For the Build A House! Challenge on the Ministry of Magic Discord.
When Emily spots Alex fumbling in the tall grasses outside Leah's cottage, some crumpled sunflowers in hand, she knows that he's finally figured out what everyone else in Pelican Town had figured out a long time ago: Alex is in love with Haley.
It's not that Emily is surprised. No, certainly not. He was bound to cotton on eventually. But she can't deny that she is disappointed. Because Alex and Haley will play their parts beautifully: two best friends, falling in love. Emily, on the other hand, will fall into another cliche. She'll be the fool, in love with her sister's boyfriend.
"Em!" Alex looks up at her, dirt on his face but beaming. "Thought you'd be at work."
"Day off," she responds, trying not to look too keenly at the bunch of flowers between them. But even she can't summon the self-restraint not to mention them. "You know, sunflowers are Haley's favourite."
He grins at her. "I know. I think it's finally time for me to make a move, don't you? We've been friends for so long… I don't know how I never saw it before."
"Ah." She hopes she sounds pleased. Or, at the very least, indifferent. She wonders, for a brief moment, if Alex realises that he's known her for just as long as he's known her sister. "I guess it was just a matter of time."
"My gran certainly thinks so," Alex says, laughing. "Gran's been on at me for years. Always telling me not to let her get snatched up by someone else."
"Evelyn always knows best."
He nods. "Just don't tell her that."
"Haley also likes pink cake," Emily says, each syllable pinching at her heart. And because she's a sucker for punishment, she adds, "I could make some for you to give her, if you like."
It's worth it for the way Alex's eyes light up and he looks at her like she's the hero in his story. It hurts, of course. But it's worth it.
