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[sub][b]A collab between [@Sailorsadie] & [@Hedgehawk][/b]
[i]Featuring [color=lightblue]Willow[/color] & [color=00FFFF]Carlisle[/color][/i][/sub]
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Everything had been quiet in the town and with the Coven. Almost too quiet. Almost two weeks had passed since she’d seen Carlisle, and it weighed on Willow heavily. He hadn’t been in the best of moods nor had he been appropriate with her and Clara’s return. Finally getting a day off work, she decided to check up on him herself. For…Coven related reasons. Or so she told herself.

Driving up to the Coven house, she parked at the curb and got out of the car. She smoothed out her deep purple sundress and pushed her hair off her shoulders before heading up to the door. Walking up to the door, she took a deep breath and shook out her hands, finding herself incredibly nervous. Why should she be? This was work related. Magic related. This visit had no other reasoning behind it. So what if she stopped by her house just to dress up? Didn’t mean anything.

The young woman knocked once on the door before letting herself in. She raised a brow and glanced around the empty front entrance. [color=lightblue]”Hello? Anyone home?”[/color] Shutting the door behind her, Willow walked around the lower level and found no one. She could have sworn she saw a vehicle in the driveway. She eventually made her way up to the second floor before seeing a door cracked open. Peeking her head in, a smile immediately brightened her face as she saw the person she was looking for. [color=lightblue]”Carlisle?”[/color]

The room she opened the door to was the coven leaders office. It was quite a nice little space, certainly not pokey. But at the moment it was decidedly empty. Amanda had moved everything out, leaving empty shelves and cupboards. In their place were little post-it notes that Carlisle had scribbled on; giving suggestions as to what he might furnish these bare units with. The only place that wasn’t bare was the dark oak desk in the back end of the room. It was littered with paper and folders, and buried there was Carlisle, who raised his head upon hearing Willow call his name. [color=00FFFF]”Hey! Willow, come on in!”[/color]

Slowly opening the door the rest of the way, she looked around the room and blinked. Willow distinctly remembered this room having much more furniture and decor. Tilting her head in question, she looked back at Carlisle and took in a slow breath. He looked ragged. She cleared her throat and approached the desk. [color=lightblue]”Hey…I wanted to check in on you, since last time we spoke you weren’t feeling that great.”[/color] Willow rocked back slightly on her heels as she bit lightly down onto her bottom lip. [color=lightblue]”So…How are you?”[/color]

Carlisle slowly put down the pen he was using, and put a bookmark onto the documents he was filling out, before folding it shut and giving Willow his full attention. [color=00FFFF]”I am alright. I think. Getting hit by exhaustion twice in a single week certainly was an experience. One I don’t intend to replicate anytime soon”[/color] With a click of his tongue, Carlisle rested his shoulders on the desk. [color=00FFFF]”So what brought you to the coven randomly?”[/color] He asked, somewhat perplexed as to why she was here.

[color=lightblue]”Um.”[/color] She brought a hand up to play with the ends of her hair, a nervous trait for her. A small grin pulled at the corners of her lips as she studied the man. He looked better than he had, so at least that was something. Tilting her head at him, she shrugged. [color=lightblue]”Am I not allowed to check in on a friend?”[/color]

After how their previous engagement had gone, being called a friend was certainly a surprise. He was surprised he hadn’t had another glass bottle thrown at him. They seemed to be everywhere at the moment. Crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair he smiled. [color=00FFFF]”No, of course you are, I am just shocked anyone would be with what happened at the party. Though I suppose you didn’t get to experience it live.”[/color] He unfolded his arms and motioned for her to at the chair opposite the desk.

Quickly taking the invitation, Willow moved forward and swept her hands over the back of her dress before taking the seat. Her brows furrowed as she sat back against the seat, her legs crossing at the knee. She shook her head and let out a slow breath. She hadn’t quite been updated on all the happenings at the party, but she was still surprised to hear that nobody had bothered checking up on the man. [color=lightblue]”I hear that’s a good thing, actually. To not have been at the party.”[/color]

[color=00FFFF]"Yeah, I wish I hadn't of been there. Though to be honest, the reason it was a bad party was because of me. Things have changed a bit since then. I have moved out of the household. Couldn't stand being here 24/7"[/color] Carlisle unfolded his arms and watched as she sat down. 

She blinked at that information. Nobody was living at the Coven house? Willow was pretty certain that she’d never heard of the house being empty before. Must have been some party. Clearing her throat, she leaned forward slightly, her elbows on her knees. [color=lightblue]”Do you want to talk about any of it? I’m all ears. Always.”[/color] She gave him a reassuring grin.

[color=00FFFF]"Well, there isn't too much to say. I didn't really enjoy hanging around with Hayden. Couldn't kick her out. So I moved out. Ended up asking Lilith for help. Even though we aren't still on great terms. The ranch has always been a safe space"[/color] It was true that the duo hadn't really made alot of progress over the past week. Carlisle was trying his best however. 

Hayden. That was the new girl she heard about. There were quite a lot of people who had issues with that one. She gave a slight nod of her head as she actively listened to him, even though Lilith was mentioned once more. Not just mentioned, now they were [i]living together[/i]? Taking a breath, Willow tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. [color=lightblue]”Well, at least you know she’s always there for you. I have a spare bedroom too, if the ranch gets to be too much.”[/color]

Carlisle listened to Willow and nodded giving off a slight chuckle. [color=00FFFF]"The ranch is something alright. But it's nice to be in a Hive of activity. Even if it is a bit tense at times."[/color] Carlisle would give off a soft smile as he watched Willow put some of her hair behind her ear. [color=00FFFF]"Thanks for the offer though. One day I might just have to stay over for a night"[/color] 

She couldn’t help the pink in her cheeks at his last statement. Willow cleared her throat and steadied herself. She was a grown woman, she shouldn’t be acting like some lovesick teenager. That wasn’t who she was anymore, even though she had been holding a torch for the man ever since their school years. [color=lightblue]”Y-yeah, absolutely. Sounds great.”[/color]

Her eyes went back to the paperwork on his desk, then once more to the empty room. Willow let out a slow breath and decided to change the subject lest the flush creeping up her neck gave away her feelings. [color=lightblue]”What, um. What happened in here?”[/color]

[color=00FFFF]"Mother decided to clear the office of anything of 'sentimental' value to her. So basically everything. I need to find some things to replace it with. Though I am kind of holding off. With my mother disowning me… I don't know if I will end up becoming Coven leader. It could be Lil or Serena now. More now than ever"[/color] Carlisle had been avoiding thinking about the upcoming vote to decide the replacement for the coven leader. It was going to happen the day before the handover party. Normally it was a formality as everything had already been decided. But for the first time in a long while, people weren't so sure now. [color=00FFFF]"Either way. I am stuck actually planning the event. And there is so much I have to order and arrange. I feel like a wedding planner"[/color] 

Willow bit the inside of her cheek as she studied the man. She hated that he was going through so much turmoil. Clearing her throat, she played with the ends of her hair as she looked at the paperwork on his desk. The only real thing she could do to help was with the event. She’d never planned a party in her life, but for Carlisle? She’d do anything. With a short nod of her head, she offered up a kind smile. [color=lightblue]”Lucky for you, you now have me. What can I do to help? I’ll help with any part of the event.”[/color]

Carlisle was going to simply shrug off the offer for help. Afterall, it was his job to do all this. And it wasn't that complicated. It was mostly signing paperwork. [color=00FFFF]"I mean, there isn't alot to do right now. It's mostly just checking things have been ordered. But if you come back the day before the event, I could totally use some help figuring out how to decorate the place. I have no idea how to make it look attractive"[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Done. I’m your girl.”[/color] She blinked before giving an awkward laugh. [color=lightblue]”For the event.”[/color] [i]God, shut [b]up[/b], you sound like an idiot.[/i] Willow let out a breath before glancing down at the watch on her wrist. She hated that she couldn’t keep her cool around this guy. What was it about him, exactly? She couldn’t put her finger on it but there was something that just always kept her coming back for more. Clearing her throat, she gave him a small smile. [color=lightblue]”Well, you look better than you did the last time I saw you. So. Maybe the ranch will do you some good. Sure Lilith’s grandfather is keeping you busy.”[/color]

[color=00FFFF]"Honestly right now, I am not sure where I prefer to be, here or at the ranch. Both have their pros and cons"[/color] Carlisle ran his hand through his hair. He didn’t really want to involve Willow with all of the drama that was surrounding his life right now. He didn’t really know where he preferred to be and while Willow was being nice and generous, he wasn’t entirely sure how stable she would be, if she discovered what had happened on that Sunday dinner. [color=00FFFF]”Thanks for all of the help though. Listen, this is out of the blue, but do you maybe fancy getting a drink at Huskers this evening?”[/color] It was a casual question, company would be nice. Plus it meant he avoided going back to the ranch for a bit.

Her entire back straightened at the idea of getting a drink with him. Did he just ask her on a date? Or was she projecting her own wants onto him? Willow had to try not to react in such a quick jab manner. She had to play it cool. It was just a drink. At Huskers. With the guy she had had a crush on for [i]years[/i]. No big.

Clearing her throat, she gave a slight nod of her head and offered up a small grin. [color=lightblue]”Sure. I’d love to.”[/color] [i]That’s an understatement. Stop with the stupid grin. It’s just a drink.[/i] She cleared her throat. [color=lightblue]”Meet there around eight?”[/color]

[color=00FFFF]”Awesome, it’s a date!”[/color] Carlisle proclaimed back, tapping his hand against the wooden desk. The idea of having a drink with someone had perked his mood somewhat. He had wished somewhat that it was him and Lilith going for drinks. In all honesty he missed getting drunk senseless at Huskers with her while everyone was at college. But Willow was a nice enough person to get a drink with, even if she was a little too enthusiastic at times.

Willow tried with all her might to hide the blush creeping up from her neck. He had confirmed it was a date. But, a friend date? Maybe something more? It wasn’t time to get ahead of herself. The man still obviously had feelings for another woman, but- maybe she could wiggle her way into his heart? It would all start tonight, it seemed. She grinned and nodded her head. [color=lightblue]”A date. Yes. Well, I’ll let you get back to your checklists. I’ll see you tonight, then.”[/color]

Thinking about it. Willow was always enthusiastic. And she always seemed to blush whenever she was around him. Maybe he hadn’t noticed. Maybe he was so fixated on trying to chase after Lilith that he had completely ignored an amazing woman right infront of him? It was almost as if the darkness had been lifted from his eyes. He was looking at Willow in a different light all of the sudden. A very attractive light at that.

[color=00FFFF]”Wait! Hold up”[/color] Carlisle called as Willow was starting to make her goodbyes. He got up and moved around over the desk until he was right infront of Willow. [i]Was he really going to do this?[/i] It seemed he was. He stood there for a second, up close to Willow while staring into her eyes before suddenly moving in and planting a kiss on her lips. He could feel heat rush to his head as he did, this felt good.

Willow barely had time to react before he was standing in front of her, his face coming ever so close to her own. [i]Is this happening? What-[/i] All thoughts went away as his lips brushed against hers. A bit stunned at first, she gave a brief second’s hesitation before deciding to go for it. Bringing her hands up to his chest, she placed them lightly against his shirt as she returned the kiss. Her entire face felt flushed, but this felt right. Just as she knew it would.

It felt as if some kind of cosmic rebalance had just shifted in the universe. Things were coming up Carlisle. His brain scanned through all the things Miles used to say to girls at parties. Anything that would make him sound all cool and suave. [color=00FFFF]”So yeah, drinks later, and maybe your place after if things stay this hot.”[/color]

Letting out a slow breath, she searched his face and blinked at his next statement. Willow tilted her head and couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped her throat. Patting a hand on his chest, she shook her head. [color=lightblue]”You’re not Miles, Car. Let’s just start with a drink and take it from there, okay?”[/color] She grinned and leaned forward, brushing another kiss against his lips. Before he could react, she pulled back and raised a brow, a smile on her lips. [color=lightblue]”I like you for who you are. Don’t go pretending to be somebody else with me, okay?”[/color]

It felt weird that Willow was able to tell exactly who he was trying to emulate. But she was right. She seemed, for some reason, to enjoy dorky, clumsy and somewhat always getting into trouble with his best friends Carlisle. The second kiss caused Carlisle to sigh with contentment. He simply nodded at her words and took a step back. [color=00FFFF]”Yes, So I will see you tonight at the bar”[/color]

[color=lightblue]”Eight at Huskers.”[/color] She grinned and bit softly at her bottom lip before turning, heading outside of the house. Willow had to play it cool, had to keep the blush from her cheeks and the pep out of her step. Soon she made it to her car. Slipping inside, she gripped the steering wheel and squealed with excitement. Once it was over, she cleared her throat and brushed her hair back from her face before driving off.