drag our secrets to the sea [closed]

[astrid llewellyn]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:100%;][atrb=style, width:378px; padding:0px;] Though snow was no longer packed around them, the trees look barren and beautiful against the sky. If it had not been for that and the stinging cold many could swear spring had arrived early. Astrid smiled at her surroundings as she made her way through the small town. With the freedom of the weekend and fortunately only a small stack of work to get past she had found herself able to pay a visit to her favorite place outside of Beauxbatons. She had no idea what she wanted to there just yet but she supposed that was the beauty of a weekend: You never really had to plan anything. Besides that, Astrid couldn't say she'd ever really planned anything with anyone since her first year of teaching, so it wasn't a familiar occurrence for her. While the hour ticked by, Astrid bustled in and out of the shops purchasing items here and there. Not much of a person to indulge herself too much she couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought of all her shopping; she now knew why other women enjoyed it so much. It gave one quite a feeling of accomplishment. She emerged finally from Mungo's toting a sweet looking pink Pygmy Puff. It was a gift for her niece who had just turned four. She knew her mother would never approve but that's what aunt for right? Stopping outside the shop she turned towards the large owl situated by the door. Handing him two galleons followed by the cage, that she charmed to keep the owl out of. The creature raised its wings and flew off towards the castle. A true lover of animals, Astrid wasn't able to bear sending the poor dear by floo powder for fear that it would come into harm. Tucking a blonde strand of hair behind her ear she proceeded down the cobbled sidewalk. Minutes passed before she found herself standing in front of a display window. Gazing into the non-reflective surface she squinted her eyes before they widened slightly. With quick movements she moved into the store and called out slighty, it could be it wasn't who she thought at all, but the man looked so familiar she was sure that she knew him, "Joshua? Joshua Spencer?" NOTES. THE NAME IS RIGHT NOW :D lmao WORDS. 378 OUTFIT. soon

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[joshua spencer .]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:80%;][atrb=style, width:279px; padding:10px; background:#ffffff;] HERE I COME YOU'RE LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN MY LUNGS Joshua rummaged through his pockets for some muggle change. He was just buying his friend Joseph a welcome back present for his job at Beauxbatons, the magic school through the portkey. He held the little glass sphere in his fingers and stared at the dirt speckled with pieces of gold. It was something small and silly, but in the muggle world this was considered rare. Shrugging off the idea, he knew he made enough money at the Couru not to worry about it. Drinks were expensive, cover was expensive... it all worked out, because it was the closest magical club for miles and a definite favourite of the students. Smiling, he tucked the glass sphere in his coat pocket and head off for the Rue. He pulled the lapel of his coat up behind his neck against the wind, and once he made it back through the barrier of the magical world, he exhaled, relieved, and looked around. The cobble-stoned streets, the street lamps lit by fire... it was all very 19th century, and all very magical. Josh felt the most at ease in this neighborhood, knowing that he could pull out his wand at any time, or just watch a magic trick... enjoy the company of witches and wizards alike. It was all a great experience and something Josh thanked the Ministry for every day. Just one pub wouldn't be enough to satisfy the population of the French wizarding community, and Josh was more than willing to oblige. He was about to head back to the Couru until he noticed something interesting in the Rose Formals store. It was a beautiful silver watch, one that he had been searching for for quite some time. He stared at that, and then spotted the sign saying that the store was under new management. Well, Macy was gone he realized, and he shrugged off the sadness of not seeing a beautiful girl when he bought his accessories, and then went in. It may be mostly a women's store, but there was still a men's section. He wandered through the flurry of pink dresses, frilly shirts and shiny jewelry and stared down into the cases at the watch. He looked around for the store owner. It was 50 galleons. He exhaled and nodded, the other ones he had seen were definitely more expensive. And he made 50 galleons in half an hour on a weeknight. He ran a hand through his dark brown locks, his chocolate brown eyes watching the sales lady as she took the watch out from the glass case and put it in a nice royal blue velvet box. They walked to the front of the store together and he smiled as she began to ring up his order, quill in hand. He rummaged through his pockets for the next time that day and pulled out a little pouch, dumping fifty galleons on the table. She was a little surprised to be paying so much upfront, but obliged. She took the coins and counted them out carefully, putting them somewhere under the table that Josh couldn't quite see. He smiled as he picked up the case, running his finger along the silver of the chain and grinning from ear to ear. He deserved a little treat, didn't he? He nodded his thanks to the shopkeeper and turned around to leave. That was when he was surprised by the ring of the store bell and a blonde woman walking in. One who had an air of familiarity. And one who was saying his name. Josh froze to the spot, somewhat surprised to see her here. The last time he had seen her was at Hogwarts when he was about to leave. From what he could remember, her name was Astrid (but her last name escaped him at the moment) and she had grown more beautiful with age. Joshua, being in Gryffindor was dating one of Astrid's friends, a Hufflepuff, and he had the opportunity to get to know the girl well at the time. His face broke out in a wide grin at the memories, "Astrid? I haven't seen you in ages!" He opened his arms and brought the woman in for a friendly hug. "How are you?" he asked her curiously, cautiously leading her out of the shop. He didn't quite want the shop lady hearing about his childhood. He didn't know her well at all, so he didn't want to expose her to his life so soon and so informally. Maybe in a few days. As the two stepped back out in the chilly air, he smiled down at her. Her bright eyes and sweet smile drew him in immediately. Her blonde hair fluttered a little over her shoulders as a breeze blew by, and he couldn't help but stare at her a little too long. He looked down quickly, stuffing his hands in his pockets before nodding in the direction of The Grub Pub, "Fancy a drink?" he asked her, feeling his heart skip a beat at the idea of getting to spend some time with her now. When he and Astrid's friend had broken up when he was in seventh year and she was in sixth, it didn't take long for either of them to move on. Their relationship had many ups and downs and he was happy he met some people that he was still friends with today, through her. Astrid was definitely one of them. And he wasn't kidding, her beauty had become more noticeable than back in their teenage years. Being a year older, he didn't see Astrid much after that relationship, but every now and then he saw her reading. In fact, he saw her feeding squirrels on the grounds or even convincing a bunny to come out of hiding. She had a way with animals, and as the pair walked down the street, he was enjoying the sweet aura she emitted, making him calm and relaxed. LIGHT MY HEART UP BABY LIKE A MATCHSTICK | ASTRID

credit to kara caution, shine, & atf.

[astrid llewellyn]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:100%;][atrb=style, width:378px; padding:0px;] Astrid hadn't given dating much of a chance back at Hogwarts, more into her studies than anything. Once could say she lived vicariously through her friends; they were the type to date boys and attend the balls with boyfriends while Astrid studied night after night trying her hardest to get the best marks. Through one of her very good friends at the time, she'd gotten to know Joshua who had been a year older than them. He breath caught her throat slightly as she took in his appearance. Though they stopped hanging out once he left school and never really kept in touch, he'd aged handsomely. It was almost as if barely a day had passed since she last saw him. It was a same, now that she thought about it; he was the first person she'd seen from back in her school days. All she knew of her former friend was that she'd gotten married to some ministry tycoon and had three kids. As they ended their hug, he voiced her very thoughts. "It's been too long Joshua. I've been well. Wow, you haven't aged a bit. How have you been?" Astrid beamed happily at him. It wasn't hard either as he had this air about him that just made smiling infectious. Another thing that took her back to the past. She wouldn't never admit it to anyone but Astrid had been a bit jealous back then. When he suggested the pop into the Grub Pub for a drink, she nodded once. "I think that'd be all right." she agreed, "Lead the way." Astrid glanced back towards the lady behind the counter. She'd been staring at the two of them since she'd entered the shop. Well...she'd been staring at Josh since she'd entered the shop. "Not a thing has changed; you're still the center of attention like in school. The ladies just flock to you." she said with a laugh. They reached the pub, discussing things here and there and as they got settle in a booth, Astrid felt herself relaxing. "Who would've thought we'd run into each other after all these years. What is it that you do exactly? Besides own the Couru en Liberte of course. Do you work up at the school?" she asked him as they ordered their drinks: a small fire whiskey for her, a daring drink for her as she unhappily recalled the last time she'd had it. It wasn't likely that he worked up at the school as she'd never seen him up there. Then again, she rarely emerged from her small corner of the world to venture around the castle, let alone the small wizarding village. "What brought you to France of all places, I would've have thought you be off on a adventure somewhere a bit more...exotic." While she couldn't recall any instances in which they had help any private conversations, Astrid had always heard stories from the other girls in her house of how adventurous he was, how unpredictable yet romantic he was and she'd believed it. Oh how she wished she'd talked to him more but she just hadn't been that way. She had always had this love of animals and would often prefer them to being a third, fourth, fifth, or sixth wheel despite being assured that she was no such thing. But it was bloody awkward being the only girl without a date on a group date. So, as a result she let all of that to her friends. "Have you been here long?" she asked him, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and giving him her full attention. He did have quite an intoxicating face and air about him. NOTES. hai ♥ WORDS. 601 OUTFIT. soon

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[joshua spencer .]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:80%;][atrb=style, width:279px; padding:10px; background:#ffffff;] HERE I COME YOU'RE LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN MY LUNGS Josh grinned down at Astrid as the two walked down the street. It was beginning to turn into a nice afternoon, and one with company instead of the usual spending it alone back at the club waiting for nightfall. He felt a little sheepish at the comment, "I wouldn't say that. I've definitely aged a bit. Or, I hope I did. If I recall, I was honestly a little more awkward," he shook his head, trying to remember. He was one of the more popular kids in school, he knew, but he was still a little awkward and lacked confidence like every teenager. Of course, friends never seemed to feel awkward and lousy whenever their friends were around - let alone being a group of guys. Josh could remember a few instances where he had been dared by his friends to do things... in fact, he was nearly dared to ask out another girl while he was still in a relationship with Astrid's friend. He hadn't agreed, and he had gotten hell for it afterwards, but it had all been worth it in the end. As he continued to reminisce, he could remember Astrid as being the quiet one who he only saw when he ran into her in the halls and would walk her to class like a gentleman. If anything, she had grown with grace and with a definite boost in confidence. He could feel her attitude was much more friendly than back at Hogwarts, and he was beginning to notice her bright aura that sparkled every time she smiled. It was interesting, running into someone who he hadn't seen since his school days and seeing them in a different light. "Not a thing has changed; you're still the center of attention like in school. The ladies just flock to you." Josh went a little pink in the cheeks as he joined her in laughter, but shook his head once again. "I can't believe that's the impression I gave off," he sighed and glanced at a few shop windows on the way to the Grub Pub, "But I definitely can't say the same for you, can I? You've changed a bit. You're a lot more..." he paused for a moment, trying to use the right words, "... outgoing, it seems. Happier. Do you work up at the school?" he asked her curiously, holding the door open to the Grub Pub, allowing her to slip into the pub before him. When the door closed behind him, he felt a great rush of warmth and the sound of laughter and glasses clinking welcomed his senses. It smelled so warm and homey in the Pub and he always loved the feeling of coming into a place so welcoming to wizards. He followed Astrid to one of the booths and he slipped into the seat opposite her. "It is a little odd, isn't it? Of all places. I just work the Couru, it's more than enough for me," he laughed and then added as a quick afterthought, "You should come by one night. Free drinks, on me." he smiled teasingly. He ran a hand through his brown locks, messing them up even more than they were already. There was something comfortable about having messy hair. It was a pain to comb before bed, but other than that, it always made him feel the right amount of prepared to face the day. Not to mention the fact that he knew it looked good, most of the time. He shot the waitress a smile and ordered the same as Astrid, except a regular. "Slow down there, Llewellyn - a small firewhisky?" he joked, his eyes sparkling mischievously, "Don't go too crazy now, don't want you scaring the kids on the way back to the castle." Now that he thought about, it wasn't a surprise that people go the impression that he'd go on adventures. And, of course, he had. Ever since leaving Hogwarts, he had tried to get a job at the Ministry of Magic as an Auror, but his grades weren't nearly good enough. An alternative for him was to just... go places, and learn a little more about himself. It sounds cliché, but he really did figure out who he was and what he wanted to do. Over the past 4 and a half years, he had traveled to Australia, America, Brazil, Peru, India, Thailand, China and various other locations. He thought he found love when he went to Kenya, and when the two of them were going to have a small Masai wedding ceremony, she ended up changing her mind which broke Joshua's heart and ultimately led him to escape that whole area of the world and come back up to Europe. Last he heard, she returned to Australia where she was from... but he didn't dare think about her more. She just made his heart ache. He had even fallen for a woman here at Beauxbatons, but of course, things hadn't ended well when she went on a hiatus and made Josh feel like she would never return. He shrugged off his past experiences with love and focused on the future, something he had been doing for a while now. He glanced at Astrid's sweet face, smiling in response to her comment, "Can't say I didn't travel... there are still a few places I'd love to visit. Have you gone anywhere since hoggy-warty-Hogwarts?" he asked her as the waitress returned with their orders. He took a swig of his firewhisky, smacking his lips together and taking in some air. It was stronger than he remembered. He tended to stick with pop and water back at the club. He tugged at the sleeves of his light blue button down shirt. "Not too long... a few months, maybe? How about you?" he asked her, taking another swig. It went down a little easier than the last one. He liked to think of his memories of school as fond ones, full of happiness and love and teenage angst. But of course, sometimes things changed with new experiences. For a while, he looked back on his days at Hogwarts as unpleasant experiences that were just childish and insignificant. But now that he was sitting in a booth, in France, with an old acquaintance from Hogwarts and thinking on the days he spent with her fondly... well, maybe there was room for change, right? He was definitely going to have to talk it over with Joseph. Sometimes the guy was his roots whenever Josh went off on a tangent, thinking about all the great, wonderful experiences and ignoring the logic of the fact that he had just run into Astrid after years of not seeing her or being in contact with her. He was going to have to reevaluate how quickly he began to find someone irresistible so interesting. But he had a feeling it was already a little too late, now. LIGHT MY HEART UP BABY LIKE A MATCHSTICK | ASTRID

credit to kara caution, shine, & atf.

[astrid llewellyn]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:100%;][atrb=style, width:378px; padding:0px;] "Oh yes, you have...just in looks you look like you did back in school. Then again I don't recall us spending enough time in each other's company for me to know." They'd never had much one on one time but why would they? They certainly never dated and could hardly say they had been friends. No, the only reason for them to be out and about together was when mutual friends were involved. She didn't remember fondly how he sometimes walked her to class and whether it had been out of pity or him being her friend she still did not know. As a teenager with few friends and the reputation of being extremely anti-social she often felt like most of her friendships had been out of sympathy rather than a sheer want to be around her. It was sad really, when she thought about it. Glancing at him she spoke, "You would have loved what all the girls said about you. Even a few Slytherin's if i'm not mistaken. I supposed it was really them who you should thank; they sort of gave of that impression for you." She chuckled briefly but stopped when he noted how much she'd changed. "I suppose am. Happier that is." she nodded once at his question, "Yes. I teach Care of Magical Creatures." Astrid practically beamed; she literally adored her job and though it probably annoyed people that she talked of it so much it was something she was unable to help. "I am glad it's happened though. I feel like we could have been really nice friends back in school. Perhaps this is fate giving us a chance to reconnect once more." "I would love to. Just let know when and i'll let you treat me to a large one instead." She teased back as he made his comment. "It wouldn't do me any good if my students saw me sloshed while walking back up to the school." she joked, looking away as he tossed his hair about on his head and taking a long sip of her drink. He first experience with fire whiskey had fortunately been a happy one and had become her constant choice whenever she went out. Snapping her attention back to her present company, "Have you been to many places? Oh yes, I enjoy traveling very much. Let's see; I've been to Spain, Portugal, then there was that brief excursion to Egypt, and I spent a few weeks traveling through Africa, France obviously and a few other countries. Too many to name really and it was all purely academic, much of it for my own personal research." Astrid paused to finish off her drink before looking up at him again. "It seems that it's grown on you then since you've been here so long." she said as she thought back. She'd moved here a few weeks after deciding to leave England so, "About a year, year and a half almost." It was one damn good decision as well; she could only think of how different her life would have been had she stayed back home. Clinging to a boring job, a relationship she no longer had. Yes, being in France had changed her a lot. She possibly wouldn't have had this chance to catch up with an old friend that she never bothered to keep in touch with. How oddly things worked, really. To top it all off, she wasn't going to deny that he'd always been more than fairly attractive to her but it seemed to have tripled since their days at Hogwarts. She'd felt nothing like this since her last relationship years ago. First thing she would do back up at the castle was consult her friends; if anything they would know what to say. NOTES. hai ♥ WORDS. 614 OUTFIT. the pic above

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[joshua spencer .]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:80%;][atrb=style, width:279px; padding:10px; background:#ffffff;] HERE I COME YOU'RE LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN MY LUNGS Josh laughed outright, entertained by the idea that he used to be some great big desirable guy back at Hogwarts. Sure, some girls made it clear to him that he was the guy they'd want to ask to the Yule Ball, but it wasn't as if he thought fondly of how awesome he was. He liked to be a little more subtle with when he liked a girl. Unfortunately, he often mislead many girls back at school. He found that he broke a few too many hearts accidentally because he'd hold a few doors open, walk some girls to class, make sure people got back to their rooms safely... well, to be honest he was kind of oblivious to that stuff. He had no idea when he was being a good guy, or just being outright flirtatious. That was partially why so many of his relationships ended. His girlfriend would get a little catty that her friends would be spending time with him without her being around. Sometimes it was either that, or he was just too romantic. He tried once to be more rebellious, more of a bad boy, but it only led him to his love for leather jackets and for his tattoo on his left side of a dragon surrounded by flames - a little cheesy, he knew, but he was all in black and looked a little better than it sounded. "Well, thanks. Good to know I still look closer to eighteen rather than twenty three," he joked. "But now I'm curious! I'd love to know what those girls thought of me. Was I too this, or that?" he laughed. You could tell he was really enjoying this. "But you seemed so quiet back then... kind of surprised me seeing as I know a few guys who were interested in you. You scared them off, you know. They were too shy." he glanced over at her curiously. It was true. Astrid wasn't the girl who was in everyone's face all the time, and she was very beautiful, even back then. A little prick of jealousy formed somewhere in his gut as he remembered what some guys would say about her. All of it was good, some of it vulgar... but that was the way, wasn't it. With all boys, they'd say things they didn't mean. Sometimes, when they'd be rejected by other girls they'd just start terrible rumors. Josh kept those to himself though, especially since Astrid was certainly not one of the victims. She seemed to be above everyone in intelligence and maturity, and that scared a few of his friends away. Besides, she never needed anyone - she was independent and bright, something Josh respected in her. Especially now. She was happy, that just made him feel a lot better about those past days in school. But she had certainly blossomed with age. "You do teach. Thought so. That's incredible," he smiled, "I think a few of your students come by Couru sometimes. But don't worry," he added quickly with a cheeky grin, "I don't serve many of them firewhisky. But good God, if any of them saw you here. With a man, no less! What kinds of rumors would spread?" But listening to her, he realized she was right. A softer smile appeared on his lips, one of earnestness and relief. "You're right. I'm surprised we weren't. I feel like we got along pretty well during those few moments we had alone. Thank you, fate!" Listing off places she'd visited, Josh was certainly impressed. He had wondered if she'd be the girl who left and immediately found her place in the world. He was a little relieved to hear that she had, in fact, found her place but not before searching the globe for herself to see what else was out there for her. He nodded as she finished off her list, adding that there were a few mysteries he would have to prod around a little more to figure out. "Hunting for magical creatures to care for?" he joked again with her. He was feeling more and more comfortable around Astrid by the second. He couldn't remember a time he had felt so at ease with an old friend from school. Old feelings and memories came rushing back to him - ones he could barely remember: the way she would tuck some hair behind ear but it wouldn't always cooperate, the way she would nibble on her lower lip when she thought long and hard about something, and the way she always sat in the halls during some of her spare periods, reading. It was all so strange to be remembering things that he couldn't place. It was as though he had always seen her, but now he was seeing her in a totally different light. He was slightly worried that this was leading towards something that could potentially ruin their relationship. He didn't want to mess things up, especially if it was fate giving them another chance at rekindling a friendship. Or maybe it was something more. There was a nagging sensation in the back of his mind pestering him to be a little more romantic, a little more sweet while giving her her independence. It was like it was telling him to woo her, to make her feel the kind of special he didn't get the chance to make her feel before. This was all very overwhelming. He took a long gulp of firewhisky, clearing his throat when the now-half-full glass hit the tabletop. "Well, I've been to plenty. But there's always tons to see. I was thinking of closing the Couru for a few days over the school break and catching a train to Moscow. Would you be interested in the trip?" he asked her out of the blue, forgetting that he had only just run into her. "You know what, take that back. It'd be strange, wouldn't it? Seeing as I just ran into you now after all these years..." he trailed off, trying to use his words to explain the irrational emotions in his mind. He was moving a little quickly, it seemed, so he was trying to slow himself down. Another faux pas. "France has grown on you too, I see!" he smiled, recovering from that terrible bout of words. "Good thing, I think. But there'll always be that little bit of Hogwarts in there. I just know it! It never goes away." he laughed. And it was true. Throughout this whole afternoon so far, it seemed as though Astrid was the same girl he knew back at school - but more sure of herself. More confident. He loved confidence in a woman, and this was certainly something he enjoyed about Astrid now. LIGHT MY HEART UP BABY LIKE A MATCHSTICK | ASTRID

credit to kara caution, shine, & atf.

[astrid llewellyn]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:100%;][atrb=style, width:378px; padding:0px;] You sure do, she thought, cheeks burning immediately after it popped up in her mind. Obviously he knew nothing of how the ladies fawned over him back in their school days, and it seemed as if he was enjoying that information a bit too much. "I'm almost regretting telling you." She said into her glass, but her tone was light-hearted and her smile wide. Tipping her glass back, she took another sip before nearly choking on it. Coughing deeply she stared at him, "Me?" Shaking her head, she willed herself to calm down and cleared her throat. "Oh no; Unless being made fun of counts as being fancied, I wouldn't say I was liked by anyone." Tapping her fingers on the table Astrid stared at was was left of her drink. She wouldn't say that she'd been horrible looking in school, but girls as well as guys had often told her that she should act a little less brainy and a little more girl. More than once had she'd tried but never had it felt like her. No, a dater she wasn't but when she'd talk to Joshua, he never seemed to mind. Then again, it wasn't as if they'd been anything but friends back then. Even that had been pretty much forced between them since they she'd been friends with his girlfriend at the moment. "Yes, the job itself is incredible. I've enjoyed it these past couple years." She replied, laughing slightly. "Oh I wouldn't even want to think of the talk that would circulate." She shrugged, "Though, I can't say that I would be embarrassed by being caught with you." Smiling widely Astrid nodded in agreement, "Good to know I wasn't making up the good times. I do kind of regret turning down a few of your invitations to hang out, but now I can make up for lost time." Signaling the waitress, she ordered another drink, same size as before. Hangovers were something she'd hadn't experienced often but enough to not want one ever again. "Oh yes. You wouldn't believe how fascinating it is, going out there and experiencing them for yourself." Astrid grinned happily, she would never forget her trip to India where she encountered an Occamy. It had been entirely worth the hours of hiding they had to do in order to avoid it's deadly wrath. Sighing, she noted how easy it was to talk with Joshua. Josh. Perhaps it was the lifted pressure from being at school or...it could be that she just felt good around him and in his presence. He had this way of making her chill out and relax. It most comforting and worrying at the same time. They'd only just rekindled whatever friendship they had left behind but she wasn't having any platonic feelings towards him. No, they were much more than that. Blushing at his suggestion, she shook her head. "No, not all. I mean we'd be going as friends and it sounds like it would be lots of fun." Sure, it'd been a little forward, a little unexpected but it had not occurred to her that it was anything close to a bad thing. "Tell you what, you can let me know if a few days time if you would still like to go." She said, tucking her hair behind her ear again. She wondered if his invitation had been one of out their mutual interest of traveling or something more. Then again, she didn't even know if he was at all interested in her; In fact she didn't even know if he was single. "That is true. No, while we may be in France, Hogwarts will always have my heart." Looking at him, she studied his features, "Have you been back since you left? Maybe you met a girl that finally reeled you in for good?" NOTES. :D WORDS. 639 OUTFIT. the pic above

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[joshua spencer .]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:80%;][atrb=style, width:279px; padding:10px; background:#ffffff;] HERE I COME YOU'RE LIKE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR IN MY LUNGS Josh grinned at her again. He found himself grinning a lot today. It was either the weather or the company. He was honestly leaning towards the company. Astrid was just... fun to be with. He was feeling more at ease with her now than he did when he was seventeen years old. It was a relieving feeling knowing that perhaps she may feel the same way. "I dunno, it's good that I know now. I definitely wouldn't have realized before," he laughed, taking another gulp of his alcoholic drink. As he glanced out the window, the sun was beginning to set on the weekend afternoon. He was feeling extremely rebellious at this time, a little spontaneous... some would say that Josh was known for making rash decisions at around sunset. He wouldn't deny that he had a knack for romance, and when he was with the right girl, it tended to make him get a little restless in his pursuit of the ultimate romance. One that took time to appear and one that was so painful to lose. He was in love with the idea of love and the idea that there was someone out there for him, someone who could make his heart ache if he wasn't around them, someone who would make him want to jump their bones at any given time. It was someone who just made him feel alive. He needed that feeling. Something that was real and fiery and lasting. To be honest, he had never found that and he knew it was never instantaneous. He wanted it to grow from something that could have been anything but chose to be the kind of love people died for. "As you should! You should feel absolutely awful for not coming with us to Hogsmeade or anything like that," he laughed, throaty and deep. He was relaxing into his seat, his leg shaking a little as he realized something that seemed to make his heart catch in his throat. The setting sunlight shone on Astrid's face, making her glow. That shouldn't make his heart race like he had just run a marathon. He shook the thought from his mind. She was merely Astrid, the girl he knew at Hogwarts but this time at Beauxbatons. It was the same girl with the same hair and the same face... except the way she looked at him, her sly grin and her joking laugh just drew his attention to the way she moved her body towards him when she spoke, the way her lips curved in the most perfect way at the edges of her mouth, and the way her eyes danced as she spoke of what she loved. He couldn't seem to get enough of soaking her up in the sunlight. It was intoxicating. He cleared his throat as the sun sunk behind a cloud and he was slowly coming to. It was the strangest sensation that came over him. He didn't want to say goodbye. He didn't want the day to be over. It was the weirdest feeling. He knew her, she knew him. It wasn't as if they were meeting for the first time. So what he wanted to ask her wouldn't be entirely out of the question. There were substitute professors at Beauxbatons, weren't there? "I can imagine..." he trailed off, picturing her in an exotic location, perhaps a mountain, just exploring and encountering magical species. She had a charm about her that made him think of how well that would suit her. She would scour the ends of the earth to find out everything there was to know about animals. It was the same thing back at Hogwarts - always scouring the books and searching for signs of new information to soak in so she knew what to look for. She was smart, she was incredibly smart. Josh had never quite been the brain that she had been, but then again, she was never as social. Finally, he felt like they were on even footing where he wasn't seen as stupid and she wasn't seen as anti-social. It was definitely a great time in their lives, the time when everything was just sorting itself out. "No, not all. I mean we'd be going as friends and it sounds like it would be lots of fun." Something about the way she said that irked him, but he knew better than to push. He didn't really want to be friends. He didn't know what he wanted, but he felt like what he wanted to do was enough. He glanced out the window again, soaking in the emptying street as the sun snuck out from behind its cloud and bathed everything in gold. He looked over at her this time and knew for sure that this was what he wanted. He downed the rest of his drink and coughed a little, a small smile appearing on his lips. He wasn't intoxicated by any means, he had a higher tolerance than that. But he knew that it wasn't just the sunlight or the moment or the way her hair shone like an angel's.... No, it definitely wasn't just that. It was everything in addition to the way his heart knotted as he stared at her and the way it began to beat so rapidly he was convinced it would explode out of his chest. "Let's go somewhere. Right now. Let's go." he said, his face bright and excited. It was evident to some that he was drawn to her, attracted to her in a way that he couldn't even believe. Sure, it was fast, but in a way it wasn't. He had always found her ways adorable back at Hogwarts, but she had grown. And she had changed from the cute girl he knew from school to this incredible woman he could barely recognize... and yet, there she was - the girl who was always reading, always letting him down a little when she rejected his offers. He leaned forward instinctively and grasped her hands with a warm grip that offered escape. He hoped that she wouldn't pull away. He didn't know what he would do if she left him feeling like this, so elated and excited for a new adventure with a woman who he felt so much attraction to. "Please say yes," he said clearly, calmly. He stared into her deep eyes, swept away in them. He took a few deep breaths and calmed down, realizing that despite the moment and despite all those feelings ramming into him all at once, that this was what he wanted. He could take off with her any day. "Just one week. One week with me. As friends," he only added that last part to hope that she wouldn't feel too... obligated, "It'd be a better way to catch up. Besides, have you been to Chile yet? Or parts of Brazil? South America is beautiful and... incredible this time of year." He nearly caught himself saying romantic. Typical. LIGHT MY HEART UP BABY LIKE A MATCHSTICK | ASTRID

credit to kara caution, shine, & atf.

[astrid llewellyn]

[atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=style, line-height:100%;][atrb=style, width:378px; padding:0px;] Chuckling lightly she gave him a smile, shaking her head slightly. "Perhaps you're more humble that I first thought." Staring down at her drink she lifted her shoulders into a shrug, leaving them suspended in the air. "Actually, I don't find it so hard to believe. You were never like the others." She looked up and shook her head, blonde strands brushing against her shoulders. "You were actually nice." Nice wasn't that word she'd originally wanted to say but, like it had been in school, she found herself hesitating on the words. She tended to rush things or scare guys off with her tender, romantic words and while Joshua seemed like he wouldn't be the one to dash off if any such words entered the conversation, she didn't want to risk it. Clearing her throat Astrid watched him as he spoke, her eyes lingering on his face. "In the end I did have much of a choice. It was either be the fifth wheel or stay behind and get good marks. I just chose the latter." Sipping her drink she wondered if she should tell him her next thought. "Plus, it wasn't as if anyone else wanted me there. If you recall you were the only one who asked me and insisted on me going. It was four, including myself, against one. The odds were against me from the very start." Holding a finger up, she titled her head to the side, "However, you shouldn't feel bad for me if you even were. I enjoyed all of my time at Hogwarts; even the time I spent alone." Her voice wavered slightly, "Especially those times. So much was going on in my life it gave me the space to think about it all." She decided it was best to keep those secrets to herself for the time being. Their evening was so nice and jovial she didn't want to spoil by opening old wounds. Her eyes were cast down, looking into the amber liquid but the minute she looked up her eyes were drawn to his face once more. Taking a deep breath, she held it in hoping her emotions wouldn't betray her. Joshua had always been a handsome young man. From the minute she laid eyes on him her breath caught. His bright electric blue eyes could pierce even the darkest of rooms. His smile caught her heart to flutter and her stomach to twist into comfortable knots. It was only natural when you saw him and it wasn't as if she was a prude or anything. Yet, despite his severely good looks and irresistible charm Astrid had never seen him paying attention to more than one girl at a time. It was like he catered not only to the girl but to the whole relationship. Astrid barely noticed that she was biting her lower lip as she said this and surprised herself when she became aware of it. It was no use to pretend she wasn't attracted to the man. She always had been if she was being honest with herself. Nevertheless Astrid wasn't usually the type to go after anyone, not even her ex. Something about her current company though made her want to enthusiastically except his invitation to travel, no questions asked. It was his ability to make her feel comfortable and important that made her so confused as to what her feelings were. She liked him, more than a friend which is why it ticked her off how suddenly she thought of that sales girl back at the shop. Or their waitress you did everything but ask him to get hitched in a drive-through chapel. Even more astonishing was how much it annoyed her that he'd gone out with her now-distant friend all those years ago. These thoughts would have gone on much longer if she hadn't been suddenly taken by surprise again. This time it was the look Joshua had in his eyes. It was excited, spontaneous, almost drunk with joy. His gaze was enough to grant her the same cheery disposition. "Let's go somewhere. Right now. Let's go." His impetuous suggestion should have been extremely forward to any other person in her situation but to Astrid it did nothing but chase her worries away. It was one the boldest moves she'd ever been a witness to. It perked her up and caused her to gape at him in amusement for a few seconds. Not even his little addition of going as friends broke her smile. "Please say yes." His tone was clear and honest. His eyes never leaving his, gaze never wavering. Thank goodness they were in a public place otherwise she would have nodded so enthusiastically that the whole place would have shook. From across the room she could feel the waitress shooting daggers at her. She could almost feel the sting of a thousand bit of sharpened metal cut into her back. That wasn't why she muttered her next words though. Not why she accepted his invitation. It was his promise to get to know each other better. It was his sudden need for adventure, something she'd been deprived of herself. It was the chance to do something she should have done back in school. "Ok, let's do it. Let's go." Grinning from ear to ear she gave his hands a squeeze, mostly to distract him from the constant shaking. "Right now. Tonight. Tomorrow; whatever you want." She half laughed, half gasped that last sentence before nodding her head again. "I'll have to let the headmistress now but...yes. I'll go with you Joshua." It was the most sudden choice she'd ever made but it was one she was sure that she'd never regret. NOTES. omg this super long xD sorry about that. WORDS. 923 OUTFIT. the pic above

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