In Memories I Remain

Chapter Two

Emerson eventually caved telling the lively lad what kind of meat he preferred. Ham or turkey. Chicken was okay. The librarian had laughed making the poor water spirit's face heat up, but he assured hed have some by tomorrow. Eventually, the library had turned to a dull golden haze, lighting all the leaves and books up in richer colors. Beautiful and stunning.

"You know... you never told me your name," Ivy said gently as he shelved some books nearby as a fish jumped from the fountain to catch a moth.

"...my name is Emerson Barrett." He said softly as he packed up. "Since it seems so important to you." He added trying to push him away. You can't afford to get close to him your family wouldn't approve.

"Last names? Fancy are we? My last name is Rhode-Wilde."

"Like the library?" Emerson said not meaning to sound so shocked but... he couldn't quite help it.

Ivy looked over with those aloe green eyes that now shimmered in the setting sun with flecks of gold- "Well yes. It is my family's library," he teased sticking out his tongue at the nixe making the creature let out a shocked noise.

"I... I apologize I was unaware." He apologized in shock, not wanting to offend the librarian to not let him return.

The nymph-like librarian smiled and shook his head. "You're fine," he promised gently, putting a few more plants away before walking back to him his hair a bit more disheveled from the day. "Keep coming back to see me?" he asked, "Its so nice to have a new face in." 

Emerson wanted to say he wouldn't, but he knew it was a lie. He would be back. He liked it here and the cute librarian did sweeten the deal. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if I came back." the long-haired creature agreed as he packed up his supplies. Oh, he knew he was going to get himself in trouble. He could feel it. But that didn't seem to stop him or slow him in the slightest. "I'll be back early in the morning," he added after a moment.

"For you, the door is always open," Ivy told him making his heart flutter as he left as if it was beating for once in his hollow chest.

-_-_-_-

When he had arrived back at the bus, Sebastian was glamourless, brown moss-filled hair spread over the seat he was laying on, his pale skin ghostly with a red content smile- lips covered in fresh blood. They went hunting. He cringed, looking away seeing Remington eating one of Emerson's chicken pot pies. Apparently the victim had not been someone Remington thought was going to die. At least Remington had morals. If the victim was dying or going to die soon... he ended their misery. 

Emerson could respect that but... Sebastian had no mercy. Young. Old. Healthy or unhealthy... he hated it. 

Remington looked up with his red eyes. He wasn't glamoured either. "Sorry about earlier." he whispered, "Did you find someplace to work without us being loud?" Rem asked, looking up, his lips pouting ever so slightly.

At least Remington was a better brother when Sebastian was out of the equation. Or passed out. The eldest nøkken was always finding trouble or making it. Remington had always been more neutral about it. Still cruel... but not as bad in his baby brother's eyes.

"I did. I found a really nice library..." he confessed softly, hesitating for a moment before, "It looks like a forest and has a fountain. It was beautiful. Really quiet." he added grabbing some of his leftovers to heat up in the microwave, trying to keep his mind off the librarian as he dropped his own glamour considering his brothers werent glamoured anymore.

"...any other reason you were out so late at this library?" he asked playfully, gently. 

"No. Not at all... after all. We're doomed to be unhappy forever." he commented without turning around.

"So there was someone there," the blond spirit purred watching him with red gleaming eyes.

That made Emerson turn around and frown at him. He opened his mouth before shutting it and opened it again, "... shut up, Remington."

Emerson's eyes were far more haunting, instead of theirdark brown they were ghostly blue white, like life had drained from them which was fitting.

"Called it," he hummed as Emerson slipped down with his now warm food and sat across from him. "He cute?" He asked quieter, eyes flicking up to him, worry seemed to be there but faded quickly.

Emerson paused, "How do you know it was a guy?" He asked vaguely.

"As long as I have known you... you haven't been interested in women," his brother answered softly and truthfully.

After a few quiet moments of Emerson eating and thinking he spoke. "He is cute. He had red hair and green eyes... like healthy aloe plants in sunshine." He described looking at his food and not at his brother. "I thought he was a demigod."

Remington was quiet smiling at his brother fondly, "Gonna see him again tomorrow?"

"Yeah. I want to work on my art more..." he said finally looking up to see his brother's soft gaze.

"I'll cover for you." He promised. Remington knew the feeling of longing far too well. To find someone he enjoyed and loved. He had done so once... Emerson didn't know the whole story but he knew it left his brother with a broken heart that was just mending.

Emerson ruffled his long messy hair closing his eyes, "I shouldn't go... we aren't meant to be happy."

"Maybe not but take what happiness you can get. After all... whats life without a sprinkle of joy now and again?" Rem asked tenderly, knowing it would make sense to him.

"After all it makes the heartbreak worse."

Those last words struck a cord in the artist. Happiness to make the misery worse... it made sense... but it also allowed him to indulge in this bit of joy for at least a little bit.