Ladies don't start fights, but they finish them ¦ Hanna

[Lyra Horváth]

April 10th 2026



It had been three days since hanna horváth had landed on their door step. It had been a shock at first, but she had slipped in and slept on their sofa bed so easily it hadn't really been any trouble. The only minor inconvenience that had come with it was the fact that it meant Lyra & Rob couldn't really let their hair down totally anymore. It turned out it was a lot more than a minor inconvenience really. Hanna was always just there; moping around the flat or watching TV or soaking up the sun on their teeny balcony. EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK and Lyra didn't really have any alone time anymore. When they came home to their little den in the evenings they could relax. Lyra couldn't slope around in Rob's tees, or she couldn't admire his naked ass wandering around anymore. They couldn't really even have sex. And if they did it was only a quickie in their room with the door firmly shut, once they knew Hanna was enthralled in some sort of Soap Opera on TV or something on her phone. Always with Rob's hand pressed over or in Lyra's mouth to keep her quiet. Lyra was a quiet creature most of the time, but she didn't exactly enjoy being silenced like that. Rob likely didn't enjoy the bite marks on the back of his hand either but needs must she supposed.

In one way she had been glad both herself and Rob's work schedule's had been fairly busy. It was a good distraction from the more subdued life she had to live now with Hanna there, but at the same time, it made her feel a little bit guilty. She had been ignoring Hanna when she had said she would be there for her.

It was a rare day off when Rob had to work, and now it was just her and Hanna in the flat. Rob had left for work that morning but Lyra, who had been enjoying sleep a lot more recently, had slept in till near mid day. By the time she had crept into the main area of the flat, light was streaming in, and it looked to be a nice day out there. Hanna was still dozing by the looks of it too, blanket over her head to block out the light.

Creeping through the flat over to the creaky ass sofa bed, she lay down beside her and cuddled into her cousin like she did when they were kids.

"C'mon Lets do something today Hanz" Giggling in her ear, she began to flick at her unruly blonde curls to wake her up.

[hanna horváth]

Three days had passed faster than a blink of an eye. There were days she felt like crying and burrowing under a rock, but she was starting to feel a little better each day. Time was the best antidote for a broken heart. And lots of alcohol. Hanna’s evenings were spent out in the city where she could drink her sorrows away until the sun came up and slept until noon. She was quickly making new friends and reuniting with people she never would have expected to run into. The one thing she hadn’t allowed herself to do was go home with any strange men. She wasn’t trying to start a new cycle. This was supposed to be a new chapter, not a new low point.

Hanna couldn’t believe the sort of love Lyra had with Rob. After three days of being around the obnoxious love fest and constant PDA’s, she found herself jealous and longing for her own relationship. A part of her wondered if staying with them was counterproductive but ultimately it was better than being alone.

Last night Hanna came back to Rob and Lyra’s flat half past three in the morning. Usually she would drunkenly tidy up before passing out on the sofa but she was sloshed last night and fell asleep with her club clothes on. The sun streamed through the curtains perfectly, which resulted to Hanna burrowing into the mountain of blankets, covering her head and face so she made a perfect cocoon.

A flick of her curl caused her to stir out of her peaceful slumber, then she felt Lyra’s voice in her ear. She peeled the covers away from her face to yawn, ”Oh my Gawwwd,” she stretched happily, ”Do I get you all to myself today?” Hanna asked excitedly in a tired tone. Her eyes finally cracked open fully before wincing, ”I’m so hungover. I think I’m dying.” she lamented while a groan, burrowing her face into Lyra who was perfectly snug into her side and hugging her.

EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK
Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

As her eyes drifted over the parts of Hanna she could see outside the blankets, she snorted out a laugh. Having her around hadn't been so bad, it just meant she had had to restrain herself. She had enjoyed her company and come to realise she had missed her a little. Well, more than a little, quite a bit actually. But as she took in the mess of club wear and the shoes that lay to the side, teamed with the glass of untouched water on the side table of the couch, she smirked. EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK had definitely left that in an act of kindness on his way to work that morning and Hanna had definitely not even noticed, never mind drank it.

As Hanna began to lament how hungover she was, Lyra lifted the glass and held it out to her with one hand, the other beginning to pat at her in a sympathetic way.

"Yes, you have me to yourself today. And no you're not dying" Rolling her eyes she gave another giggle. Rob was at work, and she had talked him into going out with Sienna and Rhys for food and a drink after work. It was rare these days, usually he rushed to meet her at the Violet Hound or, if she was home, he grabbed them something to eat on the way home and they ate at home, together. But as she still adjusted to actually being with Rob, she discovered it was probably healthy to force some alone time. Or at the very least for them to see other people outside their own little bubble. He had mentioned going out with the others, but didn't seem too keen on blowing Lyra off on her night off. However, Lyra had encouraged it, especially now Hanna was here. She could do something with her. Rob still might try get home early, but maybe Lyra would be out with Hanna having dinner or drinks or something. although the distance didn't sit entirely well with her, she knew they needed to reach outside their bubble and let others in. Nodding and giving her cousin a small laugh, she let her comfortably cuddle in beside her, even reaching to adjust the blankets over them more comfortably now.

Pursing her lips she lay in a content comfort for a few minutes, silent.

Eventually she gave a low yawn, giving Hanna a sideways look. "So, what do you want to do?"

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

As Hanna peeled the covers from her head, Lyra held out a glass of water for her. "No!" she snapped grumpily with a bratty look. She chuckled, taking the water and bringing it to her lips as if it were a life giving tonic. She finished the entirety of the glass, but she still felt like a dry sponge.

Hanna laid with her eyes closed for a moment, fingers clutched around the glass as she felt herself able to slip back into the slumber if she allowed herself to. Then, Lyra asked her what they should do today. The corners of her lips curled upwards sleepily. She was excited about having Lyra all to herself with no Rob attached to her face. They needed the perfect activity! She held the cup of water out to Lyra lazily, as if her cousin were some bedside nurse.

Hanna yawned, rubbing her eyes and smearing last nights makeup, "We can go shopping...but eh, we can do that any day." she said quickly before adding, "Tea time at the Ritz..." she pitched, scrunching her nose - too proper. "OoOoo lets get brunch and mimosas. I saw the cutest place on IG,  you would love it." she gushed before adding. "Ooh, oh. There's also a cat cafe." Hanna said enthusiastically, her eyes widening. There were a lot of things they could do, it was just narrowing it down since there were only so many hours in a day. Honestly, Hanna was happy to just have the time with Lyra. The short time with her cousin already had been very therapeutic for her broken heart.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

Rolling her eyes playfully, she took the glass all the same and moved towards the kitchen area of the flat to refill it anyway. As she listened to Hanna's rather exhaustive list she paused, eventually letting out a low laugh.



"Those things sound fun Hanna, but they also sound like they cost a lot of money.." Moving slowly back over to where she was, she held out the glass to her sister, pursing her lips. Raising an eyebrow, she waited to see if Hanna would elaborate at all, when she didn't, she shrugged it off slightly. As she decided to brush it off, she perched at the edge of the rickety fold out hesitantly. She looked pensive. Something was on her mind, that much was clear, but she couldn't quite bring herself to put it into words, or bring it up to Hanna.



Instead she shrugged again, looking to meet Hanna's gaze again. "Whatever though, I don't mind really, if you're paying. I'll do whatever so long as we get to hang out." That was a line she would certainly live to regret, but in the moment it seemed right.


hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Hanna shook her head at Lyra when she mentioned all of the activities she mentioned being 'expensive'. The blonde rolled her eyes to the back of her head, "Oh, stop!" she snorted while swatting the air, "It will be my treat!" she insisted excitedly, though she still had tired eyes with last nights make up caked on. Lyra handed her another filled glass filled with water and she took it graciously, ”Köszönöm” she thanked her in Hungarian naturally with a smile. Hanna chugged a second glass in seconds, taking a breath, ”Thank you for taking care of me, Ly.” she laughed while setting down the glass on the coffee table before collapsing into the blanket mountain and wrapping her arms around her sister for an aggressive side hug.

The blonde took a breath in, grateful the water was finally kicking in. Hanna rubbed her tired eyes as she asked, ”You know what I have been thinking about while being here in London?” her expression flickered into a more sneaky and mischievous vibe, similar to when they were sixteen. The blondes icy eyes brightened, "You know what's freeing...thrilling...and earns us money..." she waggled her eyebrows salaciously, pretending that she meant something along the lines of selling their bodies. But it totally wasn't that. She chuckled.

Hanna watched Lyra's expression carefully. "What if we dueled again?" she asked her. It was a crazy idea, but it was the kind of thrill she was seeking in the moment. All she wanted was to feel something again and she remembered feeling the most exhilarated while gambling in a back alley duel. The blonde tilted her head to the side hopefully, already half expecting her to say no.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

Settling back into the heat of the lumpy pull out bed, Lyra let herself be cuddled by Hanna. It had certainly been a while since it were like this, just the two of them. Even in the latter part of their childhood there was always someone else there. And now they were adults, here in Rob & her's flat, there was obviously Rob. It was nice for them to sit there for a few moments just alone. Stretching for a moment, she fixed the blanket over them and then lay back into Hanna's arms. "Always"

Silent in a level of thought, she listened, letting Hanna do the talking. It hadn't always been like this. Once upon a time it was a constant competition between them for who could talk the most, or be the loudest. One always trying to drown out the other. Their parents and siblings never without a headache from the persistent chatter. But after their attack, things had changed. Hanna easily took on the role of the communicator and protector. Hanna spoke for them, Lyra listened and agreed or corrected as needed, but mostly she was more quiet and brooding. The dark to Hanna's brightness.

Her eyebrow cocked as Hanna began; she wasn't quite sure how much Hanna knew about her time drifting, or if she knew Lyra had actually delved into sex work as a way to make money and survive. It was unlikely. For now she played it off with a quiet laugh, waiting to see where Hanna's line was actually going.

Oh.

Well she certainly hadn't expected that.

"Duelling?" Her voice was suddenly twenty decibels quieter, her tone flat and quiet. It was like all the air had just gushed out of her lungs. Like she'd been kicked in the stomach, suddenly stiff in Hanna's arms. She hadn't duelled in years. Not seriously anyway. She had entered two duelling circuits in the last few years, but not seriously. Even then she'd allowed herself to be knocked out easily. She only want the money for completing the first round. She had been desperate then, anything for survival. The thoughts of duelling still made her sick to her stomach. The last time she had seriously duelled, or tried, was the night of their attack. When Hanna had ran; she had tried to fight back. And failed. Her spectacular skills hadn't been able to protect her then, why bother anymore after that. She had sworn off duelling then. Nothing in Hogwarts, nothing in Durmstrang. The thought of it terrified her.

But then, Hanna was focused on the money, not the fame it brought.

Hanna had never been as good as her smaller cousin, but she still had gotten attention. Hanna had gotten attention from duelling, Lyra had always won and gotten the prizes. The idea of money now, did appeal to her somewhat. Her low paying job at the pub brought in fuck all. Rob's job much more stable and well paying. He said he didn't mind, that his parents helped him pay for their flat. But still, it made Lyra feel guilty. She wanted to contribute more, or take Robbie out for a nice dinner, or drinks. To even build for their future. But she wasn't sure how she'd ever pay for it. Duelling was a logical answer. She would be rusty of course, but even then, the illegal circuits paid well regardless of win or lose, the spectators were there for blood sport and betting rings. Nobody cared if you were all that good, they just wanted the drama of it all. She'd done enough of that to know all about it. In the past she had always been pinned as the under dog, the small girly one who'd probably have their ass beat and knocked down, but then she had been victorious and it made for a good story.

Still, thinking about it, her stomach was tight with anxiety.

"No Hanna....I...I don't know about that..." uncertain of it, she looked away. The draw of extra cash still there somewhat, but the anxiety was eating away at her more.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Her expression fell slightly when Lyra reacted with hesitation to her question. God, she remembered the old Lyra…who’d jump at the opportunity of a duel. There was a time when Lyra would have to convince Hanna to get out there, but the roles had changed, many years ago.

Hanna sighed, ”Imagine the things you could buy and do…” her eyes widened hungrily as she fantasized in a dreamy voice, focus set on Lyra as she listed things that were important to her. ”A beautiful house with a back garden...having the luxury of surprising Rob with a trip somewhere he’s never been…couples massages by the sea…or a hot tub full of chocolate.” she ended with a laugh, knowing the last was ridiculous, but she wanted Lyra to know the options were infinite. Especially with money. It didn’t buy happiness, but life was certainly better crying in a nice house or car. Hanna had always been more materialistic between the two of them, but she liked to argue that she just knew what she liked.

The blondes long, skinny, arms wrapped around her sister for a strong squeeze. ”C’mon, Ly!” she squealed, latching onto her and shaking her excitedly under the covers, squealing and giggles intensifying. Hanna had a way with hyping people up and giving them confidence. She hoped she wouldn’t take much pep talking, but hell, she’d do it.

Hanna shook her head at her partner in crime, ”You have always been way better than I ever have, I should be the one that’s scared, not you. ” she teased her with an eye roll to the back of her head.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

While Lyra had never been particularly materialistic, especially in more recent years close to essentially a vagrant while she carried all of her worldly belongings in one backpack, but as always, what Hanna was saying was tempting. Of course she would win nowhere near enough money to buy a house for her and Rob. But perhaps. Pausing she glanced around the flat they shared. It was by no means palatial but to her so long as she was with Rob it was perfect. All except for a low level guilt Lyra felt for occupying the space essentially rent free. She knew at the end of the day Rob didn't mind, but she still wished she could contribute a little more. Winning at a round could at the very least win her enough cash to take him out for a nice dinner. That'd be something wouldn't it? He always found ways to show his affection, showering her in all of his little love languages, while Lyra still struggled to find hers.

While she was dubious, it didn't mean she wasn't thinking about it.

Feeling Hanna's arms snake around her, she was pulled back in to reality. The shake rattled up her thoughts. She had been good, once upon a time. Duelling was like riding a bike. She thought she had sworn off it for good after their attack but she had dabbled very briefly in it in a rural part of Croatia last year when she was strapped for cash, and she had been just as good as ever. Maybe even better. The money had certainly been good. As the unknown everyone betted against her. Making her wins even sweeter.

Nibbling at her lip, she shot Hanna a sideways glance. She was beginning to come around to the idea somewhat, but then there was a little pit of dread in her stomach. Duelling could be rough; what would Robbie think? She wasn't quite sure his protective, territorial side would allow her to be placed directly in the firing line.

"I dunno Hanz, I'm not even sure where to duel here in London..." Quietly she mused. It wasn't exactly a lie, but it was a convenient truth as another reason they shouldn't do it.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

"That's only because you haven't been looking." she told Lyra as matter of factly with a squeeze. "Remember they used to always be right under our noses? Down alleyways and in old warehouses...and I'm pretty sure I know a fellow who can get us more details." she continued, trying not to get too excited. Hannas eyes fell on Lyra as she took a breath, "Just trust me." she said quickly, her expression breaking out into a funny face when she met Lyra's gaze because she knew that wasn't always the easiest thing to do. Hanna had her impulsive and reckless moments, though she was working on it. Not that underground dueling was a good example of "working on it".

Hanna fell quiet as she truly studied Lyra's face as she remained burrowed in the sea of blankets on Rob's pull out. She wasn't used to seeing Lyra looking so doubtful. Well, she was, but she had admittedly forgotten a bit since she hadn't seen her in a while. The blondes expression softened as she attempted to sweeten up her voice in a way she did whenever she was trying to get her way. "How about we scope it out? We don't have to do anything, we can just look hot and spectate." she pitched. Hanna wasn't one to back down easily when she wanted to get her way.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

What Hanna was saying wasn't untrue. She hadn't been looking. She had sworn off duelling properly a long time ago. She had fell into approximately three duels in the last few years, and that had been for money. The outcome was rigged. It was all a performance and all she had to do was play the part of the loser and make the organiser the money they got from wagering against her. It was easy money, but she hadn't enjoyed it. Firstly even for back alley duelling the ethics had been shady as fuck, it felt dirty. But then, the losing had hurt her more. She knew she was better than these pricks, and yet she still had to just metaphorically lie there and take it.



That had really gotten to her, she knew she could have taken them and realistically wiped the floor with them too.



But no, she had packed all that in before the script had been written to favour her. The money wasn't bad, but the hassle and physical hurt from letting herself get beaten each night wasn't worth it. The shame of knowing she should have won was even worse.



Hanna didn't know it, but slowly she was winning her over. Seemingly lost in her thoughts, Lyra didn't answer her straight away. Hanna knew as well as she did if Lyra went to watch it would be unlikely that she would be able to stay off the platform from competing. The lure of the thrill of winning, and the thoughts of being able to win some money for her and Rob was beginning to take root and weed into her. Her lips pursed and she gave Hanna a sideways glace "Maybe.." her tone was quiet, still thinking on it.

hanna horváth

[hanna horváth]

Hanna's eyes widened at Lyra's sideways glance and 'maybe'. A squeal of excitement erupted within deep inside of her as her body shook with excitement. "Sooo, that means there's a chance. I like a good 'maybe'." she smiled widely, squeezing Lyra tightly. Now the options were endless. She'd have to look through her contacts to see how they could get information but Hanna was confident in her ability to find anything on her phone. Even the dark Internet if she really wished, but she hadn't, yet.

The blonde released Lyra from her arms gently before peeling the blankets off of her body. "As you already know, they usually happen at night. So we have all day to plan." she said, excited to start the process. Her eyes fell on Lyra, trying to read her body language and face. She was so much harder for her to read these days. Hanna remembered a time not too long ago they could say something with a simple look on their face. Now they weren't so connected. Hanna hoped one day they would be, but she felt like Rob had taken that place. She had happy for her, but a part of Hanna couldn't help but feel a bit jealous sometimes being around them.

Hanna took in a deep breath and exhaled with a yawn.  "Is it because of Rob?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at Lyra after she asked the question.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

Of course Hanna had an answer for that. She always had answers. When they had been little and Lyra had been caught off guard or too scared to speak up, Hanna always had the answers. Always outspoken and mouthy (as some people called her), Lyra had always enjoyed the trait, but now she felt it was attacking her in some way. Put on the spot she wasn't sure what to even say to Hanna. Part of her did want to go out and tread the boards again. To go and kick some ass like she used to and she knew she could still do.

But then she thought of EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK and those thoughts shrunk considerably.

Rob would not want her out there, putting herself at risk. She knew that for certain. He wouldn't like the idea of her hanging around dodgy back alleys, or sleazy bars where undesirable people lurked. And yet.

"Maybe a bit because of him yeah..." On the other hand; it meant she could do so much more for Rob. She could buy him nice food. Or a nice holiday. Or maybe it meant she could be at home more and work at the bar less. She could spend more time with Rob. The idea of it all was pretty appealing. Hanna made it even more appealing as she thought over how maybe they could just go out tonight and feel it out. Not actually participate, but, just go out and have some fun. Some sort of girls night. It did sound sort of fun. She could feel the thrill duels used to give her beginning to creep back in. "Maybe it would be fun.." Lyra began, sort of hesitantly. Tilting her head to the side she thought it through a bit more. If they went to one in a bar somewhere, it wouldn't exactly be a lie to tell Rob they were going out to a bar, right?

[hanna horváth]

Hanna allowed her head to sink into the pillow, enjoying that there was a flicker of hope. "I promise we won't lie to him." she promised her solemnly. As impulsive as Hanna was, she was loyal to those she loved and cared about. The last thing wanted to do was ruin something amazing her sister-cousin had going for her. Especially when her said lover allowed her to lay her head under his roof in a desperate time of need without even knowing her. Hanna wasn't against fun, she was sneaky.

Now she was suddenly feeling more awake. Hanna always had a kink for getting her way. The blonde squealed, "Sooo...there's a chance." she sang giddily, hopping up to her feet on the lumpy sofa bed and doing a super uncoordinated happy dance over her. "It would be a fuckin' blast Ly!!" she exclaimed. It was a good thing Rob wasn't there for the outburst.

For a moment she almost forgot she was belligerently hungover....her stopped flipped and a sick feeling came over her so collapsed back onto the mattress. "I'm so excited I could puke!" she joked with a queasy groan, rolling the opposite direction from Lyra's face with a fit of giggles, just in case if the prophecy came true.

Lyra Horváth

[Lyra Horváth]

"I promise we won't lie to him."

Pushing her lips together again, Lyra listened to Hanna. She supposed they wouldn't really be lying to Rob, the thought of it unsettled her; they just wouldn't be telling the whole truth. That was a lot better, right? As she mulled over it, a small thought in the back of her mind crept in pointing out the ethics of that line of thought probaboly wasn't actually very sound; but then she never had been a very ethically good person. Not in the last few years anyway. EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK was slowly turning the tide on that again, but she still a long way off the golden person she once was.

"Maybe.." Quietly she mused. The more she lay in thought beside her golden haired cousin, the more she thought on things. It was true. Even if they just went to hang out and not actually duel, it would be pretty awesome. In her head Lyra was overthinking it by quite a bit. It wasn't as if anyone would force her to duel. In reality Hanna thought the fact she wouldn't duel was down to not wanting to upset Rob, the reality was a lot darker, but she wouldn't go into that just yet she supposed. Hanna jiggling beside her on the lumpy sofa bed, caused her to bounce up and down, pulling her out of those thoughts.

The talk of puke, made Lyra giggle quietly. Rolling her eyes she gave her cousin the side eye "I'd say it's more the hangover making you puke than the excitement but anyway, don't puke on the carpet please"

hanna horváth