XXX
They managed to find a little house on the boardwalk, and with a little help from a Confundus charm, they didn't have to spend an exorbitant amount of money on it either. Nellie and Bella were posing as sisters, and Sweeney as their good friend in need of a place to stay and sick of the London smog.
The little seaside town was simply charming; at least, it was to Nellie. She loved waking up to the sound of the crashing waves, and the squawking seagulls. Sweeney complained it was too hot, but she didn't mind. She preferred the heat of the enormous sun to the grey gloom of London anyway.
Bella had dragged them down to a little fair that the town was hosting, before disappearing off into the crowd, leaving her and Sweeney all alone. She looked up at him, feeling an awkward air between them. She looked over longingly at the dance floor, wishing that Sweeney would ask her to dance with him, but he only continued to look out at the horizon uncomfortably.
She sighed audibly, fidgeting with the lace on her deep green dress as the wind blew her curls around her. She pouted and looked at the people dancing again; rolling her eyes at the man next to her while she folded her arms. He may have to face of Benjamin Barker, but he was definitely Sweeney Todd. At least Benjamin had liked to dance with her.
She looked up and saw a tall, handsome man with dark hair and emerald eyes approaching her. His lips twitched as he saw her, and her heart stuttered slightly. He couldn't compare to Mr. T, but at least he was actually paying attention to her.
"Hello, Miss," he murmured in a deep voice as he neared her. He stuck out his hand, and Nellie allowed him to take her hand. He pressed a kiss to it, and she nearly swooned.
"I couldn't help noticing such a paragon of beauty standing here so lonely. Would you like to dance?" he asked her smoothly.
Nellie felt her cheeks heating up.
"Of course, I'd love to," she replied, her other hand reaching down to lift her skirts slightly so she wouldn't trip on them.
"Excellent," he said, flashing her a smile full of white, perfect teeth.
Sweeney Todd watched them go with hatred boiling in the pit of his stomach. How dare that man take away his Nellie?
You know how much she likes dancing. You should've asked her.
She should've known that I wouldn't. I hate any kind of public display.
His mental thoughts were interrupted when Bella suddenly bounced up to him, munching on roasted peanuts.
"Where's Nellie?" she asked.
"Dancing," he spat out, looking down at her angrily.
"With who? Oh, with Will," she said with a small smile.
"Will? Who's Will?" Sweeney asked, arching a brow and looking over at Nellie and the annoying man with green eyes as they gracefully danced together.
"Will. He's the man that helped me to find the house. His uncle used to own it," Bella replied, "I didn't think he'd make such a good couple with Nell, but phew, just look at them together," she commented.
Sweeney glared at her.
"Shut up," he snarled before stalking away.
Bella smirked as she stood there, and when Nellie caught her eye questioningly, mouthing 'where's Sweeney?', she merely shrugged as the redhead danced with a slightly confused look on her face.
XXX
As the weeks turned into months, Nellie grew closer to William. He made her laugh, and he liked to take her out to fun places, and do fun things. Nellie felt her heart break a little more each time she saw Sweeney, but she resolved that she would not wait for him any longer. If she found someone who would accept her, and also made her happy, then she would damn well accept him. And Will was handsome enough, what with his dark hair and green eyes.
Sweeney, on the other hand, warred between a constant state of depression, and a constant state of hatred. He felt as though Nellie had abandoned him, and that hurt more than he cared to think about. On the other hand, he had the serious urge to slit William's neck and watch as he bled out. And then there was the horrible self-hatred that he felt. He knew he could do something, say something, but he just didn't know what. And he didn't want to ruin his already tentative relationship with Nellie anyway.
He was sitting on the couch staring into the fire hoplessly when Bella found him.
"What's wrong with you?" she asked, despite having an inkling.
"I'm in love with Nellie."
"What?" she asked.
"I'm in love. With Nellie. I love her," he said louder, his wide, slightly scared eyes looking at her. "And I have no idea what to do. I think she's in love with William."
Bella looked at him, before promptly smacking him on the forehead with the heel of her palm.
"Ow!" he exclaimed, one hand flying up to the stinging area, "What was that for?"
"For only now realising something you should've admitted oh, about three months ago!" she replied with a roll of her eyes.
"Okay, okay. There was no need for physical abuse though," he grumbled.
"So, what are you going to do about it?"
"I have no idea."
"Idiot. You really are a useless sod, do you know that?" she huffed. "Here's what you do…"
XXX
Nellie smiled a bit and patted down her skirts as she walked down the beach, following little lit candles under glass jars. She had come home to find a new dress on her bed, and instructions to follow the lights. She had assumed that it was William, with the help of Bella. It was a gorgeous dress though. It was a deep red that matched her hair, and it was covered by black lace over the bodice and skirts. She bit her lips slightly, willingly her feet to continue moving forward even as butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
The lights led her off of the beach and into a secluded little glade. She followed them out of confusion. Where on earth was William leading her? The lights all coalesced into one spot. They were everywhere. In the trees, on the floor, nestled into indentations in the rocks.
"Mr. T!" she gasped, looking at the man standing in front of her.
XXX
He held out his hand to her, and she approached on slightly unsteady legs. She took it, feeling that his palm was slightly sweaty. Now that she really looked at him, he did look slightly nervous. 'I wonder why," she mused to herself.
"Mr. T…what's all this?" she asked in confusion, watching as he pulled her closer.
He swallowed once, twice, his eyes still running over her.
"The dress suits you. You look beautiful," he murmured, not quite meeting her eyes, but rather watching as his free hand came out to feel the silk at her side.
"Thank you…but what's really going on here?" she asked again.
He still wouldn't meet her eyes, and it was really starting to annoy her.
"Mr. Todd, if you don't bloody tell me what's going on right now, I'm going to- mmph!"
Her words were suddenly cut off as he grabbed her face, crushing their lips together in the most passionate kiss Nellie had ever felt. She melted against him, feeling his arms encircle her waist, and brought her own up around his neck.
"Mr. T?" she asked, slightly breathless, as they broke away.
"I love you, Nellie," he murmured, "I love you."
She looked up at him with wide eyes, and saw the small smile on his face.
She giggled lightly, with tears gathering in her eyes.
"I love you too, Sweeney. Silly man, it took you long enough," she murmured, tucking her face into the space under his chin. He sighed, holding her tighter and burying his face in her curls.
"I know."
"Thank bloody Merlin! It took you two long enough!"
They turned to see the dark haired witch standing at the edge of the clearing, hands on her hips as she looked at the couple.
Nellie bit her lip and stifled a chuckle at the spunky teen.
A/N: Okay, the fic's not done yet! I just have the epilogue to finish! Thanks to everyone still reading!
