Someone was poking her and wouldn't stop. Saying nothing, Hermione started aimlessly waving an arm about in hopes of batting away her assailant.
"If you don't get up, we're going to be late," Draco's voice insisted, along with more poking.
Hermione opened her eyes and groaned at the blurry numbers on her clock. "Why are you waking me up at seven on a Saturday morning?"
"Because our date starts at eight-thirty."
Hermione attempted to rub the sleep from her eyes and then stared up at Draco's eager face. If it wasn't so early it'd be adorable. She groaned again and buried her face in her pillow.
"Come on, Granger. I made breakfast." Draco grabbed the pillow from her before, wisely, dashing from the bedroom.
Hermione rolled over onto her back and stared at the ceiling. What alternate universe had she been sucked into? Draco Malfoy was cooking for her and planning dates and being sweet and open and honest. Deciding it was best to just enjoy the unexpected, she stretched, got out of bed, and padded out to the kitchen. Breakfast was indeed ready. Sausage, eggs, and toast were set out on the table.
"You know, most people don't plan dates in the morning," Hermione yawned, slathering strawberry jam onto a slice of toast.
"I thought we had already established that I am not 'most people'," Draco replied, setting a cup of tea beside her plate. Hermione shrugged and nodded as she chewed her toast. "And anyway, what I have planned can't fit into just one evening."
"You're not planning on telling me what you have planned, are you?
"Nope. Eat up and get ready."
As she started on her breakfast, Hermione finally noticed that Draco was showered, dressed, and appeared ready for the day. He was once again dressed casually, with dark denim trousers and a long-sleeved, solid black shirt. At least she didn't have to get all dressed up for whatever they were doing.
By eight-fifteen, Hermione was showered, dressed in jeans and a knitted, canary yellow sweater, and her curls were pulled back into a long braid.
"So, where to first?" Hermione asked, lacing up her trainers.
"You'll see."
Draco held out his arm and Hermione linked hers with it. In an instant, she was side-apparated to a Congress approved point in Central Park.
"You learned all the apparition points?" Hermione asked, unable to hide her surprise.
"Not all of them. Just ones that were pertinent for today. Come on." Draco motioned for her to follow him towards Fifth Avenue.
When they turned a corner, Hermione slowed her pace as she took in the building ahead of them- The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Draco stopped and turned, noticing that Hermione had fallen behind.
"Is this okay? We don't have to go here if you don't want to. I just thought-"
"No, it's great," Hermione interrupted, reaching out to touch his arm and calm his anxious rambling. "I've never been to this location before. Why are we here so early though? It doesn't open for almost another two hours."
"You'll see." He smiled at her and started walking to the museum. Hermione stared at the back of his head in curiosity before hustling to catch up to him. When they reached the ticketing window, Draco stepped right up and said, "Two empty tour tickets, under the name Malfoy."
The woman behind the window smiled, clicked a few buttons on her computer, and two tickets printed out. She handed them out to Draco, saying, "Timothy will be your guide this morning. He's waiting just inside the doors, to the right. Enjoy your visit!"
Draco nodded and Hermione followed him through the double doors, into the massive lobby. Just to the right stood a short, plump man with thinning salt and pepper hair and a welcoming smile. When the two approached him, his smile grew into a grin and he held out his hand.
"Welcome! You must be the Malfoys," Timothy greeted, shaking Draco's hand.
"Just me," Draco said, shaking his hand and stepping back.
"Hermione Granger," Hermione introduced, shaking his hand.
"Forgive my assumption. I'm Timothy and I will be your personal tour guide for the next hour and a half. Would you like to start with Egyptian, Greek, and Roman, or Medieval art?"
Hermione glanced at Draco but he just shook his head. "Your choice."
"How about Egyptian?"
"Great choice. Follow me." Timothy turned and started down the right-hand corridor.
"I never knew they had empty museum tours like this," Hermione whispered, gazing around in awe at the sculptures as they passed through the silent hall into the Egyptian wing.
For the next hour, the pair got to tour the museum in relative silence. It was wonderful listening to their guide talk so passionately about the various works and Hermione was in no shortage of questions that Timothy was eager to answer. When they reached the Modern and Contemporary Art wing, Timothy gave them a curt bow and lamented that he had to leave them to go get ready for the museum to open to the public, but encouraged them to enjoy their last few private touring minutes.
Hermione thanked him and slowly wandered around the wing. As she was admiring a Jackson Pollock painting, she felt a hand slip into hers and lace their fingers together. Giving the hand a gentle squeeze, she shuffled a step closer to Draco.
"This is nice," he commented.
"The painting?"
"Sure, that too," he said, echoing her squeeze.
They walked around the museum a bit longer as it filled up with families and tour groups but quickly decided to head for the exit after Hermione just barely pulled Draco out of the path of stampeding twin boys and a wary mother, pushing a pram, hurrying after them.
"I need to use the loo before we leave," Hermione said, letting go of Draco's hand. "I won't be too long."
When Hermione came back out several minutes later, Draco wasn't where she had left him. Assuming he had just gone to the bathroom, she stood and waited. Ten minutes passed and she started to worry. Should she contact museum security or go straight to the NYPD? Is it still considered kidnapping if the missing person isn't a child? How would she explain Draco's disappearance to his parents? They're going to think she murdered him!
"Hey."
Hermione shrieked and jumped at the sound of Draco's voice. She quickly turned and threw her arms around him, saying, "You can't just disappear like that!" Draco laughed, stroking her back as she composed herself and let go of him. "It's not funny, you prat. My mind went down a really horrible rabbit hole."
"I'm almost afraid to ask where that ended."
"With your parents accusing me of murder."
"Yup, shouldn't have asked." He held up a small, pink paper bag and explained, "I popped over to the gift shop. I didn't think I would be that long since I knew exactly what I wanted, but the woman in front of me had four kids that kept flip-flopping on what souvenir they wanted and it took forever to get up to the till."
Opening the bag, Draco pulled out a flowing scarf with a print of Eugene Delacroix's painting, Basket of Flowers. He loosely wrapped it around Hermione's neck, then stepped back to admire it.
"Thank you," she whispered, running the silky material through her fingers. "It's beautiful."
"You seemed to linger at that painting the longest and when I saw this in the shop window, I thought it would look nice with your sweater."
"I love it." She linked their hands together again and started for the main doors. "I'm getting a bit hungry. How about you?"
"I could eat."
"Great. The best hot dog vendor in the city is just around the corner, in Central Park." Hermione started down the steps but was jerked to a sudden stop. She looked back and saw Draco standing a few steps above her with a horrified look on his face. "What's the matter?" she asked, hurrying back to his side.
"I'm not a finicky eater but I draw the line at eating dogs."
The seriousness of his look and tone threw Hermione into a fit of laughter.
"Oh, sweet Circe," Hermione gasped, catching her breath and putting a hand on Draco's shoulder. "Hot dogs aren't made of dogs. They're pork. Well, mostly, I think."
"First, that's not very reassuring. Second, if it's pork, why call it a hotdog?"
"One of life's eternal mysteries. Come on, you're in for a treat." Hermione led him down the steps and back along the path, through Central Park. When they reached Herb's Dynamo Dogs' cart, there was already a line ten people deep. They claimed their place in the queue and Draco kept craning his neck to see what was coming out of the cart. "All I ask is that you keep your mind open and hold your criticisms until we're out of earshot of Herb."
"You really missed your calling in sales," Draco quipped, letting out a snort of laughter when Hermione bumped his shoulder with hers.
"Hermione!" the cart owner, Herb, exclaimed when Hermione and Draco reached the front of the line. "Long time, no see, Shakespeare. How ya doing?"
"No complaints, Lovebug. Can I get my usual, doubled?"
"Oh ho ho," Herb laughed, finally taking notice of Draco at her side. "This makes a nice change." He quickly constructed two New York-style hotdogs and grabbed two sodas from his cooler. When Hermione handed him a ten, he waved it off, saying, "On the house today, Shakespeare. Go enjoy your day!" And he waved up the next customer without giving Hermione a chance to argue with him. She'd make sure to sneak him an extra nice tip during her next visit.
Draco followed her over to an area littered with large rocks and quickly joined her when she climbed up on one and sat down.
"Shakespeare? Lovebug?" he asked as she handed him a hotdog and a drink.
"The first time we met, he asked where my name came from. After I told him he started calling me Shakespeare, trying to jokingly wind me up. So I started calling him Lovebug to get back at him," Draco gave her a blank, unknowing stare and Hermione clarified, "Herbie the Lovebug? Famous kids film about a Volkswagen Beetle?" He just shook his head and Hermione sighed. "You're more sheltered from Muggle culture than I thought."
Draco shrugged and started to inspect his food. "What am I about to put in my mouth?"
"That is a traditional New York-style hotdog. It's topped with mustard, sauerkraut, and sweet onions. It looks like a mess, but it's delicious." To prove her point, Hermione picked hers up and took a big bite, slowly chewing and smiling at Draco's skeptical look.
Draco gave his hotdog one last look over before gingerly picking it up and taking a hesitant bite. He didn't instantly spit it out, which Hermione took as a win. After swallowing and dabbing a napkin over his lips, he declared, "Not bad," and took another bite.
They sat in comfortable silence while they ate and watched a group of university students toss a frisbee around. One overthrew the disc and it bounced off the rock Hermione and Draco were perched on. Draco picked it up and lazily tossed it back.
"Are you afraid of anything?" he asked suddenly, draining the last of his drink,
"Everyone is afraid of something."
"What scares you? What did your Boggart take the form of in third year?"
Hermione laughed and shook her head. "I'm not telling you that. Ron and Harry already gave me a fair share of ribbing for that." She drew a breath before admitting, "I'm afraid of thunderstorms. When I was four, a storm came through our town and lightning struck a tree outside my bedroom, splitting a thick branch in half and causing it to crash through my window in the middle of the night. Since then, the sound of thunder makes me want to hide under a pile of blankets and pillows."
"Damn, were you hurt?"
"No, luckily my bed was on the opposite side of the room. What about you? What form does your Boggart take?"
Draco drew his own breath of courage and said, "It's going to sound barmy, given my family history, but snakes."
"Snakes?" He nodded and fiddled with the lid of his soda bottle. Hermione wanted to giggle at the irony but refrained. He hadn't laughed at her fear. "What freaks you out about snakes?"
"They're not natural. They have no legs but can still climb bloody trees. They smell with their tongues and swallow their food whole."
"Maybe it's from spending so much time around Weasley men, but swallowing food whole doesn't bother me." She grinned when Draco's lips quirked upwards. "I'm not fond of snakes either. It's more because of my experiences with them. Run-ins with that one Voldemort had was more than enough to last a lifetime."
"At least you escaped the fucker. Try having that thing in your house," Draco muttered.
"Nagini or Voldemort?"
"Take your pick. Both were horrible."
Hermione finally let out a soft laugh and leaned her head against Draco's shoulder. "Thank you for the wonderful date. I have thoroughly enjoyed it."
"Who said anything about it being over?" He glanced down at his watch and jumped down from the rock. Holding out his hand to help Hermione down, he said, "We're only just getting started." With a subtle flick of his wand, their trash vanished and he started pulling her towards the apparition point.
"Where to now?" Hermione asked, linking her arm with his.
"Brooklyn," Draco answered as he spun them away through the nether.
When they reappeared, they were in a corner of a park that Hermione immediately recognized as Fort Greene Park. Draco took her hand and they crossed the open space, dry grass and leaves crunching under their trainers.
"I thought we might catch a matinee," he said as they jogged across the street to one of the Brooklyn Academy of Music's buildings. He opened up a door emblazoned with BAM and ushered Hermione inside. "I was told The Princess Bride is a must-see classic."
"Are you serious?" Hermione said, stopping short and staring at the movie poster ahead.
"Is it not a good movie? If you don't like it we can go do something else," Draco said, motioning back to the door.
"No, I don't like it. I adore it!" Hermione gushed. "I went to the cinema to see it with my mum and dad when it first came out in theaters and it instantly became my favorite movie!"
"That's a relief."
He went to the counter and picked up the reserved tickets and then stopped by concessions for some chocolate.
"So, what makes this film your favorite?" Draco asked as they settled into their seats.
"It's based off a book actually and I loved watching the characters I had read about coming alive on the screen, exactly as I had envisioned them. It also has something for everyone- action, suspense, romance, comedy. Plus, it has Fred Savage in it and I'm in love with him."
"I'm sorry, what was that last one?"
"Was," Hermione quickly corrected. "I was in love with him. You know, silly schoolgirl crush on a celebrity." Her face started to flush as the lights came down. "Shh, it's starting,"
"Uh-huh," Draco said, flicking an M&M at her. She simply plucked the candy from her hair and popped in her mouth.
As she watched the film, she kept sneaking glances at Draco's reaction to certain parts. For the most part, his expression was pretty passive, though she was happy to hear him let out a laugh at Fezzik's line, "Anybody want a peanut?". When the credits started to roll, he didn't complain when Hermione insisted on staying until the end so she could listen to the song.
"Does it really take that many people to make a film?" Draco asked as the final names faded from the screen.
Hermione gave him a curious look as she stood up and slung her purse over her shoulder. "Is this the first movie that you've ever seen?"
"No, I've seen one or two others that Potter has forced on me. Just never watched the end...what did you call them? Credits?"
Hermione nodded and as they walked out she explained various roles Muggles undertook to make movies and television shows. When they exited the building, the sun was starting to set and snow flurries were falling, covering the pavement in a thin layer of white fluff. She pulled on her silver hat and slipped her gloves on as she and Draco crossed back to the park.
"I love being out while the snow is still falling," Hermione said as she took a deep breath and filled her lungs with the cold, clean air.
"Why's that?" Draco asked.
"It makes the city feel new, like how they make it look in films or sound in books. It transports you for a brief moment in time. I like to soak it all in because it won't be long before-"
"A garbage truck comes along and covers you in sludge?"
"Exactly," Hermione laughed.
As her giggles faded, she looked up at Draco and watched as flakes clung to his pale blonde hair. In the waning sunlight, it appeared as though tiny diamonds were woven into the fine strands. Her stares caught his attention and he quirked an eyebrow in bemusement.
"Knut for your thoughts?"
"I have a question for you, but I'm a bit afraid of what the answer might be."
"Sounds serious."
"It is."
Draco stopped and moved so that he was directly in front of her. "Go on, ask me."
Hermione took a deep breath and asked, "Who was your favorite character from the movie?"
Draco chewed on his bottom lip and nodded. "That is a serious question."
"It could make or break whatever we have going here," Hermione said solemnly.
"I assume you're thinking I'm going to answer Wesley," Draco said. He gave his head a slight flick, throwing his fringe back into place. "And while he's a great character, he's certainly not the best. That title goes to Inigo."
"Why is that?"
"He has nothing to hide. What you see is what you get with Inigo. He's very upfront and honest. The last lines he had, about being in the revenge business or so long he didn't know what to do next, were brilliant…" Draco trailed off and paused for a moment before adding, "and I can relate to them in a way."
Hermione hummed in agreement. "You're right, by the way. Inigo is the best."
"I wasn't aware that an opinion could be wrong."
"Of course opinions can be wrong. For example, I know what a lot of people's opinions are about you and I know they're all wrong."
Unblinking grey eyes stared at her as if trying to see into her mind. She was cursing herself and wishing she could take the words back when he leaned down and caught her lips with his.
The kiss was quick and soft, his tongue just brushing along the seam of her mouth, yet it still set her skin ablaze and left her breathless.
"Been wanting to do that all day," Draco murmured.
"Why'd you wait so long?" Hermione breathed
"Cause I'm an idiot."
"I told you to stop being an idiot."
"And I told you I would try." Draco smirked and tugged at a curl that had escaped her braid. "Pretty sure I'm holding up my end of the agreement."
Hermione brushed a gloved thumb over his cheek. "Yeah, you are." Slipping her hand into his, she asked, "So, should we walk back to my place and enjoy the snow or just apparate?"
"Why do you keep assuming our date is over"
"Because of... I...um...I don't know, actually. I guess it's because I've never had a date like this?"
"Expound," Draco said, giving her hand a gentle tug and starting for the Apparition point.
"I feel like you've read my mind and plucked out my favorite things. The few dates I've been on have always had the same M.O.- small talk over dinner followed by some new film at the cinema. Even when I was married, Ron never took the time to plan a proper date."
Draco stopped just before the Apparition and pulled Hermione against him. "Weasley and I are finally getting to a point where we can tolerate each other. Please don't give me a reason to hate him again."
"My sincere apologies. Seriously, though, did you grill Harry for information before you came here?"
"Harry doesn't know I'm here."
"Ginny?"
"Also does not know I'm here."
"Ron?"
"I refer you to my previous statement." Draco's mouth split into a wide grin and he let out a barking laugh. "Can you even imagine what that conversation would have been like? Excuse me, Weasley. Would you mind giving me personal information about your ex-wife so that I might woo and sleep with her more than I already have? Thanks ever so much, mate!"
"I could see all of that happening except the last part. You wouldn't call him 'mate'," Hermione giggled.
"The day I go to Ronald Weasley for relationship advice is the day Blast-Ended Skrewts sprout wings and fly to the moon. Besides, I think I've done a good job wooing you myself, thank you very much."
Hermione smiled at him slyly and said, "You're getting there."
"Let's see if I complete that task," Draco said with a wink, before pulling her onto the Apparition spot and whisking her away.
They reappeared in Rockefeller Center, right by where the enormous Christmas tree would soon reside. After stopping at a street vendor for hot cocoa and soft pretzels, Draco led her up to 5th Avenue.
"What are we doing here?" Hermione asked, tossing her wrapper into a nearby trash bin. "Feel the need for a last-minute shopping spree?"
"Huh?" Draco shot her a confused look as he hit the button for the crosswalk.
"5th Avenue is known for having a lot of posh shops."
"Oh, no, we're not shopping today."
The light changed to WALK and Draco started leading her across the street. Hermione slapped the front of a taxi that was inching into the crosswalk for a right turn and gave the driver a death glare. Draco laughed and shook his head as he pulled her along. The orange hand had already started flashing and their seconds were counting down.
"What are we doing here then?" Hermione asked, slightly breathless as they hurried onto the sidewalk.
Draco pointed straight ahead and said, "Do you know how to ice skate?"
Hermione looked up to see they were in front of The Rink at Rockefeller Center.
"Yeah. Do you?"
"I do indeed."
Draco led the way through the front door and to the skate rentals. After pocketing his rental ticket and passing a set of skates to Hermione, they exited to the rink and found a locker to stuff their shoes and Hermione's purse into.
"I used to take skating lessons before I started at Hogwarts," Hermione said as she laced her skates.
"Really?" Draco said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "What was your signature move?"
Hermione laughed and sat up. "I didn't have a signature move. I was eleven. I could pull off a double axel, though." She stood up, straightening her braid and pulling her hat back on. "I remember before I quit I was perfecting my backward skate because my instructor had promised me if I did then she'd teach me how to perform a lutz jump."
"I have no clue what that means." Draco stood and slipped his gloves back on. "But show me your moves, Granger."
"It's been over ten years since I did anything like that," Hermione replied, wobbling as she slowly made her way over the padded floor to the rink gate. "Let's see if I can make it around normally without falling on my arse."
Her first few steps onto the ice were awkward and clumsy, causing Draco to grab her arm. Once she had her balance restored and tried a few tentative glides, muscle memory kicked in and it was like her legs had never left the ice. The whoosh of her blades over ice propelled her forward quicker and quicker. Before she knew it, Hermione had done a full lap. She slid to a stop where Draco stood watching.
"How'd that feel?" he asked.
"Good." Hermione let out a breathy laugh. "Really good."
"Are you gonna show me one of those lutzy axels now?"
Hermione sighed and decided it was a lost cause to try and correct him. Instead, she relented, saying, "I think I might still be able to pull off an axel."
She took off around the rink once more, slowly building up speed and waiting for an area to clear by Draco. Halfway through the second lap she spotted her opening and sped up. Just before she reached Draco, Hermione pushed off and was momentarily surprised when she felt herself rise into the air. Quickly, she drew her arms in and spun once...twice!...before her skates touched back down and…
"Ahh!" Hermione yelped as she landed on her bum and slid across the ice, her scarf fluttering down over her face.
"Ten out of ten for the execution." Hermione brushed her scarf away and looked up into Draco's grinning face. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to deduct points for the landing."
"I'm going to be so sore tomorrow," Hermione groaned. She grabbed his outstretched hand and hoisted herself back to her feet.
"Let's take it slow."
Draco laced his gloved hand in hers and they skated off at a leisurely pace. They spent the following hour or so talking about Draco's mother teaching him to skate on the Manor's pond and what winter in New York was like and reminiscing about their favorite parts of Christmas at Hogwarts. When their toes were numb and cheeks rosy, they turned in their skates and bought two cups of coffee on their way out.
Intent on enjoying the hot coffee, Hermione assumed the lead and took them the long way around to the Apparition point. As she pointed out different sights and landmarks, Draco wrapped and arm around her waist and tucked her against his side as they walked. The gesture warmed her up more than the coffee ever would.
Her tour guide mode faded as she started recalling the events of the day. The last forty-eight hours seemed almost too surreal, too good to be true.
Since returning to the States, Draco was never far from her mind. She tried to push him out and move past it, willing herself to be satisfied with their final, perfect night together.
So she threw herself into redecorating her new apartment with Lizzie and sharing her story and heartbreak with her friend. She embraced her job promotion and set about making a name for herself within the new department. She never sought out a date but if asked she accepted, making it a point to put herself out there.
As much time and focus all those things took, Draco's shadow still lingered in the corner of her mind. Before Harry and Ron had shown up, Hermione had been debating with herself about possibly confessing her feeling when she was back in England in the new year. Then Harry told her about his suspicions and squashed those ideas.
"Hermione?"
Hermione blinked and looked around before glancing up at Draco. He had stopped walking and his face was furrowed in concern.
"We're about to pass the spot," he said, gesturing to the alley on their right.
"Oh, sorry."
They squeezed into the narrow alcove and Hermione apparated them to her apartment. There, Hermione took her time hanging up her coat and accessories as she tried to clear the thoughts of uncertainty from her mind. She was unsuccessful and Draco could tell.
"Hey," he softly called, taking her hand and pulling her to his chest. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I'm f-"
Draco cut her off with a kiss. It started off slow, his lips gently coaxing hers to relax. It didn't take long for her to melt against him and silently demand more. He brought his hands up to caress her neck and bury his fingers in her hair.
All too soon, he pulled back and ran his fingers across her cheek. "Something's not fine. I can hear you overthinking something. Talk to me, please. Did I do something wrong?"
"No! Today was absolutely wonderful," Hermione hurriedly assured. She took a step back and Draco let his hands fall to his side.
"But?"
"There are no 'buts'," Hermione said, anxiously wringing her hands together as she tried to organize her thoughts into the correct words. "What are we doing here, Draco?"
"I have a feeling you're talking about more than just this moment?"
She sighed and nodded. "I like you, Draco. Despite all reason and logic, I really like you. And I love that you've started seeing a therapist and that it's helping. But-"
"And there it is," Draco muttered, running a hand through his hair.
"But, I don't want to be a therapy guinea pig," Hermione continued. "It's taken a lot of work and my own therapy to get myself to where I am right now and if-if…" Tears burned her eyes as she stumbled over the question that she wasn't sure she really wanted the answer to.
"If what? Just say it, Hermione."
Somehow the anger tinging Draco's voice gave her the courage to continue.
"If I'm some sort of rebound experiment to see if you're truly over Astoria then I-you should-" Tears were cascading freely now and she was barely able to whisper, "Then you need to leave and find someone else."
Draco silently stared at her, his face unreadable, for several beats before he slapped both hands over his face and let out a pained laugh.
"I swear to Salazar and Godric, you are going to be the end of me, Hermione Granger," he groaned. "You're able to intrigue, seduce, and annoy the fuck out of me. All in the same bloody minute."
He strode up to her and cupped her face in his hands.
"My perfect storm," he whispered before leaning down and kissing her soundly. "I'm not going anywhere. I don't want to find anyone else. I haven't been able to be with anyone else since you left. I'm here because I want to be with you and only you. May I please stay?"
Hermione nodded and let out a strangled laugh. She tried to say something, anything, but her throat was tight with so many emotions that all she could do was throw her arms around Draco's neck and hold him tightly. She buried her face in his shoulder and soaked his sweater with happy tears.
A/N-Merlin, I've been working on this chapter forever! There are several reasons but the main 2 are 1.) Depression. I struggle with it daily and it's been extra shitty lately. Along with that comes the inability for long-term focus ability. So I've been reading more than writing lately (Taking a moment to highly recommend the book Sorcery of Thorns. So good!) So, yeah, depression is a bitch but I'm working on making it my bitch.
Reason #2- I don't know much about New York City and I wanted to make sure I got locations and details correct. I feared the wrath of true New Yorkers if I got anything wrong. The problem with that is my tendency to get sucked down rabbit holes on YouTube and Wikipedia.
Anywho! I do know where this story is going and am excited to get back to writing more of it! Thanks again for all the lovely comments and kudos! They are an endless source of encouragement :)