August 8th, 1895 — Brooks' Home

The leather-bound explanation he had never asked for was tucked into the breast pocket of one of his jackets, already abandoned. Mor knew Brooks well enough to be sure that he would read an unmarked book, and that once he had started, he would be unable to stop, even if it had very clearly come from her. There as no reason for her to wait around for him after, except that she wanted to, that she felt that he should be bound to her still, despite his impending nuptials.

Of course, Morrigan knew as well as anyone that there was still time for things to collapse. She had not yet decided if she wanted that to happen or not.

When he came home she was perched in candlelight on the desk in his office, reading one of his books on archaic Athenian magic. When she heard his footsteps in the hallway — his footsteps were the only ones she prepared for, but even now she remembered what the cadence of his walk sounded like — she looked up and into the open doorway. "You have to have been expecting me," Morrigan said, tone fond.

@"Daffodil Potts" Brooks Watson

  

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set by Bee

To say he'd been distracted and anxious all day, all week, would be a bit much, but Brooks could feel the nerves prickling across his skin. He wasn't sure why. Tomorrow would be different. There would be no surprises, no runaway brides, no mortifying embarrassment. Things with Effie were much more even, much more secure, they were undoubtedly on the same page about this.

And still he was riddled with doubt that would not quit.

He'd stayed late at work just to keep himself busy and it had worked for a while. Until somebody had reminded him he ought to go home and get a good night's sleep before tomorrow. Like that was going to happen. Maybe he ought to have a good strong drink and read until his eyes went blurry. Then he could catch a couple hours out of pure exhaustion. It wouldn't be the first time, he could handle it.

With that plan in mind, he dropped his bag by the door as he came in, intent on heading to his room to relax, when first a familiar figure, then voice interrupted his thoughts. "I had really hoped you might spare me, but here we are." He drolled on, unable to keep the frustration from his voice. He'd been hoping she wouldn't show up tonight, might give him this one kindness, especially after their... entanglement had stopped a few months back. He'd felt guilty, had worked himself up over it and when things had finally dissipated, he'd found himself relieved and therefore pleased that he might have some shred of human decency left in him. It was over and done and she needed to go.

"I really do not have the patience for you and you cannot continue showing up here anymore." Merlin there had to be a some boundaries. Brooks had half a mind to buy a new house somewhere else and hope she didn't find the address.

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He was annoyed with her, he wanted her out, all of this was predictable. Mor still would be surprised if he did not deign to fuck her tonight.

She turned a page of his book, as if she was still paying attention to the words on the page.

”If I stop showing up, do you think you’ll stop thinking of me?” she asked in a mild tone, like she was an innocent academic in their interactions. Certainly she was studying him.

  

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set by Bee

"God I hope so." Came the honest, blunt answer. Just because he'd been reckless and stupid in the past, did not mean he wanted to continue to do so, or even had room for it. Tomorrow he would be a married man, Effie deserved his full attention and effort and he couldn't do that well with Morrigan hanging over his shoulder all of the time like a shadow or a specter. This needed to stop. She had left him and she either liked to forget it or ignore it, but he couldn't. Brooks had somehow caught himself before he'd shattered completely and slowly built himself back into a good spot. He couldn't have her ruining it all again.

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Morrigan slid his book onto his shelf, where she'd originally gotten to it. When she turned back to him, her eyes were sad, and her lips were quirked up into a slight smile. "Then we should make the last time count," she said, "Right?"

(The notebook aside, she intended on making him come to her, next time. He had to choose it.)

  

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set by Bee

Her comment made his stomach turn a little bit. Mostly because he was a little disgusted with himself. He shouldn't even consider it, but a flash of their last few nights together crossed his mind and he would be lying if it did go straight to his groin. Brooks shook his head of the thoughts and at the notion of even entertaining it— and therefore at her. Better, he was trying to do better and this was not how he accomplished it. Effie deserved the best version of him possible and he couldn't go stepping out on his marriage the night before it started.

"Not this time." He stood resolutely in the doorway of his study, eyeing her dubiously. He'd leave the house if she wouldn't.

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He seemed resolute, in the doorway, with those shakes of his head. The smile stayed on her face. "You think you can exorcise me from your life," Morrigan said, in a detached tone, as if she were studying him. "You don't have it in you."

  

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set by Bee