… if I die young bury me in cherry blossoms …
...
"Challenge yourself, grow, blossom, and become who you were meant to be." Carolyn Aronson
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#4. Blossom truths
Trying to ignore the tears that streamed down her cheeks, Lily fished the key to her sister's old apartment out of her small bag. Surprisingly, it took longer than she first expected since her little carry on luggage was a complete mess after she had simply raced around the flat and collected the most important things. All she wanted was to get away from her violent ex-boyfriend – as fast as possible. Once everything was stored in her red bug, she phoned Petunia, who – albeit vacationing somewhere in France – told her about the spare key to the old ivory-covered booth located somewhere in the woods – where this jerk of an ex would hopefully never find her.
With a small crack, the door opened and Lily entered. She walked a few steps until she stopped all of a sudden.
Something was strange. She heard a fire cackle in the chimney, a pair of shoes stood next to the staircaise and a dark brown coat was flung carelessly over the banister.
Immediately alerted, Lily reached for her gun – one of the positive aspects of having pursued a career as a New Scotland Yard Detective.
Carefully, she crossed the entrance room until she reached the living room. She pushed the door open with her foot.
"Hand up where I can see them," she demanded when a stranger emerged from the shadows.
A sound – that suspiciously resembled a book falling to the ground – was heard, followed by a rather grumpy, "Damn, woman, hold your horses! Or do I look like I'm a serial killer?"
...
Crime writer Sirius Black resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the red-haired woman who had just entered. Luckily, she finally lowered that bloody gun of hers.
"Who the hell are you?" they spoke at the same time.
Sirius sighed theatrically. "I live here. The better question might be what are you doing pointed a gun at me? And, come to think of it, how did you get in here?"
The woman raised an eyebrow and put the gun back into the holster. "You live here?" she repeated, not really convinced. "I highly doubt that. And to answer your question…" she held up her hand in a provocative way, "this is my sister's apartment. She gave me a key. Now tell me who the bloody hell you are! Or did you forget that I'm the one with the gun?"
This time around, Sirius wasn't able to hide his displeasure. "I wanted to spend some quiet time – alone. Petunia allowed me to stay here for as long as I wanted. Though apparently, I need to re-work my schedule… since it seems my wish for silence has just been gone up in smoke."
The red-head's green eyes widened. "You know my sister?" she asked, still a little suspicious.
Now, Sirius did roll his eyes. "Apparently, I do," he sneered and picked up the sketchbook he had earlier dropped. "Why else would I be here, Missy?"
...
Lily didn't like that guy at all. He was grumpy, distant, cold… though she couldn't quite deny that there was something rather mysterious about him. Why would he live here – in the middle of nowhere – all on his own?
"I enjoy the quietness," the stranger mumbled as if he had read her thoughts, "I'm a writer. It helps me think."
Lily flashed him a challenging look. "A writer, huh?"
"Name's Sirius Black."
The Detective pondered for a moment. Somehow, that name sounded familiar, but so far, she couldn't quite place it.
"Lily," she introduced herself. "Lily Evans. Scotland Yard."
Something unrecognizable flashed in Black's eyes, but it vanished as soon as it appeared, and he tried to mask it with a fake laugh. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this introduction, Missy?"
The red-head sighed heavily. "Well, it appears contrary to yours, my parents raised me with manners."
Sirius eyes darkened. "Whatever," was all he said before he turned around and walked towards his cluttered desk. "In case you plan on staying here, Missy, keep your voice down. Some people after all still have some serious work to do."
Once he was sat on his armchair, and lit up the pipe, he added, "do me a solid and go take a nap face down in that dirt over there."
...
By now, seven days had passed, and Lily – always being the good detective – got more and more curious about this mysterious writer the more time passed. But at least, this distracted her from thinking about her ex…
Nevertheless, she had tried to figure out what he was up to, carefully followed him whenever he left his study – though most of the time, he merely got himself something to eat or a cup of steaming Earl Grey.
Sirius Black was like a ghost. All he did was write his secret novel… and Lily wasn't even sure if he really was an author… if she were just able to get a quick look into that sketchbook he carried along all the time…
…
Sirius had to be careful. He knew that this detective woman was onto him. He had to make sure she wouldn't figure out his well-guarded secret… the secret that hat already destroyed so many lives… He couldn't let the same thing happen to the red-head. Mostly because – although he would never admit it – Sirius had started to like her. There was something so natural and innocent about her… and he could not let his past ruin that.
…
Lily couldn't help herself wonder about her strange house-mate when she made her way down from her room in the attic to the kitchen. She'd studied Sirius Black for about two weeks now. His behaviour, his manners, his habits (he always drank his tea without sugar, he only ever smoked on his pipe when he wrote and his aftershave smelled splendidly!) and all she had learned was that there was more to the man than he wanted her to know. Something was bothering him and Lily was determined to find out what it was… for she was sure that there was more to Sirius' grumpy persona…
Lost in her own thoughts, Lily somehow missed a step and slipped. Her heart in her mouth, the red-heard closed her green eyes, anticipating to hit the bottom of the stairs with a loud crash. But to her own surprise, she only heard a book fall to the floor and instead felt herself getting caught in a strong pair of arms.
Looking up, still shocked from her fall, she stared right into the guarded grey eyes of the writer.
"T-thanks," she managed to stutter and couldn't help but stare at his dashingly handsome face for a bit longer.
Apparently, Sirius was a bit lost in his own thoughts as well, since he held her – dressed in a milk white gown, bridal style with one hand wrapped around her knees and the other around her back – a lot longer than necessary.
"Erm – well – yes…" he finally spoke and nervously let her go, "next time watch were you're going, Detective."
This said, he brushed a strand of curly hair that had fallen out of is man-bun back behind his ear, turned and walked straight back into his office.
Lily watched his departure for a little while, before she shook her head and cleared her thoughts.
She was about to continue her way to the kitchen, when her green eyes spotted something on the floor.
The sketchbook.
After a moment of hesitation, Lily picked it up, flipped it open – and paused with her eyes wide open.
...
"I'd be careful if I were you, Detective."
Lily's heart skipped a beat at hearing Sirius disappointed voice from behind. Apparently, he had returned once he figured where he had lost the book.
"This," Lily whispered, and pointed with a shaky hand towards the sketches that were drawn into the book, "this are drawing from the Prison of Azkaban."
Sirius Black sighed, but nodded eventually.
Lily swallowed, flipped the page and skimmed over the old newspaper article. "That's why you looked so familiar. You're the serial killer who escaped from that prison a couple of years ago."
Holding up his hands in defence, Sirius gestured towards the living room sofa. "Before you shoot me, give me a chance to explain," he whispered, his voice filled with regret, guilt and remorse.
...
"You're right," Sirius admitted and offered her a steaming cup of Earl Grey, before he sat down next to her, "I was accused of murder and got imprisoned."
Lily accepted the mug thankfully and listened carefully to what he had to say.
"My best friend, James, was a witness in another murder trial and put into witness-protection programme… Back then, I worked for the London Police and was supposed to watch over him…"
Lily got curious. "Hold on, you were a detective, too?"
A tiny smile appeared on Sirius' face. "Surprised? Well, who would have thought that this grumpy old writer once had an actual interesting life, hmm?"
The red-head blushed embarrassed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright," the writer assured her and leaned back against the pillows. "Anyway, somehow, one of the safe-houses we had just moved into was bugged. I only left for a couple of minutes to get something to eat… and by the time I got back, James' lifeless body was sprawled across the floor with a pool of blood around him."
Lily swallowed hard and she felt the tears welling up in her green eyes. "That's awful," she whispered hoarsely.
Sirius sighed, and unexpectedly put his arm around her. "Naturally, I tried to do a cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When the police arrived, the found me kneeling next to the body – hands covered in his blood."
The red-haired Detective pressed her hands over her mouth.
"Long story short, I got arrested and thrown into prison. When there was an unexpected power breakdown, I took my chance and escaped. Petunia owed me a favour, so she didn't really had a choice but to let me stay here."
Lily instinctively snuggled closer into Sirius' arms.
"That's why you should go. This place – lost in the woods – it's not right for someone like you."
Green eyes met grey. "Have you ever thought about telling people what really happened? That you're innocent?" Lily asked, completely ignoring his previous statement.
"I haven't given up, if that's what you mean," Sirius explained with a raised eyebrow.
"Then why are you hiding in the middle of the woods, writing instead of – "
Sirius brushed a strand of red hair back behind her ear. The mere touch of his skin against hers sent chills down her spine.
"First of all, Detective," he said, and the corners of his lips twisted ever-so-slightly, "I'm still a fugitive. And second of all, my book… I'm writing it all down. So even if the police doesn't believe me, people have the choice to read about the truth."
Lily was quiet for a moment, then she laid her head against his chest. "Well, I guess I have to extend my stay then."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Didn't you listen, Detective? I am a bloody fugitive and – "
Lily put her finger on his lips. "You're innocent. That's all that counts."
...
MEET-CUTE March: Prompt #4. [SiriusLily]
APRIL AUCTION: Day 2: Auction #4. (Career) Detective (=38 coins)
SPRING SEASON: Days of the year: 29th March: Smoke and Mirrors Day - Write about something that isn't as it appears
SPRING SEASON: Spring: #16. (theme) new beginnings
SPRING SEASON: colours: #3. Milk white
SPRING SEASON: birthstones: #5. Moonstone - (dialogue) "Do me a solid and go take a nap face down in that dirt over there."
SPRING SEASON: flower: #6. Freesia (object) Sketchbook
WRITING CLUB: Disney Challenge (Cinderella): Characters #7. Fairy Godmother - Write about someone unexpected lending a helping hand. Alternatively. Write about a 'fairy godmother'.
WRITING CLUB: Film Festival (Liza): #19. (word) schedule
1000 Prompts: #885. (genre) Mystery
365 Prompts: #2. Provoke
SCAVENGER HUNT: #96. Write about a fanon pairing [SiriusLily]
Words: [1907]