Sorry about the delay with this, I'm drowning in assignments at the moment but today I finally managed to put aside some time to write for this one. I'll be a bit slow in replying to reviews and messages for a little while but I promise I'll get around to them ASAP :)
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. I'm still a little uncertain about this story so the feedback is excellent.
Enjoy!
xx
Three hours later and Nikola was still fuming, pacing around his room like a caged animal. He'd tried reading, he'd tried working, he'd tried bathing but nothing could calm him down. He wanted to scream and growl like the petulant child he knew he'd been acting like. He wanted to go track Helen down to yell at her some more too but that one he at least restrained from doing. Sure he was mad but part of him knew any more talking at this point would do more harm than good. She hadn't been mad at him, not really and he wasn't totally mad at her either. He knew they were both at fault but it didn't stop his entire being from wanting to rage against her for being so stubborn. Not that he'd ever admit it but her words had hurt. He knew that he wasn't an essential in her life in many ways just as he knew physically he could survive without her (even if only by the skin of his teeth) but he didn't want to, the idea of it hurt far too much to even contemplate.
But Helen was stubborn and he knew, no matter what, she'd not crumble the way he almost wanted. She'd not admit she wanted him, not after his outburst. Perhaps she'd come and apologise for her behaviour, even hold his hand softly if he played his cards right but that would be it.
Growling in frustration, Nikola spun on his heel, heading for the one place he knew he'd be able to avoid her. She wouldn't be looking for him, in fact quite the opposite but this way, he'd make it easier on them both. She would expect him to head straight for the cellar so that's where he'd go.
Not even bothering to grab the jacket and tie he'd tossed away angrily, he strode from the room, waistcoat flapping about but he didn't care. He must have looked a fright in comparison to his usual level of idiocy as the children liked to term it but he needed a drink and there was a vintage he'd had his eye on for a very long while that she wouldn't want him to touch. What better occasion, he thought angrily, than to toast to the end of their friendship?
He made it there in record time, throwing open the door to the dark, cool room and striding towards the back corner where he knew two rather comfortable chairs to be set next to a low table. It was dark and quiet and finally Nikola felt himself begin to relax. Or at least he did until an unfamiliar scent reached his nose.
Slowing down, he cocked his head, listening to the soft sound of breathing coming from the corner he was heading for. Breathing deeply, he took in the slightly spicy scent mingled with a fine bottle of wine before walking carefully towards the source of the smell.
"Hey," Cecilia said softly from where she was curled up in one of the arm chairs. She'd obviously showered, her partially dried hair curling around her face softly. She was dressed in an oversized cream jumper and three quarter pants, her bare feet curled into the plush cushion of her seat. She smiled vaguely at him before taking a sip of wine from the goblet in her hand.
"Hi," he said uncertainly, not sure if she'd dislike his company.
"I can leave if you'd like," she offered quietly, placing her glass on the low table but Nikola waved his hand.
"Mind some company?" he asked, sinking down into the other chair and the girl smiled, leaning over to the nearest shelf to grab him a glass.
"Drink up," she said, pouring him a glass of the vintage he'd been after and, simultaneously they both took a deep drink of the rich red liquid and silence fell over them for a few minutes until Nikola's curiosity got the better of him, out weighing his previous anger.
"So," he began, looking down into his glass and Cecilia chuckled.
"So she wouldn't tell you anything?" she asked, smirking over to him and Nikola couldn't help but smirk back.
"Except that she pretty much hates me," he allowed and Cecilia bit her lip, brow furrowing.
"Sounds like you're in trouble," she said mockingly before grinning at him. "Though at least she can't ground you."
"Wouldn't stop her from trying," he muttered, earning himself another laugh.
"The only thing in my favour is that when we're out, she doesn't look anywhere near old enough to be able to get away with chastising me," the young woman added with a grin. Nikola chuckled, taking another sip of wine before shifting in his seat to look over at her.
"You're just like her," he said quietly, not sure if he'd get an angry toss of wine for his efforts but she only sighed.
"Too much so," she agreed just as quietly. "Though you should have seen Seb, he had her looks too."
"Where is he?" Nikola asked softly, watching as she bit her lip.
"He died about sixteen years ago," Cecilia admitted. "Fell asleep one day and never woke up. I was apparently the only one of her children so far to inherit the Magnus curse."
"Curse?" Nikola echoed and she gave him a sad smile.
"Longevity," she clarified. "Sebastian didn't have the ability that she and I share, he was perfectly human."
"Is that why you and Helen..." Nikola tried, unsure of how to approach something he'd always thought of as a blessing.
"I age incredibly slowly Nikola," she said clearly. "I am not immortal in any way nor does my longevity appear to be anywhere near as impressive as my mothers, I simply got to sixteen and my entire body just slowed down. We don't know why and, despite their best efforts, neither my mother nor Sebastian could find a way to stop it. I am dying very, very slowly without hope of ever being able to have a normal life."
She took a deep breath, closing her eyes before taking another sip of wine.
"I don't blame my mother," she continued. "But a small part of me can't help but wish I'd gotten her eyes instead of her genetic curse."
"They are very pretty eyes," Nikola allowed after a moment and Cecilia laughed, head falling back.
"That they are," she agreed with a grin. "Sebastian used to joke that they were his girl catchers."
"I will admit blue eyes do seem to have an effect on the ladies," Nikola quipped.
Snorting, Cecilia gave him a cheeky grin.
"I hate to have to inform you of this Mr. Tesla," she said haughtily, sounding far too much like her mother, "but your baby blues do nothing for me."
"Not even a little tempted?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows at her.
Cecilia leaned forwards, grinning evilly before swiping the wine bottle.
"Perhaps if I hadn't grown up learning of your irresistibility," she allowed with a tiny smirk as she refilled both their glasses.
Nikola spluttered at that, eyes widening as she laughed.
"She talks in her sleep too," Cecilia continued. "Mutters all the time."
"A-about me?" Nikola stuttered, his heart rate doubling like a school boy with his first crush.
"On occasion," she agreed, not meeting his eye as she took a sip and Nikola rolled his eyes.
"You could be no one else's daughter," he swore, shaking his head as she chuckled.
"Magnus women know how to tease," she said with a grin. "But in all seriousness Nikola, I can't... you and I... it's just..."
She gestured uncomfortably between them for a moment before it clicked.
"Oh God no!" he cried, holding a hand up. "Never ever, that'd just be..."
"Wrong on far too many levels," she finished, shuddering at the thought. Nodding in agreement, Nikola made a face before taking a swig of wine to wash the creepy thoughts from his head.
"Is it alright that I call you Nikola?" she asked softly, peering at him through the darkness. "It's just that I feel as if I've known you for my whole life. It makes referring to you as 'Mr. Tesla' a little unsettling."
Nikola chuckled at her words but smiled.
"Be careful with the privilege," he intoned, furrowing his brow in mocking. "Annoy me too much and it shall be rescinded."
She laughed softly, giving him a fond smile before turning back to her wine with a sigh.
Both sat back with their wine in silence, Nikola allowing the rich flavours to calm him down for a moment.
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked after a moment, turning to Cecilia.
"Certainly," she replied warmly.
Nikola smiled before shifting in his seat.
"Why did you go in there all guns blazing?" he asked and she sighed.
"You know my mother," she replied, her tone almost scolding. "You have to go in firm and be direct in what you want or else she'll somehow convince you that it's not what you want to do-."
"And then she'll have you giving up your death ray plans voluntarily," Nikola finished, unable to stop the note of lament that crept into his voice.
"Or your experimental transportation beam," Cecilia agreed sadly, sighing heavily. Nikola arched an eyebrow but ignored the comment.
"Also, what's with the accent?"
She snorted at that, rolling her eyes.
"You try being raised by the most Victorian of Victorian women whilst still spending the occasional Sunday afternoon with Sherlock Holmes and see how you turn out," she retorted.
"You mean James knew about you?" he asked, taken aback.
"We didn't see him terribly often," Cecilia replied. "Only when blondie was off on another ridiculously dangerous adventure, usually with you but she couldn't stand not seeing Jamie for any small length of time."
"Jamie?" Nikola echoed with a smirk.
"Oh he loathed it," she confessed with a wide grin. "But not even a stern talking to from my mother could stop me calling him that."
"You, Miss Magnus are evil," he said with a grin, taking another sip before realising his potential slip. "Or don't tell me, Doctor?"
"Not in this life time though generally it's Bancroft," she said, holding up her hands. "Sebastian was the clever one, managed to become a doctor and everything. I was just the tinkerer."
"Stay away from the soft sciences," Nikola replied loftily. "Far too messy."
"And not at all interesting," she agreed. "My specialty is most certainly electronics."
"Between the wine, the wit and that, I'm starting to wonder if you're my daughter," Nikola retorted and Cecilia grinned.
"She always said you'd say that," she confessed. "Once, when I blew up her microwave, she actually screamed 'Nikola' at me."
Nikola laughed openly at that, Cecilia joining in easily.
"In all fairness I did take out most of the kitchen at the same time but I think she was madder at herself than she was me."
"I can imagine," he agreed readily, finding himself liking this girl more and more.
"So?" Cecilia asked after a moment.
"So what?"
"So why are you sulking down here with me?"
Nikola rolled his eyes and took another sip so as to occupy his mouth and avoid having to speak.
"Fine," Cecilia said, holding up her hands in defeat. "Sulk but don't finish that bottle, I might have to kill you if you do because I'm going to need a glass when I get back."
"You know that's kinda impossible," he replied as she stood, rolling her shoulders. "The killing thing, that is."
"I'm creative," she drawled, giving him a small smile. "It was nice talking with you Nikola, perhaps next time we're both on the outs we can try something from her private cellar."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I don't just have all the codes, I created them."
And with that she turned, sauntering out of the room and closing the door behind her.