The offer for Ben to stay was expected but still encouraging — the fact that it extended to Melody was unexpected, to say the least. He couldn't imagine any scenario in which the pair of them would need to take Aldous up on the offer — but perhaps that wasn't what Aldous had meant. Ben had just said Melody couldn't be trusted alone; maybe the offer was more in the vein of using the Crouch home in Bartonburg as a secure place to inter her temporarily if they reached the point where they could not stand to be in the same house anymore, but Ben didn't think it safe to leave. It was not support he hoped to draw on in the coming months, if that was what Aldous had meant, but... well, he supposed it was vaguely encouraging that Aldous was willing to offer, all the same. His brother was there for him, even when the situation was delicate and uncomfortable and the ways in which he might show his support were unconventional at best.

"Thank you," he said, his voice sincere yet hesitant. "At the moment I'd most like to go back to Irvingly."

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   Cassius Lestrange

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MJ made this <3

Of course. Aldous didn't quite understand, but he did appreciate his brother's position.

"In the morning, perhaps?" he suggested hopefully. If Ben were rested, he would be more ready to do battle. "Cook has undoubtedly prepared for three dinners, and it does not do to vex the woman who prepares your food."

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

"In the morning," he agreed, managing half a smile (but no chuckle) in response to Aldous' attempt at levity. The morning would give him time to write and tell Melody to expect him, anyway, which meant he'd know more precisely when to start panicking if she didn't return in a timely fashion.

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   Clementine Greengrass

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MJ made this <3