It takes two to tango

Nymeria slipped into a booth in the corner after the end of the shift. Today was hard, the whole day she tried to sort through that pile of papers in an old closet and it mixed again and again and so on and on. The worst part is that it is only doing to her, for others it would be completely normal and inanimate, only it's her paperwork every time on different place.
If she didn't knew that it can't be cursed she would believe that someone is making fun of, but the idea that a wooden cabinet is provoking her is no better.

Nymeria grabbed a menu from the table, while her stomach warned her with rumbling that she still hadn't eaten today, as if she needed a reminder.
She quickly examined list of many dishes and decided for a simple vegetable soup and apple juice. Nym didn't want to experiment because she still had a stomachache from their explosive lemonade, she didn't want to add a new range of pain, this is well enough.

With gently waving with a smile on her lips she summoned the waiter and gave him her order.
While waiting for the dish she glanced at the portrait of the wizards who played poker. This time they slept, their softly snoring caused tremors of portraits on the wall. There is no wonder why they are sleeping, she concluded absently spinning forelock around her finger, it's almost 1AM. Nymeria must keep a closer watch on the flow of time at work, further. Her shift finished at 8PM, and she left The Ministry at midnight, instead, like all normal people, after the end of the shift. She could always finish the remaining work tomorrow.

There is no any open stores at this time of night, so if Nym wanted to eat, she was forced to go to the Leaky Cauldron and left to the mercy of their kitchen, again.

He was sitting in front of the Leaky Cauldron, absently looking Muggles who hurriedly walked past him.
The weather was too hot for his taste, with no wind. He was sitting there for hours, waiting for something to happen.

True, he waited Bastien's letter. He done that yesterday, and the day before that, and before that...Sebastien, his older brother, has always been independent, often disappearing but would write at least once a week. This time? He sent his last letter a little over two months ago. Chris is used to Bastien outbursts, he's probably with some naive girl right now. But no, Chris felt that it was something else this time.
A month ago he wanted to go looking for Bastien but then Hayley sent a letter, saying that she's with Seb. Her last letter arrived two weeks ago, she told they are coming home.

He stayed few more minutes, then slowly stood up and headed to his room. It was on the second floor, small, with a view of a deserted street and too little bed for his 190cm and plus. It was certainly better than his home. Aunty Jenna decided to visit him. Chris loved Jenna, she was like his second mother. But her rituals, friends, and cats? He couldn't stand them. And so, there he is, in this small room. Table under the window was full of paper, neatly arranged in two piles. He didn't like to leave the job unfinished, but he was too hungry to work.

It was almost 1AM when he went downstairs. Bar was half empty, but his favorite table was occupied.
He looked across the room and headed to the nearest table. He called the waitress - old, fat witch who hated everything and everyone, Christian liked her for some reason- and order sandwich, and although it was late, strong coffee. For less than ten minutes later, he got his food. But of course, instead of coffee he got tea.
'She'll kill me one day'
He gave her fake smile, payed her and then took a sip of tea (which was awful) and rushed to the sandwich.

Nym bristled when she heard the creaking of the stairs behind her. Their dull crunching reminded her of scenes in horror movies, specifically those where the victim unaware of her upcoming death, carried out the last moments of her life carefree, and then she heard creaking of old wooden pillars, complemented with quiet music in the background that causes uncertainty. And then the bad guy is already here, in front of the victim. She's screaming for the last time, until he doesn't cut her throat with one quick move coloring her pink couch with her blood while she falls to the floor like a rag doll, dropping the last silent cry for help to everyone and no one in particular. And then her eyes become glassy.

Nymeria shook her head rapidly while seeking a new theme for thinking. She hated horrors even at noon, and it's middle of the night, now. For half an hour she will have to go home. In the dark. Alone. As if that wasn't hard enough without thinking about horror films. Dark itself is enough scary.

She looked at the back of the head of the person who came down the stairs. Extremely tall man in a shabby leather jacket and dark jeans. His gait was known to her, but she couldn't remember from where, and he's been too far.

Nymeria grabbed her bag and quickly pulled out her box with glasses accidentally  dropping it three times. For some inexplicable reason she had the need to look closely at this person. As if he was an exhibition specie in the Zoo.

She put her glasses just as he half-turned glanced at the table in the corner.
It can't be…

For a moment she just sat and stared, frozen with his presence. Chris. A person for whom she believed they will never see each other again. The one who disappeared without a trace. And now he's here. In London. Only a few meters away from her.
Or maybe she's hallucinating. It's late, last night she slept barely a few hours, maybe a lack of sleep and exhaustion are playing with her. Probably.

After he glanced toward that table he turned and sat down at the nearest table, turning his back to her.
He hasn't noticed her.

Nym slowly stood up, picked up her things and quietly crossed the few yards that were between them. She sat down in the chair across from him, letting the bag to hit the ground. Nymeria folded her hands on her chest and finally looked at him.

"Christian." In that single word she has brought all of his anger and hurt she felt, and calmly waited for him to look up.

He was finishing his meal, sandwich was actually very good so he order one more, when some girl sat down across him. He didn't look up in the moment because he was preoccupied with his sandwich. Since she doesn't said anything, he thought she probably wants to flirt, but he wasn't in the mood, or she just mixed him up with someone else.

But then he heard her voice. He choked. He know that voice, although he tried so hard to forget it. But voice he loved was gone now. It was full of anger now and Christian understood why. He deserved it. The pain he felt in that moment was the one he thought he'd never felt again.
Long-buried feelings are brought to the surface and he knew it would be even worse when he look at her. He had only a few seconds to repress emotions, he'll deal with them later. He was always a good actor but with her it was difficult, she was able to read him as an open book. That's why he liked her in the first place.

Before he looked up he drank a sip of water. Perhaps in his body is carried the fight, but that couldn't possibly notice physically. He was calm, but also scared that she'll find the truth in his eyes. He promised he'll stay away from her, and he'll kept that one.

Finally, he looked up. He was right. When he found her eyes, he felt fear, for the first time after many years. What if he can't keep that promise? She looked the same, her long blonde hair, blue eyes, red lips... but she was different. She was even more beautiful, if that's even possible.

She was looking at him, she was calm on the outside, but she wasn't that good in control like Chris. He found pain in her eyes, and for the moment, he wanted to punch himself in the face. It was his fault. She was supposed to be happy in France, to find someone to love, like her father told Chris tree years ago. Why is she here?
Somewhere deep inside he found the strength for what he was about to say.

"Nymeria, what are you doing here?" He acted like he didn't really care but asked anyway just because he's raised as a polite boy.

Nymeria studied him while he eat. His hair was a bit longer, more messy than the last time she saw him. But it fitted him perfectly. He still wore the same necklace his brother gave him when he graduated, or at least he told her so. It was simple, silver pendant unusual shape hung on a thin black string. On the back is engraved something, she didn't know what, she never asked him. She assumed she will never know now.

She tilted her head as he took few sips of water. If she didn't knew him as well as she is she would think he was afraid. She bit her lip hiding smile. He wasn't afraid, he's just stalling.

He can do it as long as he want, Nym is nowhere in a hurry.

She bit her lip harder as he raised his sight. The blonde met his dark brown gauze doing her best to stop theuninvited  tears that had appeared at the corners of her eyes. She will not cry now. Not here. Not again.

"I prefer miss. Evanesco, now." Nym knew she was acting like a child but she couldn't help herself. She also noticed her voice is for an octave higher than usual, and her French accent was a bit more noticable, like every time she's nervous or upset. Or in this case - both. She let her hair fall like a veil hiding her face so he can't see it clearly. If you can't see something, you can't read it, she hoped that was true. Nym guessed she'll find out pretty soon.

Coldness of his voice was like a punch for he. If he wanted to hurt her he couldn't find a better way.

"Where am I supposed to be then?" Nymeria looked at him furiously.

He was watching her into her eyes, absorbing every bit of her face. He noticed that her eyes were blurred, so he looked away for a moment, hoping she didn't notice that. Her father was right, she deserves to be safe, and with Chris, she could never be. And although the years have passed since it all happened, Christian did not want to take the risk.
He could not refrain smile at her response. She obviously improved her lying, but some things she just couldn’t control.

"You know I can't call you like that, I never could." He shook his head, still avoiding her gaze. He could not stand her blue eyes. "For me you'll always be Nymeria." He never actually called her Nymeria, except when he was angry or when they were fighting. But he couldn't stay angry at her more than few hours. Since the day they met, he called her Nym. He liked her name very much, and still do.

She let her hair fall over her face on what he rolled his eyes. He almost told her to tide her hair in a ponytail but managed to restrain himself. He never liked that hiding under the hair, and he knew several people who were doing it (including his brother). Although he was doing the same thing, he was doing it in a different way.
He knew that Nym still has feelings for him and he was aware of what he felt for her. He also knew that his behavior was a low blow, she didn't deserved it. But then again, she didn't deserve any of what he done to her.
He didn't want to lie her, so the silence lasted for a while. At this point, he already had too much burden on his shoulders, and this could be the straw that will spill over a glass. 'Good question, as always. Where should you be?' Unfortunately, he did not know the answer. If he was the one who was deciding, everything would have been different. But the force majeure implicated. It was so simple in theory but impossible in practice. He was supposed to go away, so she could continue on her own. They would never see each other again, and eventually they would overcame one another. A few more minutes passed before he finally looked at her. No matter how hard he tried to sound alienated all the hate and coldness in his voice disappeared. Under her view he broken into a thousand small pieces, and in that moment he was aware of how much he was actually destroyed. He sighed before he answered.

"Anywhere except here." and with that answer he put an end to the conversation. But he didn't stood up as he planned. He stayed.

The blonde smiled as he turn his gaze off. He can't look her into eyes anymore. This is becoming better and better. She wondered why did he left but she couldn't forced herself to ask him that. Nym was scared of his answer, she admitted to herself. Now when the possibility that he's dead is canceled that only meant that he left because he couldn't stand being in Paris, even for a minute longer than he stayed. Christian left France because he couldn't stand her, there she is, she admitted, but there is no relief following that thought.

"Then better start practicing." She snapped and struck her fist on the table. Her shot tipped over the glass of water and water spread the table drenching Christian's lap.
"Merde!" Nym hissed and pulled out her wand. "Evanesco." The glass and the water on the table disappeared. Nym put her wand back in purse and handle a package of wipes to Christian. "You look like you need this." She bit her lip trying not to laugh.

Nymeria thought about day she first met him. She forgot her father has guests so after she took a shower she went to her room only wearing a towel, and bumped into him. She still doesn't know wich one of them said sorry more times.
Christian couldn't say her name correctly so Nymeria let him call her Nym. He's the one who gave her that nickname, the same nickname she use as much as her name, today, maybe even more.
Nym raised her eyebrows. How dare? "You know I'm more Londoner than you are? So, based on that I'm the one whose place is here. Not you."

(ooc. Sorry, it's short, I had no inspiration.)

When he saw her smile he realized how much he misses it.
She had a beautiful smile and a little hysterical laugh.

"Let me think.. no!" he said louder than he wanted. In that moment she punched the table with her hand so the glass of water fell and spilled in Christian's lap. He didn't actually mind it but he frowned at her anyway. He pulled his wand to dries his jeans. That was the first day after a while that he took his wand. He didn't need it these days.

"You're not the only one with wand." he said like some child when she gave him wips. He didn't take them just because he was too stubborn and didn't want to say thanks.

He almost smiled on her answer. "Yes, you may be born here but we both know you spent all your life in French. Anyway, say your father I said hi." he spilled the last sentence with disgust. He didn't pay attention to her reaction. Actually he did but he act like he doesn't care.

"Now, if you don't have anything for me, I'll like to finish my meal in peace." he said but he couldn't let her go just like that so he added "Or you wanna join me?" he looked her carefully, like she could explode any minute. He expected the punch in the face or something like that, so he leaned back in his chair, as far away from her as he could.
He wanted to ask her so much things, to tell her everything, why he left, why she can't stay here, but he known he can't. So he was just hoping she'll order something, so he can watch her a little bit longer, before he leave her again.

Nymeria frowned. Why did he need to be such a rude dumb idiot? She jumped, scared when he raised his voice, she was pretty sure he knows she hates yelling, and yet he's here and he yells.

"C'mon cowboy, show me." Nym laughed as he pulled out his wand. "Is this time in conversation when you say me your wand's longer than mine, or you want to mesure it first?" She couldn't help herself, she started teasing him. "I can pull it again, it's not a problem. If you want." The blonde grabbed her bag and pulled it in her lap. She spend some time by acting as if searching for something, a wand precisley. "I can't find it, I guess you won. Happy?" She put the package handkerchief back into her bag and put it back on the floor.

"That makes two of us. You spent your whole life in Manchester, or that was another lie?" Nymeria studied him briefly, then glanced away. "You can said that to him yourself, as well, just go to city cementary in Paris. Second row, you can't miss Evanesco's grave, it's huge." Her voice trailed off remembering her fathers funreal.

It was huge and heartbreaking. She remain the only member of Evanesco family now. On his funreal came all his friends, all people who knew him, and all the ones whom he helped, but she was his only blood kin  there. The last Evanesco. Her mom's family, Blacks, didn't came. Only her grandfather did, he was the one who was holding her hand when others come to show condolences, the one who was constantly adding her new wipes, when the old ones became too wet of her tears. The one who helped her live through it, not Christian, not her aunt, but her grandfather. A single tear slid down her face, but she quickly wiped it.

"Yes, I think I'm going to do it. Thank you." She took his tea cup and took a sip, and then place it back in front of him. She fight the urgue to throw it up. The tea was awful, she never tasted anything worse.

He was watching her performance shocked, he never saw her like that. Actually he did, but it was long time ago, while they were still together. They had that big fight about some stupid thing he can't even remember. She was so angry that she even broke few things in the house. And now, she looked like she's having breakdown. Christian didn't know should he yelled at her or just be polite and quiet.

"What's gotten into you?" he blinked few times and sighed when she sat down. "Actually it was a truth. I was spending every weeken in Manchester, but I was mostly here, especialy when I started working." he stopped talking, deciding not to talk about his privet life with her. It was funny because she already knew all about him.
He was just preparing to say that he'll kill her father if he see him in person when he realized what was she talking. He froze, opend his mouth to say something but nothing went out. He was shocked. He was just watching her, and she was breaking in front of his eyes. And he couldn't helped her because he was not there when he died. He knew how hard it is when you lost a parent, since he lost both of them. She didn't knew it though, he never told her. Then the questions started to coming out.

"How? Did someone killed him or was it natural?" he asked quietly "Did he ever told you the truth?" he shook his head "Never mind, forget about it. I'm really sorry for your loss."

He looked down on his sendwich, he wasn't that hungry anymore but he took a bite. He looked her when she took his tea. "Take it, don't like tea anyway."

He was thinking about her father. 'What should I do now?' that question wasn't coming out of his head. Adrien is dead, which means Nym is all alone now. 'He is dead.' it could also mean that he can tell Nym everything. But was that the right thing to do? He missed his brother so much in this moment.