[color=lightgray][center][img]https://i.postimg.cc/WbgLNZtJ/Tanner-Banners-Friday.gif[/img] [sub]A collab between [@Hedgehawk] & [@HaleyTheRandom][/sub][/center] [indent][indent][indent][indent] It was a pretty safe bet to say that September was turning out to be a terrible month for Carlisle Aston. From curses, to rejection, Werewolves, to being disowned by his mother. It seemed that Carlisle couldn't actually catch a win anymore. He was fairly certain he had lost the respect of the entire coven. He had fallen for a trick and as a result people in the coven got hurt because of him. His mother had made that perfectly clear. He had spent the past two nights in the Coven household. After his mothers outburst, he hadn’t left the household at all. He was still technically recovering. He had finally gathered enough energy to put up a new barrier around Tanner, it was only temporary, and was better than nothing. He had been meaning to speak to Lilith about giving him a hand with the barrier. But the thought of having to call her scared him. He had to get out of the household however, there was no way he could stay here. Firstly, sharing a house with Hayden was driving him crazy. She was quite the territorial female, and the fact she was hurting, made her even more explosive. He couldn’t deal with it. Plus he was doing so much extra work, it was kind of sad. He actually finished all of the hellish Guild Paperwork with regards to the dead Magi they found in the Tanner Forest. He needed an escape. Somewhere. Anywhere. And that was how he found himself outside the gate to the Montgomery ranch. He didn’t even remember how he got here. His brain went on autopilot. He didn’t even drive. He walked the entire route. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what time of day it was. All he could say was the dark clouds loomed in the air, disguising the temporary barrier protecting the town. Not that Lilith would need to see it to know it was there. He could almost hear Cordelia mocking him on his shoulder. [i]”This is a mistake. Turn back”[/i] His brain fired off to him. Of course it was a mistake. This was almost suicide. In his hour of need, He came back to Lilith. The one person who had enough of him. The last person who would help him. So why could he not stop walking down the long driveway to the ranch house? This was the longest he had ever spent not speaking to Lilith. They had at least texted every single day at the bare minimum. He hadn’t actually spoken to anyone really. Walking up the dirt path, Carlisle kept his head down. He didn’t want to focus on his destination. Acknowledging where he was going just made him feel a deep sense of shame. Finally arriving at the destination, He knocked on the door, not wasting any time to try and have second thoughts. There he stood, still wearing the clothes from the party, small speckles of dried blood on his shirt. This was it. Lilith had taken the last few days to avoid Miles - per usual. While they had exchanged a few messages (mostly memes) she had avoided his questions about meeting up or anything in regards to Sunday dinner. He hadn’t questioned it so far, but Lilith knew that she couldn’t keep this charade up forever. Aside from avoiding the largest elephant in her subconscious, the young woman had taken over most managerial duties of the family ranch. John’s health seemed to be doing okay so far, but Lilith refused to let any extra stress be added to his life, despite the old man's protests that he could still outwork any of the ranch hands. John Montgomery was right - he was a strong man, and it was a challenge for his granddaughter to still see him as such. Between watching the news, cooking dinner and sharing whiskey - they had argued. A lot. In the quiet moments when her and her grandfather's spirits refused to agree, Lilith had thought about Carlisle. The scene of her slinging the tequila bottle had replayed over and over in her head - one of the few things she [i]actually[/i] remembered about the night of the party. She still cared for him deeply - how could she not? He had been her best friend for years, and they had gone through countless trials together. Over all, Carlisle had been a fairly decent friend aside from getting himself into trouble and freaking out over Miles. Deep down, Lilith worried that she had over reacted, and nearly even convinced herself that she had done so - but she still believed that Carlisle needed to learn how to solve his own problems. She had spent countless hours worried about him, but she knew that she had to dial back on her own hero complex as well. Deep down, she knew that they could be friends again one day, but Carlisle needed to mature. Standing there that night, Lilith was cooking dinner as John cleaned one of his various guns at the dining room table. She had put her ‘old country’ playlist on shuffle, allowing them both to vibe in each other's space in near silence. Bending down to pull the baked chicken out of the oven, Lilith crossed the kitchen and entered the dining room to place the entree on the dinner table. Setting the baking dish atop the pot holders, Lilith turned to see her grandfathers eyebrows narrowed in curiosity. [color=8493ca]”Why’d you make so much for just the two of us,”[/color] he questioned. [color=00FFFC]”You’ll see,”[/color] Lilith responded. As if on cue, a knock came from the front door. Making her way over, Lilith opened the door to find a disheveled looking Carlisle. His clothes were filthy, his hair still stuck to his head with blood, and they bags under his eyes could have given Liliths a run for their money. Before she even had time to respond, John called out from the living room. [color=8493ca]”Who is it?”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”Carlisle,”[/color] Lilith yelled back, her voice emotionless while she never broke eye contact with the boy. [color=8493ca]”Well, let him in,”[/color] John insisted. Lilith could hear the smirk in his voice. With a sigh, Lilith opened the door further, walking away and back into the kitchen to stir the pasta to keep it from burning. Carlisle watched as the door opened and Lilith stared back at him. The fact there was no emotion in her voice was unsettling to Carlisle. It was great that there was no angry emotions, but the fact was, there was no good emotions there either. This was a mistake. But there was no backing out now. As Lilith walked away and left the door open, Carlisle followed suit. For a moment he stood there, kind of confused and both stunned as to what to do. Eventually he snapped back to reality and closed the door behind him. With a soft sigh he began to follow Lilith into the kitchen. He decided to stay quiet for the moment. He knew that opening his mouth was likely to trigger something in Lilith. She had almost snapped when Carlisle had forgotten to close the door for those few brief moments. Thankfully he had managed to save himself without being told to do so. Listening to his footsteps falling on the hardwood floors, Lilith stared intently at the boiling water in the metal pot before her. Taking extra time to stir the noodles, she huffed before breaking the silence. [color=00FFFC]”So speak the fuck up,”[/color] Lilith nearly shouted. [color=00FFFC]”Why have you shown up on my doorstep like a lost puppy,”[/color] she questioned. [color=8493ca]”[i]My[/i] doorstep,”[/color] John quipped, taking the time to turn his attention to the drama unfolding in front of him. Lilith took a brief moment to look over her shoulder, glaring at her grandfather. While Lilith couldn't see it as the mention of the word 'Fuck' Carlisle froze for a moment. It was clear from his body language he was scared. He didn't want to speak because he knew exactly what was about to happen. He coughed lightly and poked at his collar before taking a deep breath and finally speaking up. [color=FFFF00]"I need your help"[/color] He said, letting the words hang in the air. Moving the pot from the stove to the sink, Lilith turned off the burner before beginning to drain the water from the pasta. She was doing the best that she could to remain busy, and to make sure that her gaze never met Carlisle’s. When he finally spoke, Lilith let his words hang in the air for a few moments, pondering on how to respond. She could tell that John's overall mood was curious, whereas Carlisle’s overall energy was sporadic. [color=00FFFC]”My help,”[/color] she mused, now beginning to add herbs and spices to the bowl in front of her. [color=00FFFC]”I swear to the fucking gods… It’s not even been a full three days yet, and here you are - once again! [i]’I need your help’[/i]”[/color] she mocked him, making air quotes with her hands as she did so. Beginning to stir the pasta with way more force than was required, Lilith scoffed. [color=00FFFC]”What the [i]fuck[/i] did I tell you about asking me for [i]help[/i],”[/color] she snapped, throwing the wooden spoon on the counter before turning to glare daggers at Carlisle. As she spoke, Carlisle began to retreat backwards a couple of steps. Doing his best to not hit anything, or make a smooch noise as possible. Upon hearing the sudden clash of wood on wood, Carlisle let out a small yelp and jumped back, pushing his hand forward into the counterspell position, letting out short sharp breaths. Not that he actually had the energy to be able to do anything if he wanted to. [color=FFFF00]”I know. I … know. You told me not to bother you. Not to ask for Help anymore. But this isn’t something petty!”[/color] Carlisle lowered his head, trying not to make eye contact with Lilith after he finished speaking. He could almost feel the glare penetrating his skull. While Carlisle coward and moved backwards, Lilith crossed the room again to place the food on the table once more. She hadn’t intended to close the space between them, but standing at the dining room table had put her closer to Carlisle than she would have liked. John took the opportunity while the pair was distracted to put his gun back into the cabinet before returning to his place at the head of the table. Keeping a close eye on his granddaughter, the old man began to fix his plate, knowing that Lilith probably wasn’t going to be sitting down anytime soon. Standing there with a hand on the back of one of the wooden chairs, Lilith raised a single brow as she turned her attention back to Carlisle. [color=00FFFC]”’Nothing petty?’ [i]Everything[/i] is petty with you, Carlisle Aston,”[/color] she yelled, throwing her hands up in frustration. [color=8493ca]”Lilith,”[/color] John grumbled. [color=8493ca]”Don’t you think you’re taking things too far? Let the boy speak for cryin’ out loud.”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”Absolutely I am not,”[/color] Lilith stated defensively. [color=00FFFC]”He wants to act like a child, ignore my visions, interject himself where he isn’t needed - [i]nor wanted[/i] - thinks he has a say so in who I do and don’t get to date, and they cherry on top if it all? The amount of absolute disrespect he has shown.”[/color] [color=8493ca]”Now I can understand why you’re frustrated, but Carlton there looks like he’s been through hell and back.”[/color] Jaw clenched, Lilith looked back and forth between the two men. [color=00FFFC]”Good,”[/color] she retorted. As silence filled the room once again, she sighed. [color=00FFFC]”Well, what is it then,”[/color] she questioned Carlisle. Carlisle was certainly taken aback at the comments that Lilith was throwing out. If an outsider was listening in, you would think the duo weren’t even friends at any point in their lives. Carlisle tried to speak, but croaked his voice. He nervously coughed before then trying again. [color=FFFF00]”Look, I am really sorry about the whole ignoring the vision thing. I should have known better. You haven’t been wrong in the past. And if I had listened to you, then the Coven wouldn’t have been attacked and people wouldn’t have gotten hurt. I don’t care about the damage I have taken, I deserved that. But I have to live with the guilt of the pain that I ended up causing to others…. Emotional and physical”[/color] He looked and spoke with a nervous sincerity. If Lilith was ever going to use her powers to probe Carlisle and see what he was truly thinking; then he was being earnest. Fear was his biggest and most dominant emotion currently. [color=FFFF00]”As for how I acted about you rejecting me. Yeah I was a jerk. I was upset. I guess I have never truly felt rejection before. I didn’t know how to process it. I was an ass. A stupid fucking doucebag. But hey… you got your own back with that tequila bottle throw”[/color] He said with a nervous laugh, trying to break the ice a little [color=FFFF00]”You can date who you want to date. I was just upset that it wasn't me. But I am happy that at least it is Miles. He is a good kid. College helped him grow up alot. Kinda”[/color] He would finally lower his hand, feeling safe to do so. [color=8493ca]”Throwing tequila bottles,”[/color] John questioned. Lilith rolled her eyes, taking a seat beside her grandfather. [color=00FFFC]”Long story.”[/color] Listening to Carlisle's words, she wasn’t going to praise him for a half-assed apology. In all honesty, she wasn’t quite sure how to respond. [color=8493ca]”Well I’d like to hear it sometime,”[/color] he laughed. Pursing her lips, Lilith reached for the bottle of whiskey on the table. [color=00FFFC]”You still haven’t answered my question,”[/color] she responded to Carlisle. [color=00FFFC]”Why are you here?”[/color] Lilith asked once more, her tone acidic. Carlisle was going to tell the story, but decided not to. He had been trying to avoid actually asking the question. However Lilith was starting to become insistent. Carlisle let out a deep sigh. [color=FFFF00]"Well. I kinda need both of yours help. I don't know how to say this, so I will try and be as direct as I can. I am not sure how much you have heard about the last couple of days. After the party. Well, my mother came to the household and basically began attacking me. I won't go into the details, but Mary managed to get me away from her. The upshot of it is, I have been disowned. I am no longer an Aston. And now my mother is going to try and make sure I don't become the permanent Coven leader"[/color] Carlisle had still dodged the actual question. He still needed time to gain the bravery to ask. Listening to Carlisle speak, Lilith focused on the whiskey burning down her throat. The warmth of it seemed to pool in her chest, adding to the fiery anger that was already brewing there. As she sat there, Lilith tried her best to put his words together, trying to see how any of this - once again - was her problem. [color=8493ca]”So you want us to vote for you or something,”[/color] John questioned him. [color=FFFF00]"Well that would be nice. But no. That's not it. I kinda need a place to stay."[/color] He rubbed the back of his head. At Carlisle’s request, Lilith choked on her drink. [color=00FFFC]”You want to move in with us,”[/color] she responded incredulously. [color=00FFFC]”After all of this, you really walk in here seeking solitude? Are you insane?!”[/color] [color=8493ca]”Now Li-”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”No,”[/color] she protested. [color=00FFFC]”Absolutely fucking not. I’m not going to have this fucker living across the hall from me, making puppy dog eyes every morning, begging for forgiveness. He has nothing to offer us, the ranch, or anyone else.”[/color] [color=8493ca]”Well that’s a bit harsh,”[/color] John retorted, now taking a drink himself. [color=00FFFC]”Like I give a good goddamn! He wants me to solve another one of his problems, and somehow I’m the bad guy again?”[/color] It went exactly how Carlisle had thought it would do. Lilith was adamant. This wasn't going to work. Carlisle took another step back. [color=FFFF00]"No, No. Lilith is right. I am intruding. I shouldn't have even come here, I will just stay back at the Coven household. I just couldn't stand trying to cook on my own and look after myself" [/color] [color=00FFFC]”So you not only expect us to provide a roof over your head, but you want us to look after you as if you’re a toddler?”[/color] Lilith shrieked. [color=8493ca]”Lilith Jade Montgomery,”[/color] John spoke, raising his voice. [color=8493ca]”If you don’t shut up and act like you have the sense I raised you with, so help me -”[/color] Knocking back the rest of her drink, Lilith now returned her grandfather's glare as he spoke to Carlisle. [color=8493ca]”Carlton,”[/color] he began, keeping his tone as calm as he could. [color=8493ca]”You can stay here.”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”Oh, [i]what the fuck,”[/i][/color] Lilith cried out. [color=00FFFC]”You’ve gotta be shittin’ me, right? [i]Right?![/i] Tell me you’re joking, gramps.”[/color] Clearly frustrated with his granddaughter, John poured himself another drink. [color=8493ca]”The Ranch has been a secondary safety location for Coven members since the founding of Tanner. We have responsibilities to uphold, and childish games can’t get in the way of that.”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”To hell with you both then,”[/color] Lilith retorted, nearly snatching the bottle of alcohol from John. [color=FFFF00]"I will gladly help in the ranch and do whatever it is you want me to do"[/color] Carlisle said as he held his hands together in a thankful motion. He knew that Lilith was going to be furious. [color=FFFF00]"Only if you are sure though. I can easily go ask Serena and her family. That's no bother. I don't want to cause friction between you considering your condition"[/color] Carlisle commented. LIlith couldn’t help but to laugh at Carlisle’s words. The scene of him begging Serena for help with anything was comical - and then he wanted to talk about her grandfathers ‘condition’. At this point she had to laugh to keep from hitting him. [color=00FFFC]”Cut the shit dude,”[/color] was all she could manage to say before John glared her way. [color=8493ca]”I’m not sure that it’s the best option for you, given the circumstances,”[/color] the old man grumbled. [color=8493ca]”But it’s better than having you on the streets, I guess.”[/color] Shrugging her shoulders, Lilith was sure to get her two cents in once more before taking another drink. [color=00FFFC]”The streets build character.”[/color] [color=8493ca]”So does waking up at the asscrack of dawn to shovel horse shit out of stalls,”[/color] John snapped back, tossing his fork on the plate out of anger. [color=8493ca]”Does that [i]please you[/i] your highness?”[/color] [color=00FFFC]”It’s a start,”[/color] Lilith quipped in return, now filling her grandfather's glass for him. As their eyes met, the stubborn, frustrated, and mischievous glimmer that John saw in his granddaughter's eyes made him sigh. He knew he was fighting a losing battle. [color=8493ca]”Come sit down, Charlie,”[/color] he requested. Carlisle was far too parts equal and grateful to start correcting Grandpa John over his name. Right now he knew that for some reason the male was on his side, and normally it was the other way round. He wasn't about to sabotage it. He carefully sat down on the chair, looking around for a moment. [color=FFFF00]"I wouldn't survive in the streets. The coven house was far too big and lonely to be in all the time on my own. Plus I couldn't stop working. Got a lot of paperwork done at least"[/color] He was once again back with the nervous laugh. As Carlisle sat down across from her, Lilith couldn’t seem to shake the disgusted expression that now seemed stuck on her face. She wanted to make another smart remark in regards to his small talk, but she chose to drink some more instead before speaking. [color=00FFFC]”You stink,”[/color] she stated simply. [color=00FFFC]”And I don’t just mean your personality - you literally smell.”[/color] Carlisle couldn't really defend himself on that one. He hadn't changed his clothes in three days, and had spent most of his time either cleaning up the household after the party or sleeping to try and recover. [color=FFFF00]"Yes, sorry about that. I have kinda been preoccupied with trying to recover and fix the barrier and all the other shit to worry about selfcare right now" [/color] Looking him up and down, Lilith’s eyes eventually rested on her grandfather. Standing up from her chair, the young woman silently fixed her dinner plate and poured herself another glass of whiskey. Disconnecting her phone from the sound system, Lilith cleared her throat before speaking. Food in one hand, drink in the other, she stood there for a brief moment, her lips pursed as she thought of what to say. [color=00FFFC]”I can’t deal with this,”[/color] she said, her tone the softest it had been all evening. While speaking, she kept her gaze locked on grandfathers. [color=00FFFC]”If you want to take in strays, then you can take care of them. I’ll be in my room for the remainder of the evening in case you need me.”[/color] Carlisle sighed and bowed his head as he heard Lilith's remarks. The bridge was still very much burnt. He waited a moment until Lilith was out of earshot. [color=FFFF00]"I am so sorry for putting you both through this. I didn't expect my mother to act the way she did. I know the past few days have been rough, and I haven't exactly been a good man. But I want to fix all that. Lilith means alot to me. Heck means the world to me, and while yes, I am upset and salty. I don't want to lose it all. She is worth fighting for and keeping in my life. Plus, she has kick ass powers"[/color] Carlisle spoke, a slightly goofy grin plastered to his face. When Carlisle had finally finished speaking, John huffed. [color=8493ca]”You aren’t putting me through anything, except making me uphold family traditions - which really ain’t an issue.”[/color] Continuing to eat, the older man took a moment to decide on what to say next. [color=8493ca]”Find it really ignorant that you’re pissed off at her for not returning your feelings though. She loves you - just not in that way. And I’m pretty sure it’s killing her to have to act like she doesn’t.”[/color] Hearing John's words, Carlisle felt like a proverbial knife had gone through his heart. He swallowed hard before continuing. [color=FFFF00]"I know. Trust me. I know. I was completely out of line and deserved that bottle to the back of the head. I wasn't thinking right. I really hope you are right though. I miss the old Lilith. I want to go back to being a good friend to her. But after I was resurrected, she started talking like I had been a deadweight to her for a long time. So I am not even sure if she wants to carry on liking me"[/color] Saying it out loud only helped it set in once more in his mind. Had he been a burden to her forever? [color=8493ca]”Only she can answer all that,”[/color] John responded, briefly pointing at the food in front of him with his fork. [color=8493ca]”Help yourself. She made some for you too, after all.”[/color] Carlisle was about to brush off everything he had just heard until John mentioned the last few words. [i]She made some for you too[/i]. Carlisle took a breath as he hesitated for a second but eventually took a plate and began to plate up some food. [color=FFFF00]"I should have known Lilith would have seen this coming. I wonder if she saw the argument me and mother had? Well. Not really an argument. She just kept berating me. Mary had to step in and shoo her away."[/color] Carlisle dropped his head somewhat, dejected, as thoughts of his mother's words rang in his head. John shrugged his shoulders. [color=8493ca]”More questions for her. I’m not a mind reader, kid.”[/color] [color=FFFF00]"I know. I will be back in a moment"[/color] With a shuffle, Carlisle got up and began to walk in the direction that Lilith had walked away too. On the way he stopped by a mirror, and took a moment to adjust his hair, and try and wipe away some of the fatigue that covered his face. Once he was as confident as he was ever going to be, Carlisle made his way over to Lilith's room. Staring at the door for a moment before gently knocking on it. [color=FFFF00]"Lil? It's me"[/color] Lilith had thought that she was going to be safe in her bedroom - she had thought wrong. The young woman had had just enough time to lock the door behind her and flop down on her bed before she heard the knock. With a groan and a roll of her eyes, Lilith did the best that she could to glare at Carlisle through the door. [color=00FFFC]”Go away,”[/color] she called back. [color=FFFF00]"Look, I won't take a minute, and you don't even have to answer the door or even speak back"[/color] Carlisle took a minute. The silence became somewhat awkward, but he knew he had to take his time and get these words right. He owed it to Lilith and to himself to get this right. [color=FFFF00]"Okay, so. I just want to say that I have valued all of our time together. Not just this summer, but everything. When I returned from college early with my tail between my leg, you didn't have to talk to me. You could have just kept living your life. But you did. And I am really grateful for that. I know there have been times where it always seems that you solve my problems for me. I guess that might be a part of being a diviner. But I never intended to lean on you, or take advantage of your abilities. I came to you because I could trust you. And if there was ever a chance to return the favor, I would have. It's just the chance never really came. This week has been a massive shitshow. I am not proud of what I did. I just don't want us to end this. That's my biggest fear. I don't want to lose my Best friend and also my only other friend as well. Not over something like this. There I said my piece, I will leave you alone"[/color] Carlisle rubbed his hair and began to turn on his heels. He wasn't exactly sure whether what he had just said actually helped. But he had to believe in it nonetheless. Part of Lilith was proud of Carlisle for trying to apologize, the other half just desperately wanted him to shut up. He could have apologized a thousand times over, and she still wouldn't really have anything to say. Lilith would never believe him unless he actually showed her how sorry he was or wasn’t. [color=00FFFC]”Be up at five,”[/color] she grumbled. [color=00FFFC]”We have shit to shovel.”[/color] That was the best she could do for the time being. If he was honestly expecting everything to be fine after that, than he was dumber than she originally ever thought. [color=FFFF00]"Alright…"[/color] Carlisle responded as he retreated from the bedroom door. Perhaps it wasn't a good enough apology. But he wasn't going to push it. She had her powers, she could probe his emotions whenever she fancied it, so he knew there was no use hiding things. As he went back to the dining room and sat down he let out a soft sigh. [color=FFFF00]"Well, I said my bit. I don't know if I helped or made it worse. But it looks like she is going to make me shovel actual shit"[/color] [color=8493ca]”As she should,”[/color] John replied with a chuckle. [color=8493ca]”Did you honestly think she wasn’t going to make you suffer just a little?”[/color] [color=FFFF00]"I get the impression that she is going to make me suffer a bit more than a lot. But hopefully she will forgive me."[/color] Carlisle began to eat his food. [color=FFFF00]"Question: Was my mother always such a nasty person? Mary seems to think that she made quite a few mistakes as Coven leader and that she might not have been as great as she told me"[/color] [color=8493ca]”Aston women have always been a pain in the ass, but your mother - that woman’s outdone them all. Arrogant. Self-centered. Power hungry.”[/color] Raising his glass to his lips once more, John took a large drink before he continued to speak. [color=8493ca]”Amanda has blatantly ignored other Council Members, harmed Coven members. It’s part of the reason I took a back seat on so many things for so many years. Just wound up teaching y’all. Got tired of always arguing with her.”[/color] Hearing how John described his mother, made Carlisle wince. He had not heard any of this before. [color=FFFF00]"Well, I knew she could be demanding. She was obsessed with me being a witch. It was bordering insanity. I never understood her obsession with me being a witch"[/color] Carlisle would take a bite before nervously smiling. [color=8493ca]”Was?”[/color] John questioned, overhearing that the evening news was ending. Standing up from the table, he grabbed his empty plate and walked it over to the sink. [color=8493ca]”If you’ll excuse me, Wheel of Fortune is coming on, and well - I don’t want to miss my show. You’re more than welcome to join us, but I’d sit on the far side of the living room if I was you.”[/color] Crossing the room, he shouted [color=8493ca]”Lilith, show time!”[/color] before sitting in his favorite chair. [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [/color]