The weather had definitely turned, bringing the cold even into the staircase of Spencer's apartment block. The air was so cold, in fact, that he was able to see his own breath as he bounded up the stairs to get home to his warm apartment. As he bounded up the stairs to the floor below his he paused, looking at the door that stood before him. The door most likely hid someone that he'd wished he hadn't upset greatly but as he looked on he realised there was barely any evidence that she even lived there.
From what he'd been reading, they were in the middle of yule, a widely celebrated time of year for those in magical circles and the approach of the winter solstice, but there were no indications that she'd be celebrating it in any way. Even the small protection rune had been removed from the corner of her door, something she'd told him she'd had since her best friend passed away, having been a gift. The twinge of sadness passed through him, as it did every time, but he continued on up the final flight of stairs. All he could do was hope that the scene on the other side of the door might be a slightly happier one.
"Okay, that's twice you've made me do that." Allison said with a glare at her friend, who rolled her eyes.
"I just… I'm still not ready for him to even know I exist." She replied before taking a sip of her hot chocolate. Aiden wasn't buying into it. She rolled her eyes and stood up, wandering across to the empty side table.
"So, you're not getting ready for the solstice?" She questioned, glancing back for a moment.
"I told you, I'm done with it." Anwyn's voice was firm, so firm that Aiden and Allison shared a concerned look. The air itself seemed to become tense and full of emotion as the frustrations radiated from the young woman.
"Bullshit." Aiden responded after a long moment, causing Allison to look on in shock. She'd always been the stronger willed of the three and would usually be the one to call anyone out if she thought they weren't being honest, to the group or to themselves. "You look me in the eye and tell me that you haven't thought about magic or what you promised Amy."
The air became heavy, almost charged in the atmosphere of Anwyn's apartment. Glaring at her friend, she just wished they'd leave her alone for a while to figure it all out but she had been right. Even on the night she'd sworn away from magic she'd felt a sting of guilt, as though she'd betrayed the trust and friendship of someone she'd cared so dearly about.
"I… I just…" Anwyn struggled to come back to her, let alone look her in the eye and do it. "I think I need some time alone right now, guys."
Allison looked back and forth between Aiden, who was still glaring, and Anwyn, who was looking down to the ground. Trying several times and even getting to the point of opening her mouth, she struggled with what to say but in the end it was Aiden who spoke.
"Fine, be like this. Just remember, we're still your friends and we want to help you." She delved into her pocket and pulled out a small crystal, turning and slamming it down onto the side table before heading toward the door.
Anwyn couldn't look at Aiden but her eyes moved up to look at the crystal before she looked to Allison. Her friend was still speechless, slowly standing to leave but hesitant. Anwyn gave a weak smile but Allison couldn't leave it there, throwing her arms around her and holding on tight for a few moments. Aiden looked on, still trying to remain firm on the outside but inwardly wishing she'd done that too.
"Call us." Allison said softly as she finally moved away.
"I will." And with that, Aiden yanked the door to open it and the pair stepped out into the corridor.
"Well, that was pleasant." Aiden whispered to Allison once the door was closed, causing a small ploom of breath to expand into the harsh cold of the hallway. Looking back at the door, she noted the missing rune with a sigh.
"I wish she'd just tell us what it was that happened." Allison replied, her breath too hanging in the air.
"I think I might be able to help with that." Came a voice which caused the pair to turn and look. At the top of the stairs leading to the next floor sat a glum looking Spencer. His arm was no longer in the sling but he held it to his stomach as if it were. "Just… don't be mad."
Aiden was ready to run up the stairs at him but Allison shot her a look, knowing exactly what her intentions would have been. They watched as Spencer stood up and moved away from the top of the stairs, hoping they'd follow. Once they were on the floor above he smiled nervously but continued to hold his arm to his stomach.
"This had better be good." Aiden growled, still keeping her voice low but no longer whispering.
"I know, I know, I screwed up." Spencer admitted. "But… I didn't know what to do, I really, really didn't… I just. Look, you guys have a set of beliefs and I don't share in them. When I came home hurt she wanted to help in a way that I didn't like and I freaked out. I'm sorry."
"It's not us you need to say sorry to." Allison advised. "She's hurt." Spencer sighed heavily, realising the damage he'd done.
"I guess I thought she just didn't want to see me. I mean I should have realised as soon as December hit and she hadn't put up a wreath that something was wrong. There didn't seem to be any sign of preparation for the winter solstice."
"No, because she's… wait, how did you know what to look for?" Aiden looked confused.
"I tried to find out more about the magic she wanted to use on me and I started reading… there's so much history in what you guys do, it's all very interesting. Everything has its meaning and purpose which in turn gives a very positive outlook on life." The pair stared blankly at Spencer.
"How much did you read?" Allison asked without either facial expression changing.
"Not a great deal, I only found twelve or so books in the store nearby, I had to go to the library to find more… thirty-four I think, in total." Spencer smiled and nodded as he spoke but everything he said only added to the bewilderment.
"Remind me to pick your brain sometime…" Aiden said blankly before snapping back. "But it's all for naught right now because she's given up on it… because of whatever it was you said." Spencer stared off blankly, recalling his words.
"Oh no, I… I said some awful things."
"What did you say?" Allison asked.
"I… I told her that it was for the doctors to help me not her, and that… that she shouldn't try and fix me with a wish and a prayer." Spencer almost recoiled into himself as he spoke, completely ashamed.
"Now can I hit him?" Aiden asked but Allison just shook her head, moving toward Spencer and placing her hand on his shoulder.
"You need to fix this, Spencer. Only you can." She said softly.
"But how?" He asked, looking from one to the other.
"Well, I'd say there's no magic fix but if anyone were to know one right now, it'd be you apparently." Aiden smirked at her remark but Spencer had only really heard the beginning of her sentence before the cogs started turning.
"Aiden, you're a genius." Spencer exclaimed after a brief moment, causing a look of confusion on Allison's face and a look of pride on Aiden's
"I know." Aiden chuckled to herself
"I'm going to need a few things, and I actually think you're the best person to ask where to get them." Spencer looked at Aiden, who now looked back in confusion as to where this might lead.
...
Slumping down onto the sofa, into the small indentation she'd been working on for the past week, she cupped the wine glass to her face below her nose. The bouquet was as warming as the deepness of the red of the grape and it instantly melted her into the seat. After a brief sip she leaned forward and pulled her plate toward her on the coffee table. Between the warmth of her apartment, the flavour of the wine, the comfort of her sofa and the wonderful promise of her black forest cheesecake, all that was missing was something good on the TV… if only that existed.
Anwyn grabbed the remote in the hopes of finding something to pass the time till there was something worth passing the time with. That was the plan till suddenly there was a rather loud knock at the door, grabbing her attention completely away. She sighed heavily in annoyance, wishing that Aiden and Allison would just drop their attempts to bring her back into the magical fold.
"You guys, really?" She shouted, slamming her glass down onto the coffee table and standing up with vigour before storming across the room. Her hand reached for the handle, twisting and yanking the door from its sticking frame with every intention of roasting her friends on the other side. But it wasn't Aiden or Allison behind the door.
Standing before her was a very wet and shivering Spencer, who'd clearly been out in the ice cold rain for a long time. Anwyn's heart fluttered at first but then her brain caught up with her and she glared at him, trying to close the door again before he could speak. Spencer had to stop the door to even explain.
"Wait, just, hear me out." He pleaded, his voice shuddering as he shivered. "I know I messed up… badly."
"Yeah, you think?" She retorted.
"I'm sorry, I just… I freaked out. You were asking to do something I wasn't ready for and rather than telling you how I felt I layed into you about something that is really close to your heart." Anwyn stopped trying to push the door closed and started leaning on it instead. "And… I'm sorry. But you should never give up on what you believe in. So I made you this."
Spencer shifted so that he could pull the hidden item from behind his back. He'd made a wreath of entwined ivy with sprigs of holly and small pieces of twig. It was perfectly made, magical almost.
"The ivy represents friendship and the holly is for good luck… and the birch twigs mean…"
"A fresh start." Anwyn interjected with a smile. She let out a heavy sigh, still looking at the wreath. "I suppose it does look… ok." The grin spread across her face the moment his expression dropped.
Anwyn took the wreath, placing it on the ground by the door before turning back to him. Spencer started to speak but Anwyn pressed a finger on his lips, feeling just how cold he was before wrapping her arms around his neck. The huge sigh of relief came rushing out of him, clouding in a mist as the cold air rushed past into the warm till she released him and pulled him by the hand into the apartment.
"You'll forgive me?" He asked nervously to which she nodded slowly.
"Next time, just let me know how you're feeling, ok?" And with that she leaned forward, pressing her lips against his for a long moment. "Thank you, Spencer."
"For what?" He asked, looking confused.
"For reminding me that you have me to heart, and that it's a warm heart. And for the wreath." She smiled warmly. "Now let's get you warm, shall we?"