[st john's lodge gardens] wallflowers. [tag; dash]

She was glad he didn’t keep talking about it – those kinds of things were best left avoided. Though she and her mother were still very polite, their relationship was incredibly strained, and Arden got on so much better with their father.

She was happier when the conversation changed to something brighter. Arden nodded, a small smile appearing when he mentioned snow. There was more snow in Germany than in England, she thought, but she didn’t say it. “I’d love to get outdoors somewhere serene,” she said instead, her words encouraging and reassuring. She didn’t mind snow, didn’t mind winter. As long as it wasn’t so awful that she couldn’t get outside, she could thrive in any climate.

She made a mental note to make a physical note about this later; she wasn’t usually the most organised person, but with everything she had going on at the moment, it was difficult to keep everything in her head. And of course, she’d hate to forget. The fact that she’d been the one to cancel their last lunch still made her feel guilty to remember. With where Will was at right now, she felt like she needed to make herself more available.

“Ooh, Patterdale,” she said nodding. Her mind spun up the view from the summit of Hartsop Dodd. Her studio apartment in the city felt so small in comparison. “I’ll have a look at everything I’m doing for the next couple of months and I’ll owl you,” she said. Her eyes were on Dave as he waddled back to his owner. The prosecco and the sunlight had left her with a very mild, pleasant buzz. She got to her feet, brushing some crumbs from her clothes. “I might head to Diagon before I portkey back, I’ll just apparate somewhere along the path if it’s clear,” she said, eyes on someone jogging past. Presumably a muggle. 

“Thanks for sharing everything, Will,” she said. She’d already lost some of the details of the love pentagon or whatever it was that he’d been involved with. Famous quidditch stars, lots of exes… Something like that. “I do really want to know what’s going on in your life â€“ I’m sorry I’ve been so busy.” Dave reappeared as she started walking, and she made sure to give him some extra attention. “And thank you, of course,” she cooed, pausing to rub behind his ears with two hands.

What a nightmare. Arden was too nice. It was Will's job as an older brother to be shouldering her problems, not dumping them on her like a shitty avalanche. He smiled at her absently, not at all expecting them to get together because Arden was a grown woman with her whole life ahead of her. She was an adult, he kept forgetting that she didn't always need his help. A wave of sadness and nostalgia twisted his stomach before he cleared his throat and smiled brightly. If he was having a hard time letting his sister go now, he dreaded to think what their mother would be like if she ever decided to get married.

"Please do," he said warmly, knowing that he'd look forward to her letters whenever they arrived. "Okay," Will offered, deciding it'd be best just to walk home if Arden wanted to get some shopping. He felt like he'd been overbearing enough.

At her comment, his dark eyes flicked over to her quickly as she guilt set in. Worrying was his job. Worrying about Arden, Elijah, their parents, rent, jobs, relationships -- instead, he gave her a quick smile and shook his head. "You're welcome," he joked lamely, making a mental note to get a better grip on his life. Or maybe even a new hobby he could distract his sister with. He did like to chat.

But he frowned at her apology. "Don't be daft," he said lightly, shaking his head as though to brush it aside. "None of this is your fault," he was careful to tell Arden and make sure she believed it. "It was nice to see you," he told her honestly as Dave appeared, letting out a soft whine when he realised his favourite person was about to leave him, but his tail still wagged all the same.

"If you need anything, just let me know," he told his sister as he wrapped an arm around her neck in a brief hug before stepping back and letting her go. "Travel safe," Will called after her with a cheery wave, making a mental note to tell their mother that she was fine and not to tell her where she was going next. Will waved her leave before tugging gently on the Wolfhound's lead to get him to walk in the opposite direction.

"Kids, eh?" He asked Dave mildly, who simply ignored him as he carried on sniffing around the grass, causing Will to pull a face before falling into step with his dog.

[done!]

“I will,” she promised. “It’s always good to see you too, Will,” she said, wondering once more how long she could get her brothers in the same room, and how she could make them both enjoy it. Her family was full of such different people, and not just in terms of interests; there were problems, she thought, understanding each other. She certainly didn’t understand her mother, and Harriet didn’t understand her at all, either. Eli and Will weren’t that bad, she thought. Not a lost cause.

The hug was brief, but Dash made sure to wrap her arms around her big brother tightly. “I will,” she repeated, even though she probably wouldn’t. Was that a typical Dasher trait too, she wondered? not being able to ask for help? She really had to put in more effort to connect with him, but probably not like that, she thought. She preferred doing the helping. “Okay, I’ll see you” she said, pulling back, her hand patting her pocket for her wand.

“You too!” she called over her shoulder, retreating along the path as she reached for her sunglasses.

/end