the great escape | brigh

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Even Addy would agree that there was never a better use for Transfiguration than turning uncomfortable (but pretty) heels into flats or something more comfortable. Her feet hurt, and she hoped her few minutes in Jack’s bathroom to make herself somewhat presentable had done something. Her hair was up in a ponytail, hopefully hiding its messy state. Merlin, she was tired. The hangover potion had helped, among other things, to clear her head. She blushed at the thought as she stepped outside and willed her mind to visualize the room she was sharing with the girls.

Apparating after a night of drinking was never the best idea. Her stomach felt like it had been flipped upside down, and she braced herself against the nearest wall for a moment. When she was sure her stomach was mainly settled, Addy slowly opened the door to the shared room. If she was lucky, the girls might still be asleep, or maybe they’d gone out for breakfast. Either way, Addy just craved a few minutes alone to gather herself and process everything. It was enough. She was still sorting through the previous night, but there was this morning. Again, she felt the heat in her face, and she felt annoyed that merely thinking about it made the heat rise within her.

So, with a breath, she opened the door, peeking inside. She didn’t hear anything, so she walked in and lightly closed the door behind her. But as Addy kicked off her shoes, they returned to their natural form, and the door to the bathroom swung open loudly. Addy shouldn’t have been so surprised, but the look on her face said otherwise. ”Brígh—I—erm. Where’s Ivanka?” She looked around and saw their third was nowhere to be found.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh had slunk back to the shared room well after midnight to find Ivanka curled up, sleeping soundly and the bed shared between Brígh and Addy untouched. Though her hair dripped steadily onto the tiled floor, Brígh grinned devilishly. Though she'd been the one to turn down the Clark boy, it seemed Addy hadn't had the same strength. She had forgotten about their little deal until that very moment as well - but Brígh was just happy that Addy was getting over Cheese by getting under someone else. She wanted their usual friendship dynamic to go back to normal.After a quick shower, Brígh magically dried her hair and slipped into the luxurious bed, drifting off to a pleasant sleep filled with meadows and seas, hazel eyes and brown.

Ivanka had risen before Brígh the next morning and whispered that she was off to get some breakfast. Brígh groaned, unable to force her limbs to move. Her head throbbed. What had she been thinking last night? And she'd almost gotten off with Malcolm Clark? Her stomach lurched and Brígh forced herself out of the bed to dry heave over the toilet. Nothing came out though, thankfully. She couldn't handle the sting of bile this early in the morning. She squinted at the clock that hung above the toilet - it was just about nine, which was too early by any standards. When Brígh was certain she wasn't going to actually vomit, she rose unsteadily, gripping the counter as she dug through Addy's things to procure the hangover potion she knew her friend had packed.

Brígh had just sunk a glass of the foul tasting potion and was washing out her mouth with water when she heard the door open. There was a moment of silence, and Brígh listened to the footsteps she knew so well. Her head was clearing already, and a shit eating grin was replacing the grimace. She threw open the door to the bathroom and looked triumphantly at a disheveled Addy Slate. "I win!" she crowed, throwing her arms around her best friend. "She's getting breakfast. I saw you dancing with the Clark boy, was it him?? Was it good? You're much later than I expected," said Brígh, the words flooding out of her all at once.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy had wanted at least a shower and maybe a short nap before doing this. But she knew better than to think she could ever stop hurricane Brígh. Plus, despite the hangover potion and, ahem, other natural remedies, her head still hurt a bit. Brígh immediately came over and threw her arm around Addy, who was now blushing. First, there was the fact that Brígh just knew without Addy having to say a word. And she knew it was on the Clark boys, and lastly, Addy didn’t like losing. ”…Yes.” Addy muttered, unable to look her friend in the eye for the moment.

With a sigh, Addy walked over to their shared bed, drinking water that had been left on the side table. And then she plopped onto the bed on her stomach, using a pillow to support her arms and head. She felt too tired to shower now, and Addy knew Brígh would have been waiting outside the bathroom door until the second she was done to hear all the little details. "I didn’t realize it was him until this morning.” Addy admitted, tempted to bury her face into this pillow permanently.

Though she wouldn’t have minded a hot bath. While Addy wasn’t nearly as fit as she had been a year ago as a school athlete, she had kept up with some exercise in her hectic schedule. Though one could probably count sneaking off to find a certain ex-boyfriend. She cringed and what had been on her mind first thing that morning. But now, she felt as though it was the morning after a particularly intense Quidditch practice or game. ”I meant to come back sooner. I hope you weren’t worried.”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh found it impossible to withhold a snicker of delight, a sound of pure smugness. She poked and prodded at Addy, asking how it had been. Of course, Brígh had recognised Jack once she knew his brother was on the prowl. Even Mal had pointed it out over the course of the night. It must have come as quite a shock to Mal to find that his brother had gotten laid where he hadn't. Colour rushed to Brígh's cheeks as the memories of last night swept through her. She stifled a groan, returning her focus to Addy. Addy, who was rather predictably, tight lipped about the whole adventure.

"Not a chance, Slater. You'll have to give me more than that," said Brígh, drifting to Ivanka's bed and tucking her legs under her as she sat, eagerly awaiting the details of Addy's evening. "You could do worse. I hear Jack Clark is headed for the ministry. Kind of shocking, considering all the shit he and Mal got up to in school," said Brígh thoughtfully. "Don't give a fuck about how late you were. Only that you had a good time. And by the look on your face you did..." Brígh trailed off, a cheshire cat grin on her lips. She had a feeling that Jack Clark wasn't mister right, but he was anyone but Cheese. She didn't bring up the third part of their friendship triangle, not now that Addy had seemingly fucked him out of her system. "You going to see him again tonight?" asked Brígh after a moment. Hopefully the brothers would have separated, but Brígh didn't think she would be so lucky. It would be awkward facing Mal again.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy wasn’t sure why she expected anything different. If Brígh had not tried to rip every little detail from Addy’s tight grasp, she would have been worried. It would have meant something happened, or she was depressed for some reason. Or worse, under some effect of a potion or the Imperius curse. Addy groaned slightly, letting her face sink into the pillow and behind her arms so only her eyes showed. But she didn’t know what Brígh meant. Her head shot up with disbelief on her face. ”What do you mean ‘the look on my face?’ Addy had carefully checked for any noticeable and physical marks that would have given away everything without a word, and there hadn’t been any—at least visible now.

The thought made her blush slightly. Merlin, maybe that was the dead giveaway. The fact that Addy could not think about Jack Clark or last night without blushing and then think about this morning made it worse. Was it shame? Perhaps a little. Or she didn’t want to admit that she still felt the flutters in her stomach. ”N—No.” She shook her head, realizing her mind had attempted to wander. With a sigh, Addy didn’t have the energy to dig in her feet as she usually did, plus saying it out loud made it feel like less of a very detailed dream. ”He’s quite charming…” She began, fidgeting as she usually did with these conversations. ”And last night was fun…” All four? Five times? She couldn’t quite remember, but it explained why she was so sore. ”…And so was this morning.” Addy avoided eye contact with Brígh for a moment he mind was still all over the place.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy flopped onto the bed they were meant to share and Brígh tucked herself into Ivanka's vacant bed, staring smugly at Addy. "What do I--" Brígh cut herself off, rubbing her face with her hands. "Honestly, Addy. You look like you've been thoroughly fucked. There's a glow about you that you only get from orgasms," said Brígh, spelling it out as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Addy's cheeks coloured and Brígh leaned forward, her hands on her knees. "You sure about that? Not ready for round two?" asked Brígh, her head tilting slightly as she grilled her friend.

Brígh crowed with triumph and collapsed back on the bed at Addy's admission. "AND THIS MORNING! Oh Addy, you sly dog. You sly, sexy, gorgeous thing!" she exclaimed with laughter. She sprung up from the bed, much more lively than she had been five minutes ago and tackled Addy. "I am so very proud of you, my student. You have learned well," said Brígh, planting a kiss on Addy's cheek. There was a pang of guilt that flashed through Brígh at that moment as she thought of Cheese - how he would be here if only these two hadn't gone and fucked everything up. But she pushed away the thought of their missing piece and focused on Addy instead. "How long are they staying? Mal didn't say. But I bet they will be here tonight. Would you go there again? I know you said no but..." There was a twinkle of mischief in her eye.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy wasn’t sure if she could blush anymore. Even her ears burned. Brígh would argue that she had nothing to be embarrassed about. What is a good night between two consenting adults, and she’d be right. But Addy never thought of herself as this type of girl. Some floozy, as her mother would have said. It wasn’t respectable. What would people say and think if they found out? She carried all that weight on her shoulders, which sometimes grew very heavy. For the first time in a while, Addy felt good. Despite her fatigue, she felt a sort of relaxation. Merlin, Brígh was right.

She was even glad for that morning. Addy couldn’t even answer. She had no words. How could such a thing be written on her face so clearly? Putting her face in her hands as Brígh jumped onto their shared bed, Addy groaned. ”I didn’t ask…” This was true. She was too busy with a stranger’s tongue down her throat to converse properly. Removing her hands, she paused before answering. Did she want to see Jack again? Addy’s mind wandered to every little detail. The way he looked at her, how he’d touched her. The way he commanded the situation, and yet Addy could do as she pleased as well.

But she shook the thought. The room was feeling a little warmer now. ”I don’t know, Brígh…” Addy reminded herself she didn’t do these kinds of things. Sleeping with a stranger, let alone the adventure she’d just let herself be taken on. ”I need a shower and sleep…and I’ll think about it.” Leaving the option to say no usually worked best, at least when Brígh didn’t interpret the maybe as a ‘yes’. ”What did you get up to last night?”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy's face went from scarlet to nearly puce. Brígh knew she should ease off the gas, but it was just so exciting to see Addy alive like this. Feeling something after months of nothing. Not even Chester or whatever that Ministry bloke's name was had done this to her. Brígh knew fanny flutters when she saw them. And Addy had exactly that. Brígh couldn't keep her distance any longer and launched herself at Addy, hugging her and kissing her sloppily on the cheek.

"It's a small city. Hell, it's a small island. I'm sure you'll bump into him again if you want to. Or he can easily be avoided, but... somehow I don't get the feeling that's what you want," she added with a smirk. "I'm really pleased for you, Addy," said Brígh, her tone shifting to one more serious. "I know it's tough. I know how hard you are on yourself. But sometimes, you just need to let yourself live." With a knowing smile, she shifted off the bed. She was considering having a second shower when Addy's question gave her pause.

It was Brígh's turn to blush now. "Oh, nothing much," said Brígh evasively. She wasn't sure why she was so ashamed of her actions. It's not like she had actually done anything other than tease Mal. But still... "I actually had a few drinks and a dance with Jack's brother. We work together, see..." said Brígh, cringing at how falsely calm her voice sounded. "Urgh, Addy. He's such a prick but he's so fucking sexy. And he tried it on with me and I was like no and then he tried again and I left and I'm wondering like why did I skinny dip with him and dance with him and I miss Aidan and this is supposed to be about you!" she exclaimed with a huff.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy braced herself for Brígh, though she hugged her friend back before simply laying on her back for a moment. She was only grateful for the small things, such as Ivanka not being present. She didn’t need an audience for the embarrassing amount of blushing she couldn’t control. With a sigh, Addy closed her eyes. ”I know…” And she opened her mouth to speak again but didn’t. What she felt was an indescribable whirlwind in her stomach. And here she thought those adventures in the Quidditch locker rooms had been thrilling. One did live and learn after all, though she had to admit that the secrecy of what she was doing with Cheese added to that fire.

But she didn’t want to talk about it anymore and instead asked Brígh about her night. But immediately, she noted her friend's tone. Her blue eyes followed the redhead as she left the bed. Though at the mention of Mal, Addy’s heart rate picked up a little. If that self-important jackass had done anything to Brígh, Addy was ready to march back over to Jack’s and deal with him. Brígh’s explanation came out in a flurry of words like a paragraph-long run-on sentence. ”Skinny dip—you skinny dipped with Mal?” Addy’s disbelief was clear. Addy moved so she could sit up on the edge of the bed.

But she was trying to reconcile where skinny dipping fell in the spectrum of things. Biting the inside of her cheek as she thought, Addy stood up and went to Brígh, who just seemed exasperated now. ”I don’t care how good-looking that oaf, maybe he’s…well, he’s Mal. He doesn’t care about anybody but himself.” Merlin the stories she used to hear in her early school days. Plus, he was downright annoying during practices at the time. Addy hugged Brígh. ”I know you miss Aidan.” And then she let go. ”Are you okay? Do I have to…maim him or anything?” She would happily knock him down a few pegs if needed.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy was surprisingly compliant with Brígh's deduction that she sometimes just had to live. To take a page out of Brígh's book. Sometimes, Brígh wondered what life would be like if she was more like Addy. A lot more serious, and with a lot less adventure. It was good they had each other. But then, Addy turned the conversation to Brígh's night, and though she started to deny anything interesting, the words spilled out of her, along with the guilt associated with her activities. After all, Addy had been honest with her.

Flopping dramatically back onto Ivanka's bed, Brígh threw an arm over her eyes. "I know! I know! I'm such an idiot!" she crowed to the ceiling. "We were dancing... then I got hot and wanted a swim and well, he followed but I also wanted him to and... ugh Addy!" She looked over at the blonde across from her. "I feel shitty and guilty. But I also stopped him before he could kiss me. And I know it's Mal! His stupid abs got into my head and scrambled everything," she replied with a frown.

With a sigh, Brígh curled into himself. "I know I shouldn't complain. I've got the best thing in my life, and I'm so afraid of screwing it up." She closed her eyes momentarily, picturing Aidan's jubilant grin, the brightness within him every time he spotted Brígh. "I've done enough damage to Mal, I think. With the blue balls," she added with a groan. "I think I need a walk. Do you want to come?" asked Brígh, looking over at Addy, her cheeks filled with colour.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

throw it away

forget yesterday

September 5, 2027
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

She was just too tired to argue. And Addy was loath to give up without a fight. The hangover and exhaustion had caught up. What was life if you didn’t pursue your goals and ambitions? It was a lot to think about, and Addy wondered why Brígh made it sound so simple. But they weren’t talking about Addy anymore, and she was still shocked at what she’d just heard. Skinny dipping. Merlin. Despite all Addy had done in the past twelve hours, somehow, this felt worse. And with Mal of all people.

Brígh explained briefly what had occurred, but nothing had happened physically between them. Addy let out a slow breath. It was a bit of a complex situation. The only analogy she could think of was if Cheese had skinny-dipped with a girl he was attracted to while they were still together. The thought made her stomach flip a few times. ”Merlin Brígh, I know you miss Aidan, but…” From her current spot on the matter, Addy couldn’t agree with what had happened. What would happen had Addy been in Brígh’s shoes and perhaps Jack in Mal’s? Well, reality had a way of not going to plan.


Addy shook her head. ”He deserves blue balls.” Addy would never understand the appeal to Mal. When you looked past the abs and that smile, there was merely pure arrogance. She would have loved to stay and get some sleep or have a bath, but a short walk wouldn’t hurt. But she also realized something was going on with Brigh and focusing on that took her mind off Cheese and Jack and all of that. ”Sure.” She smiled softly as she rolled off the bed.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh's face broke in dismay. "I know," she said again, much more softly than before. Her stomach twisted as she pictured Aidan, how much she missed him, how much he sparked her curiosity and her heart. She needed to walk - to get out in the sunshine and be active. "He does," Brígh agreed vehemently. Addy agreed to the walk and Brígh visibly relaxed. Within moments, the pair were ready to face the Greek sun, and the door was closing behind them with a snap.

[END BRIGH]