A/N: Welcome! This fic is going to be a series of oneshots and scenes based on a list of prompts for "ways to say I love you". It's a writing challenge I am taking on with my dear friends BettyBest2 and woundedowl, who are also publishing their own pieces! Look for an update every few days.

All of my pieces are going to be about one of my favorite couples in NNT, Margaret and Gilthunder. Some will be in canon, some will be AU, but they won't be in any necessary order and should be taken individually. I'm always pleased to hear the good, bad, and the ugly, so feel free to leave a review. And make sure you check out the other two fics that go with this prompt! They are two of the best writers on this site and I know you won't be disappointed.

1. As A Hello

Margaret paced in the hall, waiting for Gilthunder. It wasn't like him to be late-in fact, he was never late-and the old fears were swirling like unwelcome friends. Did something happen to him? Was he okay? The questions that plagued her for ten years danced in her mind, accompanied by new thoughts: Did he leave? Did he decide that seeing her was too painful? That being in Liones was too painful?

Nonsense, nonsense, she thought to herself, but kept pacing.

It was her father's birthday and they were due to have a family dinner. Both of her sisters excitedly took up the reins of the planning. But to Margaret, who was still getting used to happiness, still getting used to friends, swallowed nervously at the thought. She was even more taken aback when the others suggested dates, and had immediately gone to Gilthunder to beg him to accompany her.

Of course he agreed. She should have known that. Yet the relief was still palpable, knowing he would be there.

So where is he then? Her nerves were getting the better of her. Perhaps she told him the wrong day? The wrong time? She glanced at the clock. He was due two minutes ago… three minutes ago.

Maybe they found out they had seen one another? Her eyes swept the walls around her, searching for the cursed chimera that was always present, always watching. If word had been sent back to Vivian… or Hendrickson…

Her heart began to pound with panic, before she remembered. It was over, it was all over. Gil was safe, she was safe, the curse was gone. It was time to be normal.

That was easier said than done. With a wring of her hands, Margaret forced herself to calm. The mask she always turned to when the fear became too much was somewhat of a relief, and she sank into the feeling with a slow release of her breath. If Gilthunder was not coming, she could still be strong. She had to be strong.

Finally she heard the familiar footsteps, saw the familiar sweep of rose-colored hair. With a heaving sigh of relief she hurried towards him, and without even a thought she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "You came! Oh, I was so worried!"

"Of course I came," he laughed, running a hand through her hair. "I love you."

Instantly they both froze. Margaret sucked in a breath, feeling her body start to shake. It was forbidden for them to even talk to one another, and if they found out about this confession… found out what they were feeling…

"I'm sorry," he said quickly, pulling from her embrace. Her arms were suddenly cold with him gone. "I shouldn't have said that, I shouldn't have just… just blurted that out." Her eyes widened to see his cheeks turning a bit pink. "You deserve more than that, and I…"

"You love me?" she whispered, barely breathing as he stilled, and then nodded. "You love me," she said again.

The spell was lifted, the curse was gone. This was real life, the nightmare was over, and Gil loved her. With those words it became real, actually real, and Margaret smiled, for real this time.