Picture This -- Aaron

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia hadn’t seen Aaron for a few days, ever since she used her empathic touch ability to take away some of his mental anguish. She was sure it had worked, at least for a little while, due to the raging headache she had gotten that had caused her to pass out. She had woken up nearly six hours later, her room dark and her covers tucked up around her, presumably by Aaron before he had left. It had been a sweet gesture, she had thought to herself as she made herself a late dinner. But in the days that followed she realized she couldn’t get her mind off of him. What she had felt, if only for a flash, had been so sad, so much self-loathing. She wanted to go and talk to him, just sit with him, whatever he needed.

So on Saturday, her own day off, she dressed in a pretty sunflower covered sundress and donned a black denim jacket; while May had brought warmer weather, it still wasn’t beach season just yet. Checking her reflection, Ophelia Apparated with a little pop! She reached up to touch her hair, making sure it still looked good before walking into the bar. “What’s a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?” she announced upon seeing Aaron behind the bar, a smile spreading across her face.

@aaron

[Deleted]

Aaron felt better. He wasn't sure how long the effects of Ophelia's touch would last, or if it was some kind of permanent thing. He wasn't complaining. The dark feelings still lingered in the corners of his mind, their tendrils dancing threateningly around his brain. But it was if Ophelia had placed a shield around his thoughts, protecting him from the darkness. He hummed as he cleaned a table in the pub, his hand buffing the table to the tune of the song. He sashayed from table to table, brushing off crumbs and clearing drinks, having a good old time. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this good, and, for the first time in a long time, he hadn't felt the need to take his potion. He had even attempted to clean his flat, though that would take much more work. Max would be so proud of him when she visited again. He looked up when he heard a voice call out in the pub. A Cheshire grin spread across his face when he recognized Ophelia, looking lovely as ever in her sundress, her dark hair falling gently around her shoulders. "Well, you can start by being quiet. You're disturbing the guests," he teased, gesturing to the empty pub. He walked behind the bar and leaned over it, admiring Ophelia. "What can I get for you, beautiful?" he asked.

Ophelia Mae Teller

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia scoffed and tossed her hair behind her shoulders. “Everyone loves my voice,” she protested, nodding at the single other patron sitting in the bar. He smiled toothlessly at her, and Ophelia beamed back. “See? Everything is alright,” she said, taking a seat on a bar stool and letting her forearms rest against the bar top. “Can I get a firewhiskey?” she asked, smiling mischievously. Drinking during the day, how reckless of her! It was alright though, as long as she only had the one and had a nice mug of butterbeer after she’d be fine. Some food would probably help too. “Can you get me a steak and ale pie too please?” she added, batting her eyelashes at him and smiling sweetly.

Ophelia watched Aaron as he worked around the bar, tilting her head to the side a little as she surveyed him. He seemed better, loads better than when they had gone out for lunch. He seemed to have more of a spring to his step, and his smile was more genuine than before. “You look good, happy,” she commented, resting her chin on her palm as she smiled at him.  "I like it, it suits you well," she added, giggling a little.

@aaron

[Deleted]

Aaron shook his head in amusement at Ophelia's antics. He set to work on her drink, pouring a heaping frothy mug of firewhiskey. As he turned back to give it to her, his eyes spotted the taunting gleam of the vial of wolfsbane potion he always kept under the counter. Smiling, he ignored it and placed the mug on the table. He grinned, stuck his finger in the foam, and popped it in it mouth. "Still want it?" he teased, turning away and walking toward the kitchen door. "Martha, I need a steak and ale pie." He heard a muffled response which he assumed was confirmation and returned to the bar and Ophelia. He looked down and blushed a little when she commented on his new demeanor. He thought back to his meeting with Max, shortly after he returned to Hogsmeade. He had been an utter mess, and he had told her as much. Now, when he looked in the mirror, he was a completely different person. It felt good to not be so overwhelmed. "I suppose," he said simply. "But it's all because of you, love. I'd still be wallowing in filth and self-pity if it wasn't for you." He paused, not wanting to sound too sappy. "I suppose you'll be wanting me for dessert," he said with a wink.

Ophelia Mae Teller

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia’s mouth dropped open in mock indignation as Aaron brazenly stuck his finger in her drink, but proceeded to defiantly take a sip, watching him as she swallowed the liquid and put it back down in front of her. “Tasted a bit fleshy,” she teased, her eyes glinting mischievously. She took another sip as he went back to put in her order for the steak and ale pie, and her stomach rumbled with impatience. She probably should have waited to order a drink until she got her food, but if the past months of 2024 had taught her anything was that life could be taken away in an instant, and you only lived once. Why not live it to the fullest so she was living her best life?

Ophelia squared her shoulders to face Aaron directly when he asked if she wanted him for dessert. “I didn’t know that was an option on the menu. Do I have to place a special order for it before it runs out?” she asked, flirting right back with him. They always had fun together, Aaron and Ophelia, but she had been seriously worried when he had turned up at Saint Mungos last week. Her smile softened; she was truly glad to hear her gift had worked on him, had given him hope that not all was completely bleak in the world. It was unfortunate that she had discovered her gift after her miscarriage, but perhaps it was what brought it to the surface in the first place. She didn’t even know if she could do it to herself; wouldn’t it contradict itself? “Thank you for tucking me in by the way. I typically only pass out for a little while depending on the emotions,” she told him, taking another sip of her drink. “I’m always happy to make you feel better though,” she added with a soft giggle.

@aaron

[Deleted]

A smile teased the corner of Aaron's mouth as he watched Ophelia sip on her drink. The smile intensified when she played along with his teasing, and he ran his fingers through his shaggy hair before he flashed his most dazzling smile at her. "I'm afraid the offer is limited time and is only available on a first-come, first-serve basis, miss. Act now before this offer is gone forever," he quipped back, leaning over the counter and giving his best salesman impersonation. He laughed at his own bravado and turned around to the kitchen as he heard the bell within dinging. He quickly strode into the kitchen and picked up Ophelia's lunch and returned to the bar, placing it before her with flamboyant flair. His smiled faded a little as she thanked him for tucking her in. His mind went back to that moment, seeing her laying on the bed, completely unconscious. She had looked so small and frail, especially underneath her blankets. And it had all been for him. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to hurt you." And he would add it to his infinite list of things he had to make up for.

Ophelia Mae Teller

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia pretended to ponder the offer. “Well I better...jump on it then,” she said with a wink. She was being a bit brazen and cheeky, but this was Aaron; he out of all people wouldn’t care. They had been friends for so long, that before they had ever done anything romantic they had made crude jokes all the time. She cut a piece of her pie and blew on it gently, letting the steam curl up in little tendrils. She inhaled deeply, sighing contentedly at the smell. “It smells delicious, so I am sure the taste will match,” she declared. She took a bite and chewed languidely, closing her eyes as she savored the taste. “Even better if possible,” she told him, then held up her fork. “Your turn,” she said, blowing gently on the piece before offering him the fork.

Her expression softened, and before Aaron could even take the bite, she set down the fork and reached both of her hands to take his. “Aaron,” she started, her voice quiet yet firm. “This gift is something I can share with the world, and make a better place. Please, don’t you ever feel sorry about accepting it. I want to make you feel good, I want to make everyone feel good. You know I like seeing people happy,” she told him, squeezing his hands. Of course, she realized that she was also insinuating there were other ways she could make him feel good, but she expected he already was aware of that notion.

@aaron

[Deleted]

Aaron shook his head as Ophelia teased him. Their playful banter was one of the things he missed most when he ran away to Brazil. The long nights sitting in her flat, just talking and laughing. Before things got complicated. Before everything changed and every look over someone's shoulder was a look of fear. He didn't want to lose her. He didn't want to lose the laughter.

He jumped a little when she spoke again and started offering him food. He didn't realize he'd been staring off into space, which in reality was a warlock's balding head. The warlock was now eyeing him suspiciously, and he quickly turned his attention back to Ophelia. Aaron looked down in shame as she explained her gift and its use, staring at their conjoined hands, his mind flickering back to their date at the Mexican restaurant.. He shifted uncomfortably as she spoke of making him feel good. Now was not the time for sex to pop into his head. Yes, he knew how much seeing other people happy meant to her, but he had seen her looking so fragile in her bed after sapping the torrent of negative emotions from him. He could feel them creeping back now as he warred with himself, wanting to encourage her gift but hating the pain it brought her, especially if he had to be the cause of it. He shook his head, the mess of curls caressing his face with the movement.

"I just don't want to see you hurt, Phie," he murmured, gently stroking her hand with his thumb. "I don't want to see anyone hurt anymore." He took the fork she had put down and quickly snatched the bite of food off of it, trying desperately to change the subject. He grinned half-heartedly with his mouth full of food, hoping he could make Ophelia laugh, or at least smile.

Ophelia Mae Teller

[Ophelia Mae Teller]

Ophelia snorted when Aaron gave her a food infested smile; he looked ridiculous. She knew he was trying to get off the topic of her getting hurt by what he was feeling and what he had gone through the past year. She was happy to change the subject, but she was a stubborn one. She had to let him know that she didn’t plan on going anywhere - she had been through hell and back this past year with her miscarriage, and she wasn’t planning on losing someone else she cared for because he was scared of his emotions draining her. That’s not how this would pan out if she had anything to say about it. “You’re disgusting,” she teased, squeezing his hand lightly before taking her fork back and digging into the pie.

When her meal was finished, she dabbed her lips with her napkin and pushed the plate towards him. “Please give my compliments to your chef,” she told him brightly. “And get me another butterbeer,” she added, laughing playfully. She set her elbows down on the bar and rested her chin in her hands. “So Aaron, may I ask what time you get done around here?” she asked, widening her eyes with feigned innocence. He had gotten the idea in her head after all, and she wasn’t going to let him get away that easily.

@aaron