{k e e p i n g a c o m f o r t a b l e d i s t a n c e} harlan

Somehow Roslyn had managed to duck out of Olivers clutch and sneak out of the restaurant relatively unnoticed. She hadn't gone empty handed at least. Somehow she'd acquired chocolate mousse and if she had timed her escape at all right  (it was hard to tell time at this point, with everything being pleasantly fuzzy along the edges) then it was almost time for the main event. The vestiges of something close to disappointment wanted to encroach on her blissfully happy day but she pushed it down forcefully. It was beyond silly of her, she mused, as she found a nice spot along the edge of the stairs in the back porch. She'd been assured no one really came back here unless there was a smoke break. She admired the fairy lights illuminating the door for a moment before she straightened up a bit and faced forward.

Fireworks always had been her favorite and coupled by her favorite dessert she felt ready enough to enjoy the ending of her birthday in quiet after a day filled with friends, yelling, laughter, and drinks. Only she couldn't quite- With a shake of her head, the brunette witch ate another spoonful of her snack, irritated at herself for dwelling on someone's absence. She hand't even really invited him, not truly, so why should he have felt compelled to stop by? She was being ridiculous in the worse sort of way and she refused to give it another thought, really. Honestly. She wasn't thinking about it. Only she was. She'd been fixated on their last encounter, wondering, and then feeling stupid for wondering.

She wished she hadn't sent that stupid owl, too, but she hadn't been able to resist sending him at least the one photo. Merlin knew the press would have a fit and she'd get completely reamed for being caught on film being so familiar with someone while on the job. It was a sweet photo, though, and the impulse had struck her without conscious thought. She'd shoved the other photo's in the bottom of her drawer after trying to decide if she should burn them all or not. Besides it wasn't like she felt he owed her or anything. Camm had given her the photo's because he was a sweet guy and it cost her absolutely nothing so it wasn't like she was really expecting anything. Only she couldn't help wondering and her brain wasn't fully operational at the moment to be indulging in such thoughts anyway.

@Harlan Bellamy

Harlan wasn't much for holidays like St. Patrick's Day.

Come to think of it, he wasn't really much for birthdays either.

Both thoughts plagued him as he studied the front of the inn, checking the letter from Ros one last time despite the fact that he knew it had to be to it from the moment he'd apparated. There was a dimly lit set of windows to the side that opened up to a restaurant and he could see the festive garb from a long table of strangers in the corner, nearest what he imagined was the fireplace.

Despite his qualms, there was something inherently inviting about all of it.

Harlan hadn't intended on stopping by for Roslyn's birthday— the invitation came at the last minute and didn't feel particularly premeditated— but the photo. He touched a hand to the pocket of his pants where he had tucked it away as he took a few steps up the front porch. Immediately, the door swung open and he was greeted by an unusually friendly woman.

He could hardly get the words out before she ushered him forward to the warm room just as he caught something familiar sneaking out the back. That was much more palatable than entering a room full of strangers, Harlan decided, excusing himself and slipping out after her. "I believe the party is inside?" He wondered after a moment of quiet, taking a step around her side.

It wasn't like Roslyn to react to someone's voice, at least not when the reaction was a swooping flutter of something. Anticipation? Pleasure? Probably both.  She turned her head, grin widening her features, as she drank Harlan in. He really was an unfairly attractive man. "You'd be right about that." she said wryly, if a bit fondly. "Pretty sure Aiden and Ollie are tying to keep Jade and Maisie from spilling out of their seats." she knew she'd been having issues with upright positions, hence her perched spot on the steps. She wasn't sure if Jade was tired or tipsy but Maisie and her were definitely both. She knew her boys would watch out for them, whatever the case, and it filled her with warm feelings.

"Come sit with the birthday girl, yea?" she asked, turning big doe eyes at Harlan, and tilting her head back expectantly. It was almost an exact mirror of the last time they'd been alone she thought slightly hysterically. A flush went up her back for a second before she refocused. "I didn't think you'd show, but Happy St.Paddy's to you." she blurt out, biting her lip around a smile. "I'm glad you're here." she tacked on, feeling beyond pleased about that fact. She wasn't one to pepper him with inquiries about why, either. It was just nice and she was in too much of a good mood to tell herself she needed to tread lightly. She was loose limbed, bright eyed, with dessert in hand and the company she thought wouldn't show suddenly present.

"You photograph well." she added, laughter bubbling up out of her chest, as she took another spoonful of chocolate mousse. "It's my fault they sort of exist and I'm glad they landed on my lap. I'd imagine the press would've lost it." she murmured. She hadn't realized how much she'd been touching him that night until she'd been confronted with the evidence. It was vaguely embarrassing and mostly telling but it was just sort of how she was. Tactile, pouring affection on everyone and everything she even remotely cared about. It left her with too much to wonder about, really, especially when she had the look on his face that night seared across her eyelids.

At the mention of the names, Harlan glanced again to where the party was held inside. At least there was one familiar face in Jade, he thought to himself despite the impending feeling that he was out of place. At her request, though, he couldn't exactly say no. It was her birthday after all.

Harlan was in Ireland for a match so not stopping by would have been criminal, but as he opened the button of his blazer to sit down he realized that there was a part of him that inherently wanted to. Curiosity usually got the best of him. "Happy birthday," He nodded, adjusting so that he was more adjacent to where she was sitting and facing her. He wondered what it was like sharing that day with a public holiday— particularly one like St. Patrick's.

He contemplated bringing a proper gift but had settled on a bottle of champagne, charmed into a gift box, and stowed in his pocket to give to her before leaving. Though it felt like he might, Harlan didn't really know Roslyn well enough to have picked out something for her that was less generic.

As she glanced over at him, spoon in mouth, Harlan wondered if she was feeling as anticipatory. The last time they had seen each other— well, he was happy to not talk about it at present. It would be much more simple to gloss over whatever tension he had created that night.

"Thanks again, by the way," Harlan said in response to the photo. The Prophet would have had a field day with that one if it were to have gotten out. Though, as usual with that sort of thing, the next big story wouldn't be far, ready to distract the masses again. "Did you all have a big day?" He said, remembering what Ros had mentioned about her friends falling out of their chairs. He and some of the team had gotten drinks in a small pub in Northern Ireland, but that was the extent of his festivities thus far.

“Thanks.” she murmured with a smile, pleased, despite herself. She hadn’t thought past just inviting him, truly. Not even what she would do exactly when he showed up. She’d decided she’d just focus on enjoying his company and just trying not to analyze things overmuch. His presence alone was present enough for her.

Fact was she was feeling a bit anticipatory, though she’d never mention it. She was always good at compartmentalizing. She could enjoy the effects of wanting without focusing on why, really. Roslyn was a simple woman, when you got past most of the obstacles she put in place. She enjoyed work, enjoyed time spent with friends, and especially enjoyed being around people that made her feel good. It could be as simple as that for her, though if she got down to the why’s of things that tended to make her a bit, well, antsy.

“You’re welcome.” She said genuinely, small smile curving her lips. “It truly wasn’t any trouble.” she’d actually had a great time with Camm. He was a very sweet and very genuine guy. She already felt quite protective of the photographer. “We started out in Dublin this morning.” She said, laughter highlighting her admission. “It’s been a bit of a blur. But I won Maisie a plush.” she added, fondness bleeding into her tone. “Jade had to deal with Aiden flirting with her all day.” Her cousin really couldn’t help himself, though she knew he didn’t mean much by it. He was surprisingly restrained when it came to that sort of thing sometimes. “Skerries is a perfect finish for the day. Fireworks and just a really pleasant place.” and she loved Fireworks. Perfect end, really.

“How’s the team been?” she asked, curious, despite knowing exactly where the rankings stood. It was funny how she’d started automatically tracking how he’d been doing in the overall rankings. Though she’d never admit it to anyone she had suddenly developed a soft spot for the Griffins. He’d just gloat if she told him, so best leave it her secret.

Harlan watched curiously as Roslyn recounted the day. It certainly wasn't his idea of a birthday, let alone a fun time, but there was something to be said about seeing someone talk about something that they genuinely enjoyed— and it was clear that she did.

"That's good," He added, as an afterthought, having been consumed with contemplation.

Ros asked about the team and the question caught him momentarily off guard. Harlan had prepared to talk about her, and the holiday, for at least another fifteen minutes before the change of pace. "Yeah, alright," He shifted to lean back against the railing, wishing he had something to occupy his hands.

"Had a match yesterday," He explained. "Hence—" Why he was in the area, he meant to say.

Even as she spoke she could tell that Harlan seemed a bit, well, distracted. She finished her dessert with a flourish, eye the waste basket and deciding she'd take her shot. She was both surprised and pleased that it teetered over the edge to where it was supposed to go. "That makes sense." she muttered shrugging innocently before turning her attention back towards Harlan. "Take any hits?" she questioned, concern puckering her forehead as she studied him and scanned for any injuries. Nothing was visible but that didn't mean he wasn't all bruised to hell. Or sore. Merlin but she understood coming home with both. Sometimes bruise paste really was your best friend. Maybe some rum.

"C'mon. Join the birthday girl for a stroll, yea?" she offered, standing slowly, but wobbling a little as she made it fully vertical. She blinked a few times, stretching, before grinning at the wizard. "Fireworks start soon and you can keep me from spraining an ankle?" she added, teal eyes boring into his face, though there was a hint of a smile tugging her full lips up at the corners. She knew how harrowing Qudditch could be, especially when you lost. It had to be difficult when you played it professionally of course. The loss' could be beyond devastating. But the win, how did a Quidditch player celebrate that? She was wildly curious but hesitant to ask.

The sound of something hitting the bin over his shoulder distracted him momentarily but Harlan kept his eyes on her. He wondered why Ros hadn't just used her wand then remembered she was a bit like him in that sense— innately competitive, even with her own self. A smile crept over his features.

"Not the one," Harlan teased in return to her question regarding him having taken any hits. If she believed that, she hadn't seen a game of quidditch in her life, and he knew that much wasn't the case. Without thinking, he shifted where he was sitting on the stoop, adjusting the shoulder he'd been hit squarely on with a bludger from the opposing team— the very same as his long-standing injury. 

Before he knew it, Roslyn was on her feet and talking about bloody fireworks. There was a brief moment of panic that arose in his chest. "Oh—" The hand he held up as she stumbled shifted to pull himself up. "I was just planning on stopping by..." Harlan confessed. A birthday party was his idea of fun as such.

She was competitive, viciously so, some would complain.

She squinted, bumping shoulders a bit, before a small smile curled around her lips. "Well your face isn't horribly disfigured so if you are all bruised up I hope you took care of them properly?" she lead, raising an eyebrow. Perhaps a more direct line of questioning in regards to his overall health and happiness seemed to be in order, since he seemed determined to tease her. Her question was accidentally answered as her gaze focused on the shoulder he seemed to be favoring.

But then she was stumbling and he was stumbling and the world was stumbling. Once the world stopped being happily spiny she registered everything quite slowly. There was a bit to unpack and she didn't have the mental clarity to process everything as quickly as she wanted to. First order of business though, which was the most important. "Have you taken a look at that shoulder? Properly, I mean." she questioned quietly, her concern apparent on the unhappy little tilt of her lips. Her teal eyes roved over his face, trying to decipher if he'd be honest with her about it or not. "It looked like it was bothering you." she added, bitting her lip, and attempting to restrain the desire she had to really check.

"Don't go yet." she blurt out, flushing, when she realized how forlorn she sounded at the thought. She could feel the heat spreading from her chest up to the apples of her cheeks. "There's just a better spot up ahead to see. The rest will be out front, most likely. We've got a bit before they actually try to find me." Ollie knew she liked to take in the initial display by herself and would give her some time to just enjoy. Despite the fact her brain was a bit muddled she knew better than to follow those thoughts too far, or to explain it all to Harlan. Fact was that she liked to enjoy her fireworks in quiet. Liked just sitting in a comfortable spot and reveling in life for a moment as the world spun out about her.

That she wanted to share that time with Harlan was telling, though she refused to focus on that thought too much. She knew better than to say all that out-loud at least.

The statement— don't leave yet— felt as though it was spoken both fast and foreign. Harlan had paused prior, but then all over again as Ros spoke. His eyes narrowed on her. There was no hiding the fact that he was mulling over his options. On the one hand, he had truly intended on just stopping by, and on the other he found himself having a hard time just saying no.

"You're sure?" Harlan prompted, verging on giving her the excuse to tell him to fuck off.

He glanced over to where she had gestured before eventually nodding, conceding. "For a bit," He decided, as if he meant it. In trurth, Harlan wasn't sure why he'd turned up there after the last minute invitation came via owl. It would have been just as easy— easier even— to send a card and bottle, but there he was.

"Lead the way," It was more a question than a directive. Harlan was all too aware of the way that Roslyn had stumbled to her feet before. He was already assessing the steps ahead of them incaseshe took a more tangible stumble as threatened. "You like the fireworks, then?" There was an innate air of pause in the question that alluded to the way that he felt about them.

A firework show usually meant a crowd. And he wasn't much for that.

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to push the issue of his arm. Perhaps she’d just wanted an excuse to make him feel better, somehow. Harlan was a complicated man, she mused, and she had a hunch he didn’t often let anyone in enough to help. From what she’d seen so far it looked as if vulnerability wasn’t something he had experience with (to this end she was quite empathetic, the were quite similar, after all). The thing Ros wanted most in that moment was to check his shoulder, maybe rub in some bruise paste to alleviate whatever discomfort he seemed to be in physically. Ros was soft hearted with people she cared about and always strived to bring ease where those people were concerned. Their distress, in whatever form that distress took, needed to be soothed. At least in her mind. That instinct was difficult for her to curb which is why her fingers curled against her palms as if they wanted to reach out and soothe.

“Yes.” she agreed, voice firm and sure, even as her brain spun a bit. The thing about Ros was that she didn’t ever say or do things she didn’t mean, no matter how much alcohol bounced against her skull. It made her a bit more fearless, though how much more was minuscule in the grand scheme. She had a tendency to take great leaps and face things head on no matter how unpleasant. Her greatest blindside was her inability to recognize when things headed a certain way, emotionally.

“You can leave whenever you want, of course, I just would like share the fireworks with you, maybe?” she asked, voice soft, as she bit her lip and glanced at the empty sky. “There’s a bench by a tree up ahead and it’s got a nice view of the bridge and the lake.” she started, taking slow careful steps forward once she realized he’d agreed to stay. She blinked, smile curving up her lips, at his question.

“Yes.” She breathed, closing her eyes, before opening them up and fixing him with a look. “I always find a good place to to watch, where I can enjoy them.” she offered, secretive, as she led them towards the large willow tree. “Someplace quiet and secluded usually and far enough away that it’s mostly quiet.” she added, because in her opinion it was the only way to watch fireworks. “My brothers used to hunt me down when I’d disappear and it has become a bit of a game over the years. Finding good enough hiding spot where they wouldn’t find me until I’d satisfied my eyes with the light show.” She wasn’t sure what prompted her to speak only she felt as if she needed to fill what stood between them with words.

She finally made towards the bench, sitting, and patting the spot beside her. “I should’ve brought a blanket.” she mused, annoyed with herself that she hadn’t listened to Maisie. She wasn’t exactly cold so much as she wanted to be extra comfortable. “Do you like them? The fireworks I mean.” she asked, face tilted up, she glanced at him curiously. “I always have I guess. The way the make the sky look like it’s bursting. The lights are beautiful.” she murmured, glancing up in anticipation. She’d never shared them with someone else before, and wondered at what the difference would be.

Roslyn's second thought was less of a statement and more of a question than before in— Harlan felt himself falter in return despite the procession of his feet slowly following hers. He hadn't had the chance to really take in the bed and breakfast, but it seemed nice enough. The prospect of the unknown outside its threshold was intimidating in some strange way.

"Interesting," He had watched intently as Ros recounted her childhood memory. Harlan, in return, tried to recall the memories alike of his own but struggled to conjure something that made him light up the way that she had. He wondered if she knew how lucky she was for that.

They approached a willow tree and suddenly Harlan was thankful he hadn't left the card (more importantly, the bottle) at the desk at the inn. He sat down after pulling the small satchel from his front pocket, charming it back to its usual size. "Was going to leave this for you," He shrugged a shoulder, a smile breaking slightly. "Not really, if I'm honest," He answered the question— did he like the fireworks— after a beat.

"Usually means there's a crowd that comes with them..." He studied the bottle of whiskey (he'd taken a guess on that much), before nudging it over.

Fact was she was very cognizant of both how great her family truly was and also what a fortunate childhood she'd had. Not many could boast the same, she knew, and it saddened her a bit because that grounded childhood she'd benefited from also made her strong enough to face the war, and everything that came after. She didn't like to dwell on those thoughts very often, but she was always grateful for the things she'd been blessed with and didn't take them for granted. Perhaps that was another reason she was such a bleeding heart sometimes.

She gave a little hum of approval, sighing, as she relaxed into her seat. Her teal gaze flickered over towards his face, surprise lighting up her features, as he offered her the enlarged satchel. She could feel her cheeks warm, and she resolutely resisted the urge to fidget in place. A fluttery sort of pleasure passed through her and she shot the man a grin. "Thank you." she offered, very apparently delighted, as he nudged her gift over. It was thoughtful, though she realized he could be such when he wanted to. Not many people would've bothered to bring anything at all, or take the time to pick something out. "Oh." she said, a sad sort of tilt of her lips. It was a simple thing, to enjoy fireworks, that he hadn't made her feel a bit sad.

"We will just have to remedy that, won't we?" she said decisively. "You're with a connoisseur of fireworks and firework watching, you see, and I think we can make a believer of you yet." she teased, as she leaned back. "Want to share a drink with me then?" she asked, curiously, as her fingers wrapped around the bottle that was nudged her way. They didn't have any glasses and while that fact could be remedied by a single flick of either of their wands she didn't really bother as she opened the bottle and took a swig like an uncultured heathen. There was a pleasant burn that left her keyed and lips tingling, as she offered him the bottle back, secretive smile in place. "I haven't shared a bottle with someone since seventh year." she admitted, laughing, as she leaned in to bump his shoulder.

Harlan watched with interest as Roslyn's face lit up with apparent joy. There was an unmistakable uncomfortable sinking feeling that came with giving a gift in the brief moments as they opened it— the question, did they like it? It was always obvious, too. At least he thought it was. Ros it seemed was genuinely pleased and he found himself smiling broadly in return without hesitation. "That's alright," He insisted. It was only a bottle.

Her insistence about the fireworks was endearing, though Harlan still paused, glancing to where she's gestured in front of them as she spoke about her prowess as far as they were concerned. "It is quieter, that's nice," He mused as he sat back against the bench, studying the branches overhead before flicking his gaze back to her.

"No better time, then," Harlan hadn't missed her shoulder bumping into his own and his eyes narrowed on nothing in particular in front of him.

"Don't you want to be with your friends?" He wondered as soon as the thought crossed his mind. It hadn't been his intent on showing up and stealing her away by any stretch of the imagination. It was nice, of course, but he figured he would have easily slid into the mix of a crowd with a viable option to skirt out early without being noticed. "I don't want to keep you," He explained. "Even for the sake of firework education..." He clicked his tongue sarcastically before tipping the bottle back.

He had a really nice smile, didn't he? She couldn't quite remember if she'd thought that before or not only that she'd really like to keep making him smile like that. All broad and not an ounce of hesitation. "Its still thoughtful." she murmured, affection slowly unfurling in her gut as her appreciation for the man beside her went up. His reaction to her reaction had been a pleased one, she was sure, which said quite a bit about him. She liked getting a better idea about the people she surrounded herself with. There were so many different things she'd heard about Harlan before having even met him that had colored her perception of him a bit. Having gotten to spend some time with him she could see where bits and pieces slotted together and others did not. It was a bit jarring and she wondered how many friends he had where he could just exist around.

She hardly noticed she was paying more attention to the expressions suffusing his face rather than the fireworks she'd been so excited about. "Nice things exist in the quiet-" she started, furrowing her eyebrows as words came to mind. “Sweet are the thoughts that savour of content, The quiet mind is richer than a crown...” she murmured quietly, tilting her face up, as she studied the darkening sky. Sometimes nature tended to be still and quiet and it was the perfect state to get lost in a good book. Ros always endeavored to find specific places for reading and a good deal of them tended to be outdoors. She liked to be out in the expanse of nature with her dog, some food, and a good book to let her mind unfurl and wander. She was so focused on the sky she missed the narrowing of his eyes.

"What would you call yourself, then? Are we not friends?" she asked, her teal eyes studying his features again, as she tilted her head for a better look. She wasn't sure what possessed her to say it only that she felt the need to dispel the thought that he was somehow less deserving of her time. Her mind didn't work in absolutes, though. She'd spent her whole day with friends and family but she hadn't spent anytime with Harlan at all. It seemed simple enough to her, especially when she thought about how spooked he'd looked at the thought of joining the larger group. She'd take the time with him that she could and then rejoin everyone else once he'd taken his leave of her. "This is nice." she assured, smiling, as she flicked her gaze upwards again. Sometimes it was easier to soothe when you didn't have to look into someone else's expresion. "You're not a nefarious pirate that has taken me prisoner. I want to see the fireworks with you. More than that I want you to just enjoy it all with me." she added, lips tipping up at the sarcasm in his tone. "I've never met a man so determined to not enjoy something." she teased, face brimming in mirth, as she snatched her bottle back and took a good long swallow before handing it off again.