like old times || abe & lia

[Abram Schraeder]

Abe had not been on a date since…since…well he'd gone to dinner and coffee but he wasn't sure he would consider those dates so much as just like…get together. At least not since Lia. And now, like it was coming full circle, he was cooking dinner for her now. It was…the first time since they'd confessed their feelings for one another that they were alone. Abe was nervous, even though he knew he really had no reason to be.

On the counter were a vase full of irises from the festival (thank goodness for magic and the ability to get out of season plants), and in the oven so they wouldn't get cold were homemade apple fritters. Abe was just putting some finishing touches on the food, that was…at least when they were in school, Lia’s favorite. Abe wiped his hands on a towel after putting on the lid, folding the towel over the handle of the oven just as there was a knock on the door.

When he opened it, Lia was there, and he waved at Saffron, who likely apparated her there before she went down the sidewalk, a pop letting Abe know she was gone before ushering Lia into the house. ”You look lovely,” he said, closing the door behind her and pressing a soft kiss to her temple. ”Here, let me take your coat,” he held his hands to lift it off her shoulders, and up to ky if she let him, and he would hang it on the coat rack. ”I don't know why I'm nervous. I'm sorry,” he said, letting out a chuckle as he led her into the kitchen.

[Lia Allman]

A date. A real date. Lia was certainly nervous. And she had expressed that nervousness to Saffron after she and Abe had decided to go through with this. Lia hadn’t been on a date in thirteen years. Her last real date had actually been with Abe.

And now here they were.

Dressed in a simple black dress with a black jacket over it, Saffron was ready to apparate them to Abe’s and…Lia was so nervous. But as his door opened…

Those nerves turned into butterflies. A small smile graced her lips as he ushered her into his home. As Saffron left and the door closed, she allowed him to take her jacket and she chuckled softly with him as he admitted his own nerves.

”I am too,” she admitted, her hands clasping in front of her as she watched him. She had no clue what to expect from tonight. They were such different people now. They were grown. They had thirteen years between them.

But she knew she loved him. She knew that as long as he was willing to give her a chance…she would take it. She would work for it. He was worth it.

[Abram Schraeder]

The black dress was something a bit different than what Abe was used to seeing Lia in - and he wasn't complaining. Of course, he'd never complain about anything when it came to Lia - he'd spent the last thirteen years thinking he wasn't ever going to see her again, and if he did? It would probably be through bars at Azkaban Prison. This was. Quite different. And she was quite different...and he loved her so much, every new and old part of her.

Lia noted that she was nervous too, and it made Abe feel a little more at ease. He had it in his mind that he needed to impress the heck out of Lia...that if tonight didn't go well, that he wasn't going to see her again.

The kitchen was lit with a few candles, and while Abe wasn't the biggest decorator - closer to the holidays you'd find garlands and things, but as of now, it was just a plain white kitchen. He pulled a chair out for Lia at the eat-in bar (he never used his dining room) and went around the counter to start pulling at the different food that he'd made popping lids off to ask Lia if it was something she would like. "I wasn't sure what you'd be hungry for so I made. A lot..." he bit his lip shyly as he looked at her.

[Lia Allman]

Lia herself was wondering how much was riding on the date as well. She was one of the most hated women in the world...but Abe still wanted her. She followed him toward the kitchen and smiled softly. The candles...the irises...the smells surrounding her.

He pulled a chair out for her and she sat in it, her hand affectionately moving to his arm for a moment as she did. He was more than she deserved and she was well aware of how lucky she was to be getting this chance with him. He commented that he hadn't known what she would want and she smiled warmly at him.

"Anything would have been lovely...I'd have eaten cereal with you on the floor," she teased with a playful scrunch of her nose as she smiled. "Seriously...everything looks amazing. Thank you."

[Abram Schraeder]

"I'll keep that in mind," Abe offered Lia a smile as she mentioned eating cereal on the floor. That sounded casual enough, but he wasn't about to invite her over so they could have cereal on the floor. Here, Lia, I planned this ultra romantic cereal date but we're going to eat it on the floor... Nah, that seemed like something they would do in the morning...but he wasn't thinking about that. He was thinking about the here and now, Lia complimenting how everything looked amazing. "Then everything it is." Abe began putting a little bit of everything on the plate for her - no pressure to finish anything at all, and set it across from Lia.

Once he'd gotten his own food and poured them a little wine, he sat down next to her. It almost felt strange to be so formal with her. He'd known her for years, yet, felt like he was just getting to know her again. He loved her, and she loved him, but they were both navigating these feelings together, small-talking as they ate. Abe found himself picking at his food - not because he was hungry so much as he was too interested in the conversation, hanging on everything Lia was saying. He was finding it harder to be without her when she was at the Macready's, but he was also trying to remain professional and logical in their positions with her reformation. At least...for now. He didn't know what the future held.

"I'm so glad you're here," he said, softly, after a few moments. "I'm feeling very fortunate that I'm getting this second chance to get to woo you," he teased, tossing her a soft wink.

[Lia Allman]

Then everything it is.

Lia just smiled as she watched Abe...and when he slid the plate to her, she thanked him and continued to watch him. Eventually, he joined her...wine and their meals set before them.

The time passed all to fast. It felt like the blink of an eye but judging by how the candles had burnt down a good bit, they had obviously been there talking for a good bit of time. They reminisced about their school days...discussed interests...goals...dreams. And it was all so lovely. It was almost like no time had passed...the spark was still clearly there and they melded together like they were hand crafted for each other.

I'm so glad you're here.

Lia blushed softly...more so as he continued to speak. He was thankful for a second chance but Lia was the one thanking any God that would still listen to her.

"You've absolutely nailed it," she teased back, biting her lower lip slightly as she smiled. Her hand reached for his and gave it a soft squeeze as she watched him. He was so beautiful...his years of work etched into his eyes...they were so deep. Both of them had seen so much in this world...both of them on opposite sides of a coin. But here they were.

And Lia was so grateful.

[Abram Schraeder]

People might have thought Abe was crazy. He couldn't forgive things that Lia had done, but he could believe that she changed, that the reformation was working. That the Lia he knew back in school before the Malfoys got their talons into her was still there. She was showing herself now, and even though they talked about their school days, dreams, and desires, it felt like they were back there now, Abe with his back against the plant station as Lia faced them, always tending with such tenderness.

"You've absolutely nailed it."

Lia reached for his hand which he gratefully gave to her, squeezing her hand back. With his free hand, he moved to brush Lia's hair behind her ear so he could cup her jaw gently. His eyes searched hers, and even though they'd done this a time or two before, it was feeling like the first time. He leaned in, closing the gap - the electricity was enough to let him know he'd been itching to do that all night. But. He didn't ask Lia there for that...he asked her there for quality time and the ability to escape the confines of Saffron's cottage.

[Lia Allman]

So many things could have gone differently. Lia could have stayed with Abe...she could have been a force of good in the world. Honestly, with her abilities, she might have ended the war faster...She may have saved as many lives as she took. But that fork in her path had long passed. She had walked a long way down a dark and twisting road.

And now she was struggling to find her way back.

But there was Abe.

So willing to believe in her. So willing to endure the stares and the whispers. He reached forward, brushing her hair from her face before holding it with his hand. He leaned in and as their lips met...it was always so much like the first time. She would never get used to it. She would always jitter with excitement. Her free hand raised to rest against Abe's neck as she leaned into the kiss.

This wasn't the only thing on her mind either. She had come here just to be with him...to talk to him. To get to know what the years had changed. But she couldn't help but want to be in his arms and to feel his embrace all around her. Leaning into him, as the kiss broke, she rested her forehead against his...taking a breath and smiling. She had almost forgotten what happiness felt like.

[Abram Schraeder]

So many things were running through Abe's head as Lia leaned in to lock her lips with his. This was a moment he never thought he'd get to have again - he'd resorted to believe that he was going to be alone after his betrothal fell through. Even though he'd tried to date, he'd try to get to know people, he just felt like he couldn't, that connections just weren't possible. And after he saw Lia again...he realized that she was the reason why he couldn't connect with anyone else - she was his person.

Lia pulled away and Abe followed along reluctantly, resting their foreheads together. He looked at her, blue eyes filled with so much love. "I love you," he reminded her, "more than anything." he added, running his thumb along the soft skin of her jaw. "You honestly...you give me so much hope."

[Lia Allman]

They rested against each other and Lia bit her lip softly as she watched Abe…he was an absolute beacon of hope and security in this world she had found herself in. He was…the only reason she was working so hard in the reformation program.

He was the only reason she was willing to live the rest of her life dealing with the nightmares and the looks and the vulnerability.

Death would have been so much easier. But Abe was worth working through all that she had done.

I love you.

Lia’s own blue eyes searched his as he kept talking. How ironic that she gave him hope. It was poetic in a sense. A brief moment passed and she smiled softly before leaning in again. Their kisses were soft…intentional…emotional. Nothing like anything Lia had become accustomed to with Draco.

Lia knew Abe genuinely cared about her. He loved her. She loved him. And she was intent to make sure he knew.

[Abram Schraeder]

Lia didn't say anything after Abe told her he loved her, and she didn't have to. He knew - he knew from the way she looked at him. The way she leaned in softly to press a kiss to his lips. He could feel it in the kiss. Everything between them meant so much - it wasn't frivolous - it wasn't like he was putting in all this work to leave her on the curb when all was said and done. Abe was in it for as long as Lia would let him...and he hoped that was the rest of their days. She meant so much to him. She always had.

Reaching up, Abe put a hand against her cheek as they pulled apart, and he rested his forehead against hers as he just looked at her, watching her. He couldn't imagine how hard it was...as far as he knew the binding spell on the dark mark was so excruciating. The looks of everyone at the ministry as she walked through the hallways. Having your whole life on display for everyone to poke, prod, and be completely misunderstanding of her. He wanted her to know that he wasn't one of those people - that she could use him as a safe space - that she'd always be welcome with him. "There was something I've been meaning to ask you, though," he said, moving his hand and leaning back slightly, staying within inches of her yet.

[Lia Allman]

Some may have argued that perhaps Lia was attaching a bit of a savior complex to Abe…but the former Death Eater knew better than that. She attached that complex to Draco. She had been so convinced that she was in love with Draco and that he was her safe place from his father. But that hadn’t been the case at all.

It was so different with Abe.

She genuinely felt safe here. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered about with soft flaps of their wings as opposed to the violent swarms they would provide around Draco.

Abe was her person and it was apparent more now that ever.

There was something I’ve been meaning to ask you though.

Lia looked up at him through doe eyes and just smiled a moment.

”And what would that be?”

[Abram Schraeder]

Abe hadn't intended to ask Lia this evening...in fact, it was something he'd been talking with Saffron about, and it had been a plan for it to happen around Christmas. But now...being here, with her, like no time had passed at all...he didn't want to wait. And maybe he was crazy, and maybe she would say no, but it was worth an ask. And if he knew, that would leave him in a position where he wasn't just wondering. And...there wasn't much worse than the feeling of not knowing.

"And what would that be?"

Abe slipped out of his chair and to a cabinet in the hallway which held a decorated box wrapped in a ribbon. Abe had tied and untied that ribbon about a million times to make sure that it looked perfect. He tapped the box against his hand and walked back into the room, slipping back into his chair beside Lia's. Inside the box was a key - which was kind of silly considering they were wizards - but it was the thought behind it. He'd been talking to Saffron about having Lia stay with him...if she wanted. He didn't want to take her away from Sherry, but he did, a little selfishly, want her to himself. "It's a...it was going to be for Christmas."

[Lia Allman]

Lia watched as Abe slipped off his seat and retreated to a cabinet. She couldn’t see exactly what it was he had grabbed at first so as he returned, she just watched him with confusion and awe etched in her gaze.

He produced a box, tapping it against his own hand a few times. Lia watched as he sat back down and when he spoke, she felt her smile grow wider.

She opened it slowly…almost sad to ruin the absolutely perfect bow on top. But once she had opened the box, there was a small key in her hand. She recognized it as a door key and realization set in almost immediately.

Her eyes flicked up to his and she paused for just a moment before she set the key aside, standing and taking his face in her hands. The kiss she pressed to his lips was a little firmer than any they had shared before. How he had so much care for her and so much faith her was beyond her.

But she was grateful. She wanted him to know that.

[Abram Schraeder]

While the whole office was under the impression that Abe was dating Molly, and what with her deepest desires revealed, maybe this wasn't the most well laid out plan. But most of the hard work was done. Lia had succumbed to the requirements of the reformation as well, if not better, than they expected, and it made sense for her to be in a position to be around aurors as much as possible, especially once she started that portion of the reformation in the new year.

But mostly Abe just wanted her with him.

So when she stood and held his face in her hands, he took that moment to look at her. To really look at her. The moment lasted just a few seconds before her lips were on his again. His own hands naturally slipped to her waist and he pulled her closer to him. Surely that wasn't what she meant to happen…but none of this was. None of it was, so why not? Why not enjoy the moment; enjoy each other? ”Is that a yes?” he pulled away enough so that his words had been whispered against her lips.