Lights Flicker And Fade : Kol Mikaelson [3]

219: Can We Breathe?

a/n: Kora chapter x lmk is ya have any questions about anything x
We're so close to plot hyper speed, so enjoy some calm chatter (and remember to comment and vote💛) - Bea

There were many flaws to living above a business. Or, well, living on a street with active businesses, but MJ couldn't help but love it. Walking down Julia Street to get to her little gallery was one of the small joys in life that no murder spree could ruin.

Underfoot, the large grey stones were chunkier than the usual bricks used to make the pavements, semi-faded white lines for pedestrian crossings, divided between business and pure apartment shown in the architecture. Delicate red stones and dark teal gates over doors – white arches and thin columns marking out doorways. Balconies that matched Josh's and hers sticking out straight above those doors, white slab floors, with shiny black railings.

Rustles of shrubbery snaked their way across, invading each piece of metal.

Then, the mix of galleries.

Art Walk.

High ceiling rooms with glass walls, browner brick smoothed down to be almost invisible between them all, footfall encouraged, the olive green streetlights shaped like bulbs ready to flower but never quite opening.

Far above the street, birds forever watching people passing in and out.

Watching as Josh had locked up early, Sam and Pri with him.

MJ slid into the gallery, "Marcel stay with the body?"

Their current centre piece was a sculpture that created light tricks across the room. Old favourites still within her, acting like a waterfall of colour, different patterns depending on where you stood.

"Yep," Sam murmured, "You didn't need to come."

"I know," She nodded, "But I'm here."

A stern look.

"Come on," She moved to his side, "Like I'm gonna leave you drowning."

A beat.

"Upstairs!" MJ decided, "Movie night."

Sam snorted, "You wanna have a movie night right now?"

"I wanna get drunk, enjoy being in my twenties, and have most of my friends in one place for once."

"Literally," Josh had texted the suggestion, "I think the last time we were..."

Aiden.

MJ's return from the dead and a rushed meeting with Aiden. Or the day Aiden died, the group in the playhouse.

"The wolf wedding," MJ gave the alt option, "Which wasn't even for us."

Sam ran a hand through his hair, "Who even is 'us' anymore?"

MJ bit her lip.

"Davina's gone off the deep end, Hayley's got a baby – Cami's – "

"I'm texting them both," MJ lifted her phone.

"I can text Davina," Josh reasoned.

"No," Sam answered instantly, "Nope. Would not help."

"Okay," Josh put his hands up, "You're gonna have to talk to her eventually."

"She wants to play wolf-god; she can talk to the alpha," Sam focused on MJ, "If tonight's about me, can I momentarily vee-toe it being a movie night?"

"As long as I get one eventually."