|| 24. Dad (UN-EDITED)
Y/N settled into the train compartment, maneuvering her trunk into the limited space with a slight grunt before taking her seat. One by one, her friends Seraphina, Sophie, and Aurora joined her, each arranging their own belongings with a sense of familiarity. Y/N's gaze lingered outside the window, perhaps lost in thought or caught in the sway of the passing scenery.
The door slid open, and a sense of anticipation filled the compartment as a familiar brunette head poked through. Y/N's eyes lit up upon recognizing the visitor. "Hey," Hermione's greeting resonated warmly as she stepped inside, her presence like a ray of light. Y/N responded by rising from her seat, reaching for Hermione's trunk to assist her in stowing it away.
With a smile, Y/N echoed the greeting. "Hey," her tone carried a friendly inflection as she took her place again, Hermione settling beside her.
In contrast to their usual dynamic, a silence settled upon the compartment. Typically, Aurora would spark conversations with tidbits of gossip, Sophie would share intriguing fun facts, or Seraphina might attempt to sway Y/N into reading a newfound book. Yet, this time, an unusual stillness held sway—an almost palpable sense that they were all keenly observing, watching the subtle interactions between Y/N and Hermione.
A tentative voice broke the quietude, as Hermione murmured, "So... it's a nice evening, huh?" Her words carried a note of shyness, an attempt to bridge the gap between them. The compartment's occupants nodded in agreement, each attuned to the unspoken emotions swirling beneath the surface.
But the silence returned, heavy and profound, as if everyone was holding their breath, unsure of how to navigate the shifting dynamics. Y/N and Hermione's shared moment hung in the air, an unspoken connection that needed neither explanation nor words to be understood.
And so, the compartment enveloped them in its cocoon of quiet contemplation, a space where thoughts were left to unfurl in the hushed atmosphere.
A sudden rumble emitted from the depths of Y/N's stomach, drawing the attention of all present in the compartment. Laughter bubbled forth from Sophie, who clearly found amusem*nt in this natural bodily interruption, only to have her amusem*nt short-lived as Y/N swiftly stomped on her foot, conveying a clear message.
Amidst the chuckles and stifled laughter, Hermione's voice was tinged with a touch of concern. "When was the last time you had a proper meal?" Her brows knitted in a slight frown, her focus on Y/N.
Y/N's response came in a nonchalant tone, "Um, just before we left."
Hermione's doubt was palpable as she probed further. "Tell me the truth."
Y/N's hands rose in a defensive gesture. "Okay, okay, let's not get dramatic. It was actually last night," she conceded, her tone laced with a dry sense of humor. Hermione playfully rolled her eyes at Y/N's response, the exchange a testament to their familiar rapport.
Hermione's amusem*nt transformed into a more nurturing concern as she reflected aloud, "Where would you be without me?"
"Probably starved." Y/N whispered.
"That's not funny." Hermione sneered sharply.
A hint of a smile tugged at Y/N's lips in response to Hermione's sentiment, their connection evident in her expression. Hermione reached for her bag, retrieving a packet of crisps and a sandwich.
"Come on," she coaxed gently, "eat something."
Y/N's gaze lingered on Hermione for a moment, a mixture of gratitude and amusem*nt dancing in her eyes. "You really have a talent for bossing me around," she remarked, her playful protest accompanied by a smirk. Despite the casual exchange of words, the underlying bond between them was unmistakable.
"Hm, it's my forte." Hermione replied playfully, Y/N smiling.
✴✴✴✴✴
The five friends disembarked from the train, stepping onto the bustling platform that was alive with the excitement of impending reunions and holiday festivities. The atmosphere was filled with an air of camaraderie and shared experiences, and they couldn't resist capturing the moment in a few photographs, their smiles captured in frames that would serve as cherished memories.
As the time to part ways drew near, Hermione's voice cut through the chatter. "See you in two weeks?" Her question hung in the air, accompanied by a subtle tinge of longing. Y/N responded with a smile and a nod, acknowledging the impending separation with a mix of anticipation and melancholy.
"Merry Christmas," Y/N's voice was a gentle whisper, carrying the essence of warmth and goodwill. Hermione returned the sentiment with a nod of her own, their unspoken connection evident in their exchanged glances.
Then, unexpectedly, Hermione leaned in closer, causing Y/N to instinctively flinch and take a step back, her heart skipping a beat in the process. However, as her initial apprehension dissolved, Y/N's posture relaxed.
Hermione's arms encircled her in a tender embrace, a gentle and unexpected gesture that caught Y/N off guard. The touch was intimate, and Y/N felt the heat rush to her cheeks, her breath hitching ever so slightly as her world momentarily contracted to this single, significant moment.
Eventually, the embrace eased, Hermione's grasp gentle as she released Y/N. Y/N's cheeks burned, her hands rising to instinctively cover her face, both in an attempt to hide her flushed countenance and to process the whirlwind of emotions that surged within her.
"Take care," Y/N murmured almost breathlessly, her words imbued with an awkward blend of gratitude and longing.
Hermione's reply was soft and understanding. "Until then, don't miss me that much." she whispered, her gaze holding Y/N's until the latter turned and began to walk away.
Hermione's heart pounded in her chest, a symphony of emotions echoing within her as she watched Y/N's retreating figure, cheeks similarly tinted with a rosy hue, encapsulating the undeniable tension that had lingered between them.
Y/N ambled through the bustling train station, her cheeks still carrying the faint glow of a lingering blush. The sensation was a delicate reminder of the embrace she had shared with Hermione just moments ago.
Her gaze swept across the station's expanse, her eyes searching for a familiar face—her mother's, to be precise. However, amidst the sea of faces, the one she sought remained elusive, causing a touch of worry to edge into her thoughts.
Abruptly, a hand settled upon her shoulder, a presence that tugged her attention from her contemplations. Y/N instinctively pivoted on her heel, her initial response marked by a momentary flinch, her arms reflexively rising as if to shield herself before they relaxed, and her lips parted in recognition.
"Dad," she breathed, the word carrying an intricate mix of emotions that her voice couldn't quite conceal. Her father, Caspian, looked down at her, his expression adorned with a small but genuine smile.
"Y/N, it's wonderful to see you again!" Caspian's greeting was hearty, his frame bending down slightly to align with Y/N's level. An attempt to wrap her in a hug was met with an unspoken resistance, followed by his own self-awareness.
"Right. Not much of a hugger, are you? I keep forgetting," he confessed with a playful, lopsided grin.
The atmosphere shifted as Y/N's voice carried a wry, deadpan edge. "I suppose it's understandable that you'd forget, given that you've been absent for three whole years." Her arms crossed over her chest, an unspoken barrier as her gaze bore into him with a mixture of reproach and longing.
Caspian's mouth briefly parted, his response caught in the crossfire of her emotions. "Y/N, I've been dealing with a lot—"
Her interruption was swift, her tone a mixture of frustration and sorrow. "Busy. Always busy, huh?" She glanced away momentarily, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Well, I've been busy missing you," she admitted, her voice softening as vulnerability emerged beneath the layers of her emotions.
Caspian's voice carried a touch of earnestness as he attempted to bridge the gap between them. "Y/N, you need to understand—I love you. You're truly the best thing that has ever happened to me," he assured, his words an echo of deep emotion. Yet, Y/N's response was marked by an eye roll, an outward display of her skepticism.
Before his sentiment could fully land, Y/N interjected, her tone edged with impatience. "Where's mom?" Her query was succinct, a sign of her desire for practicality despite the maelstrom of feelings within her. Caspian's shoulders slumped slightly, his attempt at connection momentarily derailed.
He collected his thoughts before answering. "Your mother actually requested that I pick you up. We're meant to have a family dinner," he explained, his words carrying a blend of hope and explanation.
Y/N's scoff of disbelief was both audible and palpable. "Oh, the irony. You're still considering me part of the family, huh?" she sneered with sarcasm.
"Even though you've managed to construct an entirely different one?" Her sarcasm dripped like venom, the bitterness she felt toward his absence evident in her words.
With a determined step, she moved past him, walking toward the parking lot with a brisk gait. It was a blend of wounded pride and stubbornness that drove her forward.
Caspian's sigh was heavy as he followed her, his pace resigned yet steadfast. His eyes were locked on her retreating form, a mixture of regret and longing tugging at his heartstrings. The distance between them felt insurmountable, the years of estrangement and the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavy in the air.
✴✴✴✴✴
Y/N found herself situated in the backseat of the car, an impenetrable blanket of silence enveloping the space as the vehicle glided down the street. Caspian occupied the driver's seat, his eyes occasionally darting to the rearview mirror to catch fleeting glimpses of Y/N. The corners of his lips tugged upward ever so slightly, a wistful smile attempting to bridge the gap between them.
Breaking the silence, his voice held a tender note as he ventured, "You've grown so much. I have no doubt that you'll blossom into a beautiful young woman." His words were an attempt to bridge the chasm that had formed between them, a tentative step toward reconnecting.
Y/N regarded him with an empty expression, her gaze fixed on him yet betraying no particular emotion. His attempt at sentimentality was met with her skepticism. "Do you even remember my age?" Her tone dripped with a mixture of bitterness and disbelief.
Caspian nodded, a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. "Twelve, of course. How could I forget? You're my eldest daughter," he responded, his words carrying a mix of pride and sorrow. Y/N's eye roll communicated her lack of surprise at his accurate recall.
His voice softened as he continued, a sense of hope evident in his tone. "Have you ever thought about meeting your siblings? The twins— Axel and Agil have been yearning to see you. They practically look up to you."
The mention of siblings prompted a scoff from Y/N. "Siblings? Those two are not my siblings. They're the result of your pitiful affair," she spat, her words laced with scorn. Caspian's jaw clenched, a surge of frustration coursing through him as he attempted to control his emotions.
His voice strained, he interjected sharply, "Y/N! Don't talk about your step-mother that way!"
But her retort was unyielding, her voice unwavering in its defiance. "Arabella is not my mother. The only 'mother' I know is Mom—Amaryllis, the one you betrayed when you cheated on her." Her words hung in the air, carrying the weight of years of pain and resentment, the fissures in their relationship laid bare by the truth that had been buried for far too long.
Y/N found herself immersed in a conversation that carried the weight of years of resentment and shattered expectations. Caspian's voice was marked by a sense of weariness as he attempted to bridge the gap between them.
"Y/N, not all marriages are meant to last forever. Your mother and I—well, we were just two people who, in the end, didn't quite fit together. Sometimes that happens in life, and you'll come to understand that as you grow older," he stated, his words carrying a tinge of resignation.
The implication was met with Y/N's swift retort, her voice laced with sarcasm. "So, what? Are you suggesting that I'll be a pitiful cheater like you when I'm older?"
Caspian sighed, his features reflecting the heaviness of the topic at hand. "No, Y/N, that's not what I'm saying. It's not about becoming like me; it's about understanding that life is complicated."
"Relationships can unravel, and things might not work out the way you expect. It's not as simple as 'right' or 'wrong,'" he attempted to explain, his voice tinged with a mixture of regret and resignation.
Y/N's anger was palpable as she interjected sharply, her voice a mixture of pain and fury. "Don't talk to me! You think you can justify what you did? I won't be your excuse for betrayal and hurt!"
Her gaze shifted out of the car window, her face a reflection of her turbulent emotions. The vehicle's interior was enveloped in a heavy silence, the weight of their words hanging in the air like an unspoken truth.
The chasm between them felt insurmountable, a divide forged by choices made and the consequences that followed. And as the car moved forward, the silence deepening, both Y/N and Caspian were left grappling with the remnants of their conversation, the wounds reopened and raw, exposing the complexities of love and pain
TO BE CONTINUED...
