Summary: Julie Black copes with the death of Beau Swan. Lee Clearwater copes with the life of Samantha Uley. AU. Life and Death universe. Non-sequential drabble.
Rating: M
Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to Stephanie Meyer
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melancholy hearts
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"You know what they say about drinking alone."
From where he sits he can see the coloured string lanterns that dance in the night breeze.
Fairy bulbs flicker in the darkness, illuminating the plethora of guests who have gathered to celebrate.
Traitors.
Taking another sip from the slim bottle inside his jacket he scowls at the stupid lights. She had always talked about a garden engagement, about being surrounded by friends and family, the ones who loved them so, in the lush surrounds of LaPush.
It was a dream that Lee used to be a part of.
But those dreams had gone up in flames.
Much like his life.
"Yeah - and what do they say?" He replies smoothly as he swallows, allowing the dark liquid to heat his bones.
Looking to the side, he stares at the young girl. Her wavy raven hair is pinned up prettily, her beautifully angled face on show.
The thought leaves him reeling as he clears his throat.
She was his little sister's friend, Aaron and Adam's baby sister, a family friend to him, at best. Their families had lived on the same Reservation for as long as he could remember.
But even with their families as close as they were, he wasn't close to her.
Not in the slightest.
He shifts uncomfortably.
Julie sits down, re-arranging the horrible yellow dress around her knees. The dress is far too big for her slim, tall frame, and he figures it's a hand-me-down, like every single one of them had worn at one point or another. It wasn't a secret that money was scarce. It was just the way it was. They hadn't known any better, and you couldn't miss something you never had.
"That you should always drink - with company."
She motions for the bottle.
Lee raises a brow sceptically. "How old are you again, kid?"
Julie rolls her eyes. "Old enough."
He can't help but scoff, handing her the bottle anyway.
She takes a large sip and coughs loudly, amusing him. His mouth pulls up in a semi-smile. A motion he hasn't been familiar with in weeks, if not months.
"Old enough, huh?"
Julie ignores the statement as she hands back the bottle. She sighs, pushing back on her hands, remaining on the porch step beside him.
"You know - she never deserved you. Samantha, I mean."
Lee takes another long sip, trying to ignore the conversation. But when she blinks at him, awaiting a reply, he knows he can't. "And how do you figure that?"
Julie shrugs her shoulders as they both stare at the lights illuminating the edge of the yard.
Neither press the issue, and instead enjoy the silence they've managed to create amidst the celebrations.
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