Fin

[willysilver]

Willy knew Fin's favourite places to go and for many weeks he had avoided them all. He had settled into his little cottage hidden deep in an alley. He had come home, it felt like. He wasn't there much, though. He had let his music take him and he performed almost every night at clubs and bars around the city. Anything to fill the hole in his heart.

But today he couldn't hide away forever. He missed Fin terribly. He thought today he might see if he could find Fin...if only to see him.

Fin's favourite cafe had always been comfortable, a place with familiar food and familiar faces. Willy walked in, no longer a familiar face to the regulars. He scanned the crowd and found Fin sitting in the back, reading what he could only assume was a script. Willy hesitated a moment, asking for a tea with milk and sugar. When he had it, he casually walked back to where Fin sat.

"Hello, my friend," he said softly. Hesitantly. He stood still, waiting for a sign he might be welcoome.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

That face, it was still so new, and Fin struggled with it still.

"...Hello, Will," he said softly, hesitating a beat before moving some of his things and gesturing for the other fae to sit. "How are you?" he asked awkwardly, putting his papers down but fidgeting just a little as he straightened them and picked at the paper clip near the top of page one.

[willysilver]

Willy sank into the chair.

"Well as can be," he said softly. "Are you well?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I... I am, actually," Fin admitted, looking a bit unsure, but wanting to be truthful. "I mean, I've been a bit depressed, if I'm honest, but- I'm getting things back on track. A fresh start and all that, I guess."

[willysilver]

"Yes. A fresh start," he agreed reluctantly. Will took a sip of his tea and watched the ripples in te cup as he sat it back on the table. "I have been playing venues," he said then. "More than just the Alpha. A different place every night. People seem to enjoy my music. I've been experimenting in different genres."

He was trying so very hard to keep from assaulting Fin with emotion, but he felt what he had to say about things such as music was just hollow, only filler.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"That's good, that's wonderful, Will," Fin insisted softly. "Music's important for you, I'm glad you're focusing on it."

[willysilver]

"Mm," he hummed, nodding in agreement. He fell silent, then took another sip of tea so the quiet didn't stretch to taut between them.

"I...miss you," he said, treading delicately. He could think of nothing else to say as he sat with Fin before him. There was a longing to be nearer, but he knew he no longer had such a right.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Will..." Fin said softly. "I miss you too, but- We need space. We need to take this slow."

[willysilver]

"I am not asking to move quickly. Merely that I miss you. I have returned to my cottage and while it is comfortable, it is lonely. I try to be there as seldom as possible," he replied.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"But we need to get used to being alone with ourselves, Will. Me, perhaps more than you," Fin said softly.

[willysilver]

"Are you getting used to it?" he asked. "New York, and now back here? I am certain you have many people in your orbit."

Just not him. Although it hurt, he could understand why Fin would not want him to join the others who circled round the young fae.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Will, other than you and my management team, I've talked to maybe three people since coming back to London. ...No one cares that I was gone, and no one gives a shit that I'm back," he assured him. "Everyone's done with me. ...So I'm working. Work's what I have."

[willysilver]

"Few know me at all," the prince replied. "No one knows this face. Perhaps I should view it as a fresh start...I do not. It is much work, and not fun."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I miss your old face," Fin said before he could stop himself. "This whole changing faces thing... I know you didn't choose to this time, but- I miss the face you had before. Do you think, maybe, it changed because you wanted to get away from the old you?" he asked.

[willysilver]

"I do not know. I feel different. I feel new. This life feels new," he replied. "I was quite content for many years with the same face. Now I feel as if my entire body is new and I am learning how to live in it all over again."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin nodded a little, leaning back in his seat and sighing softly. "Sometimes I think it would be lovely to start all over," he confessed. "To erase who I am and try again. Everything feels so messy and complicated, and I feel so..."

Alone. He felt alone. Abandoned, unwanted, forgotten...

He didn't say those things though, instead, he shrugged one shoulder and sighed again. "Acting's so much easier than existing. When you're acting you know how the story will end. You know all the beats, you know what to do. Real life is just... I feel like I keep missing all my cues, and the plot's gone all wrong and there's no time for rewrites. ...Maybe this is a blessing. You get to rewrite your story however you like now."

[willysilver]

"There is only one part of my story I wish to rewrite, but I fear no amount of editing will win your heart again," Willy confessed. "And so I play. And eat. And sleep. And hope that one day I will feel joy again. I, too, feel...so."

He took another sip of tea and found it was growing cold so he swallowed the rest of his cup.

"Perhaps I could see you again? One day?" he asked hopefully.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'd like that," Fin assured him quietly. "I just think we need to take our time. ...A fresh start."

[willysilver]

"Yes. A fresh start," he agreed. The distance he felt made his heart ache. He and Fin had been so close, but with the bond severed and a face Fin did not recognize nor did he love, Willy felt a bit lost. In all his long years he had never really had to woo anyone. Mortals were drawn to him and he took pleasure when he saw fit. But he found he did not want mere pleasure. He wanted Fin's friendship. Fin's trust. And he had no idea on how to get that back...if he ever really had it to begin with.

"...I am at the Alpha every Tuesday night. Perhaps, when you feel ready, you could come and I will play for you," he offered.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin was quiet for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Alright, I might come one night," he agreed.

Honestly, it was all a bit frightening. There were so many feelings there, hurt, guilt, anger- It was overwhelming, but this felt like a good start to repairing the damage done between them.

[willysilver]

Willy nodded, toying with his cup. He thought for a long moment about what to say. About whether they should leave it at that and he should go.

But he didn't want to go.

"What is it you were reading?" he asked, nodding to the papers.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, uh, it's a script for a mini series. It's quite dark, all about a chap who gets murdered," Fin replied. "He was having an affair with his wife's brother, and you spend the whole series trying to work out if her brother murdered him, or if she did. They want me to play the brother, but I'd quite like to play one of the detectives if I'm honest. I suppose we'll see what happens at the audition."

[willysilver]

Willy nodded and smiled, small but proud. Fin was so talented. He had always admired that talent.

"I think you will be tremendous in any role," he said. "Do you have plans to take the stage again? I would like very much to see you there again. You shine."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm doing a limited run of Reap, actually," Fin confessed, looking a touch bashful about it. "First week of December, last week of November."

[willysilver]

"Would it trouble you if I came to watch?" Will asked, genuinely not wishing to intrude. He knew how personal Reap was for Fin.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You're part of the reason that show even happened in the first place, I'd never make it so you weren't welcome," Fin replied, shaking his head. "You're a big part of that story. ...That time in my life."

[willysilver]

"Then I would be pleased to come," Willy said. "I will watch for the advertisement."

The prince lifted his hand and ran his fingertips across his lips. New lips of a new mouth he still wasn't accustom to. He found himself tracing the shape of his face and his hands quite often. Learning this new self. The glamour he'd worn for so long felt natural. But this was no glamour and he was having a difficult time with himself.

"I should go," he said quietly. "I have intruded on you too much."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin watched him, then nodded a little. "Alright," he replied, though he hadn't felt pressured or upset by the other Fae's visit. If Will needed to go, Fin wouldn't beg him to stay.

[willysilver]

"I would like to speak to you again," he said. "Perhaps...text me? When you feel ready. First we need the fresh start," he said and rose from the chair with the same regal grace he'd always worn.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin remained seated, watching Will rise and nodding just once.

"Perhaps," he agreed, not ready to make any promises.

[willysilver]

This hadn't gone as terribly as Willy feared. Not well, but not awful. Things were still in limbo which was, really, the best he could hope for.

"Then I bid you good day," he said, giving Fin a proper bow before he turned to leave. And he must leave, for he feared he might fall at Fin's feet and beg for something the fae could not yet give.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin watched him go, feeling as though he should say something, but failing to find words. He always needed a script most when there wasn't one to be had.