the price, letting out a squeak of surprise as someone ploughed right into her back. It was her fault, of course. She'd stopped so suddenly, whoever had hit her had no choice but to keep moving forward.

The jolt made her drop one of her bags. It was a small, elegant looking black bag which just so happened to contain a new set of lilac, lacy lingerie which promptly flopped out onto the pavement in full view. It wasn't that she was trying to seduce anyone (okay, maybe a teeny tiny bit) but she bought underwear for herself. But now half of Dublin had seen it. Awkward.

"I hear what's being said, but honestly it doesn't change the way I see the situation." A calm deep voice rose over the man walking within the group so as to be heard. He understood the need for a chain of command, he enjoyed it actually. Now, however it was becoming irritating. The constant need to appease everyone as to avoid an all out war. Aeric turned his gaze to the few people walking down the street. They seem empty to the fact that maybe something bad would happen. That danger lurked around each corner. He was aware. Oh yes, the Irishman was well aware of the dangers that could invade his home. He thought of the various things that could taint his son.

He feared the life that had been thrust upon him would be the same life left for his son. What he wanted to leave behind was a legacy worth passing on. Something good and pure. There was the power and the money, but what good was it if nothing resourceful and purposeful came from it? "Gentlemen...please." He was snatched from his pondering as the group began to disagree somewhat loudly. "How about we break for the day...and pick up tomorrow at 3." There was no pause for an answer as he crossed to the other side of the street.

He needed a break, something light to take over his mind. Small conversation and anything that didn't remind him of work. Green eyes dropped down to the watch on his wrist to check the time when he felt his body collide with someone. Instinctively his hands reached out to grab the person by the arms to keep them from falling. "Excuse me I wasn't looking where..." A smile crossed his face before he had time to really gather who was standing in front of him.

Madeline Fletcher. He could remember certain things about the woman that would bring a blush to her cheeks. Bending he took a moment to pick up her fallen bag and it's contents. Straightening up Aeric smiled again as the bag was held out. "If I had known something so beautiful was wondering the Dublin streets, I would have been walking them all day." She was a sight for sore eyes. They had not been extremely close but he knew he well. He considered his friend, a list that tended to be short.

"How have you been, Ms. Fletcher?" He couldn't remember the last time he had seen her, but he knew he was happy to be in her presence now. Curious by what had caused her to come to a sudden stop in the middle of the walkway his gaze shifted to the window and once more a smile crossed his full lips. Taking a step back he moved to open the door. "Shall we go inside to have a look." It was not a question. "If you have the time that is?" There that was better. She was a beautiful woman and they required a certain finesse when being spoken to. "It is really nice to see...honestly."

Madeline was mortified. Her unmentionables were on show on a major shopping thoroughfare in the Irish capital and she wanted to die. If people had seen the underwear, they hadn't really let on. She hadn't bought them for anyone in particular. She was dateless this Valentine's Day. She'd seen them, she'd like them, she'd bought them. She looked good in purple.

Stepping forward in an effort to stuff the lingerie back in the bag, a pair of hands grabbed her and she let out a squeak of surprise. "Ooof," she said as she was pulled up, her already addled brain starting to spin. She was more preoccupied with her underwear as opposed to the stranger who was currently manhandling her. Turning around in the man's arms, it was lucky he was holding her because she may well have fainted.

"Aeric?" She asked, her honey coloured eyes wide in confusion. Goodness, she hadn't seen him in…what? Three years? Longer? She blushed fiercely, remembering the ill-timed make out session on New Year's Eve when they were both spending the holidays at Hogwarts. Aeric Regan was a damned good kisser but then again, she supposed he had had a lot of practice when it came to tonsil tennis. Swiftly, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug. "It looks like I fell for you," Maddie cracked a joke with a grin, mentioning how he'd caught her before she'd face planted onto a frosty Dublin street. Aeric had nice hands. Big hands. Hands that a girl wouldn't mind having roaming over her on a cold, winter's night --

"Oh gosh, thank you," Maddie said, her cheeks still red as she reached out to take the bag from him and she hugged it protectively to her chest. The baker looked over her shoulder, paranoid that someone had seen the bag's content. It was a new millennium. Surely she could buy knickers without feeling like it was inappropriate? "You…didn't see those, did you?" She asked Aeric, looking at him intently. Shit, what if he had? Well. At least she had more boobs than the last time he'd seen them. Puberty hadn't really kicked in for her until her sixteenth birthday.

Unable to help herself, Madeline laughed. This words, though perhaps sincere, had tickled her pink. She grinned broadly, her cheeks dimpling cutely. "Oh stop," she cooed coyly, fanning her face with her free hand. "You're making me blush." Aeric was. She could feel her ears burning and it had nothing to do with the cold weather. Inside, she was screaming. Here she had a tall, dark and handsome man who was telling her really nice things. She must be dreaming.

"I've been well, thank you," she said primly with a bright smile at him. "Got married. Got divorced. Now I'm living in Paris." She gave Aeric the very basic points of her last year. Most of the people had finished saying "I told you so" when the marriage fell apart so that was kind of nice. She'd got a good job with room to progress and she was living smack bang in the middle of the City of Lights. If life was a game, she was nailing it. "How about you?" She asked, genuinely interested. Was he seeing someone? Married? Did he still have that awesome back tattoo?

"Oh," Maddie replied with wide eyes as she shook her head so hard, the ends of her hair whipped her cheeks. "No. I can't afford -- okay." Aeric wasn't taking no for an answer and the door was open. "Thanks," she said sheepishly as she stepped into the jewellery store and she sighed with delight. Her honey coloured eyes glassed over with lust. "I've always got time for you," she said as she tossed a smile over her shoulder and wandered in. The pretty sales assistants were all clad in black and one came over to see if she needed any help. Ha! As if. She couldn't even afford to pee in a place like this.

Turning to face him, she smiled broadly as she reached out to affectionately squeeze his arm. "It's really nice to see you, too," she said genuinely and impressed that he even remembered who she was. "You look great," she said then she frowned. "Gorgeous," she blabbered, turning red again. Stupid brain! "Nice? You…look nice," she winced, wanting to punch herself in the face. The tall, beautiful black clad assistant popped up and asked if she needed any help. "Oh, no thank you," Madeline said kindly. "I'm just lusting from afar," she said with a smile as she fingered the glass that protected a selection of beautiful necklaces.

Having her arms around him brought back memories. Some in which he welcomed, while others not so much. Some reminded him that he was alone again, in the wake of everything happening around him that was his small secret. Ivana had changed, drastically, and there was nothing that he could have done to help her. He told himself each morning, a mantra he helped would make him feel less guilty. She had vanished. There had been no finding her, hope of ever doing so had been lost as well.

His lips twitched as she brought him from his pondering. "No, I saw nothing." He smiled as he leaned towards her to whisper softly. "But I have to admit purple looks good on you." Ah, there was that blush. That blush told him she was still as innocent as he remembered, well at least that was what he hoped it told him. "Don't worry that blush only adds to your beauty, so forgive me if I try to make you blush a lot more." It was a refreshing sight. It reminded him why women were so intoxicating to him at one point in his life. She had been one of those women if he recalled correctly.

"Oh, wow. I'm sorry to hear that, but I have to say any man that would willingly let you go is a fool." He shook his head to show his disbelief. "No way in hell I would have let you slip through my fingers." From what he could remember Madeline had always been a catch. One he would never have allowed himself to taint. He had after-all been the love them and leave them type during school. "Me? Uh..." A sigh left his lips as he lifted a hand to run through his hair. "Well lets see....um found out I had a son, rescued my girlfriend from so deranged guy who almost killed her then proposed....oh then she kind of just vanished. Yep aside from that my years been pretty bland."

Yeah, so he had been through a lot during the year. More than he thought he would be able to handle. "Now you wouldn't be flirting with me, now would you? Because you know I would be inclined to pursue you if that was the case." It had been a long time since he had been in the company of a woman, any woman for the matter. He'd closed himself off in his office and just worked. This meeting whether it by chance or something else he welcomed with open arms. "And you look stunning."

She was stunning, had always been. "Actually." His brows came together as he looked at each case. "We will be needing some help...." Green eyes washed over her slowly, taking her in as he did so. "Can I have two from every case put out for her to look through." His gaze shifted to the assistant. "And a couple from the window please, do ask her opinion."

"Oh my goodness, this is getting worse," Madeline lamented with a groan as she clapped her hands over her face, her cheeks steadily growing redder and redder with every passing second. She was so stupid and so generally inept, why had she even bought lingerie for? It wasn't like she had anyone to model it for. Looking like she was about to burst into tears, she looked up, surprised to see Aeric so close to her. She looked good in purple? Logan used to tell her that. A feeling of uneasiness washed over her as she clutched the bag closer to her chest and offered a weak smile.

"I promise I don't make a habit of showing men my underwear," she told him quickly, her honey coloured eyes wide and imploring. "I'm really so, so sorry," she whispered, looking horribly embarrassed. Now, Madeline was pretty pleased with what she had going on body wise but it wasn't like she wanted to be flashing her new lacies around the entirety of Dublin so everyone could see them. Awkward. She grinned again, shaking her head. "Oh please don't," she asked Aeric with a laugh, her hands on her face again. She was a blusher and she hated it, it made her look so childish when coupled with her freckles.

The baker smiled gently, still not sure she was comfortable talking about her failed marriage. To Madeline, it was her dirty little secret and her biggest mistake to make. "I like to think so," she said brightly, trying to inject some good humour into it. "It's just kind of odd," she told Aeric gently. "I thought I really loved him, you know?" She said with a sigh. She did think Ernie was The One. He was so smart and so sweet and so loving…but he wasn't at all funny. He had no sense of humour, he didn't like her drinking, he disproved of most of her friends and he worked late and got mad when she didn't feel like going to bed when he wanted to.

She offered Aeric a genuine smile. Whether he was just paying lip service or not, it was still very sweet but her smile soon vanished. "A son?" Madeline asked, shock clouding her pretty facial features. "How did you find out?" She asked, wanting to buy him a coffee and sit him down. She'd hard about people not knowing they had offspring but she'd always thought it seemed a little bit farfetched but apparently not!

As Aeric spoke, Maddie listened intently, her jaw dropping. "Vanished?" She asked, her eyes wide again. Oh poor Aeric! He'd been through so much and here she was, twittering on about something so stupid. His fiancée must have done a runner or something. What a stupid bitch, especially all that he'd done for her. "I'm sorry," she said gently, reaching out to squeeze his forearm affectionately. "If it's any consolation, I wouldn't let you slip through my fingers either," she said with a grin, poking gentle fun at his previous words. "Maybe you're better off without her," she reasoned. "Maybe we both are."

Flirting? "No!" The tall blonde was quick to exclaim, her eyes the size of dinner plates. Was she flirting? She  didn't usually flirt but Aeric made her so nervous, words just came spewing out. She laughed, shaking her head gently. "But hey, I think girls like being pursued," she said with a shrug. What girl didn't like being sent flowers and taken out on nice dates and being generally spoiled rotten? She, for one, approved off all those things indeed.

The shop was very fancy and there was no way in Hell that she'd ever be able to afford anything in here at all. What with all her bills and rent, she sometimes ate nothing but instant noodles for a week. "What?" Maddie asked Aeric sharply, turning her head so quickly she almost gave herself whiplash. Panic set in as he looked at her and she suddenly became horribly self conscious as she pulled at the hem of her short, green dress. She took a quick step towards him, grabbing his arm and giving it a yank to pull him down to his level. "What are you doing?" She asked him in a terse whisper as the assistants obeyed and set about unlocking cabinet after cabinet. "Aeric, really. I can't afford any of these. Even if I sell a few of my vital organs, I still won't be able to afford to pee in a place like this."

Unless…maybe he was letting her play dress up? She paused, chewing on her lower lip anxiously. There would be no other time that she'd ever be able to drape herself in diamonds. Ah, to Hell with it. When in Rome.

Madeline swiftly shrugged off her coat and dropped her bags, pushing them neatly away to the side as she took a hesitant step forward. She chewed on her thumbnail nervously, suddenly looking very small indeed. "That one," she said, pointing to the one that had caught her attention in the first place. It was beautiful. Covered in pure, brilliant diamonds and holding a large pearl. It cost more than her entire apartment building.

"Can I?" She asked Aeric, pointing towards the necklace as one of the slim, pretty girls dressed in black stepped over and fastened it around her neck. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, her jaw dropped. She'd done from boringly plain little Maddie Fletcher to an actual goddess. "Holy shit," she whispered, her hands going to her neck as she squinted at her reflection. "I think I'm going to pass out," she whispered as she delicately ran her fingers over the glittering chain.

“I know a lot about thinking you’re in love with someone. I’ve been told I’m a bit of a romantic when it comes to such things.” He could understand the allusion of loving someone; it was the easiest to fall for in his opinion. There had been times in his life that he thought he was truly in love. Whether it was Isabella or Sasha he knew what it felt like. If he had time to think on it he would say it was the falling in love that he loved so much. It was the Getting to know another person for both the good and the bad or the laughter that followed playful banter that drew him in.  Aeric was a man of many things and he knew that having a false hope to the happy ending from the fairy-tales was foolish. “I think we have all been guilty of being in love with well…being in love.”

He gave a soft chuckle, almost as if the news of Skylar was still sinking in. “Yeah, I never thought I would be a father. I mean I wondered, you know.” He was so stunned by the news he didn’t have a chance to be angry she kept him from him for so long. “She just popped up one day. I wondered when we broke up why she had just vanished so abruptly. I guess she was afraid of what came next." He could understand that, the fear of being responsible for something. A baby was a huge step and he figured Saffron knew he would have married her had he known. Regardless Skylar was apart of his world and he was beyond happy that he was.

"Yeah, it was a rough year, I can understand her leaving. She needed the space and with that we drifted apart." He had tried all he could to make things work, but somewhere along the line she stopped fighting. That was the problem with falling in love with someone, when it ended it left someone shattered most times. "Trust me if you were, I wouldn't mind." Things seamlessly slipped back into the banter that had been in conversations before. He could remember laughing with her and joking around. Madeline had always been an amazing person and friend. It was nice to bump into her he had to admit.

He could tell his suggestion for her to try on a bit of jewelry had caused a bit of panic in her. It was adorable. "Oh, Ms. Fletcher sometimes it's about enjoying the thrill of it all. " It was true money wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Yes, he could provide what he needed but in the end he couldn't buy the things that mattered. He gave her a nod and smiled. Aeric had seen that look in the eyes of his sisters when they saw something they had to have. Something that wanted but knew it would be too much to risk.

"Wow, it is an incredible piece." Green eyes watched her as she looked at herself in the mirror, before giving a faint nod to the man behind the counter. "You have good taste, I have to say so myself." He walked over to stand behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders he leaned in to whisper softly. "Good thing I'd be here to catch you, huh?" He gave a grin before leaning back, reaching out to examine a watch. "So you're living in Paris now, whats that like? Do you like it there?" He gazed over at her before turning to reach for the quill on the glass counter. "I hear it's a beautiful place, I haven't had the pleasure myself...but I hope one day."

Madeline offered a small, sympathetic smile. For two people so different, they seemed to have a lot in common. "I can tell," she told Aeric softly with a kind smile. Any girl who held his heart would be treated like a princess. Personally? Maddie wasn't really into being wined and dined. She wanted something real. Not balls or fancy dinners. She wanted Saturday night take outs on the sofa, lazy Sunday morning cuddles, stupid arguments, make up sex. No frills. No gimmicks. Just normal stuff.

"Me more than most, I imagine," she said with a frown, ruffling her hair as she sighed. How many boys had she been in love with? Landon, her first boyfriend. Logan, Ernie, Aeric for a while. But that may have been one Hell of an infatuation. "I'm a little bit all over the place at the moment," she admitted with a laugh, shrugging. She was. The break up of her marriage had damaged her somewhat. She was scared to date again. She'd given Ernie the power to destroy her and he did. For now, she was content to be by herself. She may even adopt a cat.

"Oh you'd be a great dad!" Madeline exclaimed without missing a beat, her eyes wide as she touched his arm affectionately. Hearing about the break up, she winced. She felt sorry for his ex-girlfriend in the way that she thought she had to raise a baby all by herself. She knew Aeric well and had he known about his son's existence, he wouldn't have hesitated to help her. "I understand," she said brightly. "I'm not emotionally or financially stable to have kids at the moment," she joked with a grin, thankful that her older brother was getting hints from their mother. She had no idea what it'd be like to have a person who was totally dependant on her. The thought was shitting terrifying.

Madeline blinked. As he spoke, Aeric looked so…sad. Small, fragile, vulnerable. Things he wasn't usually. She nodded as she listened, hoping to placate him somewhat. She knew what drifting apart felt like. It was heartbreaking, especially when there was nothing one could do. Horrible. "How about I buy you a drink, hm?" The baker asked softly, offering him another smile. "Coffee or liquor. Totally your choice."

His flirty, offhand comment made her turn a delightful shade of pink. Maddie was an okay-looking girl but she definitely wasn't used to being talked to in such a frank manner. She kinda liked it. "I'll bear that in mind then," she replied as she tilted her head, grinning and wrinkling her nose cutely. Aeric was attractive and so horribly out of her league, it was a little bit soul crushing.

Maddie didn't think she'd ever been in a jewellery shop before. The only jewellery she ever tended to wear was a small pair of silver studs in her ears. Oh sure, what girl didn't like diamonds? It all felt like a bit of an overload as she stood in awe, totally amazed. "Thrill?" She replied in a high pitched squeak, her honey coloured eyes as wide as dinner plates. "This is terrifying," she whispered, looking around her at the gorgeous, efficient sales assistants. They left them both alone and didn't pry but were close enough that if she needed anything, they'd be there in the blink of an eye.

"It's amazing," she breathed, her voice full of longing and amazement. "But I really haven't got anywhere to wear it," Maddie said regretfully, her slender shoulders slumping in defeat. Even if she was able to afford it, a necklace like that deserved galas and state dinners. Biting her lower lip, she touched the string of diamonds around her neck gently. This necklace made her look fancy. She wasn't a baker now. Nope. She was a princess. A jet setter. A happy, sophisticated lady. In the few minutes she'd been wearing it, she'd been transported to another place. Another word. Diamonds really were a man's best friend. Wowzers.

The hands he rested on her shoulders made goosebumps rise on her pale flesh and it made her eyes slip to a close. No one had touched in her months, even in a friendly way. Aeric was a broad shouldered man so she could feel his presence and he'd be able to see her reflection in the mirror she was standing on front of. She laughed but he'd let her go and she wobbled a little before she'd managed to write herself, still bright pink. "Thank you," she replied, willing her cheeks to return back to normal. How pathetic was she? Turning, she watched him saunter off and she tried to furiously fix her hair and adjust her dress, anything to make her seem a lot more put together.

Reaching behind her neck, she carefully extracted the necklace. Holding in her hands, she said a silent goodbye to the beautiful piece before handing it back to one of the women in black. "Thanks so much," she gushed. The opportunity had been great and it had cheered her up immensely but now her neck felt bare and boring.

"Oh it's amazing," Madeline said with a sunny smile. "It's everything I thought it'd be," she said breezily as her long legs took her around the shop again, leaving Aeric at the watches. She stopped in front of a set of exquisite diamond drop earrings. "I love it," she called out to him, pressing her fingers against a glass cabinet and cooing appreciatively. "I mean yeah," she said casually. "The people are kinda rude and the apartments are tiny but I feel free," she said truthfully. "I'm immersed in culture and it's so so beautiful. My boss, Loren, is amazing," she told Aeric swiftly. "He looks like a male model but he's actually an accomplished chef. I applied for a promotion but I don't think I got it. I mean, would you want to hire a head chef that's only nineteen years old?" She asked, scoffing at the thought.

"It's just so different from London," she explained as she drew closer. "Everything's really laidback. I just feel really at home," she concluded, leaving him at the counter and looking at the watches absently. "The leather strap ones are really nice," she offered, in case Aeric was interested in buying. "But you should come and visit!" Madeline exclaimed as she turned to face him. "I've got a spare bed," she said sunnily with another beaming smile. "It's kinda small but I'm sure you'll fit into it."


[omg sorry I replied so soon. I had Maddie muse :/]

"I say we're all entitled to be all over the place at least once in our lives. Life isn't always perfect right?" He knew what it was like to be all over the place. To forget what it was you might have planned to do. Constantly in his own head clouded with scattered thoughts of once before. Aeric had been there, suffered in silence. The former Slytherin hadn't been allowed to show his pain, it would have been bad for his families image. There was nothing he could do to change what had happened, all he could do was move on. He knew that time would have to pass before he could date again without feeling strange, but he looked forward to that day. Longed for the moment when she was no longer the main thought on his mind. Worrying, continuously he worried about whether she was safe or not.

He laughed a little as he nodded. "Thanks, it's a constant lesson I can tell you that." Sky had taught him so much in the time they had been together. It seemed that Aeric had so much to change in his life. These changes in the end were for the good, allowing him to be a man he knew would make his mother proud. "I don't think we ever really are. Kids are a league of their own." He gave her a smile as he considered how he always felt ill-prepared. It was like he was always two steps behind. However, in his home teamwork was a must for harmony. "I can say this, never a dull day when kids are around." They were little monsters one moment and angels the next. Kids were amazing to watch, the way they interacted especially. It seemed they barely fought and when they did all was forgiven some time later. He wondered when he had stopped being so forgiving, if he had ever been.

"I vote liquor." Yep, he wanted to get drunk. It had been too long since he had simply relaxed. Drinking might cure some of his wounds. "I want to say now that if we drink, we're drinking. No couple glasses and then goodbye. Nope, we're getting good and drunk...just not over the top." He wanted to enjoy himself and he wanted to remember it in the morning. He knew that if he got too drunk he would probably do something to make himself look like a douche. He only hoped he was lucky enough not to around her. Madeline had always been the girl he wanted to be the right kind of guy around. He always tried to be hid kindest, funniest and attentive as he could be. They had become friends and he enjoyed her company. They had actual conversations and laughed. It was nice.

She was flirting back it would seem, that caused him to smile. It had been some time since he'd flirted or even wanted to for that matter. "Yes, the thrill." Green eyes rose to the ceiling as he thought of the perfect way to say what he was thinking. "Just enjoying something to say you have. How many times have you wanted to do something and talked yourself out of it? You should embrace those moments, that's the best part of life. Living it." He looked back at her for a moment before shrugging. "But that's just my whole view on life. At least now it is."

"You know I don't understand women sometimes. You don't need a special occasion in my opinion to look extravagant. I mean their nice and fun to go to, but I think just looking beautiful for yourself even in your bedroom is nice." Or at least that's how his sisters made it seem. They were always dressed up even if they were just sitting on the couch all day. Women. Strange irresistible creatures. He watched her hand off the necklace before looking back down at the watch in his hand.

"I'm glad it's home for you. It's hard to find a place to settle sometimes." His head tilted to the side as he considered her question before answer. "As a business owner, yeah I would. I think about the long term of it all. A 19 year old only has room to get better, years to perfect their style but make some amazing trail runs in the process." He put the watch back touching one that she'd suggested. He didn't need another watch yet but he would look at those when he did. His hand reached out to take the paper he'd been given to sign quickly. "Ireland is home for me though, until I find another place I guess." His hand reached out to take the bag, before turning to her. "So beautiful ready for that drink?"

As he spoke he held the bag out to her, moving towards the door. "That's a congratulation gift for you're big promotion. Because I'll tell you this, if he doesn't give it to you he's crazy. Has he tasted you're cupcakes?" He dramatically sighed as he thought of the ones she'd made him. They had been wonderfully - not outstanding in their deliciousness. "I mean just one bite and the man will be seeing the world differently." His hand reached out to touch hers. "You can't get mad or demand it be returned, it's a gift." He knew what it was like to crave something. He'd gotten her the necklace, because he could see the longing in her eyes. He saw the way she reacted when he'd touched her too, that much was for sure. He may no have commented on it but it was resting in the back of his head.

"There are a couple of pubs up here, but i'm thinking maybe food and then drinks. There is a nice restaurant with a bar." Always the responsible drinker, he needed food. The last thing he wanted was to drink on a semi-empty stomach. "I think I will come to visit. How small is kinda small, because I'm a pretty big guy. Like feet hanging off or more?" He glanced over at her with a grin. "I mean if you can handle being alone with me for an entire night." He arched a brow watching her. He hoped that this wasn't the last time he would see her.

"Right," Madeline replied, eyes wide. She smiled at him brightly. His offhanded comment suddenly made her see clearer, like he'd righted the world for her. Hm. Talking to him had always been so easy. He had this odd but clear outlook on life. He was frank, candid and honest. All of those things were such a rarity in anyone recently. She'd made mistakes. She'd been married and divorced at eighteen. Though thankfully, no pregnancy scares. Not that she ever would because Ernie barely touched her, let alone shagged her.

"Not sure I'm ready to learn that," she replied with a genuine laugh. Maddie wasn't really much of a planner. Did she want kids? Heck yeah. She just needed Mr. Right first. The idea of having kids and having to raise them alone was both equal parts heartbreaking and terrifying. She was way too young to be considering that just now. She was still a child, despite her trying desperately to pretend otherwise. "Well  he's very lucky to have you," she replied honestly. He was the type of man who'd die for his family. She knew that Skylar would be raised with good, strong morals indeed.

"Liquor?" Madeline repeated, her honey coloured eyes wide. When Aeric suggested "drinks", the baker thought maybe a glass of wine or something but liquor? She never drank. Not really. There was a great little shop near her apartment that sold cheap wine but she was more of a beer kinda girl. She chewed her lip as though the idea of spirits was terrifying. "Am I allowed a cocktail?" She asked sweetly with a smile, batting her long eyelashes at him. "And how on Earth am I meant to get home?" She asked, faintly alarmed. "Apparating to another country is hard enough sober, let alone completely trollied."

Surrounded by expensive, gorgeous jewellery, she suddenly felt a bit frumpy. Looking down and her old dress and her worn winter boots, she felt her spirit sag a little. "I feel so horribly out of my depth," she whispered to Aeric softly. His question made her stop. How often had she talked herself out of things? "More often than I care to realise," she told him gently. She talked herself out of lots of things. Out of parties, gigs, out of a crazy patterned dress that she really liked. Looking back at him, she cracked a grin. "You know, you should start a cult," she told him with a nod of her head, sending blonde curls bouncing around her pretty face. "You'd have so many followers. You're very convincing."

"Pfft. I don't either," Madeline replied with wide eyes, totally distracted by all of the sparkly things around her. She stopped. She turned to him and offered him a gentle but genuine smile. Reaching out, she squeezed his arm affectionately. "Thank you," she said honestly. "Maybe I do need a little bit of self-love," she confessed, only now acutely aware of how damaged she truly was. Uh-oh. She'd never though of things that way. Maybe she needed to put a bit more effort into things. She didn't have the wide spread of friends and family as Aeric did. She very rarely had a fancy place to be. She nodded, making a note to buy that expensive, short dress when she got home. Sod it.

Yeah. Paris was a good fit for her. Madeline blushed again, flattered and confused by his direct but kind words. "I'd rather make mistakes before I start. Loren's really relying on me and if I screw it up, I don't know what I'll do," she admitted with a frown, suddenly looking a little bit lost as she sighed. This was an amazing opportunity but she was crippled with doubt. It was horrible and debilitating. She lacked experience and know-how. Loren Devereaux must have more money than bloody sense. Goodness.

Madeline reached out to touch the butter soft leather strap. "I much prefer those," she admitted. She liked a sturdy watch. Her own one, the one she wore on her wrist, was battered. The strap was well worn, there was a small crack on the face and the second hand didn't work. But she liked it. "Oh, you're thinking of moving away in the future?" Maddie asked conversationally, wondering if he'd leave Ireland. She liked Ireland. Dublin was kinda nice so far, anyway. Wait. Did he just call her beautiful? Unable to help herself, the tall blonde offered a big dippy smile and nodded. She must look super duper stupid and childish.

Oh, hang on a second.

"Woah," Madeline said suddenly, her pale brown eyes wide as she took a few steps back from Aeric and held her hands up as though the bag he was holding had caught fire. "Are you mad?" She asked, exasperated. "Aeric, thank you so much but I honestly, really, truly cannot accept that," she said in a rush, sounding a bit breathless as she shook her head. "That costs more than a year's rent and I live in Paris" she wheezed, her cool and clammy hands resting against her cheeks as though she was waging some sort of internal battle with herself.

Madeline looked at Aeric, shock clear on her pretty face and slow to react as he forced her to take hold of the bag's handle. "I don't --" she stammered, her head spinning. "I can't," she said in a low, weak voice. A gift? "I don't deserve that," she said, starting to panic, her neck reddening as it spread to her face. Shit. "This is why I hate my birthday. People buy me stuff and I don't even know why," she blabbered. The cool spring air helped a little but she still thought Aeric was utterly and truly bonkers. "You're as mad as a box of frogs," she told him affectionately, chewing on her lower lip. "I feel like I should be wearing some sort of ball gown. All I need now is to snag myself a Prince Charming."

"Sure," Madeline replied, her head still a mess as she moved to follow him. Aeric knew his city better than she did so she was happy to follow. "I'm buying," she said hastily. "If you're not going to accept that, then I'm going home," she told him with a nod of her head swiftly.

She laughed. "Think a nicely decorated shoebox," she told Aeric with a grin as they walked, feeling hungrier with every passing second. She loved lunch. "Yeah your feet are definitely going to be hanging off the edge. Make sure you pack socks," she said brightly. She was half kidding. Her apartment was tiny but she was sure Aeric could fit into the spare bedroom. She blinked and tilted her head. "Why?" She asked with a slow smile. "You're not gonna bite me or something, are you?" She joked. "I'm sure I can handle you just fine. Unless you snore. Then you're sleeping in the bath."

He nodded in agreement to her statement. He hadn't been ready to be a father, though he doubted any man ever truly was. " I don't think you can ever be ready for that lesson, you know?" He thought briefly of how much he had learned in his time with Sky. Everyday was a lesson, one he was grateful for. "I think in this case I would be the lucky one." Skylar had changed Aeric into a man he knew his son could look up to. Yes, he was still a very dangerous man. Yes, his temper was still on the uncontrollable side. But the man had become more compassionate - more willing to allowing mercy over justice. A lot might not have changed, but those that had shaped him into someone different. It was strange how his lost as terrible as it may have been made him somehow feel stronger. He had known true lost before Ivana and he had survived then. He would survive now because more than just his own ego depended on it.

"Yes, liquor." He gave a laugh at her expression. He wasn't a big drinker himself but he needed the time to whine down, to gather his thoughts and his emotions. He wanted to stop caring about the things that brought him down. The Irishman was tired of being sad, exhausted of feeling bad for himself and his circumstances. Lips pursed he considered her next question as if it was of the greatest importance. "As long as you don't babysit one cocktail the whole time, I don't see why they would be a problem." Women did like those flavored drinks, didn't they? "No worries I have a place near by if we get too drunk. Promise you'll be safe." He glanced over at her as he spoke, his words holding truth despite his smile. "I'll try to stay on my best behavior too...even if it might be hard." She was a lady after-all and he would treat her as such.

"I think if we completely fit in somewhere then things get boring. I think the differences in people is what makes us all special, you know?" Maybe it was a weird frame of mind, but Aeric had learned that being himself was the greatest reward. He had always believed that if people were too closely alike there was no room for growth; there was no way for a real connection. His laugh was hearty as he gave a shake of his head. "A cult, huh? Only if it's a small following, big crowds make me anxious." He gave a smile as he joked with her. "I just like to call things how I see them." And he did. He was honest because by being so he could remain true to himself. He could lay a better foundation for his son then what had been laid for him.

"Self-love is supposed to be the best." It would never destroy who a person was. It would never cheat and toy with emotions. It would never leave behind it a wake of sadness and confusion. No this kind of love seemed to inspire. It had taken Aeric so much time to believe in his own statement. For so long he felt like he wasn't worthy of love. As if his love somehow tainted those he chose to give it to. Still, even now the former Slytherin struggled to hold tight to his belief. Aeric knew it would take time, change never happened over night. Green eyes stared at her for a long silent moment as he gave himself a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Maddie, if my opinion or advice counts for anything I'll give it..." He sighed a bit before his hand rose to rest lightly on her shoulder. "Make mistakes. You can't avoid them and if you try...trust me you don't want the drama that follows." He spoke the end of his statement with more knowing than he wanted to. "Mistakes are the best teachers. My guess is he knows you'll probably make a mistake or two. But I think that passion in your eyes makes all that worth it. He could probably see like anyone else that this s something you hold close to your heart." There had always been this shine in her eye when she talked about baking. It was clear that she loved it.

"Me? Move?" He gave a firm shake of his head, though he sounded slightly intrigued by the idea. He had never thought of leaving Ireland.  It was home. The only secure place in his life. The only place where pain didn't exist. "I don't think I'll ever be able to leave." So much had happened, some good and some bad. But each passing memory had been held close, cherished with the utmost respect. "At least not for good. Ireland has been good to me - kind in so many ways." It had been the streets he now walked that had raised him. Shaped him into a man when his father had chosen not to. Dom was owed much thanks but Ireland had been the guide in his life back then. It had saved him and it would be his redemption.

Her reaction hadn't been too much of a surprise. He had done it to be nice, hopefully she would accept it and enjoy it. It was something to show his belief in her dreams. He had once been a dreamer, those dreams had slowly drifted into the darkness. Forgotten as the weight of the world it seemed came to rest on his shoulders. "Sometimes you just deserved to be pampered." It was his way, the way he showed his gratitude. The way he voiced his emotions. All he needed was a woman who openly accepted his affections. Women were meant to be loved, spoiled beyond reprieve. It was their divine right. They brought nations into the world and made boys into men, and if that couldn't be celebrated what could? "A Prince Charming? Hmmm, haven't met any of those." He look thoughtful as his hand ran down the front of his vest.

He looked at her through slightly narrowed eyes as he inhaled deeply through his teeth. "Ehhhh, okay. Just this once, because I'm not trying to end the day with you so quickly." His gaze drifted out ahead them as they moved down the street. "You drive a hard bargain, you know that right?"

Stepping around her, he reached to open the door for her to step inside. The smell of food touched his nose, mixed faintly with that of liquor and smoke. His eyes roamed across the room slowly, it wasn't too crowded. The hardwood floors creaked softly as he lead her to a table in the back. A table would be better, the bar would be awkward with food and such. Oh, a booth. "Lets take that booth.."                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

"So there's no chance of a virgin daiquiri?" Maddie asked Aeric in a small voice, faintly panicked by his determination to drink the strong stuff. Bad things happened to her when she drank. Like her very first boyfriend. He was called Billy and he was a musician. Well, "musician" was kind of a long stretch. He played tambourine in a folk band. Had she been sober, she would have avoided him like the plague.

Safe? "Hm," Madeline replied, her honey coloured eyes narrowing a fraction of an inch to rest on a playful, borderline glare. Was any woman "safe" from Aeric Regan? He was tall, gorgeous, smart. He could hold a conversation and he was very well mannered. The fact that he wasn't dating anyone mind her mind simply boggle. She flashed him a grin and shook her head, pale golden curls falling around her shoulder gently. "I know," she said lightly. If anyone could keep her safe, it was him. Though a small part of her didn't want be safe. The tiny rebellious part of her spirit wanted to be reckless and wild with him.

"I'd follow you," the tall baker concluded as her long legs wandered down the crowded Dublin streets. She smiled again, enjoying the ease at which they drifted from topic to topic. "Maybe we can have outfits. Or hats," she laughed. "We can have a pilgrimage every year. Where'd you reckon? Vegas sound good?" She grinned, her aura sparkling.

Maddie found herself captivated as Aeric stared at her. As the seconds ticked by, she wondered if she'd accidentally upset him somehow. The pair of them always did seem to drift into deep and meaningful conversations. In the summer sunlight, his eyes were very green. Unusual from his Egyptian heritage. Emerald, almost. She coughed, looking away swiftly to break eye contact with him as she anxiously attempted to fix her hair.

The touch on her shoulder made her snap to it. "I'm always up for hearing advice. Merlin knows I need it," she added darkly. The tall blonde managed a wan smile at his words. "I think I've made enough already," she admitted with a sigh. From everything from her stupid failed marriage to the entire mess with Logan that she was either unwilling or unable to sort out. She hated feelings. Emotions were for suckers.

She offered a brittle smile towards Aeric. "When did you get so wise?" She said with a laugh, eyes wide. He was only a few years older than her but infinitely more settled. Madeline Fletcher wasn't really a "follow your dreams" kinda gal. Apart from jacking in her job and hightailing it to the continent, the most outlandish thing she'd done was wear red shoes with a black dress. She reached out and squeezed his hand softly. "Thanks," she replied. "You're a lot cheaper than a psychiatrist."

"I think Ireland suits you nicely," Maddie said, agreeing with Aeric as she nodded along. Unlike him, her family wasn't steeped in history and tradition. The Fletchers didn't have a stronghold or a long, glorious history. They had a small house in Oxford. She wasn't burdened with a sense of responsibility like she imagined he was.

"I feel the same way about Paris," she told Aeric breezily as they continued to walk. "I mean, sure," she began with a shrug of her shoulders. "The apartment is tiny and the plumbing is shit and I think my neighbour is stealing my underwear and the people I work with make fun of my accent and think I can't keep up but it's home now," she concluded. "It's dirty and it's noisy and everyone is rude but," here, she paused and sighed. "When I sit on my balcony in the dark and watch the lights on the Eiffel Tower twinkling, I think it's all worth it, you know?" She asked, looking up at him for reassurance. Reassurance that all of the sacrifices, the pain, the burned bridges and broken relationships were worth it.

Madeline clung fiercely to her necklace, worried in case he might change his mind. She'd probably never have the chance to wear it. She'd probably just leave it on the counter and stroke it longingly. "I honestly think you're completely insane," she told him, matter-of-factly. Unless this was how he treated all of his friends? Had she not been raised correctly by her mother, she could have hawked the necklace and used it to pay her rent for the next two years but no. It was beautiful and it was all hers.

She snorted with laughter at his Prince Charming comment. "No, neither have I," she said with a shrug of her slender shoulders. "And I've kissed plenty of frogs. Present company excluded, of course," she said, laying a hand on his arm briefly, remembering the time they'd heavily made out on New Years Eve years ago. That had been the first and only time she'd ever kissed someone on the stroke of midnight. How poetic.

Madeline smiled brightly, satisfied that she'd won her point across and it showed by the way she puffed her chest up with pride. "Good," she said with a nod, hoping not to offend his manliness as she quickly trailed after him, stepping inside as the door was opened for her so kindly.

Aeric evidently knew the bar better than she did so the baker was happy just to follow, shrugging off her cardigan and sliding into the booth near the back and away from the other patrons. "You're so grumpy when you don't get your own way," she giggled, picking up a menu and flipping it over, her eyes running down the long list of things. Right. She needed something fat and greasy to help mop up the alcohol. "Oh hello," she said with a smile as someone appeared for their drink order. "I'll have a vodka and cranberry please," she asked then looked over at her companion and frowned. He said liquor only. "Just a vodka," she added quietly, axing the fruit juice.

Letting Aeric order as the woman wandered off, she flipped the menu back over. "I think I'm gonna have the double cheeseburger with extra bacon," she concluded with a nod of her head. She loved her food. "Ooh but they have chicken fingers, too. This is a tough decision."

He laughed softly with a shake of his head. "Only if they have alcohol in them." His laugh melted into a grin as he looked over at her. He wouldn't force her to get too drunk if she didn't want to. It was him who needed to get lost in the haze of intoxication. He had allowed himself to fall low, allowed himself to be vulnerable. He had know the risks in loving her but still he had taken them and now he felt like he was walking around in a constant haze. It was strange because the Irishman had never allowed himself to get so close, for the exact reason he was silently suffering.

Green eyes washed over her before he gave a thoughtful expression. "Hmm, hats definitely hats." His hands rose to touch his head as if seeing if a hat would be acceptable. "I think I can pull off a hat."  He gave a nod of agreement to her suggestion. He had never been but he knew a few people who said it was worth the trip. Maybe, if he was feeling spontaneous one day. "Definite bonus on the location choice, if I do say so myself."

He could sympathize with her when it came to making mistakes. He had made more than enough and he knew how doing so could tear a person down. Aeric wasn't the type of make to make reckless choices, but it seemed that being anything but always ended bad for him. He gave a laugh that actually touched his eyes. "When I find out, you will be the first to know." He didn't think himself wise. He simply did things the way he thought his grandfather might have. It kept him grounded and it had been the only thing keeping him safe some nights.

"Even better because no appointments needed."  He watched her as she spoke of Paris. It dawned on him that he had never really talked that way about anyplace. Ireland was his home because he had been born there, he had all his memories there and everyone he cared about was there as well. "I think it's worth it. I mean I love it here because it's all I've ever known." Here he looked at her. "You've gone out and found a place that you love not because it's familiar but because you could." It was worth it if nothing else was.

A chuckle followed her comment about his sanity. At times he liked to break the rules and do things his way. He liked to surprise a person with something just to see the smile on their face. His body dipped as he spoke this time. "Why thank you ma'am." He remembered exactly what she had been talking about. "I may not be a prince but I pride myself in not being a frog."

It was a familiar feel being back into this place. He had spent most of his summer days growing up sitting at the bar stuffing his face full of food. He wondered faintly if he would ever love a place a much as he loved this one. His vest was undone as he moved to take his seat in the booth. He gave a smile as someone appeared to take their order. Clearing his throat his hand ran down the front of his shirt before speaking. "Scotch, neat. Cranberry juice on the side."

Aeric looked over at Madeline with an intense interest for a second as she looked over the menu. "I think i'm going with a good burger and a nice plate of fries." His hand lifted quickly in between his words. "But you will have to make the hard choice. Chicken tenders or the burger." His head shook softly as he gave her a smile. "How can a person choose between two great things." He was a sucker for a good set of chicken tenders himself, so he could imagine choosing.

He wondered why they never dated. They had made out but never any serious. Even back then he had enjoyed her company. She had been so innocent back then maybe he had known he would lose her to someone better. Someone worthy. Maybe it had been good they never dated. They probably wouldn't be sitting where they were had they gone down that road. Nothing ever just ended for him, it always had to be something bad or dramatic.

"Do you come to Dublin a lot?" He asked as he toyed with a napkin to keep his hands busy. He looked up as their drinks were placed down on the table. "Uh... give us a few minutes. Thanks." His hand shifted to push the cranberry over to her. "If you want to have a mixed drink or something you can." His words were soft as they were spoken. He didn't want her to feel like she had to get extremely drunk, because she didn't. He simply needed to wash away the stresses of the day.

"I promise not to get too drunk...maybe a nice buzz, you know?"

Maddie gave a playful roll of her large, honey coloured eyes as she shook her head. She was up for getting drunk with Aeric. There'd always been a part of her that had been latently attracted to him. In the past, she'd always been around good guys. Not that Aeric was at all bad, no, it was just the whole handsome-well-cut-shirt-and-tattoos-thing she liked so much. That small part of her always reared its head whenever he was around.

"Yeah, hats'd be good," she said with a nod and a grin. It was so easy to joke with him and become so relaxed in his presence. Aeric Regan was just…well, he was a nice guy. "Cool," she said brightly, blowing a bright blonde curl out of her face as they walked down the street. So far, it was a very beautiful city. Full of interesting statues and cobbled streets and ancient, towering buildings. That aside, it was very vibrant and cosmopolitan. Everything from the new shops to the buses that trundled down the roads.

Madeline flashed him a grin. "You know, I'm really good at poker," she told him matter-of-factly with a nod. "If I had the money, I'm pretty certain I'd enter myself into one of those silly high-roller tournament game things?" She said, looking up at the gaps in the clouds that showed a gorgeous bright blue sky that stretched for miles. "I'm pretty good. I was banned from playing in school because I had three trunks full of stuff I'd won and I wouldn't give it back," she said with a roll of her eyes. It was true. When the money ran out, students started betting all sorts of things. Chocolate, their essays, watches, jewellery. She even won a cat once but one of the teachers made her give it back.

Meeting his eyes, Maddie blushed swiftly and dropped her gaze to her feet. It was a combination of how intently he was watching her and the fact that he'd said something so nice. "That's really sweet of you to say," she murmured, feeling a bit embarrassed by the whole thing.

"Oh you're anything but a frog," the tall blonde scoffed quietly. "Just walking down the road, eight different women have checked you out. Oh wait. No. Nine," she said, nodding her head. There was a woman around her age who was giving Aeric the not-so-subtle once over. She was very pretty. Tall, long legs, very stylish with glossy dark hair and a come-hither look in her perfectly made up eyes. Maddie pulled a face and scratched the back of her head awkwardly. "I feel like a bit of a chubby gnome now," she admitted, feeling decidedly frumpy but she was glad to be inside the pub and away from the beautiful women of Dublin.

The soft and well worn leather seat enveloped her like a pillow and she wiggled, placing the bag that held her necklace next to her for safe keeping before she pulled a face and wrinkled her nose. The choice was tough. She'd love a big fat juicy burger. With cheese and gherkins and ketchup and a little bit of salad in a warm, toasted bun. She chewed on her lip, salivating, as her train of thought switched track to the chicken fingers. They were also delicious. Not necessarily a healthier option but deep fried anything was good. So so so good.

After falling silent for a minute or two, she spoke. "Burger," she said with a nod, hoping Aeric wouldn't be repulsed by her tendency to eat literally anything. She wasn't a lady. There was no way in Hell she'd come to a restaurant and order a flippin' salad. What a waste! She made a mental note to order extras, too. It wasn't like she was going to make Aeric pay for anything today at all.

"Nope," Madeline replied swiftly as she closed her menu and leaned back in her seat, crossing her long legs at the knee nonchalantly. "I've only visited once when I was a kid. I must have been about five or six. It was lucky I bumped into you, I had no idea where I was going," she said with a laugh. "It's very beautiful, though," she added. "I can see why you love it so much." She replied with a smile. She looked around the bar and felt comforted by the fact that it looked very…Irish. Black leather, dark wood, soft music and the smell of beer and furniture polish. Maybe it was the lovely atmosphere or maybe it was just Aeric that made her feel so at peace with herself at the moment.

"Do they have live music and stuff in the city?" Madeline eyes, her eyes shining with excitement. "Or is that just a myth? I love to dance. I'm just not very good at it," she admitted with a grin. Maddie found the idea of bouncing around with friendly strangers to the beat of a bodhran rather exciting indeed. With Irish music, it was impossible to keep your feet still.

"Thank you," the baker said as their drinks were dropped off. Waving away Aeric's comment, she reached out and instead, took his glass of whiskey which she promptly lifted to her mouth and swallowed some of the contents like a trooper. Strong, it burned all the way down her throat but not in an unpleasant way. "Ooh it's strong," she replied before sipping at the amber liquid again, not at all discouraged. Cupping the glass in her hands, she swirled it, content to watch the golden liquid ripple in the low light and she smiled gently. It didn't take much to make her happy.

"Oh you can drink all you want," she said with a grin. "You're a big guy. I'm sure you can take it. If need me, I can always drop you off in a hotel if you do pass out on me. Can I get you another drink?" She asked, lifting the half empty tumblr of whiskey she'd stolen from him earlier. "Aeric!" She gasped suddenly, eyes wide. "It's half price on mojitos! I'm gonna get three."

"I can't play poker to save my life." His head inclined slightly as he thought about it. "I never took the time to learn properly. Now...horses I know." He looked over at Maddie. "My mom had a lot of horses..." He found himself pursing his lips with a thoughtful expression on his face. "I don't think I would gamble to be honest. I think if I go I would see the sights and you know...enjoy good company." The trip would be nice if nothing else. He needed to spend time someplace else every once and a while. He found himself burying his days away in his work, trying to find something to occupy his time and his mind.

Green eyes shifted slightly as Maddie mentioned women looking at him. He couldn't help the smile that touched his lips. "She's not my type. I've been there before, it never ends well." He looked ahead of him. "I want something different. Something new." He didn't want the girls he was used to. He wanted something that would last. He had dated the upperclass women. He had dated the stuck up women. He had dated the women he thought would be able to keep up. He wanted someone who was their own person. Who had passions and goals. Someone who would accept his love and all that came with it.

There was a certain comfort the Irishman got from this place. He felt more at ease, more of who he had been before. He could feel the weight lifting from his heart. He had been hurt, destroyed even, but he could come back from that. He had survived worse. As if by instinct his hand rose to rub the scar over his left temple, absentmindedly. His eyes shifted to land on her as she decided on her meal choice. "A wise choice." He gave a nod as a smile rested on the edge of his lips. He liked that she wasn't like most women. Some seemed to be so worried about what they ate, barely eating sometimes.

There was no need to be ashamed about enjoying food. Hell, he loved a hearty meal every now and then. "Trust me, you wouldn't have been lost for long. Some guy would happily give you directions." He gave a grin as he looked around the room with her. The place still looked as it had when he first started coming to it. He liked that it was familiar in more ways than one, it gave him comfort. "But I'm glad we bumped into each other." And he was. It was nice to see her no matter the reason.

"There is always something to go to. Live music, street venues and all sort of events. I mean just the other day I was out with Sky for this street venue, there was a lot of music that day too. He had a blast." It was packed with people who were enjoying the heart and soul that Ireland had to offer. "You should definitely go to one if you get the chance. They have them pretty much all the time." He gave a chuckle before shaking his head. "I'm not much of a dancer either but somehow I always find myself dancing." He always had a good time there was no denying that. Ireland had been good to him. It had raised him and saved him when there had been no one else.

Green eyes shifted as their drinks were brough to the table and his brows rose as he watched Maddie drink the contents of his glass. He held back his own laughter as she commented on how strong it tasted. "Was it as smooth as it looks?" A smirk played on the edge of his lips as he watched her. He was impressed. It wasn't every day a woman could tackle his drink of choice the way she had. His hand rose allowing two fingers to signal the waitress. Aeric's head turned to see if she was looking in his direction. "A couple more please and a...mojito." He turned to look at Maddie. "Right?"

His elbows moved to rest on the table, as he leaned towards her a bit. "I don't think I'll get drunk enough to need a hotel room...but maybe drunk enough to need to be reminded of my manners." He couldn't deny that he found her attractive and he knew drinking would only intensify that feeling. He wondered faintly what the day might hold for the two of them, if anything at all.

"No?" Maddie replied, her eyes wide in shock. "Maybe you're just a bad liar," she said casually with a smile. It was a compliment. For all she knew, Aeric had always been truthful to her. He'd never lied. Rather, he'd never made her feel like he was being untrue.

"I can't ride a horse," she said with a laugh, her fingers tracing patterns on the shiny wooden table as she chewed her lip. "I've never even tried. Growing up, we didn't really have a big garden and stuff," she commented. Not that she cared. She adored her parents. They did everything for her which was why moving to Paris, into a small apartment with no garden, hadn't been much of an issue.

Madeline followed Aeric's gaze to the waitress. She was beautiful and she was interested, the tall blonde girl could just feel it. She shrugged casually. "She might be different," she replied swiftly. "She could like skydiving and drinking at one in the afternoon," she mused. "She could be amazing. You shouldn't try so hard," she replied. "Girls flock to you. They always have." Maddie didn't begrudge Aeric in the slightest. He never had to sleep alone if he didn't want to. She'd heard rumours when they were in school, like he'd had sex in the Shrieking Shack one afternoon.

"I've dated enough dickheads to understand why you might be cautious," she said with a wan smile as she dropped her gaze. Her romantic mess was a teenage nightmare. One failed marriage down and she wasn't even twenty yet. Maddie had tried casual dating once she'd moved to Paris. The occasional date with a handsome Frenchman, a one night stand that she just didn't care for. Rolling over in the morning to see her previous lover had left before breakfast was a bit…demoralising.

"So Mr. Regan," she said, her honey coloured eyes trained on him like combined laser beams. "What's your perfect girl like?" Once upon a time, she'd wished it was her. Maddie had developed a crazy crush on him in school but he'd always kept her at a polite distance. He either genuinely didn't know about her feelings or he was tactile enough to ignore them. They'd only crossed that one line, years ago. It was an insane New Year's Eve where they'd both thrown caution to the wind and she still didn't regret a single second of it.

Madeline snorted, amused. "You really do have an inflated sense of my ability to charm anyone," she said with another smile, flattered regardless by his words. Whether in jest or not, she couldn't help but feel pleased. She met his eye swiftly and dropped them again as she nodded. "Me too," she admitted softly. "It really has been too long." Since leaving the mainland, Maddie had few friends. She was always working, she never had time, which was why her bed was always empty besides her. When the winter drew in, she was always painfully aware at how lonely she was.

"How is he?" Maddie asked fondly, inquiring about Aeric's son. She'd only met the boy a few times but he was totally adorable and so like his father in both looks and mannerisms. "Ah, I'm not here long," she admitted with a smile. "I was only here for a little while until I bumped into you." Then she remembered that she'd been carrying a bag of lacy lingerie and Aeric had seen them and helped her pick them up. Having a sinking feeling, she neatly kicked away the bag under the table, hoping he'd forgotten all about it.

She'd noticed that Aeric had said you and not we and she couldn't help but feel mildly disappointed. "I love to dance," she said brightly. "There are a few moody jazz bars in Paris but nothing like here and come on," she said with a laugh. "You can dance. I've seen to twirl girls around the dance floors at Yule Balls so don't give me that," she joked, waggling a warning finger at him playfully.

"No it's lovely," she lied as she slid the glass back towards him. "Right," she laughed as he ordered her a cocktail, offering the waitress a smile. She really was beautiful and she had no idea why Aeric wasn't ignoring her in favour for the brunette.

Feeling as though they were sharing a secret, she mirrored his actions as she leant in close to him across the table. "Nah," she said, her eyes sliding down his face. "You're a gentleman. You were raised better than that," she said with a smile as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, goose bumps rising on her arms as she momentarily thought he might be talking to her. She shook herself; of course he wasn't. She wasn't his type, he was just being friendly.

Opening her mouth to respond, she was jarred from her thoughts as a plate was put in front of her. "Oh look," she gasped. "Food! This looks wonderful, thank you," she said kindly, taking a deep swig of her mojito without flinching, downing a large quantity to settle her bouncing her nerves. Hastily, she ate a French fry before adding a little salt. She'd always thought it was rude to add extra without trying it first as she nodded. "'s good," she nodded before picking up her burger and taking a small bite and chewing.

They'd always had an underwritten something that hovered over their friendship, a will-they-won't-undercurrent. But their paths too infrequently for anything to blossom but that didn't mean there was a small part of her that might be interested to know and experience it. "I think that mojito's gone straight to my head," she mumbled, slurping the sugary mint drink through a slim black straw regardless.