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[sub]A [@Hedgehawk] & [@SouffleGIrl123] Collab[/sub][/center]

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On the driveway of the Coven household sat a black SUV. It was certainly out of place with its tinted windows. It certainly hadn't been here before. Sat in the driver's seat, the driver clasped the wheel with their hands. Thoughts were rushing through their heads as they couldn't decide whether or not this was the right thing to do. They had been away for so long. There was late, then there was fashionably late. And then there was… Whatever the hell this was. 25 years late? Their plan at the time, 25 years ago seemed sound. But now. Regrets had taken hold. Lives had changed, and they had finally discovered enough freedom to break from the shackles of their past and start building a life for themselves. 

Tanner was where they chose to be. It wasn't even up for debate. The second they were free, they dashed across the country to get here. It was the only place they knew; that they had a connection to. But that was so long ago. How do you fix this? With a sigh, the person left the SUV, closing the door behind them and taking a moment to adjust the black and brown trench coat that they had thrown over their waistcoat and shirt. 

Good to see the building hadn't really changed a bit. Walking towards the front door, with a steady, but nervous pace, they approached the front door. Did they knock? Or just barge in? Through the glass they could see some people inside. It felt awkward just standing. So the male entered. Footsteps echoed across the hallway as they did. Their feet, carrying longer down the hallways then perhaps they should have. After getting inside, they brushed their hands along the one side of their neck length hair, fixing the prudrenting fringe. Nerves eat away at them, as the male scanned the faces of the people looking back at him, seeing if one of them was one he could see some resemblance to from all those years ago. 

Mary had every intention to get back to Claire for their aforementioned drinks but more important things kept happening. As much as she would have loved to just distracted herself from what this day was bringing she knew that wasn’t fair to the people involved. After her chat with Miles she reentered the main hall but she got lost in the crowd flocking to hear Carlisle’s speech, and it was a good one indeed. At the end of it her eyes scoured the room once more trying to find her friend only to meet another set of eyes. A pair she hadn’t seen in a long time, a long time being a quarter of a century. Why him? Why now? He couldn’t have chosen a worse time to reappear. Hell, why even bother reappearing. 

Her eyes narrowed at the man. Although what she had learnt today lightened the anger she’d marked on him it didn’t change a lot of his wrongs. The fact he lied being one on the forefront. Mary wasn’t one for making scenes anymore, not usually. She left that behind in the recent year, attributing it to aging, but this day really seemed to bring out the rage in her it seemed and her son’s father wasn’t omitted from that rage. She stomped over to the man and delivered a sharp slap to his cheek. [color=fff79a]"Twenty-five years,”[/color] she spits through gritted teeth. She wasn’t going to call more attention to the situation than there already was. [color=fff79a]"Where the hell have you been, Johnathan Park? ‘Cept you might not remember that name ‘cus it ain’t yours, ain’t it?”[/color]

The male let out a soft grunt as he was slapped by the woman. It was so sudden. His eyes had lit up when he found her. She had aged gracefully it seemed. She looked as beautiful as she did then as she did now. Running his cheek for a second before finally speaking. [color=EE4B2B]"I should have seen that one coming"[/color] He replied with a deep sigh [color=EE4B2B]"Yes. My real name is Aloysius Leighton. I thought I had put that in my letter all those years ago. But honestly, it has been so long. I finally am free. And I came right here. I wanted to at least see you in person rather than sending letters and getting nothing back"[/color]

[color=fff79a]"What letters?”[/color] Mary asked curiously, her words still dripping with contempt. She’d never received letters. No, from the day the man just disappeared she hadn’t heard a single word from him. Not a peep. Honestly though, she wasn’t sure if she would have wanted a bar of it anyway. [color=fff79a]"Why are you here John- I mean Aloysius? Truthfully.”[/color]

Aloysius's heart sank as he heard that she had no knowledge of the letters that he had sent. [color=EE4B2B]"After everything kicked off and I had to leave, I couldn't bear to leave everything up in the air. So once I had settled down to my new reality I sent out a letter to you to explain what went on with Salem and Amanda, and who I was. I kept sending letters every year, asking how you were. I figured that since I got no reply you weren't interested."[/color] Aloysius's voice got softer as he continued to speak.

[color=EE4B2B]" I came here so that I could see you in person and see what was going on. There wasn't a single moment over the past twenty five years that I haven't stopped thinking about you"[/color]

Mary shook her head incredulously. Although part of her wanted to give the man grace that didn't change that pain of the past years. It didn't change how much she had to struggle to raise a son on her own or how much trouble he accidentally got himself into because neither of them knew his ancestry. That was probably what ticked Mary off the most. Al and her were together for 4 months or so and for 2 of them he knew she was pregnant yet he didn't dare tell a single word of his past.

At his final statement the woman scoffs. [color=fff79a]"And there was barely a day I barely thought of you but I got a feelin' those ain't the same emotions,"[/color] she snaps, folding her arms. She looks the man up and down. He seemed to have hardly aged yet definitely looked more burdened. Somehow even more defeated. [color=fff79a]"Salem and Amanda filled me in on your lil… predicament shall we say. I get you had no choice, don't get me wrong, I don't forgive you quite yet. I can't. Not after the past years, but I get it. But y'know what really gets me, Jo-Aloysius?"[/color] Calling the man by that name felt so foreign on her tongue. [color=fff79a]"You lied. I don't care about the fact you lied to Tanner but you kept it from me, even after you knew we were havin' a kid,"[/color]

Hearing the word Salem, Aloysius tensed. Visibly stressed. However he could see how Mary was hurt, and his need to try and comfort Mary was overriding his flight response. [color=EE4B2B]" I was young and stupid. I didn't know how to tell you and still keep you in my life. I had hoped to tell you before our child was born. I just hadn't figured it all out. I am sorry. I never intended to hurt you, or our child. I… I wanted a new start. To get away from my family and all the influences that pulled me in"[/color] Aloysius let out a soft sigh, his face flinching, possibly expecting another slap. 

Mary raised an entertained eyebrow at the man's flinch but didn't raise her hand. Instead, she gave the deepest of sighs. [color=fff79a]"Well, your insistence to separate yourself from your past has caused our boy to unknowingly put himself in a situation that could get the whole coven in trouble if Salem's in a bad enough mood."[/color] she snaps, looking the man in the eyes. She knew Al knew nothing about Miles, not even that she'd had a son but the formal introductions were thrown out the window now.

[color=EE4B2B]”Trouble? What kind of trouble is there with Salem?”[/color] Aloysius sounded panicked. Hearing the words ‘our boy’ filled him with happiness, but the mention of Salem was enough to cause him to throw all that away. He had just come back. He wasn't about to let Salem start messing things up in his life again. [color=EE4B2B]”What has gone on? How worried should I be?”[/color]

Mary hesitated a moment. It didn't feel right to fill Miles' absentee father in on information Miles likely didn't know yet himself. She shook her head. [color=fff79a]"It ain't your issue, Aloysius. As far as that kid is concerned you abandoned him before birth. Things like these ain't yours to know. Not from me at least."[/color]

Aloysius let out a frustrated sigh. [color=EE4B2B]”For the past twenty five years I have not been able to do anything to help and support the kid, or you, except for sending occasional letters with money in them, but it seemed as if they didn’t get here. I wonder where they went?”[/color] Aloysius rubbed the back of his head in confusion. [color=EE4B2B]”I fucked up. A lot. I have had a quarter of a century to dwell on the past and get beaten up by it. I am not asking for forgiveness, just a chance to try and right some of the wrongs and the damage I left behind. Salem be damned.”[/color]

Mary went silent for a moment. She hadn't gotten letters but she had received envelopes of money. She'd always assumed they were from her parents or the Montgomerys, the lack of return address making it clear it was someone who knew she hated taking charity. At his words she sighs. [color=fff79a]"I get it, but you can't just waltz back into our lives, hell just enter Miles' for the first time and just [i]expect[/i] everythin' to be normal. You gotta work for it, 'specially for him,"[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]"I don't expect to. I expect to get alot of abuse from people. I don't expect everyone to be able to understand what was going on all those years. But I just need you to know that I am not a bad person."[/color] He took the time to look into her eyes. [color=EE4B2B]" Your opinion of me means the most to me"[/color]

Mary returns his gaze with one of steel, scoffing at his words. [color=fff79a]"You're a war criminal, Aloysius Leighton."[/color] She shakes her head pitifully, looking at the ground for a moment as she thought through her words. The logical side of her screamed that all had been explained but her heart couldn’t just forget the pain. She then did something she should have 25 long years ago. 

[color=fff79a][I]Has Aloysius Leighton lied?[/i][/color] she asked her divination.

[i]No[/i] it sang. She looked back at him, a pained look in her face. [color=fff79a]"You need to understand, Aloysius. For you it might felt like you were at war awaiting to return home but to me you were the coward who run away and left me strugglin' alone with our son,"[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]"And that was never my intention. I never meant to leave you struggling. And please don't listen to Salem about me being a war criminal. That's very rich coming from her. I started a rebellion. I wasn't there to kill everyone or to harm anyone. I just wanted to switch who ran the Guild. I wouldn't have killed Salem if she surrendered."[/color] Aloysius ran his head through his hair, unsure of what more he could try to do to convince her [color=EE4B2B]" I am having to try really hard not to cry and get emotional over seeing you again. It was soul crushing to not be able to see you all these years"[/color] 

Mary couldn’t help the venomous laugh that escaped her lips. [color=fff79a]"Soul crushin', ey?"[/color] she muses, looking at the man. [color=fff79a]"Y'know what truly is soul crushin', Aloysius Leighton? Havin' your baby daddy skip town without a word. No explanation, not even a goodbye. Just, gone. Workin' yourself to the bone to live paycheck to paycheck, knowing you can't give your son the time or resources he needs. Havin' your best friend and her pa finding creative ways to force you to take money and food because it's that obvious you're strugglin'. Missin' birthdays, showcases and award ceremonies so you can support yourself and your kid. Knowin' you're not as present in his life as you should be,"[/color] as she spoke hot tears started to spill down the woman's face. This was agonizing, the memories as much as the words. She had tried her very best to be a good mother but she knew there were many shortcomings she couldn't help. [color=fff79a]"And then there's the realisin' your boy's magi. That you could never train him or equip him with what he needs to develop his skills or to face what you lot do. Or even just knowin' he never had a father. I had to teach him how to tie a tie and shave his face. He had support from Claire's and my pas but he never had a father!"[/color] In that moment Mary noticed her voice getting louder and louder. She sniffled as she rubbed the hot tears from her check with the back of her hand. Black streaks from her mascara had run off into them.  [color=fff79a]"THAT is soul crushin'. So you don't get to sit there and tell me missin' your girlfriend was hard because you left me here to pick up the pieces of your actions."[/color]] 

As she began to laugh and then speak, Aloysius' face turned to a hurt expression. Not hurt for him, but for her. Listening to her struggles just made that pit in his stomach grow bigger and bigger. It was difficult to hear about the consequences of his actions. More so when he didn't know what to do to fix any of it. He began to tear up at the side of his own eyes. As she tried to wipe off the hot tears, Aloysius would attempt to embrace her and rest her head on his chest. [color=EE4B2B]"The fact that the boy is still around, tells me that you did a good job despite the circumstances. I can't fix me leaving. All I can say is that if you aksed me what my biggest regret was in life, it was leaving you and not staying and fighting for you"[/color] 

As Aloysius attempts to embrace her Mary takes a step back, shoving him away.  [color=fff79a]"He's a good kid, no thanks to you. He's got his issues, sure but he's got a good heart,"[/color]

Aloysius bowed his head as he was pushed away. He was expecting it, but he had foolishly hoped that he might be able to help. [color=EE4B2B]”I am sure he is an amazing kid”[/color] hearing her jibe about ‘no thanks to you’ seemed to be the last straw that triggered a sharp tightening sensation in his chest. His breathing slowly got faster, even though he was doing his best to control it and disguise it. All the reminders of his failure were getting to him, and had triggered a panic attack. He avoided eye contact as he spoke once more [color=EE4B2B]”Look, if you think it is better for me to just exit and pretend I wasn’t here, I will. I don’t want to cause anymore hurt or stress for people.”[/color]

Mary sighed at his words. She wished she was naive enough to not know what the man in front of her was experiencing.  [color=fff79a]"I think you're workin' under the pretense I have this strong hatred for you or somethin' but to be honest with you I just don't care anymore. I'm sorry all this hurt for you but time has gone. 25 years of it. You do whatever. Just don't expect any sympathy from my son."[/color] Even if her words weren't, Mary's voice was less venomous. 

Aloysius wanted to say more. He wanted to ask about them, about the chances of the duo getting back together, even if it was really slowly. But right now, given the words that Mary spoke. There was no way that was going to happen. Time had moved on, and Al was stuck 25 years in the past. All those feelings he still had for her, she seemed to no longer have. [color=EE4B2B]”I naively thought that I might get a happy ending. Spending a long time wishing will do that to you. I guess in the end I have gotten what I deserve.”[/color]

 [color=fff79a]"25 years is a long time to expect someone to wait even if they expected to to return. What did you think would happen? I'd just wait for your return? Put my whole life on pause just awaitin' a man who just up and left? We ain't 24 no more."[/color] She folds her arms once more, scoffing at the thought of pining for someone for so long. Although it seemed to miss Al, time had moved on for Mary.

[color=EE4B2B]”In my brain it did. The last 25 years have felt as if time had not moved at all. Being under Salem’s thumb wasn’t really great for trying relationships or friends. So i guess I held onto the one thing that mattered to me at the start and never let go”[/color] Aloysius’ voice was low, soft, laced with sadness. His reality was in freefall and he really didn’t know how to move forward without annoying anyone.

Mary sighed at Aloysius' words, wishing she could feel a bit more bad for him than she actually did. [color=fff79a]"Start with your son, we'll go from there,"[/color] she says, nodding in the direction of Miles who stood between Carlisle and a young blonde woman Mary didn't recognise.

Aloysius looked over at the trio that Mary pointed out. He took a single step forward before looking over at Mary [color=EE4B2B]”You sure he isn’t going to kill me on sight? You wanna come?”[/color] Aloysius asked

Mary gave an amused chuckle at his statement. [color=fff79a]"You'll survive, if you're lucky at least,"[/color] she chuckles. [color=fff79a]"I 'spose someone's gotta stop you hooligans from causin' a ruckus. Lead the way, Aloysius,"[/color]

As Aloysius started to walk across he watched as the male that must have been Miles was walking away from the rest of the group. Aloysius would walk a little fast to cut him off before he could get too far. [color=EE4B2B]”Hey…. Son”[/color]

Miles was on the lookout for Lilith to be cut off by a man he, once again, did not recognise. Miles had only just noticed his mother trailing the man when he spoke up. [i]Son?[/i] His eyes flickered to his mother who gave an, almost solemn, small nod of the head. Miles had imagined this day many times. Often revisiting the speeches he’d say or actions he’d take from his childhood thoughts of pulling a flamethrower out of his pocket to him just walking away. There were a thousands of thoughts and ideas rushing to his head at once so her just grabbed the loudest thought. 

[i]punch[/i] it said. So punch he did, right on the older man’s left cheek. He couldn’t help but notice the rawness on the man’s other cheek. [color=DC143C]"And where the [i]hell[/i] have you been?”[/color] he growls.

[color=fff79a]"Miles!”[/color] Mary chastises her son as his fist collides with his father’s face. 

[color=DC143C]"Oh don’t act like you didn’t have a turn,”[/color] Miles snaps back, nodding at the man’s less raw cheek. 

Aloysius' head snapped to the side when the punch collided, nearly bowling him over. Clearly his son must have been working out at some point. [color=EE4B2B]"Fuck… NoNo, I deserve that"[/color] He coughed out as he straighted himself up. [color=EE4B2B]"Just please no more punches. I am no longer a 20 year old man. I can't exactly take it like I used to"[/color] He gave off a sad little chuckle, trying to lighten the mood a little bit and take some of the awkwardness out of the air. 

[color=DC143C]"You deserve more than that, [i]Aloysius[/i],”[/color] Miles spits, shaking his punching hand. [color=DC143C]"What gives you the audacity to just appear?”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]"Because I have just been let go. And after missing your mother for 25 years I wanted to come and make sure I explained everything. Plus, I wanted to see my child all grown up"[/color] Aloysius would speak softly and sincerely. He wanted to try and at least calm Miles down a bit. 

[color=DC143C]"I’m not your child,”[/color] Miles responds, taking a step away from the man. [color=DC143C]"I might have you DNA but that’s where it stops.”[/color] He looked the man up and down. [i]Nothing[/i]. He felt nothing. Despite all the anger and hatred part of him always hoped seeing his dad would give him clarity, a feeling he found a part of him missing but he’d felt absolutely nothing. Well, at least, nothing but that hatred and anger

Hearing Miles' words, Aloysius lowered his head, letting his hair hide his eyes, which were now starting to water at the edges as tears began to rise to the surface. Everything tonight was a tough challenge for Aloysius. He had many mistakes to atone for, but Miles was just shutting him down. [color=EE4B2B]"Alright, I get it. I will leave you alone to go back and do whatever it was you were doing"[/color] 

[color=DC143C]"Good, ‘cus it was kinda important,”[/color] Miles replies. He starts turning on his heel when he meets his mothers steely glare. He knew exactly what those eyes were saying. He shot her a look back. [i]What did you expect?[/i] she seemed to be able to read. The Prices had become experts in speaking through their body language and looks, it was almost a secret language. 

Eventually, after some back and forth, Mary sighs and nods. The boy instantly finishes his turn and walks off.

[color=fff79a]"Poor kid’s got a lot on his mind tonight. You couldn’t have come at a worse time,”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]" Maybe it is just fate giving me what I deserve"[/color] Aloysius said with a small sigh. It was a bit depressing to think like that. But he was right. Everyone he spoke to treated him like he was some sort of monster who had done terrible things.[color=EE4B2B]"I shouldn't have come. I should have just learnt to move on rather than wishfully thinking I could do something about it."[/color] 

Mary gave an exasperated sigh, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. [color=fff79a]"I don’t know what to tell you, Al. 25 years is a long time.”[/color] she nods toward Miles, [color=fff79a]"He wasn’t even born when ya left and now he’s the same age I was when we found out I was pregnant. Time did anythin’ but stop for us.”[/color] She took a sip of her champagne before looking the man over. [color=fff79a]"Why didn’t you just tell me the truth when you had the time? Knowing your past you shoulda known there was a chance this would happen.”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]"I honestly was scared. I didn't think it would blow up the way it did. I was running away from my past. And was scared about it catching up with me."[/color] Aloysius would look over at Mary and force a smile. [color=EE4B2B]"You were the best thing to happen to me. I didn't want my past to catch up with me and poison everything"[/color]

Mary returned a forced smile. [color=fff79a]"If you’re still around tomorrow stop by the unit. I have somethin’ I think you should see. It won’t be pleasant for ya, I’ll tell you that much, but I reckon it’s important,”[/color]

The fact that he wasn't being kicked out was something. Aloysius wasn't stupid. He could tell that Mary was forcing herself to be polite. [color=EE4B2B]"I can do that. Still the same place?" [/color] Aloysius asked before running his hand through his hair [color=EE4B2B]"Do you ever think the boy will accept me?"[/color] He asked, referring to Miles. 

[color=fff79a]"Yeah, same place,”[/color] Mary muses, taking another sip of her drink. [color=fff79a]"As for Miles? I couldn’t tell you. It’s gonna take a lot of work, I know that much. He might come around but honestly I wouldn’t blame him if he didn’t. It’s hard for a boy to be without a pa, there’s a lot of hurt there.”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]"If I had the ability to use Chronomancey I would use it and go and change everything. I just hope that he won't lock me out"[/color] Aloysius tried to smile through it. 

[color=fff79a]"Don’t count on it,”[/color] Mary mutters, her fingers toying with the foot of her wine glass. [color=fff79a]"You need to be okay with the possibility he might not want anything to do with you.”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]" I know that. I just don't know if I am emotionally ready for that. The whole world moved on and I stayed behind. If Salem had let me go earlier, maybe it would not have been so bad. Speaking of. I am surprised she hasn't sensed I am nearby. She was always quite canny about that."[/color] Aloysius let out a softer sigh, he certainly was out of his depth. 

Mary gave another sigh. She toyed with mentioning the woman was busy but decided against it. She didn’t think it was right for Al to know Miles’ most recent news before he did. [color=fff79a]"Well you better get hidin’ or whatever. I have a friend to meet and she might pummel you worse than Salem if she sees you.”[/color]

[color=EE4B2B]" I suspect most people will pummel me regardless of where I go. So to be honest, it makes no difference to me. I am going to get a drink though. Maybe Miles will change his mind later once he has had some time to think. Plus. I never got to go to the last handover ceremony, I have always wanted to go to one"[/color] With a small smile be turned on his heels [color=EE4B2B]"It is nice seeing you again Mary. I know you can't say the same, and that's fine. But for me, my life feels complete again"[/color] He would then finish turning around and walk into the crowd. [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]