Missing Pix
"Not surprised to see you here," Remus said as he walked into the living room from upstairs and finding Wills sitting on the sofa with Alan, both with beers in hand. "You lot just finish practice?"
"And you're still not used to it by now?" Wills replied, smiling slightly. "And yes. Your dad let us out early today because of the weather."
"Merlin, you might as well move in at this rate," Remus said as he sat down in an armchair. He waved his wand and a beer flew out of the fridge into his hand. Wills eyebrows flew up as he chuckled.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," he said, gulping down his drink. "We still just discover the connection and all."
"I'm surprised you don't have a ring picked out yet," Remus said, causing Wills to sputter on his drink. Alan laughed loudly.
"I don't need to read minds to know you've at least thought about that," Alan replied.
"I mean… it's crossed my mind, but still… shouldn't rush it, should we?" Wills said once he regained the ability to speak. Both brothers looked at each other and then back at Wills before they started laughing loudly.
"Come off it. We all know you've probably got the proposal planned as well," Alan said. Wills frowned at him.
"Do not," he replied. "Blimey, we can't even go public yet. Most of your family doesn't even know about us." Remus sighed and studied the chaser.
"Have you sorted things out with Pixie?" Remus asked cautiously. "How you feel about everything and all?"
"Well... I've always loved Pix in a way. And yea, I suppose since this summer those feelings have developed into something more. But… still wrapping my head around the fact that she's had feelings for me as well," he said, staring in front of him. "I had hoped she had felt me at the party, but it was still a bit of a shock to find out that she did."
"You did?" Alan asked, sitting up. Wills looked at him and nodded.
"Ever since she said she had felt something and asked if it were me. I wanted to say yes then, but I felt like it would only make things more complicated. And there was still the chance that it could have been John," he admitted. "It was all rather confusing."
"Yea, it seemed even Pix wasn't sure who she felt," Alan said. "I'm just curious how long she had been planning to keep it to herself before Nikos outed her." Wills shrugged.
"Knowing Pix, probably would have waited until they came back. She'd want to get all the information she could on connections before she told anyone. Though I'm sure Jamie and Mum knew," Remus said. When Wills furrowed his brow at him, Remus tapped his forehead, reminding the chaser that the two could read minds. He nodded his head slowly in understanding.
"She still seems conflicted about it, from Jamie's letters. He says she's been rather distracted," Alan said. Wills looked over at him.
"She hasn't said anything to me along those lines," he replied.
"She wouldn't tell you, would she? Jamie said she's been writing a million letters trying to explain things to John, but can't seem to find the right one," Alan said. Wills heart clenched slightly. He knew it was ridiculous of him - Daisy had been with John for about two years. It was only natural that she would be conflicted about forming a connection with someone else. Especially on the day they broke up. And it made sense that she would want to explain everything to him. Especially after how he left. John would likely be a shadow hanging over their relationship for some time. Daisy wouldn't just magically forget him and move on with Wills just because they were connected now.
It wouldn't be that simple. Nothing with Daisy Wood would be simple.
"It's a mess, isn't it?" Remus said, looking at the older player and accurately guessing the direction of his thoughts. Wills nodded as he took a sip of his beer.
"Seems nothing is ever simple with your family," he said, glancing over at him. Remus sighed.
"Always destined for drama," he said lightly. "You sure you want in on this, mate? You still have time to make a run for it."
"Of course I want in. I've wanted nothing but to be an official part of the Wood family for years. And now… I couldn't dream of running from Pix," Wills said vehemently. Remus and Alan chuckled.
"Suppose now you just need to get Dad's blessing," Alan said. Will's face paled slightly.
"You don't think he'd react violently, do you?" he asked. "I can handle him on the pitch, but… what if he does try to kill me?" Both triplets laughed loudly.
"Pix is his little girl. Who knows," Remus said. The group went silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. "I sent a letter to John," he then said out of the blue. Wills and Alan whipped their heads around to look at him.
"Why?" Alan asked. Remus shrugged.
"He was a good mate of ours, you know. Didn't think we should just cut him off because of everything with Pix," he said before taking a sip. "Kelly said that there's a chance he may come back." Wills eyes widened.
"What?" he asked, sitting up.
"Told us over Christmas, actually. He's not sure if he's going to stay in the States. Gonna think about it a bit while he heals up and make a decision later. Nilsson's offered him a position with the team," Remus said.
"That might be a bit awkward," Wills murmured. "He respond?"
"Not yet. I'm not sure if he will… But felt I should at least try," Remus said with a sigh.
"You didn't tell him about me and Pix?" Wills asked. Remus snorted.
"What makes you think I'd want to be the one to tell him about that?" he said. "Wouldn't relish it."
"Should probably be Pix anyway," Alan replied. Wills looked over towards the corridor and Daisy's room. "Stop moping, Wills. She'll be home soon enough." Wills sighed.
"I know… just not the same without her…" he said.
"I know. The flat seems duller without her and Jamie around," Alan said. "Dad's not been faring well without Mum as well. Christmas was disappointing."
"He's been taking it out on us," Wills said, rolling his eyes. "Riding us hard during practice. I've no doubt he'd of made us stay late again tonight if a fucking blizzard hadn't blown up in Puddlemere." He looked at the two. "Are you really sure you want to transfer?"
"We've been training with him since we started walking. We're used to it," Alan replied.
"Pix is the only one who can't stand him," Remus added.
"You think he'll ever get her over on Puddlemere?" Wills mused. "That'd be something… all five of us playing together… wearing Puddlemere colors…Wills and Woods"
"You planning on convincing her to make navy blue her colors at the wedding?" Remus asked, grinning. Wills scowled at him.
"No, she'd never go for it," he replied without thinking. Remus and Alan started laughing again as Wills face turned pink.
"What color were you thinking?" Alan asked.
"I wasn't…" Wills sputtered. "But maybe green…" Remus and Alan lost it again.
"You've got it bad for our sister," Remus said in between guffaws.
"And no, I don't think she'll ever leave the Arrows. She enjoys playing against us too much," Alan said.
"You mean attempting to kick our asses," Remus said, smiling at his brother.
"She did kick your asses in the last matchup," Wills said.
"Once she got over herself," Remus said. Wills smiled.
"Thanks to a little help from me," he said, leaning back into the sofa. "I'm curious to see how she does in the second half."
"They are neck in neck with you lot. Wouldn't be surprised if its Puddlemere versus the Arrows again in the final," Alan said. "How d'you think you'll feel losing the Cup to your girlfriend?"
"She'll deserve it," Wills responded. "She's a bloody good seeker."
"Don't let Dad hear you say that," Remus said. "He'll make you do extra laps."
"Who deserves extra laps?" Oliver boomed as he stepped into the flat. Wills immediately sat up straight as Alan and Remus barely contained their laughter.
"What brings you here, Dad?" Alan asked as Wills turned to stone and lost the ability to speak.
"Oh, ehm… thought we'd do dinner together," he said, looking around the flat.
"You still haven't figured out how to cook without Mum, have you?" Remus said. Oliver scowled at his son.
"I know how to cook, I'll have you know," he said. He then noticed Wills next to Alan. "What are you doing here, Wills?"
"Just popped by to hang out, though I should probably be going-"
"Bollocks. You can stay," Oliver said, cutting him off. Wills nodded quickly.
"Alright then," he replied.
"Truth be told, that damn farmhouse is too quiet without your mother around," Oliver said, looking a bit sheepish.
"We get it, Dad. It's too quiet around here as well," Alan said, turning serious for a moment. Oliver sighed and walked over to the armchair, falling into it.
"Just a little under two months until they're back," he said. "Feels like bloody forever."
"They're fine," Remus said. "And doing well from what Jamie and Daisy have said." Oliver nodded.
"Your mum says she's learning a lot as well," he said, waving his wand and summoning another beer from the fridge. "Now, if the damn reporters would just leave me alone."
"They still bugging you?" Remus asked. Oliver nodded.
"A few more were hanging out around the pitch again today. They'd probably show up at the house if we hadn't charmed it," he replied. Wills frowned.
"They've been owling me too," he said. Oliver glared at him. "I haven't said a word, Coach."
"Don't much like some of the things they're inferring about you and my daughter," he growled.
"Come off it, Dad. It's not Wills' fault they are getting creative with their rumors," Alan said. Oliver continued to glare at the chaser.
"He's given them plenty over the years," he replied. Wills laughed awkwardly.
"Come on, Coach. No one takes me seriously," he said, fidgeting under the man's intense glare.
"I stand by what I've said, you'll no be marrying my daughter," Oliver replied.
"I wouldn't suggest such a thing!" Wills said, his voice going up a few pitches as Remus snorted and Alan grinned at him.
"I did read the other day that you were out ring shopping," Remus said casually. Wills whipped his head around to glare at him while Oliver continued to scowl at his center chaser.
"Bollocks, all of it!" Wills declared. "I was picking up some jewelry for Mum. Dropped it off to get fixed."
"Sure you were," Alan said, grinning. Wills looked over at him and then glanced at Oliver.
"I'm serious, Coach," he said. Oliver sighed and sat back in the chair, rubbing his face.
"They're going to say what they want to say regardless of you, Wills," he finally admitted. "Just wish they'd leave Pix alone. She doesn't deserve this now. Thank Merlin, she's not seeing any of this. I'm hoping it dies down before they get back."
"Pix'll be fine," Alan said. Oliver looked at his son and nodded.
"Suppose we should see about supper."
Lucy stepped out of the kitchen as Ryan stepped into the flat, dropping his team bag on the floor and shaking the snow off his coat. He started to pull it off as his fiancé walked over to him.
"How was practice?" she asked, kissing his cheek.
"Blanks seems to be getting it, but he's no Kingfisher," he said with a sigh. "Not sure how we're going to fare without him and Pixie."
"At least it's only during the break," she said, frowning slightly in concern. "You won't have to play any matches without her." Ryan nodded and walked over to the sofa, running his hands through his still slightly wet hair.
"Nilsson's got the reserve seeker working with us, but he's a bloody mess on the pitch. Can't get any of the plays right," he said. Lucy followed him over and sat next to him, tucking her feet under her. "Nilsson's right though - she's the heart of the team. With both her and Kingfisher gone, just not the same."
"How's he doing?" Lucy asked.
"About the same," Ryan replied. "He's been taking it easy a bit, letting his shoulder heal up. But said he's going to start helping around the farm and clinic soon. Can't stand not doing anything for too long."
"Has he made a decision on moving back?" she asked. Ryan sighed.
"No. Not yet. He's still a bit unsure. The way things ended with Pix, well… He's still in love with her," Ryan said, looking over at Lucy. "He still thinks they might be able to work things out if he can just talk to her. But at the same time, he's still too upset to send a letter."
"Merlin…" Lucy said, shaking her head. "It's going to break his heart all over again when he finds out…"
"What's Pix said to you?" Ryan asked.
"More of the same. They've been training non-stop. She's able to communicate with Wills and everyone through the connection. Said there is a spell they can do to form connections with others as well. She wants to do it for me and Toby," Lucy said.
"I thought they couldn't control those?" Ryan asked.
"It's a bit different. These aren't as strong, but they can use them to keep an eye on others and communicate with them. And those connections can be broken. The ones that form naturally can't," Lucy explained. Ryan nodded as Lucy stared into the fire, her brow furrowed.
"What's that look for?" he asked softly.
"Just… worried is all… about everything and what this means and what could be coming," she replied, looking over at him. "We still can't seem to find anything." Ryan wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close.
"We'll get through this," he whispered into her hair. "We won't go down without a fight and we'll beat whatever is coming. Don't worry about that."
"Kind of hard not to when your cousin is off doing war training," Lucy muttered.
"The only thing you should be worrying about is what dress you want to wear at our wedding," he said with a chuckle.
"Can't even pick that out because I need Daisy's opinion," Lucy whined. Ryan laughed softly.
"Your Gran send more owls?" he asked.
"Three today. About colors," Lucy said, rolling her eyes. "She's going to drive me batty."
"You are second of the grandkids to get married. She's just excited," Ryan replied. Lucy sat up and looked at him.
"Let's just elope. Run off and get married somewhere," she said, her eyes wide. Ryan laughed loudly. "I'm serious, Ryan!"
"You will break your entire family's heart, Luce. No, we're not eloping. We're having a giant wedding with your entire crazy family in attendance," he said, still chuckling. Lucy sighed.
"Fine. But I'm blaming you when I jinx someone from stress," she said before leaning against his shoulder again.
"Thought Molly, Victoire and Dom where supposed to be helping you," Ryan said.
"Teddy's keeping Molly and Dom pretty busy with work and Victoire is pulling extra hours at the hospital," Lucy said with a sigh. "Not to mention, Molly's not very good at these things."
"And how's your work?" he asked, glancing down at her.
"Hectic. As always," she said with a sigh. "Especially since I've got to hide from the gossip department half the time."
"They still after you for information on Pix and Kingfisher?" he asked.
"Annoying buggers. And they won't give up," she replied. "One had the audacity to ask if Daisy was pregnant and went off to get it 'taken care of'."
"What?" Ryan bellowed as he sat up.
"I know, it's ridiculous," Lucy said. "I did set that one straight. But there are more rumors out in today's Prophet." Ryan looked over at the table and reached for the paper, opening it to the gossip section. "One of the writers is convinced Wills broke them up. If only they knew…"
A large photo of Wills dancing with Daisy at a previous ball was on display under the headline "Bryan Wills - Homewrecker?"
"She's going to lose it when she sees," he muttered as he browsed through the article. "Though good to see Wills finally learned to keep his mouth shut."
"Doesn't matter. They just make up quotes anyway," she said, reaching for a copy of Witch Weekly and flipping through it. "'I've always loved Daisy Wood,' said Wills. 'And I've always said that someday I'll be part of the Wood family.' Merlin, I'm fairly sure he's actually said that at some point." Ryan looked over at her. "Don't worry, I checked with him. It's hogwash. He's not spoken to any press and is actually spending all his time with Remus and Alan at their flat until they get back to avoid the reporters. Not that that particularly helps."
"They still hounding Oliver? I know there've been a bunch around the pitch trying to talk to the team," he said. Lucy nodded.
"Dad said Uncle Oliver's getting several owls a day, begging for something other than 'no comment,'" she said. "They've been following around nearly everyone in the family trying to get something. One even cornered Mum at the Ministry the other day. Christ, why do we have to be so bloody famous?" She looked over at him. "You really sure you want in on this?" Ryan laughed and leaned over, kissing her.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I, Ryan Kelly, am hopelessly in love with you, Lucy Weasley. And I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with you," he said. Lucy smiled and put the magazine down.
"And I can't wait to get started on my life with you," she said, wrapping her arms around him. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Really should slow down on posting, but I love these chapters too much to hold off on them. Story needed a bit of Lucy and Ryan. And of course a precursor of Wills and Oliver. The chapter when they finally tell him was a hoot to write... But still a bit more to get through before we get there...
AleenaBean: You know, I don't think he'll ever learn. Though this is already giving me a great/hilarious idea for a short or one-shot later on after the books are finished with Jamie stepping in a mucking up something with Daisy and Wills' proposal or wedding (which, let's face it, it's gonna happen at this point). And I love writing Iris and Oliver. I mean, they are the couple that started this whole saga. The only bit of Book 8 that I have written is actually a touching scene between them. Though I started crying a bit when I wrote it...
As always, thanks for reading, following and reviewing!
